The fourth week of the NFL season saw several surprising outcomes and standout performances. One of the most notable games was the Washington Commanders' dominant victory over the Arizona Cardinals. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels led the Commanders to a 42-14 win, completing 26 of 30 passes for 233 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. This performance has many believing that Daniels could be the franchise quarterback Washington has been searching for.
Commanders' Impressive Offense
The Commanders' offense, under the coordination of Kliff Kingsbury, has been highly efficient. They have been the second most efficient offense in the NFL since 2000, measured by EPA per drive, just behind the 2007 New England Patriots. Daniels' accuracy has been a key factor, with an 82.1% completion rate through four weeks. Receivers Terry McLaurin and Olamide Zaccheaus were among the top performers, with McLaurin catching seven passes for 52 yards and a touchdown, and Zaccheaus grabbing six passes for 85 yards.
Broncos' Defensive Mastery
The Denver Broncos pulled off a significant upset by defeating the New York Jets 10-9. The Broncos' defense was instrumental in this win, particularly cornerback Patrick Surtain II, who effectively neutralized the Jets' top receiver, Garrett Wilson. The Broncos' run defense also stifled the Jets' running backs, limiting Breece Hall to just four yards on 10 carries. This defensive performance is part of a larger trend for the Broncos, who have held opponents to under 14 points and 300 total yards in three consecutive games.
Vikings Remain Undefeated
The Minnesota Vikings continued their perfect start to the season, improving to 4-0 after a 31-29 win over the Green Bay Packers. Quarterback Sam Darnold has been a key factor in the Vikings' success, throwing for 275 yards and three touchdowns in Week 4. Darnold is now the fifth quarterback since 1950 to start 4-0 with 10 passing touchdowns in his first four games with a team, a feat last achieved by Patrick Mahomes in 2018.
Other Notable Games
The Kansas City Chiefs, despite injuries to key players like Isiah Pacheco and potentially serious injuries to wide receiver Justyn Ross, managed a 17-10 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. The Baltimore Ravens also had a strong performance, defeating the Buffalo Bills 35-10. These results highlight the ongoing competitive balance and surprises that have characterized the early weeks of the NFL season.
Overreactions and Reality Checks
While the Commanders' start is impressive, it is too early to declare them the best in the NFC East. They still need to face tougher opponents like the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys. Similarly, the Jets' loss to the Broncos does not necessarily mean they are out of playoff contention, but it does raise questions about their consistency and ability to perform under pressure.
