Carolina @ Washington:
Carolina was never in this game from the opening minute. Andy Dalton only threw for 93 yards, and the Panthers could not get any offense going. Even Diontae Johnson only had one catch for 17 yards against the awful Commanders secondary! It was the most pathetic display of the weekend.
The big news for Washington was that Jayden Daniels left the game with a rib injury. He did not return to the game after rushing for 50 yards. There’s a chance that he misses Week 8, so we will have to monitor that closely. Marcus Mariota looked fantastic throwing for 205 yards and two touchdowns but it’s hard to know whether that was because he looked good or Carolina was so bad. Zach Ertz had four catches for 40 yards and a touchdown. Shout out to Johnny Danger, who mentioned him on the Sunday morning Discord show.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 25: Kyren Williams #23 of the Los Angeles Rams runs with the ball during the first half of the game against the Denver Broncos at SoFi Stadium on December 25, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
Las Vegas @ Los Angeles Rams:
Aidan O’Connell left the game with a thumb injury, and it’s hard to know whether he will be returning next week or anytime soon. Gardner Minshew came in and threw for 154 yards and three interceptions. The biggest bright spot for Las Vegas is Brock Bowers, who had 10 receptions for 93 yards and is clearly the number one tight end in fantasy football.
Two things of note with the Rams: Cooper Kupp missed this game even though it looked like he was going to be activated. I expect that he will play in week eight. Kyren Williams had 21 carries for 76 yards and two touchdowns, but it looks like Blake Corum is the RB2 and needs to be rostered in every format in case of a Williams injury.
KANSAS CITY, MO – OCTOBER 12: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs throws the ball during an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on October 12, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Kansas City @ San Francisco:
This was an uglier game than most people would have expected and looked nothing like last year’s Super Bowl. Patrick Mahomes threw for 154 yards and had two interceptions. He did score a rushing touchdown and had 39 yards rushing. Kareem Hunt was fantastic, with 78 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Noah Gray and Travis Kelce both had four receptions each and Xavier Worthy had eight targets but only had 19 yards receiving. The Chiefs passing attack is in real trouble, and I think they’re going to have to find somebody quickly before the trade deadline.
Brandon Aiyuk left the game with what is feared to be a torn ACL. Brock Purdy threw for three interceptions and only 212 yards and the 49ers just look in complete disarray. It was good to see Ricky Pearsall in the game, and I would also keep an eye on Jacob Cowing, who I think has potential. George Kittle led the team with six receptions for 92 yards, once again proving that Kansas City is awful against opposing tight ends.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 14: Aaron Rodgers #8 of the New York Jets throws a pass during the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium on October 14, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
New York Jets @ Pittsburgh:
I feel bad for Jets fans because I think they were so excited about the Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams reunion, but this is a team that’s in real trouble. With only two wins in the first seven weeks and with a defense that’s only able to put up one sack and no interceptions I’m just not sure how they’re going to win football games. Breece Hall was fantastic getting over 100 yards receiving as well as 38 yards rushing.
All the credit in the world needs to go to Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, who boldly benched Justin Fields for Russell Wilson. Wilson started out poorly, with most of the fans in the stadium screaming for him to be removed from the game, but then he finally settled down and threw for 264 yards and two touchdowns. George Pickens was fantastic, catching 5 passes for 111 yards and a touchdown, and Najee Harris had 102 rushing yards and a touchdown. What Wilson does that Fields does not do is that he gives the passing attack a real chance to make plays.