Welcome to the Week 4 grades! Week 4 in the NFL provided an influx of excitement as several rookie quarterbacks showcased their potential, and seasoned players executed dominant performances. The spotlight was on rookie quarterbacks Caleb Williams and Bo Nix, both of whom led their respective teams to triumph.
Caleb Williams Makes History
Caleb Williams, the first overall pick, continues to make headlines. Becoming the first quarterback in the common-draft era to win his first two home starts in the same year, Williams is setting unprecedented records. His Week 1 victory over the Tennessee Titans laid the groundwork for his subsequent success. In Week 4, Williams propelled the Chicago Bears to a 24-18 win against the Los Angeles Rams, showcasing his poise and talent under pressure.
Bo Nix Overcomes Early Struggles
Bo Nix faced an uphill battle against the New York Jets. Struggling in the first half with negative yardage, Nix showed remarkable resilience. He bounced back in the third quarter, throwing for 60 yards and eventually leading the Denver Broncos to the game's only touchdown. The Broncos clinched a narrow 10-9 victory over the Jets, thanks in large part to Nix's persistence and leadership.
Jayden Daniels' Historic Performance
Not to be overshadowed, Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders delivered an astonishing performance, leading his team to a commanding 42-14 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. Completing 86.7% of his passes, Daniels set a new standard, becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to complete at least 85% of his passes in two consecutive games. His precision and decision-making have been invaluable to the Commanders, who now boast an over .500 record through four weeks—a first since 2011.
Remarkable Wins Across the League
Week 4 also marked 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 rare feat previously accomplished only in 2012 and 2016. But the rookies weren't the only ones making waves.
Veterans Shine
Jared Goff delivered a flawless performance, completing 100% of his passes against the Seattle Seahawks. His exceptional play led the Detroit Lions to a resounding 42-29 victory. The Tennessee Titans exhibited their dominance with a decisive 31-12 win over the Miami Dolphins, while the Atlanta Falcons narrowly edged out the New Orleans Saints 26-24.
In other close contests, the Minnesota Vikings secured a 31-29 victory over the Green Bay Packers, and the Indianapolis Colts triumphed 27-24 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers continued their strong start with a 33-16 win over the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Cincinnati Bengals overcame the Carolina Panthers 34-24.
The Houston Texans eked out a 24-20 victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars, demonstrating their competitive spirit. Meanwhile, the Las Vegas Raiders held off the Cleveland Browns for a 20-16 win, and the San Francisco 49ers dominated the New England Patriots 30-13. Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs displayed their mettle with a 17-10 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.
Rounding out the week, the Baltimore Ravens showcased their offensive firepower with a 35-10 rout of the Buffalo Bills, and the Dallas Cowboys secured a gritty 20-15 win over the New York Giants. The matchups in Week 4 highlighted the diverse talent and fierce competition that characterize the NFL, setting the stage for an exhilarating season.