Week 4 NFL Recap

[bayala]

Let's check in on the FOH tipping comp. El Pres is trying his hardest to win and avoid handing out a prize by the looks of it. 

 

HOT TAKES

1. Overtime thrillers

3 games went into overtime this week and all three winners picked up much needed wins. That's 6 overtime games already this season. The record stands at 26 (Including playoffs) in 2002/03. Could the record be broken this year?

2. Small Margins for Error

9 of the 15 games were decided by 1 score or less this week. Smart QB play is at a premium and the teams winning the turnover battle are benefiting in these high scoring affairs where 1 error decides a game. 

3. Showtime Mahomes

The clutch play continues from the redshirt sophomore. His left-handed completion to Kareem Hunt on a crucial 3rd & 5 was unreal. Interestingly, despite his big plays the Chiefs have only won by 10 points or less in all 4 of their games. Is a slump around the corner?

4. Which division is the best in the NFL?

AFC North? AFC South? NFC North? NFC South? Its incredibly tight and reflects the overall quality and closeness of the league at the moment. My pick is the NFC north for now. 

5. Pats bounce back

A lot of you were quick to shoot down the suggestions that the Pats were on the slide last week. They responded in strong fashion against the previously undefeated dolphins. Do they go on a run now? or were the Dolphins punching above their weight? I did have the dolphins as one of the worst 3-0 teams in recent memory. 

 

COLD TAKES

1. Steelers woes continue

The bell holdout continues and this team is on the verge of a mutiny. Just like watching a car crash, you shouldn't watch but you cant look away. Thankfully they've got the bye this week. 

2. Defensive players in the media

There were a lot of defensive players complaining in the media this week about the refereeing in the opening 4 weeks. The no-call on the Kareem Hunt lowering the helmet play doesn't help the referees cause. A litany current and former players have come out this week suggesting that QB's wear flags or we play two-handed touch. Not a good luck. 

3. Rookie QB's come back to earth

After starring last week Baker Mayfield and Josh Allen were cut down to size in week 4. Mayfield had 4 turnovers and Josh Allen was sacked numerous times. Through 3.5 games he has been sacked a total of 18 times.  David Carr was sacked an NFL-record 76 times his rookie year. Josh Allen is on pace to be sacked 82 times...

4. Fitzmagic well and truly over

[Laine - ESPN] - Ryan Fitzpatrick: "When I said to my dad after how week 1 went...'I'm either gonna win MVP this year or I'll be back on the bench at some point. That's just the reality of the situation. I wish I could still be out there but that's the way that it goes and I'll accept my role."

5. No Fun League

A bad week gets worse for Earl Thomas: League fined him $10,026 for bowing to the #Cowboys sidelines in week 3. He’ll likely also get fined for the middle finger he gave to his sideline while getting carted off this week. Broken leg, out for the season and without a deal for next year on the wrong side of 30.

[Ken Gargett]

22 minutes ago, bayala said:

 

4. Which division is the best in the NFL?

AFC North? AFC South? NFC North? NFC South? Its incredibly tight and reflects the overall quality and closeness of the league at the moment. My pick is the NFC north for now. 

 

no mention of the NFC Beast? or East? i'm detecting some bias here, Ben. contains the current superbowl champion and they do not even led the division. 

the question should be is the great NFC East headed back to the glory days when the only question was which NFC East team (other than the eagles) would take the superbowl (granted an occasional intrusion by the 49ers). 

[El Presidente]

Nice work Ben in predicting the bucs opening with a 2-2 split before the bye 

[raidercraig]

I had the Raiders-2. I won my bet by the skin of my teeth. Seems most games are so close, two team 6 point teasers used properly ( crossing 3 points combined with crossing 7 points ) is a lot easier 

[bayala]

17 hours ago, Ken Gargett said:

no mention of the NFC Beast? or East? i'm detecting some bias here, Ben. contains the current superbowl champion and they do not even led the division. 

the question should be is the great NFC East headed back to the glory days when the only question was which NFC East team (other than the eagles) would take the superbowl (granted an occasional intrusion by the 49ers). 

C'mon Ken. How am I biased when I didn't even pick my own division? You said the Cowboys were overrated last week, the Eagles aren't the same as last year (fair enough, the Super Bowl hangover is real), Giants are trash and that leaves your Redskins who are the only team in your division over .500 . 

[Ken Gargett]

4 hours ago, bayala said:

C'mon Ken. How am I biased when I didn't even pick my own division? You said the Cowboys were overrated last week, the Eagles aren't the same as last year (fair enough, the Super Bowl hangover is real), Giants are trash and that leaves your Redskins who are the only team in your division over .500 . 

in fairness, your division is rubbish. and don't forget, we are one of only three divisions with a record where only 1 team is below .500. 

love to think you are right about the iggles but i fear that they are just waiting for us to get their season started. given our next two games, also suspect we might soon be under .500 as well