Welcome to the Week 4 grades in the NFL, where rookie quarterbacks are making history and established players are showcasing their exceptional skills. This week brought a series of remarkable performances and surprising outcomes, adding a fascinating chapter to the 2023 season.
Rookie Quarterbacks Steal the Spotlight
Week 4 saw some remarkable achievements from rookie quarterbacks, with Caleb Williams and Bo Nix both securing victories for their teams. Caleb Williams, the first overall pick, has continued to impress by becoming the first quarterback in the common-draft era to win his first two home starts in the same year. Following his Week 1 triumph over the Tennessee Titans, Williams led the Chicago Bears to a 24-18 victory against the Los Angeles Rams. His performance solidifies him as one of the most promising talents in the league.
Bo Nix, albeit facing a challenging game against the New York Jets, demonstrated resilience and capability. Despite a tough first half with negative yardage, Nix bounced back in the third quarter, throwing for 60 yards and leading the Denver Broncos to the game's only touchdown. The Broncos edged out the Jets with a 10-9 win, giving Nix his first NFL victory.
Jayden Daniels Makes History
Another standout performance came from Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders. Daniels led his team to an emphatic 42-14 victory over the Arizona Cardinals, completing an astounding 86.7% of his passes. With this feat, Daniels became the first quarterback in NFL history to complete at least 85% of his passes in two consecutive games. This remarkable consistency underlines his precision and command of the game, propelling Washington to an over .500 record through four weeks for the first time since 2011.
This week marked just the third time in NFL history that three rookie quarterbacks have won in the same week during the first four weeks of the season, a rare occurrence previously seen only in 2012 and 2016.
Other Noteworthy Performances
Across the league, several other games featured notable performances and thrilling finishes. Jared Goff was flawless for the Detroit Lions, completing 100% of his passes in a commanding 42-29 victory against the Seattle Seahawks. The Tennessee Titans dominated the Miami Dolphins with a 31-12 win, showcasing their offensive and defensive prowess.
In a close contest, the Atlanta Falcons edged out the New Orleans Saints 26-24. The Minnesota Vikings managed a narrow 31-29 victory over the Green Bay Packers, highlighting the fierce rivalry between the two teams. The Indianapolis Colts eked out a 27-24 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers, while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers comfortably defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 33-16.
The Cincinnati Bengals continued their strong showing with a 34-24 victory over the Carolina Panthers. The Houston Texans pulled off a 24-20 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Las Vegas Raiders overcame the Cleveland Browns with a 20-16 triumph.
The San Francisco 49ers displayed their strength with a 30-13 win over the New England Patriots, while the Kansas City Chiefs secured a 17-10 victory against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Baltimore Ravens put on an offensive clinic, defeating the Buffalo Bills 35-10, and the Dallas Cowboys won a tight 20-15 game against the New York Giants.
The combination of rookie breakthroughs and consistent performances from seasoned players has made Week 4 an unforgettable one in the 2023 NFL season. With only a quarter of the season completed, the anticipation builds as teams and players continue to shape their narratives in what promises to be an exciting year of football.