2025 NFL Week 4 Winners and Losers

Brent SobleskiSep 25, 2025

Another unpredictable NFL week wrapped with a Monday night doubleheader, as the Miami Dolphins bested the New York Jets while the Denver Broncos outlasted the Cincinnati Bengals

Bleacher Report's team of NFL analysts—Brent Sobleski, Gary Davenport, Kris Knox and Moe Moton—followed along all week to identify each matchup's biggest winners and losers.

New York Jets vs. Miami Dolphins

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AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell

Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel

Score: Dolphins 27, Jets 21

Winner: Head coach Mike McDaniel, Miami Dolphins

On a night that saw star receiver Tyreek Hill exit with what appeared to be a significant knee injury, the Dolphins desperately needed others to make an impact.

Darren Waller caught three passes for 27 yards and two touchdowns, and it's easy to feel happy for the 33-year-old, who spent the 2024 season in retirement. However, the big winner was head coach and offensive play-caller Mike McDaniel.

Miami struggled to find an offensive rhythm through the first three weeks, but it found one on Monday night by leading with the ground game. De'Von Achane, Ollie Gordon II and Malik Washington took turns battering the Jets defense, which opened up everything else for the Dolphins' offense.

The Dolphins will have to adjust if Hill misses significant time. McDaniel's ability to adapt and find some physicality in the offense may do just as much for his job security as Miami's first win of the season.

Loser: KR Isaiah Williams, New York Jets

Not much went right for the Jets, who lost three fumbles and committed 12 penalties on Monday night. If any one player is in danger of feeling Aaron Glenn's wrath, though, it's probably receiver and returner Isaiah Williams.

Xavier Gipson was released after a costly fumble in Week 1. On Monday, Williams had a third-quarter fumble on a kickoff return that quickly turned into a Dolphins touchdown. In the fourth quarter, he inexplicably called a fair catch on his own three-yard line, which cost New York must-needed field position.

If Williams is looking for work on Tuesday, it should surprise no one.

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Denver Broncos

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AP Photo/Bart Young

Broncos QB Bo Nix runs for a touchdown against the Bengals on Sept. 29

Score: Broncos 28, Bengals 3

Winner: RB J.K. Dobbins, Denver Broncos

Monday's nightcap was not a pretty game, but the Broncos managed to gut it out. Though the 21-3 score we saw at halftime held until late in the fourth quarter, Denver eventually put the Bengals away with an 11-play, 76-yard touchdown drive.

Running back J.K. Dobbins, who was signed in free agency, was huge on that final drive and throughout the game. He got the tough yards when Cincinnati was expecting the run, and he became the first 100-yard rusher the Broncos have had since Sean Payton became head coach.

Loser: Head coach Zac Taylor, Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati's performance against Denver was embarrassing, and it's hard to blame anyone other than head coach Zac Taylor.

The absence of quarterback Joe Burrow doesn't excuse the sloppy brand of football and poor game-planning Cincinnati exhibited. Against a Broncos defense that surrendered 273 yards rushing over the previous two weeks? Taylor gave Chase Brown 10 runs.

The Bengals scored a field goal on their opening drive, then never crossed midfield again. The defense coughed up 28 points and over 500 yards of offense. As a team, Cincinnati committed 11 penalties while recording just 10 first downs.

It was the sort of game that makes one wonder just how long Taylor can hold the locker room together.

Green Bay Packers vs. Dallas Cowboys

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AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter

Dallas Cowboys team owner Jerry Jones

Score: Packers 40, Cowboys 40

Winner: Dallas Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones

As a spectator, there's nothing more anticlimactic than watching an action-packed game, with strong storylines attached to it, end in a tie. But Jones is still a winner here.

Former Cowboy Micah Parsons recorded three tackles and a sack, but he didn't wreck the game at AT&T Stadium, also known as Jerry's World. If he did, Jones wouldn't have heard the end of it, being that he tried to justify trading the star pass-rusher to the Packers.

Plus, Jones watched his team score 40 points without star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who's out with a high ankle sprain. He could walk away from this game believing the Cowboys can still be a competitive, high-scoring squad without their best receiver for at least the next few weeks.

Loser: Green Bay Packers Defense

Do you remember when the Packers stifled the Detroit Lions' and Washington Commanders' offenses, holding those teams to fewer than 19 points? Many thought Parsons propelled Green Bay's defensive unit to one of the league's best.

Well, the Packers held the Cleveland Browns to 10 points, but they couldn't stop them from moving the ball 20 yards to kick a game-winning field goal in Week 3. Green Bay gave up five touchdowns to the Cowboys, who were without Lamb, guard Tyler Booker and center Cooper Beebe.

Green Bay has a high-end defensive unit, but it's fair to ask how strong it is on the road in crucial moments.

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Baltimore Ravens vs. Kansas City Chiefs

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AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes

Score: Chiefs 37, Ravens 20

Winner: QB Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

It's amazing what getting an actual honest-to-goodness vertical threat back can do for an offense—although playing against arguably the NFL's worst defense doesn't hurt.

With Xavier Worthy back on the field for the Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs got rolling offensively in a big way. Mahomes cooked the Ravens to the tune of 270 yards and four touchdowns—his first four-score game since 2023.

After the Chiefs lost their first two games, there was no shortage of hand-wringing about the status of the reigning AFC champions.

One would think y'all would know by now. The Chiefs aren't dead until they are dead.

Loser: The Ravens' Super Bowl Aspirations.

Speaking of dead...and cooked. The 1-3 Ravens are both.

Is Baltimore still the most talented team in the AFC North? Probably. At least on offense. But after Sunday's Arrowhead embarrassment, the Ravens are two back of Pittsburgh and have the same record as the Cleveland Browns.

The biggest problem isn't hard to spot. The Ravens are awful defensively. Baltimore has now allowed at least 37 points in three of four games. That's not the stat of a Super Bowl contender.

Now, with Lamar Jackson and star linebacker Roquan Smith both leaving Sunday's loss with hamstring injuries and two more games coming up against 2024 playoff teams, it's getting late early in Baltimore.

Chicago Bears vs. Las Vegas Raiders

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AP Photo/David Becker

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith

Score: Bears 25, Raiders 24

Winner: RB Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders

Jeanty played up to first-round expectations, racking up 155 scrimmage yards and scoring three touchdowns. Through the first few weeks, he struggled to find running lanes behind a shaky offensive line, but the five guys up front created enough space to spring the rookie ball-carrier for big plays.

During the game, Jeanty reverted to his upright presnap stance, which drew criticism from the coaching staff during the offseason. If he continues to run like he did against the Bears, the Raiders should allow him to do what's comfortable for him going forward.

Loser: QB Geno Smith, Las Vegas Raiders

Four weeks into the season, Smith has two three-interception games. From the Raiders' first possession, he put his team in tough spots, and the Bears scored 13 points off his turnovers. Fortunately for him, the defense held up and forced Chicago to settle for a couple of field goals.

Still, Smith must avoid giving up possessions. He currently leads the league in interceptions with seven. Back in March, the Raiders acquired him from the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for a third-round pick and signed him to a two-year, $75 million extension.

With that new contract, Smith probably isn't in imminent danger of losing his starting job given his pre-existing pro relationship with head coach Pete Carroll, but if the Raiders lose games solely because of his turnovers, backup Kenny Pickett could see the field.

Indianapolis Colts vs. Los Angeles Rams

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AP Photo/Eric Thayer

Rams QB Matthew Stafford

Score: Rams 27, Colts 20

Winner: QB Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams

Several players stood out for the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday afternoon, including Puka Nacua (170 receiving yards, 1 TD) and Kamren Curl. However, it's hard not to consider Matthew Stafford as the biggest winner.

Stafford continues to be one of the league's most dangerous passers at 37 years old. He repeatedly answered the Indianapolis Colts, threw for 375 yards and three scores, and capped his afternoon with an 88-yard go-ahead touchdown pass to Tutu Atwell.

After a month, Stafford looks like a legitimate MVP candidate.

Loser: WR Adonai Mitchell, Indianapolis Colts

Second-year Colts receiver Adonai Mitchell may have had two of the biggest miscues we saw on Sunday.

Early in the third quarter, Mitchell had a terrific catch-and-run that should have resulted in a touchdown—only, he dropped the ball just before crossing the goal line. Late in the fourth quarter, he was called for an obvious hold that nullified a would-be 53-yard touchdown run by Jonathan Taylor.

Winning in the NFL is hard enough when teams play mistake-free football. Mitchell made winning virtually impossible for Indy on Sunday.

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. San Francisco 49ers

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AP Photo/Kelley L. Cox

Jaguars LB Devin Lloyd celebrates with teammates after intercepting a pass on Sept. 28.

Score: Jaguars 26, 49ers 21

Winner: LB Devin Lloyd, Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars' defense had an impressive outing against the San Francisco 49ers, sealing the win with an Arik Armstead forced fumble and a Foyesade Oluokun recovery.

If there was a defensive MVP from Jacksonville's win, however, it would be linebacker Devin Lloyd. The fourth-year linebacker snagged two interceptions, recorded six solo stops, added two assists and had one tackle for loss.

Lloyd, who is in a contract year, has now recorded a takeaway in three straight games.

Loser: 49ers' Special Teams

49ers fans will probably curse the team's growing list of injuries or Sunday's poor ball security for the first loss of the season. However, poor special-teams play cost San Francisco in a big way.

The 49ers scored with less than a minute remaining in the first half, but immediately surrendered 54 yards on a Bhayshul Tuten kick return. Jacksonville tacked on three points before the half.

In the third quarter, San Francisco surrendered another six points on an 87-yard Parker Washington punt return touchdown. The 49ers made plenty of other mistakes on Sunday, but special teams coordinator Brant Boyer can't be pleased.

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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AP Photo/Chris O'Meara

Eagles TE Dallas Goedert

Score: Eagles 31, Buccaneers 24

Winner: TE Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles

The NFL's best teams find ways to win even when they aren't playing their best. That's what the Eagles did Sunday in Tampa—it's not especially easy to score 31 points in a game where Philly had just 200 yards of offense.

We could give some run to an opportunistic Eagles defense that forced a pair of timely turnovers, but instead it's the closest thing Philadelphia had to an offensive star who gets the nod.

Tight end Dallas Goedert has been quiet so far this season—eight receptions for 77 yards entering Week 4. But the 30-year-old had his best game of the season against Tampa, tying for the team lead in catches, pacing the Eagles in receiving yards and reeling in both of Jalen Hurts' touchdown passes.

Loser: WR Chris Godwin Jr., Tampa Bay Buccaneers

With Mike Evans out multiple weeks with a hamstring injury, the Buccaneers badly needed wide receiver Chris Godwin to get back on the field. Godwin did make his return Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles, playing for the first time since an ankle injury cut his 2024 season short.

Granted, rust is absolutely a factor given how long Godwin was sidelined. But his first outing of 2025 is one best forgotten—despite tying rookie Emeka Egbuka for the team lead in targets with 10, Godwin caught just three passes 26 yards.

Los Angeles Chargers vs. New York Giants

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AP Photo/Adam Hunger

New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart

Score: Giants 21, Chargers 18

Winner: QB Jaxson Dart, New York Giants

Concerns always exist about rushing a rookie quarterback onto the field too soon. The Giants decided to pull the trigger by inserting this year's 25th overall draft pick, Jaxson Dart, into the starting lineup after an 0-3 start, with veteran Russell Wilson aging about as well as out-of-date milk.

Dart threw for only 111 yards, but he did run for 54 and provided a pair of touchdowns. More importantly, the Giants won. With the rookie now behind center, hope for the present and future can emerge.

Loser: Chargers' offensive line

Quarterback Justin Herbert can play at an MVP level, but his contributions will be mitigated by a crumbling offensive line.

With left tackle Rashawn Slater already out for the season because of a torn patellar tendon he suffered during training camp, Joe Alt made the transition from the right to left side. Now, Alt is dealing with a high-ankle sprain he suffered Sunday.

Guard Mehki Becton didn't play in Week 4, either, while he's in the NFL's concussion protocol. Herbert may be counted upon to do even more if this group struggles due to these issues.

Cleveland Browns vs. Detroit Lions

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AP Photo/Terrance Williams

Lions edge Aidan Hutchinson

Score: Lions 34, Browns 10

Winner: Detroit Lions Defense

You can basically just spin the Wheel O' Lions to find a winner from Sunday's immolation of the hapless Cleveland Browns. But given that Detroit was held under 300 yards of offense, it's the defensive side of the ball that gets the dap in Week 4.

Just don't ask us to pick an individual player—because it was a team effort.

Linebacker Jack Campbell piled up 11 total tackles. Edge-rusher Aidan Hutchinson was a force, logging a pair of sacks and forcing a fumble. Cleveland had less than 250 yards of offense, turned it over three times and converted just three of 14 third downs.

It was a dominant performance all the way around.

Loser: QB Joe Flacco, Cleveland Browns

It's Dillon Gabriel time in Cleveland—whether the Browns like it or not.

Cleveland quarterback Joe Flacco was horrendous in Sunday's lopsided loss to Detroit. Granted, he didn't have wide receiver Cedric Tillman for much of the game, but that doesn't excuse his putrid performance. Flacco completed less than 50 percent of his passes, threw a pair of interceptions and posted a passer rating under 40.

Gabriel came in late, attempting one pass. The rookie third-rounder should attempt several more next week against the Minnesota Vikings.

Because the only question Flacco answers is, "how do the Browns lose as many games as possible?"

New Orleans Saints vs. Buffalo Bills

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AP Photo/Peter Joneleit

Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Deone Walker

Score: Bills 31, Saints 19

Winner: DL Deone Walker, Buffalo Bills

At this point last season, Deone Walker was projected as a potential first-round draft pick. He didn't put together the best final season for the Kentucky Wildcats and ultimately fell to the fourth round, where the Bills selected the 6'7", 331-pound defensive linemen.

The Bills defense did not do a good job at the point of attack against the Saints, who accumulated 189 rushing yards at 5.6 yards per tote. However, Walker registered a pair of tackles for loss. The rookie gives Buffalo and growing presence in the middle when he's in the game.

Loser: Saints' vertical passing game

New Orleans found something in using quarterback Spencer Rattler's mobility as part of the designed run game. However, a good ground game isn't going to solve the squad's offensive problems since the unit has troubles attacking opponents vertically.

Rattler averaged 4.7 yards per attempt against the Bills. Comparatively, Josh Allen finished the contest at 9.5. No Saints receiver had a reception longer than 17 yards. Only one target has a catch over 21 yards for the entire season.

Washington Commanders vs. Atlanta Falcons

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AP Photo/Mike Stewart

Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr.

Score: Falcons 34, Commanders 27

Winner: QB Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta's Week 3 loss to the Carolina Panthers was a nightmare for Falcons quarterback Michael Penix—the second-year pro threw for just 172 yards, was intercepted twice and was pulled at the end of a blowout in favor of Kirk Cousins.

Well, Penix woke up from that nightmare Sunday—and now it's the Commanders who will be seeing him in their dreams.

As bad as Penix was in Week 3, he was that good in Sunday's win over Washington—20 completions in 26 attempts for 313 yards and a pair of touchdowns with a passer rating of 126.0.

On some level it's a shame that Atlanta's bye is in Week 5—because is the type of outing that can be a springboard for a young signal-caller.

Loser: Washington Commanders Defense

The Commanders entered Sunday's tilt in Atlanta with numerous injuries om offense—Washington was without quarterback Jayden Daniels and No. 1 wide receiver Terry McLaurin.

However, those absences don't explain why the Commanders defense was cooked.

An Atlanta team that was shut out a week ago by the lowly Panthers racked up 435 yards of offense and scored 34 points Sunday. Washington's secondary was atrocious, allowing big games from running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts and giving up well over 15 yards per catch.

Carolina Panthers vs. New England Patriots

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AP Photo/Steven Senne

Score: Patriots 42, Panthers 13

Winner: WR Stefon Diggs, New England Patriots

A season ago, the Patriots fielded the league's worst skill position group. This offseason, New England's front office made multiple moves to improve the situation, with the addition of veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs being an important piece of the puzzle.

Maye wanted to get the ball to Diggs more after three weeks. The two finally built a strong rapport in Week 4, with the four-time Pro Bowl target catching six passes for 101 yards. Considering Diggs had 112 receiving yards through the first three games, Sunday's performance is a massive step in the right direction.

Loser: QB Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers

The progress expected from Young this season has yet to be truly seen. In three of four games, he's played average to poorly. He's now thrown for 154 or fewer yards during those contests.

On the same day when the Panthers could look across to the other sideline and see a genuine emerging franchise quarterback in Maye, decision-makers within the organization have to wonder whether Young is ever going to consistently perform at a high level on a week-to-week basis.

Tennessee Titans vs. Houston Texans

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AP Photo/Ashley Landis

Houston Texans running back Woody Marks

Score: Texans 26, Titans 0

Winner: RB Woody Marks, Houston Texans

The Texans have found their do-it-all running back to fill in for Joe Mixon, who's on injured reserve with an ankle injury. Marks had his breakout game against the Titans, accumulating 119 scrimmage yards and scoring two touchdowns, one rushing and another receiving.

Through September, Marks saw a gradual increase in touches. On Sunday, he took over Houston's backfield with his performance. The rookie fourth-rounder will likely continue to split touches with ninth-year veteran Nick Chubb, but his pass-catching ability will enable him to see the field on all three downs.

Loser: OC Bo Hardegree, Tennessee Titans

Titans head coach Brian Callahan ceded play-calling duties to Hardegree, who's the quarterbacks coach, and the team's production on that side of the ball went from bad to worse.

The Titans posted a big doughnut on the scoreboard and didn't even advance the ball in the red zone, inside the Texans' 20-yard line. Hardegree has minimal play-calling experience. He served as the Las Vegas Raiders' interim offensive coordinator in the second half of the 2023 campaign. Tennessee will need to be patient with its new offensive play-caller and rookie quarterback combination.

Minnesota Vikings vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

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AP Photo

Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker TJ. Watt celebrates an interception.

Score: Steelers 24, Vikings 21

Winner: Pittsburgh Steelers Front Seven

In Dublin, the Steelers defense struggled to cover the Vikings' top two receivers. Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison racked up 240 receiving yards combined. However, Pittsburgh's front seven helped give the club an early cushion and seal the game.

The Steelers sacked Carson Wentz six times. Linebackers Payton Wilson and Patrick Queen logged five tackles for loss combined. T.J. Watt recorded an interception. Keeanu Benton had arguably his best game as a pro, logging four tackles, one for loss and 1.5 sacks.

Pittsburgh cracked the door open for a Vikings' comeback, but its defense made a late stop for the win.

Loser: Minnesota Vikings Offensive Line

Even with 350 passing yards, Wentz didn't look comfortable in the pocket behind a banged-up offensive line. He spent most of his time in Dublin under duress, and a couple of his key pass protectors checked into the medical tent.

Four-time center Ryan Kelly went into concussion protocol. Two-time Pro Bowl right tackle Brian O'Neill exited the game with a knee injury. Neither of two returned to action.

The Vikings will head to London for back-to-back international games, the first for an NFL team, which is a tough turnaround for two ailing offensive linemen.