Top 3 NFL Games to Bet on in Week 7: Bengals, 49ers and Panthers Lead the Picks

Week 7 offers an AFC North underdog and two favorites priced below a field goal. My selections for Sunday, October 25, are Bengals +1.5 against the Ravens, 49ers -2.5 against the Falcons, and Panthers -2.5 against the Buccaneers.

Cincinnati returns from its bye with extra preparation time for Baltimore. San Francisco takes its undefeated record to Atlanta, while Carolina hosts a Tampa Bay team working through uncertainty at quarterback.

These predictions use the exact spreads supplied for this article, which may differ from currently available numbers. Cincinnati can cover with a victory or a one-point loss. San Francisco and Carolina each need to win by at least three. Here is why I like all three selections.

1. Cincinnati Bengals +1.5 Over the Baltimore Ravens

The Bengals are my preferred underdog because the bye gives Joe Burrow and the offense an opportunity to prepare for a difficult divisional opponent. Cincinnati needs to turn that preparation into sharper execution, particularly in protection and late-game situations.

Baltimore enters at 4–2 after losing 13–10 to Cleveland. Lamar Jackson missed the past two games with an ankle injury, but returned to limited practice Wednesday and Thursday. His availability remains a major variable rather than something this prediction can assume either way.

If Jackson plays, Cincinnati must defend both his passing and his ability to extend possessions. If Tyler Huntley starts again, the Bengals still face an offense capable of moving the ball efficiently. Treating the backup as an automatic advantage would be a mistake.

There is a meaningful difference in the passing attacks, however. Baltimore’s scouting numbers show Jackson averaging 10.1 yards per attempt, compared with Huntley’s 6.0. Cincinnati’s defensive approach can account for that difference without overlooking Derrick Henry.

My expectation is that the Bengals will need Burrow to deliver through patient, efficient possessions. Taking the available completion is preferable to repeatedly holding the ball while Baltimore’s rush closes in. Cincinnati should create opportunities for explosive gains without requiring one on every drive.

Protection is especially important against former Bengal Trey Hendrickson. He returned from injury against Cleveland and produced eight pressures and a sack, according to Cincinnati’s scouting report. Allowing him to dictate third downs would undermine the entire offensive plan.

The +1.5 provides only modest protection, so this is primarily an outright-win prediction. I expect Burrow to create enough scoring opportunities, with the extra preparation helping Cincinnati handle the decisive possessions more effectively.

The Bengals cannot afford empty red-zone trips or a series of defensive breakdowns. I like them to play a cleaner game and leave Baltimore with a narrow victory.

The pick: Bengals +1.5 Predicted score: Bengals 27, Ravens 24

2. San Francisco 49ers -2.5 Over the Atlanta Falcons

San Francisco is my strongest selection at the supplied number. The 49ers enter at 6–0 following their Monday night victory over Washington, while Atlanta is 2–4. More importantly for this pick, -2.5 allows a three-point San Francisco victory to cover.

Brock Purdy’s production gives the 49ers a strong foundation. Through six games, he completed 69.6 percent of his passes for 1,460 yards, 14 touchdowns, and two interceptions. That combination of scoring and ball security supports confidence in San Francisco’s ability to sustain offense.

My expectation is that Kyle Shanahan will attack through a balanced approach rather than force Purdy into an unnecessarily aggressive game. San Francisco can use its running game and underneath passing options to create manageable downs, then take deeper opportunities when Atlanta’s coverage allows them.

Christian McCaffrey is central to that approach. His versatility gives the offense different ways to challenge defenders and create favorable situations. San Francisco should make Atlanta tackle consistently and defend the full playbook rather than rely exclusively on long throws.

The Falcons remain dangerous because Bijan Robinson can create problems as both a runner and receiver. Atlanta’s best route to an upset is sustaining possessions, finishing drives, and keeping San Francisco from establishing an early cushion.

I also take the scheduling challenge seriously. The 49ers have a shorter turnaround after Monday night and must travel across the country for an early kickoff. That is a reason to expect resistance rather than assume their undefeated record guarantees an easy afternoon.

Still, the supplied spread leaves room for a competitive game. San Francisco does not need to dominate every quarter. It needs to execute well enough to finish ahead by a field goal.

I favor Purdy and Shanahan to produce the more consistent offense and the decisive second-half scoring drive. Atlanta can stay involved, but I expect San Francisco to reach its bye with another victory.

The pick: 49ers -2.5 Predicted score: 49ers 27, Falcons 20

3. Carolina Panthers -2.5 Over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Carolina completes the card because this number asks the Panthers to turn home-field advantage into a field-goal victory. Tampa Bay enters at 1–5, but its quarterback situation requires attention before treating the matchup as straightforward.

Baker Mayfield has missed three games with a dislocated thumb on his throwing hand. He returned to full practice Wednesday and Thursday, making a return possible. Carolina must prepare for him as well as rookie Jalon Daniels.

Mayfield’s practice participation is encouraging for Tampa Bay, but playing effectively after a throwing-hand injury remains something to demonstrate. If Daniels starts, the Panthers face a rookie who has thrown three touchdowns and five interceptions across his appearances.

My case for Carolina centers on Bryce Young maintaining an efficient offense. The Panthers should prioritize manageable third downs, protect possessions, and avoid allowing Tampa Bay to benefit from short fields.

There is a clear vulnerability on Carolina’s side: starting cornerbacks Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson remain on injured reserve and cannot return for this game. The Panthers cannot assume their opponent’s quarterback uncertainty eliminates the threat of explosive passing plays.

That makes offensive consistency particularly important. Sustained drives would reduce the number of possessions Carolina’s depleted secondary must defend and give Young opportunities to control the game’s pace.

I expect a competitive divisional matchup, but I favor Carolina to finish more drives and make the necessary fourth-quarter plays. At -2.5, a field-goal victory gets the job done.

The pick: Panthers -2.5 Predicted score: Panthers 27, Buccaneers 23

This Week’s Final Betting Card

My Week 7 selections are Bengals +1.5, 49ers -2.5, and Panthers -2.5. San Francisco is my strongest play at the supplied spread, Cincinnati is my preferred underdog, and Carolina completes the card as a short home favorite.