A Goofy Cowboys Tie, the Reeling Ravens, a Crazy Sports Weekend, Guess the Lines, Mets Sadness, and Sox-Yanks With Cousin Sal

What It Covers

Bill Simmons and Cousin Sal analyze Week 4 NFL outcomes including the Cowboys-Packers 40-40 overtime tie, Ravens defensive collapse at 1-3, new overtime rules, and preview Red Sox-Yankees playoff matchup while discussing coaching decisions and player performance metrics.

Key Questions Answered

• •Overtime Rule Assessment: The new 10-minute overtime format where both teams get possessions lacks urgency compared to sudden death. Teams like Green Bay played conservatively to force ties rather than risk losing, suggesting 12 minutes would create better competitive tension and reduce anticlimactic endings.
• •Ravens Defensive Crisis: Baltimore's defense projects to allow 560 points over 17 games, their worst pace in franchise history. At 1-3 with seven key injuries, they face legitimate year-from-hell territory. Kyle Hamilton publicly apologized to fans, acknowledging the product doesn't meet Ravens standards from recent seasons.
• •Kicker Value Proposition: Brandon Aubrey's impact for Dallas demonstrates modern kickers are worth approximately 20 yards per quarter in field position. With new kickoff rules and 65-yard field goals becoming routine, elite kickers now warrant consideration as top-tier assets, potentially justifying first-round draft compensation in extreme cases.
• •Ashton Jenti Evaluation: The Jaguars running back proved his top-six draft status despite poor offensive line play. He consistently breaks tackles behind the line of scrimmage and makes 20-plus defenders miss per game. His ability to fight back to the line when hit immediately separates him from typical rookie backs.
• •Coaching Age Threshold: Coaches over 55 show declining performance based on historical data from Shula, Noll, and Landry. Pete Carroll at 73 demonstrates this with poor clock management and undisciplined play. The cognitive demands of competing against coaches in their 30s like Ben Johnson may exceed capabilities despite physical fitness.