Each week in the NFL season has story lines and rivalry games that draw in football fans like a moth to a flame. This past week was no different and the only thing that we could justifiably complain about is the fact that we’re 25 percent through the regular season and it’s just moving too fast. But time flies when you’re having fun, right?
Impressive Rookies, Calvin Johnson and Five Reasons NFL Week 4 Was Awesome
From impressive rookie performances to Calvin Johnson’s whole 2011 season so far, here’s five reasons the fourth week in the 2011 NFL season was awesome.
Before we head into the second quarter of the 2011 NFL season, here’s the five things that stood out to make Week 4 awesome.
Starting with....
| Rookies Making an Impact |
Sure, every year there are some stand-out rookies in the NFL but in a season with a shortened offseason many figured that rookies would suffer without the benefit of an offseason to get used to the speed of the NFL game. But if it hurt some rookies, it didn’t show much this week.
Bengals rookie quarterback Andy Dalton and rookie wide receiver A.J. Green led the team to a come-from-behind victory over the previously undefeated Buffalo Bills on Sunday. Rookie wide receiver Julio Jones racked up 127 yards receiving, helping the Atlanta Falcons narrowly beat the Seattle Seahawks. Marcus Gilchrist intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown, helping the Chargers defeat the Dolphins. And of course, who could forget Cam Newton, who threw for three touchdown passes in a loss to the Bears.
All of these guys have bright futures and I’m excited to see where they’ll be this time next season.
| A Defensive Battle |
The New York Jets and Baltimore Ravens defenses faced off on Sunday night in Baltimore. So here's what we got to watch: on one side you have Rey Lewis and Ed Reed, two future hall of famers, and on the other side you have Darrelle Revis and Bart Scott, two guys who have had solid careers so far.
The Ravens won the game by a score of 34-17 but there were only one offensive touchdown scored, that was by the Ravens. Other than that it was all field goals, defense and special teams. The Ravens defense score three toughdowns, two on returned fumbles and one on an interception return. The Jets scored on an interception return and on a returned kickoff.
Everybody loves a tough defensive battle.
Awesome.
| The Patriots Hate You and Your Fantasy Football Team |
The Patriots might have the most convoluted offensive system in the entire league and that's because the only player that you can ever rely on when it comes to fantasy football is quarterback Tom Brady. Other than that, it's hit or miss.
The Patriots have the top offense in the NFL and if you have BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Danny Woodhead, Deion Branch or Chad Ochocinco (I don't know why you would have Ochocinco on your team at this point), you worry every week that the Patriots will use somebody other than your guy to score touchdowns. This week it was rookie Stevan Ridley who had over 90 yards rushing and a touchdown. Next week it will be some other guy that you've never heard of.
You have to admit than an offense that versatile is really awesome. Too bad they have the league’s worst defense.
| Comebacks and Upset Victories |
Not only did the Bengals upset the favored Buffalo Bills and their high powered offense, but they did it mostly in the second half. The Lions were another team that had to come from behind to get a win in week four, thanks largely to the complete implosion of Tony Romo. The New York Giants came from behind to beat the Arizona Cardinals with a touchdown pass from Eli Manning to Hakeem Nicks late in the fourth quarter. The 49ers upset the Eagles on a 12-yard touchdown run from Frank Gore in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.
All in all, there were four come-from behind victories and a decent amount of upsets to keep us all on our toes. When it comes to close games, it’s been a fun season so far.
In four games, Calvin Johnson has caught 24 passes for 321 yards and EIGHT touchdowns. If he continues this pace he'll finish the 2011 NFL regular season with 1,284 yards and 32 touchdowns. If you're wondering, yes that would be a new NFL record. It would blow out Randy Moss' single-season record of 23 touchdown receptions from the 2007 season.
Of course, continuing to catch two touchdown passes per game for a whole season would be pretty tough to pull off but he's obviously better than almost everybody that covers him and as long as Matthew Stafford can stay healthy and continue to throw him the ball, you never know what could happen.
But what about this isn’t awesome?
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