NFL Week 4 Wrap-Up: Top Performers
Going into Week 4, the Las Vegas Raiders are hands down the best team in the NFL. Despite their success, it is extremely early in the season and with a quarter of the season over, teams are beginning to find their identity. With the help of some big performances, NFL teams are finding their groove and learning the best plan of attack. In this Week 4 wrap-up, we highlight some of the NFL’s best individual performances.
New Guy of The Week
Zach Wilson, QB, New York (Jets)
21 Attempts/ 34 Completions, 297 Yards, 2 Touchdowns, 1 INT
In every young quarterback’s pursuit of greatness, they will be tested in every way imaginable to see how much they can withstand. In New York, these tests can seem overwhelming for a young quarterback. With 8 interceptions on the season, Zach Wilson is being tested, but he is having some big moments to go along with them as well. On Sunday, Wilson and the Jets were able to grab a big win in OT against the Tennessee Titans. A win against a very good Titans team is good for his morale and while he is leading the NFL in interceptions thrown, Wilson is showing that he can win games despite the turnovers.
While 297 yards and a 61% completion percentage are not amazing numbers, Wilson’s ability to keep the team in the game with some clutch completions speaks to his ability to manage late in games. Less than six days after being ripped for not having any energy by former coach Rex Ryan, the Jets answered by winning a tight contest where energy was mandatory to pull it away late. The Jets now have some good momentum and if Zach Wilson can refrain from throwing multiple interceptions in-game, the Jets will continue to move in the right direction.
Offensive Standout
Tyreek Hill, WR, Kansas City
11 Receptions, 186 Yards, 3 TD
Like most games, Tyreek Hill looked like a video game on Sunday. He was a matchup nightmare for a struggling Eagle defense. Hill’s speed down the field was too much for Eagle’s secondary as he caught a 44-yard touchdown pass to cap off the day. Despite Hill’s obvious lack of height, he is such an elite playmaker with or without the ball. Without the ball, he can fly past any defender, and with the ball, he is as good as most NFL running backs.
Defensive Standout
Trevon Diggs, CB, Dallas
4 Total Tackles, 2 INT, 2 PD
To have a sibling in the NFL is one thing, but to have two brothers in the NFL both performing at the highest level is something special. Trevon Diggs, younger brother of NFL receiver Stefon Diggs is playing lights out in Dallas. Through 4 games, Diggs has 5 interceptions and several pass deflections. In a week 3 matchup against rookie receiver Devonta Smith, Diggs held smith to 2 catches for 9 yards and an interception. Diggs is looking like the league’s best cornerback at the moment.
In the week 4 matchup against the Panthers, Diggs was able to bring in 2 more interceptions and help propel the Cowboys to a big win over a good Panthers team.
Honorable Mention
Deebo Samuel, WR, San Fransisco
8 Receptions, 156 Yards, 2 Touchdowns
Currently, Deebo Samuel is Mr. Everything for the 49ers. Not only is he a down-the-field pass catcher, but he is very good and consistent in the short and intermediate passing game. He gets out of his routes fast and his hands are very good. Samuel is also utilized on special teams as a solid return man as well.
On Sunday, Samuel caught 8 passes on almost every part of the field. The 49er’s offense uses many different looks to get Samuel involved and as the season progresses, they will continuously find ways to get him the ball. With Jimmy Gorrapolo out with a calf injury, Deebo Samuel has to help Trey Lance find his groove as much as possible in order for the offense to have some continuity while Gorrapolo is out.
-By: LeMarkus Bailey