Week 4 of the 2026 NFL season delivered unexpected standouts for two AFC teams. In Miami, backup running back Ollie Gordon stepped into the spotlight after De’Von Achane’s season‑ending ACL injury. Gordon, a 2025 sixth‑round pick from Oklahoma State, rushed nine times for 100 yards, averaging 11.1 yards per carry and adding a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings.
Gordon’s breakout performance
The Dolphins lost 15‑10, but Gordon’s effort gave the offense a new dimension. He posted an EPA per rush of +0.68, a rushing success rate of 44.4 % and 8.89 yards after contact per carry – numbers that outpaced the team’s usual production. Head coach Jeff Hafley praised the effort, saying, “I thought Ollie did a really nice job. We missed Achane, but I believe in Ollie and the team is starting to believe.”
Gordon’s performance came against a Vikings defense that entered the game with the third‑lowest EPA per rush (‑0.25) and the fifth‑lowest yards per carry (3.52). The Miami offensive line opened gaps that allowed Gordon to showcase his power‑running style, offering a glimpse of a potential starting back for the remainder of the season.
Tyquan Thornton’s big day and injury
On the other side of the league, Kansas City’s Tyquan Thornton delivered a career‑best showing in a 30‑27 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. The 6‑foot‑2, 185‑pound receiver, signed to a two‑year, $11 million contract in March, caught five passes on eight targets for 111 yards and two touchdowns, including a 55‑yard strike that set up the game‑winning run.
Unfortunately, the same 55‑yard play resulted in a dislocated ankle for Thornton. Doctors reset the joint, and early estimates project a 3‑4 month recovery period. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid expressed the team’s disappointment, noting Thornton’s “great father, great husband” attitude and his leadership role in the locker room.
Thornton’s injury opens a discussion about the Chiefs’ need for a deep down‑field threat. Reid hinted at a possible reunion with former star Tyreek Hill to restore the team’s explosive passing game.
Other AFC secret superstars
In Cleveland, undrafted free agent defensive lineman Adin Huntington earned a breakout performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Tulane product logged 48 snaps, recorded a sack, six pressures and consistently disrupted the Steelers’ offensive line, proving his value after being labeled a “tweener” in the draft.
Huntington’s rise mirrors the league’s broader trend of overlooked players stepping up when injuries create opportunities. His comments from a month ago reflect a humble yet determined mindset: “I don’t want to stay stagnant. I want to keep growing into the player I’m expected to be.”
Implications for the AFC
These performances underscore the depth of talent across the AFC. With several teams navigating injuries to key starters, players like Gordon, Thornton and Huntington illustrate how depth and perseverance can keep franchises competitive. Their stories also highlight the importance of coaching confidence and the willingness to give lesser‑known players a chance to contribute.
As the season progresses, fans can expect more surprise contributors to emerge, reinforcing the notion that the NFL’s success often hinges on the “secret superstars” who step up when the spotlight shifts.
Original reporting: All Sports Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
