Bleacher Report's Week 4 NFL Awards

In many respects, the St. Louis Rams are a microcosm for the entire NFL.

Unpredictable as can be.

One week, the Rams look like world-beaters, beating the likes of the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1 or the previously undefeated Arizona Cardinals this past Sunday.

The next? Well, the Rams lost to the Washington Redskins in Week 2, so, um, yeah.

Of course, the Rams weren't the only team that flipped the script during a wacky Week 4, where the theme around the league seemed to be kickers not kicking so well.

With that in mind, here's a look around the NFL at the best and worst of Week 4 as voted on by the NFL National Lead Writers and NFL Analysts here at Bleacher Report.

Team of the Week

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

Winner: Cincinnati Bengals (6 votes)

Those same St. Louis Rams garnered two votes for their impressive win over the Redbirds Sunday, but the team that brought home Team of the Week honors has been a fair bit more consistent so far this season.

The Cincinnati Bengals are a perfect 4-0 on the season after taking apart the Kansas City Chiefs 36-21 Sunday, and with the Pittsburgh Steelers banged up and the Baltimore Ravens already three games back, the Bengals appear set on a collision course with the AFC North title.

Much as been made of quarterback Andy Dalton's play so far this year, but in the opinion of ESPN.com's Coley Harvey, the difference between this year's team and the one that's failed to win a playoff game the past four years may be a more balanced offensive attack:

"

When the Bengals are in the offensive rhythm they have had much of this year, good things are bound to happen. It's not surprising they have the league's No. 2 total offense. If Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard can stay consistent in the backfield, don't expect that ranking to dip much as the year goes on. Part of what's worked for the Bengals' offense has been its ability to create field position. Two statistics make that evident: third-down conversions and goal-to-go efficiency. They rank fifth and fourth, respectively. By converting third downs so well the offense is moving into spots that regularly lead to favorable goal-line opportunities.

"

Last year, the Bengals rode a perfect 3-0 record into a Week 5 matchup at New England, where they were shelled by the Patriots.

2015 brings with it a similar litmus test. Next Sunday the Bengals welcome the two-time defending NFC champion Seattle Seahawks to the Queen City.

Others receiving votes: St. Louis Rams (2 votes)

Coach of the Week

John Bazemore/Associated Press

Winner: Dan Quinn, Atlanta Falcons (4 votes)

During their three-game winning streak to kick off the 2015 season, the Atlanta Falcons mounted a trio of fourth-quarter comebacks.

In Sunday's win over the Houston Texans, that wasn't necessary. Not after the Falcons opened a 42-0 can of you-know-what before eventually prevailing 48-21.

Under first-year head coach Dan Quinn, the Falcons are playing tough, physical football. They're playing defense.

In other words, they're playing very little like the Atlanta Falcons. At least in recent years.

As the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports, Quinn was all smiles after his team took the Texans behind the woodshed:

"

I knew we had a great week of preparation as a team on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. It was going to take that. We knew facing a good outfit that we would need good preparation and we did. The thing that we thought about was the football. For us, to end up plus four today, in terms of turnovers was exactly like we like playing. It was a great job by the offense, and then the defense I believe scoring twice was just terrific. I can’t talk about the balance on offense enough. Over 130-yards rushing and over 250 passing, that’s when we’re at our best. I think that showed today, but some guys really stepped up. We had some guys that were banged up, and other guys who just stepped up exactly like we like. Robenson Therezie was one of those, and then scoring two times on defense. It was a great team effort today against a really well coached outfit across the hall.

"

There's plenty of reason for smiles. Not only are the Falcons playing very good football, but with one of the NFL's easiest schedules, Atlanta will do more than just make the postseason if they keep it up.

They could spend much of it playing at home.

Others receiving votes: Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati Bengals (2 votes); Jay Gruden, Washington Redskins (1 vote); Tom Coughlin, New York Giants (1 vote)

Goat of the Week

Tim Ireland/Associated Press

"Winner": Joe Philbin, HC, Miami Dolphins (5 votes)

Well, this is just sort of mean.

After all, Joe Philbin has bigger things to worry about right now than being Goat of the Week—like finding a new job.

Per James Walker of ESPN.com, after the Dolphins suffered another embarrassing loss at the hands of the New York Jets, team owner Stephen Ross decided enough was enough.

After three years and change with the team, Philbin was let go:

"

This was a tough decision for me to make knowing how tirelessly Joe worked in his four years here to make this a winning team. He is a man of the highest character and integrity that I developed a close personal relationship with.

I am extremely disappointed with how we have started the season, but I feel confident that we can improve quickly with the talent we have on our roster.

"

The Dolphins spent huge money on improving the team in free agency in 2015, but so far have received very little in return for that investment. Ross decided a change was needed.

And now Philbin needs a hug.

Others receiving votes: Josh Scobee, PK, Pittsburgh Steelers (1 vote); all kickers not named Justin Tucker (1 vote); Tramon Williams, CB, Cleveland Browns (1 vote)

Rookie of the Week

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

Winner: Todd Gurley, RB, St. Louis Rams (7 votes)

Over the first two-plus quarters of Sunday's game between the St. Louis Rams and Arizona Cardinals, rookie running back Todd Gurley manged all of five yards on 10 carries.

Gurley's next seven carries went better—136 yards is better, right?

With explosion in the Rams' upset win, the first-round pick became the first rookie drafted that highly to gain 100 yards in the fourth quarter since Adrian Peterson back in 2007, according to NFL Communications.

As Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported, Gurley didn't just gash the Cardinals. He also displayed veteran savvy with the game winding down:

"

Perhaps Gurley’s best work came with 1:17 to play when he burst around left end for what looked like a sure touchdown. But realizing the circumstances, he decided to stop after a 30-yard gain to the Arizona 8, to run out the clock and prevent the Cardinals from pulling off any kind of last-minute miracle.

“It was totally unselfish,” coach Jeff Fisher said. “Beyond that, it’s just that for a rookie to have the presence of mind to do that, it says a lot for his understanding of this game and putting games away.”

A pretty heady play for a 21-year-old about to score his first NFL TD, playing in his second NFL game.

"

If Gurley's Week 4 performance was any indication, the touchdowns are going to come.

Others receiving votes: Ereck Flowers, OT, New York Giants (1 vote)

Best QB Performance

Denis Poroy/Associated Press

Winner: Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers (8 votes)

Yes, it came against a tissue-paper-soft Cleveland defense. No, it won't fix all the problems that ail a San Diego team that needed a last-second gaffe by those Browns to kick a game-winning field goal just to get to 2-2.

However, that doesn't change the fact that were it not for Rivers' 358 passing yards and three touchdowns Sunday, the Bolts would've never been in a position to almost blow the game to begin with.

If that makes very little sense, welcome to Week 4.

The performance of the 12th-year veteran certainly wasn't lost on head coach Mike McCoy, according to Ricky Henne of the team's website:

"

Big win. Huge win for us. And once again, Philip Rivers with the game on the line goes right down the field. We’re so fortunate that he’s our quarterback. Just what he does and the toughness and the grit. A couple of those touchdowns, you see him back there down on his back. I just love the guy. He went right down the field. No panic. Nothing at all.

"

The performance wasn't lost on our panel either, who made Rivers a unanimous call as this week's top performer under center.

Best RB Performance

David Goldman/Associated Press

Winner: Devonta Freeman, Atlanta Falcons (6 votes)

After rushing for 141 yards and three touchdowns against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 3, Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman was going to be hard-pressed to come up with an encore.

The second-year pro did his best against the Houston Texans.

Sure, Freeman only gained 68 yards on 14 carries, but he also chipped in another 81 yards on five catches. And just like in Week 3, Freeman found the end zone three times in an Atlanta win.

Not that you need Chris Wesseling of NFL.com to tell you this, but that's pretty good:

"

Why do NFL teams prefer young legs at running back? Second-year dynamo Devonta Freeman has rushed for more scores in the past three weeks than a 31-year-old Steven Jackson managed in 15 starts last season. Aided by huge gaps provided by a vastly improved offensive line, Freeman has displayed impressive burst and a physicality that belies his 5-foot-8, 206-pound frame. His skill set lies somewhere between the early-career versions of Ray Rice and Pierre Thomas.

Staked to a 35-0 lead early in the third quarter, the Falcons understandably placed Freeman and superstar wide receiver Julio Jones in bubble wrap the rest of the way. Over a seven-quarter span beginning last week, Freeman generated 342 yards and six touchdowns on 54 touches. Kyle Shanahan continues to prove that he's one of the NFL's most effective offensive coordinators.

"

He didn't have to tell our writers, who named Freeman Week 4's top running back.

Others receiving votes: Todd Gurley, St. Louis Rams (1 vote); Chris Ivory, New York Jets (1 vote)

Best WR Performance

Tim Ireland/Associated Press

Winner: Brandon Marshall, New York Jets (5 votes)

As Fox Sports wrote, it hasn't taken Brandon Marshall long to make an impact with the New York Jets:

"

In just four games with the Jets, he's already made history. By eclipsing the 100 yards in the team's 27-14 win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Marshall now hold the longest streak of 100-yard receiving games by a Jets player since 1988 with three. That's 27 years, folks.

Marshall, who is with his fourth NFL team at age 31, had his most yards receiving this season Sunday with 128 on seven catches, although he didn't find the end zone for the first time as a Jet. He has 30 catches for 400 yards and three TDs through four games.

"

And even that doesn't tell the whole story. Marshall has indeed been a big part of the Jets' 3-1 start in 2015. He was also a big part of the team's only loss.

In fact, his incredibly ill-conceived lateral a week ago against the Philadelphia Eagles earned Marshall both Goat of the Week and Worst Decision honors from this very panel.

Honestly, it's Brandon Marshall's career in a nutshell, and the reason he's one of a handful of players in NFL history to be traded three times.

One week it's the outhouse. The next week it's the penthouse.

Others receiving votes: Jeremy Maclin, Kansas City Chiefs (3 votes)

Best TE Performance

Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images

Winner: Charles Clay, Buffalo Bills (5 votes)

In the lead-up to last week's tilt between the Buffalo Bills and New York Giants, Tim Heaney of USA Today advised fantasy football enthusiasts to consider Bills tight end Charles Clay as a bye-week replacement for Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots:

"

Early on, New York has nearly stifled the opponent’s top receivers, thanks heavily to Prince Amukamara. If Sammy Watkins plays through injury, he’ll struggle to gain separation. Enter Clay, a top-10 tight end so far in PPR leagues who has averaged 5.7 targets and 4.0 receptions over his first three outings, scoring in the last two.

"

Things didn't go quite as Clay and the Bills had hoped. The fifth-year veteran had a touchdown called back due to a penalty, and the Bills fell to their downstate neighbors, 24-10.

However, that loss can't be blamed on Clay, who reeled in nine passes for 111 yards in defeat.

As Chris Brown of the team's website reported, Clay continues to impress Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor:

"

I’m definitely confident in the mismatches he’s going to receive or the matchups he’s going to get throughout the year. You get a guy like that who is very talented at the tight end position who is going against linebackers and we like those matchups and the moves that he made once he got the football.

"

In Week 4, Clay impressed our pundits as well.

Others receiving votes: Martellus Bennett, Chicago Bears (2 votes); Ed Dickson, Carolina Panthers (1 vote)

Best Defensive Performance

Don Juan Moore/Getty Images

Winner: Josh Norman, CB, Carolina Panthers (8 votes)

Being a "shutdown" corner in the NFL is good work if you can get it.

Richard Sherman of the Seattle Seahawks. Joe Haden of the Cleveland Browns. Even Byron Maxwell of the Philadelphia Eagles. All make in excess of $10 million per season.

At the rate he's playing, Josh Norman of the Carolina Panthers will be joining them soon on easy street.

In fact, Norman turned down a contract offer from the team earlier this offseason. And as Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer pointed out, after recording his second pick-six of the season in Sunday's win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Norman's magic number is headed one direction—up:

"

“Look man, you can write whatever you want,” Norman said when asked if he’d listen to contract talks during the season. “I’m having fun. And I’m going to continue to have fun regardless. Either way it goes, it’s going to get done. The number’s going to be the number, no matter what. But, at the same time, we’re having fun.”

The number is referring to the average money per season, the barometer for elite cornerbacks. At $10 million, you’re in the conversation. At $12 million, you’re among them. Anything above and you are one of the best in the past decade.

“I’m not (just) another cornerback,” Norman said. “I’m a unique. I’m something else. I’m not those other guys.”

"

Well, he might be like those other guys in one respect.

Humility and coverage skills appear to be inversely proportionate.

Still, Norman's backing that talk up. Through four games of the 2015 season, the 27-year-old is Pro Football Focus' highest-rated cornerback.

Best Decision

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

Winner: Baltimore Ravens establishing ground game with Justin Forsett (4 votes)

At 0-3, the Baltimore Ravens entered last Thursday night's AFC North showdown with the Pittsburgh Steelers in desperation mode. Lose, and any slim playoff hopes the Ravens still had would go up in smoke.

It wasn't pretty, but the Ravens were able to grind out a 23-20 win, thanks in large part to a big game from running back Justin Forsett.

However, as Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported, that big game almost didn't come to pass:

"

On the first drive of the night, the Ravens opted not to run the ball while going three and out. On the second drive, his first two runs were a lot like most of his runs in 2015. But then, after a third-down throw gained a first down, Forsett was back.

He ripped through the line for 10 or more yards on consecutive carries, putting Forsett on his way to a 150-yard night, on 27 carries.

Like many running backs who aren’t part of a full-blown revolving door arrangement, Forsett got better as the game went on, ultimately notching more carries and gaining more yards than Pittsburgh workhorse Le’Veon Bell. And Forsett’s longest run of the night — a 33-yarder — came when the Ravens were down 20-7 in the third quarter and needed a spark.

"

In some ways, necessity was the mother of invention. The Ravens receiving corps has been decimated by injuries, including the loss of top wideout Steve Smith during the game.

Of course, it could also be said that the Ravens started 0-3 because they abandoned the run too soon despite those offensive injuries.

Whatever the reason, they didn't do that Thursday night. And the result was a win.

Others receiving votes: Resting Andrew Luck (2 votes); Cincinnati Bengals red-zone play calls (1 vote); St. Louis giving it to Todd Gurley after he had minus-two yards on his first five carries (1 vote)

Worst Decision

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

"Winner": Pittsburgh Steelers' short-yardage and fourth-down calls (5 votes)

There were about 37 potential nominees for this category in the Thursday night affair between the Ravens and Steelers. Thirty-five or so of them came compliments of the Steelers.

Between Josh Scobee whiffing on kicks and head coach Mike Tomlin whiffing on calls, it's no wonder the Steelers lost the game.

And as Chris Chase of USA Today reports, it was the former that led to the latter:

"

You can blame Mike Tomlin and his staff for questionable play calling late in the fourth quarter, the team’s first possession of overtime and the team’s second possession of overtime. But don’t blame the Pittsburgh Steelers coach for not trusting his kicker to win Thursday night’s game against the Baltimore Ravens. Josh Scobee had missed two kicks on the night, both late in the fourth quarter, both from under 50 yards and both to the same end zone of a windy field in a notoriously tough stadium to kick. Making either kick would have essentially clinched this back-and-forth AFC North slobberknocker for Scobee’s Steelers.

So, in overtime, with an opportunity to win the game on a kick from a longer distance, you have to ask yourself: Would you have trusted Josh Scobee?

It’s especially galling because for the second straight fourth down, Pittsburgh’s phenom running back, Le’Veon Bell, didn’t touch the ball. Vick isn’t Roethlisberger so you shouldn’t trust him to get the ball to the reliable Brown. That’s why, if you’re not kicking, the ball has to go to the other reliable member of Pittsburgh’s offense. Bell has to get it on at least one of those fourth downs. It doesn’t matter if the Ravens knew what was coming. That battle in the trenches is where games are won.

"

Of course, Tomlin will at least get a chance to atone for his mistakes.

Scobee's kicking it with Joe Philbin.

Others receiving votes: Bill O'Brien's QB carousel (2 votes); Dolphins giving a Brinks truck to Ndamukong Suh in the offseason (1 vote)

Player of the Week

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Winner: Devonta Freeman, RB, Atlanta Falcons (4 votes)

From an individual standpoint, Week 4 was actually relatively quiet.

This isn't to say that there weren't some fine performances. Many of them have already been discussed in this piece.

However, you know it's a quiet week when a nonpasser brings home the POTW award.

And as the New York Times reported, it isn't hard to see why Freeman notched that honor after the two-week stretch he's enjoyed:

"

It was just eighth time since 1960 that a player has scored three rushing touchdowns in consecutive weeks, according to ProFootballReference.com, with Freeman joining a group that includes LaDainian Tomlinson (who holds the N.F.L. record with three consecutive games), Priest Holmes (who did it twice), Marshall Faulk, Stephen Davis, Terry Allen, Joe Morris and Jim Taylor.

Freeman’s addition to the list is shocking considering that before last week, Freeman had just 2 rushing touchdowns in 18 career games.

"I've always believed in myself," Freeman said. "But it's hard to get a feel when you're not playing. I have to get in a rhythm, and then the confidence comes."

"

Of course, no one expects Freeman to maintain this torrid pace.

But then again, no one expected the Falcons to be 4-0 either.

Others receiving votes: Josh Norman, CB, Carolina Panthers, (2 votes); Andy Dalton, QB, Cincinnati Bengals (1 vote); Todd Gurley, RB, St. Louis Rams (1 vote)