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NFL: Quick Thoughts & Week Seven Picks

It was Interception Sunday in the NFL last Sunday........

Last week it seemed interceptions were coming as fast as quarterbacks could throw them. I counted all the interceptions from last week and their was 38 thrown from Thursday night to Monday night.

Six of those 38 interceptions that were thrown were returned for touchdowns. There were a few more returned for scores that were wiped off the board due to penalties and other interceptions that didn't stand because of defensive fouls.

There was one game last week that didn't feature an interception thrown. The Miami Dolphins 17-14 win over the St. Louis Rams was the only game that didn't have a pick by either team.

A few reasons for all the interceptions last week.

First of all, teams are throw the ball so much more there is going to be more picks by defensive backs. As teams throw the ball 40 to 50 times a game, with the ball in the air more it leads to more picks.

Secondly defensive backs are being allowed to play more physical on wide receivers. That forces quarterbacks to throw the ball into tighter windows and defensive backs are winning a few more of those battles.

Finally, there has been better development and better corners/safeties coming into the league from the college ranks because college offenses are throwing the ball so much. The game is now geared for throwing the ball but defenses are catching up in coverage just a little.

The Atlanta Falcons are the last undefeated team left in the NFL but they have a dangerous stretch of games coming up. This week against the Eagles, followed up with the Cowboys, Saints, and Cardinals.

I have a feeling the last undefeated team in the NFL will get a loss in the next four weeks. Atlanta is still in a good spot to wrap up home field throughout the playoffs and the question will be if Matt Ryan and company can win a playoff game.

Time management is an important part of our busy world but something the Dallas Cowboys refuse to learn. The Cowboys could have beaten the Baltimore Ravens last week with better play calling and even more important better time management. I'm sure there is a class Jason Garrett could take to teach him how to manage time better.

The Bengals haven't been able to capture their 2011 magic so far this season and their fellow AFC North rival Pittsburgh Steelers have lost their decades long magic for winning. Right now a good guess would be that Cincinnati and Pittsburgh miss the playoffs this year.

Every team in the AFC East is 3-3 and the surprising part is New England is just 3-3. The Patriots are just a normal team this year and are in danger of missing the playoffs with the Tom Brady at quarterback this time.

Micheal Vick might not finish the season as the starting quarterback for the Eagles. Philadelphia already fired their defensive coordinator and Vick might be the next Eagle to get the ax if his turnover woes continue.

Baltimore keeps losing players but finding ways to win. New York Giants are still the team to beat in the NFC East after their win over the 49ers last week.

I'm still waiting for some other teams to pull away from the pack and prove they should be in the playoffs. Right now the Giants, Falcons, Chicago Bears and 49ers look like playoff teams but all that could change with a couple of bad weeks for everyone but Atlanta.

In the AFC, it is just the Houston Texans and the Ravens, both at 5-1. No other team in the AFC has a better record than 3-3. So far the NFC looks a lot better than the AFC this season.

I picked the 49ers to win on Thursday night and they proved me right. Here are the rest of my picks for week seven (winners in bold).

Tennessee Titans at Buffalo Bills

Washington Redskins at New York Giants

New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Dallas Cowboys at Carolina Panthers

Baltimore Ravens at Houston Texans

Cleveland Browns at Indianapolis Colts

Green Bay Packers at St. Louis Rams

Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings

New York Jets at New England Patriots

Jacksonville Jaguars at Oakland Raiders

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals

Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears

Team with a bye week: Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, and San Diego Chargers

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