Week 7 of the common season within the NFL provided a lot 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 doubtless misplaced their beginning quarterback for the season — and maybe for good.
Listed below are some knee-jerk reactions from the seventh week of the NFL season:
Giants proprietor John Mara received’t be sleeping effectively for a while
Previous to final offseason’s free company interval, Mara informed Giants GM Joe Schoen that he would have bother sleeping if working again Saquon Barkley signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. In fact, the two-time Professional Bowler joined the Eagles on a three-year, $37.75M deal and after watching his efficiency on Sunday, it is honest to say Mara in all probability will not sleep effectively for some time.
Barkley humiliated his former group en path to a 28-3 street 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 speeding 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 exhausting approach 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 grow to be one of many highest-paid gamers at his place. In any case, he led San Francisco to an look in Tremendous Bowl LVIII and the quarterback market is booming, with Dallas Cowboys signal-caller Dak Prescott lately turning into the NFL’s first $60M man.
Purdy has struggled mightily this season, although, primarily attributable to his high weapons coping with accidents. This performed a significant position in Sunday’s 28-18 dwelling 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 recreation supervisor when the 49ers offense is absolutely wholesome, however his lackluster manufacturing with out his typical supporting solid will doubtless forestall him from incomes a deal value $50M 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 street 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 needs to be thought of 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 determination is a simple one
Cleveland could 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 dwelling 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 attainable Thomspon-Robinson may grow to be a high quality backup sooner or later, however Winston undoubtedly offers the Browns their finest likelihood 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 dwelling win over Tennessee and ending with 66 yards on 4 catches.
Whereas it is solely a one-game pattern measurement, 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 may very well be what he must not solely earn MVP honors however take Buffalo over the hump.
Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel’s incapability to adapt ought to put him on the recent seat
There isn’t any doubt that it is troublesome to win video games with a backup quarterback. Even so, given what number of proficient skill-position gamers the Dolphins have, there isn’t any motive why their offense needs to 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 factors per recreation, the fewest within the NFL.
McDaniel, who is taken into account an offensive guru, has performed a poor job scheming up performs for star wideouts Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle in Tagovailoa’s absence, particularly throughout Sunday’s 16-10 street 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 needs to be on the recent seat and if the offense does not dramatically enhance as soon as Tagovailoa returns, it may 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’ greatest 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 street loss to Washington, ending 11-of-16 passing for 93 yards and two interceptions, one in every of which was returned for a landing.
No matter who begins at quarterback, Carolina will not be capable 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 monitor to a different high draft choose. They may as effectively see if Younger reveals sufficient indicators to be thought of a bridge quarterback and if he does, that may probably permit them to handle one in every of their numerous different wants early within the 2025 draft.
