The pace is picking up, and the program is getting busier and busier! Week 4 of the NFL will allow us to see things more clearly both in the NFC, where both Seahawks and Vikings have big meetings, and in the AFC where Josh Allen and the Bills could deal a big blow to Lamar Jackson's Ravens.
Jim Harbaugh and his Chargers could see themselves stealing the AFC West from the Chiefs. At the bottom of the standings, Zac Taylor's Bengals find their former pitcher Andy Dalton (Panthers). Finally, between the Steelers and the Colts, a tough battle is expected at the lines.
The match of Week 4: Will Mike Macdonald roar against lions?
Kick-off Tuesday at 2:15 a.m.: Detroit Lions (2-1) – Seattle Seahawks (3-0)
This wasn't necessarily expected in preseason, but the Seahawks are 3-0. The start of the Mike Macdonald era is going well in Washington State. The former Ravens defensive coordinator has transformed Seattle's defensive block, which displays the opposite statistics from last year. The Seahawks are currently fourth in points conceded, second in yards, second in EPA per action, third in pressure on the opposing quarterback: Jared Goff (QB, Detroit) who suffered a slap against the Ravens last year ( 38-6), risks having work.
However, all this should be taken with a grain of salt. Seattle “only” faced the Broncos, Patriots and Dolphins without Tua Tagovailoa (QB). Suffice to say, no team has the offensive talent of Detroit, whose offensive line is one of the best in the league. And, in the other direction, Aidan Hutchinson (DE) could really hurt a Seattle offensive line in distress. Whoever wins the confrontation, the result will be full of lessons.
The key could be in the infirmary. Detroit side, Frank Ragnow (C); Brian Branch (S) and Sam LaPorta (TE) are doubtful, Marcus Daveoport (OLB) and Derrick Barnes (LB) are out. In Seattle, starters Uchenna Nwosu (DE), Kenneth Walker (RB), Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy (DT) are also doubtful.
Player of the Week: Josh Allen
Kickoff Monday at 2:20 a.m.: Baltimore Ravens (1-2) – Buffalo Bills (3-0)
What if it was his year? Josh Allen (QB, Bills) is walking on water at the start of the season, compiling an EPA/play well above the competition after 3 games (+0.60 compared to +0.38 for his runner-up CJ Stroud (QB, Texans ), 54 of 72, 634 yards, 7 touchdowns, no interceptions: Allen is performing more than perfect. Enough to eye the MVP award that he has never won so far. in the season to think about it, Sunday's match could still be important at the time of choice.
Facing the Bills, the Ravens are not only a big team, but Lamar Jackson, their quarterback, is also the reigning MVP. The reward does not pass from hand to hand, but a big performance against the Ravens would put Allen even more in the race. If we add the implications in the standings between Buffalo, undefeated, and Baltimore in recovery, the match will be worth the detour.
The duel of the week: the Colts offensive line against the Iron Wall
Kickoff Sunday at 7 p.m.: Indianapolis Colts (1-2) – Pittsburgh Steelers (3-0)
In terms of lines, the matchup between the Colts and Steelers is a true clash of the titans. On one hand, the Colts probably have the best offensive line in the country. Led by the irremovable All-Pro Quenton Nelson (LG), the Indiana linemen have only allowed 4 sacks in 3 games and offer boulevards to Jonathan Taylor (RB). Problem, Anthony Richardson (QB), author of 6 interceptions in 3 games, did not really benefit from it.
Opposite, TJ Watt, Keanu Benton, Cam Heyward and co are gently terrorizing the league. With 229.7 yards and 8.7 points conceded per game, the Steelers defense is impervious. She allowed only two touchdowns to her opponents, limiting them to 3.5 yards per carry (second lowest total in the league). If Alex Highsmith (OLB) will not be in the game, the Colts will have a lot to do.
Coach of the Week 4: Zac Taylor, down to the dregs?
Kickoff Sunday at 7 p.m.: Carolina Panthers (1-2) – Cincinnati Bengals (0-3)
Patatras! The Bengals' season has barely started when it is already heavily compromised. By starting 0-3, Cincinnati has seriously handicapped, if not jeopardized, its chances of making the playoffs. Accustomed to bad starts (5 times 0-2 in 6 seasons), Zac Taylor finds himself in a bad situation. Among the favorites for the title before last season, his team is not progressing.
At present, the residents of Ohio are even behind the Panthers, who were still considered the worst performing team in the league a week ago. But since then, one man has changed everything, leading Carolina to a convincing victory against the Raiders (36-22). The Bengals know this man well, since he is Andy Dalton, who led the franchise from 2011 to 2019. The pitcher left after one season under Taylor's orders. Suffice it to say that another defeat for Cincinnati on Sunday would hurt a lot.
Week 4 divisional clash: Harbaugh wants the AFC West
Kick-off Sunday at 7 p.m.:
New York Jets (2-1) – Denver Broncos (1-2)
Kick-off Sunday at 10:25 p.m.:
Los Angeles Chargers (2-1) – Kansas City Chiefs (3-0)
Las Vegas Raiders (1-2) – Cleveland Browns (1-2)
Lots of races, a big defense: it’s Jim Harbaugh who took the reins at the Chargers. The formula may seem surprising when the franchise has Justin Herbert (QB), but it works. The Californians are 2-1 after victories against the Panthers and the Raiders. To mark the occasion of his return to the league, Harbaugh could do a double blow against the Chiefs. In the event of victory, he would offer himself both a prestigious victory and the head of the division. Opposite, Andy Reid's players could already kill a large part of the suspense.
Otherwise, the Broncos have a complicated meeting against the Jets in which we will be able to see if progress is confirmed by Bo Nix (QB). The Raiders must take advantage of Cleveland's form to stay in the game.
Other division matches;
Kick-off Sunday at 7 p.m.
NFC North: Green Bay Packers (2-1) – Minnesota Vikings (3-0)
NFC South: Atlanta Falcons (1-2) – New Orleans Saints (2-1)
AFC South: Houston Texans (2-1) – Jacksonville Jaguars (0-3)
Who will stop the Vikings? The Minnesota players are in a form that was more expected from their Wisconsin neighbors, the Green Bay Packers. The match between the two teams will already be a big turning point for the division. In the NFC South, Atlanta will have to be more consistent in attack to disrupt the Saints who are very solid in defense. Finally, it's difficult to put a kopek on the Jaguars against the Texans, although division shocks are always providers of surprises.
The other matches of week 4
Kick-off Sunday at 7 p.m.
Chicago Bears (1-2) – Los Angeles Rams (1-2)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1) – Philadelphia Eagles (2-1) To follow live for free on M6+
Kick-off Sunday at 10:05 p.m.
Arizona Cardinals (1-2) –Washington Commanders (2-1)
San Francisco 49ers (2-1) – New England Patriots (1-2)
Kick-off Tuesday at 1:30 a.m.
Miami Dolphins (1-2) – Tennessee Titans (0-3)
Are the Eagles a good team? After 3 weeks of ups and downs, the match against the Buccaneers, who lost against the Broncos last week, will be a real test, especially for Jalen Hurts (QB). The Rams, still burdened by injuries, showed against the 49ers that they should never be looked down upon, to see if Caleb Williams (QB, Bears) will do better than what he has offered so far.
Expectations will rise for Jayden Daniels (QB, Commanders), imperious against the Bengals, while their opponents the Cardinals must win to stay on the train in the NFC West, where the 49ers have a game within reach against the Patriots. Finally, the Dolphins – Titans sounds a bit like a derby of despair, to see if Will Levis (QB, Titans) can still reassure.
Week 4 matches
Kick-off Sunday at 7 p.m.
Atlanta Falcons (1-2) – New Orleans Saints (2-1)
Carolina Panthers (1-2) – Cincinnati Bengals (0-3)
Chicago Bears (1-2) – Los Angeles Rams (1-2)
Green Bay Packers (2-1) – Minnesota Vikings (3-0)
Houston Texans (2-1) – Jacksonville Jaguars (0-3)
Indianapolis Colts (1-2) – Pittsburgh Steelers (3-0)
New York Jets (2-1) – Denver Broncos (1-2)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1) – Philadelphia Eagles (2-1) To follow live for free on M6+
Kick-off Sunday at 10:05 p.m.
Arizona Cardinals (1-2) –Washington Commanders (2-1)
San Francisco 49ers (2-1) – New England Patriots (1-2)
Kick-off Sunday at 10:25 p.m.
Los Angeles Chargers (2-1) – Kansas City Chiefs (3-0)
Las Vegas Raiders (1-2) – Cleveland Browns (1-2)
Kick-off Monday at 2:20 a.m.
Baltimore Ravens (1-2) – Buffalo Bills (3-0)
Kick-off Tuesday at 1:30 a.m.
Miami Dolphins (1-2) – Tennessee Titans (0-3)
Kick-off Tuesday at 2:15 a.m.
Detroit Lions (2-1) – Seattle Seahawks (3-0)
