Jordan’s Serial: NFL 2013 Week 4 Takeaways
“The more things change, the more they stay the same”.
This saying should be used to summarise every week of NFL action. The continuing dominance of the Broncos through to the inconsistencies of the Cowboys, the rekindled play of Reggie Bush, through to the ups and downs of the draft class of 2013. We are now officially through the first quarter of the NFL season (apart from the early bye teams), and even though each conference has its clear leaders, nothing is won in September.
49ERS 35 RAMS 11
After a bad couple of weeks where San Francisco could get nothing going on offense they finally managed to generate just enough to see them past a struggling St.Louis. This was a game that neither side could afford to lose and given that last year the Rams didn’t lose to the 49ers you could of been forgiven for thinking that given the fortnight slump they could have continued that unbeaten run. Now though it’s the Rams that face an uphill battle in the division. Strangely though, they could both easily be 2-3 after this weekend
RAVENS 20 BILLS 23
EJ Manuel is emerging as this year’s pick of the rookie talent, at least as far as QB’s go. Buffalo are playing tough ball right now and kept hold of the early lead they established to gain a very credible win over Baltimore. The AFC East is shaping up to be an exciting watch this year and the Bills will fancy themselves causing an upset. The Ravens have never been a dominant team from the start of the season, and their inconsistency continued, but as in the East the North division is still there for the taking and if the Ravens get hot late they will again be a force.
CARDINALS 13 BUCCANEERS 10
Tampa Bay led 10-0 for the majority of this game; if they could have put this game to bed it would have helped take reporters minds off the ongoing off the field drama involving QB Josh Freeman. It wasn’t to be though and Arizona is somehow neatly tucked in with an even record despite playing very average football right now. This of course bodes well. Last year they peaked way too early at this very point the season was unbeaten but the wheels fell off in dramatic style, this time around maybe a steady pace will help them.
STEELERS 27 VIKINGS 34
The International Series game in London was a great spectacle for all. Well, almost all. Pittsburgh flew back home for their bye week still looking for that elusive first win of the season, but they did play much better, albeit too late. Just as last week when they were chasing the game, did d they actually wake up. Minnesota had a change of QB this week and the short underneath stuff soon worked its magic as big plays exploded from them. Teams can contain Peterson and Jennings, but you can’t stop raw talent. The Vikings are a very dangerous 1-3.
GIANTS 7 CHIEFS 31
Two questions here. How long before we actually call Kansas City contenders? And, how can the New York Giants at 0-4 still are talked about as possible playoff contenders? Let’s answer the latter first. The simple reason is this. They are contenders because their division is woefully weak and any kind of run will see them challenge for top spot very soon. They are a threat still that cannot be taken lightly. They have an uncanny experience of doing things when you least expect it. They are a terrible team at present but a win this week will change people’s thinking. Kansas City will not be considered a contender until they play (and beat) they Broncos. Until then they will be a good solid team that is possibly punching above their weight.
COLTS 37 JAGUARS 3
If you want a confidence and morale boosting victory just turn up and play Jacksonville. Not that Indianapolis needed a boost coming off the win against the Niners. A chance to rack up some points and bolster your Fantasy stock is always nice. Currently playing the Jaguars is similar to running through drills at training camp, they really are that bad.
SEAHAWKS 23 TEXANS 20
Back in Week 1 Houston “stole” a win away from defeat. It’s funny how these things have a way of balancing themselves out. The Texans only have themselves to blame for not scoring a huge win over Seattle. Some have this marked down as a potential Super Bowl come February, if this game is repeated then were in for a good one, unless you’re Matt Schaub. To say he threw the game away would be a certain injustice, yes he made a critical error which led to the Seahawks remaining unbeaten, but without his early leadership the Texans wouldn’t have had a lead to throw away. Seattle is the real deal though and will go from strength to strength off the back of games like this one.
BENGALS 6 BROWNS 17
Just when you think you’ve got it all worked out and that the preseason predictions were looking good along come Cleveland to throw a curveball, and this time it wasn’t an Indian pitching it. This game raised more eyebrows more than any other over the weekend. The Browns are on a win streak, not quite the same as their across town MLB colleagues, and are actually good value for it. Could this be the dark horse that I’ve been looking for since opening day? Cincinnati has to be looking long and hard at themselves now, they are starting to be their own worst enemy, in the fact that they could believe their hype. On paper talent counts for nothing, if you can’t perform on the field.
BEARS 32 LIONS 40
We kind of knew that this game would have the scoreboard lit up, but the manner in which Detroit took apart Chicago will have many in the NFC looking over their shoulders and seeing a Lions team that could be a good test for even the Broncos right now. The trio of Stafford, Megatron and Bush are a sensation right now and will take their chances with anyone. The Bears didn’t help their cause with costly turnovers, and will have to bounce back quick or the usual slide to end of season nothingness could engulf them.
JETS 13 TITANS 38
The hot and cold Geno Smith will have to improve his ball protection skills if the New York Jets are to stay in the AFC East division race. He is a raw talent in every sense of the word. Of course he needs help to compete, not just on his side of the ball. The Jets D was given the run-around by a spirited Tennessee team that has the look of a playoff team about them. Young and fresh they are playing at a consistent level that has seen them not shock and surprise, rather than please and simplify the game. Not so much a dark horse, more a grey one.
REDSKINS 24 RAIDERS 14
The 3 ½ game preseason is over. The rest of the season is now RG3 territory. Ok, so maybe that’s a bit too far, but in the opening weeks last years rookie sensation was nothing near his excilerting best. Coming off major knee surgery that was always going to be the case. Now, with a win under their belts and only a game out of the division lead Washington look to the future with a calm optimism. Over in Oakland they will be hoping for a speedy return for this year’s exciting rookie talent to return to guide their team to more W’s. As good as Matt Flynn is, he is not the future for the Raiders, and if he was he would have finished this game off from the strong position he had his team in early on.
EAGLES 20 BRONCOS 52
The records keep tumbling at Mile High Stadium. The notable one this week was the highest single game points total in a game. It’s not often you hang 50+ but if anyone can do it it’s this year’s Denver team. Scoring points isn’t a problem for this team (so far) and they are just as good defensively, something which is being overshadowed by Manning’s exploits. As for Philadelphia, well the opening ay show has yet to be repeated and they are fast becoming the team of last year. In fact apart from the coaching changes they are pretty much the same team personnel wise, so it shouldn’t be too much surprise to see them struggling again.
COWBOYS 21 CHARGERS 30
Philip Rivers and San Diego liked what they saw on Sunday evening. Everything the Cowboys gave him they took gleefully, pass after pass after pass… you get the picture. I say evening because the first half was not all plain sailing. Dallas was in control of this one after a pick six late in the half, and at 21-10 they looked to have gained something they hadn’t had in quite a while. Consistency. Then 20 unanswered points later that bubble had burst. No single player was to blame, the Cowboys were simply out fought and out thought. Amazingly they are still in control of the East. Over in the West the Chargers will go as far as Rivers flow will take them, on this account that could be a long way.
PATRIOTS 30 FALCONS 23
Are the New England Patriots the worst 4-0 team ever? Well maybe not ever, for this season though, yes. However they are unbeaten and that keeps their mystique alive. This was their first real test against an Atlanta side that has the same playoff aspirations. Those goals look some way off at present, already 3 games and a tiebreaker out of first place they need to keep a win quickly. After last year’s number one seeding and everyone not taking them seriously the Falcons are having a hangover start to 2013.
DOLPHINS 17 SAINTS 38
A match of two unbeaten teams and for most of the first half it was a closely fought contest. Then New Orleans go through the gears and Brees gets his accuracy on, next thing the gap too big and Miami have their first loss. Not to say that this spells the end for the Dolphins, they showed glimpses of the reason why they came into this one at 3-0, but apart from Seattle this Saints team looks to be the best the NFC has to offer right now in terms of a team that is ready and capable of showing up in the big game come season end.