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3 Bold predictions for NFL Week 7: Talking 49ers, Malik Nabers, Tyler Higbee
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

3 Bold predictions for NFL Week 7: Talking 49ers, Malik Nabers, Tyler Higbee

After a brief intermission in our bold predictions series, we're back with three hot takes for NFL Week 7. The last time we talked, we nailed Case Keenum and the Chicago Bears upsetting the Philadelphia Eagles and nearly called the Baltimore Ravens putting up 40 against the Dallas Cowboys. 

Let's aim for another successful trio of bold predictions in Week 7. 

The Atlanta Falcons hand the San Francisco 49ers their first loss

The 49ers have looked like the class of the NFL through six weeks, but they're due to slip up against an inferior opponent. It happens this weekend in Atlanta. 

San Francisco will likely be without Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel in this one, leaving Jordan Watkins, Brandin Cooks and Jacob Cowing as its top three receivers. Even with Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle leading the way, this offense won't have the same firepower in Week 7. 

On the other side of the ball, the Niners have seven defenders on injured reserve and 10 more on the injury report. The Falcons have the weapons to torch this undermanned defense. They can turn this into a shootout and hope for a turnover or two from Brock Purdy to swing the result. 

Malik Nabers goes off for 150 receiving yards

Nabers got off to a slow start this season after his torn ACL and meniscus, but he's already looking like his old, explosive self again. The New York Giants wide receiver has recorded 29 catches and 398 receiving yards over his last three games. When J.J. McCarthy replaced Jameis Winston in Week 6, he found Nabers four times for 95 yards in the fourth quarter. 

The Houston Texans' pass defense has been surprisingly poor through six games, ranking 27th in passing yards allowed per game (246.0) and 21st in dropback EPA per play (0.096). CeeDee Lamb has already shown this Texans secondary can be torched, putting up 189 yards on 17 catches in Week 4, and Nabers could do the same this week. 

Tyler Higbee scores two touchdowns against the Las Vegas Raiders

The Los Angeles Rams offense is going to look much different without Davante Adams for the next 6-10 weeks. Matthew Stafford will have to look elsewhere in scoring range with his favorite red-zone target injured, and we're betting on Higbee to step into that role. 

Higbee played a season-high 83 percent of L.A.'s offensive snaps in Week 6. He should be heavily involved in the game plan again with Adams and fellow tight end Terrance Ferguson on IR. As for the matchup, the Raiders have already surrendered six touchdowns to opposing tight ends this season, the third-highest mark in the league. 

Get Hibgee in your fantasy lineups this week. 

Jack Dougherty

Jack Dougherty has been writing professionally since 2015, contributing to publications such as GoPSUSports. com, Centre Daily Times, Associated Press, and Sportscasting. com

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