NFL Week 4 Takeaways: Receivers rule the day
Week 4 in the NFL has provided plenty of good and plenty of bad.
While it was a big day for several receivers across the league, the Rams vs. Eagles game was worrying for both teams and the injury bug has once again bitten some star players.
So, what did we learn in Week 4? Let’s get into it with some key takeaways.
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Is Matthew Stafford running out of gas?
The Rams entered the season as the overwhelming Super Bowl favourites, so it’s a little jarring to see them finish the first month at 2-2.
Injuries to important players like Myles Garrett have hurt L.A., but the bigger concern is the performance of quarterback Matthew Stafford, who has thrown multiple interceptions in back-to-back games and sits at six picks on the year. For context, it took Stafford 17 games to throw six interceptions last year.
It’s not all doom-and-gloom, however. Stafford is still slinging the ball, averaging nearly 300 passing yards per game, which is the third-best rate in the NFL.
The reigning MVP is still one of the best pivots in the league, but those interceptions could prove costly, especially come playoff time.
Drake Maye is back
Drake Maye looked like a shell of himself through the first three weeks of the season, throwing for one touchdown and six interceptions while averaging just 195 passing yards.
But, last year’s MVP runner-up looked much better in New England’s 29-26 win over division-rival Buffalo on Sunday. Maye tossed for 269 yards and three TDs, although he also threw his NFL-leading seventh interception.
Maye also found his running game again, leading the Pats with 54 rushing yards.
All-in-all, it was a performance Maye and New England can build off to regain some of the swagger that brought them to the Super Bowl last year.
Philly’s offence is cooked
The Eagles have struggled offensively all year, but they hit a new low on Sunday in a home loss to the Rams.
Jalen Hurts threw for a ridiculously-low 93 yards, finishing with less than 200 passing yards for the second straight week. Philadelphia was completely shut out of the second half, blowing a 10-point lead while being outscored 14-0 in the fourth quarter.
It was a terrible performance all-around from the offence, with Philly going 0-for-12 on third-down conversions and finishing the game with just 12 first downs.
It’s been a sustained issue for the Eagles through the first month of the season as the loss against L.A. was the second straight week they failed to score a second-half point after an embarrassing 27-7 Week 3 loss in Chicago.
Things won’t get any easier for Philadelphia’s offence as DeVonta Smith and Saquon Barkley are both dealing with hamstring injuries ahead of next week’s trip to London to face the Jaguars.
Injury bug is back
It was another tough week for injuries to star players across the NFL.
Washington has been hit hard in the quarterback room. Backup Marcus Mariota, starting for the injured Jayden Daniels, left Sunday’s loss in London with a knee injury, forcing third-stringer Athan Kaliakmanis into action.
Baltimore also suffered a QB injury-scare, with Lamar Jackson missing the entire second half because of an ankle injury. Jackson was reportedly seen leaving the stadium in a walking boot.
The Bengals were dealt a double-blow to their offence as Ja’Marr Chase (concussion) and Tee Higgins (adductor) both left Sunday’s loss against the Jags.
For Denver, it was the defence that was hit, with Pat Surtain II suffering a non-contact injury.
Big day for receivers
Let’s end the week on a positive note and give some receivers their flowers.
Starting with Dallas vs. Houston, CeeDee Lamb and Nico Collins each had big days. Collins finished with 118 receiving yards and two TDs, only to be overshadowed by Lamb’s 17 receptions for 189 yards and a touchdown in a Dallas victory.
Two players stood out in Baltimore’s 24-18 win over Tennessee. Titans rookie Carnell Tate hauled in nine catches for 145 yards, while Zay Flowers had 118 yards and two scores for the Ravens.
Higgins was having himself a day for Cincinnati before he was hurt, finishing with 157 yards on 11 receptions.
In Minnesota, T.J. Hockenson was the story, adding 13 catches for 119 yards and unselfishly giving up a sure-touchdown at the end of the game to guarantee the Vikings’ 15-10 win over Miami.
However, the best receiver of the day was Carolina’s Tetairoa McMillan. The sophomore pass-catcher torched a struggling Lions defence, bringing in 14 catches for 192 yards and two TDs in a 32-26 Panthers win.