X-Factors for each Week 7 NFL game

Six NFL teams are on a bye this week, but that doesn’t mean fans should worry about a lack of exciting matchups. Now that there are no undefeated teams left, it feels like the NFL season just received an added dose of parity. The unpredictable nature of a football game means that end results may come down to a key player who steps up for their team.

Jacksonville starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence comes into the Thursday night contest nursing a banged-up knee. Even if he is able to play, the Jaguars might want to deploy a game plan that minimizes how much Lawrence needs to move in the pocket. That lends itself to a heavy dose of Etienne, both in the running game and short passing attack.

This is going to be a fascinating game, as the Lions look to secure another impressive road win. It took a record-setting 66 yard field goal from Ravens kicker Justin Tucker to beat Detroit in their last meeting. This time around, the Lions have a budding star in Hutchinson on their defensive line, who has the athletic chops to stay in front of Lamar Jackson.

Both of these teams might be starting reserve quarterbacks in this contest, which means that star wide receivers need to make plays after the catch. Adams’ production in 2023 has been somewhat muted, but Las Vegas may have no choice but to feed him the ball as they look to remain relevant in the AFC West.

Cleveland’s defense is proving that it’s one of the best units in the NFL. With that formula, all they really need to do on offense is take care of the ball and extend drives. Ford’s presence in the backfield will help them achieve that. They may lean on him more heavily if starting quarterback Deshaun Watson misses another game.

Allen’s health will be the initial focus heading into Sunday’s game, but his play will be the immediate focus after that. He’s had some sensational performances this year, but a couple of duds as well. Week 6’s tilt against the New York Giants was subpar by his standards, which could mean a big game is coming against a reeling Patriots squad.

New York has had all kinds of difficulty keeping its quarterbacks protected this season, and a large reason why is because of injuries to the middle of their offensive line. Washington has a golden opportunity to exploit that advantage on Sunday. Allen is a central figure for the Commanders’ defensive line, having recorded three sacks so far this year.

Tampa Bay had a disappointing showing coming out of a bye last week against the Detroit Lions. It seems like Mike Evans came out of the game healthy, as he had been nursing a hamstring injury. Look for the Buccaneers to get the ball into the hands of Evans and Chris Godwin against Atlanta early and often. Okudah will need to be ready to stop Tampa’s primary weapons.

It feels like the Rams have patched their backfield together with scotch tape and string in 2023, and will need to get creative again in Week 7. Kyren Williams and Ronnie Rivers appear likely to miss this upcoming game, which means Evans is likely to step into a sizeable workload. He won’t need to run circles around Pittsburgh, but he will need to keep the chains moving.

Seattle has to be feeling pretty good about their play against the Cincinnati Bengals last week, but they definitely left some opportunities on the field. Cincinnati’s pass rush consistently got home, knocking quarterback Geno Smith around during crucial moments. Cross and the rest of the offensive line should have an easier time keeping Smith upright against Arizona.

Jones’ recovery from a lingering hamstring injury has been a frustrating ordeal for Green Bay. The team thought they would have him available for their last game, but he was ruled out. Coming off of a bye, the Packers need their primary offensive playmaker to return to the lineup against a putrid Denver defense.

When Mike Williams went down with a season-ending knee injury, many thought Johnston would fill the void adequately. That has not yet happened, as the first round draft pick has struggled to execute consistently during games. He’ll need to play much better against Kansas City, who will likely pay a lot of attention towards stopping Keenan Allen and Austin Ekeler.

During Philadelphia’s Week 2 game against the Minnesota Vikings, wide receiver A.J. Brown complained about not getting the ball. Since then, the Eagles have fed him the rock, and he has produced. However, it’s only a matter of time before Devonta Smith gets going on the opposite side of the field. Apple will have his hands full trying to slow down a player who might be featured.

Although they are faint, Minnesota’s playoff hopes still remain present after a couple of wins against struggling teams. The Vikings face a much stiffer test on Monday night, and quarterback Kirk Cousins may not have much time to hang in the pocket. Look for them to target Hockenson early and often on short and intermediate routes to keep series alive.