2021 NFL Week 7 Recap

Stunning blowouts, players’ payback for former teams and Woodfork withdrawals are all over the NFL Week 7 Recap.

<p><b><i>Saints 13</i></b><br />
<b><i>Seahawks 10</i></b></p>
<p>I don’t know what was least surprising — <a href="https://twitter.com/PFTCommenter/status/1452800981331218442?s=20">Marshawn Lynch dropping the F-bomb on live TV</a> in the middle of<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2hOgbq2myA"> the Beast Quake Rematch</a> or New Orleans taking full advantage of Russell Wilson’s absence. Without Russ, Seattle is 0-3 at home for the first time since 1992 and their streak of four straight wins on Monday Night Football is over. If the Seahawks can’t manage a home win over the putrid Jaguars Sunday, Wilson might just win his first MVP for being absent.</p>
<p>But seriously, can we get Beast Mode in a booth somewhere? This man is straight up gold.</p>
<p>https://twitter.com/PFF/status/1452797436523687943?s=20</p>

1/13

New Orleans Saints’ Alvin Kamara runs for a touchdown after a pass reception as Seattle Seahawks’ Ryan Neal defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 25, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Saints 13
Seahawks 10

I don’t know what was least surprising — Marshawn Lynch dropping the F-bomb on live TV in the middle of the Beast Quake Rematch or New Orleans taking full advantage of Russell Wilson’s absence. Without Russ, Seattle is 0-3 at home for the first time since 1992 and their streak of four straight wins on Monday Night Football is over. If the Seahawks can’t manage a home win over the putrid Jaguars Sunday, Wilson might just win his first MVP for being absent.

But seriously, can we get Beast Mode in a booth somewhere? This man is straight up gold.

https://twitter.com/PFF/status/1452797436523687943?s=20

<p><em><strong>Colts 30</strong></em><br />
<em><strong>49ers 18</strong></em></p>
<p>Indy survived a torrential downpour to earn an impressive season-saving win, while San Fran is now 0-3 at Levi’s Stadium after going just 1-6 there the last two seasons. The 49ers’ defensive backfield might just be what keeps them in the basement of the uber-competitive NFC West.</p>

2/13

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., top, catches a touchdown pass over San Francisco 49ers cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick (13) during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

Colts 30
49ers 18

Indy survived a torrential downpour to earn an impressive season-saving win, while San Fran is now 0-3 at Levi’s Stadium after going just 1-6 there the last two seasons. The 49ers’ defensive backfield might just be what keeps them in the basement of the uber-competitive NFC West.

<p><b><i>Bears 3</i></b><br />
<b><i>Bucs 38</i></b></p>
<p>Look, I’m trying my damnedest to not make every Tampa Bay entry about Tom Brady but it just boggles the mind how he’s now <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/10/20/tom-brady-vs-justin-fields-is-the-largest-age-difference-between-starting-qbs-ever/">playing against QBs literally half his age</a>. Like, Justin Fields could be his son. Who was born slightly before Brady was an active player. And now, he’s the first QB to throw 600 touchdowns. Incredible.</p>

3/13

TAMPA, FLORIDA — OCTOBER 24: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throws a pass in the second quarter against the Chicago Bears in the game at Raymond James Stadium on Oct. 24, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Bears 3
Bucs 38

Look, I’m trying my damnedest to not make every Tampa Bay entry about Tom Brady but it just boggles the mind how he’s now playing against QBs literally half his age. Like, Justin Fields could be his son. Who was born slightly before Brady was an active player. And now, he’s the first QB to throw 600 touchdowns. Incredible.

<p><b><i>Texans 5</i></b><br />
<b><i>Cardinals 31</i></b></p>
<p>We live in a world where the Arizona Cardinals are not only undefeated, but they won by a larger margin <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/10/23/cardinals-favored-by-18-points-over-texans-in-biggest-spread-of-2021-nfl-season/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/10/23/cardinals-favored-by-18-points-over-texans-in-biggest-spread-of-2021-nfl-season/&source=gmail&ust=1635206361204000&usg=AFQjCNEaAP_nDfiQcTo8UMKe-2cXVwelsQ">than the biggest spread of the season</a>. Thanks in part to <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/10/24/j-j-watt-deandre-hopkins-revel-in-cardinals-31-5-victory-over-the-texans/">DeAndre Hopkins’ and J.J. Watt’s payback</a>, the Cards are 7-0 — tied for the best start in franchise history — and <a href="https://wtop.com/gallery/nfl/2021-nfl-week-4-wrap-contenders-and-pretenders/">giving me fewer reasons to think they’re pretenders</a>.</p>

4/13

GLENDALE, ARIZONA — OCTOBER 24: J.J. Watt #99 of the Arizona Cardinals sacks Davis Mills #10 of the Houston Texans in the second quarter in the game at State Farm Stadium on Oct. 24, 2021 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Texans 5
Cardinals 31

We live in a world where the Arizona Cardinals are not only undefeated, but they won by a larger margin than the biggest spread of the season. Thanks in part to DeAndre Hopkins’ and J.J. Watt’s payback, the Cards are 7-0 — tied for the best start in franchise history — and giving me fewer reasons to think they’re pretenders.

<p><b><i>Lions 19</i></b><br />
<b><i>Rams 28</i></b></p>
<p>Matthew Stafford is twice as good as Jared Goff, but we knew that already, right? <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/10/22/sean-mcvay-matthew-stafford-has-been-better-than-i-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/10/22/sean-mcvay-matthew-stafford-has-been-better-than-i-thought/&source=gmail&ust=1635206361204000&usg=AFQjCNE9wEcIA5r2d3Aoy9WkNeLCwFPobw">Sean McVay certainly did</a> and it might just lead Los Angeles to a deep playoff run, while Detroit is off to a 0-7 start for the fourth time in franchise history.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Matthew Stafford is the ninth QB with 300 Pass yds and 3 Pass TD in his first game against a former team, and the first since Peyton Manning in 2013 (via <a href="https://twitter.com/EliasSports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EliasSports</a>). <a href="https://t.co/0KfZtRkGB4">pic.twitter.com/0KfZtRkGB4</a></p>
<p>— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/1452417064203870210?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 24, 2021</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>

5/13

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA — OCTOBER 24: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams throws the ball under pressure by Charles Harris #53 during the first half of the Detroit Lions in the game at SoFi Stadium on Oct. 24, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

Lions 19
Rams 28

Matthew Stafford is twice as good as Jared Goff, but we knew that already, right? Sean McVay certainly did and it might just lead Los Angeles to a deep playoff run, while Detroit is off to a 0-7 start for the fourth time in franchise history.

Matthew Stafford is the ninth QB with 300 Pass yds and 3 Pass TD in his first game against a former team, and the first since Peyton Manning in 2013 (via @EliasSports). pic.twitter.com/0KfZtRkGB4

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 24, 2021

<p><b><i>Eagles 22</i></b><br />
<b><i>Raiders 33</i></b></p>
<p>With all respect due to Rich Bisaccia and the job he’s doing in Vegas, <a href="https://deadspin.com/seven-things-the-raiders-could-have-done-for-black-peop-1847917974">the Raiders organization needs to do better for Black folks in the wake of the Jon Gruden controversy</a>.</p>

6/13

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA — OCTOBER 24: Foster Moreau #87 of the Las Vegas Raiders catches the ball for a touchdown as Marcus Epps #22 of the Philadelphia Eagles defends during the first half in the game at Allegiant Stadium on Oct. 24, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Eagles 22
Raiders 33

With all respect due to Rich Bisaccia and the job he’s doing in Vegas, the Raiders organization needs to do better for Black folks in the wake of the Jon Gruden controversy.

<p><b><i>Washington 10</i></b><br />
<b><i>Packers 24</i></b></p>
<p>Even with the defense playing relatively well (by their low standards) and all the <a href="https://twitter.com/NickiJhabvala/status/1450842739382394884?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://twitter.com/NickiJhabvala/status/1450842739382394884?s%3D20&source=gmail&ust=1635206361204000&usg=AFQjCNHhwteQjoP2G7zOsfMPaUt3jbyK7w">special teams symmetry coming into the Green Bay</a>, Washington Blewitt (see what I did there?) by coming away with exactly zero points in five trips inside the Packers’ 30-yard line. The Burgundy and Gold are basically finding new ways to lose on a weekly basis and a loss in Denver could be the 2021 season’s nail in the coffin.</p>

7/13

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN — OCTOBER 24: Taylor Heinicke #4 of the Washington Football Team throws a pass in the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers in the game at Lambeau Field on Oct. 24, 2021 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Washington 10
Packers 24

Even with the defense playing relatively well (by their low standards) and all the special teams symmetry coming into the Green Bay, Washington Blewitt (see what I did there?) by coming away with exactly zero points in five trips inside the Packers’ 30-yard line. The Burgundy and Gold are basically finding new ways to lose on a weekly basis and a loss in Denver could be the 2021 season’s nail in the coffin.

<p><b><i>Bengals 41</i></b><br />
<b><i>Ravens 17</i></b></p>
<p>It turns out Cincinnati had plenty of reason to be <a href="https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-notebook-bell-s-defense-oozing-with-confidence-as-it-preps-for-season-s-" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-notebook-bell-s-defense-oozing-with-confidence-as-it-preps-for-season-s-&source=gmail&ust=1635206361204000&usg=AFQjCNGaFf9HwDxLlm3strsBu2f5yZM5qQ">as confident as they were</a> coming into Baltimore.</p>
<p>The Bengals rode career days from Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase to lay a beatdown of the Ravens that makes a clear statement that Cincy is for real. Consider this me withdrawing <a href="https://wtop.com/gallery/nfl/2021-nfl-week-4-wrap-contenders-and-pretenders/">my assertion this is a pretender</a>.</p>

8/13

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND — OCTOBER 24: Ja’Marr Chase #1 of the Cincinnati Bengals rushes for a touchdown after a catch during the second half in the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M & Bank Stadium on Oct. 24, 2021 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Bengals 41
Ravens 17

It turns out Cincinnati had plenty of reason to be as confident as they were coming into Baltimore.

The Bengals rode career days from Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase to lay a beatdown of the Ravens that makes a clear statement that Cincy is for real. Consider this me withdrawing my assertion this is a pretender.

<p><b><i>Panthers 3</i></b><br />
<b><i>Giants 25</i></b></p>
<p>A week before Halloween, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpmxUoCrHzU">Sam Darnold was seeing ghosts in New York just like old times</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/espn/status/1452351238272651274?s=21">Daniel Jones was impersonating Odell Beckham Jr.</a> Carolina’s <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/10/18/matt-rhule-we-have-to-figure-out-our-identity-without-christian-mccaffrey/">search for an identity sans Christian McCaffrey</a> continues to be a painful process for the Panthers. Whether that identity <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/10/24/dolphins-panthers-are-the-deshaun-watson-trade-destinations/">includes Deshaun Watson</a> remains to be seen.</p>

9/13

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY — OCTOBER 24: Sam Darnold #14 of the Carolina Panthers is sacked by Jabrill Peppers #21 of the New York Giants during the first half in the game at MetLife Stadium on Oct. 24, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Panthers 3
Giants 25

A week before Halloween, Sam Darnold was seeing ghosts in New York just like old times and Daniel Jones was impersonating Odell Beckham Jr. Carolina’s search for an identity sans Christian McCaffrey continues to be a painful process for the Panthers. Whether that identity includes Deshaun Watson remains to be seen.

<p><em><strong>Chiefs 3</strong></em><br />
<em><strong>Titans 27</strong></em></p>
<p>How good is Derrick Henry, you ask? He entered Week 7 as the only non-kicker ranked in the top 15 in scoring (his 62 points were second most in the league), and on a day when Kansas City clearly made it a priority to stop him from running wild, he threw a touchdown pass. Tennessee is legit.</p>
<p>The Chiefs, however, seem to be in a free fall, falling behind by 27 points in the first for the first time in five years, scoring the fewest points in a game in the nine-year Andy Reid era and Patrick Mahomes notching his sixth straight game with an interception. Assuming Mahomes is healthy enough to play next Monday night against the Giants, he needs a big game more than he ever has before.</p>

10/13

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE — OCTOBER 24: Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans runs with the ball in the second quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs in the game at Nissan Stadium on Oct. 24, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Chiefs 3
Titans 27

How good is Derrick Henry, you ask? He entered Week 7 as the only non-kicker ranked in the top 15 in scoring (his 62 points were second most in the league), and on a day when Kansas City clearly made it a priority to stop him from running wild, he threw a touchdown pass. Tennessee is legit.

The Chiefs, however, seem to be in a free fall, falling behind by 27 points in the first for the first time in five years, scoring the fewest points in a game in the nine-year Andy Reid era and Patrick Mahomes notching his sixth straight game with an interception. Assuming Mahomes is healthy enough to play next Monday night against the Giants, he needs a big game more than he ever has before.

<p><b><i>Jets 13</i></b><br />
<b><i>Patriots 54</i></b></p>
<p>Gang Green has been outscored 44-0 in the first quarter of their first seven games. Zach Wilson was injured in a 41-point loss. If that’s <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/10/22/zach-wilson-its-going-to-be-a-blast-facing-patriots-again/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/10/22/zach-wilson-its-going-to-be-a-blast-facing-patriots-again/&source=gmail&ust=1635206361204000&usg=AFQjCNF8VDxuPgHHHp3poyWKCWNs2W_aNQ">his idea of a blast</a>, please exclude me from any outing he deems fun.</p>

11/13

New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) passes the ball as New England Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore (90) grabs his ankles during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. At right is New England Patriots free safety Devin McCourty. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm)

Jets 13
Patriots 54

Gang Green has been outscored 44-0 in the first quarter of their first seven games. Zach Wilson was injured in a 41-point loss. If that’s his idea of a blast, please exclude me from any outing he deems fun.

<p><em><strong>Falcons 30</strong></em><br />
<em><strong>Dolphins 28</strong></em></p>
<p>Even as Tua Tagovailoa threw for four touchdowns, Miami is winless at home and losers of six straight. This definitely won’t silence rumors of the Dolphins making an ill-advised trade for Deshaun Watson.</p>

12/13

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA — OCTOBER 24: Kyle Pitts #8 of the Atlanta Falcons makes a catch on the sideline in the fourth quarter of the game against Xavien Howard #25 of the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on Oct. 24, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)

Falcons 30
Dolphins 28

Even as Tua Tagovailoa threw for four touchdowns, Miami is winless at home and losers of six straight. This definitely won’t silence rumors of the Dolphins making an ill-advised trade for Deshaun Watson.

<p><b><i>Broncos 14</i></b><br />
<b><i>Browns 17</i></b></p>
<p>There’s <a href="https://wtop.com/nfl/2021/10/a-perfect-example-of-the-difficulties-of-nfl-short-weeks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://wtop.com/nfl/2021/10/a-perfect-example-of-the-difficulties-of-nfl-short-weeks/&source=gmail&ust=1635206361204000&usg=AFQjCNEU2lU3TCwk_20w2xuHHa-Q52hWng">never a good time to play on a Thursday night</a> but this was really inopportune for Cleveland, yet the Browns pulled off a much-needed win with Baker Mayfield sidelined (which was for the best, considering <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/10/19/von-miller-i-dont-know-who-the-browns-tackle-im-going-against-is-but-im-going-to-kill-him/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/10/19/von-miller-i-dont-know-who-the-browns-tackle-im-going-against-is-but-im-going-to-kill-him/&source=gmail&ust=1635206361204000&usg=AFQjCNGH3IZEgzkjFQy-fbMeORUKioAQ0Q">Von Miller’s bloodlust</a>). Case Keenum clearly isn’t the future in Cleveland but he at least raised some question as to whether Mayfield is.</p>

13/13

CLEVELAND, OHIO — OCTOBER 21: Case Keenum #5 of the Cleveland Browns plays against the Denver Broncos at FirstEnergy Stadium on Oct. 21, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Broncos 14
Browns 17

There’s never a good time to play on a Thursday night but this was really inopportune for Cleveland, yet the Browns pulled off a much-needed win with Baker Mayfield sidelined (which was for the best, considering Von Miller’s bloodlust). Case Keenum clearly isn’t the future in Cleveland but he at least raised some question as to whether Mayfield is.

Rob Woodfork

Rob Woodfork is WTOP's Senior Sports Content Producer, which includes duties as producer and host of the DC Sports Huddle, nightside sports anchor and sports columnist on WTOP.com.