NFL Week 7: Vikings Suffer First Loss; ‘SNF’ Ends in Tie; Ajayi Powers Dolphins Over Bills

There were a lot of divisional matchups on tap for week seven of the NFL season, including the much-anticipated game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Arizona Cardinals in an NFC West battle.

First, we’ll start with how Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers got his swagger back against the Chicago Bears on Thursday night.

Obviously fueled by the incessant “What’s wrong with Aaron Rodgers?” questions and even the blaming of his lady, actress Olivia Munn, the Packers’ quarterback, devoid of a viable running game and playmaking receivers, put the team on his back to the tune of 326 passing yards and three touchdowns on the way to defeating a Chicago Bears team down to their third-string quarterback, 26-10.

I figured out what happened to @AaronRodgers12 pic.twitter.com/QbXSOPwGMZ

— NFL Retweet (@NFLRT) October 20, 2016

Receiver Davante Adams emerged for the Cheeseheads, making plays with Aaron Rodgers where no one else could:

Bears WRs: 10 rec, 130 yards, 0 TDs.@tae15adams: 13 rec, 132 yards, 2 TDs. 👏

Every Adams catch from #TNF 👇 https://t.co/MKkNC2bad2

— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) October 21, 2016

Don’t look now, but Miami Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi might be giving the team the identity it’s been looking for, as the Dolphins came back to stun the Buffalo Bills in a battle in the AFC East, 28-25. Just one week after rushing for over 200 yards, the running back came back to rush for another 214 yards, sparking a Dolphins offense that has been much maligned this season:

Jay Ajayi is here to stay. pic.twitter.com/eas4Ceii1l

— Eric (@EIizondo) October 23, 2016

Marcus Mariota and the Tennessee Titans played a close game against their AFC South rival Indianapolis Colts, but their defense could do nothing to stop Andrew Luck, who diced up the Titans all day to the tune of 353 yards and three touchdowns and the victory, 34-26. The quarterback remained undefeated against the Titans in his young career. Luck’s accuracy was on full display, including on this beautiful touchdown pass to receiver T.Y. Hilton:

https://twitter.com/HighlightHub/status/790252800483680256

The Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals decided that offense was optional on Sunday Night Football. Both defenses came on to the field and flexed their muscles, with the Cardinals holding a 3-0 lead at halftime, but even with the lack of explosive plays, the game went into overtime tied at 3-3. It was a fight to be won in the trenches as both teams traded blows that pretty much amounted to nothing. In the end though, inconceivably, potentially game-winning field goals were missed by BOTH teams, and ladies and gentleman, we have our first tie of the 2016 season. This viewer’s reaction echoed us all:

https://twitter.com/Nitro12346/status/790404951470071810

In non-divisional action, the Minnesota Vikings suffered their very first defeat of the season against the Philadelphia Eagles in a slugfest, 21-10. The Eagles gave the Vikings a taste of their own medicine, riding a ferocious, opportunistic defense all game that forced one interception and FIVE fumbles:

Back-to-back fumbles 😱

Bradford is stripped and the @Eagles recover! #MINvsPHI https://t.co/mMKVyzEpiG

— NFL (@NFL) October 23, 2016

The San Diego Chargers and Atlanta Falcons played a barnburner of a game that took them to overtime after being knotted at 30-all. The Chargers nearly suffered yet another devastating loss as Falcons kicker Matt Bryant had a chance at a game-winning 58-yard field goal, but he missed. Then, in the extra period, the Chargers defense stopped the Falcons on fourth down to give Chargers kicker Josh Lambo a chance for the winning field goal, 33-30:

https://twitter.com/Oddsboard/status/790344390577426432

One last note: The Cleveland Browns, unlike their cross-sport siblings, the Indians (who just made it to the World Series) and Cavaliers (the reigning NBA champions), just can’t catch a break. They are still to get their first win of the season and they are now down to their last active quarterback as Cody Kessler was lost to a concussion. You know its bad when they’re allowing plays like this one to A.J. Green, who is not human by the way:

https://twitter.com/UGAfootballLive/status/790288549157429248

Check out the results of the rest of Sunday’s action, as well as Fantasy Football stars for each game:

Green Bay Packers (4-2) def. Chicago Bears (1-6) 26-10
Fantasy Star: Aaron Rodgers – 39/56 for 326 yards and 3 TDs; 2 carries, 7 rushing yards

New York Giants (4-3) def. Los Angeles Rams (3-4) 17-10
Fantasy Star: Landon Collins – 8 tackles for loss, 2 INTs

Cincinnati Bengals (3-4) def. Cleveland Browns (0-7) 31-17
Fantasy Star: A.J. Green – 8 catches, 169 yards, 1 TD

Detroit Lions (4-3) def. Washington Redskins (4-3) 20-17
Fantasy Star: Kirk Cousins – 30/39 for 301 yards, 1 TD

Oakland Raiders (5-2) def. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-4) 33-16
Fantasy Star: Latavius Murray – 18 rushes, 59 yards, 2 TDs; 2 catches, 4 receiving yards

Kansas City Chiefs (4-2) def. New Orleans Saints (2-4) 27-21
Fantasy Star: Drew Brees – 37/48 for 367 yards and 3 TDs; 1 INT

Miami Dolphins (3-4) def. Buffalo Bills (4-3) 28-25
Fantasy Star: Jay Ajayi – 28 rushes, 214 yards, 1 TD; 1 catch, 1 yard

New York Jets (2-5) def. Baltimore Ravens (3-4) 24-16
Fantasy Star: Matt Forte – 30 rushes, 100 yards, 1 TD; 4 catches, 54 receiving yards, 1 TD

Philadelphia Eagles (4-2) def. Minnesota Vikings (5-1) 21-10
Fantasy Star: Eagles Defense – 5 fumbles, 6 sacks, 1 INT

Indianapolis Colts (3-4) def. Tennessee Titans (3-4) 34-26
Fantasy Star: Andrew Luck – 27/39 for 353 yards and 3 TDs; 5 carries, 17 rushing yards

San Diego Chargers (3-4) def. Atlanta Falcons (4-3) 33-30
Fantasy Star: Melvin Gordon – 22 rushes, 68 yards, 2 TDs; 6 catches, 53 receiving yards, 1 TD

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-3) def. San Francisco 49ers (1-6) 34-17
Fantasy Star: Jameis Winston – 21/30 for 269 yards and 3 TDs; 1 INT

New England Patriots (6-1) def. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3) 27-16
Fantasy Star: LeGarette Blount – 24 rushes, 127 yards, 2 TDs; 1 catch, 7 yards

Seattle Seahawks (4-1-1) tie Arizona Cardinals (3-3-1) 6-6
Fantasy Star: David Johnson – 33 rushes, 113 yards; 8 catches, 58 receiving yards

Denver Broncos (5-2) def. Houston Texans (4-3) 27-9
Fantasy Star: CJ Anderson – 16 rushes, 107 yards, 1 TD.