Look, everyone usually circles the opening week or the Thanksgiving games on their calendar. But if you’re a real fan, you know that the nfl schedule week 4 is where the pretenders start to fall off and the actual contenders emerge. By late September, the "new car smell" of the season has basically evaporated. Teams are bruised. Coaches are already feeling the hot seat. And the 2025-2026 schedule for this particular week is absolutely stacked with weird storylines, cross-continental flights, and some of the nastiest rivalries in the league.
Football is back, but this is the week it gets serious.
Dublin and Early Morning Madness
The craziest part of the nfl schedule week 4 isn’t even happening on American soil. We’re heading to Ireland. Specifically, the Minnesota Vikings and the Pittsburgh Steelers are set to square off at Croke Park in Dublin. Kickoff is at 9:30 a.m. ET on Sunday, September 28. Honestly, if you aren't ready to eat breakfast while watching T.J. Watt try to ruin Justin Jefferson’s day, are you even a fan?
This is a historic move. It's the first time the NFL has touched down in Ireland for a regular-season game, and the atmosphere is going to be electric. The Vikings have a weirdly strong connection to the region, and the Steelers... well, the Rooneys have deep Irish roots. It makes sense. Just remember to set your alarm or you’ll miss half the game before your first cup of coffee.
The Heavy Hitters: Baltimore vs. Kansas City
If you only watch one game from the nfl schedule week 4, make it the Baltimore Ravens at the Kansas City Chiefs. This isn’t just another game. It’s personal. It’s Lamar Jackson versus Patrick Mahomes. It’s the two teams that have basically defined the AFC for the last half-decade.
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Scheduled for a 4:25 p.m. ET slot on CBS, this game is usually a preview of the AFC Championship. Kansas City’s GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium is going to be deafening. Last year, Mahomes and the Chiefs handled business, but Baltimore has a way of making these games absolute grinders. Keep an eye on the Ravens’ run game—if they can control the clock, they can keep Mahomes off the field. If they can't? It’s going to be a long flight back to Maryland.
Primetime Lights and Rivalry Nights
Thursday Night Football kicks things off on September 25 with an NFC West battle: the Seattle Seahawks at the Arizona Cardinals. Division games are always "kinda" messy, but these two usually turn it into a track meet. Expect Kyler Murray to be running for his life while the Seahawks try to prove their defense is legit under their new scheme.
Then you’ve got the Sunday Night Football special. The Green Bay Packers head to Arlington to face the Dallas Cowboys. This is a classic. A legacy game. Every time Jordan Love steps into AT&T Stadium, Cowboys fans get a little nervous, and for good reason. Dallas is trying to keep their home-field dominance alive, but the Packers have a weird habit of spoiling the party in Texas.
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Monday Night Double Header
Wait, did you think Sunday was the end? Nope. The nfl schedule week 4 features a massive Monday night double-header on September 29.
- New York Jets at Miami Dolphins (7:15 p.m. ET): AFC East bloodbath. Aaron Rodgers (if he's healthy) versus that lightning-fast Miami offense. Hard Rock Stadium will be humid and hostile.
- Cincinnati Bengals at Denver Broncos (8:15 p.m. ET): Joe Burrow takes the Bengals into the thin air of Mile High. This is a huge test for Denver's defense, which has been trying to regain its "No Fly Zone" reputation.
The Full Sunday Slate (September 28)
Most of the league is in action on Sunday, and there are some sneaky-good matchups buried in the 1:00 p.m. window. Honestly, the Philadelphia Eagles at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is a game people are sleeping on. It’s a rematch of that playoff game where the Bucs absolutely embarrassed the Birds. You know Jalen Hurts hasn't forgotten that.
Meanwhile, the Washington Commanders are traveling to Atlanta to face the Falcons. It’s a battle of two teams trying to find their identity. On the other side of the country, the Jacksonville Jaguars have to deal with the San Francisco 49ers at 4:05 p.m. That is a brutal draw for Trevor Lawrence. Dealing with Nick Bosa and that 49ers front is never fun, especially on a short week of travel.
Strategy for Your Weekend
If you're planning your life around the nfl schedule week 4, you need a plan.
First, handle the Dublin game. It's on NFL Network, so make sure your login works the night before. Don't be that person scrambling at 9:29 a.m.
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Second, the 1:00 p.m. window is crowded. If you have NFL RedZone, use it. There are eight games happening at once during that time, including the Saints at the Bills and the Browns at the Lions. It’s too much for one screen.
Third, prepare for the Monday night overlap. Since the games start only an hour apart, you’re going to have two different broadcasts going at the same time for most of the night. It’s glorious chaos, basically.
Actionable To-Do List for Week 4:
- Check your local listings: CBS and FOX split the Sunday afternoon games. Know which one is your "Game of the Week."
- Update your Fantasy roster early: With a Thursday game and a Sunday morning international game, the waiver wire deadlines are going to feel like they're coming at you fast.
- Stock up on snacks: This is a long weekend of football. From Thursday night to late Monday night, you’re looking at about 15+ hours of live coverage.
The nfl schedule week 4 isn't just a list of games. It's the point in the season where we find out who's actually "built different" and who just had a lucky September. Enjoy the Dublin Guinness and the Arrowhead noise. It’s going to be a wild ride.