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Week 4 NFC predictions: Bears' Williams rolls but gets rocked, too
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams. Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Week 4 NFC predictions: Bears rookie QB Caleb Williams rolls but gets rocked, too

By Yardbarker Staff  |  Last updated Sep 25, 2024 12:38 PM ET

Change can come in a flash in the NFL. 

Look no further than Carolina, where QB Andy Dalton excelled in Week 3 (319 yards passing) after replacing beleaguered Bryce Young, and in Seattle (3-0), which missed the playoffs last season but leads the NFC West by two games.

Will Dalton throw for more than 300 yards again?  Will the Seahawks pass their first major test in Detroit on Monday night?

Ahead of Week 4 games, Yardbarker NFL writers offer a prediction for every NFC team.

NFC East

DALLAS COWBOYS (1-2) | Micah Parsons notches two sacks | One week after calling out his teammates for undisciplined play, the Pro Bowl linebacker will record the first sack of the game and throw in another for good measure on the road against division-rival New York on Thursday. Dallas had 12 sacks of Giants quarterbacks last season, seven on starter Daniel Jones, who should have his hands full against a frustrated Cowboys team.

NEW YORK GIANTS (1-2) | Devin Singletary rushes for his first 100-yard game as a Giant | In Week 3, Singletary couldn’t match the 147 yards and two TDs of his predecessor, Saquon Barkley, but you won’t hear Giants fans complaining after his 43-yard run helped cement a win in Week 3 at Cleveland. The veteran running back stopped short of the end zone to let the clock run out, but he’ll show less restraint at home against a Cowboys team that allowed 274 yards rushing during a 28-25 home loss to the Ravens in Week 3.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (2-1) | Jalen Carter gets flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct | Philly’s best defensive tackle was benched for a series after being late to a meeting and had to be restrained by three men (including head coach Nick Sirianni) while taunting the Saints’ Tyrann Mathieu from the sideline in the final minutes of Philadelphia’s 15-12 victory over New Orleans in Week 3. The Eagles should arrive in Tampa with a chip on their shoulder after losing to the Bucs 32-9 in last season's playoffs. That could be an issue for a player still showing the immaturity that cost him several spots in the 2023 NFL Draft.

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (2-1) | A well-rested Tress Way has blocked punt | The Commanders beat the Bengals 38–33 on "Monday Night Football" in a game that featured no punts or turnovers, the first time that has happened since 1940, per SI’s Ryan Phillips. Washington’s longest-tenured player will indeed punt Sunday at the Arizona Cardinals, but one will be blocked — the fourth punt block of his career. — Bruce Ewing

NFC West

ARIZONA CARDINALS (1-2) | The offense bounces back with a 30-point effort | The offense has been a little hot and cold so far, but Kyler Murray and Co. should have a good opportunity at home for a bounce-back game Sunday. As surprisingly good as the Washington Commanders (2-1) are, their defense is vulnerable and giving up 29.3 points and 377.3 yards per game.

LOS ANGELES RAMS (1-2) | They sack Caleb Williams at least five times | The Rams loaded up on pass-rushers and defensive line in the draft with Jared Verse and Braden Fiske, who joined returning star Kobie Turner. They have been a disruptive force so far and should tee off against a Chicago Bears offensive line that hasn't blocked well for Williams. See the evidence:

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (1-2) | They force a quarterback change in New England | The 49ers are not off to the start anybody expected — how did they blow a lead in Week 3 to the Rams? — but they should get back on track Sunday at home against New England. Their defense will be so dominant Sunday that New England will finally end the Jacoby Brissett experience and turn to rookie QB Drake Maye, who played mop-up duty in a loss in Week 3 against the New York Jets.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (3-0) | They show they are for real | The Seahawks are one of the NFL’s surprise teams, but they have played middling New England and Denver and a Miami team with backup quarterback Skylar Thompson. A "Monday Night Football" game in Detroit will be Seattle's first real test. Whether they win the game or not, the Seahawks will pass the test with a strong showing. — Adam Gretz

NFC North

CHICAGO BEARS (1-2) | QB Caleb Williams has a 300-yard, multi-touchdown game with zero interceptions | Rams starting cornerbacks Tre’Davious White and Quentin Lake have combined to allow 17 receptions on 25 targets, 300 yards and four TDs through three games. Williams showed in Week 3 against the Colts — a team ranked 21st against the pass — that he can put up big numbers (363 yards, two TD passes) against weak secondaries. Expect him to torch the Rams at home.

DETROIT LIONS (2-1) | DE Aidan Hutchinson has another three-plus sack game | Hutchinson had a breakout game in a loss to the Bucs in Week 2 (4.5 sacks) and will likely have another monster day at home against a struggling Seahawks O-line ranked 25th in the NFL by Pro Football Focus. Seattle has surrendered 41 pressures, 25 hurries and nine QB hits through three games, and Hutchinson is the kind of edge-rusher who will feast against a line that flimsy.

GREEN BAY PACKERS (2-1) | WR Jayden Reed finishes with more total yards than Vikings WR Justin Jefferson | What makes Reed so valuable to Green Bay’s offense is his versatility — he has 208 career rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns in addition to his 990 receiving yards and nine TD catches. If QB Jordan Love (left knee sprain) doesn’t play and is replaced again by Malik Willis, expect to see the Packers exploit the Vikings defense at home by putting the ball in Reed’s hands as a runner and receiver. Justin Jefferson, who?

MINNESOTA VIKINGS (3-0) | RB Aaron Jones goes off for 150 yards rushing and two touchdowns | Nothing motivates a player more than wanting to stick it to his former team. Jones had his first 100-yard rushing game in Week 3, and he'll follow it up in Green Bay with what would be just his third career 150-yard rushing game and his 10th career multi-touchdown game. — Michael Gallagher

NFC South

ATLANTA FALCONS (1-2)  | Tight end Kyle Pitts gains over 100 receiving yards | The No. 4 overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft has largely been a non-factor in Atlanta since his rookie season, but he had the team’s biggest offensive play — a 50-yard reception — in a 22-17 loss to the Chiefs in Week 3. Pitts will keep the momentum going at home against a Saints defense that was carved up in Week 3 by Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert for 170 yards on 10 receptions.

CAROLINA PANTHERS (1-2) | Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton throws for more than 300 yards | The rise of Dalton continues in Week 4 as the 14-year NFL veteran takes on the team that drafted him, the Bengals, at home. It won’t result in a win, but after falling behind early, Dalton will eclipse the 300-yard mark for the second week in a row.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (2-1) | Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu creates another turnover | The Honey Badger has taken what he wants so far this season, recording a turnover in each of New Orleans’ first three games. His turnover streak stands at four games dating to last season, and he’ll make it five in Atlanta against QB Kirk Cousins and the Falcons.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (2-1) | Quarterback Baker Mayfield sacked five times | The former No. 1 overall pick will need an ice bath after Sunday's game against the Eagles. Mayfield has been sacked 12 times over the past two weeks, including seven in Week 3 against the Broncos. Philadelphia’s defense, led by lineman Jalen Carter, will make Week 4 another long Sunday in Tampa Bay for the Bucs offense. — Eric Smithling

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