Week four once again showed that on any given Sunday any team in the NFL can play tough and several teams even in defeat gained a lot of credit.
The NFC North continues to look the strongest division as Green Bay and Detroit (yes I did say Detroit) are now the only 4-0 teams, while Chicago continue to cling on in their at 2-2 thanks to a good win over a better than they look results wise Carolina Panthers. The other NFC North side Minnesota threw away the lead once again and will be resigned to the fact their season ended with that defeat against Kansas City.
The NFC East continues to look interesting – if only because the much vaunted Eagles are 1-3 while the totally written off Redskins top the division at 3-1. Being two games back after 4 is not a disaster, however the eagles will have to stop throwing away games if they are to retain the division.
The Colts lost again and now at 0-4 for the first time since 1998 will have to pray that Peyton Manning gets his helmet back on asap or their season like the Vikings’s will be over before it starts. Ironically the last time they were 0-4 was Peyton’s rookie season. To be fair they have not played all that badly but with an ugly schedule things will have to start coming right really quick if they are to continue their run of playoff appearances. Main Divisional Rivals the Houston Texans had a big win against Pittsburgh, while the Titans continue to both surprise and impress with a nice win against the Browns.
Buffalo’s 100% record ended against the Bengals despite them leading 17-3 at the half which allowed New England to join them on 3-1 after they won in Oakland. The Jets continued to stutter losing btheir second consecutive game, however the Ravens defense were outstanding on the night and we are of the opinion whoever the Ravens had played that night they would have won.
Although they ended up losing there was a lot to like about the performances from Arizona and Seattle, both of whom pushed genuine playoff contenders hard before finally succumbing.The Cardinals had a 10 point lead going into the final 4 minutes, before two lat TDs gave the Giants the win, and Seattle who trailed 27-7 early in the third battled back well to give the Falcons an anxious last few minutes before losing 30-28.
Cam Newton continued his remarkable start in the NFL putting up 374 yards of passing and running for two TDs as the Panthers showed they will be a winning team again soon. Their 543 yards of offense against a good Chicago defense was hugely impressive and once this young team finishes its rebuilding they will be a force to be reckoned with if Newton continues to play like this. Newton has averaged 346.5 yards per game in his opening four and Rookie of the year looks a distinct possibility.
Again we stumbled with our predictions ending 9-7 leaving us at 40-24 on the season.
Week Four Results in Full
Detroit 34, Dallas 30
Chicago 34, Carolina 29
Cincinnati 23, Buffalo 20
Tennessee 31, Cleveland 13
Kansas City 22, Minnesota 17
Washington 17, St. Louis 10
New Orleans 23, Jacksonville 10
Houston 17, Pittsburgh 10
San Francisco 24, Philadelphia 23
NY Giants 31, Arizona 27
Atlanta 30, Seattle 28
San Diego 26, Miami 16
New England 31, Oakland 19
Green Bay 49, Denver 23
Baltimore 34, NY Jets 17
MONDAY Night
Tampa Bay 24, Indianapolis 17