One positive development from each NFL franchise

NFC East

DALLAS COWBOYS (1-2-1) | Largest constructive: Dak Prescott’s high-level play | The Cowboys could be 0-4 if it weren’t for his or her No. 1 quarterback preserving them in video games late. Dallas leads the league in offense with 404.3 yards per sport and ranks final within the league in protection, permitting 420.5 yards per sport. Prescott leads the NFL in passing yards (1,119) and, in Week 4, led the offense to 40 factors simply to get a tie and keep away from a loss.

NEW YORK GIANTS (1-3) | Largest constructive: Rookies offering hope | The rookie trio of quarterback Jaxson Dart, operating again Cam Skattebo and out of doors linebacker Abdul Carter isn’t simply giving hope for the longer term, however hope for the remainder of the season. All three began their first sport collectively in Week 4 and contributed to the Giants’ first win. Carter has the eleventh most quarterback pressures (19) to date this season, and if the trio continues to progress in the suitable course, the Giants might even see themselves within the win column extra typically than they anticipated.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (4-0) | Largest constructive: Particular groups wins video games |
In 2024, the Eagles didn’t block a area aim, however in 2025, they’ve already blocked two and returned one for a landing. In Week 4, the Eagles’ particular groups got here up huge once more with a blocked punt returned for a landing, making Philadelphia the first team since they did it themselves in 2014 to have consecutive video games with a blocked kick/punt returned for a landing. Whereas particular groups is commonly neglected, for the Eagles, it has helped hold them unbeaten via 4 weeks.

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (2-2) | Largest constructive: Roster depth | With No. 1 operating again Austin Ekler out for the 12 months as a consequence of an Achilles damage, No. 2 operating again Jacory Croskey-Merritt has achieved a stable job, averaging 5.9 yards per carry. Maybe extra impressively is that backup quarterback Marcus Mariota stored the workforce afloat whereas Jayden Daniels heals from a knee damage, going 1-1 in his two begins. The standard of their depth typically distinguishes good groups and unhealthy groups, and the Commanders have demonstrated that their bench gamers can step up when referred to as upon.

— Conor Killmurray

NFC West

San Francisco 49ers center linebacker Fred Warner.
Darren Yamashita-Imagn Photographs

ARIZONA CARDINALS (2-2) | Largest constructive: Defensive position | If not for back-to-back losses through walk-off area targets, the Cardinals might be 4-0. On the intense aspect, the rebuilt defensive position has appeared flawless with veteran Calais Campbell main the league in sacks from an inside defender (three), whereas free agent signing Josh Sweat ranks third within the league amongst edge defenders in cross rush with a 30% win fee. Arizona’s protection has been a problem for opposing groups to date, and that ought to proceed with a good Week 5 matchup at residence in opposition to the 0-4 Tennessee Titans.

LOS ANGELES RAMS (3-1) | Largest constructive: Puka Nacua’s historic tempo |  The third-year wideout has merely been sensational via 4 video games. With 170 yards in Sunday’s win over the beforehand unbeaten Indianapolis Colts, Nacua has an NFL-best 503 receiving yards and 42 receptions, that are tied together with his former teammate Cooper Kupp (2022) and Michael Thomas (2018) for the most in the first four games of the season in NFL historical past, per NFL.com. 

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (3-1) | Largest constructive: Fred Warner’s influence | Though the 49ers protection has but to report an interception this season, it has been among the finest items within the NFL. Spearheading that protection is the veteran Warner, who has a team-high 38 whole tackles to go together with two tackles for loss, three passes defended, two pressured fumbles and one fumble restoration. His 17 profession pressured fumbles are the most in franchise history, surpassing Professional Soccer Corridor of Famer Patrick Willis, leaving little doubt of the influence he continues to make on an elite protection.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (3-1) | Largest constructive: Secondary |  Along with some highlights from its particular workforce unit, the Seattle protection has appeared significantly better than final season below second-year head coach Mike MacDonald, particularly within the secondary. The seven interceptions are tied with the Chicago Bears for the second-most, and the 76.4 opponent common passer score is fourth. Apart from a slim Week 1 loss to the 49ers, the Seahawks are flying excessive after 4 weeks of play.

— Colby Colwell

NFC North

Chicago Bears broad receiver Rome Odunze.
Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Photographs

CHICAGO BEARS (2-2) | Largest constructive: Rome Odunze’s breakout | Nobody is happier to have head coach Ben Johnson on the town than Odunze, who’s already thriving in Chicago’s new offensive system. By means of 4 video games, the second-year broad receiver has 20 catches, 296 yards and 5 touchdowns. Caleb Williams formally has his No. 1 goal for years to return.

DETROIT LIONS (3-1) | Largest constructive: Offense with out Ben Johnson | Talking of Johnson, Lions followers have been begging for him to return again after the offense managed simply 13 factors and three.8 yards per play in opposition to the Packers in Week 1. Since then, although, Detroit scored 52 factors in opposition to the Bears, 38 in opposition to the Ravens and 34 in opposition to the Browns, mixing in a ton of artistic play calls alongside the best way. The Lions, which now lead the NFL in factors per sport (34.3), appear to be they’ll be simply nice with out Johnson calling the photographs. 

GREEN BAY PACKERS (2-1-1) | Largest constructive: Passing sport | Inexperienced Bay’s passing offense, which ranks fourth within the NFL in yards per try (8.3), has been one of the vital environment friendly within the league this season. Jordan Love leads the NFL in adjusted EPA per play (0.356) and ranks second in completion share (76.4 p.c) and fifth in success fee (53.0 p.c). This passing assault is a nightmare for opponents to organize for as a result of Love spreads the ball round so successfully. 

MINNESOTA VIKINGS (2-2) | Largest constructive: Secondary | The Vikings aren’t getting the quarterback play they should attain their targets, however the cross protection will hold them aggressive in most video games. Minnesota’s protection ranks first within the NFL in dropback EPA (-0.272) and third in passing yards allowed per sport (151.5) via 4 weeks. Cornerback Isaiah Rodgers has been among the finest within the enterprise this 12 months, as he’s already recorded two pressured fumbles, one fumble restoration, one interception and two defensive touchdowns. 

— Jack Dougherty

NFC South

Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Photographs

ATLANTA FALCONS (2-2) | Largest constructive: Working again Bijan Robinson | The third-year again has been among the many league’s most dynamic gamers via 4 weeks and is on tempo for two,482 yards from scrimmage. Primarily based on his present manufacturing, Robinson is on observe to change into the fourth participant in NFL historical past with 1,000 dashing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in the identical season, becoming a member of Roger Craig (1985), Marshall Faulk (1999) and Christian McCaffrey (2019). (h/t Stathead)

CAROLINA PANTHERS (1-3) | Largest constructive: Run blocking | The floor numbers say in any other case — the Panthers are averaging 3.9 yards per carry, No. 23 within the NFL — however Carolina’s run–blocking has been a energy via 4 video games, coming into Week 5 No. 7 in ESPN’s run-block win rate rankings. Amongst 43 qualifying backs, offseason free-agent acquisition operating again Rico Dowdle ranks final in rush yards over anticipated (RYOE) per try (-1.5), according to NFL Pro data, additional illustrating the Panthers’ unimpressive dashing numbers aren’t a results of struggles up entrance.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (0-4) | Largest constructive: Quarterback improvement |
Whereas New Orleans is the final winless NFC workforce, the season hasn’t been a whole dumpster fireplace, with quarterback Spencer Rattler taking significant steps in the suitable course, growing his completion share from final season 10.1 share factors, throwing extra touchdowns and fewer interceptions and trusting his legs extra as a runner. The Saints could be out there for a quarterback with extra upside within the 2026 NFL Draft, and Rattler’s progress is a constructive signal that head coach Kellen Moore will have the ability to develop whoever his franchise quarterback is.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (3-1) | Largest constructive: Run protection | Tampa Bay is the only team in the NFL to carry its first 4 opponents below 100 dashing yards, and it additionally ranks second within the league in yards allowed per rush try (3.3), which is a exceptional accomplishment contemplating it’s confronted two of the league’s greatest operating backs, Saquon Barkley and Bijan Robinson. The staunch Bucs run protection is nothing new, with the unit holding its final 13 opponents (together with playoffs) below 100 dashing yards, the league’s longest active streak.

—  Eric Smithling

AFC East

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye.
Brian Fluharty-Imagn Photographs

BUFFALO BILLS (4-0) | Largest constructive: A powerful begin |  With 30 or extra factors scored in every of the workforce’s first 4 video games, the undefeated Payments are off to their greatest begin since 1992, once they represented the AFC in Tremendous Bowl XXVI. After opening the season with a one-point victory over the Baltimore Ravens, the Payments have outscored opponents 92-50 whereas posting the second-most yards per sport (404.0) of any workforce. 

MIAMI DOLPHINS (1-3) | Largest constructive: Publish-Tyreek Hill plans |
Hill’s season-ending knee damage was hard to watch , however with no assured cash past 2025, Miami has no motive to maintain the 31-year-old receiver and might save $28M in opposition to subsequent 12 months’s cap by letting him go. Regardless of the workforce’s 27-21 victory over the New York Jets on “Monday Night time Soccer,” the Dolphins are clearly not prepared for primetime and might put Hill’s cash to good use as they give the impression of being to rebuild in 2026.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (2-2) | Largest constructive: Drake Maye is OK |  New England’s 42 factors scored in opposition to Carolina have been a career-high for Maye and essentially the most because the workforce beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 50-10 in 2021. The second-year quarterback went 14-17 for 203 yards and two scores in opposition to the Panthers on Sunday, ending with a career-best 155.6 quarterback score, and is at the moment the NFL’s sixth-leading passer with 988 yards.

NEW YORK JETS (0-4) | Justin Fields’ legs |
Solely the Payments (654) and Commanders (619) have run for extra yards than the Jets (578), who common 5.2 yards per carry with out a top-10 rusher. Working again Breece Corridor ranks nineteenth with 238 yards, however amongst quarterbacks, solely Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts has extra yards (179) than Fields, who ran for 81 yards and a rating in opposition to the Dolphins and led the workforce in dashing in two of his first three begins. 

— Bruce Ewing

AFC West

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Photographs

DENVER BRONCOS (2-2) | Largest constructive: Move-rushing duo |
Per the team’s Instagram page, Jonathon Cooper has stated he and fellow LB Nik Bonitto are “all the time in a race to the quarterback.” Bonitto holds a slight lead within the contest with 4.5 sacks in 4 video games, however Cooper isn’t far behind with 2.5. The pleasant competitors has benefited Denver, which leads the league in sacks (15).

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (2-2) | Largest constructive: WR Xavier Worthy is again | With Worthy again within the lineup, the Chiefs’ Twelfth-ranked passing assault (221.8 YPG) ought to regain its footing. After lacking two video games due to a dislocated tight shoulder, Worthy had 5 receptions for 83 yards in a 37-20 Week 4 win over the Baltimore Ravens. In his postgame news conference, Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes stated Worthy confirmed he’s a do-everything WR and expects him to stay in that function for the remainder of the season.  

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (1-3) | Largest constructive: Rookie RB Ashton Jeanty’s returning to his pre-snap stance at Boise State | On Monday, Raiders head coach Pete Carroll stated he “liked” Jeanty going again to his faculty pre-snap stance in Week 4 in opposition to the Chicago Bears. In contrast to most RBs who stand like a basketball participant enjoying protection, the Boise State product stood together with his arms at his sides. It clearly made a distinction, as he rushed for a season-high 138 yards and one TD on 21 carries within the 25-24 loss to Chicago.   

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (3-1) | Largest constructive: Third-year WR Quentin Johnston’s breakout | Johnston was thought of a possible bust after struggling with drops in his first two seasons. Now, the 2023 first-rounder is turning into one of many league’s extra productive receivers. By means of 4 video games, the TCU product ranks third within the league in receiving yards (337) and is tied for third in TD catches (4).   

— Clark Dalton 

AFC North

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Kirby Lee-Imagn Photographs

BALTIMORE RAVENS (1-3) | Largest constructive: The offense continues to be dynamic | Even with the 1-3 report, you’ll be able to’t actually put a lot blame on quarterback Lamar Jackson and the offense. They’ve scored at the very least 20 factors in each sport, 30 factors in three video games and 40 factors in two video games. That may endure a bit if Jackson misses a while, however the offense has performed nicely sufficient to be at the very least 3-1 as a substitute of 1-3 at this level.

CINCINNATI BENGALS (2-2) | Largest constructive: Ja’Marr Chase continues to be nice |
There was nothing overly spectacular concerning the Bengals’ 2-2 begin, particularly after the final two video games with out quarterback Joe Burrow. Positives are few and much between right here, however Chase continues to be having an excellent season with 26 catches and 264 yards, placing him on a tempo for 110 catches and 1,122 yards over 17 video games. 

CLEVELAND BROWNS (1-3) | Largest constructive: The rookie class seems to be sturdy |
This was all the time going to be an extended 12 months for the Browns and one other rebuilding 12 months, and that’s why it’s so necessary that their rookie class has already made a big effect. Defensive lineman Mason Graham, linebacker Carson Schwesinger and operating backs Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson have all already made impacts, and now quarterback Dillon Gabriel is getting his alternative. 

PITTSBURGH STEELERS (3-1) | Largest constructive: Aaron Rodgers nonetheless has one thing left |
Rodgers might not be the MVP-level participant he was at his peak for the Green Bay Packers, however there may be at the very least one thing left in his arm and he’s giving the Steelers the perfect quarterback play they’ve had in at the very least 5 – 6 years. They don’t want him to be MVP Aaron Rodgers; they simply want him to be a very good, succesful NFL quarterback. That’s what they’re getting. 

— Adam Gretz

AFC South

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones.
Steve Roberts-Imagn Photographs

HOUSTON TEXANS (1-3) | Largest constructive: An elite cross rush | Houston has arguably the perfect pass-rush duo within the NFL with Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter. The 2 have mixed for seven sacks on the season and helped Houston shut out the Titans 26-0 in Week 4. The Texans lead the NFL with simply 12.8 factors allowed per sport, and their skill to get after the quarterback has overwhelmed opposing offenses.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (3-1) | | Largest constructive: The rebirth of QB Daniel Jones | Jones threw his first two interceptions of the season in a Week 4 loss to the Rams, however he has been excellent general with the Colts. The previous first-round decide has accomplished 71.9 p.c of his passes for 1,078 yards, which ranks third within the NFL. Jones has additionally accounted for seven touchdowns and has Indy wanting like one of many shock groups of 2025.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (3-1) | | Largest constructive: Having a nostril for the soccer | The Jaguars lead the NFL via 4 video games with a plus-nine turnover margin. They’ve a whopping 13 takeaways, together with 9 interceptions. LB Devin Lloyd had three picks and cornerback Jourdan Lewis, who signed a $30M cope with Jacksonville in free company, has two. New HC Liam Coen’s workforce is off to a scorching begin primarily as a result of it has pressured opposing groups into errors.

TENNESSEE TITANS (0-4) | | Largest constructive: LB Cedric Grey’s improvement | Following an injury-plagued rookie season in 2024, Grey has emerged as a possible anchor of Tennessee’s protection. He had a career-high 17 whole tackles (10 solo) in Week 4 and ranks 12th in the NFL in whole tackles via 4 video games. Grey, a former fourth-round pick of North Carolina, seems to be like he may turn into among the finest linebackers in soccer.

— Steve DelVecchio