Another week of NFL motion is just about within the books, and identical to that, nearly a quarter of the 2023 season is entire. Week 4 used to be in particular eventful, from the Bills trouncing Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins, to the Broncos scoring 24 unanswered in opposition to the Bears, to the Texans without problems routing the Steelers.
As we evaluate the busy agenda, this is a take a look at one of the largest winners and losers of Week 4:
The Bills quarterback had a tough begin to 2023, however he all however single-handedly halted the Tua Tagovailoa hype teach by means of outdueling the Dolphins’ MVP front-runner at house, guiding a 48-20 victory wherein he slung it to Stefon Diggs comfortably. Miami would possibly nonetheless be a name contender making an allowance for its offensive famous person energy, however it is most certainly time to begin wondering the Vic Fangio-led protection.
Loser: the Bears
Par for the path! But this week would possibly’ve been even worse than the hapless 41-10 drubbing by the hands of the Chiefs. Up 3 rankings on the winless Broncos, Chicago proceeded to cough up 24 unanswered issues, with Justin Fields spoiling his personal four-touchdown breakout with two fourth-quarter turnovers and the coaches deciding in opposition to a overdue go-ahead field-goal check out.
In the 2 video games since his sideline “spat” with shut good friend Jalen Hurts, the Eagles famous person has racked up 18 catches for 306 yards and two rankings, either one of which got here deep in opposition to the Commanders to assist Philly continue to exist Washington, 34-31, in additional time.
Loser: the Steelers
Remember when everybody used to be choosing Pittsburgh to marvel out of the AFC North within the preseason? Fun occasions. QB Kenny Pickett left Sunday’s blowout loss to the Texans (!) because of harm, however even prior to that, all the operation remained dysfunctional. Coach Mike Tomlin vowed later on that adjustments will probably be coming, however the general public may’ve informed you weeks in the past that vary used to be past due.
Per week after the Eagles’ entrance slowed his redemption excursion, Mayfield used to be again at it in opposition to any other tricky protection within the Saints, obviously outplaying Derek Carr on the street and thriving even after Mike Evans left because of harm to ship Tampa Bay to 3-1. He’s nonetheless controlling the ball higher than expected, making the Buccaneers a sleeper to make noise within the NFC playoff image.
Speaking of NFC South QBs, Ridder is headed in the wrong way of Mayfield, throwing back-to-back choices in a preseason-like loss to the Jaguars in London. Eight begins in, he is but to really raise the offense, and his teammates are rising annoyed.
On a day he used to be with out Odell Beckham Jr. and Rashod Bateman, plus were given little potency from his working associates within the backfield, the Ravens QB had no trouble shouldering the weight for Baltimore in opposition to the Browns, scoring 4 occasions and finishing all however 4 of his passes to bury the Deshaun Watson-less competitors. It hasn’t all the time been lovely, however a 3-1 get started in a new machine is promising.
Aside from the truth Baltimore is 3-1 with out totally hitting its stride, Cincinnati can not seem to get out of its personal approach, falling 27-3 to the Titans. Is Joe Burrow wholesome sufficient to be taking part in? Because no matter he is placing on the sector at the moment isn’t profitable. Their offense merely can not push the ball downfield, and now Tee Higgins has a rib harm that might sideline him for a couple of video games.
Rinse and repeat. The rookie fifth-rounder has been simply as, if no longer higher than, the rehabbing Cooper Kupp since Week 1, and that comes with Sunday’s seize nine-catch time out in opposition to the Colts, wherein he had 163 yards and the game-winning rating. Talk about an surprising protection valve in Los Angeles, the place he is primed to be a favourite goal for years yet to come.