Week 7 of the NFL season delivered more chaos than a Jets team meeting, more injuries than a 49ers practice squad, and another London game so bad that fans are considering a class action lawsuit. Hosts Wade McElwain and Ryan Cull broke down all the carnage on the latest NFL in London podcast, and let’s just say nobody’s safe from the hot takes.
London Game: Fan Abuse Reaches New Heights
The international series continued its proud tradition of shipping America’s worst football overseas as the Denver Broncos somehow defeated the New York Jets 13-11. Yes, you read that correctly—13 to 11. The Blue Jays scored more runs in one game than the Jets scored points.
“This is honestly one of the worst games I’ve ever seen in my life,” Ryan declared. “It was unwatchable. I feel like in a few years, we’re all going to be able to join a class action lawsuit against the NFL for the games that they bring over to us. Because this just feels like abuse, like fan abuse.”
Justin Fields managed minus-10 passing yards, which means you literally had a better day at work than an NFL quarterback. The Broncos recorded nine sacks and still somehow made the game competitive. Interim head coach Aaron Glenn’s time management was so bad that Ryan noted, “Robert Saleh looks like Vince Lombardi right now compared to the disasters that have happened to the Jets.”
The dysfunction has reached unprecedented levels, with Ryan delivering this gem: “I bet you if you took the Johnson and Johnson COVID shot, you’re feeling much worse about yourself, knowing that this guy [Woody Johnson] is in charge of the Jets.”
Poor Garrett Wilson is doomed to be remembered as “the guy, the Jets, who got paid a lot of money to do nothing” when he could be a Hall of Famer on literally any other team.
Colts Keep Rolling Behind… Wait, Daniel Jones?
Indianapolis pulled out a victory over Arizona behind Jonathan Taylor’s 123 rushing yards and Daniel Jones proving that sometimes the problem really is just New York. Jones threw two touchdowns and has essentially locked up Comeback Player of the Year honors.
“Maybe the problem is just New York and it’s not the NFL,” Ryan mused. “Nobody should play in this city because it just destroys quarterback souls.”
The real star for the Colts has been rookie tight end Tyler Warren, who Ryan compared favorably to George Kittle: “This guy has kind of brought the days of even better… Tyler Warren’s even better. The Colts to me are just a fun team.”
Of course, the defense did give up 340 yards to Jacobi Brissett—the eternal NFL journeyman who Ryan described as “the black fits. He’s just on from team to team. He’s just going to be around everywhere.” When you’re giving up that kind of yardage to Brissett, you might want to reconsider your life choices.
Chargers Escape Miami Thanks to Dolphins Being Dolphins
Justin Herbert rallied the Chargers past Miami despite three interceptions from Tua Tagovailoa, who apparently decided to call out his teammates earlier in the week and then proceeded to throw picks during the actual game. Classy stuff.
The Dolphins drove down for a late touchdown to Darren Waller, only to immediately give up a 45-yard catch-and-run that sealed their fate. At 1-5, the Dolphins are officially cooked, and questions are swirling about Mike McDaniel’s future.
“Are they gonna start trading off some of these players?” Wade asked. “Darren Waller was looking fantastic in this game. This is a guy who’s got the pump back in his step.”
Patriots Take AFC East Lead Because Buffalo Can’t Help Themselves
Drake May threw three touchdowns as New England improved to 4-2, taking control of the division. The Saints, now 1-5, look like prime sellers at the trade deadline. Alvin Kamara is showing his age, and the offense is a mess even with Spencer Rattler slinging it around.
The Patriots have the easiest remaining schedule in the NFL, which means they’re about to make everyone’s lives miserable for the next two months.
Rico Dowdle’s Revenge Tour Continues
In the most satisfying revenge game of the week, Rico Dowdle absolutely cooked his former team, racking up 239 yards from scrimmage as Carolina stunned Dallas 30-27. Dowdle has now posted back-to-back 200-yard games—something that might have literally never been done before.
The Cowboys’ defense was so bad that Ryan noted, “It was like a seamstress. He was just going through everything.” Dallas is paying Dak Prescott all the money in the world, and they still can’t beat Bryce Young and the Panthers.
Jerry Jones has to be beside himself. They didn’t pay Micah Parsons, and now they’re paying George Pickens big money after trading for him. Good luck with that salary cap situation, Cowboys fans.
Buccaneers Smoke the Injury-Plagued 49ers
Baker Mayfield continued his redemption tour, leading Tampa Bay to a dominant 30-19 win over San Francisco’s JV squad. The 49ers have now lost so many players to injury that Ryan joked they have “Dr. Kevorkian as their doctor back there just taking people’s lives.”
“Baker to me has been the most fun player in the league and everyone in Cleveland must just hate every second of this,” Ryan said, perfectly capturing Mayfield’s journey from heel to beloved protagonist.
The Buccaneers are now 5-1 and look like legitimate Super Bowl contenders. Rashad White and Bucky Irving provide a dynamic rushing attack, and once Mike Evans and Chris Godwin return from injury, this offense could be unstoppable.
Chiefs Announce: We’re Inevitable
Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs destroyed the Detroit Lions 30-17 in Sunday Night Football, serving notice that they’re ready to make everyone miserable again. Travis Kelce had 78 yards, the defense was dominant, and Kansas City looks like they’re about to run the table.
“They’re Super Bowl favorites now,” Ryan said with the enthusiasm of a man watching his dreams die. “Mahomes and Andy Reid still got it. It’s depressing. I feel absolutely sick to my stomach that we’re definitely seeing the Chiefs Super Bowl. I just don’t see anyone in the AFC.”
The Chiefs are getting Rashid Rice back soon, and their offense is humming despite having no running game. Andy Reid continues to make magic happen, and the rest of the league should probably just forfeit now.
Bills Suffer Catastrophic Loss to Falcons
In the shock of the week, Atlanta demolished Buffalo 24-14, exposing the Bills as pretenders. Bijan Robinson rushed for 170 yards, Drake London caught 150 yards worth of passes, and Michael Penix looked like a seasoned veteran.
The Bills’ defensive scheme was so bad that they put a linebacker on Drake London. Ryan absolutely eviscerated Buffalo’s roster construction: “They have their first round, their second round, their third round aren’t playing from this year’s draft. Last year’s draft, their second round is Keon Coleman who can’t—who gets 11 yards every game. He’s terrible.”
The criticism got even harsher: “This is the first time I’ve watched [Josh Allen] and think like, there’s something just doesn’t feel right on this team. I don’t think Sean McDermott is the guy that takes this team to the next level.”
Buffalo has now lost to the only two competent teams they’ve faced, dropping them to 3-3 and putting them behind New England in the division. The bye week couldn’t come at a better time.
Bears Survive Washington in Ugly Fashion
Chicago escaped with a 25-24 win over Washington in a game that wasn’t pretty but counts just the same. D’Andre Swift finally had his breakout game, and Caleb Williams did enough to avoid disaster.
“This is the difference between good teams and bad teams,” Ryan noted. “You got to find ways to win the ugly game sometimes.”
Washington’s defense, supposedly improved under Dan Quinn, couldn’t stop Williams when it mattered most. The Commanders had multiple chances to put the game away and kept giving Chicago opportunities.
TNF Preview: Battle of the Old Guys
Thursday Night Football features a crucial AFC North showdown as Cincinnati hosts Pittsburgh. At 2-4, the Bengals are desperate for a win, while the 4-1 Steelers look to maintain their division lead.
The matchup features the oldest quarterback showdown in NFL history—41-year-old Aaron Rodgers versus 40-year-old Joe Flacco, with a combined age of 81 years. Wade pointed out this historic footnote, though Ryan was quick to note that neither quarterback has looked particularly impressive this season.
Pittsburgh is favored by 5.5 points with an over/under of 44.5, but the hosts are split on this one.
Ryan’s Pick: Bengals 21, Steelers 17 “I’m taking the Bengals to win this actually,” Ryan declared. “I haven’t seen Rodgers do anything impressive. He’s been fine, like a game manager, kind of like Trey Dilfer back in the days. Joe Flacco’s going to let them just sling it at home, and I think the Bengals can put up points.”
Wade’s Pick: Steelers 24, Bengals 20 “I don’t have Cincinnati to win, but I do have them to cover,” Wade countered. “Pittsburgh’s defense is getting tougher, but it’s gonna be Flacco trying to find these holes in that secondary which has been found before.”
Both hosts agree on one thing: Ja’Marr Chase is still Ja’Marr Chase, and his ridiculous catch against the Packers last week proves the Bengals have weapons when Flacco has time to throw.
Final Thoughts
Week 6 has completely reshuffled the NFL hierarchy. The Chiefs are back and terrifying. The Buccaneers are for real. The Bills are frauds. The Jets are… well, still the Jets. And somehow, Daniel Jones is thriving while New York continues to be where quarterback dreams go to die.
The trade deadline looms, with teams like New Orleans, Miami, and Cleveland potentially becoming sellers. Will the Saints move Chris Olave? Will the Dolphins blow it up? Will Cleveland finally admit Dylan Gabriel isn’t the answer?
For all the chaos, injuries, and questionable officiating, one thing remains certain: the NFL continues to deliver the most entertaining disasters in professional sports.
For more hot takes, game analysis, and predictions that may or may not age well, check out NFL in London across all platforms. And remember: if you attended that Jets-Broncos game in London, you’re entitled to compensation.
See you next week for the Jags-Rams London matchup—which Wade promises is “actually a good matchup” this time. We’ll believe it when we see it.
If you want to hear the whole podcast just click on this link.
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