Every weekend in the NFL, elements attract our attention regarding the forces present, the records that are within reach or in relation to certain historical marks. Here, for the fourth week of activities, are 5 elements to watch out for.
• Also read: Our predictions for Week 4: Coaches already in an ejection seat
• Also read: Is the joke finally over in Washington?
1. The season of surprises
If you feel like the surprises have been piling up since the start of the season, you’re not crazy! Last week, five teams were favorites by at least six points: the Jets (against the Patriots), the Browns (against the Giants), the Buccaneers (against the Broncos), the 49ers (against the Rams) and the Bengals (against the Commanders). Only the Jets came out victorious! Since the start of the season, 12 teams have been favorites by at least six points and only five of them have won. This week, the Jets (against the Broncos), the Texans (against the Jaguars), the 49ers (against the Patriots) and the Chiefs (against the Chargers) are all favorites by such a gap… Beware!
2. The undefeated and the incongruous
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There are currently five teams with perfect 3-0 records at the moment: the Bills, Steelers, Chiefs, Vikings and Seahawks. According to ESPN Stats & Info, since the current division format was adopted in 2002, 54% of teams with 3-0 records have finished the season atop their division. The Seahawks even have the luxury of holding a two-game lead and since 2002, 67% of teams in such a position have won their division. Conversely, the Jaguars, Titans and Bengals are the only teams still looking for a win. Historically, since 1966, only 2.4% of teams have earned their playoff berth after an 0-3 start.
3. A successful young coach
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Among the undefeated teams, the Seahawks represent a nice surprise, starting on a new basis with head coach Mike Macdonald. They have the possibility against the Lions to improve their record to 4-0 for the third time in their history (after 2013 and 2020). Macdonald would become only the second head coach since 1933, according to NFL Research, to win his first four games in the NFL. Who is first? None other than Josh McDaniels, in 2009, with the Broncos. But be careful! The Broncos finished the season in disarray, at 8-8.
4. In the 100 club
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The Steelers are visiting Indianapolis and their star outside linebacker TJ Watt is closing in on a rare feat. He currently has 99.5 sacks and this will be his 108th career game. He could therefore very well become the second fastest player in history to reach the legendary plateau of 100 sacks. Only the immortal Reggie White did better by obtaining his 100th sack in his 96th game. Second is Cowboys and Broncos alum DeMarcus Ware, who took 113 games to join the 100-sack club. The legendary Bruce Smith had 115 games.
5. Big shock in the North
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Games between National Conference North Division nemeses the Vikings and the Packers are rarely boring. Even less when they are both having an excellent start to the season. A central element of this matchup is that the Packers lead the NFL with 612 rushing yards. Only six teams since 1990 have amassed at least 600 yards in the first three games of the year, which speaks to their strength in this regard. On the other hand, the Vikings have the best run defense in the conference, averaging 71.3 rushing yards allowed.
