Listeners, the NFL’s Week 4 is shaping up to be one of the most dramatic stretches of the young season, but off-the-field controversies are drawing as much attention as the on-field action. Here’s what both casual and die-hard fans need to know right now.

The Philadelphia Eagles remain undefeated at 3-0 after a wild comeback win over the Los Angeles Rams, a performance breaking down to Jalen Hurts’ clutch play and a defense that stepped up late, according to Dan Sileo on The National Football Show. The Eagles are the only undefeated team in the NFC, while their NFC rivals, including the Dallas Cowboys and the San Francisco 49ers, are already chasing in the early playoff race. Across the league, Fox News notes that teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens are under pressure to avoid falling to a precarious 1–3 record, adding urgency to every snap.

For listeners tracking the quarterback situations, the New York Giants made headlines by announcing rookie Jaxson Dart will start over Russell Wilson in Week 4, as reported by Sky Sports. There are several teams in flux at the quarterback position, including the Washington Commanders, who will be without rookie Jayden Daniels due to injury, according to nfl.com. These moves could dramatically swing not just fantasy football matchups but also divisional standings.

But just as fierce as the competition on the field is the debate off it. The NFL is embroiled in a storm of controversy involving politics, social protest, and international expansion. The most talked-about off-field event is the league’s decision to hold a regular season game in Dublin, Ireland, featuring the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Minnesota Vikings at Croke Park. As reported by RTÉ and The Nation, this move has drawn political protests and backlash targeting the NFL’s perceived alignment with US military and diplomatic interests, as well as recent remarks and actions of some NFL owners, particularly relating to support for Israel. Michael Darragh Macauley, a legendary Gaelic footballer, expressed disappointment, saying the NFL “is inextricably linked with the American military” and highlighting criticism of the league’s handling of social justice protests back in the United States.

The fallout from the murder of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk has deeply divided fans and teams. The Carillon calls out the NFL’s “double standard” in mixing politics with sports, spotlighting how right-wing groups that once decried Colin Kaepernick’s anti-racism kneeling are now demanding—and getting—political tributes inside stadiums for conservative figures. Nine NFL teams, including the Cowboys and Packers, held tributes for Kirk, while others, such as the Colts and Raiders, declined, igniting boycotts and backlash from parts of the fan base. The Nation underscores that such moves are wrestling the NFL’s image further into the realm of culture war, with some calling for the erasure of past player protests while lauding current political displays that match their views.

This infusion of politics has reignited discussions over player activism and league hypocrisy. The ghost of the 2017 mass player protests still looms, with Today in History from WTOP reminding us that eight years ago, over 200 players kneeled during the anthem to protest racial injustice, catalyzing a movement that reverberates in today’s coverage and fan reactions.

Advanced stats and analysis for the die-hards: On the field, the Eagles’ defense is generating a league-best turnover margin through three weeks, while the 49ers are leading the NFL in yards per play. The quarterback shuffle is reflected in efficiency metrics—Jaxson Dart showed a collegiate-adjusted completion rate over 67%, but his NFL readiness will be under intense scrutiny, especially behind the Giants’ struggling offensive line. Injury reports loom large, with several key receivers and running backs ruled out or questionable,...