NFL Week 4 winners, losers: 49ers gain momentum at perfect time originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

As September draws to a close, NFL teams are starting to reinvent themselves.

The fourth week of the 2024 NFL season has already produced several upsets, last-second surprises and more.

Here are all the winners and losers from Sunday’s week 4 action:

WINNER: 49ers bounce back

After an embarrassing collapse last time out at the Rams, the 49ers got back in the win column. It wasn’t the prettiest loss, but it was a loss nonetheless, as San Francisco defeated the New England Patriots 30-13 at Levi’s Stadium. Brock Purdy threw for 288 yards, one touchdown and a pick on 15 of 27 completions, while Jordan Mason rushed for 123 yards and a score on 24 carries.

There were some nerve-wracking moments for San Francisco on special teams and more injury concerns – Fred Warner, Jordan Elliott, etc. – but it was an important result to pick up momentum heading into a tough stretch.

Jacoby Brissett and the running game completely lacked any real penetration for New England as the offensive line issues continued.

WINNER: Vikings just keep rolling

The Minnesota Vikings won’t stop winning.

Sam Darnold took a shot at Lambeau Field on Sunday as the Vikings jumped out to a 28-0 lead over the Green Bay Packers. Jordan Love – returning from an MCL sprain – helped the Packers pull within 28-22 early in the fourth quarter. But Minnesota answered 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 head 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: Eagles can’t handle the heat

The Philadelphia Eagles’ season ended in Tampa Bay in two of the past three seasons. It didn’t end on Sunday, but it was another empty trip to Florida for the Birds.

The Buccaneers earned a 33-16 win over the Eagles after jumping out to a 24-0 lead in the first 23 minutes. Baker Mayfield finished the game with 347 passing yards and three total touchdowns while Tom Brady watched his successor slice and dice the Philly defense. During the closely fought match, temperatures felt like over 100 degrees.

Tampa Bay is now 3-1 and in sole possession of the NFC South lead, while the Eagles fell to 2-2.

WINNER: Bengals on the board, finally (AND JAGS?)

How badly did the Cincinnati Bengals need that?

Joe Burrow and Co. scored their first win of the season against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. While it wasn’t technically a must-win, it might as well have been. Only one team in history (1992 Chargers) has ever started 0-4 and made the playoffs.

The Bengals held their own against the Panthers, who just pulled off an upset win in Week 3 with 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: New Jersey violation

Points and yards were hard to come by in the Denver Broncos vs. Jets.

In the end, the Broncos came away with the shocking 10-9 road win. 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 was all the Jets could muster as Greg Zuerlein missed a field goal from 50 yards 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 failed to score a touchdown. The Atlanta Falcons still defeated the New Orleans Saints 26-24.

Younghoe Koo scored a career-high 58-yard field goal with two seconds left to clinch the win in what was a strange game. Atlanta scored its only touchdown on a cushioned kick from Rashid Shaheed and a 47-yard pick-6 from Troy Andersen, and Koo added four field goals.

The Falcons are now 2-2, even with the Saints, while a battle with the division-leading Bucs looms in Week 5.

WINNER: Caleb Williams

It wasn’t a Jayden Daniels-type performance, but Caleb Williams did enough to quiet the noise.

The Chicago Bears 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 solid all-around performance for the Bears, who moved to 2-2. Matt Eberflus’ defense forced two turnovers and the offense did not give the ball away.

For the Rams, the injuries are becoming too much to overcome. Sean McVay’s roster is 1-3 with old friend Matt LaFleur and the Packers visiting SoFi Stadium in Week 5.

LOSER: Cardinals suffer from revenge

Former Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury returned to Arizona and helped the Washington Commanders put on a clinic in a second straight impressive win. Rookie Jayden Daniels once again delivered an efficient passing game, going 26 of 30 for 234 yards, one touchdown and one 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, mustered little to nothing as Kyler Murray was held to 142 yards on 16 of 22 passing for one touchdown, which went to rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. went. The Cardinals need more convincing against healthier opposition.

LOSER: Winless last three quarters

The Los Angeles Chargers were in a solid position with a 10-0 lead in the first quarter at home against the Kansas City Chiefs. But solid 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. A 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 worrisome start, recording seven catches for 90 yards as Kareem Hunt became RB1 with 14 carries for 69 yards. The Chiefs are one of the few undefeated teams remaining at 4-0.

WINNER: Win without stars

The Raiders entered a game against the Cleveland Browns without their two best players on either side of the ball. Davante Adams and Maxx Crosby both missed due to injuries, but Las Vegas came through with a 20-16 win after losing to the Panthers last time out.

DJ Turner and Tre Tucker provided the gritty rushing scores on their only run attempts of the game while Gardner Minshew struggled, though Deshaun Watson wasn’t much better.

Watson threw for 176 yards on 24 of 32 completions with a touchdown and pick, while Jerry Jeudy stood out with six catches for 72 yards. Jerome Ford had 58 rushing yards on 10 carries, but most of that came on one play late in the fourth quarter.

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