Week 7 began with the demolition of a Super Bowl-winning QB in Joe Flacco as Kansas City destroyed Denver. It finished with the Patriots going into MetLife Stadium and wrecking Sam Darnold’s confidence.
Arizona Cardinals: Chase Edmonds
Talk about the ultimate homecoming. Chase Edmonds played college ball at Fordham and had his best career career game across the George Washington Bridge in New Jersey. The RB scored three touchdowns, rushed for 126 yards and caught passes for 24 more in Arizona’s victory over the Giants.
Atlanta Falcons: Matt Schaub
You know things are bad when you are 1-6 and your backup quarterback gains an accolade for going 6-for-6 with a TD pass.
Baltimore Ravens: Ravens defense
This could have gone many ways. Earl Thomas for his great homecoming as Baltimore won for the first time in Seattle. The defense, which scored a pair of TDs. Marcus Peters who became the first player to make interceptions and score TDs on returns for two teams in consecutive weeks since 1950. Going with the Ravens’ defense, which hassled Russell Wilson and Seattle while scoring two TDs.
Buffalo Bills: Tre’Davious White
Tre’Davous White made a diving interception at the 2 of Ryan Fitzpatrick’s pass on second-and-goal from the 12. Buffalo then took the ball 98 yards on 12 plays for a 17-14 lead. Two series later, White punched the ball out of the hands of rookie Preston Williams near the Miami 30, and the fumble was recovered by defensive end Jerry Hughes. Three plays later, Allen hit a wide-open Cole Beasley for a 3-yard touchdown.
Chicago Bears: Cordarrelle Patterson
Bad day for the Bears. New Orleans came in and took charge. Corradelle Patterson did provide a bit of a spark early as he took a kickoff back 102 yards for a TD.
Cincinnati Bengals: Alex Erickson
Cincinnati’s winless season continues with a home defeat against Jacksonville. The Bengals’ bright spot was Alex Erickson, who caught eight passes for 137 yards.
Dallas Cowboys: The defense
Dallas made Doug Pederson eat his words — that he walked back — in a 37-10 romp. The Cowboys’ defense harassed Carson Wentz, recovered three fumbles, had a pick and a trio of sacks in a key NFC East victory.
Denver Broncos: The fans
Joe Flacco was under siege by the KC defense. The fans stood in during the 30-6 thrashing of the Broncos by the Chiefs. Nothing went right but they didn’t leave their team.
Detroit Lions: Marvin Jones Jr.
Marvin Jones Jr. caught four touchdown passes in the Lions’ loss to the Vikings. The wideout didn’t crack the century mark, somehow, as he had 10 grabs for 93 yards.
Green Bay Packers: Aaron Rodgers
Just another day at the office known as Lambeau Field for the great Aaron Rodgers. He threw five touchdown passes and ran for another as the Packers hammered the Raiders, 42-24.
Houston Texans: DeAndre Hopkins
On a day when the Texans had it taken to them by the Colts, DeAndre Hopkins still managed nine catches for 106 yards and a TD.
Indianapolis Colts: Jacoby Brissett
All Jacoby Brissette did in a matchup with Deshaun Watson was throw for 326 yards and four TDs as Indy downed Houston.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Defense
The Jags’ defense was at it again, with three picks and a defensive TD. Granted it was against the hapless Bengals, but teams have to do what they have to do. The Jags had a fumble recovery, too, and shut down the Bengals’ running game.
Kansas City Chiefs: The defense
The KC defense throttled Denver and Joe Flacco. It was scary. They spent more time in the backfield than Bronco RBs. There were nine sacks in the rout.
Los Angeles Chargers: Austin Ekeler
The RB continues to show he’s playing better than Melvin Gordon. Austin Ekeler was a force in the passing game, catching seven for 118 yards and a TD. He also appeared to score what would have been a game-winning TD but was ruled short upon review.
Los Angeles Rams: Dante Fowler Jr.
Dante Fowler Jr. was one of a number of Rams defenders who made the day miserable for Atlanta. Fowler had three sacks in a dominant effort.
Miami Dolphins: Ryan Fitzpatrick
Ryan Fitzpatrick returned to the starting QB slot. The veteran did a solid job, throwing for 282 and a TD. Of course, in this miserable Miami season he was picked off near the Buffalo goal line on a drive that could have put the Dolphins up by two scores with a TD.
Minnesota Vikings: Kirk Cousins
In a game that saw eight TD passes, Kirk Cousins had half of them. The Vikings’ QB has found his groove and the team is 5-2. Cousins threw for 337 yards against Detroit.
New England Patriots: The defense
An astounding performance by the Super Bowl champs. New England crushed Sam Darnold and the Jets mentally and physically. They broke down every facet of the second-year QB and left Gang Green and him in shambles. The Patriots’ defense did not allow the Jets’ offense a touchdown in sweeping the season series.
New Orleans Saints: Teddy Bridgewater
What a remarkable and charming run the Saints have been on since Teddy Bridgewater stepped in for an injured Drew Brees. Against the vaunted Bears’ defense, Bridgewater threw for 281 yards and a pair of TDs.
New York Giants: Special teams
Dull day for Big Blue. Let’s recognize Elijhaa Penny and his fellow special teamers for blocking a punt and turning it into a TD that made the game close at 17-14.
New York Jets: No one
The best thing Gang Green could do for Sam Darnold is to send him to a sports psychologist and let him know everything will be okay after the national disaster on MNF against New England.
Oakland Raiders: Darren Waller
The Raiders took a beating in Green Bay. Waller continued to show why he is becoming a top tight end with seven catches for 126 yards and two TDs.
Philadelphia Eagles: Cameron Johnston
Basically, no one on Philadelphia was any good. Punter Cameron Johnson had three boots for a 50.7 yard average. However, none were downed inside the 20.
San Francisco 49ers: The defense
San Francisco pitched a shutout at Washington in wickedly, wet weather as it ran its record to 6-0. The Niners had three sacks and held Case Keenum to 77 yards passing.
Seattle Seahawks: Bobby Wagner
Seattle’s great LB was in on 13 tackles, including seven solo, as his team took a beating at home against Baltimore and former teammate Earl Thomas.
Tennessee Titans: Ryan Tannehill
Taking over for Marcus Mariota, Ryan Tannehill looked sharp as the Titans survived a trio of reviews as the Chargers tried to get the winning score. Tannehill was 23-of-29 for 312 and a TD.
Washington Redskins: None
Washington and its fans were soaked in a shutout by the Niners.
