The Kansas City Chiefs have re‑emerged as a force, the NFL’s London showcase is back in action, and Los Angeles Rams fans can breathe a sigh of relief as wide receiver Puka Nacua looks set to return to the field. I was sitting in on Sky Sports NFL’s weekly production meeting on Wednesday when analyst Jason Bell proclaimed that rookie tight end Brock Bowers can accomplish everything that Jaxon Smith‑Njigba does, with the only distinction being that Bowers operates from the tight‑end spot. Bell’s assessment proved spot‑on. Bowers is a true utility player: he runs every route in the playbook, can line up anywhere 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 win one‑on‑one battles, attack every level of the defense, and serve as a focal point in the 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 a perfect 3‑0 start. "It’s self‑explanatory – he’s the best at what he does," Raiders pass‑rusher Maxx Crosby said. "He changes the game.
You can’t guard him. Having a guy like that back in the lineup definitely lifts the whole team." The Raiders highlighted this week that Bowers has become only the third non‑receiver in NFL history to amass at least 1,900 receiving yards in his first thirty career games, joining legends Mike Ditka and Kellen Winslow. Drafted 13th overall in 2024, he has already exceeded the lofty expectations placed on him, embodying the modern prototype tight end that once helped elevate his Kansas City counterpart. For years, Travis Kelce defined the tight‑end‑receiver hybrid, blasting through press coverage and soft zones while splitting time between the slot and the outside as quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ most trusted weapon.
Now, at 36 and having postponed retirement, Kelce has 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 propelled by Mahomes looking unmistakably like his former self – the league’s premier quarterback – wielding swagger and aggression after recovering from a knee injury last season. Andy Reid’s play‑action heavy scheme has been revived, giving Mahomes the freedom to launch off‑platform throws and deep‑ball splash plays that had faded in recent years.
While Mahomes deserves credit for his early impact, the arrival of former Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III has been a game‑changing addition that fuels the Chiefs’ resurgence. Play‑action success rarely occurs without a credible rushing threat.
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 fresh dimension to an offense that has leaned heavily on Steve Spagnuolo’s defensive schemes in recent seasons. Sunday also promises another chapter in Mahomes’ budding rivalry with Raiders edge‑rusher Maxx Crosby. The two have clashed repeatedly over the past few years and share a 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 responded, "He actually texted me right when I got cleared to play and just kind of said, ‘Hey, we’re both back.’ And 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.
That’s just how it is, and we both know that." He added, "At the end of the day, you want great competitors, great players in this league because it makes the league better. And when you finally 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 dynamic Arrowhead offense.
All signs point to the Chiefs looking like genuine contenders again. --- **Upcoming NFL London Games** The NFL returns to the United Kingdom for the first of three games in October, bringing the total number of regular‑season matchups played in London since 2007 to 45. The schedule includes: - **Indianapolis Colts vs.
Washington Commanders** at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, kickoff at 2:30 pm (UK time). The Commanders come off an upset win over Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, with backup quarterback Marcus Mariota stepping in for the injured Jayden Daniels.
Daniels flew to London with the team, but his status remains uncertain. The Colts arrive after a 19‑17 victory over the Houston Texans, with running back Jonathan Taylor continuing to be the heartbeat of Shane Steichen’s offense. - **Los Angeles Rams vs. Philadelphia Eagles** at the same venue, kickoff at 6 pm.
The Rams were billed as a super‑team early in the season, but a 1‑2 start and injuries to Myles Garrett and star receiver Puka Nacua have derailed those expectations. Nacua is expected to return against the Eagles.
Wide‑out Davante Adams has been a bright spot, posting 332 yards over the last two weeks as Matthew Stafford’s primary target. Tight‑end Terrance Ferguson’s injury has highlighted Sean McVay’s reliance on multiple tight‑end sets. - **Dallas Cowboys vs.
Houston Texans** at 6 pm. The Cowboys boast a Super Bowl‑caliber offense led by Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and George Pickens, but their defense remains a glaring weakness, currently ranked 30th in yards allowed and last in EPA per play. Injuries have compounded their defensive woes following a heartbreaking loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Rio de Janeiro.
- **Kansas City Chiefs vs. Las Vegas Raiders** at 9:15 pm (live on Sky Sports NFL). The Raiders have bolstered their defense with offseason signings like linebacker Nakobe Dean, who already recorded 27 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles.
Dean and fellow newcomer Quay Walker are expected to help contain Kenneth Walker and the scrambling ability of Mahomes as the Chiefs rely heavily on play‑action. - **Denver Broncos vs. San Francisco 49ers** at 9:25 pm.
The Broncos are working to correct slow starts that have left them playing catch‑up, while the 49ers, led by Brock Purdy, have surged to the top of the league with an MVP‑level start: nine touchdowns, one interception, and a passer rating of 133.1. - **Los Angeles Chargers vs.
Seattle Seahawks** at 9:25 pm. The Chargers risk slipping to 0‑4 after a series of mistakes, including a turnover‑laden loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Quarterback Justin Herbert’s offense struggled, while Seattle’s Jaxon Smith‑Njigba dazzled with 10 catches for 128 yards and two touchdowns. - **Detroit Lions vs. Carolina Panthers** at 1:10 am (Monday).
Running back Jahmyr Gibbs continues to be the focal point of the Lions’ attack, recording three touchdowns and 164 yards from scrimmage in a 31‑24 win over the New York Jets. The Panthers, led by quarterback Bryce Young, are fighting to improve pass protection after a narrow loss to the Cleveland Browns. --- Fans can watch every game of the 2026 NFL season live on Sky Sports, including the playoffs and Super Bowl LXI on Sunday, February 14, 2027.
Subscriptions are available via Sky Sports or the NOW streaming service, which offers contract‑free access.