NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
Week 4 of the 2023-24 NFL season is in the books and just like the prior weeks, nothing is guaranteed. Week 4 was another week of total chaos. Favorites fell, rookies played well, vets stumbled, injuries happened and yet, we were on the edge of our seats the entire time. If there was one word to sum up week 4, that would be–hell, I don’t even have one. It was just that insane.
Here are my Top 5 Observations from Week 4 in the NFL.
These Rookie QBs Can Play
Anthony Richardson and CJ Stroud are balling for their respective teams. Combined, they are 3-4 on the season but it goes beyond wins and losses. In time, teams will find the right mix of talent to surround them with. But for now, they’re treading in the right direction.
In Week 4, they went a combined 27-55 for 506 yards, 5 TDs, and 0 INTs. Richardson came back from a concussion and almost led the Colts to a win while Stroud went crazy against the Pittsburgh Steelers. These guys look as if they will be around for quite a while as starters.
The Cincinnati Bengals Are In Trouble
We can sit here and blame the calf of Joe Burrow all we want but something else is off about the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals have surrendered 94 points in 4 games and the offense, well, they no longer resemble the same offense that has torched defenses for the last 2 seasons.
Maybe Burrow needs to sit while he gets healthy and hopefully, a backup can win a few games. But starting the season 1-3, combined with other teams stepping up, the Bengals could find themselves out of the playoffs pretty early.
Zach Wilson And Justin Fields Earned Another Week
Both QBs were on the verge of being benched. Maybe not Justin Fields but Wilson, he was damn close. However, even though both the Chicago Bears and New York Jets lost this weekend, both QBs showed they can play at this level. Fields has regressed this season and you couple that with his remarks to the press, and things were not looking good for him.
In New York, fans were calling for the Jets to make a trade and bench Wilson. But he showed up and out against the Kansas City Chiefs in an offense finally designed for him to succeed. But can they both keep up this level of play and get their teams out of the holes they find themselves in?
That Rams Offense Will Be Scary
Whenever Cooper Kupp returns, the Los Angeles Rams will be a force. Matthew Stafford, Kyren Williams, and Puka Nacua are a trio to be reckoned with, and then you throw in Kupp, Oh My!! In Week 4, Stafford threw for 319 yards and 1 TD while Williams rushed for 103 yards and 2 TDs. Then you have the rookie receiver out of BYU who caught 10 passes for 163 yards and 1 TD.
Teams are having a hard time guarding Nacua so what will happen when Kupp returns to the opposite side? It’s not “The Greatest Show on Turf” but it’s a high-powered offensive attack that should not be taken lightly.
Good Teams Win With Balance
The Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Buffalo Bills, and Kansas City Chiefs all have great QBs. But in this league, it takes more to win than a high-paid signal caller. The reason these teams stay atop the Division and Conferences is that they have great balance. Offense, Defense, and Special Teams.
Dak Prescott, Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts or even Brock Purdy don’t have to pass for 300+ yards a game for their respective teams to win every week. That’s what defense and special teams are for. While the Eagles and 49ers are undefeated, they have done so with kicking, defense, and a strategic offense. This is how a good team stays on top. Forget the offensive yardage, it takes all 3 phases to win in the NFL and all these teams proved that in Week 4.
