Week 7 of the NFL season saw a Super Bowl contender get back on track and a thrilling divisional showdown in the NFC North, as well as another comeback victory for one of the NFL’s most surprising teams.
Here’s what you need to know starting Sunday.
Lions won a wild home game
What a game between the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers at the end of the window. The Lions won 20-17 on a field goal after a drama-filled affair that included controversial calls, numerous attacks and even an offensive lineman running a drag route.
Two quarters were doing business. Detroit’s Jared Goff completed 27 of 45 passes for 274 yards in the victory, while Green Bay’s Jordan Love completed 22 of 32 for 303 yards. Love could have had an even bigger day, but his receivers had several drops in big moments.
The game was also filled with errors. The Packers missed two field goals, both under 40 yards. Detroit, meanwhile, recorded two turnovers after not giving the ball away once since Week 1.
The fourth quarter was particularly intense. The Lions went for fourth and one from their own 24, but were stuffed with points.
Green Bay, however, was unable to take advantage of the ensuing possession. After gaining just 5 yards, the Packers lined up for a 35-yard field goal, but Trey Smack’s kick was deflected.
Detroit’s offense finally finished the job from there, driving 71 yards and running out time for a game-winning kick from Jake Bates. The Lions improved to 4-2, while the Packers fell to 4-3.
Can the Browns continue to pull this off?
Cleveland improved to 5-2 after a last-minute 27-24 victory over the Tennessee Titans.
The Browns are not only one of the most surprising teams in the NFL; They are the comeback kings of the league so far this season. Quarterback Deshaun Watson has led a winning streak in each of the team’s five wins this year, and those five winning streaks are the most by any Cleveland quarterback in a single season this century, according to ESPN.
The Browns got a breakout game from rookie wide receiver KC Concepcion, who had eight catches for 129 yards. Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. made a huge play late in the game with a 36-yard catch and run to set up a game-winning field goal.
Can Cleveland keep this up? All five of his wins have been by four points or less. The Browns have a negative 13 point differential despite their winning record. Cleveland continues to win, but the margins are razor thin.
JJ McCarthy gets his first win for the Giants
A week after throwing for 243 yards in relief of Jameis Winston, JJ McCarthy got the start for New York and led the Giants to a 27-21 victory over the Houston Texans in overtime.
McCarthy played an impeccable game, completing 20 of 28 passes for 252 yards. He improved to 7-4 in his career as a starter, and New York is now 4-2-1 – and atop the NFC East. McCarthy received a huge boost from his rushing attack, as Cam Skattebo ran for 124 yards and a score, while former Texan Devin Singletary ran for the game-winning touchdown in the overtime period.
The Rams have a good game
It’s been a frustrating season for Los Angeles, who entered Week 7 with a 2-4 record. The Rams’ last three losses came by a total of nine points, a sign that the team was closer to the preseason favorite than most thought.
Los Angeles finally lived up to its potential in a 35-21 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. The Rams scored 28 points in the first half alone, thanks in large part to a rushing attack that averaged 5.2 yards per carry en route to 199 yards. Reigning MVP Matthew Stafford was efficient, finishing the game with 195 yards on 23-of-29 passing.
Los Angeles’ next three games are against the Los Angeles Chargers, Washington Commanders and Arizona Cardinals – an opportunity for the 3-4 Rams to get back above .500.
Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers keep winning
After quarterback Aaron Rodgers showed his age during a slow start to the season, the 42-year-old four-time MVP led Pittsburgh to a 4-1 record in its last five games. The Steelers earned a 16-10 victory over the New Orleans Saints in Paris in a game played without incident amid protests in France.
Rodgers has completed at least 60 percent of his passes in each of the last three weeks, all of which were Pittsburgh wins. On Sunday, he even turned back the clock to collect a key first late with his legs, icing the match.
The Steelers are tied with the Browns atop the AFC North, although Cleveland holds first place thanks to a head-to-head tiebreaker.
The undefeated fall and the defeated rise
The San Francisco 49ers fell to 6-1 in a 29-20 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. The 49ers entered depleted from injuries (especially at receiver), then lost running back Christian McCaffrey during the game. Brock Purdy threw two interceptions, but it was far from a moment of panic in the Bay.
Meanwhile, the Miami Dolphins picked up their first win of the season and head coach Jeff Hafley’s first career victory. The Dolphins outlasted the New York Jets 28-25, and it’s possible that losing to a previously winless Miami team puts Jets coach Aaron Glenn in a too-hot seat to return.
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