The bright lights of Sunday Night Football will shine on two desperate teams this week, as the Kansas City Chiefs visit the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Both franchises enter at 0-2, a start that has turned Week 3 into a must-win battle neither side expected.

The Chiefs’ stumble out of the gate is startling. Patrick Mahomes and company now sit in the same column as the Browns and Jets, a far cry from the juggernaut standard Kansas City has set in recent years. For the Giants, this is all too familiar — seven times in the last nine seasons they have opened 0-2. History offers little comfort: since 1990, just 12% of teams to start 0-2 reached the playoffs, though three managed to climb the mountain and hoist the Lombardi Trophy.

Patrick Mahomes “make it work”

Mahomes faces Russell Wilson, who is in his first year wearing Giants blue. Wilson turned back the clock against Dallas last week with 450 passing yards, showing flashes of the “old Russ,” but an untimely interception swung the game away. On Thursday, NBC News chief news and sports analyst Steve Kornacki joined TODAY and said Wilson looked like his old self — and not in a good way.

“It was the old Russell Wilson,” Kornacki said. “There was an ill-timed interception, and they just couldn’t get that done.” [Timestamp – 2:00]

Kansas City’s issues, meanwhile, cut deeper. Their offense has looked slow and unimaginative, forcing Mahomes to lead the team in rushing in both games. Wideouts aren’t winning one-on-ones, the run game is stuck in neutral, and play-action — their most effective weapon — has been used sparingly. As ESPN insider and former wide receiver Harry Douglas put it, the offense is relying too much on Mahomes to “save the day.”

“We give the Chiefs a lot of grace, and rightfully so, because they played in five of the last six Super Bowls,” Douglas said. “But what my eyes are telling me is that their offensive identity is Patrick Mahomes, go save us and make it work.” [Timestamp – 8:33]

For the Giants, Pride Hangs in the Balance

Sep 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll reacts after a play against the Dallas Cowboys during the third quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

Wilson connected on six passes of 30 yards or more against Dallas, the most by any QB in over a decade, powered by rookie standout Malik Nabers and shifty slot threat Wan’Dale Robinson. Add in a defensive front stacked with Dexter Lawrence II and Brian Burns, and the Giants have the muscle to cause headaches.

“Just got to find more ways to be effective if I’m always to get my guys around me going, once I get those guys going, they can free me up, and I’m able to win them one on one,” Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones said this week.

ESPN’s QB rankings aren’t showing Patrick Mahomes the respect he deserves

Mahomes was listed with a sore right wrist but practiced fully, easing concerns.

“Yeah, he couldn’t even tell you what play it was, but it swole up a little bit, and overnight, then they got it down,” coach Andy Reid said. “So, yeah, but he did, he practiced the whole week, yeah, looked good.”

WR Rashee Rice is expected back, while rookie Xavier Worthy’s status remains up in the air (recovering from a shoulder issue).

Las Vegas oddsmakers still give Kansas City the edge, but analysts like Harry Douglas note the Giants’ pass rush could tilt the field.

“I’m going to go 25%,” he said, pointing to their ability to collapse pockets.

The stakes couldn’t be clearer: Kansas City has never won a road game against the Giants, standing 0-7 all-time in New York. For the Giants, jobs and pride hang in the balance. For the Chiefs, a third straight loss would be uncharted waters. Come Sunday night, someone’s season will be hanging by a thread — and someone might just keep hope alive.

Micah Parsons’ Heartfelt Gesture: Paying It Forward to the Diner That Helped Him Dream

In a heartwarming act of generosity, Micah Parsons, the 26-year-old linebacker for the Green Bay Packers, has saved a beloved local diner in Corona, California, by paying off $87,000 of its debt, ensuring that Sunny’s Diner remains a staple in the community.

The diner, a family-run establishment, had been struggling with debts accumulated from the pandemic and rising operational costs. Upon learning of its imminent closure, Parsons, who had relied on the diner for support during his high school years, stepped in to help. Without any fanfare, he wired the money to cover the debt, allowing the diner to continue serving its loyal customers.

But Parsons’ gesture didn’t end there. During his visit to the diner after making the payment, he presented a handmade sign that now proudly hangs on its wall. The sign reads:

“A home for those who fueled my dreams every morning.” The owners, Maria and Tony Alvarez, were deeply moved by the tribute to the diner that had been there for Parsons during his difficult high school years.

For three years, Parsons visited Sunny’s Diner every morning before school, where he was offered free breakfasts by the Alvarezes. The couple’s kindness and belief in him gave him the encouragement he needed to keep pursuing his dreams of becoming a professional football player. “We saw something special in Micah,” Maria Alvarez recalls. “He was always polite, always focused. We just wanted to help him keep going.”

Now a rising star in the NFL, Parsons’ act of kindness has brought new life to the diner, turning it into a symbol of community support and generosity. The sign has quickly become a point of pride, with many locals stopping to admire it and share the story of Parsons’ selflessness. Social media has been flooded with posts under the hashtag #SunnysDiner, helping to raise awareness and support for the establishment.

The Alvarezes have expressed their deep gratitude, not only for the financial relief but for the renewed sense of purpose that Parsons’ gift has given them. Maria says, “We always thought we were just feeding people, but Micah showed us we were doing more than that. We were helping dreams come true.”

Parsons’ story is a powerful reminder of the impact of small, meaningful acts of kindness. Beyond his talent on the field, he has become a beacon of hope and compassion for others, using his platform to uplift those who helped him along the way.

As the sign at Sunny’s Diner now stands, it serves as a testament to the profound effect that generosity can have. For Parsons, the diner wasn’t just a place to eat—it was a lifeline, a place that believed in his potential when few others did. And now, as a professional athlete, he has returned the favor, ensuring that Sunny’s Diner will continue to fuel the dreams of others for years to come.