Week four in the NFL means the first batch of bye weeks for teams. This meant that audiences were deprived of the Denver Bronco’s offensive flurry and the Seattle Seahawk Legion of Boom. Nonetheless, there were many other contenders in action.
The game of the weekend was certainly the San Francisco, Philadelphia clash. The Eagles entered the game as one of the three remaining unbeaten teams in the league. The 49ers were in a different boat, losers of two straight. San Francisco looked themselves Sunday afternoon, holding an explosive Eagles unit scoreless in the second half. The Niners tallied 13 after the intermission, winning 26-21.
Entering Sunday’s division matchup with Chicago, Packers quarterback Aaron Rogers instructed the Green Bay fan-base to “R-E-L-A-X.” Unable to score one offensive touchdown last week against Detroit, there was good reason for Packer fans to fret. A man of his word, Rogers was spectacular in a 38-17 win over the Bears. He threw for 302 yards and four touchdown passes bringing Green Bay’s record to 2-2.
It might be time for Drew Brees to take similar action. The New Orleans Saints were exposed Sunday night in Dallas, losing the game 38-17. Brees sparked a late rally, but for most of the game Tony Romo looked like the better quarterback. The Saints were scoreless in the first half and watched Cowboys running back Demarco Murray run amuck all game long. Murray finished with 149 rushing yards and two touchdowns, his fourth consecutive 100 yard performance to start the season.
Two of Sunday’s greatest performers were Baltimore’s Steve Smith Sr. and Indianapolis’ Andrew Luck. The Raven’s 38-10 victory against the Carolina Panthers was Smith’s first game against his former club since his release from the team this summer. He guaranteed a big game and delivered with a vindictive 139 receiving yards and two touchdown catches. Luck was as dominant in the Colts 41-17 win over the Tennessee Titans, throwing for 393 yards and four touchdown passes. Winless two weeks ago, Luck has done everything possible to rewrite the script. Indianapolis is on a two game winning streak since their slow start.
Scores from all of Sunday’s games:
Green Bay def. CHICAGO: 38-17
HOUSTON def. Buffalo: 23-17
INDIANAPOLIS def. Tennessee: 41-17
BALTIMORE def. Carolina: 38-10
Detroit def. NEW YORK JETS: 24-17
Tampa Bay def. PITTSBURGH: 27-24
Miami def. OAKLAND: 38-14
SAN DIEGO def. Jacksonville: 33-14
MINNESOTA def. Atlanta: 41-28
SAN FRANCISCO def. Philadelphia: 26-21
DALLAS def. New Orleans: 38-17
The New England Patriots travel to Kansas City for a matchup against the Chiefs tonight on ESPN’s Monday Night Football at 8:30pm.
