Week 7 of the NFL season is in the books, and it’s time for everyone to start overreacting to this weekend’s events.

Can the Cincinnati Bengals actually make a playoff push once Joe Burrow returns? Are the Los Angeles Rams frontrunners in the NFC West? How about the New England Patriots in the AFC East?

We react to all of that and more in this week’s edition of overreactions.

Here is our overreaction scale.

Overreaction, you’d be on board 0 to 30 percent

Fair reaction: 31 to 69 percent

I approve this message to absolute certainty: 70 to 100 percent

The Bengals will still be in the playoff hunt when Joe Burrow returns

Luke Hubbard, NFL Senior Writer: Fair reaction. Percent on board:  35 percent

If Joe Flacco keeps playing like prime Tom Brady, then yes, the Cincinnati Bengals will 100 percent be in playoff contention when Joe Burrow returns. However, I don’t know if that’s all that likely. They should be fine offensively, but can Flacco lead them to 30+ points per game, which is what their defense is giving up through seven weeks? I don’t know, but I don’t like those odds.

Tim Wood, NFL Editorial Chief: Fair reaction. Percent on board: 55 percent

If you just look at the current playoff picture, the Bengals are in a pretty good spot at nine. They could be worse. The problem is, they have to jump the Chiefs, which isn’t happening. So let’s just say Joe Flacco keeps them winning. Who do we count on falling? That’s the trick. Are they going to beat the Steelers again? Not impossible. Will the Jaguars and/or the Chargers keep falling? More probable than impossible. That’s why I’m more on board than not.

Abhishek Singh, NFL Content Manager: Fair reaction. Percent on board: 45 percent

Without Burrow, the Bengals’ offense has crashed, and Flacco can only keep them afloat, not elevate them. Burrow’s potential mid-December return offers hope, but they must stay close to .500 until then. If the defense holds and the offense finds minimal rhythm, I think a wildcard push is possible.

The Rams showed they are the frontrunners in the NFC West

Hubbard: I approve this message. Percent on board: 85 percent

I’ve always loved Matthew Stafford, and this year he’s playing as good as he ever has. I always say there are two things in football that almost always translate, no matter where or who you’re playing: an elite quarterback and an elite pass rush. The Los Angeles Rams have both. They are my pick to win the NFC West at the moment, the San Francisco 49ers (when healthy) and the Seattle Seahawks are BIG threats. Toughest division in the league, for sure.

Wood: Fair reaction. Percent on board: 60 percent

Whoa, whoa, whoa, fellas. Let’s pump the hype breaks here just a bit. The Rams look great, and a bye this week is only going to get them healthier. I just don’t know if they’re THAT much better than the 49ers and/or Seahawks, where I use “clear-cut” … yet.

Singh: I approve this message. Percent on board: 90 percent

The Rams’ demolition of the Jaguars wasn’t just a win; it was a statement. Stafford threw 5 touchdowns in one of the most dominant games of the season. With the 49ers and the Seahawks also winning, Sean McVay needed to assert control, and they did exactly that. Their offense looks sharp, their defense disciplined. Until proven otherwise, the Rams are the team to beat in the NFC West.

The Eagles have fully righted the ship heading into Week 8

Hubbard: Fair reaction. Percent on board: 33 percent

The Philadelphia Eagles figured something out on offense this past week, but I need to see it click a few more times before I declare them fully back. They’ve just been too inconsistent in the pass game this year for me to believe that one good week will have them back on track for the Super Bowl.

Wood: Overreaction. Percent on board: 20 percent

I’m not even sure if they’ve figured out something as much as they did what they should have been doing all along. I don’t want to be an Eagles fan right now. You got your title and ingested a lot of Tums to get that. Watching the inconsistency of the offensive play calling drives me crazy just to see it on RedZone. I couldn’t watch that all game. 

Singh: Fair reaction. Percent on board: 65 percent

The Eagles’ 29-22 win over the Vikings showed clear progress. Jalen Hurts looked sharp, throwing for 300 yards with 3 touchdowns. That passing was exactly what Philly’s 30th-ranked aerial attack needed. Still, the run game remains stuck in neutral as Saquon Barkley hasn’t found his footing yet. The offense is trending up, but to say the ship is fully righted is a stretch until they balance both phases.

Michael Penix Jr. showed himself not to be ready to be a top-tier NFL QB

Hubbard: Fair reaction. Percent on board: 50 percent

I’m 50-50 on this. I think Michael Penix has the arm talent to be a top-tier NFL QB, but he is very obviously not there yet. He still has quite a bit of developing to do, and that’s perfectly okay for someone with 11 games under his belt. He’s definitely not a top-tier guy now, but I think he can get close eventually.

Wood: I approve this message. Percent on board: 95 percent

Consider me in full sell-off mode of any stock involving Penix Jr. I loved what I saw of him in the College Football Playoff title game; it made me think he was an elite sleeper in the Draft. But we’re going on just about a full season with Penix at the helm, and the Falcons are still stuck in neutral. His reads are awful, and his footwork is marginal at best. The arm is there, no doubt. Joe Milton has a better arm. Doesn’t mean I want him leading a playoff contender.

Singh: I approve this message. Percent on board: 85

Penix Jr. flashed some potential, but his performance against the 49ers showed he’s still developing. His accuracy wavered on easy throws. Completing just 21 of 38 passes for 241 yards and a single touchdown isn’t disastrous, but it’s not franchise-leading caliber either.

The Giants have lost all momentum, and Brian Daboll should be fired after the Broncos’ collapse

Hubbard: Fair reaction. Percent on board: 50 percent

This is a weird one. I do not think the New York Giants have lost all their momentum, despite the devastating loss they just had. Jaxson Dart is very good, and their offense is just fun. They’ll keep it tight with some of the top teams they face this year, like they did with Denver.

All that said, I do think Brian Daboll should be fired after this year. I just don’t think Daboll is a great head coach, even if he’s a great play caller. I don’t think players love playing for him, and I don’t think he’s the best leader. I’m not sure they will let him go; that just depends on the rest of the season, but I don’t believe he’s going to be the one to get them back to the Super Bowl.

Wood: Fair reaction. Percent on board: 41 percent

If it were any owner other than John Mara, Daboll would have likely not made the plane ride home with the team. That’s how pathetic the game management and playcalling on both sides of the ball were – for the whole game, not just in the collapse. I’m more interested in seeing how the Giants react. This kind of gut punch did the Bears in last year. I think the 2025 Giants are better than those Bears. But they can’t afford another collective brain fart like that.

Singh: Overreaction. Percent on board: 25

Blowing a 19-0 fourth-quarter lead and giving up 33 points in one quarter is beyond embarrassing. The Giants’ collapse wasn’t just about one bad drive; it was a total unraveling on both sides of the ball. Still, Daboll isn’t the root of every issue here. He’s working with a rookie QB and a roster full of holes. I feel he deserves the rest of the season to prove he can right the ship.

The Colts would beat the Chiefs if the AFC Championship were played today

Hubbard: Fair reaction. Percent on board: 40 percent

I think the Kansas City Chiefs are playing like the best team in football right now, but if there’s anybody that could give them a tough fight at the moment, it’s Shane Steichen and Daniel Jones. Their offense is absolutely unstoppable right now, so it would all come down to which defense could get a stop. Right now, I trust KC a bit more, but it would be close.

Wood: Fair reaction. Percent on board: 51 percent

I am done underestimating the Colts. They have blown through every limitation of expectations I have attached to them so far. At some point, we have to detach the stink from Danny Dimes and just pay attention to what our eyeballs are telling us. I watch All 22 on this team, and they are showing flawless execution. You throw in the “Playing for Irsay” factor (RIP, Jim) and I’m not betting against this team again until the game tape tells me otherwise.

Singh: Overreaction. Percent on board: 10

The Colts are one of the season’s biggest surprises at 6-1, with Jonathan Taylor powering an efficient offense. Indy might hang around early, but over four quarters, the Chiefs’ playoff experience and offense still give them the edge. The Colts are good, but we all know that the Chiefs are still built for January.

The Patriots are now the team to beat in the AFC East

Hubbard: I approve this message. Percent on board: 75 percent

Ever since the New England Patriots beat the Buffalo Bills a few weeks back, they’ve been the team to beat in the East. The Bills are in a bit of a slump right now, and until they have a chance to steal a game back from the Pats later this year, the Pats are the AFC East’s top dogs.

Wood: Fair reaction. Percent on board: 55 percent

Strangely, the diehard Patriots fan here is continually the voice of reason, but I’ll do it again. They’ve won two straight games, a playoff contender should; let’s make it a third against the Browns this week. Then comes an NFC South double test against the Falcons and Bucs. And ultimately, this question won’t be fully answered until the Week 15 rematch against the Bills. 

Singh: I approve this message. Percent on board: 80

Four straight wins and a surging sophomore QB have flipped the AFC East picture. Drake Maye is protecting the ball, Mike Vrabel’s defense is suffocating, and the Patriots look more balanced than they have in years. Meanwhile, the Bills’ slide has opened the door for Vrabel to seize control. Even Julian Edelman agrees his old team looks poised to stay on top, calling them “well-coached”. 

The Bears’ win streak is legit and they will make the playoffs as a wild card

Hubbard: Overreaction. Percent on board: 13 percent

I think the Chicago Bears are a good football team, but the NFC is full of really good teams that I quite frankly think are better. The NFC West is going to produce three playoff teams, meaning that’s two Wild Card spots gone, and then I think the other goes to Green Bay or Detroit, whoever doesn’t win the North. Then, the Bears also have to contend with Dallas possibly making a late push for the 7-seed. The NFC’s just too loaded for me to feel confident in the Bears.

Wood: Overreaction. Percent on board: 4 percent

This is purely a numbers thing for me. The Bears sit in eighth right now, on the outside looking in. Find me a team above them that the Bears are going to outpace the rest of the way. I can’t see it. Oddly enough, I think the best shot is the current No. 1 seed, the Packers. I don’t believe in them one iota.

Singh: Fair reaction. Percent on board: 65

The Bears have finally climbed out of the NFC North basement and look like a real playoff threat. Their defense is improving, and the offense has found some rhythm after a rough start. The playoff odds aren’t great, but they’re hanging around with a real shot.

The Packers are not as good as everybody thought they were

Hubbard: Absolute certainty. Percent on board: 101 percent

I’m tired of the Green Bay Packers being a top-five team in power rankings because everyone wants them to be great. They are a good football team. Possibly a very good football team. But they have not been playing like a great football team recently, and that’s what everyone thinks they are. Their offense isn’t all that inspiring, especially considering the competition they’ve played recently, and their defense is good, but not elite. They’re a playoff team, but they are NOT a Super Bowl contender.

Wood:  Even more absolute certainty. Percent on board: 102 percent

As the editor of this piece, I get to jump off the top rope and outdo Hubbard here. It’s just I couldn’t have said it better than he did. So I’ll just say … Ditto. I’ll add that the Browns’ win was lucky, and the Cowboys’ tie and Cardinals’ win were handed to them on silver platters. 

Singh: Fair reaction. Percent on board: 60

Yes, the Packers are 4-1-1, but this win over a struggling Cardinals team wasn’t exactly convincing. They fell behind early, needed a late rally, and still looked shaky on both sides of the ball. Jordan Love was efficient but not explosive, and Micah Parsons’ three-sack performance saved them. Green Bay’s record looks good, but they’re closer to average than elite right now.

The Cowboys can be a playoff contender with their current defense

Hubbard: Fair reaction. Percent on board: 55 percent

Look, this offense can outscore anybody on any given Sunday (or Thursday or Monday), but this defense is still horrible. I know they played fairly well on Sunday, but that was against a beat-up Washington offense. If they’re going to give up 30+ points per game, their offense will have to be perfect every single week. It has pretty much been thus far, but eventually they’re going to have some off days.

Wood: Fair reaction. Percent on board: 31 percent

The only reason my number is this high is that I don’t want to label this a full-on overreaction. A team with as potent an offense as the Cowboys is showing; they are dangerous. I’m really hoping that the Joneses see the forest through the trees here and go get that one piece that can solidify this defense (looking at you, Maxx Crosby). With that and a little health and fall-off above them in the standings, I truly believe the Cowboys could go further than we’ve seen them go in a generation.

Singh: I approve this message. Percent on board: 75

The Cowboys finally played to their defensive strengths, and the results spoke for themselves. Matt Eberflus ditched his soft zone looks for an aggressive man-coverage scheme, and it completely changed the tone. If the Cowboys can keep mixing up coverages like this and stay healthy, they absolutely have the kind of defense that can carry them into the playoffs.