NFL Week 4 overreactions and reality checks: Has the game passed Bill Belichick by? Are Dolphins paper tigers?

Week 4 in the NFL was once a loopy one, particularly in the early slate of Sunday afternoon video games. The Washington Commanders just about dissatisfied the Philadelphia Eagles in time beyond regulation, whilst the Denver Broncos had a livid comeback in opposition to the Chicago Bears. The Dallas Cowboys overwhelmed the New England Patriots and the Houston Texans destroyed the Pittsburgh Steelers. The San Francisco 49ers remained unbeaten and the Cincinnati Bengals persevered to battle. 

There have been numerous reactions to what took place, however which of them are overreactions and which might be reality? Let’s have a look.

Matt Eberflus must now not be the head trainer of Bears subsequent week 

Overreaction or reality: Reality 

Something must be carried out in Chicago if the Bears need to flip issues round — or do they (extra on that during somewhat)? The Bears blew a 21-point lead, matching the biggest blown lead in franchise historical past. They have misplaced 14 directly video games and Justin Fields has been the beginning quarterback in 12 consecutive losses (the longest via any first-round quarterback since Archie Manning). Fields threw for 335 yards and 4 touchdowns and nonetheless took the loss, as the Bears have allowed 25-plus issues in 14 directly video games. 

Eberflus was once a part of the cave in, going for it on fourth-and-1 at the Broncos’ 18 as an alternative of kicking a box function with 2:52 left in a 28-28 game. The Bears have been filled, and the ball was once taken out of Fields’ arms. 

The Bears recently personal the No. 1 and No. 2 choices in the NFL draft. Perhaps there is a solution to why they’re shedding at this level, however Eberflus may not closing the season. He almost definitely should not be the head trainer subsequent week. 

The Dolphins are paper tigers 

Overreaction or reality: Overreaction

A blowout loss to Buffalo mustn’t squash any Super Bowl hopes in Miami, however it is a dangerous loss for the Dolphins — particularly since they were given to play in Buffalo on the first day of October. The Bills protection close down the Dolphins’ offense from making large performs, as they simply had 4 of 20-plus yards. Miami averaged 7.5 yards in line with raise and had 142 yards dashing, but nonetheless may just most effective muster 20 issues. 

The Bills — particularly Josh Allen — simply have the Dolphins’ quantity. Allen went 21 of 25 for 320 yards with 4 passing touchdowns and a dashing ranking (very best 158.3 score) as Miami’s protection had no resolution for him or Stefon Diggs (six catches, 120 yards, 3 touchdowns). Miami most effective pressured Buffalo to punt two times out of the 10 possessions that did not lead to the finish of the part or game.

The Dolphins are nonetheless AFC East and convention contenders. Buffalo simply has Miami’s quantity. 

The NFL’s offensive game has passed Bill Belichick via

Overreaction or reality: Reality 

The Patriots did not even belong on the similar box as the Dallas Cowboys of their 38-3 blowout loss, the biggest lack of Belichick’s profession. This is the 3rd directly season the Patriots have began 1-3 and the offense is not any higher than it was once closing yr. 

New England has 55 issues via 4 video games, the lowest since 2000 for the franchise (Belichick’s first yr). The Patriots went scoreless on their ultimate 10 drives of the game.

Belichick can nonetheless trainer protection with the easiest of them, however offense laws in these days’s NFL. The Patriots have not had that offensive spark since Tom Brady left in 2019, one thing to contemplate when debating if Brady in reality was once the one who made Belichick one in every of the largest head coaches ever. 

Belichick can nonetheless trainer, however he simply does not appear to get the proper offensive items on his group. Mac Jones getting benched is not going to assist issues.

Joe Burrow must take some video games off

Overreaction or reality: Reality 

It was once any other brutal trip for Burrow as the Bengals have been blown out via the Titans. Burrow completed 20 of 30 for 165 yards with out a touchdowns and no interceptions in the 27-3 loss, including to his struggles as the Bengals are off to a 1-3 get started. Burrow
has the fewest yards in line with strive (4.8) via 4 group video games via any quarterback in any season since 1950 (minimal 150 makes an attempt).

The Bengals have scored simply 49 issues in 4 video games. Remember they have got Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Joe Mixon on their roster. In the previous two video games, Burrow is 46 of 79 for 424 yards with out a touchdowns and two turnovers. Chase desires the ball and Higgins has 3 video games having beneath 25 yards receiving.

The Bengals are a large number on offense and Burrow’s calf is not getting any higher. Perhaps a couple of video games leisure would do their franchise quarterback some excellent, although it prices Cincinnati video games in the procedure. The Bengals are shedding with Burrow, anyway. 

Replacing Matt Canada might be the alternate made via Mike Tomlin

Overreaction or reality: Reality 

The Steelers offense hit a brand new low level in Sunday’s loss to the Texans. They scored simply six issues and tallied simply 225 yards of offense in the blowout loss, their 52nd directly game with out 400 overall yards (the longest streak since the 2009-2013 Arizona Cardinals).

Kenny Pickett was once simply 15 of 23 for 114 yards and an interception ahead of exiting the game with a knee harm. The Steelers did not ranking till the 2d part and had 53 yards at halftime on 24 performs.

Head trainer Mike Tomlin stated the Steelers have “got to make some changes” after the loss, which must get started with Canada. Pittsburgh is twenty fifth in overall yards since Canada changed into offensive coordinator in 2021 and thirty first in yards in line with play. They also are twenty sixth in issues scored in that span.

Pickett is not making improvements to and the offensive line has been atrocious during Canada’s reign. May be time for a transformation. 

Eagles are the easiest group in the NFC 

Overreaction or reality: Overreaction 

The Eagles are 4-0 for the 2d consecutive season, however the reigning NFC champions are not dominating combatants like closing yr. One week the operating game is superb and the passing game is off. One week the protection can close down the move and the subsequent week groups are changing large performs in opposition to the secondary. 

Philadelphia wanted time beyond regulation to overcome Washington on Sunday, attending to 4-0 in the procedure. Jalen Hurts had his easiest game of the yr, however the operating game was once off and the offense went 4 of 12 on 3rd down. The protection gave up a landing move with out a time left in law, however were given bailed out via Ron Rivera now not going for 2 and the win — permitting them to power a three-and-out in time beyond regulation (the 2d probability they wanted). 

The Eagles are one in every of two unbeaten groups left and have numerous ability, however they’re seeking to piece the whole lot in combination. San Francisco is 4-0 and enjoying really well each and every unmarried week, however in fact it is only the first day of October. 

Philadelphia is aware of tips on how to win, and that is sufficient at the moment. They do want to blank some issues up, however are making well timed performs to make sure victories.