Week Seven of the 100th season is officially in the books. It brought us another dominant Patriots’ defensive performance, a blistering game by Aaron Rodgers, and new conference contenders. The NFC North is certainly shaping out to be the league’s best division, and that showed in Week Seven. Nevertheless, I return with the Week Seven edition of my NFL stock market. Whose stock rose from last week, and whose performance dropped-off?
Stock Up: Aaron Rodgers vs. Raiders
Week 7 Stats: 80.6 completion percentage, 429 passing yards, 5 touchdowns, and a perfect 158.3 passer rating.
Aaron Rodgers is looking like the “baaaaaad man” the media hypes him up to be. His skill set with Head Coach Matt LeFleur’s offense has proven to be a work of art this season. Rodgers did everything right in this game. Although the Raiders aren’t a respectable opponent, Rodgers had himself a statistically perfect game. What this game showed me is that if Rodgers can click on all cylinders the way he did here, then the Packers are legit Super Bowl contenders. I won’t overdo it, as this is only Rodgers’ second stellar game of the season. But, he was the best player in Week 7, and those numbers are all you need to know.
Stock Down: Russell Wilson vs. Ravens
Week 7 Stats: 48.8 completion percentage, 241 passing yards, 1 passing touchdown, 1 interception, and a 65.2 passer rating.
Just like that, talks surrounding Russell Wilson being the MVP are suppressed. Wilson didn’t have an entirely bad game. He just had an uncharacteristic one. I knew the Ravens were one of the NFL’s best defenses, but what I didn’t know was that Wilson would be unable to combat them. In the usually loud Century-Link Stadium, the Ravens dominated Wilson. Opportunities to swing the game in his team’s favor were there for Wilson, but he couldn’t get it done. The Seahawks now have two losses on the year which came to two of the NFL’s best defenses in the Saints and Ravens. That speaks to how Wilson, and the rest of the offense, can be shut down. He may get back into his grove with his next game coming against an awful Falcons’ secondary.
Stock Up: Kirk Cousins, Dalvin Cook, and Stefon Diggs vs. Lions
Cousins’ Week 7 Stats: 70.6 completion percentage, 338 passing yards, 4 touchdowns, and a 141.5 passer rating.
Cook’s Week 7 Stats: 25 carries, 142 rushing yards, and 2 rushing touchdowns.
Diggs’ Week 7 Stats: 7 receptions and 143 receiving yards
If you take a look at all of the issues the Vikings have had this season, this was a feel-good win. Stefon Diggs threw hints that he didn’t want to be in Minnesota for much longer. After this game, I’m sure his mind is changed. Kirk Cousins doesn’t lead the league in total QBR by accident. In this game against the Lions, he found Diggs all over the field. Diggs wanted the ball more and with Adam Thielen injured in the first quarter, he got it.
What most people may not realize is that when this offense is clicking, there’s no stopping them. That makes them a threat in the NFC. As for Dalvin Cook, he’s trending towards being a top-five running back in the NFL. Since returning from injury, Cook has been an essential part of a Vikings’ offense that’s seemed to find its stride in recent weeks. Cook has the running game covered. However, if Cousins and Diggs can continue to be on the same page, then the Vikings are a team to look out for. Stock up for this core three, and I hope Adam Thielen returns soon to make it a core four.
Stock Down: Carson Wentz vs. Cowboys
Week 7 Stats: 61.5 completion percentage, 191 passing yards, 1 passing touchdown, 1 interception, and an 80.8 passer rating.
You can firmly say that the Eagles responded better with Nick Foles under center than Carson Wentz. The Eagles won the Super Bowl two years ago and have gone down ever since, at least when Wentz was playing quarterback. There’s more of an argument for Philadelphia choosing Wentz over Foles than not. Wentz isn’t the MVP candidate he was seasons ago, and in the NFC’s worst division, he can manage to play the way he is. But, this year, the NFC is deep. That means a really good 10-6 team might not even make it to the postseason. In that case, it’s heavily-advised that the Eagles figure out their offense because, right now, Wentz isn’t playing up to snuff.
Stock Up: Latavius Murray vs. Bears
27 carries, 119 rushing yards, 2 rushing yards, 5 receptions, and 31 receiving yards.
Latavius Murray most likely won’t achieve these numbers when Alvin Kamara returns. However, he earns himself a stock up because he came in as a backup running back and had one of the best performances on the day for his position. Murray was running hard and caught out of the backfield efficiently. Teddy Bridgewater isn’t accustomed to being an elite passer. That left room for Murray to get himself a lot of touches. He took full advantage of the opportunity. As Murray will likely be the starter in the backfield this upcoming week, I expect nothing more than the same efficient performance.
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