A pair of NFC showdowns and a matchup of 3-0 AFC East rivals headline the must-watch action of Week 4.
The NFL season is almost a month old, and it isn’t short on big games. Every week produces multiple games that rate as must-watch affairs, and Week 4 is no exception.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at the three best games this week in the NFL, beginning with a marquee showdown on Thursday.
Philadelphia Eagles (1-2) at Green Bay Packers (3-0)
This matchup of big name squads in the NFC is of critical importance for the visitors. The Philadelphia Eagles were a team many assumed would be a Super Bowl contender entering the season, but things have not gone according to plan.
Back-to-back losses and a run of injuries have the Eagles in panic mode, and a short week trip to Lambeau Field certainly will up the desperation factor. Facing Aaron Rodgers with minimal prep time is a nightmare, but what makes it worse for the Eagles is Green Bay’s dominating defense.
The Packers’ newly found defense has been a huge issue for opposing teams, which have struggled to move the ball. The Denver Broncos were Green Bay’s latest victims, turning the ball over three times and watching quarterback Joe Flacco get sacked six times.
With the Dallas Cowboys racing to a 3-0 start in the NFC East, the Eagles can’t afford to keep dropping games in the standings. Green Bay is looking to go to 4-0 themselves, so this is a huge game early in the year on Thursday Night Football.
New England Patriots (3-0) at Buffalo Bills (3-0)
Pretty much everyone assumed that the New England Patriots were capable of starting off the season 3-0. Few people would say the same about the Buffalo Bills, making this early AFC East showdown a massive game.
The Patriots have walloped the opposition over the first three weeks, bludgeoning the Steelers, Dolphins, and Jets by a combined score of 106-17, but they enter this matchup a bit vulnerable. Injuries have taken a toll on the offensive line and receiving corps, which makes this road. trip to Buffalo very interesting.
The Bills are also 3-0, but they have beaten three teams with a combined record of 1-8. The Patriots are a massive step up in competition for Buffalo, but the Bills are more than capable of handling it.
Buffalo has a very good defense, particularly against the pass, where Tre’Davious White should be able to lock down Josh Gordon on the outside. If the Bills can keep this game close at home their fans could prove to be the difference in a big upset.
Dallas Cowboys (3-0) at New Orleans Saints (2-1)
This is the Sunday Night Football matchup in Week 4, and just a week ago it probably wouldn’t have made this list. The New Orleans Saints had just been blown out by the Los Angeles Rams and lost Drew Brees for six weeks to thumb surgery, so things looked dire.
To their credit, the Saints responded with a huge road victory in Seattle. Teddy Bridgewater wasn’t as explosive a passer as Brees, but he made enough big plays to set up the Saints for success with their running game.
New Orleans returns home for a showdown with the team that has looked like the best in the NFC this season, the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys haven’t dealt with a ton of quality competition, trouncing the Giants, Redskins, and Dolphins over the first three weeks of the season, but they haven’t let those teams hang around for long.
Dallas beat New Orleans last season, so you know the Saints will be looking for revenge in the Superdome. Even with Drew Brees on the sideline once again, the Saints are more than capable of toppling the Cowboys on Sunday night.
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