The Kansas City Chiefs have reemerged as a force in the NFL, the league's London games are back on the schedule, 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 made a bold claim: Brock Bowers possesses every skill that Jaxon Smith‑Njigba brings to the field, the only distinction being that Bowers operates from the tight‑end position. Bell’s assessment was spot on. Bowers is a versatile weapon.
He runs every route in the playbook, can line up in any spot across the formation, and consistently displays some of the most reliable hands in the game. Rather than relying solely on raw speed, he creates separation through clever fakes and shrewd route running. He can succeed in one‑on‑one matchups, attacks every level of the defense, and serves as a focal point for his offense. In the Raiders' recent 35‑27 victory over the New Orleans Saints, Bowers caught 10 passes on 13 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 player like that back in the lineup definitely lifts the team." That week the Raiders highlighted a historic milestone: Bowers became 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, athletic tight end, a prototype that previously propelled his Kansas City counterpart.
For years, Travis Kelce defined the tight‑end‑receiver hybrid, consistently breaking down press coverage and soft zone assignments while splitting time between the slot and the outside. Now, at 36, Kelce has postponed retirement and opened the season with a team‑leading 14 receptions on 19 targets for 231 yards and two touchdowns, anchoring a revitalized Chiefs aerial attack. Kansas City’s unbeaten 3‑0 record has been underpinned by a resurgence from quarterback Patrick Mahomes. After recovering from a knee injury last season, Mahomes is once again displaying the swagger and aggression that made him the league’s premier passer.
Andy Reid’s play‑action scheme has been heavily utilized, freeing Mahomes to make off‑platform throws and deep‑field splash plays that had been scarce in recent years. While Mahomes receives much of the credit, the arrival of former Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III has been a pivotal factor in the Chiefs' revival.
Walker, the Super Bowl MVP from February, currently leads the NFL with 360 rushing yards, averaging 5.5 yards per carry, and has added two rushing touchdowns. He also contributes in the passing game with 11 receptions for 82 yards and two scores, providing a new dimension to an offense that has leaned heavily on the strategic brilliance of offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, whose experience with Chicago’s downhill attack in 2025 has translated into fresh ideas at Arrowhead Stadium.
Sunday’s matchup will feature another subplot: a mini‑rivalry between Mahomes and Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby. The two have faced off several times 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 replied, "He actually texted me right when I got cleared to play and just kind of said, ‘Hey, we’re both back.’ So I was like, ‘Let’s show the world who we are.’ There’s a rivalry, and when we step on that field we’re going to go at it. At the end of the day, you want great competitors because it makes the league better and makes a win even sweeter." The Chiefs’ offense now appears to have more room to operate, thanks to Walker’s ability to draw defenders and Mahomes’ knack for exploiting the resulting gaps. The combination of a dynamic running back and an elite quarterback is reminiscent of the classic Mahomes‑Kelce partnership, suggesting that Kansas City could once again be a legitimate contender.
Beyond the Chiefs, the NFL’s schedule includes a slate of games that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports NFL. The league returns to the United Kingdom for the first of three London matchups in October, bringing the total of regular‑season games played in London since 2007 to 45.
The first contest features the Indianapolis Colts against the Washington Commanders at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Commanders come off an upset win over the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, achieved with backup quarterback Marcus Mariota stepping in for the injured Jayden Daniels.
Daniels traveled to London with the team, but his status for Sunday remains uncertain. The Colts arrive after a narrow 19‑17 victory over the Houston Texans, with running back Jonathan Taylor continuing to serve as the engine of Shane Steichen’s offense. Later that evening, the Los Angeles Rams will face the Philadelphia Eagles. The Rams entered the season as a supposed super‑team, but a 1‑2 start, coupled with injuries to star defensive end Myles Garrett and wide receiver Puka Nacua, has tempered expectations.
Nevertheless, veteran receiver Davante Adams has emerged as a reliable target for quarterback Matthew Stafford, posting 332 receiving yards over the past two weeks. The Rams also rely heavily on tight end Terrance Ferguson, a key piece in Sean McVay’s multi‑tight‑end formations. The Dallas Cowboys will take on the Houston Texans in a game that highlights the stark contrast between the Cowboys’ high‑powered offense and their struggling defense. While Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and George Pickens can generate explosive plays, the defense ranks near the bottom of the league in yards allowed and EPA per play, a problem that has persisted despite the team’s offensive firepower.
In the main event of the night, the Chiefs will travel to Las Vegas to meet the Raiders. The Raiders have bolstered their defense with offseason additions such as linebacker Nakobe Dean, who has already recorded 27 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles. Alongside fellow newcomer Quay Walker, Dean is expected to help contain the dual threat posed by Kenneth Walker and Mahomes’ play‑action scheme.
The Chiefs’ own defense, however, remains a question mark, relying heavily on blitzes to generate pressure while the offensive line continues to protect Mahomes at a high rate. Other notable matchups include the Denver Broncos versus the San Francisco 49 ers, where Broncos head coach Sean Payton and rookie quarterback Bo Nix are seeking answers after early‑season struggles, while Brock Purdy leads the 49ers with a league‑leading passer rating of 133.1 and nine touchdowns to one interception.
The Los Angeles Chargers will host the Seattle Seahawks, a game that could see the Chargers fall to 0‑4 after a costly turnover‑laden loss to the Buffalo Bills. Meanwhile, the Detroit Lions will battle the Carolina Panthers, with running back Jahmyr Gibbs continuing to be the focal point of the Lions’ offense, amassing three touchdowns and 164 yards from scrimmage in a win over the New York Jets.
All of these contests will be streamed live on Sky Sports platforms, with a reminder to use the Chrome browser for the best video experience. Fans can also look forward to the 2026 NFL season, which will be available live on Sky Sports, including every playoff game and Super Bowl LXI on February 14, 2027, either through a Sky Sports subscription or the contract‑free NOW streaming service.