Injury report, standings, schedule and what to watch for this week’s game

The first week of the NFL season is a roller coaster ride. After the second round, there is still not enough data to know which teams are in the race and which are not. From the third, trends begin to form.

But week 4?

That’s enough time for the split in the standings to reveal the surprises – who might stick around and which preseason favorites could be in trouble.

Week 4 of the 2024 season begins this weekend with five undefeated teams remaining – Buffalo, Pittsburgh and Kansas City in the AFC and Minnesota and Seattle in the NFC. Meanwhile, Tennessee, Jacksonville and Cincinnati are still looking for their first win.

We will be paying attention to this at every game this weekend:

Vikings (3:0) vs. Packers (2:1)

At this point, no one would have selected preseason replacements Sam Darnold and Malik Willis, who would be a combined 5-0, a result that demonstrates their adaptability when deploying new offenses.

But this week is the biggest challenge yet for both QBs. Willis will have to outmaneuver a Vikings defense that has harassed opponents to the point where it ranks among the best in the league by advanced stats.

On the other hand, Darnold faces a Green Bay defense that has produced nine of the league’s best takeaways.

Jaguars (0-3) vs. Texans (2-1)

Only New England and Miami have scored fewer points than the paltry 13.3 average that Jacksonville has managed so far. Houston could end this game early as long as its offensive line keeps CJ Stroud up (11 sacks) and its running game finally finds its footing.

Rams (1-2) at Bears (1-2)

Chicago spent the offseason adding weapons to quarterback and No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams. However, almost a month into the season, the question is whether it can protect him.

Williams was sacked 13 times, which is the third-highest total in the NFL. But this could be the break the Bears need. Only Tampa Bay and Atlanta have recorded fewer sacks than the Rams (four), who are struggling to find a pass rusher following the retirement of future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald.

Bengals (0-3) at Panthers (1-2)

The only thing that is certain is that at least one team will go home happy after the misery that has begun every season. Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton will seek revenge against his former team.

Eagles (2-1) at Bucs (2-1)

This is a litmus test game. Eagles coach Nick Sirianni, already facing an offseason full of questions about his coaching, faced another round of criticism after his decision on fourth down.

Tampa, meanwhile, started 0-2 but suffered a 19-point home loss to Denver that coach Todd Bowles described as a “complete collapse of the team.” Notice how Tampa tries to contain Jalen Hurts. The Bucs are the only defense to allow a passing touchdown so far.

Chiefs (3:0) vs. Chargers (2:1)

These are two teams that are both struggling with uncertainty around their offensive columns. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert said he is doing everything he can to play after suffering a high ankle sprain last week but has been limited in practice.

While the Chiefs’ offense remains dangerous thanks to coach Andy Reid’s ability to bring in new faces around quarterback Patrick Mahomes, there wasn’t much to be seen of Mahomes’ best teammate, tight end Travis Kelce. It’s not just Kelce’s eight catches that’s surprising, but also the fact that he was only targeted 12 times.

Saints (2-1) at Falcons (1-2)

Which Saints offense will show up – the one that scored 40+ points in two straight weeks to start the season? Or the one who could only muster 12 points against the Philadelphia Eagles?

Meanwhile, the Falcons’ 1-2 record doesn’t tell the whole story. Their comeback win over the Eagles was impressive and they came away with a narrow loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. This is a key early matchup in the NFC South.

Broncos (1-2) vs. Jets (2-1)

This is Nathaniel Hackett’s revenge game!

Sean Payton wasn’t kind to the former Broncos coach after he took the job. Hackett is now Aaron Rodgers’ hand-picked offensive coordinator with the New York Jets, and Rodgers certainly remembers what Payton had to say about his coach.

Steelers (3:0) and Colts (1:2)

This is another chance for Justin Fields to solidify his position as the Steelers’ starting quarterback. Fields replaces Russell Wilson 3-0 and has played stable, solid and error-free football. Could Pittsburgh really give the job back to Wilson if Fields wins again?

Commanders (2-1) at Cardinals (1-2)

All eyes will and should be on rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, who led the Commanders to a stunning upset over the Bengals last week on “Monday Night Football.”

Daniels entered this season with less hype or interest than his fellow first-round quarterbacks, but he was the best of them all. The Cardinals, meanwhile, are 1-2 and desperate for a win, while the Packers and 49ers are on the schedule.

Patriots (1-2) at 49ers (1-2)

The 49ers have lost two games in a row and remain without star running back Christian McCaffrey. This is another test for Brock Purdy to see if he can lead San Francisco’s offense to success without its best player.

Browns (1-2) vs. Raiders (1-2)

Deshaun Watson has been one of the worst quarterbacks in the league this season (he ranks 30th in ESPN’s QBR), while the Raiders have already hinted at a move at the position. If you want to see two battling offenses then this is the game for you.

Bills (3-0) at Ravens (1-2)

Again, this is only Week 4 – and yet Sunday’s primetime matchup feels like one that could be repeated in the playoffs. Behind quarterback Josh Allen’s significant improvement in preventing turnovers – zero interceptions – the Bills (3-0) have outscored their opponents by 64 points, the best point differential in the league. Despite a crushing loss to Las Vegas, Baltimore and Lamar Jackson still own the advanced stats that rank as the league’s second-best offense, behind only, yes, Buffalo.