NFL Week 7: Historic Collapse, Colts and Chiefs Soar, Fins and Jets Hit Rock Bottom

Week 7 of the NFL season was a chaotic tableau of blowouts, miraculous comebacks, and stunning defensive performances that will likely define several playoff races. The AFC East has completely imploded, the Colts are now the league’s most dominant team, and one single game provided a moment of collapse previously unseen in NFL history.

The Historic Collapse and the Fourth-Quarter King

The game of the week—and arguably the season—belonged to the Denver Broncos (5-2) and the New York Giants (2-5). The Broncos staged an unthinkable comeback, erasing an 18-point deficit in the final six minutes to defeat the Giants 33-32.

• Unprecedented Rally: The Giants led 26-8 with just over five minutes remaining, a position from which NFL teams had won 1,602 consecutive games. The Broncos proceeded to score 33 points in the fourth quarter—the second-highest quarter total in NFL history—to steal the victory.
• Bo Nix Closes: Quarterback Bo Nix delivered his second electrifying fourth-quarter performance, leading the Broncos to five scores in the final quarter, capped by a Wil Lutz walk-off 39-yard field goal as time expired.
• The Goats: The Giants, who got a go-ahead touchdown run from Jaxson Dart with 37 seconds left, suffered a heartbreaking defeat after missing the extra point that would have secured the victory.

AFC Title Contenders: Indy Rises, Kansas City Roars

The AFC saw its two most dominant teams—and the defending AFC champion—make massive statements:

• Colts (6-1) Are Legit: The Indianapolis Colts made a statement by dismantling the Los Angeles Chargers (4-3) 38-24. The Colts’ offense, led by QB Daniel Jones (288 yards, 2 TDs) and RB Jonathan Taylor (94 yards, 3 TDs), was unstoppable. Indianapolis became the first 6-1 team in the NFL and now owns a league-best +92 point differential.
• Chiefs Find Their Swagger: The Kansas City Chiefs (4-3) returned to dominant form with a 31-0 shutout of the Las Vegas Raiders. The Chiefs’ offense, fueled by the return of WR Rashee Rice (who scored two early TDs), outgained the Raiders 434 yards to 95. Coach Andy Reid earned his first regular-season shutout win in his 427th career game.

The London Beatdown and Quarterback Woes

• Rams 35, Jaguars 7 (London): The Los Angeles Rams delivered an unmistakable expression of their offensive might, dominating the Jaguars in London. Even without star WR Puka Nacua, Matthew Stafford rifled five touchdown passes, three to Davante Adams, proving the Rams’ depth and offensive wizardry.
• Wentz’s Woes: Carson Wentz‘s performance for the Minnesota Vikings (3-3) against his former Philadelphia Eagles (5-2) team was a microcosm of their season: moving the ball effectively (313 yards) but collapsing in the red zone. Wentz’s two brutal interceptions, including a pick-six, led to the Eagles’ hard-fought 28-22 victory.

The Bottom Falls Out of the AFC East

The division that started with high hopes has hit rock bottom:

• Patriots (5-2) Keep Winning: The New England Patriots continued their resurgence under Mike Vrabel, cruising to a 31-13 win over the Titans. Rookie Drake Maye was efficient, and the Patriots now own a strong record, contrasting sharply with their divisional foes.
• Dolphins (1-6) Collapse: The Miami Dolphins hit a new low, suffering a humiliating 31-6 loss to the Cleveland Browns. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw three interceptions and was benched, while the offense produced its worst game under Mike McDaniel. The continued lack of offensive identity and the mounting losses have the franchise in crisis.
• Jets (0-7) Stay Winless: The New York Jets are the last winless team in the NFL after falling 13-6 to the Carolina Panthers. The Jets’ offensive struggles persist, raising serious questions about the team’s direction.

Week 7 was a brutal dividing line, rewarding the consistent execution of the Colts and Chiefs and punishing the teams that couldn’t stop shooting themselves in the foot, creating a highly volatile second half of the season.