Samwise NFL Newsletter
Monday, October 5, 2026
Kenneth Walker Runs for 177 Yards as Chiefs Beat Raiders 30-27 to Reach 4-0
The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Las Vegas Raiders 30-27 on Sunday with a fourth-quarter surge to improve to 4-0. The Raiders took a 19-17 lead with 4:53 left on Matt Gay’s 48-yard field goal before Tyquan Thornton’s 55-yard catch set up a 2-yard Kenneth Walker touchdown run. Las Vegas fumbled the ensuing kickoff, and Walker scored from 22 yards out on the next play. Walker finished with a career-high 177 rushing yards. Patrick Mahomes went 15-of-30 for 225 yards and two touchdowns. Kirk Cousins threw for 365 yards for Las Vegas, but safety Xavier Nwankpa intercepted his final pass. Thornton was carted off with a lower-leg injury.
Sources: Pro Football Talk
Tetairoa McMillan Posts Career Night as Panthers Beat Lions 32-26
Tetairoa McMillan caught 14 passes for 192 yards and two touchdowns Sunday night as the Carolina Panthers defeated the Detroit Lions 32-26. The catches and yards were single-game career highs for last year’s AP offensive rookie of the year, who scored on plays of 32 and 10 yards. Bryce Young finished 29-of-41 for 329 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions, while Chuba Hubbard ran for 122 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries. Lions quarterback Jared Goff threw for 412 yards, but Detroit turned the ball over on downs twice in the fourth quarter. Carolina, now 2-2, has its bye in Week 5.
Sources: Pro Football Talk
49ers Beat Broncos 24-14 to Move to 4-0 as Shanahan Passes Bill Walsh
The San Francisco 49ers beat the Denver Broncos 24-14 on Sunday to stay unbeaten at 4-0. Head coach Kyle Shanahan passed Bill Walsh for the most games as the franchise’s head coach and earned his 95th win in the role. The game was tied 3-3 until Brock Purdy found Deebo Samuel for a touchdown with 4:15 left in the third quarter, a few plays after Broncos punt returner Marvin Mims lost a fumble. Christian McCaffrey added a 1-yard score, and Purdy hit George Kittle for a 56-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Denver lost cornerbacks Pat Surtain II and Riley Moss to injuries.
Sources: Pro Football Talk
Five Will Reichard Field Goals Lift Vikings Past Dolphins 15-10
The Minnesota Vikings beat the Miami Dolphins 15-10 on Sunday without reaching the end zone, relying on five Will Reichard field goals to improve to 4-0. Playing without wide receiver Justin Jefferson, Minnesota got 119 yards from tight end T.J. Hockenson, who caught all 13 passes thrown to him and purposely went down short of the goal line at the two-minute warning so the Vikings could kneel out the clock. Aaron Jones ran 20 times for 94 yards. Left guard Donovan Jackson and left tackle Christian Darrisaw both left with injuries. Miami running back Ollie Gordon had 100 yards in his first start, but the Dolphins fell to 0-4.
Sources: Pro Football Talk
Drake Maye Throws Three Touchdowns as Patriots Rally Past Bills 29-26
Drake Maye threw three touchdown passes, including Efton Chism’s one-handed 23-yard catch with 1:50 remaining, as the New England Patriots beat the Buffalo Bills 29-26 on Sunday. Maye then found Rhamondre Stevenson for the 2-point conversion. On Buffalo’s next possession, Craig Woodson intercepted Josh Allen, and Maye sealed the win with a 12-yard pass to Hunter Henry. Maye finished 22 of 37 for 269 yards, and Romeo Doubs caught two touchdowns. The Patriots improved to 2-2, while the Bills fell to 3-1 in their first loss at the new Highmark Stadium and first under coach Joe Brady. Bills receiver DJ Moore left with a shoulder injury.
Sources: CBS Sports (AP)
Kyren Williams Scores Twice Late as Rams Rally Past Eagles 24-20
The Los Angeles Rams scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns to beat the Philadelphia Eagles 24-20 on Sunday. After Matthew Stafford’s two first-half interceptions helped Philadelphia to a 20-10 halftime lead, the Rams stopped Jalen Hurts on fourth-and-goal from the 2-yard line. Los Angeles answered with a 98-yard drive capped by Kyren Williams’ 1-yard run, then took the lead for good on Williams’ 7-yard touchdown with 1:10 left. The Eagles went 0-of-12 on third down and gained just 172 total yards. Philadelphia lost Saquon Barkley early to a hamstring injury. Puka Nacua caught nine passes for 125 yards. Both teams are now 2-2.
Sources: Pro Football Talk
CeeDee Lamb Catches 17 Passes as Cowboys Beat Texans 34-30
CeeDee Lamb caught 17 passes for 189 yards and the game-deciding touchdown as the Dallas Cowboys beat the Houston Texans 34-30 on Sunday. According to NFL Research, Lamb became only the fourth player in NFL history with 17-plus receptions, 180-plus receiving yards and a receiving touchdown in a game, joining Tom Fears, Terrell Owens and Brandon Marshall. Dak Prescott completed 32 of 45 passes for 335 yards and a touchdown, and Javonte Williams scored three short-yardage touchdowns. Houston’s Nico Collins returned with seven catches for 117 yards and two scores, but the Texans fell to 0-4. Dallas is now 2-2.
Lamar Jackson Exits with Ankle Injury as Ravens Hold Off Titans 24-18
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson sat out the second half of Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans with an ankle injury, but the Ravens held on for a 24-18 win. Baltimore led 24-7 at halftime when Jackson exited after going 15-for-20 for 222 yards and two touchdowns. Tyler Huntley played quarterback in the second half. The Titans made it close late but failed to recover an onside kick, and the Ravens ran out the clock. Baltimore’s defense shut down Titans quarterback Cam Ward, who threw an interception on the second play of the game. The Ravens improved to 3-1, while the Titans fell to 0-4.
Sources: Pro Football Talk
Packers Fear Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper Tore His Achilles in Win Over Bucs
The Green Bay Packers expect to play the rest of the season without linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, who suffered a non-contact Achilles injury in Sunday’s 17-14 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and needed a cart to leave the field. Packers coach Matt LaFleur said he would suspect a tear, and Cooper will undergo an MRI to confirm. Cooper had a team-leading nine tackles, a sack, a quarterback hit, an interception and a pass defensed before leaving with 8:43 remaining in the third quarter. “That’s a huge blow for our football team,” LaFleur said. Cooper will finish his season with 30 tackles, three sacks and an interception.
Sources: Pro Football Talk
Commanders QB Marcus Mariota Suffers Knee Injury in 30-13 Loss to Colts
Washington Commanders backup quarterback Marcus Mariota suffered a right knee injury in the first quarter of Sunday’s 30-13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in London and was ruled out at halftime. Mariota was hurt on a third-down sack when Colts defensive end Laiatu Latu landed on his right leg. Commanders coach Dan Quinn said Mariota is feared to have aggravated an MCL injury that sidelined him in 2022, and he will undergo testing. Mariota was playing in place of Jayden Daniels, who dislocated his left elbow on Sept. 20. Seventh-round rookie Athan Kaliakmanis replaced Mariota, going 15 of 33 for 186 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
AFC Standings
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| AFC East | |||
| Buffalo Bills | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| New England Patriots | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| New York Jets | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Miami Dolphins | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| AFC North | |||
| Cleveland Browns | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Baltimore Ravens | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| AFC South | |||
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Tennessee Titans | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Houston Texans | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| AFC West | |||
| Kansas City Chiefs | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Denver Broncos | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 0 | 4 | 0 |
NFC Standings
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFC East | |||
| New York Giants | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Washington Commanders | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| NFC North | |||
| Minnesota Vikings | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Chicago Bears | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Green Bay Packers | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Detroit Lions | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| NFC South | |||
| Carolina Panthers | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| New Orleans Saints | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Atlanta Falcons | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| NFC West | |||
| San Francisco 49ers | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Seattle Seahawks | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 1 | 3 | 0 |
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Curated by JD · samwise.agency