NFL Week 7 Game-by-Game Predictions

Oct 18, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Oakland Raiders (2-3) at San Diego Chargers (2-4)

Sunday 10/25 at 4:05PM EST

A matchup between the Raiders and the Chargers might not sound like the most intriguing game of the day, but it could be exactly that. Games between Oakland and San Diego are always hard-fought, and the rivalry between these two teams is one of the most underrated in all of football. Fans go crazy over this rivalry, often to the point where they cross the line. Like the fans, players on these teams play their hearts out on the field in order to come out with the victory. Fresh off a much-needed bye, the Raiders are desperate for a win. But the Chargers, sitting at 2-4, are somehow the more desperate team. San Diego has endured back-to-back heartbreaking losses, and it could finally get back in the win column on Sunday. Philip Rivers has been an absolute madman, leading the league in passing yards despite playing behind one of the league’s worst offensive lines. His play alone could will the Chargers to victory in the Q on Sunday.

Dallas Cowboys (2-3) at New York Giants (3-3)

Sunday 10/25 at 4:25PM EST

Sep 13, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Randy Gregory (94) reacts after a play against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. The Cowboys won 27-26. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Like the first late-afternoon matchup, this division rivalry matchup could prove to be one of the best games of Week 7. If the Cowboys win this game, they will move to 3-0 within the division and lock up the tiebreaker over the Giants in case they finish with the same record at the end of the season. If New York wins, it would continue to sit atop the NFC East standings–either with or without Philadelphia. Dallas has won the last five matchups between these two teams, and although the quarterback situation could be shaky with Matt Cassel manning the position, New York still loses to teams manned by bad quarterbacks. Take this past Monday night, for example; Philadelphia couldn’t move the ball through the air, yet it still managed to put up 27 points on the Giants. With several key players returning from injury after a week of rest, the Cowboys look primed to surprise on Sunday.

Philadelphia Eagles (3-3) at Carolina Panthers (5-0)

Sunday 10/25 at 8:30PM EST

Oct 4, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) scrambles during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Speaking of the battle for the NFC East, Philadelphia has a chance to solidify its grasp on the division with a win in Carolina on Sunday. But given that the 5-0 Panthers are playing fantastic football, the Eagles could be in for trouble. Cam Newton has been a Swiss Army Knife on offense, beating opposing defenses by passing and running. Even with what could be considered the NFL’s worst arsenal of receiving weapons, Cam Newton makes things look easy. And while the Eagles defense looked great against the Giants’ putrid offense on Monday night, the Panthers’ offense is much better than the miserable unit Philadelphia smashed earlier in the week. And don’t forget about Carolina’s defense–the Panthers have been nasty; Josh Norman has established himself as an elite corner, and guys all over the defense are making plays when the defense needs to make a play. Carolina is legit, and the Panthers should win this game.

Baltimore Ravens (1-5) at Arizona Cardinals (4-2)

Monday 10/26 at 8:30PM EST

Oct 18, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) walks to the field before playing the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Cardinals just have to be shaking their heads after blowing a winnable game in Pittsburgh last week. Bruce Arians’ group plays hard, and Arizona will likely come out of the gates with guns ablaze to prove how last week’s disaster should not have happened. The Baltimore Ravens have no business even stepping onto the same field as the Cardinals, and they could get slaughtered on Monday night. Arizona’s defense should feast on Joe Flacco, who has been having one of the worst seasons of any quarterback in the league. Meanwhile, Carson Palmer could get back on track; he’ll be matching up against a miserable Baltimore secondary that has been a dumpster fire in 2015. Arizona should handily win this game on Monday Night Football.

Next: NFL Power Rankings and Awards: Week 6