Week 7: Best Games

The 2018 season has had surprises, drama, and tension. Some of it has been the rise and fall of Fitzmagic. Other has been Patrick Mahomes II lighting it up for Kansas City. We take a look at all of it through the ten best games so far in this budding NFL season.

10.

Source: Nerdsports

Falcons at Eagles

This was a good matchup to open the year, with the defending Super Bowl Champions eking out a win against the team the beat in the 2017 Divisional Playoffs. Atlanta and Philadelphia both played rather poorly, but in the end it was the Eagles claiming victory on a last play incompletion. It set the stage for both teams having underwhelming regular seasons so far, with the Falcons at 2-4, and the Eagles sitting at 3-4. This was a weird matchup that just makes it into our list.

9.

Source: PhillyVoice

Panthers at Eagles

This game was fun to watch. The Eagles led 17-0 after 3 quarters, but gave up three touchdowns and failed to score on a final drive to give Carolina the win. It may have only happened this afternoon, but it could be the game that seals Philadelphia’s fate as a team that is not at all like the defending Super Bowl champions. The Panthers, however, are now doing well. Not only was this a tight contest, it could have major implications on both teams.

8.

Source: Sports Illustrated

Giants at Panthers

Graham Gano. 63 yards. Game over. Typical Giants. New York had a shot to get their season back on track in Carolina, but Gano wrecked the Giants’ plans, and created some for the Panthers, who are now 4-2. This was an extremely close game that affected both teams involved.

7.

Source: Newsday

Jets at Browns

This was the start of Bakermania – and the end. He had barely any other good moments so far. Sam Darnold did well too, and had more success until now, but hasn’t quite panned out either. But it did end Cleveland’s streak of not winning, and show a flash of Mayfield’s potential as the number one overall draft pick.

6.

Source: Yahoo Sports

Patriots at Bears

Hail Mary comes up short at the one yard line? Has to be the Patriots. They are the only team in the NFL who can possibly get that lucky. Either way, it was a good game, except for the fact that Mitchell Trubisky had a great game, and my fantasy football opponent started him. It had two special teams touchdowns, and five turnovers. But it was the Patriots who came out with a much-needed win.

5.

Source: Sports Illustrated 

Steelers at Bengals

In what could be the last game the Steelers have to endure without Le’Veon Bell, Cincinnati gave Pittsburgh all they could handle. But in the end, the Steelers came out with a win, thanks to a controversial touchdown by Antonio Brown. James Conner, Juju Smith-Schuster and Brown all had great games, and it was enough to overcome a 4-1 Bengals squad on the road.

4.

Source: Chargers Wire

Titans vs Chargers

The NFL fans across the pond got a good show, as the Chargers managed to hold off a late comeback by the Titans to escape London with a win. With 31 seconds left, Luke Stocker caught a Marcus Mariota pass for a 1 yard touchdown that, with the extra point, would have tied the game. But Mike Vrabel, with his team sitting at 3-3 having lost two straight, went for the kill. But Mariota’s pass was incomplete, and LA took a 20-19 win into their bye week. The Titans, after such a promising start, are now 3-4, while the Chargers have won four straight to advance to 5-2.

3.

Source: The Advocate

Saints at Falcons

Atlanta’s season took a turn for the worse here, as an overtime loss lowered them to 1-2. In a back and forth game that’s largest lead was seven points, New Orleans won the coin toss in overtime, and marched down the field to win, showing yet another example of why the current overtime rules are a CROCK. Now the Falcons are 2-4, while the Saints enjoy a 4-1 record and an NFC South lead.

2.

Source: SB Nation

Steelers at Buccaneers

Fitzmagic was at its peak on September 24. The Buccaneers were the hottest team in football, coming off road wins against the Saints and the Eagles. Pittsburgh was 0-1-1, desperately needing to get their season on track. And the Steelers started out poorly, trailing 7-0 and facing 3rd and 10 in the first quarter. I remember watching desperately, and seeing a graphic on the screen showing that Tampa Bay’s defense hadn’t allowed a third down conversion of eight or more yards. I remember thinking that this would be the play when this game would  change, when Pittsburgh’s season would change. And I was right. Vance McDonald had a 75 yard touchdown with a beastly stiffarm. The Steelers went on to win, 30-27, and are now 3-2-1. The Bucs are now 3-3.

1.

Source: USA Today

Chiefs at Patriots

Patrick Mahomes was rolling. The Chiefs were 5-0, while New England was only 3-2. In a fantastic game, The Pats outlasted the Chiefs to bring down the AFC’s top team. Tom Brady threw for 340 yards, while Tyreek Hill had 3 touchdowns. Stephen Gostkowski hit a 28-yarder to give the Patriots the win, setting the stage for what should be a great rest of the season.