NFL Week 7: Key Games and Predictions
Week 7 of the 2025 NFL season presents exciting matchups. Here we bring you everything you need to know, with in-depth analysis and predictions to keep you on top of the action. We’ll have more American football in London, with the Jaguars facing the Rams. In addition, Mike Vrabel returns to Nashville as the Patriots visit the Titans. And Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott will look to extend his perfect home record (6-0) against the Commanders. Our team of experts offers you the best of each match, including the highlights from the locker rooms, key statistics, and bold predictions. The week culminates with the “Monday Night Football” games between the Buccaneers and Lions and the Texans and Seahawks. (Game times are on Sunday, unless otherwise noted.)- JAG-LAR
- PHI-MIN
- LV-KC
- NO-CHI
- NE-TEN
- MIA-CLE
- CAR-NYJ
- IND-LAC
- NYG-DEN
- WSH-DAL
- GB-ARI
- ATL-SF
- TB-DET
- HOU-SEA
What is expected of the Jaguars: The Jaguars are expected to try to involve wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter more in the offense. Coach Liam Coen said they need to design more plays where Hunter is the primary option, as they feel they haven’t utilized his playmaking ability enough. There have been several reasons why he hasn’t been more involved, including situations where Trevor Lawrence has chosen to throw the ball elsewhere, Hunter was covered, or the play didn’t match the defense they found after the snap. With Brian Thomas Jr. struggling and Brenton Strange on the injured list, Hunter’s involvement should increase.
What is expected of the Rams: Rams outside linebacker Byron Young has eight games with at least half a sack, the longest active streak in the NFL and the longest streak for a Rams player since individual sacks became an official statistic in 1982, according to ESPN Research. Through six weeks, the Jaguars have the third-best pass block success rate in the NFL (71%), according to ESPN Metrics/NFL Next Gen Stats. Young’s success against this line could have a big impact on the game. “It’s amazing to see him rise to the level he’s capable of reaching,” said outside linebacker Jared Verse about Young.
Key stat: Lawrence suffered seven sacks in the Week 6 loss to the Seahawks (the most Jacksonville has allowed in a game in the last 10 seasons). Meanwhile, the Rams have 19 sacks this season, tied for fourth.Bold Prediction: Rams wide receiver Tutu Atwell will record more than 50 receiving yards. With Puka Nacua (ankle sprain) likely out, there are many targets to redistribute. And since the start of last season, Atwell has averaged 2.0 yards per route run, an impressive number for a deep threat.Betting Tip: Since the start of last season, the Jaguars are 10-4 ATS (against the spread) when they are receiving at least three points.Predictions:
Maldonado: Rams 27, Jaguars 21 Moody: Rams 20, Jaguars 17 Walder: Rams 23, Jaguars 21 FPI Prediction: LAR, 59.6% (by an average of 3.3 points)Eagles (4-2) vs. Vikings (3-2)1 p.m. ET | Fox | Matchup Rating: 63.9/100What’s expected of the Eagles: “This team is fine,” said wide receiver A.J. Brown after a week of mild panic about the state of things amid the Eagles’ first losing streak since 2023. “This team is motivated and trying to be on the same page.” Part of that process was an offensive meeting on Monday that quarterback Jalen Hurts said was about identifying a direction for this group to head in the future. That could mean more play-action plays or under center, but most importantly, the Eagles must get Saquon Barkley and the running game going. Philadelphia’s normally prolific ground attack ranks 25th in yards per game (95.3).What is expected of the Vikings: The Vikings spent their bye week, in part, delving into a defensive vulnerability that could affect this game. They rank 24th in success rate against the run, part of the reason opponents have held the ball for an average of 31:04 per game (the tenth worst in the league). The Eagles aren’t running well, but feeding Barkley is a stronger option than throwing against coordinator Brian Flores’ combination of blitzes and disguised coverages. Flores has said there’s nothing “sexy” about the necessary solutions. This week he added: “It’s fundamentals. It’s tackling. It’s getting off blocks, setting edges, doing the right things in that realm. It’s not flashy.”Key statistic: Hurts is averaging 2.98 seconds before throwing, which is the third-longest time in the league behind Caleb Williams and Justin Fields. Hurts faces a Vikings defense that averages 2.53 seconds for the first pressure (the fastest mark), according to NFL Next Gen Stats.
Bold Prediction: Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter will get his first sack of the season. Philadelphia is generating sacks on just 4% of opponents’ passes (that’s low!) but will get the perfect antidote for that in Week 7: the Vikings, regardless of who’s at quarterback. Both J.J. McCarthy and Carson Wentz have maintained double-digit sack rates this season.Betting tip: The Vikings are 3-0 ATS as home underdogs since the start of last season.Predictions:
Maldonado: Eagles 24, Vikings 21 Moody: Eagles 26, Vikings 20 Walder: Eagles 20, Vikings 17 FPI Prediction: PHI, 52.2% (by an average of 0.9 points)Raiders (2-4) vs. Chiefs (3-3)1 p.m. ET | CBS | Matchup Rating: 60.0/100
What is expected of the Raiders: Running back Ashton Jeanty ran the ball 23 times last week, the most this season. Coach Pete Carroll expects that to be the norm going forward. “I don’t think there’s any doubt,” Carroll said. “… It’s a long haul, and we have to make sure we’re handling it right. But I think being normal for him is what we should expect, around 20 carries a game.” Jeanty’s production has increased in recent weeks, as he ranks fourth in the league in rushing yards (343) since Week 3.
What is expected of the Chiefs: Everyone at the Chiefs’ facilities knows how excited wide receiver Rashee Rice is to return from a six-game suspension, including quarterback Patrick Mahomes. “He’s going to want to be out there on every play. … It will be our job, as teammates and coaches, to rebuild him the right way.” A good balance for Rice could be to give him the ball early and keep him on the field for about 50% of the plays.
Key stat: Jeanty is averaging 3.07 yards per carry after first contact this season, which is the fifth-most in the league.Bold Prediction: Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco will run for over 60 yards for the first time this season. The Chiefs run in the interior zone 32% of the time (second most), and the Raiders are allowing 4.7 yards per carry (fourth most).Betting Tip: The Raiders are 4-0 ATS as double-digit underdogs since 2022. They have covered in three straight meetings against the Chiefs.Predictions:
Maldonado: Chiefs 35, Raiders 13 Moody: Chiefs 34, Raiders 16 Walder: Chiefs 30, Raiders 14 FPI Prediction: KC, 78.8% (for an average of 12.0 points)Saints (1-5) vs. Bears (3-2)1 p.m. ET | Fox | Matchup rating: 29.4/100
What is expected of the Saints: Saints players and coaches downplayed the idea of a “revenge” game against Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, who was with New Orleans from 2015 to 2024 as a senior defensive assistant, defensive coordinator, and head coach. “I don’t hold any malice against DA,” said defensive end Cameron Jordan. “If anything, I’m grateful for all the years we had so much success.” This will be the Saints’ first game against Allen since he was fired midway through last season.
What is expected of the Bears: Running back D’Andre Swift’s patience paid off big time against Washington. His 10.9 yards per touch marked the highest rate of any player this season, which included a 55-yard receiving and rushing touchdown as the Bears rallied in the fourth quarter. The Saints have allowed 18 scrimmage touchdowns this season (tied for fourth), so another big day for Swift could be on the horizon. “For him to stick with it and keep fighting, it was incredible to see him do what he did, making a series of huge plays that were really important for us to win,” said offensive coordinator Declan Doyle.
Key Statistic: The Saints have allowed multiple passing touchdowns in eight consecutive games, the longest active streak in the NFL.Bold prediction: The Bears will score 40 points. Yes, that’s what I thought they would do last week. But I still believe in this offense a lot, and last week we saw one of the team’s previous weaknesses that seemed like a strength: the running game, which averaged 5.4 yards per carry against Washington.Injuries: Saints | BearsBetting tip: The Saints have a 1-4 ATS record as underdogs this season.Predictions:
Maldonado: Bears 35, Saints 27 Moody: Bears 23, Saints 20 Walder: Bears 40, Saints 17 FPI Prediction: CHI, 65.7% (by an average of 6.4 points)Patriots (4-2) vs. Titans (1-5)1 p.m. ET | CBS | Matchup Rating: 27.6/100
What is expected of the Patriots: The Patriots will try to do something they haven’t done since 1961 (before the AFL-NFL merger in 1967): win three consecutive regular season games as visitors. Coach Mike Vrabel’s return to Tennessee, where he served as coach from 2018 to 2023, is naturally a main topic as well, but Vrabel and the players downplayed its importance. “The coach preached to us about being a ‘road warrior,’ following that path of least resistance,” said wide receiver Stefon Diggs.What is expected of the Titans: The Titans will present interim coach Mike McCoy, and it turns out to be Vrabel’s return to Nissan Stadium. With 14 players remaining from Vrabel’s tenure in Tennessee, there is no confusion about what to expect when the Patriots come to town. “On offense, they’re going to try to block longer than the guy with the ball, until the whistle blows,” said safety Amani Hooker. “And on defense, they’re going to try to go full speed to the tackle and assault the ball.”
Key stat: The Titans’ 3rd-down conversion rate of 35% since the start of last season is the second-worst mark behind the Browns (30.9%). In the same time period, the Patriots have allowed a 3rd-down conversion rate of 42.7% (the fifth-worst).Bold Prediction: Patriots quarterback Drake Maye will throw four touchdown passes. New England is one of the league’s pass-heaviest teams, with a pass rate over expectation of 3%, ranking fourth highest. Meanwhile, the Titans have the fourth-highest pass rate allowed over expectation (plus 1%). On top of that, don’t you think Vrabel will want to pour it on against his former team?Betting Tip: The Titans have a 0-10 ATS record in their last 10 home games. With another such loss, they would tie the 1988-89 Cowboys for the second-longest losing streak against the spread in the Super Bowl era.Predictions:
Maldonado: Patriots 35, Titans 10 Moody: Patriots 33, Titans 23 Walder: Patriots 38, Titans 16 FPI Prediction: NE, 66.1% (by an average of 6.5 points)Dolphins (1-5) vs. Browns (1-5)1 p.m. ET | CBS | Matchup Rating: 25.1/100
