Week 7 of the 2023 NFL season brought football fans a thrilling mix of close contests, historic milestones, and standout rookie performances. With nine of the 11 games being decided by just one score, fans were treated to an exciting weekend of football action. Let’s dive into the highlights from Sunday’s 6 PM and 9 PM games:
Nail-Biting Finishes
The week was characterised by nail-biting finishes, with three games decided by game-winning scores in the final two minutes of regulation. Atlanta secured a 16-13 victory over Tampa Bay with YoungHoe Koo’s game-winning 51-yard field goal as time expired. Cleveland edged out Indianapolis 39-38 when Kareem Hunt scored a go-ahead one-yard touchdown run with just 15 seconds remaining. New England also grabbed a late win, defeating Buffalo 29-25 thanks to Mac Jones’s one-yard touchdown pass to Mike Gesicki with 12 seconds left on the clock.
Bill Belichick Joins the 300-Win Club
With New England’s victory in Week 7, head coach Bill Belichick became just the third head coach in NFL history to reach 300 career regular season wins, joining the ranks of legends like Don Shula and George Halas.
Lamar Jackson’s Historic Performance
Baltimore’s quarterback, Lamar Jackson, had a spectacular day, passing for 357 yards and three touchdowns while also adding a rushing touchdown in the Ravens’ dominant 38-6 win over Detroit. Jackson achieved his 50th regular-season win in just his 68th career regular-season start, making him one of the fastest quarterbacks in history to reach this milestone.
Jackson’s performance was nothing short of historic. He became only the fourth player in NFL history to record at least 350 passing yards, three touchdown passes, one rushing touchdown, and a passer rating of 150 or higher in a single game, joining the elite company of Drew Brees, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and Aaron Rodgers.
Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce Shine
Kansas City’s star quarterback Patrick Mahomes had a remarkable game, passing for 424 yards and four touchdowns. His favourite target, tight end Travis Kelce, hauled in 12 receptions for 179 yards and a touchdown. Their connection was on full display as they notched their 50th regular-season touchdown pass, cementing their place in NFL history.
Mahomes also set several records, including the most games with at least four touchdown passes in his first seven seasons and the most games with at least 400 passing yards in his first seven seasons.
Myles Garrett’s Dominant Performance
Cleveland’s defensive end, Myles Garrett, made a statement in his 90th career game. He registered two sacks, two forced fumbles, and blocked a field goal, showcasing his dominance on the defensive side. Garrett’s performance was nothing short of historic, making him the first player to achieve such a feat since the year 2000.
Tyson Bagent’s Impressive Debut
Undrafted rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent made an impressive debut for the Chicago Bears. He completed 21 of 29 pass attempts with a touchdown pass and no interceptions, earning a solid passer rating of 97.2. Bagent’s performance marked one of the highest completion percentages by an undrafted rookie quarterback in the common-draft era.
Puka Nacua’s Rookie Brilliance
Los Angeles Rams’ rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua continued to make waves in Week 7. With eight receptions for 154 yards, Nacua set records, including the most receptions by a player in his first seven career games and the most receiving yards in his first seven games in NFL history.
Nacua’s impressive rookie campaign also includes joining elite company with over 700 receiving yards in his first seven career games and multiple 100-yard receiving games in his early career.
Week 7 of the 2023 NFL season delivered an array of unforgettable moments. From thrilling finishes and historic milestones to standout rookie performances, football fans had plenty to cheer about. As the season continues, it’s clear that the excitement on the gridiron is far from over.