Week 7 of the NFL season changed the league's standings as the Minnesota Vikings became the only undefeated team after the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers suffered their first losses of the year. Bild.de reported that Patrick Mahomes and the defending champion Chiefs slumped to a 20-3 defeat against the Seattle Seahawks, matching a career low for the star quarterback in a game completely devoid of explosive plays.
Seattle Defense Holds Chiefs to Three Points
The defending champions mustered zero touchdowns in Seattle on a day that ranks among the worst offensive performances of the Patrick Mahomes era. Bild.de noted that it marks only the second time in Mahomes’ career that Kansas City has scored three or fewer points in a game, echoing a 27-3 loss to the Tennessee Titans on October 24, 2021. Head coach Andy Reid also experienced an unwanted first in his 488-game career, finishing a contest without a single offensive explosive play defined as a run of at least 10 yards or a pass of 20 yards or more.
Mahomes finished the afternoon completing 19 of 33 passes for 153 yards and one interception. Our hind end got whipped,
Mahomes told reporters after the game, according to Bild.de. Ty Okada picked off Mahomes in the second quarter before Sam Darnold connected with Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a touchdown to build a 10-0 halftime lead. Despite a 65-yard interception return by Nohl Williams before the break, kicker Harrison Butker missed a 58-yard field goal attempt.
Kicker Struggles and Historical Milestones in Seattle
Butker continued a difficult stretch in the second half, missing a 45-yard attempt in the fourth quarter. Bild.de reported that the kicker has now missed 15 kicks—comprising 10 field goals and five extra points—since the start of last season, leaving him at the bottom of the league in conversion reliability. Emanuel Wilson sealed the 20-3 scoreline with a 21-yard rushing touchdown with 3:47 remaining on the clock. Former Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III managed just 36 rushing yards against his former team. Amid the struggles, Travis Kelce recorded the 1103rd catch of his career, moving into fifth place on the NFL’s all-time receptions list behind Jerry Rice, Larry Fitzgerald, Tony Gonzalez, and Jason Witten.
Turnovers Derail the 49ers in Atlanta
San Francisco’s unbeaten run ended in a 29-20 loss to the Atlanta Falcons despite the 49ers outgaining their hosts 400 yards to 295. Bild.de reported that Christian McCaffrey and Kaelon Black staked San Francisco to an early 14-3 lead with rushing touchdowns. The game turned when Brock Purdy threw two of the team’s four total turnovers. Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. rallied Atlanta after the break, throwing touchdown passes to Kyle Pitts Sr. and a 21-yard strike to Drake London to establish a 26-14 advantage. Nick Folk secured the win with a 31-yard field goal in the closing minutes.
Division Rivals Roll as Vikings Stand Alone
The Minnesota Vikings improved to 6-0 with a 16-10 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, leaving them as the lone unbeaten franchise in the NFL. Elsewhere in the league, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers cruised past the Carolina Panthers 43-13 on the strength of 258 rushing yards and three ground touchdowns, while Bryce Young threw two interceptions. The Cincinnati Bengals dismantled the Baltimore Ravens 35-13 behind four touchdown passes from Joe Burrow.
In other Week 7 matchups, Devin Singletary’s overtime heroics lifted the New York Giants to a 27-21 victory over the Houston Texans. The Miami Dolphins defeated the New York Jets 28-25 behind three total touchdowns from Malik Willis and 103 rushing yards from Ollie Gordon. The Cleveland Browns edged the Tennessee Titans 27-24 despite Pollard scoring three times for Tennessee. The Denver Broncos defeated the Arizona Cardinals 30-16, highlighted by a 62-yard rushing touchdown from Bo Nix. The Detroit Lions edged the Green Bay Packers 20-17 following two missed field goals by Green Bay kicker Smack. Finally, Matthew Stafford threw three touchdown passes to guide the Los Angeles Rams past the Las Vegas Raiders 35-21.
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