I picked a bad week to upgrade my graphics to show my record for the season on NFL picks. Maybe I should have thought this through a little more, but here ya go:

It was a brutal week but, again, I am comforted by seeing a lot of other so-called "experts" on YouTube having even worse weeks than me. Pete Prisco of CBS Sports only won 2 out of 15 games ATS.

That makes me feel better.

But I am not competing against anyone else here.

The only ones we are competing against is Vegas, and in order to beat Vegas we need to be over .500. Actually, probably above .510 or .525 when you factor in the juice.

Then again, I wouldn't be betting on every game on the schedule like I am forcing myself to pick here.

Then why are your Best Bets so bad?

Shut up! Who asked you?

But it is a legit point (as I talk to myself). I think the problem is I've been making too many best bet picks.

Yeah, but you didn't win any last week!

Again, a good point by my inner voice. But starting this week, I am going to limit myself to three best bets.

It will take me longer to get to .500 (if you ever do!), but it should be a more efficient way to go about it—and more realistic.

OK, enough talking with myself, let's get to Week 7.

Thursday Night Football – October 22, 2026

New England Patriots (4-2) at Chicago Bears (4-2) – 8:15 PM (Prime Video)

Straight-Up Pick: CHICAGO
ATS Pick: CHICAGO -3
ATS Confidence: 3.5 STARS

Over/Under: 50.5
O/U Pick: OVER
O/U Confidence: 4.5 STARS

The Patriots just have too many injuries along the offensive line and at wide receiver. This wasn't a good week to have a short week.

Score: Chicago 29, New England 26

Sunday, October 25, 2026 – International Game

Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2) at New Orleans Saints (2-4) – 9:30 AM (NFL Network)

Straight-Up Pick: PITTSBURGH
ATS Pick: PITTSBURGH -3.5
ATS Confidence: 4 stars

Over/Under: 44.5
O/U Pick: UNDER
O/U Confidence: 4 STARS

Originally, I wanted to pick against Aaron Rodgers in this one because I figured he'd hate having to go over to France, especially with all the chaos going on over there right now.

But then I looked at the Saints' injury list.

Score: Pittsburgh 21, New Orleans 16

Saint-Denis, France

Sunday, October 25 – 1:00 PM Window

San Francisco 49ers (6-0) at Atlanta Falcons (2-4) – 1:00 PM (FOX)

Straight-Up Pick: ATLANTA
ATS Pick: ATLANTA +2.5
ATS Confidence: 3.5 STARS

Over/Under: 49.5
O/U Pick: OVER
O/U Confidence: 4.5 STARS

San Francisco has to lose one somewhere along the line here soon. Why not in Atlanta?

I think you will start seeing a running theme throughout this week (and, most likely, the rest of the season)—the 49ers have been decimated by injuries and now they are without their best wide receiver, Mike Evans.

Score: Atlanta 27, San Francisco 26

Cincinnati Bengals (3-2) at Baltimore Ravens (4-2) – 1:00 PM (CBS)

Straight-Up Pick: CINCINNATI
ATS Pick: CINCINNATI +1.5
ATS Confidence: 4.5 STARS

Over/Under: 51.5
O/U Pick: UNDER
O/U Confidence: 4.5 STARS

The Bengals are coming off a bye week and Lamar Jackson seems like he is always day-to-day, week-by-week.

Score: Cincinnati 27, Baltimore 19

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-5) at Carolina Panthers (3-2) – 1:00 PM (FOX)

Straight-Up Pick: CAROLINA
ATS Pick: car -3
ATS Confidence: 4 stars

Over/Under: 44.5
O/U Pick: UNDER
O/U Confidence: 4 STARS

Just like Baltimore, Baker Mayfield may be back this week, or he may not. He has started practicing on a limited basis this week. He is recovering from an injury to his throwing hand. At this point, I don't know if there is a big difference between Mayfield and Jalon Daniels—other than the bank accounts.

Score: Carolina 26, Tampa Bay 16

New York Giants (3-2-1) at Houston Texans (2-4) – 1:00 PM (FOX)

Straight-Up Pick: HOUSTON
ATS Pick: NY GIANTS +10.5
ATS Confidence: 5 STARS

Over/Under: 42.5
O/U Pick: OVER
O/U Confidence: 4 STARS

Houston is 2-4, but they are 10.5-point favorites against the 3-2 Giants? There is no doubt that, despite the records, the Texans are better than the Giants, but 10.5 points. I'll roll the dice on J.J. McCarthy and the Giants.

Score: Houston 27, NY Giants 17

Indianapolis Colts (2-4) at Minnesota Vikings (5-0) – 1:00 PM (CBS)

Straight-Up Pick: MINNESOTA
ATS Pick: INDIANAPOLIS +6.5
ATS Confidence: 3.5 stars

Over/Under: 41.5
O/U Pick: UNDER
O/U Confidence: 5 STARS

Indianapolis is in disarray... and I am loving it because I bet the under on their season win total of 8.5 prior to the season.

They just fired their GM this week and they are coming off a humiliating defeat at home to the previously winless Tennessee Titans. Now Daniel Jones et al get to face a rested Ray Flores-coached Minnesota defense coming off a bye. Bye-bye, Indianapolis.

Score: Minnesota 20, Indianapolis 16

Miami Dolphins (0-5) at New York Jets (2-4) – 1:00 PM (CBS)

Straight-Up Pick: MIAMI
ATS Pick: MIAMI +4.5
ATS Confidence: 5 stars

Over/Under: 39.5
O/U Pick: UNDER
O/U Confidence: 4.5 stars

Just like San Francisco is due to lose one soon, Miami is due to win one soon. Why not against Aaron Glenn and the New York Jets? Seems like a good spot.

Score: Miami 19, NY Jets 17

Cleveland Browns (4-2) at Tennessee Titans (1-5) – 1:00 PM (CBS)

Straight-Up Pick: CLEVELAND
ATS Pick: CLEVELAND -1.5
ATS Confidence: 4.5 STARS

Over/Under: 37.5
O/U Pick: UNDER
O/U Confidence: 4.5 stars

If Cleveland wins—as I am predicting (so probably not!)—their record will improve to 5-2. Again, that just goes to show you how wacky this season has been.

Score: Cleveland 17, Tennessee 13

Sunday, October 25 – 4:05 PM Window

Denver Broncos (4-2) at Arizona Cardinals (2-4) – 4:05 PM (CBS)

Straight-Up Pick: ARIZONA
ATS Pick: ARIZONA +4.5
ATS Confidence: 4.5 STARS

Over/Under: 43.5
O/U Pick: OVER
O/U Confidence: 4.5 stars

Arizona won last week against the preseason Super Bowl favorite LA Rams... without even scoring a touchdown. Now they play a Denver offense that has struggled to score touchdowns. Perfect spot for Arizona, barring a letdown.

Score: Arizona 27, Denver 23

Sunday, October 25 – 4:25 PM Window

Green Bay Packers (4-2) at Detroit Lions (3-2) – 4:25 PM (FOX)

Straight-Up Pick: GREEN BAY
ATS Pick: GREEN BAY -3
ATS Confidence: 4.5 stars

Over/Under: 53.5
O/U Pick: OVER
O/U Confidence: 3.5 stars

I just think Dan Campbell is lost without Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn as his coordinators. I've been a Green Bay hater for a couple years now, but I am sensing something beginning to click with them. Plus, they might be getting Josh Jacobs back so maybe the offense doesn't have to rely on Jordan Love so heavily.

Score: Green Bay 33, Detroit 31

Los Angeles Rams (2-4) at Las Vegas Raiders (3-3) – 4:25 PM (FOX)

Straight-Up Pick: LA Rams
ATS Pick: LAS VEGAS +4.5
ATS Confidence: 4 STARS

Over/Under: 48.5
O/U Pick: OVER
O/U Confidence:

Yes, the LA Rams are 2-4... and they have been relatively healthy. No excuses. They can't lose back-to-backt to the Cardinals and the Raiders and drop to 2-5, can they? No Davante Adams for the Rams.

Score: LA Rams 28, Las Vegas 26

Sunday Night Football

Kansas City Chiefs (5-0) at Seattle Seahawks (3-3) – 8:20 PM (NBC)

Straight-Up Pick: KANSAS CITY
ATS Pick: KANSAS CITY +2
ATS Confidence: 4.5 STARS

Over/Under: 42.5
O/U Pick: UNDER
O/U Confidence: 4 STARS

The Kansas City Chiefs are 5-0 so they are due to... nah, that logic is not going to work for this game. Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs, Kenneth Walker returning to Seattle, primetime—no way the Chiefs lose this one.

Score: Kansas City 21, Seattle 18

Monday Night Football – October 26, 2026

Dallas Cowboys (2-4) at Philadelphia Eagles (2-4) – 8:15 PM (ESPN)

Straight-Up Pick: DALLAS
ATS Pick: PHILADELPHIA +4.5
ATS Confidence: 4 STARS

Over/Under: 44.5
O/U Pick: UNDER
O/U Confidence: 4 stars

I'm done with Dallas. How the hell did the Green Bay-Dallas game not even come close to going over the point total?

I was licking my chops when Mike Tirico started the telecast by saying something to the effect of, "It is an absolutely perfect night here in Green Bay for this game between..."

Dallas managed to score only 13 points.

Score: Dallas 20, Philadelphia 19

3 BEST BETS

Against the Spread

Pick: NY GIANTS +10.5

Pick: I can't believe I am doing this... MIAMI +4.5

Over/Under

Pick: INDIANAPOLIS/MINNESOTA under 41.5 points

Week 7 byes: Buffalo Bills (5-1), Jacksonville Jaguars (4-2), Los Angeles Chargers (0-6), Washington Commanders (1-4-1).