NFL’s Biggest Winners and Losers After Week 4
Buffalo Bills
The Bills once again look like one of, if not the best team in the NFL. However, this happens at the beginning of every season, so we can’t put much stock into it. They do look like an absolute wagon though after dismantling the Miami Dolphins by a final score of 48-20. Josh Allen is first in the MVP race and the offense has now outscored their opponents 90-33 since their misstep Week 1. They did lose their star cornerback, Tre’davious White, for the season with a torn Achilles, but they might get Von Miller back soon.
Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore is on cloud 9 right now. After a blowout win against the Cleveland Browns, they’re 3-1 and look like the best team in the AFC North by far. With the Steelers’ offensive struggles continuing, Joe Burrow’s injury lingering and the inconsistent play of Deshaun Watson, the Ravens are easily the frontrunner. They’re doing this while being heavily injured on both sides of the ball as well. It’s Baltimore we’re talking about, so the team’s health will most likely be a factor through the rest of the season, but if they could get healthy, they could make a strong run for the AFC title.
Houston Texans
After four weeks, it looks like the Texans have another franchise quarterback. C.J. Stroud is playing lights out for this team. He extended his rookie record of most attempts without an interception on Sunday. I was mad I couldn’t place a bet in time on him to throw an interception this weekend, but now I’m glad I didn’t. The connection he has with Nico Collins is unreal through four games. The Texans could have another dynamic duo, similar to Watson/Hopkins, for another 5-10 years if they keep this up.
Chicago Bears
I mean, what can I really say that hasn’t already been said. After two quarters, it looked like the Bears were finally going to get their first win in 2023 and their first win in general since October of 2022. Their defense had other plans though as they surrendered their large lead in the second half to Russell Wilson and the sorry Denver Broncos. It would be torture to root for this team, but the bright side continues to be their draft picks next season. As it sits now, they have the first and second pick. That amount of draft capital can turn around a team in one year. However, they shouldn’t even think about drafting until they overhaul their staff. Eberflus has to go.
New England Patriots
This once proud franchise can now only be referred to as an NFL bottom feeder. The defense remains this team’s strong suit, but it doesn’t matter how good the defense is if the offense can’t move the ball. We’ve seen what Mac Jones can do and it hasn’t been good. It’s time to cut the cord. We thought Bill O’Brien would help and we were wrong. Jones just can’t play football at an NFL level. It’s okay. Many teams whiff on quarterbacks. The great teams realize they whiffed and move off quickly. I’m curious to see which one the Patriots end up being in this scenario.
Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow is hurt. Joe Burrow is hurt. Joe Burrow is hurt. How many times does the public have to say it before the team forces him to sit out and get healthy? It’s almost sad seeing him out on the field knowing he isn’t 100%. Burrow is hurting the team with his play and I’m not sure the backup wouldn’t be as good as what we’re seeing right now. As it sits now, they are 1-3 with Arizona and Seattle coming up. A backup quarterback and some good defensive play can come away from those games 1-1. That would give the Bengals a record of 2-4 and a healthy Joe Burrow before they have to play San Francisco and Buffalo. If they don’t sit him, we will look up after Week 9 and the Bengals will be 2-6 with their playoff hopes gone. It’s an easy decision and I’m shocked the Bengals haven’t made it yet.
We finish Week 4 with a record of 3-1. This pushes our yearly record to 6-4. We felt very comfortable with the Tee Higgins prop, but the injury luck from last year looks like it’s going to continue into the 2023 season. Maybe we should just stop giving out player props altogether in the name of player safety.