Only one will remain. The last of the National Football League’s Highlanders is still the same, the only one left alive last February and the February of the year before: Patrick Mahomes and his Kansas City Chiefs. At the end of the seventh day of the regular season, the only one remaining undefeated is the Missouri franchise, which is a candidate, if ever there was any need, to succeed itself for the second time, which would allow it to win a third consecutive title, a feat never achieved in the Super Bowl era, neither by Terry Bradshaw’s Pittsburgh, nor by Troy Aikman’s Dallas, nor by Tom Brady’s New England. And so that the notification of the successful bid, on February 9th in New Orleans, did not go unnoticed, the Chiefs chose the stage of Levi’s Stadium in San Francisco, in what was the rematch of the last Super Bowl. Kansas City won, this also happens, not so much with the attack and its stratospheric quarterback, but with the defense which left Brock Purdy at 212 yards, without a touchdown and with three interceptions on his back. To tell the truth, Mahomes also remained, so to speak, on his own, with just 154 yards thrown, zero scores and two interceptions (although on deflected balls), however Kansas City was able to benefit from a better running game (184 yards at 101) who made the difference in attack (two touchdowns by Hunt, one by Mahomes himself and one by Hardman).
And if in the AFC the Chiefs are making a solitary run at the top of the standings, in the NFC the same cannot be said of Minnesota, overtaken 15 seconds from the end by Detroit, which could not find a better way to react to the loss of Aidan Hutchinson than to go to beat the only undefeated team in the Conference on the road. It was an extremely balanced match, as the final score of 31-29 suggests. The two teams were equal in total yards (Detroit 391-383), in those thrown (Detroit 247-244), in those rushed (Detroit 144-139), in the average of yards per action (7-7), in balls turnovers (1-1), sacks (4-4), third downs (40% each), time of possession (Minnesota 30’57”-29’03”) and penalties (8-8). In the end, the Lions prevailed thanks to a field goal, but both the winners and the losers reiterated that they had what it takes to go all the way. Among other things, Detroit became the first team capable, in a span of four games, of accounting for more touchdowns (18) than incomplete passes (16)…
What else did the seventh day say? That an Aaron Rodgers in good condition (24 out of 39, 276 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions with few responsibilities) is not enough to drag the Jets side of New York, especially if the running game is a disaster (54 yards overall); or that New Orleans, after winning the first two games, suffered five consecutive defeats which gives the actual figure of the team’s value; or even that Green Bay’s victory against Houston puts the Packers directly behind Detroit and Minnesota, with the well-founded ambition of being able to have their say in the playoffs. And with a Lamar Jackson of this type (5 passes into the endzone), Baltimore seems the only one capable of worrying Kansas City.
Finally, Washington continues to surprise, even if the current opponent (Carolina) is probably the worst team in the league. A clear victory for the Commanders (40-7) which however left a bitter aftertaste due to the injury suffered by Jayden Daniels. The quarterback, in pole position for the rookie of the year title, was hit in the ribs already during the first quarter and never returned after the break. His presence Sunday against Chicago remains in doubt.
Speaking of injuries, it is worth mentioning the one that occurred to Deshaun Watson, with the rupture of his Achilles tendon which makes the operation carried out in 2022 by the Cleveland management to snatch him from Houston even more disastrous. Like Watson, Brandon Aiyuk (49.ers receiver) will also miss the rest of the season (torn ACL).
Football is the team sport par excellence, in which every action is built like a house of cards and a mistake by one of the eleven players is enough to make the entire scaffolding collapse. However, there is no doubt that the fundamental role remains that of the quarterback. There are few teams capable of surviving the injury of the starting director. In this sense the numbers are merciless: in New Orleans Spencer Rattler replaced Derek Carr with a record of 0-2, in Miami Skyler Thompson, Tim Boyle and Tyler Huntley replaced Tua Tagovailoa with one win and three defeats, in New England Drake Maye lost two games out of two, in Las Vegas Aidan O’Connell was defeated in his only start, in Carolina Andy Dalton after replacing Bryce Young posted a record of 0-4. The only exceptions are veterans Russell Wilson (1-0 in Pittsburgh) and Joe Flacco (1-1 in Indianapolis).
A few words about Jacksonville as well. It will not be the third Florida franchise to emigrate to form the first bridgehead on this side of the Atlantic, as many have hypothesized in recent years. The owners of the NFL have in fact unanimously approved the construction of the new stadium in Jacksonville, a facility costing 1.4 billion dollars, thanks to which the Jaguars should remain for the next 30 years in what is one of the most small members of the League. The decision was so obvious that the owners authorized owner Shad Kahn and president Mark Lamping to skip the meeting, so as to avoid them having to travel to and from London (where the Jaguars played their second English match). in Atlanta (venue of the meeting). Construction is expected to begin at the end of the 2025 season, which will reduce the capacity of the current stadium (EverBank). In 2026, Jacksonville could decide to play in Gainsville or Orlando or even outside the United States (more games are hypothesized in London).
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Week 7: New Orleans – Denver 10-33. Jakcsonville. New England 32-16. Atlanta – Seattle 14-34. Buffalo – Tennessee 34-10. Cleveland – Cincinnati 14-21. Green Bay – Hiuston 24-22. Indianapolis – Miami 16-10. Monnesota – Detroit 29-31. NY Giants – Philadelphia 3-28. LA Rams – Las Vegas 20-15. Washington – Carolina 40-7. San Francisco – Kansas City 18-28. Pittsburgh – NY Jets 37-15. Tampa Bay – Baltimore 31-41. Arizona – LA Chargers 17-15
Week 8: LA Rams (2-4) – Minnesota (5-1). Cleveland (1-6) – Baltimore (2-5). Detroit (5-1) – Tennessee (1-5). Hoiuston (5-2) – Indianapolis (4-3). Jacksonville (2-5) – Green Bay (5-2). Miami (2-4) – Arizona (3-4). New England (1-6) – NY Jets (2-5). Tampa Bay (4-3) – Atlanta (4-3). Cincinnati (3-4) – Philadelphia (4-2). LA Chargers (3-3) – New Orleans (2-5). SYeattle (4-3) – Buffalo (5-2). Washington (5-2) – Chicago (4-2). Denver (4-3) – Carolina (1-6). Las Vegas (2-5) – Kansas City (6-0). San Francisco (3-4) – Dallas (3-3). üPittsburgh (5-2) – NY Giants (2-5)
