Thursday Night Football in Week 7 of the NFL season delivered drama, star performances, and a wave of storylines that have fans and analysts buzzing across the league. The Pittsburgh Steelers, under the ever-watchful eye of head coach Mike Tomlin, once again found themselves at the center of the conversation after a tough divisional road loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on October 16, 2025. The defeat marked the Steelers’ ninth consecutive road loss in divisional play on Thursday night since 1970—a streak that’s starting to feel like a curse, if you ask the diehard faithful.
But here’s a twist: history says Tomlin’s Steelers rarely let a Thursday night stumble define their season. Since Tomlin took the reins in 2007, Pittsburgh boasts a remarkable 7-2 record in games immediately following a road Thursday Night Football loss. That’s not just resilience—it’s a testament to a culture of accountability and bounce-back grit that’s become synonymous with Tomlin’s tenure.
Steelers fans haven’t forgotten the exceptions, though. In 2013, a snow-blanketed showdown with the Miami Dolphins ended in heartbreak, as Antonio Brown’s electrifying last-second lateral touchdown was nullified when he barely stepped out of bounds. That play, forever etched in Pittsburgh lore, came on the heels of Tomlin’s infamous Thanksgiving sideline controversy against the Baltimore Ravens, earning the nickname “sideline karma.” Fast forward to 2022, and after a road loss to the Cleveland Browns, the Steelers fell to the New York Jets. That game saw first-round pick Kenny Pickett make his much-anticipated debut after halftime, only to throw three interceptions and spoil his first taste of regular-season action. According to Steelers Now, "The only two losses coming off of a road Thursday Night Football loss was in 2013 and 2022."
Yet, the silver linings shine bright. In 2014, Pittsburgh rebounded from a Thursday night defeat by steamrolling the Carolina Panthers on Sunday Night Football, powered by dual 100-yard rushing performances from Le’Veon Bell and Lagarette Blount. And who could forget 2009? After their first Thursday night loss under Tomlin, the Steelers rallied to edge the Green Bay Packers in a thrilling home contest, punctuated by Ben Roethlisberger’s first-ever 500-yard passing game and a game-winning touchdown grab by rookie Mike Wallace as time expired.
Now, the Steelers are gearing up to face the Packers once again. But this time, the storyline takes a fascinating turn: Aaron Rodgers, the quarterback drafted by Green Bay in 2005 and the face of the franchise for 18 years, is set to line up against his former team. If Rodgers pulls off a win, he’ll join the exclusive club of quarterbacks to have defeated all 32 NFL franchises—a feat as rare as it is impressive. Steelers Now notes, "If he does defeat his former 18-year team, he will be one of the quarterbacks to beat all 32 NFL franchises." All eyes will be on Rodgers as he seeks to carve another chapter in his storied career, and the Steelers’ response to adversity will be under the microscope.
While Pittsburgh’s resilience is the talk of the AFC North, the Bengals’ Thursday night triumph was driven by a performance for the ages from Ja’Marr Chase. The dynamic wideout was practically unstoppable, hauling in 16 catches on a jaw-dropping 23 targets for 161 yards. That’s the most targets seen by any player in a game since Antonio Brown’s 2015 outburst, and Chase’s dominance earned him an 89.5 PFF receiving grade. According to PFF, "The Bengals’ passing attack powered their Thursday Night Football victory, and it all ran through Ja’Marr Chase." His ability to average 3.35 yards per route run against a typically stingy Steelers secondary is a testament to his elite status among NFL receivers.
The Week 7 slate was packed with standout showings across the league. Matthew Stafford turned heads as he led the Los Angeles Rams to victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, completing 21 of 33 passes for 182 yards and five touchdowns. Stafford’s performance was clinical—he recorded four big-time throws without a single turnover-worthy play, finishing with an 81.9 PFF passing grade. Not to be outdone, Christian McCaffrey put on a show for the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday Night Football, racking up 201 of the team’s 317 total offensive yards and forcing four missed tackles. McCaffrey’s all-around effort earned him an 81.4 PFF grade, highlighting his status as one of the most versatile playmakers in the league.
Elsewhere, the Philadelphia Eagles soared on the backs of A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, who combined for 17 of the team’s 23 targets. Smith’s 7.04 yards per route run and 90.1 PFF receiving grade were particularly eye-popping, while Brown chipped in with an 87.9 grade of his own. The Eagles look poised for another deep run if their receiving tandem keeps up this level of production.
Rashee Rice returned from suspension to make an instant impact for the Kansas City Chiefs, leading the team with nine targets and an 82.8 PFF receiving grade in his season debut. The Chicago Bears, meanwhile, leaned on a dominant rushing attack to dispatch the New Orleans Saints, with D’Andre Swift and rookie Kyle Monangai both averaging over 6.0 yards per carry. Swift’s 81.0 PFF rushing grade and Monangai’s career-high yardage have Bears fans dreaming of a rejuvenated ground game.
On the defensive side, Denver Broncos’ cornerback Pat Surtain II continued his lockdown campaign, not allowing a single reception on three targets and adding a crucial pass breakup in a comeback win over the New York Giants. The Indianapolis Colts’ DeForest Buckner was a force up front, tallying nine pressures—including two sacks—against the Chargers, while Jadeveon Clowney and Micah Parsons delivered statement games for the Cowboys with dominant pass-rushing performances.
But not all the news from Week 7 was celebratory. In Tampa Bay, the Buccaneers are reeling from the loss of one of their icons. Mike Evans, who has been a model of consistency and leadership for eleven seasons, suffered a broken clavicle in Monday night’s clash with the Detroit Lions. The injury not only ends his streak that was approaching Jerry Rice’s all-time record but also leaves a leadership void in the Buccaneers’ locker room. As noted in coverage, "It’s the leadership, the comradery, and the selflessness that has allowed other receivers elevate their level of play not in spite of Evans, but because of him." Evans’ absence will be felt far beyond the stat sheet, as his influence on teammates and the Tampa Bay community has been profound.
As the NFL heads into the heart of the season, storylines abound. Will the Steelers continue their tradition of responding with a win after a Thursday night road loss? Can Ja’Marr Chase maintain his historic pace? And how will the Buccaneers cope without their most selfless superstar? One thing’s for sure: the action isn’t slowing down, and the next chapter is just around the corner.
