UTTQ Predictions: Week 7

As we approach the midway point of the season, the elite teams have started to pull away from the pack, while the bad teams flounder in mediocrity. The week's early games feature a slew of seemingly evenly matched teams which should provide us with some entertaining football.

SEATTLE 24, CLEVELAND 17
The Seahawks shocked everyone and their mothers by beating the Giants going into the bye week. Easily forgotten in the upset is the injury to Tavaris Jackson which may hold the QB out of this weeks contest. The Browns seem distracted by the Peyton Hillis drama and unless things get sorted out soon, Cleveland could be picking in the top ten next year once again. Seattle is a confident bunch that shouldn't suffer too much should Charlie Whitehurst get the start. All in all, the Seahawks will come out of the Dog Pound with a W.

ATLANTA 28, DETROIT 27
Upon suffering their first loss of the season, everyone is eager to see how the upstart Lions will respond this week. Matt Stafford and company held the lead throughout most of the game last weekend but couldn't close out the 49ers. To make matters worse, Jahvid Best suffered a concussion in the game and his status for Sunday is iffy. If Best can't go in this one, Maurice Morris will be the Lions primary back as their potential trade for Ronnie Brown was nixed. Not good for a team that was already struggling mightily to run the ball with Best. Atlanta's season has been rocky so far as they strive for consistent play from week to week. In a match up that could easily swing either way, the Atlanta Falcons need this game more and Matt Ryan's gang should squeak this one out.

HOUSTON 30, TENNESSEE 21
In a showdown between the current and past Houston based franchises, both teams are very possible playoff contenders for the first time. Coming off their bye, Matt Hasselbeck and crew will look to get back on track after a tough loss to the Steelers. The Titans need Chris Johnson to get back to form if they hope to make any kind of playoff run should they get there. Likewise, without Andre Johnson out wide, the Texans need more out of Arian Foster who hasn't looked all that impressive since his season debut. Both of these teams sport explosive offenses that are without their top receivers and struggling running games. I think this match up will come down to whichever QB can make the plays that matter down the stretch and I'm picking Schaub to get the job done.

DENVER 13, MIAMI 21
After Monday's nights embarrassment at the hands of the Jets, the Dolphins can officially begin their "Suck for Luck" campaign at 0-6. Unfortunately for the fans that are hoping for their team to tank the season, Denver is in an ever worse state than Miami. The Broncos have finally given into the fans and will start Tim Tebow on Sunday. If that weren't bad enough, Denver traded away top receiver Brandon Lloyd leaving Tebow's offensive options relatively thin. Matt Moore showed signs from time to time that the Dolphins offense can be effective and he will definitely have a better game than Tebow when all's said and done.

SAN DIEGO 14, NEW YORK JETS 17
The Jets got a well needed win over Miami on Monday Night that Rex Ryan hopes will springboard his team towards a playoff run. A much stiffer test comes to town this weekend in the form of the 4-1 Chargers who have looked dominant so far. If Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie can shut down San Diego's wide receiving tandem of Vincent Jackson and Michael Floyd, the Jets should have a good shot at this one. My guess is this game is lower scoring then most think with Nick Folk hitting a last second FG to get gang green the win.

CHICAGO 24, TAMPA BAY 21
Both of these teams are coming off weeks in which they silenced the doubters. Tampa Bay pulled off the upset of the weekend by beating the Saints a week after being completely dominated by the 49ers. Josh Freeman had a big bounce back weekend without LaGarette Blount who could miss this game as well. With a Bears team coming into town that is fresh off a dominating performance over the Vikings, Jay Cutler and company may be too much for the young, banged up Bucs to handle.

BALTIMORE 35, JACKSONVILLE 3
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a mess. Attendance has been embarrassing in past seasons and this year is no exception. Of course when the product on the field is entirely mediocre, fans aren't going to spend their Sunday's watching. Remember those days leading up to the 2011 Draft in which many were claiming that Blaine Gabbert should be the top pick over Cam Newton? They seem like distant memories as Gabbert has been incredibly underwhelming thus far and faces the stout Ravens D who have made much much better QBs look bad. Could we see a shutout on Monday Night? It's very possible.