Decyfr’s Week 4 Roundup

The first month of NFL football is now in the books and the standings are starting to take shape. We had the first of three London games, which saw the Jacksonville Jaguars come out 23-7 winners against the Atlanta Falcons at Wembley Stadium.

Live from Wembley: Decyfr's report on the @Jaguars' comfortable win over the @AtlantaFalcons in London ?? https://t.co/FQrhcdoUuk#Decyfr #NFLUK #NFL

— Decyfr Sport (@DecyfrSport) October 1, 2023

Here’s Decyfr’s Week four roundup.

Detroit Lions @ Green Bay Packers

Final score: 34 – 20

The Detroit Lions delivered once again, this time on Thursday night football, as the Dan Campbell revolution continues. Despite Jahmyr Gibbs being positioned as the number one runner on the team, David Montgomery made a strong impression with an impressive 141 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns. It was also his first victory over the Packers after spending four-years at arch-rivals the Chicago Bears.

Detroit quarterback Jared Goff had 210 yards passing and got his team on the scoreboard with a touchdown to star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. The Lions’ defense stepped up with cornerback Jerry Jacobs picking off Jordan Love twice to ensure the Lions went 3-1, putting them top of the NFC North standings.Player Of The Game: David Montgomery, Running Back, Detroit Lions

Did your team win in Week 4? ?#Decyfr #NFLUK #NFL pic.twitter.com/vhqjWyPpaJ

— Decyfr Sport (@DecyfrSport) October 3, 2023

Miami Dolphins @ Buffalo Bills

Final Score: 20 – 48

After a mammoth 70-20 win against the Denver Broncos, Week four was a sobering affair for Dolphins fans, following a dominant Buffalo Bills offensive display from Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs and James Cook. Allen threw for 320 yards, four touchdowns and ran one in for himself. Diggs, on the other hand, had 120 yards receiving with three touchdowns including a sensational play, where he broke two tackles along the sideline and took it to the house for a 55-yard touchdown reception.

Rookie running back, Devon Achane, was once again a bright spark for the Dolphins – with yet another 100+ yard performance and two touchdowns. Bills linebacker, Matt Milano, was the star of the Bills’ defense with 10 tackles including 8 solo and a forced fumble.

Player Of The Game: Josh Allen, Quarterback, Buffalo Bills

Denver Broncos @ Chicago Bears

Final Score: 31 – 28

A repeat of their Week three defeat to Miami looked inevitable for the Denver Broncos, after the Chicago Bears took a 28-7 lead in the third quarter. But a vintage Russell Wilson performance brought the Broncos back to life – scoring 24 unanswered points. Wilson threw for 223 yards with three touchdowns to Jaleel McLaughlin, Courtland Sutton and Brandon Johnson whilst former New Orleans Saints kicker, Will Lutz, kicked the game-winning 51-yard field goal for Denver.

Despite a heartbreaking loss for Chicago, quarterback Justin Fields had one of, if not, his best throwing performance in a Bears jersey with 335 yards and four touchdowns.

Player Of The Game: Russell Wilson, Quarterback, Denver Broncos

The @Broncos got their first win of the season as the @ChicagoBears blew a 21-point lead at Soldier Field.#Decyfr #NFL #BroncosCountry pic.twitter.com/I2LBnBKeTZ

— Decyfr Sport (@DecyfrSport) October 2, 2023

Los Angeles Rams @ Indianapolis Colts

Final Score: 29 – 23

Puka Nacua once again showed his prowess at wide receiver, with 163 receiving yards on 9 catches and a touchdown. It appears the Los Angeles Rams may well have found a diamond in the rough with the fifth-round rookie. Despite a resilient Colts comeback, with rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson throwing for 200 yards, two touchdowns and had a rushing touchdown himself to take it to overtime, Nacua was once-again the target – scoring an overtime game-winning touchdown for the Rams.

Dramatic win aside, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford aggravated a hip injury, following a Dayo Odeyingbo sack. He did, however, played through the last twenty minutes of the game, sealing the win for the Rams, who move on to 2-2 for the season.

Player Of The Game: Matthew Stafford, Quarterback, Los Angeles Rams

Tua Tagovailoa takes top spot in the passing yard leaderboard ?#Decyfr #NFL #FinsUp | @MiamiDolphins @Tua pic.twitter.com/GF7albnSOO

— Decyfr Sport (@DecyfrSport) October 3, 2023

New England Patriots @ Dallas Cowboys

Final Score: 3 – 38

Ezekiel Elliott’s emotional return to AT&T Stadium was a nightmare for the Patriots as the franchise suffered its heaviest loss in the Bill Belichick era. The game started off hot with both offenses moving well on the first two drives of the game, resulting in field goals.

From then on, though, the Dallas Cowboys defense took over. Leighton Vander Esch scooped a Mac Jones fumble for a touchdown and DaRon Bland caught two interceptions, returning one for a touchdown, having replaced Trevon Diggs at cornerback.

Mac Jones was responsible for all three turnovers and was subsequently pulled from the game halfway through the third quarter, giving fan-favourite, Bailey Zappe a chance to prove himself. To make matters worse for the visitors, star pass rusher Matthew Judon and rookie Defensive Player of the Month, Christian Gonzalez were both injured in the game, adding pressure on an already depleted secondary.

Player of the game: DaRon Bland, cornerback, Dallas Cowboys

Washington Commanders @ Philadelphia Eagles

Final Score: 31- 34

The unbeaten Philadelphia Eagles took on the 2-1 Washington Commanders and a 54-yard Jake Elliott field goal in overtime ensured the birds remained undefeated. One of the best connections between wide receiver and quarterback was on display again with Jalen Hurts throwing for 319 yards and two touchdowns. – both landing in the hands of AJ Brown – who had 9 receptions and 175 yards.

Player Of The Game: AJ Brown, Wide Receiver, Philadelphia Eagles

Arizona Cardinals @ San Francisco 49ers

Final Score: 16 – 35

Yet another MVP-calibre performance from Christian McCaffrey saw the running back finish the game with 178 yards from scrimmage and four consecutive touchdowns against the Arizona defense. “Mr. Irrelevant” Brock Purdy continued his incredible start to life in the NFL, as he threw for 283 yards, remarkably completing 20 of his 21 passing attempts, setting a new 49ers record for the highest completion percentage in a single game. The 49ers are 4-0, placing alongside the Philadelphia Eagles as the only NFL teams to remain undefeated so far this season.

Player Of The Game: Christian McCaffrey, Running Back, San Francisco 49ers