Week 4 has arrived in glorious fashion. The Vikings couldn’t wait to get the loss out of the way and played on Thursday night at the Los Angeles Rams. A-aron and the Green Bay Packers host those pesky Buffalo Bills. The Lions travel to Dallas to play the Cowboys. The Bears host Tampa Bay and Fitzmagic. Let’s take a look at the three previews and the one LOLVikings.
Rams 38 Vikings 31
You Vike that!!! The Rams beat the Vikings in an unexpected shootout on Thursday night in LA. Jared Goff had a perfect 158.3 passer rating with 5 TDs and 465 yards. Todd Gurley had a solid game but the passing game and strip sack of Cousins late led the Rams (4-0) to victory.
Mike Zimmer said after the game this is the worst pass coverage team has ever coached. Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes and Mike Hughes were burnt toast against Brandin Cooks, Robert Woods and Two Tds One Kupp (Cooper Kupp). Kirk Cousins had a great game with a 126 QB rating and 3 TDs. Minnesota had no run game as they averaged 2.0 YPC led by Kirk Cousins as the leading rusher. Dalvin Cook is not having a good second season after every one crowned his ass in 3.5 games in 2017.
Minnesota drops to 1-2-1 and things get tougher with a road trip to Philadelphia next week. Minnesota has some work to on defense.
Bills (1-2) at Packers (1-1-1)
The Packers lost on the road to Washington last week and the Bills crushed the Vikings in Minnesota. Buffalo looked awful the first two weeks but the legs of Josh Allen and good defense got the Bills their first win in Week 3. Rodgers hasn’t been practicing but will play through the knee injury again. The Packers have ran the ball well though and Aaron Jones had a nice return after a suspension with 6 carries.
Buffalo has a nice front with Kyle Williams, ,Shaq Lawson, Star Lotuleilei and Jerry Huges on the defensive line. Hughes has been banged up. Rookie 1st rounder Tremiane Edmunds and Lorenzo Alexander are talented LBs as well. Green Bay must block well and open up the run game to make life easier for Aaron on the bum knee.
Micah Hyde returns to Green Bay and Tre’Davious White is a very good CB to stop Adams. Vontae Davis retired mid-game in Week 2 so Green Bay won’t worry about him. Jordan Poyer is a solid FS but Taron Johnson is a 4th round rookie that Rodgers can exploit.
Randall Cobb is dealing with an injury but Adams and Allison have looked good for the Packers. Jimmy Graham has a quiet start to his Packer career and must step up if Cobb is hurt.
On defense, Green Bay has been inconsistent. They lost Muhammed Wilkerson for the year which is a big blow. The young secondary for Green Bay must step up and need a pass rush. Nick Perry is dealing with a concussion as well. The Bills have a poor offensive line but the rookie Josh Allen is mobile. Clark, Daniels and Matthews will need big days. LeSean McCoy didn’t play last week but could run on the Packers if he suits up.
Green Bay is at home and they have Aaron Rodgers. They will beat the Bills 42-14 as the Bills go back to one of the worst in the league.
Buccaneers (2-1) at Bears (2-1)
Fitmagic is in full effect and continues to start over Jameis Winston (returns from suspension). Tampa Bay has had great offensive play with Ryan Fitzpatrick, Mike Evans, DeSean Jackson, Curtis Godwin and OJ Howard. The Bears have had great menacing defensive play for 2.5 of the 3 games. We’ll see if the Bears can stop a good offense for a full game (unlike Packers second half). Mack, Floyd, Smith, Trevathan, Goldman and Hicks should pressure Fitzy all day. If Fitz gets enough protection though, he could score enough to beat the Bears lowly offense.
Mitch Trubisky has been inconsistent and the run game has struggled with Jordan Howard (3.4 YPC). Allen Robinson has been solid but the other weapons need to step up for Chicago. The Bears must get the run game going to have any kind of offensive success. This should be a close game but the Bears win by 3 on a last second FG.
Lions (1-2, Tru 2-1) at Cowboys (1-2)
Detroit got out of their early funk and became the dominating team they should be in Week 3. Dallas is having major offensive woes but has played decent defense under Rod Marinelli. Detroit had run defense problems but shored that up in Week 3. However, Ezekiel Elliot leads the league in rushing and is a beast. Detroit better slow him down just enough to limit the Cowboys offense. Dak Prescott has struggled early with 3 TDs and 3 interceptions but he lacks good weapons. Allen Hurns, Terrell Williams, Cole Beasley, Michael Gallup, Tavon Austin just aren’t enough quite yet. Detroit has been beaten by worse offensive teams this year though so they better keep up the good play from Week 3 with great coverage by the secondary.
The Lions offense is putting things together and finally had 100 yard rusher with rookie Kerryon Johnson. Stafford has two games over 100 rating since the Week 1 shit show. Marvin Jones, Golden Tate and Kenny Golladay are all playing well and can beat the Cowboys secondary. Dallas is weak at safety but have a very good CB in Bryron Jones. The Lions weapons must win their matchups and make this game a shootout if Elliot is running wild.
Ziggy Ansah is still hurt but the Lions seem to have gotten pressure without him at times. Detroit must get enough good pressure and limit Dak’s scrambles for cheap first downs.
This will be a shoot-out. Detroit better win and get revenge for the 2014 season playoff loss. Detroit will be back in the North race if they win on the road.