NFL Week 7 Betting Marquee Matchups:
Bengals @ Falcons
Three years ago, you would have been laughed off the stage if you felt that this interconference matchup would be one of the more attractive games of the 2010 NFL season. Yet, that’s what a reasonable preseason outlook would suggest. Both teams are likely to make the playoffs in their respective conferences if they stay healthy. Cincinnati needs to find more of a downfield passing game and a quick-strike capability that can support its high-level defense. Atlanta just needs Matt Ryan to be on the field at all times; the sensational rookie season enjoyed by the Boston College product in 2008 means that if the Falcons have a healthy signal caller, they should be playing meaningful football on the second or third weekend of January. When the Bengals and Falcons collide in the middle of the NFL season, they’ll give each other a good test and encounter one of the fall’s biggest measuring-stick moments.
Patriots @ Chargers
These old foes relish going head-to-head against each other. New England ruined San Diego’s 14-2 regular season in January of 2007 with an upset win in the AFC Divisional Playoffs. One year later, the Pats fended off the Bolts to claim the AFC title and a spot in Super Bowl XLII. New England and San Diego both lost in their playoff debuts last season, and the sour tastes from those disappointments should fuel the fires for this week seven showdown. One thing to look for in this game is the effectiveness of the Chargers’ running game. Everyone in the NFL is waiting to see if rookie Ryan Mathews is ready to pick up the baton after LaDainian Tomlinson went to the New York Jets in the offseason. The level of running proficiency enjoyed by the Chargers will go a long way toward determining their level of success… not only in this one game, but throughout the 2010 campaign.
Vikings @ Packers
Here we go again: Brett Favre comes back to Lambeau Field, his old stomping grounds, while wearing the purple helmet and the white horn of the hated Minnesota Vikings. Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers held his own last year in two duels with Favre, and he played heroically in an overtime loss to Arizona in the NFC Wild Card round. The Packers should have more confidence as they take on their rivals this time around. A Green Bay win would make the teams’ other rendezvous in Minnesota an even more important affair.