• Home
  • Mail
  • Flickr
  • Tumblr
  • News
  • Sports
  • Finance
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Answers
  • Groups
  • More
Yahoo
    • Skip to Navigation
    • Skip to Main Content
    • Skip to Related Content
    Entertainment Home
    Follow Us
    • TV
    • Movies
    • Celebrity
    • Music
    • Videos
    • Reviews
    • Movie Showtimes

    Five bold predictions for NFL Week 7

    Jordan Schultz
    Shutdown CornerOctober 19, 2017
    Reblog
    Share
    Tweet
    Share

    Week 7 of the NFL features an excellent slate of matchups, concluding with Monday Night’s NFC East battle between Washington and Philadelphia, which we may or may not have picked as our upset of the week.

    With that in mind, here are our five bold predictions.

    1. Big Ben Roethlisberger is bad, once again

    Ben Roethlisberger has struggled mightily in this his 14th season. The low point thus far was his career-high five interceptions in an embarrassing 30-9 home loss to Jacksonville. We predicted a bounce back performance against Kansas City last week, but don’t expect a sudden revival from the 35-year-old quarterback. Antonio Brown may lead the league in receiving by a landslide, but the Steelers’ inability to run the ball against the Bengals — along with the internal struggle surrounding Martavis Bryant — means this will be another subpar performance from No. 7.

    2. Thomas Rawls asserts himself as Seattle Seahawks’ new lead back

    It’s only fitting that Rawls gets another crack at being Seattle’s featured running back. Remember, as an undrafted rookie in 2015, Rawls’ 5.6 yards per carry was tops in the NFL. Injuries however, have taken a toll, and the emergence of rookie Chris Carson made it difficult for Rawls to get touches. Now with Carson’s injury, look for a resurgence from Rawls. In the Seahawks’ last game in Week 5 versus the LA Rams, Rawls led the backfield in snaps. The coaching staff has always really liked his toughness and ability to elude tacklers as both a runner and pass-catcher. The Seahawks travel to New York for a Week 7 tilt with the Giants, who rank 26th in rushing defense. Expect a strong showing from Rawls and in turn, a bell-cow role moving forward.

    Arizona Cardinals running back Adrian Peterson has his work cut out for him against the Rams this week. (AP)
    Arizona Cardinals running back Adrian Peterson has his work cut out for him against the Rams this week. (AP)

    3. Adrian Peterson comes back down to Earth

    AP turned in a magical debut with Arizona last weekend, compiling 134 yards and two touchdowns. He looked quick, he was decisive and he was just the jolt the lackluster Cardinals offense needed. This week however, will be a different story. The Cards travel across the pond to face an LA Rams defense as stout up front as anyone. It’s also an angry Rams defense that was thrashed by Jacksonville rookie Leonard Fournette just last week. There won’t be much running room for the 32-year-old Peterson and I expect Carson Palmer to turn the ball over early and put Arizona in a deficit.

    4. At least ONE game is ruined by the referees

    This has been an unfortunate theme all season long. In Week 3, it was the Golden Tate non-touchdown call, not to mention Sterling Shepard’s touchdown catch being foolishly overturned. Last week, we were furious over Austin Seferian-Jenkins and the New York Jets losing six points after Seferian-Jenkins’ TD was not only overruled, but also ruled a fumble in the New England Patriots end-zone. Rest assured, Week 7 will present plenty of opportunity for the league to make the same mistake. Maybe it’s not on a touchdown, but the sheer ineptitude of the referees has reached new lows.

    5. Washington Redskins upset the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football

    Primetime divisional foe, on the road? Yes, please! This is a good spot for the Redskins, who have become a very good rushing defense with enough offense out of Kirk Cousins and company to win a few games. In fact, six players are on pace for between 35 to 58 catches this season, and with a healthy Jordan Reed, Cousins has his best weapon in his arsenal. Philly, at 5-1, is riding high after an impressive road win in Carolina, with a significant hype train to boot. But these are two similarly built teams and it feels like a surprisingly good spot for Washington to steal a key win. Remember, marquee upsets have been a friend to this column all year long!

    – – – – – – –

    Follow Jordan Schultz on Twitter @Schultz_Report

    Read more NFL coverage from Yahoo Sports:
    • Roger Goodell: NFL wants all players to stand for anthem, won’t make them

    • Seahawks’ Cliff Avril says he isn’t considering retirement as he recovers from neck injury

    • Jerry Jones is lone rebel in group of NFL owners who can thwart progress amid anthem debate

    Reblog
    Share
    Tweet
    Share

    What to Read Next

    • 'Austin Powers' Actor Verne Troyer Dead At 49

      HuffPost
    • 'Smallville' Actress Allison Mack Is Charged With Sex Trafficking

      HuffPost
    • Melania Trump Invited White House Staffers to Barbara Bush Funeral So They Could 'Pay Their Respects'

      People
    • Avenatti: Cohen ‘is going to be charged with serious crimes’

      Yahoo View
    • ‘Trump may throw children under bus to protect himself’

      Yahoo View
    • 'Popular' Football Player Found Dead After Not Showing Up to School — and His Friend Is Arrested

      People
    • Mike Myers, Ludacris and More Stars Pay Tribute to Verne Troyer

      Entertainment Tonight
    • Humiliating: Leaked Tapes catch Trump bizarrely posing has own spokesperson

      Yahoo View
    • Outrage from GOP over presidential golf outings are not on par

      Yahoo View
    • The Father Of US Birthright Citizenship Is Nearly Forgotten

      Yahoo View
    • Kim Kardashian West Shares Details of 10-Day Cleanse

      Yahoo View
    • 'Heartbroken' George H.W. Bush Leads Nation's Mourning at Funeral of Former First Lady Barbara Bush

      People
    • Alanis Morissette is virtually unrecognizable with a pixie cut

      Yahoo Celebrity
    • 'Rampage' colleagues say star Dwayne Johnson did all the heavy lifting -- in the gym

      Associated Press Videos
    • Drew Scott on How Twin Jonathan Is Coping Post-Split: ‘We’re Always Supporting Each Other’

      People
    • Avicii Remembered With Touching Tribute From DJ Kygo at Coachella

      Entertainment Tonight

    Trump Rides Again: President Continues Saturday Tweetstorm

    Mike: VOTE

    Join the Conversation
    1 / 5

    1.1k

    • Meghan Markle's Nephew Is Growing Cannabis to Honor the Royal Wedding

      Yahoo View
    • Trump Not Attending Barbara Bush Funeral To 'Avoid Disruptions'

      Yahoo View
    • Trump Rides Again: President Continues Saturday Tweetstorm

      Deadline
    • Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott Take It to the Floor!

      Yahoo View
    • Jim Carrey Paints A 'F**king Disgusting' Picture Of Trump Attorney Michael Cohen

      HuffPost
    • Paula Patton Steps Out With Married Boyfriend

      Yahoo View
    • James Comey’s book tour is not going well for him

      Yahoo TV
    • Nikki Bella to Make First Public Appearance Since John Cena Split — with Twin Brie by Her Side

      People
    • Jacobovitz: If Giuliani ends Mueller probe ‘we need to send him to the Middle East’

      Yahoo View
    • George H.W. Bush Stays By Wife Barbara's Side, Sitting By Her Casket & Greeting Mourners

      People
    • Comey memos reveal embarrassing details for Trump, Nicolle Wallace says

      Yahoo View
    • Khloé Kardashian Isn't Leaving Cleveland Yet as She Considers Splitting from Tristan: Source

      People
    • Sessions Reportedly Said He Might Quit If Rosenstein Were Fired

      Yahoo View
    • 'Smallville' actress charged in self-help guru's sex traffic case

      Reuters
    • 'Grease' turns 40: The Pink Ladies and T-Birds remember the wild ride filming the carnival finale

      Yahoo TV
    • Meghan Markle's Father Isn't Invited to Her Weddin

      Town & Country