The seventh week of the NFL is almost within the books, with simply two video games left to play. A number of gamers had unimaginable performances, together with shocking outcomes from a number of groups.
Arguably essentially the most spectacular efficiency of the week got here from Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, who took down the 49ers in a rematch of final season’s Tremendous Bowl.
This was the tenth common season rematch of the earlier season’s Tremendous Bowl, and with Kansas Metropolis’s win— the reigning Tremendous Bowl champion is now 7-3 in these video games. Mahomes additionally improved to 5-0 in his profession vs the 49ers, with three common season wins and two victories within the Tremendous Bowl.
The 2-time MVP did not play his finest recreation, and really recorded the worst passer score of his profession at 44.4. He now has six landing passes and eight interceptions on the yr, oddly placing him in uncommon firm. Since 1985, he joins Peyton Manning (2015) as the one quarterbacks in that span to throw extra interceptions than touchdowns whereas main their crew to a 6-0 begin.
Manning would go on to steer the Broncos to a Tremendous Bowl title that season. An indication of issues to return, maybe? The Chiefs are the second crew ever to begin 6-0 after profitable two straight Tremendous Bowls, becoming a member of the 1990 49ers.
Kansas Metropolis’s dominant efficiency wasn’t the one spectacular factor to occur this weekend. FOX Sports activities Analysis broke down ten extra eye-opening nuggets for you. Let’s have a look.
1. Jordan’s acquired the juice
Jordan Love has been on an absolute tear this season, throwing for a number of landing passes in each recreation he is performed. Going again to final yr, he is recorded 9 straight video games with a number of landing passes— the longest lively streak within the NFL. Aaron Rodgers (13 in 2011) and Brett Favre (12 in 1994-95) are the one Packers quarterbacks ever with longer streaks. Whenever you embrace the postseason, he is carried out so in 11 straight video games— which is the second-longest streak of any participant within the final 5 seasons, behind solely Tom Brady (13 straight from 2020-21).
Because the starting of final season, Love additionally leads the league in video games with three or extra landing passes with eight.
Takeaway:
The one factor stopping Love from being within the dialog as a high 5 quarterback within the league is the variety of interceptions he throws. If he can decrease that quantity, the remainder of the NFC North is in hassle.
2. Hurts’ Heroics
In Week 7, the Eagles turned the primary NFC crew with 0 factors scored within the first quarter by way of the primary six video games of the season for the reason that 0-16 Lions in 2008. However Jalen Hurts put factors on the board rapidly after that.
He completed the sport with three whole touchdowns, throwing one and dashing for 2. This was his twentieth profession recreation with each a passing and dashing rating, the third most in a participant’s first 5 seasons in NFL historical past— trailing solely Cam Newton (31) and Josh Allen (25). However bear in mind, Hurts had two scores on the bottom. This was his sixth profession recreation with a go landing and a number of dashing touchdowns, tied with Allen for the second-most all-time— trailing solely Newton (eight).
Takeaway:
Hurts might want to proceed to be a menace on the bottom if the Eagles need to make it again to the Tremendous Bowl. Sunday was a step in the fitting course.
3. Tremendous Saquon
Earlier than Sunday, Saquon Barkley stated that enjoying the Giants wouldn’t be a “revenge recreation” for him.
However he positive ran prefer it was.
He completed the day with 176 dashing yards, which is the second-most in NFL historical past by a participant vs their former crew. The one participant with extra was Cedric Benson in 2009 vs the Bears (189 yards). He now has 658 dashing yards this season, passing LeSean McCoy (630 in 2013) for essentially the most by way of the primary six video games of the season in franchise historical past. After Sunday night time, he’s third within the league in dashing behind Derrick Henry (704) and Jordan Mason (667).
Takeaway:
Barkley is likely one of the finest operating backs within the league. Regardless of the Commanders’ stellar play, his play makes them the favourite within the NFC East.
4. Cannot cease Goff
This was a extremely anticipated matchup that delivered. It was the primary Lions-Vikings recreation all-time through which the 2 groups had eight or extra mixed wins and one or fewer mixed losses. Jared Goff continued his unimaginable play, ending with a 140.0 passer score— his third straight recreation eclipsing that mark. Because the 1970 merger, he joined Aaron Rodgers (2011), Kurt Warner (1999) and Roger Staubach (1971) as the one gamers to file a passer score of 140 or increased in three consecutive video games. For perspective, Rodgers and Warner each gained the MVP award within the seasons they did that.
This was additionally the primary time the Lions have crushed a 5-0 crew since Oct 20, 1974… which is precisely 50 years in the past from Sunday! And what’s much more wild, is that the win in ’74 additionally got here towards none apart from the Vikings.
Takeaway:
Merely put, the Lions are severe Tremendous Bowl contenders.
5. BTJ joins uncommon firm
With gamers like Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze getting all of the shine amongst rookie receivers, Brian Thomas Jr. is quietly having a stellar season for the Jaguars. As of Sunday night time, he ranks fifth within the league with 513 receiving yards on simply 30 receptions. He’s the primary participant with 500+ receiving yards on 30 or fewer receptions by way of his first seven profession video games since none apart from Randy Moss in 1998.
Takeaway:
Jacksonville has discovered their new No. 1 possibility. It will be very attention-grabbing to see how his numbers have a look at the top of the season compared to different receivers taken within the first spherical of the 2024 NFL Draft.
6. Daniel Jones’ struggles
It has been a troublesome season for Daniel Jones. He is 2-5 and has a touchdown-to-interception ratio of six-to-four. His struggles have been additional obvious when enjoying at dwelling, as he is did not throw a landing go in his final six begins at MetLife Stadium. He is simply the fourth quarterback since 2000 to go 5 or extra straight dwelling video games with out throwing a landing, becoming a member of Lamar Jackson (2022-23), Colt McCoy (2014-22) and Brett Hundley (2017).
He is additionally misplaced six consecutive dwelling begins (going again to final season), one shy of tying the franchise file— which can also be held by him (misplaced seven straight from 2019 to 2020). Jones is the one quarterback since at the very least 1950 to lose six consecutive dwelling video games and never throw a single landing in that stretch. That is simply the fifth time in Giants historical past that they’ve began 0-4 at dwelling, and simply the third time it is occurred within the twenty first century (2018, 2017).
Takeaway:
Drew Lock acquired some motion within the loss to the Eagles this previous week. If Jones continues to battle, we may be seeing much more of him.
7. Inexperienced Bay ballin’
The Packers pulled off a formidable win towards the Texans on Sunday, however what was much more spectacular was that they did so regardless of having a turnover differential of -3. After video games performed on Sunday, groups with a turnover differential of -3 or worse are 1-12 this season, with the lone win coming from the Packers. Whenever you return to the start of 2023, groups are 5-60 when dropping the turnover battle by three or extra, and for those who return to the beginning of 2022— it drastically falls to 6-97. It was a uncommon win for Matt LaFleur’s squad.
Takeaway:
Given the above numbers, the Packers might want to commit much less turnovers to maintain profitable. Sunday was an outlier.
8. Russ cooks
A lot was mentioned about whether or not or not Mike Tomlin was making the fitting alternative in benching Justin Fields in favor of Russell Wilson, however after the Sunday night time dominance displayed towards the Jets, it appears to be like like the fitting name (for now at the very least). Wilson had 264 go yards in his first begin as a Steeler, essentially the most in a debut in franchise historical past. He threw two landing passes and added one on the bottom, his seventeenth profession recreation with two passing scores and a number of on the bottom. That’s tied with Steve Younger for the fourth most in NFL historical past, trailing solely Cam Newton (22), Josh Allen (21) and Aaron Rodgers (20).
Takeaway:
Can Russ preserve this up, or will Fields be thrust again into motion? Solely time will inform.
9. Powerful instances in Carolina
The 2024 Panthers are the primary crew all-time to path by 20+ factors at halftime in 4 of their first seven video games video games. They’re permitting 34.7 factors per recreation, which is on tempo to be the worst by a crew for the reason that 1966 Giants, who allowed 35.8 factors per recreation.
Takeaway:
The Panthers are doubtless a high three decide in subsequent yr’s draft except there is a drastic change of their play.
10. Browns offensive woes
With Deshaun Watson’s damage, the Browns turned the primary crew to have three totally different gamers have 10+ go makes an attempt in a recreation for the reason that Chiefs in Week 7, 2008.
They’ve failed to attain 20 factors in every of their first seven video games, changing into the primary crew to try this for the reason that 2009 Commanders. Solely 4 groups since 2000 have failed to attain 20 factors in every of their first seven video games of the season (2024 Browns, 2009 Washington, 2005 Ravens, 2004 Washington).
Takeaway:
With Watson doubtless out for the yr, it may be an uphill battle the remainder of the season.
Get extra from Nationwide Soccer League Observe your favorites to get details about video games, information and extra
