NFL Week 7 Players of the Week: McCaffrey, Chase, Parsons Shine

The NFL’s Week 7 awards were dominated by familiar names — playmakers who remind everyone why they’re the best in the business. Christian McCaffrey carried the 49ers offense, Ja’Marr Chase rewrote the Bengals record book, and Micah Parsons made sure quarterbacks everywhere stayed nervous. Add in breakout performances from K’Lavon Chaisson, Grant Delpit, and Sam Martin, and this week’s honorees left their mark on every phase of the game.

AFC Playmakers Deliver Statement Performances

CINCINNATI, OHIO – OCTOBER 16: Ja’Marr Chase #1 of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter in the game at Paycor Stadium on October 16, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase set the tone early, torching Pittsburgh’s secondary on Thursday Night Football with 16 receptions for 161 yards and a touchdown. The effort not only fueled a 33–31 comeback win but also broke the Bengals’ single-game receptions record. It was Chase’s fifth AFC Offensive Player of the Week honor and yet another example of his knack for stepping up when the lights are brightest. Few receivers in football can dictate coverage the way he does, and when Joe Burrow looks his way, history usually follows.

In New England, linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson turned in the kind of all-around performance Bill Belichick used to build dynasties on. Chaisson tallied two sacks and returned a fumble for a touchdown in a 31–13 win at Tennessee, becoming the first player since 2019 to post that stat line. For a Patriots defense in transition, it was the spark they’ve been missing — a glimpse of the speed and physicality Jerod Mayo’s unit can bring when it clicks.

Cleveland’s Grant Delpit made sure the third phase of the game got some love too. The Browns safety racked up two special-teams tackles and forced a fumble in a 31–6 rout of the Dolphins, earning his first career weekly award. His hustle was the kind of effort that doesn’t always show up on highlight reels but often changes field position — and games.

NFC Stars Shine in Primetime

Out west, Christian McCaffrey continued his MVP-caliber campaign with another stat-stuffing performance. The 49ers star posted 201 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns in a 20–10 win over Atlanta, marking his 47th career game with at least 50 receiving yards. It’s his third NFC Offensive Player of the Week honor since joining San Francisco, and it underscored just how seamless his fit in Kyle Shanahan’s offense remains. When McCaffrey’s healthy, San Francisco’s offense hums differently.

GLENDALE, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 19: Micah Parsons #1 of the Green Bay Packers reacts after a sack during the fourth quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on October 19, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Micah Parsons wasted no time making his presence felt in Green Bay. The Packers defensive lineman recorded five tackles, four tackles for loss, and three sacks in a 27–23 win at Arizona. It was his 16th career game with multiple sacks — tied for fifth-most through a player’s first five seasons since 1982. For a defense still building its identity, Parsons brings immediate edge-rushing credibility and fear factor every snap.

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – OCTOBER 05: Sam Martin #6 of the Carolina Panthers punts the ball in the game against the Miami Dolphins at Bank of America Stadium on October 05, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Josh Lavallee/Getty Images)

And while it’s rare for a punter to headline anything, Sam Martin earned it. The veteran dropped four of six punts inside the 20, including one inside the five, while booming a 68-yarder in Carolina’s 13–6 win over the Jets. It was his fourth career Special Teams Player of the Week honor and a perfect reminder that field position still decides football games.

From Baton Rouge to Palo Alto to Happy Valley, this week’s awards had a college flavor too — with LSU, Stanford, and Penn State alums all taking home hardware. Big plays, bigger moments, and plenty of storylines across the league — Week 7 had it all.