Mattie T’s Week 7 NFL Predictions

Time for that Justice League Update….

Despite getting next to nothing out of both Philip Rivers & Malcolm Floyd, i was still able to demolish the fellow 4-2 Monsters of Midway team to claim sole possession of 1st place!!!!! Thanks to Chris Johnson’s late 35-yard touchdown run on Monday Night, i am just 4 points behind the league leader in points scored.

Now, i’m the only 5-1 team in the league & will go up against a 1-5 DaRuckus squad on Sunday who has lost 4 straight, but does have a good roster…but you better believe the Maulers will be ready to go, even with the top-ranked Arian Foster on a bye!

Week 6: 10-4

Overall: 53-37 (.589)

Jaguars/Chiefs:

Might be panic time in Kansas City, as the Chiefs have dropped two straight following a surprising 3-0 start.

Meanwhile for Jacksonville, they’re looking for anything positive offensively after a 30-3 blowout home loss to Tennessee in Week 6.

Trent Edwards isn’t a definite to start on Sunday, as David Garrard is still battling a concussion that knocked him out of Monday’s game.

As a result, the Jaguars signed both Todd Bouman & Patrick Ramsey this week, and head coach Jack Del Rio said that any four of his active quarterbacks could see playing time against the Chiefs.

Look for Matt Cassel to exploit Jacksonville’s 28th-ranked pass defense, as he will lead Kansas City to an easy home win at Arrowhead.

Mattie T’s Pick: Kansas City

Eagles/Titans:

Vince Young is still a question mark for Sunday’s game following a knee injury that he suffered during Tennessee’s Week 6 win over Jacksonville.

If Young can’t go, then Kerry Collins will look to continue his good success against Philadelphia, as he has 9 touchdowns & just 2 interceptions against them in 11 career meetings.

The Titans’ defense will make Kevin Kolb’s life tough, while Chris Johnson should be able to have a big day against the Eagles’ 22nd ranked run defense.

That combination will be good enough to lift Tennessee to their 12th straight win against an NFC opponent.

Mattie T’s Pick: Tennessee

Bills/Ravens:

The Bills are hoping that their bye week can fix their defensive problems, as they have given up 34 points or more in each of their last 4 losses.

As a result, head coach Chan Gailey will switch to a 3-4 defense in hopes of improving the team’s league-worst run defense, which will have the task of trying to stop Ray Rice & Willis McGahee.

Ryan Fitzpatrick has played well of late, but will have trouble trying to solve Baltimore’s 3rd ranked defense.

John Harbaugh will improve to 14-1 against teams with losing records with a big win over Buffalo on Sunday.

Mattie T’s Pick: Baltimore

Browns/Saints:

Saints finally showed signs of life in Week 6, as they totaled 475 yards of offense during a 31-7 rout over the Buccaneers.

Drew Brees should keep it going on Sunday against Cleveland’s 21st-ranked pass defense, as rookie Chris Ivory looks to have another monster game after rushing for 158 yards against Tampa Bay.

The Browns’ only chance at an upset relies on Peyton Hillis, who needs one more touchdown to match his career-high of six during the 2008 season & will go up against New Orleans’ 15th ranked run defense.

Saints should keep it going with another strong offensive performance here.

Mattie T’s Pick: New Orleans

Redskins/Bears:

Washington’s terrible defense may be the perfect remedy to get Chicago’s 29th ranked offense in gear on Sunday, as Jay Cutler will go up against the Redskins’ 31st ranked secondary.

The Redskins will most likely lean on Ryan Torain, who rushed for his 1st career 100-yard game during their Week 6 loss to Indianapolis & will try to become the 1st player since Clinton Portis in 2008 to have back-to-back 100-yard games on the ground.

The Bears will have to find a way to stop Santana Moss, who is 4th in the NFL with 37 receptions for 485 yards.

Look for Washington to try & avoid kicking to Devin Hester, who tied Brian Mitchell’s all-time record last week with his 13th return punt/kickoff touchdown last week during their Week 6 loss to Seattle.

Chicago does just enough defensively here to rattle Donovan McNabb & keep him from improving to 5-1 against his hometown team.

Mattie T’s Pick: Chicago

Bengals/Falcons:

Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer is returning to Atlanta on Sunday for the first time since 2007, when he served on Bobby Petrino’s staff.

Zimmer wasted no time blasting his former employee this week, as he used words such as “gutless” and “coward” to describe how Petrino walked out on his team after just 13 games.

Too bad Petrino can’t help the Falcons’ wounded 25th-ranked secondary, as they’ll most likely be without cornerback Dunta Robinson after he suffered a concussion during a vicious helmet-to-helmet hit against DeSean Jackson during their Week 6 loss to Philadelphia.

I have a feeling that Carson Palmer will have a big day through the air, as he’ll look to get a relatively quiet Chad OchoCinco (one touchdown this season) going as well as Terrell Owens, who needs one more touchdown to become the 5th player in NFL history with 150 or more.

I think the bye week will be enough to spring the Bengals to an upset road win on Sunday.

Mattie T’s Pick: Cincinnati

Steelers/Dolphins:

James Harrison will play on Sunday after seriously contemplating retirement following a $75,000 fine for a pair of vicious helmet-to-helmet hits during Pittsburgh’s Week 6 win over Cleveland.

This should be a great game against two top-10 defenses, but Miami might have trouble trying to run the ball against the Steelers’ top-ranked rush defense.

Pittsburgh’s secondary still has issues against the pass (ranked 24th in NFL), so Chad Henne could put up some modest numbers in this one.

In a close game though, i like for the Steelers to prevail.

Mattie T’s Pick: Pittsburgh

49ers/Panthers:

The winless Panthers hope to get a boost by switching to Matt Moore at quarterback & the return of Steve Smith, who has missed the past two weeks with an ankle injury.

Carolina might stack the box in an attempt to slow down Frank Gore (leads NFL with 755 yards from scrimmage) & will have Alex Smith test their 5th ranked secondary.

Smith’s presence will spark the Panthers just enough to provide a stunning home win over the 49ers.

Mattie T’s Pick: Carolina

Rams/Buccaneers:

Steven Jackson will most likely make team history on Sunday, as he’s just 33 yards away from surpassing Eric Dickerson as the franchise’s all-time leading rusher.

Jackson could be licking his chops against a woeful Buccaneers run defense that’s ranked 31st in the league & just gave up 158 yards to Chris Ivory during their Week 6 loss to New Orleans.

After sacking Philip Rivers seven times during their Week 6 win over San Diego, St. Louis is now ranked 6th in the NFL with 17 sacks & could give Josh Freeman some serious problems.

Mattie T’s Pick: St. Louis

Cardinals/Seahawks:

Arizona is seeking their 5th straight win over Seattle on Sunday, but they’ll have to try & do it with rookie quarterback Max Hall instead of future Hall of Famer Kurt Warner, who retired following the Cardinals’ NFC Divisional Playoff loss to New Orleans.

Seattle’s defense might be ranked 24th overall, but will be prepared to slow down Beanie Wells & Tim Hightower with their 2nd ranked run defense.

Look for a revamped Seahawks defense to pressure Hall all afternoon.

Mattie T’s Pick: Seattle

Patriots/Chargers:

San Diego will try to get a much-needed win on Sunday afternoon despite several injury woes, as Malcolm Floyd & Antonio Gates could both miss a crucial home game against New England.

They will also have a new kicker, as Kris Brown will handle field goal & kickoff duties for the injured Nate Kaeding (groin).

Philip Rivers should have himself a big day, but Tom Brady proved last week that he doesn’t need Randy Moss’ presence after rallying the Patriots from a 10-point deficit against Baltimore.

Close game, but i see New England prevailing here.

Mattie T’s Pick: New England

Raiders/Broncos:

Denver’s one-dimensional offense could get a much needed boost on Sunday, as Knowshon Moreno will go up against Oakland’s 30th ranked run defense.

The Broncos’ run defense (ranked 25th) is also bad, but i trust Kyle Orton more than i trust Jason Campbell at the quarterback position.

Close one, but i like Denver at home.

Mattie T’s Pick: Denver

Vikings/Packers:

Minnesota will try and end their road woes on Sunday evening, as they haven’t won since November 1st of 2009 against…Green Bay.

Packers suffered yet another serious blow on offense, as Jermichael Finley was placed on IR earlier this week and is now done for the season.

Green Bay should get a big boost defensively with the returns of Clay Matthews & Al Harris, as they’ll finally have the last laugh over former teammate Brett Favre.

Mattie T’s Pick: Green Bay

Giants/Cowboys:

Dallas is in desperation mode for a win on prime time & against one of the NFL’s hottest teams in New York, who has used a strong defense to get back into the mix of things in the NFC East.

Demarcus Ware always comes to play against the Giants, as he has 8 career sacks against them. That will be key, since New York comes into town with their 7th ranked offense.

The Cowboys are the most winningest team during Monday Night Football and they will prove it on Monday with a big win over the Giants.

Mattie T’s Pick: Dallas