Week 7 of the NFL season started with a bang as Sean Payton’s Denver Broncos dominated his former team, the New Orleans Saints. The action continued on Sunday night with Russell Wilson making his Pittsburgh Steelers debut, leading them to a dominant win over the New York Jets.
The Jacksonville Jaguars grabbed a much-needed win over the New England Patriots, while the Minnesota Vikings suffered their first loss of the season to the Detroit Lions. Saquon Barkley had a big day against his former team, the New York Giants, as the Philadelphia Eagles handled them. The Kansas City Chiefs took care of business against the San Francisco 49ers, and the Washington Commanders blew out the Carolina Panthers.
In the Steelers vs. Jets game, Russell Wilson’s stellar performance helped silence the pregame QB debate. Wilson threw for 264 yards, setting a franchise record in his debut. He showed some rust early on but settled in to lead the Steelers to victory. Beanie Bishop Jr. had a standout performance, intercepting Aaron Rodgers twice and almost returning one for a pick-six.
The game was marked by blocked kicks, with the Steelers’ special teams coming through with a crucial blocked field goal. Mecole Hardman was a big-play producer for the Chiefs against the 49ers, showcasing his versatility on offense and special teams.
Despite the loss to the Chiefs, the 49ers continue to struggle against top teams like Kansas City. Injuries continue to plague the 49ers, affecting both their offense and defense. Special teams also remain a concern for the 49ers, with inconsistencies in performance week after week.
The Rams’ defense stepped up in their win over the Raiders, showcasing their ability to create turnovers and capitalize on opportunities. The Raiders, on the other hand, face uncertainty at the quarterback position with injuries to Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew’s struggles.
The Washington Commanders dominated the Carolina Panthers, with Marcus Mariota stepping up in place of Jayden Daniels. The Panthers continue to struggle, especially in the first half of games, with a growing point differential.
The Green Bay Packers secured a close win over the Houston Texans, highlighting the importance of a clutch kick by Brandon McManus. The Texans, on the other hand, continue to struggle with pass protection issues and offensive inconsistency.
In the Bengals vs. Browns game, Tee Higgins proved to be a key factor in Cincinnati’s offensive success, providing a reliable target for Jalen Hurts. The Browns face uncertainty at the quarterback position after Deshaun Watson’s injury, raising questions about the team’s future plans.
The Bills showcased their offensive prowess in a dominant win over the Titans, with Amari Cooper making an immediate impact in his debut. Greg Rousseau had a standout performance, recording six quarterback hits and showcasing his pass-rushing abilities.
The Eagles’ win over the Giants was fueled by Saquon Barkley’s explosive performance, providing a spark for Philadelphia’s offense. Despite the loss, the Giants face scrutiny over their handling of Barkley’s departure and lackluster performance.
The Seahawks’ defense showed improvement in their win over the Falcons, with strong performances from individual players like Damar Hamlin. The Falcons struggle to generate a pass rush, highlighting a need for improvement on defense.
The Lions pulled off a surprising win over the Vikings, showcasing their depth and resilience in the absence of Aidan Hutchinson. The Vikings face questions about their run defense and ability to close out games.
The Jaguars’ victory over the Patriots proved that they haven’t given up, with a strong second-quarter comeback led by Bo Nix. The Patriots face concerns about their defensive performance and lack of a running game.
In the Broncos vs. Saints game, the Broncos found success by utilizing a run-first approach to support Bo Nix, leading to a dominant win. Dennis Allen’s coaching performance is under scrutiny after the Saints’ fifth straight loss and defensive struggles.
Overall, Week 7 of the NFL season provided plenty of excitement, surprises, and storylines to follow as teams continue to battle for playoff contention.
