🐺 Wolf Sports Weekly

One of the wildest fourth quarters in NFL history, the return of Rashee Rice, and much more is covered in this week’s newsletter.

🏈 Offensive fireworks and craziness in Week 7

A comeback for the ages by the Denver Broncos headlined Sunday action, as Bo Nix and the offense stormed back with 33 points in the fourth quarter—after being shutout through three quarters—to stun the Giants, 33-32. We could almost dedicate an entire newsletter to the game, but the main highlights included:

• Denver being down 19-0 heading into the fourth quarter and down 26-8 with under six minutes remaining.

• Nix becoming the first player in NFL history to have two passing touchdowns and two rushing TDs in a quarter.

• A key INT by Broncos LB Justin Strnad with 4:52 remaining as the defense stepped up in the fourth quarter.

• Giants QB Jaxson Dart scoring a go-ahead TD—putting New York up 32-30 with 0:37 remaining—on a drive that was officially 12 plays for 16 yards (despite starting at the DEN 35) due to some highly questionable officiating.

• Clutch plays by Broncos WRs Courtland Sutton and Marvin Mims Jr.—on a day where former Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas was honored—including a long reception for both on the final Denver drive.

• The game-winning 39-yard FG by K Wil Lutz as time expired.

The Broncos now sit atop the AFC West at 5-2, while the crushing defeat for the Giants leaves them at 2-5 heading to Philadelphia in Week 8.

Dallas dominated Washington in an NFC East battle, 44-22, with perhaps their most complete game of the season. QB Dak Prescott has been playing MVP-caliber football over the past month, and he threw for at least three TDs with zero INTs for the fourth game in a row—joining elite company of Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, and Drew Brees. The Commanders had a major scare with QB Jayden Daniels going down in the second half, but it’s fortunately just a hamstring injury—QB Marcus Mariota could be back under center next Monday night against the Chiefs. Washington would probably wise to make sure their franchise QB is 100% before returning, which paid off for Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb in his first game back since Week 3.

Perhaps lost amidst the wildness of other late-afternoon action, the Colts improved to 6-1 with a 38-24 win over the Chargers that was controlled by Indy for 60 minutes. QB Daniel Jones said the doubters “didn’t know much” when overlooking the Colts entering the season, and he’s now completing 71.0% of his passes while being sacked just six times this year. It certainly helps to have RB Jonathan Taylor in the backfield, and Los Angeles had zero answers for him as he scored three TDs for the third time over his past five games.

Earlier in the day, a showdown between the Eagles and former QB Carson Wentz and the Vikings saw Philadelphia come out on top, 28-22. WR DeVonta Smith was the star of the game with a career-high 183 receiving yards, and WR A.J. Brown scored twice with an early strike from 37 yards out and a fourth-quarter TD to go up 28-19—getting the passing game back on track for the Eagles. The offensive line hasn’t opened many holes for RB Saquon Barkley, but the superstar back says he’s happy because the team is winning.

In the first game of a MNF doubleheader, a depleted Lions defense completely handled the Buccaneers, 24-9, and RB Jahmyr Gibbs provided the offensive output with 218 total yards and two total TD—including a 78-yard sprint where he hit over 22.0 MPH. Unfortunately for Tampa Bay, the loss was compounded by franchise legend WR Mike Evans suffering a broken collarbone that will keep him out for most of the year.

In the second MNF game, the Seahawks jumped to a 14-0 lead on the Texans after another TD for WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba—eventually winning a game with odd bounces and turnovers, 27-19. This was the last very late (10:00 PM ET) game of the season.

Other Week 7 results:

• Bengals 33, Steelers 31 (TNF): WR Ja’Marr Chase went for career-highs in receptions (16) and targets (23) as 40-year-old QB Joe Flacco outdueled 41-year-old QB Aaron Rodgers in a thriller—with Flacco saying “I think this is the first time I got you” in the post-game conversation with the four-time NFL MVP.

• 49ers 20, Falcons 10 (SNF): QB Mac Jones again started in place of QB Brock Purdy (toe), but San Francisco rode Christian McCaffrey (31 touches for 201 yards and two TDs) in a vintage performance—and LB Tatum Bethune (10 tackles) stepped up with his first starting opportunity in place of All-Pro LB Fred Warner (ankle).

• Rams 35, Jaguars 7: A rainy London game didn’t impact the Los Angeles offense much, as QB Matthew Stafford became the first player to throw for five TDs (three to WR Davante Adams) in an international game despite not having WR Puka Nacua (ankle); the Jags have cooled off with back-to-back losses since beating the Chiefs in Week 5.

• Chiefs 31, Raiders, 0: Las Vegas has given Kansas City some fits in recent years, but their disappointing start to the Pete Carroll era continued as the Chiefs were able to pull QB Patrick Mahomes in the third quarter—as WR Rashee Rice scored twice in his season debut and the KC defense limited the Raiders to under 100 total yards.

• Packers 27, Cardinals 23: QB Jacoby Brissett (279 passing yards and two TDs) again played well in place of Kyler Murray (foot), but Arizona dropped their fifth game in a row—with all the losses coming in the final minute and by a combined 13 points.

• Patriots 31, Titans 13: Patriots HC Mike Vrabel faced his former team for the first time, and Tennessee started hot in the first game since firing HC Brian Callahan—but QB Cameron Ward fumbled deep in his own territory for what felt like a game-ending New England TD in the middle of the third quarter.

• Bears 26, Saints 14: Despite not having their sharpest showing on offense, Chicago has now won four games in a row since an 0-2 start, and S Kevin Byard III—who is tied for the NFL lead with four INTs—is playing at a high level in Dennis Allen’s defense.

• Browns 31, Dolphins 6: Bad weather in Cleveland made it a run-heavy, defensive game, which played into the Browns’ hands as rookie RB Quinshon Judkins scored three times and Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa threw three INTs and was benched—though HC Mike McDaniel said he remains the starter with Miami at 1-6.

• Panthers 13, Jets 6: Carolina wasn’t in much of a groove offensively with RB Rico Dowdle in a split with RB Chuba Hubbard, but the Jets benched QB Justin Fields and didn’t fare much better with veteran QB Tyrod Taylor under center on an offense that lacks firepower with WR Garrett Wilson (knee) out.

👀 The latest player news

Key players activated from injured lists before last week: 49ers TE George Kittle (who had no receptions but was a boost in the run game), Chargers OLB Khalil Mack and LB Denzel Perryman, Broncos LB Dre Greenlaw, Titans NT T’Vondre Sweat

But Greenlaw was promptly suspended one game for yelling at referee Brad Allen after Denver’s game-winning FG—perhaps not feeling the officiating was not up to standard on top of what some say was Allen pushing Greenlaw’s teammate Strnad out of the way.

Two-time Super Bowl champion DE Brandon Graham is set to announce he is coming out of retirement to join the Eagles for a 16th NFL season.

Panthers QB Bryce Young has a high-ankle sprain and is set to miss this Sunday against the Bills.

49ers DE Bryce Huff has a hamstring injury and is expected to miss a couple of weeks, while CB Renardo Green avoided turf toe but will be evaluated this week.

Falcons LB Divine Deablo suffered a fractured forearm on Sunday night and is week-to-week.

Out for the season after Week 7 injuries: Saints C Erik McCoy (biceps), Saints RB Kendre Miller (ACL), Commanders DE Dorance Armstrong (knee)

Players who missed last week due to injury include Cowboys CB Trevon Diggs (injured at home), Commanders WRs Terry McLaurin (quad) and Deebo Samuel (heel), Titans WR Calvin Ridley (hamstring), and Browns TE David Njoku (knee). Also, Colts CB Charvarius Ward Sr. (concussion) was placed on IR and will miss at least three more games.

Back soon: Cowboys LB DeMarvion Overshown revealed that he’s having his 21-day practice window activated as he nears his 2025 debut after last season’s knee injury. Two first-round rookies looking to make their NFL debuts were also designated to return: Cardinals DT Walter Nolen (last week) and Bills CB Maxwell Hairston (yesterday).

Veteran releases: Titans WR Tyler Lockett was granted his release upon request, and S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson was released from the Ravens practice squad in “an amicable mutual decision.”

📰 More around the NFL

Rest in Peace: Former NFL RB Doug Martin, who once had four touchdowns in a game, died at 36.

Retirements: Former Bears and Commanders OT Charles Leno retired on October 14 to honor his baby daughter who passed away two years earlier; Browns 2022 third-round WR David Bell called it a career.

Longtime Jets C Nick Mangold, a former first-rounder who played his entire career for New York, is seeking a kidney.

Vikings WR Justin Jefferson went undercover as a photographer and tricked GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.

Broncos WR Courtland Sutton says he brings in donuts every Saturday, continuing a tradition from Demaryius Thomas.

Other Sports Updates

⚾️ The World Series is set after the Dodgers swept the Brewers (with Shohei Ohtani hitting three HR as the SP), while the Blue Jays took last night’s Game 7 over the Mariners. Game 1 is Friday at 8:00 PM ET: Full schedule.

🏈 College football action was headlined by SEC play, as No. 9 Georgia came back versus No. 5 Ole Miss behind five TDs from QB Gunner Stockton and No. 6 Alabama defeated No. 11 Tennessee.

🐊 Florida fired HC Billy Napier, opening one of the biggest jobs in the country.

🤯 Curry College RB Montie Quinn set an NCAA record (across all divisions) with 522 rushing yards (on just 20 carries).

🐺 Found on wolfsports.com

• Week 8 Fantasy Football Rankings (🔒)

• Week 8 Waiver Wire Rankings (🔒)

• Week 8 Rest-of-Season Rankings (🔒)

• Week 7 Fantasy Football Awards

• Heisman Watch: Week 9