The fourth week of the NFL season was filled with notable performances and milestones, particularly among rookie quarterbacks who showcased their emerging talents.
Rookie Quarterbacks Make Their Mark
Caleb Williams, the first overall pick in the recent draft, had a standout performance by becoming the first quarterback in the common-draft era to win his first two home starts within the same season of being drafted. This unprecedented achievement highlights Williams' ability to adapt quickly to the professional game and lead his team effectively on their home turf.
Meanwhile, Bo Nix experienced a challenging first half against the Jets, throwing for negative yardage. However, demonstrating resilience and composure, Nix managed to turn his game around in the third quarter, accumulating 60 passing yards and leading the Denver Broncos to their only touchdown in a nail-biting 10-9 victory. This performance underscores Nix's potential to remain calm under pressure and makes key plays when they matter most.
Jayden Daniels was another rookie quarterback who left a significant mark in week 4. Daniels achieved an exceptional feat by completing 86.7% of his passes, making him the first quarterback to complete at least 85% of his passes in two consecutive games. This level of precision is extraordinary for any quarterback, let alone a rookie, and speaks volumes about Daniels' accuracy and decision-making skills.
Collectively, Williams, Nix, and Daniels all secured wins in Week 4. This marks only the third instance in NFL history where three rookie quarterbacks have won in the same week during the first four weeks of the season, with previous occurrences in 2012 and 2016. This rare achievement adds to the excitement and narrative of this year's impressive rookie class.
Team Triumphs and Notable Achievements
The Bears had cause for celebration as they triumphed over the Los Angeles Rams, a victory that could serve as a turning point for their season. The Washington Commanders, too, surpassed a .500 record through four weeks for the first time since 2011, indicating a potentially strong season ahead.
Close Contests and Commanding Wins
A series of closely contested matches and dominant performances defined Week 4. The Atlanta Falcons edged out the New Orleans Saints with a 26-24 win, while the Minnesota Vikings narrowly defeated the Green Bay Packers 31-29. The Indianapolis Colts also emerged victorious against the Pittsburgh Steelers with a 27-24 finish.
Other matches showed more commanding victories. The Cincinnati Bengals won against the Carolina Panthers, 34-24, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers overwhelmed the Philadelphia Eagles with a 33-16 triumph. The Washington Commanders demonstrated significant prowess by defeating the Arizona Cardinals, 42-14, marking another high point in their season.
The Las Vegas Raiders clinched a 20-16 win over the Cleveland Browns, and the San Francisco 49ers dominated the New England Patriots with a 30-13 victory. The Kansas City Chiefs secured a solid 17-10 win against the Los Angeles Chargers, and the Baltimore Ravens delivered a commanding performance against the Buffalo Bills, winning 35-10.
Thursday night featured the Dallas Cowboys pulling off a tight victory over the New York Giants, 20-15, in an exciting game that set the tone for the rest of the week's action.
Looking Forward
As of now, 14 games have concluded, with Week 4 set to wrap up with an anticipated Monday night doubleheader. The performances seen thus far hint at an NFL season full of surprises, emerging talents, and closely contested battles, promising plenty of excitement for football enthusiasts.