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NFL Week 7 Lookahead Lines: Best Bets and Predictions

by Mike Allen - 10/9/2024

NFL Week 7 lookahead lines Spencer Rattler New Orleans Saints

One reason the sportsbooks are more successful than 97% of bettors during the NFL season is that most tickets cost bettors about as much as they spent at Starbucks that morning. Psychologically, it's essentially a waste.

As bettors, the mountains we overcome, the obstacles we evade, the ego control, and the self-discipline it takes to be profitable are just a few reasons why only 3% are successful. We're also overloaded with information. That is especially true for betting on the NFL. It takes consistent work to stay afloat, and it's easy to get behind. That's why we stay ahead.

If there were a theme for Week 6 in the 2024 season, it would be home underdogs. Of the 13 NFL games not played on a neutral field, 10 will feature home dogs. That is, by far, the most we've seen in the 2024 regular season.

The theme for Week 7 is showdown games. On the docket next week, we have the Falcons and the Seahawks in a potential shootout, the Packers host a banged-up Texans team, Baltimore travels to Tampa in a matchup of explosive offenses, and in the biggest game of the week, the undefeated Minnesota Vikings host their division rival Detroit Lions.

Doc’s Sports offers NFL expert picks for every game on our NFL predictions page.

Lookahead Lines Best Bets

The obvious way to attack a lookahead betting line would be to predict some of the current week's games to get ahead of the incoming line movement. That works, but as you might imagine, it can backfire. Then, we end up on the wrong side of a key number. That's why I like to keep these lookahead line bets small.

We also have the option to attack a total. Unless there’s a major injury, the outcomes of the previous week’s games won’t affect the point total as much as they would a point spread. That said, we can still get ahead of what is more of a natural line move.

Last week, for example, we pointed toward the under in this week's Chargers vs Broncos game. It was at 37.5, which is low but still above the key number of 37. We knew it would move. Now it sits at 35.5.

Under 37.5 Denver Broncos (-1) at New Orleans Saints

This brings us to our first lookahead line best bet for Week 7 in the NFL. Let's look at the Denver Broncos under-machine as they travel to New Orleans. It's almost the identical play. The Saints just put Derek Carr on the IR due to an oblique injury. Reports out of 'Nawlins are that rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler could get the nod in Week 6. He'll probably be sharper in his second outing. However, the Week 7 total could go even further south because, in all likelihood, Rattler has a rough outing in his debut.

Both defenses are healthy. Both offensive lines are unhealthy. This could change, but we have enough firepower right now for a play on the under.

Atlanta Falcons (-2.5) vs Seattle Seahawks

The Atlanta Falcons have had one test after another to start the 2024 regular season. They've played five playoff-caliber teams in five weeks. This Sunday will be a little different. The Falcons finally have the opportunity to be the bully this week with a short trip up to Charlotte to play the Panthers before they host the Seahawks in Week 7.

There won't be much of a home-field advantage, nor will it be a talent advantage for the Panthers against Atlanta. The Falcons likely soar in that one, while the Seahawks have to play their third game in 10 days against the 49ers on Thursday. With Atlanta holding serve and Seattle struggling, this line could easily move to more than a field goal for the home Falcons.

Green Bay Packers (-2.5) vs Houston Texans

The Packers are 5-point favorites this week to the Cardinals. Honestly, Arizona may be the most inconsistent team in the league. It's hard to get ahead of that one, but I have above-average faith in this Green Bay team and coach to find a way to win. That could push this line up to 3 points, but I think the Texans take care of that themselves.

C.J. Stroud isn’t the same quarterback on the road as he is at home. Furthermore, he will be without his biggest target, Nico Collins, who is sidelined for a few weeks.

We told you Seattle would probably look bad in their Tony Soprano sandwich game against the Giants. Hopefully, you got the (-3) for San Francisco against them already because it’s up to 3.5 this week.

I mention this because the Houston Texans have a fresh footlong sitting at shoulder height front and center as the team travels to Foxboro on Sunday. After an emotional win vs Buffalo the previous week, and a showdown with Green Bay in Week 7, the Texans could play a tight one against the Pats.

More NFL Week 7 Lookahead Lines

Jacksonville Jaguars (-5.5) vs New England Patriots (+5.5) Total: 40

Tennessee Titans (+7.5) at Buffalo Bills (-7.5) Total: 43

Cincinnati Bengals (-3.5) at Cleveland Browns (+3.5) Total: 45.5

Miami Dolphins (+3.5) at Indianapolis Colts (-3.5) Total: 43

Detroit Lions (+1.5) at Minnesota Vikings (-1.5) Total: 48.5

Philadelphia Eagles (-4) at New York Giants (+4) Total: 46

Las Vegas Raiders (+4) at Los Angeles Rams (-4) Total: 44

Carolina Panthers (+8.5) at Washington Commanders (-8.5) Total: 48

Kansas City Chiefs (+1) at San Francisco 49ers (-1) Total: 46.5

New York Jets (+1) at Pittsburgh Steelers (-1) Total: 37

Baltimore Ravens (-4.5) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+4.5) Total: 47

LA Chargers at Arizona Cardinals: (Pick’em) Total: 43.5

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