Both the Washington Commanders and the Los Angeles Chargers are coming off brutal losses, although their Week 4 results exposed different issues in each team's game play. Washington's defense had trouble stopping Atlanta on all fronts, allowing the Falcons' offense 435 total yards (307 passing/128 rushing) and 6.8 yards per play. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. had his way, finishing with a 76.9% pass completion rating, throwing for 313 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Atlanta's tandem running backs in Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier rushed for a combined 33 carries and 126 yards, with Robinson picking up an additional 106 yards on four receptions.

The Chargers, on the other hand, are facing offensive line injuries that are starting to permeate the team's offensive productivity. Los Angeles' O-line was down three starters in Rashawn Slater (Achilles), Joe Alt (high ankle sprain) and Mekhi Becton (concussion) against the New York defense Sunday afternoon and it showed. The Commanders could see new faces protecting quarterback Justin Herbert, as the team reportedly signed offensive lineman Michael Dunn to the practice squad.

The offensive line currently ranks No. 26 in the league in pass block win rate (55%), allowing the Giants six sacks and 22 pressures on Herbert. He was pressured on 45.8% of dropbacks, with New York's edge rushers Abdul Carter, Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux combining for 10 hits and 20 overall pressures on Herbert. Herbert also had a 56.1% passer completion for 203 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions – both of which the Giants capitalized off of with a field goal and touchdown, respectively, for a total of 12 points earned off of takeaways.

The Chargers No. 3-overall ranked defense will be something the Commanders' offense will have to challenge through the air. Washington is expected to have starting quarterback Jayden Daniels back under center, as well as right guard Sam Cosmi designated to return from Injured Reserve. Although he might not suit up for Sunday's game, Cosmi's 21-day practice window being opened is a sign he will be back soon after suffering an ACL injury during the team's 2024 postseason run.

As the Commanders prepare for the trip to the West Coast, let's take a look and see how the rest of the NFC East has fared.

Dallas Cowboys (1-2-1) vs. New York Jets (0-4-0):

Micah Parson's homecoming to Dallas for Sunday Night Football was spoiled by an unsatisfying tie against his former team. The difference maker between a Packers' win and a tie was the two-point blocked punt returned 80 yards for a touchdown by Cowboys' safety Marquise Bell.

Both quarterbacks put up nearly identical games; Green Bay's Jordan Love notched a 72.1% pass completion for 337 yards and three touchdowns, while Dallas' Dak Prescott put up a 77.5% pass completion for 319 yards and three touchdowns. Prescott leads the league in completions (121), passing yards (1,119) and pass attempts (166) this season.

The Cowboys played without top receiving threat CeeDee Lamb, who will be sidelined again for Week 5 with a high ankle sprain. Wide receiver George Pickens, who the team picked up in the offseason from the Pittsburgh Steelers, has become the default pass receiver for Dallas, finishing with 134 yards and two touchdowns.

Despite the Week 4 road loss to the Dolphins, the Jets rushed for a season-high 197 yards led by running back Breece Hall's 14 carries for 81 yards. Quarterback Justin Fields had a 74.1% passer rating for 226 yards and one touchdown. Fields, who returned from a concussion, helped the team with his legs as well averaging 11.6 yards per carry.

The Jets No. 20-overall defense has a tough task shutting down Pickens, and taking away the run game. What hurts the Cowboys the most, however, is their defense. Dallas' defense is currently ranked last in the NFL overall, allowing an average of 420.5 yards and 16 touchdowns. It was tough for them to get the Packers off the field, stopping Green Bay on third downs just four times out of 11 (36.4%). That being said, the Jets rank No. 29 in third down offense converting just 31.1% of attempts through Week 4.

New York Giants (1-3-0) vs. New Orleans Saints (0-4-0):

With Jaxon Dart at the helm, the Giants won its first game and gave the Chargers its first loss of the season. Dart both threw and ran into the end zone to notch his first passing and rushing touchdowns of his regular-season NFL career. The win didn't come without cost though, with Nabers' season-ending prematurely.

On the rush, rookie running back Cam Skattebo had 25 carries for 79 yards. Despite being listed as RB2 behind an injured Tyrone Tracy Jr., Skattebo is making a case for an increased role even when Tracy returns to the field. Skattebo is currently ranked the second-best running back with a minimum of 20 rushing attempts by PFF.The Giants should work Skattebo against the Saints and exploit New Orleans' 27% run block win rate.

New York's defense showed up against Los Angeles' injured offensive line, putting pressure on Herbert and taking him down twice while capitalizing on both forced interceptions. The defense struggled to bottle up Chargers' rookie running back Omarion Hampton in the second half, however, finishing the game as the team's top rusher with 12 carries for 128 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

Although the New Orleans Saints have struggled as of late, a bright spot for the Saints was their ground game. In its fourth-consecutive loss of the season 31-19, the Saints outrushed the top rushing team in the league in the Buffalo Bills during Week 4, gaining 189 yards on the ground. Running back Alvin Kamara led the charge with 15 carries for 70 yards, followed by Kendre Miller, who had 11 carries for 65 yards and a touchdown.

Ranked slightly lower than the Giants’ (No. 29) allowing 153 yards per rush, the Bills' run defense (No. 31) is comparable to what the Saints will see Sunday with an average of 164.3 yards per rush on the ground. Given New York's struggles against Hampton, Rattler should focus on handing the ball off rather than passing.

Philadelphia Eagles (4-0-0) vs. Denver Broncos (2-2-0):

Every time it looks like they might fold, the Philadelphia Eagles somehow scrape together a win. The Eagles' 31-25 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers marks the team’s 20th win in 21 games and ties the franchise record at 10 for most consecutive wins (including playoffs).

Philadelphia's offense took off in the first half, with quarterback Jalen Hurts completing 15 of 24 passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns. Tight end Dallas Goedert has his best performance of the season with four catches for 37 yards and two touchdowns.

Despite going into halftime with a 24-6 lead, the Eagles looked like a whole different team in the second half. Philadelphia had five three-and-outs on their eight second half drives and Hurts couldn't get the passing game going in the second – he was unable to complete a pass, going 0-for-8.

The Eagles' offensive breakdown wasn't helped by the defense, which allowed the Buccaneers 376 total offensive yards. They also gave up a couple big plays -- a 77 yard pass caught by rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka and a 72 yard pass caught by running back Bucky Irving – in the second half. Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell earned NFC defensive Player of the Week honors thanks to his career-high pass breakups and allowed just two catches for six yards on nine targets.

The Denver Broncos nearly shut out an injured Cincinnati Bengals team on Monday Night Football with a 28-3 win. Running back J.K. Dobbins (16 carries, 101 yards) became the team's first 100+ yard rusher in the Sean Payton era, setting a new precedent for the run game. This will be something Philadelphia has to stop in order to win, although through the first four weeks the rush defense has allowed 126 rushing yards on average.

The Broncos still sent a majority of balls through the air, however, passing for a total of 326 yards compared to 186 on the ground. Quarterback Bo Nix's job is made easier by his offensive line, which boasts a No. 1 pass block win rate at 77%.

On the other side of the ball, Denver's pass rush is one of the best in the league led by edge rusher Nik Bonitto, who has 119 wins on 57 plays with a 33% pass rush win rate. The Broncos pressured backup quarterback Jake Browning nine times with three sacks using four or fewer rushers.