[Preview] Week 7: Dolphins Have Opportunity To Prove

After a victory snatched from New Orleans by the Jaguars. now it’s time for the rest of the NFL. This weekend, Sunday Night Football will be on everyone’s minds. The Dolphins are traveling to Philadelphia for what could be a Super Bowl poster. This is THE match not to be missed this week.

We will also talk about the duel in Kansas City, the 1st quarter in Baltimore, Aaron Donald and Kevin Stefanski. Here is the program for week 6.

Table of Contents

The match: the best record in the league in the lead

Kick-off during the night from Sunday to Monday 2:20 a.m.
Philadelphia Eagles (5-1) – Miami Dolphins (5-1)

We’ll have to be patient this weekend. If Sunday’s posters are all more attractive than the others, THE big match of this week 7 will be at night. HAS 2h20 in the morning to be exact. A Sunday Night Football between two teams with the best record in the league. They are 5 franchises to have only lost once since the start of the season and two of them will face each other for this match. The challenge will therefore be to stay at the top of this NFL. For Miami, the challenge is all the more important as the Dolphins want to prove their worth. If they have been walking, running and stealing at everyone since the start of the season, a little doubt remains. Their 5 successes were against teams with a cumulative record of 5 victories for 24 defeats.

While they can’t be held responsible for their schedule, the Dolphins didn’t really quell doubts by falling to the only favorite they faced: Buffalo. A big setback 48-20 which is a stain. The opportunity is therefore magnificent this Sunday, in prime time, to finally beat an NFL juggernaut. A victory for the reigning NFC champion would indeed send a clear message to the entire league. And even though the Eagles are not in the shape of their lives, they are still very difficult to maneuver. Nick Sirianni’s men are indeed coming off a defeat against New York, but don’t they say that a great team rarely loses twice in a row? And one thing is certain, Philadelphia is a great team. Is Miami too? Answer this Sunday… during the night.

The duel: the Chiefs offensive line vs. the Chargers pass-rush

Kick-off Sunday at 10:25 p.m.
Kansas City Chiefs (5-1) – Los Angeles Chargers (2-3)

Since the start of the season, the Chargers’ defense has shown big gaps. It’s simple, it’s one of the squads that allows the most yards per game (391.6 average, 31st in NFL). However, she collects fewer points than she should (24.8 units per game, 23rd in the league). A statistical oddity made possible by the pass-rush. Los Angeles has one of the best squads in this area with 21 sacks since the start of the season (3rd in the league). With Khalil Mack (7 sacks)Morgan Fox (5) or Joey Bosa (3)Staley has players capable of putting pressure on the quarterback at any time.

This is good because against the Chiefs, they will need that to put Patrick Mahomes in uncomfortable situations. Problem, Kansas City is one of the teams that best protects its quarterback. In 6 meetingsthe 2023 MVP was only brought to the floor 6 times. Sign of an effective offensive line and Mahomes’ ability to get out of danger. We will therefore observe who will gain the upper hand in this sector. Andy Reid and his men are in any case hoping for a fourth consecutive victory against their divisional opponent.

The statistics: 41-6 / 48-10

Kick-off Sunday at 7:00 p.m.
Baltimore Ravens (4-2) – Detroit Lions (5-1)

Who will have the advantage in the first quarter? This is the question that could turn this meeting upside down. Head to head this Sunday, Baltimore and Detroit are two of the most successful teams in the First 15 minutes. It’s simple, since the start of the season, the Ravens have scored 41 points in the first quarter, against 6 only cashed. For the Lions, it’s almost better with 48 points scored and only 10 authorized. So here we are dealing with two teams who are starting their games with their feet on the floor without releasing the pressure.

It now remains to be seen who will be able to impose their own rhythm in this meeting. An opposition which also looks like a match of the week. Detroit had not started a season with 5 wins For 1 defeat only since 12 years. Better, with the best record in the league (tied with Eagles, Dolphins, Chiefs and 49ers)the Lions find themselves first in the league for the first time since 1993 at this stage of the season. Baltimore faces an opponent with full confidence, but the Ravens have the means to compete. We also remember that during the last match between these two teams, the meeting ended with a kick. 66 yards by Justin Tucker to give the Ravens the victory.

The player: Aaron Donald

Kick-off Sunday at 10:05 p.m.
Los Angeles Rams (3-3) – Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2)

A match against Pittsburgh is always special for Aaron Donald. The defender still has many ties to his hometown. He also takes advantage of each offseason to train at the University of Pittsburgh Panthers facilities. By his own admission, he is still a supporter of the Steelers… when he is not playing against them. This weekend, he will especially try to beat them. His priority objective will be to bring down Kenny Pickett, also a former Pitt man. If he were to sack the pitcher, he would add a 53rd victim in his collection since the start of his NFL career.

A performance which could help his team regain a positive balance sheet. In a completely open NFC, Los Angeles has not given up on the idea of making the playoffs, despite the complicated season that many promised them. The defensive lineman, who would have thought about retiring this summer, is still performing as well. The Steelers offensive line, sometimes inconsistent, will therefore have work to do this Sunday. Containing an Aaron Donald is already complicated, so containing a motivated Aaron Donald could prove mission impossible.

Coach: Kevin Stefanski

Kick-off Sunday at 7:00 p.m.
Indianapolis Colts (3-3) – Cleveland Browns (3-2)

The least we can say is that this start to the season is good for Kevin Stefanski. The Browns coach was in fact particularly scrutinized at the edge of this year 2023. Voted coach of the year for his first season at the helm of the Browns in 2020he had suffered more subsequently with negative seasons (8-9 and 7-10). The former Vikings offensive coordinator therefore approached this new exercise with pressure. For the moment, his team’s start is satisfactory. Last week’s victory against the undefeated 49ers put the spotlight back on his work and that of his assistants, including Jim Schwartz.

From 1999 and the return of the franchise to the NFL, none of 12 coaches no longer remained 4 seasons. Kevin Stefanski has the opportunity to make Cleveland history, but he must continue to make his team win. This Sunday, the Browns travel to Indianapolis to face the Colts, without their quarterback. Rookie Anthony Richardson will not play again by the end of the season and Gardner Minshew must (re)take over. Which is not a gift against this defense. The opportunity for the Browns to continue their march forward, led by Kevin Stefanski.

The (other) division duels

Kick-off Sunday at 7:00 p.m.
New England Patriots (1-5) – Buffalo Bills (4-2)

Kick-off Sunday at 7:00 p.m.
New York Giants (1-5) – Washington Commanders (3-3)

Kick-off Sunday at 7:00 p.m.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2) – Atlanta Falcons (3-3)

Kick-off Sunday at 10:05 p.m.
Seattle Seahawks (3-2) – Arizona Cardinals (1-5)

Lots of lopsided games this week in the divisional matchups. Of the four, three will see teams at 1 victory and 5 defeats try to survive. The only one in the AFC will be a meeting in the East with, on paper, an extremely unbalanced opposition between the Patriots and Buffalo. New England welcomes the Bills who remain on four consecutive victories in this opposition (with 6 victories in the last 7 matches). Not sure the series will end on Sunday.

For the other two, New York will host the Commanders early in the evening in the NFC East, while a few hours later the Cardinals will travel to Seattle for an NFC West match. In the NFC South on the other hand, this divisional meeting will have a real stake. While the Saints lost this Thursday, Tampa Bay has the opportunity to get ahead of its two rivals. The Falcons, for their part, can regain the lead in the division by winning in Florida. An undecided match within a division which is much more attractive and competitive than advertised.

The rest

Kick-off Sunday at 7:00 p.m.
Chicago Bears (1-5) – Las Vegas Raiders (3-3)

Kick-off Sunday at 10:25 p.m.
Denver Broncos (1-5) – Green Bay Packers (2-3)

Kick-off on the night of Monday to Tuesday at 2:15 a.m.
Minnesota Vikings (2-4) – San Francisco 49ers (5-1)

In the rest of the week’s matches, the Raiders have the opportunity to build on the good momentum that is taking place (2 consecutive victories) to go face the Bears in Chicago. Matt Eberflus’ men could also be deprived of Justin Fields, injured and uncertain for this meeting. In the second part of the evening, the pressure will be on Sean Payton who absolutely must find solutions to turn around the Broncos.

Denver welcomes the Packers who will have had two weeks to prepare for this trip. Finally, Monday Night Football will pit the Vikings against the 49ers. We will observe San Francisco’s reaction after their first defeat of the season. For the moment, there is no reason to panic for Kyle Shanahan’s men, but we must not enter into a negative spiral.

All posters

Kick-off Sunday at 7:00 p.m.
Baltimore Ravens (4-2) – Detroit Lions (5-1)
Chicago Bears (1-5) – Las Vegas Raiders (3-3)
Indianapolis Colts (3-3) – Cleveland Browns (3-2)
New England Patriots (1-5) – Buffalo Bills (4-2)
New York Giants (1-5) – Washington Commanders (3-3)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2) – Atlanta Falcons (3-3)

Kick-off Sunday at 10:05 p.m.
Los Angeles Rams (3-3) – Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2)
Seattle Seahawks (3-2) – Arizona Cardinals (1-5)

Kick-off Sunday at 10:25 p.m.
Denver Broncos (1-5) – Green Bay Packers (2-3)
Kansas City Chiefs (5-1) – Los Angeles Chargers (2-3)