The NFL has produced some great storylines four weeks into the season.
The Los Angeles Rams are the real deal
The Rams have one of the most well-rounded sides in the NFL and have flexed their muscle to start the season 4-0.
A defence consisting of Ndamukong Suh, Aaron Donald, Marcus Peters, LaMarcus Joyner and Aqib Talib is a scary prospect for any team to face.
They have only allowed 67 points through four games this season, including a shutout of the Arizona Cardinals in Week 2.
Quarterback Jared Goff has offensive weapons all over the park, including the best running back in the league in Todd Gurley.
With Cooper Kupp, Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods catching passes, this side could go 16-0.
Coach Sean McVay has his team purring nicely after four weeks. But how far can they take this success?
Patrick Mahomes breaking records
Through the first three weeks of 2018, Patrick Mahomes had thrown for 13 touchdowns, breaking a long-standing record held by Peyton Manning. He has also thrown for zero intercepts.
Week 4 was his first real test when the team travelled to Mile High Stadium in Denver to take on the Broncos.
Mahomes was quiet through three quarters but shone brightest in the final term to rise above a hostile crowd and a ten-point deficit to record a fourth straight win to open the season.
This kid is cool, calm and collected and isn’t afraid of the challenges the NFL presents.
He has probably the best offence in the game with Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, Sammy Watkins, Kareem Hunt and Spencer Ware.
Their defence needs some work, but when you can score 40 points a game, you don’t need a defence.
Save the date, Week 11, November 20th, Chiefs against the Rams. This will be a cracker.
There are big problems in Pittsburgh
The Pittsburgh Steelers are in trouble. There seems to be a huge rift between the players and coach Mike Tomlin.
Running back sensation Le’Veon Bell is continuing to sit out the season, while wide receiver Antonio Brown has taken to social media to say he would welcome a trade away from Pittsburgh.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is old and isn’t having his best this season.
They currently have a record of 1-2-1 after a draw against the Browns, losses against the Chiefs and Ravens and just a sole victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This is not the Steelers team we all love to hate.
Running back James Conner, who has replaced Bell, was carving up the defences through three weeks, last week he struggled.
Vance McDonald, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Jesse James are trying to fill the voids, but just aren’t the same quality the Steelers are used to.
There is instability in the ranks and something needs to give for them to have any chance of salvaging their season.
(Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images/Getty Images)
Mayfield is the new LeBron in Cleveland
The Beer fridges opened in Cleveland last weekend when the charismatic Baker Mayfield overturned a 17-point deficit to lead the Browns to their first win in 635 days.
An injury to starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor saw Mayfield enter the game just before halftime and he will go down in history as one of the best comebacks in Browns’ history.
Finally, the Browns have a cult hero in the NFL after many years so heartache. Things are starting to look promising.
Week 4 was Mayfield first start as a professional quarterback. He had the pleasure of travelling to one of the most terrifying environments on the planet, Oakland and The Black Hole.
It looked set to be a miraculous victory for Mayfield and the Browns until the Raiders forced the game into overtime and ultimately got the win.
The Mayfield Era has begun in Cleveland and the future is bright.
Miami Dolphins vs. Cincinnati Bengals is the game of Week 5
These two sides have started the season 3-1. The Dolphins’ first loss of the season came at the hands of the Patriots last weekend, while the Bengals went down to the Panthers in Week 3.
The Dolphins are the biggest surprise packet of 2018 so far, they haven’t been truly tested in games they have won so their record is flattering but quarterback Ryan Tannehill and coach Adam Gase have this side humming along nicely.
The acquisitions of Danny Amendola and Frank Gore have helped their offensive struggles. How they bounce back from their first loss of the season will be key to their plight in 2018.
Quarterback Andy Dalton is leading by example in Cincinnati and has the Bengals averaging over 30 points a game.
They need work on their defence, but like the Chiefs, if they keep scoring points they will continue to win games.
This game is set to be a clash between two explosive sides. One of these perennial strugglers is about to go 4-1.
aem
Guest
The Browns are probably still a top CB short right now to mount a serious challenge - having Mayfield with a season under his belt next year and someone like a DeAndre Baker come in opposite Ward (with plenty of cap space, could the Browns make a play at Earl Thomas also?) will shore that D up. We saw the issue against the Raiders - with Mitchell on field they were defending well, but without him the lack of depth at CB was exposed badly... they couldn't cover a thing. It still makes me laugh about the outrage over drafting Ward at 4 over Chubb, when the Browns clearly needed coverage guys not pass rushers (already having Garrett, Ogbah, Ogunjobi etc on the roster). Anyway, looks like the Browns finally made the right move at QB - Mayfield appears to be the guy. Chiefs are pretty much where I thought they'd be - ridiculously fun offense, but can't defend. It'll probably come back to bite them at the business end. Not sure why they aren't giving more time to the UDFA rookie Charvarius Ward though - he looked very good in preseason (and has been outstanding on special teams so far), and all of the Chiefs CBs outside of Fuller (who is barely getting a pass mark) look absolutely terrible... what do you have to lose by giving him snaps? The Steelers had terrible defense. This was always going to be true. Big Ben is having a bad run right now, but that happens with guys like that on occasion - no panic there. He's still got a tremendous array of weapons, so they should make some moves as the season goes on... but with the Ravens good looking draft translating to a good looking season, the Bengals starting hot (losing Eifert will test them now though) and the Browns turning it around, the Steelers no longer have a bunch of easier W's on their schedule. As for Bell? Who cares - RBs just don't move the needle that much (half their yards are made by the offensive line after all).. and Conner has been good. That's just a media narrative with not a huge effect on the results. The Rams have been even better than expected - Goff isn't just executing the McVay system well anymore, he's actually producing great throws himself. That's a huge bonus. His o-line (despite the now quite old LT who tailed off hard late last year) has been amazing. The lack of edge rush is still a concern - but really the only one.
Spinksy
Roar Guru
Yeah it was. The man wanted to get paid. But he said if Gruden had reached out to him, he would have stayed.
Brett
Roar Rookie
Wasn’t it contract related with Mack? He has certainly been a huge win for the Bears who surprisingly sit atop the NFC North above the more fancied Packers and Vikings. Mack has had a forced fumble and a sack in his first four games a feat not achieved since 2005.
Spinksy
Roar Guru
Thanks mate. I have just started doing a bit of writing for the Oakland Raiders and I cant believe they let Mack go either. Apparently he hadn't spoken to Gruden since he took over. That's poor man management. Thats a huge win for the Bears, they could be the most improved side of 2018.
Spinksy
Roar Guru
I would love the see the Browns give the AFC a shake up. They have the talent on the field, just concerned there are too many good team in the conference at the moment. They will go close this season.
Davico
Roar Pro
Not sure the rift is between Tomlin and his players, more the players and ownership who it seems are not willing to pay their best players what they deserve. I fully expect Bell to report in week 7 or 8 and then twinge his hammy and sit on the sidelines. And after what happened to Earl Thomas last week who could blame him. Still can't believe the Raiders trade Khalil Mack to my Bears but I sure am happy about it! Now just hoping that Trubisky can play like he did against a half descent defense (Bucs were terrible!) and we may be able to make some noise this year. Would make a pleasent change. Nice article mate.
Paul Nicholls
Roar Guru
Awesome update Spinksy. I’d like to think Mayfield and the Browns could do well. Maybe they need a bit of luck - do you think they could give it a shake?
Spinksy
Roar Guru
I would have said 9-7 or 8-8 last weekend. Now, 5-11. Maybe. They could put a few wins together but it's going to be difficult for them without Jimmy G.
Zalera
Roar Rookie
The Rams are 100% the real deal, last year was a nice improvement and now we see that their progress was not a one off fluke, it was the step towards this year. I see Mahomes having two big challenges. One is that after a few more games teams will figure him out and start defending accordingly. Two is the curse of Andy Reid and of the Chiefs in general once the playoffs begins. Pittsburgh was in trouble last year and was lucky to end the season the way they did. This year is just a continuation of that. Seeing Mayfield still lose after his team poured on points was rather similar to the Rose Bowl, I guess there is only so much he can do before seeing his defence fail.....again. Dolphins are a hard team to judge. They have had some real highs recently but everyone expects them to die down again as the Patriots take their spot back at the top. By the way, what record do you think the 49ers will finish with this year?