NFL Week 7 Betting Picks

Underdogs bounced back in Week 6 of the NFL season, finishing 7-8 ATS with four road dogs posting SU wins. The first tie of the season was also recorded, with Carolina staging a late comeback in a see-saw battle with Cincinnati that finished deadlocked at 37-37. Here’s a sneak peek of this weekend’s NFL online betting picks:

New Orleans Saints @ Detroit Lions

Game Line: Detroit -2.5 | OU 48.5

The 2-3 Saints are coming off a much-needed bye week following a dismal start, posting three SU losses as NFL online betting favorites. Well rested, the Saints will turn to QB Drew Brees, who ranks second in the NFL with 315 passing yards per game, to spur them to their fifth straight SU win against the Lions

Detroit has pieced together a 4-2 SU record, but has struggled offensively, averaging just over 16 points per game in their last five. The Lions have been standouts defensively, allowing less than 14 points per game, while holding opposing QBs to just 197 yards per game, tops in the NFL. But it is safe to say that they have yet to see an offense as potent as the Saints, who have scored 163 combined points in their last four against the Lions and are desperate to keep pace with Carolina in the NFC South.

Free Pick: Take New Orleans and the points. New Orleans 24-21

Cincinnati Bengals @ Indianapolis Colts

Game Line: Indianapolis -3 | OU 49

After going winless in two straight outings for just the second time in two years, the 3-2 Cincinnati Bengals travel to Indianapolis as 3-point underdogs on the NFL betting lines. The Bengals have seen a reversal of fortune defensively during their brief winless streak, giving up a combined 80 points in their last two, after allowing just 11 points per game in their first three.

The Colts have posted four straight wins, SU and ATS, since starting 2014 with two heartbreaking losses, and represent the Bengals’ toughest challenge to date. The Colts’ offense, run by QB Andrew Luck, has scored a league-leading 31.5 points per game. But Indy has also turned over the ball a worrisome 10 times. Luck’s seven picks to date have been easily offset by his league-leading 17 TDs, and demonstrate his willingness to take more risks as a maturing leader. But unlike weaker opponents, who have been unable to capitalize on the Colts’ mistakes, there will be no forgiveness given by Cincy.

Free Pick: Take Cincinnati and the points. Cincinnati 28-26

Cleveland Browns @ Jacksonville Jaguars

Game Line: Cleveland -5.5 | OU 45

The 3-2 Cleveland Browns travel to Jacksonville riding a two-game winning streak and very much alive in the hunt for top spot in the AFC North. Long suffering Browns fans can be forgiven for holding their breath. Cleveland was in the same position last season before losing 10 of their last 11 games SU, finishing 4-12 and dead last in the division.

But there is reason for optimism this time around. The Browns’ two SU losses were nail biters that could have gone either way, the team is 3-1-1 ATS, and led by QB Brian Hoyer are averaging almost 27 points per game. Cleveland take on the hapless 0-6 Jags as 5.5-point road favorites, and while they continue to own long 9/2 NFL betting odds to win their division, a dominant win over the Jags would provide a big lift ahead of matchups against Oakland and Tampa Bay that could theoretically give them a strong 6-2 record at the midway point of the season.

Free Pick: Take Cleveland and give the points. Cleveland 27-10

Carolina Panthers @ Green Bay Packers

Game Line: Green Bay -7 | OU 49

The Carolina Panthers will take on the Green Bay Packers on Sunday as 7-point road underdogs in NFL online betting. Little had been expected from Carolina in 2014 after major personnel changes during the offseason. But despite some inconsistency, the Panthers have shown resiliency, posting a 3-2-1 record SU, 4-2 ATS. QB Cam Newton continues to be the key to Carolina’s success, orchestrating improbable comebacks in their recent win over Chicago and last week’s tie with Cincy.

But the Panthers’ inability to shut down opposing offenses, three times giving up 37 points or more, while going 0-2-1 SU, 1-2 ATS, is a dangerous trend going against the 4-2 Packers, led by QB Aaron Rodgers. The Pack have scored 138 points in their four victories, and have held opposing passers to just 213.5 yards. If Carolina wants to come out of Lambeau with a win, they will need a big day from their ground game, which produced an impressive 147 yards last week, but still ranks a distant 28^th overall.

Free Pick: Take Green Bay and give the points. Green Bay 31-21

Minnesota Vikings @ Buffalo Bills

Game Line: Buffalo -4.5 | OU 45

The 3-3 Buffalo Bills will be looking to bounce back from a tough 37-22 loss to New England when they face the 2-4 Vikings as 5-point favorites on the NFL betting lines. The Bills opened the season expecting second-year QB EJ Manuel to take the next step and lead the Bills young offense, but it is veteran Kyle Orton that has taken over the reins, leading the Bills to a 17-14 win over Detroit two weeks ago, in a game they likely should have lost, and throwing for an impressive 299 yards in last week’s loss to the Pats.

Aside from last week’s defeat, the Bills have played respectable defense, three times holding opponents to 17 points or less, while giving up just 67.5 rushing yards per game. They face an unfamiliar foe in Vikings rookie QB Teddy Bridgewater, but the former Louisville star has struggled with an ankle injury and was overmatched in last week’s 17-3 loss to Detroit, throwing three picks while getting sacked eight times by the NFL’s best defense.

Free Pick: Take Buffalo and give the points. Buffalo 26-18

San Francisco 49ers @ Denver Broncos

Game Line: Denver -6 | OU 50.5

The 4-2 49ers take on the 4-1 Broncos on Sunday in a battle between teams who have struggled to produce wins ATS this season. The Broncos opened the season 1-3 ATS while the Niners failed to cover in each of their first three games. Both clubs have turned things around, rewarding bettors with SU and ATS victories in the last two weeks, with the Broncos moving to a perfect 3-0 SU in three home games.

The Niners have enjoyed solid success against their mile high rivals, going 5-2, SU and ATS, in their last seven head-to-head meetings. But with Broncos QB Peyton Manning just two TD passes short of equalling Brett Favre’s all-time record, the table is set for history to be made before a national prime time audience on Sunday night.

Free Pick: Take Denver and give the points. Denver 35-28