The NFL Roundup 2022: Week 4 Recap

Written by John Edward Betancourt

It is definitely safe to say, that we are bearing witness to one of the wildest seasons in NFL history. Because not only are the usual juggernauts unable to dominate this season, but the upsets continue to shock us, and new franchise heroes are starting to emerge. The kind that no one expected to do a single thing a year or two ago. But here we are, with them accomplishing wonders as other franchises begin to fade away and what’s wild… is that a changing of the guard from a parity standpoint, isn’t the only major storyline showing up this season. Since player safety is once again taking the center stage, and what’s even more outlandish… is that a lot of this was made apparent to us, just this past weekend. So, without further ado, let’s dive in and discuss Week 4 in the NFL a little further, and all the big moments it sent our way.
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The league needs to swiftly handle the issues it is having with concussion protocol.
Truly, this whole incident with Tua… is a grand embarrassment for the league. For obvious reasons. But what’s worse… is the lack of urgency from the league surrounding the fallout of that mess. Because you can’t talk about how player safety is a top priority and then do nothing when every safeguard to keep a player healthy, goes the wayside. So, it’s simple, the league has to be aggressive and sweeping in making sure that no one has to watch a player have a seizure from a severe concussion on live television ever again. Tighten the rules, fire more people, fine the Dolphins for not being more cautious. Do whatever must be done because that was just unacceptable and could have been prevented with actual concern for the players and their well-being.
 
The Denver Broncos are their own worst enemy.
While it was nice to see Russell Wilson finally click with the offense and deliver some epic results, all of his progress was vastly ruined by the fact that the defense didn’t show up to play, and of course… there’s the fact that Melvin Gordon can’t hang onto the ball to save his life. Which means this team really its own worst enemy and they cannot get out of their own way right now… and that has to change. Because they have a better QB under center, the coaches are putting them in better positions, and they’ve proven they can win when the pressure is on. As to how all of that changes… who knows. Maybe the players need a captain led meeting, maybe Coach Hackett needs to bench some stars to make a point. But one way or another… this team needs to get their heads out of the clouds and focus or another lost season is on the horizon.
 
The Kenny Pickett era began in Pittsburgh on Sunday.
It is definitely safe to say… that everyone in football land, and especially Pittsburgh, were curious as to when the Steelers were going to start their new rookie quarterback. Because no one seriously thought that Mitch Trubisky was going to lead this team for an entire season. For his body of work spoke for itself and he was clearly brought in as experienced insurance for Kenny Pickett. Well as it turns out, 3.5 games are all that Trubisky received from Head coach Mike Tomlin to lead this team, since he benched Mitch at halftime on Sunday to turn to the rookie to get a spark and well… that’s not a bad idea. Simply because Mitch has indeed been Mitch and this team really does need some dynamic energy to save the day and Pickett will hopefully bring that to the field. And while he will indeed struggle for a week or two, because… rookie… it is likely just a matter of time before the rookie lets loose and shows us his stuff and hopefully, saves Pittsburgh’s season in the process.
 
Stick a fork in the New England Patriots, they’re done.
There was a time when dominance from New England was a standard in the league. But those days are long gone. Because not only are the Pats 1-3, and reeling from horrible injuries, including some severe ones at quarterback. But they simply cannot hang with better teams and are sliding into irrelevance in the highly competitive AFC East. So, it’s best we just stop talking about them from here on out. Because they’re done. There’s no coming back from 1-3 to make a deep playoff run. There’s just a long and painful season. One that will be filled with subpar play and possibly more ugly injuries to quarterbacks since that line is trash and well… while the rest of the league will rejoice, and a lot of fans as well since everyone is tired of hearing about the Pats and Big Bill… the folks of Foxboro will be sad. But that’s how life in the NFL goes and hey, at least they’ve got six titles to reflect upon. 
 
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in serious trouble.
Week after week, the Bucs continue to make headlines for all the wrong reasons. If it isn’t from doing stupid and childish stuff like fighting on the field or ripping tablets to shreds, it’s regarding their play. Because this defense and this offense are shells of their former selves right now. Because Brady just cannot put up points like he used to, and that D is struggling to stop their opponents and the end result? A very mediocre 2-2. And while that is good enough for first place in the NFC South at the moment, that lead won’t last if they don’t fix their fundamentals on both sides of the ball. So, keep an eye on the Bucs in the next couple of weeks because this is it, do or die time and if they can’t get their problems fixed… then Tom Brady’s un-retirement tour will end with great disappointment.

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