NFL Predictions, Odds and Best Bets for Week 7

Los Angeles Rams vs. Jacksonville Jaguars 9:30 a.m. EST (London)

Rams -3 (+100)
Jaguars +3 (-120)

Moneyline: LA -150, JAX +130

Total: 45

It’s another game in London for the Jaguars as they play for the 12th time in jolly old England and are 6-5 in 11 games.  Jacksonville has a bit of an edge as the players are familiar with the travel, hotel, practice, among other things.  After beating the Chiefs the Jags fell to the Seahawks in a game they only scored 12 points.  But Jacksonville does have a solid defense allowing the eighth-fewest rushing yards and sit fifth overall in run defense.  The Rams will be without WR Puka Nacua, who is out with an ankle injury, and that bodes well for the Jags secondary as Nacua leads the NFL with 54 receptions.   

The Rams are coming off a defensive gem against the Ravens holding them to just 3 points despite Derrick Henry rushing for 122 yards.  L.A’s defense also recorded an INT and 4 sacks and has been stout this season.  If the run defense can be strong and hold the Jags to third-and-long situations, we could see more punts than touchdowns in this game.  This total has come down and could move before kick-off.  Best bet: Under 45  

Player Prop Play

Trevor Lawrence – UNDER 22 Completions

The Jacksonville defense has kept them in most games and the Jags haven’t had to play catch up this season.  If the Jags stick to a ground attack, which they did in their last two victories when they ran the ball 26 and 32 times,  Trevor Lawrence should stay under this number considering he’s only gone over this total just twice in 6 games.

Carolina Panthers vs. New York Jets 1:00 p.m. EST

Panthers -2

Jets +2

Moneyline:  CAR -125, NYJ +105

Total: 42

The Panthers have all of a sudden turned into one of the hotter teams in the NFC after defeating the Cowboys last week for their second straight win.  That may not sound like a big accomplishment but remember, this is Carolina we’re talking about. They haven’t had much to get excited for over the last few seasons.   Running back Rico Dowdle ran for 183 yards with an average carry of 6 yards and added another 56 receiving yards.  In fact, Dowdle has put up 473 yards from scrimmage in the last two weeks, a big reason for the Panthers turnaround.  On top of that, the defense stepped up slowing down Dallas’ number one offense (387.5 YPG)  and holding them to just 292 yards.

As for the Jets, they allowed just 13 points last week but managed to just score 11 against Denver.  The offense is terrible, ranking fifth from the bottom averaging just 279.8 yards per game.  And to make matters worse, superstar WR Garrett Wilson is out with an injury.  QB Justin Fields had just 45 passing yards last week, an atrocious performance while Breece Hall ran for just 59 yards.  To sum it up, the Jets aren’t very good.  Points will come at a premium here and if the defense can do its job, New York could  hang around.

Prediction

Carolina’s ground attack and QB Bryce Young are starting to find a groove and shouldn’t have any trouble moving the ball and keeping the Jets offense on the sidelines.  And when you factor in the Jets adjusting from their trip back from London, Carolina appears to be the choice here in a game that sends the Jets to 0-7 on the season.  BEST BET:  Panthers ML -125

Atlanta Falcons vs. San Francisco 49ers 8:20 p.m. EST

Falcons +2 (-108)

49ers -2 (-112)

Moneyline: ATL +120, SF -140

Total: 47 

The Falcons are hot after upsetting the Super Bowl favorites, the Buffalo Bills, on Monday night while the 49ers are looking to bounce back after losing to the Buccaneers. Falcons RB Bijan Robinson is turning into a superstar as he leads the NFL in scrimmage yards with 822. He’s on pace to set a new record for the most scrimmage yards in an NFL season and expect him to carry much of the load again.  Last week against Buffalo, Robinson racked up 170 rushing yards, including a burst for 81 yards and added another 68 receiving yards.  He has topped 100 total yards in every game and may be the best player in the NFL.

The 49ers have been plagued but injuries all season but there is good news on the horizon as 

Quarterback Brock Purdy, WR Ricky Pearsall, and TE George Kittle could all return this week.  

However, the Niners suffered a major loss last week as LB Fred Warner has been lost for the season with an ankle injury.   Getting Purdy back should help as RB Christian McCaffrey continues to shoulder the workload.  CMC sits second for receptions with 46 and has been asked to do a lot from the backfield.  Still, the Niners do have some issues including on defense as they gave up 30 points to Tampa Bay last week. 

Recent Betting Trends

The UNDER is 4-1 in the Falcons’ last five games

Falcons are 3-13 SU in their last 16 games in SF

49ers are 4-11 ATS in their last 15 games

The OVER is 4-1 in the 49ers’ last five games

49ers are 1-5 ATS in their last six home games

Prediction

 The Falcons are playing well of late, especially because of Bijan Robinson while the defense has quietly been one of the most effective in the NFL.  There is enough here with Atlanta to not only take the points but the Falcons can pull off the road upset. Give me the points and some moneyline action on ATL.  BEST BET: Falcons +2, Atlanta ML +120