NFL Week 4 Wrap: Patriots stun Bills, Chargers and Seahawks make bizarre history, Commanders' QB crisis deepens

The New England Patriots handed the Buffalo Bills their first defeat of the season with a dramatic 29-26 win, while the Los Angeles Chargers and Seattle Seahawks created unwanted NFL history in an extraordinary opening sequence. The Washington Commanders' quarterback injury crisis reached a new low in London, and the Philadelphia Eagles suffered a concerning late fadeout.

Chargers and Seahawks make bizarre NFL history

The winless Chargers looked set for another difficult afternoon when Justin Herbert threw an interception on the opening play of their clash with the reigning Super Bowl champion Seahawks in Seattle. Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas was perfectly positioned for what seemed the ideal start for the home side, only for chaos to follow seconds later.

On Seattle's first offensive play, quarterback Sam Darnold handed the ball straight back, throwing an interception to Tuli Tuipulotu. It is the first time in recorded NFL history that both starting quarterbacks have thrown an interception within the first two plays of a game.

Efton Chism III's stunning catch seals Patriots upset

Drake Maye bounced back from a difficult start to the season with three touchdowns as the Patriots upset the Bills. Maye, who reached the Super Bowl last season, delivered a late go-ahead touchdown pass to Efton Chism III, who produced a superb one-handed catch to seal the major upset.

The Bills had appeared to seize control when Josh Allen orchestrated a fourth-quarter comeback, finding Keon Coleman for a 34-yard touchdown to make it 26-21. But Maye responded, finishing with 269 passing yards and 54 rushing yards. Romeo Doubs caught two touchdown passes before Chism's game-winner, which was followed by a successful two-point conversion.

Even in defeat, Allen's 88th career touchdown made him the leading touchdown scorer in Bills history.

Eagles blow lead as Rams surge late

Philadelphia looked set to pile more misery on the Rams, who entered the season as Super Bowl favourites but had started 1-2. Trailing 10-20 deep in the fourth quarter, Los Angeles' underwhelming start appeared likely to worsen.

But two late Kyren Williams touchdowns secured a 24-20 victory, made more painful for the Eagles by a hamstring injury to star running back Saquon Barkley early in the game. Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts twice found Darius Cooper in the end zone.

Cowboys edge Texans in Texas showdown

CeeDee Lamb capped a superb personal performance by catching his 17th reception of the day for a touchdown to put the Cowboys ahead 34-30 with 40 seconds remaining in Houston. CJ Stroud attempted a 50-yard Hail Mary pass with nine seconds left, but could not salvage a game the Texans had largely led. Javonte Williams led the Cowboys' comeback with three rushing touchdowns in the second half.

Commanders' quarterback injury crisis laid bare in London

In the NFL's latest London game, Indianapolis running back Jonathan Taylor ran for two touchdowns as the Colts defeated the injury-hit Washington Commanders 30-13 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Taylor mimed sipping tea after finding the end zone late in the first half and again early in the third quarter.

The Commanders, already missing star quarterback Jayden Daniels with a dislocated left elbow, saw veteran backup Marcus Mariota depart with a right knee injury in the opening minutes. Mariota, who led Washington to an upset win over Seattle last week, was replaced by rookie seventh-round draft pick Athan Kaliakmanis.

Other results across the league

Baltimore defeated the Tennessee Titans 24-18, though the victory was marred by an ankle injury to quarterback Lamar Jackson, who did not return after halftime. The New York Giants sealed a 36-24 win over Arizona with a walk-off pick-six, as cornerback Deonte Banks intercepted Jacoby Brissett and raced 98 yards to the opposite end zone.

The Jacksonville Jaguars improved to 3-1 with victory over Cincinnati, the Chicago Bears eased past the New York Jets 23-12 thanks to two Kyle Monangai rushing touchdowns, and Green Bay edged Tampa Bay 17-14. Later Sunday, the Las Vegas Raiders hosted the Kansas City Chiefs in a battle of unbeaten AFC West rivals, while the Minnesota Vikings and San Francisco 49ers put their perfect 3-0 records on the line against Miami and Denver respectively.