Every weekend in the NFL, features related to the powers that be, records that are within reach or relative to certain historical markers draw our attention. Here are 5 elements to watch out for in the seventh week of activities.
• Also read: Our Week 7 Predictions: Bow to King Henry!
• Also read: Bills and Jets in receiver hunt: who will come out on top in East division?
1. A fertile couple joined
Aaron Rodgers is drooling to join Davante Adams on the field.
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Sunday night in Pittsburgh will be a big reunion for Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers and his favorite receiver, Davante Adams, who was acquired this week in a trade with the Raiders. The two partners played together from 2014 to 2021 with the Packers before parting ways. If Rodgers joins Adams in the end zone, it will be the duo’s 77th career touchdown. That would put us past the tandems of Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne, as well as Drew Brees and Marques Colston, for fifth all-time. The pair of Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown (78), Dan Marino and Mark Clayton (82), Steve Young and Jerry Rice (92) and Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison (114) hold the award.
2. Any marks for Henry
Derrick Henry continues to shine for the Ravens.
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We told you a lot about Derrick Henry in the column accompanying the Week 7 predictions, but there’s always more to say about his great start to the season. If he scores a touchdown on Monday night, he will become just the sixth player and the first since Emmitt Smith in 1994 to open a season with at least one touchdown in seven straight games. Former Washington player John Riggins (1983) holds the record for 12 consecutive games. Henry is just two touchdowns away from 100 career touchdowns. If he accomplishes it Monday in his 125th game, he will become the fifth-fastest to reach that plateau behind LaDainian Tomlinson (93 games), Emmitt Smith (99 games), Jim Brown (113 games) and Shaun Alexander (119 games). .
3. Deshaun Watson in a class of his own
Deshaun Watson isn’t the only one with a headache, and so are Browns fans.
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It is often said that an athlete is in a class of his own because of his achievements. In the case of Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, it’s more that he’s sinking deeper and deeper into the shallows like almost no quarterback before him. Every time he takes a handoff this season, Watson is generating just 3.9 yards per play. Among the 815 quarterbacks since 2000, Watson ranks… 814th in this regard! It’s unimaginable when you think about it. Of course you’re wondering who the immortal is who did worse than him and I named Akili Smith with 3.6 yards per game! The pivot, who was selected third overall by the Bengals in 1999, is still considered one of the biggest busts in draft history.
4. The distribution of death
The Green Bay Packers are in the heart of the National Conference North Division battle.
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The National Conference North Division is head and shoulders above the rest entering the season. The Vikings, Lions, Packers and Bears have a cumulative record of 17-5 with a .773 winning percentage. That’s the best mark in Week 7 history All four teams have a winning record and are in the top four in the league in point differential (Vikings are +63, Lions +60, Bears +47 and Packers +.41). All four teams are also part of the Group of Eight that caused at least 10 turnovers.
5. Jefferson against the Lions
Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson may perform his famous touchdown dance against the Lions.
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Will Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson hurt the Lions again? In eight games against them, he has accumulated 1,073 yards, an average of 134.1 per game. Jefferson already has 6,349 career yards and is just 16 yards away from passing Jerry Rice for third all-time for the most in five seasons. Randy Moss (6,743) and Torry Holt (6,784) occupy the top two spots in earnings after five years, and Jefferson will clearly take the mark if he stays healthy.
*Source: NFL Research
