NFL Week Four: Three-Point Stance

After watching the Mess at Met Life, we turn our attention to this weekend’s slate of game. While last night game provided flashes of competent football, hope remains that Sunday and Monday provide better football. With that said, we’ll take a spin around the league, to highlight three NFL matchups.

 Colts at Bears

Can Nick Foles continue his magic? Like few before him, Foles mastered the art of capturing lightning in a bottle. Whether its two stints in Philly, one ending in a Super Bowl win, or last week, supplanting Trubisky as starter. Indy presents a massive problem for the Bears’ offense. Statistically, the Colts rank first in ten defensive categories. Through three games, the unit tallied nine sacks and six interceptions. The Bears can’t return to Trubisky, barring injury. This game should prove whether the switch to Foles was the best decision.

 Jaguars at Bengals

On the surface, this game should see Joe Burrow earn his first NFL victory. On the other hand, the Bengals’ porous offensive line provides no indication of improvement. Without any semblance of blocking, Burrow will continue to absorb punishment. Jacksonville’s defense, especially off the edge will be in Burrow’s life early and often. Although the team only boasts three sacks, the Jags hit opposing passers fourteen times. Allen, Chiasson, Bryan, and the blitzing Myles Jack will affect the outcome.

 Baltimore at Washington

The Metro Game. This game will show where the Ravens are mentally. In all honesty, the Chiefs demolished Baltimore at home, in front of the NFL. That should not sit well with John Harbaugh and Lamar Jackson. Yet, this game could be much closer than you’d expect. First, the WFT employs a young, outstanding pass rush that gets home from all angles. Montez Sweat and Chase Young combining for 4.5 sacks and 4 TFL put pressure on the Ravens tackles to maintain their blocks. However, if Lamar Jackson breaks contain, whether to run or slide the pocket, will see the undoing of WFT. FS Troy Apke surrendered 20.8 yards per completion. If the Ravens can successfully stem the rush, this game turns ugly.

In the NFL, Week Four feels odd. With the spectre of COVID hanging over games, the league continues to wait on any further infections. Yet, the on-field product, save for last night’s debacle, remains rather solid.