NFL Week 4: It's true, Lions are good. Bills-Dolphins tee off game of the week
Welcome to NFL Week 4. The Detroit Lions ... are good! We know, it feels weird but it's true. They now get to kick back and watch the rest of the action around the NFL from their perch atop the NFC North.
About last night: Detroit Lions 34, Green Bay Packers 20 — An early Jared Goff interception looked to spell trouble, but the Lions regrouped and completely took it to the Packers. The first half was one-sided with the Lions leading 27-3 and having 284 offensive yards to the Packers' 21. Packers coach Matt LaFleur called his team's first-half performance "humbling" and "embarrassing."
- PHOTOS: Best from Lions-Packers
Game of the Week: Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills — The two best teams in the NFL by point differential get together for a showdown that may ultimately decide the AFC East race. The Dolphins are the conference's lone remaining unbeaten team and coming off a historic 70-point performance against the Broncos. The Bills started the year with a total faceplant but have returned to form, looking like one of the best teams in the NFL the past two weeks. This should be a good one.
Sneaky-Good Game of the Week: Atlanta Falcons vs. Jacksonville Jaguars — Our first International Series game of the season kicks off bright and early (9:30 a.m. ET) at London's Wembley Stadium. In addition to being an excuse to watch three more hours of football, this is an interesting game. Are the 2-1 Falcons for real? Were the 1-2 Jaguars, who will be staying in London to play next week, wildly overhyped? This game could answer a lot of questions.
Survivor Pool Game of the Week: Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles — Yes, the Eagles did lose this game last season in Philadelphia — it was their first loss of 2022, in fact — but consider that extra motivation. The Commanders crashed back to earth Sunday and the Eagles are one of three undefeated teams still standing. Fly, Eagles Fly. (Previous survivor pool picks - Week 1: Ravens ✅; Week 2: 49ers ✅; Week 3: Chiefs ✅.)
➤ PHOTOS: Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games
NFL Week 4: Pigskin prognostications
- Week 4 picks: Paste BN Sports' panel of experts has provided fans with the great public service of making prognostications for every game this weekend.
- Lorenzo's Locks: Why Paste BN Sports' Lorenzo Reyes likes the Browns over the Ravens in Week 4, and other stone-cold locks.
- NFL Week 4 odds: Which teams are favored this week? If you’re new to sports betting, don’t worry. We have tips for beginners on how to place bets online.
- Power rankings: See how all 32 teams stack up entering Week 4.
- NFL grades: The 49ers and Dolphins are at the head of the class, while the Bears have lots of work to do.
- NFL roundtable: Who will be last undefeated NFL team standing?
NFL news, notes and analysis
- Sean Payton's brash words come back to haunt Broncos coach: Denver's new boss called the job his predecessor did "one of the worst coaching jobs in the history of the NFL." But now the games are being played, and Payton's Broncos are 0-3 and coming off a historic 70-20 loss. So, what now?
- Why the Jets should trade for Kirk Cousins: The Jets spent the week responding to criticism from franchise legend Joe Namath, saw singer/rapper J. Cole reveal that Colin Kaepernick asked them for a role with the team and signed veteran QB Trevor Siemian. But this team — which will be in the spotlight against the Kansas City Chiefs this week in a game that could see Taylor Swift in the stands — should take a bigger swing at QB, Nate Davis writes.
- Taylor Swift Mania Meets NFL: Taylor Swift will reportedly be at MetLife Stadium on Sunday night watching Travis Kelce and the Chiefs take on the Jets. The large fanbase of Swift, arguably the most famous musical artist in the world at this moment, is having a noticeable impact on ratings and Kelce jersey sales. So ... are they dating?
- From locker-room outcast to leader: How Odell Beckham Jr. became a key voice for the Ravens.
- Chargers lose star WR for the season: The Chargers will be down a key member of the pass game after wide receiver Mike Williams was confirmed to have torn his ACL in last Sunday's game.
Fantasy football: Get your lineup right
- Fantasy rankings for Week 4: For your convenience, these position-by-position rankings were updated for this week's games and are based on point-per-reception (PPR) scoring.
- Fantasy football sizzlers, fizzlers: Whose fantasy football stock is up and whose is down?
Week 4 NFL schedule
(All times Eastern)
Thursday, Sept. 28
Detroit Lions 34, Green Bay Packers 20
Sunday, Oct. 1
Atlanta Falcons vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (Wembley), 9:30 a.m. (ESPN+)
Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m. (CBS)
Minnesota Vikings at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m. (FOX)
Denver Broncos at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m. (CBS)
Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. (CBS)
Pittsburgh Steelers at Houston Texans, 1 p.m. (CBS)
Los Angeles Rams at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m. (FOX)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m. (FOX)
Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles, 1 p.m. (FOX)
Cincinnati Bengals at Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m. (FOX)
Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers, 4:05 p.m. (CBS)
New England Patriots at Dallas Cowboys, 4:25 p.m. (FOX)
Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers, 4:25 p.m. (FOX)
Kansas City Chiefs at New York Jets, 8:20 p.m. (NBC)
Monday, Oct. 2
Seattle Seahawks at New York Giants, 8:15 p.m. (ESPN)
Talkin' football!
- It's a Football Podcast: Paste BN Sports NFL insiders Safid Deen and Tyler Dragon dish on the latest hot topics surrounding the league. This week's podcast addresses the Dolphins dropping a 70-burger on the Broncos and the continued struggles of Jets QB Zach Wilson.
- NFL Facebook group: Run a post route to The Ruling Off the Field 🏈 to engage in friendly debate and conversation with football fans 🏟.