Week 4 Review
So Close, Yet So Far
This week I am taking a look at three teams who lost in devastating fashion last weekend.
1. Jaguars
The Jaguars got the benefit of playing an Andrew Luck-less Colts team on Sunday, and they were able to put themselves in a position to win. Unfortunately, rookie kicker Jason Myers couldn't close the door. Jacksonville was able to drive down the field and set up a 53-yard game-winning field goal in the closing seconds. Myers went out and missed it wide right, but Indianapolis had called a timeout just before the snap. So, having gotten a second chance, Myers lined up again, and missed it right again (though not as far right). The game went into overtime, and after punts by both teams, Myers had another chance to redeem himself. This time it was a 48-yard field goal for the win... and it went wide left. The colts then marched down the field and made the game-winning field goal.
2. Browns
This one also involves field goals, but it ends differently. Facing San Diego, Browns Quarterback Josh McCown led a fourth quarter touchdown drive down eight that included a magnificent catch by tight end Gary Barnidge (who later scored the touchdown). They went for two and succeeded, tying the game at 27 with just over two minutes to go. Phillip Rivers drove down the field to set up the game-winning 39-yard field goal from Josh Lambo. However, Lambo missed it to the right, presumably sending the game into overtime. But Browns cornerback Tramon Williams was called for offside on the kick, giving Lambo another chance, this time from 34 yards, which he promptly put through as time expired. Williams said this week that the NFL had admitted that he wasn't offside, but the NFL denied that.
3. Lions
The Lions faced a tough task of trying to get their first win against Seattle on Monday Night Football, but they were able to stay in the game thanks to two Russell Wilson fumbles, one of them returned for a touchdown. Detroit had the ball in the redzone with under two minutes to go, and Calvin Johnson caught a pass that looked like it could go for a touchdown. But at the one-yard-line, Seattle safety Kam Chancellor came up from behind and punched the ball out. If that wasn't bad enough for the Lions, a former referee later said that Seattle linebacker K.J. Wright should have been called for an "illegal bat" after batting the ball out of the endzone, which would have given the Lions first and goal.
Plays of the Week
Aside from the strip by Kam Chancellor great catch by Gary Barnidge, there was this David Tyree-like interception by Janoris Jenkins, this great non-catch by Odell Beckham Jr., this WWE takedown by Mario Williams, any run by Todd Gurley, and this fortuitous bounce for the Panthers against Tampa Bay, shown above. Carolina running back Jonathan Stewart had the ball knocked out by a defender, right into the hands of streaking tight end Ed Dickson, who ran it 57 yards for the touchdown.
Plays of the Weak
This week's "Plays of the Weak" go to celebrations. I'm not saying these are bad, or "weak", celebrations, they're just a little interesting. After Saints running back Mark Ingram scored a go-ahead touchdown against Dallas Sunday night, he gave a referee some love. I don't think that's what the referee was looking for. Elsewhere, there was this, this, and this. There were also some touchdown celebrations that were unnecessarily penalized/fined, including pony-riding celebrations in Tampa and New Orleans and "naptime" in Arizona. Oh, there was also this great quote from Seahawks defensive tackle Michael Bennett.
Game of the Week
Raiders 20, Bears 22
The Bears got their first win of the season Sunday against the trending Raiders, thanks to strong games from quarterback Jay Cutler (in his return), running back Matt Forte, and tight end Martellus Bennett, A.K.A. "Black Unicorn" (his nickname, not mine). It was close the whole game, and Bears kicker Robbie Gould hit a 49-yard field goal with two seconds left to take the lead. What transpired after that was almost remarkable. Oakland did the good 'ol lateral play on the kickoff return and got it all the way to Chicago's 30-yard-line (aided by an illegal forward pass) before a lateral was picked off to end it.
Top Performances
Falcons RB Devonta Freeman vs. Houston (W 48-21): 14 carries, 68 yards, 3 TD; 5 catches, 81 yards
Freeman continued his scorching play on Sunday against the Texans. He didn't put up a gaudy rushing yardage total again, but he was productive on the ground and through the air, and he had another three touchdown game.
Saints QB Drew Brees vs. Dallas (W 26-20 OT): 33-41, 359 yards, 2 TD
Not only did Brees lead the Saints to their first victory of the season in his return to the lineup, but he also became the fifth player in NFL history (and the fastest) to throw 400 career touchdown passes, and he did it to win the game in overtime on Sunday Night Football.
Panthers CB Josh Norman vs. Tampa Bay (W 37-23): 2 INT, TD, 3 PD
Norman continued to play like a Pro Bowl corner, getting two more picks to give him four on the season, two of which were returned for touchdowns.
Trending Up: Devonta Freeman...The likelihood that the Bengals will win the AFC North...Overtime...Riding the pony...Questionable calls...The "illegal bat" rule...Jeremy Maclin...Duke Johnson...Drew Brees...Dan Quinn.
Trending Down: Kickers...The Browns defense...Calvin Johnson...Tevin Coleman...Joe Philbin (fired by the Dolphins after Sunday's loss in London)...Head coaches after losing in London...Buffalo's running back depth chart.
Week 5 Preview
Quick Picks (Home team listed last)
Last Week: 9-6
Overall: 32-20
Byes: Dolphins, Vikings, Jets, Panthers
Colts 23, Texans 27 (Thursday, 8:25 PM, CBS/NFL)
Browns 24, Ravens 21 (Sunday, 1:00 PM, CBS)
Bears 24, Chiefs 27 (Sunday, 1:00 PM, FOX)
Seahawks 24, Bengals 17 (Sunday, 1:00 PM, FOX)
Redskins 17, Falcons 31 (Sunday, 1:00 PM, FOX)
Jaguars 22, Buccaneers 23 (Sunday, 1:00 PM, CBS)
Saints 37, Eagles 31 (Sunday, 1:00 PM, FOX)
Game to Watch: Rams 28, Packers 31 (Sunday, 1:00 PM, CBS)
The Rams, coming off a big win over the previously unbeaten Cardinals, go to Lambeau to face the undefeated Packers. This should be a good matchup between a strong Rams defense and a strong Packers offense. And now that St. Louis running back Todd Gurley has shown he's healthy and quarterback Nick Foles has looked better, The Rams could knock off the Pack.
Bills 17, Titans 14 (Sunday, 1:00 PM, CBS)
Cardinals 32, Lions 28 (Sunday, 4:05 PM, FOX)
Patriots 34, Cowboys 31 (Sunday, 4:25 PM, CBS)
Broncos 28, Raiders 30 (Sunday, 4:25 PM, CBS)
49ers 35, Giants 28 (Sunday, 8:30 PM, NBC)
Steelers 24, Chargers 31 (Monday, 8:30 PM, ESPN)
Fantasy Sleepers
Rams RB Todd Gurley vs. Green Bay
For those of you who held Gurley for when he completely came back from last year's ACL injury (including myself), you can now confidently start him every week. He showed that he's completely healthy last week when he had 146 yards against Arizona's defense. He probably could have had more, but he's a smart team player, and you have to admire his awareness and intelligence.
Eagles QB Sam Bradford vs. New Orleans
It hasn't been smooth sailing for the many people (including myself) who jumped on the bandwagon before the season, but he's slowly improving along with the rest of the Eagle offense, and he faces a pretty weak pass defense this week.
Chiefs WR Jeremy Maclin vs. Chicago
Maclin seems to have finally broken out in Kansas City's short passing offense, going for 148 yards a week after going for 141 yards. This Sunday he's sure to see a bevy of targets again against a bad Bears defense.
Fantasy Busts
Bengals QB Andy Dalton vs. Seahawks
Dalton has played extremely well thus far, working his way into many fantasy owners' starting lineups. But this week against the Seattle secondary? No thank you.
Lions WR Golden Tate vs. Arizona
Tate only had three catches for 29 yards last week against the Seahawks, and it doesn't get any easier this week vs. Arizona. Plus, he has yet to score a touchdown this season.
Raiders RB Latavius Murray vs. Denver
Murray is questionable for Sunday with a shoulder injury, but regardless of his playing status, their are probably better options this week. He's coming off a rough game in which he had a pass go off his hands for an interception and he fumbled, and the Broncos have one of the best defenses in the NFL.
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