NFL Week 7 Grades: Stunning Comebacks, Blowouts, and Standout Performances

Week 7 of the NFL season did not disappoint, with thrilling finishes, surprising blowouts, and some standout performances that left fans on the edge of their seats. From Saquon Barkley's big game against his former team to Russell Wilson's impressive debut with the Steelers, this week delivered plenty of drama and excitement. Some teams found their footing, while others continued to stumble, but one thing is clear: every game in the NFL has the potential to turn a season around. Let's dive into the action and see how each matchup played out.

Denver Broncos 33-10 over New Orleans Saints

Broncos: A
Sean Payton’s return to New Orleans was a success. The Broncos leaned on Javonte Williams, who ran for two touchdowns, and the defense did the rest. Denver looks like they’re starting to put things together, and this was a big win to build on.

Saints: D
The Saints were simply outmatched. Rookie QB Spencer Rattler was under pressure all day and couldn’t get the offense going. Injuries have really taken their toll on New Orleans, and it’s starting to show. They’ll need to find a way to get healthy and get back on track.

Indianapolis Colts 16-10 over Miami Dolphins

Dolphins: C-
Miami had their chances to win but couldn’t capitalize. Two fumbles in the third quarter and a missed field goal late in the game cost them dearly. The Dolphins' run game was strong, racking up 188 yards, but with key injuries and mistakes, they couldn’t finish the job.

Colts: C
The Colts’ defense came up big, forcing turnovers and setting up short-field scoring drives. Anthony Richardson wasn’t at his best, but he made the plays when they mattered most. The Colts aren’t blowing teams out, but they’re finding ways to win, and that’s all that counts.

Jacksonville Jaguars 32-16 over New England Patriots (in London)

Patriots: C-
The Patriots' issues continued in London, where their defense just couldn’t stop Jacksonville’s ground game. The Jaguars ran all over them, piling up 171 rushing yards, with Tank Bigsby racking up 118 and two touchdowns. Rookie QB Drake Maye was one of the few bright spots, throwing for 276 yards and two touchdowns. He’s still showing promise, but he’s not getting much help from his offensive line or the run game. It’s a tough situation, but for New England fans, Maye’s development is all that matters right now.

Jaguars: A-
The Jaguars took full control after a slow start, using their week in London to work out some early-season kinks. With a solid ground attack and Trevor Lawrence playing efficiently, Jacksonville dominated the game. Bigsby had a standout day, and even the special teams got in on the action with a 96-yard punt return touchdown. The Jags look like the team everyone expected when the season started, and with Doug Pederson’s game plan working wonders, they seem poised for a playoff run.

Pittsburgh Steelers 37-15 over New York Jets

Jets: D
The Jets just couldn’t catch a break. Their defense got shredded by a QB (Russell Wilson) who hadn’t started a game in nearly a year, and Aaron Rodgers threw two costly interceptions. With Davante Adams now in the fold, they were hoping for more, but the offense was a no-show in the second half. At 2-5, New York’s season is hanging by a thread, and they need to figure things out fast.

Steelers: A
Mike Tomlin’s decision to start Russell Wilson is looking pretty smart right now. Wilson wasn’t spectacular to start, but he found his groove, throwing for 264 yards and completing several deep passes. He opened things up for Najee Harris, who had a big game on the ground. The Steelers' defense did its job, turning Rodgers’ mistakes into points. At 5-2, Pittsburgh is looking like a real contender in the AFC.

Seattle Seahawks 34-14 over Atlanta Falcons

Seahawks: A
The Seahawks finally snapped their losing streak with a dominating defensive performance. Derick Hall’s 64-yard fumble return for a touchdown was the highlight, and the defense made life miserable for Kirk Cousins, forcing multiple turnovers. Kenneth Walker III and DK Metcalf also showed up big. After losing three straight, this was the kind of win that could get Seattle back on track.

Falcons: D-
This was not Kirk Cousins' finest moment. Three turnovers in the fourth quarter spelled disaster, and even though Bijan Robinson had a strong game, it wasn’t enough. The Falcons have the talent, but Cousins’ mistakes made it impossible to keep up with Seattle. They’ll need to fix that if they want to stay competitive.

Buffalo Bills 34-10 over Tennessee Titans

Titans: D
Tennessee’s coaching decisions left everyone scratching their heads. Going for it on fourth-and-2 deep in their own territory in the second half gave Buffalo all the momentum. Rookie QB Mason Rudolph struggled, and without Will Levis, the Titans’ offense looked stuck in neutral. They’ve now dropped to 2-5, and it’s starting to look bleak.

Bills: A-
Buffalo didn’t exactly start hot, but once they woke up, they ran away with the game. Josh Allen turned things around after a rough first half, finishing with 258 yards and two touchdowns. Amari Cooper made his debut for the Bills with a solid performance, and Buffalo’s offense spread the ball around. Once they got rolling, Tennessee had no chance.

Cincinnati Bengals 21-14 over Cleveland Browns

Bengals: B-
Cincinnati’s defense took care of business for the second straight week, with Sam Hubbard making big plays, including a sack and an interception. Joe Burrow and the offense weren’t great early on, but they did just enough to get the win. After a rocky start to the season, the Bengals are back in the hunt at 3-4.

Browns: C-
It’s the same old story for Cleveland: the offense can’t get it going. Deshaun Watson left with an injury, and backup Dorian Thompson-Robinson struggled to move the ball. The defense did its job, but missed opportunities and two missed field goals from Dustin Hopkins sunk their chances. Things just keep going from bad to worse for the Browns.

Green Bay Packers 24-22 over Houston Texans

Texans: C
Without Nico Collins, Houston’s passing game was a mess. C.J. Stroud had one of his roughest days, throwing for just 86 yards and getting sacked four times. Joe Mixon did his best to keep the Texans in it, running for 115 yards and two touchdowns, but turnovers and pressure on Stroud kept them from finishing the job.

Packers: B
The Packers did their best to hand this game away with three turnovers, but Jordan Love redeemed himself with a late-game drive, setting up Brandon McManus’ game-winning field goal. Love threw two picks but made up for it when it counted. The Packers defense also deserves credit for sacking Stroud four times and keeping Houston in check.

Philadelphia Eagles 28-3 over New York Giants

Eagles: A
This was the Saquon Barkley show. In his first game against his old team, Barkley ran for 176 yards and a touchdown, leading the Eagles’ ground attack. The defense was just as impressive, sacking Daniel Jones eight times and holding the Giants to only 119 yards of offense. The Eagles look like the most complete team in the league right now.

Giants: F
It’s hard to imagine things getting worse for the Giants, but this might have been their worst performance yet. The offensive line was overrun, Jones was sacked eight times, and they mustered just 119 total yards. To make matters worse, they got steamrolled by their former star, Barkley. The Giants' season is spiraling out of control.

Detroit Lions 31-29 over Minnesota Vikings

Lions: B+
Jared Goff is playing at an MVP level, completing 22 of 25 passes for 280 yards and two touchdowns. Rookie Jahmyr Gibbs also had a breakout game, rushing for 116 yards and two scores. Despite some defensive hiccups, the Lions found a way to win, and they’re now firmly in control of the NFC North.

Vikings: B
Minnesota played well and even took a late 29-28 lead, but they couldn’t close it out. Sam Darnold had a solid game, but two late interceptions were costly. This loss stings, but the Vikings are still a force to be reckoned with in the NFC North, and they’ll likely be in the thick of things down the stretch.

Kansas City Chiefs 28-18 over San Francisco 49ers

49ers: C-
Brock Purdy had a rough outing, throwing three interceptions as the 49ers couldn’t get much going on offense without Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk. Even though the defense held Patrick Mahomes in check, San Francisco couldn’t stop Kansas City’s run game, and now they’ve dropped to 3-4 in what’s turning into a tough season.

Chiefs: B
Mahomes didn’t have his best game, but Kansas City still found a way to win thanks to Kareem Hunt’s strong performance on the ground and three big interceptions from the defense. The Chiefs are still undefeated and looking like strong candidates to make another Super Bowl run.

Los Angeles Rams 20-15 over Las Vegas Raiders

Rams: B-
The Rams leaned on their defense, and it paid off big time. Kamren Curl’s fumble return for a touchdown and Jaylen McCollough’s two interceptions helped seal the win. The offense wasn’t great, but the defense stepped up when it mattered. With Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua set to return soon, the Rams are hoping to keep their momentum going.

Raiders: B-
Gardner Minshew returned due to an injury to Aidan O’Connell, but he had a rough day, turning the ball over four times. Those turnovers accounted for all of the Rams' points. Despite Daniel Carlson’s five field goals, the Raiders couldn’t overcome the mistakes, and now they’ve lost three straight.

Washington Commanders 40-7 over Carolina Panthers

Commanders: A+
Washington was firing on all cylinders. After Jayden Daniels went down early, Marcus Mariota came in and didn’t miss a beat, throwing for 205 yards and two touchdowns. The defense dominated, with Dante Fowler Jr. adding a pick-six. The Commanders are playing like one of the best teams in the NFC East and show no signs of slowing down.

Panthers: F
This was rock bottom for Carolina. Their offense was non-existent, and their defense couldn’t stop the Commanders. Andy Dalton struggled all game, and nothing seemed to go right. At this point, the Panthers look like the worst team in the NFL.

As Week 7 comes to a close, the NFL landscape continues to shift with each passing game. Some teams are starting to hit their stride, while others are facing mounting challenges. With standout performances, game-changing moments, and a few surprises along the way, this week reminded us why football remains as unpredictable as ever. As we look ahead, teams will either build on their momentum or scramble to make adjustments. One thing’s for sure—there’s plenty more excitement to come in the weeks ahead. Stay tuned!

Tua Tagovailoa’s Comeback: The Dolphins’ Quarterback is Almost Back!

Miami Dolphins fans, it’s almost time—Tua Tagovailoa is gearing up for a return, and it couldn’t come at a better moment! After suffering a concussion in Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills, Tua has been working through the NFL’s concussion protocol, and if all goes well, he’ll be back on the field for Week 8 against the Arizona Cardinals. Cue the excitement, because the Dolphins have seriously missed their guy.

Why Tua is a Game-Changer

Tua isn’t just any quarterback—he’s the heartbeat of the Dolphins' offense. When he’s on the field, everything just clicks. His leadership, quick decisions, and ability to hit Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle for big plays have made Miami one of the most dangerous teams in the league. Without him? Well, let’s just say it hasn’t been quite the same.

Since Tua entered the league in 2020, he’s been the one to bring hope back to Miami. His presence gives the team a sense of direction, and his absence has left them struggling to keep up. With Tua back in action, the Dolphins offense will be back to firing on all cylinders.

The Concussion History

Unfortunately, Tua’s injury history has been a big talking point. This is his fourth concussion since joining the NFL, which is concerning for obvious reasons. After the hit in Week 2, Tua’s body went into that alarming fencing response, which sent shivers down fans’ spines. But Tua, being the leader he is, assured everyone he was feeling fine and even stayed in the locker room to support his teammates post-game. Talk about dedication!

Tua’s had concussions before, most notably during the 2022 season when he had to sit out the final stretch after a scary hit. The NFL even updated its concussion protocols because of what happened. But this time, Tua is aiming for a quicker return, with the Dolphins targeting Week 8 against the Cardinals for his comeback.

Road to Recovery

Tua isn’t taking any chances with his health. He’s been meeting with neurologists—some old faces from his previous injuries, plus new doctors—to get as much info as possible about the risks and the safest way to return to the field. The good news? It’s looking like Tua will be cleared to play soon.

Throughout this whole process, Tua has stayed involved. He’s been in team meetings, hanging on the sidelines during games, and offering his leadership from the bench. Even though he’s not out there throwing touchdowns right now, Tua’s presence is felt in the locker room. That’s just the kind of leader he is.

The Dolphins’ QB Shuffle

While Tua’s been recovering, the Dolphins have had to patch things together at quarterback. They’ve gone with Skylar Thompson and more recently brought in Tyler Huntley from the Ravens’ practice squad. Huntley has been holding things down for now, but it’s clear the Dolphins are missing their main man. With a 1-3 record without Tua, the offense just hasn’t had the same spark.

Luckily, Miami snagged a crucial win against the Patriots in Week 5, which kept their playoff hopes alive. But let’s be real—the Dolphins need Tua back, ASAP.

What’s Next?

If everything goes to plan, Tua will be back in action on October 27 for Miami’s home game against the Arizona Cardinals. And with the schedule looking favorable after that (hello, Rams and Raiders), the Dolphins have a real shot at turning things around. If Tua comes back healthy, it’s time to start thinking playoffs, because the Dolphins will be a force once again.

Of course, the team is going to monitor Tua closely, considering his concussion history, but things are looking good so far. With no lingering symptoms and his determination to get back on the field, Tua’s return is on the horizon—and the Dolphins are ready.

The Bottom Line: Tua is the Dolphins’ Secret Sauce

Tua Tagovailoa is more than just a quarterback for Miami—he’s the spark that makes everything happen. Without him, the Dolphins have struggled, but with him back, the team’s offense will shift into high gear. His leadership, playmaking, and ability to elevate those around him make him essential to Miami’s success.

All eyes are on Week 8, when Tua is expected to return and hopefully give the Dolphins the jolt they need to make a run for the playoffs. So, Dolphins fans, get ready—Tua Time is almost here, and it’s about to get exciting again!