Biggest Stories and Best Highlights from NFL Week 7

The excitement of Thursday night's Week 7 kickoff, in which the Oakland Raiders upset the Kansas City Chiefs, 31-30, on the final play, didn't exactly continue into the Sunday afternoon games.

Blowouts rather than nail-biters ruled the day, including three shutouts. The Los Angeles Chargers shocked the Denver Broncos, 21-0, the Los Angeles Rams put up 33 unanswered on the Arizona Cardinals and the Jacksonville Jaguars blanked the Indianapolis Colts, 27-0. 

But even though the scores weren't close, we got to see some impressive football from the winners. The Dallas Cowboys offense regained its footing and then some as Dak Prescott's squad outscored the San Francisco 49ers, 40-10. And the Seattle Seahawks were in top form as they dismantled the New York Giants, 24-7. 

Here's a look at all the notable highlights and storylines for Week 7.

Chicago Bears Dominate Carolina Panthers in Upset Win

Led by two defensive touchdowns from Eddie Jackson, in addition to five quarterback sacks, the Chicago Bears upset the Carolina Panthers, 17-3.

The Bears won even though rookie quarterback Mitchell Trubisky threw the ball just seven times, completing four passes for 107 yards. Seventy of them came on one play to rookie running back Tarik Cohen.

Carolina outgained Chicago 293-153 but could not punch the ball into the end zone.

The Bears, who started the season 1-3, are 2-1 in their last three games with Trubisky at the helm.

More Week 7 Blowouts

In addition to the Chicago Bears stunning the Carolina Panthers, there were three ugly shutouts Sunday. The Los Angeles Rams crushed the NFC West-rival Arizona Cardinals, 33-0, while the Jacksonville Jaguars stumped the AFC South-rival Indianapolis Colts, 27-0.

In the late afternoon games, the Los Angeles Chargers added to the massacre as they held the Denver Broncos scoreless at 21-0.

The Cardinals lost quarterback Carson Palmer to injury in the second quarter, and the offense looked lost thereafter. Palmer and backup Drew Stanton had only 184 passing yards between them by game's end.

And while the Jaguars defense has been their bread and butter this year, Jacksonville (#Sacksonville) proved it can drop some points on offense as well. The Jaguars backfield led the way as T.J. Yeldon and Chris Ivory combined for 169 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Denver was clearly missing the offensive output of wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, who missed the game with an ankle injury. But the loss also called the Broncos defense, which has been a strength this season, into question. 

2 Starting Quarterbacks Injured

Carson Palmer exited the Arizona Cardinals' game with the Los Angeles Rams in the second quarter after suffering a left arm injury. Drew Stanton took over for Palmer, whom the team later declared out.

Adam Schefter of ESPN delivered news about Palmer's long-term status after the game:

Another signal-caller, the Miami Dolphins' Jay Cutler, left in the third quarter with a chest injury after a hard hit by New York Jets linebacker Jordan Jenkins. Backup Matt Moore took over for Cutler, who did not return.

Notable Individual Performances

Ezekiel Elliott had a dominant showing for the Dallas Cowboys against the San Francisco 49ers, rushing for 147 yards and into the end zone twice to help put Dallas up 20-3 at halftime.

Then he came back in the third quarter to score this jaw-dropping touchdown on a 72-yard catch-and-run from Dak Prescott:

Seven running backs in all eclipsed the century mark on the ground, led by Elliott. Just behind him was the Pittsburgh Steeers' Le'Veon Bell, who totaled 134 yards on the ground. 

The Green Bay Packers' Aaron Jones put up 131 yards in the Packers' loss to the New Orleans Saints, even though starter Ty Montgomery was active for the Pack.

Bills running back LeSean McCoy gained 122 yards from scrimmage and scored twice, and the Los Angeles Rams' Todd Gurley II totaled 154 yards plus a touchdown.

Latavius Murray surprised everyone in Minnesota as he motored for 113 yards and a touchdown for the Vikings. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston tossed three touchdowns to go with 384 passing yards against the Buffalo Bills.

In Indianapolis, Jacksonville Jaguars signal-caller Blake Bortles threw for 330 yards and a touchdown versus the Colts.

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. led all pass-catchers with 141 yards. He also accrued seven receptions.

Buccaneers tight end O.J. Howard scored two touchdowns, and Miami Dolphins wideout Kenny Stills also found the end zone twice.

Plays of the Day

The Seattle Seahawks almost had another controversial simultaneous catch in the end zone as Russell Wilson connected with Paul Richardson for a 38-yard score. New York Giants defender Landon Collins also appeared to have a grip on the ball, but the play was ruled a touchdown and confirmed upon review:

Jason Witten roused the Dallas Cowboys fans in attendance at Levi's Stadium, as he made a one-handed touchdown catch on a pass from Dak Prescott against the San Francisco 49ers:

But the player with the best offensive performance of the day has been a defensive back.

Chicago Bears safety Eddie Jackson recorded not one but two 75-yard touchdowns following turnovers by the Carolina Panthers.

First, Jackson returned a fumble on a mishandled pitch by Panthers quarterback Cam Newton to wide receiver Curtis Samuel:

Then, Jackson caught a deflected pass and took it to the house:

Following the extra point, the Bears took a 14-0 lead.

In Miami's win over the New York Jets, Dolphins wide receiver Kenny Stills somehow made this juggling sideline catch:

Brett Hundley Loses 1st Career Start for Packers

The Green Bay Packers got their first glimpse at what life without Aaron Rodgers looks like Sunday as Brett Hundley made his first career start.

The sample size is small, but the answer so far is...not great. Hundley, who finished 12-of-25 passing for just 87 yards with an interception, showed some flashes, such as when he rushed for a 14-yard touchdown in the second quarter to help the Packers to a halftime lead.

But he also demonstrated how green he is, such as when he overthrew a deep ball late in the fourth quarter, a pass New Orleans Saints safety Kenny Vaccaro easily intercepted.

Hundley, should improve with experience, but the Packers lost at home, 26-17.

NFL Ironman Streak Ends

Cleveland Browns left tackle Joe Thomas, one of the best offensive linemen in NFL history (10 Pro Bowls and six All-Pro first teams), suffered a triceps injury in the third quarter of his team's game against the Tennessee Titans.

He was forced to leave the game, which ended one of the most remarkable streaks in football, per Andrew Gribble of the Browns website:

Still to Come

The game of the week is easily the Super Bowl LI rematch between the Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots on Sunday Night Football.

Last time around, New England overcame a 28-3 third-quarter deficit to defeat Atlanta 34-28 in overtime thanks to 466 passing yards by quarterback Tom Brady and three touchdowns via running back James White.

Now the Pats will host the Falcons in a crucial matchup for both teams.

New England and Atlanta have sputtered to start the season. The 4-2 Patriots, in first place in the AFC East, have experienced defensive struggles, allowing the most passing yards in football. The Falcons, 3-2, are coming off two straight home losses in which their normally high-octane offense failed to eclipse 17 points.

Kickoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET, and NBC will televise the contest.