Four weeks into the NFL season, the standings are starting to mean something. It’s still early enough for a team to turn things around, but there’s enough on the page to send home a progress report. Some coaches can sign theirs with a smile. Others might want to leave it at the bottom of the backpack.
Top of the class: Chiefs, Vikings and 49ers (4–0)
Kansas City and San Francisco being undefeated feels familiar. The Chiefs had to work for every bit of their 30–27 win over the Raiders, but finding a way through a tight game is practically part of their identity. The 49ers have looked strong from week to week, with Brock Purdy giving them steady play at quarterback.
Minnesota belongs in this group by record, though its work looks different. A 15–10 win over Miami kept the Vikings perfect. Their defence is getting results; the question is how long the offence can keep asking it to do so much.
Doing the work: Bills, Ravens, Jaguars, Bears and Seahawks (3–1)
There’s plenty to like here, even if nobody gets a perfect mark. Buffalo lost a close one to New England, while Baltimore, Jacksonville, Chicago and Seattle all won in Week 4. The Bears deserve particular credit for putting wins together without Caleb Williams. These teams have given themselves a good start. Now they have to make it last.
The pleasant surprises: Raiders, Browns and Giants (3–1)
Las Vegas lost its first game on Sunday, but nearly knocking off Kansas City says a lot about its first month. Kirk Cousins has helped make the Raiders competitive while rookie Fernando Mendoza waits for his chance.
Cleveland and New York have also earned their records. Whether either can keep this pace is a fair question. For now, the Browns are winning, and the Giants have been entertaining with Jameis Winston at quarterback. That counts for something after four weeks.
Time for a meeting: Texans, Chargers and Buccaneers (0–4)
A winless first month is hard to explain away. Houston pushed Dallas before falling 34–30, which may make the loss sting even more. The Chargers have Justin Herbert, yet still haven’t found a win. Tampa Bay is in the same hole after a narrow loss to Green Bay.
There’s time left in the season, but urgency has arrived for all three. A promising stretch of play won’t mean much until one of them finishes a Sunday with a victory.
The middle of the report card
The Rams and Eagles are both 2–2 after Los Angeles came back to win their meeting 24–20. The Rams can take heart from the finish. Philadelphia will be thinking about the lead it let slip.
Carolina also reached 2–2 with a 32–26 win over Detroit. Bryce Young gave Panthers fans a performance worth remembering. One good night doesn’t settle the season, but it gives a team something to build on.
That’s the thing about a four-week progress report: the grades aren’t final. The unbeaten teams still have to prove they can handle a bad week, and the winless teams need to show they can produce a good one. October is when we begin to find out who learned something from September.
