The Las Vegas Raiders Are... Good?
Let’s start with the biggest shocker of all: the Las Vegas Raiders are 3-0. This is a team that finished with the league's worst record last season. No one, not even the most optimistic fan in silver and black, saw this coming. The turnaround is fueled
by two key additions: veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins and new head coach Klint Kubiak. Cousins, often maligned elsewhere, has been a steady and productive hand, throwing nine touchdowns to just three interceptions. Kubiak, an offensive-minded coach, seems to have designed a system that plays to his quarterback's strengths. After matching their entire 2025 win total in just three games, the Raiders suddenly look like a legitimate playoff contender.
The Houston Texans' Freefall
On the opposite end of the spectrum are the Houston Texans, who have stumbled to a disastrous 0-3 start. After years of building and showing promise, many expected this to be the season they contended for a Super Bowl. Instead, the door seems to have slammed shut. The offense has sputtered, and quarterback C.J. Stroud, who looked like a rising star, has struggled under pressure. While it's still early, the Texans' inability to get a single win on the board is arguably the most disappointing start for any team that entered the season with such high hopes.
The Unbeaten (and Feisty) Minnesota Vikings
While not as shocking as the Raiders, the Minnesota Vikings' 3-0 start has turned heads. Pegged as a talented but flawed team with major questions entering the season, the Vikings have answered the bell each week. Their undefeated record has been built on the back of a ferocious defense, masterminded by coordinator Brian Flores. That unit has stifled opposing quarterbacks, a key factor in their narrow, hard-fought victories. While the offense still has room to grow, the defense has made Minnesota look like the real deal and a legitimate threat in the NFC.
The Super Bowl Hangover Hits New England
Just months after a Super Bowl appearance, the New England Patriots look lost. At 1-2, their record doesn't scream crisis, but their performance does, punctuated by a humiliating 35-6 loss to Jacksonville. Quarterback Drake Maye, who was nearly the league MVP last season, has been shockingly ineffective, throwing six interceptions to only one touchdown. The offense looks completely out of sync, and last year's poise has been replaced with frantic, ineffective play. Coach Mike Vrabel has admitted the level of concern is high, and what once looked like the start of a new dynasty now feels like a potential one-year wonder.
The Washington Commanders Play Spoiler
Perhaps the single most surprising result of the young season was the Washington Commanders' 33-31 victory over the Seattle Seahawks. Washington entered the game as a heavy underdog, playing at home without their starting quarterback. Yet, they managed to topple a team that hadn't lost in 12 games dating back to last season. It was a stunning upset fueled by a defense that forced key turnovers. While it remains to be seen if the Commanders can replicate this kind of performance, their victory sent a message that they aren't the easy opponent many assumed they would be.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Nosedive
Another team facing an early-season crisis is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Starting 0-3 wasn't on anyone's bingo card, especially after signing quarterback Baker Mayfield to a large extension. Mayfield has struggled with turnovers, and the offense has been unable to find any rhythm. To make matters worse, he is now dealing with a thumb injury on his throwing hand. What was supposed to be a worst-case scenario of 1-2 has devolved into a winless September, leaving the Buccaneers looking more like a team destined for a high draft pick than a division title.
