The NFL just wrapped up Week 4 on Monday. Some teams have come out of the gate struggling, while others have already exceeded expectations. Regardless of how they or their fans feel, their record is who they are up to this point. But with 13 games reminaing, the season is far from over. Before Week 5 begins on Thursday, here are three teams that have surprised the league and its fans through the first month.
Minnesota Vikings
Going into 2024, Minnesota’s projected win total was just 6.5 on BetMGM. The unexpected resurgence of some has led them to a 4-0 record, the best in the NFC and one of only two undefeated teams remaining.
After most people across the league wrote him off, Sam Darnold has started the season on fire and is the likely frontrunner for Comeback Player of the Year. Just a quarter of the way through the season, Darnold leads the league in touchdown passes and is ninth in yards with 932.
His rapport with 2022 All-Pro receiver Justin Jefferson has been on display, as Jefferson has a touchdown reception in each game so far. Further, Jefferson has brought in 20 of his 29 targets for 358 yards, all of which are team bests.
Aaron Jones has defied the running back age-cliff stigma in his first season with the Vikings. Jones spent seven seasons with Green Bay before he was released as a cap casualty in March. The Packers are probably regretting asking Jones to take a pay cut now.
He currently ranks eighth in the NFL in rushing yards (321) on five yards per carry and is Minnesota’s No. 2 receiver behind Jefferson. Jones’ durability will be key for Minnesota’s playoff hopes.
Defensively, the Vikings have been led by their stifling run defense. Opposing offenses have run for just 300 yards so far against Brian Flores’ unit, good for second fewest in the NFL, and are averaging 3.8 yards per carry, third-fewest in the NFL.
The pass rush of Minnesota has been dominant as well, leading the league in sacks with 17.0, led by Pat Jones II (5.0) and offseason signee Jonathan Greenard (4.0).
The secondary is the one spot where they could improve, having given up the most passing yards in the league so far. However, the secondary has been successful at creating turnovers, piling up eight interceptions, tied for most in the league.
With elite tight end T.J. Hockenson set to return in 2-3 weeks from a knee injury suffered late last season, and a friendly schedule the rest of the way, the Vikings have a legitimate shot at the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Continuing with the theme of quarterback resurgences, how about Justin Fields and the Steelers? Fields was slated to be the backup to Russell Wilson before Wilson injured his calf days before the opener against Atlanta. Since then, Fields has helped the Steelers to a 3-1 record–3-0 before their loss to the Colts–and potentially cemented himself as the starting QB. Fields is responsible for EVERY TOUCHDOWN SCORED by Pittsburgh this season, three passing and three rushing.
Fields have created another dimension for this offense with his running ability, which is clearly their identity offensively. The backfield committee has shown flashes at times but overall hasn’t been great, which makes Fields even more vital to their success.
Pittsburgh’s identity has been clear through the first four games: run the ball and move it enough to at least kick field goals and let the defense go to work to help win games. After all, the 18-10 Week 1 win against Atlanta was a product of six Chris Boswell field goals and a dominant performance from the defense.
So let’s talk about that defense. It’s obviously not the “Steel Curtain” of the 1970s, but they've been really, really good.
The unit has allowed 20 points or more just once thus far and has boasted one of the better pass defenses in the NFL. Through the first month of the season, Teryl Austin’s group is allowing just 62.2% of passes to be completed (7th best) and 789 yards (11th fewest) while being tied for the fourth most interceptions as a team. The success makes sense considering Austin’s background as Pittsburgh's secondary coach from 2019-2021.
Pittsburgh has always been known for dominant defensive line play, led by Cameron Heyward for over a decade, and T.J. Watt. They’ve upheld that reputation with their run defense so far.
Mike Tomlin’s team has surrendered just 347 rushing yards, third-fewest in the NFL, and is giving up just 3.7 yards per carry, second-fewest behind divisional rival Baltimore. On top of that, opposing offenses have one run of 20+ yards against this defense and one rushing touchdown total.
As a whole, the Pittsburgh defense is allowing 13.3 points per game, the second-best in the league.
All things considered, they have benefitted partially from a weaker schedule through the first month–Falcons, Broncos, Chargers and Colts–but wins don’t come easy in the NFL regardless of the opponent.
Tomlin and company will be tested soon though with the Cowboys in Week 5 and then later down the road with all six division games remaining. They also have the Chiefs and Eagles on the schedule in December.
Washington Commanders
If you had the Commanders at 3-1, leading the NFC East after the first month of the season, you win. Assuming you’re like most people, you probably had low expectations for this team. The growing pains of a rookie QB and first-year head coach, along with a roster that went 4-13 a season ago. But that hasn’t been the case whatsoever.
Jayden Daniels has played incredibly so far, and even that feels like an understatement. Daniels has the highest-ever completion percentage through the first four games of a season–82.1% and has led the offense on more scoring drives than incomplete passes thrown.
He’s thrown for nearly 900 yards (897) and three touchdowns and has ran for 218 and four more touchdowns so far. He also has the fourth-best QBR. Daniels’ run through the first month is similar to what C.J. Stroud did last season–although Stroud had better passing numbers and Daniels has better rushing numbers.
Brian Robinson has given the offense more life as well, tallying 307 yards and three touchdowns. The offseason addition of Austin Ekeler appeared to create a split backfield and two different skillsets. But Robinson has seemingly separated himself from his running mate, earning more touches and better production so far.
Defensively, the Commanders have been up-and-down. They surrendered over 30 points in Week 1 against Tampa and Week 3 against Cincinnati. While they went 1-1 in those two games, beating the Bengals in a shootout after a near-perfect performance from Daniels, they bounced back in Week 4.
Holding the Cardinals to 14 points–only one touchdown after the game’s first possession–they built some momentum on that side of the ball after struggling against other quality offenses previously.
The biggest issue defensively for Dan Quinn, has been forcing turnovers. Washington has allowed the 11th fewest passing yards in the NFL, but the 10th most rushing yards to opposing offenses. But the secondary has allowed 10 passing touchdowns and has yet to force an interception, both league-worst. Continuing with that trend, they’ve forced five fumbles but have only recovered two.
If the Commanders can improve their run defense and start forcing turnovers, they’ll have a real shot at a deep playoff run.
The remainder of their schedule is difficult, with a trip to Baltimore in Week 6 and then two games each against the Cowboys and Eagles that will potentially determine the winner of the division.
*All stats were recieved from ESPN Stats & Info. and NFL.com
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