NFL Week 4 Winners and Losers: The 49ers are hitting their stride at the perfect time

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

As September comes to a close, NFL teams are starting to understand themselves.

Week 4 of the 2024 NFL season has already brought with it some surprises, last-second surprises and more.

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

WINNER: 49ers rebound

After an embarrassing collapse in their last game against the Rams, the 49ers got back in the win column. It wasn’t the best loss, but it was a loss nonetheless, as San Francisco beat 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 rushed for 123 yards and a score on 24 carries.

There were some nervous moments for San Francisco on special teams and more injury concerns – Fred Warner, Jordan Elliott, etc. – but it was an important result to regain momentum before a difficult stretch.

Jacoby Brissett and the running game had no real impact for New England as the offensive issues continued.

WINNER: The Vikings just keep rolling

The Minnesota Vikings won’t stop winning.

Sam Darnold scored as the Vikings took a 28-0 lead over the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Sunday. Jordan Love — returning from an MCL sprain — helped the Packers get within 28-22 early in the fourth quarter. But Minnesota answered with a field goal that put the game out of reach and secured a 31-29 victory.

Darnold completed 20 of 28 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. After his performance of four touchdowns and three interceptions, Love and the Packers are 2-2.

LOSER: The Eagles can’t handle the heat

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

The Buccaneers cruised 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 replacement tear the Philly defense apart. During the hard-fought game, temperatures felt like over 100 degrees.

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

WINNER: Finally the Bengals on the field (AND JAGS?)

How badly did the Cincinnati Bengals need this?

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

The Bengals held on against the Panthers, who were fresh off a surprise win in Week 3 with Andy Dalton. Burrow recorded 232 passing yards and two touchdowns in the 34-24 win. With a game against division rival Baltimore Ravens coming up in Week 5, the Bengals finally have some positive momentum.

LOSER: Felony in New Jersey

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

In the end, the Broncos walked away with a shocking 10-9 road win. Rookie quarterback Bo Nix had -7 passing yards on 15 attempts at halftime, but in the second half the offense did just enough to win. Nix finished 12 of 25 for 60 yards and a touchdown, but the Jets’ offense was even worse in 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 defeat. 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 defeated the New Orleans Saints 26-24.

Younghoe Koo hit a 58-yard field goal with two seconds left to secure the win in 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 Week 5 battle with the division-leading Bucs looms.

WINNER: Caleb Williams

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

The Chicago Bears quarterback completed 17 of 23 yards and a touchdown in a 24-18 win over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. It was a solid overall performance for the Bears, who moved to 2-2. Matt Eberflus’ defense forced two turnovers and the offense didn’t give the ball away.

The injuries become too much for the Rams to overcome. Sean McVay’s squad is 1-3 with his old friend Matt LaFleur and the Packers visiting SoFi Stadium in Week 5.

LOSER: Cardinals suffer revenge

Former Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury returned to Arizona and helped the Washington Commanders to a second consecutive impressive victory. Rookie Jayden Daniels delivered another efficient passing game, completing 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, could provide little to nothing as Kyler Murray was held to 16 of 22 passes for 142 yards for a touchdown that went to rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. The Cardinals will have to do more convincing against healthier opponents.

LOSER: Scoreless final 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.

In the end, Kansas City 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 and 14 carries.

Travis Kelce had his best game of the season after a worrisome start, recording seven catches for 90 yards, while Kareem Hunt became the RB1 with 14 carries for 69 yards. At 4-0, the Chiefs are one of the few undefeated teams.

WINNER: Win without stars

The Raiders faced the Cleveland Browns without their two best players on both sides of the ball. Davante Adams and Maxx Crosby both missed with injuries, but Las Vegas prevailed with a 20-16 win after losing to the Panthers last time out.

DJ Turner and Tre Tucker provided key rushing scores on their only run attempts of the game, while 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 most of that came on a single play late in the fourth quarter.

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