Godzilla’s NFL Week 7 picks: Oddsmakers are begging you to take the wrong side

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- BOOM! Welcome to NFL Week 7, where the undefeated Chiefs and 49ers are walking into hostile territory, the underdogs are barking, and the Las Vegas oddsmakers are setting traps big enough to swallow a Mack truck!

This is the NFL, baby! Forget the hype, forget the records and forget what happened last Sunday. The only thing that matters is who covers the number!

We’ve got the undefeated Chiefs getting points in Seattle, the undefeated 49ers laying points in Atlanta, the Packers invading Detroit and my Tennessee Titans trying to rescue their season.

Godzilla is fired up! So let’s start cashing some tickets!

Steelers at Saints (Sunday, 9:30 a.m. ET)

Spread: Steelers -3

Bonjour, baby! The NFL heads to Paris, and Pittsburgh is bringing its hard-nosed brand of football across the Atlantic.

The Steelers are 4-2, the Saints are 2-4, and Pittsburgh has the defensive advantage. So the question is whether the Steelers can establish their running game and control the line of scrimmage in a neutral-site contest.

New Orleans can hang around if it avoids turnovers and keeps the game physical. But Pittsburgh’s pass rush should be the difference.

I like the Steelers to create defensive pressure, win the field-position battle and get out of France with a victory.

GODZILLA PICK: STEELERS -3

Related: Steelers rally for comeback win in Tampa

Bengals at Ravens (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Spread: Ravens -1.5

This is AFC North warfare!

Baltimore is 4-2. Cincinnati is 3-2. But the biggest question surrounding this matchup is Lamar Jackson’s ankle. He’s out.

So Cincinnati has an opportunity to challenge a Baltimore secondary dealing with personnel concerns.

The Bengals also must protect their quarterback, attack downfield and make Baltimore defend the entire field.

That’s why I’ll gladly take the points in what should be a fiercely contested divisional showdown.

GODZILLA PICK: BENGALS +1

Browns at Titans (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Spread: Browns -1.5

TITAN UP, BABY! Love this game!

Listen, my Titans are 1-5. This season has been uglier than a three-day-old tuna sandwich sitting in the Nashville sun!

But Cleveland is leaning on Deshaun Watson, and the Browns are only laying 1.5 points. All-Pro defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons says the Titans are “so close.”

Still, the Titans have an opportunity to get off the mat.

First, Tennessee must protect its quarterback, establish a running game and avoid those drive-killing penalties that have absolutely murdered this team.

Cleveland has the defensive front to dominate if Tennessee starts playing from behind. That’s why the Titans need an early lead.

The Browns may have the better record, but they’re not exactly the 1985 Chicago Bears.

I’m calling for the Titans to finally put together four quarters of football. It’s Cam do or die.

GODZILLA PICK: TITANS +1.5

Related: Titans end their winless start in Indianapolis

Colts at Vikings (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Spread: Vikings -6.5

The Minnesota Vikings are undefeated. Best defense in pro football.

Five wins, no losses, and they’re getting an Indianapolis team that has struggled to find consistency. And they come off a bye.

The Colts come into this matchup with significant personnel concerns, particularly in their secondary. Losing to the hapless Titans at home cost their general manager his job.

Minnesota has the offensive weapons to exploit those weaknesses. Also, the Vikings’ home-field advantage makes this assignment even tougher for Indianapolis.

The Colts need to run the football, control the clock and limit explosive plays.

But I don’t see it happening consistently.

In fact, Minnesota is the better team, playing at home, with too many advantages across the board.

GODZILLA PICK: VIKINGS -6.5

Dolphins at Jets (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Spread: Jets -4.5

THE JETS, THE JETS, THE JETS!

Miami is winless, and the Dolphins are heading into New York for an AFC East street fight.

The Jets aren’t exactly setting the league on fire at 2-4, but this is the kind of matchup they absolutely must dominate.

Miami has struggled to establish consistency offensively. Meanwhile, the Dolphins cannot afford another afternoon of negative plays, turnovers and disastrous field position.

The Jets need to establish the running game, keep their quarterback out of difficult third-down situations and then force Miami to chase the game.

The biggest question is Breece Hall’s health. If he’s effective, New York has an opportunity to control the tempo and pound away at Miami’s defense.

Four and a half is a challenging number for a struggling team, but I’m betting against a winless Miami squad that has shown little ability to finish games.

GODZILLA PICK: JETS -4.5

Buccaneers at Panthers (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Spread: Panthers -2.5

THE PANTHERS ARE ROARING!

Carolina comes into this matchup with a winning record, while Tampa Bay is sitting at 1-5.

And now the Buccaneers arrive with a battered offense.

Baker Mayfield is questionable with a thumb injury, and receiver Emeka Egbuka is out. Mayfield has no weapons.

That’s a serious problem against a Carolina team with a chance to establish itself in the division.

So the Panthers must pressure Mayfield, dominate early downs and prevent Tampa Bay from generating explosive plays.

I particularly like Carolina’s opportunity to exploit the Buccaneers’ offensive-line problems.

The spread is less than a field goal, and Carolina also has the better current form.

Sometimes the obvious play really is the right play!

GODZILLA PICK: PANTHERS -2.5

49ers at Falcons (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Spread: 49ers -2.5

STOP THE PRESSES!

The San Francisco 49ers are 6-0, undefeated and rolling!

So why are they favored by only 2.5 points against a two-win Atlanta team?

Something smells fishy!

Also, the 49ers have significant injuries, including missing playmakers on offense and defense.

San Francisco’s record is impressive, but an undefeated record doesn’t mean an undefeated team covers every point spread.

Atlanta also gets this game at home, where the Falcons can create problems if they establish the running game and limit turnovers.

Above all, the Falcons must prevent San Francisco from controlling possession and converting easy third downs.

This has all the ingredients of a classic NFL ambush.

So I’m fading the undefeated favorite!

GODZILLA PICK: FALCONS +2.5

Giants at Texans (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Spread: Texans -10.5

TEN AND A HALF POINTS?

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

Houston has two wins, and the Texans are being asked to cover double digits against the Giants.

I don’t care how much talent Houston has. That’s still a monster number for a team with a losing record.

Of course, the Giants have their own defensive injury issues, and Houston has an opportunity to attack a vulnerable secondary.

But the Texans are dealing with injuries of their own, which creates the possibility of a competitive game.

The Giants don’t have to win. Instead, they need to keep the game within striking distance and avoid a turnover avalanche.

Houston could be the better team and still fail to cover this enormous spread.

Give me the points!

GODZILLA PICK: GIANTS +10.5

Broncos at Cardinals (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET)

Spread: Broncos -4.5

Denver heads into Arizona with a better record and a defensive unit capable of creating havoc.

Meanwhile, the Cardinals have quarterback uncertainty and injury concerns that could seriously limit their offensive efficiency.

Denver’s strongest advantage is its ability to pressure the quarterback and force opponents into difficult third-down situations.

Still, Arizona’s path to victory requires protecting the football and generating enough offense to prevent the Broncos from controlling the game.

Denver has some defensive injury questions, but I still trust the Broncos to force mistakes and capitalize on favorable field position.

The road spread is a little uncomfortable, but I’m staying with the better overall team. Denver feasts on bottom feeders.

GODZILLA PICK: BRONCOS -4.5

Packers at Lions (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET)

Spread: Lions -3

PACK ATTACK!

This is one of my favorite games on the entire Sunday board!

Green Bay is 4-2. Detroit is 3-2. And the Lions are laying a field goal at Ford Field.

The oddsmakers are banking on Detroit’s home-field advantage and physical running game.

But I’m not buying it!

Green Bay has the offensive versatility to attack Detroit both vertically and underneath. The Packers also have the ability to turn this into a high-pressure divisional showdown.

Detroit needs to win at the line of scrimmage and establish its running game. If the Lions control the clock, then they can keep Green Bay’s offense standing on the sidelines.

But the Packers have enough offensive weapons to trade punches and make this a fourth-quarter game.

In fact, a field goal in a bitter NFC North rivalry is valuable.

That’s why I’m calling for Green Bay to walk into Ford Field and steal this one outright!

GODZILLA PICK: PACKERS +3

Rams at Raiders (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET)

Spread: Rams -3.5

Here’s another Vegas number that makes you scratch your head.

The Rams are 2-4. The Raiders are 3-3. Also, the game is in Las Vegas.

And somehow the Rams are favored by more than a field goal!

The market clearly believes Los Angeles is better than its record. But I don’t. You are what your record says you are.

Also, the Rams have injury concerns among their offensive playmakers, and that’s a problem when you’re being asked to win comfortably on the road.

The Raiders need to establish their running game, pressure the quarterback and make Los Angeles work for every yard.

Las Vegas doesn’t have to be spectacular. It just has to play disciplined, physical football.

So I see a one-possession game with the Raiders capable of winning outright.

GODZILLA PICK: RAIDERS +3.5

Chiefs at Seahawks (Sunday Night Football, 8:20 p.m. ET)

Spread: Seahawks -2.5

BOOM! HERE IS MY GODZILLA SPECIAL!

The Kansas City Chiefs are 5-0.

UNDEFEATED!

And they’re getting points in Seattle!

Now that’s what I call an opportunity!

Don’t get me wrong. Seattle has a significant home-field advantage. Lumen Field is loud, hostile and downright miserable for visiting offenses.

But we’re talking about Kansas City — a team that knows how to win ugly, win close and win when the pressure is suffocating.

The Chiefs have offensive injury concerns, including the absence of Rashee Rice. That puts additional pressure on the remaining receivers to create separation.

Meanwhile, Seattle will attempt to generate pressure, create turnovers and make Kansas City operate in difficult down-and-distance situations.

But the Chiefs have the experience to manage those conditions.

Kansas City doesn’t have to dominate. It just needs to execute in the red zone and win the critical possessions.

Give me the undefeated team getting points!

GODZILLA PICK: CHIEFS +2.5

Cowboys at Eagles (Monday Night Football, 8:15 p.m. ET)

Spread: Cowboys -4.5

COWBOYS! EAGLES! MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL!

And both teams are 2-4!

What happened to these NFC East powerhouses?

Now Dallas walks into Philadelphia favored by 4.5 points.

ON THE ROAD!

That’s a stunning indictment of the Eagles’ struggles.

Philadelphia has been dealing with offensive inconsistency, and Tanner McKee is under center with Jalen Hurts on injured reserve. Meanwhile, Dallas has an opportunity to exploit those weaknesses.

But divisional rivalries are different animals.

The Eagles know the Cowboys. The Cowboys know the Eagles. And Lincoln Financial Field will be rocking. No Jalen Hurts. Run the ball.

So Philadelphia must establish the running game, protect its quarterback and avoid the turnovers that have derailed its offense.

Dallas may be the better team right now, but laying 4.5 points on the road in this rivalry?

No thank you!

So I expect a desperate Philadelphia team to come out fighting, keep it close and possibly pull off the upset.

GODZILLA PICK: EAGLES +4.5

Related: Godzilla’s NFL picks for Oct. 11

Godzilla’s Five Best Bets

The moment you’ve been waiting for!

1. Kansas City Chiefs +2.5 — Undefeated and getting points? Sign me up!
2. Green Bay Packers +3 — The Pack storms Detroit and steals one.
3. Tennessee Titans +1.5 — Time to Titan Up and shock Cleveland!
4. New York Jets -4.5 — Miami’s misery continues in the Meadowlands.
5. Carolina Panthers -2.5 — Carolina takes advantage of Tampa Bay’s battered offense.

Godzilla’s Final Word

The NFL is the greatest weekly reality show ever invented.

Undefeated teams lose. Double-digit favorites get ambushed. Desperate underdogs rise from the ashes. And every Sunday, the oddsmakers count on the public falling in love with last week’s headlines.

Not Godzilla!

Instead, we’re studying the matchups, following the injuries, attacking the numbers and finding the value where everybody else sees a sure thing.

GODZILLA WINS!

John Fredericks hosts “The John Fredericks Show” and “Godzilla Wins” on the John Fredericks Media Network, JFMN.TV and affiliated radio stations nationwide.

Point spreads reflect the Week 7 pregame reference board and are subject to change before kickoff.

If gambling is a problem for you or someone you know, call 1-800-GAMBLER.