Week 4 NFL Recap: Seahawks Triumph Over Cardinals, Steelers Outlast Vikings

The NFL took a step out of its routine in Week 4, featuring only three divisional matchups compared to previous weeks filled with more intense rivalry games. Thursday Night Football kicked off the weekend as the Seattle Seahawks faced the Arizona Cardinals, marking a thrilling start to the action.

In a closely contested game, the Seahawks emerged victorious with a score of 23-20. Seattle's Jaxon Smith-Njigba was the standout performer, crucially stepping up in the second half. After a quiet first two quarters, he became a key player, finishing the game with a game-high 79 receiving yards, highlighted by a vital 22-yard gain that set up the winning field goal.

On the opposite side, Chad Ryland of the Arizona Cardinals faced criticism for a late-game blunder that allowed Seattle to start their final drive with favorable field position, ultimately leading to the game-winning kick by Jason Myers.

In another exciting matchup held in Dublin, the Pittsburgh Steelers managed to edge out the Minnesota Vikings in a nail-biter, scoring 24-21. The Steelers' defense played a pivotal role, highlighted by their front seven that recorded six sacks against Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz. Key defensive players, including T.J. Watt and Keeanu Benton, not only disrupted the passing game but also made crucial stops to secure the win.

Despite Wentz’s impressive 350 passing yards, the Minnesota offensive line struggled significantly throughout the game. With their two key players, Ryan Kelly and Brian O'Neill, forced out due to injuries, Wentz was left vulnerable to the relentless Pittsburgh defense.

The Vikings now face a challenging schedule ahead as they prepare for back-to-back international games in London, making their recovery from injuries all the more critical.