NFL Week 7 picks: Rams spoil Jared Goff's return; Cardinals stay undefeated

Staff Writer

Oct. 21, 2021 5 AM PT

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Week 7 of the 2021 NFL season begins Thursday with the Denver Broncos visiting the Browns in Cleveland. The Times’ NFL writer, Sam Farmer, examines this week’s matchups.

Farmer’s record last week: 11-3 (.786); season 61-33 (.649). Using point spreads with the scores Farmer predicted, the record against the spread last week would have been 9-5 (.643); season 45-47-2 (.489).

Teams on bye: Chargers, Buffalo, Dallas, Jacksonville, Minnesota, Pittsburgh.

Times Pacific. Lines according to FanDuel (O/U = over/under):

Broncos (3-3) at Browns (3-3)

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield scrambles.

Thursday, 5:20

TV: Channel 11, NFL Network, Amazon.

Line: Browns by 2. O/U: 41.

Broncos came out flat at home against the Raiders and now have to hit the road on a short week. Cleveland is so banged up, though, and this is the exact wrong time to have such limited recovery time.

Prediction: Broncos 21, Browns 20

Bengals (4-2) at Ravens (5-1)

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow plays.

Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: None. DirecTV: 705.

Line: Ravens by 61/2. O/U: 47.

Baltimore thrashed Cincinnati twice last season, 27-3 and — without Joe Burrow — 38-3. Yes, that was last year, but when it gets that ugly. … Ravens have lost right tackle, yet still have enough.

Prediction: Ravens, 27, Bengals 17

Jets (1-4) at Patriots (2-4)

New England Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore defends.

Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: None. DirecTV: 706.

Line: Patriots by 7. O/U: 42.

In first meeting this season, the Patriots won 25-6 at MetLife. There’s little proof the Jets are much better; they’re now playing in Foxborough, and New England made it interesting vs. Dallas.

Prediction: Patriots 27, Jets 17

Chiefs (3-3) at Titans (4-2)

Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry catches the ball on a toss.

Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: Channel 2. DirecTV: 707.

Line: Chiefs by 51/2. O/U: 571/2.

Titans are a mature team with an effective formula: Give the ball to Derrick Henry and play keep-away. Patrick Mahomes (interceptions in five straight games) is off his top form but has enough weapons.

Prediction: Chiefs 28, Titans 24

Washington Football Team (2-4) at Packers (5-1)

Green Bay Packers tight end Tyler Davis during warmups.

Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: None. DirecTV: 708.

Line: Packers by 81/2. O/U: 49.

Washington stuck around with Kansas City for longer than many expected, and the banged-up Packers needed a little extra time to put away the Bears. Still, Green Bay is better team, and at home.

Prediction: Packers 27, Washington 20

Falcons (2-3) at Dolphins (1-5)

Miami Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders looks up before kicking a field goal.

Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: None. DirecTV: 709.

Line: Dolphins by 21/2. O/U: 471/2.

Not a lot to like in this game. Dolphins are coming off a loss to previously winless Jacksonville (followed by what must have felt like a 50-hour flight home from London.) Atlanta is rested with the better QB.

Prediction: Falcons 24, Dolphins 21

Panthers (3-3) at Giants (1-5)

Panthers' DJ Moore tries to avoid the tackle attempt of Minnesota Vikings' Harrison Smith and James Lynch.

Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: None. DirecTV: 710.

Line: Panthers by 3. O/U: 43.

Losing Christian McCaffrey for more games was a gut punch for the Panthers who, after a strong start, are showing they’re mediocre. The Giants are considerably worse; they can’t stop anyone.

Prediction: Panthers 24, Giants 20

Lions (0-6) at Rams (5-1)

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff pitches to running back D'Andre Swift.

Sunday, 1:05 p.m.

TV: Channel 11. DirecTV: 711.

Line: Rams by 141/2. O/U: 501/2.

Winless Lions came close to upsets of Baltimore and Minnesota. Sean McVay won’t let it get that close. Matthew Staf- ford will pick apart his former team. Jared Goff gets polite reception — until kickoff.

Prediction: Rams 38, Lions 20

Eagles (2-4) at Raiders (4-2)

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III scores a touchdown.

Sunday, 1:05 p.m.

TV: None. DirecTV: 712.

Line: Raiders by 3. O/U: 49.

Despite all the off-the-field turmoil, the Raiders pulled together under their new coach for a focused win at Denver. They can keep it going against a Philadelphia team too reliant on Jalen Hurts.

Prediction: Raiders 27, Eagles 23

Texans (1-5) at Cardinals (6-0)

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner plays against the Cleveland Browns.

Sunday, 1:25 p.m.

TV: None. DirecTV: 713.

Line: 171/2. O/U: 471/2.

When’s the last time Arizona was favored by two touchdowns and a field goal? Houston is that bad. What’s more, the Cardinals are surging and better with ad- dition of Zach Ertz. Still, huge spread.

Prediction: Cardinals 28, Texans 13

Bears (3-3) at Buccaneers (5-1)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Ronald Jones II plays during a game.

Sunday, 1:25 p.m.

TV: Channel 2. DirecTV: 714.

Line: Buccaneers by 121/2. O/U: 47.

Chicago stunned Tampa Bay with upset last season. Not saying it’ll happen again, but it’s back-of-mind for both teams. Tom Brady & Co. will be ready this time, but could be closer than people expect.

Prediction: Buccaneers 30, Bears 20

Colts (2-4) at 49ers (2-3)

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Carson Wentz throws to Zach Pascal.

Sunday, 5:20 p.m.

TV: Channel 4.

Line: 49ers by 4. O/U: 44.

San Francisco quarterbacks are banged up, so there’s uncertainty at the position. In fact, both teams are MASH units. Colts can control the clock with Jonathan Taylor, coming off a tremendous game.

Prediction: Colts 23, 49ers 21

Saints (3-2) at Seahawks (2-4)

Seattle Seahawks running back DeeJay Dallas runs against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Monday, 5:15 p.m.

TV: ESPN.

Line: Saints by 41/2. O/U: 43.

With New Orleans rested and Seattle hobbling, matchup feels lopsided. But these aren’t Drew Brees’ Saints, and Seahawks will not let themselves be embarrassed at home on national TV.

Prediction: Saints 24, Seahawks 21