Week 4 of the NFL season is upon, and there are still many intriguing questions left unanswered. Teams like the New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers are preparing to play in must-win games already, and many others are surprisingly leading their divisions.
With some great matchups ahead, let’s check out the Top 10 storylines entering this week.
1. Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears
How could it get better than an ages old rivalry? This one, though, had an added spice to it, as the Packers sit at 1-2 on the season and need to start winning before they’re behind.
Aaron Rodgers and his team will be up against a Bears defense that ranks 21st overall, which could present a good opportunity to get out of its funk. However, Jay Cutler is sneakily playing some of his best football.
2. Battle of the 2-1’s: Houston Texans vs. Buffalo Bills
Who would have thought that these two teams would be fighting to get to 3-1 at this point? The Texans and Bills have shocked many and lead their divisions over teams (Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots) that were clear favorites.
3. Teddy Bridgewater’s first start
After Matt Cassel went down with a left foot injury, this was Bridgewater’s job to lose. The rookie out of Louisville completed over 60 percent of his passes and didn’t throw a touchdown in the preseason.
He didn’t fare as well in the remaining part of the Saints game last week, completing only 42.1 percent of his passes. With an Atlanta Falcons pass defense that ranks 23rd in the league, he may have his chance to succeed.
4. Steve Smith against his old team
Smith made it clear that he would come out strong this season after being released by the Carolina Panthers this offseason. Sunday, he’ll get his chance when the Panthers come to Baltimore.
Smith has been surprisingly good this year, ranking in the Top 20 in receiving yards and receptions this season. He’s been Joe Flacco’s safety valve, and with Dennis Pitta out, that role could be even more important.
5. Boring football in London
What better way to advertise the NFL to the world than a good Miami Dolphins vs. Oakland Raiders game. The teams are a combined 1-5 and don’t seem to be making any giant steps towards getting better.
London will see Ryan Tannehill, who has struggled completing passes and has thrown two interceptions. The focus might shift to Lamar Miller who will be up against the 31st-best run defense.
6. Can the Philadelphia Eagles remain undefeated?
The Eagles haven’t had the most difficult of roads, with wins over the Jacksonville Jaguars and Washington Redskins so far. However, the test will be much harder with a 1-2 San Francisco 49ers team that is desperate for a win.
Chip Kelly has orchestrated the league’s seventh-best offense, but he’ll be up against a 49ers defense that sits fifth in the league. This could be a fascinating battle of offense versus defense.
7. Will the New Orleans Saints break out of their slump?
The Saints were not expecting to be in this position, at 1-2 on the season. Drew Brees is doing all he can to keep his team going offensively, but his 22nd-ranked defense is holding him back.
Enter the Dallas Cowboys, a team that can air it out with Dez Bryant and Terrance Williams. Which defense will hold first, the Saints or the abysmal Cowboys?
8. Who is the real Matthew Stafford?
Stafford will get his yards, with 883 on the year so far. However, he’s had trouble with interceptions in his three games, throwing three in total.
With a New York Jets pass defense that is relatively strong, Stafford will need to step up. Given his zero-touchdown, two-interception performance last week, it might be a tough task.
9. Will the Indianapolis Colts take control against Tennessee Titans?
The Colts, granted, have had a tough schedule with losses to the Denver Broncos and Philadelphia Eagles. However, this team was picked to win the AFC South and sits behind the Houston Texans for first place.
Enter a Titans team that has been outscored 59-17 in its past two games. If Andrew Luck and his team can put together a strong offensive gameplan, this could be a lopsided game as well.
10. New England Patriots with another road test.
The Patriots scared many by starting 0-1 with a loss to the Miami Dolphins, but they’ve recovered with wins over the Minnesota Vikings and Oakland Raiders. This will be the third road game in four for the Patriots, as they head to Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday.
Tom Brady is not necessarily off to a Tom Brady start, completing just 58.8 percent of his passes. His job won’t get any easier facing a 10th-ranked Kansas City Chiefs pass defense.