Football season keeps moving, and another weekend brings opportunities for contenders to separate themselves and struggling teams to find some answers. Here at Sports and Music Dad, it’s time to make our picks for every game on the schedule. Week 6 was one for the books seeing my picks garnered a 6-8 record. My overall record is now 55-35, which drops my winning percentage from 64.5% to 61.1.

This week offers plenty to discuss, from New England’s trip to Chicago to a Sunday night showdown between Kansas City and Seattle. We also get Packers–Lions and a Cowboys–Eagles rivalry game to close out the action.

Who gets the job done? Let’s get into Trav’s predictions for NFL Week 7. All scores below are my projections.

Thursday Night Football: New England Patriots at Chicago Bears

Both teams enter this matchup at 4–2, giving Thursday night an interesting battle between Drake Maye and Caleb Williams. Chicago is coming off a win over Atlanta, while New England has a chance to make a statement on the road. Caleb Williams looked great in his return from a hamstring injury. Drake Maye began the season struggling but has looked amazing for the Patriots.

My biggest question is which offense avoids the costly mistake in the fourth quarter. On a short week, I’m giving Chicago the slight advantage at home. I expect a competitive game with the Bears putting together the deciding scoring drive. Trav’s Pick: Bears Win

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New Orleans Saints

Sunday begins with Pittsburgh and New Orleans meeting in Paris. The Steelers enter at 4–2, while the Saints are 2–4 after winning their previous game. New Orleans is coming off an impressive come from behind win in New York over the Giants.

International games can produce some strange stretches, especially early. I expect Pittsburgh to keep things manageable, avoid unnecessary risks and make New Orleans earn its points. This feels like a game that stays close before the Steelers pull away late. Trav’s Pick: Steelers Win

San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons

San Francisco heads to Atlanta with a 6–0 record, while the Falcons are trying to recover from a 2–4 start. Brock Purdy is arguably the early season favorite to win league MVP. San Francisco is one of two teams in the NFC that remain unbeaten.

Atlanta’s best path is to sustain drives and keep this from becoming a game of catch-up. I can see the Falcons making it competitive for a half, but I’m picking San Francisco to create more scoring opportunities and finish its possessions. Trav’s Pick: 49ers Win

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers

Division games are where I expect familiarity to matter. Carolina needs to keep Tampa Bay from finding easy rhythm, while the Buccaneers need to avoid letting a road game turn into a possession-by-possession struggle. Could Baker Mayfield make his return for this game?

Carolina just feels like a team that’s continuing to improve every week. Tetairoa McMillan has become one of the better receivers in the league. Trav’s Pick: Panthers Win

Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens

This is one of the games I’m most interested in watching. Cincinnati and Baltimore have an opportunity to change the AFC North conversation with a division win. Every team in the division is sitting with two losses. So every game will matters with the division being so competitive. Cincinnati is coming off their bye week, and the Ravens are coming off a tough loss to Cleveland. Lamar Jackson have returned to practice, but his availability is still unclear.

I expect both offenses to have stretches where they look in control. The deciding factor, in my view, will be which team can sustain a long drive when everyone knows it needs points. I’ll take Baltimore at home in a game that remains undecided until the final minutes. Trav’s Pick: Ravens Win

New York Giants at Houston Texans

For the Giants, I think the priority should be keeping the game within reach early. Falling behind by multiple scores would make the task much more difficult. New York is coming off a tough loss at home to the Saints. They have named J.J. McCarthy the starter for this game.

Houston has won their last two games after dropping the first four of the season. I’m picking Houston to dictate the pace at home. My expectation is that the Texans turn a few extended possessions into touchdowns and force New York to take more chances after halftime. Trav’s Pick: Texans Win

Indianapolis Colts at Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota comes into this matchup unbeaten at 5–0, while Indianapolis is 2–4. Indianapolis is dealing with a lot of uncertainty moving forward. The team relieved GM Chris Ballard of his duties and more changes could still take place.

The Colts need long possessions and a clean game to give themselves a chance. I’m taking Minnesota because I expect the Vikings to make Indianapolis work harder for its scoring opportunities. One big defensive stop in the second half could give Minnesota the separation it needs. Trav’s Pick: Vikings Win

Cleveland Browns at Tennessee Titans

I’m expecting a lower-scoring game here. Field position, turnovers and the ability to finish drives could matter more than total yardage.

My pick is Cleveland, but I don’t see this being comfortable. If the Browns stay patient and avoid giving Tennessee a short field, I think they can win a physical game that comes down to a handful of possessions. Trav’s Pick: Browns Win

Miami Dolphins at New York Jets

This is another matchup where I expect the margin to stay small. Neither side can afford to waste chances when it gets into scoring position.

I’m giving the Jets a slight edge at home. My prediction is that New York produces a late stop and does enough offensively to escape with a division win. Trav’s Pick: Jets Win

Denver Broncos at Arizona Cardinals

Denver’s path to a road victory, in my view, starts with patience. The Broncos need to take the available yards and avoid forcing plays that give Arizona extra possessions. Bo Nix and his play have been the subject of many discussions. The Broncos offense hasn’t produced as expected with the defense carrying the team.

I expect a close first half before Denver puts together the more complete finish. A touchdown drive in the fourth quarter is my deciding moment. Trav’s Pick: Broncos Win

Los Angeles Rams at Las Vegas Raiders

The Rams enter at 2–4, while the Raiders sit at 3–3. That makes this an important opportunity for both teams as they try to build momentum. The Rams 2-4 start is my biggest shocker thus far. Los Angeles was my top team in the NFC at the start of the season.

I’m taking Los Angeles in a close one. I expect the Rams to play with urgency, but they will need to turn promising possessions into touchdowns. Letting the Raiders hang around would make this a dangerous road trip. Trav’s Pick: Rams Win

Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions

This has the potential to be the afternoon’s most entertaining game. My expectation is a competitive division matchup with enough scoring to make every empty possession feel significant. This feels like this could become a shootout between these two teams. The Lions are rested and playing at home after their bye week.

I’m picking Detroit at home. I think the Lions will find a way to sustain a late drive, take time off the clock and leave Green Bay with too little room to answer. Trav’s Pick: Lions Win

Sunday Night Football: Kansas City Chiefs at Seattle Seahawks

Kansas City enters this matchup unbeaten at 5–0, while Seattle is 3–3 and looking to end a two-game losing streak. The Chiefs remain the only team in the AFC that’s unbeaten.

Seattle is my upset watch this week. The home crowd could make this uncomfortable, and I expect the Seahawks to have a chance late. Still, I’m picking Kansas City to handle the final few possessions better and leave with another narrow victory. Trav’s Pick: Chiefs Win

Monday Night Football: Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles

Cowboys–Eagles always gets my attention. Both teams enter at 2–4, and Philadelphia is trying to stop a four-game losing streak. It feels like the rivalry week hasn’t been intense as years past with the news regarding Jalen Hurts.

As an Eagles fan, this is a tough pick. I want to see Philadelphia respond with a disciplined performance, but I’m giving Dallas the edge. My prediction is that the Cowboys turn one additional scoring opportunity into a touchdown, and that ends up being the difference.

Philadelphia can absolutely change that outcome by protecting the football and finishing drives. Until I see that complete performance, though, I’m taking Dallas. Trav’s Pick: Cowboys Win

My most confident pick is Houston over New York, while Kansas City at Seattle is the game where I’m most tempted to call an upset. And yes, I’ll happily take being wrong about that Monday night pick if it means an Eagles victory.

Who are you picking this week? Drop your winners and your biggest upset prediction in the comments and keep checking Sports and Music Dad for more football talk. Below are my top 5 teams in the AFC and NFC heading into the weekend.

My Top 5 AFC Teams

1. Kansas City Chiefs
2. Buffalo Bills
3. New England Patriots
4. Pittsburgh Steelers
5. Jacksonville Jaguars

My Top 5 NFC Teams

1. San Francisco 49ers
2. Minnesota Vikings
3. Green Bay Packers
4. Chicago Bears
5. Detroit Lions