Welcome to Week 4 of the NFL season, where rookie quarterbacks made headlines and teams battled it out for crucial wins. The action-packed week brought several standout performances and surprising outcomes that have set the stage for an exciting rest of the season.
Rookie Quarterbacks Shine
Caleb Williams, taken as the first overall pick, continued his impressive form by becoming the first quarterback in the common-draft era to win his first two home starts in the same year. Williams had already secured a Week 1 victory over the Tennessee Titans and added to his early career accolades by leading the Chicago Bears to a 24-18 win against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 4.
Bo Nix, another rookie quarterback, faced the New York Jets in a challenging game. Despite a difficult first half where he recorded negative yardage, Nix turned things around in the third quarter by throwing for 60 yards. His efforts culminated in leading the Denver Broncos to the game's only touchdown, securing a narrow 10-9 victory over the Jets.
Jayden Daniels also made his mark, leading the Washington Commanders to a dominant 42-14 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. With an astonishing 86.7% completion rate, Daniels set an NFL record by becoming the first quarterback to complete at least 85% of his passes in two consecutive games. The Commanders, buoyed by Daniels' performance, now have an over .500 record through four weeks for the first time since 2011.
This week was historic in its own right, marking 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 achieved only in 2012 and 2016.
Veteran Performances and Team Triumphs
Not to be overshadowed, veteran quarterback Jared Goff delivered a flawless performance, completing 100% of his passes to lead the Detroit Lions to a decisive 42-29 victory over the Seattle Seahawks. In other action, the Tennessee Titans overcame the Miami Dolphins with a 31-12 win, while the Atlanta Falcons edged out the New Orleans Saints 26-24.
The Minnesota Vikings managed a close 31-29 victory over the Green Bay Packers, and the Indianapolis Colts narrowly defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-24. Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers showcased their dominance with a 33-16 win against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Cincinnati Bengals emerged victorious with a 34-24 win over the Carolina Panthers, and the Houston Texans held off the Jacksonville Jaguars for a 24-20 triumph. The Las Vegas Raiders secured a win against the Cleveland Browns with a final score of 20-16.
Dominant Wins and Strong Defense
The San Francisco 49ers displayed a strong defensive performance in their 30-13 victory over the New England Patriots, while the Kansas City Chiefs controlled their game against the Los Angeles Chargers, winning 17-10. The Baltimore Ravens put on an offensive clinic, defeating the Buffalo Bills 35-10.
The Dallas Cowboys rounded out the week's action with a hard-fought 20-15 win over the New York Giants. As the season progresses, the performances of both rookies and veterans alike will continue to shape the playoff picture and provide unforgettable moments on the field.