Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Two weeks into the 2026 NFL season, and we already know three things. September overreactions already have some of us walking around with sheepish looks on our faces. Somebody's preseason darling is already gearing up to be the next visual aid in a “Disappointments, All of You!” meme. Third, the Kansas City Chiefs aren’t just turning around things with moxy, they have a bully at running back that makes Travis Kelce feel like he’s getting better at getting open.
The Las Vegas Raiders, picked by many to spend 2026 rebuilding, are instead opening their campaign with a 2-0 record after knocking off Miami and then convincingly beating the Chargers. Veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins has brought stability, and Vegas road trips by the Raiders’ opponents’ fans aren’t a guaranteed win for those visiting fans’ teams.
The Minnesota Vikings deserve a tip of the cap, too, especially defensive coordinator Brian Flores. They launched their 2026 campaign with two divisional games: A season opening win – nay beating - over Green Bay, and a masterful (no weather excuses please) defensive clinic they put on at Soldier Field in week two versus the Bears.
Meanwhile, the San Francisco 49ers are playing like they are one of the top three teams in the NFL, but the blue tent awaits. I’m not cynical. I’m experienced. I do, nonetheless, want to see a healthy Niners squad, and this is the most impressed I’ve been with Brock Purdy since he entered the league as Mr. Irrelevant, the moniker given to the last player selected in each season’s NFL draft.
Buffalo wasted no time making its first guest in its new stadium, the Detroit Lions, feeling very unwelcome. Josh Allen is the best athlete in the NFL again this season, and I’m hoping the Bills finally make it to the Super Bowl under his leadership this year.
What’s that smell?
It’s the Los Angeles Chargers’ offense.
Mike McDaniel, who – on paper – had the line and the quarterback to make an instant impact on the Chargers offense has done just that. Before I lambast his coaching, I’ll consider what Connor McCann mentioned in Thursday’s “Can Connor Cover?” column: is it six of one, one-half dozen of another? Is it McDaniel’s schemes or some key Chargers who seem to have better things to do off the field?
The Atlanta Falcons showed us Thursday night that QB Michael Penix has been sorely missed, but also – to the delight of Bears fans – the Packers must really stink judging from their 35-13 home field loss to the Dirty Birds.
Every season brings a new collection of teams determined to dethrone Kansas City, but Patrick Mahomes begs to differ. The aforementioned bully running back, Kenneth Walker III has already proven to be the missing ingredient to the Chiefs’ two most recent seasons.
Will Cincinnati continue to fare well (they are 2-0 already), especially if Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase remain healthy? Their season-opening win was most impressive because of how they turned all four of Tampa Bay’s turnovers into points.
The Seattle Seahawks are not suffering from a Super Bowl championship hangover. Even as the featured team on HBO’s Hard Knocks this preseason, the champs conducted business – based on what the show allowed us to see – seriously in training camp, and they’ve already racked up two convincing wins.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba is THE best receiver in the NFL.
Speaking of JSN, an Ohio State alum, week two’s look at key stats and scores throughout the day are probably the best recruiting tools the Ohio State Buckeyes could use even without hosting campus weekend visits.
JSN’s TD reception hat trick was accompanied by TD receptions from Garrett Wilson (NY Jets), Chris Olave (New Orleans Saints), and Emeka Embuka. Had Washington’s Terry McLaurin not dropped his intended pass in the end zone, five Buckeye receivers would have found paydirt.
Treveyon Henderson, New England’s punishing running back and another Buckeye alum, added touchdown run.
Week 3 is when the NFL season starts telling us the truth.
The 2-0 teams will begin proving whether they're contenders or September whiffs. The 0-2 teams will start treating every Sunday like an elimination game. Coaches will get grumpier at postgame press conferences. With all this said, it is clear that at least two teams we’ve been laughing at in recent seasons and this preseason will be in the playoff race by Thanksgiving.
This is what makes the NFL the best television reality show. It’s a brilliantly managed TV package.
No matter how clear the 2026 season gets week after week, though, I’ll certainly be wrong about something else after the smoke clears from Monday Night Football. It’s the only sport where I don’t mind being wrong about something almost every week.
