It’s difficult to believe that we’re almost to the halfway point of the 2019 NFL season and it seems to get more chaotic each week.
It’s not a certainty that the New England Patriots win yet another Super Bowl, but Tom Brady and company have looked simply magnificent and downright dominant through seven weeks.
The world held its breath when Kansas City Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes dislocated his kneecap against the Denver Broncos on Thursday Night Football. While the Chiefs certainly want him under center again, there should be absolutely no reason to rush him back ahead of schedule. The Chiefs are playing for longevity and Super Bowl opportunities. They don’t need to rush him back.
The Seattle Seahawks stumbled at home against the Baltimore Ravens, which almost never happens at CenturyLink Field. Did a lopsided loss cost Russell Wilson MVP votes? Probably not, but another head-scratching loss could tilt the tides to another player.
Below are some NFL Week 7 takeaways.
NFL Week 7 Takeaways
5. Mahomes Dislocates Kneecap
How a dislocated kneecap may only keep Mahomes out at least three weeks is incredible. But thankfully for the Chiefs, they will get their premier passer back at some point this season. It was a heartbreaking moment for all fans of the game to see someone so gifted go down with a heavy injury. The Chiefs should be fine with backup quarterback Matt Moore in his absence.
The crazy thing is that Moore did just enough to get the Chiefs the win on the road in Denver. Yes, part of the reason the Broncos lost is because they can and do look lost with Joe Flacco under center. He’s not the same quarterback that won a Super Bowl earlier this decade and general manager John Elway continues to search for an answer at the quarterback position. That being said, Moore did what he needed to in order to help his team win.
4. The 49ers Gut it Out to Stay Perfect
The San Francisco 49ers remain an interesting team through seven weeks, to say the least. Many expected the Niners to boat race the one-win Washington Redskins on Sunday, but could only manage nine points off the foot of kicker Robbie Gould to win the game. It’s not that unusual for teams to stumble as the season goes along, but Washington did all they could to stay within striking distance, which wasn’t expected going into the game.
Still, a great team is a great team, and they win these types of games. The Niners are a very good team this season. NFL fans can keep waiting for the other shoe to drop and the 49ers to fall from the unbeaten, but playing sound, technical football will help them continue to have a successful season.
3. Jalen Ramsey, Rams Return to Form
It’s amazing how a change of scenery can improve a player’s performance. No matter how the saga of Jalen Ramsey ended with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Ramsey has returned to full health (a miracle!) and he is genuinely invested in football again. And maybe the Los Angeles Rams have as well. At their best, the Rams are a bonafide Super Bowl contender, and at their worst, they’re a bottom dweller looking up in the division.
The NFL turns a new leaf every season and it’s not a guarantee that a team will be just as good the next season. The Rams have a lot of core pieces that should keep them a Super Bowl contender for seasons to come. However, with the resurgence of the Seahawks and Niners, their path isn’t as easy as it was a season ago. There’s talent at every skill-position, but now it’s time to return to form, and bring Ramsey’s skill set for the ride.
2. Kirk Cousins Reborn
A reoccurring theme with Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins is that he can’t win the big game. Well, maybe Cousins has heard enough of that talk since he has absolutely lit it up these past two weeks. In his last two games against the Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions, respectively, Cousins threw four touchdowns in each contest.
Cousins was even called out by teammate Adam Thielen for not throwing the ball enough, but since then the Vikings and Cousins have looked good through the air. The Vikings have invested a ton of money in Cousins to see these kinds of results. Lately, he’s been delivering, but now he must do it consistently.
1. The Return of Aaron Rodgers
It’s been an extremely long time since Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has put on a clinic of a game. On Sunday against the Oakland Raiders, it’s possible that fans saw a return to form for Rodgers. The Packers quarterback torched the Raiders defense for five touchdowns through the air and one rushing touchdown and reminded the NFL that he’s still got it.
Rodgers has been plagued by injuries the last few seasons and playing hurt really limited his explosiveness outside of a few games. But now, after it seems that Matt LaFleur‘s offense has finally started to click, Rodgers and company can be an extremely explosive bunch. The Packers defense has given them a new identity, and now it seems the offense has emerged as well and the Packers could possibly wind up in the Super Bowl this season.
These are the NFL Week 7 takeaways. It will be interesting what the rest of the season brings.
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