Heading into Week 4, just five undefeated teams remain as divisions begin to sort themselves out and teams assume their identities. This week features a slew of divisional matchups, four prime-time games and five can’t-miss games on Sunday, Sept. 29.
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Sunday, Week 4 — Top 5 games to watch
- WHERE: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
- WHEN: 1 p.m. ET | FOX
A pair of veteran QBs will square off in Atlanta in this NFC South battle between two rivals. Derek Carr and the Saints have had a surprisingly dominant start to the year with a +59-point differential, though last week’s home loss to the Eagles exposed some of their weaknesses. Between Carr, Alvin Kamara, and a top defense, the Saints look like they could be an issue for the rest of the NFC.
Meanwhile, Kirk Cousins and the Falcons have also showed promise despite a 1-2 start. There is plenty to refine here (i.e. the trenches) but Atlanta’s passing game is proving to be more threatening than initial expectations predicted.
NFL Pro Insight for Falcons-Saints
Falcons running back Bijan Robinson has rushed for 196 yards through three games, with 155 of those yards (79%) from runs outside the tackles. Since the start of last season, Robinson has accumulated 950 yards on outside tackle runs, second only to Christian McCaffrey.
The Saints have allowed just 142 yards on runs outside the tackles, the ninth fewest in the league.
- WHERE: Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, Fla.)
- WHEN: 1 p.m. ET | FOX
Both of these 2-1 teams have beaten top teams but also have dropped games in which they were a considerable favorite, raising questions about their consistency.
In their surpising home loss to the Broncos in Week 3, the Bucs looked nothing like the team beat the Lions on the road the week before. Now, that doesn’t undo the great stuff they were doing before then, especially on offense, but they need to find their way back — and fast. The schedule doesn’t let up, either, as Tampa Bay faces the Ravens, Chiefs and 49ers in the upcoming weeks.
The Eagles are coming off one of their best defensive performances of recent memory, a far cry from their efforts in Weeks 1 and 2. Their offense has been functional through three weeks, but Philly would be lost without Saquon Barkley.
NFL Pro Insight for Eagles-Buccaneers
Jalen Hurts has thrown short of the sticks on 35.3% of his total attempts this season, his lowest rate since entering the league in 2020. He has completed a league-high 87.9% of such passes this season, but just 28 of his 58 attempts have generated positive EPA, resulting in the 14th-highest success rate in the NFL (48.3%). The Buccaneers defense ranks in the bottom 10 in terms of completion percentage (86.6%) and success rate allowed (53.7%) on such passes this season.
- WHERE: State Farm Stadium (Glendale, Ariz.)
- WHEN: 4:05 p.m. ET | FOX
Jayden Daniels had his coming out party in Monday night’s road win over the Bengals, and it resulted in a 12-spot jump in NFL.com’s Power Rankings. The Commanders left little up to interpretation as far as their potential going forward. Per NFL Pro, they rank first and third in overall rushing and passing efficiency, respectively.
When the Arizona offense is rolling, it’s hard to stop (and you almost don’t notice all the issues on defense). However, they flopped against the Lions in Week 3 after averaging 34.5 points and 379.5 yards in Weeks 1 and 2. Is there a consistency issue here? It might be too early to tell, but if there is, it’d be best to fix it here and now before heading on the road to face the 49ers and the Packers in the coming weeks.
NFL Pro Insight for Commanders-Cardinals
Through his first three career games in the NFL, Jayden Daniels has averaged the second-quickest time to throw among qualified passers this season (2.43 seconds). Daniels has attempted a quick pass (under 2.5 seconds) at the highest rate in the league in 2024 (59%) and completed 38 of his 45 quick passes (85.1%) for 292 yards and two touchdowns.
The Cardinals have allowed the second-most yards per attempt (8.2) and are tied for forfeiting the fourth-most touchdowns (three) against quick passes this season.
- WHERE: Solider Field (Chicago)
- WHEN: 1 p.m. ET | FOX
The Rams had perhaps the most memorable game from Week 3 with their fourth quarter come-from-behind upset of the 49ers. Their offense has worked despite missing their WR1 and WR2 (Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp), but their defense has not. L.A. is ranked 30th and 31st in rush and pass defense efficiency, respectively, heading into Week 4. Don’t count this team out though, the Rams started last season 1-2 and made the playoffs.
The Bears have a solid defense but can’t quite pinpoint their identity on offense. Be it the passing game (and pass protection) or the running game, Shane Waldron’s system has not been super effective in Chicago through three weeks. The good news: Last week was their most complete game as an offense so far, albeit in losing fashion. The Rams defense might give the Bears a shot at extending that rhythm into Week 4.
NFL Pro Insight for Rams-Bears
In Weeks 1-2, Caleb Williams totaled two interceptions and did not complete any of his 10 deep pass attempts. In Week 3 against the Colts, Williams completed three of nine deep passes for 118 yards and an interception.
The Rams defense has surrendered league-highs in completions (eight), yards (271), and touchdowns (five) on deep pass attempts through three weeks this season.
- WHERE: Lambeau Field (Green Bay, Wisc.)
- WHEN: 1 p.m. ET | CBS
The NFC North has the most wins in football right now. This game figures to be a chess match between Matt LaFleur and Kevin O’Connell, as much as anything else.
The Vikings are at the top of their game on both sides of the ball, and one of just two teams in the NFC with a perfect record heading into Week 4.
Although the loss of Jordan Love felt earth-shattering at the time, the Packers have fared just fine without him as Malik Willis has won both his starts in relief. Green Bay has leaned into the run game in Love’s absence and currently leads the league in rushing yards per game (204) and ranks sixth in overall rushing efficiency, per NFL Pro. The Packers will have their toughest test yet in Week 4, facing a Vikings defense that’s allowed just 71.3 rushing yards per game (second in the NFL).
NFL Pro Insight for Vikings-Packers
Packers ball carriers have generated +127 rushing yards over expected on designed runs this season, the most in the NFL. They have been productive fighting for yards this season, averaging 3.9 yards after contact per carry on designed rushes (fifth), with Josh Jacobs totaling 230 rushing yards after contact (second in the NFL).
In addition to being ranked third in rush defense efficiency, the Vikings have the second-lowest opponent rush rate percentage (30.3%) while generating -4 rushing yards over expected allowed. They’ve given up one rushing touchdown in three games.
