NFL Week 7: What's at Stake for Teams, Players This Weekend?

The NFL landscape is evolving on a weekly basis. How your team is viewed is directly tied to the previous week. That puts a big emphasis on what’s at stake for teams and players every game.

Some games are decided directly by particular matchups. The better, more talented team doesn’t always win because of the importance of style and the ability to adjust. But that is often overlooked because winning is really what matters in the big picture.

The season is well underway now. Any kinks must be worked out immediately, if they haven’t already. Falling behind any more than one or two games could be costly come playoff time.

We’ve highlighted six key storylines on the following slides that will determine whether or not these teams are successful in Week 7. Several critical divisional matchups could put certain franchises at great risk of being eliminated from the playoffs earlier than imagined. That doesn’t mean Week 7’s results will end a season, but it could set up particular teams for a big hill to climb.

Washington Redskins: The Season Is on the Line

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Despite playing in one of the weakest divisions in football, the Washington Redskins are facing a potentially season-altering matchup this week. A loss against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would be devastating, not only in the standings, but also as a statement. Washington is facing a must-win game to stay relevant in the playoff race.

A potential 2-5 start would really set Washington ablaze. With quarterback Kirk Cousins seemingly married to head coach Jay Gruden, it’s unlikely we see a quarterback change despite Cousins’ struggles. His limitations mixed with numerous injuries to the Redskins’ roster have started the familiar spiral of losing.

What will be tough for Washington is that Tampa Bay had two weeks to prepare for this game. The Buccaneers offense can challenge the Redskins with their running game and big wide receivers. This will be a huge test for Washington’s mental toughness and focus.

Gus Bradley: The Rebuild Must Start Showing Results

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When the Jacksonville Jaguars hired Gus Bradley to be the head coach back in 2013, they knew this was a long-term project. The Jaguars would make a youth movement that featured zero stars at the start of their transformation. The upside to the job was the coach could help build a roster from the ground up in his mold.

Bradley’s done a decent job of maximizing players that likely wouldn’t do much elsewhere. The team's secondary is littered with mediocre players that have held their own despite little pass rush in front of them. But the fact they have only one impact defender after three draft classes is a huge issue, too.

With an 8-30 head-coaching record, the time has arrived for this regime to start winning. The Jaguars are still very young, but years of average draft classes despite high picks is really holding the team back. If Bradley doesn’t start winning soon, he could be canned.

Pittsburgh Steelers: The Defense Is Under the Microscope

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The Pittsburgh Steelers offense is expected to ramp back up to elite levels as soon as Ben Roethlisberger returns from injury. In the meantime, it has been up to the defense to come up big. As we have seen the last two weeks, this defense might be up to playoff levels.

On one hand, there is real concern with the overall talent on the defense. It lacks consistent playmakers outside of the defensive line. The bend-don’t-break defensive approach is working for now, but can it continue?

We won’t know for sure until they face divisional foe Cincinnati in upcoming weeks. The Steelers defense is facing a docile Chiefs offense, so the competition isn’t the best. But Arrowhead Stadium will be rowdy, and the Chiefs do have several solid playmakers.

The road to building a championship-level defense has started for Pittsburgh. Now it must continue to build upon the foundation and play as a strong unit to overcome any individual weaknesses.

Todd Gurley: He Could Run Wild vs. the Browns

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What happens when the worst rushing defense in the NFL faces one of the hottest running backs in the league? We will see Sunday as the Cleveland Browns will try to stop Todd Gurley. Cleveland's leaky defense has been gashed by several backs that lack the dynamic talent Gurley brings to the table.

Gurley could have a monstrous day. The Rams should work him as hard as they can this week to take advantage of the favorable matchup. Gurley’s 5.7-yard-per-carry average may not be sustainable for a full season, but it may not dip after facing the Browns.

What Cleveland must do to stop Gurley is load the box with defenders. Once Gurley gets to the second level, he’s as good as gone with his power and explosion. Adding extra defenders to the second layer could accomplish their goal: force Nick Foles to beat them instead of Gurley.

How exactly will they manage this? Considering their personnel, it will be very difficult. Quite simply, their linebackers must read plays better and safeties Tashaun Gipson and Donte Whitner need to finish tackles efficiently. Otherwise, they have no chance at stopping Gurley.

New York Jets: This Is a Chance to Make a Loud Statement

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The game of the week looks to feature the New England Patriots and the New York Jets. Their combined records of 9-1 makes this a premier matchup. Then factor in the divisional race and how this game can affect the playoffs, and this should be an intense showdown.

The Jets have the pieces to win this game. Their physicality on both sides of the ball is favorable to win this game. It all starts in the trenches for the Jets, which has historically been the way to give the Patriots fits.

Expect heavy doses of Chris Ivory and Brandon Marshall on offense. Each brings a nastiness and fight to the table every play. They can help the Jets control the ball and the clock.

Watch for the Jets secondary to be aggressive, as well. New York has several great defensive linemen, which gives the secondary some freedom to roam. Reaching Tom Brady quickly and forcing bad throws is the obvious but crucial strategy whenever facing the Patriots.

Carolina Panthers: Prime-Time Football Is the Best Time to Shine

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The Carolina Panthers are the most surprising undefeated team left in the NFL. Their season seemed doomed at one point because of the critical pieces to their team suffering major injuries. But they’ve endured and beaten some weak teams to get to 5-0.

Week 6 was a big moment for this team, and the Panthers emerged from Seattle with an impressive victory. Coming from behind in that hostile environment is a big moment in a team’s maturation. They face another tough test this week.

The Philadelphia Eagles go to Carolina for Sunday Night Football. The Eagles haven’t played overly well this season, but they have significant talent on both sides of the ball. Expect a knockdown, drag-it-out type of game that comes down to a late score or turnover.

All stats used are from sports-reference.com.

Ian Wharton is an NFL Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. 

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