Russell Wilson flashes vintage form, and what else we learned in Week 7

It’s time we talk about Goff in the MVP conversation. He started the game against the previously un-figure-out-able Flores defense with 15 straight completions and Detroit served the Vikings their first loss of the season to take control of the league’s best division. Also, defensive back Brian Branch needs to be thrown into the Defensive Player of the Year conversation. He was everywhere for a defense that just lost Pro Bowl edge Aidan Hutchinson, who was previously considered the team’s best defender. Branch has slid into that role now seamlessly. 

Vikings: You live by the sword of Brian Flores’ aggressiveness, you can die by it, too. But then you can be resurrected? En route to four straight touchdowns, Goff beat Flo’s blitz schemes multiple times but then linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. went in for the scoop-and-score to give the Vikings a 29-28 lead with 5:50 to play in the game. It was clear these two teams are the best in the conference as they traded blows back and forth. Someone had to win. And for the first time this season, it was Minnesota. 

They’re now 5-1 on the season, but it wasn’t a loss I think the Vikings should feel bad about at all. There were moments of pure brilliance from Pace, from quarterback Sam Darnold, from wide receiver Justin Jefferson and running back Aaron Jones. Even left tackle Christian Darrisaw got a shout-out from the Vikings’ official social media account. Minnesota is an incredibly complete team and about to get tight end T.J. Hockenson back from injury. These Norsemen are for real, and it’s making this division as a whole so much fun to watch. — Carmen Vitali

Terry Bradshaw compares Jared Goff to Tom Brady after Lions’ win

Packers: Jordan Love is playing a little bit like 2023 Josh Allen. Love has thrown an interception in each of his five games played this year. He has eight interceptions total on the season. And it’s certainly an issue, but I’m not sure it’s a problem. It’s a product of his aggressiveness and his development as a passer. Because, of course, Love also has 15 touchdowns this year. Even with the turnover issues, Love managed this game well against one of the best signal-callers in the NFL. He erased most of his negative plays with positive ones. Love is already one of the most promising young QBs in the NFL, but when he starts cutting out the turnovers, he might creep into the conversation with Patrick Mahomes. — Henry McKenna

Jaguars: Rookie Brian Thomas Jr. is a true No. 1 receiver. Even on a day when the Jaguars featured their run game, Thomas’ consistency and big-play abilities were evident. Jacksonville picked Thomas at No. 23 overall, and it didn’t seem like he would have an easy rise into the WR1 spot on the depth chart. After all, the Jaguars already had Christian Kirk on the roster and they had just signed Gabe Davis. But there’s no doubt who Trevor Lawrence trusts with the ball among those receivers. It’s obviously Thomas. Not only is he absurdly fast, but he also has reliable hands and strong route technique. He has a touchdown in three of the past four weeks, showing he can fill the shoes of Calvin Ridley, who left as a free agent. It honestly looks like Thomas is a better fit than Ridley was in Jacksonville. That’s good news for Lawrence, who still needs to dig himself out of a bad start this season. — Henry McKenna

Falcons: Can Atlanta’s defense play well enough to keep them atop the NFC South? Sunday saw a three-game win streak end at home with a 34-14 loss to Seattle, with Atlanta’s defense forcing no turnovers. Even in their three wins, the Falcons had given up 25 points per game. (The loss got out of hand enough Sunday that rookie Michael Penix Jr. came in for a brief NFL debut.) Instead of potentially picking up a game in the standings with the Bucs facing the Ravens on Monday, Atlanta missed an opportunity, which puts even more on the line when the Falcons go to Tampa next week for a huge divisional showdown. — Greg Auman

Colts: Anthony Richardson has opened the door for a quarterback controversy — even in a win. Joe Flacco was putting up solid numbers for the Colts, and the return of the starter, Richardson, meant the Colts saw their offense halt — particularly the passing offense. Just look at what Flacco did against the Titans (189 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT) and the Jaguars (359 yards, 3 TDs) compared to what Richardson did to the Dolphins (129 passing yards, 56 rushing). 

The Colts will want to stick with Richardson, because they want him to be their future. But it’s pretty clear that in the short-term, Flacco is the better fit to win games. So how will Indy manage this situation going forward? Do the Colts want to try to eke out wins despite Richardson, with everyone — including those in the locker room — knowing he’s not their best QB? Or do they want to replace their face of the franchise with a journeyman to try to make the playoffs? It’s a legitimately tough call. I don’t have an answer. — Henry McKenna

Colts QB Anthony Richardson on Indy’s win over Dolphins

Bills: Amari Cooper will be the No. 1 receiver the Bills desperately needed. Five days after joining the team, he was second on the team with 66 yards and a touchdown on four receptions in Sunday’s blowout win over the Titans. So imagine what it could look like once he’s able to immerse himself in the playbook and build a rapport with Allen. He opens up opportunities for Buffalo’s other receivers (see rookie Keon Coleman, who erupted for 125 receiving yards). And Cooper’s performance didn’t come against a slouch of a defense. The Titans stink, and they were without top cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, but they still ranked first in the league entering the week in yards allowed. Sunday was confirmation that Cooper puts the Bills in the conversation with the Chiefs, Ravens and Texans at the top of the AFC. — Ben Arthur

Browns: Cleveland got a boost with the news that Nick Chubb would be returning to the lineup, and after quarterback Deshaun Watson went down with an Achilles injury in the second quarter, Chubb promptly got into the end zone on a one-yard score. He had just 22 yards on 11 carries, and he’ll have to shake off the rust quickly given the Browns’ uncertainty under center. Dorian Thompson-Robinson came in relief but then got injured, throwing emergency quarterback Jameis Winston into the lineup at the end of the game. Winston threw a dart to tight end David Njoku to give the Browns a little bit of life with 1:27 left on the clock. They couldn’t recover the onside kick, but Browns fans at least got to see some offense at long last. They get the Ravens next, but Cleveland may finally be on track toward some stability going forward. — Carmen Vitali

Giants: It was just like old times for QB Daniel Jones — bad old times, like before his offensive line started playing well this year. In the first game since losing LT Andrew Thomas for the season, Jones was battered by the Eagles defense. He was sacked seven times and was pressured constantly before he was benched in the fourth quarter. He wasn’t helped by Brian Daboll’s odd decision to call only three running plays in the entire first half. But if the Giants’ line can’t function with Josh Ezeudu taking over for Thomas, they have no chance of digging out of their 2-5 hole. Their offense was pathetic enough before, when Jones actually had time in the pocket. Without that, they’ll be lucky to score a touchdown the rest of the way. — Ralph Vacchiano

Saquon Barkley on dominant performance against former team

Commanders: So much of Washington’s great start has been because of its electric rookie QB, Jayden Daniels. But the Commanders showed on Sunday that they’re not just a one-man team. After Daniels left the game early because of a rib injury, the Commanders didn’t miss a beat. (By the way, Daniels’ mother, Regina Jackson, posted on social media mid-game that “He’s fine.”) Marcus Mariota came in and wasn’t as exciting, but he took advantage of all the weapons around him. The Commanders have playmakers in the passing game (Terry McLaurin, Zach Ertz), a strong rushing attack (Brian Robinson, Austin Ekeler) and an offensive line that’s performing unexpectedly well. Yeah, OK, they were playing a pretty awful Panthers defense. But Washington was nearly flawless on offense, which isn’t easy to do with a backup QB under any circumstances. That’s how good Daniels’ surrounding cast really is, which bodes well for them when he returns. — Ralph Vacchiano

Rams: The Rams are poised to be a dangerous team by the end of 2024. Call me crazy for that proclamation with their 2-4 start, with one of those wins coming narrowly Sunday against a bad Raiders team, but all the Rams have to do is stay afloat enough through the early part of the season. It’s because they’re set to get Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua and other injured starters back later in the year. And despite being short-handed, three of Los Angeles’ four losses have come by six or fewer points, showing its competitiveness. Not to mention, its defense has flashed plenty of promise. The unit harassed Gardner Minshew relentlessly on Sunday. The Rams are closer to putting it all together than their record would suggest. Every year, there are teams that go on late-season runs that can alter the playoff race (whether or not they qualify). The Rams have the potential to be that. — Ben Arthur

49ers: At some point, we knew the injuries to San Francisco’s offensive skill-position talent would catch up to them. Playing the entire season without Christian McCaffrey is plenty of a challenge in itself, but now trying to throw the ball without Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings proved to be too much for Brock Purdy to overcome. The question now is how long these injuries are going to persist, and whether the 49ers need to make a move to offset the losses at receiver. There are several solid veterans available on the cheap — Mike Williams, DeAndre Hopkins, Diontae Johnson and others — and it might be worth shedding a late-round pick to get some insurance that they won’t have to try to win with rookies and other backups. They’re 3-4 but only a game back of Seattle (with the tiebreaker there for now), so there isn’t reason to panic, but winning in the postseason will be a tougher task. — Greg Auman

Tom Brady on Chiefs’ dominant 6-0 season after defeating 49ers in Week 7

Jets: A new player on the roster, but the same results for New York. Aaron Rodgers was reunited with his former teammate Davante Adams via trade from the Las Vegas Raiders. And while those two still appeared to have good chemistry created during their time in Green Bay, it didn’t stop Rodgers from throwing picks. The 40-year-old signal-caller finished with two interceptions against a stout Pittsburgh defense and now has six interceptions in his last three games – all losses for New York. At 2-5, the Jets are running out of games to turn their season around and need their franchise quarterback to stop giving the ball to the other team.  

Steelers: Pittsburgh finally has a potent passing game. Russell Wilson looked like his old self in his first game starting for the Steelers, and that’s a good thing for head coach Mike Tomlin and his Steelers. Wilson’s 264 passing yards were the most for a Steelers quarterback in his debut in team history. No. 1 receiver George Pickens produced, finishing with five catches for 111 yards and a score. And Wilson’s ability to create explosive plays helped loosen up one of the top defenses in the league in the Jets. Now, Wilson must show he can stay healthy and play consistent, efficient football through the second half of the season. If that happens, Pittsburgh should compete for a division title in the competitive AFC North. — Eric D. Williams