Around the AFC

Trouble in paradise. It’s still early, but the Los Angeles Chargers’ season might have already reached its conclusion. After getting blown out by the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1 at home, the Chargers lost 26-14 to the Las Vegas Raiders. At home. Again. It’s a similar script for why the Chargers are losing. They can’t protect Justin Herbert, the weapons look ineffective and the defense appears to be missing former defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. Then there’s Herbert. He’s in a frustratingly lackluster ecosystem, but Herbert’s been far from perfect as well. It could get ugly for Los Angeles with this upcoming slate of opponents: Bills, Seahawks, Broncos, Chiefs, Rams, Texans and Ravens.

An elite corner on the trading block? Joey Porter Jr. hasn’t played this season, but the Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback has still found himself in plenty of headlines. Porter Jr. hoped to sign a long-term extension with his rookie deal set to expire at the end of the 2026 season. He didn’t receive a contract extension and has been out since the start of the season with an injury. In his first public comments since the deadline to sign a contract passed, Porter Jr. said he hoped to play in 2026.

Drake Maye’s fine … right? The Patriots are 1-1, and Mike Vrabel might want to only talk about that, but Maye’s start is concerning. The third-year quarterback has thrown four interceptions and just one touchdown through the first two games of the season. Maye has bailed from clean pockets often this season, an area that he excelled at last year. It’s still early, though, and Maye’s pedigree suggests he’ll rebound. New England needs him too.

Around the NFC

Packer problem. That offensive line protecting Jordan Love is abysmal. Like historically abysmal. The Green Bay Packers, now 1-2 after a loss on Thursday Night Football to the Atlanta Falcons, have allowed an NFL-high 51 pressures. Love’s faced a 43.6% pressure rate on 59 drop backs, according to Pro Football Focus. It’s going to be hard to find reinforcements. The team’s top offensive lineman, Zach Bako-Bewele, will miss the remainder of the season.

Electromagnetic field strikes again. Well, not actually. But the San Francisco 49ers are dealing with significant injuries once again. First, promising rookie wideout De’Zhaun Stribling was placed on injured reserve. Demarcus Robinson and Ricky Pearsall are also set for lengthy absences and now defensive end Nick Bosa injured his hamstring during stretches. Bosa will likely miss a few weeks, coach Kyle Shanahan said. Even Shanahan called the team’s injuries “unusual.”

Brazil bumps. The Cowboys and Ravens are set to play in Brazil. Big matchup, big venue and big audience. Apparently, there are big problems with the field surface too. Reports throughout the week have shown holes, divots and uneven playing surface at Maracana Stadium. NFL field director Nick Pappas told reporters in Brazil on Saturday that there is “no need to worry” about the surface and that it should be ready for Sunday’s game. Sunday will be the NFL’s third game in Brazil since 2024, but the first at Maracanã Stadium.

Game of the Week

Bengals vs. Steelers. If the Bengals have a semi-competent defense … watch out. Cincinnati’s addition of defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence seems to have transformed the team’s rush defense and juiced up the Bengals’ pass rush. At 2-0, the Bengals seemed prime to compete for the AFC North. They will travel to Pittsburgh in Week 3 for a crucial early-season divisional matchup against the Steelers.

Bengals 28, Steelers 20

Lock of the Week

Chiefs vs. Dolphins. The Chiefs are still settling into a rhythm with Patrick Mahomes, who hasn’t looked like himself in the first two weeks of the season. The Dolphins might be a good team to find it against. Miami’s one of the least-talented rosters in the NFL as new coach Jeff Hafley tries to establish a culture for the wayward Dolphins. Expect the Chiefs to roll to 3-0.

Chiefs 35, Dolphins 10

Upset of the Week

Titans vs. Giants

No Jaxson Dart signals trouble ahead for “Big Blue.” The Giants are -2.5 point favorites against the Titans, who are still winless. But Tennessee should have beaten the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2, and Cam Ward’s still a former No. 1 overall pick. It’ll be one of the lower-scoring games of the weekend, but the Titans will scratch out their first win of the season.

Titans 17, Giants 14

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