Welcome to the Week 4 grades, where rookie quarterbacks Caleb Williams and Bo Nix emerged victorious in their respective games, showcasing their talent and promise for the future.
Rookie Quarterbacks Shine
Caleb Williams, the first overall pick, made history in Week 4 by becoming the first quarterback in the common-draft era to win his first two home starts in the same year. After securing a Week 1 victory over the Tennessee Titans, Williams led the Chicago Bears to a 24-18 win against the Los Angeles Rams. This impressive start underlines his potential as a standout player in the league.
Bo Nix, another rookie quarterback, faced a challenging start against the New York Jets, ending the first half with negative yardage. However, Nix turned things around in the third quarter, throwing for 60 yards and leading the Denver Broncos to the game's only touchdown. The Broncos ultimately triumphed, narrowly defeating the Jets 10-9. Nix's resilience and poise under pressure signal a promising future.
Historical Milestones
Jayden Daniels also made headlines by leading the Washington Commanders to a comprehensive 42-14 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. Daniels completed an astounding 86.7% of his passes, becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to complete at least 85% of his passes in two consecutive games. This achievement, paired with the Commanders' over .500 record through four weeks for the first time since 2011, speaks volumes about Daniels' effectiveness and the team's improved performance.
Remarkably, 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. This rare occurrence was previously seen only in 2012 and 2016, highlighting the unique talent emerging from the 2023 draft class.
Standout Performances
In other notable performances, Jared Goff delivered a flawless outing against the Seattle Seahawks, completing 100% of his passes. His precision and consistency were key in the Detroit Lions' 42-29 victory over the Seahawks.
The Tennessee Titans showcased their dominance with a commanding 31-12 win against the Miami Dolphins, while the Atlanta Falcons edged out the New Orleans Saints 26-24 in a closely contested match. The Minnesota Vikings secured a narrow 31-29 victory against the Green Bay Packers, and the Indianapolis Colts overcame the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-24 in another tight game.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers demonstrated their firepower with a 33-16 triumph over the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Cincinnati Bengals earned a 34-24 win against the Carolina Panthers. The Houston Texans, Las Vegas Raiders, and San Francisco 49ers also added to the week's excitement with victories over the Jacksonville Jaguars (24-20), Cleveland Browns (20-16), and New England Patriots (30-13), respectively.
Defensive Clashes
Defensive strength was on full display as the Kansas City Chiefs secured a 17-10 victory against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Baltimore Ravens delivered a dominant 35-10 win over the Buffalo Bills, underscoring their defensive and offensive prowess. Meanwhile, the Dallas Cowboys chipped away at the New York Giants to record a 20-15 victory, rounding off an action-packed Week 4.
This week's games not only provided thrilling entertainment but also offered a glimpse into the future stars of the NFL. The remarkable achievements of rookie quarterbacks Caleb Williams, Bo Nix, and Jayden Daniels are only the beginning of what promises to be an exciting season. As teams settle into their rhythms and rookies continue to adapt and excel, the competition is sure to intensify, delivering more unforgettable moments for fans across the league.