The Kansas City Chiefs have re‑emerged as a powerhouse, the NFL’s London showcase is back in action, and the Los Angeles Rams are hoping for the swift return of wide receiver Puka Nacua. I was present at Sky Sports NFL’s weekly production meeting on Wednesday when analyst Jason Bell proclaimed that Brock Bowers can perform every function that Jaxon Smith‑Njigba does, with the only distinction being that Bowers operates from the tight‑end position. Bell’s assessment proved spot‑on.
Bowers is a versatile weapon. He runs every route in the playbook, can line up in virtually any spot across the formation, possesses some of the most reliable hands in the league, and creates separation with clever fakes rather than relying solely on raw speed. He can finish plays in isolation, attacks every level of the defense, and serves as a focal point for his team’s passing attack. In the Raiders’ surprising 35‑27 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Bowers recorded ten receptions on thirteen targets for 116 yards and a touchdown, helping Las Vegas improve to an unexpected 3‑0 start.
"It’s self‑explanatory – he’s the best in the business," said Raiders pass‑rusher Maxx Crosby. "He’s a complete game‑changer.
Unguardable. Having a guy like that back in the lineup definitely lifts the team." That week the Raiders announced Bowers had 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 and exceeded the hype, embodying the modern tight‑end prototype that once propelled his Kansas City counterpart to stardom. For years Travis Kelce defined the tight‑end‑as‑receiver archetype, shredding press coverage and soft zones while splitting his time between the slot and the outside as Patrick Mahomes’ most trusted target. Now 36, Kelce has postponed retirement and begun 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 flawless 3‑0 start has been driven by Mahomes looking like his old self again – the league’s premier quarterback attacking defenses with swagger and aggression after recovering from last season’s knee injury. Andy Reid’s heavy use of play‑action has injected new life into his passing scheme, opening the field for Mahomes’ off‑platform throws and the deep‑ball splash plays that vanished in recent years. Nevertheless, Mahomes’ early success would not be complete without the arrival of former Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III, whose presence has been a catalyst for the Chiefs’ resurgence.
Play‑action thrives on a credible rushing threat, and Walker provides exactly that. The Super Bowl MVP from February leads the NFL with 360 rushing yards, averaging 5.5 yards per carry, and has added two rushing touchdowns. He also contributes 11 receptions for 82 yards and two scores, delivering a new dimension to a Chiefs offense that had relied heavily on Steve Spagnuolo’s defensive schemes in prior seasons. Sunday also promises a continuation of Mahomes’ emerging rivalry with Raiders edge‑rusher Maxx Crosby.
The two have faced off numerous times 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.’ And for me, I was just like, ‘Let’s show the world who we are.’ There’s a rivalry, when we step on that field we’re going to go at it. That’s just how it is, and we both know that." He added, "At the end of the day, man, you want great competitors, great players in this league because it makes the league better. And when you go out there and get the win, it feels even better." The Chiefs’ offense is finally finding room to breathe, with Walker and Mahomes demanding respect and creating space downfield.
Credit also goes to returning offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, whose experience with Chicago’s downhill running attack in 2025 has translated into a more balanced Arrowhead attack. Suddenly, Kansas City looks like a legitimate contender once again. The NFL’s return to the United Kingdom begins with a game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, marking the first of three London matchups in October and raising the league’s total of regular‑season games in London since 2007 to 45.
The Washington Commanders, fresh off an upset win over Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks behind backup quarterback Marcus Mariota (filling in for the injured Jayden Daniels), travel to face the Indianapolis Colts, who come off a 19‑17 victory over the Houston Texans with running back Jonathan Taylor still the heartbeat of Shane Steichen’s offense. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Rams host the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Rams were billed as a super‑team early in the season, but a 1‑2 start, injuries to Myles Garrett and star receiver Puka Nacua, and a blown 16‑point lead in a 30‑26 loss to the Denver Broncos have tempered expectations. Nevertheless, Davante Adams has emerged as a bright spot, hauling 332 yards over the past two weeks as Matthew Stafford’s primary target, while Terrance Ferguson’s injury has highlighted the value Sean McVay places on multiple tight‑end formations.
The Dallas Cowboys travel to Houston to face the Texans. The Cowboys’ offense remains Super Bowl‑caliber, with Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and George Pickens capable of lighting up any defense. Their defense, however, continues to be a glaring weakness, currently ranked 30th in yards allowed and last in EPA per play, compounded by injuries that have plagued them since a heartbreaking loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Rio de Janeiro. Kansas City’s own clash with the Las Vegas Raiders will feature newly signed linebacker Nakobe Dean, who has already posted 27 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles, reinforcing a Raiders defense that has undergone a significant overhaul.
Dean and fellow offseason addition Quay Walker are tasked with containing Kenneth Walker and the scrambling prowess of Mahomes as the Chiefs lean heavily on play‑action. In the West Coast, the Denver Broncos take on the San Francisco 49‑ers. Denver is beginning to find its rhythm, having scored 30 second‑half points to upset the Rams and rally past the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week Two, though early‑down rushing struggles persist.
On the opposite side, Brock Purdy has propelled the 49‑ers back into the conversation with an MVP‑level start, leading the league with nine touchdowns, one interception, and a passer rating of 133.1. The Los Angeles Chargers face the Seattle Seahawks. The Chargers risk slipping to 0‑4 after a series of miscues that allowed the Buffalo Bills to secure a 24‑16 win.
Justin Herbert’s offense faltered once more, while Sam Darnold, returning from injury, was outplayed by the Seahawks, who saw Jaxon Smith‑Njigba continue his dazzling performance with ten catches for 128 yards and two touchdowns. Finally, the Detroit Lions host the Carolina Panthers.
Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs reminded everyone why he is the focal point of Detroit’s offense, tallying three touchdowns and 164 yards from scrimmage in a 31‑24 victory over the New York Jets. Only James Cook has more rushes of over ten yards this season, and Gibbs joins an elite group that includes Barry Sanders, Maurice Jones‑Drew, and Todd Gurley in reaching 55 career touchdowns before turning 25. The Panthers, meanwhile, are attempting to rebound from a 21‑18 loss to the Cleveland Browns, with quarterback Bryce Young leading the league in passing yards (939) despite ongoing pass‑protection issues.
All of these storylines will unfold as Sky Sports NFL and its affiliated channels broadcast the 2026 NFL season live, including every playoff game and Super Bowl LXI on Sunday, February 14, 2027. Viewers can watch via Sky Sports subscriptions or stream contract‑free with NOW.