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Who would have thought it? Nicely, apart from, like, everybody.
Justin Fields’ second begin was fairly, fairly good. Fields went 11-of-17 passing within the Bears’ 24-14 win over the Lions on Sunday, which led to this query: What, precisely, was Chicago coach Matt Nagy ready for?
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Fields seemed significantly better ready and was on the cash together with his throws Sunday. Perhaps that was a product of play-calling. Perhaps that was as a result of he is actually good. He showcased a robust, correct arm and did not look frazzled within the pocket, albeit in opposition to a weak and wallowing Lions protection. The rookie additionally used his mobility to flee the frenzy and reminded folks why he was a prime draft prospect.
Fields’ second crack at profitable a begin was rather more fruitful than the drubbing he and the Bears obtained by the hands of the Cleveland Myles Garretts in Week 3, when Fields was sacked 9 instances.
Now, Nagy, normal supervisor Ryan Tempo and the remainder of the Bears’ braintrust has to hope that Fields retains this up the remainder of the 2021 season — or else they will be standing on the unemployment line come January.
NFL Week 4 winners and losers
Winner: Justin Fields, Bears
Fields is, arguably, the week’s largest winner.
He solely tried 17 passes in his second profession begin, however just a few of them stood out and so they gave Chicago followers one thing to look ahead to within the coming weeks as Andy Dalton nurses a knee harm.
MORE: Nagy delegates play-calling for Lions game
Fields went from being verbally abused firstly of draft season to being bodily abused in his first begin on the sphere. Many unfair narratives surrounded the Ohio State passer. Now, presumably enjoying ticked off and with the coaching wheels off, Fields has a great likelihood to gentle up the NFL world over the remainder of 2021.
Loser: Davis Mills, Texans
Mills was positioned in an inconceivable scenario, and the third-round choose performed like a rookie who was approach in over his head in opposition to a really powerful Payments protection on Sunday. He threw 4 picks as he put collectively one of many worst QB performances that the NFL has seen because the extraordinarily meme-able Nathan Peterman.
Mills has a tall mountain to climb to changing into Houston’s subsequent franchise passer. Affer an honest debut vs. the Panthers in Week 3, he got here crashing again all the way down to Earth in Week 4.
His days of being a five-star recruit out of highschool are lengthy, lengthy gone. To stay within the NFL, he’ll should make rooster salad out of rooster you-know-what in Houston.
Winner: Trevon Diggs, Cowboys
Diggs had a lockdown Sunday vs. Sam Darnold and the Panthers as he continued to emerge as one of many league’s greatest cowl corners. That is super information for a Cowboys protection that has seen higher days.
The 2020 second-round choose has seemed actually, actually good early in 2021. Diggs had an 87.1 PFF protection grade getting into the Week 4 matchup vs. Carolina, and with two extra picks on Sunday he now has a league-leading 5 interceptions. He has notched a minimum of one choose in every of Dallas’ video games this season.
After fielding a porous protection final season, Dallas appears to be turning it round in Yr 1 below Dan Quinn, and that is huge for Huge D’s Tremendous Bowl hopes in 2021.
Loser: 49ers’ QB room
Jimmy Garoppolo is damage and Trey Lance was put into motion possibly sooner than 49ers brass would have appreciated. Kyle Shanahan and the remainder of the Niners at the moment are in a precarious place.
Whereas Lance showcased the traits that led San Francisco to choosing him No. 3 total within the 2021 draft — huge arm, extraordinarily cell — he was additionally inaccurate and had points with joyful toes whereas within the pocket in Sunday’s loss to the Seahawks.
Lance relieved Garoppolo, who was sidelined with a calf injury. Garoppolo believes the harm will not be that devastating, however he is anticipated to overlook just a few weeks.
As with Fields from Week 3 to Week 4, a full week of prep and an offensive plan higher suited to his talents will most likely profit Lance tremendously subsequent week. For now, although, the Niners are hoping that throwing Lance into the deep finish of the pool will not drown him as they as soon as once more navigate early-season QB points.
Winners: Tom Brady and the Buccaneers
Whereas the sport wasn’t the one-way affair some expected, Brady notching a win over his former staff is a little bit larger than he would possibly let on.
It wasn’t simply the victory over the Patriots and Invoice Belichick that was candy; Brady additionally made historical past throughout the recreation. He now holds the profession passing yards document over Drew Brees and he is now one among 4 quarterbacks to have overwhelmed all 32 groups within the NFL, becoming a member of Brees, Brett Favre and Peyton Manning.
IYER: Brady’s Bucs, Belichick’s Pats both win in their revenge game
Brady was showered with cheers as he hit the GIllette Stadium subject on Sunday night time — which turned to boos as he was prepping to take his first snaps within the recreation — so returning house after a mysterious however supposedly unstable breakup with the Patriots and getting the win most likely is that a lot sweeter for the GOAT.
Brady has at all times taken motivation from bizarre locations, so it would not shock anybody if he used Sunday’s victory as a springboard for his eighth Tremendous Bowl ring.
Losers: Mac Jones and the Patriots
After falling to 1-3, the Patriots sit alongside the Jets and Dolphins within the AFC East basement. Who woulda thunk it?
Their document does and doesn’t fall on the quarterback.
It is true that Jones is not doing a lot within the Pats’ offense proper now, however that should not be a criticism at this level in his profession. He is a rookie quarterback, and rookie quarterbacks should develop into their roles.
MORE: Belichick missed badly with decision to kick from 56
With or with out Cam Newton because the starter at QB, the Patriots weren’t going to be Tremendous Bowl contenders this 12 months. They won’t have even been AFC East contenders with a totally wholesome squad. Constructing for the longer term with Jones is a double-edged sword: Jones would not have Newton’s operating capabilities, however he is the way forward for the staff whereas Newton is out looking for his subsequent job.
There’ll come a time when Jones shall be requested to do extra. (For his sake, it ought to be when the Patriots have higher choices at vast receiver.) However his efficiency Sunday night time was completely serviceable and it saved the staff within the recreation till Nick People doinked a kick off the upright.
The Patriots due to this fact wasted a strong efficiency from him of their 19-17 loss by the hands of the dastardly Brady and the Bucs. There was most likely nothing Belichick would have appreciated greater than to get a win over the returning GOAT in Foxborough.
Jones, the Patriots and Belichick will as a substitute should accept the L — and, in Belichick’s case, a weird hug, too.
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