By way of six weeks, the hierarchy within the NFC North is turning into a bit clearer. This is how the groups will fare in Week 7:
Las Vegas Raiders (3-3) at Chicago Bears (1-5): Sunday might be a sloppy affair, particularly if each groups begin backup quarterbacks. The standing of Jimmy Garoppolo (again) and Justin Fields (dislocated finger) is unsure, which means we might see rookie and former Division II standout Tyson Bagent get the nod for the Bears and both veteran Brian Hoyer or one other first-year QB Aidan O’Connell go for the Raiders.
Whoever performs for the Bears will seemingly have hassle in opposition to the Raiders. Even with the Fields, the Bears’ passing recreation has struggled (188.5 yards per recreation, twenty sixth). Additionally they will not have the ability to lean a lot on the working recreation, doubtlessly lacking three working backs, Khalil Herbert (ankle), Travis Homer (hamstring) and rookie Roschon Johnson (concussion), all of whom have but to observe as of Wednesday.
As for the opposite aspect of the ball, the Bears protection hasn’t stopped anybody this season, permitting 5.8 yards per play, the fourth-worst within the NFL.
An undrafted rookie QB backed by a Swiss cheese protection enjoying in opposition to a group that is gained two in a row? That appears like a recipe for catastrophe and one other loss for the Bears.
PREDICTION: Raiders, 23-12
Detroit Lions (5-1) at Baltimore Ravens (4-2): Following a formidable Week 6 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (20-6), the Lions could have one other likelihood at an announcement win Sunday in opposition to the Ravens. The Lions enter shorthanded on each side of the ball, particularly on offense, which might play a big position in who walks away the winner in Week 7.
A trio of working backs, David Montgomery (ribs), Craig Reynolds (hamstring/toe) and rookie Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring), are questionable, as is tight finish Sam LaPorta (calf).
Nonetheless, in keeping with Jeff Darlington of ESPN, the Lions count on LaPorta to be lively. Even with out LaPorta, the presence of WR Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams ought to supply quarterback Jared Goff sufficient to make up for the shortage of working again depth, and he’ll want the weaponry in opposition to a Ravens protection ranked second within the NFL in yards per play allowed (4.0).
The Lions protection is not far behind the Ravens, permitting 4.7 yards a play (sixth), and so they’ll comprise QB Lamar Jackson and the Ravens offense, averaging solely 22.2 factors per recreation (fifteenth).
In the meantime, Goff and firm will just do sufficient to seize a formidable street win in opposition to a Baltimore group nonetheless weary from its journey to London.
PREDICTION: Lions, 23-17
Inexperienced Bay Packers (2-3) at Denver Broncos (1-5): The Packers enter a Week 7 contest at Mile Excessive as one-point favorites per Oddschecker, and for good motive. Whereas the Packers definitely aren’t elite, they need to have sufficient to high the mess that’s the Broncos and enhance to .500 (3-3).
The Broncos rank thirty second in almost each main defensive class besides passing yards (thirtieth) and brought the ball away solely six instances (twenty first). On offense, Denver is seventeenth (21.5) in scoring and twenty first in yards per recreation (281.6). So, except the Packers beat themselves, which is not inconceivable, they’ve a golden alternative to seize their third win of the yr.
Whereas the Broncos did maintain QB Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas Chiefs to solely 19 factors in Week 6, they nonetheless gave up 197 extra yards than they gained and solely narrowly prevented a shutout, scoring halfway by the fourth quarter.
The Packers are coming off their bye week and must be comparatively well-rested. Moreover, Inexperienced Bay might see RB Aaron Jones’s return (hamstring). The Packers are the higher group and can come out on high.
PREDICTION: Packers, 24-15
San Francisco 49ers (5-1) at Minnesota Vikings (2-4): Regardless of being at residence, the Vikings aren’t the favourite in Week 7 in opposition to the formidable 49ers on “Monday Night time Soccer.” When on the lookout for the explanation why the Vikings are seven-point residence canines, one solely wants to think about the place the 2 groups rank on each side of the ball.
The 49ers entered ranked second in factors scored per recreation (30.7) and first in factors allowed (14.5). In the meantime, the Vikings common solely 21.5 factors per recreation (seventeenth) whereas giving up 22.5 (twenty first). Likewise, the 49ers lead within the NFL in turnover differential (plus-8), whereas the Vikings are thirtieth (minus-7).
The Vikings would possibly catch a break, with RB Christian McCaffrey (indirect), WR Deebo Samuel (shoulder) and OL Trent Williams (ankle) all questionable for the sport after leaving Week 6 with accidents. Nonetheless, in keeping with Adam Schefter of ESPN, not one of the accidents are thought of extreme, and all three will attempt to play.
There is a slight risk that the 49ers would possibly overlook the Vikings with a Thursday evening contest forward in Week 8 on the Cincinnati Bengals earlier than their bye week, but it surely’s unlikely. Additionally, after being surprised by the Cleveland Browns final week, struggling their first loss, the Niners will search for somebody to take their frustrations out on.
On high of that, QB Kirk Cousins is just 7-11 because the Vikings starter in primetime, which ought to encourage little confidence in Minnesota’s possibilities.
PREDICTION: 49ers, 30-17
