Travis Hunter (Jacksonville Jaguars)
For the first time in his NFL career (and possibly his entire football life), Travis Hunter spent an entire Sunday doing one job.
With Jacksonville thin in the secondary, Hunter took on a full defensive workload in the Jaguars’ 22-17 victory over Cincinnati and did not play an offensive snap. Montaric Brown and Christian Braswell were inactive with injuries, leaving Jacksonville needing Hunter on defense from start to finish.
Hunter finished with four tackles and two passes defensed and nearly came away with his second interception in as many weeks. The pick was erased by a roughing-the-passer penalty, taking the turnover off the board.
The play still produced one of the afternoon’s more memorable moments. After realizing the interception would not count, Hunter faked Bengals receiver Tee Higgins sending him flying toward the sideline before turning back toward the field. One can only imagine what 12 would have done with a full head of steam and space to create with the ball in his hands.
Hunter also had another moment that circulated around social media when he delivered the biggest hit of the afternoon on Bengals receiver Dohnte Meyers, closing and crashing with speed. Another display of the undeniable skills that Hunter has when he is at the corner position.
Head coach Liam Coen said the Jaguars had offensive plays prepared for Hunter but decided the risk was not worth it with the secondary already depleted.
“We had some things for him on offense, but we just didn’t feel like putting him out there,” Coen said. “If he gets hurt on offense, we’re in a real bad spot. So didn’t want to put ourselves at risk there.”
Coen was even more direct when evaluating Hunter’s defensive performance.
“He played his ass off today,” Coen said, later adding, “I just thought Trav balled today.”
One week after recording his first NFL interception, Hunter nearly made it two straight games with a takeaway. This time, his value came from giving Jacksonville exactly what it needed: a full afternoon at cornerback when the Jaguars could least afford to lose another defensive back and facing one of the league’s top receiver cores.
By the end of the afternoon, Hunter had given the Jaguars exactly what they needed.
Nate Landman (Los Angeles Rams)
After a few quieter weeks raised questions about Nate Landman’s performance following his contract extension with Los Angeles, Week 4 presented a significant test for the usually reliable linebacker.
Landman responded.
The LANDMAN led the Rams with nine tackles in their 24-20 road victory over Philadelphia, helping Los Angeles erase a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit and improve to 2-2 on the season.
Landman’s presence against the run was noticeably improved, but his discipline in coverage may have been the most encouraging part of his afternoon. He allowed just 17 yards in coverage on four targets and finished the game with an 80.1 PFF grade.
When Los Angeles committed to Landman with a new contract, the expectation was for him to be a dependable presence against both the run and the pass. Through the opening weeks, his play hadn’t consistently reached the standard we have become accustomed to seeing from him. Week 4 looked much more like the Landman Colorado fans and the Rams have come to expect.
The timing couldn’t have been much better for Los Angeles, either. After losses to San Francisco and Denver, another defeat would have dropped the Rams below .500 and created an early hole in a competitive NFC. Instead, they walked into Philadelphia, battled back from 10 points down in the fourth quarter and left with a much-needed victory.
For Landman, the performance provided an encouraging answer after a few weeks of questions. Nine tackles, improved run defense and disciplined coverage gave Los Angeles the type of complete performance it needs from the middle of its defense moving forward.
And there won’t be much time to celebrate. The Rams return home at 2-2 with another major test waiting, as they prepare to host the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football.
Kahlil Benson (Kansas City Chiefs)
If Kahlil Benson needed another opportunity to prove he belongs in the NFL, lining up across from Maxx Crosby was about as good of a test as he could ask for.
Benson entered Week 4 fresh off being named the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Month for September, an incredible accomplishment for a player who originally arrived in Kansas City on a rookie-minicamp tryout. His reward was a trip to Las Vegas and a matchup against one of the NFL’s premier pass rushers.
Benson held his own.
Benson played all 60 offensive snaps in Kansas City’s 30-27 victory over the Raiders and finished with a 79.5 PFF grade. His work wasn’t limited to protecting Patrick Mahomes, either. Kansas City found tremendous success running the football, with Kenneth Walker III rushing for 177 yards and two touchdowns.
The performance was especially encouraging after Benson experienced some growing pains earlier in the season. Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy have both repeatedly stressed that Benson will have good and bad moments as a rookie, with the important part being how he responds.
Week 4 provided a pretty good answer.
Facing Crosby and a talented Raiders defensive front in just his fourth NFL start, Benson helped Kansas City leave Las Vegas with a 30-27 victory and improve to 4-0.
Four games into his NFL career, Benson has gone from an undrafted rookie trying to earn a roster spot to protecting Patrick Mahomes’ blind side, winning NFL Rookie of the Month honors and holding his own against one of the league’s most feared defensive fronts.
That’s quite a first month in the NFL.
Chidobe Awuzie (Baltimore Ravens)
Chidobe Awuzie entered Week 4 in a limited role within Baltimore’s secondary, but an early injury quickly changed his afternoon.
Starting cornerback Marlon Humphrey left Sunday’s game against Tennessee with a calf injury after playing just eight snaps, opening the door for Awuzie to take on his largest workload of the season.
Chidobe played 56 defensive snaps as Baltimore held on for a 24-18 victory, a significant jump after playing just 22 defensive snaps combined over the first three weeks.
Awuzie has spent the opening month of the season working his way into a crowded Ravens secondary, but Humphrey’s injury could create a much larger opportunity depending on how much time the veteran starter misses.
For Awuzie, Week 4 may have quietly been the beginning of a much bigger role in Baltimore.
Shedeur Sanders (Cleveland Browns)
For Shedeur Sanders, there isn’t much change to report in Week 4, and with the way things are going in Cleveland, that may remain the case for a while.
Sanders remained the Browns’ No. 2 quarterback Thursday night but did not see the field as Cleveland defeated division rival Pittsburgh 27-24, improving to 3-1 with its third consecutive victory.
Deshaun Watson finished 24-of-33 for 268 yards with one touchdown and one interception, then helped lead Cleveland into position for the game-winning 56-yard field goal in the final seconds.
Cleveland’s recent success likely gives Watson even more breathing room as the starter. The Browns are winning, Watson has played well enough to keep the offense moving, and there has been no indication that a change at quarterback is imminent.
So for now, No. 2 continues to wait.
After getting his first brief taste of regular-season action in Week 3, Sanders returned to the sideline in Week 4. His situation remains one worth monitoring, but as long as Cleveland continues stacking wins, patience may be the name of the game.
LaJohntay Wester (Baltimore Ravens)
LaJohntay Wester’s opportunities on offense remained limited in Week 4, but the former Buff continued to find ways to contribute on special teams.
Wester did not record a reception or rushing attempt in Baltimore’s 24-18 victory over Tennessee, as the Ravens leaned heavily on their established offensive weapons. Zay Flowers once again played a major role in the passing game, finishing with eight receptions for 118 yards and a touchdown.
Wester’s impact instead came in the return game. He returned three punts for 30 yards and added a 28-yard kickoff return, continuing to handle an important special-teams role for Baltimore.
Through four weeks, Wester has returned seven punts for 65 yards while adding 81 yards on four kickoff returns.
The offensive opportunities haven’t been there recently, but Wester continues to give Baltimore another way to utilize his speed. For a young receiver trying to establish himself within a crowded offense, making an impact in the return game remains an important way to stay involved on Sundays.
Also Active:
Brady Russell (Seattle Seahawks)
Brady Russell did not record an offensive touch in Seattle’s 30-23 victory over the Chargers but continued to play a significant special-teams role, leading the Seahawks with 30 special-teams snaps.
Will Sherman (New Orleans Saints)
Will Sherman appeared in his fourth consecutive game for New Orleans as the Saints fell 45-24 to Atlanta on Monday Night Football.
Practice Squad: Jimmy Horn Jr. (Cleveland), Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig (Jacksonville), Will Sheppard (Miami), Isaiah Oliver (Tennessee) and Josh Tupou (New York Giants).
Injured Reserve: B.J. Green II (Jacksonville)
Players Mentioned
