NFL Week 7 Takeaways: What We Learned Sunday
Week 7 was a proving ground for NFL teams and gamblers alike. Here are some of our most-significant takeaways.
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Cincinnati Bengals 35 – Atlanta Falcons 17
Reminiscent Bengals
After consecutive contests versus the NFC South, it is apparent that the Cincinnati offense has found its groove. The explosive plays are back for the Bengals’ offense, and the connection between QB Joe Burrow and WR Ja’Marr Chase appears as fertile as ever. This rendition of the Bengals has proven its aptitude, and the team looks to build upon successive victories en route to reclaiming its esteem in the AFC hierarchy.
Conversely, Atlanta’s offensive deficiencies were highlighted throughout. The Falcons quickly fell behind 21-0, and the team is not built to overcome such a deficit. Atlanta may flirt with a playoff berth, but their success necessitates a particular style of complementary football, a style that could not be exercised in this game.
Dallas Cowboys 24 – Detroit Lions 6
Regaining Their Form
In his return from injury, Dallas QB Dak Prescott was less than his usual, stellar self. Such struggles versus an exploitable Detroit defense unit were not unexpected but perhaps excusable due to the nature of Dak’s injury. Regardless, the Cowboys took care of business, and their defense stifled a Detroit offense that had been perceived as amongst the NFL’s best early in the season.
Expect QB Dak Prescott to regain his command as time progresses and for Dallas’ defense to continue its dominance. When it is all said and done, the Cowboys will have their say in this year’s NFC.
Tennessee Titans 19 – Indianapolis Colts 10
An Eventual Playoff Team
The same issues for this Colts team persist. Indianapolis is prone to playing from behind, and their offense is not explosive enough to overcome such established deficits. Further, the team consistently struggles to protect veteran QB Matt Ryan, and there is no discernible quality of this team synonymous with success.
In consequence to the Colts’ loss, the Titans have established themselves as a tier above the rest of the AFC South. However, this qualification is not a reflection of the team’s esteem. Tennessee may very well represent the AFC South in the playoffs, but their 4-2 start results from a favorable schedule masking their own deficiencies.
Washington Commanders 23 – Green Bay Packers 21
Same Story, Different Week
It was mentioned last week that any goodwill afforded to Green Bay is gone, and nothing has changed. This marks three consecutive losses for the Packers and three consecutive weeks in which the Packers’ offense has played anemically versus opponents who were deemed exploitable. The team is devoid of any threatening receiving options, and the offense is far too predictable. If similar circumstances persist, there should be no expectation for change in Green Bay.
Carolina Panthers 21 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3
The Panthers Defense isn’t Tanking
It would not be an overreaction to discount the Buccaneers as a contender in the NFC. A week after an alarming loss in Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay could not right the ship versus a Carolina team with their eyes clearly set beyond the 2022 season. The Buccaneers’ rushing game was absent, and QB Tom Brady was uncomfortable and inefficient passing behind a lackluster offensive line.
There is certainly a fear that Brady’s (likely) last season may be a lost one.
New York Giants 23 – Jacksonville Jaguars 17
Winning DNA
The New York Giants continue to be discounted prior to games and fortunate during. There will undoubtedly be those who contend that the Giants have luckily marched their way to a 6-1 start, but the team has nevertheless been victorious. The Giants have surely found their HC of the future in Brian Daboll. Barring a climactic fall from grace, expect to see this Giants team in the postseason for the first time since 2017.
Conversely, the Jaguars continue to show that victories are foreign to them, and the team could not capitalize on opportunities to win this game. The future is no doubt bright in Jacksonville, but recent struggles have proved that the team is not yet a threat to the established hierarchy in the NFL.
Baltimore Ravens 23 – Cleveland Browns 20
Hold Onto Victory
After building a 10-point lead late into the fourth quarter, who among us was not fearful of Baltimore’s chances for victory? The Ravens made an effort to allow the Browns a path to victory, but the team was able to hold on and sit tied with the Bengals atop the AFC North. It is uncertain whether or not the Ravens have remedied any of their early-season handicaps, but this victory was sorely needed. Here’s hoping Lamar Jackson and co. can build upon this victory and continue to refine their identity. This team will surely be in the mix come January.
New York Jets 16 – Denver Broncos 9
Nothing has Changed
It appears that no matter who is playing QB for Denver, the team’s offense will hold the Broncos back. Optimism surrounding the team’s potency absent starting QB Russell Wilson was farfetched, and the thought that Wilson’s absence may coincide with improvement is extremely concerning.
Meanwhile, the Jets have stumbled into a 5-2 start to the season and are suddenly looking to make noise in a crowded AFC. The feared absence of rookie RB Breece Hall will be detrimental to such lofty aspirations. However, the team’s defense continues to be its driving pulse. At this point, it would not be surprising if the Jets to end their 11-season playoff drought, but it would likely require significant improvement by second-year QB Zach Wilson to truly disrupt the AFC.
Las Vegas Raiders 38 – Houston Texans 20
Get Right Game
All victories count the same, but this score in Las Vegas cannot be confused with dominance. The Texans led for much of this game and conceded victory late in the fourth quarter. Regardless, Vegas won the game and now has a chance to flip the script on their season with a favorable schedule on the horizon. Preseason expectations of the Raiders were all but lost. However, this was a welcome result for those reluctant to concede that the 2022 Las Vegas Raiders are not a good football team.
Seattle Seahawks 37 – Los Angeles Chargers 23
Stark Difference in Expectations
Hold your breath. The Seahawks may be a legitimate threat in the NFC. The team’s offense has been applauded but perhaps not fully appreciated for their results. Quarterback Geno Smith’s comfort in the offense is notable, and his career renaissance can no longer be defined as an early-season fluke. Seattle’s marriage between their passing attack and run game has been exemplary, and it is difficult to imagine opponents stifling such a potent balance at this point in the season.
Further, in what was perceived as the team’s Achilles heel, Seattle’s defense has inspired in consecutive victories versus Arizona and LAC. If Seattle’s defense is even marginal, few teams should feel comfortable facing an inspired Pete Carroll squad.
Conversely, I hesitate to slander the Chargers at this point in the season. It feels as though the team has yet to be at full strength, and a fortuitous 4-3 record heading into the bye week is surely not disappointing for those bullish on LA. However, it is clear this team has issues yet to be solved, and if health is not the answer to such problems, there will surely be change on the horizon for the Los Angeles Chargers.
Kansas City Chiefs 44 – San Francisco 49ers 23
A Tier Above
In an NFL season dominated by parity, a few teams may be bounds above the rest. The 49ers were the sharp side in this contest, yet they were no match once Kansas City found its rhythm offensively. The Chiefs’ assurance by having an elite QB was apparent, and no magnitude of a lead surrendered would have felt insurmountable for Kansas City this Sunday.
The disparity between these two teams is likely not as stark as the score may indicate, but the gap is present nonetheless. A hampered 49ers defense was incapable of holding up their end of the bargain, and the 49ers were unable to showcase a hopefully elite offense in RB Christian McCaffrey’s first game with the team.
Miami Dolphins 16 – Pittsburgh Steelers 10
Don’t Count Out the Dolphins
The Dolphins’ precipitous fall from grace coincided with three consecutive in-game injuries to their starting QB. While their “SNF†victory versus the lowly Steelers shouldn’t be construed as an indication that the team is among the AFC’s best, Miami is still a threat. The Dolphins may very well possess the best pass-catching duo in the NFL and they have shown their capabilities versus the league’s best.
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