Gerry Dulac's 2024 NFL picks: Week 7

Gerry Dulac / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Last week: 12-2 (.857)

Season record: 54-38 (.587)

THURSDAY

Denver Broncos (3-3) at New Orleans Saints (2-4), 8:15 p.m. – Sean Payton returns to the city where he was head coach from 2006-2021 and once led the Saints to the Super Bowl. Now he is trying to turn around the Broncos, who had won three in a row until last week’s loss against the Chargers. The Saints, meantime, have lost four in a row after their impressive 2-0 start. They have scored 15 fewer points in their past four games than they did in their first two. And their defense gave up 51 last week to the Buccaneers. In the process, they became the first team in league history to score 27 points in the second quarter and lose by 24.

Prediction: Saints, 27-24

SUNDAY

New York Jets (2-4) at Steelers (4-2), 8:20 p.m. – The Jets have lost three in a row by a total of 10 points, but Aaron Rodgers looks better each game ... and is being reunited with Davante Adams. In three career games against the Steelers, including Super Bowl XLV, Rodgers has thrown eight TDs and no interceptions.

Prediction: Jets, 24-23

New England Patriots (1-5) at Jacksonville Jaguars (1-5) in London, England, 9:30 a.m. – The Jaguars stayed in London after losing there last week against the Bears. Maybe the acclimation will help them against the Patriots ... not that they should need much help. The Patriots are being outscored, on average, 24-14.

Prediction: Jaguars, 24-14

Cincinnati Bengals (2-4) at Cleveland Browns (1-5), 1 p.m. – The best news for the Browns is the Guardians are in the ALCS. They’ve lost four in a row, have not scored more than 18 points and do not have a 200-yard passer. Otherwise, they’ve been pretty good.

Prediction: Bengals, 26-19

Seattle Seahawks (3-3) at Atlanta Falcons (4-2), 1 p.m. – The Seahawks have slowed after their fast start, losing three in a row by allowing an average of 35.6 points. The Falcons, conversely, have won three in a row by averaging 33.3 points during their streak.

Prediction: Falcons, 33-27

Tennessee Titans (1-4) at Buffalo Bills (4-2), 1 p.m. – The Bills gave Josh Allen another target when they traded for WR Amari Cooper, though they appear to be unchallenged in the AFC East. The Titans, meantime, have a decision on their hands — Will Levis or Mason Rudolph?

Prediction: Bills, 31-16

Houston Texans (5-1) at Green Bay Packers (4-2), 1 p.m. – Four of the five Texans’ victories have been one-possession games, and this could be another one. Since returning from injury, Jordan Love has thrown for 871 yards and 10 touchdowns. Should be a nice QB duel with C.J. Stroud.

Prediction: Packers, 38-34

Miami Dolphins (2-3) at Indianapolis Colts (3-3), 1 p.m. – Without Tua Tagovailoa, the Dolphins are averaging 10 points in their past four games. But they’re getting a break because the Colts are starting Anthony Richardson, not Joe Flacco.

Prediction: Colts, 21-10

Detroit Lions (4-1) at Minnesota Vikings (5-0), 1 p.m. – The Lions are roaring again after winning three in a row and averaging 44.5 points in their past two. But the Vikings are the only unbeaten team remaining in the NFC. However, they have lost four of the past five meetings with the Lions.

Prediction: Lions, 28-27

Philadelphia Eagles (3-2) at New York Giants (2-4), 1 p.m. – Further proof that Philadelphia fans make even New York fans seem courteous: Eagles coach Nick Sirianni is yelling at his own fans  ... after a win. That will only incite the crowd at MetLife Stadium.

Prediction: Eagles, 23-20

Las Vegas Raiders (2-4) at Los Angeles Rams (1-4), 4:05 p.m. – After watching the Steelers victory in Las Vegas, the biggest takeaway was: How did that Raiders team ever win in Baltimore? They are so dreadful even the Rams should have an easy time with this one.

Prediction: Rams, 24-16

Carolina Panthers (1-5) at Washington Commanders (4-2), 4:05 p.m. – It is not a good sign the Panthers are allowing 36 points in each of their past three games. Not against a Commanders team that is averaging 29.6 points and gaining almost as much attention in the nation’s capital as the election.

Prediction: Commanders, 40-20

Kansas City Chiefs (5-0) at San Francisco 49ers (3-3), 4:25 p.m. – The 49ers can get their season back on track by becoming the first team to beat the Chiefs. The defending Super Bowl champs aren’t scoring a lot of points (23.6 average), but they aren’t allowing many, either (17 ppg).

Prediction: Chiefs, 24-23

MONDAY

Baltimore Ravens (4-2) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-2), 8:15 p.m. – NFC teams typically don’t fare well against the Ravens, who have won their past 11 games against the other conference. And Baker Mayfield, who leads the NFL with 15 TD passes, knows the Ravens all too well.

Prediction: Ravens, 31-28

Los Angeles Chargers (3-2) at Arizona Cardinals (2-4), 9 p.m. – This is the fourth road game in the past five starts for the Chargers, who haven’t allowed more than 20 points this season. That could remain intact against the Cardinals, who are averaging just 16 points in their past four games.

Prediction: Chargers, 23-16