NFL Week 4 Recap: Who’s Up, Who’s Down, What’s Next for Every Team

Five teams are trying to stay unbeaten, including the surprising Vikings, Steelers and Seahawks.

The Vikings lead the Packers 21-0 on a pair of touchdowns by Jordan Addison and another by Josh Oliver. / Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Jump to a game

1. Buccaneers 33, Eagles 16
2. Falcons 26, Saints 24
3. Colts 27, Steelers 24
4. Bears 24, Rams 18
5. Cowboys 20, Giants 15

We’re beginning to get into the main course of the NFL season.

Of all the weeks to this point, the Week 4 Sunday slate is the best we’ve seen. 

In the early window, the Jacksonville Jaguars and Cincinnati Bengals are desperate. They take on the Houston Texans and Carolina Panthers, respectively. Another loss, and it’s over from a historical perspective for both teams. 

Only one team, the 1992 San Diego Chargers, have ever lost their first four games and made the playoffs. 

Additionally, the early tilts see the Green Bay Packers trying to take down the Minnesota Vikings with Jordan Love making his return from a knee injury. 

In the late window, the AFC West lead is on the line with the injury riddled Los Angeles Chargers hosting the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs.

Then, on Sunday night, it’s the unbeaten Buffalo Bills visiting the Baltimore Ravens. 

Let’s get to business. 

SUNDAY

Buccaneers 33, Eagles 16

My take: It’s time to have a dialogue against Nick Sirianni. While Philadelphia (2–2) is far from buried in the playoff race, it has played poorly for huge chunks of every game so far this season. Sirianni nearly cost the Eagles in their win against the Saints with bizarre game management, and then with the offense sans receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, the unit was helpless save for the rare Saquon Barkley breakaway. In a city known for its immense patience and understanding, the calls for Sirianni are only growing louder.

Stock up: After struggling against Denver, Baker Mayfield showed up to torch the Eagles. Mayfield threw for 347 yards and two touchdowns, constantly finding short and intermediate targets in both open and tight windows. When Mayfield plays the way he did Sunday, the Buccaneers are one of the NFC’s best teams.

Stock down: Everyone involved with Philadelphia's defense. Other than a quality showing against the Saints last week, the Eagles have looked disinterested in stopping anybody, allowing an obscene 1,244 yards of offense while averaging 28 points per game against. It’s a disgrace. 

Up Next: BYE; Buccaneers at Falcons, 7:15 p.m. ET Oct. 3

---

Falcons 26, Saints 24

My take: In what was one of the wildest games in the history of this great rivalry, the deciding moment was a career-long, 58-yard field goal off the right foot of Younghoe Koo. Atlanta (2–2) suddenly pulls ahead of New Orleans (2–2) via tiebreaker in the NFC South, winning its second game in three weeks with a last-minute comeback. While the Saints got more than 80 receiving yards from both Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans lost because of two turnovers and a failure to hold up on the final drive, including a crushing a 30-yard pass interference penalty with 23 seconds left.

Stock up: Troy Andersen is becoming a key figure in Atlanta’s defense as a third-year linebacker. The former Montana State star notched 17 tackles Sunday. 

Stock down: Where is Kyle Pitts? For years, the conversation has centered around former coach Arthur Smith not getting Pitts the ball. At other times, the talk was about a lack of any decent quarterback in the building. Those are no longer applicable, and through four games, Pitts has eight catches, 105 yards and a touchdown.

Up Next: Saints at Chiefs, 8:15 p.m. ET Oct. 7; Buccaneers at Falcons, 7:15 p.m. ET Oct. 6

---

Colts 27, Steelers 24

My take: A classic case of good news, bad news for Indianapolis (2–2). The Colts evened their record behind a quality defensive performance, but they lost quarterback Anthony Richardson to a hip injury in the first half. While Joe Flacco is one of the league’s best backups, the ability to evaluate Richardson might once again be hampered. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh (3–1) is no longer unbeaten largely due to six penalties and two turnovers, including George Pickens fumbling in the red zone. . The Steelers now get a beat-up Cowboys team coming to Pittsburgh for a Sunday night affair.

Stock up: After amassing only 88 receiving yards over the first three weeks, Michael Pittman Jr. stepped up against the Steelers. Pittman caught a game-high six passes for 113 yards, helping the Colts even their mark and stay in the AFC South race.

Stock down: Indianapolis won, but the defense has all kinds of problems. Despite the offense constantly putting the unit in good position, the Colts allowed 404 yards and 23 first downs to a limited offense with a beat-up front. It’s not going to be good enough against most teams with a solid passing attack.

Up Next: Cowboys at Steelers, 8:20 p.m. ET Oct. 6; Colts at Jaguars, 1 p.m. ET Oct. 6

---

Bears 24, Rams 18

My take: Nothing has been easy for Chicago (2–2) this season, and yet the Bears are right where they need to be. Caleb Williams had a solid performance, going 17-of-23 for 157 yards and a touchdown, despite facing pressure at times from a young, energized Los Angeles (1–3) front. As for the Rams, it’s a tough loss after a potentially season-changing win over San Francisco last week. Now, Los Angeles is two games under .500 and going home for a key game against Green Bay.

Stock up: D’Andre Swift finally got going. After signing a three-year deal this offseason, Swift was averaging a rancid 1.8 yards per carry on 37 attempts. Against the Rams, Swift gained 93 yards on 5.8 YPC while adding seven catches for 72 yards, helping Chicago even its record.

Stock down: It’s tough to get on Matthew Stafford considering the injury situation, but the Rams need Stafford to play nearly flawless football. While he has at times, he struggled to find a rhythm while facing a tough Bears defense. All told, going 20-of-29 for 224 yards and an interception isn’t enough.

Up Next: Packers at Rams, 4:25 p.m. ET Oct. 6; Panthers at Bears, 1 p.m. ET Oct. 6

THURSDAY

Cowboys 20, Giants 15

My take: Dallas (2–2) won the game but lost plenty in the process. The Cowboys are now going to be without star defenders Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence, as both left with lower-body injuries. That said, Dallas evened its record with a road divisional win over New York (1–3), which couldn’t find the end zone. While the Giants have been much more competitive over the past three weeks, they’re still one of the more limited offenses in football, and now star rookie receiver Malik Nabers is dealing with a concussion. 

Stock up: The Dallas run defense. After being torched for 274 rushing yards by the Baltimore Ravens in Week 3, the Cowboys rose up and stuffed the Giants time and again. New York finished with 26 yards rushing on 24 carries.

Stock down: Ezekiel Elliott was ballyhooed in some corners as a meaningful addition. He’s been anything but. Through four weeks, he has 24 carries for 81 yards. Dallas certainly didn’t expect a 1,000-yard season, but Elliott has given the Cowboys virtually nothing.