Thoughts and predictions for every matchup on the NFL Week 4 Sunday slate.
Only five NFL teams remain unbeaten at this point and two of those go head-to-head Sunday as the revitalized Kansas City Chiefs visit the surprisingly spry Las Vegas Raiders.
But that’s not the most intriguing game on the Week 4 Sunday schedule.
No, far more intriguing is the reality that many NFL teams thought to be potential contenders this year could see their playoff hopes reduced to longshot status just a month into the season.
The Houston Texans were a trendy Super Bowl pick after they won 10 straight games to close the 2025 regular season and on through the wildcard round of the playoffs while returning the entirety of their elite defense and making notable offensive upgrades.
But the Texans find themselves 0-3 as they host the almost-equally desperate 1-2 Dallas Cowboys, who are all in on this season and showed that further by acquiring cornerback Joey Porter Jr. from the Pittsburgh Steelers this week.
The Los Angeles Chargers, coming off back-to-back 11-win seasons and with the hope for an improved and healthier offensive line, were viewed as likely contenders this year, but they too are 0-3 and in a dire situation playing on the road Sunday against the reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks.
Since 1980, of the more than 200 NFL teams that have started 0-3, only seven rallied to make the playoffs.
– 1981 New York Jets: Finished 10-5-1, lost in the wildcard round
– 1982 Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Finished 5-4 in strike-shortened nine-game season, lost in wildcard round
– 1992 San Diego Chargers: Finished 11-5, lost in divisional round (*Actually started 0-4)
– 1995 Detroit Lions: Finished 10-6, lost in wildcard round
– 1998 Buffalo Bills: Finished 10-6, lost in wildcard round
– 2018 Houston Texans: Finished 11-5, lost in wildcard round
– 2025 Houston Texans: Finished 12-5, lost in divisional round
So if any of the 0-3 NFL teams (Texans, Chargers, Dolphins, Titans, Buccaneers) should have belief it can turn things around, it would be the Texans, who were in this spot last year before making it all the way to the divisional round.
But the stakes are significant for many teams this week, including 1-2 teams like the aforementioned Cowboys, Green Bay Packers (already last in the loaded NFC North), preseason Super Bowl favorite Los Angeles Rams (third in the stacked NFC West) and New England Patriots (looking nothing like their 2025 Super Bowl squad).
Those teams whose seasons will take on a heightened degree of hopelessness are the story heading into Week 4.
NFL Week 4 Matchups And Predictions
(All game times ET; all points spreads via DraftKings Sportsbook)
Thursday
Cleveland Browns 27, Pittsburgh Steelers 24: Deshaun Watson led the 3-1 Browns to a third straight win while throwing for 268 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT, Denzel Boston had 4 catches for 89 yards and Andre Szmyt knocked in the game-winning 56-yard field goal.
Sunday 9:30 AM (in London)
Washington Commanders vs. Indianapolis Colts: In progress …
Sunday 1 p.m.
New England Patriots (1-2) at Buffalo Bills (3-0): Everything has gone wrong for the Patriots since losing the Super Bowl, from coach Mike Vrabel’s offseason scandal with NFL reporter Dianna Russini to new star WR A.J. Brown’s Week 1 ankle injury to losing RG Mike Onwenu to a broken ankle in Week 2 and all the while QB Drake Maye’s stunning struggles. After finishing second in MVP voting last year, Maye has thrown for just 585 yards, 1 TD and 6 INTs through three games while questions mount about what is wrong with him (especially after he acknowledged playing hurt in the Super Bowl). Meanwhile, the Bills overcame a sloppy performance in a 24-16 win over the Chargers last week to remain unbeaten, but it’s been largely smooth this year under new head coach Joe Brady. QB Josh Allen is a MVP favorite, throwing for 786 yards, 5 TDs and 2 INTs (both last week) with 114 rushing yards and 6 TDs. Reigning NFL rushing champ James Cook is averaging 6.0 YPC with 346 rushing yards and 2 TDs. New WR1 DJ Moore is expected to play Sunday after being banged up and limited the last two weeks. Buffalo is a 7-point favorite. Prediction: Bills 28, Patriots 26
New York Jets (1-2) at Chicago Bears (2-1): The Bears weathered their first game without QB Caleb Williams, dominating the Eagles on Monday Night Football with 38-year-old third-stringer Case Keenum leading the way. Keenum is expected to take a seat this week, though, as backup QB Tyson Bagent (limited last week in recovering from a concussion) looks on track to start. Bagent is 2-2 as a starter, all back in 2023, with 3 TDs and 6 INTs overall in his career. The Jets have been much improved and competitive week to week, with veteran QB Geno Smith enjoying a resurgent season, completing 75.5% of his passes for 783 yards, 4 TDs and 0 INTs. Rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq, the 16th overall pick in the draft, had a breakout game last week with 8 catches for 105 yards and a TD, but he’s listed as questionable with a back injury. Chicago is a 3.5-point favorite. Prediction: Jets 20, Bears 17
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-1) at Cincinnati Bengals (2-1): One of the best matchups on the Week 4 slate, the Jaguars are coming off a blowout win over the Patriots while the Bengals will look to bounce back from a loss to the Steelers. Both have looked like playoff teams so far, though that 30-27 loss in Pittsburgh diminished some of the hype around Cincinnati’s retooled defense. Ultimately, the Bengals are still reliant on star QB Joe Burrow (743 yards, 6 TDs, 1 INT) and WRs Ja’Marr Chase (18 catches for 185 yards and 3 TDs) and Tee Higgins (14-244-1). For Jacksonville, QB Trevor Lawrence has mostly sustained his late-season momentum from last year, throwing for 616 yards, 7 TDs and 2 INTs with Parker Washington (15-221-2) remaining his favorite target. Cincinnati is a 2.5-point favorite. Prediction: Jaguars 28, Bengals 27
Arizona Cardinals (1-2) at New York Giants (2-1): The Giants managed to win in Week 2 without scoring a touchdown, topping the lowly Titans, 12-7. Replacing injured starter Jaxson Dart moving forward, QB Jameis Winston struggled in his first start of the season while throwing for just 118 yards. He’ll need to do more this week against a Cardinals team averaging 21.0 PPG. Rookie running back Jeremiyah Love had his best game yet in Week 3, rushing 21 times for 90 yards and with 19 yards and a TD receiving. Arizona is a 2.5-point favorite. Prediction: Cardinals 24, Giants 16
Los Angeles Rams (1-2) at Philadelphia Eagles (2-1): The Eagles may be 2-1, but their season feels at a crossroads. A week after needing a touchdown in the final 10 seconds to slip past the rebuilding Titans, Philadelphia followed with an embarrassing showing in Chicago in that 27-7 loss to the Bears and their third-string QB. Jalen Hurts looked lost in throwing for just 153 yards and an INT while adding a rushing TD. He still isn’t using his legs like he used to (and needs to in order to be successful) while attempting just 4 rushes in that loss. The pressure is on new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion and head coach Nick Sirriani. Conversely, the Rams may be 1-2, but there’s no reason for concern with the preseason Super Bowl favorites. They’ve played the last two weeks without star WR Puka Nacua due to a hip/groin injury, but he’s back Sunday. Star EDGE Myles Garrett will be back later this season. Meanwhile, the Rams still should have beaten the Broncos in Week 2 — and would have if not for a horrendous pass interference penalty that set up Denver’s game-winning TD and which the NFL reportedly told coach Sean McVay was admittedly a bad call. As for this matchup, both teams are depleted by injuries. For the Rams, DT Aaron Donald (back), cornerback Jaylen Watson (shoulder) and TE Terrance Ferguson (ankle) have been rule out. For the Eagles, top WR DeVonta Smith (hamstring), top LB Zack Baun (concussion), TE Dallas Goedert (knee) and others are out. Los Angeles is a 3.5-point favorite. Prediction: Rams 31, Eagles 24
Green Bay Packers (1-2) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-3): Speaking of seasons at crossroads … the loser of this game might as well write off any hopes for the playoffs (although it’s hard to ever truly be eliminated in the meager NFC South). The Packers got obliterated in a 35-14 loss to the Falcons in Week 2 and, frankly, nothing seems to be working for coach Matt LaFleur’s team, which is already down a couple offensive linemen and still without RB Josh Jacobs as he remains on the commissioner’s exempt list. Ditto for the Buccaneers, who are without starting QB Baker Mayfield for several weeks while undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels takes over. Green Bay is a 3-point favorite. Prediction: Packers 20, Buccaneers 16
Tennessee Titans (0-3) at Baltimore Ravens (2-1): Did the Ravens exorcise their fourth quarter demons with the dramatic 34-31 win over the Cowboys in Brazil on Tyler Loop’s 56-yard field goal? Is 2025 No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward salvageable for the Titans? These are two very different questions, and indeed Baltimore should be able to take command of this game early. The Ravens, led by Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry and Zay Flowers, are scoring the fourth-most points in the league at 30.7 PPG while he Titans are scoring the third-fewest at 12.3 PPG. Baltimore is down its top two centers, meaning rookie guard Vega Ioane will continue filling in there. The Ravens will also be without top pass rusher Trey Hendrickson (broken finger). Baltimore is an 11.5-point favorite. Prediction: Ravens 28, Titans 17
Dallas Cowboys (1-2) at Houston Texans (0-3): After finishing last season first in the NFL in total defense (277.2 YPG) and second in scoring defense (17.4 PPG), the Texans haven’t looked the same to start this season while ranking 16th (325.3 YPG) and 19th (25.0 PPG). But it’s early, and Houston still has all the same talent across that defense, so it’s only a matter of time before the Texans find themselves. But will it happen in time to save this season? So far, QB C.J. Stroud has protected the football well, throwing for 794 yards, 3 TDs and 0 INTs (with 0 fumbles), but offseason RB addition David Montgomery hasn’t made the desired impact while averaging just 2.8 YPC with 103 rushing yards and 3 total TDs. As noted, the Cowboys lost a heartbreaker in the Brazil to the Ravens, 34-31, last week. The hopes for an improved defense haven’t materialized, but perhaps the trade for Porter will firm up the secondary. Dak Prescott (730 passing yards, 7 TDs, 1 INT) and CeeDee Lamb (20-309-3) have been at the top of their games, though. Houston will be without top LB Azeez Al-Shaair (groin) while Dallas is without LB DeMarvion Overshown (hamstring) and CB Cobie Durant (hamstring). Houston is a 3-point favorite. Prediction: Cowboys 26, Texans 24
Sunday 4:05 p.m/4:25 p.m.
Miami Dolphins (0-3) at Minnesota Vikings (0-3): The Dolphins were already the overwhelming favorite to finish dead last this season and claim the No. 1 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, and that was before losing their one offensive star, RB De’Von Achane, to a season-ending torn ACL last week. Miami ranks 27th in total offense (290.7 YPG) and tied for last in scoring (12.0 PPG), while Minnesota has the second-best scoring defense (13.7 PPG) so far. The Vikings haven’t gotten it going offensively yet, with QB Kyler Murray returning to action last week after a Week 1 concussion caused him to miss most of the first two games, but they probably won’t need to do much to win this one if their defense keeps delivering. Minnesota will be without star WR Justin Jefferson (ankle sprain), but the Vikings should have enough offense to get the job done in this matchup. Minnesota is a 10-point favorite. Prediction: Vikings 27, Dolphins 17
Kansas City Chiefs (3-0) at Las Vegas Raiders (3-0): One of the games of the week. The Raiders are the biggest positive surprise in the NFL so far, posting wins over the Dolphins, Chargers and Saints to start the Klint Kubiak Era. Veteran QB Kirk Cousins is supposed to only be a placeholder until No. 1 overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza is ready, but Cousins has been one of the best QBs in the league so far with 661 yards, 9 TDs and 3 INTs, tossing 3 TDs in each game so far. Second-year RB Ashton Jeanty has been solid with 303 combined rushing/receiving yards and 3 TDs, while star TE Brock Bowers made his delayed season debut last week with 10 catches for 116 yards and a TD. But can the Raiders keep it going and stack up with a Chiefs team that looks like it’s shaken off its down 2025 season and is intent on returning to its perch as a perennial top contender? Patrick Mahomes has passed for 812 yards, 7 TDs and 2 INTs in his return from knee surgery while big free agent addition Kenneth Walker III has transformed the Chiefs’ rushing attack with 360 yards on 5.5 YPC plus 82 receiving yards and 4 totals TDs so far. Kansas City will be without starting left tackle Josh Simmons for a fourth straight game to start the season. Kansas City is a 4.5-point favorite. Prediction: Chiefs 36, Raiders 28
Denver Broncos (2-1) at San Francisco 49ers (3-0): Another of the best matchups on the Week 4 slate. The Broncos scored a momentous 30-26 win over the Rams last week, even if it was substantially aided by a pivotal pass interference penalty on the Rams that never should have been called. But that doesn’t change the fact that the Broncos offense awoke in Week 3 after a sluggish start this season. QB Bo Nix still hasn’t hit his full stride, though, throwing for just 605 yards, 4 TDs and 3 INTs in three games. He’ll need to be better if Denver is going to live up to lofty expectations after winning 14 games last year. Meanwhile, no quarterback is playing better right now than the 49ers’ Brock Purdy, who is completing 72.3% of his passes for 789 yards, 9 TDs and 1 INT while TE George Kittle has made an impressive return from a torn Achilles with a team-leading 174 yards and 3 TDs receiving. San Francisco is a 3-point favorite. WR Mike Evans (ribs) is a game-time decision for the 49ers. Prediction: 49ers 27, Broncos 24
Los Angeles Chargers (0-3) at Seattle Seahawks (2-1): Chargers QB Justin Herbert has struggled mightily this season, throwing for 627 yards, 3 TDs and 4 INTS through the team’s winless start, which included surprising losses to the Cardinals and Raiders. And the schedule only gets tougher as the Chargers now visit the reigning Super Bowl champs and one of the top defenses in the league (NFL-low 228.7 YPG allowed). The Seahawks are looking to bounce back after a stunning loss on the road to the Commanders and backup QB Marcus Mariota last week. That was QB Sam Darnold’s first game back since injuring his glute in the opener and he tossed 2 INTs along with throwing for 379 yards and 4 TDs. He’ll look to protect the ball better while continue to hit on big connections to the NFL’s leading receiver, Jaxon Smith-Njigba (27-405-6). Seattle ruled out rookie RB Jadarian Price (chest) so Emanuel Wilson will take the lead role in the backfield. Seattle is a 7-point favorite. Prediction: Seahawks 27, Chargers 20
Sunday Night (8:20 p.m. on NBC)
Detroit Lions (2-1) at Carolina Panthers (1-2): Jahmyr Gibbs is doing his best to put himself in the MVP race with a blazing start, rushing for 307 yards and 4 TDs along with 156 yards and 2 TDs receiving. And the Lions have needed every bit of it while ranking 31st in total defense (416.7 YPG) and dead-last in scoring defense (31.7 PPG). The Panthers remain impossible to predict from one week to the next, losing 59-37 to the Bears, blowing out the Falcons 34-3 and then losing 21-18 to the Browns. QB Bryce Young is leading the NFL in passing yards with 939 along with 7 TDs and 2 INTs, but Carolina is expected to be without leading receiver Jalen Coker (22-222-2). Detroit is a 3.5-point favorite. Prediction: Lions 33, Panthers 28
Monday Night (8:15 p.m. on ESPN)
Atlanta Falcons (1-2) at New Orleans Saints (1-2): A clash between the two more intriguing teams in the generally underwhelming NFC South. The Falcons looked revived last week with QB Michael Penix Jr. making his season debut, completing 18 of 25 passes for 256 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. More to the point, his return seemed to revive the Falcons’ star playmakers as Bijan Robinson rushed for 194 yards and 2 TDs and Drake London had 9 catches for 194 yards. Atlanta will need all of that offense against the spunky Saints with Tyler Shough second in the league with 917 passing yards (8 TDs and 3 INTs) while Chris Olave is off to a strong start 27 catches for 375 yards and a TD. New Orleans put RB Travis Etienne on injured reserve, meaning it will rely on veteran Alvin Kamara (just 51 rushing yards on 2.8 YPC). The Saints will also be without LB Kaden Elliss and EDGE Carl Granderson. New Orleans is a 1.5-point favorite. Prediction: Saints 27, Falcons 23
