NFL Week 7 review: 49ers slide with 2nd straight loss, as Chiefs win 6th in a row

The San Francisco 49ers suffered their second straight loss on Monday night after their dynamic offense and elite pass rush was challenged by Kirk Cousins and the Minnesota Vikings. 

Cousins threw 378 yards for two touchdowns and was not sacked a single time. The Vikings passed the ball 45 times and suffered just one turnover, marking just the third time in coach Kyle Shanahan’s career that the 49ers defense failed to register a sack when faced with that many passes. 

“I mean we have a lot of really good players on the D-line and, obviously, a lot invested in it,” reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa said. 

VIKINGS STUN 49ERS BEHIND JORDAN ADDISON’S BEST GAME OF ROOKIE SEASON

“We have to make plays when they are there. We got lulled to sleep by some of the protections. When those opportunities come, you have to be ready for them.”

Despite the difficult night, star running back Christian McCaffrey scored two touchdowns, becoming the only player in the league with a touchdown in every game this season. He is on scoring streak of 16 straight games, including the 2022-23 playoffs, and is just one game shy of Lenny Moore’s all-time record.

Meanwhile the Kansas City Chiefs have not looked back from their season opener, winning six straight with a win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. 

Quarterback Justin Herbet was sacked five times, and the Chiefs offense exploded in the second half. Travis Kelce had a big night, finishing with 12 catches for 179 yards and a touchdown. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw for 424 yards and four touchdowns in the 31-17 victory. 

Here are this week’s scores from around the league.

NFL SCOREBOARD

• Jaguars 31, Saints 24
• Falcons 16, Buccaneers 13
• Bears 30, Raiders 12
• Browns 39, Colts 38
• Giants 14, Commanders 7
• Ravens 38, Lions 6
• Patriots 29, Bills 25
• Seahawks 20, Cardinals 10
• Steelers 24, Rams 17
• Chiefs 31, Chargers 17
• Broncos 19, Packers 17
• Eagles 31, Dolphins 17
• Vikings 22, 49ers 17

NFL STANDINGS THROUGH WEEK 7

AFC EAST 

1. Dolphins (5-2)
2. Bills (4-3)
3. Jets (3-3)
4. Patriots (2-5)

AFC NORTH

1. Ravens (5-2)
2. Steelers (4-2)
3. Browns (4-2)
4. Bengals (3-3)

AFC SOUTH

1. Jaguars (5-2)
2. Texans (3-3)
3. Colts (3-4)
4. Titans (2-4)

AFC WEST

1. Chiefs (6-1)
2. Raiders (3-4)
3. Chargers (2-4)
4. Broncos (2-5)

NFC EAST 

1. Eagles (6-1)
2. Cowboys (4-2)
3. Commanders (3-4)
4. Giants (2-5)

NFC NORTH

1. Lions (5-2)
2. Vikings (3-4)
3. Packers (2-4)
4. Bears (2-5)

NFC SOUTH 

1. Falcons (4-3)
2. Buccaneers (3-3)
3. Saints (3-4)
4. Panthers (0-6)

NFC WEST

1. 49ers (5-2)
2. Seahawks (4-2)
3. Rams (3-4)
4. Cardinals (1-6)

The Associated Press contributed to this report.