NFL Week 4, 2018: Winning Is Not A Trend, Unless You're the Rams

Half of all teams won in NFL week 4, but most did so in the strangest ways possible. Unless you’re the Los Angeles Rams, winning is not a trend. Is there a best way to win?

Despite teams’ best efforts, there have been very few winning streaks this season. Miami’s run is over and only the Los Angeles Rams are playing great on both sides of the football. When winning is not a trend, is there such a thing as a bad victory? Perhaps we should ask a different question.

What’s the best way to win a football game? Sunday of NFL Week 4 seemed to offer all of the options. Obviously every win counts for the same amount of W’s on the ledger, but some feel different than others. Let’s run through the options that NFL Week 4 provided.

Two brothers from New York, Dan Salem and Todd Salem, debate the NFL Week 4 in today’s NFL Sports Debate.

The Last-Second Score (regulation)

Todd Salem: Cincinnati scored a touchdown with just seven seconds remaining to give it a one-point victory over Atlanta. The Falcons had two plays to accumulate some fantasy yardage for Matt Ryan and Julio Jones, but didn’t pose a reasonable threat to get a score back.

The Cowboys kicked a 38-yard field goal as time expired to defeat Detroit by two points. The Seahawks kicked a booming 52-yard field goal as time expired to defeat Arizona by three points.

The Walk-Off Score (overtime)

Todd Salem: With the shortened overtime period and alterations to scoring requirements, many more overtime games seem to be coming down to the final moments before a tie (or ending in an actual tie).

Tennessee took this to the extreme, scoring a walk-off, overtime touchdown with just five seconds remaining. The bonus here was that a failed touchdown was not necessarily going to result in a tie. The Titans were risking outright losing but foregoing a field-goal attempt and running things down to the final moments.

And yet, Houston may have even topped that. Indianapolis was trying to avoid a tie at all costs, in this case almost gifting the win to the Texans. Houston finished things off after a terrible turnover-on-downs from Indy. Houston kicked a 37-yard overtime field goal as time expired to win. This walk-off win has the added benefit of embarrassing your opponent.

After missing a field goal on the first drive of overtime, Oakland nailed a walk-off, 29-yard field goal on their second drive to defeat Cleveland by three points.

The Last-Second Stop

Todd Salem: Is this better or worse than the last-second score? The Chargers grabbed an interception with just over two minutes remaining in the game and holding a scant two-point lead. One first down and then kneel downs finished things off.

The Blowout (divisional foe)

Todd Salem: New England took down Miami by a score of 38-7. There will be no more talk of the Patriots’ and Dolphins’ respective places within the AFC East.

The Blowout (random foe)

Todd Salem: Green Bay beat Buffalo 22-0. The Packers get the added benefit of destroying the team that just destroyed their division rival last week.

The Bears beat Tampa Bay 48-10. Fitzmagic has been pocketed, and Chicago has staked its claim as a real NFC contender.

For unbiased observers, the last-second victories are obviously the most entertaining. I think last-second stops (that end with a turnover) actually have more intrigue than last-second scores. The Chargers win wasn’t a great example since more than two minutes still remained on the clock, but it fit the profile.

Having said that, as a fan and/or strategist, I’m not concerned with entertainment value as much. The best win, without a doubt, is what New England obtained: the blowout over a divisional peer. There is something satisfying about blowing out a random foe — letting the league know where you stand in relation — but beating a division opponent by a lot sets a better example.

Dan Salem: I applaud you for graciously leaving both of our favorite football teams off of this list. Neither did much in the way of looking like a winner, and both fall into your final category of “The Blowout (random foe).” Before I dive into the details of your assertion of the best way to win in the NFL, allow me to add a few more ways that teams “won” on Sunday.

Failing To Pull Off An Unnecessary Victory

Dan Salem: Multiple NFL teams, especially those with rookie quarterbacks, are obviously in rebuilding mode. It’s painfully obvious they will not be making the playoffs, so winning extra games only hurts their longterm success. Failing to pull of such a victory ensures top ten draft positioning.

This is how you rebuild successfully. Don’t be the Miami Dolphins who muddle around .500 year after year after disappointing year. Bottom out and go for the best player in college football!

Winning In-spite Of Yourself

Dan Salem: Seattle may have won in dramatic fashion, but they are a bad football team who allowed the worst team in the NFL to stick around all game. Despite the Seahawks best efforts, they won yet another football game. This is probably the worst kind of victory. Yes, they walked off with the win. No, fans did not enjoy themselves until the game was mercifully over.

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As for your assessment of the best way to win in the NFL, defeating a division opponent in humiliating fashion is certainly on top. They are almost always your team’s arch rival, making the victory even sweeter. Despite the fact that a blowout is not exactly exciting to watch, its still fun as hell when your team is on top.

I’ve personally had enough to nail biting games and “Failing to pull off unnecessary victories.” I’m ready for my team to be good and stay that way. Does this mean I must change allegiances?

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NFL Week 4, 2018: Winning not a trend, unless you’re the Rams

By Dan Salem | Oct 1, 2018