Football

NFL Week 4 Roundup: Best Performances

By Justin Adams Oct 2, 2017
Santa Clara, CA - September 12, 2016 - Levi's Stadium: Todd Gurley (30) of the Los Angeles Rams during a regular season Monday Night Football game (Photo by Scott Clarke / ESPN Images)

We now all live in a land where the Los Angeles Rams and the Buffalo Bills lead their divisions. Yep, just a little of the early madness in the NFL after four weeks of play. Rams quarterback Jared Goff tossed two touchdowns in the 35-30 win against the Dallas Cowboys. He now has seven touchdowns and one pick on the year. But it was his backfield-mate who took the headlines for best performance of the week.

Todd Gurley, RB (23 carries, 121 yards/7 receptions, 94 yards, 1 TD) – A week ago, Todd Gurley said to Dallas Cowboys Hall of Famer Michael Irvin that his Rams were going to “whoop up on your ‘Boys.” Well, he didn’t lie. Gurley netted 215 total yards against the Cowboys and scored on a 53-yard reception late in the third to give Los Angeles a lead it wouldn’t surrender.

Deshaun Watson, QB (25/34, 283 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT/4 carries, 24 yards, 1 TD) – The Tennessee Titans really had no chance against Deshaun Watson and crew. Watson became the third rookie QB with three passing TDs and one rushing TD in a game in the last 15 seasons, en route to the Texans’ 57-14 route of the Titans. He also set the Texans rookie record with the five-touchdown day. After Watson’s third start, he’s thrown for 709 yards with six scores and three picks. He’s also rushed for 132 yards with two touchdowns. Why didn’t he start in Week 1 again?

Cam Newton, QB (22/29, 316 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT/8 rushes, 44 yards, 1 TD) – Cam Newton returned to MVP form against the New England Patriots. For the first time in more than a year Newton, he threw for more than 300 yards. He found receiver Devin Funchess twice in the end zone, connected with Kelvin Benjamin for more than 100 yards and rushed for a score, becoming the first QB with 50 rushing touchdowns in the Super Bowl era. But, even with all the numbers, Newton and the Panthers needed a 46-yard field goal by Graham Gano for the 33-30 win.

Andy Dalton, QB (25/30, 286 yards, 4 TD/4 rushes, 29 yards) – Nobody needed a bigger day on offense than Andy Dalton and the Cincinnati Bengals. With the Battle of Ohio becoming the Battle of the Winless Teams, Dalton tossed four touchdowns and led Cincy to a 31-7 road win over the Browns. Dalton found tight end Tyler Kroft in the end zone for two of the scores. The back-breaker was Giovani Bernard taking a 61-yard screen pass to the house before halftime.

New Orleans Saints defense (0 points allowed, 4 sacks, 1 INT) – The offense for the Dolphins was nowhere to be found in London as the New Orleans Saints shut out Miami 20-0 in England. New Orleans made life tough for Dolphins QB Jay Cutler, sacking him four times, picking him off once and allowing only 184 yards. But this isn’t anything new for the Saints. Last week against Carolina, New Orleans had four sacks, three interceptions and two forced fumbles. At 2-2, if the defense keeps pace with the offense, the Saints could be in the thick of the NFC South race.

Honorable Mention:

Aaron Rodgers – Four touchdown passes on Thursday night against the Chicago Bears.

Greg Zuerlein – Career-high seven field goals in win vs. Cowboys.

Play of the Week: Larry Fitzgerald wins it in overtime for the Arizona Cardinals against the San Francisco 49ers with the leaping 18-yard touchdown.

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