The NFL Roundup 2020: Week 4

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Normally when we get to Week 4 in the NFL, we talk a lot about routine. Because at this point that how’s things should be feeling around the league. For every team is settling into a rhythm, the players are doing what’s comfortable and what works and of course… we’re enjoying football every Thursday, Sunday and Monday. But routine simply doesn’t apply to 2020 in the slightest. Because this year’s slate of games keep finding ways to surprise us and keep us talking with all of the dynamic change surrounding them and Week 4 is no exception to that rule, since there are all kinds of changes to be found in both the lineups and schedule this week. So, without further ado, it is time we dive into all of those things as we preview the wild week of NFL football that now awaits us.

The Pittsburgh/Tennessee postponement is the right call by the league.
The league’s decision to push the Steelers/Titans game to a later date, due to positive COVID tests is likely one that caught everyone by surprise. Simply because it really seemed as though the league had this mess under control and also because… it rather hammers home the fact that we aren’t quite out of the woods just yet when it comes to the pandemic, and that reminder is never fun. But all shock surrounding this aside, it is absolutely the right call. Because it is all about safety first, and if this is what keeps this illness from spreading like wildfire through any team facility, so be it. At least we know we can enjoy the game later on and at this point, all we can do is wish those afflicted, a speedy recovery as they battle this ugly illness.
 
Will the Atlanta Falcons finally win their first game of the season this weekend?
You know, we are going to spend a lot of time today, talking about 'last stands' for several teams around the league. Because this will likely be the last week for those teams to make a splash and turn their season around before they fade into obscurity in 2020 and one such team that meets that particular criteria, is the Atlanta Falcons. Because they had high hopes surrounding them in 2020 and few of us thought they’d be 0-3 at this point and well, the big question hanging over their game is whether or not they can win their first matchup of the season, on the road, at Green Bay and honestly… I don’t think they can. Because they’re terrible and can’t close out a drive or a game to save their lives and with the Packers playing lights out football right now, I expect nothing short of a brutal game on Monday night, one that will painfully put an end to Atlanta's season.
 
Is this the week the Cowboys finally put it all together?
Speaking of another team in need of a big win, let’s talk about the Dallas Cowboys for a moment. Because they too had high expectations coming into 2020 and have seen some rough games come their way. But this is a team that should be able to handle the Cleveland Browns no problem come Sunday, because uh… it’s Cleveland. And while the Browns are indeed 2-1, they really haven’t faced an offense as strong as this one. So, expect Dallas to get a tune-up win here because they are better than their record reflects. And if by chance they actually lose this game to the Browns, well then obviously their troubles go far deeper than a tough, early schedule. 

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The Most Fascinating Games to Watch This Weekend

Thursday Night Football
Denver Broncos (0-3) at New York Jets (0-3)
MetLife Stadium – East Rutherford, NJ
8:20 p.m. EST – NFL Network

It may seem odd to highlight a prime-time game featuring two winless teams, but since this is the ‘Last Stand’ edition of the NFL Roundup, this game is worth discussing. Simply because everything is on the line for these particular squads. Because a loss here, will bring about all kinds of ire and instability for these two franchises. The Jets for instance, might opt to make a coaching change sooner rather than later, simply because Adam Gase was supposed to revolutionize this offense, not tank it. And if Denver loses here, well then, the franchise will need to take a serious look at its structure from the top down. Because John Elway will have designed a roster that has no depth or talent behind wounded starters. If anything, it will be interesting to see which team digs deep and comes out on top in this one and if I had to pick a winner it would be Denver. Since there is a fair chance the quarterbacking change they made earlier this week, might finally spark an anemic offense and uh, the Jets D isn’t exactly elite.

Minnesota Vikings (0-3) at Houston Texans (0-3)
NRG Stadium – Houston, Texas
Sunday, October 4, 2020 – 1:00 p.m. EST – FOX

Well, here we are again, examining teams with high expectations and poor results and this is another one that has everything on the line for two key people from each team. Because if the Vikings lose this game because they didn't put enough points on the board, then everyone in Minneapoils will be firing off a chant to see Kirk Cousins benched and deservedly so. For he was paid a lot of money to transform this offense, and thus far his time under center has been lackluster at best. As for the Texans, well a loss here will put some serious pressure on Head Coach Bill O’Brien. Because he’s both the coach and general manager of this squad, and his wild moves in the offseason, trade wise, have left the offense he runs in tatters. And while DeShaun Watson has done some impressive things this year, he’s struggling without a #1 receiver and if they lose here, well then discussions will have to begin about going out and getting a new GM that can reload the offense with weapons, and a new head coach that knows how to use them.

New England Patriots (2-1) at Kansas City Chiefs (3-0)
Arrowhead Stadium – Kansas City, MO
Sunday, October 4, 2020 – 4:25 p.m. EST – CBS

​While it is fascinating to analyze teams that have a lot riding on a game, we would be foolish to not look at a matchup that offers a boatload of fun as well and this one meets that criteria. Because you cannot go wrong with two RPO quarterbacks and two ‘bend but don’t break’ defenses duking it out. Which means this particular matchup has the potential to be quite the unique shootout. Because Cam Newton is getting it done with his legs and Mahomes simply cannot be stopped, so don’t be shocked if this particular contest ends with a super high score. But truth be told, if last week’s Monday night game is any indicator, there’s a fair chance that the Patriots are walking into a slaughter. Because the Kansas City defense shut down Lamar Jackson no problem and Mahomes exploited every weakness in the Baltimore defense, and I see no reason as to why history cannot repeat itself here, because the World Champions are playing inspired football right now.