Wednesday 25 October 2017 00:31, UK
It was a weekend for the defences across the NFL as seven teams failed to score an offensive touchdown - the highest example of such offensive ineptitude since December 2001.
Twickenham played host to one of three shut-outs as the Los Angeles Rams inflicted a 33-0 beat-down on an Arizona Cardinals team that was never at the races.
That is one of the six storylines that caught my eye in NFL Week 7.
Why not the Rams?
I asked that very question from the sideline of Twickenham on Sunday night as the Rams rolled all over the Cardinals. In a wide open NFC, why can't Sean McVay's men turn a 5-2 start into something that could be quite special?
The Rams have the foundation needed to be a contender. They are finally decent along the offensive line, Jared Goff continues to grow at quarterback, Todd Gurley is the real deal in the backfield and the defence - led by All-Pro lineman Aaron Donald - is fierce and still developing.
Add in a 31-year-old wonder-kid at head coach in McVay and the winds of change have blown the Rams all the way into play-off contention just a year after they won just four games during the regular season.
Twickenham pays tribute to Big Kev
I was moved and touched to see Twickenham rise as one to salute our late, great Sky Sports colleague Kevin Cadle on Sunday night. It was a time for the American football community and the NFL family to come together and the British fans did the big man proud.
It was also a privilege to have Kevin's family join us on the sideline for a portion of our broadcast and, finally, it was fitting that his beloved Buffalo Bills dug out a win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
I'm not normally one for applauding Buffalo wins, but that particular result had me smiling after an emotional and heart-breaking week.
Sacksonville is back
When the Jacksonville Jaguars decide to have a good day at the office, they don't do things by halves. In a Week 1 win over Houston, the Jags recorded 10 sacks. When they defeated Pittsburgh in Week 5, they intercepted Ben Roethlisberger five times. And on Sunday in a 27-0 shellacking of the Indianapolis Colts, the Jags racked up another 10 sacks.
But it was more than just a defensive show of strength from the Jags - they produced 518 yards of total offense without injured star running back Leonard Fournette. The consistency is still lacking and the Jags have alternated wins and losses all season, but they look very capable of taking the AFC South.
As for the Colts, they're playing like they want Chuck Pagano to get the sack. And if I'm Andrew Luck, I'm not returning any time soon to play behind that poor excuse for an NFL offensive line.
The Moore the merrier
The Miami Dolphins were in trouble at home against the New York Jets on Sunday, trailing 28-14 early in the second half. Then starting quarterback Jay Cutler went down with broken ribs and other internal injuries, allowing Matt Moore to take over a job many - myself included - felt he should have been given in the summer when Ryan Tannehill was lost to a season-ending knee injury.
Moore completed 13 of 21 throws for 188 yards and two touchdowns as the Dolphins came from behind to win 31-28. He also tossed an interception but that is the norm for Moore - you have to take the rough with the smooth. He will make the occasional bone-headed throw, but he makes more good plays than bad and energises those around him.
I'm not sure how long Cutler will be out, but I think the Dolphins would be best served handing over the reins to Moore on a permanent basis. This 4-2 team is in the play-off race in the AFC and needs a playmaker at quarterback - Moore can be that.
Patriots are just fine
The defending Super Bowl champions appeared to be reeling earlier in the season at 2-2 but they have fought and scrapped and now look in pretty decent shape at 5-2 on the year.
Their 23-7 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night proved that Bill Belichick can still coax the occasional good performance out of a defence that was not playing at a very high level earlier in the year.
If the Patriots can get just enough production out of their defence - coupled with Belichick calling the plays and Tom Brady leading the offense - this team that is used to winning is very much going to be there or thereabouts at the end of the season.
Falcons in trouble?
It's hard to make such bold statements in today's NFL given how fortunes can seemingly fluctuate from week to week. The Atlanta Falcons are an example of that in the NFC South. Dan Quinn's men opened with three straight wins but they are now 3-3, while the New Orleans Saints started 0-2 and now top the division at 4-2.
So while we should not make too many rash judgements, there is definitely something wrong with an Atlanta offense that shredded the NFL to record effect last year. They are clearly missing departed offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan and came very close to being shut out in Foxboro on Sunday.
The Falcons led the league with an average of 33.8 points per game in 2016 but under new coordinator Steve Sarkisian that number has dropped to 21.3. Total yardage is down, passing yardage is down, productivity in the red zone (20 yards and in) is down and the turnovers are up.
Atlanta have the talent to fight their way out of this slump. We'll find out now if they have the coaching.
Follow the NFL on Sky Sports when Week Eight gets underway on Thursday night when the Miami Dolphins (4-2) visit the Baltimore Ravens (3-4) on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event from 12.30am
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