Week 6 was the first NFL week with byes during the 2021 seas from seestyle's blog

Week 6 was the first NFL week with byes during the 2021 season and also a rather good week of picks and predictions both against the spread and straight up. That doesn't mean much unle s it's followed up by a strong Week 7.With the number of bye teams going up to six the Bills, Cowboys, Vikings, Steelers, Chargers and Jaguars it's a smaller slate of only 13 games. That lighter schedule still features three ma sive double-digit favorites, balancedbyfour games where the spread is set at four or fewer points.So this week, it's mostly either navigating a lopsided matchup or figuring out who's a slightly better bet in a close one. Here's our latest shot at picking against the numbers, from another thirsty Thursday to another manic Monday:(Game odds courtesy of ) NFL POWER RANKINGS:Raiders, Steelers rise again; Browns, Bears, Seahawks slide for Week 7 NFL picks against the spread for Week 7Game of the Week: Bengals at Ravens (-6.5, 46.5 o/u)Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS The Bengals' offense is clicking everywhere around Joe Burrow. The Ravens also can move the ball in more ways with Lamar Jackson. Last week, there was no worthy Jackson duelagainst the Chargers, but that comes vs. another second-year Randy Johnson Jersey first-round QB counterpart. The Bengals won't mind throwing often on Baltimore's D and Cincinnati cannot slow down the Ravens' best downfield targets. This game comes down to a key drive in the fourth quarter with Jackson coming through at home.Pick: Ravens win 27-23 but fail to cover the spread.Game of Midweek: Broncos at Browns (-4.5, 42.5 o/u)Thursday 8:20 p.m. ET, Fox, NFL Network, Amazon Prime Video The Browns have become an injury me s, from quarterback, running back, offensive line, wide receiver to defense. After being forced Tim Beckham Jersey to deviate from their rushing offense and complementary pa s defense ways, they can get back on track vs. a Denver D that's starting to struggle in many areas under Vic Fangio. The Broncos will hang around with more steady play by Teddy Bridgewater, but in the end backup Case Keenum, a former Broncos starter, delivers a much-needed gritty win to push Cleveland back above .500 at home.Pick: Browns win 23-20 but fail to cover the spread.Result: Browns win 17-14 but fail to cover the spread.Lock of the Week: Rams (-16.5, 50.5 o/u) over LionsSunday 4:05 p.m. ET, FoxMatthew Stafford's revengegame will look like a lot of revenge games, except the sacrificial lambs are the visitingLions. Detroit hit a wall against Cincinnati at home last week, simply breaking down from winle s frustration after several previous closegames. The Rams are relentle s in smashing bad teams, something they proved against the Giants. They will treat Honolulu Blue like Big Blue, with their defense prepared to keep things rough on former QB Jared Goff.Pick: Rams win 38-14and cover the spread. Upset of the Week: Eagles (+2.5, 50.5 o/u) overRaidersSunday 4:05 p.m. ET, FoxThe Eagles came through as our Week 5 upset special. The Raiders did the same in Week 6. So it's only natural to involve both of the teams here in this space this week. You can bet Philly fans will storm Las Vegas and make it feel like a home game for Jalen Hurts. The Raiders will continue to playliberated, inspiring ball without Jon Gruden, but the Eagles' defensive looks won't help Derek Carr, who will face plenty of interior pre sure. The Raiders will struggle with Hurts' mobility and his diverse weapons in the ideal pa s-happy attack against them.Pick: Eagles win 27-21.Panthers (-3, 42.5 o/u)at GiantsSunday 1 p.m.ET, FoxThe Panthers can make things look bleaker in New York for their former GM, Dave Gettleman, by showing that former Giants a sistantMatt Rhule can also outcoach the overmatched Joe Judge. Daniel Jones with a shaky offensive line, no Saquon Barkley Seattle Mariners Jersey and limited healthy wide receivers is a bad combination against an aggre sive Carolina pa s-rushing defense that goes hard after turnovers. Sam Darnold won't provide much pretty on the other side, but the Giants are shorter on playmakers beyond former Panthers cornerback James Bradberry.Pick: Panthers win 20-16 and cover the spread.Washington Football Team at Packers(-11.5, 47o/u)Sunday 1 p.m. ET, FoxWFT hung around with the Chiefs early thanks to a couple fluky takeaways, but the Chiefs still pulled away in a second-half laugher. The Packers have been rolling since their annual meltdown game in Week 1 and there's nothing to suggest Washington's underachieving defense will slow down anything Aaron Rodgers wants to do. Taylor Heinicke is now in over his head and won't do nearly enough in catchup mode.Pick: Packers win 34-17and cover the spread. Chiefs (-4, 57.5) at TitansSunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS The Chiefs' offense cleaned up those big mistakes and went big play all over Washington in the second half of last week's game, with Patrick Mahomes finding perfect harmony between Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, J.P. Crawford Jersey Mecole Hardman and the running game. The Titans are coming off having their hands full against the Bills on a short week but they can have much more succe s running with Derrick Henry this week, therefore opening up the pa sing game well for Ryan Tannehill. Mahomes outduels Tannehill, but the latter plays well enough to tighten up the margin by the end.Pick: Chiefs win 31-27 but fail to cover the spread.Falcons(-2.5, 47o/u) at DolphinsSunday 1 p.m. ET, FoxThe Falcons went to London and won in Week 5. The Dolphins went to London and lost in Week 6, and didn't even get a bye. Look for Atlanta to have figured out more offensively under Matt Ryan coming out of needed early rest and taking it to a Dolphins' defense in which the weakne ses far outweighthe strengths for Brian Flores. Miami has more short-to-intermediate pa sing succe s with Tua Tagovailoa to Jaylen Waddle and Mike Gesicki, but Ryan has better answers with Calvin Ridley and Kyle Pitts.Pick: Falcons win 23-20 and cover the spread.Jets at Patriots (-7, 42.5 o/u)Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBSThe Jets lost to the Patriots at home 25-9 in Week 2 so their goal will be looking more respectable on the road after a post-London Week 6 bye. The Patriots had another tough home lo s vs. the Cowboys after a similar walk-off result against the Buccaneers in Week 4. It's shocking to see that 0-4 record for New England in Foxborough after only six weeks. The Patriots regroup well defensively and Mac Jones shows more confidence Mike Marjama Jersey opposite Zach Wilson.Pick: Patriots win 20-10 and cover the spread. Texans at Cardinals (-18, 47.5 o/u)Sunday 4:25 p.m. ET, CBSDo you think this game means something to J.J. Watt and DeAndre Hopkins? Without their former leader Deshaun Watson suiting up for the Texans, here's their lone chance to beat the Lone Star team they probably expected to never leave in their caree