NFL WEEK 7 PRIMER
Lions (2-3) at Falcons (1-5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox Betmgm.com line: Falcons by 21⁄
2
Lions’ keys: If the Lions can get a couple of big plays early, the Falcons’ corners, led by rookie A.J. Terrell and Kendall Sheffield, have shown a tendency to get rattled. Falcons’ keys: Pressure off the edge to slow down the Lions’ passing game. They must make QB Matthew Stafford uncomfortable.
Matt Urben, Falcons Wire
Browns (4-2) at Bengals (1-4-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS Betmgm.com line: Browns by 3 Browns’ keys: Keep Joe Burrow off the field with a dominant rushing attack.
Bengals’ keys: Get the ball out faster and to a diverse cast, including RB Joe Mixon out of the backfield. Throwing 61 passes as Burrow did in Week 2 isn’t as problematic as the hits he’s taking.
Chris Roling, Bengals Wire
Packers (4-1) at Texans (1-5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox Betmgm.com line: Packers by 31⁄
2 Packers’ keys: Get off to a fast start to make Houston one-dimensional early. OLB Za’Darius Smith will need to make his presence felt.
Texans’ keys: Houston has turned the ball over seven times in six games. Involve WRs Will Fuller and Brandin Cooks early and challenge the secondary deep.
Mark Lane, Texans Wire
Bills (4-2) at Jets (0-6)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS Betmgm.com line: Bills by 12
Bills’ keys: Josh Allen needs to keep the Jets guessing. The dualthreat QB made full use of his arm and legs in Week 1, when Buffalo beat the Jets 27-17 in a game that wasn’t close. Jets’ keys: Gregg Williams’ defense needs to play like it actually knows Allen is capable of running. That fact seemed lost in Week 1.
Gary Phillips, Jets Wire
Panthers (3-3) at Saints (3-2)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox Betmgm.com line: Saints by 71⁄
2 Panthers’ keys: Keep the New Orleans offense on the sideline by leaning on RB Mike Davis, who has filled in admirably during RB Christian McCaffrey’s absence.
Saints’ keys: Carolina’s weak pass rush should allow QB Drew Brees to establish a connection with his wide receivers.
John Sigler, Saints Wire
Cowboys (2-4) at Washington (1-5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox Betmgm.com line: Washington by 1 Cowboys’ keys: Dallas, even with QB Dak Prescott out, can score. Coupled with a Washington defense that has been porous at times, it could be a giant mismatch. Washington’s keys: All on the defense, which will have to keep this game close enough to allow QB Kyle Allen to make a few plays.
Zachary Neel, Washington Wire
Steelers (5-0) at Titans (5-0)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS Betmgm.com line: Titans by 11⁄
2
Titans’ keys: Attack primarily through the air to take advantage of an exploitable pass defense. However, Pittsburgh has a formidable pass rush. Steelers’ keys: Attack through the air. On defense, Pittsburgh must continue to be stout against the run to limit RB Derrick Henry.
Mike Moraitis, Titans Wire
Chiefs (5-1) at Broncos (2-3)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS Betmgm.com line: Chiefs by 91⁄
2 Broncos’ keys: Denver has two Pro Bowl running backs in Melvin Gordon and Phillip Lindsay, an explosive rookie wide receiver in Jerry Jeudy and a rising star in TE Noah Fant.
Chiefs’ keys: Denver rookie CB Michael Ojemudia has performed relatively well but hasn’t faced a QB like Patrick Mahomes.
Jon Heath, Broncos Wire
Jaguars (1-5) at Chargers (1-4)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS Betmgm.com line: Chargers by 71⁄
2 Chargers’ keys: Keep rolling with rookie QB Justin Herbert. He has been on fire, throwing for 1,195 yards with nine TDs and three interceptions. Jaguars’ keys: Establish a passing attack with QB Gardner Minshew. LA’s defense has given up an average of 341 passing yards the past two games.
Gavino Borquez, Chargers Wire
Colts, Dolphins, Ravens, Vikings
49ers (3-3) at Patriots (2-3)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS Betmgm.com line: Patriots by 11⁄
2 49ers’ keys: Ride their running backs; the Patriots are susceptible to the run. New England has such a tough secondary that it’s sure to challenge QB Jimmy Garoppolo.
Patriots’ keys: Get QB Cam Newton comfortable again. He looked frazzled against the Raiders before missing time due to COVID-19.
Henry McKenna, Patriots Wire
Buccaneers (4-2) at Raiders (3-2)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, Fox Betmgm.com line: NL
Buccaneers’ keys: Tampa Bay is loaded with weapons, but its offensive line can be exposed. On defense, look for Tampa Bay to load up on defenders in the box.
Raiders’ keys: Have a healthy offensive line, which was sent home during the week because of COVID-19 concerns.
Marcus Mosher, Raiders Wire
Seahawks (5-0) at Cardinals (4-2)
Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC Betmgm.com line: Seahawks by 31⁄
2 Seahawks’ keys: QB Russell Wilson has 19 TD passes against three interceptions. The Cardinals have one interception but have been surprisingly solid against the pass Cardinals’ keys: Generate pressure without OLB Chandler Jones to keep Wilson from doing damage.
Bears (5-1) at Rams (4-2)
Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN Betmgm.com line: Rams by 61⁄
2
Bears’ keys: Their defense has been one of the NFL’s best but the offense has lagged. Bears need help from their running backs. David Montgomery has gotten off to a slow start.
Rams’ keys: LA has been led by a strong ground game and a stout defense. QB Jared Goff has improved significantly since last season.
Cameron DaSilva, Rams Wire