NFL Week 7: Biggest questions, takeaways for every game

NFL Nation, ESPNOct 20, 2024, 05:40 PM ET

Week 7 of the NFL season kicked off on Thursday with Sean Payton’s Denver Broncos (4-3) dominating his former team, the New Orleans Saints (2-5). On Sunday, the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-5) grabbed a much-needed win over the New England Patriots (1-6) in the final NFL game from London this season.

Later, the Minnesota Vikings suffered their first loss of the season to the Detroit Lions, and Philadelphia Eagles RB Saquon Barkley had a big day against his former team, the New York Giants.

Our NFL Nation reporters reacted to all the action, answering lingering questions coming out of each game and detailing everything else you need to know for every team. Let’s get to it.

Packers

Does this win mean a little more? This was the first victory over a team with a winning record for the Packers. The Texans’ only previous loss came against the Vikings — who beat the Packers in Week 4. The Packers’ first four wins came against teams that entered this week with a combined 7-15 record. Their two losses came against teams with a combined 8-2 record before Week 7. The Packers won’t have to face questions about the quality of their wins when their schedule gets tougher.

Describe the game in two words: Clutch kick. How would Packers fans have felt if they trotted Brayden Narveson out for a 45-yard winning field goal? The Packers cut Narveson this week after he had missed five field goals in six games, paving the way for veteran Brandon McManus to come to town and win the game — and do a Lambeau Leap to celebrate it.

Eye-popping stat: Josh Jacobs‘ 8-yard touchdown reception ended the NFL’s longest streak for a player for catches without a touchdown. On Jacobs’ 212th catch of his career, he gave the Packers a 21-19 lead in the third quarter. His streak eclipsed Gerald Riggs with 197 in Week 4. — Rob Demovsky

Next game: at Jaguars (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Texans

Should the Texans’ blocking woes concern them? QB C.J. Stroud had his worst game of his career — throwing for only 86 yards with no touchdowns. He was pressured on 48% of his drop backs, a season-long theme, and was sacked four times. On four plays, the Packers had an unblocked defender rushing him. Stroud has now been sacked 20 times, which was ranked in the top five by game’s end. If the Texans want to go on a deep playoff run, their offensive line must protect their star quarterback.

Most surprising performance: Stroud has never had a game where he’s thrown for under 100 yards that he finished. The only other game he threw for less than 100 yards was Week 14 last season against the Jets. He exited that game early because of a concussion.

Eye-popping stat: With starting CB Kamari Lassiter out, D’Angelo Ross replaced him and allowed a passer rating of 158.3 when targeted for 95 yards and a touchdown. Yes, that’s a perfect passer rating. — DJ Bien-Aime

Next game: vs. Colts (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Bengals

Is WR Tee Higgins the key to Cincinnati’s offensive success? Yes. With Higgins on the field, the Bengals have a reliable option when defenses decide to double-team receiver Ja’Marr Chase. Higgins continued his strong return from a hamstring injury that forced him to miss the first two games, catching a touchdown to give the Bengals some breathing room in the first half. Higgins has now had 75 or more receiving yards in three straight games.

Describe the game in two words: Gritty victory. It didn’t need to be pretty. And it wasn’t. Cincinnati was 0-for-6 on third downs in the first half and couldn’t pull away against a bad Browns team until late in the third quarter. But Cincinnati did what it needed to get its first win in Cleveland since 2017 and its first AFC North win of the year.

Early prediction for next week: Chase Brown will continue to expand his role as the featured RB. While the snap share should be fairly even with Zack Moss, Brown is Cincinnati’s biggest rushing threat. He had a 22-yard run in the third quarter, which was the catalyst for Cincinnati’s first offensive touchdown of the day. — Ben Baby

Next game: vs. Eagles (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Browns

What’s next for the Browns after Deshaun Watson‘s Achilles injury? Watson went down with a right Achilles injury toward the end of the first half. The Browns had second-year quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson promoted to the backup role over Jameis Winston before the game. But Thompson-Robinson struggled, throwing two interceptions, then left late in the fourth quarter because of a finger injury. Winston finished out the game.

Most surprising performance: WR Cedric Tillman. The second-year wideout, who entered the game with just five targets this season, had a career-high 12 targets in the Browns’ first game since trading Amari Cooper to the Bills last week. His role figured to increase and he made himself a frequent target for each of the Browns’ three quarterbacks Sunday.

Early prediction for next week: The Browns give RB Nick Chubb at least 20 touches against the Ravens. Cleveland limited Chubb’s snaps in his first game back from a severe knee injury. But with Watson out and an offense that has no rhythm, the Browns might have no choice than to increase Chubb’s workload. — Daniel Oyefusi

Next game: vs. Ravens (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Deshaun Watson carted off after noncontact leg injury

Deshaun Watson suffers a noncontact leg injury and is visibly emotional while leaving the game on a cart.

Bills

What does Amari Cooper‘s first game mean for this offense moving forward? A sign of very good things to come. After a slow start for the offense in the first half, Cooper played a significant role even though it looked like he wasn’t sure of the play at times. Despite that, QB Josh Allen found him four times for 66 yards and a touchdown. Cooper became the second player in NFL history to record a receiving touchdown in his first game with multiple teams after changing teams midseason (Cowboys, Bills), joining Chris Chambers (Chiefs, Chargers), per Elias Sports Bureau.

Most surprising performance: DE Greg Rousseau. Rousseau has put together a solid start to the year, but this was a next-level performance. His six quarterback hits are the most by any player in a game since DT Chris Jones had six against the Raiders in Week 18 of 2022. He finished the game with a pressure rate of 28.2%, per NFL Next Gen Stats.

Describe the game in two words: Offensive turnaround. After a relative offensive flop in the first two quarters, Buffalo scored on five straight drives with Allen’s downfield game especially promising. He went 6-of-8 for 114 yards and a touchdown on passes 10 or more yards in the second half. He was 1-of-5 on such passes in the first half. — Alaina Getzenberg

Next game: at Seahawks (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET)

Titans

Can the Titans figure out how to close out games? It’s becoming clear the Titans can’t finish strong, especially in the fourth quarter. Entering this week, Tennessee averaged only 2.4 fourth quarter points (31st in the NFL). They failed to score at all in the second half today. The offense sputtered and defense grew tired, leading to 27 unanswered points from the Bills. Things likely won’t get better next week when the Titans face the Lions’ high-powered offense.

Biggest hole in the game plan: Protecting the quarterback. The Titans’ offensive line didn’t allow any sacks last week as Leroy Watson IV made his first start at RT. Watson was inactive against the Bills — and it wasn’t due to injury. Jaelyn Duncan got the start and injured his hamstring four snaps into the game. Nicholas Petit-Frere came on in relief, but he gave up most of the pressures on QB Mason Rudolph.

Early prediction for next week: The Titans travel to Detroit to face the Lions in what will likely be another sloppy game. The issues are abundant on both sides of the ball. Tennessee’s offense can’t score points, and the defense can’t stop teams from scoring. Detroit is coming off a big win over the previously undefeated Vikings and will look to expand its NFC North lead. — Turron Davenport

Next game: at Lions (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Colts

What can the Colts do to establish some offensive consistency? QB Anthony Richardson has been most successful when he makes explosive plays in the passing game. Those never came Sunday — the Colts had one completion longer than 16 yards — in Richardson’s first start since missing two games with an oblique injury. If and when he can get back to them, and when coach Shane Steichen begins to dial them up a bit more, the Colts can open more running lanes and make things tougher on defenses.

Biggest hole in the game plan: For the first half at least, Steichen seemed reluctant to fully deploy Richardson as a runner. That limited his impact on a day when he struggled throwing (10-of-24 for 129 yards). In the second half, Steichen leaned into Richardson’s running ability and harnessed his full range of traits. Richardson finished with 57 rushing yards, all of which were much-needed.

Most surprising performance: LB and special teams ace Grant Stuard started the day on the bench, but he was pressed into action by a second injury at the position (to Jaylon Carlies) and made an immediate impact. Stuard finished with a career-high 18 tackles and made a game-changing play when he stuffed Dolphins’ FB Alec Ingold in the backfield, allowing LB Zaire Franklin to strip the ball. — Stephen Holder

Next game: at Texans (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Dolphins

Will Tua Tagovailoa return in Week 8? The Dolphins fell to 2-4 during Tagovailoa’s four-game stay on injured reserve and his backup, Tyler Huntley, left Sunday’s game with a right shoulder injury. Miami’s offense has been among the league’s worst since Tagovailoa’s departure, ranking last in scoring and 26th in passing yards per game. Don’t expect the team to reveal Tagovailoa’s game status until it has to — even if that means holding off on a public announcement until Friday or Saturday.

Biggest hole in the game plan: Where were the targets to Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle? The NFL’s most expensive wide receiver tandem combined for four targets as neither Huntley nor Tim Boyle could get them involved. Miami fully committed to the run game over its past two games, but you have to get your playmakers involved at some point.

Eye-popping stat: Huntley’s touchdown pass to TE Jonnu Smith in the first quarter was notable for several reasons. Not only was it Huntley’s first touchdown pass and Smith’s first touchdown catch of the season, but it was also Miami’s first TD pass since the first quarter of Week 2. The score also marked the first receiving TD by a Dolphins tight end since Week 12 of 2022. — Marcel Louis-Jacques

Next game: vs. Cardinals (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Tyler Huntley leaves game with shoulder injury for Dolphins

Tyler Huntley leaves the game with a shoulder injury, adding to the Dolphins’ QB troubles.

Eagles

Will the “Saquon Barkley game” serve as the spark for the Eagles? It should at least provide some momentum. The Eagles looked pretty ordinary through their first five games, with their three wins coming by a combined 12 points. But Barkley lit a fire by erupting for nearly 200 all-purpose yards. And it wasn’t just him: QB Jalen Hurts finished with three scores; WR A.J. Brown looked dominant (again); and the defense ate QB Daniel Jones‘ lunch, sacking him seven times.

Eye-popping stat: Barkley reached a top speed of 21.93 mph on his 55-yard run in the second quarter, the second-fastest speed by a ball carrier this season (behind only Brian Thomas Jr., 22.15 mph). It’s also the fastest top speed by Barkley in his career, in case you were wondering whether the return to MetLife Stadium provided any extra juice for the 27-year-old.

Most surprising performance: LB Nakobe Dean. He went off for 2 sacks, 4 quarterback hits and 2 tackles for loss. It has been an up-and-down start to the season for Dean, who has yet to hit the potential he showed while starring at Georgia. But this was a step in the right direction. — Tim McManus

Next game: at Bengals (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Giants

How does this loss reflect on GM Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll after Barkley’s departure? Considering owner John Mara said he would have a hard time sleeping if Barkley went to the Eagles in free agency, this might have him up for weeks. Mara and Giants fans had to watch Barkley return to MetLife Stadium and compile 176 yards rushing and a touchdown. This is exactly what Daboll and Schoen needed to avoid. This reflects poorly on their regime, which results suggest isn’t much improved in Year 3. They need to make sure this season doesn’t completely go off the tracks.

Describe the game in two words: Total embarrassment. The Giants didn’t just get blown out at home. They got blown out at home against their closest rival with Barkley doing a chunk of the damage. In the process, quarterback Daniel Jones got pulled early in the fourth quarter. Daboll’s offense has now produced just one touchdown in four home games this season.

Biggest hole in the game plan: The Giants’ running backs had three carries for 4 yards in the first half on 32 snaps. They needed to have some sort of balance to control the clock and give themselves a chance against a more talented Eagles team. That didn’t happen as New York fell into a 14-0 hole. — Jordan Raanan

Next game: at Steelers (Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET)

Seahawks

Has the Seahawks’ defense turned the corner? Gouged against the run and decimated by injuries in recent weeks, Seattle’s defense had arguably its best performance of the season. After forcing only one takeaway over the past five games, it got three against Atlanta, including a LB Boye Mafe strip-sack that Derick Hall returned for a touchdown. Despite placing without CB Artie Burns (toe), S Rayshawn Jenkins (hand), CB Riq Woolen (ankle) and CB Tre Brown (ankle), the Seahawks secondary shined, picking off two passes and holding Atlanta to 230 passing yards.

Describe the game in two words: Happy birthday! RB Kenneth Walker III was added to the injury report Saturday as questionable with an illness, but he started and celebrated his 24th birthday with a pair of touchdowns. One came on a 20-yard run and the other on a 17-yard catch. He finished with 93 yards on only 16 touches.

Most surprising performance: The Seahawks’ offensive line held up under tough circumstances. It was down to its fourth option at RT in rookie sixth-round pick Mike Jerrell. He had a false-start penalty and got beat for a sack, but that was the lone time Atlanta dropped QB Geno Smith, who threw for 207 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 18-of-28 passing. — Brady Henderson

Next game: vs. Bills (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET)

Seahawks complete the scoop-and-score for a 17-point lead

Boye Mafe knocks it loose from Kirk Cousins and it’s picked up by Derick Hall, who returns it for a touchdown.

Falcons

How can the Falcons improve their pass rush? Atlanta hasn’t been good at getting to the quarterback in nearly a decade and is again among the league’s worst. The Falcons have six sacks, tied for the lowest total in the NFL. Their pass rush win rate is sixth worst (34.4%). Edge rusher Matthew Judon was brought in, but needs help. Defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake says the team is on the right track, but it didn’t look that way Sunday, even against a Seattle team with a fourth-stringer at right tackle. Perhaps Atlanta can do something at the trade deadline.

Describe the game in two words: Beat themselves. The Falcons committed nine penalties for 72 yards and kept two Seahawks drives alive with fouls. Late in the third, Seattle quarterback Geno Smith threw an incompletion on third down, only for Demone Harris to fall into him, leading to a roughing-the-passer call. The Seahawks scored a touchdown on the next play. QB Kirk Cousins had a strip sack returned for a TD and threw two interceptions.

Eye-popping stat: The Falcons defense gave up six plays of more than 20 yards Sunday. Coming into the game, Atlanta had allowed a league-low 11 plays of 20-plus yards. Bend but don’t break only lasts so long, and the Falcons found that out the hard way. — Marc Raimondi

Next game: at Buccaneers (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Lions

Can the Lions cover for the loss of Aidan Hutchinson with their depth? Lions coach Dan Campbell said they wouldn’t enter panic mode after edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson broke his tibia and fibula. Instead, the Lions used a committee approach with defensive linemen Isaac Ukwu, Trevor Nowaske, Mekhi Wingo, James Houston and Josh Paschal all seeing action on the edge. Paschal registered a sack on Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold at the end of the third quarter, but Detroit will need to continue to explore potential options to help down the stretch. Darnold exposed some visible weaknesses within the defense, notably in the second half.

Eye-popping stat: Jared Goff is the only quarterback this season to have a perfect completion percentage in a half. And he’s done it three times, including Sunday in Minnesota. Goff went a perfect 12-of-12 with 15 successful completions before throwing his first incompletion on a deflected pass in the third quarter. In Week 4, he set an NFL record by completing all 18 of his passes against Seattle.

Most surprising performance: Guard Kayode Awosika. Detroit ruled out starting offensive guard Kevin Zeitler (groin) ahead of kickoff, which opened the door for Awosika. He was flagged for three penalties in the first quarter, including back-to-back holding calls to start the game. The Lions had five total penalties in the first quarter, which was their most since they also had five in Week 15 of 2022. — Eric Woodyard

Next game: vs. Titans (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Vikings

Is this where the Vikings’ bubble bursts? No. The Vikings weren’t going 17-0 this season. They were going to lose some time, and the Lions are the best team they’ve played so far and perhaps the best team in the entire NFL. The Lions employed their dominating run game, and Jared Goff’s accuracy, to gash the Vikings’ otherwise elite defense. But they lost by two points. That’s hardly evidence that the Vikings have been exposed.

Describe the game in two words: Rush defense. The Vikings did not have an answer for Lions tailback Jahmyr Gibbs, who rushed for 116 yards and collected another 44 receiving. He became the first Lions player with 150-plus scrimmage yards and two rushing touchdowns in a game since 2011. The Vikings’ personnel looked a step slow against him.

Most surprising performance: At one point last week, Aaron Jones seemed destined to sit this game out because of a sore right hamstring. He and the Vikings decided to give it a go, and he played as if he was never hurt at all. He opened the scoring with a 34-yard rushing touchdown, finishing the game with 93 yards. — Kevin Seifert

Next game: at Rams (Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET)

Jaguars

Did this prove the Jaguars haven’t quit? Safety Andre Cisco made waves last week after he said he saw players quit during the loss to the Bears. That mentality didn’t show up in the second quarter, when they scored 22 unanswered points to erase a 10-0 deficit. Doug Pederson hasn’t lost the locker room after starting 1-5, which is a good thing because the Jaguars have a tough stretch ahead: Green Bay, Philadelphia, Minnesota, Detroit and Houston. At 2-5, the Jaguars still have slim playoff hopes, but there’s no margin for error.

Describe the game in two words: Getting Tanked. With Travis Etienne Jr. sidelined with a hamstring injury, Tank Bigsby delivered the best game of his career. He set career highs in carries (26) and yards (118) with two TDs, and his physical style really set the tone for the offense. At one point the Jaguars ran the ball on 19 consecutive plays in the second half.

Eye-popping stat: Parker Washington‘s 96-yard punt return was the first special teams touchdown in an international game. That was the 266th touchdown scored in those games: 150 passing, 102 rushing, seven interception returns, six fumble returns and Washington’s punt return. It was also the longest punt return in Jaguars history, surpassing the 91-yard TD that Keelan Cole scored against Green Bay in 2020. — Mike DiRocco

Next game: vs. Packers (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Patriots

How much heat should be on coach Jerod Mayo for the Patriots’ disappointing play? Growing pains were expected in Mayo’s first season, but the way the Patriots have regressed since a season-opening win has been concerning. Mayo is a self-proclaimed “defensive coach,” and the defensive performance Sunday — other than a fourth-quarter stop on fourth down — was alarming after they jumped out to a 10-0 lead. The Patriots had trouble stopping the run again and the Jaguars owned the line of scrimmage, which is supposed to be the Patriots’ strength. While they are missing key defenders DT Christian Barmore (blood clots), LB Ja’Whaun Bentley (torn pectoral muscle) and S Jabrill Peppers (commissioner exempt list), that isn’t an excuse for a team that prides itself on the “next-man-up” mentality.

Describe the game in two words: Sudden change. After talking all week about the importance of a fast start, the Patriots got what they wanted in taking a 10-point lead and then collapsed in epic fashion on offense (couldn’t run), defense (couldn’t tackle consistently and was often blown off the line of scrimmage) and special teams (allowed a 96-yard punt return for a touchdown late in the second quarter).

Biggest hole in the game plan: No running game. The Patriots’ inability to run put rookie QB Drake Maye in a tough spot. It’s hard to be one-dimensional and win, and Maye still gave them a fighting chance with his strong passing performance. Instability along the offensive line, with the Patriots playing with their seventh different starting unit in seven games, seems to be the root of the issue. Maye went 26-for-37 for 276 passing yards, two touchdowns and was sacked twice. — Mike Reiss

Next game: vs. Jets (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Drake Maye fires a dart to K.J. Osborn for a Pats TD

Drake Maye lasers one to K.J. Osborn in the end zone for a 22-yard Patriots touchdown.

Thursday

Broncos

Have the Broncos found the best formula to help rookie quarterback Bo Nix? After some early bobbles in the passing game, the Broncos settled Nix into the game by using him as a runner more often and by getting him some more of the run-pass options he is comfortable operating in. The result was 225 rushing yards on 35 carries — the Broncos’ season high in both — with 75 of those yards coming from Nix. It was Nix’s second consecutive game with at least 61 rushing yards and — when the Broncos went a little more run-first — Nix settled in and the team scored on six consecutive possessions. With the real meat of the Broncos’ schedule waiting in November, it should give them pause.

Most surprising performance: LB Cody Barton. Barton had a sack, a forced fumble and returned another Saints fumble 52 yards for a touchdown. He also had another touchdown on a scoop-and-score called back because of a Broncos penalty. He is the 12th player to have at least half of a sack for the Broncos this season.

Describe the game in two words: Power up. It’s become clear the Broncos are at their best when they play a more blue-collar brand of football. Their defense continues to make the lives of opposing QBs difficult — they have 28 sacks in seven games and have scored two defensive touchdowns and two safeties. And when coach Sean Payton commits to the run, they control tempo and win the line of scrimmage more often than when they try to keep Nix in a bevy of three-wide receiver sets. Thursday’s 225 rushing yards in a runaway win — over a battered Saints team or not — is plenty of proof of that. — Jeff Legwold

Next game: vs. Panthers (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET)

Saints

Is Dennis Allen on the hot seat? Saints general manager Mickey Loomis defended Allen on a radio show after last week’s loss and said they have to look at all the reasons they aren’t winning (including injuries). But the Saints turned in another bad performance, losing their fifth straight game and causing the home crowd to leave by the fourth quarter. Allen is now 18-23 in his three years as Saints head coach.

Biggest hole in the game plan: Protection. Starting a rookie quarterback isn’t easy, and it’s even worse with three offensive linemen out, but the Saints struggled to protect Spencer Rattler, who was sacked six times and had multiple strip sacks. Rattler was able to make plays with his legs, or that number likely would’ve been higher.

Eye-popping stat: The Saints’ defense allowed 225 rushing yards Thursday, making it a total of 502 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns in the past two games — and 332 of those yards came before first contact. The Saints went 55 games between 2017 and 2020 without allowing a 100-yard rusher, but they have been on the decline in that category since 2022 and are now one of the worst run defenses in the league. — Katherine Terrell

Next game: at Chargers (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET)

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