Seven weeks into the NFL season, some teams are separating themselves from the rest of the pack. One undefeated team, and many teams with only a few losses in each conference. Many teams had bye weeks, so some of the standings might be more than meets the eye.
Denver Broncos (3-4) @ Cleveland Browns (4-3) (TNF)
Final: Browns-17 Broncos-14
Player of the Game: D’Ernest Johnson
An injury riddled Browns team put all of their faith in 3rd string RB D’Ernest Johnson, but they were not disappointed with the end product. Johnson stepped up in the absence of both Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, totaling 168 yards and 1 TD on 24 touches. QB Case Keenum, filling in for Baker Mayfield, was fine, throwing for 199 yards and 1 TD on 33 attempts. The Browns defense held stout, limiting Denver to only 14 points. The Browns will host the Pittsburgh Steelers next week in an important AFC North battle.
Vic Fangio told the media after Thursday night’s game that he is not worried about his team losing four straight games, rather, he is worried about the team itself. When looking for a problem, Fangio might want to look internally though, as talented players have seen limited reps in recent weeks, players like Kyle Fuller, who was a touted free agent signing this offseason. The Broncos will look to figure things out next week when they host the Washington Football Team.
Game Highlights (All footage courtesy of the NFL): Broncos vs. Browns Week 7 Highlights | NFL 2021
Washington Football Team (2-5) @ Green Bay Packers (6-1)
Final: Packers-24 WFT-10
Player of the Game: Aaron Rodgers
The Packers played to their level of football back in week 2, coming off an embarrassing loss to the New Orleans Saints, and they haven’t looked back since. Green Bay has now won six straight games, most in convincing fashion. Aaron Rodgers was great, throwing for 274 yards and 3 TD. Davante Adams was placed on the COVID-19 list on Monday afternoon, which will be something to watch moving forward. The Packers will have a short week, playing the undefeated Arizona Cardinals on Thursday Night Football.
Taylor Heinicke continues to be one of the only bright spots for Washington this year, along with WR Terry McLaurin, have been doing everything they can to try and get their team a win. Washington’s defense, being viewed as one of the NFL’s best before this season, has been the team’s biggest disappointment so far. Now ranked as one of the NFL’s worst, they will continue to try and figure things out. Washington will travel to Denver next week to play the Broncos.
Game Highlights: Washington Football Team vs. Packers Week 7 Highlights | NFL 2021
Carolina Panthers (3-4) @ New York Giants (2-5)
Final: Giants-25 Panthers-3
Player of the Game: Giants Defense
The New York Giants finally achieved an impressive win which has eluded them for months now. The Giants offense was balanced all around, no one player really standing out amongst the others. The Giants defense was stout all day, with players like James Bradberry, and rookie Azeez Ojulari standing out, Bradberry with a pick, and Ojulari with 2.5 sacks. The Giants will travel to Arrowhead next week when they play the Chiefs on Monday Night.
The Carolina Panthers have some things to figure out, to put it lightly. Since starting 3-0, they have now dropped four straight. Sam Darnold’s hot streak to start the season has had some cold water thrown on it, resulting in Darnold’s benching midway through the Giants game on Sunday. Panthers head coach Matt Rhule still insists that Darnold is the starting QB, but with the trade deadline coming up, the Panthers are a name that will be linked to Texans QB Deshaun Watson. Carolina will travel to Atlanta next week to play the Falcons in a divisional game.
Game Highlights: Panthers vs. Giants Week 7 Highlights | NFL 2021
Atlanta Falcons (3-3) @ Miami Dolphins (1-6)
Final: Falcons-30 Dolphins-28
Player of the Game: Kyle Pitts
The Atlanta Falcons have found themselves at an impressive 3-3 record, despite some bumps along the road so far this season. Kyle Pitts has seemed to find his place in this Falcons offense, and they are finally starting to get him the ball more. Pitts now has back to back games with over 100 yards receiving, and will hope that carries forward. Atlanta will host the Carolina Panthers next week.
The Miami Dolphins have been one of the league’s biggest disappointments this year, sitting at a 1-6 record which not many could have predicted before the year. Tua Tagovailoa had a good game, throwing for 4 TD passes, but the rumors will certainly not quiet down this week, as the Dolphins are the front-runner to land QB Deshaun Watson. Miami will be a team to follow this week, and they will travel to Buffalo next week to take on the division rival Bills.
Game Highlights: Falcons vs. Dolphins Week 7 Highlights | NFL 2021
New York Jets (1-5) @ New England Patriots (3-4)
Final: Patriots-54 Jets-13
Player of the Game: Damien Harris (Honorable Mention: Bill Belichick)
Bill Belichick earns himself an honorable mention this week, for being his classic self, and not letting the foot of the gas. Damien Harris gets the award for being the lead though, as he ran all over the Jets defense. Mac Jones was effective as well, throwing for 307 yards and 2 TD. The Patriots have some momentum that they will look to carry when they travel to L.A. next week to play the Chargers.
The New York Jets fan base might want to start looking at the 2022 NFL Draft, as their season continues to get worse. QB Zach Wilson suffered a PCL injury which will sideline him for 2-4 weeks, leaving Mike White as the starter moving forward. The Jets will host the Cincinnati Bengals next week.
Game Highlights: Jets vs. Patriots Week 7 Highlights | NFL 2021
Kansas City Chiefs (3-4) @ Tennessee Titans (5-2)
Final: Titans-27 Chiefs-3
Player of the Game: A.J. Brown
After a statement win against the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night last week, The Titans continued to roll, with a dominating performance against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. Derrick Henry, an MVP candidate, wasn’t as dominating as he usually is with A.J. Brown having a big game instead, which illustrates Tennessee’s dynamic offense. The Titans will look to gain more momentum when they take on the Colts next week in a road game.
The Chiefs continue to not live up to the anointments that so many have crowned them with. Patrick Mahomes had another poor showing, throwing yet another INT and no TD. The Kansas City defense being carved up has been a recurring theme they would like to get fixed immediately. The Chiefs will host the New York Giants on Monday Night Football next week.
Game Highlights: Chiefs vs. Titans Week 7 Highlights | NFL 2021
Cincinnati Bengals (5-2) @ Baltimore Ravens (5-2)
Final: Bengals-41 Ravens-17
Player of the Game: Ja’Marr Chase (Honorable Mention: Joe Burrow)
The Cincinnati Bengals silenced many doubters on Sunday, with an impressive victory over their division rival Baltimore Ravens. Ja’Marr Chase has been the best rookie by far, and is turning into one of the NFL’s best wide receivers already. The duo of Burrow and Chase continued to blossom, slicing through the Ravens defense the entire day. The Bengals have proved themselves to be a legitimate team in the AFC so far, and will be a tough out for whoever plays them. Cincinnati will travel to New Jersey to take on the Jets next week.
After a dominating win over the Chargers last week, the Ravens got a taste of their own medicine Sunday afternoon. Despite some splash plays from Lamar Jackson and Marquise Brown, it just wasn’t enough to overcome the nonstop Bengals attack. Baltimore will look to return to the win column after their bye.
Game Highlights: Bengals vs. Ravens Week 7 Highlights | NFL 2021
Houston Texans (1-6) @ Arizona Cardinals (7-0)
Final: Cardinals-31 Texans-5
Player of the Game: Kyler Murray (Honorable Mention: Cardinals Defense)
The Arizona Cardinals keep on rolling, now sitting at an NFL best 7-0 record. The Cardinals’ whopping of the Texans didn’t come as a surprise to most, but the heavy favorite took care of business and didn’t mess around. Arizona will have a short week as they play the Packers on Thursday Night Football.
The story surrounding the Houston Texans this week will be Deshaun Watson and if/where he gets dealt. The loss on Sunday was expected, so Houston will continue to work on their rebuild, which could be jump-started at the trade deadline. The Houston Texans will host the Los Angeles Rams next week.
Game Highlights: Texans vs. Cardinals Week 7 Highlights | NFL 2021
Philadelphia Eagles (2-5) @ Las Vegas Raiders (5-2)
Final: Raiders-33 Eagles-22
Player of the Game: Derek Carr
The Las Vegas Raiders continue to overcome the drama that Jon Gruden created a few weeks ago, but the lingering presence is slowly evaporating, with the Raiders looking like a brand new team. Derek Carr seems to have to prove his doubters wrong every week. Even with Darren Waller out, the passing offense was efficient, with Foster Moreau filling in nicely at the tight end position. The Raiders will have their BYE next week.
The Philadelphia Eagles are a team that many are speculating could make some roster moves at the trade deadline. Despite being 2-5, the Eagles have players that other teams could look to poach. In contrast, the Eagles are one of the teams linked to Deshaun Watson, so that is something to watch for moving forward. The Eagles will travel to Detroit next week to take on the Lions.
Game Highlights: Eagles vs. Raiders Week 7 Highlights | NFL 2021
Detroit Lions (0-7) @ Los Angeles Rams (6-1)
Final: Rams-28 Lions-19
Player of the Game: Cooper Kupp (Honorable Mention: Matthew Stafford)
Cooper Kupp has been the best wide receiver in the NFL this season, due in large part to having an elite QB on his team. The Stafford and Kupp connection was an instant perfect match, and it is showing no signs of slowing down. Stafford’s performance against his old team is worth noting as well, throwing for 334 yards and 3 TD. The Rams will travel to Houston to take on the Texans next week.\
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; The Detroit Lions are the best 0-7 team in NFL history. Week in and week out, the Lions play their hearts out, but come up short due to a play or two, or lack of talent. The Lions have found themselves a head coach in Dan Campbell that they can build a real team with. The Lions will look to earn their first win next week when they host the Philadelphia Eagles.
Game Highlights: Lions vs. Rams Week 7 Highlights | NFL 2021
Chicago Bears (3-4) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-1)
Final: Buccaneers-38 Bears-3
Player of the Game: Mike Evans (Honorable Mention: Buccaneers Defense)
The Tampa Bay Bucs continue to take care of business and roll past teams that are in their way. The Bears were just no match for Tampa Bay in any phase of the game, mustering up a total of 3 points as an end result. Tampa Bay will head to New Orleans next week to take on the Saints.
The Chicago Bears got punched in the face on Sunday and never punched back. Justin Fields struggled to generate any offense, throwing 3 INT, and having 5 turnovers total as an offense. The patience for head coach Matt Nagy to figure it out is shrinking by the day, and he finds himself remaining on the hot seat. The Bears will host the San Francisco 49ers next week.
Game Highlights: Bears vs. Buccaneers Week 7 Highlights | NFL 2021
Indianapolis Colts (3-4) @ San Francisco 49ers (2-4) (SNF)
Final: Colts-30 49ers-18
Player of the Game: Carson Wentz, Jonathan Taylor, & Michael Pittman Jr.
We have a first ever three-way tie for player of the game honors, with all players putting up similar contributions for their team’s victory on Sunday night. In a sloppy downpour, the Colts were the team that had more will to overcome the adversity and leave primetime with a W. The Colts have now gained some momentum and will look to carry that to next week when they host the Tennessee Titans in an important AFC South matchup.
The San Francisco 49ers have found themselves in a tough situation in terms of an offense. They now rely solely on WR Deebo Samuel to carry the load, and while he does, it has not resulted in wins in recent weeks. The 49ers will be a buying team at the trade deadline, probably targeting another WR to take some of the load off of Samuel. The Niners will travel to the Windy City to take on the Bears next week.
Game Highlights: Colts vs. 49ers Week 7 Highlights | NFL 2021
New Orleans Saints (4-2) @ Seattle Seahawks (2-5) (MNF)
Final: Saints-13 Seahawks-10
Player of the Game: Alvin Kamara
The New Orleans Saints got the job done in a sloppy game on the road against the Seahawks on Monday Night Football. Alvin Kamara did what superstars do, totaling 179 yards and 1 TD. Kamara was used more as a pass catcher than runner this game, but he made the most out of his opportunities. The Saints, who now sit at 4-2, will look to pick up an important win next week when they host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in an important divisional game.
The Seattle Seahawks’ season so far has been a disappointment to say the least. Russell Wilson’s injury has been as bad as it sounds. Geno Smith has struggled to find any sort of consistency on the offense, both D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett feeling the effects of it. Seattle, like New Orleans, played poorly offensively for most of the night, but New Orleans was able to notch a field goal on the game winning drive. The Seattle Seahawks will host the Jacksonville Jaguars next week in hopes of getting their third win of the season.
Game Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9iwCZSKVVY