In week 7 of the 2024 NFL season, a Vince Lombardi trophy-winning coach returns to his previous stomping grounds, where the Super Bowl and a possible preview at a future championship match-up are some of the underlying storylines.
The final London game of the season pushes away Sunday’s action as the New England Patriots confront off against the Jacksonville Jaguars. To know more about it, here are the five highlights from week 7.
Sean Payton’s Return to New Orleans
New Orleans Saints and the Denver Broncos begin the week with a Thursday night matchup. this game shows something different this time, the head coach Sean Payton goes against his former team with whom he had played for 15 consecutive seasons and led the Saints to playoff nine appearances, this also includes a Super Bowl victory in 2010. Payton acknowledges the emotional significance of returning to the Superdome and is preparing his team for the experience. “One of the things we talk about with our players is trying to handle all this stuff ahead of time,” he said. The night will be extra special as the Saints honor longtime quarterback Drew Brees at halftime, inducting him into the Saints Hall of Fame—a recognition of their successful partnership over the years.
Super Bowl Rematch: 49ers vs. Chiefs
In another exciting matchup, the San Francisco 49ers will host the Kansas City Chiefs, marking only the 11th time in NFL history that the previous year’s Super Bowl teams meet in the following season. This is the second consecutive year the Chiefs are involved in such a rematch, having faced the Eagles last season. Historically, the team that won the Super Bowl has a 6-4 record in these rematches. Coming off a bye week, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid boasts a remarkable 21-4 record after byes.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes emphasized the significance of this game, saying, “It’s as big as a regular season game you can play in. We understand that it’s going to take our best to win.”
Super Bowl Preview in Green Bay?
While the Chiefs and 49ers are among the favorites to return to the Super Bowl, the Houston Texans and Green Bay Packers are also strong contenders. Both teams have shown promise through the first six weeks, with young quarterbacks leading the way. The Texans, at 5-1, have seen CJ Stroud emerge as a serious MVP candidate following a record-setting rookie season. Stroud prepares for his first Lambeau Field appearance, highlighting the differences between winning on the road in college and the NFL. Meanwhile, the Packers, at 4-2, have Jordan Love back from injury and looking to lead the team as they face the Texans.
NFC North Dominance
The NFC North is proving to be the most competitive division this season, with the Minnesota Vikings at 5-0, the Detroit Lions at 4-1, and both the Packers and Chicago Bears at 4-2. Each of these teams boasts a scoring differential of at least +40. This Sunday, the undefeated Vikings will host the Lions, who are coming off a solid victory over the Cowboys. The Lions aim to make a statement by being the first to hand the Vikings a loss this season, building on their near-success from last year.
This week promises exciting matchups and storylines as the NFL season continues to unfold.
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