Four weeks into the 2026 NFL season, the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers remain among just three undefeated teams and appear to be on a path toward a potential third Super Bowl matchup in recent years. Both franchises secured victories in Week 4—Kansas City edged the Las Vegas Raiders 30-27, while San Francisco defeated the Denver Broncos 24-14—keeping their unblemished records intact.
The Chiefs, now 4-0, continue to post strong numbers on both sides of the ball despite quarterback Patrick Mahomes returning from a torn ACL and showing signs of rust. Kansas City ranks sixth in scoring and points allowed, bolstered by the emergence of rookie running back Kenneth Walker, who leads the league with 537 rushing yards. Mahomes has maintained efficiency with only two interceptions through four games. “We’re close,” Mahomes said following Sunday’s victory.
San Francisco has distinguished itself with the NFL’s best point differential at plus-58 and remains a formidable contender despite dealing with injuries. Their schedule has included wins over two teams that reached last season’s conference championship game (Rams and Broncos). Brock Purdy, the 49ers’ quarterback, has stood out with an NFL-best 126.2 passer rating, remarkable pocket protection—having taken no sacks in four games—and a level of play that evokes comparisons to Peyton Manning and Dan Marino. Wide receiver Mike Evans has also contributed significantly with 213 yards and two touchdowns.
The two teams are scheduled to meet in Week 16 in Kansas City, raising the possibility of multiple meetings if both advance deep into the playoffs.
The Raiders, despite their narrow loss to Kansas City, have impressed under first-year head coach Klint Kubiak. Las Vegas showed resilience late in the game by narrowing a 13-point deficit to three, with quarterback Kirk Cousins leading a decisive drive. The team’s defense leads the league in takeaways (nine) so far, aided by versatile tight ends Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer. The Raiders’ 3-1 start sets up a challenging matchup against the New England Patriots in Week 5.
Several coaches remain under pressure amid disappointing team performances. Tampa Bay’s Todd Bowles has an 0-4 start this season and has lost 11 of 13 games dating back to last year, making him a candidate for an early dismissal. Dan Quinn’s Washington Commanders defense has struggled, resulting in a 1-3 record and multiple recent losses. The Los Angeles Chargers promoted offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel despite an 0-4 start, though head coach Jim Harbaugh’s job security is also in question. Other teams, including the Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, and Denver Broncos, are exploring changes to play-calling and coaching staff due to underwhelming offensive and defensive performances.
Notable individual performances this week included Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton, who recorded a career-high 111 yards and two touchdowns but suffered a dislocated ankle expected to sideline him for an extended period. Washington’s Stefon Diggs caught five passes for 35 yards while operating with a third-string quarterback. Houston’s Kayshon Boutte has seen limited targets despite active participation.
In other developments, the Carolina Panthers, under coach Dave Canales, have started 3-1 and continue steady progress, particularly in developing quarterback Bryce Young. Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson generated curiosity by sending both Case Keenum and Tyson Bagent onto the field for the first play in their 23-12 win over the New York Jets, who suffered their fourth loss and struggled with a historically low play count and third-down conversions. The Jets recorded an interception for the first time since late last year.
The Minnesota Vikings’ 4-0 start is notable, though their offense has yet to find the end zone in half of those games, raising questions about the long-term viability of their current quarterback situation. The NFC East remains open, with the Dallas Cowboys’ offense considered the division’s most productive. CeeDee Lamb delivered a standout performance with 17 catches, tying for the seventh-highest single-game reception total in NFL history.
As the season progresses, teams like the Chiefs and 49ers continue to solidify themselves as frontrunners, while coaching vacancies and roster adjustments loom for franchises facing underperformance. The unfolding narrative promises a competitive path to the postseason with familiar and emerging storylines.