NFL Week 7 Recap: Chiefs Stay Undefeated, Rams and Commanders Shine, Struggles Continue for 49ers and Raiders

packers vs texans week 7 2024

Kansas City Chiefs 28, San Francisco 49ers 18
Chiefs:
How long can the Chiefs stay unbeaten despite Mahomes’ turnover struggles?
The Kansas City Chiefs remain the only undefeated team in the NFL, but Patrick Mahomes’ inconsistency raises concerns. He threw two interceptions against the 49ers, adding to his season total of eight, compared to just six touchdowns. One interception was the result of a deflected pass, while the other occurred when WR Xavier Worthy fell mid-route. For Mahomes, a two-time MVP, this is a troubling shift from his usual touchdown-to-interception ratio of 3.5-to-1.

Surprise Performer: Mecole Hardman
Hardman made several impactful plays, including runs of 20 and 18 yards (the latter for a touchdown), a 17-yard reception, and a 55-yard punt return. With WR JuJu Smith-Schuster exiting early due to a hamstring injury, Hardman capitalized on his opportunities.

49ers:
What will it take for the 49ers to beat the Chiefs?
San Francisco is now 0-5 against the Chiefs under head coach Kyle Shanahan. Despite missing key players like LB Dre Greenlaw, RB Christian McCaffrey, and WR Deebo Samuel, the 49ers struggled to find a way past Kansas City’s defense. The special teams unit remains an issue, conceding a 55-yard punt return that set up a Chiefs touchdown.

Next game: Chiefs at Raiders, 49ers vs. Cowboys

L.A. Rams 20, Las Vegas Raiders 15
Rams:
Can the defense carry the team without key offensive players?
The Rams’ defense was the difference-maker in this game, forcing three turnovers and scoring all 20 points off them. Two interceptions from Gardner Minshew set up short fields for the Rams, and a Minshew fumble was returned for a touchdown by Kamren Curl. RB Kyren Williams scored two touchdowns, giving him 24 scrimmage TDs since the start of last season, the most in the NFL.

Surprise Performer: Jordan Whittington
WR Jordan Whittington, who had been listed as questionable due to a shoulder injury, played only nine snaps and was not targeted, surprising after a seven-catch, 89-yard performance in the previous game.

Raiders:
What’s next at quarterback for the Raiders?
Aidan O’Connell’s broken thumb leaves the Raiders in a tough spot. Gardner Minshew, who replaced O’Connell, struggled, throwing three interceptions and losing a fumble returned for a TD. The Raiders may need to scour the waiver wire for help as they prepare to face the Chiefs.

Next game: Rams vs. Vikings, Raiders vs. Chiefs

Washington Commanders 40, Carolina Panthers 7
Commanders:
What happens if QB Jayden Daniels has to miss a game?
Daniels, who has led Washington’s offense through the first six games, left with a rib injury. Backup Marcus Mariota filled in admirably, completing 18-of-23 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns. The Commanders’ defense dominated, scoring on a pick-six and holding the Panthers to 133 yards through three quarters.

Surprise Performer: Marcus Mariota
Mariota, despite inconsistent performances in recent years, stepped up after missing his first three passes, completing 15 of his next 16 for two touchdowns. He displayed poise against Carolina’s defense.

Panthers:
What does Bryce Young’s future look like?
Down 37-0, head coach Dave Canales opted not to play Bryce Young, leaving his future with the Panthers uncertain. Young’s eventual appearance in garbage time raises questions about whether the team believes in him as their franchise quarterback.

Next game: Commanders vs. Bears, Panthers at Broncos

Green Bay Packers 24, Houston Texans 22
Packers:
Does this win prove anything about Green Bay?
This was the Packers’ first victory over a team with a winning record, adding legitimacy to their 5-2 record. The Texans were in the game until a late 45-yard field goal from Brandon McManus sealed it for the Packers, who celebrated with a Lambeau Leap.

Surprise Performer: Josh Jacobs
Jacobs ended the NFL’s longest streak for a player without a touchdown reception by scoring on his 212th catch. His 8-yard reception gave the Packers a 21-19 lead in the third quarter.

Texans:
Will blocking woes continue to derail the Texans?
C.J. Stroud had his worst outing of the season, throwing for just 86 yards with no touchdowns. He was sacked four times, and the Packers’ defense pressured him on 48% of his dropbacks. Without better protection, the Texans’ playoff hopes may fade quickly.

Next game: Packers at Jaguars, Texans vs. Colts

Cincinnati Bengals 21, Cleveland Browns 14
Bengals:
Is Tee Higgins the key to Cincinnati’s offensive success?
Yes. With Higgins back from injury, the Bengals’ offense clicked. Higgins caught a touchdown in the first half and has posted 75 or more receiving yards in three straight games. His presence gives QB Joe Burrow another reliable option when Ja’Marr Chase is double-teamed.

Surprise Performer: Chase Brown
RB Chase Brown had a 22-yard run in the third quarter, sparking Cincinnati’s first offensive touchdown of the day. His role in the Bengals’ offense continues to expand.

Browns:
What’s next after Deshaun Watson’s Achilles injury?
With Watson sidelined, rookie QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson struggled, throwing two interceptions before leaving with a finger injury. Jameis Winston replaced him but couldn’t rally the Browns.

Next game: Bengals vs. Eagles, Browns vs. Ravens

Buffalo Bills 34, Tennessee Titans 10
Bills:
What impact does Amari Cooper have on the Bills offense?
Amari Cooper made an immediate impact in his first game with Buffalo, catching four passes for 66 yards and a touchdown. His presence adds another dynamic element to the Bills’ passing attack alongside QB Josh Allen.

Surprise Performer: Greg Rousseau
Rousseau dominated with six quarterback hits, the most by any player in a game since 2022. He was a disruptive force against Tennessee, constantly pressuring the QB.

Titans:
Can the Titans learn to close out games?
Tennessee’s offensive struggles continued in the second half as they failed to score while allowing 27 unanswered points. Their inability to protect QB Mason Rudolph and close out games remains a glaring issue.

Next game: Bills at Seahawks, Titans at Lions

Seattle Seahawks 34, Atlanta Falcons 14

Falcons:
How can the Falcons improve their pass rush?
The Falcons’ struggles in getting to the quarterback continue to be a glaring issue. With just six sacks on the season, tied for the lowest total in the NFL, Atlanta’s pass rush ranks near the bottom of the league. Even with the addition of edge rusher Matthew Judon, the Falcons need more help pressuring opposing quarterbacks. Defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake says the team is “on the right track,” but it certainly didn’t appear that way against a Seahawks team that had a fourth-string right tackle protecting QB Geno Smith.

Describe the game in two words: Beat themselves.
Atlanta committed nine penalties for 72 yards, repeatedly giving Seattle second chances. A critical roughing-the-passer penalty on Demone Harris late in the third quarter kept a Seahawks drive alive, leading to a touchdown. The Falcons’ undisciplined play was their undoing.

Eye-popping stat: The Falcons defense allowed six plays of 20-plus yards.
Coming into Week 7, Atlanta had allowed the fewest such plays in the league (11), but their “bend but don’t break” defense couldn’t hold up, allowing six explosive plays that helped Seattle take control of the game.

Next game: at Buccaneers (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Detroit Lions 31, Minnesota Vikings 29

Lions:
Can the Lions compensate for the loss of Aidan Hutchinson?
The Lions suffered a major blow when edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson broke his tibia and fibula, but head coach Dan Campbell isn’t panicking. Detroit used a committee of defensive linemen, including Isaac Ukwu, Trevor Nowaske, Mekhi Wingo, James Houston, and Josh Paschal, to make up for Hutchinson’s absence. Paschal contributed with a sack on Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold late in the third quarter. However, the defense showed some vulnerabilities, particularly in the second half, and the Lions will need to explore additional options to strengthen their pass rush as the season progresses.

Eye-popping stat: Jared Goff’s perfection in the first half.
Goff became the only quarterback this season to have a perfect completion percentage in a half—and he’s done it three times. On Sunday, Goff completed all 12 of his first-half passes, adding to his NFL record of consecutive completions. He finished 12-of-12 with 15 successful completions before his first incompletion, which came in the third quarter on a deflected pass.

Most surprising performance: Guard Kayode Awosika.
Awosika stepped in for injured starting guard Kevin Zeitler and was flagged for three penalties, including back-to-back holding calls early in the game. His penalties contributed to the Lions’ five total penalties in the first quarter, their most in a game since Week 15 of 2022.

Next game: vs. Titans (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Vikings:
Is this where the Vikings’ bubble bursts?
Not yet. While the Vikings were handed their first loss of the season by the Lions, this game was more about Detroit’s dominance than Minnesota being exposed. The Lions’ effective ground game and Jared Goff’s pinpoint accuracy overwhelmed the Vikings’ defense. Despite the loss, the Vikings remain one of the top teams in the NFC, and a close two-point loss isn’t cause for panic.

Describe the game in two words: Rush defense.
The Vikings struggled to contain Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs, who rushed for 116 yards and added another 44 receiving yards. Gibbs became the first Detroit player to have over 150 scrimmage yards and two rushing touchdowns in a game since 2011. Minnesota’s defense was a step behind all day, failing to adjust to the Lions’ offensive onslaught.

Most surprising performance: Aaron Jones, who was questionable due to a sore hamstring, played like he was never injured.
Jones rushed for 93 yards and opened the game with a 34-yard touchdown run, proving to be a key contributor despite his limited practice time earlier in the week.

Next game: at Rams (Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET)