NFL Week 4: 5 times that improved stock
Which teams stepped up on Sunday and showed the world they need to be counted among the contenders? Let’s count down the best five wins of the day.
5. Denver Broncos
Denver comes in lowest on the list because we already knew this was a decent team. The Broncos only scored 16 points at home against her Raiders defense, which isn’t exactly something to brag about. However, the defense looked great again, holding Marshawn Lynch to 12 yards on nine carries, while limiting Oakland to 24 rushing yards as a whole. It was a nice win and sends the Broncos into their early bye week at 3-1.
4. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers have been maligned for not having much of an offense this season, but that changed on Sunday. Carolina was able to go up and down the field against the New England Patriots, winning 33-30 at the gun on a Graham Gano field goal from 48 yards out. The Panther are now 3-1 and tied atop the NC South with the Atlanta Falcons, showing they have some staying power. If Cam Newton can continue to play like he did against the Patriots, the Panthers are a tough out.
3. Houston Texans
The Texans look so bad in the first week, many wrote them off. Then, after barely beating the Cincinnati Bengals and narrowly losing to the Patriots, their season was on the line on Sunday at home against the Tennessee Titans. They responded in incredible fashion, scoring 57 points in a 43-point blowout of their division rivals. Rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson threw for 284 yards and four touchdowns, leading a barrage. Houston’s defense, one of the league’s best, forced five turnovers en route to the win.
2. Los Angeles Rams
If you had any doubts about the Rams, those should be gone after a 35-30 win over the Dallas Cowboys in AT&T Stadium on Sunday. Los Angeles rode great days from Todd Gurley and Jared Goff to a 3-1 record and a one-game lead over the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals in the NFC West. Los Angeles still needs to get the defense going, although that unit looked much better in the second half, surrendering only six points.
1. Buffalo Bills
What can you say about the effort put forth by the Bills in their 23-17 win over the Falcons? Buffalo forced three turnovers with Tre’Davious White scoring on a scoop-and-score touchdown to get the Bills to 3-1 on the young season. Buffalo might not have a terrific offense, but its effective with LeSean McCoy as the leading character. If the Bills can continue to pound the ball and play great defense, they might be a threat to make the playoffs for the first time since 1999, the longest draught in the NFL.
