Ian Rapoport of NFL Network appeared on the Pat McAfee show and stated that if Jameis Winston’s level “is ok or less than ok,” it’s a real possibility than McCarthy takes the field as soon as he learns the new offense.

This comes after a Week 2 performance that left all Giants fans in disarray. Winston looked unprepared, and it seemed like he didn’t know the playbook very well. Given how Winston has already spent more than a year with the team, it was a very disappointing way of earn in your place.

McCarthy is not clearly better

McCarthy isn’t a polished NFL quarterback at all. In fact, he is also very turnover prone. Still, sometimes a change of quarterback and a change of scenery is just the perfect marriage for a franchise. If Jameis Winston isn’t able to sustain a high level of play, it’s perfectly reasonable for the Giants to see McCarthy as the better option going forward.

McCarthy lost his job in Minnesota to Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz. Still, it was just two years ago that the Vikings spent a top 10 pick in the NFL draft to get their hands on McCarthy, who won a National Championship at the collegiate level.

This is a temporary solution

John Harbaugh spoke on McCarthy now that he shares the locker room with Winston. The Giants need to solve this problem as soon as possible because it is a 2026 issue. For next year, they should have Jaxson Dart back under center.

Expectations were very high for this team early in the season. So now they have to deliver even if it means that the second or third string quarterback are needed to do so. For McCarthy, he also opened up about the move to the Giants, and seems eager to take on the challenge.

Key takeaways

• Jameis Winston remains the starting quarterback for the Giants for now.
• Insider Ian Rapoport reported JJ McCarthy could take over if Winston struggles.
• Minnesota originally selected McCarthy as a top 10 NFL draft pick.

Speaking to the media on Friday, McCarthy said “When I got the call here, it was a shock. I didn’t anticipate it, but at the end of the day, it’s an opportunity.” He also said his time in Minnesota didn’t work due to “a multitude of things you could think of.“

McCarthy had lost his place as the Vikings QB1 and was even relegated to the QB3 slot behind Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz. The Giants saw an opportunity and traded for him as their main QB, Jaxson Dart, suffered a season-ending knee injury. John Harbaugh delivered an important message to McCarthy.

Why was McCarthy the option for the NY Giants?

There are various reasons to see why the Giants pulled the trigger on McCarthy. First, he was very cheap. Secondly, it’s not a real competition to Dart once he comes back next season, so you avoid a potential QB battle. Third, in any case, he is in his rookie contract and was a first-round selection, he could develop into something good.

Hence, now McCarthy needs to prove to the Giants that he is indeed a solid quarterback. Then, he needs to beat out Jameis Winston for the starting position this year. Reports say that if Winston looks below par, McCarthy could be on the field very soon.

Differences between Jameis Winston and JJ McCarthy

Jameis Winston is a veteran in his 12th NFL season. Winston has played for multiple franchises and has extensive starting experience and a history of high-volume passing. However, he is known for a high-risk, high-reward passing style with a strong arm, capable of throwing for many yards alongside higher interception totals historically.

McCarthy is a younger prospect drafted in the first round of 2024. He was viewed as a mobile, highly efficient prospect who operated a run-heavy, pro-style offense in college. However, a knee injury in his rookie year and a turnover prone early career have marked him as a risky signal-caller.

Key takeaways

• JJ McCarthy called the trade to New York a shock but an opportunity.
• New York acquired the quarterback in exchange for a fifth-round pick.
• McCarthy must compete with 12th-year veteran Jameis Winston for starting snaps.

Charlie McAvoy is not playing against the Jets because he is serving a six-game suspension to start the 2026-27 NHL regular season. McAvoy got the suspension because of a two-handed slash on Buffalo Sabres forward Zach Benson.

The action happened last season, in Game 6 of the First Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 1, 2026. Given how that ended the Bruins’ season, McAvoy is just starting to serve his suspension now.

Why did McAvoy slashed Benson?

The Boston Bruins defenseman slashed Zach Benson in retaliation for being tripped and slew-footed into the boards during the final minutes of Game 6 in their playoff series.

McAvoy was quick to get on his feet and skated towards Benson at full force and proceded to slash him right in front of the referee. There was 1:31 remaining in the third period and the Sabres were leading 4-1. It was an all-time moment of frustration.

When will McAvoy return?

McAvoy won’t play against the Jets, but he still needs to serve five more games after that to be fully free of ban. Hence, his eligible return date is October 13, 2026, when the Bruins face the San Jose Sharks.

Key takeaways

• Charlie McAvoy is serving a six-game suspension to begin the 2026-27 season.
• The defenseman slashed Zach Benson in retaliation after being tripped and slew-footed.
• McAvoy is eligible to return October 13, 2026, against San Jose.

Per Infobae, the plane scheduled to transport the African squad from Morocco to Buenos Aires has not yet taken off. The original plan called for them to arrive in Argentina on the night of Tuesday, September 29, yet three days later, Burkina Faso still have not even departed Morocco.

Behind-the-scenes details state that the African squad had agreed on a set of conditions to be provided by the AFA. However, those conditions ultimately failed to materialize. Faced with this situation, the players decided to delay their trip until the agreed-upon terms were met.

Burkina Faso made a statement

The Burkina Faso Football Federation (FBF) issued a statement shortly after midday on Friday (Argentina time). “The Burkina Faso Football Federation wishes to inform the general public… about the situation currently facing the Burkina Faso delegation in Morocco regarding their trip to Buenos Aires for the international friendly match between Argentina and Burkina Faso.

The national team’s travel plans were disrupted after the company chartering the aircraft cancelled—without prior notice—the flight originally scheduled for September 30. This cancellation necessitated a reorganization of the delegation’s itinerary,” they stated.

Was the Burkina Faso’s game Lionel Messi’s farewell?

Burkina Faso was the second-to-last game in this FIFA international window. Thankfully for Argentina, Messi’s last game with the ‘Albiceleste‘ is scheduled to be on October, 6 vs. Benin.

Hence, Messi’s farewell isn’t in actual jeopardy. In that regard, no one should be sweating that part. However, organizationally, AFA would be in deep trouble to be able to refund all the fans attending the game against Burkina Faso, if it so happens that the game doesn’t take place.

Key takeaways

• Burkina Faso’s charter flight from Morocco to Buenos Aires was canceled, leaving the squad stranded.
• The visiting team delayed travel due to unfulfilled financial and organizational conditions from AFA.
• Lionel Messi’s international farewell remains on track for the October 6 match against Benin.

For instance, the Giants are not 1-0, they are 2-1. Secondly, the Giants actually were 1-0 at a time and no one saw them wearing the shirts. Hence, it was a puzzling situation.

However, Jordan Raanan of ESPN stated that it was the wild RB Cam Skattebo the one to bring answers to all the questions. Skattebo said the 1-0 t-shirts represent taking things one week at a time. Hence, all the focus is on the Arizona Cardinals. No trap games, no look-ahead spots, just next Sunday.

The shirt alludes to a huge problem in the NFL

Look-ahead spots are as common as grass in the NFL. It’s a weekly thing, especially for teams with winning records. After all, if a team is winning and faces a bad team, followed by a game against another top-notch franchise, they will naturally overlook the ‘easy‘ matchup to start focusing on the ‘barnburner‘.

And, time and time again, we’ve seen those ‘trap games‘ occur, and many times those teams fall twice. The trap game and the barnburner both end in defeat. Hence, Harbaugh and the Giants are actively trying to avoid that scenario.

The NY Giants have a massive test ahead

After moving way too many pieces in the offseason, the Giants have quite a lot of hype around them. The hype only incremented after winning a divisional rivalry game in Week 1 on primetime. However, Week 2 saw their franchise quarterback Jaxson Dart suffer a season-ending knee injury. Hence, now they have to validate all the hype with backup quarterback Jameis Winston.

Despite trading for JJ McCarthy, Winston is still poised to start. However, Winston is a careless passer, and a baffling decision-maker. Pair that with a tough schedule ahead, and this season could end up being an uphill battle for the G-Men.

Key takeaways

• John Harbaugh wore a “1-0” t-shirt during Week 4 preparations.
• Running back Cam Skattebo explained the t-shirts symbolize taking the season one week at a time.
• Quarterback Jaxson Dart suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 2.

Per NHL.com, Alex Ovechkin is expected to play tonight, Friday, October 2, 2026 at 7:00 PM ET, when the Washington Capitals open their season against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Capitals will have their star as the ice welcomes them to the 2026 season.

Although he missed most of the preseason with a lower-body injury, Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery and team reports indicate that he is healthy. Ovechkin participated in morning skate, and is ready to go for the opening matchup at Lenovo Center.

How key is Ovechkin for the Capitals?

Alex Ovechkin remains a foundational player for the Washington Capitals. He serves as the franchise’s emotional leader, all-time leading goal-scorer, and primary power-play weapon entering his 22nd NHL season. The veteran is still going strong and efficient at 41 years old.

Serving as captain since 2010, his presence has become vital for mentoring young roster pieces and high-profile veteran newcomers alike, setting a unified standard in the locker room. Ovechkin is more than just a great hockey player, he is a one-of-one leader.

The Capitals are underdogs vs Hurricanes

The Hurricanes are the defending Stanley Cup champions and loss their season opener in heartbreaking fashion against the Florida Panthers in overtime. Now, this is their first home game and will want to bounce back.

Of course, Ochevkin and the Capitals will want to spoil the party. However, not only are they away from home against the current champs, but the Hurricanes already logged in a competitive matchup, while this will be the first for Washington. The rhythm could take a toll on the Capitals.

Key takeaways

• Alex Ovechkin is expected to play in the Washington Capitals’ season opener against Carolina.
• The 41-year-old forward missed most of the preseason with a lower-body injury.
• Carolina dropped its season opener against the Florida Panthers in overtime.

Connor Bedard is missing today’s game against the Utah Mammoth because he is recovering from offseason surgery on his left shoulder. Bedard injured his left shoulder during a practice session in Vancouver on July 2.

The Blackhawks already made their season debut and loss that game 2-5 against the Golden Knights. Hence, they are missing Bedard already. Now, they face the Mammoth, that haven’t played a game so far this season.

When is Bedard coming back?

Connor Bedard does not have a firm return date, but he is expected to miss at least the first month of the season and return around November. He has traveled for the Blackhawks’ road trip and is skating and shooting on his own, making a November return the current baseline expectation barring any setbacks.

Given that Bedard signed a massive 5-year, $75 million contract extension, he is locked in as the face of the franchise for the foreseeable future. However, if he is not able to play, he is leaving the team without its best player.

Bedard is quite the difference-maker

He led the young core with 75 points (30 goals, 45 assists) in 69 games last season, proving he drives the team’s offensive output. Bedard simply excels at too many things. He has a generational wrist shot, elite hockey IQ, and exceptional ability to create offensive space.

Roman Kantserov and Frank Nazar are stepping up to fill the offensive and center voids. While they are not bad players, it’s clear that there is a downgrade in production without Bedard.

Key takeaways

• Connor Bedard will miss the game against Utah recovering from left shoulder surgery.
• Bedard signed a 5-year, $75 million extension to remain the franchise’s centerpiece.
• After losing 2-5 to Vegas, Chicago faces a Mammoth squad making its season debut.

In Week 3, the Steelers saw arguably the best game of 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers under center. Rodgers torched the Cincinnati Bengals completing 19/34 passes for 292 yards, three touchdowns, one interception (though not his fault), and a passer rating of 101.6.

As for the Browns, they also have seen a revamped version of Deshaun Watson. In Week 3, Watson was not brilliant by any stretch, but was effective enough to beat a tough Carolina Panthers team. Watson completed 16/30 for 144 yards, two touchdowns, and no picks for an 88.8 passer rating.

Steelers QB depth chart vs Browns

While Rodgers is the clear-cut starter, all teams must have a plan B. Rodgers was famously tackled hard in Week 2 and fortunately he didn’t get injured, but stuff like that can happen. Hence, the depth chart is as follows:

• Aaron Rodgers
• Mason Rudolph
• Will Howard (Emergency QB3)
• Drew Allar (Inactive)

Browns QB depth chart vs Steelers

Deshaun Watson has established himself as the QB1 of the Browns. However, he is injury prone and this is football, a high-contact sport. Also, Cleveland also has a highly-named backup in Shedeur Sanders. This is their depth chart for this TNF:

• Deshaun Watson
• Shedeur Sanders
• Taylen Green (Emergency QB)

Key takeaways

• Aaron Rodgers threw for 292 yards and three touchdowns in Pittsburgh’s Week 3 victory.
• Deshaun Watson recorded 144 passing yards and two touchdowns to beat the Carolina Panthers.
• Shedeur Sanders serves as the primary backup quarterback on Cleveland’s current depth chart.

The positive thing for Kamara and the Saints is that, while Etienne was the starter, Kamara and Kendre Miller also saw snaps. The offense was operating as a three-headed committee. This is the depth chart without Etienne:

• Alvin Kamara
• Kendre Miller
• CJ Donaldson

Kamara is now the clear-cut guy despite the committee

While Miller will get his fair share of snaps, Kamara is the more polished running back. Also, Kamara is elite in the passing game, so he will be used more in play-action or checkdowns option.

Hence, even if he won’t be a workhorse, Kamara is the guy the Saints will predominantly trust their veteran to produce in key moments of the game. It’s also worth mentioning that the Saints are a pass-happy offense with quarterback Tyler Shough leading the NFL in both pass attempts (132) and pass completions (91).

Kamara is a different kind of RB

Kamara is not the most explosive back out there. He leans towards patience, huge ability to stay on his feet and balance out of contact. He won’t explode for a huge run, and he won’t juke anyone out of their feet, but he will get plays going.

Kendre Miller is more of a blend of physical, downhill running and surprising lateral agility. Hence, he complements Kamara’s skillset to make the Saints’ running game one that is very effective.

Key takeaways

• Travis Etienne was placed on the Injured Reserve list, sidelining him for four games.
• Saints quarterback Tyler Shough leads the NFL with 132 pass attempts.
• Kendre Miller complements the backfield with a blend of physical, downhill running.

Jesus appeared in front of the media and promised to speak in detail after Portugal’s game on Sunday. However, he still said “I’m completely relaxed, completely clear in my conscience with this situation.” Cristiano Ronaldo also stated that in due time, he’ll tell the truth.

Fabrizio Romano reported that Jesus also said, “I have many years in football and I know that I did nothing that should have caused things to go differently… I will not hide or run away from it. Nobody can take away what Cristiano represents. He’s an icon and that’s not in question”.

Cristiano Ronaldo left the captaincy too

By leaving the Portugal national team, Bruno Fernandes will become the new captain as Cristiano Ronaldo left the captaincy too. Ronaldo is undoubtedly a legend, but this drama comes at a bad time, since Jorge Jesus is just starting a new chapter as the coach of this team.

Ronaldo also left behind the mythical No.7 jersey. Portugal was quick to give the jersey to left winger Rafael Leao. Basically, Portugal is ready to turn the page without Ronaldo as the UEFA Nations League develops.

Jorge Jesus and Cristiano Ronaldo had a past and wasn’t dramatic

Jorge Jesus and Cristiano Ronaldo had a glorious stint at Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League. They won the league title in Saudi Arabia. That was a big part of Portugal considering Jesus to appoint hims as the coach.

Key takeaways

• Jorge Jesus promised to speak in detail after Portugal’s next game regarding the situation.
• Midfielder Bruno Fernandes will take over as Portugal captain following Ronaldo’s departure.
• Left winger Rafael Leão received the number seven jersey as the squad moves forward.

If nine full innings pass and there is no winner yet, extra innings need to be played. There is no set number of extra innings in the 2026 MLB postseason. Basically, the playoff games continue indefinitely until a winner is decided.

Games continue until a complete inning ends with one team ahead, or the home team scores the winning run in the bottom half of the inning. The play resumes under standard baseball rules with empty bases at the start of each extra frame. However, the game can extend as long as needed, but with a couple of different caveats.

Are there different rules in extra innings in the 2026 MLB playoffs?

The rules stay the same for the much part. However, it’s worth noting that there is no ghost runner in second place in the MLB playoffs, as opposed to the regular season. A ghost runner is an automatic runner placed on second base to start the 10th inning and beyond.

There’s also another rule change. During regular season, managers get only one replay challenge per game. Under the new Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System, teams receive an initial set of challenges that carry over differently.

However, in the postseason, managers start every playoff game with two replay challenges. Furthermore, if a game extends into extra innings, teams that have run out of ball-strike challenges are automatically granted an additional ABS challenge at the start of the 10th inning, and another in the 11th if they use it.

Is the pitch clock fully active during extra innings in the MLB playoffs?

The pitch clock remains fully active during extra innings exactly as it does during the regular season. Hence, pitchers have 15 seconds to throw with bases empty, and 18 seconds with runners on.

The 3-second difference exists to give pitchers just enough time to manage the extra tactical duties that come with base runners, without allowing the pace of the game to slow back down.

Key takeaways

• Extra-inning games proceed indefinitely without a ghost runner on second base.
• Teams out of ABS challenges receive an additional one for the 10th inning. Facebook
• Pitchers must throw within 15 or 18 seconds, depending on base runners.

Game 1 of the series went to the Braves with a final score of 5-3.
The game turned in the bottom of the 8th inning when Braves third baseman Austin Riley hit a dramatic, two-out, three-run go-ahead home run off Phillies closer Jhoan Duran.

The Philadelphia Phillies won Game 2 by a score of 4-3 in 10 innings. Trailing 3-1 in the 8th inning and facing immediate elimination, the Phillies rallied with Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper, who hit back-to-back solo home runs in the 8th to tie the game. Then, Alec Bohm blasted a go-ahead solo home run in the top of the 10th inning to seal the deal.

What happens if the Phillies beat the Braves?

The Phillies would qualify and go through to the next round with a win. The National League Divisional series will present a whole new challenge. This means the Braves would be automatically eliminated from the MLB playoffs. Whoever wins Game 3 will face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series (NLDS).

What happens if the Phillies lose vs Braves?

In case the Phillies come short and lose the game, they will be eliminated while the Braves face the Dodgers in the NLDS. Hence the high stakes in this game. It’s a win-or-go home scenario.

What happens if Phillies and Braves tie?

Postseason baseball games do not end in ties. Therefore, extra innings continue until one team leads at the end of an inning and a winner is decided. This means that one of these teams will have to be eliminated and the other will progress through to the next round. Notably, there’s no ghost runner on second base in the MLB playoffs.

Key takeaways

• Austin Riley launched a two-out, three-run homer in the 8th inning to claim Game 1 for Atlanta.
• Alec Bohm blasted a go-ahead solo shot in the 10th inning of Game 2 to give the Phillies the win.
• The Game 3 winner will advance to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS.

Following honest offseason conversations, AJ Brown expressed a wish to play for another team. General manager Howie Roseman worked to find a deal that worked well for both the franchise and the player. Roseman, given how good of a GM he is, found that trade.

The Eagles received a 2028 first-round draft pick and a 2027 fifth-round draft pick from New England, fulfilling Philadelphia’s goal of securing high-value future assets. Hence, it was a great bit of value for an elite-yet-disgruntled NFL player.

Why was AJ Brown disgruntled?

AJ Brown was unhappy in Philadelphia primarily due to mounting offensive dysfunction, frustration with consistent lack of proper execution, and a growing disconnect with quarterback Jalen Hurts. The chemistry wasn’t there anymore.

Brown openly criticized the Eagles’ offense for relying too heavily on the defense to bail them out rather than consistently performing up to standard. He made his statements public, and that took a toll on the locker room.

The Eagles won the trade in hindsight

With 20/20 vision, the Eagles clearly won this trade. At first, they got everything they asked for from AJ Brown. The wideout played four years (25-29, his prime years in fact) where he helped the team win a Super Bowl and surpassed the 1000-yard treshold.

Now, he is gone, dealing with a high-ankle sprain and on the IR list. The Eagles also had great moves to put DeVonta Smith as WR1, who was already on the roster, signed Dontayvion Wicks and drafed Makai Lemon. Plus, they now have an additional first-round pick and the Pats aren’t looking great so it can be a high one.

Key takeaways

• The Philadelphia Eagles traded wide receiver AJ Brown to the New England Patriots.
• Philadelphia received future draft picks including a 2028 first-round selection from New England.
• The star wideout became disgruntled following offensive dysfunction and disconnect with Jalen Hurts.

Dallas Goedert is missing tonight’s game against the Chicago Bears because of an MCL sprain in his knee. Hence, the Eagles will miss one of their best-used weapons in a primetime game.

However, the Bears are dealing with a worst absence as Caleb Williams won’t be playing vs Eagles. Still, for the Eagles it is a bit of a pain to plan without one of their main weapons in the red zone.

Who will replace Goedert for Eagles vs Bears?

Zach Ertz, Johnny Mundt, and EJ Jenkins will replace Goedert for the Philadelphia Eagles in the meantime. The Eagles signed franchise legend Ertz to the practice squad, and he is expected to be elevated immediately to handle significant pass-catching duties.

Ertz hasn’t played since last year as he got hit and suffered a gruesome knee injury. However, he returned from ACL and LCL tears. The team plans to monitor him closely and may use a snap count as he gets his first live game action in nearly 10 months.

It’s a full-circle moment for Zach Ertz

The 35-year-old veteran is back nearly five years after being traded to the Arizona Cardinals in 2021. He also spent time with Washington prior to this reunion. Ertz returns needing just 11 receptions to break Harold Carmichael’s all-time franchise record of 589 catches.

Ertz stated it is “special” to experience Philadelphia again with his family, noting that his mother was in tears and his wife was ecstatic over his return home. It’s a full circle moment, Ertz scored a go-ahead 11-yard touchdown on Super Bowl LII late in the fourth quarter. Hence, a champion is back in the City of Brotherly Love.

Key takeaway

• Dallas Goedert will miss Week 3 against the Bears due to an MCL knee sprain.
• Tight end Zach Ertz was signed to the practice squad as a key replacement.
• Ertz needs 11 receptions to surpass Harold Carmichael’s franchise record of 589 catches.

Hollywood Brown is missing tonight’s game against the Chicago Bears because of an ankle injury. Brown suffered this injury during the Eagles‘ practice week leading up to this Monday Night Football encounter.

While it is unclear how many weeks will Brown miss, it was just impossible for the wideout to be available for this game. Now, the Eagles will have to trust DeVonta Smith, Dontayvion Wicks, and Makai Lemon as their main WRs.

Brown’s role hasn’t been too prominent on the Eagles

Brown has served primarily as a depth piece or gadget player to start the 2026 season, and his absence may open up active roster spots or snaps for other receivers like Elijah Moore or Darius Cooper.

Brown is not considered a true WR1 because of his limited physical frame, recurring injury history, and a lack of elite, consistent production as a high-volume possession receive. However, as a gadget weapon, he is very dangerous.

The Eagles’ gamescript could lean towards the run

The Bears’ defense has been highly vulnerable on the ground, most recently surrendering 105 rushing yards to Aaron Jones and multiple rushing scores to Chuba Hubbard earlier in the season.

Pair that with the fact that Dallas Goedert is also out vs Bears, as well as Brown. Exploit weakness, control the clock, and run the football. Plus, Chicago will play with Case Keenum and not Caleb Williams vs Eagles, the third-stringer, so he shouldn’t be able to move the chains as much.

Key takeaways

• Hollywood Brown was ruled out of Week 3 due to an ankle injury.
• The Philadelphia offense surrenders additional ground looks after conceding 105 rushing yards to Aaron Jones.
• Case Keenum will start under center for Chicago instead of injured Caleb Williams.

Thibaut Courtois is sitting out the entire 2026–27 UEFA Nations League campaign after agreeing to take a temporary break from the Belgium national team. Hence, he is not on the lineup nor on the roster to face France.

He stated he plans to make himself available again for Belgium for the European Championship qualifiers. Still, in the meantime he is not even concentrating with Mark van Bommel’s team.

Who replaces Courtois’ spot on Belgium’s squad?

With Courtois unavailable, Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens is stepping in as the starter for Belgium. Lammens kept a clean sheet in Matchday 1 as Belgium won away from home 0-2 vs Italy.

Lammens is nowhere near Courtois level, but that is because Courtois is actually elite. Lammens is very serviceable. In fact, he plays for one of the most storied teams in soccer, even though Manchester United has seen better days.

Lammens is an intriguing project for the future

Lammens is rapidly proving he is much more than just a future project. He is actively becoming Belgium’s present long-term answer in goal, at least until Courtois, who is 34-years-old, comes back.

Key takeaways

• Thibaut Courtois is taking a break from Belgium for the entire 2026–27 Nations League.
• Goalkeeper Senne Lammens is stepping in as the starting goalkeeper for Belgium.
• Belgium secured a 0-2 away win against Italy in their Matchday 1 fixture.

Kylian Mbappe is missing France’s match against Belgium due to a hyperextension of the posterior capsule in his left knee. Unfortunately, he suffered the injury in the very shot he scored against Turkiye.

It is not a super heavy injury. Medical tests confirmed a left knee posterior capsule hyperextension, sidelining him for roughly 10 to 12 days, so he should be back promptly, but not enough to make him able to start for France in the upcoming games.

Who will replace Mbappe vs Belgium?

France head coach Zinedine Zidane has turned to depth options like Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele, and Michael Olise in attack, with Dembele stepping up to wear the captain’s armband.

The good thing for France is they do have a very deep pool of talent to choose from. However, Mbappe is still as elite as a striker can be. Mbappe already left the national team camp and returned to Real Madrid to undergo treatment.

The matchup is a must-win for both teams

France and Belgium both won in Matchday 1 of the UEFA Nations League. Mbappe guided Les Bleus towards an away win, while Belgium made a top-tier away statement beating Italy 0-2.

This means whoever wins today’s game is en route to first place of Group A of the UEFA Nations League. Hence, it will be an intense matchup that will define the group moving forward.

Key takeaways

• Kylian Mbappé will miss the Nations League match against Belgium due to a left knee injury.
• The forward sustained the hyperextension while scoring the winning goal against Turkiye.
• Mbappé has left the national camp and returned to Real Madrid for treatment.

Per reporter Michelle Kaufman, Courtois wasn’t happy with Inter Miami‘s complaining attitude towards the referee. “I would be red carded after five minutes against those guys [if I was playing]. It’s too much. What they do is bad for the game and it’s sad. The guys, they stayed focused, and we’ll focus on that,” Courtois said.

Inter Miami has plenty of Latin American players and they come from a different school of soccer. They are used to contact, plenty of ref-talk, and Courtois wasn’t having it, even if his team won the game against Lionel Messi.

Messi and Inter Miami are still in a dire situation

While Inter Miami’s spot on the table isn’t precisely bad, they haven’t been winning a lot lately. After appointing Kily Gonzalez as head coach, the fortunes haven’t turned around. However, Gonzalez was adamant on making clear the refereeing mistakes cost Inter Miami the game.

“There were very clear incidents on the pitch: the first moment involving Daniel was a handball, and before their second goal, there was a foul on Rodrigo (De Paul). As for the goal itself, it was valid, I just watched the replay. These things happen in football, and we have to accept them,” Gonzalez said.

Inter Miami’s spot in the standings

Inter Miami are now third in the Eastern Conference behind Nashville and New England. Also, Charlotte and Chicago are now both very close to Inter Miami, as they trail by three and four points, though Chicago has a game in hand.

While Inter Miami should have the talent and ability to turn things around, it’s time to make it count. After all, they just lost to Columbus, who are 12th and have lost almost double the games they’ve won.

Key takeaways

• Laurent Courtois slammed Inter Miami’s complaining attitude toward referees following a Columbus Crew victory.
• Coach Kily Gonzalez claimed refereeing mistakes cost Inter Miami during their recent match.
• Inter Miami sits third in the Eastern Conference standings behind Nashville and New England.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Achane suffered a torn ACL, meaning he will be sidelined around nine months before being able to make a full recovery. Hence, the RB depth chart for the Dolphins without him stands as follows:

• RB1- Ollie Gordon II
• RB2- Jaylen Wright
• RB3: DJ Herman (primarily a Full Back)
• Practice Squad RB: Jarquez Hunter

Dolphins RB depth chart is in shambles

Ollie Gordon II stepped up after Achane’s injury and he did have a good day, but he ended up sidelined with heavy cramping. While that is worth monitoring, he should be good to go in Week 4. However, he cramped up with less than a full game played, which is concerning to some degree of his physical capability to handle a workhorse load.

Jaylen Wright was sidelined in Week 3 due to a stinger and foot injury. He should be back soon. However, now it’s a time to see if the Dolphins will adapt a run by committee or trust one of them to be a top back throughout the season. This also means that every key player on offense except for QB Malik Willis and TE Greg Dulcich are in their first three seasons in the NFL.

Achane was the most productive player on the Dolphins

Throughout the first three weeks of the 2026 NFL season, Achane was leading the team in yards from scrimmage. At 25 years old he was just entering his prime and being the one bright spot on an offense riddled with injuries, lackluster depth, and questionable talent.

Key takeaways

• De’Von Achane suffered a torn ACL that will sideline him for the rest of the season.
• Backup running back Ollie Gordon II experienced heavy cramping after stepping up in relief.
• Jaylen Wright was sidelined in Week 3 due to a stinger and foot injury.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Evans is dealing with a rib injury and will be evaluated again tomorrow. For now, the 49ers must deal with the fact that he will probably be sidelined for weeks depending on the severity of the heat.

Before exiting the game against the Cardinals, Evans had three catches in six targets for 34 yards and a touchdown. Evans is a focal point of the offense. Without him, the 49ers must adapt heavily.

That is not the only injury suffered by the 49ers during game vs Cardinals

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, left tackle Trent Williams, who left the game carted out, is dealing with a stinger. That complicates things for the 49ers during this game as Williams is a soon-to-be first-ballot Hall of Famer. However, the positive news is stingers tend to last a day or two, and he shouldn’t miss any games.

The 49ers have dealt with huge injuries for years now, even starting a full investigation to see if the electrical substation in front of their facility was causing tissues to soften or causing injuries. It seems like they are injury-plagued year after year.

Mike Evans is the undoubted WR1 of the team

Replacing Evans is no easy feat. He is an elite receiver, a Super Bowl champion, and has reached the 1,000-yard mark in all but one season in his career. Given that the 49ers lost Ricky Pearsall for all season, and they won’t count with Brandon Aiyuk for extra curricular reasons, Evans is a need not a luxury.

Without him, Deebo Samuel will turn into the WR1. However, Samuel, who is a veteran, is more of a gadget player than a volume, go-to receiver. This could mean that tight end George Kittle becomes the primary pass-catcher of the team.

Key takeaways

• Wide receiver Mike Evans suffered a rib injury against the Arizona Cardinals and was ruled out.
• Before exiting the game, the wideout recorded three catches for 34 yards and one touchdown.
• Left tackle Trent Williams left the game after suffering a stinger.

The Los Angeles Chargers last started a season 0-3 in 2017, when they opened their first year in Los Angeles with an 0-4 start. Hence, ever since Justin Herbert has been their starting quarterback, the Chargers have never been in this situation.

In Week 3, they lost 24-16 against the Bills despite gaining an early lead in the game. Not only is this the only time Herbert has started 0-3, but also Jim Harbaugh. It’s a crisis.

The Chargers are having issues on both sides of the ball

The arrival of Mike McDaniel was supposed to elevate this offense to a whole new level. However, it’s been a disastrous start of the season for the Chargers offense. Turnovers are an issue, playcalling is not there and the wideouts have had some brutal drops.

The defense has also regressed massively. Jesse Minter left his defensive coordinator role to become the Baltimore Ravens head coach, and the Chargers miss him massively. New DC Chris O’Leary hasn’t been able to replicate what the defense was last season.

Chargers schedule is brutal

The next stretch of the schedule is incredibly hard for the Chargers. They haven’t scored more than 16 points in a game so far this season and have allowed 24 or more in each of their three games. If that trend continues, they might go winless in their next few games:

• Week 4 (Oct. 4, 1:25 p.m.): at Seattle Seahawks (Lumen Field)
• Week 5 (Oct. 11, 1:05 p.m.): vs. Denver Broncos (SoFi Stadium)
• Week 6 (Oct. 18, 1:25 p.m.): at Kansas City Chiefs (Arrowhead Stadium)
• Week 7: Bye Week
• Week 8 (Nov. 1, 1:05 p.m.): at Los Angeles Rams (SoFi Stadium)
• Week 9 (Nov. 8, 1:05 p.m.): vs. Houston Texans (SoFi Stadium)
• Week 10 (Nov. 16, 5:15 p.m.): at Baltimore Ravens (M&T Bank Stadium)
• Week 11 (Nov. 22, 1:05 p.m.): vs. New York Jets (SoFi Stadium)
• Week 12 (Nov. 29, 5:20 p.m.): vs. New England Patriots (SoFi Stadium)
• Week 13 (Dec. 6, 10:00 a.m.): at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Raymond James Stadium)
• Week 14 (Dec. 13, 1:05 p.m.): at Las Vegas Raiders (Allegiant Stadium)
• Week 15 (Dec. 17, 5:15 p.m.): vs. San Francisco 49ers (SoFi Stadium)
• Week 16 (Dec. 27, 10:00 a.m.): at Miami Dolphins (Hard Rock Stadium)
• Week 17 (Jan. 2/3, TBD): vs. Kansas City Chiefs (SoFi Stadium)
• Week 18 (Jan. 9/10, TBD): at Denver Broncos (Empower Field at Mile High)

Key takeaways

• The Los Angeles Chargers are 0-3 for the first time since starting 0-4 in 2017.
• Los Angeles dropped its Week 3 matchup to the Buffalo Bills by a 24-16 score.
• The team has failed to score more than 16 points in any game this season.

While Ronaldo didn’t suit up, the fact is Portugal didn’t miss him. Joao Felix and Goncalo Ramos stepped up to beat the Vikings. As for why Ronaldo didn’t start today, Jorge Jesus explained it right before the game.

For Norway, Erling Haaland actually scored. However, this is a heavy home defeat, as they are now second in Group D of the Nations League. The home loss will likely take its toll in the future of the standings.

Mitchell is out due to a hand injury that limited him in practice. The Jets are taking the precautionary measures to make sure that Mitchell recovers properly. Hence, the Lions won’t have to deal with him.

It is very likely that the wide receiver comes back for Week 4. The Lions are relieved as their secondary has been scorched during the early portions of the 2026 NFL season. Still, they have to deal with Garrett Wilson.

Adonai Mitchell has been stellar

The Jets will certainly miss AD Mitchell. Throughout the first two weeks of the season, Mitchell has 15 targets (1st on the Jets), nine catches (2nd), and 123 yards (2nd) so far. His numbers go alongside Wilson’s.

Mitchell, however, is also a guy who runs deeper yards than Wilson. Hence, his 13.7 yards per reception is the best in the team for players with more than two targets so far. He hasn’t scored yet, which makes his outlook even greater with potential to grow.

Mitchell being out is a blow for NFL Fantasy managers

Mitchell was arguably one of the strongest waiver wire pickups this week due to his great performances. Many managers rushed to pick him up and had him as a WR2-Flex option. Now, they are forced to call an audible on their lineups.

Still, given that the injury doesn’t seem to be long-term, managers should keep Mitchell to see if the volume continues in the next few weeks. After all, he seems to be a good Flex option por the rest of the season.

Key takeaways

• Receiver Adonai Mitchell will miss the Week 3 game against the Detroit Lions with a hand injury.
• Through two weeks, Mitchell accumulated 15 targets and 123 yards for the Jets.
• Mitchell was considered a strong waiver wire pickup for fantasy football managers.

Both teams won their first Nations League matchups. Portugal was barely able to beat Wales 1-0 at home, despite Ronaldo having plenty of chances to score. In the end, it was none other than Joao Felix the one scoring.

As for Norway, the Vikings beat Denmark 3-2 in a highly-contested matchup. Needless to say, it was Haaland saving the day as the Man City striker scored a brace that ended being the reason why Norway won the game.

Norway lineup vs Portugal

Coach Stale Solbakken is using his trademark 4-3-3 formation. That’s what has gotten him all the way to here, and is fresh off a historic World Cup campaign. Hence, don’t fix it if it isn’t broken.

The lineup is as follows: Orjan Nyland; Julian Ryerson, Kristoffer Ajer, Torbjorn Heggem, Fredrik Aursnes; Patrick Berg, Sander Berge, Martin Odegaard; Andreas Schjelderup, Antonio Nusa, Erling Haaland.

Portugal lineup vs Norway

Jorge Jesus is starting this new era of Portugal soccer and he is still trying to see what fits and what not. However, there are certain mainstays that will still feature heavily in the lineup. The biggest news today is that Ronaldo isn’t starting as the coach is managing his workload.

Portugal are also going 4-3-3: Diogo Costa; Joao Cancelo, Renato Veiga, Ruben Dias, Nuno Mendes; Francisco Conceicao, Joao Palinha, Pedro Neto; Joao Felix, Goncalo Ramos, Joao Neves.

Key takeaways

• Portugal edged Wales 1-0 in their opening UEFA Nations League fixture via a goal from Joao Felix.
• Erling Haaland scored a brace to secure a 3-2 victory for Norway against Denmark.
• Cristiano Ronaldo is starting on the bench for Portugal.

Mauricio Pochettino tried new faces and two of them scored debut goals for the USMNT in Justin Ellis and Julian Hall. The second half in particular was outstanding from the American team.

Peru is still developing a new project under Mano Menezes, but it showed this team has still ways to go. The Brazilian took charge in January 2026, but there is a crisis. The team lost focus quickly, couldn’t adapt to USA’s speed, and there’s a reason. The best three players from Peru are all 36 years of age in Pedro Gallese, Yoshimar Yotun, and Gianluca Lapadula.

Christian Pulisic won’t be playing either vs Peru. McKennie has been nursing and injury that has had him sidelined from Juventus games in the Serie A in Italy. That paired with the fact that Pochettino selected a very young group of players for this international window, made him a prime candidate to not play today vs Peru.

Folarin Balogun will also not play vs Peru. After all, Pochettino wants to see new blood start to become important for the USMNT. It’s very relevant for him to see new generations start to earn their place on the national squad.

McKennie is the engine for the USMNT

Weston McKennie serves more as the emotional heart, box-to-box engine, and chaos agent for the USMNT rather than its traditional “metronome” midfielder. He doesn’t dictate tempo, he disrupts the tempo of the rivals.

McKennie thrives when he is allowed to cover ground vertically. Rather than sitting deep to orchestrate passes, his strength is disrupting opponent builds, winning duels, and immediately transitioning the ball forward, as well as timing his ‘late‘ arrival to the box.

Who will play instead of McKennie for USMNT vs Peru?

Yunus Musah or Sebastian Berhalter are projected to fill the central midfield role in place of the absent Weston McKennie for the USMNT vs Peru friendly. Musah has similarities with McKennie due to his box-to-box prowess.

Meanwhile, Berhalter is more of a metronome. A traditional deep-lying playmaker with great technical range and precise long-range passing. Berhalter has more composure and dictates the game, while Musah is more of a ‘run-first, make play-second‘ kind of player.

Key takeaways

• Weston McKennie will miss the USMNT friendly against Peru while recovering from an injury.
• Head coach Mauricio Pochettino prioritized selecting a young squad for this international window.
• Yunus Musah or Sebastian Berhalter are projected to replace the missing midfielder in central midfield.

Christian Pulisic is not playing vs Peru either. Manager Mauricio Pochettino left Balogun off the autumn friendly roster to rest and reintegrate with AS Monaco following a minor injury and a busy summer.

Balogun dealt with a minor leg knock and an unsettled transfer window (including a near-move to Everton before staying at AS Monaco), making his season debut for his club only recently. Hence, it was a no brainer to leave him rest instead of playing vs Peru.

Balogun is key for the USMNT

Key players like Weston McKennie aren’t playing for the USMNT vs Peru as they nurse injuries. However, Balogun is one of the toughest names to replace for Mauricio Pochettino.

Folarin Balogun is a crucial focal point for the USMNT attack, serving as the frontline goalscorer the team historically lacked. His comibination of raw speed and physical strength makes him a handful to deal with.

Who will play instead of Balogun for USMNT vs Peru?

Julian Hall is projected to start or share minutes at striker for the USMNT against Peru in place of the rested Folarin Balogun. Hall is an 18-year-old prospect that plays for New York Red Bulls. He is one of the few strikers available. Damion Downs and Justin Ellis are also alternatives for Pochettino.

Usually, the backup spot to Balogun belongs to talented player Ricardo Pepi, but he suffered an injury that sidelined him just before this international window. Hence, new blood will try to impress the manager against Peru.

Key takeaways

• Folarin Balogun was omitted from the USMNT autumn friendly roster to rest and recover.
• Key contributors including midfielder Weston McKennie and attacker Christian Pulisic will also miss the match against Peru.
• Julian Hall, an 18-year-old forward, is projected to start or share minutes at striker.

Christian Pulisic is not playing in the USA vs. Peru friendly because head coach Mauricio Pochettino left him off the roster to evaluate younger players for the new World Cup cycle and manage his recovery from a World Cup injury. It’s a matter of health and focus.

Pulisic suffered an injury during the World Cup which ended up being a leg microfracture. He has been ramping up action and regaining minutes and momentum for club AC Milan ever since. Another Serie A player like Weston McKennie is also not playing for the USMNT vs Peru.

Pulisic wasn’t the only veteran to be left out of USMNT list

Folarin Balogun won’t play for the USMNT vs Peru either. This is a very new list for Pochettino compared to what he called up for the World Cup. Ricardo Pepi had to withdraw from the team after suffering an injury with PSV, too. This is the full list of big stars that aren’t attending this USMNT window:

• Christian Pulisic
• Weston McKennie
• Folarin Balogun
• Ricardo Pepi

Who will replace Pulisic vs Peru?

Cole Campbell is a leading candidate to fill Pulisic’s spot in the left wing. Campbell, who is a 20-year-old player for SV Elversberg. This could be a golden opportunity for him to start showing off his talents to Mauricio Pochettino.

Elversberg paid a club-record €6 million transfer fee to sign him from Borussia Dortmund in July 2026 to secure regular first-team minutes. Known for his quick pace, elite dribbling, agility, and creativity on the ball, Campbell is one to watch.

Key takeaways

• Christian Pulisic will miss the USMNT friendly vs. Peru to evaluate younger talent.
• Ricardo Pepi withdrew from the squad after sustaining an injury with PSV.
• Cole Campbell of SV Elversberg could step in Pulisic’s place.

Dowdle won’t be playing vs Bengals due to a toe injury that happened early in the Steelers game against the Patriots. He briefly returned before going out again, and now, he’ll miss a game.

As for Warren, his shoulder injury should not be an impediment for him to play. In fact, Steelers RB coach Ramon Chinyoung claimed Warren will be a workhorse vs. Bengals. “With Rico being in the position he is now, Jaylen (Warren) is going to go out, he’s going lead the group and when he needs a breather, we’ll make sure he can receive that so he can perform and be as fresh as possible.”

The Steelers running game is in big debt

The Steelers rushing offense has been practically nonexistent through the first two weeks of the 2026 NFL season. Under new head coach Mike McCarthy and offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio, the team’s commitment to a new West Coast scheme has completely stalled on the ground.

In Week 1, the Steelers had just 58 rushing yards. The very next week, they ran for 91 yards. The team is literally ranked 29th in rushing yards gained. The playcalling and scheme is not going according to plan.

Warren is a very good RB, but the O-line isn’t helping

Through the early part of the 2026 season, Warren has averaged over four yards per carry despite the limited running lanes. Usually thrown into a rushing game by committee, he’s proven to be serviceable enough to get his yards.

The Steelers offensive line ranks second lowest in the league for run-block win rate at 68.4%, according to ESPN Analytics and NFL Next Gen Stats. It’s actually amazing to see Warren going for over four yards a carry.

Key takeaways

• Running back Rico Dowdle has been ruled out of Week 3 due to a toe injury.
• Pittsburgh ranks 29th in rushing yards after producing only 58 and 91 yards in two games.
• The Steelers offensive line ranks second-lowest in the league with a 68.4% run-block win rate.

The Giants removed Nabers from the injury report, which puts him on track to start vs. Titans, indicating he overcame his shoulder issue suffered in Week 2. Nabers is the clear-cut WR1 of the team, so it’s positive news.

Jameis Winston delivered a strong message as the new Giants QB, but for Winston to succeed, then he needs Nabers to step up. Winston usually throws caution to the wind, but Nabers could bail him out in 50/50 passes.

Nabers is the homerun receiver, but who is Winston’s safety net?

Jameis Winston loves to launch his passes. Hence, he usually tends to be a ‘go-big-or-go-home‘ kind of quarterback. Still, he needs a bit more help, a safety blanket. That guy is tight end Isaiah Likely.

Through two weeks, he leads the Giants in both targets and receptions. In fact, he has as much receptions as Malik Nabers has targets. If Winston plays smart, Likely should be in for a big role.

Winston’s stats since joining the NY Giants

Winston joined the Giants last season, but he got a new contract to keep him as a G-Men a few weeks back. He has played four games, starting two, in which he has completed 48 out of 93 passes (51.6%) for 678 yards and two touchdowns. However, in classic Jameis Winston fashion, he also has more interceptions (3).

Key takeaways

• Malik Nabers was removed from the injury report and is cleared to play in Week 3.
• Tight end Isaiah Likely currently leads the team in both targets and receptions through two weeks.
• Quarterback Jameis Winston has thrown three interceptions in four total appearances with the team.

The fact is the Chiefs come as a big favorite for this game, and the Dolphins‘ WR room is very young, but also deals with a great amount of injuries. However, Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley provided updates.

Hafley said Caleb Douglas won’t play vs Chiefs due to an ankle injury that occured in Week 2’s game. On the flip side, Chris Bell is expected to play after overcoming some knee injury in recent weeks.

The Dolphins WR room is intriguing

Both Douglas and Bell are rookies, so the Dolphins have heavy capital invested in the WR depth chart. However, Bell has a long history of injuries since college, and Douglas is already sidelined. Hence, the question is not their talent, but their availability.

Alongside both rookies, Malik Washington is also on the slot. Now, the team is married to quarterback Malik Willis for the foreseeable future, but that doesn’t mean they can change that in future NFL drafts.

The Chiefs should deal with Dolphins WR quite a lot

Given how this game is expected to go, the Chiefs might have to deal with Bell and Washington a lot. Assuming the status quo remains, the Dolphins will be trailing a lot in this game, which will prompt them to go all-in on their passing attack.

Hence, Bell and Washington should be featured as key parts of the offense. The Chiefs got burned in Week 2 by the Colts. So, Steve Spagnuolo, as the team’s defensive coordinator, will have to plan a smart scheme.

Key takeaways

• Caleb Douglas will miss Week 3 against Kansas City due to a Week 2 ankle injury.
• Rookie receiver Chris Bell is expected to suit up vs Chiefs despite his recent knee issues.
• The Dolphins defense expects a heavy passing workload after Chiefs surrendered big yards in Week 2.

According to Jordan Raanan of ESPN, Andrew Thomas, who was dealing with a groin injury, was practicing. Per Raanan, this is a “good sign” for him to play against the Titans.

Given that Jaxson Dart will be sidelined, and Jameis Winston being under center now, having Thomas back is key. After all, Winston is less mobile than Dart and needs more protection.

Is Andrew Thomas good?

Andrew Thomas is an elite, Pro Bowl-caliber left tackle for the New York Giants when healthy. He is very well-rounded and makes Winston have more peace in the pocket as Thomas guards his blind side.

Thomas ranked third among tackles with an 87.2 pass-blocking grade, allowing just zero sacks and very few pressures over a full heavy workload of snaps. He was also voted as the No. 8 overall offensive tackle in the NFL by league executives, coaches, and scouts via ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler rankings. Hence, he is key.

Giants need a win under Winston

Without Dart, the Giants expectations came crashing down. After all, he is a sensational signal-caller that fully executes the playbook. With Dart, the chains move. However, now it’s Jameis Winston.

To be fair, he is a very good backup, but he is a backup nevertheless. A win would give the team a positive outlook for the season. Even with Winston, the Titans aren’t precisely the best of teams, so the Giants should be brave.

Key takeaways

• Left tackle Andrew Thomas returned to practice ahead of the Week 3 game against Tennessee.
• Quarterback Jaxson Dart will undergo knee surgery, putting backup Jameis Winston under center.
• Thomas earned an 87.2 pass-blocking grade, ranking third among all NFL tackles.

The Astros need to win today to maintain control of their playoff destiny. Standing at 79-80, Houston is locked in a razor-thin division battle with their in-state rivals, the Texas Rangers, who mirror them at 79-80.

Because the Astros hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over Texas, Houston controls its own path to the AL West crown. Put simply, Houston’s magic number is down to three to clinch the division and punch their ticket to October.

The AL West division and Wild Card tightrope

Unlike in past eras, Major League Baseball no longer uses a Game 163 tiebreaker game. If Astros and Rangers end the season with identical records, the team with the superior head-to-head record takes the AL West title.

However, falling behind Texas in the division creates an uphill battle for a Wild Card spot. In the AL Wild Card race, teams like the Chicago White Sox (82-77), Boston Red Sox (85-74), and New York Yankees (92-67) hold superior records, meaning Houston’s cleanest and most reliable route into the 2026 postseason is winning the AL West outright.

AL West Standings

Key takeaways

• The magic number is 3 for the Houston Astros to clinch the AL West division title.
• The Houston Astros (79-80) control their path thanks to holding the tiebreaker over the Texas Rangers (79-80).
• Winning the division outright remains Houston’s primary and clearest route into the 2026 postseason field.

Thibaut Courtois is sitting out the entire UEFA Nations League campaign after reaching an agreement to take a temporary break from the Belgium national team. This came after a series of events and choices that caused the 34-year-old goalkeeper to come to this decision.

As stated, this is a temporary break, Courtois is not fully retiring from international soccer affairs. It just so happens that he will skip the Nations League, so Belgium needs a new goalie. This might put him at a disadvantage for the future, as other goalkeepers will have this time to train and understand new manager Mark van Bommel.

What are the reasons for Courtois’ break?

Mark van Bommel didn’t commit to make Courtois the undoubted starter of the team, which has been his usual place in the lineup. This rubbed Courtois the wrong way as for now. However, Courtois stated he wants to return for Euro 2028 qualifiers and is willing to fight for his spot.

Also, Courtois has had some injury-riddled seasons, and he wants to manage his physical workload and recovery following the all-demanding club schedules. By resting during the Nations League, he’ll be able to stay fresh.

Belgium’s available GKs vs Italy

Given Courtois’ absence, new goalkeepers will have an opportunity to shine and get their international careers fully going against Italy. There are three different options for van Bommel to choose from:

• Senne Lammens
• Maarten Vandevoordt
• Jari De Busser

Los Angeles Rams won’t count with Puka Nacua. The wide receiver didn’t practice on Friday and on Saturday due to a hip and groin injury. Therefore, Sean McVay should be looking for alternatives.

As for John Harbaugh and the Giants, Malik Nabers is ready to go, as well as Malachi Fields and Darnell Mooney. However, it’s always interesting to see how much looks a veteran like Odell Beckham Jr., who will play on Monday Night Football, can get within the game script.

Rams WR depth chart vs NY Giants

As for now, it seems like Puka Nacua is out of the game after testing himself in the warmups. Davante Adams will get WR1 looks throughout the game. Meanwhile, Tutu Atwell will serve as the WR2 because Jordan Whittington is also doubtful and pretty much out of the game against the New York Giants.

• Davante Adams
• Tutu Atwell
• Konata Mumpfield
• Xavier Smith
• Tyler Johnson

NY Giants WR depth chart vs LA Rams

The Giants have a much healthier wide receiver room right now than the Rams. Nabers is ready to go, another week removed from his rehab on his knee. He should be getting more and more workload as the games go on. Darnell Mooney should be using his skills to be a vertical threat for Jaxson Dart. Meanwhile, OBJ will still serve as a situational receiver.

• Malik Nabers
• Malachi Fields
• Darnell Mooney
• Odell Beckham Jr.
• Braxton Berrios
• Jalin Hyatt

Stephen A. Smith of ESPN told the cold, hard thoughts many of the Commanders‘ fanbase might have right now. During Monday’s edition of First Take, Smith said “I feel bad for the Washington Commanders’ fan base. This has RG3 written all over it again.”

Given how Griffin‘s career ended, it’s a very concerning prediction for Daniels, who is in year three of his career, but already has been filled with injuries. The parallelisms are there.

Griffin and Daniels have way too many similarities

Jayden Daniels and Robert Griffin III share striking career parallels as dynamic, Heisman-winning No. 2 overall draft picks for Washington who lit up the NFL as rookies before facing significant injury concerns. Also, both won NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year awards.

Both electrified the league with elite dual-threat play, setting high standards for rushing production by a rookie quarterback in franchise history. Daniels and Griffin suffered concerning injuries that sparked this sense of déjà vu for fans worried about a promising career derailed by health issues.

Daniels hasn’t suffered mobility-affecting injuries

The good thing about Daniels is that the injuries he’s suffered aren’t ones that fully affect his style of play. He has suffered dislocated elbows but in his non-throwing hand. Also, his legs are still a threat.

Meanwhile, Griffin had right knee ACL and LCL tears and also suffered a dislocated ankle. Hence, his ability to withstand contact and run on the field was heavily compromised, and he ended up playing just eight seasons, but his level started to decline until he was just a mere backup.

Key takeaways

• Jayden Daniels faces growing injury concerns in his third NFL season with Washington.
• Stephen A. Smith likened the situation to Robert Griffin III, a fellow No. 2 pick.
• Griffin played eight seasons in the NFL after severe knee and ankle injuries reduced his effectiveness.

This is a massive sigh of relief. The Bears feared the worst after seeing Williams go down with a non-contact injury. The screams and reaction by the quarterback were all uninspiring. Now, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, it’s the best-case scenario for all parties involved.

While Week 2 wasn’t kind to Williams, this is incredibly good news. The Bears lost against the Minnesota Vikings and scored just three points. Given that the injury occurred in the fourth quarter, it’s not like Williams’ injury was the catalyst for a bad offensive performance.

Ben Johnson must make the offense look good in Week 3 vs Eagles

After promising that the Bears would have the best offense in NFL history and putting 59 points in Week 1, you cannot put up a dud in Week 2 with just a field goal on the scoreboard. Of course, critics came crashing on the Bears.

Therefore, Williams and Johnson need a bounce back week. Williams, though, must recover rapidly if he wants to play in Week 3 vs Eagles. If not, Tyson Bagent will be under center, and the task to score points will be way more difficult.

The Eagles haven’t been precisely elite either

The Eagles are 2-0 but if Caleb Williams is able to suit up, the Bears should be confident in maybe winning this game. Philadelphia barely escaped the Tennessee Titans in Week 2 and struggled to beat the Washington Commanders.

The Bears are a more capable team than both the Commanders and Titans. The fact of the matter is that at full strength, both of the teams are playoff-caliber franchises. The game will be in Chicago so that might aid the Bears.

Key takeaways

• Caleb Williams avoided major injury after suffering a non-contact hamstring strain in Week 2.
• The Chicago offense managed to score just three points in their loss to Minnesota.
• Backup quarterback Tyson Bagent will step in if the starter misses Week 3.

After missing team practices, Nacua was listed as questionable throughout the weekend and was considered a game-time decision due to a hip/groin injury. In fact, Nacua was spotted on the field going through his pregame routine before kickoff against the Giants, but something must’ve felt wrong because the Rams have now confirmed he is inactive in Week 2 of the 2026 NFL season.

“Rams WR Puka Nacua (hip) inactive tonight vs. Giants,” the NFL announced on the league’s official X account. According to various NFL analysts and insiders, including Adam Schefter of ESPN, Nacua was trending in the wrong direction in his injury-rehab. It’s official now, the Rams will be without arguably their best offensive and defensive players to face the Giants, as Myles Garrett isn’t playing for Los Angeles against New York, either.

Concerns over Nacua’s replacement

With Nacua unable to suit up against the Giants, there is big trouble. Nacua’s natural replacement would have been Jordan Whittington, however, the Rams have confirmed he will also be sidelined due to a quad injury. Rookie WR out of Miami, C.J. Daniels, is inactive, too.

Hence, it will be Davante Adams taking the full workload of a WR1. Tutu Atwell and Xavier Smith could step into the role of Nacua and leave Adams as the first progression. Regardless, it’s all less than ideal for Matthew Stafford, the Rams’ starting quarterback against the Giants, and company as the team vies to get back in the win column.

The Rams must look good in Week 2 vs NY Giants

After a lackluster Week 1 showing in Australia that ended with the team just scoring seven points, the Rams need to come back with a bang against the Giants in primetime hours.

The Giants come in hot after a primetime divisional win against the Cowboys. Now, they could look at a second primetime win if they’re able to pull up another upset. It’s a hugely important game for both teams.

Key takeaways

• Puka Nacua was ruled inactive for Monday Night Football due to a hip/groin injury.
• Los Angeles scored only seven points during their lackluster season-opening performance in Australia.
• Wide receiver Davante Adams is expected to take on the primary WR1 workload instead.

• Jayden Daniels
• Marcus Mariota
• Athan Kaliakmanis (emergency third QB)

Mariota replaced Jayden Daniels, who has been ruled out according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Last season, Daniels also wasn’t available much due to injuries. One in particular very similar to this one.

Daniels already suffered an injury to his left elbow

Jayden Daniels previously suffered a severe dislocated left elbow on November 2, 2025, during a game against the Seattle Seahawks. It was the same exact elbow he injured just now against the Cowboys.

Daniels had the grit to still try and finish the play. According to medical clinic Access Ortho, dislocating the same elbow twice greatly increases the risk of chronic joint instability, permanent stiffness, and early-onset arthritis.

How much will Daniels be out?

While imaging and MRIs still need to be taken, it seems like this injury was almost identical to the one he suffered in 2025. In that case, he ended up missing three games for the Commanders.

However, given that this is a re-injury, he could probably miss even more time. This would mean Marcus Mariota is under center for the foreseeable future. Mariota is also a mobile QB, though he doesn’t bring the upside Daniels provides.

The game, which is in the latter parts of the fourth quarter, was interrupted with the Cleveland Browns holding a narrow lead in the game. It’s been a back-and-forth affair between them and the home-side Buccaneers.

Officials are monitoring weather conditions to determine when it is safe for teams to return to the field. However, when a lightning delay is the reason for suspension, it usually takes up to 30 minutes from the last lightning to get everyone back on the field.

The Browns shocked the Bucs by giving them a tough battle

At the time of the lightning delay, the Browns lead the game 23-19, but the Buccaneers had the ball and were in scoring range. However, they need a touchdown and two minutes remain in the game.

The Browns were 9-point underdogs coming into the game. Both their defense and offense overachieved what was expected from them. Deshaun Watson has 24/30 passes completed for 238 yards and two touchdowns. Wideout Denzel Boston had five catches for 95 yards and a touchdown. Meanwhile, the defense has held strong.

How many games have faced weather delays in 2026 NFL season?

This is the first game in the 2026 NFL season to face a weather-related delay. However, many games face rainy conditions, so there might be more delays in store.

Lightning within a specific safety radius ( 8-10 miles) of a stadium is the most common cause of a weather delay in the NFL. Football games are routinely played through heavy rain, snow, and wind. Still, the conditions must adhere to the safety rules.

Cooper is currently sidelined on the NFL Commissioner’s Exempt List following two arrests this summer related to domestic disputes. His status will remain on hold as his legal situation unfolds.

Jonathon Cooper is an important player for the Denver Broncos as a productive edge rusher. The team clearly missed him in Week 1 against the Chiefs, where the pass rush wasn’t as effective.

Cooper was instrumental for the Broncos in 2025

Opposite Nik Bonitto, Cooper had 8.0 sacks, second-best on the Broncos. Hence, without him the Broncos are really missing a force in the defensive line. Against a team like the Jaguars, they need to put pressure on them.

However, due to being in the Exempt list, he cannot even practice. It’s still not clear when Cooper will be back until the legal issues clear out. After that, the NFL can still punish him.

The Broncos must put pressure on Trevor Lawrence

Lawrence is coming off a highly efficient Week 1 performance and has noted seeing how to counter early pressure looks. Denver’s defense must get off the field on third down, an area where Jacksonville excelled previously.

If Lawrence has time to throw, he can decimate secondaries with his accuracy and the plethora of weapons the Jags have at their disposal. Hence, it will be key to make him feel uncomfortable if the Broncos want to win.

The Eagles rely heavily on their running game as it helps the team unleash the rest of the offense and make life easier for quarterback Jalen Hurts. Fortunately for the Eagles, they have quite a good running back room:

• Saquon Barkley
• Will Shipley
• Tank Bigsby

What is an arm stinger?

An arm stinger —also called a burner or brachial plexus neuropraxia— is a temporary nerve injury that causes a sharp, electric-shock-like pain shooting from the neck down the arm. During the play where the stinger happened, Barkley’s brachial plexus must’ve gotten stretched or pinched.

It is very common in high-impact sports like football, rugby, wrestling, and ice hockey when the head is forced to one side while the shoulder is pushed down. To return, Barkley must recover completely in terms of pain, numbness, and weakness.

Barkley is in a bounce back year

Usually an elite running back, Saquon Barkley had some sort of a down year in 2025 after blowing the league away in 2024. Barkley went from 2005 rushing yards in 2024 to 1140 in 2025. Basically half. It also happened on the touchdowns where he went from 13 rushing TDs to just seven.

In Week 1 of this season, Barkley had 15 carries for 83 yards against the Commanders. While the raw numbers are great, he should be getting way more touches than that.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, it looks like Harvey is not suiting up. “Broncos RB R.J. Harvey, listed as questionable for Sunday’s game vs. the Jaguars due to a hamstring injury, is unlikely to play, per source,” Schefter said.

Harvey is predominantly the third-down, pass-catching back of the Broncos. When initially drafted, Harvey was expected to be an absolute workhorse, but he wasn’t able to convince head coach Sean Payton to be an all-snap back.

How did RJ Harvey do in Week 1?

Harvey had three rushing attempts for 18 yards in Week 1 against the Chiefs but the script didn’t favor the running backs. However, he co-led the Broncos with four receptions on four targets for 23 yards.

He ended Week 1 as the third-most productive Broncos player vs Chiefs. Harvey had 41 total yards. Hence, it wasn’t the best performance, but he still was one of the best players for Denver.

Broncos RB depth chart vs Jaguars

JK Dobbins will get the most snaps as the starting running back for the Broncos against the Jaguars. Without Harvey, rookie Jonah Coleman will step into the RB2 role.

Stepping in as the No.3 running back, the veteran Tyler Badie will be available but fully expect him to be involved in pass-blocking duties. He shouldn’t be getting snaps over Dobbins or Coleman.

Bowers is labeled as doubtful for this game, but reports from Ian Rapoport of NFL Network state that Bowers is not expected to play vs. Chargers. Bowers is still recovering from a minor knee procedure.

However, Rapoport also reported that Bowers “should be good to go” for Week 3 when the Raiders face the New Orleans Saints. Bowers is one of the most elite tight ends in the NFL, so for the Raiders, they need him back as soon as possible.

Who is Bowers replacement?

Michael Mayer is the primary replacement for Las Vegas Raiders’ TE1 spot. Mayer is a good, reliable veteran. Tight ends Ian Thomas and Jalen Myarick are also available on the roster, but they are more blocking tight ends.

Mayer caught six passes on seven targets during the Raiders’ win in Week 1 over the Miami Dolphins. He was very involved. He might not be Bowers, but he is a very serviceable tight end to have.

The Raiders rely on TEs as WR room is thin

The Raiders might have one of the best tight end rooms in the NFL but that’s not the case for the wide receivers. Hence, the playbook has plenty of schemes designed for the tight end to thrive, as the wideouts are not close to being stars. These are the WRs for the Raiders:

• Tre Tucker
• Jalen Nailor
• Jack Bech
• Cody White
• Malik Benson
• Dareke Young

As reported by plenty of outlets, including Adam Schefter of ESPN, Nico Collins is missing today’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals because of a hamstring injury he suffered in practice last week.

The injury happened on Wednesday and couldn’t practice on Thursday and Friday. Hence, the Texans officially ruled him out. The silver lining is that team doctors don’t believe the issue is serious or long-term.

Texans WR depth chart vs Bengals without Collins

The Texans WR room is already very thin. They lost WR2 Jayden Higgins to an ACL tear before the beginning of the season, Tank Dell is on IR, and now Collins is out. Hence, who will CJ Stroud throw to now?

• Kayshon Boutte
• Xavier Hutchinson
• Jaylin Noel
• Jalyn Bond

Who will be the primary weapons for CJ Stroud vs Bengals?

Kayshon Boutte immediately steps up as the team’s WR1 against the Bengals. Then, it’s tight end Dalton Schultz the one who could get plenty of targets as he is already an escape valve for Stroud. Now, he will also be primarily his best target.

Stroud needs to be sharp and witty, as the Bengals have a revamped defensive line that will be able to stop the run and put pressure on him. Hence, he needs to make his progressions fast and be accurate.

Judge is dealing with a calf strain, and Boone didn’t sugarcoat the matter. Per Bryan Hoch of MLB, Boone said “It doesn’t matter what grade it is… We’re going to get him back, or we’re not.” That is some serious, insecure diagnosis of Judge’s injury.

Gary Phillips of New York Daily News also reported Judge’s words. Judge said “I’d like to be” back before the playoffs, but trainers haven’t even told Judge or Boone what grade the strain is.

Judge’s season has been injury-plagued

Usually an MVP frontrunner, this year hasn’t been kind to Aaron Judge. A rib injury sidelined him for more than three months. As soon as he came back, fans didn’t even have time to rejoice as he suffered the calf strain that’s bugging him right now and landed him in the 10-day injured list.

Now, neither Boone nor Judge know if he will be playing during the early portions of the postseason. Needless to say, this is as concerning as news can get for the Yankees.

Who could the Yankees face in the first round of the MLB playoffs?

The New York Yankees are most likely to face the Boston Red Sox in the first round of the 2026 MLB postseason. The Yankees hold the top Wild Card spot in the American League per the time of writing.

While a narrow mathematical chance remains to catch the Tampa Bay Bay Rays for the division title, a first-round best-of-three Wild Card Series is the expected outcome. One of the best rivalries in the MLB might be played at high stakes and without Judge.

Per Greg Joyce of the New York Post, Jones clarified everything. Per Joyce, Jones is dealing with a sore left foot, due to the wear-and-tear from playing on turf. But, Jones downplayed it. “It’s no big deal,” Jones said. Hence, it was a precautionary measure.

Jones should be back pretty much immediately. The 25-year-old has played in 80 out 153 games. However, it hasn’t been because of injuries like in this case against the D-Backs, but because of inconsistent play.

Jones’ season has been a hit-and-miss year

Spencer Jones has not played full-time for the New York Yankees because of high strikeout numbers and a minor league demotion earlier in the 2026 MLB season. Jones shows massive raw power, but he struggles to make consistent contact, striking out 96 times in his first 80 games.

In July, the Yankees optioned Jones back to Triple-A to help him adjust his batting approach. The team wanted him to fix his in-zone contact issues before giving him a longer look in the majors, but since has been called back.

Jones still has plenty of upside

Spencer Jones has shown significant raw power and improved production since his July recall. Since returning to the majors on July 22, he has batted .271 with 8 of his 10 home runs, proving his capability to adjust against major league pitching, including strong performance against left-handers.

According to NBC Sports, Mike McCarthy could become the fourth head coach in Steelers’ history to start his tenure 2-0. The other coaches to do so have been Mike Tomlin (2007), Bill Cowher (1992), and Johnny Blood (1937), back when the team was known as the Pirates.

The Steelers won in Week 1 but it wasn’t pretty. McCarthy’s team was able to get the home win against a bad Falcons team 20-13 thanks to a TJ Watt pick six. However, the game could’ve went either way. The Steelers won’t count with Michael Pittman Jr. for the next game.

Steelers’ stats in Week 1 vs Falcons

The Steelers had a mere 264 total yards on offense and just 58 rushing yards throughout the game. Pittsburgh struggled to move the chains and when you can’t run the ball, you can’t open up the playbook for quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

The good thing is the defense looked as good as ever. They allowed just 238 total yards to Atlanta, limited the Falcons to just 2/12 on third downs, sacked Cooper Rush four times, intercepted them twice, and instill fear on the opposing offense.

Who are the Steelers facing in Week 2?

Pittsburgh is ahead of a tough task as they face Super Bowl runners-up Patriots in Week 2. New England was very bad in Week 1, but the team had a long week to prepare and is seeking a bounce back spot.

However, the Steelers should win the battle in the trenches and the Patriots don’t have star wideout AJ Brown available. Hence, McCarthy should feel brave and plan a good performance against New England.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Cooper suffered an ankle sprain and will be on injured reserve. He’ll be sidelined for at least four games with a designation to return.

The high ankle sprain will sideline Cooper for a month, leaving the wide receiver corp without a first-round talent who has championship pedigree after what he accomplished with Indiana.

Why is a high ankle sprain so bad?

A high ankle sprain is a severe injury because it damages the syndesmotic ligaments that hold your lower leg bones (the tibia and fibula) together above the ankle joint, destabilizing your entire lower leg rather than just the joint itself.

A high ankle sprain is easy to re-injure because the damaged ligaments are under constant mechanical stress with every step the person takes. Hence, when a wideout, for instance, runs routes and makes high-impact steps or intense changes of direction, the ligaments are compromised.

Jets WR depth chart without Omar Cooper Jr.

The Jets will have to deal with not having Cooper on the field for the upcoming four games, so Geno Smith is down a weapon. Until then, these are the wide receivers that offensive coordinator and playcaller Frank Reich will have at his disposal:

• Garrett Wilson
• Adonai Mitchell
• Isaiah Williams
• Arian Smith

However, good news for LSU! The team completely removed him from the SEC availability report on Friday night, clearing Levitt to start against Ole Miss. Anyway, the starting and backup quarterbacks of LSU vs Ole Miss will have to step up, especially if Leavitt suffers a setback midgame.

This all means Leavitt is ready to roll. During the first two games of the season, Sam Leavitt’s numbers are a bit up-and-down. The talent is there but he needs to be consistent if LSU wants to beat Ole Miss.

Sam Leavitt’s stats in first two games of 2026 NCAAF season

Sam Leavitt’s 2026 season stats for the LSU Tigers include 574 passing yards, two touchdowns, and four interceptions across two games. It’s been a season of peaks and valleys for the former Arizona State QB.

Still, LSU is 2-0 and Leavitt has also made his mark as a dual-threat QB. In these first two games, Leavitt has 23 carries for 135 yards and five rushing touchdowns as well.

Leavitt’s pros and cons

Among Leavitt’s strengths, you can find skills like elite mobility and speed, a loose, effortless throwing motion and big arm talent, as well as toughness and grit. Leavitt can also extend plays outside the pocket.

However, he is not a perfect QB by any means. Leavitt struggles playing within structure, he is not consistent with his timing and anticipation. He lacks processing speed and has some injury history with right foot/Lisfranc surgery.