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With a mighty defined summary of statements; individual defensive masterclasses; and a slew of stat paddin' QB/WR duos- week four added more fuel to the NFL regular season fire. Don't sugar cone the defensive masterclass line: we saw Khalil Mack return to game-breaking form (man I miss NFL Street) with 6 sacks as well as seeing a montage of defensive players makin' impact and highlights, terrorizing offensive coordinators. Crazy good performances from many that made it difficult for me to choose my players of the week- especially on the NFC side.
The noise gets louder and louder on the gridiron. Lets drop the whistle and get into the action with some quick huddle:
Khalil Mack records 6 sacks in an epic display to push the Bolts past the Raiders
Puka! Puka! Puka!:
Steelers; Browns; and Bengals get routed in week 4 matchups being outscored by a combined 85-12 score
Bills drop major statement on the Dolphins in 48-20 whoopin'
Eagles and Rams win in OT- now will face each other in WK5
Baker is efficient again as the Bucs march to 3-1
Seahawks put up crazy defensive numbers:
Texans smack the Steelers to cruise to 2 straight dubs. They have outscored the Jags and the Steelers 67-23
Falcons go from 2-0 to 2 straight blowouts in disappointing showing in London
Lions and Ravens cruise to 3-1 starts
There were so many stellar performances by defensive players in WK4 that it made things difficult for me to decide on the sure-fire players of the week. I think I did good justice with the six (3 AFC - 3 NFC) that I chose, but some will argue they are not sure-fire nods. Even I did as I sat there feeling as if my job wasn't done. It wouldn't be right for me to not show some love to the honorary mentions.
S Antoine Winfield Jr. - TB
Junior is once again back to showing elite play at Safety for the Buccaneers comin' off a lights out performance that helped elevate Tampa to 3-1. Bucs' defense didn't allow the Saints to score a touchdown, holding a team to that feat and single-digit points for the first time since Week-1 of last season. Winfield was a big reason why as he returned to the form he showed in WK1 causin' havoc in the blitz game from up top and being a relentless pursuer of the ball.
Winfield was a menace pursuing the ball by the line-of-scrimmage as he reeled in 2 TFLs to go with his 9 combined tackles, only missing one. Add a Peanut-Punch and scoop tackle as well as an outstanding centerfield deflection that washed a long touchdown pass from Derek Carr, that would have made the game 14-10. Still not impressed? DC Larry Foote sent Winfield on a blitz just one time against the Saints- Winfield recorded his second sack of the season. Winfield made every rep count and then some against New Orleans.
Winfield has already tied his career high for forced fumbles in a season, and needs one more recovery (3) to tie his career high in fumble recoveries. Being off to a stellar start this season, I expect his impact to rise and the highlight plays on defense to continue. Larry Foote saw how a coordinator (Dick LeBeau) is to utilize safeties with Foote's tenure as a player in Pittsburgh. Plus, you know, Todd Bowles. Winfield is in the perfect spot, and looks to help elevate his Bucs back to the playoffs powering a stout defense.
CB Jerry Jacobs - DET
How good has Jerry Jacobs been for Detroit to start the '23 campaign?
After starting the final 8 games last season for the Lions and winning the job going into this season- many people have been slow to show him recognition. Jacobs' play on the field is now starting to warrant it. Jerry had a near breakout game in Lambeau against the Pack as he reeled in 2 interceptions- a career game high. Jacobs was extremely active as Jordan Love targeted his way eleven times, completing seven passes. Jacobs won the important ones and had a solid day in coverage against an improving Romeo Doubs. In full hindsight.
Jacobs gave up 82 yards and a touchdown, but evened the scale with the two interceptions and 5 solo tackles. Casuals would gripe that givin' up 82 and a toudy is a tough day at the office for a CB. There is not one corner who will agree that being targeted 11 times, giving up a 63.6 completion percentage; 76.9 passer rating (when targeted); and two picks to be a bad day. Not one. Great performance by Jacobs and one that will elevate him going into next week.
S Harrison Smith - MIN
Harrison Smith isn't a Jerry Jacobs... he already has that recognition. The cat has NO intent to slow down in year 12 and at 34 years old. The All-Pro safety had one of the best games of his career in Week-4 postin' 3 sacks; 14 combined tackles; 2 TFL; and a forced fumble to help the Vikings secure their first dub on the campaign.
Smith has been a superior blitzer from safety across his career as he ranks 10th all-time with 19.5 sacks from the safety position. Jamal Adams is the only active safety with more (21.5). This dude Harrison, in year 12, and in only ONE game has posted his season high in sacks with 3. The Vikings now have a winnin' plan to use to help turn the defense and team around- send in the Hitman!
LB Bobby Wagner - SEA
First we recognize Harrison Smith, and now we have Bobby Wagz on the itinerary. Bobby wants 12 for the 12th man! Wagner enters the season with the longest consecutive streak of seasons with 100+ combined tackles (11). He shows no signs of slowing down and having that streak be snapped.
Wagner posted 17 combined tackles in WK4- 9 solo and 8 assisted. Only two shy of the most in a game this week as well as on the season. Wagner's 18 in WK1 had been the league high until Quay Walker topped it with 19 versus the Lions. Will this dude Wagner ever slow down? It's a serious question.
Wagner's 51 combined through WK4 are the third most in the league- he currently sits 9th all-time in career tackles since 1987. Wagner can easily move to 7th place during this season (at this rate). Wagner can see Hardy Nickerson and Clay Matthews' tail lights and is preparing to overtake. All that is great for Bobby's legacy, but his play is far greater for the Seahawks' success this season. Wagner being a game wrecker on defense will gradually help Seattle's chances of winning and we saw that again this week agianst the Giants.
Wagner elevated the entire front 7 of Seattle as they caused pure havoc for the Giants offensive-line and Daniel Jones. 2 sacks for Wagner and 11 for the Seahawks. This is a quick example of what Daniel Jones had to handle on MNF:
A legendary performance by the Seahawks defense, a performance they can't pull off without their heartbeat and nucleus on defense in Bobby Wagner. Big time performance by Wagner, look for him to continue to produce as he builds is HOF resume.
Believe it or not, we have seen a few cases of the same name in the NFL. Mike Williams is a widely known one with the coincidences of playing wide receiver. Two times we have seen a productive offensive player and a productive defensive player with the same name in the league at the same time- Roy Williams (DET WR & DAL S) and Brandon Marshall (NYJ WR & DEN LB). Roy Williams squared was surely the best of the two names. Now we have a name that looks to blow them all out of the water: Josh Allen.
I don't feel I need to write about Josh Allen and what he is doing under center for Buffalo. After his rough opening week, JA has turned it up and now is back to being a top 3 QB. He gets his recognition, but It's quite criminal how unspoken people are regarding how good Jaguars linebacker Josh Allen is- and it's in huge part to sharing the same name as Mr. Star QB. Jaguars' Allen is just as dominate on defense than the Bills' Allen is on offense. In London, Allen posted his second game with 3 sacks and tacked on 3 TFL; a forced fumble; and 10 combined tackles. When Allen performs, the Jaguars win. Same with the other Allen in Buffalo.
The Jaguars only two wins have come in the two games that LB Josh Allen has thrived in. The team's success is determined on how he plays. When he isn't productive they get thrashed, when he is they win. Allen will look to build off another three sack outing as he tries to gain the consistency that will launch him into the elite, and into the spotlight.
The fact we have possibly a top defensive player and a top offensive player with the same name in the league is mind blowin'. JA squared is a ruthless combination of football skill. Now they are set to square off in WK5! Will Josh Allen sack Josh Allen?
So... the Dolphins and Bills being a banger and the first of it's kind in'23? Yeah that didn't really go down all too well, thanks to Josh Allen and his statement led Bills who spanked the Dolphins up and down Buffalo. Bills and fantasy football fans adored that can whoopin', the rest of us were left disappointed. We had two OT games that gave off some noise... Commanders/Eagles actually was a very loud contest. But still, nothing really off the charts. The Dolphins/Bills game was too large of a letdown to overcome in the sense of hangin' by your chair watching. Luckily, oh baby luckily, we shouldn't get fed cap again as we have a LARGE entree of football this weekend when the 49ers take on the Cowboys.
Santa Clara is going to be red hot in excitement on Sunday evening when Levi's Stadium is packed to the brim while the elite fill the gridiron. Number three and number four in points per game. Two top five defenses and two teams top three in points differential- this game should be electric. If it's not then I will lose my wits. Not to be that guy... but Micah Parsons and co. could make it be less electric overall if they rattle Brock Purdy. Brock has a chance to prove me wrong and shut me up, no doubt. However, the last time he faced a stout defensive front that can alter the confidence of an offense with a snap of a finger, is what got me to the criticism. Haason Reddick knows what I'm saying.
Hopefully I am wrong and Purdy shows what he's made of. He will have to step up, McCaffrey shouldn't be runnin' all over that Cowboys defense... but who knows he's playing outta this world right now. Same goes to Dak. 49ers defense behind Warner and Bosa is going to give that cat fits all primetime long. Man, this game is going to be fireworks and an early season teller. Amp up the competition!
WK4 Players OTW:
Power Rankings Going into WK5:
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