- Huge early surprises: the Chargers and Texans sit at 0-4 despite high preseason expectations — Herbert’s Chargers look disjointed under Harbaugh/McDaniel, while Houston’s defense has unexpectedly collapsed even as C.J. Stroud has improved.
- Chiefs resurgence: Patrick Mahomes is playing his best football in years and Kenneth Walker III has emerged as a legit Offensive Player of the Year candidate, putting Kansas City back among the title favorites.
- Unexpected contenders and oddities: the Minnesota Vikings are one of just three unbeaten teams, the Giants, Raiders and Browns have been pleasant surprises at 3-1, and the Rams haven’t lived up to preseason hype.
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