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Fantasy football managers are in the meat of their respective seasons, as Week 7 represents the midpoint in many fantasy leagues.

By now, top contenders have been established across all leagues. Meanwhile, the rest are looking to find ways to shape their rosters into postseason contenders amid a slew of injuries impacting the NFL.

Week 6 saw a couple of prominent receivers – Davante Adams and Terry McLaurin – go down with significant injuries. Fantasy managers will now be forced to replace those players while also navigating bye weeks for the Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Chargers and Washington Commanders.

Those absences will create some difficult start 'em, sit 'em decisions for fantasy football managers. Luckily, there remains plenty of depth across key positions, with a slew of emerging, young receivers providing hope for those needing to replace the likes of Adams and McLaurin.

Who can you start and sit in fantasy football for Week 7 of the 2026 NFL season? USA TODAY Sports outlines eight players to start and eight to sit:

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Fantasy football players to start in Week 7Quarterbacks

• C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans (vs. New York Giants)

Stroud has quietly been rock-solid amid the Texans' 2-4 start to the 2026 NFL season, averaging 285.7 passing yards per game and throwing nine touchdowns to just one interception. He gets a favorable matchup in Week 7 against a Giants defense that has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game (FPPG) to quarterbacks this season and just allowed Tyler Shough to rack up four total touchdowns. Expect him to be a top 10 fantasy quarterback this week.

• Kyler Murray, Minnesota Vikings (vs. Indianapolis Colts)

In the Vikings' final game before their Week 6 bye, Murray racked up 51 rushing yards on 10 carries. That was more than he had across his first three games in Minnesota combined (10 carries, 42 yards). Murray will now get to face a Colts defense that has allowed the eighth-most rushing yards to quarterbacks this season. The Colts are also surrendering 27.3 points per game, so Murray should have a high floor in this matchup.

Running backs

• Rico Dowdle, Pittsburgh Steelers (at New Orleans Saints)

Despite limiting the Giants' ground game in Week 6, the Saints have allowed the most FPPG to running backs this season, including an NFL-high 701 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns to the position. Dowdle may play a slight second-fiddle to Jaylen Warren, but he should still get enough opportunities to do damage against a porous Saints defense.

• Jordan Mason, Minnesota Vikings (vs. Indianapolis Colts)

Mason is expected to return from injured reserve in Week 7 after missing four games because of a thumb injury. If he does, he can be started against a Colts defense that has allowed the sixth-most FPPG to running backs this season. That should allow Mason to emerge as a quality flex play, even if he splits carries with Aaron Jones.

Wide receivers

• Omar Cooper Jr., New York Jets (vs. Miami Dolphins)

In his Week 6 return from IR, Cooper racked up six catches for 103 yards and a touchdown against the Patriots while seeing seven targets from Geno Smith. He should remain the Jets' clear-cut No. 2 pass-catcher across from Garrett Wilson, so don't be surprised if he emerges as a quality WR3 or flex play against a lowly Dolphins defense.

• Denzel Boston, Cleveland Browns (at Tennessee Titans)

Boston is coming off the worst game of his young NFL career, as he logged just one catch for 15 yards against the Ravens. He gets a much easier matchup in Week 7 against a Titans defense that has allowed the fourth-most receptions to wide receivers this season (83), so the second-round rookie should be poised to work his way back into flex territory.

Tight end

• Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams (at Las Vegas Raiders)

Higbee wasn't as involved in the Rams' passing attack as many assumed he would be against the Cardinals, but he did rack up four targets in the fourth quarter. The veteran figures to see an uptick in volume with Davante Adams (hamstring) out of the lineup, and the Raiders have allowed the sixth-most FPPG to tight ends this season, making this a good spot to back Higbee.

Defense/special teams

• Cleveland Browns (at Tennessee Titans)

Cam Ward and the Titans are coming off a strong showing against the Colts, but the Browns will provide them a tougher test. Cleveland has recorded 19 sacks in 2026, second-most in the league behind the Lions, and should be able to pressure Ward, who has thrown an interception in four consecutive games, into some mistakes.

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Fantasy football players to sit in Week 7Quarterbacks

• Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (at Seattle Seahawks)

Mahomes is coming off his first no-touchdown game of the 2026 NFL season and gets a tough matchup against a Seahawks defense that has allowed the second-fewest FPPG to quarterbacks this season. Add in that Kenneth Walker III is in a revenge game and will be motivated to score against his former team and this seems like a lower-ceiling spot for Mahomes.

• Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints (vs. Pittsburgh Steelers)

Shough is coming off a four-touchdown game against the Giants, but he will face a much more difficult test from the Steelers. Pittsburgh has allowed just six total touchdowns to quarterbacks through six games this season, tied for third-fewest in the league.

Running backs

• Cam Skattebo, New York Giants (at Houston Texans)

Skattebo did not handle any touches in Week 6 and played just 7.8% of the Giants' offensive snaps, primarily at fullback. It's clear that John Harbaugh was trying to send a message to his young running back about his fumbling issue, and that arrangement may not last long. Still, fantasy managers will need to see Skattebo handle some semblance of a workload before reinserting him into lineups. He's also facing a Texans defense allowing the third-fewest rushing yards per game this season, so benching him is an easy choice.

• Emanuel Wilson, Seattle Seahawks (vs. Kansas City Chiefs)

Wilson has been a high-volume option for the Seahawks, but he is averaging just 3.5 yards per carry. That makes him a touchdown-dependent option, and there's no guarantee he'll be able to find the end zone against a Chiefs team that has allowed just three rushing touchdowns to running backs this season. Zach Charbonnet may also return for this matchup, which could complicate Wilson's path toward goal-line opportunities.

Wide receivers

• Tre Tucker, Las Vegas Raiders (vs. Los Angeles Rams)

Tucker is averaging a more-than-respectable 5.8 targets and 61.8 receiving yards per game this season, but the Rams have allowed the eighth-fewest FPPG to receivers this season. Tucker may have trouble winning consistently against Trent McDuffie, which could force Kirk Cousins to look more in the direction of Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer in this one.

• Michael Wilson, Arizona Cardinals (vs. Denver Broncos)

In two games without Marvin Harrison Jr. this season, Wilson is averaging four catches for 31 yards. Defenses figure to continue focusing on him as Arizona's clear-cut No. 1 receiver which will limit his productivity against quality defenses. Denver qualifies, and if the Broncos get Patrick Surtain back, Wilson could have a very quiet afternoon in Week 7.

Tight end

• Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons (vs. San Francisco 49ers)

Pitts had two touchdowns against the Bears last week, but those came when the Falcons were trailing big. He may have more difficulty staying fantasy relevant against a 49ers defense that has yet to allow a touchdown to a tight end this season.

Defense/special teams

• New England Patriots (at Chicago Bears)

The return of Caleb Williams has turned Chicago's offense back into a juggernaut. Mike Vrabel's defense is a well-coached unit that has thrived against the run, but this profiles as a rare "Thursday Night Football" shootout between the Bears and Patriots.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fantasy football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: 16 players to start or sit in Week 7

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Freddy Peralta rode his fastball to the American League Championship Series MVP award.

Acquired by the Rays from the New York Mets before the trade deadline, Peralta turned around his season in Tampa Bay and helped his new team win its third AL pennant. Peralta was 2-0 with a 0.75 ERA in three appearances, including two starts, in the ALCS against the Cleveland Guardians.

“This is crazy,” Peralta said. “I’m very happy to be here and grateful to be here because when I was in July, I had no idea where I was going to be. I think that this was the right place.”

When Rays manager Kevin Cash announced the ALCS MVP winner on the postgame stage at Tropicana Field, he said: “Fastball Freddy.”

“His velocity was so high out of the gate, you were wondering how much he was going to be able to maintain it,” Cash said. “But I also think that might have been because of the inning that he pitched in Game 4, coming in and getting some big outs. But couldn’t be more impressed with the way he continued to take deep breaths and just make pitch after pitch for us.”

Peralta relied on his overpowering four-seamer throughout the series. He gave up one run and five hits over 5 1/3 innings in the 7-3 win. The two-time All-Star also tossed six scoreless innings in Game 2 and got two important outs in relief in Game 4.

Now, Peralta gets to face his first team in the World Series. The right-hander spent eight seasons in Milwaukee, going 17-6 with a 2.70 ERA last year. But he is eligible for free agency this fall, so the Brewers traded him to the Mets in January.

“Amazing, because Milwaukee is a team and a city that gave me the opportunity to make my dream, and also Milwaukee is going to be always in my heart,” Peralta said. “But this is a time to compete ... and excited to go.”

Peralta went 5-9 with a 4.99 ERA in 22 starts for New York before coming to Tampa Bay in an Aug. 2 trade. He was 5-2 with a 3.25 ERA in 10 starts for the Rays and was selected the AL pitcher of the month for September.

Going back to the regular season, Peralta has made 10 straight appearances while allowing one run or fewer in all 10 as his team went 10-0 in those games.

“When I got here, everything changed,” Peralta said. “I remember when I (got) to the clubhouse, we were in Colorado playing against the Rockies, and as soon as I stepped in the dugout in the first inning, I felt the vibes. I felt something different. And I think that’s why we’re here now.”

Peralta credits pitching coach Kyle Snyder along with bullpen coach Jorge Moncada and bullpen catcher Charlie Valerio for his turnaround.

“They helped me a lot,” he said. “I can’t thank them enough because the way that they helped me is amazing, something I’m never going to forget in life. I’m very grateful to have people like that here, people that I never saw before and now they are part of my family.”

After celebrating with his teammates, Peralta still couldn’t believe he was taking the ALCS MVP award home.

“It’s unbelievable,” he said. “I think I have to see it when I go home tonight and start thinking about it, because I still am in shock because I don’t believe — I believe it because it’s here and it was announced already and I talked. But I never think about it. Even in the moment, it surprised me because I thought it was going to be somebody else because there’s a lot of talent, a lot of players that did a great job. And I think it could be anybody.”

Next up is a World Series start against the Brewers. Peralta could pitch Game 2 in Milwaukee on regular four days’ rest or Game 3 back at Tropicana Field.

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - MARCH 07: Wisconsin Badgers head coach Greg Gard watches the on court action in the first half of play during a men's college basketball game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Purdue Boilermakers on March 07, 2026 at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, IN. (Photo by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The college basketball season is just a few weeks away from us, and the preseason AP Poll was revealed over the weekend, giving us a glimpse into what voters think about the upcoming season.

The Wisconsin Badgers have been in the preseason AP Poll just twice in the last eight years, yet have found themselves in the Top 25 during every one of those seasons. This year, it’s no different, as the Badgers were not among the Big Ten teams voted in the Top 25.

However, there was a bigger surprise: they didn’t get a single vote, unlike 19 other teams that missed out on the AP Top 25.

Missouri (167 votes), Nebraska 70 (votes), Purdue 53 (votes), Ohio State 39 (votes), North Carolina (20 votes), TCU (17 votes), Saint Louis (13 votes), VCU (12 votes), Iowa (12 votes), Virginia Tech (10 votes), Indiana (8 votes), Texas A&M (6 votes), Villanova (6 votes), Auburn (4 votes), Marquette (3 votes), Nevada (2 votes), Grand Canyon (2 votes), Utah State (2 votes), and Santa Clara (1 vote) all received votes, but missed the Top 25.

So currently, Wisconsin isn’t being considered among the top 40 teams in the country, as they head into the season with a new-look roster. The Badgers landed several new players in the offseason, with guard Owen Foxwell and forward Eian Elmer being the primary additions. Wisconsin also got guard Trey Autry and center Victory Onetu in the transfer portal, while adding several freshmen as well.

Those additions will join Nolan Winter, Austin Rapp, Braeden Carrington (assuming his eligibility holds), Zach Kinziger, Will Garlock, Hayden Jones, and Jack Janicki as the rotational pieces for the Badgers.

Looking at the Top 25, there are several Big Ten teams listed. Illinois comes in at No. 3 after their Final Four appearance. Michigan State is next at No. 6, with Player of the Year candidate Jeremy Fears Jr. back. Then come Michigan (No. 16), USC (No. 21), and UCLA (No. 22).

Listed outside the Top 25, but still receiving votes, are Nebraska, Purdue, Ohio State, Iowa, and Indiana. So, currently, the Badgers are seen as a team outside the top 10 of the Big Ten.

The 2026 college fantasy football season is underway and we're here to help you through those tough lineup decisions. In the inaugural CFF season, Yahoo analyst Eric Froton is compiling his rankings every week for each roster position, including quarterback, running back, wide receiver and tight end.

Below you can find all of his rankings for Week 8 of the 2026 college football season to aid in setting your roster while sifting through the options on your bench and the waiver wire.

Eric Froton's Week 8 College Fantasy Football Rankings

• QB | RB | WR | TE | Team Offense | D/ST

College Fantasy Football Week 8 Rankings

Note: Injured players who may or may not play are listed at the back end of each position group and will be adjusted accordingly as new information about their playing status becomes known.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are sitting at 4-2, but they aren't winning games with the explosive, vertical aerial assault that once defined Aaron Rodgers’ MVP years in Green Bay. Instead, Pittsburgh has embraced a methodical, high-efficiency formula, and former Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch addressed the Black and Gold on “The Pivot” podcast to explain why this shift in reality is paying off.

Comparing Rodgers’ evolving play style to his grandmother's adaptation of her famous recipes, Batch noted that expectations must align with the current system and personnel.

"To my analogy, Aaron Rodgers can't be Aaron Rodgers from Green Bay," Batch said. "He has three and a half yards per completion right now. He's not going to go 60 on you. He's not going to get chunk plays. So, slowly work down the field."

Against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Rodgers threw for just 253 yards, relying heavily on pre-snap reads, quick screens, and short-to-intermediate targets to stay on schedule.

 While a 3.5-yard depth of target might lack highlight-reel flair, it plays directly into Pittsburgh's overarching strategy. That strategy includes protecting the football, winning the time of possession battle, and leaning on a dominant defense to keep games close before striking late.

"If the Steelers are successful, they're going to win these type games, overtime games, single-digit games," Batch emphasized. "This is their setup. Get to the fourth quarter and let him have one big Aaron Rodgers drive."

That fourth-quarter composure was on full display in Tampa Bay, where Pittsburgh scored 23 points in the final quarter and overtime. By controlling the pre-snap picture and using nonverbal communication at the line of scrimmage, Rodgers dissected blitzes and distributed the ball quickly without committing critical errors.

Rodgers may no longer be pushing the ball downfield at will, but by mastering the short game and orchestrating clutch late-game drives, he gives Pittsburgh precisely what it needs to win tight contests.

This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Why Aaron Rodgers’ new reality in Pittsburgh is working

The Detroit Lions could have an intriguing opportunity to reunite with a familiar defensive back ahead of the NFL trade deadline. And after the latest comments from Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters, it’s fair to wonder whether Amik Robertson could become a potential target for Brad Holmes.

Robertson left Detroit during free agency in March, signing a two-year contract with Washington after spending the previous two seasons with the Lions. But with the Commanders struggling through a disappointing start and openly exploring the trade market, a reunion is at least worth considering.

There is one important distinction: No credible report has connected the Lions to trade discussions involving Robertson. This is a potential trade idea based on Detroit’s secondary needs, Robertson’s familiarity with the organization, and Washington’s willingness to discuss possible moves.

Oct 11, 2026; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders cornerback Amik Robertson (2) after the game against the New York Giants at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)Commanders GM Confirms Washington Is Exploring Trades

During a Monday appearance on The Sports Junkies, Peters acknowledged that Washington has been involved in conversations with other teams as the trade deadline approaches. Although he stopped short of identifying specific players who could be available, his comments suggest the Commanders are keeping their options open.

“At this time, we’re actively making calls. Teams are calling us and we’re assessing the market right now. If there’s something that makes sense for us, we’re certainly going to take action.”

Peters made those remarks during an October 19 interview about Washington’s plans for the trade deadline. He also emphasized that the Commanders have not decided whether they will be buyers or sellers, making it premature to assume the organization intends to trade productive veterans.

Nevertheless, Washington’s disappointing start creates an interesting situation for teams looking to improve their rosters. The Commanders could receive inquiries about players who might help contenders, and Robertson would certainly fit the profile of a proven defensive back with immediate value.

Why Amik Robertson Makes Sense for Detroit Lions

Robertson became a valuable member of Detroit’s secondary during his two seasons with the organization. His physical playing style, willingness to defend the run, and ability to line up both inside and outside made him an excellent fit in the Lions’ aggressive defensive scheme.

As we reported when Robertson departed in free agency, he appeared in 34 games for Detroit and recorded 20 passes defended. During the 2025 season, he led the Lions with 12 passes defended while making 10 consecutive starts.

Those numbers help explain why bringing him back would be appealing. Detroit has experienced considerable turnover in its secondary, and Robertson already understands the expectations of Campbell’s coaching staff and defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard.

Robertson has also continued playing well in Washington. According to an evaluation of his early-season performance, he had eight passes defended through his first five starts, along with a 74.9 overall defensive grade.

That production is both a reason Detroit might be interested and a reason Washington might be reluctant to trade him. The Commanders signed Robertson to help stabilize their secondary, and moving one of their better defensive backs could create another problem for an already struggling defense.

Would Washington Actually Trade Robertson Back to Detroit?

The biggest obstacle to a potential reunion is that Robertson isn’t an aging veteran approaching free agency. He signed a two-year contract worth approximately $15 million in March, meaning Washington controls his rights through the 2027 season.

That’s an important consideration for any trade discussion. Peters would need to believe the return package justified parting with a productive cornerback who could remain part of Washington’s plans next season.

Detroit, meanwhile, would have to determine whether Robertson’s salary and the draft compensation required to acquire him made sense. Holmes has shown a willingness to investigate upgrades in the secondary, but that doesn’t mean the Lions would automatically pursue every available cornerback.

As we previously covered when examining Detroit’s potential cornerback trade targets, the Lions explored a deal for Joey Porter Jr. before he was traded to Dallas. That established interest in upgrading the position makes the idea of another cornerback addition reasonable.

Still, Robertson’s strong early-season performance may actually work against the possibility of a trade. Washington has little reason to give away a productive player unless another team offers compensation that makes the move worthwhile.

Should Brad Holmes Make the Call?

If the Lions decide they need another experienced cornerback before the deadline, Robertson would offer several appealing qualities. He knows the organization, has experience in Detroit’s defensive system, and has demonstrated the versatility needed to handle multiple assignments.

A reunion could also give Detroit additional flexibility as Brian Branch works his way back into the lineup. Rather than asking one returning player to solve every problem in the secondary, adding another experienced defensive back would allow the Lions to distribute responsibilities more effectively.

But the distinction between a logical fit and a realistic trade remains important. Washington hasn’t identified Robertson as available, and there is no indication that Detroit has contacted the Commanders about bringing him back.

Could the Detroit Lions bring back Amik Robertson? Absolutely, as a hypothetical trade possibility. Whether Washington would seriously consider moving him is an entirely different question.

For now, Peters’ comments simply confirm that the Commanders are listening and making calls ahead of the deadline. If Holmes is still searching for secondary help, it wouldn’t hurt to find out what Washington would want for a player who already knows how to play football in Detroit.

1. AMD is bringing FSR 4.1 to Xbox consoles and handhelds  The Verge
2. AMD FSR Upscaling 4.1 Boosts Frames and Image Quality on More Devices  AMD
3. AMD's FSR 4.1 now works on Radeon RX 6000 GPUs, Xbox Series X and S, and Ryzen AI Max, AI 9, and Z2 SoCs — new release brings cutting-edge tech to older hardware with a small performance cost  Tom's Hardware
4. Microsoft, AMD announces FSR 4.1 support for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox Ally  Windows Central
5. AMD Announces FSR 4.1 for Radeon RX 6000 Series, APUs, and Xbox  TechPowerUp

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Dante Washington and Robert Warzycha recently bumped into each other and began to reminisce about their time as Crew teammates, including a 1-0 victory over the L.A. Galaxy to win the Lamar Hunt 2002 U.S. Open Cup championship – the Crew's first championship of any kind.

More: Columbus Crew advance to U.S. Open Cup final after downing Orlando SC

The two watched all but five minutes from the sidelines on a chilly night at what's now called Historic Crew Stadium before subbing in together in the 89th minute to help close out the win over the star-studded Galaxy, which had just won the MLS Cup.

Washington, now the Crew's director of player engagement, forced the Galaxy to spend precious time defending in its own half, even drawing a late foul, while Warzycha came up with a key defensive play that many longtime Crew fans still recall vividly. He saved the Crew's title hopes by getting to Carlos Ruiz's shot off a rebound and clearing the ball before it rolled over the goal line 55 seconds into added time.

Warzycha was 38 at the time. Washington was 31. Now, they're 62 and 55, respectively, and nearly a quarter of a century has passed.

"I actually ran into [Warzycha] last week and we were talking about it," Washington said. "He goes, ‘Did I even play in that game?’ I said, ‘You actually did.’ I’d looked at the video of it, and I said, ‘Both of us went in around the same time, but you probably did the most important thing.’ And he goes, ‘Yeah,’ and he kind of vaguely remembered [his save]."

Time flies, as the saying goes, and its rapid passing often blurs even key moments like that one. The Crew's celebration, however, remains a special memory for Washington even 24 years later with the team preparing to face St. Louis City FC in this year's US. Open Cup Final on Oct. 21 at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field (8 p.m. Paramount+).

"Winning and doing it in front of our home fans, in front of the ownership group was special," Washington said. "We were a really tight group too. There’s a number of guys on the [2002] team who actually still live in Columbus or somewhere close, like [Indianapolis] or Pittsburgh. So, to do that at home was really special and to celebrate it was a lot of fun.”

Columbus Crew's U.S. Open Cup drought older than Taha Habroune

The U.S. Open Cup started in 1913-14 as the National Challenge Cup, and its first championship game was played in May 194 in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, making it the oldest cup competition in U.S. soccer history and second-oldest continually operating cup competition in the world behind Ireland's Irish Cup.

The Crew have only won it once, in 2002, and have finished runner-up twice (1998, 2010). The same year they won it, a soccer-loving Moroccan family moved to Columbus.

Four years later, Taha Habroune was born into that family at Riverside Hospital. Growing up in Linden on the city's northeast side, Habroune fell in love with soccer while watching his father, Abdeslam, and older brother, Abdul, kick the ball around at local fields.

He soon began playing himself, attended his first Crew game at age six, became a fan and eventually made his way to MLS as a true homegrown talent in Columbus. After coming up through the Crew's academy and playing for Crew2 in the MLS NEXT Pro league, Habroune, 20, is now a rising star in his hometown.

Helping the Crew end a long U.S. Open Cup drought in front of family and friends is a tantalizing goal.

"Growing up here, I’ve witnessed the Crew win many titles, and the Open Cup hasn’t been one of them," Habroune said. "It would be special for me for a couple of reasons. It’s the first final I’ll be a part of where I’m actually a contributor to the team, and being from Columbus, knowing that we haven’t won it in 24 years, it would mean a lot."

It would also be nostalgic for a group of 2002 Crew alums who'll join Washington to watch in person. Though Washington and Habroune haven't discussed the Crew's 2002 U.S. Open Cup championship, they interact on a regular basis around the Crew's training facilities.

Watching Habroune and this year's Crew experience what he and his teammates did more than two decades ago might send chills down Washington's spine.

"It’s hard to believe that it’s been so long because some of the memories are very vivid and some aren’t, but time absolutely flies, and before you know it, you’re 24 almost 25 years later, still thinking about some of the things that we did back then," Washington said. "It’s hard to believe really.”

DispatchBlue Jackets/Crew reporter Brian Hedger can be reached at bhedger@dispatch.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Crew chasing U.S. Open Cup glory 24 years after winning it

Ex-Bucks NBA champion scorns 76ers, says LeBron James' age will eventually prove costly originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

For LeBron James, his move to the Philadelphia 76ers has been watched in every way possible. The 76ers are excited to have James, but the reaction from the public has been both positive and negative.

Everyone is watching what he does on and off the court, looking for something to criticize. NBA veteran Olden Polynice went off on James for not building chemistry with his teammates.

“First of all, look, the man plays for the 76ers, and he's jumping on helicopters every day going to New York," Polynice said. "You know, it's like, so how are you spending time with your teammates, getting to know them outside of practice, which is something that you should be trying to do to a certain extent, get to know these guys, because you're not getting it done in practice."

Others have been more optimistic about Philadelphia and its chances of winning. Stephen A. Smith believes the 76ers will win a championship.

“The 76ers are gonna win LeBron James his fifth NBA championship. That's the good news. Here's the bad: It still ain't six, baby. This man is the second greatest player of all time. He is not the GOAT,” Smith said.

While several people believe in the 76ers' potential, others are not buying into the hype. NBA champion Jeff Teague believes the team is overrated and that James' age will eventually cost them.

“Everybody got a lot of high hopes for the Sixers, I’m not a fan. I don’t think they going to be that good. I got them 4th seed in the East… It’s too much sacrifice, who’s going to sacrifice all that? The first time they go on a 4 game losing streak and they start saying something to Bron. Well you know Bron is old, some sh*t going to happen,” Teague said.

The veteran certainly didn't mince his words, giving the 76ers little credit for their ability to figure things out. He firmly believes Philadelphia will be a middle-of-the-pack team in the playoffs.

He also believes James won't be able to stay healthy or move as well as he once did, which could hurt Philadelphia. The 76ers have the potential to be a good team, but Teague believes they will face too many hurdles.

More NBA news:

• 76ers' 7-foot-6 giant ruled out for season opener against Knicks as LeBron James' debut looms
• Mavericks' Kyrie Irving reveals retirement timeline, says it isn't the game he fell in love with
• Lakers may have made huge mistake with Bronny James after waiving first-rounder Dalton Knecht
• 76ers' LeBron James wanted to be drafted by Eastern Conference powerhouse instead of Cavaliers

Brady Tkachuk isn't ready to let his Ottawa Senators jerseys go to waste.

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1. Christina Applegate reveals she was misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis: "Not happy at all"  CBS News
2. Christina Applegate Breaks Down in Tears Revealing She Was Misdiagnosed with MS: ‘I’m Back at Square One’  People.com
3. Christina Applegate, a leading MS advocate, says doctors found she doesn’t have the disease after all  CNN
4. Christina Applegate says she was misdiagnosed with MS and is now 'back at square one'  Fox News
5. Christina Applegate says her doctor told her she was misdiagnosed with MS  AP News

1. Day 1 NBA Power Rankings, with Reasons for Hope and Despair for Every Team  Bleacher Report
2. 2026-27 NBA season preview: Rankings, predictions, odds  ESPN
3. Knicks? Thunder? Wemby? Sixers? 24 big questions for the 2026-27 NBA season  The New York Times
4. Power Rankings: How all 30 teams measure up to begin 2026-27 season  NBA.com
5. NBA predictions: Expert picks for 2026-27 awards as Wemby has inside track to two honors, but what about ROY?  CBS Sports

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Scientists reveal new theory of why we exist  The IndependentSee more headlines & perspectives on Google News

1. Actor Christina Applegate reveals she was misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis  The Guardian
2. Christina Applegate, a leading MS advocate, says doctors found she doesn’t have the disease after all  CNN
3. Christina Applegate Breaks Down in Tears Revealing She Was Misdiagnosed with MS: ‘I’m Back at Square One’  People.com
4. Christina Applegate says she was misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis  The Washington Post
5. Selma Blair recalls talking to Christina Applegate about MS before “Anchorman” star’s misdiagnosis  Yahoo

1. Here's what to expect when Netflix reports earnings after the bell  CNBC
2. Traders are betting Netflix's stock drama may be coming to an end  CNBC
3. Netflix Earnings Are Coming Tuesday. Options Traders Are Bracing for a 10% Swing  Yahoo Finance
4. Analysts Eye $3 Billion Ad Revenue Surge Ahead of Netflix Earnings  Benzinga
5. Netflix Stock Might be a Sleeper Hit  WSJ

1. Senate Democrats launch first ad in Mississippi as their midterm optimism spreads to the South  AP News
2. Democrats jump into Mississippi Senate race  NBC News
3. Opinion | Could Mississippi Elect Its First Black Senator Since Reconstruction?  The New York Times
4. Senate Democrats start spending in Mississippi  Politico
5. Our View: Pick another senator: Colom is the clear choice  Commercial Dispatch