NFL Week 4 reaction: 5 storylines to watch
Looking at the NFL Week 4 reaction, these five storylines are going to dominate talking points in the days ahead.
5. The Chiefs still can’t stop anybody
After allowing at last 29 points in their first three games — in which Kansas City went 1-2 — the Chiefs gave up 30 points to the Philadelphia Eagles. Quarterback Jalen Hurts went wild, throwing for 387 yards and two touchdowns while the offense totaled 30 first downs. The only saving grace for the Chiefs? They scored six touchdowns on seven possessions, managing a 42-30 victory. Now, the Buffalo Bills, who might be dreaming of scoring 50 points on Sunday night.
Want $250 to bet on Monday Night Football?
4. Are the Broncos for real?
The Denver Broncos have been one of the better stories throughout the first three weeks of the season. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was top five in QBR but struggled mightily against the Baltimore Ravens this weekend, throwing for 65 yards on 16 attempts before exiting in the second quarter with a concussion. The Broncos were ultimately throttled 23-7, falling for the first time this year. After beating the New York Giants, New York Jets and Jacksonville Jaguars in September — teams combined for 0-10 before Sunday — the question remains: is Denver legit or a product of an easy slate?
3. Are we seeing the start of the Trey Lance era in SF?
The San Francisco 49ers lost their second straight on Sunday, falling 28-21 at home to the Seattle Seahawks. However, the main storyline coming out of the defeat is a calf injury to starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo which is expected to keep him out multiple weeks. In the second half, Lance got the ball and went 9-of-18 for 157 yards and two touchdowns, notching a QBR of 39.3. Once Garoppolo is healthy again, will head coach Kyle Shanahan go back to Garoppolo? Likely depends on Lance’s play.
Read: NFL Week 4 Reaction – Notes And Observations
2. Justin Fields clearly belong on the field
After being benched behind Andy Dalton the first two games of the season, Fields has gotten his chance with Dalton out. Following a disastrous performance (both team and player) in Week 3, Fields rebounded for 209 passing yards on only 17 attempts in a 24-14 win over the Detroit Lions. If Bears head coach Matt Nagy goes back to Dalton, he deserves all the criticism he gets.
1. Brady and the Bucs beat Patriots
It was the game of the week. Hell, of the year. The return of Tom Brady with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers against the New England Patriots and head coach Bill Belichick. The result was a phenomenal chess match that finished with Patriots kicker Nick Folk drilling a 56-yard field goal off the left upright in a 19-17 Bucs win. For a nation, the game was everything hoped for and then some.
