The NFL is a weird, chaotic mess. If you spent your Sunday afternoon staring at the TV wondering if you actually knew anything about football, you weren’t alone. Honestly, NFL results week 4 felt more like a glitch in the simulation than a standard slate of professional games. We saw powerhouse offenses go cold, "bridge" quarterbacks looking like MVP candidates, and at least three different fanbases entering a total state of existential crisis.
It’s easy to look at a box score and see a win or a loss. It’s a lot harder to figure out if what we saw was a permanent shift in the league hierarchy or just a bizarre fever dream fueled by bad weather and worse officiating.
The Ravens Finally Look Like The Ravens
For two weeks, everyone was ready to write off Baltimore. They looked sluggish. Lamar Jackson seemed frustrated. Then, Sunday Night Football happened. The Ravens didn’t just beat the Bills; they physically removed them from the conversation for sixty minutes.
Derrick Henry is still a problem. A big one.
His 87-yard touchdown run on the Ravens' first offensive play was a "welcome to the AFC North" moment for anyone who thought he was over the hill. When the Ravens play downhill like that, they are basically impossible to stop. Buffalo came into this game looking like the best team in the league, but they left Maryland with a lot of questions about their run defense and whether Josh Allen can really carry a roster this thin on veteran talent when the primary options are taken away.
Baltimore finished with 271 rushing yards. That’s not a stat; it’s a statement of intent. They’ve climbed back to .200, but more importantly, they’ve reclaimed their identity as the bullies of the conference.
Sam Darnold and the Viking Reality Check
Is it time to apologize to Sam Darnold? Probably.
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The Vikings went into Lambeau and walked out with a victory that was both dominant and terrifyingly close. For a while there, it looked like Minnesota was going to hang fifty on the Packers. Darnold is playing with a level of confidence we haven't seen since his days at USC. Kevin O’Connell’s scheme is doing a lot of the heavy lifting, sure, but Darnold is making the throws. He’s layering balls over linebackers and hitting Justin Jefferson in stride.
Green Bay’s side of the NFL results week 4 narrative is a bit more complicated. Jordan Love returned, and while he threw for over 380 yards and four touchdowns, the three interceptions were killers. You can't spotting a team like Minnesota a massive lead and expect to claw back every single time. The Packers showed heart, but the Vikings showed they are arguably the most complete team in the NFC right now.
It’s weird saying that. It feels wrong. But the film doesn't lie.
The Jayden Daniels Fever Dream in Washington
If you haven't watched the Washington Commanders lately, you're missing the most entertaining thing in sports. Jayden Daniels is currently doing things that rookie quarterbacks aren't supposed to do. He’s not just "good for a rookie." He’s just good.
He completed 86.7% of his passes against the Cardinals. Think about that. In a professional football game where defenders are paid millions to stop you, he basically didn't miss. The Commanders dropped 42 points. Washington fans have spent decades in a desert of mediocrity, and suddenly they found an oasis with a dual-threat QB who plays with the poise of a ten-year veteran.
Why the "Elite" AFC Teams are Struggling
Look at the Chiefs. They’re 4-0, but it’s the ugliest 4-0 you’ve ever seen. Losing Rashee Rice to what looks like a serious knee injury is a massive blow to Patrick Mahomes, who is already playing without Isiah Pacheco. The offense looks broken. They’re winning because their defense is elite and Steve Spagnuolo is a wizard, but the margin for error is razor-thin.
Then there’s the Jets. Losing 10-9 to the Broncos at home? In the rain?
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Aaron Rodgers looked every bit of 40 years old on Sunday. The offensive line struggled, and the penalties were constant. Bo Nix threw for only 60 yards—total—and still won the game. That is a damning indictment of where the Jets' offense is right now. You can't blame the weather when the other team is playing in the same conditions.
Defensive Trends: The Rise of the Two-High Safety
One reason we’re seeing these strange NFL results week 4 is that defensive coordinators have finally caught up to the modern passing game. The "Lehigh" or "Fangio" style defenses are forcing quarterbacks to be patient. They’re taking away the deep shots.
- Scores are down across the league.
- Interceptions on deep balls are at a five-year high.
- Running backs are becoming more valuable as "check-down" outlets.
Quarterbacks like Mahomes and Allen are being forced to dink and dunk their way down the field. When they get bored or impatient, they turn the ball over. The teams that are succeeding—like the Lions and Vikings—are the ones that can pivot to a power run game when the passing lanes are clogged.
The NFC South is a Total Toss-up
The Falcons beat the Saints without scoring an offensive touchdown. Think about that. Two field goals, a defensive score, and a special teams touchdown. It was ugly, it was chaotic, and it’s exactly what the NFC South is known for. Younghoe Koo hitting a 58-yarder to seal it was the cherry on top.
New Orleans started the season looking like an offensive juggernaut, but injuries are starting to catch up to their offensive line. Meanwhile, Baker Mayfield and the Bucs demolished the Eagles. Philadelphia looks like a team with a serious identity crisis. Nick Sirianni is under a microscope, and the defense couldn't tackle a stationary object on Sunday.
Statistical Anomalies from the Weekend
We had some truly bizarre numbers pop up this week. The Jaguars are 0-4, and Trevor Lawrence looks lost. He’s missed more "big time throws" in the last month than he did in his entire 2022 season. On the flip side, the Raiders managed to beat the Browns despite missing their best player in Davante Adams.
The Browns are in a dark place. Deshaun Watson’s contract is looking like the worst transaction in the history of professional sports. Every time he drops back, it feels like something bad is about to happen. Whether it's a sack, a fumble, or a missed read, the Cleveland offense is fundamentally broken.
Moving Forward: What to Do With This Information
If you're looking at these NFL results week 4 and trying to project the rest of the season, stop. The NFL is a week-to-week league. Trends emerge and disappear in the span of seven days. However, there are a few concrete takeaways that actually matter for the long haul.
First, roster depth is currently more important than star power. The teams losing key players (Chiefs, Rams, Browns) are cratering or barely treading water. Second, the "rookie wall" hasn't hit Jayden Daniels or Caleb Williams yet, but the defensive adjustments are coming.
Actionable Insights for Following the Season:
- Watch the Injury Reports for O-Lines: The biggest predictor of an upset right now isn't the QB; it's whether a team is missing its starting Center or Left Tackle. The Saints and Jets proved that this week.
- Fade the "Public" Favorites: The NFL is parity-driven. When a team looks "unbeatable" (like the Bills did last week), they are almost always due for a letdown game.
- Value the Ground Game: In a league dominated by light defensive personnel meant to stop the pass, teams that can consistently run for 4+ yards on first down (Baltimore, Detroit) will win the time of possession battle and wear opponents out.
- Monitor Coaching Seat Heat: Nick Sirianni and Doug Pederson are officially on the hot seat. Watch how their teams respond in Week 5; if players start "business business" decisions on the field, a coaching change is imminent.
The 2024 season is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable in recent memory. Don't get married to your preseason predictions. The data has changed, and the tape doesn't care about your parlay. Keep an eye on the turnover margins and red zone efficiency—that’s where the real stories are hidden behind the flashy headlines.