Week 7 of the NFL season has come to a detailed, because the league continues to marvel with the result of sure video games. The New York Giants and New England Patriots earned dissatisfied victories, whilst the Minnesota Vikings pulled off a shocker over the San Francisco 49ers.
Three video games had been determined via a game-winning ranking within the ultimate two mins of legislation of the fourth quarter, because the Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, and Patriots had been the groups incomes the wins. Including Jacksonville’s go-ahead landing, Week 7 marked the primary time since Week 6 of the 2022 season that there have been a minimum of 3 game-winning touchdowns within the ultimate 5 mins of legislation in one week.
While Week 7 used to be amusing — and unpredictable — here is what we learned from each and every team that performed this week (six groups had been on bye).
Not an excellent fourth-quarter team: The Cardinals had been outscored 67-7 within the fourth quarter this season, together with 0 issues in Sunday’s loss to the Seahawks. Their seven fourth-quarter issues are the bottom for any team via seven video games for the reason that 1995 New York Jets, coached via Rich Kotite of all other people. Arizona has fought arduous below Jonathan Gannon all 12 months, however the ability discrepancy catches as much as them within the fourth quarter.
What used to be the maintain Bijan Robinson?: Robinson had only one raise for three yards in Sunday’s win over the Buccaneers, coping with a head harm that wasn’t indexed at the harm document. Robinson performed simply six snaps and did not get a slightly within the first 1/2. Robinson had complications Saturday night time that did not cross away, most effective coming in all over a two-minute state of affairs. This could also be a fluke instance, however the state of affairs used to be a grey cloud over a just right divisional win.
The big-play offense got here to lifestyles: Everything the Ravens talked about referring to their offense got here to fruition in Sunday’s blowout win over the Lions, as they’d 9 performs of 20-plus yards within the first half-hour — tied for essentially the most 20-plus-yard performs via any team within the first 1/2 since 2000. Lamar Jackson completed 21 of 27 for 357 yards with 3 landing passes and a dashing landing. He has a 71.0% of completion charge and 363 dashing yards this season — the 0.33 quarterback with a 70% of completion charge and 50-plus dashing yards according to recreation in a seven-game span. Jackson is enjoying his very best soccer and Todd Monken’s offense is entering fruition. This might be the beginning of one thing massive in Baltimore.
Slow begins proceed to plague Buffalo: The Bills had been enjoying catch-up of past due, being outscored within the first 1/2 of the final 3 video games via a mixed ranking of 30-10. Josh Allen’s interception at the first play from scrimmage did not assist, however the offense had simply 3 issues at halftime. The Bills have confirmed they are able to play catch-up and take the lead, however they use numerous power to get again within the recreation (therefore the shut losses to the Jaguars and Patriots). They have simply led for 9:53 in final 3 video games, a telling signal in their sluggish begins.
Opportunistic protection beginning to display up: Lost within the Tyson Bagent get started used to be how the Bears protection pressured a season-high 3 takeaways in opposition to the Raiders. Chicago has six takeaways in its final 3 video games, this after most effective having two in its first 4 video games. The Bears in truth have a plus-three turnover ratio of their final 3 video games, an enormous reason Chicago is 2-1 in its final 3 contests. Chicago has allowed most effective 17 issues according to recreation in its final 3 video games and 28 issues off 8 takeaways. The Bears are in video games on account of their protection making performs.
Backup quarterback must strengthen: The Browns are tied into Deshaun Watson’s contract — and it is transparent he can not keep at the box. PJ Walker used to be simply 15 of 32 for 178 yards with an interception (51.3 ranking) and did lead a game-winning force of 12 performs for 80 yards (went 3 of 9 for 56 yards on force). The Browns want extra from Walker, which is a harsh truth since he has crammed in admirably over the past two video games. This team has a protection in a position to creating a deep playoff run, wanting a greater backup quarterback way to have an offense in a position to backing up that unit.
Sean Payton trusts his operating recreation: Last week, Javonte Williams used to be discussed as a participant who looked as if it would have his explosiveness come again. The Broncos obviously believe Williams as he had a dashing assault that had 25 carries for 145 yards, a mean of five.8 yards according to raise. Williams had 15 carries for 82 yards (5.5 yards according to raise) whilst Jaleel McLaughlin had fiev carries for 45 yards (9.0 yards according to raise). Williams and McLaughlin are a pleasing mixture for Payton’s offense and he is trusting it extra via the week.
Detroit Lions
Jared Goff immensely struggled below power: The Ravens had been in a position to power Goff all day, as he went simply 6 of 14 for 47 yards with an interception below power within the blowout loss — a passer ranking of simply 22.0. Goff noticed zone protection 68.4% of the time when dealing with power and used to be sacked 5 instances, an uncharacteristic day for him and the Lions offensive line. Goff has two touchdowns and 3 interceptions below power this season, a 60.9 passer ranking. This is one thing to observe, a blueprint on how you can beat the Lions.
First-half efficiency used to be tough: The Broncos entered Sunday permitting essentially the most issues and yards allowed according to recreation within the NFL. The Packers offense within the first 1/2? Four possessions — 3 punts and a ignored box purpose. Green Bay scored 0 issues and had simply 86 yards of offense. Jordan Love used to be most effective 10 of 13 for 47 yards, averaging simply 2.4 air yards according to try. The Packers were given issues into tools in the second one 1/2 with 17 issues on their first 3 possessions, however the recreation plan heading into Sunday indubitably wasn’t environment friendly. Love has most effective finished 53.7% of his passes with a 63.9 passer ranking within the first 1/2, in order that must be higher.
Shane Steichen continues to provoke together with his quarterbacks: What Steichen has executed with Justin Herbert and Jalen Hurts used to be improbable, and Anthony Richardson used to be at the identical trail previous to his season-ending harm. Gardner Minshew had a deficient appearing in Week 6, however he is QB1 for the remainder of the 12 months. Minshew went 15 of 23 for 305 yards with two move touchdowns and two dashing touchdowns, the primary Colts quarterback to ever do this. Steichen used the learn way to counter the Browns robust protection and Indianapolis post 38 issues. Even although the Colts misplaced, the franchise is at the upswing with how Steichen develops quarterbacks.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence can transfer at the knee brace: While it wasn’t the plan for Lawrence to put on a knee brace, his mobility used to be greater than fantastic with it on. He completed with 5 scrambles for 62 yards, together with a 26- and 23-yard run within the recreation. Lawrence had a season excessive in dashing yards in spite of his presumed restricted mobility. He additionally went 20 of 29 for 204 yards with a landing and a 100.4 ranking. Whether Lawrence performs with the knee brace subsequent recreation is up within the air, however he used to be excellent in his first recreation with it on.
Travis Kelce presentations up when Taylor Swift does: Swift has been at 4 video games since she and Kelce’s friendship/courting become public, and Kelce has performed smartly in each of the ones contests. Since Swift first noticed Kelce play in Week 3, the All-Pro TE has averaged 108 receiving yards. In the video games Swift is not there? Kelce has averaged most effective 46.5 receiving yards. Kelce has 34 catches for 424 yards and 3 touchdowns, averaging 12.5 yards according to catch with Swift in attendance. Perhaps Swift wishes to turn up extra — or Kelce is only a long term Hall of Famer (it is each).
Las Vegas Raiders
Aidan O’Connell will have to have began over Brian Hoyer: Easy to mention this in hindsight, however Hoyer gave the Raiders offense not anything in opposition to a resurgent Bears protection. Hoyer used to be 17 of 32 for 129 yards with two interceptions (37.1 ranking) prior to being benched past due within the fourth for O’Connell after his 2d interception. The Raiders could not run the ball anyway, so it most definitely did not topic, however O’Connell getting extra snaps in opposition to the Bears would had been really helpful for his construction. Hoyer used to be with Josh McDaniels in New England, however he is not a part of the team’s long term. At this charge, McDaniels and Hoyer might be at the identical trail.
Is Justin Herbert regressing?: Herbert is indubitably in the middle of a hunch at the moment, having 4 touchdowns and 4 interceptions over his final 3 video games. He has finished below 60% of his passes in 3 instantly video games, the longest streak of his profession. The Chargers are averaging simply 19.3 issues over the past 3 video games and feature scored 17 issues or fewer of their final two video games. Herbert has finished simply 57% of his passes with a 75.9 passer ranking in his final 3 video games, no longer numbers he’s conversant in. Herbert continues to be a just right quarterback seeking to masks the entire issues surrounding his team, which is affecting his recreation.
Brett Maher had Cowboys flashbacks: Remember when Maher could not make an additional level for the Cowboys final 12 months? He revisited the ones unhealthy reminiscences in Sunday’s loss to the Steelers, lacking two box objectives and a PAT try in a seven-point defeat. Maher ignored box objectives of 51 and 52 yards, whilst clanking the PAT take a look at on the finish of the primary 1/2. Easy to calculate the ones seven issues in a seven-point loss, however Maher is hitting simply 73.9% of his box objectives at the 12 months. And now he is at the unemployment line once more because the Rams launched him on Tuesday.
Was the offense uncovered?: The Dolphins offense post simply 10 issues and 244 yards in Sunday’s loss to the Eagles, having bother discovering the tip zone in opposition to a protection that did not chew on movement (which Miami runs greater than any person within the league). Miami’s offense averages simply 18.5 issues according to recreation and 318.5 yards according to recreation in opposition to groups with successful data, however the ones groups additionally did not have a trailer within the movement offense. The Bills and Eagles even have just right move rushers, exposing Miami’s offensive line. Miami nonetheless has a very good offense, however the offensive line is a larger fear over the loss of manufacturing in opposition to just right groups.
Jordan Addison could also be the following superstar wideout: Addison completed with seven catches for 123 yards and two touchdowns within the Vikings’ win over the 49ers, showcasing how just right he may also be as a No. 1 large receiver. Addison has six touchdowns via seven video games, which is tied for essentially the most via a rookie via his team’s first seven video games within the Super Bowl generation — with Randy Moss. Addison has 29 catches for 400 yards and 6 touchdowns at the 12 months, on tempo for 971 yards and 15 touchdowns in Year 1. He’s indubitably a participant, and appears to be a very good 1A to Justin Jefferson.
New England Patriots
They nonetheless do not blow video games below Bill Belichick: The Patriots had a double-digit lead within the fourth quarter and squandered it. However, Mac Jones used to be in a position to convey New England again, going 11 of 13 with 127 yards and two touchdowns within the fourth quarter (147.0 ranking) to provide the Patriots a victory they desperately wanted. In what used to be Belichick’s three hundredth regular-season win, the Patriots are 128-0 at house with a 10-plus-point fourth-quarter lead below Belichick (together with playoffs). No topic how unhealthy Belichick will get, New England will get the activity executed when it has a lead.
Pass rush nonexistent in opposition to Trevor Lawrence: The Saints had simply an 8.0% power charge in opposition to Lawrence in Thursday’s loss, the bottom in any recreation this season (they did not actually have a power in the second one 1/2). New Orleans has only a 34.1% power charge this season, which is twentieth within the NFL. The Saints have simply 13 sacks at the 12 months, which is twenty fourth within the league. New Orleans has a just right protection, however does not generate sufficient power on a constant foundation. The loss of power contributed to the Saints giving up 31 issues in opposition to the Jaguars.
Tyrod Taylor will have to get any other get started: The Giants did pay Daniel Jones, however Taylor has been the simpler possibility in his two begins. In Taylor’s begins, the Giants have averaged 336.5 yards according to recreation. In Jones’ 5 begins, the Giants offense has most effective 255.8 yards according to recreation. The Giants offense has averaged most effective 12.4 issues in Jones’ begins and 11.5 in Taylor’s begins, but the offense has moved extra fluently with Taylor. The offensive line has most effective allowed six sacks in Taylor’s two begins. Taylor even led New York to 2 offensive first 1/2 touchdowns whilst Jones has led them to none. For any other week, Taylor merits an opportunity to guide the offense.
Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Hurts shines after pick-six: The nice quarterbacks have a tendency to stand up after an important errors. Hurts did that during Sunday’s win over the Dolphins, completing 10 of 13 for 115 yards with a landing and a 128.7 ranking — because the Eagles scored touchdowns on consecutive drives. He additionally had 3 carries for 16 yards with 3 first downs. Hurts has 10 turnovers in seven video games — together with two Sunday night time — but discovered a approach to play his very best soccer when the Eagles wanted it. Hurts’ fourth-quarter numbers have not been nice this 12 months, however he showcased he can nonetheless ship his team a win regardless of his errors (he is 23-2 in his final 25 begins).
Pittsburgh Steelers
Diontae Johnson’s go back will get maximum out of offense: The Steelers have badly ignored Johnson, who has been out since Week 1 with a hamstring harm. Of route, Johnson had 5 catches for 79 yards — together with a 39-yard catch-and-run play that sparked Pittsburgh’s tying landing force within the fourth quarter. George Pickens racked up over 100 yards and Kenny Pickett finished 17 of 25 passes for 230 yards and a 97.1 ranking. The Steelers had been additionally 3-for-3 within the pink zone and the passing recreation had a pulse. Getting Johnson again used to be large for the Steelers, regardless of if they have been outgained in each and every recreation so far.
San Francisco 49ers
Brock Purdy is in a funk: Purdy hasn’t been the quarterback who has long gone 10-0 in his first 10 regular-season begins. In his final two video games, Purdy has finished simply 58% of his passes with two touchdowns, 3 interceptions, and a 69.1 passer ranking — each 49ers losses. He used to be 4 of 8 for 40 yards and two interceptions on his final two drives. When Purdy trails within the fourth quarter, he is 12 of 31 for 166 yards with 3 interceptions and a 17.1 ranking. Things cross smartly for Purdy when the 49ers are forward. When he trails, the sport accelerates.
Seattle Seahawks
The protection is on a scorching streak: Give Seattle’s protection numerous credit, as this used to be one of the most worst gadgets within the NFL via 3 weeks (permitting 29.3 issues and 407.3 yards with 7.5 yards according to try). Over the final 3 video games, Seattle has allowed simply 10 issues, 237 yards, and four.1 yards according to try — whilst having 18 sacks. The move protection has allowed most effective 142 yards according to recreation, and that used to be with Joe Burrow dealing with them in that reach. Seattle is within the NFC West race due to its protection, which shall be examined in opposition to the Ravens in two weeks.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Offense letting the protection down: The Buccaneers are a defensive team, as most effective the Eagles have scored over 20 issues by contrast unit. Yet Tampa Bay sits at 3-3 due to an offense that averages simply 17.2 issues according to recreation. The unit has scored most effective 15.0 issues according to recreation over the past 3 video games, coinciding with the struggles of Baker Mayfield, who has finished simply 63% of his passes with 5 touchdowns and 4 interceptions all over that reach. Mayfield’s four-game interception streak is hurting Tampa Bay, however so is a run offense averaging most effective 3.1 yards according to raise.
Third-down offense is atrocious: Forget about the deficient offensive line for per week, Washington’s numbers on 0.33 down are abysmal. The Commanders had been 1 of 15 on 0.33 down in Sunday’s loss to the Giants — the worst third-down conversion proportion via any team in a recreation this season. They have transformed simply 29.4% of 0.33 downs at the 12 months (thirty first within the NFL) and 24.3% over the past 3 video games (thirty second in NFL). The Commanders are disjointed on offense at the moment, however situational soccer has no longer benefitted all of them 12 months.