NFL Week 4 Review

Back for round 4, the NFL returned to our minds on Thursday, Sunday and Monday with several enticing matchups. But before we dive in… POWER RANKINGS!

• Kansas City Chiefs (3-1)

• Buffalo Bills (3-1)

• Philadelphia Eagles (4-0)

• Los Angeles Chargers (2-2)

• Green Bay Packers (2-2)

• Los Angeles Rams (2-2)

• San Francisco 49ers (2-2)

• Baltimore Ravens (2-2)

• Cincinnati Bengals (2-2)

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-2)

Buffalo Bills (3-1) 23, Baltimore Ravens (2-2) 20

The two victims of Miami’s fast-scoring, high-powered offense met on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay to battle it out in the rain. On the first drive, Buffalo’s Josh Allen uncharacteristically struggled moving the ball, and was picked off by Marlon Humphrey after defensive end Calais Campbell tipped the ball on the line. Baltimore’s finally healthy running back J.K. Dobbins got two touches in a row and punched the ball into the endzone. Buffalo drove back down the field and kicked a field goal, to which Baltimore responded with a LOT of running plays to eventually end the drive with another J.K. Dobbins score. Devin Singletary fumbled the next drive, and Baltimore capitalized with a Justin Tucker field goal from 42-yards out.

After Buffalo punted yet again, it seemed that the game was all but over. However, Buffalo dug in on defense, only allowing three to get through the posts as Baltimore took a 20-3 loss. Little did Baltimore know that those points would be their last of the game. After 3-and-outs by both sides, Buffalo finally got down the field and punched a score into the end zone, milking almost all of the clock in the process. After halftime, Buffalo’s defense, with momentum from their recent stops, forced the Ravens into a three-and-out. Buffalo put together a nice long drive for a field goal, and it was at that moment I realized what made this game so weird: Buffalo was playing the short game, with lots of slants, quick outs and draws. This, in my opinion, makes Buffalo’s already potent offense even scarier, showcasing their ability to finesse the clock, and that they don’t just need big chunk plays to get the offense downfield. After forcing another Baltimore punt, Buffalo punched the ball in the end zone on a Josh Allen touchdown run to make the score 20-20. The strangest play of the weekend followed. Lamar threw a pass that was batted-up and lost in the rain for a few seconds, and then the Ravens found it… in the hands of Bills’ safety Jordan Poyer. However, Buffalo was unable to do much with the turnover, and Baltimore appeared to have three points in the bag as they got down the field, but Lamar made an ill-advised throw into the endzone, resulting in Jordan Poyer making another acrobatic interception.

Buffalo then made another long, incremental drive downfield, and Tyler Bass nailed a 21-yard field goal to win, completing the 17-point comeback.

Buffalos’ Next Matchup: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-3)

Buffalos’ Top Fantasy Performer (PPR): Josh Allen, QB (24.52)

Ravens’ Next Matchup: vs. Cincinnati Bengals (2-2)

Ravens’ Top Fantasy Performer (PPR): J.K. Dobbins, RB (22.3)

Fun Facts:

• Despite having played nine games against Baltimore in his career, this game marked the first time Jordan Poyer intercepted a Ravens’ quarterback.
• 2018 Ravens vs Bills was the first game Lamar Jackson appeared in.
• This was J.K. Dobbins first game against the Bills.
• All-Pro Cornerback Tre’ Davious White did not play due to an ACL tear.

Minnesota Vikings (3-1) 28, New Orleans Saints (1-3) 25

New Orleans was banged up heading into London, missing Michael Thomas, Alvin Kamara, and Jameis Winston. Chris Olave, their rookie, was their #1 option on offense. The running game would be non-existent. However, one thing could change all that. One thing had the power to swing the entire game. One thing could turn this sure-fire Saints loss into a 49-3 blowout. That one thing was… Primetime Kirk Cousins. Kirk, 10-18 on primetime, was playing in the Sunday Morning slot due to London timing. Despite everything pointing to NOLA losing this game, Kirk could change that. He could be the hero Louisiana needed. Unfortunately, that feeling was buried with a long drive downfield for a touchdown on Sota’s first possession with a pass to backup running back Alexander Mattison for a 15-yard touchdown. Both teams did nothing with their next two possessions, but Cousins flashed glimpses of Primetime Cousins with a duck of a throw intended for Irv Smith Jr. that was intercepted by Tyrann Mathieu.

New Orleans turned the turnover into six points, with some smooth route running by Chris Olave. After punts from both sides again, Justin Jefferson helped get the Vikes into field goal range, and Greg Joseph nailed a field goal. New Orleans attempted to get some points before the half, but Andy Dalton fumbled on a strip sack deep in Saints’ territory that set up a 36-yard field goal. After a punt to start the half, Minnesota seemingly stalled out of their drive and punted the ball away. However, it seems that New Orleans disguised Andy Dalton and put him on kick return duty, as the returner muffed the punt and gave Minnesota the ball back. Like the first fumble, this one resulted in a Greg Joseph field goal to put the Vikings up 16-7. On the Saints’ next drive, a big play from Andy Dalton to Marquez Callaway set up a Latavius Murray touchdown, cutting the deficit to just two points. Minnesota stalled out on the Saints’ side of the field, so they settled for yet another field goal on their next drive. The Saints then marched down the field and took their first lead of the game on a Taysom Hill touchdown and converted a two-point try to make the game 22-19. On the next drive, two big penalties from Saints’ secondary superstars Tyrann Mathieu and Marshon Lattimore got the Vikings downfield, and this time they finally punched the ball in the end zone with a jet sweep to Justin Jefferson. New Orleans drove right back down the field and kicked a field goal, good from 60-yards out by Wil Lutz. However, Minnesota got big chunk plays from Dalvin Cook and Justin Jefferson to get into field goal range yet again, and Greg Joseph had no problem nailing his 5th kick of the day. Wil Lutz, however, did have problems. Dalton was able to maneuver the Saints into field goal range with just 24 seconds, but Lutz, channeling his inner Cody Parkey, summoned the spirit of a thousand Roberto Aguyos, a million Randy Bullocks, and a BILLION Rodrigo Blankenships, and hit two goalposts to miss the game-tying field goal as time expired in London.

Safe to say he won’t be going out on Bourbon Street anytime soon.

Vikings’ Next Matchup: vs. Chicago Bears (2-2)

Vikings’ Top Fantasy Performer (PPR): Justin Jefferson, WR (31.0)

Saints’ Next Matchup: vs. Seattle Seahawks (2-2)

Saints’ Top Fantasy Performer (PPR): Chris Olave, WR (16.7)

Fun Facts:

• Lutz’s double-doink was the first one to ever occur in London. Double-doink has gone global!!
• This was the fourth team Andy Dalton has played against the Vikings. (Cincinnati, Dallas, Chicago)
• This was Dalvin Cooks’ first game against the Saints where he had neither a touchdown nor one hundred scrimmage yards.
• Tyrann Mathieu has played against the Vikings three different times, with three different teams. (Cardinals, Chiefs)

Green Bay Packers (3-1) 27, New England Patriots (1-3) 24 (OT)

Nobody had expectations for this game. Everybody thought that Rodgers and the star-studded Packers would cruise to an easy victory over the Mac Jones-less New England Patriots. That feeling was reaffirmed before kickoff when Brian Hoyer was taken out after two series on the field. They had a rookie out of Western Kentucky playing. They were toast. Unfortunately, the Packers forgot that running backs hadn’t been completely phased out of existence yet. They had a field goal on their first drive off the backs of Rhamondre Stevenson and Damien Harris. Patriots’ rookie cornerback Jack Jones then forced Green Bay rookie wideout Romeo Doubs to fumble, but New England did nothing with the football. After punts from both sides, Green Bay’s Christian Watson ran a jet sweep into the end zone from fifteen yards out. Both offenses then went into hibernation, with 4 straight punts, then Bailey Zappe being strip-sacked by Rashaan Gary. We then saw a very rare Aaron Rodgers Pick-6, with Jack Jones also getting the interception to put the Pats up 10-7 at the half.

Green Bay started the second half strong with a touchdown pass to Robert Tonyan, but Zappe answered right back with a touchdown strike to offseason addition Devante Parker. Rodgers then got the Packers in field goal range to get three, but the white-hot Pats added on to their lead with a Damien Harris touchdown run. Rodgers continued throwing the ball downfield, hitting Romeo Doubs with a touchdown score. Nobody scored for the rest of the half, meaning we got FIVE quarters of football. Green Bay went 3 & Out on their first possession, giving the Pats a chance to win. Unfortunately, Happy Zappe and the Pats ran out of magic, punting the ball back to Rodgers & Co, who got into field goal range to set up Mason Crosby with the game-winning 31-yard kick.

Packers’ Next Matchup: vs. New York Giants (3-1)

Packers’ Top Fantasy Performer (PPR): Allen Lazard, WR (17.6)

Patriots’ Next Matchup: vs. Detroit Lions (1-3)

Patriots’ Top Fantasy Performer (PPR): Damien Harris, RB (15.4)

AROUND THE LEAGUE:

• Tua Tagovailoa was injured in a Thursday Night showdown against the Cincinnati Bengals. The injury, which caused Tua to seize up on the field, possibly due to a prior concussion, overshadowed Joe Burrow’s big day. The White-Out at Paycor Stadium also showcased the first of several alternate helmets showcased this season. Bengals beat the Dolphins, 27-15.

• • The Los Angeles Chargers beat the Houston Texans 34-24. Running Backs for both teams had field days, with Texans’ rookie Dameon Pierce breaking off a 75-yard touchdown run. On the other side of the ball, Austin Ekeler made fantasy owners happy with 3 all-purpose touchdowns and over 100 all-purpose yards.
  • Cooper Rush is now 4-0 as a starting quarterback. CeeDee Lamb put together another complete game with 6 catches for 97 yards and a touchdown. Trevon Diggs had a pick as the Cowboys beat the Commanders 25-10.
  • As shocking as it may be, the Detroit Lions have the league’s number one offense. Unfortunately, the defense let Geno Smith and Rashaad Penny walk all over them in a 48-45 shootout win for Seattle. What’s even more impressive about the Lions’ victory is that quarterback Jared Goff was without top weapons Amon-Ra St. Brown and D’Andre Swift. However, T.J. Hockenson stepped up in a big way even though Detroit lost.

• Indianapolis came back to earth very quickly after last weeks’ win against Kansas City. Derrick Henry continued to own the Colts on the ground, as Ryan Tannehill was respectable through the air in a 24-17 victory for Tennessee. Jonathan Taylor had a terrible game averaging just 2.1 YPC on 20 carries, and he sustained a minor ankle injury late in the game. Matt Ryan fumbled twice again in this game.

• • What happens when you run out of quarterbacks? The New York Giants found out. Starter Daniel Jones and backup Tyrod Taylor got hurt, and the G-Men were forced to run out of wildcat formation for the rest of the game. Maybe Chicago should consider doing the same, as Justin Fields looked bad against a terrible Giants defense. Saquon Barkley had another monster game with 146 rushing yards in the Giants’ 20-12 victory.

• Philadelphia bounced back from early scares to beat Jacksonville 29-21. Trevor Lawrence of Jacksonville turned the football over 5 times, fumbling 4 times and being picked off once. Despite the loss, Jacksonville still sits atop the AFC South at 2-2. The Eagles encountered road bumps in this game, going down 14-0 early and Jalen Hurts throwing his second interception of the season. However, they are now the only undefeated team in the league.

• Mitch Trubisky was finally benched for rookie QB Kenny Pickett in Pittsburgh, and the results were…. underwhelming. Pickett was intercepted three times and fumbled once, but he rushed for two scores in a 24-20 loss to the New York Jets. Zach Wilson played okay, and Pittsburgh receiver George Pickens went off for 102 yards. Zach Wilson also caught a touchdown pass, marking the first touchdown caught by a QB in the 2022 season.

• • Much to the chagrin of fantasy football players, Kyler Murray appears to have been affected by the new COD beta tests. He didn’t play bad per se; he just wasn’t his usual self, only throwing for 207 yards in the Cardinals’ 26-16 win over Carolina. Speaking of fantasy football, D.J. Moore owners are punching walls over Baker Mayfield’s inability to throw accurate passes to Carolina’s superstar wide receiver.

• Las Vegas got their first win of the season in a 32-23 win over the disoriented Denver Broncos. Russell Wilson came out to play, but the rest of the Broncos’ offense did not. Meanwhile, Raiders’ running back Josh Jacobs went for 144 yards and two touchdowns in an impressive performance.

• Patrick Mahomes spread the ball around in a 41-31 victory over Tampa Bay. Running Back Clyde Edwards-Helaire ran for more yards than all Buccaneer’s rushers combined, but Tom Brady torched the skies with almost 400 passing yards and three touchdowns. Mike Evans had a great return after his suspension, with 8 catches for over 100 yards and two touchdowns on the day in the loss.

• If you like old-school ground and-pound football, you would have loved every second of Falcons vs Browns. Neither offense could do much of anything as Cleveland’s Nick Chubb and Atlanta’s Tyler Allgeier led both dismal passing offenses downfield on separate occasions. In the end, it was Cleveland’s Jacoby Brisset who was forced to throw the football to get Cleveland downfield, and he couldn’t, as Atlanta’s Dee Alford intercepted Brisset to end the game. The final score was 23-20 Falcons.

For the first time since 2016, Rams coach Sean McVay failed to score a touchdown. Matthew Stafford was under pressure all night, forcing him to make quick throws and take six sacks, and had one pick-six to Talanoa Hufanga. The 49ers dominated in Levi Stadium and won the contest, 24-9. McVay has still never beaten the 49ers in the regular season.