Week 7 of the NFL season is here and full of hot action. The NFC North has four (quatro) big games.
Eagles (4-2) at Vikings (3-2) 1 PM on FOX
Tush Push Fans versus Finger to Tush Fans. Big home game for the Vikings hoping JJ McCarthy can return. Carson Wentz (99.5 QB rating) against his former team would be intriguing though as well. Justin Jefferson still a beast (449 yards and 1 TD), Jordan Addison (155 yard and 1 TD in 2 games) and TJ Hockensen (153 yards and 1 TD) is plenty to challenge the Eagles defense. Jordan Mason (4.7 YPC) will need a big day to keep the Vikings on schedule. The Eagles have struggled in pass rush with Nolan Smith hurt and now Zadarius Smith retired. Jalen Carter has 0 sacks and Jalyx Hunt, Jihaad Campbell and Joshu Uche also have 0. If the Vikings protect McCarthy or Wentz, they can score plenty. However, Jackson, Kelly/back-up Jurgens and RT Brian O’Neil have been hurt which could give Philly a pass rush chance. Jalen Carter and Quinyon Mitchell are big injuries for Philly that need to be monitored as well.
The Eagles offense has been not the same since losing Kellen Moore (Saints HC). Jalen Hurts has 100.2 QB rating but only 1,172 passing yards at 6.8 YPA. Barkley has 325 yards and 3.4 YPC only in a down year since a great 2024. AJ Brown needs to wake up for my fantasy team with 274 yards and 1 TD. Devonta Smith leads the Eagles with 321 yards and 1 TD. Goedert has 243 yards but 5 TD threat. Flores defense could feast on the Eagles unless Philly can figure some things out. Isiah Rodgers is playing very well and Greenard (injury to monitor), Van Ginkel (injury to monitor), Raymond, Hargrave and Dallas Turner provide enough pass rush. Eagles have good tackles in Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson but struggle in the interior with an injury to Landon Dickerson. Cam Sturgen and Tyler Steen need to step up for Eagles.
Vikings at home gives them the edge.
Minnesota 28 Philadelphia 24
Saints at Bears 1 PM ET FOX
The Bears have won 3 games in a row and get another game 4th place schedule game (like Raiders) by hosting the Saints. Caleb Williams is showing growth under Ben Johnson and Swift stepped up against Washington. Romeo Odunze and DJ Moore (injury to monitor) are the big play threats but Loveland has been a quiet rookie. Bears should have success at home offensively if they can protect Caleb.
The Saints are led by Spencer Rattler (91.9 QB rating) but just haven’t succeeded enough despite Chris Olave (342 yards and 1 TD0, Kamara (314 yards rushing at 3.8 YPC), Tasom Hill ,TE Juwan Johnson (236 yards and 1 TD) and speedsters Brandin Cooks/Rasheed Shaheed (316 yards and 2 TDs). Bears defense can be susceptible but beat Washington by forcing 3 turnovers. Chicago should be able to force more turnoves and lead plenty of long drives in this game.
Bears 31 Saints 17
Packers at Cardinals 425 ET FOX
The Packers play their lone NFC West foe by visiting Glove land Arizona. Kyler Murray (88.6 rating) has been injured and may not play leaving Jacoby Brissett (87.3 rating) for the upset task. The Cardinals are also without James Conner and Trey Benson at RB so a committee Bam Night, Michael Carter and 1 yard line drop man Emari Demarcardo to run the ball.
TE Trey McBride (347 yards and 2 TDS) leads the Cardinals and WR Marvin Harrison Jr (338 yards and 2 TDs) must step up. Zay Jones has 116 yards and Greg Dorstch is the slot man.
On defense the Cardinals run a 3-4 with Calais Campbell (3 sacks) returning home, 2024 1st rounder Darius Robinson battling an injury at 3-4 DE. Dalvin Tomlinson is the vet NT. Josh Sweat (5 sacks) doing well coming in a big FA contract from Eagles and Baron Browning is the other OLB rusher. Akeem Davis Gaither and Mack Wilson is average in the middle at LB.
Cardinals secondary is very young with rookie Will Johnson and Max Melton with vet Jalen Thompson in the slot. Budda Baker still the heart beat of the secondary and Cardinals defense and making plays. Dadrion Taylor Demerson is another young safety. Cardinals have enough defense at home to slow down the Packers attack.
Green Bay has been up an down but will hope Zach Tom and Christian Watson can play. Love (110.9 QB rating, 9 TDs and 2 ints) is doing well despite the Browns game hiccup and pick vs Bengals. Kraft (268 yards and 3 TDs), Doubs (234 yards and 4 TDs) and Golden (212 yards) is plenty of threat for the Cardinals defense. Josh Jacobs (3.7 YPC, 359 yards) needs to pick it up but Tom returning will help. Watson replacing Wicks can open things up.
Green Bay should win this game but Cardinals are still feisty enough if they protect Brissett from Parsons and Gary. LVN is out but Wyatt may play.
Packers 28 Cardinals 21
Tampa Bay at Detroit MNF 7 PM ET
Detroit is coming off a heat game with the Chiefs and lost Brian Branch due to scumbag Jordy Nelson and Ju Ju Smith Schuster. The Lions haven’t lost back to back games in 3 years and Detroit will need to keep it that way to keep pace in the North.
Jared Goff is on fire with 120 QB rating, 14 TDs and 2 interceptions. MVP candidate folks. Gibbs (390 yards, 4.5 YPC and 4 TDs) and Montgomery (334 yards, 5.1 YPC, 4 rush TDs and should be 2 pass TDs is a great combo. The Bucs will challenge them with the 5th best run D led by Vita Vea, Lavonte David, Greg Gaine and Logan Hall. Decker was practicing and could be back which would boost the Lions offensive line.
Amon Ra St Brown is one of the best WRs in football (452 yards and 6 TDs) and will need to fest on rookie nickel 3rd rounder Jacob Parish. Jameson Williams (289 yards and 2 TDs) had a nice game against Chiefs and Sam La Porta is Mr. Reliable with 324 yards and 2 TDs. The game will come down to redzone success for Detroit and just enough running game.
Baker Mayfield has been a MVP candidate as well with 108.5 QB rating, 12 TDs and 1 int with plenty of comeback wins. Bucky Irving (3.3 YPC) is out but Rachaad White (4 YPC) is enough with Baker scrambles for a run game. Mike Evans may returns which would be a big boost with Godwin and Ebuka out. Bucs will lean on some TEs with Cade Otton and vet WR Sterling Shephard and young WR Tez Johnson to step up. Baker didn’t miss a beat without all 3 of his top WRs against the 49ers. Lions may be missing with their entire secondary with DJ Reed (hamstring), Terrion Arnold (shoulder), Avonte Maddox (hamstring), Kerby Joseph (maybe out with knee) and Brian Branch (scumbag Nelson/Schuster). Bucs have Baker playing great and still plenty of firepower. Amik Robertson, Rock Ya Sin and some vets Lions signed to PS (Tre Flower, Arthur Maulet and Kendall Fuller) will need to step up. At safety, Rock could play there and Thomas Harper could start. Lions also signed from Chiefs PS a safety this week. The key will be Detroit’s defensive line with Alim McNeil returning to pressure Baker all day and force mistakes.
Should be a great game.
Lions 28 Bucs 24