Week 4 of the 2026 NFL season gave several coaches and players a chance to quiet their doubters, and more than a few took it. Close finishes were everywhere, and the early-season pecking order shifted once again.

By Sunday night, a handful of names had risen above the rest: a head coach rebounding from a heartbreaking defeat, a kicker who supplied every one of his team's points, and a star tight end making a statement less than a year after a serious injury.

Picking only five from a weekend this busy isn't simple, but certain figures separated themselves through timely plays, big numbers, and results that mattered.

With that in mind, here are the top five winners from NFL Week 4, according to the list put out by Sports Illustrated in its Week 4 winners and losers column on October 5th.

1. Brian Schottenheimer

Brian Schottenheimer leads the way after Dallas outlasted Houston 34-30 on the road, a week after the Ravens game in Rio ended on a late miscue. The Cowboys have now topped 30 points in three straight outings. CeeDee Lamb was the centerpiece against the Texans, with 17 catches for 189 yards and a score, while Dak Prescott passed for 335 yards and Javonte Williams punched in three rushing touchdowns.

Schottenheimer, who doubles as the team's play-caller, had absorbed criticism for how the Brazil game ended. He insisted the Cowboys didn't need a win to prove anything, but he made clear he wanted one, and he said so at his postgame press conference.

"I wanted this game," Schottenheimer said. "I don't think we needed this game. Rio doesn't define us. But I wanted this game. Why? Because these guys came back off a 10-hour trip."

 "The Ravens, I think, played at home today; we played on the road. We play Thursday night. We'll play anybody anywhere. And we're looking forward to that. But Rio had nothing to do with this game; this game stood by itself."

2. John Harbaugh

John Harbaugh ranks second for holding the Giants together through a major setback. Barely into his debut season as New York's head coach, he lost starting quarterback Jaxson Dart to a knee injury that ended his year. 

Dart was hurt on the opening drive of a Week 2 Monday-night loss at the Rams, and Jameis Winston has taken over since.

The Giants have answered with two straight victories, getting past Tennessee 12-7 and then Arizona. Against the Cardinals, cornerback Deonte Banks ended the game by returning an interception for a touchdown, and the 3-1 Giants now lead the NFC East by themselves.

3. Zay Flowers

Zay Flowers is making his new contract look like a bargain. The Ravens receiver agreed to a four-year, $140 million extension before the season, a deal that puts him in a tie for fourth among wideouts in average yearly pay.

In Baltimore's 24-18 win over Tennessee, he caught eight of his ten targets for 118 yards and a touchdown, giving the Ravens a spark on the way to a 24-7 halftime lead. It was his 11th career game with 100 or more receiving yards, a franchise record, and it followed back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. 

With Lamar Jackson sidelined by an ankle injury after halftime, Flowers' production in Declan Doyle's offense matters even more going forward.

4. Will Reichard

Will Reichard comes in fourth, and the fantasy managers who rostered him have good reason to be pleased. Minnesota edged Miami 15-10 without a single touchdown, as the kicker converted all five of his field goal tries to supply every point and keep the Vikings perfect at 4-0.

Reichard leads the league with 12 made field goals through four weeks and gave fantasy owners 19 points in standard scoring. It was the second time this season the Vikings won without reaching the end zone, a sign of how much they lean on him while the offense stalls.

5. George Kittle

George Kittle closes out the list with the play that decided San Francisco's 24-14 win over Denver, a 56-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown. He finished with four receptions for 70 yards, and the score came just under ten months after his Achilles injury and four weeks after his return in Week 1.

The victory gave the unbeaten 49ers their best result yet. Their earlier wins came over the Rams in Australia, the Dolphins and the Cardinals, so beating a Denver team known for its defense carried more weight.

With Week 5 next, the question is whether this group can carry the momentum forward. Dallas faces a short turnaround, the Giants take on the Commanders, and Minnesota and San Francisco will try to stay unbeaten.

Written by

Chionia Libania Colaco