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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) runs off the field Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, following the game against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Colts’ Shane Steichen isn’t ready to bail on Daniel Jones for Anthony Richardson just yet appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Coach Shane Steichen’s Indianapolis Colts are 2-4 on the season heading into Week 7, a rough start that led to the firing of GM Chris Ballard. An injury update to Alec Pierce also dropped as the Colts’ passing game, and starting QB situation, came into focus.

Colts writer James Boyd of The Athletic shared a new update on the Daniel Jones vs. Anthony Richardson race, which included Steichen’s choice heading into a game against the Vikings in Minneapolis.

“Colts HC Shane Steichen says QB Daniel Jones will remain the team’s starter against the Vikings,” Boyd wrote. “DC Lou Anarumo will continue to call the defense as well.”

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Jones has worked to become a better passer but hasn’t been the most proficient QB by a long shot in 2026. He has over 1,200 yards passing but has also thrown six interceptions against four touchdown passes. His rushing yards average has dropped in each of the last five seasons, from 5.0 yards per carry in 2022 to 3.2 in 2026.

Anthony Richardson, the Colts’ former first round pick, has yet to play this season, a surprising development considering his immense football gifts.

Jones admitted he is hurting his team with turnovers and must do a better job in Week 7 against the Vikings, one of the NFL’s toughest defenses. Now in his eighth NFL season, Jones is starting to skate on thin ice as a quarterback whose best skills aren’t quite what they used to be and a player who hasn’t been able to shore up his glaring deficiencies as a thrower and caretaker of the football.

The Colts need a win as badly as any team in the NFL, and Week 7 looks like a low probability-win game against Kyler Murray and the Vikings. If Jones doesn’t pull a rabbit out of his hat on the road against one of the league’s best defenses, Steichen may have no choice but to turn to Richardson by the time Week 8 rolls around.

Related: Expected Colts’ Alec Pierce injury update puts extra damper on already-terrible week

Related: What Colts’ Shane Steichen said about Chris Ballard firing after Titans loss

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 25: General manager Chris Ballard of the Indianapolis Colts speaks to the media during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 25, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) Getty

The news many disgruntled Indianapolis Colts fans were waiting to hear for years was announced Monday. The team is moving on longtime GM Chris Ballard following Sunday’s ugly loss to the Tennessee Titans.

That drops the Colts to 2-4 on the season and at risk of missing the postseason for the sixth consecutive year. Ownership decided it was finally time.

A clip from July shows how even Ballard himself knew his seat was hot at the start of the season.

Chris Ballard Wanted to Prove Himself

Ballard got very honest back in July when asked if he deserved a contract extension. His response? “No, I wouldn’t do one,” he said. “I’m in the last year of my deal, we need to win.”

2026 marked his 10th year as general manager of the Colts, which is almost an unheard of tenure for an NFL GM. The most curious part of it all was how he retained his job with suboptimal results.

#Colts general manager Chris Ballard is on the last year of his contract.

Does he expect a contract extension before the season?

"No. I wouldn't do one… We need to win." pic.twitter.com/3IrqSWDr2F

— WISH-TV News (@WISHNews8) July 28, 2026

The Colts last made the postseason during the 2020 season, falling to the Buffalo Bills in the first round. The team hasn’t won a playoff game since the 2018 season, and the duo of Ballard and Shane Steichen just posted back-to-back 8-9 finishes.

Ballard was both self-aware and honest when discussing his own contract. His prediction ended up coming true and the team is left in a weird position for the remainder of the season.

Colts Still Have Big Decisions to Make

The Colts are not out of postseason contention, even at 2-4 and after losing to the previously 0-5 Titans. But the new front office, and ownership, will have to decide if they will try to compete or if they want to trade away top talent in order to restock draft capital for the future.

The NFL trade deadline arrives on November 10, giving this Colts team three more games to prove the roster shouldn’t be dismantled. Yet even if the Colts are 5-4 at that point, it may not be enough to pass up on some intriguing trade offers.

Quenton Nelson is a free agent after the season, and so is DeForest Buckner. Trading both could bring back some solid draft capital for a team that saw Ballard send two first-round picks to the New York Jets last season for Sauce Gardner. That was just one of many gambles that set the team back before he was fired.

The two biggest remaining decisions have to do with Steichen and quarterback Daniel Jones. A playoff victory may be the only thing that can save the coach’s job, and even that may not be enough if the next GM wants their own pick at head coach.

As for Jones, he is at risk of being benched soon if the team doesn’t start winning. That is for two reasons.

The first is the fact the team can cut him after the season for a dead cap hit of roughly $35 million. There is also the fact former No. 4 overall pick Anthony Richardson is still on the roster. The Colts may as well see what he can do if a rebuild is on the horizon in 2027.

Plenty of Colts fans got what they wanted with this Ballard dismissal. However, waiting until now to do it may have set the organization back even further than it was six weeks ago.

This article was originally published on HEAVY

The post Former Colts GM Chris Ballard Foreshadowed His Own Demise appeared first on HEAVY.

TAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 27: Head coach Kevin O'Connell of the Minnesota Vikings looks on during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on September 27, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) Getty

The Minnesota Vikings are one of three remaining undefeated teams, and they might be one of only two if the Commanders can pull off an upset over the 49ers on Monday night.

Meanwhile, the Buccaneers haven’t enjoyed nearly as much success over the first six weeks of the season. They’re currently last place in the NFC South with a 1-5 record. That fact has led The Athletic‘s Alec Lewis to theorize whether they might be sellers ahead of the NFL trade deadline.

If they do prove to be a sinking ship (no pun intended), he believes Kevin O’Connell and Co. could swing a deal to acquire a player who might ring a bell for Vikings faithful, safety Antoine Winfield Jr.

“Taking a swing will be worth a conversation if players such as Antoine Winfield Jr. or Budda Baker are available,” Lewis wrote. “The Vikings would also be smart to think about a contingency plan for Smith in the form of an elite player with blitzing savvy and presnap deciphering chops.”

Antoine Winfield Jr. Has Followed In His Father’s Footsteps

The apple didn’t fall far from the tree when it comes to Antoine Winfield Jr. His father, appropriately named Antoine Winfield Sr., was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 1999 NFL Draft.

While his career might have begun in Eastern New York, he ascended to stardom after signing with the Vikings ahead of the 2004 NFL season. He made three Pro Bowl appearances over his nine years in Minnesota and was one of the league’s toughest cornerbacks of his generation.

What he made up for in size (5’9″, 180 lbs.), he more than made up for in heart. He regularly finished near the league lead in tackles among cover men and was always around the ball. Winfield Sr. was also honored by being named one of the 50 Greatest Vikings on the team’s 50th anniversary in 2010.

Meanwhile, Winfield Jr. is the same height, but packs an even bigger punch thanks to his 203-pound frame. The 28-year-old has been one of the Buccaneers’ best players since the team selected him in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, and has two Pro Bowls under his belt.

Winfield Jr. has been a unique chess piece for the Bucs defense, with 18 career sacks and 9 interceptions to show for it. He’s also shown the same tenacity against the run as his father, eclipsing 80 tackles every season where he’s played at least 13 games.

Lewis Also Mentions The Vikings Could Swing A Deal For Budda Baker

Winfield Jr. wasn’t the only defender Lewis mentioned Minnesota could potentially be interested in. He also said the team could capitalize on the Cardinals‘ misfortune (due to them being 2-4) by acquiring Budda Baker.

The eight-time Pro Bowler has a similar playing style to Winfield Jr., as the Cardinals have deployed him all over the formation during his ten years in the desert. While the 30-year-old has a few years on Winfield, he would also provide an immediate impact as a do-it-all playmaker for Minnesota’s defense.

Either player would be an incredible chess piece for defensive coordinator Brian Flores to deploy, and they’d ensure the post-Harrison Smith safety landscape is secure. They’d also be potentially low-cost options (or at least lower than players of their caliber should be), with both the Bucs and Cardinals already having one eye on 2028.

This article was originally published on HEAVY

The post Vikings Insider Thinks Team Could Trade For Franchise Legend’s Son appeared first on HEAVY.

(Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jordan James took the opening kickoff to the 36-yard line for the San Francisco 49ers. Jordan Watkins started at wide receiver opposite Mike Evans. Jacob Cowing came in on the first third down. Evans caught a 25-yard pass on the first play.

Kaelon Black converted on 3rd-and-1. The offense quickly got into the red zone. Brock Purdy’s first target to George Kittle went for a touchdown, giving the 49ers a 7-0 lead. It was the third time the Niners began the game with a touchdown drive this season. Purdy went 5-for-6 on a 9-play, four-minute drive.

Jayden Daniels found Terry McLaurin on what looked like a busted coverage to begin Washington’s first drive for 27 yards. But their drive stalled after Luke Gifford limited Daniels’ scramble to three yards, and Malik Mustapha spooked Stefon Diggs into a drop. That meant the Commanders would settle for a 51-yard field goal to make it 7-3.

So much for any Achilles injury or soreness, Evans gained 54 yards to start the Niners’ second drive. Once again, they were in the red zone. But Christian McCaffrey lost three yards on a screen pass, and Connor Colby’s false start gave the Niners 3rd and long.

The offense stayed on the field for 4th and 3. Purdy looked right, didn’t see anything that he liked, so scrambled for the first down. On third-and-goal from the one-yard line, Christian McCaffrey punched it in to give the Niners their second consecutive scoring drive. This drive took a little under five minutes on 8 plays.

Eddy Pineiro missed another extra point, making it 13-3. It is the kind of miss you can’t turn a blind eye to, as they add up.

Luke Farrell was flagged for a facemask on the kickoff, gifting Washington great field position. A Daniels scramble was negated after Romello Height drew a holding flag. Daniels fled the pocket because Gracen Halton won.

On third and 9, Osa Odighizuwa sacked Daniels, forcing the punt. Raheem Morris’s blitz gave everybody a 1-on-1, and Odighizuwa rewarded him with a sack.

On the same play, the cart came out for McLaurin, which is the last thing you want to see.

Jacob Cowing inexplicably fielded a punt, then muffed it, giving the Commanders a 58-yard gain in field position. Evans was held on one play. He couldn’t hold on to a third-down target, and the 49ers punted on their third drive.

Washington had another bust on its third drive. Two players were guarding one, leaving Chig Okonkwo open 35 yards downfield. He stepped out of bounds six yards earlier, for a 29-yard gain. Nonetheless, Washington was knocking on the door once more.

Daniels was stopped short of the sticks on third down, forcing a 4th-and-2. But Daniels threw it away, and the Niners forced a red-zone stop.

Purdy found Jordan Watkins for a gain of 22. Then Brandin Cooks for 13 on a now slant. As the 49ers were driving, McCaffrey fumbled for the first time this season and gave the ball right back to Washington.

But Gracen Halton drew a holding call and sacked Daniels, so all was forgiven. That holding penalty was the most by a 49ers defensive tackle since DeForest Buckner was on the roster. It’s another way to quantify impact.

Farrell had another penalty; this one was costly. Instead of 1st and goal from the seven, it was third and long. But Purdy scrambled his way out of trouble once more. He picked up a first down on 3rd and 11. He ran right by Sonny Styles.

Trent Williams was flagged for holding right after, putting the offense back behind the sticks. After Evans picked up a first down, he limped off the field and into the locker room. During the timeout, Evans looked like he was stretching his Achilles. He left the game with 94 yards.

Purdy kept the ball on fourth down to pick up a first down. McCaffrey finished it off, giving the 49ers a commanding 20-3 lead. It was a 14-play drive that took over six minutes off the clock without giving Washington another possession. The 49ers had 17 first downs compared to the 16 total plays run by Washington.

Washington received the ball to begin the third quarter. They got their third first down of the game after Treylon Burks caught an 18-yard pass. Romello Height drew a holding call. Keion White forced a false start. The defense got the Commanders into another third-and-long situation.

On 3rd and 8, Daniels ran into Mykel Williams, his first sack of the season. The Commanders were 0-for on third down after they picked up their third sack of the evening.

The offensive line picked up Washington’s 6-man pressure, allowing Purdy to find Kittle for a gain of 35. A third-down pass was tipped, and the offense had a rare trip into the red zone that didn’t result in a touchdown. Pineiro’s 33-yard try was good, making it 23-3.

Washington answered with an 11-play drive that took over five minutes. Jayden Daniels kept the drive alive on a 4th-and-five to Diggs before finding him in the end zone. That made it 23-10.

Brock Purdy ran into trouble to end the third quarter, and the Niners offense would face another second-and-forever. Purdy navigated the pocket well on third down, but Kittle had the pass poked away, leaving it to Corliss Waitman’s second punt.

It looked like another McCaffrey fumble, but Christian’s brother didn’t touch the ball on replay, and the Commanders retained possession. The 49ers were fortunate to avoid a helmet-to-helmet penalty on Fred Warner.

On 3rd and 4, Mykel Williams tipped Daniels’ pass to force another punt. However, Malik Mustapha was flagged for illegal contact, giving the Commanders a fresh set of downs. The call went against Mustapha, but the replay showed it was against Renardo Green.

Washington converted its first third down of the game in the fourth quarter. A late hit by Odighizuwa tacked on 15 yards. And just like that, it was 1st-and-goal from the nine. Daniels hooked up with Raachad White, who had a step on Deommodore Lenoir, for another touchdown. That made it 23-17.

The 49ers got sloppy. After the drive, they committed eight penalties for 63 yards.

Daniels was 22-for-27 with a passer rating of 124.8. Their offense was clicking. Could the offense answer back?

Purdy couldn’t avoid a free rusher and took a sack on a second-and-long. He sailed a throw on third down. The Niners went three-and-out on back-to-back drives. It’s no coincidence they struggled without Evans.

Raheem Morris had enough of Upton Stout. Ashtyn Davis came in at nickel for Stout. Davis gave up a 30-yard completion. Washington scored on the next play, but a penalty negated a 31-yard touchdown run.

On 4th-and-8, Washington used a valuable timeout. Romello Height sacked Daniels, but a flag in the secondary once again gifted Washington a fresh set of downs. The flag was on Davis. Height made a great rush.

The game would come down to 4th and 3 after a big hit by Mustapha on third down. Mustapha came through again by jarring loose a target at the goal line. The 49ers don’t win this game without his performance.

The Commanders had two timeouts. We’ve seen the 49ers be aggressive in these situations, but that was with Evans on the field. On 3rd and 8, the Niners ran the ball and drained the clock. A conservative call that gave Washington the ball back with a minute remaining and a chance to win. It was the offense’s third straight three-and-out.

Siran Neal was flagged for kick-catch interference. That put Washington around midfield with 52 seconds remaining.

Instead of Stout or Davis, Lenoir moved into the slot with Jack Jones replacing him outside. This follows Davis’s struggles on the previous two drives.

Daviels took an intentional grounding penalty after Romello Height got pressure once again. It was costly, as the 10-second run-off left only six seconds remaining.

Height and White sacked Daniels on a three-man rush, helping the 49ers escape.

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San Francisco 49ers kicker Jake Moody. Getty

The Baltimore Ravens aren’t standing on ceremony at 4-2 and looking up at the Cleveland Browns in the AFC North standings.

That includes bringing in competition for starting kicker Tyler Loop.

“Sources: The Ravens are signing K Jake Moody to their practice squad, bringing him back as competition,” NFL insider Jordan Schultz wrote on his official X account on Monday. “Moody was with the team earlier this season when Tyler Loop had struggled in camp … (Moody) 26-year-old went 19/23 on FGs last season, including 10/11 in Washington. He also made both of his 50+ yard attempts, with a long of 56 yards.”

“The Ravens are once again signing K Jake Moody to their practice squad,” Ravens reporter Kevin Oestricher wrote on his official X account on Monday. “Moody was with Baltimore briefly during training camp, and will join Tyler Loop in the Ravens’ kicking room again Jesse Minter was frustrated when discussing Loop’s misses on Monday.”

This article was originally published on HEAVY

The post Baltimore Ravens Sign Record-Setting Kicker to Compete With Tyler Loop appeared first on HEAVY.

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 06: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers watches his team play against the Golden State Warriors from the bench during the first half of their preseason game at Chase Center on October 06, 2026 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) Getty

The Los Angeles Lakers have a tough season ahead of them with a killer Western Conference slew of playoff teams. At least six teams in the West believe they should contend for an NBA Championship, including the Lakers. However, most pundits rank them significantly behind the top teams of the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs.  

Former NBA superstar DeMarcus Cousins praised Luka Doncic, but he claimed the Lakers have no chance at all to contend with this roster: 

“Do I think this is a championship group? No. I think they’re a scary team every single night. I think they can upset some teams this year, but as far as just being that high-level team, contending-type team, I just can’t call it. 

I don’t see it. I think they got a lot of work to do, but I expect Luka to put up some incredible numbers. It could potentially be an MVP-type season for him, depending on how far he can really carry this group, but I can’t say they’re a better team without (LeBron James).” 

The big reason cited by Cousins is that the Lakers are just not a better team without James. Taking the chance on Walker Kessler as the third star sees risk involved already, but it gets more concerning when you lose LeBron and a handful of other respected rotation players. 

Can The Lakers Improve Without LeBron? 

Criticism towards Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka started this offseason when fans watched the moves play out in real time. Extending Austin Reaves to a long-term contract and acquiring Kessler from the Utah Jazz were the two biggest moves. 

Otherwise, the Lakers took some chances by letting players go beyond just LeBron. Role players Rui Hachimura,Marcus Smart, and Luke Kennard all contributed to the Lakers having a strong season last year as a top four seed. 

New role player additions like Collin Sexton and Quentin Grimes are not guaranteed success stories. In fact, many experts think the Lakers have too many players who do the same thing. Most agree with Cousins that this roster will be worse than last season to make contending quite difficult. 

How The Lakers Can Prove Critics Wrong 

The biggest thing working in the Lakers’ favor is that Doncic is arguably the best offensive player in the league. Luka is right there with multi-time MVPs Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander when it comes to running an effective offense by himself. 

Teams like the Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, and Minnesota Timberwolves are typically also ranked over the Lakers ahead of the upcoming season. Kessler is the biggest x-factor for the Lakers to succeed if he can be an elite defensive center to anchor the defense. 

Doncic has led a Dallas Mavericks roster to the NBA Finals that was not much worse than this Lakers squad. Reaves will have to step up as an All-Star caliber player, like how Kyrie Irving was on that finals team. The rest of the roster will have to prove Pelinka right in trusting them to prove Cousins wrong.  

This article was originally published on HEAVY

The post Former All-Star Mocks Los Angeles Lakers Title Contending Goals appeared first on HEAVY.

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I don’t know if we’ve ever seen the NFL have such a clear cut off from elite to average quarterbacks. This year it feels like there are 10-12 “guys” that can give you a chance to win every Sunday, but if you don’t have one of them, you’re probably not going to get very far unless you have an elite roster. Gone are the days of there being 15-20 solid quarterbacks in the NFL, and with the upcoming draft class looking like a bust, there might be a real quarterback issue in the NFL very soon.

But let’s not look into the future just yet. We’re focused on the present, and this year, there’s been a ton of shocking developments at the QB position. Here’s where all 32 NFL starting QBs rank heading into Week 7.

32. Justin HerbertINGLEWOOD, CA – SEPTEMBER 13: Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert 10 rolls out to run during the NFL, American Football Herren, USA game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Los Angeles Chargers on September 13, 2026, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire NFL: SEP 13 Cardinals at Chargers EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260913516

Last Week’s Rank: 32

2026 Stats: 59.4%, 1,141 passing yards, 168 rushing yards, 5 TD, 8 INT

Allen and Love are rewriting the QB hierarchy this season. Subscribe to stay ahead of every ranking shift and performance breakdown that matters.

Perhaps the most shocking development at QB is Justin Herbert, who is legitimately playing like the worst QB in football. I know his team is a bit banged up, but he is talented enough to overcome injuries like he did last year. This year, he just looks out of it.

31. Jalon Daniel

Last Week’s Rank: 31

2026 Stats: 61.2%, 501 passing yards, 126 rushing yards, 3 TD, 5 INT

Jalon Daniels is 1-2 as Tampa’s starter, but that doesn’t mean he’s played particularly well. He played well against Dallas last week and won the game, but outside of that, he has two touchdowns to four interceptions and is 0-2. There’s a lot of room for improvement from the UDFA.

30. Daniel Jones

Last Week’s Rank: 26

2026 Stats: 59.6%, 1,290 passing yards, 55 rushing yards, 5 total TD, 6 INT

Daniel Jones looks like a shell of himself. I said all offseason that it may take 9-12 months to come back from Achilles injuries, but we almost never see players look 100 percent until two years later. We may never see 2025 Daniel Jones again.

29. Cam Ward

Last Week’s Rank: 30

2026 Stats: 61.6%, 998 passing yards, 66 rushing yards, 4 TD, 4 INT

Cam Ward has been flat out awful this season. They brought in Brian Daboll and got him weapons on the outside, so the excuses he had last year are not there this year, and he still isn’t playing well. Even in a win this week he completed 50 percent of his passes for 102 yards and one touchdown with one pick. He’s not an NFL QB.

28. Kyler Murray

Last Week’s Rank: 28

2026 Stats: 68.3%, 662 passing yards, 93 rushing yards, 2 TD, 2 INT

Kyler Murray was on a bye this week, so he didn’t get to improve his stats, but it feels like he’s beginning to get a grasp on Kevin O’Connell’s offense. I’m curious to see how he plays off the bye with two full weeks of studying.

27. Malik WillisMIAMI GARDENS, FL – AUGUST 20: Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis 2 speaks to the media during a New York Giants and Miami Dolphins joint practice at the Miami Dolphins Training Camp on August 20 2026, at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens, FL. Photo by Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA AUG 20 Giants-Dolphins Joint Practice EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon796260820082

Last Week’s Rank: 27

2026 Stats: 56.2%, 849 passing yards, 186 rushing yards, 4 total TD, 4 INT

Malik Willis was also on a bye this week and didn’t get to improve his stats. He hasn’t looked great this year, but he literally has no talent around him on offense, so 2026 won’t be a true representation of what he can do.

26. Bo Nix

Last Week’s Rank: 24

2026 Stats: 60.3%, 1,049 passing yards, 37 rushing yards, 7 total TD, 3 INT

Bo Nix stinks. All he was known for in college was being a YAC merchant, and what do you know, that’s exactly what he is in the NFL. His ankle injury from last year has limited his mobility, which has made him have to be a true pocket passer, and he just can’t be efficient playing like that.

25. Sam Darnold

Last Week’s Rank: 23

2026 Stats: 60.4%, 1,033 passing yards, 35 rushing yards, 7 TD, 7 INT

Sam Darnold has struggled since returning from his hip injury. I don’t know if it’s because of the injury or if it’s because of the lack of a run game (probably both), but he has looked like a shell of himself. He always turned the ball over a lot, but at least he was able to put up big numbers last year.

24. Jameis Winston

Last Week’s Rank: 20

2026 Stats: 57%, 957 passing yards, 46 rushing yards, 7 TD, 5 INT

I won’t forget that Jameis Winston has actually played pretty well the past few weeks, but he really struggled against New Orleans, turning it over multiple times while scoring just 10 points. He was eventually benched for J.J. McCarthy, who then lit up the Saints’ secondary. Not a good look for Winston, who may have just lost the starting job.

23. Tanner McKee

Last Week’s Rank: NR

2026 Stats: 57.8%, 215 passing yards, 1 TD, 0 INT

Tanner McKee made his first start of the season this week, and it looks like he’s going to get a lot more now that Jalen Hurts is out for the year. He didn’t look horrible, but he didn’t look great, either. Give him some more first-team reps and see what he can do in future weeks.

22. Jacoby BrissettArizona Cardinals at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tampa Bay, Florida, USA Tampa Bay, Florida, USA, November 30, 2025, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett 7 at Raymond James Stadium. Copyright: xMartyxJean-Louisx

Last Week’s Rank: 25

2026 Stats: 66.7%, 1,328 passing yards, 64 rushing yards, 10 total TD, 6 INT

Jacoby Brissett’s numbers look better than he’s actually played, but he’s helped Arizona win two of their first six games, which is more than some people thought they’d win all year. He’s making this offense competitive most weeks, but they need an elevator at QB.

21. Tyler Huntley

Last Week’s Rank: 21

2026 Stats: 70.8%, 429 passing yards, 64 rushing yards, 4 total TD, 0 INT

After a really strong performance last week, Tyler Huntley didn’t look too hot against Cleveland, totaling 193 yards and one touchdown, but he didn’t turn the ball over. He’s rarely going to win you games, but he also won’t lose you games very often.

20. Michael Penix Jr.

Last Week’s Rank: 17

2026 Stats: 64.5%, 944 passing yards, 6 TD, 1 INT

If it weren’t for a couple of garbage time touchdowns, Michael Penix Jr.’s stats wouldn’t look nearly this good – he’d have four touchdowns this season and would only have one in every game he’s played. He isn’t making mistakes with just one pick in four games, but he has to more to help them win games. It can’t just be the Bijan Robinson show.

19. Geno Smith

Last Week’s Rank: 16

2026 Stats: 68.9%, 1,336 passing yards, 42 rushing yards, 7 TD, 1 INT

Geno Smith is taking care of the football and is managing this offense, but if the Jets had someone like Dak Prescott or Trevor Lawrence at QB, they’d be much better. He’s like Brissett. He’s not going to go out there and throw four touchdowns and win you a game, but he can run the offense efficiently and score 20 PPG.

18. Deshaun WatsonPHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 13: Cleveland Browns quarterback DeShaun Watson 4 passes the ball in the second quarter during the game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire, NFL, American Football Herren, USA OCT 13 Browns at Eagles EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon24101395

Last Week’s Rank: 14

2026 Stats: 63.8%, 1,174 passing yards, 196 rushing yards, 7 TD, 2 INT

Deshaun Watson really hasn’t been great this year during the first 55 minutes of the game, but I have to give him credit where it’s due. When the game is on the line, he delivers. He has led the Browns on a game-wining scoring drive in the final few minutes of the game in each of their four wins this season. The numbers aren’t great, but when their defense keeps Cleveland in the game, he’s proven he can deliver late.

17. Dak Prescott

Last Week’s Rank: 10

2026 Stats: 66.3%, 1,639 passing yards, 73 rushing yards, 10 TD, 5 INT

Dak Prescott has not delivered for Dallas the past two weeks. In losses to Tampa and Green Bay, he’s averaging 270 yards per game, but has two touchdowns to four interceptions and has scored 14.5 PPG. That won’t cut it with the defense the Cowboys have. He needs to be better.

16. Jayden Daniels

Last Week’s Rank: 19

2026 Stats: 64.5%, 759 passing yards, 213 rushing yards, 7 total TD, 0 INT

Jayden Daniels gave it everything against a great defense on Monday night, but he came up just short. Even though the Commanders are struggling, Daniels has played well when he’s been healthy. He’s far from their biggest problem.

15. Drake Maye

Last Week’s Rank: 18

2026 Stats: 63.9%, 1,463 passing yards, 185 rushing yards, 12 total TD, 7 INT

Drake Maye had a ROUGH start to the season, but has played very well over the past three weeks, averaging over 260 passing yards per game and throwing 10 touchdowns to one interception while leading New England to three wins. He’s bounced back quite nicely, but this is based on his entire body of work this season.

14. C.J. Stroud

Last Week’s Rank: 15

2026 Stats: 65.3%, 1,714 passing yards, 76 rushing yards, 10 total TD, 1 INT

C.J. Stroud is another player whose numbers look better than he’s actually played. I’ll give him props, because he has played very well against Jacksonville, Dallas and Buffalo this year, but he’s also really struggled against Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Tennessee. If he can keep playing like he did this past week, Houston has a shot at the playoffs and he should keep rising up this list, but I need to see it consistently.

13. Matthew Stafford

Last Week’s Rank: 9

2026 Stats: 65.9%, 1,794 passing yards, 11 TD, 6 INT

Matthew Stafford may have 600+ passing yards and five touchdowns to zero interceptions over the past two weeks, but he still has just looked off. He’s a big part of the reason why LA is 2-4 through four weeks after opening as Super Bowl favorites.

12. Caleb WilliamsCHICAGO, IL – JANUARY 18: Caleb Williams 18 of the Chicago Bears during the NFC Divisional Round playoff football game on January 18, 2026 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA JAN 18 NFC Divisional Round Rams at Bears EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260118077

Last Week’s Rank: NR

2026 Stats: 72.5%, 712 passing yards, 110 rushing yards, 5 total TD, 1 INT

Caleb Williams is back from his hamstring injury and I thought he looked pretty good, throwing for 300+ yards and a touchdown in a 31-23 win over Atlanta. With Williams under center, this Chicago offense is as dangerous as they come.

11. Aaron Rodgers

Last Week’s Rank: 11

2026 Stats: 61.4%, 1,487 passing yards, 12 TD, 5 INT

Aaron Rodgers has now thrown multiple touchdown passes in each of his last four games, but sometimes this Pittsburgh offense still looks out of sync. I’ll give him credit, though, because before the season started, I completely wrote Rodgers off, but he’s played much better than I thought he would.

10. Tyler Shough

Last Week’s Rank: 13

2026 Stats: 65.1%, 1,443 passing yards, 104 rushing yards, 14 total TD, 5 INT

Tyler Shough finally got some sort of a run game this past week, and what did he do? He scored four touchdowns and led the Saints to 31 points in three quarters. He’s proving that he’s a franchise QB, but nobody can succeed without a run game or an offensive line that can hold up in pass protection. When he has those two things, he’s elite.

9. Kirk Cousins

Last Week’s Rank: 7

2026 Stats: 63.4%, 1,582 passing yards, 14 TD, 5 INT

Kirko Chains has slowed down a bit after throwing three touchdowns in each of his first three games, but he still has five touchdown over the past three weeks while leading the Raiders to 24.7 PPG against Buffalo, New England and Kansas City. He is still the best option for this offense, even after this three-game losing streak.

8. Jordan Love

Last Week’s Rank: 12

2026 Stats: 59.7%, 1,684 passing yards, 12 total TD, 4 INT

Jordan Love has been dealing this season despite having next to no run game. It has gotten better in recent weeks, but he’s still being asked to do pretty much everything on his own, and he’s delivered for Green Bay.

7. Trevor LawrenceJACKSONVILLE, FL – JANUARY 11: Trevor Lawrence 16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars throws a pass during the AFC Wildcard Playoff game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Buffalo Bills on January 11, 2026 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fl. Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA JAN 11 AFC Wildcard Bills at Jaguars EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260111543669

Last Week’s Rank: 8

2026 Stats: 65.2%, 1,480 passing yards, 70 rushing yards, 14 TD, 4 INT

Trevor Lawrence was not the issue for Jacksonville this past week. Going up against one of the best defenses in football, Lawrence totaled 317 yards and four touchdowns with just one turnover. After a slow start to his career, he has looked like a true No. 1 overall pick under Liam Coen the past two seasons.

6. Bryce Young

Last Week’s Rank: 6

2026 Stats: 60.2%, 1,549 passing yards, 12 total TD, 2 INT

After a bye last week, Bryce Young returned to the field and once again looked sharp, throwing for 281 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions in a 25-14 win over Philly. The Eagles aren’t as good as many thought, especially with Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley out, but this was a big win for Young and Co.

5. Joe Burrow

Last Week’s Rank: 5

2026 Stats: 71.4%, 1,361 passing yards, 48 rushing yards, 12 total TD, 3 INT

Joe Burrow had a bye this past weekend, but still remains in the top-five. Through five games, Burrow is averaging over 250 passing yards and 2.4 touchdowns per contest while leading a top-10 offense in the league. If he keeps this pace up, he should be in the MVP race by the end of the year.

4. Jared Goff

Last Week’s Rank: 3

2026 Stats: 67%, 1,485 passing yards, 13 total TD, 0 INT

Another QB who was on a bye this week was Jared Goff, who still hasn’t turned the ball over this year. In five games he has 13 touchdowns to zero interceptions, while no other QB in the league has more than four touchdowns without a turnover. He has been fantastic for Detroit this year.

3. Patrick Mahomes

Last Week’s Rank: 2

2026 Stats: 66.5%, 1,309 passing yards, 57 rushing yards, 10 total TD, 3 INT

Patrick Mahomes didn’t light up the stat sheet this week, throwing for 272 yards and one pick with zero touchdowns, but he’s still been one of the top quarterbacks in football this year. The addition of Kenneth Walker has helped open things up in the passing game, and now we’re seeing vintage Mahomes in 2026.

2. Brock Purdy

Last Week’s Rank: 1

2026 Stats: 69.5%, 1,460 passing yards, 156 rushing yards, 15 total TD, 2 INT

Brock Purdy didn’t light up the scoresheet on Monday night, and a poor second half was a big reason Washington almost came back, but he’s still been one of the best quarterbacks in football this season. I do think one guy jumped him for the top spot, but he’s still a top-two MVP favorite through six weeks.

1. Josh AllenSeptember 13, 2026, Houston, Texas, U.S: Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen 17 warms up prior to the NFL, American Football Herren, USA regular season game between the Houston Texans and the Buffalo Bills at Reliant Stadium in Houston, TX on September 13, 2026. Buffalo won, 36-31. Houston U.S – ZUMAw137 20260913_aap_w137_144 Copyright: xErikxWilliamsx

Last Week’s Rank: 4

2026 Stats: 66.7%, 1,504 passing yards, 240 rushing yards, 17 total TD, 4 INT

Josh Allen didn’t score a rushing touchdown for the first time this season against Las Vegas, but he still threw for 255 yards and two scores with no picks. Take away his legs, he’ll beat you with his arm. Take away his ability to pass, and he’ll beat you with his legs. Allen looks like a superhuman playing quarterback.

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The post NFL Week 7 QB Rankings: Josh Allen & Jordan Love Climb appeared first on EssentiallySports. Add EssentiallySports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – JANUARY 04: Dak Prescott 4 of the Dallas Cowboys during the game against the New York Giants on January 4, 2026 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswi`re NFL, American Football Herren, USA JAN 04 Cowboys at Giants EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon26010422146 ©IMAGO/Icon Sportswire

We are officially one third of the way through the 2026 NFL season, which is incredibly hard to belive. It feels like just yesterday the Patriots and Seahawks dueled in the season opener, and now, for over half of the league, their season is already 33 percent of the way over.

After six weeks, we have a really good idea of where every team stands, so let’s take a look at our latest power rankings.

32. Miami Dolphins (0-5)MIAMI GARDNES, FL – JUNE 09: Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley speaks with reporters during the Miami Dolphins OTA on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at Baptist Health Training Complexr in Miami Gardens, FL Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA JUN 09 Miami Dolphins OTA EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260609013

Last Week’s Rank: 31

Week 6 Result: Bye

The NFC East's heavyweights are in freefall. Subscribe to stay ahead of the playoff picture shifts and expert analysis on which contenders are truly built to last.

Miami didn’t lose this week! Oh, wait, that’s because they were on a bye.

31. Los Angeles Chargers (0-6)

Last Week’s Rank: 30

Week 6 Result: 22-6 loss to KC

Don’t know what to say here except for, yikes. This team looks bleak, unmotivated and unprepared. Something has to change and fast. They won’t make the playoffs, but at least end the season with a bit of pride.

30. Tennessee Titans (1-5)

Last Week’s Rank: 32

Week 6 Result: 26-20 win over IND

Wow, Tennessee got a win, but that doesn’t mean they’re a good team. Cam Ward still stinks, they’re just lucky Daniel Jones was even worse this week.

29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-5)

Last Week’s Rank: 28

Week 6 Result: 26-19 loss to PIT

This Tampa Bay defense is legit this season. They’ve been playing like one of the best units in the league; the problem is the offense can’t get anything going. Still, major props to Jalon Daniels, who has done some good over the past two weeks. Ultimately, he had two costly interceptions which cost Tampa Bay the game.

28. Washington Commanders (1-4-1)

Last Week’s Rank: 27

Week 6 Result: 23-17 loss to SF

Dan Quinn needs to go. The Commanders have talent, but they just can’t extract it. Just because he led you to the NFC Championship two years ago – and that was largely because of Jayden Daniels’ incredible rookie season, doesn’t mean he’s a good head coach. He failed in Atlanta, and he’s failing again in Washington.

27. New York Jets (2-4)

Last Week’s Rank: 24

Week 6 Result: 26-19 loss to NE

The Jets were able to stick around and make things interesting against New England, but they still have to find some mojo offensively. Geno Smith is managing this offense right now, but if they had a top-12 QB, they could be really dangerous. Their hope is they can find one in the draft this year.

26. Indianapolis Colts (2-4)Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) yells at the line of scrimmage Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, during a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Last Week’s Rank: 23

Week 6 Result: 26-20 loss to TEN

Yeah, that was embarrassing. No surprise the Colts fired Chris Ballard as their general manager, because losing to the Titans is inexcusable. Just a disappointing loss for the Colts overall, who don’t have a first-round pick this season.

25. Philadelphia Eagles (2-4)

Last Week’s Rank: 19

Week 6 Result: 25-14 loss to CAR

Jalen Hurts is out for the year and the season is basically over for Philly. They’re going into tank mode and will try to rebuild this offseason. But I don’t want to focus on their play right now. How the f*** did they let Hurts play in London after he literally didn’t sleep the night before because it was “too risky” with his blood clot? There has to be an investigation launched and they need to be punished, because you can’t put a player’s life at risk like that. He never should’ve ever traveled to London.

24. Atlanta Falcons (2-4)

Last Week’s Rank: 22

Week 6 Result: 31-23 loss to CHI

The Falcons defense finally met its match going against Caleb Williams. Ben Johnson came in with a solid game plan and had over 350 yards of total offense. Atlanta rushed the ball just 12 times, which isn’t the recipe for success for this offense. If the Falcons can’t run the ball, they can’t control games. We saw that against Chicago.

23. Arizona Cardinals (2-4)

Last Week’s Rank: 29

Week 6 Result: 18-16 win over LAR

Imagine if I told you at the beginning of the year that Arizona would beat the Chargers and Rams in the first six weeks. Nobody would’ve believed it, but it has happened. They still don’t look like a great football team, though. There’s a lot of work to do before they’re real contenders.

22. Dallas Cowboys (2-4)

Last Week’s Rank: 21

Week 6 Result: 23-13 loss to GB

Sigh, we do it every year. We believe in the Cowboys’ offseason moves, then they disappoint when the games actually start. What’s surprising about this game is that the offense couldn’t get anything going. Coming into the game, Dallas had the best offensive success rate, but clearly couldn’t get anything going in Green Bay. The schedule lightens up, and with the NFC East looking bleak, Dallas still has a shot at the playoffs.

21. New York Giants (3-2-1)

Last Week’s Rank: 20

Week 6 Result: 34-27 loss to NO

This game wasn’t as close as the score indicated. The Saints ran away with this one after falling behind 10-0, but Kellen Moore thought it would be fun to give the backups some run. Then, of course, New York came back and he had to re-insert the starters. If Tyler Shough never went out, the Saints win by two scores.

20. New Orleans Saints (2-4)Sep 15, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (12) warms up before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Last Week’s Rank: 26

Week 6 Result: 34-27 win over NYG

Oh man, this was a close one. After leading 34-10, the Saints almost blew the game to the Giants. The offense, while having 34 points, still looked sluggish in the first half. They struggled with pressure again and just don’t have a running game (I won’t count 175 yards against the Giants). Until they can figure that out, they won’t crack the top 15.

19. Cleveland Browns (4-2)

Last Week’s Rank: 25

Week 6 Result: 13-10 win over BAL

CLEVELANDDDDDDD! 4-2 through six weeks and standing alone atop the AFC North has to feel great, but eventually these one-score games are going to start going the other way. Winning in the final two minutes every week is not sustainable, especially for this roster.

18. Las Vegas Raiders (3-3)

Last Week’s Rank: 15

Week 6 Result: 33-30 loss to BUF

Even with three-straight losses, the Raiders haven’t looked horrible. Losing by three to the Chiefs and Bills should be taken as morale victories, especially in Klint Kubiak’s first year as head coach. Still, three straight losses have them slipping in the rankings, but the Raiders have done the most important thing this season: look competitive in games.

17. Los Angeles Rams (2-4)

Last Week’s Rank: 8

Week 6 Result: 18-16 loss to ARI

What is happening in LA? It doesn’t even feel like they’re playing that bad, but they keep losing games. Sean McVay not caring about special teams has played a factor, but this offense just looks lost at times. Not a great start for the preseason Super Bowl favorites.

16. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2)

Last Week’s Rank: 17

Week 6 Result: 26-19 win over TB

The Steelers ran 13 screens against Tampa Bay, the most of any team this season. Offensively, this unit seems limited with Aaron Rodgers at the helm when it comes to pushing the ball down the field. That will limit this team down the line, putting it around the middle of the pack in these rankings.

15. Green Bay Packers (4-2)

Last Week’s Rank: 18

Week 6 Result: 23-13 win over DAL

The Packers are surging after a slow start to the season, but wins over Tampa, Dallas and a Caleb Williams-less Chicago don’t really move me. They need to take it to Detroit and Carolina the next couple of weeks to make me believe, because after that, they get New England, Minnesota, Los Angeles, New Orleans and Buffalo. Not an easy stretch.

14. Detroit Lions (3-2)December 21, 2025, Detroit, Michigan, USA: December 21 2025: Jared Goff 16 during the Detroit Lions vs Pittsburgh Steelers at Ford Field in Detroit MI. Brook Ward / Apparent Media Group. Detroit USA – ZUMAa234 20251221_zsa_a234_439 Copyright: xAMGx

Last Week’s Rank: 14

Week 6 Result: Bye

How many points did the Lions give up in the bye week? In all seriousness, hopefully Detroit figured out a few things on defense during its bye week and got some consistency there. The offense is efficient, but its defense will limit it if it can’t start making plays.

13. Houston Texans (2-4)

Last Week’s Rank: 16

Week 6 Result: 34-31 win over JAX

The Texans are going to make the playoffs. After an 0-4 start, they’ve bounced back with wins over Tennessee and Jacksonville, the latter of which was massive for their confidence. Now they get the Giants, Chargers, Browns and Colts the next five weeks with a bye mixed in. They’ll be 6-4 in a blink of an eye.

12. Carolina Panthers (3-2)

Last Week’s Rank: 12

Week 6 Result: 25-14 win over PHI

This game wasn’t very entertaining, especially the Philadelphia offense, but Carolina’s offense is one of the better units in the league. They didn’t do anything flashy against the Eagles, but had nearly 400 yards. Bryce Young is rolling right now.

11. Seattle Seahawks (3-3)

Last Week’s Rank: 7

Week 6 Result: 17-14 loss to DEN

The Seahawks are a good team, but they need to figure it out offensively. Losing Kenneth Walker is proving to be a bigger blow than they thought. They need to get the run game going or else Sam Darnold will keep struggling.

10. Baltimore Ravens (4-2)

Last Week’s Rank: 6

Week 6 Result: 13-10 loss to CLE

Let’s not ignore the loss to Cleveland, but the defense played lights out against the Browns. Holding them to just 13 points and 237 yards. Baltimore just lost the defensive battle in the end. This is a game they probably win with Lamar Jackson, so we shouldn’t hold too much against them. This team is still a top 10 team in the league.

9. Cincinnati Bengals (3-2)

Last Week’s Rank: 9

Week 6 Result: Bye

The Bengals were on a bye this week and stay in place at No. 9, but they have a big AFC North game against Baltimore next week.

8. Denver Broncos (4-2)PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 05: Denver coach Sean Payton reacts during the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Denver Broncos on October 5th, 2025 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. Photo by Terence Lewis/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA OCT 05 Broncos at Eagles EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon251005157

Last Week’s Rank: 10

Week 6 Result: 17-14 win over SEA

Well, defense does win championships. We saw it last year against Seattle, and Denver’s defense will keep this team in games. The offense has to get more efficient if it wants to win playoff games. It doesn’t have to be a blazing unit, but anything better than what they showed on Thursday night would be a win.

7. New England Patriots (4-2)

Last Week’s Rank: 11

Week 6 Result: 26-19 win over NYJ

Are the Patriots back? Drake Maye has 10 touchdowns to one interception while leading New England to a 3-0 record the past three weeks. They go to Chicago this weekend, which will tell us a lot.

6. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-2)

Last Week’s Rank: 5

Week 6 Result: 34-31 loss to HOU

A tough loss for Jacksonville in London, but they still played a complete game. Trevor Lawrence had his best game of the season; the defense just couldn’t get a stop late. Jacksonville should still be considered one of the best teams in the league entering its bye week.

5. Chicago Bears (4-2)

Last Week’s Rank: 13

Week 6 Result: 31-23 win over ATL

The Bears are back in business with Caleb Williams back under center. I know Chicago has some weaknesses on the defensive side of the ball, but they looked good this week, and when Williams plays, they can outscore pretty much anyone.

4. Minnesota Vikings (5-0)

Last Week’s Rank: 4

Week 6 Result: Bye

Coming off a bye, the Vikings don’t move all too much. Defensively, they have the best unit in the league; we’ll just have to see how this offense looks fully healthy.

3. Buffalo Bills (5-1)

Last Week’s Rank: 2

Week 6 Result: 33-30 win over LV

The Bills’ offense looked as good as ever this past weekend, but the reason they fell a spot is because of their defense. I know Josh Allen is superhuman and can overcome a lot, but eventually this defense is going to start costing them games. They need to get better on that side of the ball.

2. Kansas City Chiefs (5-0)Sep 28, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) warms up against the Baltimore Ravens prior to a game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Last Week’s Rank: 3

Week 6 Result: 22-6 win over LAC

The Chiefs are rolling again, with their new weapon, Kenneth Walker. Not only that, but they’re getting production from rookies on the defensive end like R Mason Thomas. Unfortunately for the rest of the NFL, the Kansas City dynasty isn’t dead just yet.

1. San Francisco 49ers (6-0)

Last Week’s Rank: 1

Week 6 Result: 23-17 win over WAS

The San Francisco 49ers just keep on rolling. It was a bit closer than they would’ve liked, but they’ve rattled off six straight wins, and with games against Atlanta, Las Vegas and Dallas coming up, they could be 9-0 before they suffer their first loss. Despite all of their injuries, they just keep on winning. Kyle Shanahan does it every year, and every time they get hurt we keep tricking ourselves into thinking this will be the year they fall off. And they never do.

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The post NFL Week 7 Power Rankings: Cowboys & Eagles Continue to Tumble appeared first on EssentiallySports. Add EssentiallySports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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The Milwaukee Brewers have had a few days off to enjoy the American League Championship Series, but now it's go-time.

The Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Cleveland Guardians in a wild six-game series, and now the World Series will officially feature two teams that have never won it.

This is the Rays' third appearance in the World Series, while it'll be the second for the Brewers.

Keep in mind, Tampa Bay made the World Series in 2020, so that was a modified season and that appearance doesn't mean nearly as much as some others.

In the end, the Rays came back home to Tropicana Field and put together a strong 7-3 victory, one that had highs and lows, to say the least.

Freddy Peralta is out of this world

Freddy Peralta, the former Brewers ace, had a struggle or two, but other than allowing a run in the sixth inning, he was nearly perfect.

Sure, Peralta allowed a trio of walks, but he has now allowed just one earned run in his last two starts.

Peralta is 2-0 in the postseason, and he even made a relief appearance on Saturday, Oct. 17. If there was ever a time for him to face his former team, it's now, and fellow former Brewers pitcher Drew Rasmussen is also ready to go against his former club.

Brewers found a crack in Rays bullpen

The Rays had a comfortable 5-1 lead going into the bottom of the eighth thanks to a Junior Caminero home run off the left-field foul pole, but things got interesting late in this one.

Ian Seymour had his name called, but it turned out to be one of the worst relief appearances of the entire postseason. 

Seymour issued back-to-back walks to go along with a wild pitch, and suddenly the Rays only led 5-3.

Thankfully for the Rays, Kevin Kelly picked up his fourth hold in just three pitches, leaving the bases stranded with two outs.

Rays have a ton of power in this lineup

A player like Chandler Simpson is never going to overwhelm a team with his power, but that's what Caminero and Yandy Diaz are there for right now.

Diaz quickly erased the two runs Seymour gave up with a massive ninth-inning blast, quickly proving why the Brewers have a lot to be worried about with this lineup.

Milwaukee's pitching staff will have a full week off, and now they can solely focus on preparing for these Rays hitters in the final three days before Game 1 on Friday, Oct. 23.

The Philadelphia Eagles are currently 2-4 in the young season. The NFC East in general has had a rough start. The Eagles are also only one game behind the New York Giants for the lead in the division. Their scoring offense and passing offense rank 28th in the NFL. Their defensive ranking is not much better at 27th in overall defense.

This week, the Eagles and their fans were dealt a significant blow. Starting quarterback Jalen Hurts has been lost for the season due to a blood clot concern. Doctors discovered “multiple blood clots” in Hurts’ lungs. The treatment Hurts will need to undergo is expected to keep him off the field of play for at least three months.

While this is a devastating blow to a team that was already struggling, this is one of those conditions that requires understanding and patience. Some injuries have immediate impacts, like a knee or ankle. Some are more concerning with long-term effects like concussions. Blood clots can be even more scary. Former first ballot Hall of Famer and current Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders, has intimate knowledge of this concern.

Deion Sanders’ blood clot journeyDiscovery at Jackson State

In 2021, Sanders began the Jackson State season believing the discomfort he was experiencing was simply the cost of being the elite pro athlete that he was. Players get dinged up, have lingering pain and Sanders did not think much of the pain. In September of that year, doctors discovered it was much more than simply residual pain.

The specific diagnosis was that Sanders developed a femoral arterial blood clot as well as compartment syndrome. In total, over the next year, Sanders would have eight surgical operations. He spent almost a month in a Mississippi hospital, mostly in the intensive care unit, and lost 40 pounds in the process. Many fans will remember a Jackson State game that included a frail Sanders wearing layers and a blanket, in a wheelchair.

Sanders has often referred to that game as a story of inspiration. He had noticed Shedeur’s numbers declining with every game he could not attend. When Sanders had reached a level that would permit a field trip, he showed up for his son because he could.

A relapse in Boulder

In June 2023, Sanders was coming off the first very successful Spring Game in recent memory in Colorado. A sold-out crowd for a glorified practice in the rain that was nationally televised on ESPN. The timing was helpful as his minute-to-minute presence was less necessary at that point in the calendar. Sanders underwent multiple procedures to remove blood clots from his leg and thigh.

Shortly after the 2023 concern, Sanders introduced the fans to his regiment and personal caregiver Lauren publicly. Whether it's his blood clots concern or the bladder cancer that came later, Sanders has been publicly open about his condition to raise awareness.

Cancer complications

Towards the end of the 2024 season, Sanders would notice a different kind of discomfort and a slight lack of typical functionality. That concern became bladder cancer. By July 2025, Sanders, Lauren and his oncologist met with the media to reveal he had developed a cancerous growth in his bladder, sought treatment and was cancer free.

In October 2025, there was another scare. This time was complicated by the cancer and bladder surgery he had recently overcome. Sanders reported to his medical team “severe throbbing and lack of blood flow” following a 14-point loss to TCU. That concern led to an additional aspiration thrombectomy procedure.

In 2026, Sanders appears to be managing the blood clot concern rather well. He is monitored regularly. A saving grace for someone in Sanders’ position is that the University of Colorado has a medical facility one floor below the football operations inside the Champions Center on campus.

Shelving Hurts is the right move

Some factors are bigger than that game. While Eagles fans might see this as a sizable inconvenience to the rest of their season, this demands patience. The human body cannot properly function without adequate blood flow. Not addressing such a concern can lead to real life-threatening circumstances.

Blood clots are always concerning; however, Hurts is experiencing them in his lungs. Adding even more urgency to an already urgent concern. The Philadelphia Eagles are doing exactly what they should do. Sit Hurts down immediately and ensure he is getting the urgent and long-term care he would need to ensure this does not become a larger issue.

Deion Sanders is the pro sports poster child for this medical issue. At no point, once officially diagnosed, did he try to push through. Neither should Hurts nor the Eagles. While it will not likely be public, one must believe a blood clots conversation between Hurts and Sanders is all but a guarantee. Assuming they haven’t spoken on the subject already.

1. 5 Cheaper OLED TVs To Buy Instead Of The Samsung S95H  BGR
2. Best Buy is having a massive sale on this 65-inch Samsung OLED TV before the holidays  OregonLive.com
3. The best OLED TV for the money on the market drops to lowest ever price in Amazon deal  PC Guide
4. Samsung's Popular S90H OLED TV Is Nearly 45% Off Right Now  SlashGear
5. I review TVs for a living, and my favorite OLED of the year is down to a record-low price  Business Insider

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Freddy Peralta threw 5 1/3 gritty innings, Junior Caminero and Yandy Díaz each hit a two-run homer and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Cleveland Guardians 7-3 in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series on Monday night to advance to the World Series for the third time in the franchise’s 29 seasons.

The Rays will face the Milwaukee Brewers in the first matchup in which both teams are seeking their first World Series title since 1980, when the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Kansas City Royals.

Game 1 is Friday night in Milwaukee.

The loss extended Cleveland’s World Series championship drought to 78 years.

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1. Rays clinch ALCS with Game 6 win, to face Brewers in World Series  ESPN
2. What Mets learned from Peralta's disappointing tenure -- and his rebound with Rays  MLB.com
3. Tampa Bay Rays advance to World Series, will face Milwaukee Brewers  NBC News
4. Rays headed to World Series against Brewers after ousting Guardians  Tampa Bay Times
5. Yandy Díaz, Rays on the cusp of a World Series trip after ALCS Game 5 win over Guardians: 'It all ends tomorrow'  Yahoo Sports

World Series 2026: Schedule, broadcast and start times for Rays vs. Brewers  Yahoo SportsSee more headlines & perspectives on Google News

1. Tampa Bay Rays advance to World Series, will face Milwaukee Brewers  NBC News
2. ALCS Game 6: Takeaways as Rays advance to World Series  ESPN
3. Freddy Peralta, big bats deliver Rays past Guardians in ALCS Game 6 to secure World Series date with Brewers  Yahoo Sports
4. Guardians score tonight. Ex-Cleveland players dash Guards' World Series dreams  Akron Beacon Journal
5. Rays finish off Guards to set up World Series clash vs. Crew  MLB.com