Five Things We Learned in Week 4 of the NFL Season

Every week we learn something new about the players and teams in the league. We might rediscover hidden talent, or realize that a former first round pick has no business playing in the NFL these days. All in all, aside from the wins and losses, it's good to take something away from these games.These are five things that really stood out this Sunday.

5. Arian Foster is the Real Deal

It's really hard to find a picture of this guy.

After last week’s performance against Dallas, you could argue that we knew Foster was the real deal. But the best running backs expose good defenses, and take advantage of bad ones. Foster torched the Raiders on Sunday for 131 yards on 16 carries, including a 74-yard touchdown. The best part? He didn’t enter the game until midway through the second quarter. He could be an MVP candidate if he continues to play like this, and Houston (3-1) continues to roll.

4. The Giants Pass Rush Is Back

As a team that only had six sacks through its first three games, we were wondering when the Giants talented front seven would break loose. Apparently that was this Sunday, as the team combined for 10 sacks, three each from its top two playmakers Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora. Look for them to be a force again against Houston next week.

3. The Saints Miss Reggie Bush

Awesome pose.

As unproductive as some might say Reggie Bush’s career has been, no one can deny the offensive talent and diversity he brings to the New Orleans Saints offense. Sure, Drew Brees is a great quarterback, but how much do you think he misses having someone in the offense who he can checkdown to, to change four-yard screens into 20-yard scampers? Bush is clearly missed in the receiving game, and the Saints won’t be the same until he returns.

2. T.O. Has Still Got It in Him

222 yards on 10 catches? That looks more like an Andre Johnson stat-line than a current T.O. one. Owens ran through the Browns' secondary yesterday, including a 78- yard bomb down the sideline, which might not have been 78 yards if former Eagles teammate Sheldon Brown hadn’t tripped over himself. Nonetheless Owens had an outstanding day, and showed he can still turn on the jets when it matters.

1. Pittsburgh Can’t Wait to Have Big Ben Back

Sure Charlie Batch won three games at the helm, and that’s great. But yesterday’s divisional loss to the Ravens at home was pretty big, and most people have a feeling that the circumstances would’ve been different had Roethlisberger been in. The Steelers have a bye this week, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. Goodbye stale offense, hello Roethlisberger.