(Photo By: Sam Greene / USA Today)
Written By: Matt Di Domenico
Twitter: @didomenicomatt5
LinkedIn: Matt Di Domenico | LinkedIn
Now that week #7 in the NFL is in the books, teams are now starting to separate from each other in the standings. There are some divisions that are still very close and then there are others that look to be leaning a certain way already. There were players that really stood out and some players that disappointed us greatly this week. Below are the 3 winners and 3 losers of week #7.
Losers:
1. QB Sam Darnold, Carolina Panthers
After a 3-0 start to the season. The Carolina Panthers and their new QB in Sam Darnold looked to have a new life. Since that undefeated start, the Panthers now have fallen back down to Earth and have lost 4 straight. In Sunday's early window, Sam Darnold had a horrible game against a New York Giants team that has been struggling all year. Darnold went 15 for 25 with 111 passing yards and had 1 INT. Darnold ended up getting benched for P.J. Walker and now many wonder if Carolina will be moving in a different direction with the rumor that the Panthers have interest in Houston QB Deshaun Watson. Panthers head coach Matt Rhule says that Darnold is the QB moving forward but that is hard for me to believe at the moment.
2. New York Jets
Just look away there New York Jets fans because this team is still a complete mess. The Jets lost to the New England Patriots on Sunday with the final score of 54 to 13. It was just a complete beatdown that has reminded Jets fans that this franchise has a long way to go before they can turn this ship in the right direction. Having only 237 total yards of offense and 3 turnovers is not going to help your team win in this league. What made matters even worse for the Jets in this game was QB Zach Wilson had a knee injury that knocked him out of the contest. Wilson will now be missing 2 to 4 weeks with a sprained PCL. All the Jets can do moving forward is just show up. Robert Saleh has to find a way to motivate these players into playing with their top effort the remainder of the season to give some kind of life to this franchise.
3. Houston Texans
Similar to the New York Jets, the Houston Texans have fallen to the pit of misery in the NFL and it is just laughable to watch for some fanbases. The Texans just could not get anything going against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. The game ended with the final score of 5 to 31 and the Texans only had 160 total yards of offense. That kind of offense is just dreadful for any fan to watch. Texans’ fans that had to watch J.J. Watt and DeAndre Hopkins play on the other side with the Cardinals must have had a rough night. It had to have been a very hard pill to swallow. What hurts even more is Texans fans could see Deshaun Watson get traded in the next few weeks. Next for Houston is the Los Angeles Rams so expect them to be right back on this list if they do not play better.
Winners:
1. QB Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
This guy simply is balling this year and has the Cincinnati Bengals looking like an AFC team that will be in the playoffs if they keep that foot on the gas pedal. Joe Burrow took down the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday when he went 23 for 38 with 416 passing yards, had 3 passing TDs, and 1 INT. The Bengals are now 5-2 and are sitting atop of the AFC with the #1 seed at the moment. I expect this Bengals teams to keep it up and #9 to finish the year as one of the top QBs in the NFL. The Bengals will have the New York Jets next week which should be an easy win.
2. WR Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams
There needs to be even more respect brought to the way of Cooper Kupp because he simply is amazing. Kupp had a big Sunday afternoon against the Detroit Lions where he was able to catch 10 balls for 156 receiving yards. 2 of those catches were for TDs as well that allowed the Rams to walk out with a 28 to 19 win over the Lions. Kupp is now the leader in TDs with 9, receptions with 56, and receiving yards with 809. This guy is such a beast and is a huge reason why the Rams are flying high at a record of 6-1. #10 should be able to keep it up next week against the Houston Texans.
3. WR Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
Again, Ja’Marr Chase did it again. The electric rookie WR simply has been amazing this year and he keeps proving why he was the right selection for the Bengals when many wanted them to get offensive line help. Chase had a big day with 8 receptions for 201 receiving yards and had 1 TD. That 1 TD was for 82 yards where Chase broke multiple tackles in first contact and just took off for 6. Chase simply is not going to slow down and his connection with Joe Burrow looks very scary for the AFC. The Bengals have the New York Jets next so expect Chase to have a big day again.