Designating someone as “back” after just one game carries its own risks, a fact we all recognize. Yet, it’s hard to overlook J.J. McCarthy’s performance in leading the Giants’ offense against the Texans, effectively dismantling their defense without much effort involved.
McCarthy’s game wasn’t flawless—especially towards the end—but that’s beside the point. He ended up with 20 completions on 28 attempts for 272 yards. While he didn’t throw any touchdowns, he also avoided interceptions. This performance was precisely what a John Harbaugh quarterback is expected to deliver: managing the game effectively, not overreaching, and ensuring that the defense and running game could secure the victory.
Of course, McCarthy has areas to improve. Although he excelled at short passes, he still appears hesitant when it comes to deep throws into the middle against strong safety coverage. He only attempted four such passes, completing just one for a gain of over 10 yards. This is a critical skill he must develop to round out his game, as simply making well-placed throws is not enough at this level. The Texans’ strategy kept the middle of the field largely under wraps, but opportunities were certainly there. Teams tend to generate big plays through yards after catch in that area, and overlooking this could limit the Giants’ offensive effectiveness.
That said, the Giants came away with a significant victory, one that solidifies their status as a team to keep an eye on in the East.
Vikings fans might downplay this outcome, seeing it as just a fluke. However, they might want to pay attention to what McCarthy has exhibited since being traded. This marks his second consecutive week of solid performance. Over the last two games, he’s completed 31 of 49 passes (a 63.2% completion rate) for 515 yards, with one touchdown and one interception, achieving a passer rating of 96.9. Could this be the resurgence of a quarterback who was once considered a bust, now thriving in a new environment? He’s also doing what the Vikings seem to struggle with: maximizing the potential of his top receiver. Malik Nabers racked up 7 catches for 111 yards, while Justin Jefferson, on the other hand, could only manage 4 receptions for 44 yards against the Colts.
This connection is crucial, especially since Jefferson sought a quarterback who could help him make big plays, yet this season he hasn’t even topped 100 receiving yards in a single game. This raises the pressing question regarding Kevin O’Connell’s future with the team, as the season could take an awkward turn.
It might be hard to justify letting go of a head coach when the team is undefeated, but no one truly believes O’Connell is the architect of the Vikings’ success. This year has largely been about Brian Flores, whose defensive prowess has turned the Vikings into one of the most formidable defenses in the league—making it difficult for any team seeking a coach in 2027 to overlook him.
So, here’s the situation: The Vikings are winning thanks to their defense. Meanwhile, McCarthy is developing nicely with another team, a narrative that becomes ironic considering O’Connell was hailed as a “quarterback whisperer” yet couldn’t advance McCarthy’s growth. The offense, which is supposed to be O’Connell’s strength, is faltering, while the defensive coordinator’s potential departure could unleash serious challenges for the team moving forward.
The Vikings are definitely a team to watch this season, notably due to their defense, but fans should also keep an eye on the Giants as their trajectory could influence Minnesota’s future.
Now onto the winners and losers of Week 7
The Panthers had a disappointing outing this weekend at a crucial point in their season. Sunday was their chance to prove they were the best in the NFC South in a game against the Buccaneers that they really ought to have won—yet they ended up being thoroughly embarrassed.
Ironically, the Panthers faced a disastrous run defense performance on the day that Luke Kuechly was honored by the team. They could have certainly used him, as Tampa Bay ran the ball over 30 times in the first half for the first time since 1980, demonstrating the Panthers’ inability to respond. The home crowd’s boos were justified; every aspect of their game contributed to what turned out to be one of the worst performances of the season.
Quarterback Bryce Young struggled with the intense blitz from Tampa, and even when he found opportunities, a weak offensive line was letting pressure through from all sides. The run game was stymied due to poor blocking, and the receivers lacked the urgency to compete for the catches they needed—everything appeared lackluster.
The defense didn’t fare any better, as Bucky Irving, Kenny Gainwell, and Sean Tucker collectively rushed for 246 yards with an astonishing average of 5.5 yards a carry. At one point, it was almost irrelevant that Baker Mayfield only threw the ball 11 times; he was practically given a day off.
To add insult to injury, the Panthers had issues on special teams with a muffed punt, a blocked extra point, and allowing significant returns all day. All in all, it was just a total disaster.
The Panthers really seem to be allergic to success. They manage to make tough games look easy while faltering when the odds are in their favor. There seems to be a lack of urgency and accountability when things go south, as head coach Daves Canales adopts a “we’ll figure it out next time” approach that feels too passive. A genuine drive to toughen up and start stacking wins is necessary for this team.
Winner: The state of Ohio
The Bengals are quietly crafting a solid season in the tough AFC North, recently beating the Ravens, who were without Lamar Jackson—a much-needed victory to climb the rankings. Now, they’re just half a game behind the Browns and Steelers, putting them in a good position. Joe Burrow had a strong outing, and offensively, everything fell into place for Cincinnati. The defense has improved compared to previous years but remains a concern for a team looking to contend.
Then there are the Browns at 5-2. While beating the Titans isn’t a monumental accomplishment, Cleveland is making the most of their schedule. It’s a bit puzzling how the Browns managed to reach a 5-2 record, but fans should savor the feeling of being part of a top-tier squad.
The Texans are in a tough spot as they inch closer to playoff elimination. After digging themselves into a hole early in the season, every game feels crucial, yet they continue to play uninspired football, especially on defense, which was expected to be their strong suit this year.
This season has presented a Texans offense that seemed to finally hit its stride, only to see the defense fall apart. While they struggled against the pass earlier, they had been decent at stopping the run—until Sunday. In critical moments, they allowed significant runs to Cam Skattebo, including during overtime, which set up the decisive touchdown.
It’s challenging to see how this team can still have playoff aspirations, with the Jaguars looking tough to catch and the AFC North proving to be exceptionally competitive this season.
Winner: Bo Nix and the Broncos
Admittedly, I’m not entirely sold on Bo Nix as a top quarterback, but he managed to impress critics with a standout performance against the Cardinals. Leveraging his mobility is key to enhancing the Denver offense, and it’s a strategy they should utilize moving forward.
The Broncos also received a significant boost from the Seahawks’ victory over the Chiefs on Sunday Night Football, creating new opportunities for Denver to compete in the AFC West in ways that didn’t seem feasible before. The most encouraging sign for Denver has been the struggles of Kansas City, especially with the Seahawks providing a game plan for stopping Patrick Mahomes.
