This week should be a reality check for the NFL after COVID-19 outbreak
It's October. It's Week 4. We are in the thick of the NFL season now. But before we dive in to all the goodness this week of football has to offer us, a quick look at one game that unexpectedly won't be played:
- The Titans-Steelers games has been postponed indefinitely after a fifth Tennessee player tested positive for COVID-19.
- This COVID-19 outbreak within the Titans – now at 11 total individuals across players and staff – should be a reality check for the NFL, our Mike Jones writes.
- In the wake of the outbreak, the NFL has updated its protocols for teams dealing with an outbreak or who have experienced exposure to COVID-19.
- The league also reiterated its game-day mask policy for non-players, saying further violations could result in suspensions or even forfeiture of draft picks.
About last night: Broncos 37, Jets 28 — The pressure on Jets head coach Adam Gase is sure to increase – though his job remains safe, for now – as New York saw a late lead slip away in a loss to the previously-winless and injury depleted Broncos. The only good news for the 0-4 Jets is that QB Sam Darnold appeared to escape serious injury after a scare in the first half. After the game, Broncos coach Vic Fangio told his team to leave without shaking hands after the game. “I just wanted to avoid any confrontation at the end of the game and having it get ugly there," Fangio said.
Game of the Week: New England Patriots at Kansas City Chiefs — The Chiefs sent a message in their Monday night domination of the Ravens. Now, the defending champs face another AFC contender, a foe both familiar and quite different. The Patriots head to Arrowhead Stadium for yet another matchup with the Chiefs, but gone, obviously, is Tom Brady. Instead, former No. 1 overall pick Cam Newton faces off with Patrick Mahomes for the first time.
Sneaky-Good Game of the Week: Cleveland Browns at Dallas Cowboys — Cleveland enters this game with its first winning record since 2014. That's unbelievable. The Cowboys, meanwhile, have stumbled out of the gate in their first season under Mike McCarthy, hampered by what has been the worst defensive start in franchise history.
Survivor Pool Game of the Week: New York Giants at Los Angeles Rams — Jim Reineking has not let you all down this season, going a perfect 3-for-3 so far with his survivor pool picks (Steelers, 49ers and Colts). While he'd picked against the Jets the prior two weeks, this week he turns his attention to the other New Jersey team. The 0-3 Giants travel to Los Angeles for the first time in 26 years to take on a Rams team hot over how their game against the Bills ended. Ride the Rams.
- PHOTOS: Broncos-Jets | Big-play celebrates | Fans and cheerleaders
Week 4: Picks, news analysis and more
- Week 4 picks: Our NFL experts make their selections for this weekend's games.
- Lorenzo's Locks: For those who like to wager a little (legally, of course), our Lorenzo Reyes offers up his three best bets for the week.
- Poised for a breakthrough: Nine teams that didn't make the playoffs in 2019 who could crash the postseason party this year.
- 'People are there for you': Titans coach Mike Vrabel determined to keep suicide prevention message going.
- HOW: We've only played three weeks and somehow the Eagles only have one healthy wide receiver on their 53-man roster.
- 'All positive from both ends': Cowboys DT Dontari Poe shed some light on the conversation he had with team owner Jerry Jones regarding kneeling for the anthem.
- Mask up: Raiders apologize for not wearing masks at teammate's event.
- Political contributions and the NFL: When it comes to donations to political campaigns and causes this election cycle, Jets owner Woody Johnson leads the way in the NFL. Currently a member of the Trump administration, Johnson donated $1.99 million exclusively to Republicans. But he's hardly alone in the NFL's ownership ranks when it comes to big spending support for the Grand Old Party. The findings show one thing, our Jarrett Bell writes: some NFL owners' words aren't lining up with their spending habits.
- Power rankings: How the league stacks up after three weeks of play.
Fantasy Football: Get your lineup right
The Steelers-Titans postponement created an unexpected bye for a number of fantasy studs. To help with that, our experts make sure you have everything you need to adjust and win Week 4:
- Position-by-position rankings for Week 4's slate.
- Who you should take a look at on the waiver wire.
- The stock watch after Week 3.
Week 4 schedule
(All times Eastern)
Thursday
Sunday
Seattle Seahawks at Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m. (FOX)
Jacksonville Jaguars at Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m. (CBS)
Minnesota Vikings at Houston Texans, 1 p.m. (FOX)
Cleveland Browns at Dallas Cowboys, 1 p.m. (FOX)
Baltimore Ravens at Washington Football Team, 1 p.m. (CBS)
Indianapolis Colts at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m. (CBS)
New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions, 1 p.m. (FOX)
Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m. (FOX)
Los Angeles Chargers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m. (CBS)
New York Giants at Los Angeles Rams, 4:05 p.m. (FOX)
New England Patriots at Kansas City Chiefs, 4:25 p.m. (CBS)
Buffalo Bills at Las Vegas Raiders, 4:25 p.m. (CBS)
Philadelphia Eagles at San Francisco 49ers, 8:20 p.m. (NBC)
Monday
Atlanta Falcons at Green Bay Packers, 8:15 p.m. (ESPN)
NFL Facebook group: Join now!
Football season is here! And, if you love talking football, we have the perfect spot for you. Join our Facebook Group, The Ruling Off the Field, to engage in friendly debate and conversation with fellow football fans and our NFL insiders. Sign up now!