There’s something so cruel about a bad weekend of football. The Sunday Scaries hit harder. Your fantasy team doesn’t stand a chance. The NFL draft feels more relevant than the Super Bowl.
Football is supposed to be our escape, a thrilling distraction from everyday life. Instead, we’re left reminded that our favorite teams are mediocre, just like us.
Bad quarterbacks mean bad football, and bad football is bad for the soul. Week 4’s slate left NFC fans hurting, and for many, relief won’t come in the form of a Week 5 victory. Their quarterback may very well stink, embarking on a journey between perishing and purgatory. How did your quarterback stack up?
Dallas Cowboys 25 – Washington Commanders 10
The Dallas Cowboys were screwed three short weeks ago. Star quarterback Dak Prescott looked to be out for a significant chunk of the season, leaving the fate of the franchise with Cooper Rush. He’s stepped up, the defense has balled out, and they find themselves a game back with 13 to play.
Prescott seems to be on the verge of returning, putting Dallas in prime position to take hold of a playoff spot. They are currently +310 to win the NFC East (DraftKings), meaning an $100 wager would win you an extra $310.
The Washington Commanders, on the other hand, won’t be winning the division. Carson Wentz is human proof that sacks are a quarterback stat, and his inability to function within the pocket has cost his team games. Preseason expectations projected mediocrity and a fun defense, neither turned out true.
Seattle Seahawks 48 – Detroit Lions 45
They’re playing with house money in Seattle. In a year absent of expectation, the Seahawks have done us the favor of playing a fun brand of football. Geno Smith is better than you think he is, the defense is worse, and we should consider the over whenever they play a subpar defense. Smith has been remarkably efficient and better than whatever Drew Lock would’ve been.
Arizona Cardinals 26 – Carolina Panthers 16
There’s no sugarcoating it. The coaching is bad and the talent is limited, but Baker Mayfield flat out stinks right now. No quarterback has been worse through the season’s first four weeks. Whatever hope there was for Carolina and DJ Moore props have withered away. We’ve reached a point where the Panthers defense does the scoring and the offense puts them in danger. Trust their opponents to cover the rest of the way.
New York Giants 20 – Chicago Bears 12
Last week, I wrote about Justin Fields and the developmental track he’s been on. He was then pressured 51.4% of the times he dropped back to pass. The Chicago Bears are an undeniably bad football team.
Yet, there’s reason to believe.
Despite the coaching mistakes. Despite the one (1) talented wide receiver. Despite the doggy door of an offensive line. Fields went 10/14 for 168 yards when kept clean. I’m not flushing Fields just yet.
Atlanta Falcons 23 – Cleveland Browns 20
Marcus Mariota threw an interception in the third quarter. The next drive, the Atlanta Falcons scored a touchdown. They ran 14 plays. Mariota did not throw a pass.
Dear Arthur Smith, I know you’re reading. It’s time to play Desmond Ridder.
Ridder was the most pro-ready quarterback in his class. He is similar to Mariota enough to not change the offense that has led to this 2-2 record. Ridder is ready, and likely better than the bridge quarterback sworn to mentor him. It’s the best thing to do for the short-term and long-term future of the franchise. It’s time.
BASIC TIPS
Earlier, this article referenced a futures bet, taking the Cowboys at +310 to win the division. Futures are best made when one feels the odds are going to get shorter (win you less money) in the near future. For example, if Prescott plays well and the Eagles lose, those odds can drop to +150. If you can stomach the short-term losses, waiting out a long-term futures bet can be lucrative.