NFL Week 7 weekend preview
Game previews including TV; staff predictions
Titans (3-3) vs. Chargers (4-2)
Time, TV: 9:30 a.m. ET Sunday, CBS Location: London
Pregame.com line: Chargers by 7 Titans’ keys: The Titans will need to run the ball for multiple reasons: to keep the Chargers offense off the field as well as to keep their offense ahead of the chains. Defensively, Tennessee has struggled to stop the run.
Chargers’ keys: The offense continues to hum. There were more big plays against the Browns, and RB Melvin
Gordon had a big game. If the defense doesn’t get stops, the points start adding up for the opponent.
Who wins? Strictly on matchups, the Titans don’t have what usually hurts Los Angeles — speed. Chargers, 27-17
Browns (2-3-1) at Buccaneers (2-3)
Time, TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox Line: Buccaneers by 3
Buccaneers’ keys: If QB Jameis Winston can avoid giving the ball away in the red zone (he did it twice in the fivepoint loss to the Falcons), K Chandler Catanzaro can stop missing extra points and the defense is improved under new defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Mark Duffner, Tampa Bay will have a chance to win.
Browns’ keys: QB Baker Mayfield, the
2018 No. 1 overall pick, has plenty of playmakers around him, but he has to avoid rookie mistakes that have cost him in his up-and-down start. Who wins? Tampa Bay has more experience at key positions and will be aided by playing at home. Buccaneers, 30-24
Patriots (4-2) at Bears (3-2)
Time, TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS Line: Patriots by 31⁄ 2
Patriots’ keys: WRs Josh Gordon and Julian Edelman have brought new life to the offense, allowing QB Tom Brady and coach Bill Belichick to better exploit coverage matchups and take some pressure off TE Rob Gronkowski in the passing game. Another strong performance by RB Sony Michel would help Brady in the passing game.
Bears’ keys: The defense failed to consistently wrap up Miami’s ballcarriers and get after the quarterback. It needs to find its identity again, starting with a return to form by LB Khalil Mack. If the “D” can hold up, QB Mitchell Trubisky can take what the Patriots give him.
Who wins? The Bears are young and still putting it all together. The Patriots are at the other end of the spectrum. Patriots, 31-24
Bills (2-4) at Colts (1-5)
Time, TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS Line: Colts by 71⁄ 2
Bills’ keys: They must find some consistent play from new starting quarterback Derek Anderson, a 12-year NFL veteran who is replacing injured rookie Josh Allen (elbow sprain). Getting RB LeSean McCoy going in the run game would take some pressure off Anderson, who played with WR Kelvin Benjamin when both were with the Panthers.
Colts’ keys: They have been an extremely pass-heavy offense and will need to find more balance with their ground game, led by RB Marlon Mack. Defensively, the Colts will need T Al Woods and the line to keep Buffalo’s rushing attack in check.
Who wins? The Colts end their fourgame losing streak while keeping in check a lowly Bills offense that hasn’t surpassed 230 total yards since Week 3. Colts, 23-13
Texans (3-3) at Jaguars (3-3)
Time, TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS Line: Jaguars by 5
Texans’ keys: Houston must attack with WRs Keke Coutee and Bruce Ellington in the slot, an area of the Jaguars defense that was exposed because of the absence of CB D.J. Hayden (toe).
Jaguars’ keys: They must stick to their roots of rushing the football, and their guy will have to be RB T.J. Yeldon until RB Leonard Fournette (hamstring) returns. Who wins? Jacksonville has never lost three in a row under coach Doug Marrone. Jaguars, 24-21
Panthers (3-2) at Eagles (3-3)
Time, TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox Line: Eagles by 5
Panthers’ keys: Expect Carolina to attack with runs, blended with run-pass options and intermediate throws.
Eagles’ keys: They will have to corral the Panthers’ two-headed monster of QB Cam Newton and RB Christian McCaffrey. The Eagles will have to turn the Panthers into a passing team.
Who wins? The defending Super Bowl champions play defense a little differently at home, and with the offense clicking, look for a shootout early, with the Eagles defense clamping down late. Eagles, 35-21
Lions (2-3) at Dolphins (4-2)
Time, TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox Line: Lions by 3
Lions’ keys: QB Matthew Stafford should be able to take advantage of Miami’s multitude of injuries. Getting pressure on the quarterback will be critical for Detroi. The Dolphins offense has turned the ball over eight times in the last three games.
Dolphins’ keys: Run, run and run, especially with backup QB Brock Osweiler starting again. RB Frank Gore has been solid. Who wins? Stafford should be able to take advantage of the Dolphins secondary, which in turn will open up the field for the Lions running backs. Lions, 24-20
Vikings (3-2-1) at Jets (3-3)
Time, TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox Line: Vikings by 31⁄ 2
Vikings’ keys: The best way to stop the Jets is to bring relentless pressure against QB Sam Darnold, but the rookie doesn’t get flustered easily.
Jets’ keys: The Jets are not going to beat Kirk Cousins in a shootout, so they need to stop the Vikings quarterback before it gets to that point.
Who wins? The Jets get a lift with the return of defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers from an illness, but they don’t have the firepower. Vikings, 28-21
Saints (4-1) at Ravens (4-2)
Time, TV: 4:05 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS Line: Ravens by 21⁄ 2
Saints’ keys: New Orleans needs to attack the middle of the field and run the ball effectively to not get into thirdand-long against one of the NFL’s best third-down defenses. RB Alvin Kamara should see plenty of touches.
Ravens’ keys: The Ravens will have to create mismatches with their tight ends and receivers to sustain long drives and hit on the occasional big play.
Who wins? In a game that will have one of the league’s best passing attacks going against one of the best pass defenses, this is likely going to be a close one. But the Ravens are one of the best home teams in the league. Ravens, 24-21
Cowboys (3-3) at Redskins (3-2)
Time, TV: 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS Line: Redskins by 11⁄ 2
Cowboys’ keys: They could pick the Redskins apart by giving the ball to RB Ezekiel Elliott. If Elliott gets going, that in turn will allow QB Dak Prescott to get the passing attack in motion.
Redskins’ keys: RB Adrian Peterson must find holes in the Cowboys’ strong defense from the start to help the Redskins set a tone. They also will need their receiving group to step up with consistent play all game long.
Who wins? The Redskins have been inconsistent, and those inconsistencies will flare up again. Cowboys, 27-17
Time, TV: 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS
Line: Rams by 10
Rams’ keys: The offense, with QB Jared
Goff and RB Todd Gurley, won’t have trouble moving the ball in the air or on the ground against a porous 49ers defense.
49ers’ keys: Not turning the ball over is going to be the biggest point of emphasis. RB Matt Breida, TE George
Kittle and most of their offensive linemen have been battling injuries, and the Rams linebackers can be pierced if the 49ers have all of them. (Breida and Kittle played in Week 6.)
Who wins? This should be an easy win for the NFC West leaders. Rams, 48-17
Bengals (4-2) at Chiefs (5-1)
Time, TV: 8:20 p.m. ET Sunday, NBC Line: Chiefs by 6 Bengals’ keys: Stop the Kansas City rushing attack. Cincinnati is giving up an average of 117.2 rushing yards per game.
Chiefs’ keys: Slow down the Bengals defensive line, especially T Geno Atkins and E Carlos Dunlap, who have combined for 10 sacks. QB Patrick Ma
homes is adept at getting out of the pocket to make a play, but he can’t do that on every down and still be effective. Who wins? The Chiefs have the best young quarterback in the league, and they score a lot of points. Chiefs, 34-21
Giants (1-5) at Falcons (2-4)
Time, TV: 8:15 p.m. ET Monday, ESPN Line: Falcons by 6
Giants’ keys: Rookie RB Saquon Barkley has the rare talent of being able to score whenever he touches the ball. Falcons’ keys: Some MVP-level play by QB Matt Ryan has helped keep the injury-plagued team afloat, but the Giants defense is allowing only 236.3 passing yards per game.
Who wins? Both teams are a bit of a mess, but Atlanta’s home-field advantage should give the Falcons the edge. Falcons, 27-20
Rams (6-0) at 49ers (1-5)