Key games for Chiefs fans to watch in NFL Week 4

Given the postponement of the Chiefs-Patriots game, here’s a look at other Sunday football worth watching.

Did you have your menu already prepped? Did you have guests coming over? Did you already clear your schedule to sit down and watch another week of Kansas City Chiefs football? If so, misery loves company so join our crowd.

With the postponement of the Chiefs game against the New England Patriots in Week 4—thanks, global pandemic—there’s a hole in our collective hearts that will be impossible to fill until we see the Landlord collecting rent and Patrick Mahomes heaving a touchdown toss off his back foot from midfield. Until then, however, all is not completely lost. The NFL continues its schedule nearly everywhere else, and that means we can still watch meaningful games.

In Week 4, the Chiefs and Patriots was the crown jewel of the schedule, even for non-Chiefs fans, but there are still games with significant impact for the AFC West and the playoff picture in general. While it’s only Week 4, with only 16 total games, we all know how much each win will mean in the end.

Here’s a look at some key games worth watching on Sunday (all times C.T.):

L.A. Chargers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 12:00 p.m.

The majority of the NFL will be watching this for the sake of seeing more of Tom Brady in his new environs. Gronk, too. But the Bucs themselves are a fun offensive team still coming together with an underrated head coach in Bruce Arians. They’re going to present a tough challenge for the Chargers this week, but the Bolts risk going to 1-3 in the first quarter if they can’t pull off a win here. Anthony Lynn surely feels the hot seat. This could bury the Chargers early or see them surprise with a win.

Cleveland Browns vs. Dallas Cowboys – 12:00 p.m.

Don’t look now but the Browns have a winning record. It’s hard to believe in them at this point, but they’ve always been a preseason pick to finally break out and the talent is definitely there—especially on offense. Jerry’s team is stuck in the mud even as a mega-market franchise, but they should present a decent challenge to Cleveland. This is all relevant for the Chiefs, because a 3-1 Browns team is only a half-game behind where the Chiefs currently rank in the AFC.

Buffalo Bills vs. Las Vegas Raiders – 3:25 p.m.

This is the biggest game of the day now that Chiefs-Pats has been postponed. The Bills were 3-0 last year at this point, too, having beat up a bunch of also-rans (Jets, Bengals, Giants) before they suffered their first loss in Week 4 (Patriots). This year they’ve already got a solid win under their belts (L.A. Rams), and the Raiders now stand in their way from being 4-0. For the Bills this is about learning to win consistently. For the Raiders, it’s about finding a step toward legitimacy. Either could be a thorn in the Chiefs side if that step is taken.

Indianapolis Colts at Chicago Bears – 3:25 p.m.

The Bears look like the worst 3-0 team in recent NFL history but the record is there for all to see either way. The Colts are riding the Philip Rivers rollercoaster but he’s proven dangerous in years past and the offense is still coming together there. The Colts defense has already taken a leap with DeForest Buckner at the heart of the defensive front. That alone will make them a tougher out down the stretch. Adding a third win in their first four games keeps them awfully close in AFC playoff positioning.