The Sunday of Week 7 has come and gone. here is how each team graded out.
The Sunday of Week 7 is in the books, and was filled with some really high highs and really low lows across the league.
These grades don’t just take into account how a team played and the final score. It factors in things like expectations, short and long-term goals of the franchise, injuries, and other factors. It’s a long season, and the grade is about more than just who won and who lost. The big picture has to be kept in mind.
Jacksonville Jaguars: B+
32-16 (W) Vs. Patriots (London)
The Patriots are one of the worst teams in the league, and will struggle to win another game all year. But, the Jaguars took care of business and outplayed the Patriots in all facets. Trevor Lawrence was impressive, but the real star was the run game. They ran it 39 times for 171 yards, and really committed to it during a great 2nd half. They will have a happy flight back from LOndon.
New England Patriots: C-
32-16 (L) Vs. Jaguars (London)
After a hot start, the Patriots looked overmatched against the one-win Jaguars, and that’s quite the indictment. After the game, Jerod Mayo questioned the team’s toughness. But, this isn’t an F grade because Drake Maye looks like a future star at quarterback, and that’s what this season is about.
Cincinnati Bengals: B
21-14 (W) @ Browns
Divisional wins are divisional wins, and this game wasn’t as close as the final score indicates. But, after lighting the world on fire in weeks 2-5, the offense was slowed for a second straight week. That being said, they’ve clawed back from 1-4 to 3-4, and they have everything to play for..
Cleveland Browns: C
21-14 (L) Vs. Bengals
Another loss for the Browns has them at 1-6, and their season is over. While no one wants to see injuries to any player, the fact that Deshaun Watson tore his Achilles means the team can finally move on from the troubled quarterback, at least for the rest of this season. That’s a big positive, and they can start planning for the future.
Seattle Seahawks: A
34-14 (W) @ Falcons
The Seahawks came in as losers of three straight games, and it felt like their season was hanging on by the brink. They responded with their best peformance of the season, smashing a solid Falcons team. They were actually outgained on the day, but forced turnovers and made plays when they needed to. That’s a road win that will go a long way, and they’re back in first place in the NFC West
Atlanta Falcons: D
34-14 (L) Vs. Seahawks
The Falcons came in as winners of three straight and they had a golden opportunity to to get 5-2. Instead, costly mistakes cost them a game that they outgained the Seahawks. It’s hard to win an NFL game losing the turnover battle 3-0. Kirk Cousins was careless with the ball, and he regressed into the bad version of Kirk Cousins. This was a game they should’ve won, and laid an egg at home.
Tennessee Titans: D
34-10 (L) @ Bills
The Titans started the game outplaying Buffalo, but eventually the superior talent for Buffalo won out. This is a team going nowhere, and at this point it’s about seeing what they can get for veterans as the trade deadline approaches.
Buffalo Bills: B+
34-10 (W) Vs. Titans
The Bills faced a 10-7 deficit at halftime in a game where if they would’ve lost, there would’ve been serious questions about the direction of the team. But, they played a dominant second half, and new acquisition Amari Cooper made a big impact. They need to build off of that second half.
Houston Texans: C
24-22 (L) @ Packers
The Texans had chances to go into Lambeau Field and win on Sunday, ultimately falling short against a good Packers team. To go on the road and play a good team tight is always encouraging, even in a loss. But, the passing game was abysmal. CJ Stroud had just 86 yards on 21 attempts. They have to find a way to be better in Nico Collins’ absence.
Green Bay Packers: A
24-22 (W) Vs. Texans
The Packers are in the most competitive division in the NFL, and a loss would’ve put them in last place at 4-3. Thankfully, they found a way to win. Jordan Love continues to turn the ball over too much, but he’s making wow throws weekly. The most impressive part of the win was the defense shutting down CJ Stroud and the Texans passing game. This is a surging Packers team.
Miami Dolphins: D-
16-10 (L) @ Colts
This might be a harsh grade for some, given the quarterback situation. But, at 2-3 and with a return for Tua Tagovailoa around the corner, this would’ve been a huge win. Instead, they let a team that was getting terrible quarterback play from Anthony Richardson to get the win. It was an incredibly depressing loss
Indianapolis Colts C
16-10 (W) Vs. Dolphins
It’s a game they needed to win against a poor opponent, and they did that. They’re now 4-3. But, Anthony Richardson was downright miserable. He looks like a waste of a top-five pick. That’s a huge setback for the future of the franchise.
Philadelphia Eagles: A-
28-3 (W) @ Giants
It wasn’t always pretty, and the offensive line struggled early on to protect Jalen Hurts. But, they created big plays in the run game through the legs of Saquon Barkley, and the defense nearly held the Giants to under 100 total yards. It’s always good to humiliate a divisional rival on the road.
New York Giants: D
28-3 (L) Vs. Eagles
The only bright spot was a defensive front that pressured Jalen Hurts all game. But, the Daniel Jones tenure in New York must end. The offense had just 119 yards, and Jones could only muster 99 yards passing against a gettable secondary. Ex-Giant Saquon Barkley ran all over them, too. Overall, a bad day at the offense for the Giants.
Minnesota Vikings: B
31-29 (L) Vs. Lions
The Vikings are undefeated no more, losing a nail biter to the Lions. How do you get a good grade in a loss? If you think the Vikings’ 5-0 start was fraudulent, you shouldn’t know. They went toe-to-toe with the best roster in the league, and looked like the better team at times. I’m a long-term buyer in the Minnesota Vikings.
Detroit Lions: A+
32-29 (W) @ Vikings
There’s no other grade to give a team that goes on the road and beats an undefeated team. than an A+. And, it starts with Jared Goff, who was magnificent again. Goff has established himself as a top-flight MVP candidate, and was 22-25 for 280 yards and 2 touchdowns. The defense gave up a ton of yards, but found a way to sack Sam Darnold four times in their first game without Aidan Hutchinson. This is the best team in the NFC.
Carolina Panthers: F
40-7 (L) @ Commanders
There’s not much to say about a performance like that, especially when the Commanders lost Jayden Daniels early in the game. The franchise is an embarrassment. The performance was an embarrassment.
Washington Commanders: A-
40-7 (W) Vs. Panthers
On the field, there was nothing to complain about, as they bounced back from the loss to the Ravens last week and played a great football game. But, Jayden Daniels did pick up a rib injury. An X-ray didn’t show any broken ribs, but it is something to keep an eye on. That’s the only reason this isn’t an A+.
Los Angeles Rams: B+
20-15 (W) Vs. Raiders
Cooper Kupp was unable to make his return, which makes this win all the more impressive and needed. The defense played well, and Kyren Williams ran the ball hard. Ultimately, this win was about staying afloat as the team starts to get healthier and healthier. Cooper Kupp will play in Week 8
Las Vegas Raiders: D
20-15 (L) @ Rams
Antonio Pierce proves weekly that he is not up to the task of being an NFL head coach. Aidan O’Connell was injured, taking away vital development time. Maxx Crosby continues to be dominant, and Brock Bowers may already be the most dynamic tight end in the league. But, this franchise is stuck in mud
San Francisco 49ers: F
28-18 (L) Vs. Chiefs
There’s no shame in losing to the Chiefs, now winners of 12 straight. But, the Niners were punked at home in the Super Bowl rematch, and Brock Purdy threw three absolutely brutal interceptions. He’s not the same quarterback when he doesn’t have elite weapons. Speaking of those weapons, Brandon Aiyuk likely tore his ACL. At 3-4, this season is going the wrong way.
Kansas City Chiefs: A-
28-18 (W) @ 49ers
The offense continues to sputter, Patrick Mahomes continues to throw an interception each start, and they keep beating great teams. It’s hard to see this group of weapons winning a third-straight Super Bowl. But, right now, nobody can beat them, and that defense is nasty.
Pittsburgh Steelers: A+
37-15 (W) Vs. Jets
The boo birds came out early on after Russell Wilson got off to a slow start in his first start in black and gold. But, after trailing 15-6 late in the first half, The Steelers absolutely played the Jets off the field in all facets. Russell Wilson unlocked this offense, especially George Pickens. The defense tore the Jets’ offensive line apart at the seams in the 2nd half. The Steelers are officially threats in the AFC.
New York Jets: F
37-15 (L) @ Steelers
They say that when the going gets tough, the tough get going. The New York Jets are a soft, undisciplined football team lacking leadership, so when things got tough against Pittsburgh and they closed a good first half poorly, they did not respond in the second half. Instead, they were smacked around, look dysfunctional as ever, and are now 2-5. Aaron Rodgers the general manager may be as mediocre as Aaron Rodgers the 40-year-old Quarterback.