NFL Week 7 Winners and Losers: Colts Dominate, Broncos Pull Off Another Fourth-Quarter Miracle, and More

Week 7 of the NFL season delivered drama, heartbreak, and jaw-dropping performances. From the Indianapolis Colts asserting themselves as legitimate Super Bowl contenders to the Denver Broncos thrilling fans with a fourth-quarter comeback, this week had everything football enthusiasts love: triumph, failure, and moments that will be replayed for years.

Winner: The Colts’ Super Bowl Stock Soars

The Indianapolis Colts are not just a fun surprise anymore—they are arguably the best team in football. Following a commanding 38-24 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, the Colts now boast the NFL’s best record and a league-leading plus-92 point differential. Since 2000, only 15 teams have outscored opponents by as much through the first seven weeks of a season, and the Colts are in elite company alongside the 2001 Rams, the 2019 49ers, and the 2023 49ers—all Super Bowl participants.

Head coach Shane Steichen’s offense has been flawless, built on the time-tested combination of a reliable ground game led by Jonathan Taylor and an explosive, efficient passing attack with quarterback Daniel Jones executing plays with surgical precision. Sunday’s game exemplified this balance: Taylor averaged a season-high 2.6 yards before contact, paving the way for Jones to connect on high-value passes. Steichen’s creative play-calling—like a meticulously designed third-and-17 conversion—demonstrated why he is regarded as one of the league’s brightest offensive minds.

As Jones put it, the Colts aren’t reinventing football—they are simply executing at a higher level than their opponents. If the team maintains this pace, the Colts may be the team to beat in a wide-open AFC.

Winner: Bo Nix and the Broncos’ Fourth-Quarter Magic

Denver fans were treated to another unforgettable performance from quarterback Bo Nix, who turned a 19-0 deficit against the New York Giants into a 33-32 victory. Nix struggled through the first three quarters, but the fourth quarter was a different story. The Broncos scored 33 points in a wild final 15 minutes, punctuated by Nix throwing for 174 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for another 46 yards and two scores.

The Broncos’ comeback featured improbable moments, including a touchdown off a deflected pass to Troy Franklin and Nix’s lightning-fast drives that required precise execution under extreme pressure. Denver’s resilience underscores a risky but thrilling identity: a team that thrives on late-game heroics. However, relying solely on fourth-quarter brilliance may be unsustainable in the long term.

Loser: Mike McDaniel and the Dolphins’ Collapse

The Miami Dolphins endured a crushing 31-6 loss to the Cleveland Browns, a defeat that highlighted offensive struggles and questionable leadership from head coach Mike McDaniel. By EPA metrics, this was the worst performance for both McDaniel and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa since McDaniel’s tenure began in 2022.

Weather conditions in Cleveland exposed the Dolphins’ limitations, but the deeper problem is systemic. McDaniel’s offense lacks adaptability, and team culture issues persist, with reports of players still showing up late to meetings despite repeated offseason emphasis on discipline. With a 1-6 start, the Dolphins’ playoff hopes are in jeopardy, and McDaniel’s leadership is increasingly under scrutiny.

Winner: Mike Vrabel’s Revenge Game

Returning to Nashville to face his former team, Titans coach Mike Vrabel secured a satisfying 31-13 victory with the New England Patriots. Vrabel, dismissed by the Titans after a six-year tenure, saw his team perform with precision, led by quarterback Drake Maye, who set a Patriots record for completion percentage in a game with at least 20 attempts.

The victory not only avenged Vrabel’s firing but also highlighted New England’s strong position in the AFC East. With a 5-2 record and a four-game winning streak, Vrabel is positioning himself as a serious Coach of the Year candidate. Meanwhile, the Titans face a rebuilding season, underscoring how decisions from past management continue to affect team performance.

Loser: Raiders’ Offensive Woes

The Las Vegas Raiders were dominated 31-0 by Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, exposing one of the most dysfunctional offenses of the season. Las Vegas managed just three first downs, ran only 30 plays, and possessed the ball for less than 18 minutes—the lowest time of possession for any NFL offense this season.

By EPA per play and offensive success rate, the Raiders’ performance ranked at the bottom of the league, demonstrating how far they have fallen behind the elite teams in the AFC West. Kansas City, with a healthy Rashee Rice, looks poised to retake control of the division with authority.

Winner: Philadelphia Eagles’ Offensive Awakening

After a slow start to the season, the Philadelphia Eagles rediscovered their offensive swagger with a 28-22 victory over the Minnesota Vikings. Jalen Hurts, along with receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, delivered a near-perfect performance, showcasing the explosiveness of their downfield passing game. Hurts finished with a perfect 158.3 passer rating, throwing for 326 yards and three touchdowns, and exploited Minnesota’s blitz schemes with remarkable precision.

The Eagles’ decision to incorporate more plays from under center unlocked even greater offensive potential, opening opportunities for both passing and rushing attacks. Philadelphia’s offensive identity appears back on track, ready to compete at a championship level.

Loser: Jacksonville Jaguars’ Self-Inflicted Woes

The Jaguars’ 35-7 defeat to the Los Angeles Rams in London highlighted recurring issues: penalties, drops, and offensive miscommunications. Jacksonville committed 13 penalties for 119 yards and dropped four passes, continuing a troubling trend that has plagued the team this season.

Quarterback Trevor Lawrence faced unprecedented pressure, taking seven sacks and completing just 23-of-48 passes, while the defensive unit failed to generate takeaways for a second consecutive week. With a bye week and a matchup against the Raiders ahead, the Jaguars must address fundamental mistakes to salvage their season.

Losers: Struggling Quarterbacks Across the League

Week 7 was a difficult outing for multiple quarterbacks, including Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Fields, Geno Smith, and Bryce Young. Injuries, benchings, and unforced errors plagued many teams, forcing backups like Quinn Ewers, Kenny Pickett, and Tyrod Taylor into significant action.

Tagovailoa’s three interceptions, combined with underwhelming performances by other starters, highlighted the league-wide struggles behind center. For several teams, quarterback play remains a critical area of concern as the season progresses.

‍