Week 7 NFL picks against the spread: Flip the script

I'm not hoping to flip my record from last week (10-5); I'm hoping the Detroit Lions flip the script in Week 7. The Lions find themselves in a very familiar position to last year in Week 7. This is from Sean's game coverage this week:

So far, the Lions' 2014 season has followed the same script as the 2013 season from a wins and losses standpoint. Just like last year, the Lions won their season-opening game at home before losing on the road the next week. The Lions then responded with two straight wins before dropping their fifth game, and they then won on the road to improve to 4-2. Last year, the Lions came home in Week 7 and lost a heartbreaking game to the Bengals. This year, with a chance to go to 5-2, the Saints are coming to town. Hopefully the Lions will break this pattern with a win this week.

London's a long trip to be stewing over a home loss. This game is big.

Congratulations to Ann Arbor's Finest on a fine Week 6 with 12 wins.

Here are Week 7's picks against the spread:

Jets (+9.5) over PATRIOTS

That Tom Brady is so hot right now. Tom Brady. But nothing like a little rain to cool him off. Patriots win, but it'll be a slippery one.

BILLS (-5.5) over Vikings

The Bills beat the Lions by three. The Lions beat the Vikings by 14. Las Vegas follows transitivity in picking Buffalo, so who am I to argue with mathletes?

BEARS (-3.5) over Dolphins

There's no coming back from an utter collapse in the two-minute defense and a fake-spike throw. Knowshon Moreno's ACL agrees. Jay Cutler of consistency shreds the Dolphins' otherwise pretty good pass defense.

Saints (+3) over LIONS

Panthers (+7) over PACKERS

The first time these two teams played, it was 1996 and the Packers beat Dom Capers' Panthers 30-13 in the NFC Championship. Dom Capers is now the defensive coordinator for the Packers. See what I mean? No? Okay.

COLTS (-3) over Bengals

The Bengals are going to spend all game trying to figure out how they tied last week.

Seahawks (-7) over RAMS

Poor Rams. They get the brunt of the Seahawks' post-Cowboys upset aggression.

Titans (+5.5) over REDSKINS

Indigestion Game of the Week.

Browns (-5.5) over JAGS

If the Browns want to prove to people they're still just the Cleveland Browns, they'll barely pull out a win or even lose this one. I tend to believe that the Browns may indeed be a 4-2 team. Catch your breath while I move on to the next pick.

Falcons (+7) over RAVENS

Let's have the Falcons flying high before taking off for London to play the Lions while the Ravens overlook Atlanta for tough upcoming divisional games.

Chiefs (+4) over CHARGERS

The Chargers look ahead to the Broncos next week while Andy Reid's squad had two weeks to prepare for this game. Expect a real kicker fight with the dogs prevailing.

COWBOYS (-6.5) over Giants

I would've gone with the Giants if they resembled anything sort of like a competitive team against the Eagles last week. Now they go to Jerry's World? DeMarco Murray and the world-beaters are frothing at the bit.

Cardinals (-3.5) over RAIDERS

It's the Carson Palmer revenge game. Tear up this box score, Raiders. How are those sixth- and seventh-round picks?

BRONCOS (-6.5) over 49ers

This is the Sunday night game and Peyton Manning is three touchdowns away from breaking Brett Favre's career touchdown passes record. Is there any doubt that this is going to happen?

TEXANS (+3.5) over Steelers

The Steelers are garb.

LAST WEEK: 10-5

POD PICK'EM STANDINGS: