What we learned from Week 4 of the NFL preseason

The final week of the NFL preseason has come and gone, which clears the path for the one thing you've been waiting for since the beginning of February—Week 1 of the NFL regular season. While the fourth game of the preseason is typically uneventful, plenty of movement occurred off the field, including major trades from Houston and the (imminent) end of Ezekiel Elliott’s ongoing contract holdout.

One last time before Thursday night's kickoff to the 100th season of the NFL, here are five takeaways from Week 4 of the presesason.

1. Houston, we have a problem?

On Sunday the Houston Texans announced a trade with the Miami Dolphins, which gave Miami a 2020 first-round pick, a first- and second-round pick in 2021, plus Houston cornerback Johnson Bademosi and tackle Julien Davenport. In exchange the Texans received offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil, receiver Kenny Stills, a 2020 fourth-round pick and a sixth-round pick in the 2021 draft.

Then Houston turned itself into a bit of a punchline Monday, when it handed star defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (nine sacks in 2018)—Houston’s No. 1 overall draft pick in 2014—to Seattle and ended up with a future third-round pick and linebackers Barkevious Mingo and Jacob Martin in return.

The Texans were already expected to take a step back in 2019 off an 11-5 record last season, but with their latest offseason moves and the devastating injury to Lamar Miller in the preseason, Houston’s hopes for a 2019 playoff appearance look bleaker than ever.

2. The Colts love collecting Patriots backup QBs

The Indianapolis Colts continue to pick up the pieces following Andrew Luck’s shocking exit from the NFL. With Jacoby Brissett the new head of the offense, Indy needed some insurance at the backup quarterback position and found its answer once again in New England’s locker room.

In addition to signing Brissett to a two-year deal worth $30 million, which the Colts announced Tuesday, Indy brought in former Patriots second-string quarterback Brian Hoyer after the veteran got cut from New England’s roster at the end of Week 4. Pats rookie Jarrett Stidham will serve as Tom Brady’s backup, while Hoyer will provide support for Brissett, who last played for the Patriots in 2016 and led New England to victories in two of three games when Brady was serving a suspension.

3. The U.S. women’s soccer team may hold the solution to one NFL team’s kicking woes

Minnesota kicker Kaare Vedvik missed wide right on a 37-yard field goal, Joey Slye of the Panthers had a 48-yard attempt blocked by the Steelers and new starting Jets kicker Taylor Bertolet hit just two of five field goal attempts in Thursday’s game against the Eagles. The most egregious kick of Week 4, though, may be Eddy Pineiro’s inexplicable miss on an extra point.

While several NFL teams watched one botched kick after another, two-time Women’s World Cup champion Carli Lloyd, currently a midfielder for the women’s national team and Sky Blue FC in New Jersey, took to Twitter to show off her skill on the gridiron. Lloyd tweeted a video of her nailing a 55-yard field goal at Eagles training camp. Soon after several NFL teams reportedly reached out to Lloyd, with one unnamed franchise offering her the chance to join the game-day roster for Thursday’s final preseason game. Lloyd said she’s now considering the opportunity to play professional football and make history as the first woman to suit up for an NFL team.

4. Daniel Jones came out on top in the rookie QB competition

Giants fans are biting their tongues after they witnessed Daniel Jones’ performance in the preseason. Jones was a perfect 4-of-4 passing for 47 yards in the final exhibition game against New England, which the Giants won 31-29 to complete a 4-0 record in the preseason. Over four games Jones completed 29 of his 34 passes (85.3%) for 416 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.

Fellow 2019 first-round quarterback selections Kyler Murray (No. 1 overall) and Dwayne Haskins (No. 13) struggled in their preseason play. Murray completed just 63.9% of his passes for 193 yards and failed to score for the Cardinals, while Haskins went 32-of-58 for 409 yards, with two touchdowns and as many interceptions in the preseason.

Watch for Jones to continue his success in the regular season once he finally takes over Eli Manning’s starting job. It’s only a matter of time.

5. Dallas is on its way to becoming a Super Bowl contender again

Ezekiel Elliott reportedly hopped on a plane to Dallas Tuesday to sign a contract extension with the Cowboys, as long as the star running back and the front office agree on a deal. On Undisputed, Shannon Sharpe revealed his sources confirmed Zeke was on his way to Texas and would be offered a massive seven-year deal with the Cowboys.

Elliott allegedly rejected an offer from the Cowboys earlier in the offseason that would have made him the second-highest paid running back, behind the Rams’ Todd Gurley, and is after the No. 1 contract at his position.

Should Elliott get the kind of deal he’s been holding out for, he’ll instantly make the Cowboys an enticing pick to contend for Super Bowl LIV.

---

The final week of the preseason is this weekend! Check out all the wagering options at BetAmerica!