Week 7 NFL takeaways – Packers’ points bonanza

Bring on Kansas City and perhaps bring back Davante Adams. Yes, the Packers showed once again they can win without their best receiver — and Aaron Rodgers can dominate with six touchdowns (five passing, one rushing) like he did in Sunday’s win over the Raiders. But Rodgers would love to have his Pro Bowl receiver back from his turf-toe injury sooner rather than later. “I can promise you we need him, and we’re a better offense with 17 on the field,” Rodgers said. — Rob Demovsky

Next game: at Kansas City (8:20 p.m. ET Oct. 27)

The Raiders can’t make big mistakes, like Derek Carr’s ill-timed fumble through the end zone late in the second quarter. “It sucks, man,” Carr said. “It’s my fault. I let my team down on that one.” Yes, it did shift momentum immeasurably, as the Raiders went from looking at a possible 17-14 halftime lead to a 28-10 deficit before they touched the ball again in the third quarter. “We all love Derek and … just one play doesn’t put a blemish on who he is to us and who he is as a quarterback,” tight end Darren Waller said. Coach Jon Gruden acknowledged there is a fine line between trying to make a play and trying to do too much. However, the Raiders can’t afford big mistakes from their QB if they’re going to make playoff push. — Paul Gutierrez

Next game: at Houston (4:25 p.m. ET Oct. 27)

The 49ers, especially their defense, are built for any conditions. They seemingly have found a different way to win every week this season, but Sunday was probably their most difficult task. With torrential rains making points a precious commodity, the defense pitched a shutout, and the Niners did just enough to walk away with their fourth consecutive road win and remain unbeaten through six games. With what figures to be a tough matchup against the well-rested Panthers looming next week, this was game the Niners couldn’t afford to let slip away.— Nick Wagoner

Next game: vs. Carolina (4:05 p.m. ET Oct. 27)

The Redskins are not getting good quarterback play. Some of it stems from losing key players on offense, and some of it stems from just poor play overall. But Washington’s reluctance to put rookie Dwayne Haskins into the game, even at 1-6 and the season headed nowhere, is very telling. It was never just Jay Gruden who felt Haskins wasn’t ready. While the Redskins are saying Haskins is more attentive of late, the fact that Bill Callahan said after the game they’re sticking with Case Keenum is a big tip-off of where they feel Haskins is in his development. Washington always knew it would take time with Haskins, and that’s exactly how it’s unfolding. But at some point, the Redskins will have no choice but to play him. — John Keim

Next game: at Minnesota (8:20 p.m. ET Oct. 24)

Chris Berman and Tom Jackson recap the weekend’s games with extended highlights and analysis.

The Bills are content with “winning ugly.” Buffalo didn’t score a touchdown until the fourth quarter and trailed the winless Dolphins most of the game. Sunday’s performance left several fans worried with the Eagles coming to town in Week 8, but the ability to win through adversity is a hallmark good teams share — and players say it beats the alternative. “I’ll take an ugly win over an ugly loss,” safety Micah Hyde said. “Good teams win ugly games, and that’s what you saw today.” — Marcel Louis-Jacques

Next game: vs. Philadelphia (1 p.m. ET Oct. 27)

FitzMagic is here to stay for a while. Ryan Fitzpatrick led the Dolphins to their best offensive performance of the season, scoring 21 points and throwing for 282 yards against the vaunted Bills defense. Brian Flores has already said he will start next Monday at Pittsburgh, and Fitzpatrick said postgame that he feels he’s the “perfect man” to lead the rebuilding Dolphins. For better or worse, it looks like we’ll get a little more FitzMagic. — Cameron Wolfe

Next game: at Pittsburgh (8:15 p.m. ET Oct. 28)

It took a while, but the Jaguars’ offense finally got into the end zone on Sunday. In fact, it took three weeks. The Jaguars hadn’t scored an offensive touchdown since the third quarter of a Week 5 loss to Carolina, also the last time the Jaguars scored one in the red zone. One of the reasons the Jaguars had so much success two years ago was its offense’s success in the red zone, ranking second in TD percentage (64%). This year? They are ranked 29th (38.5%) entering Sunday’s game. Increasing their efficiency in the red zone has to be a priority over the next several weeks. — Mike DiRocco

Next game: vs. N.Y. Jets (1 p.m. ET Oct. 27)

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Doug Marrone says the Jaguars’ defense was lights out vs. the Bengals but their offense needs to finish.

For the first time this season, Bengals coach Zac Taylor had to answer questions about making a potential quarterback change. Andy Dalton threw three interceptions, and all three occurred in the fourth quarter, as the Jaguars scored 18 consecutive points to keep Cincinnati (0-7) winless. Taylor was reluctant to comment on Dalton’s status moving forward immediately after the game. Dalton, a ninth-year player whose contract expires at the end of next season, said the rough start to the season has also been the most difficult stretch he’s experienced emotionally. After Sunday’s game, Dalton’s number of touchdowns and interceptions are identical (eight). “I’m going to do everything I can to prepare each week to win,” Dalton said. “That’s all I’m focused on.” Fourth-round pick Ryan Finley is the backup. — Ben Baby

Next game: at L.A. Rams (1 p.m. ET Oct. 27)

Just how good is this Arizona team? The Cardinals are 3-3-1 after three touchdowns by Fordham product Chase Edmonds, who shouldered the rushing load after David Johnson played just three snaps while the rain was pouring. But some perspective is needed. The Cardinals’ three wins have come against teams that are a combined 3-18. Next week’s game against the Saints will be the true barometer of where this Cardinals team is at. There’s no doubting the offense is figuring itself out and the defense can get to the quarterback — but the question is can they do it against a good team? — Josh Weinfuss

Next game: at New Orleans (1 p.m. ET Oct. 27)

The turnovers were the difference between Daniel Jones and Kyler Murray. Jones, who was under relentless pressure and sacked eight times, had an interception and two fumbles. It led to 17 points, and he now has 11 turnovers in five starts. Jones knows it needs to be cleaned up. He’s been concentrating on it in recent weeks, but still didn’t get rid of the ball quickly enough throughout the game. The Giants (2-5) have no chance if Jones continues to turn the ball over at his current pace. — Jordan Raanan

Next game: at Detroit (1 p.m. ET Oct. 27)

Can the Chiefs continue to be productive with Matt Moore as their quarterback? A better test will come in their next game against the Packers. Moore threw a 57-yard touchdown pass to Tyreek Hill but otherwise accomplished little Thursday night against the Broncos after the Chiefs lost Patrick Mahomes with a dislocated kneecap. That’s to be expected since Moore has had little practice time with the starters since he joined the Chiefs late in the preseason and replaced Mahomes after a short practice week. But they can tailor the playbook to his abilities now. Still, the Chiefs will lose a lot of big-play ability without Mahomes, and no amount of practice for Moore will change that. — Adam Teicher

Next game: vs. Green Bay (8:20 p.m. ET Oct. 27)

The biggest issue is the Broncos can’t protect Joe Flacco. The Chiefs finished with nine sacks, including one on a dismal fake punt attempt, and the Broncos will have limited ability to fix it beyond the same personnel on the roster. Ja’Wuan James’ return from a knee injury to play right tackle should help some, but the Broncos will have to consider a move at left tackle where Garett Bolles continues to struggle to recover from mistakes. — Jeff Legwold

Next game: at Indianapolis (1 p.m. ET Oct. 27)