The NFL is working through the back half of the Week 7 slate as we fast approach the close of October. The NFL has one more weekend of October football, after which the trade deadline arrives and the playoff chase heats up.
This was an ugly slate compared to last week, with only one game featuring a pair of teams with above .500 records. We had five such games last week. It doesn’t mean we had bad football, but there were fewer implications. That being said, we’re on the verge of a mammoth upset in Charlotte as the Panthers are thumping the Bucs.
Below are the eight divisional standings, along with some quick thoughts about each division after seventh weeks of football. We’ll update as the league wraps up its schedule and moves toward Week 8.
AFC East
The Jets beat the Broncos in Denver and while it wasn’t pretty, a win is a win for a surging Jets squad. The Dolphins beat the Steelers on Sunday Night Football and remain in the thick of the playoff race. The Bills were on bye this week.
AFC North
The Bengals won again, thumping the Falcons. The Ravens survived a late Browns push and forced a critical stop late to get the win. The Steelers hung close with the Dolphins, but came up short in a loss.
AFC South
The Titans got a huge win over the Colts to retain their division lead and clinch the series sweep. The Jaguars lost at home to the Giants. The Texans gave the Raiders trouble in the first three quarters, but fell apart late against Josh Jacobs.
AFC West
The Raiders struggled early, but came back with a huge fourth quarter to run away from the Texans. The Broncos hung close with the Jets, but lost an ugly one 16-9. The Chiefs crushed the 49ers to expand their lead on the Chargers, who lost a home game to the Seahawks.
NFC East
Dallas welcomed back Dak Prescott and while it wasn’t pretty at times, they turned it on late to beat the Lions and remain in the thick of the divisional race. The Commanders won their first game with Taylor Heinicke replacing Carson Wentz, beating the Packers. The Giants beat the Jaguars in Jacksonville to remain ahead of the Cowboys.
NFC North
The Lions gave the Cowboys some trouble in the first half, but their offensive woes continue as they lost 24-6. The Packers lost to the Commanders and their season is starting to circle the drain.
NFC South
The Saints opened the week with a shootout loss to the Cardinals. The Panthers shocked the Bucs in their first game after trading Christian McCaffrey, while the Falcons were thumped by the Bengals.
NFC West
The Cardinals opened the week with a TNF win over the Panthers. The 49ers were crushed by the Chiefs at home, and that coupled with the Seahawks going into LA and beating the Chargers means Pete Carroll’s squad is now in first place in the division.