CBS has made its call for Week 4, and the network is betting big on an AFC West barnburner. Jim Nantz and J.J. Watt will be in Las Vegas on Sunday to call the Kansas City Chiefs against the Raiders at Allegiant Stadium — a matchup between two teams that are both 3-0.
The decision means CBS is passing on the Denver Broncos' trip to San Francisco to face the 49ers, a game that also carries plenty of intrigue. Denver is riding high after an unforgettable comeback against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday Night Football, erasing a 16-0 deficit to win 30-26. Sean Payton's group showed serious grit, and the 49ers kept their perfect record intact by outlasting the Arizona Cardinals in a shootout.
Still, it's hard to argue with the network's logic. The Chiefs and Raiders are two of the league's few remaining unbeatens, and Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce remain the kind of must-see television that moves the ratings needle. When those two are healthy, CBS knows exactly what it's getting.
Why the Raiders Are Suddenly Must-Watch
Let's be honest: not many people circled the Raiders as a team to watch in 2026. After back-to-back seasons of 4-13 and 3-14, expectations were about as low as they get. But Klint Kubiak has flipped the script, guiding Las Vegas to a 3-0 start with back-to-back road wins.
The biggest reason? Kirk Cousins has been surgical under center. He's completing 67.4% of his passes for 661 yards, with nine touchdowns and just one interception. That kind of efficiency gives the Raiders a real chance to hang with anyone — including the defending champs.
If Las Vegas pulls off the upset on Sunday, the rest of the AFC will have no choice but to take them seriously in the playoff race. Suddenly, a team that was an afterthought in August looks like a legitimate contender.
Nantz and Watt Get the Marquee Assignment
CBS's decision to send its top crew to Sin City also says something about how the network views the Broncos-49ers game. It's a good matchup, but it doesn't have the same star power or stakes as two undefeated division rivals going head-to-head.
Nantz and Watt have been a talking point early this season, and their Week 4 assignment will put them squarely in the spotlight. For fans who have been following the Nantz-Watt broadcast blunder, this is another chapter in a storyline that keeps drawing attention.
Of course, Nantz has plenty going on away from the booth. He's already joked about his chances at the PGA Championship, and he and Tony Romo have reportedly landed invites to the Swift-Kelce wedding — proof that the veteran announcer stays busy no matter the season.
What's at Stake in Week 4
The Chiefs-Raiders game isn't just about ratings. It's a chance for Kansas City to reassert its dominance in the division, and for Las Vegas to prove its hot start is no fluke. With both teams undefeated, the winner takes sole possession of first place in the AFC West.
For CBS, the choice is clear: put the biggest stars in the biggest game. Mahomes, Kelce, and a surprising Raiders squad should deliver a compelling afternoon of football — and maybe a few surprises along the way.
