The NFL season keeps chugging on, bringing us wild play after wild play in a league that never fails to excite.
Week seven saw the Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings, and the Philadelphia Eagles in on their bye week; but there were plenty of big games which kept fans very entertained.
Some of the biggest games of the week included:
Arizona Cardinals v New Orleans Saints
The Thursday Night game saw a thrilling 42-34 win for the Arizona Cardinals at home to the New Orleans Saints.
The game was won in the first half, leading 28-14 the Cardinals even scored a touchdown in each of the third and fourth quarters to cruise to victory. DeAndre Hopkins went for 103 yards on 10 receptions which Eno Benjamin carried the ball 12 times for 92 yards and a touchdown.
Andy Daltons three interceptions cost his team, though he did throw three touchdowns, two of which were brought in by tight end Juwan Johnson.
NFL game lines have seen the Cardinals underperform the points projection since their Week 1 match up. They looked back to their offensive best in this one, finally getting their first win at home this season on their fourth attempt.
Baltimore Ravens v Cleveland Browns
In a big a big AFC North rivalry match, the Ravens came away with a 23-20 win that keeps them top of the conference after seven games.
Nick Chubb got the Browns off to a good start with a first quarter touchdown before the Ravens got in front at the half. Gus Edwards burst through in the second quarter to take the Ravens ahead before the running back added a second touchdown in the third quarter.
Jacoby Brissett was sacked five times in. dominant defensive performance by the Ravens who look in strong form in a competitive conference with last season’s Super Bowl runners up the Cincinnati Bengals on their heels.
The odds move more in favor of the Ravens clinching top spot in the conference with his win.
Carolina Panthers v Tampa Bay Buccaneers
A huge result for the Panthers who have struggled so far this season and had traded away star running back Christian McCaffrey prior to the game to the San Francisco 49ers. D’Onta Foreman stepped up with 118 yards on 15 carries as the lad running back for the Panthers.
The 21-3 victory was just their second of the season against a Buccaneers side who had been alone at the top of the NFC South and looking the favorites for the playoffs in the conference.
Tom Brady could not get things going for his side who now have only managed the same number of points as the Panthers (124) through seven games; only the Tennessee Titans have less while being top of a conference.
The Buccaneers still top the conference, even with a losing record, and their Super Bowl odds will have taken a slight hit after this performance.
Washington Commanders v Green Bay Packers
All is not well with the Green Bay Packers as quarterback Aaron Rodgers is struggling to lead his side to victories, especially since the departure of Devonte Adams to the Las Vegas Raider in the off-season.
The Commanders came away from this one with a 23-21 victory, Taylor Heinicke found last season’s standout receiver Terry McLaurin for a touchdown as well as Antonio Gibson in a closely fought battle between the two sides.
After missing the start of the season due to a gunshot wound, Brian Robinson Jr. was the standout performer with 20 carries for 73 yards. The rookie is starting to make headlines in the best possible way now he is finally on the field.
Green Bay managed just one sack and one interception, but this was still one more on each than the Commanders. Both need to work on defense, especially when scoring is not as free flowing as ither opposition.
With Philadelphia on bye week, all three of their rivals in the NFC East, Commanders, New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys, all registered victories. With the Eagles having a perfect season so far, they are still only one win ahead of the Giants who are 6-1 and two ahead of Dallas who are 5-2.
Odds on the Packers reaching the playoffs are dipping further, especially with the excellent form of NFC North rivals Minnesota Vikings.
Denver Broncos v New York Jets
The Broncos were missing quarterback Russell Wilson in this one and this left them with Brett Rypien as the starter at home to the Jets. Rypien, who has been with the Broncos since 2019 threw no touchdowns and one interception in their 9-16 defeat.
Not a classic of any sort although Breece Hall got the first touchdown of the game on a 62-yard run. Latavius Murray ran in to score a touchdown for the Broncos only for Brandon McManus to miss the extra point conversion.
Field goals in the final quarter earnt the Jets a much-needed win in their quest to try to keep pace with the Buffalo Bills in the AFC East.
The Jets have a four-game winning run and odds on their performances away from home will be worth checking in the future, they have won all four of their road games to start the year.