The Kansas City Chiefs have re‑emerged as a force, the NFL’s London showcase is back in action, and the Los Angeles Rams are hopeful that wideout Puka Nacua will soon rejoin the lineup. I was present at Sky Sports NFL’s weekly production meeting on Wednesday when analyst Jason Bell boldly claimed that Brock Bowers can accomplish everything Jaxon Smith‑Njigba does, only from the tight‑end position. Bell’s assessment proved spot‑on. Bowers runs the entire route tree, can line up anywhere across the formation, possesses some of the most reliable hands in the game, and creates separation with clever fakes rather than sheer speed.
He can win one‑on‑one battles, attack every level of the field, and serves as a focal point in the Raiders’ passing attack. In Sunday’s 35‑27 victory over the New Orleans Saints, Bowers logged ten receptions on thirteen targets for 116 yards and a touchdown, helping Las Vegas improve to a surprising 3‑0 start. "It’s self‑explanatory—he’s the best at what he does," Raiders pass‑rusher Maxx Crosby said. "He’s a complete game‑changer, unguardable.
Having a player like that back in the lineup definitely lifts the team." The Raiders also highlighted that Bowers has become only the third non‑receiver in NFL history to amass at least 1,900 receiving yards in his first 30 career games, joining legends Mike Ditka and Kellen Winslow. Drafted 13th overall in 2024, he has lived up to the hype of a modern tight end, a role that previously propelled his Kansas City counterpart.
For years, Travis Kelce set the template for a receiver‑type tight end, shredding press coverage and soft zones while splitting his time between the slot and the outside as Patrick Mahomes’ most trusted weapon. Now 36, Kelce has postponed retirement and opened the season with a team‑leading 14 catches on 19 targets for 231 yards and two touchdowns, anchoring a revitalized Chiefs aerial attack.
Kansas City’s unbeaten 3‑0 start has been fueled by Mahomes looking, once again, like the league’s premier quarterback. After returning from a knee injury last season, he is attacking defenses with renewed swagger and aggression. Andy Reid’s heavy use of play‑action has breathed fresh life into the offense, opening up off‑platform throws and deep‑field splash plays that had faded in recent years.
While Mahomes deserves credit for his early impact, the arrival of former Seattle running back Kenneth Walker III has been a true catalyst for the Chiefs’ resurgence. Play‑action success rarely thrives without a credible rushing threat. Walker, the Super Bowl MVP from February, leads the NFL with 360 rushing yards, averaging 5.5 yards per carry, and has scored two ground touchdowns.
He also contributed 11 receptions for 82 yards and two scores, adding a long‑awaited dimension to a Chiefs offense that had leaned heavily on Steve Spagnuolo’s defensive schemes in recent seasons. His presence gives Mahomes a reliable outlet to keep defenses honest. Sunday also promises the latest chapter in Mahomes’ budding rivalry with Raiders edge‑rusher Maxx Crosby. The two have clashed repeatedly in recent years and share mutual respect.
"It’s been a long time since we really got to go, and I know we’re both looking forward to it. I respect him.
He knows what it is: it’s war," Crosby said. Mahomes echoed that sentiment: "He actually texted me right when I got cleared to play and just kind of said, ‘Hey, we’re both back.’ I was like, ‘Let’s show the world who we are.’ There’s a rivalry when we step on the field – we’ll go at it. That’s just how it is, and we both know it." "At the end of the day, you want great competitors in this league because it makes the league better and makes a win feel even sweeter," Mahomes added.
The field is finally opening up for Mahomes and his offense. The tandem of Walker and Mahomes is demanding the respect of defenses, forcing them to allocate more space and creating opportunities downfield. Credit also goes to returning offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, whose experience with Chicago’s downhill running attack in 2025 has translated back to Arrowhead, giving the Chiefs a more balanced attack.
All signs point to Kansas City looking like a legitimate contender again. The NFL’s return to the United Kingdom kicks off with three games in October, taking the total of regular‑season matchups in London since 2007 to 45.
The first contest features the Indianapolis Colts versus the Washington Commanders at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Commanders come off an upset win over Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, led by backup quarterback Marcus Mariota after starter Jayden Daniels suffered an elbow injury.
Daniels traveled to London with the team, but his availability remains uncertain. The Colts arrive after a narrow 19‑17 victory over the Houston Texans, with running back Jonathan Taylor still the engine of Shane Steichen’s offense. Later, the Los Angeles Rams host the Philadelphia Eagles. The Rams entered the season as a super‑team, but a 1‑2 start and injuries to Myles Garrett and star receiver Puka Nacua have derailed early expectations.
Nacua is expected to return against the Eagles. Davante Adams has emerged as a bright spot, tallying 332 yards over the past two weeks as Matthew Stafford’s primary target, while Terrance Ferguson’s injury has highlighted Sean McVay’s reliance on multiple tight‑end sets. The Dallas Cowboys travel to Houston to face the Texans.
The Cowboys’ offense remains elite, but their defense continues to be a glaring weakness, ranking near the bottom of the league in yards allowed and EPA per play. Injuries have compounded the issue after a heartbreaking loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Rio de Janeiro.
Kansas City will clash with the Las Vegas Raiders later on Sunday. The Raiders have added former Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean in the offseason, and he is already making an impact with 27 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles. Alongside fellow newcomer Quay Walker, Dean is key to containing Kenneth Walker and the scrambling threat of Mahomes as the Chiefs lean heavily on play‑action. The Denver Broncos visit the San Francisco 49ers.
The Broncos are beginning to find their rhythm, having scored 30 second‑half points to upset the Rams and rally past the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week Two, but early‑down rushing struggles persist. Meanwhile, Brock Purdy is leading the 49ers back into contention, posting an MVP‑caliber start with nine touchdowns, one interception, and a league‑high passer rating of 133.1. In the West Coast matchup, the Los Angeles Chargers host the Seattle Seahawks.
The Chargers risk slipping to 0‑4 after a series of miscues that allowed the Buffalo Bills to secure a comeback win last week. Justin Herbert’s offense continues to sputter, while Seattle’s defense held the Commanders despite Jaxon Smith‑Njigba’s impressive 10‑catch, 128‑yard, two‑touchdown performance.
Finally, the Detroit Lions travel to Charlotte to play the Panthers. Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs proved he is still the focal point, recording three touchdowns and 164 yards from scrimmage in a 31‑24 victory over the New York Jets. Only a handful of players in NFL history have amassed more touchdowns before turning 25. The Panthers, meanwhile, are trying to bounce back from a narrow loss to the Cleveland Browns, with quarterback Bryce Young leading the league in passing yards (939) but still grappling with pass‑protection issues.
All of these storylines will unfold as Sky Sports broadcasts the 2026 NFL season live, including every playoff game and Super Bowl LXI on February 14, 2027. Viewers can watch via Sky Sports or stream without a contract through NOW.