{"id":75148,"date":"2019-10-24T12:33:00","date_gmt":"2019-10-24T16:33:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/?p=75148"},"modified":"2019-10-24T12:33:00","modified_gmt":"2019-10-24T16:33:00","slug":"nfl-takeaways-week-7","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2019\/10\/24\/nfl-takeaways-week-7\/","title":{"rendered":"NFL Week 7 Takeaways"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>It&#8217;s difficult to believe that we&#8217;re almost to the halfway point of the 2019 NFL season and it seems to get more chaotic each week.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s not a certainty that the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/nfl-teams\/patriots\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">New England Patriots<\/a> win yet another Super Bowl, but <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/B\/BradTo00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tom Brady<\/a><\/strong> and company have looked simply magnificent and downright dominant through seven weeks.<\/p>\n<p>The world held its breath when <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/nfl-teams\/chiefs\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kansas City Chiefs<\/a> star quarterback <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/M\/MahoPa00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Patrick Mahomes<\/a><\/strong> dislocated his kneecap against the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/nfl-teams\/broncos\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Denver Broncos<\/a> 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&#8217;t need to rush him back.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/nfl-teams\/seahawks\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Seattle Seahawks<\/a> stumbled at home against the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/nfl-teams\/ravens\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Baltimore Ravens<\/a>, which almost never happens at CenturyLink Field. Did a lopsided loss cost <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/W\/WilsRu00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Russell Wilson<\/a><\/strong> MVP votes? Probably not, but another head-scratching loss could tilt the tides to another player.<\/p>\n<p>Below are some NFL Week 7 takeaways.<\/p>\n<h2>NFL Week 7 Takeaways<\/h2>\n<h2>5. Mahomes Dislocates Kneecap<\/h2>\n<p>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 <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/M\/MoorMa01.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Matt Moore<\/a><\/strong> in his absence.<\/p>\n<p>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 <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/F\/FlacJo00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Joe Flacco<\/a><\/strong> under center. He&#8217;s not the same quarterback that won a Super Bowl earlier this decade and general manager <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/E\/ElwaJo00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">John Elway<\/a><\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n<h2>4. The 49ers Gut it Out to Stay Perfect<\/h2>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/nfl-teams\/49ers\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">San Francisco 49ers<\/a> remain an interesting team through seven weeks, to say the least. Many expected the Niners to boat race the one-win <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/nfl-teams\/redskins\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Washington Redskins<\/a> on Sunday, but could only manage nine points off the foot of kicker <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/G\/gouldrob01.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Robbie Gould<\/a><\/strong> to win the game. It&#8217;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&#8217;t expected going into the game.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<h2>3. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/R\/RamsJa00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jalen Ramsey<\/a>, Rams Return to Form<\/h2>\n<p>It&#8217;s amazing how a change of scenery can improve a player&#8217;s performance. No matter how the saga of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/R\/RamsJa00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Jalen Ramsey<\/strong><\/a> ended with the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/nfl-teams\/jaguars\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jacksonville Jaguars<\/a>, Ramsey has returned to full health (a miracle!) and he is genuinely invested in football again. And maybe the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/nfl-teams\/rams\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Los Angeles Rams<\/a> have as well. At their best, the Rams are a bonafide Super Bowl contender, and at their worst, they&#8217;re a bottom dweller looking up in the division.<\/p>\n<p>The NFL turns a new leaf every season and it&#8217;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&#8217;t as easy as it was a season ago. There&#8217;s talent at every skill-position, but now it&#8217;s time to return to form, and bring Ramsey&#8217;s skill set for the ride.<\/p>\n<h2>2. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/C\/CousKi00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kirk Cousins<\/a> Reborn<\/h2>\n<p>A reoccurring theme with <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/nfl-teams\/vikings\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Minnesota Vikings<\/a> quarterback <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/C\/CousKi00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Kirk Cousins<\/strong><\/a> is that he can&#8217;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 <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/nfl-teams\/eagles\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Philadelphia Eagles<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/nfl-teams\/lions\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Detroit Lions<\/a>, respectively, Cousins threw four touchdowns in each contest.<\/p>\n<p>Cousins was even called out by teammate <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/T\/ThieAd00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Adam Thielen<\/a><\/strong> 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&#8217;s been delivering, but now he must do it consistently.<\/p>\n<h2>1. The Return of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/R\/RodgAa00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Aaron Rodgers<\/a><\/h2>\n<p>It&#8217;s been an extremely long time since <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/nfl-teams\/packers\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Green Bay Packers<\/a> quarterback <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/R\/RodgAa00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Aaron Rodgers<\/strong><\/a> has put on a clinic of a game. On Sunday against the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/nfl-teams\/raiders\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Oakland Raiders<\/a>, it&#8217;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&#8217;s still got it.<\/p>\n<p>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 <strong>Matt LaFleur<\/strong>&#8216;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.<\/p>\n<p>These are the NFL Week 7 takeaways. It will be interesting what the rest of the season brings.<\/p>\n<p>Main Photo<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"lAcgIQQJQ_lHulc_YJRAbA\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1181798756\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'lAcgIQQJQ_lHulc_YJRAbA',sig:'hs2qcl3CyzV5r6soz9KE6RWz9SpbHYVyJR6Vy_o_uyw=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1181798756',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The 2019 NFL season is almost halfway over. It&#8217;s difficult to know exactly how this season will play out, but here are some of NFL Week 7 takeaways.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3087,"featured_media":75188,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"1","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[54],"tags":[61,44,122,192,45,40,52],"class_list":["post-75148","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-editorials","tag-football","tag-green-bay-packers","tag-kansas-city-chiefs","tag-los-angeles-rams","tag-minnesota-vikings","tag-nfl","tag-san-francisco-49ers"],"modified_by":"Justin Patrick, Site Manager","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75148","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3087"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=75148"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75148\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/75188"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=75148"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=75148"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=75148"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}