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NFL Week 7: Trends which will decide each game

By Russell S. Baxter

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 18: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 18: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 18: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is tackled by Krys Barnes #51 of the Green Bay Packers during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium on October 18, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 18: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is tackled by Krys Barnes #51 of the Green Bay Packers during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium on October 18, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-2) at Las Vegas Raiders (3-2), 8:20 pm

Buccaneers: Todd Bowles’ defense put a hurting on the Packers last week. After six games, the NFC South leaders have racked up 22 sacks and 11 takeaways. Bruce Arians’ team is 8-4 in its last 12 games following last season’s 3-7 start. This prime time tilt in Las Vegas is the start of a stretch where the Bucs play three road games in four weeks.

Raiders: The Silver and Black had an extra week to prepare for this interconference match-up and it’s worth noting that Jon Gruden’s team is 2-0 vs. the NFC South this season, putting 34 points on the board in wins over both the Panthers and Saints. But via ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the team’s offensive line situation bears serious watching.

Monday, Oct. 26

Chicago Bears (5-1) at Los Angeles Rams (4-2), 8:15 pm

Bears: A year ago, Matt Nagy’s club got off to a 3-5 start and then rallied to finish 8-8. This season, the club has been a bit more opportunistic on defense than in 2019. The 2018 NFC North champions led the NFL with 36 takeaways but that number slipped to 19 a season ago. This year’s Bears have forced eight turnovers in six outings.

Rams: The club remains somewhat of a mystery as the Rams are a perfect 4-0 vs. the NFC East and winless outside of that division. So can defensive tackle Aaron Donald and company can rebound from a loss at San Francisco in which they failed to record a sack. Donald had 7.5 of the team’s 20 quarterback traps in the team’s five games.

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