2022 NFL: Previewing Week 7

This might surprise you, but I’m not always right. I know, it’s really hard to believe.

A grownup will always admit when they’re wrong, and I need to do it now as we plunge forward into Week 7 of the NFL season. Thoughts I had before opening night have proven to be misguided at best, or just dumb at worst.

Mea culpas are in order, so let’s start.

My apologies to the Vikings

I didn’t think this team was going anywhere. Last I checked, they still have Kirk Cousins at quarterback, whose specialty is racking up yards when the game is already out of reach. And looking at the numbers, they’re about average on offense and defense.

Yet, they’ve won four games in a row, have a 5-1 record and are leading the NFC North. Whatever new head coach Kevin O’Connell is doing up in Minnesota is working so far. They’re on a bye this week, but when they return they have winnable games against the Cardinals and Commanders. The good times should continue.

My apologies to the Jets

They were an easy pick to be the doormat of the AFC East. Because after all, they’re the Jets, right? The can’t-get-right squad. The wizards of ineptness.

And when they lost their season opener against the Ravens, head coach Robert Saleh said, “We’re all taking receipts on all the people who continually mock and say that we aren’t going to do anything. I’m taking receipts, and I’m going to be more than happy to share them with all of you when it’s all said and done.”

I was one of those people doing the mocking. I’m going to need some hot sauce because I’m going to be munching on Saleh’s receipts for dinner tonight. They’ve won three straight, including a win at Lambeau Field against the Packers this past Sunday. If the season ended today, they’d be a playoff team.

The Jets are a lot like the Vikings in that I’m not sure how they’re doing this well, but I can’t argue with the results. A 4-2 record for this team is something to be happy about.

My apologies to the Giants

I had this team in my top 10 rankings last week, but I did it begrudgingly, figuring it would be a one week appearance. Back-to-back wins over the Packers and Ravens have pushed them to 5-1 and there are some things to be excited about.

For all the fuss people made before the season about this being Daniel Jones’ last chance to prove he’s the quarterback of the future, that hasn’t been the dominant storyline. It’s Saquon Barkley rising up and leading a dominant New York running attack. He’s second in the league with 616 yards, while averaging 5.2 yards per carry.

When you add a strong running game to a defense that’s playing well, you have a formula that can carry when the weather gets cold.

My apologies to the NFC East

In my defense, we’ve been forced to watch many horrible NFC East games in primetime over the last decade. But I must eat my words. With the aforementioned Giants playing way above expectations, this division has three legit playoff teams.

NFC East games are fun again. Thank the lord.

My apologies to Bailey Zappe

I’d be lying if I said I had any thoughts about Zappe before the season started. But when the Patriots were forced to put the rookie under center when Brian Hoyer went down with an injury, I admit to making fun of his name.

Silly name. Strong man.

I don’t know how he’s managed this, but he doesn’t look scared out there at all. In fact, he threw for more than 300 yards and 2 touchdown passes in a blowout win over the Browns. Not bad for a fourth-round pick out of Western Kentucky.

I’m a fan.

My apologies to myself

I can’t believe I let myself get excited about the Jaguars. They had one nice win over the injury ravaged Chargers and I gushed way too much.

NFL’S TOP 10

1. Bills – When Josh Allen hit Dawson Knox for the go-ahead touchdown with 1:04 left in the game, a lot of us figured that was way too much time. But Buffalo’s defense did something they couldn’t do in last season’s AFC playoff game: They got a stop! That’s something that stats and analytics don’t really show. Can you get a stop when the game is on the line? They did that against the Chiefs.

2. Eagles – Their offense is third in the league in total yards per game, while their defense is also a top 10 unit. And they managed to hold off a second-half charge from division rival Dallas on Sunday night. If they keep winning, I’m going to have to elevate them into the top spot. For right now, a 6-0 record heading into their bye week will have to be good enough.

3. Chiefs – They fell short at home against Buffalo, and not to get all Skip Bayless on you, but that game felt like it meant a lot more to the Bills. They’re still an elite team and that won’t change, barring injuries.

4. Cowboys – Despite the loss against the Eagles, I didn’t think any less of them afterwards, especially since they almost erased a 20-point deficit. When these two teams meet again, it will be Dak Prescott at quarterback. Then we’ll really see what the Cowboys are capable of.

5. Giants – Three NFC East teams in the top five?! What’s going on here? Well, you tell me. The NFL has proven to be somewhat of a mess. Who else would you put in this spot?

6. Vikings – Maybe you’d have this team one spot higher. I wouldn’t. Despite sharing 5-1 records, I don’t see anyone on this roster matching Saquon Barkley’s performance thus far. I have a feeling the good start might come crashing back to Earth on Nov. 13, when the Vikings face the Bills on the road followed by a home game against the Cowboys. But that’s later. For now, credit where it’s due.

7. Ravens – And to think I had Lamar Jackson at third in the NFL MVP race. He followed my bold prediction by committing two key turnovers in Baltimore’s loss to the Giants. I’m usually the first one to throw the Ravens’ defense under the bus this season, but this one wasn’t on them.

8. Chargers – Yes, they’re 4-2. But let’s face it, they didn’t exactly light the field on fire in their win over the hapless Broncos. This team is a microcosm of the entire league. Sure, they have talent, but they’re just not there yet. Something’s missing.

9. Jets – Another 4-2 squad. I don’t think they’ll be in these rankings long term, but I thought that last week about the Giants and here we are. If Gang Green can make the playoffs or come close, Robert Saleh has to be on the short list for coach of the year.

10. Bengals – Of all the teams left sitting at 3-3, this bunch might have the most talent. They haven’t even played good football yet, but they’ve won three of their last four games and might be pulling it together.

WHAT’S THE CHATTER?

Wow, that’s heavy: NFL owners are a secretive bunch, so when Colts boss Jim Irsay intimated that it might be time for Washington’s Dan Snyder to sell the team, you had to take notice. After all, Snyder’s tenure in D.C. has been spotty. And that’s being kind. From sexual harassment allegations and more, things are ugly.

“You have to protect the shield to protect the league, and I don’t like to see the shield damaged,” Irsay told Albert Breer of SI. “And right now, the shield is taking some damage from all this.”

Whenever you start hearing Commissioner Roger Goodell or any NFL owner talk about the shield, heads are about to roll. And it’s probably in everyone’s best interest for the league to move on from Snyder. Nothing personal, just business.

I think he’s right: Ben Roethlisberger is enjoying his first year of retirement. He’s probably spending his days chopping wood, drinking a cold PBR, or whatever it is that he does when we’re not paying attention. But he was there to see the Steelers beat the Buccaneers last week and he had some thoughts about watching Tom Brady.

“It didn’t look like he wanted to be out there,” Roethlisberger said (h/t to ProFootballTalk). “Maybe it was the pressure and he was getting hit and whatever was going on.

“There’s no way he’s enjoying this. No way.”

Nobody enjoys a loss, so that’s not exactly groundbreaking. But it’s the way that Tampa is losing that must be frustrating for a perfectionist like Tom Brady. His line can’t block and the offense can’t move the ball. Again, they’re still 3-3 and there’s plenty of football left, but things need to get better in a hurry.

C-Mac on the move? I’ve heard some chatter about the Panthers being willing to listen to offers for star running back Christian McCaffrey. The most titillating of the chatter has involved the Bills. If Buffalo can pull that off, oh my GOD. That has enough sizzle to burn a house down. Even with his injury history, just imagining him in that offense makes me see stars. I really want that to happen.

Bunch of donkeys: I don’t know what to make of the Broncos. I don’t think the Broncos know what to make of themselves. Russell Wilson is taking shots from all directions. Opposing defenses are pummeling him, former teammates are criticizing him and his head coach is leaving him hung out to dry in key situations. With every passing week it’s becoming clear that Nathaniel Hackett is a one-and-done coach. Sean Payton is sitting there as an analyst, just saying. I’m sure he’d take a phone call from John Elway.

APPOINTMENT VIEWING FOR WEEK 7

Saints at Cardinals: Can you make heads or tails of these teams? Me neither. What’s good is that wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is returning from suspension for the Cardinals this week, maybe he can make something happen.

Falcons at Bengals: Two teams sitting at 3-3. Kudos to Atlanta for playing tough in the early going, especially with a young squad. But for Cincinnati, this is a game they need to win convincingly. Especially at home.

Lions at Cowboys: Do you realize that Detroit has a top five offense? I don’t know if this is the easy out for Dallas that many people expect, even though they’re favored by 7 points at Jerry World.

Colts at Titans: Indy has looked real shaky over the first few weeks, but after all that, they’re sitting in a good spot at 3-2-1. This division game should be entertaining as the Titans are playing some good football.

Packers at Commanders: Aaron Rodgers still wants us to relax, even though Green Bay just went 0-2 against both New York teams. Fine, I’ll relax, but if you drop this game, I’m going to freak out.

Buccaneers at Panthers: I will also lose it if Tampa loses this one.

Browns at Ravens: Baltimore needs to erase the memory of last week’s ugly loss. A good start would be to play mistake-free at home against a beatable opponent.

Jets at Broncos: I just want to see how bad it’s going to get in Denver. I’m not saying I’m rooting for a loss, but if the Broncos fall, I won’t freak out. Let’s just say I’ll be really happy for the Jets.

Chiefs at 49ers: Hey! Two teams who faced off in the Super Bowl a few years ago. Remember that?