Week 7 of the NFL season starts with the Jacksonville Jaguars playing on the road against the New Orleans Saints. Week 7 is not a great slate, so instead of looking at 5–6 games, I’m going to dive into the three biggest games of the weekend. Some teams are looking for a chance to prove they’re legit contenders, while others are fighting to save their season.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – SEPTEMBER 18: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions plays against the Washington Commanders at Ford Field on September 18, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Detroit Lions (+3.0) @ Baltimore Ravens
The first of the three games I’m most looking forward to watching this weekend is the 5-1 Detroit Lions heading to Baltimore to take on the 4–2 Ravens. Jared Goff has had the Lions high-powered offense clicking on all cylinders the last few weeks. Led by Aman-Ra St. Brown, Sam Laporta and David Montgomery, the Lions have been the most exciting offense in the league, but they face a tough test this week playing a Ravens defense that ranks second in total yards allowed per game. The Ravens defense has only allowed 6 touchdowns this year, so Goff will have his hands full trying to get his squad in the end zone.
The Ravens on the other hand are coming back from London after a tough win over the Tennessee Titans. Lamar Jackson has been a one-man show for the Ravens offense, throwing for 5 touchdowns and rushing for 4 so far this season. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Lions get a big home win this weekend, but it’s going to take Goff’s best performance of the season. Whoever wins this game will solidify themselves as a serious Super Bowl contender.
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CINCINNATI, OHIO – DECEMBER 04: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half at Paycor Stadium on December 04, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Chargers (+5.5) @ Kansas City Chiefs
The second game I’m looking forward to watching this weekend is the 2-3 LA Chargers heading to Arrowhead to take on the 5–1 Chiefs. The Chargers have been one of the more disappointing teams this season. Their coaching and defense have really let them down, while Justin Herbert hasn’t quite been able to elevate the talent around him enough to get them wins.
Herbert is having one of the better seasons statistically of most QB’s in the league, throwing for 1,333 yards 9 touchdowns and 2 interceptions to this point in the season, but it hasn’t been enough to get the Chargers in the win column. If things don’t change quickly in LA, Brandon Staley could be on his way out the door.
While Kansas City is 5-1 Mahomes and the offense haven’t been the same explosive force we’re used to seeing. Mahomes has thrown for 1,593 yards this season and 11 touchdowns, but he also has 5 interceptions on the season. He and Travis Kelce still have one of the best rapports in the league, but it feels like Mahomes is making more questionable decisions this season than any other.
It could be because of his lack of weapons and this leading him to feel like he has to force the ball downfield at times. However, because Mahomes is so good, it hasn’t hurt the Chiefs from getting wins. This is a massive AFC West battle, especially for the Chargers if they want any chance at saving their season. It’s a must win or the road to the playoffs will be too steep for them to climb.
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 10: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 10, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Miami Dolphins (+2.5) @ Philadelphia Eagles
By far the most anticipated matchup of week 7 is the Sunday night game between the 5–1 Dolphins and the 5–1 Eagles. Two of the NFL’s best teams through 6 weeks face off in Miami, and the quarterbacks are the story in this one. At one time teammates at Alabama, Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts will now face each other for the first time in the NFL with a chance for a statement win.
Many football fans will remember Tua replacing Hurts in the 2017 National Championship game as a freshman and leading the Crimson Tide to victory. Another fun anecdote from that game is the touchdown that sparked Alabama’s comeback was thrown by Tua to none other than the Eagles’ Devonta Smith, so there will be no shortage of Alabama representation in this one.
Now for the actual game, on the Miami side they are setting records offensively, running teams off the field on a weekly basis. Tua has thrown for 1,876 yards this season already, with 14 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle sure make Tua’s life easier, but he deserves some of the credit for his quick release and fast decision-making.
The Dolphins are no slouches in the running game either, somewhat surprisingly led by Raheem Mostert who has 429 yards on the season and an incredible 9 touchdowns already. The Eagles will sure have their hands full trying to slow down the high-powered Miami offense, but teams know they’re in for a fight when they head to Philly especially on a Sunday night.
The Eagles enter this game 5-1 as well, but haven’t looked nearly as dominant as the Miami Dolphins or even close to as dominant as they were last season offensively. Jalen Hurts has a pedestrian 7 touchdowns and 7 interceptions this league but is still impacting the game enough with his legs to generate positive drives.
The Eagles will need their offense to click this weekend though if they’re going to have a chance at keeping up with the Dolphins. I expect a high scoring close battle throughout in this one with the Dolphins’ explosiveness being too much in the end for the Eagles to handle.
