Week 7 of the 2025 NFL season kicked off Thursday with a battle between two 40-something quarterbacks within the Steelers’ Aaron Rodgers and the Bengals’ Joe Flacco. The latter gained the evening after main a game-winning drive that was capped by a 36-yard discipline aim from Evan McPherson with seven seconds left in regulation.
Sunday’s motion started in London for the second straight week, with the Los Angeles Rams defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars. Matthew Stafford reached a global sequence document with 5 touchdowns.
Our NFL Nation reporters reacted to all of the motion, answering lingering questions popping out of every sport and detailing every thing else it is advisable to know for each crew. Let’s get to it.
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Atone for the motion: Field rating | Recap
Rams
Will Davante Adams’s purple zone success proceed with the return of Puka Nacua? The purple zone is an space the Rams offense has struggled with this season, particularly the connection between quarterback Matthew Stafford and Adams. However within the lead as much as the sport, Adams mentioned constructing that chemistry with a brand new quarterback can take time and that it comes with the extra reps the pair get. On Sunday towards the Jaguars, the Rams had been 4-for-4 within the purple zone with three touchdowns to Adams. Whereas the Rams hope to get Nacua again after their Week 8 bye, Stafford and Adams little doubt benefited from continued reps because the season continues.
Key stat to know: With three touchdowns on Sunday, Adams has 9 receiving touchdowns in 5 profession video games towards Jacksonville. In response to ESPN Analysis, the 1.8 receiving touchdowns per sport is probably the most by any participant towards a single opponent with a minimal of 5 video games performed. — Sarah Barshop
Subsequent sport: vs. Saints (Nov. 2, 4:05 p.m. ET)
Jaguars
Do the Jaguars have a Brian Thomas Jr. downside? Thomas is not taking part in wherever near the extent of a No.1 receiver, which the Jaguars believed he was earlier than the season. His largest concern has been his palms. He dropped two passes towards the Rams (one on a 3rd down), which comes one week after he had a third-down drop towards Seattle. He had three drops towards Cincinnati in Week 2, together with one on fourth down contained in the Bengals’ 10-yard line. There even have been some throws the place it appears he was attempting to keep away from contact. He’s not the one concern the Jaguars have on offense but it surely’s onerous to maneuver the ball constantly when the supposed finest playmaker is not producing.
Now add an damage. He left the sport late within the fourth quarter and the medical workers was his proper hand/wrist. He didn’t reenter the sport.
Pattern to look at: Cam Little has now missed three of his previous 4 kicks: a 50-yard discipline aim try towards the Rams and a PAT and 50-yard discipline aim try in Week 6 towards Seattle. He did make a fourth-quarter PAT, although. Little has already missed three discipline targets this season. He missed two as a rookie in 2024. The Jaguars might think about bringing in some kickers for a tryout over the bye week to a minimum of put some stress on Little. — Mike DiRocco
Subsequent sport: at Raiders (Nov. 2, 4:05 p.m. ET)
Atone for the motion: Field rating | Recap
Bengals
Is Cincinnati’s protection constant sufficient for the Bengals to be a contender? Not in the intervening time. Whether or not it is at linebacker or at cornerback, Cincinnati hasn’t discovered the right combination of starters by way of seven video games. The Bengals practically blew a 10-point lead due to the defensive struggles within the second half. After Thursday, Cincinnati was twenty ninth in factors allowed per drive, thirty first in purple zone effectivity and twenty ninth in yards allowed per play. Merely, it is not adequate if the Bengals need to be in playoff competition.
What to make of the QB efficiency: Within the battle of seasoned veterans, Bengals QB Joe Flacco was the victor. Each he and Aaron Rodgers made huge performs. However most notably, Flacco did not throw any interceptions whereas Rodgers had two. Flacco posted a 75.2 Complete QBR, his fifth-highest mark since 2019, per ESPN Analysis. — Ben Child
Subsequent sport: vs. Jets (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
1:09
Torry Holt: Ja’Marr Chase is the very best receiver within the NFL
Torry Holt joins “The Wealthy Eisen Present” and discusses why he believes Ja’Marr Chase is the NFL’s finest broad receiver, however Puka Nacua can also be a best choice.
Steelers
Can the Steelers make efficient, significant in-season changes to the defensive scheme? After hauling in 16 receptions for 161 yards and a landing, Bengals broad receiver Ja’Marr Chase mentioned the Steelers’ protection did “precisely what we was anticipating and hoping they’d do.” Previously, Pittsburgh’s protection has dominated regardless of its predictable scheme as a result of it is stacked with all-world expertise. That technique turns into much less efficient, although, as that expertise ages and faces offenses which can be intimately accustomed to the defensive plan. The Steelers acquired defensive backs Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay as a way to shut down groups with elite receiving tandems. Neither participant was efficient, both taking part in out of place or being a step too gradual. And up entrance, the Steelers weren’t hole sound and had communication points that became huge features for working again Chase Brown. With the Packers and Colts arising, the Steelers have to make impactful changes or purchase higher expertise to run the scheme.
What to make of the QB efficiency: Rodgers was outdueled by Flacco, partly due to Rodgers’ poor resolution to power the ball deep to DK Metcalf, who was double-covered, within the first half. Earlier than that interception, Rodgers’ first of two within the first half, the quarterback was taking part in like a classic model of himself. He held on to the ball for 8.6 seconds earlier than discovering tight finish Jonnu Smith for a scramble drill landing to cap the primary drive of the sport. It marked Rodgers’ longest time he needed to throw a landing cross since a minimum of 2016, in accordance with NFL Subsequent Gen Stats. Rodgers completed with three TDs on passes exterior the pocket, tied for probably the most in his profession. — Brooke Pryor
Subsequent sport: vs. Packers (Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET)
