Welcome to Week 4 of the NFL season, a week filled with standout performances, historic achievements, and narrow victories. Among the most notable storylines were the impressive outings by rookie quarterbacks Caleb Williams and Bo Nix, who guided their teams to crucial wins.
Rookie Quarterbacks Shine
Caleb Williams, the first overall pick, continues to make history during his rookie campaign. After securing a Week 1 victory over the Tennessee Titans, Williams made headlines again in Week 4 by becoming the first quarterback in the common-draft era to win his first two home starts in the same year. Williams led the Chicago Bears to a 24-18 win against the Los Angeles Rams, showcasing his poise and skill under pressure.
On the other hand, Bo Nix overcame a rough start to lead the Denver Broncos to a 10-9 victory over the New York Jets. Nix struggled initially, posting negative yardage in the first half. However, he rebounded by throwing for 60 yards in the third quarter and orchestrating the game’s only touchdown for the Broncos, demonstrating resilience and an ability to adjust mid-game.
Historic Achievements
Week 4 was also historic for Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders. Daniels completed 86.7% of his passes in a dominant 42-14 win over the Arizona Cardinals. This performance made him the first quarterback in NFL history to complete at least 85% of his passes in two consecutive games. Thanks to Daniels' leadership, the Commanders boast 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 secured victories in the same week during the first four weeks of the season, an occurrence previously seen only in 2012 and 2016.
Other Key Performances
Apart from the rookies, several other players and teams stood out. Jared Goff of the Detroit Lions delivered a flawless performance, completing 100% of his passes to lead the Lions to a 42-29 victory over the Seattle Seahawks. The Tennessee Titans also managed a sizable victory, defeating the Miami Dolphins 31-12.
The Atlanta Falcons edged out the New Orleans Saints 26-24, while the Minnesota Vikings won a nail-biting 31-29 contest against the Green Bay Packers. In another close match, the Indianapolis Colts defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-24.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers showcased their offensive prowess, defeating the Philadelphia Eagles 33-16. Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Bengals recorded a 34-24 win over the Carolina Panthers, and the Houston Texans narrowly bested the Jacksonville Jaguars 24-20.
Strong Defensive Showings
Week 4 also saw some strong defensive displays. The San Francisco 49ers' defense was dominant in a 30-13 victory over the New England Patriots, stifling the Patriots' offense. The Kansas City Chiefs also demonstrated defensive resilience by holding the Los Angeles Chargers to just 10 points in a 17-10 win.
The Baltimore Ravens' comprehensive 35-10 victory over the Buffalo Bills was another testament to defensive strength, while the Dallas Cowboys secured a 20-15 victory over the New York Giants with solid defensive efforts.
Close Contests
In addition to these dominant performances, several games were decided by narrow margins. The Las Vegas Raiders edged out the Cleveland Browns 20-16, underscoring the competitive nature of this week's matchups. These close contests highlighted the parity and unpredictable nature of the NFL, where any game can swing in a moment's notice.
As Week 4 draws to a close, it’s evident that this NFL season is shaping up to be one for the record books. Rookie quarterbacks are stepping up, seasoned veterans are delivering, and teams are setting the stage for an exciting journey ahead. Fans can look forward to more thrilling action as the league progresses, with history being written week by week.