The 7th Report Weekly Recap: NFL Regular Season Week 4

NFL regular season
The Seahawks got off to a slow start Sunday Night against the Indianapolis Colts in their week four matchup of the NFL regular season (Stephen Brashear/AP Photo)

For the second consecutive week, the NFL gave its fans extremely compelling games. Upsets were served and eight games finished less than a six-point differential. Today, you’ll read about the significant injuries sustained in week four, week four offensive and defensive awards, best/worst plays from the weekend, current divisional standings, other news around the league, and interesting statistics to know moving forward.

Ready to rock?

NFL Week Four Injuries

More quarterbacks were injured than normal this weekend. Thankfully, they both are day-to-day. Atlanta saw its two most dynamic receiving weapons go down on Sunday.

News broke last night that Derek Carr will be sidelined 2-6 weeks with a fracture in his back.

Week Four Awards

Offensive Player of the Week: Deshaun Watson – QB – Houston Texans

The Houston Texans won all of the awards this week. Deshaun Watson, the young rookie quarterback, stole the show on Sunday.

While he still has room to improve, Watson looks to be the future in Houston. He gives that offense hope.

Defensive Player of the Week: Houston Texans Defense

As a whole, this unit dominated.

This defense finally played like the defense all the “experts” predicted. Can they maintain this moving forward?

Offensive Honorable Mentions:
Cam Newton – QB – Carolina Panthers (22/29 passing for 316 yards and 3 touchdowns, 1 rushing touchdown)
Le’Veon Bell – RB – Pittsburgh Steelers (35 rushes for 144 yards and 2 touchdowns)
Andy Dalton – QB – Cincinnati Bengals (25/30 passing for 286 yards and 4 touchdowns)

Defensive Honorable Mentions:
Micah Hyde – S – Buffalo Bills (6 tackles, 2 interceptions)
Ryan Shazier – LB – Pittsburgh Steelers (10 tackles, 1 interception)
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix – FS – Green Bay Packers (8 tackles, 1 interception)

Best/Worst Plays from the Weekend

Get ready for the best plays from week four.

Best

A.J. Derby doesn’t even touch the football with his left hand. Insane athleticism.

LeGarrette Blount bounces off four wimpy tackles in the same play. Oh yeah, and he gained 65 yards while doing it.

Yes, this was upheld as a reception. Look a Tevin Coleman’s concentration.

How many quarterbacks make this throw?

One of my favorite qualities about Dak Prescott is his ability to keep his eyes down the field while extending plays with his legs.

Worst

There are some really bad plays from this weekend. I hope you enjoy.

This might be why Mitchell Trubisky is starting in week five.

How do the Jaguars let this happen?

Kenny Britt has eight drops in four games. This one led to an interception.

This one has to be my favorite. I couldn’t tell if it was a “best” play of the weekend or “worst” play from the weekend. Jay Cutler being…Jay Cutler.

Updated Divisional Standings

At the end of each week, I list the divisional standings around the league. Here is what they look like through a quarter of the season.

AFC East

  1. Buffalo Bills (3-1)
  2. New York Jets (2-2)
  3. New England Patriots (2-2)
  4. Miami Dolphins (1-2)

AFC West

  1. Kansas City Chiefs (4-0)
  2. Denver Broncos (3-1)
  3. Oakland Raiders (2-2)
  4. Los Angeles Chargers (0-4)

AFC North

  1. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1)
  2. Baltimore Ravens (2-2)
  3. Cincinnati Bengals (1-3)
  4. Cleveland Browns (0-4)

AFC South

  1. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2)
  2. Houston Texans (2-2)
  3. Tennessee Titans (2-2)
  4. Indianapolis Colts (1-3)

NFC East

  1. Philadelphia Eagles (3-1)
  2. Dallas Cowboys (2-2)
  3. Washington Redskins (2-2)
  4. New York Giants (0-4)

NFC West

  1. Los Angeles Rams (3-1)
  2. Seattle Seahawks (2-2)
  3. Arizona Cardinals (2-2)
  4. San Francisco 49ers (0-4)

NFC North

  1. Detroit Lions (3-1)
  2. Green Bay Packers (3-1)
  3. Minnesota Vikings (2-2)
  4. Chicago Bears (1-3)

NFC South

  1. Atlanta Falcons (3-1)
  2. Carolina Panthers (3-1)
  3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1)
  4. New Orleans Saints (2-2)

Only one team remains undefeated.

News Around the NFL

NFL Teams Release Statements on the National Anthem

After showing unity last week, the NFL received serious backlash. Fans as a whole were disappointed, disgusted, angry, and even threatening at the National Anthem protests. Delanie Walker, a well-known tight-end for the Tennessee Titans, posted on Instagram last week that his family has received death threats.

How has it come to this?

Because the NFL received such backlash, a few teams released statements on why they protested (and will continue to protest) during the National Anthem.

The Seattle Seahawks posted their intentions while also providing a link to donate to their fund. This is a team that is taking action and I wish more teams would follow.

How will Naitonal Anthem protests look in week five?

Mitchell Turbisky to Start in Week Five

After four agonizing games of Mike Glennon, the Chicago Bears have decided to go with the rookie, Mitchell Trubisky. He will start for them on Monday night against the Minnesota Vikings.

Tough spot for Trubisky, but let’s see how he plays.

Clay Matthews Becomes Packers All-Time Sack Leader

The Green Bay Packers are one of the NFL’s backbone teams. There is so much history on Lambeau field and more was made Thursday night.

Michael Bennett Update

I’m not certain if I am more disappointed in this story or that no major network is covering it because of their agenda. Here is the bodycam video of the officer that handcuffed Michael Bennett.

In the second video located on the link in the paragraph above, the Las Vegas police department explained that Bennett was detained for ten minutes and once the officer’s confirmed that he was not the shooter, he was released.

I don’t know what happens next in this story, but I imagine that it doesn’t ever get talked about again. If what is in the video is true, then the officers appear to be in the right. If there is more to this story, then Def Pen will continue to update you. Read here for more.

Danny Trevathan Suspension

The Chicago Bears linebacker took a shot at Davante Adams on Thursday night. Thankfully, Adams has been released from the hospital and is recovering from a concussion. Here is the video of the play.

Danny Trevathan has been suspended for two games. We often forget how violent this game can be.

Interesting Statistics to Know From Around the League

There are so many interesting and key statistics to know if you are a fan of the NFL. In this column, you will find random/helpful stats to further your knowledge of the sport. Feel free to use them with your buddies in arguments later on – I don’t judge.

The 7th Report: Mini-Mailbag

Below are the questions you had for me regarding week four.

HH: Thanks for the question, Dustin. You have scolded me hard for going against the Lions so far in 2017, but each week they continue to prove me wrong. Obviously, they continue to climb power rankings and other people are taking notice around the league. It is important to remember we are only a quarter of the way through the season and there will be serious changes in the landscape of the divisional standings. With that being said, the Lions are on pace to win the division. They just beat a tough divisional opponent on the road in Minnesota but have yet to play the Packers or Bears. We will have a better feel of the Lions over the next four weeks as they play against the Panthers (3-1), at the Saints (2-2), Steelers (3-1), and at Packers (3-1).

HH: Ben, thank you for asking even though it isn’t an NFL question. The injuries to Dodgers and Nationals hurt, but I’m not sold that it opens many doors. The Dodgers still finished 8-2 over their last 10 games and they are still my favorite out of the NL. Pitching and defense win in October and with a top-heavy rotation of Clayton Kershaw, Yu Darvish, and Rich Hill, it’s going to be very difficult for other teams to score runs.

HH: Great question, Clint. It’s very early in the season, but to this point, offensive rookie of the year looks to be between Kareem Hunt and Deshaun Watson. Before his gruesome injury, Dalvin Cook was in the running. In my opinion, I lean towards Kareem Hunt. Watson has so much to learn and while he is playing extremely well, he will have to maintain that play over an entire season. Defensive player of the year is between Jamaal Adams and Hassan Reddick. Both are having tremendous years so far, but I give the edge to Jamaal Adams.

HH: Thanks, Jeff. I am sold on the Rams. First-year head coach Sean McVay seems to have a handle on the NFL through the first quarter of the season. But something very important to note is we are only 1/4 of the way through. The NFC West does seem to be very weak and the Rams will capitalize on this. This Sunday night will be their biggest test as they play at home against the Seattle Seahawks. After Sunday night, we will have a better understanding of where the Rams sit.

“Should the bears have brought Trubisky into the game during the Bears’ Week 4 loss?” – Joey Samuels via Facebook

HH: Joey! I appreciate the question. I think that would have been a smart move. Now, the Bears are starting him on primetime against a top five defense. Not exactly a recipe for success. I am very excited to watch him play, but the smarter move was to let him start the second half of Thursday night’s game to flush the nerves away. Let’s see how he plays!

“Titan’s defense: Do I need to panic yet?” – Kyle Scholl via Facebook

HH: Thanks, Kyle. I wouldn’t hit the “panic button” just yet, but I would be hovering over it. Look, this defense was supposed to take a step forward and yes, they are young, but they should have played better on Sunday. Especially against a poor offense (17.4 points per game in 2016 – 5th worst in NFL) being led by a rookie quarterback. I have been disappointed in the Titans play so far this season as they have yet to show us consistency.

Thank you for your questions! If you want your questions answered in next week’s “mini-mailbag”, tweet them to @the7threport. See you at the same time for week five of the NFL regular season.

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