It seems like just yesterday the first week of professional football was upon us and Matt Stafford was getting picked off left and right at home against the woeful New York Football Jets. Yet despite the embarassing loss, the Lions continued their losing streak in week 2 against the San Francisco 49ers, only to upset the New England Patriots last Monday, September 24.
So as all that unfolded we’ve brought to light week 4 of the NFL schedule, signifying that after this week, a quarter of the regular NFL season will be complete. As such, you’d expect teams to settle into their true identify by now. Upsets happen, but after week 4 we should see a few teams who’ve consistently put together a streak of 4 quality games. Typically those teams end up playing in January.
Before we get into the Sunday and Monday games, I’d been foolish to acknowledge what happened on Thursday night, September 27, as week 4 kicked off in Los Angeles between the Rams and visitng Vikings, arguably 2 of the top 3 teams in the NFC. Defense was a non-factor throughout most of the game, although it was the Rams’ front-line who secured the victory, getting to quarterback Kirk Cousins multiple times on the Vikings’ final drive. Jared Goff is playing like someone who deserved to be the #1 overall pick in 2016, as he threw for 5 touchdowns to go along with a perfect passer rating. The Rams are looking like a team that will pose a serious threat to the NFC division title not just this year, but for years to come.
As far as games to watch this week, I’m interested to see how the 3-0 Miami Dolphins fare against the New England Patriots, who are 0-2 in their last 2 games. Division rivals who will see each other again this year, the Dolphins have something to prove, while the Patriots need to figure out their issues before they dig themselves into a hole they can’t get out of. The Chicago Bears take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who ended their winning streak last week by getting edged out by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Both teams are 2-1 and this should be a physical match-up.
Week 4: September 27 — October 1, 2018
Byes: Carolina Panthers, Washington Redskins
Buffalo Bills at Green Bay Packers
@ Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Sunday, September 30, 1:00pm
Buffalo Bills bars: Delilah’s, Lincoln Station
Green Bay Packers bars: Trophy Room, Matilda, Ranalli’s, Waterhouse Tavern And Grill, Will’s Northwoods Inn, Gold Star Bar Inc, Kroll’s South Loop, Nisei Lounge
Cincinnati Bengals at Atlanta Falcons
@ Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Sunday, September 30, 1:00pm
Cincinnati Bengals bars: Merkle’s Bar & Grill, Sully’s House Tap Room & Grill, Kincade’s
Atlanta Falcons bars: Kelsey’s
Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys
@ AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Sunday, September 30, 1:00pm
Detroit Lions bars: Dugout Sports Bar & Grill, DIAG, Avenue Tavern, The Tin Lizzie, Grand River, O’Malley’s Pub
Dallas Cowboys bars: Commonwealth Tavern, Crossroads Public House
Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts
@ Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana
Sunday, September 30, 1:00pm
Houston Texans bars: NFL Sunday Ticket Chicago Bars
Indianapolis Colts bars: Sedgwick’s, Sluggers, Four Shadows
Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots
@ Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
Sunday, September 30, 1:00pm
Miami Dolphins bars: NFL Sunday Ticket Chicago Bars
New England Patriots bars: Ironside Bar & Galley, Old Town Social, The Hidden Shamrock, Theory Sports Div Lounge, Tripoli Tavern, Kasey’s Tavern, Brendan’s Pub / Lower Broadway
New York Jets at Jacksonville Jaguars
@ EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Florida
Sunday, September 30, 1:00pm
New York Jets bars: Country Club, Butch Mc Guire’s, Inc.
Jacksonville Jaguars bars: NFL Sunday Ticket Chicago Bars
Philadelphia Eagles at Tennessee Titans
@ Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee
Sunday, September 30, 1:00pm
Philadelphia Eagles bars: DIAG, Mad River Bar & Grille
Tennessee Titans bars: NFL Sunday Ticket Chicago Bars
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears
@ Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
Sunday, September 30, 1:00pm
Tampa Bay Buccaneers bars: NFL Sunday Ticket Chicago Bars
Chicago Bears bars: The Scout Waterhouse + Kitchen
Cleveland Browns at Oakland Raiders
@ Oakland Alameda Coliseum, Oakland, California
Sunday, September 30, 4:05pm
Cleveland Browns bars: Vaughan’s Pub, John Barleycorn Wrigleyville, The Field House
Oakland Raiders bars: Tavern on Littlefort, Finley Dunne’s Tavern
Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals
@ University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
Sunday, September 30, 4:05pm
Seattle Seahawks bars: Brownstone Tavern, Scot’s, Newport Bar & Grille
Arizona Cardinals bars: NFL Sunday Ticket Chicago Bars
New Orleans Saints at New York Giants
@ MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Sunday, September 30, 4:25pm
New Orleans Saints bars: Frontier, Fizz Bar & Grill
New York Giants bars: Trinity, Racine Plumbing
San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Chargers
@ StubHub Center, Carson, California
Sunday, September 30, 4:25pm
San Francisco 49ers bars: Grand River, Cheesie’s Pub & Grub
Los Angeles Chargers bars: Irish Eyes, Dram Shop Ltd
Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers
@ Heinz Field, North Shore Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Sunday, September 30, 8:20pm
Baltimore Ravens bars: NFL Sunday Ticket Chicago Bars
Pittsburgh Steelers bars: Old Crow, Prost!, Riverview Tavern & Grill / Robey Pizza, Joe’s Bar on Weed Street, Lincoln Tap Room, Durkin’s Tavern