Week 4 Observations, Rants, Etc.

And before any of us knew it, we're already through one third of our season. Seems like we were crushing brews and downing chicken tenders at Tavern on Third just last week in anticipation of the 2014 Equalizer season. The off-the-field issues of the NFL have begun to subside, but I think we are in the midst of one of the largest cover-ups in the league's history and unfortunately do not think we will ever get the truth. But back to the product on the field, bye weeks began in week 4 and now we will see the management acumen across the Equalizer league. Let's get into it.

Aaron Rodgers - R-E-L-A-X, the message delivered to Packers fans after the green and gold have struggled to begin this year. And boy did he deliver. Came out and pitched virtually a perfect game, hooking up with Cobb and Jordy for two TD's a piece. What is more concerning in Packertown is the performance of Eddie Lacy. Minus a TD plunge, Lacy puts up a fourth consecutive fantasy goose egg against a struggling Chicago run defense. Are we witnessing this season's Trent Richardson (also a former Tide RB)?

Martellus Bennett - Having a monsterrrrrr 2014 thus far. Benefitting from Brandon Marshall being hampered by an ankle problem, Bennett pulled in 9 receptions for 134 yards on Sunday, while being targeted 11 times. Proving week in and week out to be a reliable option for Jay Cutler and an offense that wants to throw the football, Bennett currently ranks second among tight ends and seems poised for a breakout year.

New York Giants - Week 2 post, Giants offense one or two weeks from clicking. Fast forward to week 4, on the road on a Thursday night, Giants put up 45 points on the road in beating NFC East rival Washington Redskins in convincing fashion. Add a defense that is playing very good football, I think the Giants are certainly in the hunt come January.

Larry Donnell - Guy was targeted left and right in the red zone. Presents matchups problems for linebackers across the league, I expect Donnell to finish the year as a top 5 tight end.

Washington Redskins WR's - Did they not get the memo they were playing on Thursday night this week? 4 receptions, same amount of interceptions thrown by Kirk Cousins in week 4. Not what you want to see out of a pretty good crew of wide-outs.

Carolina Panthers - What is going on in Carolina right now? Defense has now been thrashed two consecutive weeks after finishing second in overall defense a year ago. Signing RB's off the street now because (surprise, surprise) Williams and Stewart can't stay healthy. And Cam Newton does not look like Cam Newton. It seems like that lingering rib injury is still impacting his game. The only saving grace for the Panthers is the performance of rookie wide-out Kelvin Benjamin, who ranks ninth among wideouts.

JJ Watt - Can we add IDP's to the league next season? Cause I am taking JJ Watt number one overall.

EJ Manuel - Bad enough to get benched for Kyle Orton, ouch...

Andrew Luck - Money in the bank right now. Another unbelievable performance this Sunday versus division rival Tennessee Titans. Colts have three capable defenses in the next three weeks, we'll see if Luck can keep it rolling.

Geno Smith - Self-explanatory.

Detroit Lions - Showed this weekend that this team does not go as Calvin Johnson goes. Golden Tate had himself a day, hauling in 8 catches for 116 yards on 10 targets. Minus the celebration ACL tear, defense appears to be much more disciplined this year. The Lions are back on the right track under first year coach Jim Caldwell.

Lamar Miller -  Finally showing glimpses of what we expected from him coming into the league. Benefitting from a Knowshon Moreno elbow injury, Miller has posted fantasy scores of 16 and 18 points in the last two weeks respectively. If Miami can get more consistent play out of Tannehill, this should be a pretty good offense.

Antonio Brown - Perpetually open, can anyone guard this guy? Should've had a third TD catch on Sunday, set an NFL record 20 straight games with 5+ receptions.

Phillip Rivers - Playing possibly the best ball of his career right now. Put up another impeccable performance Sunday, picking apart the Jags for 377 yards and 3 touchdowns. In the running with Andrew Luck for MVP through 4 weeks so far this season.

Blake Bortles - Jags got drilled again Sunday, but Bortles was actually pretty good minus the two interceptions. Completed 78% of his passes on his way to 253 yards and 1 touchdown, could've definitely been worse considered the level of talent around him in Jacksonville.

Teddy Bridgewater - Another rookie QB making his starting debut, Bridgewater put on a clinic. Very effective moving the football against a capable secondary. Bridgewater's day would have been even better had he connected on a passing touchdown, which he did not do despite throwing for 300+ yards. Outdueled Matt Ryan just a week after the Falcons slaughtered the Tampa Bay Bucs, the future looks bright for Bridgewater in Minnesota with the weapons around him and Norv Turner calling the shots. Did suffer an ankle injury late in the game though, something to monitor.

Jerrick McKinnon - Raw talent the Vikings love up there in Minnesota. Exhibited why they love his upside on Sunday. Selected as the 96th overall pick by Minnesota, we got a glimpse at the Minnesota RB of the future, perhaps sooner than we thought with Adrian Peterson's current situation. Very savvy pickup by the Panties of Ethan's Mother to snag McKinnon with Asiata after Peterson was placed on the exempt list.

Steven Jackson - I think this illustrious career is nearing its end. Suffered some injuries last year so that we never really saw him at 100%, nothing to indicate this year that he isn't healthy. Just does not look explosive, not putting up fantasy viable performances, and there are some young, talented backs in Atlanta.

LeSean McCoy - LJ are you panicking yet? Back to back duds from last year's rushing champion, the Eagles are having issues running the football this year, averaging 87 yards rushing per game through four weeks. Add the emergence of Darren Sproles, and McCoy's fantasy value has taken a significant dip.

Frank Gore - Frank Gore showing us a little Benjamin Button action yesterday against the Eagles. 174 yards from scrimmage, Gore did a nice job answering some questions about Carlos Hyde possibly emerging as the better back in San Fran.

Dallas Cowboys - Don't look now but the boys are 3-1. Boasting a new look offense that is featuring the run game (finally), the Cowboys have done well to answer many of the questions they had to begin this year, specifically on the defensive side of the football. Did suffer some injuries Sunday night, but this group has been playing effective, hustle defense. No big names, you have a group of 11 guys hustling to the football and playing pretty well. Add one of the most complete offenses in the league, could the boys possibly break the 8-8 streak of three years?

New Orleans Saints - Sitting at 1-3 after the beatdown in Arlington, TX last night, some people had the Saints pegged as a Super Bowl Contender in 2014. Saving grace for the Saints is the rest of the NFC South continues to struggle.

Tom Brady - Patriots are just bad. I think Brady has been slightly off to me, but I think the bigger problem in New England is the lack of an offensive line and a deep threat on the outside. Brady looks nervous and jittery in the pocket and rightfully so. This had lead to rushed throws and turnovers. Contributing to the Pats inability to keep Brady upright is the lack of a playmaking wide receiver. Things are not going well if you are trying to force the ball in to Brandon LaFell. Julian Edelman is a good wide-out but not a number one option that spreads the field. Edelman is more effective when wide receivers over the top can pull coverage and he can operate underneath. Gronk still isn't one hundred percent and can be doubled anyways. And that defense looked quite porous last night. Not looking good in New England.

Kansas City Run Game - Charles looked incredible last night with the football and Knile Davis is legit. Added a weapon in Travis Kelce, the Kansas City offense looks really good. We already know Alex Smith is pretty safe with the football, add a very effective run game and this team will continue to score points.

That about wraps up week 4 for me. Look out for the week 4 power rankings later this week.