Week 4 of the 2026 NFL season exposed significant vulnerabilities among the league's top-tier teams, as early-season instability continues to impact projected contenders. A growing trend of resting key starters during the August preseason has effectively turned the first month of the regular season into a de facto preseason, leaving several elite franchises searching for consistency amid mounting injuries and penalties.
The struggle is most acute for the league's winless franchises. Five teams currently sit at a grim 0-4 record: the Los Angeles Chargers, Tennessee Titans, Miami Dolphins, Houston Texans, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Historically, the 1992 San Diego Chargers remain the only team in NFL history to overcome a 0-4 start and reach the postseason, leaving these five squads with only a sliver of hope as they look to salvage their seasons.
Quarterback instability has also quickly emerged as a defining theme of the year. The Washington Commanders became the third team this season forced to turn to a third-string quarterback. Seventh-round rookie Athan Kaliakmanis was pressed into service during Sunday's game in London after Marcus Mariota—who was already filling in for injured starter Jayden Daniels—suffered an MCL injury in the first quarter. This level of quarterback volatility has been seen across the league, with the Chicago Bears previously relying on Case Keenum and the Atlanta Falcons enduring two disastrous games with Cooper Rush.
Keenum achieved an unusual statistical milestone on Sunday, earning credit for Chicago's 23-12 victory over the New York Jets. Under NFL rules, any quarterback who starts a game, regardless of how long they play, is designated as the quarterback of record. Keenum secured the win by taking the Bears' opening snap—a handoff to D'Andre Swift—before Tyson Bagent took over for the remainder of the game.
With Bagent playing his most extensive snaps since his 2023 rookie year, the Bears' offense compiled 492 total yards against a Jets defense that entered the game ranked second in the league. Chicago dominated time of possession for nearly 43 minutes, running 89 plays and securing 34 first downs compared to the Jets' 32 total plays. While the Bears' 11-point margin of victory was narrowed by their failure to score touchdowns on five of their seven red-zone trips, their 3-1 record makes them one of the few projected contenders living up to expectations, especially considering they have played without starting quarterback Caleb Williams for two full games and part of another.
Despite the loss, the Jets' defense celebrated a major milestone when veteran safety Minkah Fitzpatrick intercepted Bagent. This marked New York's first defensive interception in two seasons, ending a drought that dated back to Week 18 of the 2024 season. In 2025, the Jets became the first team in NFL history to play an entire season without registering a single interception on defense.
The Buccaneers also experienced backup quarterback difficulties. Undrafted free agent Jalon Daniels, out of Kansas, lost his first career NFL start while filling in for the injured Baker Mayfield. Daniels, who signed for a modest $25,000 bonus, threw for 148 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. He became the first of seven quarterbacks who were not in their team's Week 1 lineups to lose their first start of the season.
The Los Angeles Rams secured a rocky 2-2 start, benefiting from a late collapse by the Philadelphia Eagles. Rams coach Sean McVay's reluctance to play starters in the preseason may explain their sluggishness, but the team has overcome slow starts before, reaching the postseason after starting 3-6 in 2023 and 1-4 in 2024. Still, concerns are mounting as Matthew Stafford has already thrown six interceptions this season—approaching the eight he threw during his 2025 MVP campaign—and the Rams have committed 21 penalties for nearly 200 yards over the last two weeks.
The Eagles failed to exploit the Rams' errors, blowing a 10-point lead entering the fourth quarter. Quarterback Jalen Hurts struggled in the team's new offensive system, and the offense registered its worst third-down conversion rate since at least 1991. Philadelphia was severely short-handed, missing injured stars Saquon Barkley, DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert, and Zach Baun. Additionally, veteran right tackle Lane Johnson, drafted in 2013, missed the game due to personal reasons. The Eagles fell to 18-30 all-time in games played without Johnson.
In Texas, the Dallas Cowboys barely squeaked past the winless Houston Texans to salvage a 2-2 record. While cornerback Joey Porter Jr. allowed zero receptions in his Dallas debut while playing nearly half the defensive snaps, the Cowboys' defense remained a liability, surrendering at least 28 points for the third time this season after giving up the most points in the league in 2025. On offense, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb tied for the seventh-most catches in a single game in NFL history, setting a franchise record for wide receivers, though former tight end Jason Witten still holds the overall team record with 18. The Texans, meanwhile, are allowing 30 points per game at home, prompting questions about their defense and the future of quarterback C.J. Stroud.
The Cincinnati Bengals finally possess a functional defense under their holdover coaching staff, but quarterback Joe Burrow has struggled. Following a costly fumble on Cincinnati's final offensive snap in a Week 3 loss to Pittsburgh, Burrow threw two interceptions in a 22-17 home loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.
In Tennessee, Titans quarterback Cam Ward suffered his 18th loss in 21 career starts. This gives him the worst 21-game record for a quarterback selected first overall during the common draft era, which began in 1967, tying him with Hall of Famer Troy Aikman's rough start with the Cowboys.
The Buffalo Bills suffered their first loss of the season to the defending AFC champion New England Patriots, with Buffalo's defense allowing 29 points for the third time this season. Patriots quarterback Drake Maye had his best game of the year, passing for 269 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for a team-high 54 yards. However, Maye also committed two turnovers, bringing his league-high total to nine through four weeks.
The Denver Broncos fell 24-14 to the San Francisco 49ers, hampered by an offense that has scored just 13 total first-half points over four weeks under rookie offensive coordinator Davis Webb. The slow starts have placed the Broncos in third place in the AFC West, sparking speculation that head coach Sean Payton may reclaim play-calling duties from Webb.
The Carolina Panthers and Detroit Lions continue to provide entertaining, high-scoring games characterized by a complete lack of defense. Meanwhile, the regression of Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert under new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel remains a major storyline. In Seattle, the Seahawks defeated the winless Chargers 30-23 in a highly undisciplined game that featured 30 combined penalties for 280 yards.
In London, Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor excelled in a 30-13 victory over the Commanders. In three career international games, including two in Germany, Taylor has rushed for 408 yards and six touchdowns, setting overseas NFL records. Despite his stellar performance, questions remain about whether the rebuilding Colts will trade him for future assets. The Baltimore Ravens are also facing challenges, as quarterback Lamar Jackson suffered an ankle injury ahead of a stretch featuring three road games in the next four weeks.
Amid the widespread struggles of NFL contenders, the San Francisco 49ers stand out at 4-0. Head coach Kyle Shanahan coached his 167th career game on Sunday, passing legendary coach Bill Walsh for the most games coached in franchise history. Despite having half their roster on injured reserve, the 49ers continue to excel, proving to be the league's most complete team.
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