Week 4 in the NFL is here, and you might be entering the weekend with your own preferences regarding which games to focus on, and which to place on the backburner.
Most of you have your favorites and fantasy players to track. But in case you’re completely neutral or need help breaking ties with regard to what to watch, we’ve ranked all 15 games from most appealing to least enticing.
1. Bengals at Patriots (Sunday night, NBC): Can the Bengals start 4-0? If they do, New England would be in real trouble at 2-3. Plus, the whole world will be watching to see what an angry Tom Brady can do to get back on track, especially against such a good defense.
2. Texans at Cowboys (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS): The fourth edition of the battle of Texas, but this is the first time they’ve met while both being good. Either Houston or Dallas will be 4-1 after this game, which is pretty remarkable. Plus, it’s J.J. Watt vs. the best offensive line in football. Throw in Tony Romo and the potential for Cowboys drama at the house that Jerry built and you’re set.
3. Cardinals at Broncos (Sunday, 4 p.m. ET, FOX): Is 3-0 Arizona for real? Coming off the bye, the Cards will have a great chance to make a statement in Denver. Great matchup between immovable object and unstoppable force, and you know it’ll be close.
4. Ravens at Colts (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS): Two playoff-caliber AFC opponents, both super hot right now on offense. Few quarterbacks can chuck it around like Andrew Luck and Joe Flacco, so expect a lot of points in a potential postseason preview.
5. Bears at Panthers (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX): Two fairly unpredictable NFC teams, both of whom have entertaining quarterbacks. These are playoff-caliber teams that sometimes implode. Pretty spicy matchup, really.
6. Falcons at Giants (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX): Atlanta and New York are both all over the map, which adds intrigue here. Matt Ryan and Julio Jones vs. Eli Manning and Victor Cruz? Not bad. Plus, neither team does much on defense. Points, guys. Points.
7. Chiefs at 49ers (Sunday, 4 p.m. ET, CBS): Two 2013 playoff teams that struggled early before getting on track with big wins in Week 4. Good defensive matchup.
8. Vikings at Packers (Thursday night, CBS/NFL Network): They played to a 26-26 tie last year at Lambeau and it’s always fun checking in on Green Bay in prime time. If this can remain close, it’ll be a good watch.
9. Bills at Lions (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX): Might have been more interesting with EJ Manuel at quarterback for Buffalo, but these two perennial losers should still scrap it out in what could be a firework-filled matchup.
10. Seahawks at Redskins (Monday night, ESPN): This might be a blowout, even in Washington and with the Redskins having extra time to prepare. Will be interesting to see how Kirk Cousins responds after that disaster against the Giants, but it’s not a super-duper Monday nighter with Robert Griffin III out.
11. Jets at Chargers (Sunday, 4 p.m. ET, CBS): The Jets have lost six of their last seven games in the Pacific time zone, with the only victory coming in Oakland. San Diego is rolling right now, so this could be a blowout.
12. Rams at Eagles (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX): The Eagles should win handily and avoid an implosion, but you never know with that offensive line. And St. Louis is at least coming off its bye.
13. Buccaneers at Saints (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX): New Orleans is back at home, so this’ll likely be a blowout. Monitor if it’s close in the fourth quarter, though, because the Saints absolutely can’t afford to blow this one.
14. Steelers at Jaguars (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS): Nothing worse than seeing a so-so team crush a terrible team. Neither Pittsburgh nor Jacksonville is going anywhere this year, so who cares?
15. Browns at Titans (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS): There’s just no sex appeal here whatsoever. I really have nothing to add.
