Here's something that doesn't sound real but somehow is: The 2021 NFL season is approaching its midway point. Talk about time moving fast. The prevailing theme of this year has been surprises, both pleasant and disappointing. In fact, the Super Bowl field is almost unrecognizable.
This motif holds strong heading into this week's slate of games, too. Within our NFL Week 7 picks, you'll find it's time to worry about the Kansas City Chiefs, even if they do beat the Tennessee Titans. Beyond that, we tackle a handful of marquee matchups and games with heavy favorites.
First, let's take a look at all the available NFL betting odds, courtesy of BetOnline:
| Favorite |  | | Underdog |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Browns | -170 | +150 | Denver Broncos |
| Baltimore Ravens | -270 | +230 | Cincinnati Bengals |
| Carolina Panthers | -150 | +130 | New York Giants |
| Green Bay Packers | -420 | +340 | Washington Football Team |
| Kansas City Chiefs | -251 | +211 | Tennessee Titans |
| Atlanta Falcons | -137 | +117 | Miami Dolphins |
| New England Patriots | -325 | +270 | New York Jets |
| Los Angeles Rams | -1100 | +700 | Detroit Lions |
| Las Vegas Raiders | -167 | +147 | Philadelphia Eagles |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | -700 | +520 | Chicago Bears |
| Arizona Cardinals | -1650 | +925 | Houston Texans |
| San Francisco 49ers | -195 | +170 | Indianapolis Colts |
| New Orleans Saints | -225 | +195 | Seattle Seahawks |
Remember to confirm these NFL odds before settling on your Week 7 NFL picks. The lines will move at many of the top online sportsbooks as injury reports get finalized prior to opening kickoff.
Week 7 NFL Predictions
Like usual, we will be choppering in with our seven best NFL bets. Though these do not represent the only games worth wagering on, they are a combination of the most high-profile NFL showdowns and our most confident investments.
Now, let's make some NFL picks!
Worry About the Chiefs...But Not Against the Titans
Why yes, it is time to worry about the Chiefs.
Losing to the Ravens in Week 2 is one thing. But they have now dropped games to the sad-sack Eagles and, most recently, the Washington Football Team. Both of those losses are inexcusable. Kansas City's defense is a mess and primarily to blame. Only three teams are allowing more points per game.
Fortunately for the Chiefs, we see them getting back on track against a Titans squad that will not have Julio Jones (hamstring) and has remained far too reliant on Derrick Henry. That said, Kansas City's struggles are something to monitor moving forward.
OSB Prediction: Kansas City Chiefs (-251)
The Bengals are No Match for the Ravens
As we mentioned before, the Bengals are starting to perk up. Their defense is among the seven stingiest in the league, and the offense has been pleasantly average in a few of their outings.
But that's not good enough to beat the Ravens.
Baltimore might be the best team in football right now. They definitely have the best player in football. Lamar Jackson is among the league leaders in both rushing yards and passing yards, and he's piloting what has become the NFL's seventh-best offense.
OSB Prediction: Baltimore Ravens (-270)
Green Bay Will Pummel Washington
Remember when we were worried about the Packers? Good times. It feels like forever ago.
Metrics still have Green Bay pegged as a mediocre team. But their defense has picked up over the course of their five-game winning streak, and Aaron Rodgers has done a nice job exploiting crummy secondaries.
Despite stealing a game from Kansas City in Week 6, WFT remains bottom of the barrel. Green Bay should win this easily.
OSB Prediction: Green Bay Packers (-420)
Miami Will Pull Off the Upset Over Atlanta
Trusting the Dolphins often feels like a fool's errand. But trusting the Falcons is even worse.
Atlanta has one of the most confusing setups and directions in the league. Oh, they also have the NFL's second-worst defense by a mile. That doesn't bode well against a Dolphins team that has done a great job piling up big-time plays to their tight ends whenever Tua Tagovailoa is under center.
OSB Prediction: Miami Dolphins (+117)
Tampa Bay Set to Roast Chicago
Let's not overthink this.
Tom Brady is leading his Bucs against a shoddy Bears team that recently gave the keys of the offense to rookie quarterback Justin Fields. The question is not whether Tampa Bay will win.
It's how many touchdowns they will win by. And we're guessing at least two.
OSB Prediction: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-700)
New Orleans Steals One from Seattle
The Saints have been one of the league's biggest surprises. Their defense ranks 10th in points allowed, and quarterback Jameis Winston has captained them to a top-three offensive placement, all without star wide receiver Michael Thomas, who is eligible to return against the Seahawks.
Truth be told, we'd probably favor New Orleans no matter what. But Seattle remains without Russell Wilson, so this decision is even easier.
OSB Prediction: New Orleans Saints (-225)
Arizona Establishes Itself as a Super Bowl Favorite vs. Houston
Skeptics continue to wonder whether the MVP candidate Kyle Murray and the Cardinals are actually contenders. They have picked up some pretty big victories but continue to play down to the level of their opponent.
Beating up on the Texans, who are perhaps the worst team in football, is a good way for Arizona to show they're ready to dominate against vastly inferior squads. After watching them the past few weeks, we believe they've turned that corner and will show it in Week 7.
OSB Prediction: Arizona Cardinals (-1650)
Check out this list of the top online sportsbooks so you can decide which one to use for all your NFL betting:
T&C apply, 18+, Play responsibly T&C apply, 18+, Play responsibly T&C apply, 18+, Play responsibly T&C apply, 18+, Play responsibly T&C apply, 18+, Play responsibly
