2018-19 NFL (Week 4)

Games I saw (some of):
Vikings 31-38 Rams
Both offenses looked pretty good in this one, both defenses looked pretty so-so. But the Rams D actually did make some stops, while the Vikings did not (dude, even the Rams' failed fake punt was the receiver's fault, not the defense). I'm a believer in the Rams, they just look good at everything and they look into it; their only worry is peaking too early, but for now I wouldn't worry about that. The Vikings were my pick to be the best team in the NFL and they have yet to look like it so far; but they battled in Lambeau, failed to show up for Buffalo and got torched by a team that's torching everyone. It isn't the best look but I still think they can be--and will be--really good by the end of the season.

Bengals 37-36 Falcons
Fun game! Both teams look similar to me: high powered passing with a running game that looks good from time to time and on the other side a nice pass rush but not much else. Game went back and forth, I thought the Falcons would pull it out but the Bengals put together a great drive late to nab it. The difference between these two squads is that the Bengals are in a winnable division whereas I think the Falcons are gonna be looking up at the opposition all year long.

Browns 42-45 (OT) Raiders
Fun game! Back and forth, weird turnovers, big plays, blown calls--this game had it all! And it went into OT, which means it lasted all god damn day long. The Browns probably should've won this, a coupla weird calls late dimmed their chances. Again, similar teams: I like their QBs and the D-lines, the rest of both squads have random talent and random holes and I have no faith in either coach. Raiders can move the ball, the Browns have some talent, neither of these teams are pushovers though I don't expect either to win a lot.

Saints 33-18 Giants
The score is misleading, it was pretty close throughout. The Saints had trouble moving the ball (never really could figure out why), until the 4th quarter when they exploded and buried NYG. The Giants hung around, the D was okay but until they get a QB that can get the ball to the skill positions (and/or an O-line that can give the QB some time), they're not gonna outscore too many teams. NYG does have talent and they can be fun to watch but I don't like their chances to finish out many games. The Saints have a Serena Williams-quality in that they like to wait til the last minute to win no matter how much more talent they have than their opponent. That quality has served them reasonably well through the regular season, so I'm inclined to keep the Saints as my pick to win that division.

Ravens 26-14 Steelers
At first, it felt like the Ravens were gonna pummel the Steelers. Then the Steelers recovered, got some offense going and came back before halftime. Then the Ravens continued the pummeling and the Steelers had no answer. The Ravens seem better than usual, feels like they're gonna play through the finish line more than the last few seasons. The Steelers do not look good, the D is not good and while the offense has moments, it doesn't look like the hammer it has been. Feels like the Steelers are just about done (can LeVeon give them a boost?).


Other results (surprising):
Bucs 10-46 Bears
Not surprised the Bears won, not surprised the Bucs offense finally completel dried up. But where did the Bears get all that offense? They probably should've saved a few of those TD's. If Trubisky plays like this the Bears will go undefeated from here; okay, that's not likely, but if he can just show that confidence and some of that efficiency, the Bears will be a tough out for the foreseeable future. If Trubisky steps forward this team can be really good.

Eagles 23-26 (OT) Titans
I'm not surprised the Eagles struggled, I thought they would. But I wasn't hyped about the Titans and this was a pretty sneaky good W for them. The Titans are looking pretty good right now, they're not blowing anybody out but they hang around and they'll have their chances to steal W's (like they did here). The Eagles will be fine, I was expecting their season to be choppy but I still expect them to win their division, so far so good.

Texans 37-34 (OT) Colts
I caught some of the OT here and my main takeaway was that DeShaun Watson looked good. Perhaps he just needed a few games to get his sea legs, not ready to say that he'll win MVP now but on that last drive, he did what needed to be done without hesitation and that's gotta feel good for Texans fans. The Colts, on the other hand, have moments of tough play but I'm not seeing much good fortune coming their way. This division is still up in the air.


Results (not so surprising):
Lions 24-26 Cowboys
Yeah, that's about right. These are mediocre scufflers that'll surprise a few teams this year and will look embarrassingly awful some, too.

Bills 0-22 Packers
Kinda thought the Bills would get a little something going against the so-so Packer defense but not at all shocked that the Packers easily outscored them.

Dolphins 7-38 Patriots
Dolphins fans know this scoreline all too well.

Jets 12-31 Jags
The Jets are not good, man, and the idea that they were going to be was folly through and through. The Jags are fine, they're still a team built on D and just enough offense, I'm not anticipating too many Jags scores that look like this.

Seahawks 20-17 Cards
Both these teams are washed.

Niners 27-29 Chargers
Seems like the Chargers had a great chance here to run up the score and get a big home for their fans (hmmm, were there more Niners or Chargers fans at this game?). Nope. The Niners are okay, even without Jimmy G they're not an embarrassment. But, the Chargers are all icing and no cake.

Chiefs 27-23 Broncos
Yeah, that's about right. The Chiefs are better but this was a Monday Night game on the road against a team with a killer pass rush. The Broncos showed up, did their best, covered the spread--hey, it was a good night for them. But the Chiefs got the W.


Every other week I'll remove two teams, one from each conference, from playoff contention. Week 2 -- Bills, Cards (these are both easy calls, they're both rebuilding)
Week 4 -- Jets, Seahawks (both in tough divisions and just don't possess the talent to hang)