As the NFL heads into Week 4, we have officially hit the quarter mark of the regular season. It’s a crucial moment in the grueling pro football season, with 17 games for each team followed by the playoffs. Coaches and players are aiming to have worked out any early issues and are on the path to success.
Which teams will make a statement this weekend and improve their standing, and which will continue to struggle?
1. Bills-Ravens AFC Showdown
The quarterbacks, Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson, both 2018 first-round draft picks, have their eyes set on leading their teams to a Super Bowl victory, but they must first face off against each other. Jackson, a two-time league MVP, holds a 2-1 advantage over Allen in regular-season matchups. However, Allen got the best of Jackson in their lone playoff meeting, a 17-3 Bills win in the 2021 divisional round.
Allen is coming off a sensational performance against the Jaguars with four touchdown passes, bringing his season total to seven passing touchdowns, the second-highest in the league. He has added two rushing touchdowns and no interceptions. Jackson’s Ravens bounced back from a slow start with a win over Dallas and lead the league in total offense with 430.3 yards per game. Expect a high-energy showdown between these two dynamic quarterbacks.
2. Bengals and Jaguars Struggling
The Jaguars find themselves in a familiar funk, continuing their struggles from last season after a hot start. Coach Doug Pederson and the offensive coordinator Press Taylor have seen the team average just 276.3 yards and 13.3 points per game. Trevor Lawrence’s performance has been underwhelming, completing only 52.8% of his passes. The defense has also been porous, allowing 28.3 points per game.
On the horizon, the Cowboys secured a win against the Giants while the Saints face the Falcons, the Vikings meet the Packers, and the Chiefs take on the Chargers. NFC South rivals New Orleans and Atlanta are looking to bounce back after disappointing losses in Week 3.
The pressure is mounting for struggling teams to turn their seasons around and make a run for the playoffs. With plenty of football left to play, the excitement and drama of the NFL season are just heating up.
