NFL Week 7 predictions, fantasy sleepers, teaser picks, bets
Week 7 of the 2025 NFL season has arrived, and our NFL analysts have you covered in the last-minute setup. Catch up on everything ahead of Sunday’s event.
First, analytics writer Seth Walder breaks down three statistical trends that could be pivotal this weekend. Fantasy football writer Eric Moody then runs over five players listed in less than 50% of ESPN fantasy football leagues as of Saturday that could start in a jam. That was followed by NFL analyst Matt Bowen predicting three potential big upsets, and sports betting analyst Pamela Maldonado also offered her favorite bet for Week 7.
What can we expect in a strength-on-strength matchup between the Broncos’ offensive line and the Giants’ pass rush? Is there a fantasy side to welcoming pirates? Can Browns rookie running back Quinshon Judkins rush for 100+ yards vs. Dolphins? Will the Colts-Chargers game exceed its point total? Let’s dig deeper.
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Statistics trends | Fantasy sleepers
Possible surprises Your best bet
Walder: Three key statistical trends that could determine Week 7 winners
Will the Lions be able to utilize Buccaneers LB SirVocea Dennis in coverage?
I highly expect them to do so on Monday night. Dennis has allowed 1.9 yards per snap coverage this season, worst among all linebackers with at least 100 coverage snaps. Sometimes coverage metrics can be unpredictable or misleading, but after watching every goal against Dennis, that’s not the case here. Dennis struggled in coverage, and these plays are full of missed tackles in space as well.
This is absolutely perfect for the Lions, who already attack a lot of midfielders. This season, 34% of Detroit’s goals have been to linebackers, the third-highest percentage in the league according to NFL Next Gen Stats. Running back Jahmir Gibbs and tight end Sam LaPorta could have big receiving days.
Can the 49ers stop the Falcons? Running game outside the zone?
Offensively, the 49ers are known as an out-of-the-zone team. But defensively, they have struggled to stop runs outside the zone this season, allowing 6.2 yards per carry to opponents on those plays. That’s not ideal for San Francisco this week, as the only team running outside the zone more than the 49ers (57% of the time) are the Falcons (64%).
Atlanta also happens to have Bijan Robinson, who may be the best player in the NFL right now. Add to that the fact that the 49ers must do so without linebacker Fred Warner (ankle injury), and this game becomes especially difficult.
Who will win in the trenches between the Giants and Broncos?
We have a true strength-to-strength matchup here, with the Broncos’ strong pass protection facing off against the Giants’ pass-rushing talent. Denver offensive tackles Mike McGlinchey and Jarrett Bolles rank first and fourth respectively at their position in pass block win rate. They should be as well equipped as anyone to handle Brian Burns, Abdul Carter and Kayvon Thibodeaux, even though Burns and Carter rank in the top 10 in pass rush win rate over the past three weeks.
Denver’s interior design isn’t highly regarded, so maybe this will be Dexter Lawrence II. Who will win? I tend to think that the offensive line has more control in these situations, but the opposite has certainly been true many times before. I think it’s safe to say that a big part of this game will come down to whether the Giants’ defenders are able to get past the Broncos’ line.
Moody: Five fantasy sleepers you need to pick up — and you can start this week
Tyjay Spears, quarterback, Tennessee Titans (28.7% rostered)
The Spurs led the Titans’ backfield in snaps and routes run in Week 6 against the Raiders, although Tony Pollard still saw more touches (12 compared to the Spurs’ nine). The Spears outscored Pollard in fantasy, scoring 9.0 points to Pollard’s 6.7. Yes, New England’s defense gives up the seventh-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs and ranks fourth in win-stop rate. But with the Giants’ offensive line ranking 24th in win rate, the Spears could see more targets as a receiver out of the backfield.
Kayshawn Bote, WR, New England Patriots (24.7% rostered)
Boutte is the classic boom-or-bust sleeper versus Tennessee. He exploded in Week 6 against the Saints with five receptions on five targets, scoring two touchdowns and 26.3 fantasy points. The Giants’ defense allowed the ninth-most yards per game to wide receivers. Drake May should have time to attack Tennessee’s defensive line, and Butte is in a great spot to take advantage of it.
Cade Otton, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (22.0% rostered)
Otton is set to be an important part of the Buccaneers’ passing game while receivers Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin Jr. tackle the offense. With injuries. The young tight end has chipped in with nine receptions for 132 yards over the past two games. As the Bucs dealt with injuries last season, Otton compiled 30 receptions, 293 yards and 3 touchdowns over four games.
Tampa Bay is a 5.5-point underdog against Detroit, suggesting a game script full of passing. Otton could surpass his season-high of six goals (Week 6) against the Lions.
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Is Cade Otton finally a viable fantasy option?
Mike Clay explains why Cade Otton is positioned for more fantasy success in light of the injuries to the Buccaneers’ skilled players.
Tez Johnson, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (13.2% rostered)
Let’s stick with the Bucs, as quarterback Baker Mayfield has a history of making solid plays regardless of his receiving options. Like Otton, Johnson has a great chance given Tampa Bay’s injury situation.
The rookie has racked up seven goals and 21.4 fantasy points over the past two games. He faces a Lions defense that has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers. Detroit has also been involved in high-scoring games recently, exceeding the point total in eight of its past 12 contests.
Spencer Rattler, QB, New Orleans Saints (3.8% rostered)
Rattler is in prime position against the Bears, who give quarterbacks the fourth-most fantasy points per game. Through six games, he has thrown for 1,217 yards and six touchdown passes, adding 143 yards while remaining relatively turnover-free. Rattler has been especially effective with wide receiver Chris Olave, and both can benefit from this positive matchup in what should be a high-scoring game.
Bowen: Don’t be surprised if…
Bears WR Luther Burden III scores a touchdown against the Saints
Burden led all Bears wide receivers in Monday night’s win over the Commanders with 51 yards, and can be schemed on manufactured touches in Ben Johnson’s offense. Burden scored his only touchdown in Week 3 against Dallas, but with an increased role, the rookie could find the end zone against a Saints defense that has allowed 18 touchdowns (tied for fourth-most in the NFL).
Browns RB Quinshon Judkins rushes for over 100 yards against Dolphins
Judkins was limited by the Steelers’ defense in the Week 6 loss, rushing for a season-low 36 yards on 12 carries. However, with a more positive game against Miami, Judkins could return. The Dolphins are allowing a league-worst 168.5 yards per game. This should be a big day for Judkins, who has 18 or more carries in three of his five starts.
Leaders QB Jayden Daniels throws three touchdown passes against the Cowboys
Daniels caught three touchdown passes last Monday against Chicago, and has produced multiple touchdowns in two of his past three games. This works against a Dallas defense that has given up a league-high 15 touchdown passes. Look for Washington to be traffic-heavy in the high red zone on Sunday.
Maldonado: My favorite bet for Week 7
Under 48.5 points on Indianapolis Colts at Los Angeles Chargers
This competition is where regression meets reality. Indianapolis leads the NFL in red zone efficiency, scoring touchdowns on 10 straight drives, but the Chargers’ defense is second best at preventing touchdowns in the red zone.
Jonathan Taylor, the NFL’s leading rusher, can still have success, yet Los Angeles imposes long drives and limits explosiveness with a cover-3 and cover-4-heavy profile. Justin Herbert has relied on a shorter passing game (7.0 air yards per pass attempt, tied for 11th-most) this season. Both teams control the tempo and protect the football. Efficiency remains, but the fireworks fade in this one.