NFL Week 4 Winners and Losers: 49ers Gain Momentum at the Perfect Time originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
As September comes to a close, NFL teams are starting to understand each other.
The fourth week of the 2024 NFL season has already brought several upsets, last-second surprises and much more.
Here are all the winners and losers from Sunday’s Week 4:
WINNER: 49ers bounce back
After an embarrassing collapse last time out against the Rams, the 49ers I’m back in the win column. It wasn’t the prettiest rout, but it was a rout nonetheless as San Francisco dominated the New England Patriots. 30-13 at Levi’s Stadium. Brock Purdy threw for 288 yards, a touchdown and a pick on 15 of 27 completions while Jordan Mason totaled 123 yards and a score on 24 carries.
There were some nervous moments for San Francisco on special teams and other injury issues – Fred Warner, Jordan Elliott, etc. – but it was an important result to build momentum ahead of a difficult period.
Jacoby Brissett and the running game completely lacked true penetration for New England as the offensive line’s issues persisted.
WINNER: The Vikings keep rolling
The Minnesota Vikings won’t stop winning.
Sam Darnold took a shot at Lambeau Field on Sunday as the Vikings took a 28-0 lead over the Green Bay Packers. Jordan Love – returning from a sprained MCL – helped the Packers get within 28-22 early in the fourth quarter. But Minnesota responded with a field goal to put the game out of reach and seal a 31-29 victory.
Darnold went 20 of 28 for 275 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. He now has 11 touchdowns in four games for the undefeated Vikings, who travel to London next week for a date with the New York Jets. Love and the Packers are 2-2 after his four-touchdown, three-interception performance.
LOSER: The Eagles can’t take the heat
THE Philadelphia EaglesThe season has ended in Tampa Bay in two of the last three seasons. It didn’t end Sunday, but it was another empty-handed trip to Florida for the Birds.
The Buccaneers rolled to a 33-16 victory over the Eagles after taking a 24-0 lead in the first 23 minutes. Baker Mayfield finished the game with 347 passing yards and three total touchdowns as Tom Brady watched his successor slice and dice Philly’s defense. Temperatures exceeded 100 degrees throughout this hotly contested match.
Tampa Bay is now 3-1 and in sole possession of the NFC South lead, while the Eagles have dropped to 2-2.
WINNER: Bengals on the board, finally (AND THE JAGS?)
How bad did the Cincinnati Bengals need it?
Joe Burrow and Co. picked up their first win of the season against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Even though it wasn’t technically a must-see, it might as well have been. Only one team in history (the 1992 Chargers) started 0-4 and made the playoffs.
The Bengals held their own against the Panthers, who were coming off a surprise win in Week 3 under Andy Dalton. Burrow had 232 passing yards and two touchdowns in the 34-24 victory. With a game against the division rival Baltimore Ravens in Week 5, the Bengals finally have some positive momentum.
LOSER: Offensive in New Jersey
Points and yards were hard to come by in the Denver Broncos vs. Jets game.
In the end, the Broncos came away with a shocking 10-9 road victory. Rookie quarterback Bo Nix had -7 passing yards on 15 attempts at halftime, but the offense did just enough in the second half to win. Nix finished 12 of 25 for 60 yards and a touchdown, but the Jets offense was even worse in a rainy MetLife Stadium.
Aaron Rodgers finished 22 of 42 for 225 yards, but three field goals were all the Jets could muster as Greg Zuerlein missed a 50-yard field goal in the final minute to seal the loss. Both teams are now 2-2 heading into Week 5.
WINNER: Who needs offensive touchdowns?
The Atlanta Falcons offense did not score a touchdown. The Atlanta Falcons still beat the New Orleans Saints 26-24.
Younghoe Koo kicked a career-long 58-yard field goal with two seconds left to clinch the victory in what was a strange game. Atlanta scored its only touchdown on a muffed punt by Rashid Shaheed and a 47-yard pick-6 by Troy Andersen, and Koo added four field goals.
The Falcons are now 2-2, even with the Saints, as a battle with the division-leading Bucs looms in Week 5.
WINNER: Caleb Williams
It wasn’t a Jayden Daniels performance, but Caleb Williams did enough to drown out the noise.
THE Chicago Bear The quarterback went 17 of 23 for 157 yards and a touchdown in Sunday’s 24-18 win over the Los Angeles Rams. It was a strong overall performance for the Bears, who improved to 2-2. Matt Eberflus’ defense forced two turnovers and the offense didn’t give up the ball.
For the Rams, the injuries are becoming too much to overcome. Sean McVay’s team is 1-3 with old friend Matt LaFleur and the visiting Packers at SoFi Stadium in Week 5.
LOSER: Cardinals get revenge
Former Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury returned to Arizona and helped the Washington Commanders put on a clinic in an impressive second straight victory. Rookie Jayden Daniels delivered another efficient passing game, going 26 of 30 for 234 yards, a touchdown and a pick to go with 47 rushing yards and a score on eight carries.
Brian Robinson Jr. added 101 rushing yards with a score while RB2 Jeremy McNichols added two more rushing touchdowns.
Arizona, meanwhile, gathered little to nothing as Kyler Murray was held to 142 yards on 16-of-22 passing for a touchdown, which went to rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. The Cardinals need more conviction against a healthier opposition.
LOSER: Last three scoreless quarters
THE Los AngelesGeles Chargers found themselves in a strong position with a 10-0 first quarter lead at home against the Kansas City Chiefs. But toughness isn’t enough when Patrick Mahomes is on the other sideline.
Kansas City eventually came back to win 17-10 as Los Angeles failed to score in the final three quarters. Half-fit Justin Herbert completed 16 of 27 passes for 179 yards, one touchdown and no picks while JK Dobbins struggled on the ground with 32 yards on 14 carries.
Travis Kelce had his best game of the season after a worrying start, recording seven catches for 90 yards while Kareem Hunt became RB1 with 14 carries for 69 yards. The Chiefs are one of the few undefeated teams at 4-0.
WINNER: Win without stars
The Raiders entered a matchup against the Cleveland Browns without their two best players on both sides of the ball. Davante Adams and Maxx Crosby both missed their game due to injuries, but Las Vegas escaped with a 20-16 victory after losing to the Panthers last time out.
DJ Turner and Tre Tucker had close scores on their only rushing attempts of the game as Gardner Minshew struggled, although Deshaun Watson wasn’t much better.
Watson threw for 176 yards on 24 of 32 completions with a touchdown and a pick while Jerry Jeudy stood out with six catches for 72 yards. Jerome Ford had 58 rushing yards on 10 carries, but the majority of those yards came on a single play late in the fourth quarter.
