Each week, Yardbarker highlights the most important people leading into the week’s NFL games.
From players to coaches and beyond, here are the 10 most important people to keep an eye on in Week 4.
Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert
Herbert went into Week 3 listed as questionable on the injury report with a high-ankle sprain and would leave the second half of a 20-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers after aggravating the injury. Next up for the 2-1 Chargers is the 3-0 AFC West-leading Kansas City Chiefs. Head coach Jim Harbaugh said Herbert’s injury is “progressing well,” but whether that means he’ll suit up against Kansas City or be even remotely close to 100 percent remains to be seen.
Detroit Lions DE Aidan Hutchinson
Hutchinson has 6.5 sacks and is on pace to break the NFL record for sacks in a season. Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt share the record of 22.5 sacks in a season and Hutchinson’s averaging over two sacks per game with 14 more games to go. Hutchinson will look to keep racking up sacks against the 3-0 Seattle Seahawks.
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce
Las Vegas was throttled on Sunday by the previously winless Carolina Panthers 36-22. After the game, Antonio Pierce called out players for making “business decisions” and said that the Raiders would return the favor by making some business decisions of their own. This type of frank language by Pierce could galvanize the team this week against the 1-2 Cleveland Browns, or it could be the beginning of yet another Raiders head coach losing the locker room en route to another disappointing season.
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor
The Bengals are 0-3 and their chances of making the playoffs are quickly fading. A loss to the 1-2 Carolina Panthers on Sunday would be absolutely devastating and seems plausible. The Bengals passing defense was atrocious against Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels on “Monday Night Football” (21-of-23 for 254 yards and two passing touchdowns), and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Panthers QB Andy Dalton light them up. Dalton passed for 319 yards and three passing touchdowns last week against the Raiders. Head coach Zac Taylor may not be on the hot seat if the Bengals lose, but his seat could get warmer.
Indianapolis Colts QB Anthony Richardson
The second-year quarterback has had an ugly start to the season with three passing touchdowns, six interceptions and a 49.3 completion percentage. As ugly as those numbers are, the Colts are coming off a 21-16 win over the Chicago Bears and could really turn their season around with a win over the 3-0 Pittsburgh Steelers. It won’t be easy for Richardson, though, as the Steelers have the No. 6-ranked passing defense.
Philadelphia Eagles RB Saquon Barkley
Barkley leads the NFL in rushing yards at 351 and is tied for first in rushing touchdowns with four. Barkley and the 2-1 Eagles face the 2-1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. The Eagles will have a huge edge with Barkley against the Bucs’ No. 25-ranked rushing defense that’s allowing 137.7 rushing yards per game.
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur
Despite Jordan Love being injured in Week 1 in a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Packers are an improbable 2-1 heading into an NFC North tilt versus the Minnesota Vikings. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur has gotten the most out of backup Malik Willis, who the team traded for in late August. LaFleur said that Love is “making progress” with his injury. Whether it’s Love or Willis starting, they’ll be going against a very good Vikings defense and a creative defensive coordinator in Brian Flores. The 3-0 Vikings have allowed just 30 points this season, which ranks No. 2 in the NFL. LaFleur has been one of the best offensive play-callers this season, while Flores has been one of the best on defense. This should be a great chess match between LaFleur and Flores.
Atlanta Falcons QB Kirk Cousins
The Falcons are 1-2 and will face the 2-1 New Orleans Saints this Saturday. If the Falcons keep losing games, it could only be a matter of time for the calls to start No. 8 overall pick Michael Penix Jr. grow instead of 36-year-old Kirk Cousins. Cousins has been a middle-of-the-pack quarterback this season, underperforming after signing a four-year, $180 million contract this offseason that includes $100 million in guaranteed money. The Falcons drafted Penix in the first round for a reason and could prove wise to give him some snaps if Cousins remains average.
Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen
Allen will become an early front-runner for MVP if the Bills improve to 4-0 with a win over the Baltimore Ravens this season. Allen has passed for 634 yards, seven passing touchdowns and zero interceptions with two rushing scores this year. The gunslinger ranks No. 1 in ESPN Total QBR at an impressive 92.6.
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton
Much has always been made of Payton’s partnership with future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees at the New Orleans Saints. As such, there are high hopes Payton can help turn rookie Oregon quarterback Bo Nix into an elite player. Nix’s career has gotten off to a rocky start statistically, as he’s yet to throw for a touchdown and has four interceptions. If Payton can’t turn Nix and the 1-2 Broncos into winners against the 2-1 New York Jets, the perception of him being a quarterback whisperer may start to fade.
