Bama in the NFL: Jalen Hurts Tops Tua, Mac Jones Pulls Off Upset
The Dolphins at Eagles did not disappoint, while a Crimson Tide defender played in his 200th career NFL game.
NFL Week 7 Recap
- Mac Jones may have saved his starting job on Sunday, throwing for 272 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner to Mike Gesicki, during the Patriots' 29-25 win over the Buffalo Bills. Defensively for New England, Anfernee Jennings made six tackles, including one for loss, Christian Barmore had three tackles, one for loss, a sack, and a quarterback hit, and Mack Wilson Sr. had two tackles.
- Najee Harris rushed for 53 yards and a touchdown in the Pittsburgh Steelers' 24-17 win over the Los Angeles Rams. Harris also had three catches for 18 yards. Minkah Fitzpatrick led both teams in tackles with 11, and Levi Wallace had three. The Steelers advanced to 4-2 and look to be in the hunt for the division title.
- Kareem Jackson appeared in his 200th career NFL game, becoming the fourth Alabama player to earn that distinction. Jackson had five tackles and one pass defended before being ejected for hitting Packers tight end Luke Musgrave as a defenseless receiver. Surtain had two tackles and a pass defended. Jerry Jeudy caught five passes for 64 yards in the Broncos' 19-17 win.
- The Detroit Lions lost 38-6 to the Baltimore Ravens, but it was not all negative. Jahmyr Gibbs got his first career start and rushed for 68 yards and his first career touchdown while also catching nine passes for 58 yards. If David Montgomery continues to miss time, Gibbs could have a hige opportunity for more playing time. Jameson Williams was targeted six times but couldn't catch any of them. Safewty Brian Branch returned on Sunday, recording two tackles, one for loss. Defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs also had four tackles, including one for loss.
- The first matchup between Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts did not disappoint (except for Dolphins fans), with both quarterbacks throwing touchdown passes. Tagovailoa had 216 passing yards, while Hurts threw for 279 yards and two touchdowns. Hurts also had 21 yards and a touchdown on the ground. The game featured multiple Alabama stars at other positions. Raekwon Davis had two tackles. Jaylen Waddle dealt with a back injury but returned to the game in the third quarter, totaling six catches for 63 yards. For the Eagles, DeVonta Smith had four catches for 49 yards. Eli Ricks had one pass defended for the Eagles in the 31-17 win. Julio Jones played had his first reception with his new team.
Bama in the NFL: Week 7 Tracker
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NFL Week 7 Preview
- In a surprising twist this season, the Detroit Lions (5-1) are tied for the league's best record. Their last two wins came without their star Crimson Tide rookies: Safety Brian Branch (ankle) and running back Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring). Head head coach Dan Campbell gave a promising midweek update on both: "[Gibbs], and Branch I thought looked pretty good today." Adding to the urgency for their return, running back David Montgomery (ribs) is expected to miss a few weeks. Wide receiver Jameson Williams is becoming more involved in the offense, scoring his first touchdown of the season last week against Tampa Bay. For the Baltimore Ravens, cornerback Marlon Humphrey figures to have his hands full with Williams.
- Mac Jones and the New England Patriots (1-5) are tied for the second-worst record and have a tough test ahead of them with the Buffalo Bills. Christian Barmore and the Patriots' defense will be challenged with slowing a stout Bills offense, led by quarterback Josh Allen. Buffalo will be without running back Damien Harris, (concussion protocol, neck). At linebacker, Anfernee Jennings is stepping in for Matthew Judon (elbow) along the Patriots' pass rush, and Mack Wilson should see significant snaps.
- The Washington Commanders ended a three-game losing streak last week with a win over the Falcons. Defensive linemen Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne led the charge and will have another challenge Sunday against New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley. The Commanders have Brian Robinson Jr. toting the rock. He had 56 total yards and a touchdown in the win over Atlanta. A'Shawn Robinson and Xavier McKinney for the Giants will be faced with slowing him down. This is an NFC East matchup between franchises that have no love for each other.
- The Pittsburgh Steelers have yet to finish a season with a losing record under head coach Mike Tomlin, and they're out to a 3-2 start in 2023. Running back Najee Harris is still the starter despite not having a touchdown this season. Defensively, the Steelers will have to defend the Los Angeles Rams double trouble receiving duo: Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. The Steelers are a team that likes to play physical, man coverage, leaving cornerback Levi Wallace against one of those two receivers. Minkah Fitzpatrick should be able to sit in coverage and read Matthew Stafford's eyes, setting himself to be in position to create turnovers for the Steelers.
- The coup de grâce of the NFL weekend on Sunday night pits Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts against one another for the first time in their professional careers. Tagovailoa, who leads the NFL in passing yards and touchdowns, is an early candidate for MVP, an award that Hurts finished second for last season. Tagovailoa's second option at wide receiver is another Bama player: Jaylen Waddle. He compliments the Dolphins offense well, with a similar skillset to top option Tyreek Hill. Defensively, Raekwon Davis and Da'Shawn Hand for the Dolphins will try to slow down Hurts and the Eagles' prolific duel-threat offense. The quarterbacks' ability to run the ball already creates a challenge, but his weapons on offense, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith make cornerbacks' jobs difficult. Smith missed Wednesday's practice with a hamstring injury, but he has yet to miss any game action this season. The Eagles also added another Alabama weapon: Julio Jones. Defensively for Philadelphia, Eli Ricks and Josh Jobe will try to slow down an elite offense for the Dolphins.
Anthony Sisco
How to Watch NFL Week 7
Thursday's Game
Jacksonville Jaguars at New Orleans Saints, 7:15 p.m. CT, Prime Video
Sunday's Games
Detroit Lions at Baltimore Ravens, noon, FOX
Las Vegas Raiders at Chicago Bears, noon, FOX
Cleveland Browns at Indianapolis Colts, noon, CBS
Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots, noon, CBS
Washington Commanders at New York Giants, noon, CBS
Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, noon, FOX
Pittsburgh Steelers at Los Angeles Rams, 3:05 p.m., FOX
Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks, 3:05 p.m., FOX
Green Bay Packers at Denver Broncos, 3:25 p.m., CBS
Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs, 3:25 p.m., CBS
Miami Dolphins at Philadelphia Eagles, 7:25 p.m., NBC, Universo
Monday's Game
San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings, 7:15 p.m., ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes
Bye: Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, New York Jets, and Tennessee Titans
