Week 7 in the NFL kicked off on Thursday night with the Jacksonville Jaguars flustering the New Orleans Saints Derek Carr all night to win 31- 24 and maintaining their lead in the AFC South.
Sunday and Monday’s games will feature some key matchups at a pivotal part of the season as the weather begins to change and we head into November and December to decide playoff positioning for some and draft positioning for others. These are our picks According 2 Us!
Lions @ Ravens
The Lions, yes the Detroit Lions are the talk of the NFL. Sports show after sports show analysts are suggesting that this Detroit Lions team, the one led by their hard nosed coach Dan Campbell and former number 1 overall draft pick Jarred Goff might be the team to beat in the NFC. After beating a red hot Buccaneers team last weekend (a Bucs team in throwback creamsicle) the Lions head to Baltimore to face the Ravens fresh from a trip across the pond. Given the travel, an offense not exactly firing on all cylinders in the passing game (where is OBJ?) I think the Lions hand the Ravens an L.
A2 Pick: Lions 28 Ravens 17
Raiders @ Bears
The Brian Hoyer vs Aidan O’Connnell bowl. With both QB1s Garoppolo and Justin Field mending injuries, I expect points to be hard to come by. The Raiders defense led by Max Crosby should force a few turnovers that will ultimately decide the game and potentially Chicago HC Matt Eberflus his job.
A2 Pick: Raiders 20 Bears 9
Browns @ Colts
Potentially another duel of backup QBs with Deshaun Watson listed as questionable nursing a shoulder injury and Anthony Richardson gone for the season this matchup might be a lopsided affair. Miles Garret leads the NFL’s best defense, fresh off a victory over the heralded 49ers, Jim Schwartz will more than likely have a scheme to make Garnder Minshew’s day one he would like to forget.
A2 Pick: Browns 24 Colts 6
Bills @ Patriots
Josh Allen, the MVP that could-maybe-should, bounces back after being held in check for 3 and a half quarters against the New York Football Giants. Allen and this Buffalo outfit under HC Sean McDermont has given the Patriots fits over the past several years and I expect more the same. Monday the talk will be Bill Belichick’s job status (really?), if the Pats are in the market for a new QB and if Allen is back on track to living up to his Madden cover MVP potential.
A2 Pick: Bills 35 Patriots 3
Commanders @ Giants
Daniel Jones is still nursing a neck injury. While we pray for his recovery, Giants fans may think their best chance to get a W rests in the arm and mind of veteran QB Tyrod Taylor. Fresh from snatching defeat from the jaws of victory (is that right?) the Giants will give their division rival a fight. Enough fight to win.
A2 Pick: Giants 20 Commanders 17
Falcons @ Bucs
Another division battle, pitting NFC South foes against each other for the lead. Baker Mayfield is missing wide open receivers as of late, Desmond Ridder appears to be still finding his footing (and perhaps making Falcons brass consider a trade for another QB or eyeing one in the draft) and two fan bases are waiting for their teams to take the reigns of the division before the Saints figure it out and get it together. Playing for his QB1 life and a contact, I don’t expect for Mayfield to give us back to back stinkers. Home team wins.
A2 Pick: Bucs 21 Falcons 13
Steelers @ Rams
Someone didn’t tell Mike Tomlin and Sean McVay that this season was a rebuilding year. The Super Bowl coaches have their teams in respectable positions within the conference and respective divisions and have played well as of late. This game will come down to whether Kenny Pickett can make strides in Year 2 in a pressure filled road game and whether or not the OG (35 Year OG in fact) can continue to fight off father time and remind the league that there will be a case to be made when it’s time for his consideration for Canton. I’m expecting Stafford to defend his house.
Rams 28 Steeler 16
A2 Pick: Cardinals @ Seahawks
Yet another division game. Kyler Murray is nearing a return to action but he more than likely will not be available come kickoff. This comes down to veterans, guys that have been there and done that and know how to respond after a loss. The 12th man will be ready to do their part and fuel Geno Smith to a W.
Seahawks 23 Arizona 10
Packers @ Broncos
In Russ we Trust. Let Russ Cook. Let’s Ride. That sounds nice but it appears the Broncos have their eyes on Year 2 of the Sean Payton era with wholesale changes on the horizon. What a turn for Wilson, who was once thought of as a sure fire Hall of Famer and potentially an all time great. What a difference a year or 2 makes. I see this as the Jordan Love back on track game that ultimately gets Van Joseph the pink slip in the Mile High season for a second time.
Packer 28 Broncos 24
A2 Pick: Chargers @ Chiefs
The Chiefs are 5-1. Mecole Hardeman is back to give support to the WR corps who have struggled mightily this season. Despite that the Chiefs are 5-1. The record speaks for itself but the eye test says this version of the Chiefs is not as explosive, sharp offensively as previous years outfits have been. Could it be the absence of Eri Bienemy? Could it be all those post season wars are physically and mentally taxing a team that has climbed the mountain twice and knocked on the door 5 times? Maybe it’s all of it but this week is not the week to figure it out as Justin Herbert, Joey Bosa, and Austin Eckler come to Arrowhead fresh off a MNF loss to the Cowboys. In the upset of the day ( the upset of the week is coming later in the article) the Chiefs sloppy execution catches up to them and the Chargers drop them to 5-2.
A2 Pick: Chargers 30 Chiefs 23
Dolphins @ Eagles
Tirico, Collinsworth and the crew have a good one. So good in fact, I don’t have many words for this one. Well a few. Can the high octane Mike McDaniels led offense go northeast on an October night in a raucous Linc and beat the Eagles fresh off their first loss? I haven’t seen Jalen Hurts put 2 bad games together back to back and I don’t expect him to do so Sunday night. I expect Devonta Smith to be more involved in the offense and I expect Hurts to move around more to open up better throwing lanes outside of the pocket. If the human highlight Tyrek Hill can be held under 100 yards receiving, the Eagles should be easier but in the event he breaks loose, heads to the end zone, grabs an iphone for another backflip selfie, I still expect the Eagles to win. But it will be much much harder and a lot closer.
A2 Pick : Eagles 34 Miami 24
Niners @ Vikings
Upset of the week. Yes, I know Kirk Cousins’ light usually dims during prime time games. I know rumors of him waiving his no-trade clause and holding the fort in New Jersey for the Jets is the talk of sports radio. I know the 49ers are the prohibitive favorite to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl and want to get back after their lone defeat to the Browns. But with the injuries to Chistian McCaffery, Deebo Samuel, and Trent Williams still a mystery with no indication they will be ready for Monday night, I think this is the prime time game Cousins does what he does and outduels a 1 loss Brock Purdy ( we at A2HH are not quite sure if Purdy is ‘Elite’ as Shannon Sharpe has questioned) to propel the Vikes to a victory,
A2 Pick: Vikings 27 Niners 20
