By the time we get to NFL Week 4, trends start setting in. The first few weeks are a shot in the dark, but Week 4 informs us which teams are serious contenders and which ones are merely scrapping to remain competitive. Some teams are running smoothly, tweaking what works, while others are stopping leaks and praying the season doesn't get away from them.
This week, four teams have emerged as worth paying attention to: the Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers, and the Baltimore Ravens. Each is forging its own script in an unpredictable season. Here's where they stand as the NFL Week 4 approaches.
Buffalo Bills: Regaining Their Edge
The Buffalo Bills enter NFL Week 4 with something to prove, and so far, they've done precisely that. After the mayhem of Week 1, Josh Allen has re-tuned, minimizing sloppy passes and embracing the kind of aggressive control that makes him dangerous. James Cook has become the kind of backfield stabilizer Buffalo hasn't seen in years.
What sets the Bills apart at the moment, though, is their defense. Sean McDermott's group lives on disruption. Matt Milano's sideline-to-sideline ability and Jordan Poyer's leadership in the secondary give Buffalo a foundation that's hard to break. With Von Miller on the way back in his return, this group might be the most complete in the AFC.
It’s no wonder then that FanDuel NFL odds set the Bills as 16.5 favorites against the New Orleans Saints. The ceiling is extremely high, but consistency is what it is tested by. Buffalo can blow out anyone, but every slip against lesser foes reminds us how thin the margin remains in the AFC race.
Green Bay Packers: Experimenting With a New Identity
NFL Week 4 provides the clearest picture yet of what life post-Aaron Rodgers looks like for the Green Bay Packers.
Jordan Love hasn't been perfect, but he's shown composure on late-game drives and flashes of the arm talent that made the Packers take a shot on him. His chemistry with young wide receivers like Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs is just starting to develop, but the signs point in a good way.
The Packers are depending most on balance. The run game, spearheaded by Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon, supports the offense when Love is unable to get the ball downfield. Green Bay does have real teeth on defense: Rashan Gary's pass rush and Jaire Alexander's grabby man coverage make this team able to win games on its own.
The Packers are intriguing because they exist on two timelines, at once building for the future and staying competitive in the present moment. Their NFL Week 4 forecast is indicative of volatility, but also potential. If Love continues to find his footing under the gun, they might take a genuine leap toward the playoffs.
Baltimore Ravens: Slogging Through the Grind
The Ravens' NFL Week 4 landscape is defined by toughness. Roster injuries persist, but Lamar Jackson will not allow the season to get going in slow motion. With Todd Monken's revamped scheme, Baltimore is opening up the passing game. While execution is not flawless, it tests defenses differently. Jackson continues to mesmerize on the ground, contributing to the Ravens' dual-threat dimension that few can match.
The defense, meanwhile, remains the anchor. Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen are one of the best linebacker duos in the league. With or without a battered secondary, Baltimore creates turnovers and makes games interesting. This is a hard-nosed team, and that alone makes them a formidable opponent.
Baltimore can outlast anyone grinding out a win, but the injury bug continues to lower their floor. According to the latest NFL power rankings, the Ravens have moved up in week 3. Still, they occupy the awkward middle: too good to overlook, yet too injured to fully believe in.
Defining the Season's First Act
In the NFL Week 4, we see what teams are built for the grind and what teams are hoping to get by on smoke and mirrors. The Bills are back to form, the Eagles are winning despite not having their sharpest edge, the Packers are searching for identity, and the Ravens are resilient in the face of adversity.
There are surprises each week in the NFL, but Week 4 turns early impressions into reality. The season is still new, but the stories are already unfolding. NFL Week 4 is not merely another benchmark; it's where playoff hopefuls begin to separate themselves from the rest.
*Content reflects information available as of 09/22/25; subject to change.