Steelers get some respect in Week 7 NFL game-by-game predictions

The Steelers are still considered severe underdogs in Week 7, but there will be some fun competition around the NFL. 

The Steelers head into week 7 of competition as they get ready to take on the Miami Dolphins on a tough AFC road trip. Getting a win before returning home will be tough as the Dolphins will be hungry for a win after losing their previous three games. It will end a Sunday full of great games that could be precursors to some potential Super Bowl and playoff matchups.

Prediction record after week 6: 31-30

Last week was a bye for this article series as there was no time to get it completed. We enter week 7 with a winning record after a stronger performance in week 5. The NFL has a lot of parody this year and trying to figure out which teams will win each week has become a monumental task.

New Orleans Saints (2-5) vs Arizona Cardinals (3-4), Thursday at 8:15 P.M. EST

Picking Arizona seemed like the fair choice to win this game heading into the contest. New Orleans was missing a lot of different players due to injury and that created some favorable matchups for the Cardinals to take advantage of. It was a high-scoring contest that saw the Saints’ turnovers be the difference maker.

Final score: Saints 34, Cardinals 42

A lot of back and forth happened in this one as both teams showed the ability to tack points on the board. Andy Dalton was not able to sustain enough and forced a couple of turnovers, which turned into 14 points for Arizona. The Cardinals are not a great team, but they have been winning games against worse opponents.

Cleveland Browns (2-4) vs Baltimore Ravens (3-3), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST

Another huge game during both clubs’ early portions of their respective seasons. The Ravens need to find a way to bounce back after a tough loss against the Giants just a week ago. Cleveland is on the other spectrum as they try to find their footing again after they continue to slide into this game carrying a three-game losing streak after their victory over the Steelers many weeks ago.

Prediction: Browns 19, Ravens 31

Things are not looking good for the Browns currently as their defense has been struggling, especially against the run. That will allow Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore offense to move the ball all day long. The Ravens’ defense should be able to do enough to create turnovers to set up their offense in great situations.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-3) vs Carolina Panthers (1-5), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST

Something seems off about Tampa Bay this season, and no one seems to have the ability to recognize what. Their defense has been solid for the most part, but the offense seems to be in shambles right now. Talking about a dumpster fire, you will just need to look across the field to see the Carolina Panthers try and field a competitive team on Sunday.

Prediction: Buccaneers 24, Panthers 14

Even though this would seem to be a blowout on the surface, it looks like the Buccaneers’ issues could cause some more upsets against them. Tom Brady and the offense should be able to move the ball down the field and do just enough to keep this game out of reach from the Panthers. It probably won’t be pretty, but Tampa Bay should be able to get out with a win.

Atlanta Falcons (3-3) vs Cincinnati Bengals (3-3), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST

No one predicted Atlanta to have an even record at this juncture of their schedule. They have done a nice job of establishing a great rushing attack on offense that blends into more success than many gave them credit for. The real test comes on Sunday in a hostile environment against the Bengals high-flying offense.

Prediction: Falcons 17, Bengals 35

Cincinnati is starting to get things together when you see how they are playing. The Falcons are dealing with some injuries and that will cause them to rely on Marcus Mariota to pass the ball down the field. Atlanta will not have enough answers for the Bengals’ offense and that should lead to a blowout.

Detroit Lions (1-4) vs Dallas Cowboys (4-2), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST

Bottom feeders are where Detroit finds themselves again after starting off the year strong. They continue to find ways to lose games as the Cowboys have been the opposite thus far. Last week was a reality check for Dallas after getting stomped on by the Eagles, but this contest could give them a great bounce-back opportunity.

Prediction: Lions 21, Cowboys 24

It is hard to figure out what the Lions’ offense will do week by week. Their defense is terrible again, but the offense has shown the ability to tally on points in some instances and lay a goose egg in others. The Cowboys are the better team, and their track record should prove them the victors in this one.

New York Giants (5-1) vs Jacksonville Jaguars (2-4), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST

One of the biggest shockers this season is that both New York clubs are sitting at some impressive records currently. The Giants are coming off a huge win over the Ravens in dominant fashion. An upset here could be a real possibility as the Giants have flirted with the issue in the past, which almost led to disaster.

Prediction: Giants 24, Jaguars 23

Jacksonville is starting to slide back into irrelevancy with the amount of losses they are starting to compile. They could pull off the upset at home, but their roster does not have as much star talent as New York does. Turnovers will be huge in this contest as both clubs will need to take advantage of those to win.

Indianapolis Colts (3-2-1) vs Tennessee Titans (3-2), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST

Betting should never be the lone factor in the outcome of a game, especially when it’s as close as this contest is. The Titans are only three-point favorites over the Colts, and it should be a close game that helps decide who will be the favorite to win their division. The Colts are coming off an impressive win last week as they continue to show a rollercoaster of results.

Prediction: Colts 24, Titans 20

This matchup could go in either clubs’ direction depending on which version of themselves show up. The Colts have more talent on their roster and should be able to get a boost on offense with Jonathan Taylor returning from injury. Indianapolis should be able to squeak out a win after a hard-fought battle with Tennessee.

Green Bay Packers (3-3) vs Washington Commanders (2-4), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST

Green Bay is in troubling waters right now as they still have a tough schedule to come after losing to both New York clubs in recent weeks. Now they will need to get back on track against a poor roster that Washington has this year. The Packers are starting to flirt with their playoff contention soon if things cannot be fixed.

Prediction: Packers 27, Commanders 18

The Commanders are starting to free dive into the NFL pit of irrelevancy as the season continues further. Green Bay does not seem like a Super Bowl contender right now and it’s not out of the realm of possibility that they do not get back to that point. With that said, the Packers are the better team and will be able to handle their business on Sunday.

New York Jets (4-2) vs Denver Broncos (2-4), Sunday at 4:05 P.M. EST

Many thought the sky was falling when the Steelers lost to the Jets, but New York has been able to show they are no fluke. They have been able to stay competitive and beat some good teams during the early portions of their schedule. They have the Denver Broncos up next and that is another big test for them.

Prediction: Jets 23, Broncos 17

Broncos’ country continues to free fall from the cliff jump that they saddled themselves to with Russell Wilson. The Jets have been one of the biggest surprises to this point in the year as they continue to prove the doubters wrong with their young roster. Zach Wilson will probably struggle against this tough defense that Denver imposes, but they should be able to do enough to win this game in overtime.

Houston Texans (1-3-1) vs Las Vegas Raiders (1-4), Sunday at 4:05 P.M. EST

Las Vegas has been one of the biggest disappointments for the 2022 season to date. They have found ways to lose games despite having an offense that should be carrying the team toward more wins than they currently hold. Houston is on the other spectrum as they play without any expectations this year.

Prediction: Texans 20, Raiders 28

Both clubs enter this game coming off their early bye week. We will see which one is more prepared, but the Raiders are at home and have the names on offense that should propel them forward in this contest. The final score of this game will seem closer than how the actual contest plays out.

Seattle Seahawks (3-3) vs LA Chargers (4-2), Sunday at 4:25 P.M. EST

Here is a matchup that could provide an upset, especially with all the different injuries that the Chargers are dealing with. Seattle has been giving this season a valiant effort thus far and that should continue further. LA is the better team and Justin Herbert is playing great football even though his team around him is starting to crumble some with the injury bug.

Prediction: Seahawks 23, Chargers 31

Giving the Seahawks the benefit of the doubt after they have shown they can stay in games. Geno Smith has found a way to create a strong offensive attack despite many not expecting this club to have many wins heading into the year. Trusting Herbert to win the game in the end is too strong of a point to neglect.

Kansas City Chiefs (4-2) vs San Francisco 49ers (3-3), Sunday at 4:25 P.M. EST

A potential Super Bowl preview will happen on Sunday as the Chiefs head to San Francisco to take on the 49ers. It will be interesting to see which of these teams finishes the game with a win. They have different styles as the 49ers pose a tough defense and the Chiefs continue to display a high-powered offense that is firing on all cylinders.

Prediction: Chiefs 26, 49ers 21

This contest could go either way as both teams have been playing some good football. When in doubt, go with the best quarterback and there might not be a better player at his position currently than Patrick Mahomes. It will be a tight game that the 49ers stay in but expect Kansas City to be the victor when the clock strikes zero.

Pittsburgh Steelers (2-4) vs Miami Dolphins (3-3), Sunday at 8:25 P.M. EST

Another week means another underdog matchup for the Steelers to try and overcome. They head on the road to take on the Miami Dolphins in hot and humid Florida. Pittsburgh is coming off a giant upset over the Buccaneers last week and they hope to continue that trend here. Tua Tagovailoa is back from his concussion and will hope to stop the Dolphins’ three-game slide from getting worse.

Prediction: Steelers 24, Dolphins 22

Most experts believe that the Dolphins will be able to run away with this game when it is all said and done. The truth is that the Steelers are getting healthier and should be able to create some different opportunities to help them win. It is not going to be easy for the black and gold to emerge victorious, but they have a great chance if Tua returns and seems rusty.

Chicago Bears (2-4) vs New England Patriots (4-2), Monday at 8:15 P.M. EST

New England has done a nice job of turning things around ever since they beat the Steelers a handful of weeks ago. They have been without their starting quarterback for a couple of weeks and the rookie backup has done some nice things. Chicago is still a young team that is trying to figure some things out.

Prediction: Bears 13, Patriots 27

The Bears are not a good team right now and they could always look to trade away some of their assets at the deadline. That will need to be at a high cost for them to trade away some of their top players, but it is not insane to imagine. The Patriots are playing good football currently and they should be able to continue that here against Chicago.

The Steelers have a tough matchup in week 7, but they could win if they are able to play the right way. The rest of the games this week have some interesting contests that could be precursors for the post-season.