NFL Sunday Recap: Week 7
Contender and pretender storylines have come and gone, and stars are emerging seven weeks into the NFL season. Veteran quarterbacks like Josh Allen and Jared Goff showcased their excellence, while players like Amari Cooper and Davante Adams made their debuts in new markets. Let’s take a look around the week 7 results and storylines from the Sunday slate. The following fantasy point total mentions refer to a 4-point passing TD, standard PPR format.
Jaguars 32 Patriots 16
- In a potential get-right game for two one-win teams, it was the Jaguars who prevailed. Scoring 30+ points for the second time this season, Jacksonville’s offense was moving the ball down the field with efficiency. Tank Bigsby (23.8 PTS) rushed for a career-best 118 yards, while quarterbacks Trevor Lawrence (15.02 PTS) and Drake Maye (20.84 PTS) played turnover-free football. The Jaguars have a tall task next week, welcoming the 5-2 Packers into town as they search for their third win of 2024.
Bills 34 Titans 10
- In a world where the main reference point for Josh Allen critics has been his interceptions, Allen (21.02 PTS) has now gone seven straight weeks without throwing one. Buffalo may have lost key receiver weapons in Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, but they added Amari Cooper (16.6 PTS) this week and scored 30+ points for the fourth time. Chig Okonkwo (9 PTS) led all Titans receiving yards in this one.
Packers 24 Texans 22
- With the lackluster placekicking from Brayden Narveson (12-for-17) in the rear view mirror, it took newly acquired veteran Brandon McManus just one week to drill a game-winner for his new squad. Josh Jacobs (20.2 PTS) registered the first receiving touchdown of his career. Meanwhile, Joe Mixon (26.4 PTS) was responsible for 124 of the Texans’ 197 yards on offense. Green Bay has now won five of its last six games since falling in the season-opener to Philadelphia.
Eagles 28 Giants 3
- Saquon Barkley gave Giants fans exactly what they didn’t want to see in his return to Metlife Stadium: a vintage performance. The former Giant took 17 rushes for 176 yards and a score while logging 26.7 PTS. A.J. Brown (19.9 PTS) reeled in 89 of Jalen Hurts’ 114 passing yards on the day, as it was the Eagles’ run game that truly stole headlines. Philadelphia’s defense has now held three of its last four opponents to less than 20 points.
Lions 31 Vikings 29
- And then there was just one undefeated team left in the NFL. Albeit, this one didn’t come without some resistance. Facing a 28-17 deficit entering the final quarter, some may have declared Minnesota’s perfect season dead to rights. Just 10 minutes of game time later, and the Vikings’ defense converted on a scoop and score to jump ahead 29-28. Jake Bates’ 44-yard field goal served as the last laugh, with Jahmyr Gibbs (32.0 PTS) and Amon-Ra St. Brown (25.2 PTS) highlighting Detroit’s offense. The Lions and Vikings now sit in a tie atop the NFC North, a division with a combined record of 19-6.
Seahawks 34 Falcons 14
- The Seahawks grabbed a much-needed win in the battle of the birds to snap their three-game skid. DK Metcalf (19.9 PTS) led all receivers with 99 yards, and Geno Smith (17.78 PTS) played one of his cleaner games of the season. Bijan Robinson (23.3 PTS) dominated in fantasy, garnering 143 all-purpose yards with a touchdown. Both teams now sit at 4-3 with room for optimism heading towards the midway point of the season.
Bengals 21 Browns 14
- The battle of Ohio did not come without a fair share of drama. From an opening kickoff return for a touchdown to Deshaun Watson being out for the foreseeable future, we truly saw it all in this one. Tee Higgins (18.2 PTS) dazzled, while Chase Brown (7.3 PTS) led the backfield in carries with 15. Joe Burrow (14.94 PTS) threw for multiple touchdowns yet again. All of a sudden, the Bengals have won three of four and are just a game below .500.
Colts 16 Dolphins 10
- The lowest scoring contest of the Sunday slate came with a lot of ugly moments and three total turnovers. Miami tight end Jonnu Smith (22.6 PTS) had one of his better games, hauling in seven receptions for 96 yards and a score. Outside of Anthony Richardson, nobody on the Colts had more than 65 yards. However, Indianapolis found a way to get it done and improved to 4-3 on the young season.
Commanders 40 Panthers 7
- No Jayden Daniels, no problem? Whether this was a better showcase of the Commanders’ depth or a testament to the disaster still brewing in Carolina is up to the eye of the beholder. What we know for certain is that Terry McLaurin (15.8 PTS) is on track to log five straight 1,000-yard seasons. Washington put up 421 yards of total offense and never looked back after grabbing a double digit lead late in the first quarter. Daniels exited the game with an injury. If he returns next week, we’ll be treated to watching the first two picks in this year’s draft go toe-to-toe.
Rams 20 Raiders 15
- In a game that saw just 35 total points, Kyren Williams (19.6 PTS) scored the lone two touchdowns between these teams. The Rams’ running back now has a league-high 8 rushing touchdowns on the season. Los Angeles has used him as much as possible with Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp sidelined. The Rams will aim to get healthier ahead of a primetime matchup against the 5-1 Vikings next week.
Chiefs 28 49ers 18
- In a Super Bowl rematch, it was the Chiefs’ run game that made the difference? Patrick Mahomes (12.06 PTS) did not have one of his usual prolific passing performances. He threw a pair of interceptions without throwing for a touchdown, but he did score on the ground. Kansas City rushed for 184 yards on 4.7 yards per carry overall. Brock Purdy (17.18 PTS) threw three interceptions, but he ran the ball in for two scores. Through seven weeks, the Chiefs are now the only undefeated team in the NFL. They take on their AFC West foe, the Raiders, in week 8.
Steelers 37 Jets 15
- Russell Wilson (24.86 PTS) took the reins of the (at the time) 4-2 Steelers, and he led them to a blowout victory that has Pittsburgh looking like an AFC dark horse. George Pickens (22.1 PTS) led all receivers with 111 yards, while Breece Hall (26.1 PTS) managed to haul in 103 receiving yards of his own. The Jets have now lost four straight, while the Steelers are working on back-to-back wins with 30 or more points.
With week 7 giving us a greater idea of the 2024 data, look out for patterns and new storylines that continue to accumulate. Some of the best performers of this season may even be a free agent in most leagues. Stay tuned for our week 8 recap next Monday.
