Adrian Fedkiw
There’s no Philadelphia Eagles football this week, but the show will go on for the rest of the National Football League.
Week 4 of the 2016 season features 15 games, with the Cincinnati Bengals’ 22-7 victory over the Miami Dolphins Thursday night kickstarting the festivities.
It’s not a great week, there aren’t a lot of sexy, can’t-miss matchups, but there’s still some intriguing ones.
Let’s take a look at the five games I’m looking forward to most.
5. NY Giants (2-1) at Minnesota (3-0)
The Giants and Vikings is one of three matchups this week featuring teams with winning records. Sam Bradford is off to a great start with a 107.8 passer rating, which is fifth in the NFL. He’s thrown for 457 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions in his two starts. Adrian Peterson’s injury stings, but the further emergence of Stefon Diggs has lessened the blow. He’s second in the NFL with 325 receiving yards on 20 catches.
Minnesota’s defense has lived up to the billing so far, allowing just 13.3 points per game, which is third. It has also recorded 13 sacks the last two weeks and defensive linemen Danielle Hunter, Linval Joseph and Everson Griffen are all in the top five in sacks. Griffen has four, while Joseph and Hunter have three apiece. The Vikings also lead the NFL in turnover differential at plus-eight.
It’ll be a fun test for Eli Manning, Odell Beckham and the rest of the New York offense. The Giants don’t have the talent of Minnesota’s defense, but have improved following the additions of defensive end Olivier Vernon, defensive tackle Damon Harrison and cornerback Janoris Jenkins.
4. Buffalo (1-2) at New England (3-0)
Is what the Patriots are doing even that surprising?
Bill Belichick is a magician and he’s still been able to help the Patriots off to a 3-0 start with Jimmy Garoppolo and rookie Jacoby Brissett. Speaking of those two, who starts Sunday? Maybe it’ll be Julian Edelman? Does it even matter?
The Bills come off a surprising win over the Arizona Cardinals for their first of the season. Any time Rex Ryan and Belichick butt heads makes for some good drama.
3. Seattle (2-1) at NY Jets (1-2)
Russell Wilson says he will play on Sunday after spraining his MCL. We shall see.
Will Wilson still be able to scramble and keep plays alive? Seattle’s abomination of an offensive line has to go up against a loaded front that includes Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson and Leonard Williams.
That’s no fun.
2. Oakland (2-1) at Baltimore (3-0)
This is another game featuring two teams over .500. The Raiders are 2-1 despite not playing great. They’ve yet to muster a lot of pressure on the quarterback and Khalil Mack hasn’t recorded a sack. Maybe that changes this week. Derek Carr threw for a career-high 351 yards with three touchdowns against the Raven last year.
Baltimore has beaten the Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars by a measly 13 points. Those three teams are a combined 1-8. If Oakland can’t get to Flacco, Steve Smith and Mike Wallace could be in store for big days going up against a weak secondary.
1. Kansas City (2-1) at Pittsburgh (2-1)
The Patriots might be the best team in the AFC, but the Steelers and Chiefs could be their biggest challengers in the AFC. This contest could have major playoff implications and even decide who gets a first-round bye in the postseason.
Despite being without Justin Houston, it’ll be fascinating to watch Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and the returning Le’Veon Bell go up against Kansas City’s defense. Pittsburgh tallied just three points and 251 yards against the Eagles last week.
Chiefs star running back Jamaal Charles may make his first start of the season following his ACL tear last year.