NFL Week 7 Previews and Predictions, Part 2

“Xandro’s Fearless Predictions” are brought to you this week by Alexandro H. Zatarain and Derek Tang.

Xandro’s Overall Record: 51-40 (Last Week: 8-7)

Bye Week: Eagles, Buccaneers

 Atlanta Falcons (2-4) @  Baltimore Ravens (4-2)

1:00 pm ET @ M&T Bank Stadium  (FOX)

Xandro’s Fearless Prediction: The Falcons certainly have the offense to take on anybody, let alone the Ravens, but their defense is terrible, ranked #31 in the league. Look for Steve Smith to have another tremendous day against a particularly weak secondary. Joe Flacco has feasted on NFC South defenses this year, especially early in games, and the pattern could continue.

Final Score: Falcons 17 – RAVENS 28

 Tennessee Titans (2-4) @  Washington Redskins (1-5)

1:00 pm ET @ FedEx Field (CBS)

Xandro’s Fearless Prediction: A matchup between two struggling teams may not yield many highlights. Give the edge to Washington with the more potent attack, and with standout Ryan Kerrigan on defense, they should be able to keep Tennessee at bay. 

Final Score: Titans 20 – REDSKINS 21

 Seattle Seahawks (3-2) @  St. Louis Rams (1-4)

1:00 pm ET @ Edward Jones Dome (FOX)

Xandro’s Fearless Prediction: Both teams are coming off of a loss, but I have more faith in the Seahawks bouncing back. Well, who wouldn’t? The Percy Harvin trade will surely shake things up for this squad, and should point to a steady diet of Marshawn Lynch for St. Louis to face.

Final Score: SEAHAWKS 31 – Rams 10

 Cleveland Browns (3-2) @  Jacksonville Jaguars (0-6)

1:00 pm ET @ EverBank Field (CBS)

Xandro’s Fearless Prediction: The Browns are coming off of an impressive win over the Steelers and are chasing the Bengals for the top spot in the AFC North. A win could possibly put them on top. Quietly, Brian Hoyer has done everything that has been asked of him, even after there were some doubts over his hold of the starting position before the season kicked off. Jordan Cameron awoke from his early-season slumber last week, and could put up a 100+ yard receiving game. By the end of the first quarter.

Final Score: BROWNS 27 – Jaguars 13

 Cincinnati Bengals (3-1-1) @  Indianapolis Colts (4-2)

1:00 pm ET @ Lucas Oil Stadium (CBS)

Xandro’s Fearless Prediction: Cincinnati has looked highly impressive in its wins so far this season, but have looked shaky on the occasions when they have been stretched by their opposition. They were picked apart by Tom Brady from the pocket and could not handle Cam Newton’s mobility and accuracy on the move. In Andrew Luck, Indianapolis has a QB who is equally comfortable utilizing both styles of play. Advantage, Indy.

Final Score: Bengals 24 – COLTS 31

 Minnesota Vikings (2-4) @  Buffalo Bills (3-3)

1:00 pm ET @ Ralph Wilson Stadium (FOX)

Xandro’s Fearless Prediction: Between Jerick McKinnon and Cordarrelle Patterson, Minnesota has two of the most explosive younger players in the league. The problem is consistent delivery to them, and that’s where Buffalo’s strong defensive front seven will seek to assert themselves against a rookie QB. This game should be about ball control, and with Fred Jackson having a solid season, Buffalo look to be the favorites here.

Final Score: Vikings 17 – BILLS 21

 Miami Dolphins (2-3) @  Chicago Bears (3-3)

1:00 pm ET @ Soldier Field (CBS)

Xandro’s Fearless Prediction: Miami has a good run defense, but Matt Forte is playing the best football of his career and is a deadly pass-catching threat. Lamar Miller also poses a legitimate RB threat for the Dolphins, thanks in no small part to Chicago’s generous run defense. Speaking of career years, Jay Cutler is well on pace to set career marks in the QB trifecta of completion percentage, touchdowns, and yardage. That should give him the edge at home, especially with more offensive weapons at his disposal than Ryan Tannehill.

Final Score: Miami 17 – CHICAGO 31

 New Orleans Saints (2-3) @  Detroit Lions (4-2)

1:00 pm ET @ Ford Field (FOX)

Xandro’s Fearless Prediction: Drew Brees. Detroit’s top-ranked defense. Something will have to give. Unfortunately for New Orleans, the formbook indicates that after 3 losses this season all on the road, Detroit will hold serve here. The return of Reggie Bush will offset the concerns over the availability of Calvin Johnson, as will Joique Bell’s encouraging display last week as a feature back.

Final Score: New Orleans 24 – DETROIT 28

 Carolina Panthers (3-2-1) @  Green Bay Packers (4-2)

1:00 pm ET @ Lambeau Field (FOX)

Carolina looked terrific at times last week and utterly abject at others. That type of up-and-down inconsistency is not going to bode well for them against Aaron Rodgers, who has been on a tear ever since the now-infamous declaration to Packers fans to “relax.” On the ground, the coaching decision for Eddie Lacy and James Starks to split time may actually end up being the best thing for Lacy, though not so much for Carolina’s defense.

Xandro’s Fearless Prediction: Carolina 17 – GREEN BAY 27

Final Score:

 Kansas City Chiefs (2-3) @  San Diego Chargers (5-1)

4:05 pm ET @ Qualcomm Stadium (CBS)

Xandro’s Fearless Prediction: This game will be a lot closer than people think. Being a division match-up, San Diego will get everything Kansas City have to offer, though whether or not that includes unleashing Travis Kelce is still up in the air. Playing at home and having the 5-game winning streak will prove to be the advantage for Philip Rivers who simply has too many options for Kansas City to effectively cover.

Final Score: Chiefs 21 – CHARGERS 28

 Arizona Cardinals (4-1) @  Oakland Raiders (0-5)

4:25 pm ET @ O.co Coliseum (FOX)

Oakland has shown an ability to pick up yardage in chunks and getting the ball into the end zone in 4th quarters this season, but that has generally been a result of playing from well behind by that stage of their games, and all to no avail, as the 0-5 record shows. Arizona’s pass defense is the worst in the league, which may be how and why Derek Carr will be able to keep Oakland close in this one. Arizona has not gotten off to arguably the most impressive start of the season for no reason, however, and behind a very balanced offense, they should be able to win this comfortably.

Xandro’s Fearless Prediction: ARIZONA 30 – Oakland 24

Final Score:

 New York Giants (3-3) @  Dallas Cowboys (5-1)

4:25 pm ET @ AT&T Stadium (FOX)

Xandro’s Fearless Prediction: Another team that has caught fire, the Cowboys look to make it 6 straight against the Giants. Eli Manning will struggle without Cruz in his arsenal. If, however, Reuben Randle, rookie Odell Beckham Jr., and Larry Donnell are able to exploit the gaps that Dallas’ secondary tends to give up, they have a chance to keep this close. Ball control will be key, and even though Rashad Jennings has been having a productive year for New York, Dallas has a distinct edge with DeMarco Murray.

Final Score: Giants 18 – Cowboys 27

 San Francisco 49ers (4-2) @  Denver Broncos (4-1)

8:30 pm ET @ Sports Authority Field at Mile High (NBC)

Although coming off a win, San Francisco has looked out of sync on both ends of the ball this season. Against a QB like Peyton Manning in front of his own fans, there will be little to no room for any lapses in concentration. Keep in mind as well that Manning comes into this game needing just 3 touchdown passes to set the all-time NFL touchdown passing record. As one of the most media-savvy QBs around, he’ll be well aware that there isn’t a much better stage to make history on than in a nationally-televised game in primetime.

Xandro’s Fearless Prediction:

Final Score: San Francisco 20 – DENVER 30

 Houston Texans (3-3) @  Pittsburgh Steelers (3 -3)

8:30 pm ET @ Heinz Field (ESPN)

Xandro’s Fearless Prediction: Even though Arian Foster has been having a solid 2014 and more importantly avoided injury, the Texans still lack a more dependable QB, keeping them from taking the “next step”. J.J. Watt can only do so much on defense, even if “so much” in his case means a remarkable amount anyway. If Ben Roethlisberger can stay upright, giving him time to find all-world WR Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh should pull off the win at home.

Final Score: Texans 20 – STEELERS 24

 

Photo Credit: Getty Images