A lot of the luster is off America’s Game of the Week on CBS today as the Ben Roethlisberger-less Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2) host America’s Most Hated Franchise, the New England Patriots (5-1).
As always, scroll on down for the live blog. Keep reading for this week’s press release from the NFL.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR – WEEK 7
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIR: The 2016 International Series continues in Week 7 with the Los Angeles Rams hosting the New York Giants at London’s Twickenham Stadium (9:30 AM ET, NFLN). It will be the second of three games played in London this season and the first-ever NFL game at Twickenham. Next week, on Sunday, October 30, the Cincinnati Bengals will host the Washington Redskins at Wembley Stadium (9:30 AM ET, FOX). Steelers. Patriots. CBS
The NFL will also return to Mexico City on Monday, November 21 (8:30 PM ET, ESPN) when the Oakland Raiders host the Houston Texans in the first-ever Monday Night Football game to be played outside the United States.
The International Series has seen some very close contests since its inception in 2007. In the first 15 games in London, eight have been decided by one score. Steelers. Patriots. CBS
CLOSE GAMES: Through the first six weeks of the 2016 season, 50 games have been decided by seven points or fewer, tied for the most in a season’s first six weeks in NFL history (1999).
With eight games decided by seven points or fewer in Week 7, the 2016 season would set the NFL record for the most games decided by seven points or fewer through the first seven weeks of a season.
ELECTRIC ELI: New York Giants quarterback ELI MANNING passed for 403 yards and three touchdowns in last week’s 27-23 win over Baltimore, becoming the eighth player in NFL history with 300 career touchdown passes (302) and surpassing Pro Football Hall of Famer JOHN ELWAY (300) for the seventh-most touchdown passes all-time.
Manning, who ranks 10th in NFL history with 45,975 passing yards, needs 259 passing yards on Sunday against Los Angeles to pass VINNY TESTAVERDE for the ninth-most passing yards ever.
AUTOMATIC ADAM: Indianapolis kicker ADAM VINATIERI made three field goals without a miss in Indianapolis’ 26-23 overtime loss vs. Houston last week.
Vinatieri, who leads the NFL with 62 points, has converted all 16 of his field goal attempts this season and has not missed a field goal since Week 2 of 2015. With two field goals made without a miss on Sunday at Tennessee, Vinatieri would set the NFL record for the most consecutive field goals made.
GLEEFUL GRONKOWSKI: New England tight end ROB GRONKOWSKI had seven catches for 162 yards and a touchdown in last week’s 35-17 win over Cincinnati.
Gronkowski, who has an NFL-best 66 receiving touchdowns since 2010, has 393 receptions in 84 career games. With seven receptions against Pittsburgh on Sunday, Gronkowski would tie KELLEN WINSLOW JR. as the third-fastest tight end in NFL history to reach 400 career receptions.
MAGNIFICENT MARCUS: Kansas City cornerback MARCUS PETERS recorded his fifth interception of the season in last week’s 26-10 victory over Oakland.
Peters, who had two interceptions in consecutive weeks earlier this season (list the weeks here), leads the NFL with five interceptions. With two interceptions on Sunday against New Orleans, Peters would tie Pro Football Hall of Famer ROD WOODSON (1993) and ROSS FICHTNER (1966) for the most interceptions through a team’s first six games in the Super Bowl era.
The game is on your local CBS station at 4:25 p.m. EST. Watch it with me. I’ll make some jokes.
