NFL Week 7 Preview: Mayfield vs Goff, Vrabel's Revenge, and the Icy Hot Bowl (2025)

Buckle up, football fans—Week 7 in the NFL promises drama that could redefine playoff races and spark endless debates!

The NFL's Week 7 is packed with thrilling narratives unfolding on both sides of the Atlantic, culminating in an intense NFC battle featuring the league's most explosive offenses.

Here are five key highlights to anticipate during this exciting slate of games.

First up, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Detroit Lions stand out as strong contenders for the NFC title, largely thanks to their dynamic scoring machines and a pair of underrated quarterback stars often overlooked in the spotlight.

Baker Mayfield of the Buccaneers and Jared Goff of the Lions have consistently ranked as the top two passers in terms of yardage and touchdowns over the past couple of seasons. Goff currently leads the league with an impressive 14 touchdown passes this year (check it out on Pro Football Reference at https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2025/passing.htm), while Mayfield sits just behind with 12. Yet, despite their stellar performances, these two signal-callers rarely dominate the headlines or expert panels compared to their peers. The Buccaneers, boasting a stellar 5-1 record so far—matching the Indianapolis Colts for the best mark in the league—make Mayfield a must-watch. He could even contend for league MVP if his electrifying play continues.

But here's where it gets controversial... Is it fair that quarterbacks like Mayfield and Goff get overshadowed? Personally, I have a soft spot for Mayfield, and yeah, I'm calling it out—I'm biased, and if that bothers you, feel free to hit me up. But am I wrong? This Monday Night matchup pits two former top draft picks—who were traded but have since thrived elsewhere—against each other in a prime-time showdown that's long overdue for their talent.

Meanwhile, the Atlanta Falcons achieved a major upset, defeating the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football (as reported by CNN at https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/14/sport/football-nfl-falcons-bills-robinson-mnf-intl), powered by Bijan Robinson. The Falcons top the league in rushing yards at an average of 151.2 per game and rank second in total yards at 378.8 (according to Pro Football Reference at https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2025/). Their defense, revamped under new defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, is also clicking perfectly. They lead the NFL in yards allowed, permitting just 253.4 per game, and have kept every opponent under 300 yards this season. Opposing quarterbacks are completing only 57.7% of their passes against them, the best rate in the league. Next, they'll travel to the Bay Area for a Sunday Night Football clash with the San Francisco 49ers.

Shifting to the AFC, the Pittsburgh Steelers versus Cincinnati Bengals features a historic rivalry—marking only the second occasion in NFL history where both starting quarterbacks are 40 or older. Pittsburgh's Aaron Rodgers, at 41, and Cincinnati's Joe Flacco, at 40, will square off in what Rodgers' teammate Cam Heyward dubbed the "Icy Hot Bowl." The previous such encounter happened in 2020 when Drew Brees' New Orleans Saints faced Tom Brady's Buccaneers twice in the regular season, though Brady got revenge in the playoffs, leading to a Super Bowl victory. This game celebrates the enduring power of experience, pitting two Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks—much like Brady and Brees—against each other. For beginners wondering about the "Icy Hot" name, it cleverly nods to the mentholated relief cream, symbolizing the cooling heat of age paired with the fiery passion of seasoned vets.

And this is the part most people miss... The Tennessee Titans parted ways with head coach Mike Vrabel in 2024 after guiding them to consecutive AFC South titles in 2020 and 2021, even securing the top AFC seed in 2021 when he earned Coach of the Year honors. However, two consecutive losing seasons followed, leading ownership to place the blame on Vrabel. Since then, his successor Brian Callahan compiled a dismal 4-19 record before being fired (as detailed by CNN at https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/13/sport/football-nfl-titans-fire-head-coach-brian-callahan) this very Monday—the same week Vrabel returns to face his old squad. Now coaching the New England Patriots, Vrabel has already notched four wins in his debut season, positioning the Pats at the top of the AFC East with a 4-2 record.

Here's a controversial take: Was Vrabel really the issue, or was it team mismanagement? I have a personal connection—I once tackled Vrabel during his Patriots days while playing for the Bills, and he got so fired up on a punt play that he grabbed my neck under the facemask. The guy is a fierce competitor! If you're tuning in for some old-school intensity and revenge, keep an eye on Vrabel, quarterback Drake Maye, and the rolling Patriots as they take on Tennessee.

Finally, NFL enthusiasts in England are in for a treat with a captivating international contest.

For the second time since 2007 in the NFL's London series, both squads enter the game with winning records. The Los Angeles Rams and Jacksonville Jaguars, both at 4-2, have genuine playoff aspirations. Jacksonville, transformed under rookie head coach Liam Cohen, has already equaled their total wins from last year. Meanwhile, the Rams got creative by turning Baltimore's Camden Yards baseball stadium into a football practice field after their game against the Ravens, shaving off about five or six hours from their flight to London—a smart strategy for travel efficiency.

What do you think about this global expansion? Does it add excitement, or does it dilute the traditional NFL experience?

The schedule kicks off like this:

Thursday

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cincinnati Bengals, 8:15 p.m. ET

Sunday