We are now seven weeks into the new NFL regular season and it’s been a good few weeks (six in fact), since we caught up with the latest news and stories from across the league.
Earlier on this season, I gave you my tips for who would win each of the eight divisional NFL titles, and it is fair to say that some of these tips look very well set, but others are perhaps going to struggle to land for me!
In this article, we will hope to find out why!
After a dramatic opening weekend of action which we reported on ahead of Week 2, the drama has continued both on and off the field, with some spectacular upsets, some incredible games, plenty of injury drama and woe, as well as some teams surprising us with how well they are performing this season.
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So let’s take a look at how things stand in the NFL at the moment after seven weeks of action.
NFL Standings After Week 7
NFC North NFC West NFC East NFC South Vikings5-1Seahawks4-3Eagles6-0Buccaneers3-4Packers3-4Rams3-3Giants6-1Falcons3-4Bears3-449ers3-4Cowboys5-2Panthers2-5Lions1-5Cardinals3-4Commanders3-4Saints2-5AFC North AFC West AFC East AFC South Ravens4-3Chiefs5-2Bills5-1Titans4-2Bengals4-3Chargers4-3Jets5-2Colts3-3-1Browns2-5Broncos2-5Dolphins4-3Jaguars2-5Steelers2-5Raiders2-4Patriots3-4Texans1-4-1
Major Trades Since Week 1
LB Deion Jones from Atlanta Falcons to Cleveland BrownsWR Robbie Anderson from Carolina Panthers to Arizona CardinalsRB Christian McCaffrey from Carolina Panthers to San Francisco 49ersRB James Robinson from Jacksonville Jaguars to New York JetsOT Justin Herron from New England Patriots to Las Vegas Raiders
Key Injuries
One of the main issues that has been evident this season is the sheer number of injuries that have been picked up by top players. While some have recovered and are not in this list (such as Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa) others have been injured and will remain out of action for a considerable chunk of the season, or even until next season.
Some of those on this list are:
Breece Hall, Corey Davis (New York Jets)J.C.Jackson, Rashawn Slater, Joey Bosa, Mike Williams (Los Angeles Chargers)D.J Metcalf, Rashard Penney (Seattle Seahawks)Taylor Lewan, Ryan Tannehill, Harold Landry (Tennessee Titans)David Njoku (Cleveland Browns)Evan Neal (New York Giants)Allan Lazard (Green Bay Packers)Jourdan Lewis (Dallas Cowboys)A.J.Terrell (Atlanta Falcons)
Which Teams Have Shone?
Looking at the NFL Season so far, there are a number of teams that have shone with their performances this season.
Philadelphia Eagles (6-0)
The only unbeaten team in the NFL with a 100% winning record, the Eagles have started the season superbly well and Nick Sirianni’s team look well set to become a major factor in the NFC with their powerful rushing attack allied to some excellent wide receivers and solid defense.
The Giants 6-1 record is not just fantastic, it is hugely unexpected. Brian Daboll’s team have silenced the doubters to lie just half a game behind the Eagles and they have recorded key wins against some top teams in this list in that superb start. The question is, can they keep it going?
Brian Daboll just became the first #Giants HC to start his career 6-1 since 1929.
He did it w/ a roster BLOATED w/ dead cap from the former GM, a $72M who doesn’t play and an injury report that includes 5+ starers weekly.
You can’t understate the job he’s done.#TogetherBlue
— Dan Schneier (@DanSchneierNFL) October 23, 2022
The Buffalo Bills were heavily fancied to be one of the strongest teams this season and so it has proved. One defeat to Miami apart, the Bills have been very strong and solid and in Josh Allen have the most outstanding candidate for the MVP this season so far.
With the Packers in decline, the Vikings have stepped up to the plate to become one of the dominant teams not just in that NFC North, but the conference as a whole. Kirk Cousins is playing well and with that powerful defense, the Vikings look well set to build on this fantastic start.
Who Started Well?
The Chiefs offense hasn’t missed a beat since trading Tyreek Hill to the Dolphins, Mahomes and Kelce are still hugely effective and while their defense can be exposed, as the Bills have already proven this season, this Chiefs team is still doing better than many expected.
After the first couple of weeks of the season, the Jets looked likely to be the also-rans in the AFC East, fast-forward to Week 7 and they have become the main rivals to the Bills with a number of fantastic performances including a huge win over the Packers at Lambeau Field.
An 0-2 start left Titans fans wondering what the season held, after they were demolished by the Bills on Week 2, however they have won four in a row since then including two wins over divisional rivals the Colts which could be huge in deciding who wins this division and goes into the playoffs.
The Bengals started the season slowly with a hangover from their Super Bowl defeat, but they have bounced back with some great performances including last weekend’s big win. However, an injury to Ja’Marr Chase threatens to derail their season if they cannot cope in his absence.
Who Is On The Decline?
Who would have thought that Aaron Rodgers would sign a big contract to remain in Wisconsin only for the Packers form to fall off a cliff? No Davante Adams means the offense is struggling and with other receivers hurt, this could be a real test of the Packers resilience.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-4)
Has Tom Brady come out of retirement to finish his GOAT career with a middling to poor season? That appears to be the case as the Bucs stumbled to an embarrassing defeat at the weekend against the Panthers. The Bucs are miles away from the team that won the Super Bowl a couple of years ago.
San Francisco 49ers (3-4)
Much was expected from the 49ers this season and while their defense has proven themselves to be high calibre, their offense has struggled. Losing Trey Lance was a big blow (but entirely predictable given how they used him) and they are yet to get Deebo Samuel firing this season. Acquiring Christian McCaffery however gives them a chance.
The Super Bowl champions still have some high-quality playmakers on their team, capable of changing the course of a game, but they have struggled for consistency and worryingly, Matt Stafford looks like he is getting back into his old bad habits.
Which Teams Season Is In The Bin?
Matt Rhule gone and their main offensive playmakers traded away, the QB position up for grabs and Christian McCaffrey traded for draft picks. Despite this the Panthers beat the Bucs at the weekend but they have already filed this season in the bin and are looking to the future.
The Texans picked up an early win in the season and I did think that maybe better things lay in store. Instead, it looks like being another long and tough season for Texans fans, although their talented rookies do offer some real hope for big improvements down the line.
After spending big to land DeShaun Watson, the quarterback’s suspension has left the Browns in limbo and despite putting up solid performances, they have not been able to turn those performances into wins. They are not out of it just yet in the AFC North but it’s a tough one for them to get back into.
I have a real soft spot for the Lions and head coach Dan Campbell but after a solid start and some good performances, the Lions have been, well like the Lions over the last few weeks with some calamitous plays at key junctures of the game putting them in familiar 1-5 territory.
NFL Matchday 8 Fixtures
Thursday 27th October
Baltimore Ravens (4-3) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-4)
Sunday 30th October
Denver Broncos (2-5) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (2-5)Miami Dolphins (3-4) @ Detroit Lions (1-5)Carolina Panthers (2-5) @ Atlanta Falcons (3-4)Arizona Cardinals (3-4) @ Minnesota Vikings (5-1)Chicago Bears (3-4) @ Dallas Cowboys (5-2)Las Vegas Raiders (2-4) @ New Orleans Saints (2-5)Pittsburgh Steelers (2-5) @ Philadelphia Eagles (6-0)New England Patriots (3-4) @ New York Jets (5-2)Tennessee Titans (4-2) @ Houston Texans (1-4-1)New York Giants (6-1) @ Seattle Seahawks (4-3)Washington Commanders (3-4) @ Indianapolis Colts (3-3-1)San Francisco 49ers (3-4) @ Los Angeles Rams (3-3)Green Bay Packers (3-4) @ Buffalo Bills (5-1)
Monday 31st October
Cincinnati Bengals (4-3) @ Cleveland Browns (2-5)
My NFL Weekend Moneyline Accumulator
Buccaneers to beat the Ravens – 21/20Vikings to beat the Cardinals – 25/48Saints to beat the Raiders – 11/10Jets to beat the Patriots – 21/20Bengals to beat the Browns – 10/17
This fivefold bet would return at 20.31/1 with bet365 Sport at the stated odds, but the odds may change in the meantime.
