NFL Week 4 Preview: Undefeated Teams Clash, Injury and QB Questions Loom

Week 4 features an undefeated Raiders-Vikings matchup, a Baker Mayfield injury watch, and five potential upsets including the 49ers.

The NFL's Week 4 slate arrives with several teams still undefeated, headlined by a matchup between the Raiders and Vikings — two clubs that have yet to lose — making it one of the marquee games on the schedule. The storyline adds urgency to a week already packed with compelling subplots across the league. Baker Mayfield's health is a central concern heading into the week, with his injury status drawing attention for its potential impact on his team's fortunes. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Rams have gotten off to a slower start than expected, and the Chicago Bears continue to face unresolved questions at the quarterback position — two franchises searching for answers early in the season. On the upset front, the San Francisco 49ers are among five favored teams identified as vulnerable this week, part of a broader pattern of unpredictability that saw four major upsets correctly flagged in Week 3. The picks reflect a season where early standings and point spreads have repeatedly been challenged by on-field results. On the visual side, the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants will wear special uniform combinations in Week 4, adding a distinct look to their respective matchups amid a full slate of helmet, jersey, and pants combinations across all 32 teams.

Why it matters

With several teams still undefeated through three weeks, Week 4 results could meaningfully shape early playoff positioning and momentum heading into the back half of the first quarter of the season. Injury developments — particularly at quarterback — can quickly alter a team's trajectory over the long 17-game schedule.

What's next

Watch whether the Raiders or Vikings claim sole possession of an undefeated record, and whether Baker Mayfield's availability is confirmed or he is sidelined for his team's game.

Key facts

• The Raiders and Vikings both entered Week 4 undefeated, setting up a battle between two of the NFL's last remaining winless-free teams
• CBS Sports correctly identified four major upsets in Week 3 and flagged five more potential upsets for Week 4, including the San Francisco 49ers
• Baker Mayfield's injury is listed as a top storyline affecting Week 4 outcomes
• The Los Angeles Rams have started the season slowly, and the Chicago Bears have an unresolved quarterback situation
• The Cleveland Browns and New York Giants will wear special uniform combinations in Week 4
• All 32 teams' helmet, jersey, and pants combinations for Week 4 were catalogued by NBC Bay Area

Bias & framing notes

The three sources each cover Week 4 from a different editorial angle — NBC Bay Area focuses on uniforms and aesthetics, CBS Sports emphasizes gambling-adjacent upset predictions, and AZCentral covers narrative storylines — meaning the combined picture is assembled from complementary but non-overlapping reporting rather than independent corroboration of the same facts. No source contradicts another, but very few specific facts are confirmed by more than one outlet.

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