Two-minute drill: Chiefs-Raiders square off in surprising battle of unbeatens, major injuries, more

Week 3 in the NFL delivered a lot of nail-biting finishes as 12 of the 14 games played on Sunday were decided by one score. As we look ahead to a Week 4 slate that features a surprising 3-0 matchup, here is what to watch in the week ahead and what stood out the most in the past week.

Chiefs, Raiders square off in a battle of unbeatens

While it is no surprise whatsoever that the Kansas City Chiefs come into Week 4 with a 3-0 record, it is still hard to grasp that the Las Vegas Raiders can say the same. After all, it was just in April that the franchise selected Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza No. 1 overall in the draft.

Furthermore, the Raiders have won four games or fewer in each of the last two seasons and have not made the playoffs since the 2021 season. Led by veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, who has completed 67.4% of his passes for 661 yards with nine touchdowns and three interceptions, the Raiders are tied for the seventh-best scoring offense in the league (29.3 PPG).

The Chiefs, meanwhile, have found a better balance on offense with running back Kenneth Walker III, who has already rushed for 360 yards on an average of 5.5 yards per carry. That does not even factor in the return to vintage form that QB Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce have already showed. 

Granted, each of the Raiders’ opponents so far have a combined record of 1-8, and they have not defeated a Mahomes-led Chiefs team since Christmas Day in 2023. That said, head coach Klint Kubiak seems to have the franchise heading in the right direction as they face their toughest test of the 2026 season yet on Sunday.

Jaguars-Bengals, Broncos-49ers square off 

Aside from the battle of unbeatens, the Jacksonville Jaguars and Cincinnati Bengals meet on Sunday in a pivotal game for both teams. The Jaguars have an opportunity to maintain their advantage atop the AFC South in the early going with the league’s top-ranked scoring defense (12 PPG), while any Super Bowl discussion surrounding the Bengals was put on pause in a Week 3 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Elsewhere, the Denver Broncos head to Santa Clara to face the undefeated San Francisco 49ers. Despite their latest second-half comeback in a thrilling win over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night, the Broncos must get off to quicker starts, especially against a 49ers team and QB Brock Purdy, who is completing a whopping 72.3% of his passes through three games.

Texans in familiar spot ahead of clash with Cowboys

For the second consecutive season, the Houston Texans are 0-3 and in deep trouble if they cannot find a better rhythm offensively. In fact, the Texans are the only team since the 2000 season to overcome an 0-3 start and make the playoffs.

They have the confidence of knowing they have done so before, but it is certainly not an ideal situation to be in. To be fair, games against the Buffalo Bills, Bengals and Indianapolis Colts presented a stiff challenge to begin the season, but the 23 combined points over the last two games will simply not cut it.

Fortunately for Houston, the Dallas Cowboys possess the league's 25th-ranked scoring defense (27.3 PPG) and have not exactly taken care of business, either. It is time for Houston to finally put things together, or it could be a long season ahead.

Giants make moves; Notable injuries around the league

The New York Giants made the shocking decision on Monday to trade for former Minnesota Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy in light of Jaxson Dart's season-ending knee injury. Additionally, the Giants released WR Odell Beckham Jr. after just three games, while pass-rusher Brian Burns suffered a season-ending torn right ACL. 

Meanwhile, Miami Dolphins QB Malik Willis will have even more pressure to perform following  RB De'Von Achane's season-ending torn right ACL. Further up north, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers went from bad to worse after QB Baker Mayfield suffered a dislocated right thumb that will keep him out at least three weeks.