Welcome to the Week 4 grades! This week in the NFL brought some exhilarating moments and historical achievements from both rookies and veterans.
Rookie Quarterbacks Shine
Caleb Williams and Bo Nix, two of the league's promising rookie quarterbacks, emerged victorious. Williams, the first overall pick, continues to impress, becoming the first quarterback in the common-draft era to win his first two home starts in the same year. In Week 1, Williams secured a victory against the Tennessee Titans. This week, he led the Chicago Bears to a 24-18 win over the Los Angeles Rams, solidifying his status as a rising star.
Bo Nix, who faced the New York Jets, had a challenging start with negative yardage in the first half. However, Nix demonstrated resilience and potential by throwing for 60 yards in the third quarter and leading the Denver Broncos to the game's only touchdown. The Broncos narrowly beat the Jets 10-9, marking another win for a rookie quarterback.
Jayden Daniels' Impressive Feat
Jayden Daniels added his name to the history books by leading the Washington Commanders to a dominating 42-14 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. Daniels completed an astounding 86.7% of his passes, becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to complete at least 85% in two consecutive games. This remarkable feat has helped the Commanders achieve an over .500 record through four weeks for the first time since 2011.
Historical Rookie Quarterback Wins
This week 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. This rare occurrence was previously seen only in 2012 and 2016. Rookie quarterbacks Williams, Nix, and Daniels have set a promising tone early in their careers, showcasing their potential to become future stars in the league.
Veteran and Team Performances
Amidst the spotlight on rookies, seasoned players and teams also had commendable performances. Jared Goff was perfect against the Seattle Seahawks, completing 100% of his passes and leading the Detroit Lions to a 42-29 victory. Meanwhile, other notable wins included the Tennessee Titans defeating the Miami Dolphins 31-12 and the Atlanta Falcons edging out the New Orleans Saints 26-24.
The Minnesota Vikings triumphed over the Green Bay Packers in a close 31-29 game, and the Indianapolis Colts managed a 27-24 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers delivered a convincing 33-16 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, while the Cincinnati Bengals emerged victorious against the Carolina Panthers with a 34-24 win.
Other Results Around the League
The Houston Texans secured a 24-20 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Las Vegas Raiders held off the Cleveland Browns with a 20-16 victory. The San Francisco 49ers dominated the New England Patriots 30-13, and the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 17-10. The Baltimore Ravens showcased their strength with a 35-10 win against the Buffalo Bills, and the Dallas Cowboys narrowly defeated the New York Giants 20-15.
As Week 4 concludes, it’s clear that both fresh talents and established players are making their marks on the league. The blend of historic rookie performances and strong showings from veterans promises an exciting NFL season ahead.