NFL Week 4 Sunday Recap: Giants Take Control of NFC East as Unbeatens Survive and Upsets Shake Up the League

Week 4 gave the NFL its first real shakeup of the 2026 season.

The New York Giants suddenly sit alone atop the NFC East. The New England Patriots walked into Buffalo and handed the Bills their first loss. The Kansas City Chiefs and Minnesota Vikings found dramatically different ways to remain unbeaten. The San Francisco 49ers continued rolling, while Carolina used the Sunday night stage to make perhaps its loudest statement yet.

Meanwhile, Houston, Miami, Tampa Bay, Tennessee and the Chargers all reached the quarter mark of the season still searching for their first victory.

From London to Sunday Night Football, here is the complete CrossTalk Media recap of every game from Sunday’s Week 4 slate. (NFL)

Colts 30, Commanders 13

Indianapolis finds its formula in London

The Colts may have found their identity: give Jonathan Taylor the football and let him dictate the game.

Indianapolis overcame a rough start from Daniel Jones and eventually pulled away from Washington at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Jones committed two first-half turnovers, but Taylor stabilized everything around him, rushing for 95 yards and two touchdowns as Indianapolis improved to 2–2.

Washington entered the game depleted and suffered another major blow when Marcus Mariota aggravated a knee injury. Rookie Athan Kaliakmanis was forced into action and produced a couple of explosive throws, including a 47-yard touchdown to Treylon Burks, but Indianapolis eventually took control.

The Colts have now won two straight after opening 0–2. Their passing game remains a concern, but Taylor gives them an offensive foundation they can build around. (NFL)

Ravens 24, Titans 18

Baltimore wins — but Lamar Jackson’s ankle becomes the bigger story

Baltimore looked ready to cruise.

Lamar Jackson was brilliant in the first half, throwing for more than 220 yards and two touchdowns as the Ravens built a 24–7 advantage. Zay Flowers topped 100 receiving yards before halftime, and Tyler Loop drilled an incredible 64-yard field goal.

Then everything changed.

Jackson suffered an ankle injury late in the first half and did not return. Tyler Huntley took over, and although he completed eight of nine passes, Baltimore failed to score after halftime.

The Ravens defense did enough to protect the lead and move Baltimore to 3–1. Derrick Henry added 73 rushing yards and a touchdown against his former team.

Jackson is believed to be day-to-day, making his status the biggest storyline coming out of Baltimore. Tennessee, meanwhile, falls to a troubling 0–4 despite Carnell Tate exploding for 145 receiving yards. (NFL)

Patriots 29, Bills 26

New England shocks Buffalo

This might have been the most important win of Drake Maye’s young career.

The Patriots entered Buffalo at 1–2 and desperately needed something to stop their season from slipping away. Instead, Maye and New England handed the Bills their first loss.

Maye completed 22 of 37 passes for 269 yards and three touchdowns. The defining play came with 1:55 remaining when Efton Chism made a spectacular one-handed 23-yard touchdown catch to put New England ahead. Maye then found Rhamondre Stevenson for the two-point conversion and a 29–26 advantage.

Buffalo still had an opportunity, but Craig Woodson intercepted Josh Allen late to effectively finish it.

Romeo Doubs added two touchdown receptions for New England, while Buffalo’s Keon Coleman produced six catches for 116 yards and a score.

The Patriots are back to 2–2. Buffalo falls to 3–1. More importantly, the AFC East suddenly looks much more interesting than it did Sunday morning. (CBS Sports)

Bears 23, Jets 12

Chicago physically overwhelms New York

This was domination disguised by the final score.

Chicago outgained New York 492–157 and controlled the game with a relentless rushing attack. Kyle Monangai delivered a career performance with 146 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries, while D’Andre Swift added 58 yards.

Tyson Bagent, starting in place of the injured Caleb Williams, threw for a career-high 268 yards.

The Bears ran an astonishing 89 offensive plays compared with only 32 for the Jets.

There was at least one historic positive for New York: Minkah Fitzpatrick recorded the Jets’ first interception in 637 days, ending a 20-game interception drought.

But the offense gave New York almost nothing. The Jets went 0-for-7 on third down and managed only 34 net yards in the first half.

Chicago moves to 3–1. The Jets fall to 1–3 and have plenty of questions to answer offensively. (NFL)

Jaguars 22, Bengals 17

Jacksonville survives the mistakes and improves to 3–1

Jacksonville spent much of Sunday fighting itself.

The Jaguars piled up penalties — 10 for 100 yards by halftime — but managed to avoid the devastating turnover. Cincinnati did not.

Jacksonville intercepted Joe Burrow twice, including one takeaway deep in Jaguars territory that erased a potential go-ahead Bengals drive.

Trevor Lawrence remained composed, completing 18 of 23 passes for 227 yards and a touchdown. Bhayshul Tuten rushed for 73 yards, while Chris Rodriguez Jr. delivered a crucial 25-yard fourth-quarter touchdown.

Burrow still piled up 428 passing yards, but the turnovers proved costly, and Cincinnati also lost Ja’Marr Chase to a concussion during the first half.

Jacksonville is now 3–1 and continues looking like one of the AFC’s most balanced early-season teams. Cincinnati slips back to 2–2. (NFL)

Cowboys 34, Texans 30

CeeDee Lamb takes over Texas

Houston thought it had finally found its first victory.

CeeDee Lamb had other plans.

Lamb was virtually uncoverable, finishing with 17 receptions for 189 yards, including a 12-yard touchdown with 43 seconds remaining that gave Dallas the lead for good.

Dak Prescott finished 32 of 45 for 335 yards and the game-winning touchdown, while Javonte Williams powered in three rushing scores.

Houston’s offense finally looked dangerous. C.J. Stroud threw for 347 yards and two touchdowns, with Nico Collins producing seven catches for 118 yards and two scores.

But Houston’s defense couldn’t close the game.

The Cowboys improve to 2–2, while a Texans team that began the season with legitimate postseason expectations has fallen all the way to 0–4. (NFL)

Giants 36, Cardinals 24

The New York Giants are alone in first place

Yes, you read that correctly.

The New York Giants are 3–1 and sitting alone atop the NFC East.

Arizona raced to a 14–3 first-quarter advantage, but the Giants answered and eventually took control despite three turnovers of their own.

Jameis Winston delivered exactly the kind of afternoon his career has become known for — spectacular throws mixed with dangerous mistakes. He finished with 250 passing yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.

Malik Nabers was dominant, hauling in six passes for 112 yards and a touchdown.

But the defining play came from the defense.

With Arizona threatening in the closing seconds, Jacoby Brissett tried to force a fourth-down pass near the Giants’ goal line. Deonte Banks intercepted it at the 2-yard line and raced 98 yards for the touchdown, putting an exclamation point on New York’s third straight victory.

The Giants have now closed out consecutive games with late defensive interceptions.

Winston remains unpredictable. The offense remains imperfect. But New York keeps winning — and John Harbaugh’s Giants are officially one of the biggest early-season stories in football. (NFL)

Rams 24, Eagles 20

Los Angeles erases a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit

For most of Sunday afternoon, the Rams dominated statistically but were losing on the scoreboard.

Eventually, the numbers caught up.

Los Angeles outgained Philadelphia 415–172 and scored 14 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to steal a 24–20 road victory.

Kyren Williams scored both fourth-quarter touchdowns, including the go-ahead score with 1:17 remaining. Puka Nacua looked fully healthy again with nine catches for 125 yards.

The biggest concern for Philadelphia wasn’t simply the loss — it was how little the offense accomplished.

The Eagles went 0-for-12 on third down. Jalen Hurts threw for only 93 yards. Philadelphia was also without several important offensive pieces and lost Saquon Barkley during the game.

The Rams move to 2–2. Philadelphia drops to 2–2 after a second consecutive ugly offensive showing. (NFL)

Packers 17, Buccaneers 14

Green Bay survives its own mistakes

Green Bay won’t want to frame this game film.

But a win is a win.

Jordan Love threw two touchdowns as the Packers built a 17–7 advantage, only to repeatedly give Tampa Bay opportunities to steal the game.

Green Bay turned the ball over on consecutive fourth-quarter possessions. The Buccaneers defense recovered a Kaleb Johnson fumble near the goal line and later intercepted Love.

But Tampa Bay couldn’t cash either opportunity into enough points.

Rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels, making his first NFL start, kept the Bucs competitive but faced heavy pressure throughout the afternoon.

Green Bay escaped Tampa at 2–2.

The Buccaneers? 0–4.

The bigger concern for the Packers could be linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, who suffered a non-contact Achilles injury and was carted off. (NFL)

Vikings 15, Dolphins 10

Minnesota remains undefeated without scoring a touchdown

Football can be bizarre.

The Vikings are now 4–0, and for the second time this season, they won without scoring a touchdown.

Will Reichard accounted for every Minnesota point by drilling five field goals.

Kyler Murray threw for 247 yards, while Aaron Jones accumulated 128 yards from scrimmage and T.J. Hockenson caught all 13 of his targets for 119 yards.

Minnesota’s offense still has major work to do. It has now gone 18 meaningful consecutive possessions without a touchdown.

But the Vikings keep finding ways to win.

Miami’s defense delivered its best performance of the season, but the offense produced only 198 total yards. Ollie Gordon II was the major bright spot, rushing for 100 yards and a touchdown on only nine carries.

Minnesota stays perfect.

Miami drops to 0–4. (NFL)

Chiefs 30, Raiders 27

Kansas City remains perfect after wild fourth quarter

The Chiefs still know how to win games that seem determined to get away from them.

Las Vegas led deep into the fourth quarter before Kansas City suddenly found its explosive gear.

Kenneth Walker III was magnificent, rushing for 177 yards and two touchdowns. His 76-yard run helped flip momentum before Patrick Mahomes connected with Tyquan Thornton for a 55-yard strike that helped set up another score.

Special teams then created another opportunity, and Kansas City turned a competitive divisional game into a double-digit advantage.

The Raiders weren’t done.

Kirk Cousins led another charge, finding Brock Bowers for a late touchdown and completing the two-point conversion to make it 30–27.

But Cousins’ final drive ended with an interception.

Kansas City improves to 4–0, while Las Vegas takes its first loss and falls to 3–1.

The Chiefs didn’t dominate. They simply did what they have done for years: find the handful of plays that decide the game and make them. (NFL)

Seahawks 30, Chargers 23

Seattle forces four turnovers and sends Los Angeles to 0–4

The Chargers nearly pulled off the comeback.

Their mistakes made sure it wouldn’t happen.

Seattle built a 30–13 advantage through three quarters before Justin Herbert and Los Angeles made things interesting with 10 unanswered fourth-quarter points.

The Chargers eventually received the football with an opportunity to tie the game.

Then Uchenna Nwosu ended it.

Nwosu strip-sacked Herbert with one minute remaining, and Seattle recovered.

Herbert threw two interceptions and lost the late fumble. The Chargers committed 16 penalties for 130 yards and turned the football over four times.

Seattle also overcame injuries in its backfield. Emanuel Wilson produced 120 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns, while Rashid Shaheed scored on a 28-yard run.

Seattle improves to 3–1.

Los Angeles falls to a stunning 0–4, and the pressure on Jim Harbaugh’s team is growing rapidly. (NFL)

49ers 24, Broncos 14

San Francisco stays perfect

The 49ers didn’t light up the scoreboard the way they had during the first three weeks.

They showed they can win another way.

Brock Purdy completed 19 of 30 passes for 218 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions as San Francisco improved to 4–0.

The biggest play arrived late.

With Denver mounting a comeback, George Kittle caught a perfectly designed tight-end screen and raced 56 yards for a touchdown that essentially put the game away.

Christian McCaffrey again played an important role, while San Francisco’s defense prevented Bo Nix from finding much rhythm downfield.

Purdy has now thrown multiple touchdowns in each of San Francisco’s first four games, making him the first 49ers quarterback to start a season that way since Steve Young in 1998.

Kansas City is 4–0.

Minnesota is 4–0.

And so are the San Francisco 49ers. (NFL)

Panthers 32, Lions 26

Carolina announces itself on Sunday Night Football

If America wasn’t taking Carolina seriously before Sunday night, it probably is now.

Bryce Young and Tetairoa McMillan shredded Detroit’s defense in a nationally televised 32–26 victory.

McMillan was sensational.

The reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year caught 14 passes for 192 yards and two touchdowns, including nine receptions for 147 yards in the first half alone.

Young completed 29 of 41 passes for 329 yards and two touchdowns without an interception.

Chuba Hubbard supplied balance with 122 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Detroit actually generated plenty of offense. Jared Goff threw for 412 yards, Jameson Williams topped 100 receiving yards and Sam LaPorta found the end zone.

But once again, Detroit’s defense couldn’t deliver enough stops.

Carolina improves to 2–2 with a signature victory against a perennial NFC contender.

Detroit falls to 2–2 — and its defensive problems are becoming impossible to ignore. (NFL)

What Sunday Told Us

Four weeks into the 2026 season, the NFL picture is beginning to take shape — and it isn’t necessarily the picture anyone expected.

The Giants are for real until someone proves otherwise. A 3–1 record and sole possession of first place in the NFC East aren’t accidents anymore. New York has developed a knack for surviving chaotic games and making defensive plays when the game reaches its biggest moment.

Kansas City and San Francisco remain the standard. Neither needed its best overall performance Sunday. Both still walked away 4–0.

Minnesota might be the strangest undefeated team in football. The Vikings are 4–0 despite failing to score a touchdown in two of those victories. Eventually the offense must improve, but elite defense, special teams and situational football keep carrying them.

New England isn’t going away quietly. Beating Buffalo in Orchard Park changes the tone of the Patriots’ season. Drake Maye responded to a rough start by producing his biggest performance when New England desperately needed one.

Carolina deserves attention. Bryce Young, Tetairoa McMillan and Chuba Hubbard just went toe-to-toe with Detroit under the Sunday night lights and won.

Then there is the other side of the standings.

Houston. Miami. Tampa Bay. Tennessee. Los Angeles.

All 0–4.

At this stage of the NFL season, the margin for recovery is getting dangerously thin.

Four weeks are complete.

The contenders are beginning to separate themselves.

The surprise teams aren’t surprises anymore.

And if Week 4 proved anything, it’s that the 2026 NFL season is already refusing to follow the script.

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