Welcome to Week 4 of the NFL season, where rookie quarterbacks shone brightly, history was made, and several teams clinched crucial victories. The week’s action-packed games brought forth stellar performances, unexpected triumphs, and significant milestones.
Rookie Quarterbacks Take Center Stage
Leading the rookie quarterback charge was Caleb Williams, who continued to justify his selection as the first overall pick. Williams etched his name in the history books by becoming the first quarterback in the common-draft era to win his first two home starts in the same year. Following his Week 1 victory over the Tennessee Titans, Williams led the Chicago Bears to a compelling 24-18 victory over the Los Angeles Rams in Week 4.
Joining Williams in the rookie spotlight was Bo Nix of the Denver Broncos. Despite a challenging first half against the New York Jets, where he recorded negative yardage, Nix turned his play around in the third quarter by throwing for 60 yards. His persistence paid off as he orchestrated the only touchdown of the game, leading the Broncos to a narrow 10-9 win over the Jets.
Jayden Daniels also delivered an outstanding performance for the Washington Commanders, spearheading a 42-14 thrashing of the Arizona Cardinals. Daniels showcased exceptional accuracy, completing 86.7% of his passes. This accuracy marked the second consecutive game where Daniels achieved a completion rate of at least 85%, setting an NFL record. As a result, the Commanders boast an over .500 record through four weeks for the first time since 2011.
This week marked only the third occasion in NFL history that three rookie quarterbacks have won in the same week during the first four weeks of a season, a feat previously accomplished in 2012 and 2016.
Veteran Performances and Team Triumphs
While rookies were making headlines, seasoned quarterback Jared Goff delivered an impeccable performance for the Detroit Lions, completing 100% of his passes against the Seattle Seahawks. The Lions emerged victorious with a 42-29 win.
Elsewhere, teams battled fiercely, resulting in a mixture of close contests and dominant wins. The Tennessee Titans overwhelmed the Miami Dolphins with a 31-12 victory, while the Atlanta Falcons narrowly edged out the New Orleans Saints 26-24. In an NFC North showdown, the Minnesota Vikings triumphed over the Green Bay Packers with a score of 31-29.
The Indianapolis Colts secured a last-minute 27-24 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers dominated the Philadelphia Eagles 33-16. The Cincinnati Bengals notched a 34-24 victory over the Carolina Panthers, and the Houston Texans defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 24-20.
Other Notable Wins
Continuing through the NFL landscape, the Las Vegas Raiders managed a 20-16 win against the Cleveland Browns. The San Francisco 49ers showcased their strength with a 30-13 victory over the New England Patriots. The Kansas City Chiefs subdued the Los Angeles Chargers, winning 17-10, while the Baltimore Ravens overwhelmed the Buffalo Bills with a 35-10 victory. Lastly, the Dallas Cowboys secured a 20-15 win over the New York Giants.
The blend of rookie breakthroughs and veteran consistency provided fans with a truly exhilarating Week 4. As the season progresses, the performances set a thrilling tone for what promises to be an unforgettable NFL season.