Welcome to the Week 4 grades! Week 4 of the NFL season was a showcase of emerging young talent, particularly among rookie quarterbacks, and brought historical achievements and thrilling victories. Let's dive into the standout performances and significant moments that defined this week's action.
Rookie Quarterbacks Shine
In Week 4, rookie quarterbacks Caleb Williams and Bo Nix emerged victorious in their respective games, continuing to make their mark on the NFL stage. Caleb Williams, taken as the first overall pick, not only secured a victory over the Tennessee Titans in Week 1 but also became the first quarterback in the common-draft era to win his first two home starts in the same year. This week, he led the Chicago Bears to a 24-18 win against the Los Angeles Rams, proving his mettle and solidifying his place as a formidable new talent.
Bo Nix had a tumultuous game against the New York Jets. Facing difficulties early on, Nix had negative yardage in the first half. However, showing resilience, he threw for 60 yards in the third quarter and ultimately led the Denver Broncos to the game's only touchdown. The Broncos managed to edge out the New York Jets with a narrow 10-9 victory, largely thanks to Nix's leadership and determination.
Historic Performance by Jayden Daniels
Jayden Daniels, another standout rookie quarterback, led the Washington Commanders to a resounding 42-14 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. Daniels showcased his exceptional accuracy, completing 86.7% of his passes. This performance marked a significant milestone as he became the first quarterback in NFL history to complete at least 85% of his passes in two consecutive games. Under Daniels's guidance, the Commanders now hold an over .500 record through four weeks for the first time since 2011.
This week also marked just the third time in NFL history that three rookie quarterbacks have won in the same week during the first four weeks of the season—a feat previously seen only in 2012 and 2016.
Other Notable Achievements
Jared Goff delivered a flawless performance, completing 100% of his passes against the Seattle Seahawks. His precision contributed significantly to the Detroit Lions' 42-29 victory.
Across the league, several other teams celebrated triumphs, each game contributing to the thrilling tapestry of Week 4. The Tennessee Titans dominated the Miami Dolphins with a 31-12 win, while the Atlanta Falcons secured a close 26-24 victory over the New Orleans Saints.
Close Encounters and Battling Performances
The rivalry between the Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers was as intense as ever, with the Vikings edging out the Packers 31-29. Similarly, the Indianapolis Colts overcame the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-24 in a hard-fought contest.
In other matchups, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers outplayed the Philadelphia Eagles, winning 33-16. The Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Carolina Panthers 34-24, and the Houston Texans triumphed over the Jacksonville Jaguars with a 24-20 scoreline.
The Las Vegas Raiders clinched a 20-16 win against the Cleveland Browns, while the San Francisco 49ers convincingly beat the New England Patriots 30-13. The Kansas City Chiefs secured a 17-10 victory against the Los Angeles Chargers, and the Baltimore Ravens dominated the Buffalo Bills with a 35-10 win.
In a close NFC East battle, the Dallas Cowboys emerged victorious with a 20-15 win over the New York Giants, rounding out a week filled with competitive games and standout individual performances.
Week 4 has set the stage for what promises to be an exciting and unpredictable NFL season, with rookie quarterbacks blazing trails and teams fighting tooth and nail for every victory. As we move forward, fans can look forward to more thrilling games and historical milestones that continue to define America's favorite sport.