Week 7 NFL Recap: Chiefs Stay Unbeaten, Barkley Dominates Giants, Packers Win a Thriller
Week 7 of the NFL season did not disappoint, delivering key matchups, thrilling finishes, and intense drama. From the Kansas City Chiefs solidifying their status as the league’s last undefeated team, to Saquon Barkley’s emotional return to New York, and the Green Bay Packers’ last-second win, there were plenty of standout moments. Here’s a recap of the biggest stories from this week’s action.
Chiefs Win Super Bowl Rematch to Stay Unbeaten
One of the most anticipated games of Week 7 was the Super Bowl LVIII rematch between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers. In a hard-fought contest, the Chiefs once again came out on top, winning 28-18 to remain the only undefeated team in the NFL this season.
Though both offenses struggled, largely due to injuries, Kansas City’s defense stepped up in a big way, intercepting 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy three times. Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes didn’t have his best day, throwing for just 154 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions, but the team’s rushing attack—led by Kareem Hunt and Mecole Hardman Jr.—secured the win.
“We can get so much better,” Mahomes said after the game, despite the victory. “Our defense continues to play special, and offensively, we’re able to run the ball, but I think we can improve a lot as the season goes on.”
With the 49ers losing key players Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk to injuries, they couldn’t keep up. The team is now 3-4, while the Chiefs remain the top team in the NFL.
Saquon Barkley Shines in Revenge Game Against Giants
In one of the more emotional storylines of the week, Saquon Barkley returned to MetLife Stadium for the first time since being traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. The former face of the New York Giants had a standout performance, rushing for 176 yards and a touchdown in the Eagles’ dominant 28-3 win.
Barkley’s return to New York was met with boos from Giants fans, some of whom even burned his jersey. The 27-year-old running back didn’t let the hostile reception affect him, tearing through his former team’s defense and reminding them of the talent they lost.
“I’ve seen my jersey get burned on social media, but to see it in person was definitely different,” Barkley said postgame. “I was locked in, and I just wanted to show what I could do on the field.”
Despite all the animosity, Barkley proved his worth by gashing the Giants defense with long runs and helping the Eagles secure a crucial divisional win.
Packers Edge Texans with Last-Second Field Goal
In one of the closest contests of the week, the Green Bay Packers secured a 24-22 victory over the Houston Texans thanks to a last-second 45-yard field goal by newly signed kicker Brandon McManus.
Both teams’ quarterbacks, Green Bay’s Jordan Love and Houston’s CJ Stroud, struggled throughout the game, but it was the Packers’ defense and running back Josh Jacobs who made the difference. Jacobs recorded his first career receiving touchdown, breaking a 211-reception drought, and rushed for 115 yards.
Despite the Texans taking a one-point lead with less than two minutes remaining, McManus—signed just five days earlier—clinched the win for Green Bay. The Packers move to 4-2 on the season, while Houston continues to struggle at 2-5.
Late Field Goal Hands Lions Win Over Vikings
In another nail-biting finish, the Detroit Lions handed the Minnesota Vikings their first loss of the season with a 31-29 victory, thanks to a 44-yard field goal by Jake Bates with just 15 seconds remaining.
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with the Lions overcoming a 10-point deficit to take control late in the third quarter. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs and wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Kalif Raymond all played pivotal roles in the Lions’ offense, while the defense held off a late Vikings surge.
The win propels the Lions to 5-1, solidifying their position as one of the NFC’s top teams, while the Vikings drop to 6-1 after a tough loss.
Other Week 7 Highlights
- Jacksonville Jaguars finished their London series on a high note, defeating the New England Patriots 32-16.
- Buffalo Bills continued their dominance with a 34-10 win over the Tennessee Titans.
- The Seattle Seahawks cruised to a 34-14 victory over the struggling Atlanta Falcons.
- Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Cleveland Browns 21-14, led by QB Joe Burrow.
- Indianapolis Colts earned a hard-fought 16-10 win against the Miami Dolphins.
Full Week 7 Scores:
- New England Patriots 16-32 Jacksonville Jaguars
- Seattle Seahawks 34-14 Atlanta Falcons
- Tennessee Titans 10-34 Buffalo Bills
- Cincinnati Bengals 21-14 Cleveland Browns
- Houston Texans 22-24 Green Bay Packers
- Miami Dolphins 10-16 Indianapolis Colts
- Detroit Lions 31-29 Minnesota Vikings
- Philadelphia Eagles 28-3 New York Giants
- Las Vegas Raiders 15-20 Los Angeles Rams
- Carolina Panthers 7-40 Washington Commanders
- Kansas City Chiefs 28-18 San Francisco 49ers
- New York Jets 15-37 Pittsburgh Steelers
For full NFL standings and stats, visit the NFL official website.
