Random ‘Football’ Thoughts From the NFL’s Week Seven

Can you believe that Minnesota right now is a playoff team? Who would have thought Carolina would be undefeated this deep into the season? Who the heck is Ryan Tannehill? That and more...

If the NFL Playoffs began today, the Minnesota Vikings would be a playoff team. Considering that the team was only 7-9 last year and 5-10-1 in 2013, that's encouraging news for Vikings fans. Green Bay would also make the postseason. Sorry Chicago fans, there is still work to be done in the 'Windy City'.

AFC PLAYOFF PICTURE: Wildcard Round Teams
#3 Denver Broncos, #4 Indianapolis Colts, #5 Pittsburgh Steelers, #6 New York Jets

AFC PLAYOFF PICTURE: First Round Bye Teams
#1 New England Patriots, #2 Cincinnati Bengals

NFC PLAYOFF PICTURE: Wildcard Round Teams
#3 Arizona Cardinals, #4 New York Giants, #5 Atlanta Falcons, #6 Minnesota Vikings

NFC PLAYOFF PICTURE: First Round Bye Teams
#1 Carolina Panthers, #2 Green Bay Packers

You read that right. The Carolina Panthers would be the number 1 seed in the NFC. After winning the ultra-weak NFC South last year with a mind-boggling 7-9 record, Carolina has jumped out to a 6-0 start in 2015. In fact, we still have five teams that are 6-0. Cincinnati, Denver, Green Bay, and New England are also perfect through their first six games, and that sets a new NFL record for five teams. The previous record was in 2009 with four teams.

Ryan Tannelhill had a great Sunday, but who the heck is he. Tannehill played at Texas A&M and was drafted by the Miami Dolphins. He was their first round pick in 2012 (eighth overall). On Sunday, he completed 18 of 19 passes (94.7 percent) for 282 yards with four touchdowns, no interceptions and a 158.3 passer rating – the highest attainable mark – in the Dolphins’ 44-26 win over Houston. Tannehill completed his first 18 passes of the game and, combined with his seven completions in a row to end last week’s game at Tennessee, set an NFL record with 25 consecutive completions (DONOVAN MC NABB, 24 in 2004).

New England quarterback Tom Brady threw for 355 yards in the Patriots’ win over the Jets. Brady (55,312) surpassed 55,000 career passing yards and is only the fifth quarterback in NFL history to reach the mark. He joins Brett Favre, Peyton Manning, Pro Football Hall of Famer Dan Marino, and Drew Brees as the only quarterbacks with at least 55,000 passing yards.

The Washington Redskins overcame a 24-point deficit (24-0) to defeat Tampa Bay 31-30. Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins threw the game-winning touchdown pass (six yards) to tight end Jordan Reed with 0:24 remaining. The 24-point deficit is the largest overcome in a victory in franchise history.

WEEK SEVEN SCORES:
New England 30, NY Jets 23
Philadelphia 27, Dallas 20
Miami 44, Houston 26
Washington 31, Tampa Bay 30
Oakland 37, San Diego 29
Minnesota 28, Detroit 19
Atlanta 10, Tennessee 7
Jacksonville 34, Buffalo 31
St. Louis 24, Cleveland 6
Kansas City 23, Pittsburgh 13
New Orleans 27, Indianapolis 21

MNF: Baltimore at Arizona