What to watch for in every game. Bold predictions. Fantasy advice. Key stats to know. And, of course, final score picks. It’s all here for Week 7.
The Week 7 NFL schedule for the 2022 season is stacked with great matchups, and we have you covered with what you need to know heading into the weekend. Our NFL Nation reporters bring us the biggest keys to every game and a bold prediction for each matchup.
Additionally, ESPN Stats & Information provides a big stat to know and a betting nugget for each contest, and our Football Power Index (FPI) goes inside the numbers with a matchup rating (on a scale of 1 to 100) and a game projection. ESPN researcher Kyle Soppe hands out helpful fantasy football intel, as well. Finally, Seth Walder and Eric Moody give us final score picks for every game. Everything you want to know is here in one spot to help you get ready for a loaded weekend of NFL football.
Let’s get into the full Week 7 slate, including the Kansas City Chiefs visiting the San Francisco 49ers and the Denver Broncos hosting the 4-2 New York Jets. It all culminates with a Monday Night Football matchup between the Bears and the Patriots on ESPN. (Game times are Sunday unless otherwise noted.)
Jump to a matchup:
NYG-JAX | DET-DAL | ATL-CIN
CLE-BAL | GB-WSH | TB-CAR
IND-TEN | NYJ-DEN | HOU-LV
KC-SF | SEA-LAC | PIT-MIA
CHI-NE
Thursday: ARI 42, NO 34
Bye: BUF, LAR, MIN, PHI
1 p.m. ET | Fox
Spread: JAX -3.0 (42)
What to watch for: Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale has called the most blitzes in the NFL (92), so the expectation is he’ll come after Trevor Lawrence on Sunday. However, Lawrence’s numbers are actually better against the blitz (67.3% completions, 80.3 QBR, three TDs and one INT) than when he’s not blitzed (64.9% completions, 42.9 QBR, six TDs and three INTs). Lawrence has had issues with being patient against shell coverages, so might the Giants switch things up and pull back on the blitzes? — Mike DiRocco
Bold prediction: Daniel Jones throws for over 300 yards. This is bold! Jones has topped 200 yards passing just once this season. But Jacksonville is allowing just 3.6 yards per rush, third best in the NFL. That will make the Giants unwillingly turn to their 31st-ranked passing game, and Jones will come through. Having rookie wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson will help. — Jordan Raanan
Stat to know: This season the Giants have used play-action at the second-highest rate in the league (38%). That has benefited Jones significantly as he ranks second in the league in Total QBR and fourth in completion percentage on play-action passes.
Injuries: Giants | Jaguars
What to know for fantasy: Travis Etienne Jr. has picked up 157 yards on 20 carries over the past two weeks and seems to be distancing himself from James Robinson in this backfield. See Week 7 rankings.
Betting nugget: Jacksonville is 2-10 outright and ATS in its past 12 games as a favorite (five straight losses). Read more.
Moody’s pick: Giants 21, Jaguars 20
Walder’s pick: Jaguars 24, Giants 13
FPI prediction: JAX, 73.1% (by an average of 7.1 points)
Matchup must-reads: Giants tie mark with 4th win as underdog through first 6 games … The NFL player who helped his wife deliver their baby … Giants and Jets in the playoffs? Why it can happen, why it might not … After disappointing losses, the Jaguars have to solve defensive woes
1 p.m. ET | CBS
Spread: DAL -7.0 (49)
What to watch for: Will Dak Prescott play? Yes, he made it official Thursday after missing five games following surgery to repair a fractured right thumb. The Lions have the worst defense in terms of yards (428.6) and points (34) per game, so Prescott’s return could be good timing, although the Cowboys do not want to become a pass-first, pass-only offense. Detroit is coming off its bye week after a 29-0 loss to the New England Patriots, but its other three losses are by a combined 10 points. Currently in third place in the NFC East, the Cowboys can’t overlook the Lions, who are averaging 28 points per game. — Todd Archer
Bold prediction: Detroit’s offense will put up at least 28 points in Dallas. Yes, the Cowboy’s defense is allowing just 16.33 points per game, good for third in the league, but the Lions are coming off a much-needed bye week after being shut out, and I sense some urgency among the players — and coaching staff. Look for quarterback Jared Goff to get the offense back rolling, especially with a healthier Amon-Ra St. Brown as a receiving target. — Eric Woodyard
Stat to know: This will be the fifth meeting between Prescott and Goff, including playoffs (both were selected in the 2016 draft). Prescott is 1-3 against Goff, tied for his most losses vs. any starting QB.
Injuries: Lions | Cowboys
What to know for fantasy: St. Brown was the fourth-highest-scoring fantasy receiver in the NFL through two weeks this season, but an injury and a Week 6 bye have slowed some of his momentum. Four different WR1s have crossed the 17 PPR fantasy point plateau vs. Dallas this season, including A.J. Brown last weekend. See Week 7 rankings.
Betting nugget: Detroit is 0-10-1 outright on the road under Dan Campbell (6-5 ATS). Read more.
Moody’s pick: Cowboys 27, Lions 21
Walder’s pick: Lions 31, Cowboys 27
FPI prediction: DAL, 76.9% (by an average of 9.1 points)
Matchup must-reads: Lions RB Swift eyes playing Sunday vs. Cowboys … With Prescott, what will — and won’t — change for Cowboys’ offense? … Lions optimistic rookie WR Williams will play this season … Jones, Kraft have heated exchange amid Goodell contract discussion
1 p.m. ET | Fox
Spread: CIN -6.5 (47.5)
What to watch for: This game will be a battle of strategies. Atlanta’s zone-read scheme has been one of the best rushing attacks in the NFL this season. The Bengals are going up against a Falcons secondary missing starters on the outside. The offense that can maximize its strength the most will be in the position to move over the .500 mark entering Week 8. — Ben Baby
Bold prediction: With both of Atlanta’s starting cornerbacks injured — Casey Hayward on injured reserve, A.J. Terrell limited with a thigh/hamstring injury — Cincinnati exploits the Falcons’ defense with 350 yards passing and three touchdowns, two of them to Tee Higgins and one to former Atlanta tight end Hayden Hurst. He’s not the only tight end who scores, though, as Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts doubles his touchdowns from last season and scores in his second straight game. — Michael Rothstein
Stat to know: The Falcons have scored 37 points in the first quarter this season, the third most in the NFL. The Bengals are not far behind with 34 points in the first quarter this season, tied for fourth most in the NFL.
Injuries: Falcons | Bengals
What to know for fantasy: In six weeks, the Falcons have allowed seven receivers to score at least 16 PPR fantasy points against them. Ja’Marr Chase (32.2 FP) is coming off his best game of the season in Week 6’s win in New Orleans. See Week 7 rankings.
Betting nugget: Atlanta is 6-0 ATS this season, the only undefeated team ATS in the league this season. Read more.
Moody’s pick: Bengals 34, Falcons 23
Walder’s pick: Bengals 22, Falcons 19
FPI prediction: CIN, 76.8% (by an average of 8.5 points)
Matchup must-reads: Falcons without starting corner Casey Hayward … Sources: Bengals optimistic for LB Wilson’s return … TE Hurst eager to face former team
1 p.m. ET | CBS
Spread: BAL -6.5 (45.5)
What to watch for: The Browns and Ravens are the two worst finishers in the NFL. In the fourth quarter this season, Cleveland has allowed a league-high 67 points, and Baltimore has been outscored by 42 points, which is the worst scoring margin in the NFL. Lamar Jackson and Jacoby Brissett have combined for two touchdown passes and seven interceptions in the fourth quarter. — Jamison Hensley
Bold prediction: Jackson will not throw an interception — breaking a four-game streak. While he tossed four picks in last season’s home win over the Browns, Jackson will avoid turning the ball over this time around against a beleaguered Cleveland defense. — Jake Trotter
Stat to know: The Ravens’ three losses after leading by double digits this season are tied for their most in a season in franchise history (also 1996 and 2016).
Injuries: Browns | Ravens
What to know for fantasy: Package up David Njoku’s past four games and extend them for a full season: 1,309 receiving yards. The tight end position has been a wasteland outside of the elite, but Njoku has been a nice surprise with consistent production. See Week 7 rankings.
Betting nugget: Cleveland games are 5-1 to the over this season. Three straight Baltimore games have gone under the total. Read more.
Moody’s pick: Ravens 30, Browns 20
Walder’s pick: Ravens 24, Browns 21
FPI prediction: BAL, 65.5% (by an average of 4.6 points)
Matchup must-reads: Browns searching for answers after lopsided loss to Pats … Ravens sign WR DeSean Jackson to practice squad … Woman adds name to Watson lawsuit after order … Is Lamar Jackson trying to do too much to fix Ravens’ late-game woes?
1 p.m. ET | Fox
Spread: GB -4.5 (41)
What to watch for: Quarterback Taylor Heinicke’s return could give Washington a jolt, with his ability to extend plays and his knowledge of the offense.
