Home Football Arch City Sports Predicts: Week 7 NFL

Arch City Sports Predicts: Week 7 NFL

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Last week Arch City sports went 11-3-1. With Buzz Baumer, Jeremy Karp, and Ryan Leopando Making perfect picks. You should especially pay attention to Jeremy Karp, rightfully predicting the Browns to win over the Steelers last week.

Returning to make the picks for the week are Scott Batchelor, Buzz Baumer, Dan Buffa, Ryan Leopando, Jeremy Karp and Nick Yahl.

Thursday Night Football

Jets At Patriots

Quite frankly I would expect the Belicheck/Brady train to completely run the Jets over tonight. A score of 40-13 would suffice. This is a heated rivalry that won’t show much punch due to New York’s tepid season and New England’s resurgence the past two weeks.

(Dan Buffa)

Early Games

Falcons/Ravens (at BAL):

What do the Falcons and Ravens both have in common? They both have torched the Buccaneers defense this season. While every game is of a big importance, this one is significant in that the division races in the divisions these two teams are in are a lot tighter. The Ravens have the overall edge, as Atlanta’s defense still has a lot of issues that need sorting out. Look for the Ravens to continue their hot streak at home against the Falcons.

Prediction: BAL over ATL

(Jeremy Karp)

Minnesota Vikings v. Buffalo Bills

The 2-4 Vikings travel to Buffalo to play the 3-3 Bills. Vikings’ rookie QB Teddy Bridgewater, who looks to gain some confidence after failing to score a touchdown against the Detroit Lions last week. He completed 23 of 37 passes for 188 yards and three interceptions in the 17-3 loss. While the Vikings have decided to gain some confidence in the rookie, the Buffalo Bills have gone a different director choosing to sit 2nd year QB EJ Manuel after a disappointing start to the season. The Bills will send in the veteran Kyle Orton to man the offense. The Bills are little more explosive on offense with running backs C.J Spiller and Fred Jackson and WR Sammy Watkins. The Bills defense has done a good job with the running game by allowing 67.5 yards per game, and they have yet to give up a rushing touchdown. I see the Bills pulling out one in front of the home crowd.

Final Score Prediction: Bills 21- Vikings 7

(Buzz Baumer)

Dolphins/Bears (at CHI): 

The Dolphins had a heartbreaking defeat last week, losing to the Packers in the final seconds. This is actually the first game between these two teams since former Dolphins WR Brandon Marshall was traded to his current team, the Bears. While Chicago has had their own share of issues, they not only have the home field advantage, but the overall more potent offense, which will play a critical role in Chicago’s quest for a victory over Miami.

Prediction: CHI over MIA
(Jeremy Karp)

Saints@ Lions

The irresistible force meets the immovable object. Despite losing three games, the Saints are still offensive power houses and always will be as long as Drew Brees is captain. The Lions rank first in all aspects of defense except for rush yards allowed, and in that they rank second. With Megatron possibly missing his second game, I expect the Lions to need their defense to really step up. All and all, I think the fans win with this game. It will be close, it will be brutal, and if you asked me any year except for 2014, I pick the Saints. But this is the year of the Lion, and I have a hard time picking against them if the defense continues to play the way it is. Sure the Lions have a favorable schedule in the early part of the season but they still show up and dominant. The Saints meanwhile have trouble keeping up with teams they should beat easily. Bottom line- Defense wins championships. Lions in a close one. 30-27

(Scott Batchelor)

Packers vs. Panthers– This is an intriguing matchup that will take place in the Packers house on Sunday at Lambeau Field. The Packers (4-2) are looking for their fourth straight victory and third at home, while the Panthers (3-2-1) are coming off a tie with the Bengals and are hoping to steal one on the road. It will be a tough test for Cam Newton and Carolina though we finally saw the Panthers use Newton more in the run game this past week suggesting he is back to full health. On the flip side the Green Bay defense has forced eight interceptions in the last four games and will try to hold Newton to a QBR lower than 85, which they have done for six consecutive weeks now. Aaron Rodgers is heating up as he’s thrown for 15 touchdowns and just one interception through the first six weeks. I think this will be another close game with the Packers edging out the Panthers 28-24.

(Nick Yahl)

Browns At Jaguars

Ugly game but still some juice on the bone. The bartender in me wants to clearly state that the Cleveland Browns are riding quite high after whipping the Steelers on Sunday so I expect them to roll this week. The Jags have scored 81 points in 6 games and are terrible. An easy Cleveland 38-7 win here.

(Dan Buffa)

Bengals (3-1-1, 1-1 away) at Colts (4-2, 2-1 home)

The Cincinnati Bengals started off hot, and are slowly cooling down. The Indianapolis Colts are doing the opposite. The Bengals were undefeated going into their Week 4 bye week, and then got demolished by the Patriots 43-17, and last week tied the Carolina Panthers 37-37. They are allowing an average 172 rushing yards in their last three games and 288 yards through the air their last two games. That’s not good, especially with Andrew Luck and the Colts winning their last four games after starting off 0-2. Luck has Manning-esque numbers right now, already approaching 2000 yards passing (1987 yards) and 17 touchdowns in just six games. Despite still having the butterfinger-syndrome, Trenton Richardson seems to be back on track in the running game, and add Ahmad Bradshaw into that mix who is used more in the passing game, and the Colts are about to hand the Bengals another loss. Speaking of the passing game, the Bengals don’t have much of any offense going on with AJ Green as their only threat at the moment; meanwhile T.Y. Hilton of the Colts is coming off a 223 yard performance last Thursday night.

Colts 33, Bengals 17

(Ryan Leopando)

Rams vs. Seahawks– The St. Louis Rams are coming off a 31-17 loss to the San Francisco 49’ers this past week on Monday night football. The Rams showed flashes of life in the first half as Austin Davis completed a pair of touchdown passes to give St. Louis a 14-0 lead. Though if the Rams want to have any chance against the Seahawks they’re going to have to put in four quarters of the best football of their season. The Seahawks are going to be hungry after falling to the Dallas Cowboys at home by a touchdown 30-23. St. Louis has one of the best pass defenses in the game, but rank third to last in OPG averaging 30.1 points given up. The defense will certainly need to tighten things up against Russell Wilson and the Seattle offense that can run the ball down your throat with Wilson and Marshawn Lynch. I don’t think the St. Louis offense, while they have shown improvement, will stand a chance against the Seahawks defense. I’ll take Seattle winning this game handedly 34-10.

(Nick Yahl)

Tennessee@ Washington

This is the type of game that unfortunately exists in the world. A game between losing team with no momentum to make it interesting. With the Titans starting QB Jack Locker going down with an injury, I fully expect Washington to step up their defensive game knowing whoever is under center will be about as green as you can get. Meanwhile Cousins continues to impress throwing for over 350 yards last week against a tougher than they look Cardinal D. Although Tennessee is good at upsetting teams on the road (Kansas City week 1) I think Washington is hungry for a win and playing at home should give them the boost they have been looking for all season. Washington 17-7.

(Scott Batchelor)

Late Games

Chiefs/Chargers (at SD):

The Chargers are one of the most underrated and yet, dominating teams in the NFL. Despite their running backs’ corps getting decimated by injuries, they have continued their winning ways, besting the Raiders last week. San Diego currently is tied for the best record in football. Meanwhile, the Chiefs had a bye last week, but would like to keep momentum alive from their big win a couple weeks ago against the Patriots. In this AFC West clash, the team with the fewer defensive mistakes will reign supreme. And San Diego has played like the better team as of late. Should be a close game, but the Chargers’ momentum looks to continue to build come this Sunday.

Prediction: SD over KC

(Jeremy Karp)

Giants vs. Cowboys– The Cowboys are clicking on all cylinders right now sitting at 5-1 and coming off a big time win over the Seahawks in Seattle. Credit Demarco Murray, who already has six touchdowns on 159 carries for Dallas. The Giants, who were shut out 27-0, by a tough Chip Kelly Eagles squad, are going to be looking for redemption in this game. This game is arguably the toughest on the Giants schedule to this point in their season and they could really use a boost from their middle of the road offense. Despite the fact that they will be going up against a sub par Dallas defense the Giants will be without star wide receiver Victor Cruz, who suffered a torn patellar tendon in the loss to the Eagles. They will have to look to other players such as rookie Odell Beckham Jr. to provide the offense output in Cruz’s absence. Ultimately I think you have to go with the Cowboys in this one 27-17.

(Nick Yahl)

Cardinals@ Raiders

The only team the Cardinals have lost against this season is the Denver Mannings Broncos. The Raiders remain winless. The Cardinals have been able to meet some very impressive teams, and the only way the Cardinals lose is if they get caught in a trap game. The next two weeks they play the Eagles then travel to Cowboy nation. This is a must win for the redbirds of the south as their schedule is going to get increasingly difficult as the season goes on. As I said last week, this is one of the better teams in the league. No stand out stars per-se but the just come together no matter who is taking snaps. The Raiders are still the Raiders and I have complete faith that Cardinals can pick up an easy win. Cardinals take one on the road 28-14.

(Scott Batchelor)

Sunday Night Football

49ers (4-2, 2-1 away) at Broncos (4-1, 3-0 home)

The 4-2 San Francisco 49ers pay a visit to Sports Authority Field in Mile High to take on the 4-1 Denver Broncos. Let’s face it, Peyton Manning is Peyton Manning. I always ask myself why there is even a coach on the sidelines with Manning under center. He’s just two touchdowns away from matching Brett Favre for the NFL record. It took Favre 302regular season games to get to 508 touchdowns, and Manning is going into his 246th game this weekend with 506 touchdowns. Add the fact that Montee Ball is most likely to miss his second game; Manning will conduct an aerial attack that he’s known for. With the 49ers without Aldon Smith and newly injured Patrick Willis who is questionable for the game, I expect Peyton to continue to just keep on rolling. Let’s not forget about Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers though. 1456 passing yards and 10 touchdowns is nothing to ignore. I just don’t think that they will be able to come out with the win in Mile High. Although I do expect a lot of offense by both teams.

Broncos 38, 49ers 27

(Ryan Leopando)

Monday Night Football

Houston Texans v. Pittsburgh Steelers

Under the Monday Night Lights, the 3-3 Texans travel to the Pittsburgh to play the 3-3 Steelers. This game should be a fun one to watch. These two teams are pretty evenly matched with both relying on a strong defense and a good running game. J.J. Watt will be looking to tear up the mediocre offensive line of the Steelers. The Texans need to contain QB Ben Roethlisberger, who is famous for extending plays with his legs and finding his receivers. I expect a big game from Steelers WR Antonio Brown, who has 41 catches for 629 and 5 TDs on the season. The Texans could also get 2014 Draft #1 overall pick Jadevon Clowney back to the squad. This would obliviously be a huge addition back to the Texan D-Line. I think that the Steelers find a way to develop the running game and find a way to win.

Final Score Prediction: Steelers 27- Texans 20

(Buzz Baumer)

Photo-Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

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