NFL picks against the spread week 7: Green Bay, New York Giants, Denver Broncos win but don’t cover
Published 2:18 pm Wednesday, October 19, 2016
By Barry Wilner/AP
Pro Picks is going golfing. More specifically, we’re taking a mulligan.
After asking our sidekick to sub in for last week and seeing him destroy whatever credibility we still had, we’re dismissing the 5-9-1 mark against the spread and, ugh, a 4-11 total straight up. Yep, 4-11 without the spread.
OK, we’ll still include the Week 6 debacle in the overall numbers. But we won’t forget who was responsible for them.
Speaking of ugliness, what the Packers and Bears have presented this season has been difficult to watch. Green Bay (No. 11 in AP Pro32) can’t make its offense click, and Chicago has mastered losing games it is in position to win. Here are our NFL week 7 picks against the spread.
“I don’t think you win your share of games in this league with 16 points, and we just have to get more points, plain and simple,” Fox says.
The biggest concern in Green Bay is where did the real Aaron Rodgers go? Of course, A-Rod will repeat his mantra of “Relax,” and he’s probably right.
“I just think it’s accuracy,” he says. “I’ve missed a couple that I’m used to hitting. And you hit those and you take away the throwaways, being able to hit some things on some of those plays instead of extending and throwing the ball away and we’re right where we need to be.”
The Packers are favored by 9 1-2 over the Bears (No. 30, AP Pro32). On a short week, getting their offensive woes fixed is a tall task for the Packers. They’ll still win, but …
PACKERS, 20-16
KNOCKOUT LEAGUE TIP
This one REALLY hurt because we were rolling through five weeks, then the Steelers went over the deep end. Not that we are taking the blame. Look to the FALCONS this week.
No. 22 San Diego (plus 5) at No. 5 Atlanta
Falcons were robbed at Seattle, will take it out on Chargers.
BEST BET: FALCONS, 33-20
No. 13 Oakland (plus 2) at No. 28 Jacksonville
Huh? Can’t fathom this line because Raiders don’t fear East Coast any more.
UPSET SPECIAL: RAIDERS, 30-28
No. 2 New England (minus 7) at No. 8 Pittsburgh
No Big Ben, plenty of Tom Terrific. No contest, unfortunately.
PATRIOTS, 31-13
No. 3 Seattle (plus 1) at No. 14 Arizona
Huge NFC West showdown in October. Cardinals need it more right now.
CARDINALS, 22-20
No. 15 Houston (plus 7) at No. 6 Denver, Monday night
Brock Osweiler’s return to Denver. Can’t see Broncos losing three straight.
BRONCOS, 21-16
No. 16 New York Giants (minus 2 1-2) vs. No. 20 Los Angeles at London
Schedule maker has not been kind to Rams.
GIANTS, 23-21
No. 1 Minnesota (pick-em) at No. 12 Philadelphia
Unbeaten Eagles lost momentum when they went on bye. Vikings won’t.
VIKINGS, 20-17
No. 23 New Orleans (plus 7) at No. 10 Kansas City
Chiefs might be ready to string together some wins.
CHIEFS, 26-23
No. 9 Washington (plus 2) at No. 17 Detroit
Can’t figure out either of these teams.
LIONS, 27-26
No. 32 Cleveland (plus 9 1-2) at No. 19 Cincinnati
The pillow fight of Ohio.
BENGALS, 17-13
No. 7 Buffalo (minus 3) at No. 15 Miami
Dolphins had their shocker in win over Pittsburgh. Bills are improving.
BILLS, 22-10
No. 27 Indianapolis (pick-em) at No. 21 Tennessee
Titans could wind up best team in this mediocre division.
TITANS, 17-16
No. 18 Baltimore (pick-em) at No. 29 New York Jets
Ravens lost at Meadowlands last week, win there this week.
RAVENS, 19-15
No. 24 Tampa Bay (plus 1 1-2) at No. 31 San Francisco
Niners might be worst team in NFL right now.
BUCCANEERS, 27-17
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Last Week: Against spread (5-9-1). Straight up: (4-11)
Season Totals: Against spread (43-43-4). Straight up: (50-42)
Best Bet: 3-3 against spread, 4-2 straight up.
Upset special: 3-3 against spread, 3-3 straight up.