NFL 2020: Baby Come Back…5 Things Week 7 Taught Us

Week 7 is almost in the books save for the Monday Night game and we have learned that sometimes we have it good and take it for granted…right Jerry?

THE DALLAS COWBOYS MISSING DAK?

This was a breakup that could not be helped. An unfortunate accident left the team without Dak Prescott. Yet owner/GM Jerry Jones not paying him is a lack of respect that makes a person want to look elsewhere.

Yes, I know the Cowboys defense is atrocious. They are 27th in opponents yards per game (408.1), 31st in opponents average time of possession (32.57) and 32nd in opponents points per game (34.7) (stats courtesy teamrankings.com) . And yes, this was happening when Dak was under center. But somehow he made it seem like he could overcome even that. And now….third string quarterback Ben DiNucci is making an appearance with high paid back-up Andy Dalton also spending quality time under center both highlighting the glaringly terrible play of the Dak-less Dallas Cowboys.

With Dak you knew they were bad but there was always that belief that he would overcome it. 

WHERE IS THE JOSH ALLEN AND BUFFALO BILLS FROM WEEKS 1-4?

The Buffalo Bills were dominating their opponents and quarterback Josh Allen was hearing talks of MVP candidate.  Then Week 5 happened with a meeting against the Tennessee Titans and Week 6 a Prime Time face-off with the defending Super Bowl Champions.  Okay quality opponents easily dismissed.  But Week 7, against the hapless Adam Gase run New York Jets? The Bills only won that game because they were playing the Jets.  Final score was 18-10.  That is 18 points of the foot of Tyler Bass.

Allen led his team in carries(11) and rushing yards (61) while throwing 307 yards on 43 attempts and 30 completions.  But the Bills are now 22nd in red zone efficiency (60.71%).  Allen is hoovering at a 67.6% completion percentage which is up from his 58.8% last season.  He is averaging 7.8 yards per attempt and has 23 passes more than 20 yards.  

Yet the Bills barely and miraculously defeated the 0-6 New York Jets.  The Jets whose offense ranks 32nd in points per game (12.1), 32nd in red zone scoring percentage (25%) and last in offensive touchdowns per game (1).  Their 23rd ranked defense was allowing 385 total yards per game and giving up an average of 29 points per game. 

Are the Bills destined to win only against lesser opponents? (The Rams games was a dubious victory at most)?  

WHERE IS PRE COVID CAM NEWTON?

Cam Newton has not played the same in the last two games since his return from Covid. And after throwing three interceptions and being benched for Jarrett Stidham there is legitimate concern in New England that perhaps…maybe…it was Tom Brady after all.  

To be fair this wasn’t the talk in Week 1 when New England won and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost.  Where Newton was efficient but did not throw a touchdown (or interception) but ran for 75 yards and two touchdowns.  Where Brady was inefficient while throwing for two touchdowns and two interceptions (and running for one touchdown) but that was then.  

Since Newton’s return from quarantine he has been bad.  In the loss against the Denver Broncos he threw for 157 yards and had two interceptions.  He did rush for 76 yards with a rushing touchdown, but the Patriots loss at home to the injury plagued Broncos 12-18.  Now a second home loss that can be attributed to Newton’s 9-for-15, 98 yards and three interceptions against the returning Jimmy Garoppolo and his San Francisco 49ers to a tune of 6-33, is historically bad for both Newton and the Patriots.  

Will the pre-Covid Newton make a comeback?  Or is all loss in the land of Br…Belichick?

SPEAKING OF…OH TOM!

It appears that Tom Brady is back and now getting more weapons.  Like he needs them.  In Week 7 he had four different receivers with seven or more targets and that was not even including Mike Evans who was targeted twice.  

Brady attempted 45 passes, completed 33 for 369 passing yards, four touchdowns, zero interceptions and oh yeah, he had one rushing touchdown.  

The Buccaneers are sitting on top of the NFC South while his old team is sitting in an uncomfortable third in the AFC West.  It will be a question for the ages, but right here, right now Brady isn’t the one looking back on what was. 

THE LOS ANGELES CHARGERS WIN…BUT WITH CELEBRATION?

Justin Herbert and his 347 passing yards and three touchdowns willed the Chargers to a victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.  This is cause for celebration except that the Chargers once again managed to blow a double-digit lead.  This time they hung on as Herbert overcame first half miscues and showed he is good enough. 

But the question remains…this blowing of double digit leads? The Chargers are in a division with the reigning Super Bowl Champions who sit on top with a 6-1 record.  They are behind the Las Vegas Raiders 3-3 record and tied with Denver Broncos 2-4.  

It is too early to wonder “what if”.  But not too early to question…why.  This is the fourth time in five games that they have held a double-digit lead only to see the opposition overcome it.  This time they managed to hang on for the win.  This time. 

Follow me on Twitter @neverenoughglt

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