NFL picks against the spread: Week 7

Welcome back to fading Fooch's Super Contest picks. A week after going undefeated, I returned to reality with a blah 2-3 performance. I did get the 49ers covering, so I suppose there's that. But overall it was a meh week. The 2-3 performance has me sitting at 16-14 on the year.

This past week, I took the 49ers (-3.5) over the Rams, the Browns (-2) over the Steelers, the Bills (+3) over the Patriots, the Chargers (-7) over the Raiders, and the Seahawks (-8) over the Cowboys. I am plenty pleased sacrificing that Seahawks pick for the greater good of 49ers division title hopes! I did not feel overly comfortable with the Bills pick, and I suppose I should have expected the Raiders to be competitive in their first game with a new coach. Hindsight is wonderful, isn't it?

I stayed away from the 49ers this week. They are a 6.5-point underdog in the SuperContest, and I am just not sure what to make of them heading into Denver. The injuries are concerning, but I really think they can hang with this Broncos squad. You can get the 49ers moneyline at upwards of +250, which means if you bet $10, you win $25. This is the best moneyline you'll find on the 49ers all season, even heading into Seattle later this year. It might be worth jumping on.

Just a reminder, the folks at our partner site, OddsShark have staked me in a pick 'em contest in Las Vegas. I pick five games each week against the spread, taking on over 1,400 people. The top 30 win money. Going into this I simply wanted to finish closer to the top than the bottom. I'm hanging around the middle of the pack, so we'll see if I can at least build back some positive momentum. Don't hold your breath!

BALTIMORE RAVENS over Atlanta Falcons (+6.5): The Falcons are 0-3 ATS on the road, and after a disappointing home performance as well last week, I am slowly removing myself from that bandwagon. I think they can hang around in what will be a wild NFC South down the stretch, but I'm gonna fly with the #elite one this week, Joe Flacco!

Cleveland Browns over JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (+5.5): I am amazed how excited I am about betting on the Browns this year. I am sure they will burn me at times, but after riding them to consecutive covers the last two weeks, I'm sticking with them against an awful Jaguars team. This is only the tenth time in the Browns post-1999 expansion history that they have been a road favorite, and this also marks their biggest road spread. I'm gonna ride it out!

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS over Cincinnati Bengals (+3): This is all about betting on the Colts at home. They are not a sure thing at home, but they are a very strong home team. They're 6-1 ATS in their last seven home games, and 4-2 ATS in their last six against the Bengals. The Bengals seem to be without A.J. Green once again, and they are just not the same team without him.

New York Giants over DALLAS COWBOYS (+6.5): This is my lone upset pick in the SuperContest. I had considered the Jets as well, and naturally the Jets covered. I assume that means the Giants will get blown out. Dallas is coming off a monster road win over Seattle, and consider this a bet on a bit of a letown. The Giants are 5-10 ATS in their last 15 road games, but they are actually 4-1 ATS in their last five road games against the Cowboys. If the Cowboys can come home and take care of business, I'll be running out of excuses for why they might not be for real.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS over Houston Texans (+3.5): I don't like either team, but I just think Pittsburgh will right the ship at home, if briefly. Houston is not a bad team, but they are not as good as some thought after their early win streak. I probably should have ignored this game, but it's my "hunch" game this week. Having a "hunch game" each week also might be why I have more 2-3 weeks than winning weeks!

PATRIOTS vs. Jets (+9.5) - Patriots
COLTS vs. Bengals (+3) - Colts
WASHINGTON vs. Titans (+5.5) - Titans
BEARS vs. Dolphins (+3) - Bears
JAGUARS vs. Browns (-5.5) - Browns
RAMS vs. Seahawks (-6.5) - Seahawks
PACKERS vs. Panthers (+7) - Packers
RAVENS vs. Falcons (+6.5) - Ravens
BILLS vs. Vikings (+5.5) - Vikings
LIONS vs. Saints (+2.5) - Lions
CHARGERS vs. Chiefs (+4.5) - Chargers
COWBOYS vs. Giants (+6.5) - Cowboys
RAIDERS vs. Cardinals (-3.5) - Raiders
BRONCOS vs. 49ers (+6.5) - 49ers
STEELERS vs. Texans (+3) - Steelers