Blockbuster Matchups to Watch in Week 4 of the NFL Season
by Sam Cox
Week 4 of the 2026 NFL season might be the most exciting all-around slate of the campaign. We’ve got contenders trying to avoid falling to 1-3 and 0-4. We’ve got overachievers looking to build on strong starts.
The schedule is bookended by Deshaun Watson’s Cleveland Browns hosting Aaron Rodgers’ Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Atlanta Falcons facing the New Orleans Saints on Monday night, but our intrigue is focused on Sunday’s games.
Before making our NFL picks, here’s a rundown of the headline clashes.
New England Patriots @ Buffalo Bills, Sunday 1 p.m. ET
Game Context
Buffalo has got off to a hot start behind MVP-level play from Josh Allen. The 3-0 Bills are favored for the visit of the 1-2 Patriots, who appear to be the victims of a brutal Super Bowl hangover.
Drake Maye looks like he’s forgotten how to play quarterback after threatening to win MVP last year. The Patriots have scored 36 points in three games.
What to Look Out For
An uninspiring New England receiver room meets a week of Buffalo's secondary. The Bills are 27th in pass coverage, per PFF. Maye’s struggles have made it tricky to evaluate the Pats’ receivers, but they are a limited group in A.J. Brown’s continued absence.
Key Questions
- Can Drake Maye break this slump?
- How does the Patriots’ run defense cope with Allen and James Cook?
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday 1 p.m. ET
Game Context
A gut-wrenching loss to the Steelers leaves the Bengals 2-1 ahead of the visit of the Jaguars on Sunday. Jacksonville saw its long regular-season winning streak come to an end against the Broncos, but their offense was back at its dynamic best in a blowout win of the Patriots.
The Jags could run away with the AFC South after Houston’s slow start. Cincinnati needs to win its home games if they are to keep pace with Baltimore.
What to Look Out For
Cincinnati has run 12 personnel more often than anyone else in the NFL and done so at a league-leading efficiency. Jacksonville tends to favour man coverage. Do they trust their secondary to go one-on-one with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins?
There’s been a marked improvement from the Bengals this year, but they conceded 10 explosive plays to a pedestrian Pittsburgh offense last week. Their run defense was particularly poor – Jacksonville has been a mixed back in its ground game this season.
Key Questions
- Does either defensive line generate consistent pressure?
- How do the Jags adjust their scheme to deal with Chase and Higgins?
Dallas Cowboys @ Houston Texans, Sunday 1 p.m. ET
Game Context
Dallas dropped to 1-2 with a painful last-second loss to the Ravens in Brazil. The Cowboys are 31st in defensive rating at PFF.
Houston, widely considered a preseason Super Bowl favorite, has fallen to 0-3. A tight Week 1 loss to Buffalo was followed by a 14-point loss to Cincinnati and a 17-20 defeat to the Colts.
What to Look Out For
The Texans desperately need to get Nico Collins and Ed Ingram back for this game. C.J. Stroud put up big numbers in the first two weeks, but he’s been partly held back by his receiving corps, which ranks in the bottom 10 in catch rate.
Keep an eye on how the Texans get on with their rushing attack. David Montgomery’s arrival hasn’t been an immediate fix, but Dallas has the worst opponent rushing success rate in the NFL.
Key Questions
- Has Dallas’ defense improved at all?
- How can the Texans get Montgomery more involved?
Los Angeles Rams @ Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday 1 p.m. ET
Game Context
Neither of these teams are in a great spot. Philadelphia is 2-1 after a meek performance that led to a loss to the Bears and their third-choice quarterback, Case Keenum. Los Angeles is without Myles Garrett for at least a couple more weeks, Puka Nacua missed Week 3, and they are 1-2 thanks to a chaotic loss to the Broncos.
Only five teams have a higher drop rate than the Rams. The Eagles have been a long way from their usual standards on defense.
What to Look Out For
Watch out for whether Philadelphia’s defense has regressed irreparably. Philly is tied for second-most missed tackles, has the third-lowest pressure rate, and is yet to force a turnover.
Los Angeles mustered 11 explosive plays in their loss to Denver. Matthew Stafford is still letting it fly with 9.6 intended air yards per attempt.
Key Questions
- Where’s the Eagles’ defense gone?
- Can the Rams keep the pocket clean for Stafford?
Kansas City Chiefs @ Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday 4:25 p.m. ET
Game Context
You’d have got long preseason odds on the Chiefs and Raiders being 3-0 going into Week 4. Kirk Cousins is the only quarterback in the NFL with three passing touchdowns in each game, and Travis Kelce has rolled back the clock.
With the Chargers 0-3 and the Broncos heading to Levi’s Stadium, this is an opportunity for both teams to pull further ahead in the AFC West.
What to Look Out For
How the Raiders’ defense stacks up against this Chiefs offense. Las Vegas is in the top 10 in EPA per play against the run and pass and sits seventh in pressure rate. Kansas City has protected Patrick Mahomes coming off an injury to the tune of the second-lowest pressure rate in the NFL.
The Raiders have loved running 12 personnel, though it’s closer to 11 personnel with how Brock Bowers is used. This is a box office matchup for fans of tight end play.
Key Questions
- Are the Raiders for real?
- How do the Chiefs slow down Bowers?
Denver Broncos @ San Francisco 49ers, Sunday 4:25 p.m. ET
Game Context
Denver has got its season on track with wins over the Jaguars and Rams. It’s fair to say this is the first real test for the Niners after beating a jetlagged Rams, the Cardinals, and Dolphins.
San Francisco’s numbers are elite on both sides of the ball. Denver’s defense has been surprisingly middling, but that can partly be attributed to the schedule.
What to Look Out For
Injuries. Mike Evans and Trent Williams were removed from last week’s game, adding to San Francisco’s growing injury report. At some point, the talent deficit becomes too much to overcome.
San Francisco has allowed the lowest pressure rate in the NFL so far. Denver is below average in generating pressures despite a high blitz frequency.
Key Questions
- How many injuries are too many injuries for the Niners?
- Are the Broncos able to hurry Brock Purdy?
Detroit Lions @ Carolina Panthers, Sunday 8:20 p.m. ET
Game Context
Carolina had a historically high-scoring loss to Chicago before a blowout of the Falcons and an agonizing loss to the Browns. Detroit has conceded the most points in the NFL en route to a 2-1 record.
The Panthers are a home dog here. Both teams are dealing with a catalogue of injuries that could derail their seasons.
What to Look Out For
How the blitzing Lions get on against Carolina’s offensive line. The Panthers have allowed the highest pressure rate in the league, and Detroit’s secondary has been picked apart this season, ranking in the bottom 10 in yards per target to wide receivers from the slot and out wide.
The Lions are in the top seven in blitz rate and need to get after Bryce Young if they are to avoid conceding 30+ points.
On the other side of the ball, Carolina’s middling run defense will be tested by Jahmyr Gibbs and Detroit’s play-action game.
Key Questions
- How often does Detroit dare to blitz?
- What do the Panthers have in store for Gibbs?
