Week 4 brings major quarterback decisions, significant injury fallout and a Thursday night AFC North opener as Pittsburgh visits Cleveland on Oct. 1. Tampa Bay will be without Baker Mayfield for several weeks because of a dislocated thumb, Miami has lost De’Von Achane to a season-ending ACL injury, and Chicago must decide whether Case Keenum or Tyson Bagent starts at quarterback against the Jets.
What changed for the franchise
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Steelers at Browns
Pittsburgh is favored to handle Cleveland despite its poor recent record on Browns trips. The Browns rank near the bottom of the NFL in total offense, third-down efficiency and red-zone touchdown production, while interior offensive-line injuries have added to concerns around Deshaun Watson. Cleveland’s defense, featuring second-year defensive tackle Mason Graham, could keep the game close if it disrupts Aaron Rodgers. Pittsburgh scored 30 points against Cincinnati after being held to three in its previous loss, pointing to a potentially low-scoring matchup.
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Commanders vs. Colts in London
Washington enters with quarterback Jayden Daniels rehabbing another dislocated elbow, but its run defense has allowed the third-fewest production in the league through three weeks. That presents a difficult assignment for Indianapolis running back Jonathan Taylor, who has not reached 100 rushing yards in a game this year despite his standout performance in Berlin last season. Washington has surrendered the ball only once, while the Colts have struggled in yards allowed, points conceded and takeaways, with just one forced turnover. Both teams broke into the win column in Week 3.
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Titans at Ravens
Derrick Henry faces Tennessee for the first time since departing in 2024. He accumulated at least 9,000 career rushing yards as a Titan, and no player has previously posted a 100-yard rushing game against a former club for which he reached that mark. Tennessee has nevertheless held opponents to 3.6 yards per rush, with Jeffery Simmons promising a physical welcome for Henry. The Titans’ larger problem remains an offense led by Cam Ward that has started slowly. Baltimore arrives after a convincing victory in Rio.
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Patriots at Bills
Buffalo’s undefeated offense has scored 101 points on 32 possessions, while New England has produced only 29 points across 30 drives. Patriots quarterback Drake Maye has committed 15 turnovers over his past seven games, dating to January’s playoffs. New England also expects wide receiver A.J. Brown’s high ankle sprain to keep him sidelined until late October, and fellow offseason acquisition Romeo Doubs has started slowly. The Bills carry a major edge into the division meeting.
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Jets at Bears
Chicago head coach Ben Johnson must choose between Keenum, who excelled against Philadelphia on Monday night, and Bagent, who finished training camp as the No. 2 quarterback. New York will be shorthanded after injuries to running back Breece Hall, wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, tight end Mason Taylor and guard Dylan Parham; all four are considered week to week. The Jets have at least been tied or ahead in the fourth quarter of each game, but Chicago has held its past two opponents below 10 points and owns the NFL’s leading rushing attack.
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Jaguars at Bengals
Cincinnati’s defense gave up more than 290 passing yards and three touchdown throws to Rodgers, plus 176 scrimmage yards to Jaylen Warren, in the loss to Pittsburgh. Jacksonville now brings an offense that just beat the defending AFC champions, 35-6. Trevor Lawrence has opened the season with 616 passing yards, seven touchdowns, two interceptions and a 107.8 passer rating. The Jaguars also lead the league in fewest points allowed, leaving Joe Burrow with little margin if Cincinnati cannot improve defensively.
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Texans at Cowboys
Dallas added cornerback Joey Porter Jr. in a Wednesday trade with Pittsburgh, but the secondary remains depleted. Defensive tackle Jonathan Bullard and safety Jalen Thompson are out, cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. is uncertain, and the club previously lost corner Cobie Durant, safety P.J. Locke, linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and safety Malik Hooker. Dak Prescott has a 61.8 completion percentage, a 2-4 touchdown-to-interception ratio and a 69.0 rating in two games against Houston. The Texans have scored 23 points in their past two games, though No. 1 wideout Nico Collins returned to practice Wednesday.
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Cardinals at Giants
Arizona has never lost at MetLife Stadium, and the Giants have not beaten the Cardinals at home since the opening week of 2005. New York needs Jameis Winston to get the offense into the end zone against a Cardinals defense that struggled against top NFC West opponents in Weeks 2 and 3. The Giants will also be without edge rusher Brian Burns as they try to pressure Arizona quarterback Jacoby Brissett. Arizona has received steady play from Brissett and an overachieving Mike LaFleur-led offense, while New York has made urgent September trades to address a roster short on star power.
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Rams at Eagles
Los Angeles returns from blowing a 16-point halftime lead in Denver, while Philadelphia was routed in Chicago by a Bears team starting Keenum for the first time in 1,009 days. Rams receiver Puka Nacua is expected back, but Sean McVay is 1-6 against Philadelphia and has lost all four meetings with Nick Sirianni. Last season’s loss at Lincoln Financial Field included a squandered 19-point third-quarter advantage and two blocked fourth-quarter field goals, including a potential 44-yard winner on the final snap. Jordan Davis returned that final block for a touchdown. Philadelphia’s ground game has been inconsistent under offensive coordinator Sean Mannion, though Saquon Barkley found room against Chicago after being limited to 55 total yards on 22 touches by Los Angeles last year. The Eagles enter as home underdogs.
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Buccaneers at Packers
Mayfield’s thumb injury opens the door for undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels, who won Tampa Bay’s backup quarterback job during the preseason. Mayfield ranks last among qualified quarterbacks with minus-35.6 expected points added, making the bar manageable for Daniels. Green Bay has its own offensive-line crisis, allowing pressure in an NFL-fastest 2.29 seconds on average and producing the league’s worst rushing attack with 146 yards in three games. Recent additions Mekhi Becton, Laken Tomlinson and Kevin Zeitler are unlikely to solve every problem immediately. The Packers have also watched Michael Penix Jr. succeed in his first appearance since an ACL tear last Nov. 16.
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Vikings at Dolphins
Minnesota is 3-0 despite ranking last in offensive yardage, but Miami’s defense offers a chance for Kyler Murray and the offense to break through. The Dolphins stand 28th in points allowed and are tied with Indianapolis for the league’s worst expected points added allowed per play at plus-0.15. Miami has not scored more than 13 points in any game and now must play without Achane. Minnesota’s defense is giving up 13.7 points per game, and Brian Flores has sent pressure on 68.1% of defensive snaps, 24.2 percentage points above the next-highest blitz rate. Malik Willis has completed just 50% of his passes against blitzes, tied for the fourth-lowest mark entering Week 4.
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Chiefs at Raiders
Las Vegas is one of five remaining unbeaten teams and will test itself against a Kansas City offense trending upward under offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. Kenneth Walker III leads the NFL in rushing, Patrick Mahomes is nearing his MVP form and the Chiefs field a top-five scoring defense. Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins has thrown three touchdown passes in every game and has been especially effective against man coverage: six touchdowns, no interceptions and a 126.2 passer rating. Against zone looks, he has three touchdowns, three picks and an 85.2 rating. Las Vegas has allowed only five sacks, leads the league at plus-five in turnover margin and ranks fourth in sacks. Tight end Brock Bowers, the Week 3 AFC Offensive Player of the Week, and running back Ashton Jeanty are central to the upset bid at Allegiant Stadium.
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Seahawks at Chargers
Seattle’s Week 3 defeat at Washington was its first loss since Nov. 16, 2025, leaving the Seahawks with only two defeats over the past year. The Chargers, however, have deeper concerns after scoring just 16 points against Buffalo despite five Bills turnovers. Los Angeles has not topped that total in any game this season. Its defense is 20th in points allowed after finishing ninth in 2025 and first in 2024, while Pro Bowl kicker Cameron Dicker has missed a field goal in each of his last two games.
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Broncos at 49ers
Denver has recovered to win games against Jacksonville and the Rams, but it has been outscored 40-10 before halftime across its first three contests. Head coach Sean Payton has warned that repeatedly chasing games will become costly against stronger opponents. San Francisco is undefeated, has a third straight home game at Levi’s Stadium after opening the season in Australia, and has received elite quarterback play from Brock Purdy despite injuries at receiver. Kyle Shanahan’s club is positioned to reach 4-0 for the first time since 2023.
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Lions at Panthers
Detroit has scored exactly 31 points in each of its first three games, offsetting a defense that ranks near the bottom in numerous categories. Carolina’s defense is especially vulnerable on the ground, allowing an NFL-worst 5.7 yards per carry, creating a favorable matchup for Jahmyr Gibbs. The Panthers also placed both starting cornerbacks, Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson, on injured reserve, exposing the secondary against Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. Rain in Charlotte could affect a Lions team accustomed to indoor conditions, but Carolina may not be equipped to capitalize given Detroit’s offensive firepower.
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Falcons at Saints
New Orleans is a few plays from a 3-0 start and has the smallest average defeat margin, minus-4.5, among the league’s 16 teams with multiple losses. The Saints turned the ball over on all four fourth-quarter possessions against Las Vegas last week, but quarterback Tyler Shough enters Week 4 second in passing yards with 917 and tied for third with eight touchdown throws. Atlanta was encouraged by Penix’s 2026 debut against Green Bay, while Jeff Ulbrich’s defense has competed despite personnel losses. New Orleans will mark the 20th anniversary of one of the franchise’s defining games during the Monday night home date.
Next kickoff
The Week 4 schedule opens Thursday, Oct. 1, when the Steelers travel to Cleveland. Sunday’s slate includes the London game between Washington and Indianapolis, followed by 13 additional matchups. Week 4 concludes Monday, Oct. 5, with Atlanta visiting New Orleans.
