The 2016 NFL season continues and we will NFL betting tips all year long here at Before You Bet! Plenty of interesting match-ups as we offer our 2016 NFL Week 7 Preview & Betting Tips which includes our best picks for the weekend.
NFL Week 7 Betting Tips
Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers (Friday 21st October 11:25am)
The Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears will kick off week 7 of the NFL. Both of these NFC North foes are performing well under expectations. The Bears are still chasing their second win for the season and the Packers will be trying to put last week’s loss to Dallas in the rear-view mirror.
The Dallas Cowboys rushed for 191 yards against the Packers number one ranked run defense. This might look like an alarming stat but I can assure you it’s not. The cowboys will do that to every team this season. The most alarming thing would have to be the Packers fumbles.
Former MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers accounted for two turnovers. One that really changed the direction of the game.
I would hate to be a Bears fan right now. Last week’s fourth quarter collapse against Jacksonville sets the Bears up for a disastrous season. They have one of the longest injury lists in the league and a tough schedule. I would be surprised if they finish with more than two wins for the season.
*important note: The Packers best running back Eddie Lacy didn’t practice yesterday (ankle). Also the Packers are trying to acquire a running back from Kansas City. Despite the injury cloud over Lacy I feel the Packers will have their best game of the season against the Bears.
Prediction: Chicago 13 Green Bay 35
Tip: Green Bay Packers at the line (-7.5) - $1.94 at Sportsbet
San Diego Chargers at Atlanta Falcons (Monday 24th October 7:05am)
The Atlanta Falcons host the San Diego Chargers. The high flying Falcons offense are averaging 33.2 points per game (ranked 1st) and they will face another high scoring offense led by Phillip Rivers. The Chargers are putting up 28.8 points per game (ranked 3rd). It should be an exciting game at the Georgia Dome.
Speaking of exciting, last week’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks came right down to the wire. Atlanta may have lost the game but they proved they can hang with the best teams (even on the road). Matt Ryan continues to put up big numbers adding another 335 yards and 3 touchdowns against Seattle. He’s favourite receiver Julio Jones had 7 receptions for 139 yards and 1 touchdown. It could have been even better if the referees had not missed a pass interference call in the dying moments. Both Ryan and Jones are leading the NFL in passing and receiving yards.
San Diego had a good home win against Denver on Thursday night. Phillip Rivers only threw the ball 29 times compared to Trevor Siemian who had 50 attempts. Instead they handed the ball off to running back Melvin Gordon and controlled the time of possession. The Chargers won’t need to keep the ball on the ground against this Atlanta defense. The Falcons are allowing over 280 yards through the air (ranked 26th) and they are giving up 27.7 points per game (ranked 26th).
This game has all the hallmarks of a shoot-out but since the Falcons are coming off a loss and it’s at the Georgia Dome, I prefer taking the birds at the line.
Prediction: San Diego 23 Atlanta 38
Tip: Atlanta Falcons at the line (-6.5) - $1.92 at Sportsbet
New England Patriots at Pittsburgh Steelers (Monday 24th October 7:25am)
The New England Patriots host the Pittsburgh Steelers. This was meant to be a classic battle between two AFC juggernauts but the injury to Ben Roethlisberger will now overshadow the game. The Steelers will do everything they can to defend their perfect home record (3-0) but as soon as the news came about Roethlisberger the line moved 5 points in favour of the Patriots.
Tom Brady almost played a perfect game against the Bengals. He threw for 376 yards and 3 touchdowns with 0 interceptions. To say he is playing with a chip on his shoulder would be an understatement. The best thing about the Patriots offense is how well balanced they are. They are averaging 267 yards in the air and 119 yards on the ground (both ranked in the top 10).
The Patriots defense is constantly undervalued. They allow just 15.2 points per game (ranked 2nd).
Stepping in for Big Ben will be Landry Jones. Earlier this year Jones threw 4 interceptions against Philadelphia and I can’t imagine they will let him air-it-out all day against the Patriots. The Steelers will probably hand it off to Le’Veon Bell most of the day. Bell is averaging 5.48 yards per carry but the Patriots have the 9th ranked rushing defense.
Hopefully Roethlisberger returns later in the season and these teams meet at full strength.
Prediction: New England 28 Pittsburgh 10
Tip: Total Points Under 45.5 - $1.84 at Sportsbet
Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals (Monday 24th October 11:30am)
The Arizona Cardinals host the Seattle Seahawks for Sunday Night Football. This game is a divisional battle between two NFC West foes. Arizona looked much better against the New York Jets, especially the defense who allowed just 3 points. Arizona will now face a very confident Seahawks defense that is giving up just 283.6 yards per game (ranked 1st).
After a very shaky start to the season, the Arizona Cardinals seem to be back on track. Carson Palmer also looks more comfortable. He completed 23 passes for 213 yards and a touchdown against the Jets. However, the star of the Cardinals offense has been running back David Johnson. Johnson ran for 111 yards and 3 touchdowns against the Jets. He will have to step it up a notch against this Seattle defense, as they allow just 74.6 yards of rushing per game (ranked 3rd).
Seattle’s fourth quarter rally of the Atlanta Falcons showed everyone why they are second favourites to win the Super Bowl. The defense is ranked in the top 10 in almost every category.
The NFC West divisional games are always tough / low scoring games and I expect this game to be no different.
Prediction: Seattle 21 Arizona 20
Tip: Total Points Under 43.5 - $1.92 at Sportsbet
Houston Texans at Denver Broncos (Tuesday 25th October 11:30am)
The Denver Broncos host the Houston Texans. Both teams will enter this game with four wins and two losses. The Broncos are on a two game losing streak and they would love to snap that streak against former quarterback Brock Osweiler.
Despite Denver losing their last two games, I still believe they’re a very good football team. Last week’s loss to San Diego included 12 penalties for 103 yards and in a low scoring game it was the difference. They actually outgained San Diego 304 yards to 265 yards.
This game has the top two ranked passing defences in the league. The Texans allow just 189.3 passing yards per game (ranked 2nd) and the Broncos allow even less at 182.3 yards (ranked 1st). Therefore, both teams will most likely be utilizing their tail backs.
This game feels like a tough spot for Houston. The Broncos will be out to get Brock Osweiler and they desperately need a win.
Prediction: Houston 12 Denver 28
Tip: Denver Broncos at the Line (-7.5) - $1.94 at Sportsbet
Take note: Any of the tips in this article are simply the author’s opinion, so bet at your own risk and always gamble responsibly. Also be sure to check out the Before You Bet Twitter Page for all our thoughts in the lead up to bets! Happy punting!
