NFL Week 4 Late Recap: Chiefs Rally, 49ers Finish Strong and Vikings Stay Perfect
Four games, three unbeaten teams and one frantic finish in Las Vegas defined the NFL’s late-afternoon window on Sunday, October 4th, 2026. Minnesota, San Francisco and Kansas City each reached 4–0, while Seattle improved to 3–1 by protecting a lead that had once stretched to 21 points.
This NFL Week 4 late recap covers the afternoon’s 4 p.m. ET window. The final scores: Vikings 15, Dolphins 10; 49ers 24, Broncos 14; Chiefs 30, Raiders 27; and Seahawks 30, Chargers 23.
Photo: Alli Rusco/Minnesota Vikings. Official Vikings game gallery.
Vikings 15, Dolphins 10: Hockenson and Reichard carry Minnesota
Minnesota did not score a touchdown, but it controlled possession for 39:11 and found enough offense to keep Miami winless. Will Reichard supplied all 15 points, converting from 47, 50, 33, 41 and 29 yards. The Vikings led 9–0 at halftime and survived Miami’s 10-point third quarter.
T.J. Hockenson caught all 13 of his targets for 119 yards, matching his career high in receptions. His final catch ended with a slide at the Miami 2-yard line at the two-minute warning. With the Dolphins out of timeouts, Minnesota could finish in victory formation after holding the ball for the final 5:41.
Kyler Murray completed 27 of 37 passes for 247 yards without an interception. Aaron Jones Sr. added 94 rushing yards on 20 carries, while Jordan Addison’s 27-yard reception helped the closing drive. Minnesota produced 336 net yards to Miami’s 198 despite playing without Justin Jefferson.
Ollie Gordon gave Miami its strongest offensive contribution with 100 rushing yards and a touchdown on nine carries, including a 53-yard gain. Malik Willis managed 85 passing yards on 9-of-17 throwing. Dallas Turner recorded both Minnesota sacks and forced a Willis fumble. Harrison Smith’s third-down breakup ended Miami’s final offensive possession. The Vikings’ official recap details how efficient possession and timely defense overcame an afternoon without a touchdown.
49ers 24, Broncos 14: Kittle delivers the closing blow
San Francisco and Denver were tied 3–3 at halftime before the 49ers found their scoring rhythm. Brock Purdy’s 1-yard touchdown pass to Deebo Samuel Sr. put San Francisco ahead in the third quarter. A 40-yard Wil Lutz field goal trimmed the margin to 10–6, but Christian McCaffrey’s 1-yard touchdown run restored breathing room.
Denver answered with Bo Nix’s 13-yard touchdown pass to Jaylen Waddle and Tyler Badie’s two-point run, cutting the deficit to 17–14. Purdy then connected with George Kittle for a 56-yard touchdown with 2:25 remaining. Lutz missed a 58-yard field-goal attempt on Denver’s last possession, and San Francisco closed out the win.
Purdy finished 19 of 30 for 218 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Mike Evans led the 49ers with five catches for 76 yards; Kittle caught four for 70. McCaffrey rushed for 52 yards, and Samuel added 44 on three carries. San Francisco’s official box score credits the 49ers with 358 net yards and just one penalty for five yards.
Nix completed 25 of 42 passes for 214 yards and a touchdown. RJ Harvey caught 10 passes for 68 yards, but Denver finished with 296 net yards. The Broncos fell to 2–2 as San Francisco’s ability to answer the late touchdown decided the game.
Chiefs 30, Raiders 27: Walker turns a tense finish
Kansas City scored 20 fourth-quarter points to win a matchup of unbeaten AFC West rivals. Las Vegas held a 13–10 halftime lead after Kirk Cousins found Ian Thomas for a 27-yard touchdown and Matt Gay made two field goals. Neither team scored in the third quarter.
Patrick Mahomes’ second touchdown pass to Tyquan Thornton, an 8-yard connection after an earlier 2-yard score, moved Kansas City ahead 17–13. Gay responded with field goals of 44 and 48 yards to put the Raiders back in front, 19–17.
Kenneth Walker III then scored from 2 yards out. After Jeffrey Bassa forced a fumble on the ensuing Las Vegas possession, Walker struck again from 22 yards away. That rapid sequence gave Kansas City a 30–19 advantage. The Chiefs’ official game center also highlights Walker’s explosive running as the offense broke the game open late.
The Raiders still made it uncomfortable. Cousins hit Brock Bowers for a 20-yard touchdown, and a successful two-point conversion cut the margin to three. Kansas City punted, but Las Vegas’ final drive ended in an interception before the Chiefs took the last kneel-down. The Raiders gained 437 net yards to Kansas City’s 399 and controlled possession for 35:42; the late turnover swing mattered more. Kansas City reached 4–0, while Las Vegas took its first loss.
Seahawks 30, Chargers 23: Seattle survives a late push
Emanuel Wilson scored twice as Seattle built a 20–6 halftime lead. He caught a 23-yard touchdown from Sam Darnold and added an 8-yard rushing score, with Rashid Shaheed’s 28-yard touchdown run between them. Darnold’s 6-yard scoring pass to Tory Horton extended the advantage to 27–6 in the third quarter.
Los Angeles fought back through Justin Herbert’s 9-yard touchdown pass to Kimani Vidal. After Jason Myers made a 35-yard field goal for Seattle, Omarion Hampton finished a 16-play, 85-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run. Cameron Dicker’s third field goal, from 36 yards, supplied the final 30–23 margin.
Darnold went 13 of 22 for 168 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Wilson ran for 81 yards on 21 carries and caught three passes for 39 more. Jaxon Smith-Njigba led Seattle’s receivers with five catches for 76 yards, according to the Seahawks’ official box score.
Herbert finished 19 of 31 for 189 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. The Chargers outgained Seattle 301–286 but fell to 0–4. Penalties disrupted both teams: Los Angeles was flagged 16 times for 130 yards, and Seattle 14 times for 150. Seattle’s early scoring cushion ultimately survived the Chargers’ second-half response.
For the rest of Sunday’s completed early action, read PowerPage’s morning and 1 p.m. roundup and the separate Ravens–Titans recap.
Comments