NFL Week 4 Recap (Part 1)
Aaron Ranson
October 3, 2022
Thursday Night Football
Miami Dolphins @ Cincinnati Bengals
The 3-0 Miami Dolphins are coming off a short week, travelling to Cincinnati to take on the Bengals just 4 days after their massive divisional win over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. The Bengals are coming off a Cinderella run in last year’s playoffs, but haven’t fared as well as the Dolphins so far this year. The Super Bowl hangover has been in full affect, as the Bengals have gotten off to a lackluster 1-2 start to the season. The game was fairly even through the first quarter, but with 6 minutes left in the half everything changed. Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who had a concussion scare a week earlier, was violently sacked by Bengals defensive tackle Josh Tupou, hitting his head hard off the turf. The hit has spawned controversy for the NFL with questions of whether Tua should have been playing this week at all. The NFLPA neurotrauma consultant who cleared Tagovailoa to return in week 3 has since been fired and the NFL is looking to implement new rules to protect players from head trauma.
The game became a lopsided affair following the injury. The Bengals outscored the Dolphins 20-9 the rest of the way, spearheaded by a 59-yard touchdown strike to Tee Higgins to end the first half.
Final Score: (2-2) Cincinnati Bengals 27
(3-1) Miami Dolphins 15
Sunday Morning London Game
Minnesota Vikings @ New Orleans Saints
NFL fans were treated to an early start on Sunday, as the Vikings and Saints travelled across the pond to play in front of a packed crowd in London. It was a sleepy start to the morning game, but the British fans got their money’s worth down the stretch with 33 second half points. Fittingly, kicking was the story of the game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Saints’ kicker Will Lutz hit a 60-yard boot to tie the game with just under two minutes to go, and then Greg Joseph hit a 47 yarder to take back the lead with 29 seconds to go. Lutz then got another chance to hit a 61-yard kick that would’ve sent the game to overtime, but the extra yard proved to be too much, as he doinked the ball off the uprights and out sealing the game for the Vikings.
Justin Jefferson put up a game high 147 receiving yards and added a rushing TD as the Vikings move to 3-1 on the season.
Final Score: (3-1) Minnesota Vikings 28
(1-3) New Orleans Saints 25
Sunday 1:00pm Games
Buffalo Bills @ Baltimore Ravens
The battle between Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen was slightly stifled by rain, but the game still lived up to the hype. Both teams entered the game at 2-1 on the season, each losing in closely fought games with the Miami Dolphins. Baltimore got off to a roaring start, picking off Josh Allen on the first series of the game and cashing in with a JK Dobbins receiving touchdown a few plays later. Before the Bills could blink, they were behind 17-3, following great drive for a second Dobbins TD and a Devin Singletary fumble that resulted in a Ravens field goal. Justin Tucker made his second kick of the game before the Bills finally cashed in with a 4-yard touchdown reception to Isaiah Mackenzie. With the score 20-10 for the Ravens coming out of halftime, the Bills flipped the switch. Baltimore was shutout for the remainder of the game, on the back of two sacks by the Bills defensive line and two interceptions by Jordan Poyer. Josh Allen ran in an 11-yard touchdown to tie the game at 20-20, then Lamar Jackson marched the Ravens 95 yards to the redzone, only to throw his second interception of the game. Tyler Bass iced the game with a last second field goal, completing the comeback for the Bills.
Baltimore looks to bounce back in week 5 at home against the Cincinnati Bengals and the Bills host the 1-3 Pittsburgh Steelers.
Final Score: (3-1) Buffalo Bills 23
(2-2) Baltimore Ravens 20
New York Jets @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Zach Wilson made his season debut Sunday after injuring his knee in the Jets first preseason game. Joe Flacco held down the fort, but the 2nd overall pick from 2021 looked to take the reins and cement his place as the future of the franchise. The Steelers have had their own QB centric storylines this season, as fans have been calling for their first-round pick Kenny Pickett to replace Mitch Trubisky as the starter. Steelers fans got their wish in the second half, as Steelers coach Mike Tomlin benched Mitch Trubisky after the break. Kenny Pickett showed he can do damage with his legs, scoring two rushing touchdowns, becoming the first rookie quarterback in NFL history to do so in their first game. However, Pickett struggled through the air, throwing 3 interceptions on only 13 attempted throws. The Jets took advantage of those turnovers, scoring a touchdown on a drive after Pickett’s second interception with 3 minutes left in the game. That touchdown would be the difference, as the Steelers lost to the Jets at home and fell to 1-3 on the season.
Final Score: (2-2) New York Jets 24
(1-3) Pittsburgh Steelers 20
Seattle Seahawks @ Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions find themselves in unfamiliar territory, they enter Sunday’s game at Ford Field as the betting favourite. Coach Dan Campbell has turned this franchise around, a rebuild that the Seattle Seahawks hope to emulate over the next few years. Geno Smith has been a viable placeholder at quarterback, and the frisky Seahawks have been more competitive than expected throughout the first three weeks of the season. When looking at this week’s slate of matchups, Sunday’s game in Detroit was the one of the least likely candidates to be a shootout, but that is what we got. Rashaad Penny and Jamaal Williams both filled the stat sheet, each of them eclipsing 100 yards rushing and scoring 2 touchdowns apiece. TJ Hockenson showed why he was a top 10 pick, as he garnered the lion share of the targets with the Lion’s top receiver Amon Ra St. Brown out with an ankle injury. Hockenson tallied 8 receptions for 179 yards and 2 touchdowns in a dominant performance at home. The Lions made a late game push, down 41-31 with 6 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, but after a failed onside kick attempt with a minute left in the game, the deficit proved too much to overcome. The Seahawks improve to 2-2 on the season and are definitely the surprise team of the first quarter of the season. For those keeping track this result is also what analytics experts call a scorigami, meaning that it was the first time in history that a game ended with this exact final score.
Final Score: (2-2) Seattle Seahawks 48
(1-3) Detroit Lions 45
Los Angeles Chargers @ Houston Texans
Austin Ekeler has been strangely quiet to open the season for the Chargers. The probowl running back was tied for the most touchdowns (20) of any player last season, but has yet to score this season. That all changed today, as he put up a monumental effort for his team. Ekeler cashed in 109 all-purpose yards and 3 touchdowns, proving that the committee backfield the Chargers had been employing for the first three games of the season may have been a mistake. Los Angeles exploded out of the gate, and went into halftime up 24-7. Houston would own the third quarter, scoring two touchdowns and bringing the lead to within a field goal. But Austin Ekeler took over the game, securing the win for the Chargers with a receiving touchdown with two minutes left in the game.
Mike Williams led the Chargers with 7 receptions for 120 yards and the Texans running back Dameon Pierce showed why his preseason hype was as high as it was, rushing for 131 yards and a touchdown. The Chargers improve to 2-2 and travel to Cleveland next week to take on the Browns. The Texans look to rebound in Jacksonville where they face the division rival Jaguars.
Final Score: (2-2) Los Angeles Chargers 34
(0-3-1) Houston Texans 24
Tennessee Titans @ Indianapolis Colts
The AFC South has been one of the more exciting divisional battles through the first three weeks of the season. Whether it be the unexpected competency of the Jacksonville Jaguars or the unpredictability of the Indianapolis Colts, the storylines developing have made the South an interesting fixture withing the conference. Tennessee has struggled to get their all-pro running back Derrick Henry going so far this season, but Sunday was a different story. King Henry put up 144 yards and a touchdown, the type of performance they will need if they have any hope to make the playoffs. The Titans started hot, going into halftime with a 24-10 lead, and held on to their lead throughout the second half despite being shut out. 2021 MVP candidate Jonathan Taylor left the game with an ankle injury, taking away one of the few weapons at Matt Ryan’s disposal. The Colts better pray the injury isn’t significant, or their season could be in jeopardy. Tight end Mo Alie-Cox had 2 touchdowns in the game and rookie Alec Pierce showed flashes of the skill that made him a second round pick this past year, finishing with 80 yards on 4 receptions. The Titans are now 2-2 and look to further close the gap on the division leading Jacksonville Jaguars next week when they take on the Washington Commanders. The Colts travel to Denver to take on the Broncos.
Final Score: (2-2) Tennessee Titans 24
(1-2-1) Indianapolis Colts 17
Chicago Bears @ New York Giants
First year head coach Brian Daboll has taken off running in his first year with the New York Giants. In his time as offensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills, Daboll became known for his potent passing attack, but with the Giants, he has utilized the run game. He seems to understand where his best weapons are and knows how to get the most out of them, as Saquon Barkley has had a resurgence in production that we haven’t seen since his rookie year. Saquon had another productive game Sunday, rushing for 146 yards on 31 carries. The Bears once again stayed competitive throughout the game, a trend that has persisted all season despite their lack of offensive production. Justin Fields had only 23 total completions going into the game and put up yet another lackluster performance in this one, completing just 50 percent of his passes for 174 yards. The Bears failed to score a touchdown in the game, their only points coming from the 4 Michael Badgley field goals. The Giants pulled off the win in what turned out to be a rather forgettable game, and they are now 3-1 on the season, good for second place in the NFC East. The Giants will take on the Packers at Lambeau in week 5, while the Bears head to Minnesota for a divisional matchup against the Vikings.
Final Score: (3-1) New York Giants 20
(2-2) Chicago Bears 12
Washington Commanders @ Dallas Cowboys
In the three games since franchise quarterback Dak Prescott was sidelined with a thumb injury, Cooper Rush has performed about as well as one could’ve hoped. He has led the Dallas Cowboys to three straight victories and done so without throwing a single interception. His victory Sunday over a floundering Commanders team only feeds the rumours of a brewing QB controversy at Jerry World. While it is true that these rumours might just be the latest ploy by Jerry Jones to keep the Cowboys in the news cycle, Rush has certainly established himself as a viable starting option. His chemistry with wide receiver Ceedee Lamb is evident, connecting 6 times for 94 yards and a touchdown Sunday. Michael Gallup returned from an ACL injury as well, and was rewarded with a second quarter touchdown to put Dallas up 12-7. Although the Commanders kept it close through three quarters, the mistake free football by Cooper Rush proved to be the difference. Washington quarterback Carson Wentz was intercepted twice in the loss, including the fourth quarter Daron Bland pick that sealed the Cowboys victory. The lone bright spot for the Commanders was a strong performance from rookie wide receiver Jahan Dotson, who continues to put his name in the running for NFC Offensive Rookie of the Year. The Cowboys now fly to Los Angeles to play the defending Super Bowl Champion Rams, while the Commanders look to right the ship at home against the Tennessee Titans.
Final Score: (3-1) Dallas Cowboys 25
(1-3) Washington Commanders 10
Cleveland Browns @ Atlanta Falcons
The Cleveland Browns have had a very interesting start to the 2022 campaign. If it weren’t for a fourth quarter collapse against the New York Jets in week 2, the Browns would be 3-1 and sitting atop the AFC North. Backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett has been more than serviceable as they wait out Deshaun Watson’s 11 game suspension and Nick Chubb has been one of if not the best running back in the NFL so far. But this sentiment can also be applied to the Falcons, who have struggled offensively under quarterback Marcus Mariota yet seem to be in one score games regardless of who they play. This game was no different, as Nick Chubb put up 118 yards and a touchdown and Mariota was just 7 of 19 passing for 139 yards and an interception. The teams traded 10-point quarters to start the game, the Falcons going up 10-0 in the first quarter, followed by the Browns tying the game 10-10 by halftime. If you were enjoying your football Sunday by watching NFL Redzone, you may be forgiven if you forgot this game was happening, because not much did, in fact, happen. But in the end, the Falcons found their fate lying with the foot of Younhoe Koo, who’s 45-yard field goal just before the two-minute warning iced the game for Atlanta. The teams both leave Mercedes Benz Stadium with 2-2 records and look to get above .500 in week 5. The Browns play in Baltimore against the Ravens and the Falcons fly down to Tampa Bay to take on Tom Brady and the Buccaneers.
Final Score: (2-2) Atlanta Falcons 23
(2-2) Cleveland Browns 20
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Philadelphia Eagles
The final game in the 1 o’clock slate features the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles taking on the new and improved Jacksonville Jaguars. Just months away from owning the first overall pick, the Jaguars have strung together three impressive performances to start the year. The Jaguars have been the best team in the NFL in the first quarter, and Sunday was no different, getting off to a quick 14-0 lead on touchdowns by Jamal Agnew and a pick-6 by safety Andre Cisco. The Eagles were not to be deterred by the deficit and blanked the Jaguars for the next two quarters, taking a 20-14 lead into the fourth quarter. A strip sack by linebacker Haason Reddick on Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence was the lynchpin play for the Eagles, while Miles Sanders rushed for an impressive 134 yards and two touchdowns. Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts threw for 204 yards and added a touchdown on the ground, continuing his breakout season. The Eagles were certainly tested, but remain undefeated heading into their week 5 game at the Arizona Cardinals. The Jaguars have a date at home with the Houston Texans.
Final Score: (4-0) Philadelphia Eagles 29
(2-2) Jacksonville Jaguars 21
Part 2 of the Week 4 NFL Recap will be released following the Monday Night game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams.
Image Credit: sportingnews.com
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