Another NFL week is in the books and the NFC North continues to impress with each of the four teams now two games above 0.500.
Can all four teams really make the Playoffs later this year? It still looks incredibly unlikely when you think that there have been a lack of Divisional games played between the four teams and that naturally will begin to thin out the chances of all making history and reaching the post-season.
This weekend there is a big game between the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings which begins that process, but all four NFC North teams have to be very happy with the form shown.
Three are most likely going to make the post-season and you would still lean towards the Lions, Vikings and Green Bay Packers being those three teams rather than the Chicago Bears. Beating up on bad teams has pushed the Bears to 4-2, but they have to face all three Divisional rivals and that is when we will learn a lot more about Caleb Williams and the whole Chicago team.
The Bears enjoy a Bye Week, as do the Dallas Cowboys after the capitulation against the aforementioned Lions in Week 6.
Jerry Jones was not happy that journalists are even questioning where the Cowboys are heading, but there will be questions when continuing to be dominated at home. At least they are playing in a Division where they are far from out of things at 3-3, especially if Dallas can use the Bye Week to get healthier.
The trade deadline is now fast approaching and some of the pieces are beginning to be moved on the board.
Dsvante Adams has gotten his wish to not only be traded from the Las Vegas Raiders, but to join old friend Aaron Rodgers at the New York Jets. He has been missing with a hamstring issue in recent games for the Raiders, but unsurprisingly is expected to suit up on Sunday as the Jets look to get their season turned back around.
Soon after the news broke, the Jets main AFC East rivals, the Buffalo Bills traded for Amari Cooper and that could be a huge boost for Josh Allen and the passing game.
Moves will be made in the coming days and we are already beginning to see a separation of those who believe they can contend, and those that may already be thinking about 2025.
Another week of NFL Picks have returned with a positive number and that makes this a strong start to the season.
There is still too much of a road to run to get carried away, but the selections have been managed well and Week 7 will hopefully keep the positive momentum going.
It is the last weekend of London hosting a game, although that looks a poor game on paper, while there are some big games to be played throughout Week 7 and that can only be good news for fans of the League.
Putting some winners down alongside those big games will just be the icing on the cake.
Denver Broncos @ New Orleans Saints Pick: This is a non-Conference game, but there is little doubt that the New Orleans Saints (2-4) hosting the Denver Broncos (3-3) was picked for Thursday Night Football in Week 7 for one reason.
The return of Sean Payton.
Despite leading the New Orleans Saints to their sole Super Bowl win and turning around a franchise that had been more associated with losing, Sean Payton's departure in 2022 has not been received very well inside the building by those in management nor in the stands. Some have even indicated that the ceremony to mark Drew Brees' time as Quarter Back of the Saints should not have been held on this night, even though it was the Head Coach-Quarter Back partnership that proved so successful for the Saints.
Sean Payton is not concerning himself too much about the reception he is likely to face having seen his Denver Broncos team lose last time out to snap a three game winning run. There is still work to do in order to get Denver back onto a path of consistent winning, and that is the focus for Payton.
The storyline about the return might have been huge if New Orleans had been able to sustain the form they showed in recording back to back blowouts to open the season at 2-0. Injuries have piled up since then and the Saints were just embarrassed by Divisional rivals Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 6 as they fell to a fourth consecutive defeat.
Spencer Rattler made the start at Quarter Back and had some ups and downs, but that was to be expected. The Saints will need Derek Carr back quickly and Head Coach Dennis Allen has to be fearing for his long-term prospects without his starting Quarter Back, especially if the team do not show a lot more effort than they did against the Buccaneers.
At least they are not facing an Offensive powerhouse on Thursday Night Football with Denver still learning how to get the best out of their own rookie Quarter Back, Bo Nix.
There were some positives from Bo Nix during the three game winning run- he did not throw an Interception in that time- but the Broncos know that you need more from the Quarter Back position in the modern era. That does not mean you want to put a rookie in a tough spot, but the defeat to the Los Angeles Chargers to fall back to 0.500 underlined the point about needing more when the chips are down.
On Thursday night, Denver may actually have more success Offensively than they have for much of the season and that is very much down to the injuries the Saints have on this side of the ball. Motivation will be found by wanting to shut down their former Head Coach who is known for his Offensive mind, but the Saints Defensive Line will have to be a lot better than what they have shown during this losing run.
Limited pass rush pressure has been produced and this Broncos Offensive Line have kept Bo Nix pretty well protected, while Denver have to believe they will be able to effectively establish the run. Stopping the run has been a season-long problem for the Saints, but it has really been highlighted when they have not been playing with a big lead and the Denver Broncos have to believe they can keep Bo Nix in favourable field positions.
Bo Nix has yet to really have the passing numbers that the likes of Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels have produced, but he should be in a good position to keep the chains moving. This Saints Secondary have struggled to make plays with little pass rush pressure on the opponent Quarter Back and even Nix should be able to exploit the holes that have opened up.
This can only be a positive for the Denver Broncos who can then turn the game over to the Defensive unit that has powered the 3-3 record.
It all starts up front for the Broncos and the Defensive Line have proved themselves to be pretty stout against the run. That may have been tested if this was Week 2, but the Broncos have to be a big favourite at the Line of Scrimmage considering the injuries that have slowed down the New Orleans run blocking capablities.
Even Alvin Kamara has been banged up and the Saints are struggling to get in front of the chains, something that may be even more difficult with Spencer Rattler at Quarter Back rather than Derek Carr. There is a feeling that the Broncos won't need to load the box to contain the run anyway, but the option may be there if they don't believe Rattler can do enough to keep them honest through the air.
One positive for Spencer Rattler is that Patrick Surtain II is unlikely to suit up, although the Quarter Back will need his Offensive Line to give him time to hit the Receivers down the field if he is stuck in third and long spots. That time is unlikely considering the pressure that the Denver Broncos have gotten up front and it could lead to further Interceptions thrown by a rookie that is perhaps not ready for this stage.
Again, it should be noted that the New Orleans Saints could be playing with a lot more energy and motivation against their former Head Coach. The fans will certainly be a little more pumped, despite the four losses in a row, but all of that may not be enough to get the better of Sean Payton, who will have plenty of motivation of his own.
His Defensive unit can step up and make the big plays to give the Broncos the edge and even the Denver Offense may be able to do more than usual against an injury hit opponent.
Being set as the road favourite is not something the Denver Broncos have been used to in recent times, but they do look to have a real advantage at the Line of Scrimmage on both sides of the ball and that should put the AFC West representatives in a position to win and cover.
MY PICKS: Denver Broncos - 2.5 Points @ 1.86 Bet Victor (1 Unit)
Week 6: 4-2, + 1.67 Units (6 Units Staked, + 27.83% Yield)
Week 5: 4-2, + 1.64 Units (6 Units Staked, + 27.33% Yield)
Week 4: 6-2, + 3.45 Units (8 Units Staked, + 43.13% Yield)
Week 3: 3-3, - 0.23 Units (6 Units Staked, - 3.83% Yield)
Week 2: 4-2, + 1.62 Units (6 Units Staked, + 27% Yield)
Week 1: 5-2, + 2.67 Units (7 Units Staked, + 38.14% Yield)
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