Ben Solak analyzes Week 3 of the 2026 NFL season, which set a record with 12 Sunday games decided by one score. He highlights seven key thoughts ahead of Week 4, starting with Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers' dominant debut in Klint Kubiak's offense. Bowers posted 10 catches, 116 yards, and a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints, with all 13 targets coming from slot or wide alignments — the most for a tight end in three seasons.

Solak compares Bowers' unique receiver-like usage to Jaxon Smith-Njigba, noting the Raiders ran "multi-tight-end" sets on 81% of snaps, effectively 11.5 personnel. Solak also names Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence as an MVP candidate, urges patience with young quarterbacks, suggests the Los Angeles Rams make another trade, and flags the Pittsburgh Steelers-Cleveland Browns matchup as suddenly significant. He expresses continued skepticism about the Buffalo Bills and doubts J.

J. McCarthy will save the New York Giants. Five additional "inklings" round out the column.