Week 7 NFL Odds: Early Locks and Best Bets on the Schedule

As we draw closer to the halfway point of the 2024 NFL season, the proverbial cream is starting to rise.

While the league still features a wide swath of potential contenders, the true Super Bowl threats are separating themselves from that pack. We saw a great example of this when the Detroit Lions flat-out embarrassed the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday afternoon.

Detroit was largely toying with Dallas at the end of the 47-9 rout, though the Lions took a huge hit when star pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson suffered a broken leg. His injury is just the latest to cloud the picture of a potentially elite team.

Picking against the spread remains a challenge, though a few early lines appear favorable entering Week 7. We'll examine a few of our favorites here.

*Lines via DraftKings Sportsbook

The Washington Commanders suffered their second loss of 2024 in Week 6, though they certainly gave the Baltimore Ravens a fight.

Baltimore, which has won four straight since its 0-2 start, is beginning to look like a title contender. The Commanders, led by rookie sensation Jayden Daniels, don't appear to be far off.

While Washington has yet to beat a truly great team, it has handled business against inferior opponents. That's what's on the docket this week, as the Commanders will host the one-win Carolina Panthers.

The Panthers are struggling, and while they continue to play hard for first-year coach Dave Canales, they don't really excel in any one area. Carolina might be able to keep this one close for a while by riding Chuba Hubbard and the ground game, but its 32nd-ranked scoring defense won't contain Daniels for long.

Expect the Commanders to pull away late, just as the Atlanta Falcons did against Carolina on Sunday.

Speaking of the Falcons, they're facing a potentially exciting game against the Seattle Seahawks. While Seattle has lost three straight, it has an explosive offense headlined by Geno Smith, DK Metcalf and Kenneth Walker III.

However, the Seahawks also have a vulnerable defense. While new head coach Mike Macdonald appeared to have his defense on the right track over the first three weeks, the unit has struggled since turning the page on underwhelming teams like the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins.

Notably, the Seahawks defense has allowed an average of 5.0 yards per carry through six weeks. Atlanta should be able to control the tempo with running backs Tyler Allgeier and Bijan Robinson in this one.

Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins will have to make the occasional play, and Atlanta's defense will have its hands full, but this is a favorable matchup for the home team.

Add in the fact that it'll be a long trip for the Seahawks, and fans should expect the line to grow in the coming days.

We should also see the line in the Ravens and Tampa Bay Buccaneers contest grow before the end of the week. While the Buccaneers will be at home and have a very potent offense, Baltimore's ground game creates a sizeable mismatch.

With Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry leading the way, the Ravens are capable of running around or through virtually any opponent. The Buccaneers, meanwhile, have struggled mightily against the run, allowing 4.7 yards per carry on the year.

To slow Baltimore's rushing attack, the Bucs will likely need to load the box early and often. That will give Jackson opportunities to hit big plays with Zay Flowers in the passing game.

Baker Mayfield, Chris Godwin and the Bucs passing attack can make things interesting for a while against Baltimore's 31st-ranked passing defense. However, the Ravens should be able to dictate the pace of the game, just as they did against the Commanders this past week.

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