Welcome to the weekly roundup of the NFL, where Week 4 delivered a series of thrilling performances and noteworthy milestones, especially for rookie quarterbacks. Let's dive into the highlights and key takeaways from this week's action.
Rookies Steal the Spotlight
In Week 4, rookie quarterbacks Caleb Williams and Bo Nix emerged victorious, marking a notable chapter in their nascent NFL careers. Caleb Williams, taken as the first overall pick, has been living up to the hype. He made history by becoming the first quarterback in the common-draft era to win his first two home starts in a single year. The Chicago Bears' faithful have been given something to cheer about, with Williams leading them to a 24-18 win against the Los Angeles Rams. This follows his Week 1 victory over the Tennessee Titans, underscoring his growing impact on the team.
Meanwhile, Bo Nix faced some early struggles against the New York Jets, finishing the first half with negative yardage. However, he turned things around in the third quarter, throwing for 60 yards and leading the Denver Broncos to the game's only touchdown. The Broncos edged out a win, defeating the Jets 10-9, demonstrating Nix's capacity to rally and deliver when it matters most.
Jayden Daniels added his name to the record books as well. Leading the Washington Commanders to a commanding 42-14 victory over the Arizona Cardinals, Daniels completed an impressive 86.7% of his passes. Remarkably, he became the first quarterback in NFL history to complete at least 85% of his passes in two consecutive games. This performance has propelled the Commanders to an over .500 record through four weeks for the first time since 2011.
A Week of Historic Feats
This week was notable for more than just individual performances. For only the third time in NFL history, three rookie quarterbacks secured wins in the same week during the first four weeks of the season. Previously, this had only occurred in 2012 and 2016, highlighting the unique talent emerging in this year's draft class.
Veterans Make Their Mark
Seasoned quarterbacks also had a significant impact this week. Jared Goff delivered a flawless performance, completing 100% of his passes against the Seattle Seahawks. This clinical display led the Detroit Lions to a 42-29 victory, showcasing Goff's precise passing and decision-making skills.
Other noteworthy results included the Tennessee Titans defeating the Miami Dolphins 31-12, and the Atlanta Falcons narrowly edging out the New Orleans Saints 26-24. The Minnesota Vikings secured a close 31-29 win over the Green Bay Packers, while the Indianapolis Colts triumphed over the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-24.
Around the League
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a strong showing, defeating the Philadelphia Eagles 33-16. The Cincinnati Bengals overcame the Carolina Panthers 34-24, and the Houston Texans eked out a 24-20 victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Las Vegas Raiders claimed a 20-16 win over the Cleveland Browns, and the San Francisco 49ers handily defeated the New England Patriots 30-13.
The Kansas City Chiefs managed to secure a 17-10 win against the Los Angeles Chargers, while the Baltimore Ravens dominated the Buffalo Bills with a 35-10 victory. The Dallas Cowboys wrapped up the week with a 20-15 win over the New York Giants.
As the season progresses, the performances of both rookies and veterans continue to shape the standings and storylines of the NFL. Week 4 has set a high bar, showcasing the league's blend of emerging talents and seasoned professionals. Fans can look forward to more drama and excitement as the journey to the playoffs intensifies.