NFL Week 4 takeaways: What We Learned from Sunday's 13 games

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• REWATCH: Vikings-Steelers on NFL+ Premium
• READ: Steelers get special win for Rooney family in Ireland

Jeremy Bergman's takeaways:

1. Pittsburgh's quick game unleashes Metcalf. The Steelers' slow start this season on offense gave way to a first-half breakout for Aaron Rodgers and Co. The veteran QB targeted his fellow offseason acquisition, DK Metcalf, early and often on Sunday. On Pittsburgh's second drive, Rodgers hit the hulking receiver thrice for 42 yards, moving the chains each time en route to a touchdown and a lead it would not relinquish. On the Steelers' ensuing "drive," Rodgers and Metcalf put an early nail in Minnesota's coffin. On the very first play, No. 12 hit No. 4 on a crossing route right in the middle of Minnesota's zone, Metcalf beat Harrison Smith around the corner, and the WR took it down the sidelines, speeding 80 yards to the house. For the 74,512 in attendance at Croke Park, the highlight-reel TD was also the longest scrimmage score in the history of the NFL International Series. Historic as it was, it was reflective of a Pittsburgh offense coming into its own as a quick-pass attack. Seventy-two percent of Rodgers' passes came with less than 2.5 seconds to throw (81.3 completion percentage, 132.8 passer rating). This kept the pressure off the aging QB, who was sacked on the very first play, and the Steelers offense humming. That is, until two fourth-quarter stops in crunch time briefly let Minnesota back in the game. Pittsburgh's production petered as the game wound down, but its hot first half and quick game was impressive enough to inspire hope heading into an early bye.
2. Undermanned Vikings overwhelmed by Steelers' veteran pass rush. After crumbling in the trenches down the stretch of the 2024 season, Minnesota made a concerted effort to beef up its lines in the offseason. Four games in, the Vikes' best laid plans have gone awry. Already without rookie guard Donovan Jackson, Minnesota lost two more members of its offensive line on Sunday, as Brian O'Neill and Ryan Kelly left with knee and head injuries, respectively. That left backup QB Carson Wentz and backup RB Jordan Mason to fend for their lives against a veteran Pittsburgh front. It didn't go well. Wentz was awful on third down, flustered to the tune of four sacks (six total on the day; Pittsburgh's most in three years) and two midfield interceptions. Five Steelers logged at least three QB pressures, and five tallied at least one sack. In his second Vikings start, Wentz looked far more rattled, despite benefitting from the return of WR2 Jordan Addison, who broke free for a critical 81-yard gain in Minnesota's fated second-half comeback. Justin Jefferson ate (10 catches for 126 yards), but what else is new? In the run game, Mason was held in check (57 yards on 16 carries) after rolling against Cincinnati. Adding insult to injury, with a chance to tie or win the game, Wentz's final drive was a mess. He nearly threw two picks, committed an intentional grounding foul that lost Minnesota time and yardage and took a clueless delay of game penalty. There is no respite for Wentz and this banged-up Minnesota offense. The Vikings are the first team to play consecutive international games in different countries, meaning they'll stay overseas for the coming week ahead of their Week 5 clash with Myles Garrett and the Browns' No. 1 defense. Gulp.
3. Gainwell fits right in for surprise inactive. Jaylen Warren, who is taking over as RB1 this season with Najee Harris out the door, was held out of Sunday's game due to a nagging knee injury. Enter Kenneth Gainwell, the former Eagles RB and Saquon Barkley understudy. Gainwell got the nod as Pittsburgh's starting RB over third-round rookie Kaleb Johnson, whose Week 2 kickoff gaffe has him in the doghouse. The fifth-year back made the most of his opportunity, with a regular-season career-high 99 rushing yards on 19 totes and a career-best two touchdowns. He generated positive EPA on 13 of 19 carries, resulting in a 68.4% success rate, the highest rate by a Steelers running back in a game since at least 2016, per Next Gen Stats. Gainwell was an ideal outlet for Rodgers in the short game and a shifty speedster on the edges of the ground attack. Could Pittsburgh lean more on the 5-foot-9 tailback after averaging an anemic 63 rushing yards per game and 2.8 yards per carry over its first three matchups? The Steelers will utilize the bye week to figure out their next steps in the backfield.

Next Gen Stats insight for Steelers-Vikings (via NFL Pro): Aaron Rodgers recorded an average time to throw of 2.17 seconds across 22 passes against the Vikings, his quickest average time to throw in a game since at least 2016. Rodgers also averaged just 2.6 air yards per attempt, more than one full yard fewer than his average in any other game dating back to 2016.

NFL Research: With his third-quarter interception, T.J. Watt became one of seven players with at least 100 sacks and eight interceptions in a career all time. The six others are all Hall of Famers: Lawrence Taylor, Richard Dent, Chris Doleman, Jason Taylor, Julius Peppers, Rickey Jackson.

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• REWATCH: Commanders-Falcons on NFL+ Premium

Nick Shook's takeaways:

1. Penix bounces back. Second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. had his worst game as a pro in Charlotte last weekend and needed to rebound in a big way in order to clear his name on Sunday. From the first few snaps, it was clear Penix understood the mission. The southpaw threw it all over the yard in this game, connecting with Drake London eight times for 110 yards and a touchdown and crucially involving tight end Kyle Pitts (five catches, 70 yards, one touchdown). He fired without fear, taking shots downfield and dropping some dimes on his targets. Most importantly, Penix's accuracy improved significantly (save for one rough interception), which seemed to get Atlanta's offense -- which dismissed receivers coach Ike Hilliard during the week -- back on track after a dreadful Week 3 shutout showing.
2. Commanders' balance isn't enough to keep up. In their second straight game without Jayden Daniels, the Commanders played competitively enough to keep things interesting down to the final minute of this contest. Marcus Mariota handled the job like a veteran backup, Deebo Samuel put together a strong performance, relying on his strong hands and enduring athleticism to lead the Commanders in receiving in the absence of Terry McLaurin, and the tandem backfield of Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Chris Rodriguez Jr. teamed up to rush for over 100 yards. But the combined efforts weren't enough to keep up with Atlanta's number of explosive plays, and a 1-for-8 showing on third down illustrated how much the Commanders miss Daniels and McLaurin. Understandably, the onus falls on the defense for allowing Atlanta to rack up over 400 yards of offense and score on six of 10 possessions. Washington wasn't terrible offensively and had some encouraging moments (i.e., the involvement of receiver Luke McCaffrey). But if they're going to win games with a defense that hasn't stopped anyone since a Week 1 win over New York and didn't record a takeaway until Week 4, the offense will need to produce at a higher rate.
3. Bijan is that dude. Even if this is only a reminder of how special Bijan Robinson is, it's worth highlighting again because Robinson was once again a highlight machine Sunday. He led Atlanta in rushing (17 carries for 75 yards), pieced together an excellent, jump cut-filled touchdown run, caught four passes for 106 yards (including a 69-yarder to set up a Falcons score) and served as the engine of Atlanta's offense. When Robinson has a good day, the Falcons usually win. He had a stellar one Sunday.

Next Gen Stats Insight for Commanders-Falcons (via NFL Pro): Michael Penix showed measurable improvement in Sunday's win, completing all 13 of his attempts of 0-9 air yards for 180 yards and both passing touchdowns. Penix was also notably better when pushing the ball downfield, completing 5 of 8 attempts over 15 air yards for 125 yards and one interception compared to just 1 of 19 such attempts for 21 yards and an interception in Weeks 1 through 3.

NFL Research: Michael Penix and Bijan Robinson both posted career-high yardage totals Sunday, with Penix setting a new high with 313 passing yards and Robinson's 181 scrimmage yards standing as the best of his NFL journey.

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• REWATCH: Saints-Bills on NFL+ Premium

Michael Baca's takeaways:

1. Allen takes matters into his own hands in crunch time. There was slight scare in Buffalo as the winless Saints were game for a road upset, but that's until Josh Allen single-handedly took over in the fourth quarter. After the Saints pulled in to within two points with nine minutes left to play, the Bills were faced with a crucial third-and-5 at midfield that made for a make-or-break moment. With New Orleans' pass rush breathing down his neck, Allen escaped the pocket and rumbled 27 yards on a play that jolted Highmark Stadium into a frenzy. His 28-yard touchdown pass to Dalton Kincaid on the very next play conjured a collective sigh of relief from the crowd as the Bills pulled away to make it a two-score game. It was a momentous sequence for a Bills offense that had seen better days despite James Cook having a great performance rushing the ball (117 yards, TD). Allen and Co. fell into a small rut in the first half after scoring TDs on their first two possessions, which allowed the Saints to keep it close through an effective run game of their own. Allen (16 of 22 for 209 yards, three total TDs) threw his first interception of the season to prompt that frustrating second quarter, but there was no stopping him in crunch time.
2. Negatives outweigh positives for Saints. Spencer Rattler, looking for his first career win on his 25th birthday, led New Orleans to its first opening drive touchdown in 12 games, gaining a pair of first downs with his legs before Kendre Miller found the end zone. It was an early indication of a ground attack that worked well against Buffalo, and the second-year QB appearing game for a duel with the reigning MVP. Rattler played a crucial role on a ground attack that gained 189 yards against the Bills, with Miller (65 yards, TD) and Alvin Kamara (70 yards) also having effective performances. But a handful of big mistakes ultimately cost the Saints, the first of which came on a trick play from the 5-yard line that ended with wideout Chris Olave throwing an interception to ruin a red-zone possession near the end of the first half. Rattler, who finished 18-of-27 passing for 126 yards and a TD (no turnovers), could've had his second TD pass of the day early in the final frame but missed a wide-open Brandin Cooks in the end zone, leading to New Orleans settling for three points. Finding pay dirt on those two possessions might have brought a different result for the Saints. Mistakes continued in the final frame — a kickoff short of the landing zone and a roughing the kicker penalty to extend the Bills' final scoring drive — to cement a losing effort. It was an improved outing following last week's blowout, but New Orleans' search for its first win continues into Week 5.
3. Poor tackling maintains Buffalo's defensive woes. The Bills defense entered Sunday with the league's worst rush defense (156 yards per game) and will likely maintain that title following Week 4's performance. Yielding 189 yards on the ground, Buffalo allowed 165 yards rushing after contact, the third-most by a team in a game since at least 2018, according to Next Gen Stats. The missed tackles seemed to come at the worst moments as Saints ball carriers wiggled their way free to extend drives and breathe life into drives. The Bills defense did plenty of good, especially in the red zone and in the fourth quarter but cleaning up this poor run defense will be crucial for a team with Super Bowl aspirations. The returns of Ed Oliver and Matt Milano should help that cause, but for now, there's a clear weak spot for opposing teams to exploit.

Next Gen Stats Insight for Saints-Bills (via NFL Pro): James Cook rushed for 117 yards and a touchdown on 22 attempts, with most of his production coming between the tackles. Cook totaled 11 rushes for 81 yards between the tackles, generating a 63.6% success rate on such rushes and a 27.3% explosive run rate.

NFL Research: The Bills started the season 4-0 for the first time since 2020, when they advanced to the AFC Championship Game. The Saints began a campaign 0-4 for the first time since 2012, when they went 7-9 as then-head coach Sean Payton served out a full-season suspension.

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• REWATCH: Browns-Lions on NFL+ Premium
• READ: Browns' Stefanski faces more questions about benching Flacco

Kevin Patra's takeaways:

1. Hutchinson, Lions pummel Browns. Detroit avoided a letdown following a big Monday Night Football victory in Baltimore. Aidan Hutchinson was a demon off the edge, giving the Browns’ beleaguered offensive line fits. Seemingly every time Joe Flacco dropped back, Hutchinson was in the backfield. The AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year candidate generated two sacks, a forced fumble, four QB hits, nine pressures, four quick pressures, and two tackles for loss. His 0.75-second get-off was no match for Cleveland’s tackles, who were too often left on an island versus the Tasmanian devil. Detroit’s defense forced three turnovers, leading to 17 points. After allowing an 88-yard, touchdown drive on the opening possession, the Lions gave up just 161 total yards on the next 13 Browns drives (12.38 yards per drive). Detroit proved that even when the offense is slowed by a good defense, it can still dominate.
2. Cleveland’s offense still stuck in the mud. Joe Flacco diced up Detroit on the opening drive. After that script was used up, Cleveland got nothing going. Flacco was under siege and made a host of miscues, including an interception on a miscommunication in the first quarter. The veteran QB completed just 47.1% of 34 attempts and couldn’t take advantage of a banged-up Lions secondary. Quinshon Judkins had a few bursts but was held to 3.9 yards per carry on 21 totes. Cleveland’s offense simply doesn’t have the answers in the passing attack, in part due to porous blocking. It’s an ugly operation right now. The question is how long Kevin Stefanski sticks with Flacco. At 1-3, will he see what rookie Dillon Gabriel can bring to the table?
3. Detroit running game gets the best of Jim Schwartz’ defense. Entering the week, all the chatter was about the Lions’ potent rushing attack versus Cleveland’s No. 1-ranked run defense. It was a slog for John Morton’s big-play rushers, but they hung 109 yards on the ground. Jahmyr Gibbs put up 91 on 15 attempts (6.1) and a touchdown with a long of 24 — that’s more yards than the Bengals (46), Ravens (45) and Packers (81) put up against the Browns. No other Lions player had more than 12 rushing yards. The Browns bottled up the Lions' rushing attack for stretches, forcing a couple of three-and-outs, but with the offense struggling, Detroit was able to lean on them enough to be the first club to hit the century mark against Schwartz’ D.

Next Gen Stats Insight for Lions-Browns (via NFL Pro): Jahmyr Gibbs carried 11 times for 86 yards against loaded boxes (more box defenders than blockers) - the most rushing yards against loaded boxes by any player in a game this season.

NFL Research: Aidan Hutchinson now has 32.5 career sacks, the most of any Lions player through their first four seasons.

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• REWATCH: Titans-Texans on NFL+ Premium

Eric Edholm's takeaways:

1. Texans’ offense finally came alive after halftime. Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn missed a 54-yard field goal try just before halftime, and the only reason Houston still had the lead was because the Titans missed two FG attempts. Houston’s offense was again mostly struggling and had yet to even enter the red zone. Thankfully, the second half brought the best version of the Texans’ offense we’ve seen yet this season. They scored touchdowns on their first three possessions of the second half – including a red zone score! – putting a close game out of reach. Even if two of those three came on short fields after turnovers, it represented a vast improvement. The biggest change was the increased workload for running back Woody Marks, who had 12 carries entering Sunday but had nine by halftime. He finished with 119 yards from scrimmage, and two scores – one each rushing and receiving. Expect the rookie to continue getting increased work going forward. 
2. Titans’ offense remained stuck in neutral. Brian Callahan gave up offensive play-calling duties to quarterbacks coach Bo Hardegree prior to Sunday’s game, but the results were similar to before: not good enough. Although the Titans bookended the first half with promising drives, both ended in missed field goals. The three possessions in between ended in quick punts. Houston even left the door open by missing a kick, but the Titans punted and that was that. Cam Ward only completed 10 of his 26 passes for 108 yards and a pick in his Houston homecoming, but it wasn't all his fault. The interception went off Elic Ayomanor ’s hands, and Tennessee’s receivers had a few other catches slip through their hands. Ward and Ayomanor hooked up for a big gain early on an improv play, but they connected only twice on seven targets. The Titans ran only 46 plays and averaged 3.8 yards per play. It’s back to the drawing board again. 
3. Texans defense dominated again. Lost amid the Texans’ offensive struggles has been rightful praise for a defense that by and large has played well enough in all four games. On Sunday, that unit was terrific again. The Titans moved the ball a bit early, with two missed field goals maintaining the shutout, but after halftime the Texans slammed the door shut. Derek Stingley Jr. had an interception, and Danielle Hunter had two sacks to lead a complete-unit effort. Houston got its hands on eight Cam Ward passes and totaled six tackles for loss, allowing only three plays longer than 12 yards all game. The challenge will be much tougher next week at Baltimore, but the Texans will have a shot with the way their defense has been playing, allowing only 51 points in four games.  

Next Gen Stats Insight for Titans-Texans (via NFL Pro): Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons sacked C.J. Stroud in 2.09 seconds, the fastest sack league-wide over the past two seasons. Simmons crossed the line of scrimmage 0.32 seconds after the snap, the fastest get-off time by a DT this season.

NFL Research: The Texans are the first team since the 1974 Cowboys to have a losing record through the first four games of a season despite allowing fewer than 13 points per game.

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• REWATCH: Panthers-Patriots on NFL+ Premium

Nick Shook's takeaways;

1. Mike Vrabel's team finally earns a dominant win. Those who have watched the Patriots in their first month of the 2025 season might have sensed a performance like this one was near, especially when considering the opponent. New England came out with an attitude and did not back down after giving up an opening drive touchdown, promptly outscoring Carolina, 42-0, over the next 53 minutes of game time with a beautiful blend of team football. A Marcus Jones 87-yard punt return touchdown served as the spark that fired the Patriots' engine, which quarterback Drake Maye confidently piloted with fantastic efficiency for the rest of the game. After going three-and-out on its first possession, New England scored touchdowns on four of its next five possessions, refusing to lift its foot off the accelerator. Maye was remarkably sharp as a passer -- finally turning to Stefon Diggs consistently for big gains -- and used his legs to score a touchdown in a game that took on head coach Mike Vrabel's identity on both sides of the ball. New England found success on the ground as a collective rushing unit, maximized its possessions, dominated in the details and stifled Carolina's offense all afternoon. That's a formula that won plenty of games for Vrabel in Tennessee and fueled an encouraging display Sunday.
2. Panthers fall back to earth. After pitching a 30-0 shutout in Week 3, Bryce Young and the Panthers turned back into a pumpkin Sunday. Young struggled mightily with accuracy all afternoon, the running game was essentially nonexistent until garbage time, New England effectively limited Tetairoa McMillan and the Panthers proved they didn't have an answer on offense or defense. The loss is disheartening for a fanbase that thought their team got back on track last week before reminding them of how far the Panthers still must climb in order to find consistency, and while it's too common in oversimplified football analysis, this situation truly starts with the quarterback. Dave Canales likely knew turning around these Panthers wouldn't be easy when he took the job, and he's probably going to feel a bit more heat after this ugly showing.
3. Special teams, special player. The third phase of the game proved to be crucial for the Patriots' scoreboard explosion Sunday, especially in the first half. They can shower one man with plenty of credit: Marcus Jones. The speedy defensive back and return man shredded Carolina's punt coverage unit for an 87-yard touchdown, then nearly took another one back for a second first-half score, covering 61 yards before crashing to the Gillette Stadium turf at Carolina's 14. How important was Jones to New England's scoring potential Sunday? Well, the Patriots reached halftime with 166 net offensive yards, only slightly more than the 148 punt return yards racked up by Jones. That's a special kind of contribution that helps one team run away with a win.

Next Gen Stats Insight for Panthers-Patriots (via NFL Pro): Drake Maye has had a 75+ completion percentage and thrown two-plus touchdown passes in each of his last three games. Only Tom Brady (Weeks 1-4 in his first MVP season in 2007) has had a longer such streak in a single season in NFL history.

NFL Research: Stefon Diggs' six catches for 101 yards is his first game with 100 yards in nearly two years (he had 100 yards in Week 6 of the 2023 season with Buffalo).

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• REWATCH: Chargers-Giants on NFL+ Premium
• READ: Giants' Nabers believed to have suffered torn ACL

Kevin Patra's takeaways:

1. Dart spearheads the Giants’ first win in rookie debut. New York’s offense looked energized in Jaxson Dart's first start. The rookie looked poised early, leading a nine-play, 75-yard drive on the opening possessions, which he capped off with a 15-yard scamper. Dart is the first quarterback since Patrick Mahomes to lead their team to an 80-plus yard TD drive on the first drive of their first career start. The moment didn’t look too big for the first-round pick, who used his legs with aplomb on designed runs and scrambles. His ability to avoid pressure kept the Chargers' defense off-balance. The numbers don’t jump off the page: 13-of-20 passing for 111 yards and a TD, but Dart avoided turnovers and kept the Giants in positive situations. He got the ball out quickly, knowing where he wanted to go with the ball pre-snap. It wasn’t all perfect, with red zone issues still plaguing the Giants — 2 of 5. Malik Nabers’ ACL injury was a big blow, but after Dart's first start, there is optimism under center in New York.
2. Chargers have a big O-line problem. Left tackle Joe Alt left the game early with an ankle injury, putting an already injured offensive line in dire straits. Justin Herbert was under siege. The QB was pressured on 47.7% of his dropbacks, per Next Gen Stats. Alt’s replacement, Austin Deculus, allowed a team-high six pressures. Besides one big pass to Quentin Johnston, the Chargers offense couldn’t take advantage of a Giants secondary that had been diced up this season. Rookie running back Omarion Hampton (12 carries for 128 yards, touchdown) was a bright spot, gashing for big gallops, but the Chargers went away from him too often in big spots. If the offensive line remains banged-up, it’s going to be a long, painful season for Herbert.
3. Giants' defense comes up with big plays to smother Chargers. Andru Phillips came up with a huge interception, highlighting an excellent game from the cornerback. The INT set up a short touchdown that gave the Giants a two-possession lead in the third quarter. Phillips allowed just two catches on seven targets for 10 yards on the day, leading the best outing of the season for the Big Blue secondary. Abdul Carter (eight QB pressures), Brian Burns (six), and Kayvon Thibodeaux (six) led the siege of Herbert, despite the QB getting the ball out quickly on most situations (2.63-second time to throw). Carter bamboozled several big plays by getting in Herbert’s face. When the defensive front plays like that, it changes the face of the Giants' D.

Next Gen Stats Insight for Giants-Chargers (via NFL Pro): Jaxon Dart’s 2.48-second time to throw is the sixth-fastest of any Giants quarterback in a game with at least 10 passing attempts since the start of 2023.

NFL Research: Jaxson Dart joined Daniel Jones as the only Giants rookies since at least 1950 with a passing touchdown and a rushing touchdown in his first career start. Dart and Jones are the only NYG rookies to win their first career start in the last 40 seasons. Dart is the first QB with a passing touchdown, rushing touchdown and 50-plus rushing yards in his first career start since Tim Tebow.

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• REWATCH: Eagles-Buccaneers on NFL+ Premium

Eric Edholm's takeaways:

1. Eagles hung on for another gritty win. Up, 24-6, at the half and dominating in all three phases, the Eagles had to hang on for dear life to win – their 20th victory in 21 games. The Bucs scored touchdowns on 77- and 72-yard drives and a 58-yard field goal to make it a one-score game late before the Philadelphia defense earned a late fourth-down stop. The Eagles’ offense nearly shut down after halftime, going three-and-out a shocking five times and netting only 16 yards and three first downs. This game likely meant a lot to the Eagles, whose only definitive loss last season was in Tampa. For 30-plus minutes, they looked like the better team – and survived the Bucs’ desperation. It was nail-biting time for almost the entire second half, right down to the intentional safety they took as time ran out. The conditions were entirely unfriendly, with temperatures reaching triple digits, but the Eagles found a way to finish it off.
2. Cardiac Bucs can’t pull another one out late. Eight minutes into the game, the Eagles led, 14-0, thanks to a blocked punt return for touchdown and a 73-yard TD drive, and the Bucs once more found themselves in a deep hole. It got worse, too, as Philly went up, 24-3, late in the first half. The Bucs found a way to get back into the game thanks to two quick-strike TDs from Baker Mayfield of 70-plus yards. Even with a turnover on downs, a third-quarter fumble by Bucky Irving and a Mayfield pick midway through the fourth, plus a first-half pick the Eagles should have had, the Bucs somehow had the ball down one score late with a chance to tie it. The game all but ended when a heavily pressured Mayfield couldn’t throw the ball past the sticks, and the Eagles ran out the clock. 
3. Eagles’ OL took some hits. Lane Johnson and Tyler Steen suffered injuries in Tampa, dealing two big blows to their offensive line. Johnson (shoulder) came off following the Eagles’ fake tush push TD in the third quarter and wouldn’t return, replaced by Fred Johnson. Steen was hurt prior to halftime but did return, wearing a wrap on his leg and appearing to have a limp. Other Eagles were hurt and returned, including Dallas Goedert and Jalen Hurts on offense and Ogbo Okoronkwo and Jalen Carter on defense. Carter and Jihaad Campbell also appeared to be banged up very late in the game. This wasn’t a pretty game, and there might be some lingering effects for the Eagles, but they gritted through at less than full strength. It’s just another testament to their mental and physical strength, even if Lane Johnson’s continued health struggles are a worry. 

Next Gen Stats Insight for Eagles-Buccaneers (via NFL Pro): Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell allowed just two receptions for 6 yards on six targets across 22 matchups against Bucs wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, with all six targets coming in tight windows.

NFL Research: Jalen Hurts had zero passing yards in the second half, becoming the first QB to win a game with eight or more passing attempts and zero passing yards in a second half since Panthers QB Jake Delhomme in Week 10 of the 2008 season at Oakland (0 for 9, 0 yards). They’re the only two QBs in league history to have wins in such games since at least 1991.

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• REWATCH: Colts-Rams on NFL+ Premium

Eric Edholm's takeaways:

1. Stafford, Nacua punish Colts. The Colts had few answers for the Rams’ offense in key moments Sunday, as Matthew Stafford and Puka Nacua stole the show. The Rams did cool off in the third quarter as the Colts wrested control of the game, and Kyren Williams’ fourth-quarter fumble gifted the Colts three points. But Stafford and Nacua connected 13 times (on 15 targets) for 170 yards (Nacua’s career high) and a touchdown that tied the game late in the fourth quarter. After the Colts coughed away their next drive, Stafford hit Tutu Atwell on an 88-yard TD bomb for the game-winning score, with the Rams’ defense closing it out afterward. The Colts appeared to be the better team early, but Stafford gave the Rams a halftime lead with a beautiful two-minute, 96-yard TD drive, hitting Davante Adams for the score. The Rams ran the ball well, and three receivers caught TD passes, but Nacua was uncoverable most of the game. He left the game briefly after the first play of the third quarter but caught five passes after returning. 
2. Mitchell’s two brutal mistakes ended Colts’ unbeaten season. The Colts had two apparent TDs taken off the board in the second half Sunday, and Adonai Mitchell had his fingerprints on both. The Colts appeared to take the lead early in the third quarter when Mitchell made a fantastic catch and raced unimpeded to the end zone. The problem? He lost control of the ball at the Los Angeles 1-yard line, fumbling it through the end zone for a back-breaking touchback. No excuses for that. Mitchell was clearly despondent on the sideline afterward, with several teammates consoling him. But Mitchell also was guilty of a holding penalty on Jonathan Taylor's negated 53-yard TD run with just over two minutes left and the game tied at 20. This was the first game of the season where the Colts beat themselves, with 11 penalties and two Daniel Jones interceptions. But Mitchell’s two mistakes were quite clearly the most costly errors of the game, dropping Indy to 3-1.
3. Rams defense stepped up when it had to. There were moments Sunday when the Rams’ defense faced some adversity – and received some luck – but there were others when that unit came up big. It appears they had the right game plan coming in, keeping the Colts’ passing game down early and forcing them to throw when they typically want to run it. Also, the Rams had entered Sunday struggling to defend the perimeter of the field, but both of Kamren Curl’s two interceptions were outside the numbers, including the game-clincher in the final minute. Another well-timed play was Jared Verse dominating Bernhard Raimann for a strip sack of Daniel Jones just before the two-minute warning, leading to the Colts punting and the Rams taking the lead. The Colts certainly were their own worst enemies at times, but the Rams’ defense also had something to say about the outcome.

Next Gen Stats Insight for Colts-Rams (via NFL Pro): Colts QB Daniel Jones was under pressure on a season-high 48.6% of his dropbacks against the Rams, yet he thrived in those situations, completing 12 of 15 passes for 198 yards and a touchdown. Jones struggled when not facing pressure, completing 12 of 18 passes for only 64 yards while throwing both of his interceptions.

NFL Research: The Rams’ 96-yard TD drive before the half was their longest in a game since they had a 97-yard drive in a 27-20 loss to the Saints in Week 11 of the 2022 season. 

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• REWATCH: Jaguars-49ers on NFL+ Premium

Michael Baca's takeaways:

1. Defense powers Jacksonville in statement win. The Jaguars defense ruined Brock Purdy's return with an eye-opening four-takeaway performance in San Francisco — one that should put the league on notice. Anthony Campanile's unit was a force to be reckoned with as Jacksonville's defensive line dominated the line of scrimmage to suffocate the run and its hard-hitting secondary made Niners pass catchers wary all afternoon. The combination of those two aspects created mistakes. Dennis Gardeck began the turnover parade with a brilliant strip of Christian McCaffrey early in the second quarter before Devin Lloyd picked off Purdy on San Francisco's next possession. With the offense scoring touchdowns off both those turnovers and the defense forcing the Niners to settle for field goals on two red zone possessions, the Jaguars' tone-setting play invoked a little bit of panic on the other sideline entering the half. The Niners showed no quit despite it all, somehow climbing back into the game despite another Lloyd interception in the third quarter and a turnover on downs to begin the final frame. In a one-score game, the Jaguars defense was ready to seal the win, as former Niner Arik Armstead strip-sacked Purdy to end an improbable comeback. It's the second game in a row where Jacksonville's defense was the impetus to a victory, and they've now produced at least three takeaways in each of the first four games. 
2. Too little, too late for San Francisco. The Niners' offense was reeling after getting punched in the mouth in the first half, but Christian McCaffrey spurred a late charge. Getting the ball to McCaffrey had to be done creatively, however, as the Jaguars defensive front consistently dominated the point of attack, holding San Francisco to 3.5 yards per carry (83 rushing yards). Niners pass catchers were also regularly limped off the field after enduring big hits (Ricky Pearsall didn't return in second half due to a knee injury). Whether through a hook-and-ladder in the first half or a nifty play-call at the goal line on their first TD of the game, McCaffrey produced 141 scrimmage yards (92 receiving, 49 rushing) in a great display of toughness. The Niners defense clamped down in the second half, allowing just three points, but the back-breaking turnovers were far too great to overcome. Returning after a two-game absence, Purdy finished 22-of-38 passing for 309 yards with two TDs, two INTs and one game-ending fumble. 
3. Jaguars fed off turnovers. The Jaguars consistently pounced on the opportunities their defense created, scoring 17 points off turnovers. On the first play following Dennis Gardeck's strip, Travis Etienne broke free for a 48-yard TD scamper for Jacksonville's first score and lead — the biggest run of a 124-yard performance. Travis Hunter came up with a big conversion on third-and-15 with a 28-yard reception on the possession following Devin Lloyd's first INT, which prompted a 13-play, 89-yard march to the end zone. After Jacksonville's second red-zone stand, Bhayshul Tuten returned the ensuing kickoff 54 yards to give the Jaguars great field position and eventually negate San Francisco's latest score with a field goal of their own with under 30 seconds remaining in the half. Lloyd's second pick in the second half also positioned the Jaguars to get another three, which was crucial as the Jaguars' offense didn't find the end zone in the second half. Parker Washington's 87-yard punt return at the end of the third quarter was all the Jags needed anyway for Jacksonville's defense to secure the win.

Next Gen Stats insight for Jaguars-49ers (via NFL Pro): Parker Washington covered 109.41 yards of total distance on this 87-yard punt return TD while hitting a top speed of 20.95 mph.

NFL Research: The Jaguars are one of three teams in the last 30 seasons with three-plus takeaways and fewer than 400 total yards allowed in each of their first four games of a season. Others: 1996 Packers (won Super Bowl), 2002 Eagles (lost in NFC Championship Game).

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• REWATCH: Ravens-Chiefs on NFL+ Premium
• READ: Mahomes becomes fastest in NFL history to 250 passing touchdowns
• READ: Lamar injures hamstring in loss to Chiefs

Kevin Patra's takeaways:

1. Worthy’s return helps jumpstart offense as Chiefs destroy Ravens. Patrick Mahomes looked as comfortable as he has all season, dicing up a depleted Ravens defense with ease. The K.C. offense silenced the critics, splashing big plays all over the field. The Chiefs marched up and down the field, scoring on seven of their first eight possessions, and didn’t punt until garbage time. Xavier Worthy's return from a Week 1 injury helped open up a previously restricted offense. The speedster, who snagged five balls for 83 yards, caught a 37-yard pass and had a 35-yard carry. Even when Mahomes missed him on a couple of deep shots, the threat helped open other targets. The QB threw for a season-high 270 yards and four touchdowns. As K.C. gets its weapons back, we’ll finally begin to see the Chiefs' offense we expected entering the season.
2. Defcon 1 in Baltimore. An awful day at the office ended early for Lamar Jackson, who exited late in the third quarter with a hamstring injury. The quarterback was rattled early, looking uncomfortable in the pocket versus Steve Spanuolo’s blitzes. After a good first drive, everything fell apart. Jackson threw his first interception of the season, had a bad fourth-down throw to turn the ball over on downs, and fumbled late in the first half. The QB’s hamstring issue is the biggest for the injury-riddled Ravens. Left tackle Ronnie Stanley (ankle) left in the first quarter. The defense, already down key players, lost Marlon Humphrey (calf), Roquan Smith (hamstring) and Nate Wiggins (elbow). The young replacements had no chance against Mahomes on Sunday. With so many defensive injuries, if Jackson misses time, it will seriously hinder the 1-3 Ravens' chances of making a comeback after a horrific September.
3. Chiefs' defense bamboozles Baltimore. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo had Jackson’s head in a spinner. The blitz-happy coordinator brought pressure from every angle. The linebacking spies didn’t allow the swift QB to find space to scamper free. After the opening-drive Ravens score, K.C. allowed just 167 total yards on the next six Jackson drives. In that span, the Chiefs forced two turnovers, a turnover on downs, and held Baltimore to six points. The Chiefs pressured Jackson on 48.1% of the QB's dropbacks and earned three sacks. Add that to holding Derrick Henry to 42 yards on eight carries with a long of 14 yards, and it was a smothering performance by Spag’s crew.

Next Gen Stats Insight for Chiefs-Ravens (via NFL Pro): Kingsley Suamataia did not allow a pressure on 41 pass blocks, his first game of his career in which he did not allow a pressure (min. 5 pass blocks).

NFL Research: Week 4 was Patrick Mahomes’ 18th career game with four-plus passing touchdowns. That broke a tie for the most by a player in his first 10 career seasons in NFL history (2025 is Mahomes’ ninth season). 

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• REWATCH: Bears-Raiders on NFL+ Premium

Nick Shook's takeaways:

1. Bears win the scrap. Chicago and Las Vegas made plenty of errors in what was far from the most technically sound display of football in the NFL this season, and both had excellent chances to drive the final nail into the coffin Sunday at Allegiant Stadium. In the end, the Bears refused to back down, overcoming their mistakes and earlier toe stubs (in the form of penalties and near turnovers) to salvage a field goal out of a once-promising drive, then follow that with a three-and-out defensive stop and an 11-play, 73-yard touchdown drive that chewed 5:11 off the clock and ended with two determined runs by D'Andre Swift that earned a first down and a touchdown. It was Chicago's best sequence of the day and happened at the perfect time, capped only by an even more crucial field goal block to seal the win. Wins like these instill belief in clubs still looking to turn the corner. Johnson's squad has two in consecutive weeks.
2. Sloppiness wastes Jeanty's breakout day. Those waiting for Ashton Jeanty to live up to his sky-high rookie season expectations finally received what they wanted Sunday. Jeanty was a playmaking machine. He rushed 21 times for 138 yards and a touchdown -- including a 64-yard romp that required patience, burst and a broken tackle 35 yards downfield to reach the end zone -- and caught two passes for touchdowns, bringing his total to three on the day and keeping the Raiders afloat. If it weren't for Jeanty, the Raiders might not have had a fighting chance in this game. Geno Smith had his second rough day at the office this season, throwing three interceptions (two of which being poor passes into traffic), yet Jeanty was able to lift them out of the emotional hole dug by Smith's interceptions by producing two scores before halftime in what was a bit of a messy rock fight. It's a bummer for Raiders fans that Jeanty's big day didn't include a win, but also typical of a team still seeking consistency on both sides of the ball. In a refreshing turn, the Raiders' defense played well enough to keep them in the game, but Las Vegas' four turnovers (which also included a Jeanty fumble) allowed the Bears to hang around. A strangely conservative approach that preceded Daniel Carlson's 54-yard field goal attempt in the final minute only added to the regrettable decisions that doomed the Raiders.
3. The Caleb Williams experience produces a victory. Credit is due to Ben Johnson for refusing to shy away from getting creatively aggressive with his play-calling through the first month. For example, a week after a flea-flicker produced a majestic touchdown pass from Caleb Williams to Luther Burden III, Johnson called a fake flea-flicker run, which didn't produce a big gain but demonstrated some (possibly blind) trust in his offense. That same trust became quite valuable during Chicago's final scoring drive in which Johnson empowered his quarterback to make plays. Now, watching Williams play quarterback can occasionally feel like being strapped into a roller-coaster you never wanted to ride, but when his freewheeling style of play finds success, it produces some thrills. On Sunday, it powered the Bears down the field on a drive that absolutely had to end in a touchdown. Williams drifted around, extended plays and used his special arm talent to connect with receivers while also sprinkling in scrambles through the on-field chaos to keep the drive going. By the time Williams moved Chicago inside Las Vegas' red zone, the Bears had enough time to lean on Swift to finish the job. Last season, such a possession might have crumbled amid the pressure caused by a Maxx Crosby-led rush. This time around, Williams felt confident enough to overcome the adversity and push the Bears to success.  

Next Gen Stats Insight for Bears-Raiders (via NFL Pro): Kevin Byard delivered a number of key plays Sunday, intercepting Geno Smith twice, allowing only two catches for 16 yards in coverage and recording seven tackles, including the tackle for loss that forced the Raiders to attempt a 54-yard field goal (which was blocked) in the final minute.

NFL Research: Over 1,490 games in the Bears' 106-year history, only three rookies have ever scored three touchdowns in a regular season game against them: Randy Moss (Week 14, 1998), Adrian Peterson (Week 6, 2007) and Ashton Jeanty (Sunday).

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• REWATCH: Packers-Cowboys on NFL+ Premium

Grant Gordon's takeaways:

1. Dak and Co. rally for tie in stellar offensive effort. Tie ballgame or not, the Cowboys are feeling better than the Packers after this one. Dak Prescott captained his team back from a 13-point deficit to open the game and from four points down in the fourth quarter, as he turned in a monster showing with four total touchdowns to survive a reunion with Micah Parsons. Trailing by 13 points with 10:37 to go in the first half, the Cowboys might well have turned in their most pivotal points of a chaotic evening. Juanyeh Thomas sprang through to block a Packers point-after attempt and Markquese Bell gobbled up the pigskin and raced the other way for two points. In a game that seemed to be bound for Blowout City, the Cowboys said not so fast when Bell raced the other way. Two drives later, Prescott ran in a score and, after a Jordan Love fumble, threw a 15-yard TD to George Pickens to suddenly pull ahead, 16-13. Love and the Packers offense didn’t go away, turning in an excellent night on offense, as well. Still, though they’re now 1-2-1, the Cowboys survived a marquee game against Parsons and the Pack whilst changing the narrative. Prior to Sunday, the Cowboys were 0-3 without CeeDee Lamb. Pickens stepped up huge, though, hauling in two TDs and eight receptions for 134 yards, while Jake Ferguson (seven receptions for 40 yards, touchdown) continued to produce. Prescott (31 of 40 for 319 yards, three touchdowns and a rushing TD) delivered time and again and Brian Schottenheimer called a great game behind a banged-up offensive line. When Dak’s on, the Cowboys still have a chance. If nothing else, that’s probably the biggest takeaway from a tie ballgame on a Sunday night in Texas. 
2. Love was excellent in Dallas again. Returning to the scene of his greatest NFL triumph, Jordan Love was brilliant at the onset Sunday night, dissecting the Dallas defense on the opening drive. Perfect in his precision, he was 5 of 5 for 74 yards, including a 2-yard touchdown to Romeo Doubs. He would hook up with Doubs for three touchdowns in total, finishing his night with 337 yards through air. Problem was, in stark contrast to Love’s starry showing in an upset of the Cowboys in the playoffs two seasons ago, Dallas didn’t go away. To Love’s credit, neither did he and the Packers offense. Love had some major gaffes, namely a fumble in the second quarter and the mismanagement of a running clock at the end of the game in which disaster could’ve struck had his incompletion not hit the ground with one second left. Still, Love played winning football. Unfortunately, his defense did not.  
3. Packers defense doesn’t hold up its end. This was a troubling performance for the Packers defense, which began the season by stifling the Lions and Commanders -- Divisional Round squads a season ago -- and holding the Browns in check. Green Bay allowed season highs in points (40) and yards allowed (436), as Dak Prescott pecked away in the passing game, rarely facing pressure until late in the ballgame. Dallas’ defense allowed a season high in points to a third straight opponent, but, that’s not all that surprising. Green Bay’s woes were, especially considering the Cowboys were without all-world wideout CeeDee Lamb and two starting offensive lineman. For all the pomp and circumstance surrounding Micah Parsons’ return to Dallas-Fort Worth, he battled through a back injury to turn in a game-high seven pressures, three tackles, three QB hits and Green Bay’s only sack (which was for no gain). Every unit can have an off game, but after three weeks of imposing, tone-setting performances, the Packers defense had a very bad night that negated a rather sterling showing from Jordan Love and the offense.  

Next Gen Stats Insight for Packers-Cowboys (via NFL Pro): Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott was pressured 10 times (24.4% pressure rate), with seven of those pressures coming from ex-teammate Micah Parsons. Kenny Clark, who was acquired by Dallas in the Parsons trade, had a team-best four QB pressures. 

NFL Research: The Packers-Cowboys 40-40 tie is the second-highest-scoring tie in NFL history, trailing only a 43-43 stalemate between the Oakland Raiders and Boston Patriots in Week 6, 1964. With the end result for the host Cowboys, teams with 40 or more points and no turnovers at home, including the playoffs, are now 300-0-1 all time in the Super Bowl era.