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By Ben Morse, CNN
7 minute read
Published 8:00 AM EDT, Sun October 20, 2024
C.J. Stroud (left) and Jordan Love (right) will face off when the Houston Texans and Green Bay Packers play on Sunday.
CNN —
The 2024 NFL season is in full swing now and Week 7 will once again offer an insight into who are the playoff contenders and who are the pretenders.
There are plenty of high-powered match-ups on Sunday’s slate of games, with the Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys on bye weeks.
Week 7 will also see the final game in London this season, with the New England Patriots traveling to face the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium, a week after the Jags lost in convincing fashion to the Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The week began with Sean Payton returning to New Orleans in successful fashion, with his Denver Broncos easily beating the Saints on Thursday Night Football, 33-10.
With a full slate of football from morning to night, here are the three games you don’t want to miss.
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce is tackled by Miami Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks on Sunday, October 20, in Indianapolis. The Colts won 16-10.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Chris Conley and Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie vie for the ball on October 20 in Santa Clara, California.
Green Bay Packers kicker Brandon McManus celebrates with fans after kicking the game-winning field goal against the Houston Texans in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on October 20. The Packers won 24-22.
Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers on October 20 in Landover, Maryland. The Commanders won 40-7.
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton runs out of the tunnel prior to the game against the New England Patriots in London on October 20. The Jaguars won 32-16.
Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch, center, celebrates an interception with his teammates during a game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, on Sunday, October 13. The Lions trounced the Cowboys 47-9.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs dives for a touchdown in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on October 13. The Packers beat the Arizona Cardinals 34-13.
Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II stands for the national anthem ahead of the Broncos' 23-16 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in Denver on October 13.
Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson stops Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku in Philadelphia on October 13. The Eagles won 20-16.
Carolina Panthers linebacker Claudin Cherelus pressures Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins in Charlotte, North Carolina, on October 13. The Panthers lost 38-20.
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams walks down the tunnel after his team beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 35-16 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on October 13. Williams completed 23 of his 29 pass attempts and throwing for 226 yards and four touchdowns.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel makes a catch during his team's 36-24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle on Thursday, October 10. Samuel became the first wide receiver in NFL historywith 20 touchdown receptions and 20 touchdown runs after scoring on a 76-yard touchdown catch.
San Francisco 49ers cornerback Isaac Yiadom and safety Ji'Ayir Brown break up a touchdown pass intended for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf in Seattle on October 10.
New Orleans Saints linebacker Willie Gay Jr. signs autographs for a young Kansas City Chiefs fan before the start of the game between the teams in Kansas City, Missouri, on Monday, October 7. Gay played for the Chiefs for four seasons before signing with the Saints during the offseason. The Chiefs beat the Saints 26-13.
Minnesota Vikings safety Camryn Bynum celebrates after a play during a game against the New York Jets in London on Sunday, October 6. The Vikings extended their win streak with a 23-17 victory.
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman scores on a 49-yard touchdown reception during the Bills' 23-20 loss to the Houston Texans in Houston on October 6.
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence eats a cupcake to celebrate his birthday after his team beat the Indianapolis Colts 37-34 at home in Jacksonville, Florida, on October 6. It was the Jaguars' first win of the season.
Green Bay Packers punter Daniel Whelan grabs a high snap during a game against the Los Angeles Rams in Inglewood, California, on October 6. The Packers won 24-19.
Indianapolis Colts running back Trey Sermon runs with the ball during the second quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Jacksonville, Florida, on October 6.
Houston Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn celebrates with teammates after kicking a 59-yard field goal on the last play of his team's victory over the Buffalo Bills in Houston on October 6.
San Francisco 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir runs for a touchdown after a blocked field goal during a game against the Arizona Cardinals in Santa Clara, California, on October 6. The Cardinals came back to narrowly upset the 49ers 24-23.
Denver Broncos cornerback Riley Moss celebrates after an interception in Denver on October 6. The Broncos beat the Las Vegas Raiders 34-18.
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers walks off the field after his team's loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London on October 6. Rodgers was intercepted three times.
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels passes in the first half of the team's 42-14 win over the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, Arizona, on Sunday, September 29.
Denver Broncos cornerback Tremon Smith celebrates as a field goal attempt by New York Jets kicker Greg Zuerlein misses in the fourth quarter in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on September 29. The Broncos won 10-9.
Carolina Panthers tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders fights off the tackle attempt by Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt in Charlotte, North Carolina, on September 29. The Bengals beat the Panthers 34-24.
Houston Texans safety Eric Murray celebrates after sacking Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence during the Texans' 24-20 victory in Houston on September 29.
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle catches a touchdown pass in the end zone in Santa Clara, California, on September 29. The 49ers beat the New England Patriots 30-13.
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton bobbles the ball as he runs against Dallas Cowboys linebacker Eric Kendricks during the Giants' 20-15 loss to the Cowboys in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Thursday, September 26.
Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills celebrates an interception during the second quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Orchard Park, New York, on Monday, September 23. This was his first career interception and latest milestone since he suffered from a cardiac arrest on the field in early 2023.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III runs with the ball for a touchdown during the Steelers' 20-10 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers in Pittsburgh on Sunday, September 22.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold throws the ball to tight end Johnny Mundt in Minneapolis on September 22. The Vikings beat the Houston Texans 34-7.
Kadeem Telfort of the Green Bay Packers takes a selfie with a fan after the Packers beat the Tennessee Titans 30-14 on the road in Nashville on September 22.
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones lands in the end zone for a touchdown in Minneapolis on September 22.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescotts sits on the field after a play during the team's 28-25 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Arlington, Texas, on September 22.
New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard runs past New England Patriots cornerback Alex Austin for a touchdown in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Thursday, September 19. The Jets won 24-3.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney scores a touchdown during the team's 22-21 win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia on Monday, September 16.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes runs the ball against Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Dax Hill during the Chiefs' 26-25 victory in Kansas City, Missouri, on Sunday, September 15. The defending Super Bowl champs moved to 2-0 on the season.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. catches a pass over Minnesota Vikings safety Camryn Bynum and linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. during a game in Minneapolis on September 15. The Vikings would go on to win the game 24-17.
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara runs the ball during the Saints' 44-19 win over the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, on September 15. Kamara had four touchdowns in the game.
Miami Dolphins players attend to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa after he took a hit to the head in the second half of a game against the Buffalo Bills in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Thursday, September 12. Tagovailoa was later ruled out with a concussion.
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers and teammates wait in a tunnel before a game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, California, on Monday, September 9. This is the first game back for Rodgers since tearing his Achilles tendon last year after his first game of the season.
Los Angeles Chargers players and Las Vegas Raiders players clash after a play during the second half of their game in Inglewood, California, on Sunday, September 8.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott celebrates after a touchdown during the Cowboys' 33-17 victory over the Cleveland Browns in Cleveland on September 8. Hours before the game, Prescott agreed to a record four-year, $240 million contract extension, making him the highest-paid player in the NFL.
Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. breaks a tackle from Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker K.J. Britt in Tampa, Florida, on September 8. The Buccaneers beat the Commanders 37-20.
Miami Dolphins wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle celebrate a touchdown during a 20-17 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Miami Gardens, Florida, on September 8. Hill was detained for a short time by police after a traffic incident earlier in the day. Miami-Dade Police Department Director Stephanie V. Daniels said Sunday that an investigation has begun into the incident and one of the officers involved is being placed on administrative duties.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields signals during the second half of a game against the Atlanta Falcons in Atlanta on September 8. The Steelers defeated the Falcons 18-10.
Tennessee Titans tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo, right, and Chicago Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson tumble in the end zone in Chicago on September 8. Okonkwo made the catch for a touchdown, but the Titans ultimately fell 24-17 to the Bears.
Rhamondre Stevenson of the New England Patriots runs the ball against Cincinnati Bengals defenders in Cincinnati on September 8. The Patriots beat the Bengals 16-10.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel, center, celebrates his interception return for a touchdown during the Vikings' 28-6 victory over the New York Giants in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on September 8.
Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars players pray together at the end of the game in Miami Gardens, Florida, on September 8.
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir, top, dives for the end zone for a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Justin Jones is unable to make the tackle in Orchard Park, New York, on September 8. The Bills won 34-28.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love walks off the field after taking a hit in the final seconds of a game against the Philadelphia Eagles in São Paulo early Saturday, September 7. The Eagles won 34-29.
Brazilian and American flags are presented on the field at Neo Química Arena – also known as Corinthians Arena – in São Paulo ahead of the game between the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles on Friday, September 6. It was the first NFL game in South America.
Grammy Award-winning singer Taylor Swift cheers on boyfriend Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs during the game against the Baltimore Ravens in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, September 5.
Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely catches a pass with his toe out of bounds as time expires at the end of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 5. The Chiefs won 27-20.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes scrambles during the game against the Baltimore Ravens in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 5.
Fans enter Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, ahead of the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens on September 5.
The best photos from the 2024 NFL season
Houston Texans (5-1) vs. Green Bay Packers (4-2) – 1:00 p.m. ET
Sunday afternoon sees a match-up of two up-and-coming teams who have aspirations of a surprise Super Bowl run.
Both the Houston Texans and Green Bay Packers are led by quarterbacks in their second season in the role – CJ Stroud in Houston and Jordan Love in Green Bay – who have shown plenty of reasons to be optimistic.
Stroud has grown from his historic rookie campaign last year to be an accurate, error-proof quarterback, now furnished with a host of offensive options at his disposal.
Stroud has improved off his historic rookie season last year.
The Texans have the fifth-best passing offense through six weeks, led by Stroud, although they will continue to be without No. 1 receiver Nico Collins, who is out with a hamstring injury.
Stroud will have to be at his best to avoid throwing an interception to Packers safety Xavier McKinney who leads the league with five picks.
Meanwhile, Love – despite missing two games with a knee injury – looks to have shaken off any rust and had his best game of the season in Week 6’s big victory over the Arizona Cardinals, throwing four touchdowns and only one interception.
The 25-year-old is helped by the second-best rushing offense in the league, particularly with summer acquisition Josh Jacobs fifth in the league in rushing yards with 464.
Love (No. 10) has missed two games this season through a knee injury.
Sunday’s clash will see two of the most creative offensive minds come together too – Packers head coach Matt LaFleur and Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik – which should make for a fascinating encounter.
On Thursday, Houston head coach DeMeco Ryans praised his opposite number, LaFleur, calling him a “really bright coach.”
“He does a really good job of just creating a lot of chaos when it comes to the pre-snap and I think that is where they gain a huge advantage,” Ryans told reporters. “You talk about the motions, the snap points, and just being able to have many various plays whether it is a run game or in a passing game.
“He really makes you work as a defense to communicate pre-snap, makes you work post-snap to really know who you are matching in coverage. It is a very difficult offense to defend because of so much moving and Matt has done a good job at that. His entire career, Matt has been the head coach there in Green Bay, he has had a top offense, and those guys have been in the playoffs so it is a credit to him and the work that he has done.”
Detroit Lions (4-1) vs. Minnesota Vikings (5-0) – 1:00 p.m. ET
It’s been a long while since this NFC North clash has had such big implications.
The Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings are two of the hottest teams in football at the moment, both with reasons for optimism.
For Detroit, it is the week-by-week improvement the team has shown so far, culminating in the Lions’ 47-9 Week 6 road demolishment of the Dallas Cowboys – the victory, though, did come with the likely season-ending injury to star defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson.
For the Vikings, they come off their bye undefeated and with a quarterback and defense playing lights-out in their five victories.
Sam Darnold has come to embody the team’s magical start to the season, thrown straight into the deep end on the eve of Week 1 after an injury to first-round rookie JJ McCarthy but excelling in the limelight; according to ESPN, Darnold is the sixth-favorite to win the NFL MVP award.
The key clash of the game though could be how the Vikings defense tries to slow down the potent Lions offense with their bevy of weapons.
In their running back duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, receiver core of Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and Tim Patrick and star tight end Sam LaPorta, Detroit has been a tough team to slow down.
But Minnesota’s defense, led by coordinator Brian Flores, has provided consistent problems for opponents. The unit leads the NFL in interceptions (11) with its complex blitz packages confusing opposing quarterbacks.
Brian Flores' Vikings defense has been one of the most impressive groups of the NFL season so far.
But Lions QB Jared Goff said he is relishing the opportunity to face that potent defense.
“You just look at the film and you come up with a gameplan and get ready to go,” he said on Thursday. “I’ve got a lot of respect for coach Flores and, obviously, (Vikings head coach) Kevin (O’Connell) and those guys.
“They do a good job of getting those guys ready and I think what I’ve noticed, they’re extremely ball-aware – their defenders. … They know where the ball is, they’ve got their hands on the ball a lot, they’re putting their hands up at the line of scrimmage, they’re trying to knock balls down, they’re trying to bat balls up in the air, so it’s a challenge and it’ll be fun.”
With the NFC North boasting four potential playoff contenders, these in-division clashes could be decisive in who reaches the postseason.
There have been four instances in NFL history – before the current configuration of the league – where four teams from a division have made the playoffs, but there has never been a division in which every team has made the postseason.
Goff has thrown eight touchdowns and four interceptions through six weeks.
Kansas City Chiefs (5-0) vs. San Francisco 49ers (3-3) – 4:25 p.m. ET
They have become two of the NFL’s juggernauts in recent years, but when it has really mattered, their rivalry has been rather one-sided.
The Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers have come to define the recent era of the NFL, with the two meeting in the Super Bowl twice in the last five years.
On both occasions, they have been thrilling encounters and, in both games, the Chiefs have prevailed.
Kansas City defeated San Francisco in Super Bowls LIV and LVIII in 2020 and 2024, with Andy Reid finding a way to out maneuver Kyle Shanahan on the opposite sideline.
Andy Reid (left) and Kyle Shanahan (right) have come head-to-head in two Super Bowls in recent years, with Reid coming out on top in both.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes spoke about the teams’ recent rivalry ahead of their latest clash.
“I think when you have two great football teams that meet up in the Super Bowl and meet up in all these big games, there’s going to be a history between that,” he told reporters on Thursday.
“Obviously, we’ve been able to win those games, but we know how good this football team is, and we have a ton of respect for them. It’s not like one play couldn’t have changed all of these football games, and so we go in with that mindset of we just have to make the plays whenever they count.”
And in arguably the game of the year so far, the two teams will do battle again, this time in the regular season at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
The Chiefs travel to California well-rested after their bye week and as one of two undefeated teams left in the NFL.
The reigning Super Bowl champions have found ways to win this season – whether it be through their defense or manufacturing enough offense at just the right moments. But injuries are beginning to mount up for Kansas City.
Starting wide receivers Rashee Rice and Marquise Brown as well as running back Isiah Pacheco are all ruled out for the foreseeable future, meaning the team is increasingly relying on magic from Mahomes to survive.
The Chiefs are off to an unbeaten start, with Mahomes leading the way.
The two-time NFL MVP will have his work cut out for him against a star-studded Niners defense loaded with impact players.
San Francisco has endured a somewhat stuttering start to the season, with three convincing victories and three surprising losses, leaving them at 3-3 after six weeks.
They have had to deal with their share of injuries too, with Deebo Samuel and George Kittle both missing time while star RB Christian McCaffrey has yet to feature this season.
A victory over Kansas City will once again stamp the 49ers mark on the NFC while a defeat could raise more question marks about their credentials against the biggest teams.
Full Week 7 Sunday schedule
Away @ home
New England Patriots (1-5) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (1-5) – 9:30 a.m. ET (in London, UK)
Seattle Seahawks (3-3) @ Atlanta Falcons (4-2) – 1:00 p.m. ET
Tennessee Titans (1-4) @ Buffalo Bills (4-2) – 1:00 p.m. ET
Cincinnati Bengals (2-4) @ Cleveland Browns (1-5) – 1:00 p.m. ET
Houston Texans (5-1) @ Green Bay Packers (4-2) – 1:00 p.m. ET
Miami Dolphins (2-3) @ Indianapolis Colts (3-3) – 1:00 p.m. ET
Detroit Lions (4-1) @ Minnesota Vikings (5-0) – 1:00 p.m. ET
Philadelphia Eagles (3-2) @ New York Giants (2-4) – 1:00 p.m. ET
Las Vegas Raiders (2-4) @ Los Angeles Rams (1-4) – 4:05 p.m. ET
Carolina Panthers (1-5) @ Washington Commanders (4-2) – 4:05 p.m. ET
Kansas City Chiefs (5-0) @ San Francisco 49ers (3-3) – 4:25 p.m. ET
New York Jets (2-4) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2) – 8:20 p.m. ET
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