NFL – The Matchday 4 Team

It’s time for the 4^th typical team of the season. In attack, the Bengals are rewarded after their third victory of the season. And in defense, the Browns and the Bills are logically well represented after dominant performances.

Attack

Quarterback

Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals)

• Stats: 25/32, 348 yards, 2 TD

On Thursday night, Joe Burrow confirmed his knee injury was behind him, and he pulled off one of the best games of his young career. Hung by the Jaguars, the Bengals needed the exploits of the Quarterback to win in overtime. Burrow finished with 78% successful passes, 348 yards and 2 touchdowns, and Cincinnati has a record of 3 wins for 1 loss.

Alternate: Daniel Jones (NYG)

Running-back

Austin Ekeler (Los Angeles Chargers)

• Stats: 15 runs, 117 yards, 1 TD / 3 receptions, 28 yards, 1 TD

If Justin Herbert is the new star of the franchise, RB Austin Ekeler is a key player in the Chargers offense. His versatility regularly creates problems, and he who was above all a threat in the aerial game a few years ago has become a true “3 downs back” (an RB capable of playing all the time). Against the Raiders, he gained 117 yards in just 15 races (7.8 yards on average) and he scored 2 touchdowns, one in each sector.

Alternate: Ezekiel Elliott (DAL)

Receivers

Tyreek Hill (Kansas City Chiefs)

• Stats: 11 receptions, 186 yards, 3 TD

Several times a season, the duo Patrick Mahomes – Tyreek Hill dismantles some teams. The game against Philadelphia was one of them. “Cheetah” was untenable and he constantly shouted politeness on Eagles defensemen. At the end of the game, he had 11 receptions, 186 yards and a hat-trick.

Deebo Samuel (San Francisco 49ers)

• Stats: 8 receptions, 156 yards, 2 TD

While we were rather expecting George Kittle and Brandon Aiyuk at the Niners, it was Deebo Samuel who made the best start to the season. It is certainly irregular, but when it is good, it is spectacular. Against the Seahawks, he has escaped the vigilance of the defense several times, and has signed 8 receptions for 156 yards and 2 touchdowns. After 4 days, Samuel leads the NFL in yards in the air (490).

Terry McLaurin (Washington Football Team)

• Stats: 6 receptions, 123 yards, 2 TD

I already declared my love for Terry McLaurin earlier this season, and the Washington WR continues to shine. He had a key role on Sunday when his team won a comeback late in the game. Safe target for Taylor Heinicke, he catches 6 assists, including 2 touchdowns, and totals 123 yards.

Alternates: DJ Moore (CAR), Darnell Mooney (CHI), Randall Cobb (GB)

Tight-end

CJ Uzomah (Cincinnati Bengals)

• Stats: 5 receptions, 95 yards, 2 TD

The Bengals are pretty well endowed in terms of WR, but on Thursday it was a TE that did the most damage. Rarely in sight in the aerial game, and rather confined to a shadow role, Uzomah signed several big receptions against Jacksonville. Even better, he offered himself 2 touchdowns to help his team win.

Alternate: Jared Cook (LAC)

Offensive line

Jonah Williams (LT – Cincinnati Bengals)

Already in the team-type last week, Jonah Williams shows why the Bengals wanted to give him a chance to win at Left Tackle. Still very solid against the Jaguars, he did not concede a single pressure on his QB.

Joe Thuney (LG – Kansas City Chiefs)

Here’s why the Chiefs recruited Joe Thuney at a premium this offseason. The Guard dominated this weekend, not conceding the slightest pressure against the Eagles. He was also invaluable on the ground phases.

Chase Roullier (C – Washington Football Team)

Washington’s offensive line performed well on Sunday against Atlanta. In the center, Chase Roullier perfectly stabilized the whole, with in particular 0 pressure allocated on the match.

Zack Martin (RG – Dallas Cowboys)

Dominant performance of the Cowboys Guard, which gets the highest rating this week by PFF. Impassable, he did not concede pressure on Dak Prescott and constantly absorbed his opponents.

Germain Ifedi (RT – Chicago Bears)

Consistently struggling since the start of the season, the Bears’ offensive line has been the best overall this week. Admittedly, the defense of the Lions is not the most painful, but it is a good point to help Justin Fields. On the right, Germain Ifedi was very solid, with only one small pressure suffered in 58 phases played.

Substitutes: Tyron Smith (LT – DAL), Joel Bitonio (LG – CLE), Jason Kelce (C – PHI), James Daniels (RG – CHI), Jawaan Taylor (RT – JAX)

Defense

Defensive Tackles

Calais Campbell (Baltimore Ravens)

• Stats: 7 presses, 5 tackles

He is no longer very young and probably no longer at his best, but Calais Campbell continues to be an impact defender. Against the Broncos, he often won his duels and totaled 7 pressures on the opposing QBs. He failed to finish with a sack, but hit the Quarterback 3 times.

Kingsley Keke (Green Bay Packers)

• Stats: 2 presses, 1 sack, 1 tackle, 1 forced fumble

A rotational player, Keke made his presence felt when he was on the pitch on Sunday. His signature action took place at the start of 2^th quarter-time, with a sack on Ben Roethlisberger, on which he forces a fumble. Behind, Green Bay scores a quick touchdown to take the 14-7 advantage.

Alternates: Jonathan Allen (WAS), Dalvin Tomlinson (MIN)

Edges

Joey Bosa (Los Angeles Chargers)

• Stats: 7 presses, 1 sack, 1 tackle, 1 forced fumble

Great performance of the defense of the Chargers Monday against Las Vegas, with as often, an excellent Joey Bosa at the forefront. The pass-rusher offered himself 7 presses and 1 sack, bringing his career total to 50. It took him 67 games to reach this level, a franchise record.

Myles Garrett (Cleveland Browns)

• Stats: 9 presses, 0.5 sack, 3 tackles

For 2 games, Cleveland’s defense has been excellent, and Myles Garrett is behaving like a leader. After a huge performance last week against the Bears (4.5 sacks), he was less efficient in the finish but just as painful (9 pressures in total). Garrett leads the NFL with 6 sacks.

Substitutes: Robert Quinn (CHI), Shaquil Barrett (VG)

Linebackers

Tremaine Edmunds (Buffalo Bills)

• Stats: 6 tackles, 1 interception

For the second time this season, the Bills defense has not conceded a point. A particularly dominant performance against Houston, with players concerned on all lines. In the center of the defense, the match of Tremaine Edmunds stands out, thanks to a good activity (6 tackles) and a good placement on the cover phases (1 interception, 4 yards allowed).

De’Vondre Campbell (Green Bay Packers)

• Stats: 1 press, 9 tackles, 1 deflected pass

The transplant is going well for Campbell at the Packers. Sunday, he was very good against the Steelers, and present in all phases. He signs 9 tackles, concedes only 2 receptions for 13 yards (on 5 passes in his area), deflects 1 pass and adds 1 pressure on a blitz.

Alternates: Bobby Okereke (IND), Drue Tranquill (LAC)

Cornerbacks

Trevon Diggs (Dallas Cowboys)

• 4 tackles, 2 interceptions

His match was not perfect, especially because he still conceded 4 receptions for 82 yards against the Panthers, but his impact was still key. Diggs continues his streak with 2 more interceptions. He has managed at least one in every game this season, and leads the NFL with 5 in 4 games.

Greedy Williams (Cleveland Browns)

• Stats: 6 tackles, 1 interception

Holder in the absence of rookie Greg Newsome, the CB Browns responded perfectly. Aimed a total of 5 times, he rather limited the breakage and allowed 61 yards. But he signed a capital interception in the 4^th quarter, which helped Cleveland maintain a short advantage.

Cameron Lewis (Buffalo Bills)

• Stats: 4 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 deflected pass

He also actively participated in the “shutout” of the Bills, with a very good match. Targeted directly 3 times, he conceded only one reception from 3 yards, and deflected one of the passes. He also signs 4 tackles and forces a loss of ball on one of them.

Substitutes: Anthony Brown (DAL), Shaquill Griffin (JAX), Michael Davis (LAC)

Safeties

Quandre Diggs (Seattle Seahawks)

• Stats: 7 tackles, 1 interception, 1 deflected pass

The Safety of the Seahawks quickly started their game against the 49ers, with 1 interception on Jimmy Garoppolo in the 1st quarter. He then confirmed his strength, conceding only one reception from 4 yards on the match, and adding 7 tackles.

Erik Harris (Atlanta Falcons)

• Stats: 1 press, 6 tackles, 3 deflected passes

Harris’ placement was on point Sunday against Washington. Safety saw 5 balls arrive in his zone, and he deflected 3. He conceded only 28 yards in total on the meeting, added 6 tackles and even signed 1 pressure on a blitz.

Substitutes: Antoine Winfield Jr (VG), Jaquan Johnson (BUF)

Teams Specials

Kicker

Matt Prater (Arizona Cardinals)

Perfect match for the Cardinals kicker, who spent his 7 kicks against the Rams. He also confirmed his ease on long attempts, passing a new field-goal of more than 50 yards.

Borrow

Rigoberto Sanchez (Indianapolis Colts)

• Stats: 4 punts, 200 yards, 50.0 YPA

Nice average of 50 yards on the clearances of Rigoberto Sanchez this weekend. The Colts punter placed half of his kicks inside the opposing 20 yards.

Return

DeAndre Carter (Washington Football Team)

• Stats: 3 KR, 152 yards, 1 TD

After 2 weeks marked by the spectacular returns of Jamal Agnew, another player stood out this weekend. The WR returned the second-half kickoff to a 101-yard touchdown. 6 points which weighed heavily on the final result.