The Kansas City Chiefs have reemerged as a powerhouse, the NFL’s London showcase is back on the calendar, and the Los Angeles Rams are hopeful that wide receiver Puka Nacua will soon return to action. I was present at Sky Sports NFL’s weekly production meeting on Wednesday when analyst Jason Bell boldly claimed that rookie tight end Brock Bowers can perform every function that veteran Jaxon Smith‑Njigba does, only from the tight‑end position. Bell’s assertion proved spot‑on.
Bowers is a versatile playmaker. He runs the full route tree, can line up anywhere on the formation, possesses some of the most reliable hands in the league, and uses clever fakes to create separation rather than relying solely on raw speed.
He can win one‑on‑one battles, attack every level of the defense, and serve as a focal point in the passing game. In the Raiders’ surprising 35‑27 victory over the New Orleans Saints, Bowers recorded ten receptions on thirteen targets for 116 yards and a touchdown, helping Las Vegas improve to a 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." 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, Bowers lives up to the hype of a modern tight end, a role once epitomized by Travis Kelce in Kansas City. Kelce, long regarded as the prototype for a receiving‑oriented tight end, continues to dominate despite being 36 years old. He has posted 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 is fueled by Patrick Mahomes looking like his former self—confident, aggressive, and capable of making spectacular throws after recovering from a knee injury last season. Andy Reid’s heavy use of play‑action has revived his offensive scheme, giving Mahomes the freedom to launch deep balls that have been scarce in recent years. While Mahomes deserves credit for his early success, the arrival of former Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III has been a pivotal factor in the Chiefs’ resurgence. Walker, the Super Bowl MVP from February, leads the league with 360 rushing yards, averaging 5.5 yards per carry, and adds two rushing touchdowns.
He also contributes 11 receptions for 82 yards and two scores, providing a new dimension to an offense that has relied heavily on Steve Spagnuolo’s defensive schemes in recent seasons. Walker’s presence creates a complementary threat that opens up space for Mahomes to operate. Sunday’s matchup will also reignite the mini‑rivalry between Mahomes and Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby, a duel that has produced several memorable moments. Crosby remarked, "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." Mahomes responded, "He actually texted me right when I got cleared to play and said, ‘Hey, we’re both back.’ I was like, ‘Let’s show the world who we are.’ There’s a rivalry, and when we step on that field we’ll go at it. That’s just how it is, and we both understand that." He added, "At the end of the day, you want great competitors in this league because it makes the league better and makes a win that much sweeter." The Chiefs’ offense now benefits from the combined threat of Walker’s ground game and Mahomes’ aerial prowess, forcing defenses to account for multiple ways to score. Returning offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, who refined a downhill rushing attack with Chicago in 2025, has transferred those concepts to Arrowhead, further enhancing the ground‑pass balance.
The result is a team that once again looks like a legitimate contender. Across the Atlantic, the NFL’s return to the United Kingdom continues with the first of three London games in October, marking the 45th regular‑season matchup held in the city since 2007.
The Washington Commanders, fresh off an upset win over Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks with backup quarterback Marcus Mariota stepping in for the injured Jayden Daniels, travel to face the Indianapolis Colts. Daniels, who flew to London despite his elbow injury, remains uncertain for Sunday’s game. The Colts arrive after a narrow 19‑17 victory over the Houston Texans, still leaning heavily on running back Jonathan Taylor as the engine of Shane Steichen’s offense.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Rams host the Philadelphia Eagles in a primetime showdown. The Rams entered the season billed as a super‑team, but a 1‑2 start and injuries to Myles Garrett and star receiver Puka Nacua have tempered expectations.
Nonetheless, Nacua is expected to return against the Eagles. Davante Adams has emerged as a bright spot, amassing 332 receiving yards over the past two weeks as Matthew Stafford’s primary target. Tight end Terrance Ferguson’s injury has forced head coach Sean McVay to rely more on multiple tight‑end formations, highlighting the Rams’ adaptability.
The Dallas Cowboys will clash with the Houston Texans in a game that underscores the Cowboys’ offensive firepower versus their defensive vulnerabilities. While Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and George Pickens can light up any scoreboard, the defense ranks last in yards allowed and EPA per play, a weakness that has plagued Dallas throughout the season.
In the Chiefs‑Raiders showdown, Las Vegas rookie linebacker Nakobe Dean, signed during the offseason, has already made an impact with 27 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles. Alongside fellow newcomer Quay Walker, Dean is expected to help contain Kenneth Walker and limit Mahomes’ play‑action effectiveness. The Raiders’ defense, however, still relies heavily on blitzing to generate pressure, while the Chiefs’ offensive line boasts one of the league’s best pass‑protection rates.
Other notable games include the Denver Broncos versus the San Francisco 49 ers, where Brock Purdy continues his MVP‑caliber start, leading the league with nine touchdowns, one interception, and a passer rating of 133.1. The Los Angeles Chargers aim to avoid a winless start after a costly loss to the Buffalo Bills, while the Detroit Lions showcase running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who recorded three touchdowns and 164 yards from scrimmage in a victory over the New York Jets, cementing his status as a focal point of the Lions’ offense. All these matchups will be streamed live on Sky Sports NFL and its affiliated channels, with additional coverage available via NOW for contract‑free viewing. Fans are encouraged to use the Chrome browser for the best video player experience.
The 2026 NFL season, culminating in Super Bowl LXI on February 14, 2027, promises a thrilling narrative across both sides of the Atlantic.