NFL Week 4 preview: Undefeated groups face large assessments

The NFL is heading again abroad.

Week 4’s Sunday motion begins when the Indianapolis Colts and Washington Commanders meet in London at 9:30 a.m. ET — and that is simply the beginning of a loaded Sunday slate, with 5 groups nonetheless undefeated and 5 others looking for win No. 1.

There are additionally loads of intriguing quarterback matchups and divisional video games on the schedule.

One of the most important video games is available in Buffalo, the place Josh Allen and the Bills will put their good report on the road in opposition to a New England Patriots workforce in search of solutions.

Here are a number of the greatest storylines:

Can the Raiders keep good?

Remember when the Raiders received simply three video games final season?

Well, they’ve already matched that complete.

Las Vegas has discovered other ways to win this season. Its defence has pressured 9 turnovers (plus-five differential) and recorded 10 sacks, all whereas not permitting a fourth-quarter level.

The defence got here up large once more final week, forcing 4 turnovers within the fourth quarter of a 35-27 comeback win over New Orleans.

Kirk Cousins has additionally offered stability at quarterback, throwing 9 touchdowns in opposition to three interceptions. The return of tight finish Brock Bowers offers the Raiders one other weapon after he caught 10 passes for 116 yards and a landing in his season debut final week.

But Kansas City presents a a lot completely different problem.

The Chiefs are additionally 3-0 and enter the competition averaging 416.3 yards and 29.3 factors per recreation. Running again Kenneth Walker III leads the NFL with 360 speeding yards, giving Kansas City one other offensive weapon alongside quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

The Raiders have been in a position to depend on takeaways and well timed defensive performs to stay unbeaten. Against Kansas City, they will must cope with an offence able to producing persistently and a quarterback who has loads of expertise within the AFC West.

Sunday’s recreation will present Las Vegas with its hardest check of the season and a chance to indicate whether or not its 3-0 report can face up to a division rival that’s matching it on the prime of the standings.

Maye in search of solutions in opposition to Allen, Bills

Drake Maye was presupposed to be one of many large causes for optimism in New England this season. Instead, the Patriots quarterback has struggled badly by way of the primary three weeks, throwing only one landing in opposition to six interceptions whereas additionally dropping a fumble.

That makes Sunday’s journey to Buffalo an particularly tough check.

The Bills are 3-0 and averaging an NFL-best 33.7 factors per recreation, with Josh Allen as soon as once more taking part in at an MVP degree. Allen has 11 complete touchdowns by way of three video games and has proven the power to harm defences with each his arm and his legs.

For Maye, the problem is discovering a technique to calm down and keep away from the errors which have plagued him early within the season. The Bills recorded seven sacks in opposition to New England of their two conferences final 12 months, and Buffalo’s go rush has already been an issue for opposing quarterbacks this season.

The Patriots merely cannot afford to offer Allen and the Bills further alternatives. New England has struggled to complete drives and defend the soccer, whereas Buffalo has been a lot better at turning takeaways into factors.

After a 35-6 loss to Jacksonville final week, Maye will get an opportunity to reply a few of these early-season questions in opposition to one of many hardest groups within the AFC. It is a tough task, but it surely is also an vital alternative for the younger quarterback to get himself again on monitor.

Burrow, Lawrence sq. off

If you are in search of a possible shootout, Jaguars-Bengals may very well be the sport.

Trevor Lawrence has by no means overwhelmed Cincinnati in three profession conferences, though he has put up some stable numbers.

Joe Burrow, in the meantime, is coming off a three-touchdown efficiency in opposition to Pittsburgh.

Since 2021, Burrow has thrown three or extra landing passes in 28 video games, essentially the most within the NFL over that span.

There can also be an intriguing matchup on the skin, with Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase probably going up in opposition to Jacksonville sophomore Travis Hunter.

Both groups enter the sport at 2-1, making this an vital early-season showdown.

Rams, Eagles looking for solutions

The Rams and Eagles each enter Week 4 with loads to show.

Los Angeles is 1-2 after blowing a 16-point halftime lead in opposition to Denver final week, whereas Philadelphia is 2-1 after dropping to Chicago.

The Eagles defence has been notably attention-grabbing.

Philadelphia has but to report a takeaway by way of three video games, making it the one workforce within the NFL with out one. For a workforce with Super Bowl expectations, it is a regarding pattern early within the season.

The Rams, in the meantime, will welcome again Puka Nacua, who missed time with an damage. That offers Matthew Stafford one other weapon as he goes up in opposition to Jalen Hurts and an Eagles workforce making an attempt to get again on monitor.

On defence, the Rams should attempt to transfer ahead with some robust accidents. Already with out Myles Garrett, Los Angeles misplaced Aaron Donald for Week 4, leaving it with out the 2 greatest names it added to its defensive entrance this season.

Donald was dominated out Friday with a again damage after lacking follow all week. The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year returned from retirement this season and performed in Los Angeles’ final two video games, offering stress and serving to draw consideration from opposing offensive traces.

Garrett, in the meantime, stays on injured reserve after present process knee surgical procedure following Week 1.

Donald’s absence additionally places extra duty on Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske within the center, whereas Byron Young and the opposite edge rushers should assist make up for Garrett’s absence.

The timing is especially tough in opposition to Philadelphia. The Eagles have one of many league’s stronger offensive traces, rating fourth in pass-block win fee by way of three video games, and Jalen Hurts offers Philadelphia one other problem together with his skill to increase performs and make performs together with his legs.

Derrick Henry returns to Tennessee

It’s laborious to think about a extra apparent storyline in Titans-Ravens.

Derrick Henry goes again to Tennessee.

The former Titans star will face his outdated workforce for the primary time since leaving the franchise, now as a key a part of Baltimore’s offence.

The Titans enter the sport 0-3 and are averaging simply 12.3 factors per recreation.

The Ravens, in the meantime, are 2-1 and can look to maintain tempo with the Cleveland Browns within the AFC North.

Game to observe: Denver Broncos (2-1) at San Francisco 49ers (3-0)

The 49ers are certainly one of 5 undefeated groups getting into Week 4 and have been one of many NFL’s most effective squads by way of the primary three video games. Brock Purdy leads the league with a 133.1 passer score and has thrown 9 landing passes with out being sacked. San Francisco can also be first in third-down effectivity and red-zone landing share.

Denver presents a unique form of problem. The Broncos have received two straight after overcoming double-digit deficits in opposition to Jacksonville and the Rams, however their sluggish begins have been a problem. They have been outscored 40-10 within the first half this season.

The Broncos will want a greater begin in opposition to a San Francisco workforce that has been tough to cease and has loads of weapons round Purdy, together with Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle and Deebo Samuel. Denver’s defence has eight sacks by way of three video games and might want to create stress and power San Francisco into some tough conditions.

It is an efficient check for each groups: the 49ers attempt to stay undefeated, whereas the Broncos look to indicate they’ll play an entire recreation.

Morassutti’s Favourites (Season report: 1-2)

Jaguars at Bengals — Pick: Jaguars +2.5: This has the makings of a high-scoring recreation, and Jacksonville has sufficient offensive firepower to maintain this one shut.

Patriots at Bills — Pick: Bills -6.5: Buffalo has been extraordinarily tough to cease by way of three weeks, whereas New England’s offence has struggled to generate factors.

Broncos at 49ers — Pick: 49ers -3.5: San Francisco is 3-0 and has been one of many league’s most spectacular groups early within the season. Denver has performed effectively, however it is a tough street check.

Full Week 4 schedule (all occasions ET)

Cleveland Browns 27, Pittsburgh Steelers 24

Indianapolis Colts at Washington Commanders, 9:30 a.m.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m.
Dallas Cowboys at Houston Texans, 1 p.m.
New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m.
Los Angeles Rams at Philadelphia Eagles, 1 p.m.
New York Jets at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m.
Tennessee Titans at Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m.
Green Bay Packers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m.
Arizona Cardinals at New York Giants, 1 p.m.
Miami Dolphins at Minnesota Vikings, 4:05 p.m.
Denver Broncos at San Francisco 49ers, 4:25 p.m.
Los Angeles Chargers at Seattle Seahawks, 4:25 p.m.
Kansas City Chiefs at Las Vegas Raiders, 4:25 p.m.
Detroit Lions at Carolina Panthers, 8:20 p.m.

Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints, 8:15 p.m.