Who needs to bounce back in Week Four?

Week Four is on the cards and spoiler alert, the Cowboys are on the list. I repeat, the Cowboys, who looked the team to beat during the first two weeks of the season, are now on the bounce back list. No one saw this coming. 

Let’s get started……. 

1 – Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys are up at one after getting handed their first defeat by the Cardinals. They face the Patriots next which currently seems like a really good matchup for them to get back on track. The Cowboys we saw in Arizona were not the ones we saw through weeks one and two, however, I’m happy to give them a pass.

I do feel bad for the Patriots because they might well be on the receiving end of a Dallas team that is fired up after defeat. I just want to see the tempo return and to see them come out of the gates quickly. It’s important for them in the first quarter this week to really pick the momentum back up and everything else will fall into place if they can do exactly that. 

2 – Denver Broncos

I’m not really sure what can be said for Denver. 70 points given up, completely outclassed in every single facet of the game. This week is a different test considering they play another poor side in the Bears, but I can’t confidently say I believe the Broncos can beat the Bears. This week I would say the result isn’t as important as the performance and the application the players and coaches show. 

The effort or lack of effort shown was one of the more worrying sights during that historic defeat. For me I also want to see HC Sean Payton act with more maturity than I saw after the game on Sunday against the Dolphins. I fully understand it’s an embarrassing loss, but he is the person who has been vocal about the previous head coach and how this team will be much improved under him. In my opinion this Broncos side is a downgrade to last year’s side, something I never thought I’d say.

Currently he is damaging the legacy he created before leaving the Saints. If he can galvanise the team to claim a victory over the Bears, at least there is something to build upon. But, if they lose, things might begin to fall apart if they haven’t started to do so already. 

3 – Sam Howell

The Commanders quarterback needs a big bounce back in Week Four, but he faces a massive uphill struggle as he faces the Eagles defense who will show him no mercy after his week 3 struggles. Washington got blown away by Josh Allen and the Bills. Howell was sacked 9 times, finished the game with four interceptions and only completed 19 of his 29 pass attempts. 

His confidence will have taken a blow after such a performance but he will learn fast that nothing gets any easier. What must be his main focus this week is having a sensible, clean game, getting rid of the ball quickly and maybe more importantly not trying to force anything. Last week is done and if he tries to make up for it, he might end up having a similar day where nothing goes to plan. 

Howell has shown in the opening weeks that he has some talent and all I want to see is him keeping his team in the game for as long as possible and who knows what can happen if he does that. Maybe another upset is on the cards if he comes back with a bang. 

4 – Derrick Henry

King Henry has yet to get going so far in 2023. Week Threewas a low point in which he only managed 20 yards from 11 attempts. This is not the sort of production you expect to see from someone who is known for being a dominant and unstoppable force. 

The Titans really need him playing at his best and when he doesn’t you just don’t have the confidence that they can win games with their offense not having its leader taking over the game. He faces a Bengals defense coming off of a really good performance in their first win. It’s setting up to be a good contest and surely it’s just a matter of time before the king starts taking over again.

5 – Josh Jacobs

Back to back running backs hit the bounce back list for the first time. Jacobs was the leading rusher last season but so far has looked far from that version of himself. His off-season was based around his contract and for me when you dig your heels in over money, you need to come back with a bang when you walk on the field. 

The Raiders are so far the worst rushing side in the league and they have not managed to establish the run in any games so far. This week’s match up against the Chargers is already setting up to be a pivotal divisional matchup and if the Raiders want to win this one or many other games this season they need to get Jacobs back into something like the form he showed on route to becoming the leading rusher in the NFL last year. 

Two RB’s are on the list this week, both of whom haven’t gotten started this season, but have a chance to change that come Sunday. We have the Cowboys who are one of the superbowl favourites and who are the surprise addition to this week’s bounce back. The disappointing Broncos, along with the Commanders young QB make up the rest of this week’s list.

Some face a much more difficult task than others this week but all have an opportunity to show themselves in a much better light.