Rams, Cowboys and Jaguars headline NFL Week 4 overreaction column

A new Week 4 “overreactions” column from CBS Sports uses a wild Sunday to reassess where several teams really stand, with the Los Angeles Rams, Dallas Cowboys and Jacksonville Jaguars at the centre of the conversation. With most games decided by one score, the piece argues that early results are being stretched into bold narratives that don’t always match the underlying performance.

Rams’ narrow win raises questions about Super Bowl billing

The Rams’ 24-20 comeback victory over the Philadelphia Eagles kept them away from a 1-3 start and prompted an emotional response from head coach Sean McVay. Still, the column contends that Los Angeles should no longer be treated as a clear Super Bowl favourite. The Rams piled up far more offence than Philadelphia but needed late heroics to put away an Eagles team missing DeVonta Smith, Saquon Barkley, Quinyon Mitchell, Zack Baun, Lane Johnson, Landon Dickerson and others.

Matthew Stafford laboured for much of the afternoon in the rain and against Vic Fangio’s defence, an opponent he has historically struggled with, before delivering two long scoring drives in crunch time. Kyren Williams finished those marches with two rushing touchdowns, while Puka Nacua was a focal point with a big receiving day and a rushing score. The analysis also stresses that Los Angeles found a way despite being without defensive difference-makers Myles Garrett, Aaron Donald and Jaylen Watson, framing the win as vital but not definitive proof of dominance.

Cowboys’ statement win, Jaguars still seeking full respect

In Dallas, a 34-30 shootout win over the Houston Texans is described as the Cowboys’ most important result since the 2023 season. CeeDee Lamb shredded Houston’s defence with 17 catches for 189 yards and a touchdown, while Dak Prescott threw for 335 yards without a turnover. The Cowboys’ secondary remains a concern, but holding the Texans to a modest rushing success rate is seen as a step forward, and the writer argues Dallas should be expected to win the NFC East given the Eagles’ ongoing offensive struggles and questions around the Giants and Commanders.

The Jaguars, meanwhile, extended an impressive run with a 22-17 road win over the Cincinnati Bengals, giving them 11 victories in their last 12 regular-season games. Trevor Lawrence was efficient and mistake-free, Jacksonville controlled the ground game on both sides, and the defence intercepted Joe Burrow twice. One major sportsbook currently lists the Jaguars with the fourth-shortest odds to win the AFC, behind the Ravens, Bills and Chiefs, and the column suggests that while Jacksonville belongs in that elite group, it may not yet be the clear favourite.

Packers not fixed, Ben Johnson surging, Dan Quinn under fire

The Green Bay Packers’ 17-14 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers doesn’t convince CBS Sports that Green Bay is truly back in playoff form. Jordan Love avoided sacks and the run game ticked up, but the overall rushing efficiency remained poor, and the Buccaneers, starting an undrafted rookie backup at quarterback, gashed the Packers on the ground for 141 yards. Adding to the concern, CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz reports the team fears standout linebacker Edgerrin Cooper suffered a torn Achilles.

Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson gets strong praise for guiding wins with three different 200-yard passers – Caleb Williams, Tyson Bagent and Case Keenum – through just four weeks, a feat matched only once before this early in a season, according to CBS Sports research. Yet the piece notes that Coach of the Year voters often gravitate to surprise stories, citing recent awards for Mike Vrabel, Kevin O’Connell, Kevin Stefanski and Brian Daboll, and suggests lofty preseason expectations in Chicago could hurt Johnson’s candidacy.

In Washington, Dan Quinn comes under scrutiny for game management in a 30-13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in London. Already dealing with injuries to Jayden Daniels, Marcus Mariota and others, Quinn rolled the dice on a fourth-and-1 in his own territory while leading 6-0 with seventh-round rookie Athan Kaliakmanis at quarterback. The failed try flipped momentum, the Commanders remain among the league’s most penalized teams, and a 1-3 start ahead of a tough stretch leaves next week’s matchup with the New York Giants looming as close to a must-win.