Honestly, if you looked at the betting lines going into late September, you probably thought you had it all figured out. We all did. But Week 4 of the 2025 season was basically a giant blender for everyone’s power rankings. From Jaxson Dart making a splashy debut to the Baltimore Ravens hitting a wall against Kansas City, the week 4 football scores weren't just numbers on a ticker; they were a total shift in the league's hierarchy.
It’s kinda wild how one weekend can make a 3-0 team look like a pretender and a winless squad look like they finally found the map.
The NFL Upsets That Messed With Everyone’s Head
The biggest shocker had to be in Los Angeles. The Chargers were sitting pretty, undefeated and looking like a juggernaut. Then the New York Giants showed up. Nobody expected much from the Giants, especially with Jaxson Dart stepping in for his debut. But they pulled off a 21-18 upset that left the SoFi Stadium crowd completely silent. It wasn’t just a fluke win; the Giants' defense actually made Justin Herbert look human for the first time all year.
Then you've got the 49ers. Usually, they're the safest bet in the NFC, but Jacksonville had other plans. A massive 87-yard punt return by Parker Washington—the Jags' first in eight years—swung the momentum entirely. Jacksonville walked away with a 26-21 win, proving that San Francisco’s depth might be a little thinner than we thought when their stars get banged up.
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Sunday’s Scoreboard at a Glance
- Kansas City Chiefs 37, Baltimore Ravens 20: Mahomes threw four touchdowns. Lamar Jackson left with a hamstring issue. It was a mess for Baltimore.
- Philadelphia Eagles 31, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 25: Saquon Barkley only had 43 yards, but Philly gritted it out. They're 4-0 now, even if it wasn't pretty.
- Detroit Lions 34, Cleveland Browns 10: After a slow start, Detroit just steamrolled them. Gibbs and St. Brown are basically a cheat code at this point.
- Atlanta Falcons 34, Washington Commanders 27: Michael Penix Jr. looked like a seasoned vet, throwing for over 300 yards.
- Chicago Bears 25, Las Vegas Raiders 24: Caleb Williams found Rome Odunze when it mattered most. A classic "get out of jail free" card for Chicago.
Why the Chiefs vs. Ravens Game Felt Different
Most people expected a heavyweight bout. What we got was a Kansas City masterclass and a Baltimore nightmare. Patrick Mahomes was surgical, finishing with 270 yards and spreading the ball to everyone, including a returning Xavier Worthy who put up 83 yards.
The real story, though, was the Ravens' "free-fall," as some analysts are calling it. Lamar Jackson’s injury is the headline, but their defense looked gapped all afternoon. When you lose 37-20 at home, it’s not just about one player. It's about a defensive unit that couldn't stop a cold. Kansas City essentially "out-Ravened" the Ravens, controlling the clock and punishing every single mistake.
College Football: Syracuse and the End of an Era?
If you think the pro scores were chaotic, the college side was even weirder. The headline that everyone is still buzzing about is Syracuse taking down Clemson 34-21. This puts Clemson at a 1-3 start, which is officially the worst start of the Dabo Swinney era. It’s weird to see a perennial powerhouse look so disorganized, but Syracuse played with a chip on their shoulder that Clemson just couldn't match.
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Over in the Big Ten, Indiana is actually for real. They absolutely dismantled No. 9 Illinois 63-10. You read that right. Sixty-three points. It was only the seventh time in the history of the program that the Hoosiers beat a top-10 opponent. If you aren't paying attention to what Curt Cignetti is doing in Bloomington, you're missing the best story in the Midwest.
Other Notable College Results
- Texas Tech 34, Utah 10: A minor upset according to the odds, but a statement win for the Red Raiders.
- Oklahoma 24, Auburn 17: The Sooners’ first SEC game was a defensive slugfest, but they held on.
- Michigan 30, Nebraska 27: The Wolverines barely escaped. Nebraska is getting closer to being "back," but they aren't there yet.
- Miami 26, Florida 7: The Gators hung around for a bit, but the Hurricanes’ talent gap eventually blew the game open.
The "Ugly Win" Club
Not every win in the week 4 football scores was a highlight reel. Look at the Houston Texans. They beat the Tennessee Titans 26-0. On paper? Dominant. In reality? It was a sloppy, penalty-filled game that mostly happened because the Titans are currently 0-4 and struggling to find any identity on offense. C.J. Stroud did enough (233 yards), but it wasn't the explosive performance fans were hoping for.
Similarly, the New England Patriots took care of business against the Carolina Panthers, winning 42-13. Drake Maye looked efficient with 203 yards and a couple of scores, but the Panthers are effectively a "get right" game for most of the league right now. Bryce Young struggled again, and the Carolina run game was non-existent until the game was already over.
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Key Takeaways and What to Do Next
If you're looking at these scores and wondering how to adjust your expectations for the rest of the season, there are a few things to keep in mind. Parity is at an all-time high in the NFL right now. Being 3-0 doesn't mean you're safe, and being 0-3 doesn't mean your season is dead—unless you're the Titans or the Panthers, in which case, it's probably draft season.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Watch the Injury Reports: Lamar Jackson’s hamstring and the Eagles' offensive line (Lane Johnson and Tyler Steen) are the biggest red flags coming out of Week 4.
- Rookie Watch: Drake Maye and Caleb Williams are starting to settle in. If you're in a keeper league or just a die-hard fan, the "learning curve" phase seems to be ending.
- Betting Trends: Favorites had a rough go this week. If you're looking at Week 5, keep an eye on home underdogs, especially in divisional matchups.
- College Playoff Picture: Syracuse and Texas Tech are the new "chaos agents." Their wins have major implications for the 12-team playoff seeding.
The landscape is shifting. The teams we thought were locks are showing cracks, and the bottom-feeders are starting to bite back. Keep an eye on the waiver wire if you're a fantasy player, and if you're a Clemson fan, maybe stay off social media for a week.