Big-play targets and their defensive adversaries highlight a Week 4 slate where some of the elites of the NFL are looking to make things right.
In the words of Yogi Berra … it gets late early out there.
Berra was obviously not referring to the 2026 NFL season with that particular chapter from his repertoire of famous one-liners. But it’s easy to see how one could get confused as the league tackles the fourth of 18 weeks on its newest ledger.
Some of the league’s expected Super Bowl contenders have stumbled out of the gate: the star-spangled SoCal squads are a combined 1-5, the defending Super Bowl finalists from New England are coming off a four-possession defeat, and six teams from last year’s playoffs are currently off the ridiculously early 2027 bracket. Redemption could center on engaging in the big-play narcotic … one that carries dangerous risk to match the euphoric reward.
Top Matchups That Will Decide Week 4 In The NFL
Which high-octane battles could decide teams’ Week 4 fates? TeamFB7 has five to watch …
WR Nico Collins vs. CB Joey Porter Jr.
Dallas Cowboys @ Houston Texans, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
In a cowboy cliche that perhaps feels a little too on the nose, the Arlington corral is set to be rescued by a stranger from afar.
Returning to the Pittsburgh well that previously produced George Pickens, the Cowboys brought in Joey Porter Jr. a week after brutal aerial defense in the clutch (among other factors) cost them overtime and maybe even a win against Baltimore in Brazil last weekend.
In what could be viewed as a final act of defiance to his original employers, the back injury that kept Porter out of the Steelers’ first couple of games is no longer an issue now that a star is on his helmet.
It’s a homecoming weekend in more ways than one, as the increasingly thirsty Texans are set to bring back Nico Collins after a two-week hamstring-related absence. Amidst an(other) 0-3 start, the Texans looked at least competitive on offense when Collins was around in Week 1 (75 yards on seven receptions in a 36-31 loss to Buffalo) but mustered just 23 points in his absence. The bottom fell out in Week 3, when they had mustered only 223 yards in a divisional loss to Indianapolis.
Joey Porter Jr. arrives for his first game with the Cowboys. I’m told to expect him to play between 20-30 snaps. https://t.co/L6BEkTm697
— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) October 4, 2026
Collins’ re-entry was perhaps one of the few things the meandering Texans had going for them and his welcome-back present is a date against a Porter that could either be rejuvenated or jittery, dealing with the butterflies of an awkward first day. Either way, it’s getting late early for this Texas two-step and both parties will be eager to make a statement. Collins and Porter previously did battle in January’s AFC wild card clash, where the former was kept in check before another injury forced him to the sideline.
S Quentin Lake vs. WR Makai Lemon
Los Angeles Rams @ Philadelphia Eagles, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
Makai Lemon‘s early returns in Philadelphia have been sour: viewed as carrying one of the most exciting destinies of the first round’s latter portions, Lemon has lacked the big-play ability that made him such a can’t miss prospect at USC, amassing just 38 yards on 7 receptions, almost all of that coming in Monday night’s ugly defeat in Chicago.
Lemon will have to grow up in a hurry as the Eagles face a vital, if not dangerous, opportunity to make things right against an equally desperate Rams group. Philadelphia will play the anticipated early game without DeVonta Smith and Hollywood Brown, which will put a spotlight on the slot. That’ll be overseen by Quentin Lake, who is tied for the early lead in pass breakups with new teammate Trent McDuffie (7). Dealing with the returning Zach Ertz will also be something to keep an eye on but the high-yardage potential of Lemon is far too dangerous to ignore despite his early struggles.
TE Brock Bowers vs. CB L’Jarius Sneed
Kansas City Chiefs @ Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS
A divisional duel between the Chiefs and Raiders suddenly became a prize fight in Las Vegas with both teams shockingly undefeated. Maybe the world saw Kansas City regaining its form upon Patrick Mahomes’ return but the Raiders have been one of the league’s most pleasant surprises.
Las Vegas likewise had cause for medical celebration last week after Brock Bowers returned from a knee injury and hardly lost a step to the tune of 116 yards and a score in a shootout win over New Orleans. Bowers was put to instant work upon his return, earning 10 receptions on 14 targets.
The Brock Bowers element to the Raiders passing attack was so cool. Kubiak deployed him as an X-receiver who can moonlight at TE (45 snaps slot/wide vs 9 inline) As a defense, treat him like a WR & you’re at a disadvantage vs. run. Treat him like a TE & he gets 1-on-1s w/ space https://t.co/UwGY7T4e97
— Mike Renner (@mikerenner_) September 28, 2026
It’s a miniscule sample size but it would appear Bowers has only become an even greater weapon in Klint Kubiak‘s offense, one that has him roaming on all areas of the field, including Sneed’s slot domain. Despite their early success, the Chiefs’ early returns among linebackers has been somewhat disappointing and it’ll cast a larger spotlight on L’Jarius Sneed to contain Bowers’ impact.
Yes, Kansas City should also benefit from getting Chamarri Conner back but the experienced Sneed could use the performance boost after a pair of rollercoaster September performances: he got picked on by the Indianapolis offense during Week 2’s primetime thriller but recovered well enough to force a major turnover in Miami last time around.
S Genesis Smith vs. WR Jaxson Smith-Njigba
Los Angeles Chargers @ Seattle Seahawks, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS
The mountain of memes about the Murphy’s Law nature this young Chargers season has produced is rather tired but it comes to wild screaming life later this Sunday: not only does Los Angeles have to face the defending Super Bowl champions, the Chargers head into the impenetrable Lumen Field fortress after a Seattle loss … all while nursing a winless record over the first three games.
Despite falling to the Washington Commanders last week, Seattle continues to enjoy the early pinball-machine numbers from Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who has to be considered for the premature MVP award after he picked up the Seahawks’ offensive pace during Sam Darnold‘s medical timeout. Having visited the end zone six times already, Smith-Njijgba seems primed for a breakout as the Seahawks look to take their anger on a downtrodden opponent that has given up at least 24 points in each of its 2026 showings.
But the Bolts earned a jolt from Genesis Smith, a fourth-round rookie that earned two interceptions off Josh Allen in last week’s loss to Buffalo. If he can contain Smith-Njigba’s big-play ability, Los Angeles just might have the makings of a Day 3 steal to work with and plant some defensive seeds while it waits for an offense stocked with name-brand talent to get it together.
WR Tetairoa McMillan vs. CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
Detroit Lions @ Carolina Panthers, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC
There’s (once again) an avenue for the Panthers to steal the NFC South division title and the home playoff game that comes with it. At the forefront of that cause is Tetairoa McMillan, who will make his “Sunday Night Football” debut when the Peacock’s cameras descend upon Charlotte for the first time in over a decade.
Through three games, McMillan has yet to visit the end zone in his sophomore season and he’s coming off a disappointing output in Cleveland. A prime opportunity to make things right awaits at home: not only are the Panthers likely forced to go without Jalen Coker (quads) but they’ll be facing a Detroit secondary that’s letting up just under 300 yards a game.
Ennis “The Menace” Rakestraw forced the first pass breakup of his career against Garrett Wilson and later forced another incompletion to Wilson with tight coverage in the fourth quarter. https://t.co/f2C905ePY6
— Al Karsten (@FootballGuy_Al) September 28, 2026
Sunday night will not only be a showcase for the young Panthers but also for Ennis Rakestraw Jr., who’s finally getting an opportunity to prove his second-round worth after two injury-riddled seasons. He offered rare defensive salvation for the Lions in their narrow win over the New York Jets last week and has appeared to have leapfrogged lasting veteran Rock Ya-Sin on the depth chart.
The Lions have waited over two years to see what they can get out of Rakestraw and that question perhaps made it a bit more painful that they missed out on Porter. Sunday night should answer plenty of questions as they prep for both the present and future.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on X @GeoffJMags
