We realized final week that the Texans made the suitable determination in drafting quarterback C.J. Stroud. In Week 4, we realized extra in regards to the Texans as a entire, however it’s too quickly to supply a complete review of DeMeco Ryans’s emerging squad.
However we would possibly have realized a lot extra in regards to the staff the Texans defeated handily Sunday. The Steelers have quite a lot of problems on all sides of the ball, and it’s time to query whether or not they’re pretenders relating to playoff groups within the AFC.
The Eagles (4–0) have additionally had their problems, however they have got discovered a option to stay undefeated. They struggled in opposition to the Commanders (2–2) , however Jalen Hurts and the passing recreation would possibly in the end have a rhythm with new offensive coordinator Brian Johnson.
We additionally realized in regards to the more than one tactics the Lions (3–1) can defeat groups. And we will be able to’t put out of your mind about what the Buccaneers (3–1) are doing within the NFC South. As for beginners Aidan O’Connell and Dorian Thompson-Robinson, they could need to put out of your mind about their beginning debuts.
Right here’s what we all know now in regards to the Eagles, Steelers, Lions, Buccaneers and the 2 rookie QBs after Week 4 of the NFL common season.
Undefeated Eagles flip the nook with passing recreation
The Eagles had a tricky time in opposition to the Commanders. However this time, it was once Hurts and the passing recreation that helped the staff stay undefeated. Hurts finished 25-of-37 passes for 319 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. His favourite goal was once A.J. Brown, who recorded 9 catches for 175 yards and two touchdowns, together with the ranking that gave Philadelphia a 31–24 merit with 1:43 left in law.
It’s fairly regarding that the Eagles fell at the back of 17–7 and allowed the Commanders to tie the sport and ship it to time beyond regulation. However they could glance again in this recreation and say that’s after they grew to become a nook with the passing recreation.
Steelers turn out to be pretenders
The Steelers (2–2) have many issues, however none larger than the harm to second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett, who exited within the 3rd quarter of Sunday’s loss to the Texans with a knee harm. Pickett has struggled to get the offense going this season, however he’s a better choice than Mitchell Trubisky, who didn’t stay the beginning task final season.
The Steelers’ slow offense did sufficient in opposition to the Browns and Raiders, two groups with their very own offensive struggles. However they have been uncovered offensively and defensively Sunday in opposition to the surging Texans. Stroud had every other spectacular efficiency, finishing 16-of-30 passes for 306 yards, two touchdowns, and nonetheless hasn’t thrown an interception this season. Pittsburgh has quite a lot of ability defensively, however the unit hasn’t performed as much as its lofty requirements. Houston ran for 139 yards, and now Pittsburgh is permitting 148.5 speeding yards consistent with recreation this season.
I almost certainly will have to give the Texans (2–2) extra credit score, however I’ll wait a little longer ahead of deciding whether or not they’re a reputable playoff staff. As for the Steelers, they’ll hang out, however they’re pretenders with a damaged offense and a suspect protection.
Lions can win in more than a few tactics
Dan Campbell loves to discuss with his Lions as gritty, however they’re additionally explosive, which is a mirrored image of the way flexible his offense has been thru 4 video games. The Lions continuously glance to determine the run with bruising operating again David Sir Bernard Law, however what makes them tricky to protect is how briskly they may be able to get downfield with Jared Goff throwing to Amon-Ra St. Brown and rookie tight finish Sam LaPorta.
After lighting fixtures up the Packers on Thursday Night time Soccer, the Lions discovered extensive receiver Jameson Williams could be reinstated two weeks previous than anticipated. To begin with, Williams was once given a six-game suspension for violating the league’s now old-fashioned playing coverage.
The Lions have additionally been productive at the defensive facet, producing constant power with Aidan Hutchinson and Alim McNeill, two draft selections of GM Brad Holmes. The Lions have got many draft selections proper since Holmes and Campbell arrived in 2021.
Buccaneers have within monitor in NFC South race
The Buccaneers seem to be the front-runners to win the NFC South as a result of they lately have the most efficient quarterback within the department. Baker Mayfield outplayed Derek Carr in Sunday’s highway win in opposition to the Saints. Additionally, Carolina’s Bryce Younger and Atlanta’s Desmond Ridder persisted to combat all the way through Week 4 losses, respectively.
Carr toughed it out with an injured shoulder, however the Saints’ offense had problems ahead of Carr’s harm. This is to not say Mayfield has performed outstanding, however he’s making sufficient performs with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin to lend a hand the Buccaneers’ stellar protection.
However Tampa Bay (3–1) will have problems if Evans is pressured to pass over time with the hamstring harm he sustained in opposition to the Saints. The Buccaneers’ protection merits the majority of the credit score for his or her scorching get started, however Mayfield has achieved his phase throughout the first quarter of the season, not like Younger, Carr and Ridder.
Tough QB debuts for O’Connell, DTR
O’Connell would possibly nonetheless be operating from Chargers edge rusher Khalil Mack, who had a whopping six sacks Sunday. It was once a tough debut for the rookie, who crammed in for the injured Jimmy Garoppolo, however the Raiders nonetheless made the suitable name to start out him over veteran Brian Hoyer. With Hoyer, the Raiders knew what that they had within the profession journeyman. This was once a chance for the Raiders to peer what that they had in O’Connell, the 2023 fourth-round pick out who had an outstanding preseason. O’Connell took his hits, however he battled right through the sport and had the Raiders in place for a overdue comeback for falling, 24–17.
Thompson-Robinson additionally had a robust preseason, which is why the staff traded former backup Joshua Dobbs to the Cardinals. However Cleveland most likely didn’t have plans for Thompson-Robinson, a 2023 fifth-round pick out, to play this season. The UCLA product was once thrust into the hearth in opposition to the Ravens after Deshaun Watson was once a last-minute addition to the record of inactives. Thompson-Robinson went 19 of 36 for 121 yards and 3 interceptions within the 28–3 loss to the Ravens. O’Connell completed 24 of 39 for 238 yards, one interception and two misplaced fumbles.