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Writer's pictureJordan Laube

NFL 2024 Week 7 Recap, Week 8 Predictions

The NFL landscape is starting to take on it's true form for the remainder of the season. Teams are losing their stars at a rapid rate, some afterthought players are breaking out, and teams that struggled early on are putting on dominant performances. We're getting into the meat of the season, and some more players and teams should be making a name for themselves.

 

Week 8 Power Rankings

Teams to Note


Cleveland Browns (Rose 3 spots)


This move is solely because of the Deshaun Watson injury. Karma found The Predator, and he's out for the remainder of the year with a torn Achilles. Deshaun has genuinely been one of the worst QBs since the 2000s so far this season, and Jameis will provide and immediate and much needed spark to this offense.


New Orleans Saints (Dropped 9 spots)


This drop may be a week or two late, but New Orleans has proven to be exactly who I thought they were. Between injuries and poor play, I doubt they'll crack back into the top 20 for the remainder of this season.


Deadline Headline: Updates


Last week, I highlighted six players who could potentially be traded before the deadline on November 5th. One of those players, Haason Reddick, has locked up a short-term deal with the Jets and seems to be staying put. Just yesterday morning, the Chiefs acquired DeAndre Hopkins in exchange for a conditional 5th round pick - which could become a 4th rounder, which got me thinking; has trading for a 30+ year old receiver midseason ever made a difference? With Davante Adams, Amari Cooper, and now D-Hop traded within the past nine days, I figured I'd do some research. Dating back to 2010, here are notable 30+ year old WRs that were traded mid-season, and their stats were with the team they were traded to:

Player

Games

Receptions

Yards

TDs

Traded For

Randy Moss

4

13

174

2

3rd round pick

Deion Branch

36

115

1,553

10

4th round pick

Brandon Lloyd

11

51

683

5

5th round pick

Demaryius Thomas

7

23

275

2

4th & 7th round picks

Golden Tate

8

30

278

1

3rd round pick

Mohamed Sanu

8

26

207

1

2nd round pick

Emmanuel Sanders

10

36

502

3

3rd & 4th round picks

Of the six receivers who played just the remainder of the season they were traded during, they averaged 3.73 receptions, 44.15 yards, and 0.292 TDs per game. When including Deion Branch, who played the rest of his career with the Patriots after being traded, those stats actually fall to 3.50 receptions, 43.71 yards, and 0.286 TDs per game. Personally, getting about 63 receptions, 751 yards, and 5 TDs of season-long adjusted production at best is not worth giving up draft capital - especially when about 40 WRs per year are hitting those marks. The Davante Adams, Amari Cooper, and DHop trades didn't really move me to begin with, and seeing the stats behind it all but confirm my priors.


Week 7 Awards

Awards

AFC

NFC

Offensive MVP

Lamar Jackson

Jared Goff

Defensive MVP

Cody Barton

Jonathan Greenard

Special Teams MVP

Parker Washington

Austin Seibert

Trench Tyrant

Garrett Bolles

Frank Ragnow

Relentless Rookie

Brian Thomas Jr

Cooper DeJean

Winners to Note


Jared Goff


Goff has been surgical from the pocket the past two games, and last week's performance may have been his best of the season. He dissected a complex Vikings defense, and delivered the ball to all levels of the field. His 95.7 adjusted completion rate was the best mark among all starting QBs last week, and he handed Minnesota their first loss on the season.


Cooper DeJean


Cooper thrived in the slot during his second game with significant action. He was a fiend in coverage, allowing 3 catches for just 7 yards, making most of his plays right when the ball got to his guy - resulting in 3 stops + TFLs. He also posted an 86.3 overall defensive grade, which was 5th highest among all DBs.


Cody Barton


Barton was a beast in all phases of defense. He had a coverage grade of 88.5, a pass rush grade of 94.1, run defense grade of 75.6, and an overall defensive grade of 93.2 - which was the 4th highest across the entire NFL. He allowed 1 catch on 3 targets for just 5 yards along with a pass breakup, he recorded 5 total stops + TFLs, got a strip sack, and recovered a fumble - which he took all the way to the house. He was a monster, and is quickly becoming the heart of Denver's stonewall defense.


Photo: Butch Dill/Associated Press


Fantasy Football


Week 7 Recap

Points

QB

RB

WR

TE

Flex

Player

Drake Maye

Kimani Vidal

Noah Brown

Cade Otton

Devaughn Vele

Projected

11.5

4.6

8.3

8.6

7.2

Actual

20.84

2.9

2.6

18.0

3.0

Difference

9.34

-1.7

-5.7

9.4

-4.2

Result

Boom

Bust

Bust

Boom

Bust

Season Totals: 9 Booms / 13 Pushes / 13 Busts


Week 8 Prediction


QB: Jameis Winston vs Baltimore Ravens (proj. 11.8 points)


Only an absolute sicko would start Jameis this week, and you know that sicko would be me if I didn't draft Kyler in every league this year. Baltimore is currently allowing 21.7 FPPG to opposing QBs, and Jameis is a major upgrade from Deshaun Watson.


RB: Jaylen Warren vs New York Giants (proj. 9.1 points)


I'm ready to be hurt again. Jaylen has dealt with injuries all year, but finally looked like he's getting back to his former self last week on the most snaps he's gotten this season. I like him in a breakout game before the Steelers bye week.


WR: DeMario Douglas vs New York Jets (proj. 9.4 points)


The Jets have heavily struggled since Saleh was fired, and I expect DeMario to have a big game. I liked his matchup last week, but he became violently ill on their trip to London. He should be fully recovered by the time they take on the Jets and put up a fantasy worthy performance.


TE: Mark Andrews vs (proj. 8.0 points)


Mark has consistently earned 4+ targets over the past three games, and Todd Monken is making it a point to scheme him open. I expect him to stick with this plan, as it's completely opened up the Ravens offense.


Flex: Jakobi Meyers vs (proj. 9.3 points)


Jakobi has missed the past few games with an ankle injury, but with a positive return to practice on Wednesday, I expect him to be full go against KC. He commanded 9+ targets in his past three games, and the Raiders are gonna force feed him the ball in a must-win game.


Week 8 Game Predictions


AFC Games


Jets vs Patriots

Ravens vs Browns

Colts vs Texans

Chiefs vs Raiders


NFC Games


Vikings vs Rams (TNF)

Falcons vs Buccaneers

Bears vs Commanders

Cowboys vs 49ers (SNF)


Cross Over Games


Eagles vs Bengals

Cardinals vs Dolphins

Packers vs Jaguars

Titans vs Lions

Saints vs Chargers

Bills vs Seahawks

Panthers vs Broncos

Giants vs Steelers (MNF)


Record from Week 7: 9-6

Season Record: 60-47


Photo: Drew Hallowell/Philadelphia Eagles

 

Final Notes

In a couple of weeks, I'll be dropping my mid-season review which will showcase the best players, teams, and moments from the first half of the 2024 season. Stay tuned for that and for my remaining weekly recaps!

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