The first defeats of the season for San Francisco and Kansas City reshaped the upper tiers of the NFL awards races, while Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba accelerated his dual-category candidacy with another 150-yard performance, DAZN reported following Week 7 action.
Josh Allen Leads MVP Race Despite Buffalo Bills Bye Week
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen sits atop the MVP race heading out of his team’s Week 7 bye. Allen has accumulated 1,504 passing yards and nine touchdowns while rushing for 240 yards and eight additional scores, guiding the Bills to a 5-1 record.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy absorbed his first blemish of the season during a 29-20 defeat against the Atlanta Falcons. Purdy tossed two interceptions and posted a 75.8 passer rating, though his cumulative totals remain formidable at 1,748 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, four interceptions, and a 110.1 rating.
Right on the money to JSN 🎯🔊 Watch NFL Game Pass only on DAZN #NFLonDAZN #Seahawks pic.twitter.com/OMhzPWVMmI
Jaxon Smith-Njigba rounds out the top three in the MVP conversation, disrupting a category traditionally dominated by signal-callers. Smith-Njigba’s 150-yard display dismantled the Kansas City Chiefs defense, pushing his league-leading receiving totals to 867 yards and eight touchdowns through seven weeks.
Todd Monken Directs Cleveland Browns to AFC North Lead
Kyle Shanahan keeps the San Francisco 49ers in the Coach of the Year hunt at 6-1 despite a 29-20 loss in Atlanta marred by four turnovers. Shanahan’s offense continues to produce points even as injuries deplete key supporting personnel.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba Dominates Offensive Player of the Year Rankings
Jaxon Smith-Njigba anchors the Offensive Player of the Year field after surpassing the 100-yard receiving mark in six of Seattle’s seven outings. He averages 123.9 receiving yards per game while operating effectively with two different starting quarterbacks.
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III was restricted to 36 rushing yards upon returning to Seattle, but his 701 yards on the ground keep him among the NFL’s premier ball-carriers. Walker has added 116 receiving yards and eight total touchdowns, completely transforming a Chiefs ground game that previously operated near the league baseline.
Bijan Robinson amassed 122 scrimmage yards as Atlanta halted San Francisco’s undefeated run. Robinson paces the league with 704 rushing yards alongside 203 receiving yards, maintaining his status as the focal point of the Falcons offense.
Fred Warner Holds Defensive Player of the Year Pole Position
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner retains his hold on the Defensive Player of the Year spot despite his team’s initial loss. Warner’s sideline-to-sideline coverage, tackling range, and defensive leadership anchor one of the league’s strongest units amid constant roster shuffling caused by injuries.
Houston Texans edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. leads the NFL with 7.5 sacks, complemented by 28 tackles and 10 tackles for loss. While Houston’s 2-5 record threatens to undermine his candidacy over a full 17-game schedule, Anderson’s individual disruption remains absolute.
Buffalo Bills defensive end Greg Rousseau maintains his standing during the team’s bye week. Rousseau has recorded six sacks alongside three forced fumbles, generating continuous backfield pressure that transcends raw sack numbers.
