After another highly entertaining week of football, there is lot to unpack around the NFL. As we look ahead to a Week 5 slate that features multiple marquee matchups, here is what to watch in the week ahead and what stood out the most in the past week.
Bears-Packers, 49ers-Seahawks face off in key divisional rivalry games
The Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers have played a whopping 213 times when you include three postseason meetings, making it the NFL’s oldest rivalry and one that always seems to deliver.
Even though the Bears have utilized three quarterbacks this season as Caleb Williams continues to recover from a Grade 2 hamstring strain, they are still 3-1 and possess the league’s best rushing attack (196.3 YPG).
The Packers, meanwhile, have averaged the fifth-fewest points per game (18.3 PPG) and have completely underwhelmed so far. That said, a rivalry game usually brings out the best in both teams, regardless of how they have performed.
Elsewhere, the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks square off out west with first-place in the NFC West on the line. While the Seahawks sit at 3-1, the 49ers come in as one of three remaining unbeatens (Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings) and will look to get some revenge after Seattle blew them out in the divisional round last season.
Bills-Rams face off in potential Super Bowl preview on “Monday Night Football”
As of Tuesday, FanDuel lists the Los Angeles Rams (+650) and Buffalo Bills (+750) as the Super Bowl favorites before their upcoming showdown on “MNF.”
While they struggled for much of Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Rams finally woke up and pulled off the comeback courtesy of running back Kyren Williams’ two fourth-quarter TDs to avoid a 1-3 start.
The Bills are coming off their first loss after falling to the New England Patriots, 29-26. Josh Allen has now accounted for all three of his interceptions in the last two games, but you could argue that has more to do with the lack of help around him as a massive road test awaits in Inglewood, California.
Lamar Jackson, Saquon Barkley among notable injuries from Week 4
The Baltimore Ravens head into a “Sunday Night Football” showdown with the red-hot Atlanta Falcons with the likelihood that Jackson has “only an outside chance to play” after suffering a left ankle injury in Sunday’s 24-18 win over the Tennessee Titans.
Barkley, who dealt with a stinger earlier this season, injured his right hamstring in the loss to the Rams and only compounded the issues the Eagles continue to deal with amid a disappointing 2-2 start and the sudden retirement of All-Pro offensive tackle Lane Johnson on Tuesday.
Additionally, Cincinnati Bengals wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase (concussion) and Tee Higgins (adductor) are facing setbacks, while the Washington Commanders
are in desperate need for Jayden Daniels to return after Marcus Mariota’s aggravated MCL injury and the Chiefs are searching for answers after losing WR Tyquan Thornton to a dislocated left ankle.
While it remains to be seen if that will lead to the Chiefs reuniting with WR Tyreek Hill, which could be a game-changer if it actually happens, the injuries never stop in the NFL and Week 4 was just the latest reminder.
NFL punishes officials for on-field incidents
While it is not uncommon whatsoever for players to go at officials and sometimes overstep their boundaries in the heat of the moment, the same can also happen to the officials.
After a pair of incidents on Sunday when line judge Jeff Seeman appeared to shout some obscenities at Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride and referee Adrian Hill yelled in the face of Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson after he was inadvertently knocked to the ground, the NFL suspended Seeman for two games and Hill for one after their unprofessional conduct toward a player.
It is understandable to miss a call, or for a disagreement to occur between the officials and players. That said, there is no excuse for the officials to react the way they did on Sunday, and the league reacted to the matter accordingly.
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