The fourth week of the NFL season brought a slew of notable achievements, particularly among rookie quarterbacks making their mark. With several historic moments and surprising victories, Week 4 did not disappoint.
Rookies Making History
Caleb Williams, taken with the first overall pick, continued his historic start in the NFL. After securing his first win against the Titans in Week 1, Williams became the first quarterback in the common-draft era to win his first two home starts within the same season of being drafted. The Bears triumphed over the Los Angeles Rams, with Williams playing a pivotal role.
Meanwhile, Bo Nix faced a challenging start against the Jets, throwing for negative yardage in the first half. However, he rallied in the third quarter, managing 60 passing yards and leading the Denver Broncos to their only touchdown in a tight 10-9 victory. This marked a significant comeback for Nix, showcasing his resilience under pressure.
The standout performance of the week, however, belonged to Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders. Daniels led his team to a commanding 42-14 victory over the Arizona Cardinals, completing an impressive 86.7% of his passes. This feat allowed Daniels to make NFL history as the first quarterback to complete at least 85% of his passes in two consecutive games. His stellar play has contributed to the Commanders surpassing a .500 record through four weeks for the first time since 2011.
The collective success of Williams, Nix, and Daniels marks just the third instance in NFL history where three rookie quarterbacks have secured wins in the same week during the first four weeks of the season, a remarkable feat last seen in 2012 and 2016.
Key Matchups and Outcomes
Beyond the rookie highlights, Week 4 featured a series of tightly contested games and significant victories. In a nail-biting finish, the Atlanta Falcons edged out a win over the New Orleans Saints, ending with a score of 26-24. Similarly, the Minnesota Vikings narrowly triumphed over the Green Bay Packers, 31-29, in a high-scoring contest.
Other notable results included the Indianapolis Colts’ 27-24 victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals breaking through with a 34-24 win over the Carolina Panthers. Tampa Bay Buccaneers delivered a convincing 33-16 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, reinforcing their strong season start.
Washington's decisive win over Arizona highlighted the gap in performance levels, with the Commanders dominating both offensively and defensively. Las Vegas secured a 20-16 win over the Cleveland Browns, while San Francisco overpowered the New England Patriots in a 30-13 game.
In another hard-fought game, Kansas City Chiefs managed a 17-10 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. The Baltimore Ravens showcased their offensive prowess, overwhelming the Buffalo Bills with a 35-10 win. The week concluded with the Dallas Cowboys defeating the New York Giants 20-15 on Thursday night.
Looking Ahead
As Week 4 wraps up, the excitement continues with a doubleheader set for Monday night, promising more thrilling football action. With 14 games already decided, teams are now assessing their performances and gearing up for the challenges ahead in Week 5.
The emergence and performances of the rookie quarterbacks will undoubtedly be a key storyline moving forward, as teams look to leverage their young talent in the quest for postseason success. As the season progresses, the NFL landscape continues to shift, with unexpected turns and historical milestones capturing the attention of football fans nationwide.