Why Colts are real contenders as Denver defy odds

The Indianapolis Colts firmly established themselves as real contenders on one other pulsating NFL Sunday, whereas the Denver Broncos staged the mom of all comebacks.

The Colts lead the league however challengers are coming from all angles, with the New England Patriots persevering with their resurgence and the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs firmly again in enterprise.

Jalen Hurts lastly acquired the Philadelphia Eagles offence transferring, the Inexperienced Bay Packers confirmed their battling qualities and the Dallas Cowboys are nonetheless the league’s gunslingers.

NFL week seven – because it happenedRams run riot at Wembley

Why the Colts are real contenders

There isn’t any denying the Colts are the true deal now as they prime the NFL at 6-1 after dismantling the Chargers 38-24 in LA, with Daniel Jones banishing doubts about his flying begin to the season being a flash within the pan.

Working again Jonathan Taylor is a landing machine – scoring his third hat-trick of the season to take his whole to 11 in seven video games.

That star energy has been key in Indianapolis being prime scorers within the NFL with greater than 33 factors a recreation – and their key energy is simply how scientific they’re in possession.

They entered the sport with the perfect factors per drive stats within the league and in opposition to the Chargers scored 5 touchdowns and a area purpose with their 9 possessions.

Once they haven’t got the ball they’re the third-best at forcing turnovers (11) and after they have it they not often give it away and virtually at all times rating.

The defence offers away loads of yards however at 20 factors a recreation is seventh finest, and all of it combines for a rising juggernaut that basically does look robust to cease.

Nix leads epic Denver comeback

No doubting the sport of the week, with Bo Nix going bananas and main the Denver Broncos to a mind-boggling 33-32 win over the plucky, and unfortunate, New York Giants.

Being shutout 19-0 after three quarters, Nix grew to become the primary quarterback to have two passing and two speeding touchdowns in a fourth quarter, with Denver’s 33-point blitz the second-best in historical past.

Even when Nix by some means acquired Denver in entrance, spectacular Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart generated a response along with his fourth whole landing of the sport seemingly profitable it with simply 37 seconds left.

That was sufficient time for Nix to steer a area purpose drive, although, and get Denver out of jail once more – however they’re going to need to do higher in the event that they’re to go far this season.

Eagles and Chiefs let it fly

The Tremendous Bowl champions got here roaring again after consecutive losses with Hurts lastly opening up his shoulders to throw for 326 yards, three touchdowns and an ideal passer score of 158.3 because the Eagles beat the Vikings 28-22.

Hurts hasn’t been on the identical web page as his receivers of late, however DeVonta Smith had a career-best 183 yards and a rating whereas AJ Brown caught two touchdowns in a freewheeling show Eagles followers have been crying out for.

There’s often a extra conservative method from Philadelphia, however with Hurts throwing for essentially the most yards on 20-yard throws (215) in his profession, it might be an indication that they are taking the handbrake off.

Patrick Mahomes was additionally letting the ball fly in his 93rd regular-season victory, as returning receiver Rashee Rice sparked a 31-0 shutout of the moderately woeful Las Vegas Raiders.

A lot larger assessments are to return however it’s now 4 wins in 5 for the 4-3 Chiefs after a sticky begin, averaging 31.5 factors a recreation over the previous 4 and with solely the Colts extra scientific in possession.

The Chiefs are positively on the up.

Who’re the NFL contenders and pretenders?

Drake Maye will play his manner into MVP rivalry if he continues with such poise and accuracy for the Patriots.

He set a group file with a 91.3% completion price of their win over the Titans and, when you think about it is a group that had Tom Brady at quarterback for 20 years, that is fairly an achievement in simply his second season.

The Pats are 5-2 and have gained all 4 away video games, together with the previous three, though this newest one was in opposition to the Titans.

Inexperienced Bay edged Arizona 27-23 however it was removed from convincing – Micah Parsons had three sacks which proved decisive however Playing cards back-up quarterback Jacoby Brissett nonetheless acquired some pleasure in opposition to the Packers defence.

In addition they seemed a bit toothless on offence each time Josh Jacobs wasn’t on the sphere, so key to their progress is conserving their star working again match transferring ahead.

There was a fourth straight recreation with three touchdowns for Dak Prescott because the Dallas Cowboys once more confirmed their attacking prowess to beat a struggling Washington, who misplaced Jayden Daniels with a hamstring harm.

That is a large fear for the Commanders, who had no reply to CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens and Javonte Williams who mixed for 308 yards and two scores.

At 3-3 Dallas may simply go on a run and with their assault may beat anybody, however they’ve nonetheless acquired rather a lot to show on defence.

Solely the Patriots can match Chicago’s four-win streak after the Bears overcame a hot-and-cold Caleb Williams to beat the struggling Saints.

The Bears ran for 222 yards and two scores whereas the defence leads the league with 16 turnovers, after three interceptions and a fumble by Spencer Rattler – and that mixture can take you a great distance within the NFL.

However they’re going to need extra from Williams.

The San Francisco 49ers have their harm issues however so long as they have Christian McCaffrey they have an opportunity.

The Niners at the moment are 5-2 after McCaffrey had 201 whole yards and two touchdowns to beat the Atlanta Falcons 20-10.

Hapless Miami proved the antidote to Cleveland’s issues, because the Browns ran up 31 factors to beat the Dolphins – having beforehand not managed greater than 17 in a recreation.

And at last the New York Jets, who benched Justin Fields throughout their 13-6 defeat by Carolina, have dropped to 0-7 for simply the third time of their historical past.

NFL week seven scores & highlights

Los Angeles Rams 35-7 Jacksonville JaguarsNew Orleans Saints 14-26 Chicago BearsMiami Dolphins 6-31 Cleveland BrownsNew England Patriots 31-13 Tennessee TitansLas Vegas Raiders 0-31 Kansas Metropolis ChiefsPhiladelphia Eagles 28-22 Minnesota VikingsCarolina Panthers 13-6 New York JetsNew York Giants 32-33 Denver BroncosIndianapolis Colts 38-24 Los Angeles ChargersWashington Commanders 22-44 Dallas CowboysGreen Bay Packers 27-23 Arizona CardinalsAtlanta Falcons 10-20 San Francisco 49ers



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