Broncos-Chiefs and Week 7 Picks

The Broncos are 2-3 after a big win in Foxboro last week over the Patriots, and now they head home to take on their rival, the 5-1 Kansas City Chiefs. The Broncos haven't beaten the Chiefs since Week 2 of the 2015 season. Pat Mahomes has never lost to the Broncos in his career, and Denver hasn't really been competitive in these matchups with KC. Can Denver bridge the gap and pull off the upset at home? A few factors that suggest they could are the fact that they are getting healthier and healthier each day. AJ Bouye, Noah Fant, KJ Hamler, and DreMont Jones are among the players who have a good chance to return this week. Also, the Chiefs are going from playing in Buffalo on Monday afternoon to Denver on Sunday, so maybe the short week hurts them a bit. In a normal season, the home crowd in Denver would be a huge factor, but with only 6,700 fans in attendance this week, that will not play a role this year. There is a chance of snow in the forecast, so maybe that will affect the Chiefs, but Pat Mahomes has thrived no matter what type of weather it is. I need to see it from the Broncos against the Chiefs to believe that they can actually compete with them, and I just don't think they are there yet.

Kansas City (-9) over DENVER

Final Score: Chiefs-34 Broncos-17

Now, onto the picks for Week 7.....

Last Week's Record: 8-5-1

Overall Record (45-41-4)

(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)

Buffalo (-9) over NY JETS: The Jets are so bad at 0-5. They are clearly the worst team in the league. They might be worse than the 1-15 Jets from 1996. Buffalo has lost two in a row and sit at 4-2. Look for a rebound week for the Bills and Josh Allen.

Detroit (+3) over ATLANTA: Atlanta won their first game last week with interim HC Raheem Morris to improve their record to 1-5. The Lions are 2-3 after a blowout win over Jacksonville. I like the Lions in the Lions in this spot to get to 3-3.

Cleveland (-4) over CINCINNATI: The Browns got buried by the Steelers last week to fall to 4-2. Can they be considered playoff contenders? We know they can beat the weaker teams, but I think the Bengals will give them a close game and might even win the game outright, but Cleveland does find a way to cover.

Pittsburgh (-1) over TENNESSEE: The last two undefeated teams in the AFC battle here in Week 7. Great game in the early window on Sunday afternoon. I'm looking forward to it. I think the Steelers go to 6-0 with a statement win over the Titans. 

Carolina (+8) over NEW ORLEANS: The Saints will win this game, but I think the Panthers will keep it close. I think this game actually comes down to the last minute, and I'll take the Panthers plus the points.

Dallas (-3) over WASHINGTON: The Cowboys are 2-4 and somehow in first place in the NFC East. Andy Dalton looked pretty bad last week in the loss to the Cardinals. It shows how much this team will miss Dak Prescott. The Cowboys offensive line is banged up and their defense is the worst in the league in points allowed, so things are not looking so good right now. Lucky for them, they head to DC to take on 1-5 Washington. I would think they would get to 3-4 after this week.

Green Bay (-3) over HOUSTON: Houston was valiant in their loss to Tennessee in overtime last week, but at 1-5 it is going to be an uphill climb the rest of the year. The Packers are 4-1 after a blowout loss to Tampa Bay last week, but I think they will be fine. I would be very surprised if they lost this week in Houston.

Tampa Bay (-2) over LAS VEGAS: The Raiders are having issues with their offensive line due to Covid protocols, but even if they are full strength, I still like Tom Brady and this 4-2 Bucs team on the road in Vegas to get the win.

NEW ENGLAND (-3) over San Francisco: Huge game for both of these teams. The Niners are 3-3 after their home win over the Rams. The Patriots lost at home to the Broncos to fall to 2-3 and under .500 in the month of October for the first time since 2002. I think the Patriots bounce back this week and get to 3-3 with a home win.

LA CHARGERS (-8) over Jacksonville: Justin Herbert has been very impressive in his first four starts of his career, but the Chargers have lost all four of those games and are at 1-4. The Jaguars are 1-5 and clearly in play for the Trevor Lawrence sweepstakes. I have no doubt that the Chargers will roll in this one and get to 2-4 with a blowout win at home.

Seattle (-3) over ARIZONA: This game got flexed into Sunday Night Football and I like the matchup. The undefeated Seahawks go into Arizona to take the 4-2 Cardinals. Good game in the loaded NFC West. Russell Wilson vs. Kyler Murray. I like Arizona here, but I can't go against Wilson.

Chicago (+6) over LA RAMS: It's a rematch of the 1985 NFC Championship Game! The 4-2 Rams host the 5-1 Bears in a very good Monday Night Football game. I gotta think the Rams will get to 5-2 and bounce back after that loss to SF. The Bears are a surprising 5-1, so I don't think a loss here will kill their season. Their defense will keep them in it long enough. Rams will win but the Bears cover.