Week 4 NFL Capsules

New Orleans Saints (2-1) at Atlanta Falcons (1-2), 1 p.m. ET New Orleans lost for the first time last week as the Eagles made the Saints' offense appear mortal following thrashings of the Panthers and Cowboys. Scoring (34.3 points per game) wasn't an issue for the Saints in the first two games of the season. They match up with NFC South rival Atlanta for the first time since the Falcons hired Raheem Morris and signed QB Kirk Cousins in the offseason. Cousins, who last week cleared 40,000 career passing yards, has 13 touchdowns and two interceptions in his five career starts against the Saints. Derek Carr had four TD passes and a passer rating of 145.5 in the last meeting with the Falcons. Cincinnati Bengals (0-3) at Carolina Panthers (1-2), 1 p.m. ET First-year coach Carolina Dave Canales made the painful decision to bench 2023 No. 1 pick Bryce Young after an abysmal start to the season. The decision proved poignant with a one-sided win over the Raiders with 36-year-old Andy Dalton passing for 319 yards and three TDs. RB Chuba Hubbard, who had 169 yards from scrimmage against Las Vegas, found wide running lanes behind Carolina's rebuilt offensive line. Canales is stressing a physical, run-first approach to open the passing attack, which lost Adam Thielen to a hamstring injury. He was placed on injured reserve this week. The Bengals have no QB concerns with Joe Burrow completing 70.9 percent of his passes with five TDs and no interceptions, but Cincinnati is ending a treacherous September with the Baltimore Ravens up next week to kick off October. Los Angeles Rams (1-2) at Chicago Bears (1-2), 1 p.m. ET Los Angeles is fighting through a rash of injuries to key personnel and scored a win over the 49ers to avoid an 0-3 start last week. The Bears are averaging 17.7 points per game and their only win came in a Week 1 showing in which the offense didn't score a touchdown and produced 148 total yards. Pass protection remains a focus on either side and the Bears are expected to weigh changes at guard as early as this week. Rookie QB Caleb Williams has four interceptions and was sacked 13 times in the first three games. Rams QB Matthew Stafford (sacked 10 times this season) is pushing for Los Angeles to get the offense going early after scoring 13 total points in the first half of the first three games. Each side said it would emphasize the running game. Rams RB Kyren Williams is averaging 3.0 yards per carry after gaining 5.0 yards per attempt last season. Minnesota Vikings (3-0) at Green Bay Packers (2-1), 1 p.m. ET At 3-0, the Vikings are proving potent on either side of the ball, allowing 10 points per game with at least five sacks in the first three games of the season. The Vikings would become the first team in NFL history to record 5-plus sacks in the first four games if they get to the Green Bay quarterback at that volume this week. The Packers are expected to let Jordan Love return to action after recovering from a knee injury incurred Week 1. Love had four total touchdowns (one rushing) in his last meeting against Brian Flores' Minnesota defense. But head coach Matt LaFleur said the level of disguise evident in the scheme this season ratchets up the challenge -- and potential headaches -- another notch. Did we mention the Vikings are scoring at will, too? In his fourth NFL stop, QB Sam Darnold appears to be the ideal fit in Kevin O'Connell's offense. He has eight touchdowns and a 67.9 completion percentage with former Packers RB Aaron Jones delivering as an every-down back. He gained 148 yards from scrimmage last week. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-3) at Houston Texans (2-1), 1 p.m. ET In Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson's words, the time for speeches is over in Jacksonville as perspiration builds over a winless September and QB Trevor Lawrence's streak of eight consecutive starts without a victory. Jacksonville could put itself back in the AFC South division race with a win at Houston, where QB C.J. Stroud has been close to flawless: 9 TDs (8 pass, 1 rush) vs. 0 INTs with a 113.5 rating in his past five home starts. Stroud hasn't thrown an interception in six career division starts and the Jaguars' spongy secondary has been user-friendly, a key reason they've allowed 28.3 points per game this season. That's a suspected trouble spot with Houston throwing out a triple-threat at wide receiver that now includes Stefon Diggs with Tank Dell and Nico Collins. Diggs had 10 receptions for 123 yards while playing for the Bills against Jacksonville last season. Acquired via trade, Diggs had 10 catches for 94 yards last week. Collins leads the NFL in receiving with 338 yards and had 7-104-1 in his last outing against Jacksonville. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-0) at Indianapolis Colts (1-2) The challenge with Anthony Richardson is multifaceted, starting with the fact that he's 6-foot-4, 244 pounds and runs a 40 in the 4.4s. The Colts QB has 118 rushing yards but his six interceptions have been detrimental to delivering late in games this season. The stingy Steelers' defense gives up only 8.7 points per game and makes life difficult on young quarterbacks. Steelers All-Pro linebacker T.J. Watt had two sacks in the last meeting with Indianapolis and is one of two players in the AFC with a sack in each of the first three games this season (Von Miller, Bills). Watt has 99.5 career sacks and would become the fourth player (since 1982) with 100 sacks in his first eight seasons. To slow down Watt and the Steelers' often-confounding LB blitz packages, Richardson runs plenty of RPOs (run-pass option) and has good rapport with slot receiver Josh Downs and emerging deep threat Alec Pierce. Pierce is averaging 25 yards per catch with two touchdowns. Russell Wilson (calf) isn't expected to be available for the fourth consecutive game. QB Justin Fields hit a 90-plus passer rating in all three starts and is one of only five starters in the league in that category. Denver Broncos (1-2) at New York Jets (2-1), 1 p.m. ET Rookie QB Bo Nix helped the Broncos knock off the Buccaneers in Tampa last week and Denver spent the week at Greenbrier Resort plotting a way to attack the New York Jets. Nix dukes it out with one of his football idols in Aaron Rodgers, who was a legal driver when Nix was born. Rodgers has the Jets climbing after an opening loss to the 49ers. The schedule ahead is more daunting for New York with matchups upcoming against three currently undefeated teams: the Vikings in London, the Bills in primetime and the Steelers. Rodgers has been sacked five times this season and the Broncos bring an underrated defensive front that ranks among league leaders in four-man pressures (no blitz) in 2024. Denver tries to spark a running game that might find daylight considering the Jets allow 4.8 yards per carry and 129 rushing yards per game this season. That could mean more of Tyler Badie, who had 70 rushing yards last week. Nix has a rushing touchdown in two of the first three games. Philadelphia Eagles (2-1) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1), 1 p.m. ET If there's one team Jalen Hurts doesn't want to see coming, it could very well be the Buccaneers. Off to an uneven start with four interceptions but a 70.6 completion percentage, Hurts and the Eagles bowed out of the playoffs on the same field at Tampa in January. The health of his wide receivers was worrisome late in the week and A.J. Brown has missed the past two games. Hurts might need to use his legs, but that's not a problem historically. He's one rushing touchdown from tying Hall of Famer Steve Young (43) for third all-time in quarterback rushing TDs. With his primary receivers hurt, Hurts leaned on TE Dallas Goedert (10 catches, 170 yards) last week, and RB Saquon Barkley had 147 rushing yards in his second two-TD game of the season. Barkley leads the NFL in rushing with 351 yards. Baker Mayfield went for 337 yards and three touchdown passes in the wild-card win over the Eagles in January. Will his protection hold up this week? Mayfield was sacked seven times in last weekend's stunning 26-7 home loss to the previously winless Denver Broncos. For the second straight week, he threw for fewer than 200 yards and tossed an interception. The Buccaneers have won five of the past six meetings. Washington Commanders (2-1) at Arizona Cardinals (1-2), 4:05 p.m. ET Commanders coach Dan Quinn said it should no longer be a surprise when rookie QB Jayden Daniels "balls out," which was a fair description of his Week 3 effort: 91.3 completion percentage -- best ever by a rookie in NFL history -- 293 total yards and three TDs on "Monday Night Football," a coming-out party of sorts for the No. 2 pick in the 2024 draft. His season completion percentage sits at 80.3 percent and his passer rating of 111.8 is fourth in the league. Daniels takes the show on the road Sunday with WR Terry McLaurin coming off of his best game of the season, a 100-yard effort capped with a clinching 27-yard TD grab. Cardinals QB Kyler Murray knows a little something about the expectations facing Daniels as a former No. 1 pick. Murray and top rookie WR Marvin Harrison Jr. are forming a strong rapport, and the receiver is going for his third consecutive game with a TD grab. He'll likely be targeted more frequently with the Cardinals ruling out TE Trey McBride. New England Patriots (1-2) at San Francisco 49ers (1-2), 4:05 p.m. ET Jordan Mason (324 rushing yards) and Jauan Jennings (18 receptions, 276 yards, three touchdowns) are the unexpected statistical leaders for San Francisco while the 49ers navigate uncertain injury situations with multiple players, including reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year Christian McCaffrey. McCaffrey hasn't suited up yet this season, but the depth of playmakers on the roster is a problem the Patriots would fully embrace. Journeyman Jacoby Brissett operates a highly conservative, pass-if-you-must offense as the placeholder for first-round pick Drake Maye. Brissett averages 122.3 passing yards per game using backs and tight ends as his primary outlets. While the road team has won four consecutive games in this series, the 49ers arrive to the Week 4 matchup angry. Pass rusher Nick Bosa put teammates on notice this week, demanding a better showing considering the October schedule includes the Chiefs, Cowboys and undefeated NFC West foe Seattle. Bosa has 2.0 of the 49ers' 8.0 sacks this season. Kansas City Chiefs (3-0) at Los Angeles Chargers (2-1), 4:25 p.m. ET Welcome to the AFC West rivalry, Jim Harbaugh. Los Angeles was shaken in its first loss of the season at Pittsburgh last week with QB Justin Herbert at less than full strength and fighting a high-ankle sprain. With a bye in Week 5, the Chargers could surprise by resting Herbert. But the expectation is the opposite as Herbert attempts to beat Patrick Mahomes after losing the past five meetings. Mahomes has been picked off four times this season and the Chargers are more than capable of electrifying the pocket. Harbaugh's defense ranks in the top 10 in rush defense, pass defense and total defense while allowing 11.0 points per game in 2024. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid rolled his eyes at the narrative TE Travis Kelce is washed. Kelce could very well be in line for a get-right game. In his past five starts against the Chargers, he has 40 catches for 640 yards (128 per game) and six TDs. Chargers second-year WR Quentin Johnston has three TD catches, and RB J.K. Dobbins leads the AFC in rushing with 310 yards. Cleveland Browns (1-2) at Las Vegas Raiders (1-2), 4:25 p.m. ET Whether these teams ponder a more lasting move with their current passers might depend on the performance in Sunday's game. Raiders QB Gardner Minshew was benched for the final drive in a 36-22 home loss to the Carolina Panthers after throwing an interception in the fourth quarter. Aidan O'Connell took over and orchestrated a late 13-play, 70-yard touchdown drive. Browns QB Deshaun Watson continues to struggle amid a revamped offense and absorbed eight sacks during a 21-15 loss to the visiting New York Giants. Watson came out of the game fine physically, although the rough afternoon could bring about trust issues. The Raiders gave up 437 yards, including 306 passing, and allowed four touchdowns to a team that was in the midst of a change from Bryce Young to Andy Dalton. Cleveland is 31st in the NFL in total offense and 30th in passing. Watson's rough day for the Browns came as his offensive line was in flux all around him. Pro Bowl guard Wyatt Teller (knee) was just placed on injured reserve, while tackles Jedrick Wills Jr. (knee) and James Hudson III (knee) left Sunday's game with injuries. Buffalo Bills (3-0) at Baltimore Ravens (1-2), 8:20 p.m. ET Lamar Jackson leads all quarterbacks with 254 rushing yards this season and the Ravens are not ready to ask him to limit his risk. Josh Allen leads the NFL with a 133.7 passer rating, completing 75 percent of his passes with seven TDs and no interceptions. Allen also has two rushing touchdowns as the Bills look for him to protect his body. Buffalo's defense has helped allay concerns about Allen needing to run the ball to move the chains, allowing 20 total points in wins the past two weeks over the Dolphins and Jaguars. By building big leads, the Bills have six takeaways and 11.0 sacks behind a rejuvenated Von Miller (3.0). The Ravens got their first win of the season at Dallas last week and have successfully taken away the run with an average of 50 rushing yards allowed in 2024. But quarterbacks are averaging 291 passing yards against Baltimore, which has been outscored 39-17 in the fourth quarter. --Field Level Media