Some teams really came up big in week four, and helped to salvage their seasons from the brink.
Other teams, well....not so much.
The Packers, Colts, Ravens, 49ers, Cowboys, Chargers, Lions, and Texans all got important victories in more or less must-win games, while the Bears, Steelers, Jets, Bills, and Saints all disappointed with losses that seriously set them back in a serious way, leaving many questions unanswered.
Green Bay Packers 38, Chicago Bears 17 - I expected the Packers to win this game, but the blowout was a surprise. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers usually seem to have Chicago's number lately, these last few years, but given the strong showing the Bears have had the last two games, I thought that they would at least show up, or show more, in any case. -particularly in the fourth quarter, when it matters most. But precisely when they needed to step up, they let down, as the Packers extended a 21-7 lead in a close game entering the fourth quarter with a 17-0 run that made this game a laugher. Aaron Rodgers completed 22 of 28 for 302 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Jay Cutler completed 22 of 34 for 256 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 costly interceptions in the second half of the game. The Bears won in almost every category in this game, except turnovers (2 for the Bears, and 0 for the Packers) and, of course, the most important one - the final score. This game stood out also as only the second game in NFL history not to feature a single punt.
Baltimore Ravens 38, Carolina Panthers 10 - If this had been a heavyweight fight, it would have been stopped a little beyond the midway point, probably early in the third quarter. The Panthers, who entered last weekend at 2-0 and were looking good, dropped their second straight game, and looked horrendous in so doing. Joe Flacco is having a very strong season so far, and showed why in this game, completing 22 of 31 pass attempts for 327 yards and three touchdowns, while the unpredictable Cam Newton completed 14 of 25 passes for 197 yards and 1 touchdown. The Panthers were just overwhelmed by the Ravens on this day.
Houston Texans 23, Buffalo Bills 17 - Buffalo jumped out to a 10-0 lead early, and struggled to stay in it the rest of the way, once Houston started answering and assuming control of the contest. EJ Manuel completed 21 of 44 pass attempts for 225 yards and 2 touchdowns, as well as 2 interceptions, while the former Bills quarterback now playing on the other side of the field, Ryan Fitzpatrick, completed 25 of 37 passes for 268 yards and 1 touchdown, as well as 2 interceptions of his own. The Texans bounced back from a touch loss to the Giants last week, their only defeat so far, while the Bills dropped their second in a row.
Miami Dolphins 38, Oakland Raiders 14 (London) - The Raiders drew first blood, and they also scored last. Sounds good, but there was just one problem - in between the two touchdowns by the Raiders, the Dolphins went on a 38-0 run to make this game a laugher. Tannehill has a solid game, completing 23 of 31 passes for 278 yards and 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. Andre Holmes stood out for the Raiders with 5 receptions for 74 yards and 1 touchdown in a losing cause for Oakland.
Indianapolis Colts 41, Tennessee Titans 17 - The Colts had their second straight blowout win, and Andrew Luck enjoyed his second monster game in a row of production, completed 29 of 41 for 393 yards and 4 touchdowns, with 1 interception. The Colts pretty much every facet of the game in this one, getting their second straight easy divisional win. This was the 200th game of Reggie Wayne's career, and he made it count in a big way by eclipsing Isaac Bruce for seventh on the all-time reception list, and Henry Ellard for 10th on the all-time list for receiving yards, all while extending his record of 75 straight games with three or more catches!
Detroit Lions 24, NY Jets 17 - The Jets needed to find a way to win this contest to avoid being in sole possession of last place in the AFC East. But the Lions wanted it more, and dominated more than the score indicated. Detroit's defense, which so far has been one of the best in the league, suffocated and frustrated New York, while the Lions got it done on offense, with Stafford completing 24 of 34 for 293 yards passing and 2 touchdowns, while also getting a rushing touchdown, in a very strong performance. Geno Smith went 17 of 33 for 209 yards and 1 touchdown, as well as 1 interception. Some among the Jets faithful were calling for Michael Vick towards the end of the game, although Rex Ryan reiterated his faith in his Smith, and said that the loss was a team failure, and not specifically because of anything that Geno Smith is or is not doing.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27, Pittsburgh Steelers 24 - Tampa Bay stunned the Steelers, and they did it in kind of a weird way. They jumped out to an early 10-0 lead within the first five minutes of the game, then found a way to stay in it, eventually taking it in the fourth quarter. Roethlisberger completed 29 of 40 for 314 yards and 3 touchdowns. Mike Glennon completed 21 of 42 passes for 302 yards and 2 touchdowns, as well as 1 interception. But he was able to engineer that final touchdown drive with seconds left, completing the td pass to Vincent Jackson with 7 seconds left to clinch the win for the Bucs, Tampa Bay's first of the season!
San Francisco 49ers 26, Philadelphia Eagles 21 - This felt like the longest ending to a game that I have seen in a long while. I was not actually watching the game, but catching glimpses of it while enjoying dinner in the city. But the Eagles somehow not only kept the game close, but actually had a solid 21-10 lead, despite not managing to score any offensive points the entire game! That's a rare feat that has not been done in decades, although interestingly, the last team to do it was the Philadelphia Eagles! Kaepernick completed 17 of 30 for 218 yards and 2 touchdowns, with 1 interception. Foley completed 21 of 43 passes for 195 yards and 2 interceptions in a futile offensive effort by the Eagles against the stingy Niner defense.
San Diego Chargers 33, Jacksonville Jaguars 14 - Philip Rivers seems to want to distinguish himself with the MVP award this season, as his play is really standing out! In the virtual absence of a running game (the Bolts only accumulated 42 total yards on the ground), Rivers stepped up, completing 29 of 39 passes for 377 yards and 3 touchdowns. Blake Bortles completed 29 of 37 pass attempts for 253 yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 interceptions in a losing cause for Jax.
Minnesota Vikings 41, Atlanta Falcons 28 - The Vikings were up by ten at the half, but the Falcons were winning this game at the end of the third quarter. Still, the fourth belonged to Minnesota! Ryan was 25 of 41 for 298 yards and 3 touchdowns, with 2 interceptions in a losing cause for the Falcons. 19 of 30 for 317 yards, with no touchdowns and no interceptions, although the major concern for the Vikings after this one was that he was injured and limped off the field at the end.
Dallas Cowboys 38 - New Orleans Saints 17 - The Cowboys won this showdown, their third straight win of the season. They jumped out to a commanding 24-0 lead by halftime, and then held off when the Saints were trying to rally in the fourth. Romo completed 22 of 29 pass attempts for 262 yards and 3 touchdowns, a very solid performance. Drew Brees went 32 of 44 for 340 yards, with 2 touchdowns and 1 interception for the Saints.
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