Around the AFC
Denzel (from) Washington. The most productive offensive rookie through four weeks? Arguably Cleveland’s second-round receiver Denzel Boston out of the University of Washington. He’s been a big play machine, racking up 284 yards and two touchdowns on just 13 catches. He’s been a nice add for a surprising 3-1 Browns team that has a chance to keep it going vs. the Jets this week.
The ‘D’ in Duval. Yeah, Trevor Lawrence is playing great and the Jags have fun skill position players, but Anthony Campanile’s defense has also been really good. Jacksonville (3-1) is second in the league against the run and has forced a turnover on a league-leading 21.6% of its possessions.
Grumpiest Old Man. Aaron Rodgers didn’t look like he was enjoying himself in last week’s eventual loss to Cleveland, though he did mount a terrific late drive to try to get the Steelers back in it. What happens next? A workable slate of games coming up — Colts, Buccaneers, Saints and Browns again before the bye week — but Rodgers and Mike McCarthy need to get on the same page if Pittsburgh is going to make hay.
Around the NFC
Fun Falcons. Among the things not on this particular bingo card to start the year: Atlanta having maybe the most fun offense in the NFL. Michael Penix Jr. has hit the ground running the past two weeks and Bijan Robinson might be the best offensive player in football. In the past two games alone, Robinson has rushed for 339 yards and four touchdowns. He’s a threat every time he touches the ball. And he touches it a lot. A big opportunity for Atlanta on Sunday night against Baltimore.
Northern Exposure. Chicago is currently playing without QB Caleb Williams. The Packers have played bad, are rebuilding their offensive line almost in its entirety on the fly, and yet have managed to scrape to 2-2. This installment of football’s oldest rivalry has big implications for both, especially with Minnesota racing off to a 4-0 start.
No ‘D’ in Dallas. The Cowboys got torched again this year, this time on Thursday night by the now-formerly winless Tampa Bay Bucs. So far, the job of turning around the Cowboys’ defense has been anything but easy for former Broncos defensive assistant Christian Parker. Dallas is now 2-3 and has back-to-back road games coming up against Green Bay and Philadelphia.
Sam Darnold #14 and Jaxon Smith-Njigba #11 of the Seattle Seahawks prepare to take the field against the Los Angeles Chargers at Lumen Field on October 04, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Game of the Week
San Francisco at Seattle: The best game so far in what’s once again shaping up to be the best division in football. The 49ers come off a home win over the Broncos and are 4-0 despite a long list of key injuries. The Seahawks are 3-1 as the defending Super Bowl champions and travel on a short week to Denver for a Thursday night game after this one. Kyle Shanahan’s group has probably been better so far this season, but Sam Darnold being back for Seattle, plus the home-field advantage — and, of course, star wide receiver Jaxson Smith-Njigba — give the Seahawks (-2.5) the slightest edge.
Seahawks 21, 49ers 20
Lock of the Week
Houston at Tennessee: A rare NFL matchup of 0-4 teams. And cities that share franchise history, to boot. It’s not every day we get a matchup so riveting. It will command the league’s attention…. Actually, even the Weather Channel took to social media to dunk on this matchup, saying it would pass on broadcasting it. Despite the identically horrible records, these teams are in different places. The Texans shouldn’t feel like they’re entirely out of it given their schedule, while the Titans are on the fast track to nowhere. Will Anderson and company will be out for blood.
Texans 24, Titans 3
Upset of the Week
Buffalo at Los Angeles Rams: Buffalo has played with its food a couple of times so far this season and got burned Sunday against New England. Still, it’s hard to watch the way Josh Allen’s played so far this year and see anything other than a Super Bowl contender in Joe Brady’s first season. The Rams, meanwhile, went on the road last week and got a hard-earned win in Philadelphia. This feels like a chance for Buffalo to do the same despite the Rams being favored by a field goal. Travel across the country after a tough loss to face a quality opponent. This time, Allen and company prevail on the road.
Bills 27, Rams 24
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