A quick recap of the notable stories from NFL week 7, including a massive result in the NFC North, a new franchise record and a shocking night for the Buccaneers. Some ill-timed trade news, the latest victims of the NFL injury gods, and what it all means for fantasy football.

Power Shift In The North

Photo Credit: Abbie Parr/AP Photo

The NFC North is currently the best division in football, so it’s not surprise that all eyes were on Detroit‘s visit to Minnesota in week 7.

The game itself certainly didn’t disappoint. With two lead-changes in the final six minutes, including a game-winning field goal for the visitors with just fifteen seconds remaining, this contest had everything you could ask for.

The win puts the Lions top of the division at 5-1, level with the Vikings, and means that the Kansas City Chiefs are now the only remaining undefeated team in the NFL – who’d have thought.

New Low For Carolina

In 2023, the Carolina Panthers set a new franchise record for the worst points differential over the first seven games of a season, at -72.

After the first seven weeks of 2024, the Panthers have a points differential of -133.

In case you’re wondering, that is the 26th worst points differential over the first seven games of a season, in NFL history. In a league that is over a hundred years old, that’s impressively unimpressive.

Jayden Daniels headed back to the locker room with a rib injury after less than eleven minutes of play on Sunday, with Washington having already scored more points than Carolina managed all game.

Tampa Bay Pay Price For Persistence

Photo Credit: Chris O’Meara/AP Photo

“I know you don’t give up on games, but at some point you want to get out of here and live to fight another day”.

Those were Joe Buck‘s words after seeing Baker Mayfield get hit by multiple Ravens defenders, with less than ninety seconds left of a two-score game, and with no timeouts remaining.

Just fourteen seconds later, on the very next play, and with the Buccaneers having already lost Mike Evans to a worrying hamstring injury, Chris Godwin dislocated his ankle fighting for a first down.

Baker Mayfield has become one of the easiest quarterbacks to root for since his move to Florida, his casual fearlessness at the position has given the Buccaneers offense a really fun identity.

And as I watched their three-headed backfield make progress against the number one ranked Baltimore run defense, I actually started to buy in to the potential of Mayfield leading this team to a Super Bowl. Just hours later though, the vibes couldn’t be worse.

Evans will be back, but probably not until at least week 12, according to Todd Bowles. With Godwin done for the season however, it’ll be interesting to see whether or not the team delves into the wide receiver trade market.

Mixed Reactions For Mahomes’ Sideline Escape

It was only a matter of time.

Patrick Mahomes‘ ability to steal first downs along the sideline, knowing that he can’t be touched there, is second-to-none. Whilst the same rules apply for all quarterbacks, no one makes the most of it as well as Mahomes.

And as always, it was the Kansas City signal caller who took it one step further on Sunday.

With a 49ers defender too scared to tackle him on the sideline, Mahomes was able to slip back inside and continue on, well beyond the first down marker, for a 33 yard gain.

Whilst I understand the league’s concern around quarterback safety, nothing frustrates me more than seeing some of the best athletes in the league unable to do their jobs, for fear of drawing a flag.

Given how important it can be to stop the clock in certain situations, I don’t think anyone should get a free pass at the sideline, quarterbacks can opt to slide if they want to avoid being hit.

You can’t blame Mahomes for playing the cards that he’s been dealt, other QB’s should be doing it too, but it’s so frustrating to watch.

Fantasy Football Adds/Buy-Lows

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Having prepared this article on Tuesday, I was really excited to tell you all to put out offers for Deandre Hopkins and Calvin Ridley this week.

Hopkins was one of the more likely receivers to be traded before the deadline, but it would have been considerate to have waited a day or two.

The markets for both players are now up in the air and so I’ve had to pivot, but here are my week 8 adds and buy-lows.

Ja’Tavion Sanders (Carolina)

To start, I’m doubling down on a couple of waiver suggestions from last week.

Sanders should have been added a week ago, but after a TE12 finish (half-ppr) this past weekend, people may finally have taken notice. Sleeper still has the rookie at only 8% owned however, so there’s a solid chance you can still grab him.

I’d wait for better news on Andy Dalton‘s injury before starting Sanders, with Bryce Young set to start in week eight.

Tre Tucker (Las Vegas)

As with Sanders, I won’t spend too long on Tucker as I’ve mentioned him before, but here are some stats.

Since Davante Adams‘ last game for the Raiders, Tucker has enjoyed a 21.33% target share with Gardner Minshew, compared to a 7.81% share with Aidan O’Connell.

Aidan O’Connell has, in fact, targeted Jakobi Meyers on more occasions that Tucker this season, despite the former missing both weeks six and seven, and therefore 61% of the QB’s attempts this year.

Depending on the strength of your team, as well as bye-weeks, Tucker could be a flex-worthy option for you whilst O’Connell misses time.

Cedric Tillman (Cleveland)

Whatever you think about Deshaun Watson, or his being booed by Cleveland fans after rupturing his Achilles, it’s a safe bet that his absence will be a good thing for Cleveland’s pass-catchers.

With Amari Cooper gone, it was Cedric Tillman who impressed the most in week 7, catching 8 of 12 targets for 81 yards and seeing 25% of targets from Jameis Winston.

Tillman is still only 16% owned according to Sleeper and would be worth picking up if you have space, as he faces the generous Ravens pass-defense in week 8.

Xavier Worthy (Kansas City)

Photo Credit: Denny Medley/Imagn Images

Despite flashing his electric speed and big-play ability on several occasions, Worthy started the year with three straight weeks of only two receptions and has followed that up with three straight weeks of three receptions.

When you add in Kansas City‘s recent trade for Deandre Hopkins, Worthy feels like the perfect buy-low candidate heading into week 8.

After years of Travis Kelce dominating targets for the Chiefs, Rashee Rice broke out from week twelve onwards last year and started 2024 in similar fashion, before injury ended his season.

It’s become clear that the catch-and-run specialist is the player to own on the Chiefs, and I believe that player is Worthy.

Patrick Mahomes has the lowest intended air yards per attempt in the NFL this season, so I’m not as excited as some are for Hopkins’ arrival. Instead, I’m excited to see what Worthy can do with Hopkins spreading the field, as we approach the second half of the year.

Courtland Sutton (Denver)

If you’re looking for more of a floor play however, Courtland Sutton is a safer, more boring buy-low this week.

Already on a less than exciting Denver offense, Sutton just played 86% of offensive snaps, in a game in which Denver scored 33 points, and received not one target.

Even after week seven though, Sutton still leads Broncos receivers by a massive 26 targets on the year, as well as pacing the team with nine red-zone targets, seven more than the two players behind him.

After a full slate of sixteen games this weekend, weeks nine, ten and eleven see ten teams go on bye. Deebo Samuel, George Pickens, Jayden Reed, DK Metcalf, Marvin Harrison Jr and Malik Nabers owners will all be affected by this, so it’d be worth adding some receiver depth.

No fantasy manager is going to be all that reluctant to move Sutton, making him a good target to cover those bye weeks.

That’s all I’ve got, my start/sit article and betting preview will be out later in the week.

In-depth stats from Pro Football Reference.