Brian Flores struck once again, delivering another dramatic New Orleans Saints comeback while the Los Angeles Chargers and quarterback Justin Herbert faced mounting scrutiny. Below is our comprehensive review of the NFL action from Sunday.
The Chicago Bears opened the season with a staggering 59‑point outburst in Week 1, only to be held to three points on Sunday. That abrupt drop‑off perfectly illustrates the "Brian Flores experience" that has become a talking point across the league. The matchup was billed as a cerebral chess game between two of modern football's most inventive—and, at times, unhinged—strategists: Ben Johnson’s free‑wheeling offense versus Flores’ blitz‑centric defense for the Minnesota Vikings.
The clash of Johnson’s creative schemes and Flores’ controlled chaos ultimately tipped in favor of the Vikings, who secured a 9‑3 victory. The win was slightly marred by a late‑game injury to Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, who left the contest with a hamstring issue midway through the fourth quarter. According to NextGen Stats, Williams was hit by a blitz on 81.8 % of his drop‑backs before exiting, a pressure rate that would rank as the third‑highest in a single game since at least 2018. By the final whistle, the Vikings had amassed four sacks, ten quarterback hits, and seven pass break‑ups.
The decisive moment came when Dallas Turner delivered a game‑ending sack on Tyson Bagent, effectively sealing the win. With this triumph, Flores improved his head‑to‑head record against Johnson to 2‑1 since Johnson took over as Bears head coach, and 5‑2 when counting Johnson’s tenure as the Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator.
The victory adds another marquee accomplishment to Flores’ growing résumé and strengthens his case for returning to an NFL head‑coaching role. It is increasingly hard to argue that a coach capable of neutralizing a Johnson offense with such precision, aggression, and strategic flair should remain out of the spotlight.
Flores’ reputation has flourished during his stint alongside defensive coordinator Kevin O'Connell in Minnesota. While O'Connell has long been praised for extracting maximum performance from quarterbacks deemed written‑off, Flores has been equally, if not more, instrumental in keeping the Vikings relevant in the NFC North playoff race. His inventive blitz packages—varying angles, timing, and personnel—have turned the Vikings’ defense into one of the league’s most dynamic units. Players like safety Josh Metellus thrive under his system, showcasing versatility that few other schemes can accommodate.
The emergence of Dallas Turner as a premier pass rusher also underscores Flores’ impact. Turner recorded two sacks on Sunday, including the final‑play knockout, and added ten additional pressures, bringing his total to a league‑leading 20 pressures after just two weeks. This rapid ascent suggests that Turner could become a cornerstone of Minnesota’s defense for years to come. Overall, the Vikings’ defensive unit ranks among the NFL’s elite, and Flores is the primary architect.
Rivals in the NFC North—namely the Bears, Packers, and Lions—would do well to hope his tenure in Minnesota is short‑lived, as his eventual departure would likely leave a significant void. If the league is honest about talent, Flores belongs in a head‑coaching interview cycle now; many argue he should already be back on a bench. Long live the "Brian Flores blitz"—a brand of relentless pressure that has become a box‑office draw for Vikings fans.
Turning to the West Coast, quarterback Justin Herbert appears to be at a crossroads with the Los Angeles Chargers. While his talent is undeniable, his recent performances have raised questions about his future in Los Angeles.
After a loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1, the Chargers fell 26‑14 to Kirk Cousins and the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. Herbert completed 15 of 27 passes for 192 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions, while being sacked three times. The season was supposed to be a fireworks display under new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, yet so far it has resembled a disaster with no clear path to playoff contention. The lack of postseason success hangs over Herbert like a heavy monkey on his back, and the pressure from fans and media is intensifying.
Critics argue that if Herbert cannot elevate his play, a change of scenery might be necessary to revive his career. In Cincinnati, Ja'Marr Chase reminded everyone why he is considered one of the premier receivers in the game. He executed a dazzling, back‑pedaling 32‑yard touchdown catch in the Bengals’ 20‑6 victory over the Houston Texans. Chase finished with seven receptions for 75 yards and two scores, helping Zac Taylor’s offense neutralize one of the league’s most feared defenses.
Meanwhile, in Philadelphia, DeVonta Smith has emerged as the clear number‑one option now that AJ Brown is no longer with the team. Smith delivered a clutch performance in the Eagles’ 24‑20 win over the Tennessee Titans.
With the Eagles trailing by three and facing a third‑and‑six in the final 20 seconds, Jalen Hurts lofted a deep pass to Smith, who made a leaping grab that set up Darius Cooper’s game‑winning three‑yard touchdown. Smith ended the game with ten catches for 117 yards and a touchdown, underscoring his importance to the offense.
In Seattle, Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith‑Njigba continued his stellar season, posting nine receptions for 155 yards and three touchdowns in the Seahawks’ 31‑7 rout of the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals managed only 151 total yards as a team, highlighting the dominance of Seattle’s attack.
The Ravens, however, suffered a setback as defensive coordinator Jesse Minter’s identity crisis seemed to cost them a fourth‑quarter lead against the Saints. After an early advantage powered by Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, the Ravens faltered when Henry was limited to five carries for 17 yards in the second half, allowing New Orleans to rally for a 24‑17 victory.
Baker Mayfield’s Buccaneers experienced a painful revenge loss to the Cleveland Browns. After falling behind early, Mayfield’s team had a chance to win in the final 20 seconds but failed to connect with Emeka Egbuka, resulting in a 23‑19 defeat. Linebacker Devin Lloyd, who signed a three‑year, $45 million deal with the Carolina Panthers, showcased why he is considered a top free‑agency acquisition.
In a 34‑3 win over the Atlanta Falcons, Lloyd recorded two interceptions (including a pick‑six), one sack, three pass break‑ups, nine tackles, and two tackles for loss. Shifting to the high altitude of Denver, the Broncos defended their home turf against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Mile High crowd expressed its displeasure at the number of empty seats displayed on the big screen, booing loudly even from the press box. After a sluggish start and several penalties, Denver’s elite defense reasserted itself, stifling Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars’ offense.
Bo Nix also found a new connection with wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, stretching the field with a more dynamic passing attack. Quarterback Jayden Daniels suffered another injury setback, dislocating his left elbow for a second time less than a year after the first incident that sidelined him for the latter half of the previous season.
He was carted off at halftime during Washington’s 37‑20 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Bears quarterback Caleb Williams also dealt with a right hamstring injury that forced him out midway through the fourth quarter of the loss to the Vikings. Head coach Ben Johnson said, "We'll know more tomorrow. I'm actually happy it's nothing with the knee, but the hamstring could be pretty damaging as well.
We'll see how bad it is tomorrow, and we'll go from there." Fans can catch every moment of the 2026 NFL season live on Sky Sports, including the playoffs and Super Bowl LXI on Sunday, February 14, 2027. The coverage is available via Sky Sports subscription or streamed contract‑free with NOW.