2026 NFL Week 7 Biggest Takeaways for Every Team

Six weeks of play is more than enough to know how good a team is or isn't. Some may be swimming upstream, while others are handling business as expected.

Those squads who have failed to meet expectations can feel pressure as it increases with each passing week.

"Am I frustrated and p---ed off? You're damn right I am," Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer told reporters after his team's 2-4 start. "But I'm gonna roll my sleeves up and I'm gonna go to work. And I'm gonna solve it."

Proclamations mean nothing unless improvement is seen on the field.

The Atlanta Falcons made a bold statement by beating the undefeated San Francisco 49ers. The Seattle Seahawks did the same while knocking the Kansas City Chiefs from the ranks of the unbeaten. The Dallas Cowboys did plenty while routing the rival Eagles in Philadelphia to close out the week.

Bleacher Report NFL analysts Brent Sobleski, Kris Knox, and Moe Moton followed all of the action to break down which teams talked the talk and which ones actually walked the walk.

DAL vs. PHI | KC vs. SEA | LAR vs. LV | DEN vs. ARI | GB vs. DET | NYG vs. HOU | MIA vs. NYJ | CIN vs. BAL | IND vs. MIN | TB vs. CAR | SF vs. ATL | CLE vs. TEN | PIT vs. NO | NE vs. CHI

Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles

AP Photo/Matt Slocum

Dallas Cowboys RB Javonte Williams

Cowboys 38, Eagles 21

Javonte Williams Carries Cowboys Back Into NFC East Race

Dallas' offensive outburst on Monday night wasn't the product of a one-man show. However, running back Javonte Williams played a massive role in chewing up yards, opening up opportunities for Dak Prescott and the passing game, and wearing down the Eagles' defense.

Williams averaged an absurd 6.5 yards per carry while racking up 155 rushing yards and a touchdown. Leaning on Williams and the ground game was a change of pace for the Cowboys, who came into Week 7 ranked dead last in rushing attempts per game.

While Dallas has a host of receiving weapons, utilizing a balanced attack is a strategy it should employ more frequently moving forward. This marked the Cowboys' biggest win of the season so far, and it was only their second with over 100 net rushing yards.

At 3-4, the Cowboys are back in the divisional race, but they'll need to start stacking wins to catch the 4-2-1 New York Giants.

Can Dallas Build On a Solid Defensive Performance?

To be clear, Dallas' defensive effort on Monday wasn't impressive overall. The Eagles were playing with a backup quarterback, a hampered Saquon Barkley, and without their top two receivers. They still tallied 321 yards and 21 points.

However, there were positives to be found, especially in the second half. The Cowboys pressured Tanner McKee, Demarvion Overshown snagged an interception, and Philly never truly threatened after scoring on their opening drive of the third quarter.

If the Cowboys' defense can continue performing as it did in the second half, the Cowboys can be a playoff contender because their offense has the potential to be special.

Philadelphia Can't Contend With Its Defense Playing This Way

The Eagles are now in a massive hole with a long list of injuries and a 2-5 record. However, their poor defensive performance against Dallas may be the biggest sign that their season is over prematurely.

Dallas did just about whatever it wanted offensively while compiling 204 rushing yards, 416 total yards, and converting eight of 13 third downs. The Eagles' defense couldn't put pressure on Prescott, couldn't even slow the run, and put far too much pressure on a short-handed offense to keep pace.

Was Playing Saquon Barkley Really Worth It?

To be fair to Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni, he and his team likely viewed this game as a make-or-break contest. Still, it's worth wondering if playing injured running back Saquon Barkley was the right call with 10 games left on the schedule.

Barkley did make an impact, tallying 73 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on nine touches. However, he entered the game with a lingering hamstring injury that kept him out of Weeks 5 and 6, and he never looked healthy at any point in the game.

To make matters worse, he also suffered a back injury during the game—and Dameon Pierce exited with an apparent injury.

Keeping Barkley on the sideline might have been the prudent move, especially with the bye still three weeks away. Now, the Eagles face upcoming games against the Washington Commanders and Giants with arguably more question marks at running back than they've had all season.

Kansas City Chiefs at Seattle Seahawks

AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson

Seattle Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV tackles Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III.

Seahawks 20, Chiefs 3

Seattle Seahawks Defense Continues To Perform at Super Bowl Level

The Seattle Seahawks entered Sunday's contest against the Kansas City Chiefs' as the league's top-ranked scoring defense. The unit only improved after facing Patrick Mahomes and Co.—which is a stunning statement unto itself.

Seattle allowed 17.2 points per game through its first six contests. The Chiefs simply had no answer despite featuring future Hall of Famers at quarterback and tight end, as well as the league's leading rusher.

Mahomes threw for only 165 yards. The Chiefs' three points tied for the least during the Mahomes era. Kansas City never even reached the red zone, which has never happened with Mahomes at the helm.

Kenneth Walker III had arguably been the league's best player through six weeks. The reigning Super Bowl MVP averaged 133 yards entering Sunday Night Football. The former Seahawk couldn't even get started against his old team. Walker managed only 36 yards at 2.6 yards per carry.

Seattle ran through last season's playoffs because of its defense. The group hasn't taken a step back this fall. Thus, the Seahawks' championship aspirations remain unabated.

Should Seahawks Expect Sunday's Version of Sam Darnold Each Week?

Despite Sunday's performance, the Seahawks didn't look like contenders entering the primetime contest. Seattle owned a 3-3 record, and quarterback Sam Darnold had regressed when compared to last season.

Granted, the quarterback dealt with an injury at the onset of the campaign. But Darnold greatly struggled with his decision-making since his return to the lineup. In fact, he threw two interceptions during three of Seattle's previous four games.

Darnold still had one poor throw in the back of the end zone against the Chiefs, which resulted in a turnover. He responded with some beautiful touch passes, though. The 29-year-old signal-caller completed over 70 percent of his attempts for the first time this season.

"I felt we were consistent today," Darnold said during a postgame interview on NBC.

Where are Kansas City's Wide Receivers?

Travis Kelce may still be the Chiefs' No. 1 target, even at 37 years old, and the Seahawks secondary is difficult to face. Despite both of those facts, the Chiefs got absolutely nothing from their wide receivers during Sunday's action.

Cyrus Allen, Xavier Worthy, Justin Watson, Andrew Armstrong and Jalen Royals caught six passes for 39 yards.

Obviously, Seattle deserves credit for how well it played defensively. At the same time, Kansas City lacks a legitimate threat on the outside. The one time Kansas City designed a pass play where Worthy sprung free, the 2024 first-round draft pick dropped the pass.

Even with a healthy Rashee Rice in the lineup, this group remains a significant sticking point.

Concerns Over Kicker Harrison Butker Continue to Grow

Eventually, all NFL kickers lose their swing. At one point, Harrison Butker had been the game's best placekicker. His performance this season, which extends into last year, no longer provides the same confidence.

Butker already missed five field-goal attempts this fall, including a one-of-three outing Sunday. Butker missed five field goals for the entire of the 2025 regular season. He's only missed six or more kicks once during his 10-year career, and he dealt with an ankle injury during the 2022 campaign.

Los Angeles Rams at Las Vegas Raiders

AP Photo/David Becker

Los Angeles Rams running back Blake Corum

Rams 35, Raiders 21

Rams Should Embrace Run-First Offensive Approach Without Davante Adams

In the first game of the season without Davante Adams and with Puka Nacua playing through a calf injury, the Los Angeles Rams fully activated their ground attack, logging 38 carries for 199 yards and two touchdowns.  

Los Angeles played with a lead for the entire game, which likely dictated that approach, but head coach Sean McVay may have to feature the ground attack out of necessity.

According to McVay, Adams will miss six to 10 weeks. To avoid overloading Nacua, Los Angeles should increase their running backs' workloads. Entering Week 7, the club ranked 24th in total carries and led the league in passing attempts. Expect those numbers to change in the coming weeks.

Is Blake Corum Finally Emerging in a Two-Man Backfield?

For three seasons, Kyren Williams has been the Rams' workhorse running back, averaging at least 15 carries per game between 2023 and 2025. This year, he's averaging slightly fewer than 14 rush attempts per game while seeing a significant uptick in targets.

It's worth noting that Blake Corum has double-digit carries in three of seven games this season. He has a rushing or receiving touchdown in three consecutive contests. 

Williams and Corum finished Sunday's game with 18 touches apiece. Corum's efficiency with his touches could translate to a more consistent role going forward.

Raiders' One-Dimensional Offense Is Running out of Gas 

Entering Week 7, the Las Vegas Raiders fielded the seventh-ranked passing attack, but they had the third-fewest rushing yards, averaging just three yards per carry.

The Raiders have enough firepower to beat some of the league's bottom-tier teams, like the Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Chargers and New Orleans Saints. Yet they don't have the balance to beat quality opponents or a desperate, playoff-caliber team like the Rams.

The Raiders' winning recipe that helped them to a 3-0 start isn't sustainable with a defense that gives up about 28 points per game. No matter how good an offense is, it's tough to win scoring shootouts every week without a viable ground game.

Could the Raiders Trade Kirk Cousins and Start Fernando Mendoza in the Next Couple of Weeks?

After the Raiders' loss to the Rams, head coach Klint Kubiak said he's open to changes to rectify his team's issues.

"I think at this point, we're thinking about everything," Kubiak said. "How to fix our problems, how to fix our issues in the red zone, in the third quarter. Personnel, scheme, we've got to talk about all of it." 

Quarterback Kirk Cousins isn't the Raiders' biggest problem. Few signal-callers would succeed without offensive balance and a leaky defense.

With those shortcomings, a rookie quarterback would likely struggle more than a 15-year veteran with 174 career starts, though, after a fourth straight loss, it may be time to consider developing the future at the most important position.

Denver Broncos at Arizona Cardinals

AP Photo/Rick Scuteri

Denver Broncos running back RJ Harvey (12) runs against Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) during the second half of an NFL football game in Glendale, Ariz., Sunday,

Broncos 30, Cardinals 16

Broncos Running Backs Are Keys to Their Offensive Success

The Denver Broncos leaned on their three-man backfield on the ground and through the air in a win over the Arizona Cardinals. They activated rookie fourth-rounder Jonah Coleman, who provided a spark and racked up 69 scrimmage yards. He led the team's tailbacks in rushing.

J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey each scored a touchdown. The former plunged into the end zone from the goal line, and the latter reached paydirt on a 52-yard reception.

Because of Bo Nix's conservative play, the Broncos rely on their playmakers to gain yards after the catch, with occasional deep-ball receptions. It's not the most appealing offensive style, but Denver's trio of running backs have excelled in their roles in the last two weeks.

Can Sean Payton Get More Out of Bo Nix in the Passing Game?

Nix went 15-of-29, passing for 222 yards and a touchdown. He didn't have an efficient outing but scored on a 62-yard run. 

Wideout Jaylen Waddle exited the game with an injury in the fourth quarter. He's had one strong performance with the Broncos, a 138-yard outing in Week 2.

Head coach Sean Payton took over play-calling after Week 4, but it hasn't unlocked the passing game. Nix has two touchdown passes in Denver's last three contests.

The Broncos' wins have masked some criticism of Nix's quarterback play, but at a minimum, he must be more efficient. 

Cardinals Need Explosive Plays to Win Games

Aside from a low-scoring game, Arizona needs explosive plays to keep pace with its opponents. 

The Cardinals won both their games against teams that scored fewer than 17 points. Entering Week 7, they were giving up the second-most points, nearly 30 per game.

All-Pro tight end Trey McBride is Arizona's best offensive playmaker, but he's averaging eight yards per catch. The Cardinals need a home-run hitter who can help them close deficits. Rookie running back Jeremiyah Love may provide those big plays when he returns from an ankle injury.

What Happened to Michael Wilson's Production as the Lead Receiver?

Michael Wilson has caught four passes in three straight games, totaling 55 or fewer yards in those contests. As the No. 1 wide receiver and complementary pass-catcher to McBride, he needs to produce at a higher and more consistent level to steady Arizona's passing attack.

Because the Cardinals typically trail in games, someone other than McBride must pose a threat to defenses.

Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions

AP Photo/Paul Sancya

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell

Lions 20, Packers 17

Lions Get Lucky After Dan Campbell's Unnecessary Gamble

The Detroit Lions managed to outlast the rival Green Bay Packers in a relatively low-scoring contest. However, Detroit came dangerously close to gifting Green Bay a victory.

With the game tied at 17 and less than five minutes remaining in regulation, head coach Dan Campbell went for it on 4th-and-1 from Detroit's own 24-yard line. Jahmyr Gibbs was stuffed for a two-yard loss, which gave the Packers a prime opportunity for go-ahead points.

Campbell got bailed out a few plays later when DJ Wonnum got a piece of Green Bay's 35-yard field-goal attempt, giving the ball right back to Detroit. After a sustained drive aided by penalties, the Lions kicked their own walk-off field goal, and Campbell's decision will largely be forgotten.

Campbell has always been an aggressive play-caller, and while following his instincts didn't hurt the Lions here, Detroit may not be so fortunate next time.

Can the Lions Build on Sunday's Defensive Performance?

Punting the ball and forcing Green Bay to sustain a drive would have been the smarter play at the end of Detroit's penultimate drive. That's largely because Detroit had one of its better defensive performances of the season.

The Lions came in ranked dead last in yards allowed and 30th in points allowed. While they did give up 324 yards to the Packers, they also held Green Bay to 17 points, 17 first downs, and a 5-of-15 conversion rate on third down.

Adjustments made during last week's bye may have played a role. The return of safety Brian Branch—who grabbed his first interception of 2026—certainly did. Now Detroit has to hope that its defensive performance wasn't a one-off and that it can continue playing complementary football moving forward.

The Lions boast one of the most potent offenses in the NFL. If they can just be average defensively, they can be a real postseason threat.

Mistakes Cost Packers in a Critical NFC North Battle

To be fair, the Packers were hit with some questionable penalties on Sunday, like the late roughing the passer penalty called on defensive lineman Karl Brooks. However, Green Bay made some clear mistakes, like the neutral zone infraction Brooks committed that gave Detroit a free first down in field-goal range with just two minutes remaining.

In all, the Packers were flagged eight times for 81 yards, and penalties were only part of the problem. Dropped passes and a blocked field goal that would have given Green Bay a late fourth-quarter lead also cost the Packers in a pivotal divisional showdown.

The drops were particularly problematic because receivers like Christian Watson and Bo Melton left big plays and critical first downs on the proverbial table. This was a game Green Bay probably should have won, and the Packers will have to clean things up to bounce back against the Carolina Panthers next week.

How Quickly Can Josh Jacobs Return to Form?

Packers running back Josh Jacobs made his 2026 debut on Sunday after being removed from the commissioner's exempt list—a status that resulted from his offseason arrest for battery and criminal damage to property.

Jacobs did make an impact in his first game back by catching five passes for 55 yards and a touchdown. However, he averaged just 3.3 yards per carry and didn't add much to a ground game that came in ranked last in the NFL.

The Packers offense would benefit greatly from better balance, and ideally, Jacobs can help provide it once he's back to midseason form.

New York Giants at Houston Texans

AP Photo/Maria Lysaker

New York Giants quarterback J.J. McCarthy (18)

Giants 27, Texans 21 (OT)

Giants Made the Right Decision to Start J.J. McCarthy

Last week, J.J. McCarthy only played one quarter, but he did enough for the New York Giants to insert him into the starting lineup over Jameis Winston. On Sunday, the move paid off.

McCarthy completed 20 of 28 passes for 252 yards, while Winston contributed in short-yardage situations, scoring on a quarterback sneak. 

Big Blue had a plan for both its quarterbacks, credit to McCarthy and Winston, who executed it well. McCarthy's efficiency likely earned the coaching staff's trust that he can handle the starting role.

Can Giants Build on Their Best Rushing Performance of the Season?

McCarthy just needed to be efficient because the Giants' ground attack scored all their touchdowns. Cam Skattebo re-emerged as the lead tailback, logging 17 carries for 124 yards and a touchdown. Devin Singletary scampered into the end zone for the game-winning overtime score. Tyrone Tracy Jr. logged the team's first score.

After turning their backfield pecking order upside down last week, the Giants' running back saw workloads similar to the start of the season without Najee Harris, whom the team released early this week. Big Blue racked up 188 yards along with its four scores on the ground.

As long as Skattebo protects the ball, he'll lead the backfield, but he suffered a hamstring injury in Sunday's game (h/t ESPN's Dan Graziano). Tracy and Singletary would assume bigger roles if Skattebo misses time.

DeMeco Ryans Taking Over Play-Calling Hasn't Fixed Defense

After an 0-4 start, Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans reassumed defensive play-calling responsibilities, and it worked out for a game.

In Week 5, the Texans held the struggling Indianapolis Colts to three points, but they gave up 31 in a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars and allowed the game-winning touchdown in overtime on Sunday.

Furthermore, McCarthy looked comfortable playing against the Texans' defense, completing 71 percent of his passes.

Even more baffling, the Texans fielded the third-ranked run defense in yards allowed and yards allowed per carry. Yet the Giants' 19th-ranked ground attack had its best rushing performance of the season.

As the head coach and defensive play-caller, Ryans must look himself in the mirror to salvage a diminished unit.

How Will the Texans Respond While Their Playoff Hopes Fade?

At 2-5, the Texans would need to go on an extraordinary post-October run to make the postseason. They won back-to-back games to breathe life into a turnaround, but with their porous defense, Houston has an uphill climb to get into the playoff picture.

Under Ryans, the Texans have won at least 10 games and clinched a playoff berth in three consecutive campaigns. Now buried in the standings midway through the season, Houston must dig deep to match those standards. 

Miami Dolphins at New York Jets

AP Photo/Seth Wenig

Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis (2)

Dolphins 28, Jets 25

Dolphins' Young Core Shows Promise After Extra Week of Preparation

Coming off a Week 6 bye, the Miami Dolphins won their first game of the season, thanks largely to their young playmakers.

Malik Willis threw for 208 yards, two touchdowns and ran for 37 yards and a score. Ollie Gordon II ran for 103 yards and a touchdown. In a return from injury, rookie wideout Caleb Douglas caught two passes for 70 yards and two touchdowns.

Miami's youth movement is in full swing, and showed its potential in an upset victory.

Can Malik Willis Play His Way into Dolphins' Future Plans?

The Dolphins signed Willis to a three-year, $67.5 million deal, though if the Dolphins slot into a top-three spot for the 2027 draft, they could consider a quarterback.

Willis has 11 games to show he's a franchise player; otherwise, the Dolphins can bring in a rookie with more upside. On Sunday, he had his best outing of the season and could build momentum that helps solidify his future in Miami.

Time Is Ticking on Aaron Glenn's Tenure

Under head coach Aaron Glenn, the Jets haven't won a divisional game. They're 0-8 against their rivals since the start of the 2025 season. 

After a 3-14 campaign, the Jets have shown some progress in their 2-5 start, but it's minimal, and the losses are starting to pile up. 

Furthermore, with Garrett Wilson, budding rookie wideout Omar Cooper Jr., a ground game that features Breece Hall and/or Braelon Allen and a strong offensive line, Gang Green should be a far better team. For the most part, Geno Smith has been solid.

Yet the Jets have failed to close games and are 1-4 in one-score contests this season. If this team doesn't turn things around in November, Glenn could be on the way out after his second year.

Can Jets Keep All Their Pass-Catchers Involved in Weekly Game Plan?

Cooper, one of the Jets' rookie first-rounders, and tight end Mason Taylor led the team's passing attack. Cooper caught five passes for 115 yards and a touchdown. Taylor hauled in five passes for 62 yards and two touchdowns.

Wilson finished with two catches for 26 yards and had an animated exchange with his quarterback that seemed to show frustration bubbling to the surface. 

In 2025, the Jets signed Wilson to a four-year, $130 million extension. He's one of their foundational playmakers, but with Cooper emerging as a key contributor and two pass-catching tight ends in Taylor and rookie Kenyon Sadiq, offensive coordinator Frank Reich has a tough job keeping all his pass-catchers involved in the aerial attack.

Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens

AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5)

Bengals Have NFL's Best WR Tandem

Oftentimes, star wideout Ja'Marr Chase overshadows Tee Higgins' production, but the latter showed everyone he's more than a No. 2 receiver.

In a win over the Baltimore Ravens, Higgins caught six passes for 148 yards and a touchdown, pacing the Bengals offense in the first two stat categories. Chase also scored a touchdown.

Higgins caught 11 passes for 157 yards against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 4. He's on pace for a career-high in receiving yards. 

The Bengals' wideout duo is a nightmare matchup for any defense.

Will the Bengals Add a Running Back Before the Trade Deadline?

This past offseason, the Bengals and Chase Brown's representatives couldn't agree to terms on a contract extension. He's in the final year of his deal and has lost touches to Samaje Perine.

In six games, Brown has just one touchdown. Perine has scored in back-to-back games.

Entering Week 7, Brown averaged a career-low 3.5 yards per carry. Perine turned 31 in September. Cincinnati should explore the running back market before the November 10 trade deadline.

Lamar Jackson Won't Solve Ravens' Second-Half Issues

Entering Week 7, the Ravens averaged 7.3 points in the second half of games, the second-fewest across the league. In Sunday's loss to the Bengals, they didn't score after halftime.

Remember, Baltimore squandered first-half leads and lost to the New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns this season.

Without a doubt, the Ravens are a much better team with Lamar Jackson at center than with backup Tyler Huntley, yet they still lost to the Saints at home with him healthy.

Going back to former Ravens head coach John Harbaugh's tenure, Baltimore has struggled to close games. New lead skipper Jesse Minter has to break the team's habit of playing flat after taking early leads.

Can HC Jesse Minter Fix the Defense?

Minter was a defensive coordinator for two seasons under Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh, fielding top-nine scoring units in both years.

Over seven weeks, the Ravens' defense has been mediocre at best. They gave up five touchdowns in the second half of Sunday's loss. Minter must exercise his defensive expertise to help that side of the ball.

Indianapolis Colts at Minnesota Vikings

AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn

Minnesota Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman tackles Indianapolis Colts running back Seth McGowan.

Vikings 16, Colts 10

LB Blake Cashman Drives Minnesota Vikings' Dominant Defense

The Minnesota Vikings have previously fielded one of the greatest defenses in NFL history. However, this year's unit is less like the "Purple People Eaters" and more like the Miami Dolphins' famous "No-Name Defense" from the same era. 

The league's best defense isn't littered with high-profile individuals. Instead, the unit plays extremely well together and maximizes Brian Flores' aggressive scheme. 

However, linebacker Blake Cashman needs to be known by more people outside of Minnesota. Cashman posted a career-game Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts. The Vikings' middle 'backer registered 12 total tackles, two tackles for loss, two sacks, four deflected passes and three quarterback hits. He was all over the field. 

If anyone deserves to be the face of these 6-0 Vikings, Cashman is the correct choice. 

How Will Vikings Adjust Without Aaron Jones Sr.?

Aaron Jones was forced to carry the load with 20 or more carries in three of the Vikings' last four games. During that same stretch, no other Minnesota running back was given more than two carries in any contest. 

Jones appeared to hurt his left knee during Sunday's fourth quarter and needed help off the field.  Fortunately, his injury coincided with Jordan Mason's return to the lineup. 

Mason missed those previously mentioned games due to a thumb injury. Now, Minnesota's coaching staff should turn to Mason in the same way it rode Jones during the former's absence. 

Will the Indianapolis Colts Wait to Make More Organizational Changes? 

At 2-5 and losers of three straight games, there's no reason for the Colts to wait before doing the inevitable. After firing general manager Chris Ballard last week, Shane Steichen's time as head coach is coming to a close. 

Considering Steichen doubles as Indianapolis' offensive play-caller and the team has continued to struggle on that side of the ball, owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon shouldn't let the current setup continue. 

If she doesn't feel Steichen is the answer, the Colts can do the obvious now and start the transition toward whomever takes over the franchise next offseason. 

RB Jonathan Taylor Provides Spotlight Game To Entice Suitors

Indianapolis should absolutely be a seller at this year's trade deadline. The team lacks a first-round pick in the 2027 NFL draft, and it's clearly trending toward a significant rebuild. 

At 27 years old, with two more controllable contract years, Jonathan Taylor is easily the most enticing trade candidate for maximum return. Against the Vikings' stout defense, Taylor made his case for anyone watching. He ran for 95 yards and averaged 5.3 yards per carry. 

Taylor, defensive tackles DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart and possibly even All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson should be available for the Colts to build a war chest of draft picks and eventually reset the franchise. 

The previous statement also applies to the quarterback position since Daniel Jones has regressed significantly this season. The Colts can release him next offseason and save $38 million when designated as a June 1 cut. At some point this season, Anthony Richardson must see the field again. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers

AP Photo/Scott Kinser

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving

Buccaneers 43, Panthers 13

Did Tampa Bay Establish New Offensive Identity in Baker Mayfield's Return?

Baker Mayfield returned to the lineup Sunday after missing the previous three contests due to a dislocated thumb on his throwing hand. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' quarterback wore a special glove to protect the digit, which didn't seem to matter. Tampa dominated the NFC-leading Carolina Panthers. 

To be fair, Mayfield attempted only 11 passes. Tampa built a 33-6 halftime lead. The running game amassed 258 rushing yards. The Buccaneers finished just 25 yards short of the franchise's single-game record. Tampa Bay's offensive line deserves significant credit for the unit's dominance at the point of attack. 

As a result, Mayfield didn't need to do too much. The signal-caller struggled earlier this season, because he tried to shoulder the entire offense. As the season progresses, the Buccaneers should continue to lean on their run game. 

YaYa Diaby's Breakout Performance Keeps Bucs in NFC South Mix

YaYa Diaby hadn't registered a sack through the Buccaneers' first six games. He generated three against the Panthers. 

The 27-year-old veteran has never been an elite pass-rusher. His career-high of 7.5 sacks came during the 2023 season as a rookie. However, Diaby has the length and athleticism to create pressure and make life difficult on opposing offensive tackles. 

If Diaby builds on Sunday's performance, he can help lift the 2-5 Buccaneers during the second half of the season and allow Tampa Bay to compete for a division title since it's now only 1.5 games behind the Panthers. 

Can Carolina Panthers Improve Run-Defense? 

The Panthers still hold a half-game lead in the NFC South. However, they left Sunday's contest against the Buccaneers with the league's worst run defense. 

Sometimes, a particular matchup can give a team problems. But Tampa Bay's 200-plus rushing yards weren't an aberration. In Carolina's three losses, the Panthers surrendered 227 yards on average. 

Right now, Carolina is relying on rookie nose tackle Lee Hunter. Tershawn Wharton was in his second game back from a neck injury. Jaelan Phillips' absence createdproblems setting the edge as well.

Phillips will eventually be back from a hamstring injury. Even so, the Panthers' front office should also look for defensive line reinforcements prior to next month's trade deadline. 

Pressure Not Going Away for Panthers QB Bryce Young

Bryce Young has consistently been one of the most pressured quarterbacks this season. He's responded well in most cases. Sunday's effort was very different. 

The Buccaneers sacked Young five times. The quarterback fumbled once, which turned into scoop-and-score in Tampa Bay's favor. Interestingly, both of Young's interceptions were from a clean pocket.

Opponents will continue to pressure Carolina's quarterback, which will speed up his clock and possibly force him into more mistakes. Young needs to respond next week against the Green Bay Packers and do so without veteran right tackle Taylor Moton, who suffered a fractured fibula against the Buccaneers.

San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons

AP Photo/Mike Stewart

Atlanta Falcons LB Kendal Daniels

Falcons 29, 49ers 20

Falcons Defense Finally Makes the Difference

The Atlanta Falcons have looked dangerous on offense since getting Michael Penix Jr. back from last year's torn ACL. However, their 18th-ranked defense was a liability in each of the last two games, both losses.

Atlanta's defense collapsed against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 5 and allowed the Chicago Bears to jump out to a 31-7 lead last week. On Sunday, however, the Falcons gave the San Francisco 49ers everything they could handle, and then some.

While Atlanta did surrender 400 total yards, it also recorded four takeaways while holding the 49ers to a 4-of-10 conversion rate on third downs. A clutch interception by Kendal Daniels late in the fourth quarter essentially sealed the Falcons' win by putting them in position to go up by two scores.

Can the Falcons Stack Wins and Storm Back to the Top of the NFC South Race?

The Falcons got to 3-4 with Sunday's win. While that's now where Atlanta wanted to be nearly two months into the season, it's enough to keep pace in the wide-open NFC South.

Carolina appeared to be in control of the division early, but it got steamrolled by the Buccaneers 43-13 on Sunday. The Falcons now sit a half-game behind the 3-3 Panthers with a pivotal game against Tampa Bay coming in Week 8.

A win in Tampa would put Atlanta back at .500 with a chance to overtake the Panthers—if they fall to the Green Bay Packers.

The Falcons will have to play a complete game for the second straight week for it to happen. However, they should feel a lot better about their chances of taking the division for the first time in a decade than they did before Sunday's upset over the 49ers.

Injuries Finally Catch the 49ers

San Francisco entered Week 6 as one of only three undefeated teams in the NFL. The 49ers certainly looked good during their 6-0 start, but they also appeared vulnerable due to injuries. Their ability to outrun the injury bug came to an end in Atlanta.

With Deebo Samuel and Mike Evans both sidelined, Brock Purdy struggled to get his wide receivers involved in the passing game. Christian McCaffrey left the game for a stretch with a quad injury, and while he was out, Jordan James and Kaelon Black each fumbled, with Black's resulting in a turnover.

San Francisco's offensive injuries loomed largest. However, the 49ers were also again without star pass-rusher Nick Bosa in a game that saw Michael Penix Jr. throw three touchdown passes while not getting sacked once.

Was Week 7 a Speed Bump or a Sign of Serious Issues?

The good news for the 49ers is that they'll reach their Week 8 bye with a 6-1 record. Ideally, they'll be much healthier coming out of the break for a rough stretch that will involve games against the upstart Las Vegas Raiders, Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, and Seattle Seahawks.

However, a healthier roster can't guarantee that San Francisco will avoid turnovers, cut down on penalties (seven for 55 yards), or get after opposing quarterbacks. The 49ers defense came into Week 7 averaging just over two sacks per game.

Only time will tell if Sunday's issues were truly the result of taking a banged-up roster across the country or if the 49ers—who won three of their last four by less than a touchdown—are more vulnerable than their 6-1 start might indicate.

Cleveland Browns at Tennessee Titans

AP Photo/George Walker IV

Cleveland Browns RB Quinshon Judkins

Browns 27, Titans 24

Browns Have an Impressive Collection of Young Skill Players

The Cleveland Browns have leaned heavily on their defense for most of the season, but they needed their offense to battle back from an early 14-point deficit. They were able to battle back for another walk-off win, and Sunday's comeback was a testament to the collection of young playmakers Cleveland has drafted over the last two years.

Rookie receiver Denzel Boston was the star of the show early in the year, but fellow rookie K.C. Concepcion was the standout against the Tennessee Titans, finishing with eight catches for 129 yards. Running backs Quinshon Judkins (96 rushing yards, 2 TDs) and Dylan Sampson (79 scrimmage yards) made their mark, as did second-year tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (6 catches, 91 yards).

The Browns may not have their quarterback future on the current roster, but they'll have a terrific supporting cast for the foreseeable future.

Can The Browns Learn to Start Faster?

Kicker Andre Szmyt made up for an earlier fourth-quarter miss by nailing a 32-yarder as time expired. However, the Browns might have been able to avoid the late-game drama had they avoided another slow start.

Cleveland found itself in a 14-0 hole after allowing Tony Pollard to run wild early and after a Deshaun Watson interception that may have been the result of a bad route by Boston. The Browns did successfully face the uphill climb, but it was another concerning start after falling behind 7-0 in Weeks 4 and 5 and 10-0 in Week 6.

If the Browns hope to pick up a win in Pittsburgh next week, they'll have to play more efficiently in the early going.

The Titans Were Right to Play Aggressively

Head coach Robert Saleh will probably have to answer questions this week about his decision to go for it on 4th-and-goal early in the second quarter while leading 14-7.  He shouldn't.

The Titans aren't pushing their way into the playoffs this year. Their season is all about developing young players, building confidence, and forging an identity. A touchdown in that scenario would have given Tennessee plenty of confidence helped to develop a reputation as a team that will play aggressively.

It didn't work out, but it did force the Browns to go the length of the field—which they eventually did, but only after they and the Titans traded turnovers. Seeing as how Pollard had consistently cut through Cleveland's defense to that point and how the one-win Titans really had nothing to lose, though, it was the right call.

Can Cam Ward Build On a Solid Performance?

The biggest goal for Tennessee this season involves the continued development of quarterback Cam Ward. The second-year signal-caller has struggled for most of the season, but he played much better on Sunday than the numbers (181 passing yards, 1 INT) might indicate.

Ward's interception in Cleveland territory was a killer, but it was really more of a good jump by Denzel Ward than a bad throw by Cam. He played reasonably well aside from that pick, regularly extending plays with his legs and giving his pass-catchers chances. He also made clutch throws to receivers Carnell Tate and Elic Ayomanor late in the game, giving Tennessee a chance to win.

The Titans got their first win last week, saw Ward play one of his better games on Sunday, and will hope to see the Miami product maintain positive momentum next week in Cincinnati.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New Orleans Saints

AP Photo/David Dermer

Pittsburgh Steelers RB Jaylen Warren

Steelers 16, Saints 10

Backfield Duo Can Make Pittsburgh a Playoff Threat

The Pittsburgh Steelers haven't won a playoff game since 2016, but they look like a squad that could get into the dance and do some damage. The backfield tandem of Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle is a big reason why.

Warren has been the centerpiece of the Steelers' offense for most of the season, and he had another big day against the New Orleans Saints (137 scrimmage yards). In his second game back from a toe injury, Dowdle chipped in 86 scrimmage yards.

New Orleans' defense has been one of the league's more lackluster units. However, the ability of Pittsburgh's two backs to chew up yards as runners and pass-catchers will give the Steelers the chance to sustain drives and control the tempo against playoff-caliber defenses in January.

Can the Steelers Open Up Their Deep-Passing Game?

Right now, the Steelers' offensive identity is centered around the ground game, smart decision-making by Aaron Rodgers, and a lot of quick, high-percentage throws. Deep passing plays have been few and far between

Rodgers connected with DK Metcalf on a 51-yard pass against New Orleans, but most of his throws were of the short variety. That's largely been the trend through the first seven weeks, and it's a plan that is working now, but the Steelers need to open things up if they hope to bring a complete team into the postseason.

Getting receivers Michael Pittman Jr. and Roman Wilson back from injury should help, but the Steelers might want to consider their options on the trade market, too.

Tyler Shough Is Still Making Young-QB Mistakes

Saints second-year quarterback Tyler Shough has played impressively for most of 2026, but Sunday's game was a reminder that he is still learning and growing as a pro. He made two critical mistakes in scoring range against the Steelers that changed the complexion of the game.

Shough's red-zone interception was the most obvious miscue, as it directly took points off the board. He also missed a wide-open Chris Olave in the red zone in the early fourth quarter that would have been an easy touchdown. He settled for a checkdown to Alvin Kamara on 3rd-and-14, and the Saints missed the ensuing field-goal try.

These were critical miscues that Shough should learn from and know not to make in the future.

How Much Will the Return of Travis Etienne Jr. Help the Saints' Ground Game?

The Saints managed to stay in the game almost exclusively because of Shough. Kamara and Kendre Miller combined for just 11 rushing yards on Sunday, and New Orleans has struggled to run the ball efficiently all season.

It's worth noting that prized offseason addition Travis Etienne Jr. is on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. He won't be eligible to return until Week 9—the Saints are on bye next week. Ideally, he'll provide a big boost to the Saints' ground game.

Of course, it's fair to wonder just how much he'll boost the rushing attack and how heavily he'll be involved. Etienne has averaged a solid 4.3 yards per carry this season, but he logged just 30 carries in his three appearances.

New England Patriots at Chicago Bears

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III

Bears 30, Patriots 24

Can Luther Burden III Continue as Chicago Bears' No. 1 Target?

The Chicago Bears traded DJ Moore this offseason after three seasons with the team.

The move created an opportunity for Rome Odunze, whom the Bears selected out of Washington in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft. The 2024 No. 9 overall pick hasn't emerged as Chicago's WR1, though.

Luther Burden III has looked like the more dynamic option, as he showed Thursday against the New England Patriots.

Like Moore, Burden is at his best after the catch, as evidenced by taking a simple smoke route and turning it into a 24-yard touchdown. His presence in the lineup could become more critical in the coming weeks.

TE Cole Kmet Leaves Contest With Apparent Knee Injury

Burden may be featured even more depending on the diagnosis of Cole Kmet's right knee. The veteran tight end's knee buckled during a fourth-quarter hit along the sideline, and he needed to be carted off the field.

Kmet provides the Bears with personnel flexibility. If he misses any time, Colston Loveland and Burden will take on more responsibilities in the passing game. Meanwhile, third-round rookie Sam Roush can become a heavy in-line operator whenever head coach/offensive play-caller Ben Johnson opts to utilize 12 personnel.

Will the New England Patriots See AJ Brown Return to Form?

The Patriots traded a first-round pick to acquire AJ Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles. The organization may already regret the deal.

To be fair, Brown missed four games with an ankle injury. The 29-year-old target may need even more time getting back to game speed.

The Patriots hope so, because Brown was a non-factor Thursday after not being on the same page with quarterback Drake Maye during Sunday's contest against the New York Jets.

In the end, the veteran target caught three passes for 48 yards. But he was added to create an impact for an offense that lacked a true WR1 last season. The Patriots will try to feed Brown the ball. He'll need to do something with those opportunities in the coming weeks or risk having the situation sour on him, much like it once did in Philadelphia.

Patriots Can Alleviate Offensive Concerns with Greater Emphasis on Run Game

Brown has yet to produce like a top target. New England is injured along the offensive line, with a pair of backup guards starting Thursday. A commitment to the run game can significantly help both matters.

Granted, the Bears held a two-score lead during the second half on two different occasions. But the Patriots continued to chip away throughout the evening.

In the end, New England's running backs carried the ball 13 times and averaged 3.4 yards per carry. This unit can't become so one-dimensional. The ability to run the ball will make life easier on the offensive line and create space for wide receivers.