3 NFL Storylines to Watch in Week 7
London Calling
After averaging 14.5 points per game from Weeks 2 through 5, the Arizona Cardinals finally got on track -- and on the scoreboard -- by putting up 38 points a week ago at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. A big reason was a vintage performance by the newly-acquired Adrian Peterson (26 carries, 134 yards, 2 touchdowns), who provided some sorely needed balance to the league's most pass-happy offense.
Now the Cardinals travel overseas to Twickenham Stadium in London, England to meet the Los Angeles Rams in an important NFC West showdown. Averaging just under 30 points per game, head coach Sean McVay has successfully transformed one of the league's most stagnant and uninspiring offenses into one of the more exciting units to watch.
The sports books also have this game pegged as one to have high expectations for. The game carries the 4th-highest over/under, with the Rams owning the 7th-highest implied team total.
Continuing to ride Peterson could be the way to go for Arizona. Based on numberFire's metrics, the Rams have the 5th-worst run defense in the league. Over their last four games, three teams have rode their lead running back for more than 20 carries. Most recently, the Jacksonville Jaguars handed the ball off to Leonard Fournette 21 times for 130 yards during a Week 6 defeat.
.@AdrianPeterson would become first player @NFL history to play two games in London in one season when @AZCardinals face the Rams Week 7.
— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) October 10, 2017
While it's impossible to expect the 32-year-old Peterson to keep this going, it's clear Arizona is willing to keep the volume set to high. If nothing else, Peterson will become the first player in NFL history to make the trip to London twice during the same season. Cheerio.
