Nothing quite encapsulates just how empty and useless a Primetime Sunday Night Football 40-40 tie is. I’m sure everyone watching was left with the upmost disappointment and unhappiness in the lack of finality that the tie brings. Honestly, a tie feels like a both teams lose scenario. Regardless, NFL Week Four solidified some teams as much better than the rest and also started some pretty awkward conversations among NFL teams who expected more.
Overtime Rules Need a Change
Yeah. One of the most entertaining Primetime games of the season ended anticlimactically in a tie, 40-40. The tie highlighted the exact problem with the overtime rules as they are now. According to the rules, both teams get a possession during a 10-minute period, unless there is a safety or time runs out on the first drive. If the score is tied after two possessions, it moves to next score wins. Now, the rules aren’t terrible but seeing how they led to one of the most unenjoyable endings in NFL history; here’s what I would propose. For starters, move it back to a 15-minute period if they don’t want to change anything else about it. That is a simple move, that has worked in the past and easily could’ve given us a more thrilling ending. Another idea, using the college overtime rules. However, I’m not a huge fan of those rules, so here’s my idea. Instead of starting at the 25 and all that, just do an untimed overtime period. The game moves to next score wins after two untimed possessions, and the game ends when a team has an advantage. That way, it can maintain the thrill, but teams don’t have to worry about the game clock.
The Giants’ Season is Over; their Future is Bright
Yeah. The Giants won an impressive game against the previously undefeated Chargers. Jaxson Dart, for a rookie, looked pretty good. Their defense capitalized on the Chargers lack of Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater. However, this game may have made the Giants hopeless for the rest of the season. All because of one injury. Malik Nabers, their star second-year receiver, tore his ACL and will miss the rest of the year. Now, would the Giants have been good with him? Probably not. But it still hurts for them to lose a guy like Nabers. However, let’s look at the bright side. The Giants have a guy who could become a starting caliber quarterback and possibly the face of the franchise. So, next year, when Nabers returns, Jaxson Dart and him, with Abdul Carter, could outline a new era for New York Giants football. There’s nothing material to cling to quite yet, but there is plenty of possibility and reason to be excited as a Giants fan.
The Chiefs are Back Like they Never Left
The Chiefs struggled to start the year, yes. However, after rattling off two straight victories, a sleep show victory over the Giants, and an impressive 37-20 victory over the Ravens, they looked poised to return to the Playoffs and dominate the AFC. Patrick Mahomes excelled, throwing for 270 yards and 4 touchdowns, only getting sacked once. He spread the ball around to a lot of different receivers. On defense, they limited Lamar Jackson, only allowing him to throw for 147 yards and a touchdown, and sacking him three times—before he injured his hamstring, taking him out for the game. They also had an interception and forced a fumble, both on Lamar. The Chiefs look like they are back just as good as they have been the past few years. Everyone was too quick to jump on them for losing the first two games. They are still just as good as any team in the league, and they will still be in the running for winner of the AFC come January. At least, Chris Collinsworth thinks so.
The Eagles are Still the Best in the NFC
While it’s true, even I was quick to criticize the Eagles for not having a truly dominant game, yet I can admit they have shown enough for me to acknowledge their true skill. I did think that the Cowboys game was a little flukey, and also the Rams game (where they came back from 26-7 deficit and won off of a blocked field goal). However, I will admit it showed an ability to push themselves to victory. And after an absolutely dominant first half against the Buccaneers, where they led 28-6 at half, it’s pretty clear, at least to me, that they are just as good as last year and their struggles are just early year miscommunications. They are still the favorites to win the NFC, and if/when they finally get DeVonta Smith and AJ Brown involved consistently, I don’t see a team in the league, other than Buffalo, that can beat them. They just find ways to cover up their mistakes and win football games, and I feel like I have to commend them for that. But, as always, go Cowboys, and I hope they lose every game for the rest of the season.
The Ravens are Missing the Playoffs
Yep. I touched on this a little bit earlier, but the Ravens are absolutely fried. Not only did they lose to the Chiefs by 17 points, they also are 1-3 to start the year. They also just had Nnamdi Madubuike confirmed to be out for the year. Furthermore, Lamar Jackson was injured in the Chiefs game, and the Ravens are awaiting news on his injury. If Lamar misses any significant time, there is no reason for the Ravens to even show up to any football games. Lamar is the best player on that team, a leader, MVP, and overall amazing player. With the team already in a 1-3 hole, with their star quarterback injured and their defensive tackle out for the season, the time for the Ravens to turn it around is now. And if Lamar misses 2-3 games as the early reports say, the Ravens have to find a way to win two of them at least. With their next three games being against the Texans, Rams, and Bears, they have a chance. However, it is very difficult to imagine a backup quarterback, Cooper Rush, taking an already struggling team farther than the MVP quarterback did.
Final Thoughts
So, apparently, it’s been four weeks since the Cowboys played the Eagles to open the season, which is absolutely bizarre that the time has moved this fast. Anyway, week four added to the injury bug going around the league. While you never want to see it, maybe this rise in injuries, specifically to star players, will prompt the NFL to do more precise research on how to prevent injuries. I mean, having Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, Malik Nabers, James Conner, Tyreek Hill, George Kittle, and Joe Alt all out for significant time, that’s got to give the NFL a message.
Tune into The Roundup for NFL Week Five Overreactions!