The Separation Point: NFL Week 4 Delivers Must-Win Matchups and Undefeated Clashes

Here is a feature preview of the most compelling matchups that will define the 2025 NFL landscape this weekend.

The Marquee Showdown: Baltimore Ravens (1-2) at Kansas City Chiefs (1-2)

Kickoff: Sunday, 4:25 PM ET, CBS

This is, simply put, a must-win game for two teams with Super Bowl-or-bust aspirations. Both the Ravens and Chiefs sit at a shocking 1-2, placing the loser in a hole from which only the 2001 Patriots have ever climbed to win a title.

For the Chiefs, the offense under Patrick Mahomes has looked uncharacteristically sloppy, plagued by drops and turnovers. They cannot afford to drop another game at home, especially with a tough schedule looming. For the Ravens, who are dealing with two excruciatingly close losses, getting a victory against an AFC powerhouse would immediately right the ship.

The narrative remains the same: two of the league’s most dynamic quarterbacks, Lamar Jackson and Mahomes, are facing off with their seasons hanging in the balance. Which former MVP can steady his team and avoid the 1-3 disaster? The pressure in Arrowhead will be palpable.

Battle of the Unbeaten: Philadelphia Eagles (3-0) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-0)

Kickoff: Sunday, 1:00 PM ET, FOX

The NFC is guaranteed to lose at least one of its remaining perfect records when the Eagles travel to Tampa Bay. This is a clash of styles and a crucial early-season NFC playoff tiebreaker.

The Eagles, led by Jalen Hurts, have been offensively explosive and relentless. However, history is not on their side: Hurts is just 1-4 in his career against the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay, meanwhile, has been quietly stellar, relying on a lockdown defense and opportunistic offense to jump out to a 3-0 start.

If the Buccaneers can contain the Eagles’ rushing attack and force Hurts into mistakes, they will prove their legitimacy as a top-tier NFC contender. If the Eagles win, they will establish themselves as the clear frontrunner in the conference, proving their flawless start is no fluke.

Sunday Night Football: Green Bay Packers (2-1) at Dallas Cowboys (1-2)

Kickoff: Sunday, 8:20 PM ET, NBC

The NFL’s most storied rivalry gets a major new twist: the Micah Parsons Revenge Game. The All-Pro edge rusher, traded to Green Bay in the offseason, makes his highly anticipated return to Dallas, leading a much-improved Packers defense.

Green Bay needs this win after letting one slip away last week, but the stakes are exponentially higher for the Cowboys. Falling to 1-3 in the competitive NFC East would be devastating for a team that entered the year with Super Bowl hopes. Dallas’s defense has struggled significantly against the pass, a vulnerability the Packers’ offense will surely test.

For Dallas, this game is about survival. For Green Bay, it’s a chance to confirm their status as a legitimate NFC North threat while helping their star player deliver a statement against his former team.

The Legitimacy Test: Indianapolis Colts (3-0) at Los Angeles Rams (2-1)

Kickoff: Sunday, 4:05 PM ET, FOX

The biggest surprise of the 2025 season is the undefeated Indianapolis Colts, led by the unexpected MVP-caliber play of quarterback Daniel Jones. Jones has been masterful, leading a disciplined Colts team that tops the AFC standings.

This game is their first true test against a legitimate NFC powerhouse in the Rams, who have looked dominant in stretches this season. For the Colts, beating the Rams on the road would silence any remaining critics and validate their status as a top-tier contender. For the Rams, it’s a critical home game to maintain their lead in the NFC West, especially after their rivals, the 49ers, had a major injury loss last week.

The International Stage: Minnesota Vikings (2-1) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1)

Kickoff: Sunday, 9:30 AM ET, NFL Network (Dublin, Ireland)

The NFL returns to Dublin for an exciting inter-conference matchup. The biggest storyline is the unlikely renaissance of Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz. Wentz turned back the clock last week with a dominant performance, and the Vikings, who are a perfect 4-0 in international games, look to continue their momentum.

The Steelers are a tough, defensive-minded team, but their wins have often been reliant on turnover margin rather than offensive dominance. If Wentz can maintain his efficient play and the Vikings can exploit a Steelers secondary, they will return from Ireland well-positioned in the NFC North.

The road to the playoffs is getting steeper. By the time Sunday night concludes, the league’s early-season mysteries will begin to unravel, leaving a clearer picture of who belongs in the conversation for January football.