Three teams have maintained perfect records through the opening month of the NFL season after two previously undefeated sides suffered defeats during week four. The Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers and Minnesota Vikings each improved to 4-0, while the Las Vegas Raiders and one other team that had started 3-0 both fell to 3-1.
Sunday's action began with the Indianapolis Colts defeating the Washington Commanders in the first of three international games scheduled for London this season. The New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams both secured road victories to avoid dropping to 1-3 records, while the divisional matchup between Kansas City and Las Vegas determined which team would remain unbeaten.
How did the Chiefs hold off a strong Raiders challenge?
Kansas City's dominance over Las Vegas in recent seasons was tested on Sunday, with the Raiders proving they have significantly improved from a team that won only three games last season. The contest remained tightly contested throughout, with three lead changes in the fourth quarter before the Chiefs secured a 30-27 victory.
The pivotal moment came when running back Kenneth Walker scored two touchdowns in 19 seconds, immediately followed by Kansas City forcing a fumble on the ensuing kick-off return to regain possession. According to ESPN's game report, Walker finished with a career-high 177 rushing yards on 22 carries. His teammate Tyquan Thornton contributed two touchdowns and 111 receiving yards to the winning effort.
Las Vegas kept themselves in contention with a touchdown from tight end Brock Bowers, but the game ended when Kirk Cousins was tackled as he threw, resulting in an interception on the final play. The Chiefs, who missed last season's playoffs, now appear positioned to contend for a Super Bowl return. Their next opponent is the Los Angeles Chargers, who remain winless at 0-4 after losing 30-23 to defending champion Seattle Seahawks.
Which other teams improved to 4-0?
The San Francisco 49ers and Minnesota Vikings both extended their unbeaten records, with the 49ers hosting the Denver Broncos—a team that had upset Super Bowl favourites the Rams the previous week. The game remained tied 3-3 until late in the third quarter, when Christian McCaffrey's touchdown gave San Francisco breathing room. Although Denver answered with a score from Jaylen Waddle, tight end George Kittle sealed the 24-14 victory with a significant catch-and-run down the middle.
According to Pro Football Focus, the 49ers outgained Denver 358 yards to 303 in total offense. Quarterback Brock Purdy has led the league with 11 touchdown passes while being intercepted only once and avoiding sacks across the 49ers' first four games. Purdy shares the league lead in touchdown passes with Kirk Cousins.
Minnesota emerged as the season's biggest surprise by reaching 4-0, grinding out a 15-10 victory over the Miami Dolphins. According to ABC7 News, kicker Will Reichard accounted for all 15 of Minnesota's points on five successful field goals, while the Vikings' defense limited Miami to just eight first downs.
How did Drake Maye respond to recent struggles?
Questions surrounded New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye's confidence after he was benched during a blowout loss at Jacksonville the previous week. The 24-year-old had thrown six interceptions in the Patriots' first three games against only one touchdown pass, following eight interceptions across the entire 2025 regular season.
Facing a daunting road trip to the unbeaten Buffalo Bills, led by 2024 Most Valuable Player Josh Allen, Maye demonstrated the form that led him to narrowly miss the MVP award last season when he guided the Patriots to an unexpected Super Bowl run. After Allen restored Buffalo's lead with a 34-yard touchdown pass to Keon Coleman with four minutes remaining, Maye orchestrated a comeback drive that culminated in receiver Efton Chism making a superb one-handed catch in the endzone to put New England back in front.
The Patriots then intercepted an Allen pass to secure a 29-26 victory, with Maye passing for three touchdowns and 269 yards. Buffalo, which had been installed as a Super Bowl favourite alongside the Rams, will face Los Angeles in a head-to-head matchup the following week.
What injuries have affected contenders?
The Philadelphia Eagles' injury situation deteriorated significantly during their 24-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Wide receiver DeVonta Smith was ruled out before the game with a hamstring injury, joining tight end Dallas Goedert on the sidelines with a knee problem. During the contest, star running back Saquon Barkley suffered an early hamstring injury that removed him from play.
The Eagles' injury troubles come at a particularly difficult time, as they prepare to visit Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday to face the Jacksonville Jaguars, who improved to 2-2 by defeating the Cincinnati Bengals 22-17 for back-to-back wins. The Rams, meanwhile, recovered from a 1-2 start by fighting back from a 20-10 halftime deficit. Kyren Williams rushed for two touchdowns in the final four minutes, while the returning Puka Nacella contributed 125 receiving yards and a touchdown to secure the 24-20 victory.
Baltimore Ravens two-time MVP Lamar Jackson was unable to play in the second half of the Ravens' 24-18 home win against Tennessee due to an ankle injury, adding to the week's mounting fitness concerns across the league.
Which teams continued high-scoring trends?
The Dallas Cowboys maintained their pattern of appearing in games with at least 48 combined points, extending that streak with a 34-30 victory over Houston. The Texans led 23-13 after Nico Collins' second touchdown in the third quarter and held a 30-27 advantage with two minutes remaining. Quarterback Dak Prescott orchestrated an 11-play, 74-yard game-winning drive, throwing a touchdown pass to star receiver CeeDee Lamb to secure the victory.
Lamb recorded a career-high 17 receptions for 189 yards, while teammate Javonte Williams rushed for three touchdowns as Dallas improved to 2-2. According to the NFL's official schedule, Lamb leads the entire league in receiving yards with 498 through four games.
The New York Giants posted the week's highest-scoring performance, defeating the Arizona Cardinals 36-24 at home. Quarterback Jameis Winston, filling in for injured starter Jaxson Dart, threw three touchdown passes and two interceptions in the winning effort.
Key Facts
- The Chiefs, 49ers and Vikings remain the only unbeaten teams at 4-0 after week four
- Kenneth Walker's 177 rushing yards helped Kansas City defeat Las Vegas 30-27 in a divisional matchup
- Minnesota's Will Reichard scored all 15 points in the Vikings' 15-10 victory over Miami
- Drake Maye led New England to a 29-26 road win over Buffalo after recent struggles
- Philadelphia faces Jacksonville in London while dealing with multiple significant injuries
