Week 7 of the 2025 NFL season kicks off at Cincinnati on Thursday night as the Steelers and Bengals renew acquaintances. It’s a slate that features 15 games, as the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills have the week off.
Of course, every week features its share of surprises. We certainly saw that on Monday night as the host Atlanta Falcons stunned the Bills, and the Chicago Bears went to Landover and knocked off the Commanders.
Last week’s predictions weren’t exactly on the mark, but here’s a chance to make amends.
Here are 3 bold predictions for NFL Week 7
Longtime Steelers’ nemesis Joe Flacco shocks the Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are off to a 4-1 start, while the Bengals, Ravens, and Browns own a combined 4-14 record. Mike Tomlin’s team has won three straight games and the club’s pass rush has come up with 17 sacks in its last three games. Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf are becoming quite the passing combination.
The Steelers battle the Bengals on Thursday night, and Zac Taylor’s team is on its third quarterback of 2025. Joe Flacco looked comfortable in his first start with his new team, and is very familiar with a Pittsburgh defense that hasn’t really changed its style over the years under Tomlin. It’s upset time in the Queen City.
Surging Panthers blank Jets for second shutout of season
Back in Week 3, the Carolina Panthers came up with a shocking 30-0 win over the Atlanta Falcons. It was the team’s first shutout since Ron Rivera’s team blanked the Lions in 2020. The victory was even more stunning considering Dave Canales’s club featured the bottom-ranked defense in the league in 2024.
The New York Jets are the lone winless team in the league, and come off a forgettable outing against the Broncos in England in which they failed to score a touchdown. Justin Fields was sacked nine times in an ugly 13-11 loss. Carolina’s improved defensive front will be the catalyst for another shutout victory.
Host Lions and Seahawks both take it on the chin Monday night
Todd Bowles has the Buccaneers off to a 5-1 start, tied for the best record in the NFL. Baker Mayfield has emerged as an MVP candidate, and the Bucs’ depth is paying off these days. The Lions’ defense had few answers for the Chiefs last Sunday night, and they will wind up falling short in a shootout at Ford Field.
The well-rested Houston Texans have won their last two games after an 0-3 start. DeMeco Ryans’s club is allowing an NFL-low 12.2 points per game. Incredibly, the Seahawks own a 4-8 home record dating back to the start of 2024, and the ‘Hawks take it on the chin again as Sam Darnold has a rough evening.