Four weeks into the 2026 NFL season have already produced useful early takeaways: close games, some contentious officiating and the familiar complaints about coaching decisions. Here’s what four Yahoo Sports writers saw as the biggest surprises, letdowns, MVP candidates and storylines to watch heading into the next stretch of games.
Biggest pleasant surprises
– Frank Schwab: The Raiders’ turnaround has been startling. After last year’s collapse that landed them the No. 1 pick, Las Vegas looks far more organized under rookie head coach Klint Kubiak. Even in Sunday’s loss to the Chiefs they were competitive, and a 3-1 start backed by a healthier defense and an overhauled offense suggests the team could be a playoff threat rather than a lottery-bound disaster.
– Eric Edholm: He also points to the Raiders, highlighting the early chemistry between Klint Kubiak and Kirk Cousins. Vegas opened 3-0 and pushed Kansas City hard, and Cousins has delivered multiple TD passes each game despite missing a key target in some contests. That steadiness means the team can bring rookie Fernando Mendoza along slowly instead of forcing him into action out of desperation, which could pay dividends down the line.
– Jay Busbee: The Atlanta Falcons have been revitalized since Michael Penix Jr. took over at quarterback. After looking helpless in the first two weeks, the Falcons now feel re-energized—Bijan Robinson’s explosive running in space has been especially eye-catching.
– Jori Epstein: Kenneth Walker III has been an unexpected force. The reigning Super Bowl MVP has exploded out of the gate — far beyond his previous four-game outputs — leading the league in rushing yards per game and scoring at a torrid clip. The big question is whether he can sustain this level of production over a full season.
Biggest disappointments
– Frank Schwab: The Texans are the primary concern. Beyond a worrying 0-4 record, Houston’s offense has been underwhelming and, more surprisingly, the defense hasn’t delivered the stops it was expected to. Allowing Dak Prescott to march downfield late and letting CeeDee Lamb post massive receiving numbers in Week 4 are examples of a unit that isn’t living up to its billing.
– Eric Edholm: He agrees on the Texans, noting how troubling the manner of their losses has been. What was supposed to be an elite defense looks shaky, and while C.J. Stroud has limited turnovers recently, he’s been inconsistent and is taking too many sacks. Climbing out of 0-4 may be tougher this year than last.
– Jay Busbee: The Los Angeles Chargers get his vote. Preseason expectations pointed to a deep postseason run, but injuries and a sputtering offense—particularly a disconnect between Justin Herbert and new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel—have produced an 0-4 start and a much darker outlook.
– Jori Epstein: Epstein singles out the Chargers’ offense, specifically Herbert’s struggles. Herbert has been hit and pressured at league-high rates, is down in production and has thrown more interceptions than touchdowns through four games. While injuries to the offensive line are a factor and some losses were close, the unit’s early performance is disappointing.
MVP candidates so far
– Frank Schwab: He’d love to keep a non-quarterback in the MVP conversation — and Kenneth Walker has made a strong case. Walker’s rushing totals and efficiency have dramatically reshaped the Chiefs’ attack and helped Kansas City start 4-0 after a down 2025.
– Eric Edholm: Brock Purdy has quietly been elite, especially given the 49ers’ injury issues. Purdy hasn’t been sacked, is completing a high percentage of passes with strong yards-per-attempt, and has kept San Francisco rolling. Edholm’s offensive player of the year pick, however, is Kenneth Walker.
– Jay Busbee: He’s going with Kirk Cousins, praising how Cousins has thrived after joining a new team and exceeded expectations by producing big touchdown numbers and leading a far-better-than-expected Raider club.
– Jori Epstein: Epstein is torn between Brock Purdy and Josh Allen, noting Purdy’s efficiency and ability to win despite receiver injuries and Allen’s potent dual-threat contributions. Using a value-based measure — what a player has had to do and how much it’s mattered — Epstein gives the edge to Purdy through four weeks.
Top storyline to watch the next month
– Frank Schwab: Keep an eye on the Jacksonville Jaguars. They’ve quietly started 3-1 and, despite limited national attention, look like a complete team that could emerge as a true AFC threat given light competition in the AFC South.
– Eric Edholm: The NFC West looms large. A big Week 5 matchup — the 4-0 49ers at the 3-1 Seahawks — kicks off a pivotal stretch for a tightly packed division that also includes the Rams.
– Jay Busbee: The NFC East feels wide open and unpredictable. Any of the four clubs could win the division, and the jittery, high-variance nature of those teams makes that race fascinating to follow.
– Jori Epstein: How Kyler Murray and the Minnesota offense come together is a major storyline. The Vikings’ defense has been outstanding and the team is unbeaten, but questions remain about whether Murray’s skill set and the offense’s current health — including the status of Justin Jefferson — can mesh under Kevin O’Connell and hold up against tougher opponents.
Fan Take (two sentences)
This matters because early-season surprises and disappointments often reshape playoff expectations and front-office decisions, revealing which teams can realistically contend and which may be headed for changes. For fans, these developments influence everything from weekly optimism to fantasy choices and set the narrative arc of the season as rivalries and divisional battles start to take shape.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
