Seven weeks into the NFL season, two of the league’s biggest storylines have ties to Stanford. In Philadelphia, starting quarterback Jalen Hurts was shut down for the season due to blood clots, handing the offense to Tanner McKee ’24. In San Francisco, Christian McCaffrey ’18 and the 49ers carried an undefeated record into Atlanta and left with their first loss of the season. 

Next man up in Philadelphia

In Week Six, without star running back Saquon Barkley, McKee completed 26 of 45 passes for 215 yards and a touchdown in a 25-14 home loss to the Carolina Panthers. McKee and the Eagles suffered their fifth-straight loss in Week Seven against the Dallas Cowboys, 38-21. McKee went 23-for-35 for 211 yards, a touchdown and an interception, and the Eagles sit at 2-5 for the season with their longest losing streak since 2016. 

Standout performances

Bobby Okereke ’18 (LB, Carolina Panthers) – Okereke made 18 tackles over the last  two weeks. His first big play of the stretch came on an 11-yard sack to set the tone for Carolina’s win over Philadelphia in Week Six. However, Carolina fell 43-13 to Tampa Bay the following week. The Panthers sit at a 3-3 record heading into Lambeau Field on Thursday against the Green Bay Packers.

Colby Parkinson ’21 (TE, Los Angeles Rams) – Parkinson caught 10 of his 12 targets for 79 yards across the last two weeks. 31 of those receiving yards came against the Arizona Cardinals in an 18-16 upset loss. The following week, Rams had a 35-21 win against the Las Vegas Raiders, with Parkinson  catching 48 yards. The Rams are 3-4 through seven weeks. 

Christian McCaffrey ’18 (RB, San Francisco 49ers) – McCaffrey carried the 49ers to 6-0 before the streak ended in Atlanta. In Week Six, he had two touchdowns and 117 yards from scrimmage in a 23-17 Monday night win over the Washington Commanders. In Week Seven, McCaffrey scored one touchdown with 36 rushing yards and 61 receiving yards in a 29-20 loss. Through seven weeks, he leads the league in touchdowns. 

Dalton Schultz ’18 (TE, Houston Texans) – Schultz caught nine of his 12 targets for 78 yards as Houston came away 1-1 after two one-score games. In Week Six, he had four catches for 33 yards in a 34-31 win over Jacksonville. In Week Seven, Schultz added five catches for 45 yards but suffered a loss in overtime to the New York Giants, 27-21.

Michael Wilson ’21 M.A ’22 (WR, Arizona Cardinals) – Wilson caught eight passes for 87 yards over the last two weeks and ran twice for 11 yards in Week Seven. His four catches for 32 yards helped Arizona snap a four-game losing streak in a win over the Rams before a 30-16 loss to the Denver Broncos. The Cardinals are 2-5. 

Notable contributions

Elijah Higgins ’23 (TE, Arizona Cardinals) – Higgins caught all six passes thrown his way for 45 yards. He has caught nine straight targets dating back to Week Five. 

Austin Hooper ’17 (TE, Atlanta Falcons) – Hooper caught two passes for 21 yards in a 29-20 win over the 49ers, and one catch for six yards in a loss to Chicago. The Falcons are 3-4.