The fourth week of the NFL season brought notable performances and significant milestones, particularly among the league's rookie quarterbacks.
Rookie Spotlight: Caleb Williams, Bo Nix, and Jayden Daniels
Fans and analysts alike have had their eyes on Caleb Williams since he was selected with the first overall pick. Williams did not disappoint, achieving a feat unprecedented in the common-draft era. He became the first quarterback to win his first two home starts in the same season of being drafted. This early success has quickly elevated expectations around the young quarterback and his potential to significantly impact his team’s fortunes.
Meanwhile, Bo Nix faced a challenging start in the first half against the Jets, throwing for negative yardage. However, demonstrating resilience and determination, Nix turned his performance around in the third quarter, amassing 60 passing yards and leading the Denver Broncos to their only touchdown. His efforts secured a 10-9 victory, a testament to his ability to rally and perform under pressure.
Jayden Daniels also made headlines by completing an impressive 86.7% of his passes. This performance marked Daniels as the first quarterback in NFL history to complete at least 85% of his passes in two consecutive games, showcasing his precision and efficiency. His command of the field has not only boosted his personal statistics but also contributed to his team’s continued success.
Notably, the trio of rookie quarterbacks—Williams, Nix, and Daniels—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, previously occurring in 2012 and 2016. It underscores the emerging talent entering the league and the potential shifts in team dynamics with these new players at the helm.
Other Notable Team Performances
Several teams secured crucial victories in Week 4, highlighting a competitive and unpredictable season. The Chicago Bears emerged triumphant over the Los Angeles Rams, adding another win to their record. The Commanders also showcased strong performance, surpassing a .500 record through four weeks for the first time since 2011, signaling a possible resurgence for the franchise.
Elsewhere, the Atlanta Falcons scored a narrow victory against the New Orleans Saints, winning 26-24. The Minnesota Vikings eked out a win against their rivals, the Green Bay Packers, with a 31-29 scoreline. The Indianapolis Colts also came out on top in a tight contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers, finishing 27-24.
The Cincinnati Bengals showed their prowess with a robust 34-24 victory over the Carolina Panthers, while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers dominated the Philadelphia Eagles, winning 33-16. The Washington Commanders delivered an emphatic win over the Arizona Cardinals, with a final score of 42-14. The Las Vegas Raiders managed a solid 20-16 victory against the Cleveland Browns.
The San Francisco 49ers put on a convincing performance, defeating the New England Patriots 30-13, and the Kansas City Chiefs held off the Los Angeles Chargers with a 17-10 win. The Baltimore Ravens put in a stellar performance against the Buffalo Bills, winning decisively with a score of 35-10.
Even in a close-fought battle, the Dallas Cowboys edged out the New York Giants, securing a 20-15 victory on Thursday night, adding to the drama that characterized Week 4. As the week closes with a highly anticipated doubleheader on Monday night, 14 games have already been decided, setting the stage for continued excitement in the weeks ahead.
In what has been a thrilling installment of the NFL season, the victories and individual milestones achieved in Week 4 indicate a season full of potential twists and turns, ensuring fans remain captivated by the unfolding stories on and off the field.