Week 4 of the 2026 NFL season is almost over. Across two days (Thursday and Sunday), 15 games have been played. Now, just one matchup remains: New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football, with the winner joining the Carolina Panthers atop the NFC South.
In the meantime, here are the biggest winners and losers from the week.
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Biggest Winner #5: Will Reichard
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Special teams players seldom get as much love as their counterparts on offense and defense, but their kicks, whether for points or position, can decide games as much as touchdowns, sacks, fumbles, or interceptions do.
Will Reichard was easily the best player in the Minnesota Vikings’ 15-10 win over the Miami Dolphins. On a night when Kyler Murray could not reach the end zone at all, he nailed all his five field goal attempts to keep the hosts ahead. Do not be surprised if he makes another All-Pro and his first Pro Bowl this season with performances like this.
Biggest Winner #4: Matt LaFleur
Entering the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Matt LaFleur found himself in the hot seat. His Green Bay Packers were coming off being overrun by an Atlanta Falcons squad that had no elite quarterbacking to speak of, and losing to a winless team would have increased his chances of being fired.
But he managed to keep it mostly clean in a 17-14 win, so he gets a stay of execution.
Biggest Winner #3: Malik Nabers
Much doubt was raised about how Malik Nabers would perform in 2026 after returning from his knee injury, but he silenced it all against the Arizona Cardinals.
The New York Giants wide receiver scored his first touchdown of the year and accumulated more yards (112) than he did across the first three games combined (96). Now, if only Jaxson Dart were healthy enough to play, because those two together would be a monstrous pairing.
Biggest Winner #2: Drake Maye
After a disastrous loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Drake Maye needed a big-time performance against the Buffalo Bills if he wanted to stave off doubts over whether he was truly an elite quarterback.
He got that, leading a comeback drive in the fourth quarter to secure a 29-26 victory. While the result does not put the Pats atop the division, he can rest easy knowing that his team will be better positioned to defend the AFC crown.
Biggest Winner #1: Cleveland Browns
Remember when the Cleveland Browns were predicted to finish among the worst teams this season? After four weeks, they are shockingly leading the AFC North!
Much has been said about Deshaun Watson’s redemption tour, but the rest of the roster deserves praise as well. Quinshon Judkins, Harold Fannin, and rookie wideouts Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion are proving to be an excellent arsenal, and Mason Graham has joined Carson Schwesinger in showing his potential on the other side of the ball.
Biggest Loser #5: The referees
Players arguing with officials is nothing new, but the events that transpired on Sunday have to be seen to be believed.
First, line judge Jeff Seeman appeared to throw profanities at Cardinals tight end Trey McBride – not exactly the noblest act of a supposed keeper of good on-field conduct. Then, Adrian Hill seemingly lashed out at Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson for being pushed into the referee’s path by Dolphins running back Ollie Gordon II – an unnecessary overreaction to an inadvertent happening.
Biggest Loser #4: Cam Ward
Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward’s 0-4 start has increased scrutiny over his efficiency. However, it is not just the on-field performance that is hurting him.
After another loss to the Baltimore Ravens, he attempted to start his press conference early, then threatened to end it before it even began! Incidents like this only create material for the “diva” narratives that have been surrounding him since the start of his NFL career.
Biggest Loser #3: The Philadelphia Eagles’ run defense
The Philadelphia Eagles were doing a great job entering the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Rams. Jalen Hurts was efficient, throwing two touchdowns to Darius Cooper to help establish a 20-10 lead. Meanwhile, the secondary had stolen two off Matthew Stafford’s passes.
Leave it to the run defense to squander all of that, letting Kyren Williams crush them with consecutive rushing touchdowns en route to a 24-20 loss. That is a fireable offense for coordinator Vic Fangio, who could be nearing a sour end to a storied career.
Biggest Loser #2: DeMeco Ryans
If the Houston Texans’ 0-3 start to 2025 was bad, it is nothing compared to 2026.
Four straight losses to start the season represent a new low for DeMeco Ryans, who has never felt this outcoached before. For a defensive-minded coach, he proved unable to stop Javonte Williams from rushing his way to the end zone thrice!
Biggest Loser #1: Mike McDaniel
Now, Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles could have easily taken the top spot on this list. However, it has to go to Mike McDaniel given the expectations.
The former Miami Dolphins head coach was supposed to revolutionize the Los Angeles Chargers’ offense with his speed-based, pass-first approach. Instead, it has led to a 0-4 implosion that could get him and his superior, Jim Harbaugh, axed before the year even ends.
Week 5 represents a turning point for the 2026 season.
This is where byes begin, giving teams ample opportunity to reassess the construction of their roster. A major midseason trade has already happened, with Joey Porter Jr. going to the Dallas Cowboys for two draft picks, but the coming weeks are when the transactions start trickling in before coming to a head in early November.
Edited by R. Elahi