Week 7 recap: Seahawks = still very good, Bengals offense explodes & are the Ravens done?

Summary of Week 7 recap: Seahawks = still very good, Bengals offense explodes & are the Ravens done?

by The Athletic

1h 47m•October 26, 2026
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Overview of Week 7 recap: Seahawks = still very good, Bengals offense explodes & are the Ravens done?

The Athletic’s Week 7 recap covered a loaded NFL slate, with the hosts focusing on several major storylines: the Seahawks’ defense overwhelming the Chiefs, the Bengals’ offense erupting in the second half against Baltimore, the Lions and Packers playing a chaotic but high-level game, and the Vikings continuing to look like a historically unconventional defense. They also dug into “what the f***” moments from the Texans, Panthers, Jets, and Ravens, while debating which teams belong in the league’s top tier.

Biggest Takeaways

Seahawks vs. Chiefs

  • Seattle’s defense completely neutralized Kansas City’s run game and forced Patrick Mahomes into obvious passing situations.
  • The Chiefs had no explosive plays and were overwhelmed by Seattle’s pass rush.
  • The discussion centered on how thin Kansas City’s offensive margins are when:
    • the run game is removed,
    • the offensive line is stressed,
    • and Mahomes is forced to win mostly through straight dropbacks.
  • Sam Darnold and the Seattle offense were not explosive throughout, but they were efficient enough on third down and in key moments to control the game.

Lions vs. Packers

  • A weird, entertaining game full of turnovers, missed field goals, and questionable officiating.
  • Despite the chaos, both teams came away looking like borderline 10-win teams with real upside.
  • The biggest positive for Detroit:
    • Jared Goff played at a high level,
    • the offensive line looked much better,
    • and the offense looks closer to the elite version everyone expected.
  • For Green Bay, the concern was whether the offense can still function if it can’t push the ball vertically or run consistently.

Bengals vs. Ravens

  • Cincinnati’s offense absolutely exploded in the second half, scoring 35 points after halftime.
  • Tee Higgins was the star of the game:
    • dominant at the catch point,
    • elite on intermediate routes,
    • and one of the most important reasons the Bengals’ passing game now looks terrifying.
  • Joe Burrow’s second half was the best he’s played this season:
    • sharp, confident, aggressive,
    • and highly efficient throwing to Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase.
  • The Ravens’ defense looked exposed in coverage and tackling.
  • Baltimore’s offense did enough with a backup quarterback to stay competitive, but the bigger issue is the defense and the possibility that another Lamar Jackson absence could derail the season.

Falcons vs. 49ers

  • Atlanta knocked off San Francisco and suddenly looks alive in the NFC South race.
  • The Falcons’ defensive front was a major story:
    • smart offseason bets paid off,
    • and multiple low-cost additions are producing real value.
  • Michael Penix Jr. was effective when kept clean and looked comfortable attacking underneath and intermediate windows.
  • The Niners’ first loss reinforced the sense that they are good but not overwhelming, and that injuries could make them fragile.

“What the F***” Segment Highlights

Texans lose to the Giants

  • Houston was a heavy favorite and still got outplayed.
  • The Texans’ defensive issues were especially alarming:
    • poor run defense in base looks,
    • too many explosive completions allowed,
    • and problems tackling in space.
  • Jalen Pitre’s absence was felt, but the hosts agreed that injuries aren’t a full excuse.
  • On the Giants’ side, J.J. McCarthy’s debut was encouraging:
    • much better than expected,
    • with several impressive throws and signs of real upside.
  • The Giants now feel like a real football team, even if the ceiling is still unclear.

Panthers get blown out by the Buccaneers

  • Tampa Bay dominated physically and on the ground.
  • Baker Mayfield barely had to throw, while the Bucs ran all over Carolina.
  • Bryce Young was put in a terrible situation by poor protection and defensive collapses around him.
  • The Panthers also lost Taylor Moton to a broken leg, further weakening the offense.

Jets lose to the Dolphins

  • Miami finally looked competent enough to win.
  • The Dolphins’ passing game, led by a solid performance from the quarterback, was much better than expected.
  • The Jets’ coaching decisions, especially in clock management late in the first half, drew criticism.
  • The larger concern is that the Jets may actually be pretty close to the team many expected them to be: flawed, mediocre, and reliant on future development rather than this year’s results.

League-Wide Conversation: Who Belongs at the Table?

The hosts spent time arguing about which teams belong in the NFL’s top-tier conversation:

  • Bengals: one host argued they absolutely should be in the group of serious contenders because the offense is elite and the defense is no longer bottom-tier.
  • Ravens: the consensus was that Baltimore’s ceiling is damaged by Lamar Jackson’s injury and the defense’s inconsistency.
  • Steelers: noted as a legitimately interesting, real football team thanks to a functional run game, solid defense, and a quarterback who is actually playing the position well.
  • Bears/Patriots/Broncos: mentioned as other teams in the mix for “the table,” though not all hosts were ready to fully buy in.

What Made Week 7 Feel Special

The Vikings’ defense

  • The hosts were most enthused about Minnesota’s defense, calling it one of the most fascinating units in football.
  • Brian Flores’ scheme is:
    • aggressive,
    • inventive,
    • and structurally sound despite blitzing at an absurd rate.
  • They highlighted:
    • how often the Vikings blitz,
    • how little vulnerability it creates,
    • and how unusual it is to see a defense dictate games this thoroughly.
  • The caveat: the Vikings still need to prove it against elite offenses before being treated as a true contender.

Notable Themes

  • Offense can still matter a lot, but the best teams are the ones that can survive when one phase is taken away.
  • Defensive scheme innovation is back in a big way, especially with Minnesota and Atlanta.
  • Quarterback play remains the separator, but supporting cast and situational football keep deciding games.
  • Injuries are reshaping multiple contenders, especially Baltimore and San Francisco.

Bottom Line

Week 7 reinforced that the NFL’s top tier is still fluid. The Seahawks and Bengals made strong statements, the Lions and Packers both looked capable of making a real run, the Falcons are suddenly relevant, and the Vikings may have the most inventive defense in football. At the same time, the Texans, Panthers, and Jets all suffered losses that raised uncomfortable questions about their present and future.