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Eagles coach Nick Sirianni is about to face the toughest challenge of his career over the next 12 weeks — and he might not survive it.

It’s going to be tougher than the first half of the 2021 season, when people wanted him fired in his first year as head coach and tougher than the situation in 2023, when the team considered firing him after the Eagles collapsed down the stretch.

It’s certainly going to be tougher than the first four games of the 2024 season, when he landed on the hot seat after his team started slowly.

Sirianni has been through tough times as the Eagles head coach, but what’s happened over the last month beats anything from the past.

On Monday, NFL insiders revealed that Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is expected to miss the remainder of the 2026 season because of a blood clot.

Two weeks ago, Hall of Fame-caliber right tackle Lane Johnson retired, and the Eagles traded left guard Cam Jurgens to the Ravens.

Now, the Eagles have one of the NFL’s worst offensive lines blocking for Tanner McKee, who is a below-average starting quarterback.

Running back Saquon Barkley has missed the last two weeks with a hamstring injury, and other key playmakers have also missed time due to injuries. Philadelphia’s defense is also struggling to stay healthy.

The Eagles lost their fourth consecutive game Sunday, falling to 2-4.

Sirianni entered the year on the hot seat radar after a disappointing 2025 season and he needed to turn things around this season to ease the pressure. Now, given the circumstances, Sirianni faces an uphill battle to remain the Eagles’ head coach after the 2026 season.

“Obviously, we are in a rut right now,” Sirianni told reporters on Monday about the offensive struggles. “I don’t think there’s any question [about] that. We’re in a rut. This is why you work in the offseason to come together, because every team is going to go through ups and downs here and it’s important to have that relationship and build those relationships so when you go through down times, it doesn’t tear you apart.”

Here are three reasons why Sirianni could struggle to stay off the hot seat: McKee is bad, and Joe Milton is even worse

Simply put, the Eagles have a nightmare situation at quarterback.

Coming off a bad summer, McKee struggled in his first start of the season against the Panthers,. He completed 25 of 46 passes for 215 yards and a touchdown. He struggled to throw a tight spiral outside the numbers, and too many of his passes fluttered. He didn’t move well in the pocket and was easy to sack.

McKee is the Eagles’ best option at quarterback. On Friday, the Eagles signed former Cowboys quarterback Joe Milton from Dallas’ practice squad. He’s not a viable starter. Milton has a strong arm, but his inconsistent accuracy and other issues have prevented him from becoming a reliable backup or starter in the NFL.

Eagles +5 point spread is listed at -111 on ProphetX for Monday night’s divisional showdown versus Dallas. Also, check out our extensive guide to the best sportsbook promos to shop for competitive odds.

Fifth-round rookie quarterback Cole Payton is not ready to play.

The Eagles’ offense was bad with Hurts, who is a competent NFL starter, during the first five weeks of the season. The offensive problems extend beyond the quarterback, but now that the quarterback play is below average, things will become even worse.

New offensive coordinator Sean Mannion is struggling, and the offense ranks terribly

Mannion’s offense has been a disaster through the first six weeks, ranking 28th among 32 teams in EPA per play (-0.111) and 31st in offensive success rate (36.6%), according to the advanced-metrics website RBSDM Stats.

Mannion wanted to build his scheme around the under-center play-action game, but it has failed.

The Eagles had five under-center dropbacks against the Panthers, and all five were play-action passes. On those attempts, the Eagles finished with zero completions and two sacks for a loss of 17 yards, according to SumerSports.

The Eagles rank 26th in passing, 29th in rushing and 30th in yards per game. Philadelphia’s offense is unlikely to get much better this season because it has serious talent issues and a poor scheme.

Sirianni took a massive gamble by hiring Mannion, a first-time play caller with only three years of NFL coaching experience, over more experienced offensive coordinator candidates. Through six weeks, it does not look like a good hire.

Sirianni doesn’t call his own plays, and he has struggled to build good offensive schemes. He has had great success as a CEO-style head coach, but his limitations as an offensive coach make him a liability.

“Have a high confidence level in everybody in this building,” Sirianni said on Monday. “Sean, that’s why I hired him, the position coaches, the players. Right now, we’re in a rough spot as we know. It is about controlling the things that you can control in this moment and figuring out what the next steps are. I think we’ve got to find out what the things are that we have to get better at and what we have to do well or what we do well. That’s what these next two days are for, and we get an extra day here on this end, but my confidence level in our guys is high.”

Philadelphia’s offensive line has major issues

MORE BY CAYDEN STEELE

Eagles could land a top-10 pick with Jalen Hurts done — and it could be a QB: 10 draft optionsOct. 21, 2026, 10:11 a.m.

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Philadelphia’s new starting five up front is young and inexperienced. Right tackle Markel Bell, left guard Willie Lampkin and center Drew Kendall could make improvements throughout the season and develop into long-term starters beyond this year.

However, as with any young group, there will be growing pains.

For the first time in many years, the Eagles have a weak offensive line. Landon Dickerson’s return could help raise the floor of the unit, but it won’t fix everything.

Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Rose confirms Bournemouth star returns to training

Marco Rose confirmed that striker Eli Junior Kroupi is back training with the first-team squad after injuring his foot in pre-season.

The 20-year-old scored 13 Premier League goals last campaign but is yet to appear this season, although he could feature against Manchester United on Sunday.

Speaking ahead of Bournemouth’s Europa League tie against AC Milan, Rose also gave an update on midfielder Alex Scott, who sustained an injury while impressing on international duty with England.

When asked about the possibility of Scott re-joining first-team training, Rose said: “We needed to see how he would respond to the load. The response wasn’t perfect on the first day, but it has been much better following that.

“We will now look to step up his training plan, but he won’t be available for the next two weeks.”

Bournemouth welcome the 19-time Italian champions to the Vitality Stadium on Thursday night in a clash few would have expected 15 years ago when the Cherries finished mid-table in League One.

Speaking ahead of the game, Rose said: “It is a huge game and we are looking forward to it, but the club has played a much bigger game before.

“Many years ago, after the points deduction, they needed to win their last game at home [against Grimsby] and Steve Fletcher scored the winning goal. That’s the foundation of why we are here now, playing these kinds of games.

“If we’re able to clarify our situation in this competition, it will make things easier going forward. We have many games before the international break so, for that reason, we should grab everything that we can. We will be going full in on Thursday.”

Bournemouth picked up their first win of the Premier League season on Sunday, defeating Sunderland 2-0.

Rose said: “We feel we’re in a good spot. We have created a good momentum for ourselves now and we should use that to our advantage.”

Manchester United's UEFA Champions League game against Como is in question -Credit:Mattia Ozbot - UEFA, UEFA via Getty Images

Manchester United's UEFA Champions League match against Como is at risk of being called off as heavy rainfall batters the Italian region.

The Red Devils have made the trip to mainland Europe for their third Champions League outing of the season, but serious doubts have now emerged over whether the match will go ahead.

Lombardy, the region where Como is situated, has been placed under an orange weather warning for rain. This indicates a severe alert for hazardous conditions and calls for heightened vigilance. As anticipated, the rain arrived on Tuesday and has persisted into Wednesday, leaving the pitch saturated and the conditions treacherous.

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-Credit:Mattia Ozbot - UEFA, UEFA via Getty Images

PA reported that 64mm of rainfall is forecast before kick-off at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, with only one of their four stands covered — leaving supporters bracing themselves for a sodden evening. Despite the additional threat of lightning, Como remain confident the pitch will hold up and that postponement can be avoided.

United have claimed one win and suffered one defeat in their opening two Champions League matches, and under-pressure boss Michael Carrick dismissed any concerns over the weather conditions ahead of the game. "No, nothing immediate from me, we're used to the rain," he said, via The Mirror. "We'll make the most of it!"

The Manchester club has secured just two victories all season and faces a Como side on an upward trajectory, managed by former Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas. Their roster includes ex-United defender Willy Kambwala.

Carrick's squad trained on Tuesday with six players absent, potentially significantly affecting team selection. Ayden Heaven, Kobbie Mainoo, Marcus Rashford, Lisandro Martínez, Luke Shaw and Patrick Dorgu were missing from the session.

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The United manager also emphasized that, despite overseeing the club's poorest campaign start in four decades, he feels supported by the hierarchy.

"I don't need any reassurance. It's pretty clear. I know the role, I know my responsibilities, I don't need anyone to tell me when it's going well or when it needs to be better," he said.

"I know the realities and have no problem with that. I know we got to win football games for everything to flow and fit into place. I feel backed, yeah, why wouldn't I? I have a really good relationship with everyone at the football club. There are no issues on that side."

CINCINNATI — While the Cincinnati Bengals try to find consistency coming out of the Week 6 bye, they at least know they can count on that from kicker Evan McPherson.

McPherson broke the franchise record for most consecutive field goals when he made his 22nd straight attempt in a win at Miami on Sunday, Oct. 11, and he looks to keep building on that if given the opportunity in a big game at Baltimore (4-2) this Sunday.

His streak, which dates back to Week 11 of the 2025 season, broke Shayne Graham’s record of 21 consecutive field goals in 2007.

“It's about just never growing complacent,” McPherson said. “I feel like it's a big thing for me, just understanding that every day I come in, I'm still doing my same routine. It's like even though I've made whatever it is in a row, like that doesn't change my process and what I do. And I feel like in the years past, maybe I would have grown a little relaxed and this and that. But now I feel like if I can stay on top of my routine and keep every week fresh and new and not think about a streak or makes and misses, it definitely helps a lot keeping the mind clear and calm.”

“Money Mac” got back on track last year after he had struggled with some changes to his routine following his rookie 2021 season in an effort to get more power behind his kicks. He made 25 of 28 field goals in 2025, and all three misses were from 50 yards or more.

Now, McPherson has been even more clutch with five field goals of 50 yards or more among his 10 makes this season, including a long of 58 yards. He’s also been perfect on PATs.

“I feel like for me, it's just going out there and having fun, just letting loose,” McPherson said. “I feel like my first like four years I was a little tight, and so I feel like the main thing that I've learned these past couple years is just go out there and enjoy it. Just have fun with the game, with the moment, and usually the outcome will be good.”

McPherson has also tried to pass that knowledge on to his younger brother, Alex, who kicked a game-winner for Auburn on Saturday to beat Georgia on the road for the first time since 2005. Alex had to overcome health issues with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, which led to his colon being removed in 2024, but he’s been clutch for the Tigers like his older brother.

Cincinnati Bengals: ‘Tremendous opportunity’ awaits with AFC North matchup at Baltimore

Watching Alex fight through his own adversity has been a good reminder to Evan of the importance of enjoying the moment, he said.

“I think it's really special, just from what he's gone through and the recovery that he's made,” McPherson said. “It's like you can't write it up better than that. He just kept trusting in God's plan for his life and trusting in those around him. … I’m really just super proud of him.”

McPherson knows his own streak will eventually end, but said it’s just about how he responds to a miss. Being in a good place mentally is a big part of his success.

He also credited holder Ryan Rehkow and long snapper Will Wagner for the work they put in to make things easier on him. This is their second season operating together, and that consistency has helped McPherson as well.

Bengals coach Zac Taylor said it’s clear McPherson is kicking with “a lot of confidence,” but the team has confidence in him, too, which has led to so many 50-plus yard attempts.

“A lot of teams would either have to go for it in those situations or maybe punt,” Taylor said. “We have the luxury of knowing that he can knock down a lot of those long ones. So, we've asked him to do it a lot, and he's just consistently done it 22 times in a row. I can't kick an extra point, so I can't really put myself in his shoes of how difficult it is, but just the consistency, his mental toughness, because he does it in practice too. That's the thing. He did it all training camp. He does it in practice. And then he goes out there in games, and they're all in different environments and different pressure situations and he just does a great job.”

McPherson said he appreciates the trust in him to make those long attempts, dating back to his career-long 63-yarder last year. He would love that opportunity Sunday if it’s the best way to get some points on the board for his team.

The Bengals have a chance to move up the log-jammed AFC North standings with a win, and McPherson said he’s ready to do his part. He made all six of his attempts in a win at Baltimore last year.

“It's been great because I feel like if you have an opportunity to long kick, and maybe your coach doesn't send you out there for it, but you believe you can make it, I feel like yeah, for any kicker, that definitely will put some sort of doubt in your mind, but the coaches have just been great in trusting this operation that we have,” McPherson said. “They trust us going out there and executing in any situation, no matter the distance.”

Oct 17, 2026; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Dejuan Lane (10) celebrates after recovering a fumble against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The story of 2026 for Tennessee football has been the play of the defense, which was coming off of a dreadful 2025 season. Josh Heupel knew it was time for a change, and ended up moving on from Tim Banks. His next hire? Well he knocked it out of the park.

Heupel turned to longtime defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, who was available after James Franklin was let go at Penn State. Knowles had given Tennessee a firsthand look at his scheme just a season ago, shutting down the Tennessee offense in Columbus during the College Football Playoff.

Those that knew of Knowles warned of a learning period for his complex defense, but that’s turned out to not be the case. He brought a handful of coaches with him from Penn State, while also bringing in familiar players. One of those additions has been safety Dejuan Lane, who has emerged as one of the best safeties in the country through the first half of the season.

Lane has been a massive piece of the puzzle for Knowles, snagging three interceptions and putting up five tackles for loss. Tennessee has forced 13 turnovers so far this season, good for tenth in FBS. The Volunteers lead the nation in sacks with 30, averaging over four per game.

It’s a unit that can simply take over a game, just as we saw last week. To hear how Lane puts it, it’s a unit with an offensive mentality.

I asked Dejuan Lane whether the approach remains the same against every running quarterback, or if they tweak things a bit depending on the player.

Tennessee will face South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers this week. pic.twitter.com/wS7kVceM57

— Charles Mays (@MaysSports) October 20, 2026

“Teams have to stop us,” Lane said. “A lot of times really, I don’t really think we play defense, I think we play offense. By the way coach calls the game, how aggressively we play, you know, we tell teams where they’re going to run the ball, where they’re going to pass the ball, etc. So, yeah, that’s how I feel about that.”

Tennessee certainly dictated how Alabama played offensively last week. The Crimson Tide had season-low outputs across the board and were never able to find a rhythm, especially with Neyland Stadium rocking about as loud as we’ve ever heard it.

Jim Knowles’ defense now hits the road again, set to face another capable quarterback in LaNorris Sellers. The Gamecocks are coming off of a blowout win on the road against Florida, followed by a bye week to prepare. It will easily be the most hostile environment Tennessee has seen so far this season, and it will be interesting to see how the unit performs in a very obvious letdown spot.

Kickoff is set for Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

NEW YORK -- The Philadelphia 76ers had a tough time finding any type of rhythm with their 3-point looks on opening night. The Sixers were getting some good looks from beyond the arc, but they started 3-for-20 as they were unable to really find any groove.

However, the Sixers turned to Anfernee Simons in the third quarter and the offensive dynamo finally broke the seal for Philadelphia. He knocked down three triples in the third, including two big ones to kickstart a run to end the third, and he really made a big difference for the Sixers.

"Huge, huge, big shots by five," started Tyrese Maxey. "He did a good job. We’re looking for him when he gets in the game. We’re hunting for him. We want him to hunt his shot, and he did a good job with that tonight."

Then veteran Kentavious Caldwell-Pope knocked down two big 3s in the fourth. The two guards were real difference makers.

"They were huge because we obviously didn't shoot the ball particularly well from the outside tonight," added LeBron James. "Something we're obviously not worried about because we have some great shooters, and we will get it back on that, you know, soon. But I just like the way we played. We were sharing the ball. We got the ball moving from one side to another. Guys felt in a good rhythm, and you know, just like you said, you know, KCP was huge. Those shots by Ant was huge, too, obviously.

LeBron James on the big 3s by Simons and KCP: “We got the ball moving from one side to another. Guys felt in a good rhythm, and you know, just like you said, KCP was huge. The shots by Ant was huge, too, obviously.” #Sixerspic.twitter.com/ZZh2N1bc6j

— Ky Carlin (@Ky_Carlin) October 21, 2026

Caldwell-Pope and Simons are two players who have been there, done that in terms of success in this league. As Philadelphia moves forward, it will continue to lean on those two's offensive abilities, shooting prowess, and know-how. The Sixers will benefit from those two as they move forward.

Especially, Caldwell-Pope who has two championships (2020, 2023) under his belt.

"It’s just another guy that can hold guys accountable because they understand and they see that the guy has gotten to the finish line," James said of KCP. "And beyond the finish line. I went through the rope. So definitely it's very helpful and these guys that's been here are trying to build to get to that point."

Either way, the Sixers know they have to shoot the ball better than they did against the Knicks. Their defense was able to keep them in it until Simons and KCP were able to break through for them.

"We gotta shoot the ball well," said Jaylen Brown. "I think those are guys that can shoot. I think we made two threes in the first half, I want to say. Just a testament to our defense is that we were able to stay in the game. We're only making two threes. So we got stops, we just got to hit some shots."

They will now move forward as they prepare to face the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday.

This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Multiple Sixers give love to Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Anfernee Simons

The NFL Draft class of 2027 was supposed to be a great one for quarterbacks. Arch Manning, Dante Moore, and Julian Sayin were all expected to be top picks.

Halfway through the college football season, all 3 have underperformed; two are currently injured, and the third is on the verge of being benched.

That leaves a vacuum in the QB Class of 2027, and one quarterback is going to fill it.

MORE:4 biggest risers in College Football after Week 7

CJ Carr should be considered QB1Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr scrambles with the ball during a NCAA football game against Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in South Bend. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Notre Dame’s CJ Carr should be considered the top QB in the 2027 draft class.

He’s not typically what you would picture in a top quarterback prospect. Remember the era when everyone wanted the big, strong, cannon-armed QB prospect? Guys built like Josh Rosen, Josh Allen, and Justin Herbert were all the rage, and they’ve all had varying degrees of success in the NFL.

CJ Carr is not that. CJ Carr is only about 6’2”, and 215 pounds. He doesn’t have a cannon of an arm, and he doesn’t put up gaudy statistics, since Notre Dame is very proficient in the run game. He’s also not a big-time runner at the position like a Kyler Murray or a Lamar Jackson. But what he does have is a set of skills that most quarterbacks will never be able to attain.

When you watch CJ Carr, he is a master of pre-snap adjustments at QB. He is always setting the protection, changing the play, and overall putting his offense in a position to succeed based on what he sees. When you combine that with his surgical accuracy, you get far more value from him than from any other QB with a big arm and athleticism.

His best NFL comps are Matt Ryan and Drew Brees (two pretty good ones), who mastered putting their offense in position to succeed with pre-snap adjustments and had the accuracy to capitalize on them. Every NFL coach thinks they can coach a quarterback to have this trait, but it’s not that easy. We see physically talented QBs flame out in the NFL all the time because they lack the mental capacity to make all the necessary pre-snap checks and reads.

MORE:4 biggest fallers in College Football after Week 7

BYU loss provides more evidence for CarrOct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Saturday’s loss to BYU is actually evidence in Carr’s favor as an NFL prospect. He did have two mistakes: he fumbled a spike attempt late in the first half, and he missed a wide-open Jordan Faison down the seam in the first quarter (probably the result of Carr’s pre-snap recognition, anyway).

But he was outstanding in Notre Dame’s ill-fated final drive. He stayed cool under pressure, eluded the rush, didn’t take sacks, and managed the clock with composure. As the drive slowed near the end, you saw all of Carr’s pre-snap checks and adjustments, which led to route concepts that produced open receivers. Overall, his decision-making and ball placement on this drive were outstanding.

Even on the game’s final play, he delivered a great ball to Jaden Greathouse in the perfect spot, if Greathouse hadn’t been interfered with. So, forget Arch Manning, forget Dante Moore, get used to the idea of CJ Carr being QB1 in the 2027 NFL Draft

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Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff

The Milwaukee Brewers are preparing for the World Series, and one big decision they need to make is whether or not to place Brandon Woodruff on the World Series roster.

Woodruff is the longest-tenured Brewer, but he has been dealing with a shoulder injury. He has missed most of the season, but looks good when he has pitched. Game 1 of the Fall Classic is on Friday, and Woodruff faced batters for the first time on Tuesday. Not only is he not built up, but if he gets hurt again, the Brewers may not be able to replace him on the roster.

The rules state that a player can only be replaced on a postseason roster if he suffers an acute, non-chronic injury or ailment. According to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy, the Brewers are still trying to figure out if Woodruff hurting his shoulder again would fit that criteria.

“Still working through our meetings," Brewers president of baseball operations and general manager said, per McCalvy.

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Woodruff sat between 90 and 92 mph with his fastball during a session when he faced Jackson Chourio, Brice Turang, Christian Yelich, William Contreras and Jake Bauers. He said his velocity was about where he expected it to be in an empty stadium.

He is confident he can help the team and perform if given the chance, but he understands that the team is trying to win, and if leaving him off the roster is the best move, then he is at peace with it.

“I know where I’m at. I’ve only faced live hitters once and the World Series starts in three days,” Woodruff told McCalvy.  “As far as a decision, I haven’t heard anything. I’m sure they are discussing it.”

Ultimately, it may be in the Brewers' best interest to take Woodruff. It hasn't hurt them yet, but much of the Brewers' roster is young and lacks postseason experience. Woodruff has been on this stage a ton and has even pitched in elimination games. As for who he replaces, he could easily take the spot of Kyle Harrison or Chad Patrick, neither of whom has pitched in the postseason yet.

Harrison looked like he would be key to getting the Brewers to the World Series early in the year, even pushing for an All-Star nod. However, a forearm injury derailed his season and he lost his spot in the rotation. He does not really have the trust of his manager right now, and as far as lefties go, the Brewers have shown that they would rather DL Hall, Aaron Ashby and JoJo Romero work more than give Harrison a shot.

The Brewers are going to throw a bullpen game in Game 4 of the World Series. Having Woodruff available for that could be huge, even if it's just for an inning. Additionally, it gives Pat Murphy another right-handed option in the middle innings besides Patrick or Antonio Senzatela. If Harrison is going to sit on the bench anyway, why not give Woodruff a shot if he can get outs like he did when he was healthy this year?

More MLB: One Player Who Needs To Step Up For Brewers In World Series

Auburn football returns to Jordan-Hare Stadium this weekend for another crucial SEC showdown, which means it is time for another edition of Behind Enemy Lines. Behind Enemy Lines is a weekly feature that highlights storylines and key stats from Auburn's opponent through the eyes of a writer who covers the team.

We reached out to Will Rosenblatt, the lead writer for LSU Wire, for the inside scoop on Auburn's Week 8 opponent, the LSU Tigers.

This week's conversation highlights LSU's most recent win, the vibe around Baton Rouge of first-year head coach Lane Kiffin, and the excitement surrounding the renewal of an old SEC West rivalry. Here is this week's Behind Enemy Lines with Will Rosenblatt of LSU Wire.

What were several things LSU did well in its bounce-back win over Mississippi State on Saturday?

WR: "LSU played its most complete SEC game of the year vs. Mississippi State. Sam Leavitt continued to improve and look comfortable in the pocket, and played his first game at LSU without throwing an interception. On defense, LSU got back to basics after a rough outing at Kentucky. The Tigers fit the run well and didn't miss tackles."

What is the vibe around Lane Kiffin seven games into his tenure?

WR:"For now, the vibe is good, not great. There are some fans who are uneasy about already having two losses, but the chaos around the sport in Week 7 has reminded some fans how hard it is to win games in this league, and the fan base is optimistic again."

How exciting is it for Auburn and LSU to renew their old SEC West rivalry this weekend?

WR:"The SEC schedule didn't look right without LSU and Auburn playing in 2024 and 2025. This was always one of the SEC's most entertaining games, at least since I've been watching football. Auburn's win at Georgia has definitely given the game some more juice."

Auburn plays its best when it slows down the opposition's run game. How would you rate LSU's run game?

WR:"LSU's run game is hit or miss. The offensive line is a work in progress, and LSU is averaging just 3.59 yards per carry in conference play. However, LSU has found ways to drum up ground game success with creativity when needed, getting the QB and slot receivers involved. LSU RB Dilin Jones also ranks third among SEC RBs in forced missed tackles."

How is Lane Kiffin viewing Auburn ahead of the matchup?

WR:"Kiffin pointed to Auburn's win over Georgia at his press conference. Auburn's upset of UGA was well timed for LSU -- it certainly won't be hard for Kiffin to get LSU up for this one now."

LSU beats Auburn if….

WR:"LSU beats Auburn if the defense doesn't overthink it and plays sound, fundamental run defense. I expect Alex Golesh to incorporate more pre-snap movement after seeing how much LSU has struggled with that element at times. Motion plus the QB run game can be a dangerous combo for an aggressive defense like LSU's, but if LSU can rally to the ball and get Byrum Brown on the ground, the Tigers will win this game (assuming LSU doesn't turn it over three times)."

Taylor Jones is the lead writer for Auburn Wire, part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) and BlueSky. Follow Auburn Wire on X and Facebook. 

This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: Behind Enemy Lines: Auburn-LSU preview with Will Rosenblatt of LSU Wire

New England Patriots offensive lineman Walter Rouse will achieve a first in his career at on Thursday.

According to MassLive’s Mark Daniels, Rouse will get the start at left guard for the Patriots in their primetime matchup against the Chicago Bears, marking the first time that he will start in an NFL game in his career.

“It’s a great opportunity,” Rouse said. “The fact that they believed enough to want to bring me here means a lot. And now I’m starting for the team now, for prime time game, it’s surreal.”

Rouse has appeared in 12 games in his career. The opportunity comes as New England deals with injuries and uncertainty along its offensive line.

Alijah Vera-Tucker is currently dealing with a hamstring injury that he sustained in Week 6 against the New York Jets, and Ben Brown sustained a knee injury in that game. Mike Onwenu’s status is also a factor as the team prepares for Thursday’s contest, as he remains on injured reserve.

Rouse will be asked to maintain the interior against the Bears in a game that carries serious implications. He has allowed four pressures and a sack this season, but he has not allowed a quarterback hit this year. His ability to handle interior pass protection will be crucial against Chicago’s defensive front.

With a primetime spotlight and limited preparation time, Rouse faces an immediate test as New England looks to keep its offense on schedule in Week 7.

Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.

This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Patriots veteran OL reveals he will make first career start vs. Bears

Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Jordan Elliott was cut after he tried to get gun following Titans practice altercation appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Tennessee Titans finally found some success in Week 6. Tennessee got their first win of the season on Sunday, defeating Indianapolis in a 26-20 upset victory. Unfortunately, those happy feelings have been marred by a bizarre situation at the team facility on Tuesday.

The Titans released defensive tackle Jordan Elliott citing an incident at the team facility. Further reporting has revealed the shocking details that led to Elliott’s release.

Elliott reportedly got into an argument with teammate JC Latham after the pair got heated during a play at practice, per Austin Stanley and Easton Freeze of A to Z Sports.

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That interaction turned into an argument that carried over into the locker room following practice. Multiple sources saw Elliott storm out of the locker room and immediately head to the players’ parking garage. He intended to retrieve a firearm from his vehicle, presumably to confront Latham following their disagreement.

NFL insider Aaron Wilson reported that Titans defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers talked Elliott down and de-escalated the situation.

Elliott has apparently been dealing with problems away from the team. That seems to have played a significant role in Tuesday’s practice altercation.

“This was so crazy,” an NFL source told Wilson. “Jordan has been having a lot of problems away from the building and obviously he brought it to work with him. There was no reason for him to go off like that. Everyone thought that was wild. To overreact like that is absolutely crazy. We’re just glad that no one got hurt and it’s over.”

As for the Titans, they only released a brief statement after the incident to announce that Elliott was released.

“On Thursday, October 15th, there was an incident at our team facility involving Jordan Elliott. Following our review of the incident, we have made the decision to release Elliott from our roster. We will have no further comment on the matter.”

Hopefully Tennessee is able to rally together and move past this incident quickly. They have little time to waste before their next game.

Next up for the Titans is a home game against the Browns.

Related: Titans release player with 65 career NFL starts after mysterious ‘incident at team facility’

Related: Titans HC Robert Saleh gives cryptic response to benching $60 million offseason signing

The Jalen Hurts’ controversy is not going away anytime soon.

The Eagles allowed Hurts to play with a blood clot in their Week 5 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in London. Two weeks later, the Eagles shut Hurts down for the season after blood clots spread to both lungs.

The NFL defended the Eagles’ medical staff on Tuesday night during the league’s annual fall meeting. Dr. Allen Sills, the NFL’s chief medical officer, claimed the Eagles did nothing wrong. The NFL does not plan to punish the Eagles.

• RELATED: Early look at Cowboys vs. Eagles odds on Kalshi: Examining Monday Night Football markets

Late on Tuesday night, the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) responded to the NFL’s claims. The NFLPA announced an investigation.

“The NFLPA is not aware of any NFL investigation into the medical care provided to Jalen Hurts,” the NFLPA said in a statement. “In fact, the league previously informed the union that it did not plan to review the care he received. Before conclusions are drawn about how this situation was handled, there must be a full investigation into what occurred. Determining the facts is essential to ensuring players receive the highest level of care and protection going forward.”

MORE BY CAYDEN STEELE

Eagles could land a top-10 pick with Jalen Hurts done — and it could be a QB: 10 draft optionsOct. 21, 2026, 10:11 a.m.

Eagles playmaker lands on trade block, could be moved soonOct. 21, 2026, 10:09 a.m.

The Athletic reported on Tuesday that the NFL concluded Hurts’ situation “was handled appropriately.”

The NFL and NFLPA appear to be butting heads about the Hurts’ situation.

If the NFLPA finds any wrongdoing from the NFL or the Eagles, there could be big repercussions.

Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Since joining the SEC in 2012, the Texas A&M Aggies have given the Alabama Crimson Tide troubles on a number of different occasions, especially in recent matchups.

Dating back to that 2012 season, Alabama and Texas A&M have met 12 times head-to-head, a span that features a 10-2 edge for the Crimson Tide. Those two wins for Texas A&M came in the first SEC meeting back in 2012, as well as in 2021, the former of which was in Tuscaloosa.

When taking a deeper look at that 12-game span, the last three times that these two teams have met, the eventual winner has been decided by one possession. Texas A&M won in 2021 on a game-winning field goal, 41-38, with the Crimson Tide taking back games in 2022 and 2023 by final scores of 24-20 and 26-20, respectively.

This latest showdown will feature a pair of teams who badly need wins, as Alabama (5-2 overall, 3-2 SEC) has lost back-to-back games, while Texas A&M (4-3, 1-3) has dropped three of their last four conference games with only 12 total points scored over their two road matchups this season.

Here are five Aggies to know in particular ahead of Saturday's SEC showdown in Tuscaloosa, a group headlined by a former Alabama transfer.

Isaiah Horton, Wide Receiver

Transferring from Alabama this past offseason, Horton is the Aggies leading receiver across seven games where he has 20 receptions for a team-high 280 yards and three touchdowns. Horton, a graduate student who led Alabama in receiving touchdowns a year ago, will be facing Alabama for the first time.

Mario Craver, Wide Receiver

A junior wideout, Craver leads Texas A&M with a team-high 24 receptions for 241 yards and two touchdowns, while also serving as the Aggies' primary punt returner where he is averaging 4.5 yards per return. Craver will be facing Alabama for the first time.

Ray Coney, Linebacker

Coney is currently leading the Texas A&M defense with 37 total tackles, while also having posted 2.5 TFL, one pass defense, and one forced fumble so far this season. A senior who transferred from Tulsa during the offseason, Coney also will be facing Alabama for the first time.

David Olano, Kicker

The Aggies have one of the nation's top kickers in Olano, a fifth-year senior who is a perfect 11-for-11 on field goal attempts this season, as well as 24-for-24 on extra points. Facing the Crimson Tide for the first time, Olano's 11 made field goals currently lead the SEC.

Marcel Reed, Quarterback

A multi-year starter for the Aggies at quarterback, Reed is currently completing 55.7% of passes for 1,227 yards and a 7:6 TD:INT ratio, while also having rushed for 175 yards and two touchdowns on 54 attempts. The senior has yet to face Alabama in his collegiate career.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.

This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Former Alabama transfer among Aggies to know vs. Texas A&M in Week 8

Down 16 points entering the fourth quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Pittsburgh Steelers offense was struggling for answers. With the game slipping away, veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers took matters into his own hands, literally.

On teammate Cameron Heyward’s podcast, “Not Just Football with Cam Heyward,” rookie wide receiver Germie Bernard revealed that Rodgers seized control of the play-calling duties during the final frame, delivering a calm, commanding message to the huddle before mounting a 16-point fourth-quarter comeback and an eventual overtime victory.

"Aaron was like, he was like, 'Listen, guys,'" Bernard recalled. "'I'm going to take a little bit of control. I'm going to start calling, you know what I'm saying, some of the plays we need and we just need to execute. That's it. Just execute and we'll get the job done.'"

Bernard noted that Rodgers' composed demeanor instantly stabilized an offense that had struggled through the first three quarters. Rather than panicking under the pressure of a double-digit deficit, the four-time MVP's poise allowed the unit to execute without hesitation.

"Being out there with him, he's so like just poised and resilient," Bernard explained. "It just makes you, you know, it makes you not rush or it makes you just play the game, like how you're supposed to. It makes you like have fun with it. There's never no stress when you're out there with him cuz he doesn't have any stress."

The operational shift paid immediate dividends as Pittsburgh erased the 16-point margin, ultimately capping the rally with an overtime touchdown pass from Rodgers to Bernard.

While head coaches and offensive coordinators design game plans throughout the week, Rodgers' in-game takeover demonstrated the profound impact of elite quarterback autonomy in high-stakes moments.

This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Aaron Rodgers took control of Steelers play-calling in 4th quarter

Ohio State football quarterback Julian Sayin is out "indefinitely," and the team is planning for the possibility of going into the postseason without him, coach Ryan Day said at an Oct. 20 media availability.

Dispatch sports reporters Brianna Mac Kay and Joey Kaufman will chat about the latest developments with columnist Rob Oller live on the Dispatch YouTube channel the morning of Oct. 21. You can watch the video podcast in the player above or on our YouTube page.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: What's next for Ohio State after Sayin's injury? Our Ohio State experts discuss

Kolo Muani opens up about Juventus ‘tension’ and playing with Woltemade

Juventus striker Randal Kolo Muani admits ‘tension’ inside the dressing room after a 3-0 loss against Lazio, although players ‘talked about it the right way’, and he confirms he’s ‘comfortable’ playing alongside Nick Woltemade.

Juventus host Rennes in the Europa League Round 3 on Thursday after winning the previous two games in the competition.

TURIN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 20: Randal Kolo Muani of Juventus reacts during the Serie A match between Juventus and Atalanta BC at Allianz Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

The Bianconeri’s Serie A results are very different, as the Serie A giants sit 8th in the domestic league with 11 points in seven matches.

This past Sunday, they suffered a 3-0 home loss to Lazio, which sparked an exchange in the dressing room.

The dressing room meeting also followed Gleison Bremer’s strong criticism of his teammates.

Juventus vs. Rennes: Kolo Muani’s press conference

TURIN, ITALY – OCTOBER 18: Kolo Muani of Juventus in action against Nuno Tavares of SS Lazio during the Serie A match between Juventus and SS Lazio at Allianz Stadium on October 18, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

“The captain spoke after the match. There was some tension, but we discussed it constructively in the dressing room,” Kolo Muani said at a press conference on Wednesday (via Sky Sport).

“It’s up to us to show what we can do on the pitch. We talked about it the right way, like a family working through problems.

“I don’t think we lack character. We’re a good, united group that wants to keep working hard,” the French striker continued.

“There are many new players, including me, who need to settle in. That’s what we are doing.”

REGGIO NELL’EMILIA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 13: Nick Woltemade of Juventus during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo and Juventus at Mapei Stadium – Citta’ del Tricolore on September 13, 2026 in Reggio nell’Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)

Juventus coach Spalletti has confirmed that Kolo Muani will start alongside Woltemade against Rennes tomorrow.

“In football, it’s important that the coach trusts you. The coach gives me valuable advice to keep going beyond my limits,” Kolo Muani said.

“I’m very comfortable playing with any teammate. In training, we work on what the coach asks us to do, but we know it’s then up to us to put it into practice, and we also have the freedom to take responsibility.”

TURIN, ITALY – AUGUST 29: Randal Kolo Muani of Juventus is challenged by Mariano Troilo of Parma during the Serie A match between Juventus and Parma Calcio at Allianz Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

Kolo Muani has played for PSG and Nantes in Ligue 1, so is it special for him to face another French club in the Europa League tomorrow?

“Calling it special might be an exaggeration, but it’s certainly a different kind of match,” he noted.

“Rennes will come here looking to win. We won our first two matches, and we’ll try to win the third as well. Of course, I hope that performing well here will also help me return to the national team.

Eagles wide receiver Hollywood Brown could be spending his final weeks with the team before he’s shipped out.

NFL teams believe he could be traded in the coming weeks, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz.

Brown is buried on Philadelphia’s wide receiver depth chart and doesn’t have a role moving forward. Darius Cooper has earned a role on offense, leaving Brown as the odd man out.

Even Elijah Moore has surpassed Brown on the WR depth chart. Brown doesn’t provide any value on special teams, so he will continue to be inactive on game days.

The Eagles could get a late-round pick for the declining playmaker or release him if trade offers do not materialize.

• RELATED: Early look at Cowboys vs. Eagles odds on Kalshi: Examining Monday Night Football markets

MORE BY CAYDEN STEELE

Eagles could land a top-10 pick with Jalen Hurts done — and it could be a QB: 10 draft optionsOct. 21, 2026, 10:11 a.m.

Eagles face NFLPA investigation over Jalen Hurts: What’s next?Oct. 21, 2026, 10:10 a.m.

The Eagles signed Brown to a one-year deal, with $5 million in guarantees, during free agency. He was expected to become a deep threat as the No. 4 or No. 5 wide receiver, but he doesn’t look fast anymore.

Brown, a 2019 first-round pick, has caught 371 passes for 4,322 yards and 33 touchdowns during his eight-year career. He hasn’t recorded a catch for the Eagles and has only played in one game.

Brown missed multiple weeks with an ankle injury, but he was inactive this past week without an injury designation. The Eagles could continue to make him a healthy scratch as they look for a trade partner.

Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

On Tuesday, basketball fans got what they’ve been waiting for with NBA opening night (and day) for the 2026-27 season. This year’s official start to the NBA regular season featured a trio of major matchups showcasing teams with championship aspirations in the new campaign.

In the opener, the Boston Celtics went to Mo-town to take on the Detroit Pistons for a late afternoon clash. In the first game of the evening, the defending champion New York Knicks welcomed the new-look Philadelphia 76ers to Madison Square Garden. Then in the finale, the San Antonio Spurs headed north to battle rivals the Oklahoma City Thunder.

We take a look at the biggest winners and losers from the 2026 NBA opening night games.

Winner: Paul George, Boston CelticsOct 14, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Paul George (13) controls the ball during the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

When it was revealed that the Celtics had traded Jaylen Brown in a deal that netted them a couple of first-round picks and 36-year-old Paul George, fans and pundits were bewildered. Why Boston take back a player at the end of his career with a bad contract? Yet, the team maintained they felt he would be a good fit in their system.

Well, at least after one game, the nine-time All-Star proved them right. The greybeard led all scorers with 38 points, hit seven three-pointers, and added an impressive five steals. George could get injured in their next game. However, he showed that if healthy, he can still be a big-time player for Boston.

Loser: Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs Oct 20, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) drives against Oklahoma City Thunder center Aday Mara (15) in the second half at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images

Even before the season started, there was already buzz about Victor Wembanyama being the favorite to win MVP in the 2026-27 season. But he didn’t look like one in the Spurs’ NBA opening night loss to the Thunder.

The big man scored just 12 points on an awful 1-for-13 from the field and 0-for-4 from three. He got strong resistance from rookie Aday Mara and was not the dominant force that gave OKC so much trouble during the Western Conference Finals. It was a night to forget for “Wemby.”

Loser: Jaylen Brown, Philadelphia 76ersOct 16, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Jaylen Brown (7) reacts to his score in a game against the Boston Celtics at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

The big question heading into the season was what the roles would be for the various stars the 76ers have, and whether they would be able to accept them if they were not what they were used to. While Philly got the win on Tuesday, Jaylen Brown seemed like an afterthought.

At the end of the night, he had a good stat line, but it will be interesting if a player who had the best season of his career last season will be fine with being a third option all year long.

Winner: Jalen Duren, Detroit PistonsOct 20, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) dribbles in the first half against the Boston Celtics at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Pistons All-Star center Jalen Duren took a lot of heat this summer over his desire to get a max contract from Detroit. Instead, after months of back-and-forth, he had to settle for a still-great $200 million extension. A lot of eyes will be on him to prove he is worthy of the massive pay bump he got earlier this month.

On a day when the team’s best player wasn’t on, Duren was able to help pick up the slack. Scoring 22 points and added nine boards in an impressive come-from-behind win over a good Celtics team on NBA opening night. He will need to do this a lot more, but there is a reason why the Pistons gave the 22-year-old such a big contract.

Loser: Cade Cunningham, Detroit PistonsOct 20, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) dribbles defended by Boston Celtics forward-guard Jayson Tatum (0) in the first half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

While Pistons superstar Cade Cunningham finished with 22 points and eight assists, it was not a great day for the 25-year-old. He hit on just 8 of 18 from the field and was 1 of 6 from three. He also added five turnovers.

If not for a strong game from Jalen Duren and second-half heroics from Duncan Robinson, the result could have been very different because of an average performance in the 2026-27 season opener from the two-time All-Star.

Winner: Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ersOct 20, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) controls the ball against New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

A lot of eyes were on Tuesday’s colossal clash between the Knicks and 76ers, and the man who stole the show was Tyrese Maxey. From the start, his shot looked good, but throughout the game he showed his versatile skill set and why he is one of the best offensive players in the game.

There were some fears that the 76ers may go away from Maxey because of the amount of talent they have. However, the team’s best scorer got all the opportunities he should and delivered for his team.

Loser: Jalen Brunson, New York KnicksOct 20, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown talks to guard Jalen Brunson (11) during the first quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Tuesday night was another opportunity for Knicks fans to show love for the team’s captain, Jalen Brunson. Unfortunately for New York supporters, their hero was not in midseason form.

Throughout the game, he looked rusty and just a bit off. Brunson missed 13 of his 19 shots, was a -11 when he was on the floor, and Captain Clutch was unable to work his magic to lead his team to a win like he did so many times in their spring title run.

Winner: Oklahoma City Thunder DepthOct 20, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jared McCain (3) celebrates in the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images

Sure, the Thunder have some really good players, including two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. However, what makes them such a force is their depth. And that was once again on display during NBA opening night.

OKC got 48 big points, 21 rebounds, and 11 assists from their bench. Including 20 points from Jared McCain. It was the big difference in why they were able to get the W going away on Tuesday night.

Loser: Jayson Tatum, Boston CelticsOct 10, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) is congratulated by forward Paul George (13) after making a basket during the first half against the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

There is a lot of pressure on Jayson Tatum heading into the new season. Brown had an MVP-caliber season without him in 2025-26. The six-time All-Star who clearly did not mind the team trading Brown must show he can be just as good, if not better, as the undisputed No. 1 on the team.

In his first opportunity on Tuesday, the 28-year-old did not deliver. Tatum had just 13 points on a miserable 6-for-23 from the field, and he missed all seven of his three-point attempts. While he also had 11 assists, the Celtics needed their top star to put the Pistons away as their big lead dwindled in the fourth. He instead came up small.

Winner & Loser: Karl-Anthony Towns, New York KnicksOct 20, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) reacts after being called for a foul during the first quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

On Tuesday night. Karl-Anthony Towns was able to put his recent contract drama behind him and have a pretty good game. He posted 19 points, 12 rebounds, and two blocks against the 76ers. He did that in only 24 minutes, which is impressive. But he was limited because he was in foul trouble all night.

Towns will walk away from the game thinking that if he could have been on the floor more, his team probably would have gotten a victory on ring night instead of a frustrating loss to a top rival to begin the season.

Loser: Cason Wallace, Oklahoma City ThunderOct 13, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace (22) runs onto the court during introductions before a game against the Indiana Pacers at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

A few days ago, 2023 lottery pick Cason Wallace joined the rookie extension club, getting five years and $139 million added to his contract. That bump in pay may have added pressure, since he had a lackluster showing on Tuesday.

Wallace scored just six points, going 3-for-8 from the field and 0-for-4 from three. He was a -5 when he was on the court and is lucky he wasn’t part of a loss on opening night.

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid recently spoke with reporters about emerging second-year cornerback Nohl Williams' growth since rookie season.

"Yeah, they're playing physical is what they're doing. And when you do that, you're going to get dinged up just a little bit there, and they did; they fought through. They were okay to do that. We try to keep a close eye on that," said Reid. "So, we're not putting these guys where they can't function out there. But he's a tough kid, he's big for a corner, and he plays a physical game for a corner. But he's also doing a nice job in the coverage game. So, he, again, is very smart on and off the field. He's a smart kid, and he's using that to his advantage."

In Sunday's victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, Williams recorded 4 total tackles (3 solo, 1 assisted), 1 tackle for loss, and 2 passes defended. Reid further explained the impact of having physical corners.

"Yeah, no, listen, it's important to have that, and we're fortunate to have it. That's not the way it is everywhere. If you're going to play for those two guys, you better be physical," said Reid. "That's kind of been a mindset here for the time that Dave (Merritt) and Steve (Spagnuolo) have been working with those guys, and Dave was an ex-linebacker, and he's got that mentality where you've got to tackle. You have to be able to do that. They work their fundamentals like crazy onthat, too."

According to Pro Football Talk, Coach Reid is now one of three coaches in NFL history to start 5-0 six or more times as a head coach. George Halas reached this mark 10 times, and Paul Brown did it six times.

This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: Andy Reid discusses a young cornerback's growth since rookie season

The New Orleans Saints finally gave their fans something to feel good about. On this episode of the Saints Roundtable, Halk breaks down New Orleans’ 34-27 win over the New York Giants and why the performance felt so different from what we had seen in recent weeks. After falling behind 10-0, the Saints exploded for 34 unanswered points and showed the kind of complementary football Kellen Moore has been searching for all season.

Tyler Shough accounted for four touchdowns while protecting the football, the Saints rushed for 175 yards and the offense finally stopped putting everything on the young quarterback’s shoulders. Alvin Kamara also made NFL history by joining an exclusive group of players with 5,000 career rushing yards and 5,000 receiving yards.

We also examine the defense’s four takeaways, why allowing 461 total yards is still a major concern and what New Orleans needs to clean up before facing a much more experienced opponent.

Finally, we preview Sunday’s historic matchup against Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers in Paris, the first regular-season NFL game ever played in France. Halk breaks down the biggest matchups involving T.J. Watt, Chris Olave, Kamara and the Saints defense, plus why reaching 3-4 before the bye would completely change the conversation around this team.

The Giants game proved the Saints can respond. Now Pittsburgh will tell us whether that response was real progress.