2024 NFL Week 7 Winners and Losers: Saquon Barkley, Bills, Lions enjoy explosive victories
Another Sunday, another full slate of NFL action almost in the books. Week 7 has already been full of drama, from losing Deshaun Watson to the Cleveland Browns to a seemingly serious injury and Saquon Barkley helping the Philadelphia Eagles roll over his old team, the New York Giants.
Here are some of Sunday's biggest winners and losers:
Winner: Saquon Barkley
We don't need to rehash the New York Giants who failed to retain the star running back in free agency. We have to admit that Barkley got the last laugh on Sunday, exploding for 176 yards and a score to help power a 28-3 blowout of the Philadelphia Eagles. Barkley's old squad had no answer for his outbursts.
Loser: Deshaun Watson
Put aside the alleged off-field transgressions that changed his career forever. The Cleveland Browns quarterback went down with an Achilles injury Sunday, seemingly losing any remaining shot at on-field redemption behind a poor offensive line, days after losing its No. 1 receiver in a trade.
Winner: Bill Crime
Days after acquiring Amari Cooper via trade, Buffalo's offense looked the part against a once stingy Tennessee Titans defense, with Cooper scoring on his first catch in the new thread and rookie Keon Coleman breaking out with 125 yards on just four receptions. Josh Allen's group is ready to make a real run.
The Houston Texans wideout has always been outspoken, but he let provocateur Jair Alexander get the best of him before Sunday's matchup with the Green Bay Packers, prompting lingering restraint from both referees and teammates. Then, in a close loss, Diggs managed just 23 yards on seven targets.
Winner: Lions' NFC North prospects
Statistically speaking, Sunday's close win over the previously undefeated Minnesota Vikings was huge, suddenly putting Detroit atop the NFL's toughest division. Even more impressive was the way they did it, with Jared Goff standing tall in the face of Brian Flores' defense to get the “W.”
Lost: The quarterback's health
Deshaun Watson wasn't the only big name to drop under center on Sunday. The Washington Commanders saw star rookie Jayden Daniels exit early against the Carolina Panthers with a rib injury. And the Las Vegas Raiders left Aidan O'Connell off with a hand problem, forcing an early change.
Having cycled through kickers this year, the Packers finally found one on Sunday. Days after signing with the team, McManus hit a 45-yard walk-off field goal to lift Green Bay over the Texans, improving the Packers to 5-2 on the year. The former Denver Broncos veteran will likely stick around for a while.