As the leaves begin to fall, the NFL season is transitioning into its next phase, as well.

Hot seats are turning fire engine red.

Trade winds are swirling.

Contenders are beginning to separate themselves, and several teams are approaching now-or-never propositions that could determine whether they’re buyers or sellers in the weeks ahead.

And, the New York Giants are clinging to the NFC East lead with all their might, a division that not a soul seems healthy or talented enough to win, and are turning to J.J. McCarthy in hopes of finding a spark Sunday.

Welcome to Week 7.

Let’s get right to your questions …

Buffalo’s passing defense has been a bit of a choose your own adventure through the first six weeks.

C.J. Stroud lighting up Jim Leonhard’s secondary for 274 yards and two touchdowns was the first sign that the Texans’ quarterback was about to make major strides this season.

Then, Jared Goff played darts, passing for 374 yards and four touchdowns in a game that the Bills were never in any real danger of losing in their housewarming party in front of BillsMafia.

But, Justin Herbert managed just 226 yards with one touchdown and one ill-advised interception to C.J. Gardner-Johnson, before Drake Maye hung 269 yards and three touchdowns with an interception on Buffalo the following week, and Kirk Cousins went off for 313 yards and two touchdowns with an interception.

Honestly, the only adventure the Bills’ secondary has taken the Mafia on is one that leads them through the eye of a tornado, the teeth of a monsoon and white out conditions of a lake effect snow squall.

After all, no passing defense boasts a worse EPA than the Bills’ minus-91.6, only the Buccaneers are surrendering more Yards After the Catch than the Bills’ 770, and Buffalo’s 1,022 Air Yards Allowed is third-worst in the league, emblematic of a secondary getting torched over the top.

And yet, the Bills are 5-1. Buffalo is alone atop the AFC East.