Week 7 of the common season within the NFL provided a variety of thrilling finishes, quarterback accidents and questionable teaching choices.
Amidst the chaos of this week’s slate, the Minnesota Vikings suffered their first lack of the season in a thriller, whereas the Buffalo Payments cruised to their second straight win due to a current commerce acquisition. In the meantime, the Cleveland Browns seemingly misplaced their beginning quarterback for the season — and maybe for good.
Listed here are some knee-jerk reactions from the seventh week of the NFL season:
Giants proprietor John Mara gained’t be sleeping nicely for a while
Previous to final offseason’s free company interval, Mara informed Giants GM Joe Schoen that he would have hassle sleeping if operating again Saquon Barkley signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. After all, the two-time Professional Bowler joined the Eagles on a three-year, $37.75 million deal and after watching his efficiency on Sunday, it is honest to say Mara in all probability will not sleep nicely for some time.
Barkley humiliated his former group en path to a 28-3 highway win, racking up extra complete yards (187) than the Giants offense (119), together with a landing. Had he not been pulled early within the fourth quarter after the sport had become a blowout, Barkley would’ve set a career-high in dashing yards. Given Barkley’s age and the state of the Giants, it made sense why they determined to half methods with him this offseason, however they’re studying the onerous method that even rational choices have penalties.
Brock Purdy is saving the 49ers some huge cash in upcoming contract negotiations
Purdy is eligible for a contract extension this offseason and coming into the common season, it appeared that he had an opportunity to finally develop into one of many highest-paid gamers at his place. In spite of everything, he led San Francisco to an look in Tremendous Bowl LVIII and the quarterback market is booming, with Dallas Cowboys signal-caller Dak Prescott not too long ago changing into the NFL’s first $60-million man.
Purdy has struggled mightily this season, although, primarily as a consequence of his prime weapons coping with accidents. This performed a serious position in Sunday’s 28-18 residence loss to Kansas Metropolis, because the Professional Bowler completed 17-of-31 passing for 212 yards and three interceptions. Purdy has confirmed he will be an efficient sport supervisor when the 49ers offense is totally wholesome, however his lackluster manufacturing with out his typical supporting forged will seemingly forestall him from incomes a deal price $50 million yearly.
Lions and Vikings show they’re the most effective groups within the NFC
The Lions are again to being the king of the NFC North, knocking off the beforehand undefeated Vikings 31-29 on the highway in an early contender for the sport of the yr. Regardless of the loss, the Vikings proved that their stellar begin wasn’t an accident and that solely the Lions must be thought-about forward of them when naming the highest groups within the NFC.
Sunday’s matchup was remarkably even, with the Lions totaling 391 yards of offense in comparison with Minnesota’s 383. Moreover, every group had eight penalties and dedicated one turnover. Neither group dominated the time of possession, both, with Detroit having the ball for 29:03 and Minnesota for for 30:57. The Week 18 rematch between these groups cannot come quickly sufficient.
Browns’ quarterback choice is a simple one
Cleveland can have a brand new beginning quarterback going ahead after Deshaun Watson suffered what’s believed to be a season-ending Achilles tear within the group’s 21-14 residence loss to Cincinnati on Sunday. With Watson sidelined, the Browns ought to insert Jameis Winston — who was surprisingly demoted to third-string on Sunday — into the beginning lineup forward of the group’s newly appointed No. 2 QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
Thompson-Robinson was ineffective in reduction of Watson, finishing 11 of his 24 passes for 82 yards and two interceptions earlier than exiting with a finger damage. In the meantime, Winston was strong in restricted reps, throwing for 67 yards and one landing (together with a profitable two-point conversion try). It is potential Thomspon-Robinson might become a top quality backup sooner or later, however Winston undoubtedly offers the Browns their finest probability to win this season.
WR Amari Cooper is a game-changer for the Payments
Shortly after their AFC East rival New York Jets traded for six-time Professional Bowler Davante Adams on Tuesday, the Payments executed a blockbuster deal of their very own, buying Cooper from Cleveland. It did not take lengthy for Cooper to make an impression along with his new group, scoring a landing on his first reception in Sunday’s residence win over Tennessee and ending with 66 yards on 4 catches.
Whereas it is solely a one-game pattern dimension, the addition of Cooper seems to have reworked the Payments offense for the higher. Cooper’s presence on the sphere opened issues up for QB Josh Allen and his fellow Buffalo wideouts, as evidenced by Allen’s season-high 323 passing yards and WR Keon Coleman’s career-high 125-yard efficiency. Contemplating how dominant Allen has been this season, touchdown a real No. 1 receiver in Cooper might be what he must not solely earn MVP honors however take Buffalo over the hump.
Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel’s lack of ability to adapt ought to put him on the recent seat
There isn’t any doubt that it is tough to win video games with a backup quarterback. Even so, given what number of gifted skill-position gamers the Dolphins have, there is not any purpose why their offense must be struggling as badly as it’s and that falls on McDaniel. Since beginning QB Tua Tagovailoa suffered his concussion in Week 2, Miami has averaged simply 10 points per game, the fewest within the NFL.
McDaniel, who is taken into account an offensive guru, has achieved a poor job scheming up performs for star wideouts Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle in Tagovailoa’s absence, particularly throughout Sunday’s 16-10 highway loss to Indianapolis. Hill and Waddle mixed for simply two receptions and 19 yards on 4 targets towards the Colts, which is teaching malpractice by McDaniel. The 41-year-old must be on the recent seat and if the offense does not dramatically enhance as soon as Tagovailoa returns, it could be finest for Miami to maneuver on from McDaniel this offseason.
Panthers are losing everybody’s time by beginning Andy Dalton at quarterback
QB Bryce Younger could not have been the answer, nevertheless it’s clear that he was removed from the Panthers’ largest drawback. After scoring a season-high 36 factors in its Week 3 win over the lowly Raiders — Dalton’s first begin — Carolina’s offense has reverted to an utter mess. The veteran Dalton took one other step again in Sunday’s embarrassing 40-7 highway loss to Washington, ending 11-of-16 passing for 93 yards and two interceptions, certainly one of which was returned for a landing.
No matter who begins at quarterback, Carolina will not have the ability to win many (if any) video games the rest of the season with such a disastrous protection, however the group ought to take into account turning again to Younger. The Panthers are on the quick observe to a different prime draft choose. They may as nicely see if Younger reveals sufficient indicators to be thought-about a bridge quarterback and if he does, that will doubtlessly permit them to deal with certainly one of their numerous different wants early within the 2025 draft.