N.F.L. Week 7 Predictions: Our Picks Against the Spread

[DaLveN @CSBD]

ussell Wilson and the Seahawks host Lamar Jackson and the Ravens; the Patriots and the 49ers try to stay undefeated; and the Cowboys try to figure out what’s gone wrong.

Russell Wilson has been dominant this season, using his arm and his legs to power the 5-1 Seahawks.CreditCreditKirk Irwin/Getty ImagesBenjamin HoffmanBy Benjamin HoffmanOct. 18, 2019After Week 6’s series of improbable results, Week 7 can bring some normalcy back to the N.F.L. It offers a terrific quarterbacks matchup between Russell Wilson and Lamar Jackson, a chance for both the 49ers and the Patriots to stay undefeated, and the possibility of Teddy Bridgewater finishing his run as the Saints’ starting quarterback with a perfect record.Here is a look at N.F.L. Week 7, with all picks made against the point spread.Last week’s record: 5-9Overall record: 53-38-1Week 7Sunday’s Best GamesSunday’s Other GamesMonday’s MatchupThursday’s MatchupHow Betting Lines WorkSunday’s Best GamesRavens at Seahawks, 4:25 p.m., FoxLine: Seahawks -3.5 | Total: 49Lamar Jackson is a force for the Ravens (4-2). He runs the ball like no quarterback since Michael Vick — and in terms of total yardage, often better than Vick. He has also developed enough as a passer that teams can’t cheat against him for fear that he will throw right over a stacked box and into the hands of ready and willing receivers like Mark Andrews and Marquise Brown.AdvertisementBut if Jackson were to set a career goal, it would be to find the consistency of Russell Wilson of the Seahawks (5-1). Wilson is still a legitimate dual threat in his eighth season. His lowest passer rating this season came in his lone loss to New Orleans, when he threw for 402 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. He leads the N.F.L. in the percentage of his throws that result in touchdowns. He has yet to throw an interception — leading to an N.F.L.-leading 10.5 adjusted yards per attempt — and has tacked on three rushing touchdowns for good measure.Seattle’s defense is not what it once was, which could give Jackson some room to work, but Seattle’s 12th man will make conditions awfully harsh for a young quarterback still figuring things out. Pick: Seahawks -3.5

the Saints have won all four games that Teddy Bridgewater has started at quarterback in place of Drew Brees.CreditStephen B. Morton/Associated PressSaints at Bears, 4:25 p.m., FoxLine: Bears -3 | Total: 38Coming out of a bye, the Bears (3-2) are likely to have Mitchell Trubisky back at quarterback, which qualifies as an upgrade from Chase Daniel, but only a small one. Chicago seems to lack a high gear on offense, and its defense is weakened considerably with Akiem Hicks, a standout defensive tackle, being placed on injured reserve. Now the Bears are faced with a home game against Teddy Bridgewater and the Saints (5-1), who seem to find new ways to succeed each week. Drew Brees is far enough along in his rehab that a start in Week 8 seems possible, so Bridgewater may soon have to step aside despite what could be a 5-0 record as a starter after this game. Pick: Saints +3Texans at Colts, 1 p.m., CBSLine: Colts -1 | Total: 47.5The Texans (4-2) are rounding into shape with Deshaun Watson at the helm. They have put up 1,064 yards of offense and 84 points over the last two weeks in a pair of impressive victories, and they have done it with a balance between running and passing, allowing them to control the clock. With a win at home, the Colts (3-2) could move into first place in the A.F.C. South, but while Indianapolis has been a nice story, it seems to be overmatched against Houston. Pick: Texans +1Advertisement49ers at Redskins, 1 p.m., FoxLine: 49ers -9.5 | Total: 41.5Anything can happen in the N.F.L., but the chances of the red-hot 49ers (5-0) falling to the lowly Redskins (1-5), even on the road, are remote. San Francisco showed last week against Los Angeles that its defense can stand up to a top-tier offense, and Washington is hardly that. In a game that does not figure to be competitive, San Francisco may chew up clock with its running game — a strategy that just so happens to prey on one of Washington’s most glaring weaknesses — which would put the large point spread in question. Pick: Redskins +9.5