NFL 2021: Grades, aftermath for teams coming off Week 7 bye
Six NFL clubs did not play in Week 7. What’s the 2021 season been like for the Bills, Cowboys, Jaguars, Chargers, Vikings and Steelers?
It’s the second set of off-weeks for the NFL’s 32 teams that culminates in Week 14. There were only 13 games in Week 7 as the first-place Buffalo Bills and Dallas Cowboys, as well as the Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Chargers, Minnesota Vikings, and Pittsburgh Steelers had some time off.
Urban Meyer’s club is the lone team off last week below the .500 mark. So what has the 2021 season unfolded so far these half-dozen squads? And what took place elsewhere in Week 7 that had an effect on these six teams? And as for those grades…
NFL 2021: Grades for teams coming off Week 7 Bye
Buffalo Bills (4-2)
Sean McDermott and company look like the best team in the AFC if not the league. But the Bills have two conference losses to the Steelers and Titans, respectively.
The defense has been much-improved this year, although Leslie Frazier’s unit had its issues with Derrick Henry in their last appearance. Buffalo has come up with 16 takeaways in just six contests. And quarterback Josh Allen continues to build on his impressive 2020 showing.
Grade: A
Dallas Cowboys (5-1)
After missing the vast majority of 2020, quarterback Dak Prescott has gotten off to a tremendous start. And while he limped off the field back in Week 6 after throwing the game-winning touchdown pass in overtime at New England, he appears to be ready for prime time this week at Minnesota.
The Cowboys have had few problems scoring points and are getting just enough defense – especially from cornerback Trevon Diggs (7 interceptions).
Grade: A
Jacksonville Jaguars (1-5)
When last we saw Urban Meyer’s club, the Jaguars were snapping the second-longest losing streak in NFL history. The team edged the Miami Dolphins, 23-20, in London to end a 20-game skid.
Rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence has played much better after a slow start. After serving up seven interceptions in his first three games, he’s been picked just once in his last three outings. And second-year running back James Robinson continues to impress.
Grade: D+
Los Angeles Chargers (4-2)
First-time NFL head coach Brandon Staley took over a team that won its final four games a year ago. The Bolts jumped out to a 4-1 start but then came a Week 6 trip to Baltimore and a humbling 34-6 loss.
Second-year signal-caller Justin Herbert has spread the ball around and the Chargers’ attack has been balanced. But this Los Angeles’ defense has struggled to stop the run and it’s an area that needs to be shored up if it is to be a playoff factor.
Grade: B+
Minnesota Vikings (3-3)
A year ago, this was one of the more disappointing teams in the league. And catching the Green Bay Packers in the NFC North doesn’t figure to be easy. After a horrendous showing in 2020, the Minnesota defense has shown signs of slight improvement.
But these days, the Purple Gang is being carried by quarterback Kirk Cousins, running back Dalvin Cook, and a solid receiving corps. And the return of defensive end Danielle Hunter has aided the pass rush.
Grade: C
Pittsburgh Steelers (3-3)
Mike Tomlin’s club has managed to crawl back into the AFC North title chase after consecutive victories. The team’s offensive line is slowly but surely starting to gel. Rookie running back Najee Harris has been especially impressive the past two games.
Outside linebacker T.J. Watt has seven sacks in five games. The Steelers still have some work to do in terms of consistency. And veteran Ben Roethlisberger has begun to look more comfortable.
Grade: C
Aftermath
The Patriots were the only team in the AFC East to win last week as they inched closer to the Bills. The Steelers remain in the divisional basement as both Cincinnati and Cleveland came up with victories. The Jaguars moved up to third place when the Texans fell at Arizona. And the Bolts slipped behind the 5-2 Raiders in the AFC West.
The Cowboys still lead the NFC East with a 5-1 mark as the other three teams in the division all sport 2-5 records. Meanwhile, the Vikings moved up to second place in the NFC North after the Bears were routed at Tampa. And it’s worth noting that Dallas visits Minnesota this Sunday night.