NFL Takeaways: Week 4
Photo by Adam Hunger from The Associated Press
We are, more or less, 25% through the current NFL season, and I’m frankly not sure who is a legit title contender or not!
And I love it that way.
Here’s what we learned.
Seahawks defeat Cardinals 23-20
This is a win for the Seahawks, but might end up being a moral win for the Cardinals.
This game was not as close as the score indicates.
In fact, if not for a pretty poor holding call, the Seahawks would be up 24-6 with about 10 minutes left in the game, and a Cardinals offense that had done nothing all day.
But they fought back to score two touchdowns in 5 minutes and make it a game.
Sure, they lost in the end, but they battled back.
It’s something to build off of, and Marvin Harrison Jr was a big factor in the comeback attempt.
They need to get him going.
Steelers defeat Vikings 24-21
Boy oh boy did the Steelers try to let the Vikings back into this one.
It’s a win in the end, but the Steelers defense really needs to get it in gear.
Falcons defeat Commanders 34-27
I don’t understand the Falcons, and I’m going to stop trying to understand them.
They make no sense.
Bills defeat Saints 31-19
The best credit I can give first year head coach Kellen Moore is that this Saints team fought hard all game long.
Realistically, there’s just not enough talent in New Orleans to be a good team.
All I want to see from them is some fight, and I saw it.
Lions defeat Browns 34-10
That week one disaster from the Lions looks a long way away now.
They look like last years Lions again.
Great run game, dominant defense.
Excellent game.
Patriots defeat Panthers 42-13
The gameplan for the Patriots so far this year seems pretty simple.
Don’t turn the football over, and you’ll be just fine.
6 total turnovers and a combined 27 points in their two losses, whereas their two victories came with 0 turnovers and 75 total points.
Just stay on track and take care of the football.
Simple as that.
Giants defeat Chargers 21-18
I’m not going to say that Jaxson Dart is the next elite NFL QB, but it’s very clear the Giants simply needed some more mobility at the quarterback position.
Dart wasn’t phenomenal, but he did enough, especially with his legs, to keep drives alive and even got a rushing touchdown along with it.
And even though the Giants lost star receiver Malik Nabers for the year, the Giants needed at least some sort of fresh air.
As for the Chargers, it’s been odd seeing Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman work so heavily towards Justin Herbert, as opposed to a strong run game.
Omarion Hampton averaged 10 yards per carry, but they only ran the ball 12 times, as opposed to 41 throws from Justin Herbert.
A bit odd.
Eagles defeat Buccaneers 31-25
Last week, the Eagles struggled like crazy until they opened up the offense and came back to beat the Rams.
This week, the Eagles opened up the offense and dominated, before they shut up shop and had to hold on for dear life.
The Eagles are such a mystery to me, and it’s kind of fun to figure out where they’ll go next.
Texans defeat Titans 26-0
Brian Callahan got a shiny new QB as the first overall pick in the draft, and they’re less interesting to watch than they were a year ago.
He has to go, and I’d be surprised if he doesn’t soon.
Rams defeat Colts 27-20
This was a barometer on the Colts to see if they’re a legit team, and they answered the call in a tight loss, so that has to be some sort of moral victory.
But if not for two mistakes from receiver Adonai Mitchell, this could’ve easily been a win.
That’s going to sting.
Hopefully the young receiver can shake it off.
Jaguars defeat 49ers 26-21
I don’t think Mac Jones is better than Brock Purdy. Nobody should.
And I don’t know if Purdy is still hurt or not.
Maybe Purdy is fully healthy and had a tough game. It happens. And the Jags have a good defense.
But if he is injured, the three turnovers he had in a losing effort has to make you wonder a bit on if that would happen with Mac Jones at the helm.
The Niners had a good start to the year.
No need to risk it just because Purdy got the bag.
Chiefs defeat Ravens 37-20
Sunday afternoon made two things very clear.
The Chiefs are back to normal after a slow start to the year, and the Ravens right now just simply aren’t a good football team.
I know the Ravens struggle against the Chiefs and have for many years prior, but this was different.
This wasn’t even close to competitive.
They’re on different levels at the moment.
Bears defeat Raiders 25-24
Another solid game from the Raiders defense, specifically Maxx Crosby, gave the Raiders a great chance for the win, much like two weeks ago.
But much like two weeks ago, it was another really, really poor effort from Geno Smith, who had three turnovers and kept the Bears hanging around.
They just simply can’t put it all together.
Cowboys tie Packers 40-40
Three things.
First, Dak Prescott is really good, always has been, and mainstream media fools have made people believe otherwise.
Second, the Cowboys defense is an absolute tire fire, and could really use an elite player like Micah Parsons. Go figure.
Third, the fact that we still allow ties in the NFL is ridiculous.
Just use the exact college football overtime rules, but start at the 50 yard line instead of the 25.
Nobody cares if it’s gimmicky.
The shootout in hockey is gimmicky, but at least we get a clear cut winner and loser. That’s better than a tie.
Dolphins defeat Jets 27-21
This Jets season reminds me a lot of the 2021 Detroit Lions season in their first year with Dan Campbell.
The team isn’t good. They’re not going to win a lot.
But they’re feisty. They are in these games and battling hard.
That’s a good start to build a culture.
Hopefully, like the Lions, the winning follows that.
Broncos defeat Bengals 28-3
I know Jake Browning is not Joe Burrow, but Jake Browning was not this bad when he had to take over for Burrow a few years ago.
And considering how sluggish the Bengals offense looked in the game and a half with Joe Burrow, I think there’s something inherently wrong with this offense.
Zac Taylor might get a pass because Burrow will be out for so long, but I’m not sure he should.
It may be time for a change in Cincy.
