NFL Week 7: Which Teams are On Bye?
Taking a look at the two teams who will be on a bye in NFL Week 7
The Dallas Cowboys and the Carolina Panthers will each be on their byes for NFL Week 7. For the Carolina Panthers, their bye couldn’t come soon enough with their 1-5 overall record. However, the Cowboys have built a lot of momentum going into the bye, resulting in them being 5-1 through the first six games.
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Dallas is being led by two rookies in Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott, who have played well above expectations early into the season. The offense ranks eighth in points per game with 26.5, and they are third overall in total yards gained per game at 401.5. The Cowboys are also second in rushing yards per game with 161.2.
The Cowboys sitting at 5-1 looks impressive after they won only four games in all of 2015. Besides the play of the offensive line this season, a big reason for the turnaround is Prescott and the poise he’s shown this season.
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As the replacement for Tony Romo this season, Prescott has completed 68.7 percent of his passes for 1,486 yards with seven touchdowns and one interception. Elliott at running back has been just as impressive with an NFL-best 703 yards on 137 carries, while also having five touchdowns.
The Panthers the defending NFC Champions. Obviously, they were beat in the Super Bowl by the Denver Broncos last year. Unfortunately, they have seemed to carry that hangover into 2016. They rank fourth overall in total offense, but their defense is allowing 380 yards per game and are allowing the third-most points per game at 29.3.
Carolina’s offense should be very angry with their defense this season. The Panthers also rank sixth in points scored per game (26.8), seventh in passing yards per game (273.3) and sixth in rushing yards per game (121.0).
Reigning NFL MVP from last season Cam Newton has completed 57.8 percent of his passes for 296 yards thus far. Even with missing a game with a concussion, Newton has eight touchdowns, six interceptions and has been sacked 15 times. Carolina’s rushing game has struggled immensely as well, with Jonathan Stewart missing significant. Newton leads the team with three rushing scores.
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There is so much more that can be said about each of these two teams on bye, but for right now, they are on completely opposite sides of the standings with no change of that anywhere in sight. When Carolina returns next week, they will host the Arizona Cardinals. The Cowboys will be on Sunday Night Football, hosting the Philadelphia Eagles.