If 0-3 spells hazard, then 0-4 spells catastrophe for an NFL crew. The Jacksonville Jaguars and Cincinnati Bengals — each with excessive expectations getting into the yr — might discover themselves in that place after Sunday.
Earlier than the season, some won’t have anticipated Minnesota Vikings–Inexperienced Bay Packers to arguably be Week 4’s most fascinating sport. However Sam Darnold’s rebirth, Brian Flores’ “wild” and “totally different” protection and Malik Willis’ excellent backup job (in addition to Jordan Love’s standing) modified plans.
Elsewhere, it will get harder by the week to pry the Pittsburgh Steelers beginning quarterback job from Justin Fields. He leads Pittsburgh on the street towards Anthony Richardson and the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.
There may be a lot to debate forward of Sunday’s Week 4 video games. The Athletic’s Mike Sando, Zak Keefer and Jeff Howe break all of it down.
The Jaguars (at Houston) and Bengals (at Carolina) attempt to keep away from the dreaded 0-4 begin. Each groups had excessive expectations heading into the yr. Ought to Jacksonville or Cincinnati be extra apprehensive concerning the path of its season?
Sando: Jacksonville! The Jaguars have existential questions on their soccer management, concerning the quarterback they simply paid, concerning the very essence of their operation. They might like to have the Bengals’ issues.
Keefer: I’m very a lot with Mike on this one. The primary distinction I see is the quarterback play. Joe Burrow’s been a lot better the final two weeks, even in two losses, whereas Trevor Lawrence seems completely misplaced. He’s lacking throws no starter ought to miss, not to mention a No. 1 choose who’s been excellent since he entered the league. He’s now misplaced eight consecutive begins. One thing’s not proper in Jacksonville. As for the Bengals, this protection is letting them down. Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase are ok to win video games, however with out Cincinnati enjoying any type of complementary soccer, the Bengals aren’t going to show this round.
Howe: Earlier than the season, I listed the Jaguars’ four-game schedule out of the gate as their biggest concern, so the 0-3 begin wasn’t wholly unpredictable. Nevertheless, the dearth of battle and management was much more surprising. In conversations with executives this week, they noticed a crew that didn’t have an id on offense and struggled to guard the quarterback, and noticed Lawrence’s inaccuracies as seemingly resulting from inconsistent fundamentals ensuing from waning confidence. The Jaguars higher begin coming collectively or there may very well be large modifications within the not-so-distant future. The Bengals are most likely out of the AFC North race, however they’re nonetheless gifted and resilient sufficient to push for a playoff spot.
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Between the Sam Darnold Redemption Tour and Malik Willis maintaining the Packers afloat (Jordan Love was additionally listed as questionable Friday), Vikings-Packers is abruptly one of many yr’s greatest video games to this point. How do you see this matchup enjoying out?
Sando: The Vikings’ protection offers Minnesota the sting whereas the Packers are probably shifting gears at quarterback. I’d lean extra towards Inexperienced Bay if Love had been enjoying and if he have been in a rhythm. The Packers would possibly win it anyway; they’re at dwelling, and Sam Darnold isn’t going to cruise by means of the season with out turning it over extra.
Keefer: Quarterbacks get all of the love on this league — and Darnold and Willis had been super, weighing the circumstances they walked into — however the sneaky storyline to concentrate to on this one is the defenses. Brian Flores’ Vikings unit has overwhelmed the 49ers’ and Texans’ offenses in consecutive weeks and is getting after the QB at a historic clip. Jeff Hafley, in his first yr operating the Packers’ protection, has been wonderful. This one doesn’t simply function two of the league’s most underappreciated head coaches in Kevin O’Connell and Matt LaFleur, however two of the perfect defensive coordinators to this point this season, too.
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Howe: The Willis story has been an early-season spotlight, however Brian Flores’ protection simply made Brock Purdy and C.J. Stroud look atypical in back-to-back weeks. Whether or not it’s Willis or Love coming back from damage and a two-week layoff, I’d be pretty shocked in the event that they bought the higher of that Vikings protection. Darnold’s begin has been spectacular, however I’m curious to see how he manages in-game adversity. There hasn’t been a lot but, and I’m certain Matt LaFleur and his workers have one thing within the works to throw him off a bit. This sport might set the tone for the Coach of the Yr dialog.
The Steelers have a 4-0 begin of their sights as they journey to Indianapolis on Sunday. Has Justin Fields accomplished sufficient to maintain the beginning job over Russell Wilson ought to Wilson finally be cleared to play?
Sando: Sticking with Fields is the straightforward name. There’s no want to alter except Fields will get injured or actually falters. It’s an extended season. There’s a very good probability Wilson will play sooner or later. There’s simply no have to pressure it whereas issues are going nicely.
Keefer: Not when you ask Mike Tomlin, who’s basically stated he’s not making this determination till he has to. But when Fields retains enjoying like this, Wilson won’t ever see the sector this season. Tomlin’s skilled sufficient to know you don’t mess with a very good factor. Fields isn’t lighting it up, however he’s wanting extra comfy with every passing week, and his upside is bigger than Wilson’s, who is much from the identical participant he was throughout his Seattle peak. Something in need of an absolute dud — or a very awful month — from Fields will get Wilson his beginning job again.
Howe: Completely. Fields has accomplished every little thing the Steelers have requested of him. He delivered an absolute great thing about a ball on the 55-yard landing to Calvin Austin towards the Chargers, however he’s principally simply wanted to play accountable soccer whereas sprinkling in a well timed play. That’s excellent. It’s nice to see a crew and quarterback align to get the perfect out of each other. That is the definition of complementary soccer, and Fields and the teaching workers — and that wildly gifted protection — all deserve credit score. I’d be shocked if Fields maintained this tempo and was relegated to the bench.
Coming off a spectacular ‘Monday Night time Soccer’ efficiency, Jayden Daniels takes the Commanders on the street towards the Cardinals. What has been most spectacular about Daniels’ begin to the season? Does his play change Washington’s ceiling this yr?
Sando: Daniels’ poise has been most spectacular. The best way he stood robust towards the push, realizing he was going to take an enormous hit, earlier than delivering the clinching 27-yard landing go to Terry McLaurin was one instance of this.
Keefer: Daniels has been the perfect of the rookie QBs to this point, and it’s not notably shut. I feel an enormous a part of that is what Washington offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury has requested Daniels to do: He’s tapping into his rookie QB’s immense talent set with out having him carry your complete offense on his shoulders. That’s a lot more durable than it sounds. Daniels had simply two incompletions in Monday night time’s win, and a part of that was the short throws Kinsburgy stored calling. It’s a fragile steadiness beginning a rookie passer straight away, wanting him to achieve the expertise of enjoying regular-season video games with out the unforgiving nature of this league burying his confidence alongside the best way. The Commanders are acing this take a look at to this point, they usually deserve credit score for that.
Howe: If Daniels retains this going, the Commanders might be knocking on the door for the playoffs, so I’d say that’s undoubtedly a change of their ceiling. Kingsbury’s offenses trailed off late when he ran the Cardinals, in order that’s one thing to watch. A part of that, after all, was resulting from Kyler Murray getting banged up, and executives nonetheless imagine that may very well be problematic for Daniels if he takes on an excessive amount of contact. If they will follow the run sport, each with Daniels and Brian Robinson, the Commanders might be in good condition.
The Seahawks are 3-0 in an NFC West the place the 49ers and Rams are battling accidents. The Lions’ path to a different division title seems barely harder contemplating the best way the Vikings and Packers are enjoying. Have your preseason expectations about Seattle or Detroit modified by means of three video games?
Sando: My expectations stay about the identical, but when the Seattle protection has its approach towards the Lions’ offense, I’ll marvel slightly louder whether or not opponents are catching as much as the Detroit offense. That was a possible concern getting into the season.
Keefer: Kudos to Mike Macdaniel and the Seahawks on their 3-0 begin. You’ll be able to solely play the groups in entrance of you. However let’s be sincere: Seattle hasn’t beat anybody. I significantly doubt the Broncos, Patriots or Dolphins will find yourself as a playoff crew in 2024. Monday’s sport is the Seahawks’ first actual take a look at, and in the event that they’re going to hold with the 49ers and Rams — two groups with their very own points in the meanwhile — within the NFC West, that is their probability to show it. The one factor that worries me about Detroit’s path to a second straight NFC North title is how good the division is. That is the perfect within the league, and it’s straightforward to check three groups all making it to the playoffs: the Lions, Packers and Vikings. Take a look at the again finish of the schedule, when all of the NFC North see one another briefly succession. This figures to be a wild end.
Howe: The Seahawks have accomplished a pleasant job of successful video games whereas probably not enjoying at their finest. They’ve additionally needed to overcome some accidents of their very own, although they’re not as excessive profile as their division counterparts. I believed the Seahawks can be a playoff crew this season, so my expectations are nonetheless the identical with them. As for the Lions, they shook off a shocking loss to the Bucs with a formidable victory towards a vastly improved Cardinals crew. I’ve nonetheless bought the Lions among the many favorites to signify the NFC within the Tremendous Bowl.
(Prime photograph of Trevor Lawrence: Kevin Sabitus / Getty Pictures)