The NFL Roundup - Week 4

​Written by John Edward Betancourt

(Eric Christian Smith/Associated Press)

Week 4 in the NFL, or the quarter mark as some refer to it, is an important one to say the least because so many teams more or less establish their identity at this point in the season. The tinkering ends, they realize what they have on offense and defense but that doesn't mean that the surprises will end. Some teams may still be facing an incredible collapse, some are still searching for that all important identity and others will rise to the occasion making for some exciting football, and some fascinating stories and here are the top ones we will be keeping an eye on this weekend in the NFL.

Who will lead the Texans Defense now that J.J. Watt is on Injured Reserve?
J.J. Watt is kind of a big deal down in Houston. He's their most decorated player and quite frankly the face of the franchise and the news that he is being shut down on IR, is equally as big of a deal. After all, this team, and its defense play and act differently when J.J. isn't on the field thanks to his leadership and well, it's time for someone to step up and try and fill that void, but do the Texans have anyone that can fulfill that all important leadership role? It's clear they expect Jadeveon Clowney and Brian Cushing to handle the pass rush, but someone on this squad needs to inspire this defense and make these men believe they can achieve anything. That's one of Watt's biggest strengths so it's safe to say we can expect the Texans defense to play in adequate fashion until someone steps up and tries to fill that leadership void. 

Will the Los Angeles Offense continue to perform at a high level?
Last week was the moment every Rams fan was waiting for, since Case Keenum and Todd Gurley finally found the end zone as they helped sculpt a 37-32 win over Tampa Bay. But was that a fluke or is this offense for real? Truthfully, I think we are finally seeing the offense that Jeff Fisher envisioned from the get go, it just took a little while for this offense to find its proverbial footing. Todd Gurley is just a freakish talent at running back so it was only a matter of time before he lit it up and Case Keenum knows what's at stake. If he continued to play poorly, or continues going forward, at some point the rookie takes his job. Either way, expect a resurgent and confident Los Angeles to attack the surprisingly mediocre Cardinals defense this weekend and don't be shocked if the Rams walk away with the win.

Will the Miami Dolphins finally find their identity...and success this weekend?
There are a lot of question marks still surrounding the Miami Dolphins as they enter Week 4 and that's not necessarily a good thing. Newly minted Head Coach Adam Gase was supposed to be the offensive guru to finally get the most out of Ryan Tannehill and get a run game going as well, but that simply has not happened yet. Not to mention, the Miami defense is about as mediocre as ever. Which means the team is desperately struggling to find its identity and what better a time to do it, than on the road, in the Jungle against the Bengals? The Dolphins honestly need to open up the playbook, turn Tannehill loose and inspire this defense to dominate. As for whether or not the team can find an identity this weekend is up to the players. If they execute and pull off the win, they're on their way to finding it, if not...then perhaps Adam Gase will start making some changes to the lineup to help this team discover who they are and what they are made of.

Will the Buffalo Bills have another statement game against the ailing New England Patriots?
Rex Ryan, is a coaching conundrum. When he is focused, his teams are shockingly good. When he goes over the top with his bravado, his teams are shockingly bad. So...which team shows up against the Patriots this weekend? Because holy cow, the Bills were absolutely brilliant last week, utterly dismantling the Cardinals on their way to an incredibly important win to keep the season alive and this week, well they could make quite the statement against the Patriots since both of their quarterbacks are ailing and New England has yet to face a stout defense. My only concern was that he had the time to call into the Patriots press conference this week and do a little trolling, because that's more of that silly bravado that only Rex can employ, so my hope is that it was just a one off and the Buffalo Bills are ready and focused to take on a New England squad that refuses to lose, because if they are...then yes indeed they will make quite a statement against the Patriots and leave Foxboro with a win.

Will Carolina make a rebound and shake off their Super Bowl Hangover this weekend?
Let's face facts, the Panthers are a talented football team, but they're still reeling from their Super Bowl loss and if they want a chance to play in Super Bowl LI, they need to get their heads on straight and quickly. I say that, because allowing for Cam Newton to be sacked eight times and intercepted three more is outright embarrassing for the NFC Champions and this weekend is the wrong time to continue this meltdown with an NFC South divisional matchup waiting for them against a resurgent Atlanta Falcons. This is the kind of moment where coaching can no longer come into play, the players have to come together and put an end to this slide, and this game will be a grand test of Cam Newton and Luke Kuechly's leadership abilities and if they fail...get ready for a long season of struggles, and a new NFC Champion in 2016...

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