Brian Flores struck once more, delivering another dramatic New Orleans Saints comeback while the Los Angeles Chargers and quarterback Justin Herbert continued to feel the heat. Below is our comprehensive review of NFL Sunday, packed with analysis, highlights, and a few surprising developments. The Chicago Bears opened their season with a staggering 59 points in Week One, only to manage three points on Sunday. That dramatic swing perfectly illustrates the "Brian Flores experience" that has become a talking point across the league.
The matchup was billed as a strategic showdown between two of the most cerebral—and at times unhinged—coaches in modern football. Ben Johnson’s free‑wheeling offensive scheme faced off against Flores’ blitz‑heavy defensive system with the Minnesota Vikings. The clash of controlled chaos tipped in Flores’ favor as the Vikings secured a 9‑3 victory.
The game also featured a minor asterisk: Bears quarterback Caleb Williams exited in the fourth quarter with a hamstring injury. According to NextGen Stats, Williams was hit on 81.8% of his drop‑backs before leaving the field, a blitz rate that would rank among the top three single‑game performances since 2018. By the final whistle, the Vikings had accumulated four sacks, ten quarterback hits, and seven pass break‑ups. The highlight came when Dallas Turner delivered a game‑icing sack on Tyson Bagent on the last play.
With the win, Flores improved his record against Johnson to 2‑1 since Johnson became the Bears head coach, and 5‑2 overall dating back to Johnson’s tenure as the Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator. This victory adds another marquee entry to Flores’ growing résumé, reinforcing his candidacy for another head‑coaching role. It is increasingly seen as an injustice that he is not already back at the helm of an NFL team. Few coaches can disrupt a Ben Johnson offense with the combination of tactical acumen, aggression, and relentless pressure that Flores brings.
In Minnesota, the narrative has long centered on offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell’s ability to elevate quarterbacks who were once written off. Flores’ impact on the defensive side has been equally, if not more, significant in keeping the Vikings in playoff contention. His innovative blitz angles and the way he maximizes the versatility of players like Josh Metellus have produced one of the most dynamic defensive units in the league.
Turner’s breakout season is a direct result of Flores’ guidance. The young edge rusher added two sacks in the win, including the final‑play finisher, and recorded ten additional pressures, bringing his total to a league‑leading 20 pressures after just two weeks.
The Vikings’ defense is now ranked among the elite, and Flores is widely credited as the primary architect. The NFC North rivals—Bears, Packers, and Lions—are all aware that they may not have to contend with Flores for long. If the league is honest, a head‑coaching opportunity should be waiting for him in the next hiring cycle, if not already.
Long live the "box‑office" Brian Flores blitz. Turning to the West Coast, Justin Herbert’s future with the Los Angeles Chargers appears increasingly uncertain. While many still argue that he should have already been recognized among the NFL’s elite quarterbacks, the Chargers’ offensive vacuum and Herbert’s rising sack totals paint a troubling picture.
After a loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week One, Herbert endured another setback on Sunday as the Chargers fell 26‑14 to Kirk Cousins and the Las Vegas Raiders. He finished 15‑of‑27 for 192 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions, while being sacked three times.
The season, which began with optimism surrounding new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, has turned into a disappointment with no clear path to playoff contention. The pressure on Herbert is mounting, and the lack of postseason success hangs heavily over his shoulders. In Cincinnati, Ja’Marr Chase reminded everyone why he is considered one of the premier receivers in the game. He hauled in a spectacular 32‑yard, back‑pedaling touchdown in the Bengals’ 20‑6 victory over the Houston Texans, finishing with seven catches for 75 yards and two scores.
The performance highlighted the Bengals’ ability to neutralize a top defensive unit. Meanwhile, in Philadelphia, DeVonta Smith has emerged as the clear number‑one target now that AJ Brown has departed.
Smith delivered a clutch performance in the Eagles’ 24‑20 win over the Tennessee Titans, catching a crucial deep pass from Jalen Hurts with seconds left that set up Darius Cooper’s game‑winning three‑yard touchdown. Smith finished with ten receptions for 117 yards and a score, cementing his status as the team’s go‑to weapon. Seattle’s star wideout Jaxon Smith‑Njigba continued his offensive player of the year campaign, posting nine catches for 155 yards and three touchdowns in the Seahawks’ 31‑7 rout of the Arizona Cardinals.
The Cardinals managed just 151 total yards as a team, underscoring Seattle’s dominance. On the defensive side, Ravens coordinator Jesse Minter saw his unit unravel in a fourth‑quarter collapse against the Saints.
After leading early with Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, the Ravens surrendered a 24‑17 loss. Henry’s workload dwindled in the second half, with only five carries for 17 yards, as the Saints rallied. In Tampa Bay, Baker Mayfield’s Buccaneers suffered a revenge‑game defeat to the Cleveland Browns, losing 23‑19. Mayfield’s failure to connect with Emeka Egbuka on a potential game‑winning pass in the final 20 seconds added salt to the wound.
Free‑agent linebacker Devin Lloyd, now with the Carolina Panthers on a three‑year, $45 million contract, made an immediate impact. He recorded two interceptions (including a pick‑six), one sack, three pass break‑ups, nine tackles, and two tackles for loss in a 34‑3 victory over the Atlanta Falcons.
Denver’s home win over Jacksonville was notable for the boisterous crowd reaction to the scoreboard’s display of “no‑shows,” a recurring theme at Mile High. Despite early penalties and a sluggish start, the Broncos’ elite defense reclaimed its league‑leading form, stifling Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars’ offense. Bo Nix found a new connection with Jaylen Waddle, stretching the field with a more dynamic passing attack. In injury news, Washington’s quarterback Jayden Daniels suffered another dislocation of his left elbow less than a year after the previous season‑ending injury, exiting on a cart at halftime during a 37‑20 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams also endured a right hamstring strain, forcing him out in the fourth quarter of the loss to Minnesota. Bears head coach Ben Johnson said, "We'll know more tomorrow.
I'm actually happy it's not a knee issue, but the hamstring could be serious. We'll see tomorrow and go from there." Fans can watch the 2026 NFL season live on Sky Sports, including every playoff game and Super Bowl LXI on Sunday, February 14, 2027, either through a Sky Sports subscription or a contract‑free stream with NOW.