The Kansas City Chiefs have re‑emerged 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 statement: Brock Bowers can perform every function that Jaxon Smith‑Njigba does, only from the tight‑end position. Bell was absolutely correct. Bowers, a versatile weapon for the Las Vegas Raiders, runs every route in the playbook, can line up in virtually any spot across the formation, and possesses some of the most reliable hands in the game.
He creates separation not with sheer speed but with clever fakes and precise footwork, can win one‑on‑one battles, attacks every level of the defense, and serves as a primary point of focus for the offense. 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 the team 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 whole 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 thirty career games, joining legends Mike Ditka and Kellen Winslow. Drafted 13th overall in 2024, Bowers has lived up to, and even exceeded, the hype surrounding him, embodying the modern tight end archetype that once propelled his Kansas City counterpart to stardom.
For years Travis Kelce has been the template for a receiving‑focused tight end, shredding press and soft coverage while splitting time between the slot and the outside as quarterback Patrick Mahomes' most trusted partner. Now 36, Kelce has postponed retirement and started the season strongly, leading the Chiefs with fourteen catches on nineteen targets for 231 yards and two touchdowns, anchoring a revitalized aerial attack. Kansas City’s flawless 3‑0 record is underpinned by Mahomes looking, once again, like the league's premier quarterback.
After recovering from a knee injury last season, he is attacking defenses with renewed swagger and aggression. Andy Reid’s play‑action scheme has been employed heavily, reviving Mahomes' ability to launch deep, off‑platform throws that had faded 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' resurgence. Walker, the Super Bowl MVP from February, now 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, providing a fresh dimension to an offense that has relied heavily on veteran Steve Spagnuolo’s schemes in recent seasons. Walker’s presence creates the perfect complement to Mahomes' play‑action, forcing defenses to respect both the ground and the air.
Sunday’s matchup will also feature a mini‑rivalry between Mahomes and Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby, who have faced off several times and share mutual respect. 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 replied, "He 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 know that." Both players agree that strong competition elevates the league. Crosby added, "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 is finally getting the space it needs, thanks to the tandem of Walker and Mahomes, while returning offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy—who honed his craft with Chicago's downhill attack in 2025—has translated that experience back to Arrowhead.
The result: a team that now looks like a legitimate contender once more. The NFL’s return to the United Kingdom this October marks the first of three games, bringing the total of regular‑season matchups in London to 45 since 2007. The Washington Commanders, fresh off an upset win over Super Bowl champions Seattle, will travel to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to face the Indianapolis Colts, who are coming off a narrow 19‑17 victory over Houston. Backup quarterback Marcus Mariota is starting for Washington after starter Jayden Daniels suffered an elbow injury; Daniels is in London with the team, but his availability remains uncertain.
The Colts rely heavily on running back Jonathan Taylor, the heartbeat of Shane Steichen’s offense. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Rams are set to clash with the Philadelphia Eagles. The Rams entered the season as a potential super‑team, but a 1‑2 start and injuries to Myles Garrett and star receiver Puka Nacua have tempered expectations. Nacua is expected to return against the Eagles.
Davante Adams has emerged as a bright spot, recording 332 yards over the past two weeks as Matthew Stafford’s primary target, a role amplified by an injury to Terrance Ferguson, who epitomized Sean McVay’s multi‑tight‑end concepts. The Rams recently surrendered a 16‑point lead in a 30‑26 loss to Denver, while the Eagles are still healing from a 27‑7 defeat to the Chicago Bears. The Dallas Cowboys will host the Houston Texans. Dallas boasts a Super Bowl‑worthy offense led by Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and George Pickens, but its defense remains a glaring weakness, currently ranked last in yards allowed and EPA per play.
Injuries have compounded the problem, and the unit’s struggles were evident in a heartbreaking loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Rio de Janeiro. The Chiefs will travel to Las Vegas to meet the Raiders. The Raiders have bolstered their defense with the offseason signing of linebacker Nakobe Dean, who already has 27 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles.
Alongside fellow newcomer Quay Walker, Dean is expected to help contain Mahomes and Kenneth Walker’s play‑action attack. For the first time in years, the Chiefs’ defense may raise more questions than its offense, which has relied heavily on blitzes to generate pressure. In the West Coast, the Denver Broncos will face the San Francisco 49ers. Denver has shown flashes of brilliance, scoring 30 second‑half points to upset the Rams and rally past Jacksonville, but early‑down rushing woes persist.
Head coach Sean Payton and rookie quarterback Bo Nix are seeking solutions that could propel the Broncos into contention. Across the field, Brock Purdy continues to lead the 49ers with an MVP‑caliber start, topping the league with nine touchdowns, one interception, and a passer rating of 133.1. The Los Angeles Chargers travel to Seattle.
After a 24‑16 loss to Buffalo, the Chargers risk falling to 0‑4. Turnovers and a stagnant offense have plagued them, while Seattle’s defense held firm against the Commanders, highlighted by Jaxon Smith‑Njigba’s 10 catches for 128 yards and two scores. Finally, the Detroit Lions will take on the Carolina Panthers. Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs reminded everyone that he remains the focal point of Detroit’s offense, tallying three touchdowns and 164 yards from scrimmage in a 31‑24 win over New York.
Only a handful of NFL legends have amassed more touchdowns before turning 25. The Panthers, meanwhile, are trying to bounce back from a 21‑18 loss to Cleveland, with quarterback Bryce Young leading the league in passing yards (939) but still struggling 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 subscriptions or stream for free with NOW, ensuring fans worldwide can follow every twist and turn of the season.