Regular Season • Week 4 • Professional Football Preview
Week 4 of the 2026 NFL season features divisional battles, an international showdown in London, and several games that could influence the early playoff picture.
The Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders enter their meeting with unbeaten records, while the Philadelphia Eagles look to respond against the Los Angeles Rams.
The week opened Thursday night with Cleveland defeating Pittsburgh 27–24.
Sunday’s schedule features 13 games, followed by the Atlanta Falcons visiting the New Orleans Saints on Monday night.
Indianapolis Colts at Washington Commanders
9:30 a.m. ET • London • NFL Network
Washington returns to international action after earning its first win of the season against Seattle.
Indianapolis will look to establish its offense early and take advantage of Washington’s quarterback situation.
Jayden Daniels has been ruled out with a left elbow injury.
Key matchup: Indianapolis’ passing attack against Washington’s secondary.
Tennessee Titans at Baltimore Ravens
1:00 p.m. ET • CBS
Baltimore will aim to control the game with its ground attack, quarterback mobility and defensive pressure.
Tennessee needs to limit turnovers and keep the Ravens from generating explosive plays.
Key matchup: The Titans’ run defense against Baltimore’s rushing game
New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills
1:00 p.m. ET • CBS
The AFC East rivalry returns to Buffalo.
The Bills will look to use their home-field advantage and offensive versatility, while New England must protect the football and prevent Buffalo from building an early lead.
Key matchup: Buffalo’s quarterback-driven offense against New England’s pass coverage.
New York Jets at Chicago Bears
1:00 p.m. ET • FOX
Chicago comes into the game after defeating Philadelphia in Week 3.
The Bears will try to build on that performance with balanced offense and defensive pressure, while the Jets need to sustain drives and avoid costly mistakes.
Key matchup: The Jets’ offensive line against Chicago’s pass rush.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Cincinnati Bengals
1:00 p.m. ET • CBS
This matchup features two offenses capable of testing defenses downfield
Cincinnati will look to create passing opportunities, while Jacksonville needs to pressure the quarterback and establish consistency on offense.
Key matchup: Quarterback protection and explosive passing plays.
Dallas Cowboys at Houston Texans
1:00 p.m. ET • FOX
Houston celebrates its franchise’s 25th anniversary while hosting its Texas rival.
Dallas will look for ways to exploit the Texans’ defensive coverage, while Houston’s ability to pressure the quarterback could determine the game’s tempo.
Key matchup: Dallas’ passing attack against Houston’s defensive front
Los Angeles Rams at Philadelphia Eagles
1:00 p.m. ET • FOX
Philadelphia returns home looking to rebound from its Week 3 loss to Chicago.
The Rams, meanwhile, seek to recover from a difficult start to the season.
Matthew Stafford and Jalen Hurts headline a matchup that could feature both downfield passing and quarterback movement.
Key matchup: Philadelphia’s pass rush against Stafford’s pocket passing..
Injury watch: Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald is out, while receiver Puka Nacua is expected to return.
Tennessee Titans at Baltimore Ravens
1:00 p.m. ET • CBS
Baltimore’s ability to dictate the pace through its running game will be an important factor, while Tennessee needs to keep the contest close enough to use its passing options late.
Key matchup: Red-zone execution and third-down conversions.
Arizona Cardinals at New York Giants
1:00 p.m. ET • CBS
Arizona will look to generate offensive rhythm through its passing game and movement outside the pocket.
The Giants need to pressure the quarterback, control the line of scrimmage and turn defensive stops into scoring opportunities.
Key matchup: Arizona’s perimeter playmakers against New York’s secondary.
Geen Bay Packers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1:00 p.m. ET • FOX
Green Bay travels to Tampa Bay for a matchup requiring disciplined offense and reliable tackling.
The Buccaneers will look to capitalize on home-field advantage, while the Packers need to create sustained drives and limit defensive breakdowns.
Key matchup: Green Bay’s passing efficiency against Tampa Bay’s coverage
Miami Dolphins at Minnesota Vikings
4:05 p.m. ET • FOX
Minnesota hosts Miami in an afternoon matchup where offensive tempo and defensive adjustments could prove decisive.
The Dolphins will look to use speed on the perimeter, while Minnesota needs to protect its quarterback and take advantage of scoring opportunities.
Key matchup: Miami’s speed against Minnesota’s defensive coverage.
Kansas City Chiefs at Las Vegas Raiders
4:25 p.m. ET • CBS
Both teams enter Week 4 at 3–0, making this an important early-season AFC West showdown.
Kansas City will look to use its experience and offensive creativity, while Las Vegas aims to continue its unbeaten start with an aggressive passing attack and disciplined defense
Key matchup: Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense against the Raiders’ defensive pressure.
What to watch: Turnovers, red-zone efficiency and the battle for field position.
Los Angeles Chargers at Seattle Seahawks
4:25 p.m. ET • CBS
Seattle returns home for a matchup against a Chargers team looking to make progress in the AFC race.
Los Angeles needs to protect its quarterback and sustain drives, while Seattle will look to generate pressure and capitalize on opportunities in front of its home crowd.
Denver Broncos at San Francisco 49ers
4:25 p.m. ET • CBS
Denver visits San Francisco in a matchup featuring two defenses capable of creating pressure.
The Broncos will aim to disrupt the 49ers’ offensive rhythm, while San Francisco looks to use its running game and play-action passing to move the ball.
Key matchup: San Francisco’s offensive versatility against Denver’s pass rush.
Detroit Lions at Carolina Panthers
8:20 p.m. ET • NBC
Detroit will look to establish its physical running game and create explosive plays through the air.
Carolina must find ways to slow the Lions’ offense, protect its quarterback and make its possessions count.
Key matchup: Detroit’s offensive line against Carolina’s defensive front.
Monday Night Football — October 5
The NFC South rivalry closes Week 4 with a divisional matchup in New Orleans.
Atlanta will look to generate explosive plays and establish its running game, while the Saints need to control possession and make defensive stops in key situations.
Key matchup: Atlanta’s offensive weapons against New Orleans’ secondary.
What to watch: Turnovers, red-zone efficiency and fourth-quarter execution.
Three Keys to Week 4
1. Quarterback protection
With several high-profile passing matchups on the schedule, offensive-line performance could determine which teams sustain drives and avoid costly sacks.
2. Establishing the running game
Teams that control the line of scrimmage can manage the clock, reduce pressure on their quarterbacks and create play-action opportunities.
3. Turnover margin
Divisional games and closely matched contests often turn on one interception, fumble or special-teams mistake. Protecting the football will be critical.
Final Outlook
Week 4 offers a combination of divisional rivalry games, international football and matchups between teams seeking to establish early-season consistency.
The Chiefs–Raiders meeting stands out because both teams enter unbeaten, while Rams–Eagles gives two NFC contenders an opportunity to respond to recent setbacks.
The Bills–Patriots game and the Falcons–Saints rivalry also carry importance within their divisions.
Meanwhile, the Colts–Commanders game in London will test both teams’ preparation and adaptability.
As the season moves toward October, every win can help shape the playoff race.
Week 4 provides another opportunity for teams to build momentum, address weaknesses and establish their identity for the remainder of the 2026 season
