Six for Sunday: Reaching 4-0 not so easy, Aaron Rodgers' road struggles

1. And then there were seven unbeatens: Last year there were three undefeated teams heading into Week 4 -- and all three lost their fourth game. None of the undefeated teams won their division last year and only two of them made the playoffs. The Patriots have a bye, but six teams will be challenged to stay undefeated. I am taking all six -- Cincinnati, Denver, Green Bay, Carolina, Atlanta and Arizona -- to win this week.

History says it’s not going to happen. When it comes to 4-0, check the recent history:

2014: 0
2013: 5
2012: 3
2011: 2
2010: 0

That’s an average of two undefeated teams at the four-game mark. So the question is which teams are getting their first loss?

2. Backup quarterbacks should stay loose: Last week three backup QBs played and went 0-3 -- Brandon Weeden, Luke McCown and Jimmy Clausen. With Michael Vick starting (and losing) Thursday night, up to four (maybe more) backup QBs could be see action in Week 4. While Sean Payton says the Saints' plan right now is to start Drew Brees against the Cowboys, Andrew Luck's chances of playing don't look so good at the moment. So, stay tuned -- and stay loose, backups.

3. Cashing in on college free agents: Seattle is back on track after a shutout win last week. Now the Seahawks face the 0-3 Lions on Monday night. Have you ever really studied the Seahawks' roster? I talked to coach Pete Carroll about his roster and he was quick to say undrafted rookie running back Thomas Rawls would play an important role this week if Marshawn Lynch can’t go with his injury issues. Rawls is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the Seahawks' ability to find good players after the draft. Doug Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse, Garry Gilliam, Alvin Bailey and Cooper Helfet are all factors on offense. Michael Morgan, Brock Coyle, DeShawn Shead are making an impact on the defensive side. How many teams -- that are Super Bowl contenders year after year, by the way -- have nine college free agents on their roster?

4. Punt coverage even bigger than missed extra points: Granted, missed extra points got Randy Bullock fired in Houston this week and some coaches like Mike Tomlin have been exercising their rights to go for two points. But there is a bigger issue right now, and that’s punt coverage. Panthers coach Ron Rivera told me the biggest problem is that teams are out-kicking the coverage. Right now there have been six punt returns for touchdowns. In the past two years there were only 13 punt returns for touchdowns all season. Teams are halfway to that number in three weeks and the return yardage is up to 10.3 yards, compared to 8.9 last year.

Rodgers is 9-7 on the road with 11 interceptions. (USATSI)

5. Rodgers isn't always this good: Aaron Rodgers is almost perfect at home since 2012 with a 15-1 record and zero interceptions, but he’s on the road this week. Since 2012, Rodgers is 9-7 on the road with 11 interceptions. Ryan Fitzpatrick is now an 11-6 starter in September for his career but now we're into October and his career record is 6-16. No matter who the QB is in New Orleans, the team is 0-6 at home in their last six home games and the offensive line has given up 15 sacks in their last four home games dating back to last year. Tampa Bay has one rushing touchdown in their last six games. Colin Kaepernick is 3-0 against the Packers with six passing touchdowns and 30 runs for 301 yards and two touchdowns. Josh McCown is 4-19 on the road as a starter. Peyton Manning is 23-2 at home with 70 touchdown passes. Eli Manning is 6-11 on the road since 2013 with 39 sacks.

6. More QB changes to come? I’m starting to wonder how long Josh McCown stays under center in Cleveland? If Ryan Fitzpatrick can’t get it done this week, the rumblings and talk will get loud in New York. Finally, I wonder what happens with Kirk Cousins or Sam Bradford after the Philadelphia-Washington game this week -- for the losing QB, that is.

And some notable nuggets for some of Week 4's games:

New York (2-1) at Miami (1-2) in London
Sunday, 9:30 a.m. ET (CBS, CBSSports.com Live Stream)

Brandon Marshall is on pace for 124 carries and 1,456 yards, both would be Jets franchise records
Ryan Fitzpatrick has 5 INTs in 116 pass attempts
The Dolphins defense has 2 INTs in three games
The Dolphins defense has one sack in three games
The Dolphins have not scored a rushing TD this season
Ryan Tannehill has thrown 5 INTs in 127 pass attempts
WR Rishard Matthews is averaging 16.4 yards per reception

Houston (1-2) at Atlanta (3-0)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)

Julio Jones has 34 catches for 440 yards and four TDs through three games
The Texans are giving up 224 passing yards per game (12th in NFL)
Alfred Blue gained 139 yards on 31 carries in Week 3
The Falcons have held opponents to 95.7 rushing yards per game
Ryan Mallet has completed 53.6 percent of his passes (5.2 yards per attempt)
Devonta Freeman rushed for 141 yards on 30 carries in Week 3
The Texans are allowing 108.7 rushing yards per game (19th in NFL)
Roddy White has not had a reception in two straight games

New York (1-2) at Buffalo (2-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)

The Giants have a +5 turnover ratio through three games
Eli Manning has completed 64.8 percent of his passes (7.1 yards per attempt)
The Bills pass defense is allowing 326.7 yards per game (31st in NFL)
Rashad Jennings is averaging 2.9 yards per carry on 33 attempts
The Bills run D is holding opponents to a league-low 74 yards per game
The Bills are scoring 33.3 points per game (3rd in NFL)
Tyrod Taylor has thrown 7 TDs on 78 pass attempts

Oakland (2-1) at Chicago (0-3)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)

The Raiders won on the road last week for the first time in 12 games
Amari Cooper has two straight games with at least 100-yards (first since Randy Moss in 2005)
The Bears pass defense is limiting opponents to 195.3 yards per game
Chicago is giving up a league-high 35 points per game
David Carr has thrown one INT in 90 pass attempts
RB Latavius Murray is averaging 4.8 yards on 52 carries
Jimmy Clausen has completed 57.5 percent of his passes
Matt Forte is averaging 4.7 yards per carry on 59 attempts
Raiders are holding opponents to 91.7 rushing yards per game