NFL Week 4 Takeaways
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Boy, there’s nothing like watching NFL games on Sunday when you’re half awake from attending a wedding the night before.
Especially with how cold and cloudy it was. A perfect day to just relax.
Here’s what we learned in week 4.
Bengals defeat Dolphins 27-15
We don’t need to be looking at the Dolphins or Mike McDaniel in regards to Tua’s injury. We need to look at the NFL.
It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out Tua was concussed against the Bills, so an independent and unaffiliated doctor clearing him to return was a mistake.
Add in a second concussion only 4 days later, and we have a big issue.
Not just with Tua, but the entire NFL concussion process.
There are plenty of examples, but one that came to mind immediately was Julian Edelman in Super Bowl 49.
Edelman was clearly concussed after a hit by Kam Chancellor, and he didn’t miss a single play.
A league that allows this to happen over and over again is disgraceful, and is another example in the NFL pretending to care about serious problems.
Vikings defeat Saints 28-25
I forgot this game was in London and on so early so I was watching the F1 race and didn’t see much of it.
But the Vikings didn’t lose to a backup!
So that’s good!
Titans defeat Colts 24-17
I don’t know.
Maybe we were too quick to throw the Titans away after they lost to a dominant Bills team at home.
Bills defeat Ravens 23-20
The Ravens threw away a lead late against the Dolphins, they flirted with it against the Patriots and then did it again Sunday against the Bills.
That’s not typically Ravens football.
There’s still plenty of time to get it fixed, but it is a tiny bit concerning.
Falcons defeat Browns 23-20
The Falcons had a 13 point 4th quarter to comeback and win.
That’s very unlike them.
But good for them. Especially because they beat the Browns.
Cowboys defeat Commanders 25-10
I have seen waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too many people talking about a Cowboys QB controversy between Dak Prescott and Cooper Rush and not enough people acknowledging the fact that they beat a team led by Carson Wentz, who is terrible.
Seahawks defeat Lions 48-45
Geno Smith has been great so far this season.
Will that continue? Will the Seahawks replace him anyway? Who knows, but what is definitely clear is they have their left and right tackle for the next decade.
Charles Cross and Abe Lucas are fantastic, and that puts them in great shape for the future whether it be with Geno or someone else.
Giants defeat Bears 20-12
The Bears offensive line and receivers aren’t good, but at some point Justin Fields needs to look a little bit better.
I’m still not ready to throw in the towel. We saw how long it took Josh Allen to come around.
But while Fields needs help, he needs to show he deserves it more than another QB.
Eagles defeat Jaguars 29-21
The Eagles are a fantastic team, so the Jags hanging with them despite a five turnover day from Trevor Lawrence is a very, very good sign.
I mean, apart from the 5 turnovers from Lawrence.
But that probably won’t happen again.
Jets defeat Steelers 24-20
The Steelers made the switch to Kenny Pickett who brought life to a lifeless offense (and should have had a better statistical day if Chase Claypool was better) and the Steelers rewarded that newfound offensive life by falling apart defensively.
Fun!
Chargers defeat Texans 34-24
I’m not sure I could tell you one single play from this game.
But the Texans sure don’t seem better off without David Culley, which was a weird firing to begin with.
It looks even weirder now that they’re still winless.
Cardinals defeat Panthers 26-16
I really, really wanted to see a Baker renaissance in Carolina, but it looks like it just isn’t going to happen.
People think otherwise, but I don’t think he got a fair enough shake after playing hurt last season and being replaced with an “adult” at QB before trading for a man accused of countless sexual assaults, only to be shipped to somewhere with a dead in the water head coach.
I hope he can right the ship somewhere.
Packers defeat Patriots 27-24
I have no idea how this game was as close as it was, but the Packers won. So that’s what matters.
But it wasn’t exactly a confidence inspiring win, I guess.
Raiders defeat Broncos 32-23
Russell Wilson had the first game of the year where he actually played pretty well, but the offense still sputtered and they lost to the previously winless Raiders.
I always said the Broncos will be fine, but the patience is running low.
Chiefs defeat Buccaneers 41-31
Brady and Mahomes were both at their absolute best, and it was a joy to watch.
But the student defeated the master, and Sunday night may have just been a changing of the guard moment.
49ers defeat Rams 24-9
Considering Matt Stafford only likes throwing to Cooper Kupp and the Rams traded away Robert Woods, it’s been a little strange that they haven’t signed Odell Beckham Jr.
Was it a good week?
Good Games: Bills vs Ravens, Vikings vs Saints, Seahawks vs Lions, Packers vs Patriots, Chiefs vs Buccaneers
Bad Games: Cardinals vs Panthers, Rams vs 49ers
This was a great week of football, which brings the good week total to three compared to the one bad week so far.
