The NFL’s action is unrelenting, with consistent action every week. The seventh game week promises to be another exciting edition of American football with everything still to play for. Ensure you clear your schedule to fit these key games into your weekend plans.
Week 6: Where Were You?!
Hopefully, the answer was in front of a television screen or device of some sort. The sixth week of the NFL was a real barn-burner as undefeated records went out the window as both the San Francisco 49ers and the Philadelphia Eagles slipped to 5-1, with both franchises picking up their first L of the season. If you missed it, you missed out. Ensure you don’t rue not being present for their respective fightback efforts in week 7. Or at least set your device to record these games!
NFC South Showdown
Potentially the worst NFL conference by overall team strength, but one of the franchises has got to win. A large percentage of that conversation will come from the result of this matchup as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium. Both teams enter on the back of losses. The Bucs have a 3-2 record, while the Falcons have a slightly less desirable 3-3.
Baker Mayfield had a day to forget against the Detroit Lions, as he threw exactly zero touchdowns and one interception. Everything he tried failed, and it was truly an abject performance as every Bucs offense seemed ineffective, as they succumbed to a 20-6 loss.
Desmond Ridder, by comparison, at least got some elements of his game working last week. The Atlanta Falcons managed to get both rushing and passing moves working to their advantage. Ridder threw two touchdowns yet also managed to have another three interceptions. On another day, they’d have been on the winning end of the 24-16 scorecard against the Washington Commanders.
These two franchises will most likely duke it out throughout the season to top the NFC South and the relevant playoff berth. After all, it’s not going to be the Carolina Panthers…
Series Breaker Between Bears and Raiders
One of the lesser-known narratives going into week 7 is the series record between the Chicago Bears and the Las Vegas Raiders. Across all of the guises the Raiders have had, the teams have met a grand total of 16 times before. Interestingly, the franchises have split the wins right down the middle, with eight each. So which moves ahead and takes the spoils?
The Bears just need to get some consistency from their performances. One week they can fight with vigor, and the next, they look like a damp rag with almost no spirit. Neutrals are truly treated to an unpredictable team every week with the Bears. Justin Fields will be ushered back as soon as possible, as he was hitting form just before he picked up an injury. The rookie QB, Tyson Bagent, was turned to initially but didn’t set the world alight in his debut.
The Las Vegas Raiders have, for the most part, participated in tightly contested games – usually separated by a single-digit point difference. More importantly, though, they’re coming in somewhat hot with two wins. Yet, there is an interesting parallel with the Bears, in that they too may be without their first-choice QB. Jimmy Garoppolo left the field due to an injury during the week six win over the New England Patriots. Both teams could end up playing with makeshift teams in what could be an explosive but mistake-laden match.
Watch the Patriots Continue to Suffer
Whenever a sports team enjoys tremendous success, it creates an awful amount of disdain from everyone else who doesn’t support that team. The New England Patriots were comparable to Manchester United for a relatively long time, given just how well they played and participated at the highest echelons of the NFL. Well…not anymore! Bill Belichick is seemingly no longer the coach he was, as this team has started with a 1-5 record. Now, with three losses on the bounce, is a game against AFC East and arch-nemesis the Buffalo Bills coming at the right time?
The formbook would indicate that the Bills will trounce their conference adversaries with great style. The recent form in the series would also signal that, as the Bills have won the last four games against the Patriots. Most remarkably, the Bills notched up a 47-17 masterclass last year. Of course, Patriots fans can still cling to the overall series record of 77-49; it can only go up by one this week.
The Bills might be 3-2 for the season, yet the QB, Josh Allen, has been performing way beyond the level of a team with inconsistent results. Naysayers need only to review the tape from the 48-20 win over the Miami Dolphins, where every play went through him, and he threw four sensational touchdowns. He will be licking his lips at the thought of a weakened Patriots team.
Anything Other than the Panthers
The Carolina Panthers supporters could do with a rest. The team is statistically the worst in the entirety of the NFL, with a casual 0-6 record. So, what does week seven have in store for them? Nothing! It’s their bye week. So, it gives everyone involved a decent break from the abject football at the Bank of America Stadium. The fans can instead watch one of the games mentioned above or anything else.