Week 4 NFL reaction from Joe Murray and James Scaramozzino
Week 4 of the NFL is almost done with the Seahawks playing the Giants tonight, so let’s take a look at the biggest games of the weekend.
Jaguars 23, Falcons 7
The first London game of the year had the Jaguars, looking like playoff contenders again, and the Falcons wondering if they need to start looking for another quarterback. Trevor Lawrence wasn’t dominant, but the Jaguars offense did enough and their defense played very well, making Desmond Ridder turn the ball over on consecutive throws.
Falcons fans may be looking for Taylor Heinicke to get some snaps if Ridder continues to struggle. The Jaguars have a big test this upcoming week, heading to Buffalo to take on the red-hot Bills.
Ravens 28, Browns 3
Lamar Jackson was back in MVP form, totaling four touchdowns, as the Ravens defense had rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson making questionable decisions all afternoon. Browns fans will look to put an asterisk on this one, as Deshaun Watson didn’t play, but the Ravens dominated and the AFC North is set to run through Baltimore again.
Titans 27, Bengals 3
It’s time to panic for Bengals fans. Joe Burrow hasn’t looked the same since he got paid. If it’s injury-related, it might be time to shut him down.
Ja’Marr Chase voiced his frustrations after the game stating that he’s “always open” for a Bengals offense that’s scored only three points in two games this season. The Titans aren’t a juggernaut by any means, which makes this loss that much worse for the Bengals. They were dominated on both sides of the ball with Derrick Henry running all over their defense.
For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, the Bengals have a very steep hill to climb and if they don’t start winning soon, we could see dissension continue to mount in Cincinnati.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 11: Quarterback Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills scrambles with the ball during the fourth quarter of the NFL game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on September 11, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Bills 48, Dolphins 20
In the most anticipated matchup of the weekend, the Buffalo Bills thoroughly dominated the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins, coming off of a 70-point performance last week against the Broncos, had their offense stifled, especially in the second half. As Josh Allen and the Bills ran wild on their defense.
These two teams are will be battling it out all season for the top spot in the AFC East. The Bills sent a message to the Dolphins and the rest of the AFC after they stumbled out of the gate in Week 1, losing to the Jets. They’ve been a completely different team now that their offense is starting to click on all cylinders.
This game was somewhat of a wake up call to the Dolphins after dominating the first few weeks of the season. I think it would be an overreaction to call the Dolphins frauds or think they’re not one of the best teams in the AFC, but they’ll want to sort out their defense before they see Buffalo again.
Broncos 31, Bears 28
One of the more entertaining games of the weekend for all the wrong reasons. The winless Bears and winless Broncos certainly delivered.
Everyone expected this to be a sloppy, turnover-laden game, but for Bears fans, it was even worse than that. Justin Fields gave fans a glimmer of hope in the first, half, looking like a confident quarterback, leading the Bears to an early double-digit lead. Fields started the second half strong with a touchdown pass to Khalil Herbert, increasing the Bears’ lead to 28-7.
Then the Bears turned into the Bears they were the first three weeks of the season. Turnovers and bad defense would be their demise, as they ended up losing 31-28. The only positive for Bears fans is they have a chance at having the top-2 picks in the upcoming NFL draft.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 01: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots fumbles the ball while being tackled by Dante Fowler Jr. #56 of the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter at AT&T Stadium on October 01, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
Cowboys 38, Patriots 3
The worst loss of the Bill Belichick era. The Patriots might just not be a good football team, and even scarier for Patriots fans, Mac Jones doesn’t look like he’s the guy.
The Patriots have their issues on the offensive line and at wide receiver, but for the first time Mac Jones really looked like he was seeing ghosts out there with bad footwork, and even worse decision-making. The Cowboys thoroughly dominated the Patriots in every facet of the game.
Bill Belichick and Mac Jones critics will be out in full force this week, and this might be the first week where it’s totally legitimate on both fronts. If the Patriots are going to have any chance at saving this season, they need to win the next two games against the Saints and the Raiders. While the Cowboys look like Super Bowl hopefuls and continue to dominate on defense.
CINCINNATI, OHIO – DECEMBER 04: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half at Paycor Stadium on December 04, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Chiefs 23, Jets 20
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs headed into New York looking for a blowout win on Sunday night football, but the Jets defense had Mahomes looking pedestrian as he tossed two interceptions. Zach Wilson battled back after a tough start and played well in the second half, making Mahomes and the Chiefs uncomfortable.
A questionable late flag benefited the Chiefs and they escape New York with a victory. Jets fans will come away from this game feeling better than last week, as many thought Zach Wilson didn’t even deserve to start, and the Jets should look elsewhere for quarterbacks.
I’m not saying Zac Wilson is the answer or that the Jets are going to make any noise this season, but yesterday did seem like a step in the right direction. If Zach Wilson can minimize his mistakes and get the ball into the hands of playmakers like Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall, their offense can at least be competent.
The Jets defense should keep them in just about every game and they’ll be a pain to play against late in the season.
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