NFL Week 4 reaction: Notes and observations
The 2020 NFL season is now at the quarter pole, with Week 4 in the books. Here’s what we learned going into the thrust of October.
Four weeks down in the NFL calendar. Twelve to go. It feels like just yesterday the Housotn Texans and Kansas City Chiefs were opening up the season. Now, we’re a quarter of the way finished.
So what did we learn on Sunday? Let’s run it down:
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– The Texans are finished. After losing 31-23 to the previously winless Minnesota Vikings, any realistic hope of making a run to the postseason — Â as happened two years ago in Houston following an 0-3 start — is out the window. Bill O’Brien has done a dreadful job again, and it has Houston in last place of the AFC South by NFL Week 4. The Texans are also without their first and second-round picks in 2021, having traded them for Laremy Tunsil.
– Don’t expect the Chicago Bears to make a push for the NFC North. Their 19-11 loss to the Indianapolis Colts was only their first defeat of the season, but it’s the manner in which they look. Chicago has no quarterback whether it’s Nick Foles or Mitch Trubisky under center. Neither can capably do the job, leaving the Bears and head coach Matt Nagy to constantly manufacture points while hoping the defense can hold teams under 20. Good luck.
Read: Chiefs – Patriots Game Postponed After Cam Newton Tests Positive
– The Philadelphia Eagles are 1-2-1, and leading the NFC East. No, nobody associated with Eagles football should be proud of the record, even after getting win No. 1 against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night. However, Philadelphia is somewhat sitting in the driver’s seat of the world’s worst division. With games against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens coming up, the claim may be short-lived, but going into Week 5, it’s reality.
– Don’t look now, but the Cleveland Browns are making a move. Despite Baker Mayfield only throwing for 165 yards, Cleveland earned a 49-38 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. The Browns rushed for 307 yards in a rousing effort, even with Nick Chubb leaving early in the first half with a knee injury. At 3-1, Cleveland has a chance to make the playoffs in the AFC for the first time since 2002. Early? Sure, but why not dream?
