Quarterbacks dominate the Week 4 recap. Kudos to Fields, Wilson, Burrow, Brady and Jones, Allen, Murray, Jackson, and Heinicke.
Storylines
Justin Fields and Zach Wilson: Beacons of Hope: The Bears appear to have finally made the switch to Justin Fields, and it is paying off. Fields played well enough to get the win and looked fine in the process. At the very least, he is fun to watch. Zach Wilson, on the other hand, was (what’s the right word) “clutch.” He made big throws down the stretch and gave Jets’ fans a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, they have their guy.
The AFC North still runs through Cincinnati: Thursday Night Football was an absolute shootout, a game that lived up to the hype. Joe Burrow put the Bengals on his back again, playing like a grizzled vet. Cincinnati is finding ways to win even with players sidelined. As for the rest of the AFC North, the Steelers look worse each week, and the Browns/Ravens have been shaky at times. The Bengals may not be the favorite to win the division, but they’re aggressive and–what’s more–they are in a perfect spot right now. Well, that’s hope speaking. Packers are up next.
Urban Meyer, looking good in Trojan Red & Gold?: The Jags are in trouble and one reason is that Urban Meyer isn’t a very good pro coach. The team has some talent but isn’t playing up to its potential. A three-win season seems to be the ceiling. Every week, Meyer makes comments that sound like he hates the NFL. Urban! Do greener pastures await in Los Angeles and USC? After viewing that leaked video–a reality show called, “Urban at the Bar”–the answer is probably not.
Brady’s Homecoming: The SNF showdown between Brady and Bill lived up to the hype. This had to be one of the most talked-about regular-season games of all time. Brady returned to Foxborough with the all-time passing record within reach. With the theatrics and emotions out of the way, the game settled in and stayed close all the way. Mac Jones showed real potential, making solid throws. And even though Brady and his Bucs struggled at times, they still won on a rainy night and without Gronk. The defense showed the way, and Antonio Brown performed like he’s TB12’s #1 WR.
Week 3 Power Rankings
Bills: The Bills ended the game early (I mean in the first half) and dominated every aspect of the game, beating the Texans 40-0. Allen, Singletary, and Diggs led the offense, and Buffalo’s stifling defense never gave this inferior opponent a chance–just like a champion team should do. A win is a win, and the Bills got it. Now (drumroll, please) it’s off to Kansas City for an SNF-style replay of last year’s AFC Championship game.
Cardinals: The Cards came out on top against LAR in a much-anticipated battle of the unbeaten, putting a crimp in the chatter about the Rams being a prime candidate to win the NFC. Chase Edmonds brought a breath of fresh air to the run game, and Kyler Murray and Co. seem to have something going in the desert. But yet another West challenge looms–the 49ers are next.
Ravens: Coming into Sunday, the talk was about how the unbeaten 3-0 Broncos hadn’t beaten anyone, and that they wouldn’t stand up against the visiting Ravens. Well, sometimes chatter has it right. Baltimore came into Mile High and took care of business, and they did it with ease. Lamar threw the ball all over the field and the defense stopped Denver cold.
New York x2:– Hit the music, please! New York, New York is ringing through Big Apple streets. Both the Jets and Giants got big OT wins. But it wasn’t easy. Both teams looked like they might lose (yet again), this time in heartbreaking fashion. Not today, though. For the first time in history, both NY teams won on the same day and in the same way (in OT).
Mount Rushmore-Worthy Performances
Taylor Heinicke: 290 yards, three TDs. Taylor Heinicke carried Washington to a huge win, and he even threw a few passes that had no right to be completed. Although Heinicke’s numbers aren’t insane, his performance was awe-inspiring. (Remember, this is the WFT we’re talking about.)
Cordell Patterson: 34 rushing yards, 82 receiving yards, three TDs. On the flip side of the WFT win was (yet another) Atlanta loss. That said, it was a career day for Cordell Patterson, who is an RB/WR hybrid. Three touchdowns through the air in a losing effort is nothing to sneeze about. Patterson was all over the place Sunday, and I am sure Matt Ryan would love to see more performances like that. His offense needs it.
Tyreek Hill: 186 Yards, three TDs. Hill was wide open all day long, and that was a gift for Mahomes when he was under pressure. He threw it up knowing that Hill would be on the other end for the catch (11 receptions/12 targets, 17-yard per reception average).
Zach Wilson: 297 Yards, two Touchdowns. Glory be to Zach! He’s closing in on 1000 yards passing on the year, and (perhaps more importantly) he seems to be getting better week-by-week. And he delivered on Sunday when it mattered most, completing a 53-yard bomb to Corey Davis in the 4th.
