NFL Week 4 Takeaways: What We Learned (2022)
It was a high-scoring Week 4 in the NFL, and here are some reflections and things we learned as a result.
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Minnesota Vikings 28 – New Orleans 25
Footy
The international audience loves kicking, and those in attendance got their money’s worth. Minnesota QB Kirk Cousins nearly confused this game for prime-time, but Minnesota was able to gut out a three-point win thanks in part to the reincarnation of the ‘double-doink.’
Minnesota remains atop the NFC North, but this outcome leaves much to be desired of the Vikings.
As for the Saints, it is hard to critique when the team lacks so many important players on offense. Hopefully, this team can get healthy sooner than later because the window may be open in the NFC South.
Atlanta Falcons 23 – Cleveland Browns 20
I Don’t Believe the Boxscore
Falcons QB Marcus Mariota completed seven passes in this game, and Atlanta quite literally bulldozed their way to a win. This is exactly what the Falcons want to be: offensively ungovernable. The team’s usage of TE Kyle Pitts and WR Drake London can be annoying, but any frustrations are certainly remedied by a surprising 2-2 start.
The Browns helped Atlanta win this game, but the Falcons are weirdly good. Expect the team’s unique offensive attack to give lesser teams fits all season.
Dallas Cowboys 25 – Washington Commanders 10
No Plan in DC
The Cowboys’ defense continues to shine, and Washington fans continue to grow restless. The Commanders quickly descended to the bottom of the NFC hierarchy, and the team’s incompetence is inexcusable.
Quarterback Carson Wentz deserves criticism, but so does the team’s personnel department. This offense is exactly what it was built to be: one of the worst units in the NFL. Brace for a long season in D.C.
Seattle Seahawks 48 – Detroit Lions 45
One of the Best Shows on TV
It is as though the Lions are perpetual 4-point underdogs, with their only purpose being to cover a backdoor spread.
Detroit struggled early, and rightfully so. The offense was missing its two most crucial playmakers in RB D’Andre Swift and WR Amon-Ra St. Brown. Regardless, any initial optimism surrounding the Lions is surely dwindling. The team’s defense is Swiss-cheese, and their lone win versus Washington grows less stellar by the week. As former Lions QB Dan Orlovsky tweeted: ‘If the Lions had a bad defense, they’d be 3-1.’
Notwithstanding the team’s disappointing start, the Lions are one of the best shows on TV. I’ll be betting their over for the remainder of the season.
Tennessee Titans 24 – Indianapolis Colts 17
Quitting the Colts
Any goodwill the Colts had following their surprising victory versus the Chiefs is surely gone. This team is really bad. The offensive line is supposed to be the team’s strength, but they have perpetually failed at protecting veteran QB Matt Ryan and at opening up rushing lanes for RB Jonathan Taylor.
Furthermore, the Colts’ offense continually stalled in opposing territory, as it has done so consistently this season. Schematically, what are the Colts to do to ignite this offense? The team has arguably the weakest receiving corps in the NFL, an immobile QB, and a struggling O-Line. It may be time to give up on Indianapolis.
New York Giants 20 – Chicago Bears 12
Cool Uniforms
Aesthetically, this game was very pleasing… But watching it had to be miserable.
It was encouraging to see Chicago QB Justin Fields’ rapport with WR Darnell Mooney on brief display; however, the second-year signal-caller struggled yet again. Giants QB Daniel Jones didn’t play much better, and the New York staff appears to have found more utility in his legs than his right arm. Regardless, the Giants are ‘the worst 3-1 team in the NFL’ with an opportunity to change the narrative were they to beat Green Bay in London this Sunday.
Philadelphia Eagles 29 – Jacksonville Jaguars 21
X-0
It was a valiant effort by the Jaguars, but the deficit between these two teams became clear as the game progressed. Second-year QB Trever Lawrence showed his age for the first time this season, and his five!! turnovers were too much to overcome for Jacksonville.
Conversely, the Eagles have one of the best rosters in the NFL, and the team flexed its muscles after spotting Jacksonville fourteen points in the first quarter. Expect Philly, the lone 4-0 team in the NFL, to continue to roll. Philly is currently favored to win every game on the remainder of their schedule.
New York Jets 24 – Pittsburgh Steelers 20
Zach Wilson Can Boogie
Say what you will about Zach Wilson’s rookie season, but this performance is exactly what New York Jets fans have been hoping to see. Wilson was far from stellar for much of this game, but the young gun-slinger was near perfect in the fourth quarter. Historically, young QBs don’t lead game-winning drives in Pittsburgh… and Zach Wilson did just that.
As for the Steelers, this was a really weird spot to throw in rookie QB Kenny Pickett. The Steelers play the Bills, Bucs, Dolphins, and Eagles for the rest of the month… welcome to the NFL, rookie.
Buffalo Bills 23 – Baltimore Ravens 20
Round One — Buffalo
Consecutive blown leads at home are far from the start Baltimore fans were hoping for, but neither loss will derail this team’s season, nor should it cause panic. The inability to hold onto such fourth-quarter leads is concerning, and some criticism of the Baltimore coaching staff is warranted. However, it would be foolish to suggest the Ravens aren’t among the NFL’s elite, and QB Lamar Jackson is in the conversation for best player in football.
Conversely, Buffalo QB Josh Allen is an alien and very much willed his offense to this comeback victory. The weather in Baltimore prevented this game from being the offensive explosion many had hoped for, but hopefully, we will see these teams matched up again in January.
Los Angeles Chargers 34 – Houston Texans 24
Necessary Bounce-back
The Chargers needed this win in every way. A popular preseason Super Bowl pick, L.A. was reeling from consecutive losses, and a loss to the lowly Texans could have derailed their season.
Even still, be skeptical about the Chargers moving forward. The injuries to the team are a legitimate hindrance and likely to be exploited when faced with tougher competition. Thankfully, the Chargers’ mid-season schedule is favorable. If this team can keep their heads above water, they may still very well be in the mix come January.
Arizona Cardinals 26 – Carolina Panthers 16
Turn Off the TV
It is almost painful watching the Panthers’ offense go to work. Quarterback Baker Mayfield continues to play erratically, and the team’s skill position players are both misused and underutilized. It is only appropriate that Carolina was matched up with a similarly frustrating Offensive unit in Arizona. God bless you if you watched the entirety of this game.
There is no light at the end of the tunnel, Panthers fans. Spare yourselves. Turn off the TV.
Las Vegas Raiders 32 – Denver Broncos 23
Free Money Las Vegas
With every week, it becomes clearer that Nathanial Hackett should not be a Head Coach in the NFL and, more likely than not, will not be after this season. The Broncos offense was entirely too reliant on chunk plays and easily stalled when Hackett tried to force the run game in the second half.
Regarding the Raiders, this was a necessary win. The team’s efficiency running the ball was surprising, and QB Derek Carr’s rapport with All-Pro WR Davante Adams was excellent versus an exceptional Denver secondary. A crucial Monday Night Football match with the Chiefs looms for Las Vegas.
Green Bay Packers 27 – New England Patriots 24
Reason(s) to Worry
It could/should be argued that this game was not as close as a game-winning field goal in OT, but this victory should be concerning for Packers fans.
The Patriots were forced to thrust rookie backup QB Bailey Zappe into action early, and not even his futility was a handicap large enough for Green Bay to win this game in regulation. The Packers struggled to convert any chunk plays on offense, and the defense was consistently gashed by an obviously focal New England rushing attack.
Be glad that you are 3-1, Green Bay. But the team’s offensive prowess of years past certainly appears to be capped in 2022.
Kansas City Chiefs 41 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31
Is it Monday (10/10/2022) Yet?
Tampa was forced to abandon the run game immediately, and a defense held in high esteem was exploited by an offense of a similar caliber.
The Buccaneers’ defensive struggles were alarming, but Tampa’s loss is not entirely discouraging. The anemic offense of the Buccaneers finally had some juice and accounted for nearly as many points in this game as it had all season. Expect the Bucs newfound offensive rhythm to continue, and this loss will likely be a footnote of another successful season in TB.
Back to KC: Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense reminded us of their greatness, and I can’t wait to watch them do it once again on Monday Night Football.
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