NFL Week 7: Cleveland beats Tennessee 27–24 to retake AFC North lead

Seattle gains ground in the NFC West

Seattle ended a two-game losing streak and improved to 4–3. Kansas City fell to 5–1, while San Francisco’s loss left it at 6–1. The Seahawks therefore gained a game on the 49ers in the NFC West.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba gained 150 receiving yards as Seattle produced 410 total yards and converted 11 of 16 third downs—plays on which a team must advance far enough to keep possession. By midway through the third quarter, Seattle had run 51 plays to Kansas City’s 24. Its defense held the Chiefs to 213 total yards and extended its league-leading streak without allowing a 100-yard rusher to 36 games.

Quarterback Sam Darnold completed 20 of 28 passes for 257 yards. He took no sacks after taking five in each of his previous two games, but threw an interception just before halftime—his eighth in five games. Smith-Njigba finished the game leading the NFL with 867 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns. He was the first player since the Super Bowl era began in 1966 to reach at least 850 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns in his team’s first seven games.

Stafford adds the Rams’ touchdown record to his Detroit mark

The Los Angeles Rams beat Las Vegas 35–21. Quarterback Matthew Stafford became the first player to hold the career passing-touchdown records for two active NFL teams. His third touchdown pass of the game, an 11-yard throw to Puka Nacua in the second quarter, was his 155th for the Rams and moved him past Roman Gabriel’s 154. A passing touchdown is credited to the quarterback when a receiver catches his pass for a touchdown.

Stafford spent his first 12 NFL seasons with Detroit. Against Las Vegas, he completed 23 of 29 passes for 195 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. All three touchdown passes came in the first half. He credited the teammates who blocked and caught passes and the coaches who designed the plays.

Daniels makes two late defensive plays for Atlanta

Atlanta’s first-year defender Kendal Daniels intercepted a pass from San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy with 2:42 remaining and the Falcons ahead 26–20. An interception gives the defending team possession. Nick Folk then kicked a field goal worth three points, extending Atlanta’s lead to nine—more than San Francisco could erase with one scoring possession.

With 57 seconds left, Daniels recovered a fumble, a ball lost by an opponent, forced by Atlanta defender Jessie Bates III. Daniels finished with nine solo tackles. He started and called Atlanta’s defensive plays after being listed as questionable to play; on 18 October, he had left the game against Chicago on a cart after taking a knee to the head.

Murray’s run helps Minnesota turn the game

Minnesota had gained only 128 yards and scored two field goals before quarterback Kyler Murray ran 35 yards on the final play of the third quarter. The run earned another set of four attempts. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Murray threw a five-yard touchdown pass to T.J. Hockenson, putting Minnesota ahead for the first time at 13–10.

The 125 points scored by Minnesota’s offense were the second-fewest by a 6–0 team since 1940. Its ten touchdowns were the fewest by a team with that record since the 1933 Chicago Bears. Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said the team was “not far off” and needed to avoid penalties and turnovers.

Indianapolis quarterback Daniel Jones completed 13 of 22 passes for 108 yards, passing 100 yards only on his final completion. His interception on the Colts’ last possession ended their chance to win. Colts coach Shane Steichen said he had not considered changing quarterbacks, retained confidence in Jones and had planned to rely on running the ball.

Completed Week 7 scores

Other results shape the standings

Tampa Bay improved to 2–5 by beating a fellow NFC South team. The Buccaneers gained 258 rushing yards and scored three rushing touchdowns. Their defense intercepted two passes and sacked Carolina’s quarterback five times. Green Bay, meanwhile, had won only one of its three games against NFC North opponents.

The Rams scored on four consecutive first-half possessions in their highest-scoring game of the season. Las Vegas lost its fourth straight game and allowed at least 30 points for the fourth game in a row. Denver gained at least 47 yards on each of three plays but also gave up 114 yards in penalties.

The Giants won in overtime on a 30-yard touchdown run. Cleveland rushed for a season-high 183 yards against Tennessee, which surrendered a 14-point lead. Miami ended its winless start after taking a 21–7 halftime lead against the Jets and holding on to win.

Detroit next hosts unbeaten Minnesota. The Vikings then face Buffalo, Green Bay and San Francisco; only the Buffalo game is at home. Seattle next hosts Chicago on 2 November, while Kansas City next visits Denver.