Wrapping Up Week 4 In the NFL

After a couple weeks off, the weekly review is back. Let's get to it.

Ravens 23, Browns  16

Torrey Smith, WR, Ravens: Smith was a popular “breakout” contender prior to the season, and for once it seems the conventional wisdom was absolutely right.  Smith has become an elite deep threat and Joe Flacco’s favorite target. His stat line from Thursday was 6 catches for 97 yards and a TD, and that has become a completely routine game for him now. Smith is having a hell of a year so far, and after his performance last week in the wake of his brothers tragic death, you can count me as a fan.

49ers 34, Jets 0

Colin Kaepernick, QB, 49ers: By far, the best thing about the beatdown given to the Jets, was that the 49ers were miles and miles more effective at running the Wildcat offense (or “WildKaep” as the Niners call it) than the Jets and Tebow.  Anytime a New York team or Tebow can look like complete and utter-failures, it makes me smile. When both happen at the same time I start dancing “Gangnam Style”*

*I absolutely do NOT start dancing Gangnam Style.

Texans 38, Titans 14

JJ Watt, DE, Texans: JJ Watt had a good rookie year, registering 5.5 sacks and 56 total tackles filling in for Mario Williams after he went down with an injury. This year, Watt has turned into Lawrence Taylor, an unblockable menace terrorizing opposing lineman and QB’s.  In 4 games in 2012, Watt has 20 tackles, 7.5 sacks, and 2 fumble recoveries.  Obviously, Watt isn’t going to continue on a 30-sack pace, as that would destroy the current record by 7.5 sacks, but the fact that the season is only 1/4^th over and he is already closing in on double digit sacks? You couldn’t blame Watt if he started making space in his trophy case for a DPOY award.

Rams 19, Seahawks 13

Russell Wilson, QB, Seahawks: Could someone please explain to me exactly what it is that Wilson does that Matt Flynn can’t? Pete Carroll never runs out of ways to outsmart himself.

Chargers 37, Chiefs 20

Romeo Crennell, Head Coach, Chiefs: As soon as the Chiefs made Romeo Crennell their head coach at the end of last year, they guaranteed an epic failure of a season. Romeo Crennell was such an abject failure in his previous head coaching stint in Cleveland, I was convinced he would never get another head job. Well, somehow he got one, and is proving that his tenure with the Browns wasn’t a fluke.  If you happen to be a gambler, let me offer you some advice: Unless he’s going up against an interim-interim-coach, never put money on a Romeo Crennell coached team. It can only end in anger and disappointment.

Vikings 20, Lions 13

Calvin Johnson, WR, Lions: Through 4 games the Lions are 1-3 and Calvin Johnson has 1 TD catch. When will people stop doubting the Madden Curse?

Patriots 52, Bills 28

Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB, Bills: Why do I get the feeling that after every game, Fitzpatrick nervously calls his agent, asking for reassurance that the Bills can’t take back any of the money he’s already made on his massive contract, and that they do in fact have to keep paying him?

Falcons 30, Panthers 28

Ron Rivera, Head Coach, Panthers:  Explain this to me Ron: You have probably the best short yardage QB in NFL history, you have 50 million dollars’ worth of running back on your roster, you’ve converted 88% of Third-and-1 and Fourth-and-1 situations since Cam Newton arrived, a first down wins you the game because Atlanta has no timeouts, and you decide to Punt and eventually lose. How where you not fired before that Falcons field goal went through the uprights?

Bengals 27, Jaguars 10

Blaine Gabbert, QB, Jaguars: Blaine Gabbert had arguably the worst rookie season by a QB in NFL history last year, and was written off by a large segment of the football public. Through 4 games of his sophomore season, Gabbert hasn’t exactly been GOOD, but there has been definite improvement by the young signal-caller, who is still only 22 years old. It may be ugly right now, but if Jacksonville could get him some people to throw the ball to, he might turn out to be a solid QB yet.

Cardinals 24, Dolphins 21

Brian Hartline, WR, Dolphins: Hartline’s awesome response after being told he had 12 catches for 253 yards against the Cardinals: “Are you shitting me?????”

Broncos 37, Raiders 6

Reggie McKenzie, General Manager, Raiders: So, maybe going into the season with Rod Bartell & Shawntae Spencer as your starting DB’s wasn’t a good idea? You think that might be the case.

Redskins 24, Buccaneers 22

Robert Griffin, QB, Redskins: Once more, with feeling: I’mnot sayin, I’m just sayin. This whole RGIII deal is easily turning into my best sports prediction since I called Steph Curry and Davidson making the elite 8 before the NCAA tournament even started.  Worst prediction of recent times: my pre-season prediction that Oakland would finish last in the AL West. In my defense though, I’m really not very smart.

Packers 28, Saints 27

Sean Payton, Head Coach, Saints:  Shocker! Who would have thought that replacing one of the 3 best coaches in the NFL with a no-name interim coach would have a negative impact on the team? How anyone thought this team was going to win the division without Payton just completely baffles me.

Eagles 19, Giants 17

Mike Vick, QB, Eagles: Yeah, I’m not buying that Vick will all of a suddenly start limiting his Turnovers.  I think its more likely Vick has 6 turnovers next week than him having 0 again.

Bears 34, Cowboys 18

Tony Romo, QB, Cowboys: I keep reading this box score, and I can’t stop smiling. Just pure, unadulterated, joy.

You can follow Andy on twitter @AMOhoop34