Week 4 NFL Grades: A Rookie Quarterback Showcase
Welcome to the Week 4 grades! This week in the NFL has been particularly exciting, especially for rookie quarterbacks who have made their mark on the league. As we dive into the details, it’s clear that the future of the NFL is bright with these young talents stepping up to the challenge.
Rookie Quarterback Triumphs
The fourth week of the NFL season saw a remarkable performance from rookie quarterbacks, with Caleb Williams and Bo Nix both securing wins for their respective teams. Caleb Williams, the first overall pick in the draft, made history by becoming the first quarterback in the common-draft era to win his first two home starts in the same year he was drafted first overall. His journey began with a Week 1 victory over the Tennessee Titans, and he followed that up with a solid performance against the Chicago Bears, leading his team to a win over the Los Angeles Rams.
Bo Nix had a rocky start, throwing for negative yardage in the first half against the New York Jets. However, he showed resilience and bounced back in the second half, throwing for 60 yards and leading the Denver Broncos to a narrow 10-9 victory. This kind of grit is what fans love to see in a quarterback, and Nix’s ability to recover under pressure speaks volumes about his potential.
Jayden Daniels Shines Bright
Adding to the excitement, Jayden Daniels capped off a fantastic day for rookie quarterbacks by leading the Washington Commanders to a commanding 42-14 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. Daniels completed an impressive 86.7% of his passes, making him the first quarterback in NFL history to complete at least 85% of his passes in two consecutive games. His performance not only helped the Commanders secure a win but also marked a significant milestone, as they are now over .500 for the first time since 2011.
The victories by Williams, Nix, and Daniels mark a significant moment in NFL history, as it’s only the third time that three rookie quarterbacks have won in the same week during the first four weeks of the season. The previous instances occurred in 2012 and 2016, highlighting how rare and special this achievement is.
Game Highlights and Grades
With another doubleheader set for Monday night, we’ve already seen 14 games unfold in Week 4. Here’s a quick rundown of the scores and highlights from the week:
- Atlanta Falcons 26, New Orleans Saints 24: A nail-biter that showcased the Falcons’ resilience.
- Chicago Bears 24, L.A. Rams 18: Williams’ leadership shone through as he guided the Bears to victory.
- Minnesota Vikings 31, Green Bay Packers 29: A classic NFC North showdown that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
- Indianapolis Colts 27, Pittsburgh Steelers 24: A thrilling finish that highlighted the Colts’ determination.
- Denver Broncos 10, N.Y. Jets 9: Nix’s comeback performance was the highlight of this low-scoring affair.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers 33, Philadelphia Eagles 16: The Buccaneers continued to impress with a dominant win.
- Cincinnati Bengals 34, Carolina Panthers 24: The Bengals showcased their offensive prowess.
- Houston Texans 24, Jacksonville Jaguars 20: A tightly contested game that saw the Texans come out on top.
- Washington Commanders 42, Arizona Cardinals 14: Daniels’ historic performance led to a blowout victory.
- Las Vegas Raiders 20, Cleveland Browns 16: A close game that tested both teams’ mettle.
- San Francisco 49ers 30, New England Patriots 13: The 49ers continued their strong season with a convincing win.
- Kansas City Chiefs 17, L.A. Chargers 10: A hard-fought battle that showcased the Chiefs’ defensive strength.
- Baltimore Ravens 35, Buffalo Bills 10: The Ravens dominated in a game that highlighted their offensive firepower.
- Dallas Cowboys 20, N.Y. Giants 15 (Thursday): A classic rivalry game that kept fans engaged until the final whistle.
Looking Ahead
As we look forward to the upcoming games, the performances of these rookie quarterbacks will undoubtedly be a focal point. Their ability to adapt and thrive in the NFL is a testament to their talent and hard work. With the season still young, fans can expect more thrilling moments and perhaps even more history to be made as these young stars continue to develop.
Stay tuned for more updates and insights as the NFL season progresses!