NFL Week 7 Preview: Chiefs Revenge, Lamar's Gamble

NFL Week 7 Preview: Chiefs Revenge, Lamar's Gamble

October 24, 2026 | NFL Week 7 Predictions | Sunday Preview

The Seattle Seahawks won the Super Bowl with Kenneth Walker III.

Eight months later, he is returning to Seattle wearing a Kansas City Chiefs uniform, leading the NFL in rushing and threatening to hand his former team another embarrassing defeat.

Meanwhile, Lamar Jackson could return from injury against Joe Burrow, the Packers and Lions are preparing for a divisional showdown, and the Rams are discovering that collecting superstar names does not automatically build a winning football team.

NFL Week 7 might be the weekend when several uncomfortable truths finally become impossible to ignore.

Here are the biggest Sunday storylines, predictions, injuries and potential upsets you need to know before kickoff.

NFL Week 7 Sunday Schedule: October 25, 2026

All times are Eastern.

Check the official NFL Week 7 schedule for broadcast information and late changes.

1. Chiefs vs Seahawks: Did Seattle Make the Biggest Mistake of the Offseason?

Sunday Night Football | 8:20 PM ET | NBC

Kenneth Walker III was the MVP of Seattle's Super Bowl victory.

Now he is wearing red.

And the numbers make the Seahawks' decision to let him leave in free agency look increasingly uncomfortable.

Through five appearances this season, Walker leads the NFL with 665 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns.

He is averaging an extraordinary 6.3 yards per carry.

Kansas City is 5 and 0.

Seattle is 3 and 3, coming off two consecutive defeats.

But here is what makes Sunday's matchup even more fascinating.

Seattle's defense has not allowed an individual 100 yard rusher in 35 consecutive games.

Something has to give.

Either the former Super Bowl MVP gets stopped by the defense he once practiced against, or Seattle watches its former championship hero damage its hopes of getting back on track.

The question nobody in Seattle wants to answer

Was letting Walker leave a necessary roster decision?

Or did the Seahawks underestimate exactly how valuable he was?

Seattle's offensive struggles cannot be blamed on losing one player alone. Its turnover problems and inconsistent execution have played major roles.

But seeing Walker become the centerpiece of an undefeated Chiefs offense makes the comparison impossible to avoid.

And with Rashee Rice sidelined, Kansas City may need Walker more than ever.

My prediction: Chiefs 27, Seahawks 23.

My bold call is that Walker produces more than 100 scrimmage yards, even if Seattle prevents him from reaching 100 rushing yards.

If he delivers the decisive touchdown, the reaction from Seahawks fans could be brutal.

Read NFL.com's analysis of Kenneth Walker's return to Seattle.

2. Bengals vs Ravens: Is Baltimore Taking a Dangerous Gamble With Lamar Jackson?

Sunday | 1:00 PM ET | CBS

Lamar Jackson is officially questionable with an ankle injury.

He has missed Baltimore's last two games, and Tyler Huntley has been filling in.

Baltimore is 4 and 2.

The Bengals are coming off their bye with Joe Burrow ready for another divisional showdown.

But the biggest question is not simply whether Jackson can play.

Should Baltimore risk bringing him back before he is fully ready?

The Ravens have scored 116 points in the 14 quarters Jackson has played this season, compared with 40 points across their other 10 quarters.

That difference explains why Baltimore would desperately want its superstar quarterback available.

But rushing an injured quarterback back into an intense AFC North matchup introduces obvious risks.

And Cincinnati has its own reasons for confidence.

Ja'Marr Chase has recorded at least 100 receiving yards in each of his previous four regular season games against the Ravens.

This matchup could become another spectacular Burrow vs Jackson shootout.

Or it could be decided by Baltimore's ability to protect its quarterback and contain Chase.

My prediction: Bengals 27, Ravens 24 if Jackson cannot play.

If Jackson is cleared and moves effectively, Baltimore's offensive ceiling rises significantly.

For the latest status, check the official Bengals vs Ravens injury report.

3. Packers vs Lions: Is Detroit Still the NFC North Team to Fear?

Sunday | 4:25 PM ET | FOX

Green Bay enters at 4 and 2.

Detroit is 3 and 2.

And this game is far more important than an ordinary October divisional matchup.

Jordan Love against Jared Goff.

Two ambitious offenses.

A Detroit team looking to assert itself at home.

A Green Bay team with an opportunity to strengthen its position in the division.

Here is the uncomfortable question for Lions supporters.

Can Detroit still control the NFC North, or has Green Bay become the more trustworthy team?

The Packers have the opportunity to force Detroit into chasing them.

The Lions have the opportunity to make a statement about their own championship ambitions.

One important matchup involves Green Bay tight end Tucker Kraft against a Detroit defense that has struggled to contain tight ends in fantasy scoring this season.

If Love consistently exploits that area, the Lions could find themselves defending the middle of the field under sustained pressure.

My prediction: Packers 30, Lions 27.

This is my pick for one of Sunday's most entertaining games.

Read the Packers vs Lions Week 7 matchup preview.

WATCH: NFL Week 7 Predictions, Kenneth Walker's Return and Packers vs Lions

Nate Tice and Matt Harmon break down the biggest matchups on the NFL's Sunday schedule in Yahoo Sports' Football 301.

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Watch the full NFL Week 7 preview on YouTube

Video chapters: Packers vs Lions at 2:15, Chiefs vs Seahawks at 27:25 and Bengals vs Ravens at 54:20.

4. Rams vs Raiders: Did Los Angeles Build a Superteam That Cannot Win?

Sunday | 4:25 PM ET | FOX

The Rams entered 2026 with enormous expectations.

They brought back Aaron Donald.

They surrounded the roster with proven stars.

They looked like a serious Super Bowl contender.

And now they are 2 and 4.

This is where things get uncomfortable.

What happens when a team spends heavily on recognizable names but still lacks the depth to survive injuries?

The Rams have struggled with injuries across important positions, while their offense has failed to consistently deliver.

Puka Nacua is dealing with a calf issue, and questions remain about the supporting cast.

The Raiders might not be an elite opponent, but this is precisely the kind of matchup that a supposed contender cannot afford to lose.

My prediction: Rams 24, Raiders 20.

But if Los Angeles loses again, the discussion should move beyond whether its stars are talented enough.

It should focus on whether the roster was constructed to function as a complete football team.

5. The NFL Week 7 Upset Nobody Should Ignore: 49ers at Falcons

Sunday | 1:00 PM ET | FOX

San Francisco is undefeated at 6 and 0.

Atlanta gets an opportunity to end that perfect start.

On paper, the 49ers deserve respect for their consistency.

But undefeated teams eventually face opponents that force them into difficult situations.

Atlanta has enough offensive talent to create problems, particularly if it can establish a running game and prevent San Francisco from controlling possession.

The question is whether the Falcons can sustain that level for four quarters.

My prediction: 49ers 28, Falcons 24.

My bold prediction is that Atlanta keeps this game within one possession late into the fourth quarter.

And if the Falcons force an early turnover, this could become Sunday's most surprising result.

My NFL Week 7 Sunday Predictions

These are editorial score predictions, not betting recommendations.

Predictions assume publicly available pregame information and may change with confirmed starting lineups.

NFL Week 7 Frequently Asked Questions

What time do NFL Week 7 games start on Sunday?

The first game begins at 9:30 AM ET in Paris between Pittsburgh and New Orleans. Most Sunday games begin at 1:00 PM ET, with afternoon games at 4:05 and 4:25 PM ET and Sunday Night Football at 8:20 PM ET.

Who is playing Sunday Night Football in Week 7?

The Kansas City Chiefs visit the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on October 25, 2026. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:20 PM ET on NBC.

Is Lamar Jackson playing against the Bengals?

Jackson is officially questionable with an ankle injury. His availability needs to be confirmed closer to kickoff.

Who is favored in Chiefs vs Seahawks?

Preweekend betting markets have generally listed Seattle as a narrow favorite, despite Kansas City's undefeated record. My editorial prediction favors the Chiefs.

Why is Kenneth Walker playing against Seattle?

Walker left the Seahawks in free agency and joined the Chiefs during the 2026 offseason. He returns to face the franchise with which he won Super Bowl MVP.

What is the biggest game of NFL Week 7?

Chiefs vs Seahawks is the standout Sunday Night Football matchup because of Walker's return, Kansas City's undefeated start and Seattle's attempt to recover from consecutive losses.

Final Verdict: Sunday Could Expose the NFL's Biggest Pretenders

The Chiefs want to stay undefeated.

Seattle wants to prove it can win without its former Super Bowl MVP.

Baltimore needs answers about Lamar Jackson.

Green Bay and Detroit are fighting for divisional credibility.

And Los Angeles desperately needs to show that its expensive roster can deliver wins.

But only one story will dominate the conversation if things go badly.

Imagine Seattle losing to Kansas City because of the very player it allowed to leave.

That would not just be another regular season defeat.

It would fuel an argument about one of the most consequential roster decisions of the offseason.

Three questions for NFL fans

1. Did Seattle make a massive mistake letting Kenneth Walker III leave?

2. Should Baltimore risk starting Lamar Jackson against the Bengals?

3. Which team is the bigger fraud right now: the Rams or another supposed Super Bowl contender?

Drop your Sunday predictions.

And tell us which NFL team is about to get exposed.