Sports FOX Sports activities’ NFL consultants present the excellent takeaways from every Sunday game in Week 4 and what they indicate for every personnel going forward.
Eagles : There became never a doubt that the Eagles offense became going to war without A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, however there is in actuality no excuse for what their defense is doing merely now. They gave up 445 yards and let the Bucs gather touchdowns on three of their first four drives. They can not derive any stress on the quarterback, their coverage is steadily shocking (Baker Mayfield threw for 347 yards). They brought in Vic Fangio to repair what became a defensive mess closing season, however as soon as extra, the Eagles agree with one of many worst defenses in the league. If they can not delivery pressuring the quarterback, their diagram is unsustainable. They’ve six sacks this season in four video games, after the 2 they’d on Sunday. With a entrance that entails Bryce Huff, Josh Sweat and Jalen Carter, that looks nearly now no longer seemingly.
Bucs : Tom Brady became support at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on Sunday — this time as a FOX analyst — to hunt his dilapidated personnel. What he seen became that he clearly left the Bucs in appropriate hands. Baker Mayfield also can merely agree with been picked up off the scrap heap closing 12 months, however he obvious looks to be like esteem he wasn’t appropriate a one-12 months revival. He is been terrific this season and became every other time on Sunday, carving up the Eagles’ shaky secondary for 347 yards. He is got two terrific receivers (Mike Evans, Chris Godwin), a appropriate line, a valid rushing attack, a deadly defense. The total method are there for him to flip the Bucs true into a actual contender. Mayfield smooth has lots to level to, however he in actuality does behold esteem the dilapidated Mayfield — the one who had sufficient abilities to as soon as be the No. 1 total make a choice in the 2018 NFL draft. — Ralph Vacchiano
[Related: Tom Brady’s LFG Player of the Game for Week 4: Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield ]
Tom Brady breaks down Baker Mayfield, Bucs’ 33-16 gather over Eagles Vikings : Is there a higher playcalling duo than head coach Kevin O’Connell and defensive coordinator Brian Flores? I war to title one. Time after time, quarterback Sam Darnold has delivered, making very ideal selections and getting the ball into the hands of Minnesota’s myriad playmakers. Surrounded by this powerful abilities and this head coach, Darnold never desired to be a world-beater, and yet he’s thrown for various rankings in every game this season. It be time we delivery taking Darnold seriously — especially when he has this defense on the opposite aspect of the ball. Flores’ diagram is esteem a floating amoeba: It has no form, no traits, it repeatedly changes true via video games. It looks to be like unsolvable, appropriate ask any of the (in actuality appropriate) quarterbacks who agree with long gone in opposition to it this season. The Vikings had five takeaways in opposition to their division competitors in Inexperienced Bay on Sunday and are showing no signs of slowing down.
Packers : Precise when it regarded Matt LaFleur had started to identify the aforementioned defense at the prime of the third quarter on Sunday in opposition to the Vikings, the Packers persisted to shoot themselves in the foot. The excellent news is that hasn’t been a pattern and looks to be like to be extra esteem an anomaly. LaFleur switched his entire offensive diagram with Malik Willis at the helm in quarterback Jordan Handle’s absence. Getting Handle support this week, LaFleur switched it support, and it became up and down in a performance marred by penalties and drops. On the opposite hand it became additionally in opposition to the most tantalizing defense the Packers agree with viewed this 12 months. Taking part in from leisurely additionally got the Packers out of their offensive rhythm, which will deserve to agree with incorporated working support Josh Jacobs powerful extra. I’m particular this is never in actuality a imprint of issues to attain, however rather an offense getting frail to having its well-known person support. — Carmen Vitali
Rams : Accidents had been lag to bite the Rams indirectly. Quarterback Matthew Stafford is without doubt one of many most tantalizing when it involves getting the ball out like a flash and recognizing stress. Nonetheless the Bears defense made him pay for keeping the ball at all, and the cracks on offense agree with started to level to for Los Angeles. The excellent news is that also can merely smooth get better for the Rams when they derive their prime two receivers support, Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. In even higher news, the Rams’ defensive entrance looks to be like out of the ordinary. Collegiate teammates Jared Verse and Braden Fiske are a heck of a tandem and are wreaking havoc. Once Sean McVay’s unit will get healthy, in addition they can merely smooth level to to be a powerful higher personnel. Till then, or now no longer it is now no longer going to be easy going.
Bears : Can each person restful down in Chicago now? It wasn’t excellent, however it became quarterback Caleb Williams’ simplest day time out and the most tantalizing instance of complementary soccer the Bears agree with proven this season. The defense every other time came up grab with an interception of Matthew Stafford in the prime zone as wisely as one other to seal the game in the fourth quarter. Leaning on the defensive effort, Williams & Co. indirectly sustained offensive drives, and curiously offensive coordinator Shane Waldron has discovered his personnel. D’Andre Swift had his coming-out birthday celebration whereas Waldron frail Roschon Johnson as his changeup support. The Bears are smooth getting frail to every other and so they make a choice to clear up the pre-snap penalties, however the vision is changing into clearer in Chicago. The approach is there week to week. Here’s precisely what’s going to deserve to agree with been expected of this personnel, and or now no longer it is merely on agenda. — Carmen Vitali
Bears’ Caleb Williams finds DJ Moore for a 9-yard TD vs. Rams Steelers : Justin Fields indirectly flashed an capability to raise Pittsburgh’s offense. Even even if it came in a loss, the Steelers desired to level to the relaxation of the NFL the event of a gargantuan-boy offense to be even handed a major playoff contender in the AFC. The Colts jumped out to a 17-0 lead, forcing Fields and Pittsburgh’s offense to originate it up. Fields obliged, throwing for 312 yards and a landing, alongside with totaling 51 yards and two rankings on the ground. Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith leaned into Fields’ irregular skill role, allowing him to do plays outdoor the pocket alongside with his arm and his feet, with appropriate results for the Steelers.
Colts : Is there a quarterback controversy in Indianapolis? Anthony Richardson suffered a hip damage after a gargantuan hit by Pittsburgh security Minkah Fitzpatrick in the main half of, forcing the second-12 months QB to leave the game. Richardson did no longer return, giving approach to closing 12 months’s NFL Comeback Player of the 12 months, Joe Flacco. The 39-12 months-dilapidated performed wisely, ending 16 of 26 for 168 yards and two landing passes. Richardson uncared for most of his rookie season with a shoulder damage and has struggled with inconsistent play when healthy. With the Colts at 2-2, Flacco could be the most tantalizing option for Indianapolis intelligent forward, allowing Richardson a whereas to derive wisely and be taught from observing an skilled feeble. — Eric D. Williams
Saints : Where has the Saints’ promising gargantuan-play offense long gone below new coordinator Klint Kubiak? Recent Orleans had a 59-yard landing in the opening quarter of the season and three plays of 30-plus yards in an impressive gather at Dallas. And in the 2 weeks since, they have not had a single play of 30-plus yards. Quarterback Derek Carr’s four-game pattern on landing passes is 3, 2, 1, zero. The closing two lackluster showings agree with resulted in shut, gradual-game losses to the Eagles and Falcons. Carr became in a position to carry out a landing power to take the lead with a minute left Sunday, however Atlanta answered with a 58-yard field procedure to beat the Saints. We knew Recent Orleans wasn’t going to preserve 45 capabilities a game because it did in the main two weeks, however sitting at 2-2 now, the offense has had two straight weeks of typical soccer.
Falcons : Kirk Cousins did no longer throw a landing, however did only sufficient in the closing minute to role up a monster kick from Younghoe Koo for an awfully crucial closing-minute gather over the Saints. Cousins has appropriate four touchdowns in four video games. One TD a game is what the Falcons had been getting from middling quarterbacks closing season without spending $180 million. If Atlanta is going to be better than a .500 personnel, the Falcons need powerful extra of the dilapidated Cousins, as adverse to someone who can role their personnel up for three field targets in the second half of to assemble a squeaker. Nonetheless for now, or now no longer it is appropriate sufficient to agree with them 2-2 and tied with the Saints going true into a giant dwelling game in opposition to the Bucs on Thursday night time. — Greg Auman
Younghoe Koo drills a 58-yard field procedure to beat Saints 26-24 Jaguars : Precise a soul-crushing defeat for the Jaguars. They performed their simplest game of the season Sunday — the extra or much less performance that can’ve turned their dreadful 2024 spherical — however could well presumably no longer gather a approach to do on both aspect of the ball down the stretch, blowing a third-quarter lead. Now we wait to hunt how Jacksonville responds intelligent forward. Does it grasp to the correct — a season-high 20 capabilities, its first takeaway of the season (on special teams), valid performances from Brian Thomas Jr. and Christian Kirk, breakout showings from 2023 draft picks Tank Bigsby and Ventrell Miller — or does an 0-4 hole do away with any hope that became left for the season? Subsequent week’s date with the division-rival Colts also can merely smooth give us readability one approach or the opposite.
Texans : Nico Collins is a first-rate-five receiver in the NFL merely now, duration. With 12 catches for 151 yards and a landing in opposition to Jacksonville, he’s on proceed for 2,078 receiving yards for the season. He is a mismatch nightmare downfield alongside with his mix of dimension, proceed and play energy. His proceed-drill connection with C.J. Stroud is beginning to behold esteem about a of these tall quarterback-wide receiver tandems now we agree with viewed in most fashionable history. Even even if now we agree with yet to hunt Houston’s receiver trio at elephantine energy — second-12 months pro Tank Dell, who’s had a leisurely originate to the season, uncared for Sunday’s game attributable to damage — Collins looks to be like esteem the undisputed WR1. That also can merely smooth do the Texans’ talented offense all of the extra difficult as the season wears on. — Ben Arthur
Broncos : The Broncos agree with obtained two in a row due to this of it looks they’ve a terribly appropriate defense. And that’s crucial for the explanation that defense is going to agree with to raise them this season as they’re attempting to assemble no topic rookie quarterback Bo Nix. At some level he’ll doubtlessly be very appropriate, however that level is now no longer as of late. Granted, the cases had been glum and the Jets defense is appropriate, however Nix became in particular unpleasant — appropriate 12 of 25 for 60 yards. He did no longer throw an interception and he did throw his first career landing circulate, in divulge that’s appropriate. Nonetheless he’ll must be lots higher to motivate out a defense that’s doing all it’ll. Denver had five sacks and compelled a turnover in opposition to the Jets on Sunday. The Broncos agree with 16 sacks and agree with compelled five turnovers this season. They can gather with that, if Nix also can derive to a diploma the do he can now no longer now no longer up to “role up” a game with any consistency.
Jets : Was it in actuality appropriate one week prior to now that Aaron Rodgers looked esteem his dilapidated self and the Jets looked in a position to change into a Dapper Bowl contender? Due to what they did on Sunday became the right reverse. Their offense looked completely out of sync in opposition to a imperfect personnel. Rodgers threw for appropriate 225 yards. Breece Corridor had a laborious-to-fathom four yards on 10 carries. And the Jets dedicated 13 penalties (six of which agree with been declined). Definite, it became raining, however that can not presumably be an excuse for an offense that looked esteem a remnant of their dilapidated, grotesque, Zach Wilson days. Per chance Rodgers’ performance closing week in opposition to the Patriots became the outlier. If that’s the case, these Jets will agree with a laborious time even competing for a playoff berth. They’ve got a first-rate defense, appropriate young offensive abilities, and presumably the most tantalizing quarterback they’ve had in many years. Nonetheless performances esteem this flip it all true into a extinguish. — Ralph Vacchiano
Bengals : The Bengals reminded the NFL that they are an AFC contender. After losing every of their first three video games by six capabilities or fewer, they beat the Panthers on the road by double digits. Per chance you build aside an asterisk there due to this of or now no longer it is a long way the Panthers, however the approach Cincinnati’s offense is beginning to hum also can merely smooth do future opponents apprehensive. They’ve improved their level complete per week. Joe Burrow at this level looks to agree with build aside the wrist damage from closing season leisurely him. Both JaMarr Drag and Tee Higgins had better than 60 receiving yards for the main time this season. Odds are in opposition to Cincinnati making the playoffs with a 1-3 delivery, however its offensive firepower makes something else that you just furthermore could can deem of.
Joe Burrow on what Bengals’ first gather approach Panthers : With Andy Dalton below heart, the Panthers also can merely now no longer be a appropriate personnel, however they’re indubitably now no longer as imperfect as now we agree with been resulted in assume. They’ve build aside up 70 capabilities in two video games with the feeble when in contrast to 13 in two with Bryce Young. The Panthers’ second-half of rally Sunday came short, however they’ve a war to them that they did no longer agree with with the dilapidated No. 1 total make a choice. And we’re seeing extra from their receivers with Dalton throwing passes. Having Diontae Johnson and first-spherical rookie Xavier Legette to depend upon with Adam Thielen on injured reserve is never in actuality a room that’s devoid of abilities. Both had touchdowns in opposition to Cincinnati. Running support Chuba Hubbard had a second consecutive 100-yard rushing game, too. Rivals is extra life like for Carolina in future years, however it’ll also merely smooth now no longer now no longer up to be aggressive in 2024. Their next two opponents are each and every .500 in the Bears and the divisional-rival Falcons, representing winnable video games. — Ben Arthur
Commanders : The early current for NFL assistant coach of the 12 months needs to be Washington offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, who went support to Arizona (the do he became fired as head coach) and positioned on an offensive health facility. He is a gargantuan reason Jayden Daniels (26 of 30, 233 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) has looked esteem the most tantalizing of the rookie quarterbacks and has unbelievably accomplished 82.1% of his passes this season. Yes, or now no longer this is due to this of Daniels is appropriate and is making tall selections. Nonetheless quite lots of it has to enact with Kingsbury’s diagram and calls. He is now no longer overdoing it alongside with his rookie. He is asking various short passes and shows and high-share throws, and utilizing quite lots of speed-circulate option (RPO) plays to win the defense off steadiness. He is putting Daniels in tall positions to agree with success, and the 23-12 months-dilapidated is taking earnings of it. Oh, and whats up, they agree with the Commanders (3-1) in first predicament in the NFC East. Who seen that coming?
Jayden Daniels speaks on Commanders’ dominant 42-14 gather over Cardinals Cardinals : Why agree with the Cardinals turned Kyler Murray true into a game manager? Attain they deem that’s working for him or them? He is closing in on two years eradicated from his ACL damage, so it’ll’t be that he’s smooth effort. Nonetheless he’s now no longer powerful of a weapon anymore. He ran as soon as for three yards in this game and has speed most tantalizing 16 events this season. And even if Arizona added a weapon in rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., Murray is now no longer doing powerful via the air both. On Sunday, he performed 16 of twenty-two for appropriate 142 yards in opposition to what became statistically the second-worst passing defense in the NFL. Twice in four video games he’s been below 200 yards, and he’s topped 210 most tantalizing as soon as. It in actuality looks to be like esteem Jonathan Gannon and his offensive coordinator, Drew Petzing, are attempting to provide protection to him, esteem he’s a rookie, or effort. They’re clearly now no longer even attempting to use him esteem he wishes to be frail. — Ralph Vacchiano
Patriots : Bill Belichick could well presumably be appalled. This Patriots defense is a mess without him. At some level of practising camp, the refrain from Recent England became that the defense became going to win the Patriots in video games, particularly leaning on a valid secondary featuring safeties Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers and cornerbacks Christian Gonzalez and Jonathan Jones. Gonzalez has indubitably been prominent. Nonetheless the defensive unit, as a complete, has been crap. Geno Smith, Aaron Rodgers and Brock Purdy agree with all dissected this unit with startling ease. To do issues worse, Dugger left the game and did no longer return. It be a imperfect inconvenience that most tantalizing looks to derive worse. It begs the ask: Will the Patriots gather one other game?
49ers : Kyle Shanahan could well presumably additionally be appalled. The 49ers weren’t even in actuality attempting. They had been now no longer especially crisp. They weren’t executing in sixth equipment. And so the gather stayed nearer than it will deserve to agree with. The gather legitimately could well presumably agree with been 40-0. San Francisco left about a turnovers on the sphere. It did no longer win the total dominance that it displayed in the opening 10 minutes. And the 49ers coaches can build aside up some movie on Monday to level to the avid gamers the do they made mistakes — and now no longer agree with their avid gamers giggle them off the rostrum. Nonetheless that appropriate goes to level to how full the 49ers are this 12 months — from quarterback to deal with to receiver to cornerback to defensive discontinuance. It be ridiculous that they can wing to victory playing now no longer up to a quarter of appropriate soccer. — Henry McKenna
‘Found a approach together’: Brock Purdy after 49ers’ gather over Patriots Chiefs : Travis Kelce wakened from an early-season slumber, totaling seven catches for 89 yards on 9 targets. Rookie Xavier Great added 73 receiving yards, in conjunction with a 54-yard reception for a TD. That is a appropriate issue for the explanation that Chiefs need the production from Kelce and Great with the personnel’s prime procedure in Rashee Rice struggling a knee damage that Chiefs head coach Andy Reid later described as “now no longer appropriate.” With Rice unavailable, Kelce must reemerge as Patrick Mahomes’ security blanket and Great additionally wishes to take on a much bigger role. Along with that, Mahomes smooth has now no longer performed to his regular MVP-level via the main quarter of the season, with six landing passes and five interceptions in four video games. Nonetheless Kansas Metropolis is 4-0, which wishes to be scary for the relaxation of the NFL.
Chargers : Whereas head coach Jim Harbaugh did no longer derive the gather in opposition to his AFC West rival, the Bolts showed they can war toe-to-toe with the defending Dapper Bowl champs. Quarterback Justin Herbert became questionable heading into this weekend’s contest after worrying a high-ankle sprain closing week in opposition to the Steelers. Nonetheless Herbert showed appropriate mobility in playing via the inconvenience, polishing off 16 of 27 passes for 179 yards and a landing, without a interceptions. Herbert became sacked twice and hit one other 10 events. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman did a valid job of emphasizing the working game and getting the ball out of Herbert’s hands like a flash to win faraway from any pointless hits. — Eric D. Williams
Browns : Kevin Stefanski became NFL Coach of the 12 months closing 12 months! That makes it all of the extra incredible that Cleveland is 1-3 and their most tantalizing gather is in opposition to the 0-4 Jaguars. The fourth quarter of Sunday’s loss to the Raiders is a damning series of self-implosion — an 82-yard landing negated by a keeping penalty, a fourth-down sack after getting 9 yards faraway from a game-a success landing. You could well presumably also show off Deshaun Watson being typical, however this became the most tantalizing defense in soccer closing 12 months, and so they’ve misplaced to Gardner Minshew and Daniel Jones. Now they’re at crimson-sizzling Washington, and it’s laborious to build aside the next gather on Cleveland’s agenda. It feels esteem benching Watson is inevitable, however additionally now no longer changing the closing final consequence powerful both.
Raiders : The most primary part of Las Vegas pulling out a shut gather over Cleveland? The Raiders stumbled on some semblance of a working game in the publish-Josh Jacobs world. Las Vegas came in averaging a league-low 52 yards per game, however went off for 152 on 29 carries Sunday. Alexander Mattison rushed for 60, Zamir White came via for 50, and in the occasion you speed for 152, it’s OK in case your quarterback throws for appropriate 130 yards, as Gardner Minshew did. For a game by which the Raiders didn’t agree with their simplest two avid gamers in Maxx Crosby and Davante Adams, an grotesque gather is smooth a tall gather. It doesn’t erase losing to the Panthers, and so they’ll agree with their hands elephantine with two powerful higher defenses in Denver and Pittsburgh up next, however if the Raiders can place even a mediocre speed game, it makes low-scoring wins that you just furthermore could can deem of in these video games. — Greg Auman
Bills : John Harbaugh outcoached Sean McDermott. On a play-to-play basis, it became so sure. It felt esteem the Ravens had been playing with 12 men — with an additional body in every inconvenience. Buffalo badly wishes its starters support in the lineup. I have been praising coach McDermott for plugging and playing the backups on the depth chart. And so they starred. Nonetheless for the main time this season, we started to hunt why they’re backups. Linebacker Dorian Williams, cornerback Cam Lewis and security Cole Bishop had been now no longer appropriate sufficient in opposition to Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry. Whereas McDermott outcoached his opponents in the opening three weeks, his personnel looked unprepared and unready for the Ravens’ physicality.
Ravens : So this became what Baltimore frequent manager Eric Decosta had in mind when he signed Derrick Henry? When the season kicked off, the Ravens’ offensive line became performing at such a glum level that Henry had no room to speed. On the opening play of the personnel’s gather over the Bills, Henry went untouched for 87 yards. He became on proceed to speed for over 1,000 yards — in the game. He ended up with 209 yards from scrimmage. That took the burden off Lamar Jackson, who most tantalizing had six carries. So whereas Josh Allen tried to enact it all on the opposite aspect of the ball (and took approach too many gargantuan hits), Jackson reaped the advantages of incredible speed make stronger. Here’s the offense the Ravens desired to speed. The personnel is clicking. And so they’re appropriate as hazardous as we imagined they’d be when Henry joined the Ravens. — Henry McKenna
The following writers contributed to this myth: Ben Arthur ( @benyarthur ); Greg Auman ( @gregauman ); Henry McKenna ( @McKennAnalysis ); Ralph Vacchiano ( @RalphVacchiano ); Carmen Vitali ( @CarmieV ); Eric D. Williams ( @eric_d_williams ).
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