NFL Week 4 in Review

I didn't get a chance to write up a preview for the weekend's games or see many in live action. I did get to see the Giants/Bears games, one of the wackiest ones ever.

The first week for the Jets was an embarrassment. But after four games, Mark Sanchez has 8 touchdown passes and no turnovers, and the J-E-T-S Jets have beaten all three of their division rivals in a row. Meanwhile on the other side, the Giants have committed 3 turnovers in all four games. Yikes!

Kevin Kolb got another chance after Michael Vick got hurt and his stats looked pretty good. But look closer: nearly every pass was a dump off to a running back or tight end. He doesn't make the big play. Kolb was 20/27 of passes 6 yards and less and only 2/8 of passes over 6 yards. And around 14 of his passes were to LeSean McCoy, who is hurt and is unlikely to play next week. Like I've said before: with Vick this is a playoff team; with Kolb they are a sub-.500 team.

Who predicted this? The best team in the NFC West is the St Louis Rams, who have already doubled last year's win total.

Bests of the Week

Team: San Diego Chargers who took their frustrations out on the Cardinals, outgaining the Cardinals by nearly 300 and outscoring them by 31.

Players:
Gold Medal: LaDainian Tomlinson who rushed for over 130 yards and two touchdowns, reminiscent of his glory days in San Diego. I admit that I was wrong in my evaluation of LT coming into this season; he has been a legitimate #1 back.
Silver Medal: Patriots' Patrick Chung, who blocked two kicks and had an interception returned for a touchdown. Also noteworthy, Shaun Philips of the Chargers, who compiled four sacks and an interception-touchdown.
Bronze Medal: David Garrard, who got three touchdowns and completed 77% of his passes to lead the Jaguars in an upset over the Colts.

Clutch kicker: Josh Scobee hitting a 59 yard field goal to win the game.

Half: Patriots, who returned a kickoff for a touchdown, blocked a punt that led to a touchdown, blocked a field goal try and ran it back for a touchdown, returned an interception for a touchdown, and added another interception late. Including the field goal right before halftime and second half, the Patriots outscored the Dolphins 38-7 in Miami.

Upset: Browns over the Bengals. Also noteworthy, Jags over Colts.

Worsts of the Week

Player: Jay Cutler who looked like he was in the wrong league. 9 sacks and a concussion, plus an interception in the first half for a net -13 yards passing in the first half. I've never seen a player look so lost in an NFL game.

Unit: The Bears offensive line, who seemed to let one or two Giants have a free run at Cutler on every play.

Half: maybe it's piling on, but the Giants and Bears did nothing right in the first half of their game. Cutler was a mess, the Giants' special teams play was embarrassing, and the teams combined for three turnovers and a missed field goal.

Bone-headed play: Nate Clements of the 49ers, who, with a one point lead with 1:30 left in the game, intercepted a pass. Instead of holding it and ending the play, he attempted to run it back and Roddy White poked the ball out for a fumble. Falcons got the ball, and got in position for a game-winning field goal.

Stock is Rising: Rams, Ravens, Patriots.

Stock is Falling: Colts, Eagles, Bears.