32 Thoughts Ahead of NFL Week 4
Each Friday throughout the 2024 NFL season, we're performing something of a leaguewide check-in, with quick-hit takes from all 32 NFL squads based on news, fodder, trends and/or results.
Now, with autumn truly here, ish is getting real.
Let's jump into what's dominating the national football conversation this week.
AFC East
1 of 8
Buffalo Bills: Josh Allen is only on pace for 40 touchdowns and zero interceptions for a Bills offense that has been off the charts. They're my Super Bowl pick and it looks like Allen is well on the right track for his first MVP campaign. That said, let's see what happens in Baltimore and Houston the next two weeks.
Miami Dolphins: The season is going down the drain fast, and they deserve plenty of fault for not doing more to provide insurance at quarterback in recent offseasons. Far too many of their eggs are in Tua Tagovailoa's basket.
New England Patriots: I feel quite bad for Jacoby Brissett, who must feel a little like a crash test dummy. Borderline dangerous, as he's been pressured on nearly 40 percent of his dropbacks. Keep Drake Maye safe for now.
New York Jets: I've ragged on him a lot, but a 40-year-old Aaron Rodgers deserves credit for a 145.0 passer rating on deep attempts. There's an opening here for the Jets, but they'll be tested immensely in October.
AFC North
2 of 8
Baltimore Ravens: Hate to say it because he's been a great player for years, but I'm not sure Mark Andrews will ever be the same.
Cincinnati Bengals: Winless with a mere minus-12 scoring margin is pretty brutal. The Bengals have scored just 2.3 fewer points per game and allowed just 6.0 more points per game than the Chiefs, but the former is 0-3 and the latter is 3-0. I still expect them to be above .500 when they travel to Baltimore in Week 10.
Cleveland Browns: It happened. Oh goodness it happened. And now a three-game road trip before Cincinnati, Baltimore and the Chargers to wrap up the first half of a season that appears to be going off the rails.
Pittsburgh Steelers: I still don't know how sustainable this is. They have a bottom-10 scoring offense despite overachieving play at quarterback, which doesn't bode well. Really looking forward to seeing them against Dallas in two weeks' time.
AFC South
3 of 8
Houston Texans: The regression from the offense is becoming a concern. Are we once again going to find ourselves asking who wants to win the AFC South? Just like the good ol' days...
Indianapolis Colts: It doesn't get any easier with the Steelers defense awaiting Anthony Richardson, who already leads the NFL with six interceptions and has completed a ridiculous 49.3 percent of his passes. Unhappy times in Indy.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Why are folks surprised that Trevor Lawrence hasn't delivered? He rarely has thus far in his career. Since coming into the league in 2021, Lawrence now ranks 26th among 29 qualified passers with a passer rating of 84.5. They may have paid a bust.
Tennessee Titans: Will Levis has now been mediocre at best for the equivalent of half a season. I'm expecting to see Mason Rudolph by November. Or maybe they'll talk to the Steelers about Russell Wilson? Just throwing it out there...
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.jpg?w=256 "Eagles Chargers Football")
AFC West
4 of 8
Denver Broncos: A lost season might not matter if they at least see progress from Bo Nix, who did at least make some nice plays in a Week 3 victory. Baby steps.
Kansas City Chiefs: The team results are the team results for a squad that has now won nine consecutive games overall and is the two-time reigning Super Bowl champion, but Patrick Mahomes nevertheless has a mere 32-to-18 touchdown-to-interception ratio and 92.2 passer rating since the start of last season. Those numbers are very far from elite.
Las Vegas Raiders: I've said it before and I'll say it again: Prepare yourself for a season of interchanging starting stretches between Gardner Minshew II and Aidan O'Connell. It's only a matter of time.
Los Angeles Chargers: His fault or not, it's increasingly difficult to believe in Justin Herbert. It's possible his early-career success was a peak. Inconsistency and injuries are big issues these days.
NFC East
5 of 8
Dallas Cowboys: I just don't trust that they can consistently deliver with this core.
New York Giants: The Daniel Jones roller-coaster never ends, does it?
Philadelphia Eagles: My least favorite Jalen Hurts stat: Guy has zero touchdown passes, two interceptions and a 62.4 passer rating in the fourth quarter of one-score games. Huge red flag in terms of ability in key moments.
Washington Commanders: My favorite Jayden Daniels stat: Dude is 16-of-19 with a 121.5 passer rating in the fourth quarter of one-score games. Huge green flag early in a quarterback's career.
NFC North
6 of 8
Chicago Bears: If they continue to struggle on this upcoming homestand against the Rams, Panthers and Jaguars, Matt Eberflus could be out of a job over their Week 7 bye.
Detroit Lions: Jared Goff doesn't have much of an excuse for a poor start with all of that support. This is a big one for him at home against Seattle pre-bye for Detroit.
Green Bay Packers: I know this is more of a Titans thought than a Packers thought, but no way Tennessee doesn't wish it still had Malik Willis right about now. Could we even get to a point at which the Packers wonder if he's the better option than Jordan Love? OK, I'm getting ahead of myself, but Willis has certainly shown us something thus far in Green Bay.
Minnesota Vikings: This coaching staff is doing an incredible job, and it's possible we overlooked the talent on this roster due to the quarterback situation that headlined the offseason. It's at least safe to say they'll be contenders all year.
NFC South
7 of 8
Atlanta Falcons: In their defense, their schedule thus far has been the second-toughest in the league according to ESPN's power index. It doesn't let up much with the Saints and Buccaneers on deck, but at least they're at home for both.
Carolina Panthers: That Andy Dalton performance was honestly a nightmare scenario for Bryce Young, who may be broken in Carolina. But again, that doesn't mean broken permanently. Look at Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, Justin Fields and Geno Smith.
New Orleans Saints: Per Pro Football Reference, Derek Carr has made four bad throws this entire season. On 64 attempts. Have to credit the guy for his efficiency.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: We're watching them gradually give up on Rachaad White, and you should do the same if you've got him on your fantasy team.
NFC West
8 of 8
Arizona Cardinals: It's been up and down, but they're still 1-0 within the division and they should be 2-2 ahead of a potential season-defining road trip to San Francisco and Green Bay to kick off October.
Los Angeles Rams: Long gone are the Aaron Donald days for a defense that can't stop anybody. They've given up a league-worst 6.8 yards per play and they rank 31st in third-down D. Let's see if they give Caleb Williams his breakout performance Sunday in Chicago.
San Francisco 49ers: I find it hard to believe that Brandon Aiyuk's distraction-filled summer isn't a factor in his slow start, which is far from ideal considering injuries elsewhere. I'm not even sure a well-rested Patriots team will be an easy out for San Francisco in Week 4.
Seattle Seahawks: Still not a believer at all. Talk to me when they've played an NFL-caliber team. Like, for instance, the Lions on the road.
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.jpg?w=480 "Eagles Chargers Football")
.jpg?w=480 "Texans Chargers Football")
.jpg?w=480 "Cowboys Panthers Football")
