Four weeks into the 2026 season, the Chicago Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars have supplied the clearest evidence that they can contend, while the Minnesota Vikings have reached 4-0 despite an offense still searching for rhythm. At the other end of the standings, five clubs are 0-4 and facing historically steep postseason odds.
Bears roll again behind Bagent and a dominant defense
Chicago did not need Caleb Williams to overwhelm the New York Jets, using backup Tyson Bagent, a punishing running game and Dennis Allen’s defense to claim a 23-12 victory. Williams has missed the past two games with a hamstring injury, yet Ben Johnson has now won games with three different starting quarterbacks.
- Six days after Chicago beat Philadelphia with its third-string quarterback, Bagent guided an offense that controlled possession and repeatedly moved the chains against the Jets.
- The Bears accumulated 492 yards to New York’s 157, a 335-yard edge that was Chicago’s largest since a 343-yard advantage over the St. Louis Cardinals in Week 16 of 1979.
- Chicago posted 34 first downs, while the Jets managed seven on only 32 offensive snaps. The Bears’ plus-27 first-down margin is their best in any game dating back to at least 1970.
- The offense produced six possessions of at least 10 plays and added a nine-play scoring series. Chicago did not punt; its only drives shorter than nine plays ended in turnovers after three snaps.
Kyle Monangai consistently found room behind a clean offensive front, while Bagent efficiently spread the ball around despite Chicago committing two turnovers. Safety Xavier Woods called the result a “pretty thorough beating.”
Allen’s defense has been equally important. Chicago entered the season with questions about its front, but it ranks fourth in defensive EPA per play allowed at minus-0.15 and second in EPA per dropback allowed at minus-0.22. Simulated pressure packages and tight coverage on the back end have made easy completions scarce.
Geno Smith and the Jets generated almost nothing until a 58-yard late completion, which accounted for 37 percent of their total offense. Linebacker Devin Bush said it was among the easiest games of his NFL career, noting that the offense possessed the ball for more than 42 minutes and that he did not feel sore afterward.
With its defense playing at this level and its offense functioning through quarterback injuries, Chicago has established itself as a legitimate February threat.
Jacksonville backs up its 3-1 record
The Jaguars continued to show they can win in different ways, beating Cincinnati 22-17 behind a disruptive defensive performance and a late rushing touchdown from Chris Rodriguez Jr.
- Jacksonville pressured Joe Burrow 20 times, his highest pressure total in a game since Week 11 of 2024.
- Although the Jaguars recorded only two sacks, their pressure forced Burrow to get the ball out quickly and helped create two interceptions.
- Foye Oluokun produced a crucial red-zone takeaway, continuing a defense-wide trend for timely turnovers.
- Rodriguez broke free for a 25-yard touchdown run late in the game, providing needed breathing room after Jacksonville had two touchdowns erased by penalties.
- The Jaguars stopped Cincinnati on a late fourth-down attempt to finish the win.
Burrow threw for 428 yards, but Jacksonville’s defense supplied the decisive plays. Since the beginning of the 2025 season, the Jaguars have recorded 13 games with multiple takeaways, the most in the league. Their 39 takeaways across that span are tied with Chicago for the NFL lead.
Jacksonville was penalized 13 times for 125 yards, leaving coach Liam Coen frustrated with how difficult the rushing attack was to sustain. Still, he viewed Rodriguez’s long touchdown as a significant play in a hard-earned game. Oluokun summed up the club’s approach simply: “It does not have to look pretty. Just spot the ball and keep playing.”
At 3-1, Jacksonville is getting complementary football from Coen’s offense and Anthony Campanile’s opportunistic defense.
Vikings keep winning while offense lags behind
Minnesota joined San Francisco and Kansas City as the league’s remaining 4-0 teams, but its formula looks very different. The Vikings beat Miami 15-10 without scoring a touchdown, their second touchdown-free win of the season after a similar Week 2 victory in Chicago.
The Vikings are only the second team in the last 90 years to win three consecutive games while scoring one or fewer scrimmage touchdowns across that stretch, matching the 1994 Steelers. They also became only the third team in NFL history, following the 1922 and 1923 Chicago Cardinals, to open 4-0 despite failing to score a touchdown in two of their first four games.
Brian Flores’ defense held Miami to 198 yards and eight first downs. Will Reichard supplied all 15 Minnesota points with five field goals, while returner Myles Price delivered another explosive special-teams play with a 47-yard return.
The concern remains an offense led by Kyler Murray that struggled against Miami’s two-high coverage. Murray attempted no passes traveling at least 20 yards in the air, and just 18.9 percent of his throws traveled 10 or more air yards. The short passing attack sputtered often enough to draw boos at home.
Tight end T.J. Hockenson caught 13 passes for 119 yards and said the offense shares the frustration of its fans. He said the Vikings want to score, understand the crowd’s reaction and will continue working through it.
Pre-snap penalties and injuries on the offensive line have compounded the problems. Kevin O’Connell stressed that self-inflicted mistakes must be removed, even as Minnesota continues winning turnover and field-position battles. Murray did find more rhythm late against a worn-down Miami defense, offering some encouragement after his early-season injury.
For now, Minnesota’s defense and special teams are carrying an unbeaten team while the offense tries to catch up.
Eagles offense bottoms out in Rams loss
Philadelphia’s 24-20 home loss to the Los Angeles Rams exposed issues that go beyond injuries. The Eagles played without DeVonta Smith and lost Saquon Barkley early to a hamstring injury, but the offense’s larger problems persisted.
- Philadelphia went 0-for-12 on third down, its highest number of third-down tries without a conversion since at least 1991.
- The Eagles finished with 172 yards, their lowest single-game output since gaining 139 against Seattle in Week 14 of 2014.
- They have logged an NFL-high 15 three-and-out possessions this season, including 11 after halftime.
- Los Angeles blitzed Jalen Hurts on 60.6 percent of his dropbacks, and Hurts completed only five of 16 passes against those pressures.
Sean Mannion was brought in to add concepts associated with the McVay-Shanahan coaching tree, but Philadelphia has been ineffective under center and particularly poor on play-action attempts. The offensive line had already struggled before Lane Johnson’s absence, and Hurts has looked unsettled in the pocket.
Coach Nick Sirianni said Mannion, the coaching staff and the offense would all accept responsibility, adding that the group wins and loses together. Philadelphia could improve as its injured playmakers return and Hurts gains comfort in the system, but the defense may need to continue carrying a heavy burden against quality opponents.
Five winless teams face a brutal historical climb
The Buccaneers, Chargers, Dolphins, Texans and Titans all fell to 0-4 in Week 4. It is tied for the most 0-4 teams in a season, a mark reached six other times, most recently in 2019.
The postseason history is especially discouraging: among 109 prior 0-4 teams, only the 1992 Chargers recovered to make the playoffs.
Houston Texans
Houston has been the most disappointing club in the group. C.J. Stroud has played well, but the Texans have received too little from their rushing attack and have watched their secondary get repeatedly exposed. DeMeco Ryans’ team will get a defining AFC South stretch, visiting Tennessee in Week 5 before facing division-leading Jacksonville in London in Week 6.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers continue to make costly mistakes, and Justin Herbert threw two more interceptions in Sunday’s loss at Seattle. Jim Harbaugh remains confident in Mike McDaniel’s offense, but the unit has not consistently moved the football. The schedule offers little relief: Los Angeles plays the Broncos, Chiefs, Rams, Texans and Ravens over its next five games.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Baker Mayfield is expected to miss at least two more weeks with a dislocated thumb, putting Tampa Bay’s chances in the NFC South at risk. Undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels struggled when pressured by Green Bay, completing seven of 12 attempts for 49 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The Buccaneers have not provided enough support around their young quarterback, and offensive coordinator Zac Robinson’s unit has not found answers.
Tennessee Titans
Cam Ward remains Tennessee’s central concern, though there were some positive signs in Baltimore after an early turnover. Ward completed 10 of 13 quick throws for 65 yards, then went 10-for-18 on attempts taking longer than 2.5 seconds for a season-best 157 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
Rookie receiver Carnell Tate delivered a breakout performance with 145 receiving yards. The Titans need Ward to find a more aggressive and productive gear if they are going to reverse their season.
Miami Dolphins
Miami has competed hard but has not overcome its personnel limitations. Malik Willis has created occasional highlight plays, yet the offense remains inconsistent and penalties continue to hurt. The Dolphins have not scored more than 13 points in any game.
Week 5 against an injury-hit Bengals team offers Miami an opportunity to find its first win. After its bye, the Dolphins will face the Jets in another game that could provide a realistic opening.
