NFL Preview: Week 4
Well, you can be sure that if there’s any drama on the NFL fields this weekend it’s going to come from players only. After last week’s disastrous calls made by replacement refs, and one that was completely missed and cost Green Bay the game, the NFL has decided to get serious and do what was needed to get their refs back. Now, the NFL and the refs’ union has come to a tentative agreement that’s to be ratified this weekend. Still, Commissioner Roger Goodell has said that the original refs would be back on the field as soon as tonight. And that’s great news for fans! Now let’s look at a few of the games they’ll be officiating.
New Orleans Saints at Green Bay Packers
The drama of the bounty sanctions may have proven to be too much for the Saints. They just can’t seem to get their head around football, as they’ve lost their first three games of the season. Brees has thrown five interceptions after the drama of his franchise tag; and the team hasn’t had this bad of a start since 2007 when they went 0-4. And facing a Packers team that is all about revenge after last week’s devastating loss due to a bad call, the Saints may just tie that bad record.
San Francisco 49ers at New York Jets
The 49ers were being touted as the best team in football this year, until they lost in an embarrassing fashion to Minnesota last week. Three turnovers, one interception by Alex Smith, and only one TD from the QB made for a devastating loss. They’ll need to find the grit they started the season with, and against the Jets this week that might not be hard. New York is missing their star cornerback Darrelle Revis due to a torn ACL, an injury that will likely keep him out for the rest of the year.
New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills
Typically this would be a very easy call to make. One of the best teams in the league going up against one that didn’t even make the playoffs last year. But the Pats haven’t looked like the Pats this year, with a 1-2 start and are now looking at three consecutive losses for the first time since 2002. Pats QB Tom Brady is going to have to find a way to get around the Bills — something he couldn’t do when these two played against each other last year. At least now that the original refs will be back, Bill Belichick might avoid a heated confrontation when the clock runs out.
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