NFL Picks Week 7: Highlighting Best Vegas Odds and Expert Predictions

At this point in the NFL season, it’s fair to say most teams are beginning to show their true colors.

Hot starters are running out of fuel, and early stumblers are getting their feet under themselves. Teams that were always expected to do well—such as the New England Patriots—are thriving, while injury-stricken squads such as the Minnesota Vikings and Dallas Cowboys are proving to be shockingly robust. The squads with middling talent are, well, mucking around in the middle of their divisions.

However, there’s still plenty of time for a few twists in the drama, as no team is safe atop the standings, and no bottom feeder has to accept its fate this season.

The oddsmakers are honing in on which teams can and cannot be trusted, as are the experts around the web who make predictions every week. If you’re looking for a bit of guidance as you take stock of what each team has done so far and make your own predictions, here’s a look at Week 7’s best odds and expert picks.

San Diego Can Keep Things Close Against Atlanta (-6.5)

The San Diego Chargers are not as bad as their 2-4 record makes them out to be. Yes, they’re awful at protecting leads in the fourth quarter and have suffered several season-ending injuries to key players, but this team has been competitive in every game this year and should fare well against the Atlanta Falcons.

Philip Rivers is once again making do while his offense crumbles around him, throwing 12 touchdowns against three picks this year. He should do just fine against a Falcons defense that’s allowed 14 passing touchdowns and a 99.1 quarterback rating, per ESPN.com. 

Rivers has emerging targets in tight end Hunter Henry and wide receiver Tyrell Williams, not to mention a secondary-stretching veteran in Travis Benjamin. With Melvin Gordon providing a scoring boost on the ground, the Bolts look equipped to put some points up against Atlanta.

The Falcons are expected to light up the scoreboard at home, as they lead the league in both yards and points per game. Julio Jones should have no trouble getting open against a depleted Chargers secondary, and Tevin Coleman and Devonta Freeman are threats both on the ground and out of the backfield.

The Chargers will be hard-pressed to stop this high-flying attack, but …

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