Young QBs take front and center in week four of the NFL

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Week four of the NFL season was one of the more exciting in recent memory with the current class of young quarterbacks further establishing themselves.  Even in Chicago, where the search for a good quarterback is seemingly eternal, reason for optimism abounded.

Ryan Pace's vision

After a very pedestrian start to the season, Bears QB, Mitch Trubisky, had one of the greatest days in the history of Bears quarterbacks. While that particular bar isn’t particularly high, Trubisky was tremendous.  Mitch threw for six touchdowns and 354 yards as the Bears crushed the Buccaneers 48-10.  Trubisky didn’t throw an interception and also ran for 53 yards in three attempts.  He was pretty much everything Bears GM, Ryan Pace, had envisioned when he traded up to the second pick in 2017 draft to get Trubisky.

Mack keeps on truckin

The Bears defense also continued its dominance.  The unit recorded three sacks and three interceptions.  Khalil Mack was again the ringleader of the group.  Mack once again had a strip sack and created an interception when he hit Jameis Winston’s arm as Winston was throwing.  Aaron Lynch also had a big game, picking up an interception and a sack.  

Come on Akiem!

The biggest negative for the Bears was Akiem Hicks being booted from the game after bumping an official.  The act was dumb and could mean a suspension for Hicks.  He’s just got to be smarter than that.

Is this a trend?

Before getting away from the Bears game, a note should be made about the play of Tarik Cohen.  Cohen was a huge part for the offense, running for 53 yards and catching seven passes for another 121yards.  Most importantly he picked up a boatload of points for my fantasy football team, but I digress.  It will be interesting to see if the formula of more Tarik Cohen and less Jordan Howard continues as the Bears season progresses.  

Mahomes isn't a fluke

The Chiefs overcame a 10 point fourth quarter deficit in route to their 27-23 win over the Denver Broncos Monday night.  Chiefs QB, Patrick Mahomes, stats weren’t as eye popping as in previous games, but he was no less impressive.  Mahomes showed great mobility and the arm strength to make touch throws from unconventional positions.  Mahomes even completed one pass left-handed.  As for his stats, he finished with 28/45 for 304 yards with one TD.  He also ran for another. I know it’s early, but I think Mahomes may be the best QB in the NFL.

 The Biggest Loser is....

Jon Gruden’s Raiders picked up their first win of the season with a 45-42 overtime win over the Browns.  The Browns let another potential win slip away.  Questionable officiating didn’t help them.  The Browns have some talent; they just haven’t figured how to win yet.

Business as usual

The New England Patriots got back on track with a 38-7 win over the Miami Dolphins.  This may be the part of the season where the patriots start righting the ship, buoyed by a pickup of a castoff, in this case Josh Gordon, and some guys you haven’t heard of before.  If so, we’ve seen this story before.

Business as usual 2.0

After crushing the Vikings in week three of the NFL season, the Buffalo Bills went back to their usual selves in a 22-0 loss to the Packers.  The Bills may be who we thought they were, but if that’s the case, who are the Vikings?

Seahawks run to a win

The Arizona Cardinals continued winless after their 20-17 loss to the Seahawks Sundays.  Cardinals’ rookie QB, Josh Rosen, performed adequately, but his play has been overshadowed by the play of other young QBs.  The Seahawks actually had a running game with Mike Davis picking 101 yards on 21 carries.  The Seahawks need more of that going forward if Russell Wilson isn’t going to be a one man band.

Down in Texas

In a battle of mediocre teams, the Dallas Cowboys defeated the Detroit Lions 26-24 on a last second Brett Maher 38 yard field goal.  Ezekiel Elliott had a monster game, running for 152 yards on 25 carries and also catching four passes for 88 yards.  Elliott is pretty much the Cowboys offense.  The Lions are pretty much in for a long year.

And finally, the Texans picked up their first win of the season with a 37-34 overtime win over the Indianapolis Colts.   Colts head coach, Frank Reich, created a stir when he went for a fourth and four from his own 43 yard line with 24 seconds left in overtime.  It didn’t go well.  DeShaun Watson completed a 24 yard pass to DeAndre Hopkins set up the game winning field goal.  Andrew Luck had a huge game for the Colts, throwing for 464 yards and four TDs.  Welcome back, Andrew.