NFL Week 4 Guide: Burrow-Lawrence Duel and AFC West Battle of Unbeatens

The Cleveland Browns opened Week 4 of the 2026 NFL season with a 27-24 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night. As the league transitions to the Sunday, October 4 slate, the schedule is highlighted by an international opener in London and several divisional matchups featuring undefeated teams.

The Sunday action begins early at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as the Indianapolis Colts face the Washington Commanders in the season’s first London game. Washington enters the contest without quarterback Jayden Daniels, who was ruled out earlier this week due to injury. The absence of Daniels shifts the offensive burden to the Commanders’ backup depth as they attempt to navigate the international stage against a Colts team looking to maintain pace in the AFC South.

High-Scoring Potential in Cincinnati

One of the most anticipated matchups of the early afternoon kicks off at 1:00 PM ET on CBS, where the Jacksonville Jaguars visit the Cincinnati Bengals. The game features a marquee quarterback duel between Trevor Lawrence and Joe Burrow, and betting markets suggest significant offensive production. The over/under for the contest is currently set at 50.5 points, one of the highest totals on the Week 4 board.

The NFL 2026 international series kicks off in London as the Colts face a shorthanded Commanders squad.

Analysis of the matchup suggests a potential shootout, as both offenses have shown the ability to move the ball vertically. For Cincinnati, maintaining home-field advantage will be critical in a crowded AFC North, while the Jaguars are looking to prove their explosive playmaking can translate against a veteran Bengals secondary.

Patriots Face Bills Shorthanded

The New England Patriots travel to Buffalo today for a difficult road test against the Bills. Now led by head coach Mike Vrabel and quarterback Drake Maye, the Patriots are attempting to find consistency in the 2026 campaign. However, the New England defense will be significantly depleted for this divisional clash.

The team confirmed that cornerback Christian Gonzalez and defensive tackle Christian Barmore have both been ruled out for the game. Facing the Bills roster without two of their primary defensive anchors puts additional pressure on Maye to sustain long drives and keep the Buffalo offense off the field. This game serves as a measuring stick for the New England rebuild under Vrabel’s leadership.

Undefeated Clash and the Battle of Texas

The AFC West takes center stage as the Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders meet in a battle of unbeatens. Both teams enter the game with 3-0 records, making this one of the most consequential early-season divisional games for the conference standings. The winner will emerge as the lone leader in the West heading into the second month of the season.

The undefeated and battle for early-season dominance in the AFC West.

Meanwhile, the “Battle of Texas” features two teams desperate for a turnaround. The Houston Texans enter Week 4 with a 0-3 record, while the Dallas Cowboys have struggled to a 1-2 start. While both teams have faced early-season adversity, the stakes are particularly high for Houston as they attempt to avoid a winless first month. Analysis of the matchup points to defensive execution as the deciding factor, as both squads have struggled to prevent big plays in their previous outings.

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