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Street Soccer USA has grown from a small project in North Carolina to receiving its own chapter right here in Philadelphia.

Their goal is to enhance the lives of individuals in cities across the country, serving struggling populations.

Through the game of soccer, they hope to build one another up, and create lifelong bonds.

"This organization is a nationwide nonprofit...The mission is to help fight poverty, to provide soccer for people who can not afford to play," said Coach Jehbleh Wilson Jah.

While they have served hundreds of children, the program also has offerings for adult athletes as well.

"I think it's important for these kids to be able to communicate, whether it be how they feel or to make new friends, be out and get to know oneself and know the people around them," said Cameron Robinson, Director of Communications of Street Soccer USA-Philly.

For more information, check out the video above.

Also, check out their website.

Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) practices during OTAs at Detroit Lions headquarters and training facility in Allen Park on Thursday, May 30, 2024. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co

While the Detroit Lions are getting one of their Pro Bowl safeties back this week in Brian Branch, the return of the other—Kerby Joseph—remains a bit of a mystery. Joseph has now been sidelined for over a year with a knee injury that has been described as inoperable and chronic. Joseph’s timeline has seemingly been pushed back at every turn, but Lions coach Dan Campbell may have finally offered a light at the end of the tunnel.

When asked if he expects Joseph to play this season, Campbell answered simply:

“I do.”

Campbell didn’t provide a timeline for Joseph’s return, but did say they are very encouraged with where things currently stand with his progress.

“He’s doing well. I’ll leave it at that. He really is,” Campbell said. “He’s doing a good job. I’m not going to give you a timetable, but I’ve been pleased with where he’s at. He’s in a good headspace right now, which is great, because that’s hard. You’re coming off this, you’re wanting to go, and you’re working at it, and at some point, it’s time for football. We all know that and recognize it, but we’ll take it one day at a time.”

A few weeks ago, Branch also offered some hope for Branch’s return.

“Kerb’s my dawg. We’ve been—we ain’t quitting, man,” Branch said two weeks ago. “Injured, we’ve been in this thing together for, what, 10 months, man? It’s been a long road. We’ve been fighting every day. He gonna be alright. He gonna be back. We’re gonna be back.”

Joseph has been back in the building for a few weeks now after taking some time away for a personal issue. He has not spoken with the media since the very beginning of training camp, when he noted that he was “super optimistic” because of all the work he’s put in.

We haven’t had a healthy version of both Branch and Joseph on the field really since the 2024 season. But it looks like the Lions are expected to see it happen again at some point before the season is through.

Though human rights groups call it sportswashing, analysts say Formula 1’s choice of Rwanda to host its first African race since the 1990s can become a watershed moment for the continent’s sports industry — if it can deliver lasting development.

Rwanda President Paul Kagame last week announced the 10-year deal for an African Grand Prix from the early 2030s, a milestone he said that could serve as a catalyst for sports across Africa.

Besides South Africa, which has hosted World Cups in soccer, rugby and cricket — and the last F1 race on African soil in 1993 — the continent historically has been overlooked as a global sports destination.

That’s starting to change.

Rwanda last year hosted the road cycling world championships. In less than two weeks, Senegal will host the Youth Olympic Games — the first ever Olympic event in Africa. And in 2030 Morocco will co-host the men’s World Cup with Spain and Portugal.

“There are some really interesting things beginning to happen in African sport now,” said Simon Chadwick, a business management director at the African School of Economics. “Investors are showing an interest; governments are showing an interest. And what’s significant as well, I think, is that we’re actually beginning to get competition between African nations to be leaders.”

Tapping into the African market

Rwanda saw off competition from South Africa to land the F1 prize. Morocco and Nigeria were also reportedly interested.

The Grand Prix announcement made clear that F1 views Africa, with its population of more than 1.5 billion people, as an untapped market. F1 President Stefano Domenicali said there were more than 100 million F1 fans on the continent, “people who have waited a long time to see our sport return.”

Kagame said it was high time to integrate African markets with global sports franchises and competitions.

“For decades African athletes have been a pillar of the global sports economy, adding significant commercial value to top leagues, with the continent receiving almost nothing in return,” he said. “Partnerships like the one we are building help break the cycle because they serve as a catalyst for sports infrastructure development.”

Abi Ijasanmi, the CEO of African Sports Investor, called the F1 announcement “really significant” for Africa because it connects the continent to global sports and “combines things like sport and technology and tourism and investment. And the continent really needs the boost in all of those things.”

African countries considering bids to host major sporting events have been faced with one overriding criticism: That spending millions or even billions of dollars on a sports event is unwise considering the continent of mainly middle- and low-income nations has pressing concerns like a lack of housing, frail healthcare systems and widespread poverty.

Rwanda’s policy of committing money to sports to burnish its reputation comes right from the top, but it’s largely an outlier, and the majority of African nations may never have the money to host a big-time sports event. Even the government in South Africa, the biggest economy in Africa, has not made the financial guarantees to host an F1 race again, and has been mulling over the cost of a possible Olympics bid for nearly 20 years.

Learning from each other

U.S. professional sports have also started taking a greater interest in Africa. The NFL has opened an American football developmental camp in Ghana and the NBA in 2021 launched the Basketball Africa League together with FIBA, the international basketball federation. Rwanda’s capital, Kigali, has hosted five of the six finals so far.

The basketball league "made other countries sit up and appreciate what’s possible,” Ijasanmi said.

Similarly, other countries have been inspired by Morocco’s developments in soccer, by far the most popular sport in Africa, said Ijasanmi, who previously worked as chief operational officer of the Confederation of African Football.

Morocco hopes to host the 2030 World Cup final in a 115,000-capacity stadium under construction near Casablanca and has been lauded for its player development through its Mohamed VI Academy, an advanced training complex.

“It was really interesting and very positive to hear other presidents and federations sit talking about how they were going to be the next ones to do that,” Ijasanmi said. “So, it can be short-lived, but I think the more that it happens, the more it makes others look and say, ‘OK, well, this is really possible and look what it’s doing for the economy.'”

F1 announcement brings renewed human rights concerns

The F1 news wasn’t universally welcomed.

Human rights activists said it distracted from the rights abuses of Rwandan authorities.

Kagame has been accused of repressive methods to keep his grip on power, with opponents dying in prisons, independent media muzzled, and other abuses.

Amnesty International called the deal “a sportswashing prize” allowing Rwanda “to polish its image and deflect from its appalling human rights record.”

Neighboring Congo joined the criticism. Rwanda is accused by Congo, the United States and U.N. experts of backing the M23 rebels fighting in Congo.

Kagame denies the accusations of human rights abuses.

He has faced sportswashing criticism before because of Rwanda’s sponsorships of popular soccer teams like Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Atlético Madrid, as well as the Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA.

Infrastructure remains a challenge for sports in Africa

Corruption and delivery of infrastructure are potential stumbling blocks for African sports projects.

Rwanda has not yet built the F1 circuit in Bugesera, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Kigali, and will be keen to avoid the infrastructure setbacks that have plagued many other sports events, including the Africa Cup of Nations, the continental soccer championship.

Every men’s Africa Cup since 2013 has been moved because of construction delays, security problems or public health issues in the original host countries. There are concerns the next edition in 2027 could be moved from co-hosts Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda due to infrastructure projects reportedly lagging behind.

“The instability in the global markets is kind of forcing some of those countries, they’re not able to advance or proceed as fast as they want,” said Maher Mezahi, a journalist and contributing editor at Africa Is a Country.

Morocco hosted the last men's Africa Cup and the last three editions of the women’s tournament. It has invested heavily in sports infrastructure and often hosts “home” games for other African nations whose stadiums don’t meet the same standards.

Egypt also hosts international matches for other African countries. It recently built a stadium with more than 90,000 seats as part of a sports complex known as Egypt International Olympic City east of Cairo.

However, pointing to Morocco, Mezahi said grassroots initiatives, rather than showcase stadiums, can be a more significant factor in developing sports in Africa.

“The reason why they’ve had success producing talent instead of just hosting events is because they built thousands of what they call ‘proximity pitches’ … artificial turf, small pitch, five-a-side, and it’s really open to the public. It’s really just take your ball and go and play,” Mezahi told The AP from Algiers.

An acid test for sports in Africa

It is too early to tell whether Rwanda’s F1 race will be a game changer for sports in Africa, but it was met with optimism far beyond Kigali.

South Africa Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie pointed to Rwanda as an inspiration and said there’s room for more than one grand prix on the continent, noting that a single European country like Italy has two.

All eyes are now on Rwanda to see how it follows up with the racetrack construction and other infrastructure needed to make the African Grand Prix a lasting success.

“In some ways the F1 grand prix is almost like an acid test,” Chadwick said. “Does Rwanda have what it takes? Or is it going to fall foul of what has beset African sport before?

___

See full AP coverage of African sports here

It's been another great week of play for Maryland flag football.

Linganore holds strong at the top this week, improving to 10-1, while two new faces make their debut on the bottom half of the rankings.

Here are the Week 5 Maryland Super 10 flag football rankings:

1. Linganore (Frederick)

Previous Ranking: 1

Record: 10-1

2. Urbana (Ijamsville)

Previous Ranking: 2

Record: 10-0

3. North Point (Waldorf)

Previous Ranking: 3

Record: 12-0

4. Clarksburg (Clarksburg)

Previous Ranking: 4

Record: 9-1

5. Poly (Baltimore)

Previous Ranking: 5

Record: 11-0

6. Damascus (Damascus)

Previous Ranking: 6

Record: 8-2

7. Wise (Upper Marlboro)

Previous Ranking: 9

Record: 10-1

More: Texas takes big step towards adding girls flag football as official high school sport

8. Northern (Owings)

Previous Ranking: 8

Record: 9-1

9. Gwynn Park (Brandywine)

Previous Ranking: NR

Record: 10-1

10. Dundalk (Baltimore)

Previous Ranking: NR

Record: 7-0

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Maryland flag football rankings: USA TODAY Sports Super 10, Week 5

Phoenix Suns Shawn Marion reacts before getting inducted into the Ring of Honor in the first half against the New York Knicks at Footprint Center. Photo Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect | Source: Lastwordonsports.com - Daniel Benjamin, Editor

The Philadelphia 76ers enter the 2026-27 season with high expectations after making two “splashy” moves and rebuilding their second unit. While bringing in new talent is exciting, having six newcomers on their 15-man roster raises questions about chemistry, among other things.

Philadelphia is coming off another season in which Joel Embiid missed over half the season, and Paul George sat out nearly as many contests. Still, the 76ers — behind Tyrese Maxey’s career season and VJ Edgecombe living up to expectations as the No. 3 pick in the 2025 draft — won 45 games and upset the No. 2 seed Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs. However, the Sixers were swept in the second round by the New York Knicks.

Philadelphia has made the playoffs in seven of the last eight seasons. Since 2017- 18, the 76ers have the seventh-best record at .579 (444-357), though they have not made it past the second round during this stretch. The last time the Sixers won at least two postseason series was in 2001, when they reached the NBA Finals.

 76ers 2026 OffseasonPhiladelphia 76ers guard Jaylen Brown (7) controls the ball in a game against the Boston Celtics at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Photo Credit: Bill Streicher, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect

Three days after being eliminated from the 2026 playoffs, Philadelphia began retooling its basketball operations by firing president of basketball operations Daryl Morey after five and one-half seasons leading the club. On June 4, the Sixers took their time finding a replacement and ultimately hired Mike Gansey, who had spent the previous four seasons as the Cleveland Cavaliers’ general manager. Gansey and former Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers quickly went to work on building the team around Embiid, Maxey and Edgecombe.

Gansey’s first move was selecting Labaron Philon with the No. 22 pick in the first round. But it was the second day of free agency when the 76ers sent shockwaves through the NBA by acquiring 2024 NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown for George and draft capital. The Sixers added Dean Wade, Anfernee Simons, and Ariel Hukporti on July 6, which was the first day teams were officially allowed to sign free agents.

Trading for Brown wasn’t Gansey’s only magic trick of the offseason, as he reeled in free agent LeBron James at the end of July. James chose the 76ers over the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers, two teams he had a history with. The Sixers also signed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who played with James with the Los Angeles Lakers, after the 33-year-old worked out a buyout with the Memphis Grizzlies.

Preseason Showed 76ers Have A Lot to Work OnPhiladelphia 76ers forward LeBron James before a game against the Boston Celtics at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Photo Credit: Bill Streicher, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect

While the preseason gets a bad rap and doesn’t mean anything, it gives players some run in a semi-competitive environment and, more importantly, lets teams evaluate the backend of their roster and make adjustments.

Philadelphia went 1-3 in the preseason, struggling mightily on offense. The 76ers, whose only preseason victory came against the New York Knicks in the opener, finished 27th in offensive rating at 108.8. The Sixers averaged 112.8 points and allowed 117.3 in the four contests.  They were also 26th in effective field goal percentage and 23rd in true shooting percentage.

Philadelphia shot just 43.8% from the field in the preseason, with the biggest issue being from deep. The 76ers attempted the ninth-most 3-pointers, nearly 41 per game, but connected on just 11.3 per game (27.8%). Rebounding — particularly on the offensive end — transition defense and injuries were also problems.

However, former 16-year NBA vet and four-time all-star Shawn Marion believes that offensive chemistry is the 76ers’ most pressing concern.

“There are a lot of guys over there and ain’t but one ball,” Marion recently told Kyle Odegard in an exclusive interview for Action Network. “They don’t really call plays anymore, so that’s the uniqueness of the game now, but a lot of guys don’t play well without the ball. Every star doesn’t play well together. I’m optimistic, but I want to see what happens.”

Speaking of the 76ers stars, Brown had a productive preseason, averaging 20.0 points while shooting 58.3% from the field and 38.5% from 3-point range in just 23 minutes over three games. James was efficient in his 42 minutes over two appearances while Maxey and Edgecombe were solid. However, Embiid showed some rust in two contests.

76ers Injury Concerns

Philadelphia has six players on the injury report heading into tonight’s game against New York, including three who have been ruled out.

The Sixers have an injury report for tomorrow’s game @ New York:

Dean Wade – ankle – QUESTIONABLE

Anfernee Simons – hamstring – QUESTIONABLE

Adem Bona – foot – QUESTIONABLE

Dominick Barlow – back – OUT

Tacko Fall – hip – OUT

Ariel Hukporti – Achilles – OUT

— Adam Aaronson (@SixersAdam) October 19, 2026

Dominick Barlow, Ariel Hukporti and Tacko Fall have already been ruled out. Hukporti is out for the season with a torn Achilles while Barlow is slated to miss two weeks with a back injury. Fall is not expected to be sidelined much longer.  Meanwhile, decisions on Wade, Simons, and Bona will be made closer to game time.

Barlow and Hukporti’s injuries have definitely weakened the 76ers’ depth, as both players were expected to play a significant role throughout the season. Fall, who is on a two-way contract, wasn’t likely to see time tonight anyway, as Nick Nurse prefers to use an eight- to nine-man rotation.

Now, the Sixers will really be hurting against the Knicks if Wade, Simons, or Bona can’t play. Now, if Simons has to sit out, they at least have several others to fill his minutes.

The 76ers are already down to 14 healthy bodies after three players were ruled out.  Now, if Wade and Bona can’t play tonight, Jabari Walker or Justin Edwards would have to see time at the four, which would likely mean James would have to slide over to the five when Embiid rests.

Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) controls the ball against the Boston Celtics during the second quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Photo Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn ImagesThe Last Word

It has been a whirlwind last few months for Philadelphia. But tonight marks the start of a new chapter in 76ers basketball as they open the regular season in New York, where they will raise their 2026 NBA championship banners to MSG’s rafters. It is the first time that the Knicks will do so since 1974 and the third time ever.

It is kind of appropriate for the 76ers to watch the Knicks celebrate their championship. The Sixers have the same goal this year as the Knicks did when they brought in Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and Mikal Bridges to join Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart over the last two-and-a-half seasons.

Granted, the 76ers have a lot to work on and still have room to grow to reach their goal, just like the Knicks. It took the Knicks two seasons to reach their goal after reaching the Eastern Conference Finals in 2025. There are many similarities between the Knicks and the Sixers, who last won a championship in 1983.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what happens in Philly,” Marion said. “Are they going to be healthy? What are they going to do?”

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Bill Guerin and the Minnesota Wild have been in hot pursuit of Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin for months, dating back to Larkin’s initial trade request in early June. Guerin knows Larkin well from his time as GM of USA Hockey. He believes the 12-year veteran, who has recorded five straight 30-goal seasons, is exactly the kind of top-line center the Wild have been looking for in recent years.

But no trade has occurred. Larkin remains with Detroit, at least for the moment. The reason the Wild haven’t been able to get a deal done is that, after somewhat depleting their trade assets when acquiring Quinn Hughes last December, they don’t have the kind of pieces the Red Wings want (given that a win-now Minnesota team obviously isn’t trading any core players).

The Wild’s best realistic trade package for Larkin is something like center Danila Yurov, forward prospect Charlie Stramel, another prospect (like David Spacek), and a 2027 first-round pick. It’s unclear exactly what kind of offer Guerin has put on the table, but whatever it is, it hasn’t been enough for the Red Wings to be seriously interested.

Nine games into this NHL season, there’s a new element to the Wild’s Larkin pursuit that’s worth discussing. Yurov has been excellent to begin his second season. The 22-year-old Russian might be breaking out as a real part of Minnesota’s core. And if that’s the case, does the question for the Wild shift from “What can we do to make Detroit interested?” to “Are we sure trading Yurov and much more for Larkin is the right decision?”

In the Wild’s 2-1 win over the Blue Jackets on Sunday, Yurov scored a goal for the third time in the past four games. He tied a career-high with four shots on goal. And he won six of nine faceoffs. For the season, Yurov is at four goals and five points in nine games, winning 56.6 percent of his 76 draws. He’s done that while playing in a middle-six role (averaging 13:30 time on ice) and on the second power-play unit.

It’s obviously very, very early, but four goals in nine games is a 37-goal pace in an 84-game season. Yurov has impressed with his ability to win loose pucks and has shown a knack for finding open space to create passing opportunities for teammates. All four of his goals this season have come on one-timers.

Danila Yurov, 1-0 PPG #LetsGoBuffalo#MnWildpic.twitter.com/djzjAFI9JZ

— Buffalo Hockey Moments (@SabresPlays) October 7, 2026

Danila Yurov from Yakov Trenin. What a goal pic.twitter.com/UfiIByTc07

— Spoked Z (@SpokedZ) October 18, 2026

There’s certainly a lot of projection involved when comparing Yurov (who has 16 career goals) to Larkin (who has 277). But Yurov is eight years younger than Larkin and making almost $8 million less. If the Wild believe they can continue to get this kind of goal-scoring production from the 2022 first-round pick, should they think about pulling their Detroit offer off the table?

The Wild are 6-2-1. The Red Wings are 3-3-2 and have gotten just one goal and three points from Larkin in six games. An argument can be made that Minnesota doesn’t need to change anything.

But there is a significant counterpoint that has to be mentioned, which is how Hughes fits into all this. Hughes, who did not sign an extension with the Wild before this season, is very close with Larkin, his former USA teammate and fellow Michigan native. If acquiring Larkin would get Hughes to sign an extension, it would almost certainly be worth it, even if it means parting with Yurov and three other assets.

For now, the Wild will hope this early breakout from Yurov continues. His current performance can only be a good thing, whether he’s in Minnesota for a long time or winds up convincing the Red Wings to pull the trigger on sending them Larkin.

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This story was originally published by Bring Me The Sports on Oct 20, 2026, where it first appeared in the MN Wild section. Add Bring Me The Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Iga Swiatek did not go past the quarter-finals at a Grand Slam event in 2026 [Getty Images]

Six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek has called an early finish to what she described as "one of the most challenging" seasons of her career.

Poland's Swiatek failed to qualify for the end-of-season WTA Finals - for the first time since 2019 - after pulling out of the Ningbo Open on Tuesday with a thigh injury.

Shortly afterwards, the 25-year-old announced she was bringing a largely barren season to a close, in order to recharge over a longer period of time before returning in 2027.

Former long-time world number one Swiatek - who has ended a season without a Grand Slam title for the first time since 2021 - has dropped to ninth in the rankings.

"The past few months, or actually the past couple of years, have been incredibly intense," said Swiatek, who will have an opportunity to complete the career Grand Slam at the Australian Open in January.

"I feel I need to rest and recover my body fully, so that's exactly what I will do - [for] a bit longer this time."

Her most recent Grand Slam triumph came at Wimbledon last year.

Swiatek has managed one WTA title this season - the Canadian Open in August - and ends 2026 with a 42-16 win-loss record.

On Saturday, she lost to fellow Pole Maja Chwalinska in the Wuhan Open semi-finals, only her fourth defeat in 23 matches.

"I'm especially proud of the work we've done in the second half of the year and the progress that came with it," said Swiatek, who needed treatment on her thigh but played on against Chwalinska.

"It gives me a lot of confidence in what's ahead."

Analysis: Time for Swiatek to rest body and mind

Swiatek's decision to curtail her 2026 campaign was not a surprise once she withdrew from Ningbo.

For a player who would have automatic qualification for the WTA Finals down as a bare minimum for her yearly expectations, there seems little sense in Swiatek continuing.

Even if the injury cleared up sufficiently to play another tour event in Tokyo, or go to the season finale in Indian Wells as an alternate, she would not have got the mental break which it has long looked like she has needed.

It has been another season of flux and frustration.

In March, she split from Belgian coach Wim Fissette and soon afterwards appointed Spaniard Francisco Roig - the former coach of Rafael Nadal and Emma Raducanu - as she looked to return to being "a rock on the court".

Lifting a WTA 1,000 trophy in Toronto has been the clear high for Swiatek this year.

The unusual explosion of pent-up emotion when she beat Elena Rybakina - now the world number one - demonstrated what it meant and looked to be a turning point.

However, the stress and anxiety which she has openly spoken about feeling on the court - leading to erratic unforced errors - has not gone away.

Swiatek has often been overcome by emotion during matches, most recently when she wiped away tears during her defeat by childhood friend Chwalinska.

While that was somewhat down to the injury, Swiatek's refreshingly honest answer afterwards - that she could "go on a longer vacation" by not reaching the WTA Finals - gave a clearer indication of what she really needs before getting back to work ahead of 2027.

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Coming off a devastating loss to the Tennessee Titans, the Indianapolis Colts sit at 2-4, having just fired GM Chris Ballard. It feels like only six games in, the season is already on the brink of spiraling.

So, knowing that things have to turn around, and do so quite quickly, what was Shane Steichen's message to the team?

"I said, look, guys, here's the reality of the situation," Steichen said on Monday, via Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan, "we're 2-4. We dug ourselves in a hole together and we gotta dig ourselves out together. And that was the message. A ton of football ahead of us, but we gotta put our heads down and work, control the controllables, have great meetings, great practice, a sense of urgency in everything we do, the details gotta be right. I said my first year, shoot, we were 3-5, we dug ourselves out and we were one play away from winning the division, and it's a similar situation. I look at it like that, but we gotta put in the work to do that. I can't sit in front of a camera and talk about it, we gotta go put the product on the field for our fans."

Shane Steichen’s message yesterday to his 2-4 football team: pic.twitter.com/J1xHPrRz7e

— Kevin Bowen (@KBowen1070) October 20, 2026

The good news is that time is still on the Colts' side with 11 games left in the season. That said, there is a lot to fix.

Daniel Jones continues to struggle with turnovers, and his overall play has dropped off from where it was last season. The pass rush is stagnant, the run game is lackluster, and the defense has struggled to get stops. The depth at positions like linebacker and wide receiver has been exposed as well.

Adding to the challenge is that the Colts' next two games are against 5-0 Minnesota and 4-2 Jacksonville, with both games coming on the road.

It's now or never for Steichen's team.

This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Shane Steichen's message to 2-4 Colts after latest loss

The Tennessee Titans finally got their first win of the season on Sunday, coming back from a 13-point deficit at halftime to get the win.

If you watched the game, it was a tale of two halves. In the first half, we saw much of the same things we've seen from this team all season. Lackluster offense that can't sustain drives. Defense that is on point and causing problems for the opposing offense, even getting an interception on the Colts' first drive that the offense could not capitalize on.

The second half, though, that's where things picked up for the Titans. The defense started the half creating two turnovers on the Colts' first two possessions, and the offense managed to get points off of those turnovers. Cam Ward suddenly found his targets and hit them. The ground game opened up. The offense seemed to be mostly on the same page, and they scored on each second-half possession.

There's obviously still work to be done; this team has only won one game. But maybe this is what lights the fire under them. Their first win of the season came against a divisional opponent, and that has to motivate them to continue working hard on improving.

As we enter Week 7, here's a look at where the Titans stand in a multitude of power rankings.

Nate Davis, USA TODAY: 29 (32)

Nice that they finally broke into the win column. How many more times is that possible with QB Cam Ward averaging 166.3 passing yards per game, fewest among all QBs with at least 100 attempts this season?

Frank Schwab, Yahoo! Sports: 30 (31)

When the Titans were down 13-0 to the Colts at halftime, and eventually 13-6 after three quarters, it looked bleak. The Titans had shown very few signs of being the type of team that could overcome a double-digit deficit to win on the road. But they outscored the Colts 26-7 in the second half to win.

"The players, these kids put in so much work, and this league is hard," Robert Saleh said after his first win as Titans head coach, via the team's site. "We'd been close on a few occasions, and to knock this one out for them, I am much more excited for them than for myself."

It's not like this was a big breakout game. Cam Ward had 102 yards passing. The Titans had 186 yards as a team, while the Colts gained 399. Tennessee had just 11 first downs, the fewest in the NFL in Week 6. But the Titans got their first win, which changes the entire conversation surrounding them for the rest of the season.

Ralph Vacchiano, FOX Sports: 31 (32)

Super Bowl odds: +100000 (tied for 31st-best)

The Titans is so bad that they played one good half of football on Sunday and it prompted the Colts to fire GM Chris Ballard. And honestly, it wasn’t even that good of a half by the Titans. They gained 158 yards on five possessions, scoring one touchdown and settling for four field goals. Two of those field goals came on drives they started inside the Colts’ 33. Tennessee did force two third-quarter turnovers and returned a blocked punt for a TD, so give the club credit where it’s due. But the Titans had 186 total yards of offense and QB Cam Ward had yet another stinker (11 for 22, 102 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT). 

Next game: vs. Browns (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Stat To Know: Sunday's win against the Colts was the Titans first win since Week 16 of last season, snapping a seven-game losing streak. 

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: 30 (31)

It wasn't pretty against the Colts, but they found way to win a game. That's big for this young team.

Connor Orr, Sports Illustrated: 29 (31)

Last week’s ranking: No. 31Last week’s result: beat Colts, 26–20This week: vs. Browns

Losing to the Titans will absolutely break you as a person. DeForrest Buckner is proof. 

Chad Graff and Josh Kendall, The Athletic: 29 (32)

Last Week: 32

Sunday: Beat Colts 26-20

Fantasy Focus: Carnell Tate

Rookie wide receivers have a history of strong second halves to their first seasons, and Tate needs one. This year's No. 4 pick in the actual draft (No. 78 in fantasy drafts) is 94th in fantasy scoring so far (11.2 ppg). There have been positive signs, though. He had a 145 yards week in Week 4 and 70 more plus a score on Sunday.

Up Next: vs. Browns, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

theScore: 28 (31)

Previous rank: 31

Cam Ward: This isn't the 1990s, when quarterbacks got three full seasons before teams started evaluating them. Ward has shown minimal progress since being drafted first overall two years ago, and the Titans look like they're heading for another top-five selection in 2027. Ward will be under the microscope from here on out.

Bleacher Report: 30 (31)

Last Week: 31

Week 6 Result: Won at Indianapolis 26-20

The Tennessee Titans picked up their first win of the season on Sunday by taking advantage of the Indianapolis Colts' mistakes. However, Tennessee doesn't look like a team that is going to string together wins any time soon.

The Titans' next three games will come against teams that currently have a winning record.

It's just hard to pinpoint any one thing that the Titans do well. Cam Ward continues to underwhelm as an NFL starter, and he completed just 50 percent of his passes for 102 yards against a bad Colts defense. While Tennessee's defense has shown flashes of promise at times this season, it gave up 399 yards in Indy and isn't the sort of unit that will regularly take over games.

Tennessee will certainly welcome Sunday's victory, but it does little to suggest that Ward and head coach Robert Saleh are long-term answers for this franchise.

Walter Football: 31 (30)

The Titans are now 12-29 against the spread since firing Mike Vrabel. They beat the Colts, but needed a comedy of errors from Daniel Jones and Indianapolis' special teams to get the win. There won't be many other victories this year.

NFL Nation, ESPN: 31 (NC)

WWeek 6 result: Beat the Colts 26-20Week 6 ranking: 31

Biggest issue on offense: Passing "attack"

The Titans' passing game is severely inconsistent and last in the league at 153.3 passing yards per game. Although QB Cam Ward has had accuracy issues and failed to see open receivers on occasion, it's not all on him. Ward's pass catchers have dropped passes, and no one has emerged as the second option to rookie receiver Carnell Tate. Second-year wideout Elic Ayomanor had an outstanding training camp but hasn't had much of an impact (seven catches over six games). The tight end group has also been nonexistent, totaling 14 receptions for 90 yards. 

This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: NFL Power Rankings Roundup: How do the Titans fare entering Week 7?

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The expected expansion of the College Football Playoff and its effect on conference championship games is to be determined, but Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark said he's ready to adjust.

Speaking at Big 12 basketball media days, Yormark addressed the future of the conference's football title game and basketball tournaments, what he called "tentpole events." The NCAA basketball tournament field will grow to 76 teams this season, the first major expansion since 1985.

"First of all, nothing's been done yet with the CFP. It's only speculation," Yormark said. "Nothing's final. So, I don't want to get too much into details there, but tentpole events for us matter. Our (football) championship has been very valuable. Our basketball tournament, both men's and women's, has been very valuable.

"If there's a point in time where change is made, we will look to backstop those events with other events. We're in the event business. It drives a lot of fan engagement and excitement. We'll see what happens in the future, but those are big moments for us, and for some reason if that one goes away, we'll replace it with something different."

Yormark reiterates support for Protect College Sports Act

Yormark also spoke on the Protect College Sports Act, which he said supports his priorities to "put student athletes first, preserve fairness and create greater stability." He pointed to the Big 12's ban on professional athletes returning to college sports to "protect fairness, opportunity and integrity."

"I'm encouraged by the progress of the Protect College Sports Act," Yormark said. "This is the closest we've ever been to passing meaningful legislation, and I look forward to working with lawmakers as the process advances to the House. Like any startup, the College Sports Commission has continued to evolve and improve. Together, these efforts are helping move college athletics in the right direction."

Yormark pushed back on a question about athletes' lack of representation during PCSA discussions.

"I'm a huge advocate of the student-athlete voice," Yormark said. "I can tell you that I sit on four committees, the president's committee, Commission on College Athletics, and there has been great representation by student-athletes on all those committees. They've had a voice. We had a call most recently, two weeks ago, where, again, there were numerous student-athletes."

As the legislation continues to be debated, athletes around the country have spent the offseason trying to regain eligibility under the NCAA's "5 for 5" rule. Yormark said he supports Big 12 schools adding those players to rosters, despite its conflict with the intent of the PCSA.

"I will tell you that we as a conference support the NCAA's age-based eligibility model," Yormark said. "We voted in favor of it. That being said, I respect the decision-making of student-athletes, and I respect the decisions of local courts as well. But there is a balancing act there, for sure."

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Big 12 commissioner talks future of CFP, Protect College Sports Act

A row has erupted after an Oregon high school football player tackled a member of the opposing team carrying an American flag onto the field this past weekend.

Video circulating online shows a Jefferson High School player running into a Grant High School player as the rival team ran onto the field before Friday’s match-up at Jefferson in Portland, KATU reported.

The footage shows the Jefferson player tackling the Grant player to the ground and knocking the American flag out of his hands. The player leaves the flag on the field as he stands to chase the rival player away.

The Oregon School Activities Association said the Jefferson player was ejected from the game over his conduct.

“Rivalry game or not, there’s no place for this behavior before, during, or after a game,” the group said.

A football game between two Portland, Oregon, high schools went viral after one player tackled a student carrying an American flag to the ground (Google Maps)

The association said it does not comment on disciplinary measures. However, students who are ejected are typically removed from participation for the rest of the day and may also face a one-game suspension. Some students may also be required to complete a sportsmanship course, according to KATU.

Portland Public Schools said that the student-athlete “allowed his emotions to override his judgment in the heat of the moment.” Both schools fall under the Portland Public Schools district. The district backed officials’ decision to eject the player from the game.

The district also noted in a statement to KATU that the incident had “nothing whatsoever to do with the American flag.”

The Independent has contacted Jefferson High School, Grant High School and Portland Public Schools for comment.

The Jefferson football team acknowledged the incident on Instagram before deleting the team’s account, according to Fox News.

“The video was not intended to disrespect the American flag,” a since-deleted post read, according to Fox. “However, there was disrespect shown toward Jefferson by Grant players and members of their coaching staff before the game, and if you were there to witness what happened, you would understand the full context.”

Both Grant High School (pictured) and Jefferson High School are part of the Portland Public Schools district (Google Maps)

The post continued: "There was an option to go around the field, but they chose not to. This was our last game ever on Jefferson Field, our Senior Night, and Homecoming. This was a special and emotional night for our school, our seniors, our players, and our community. What happened before the game was not appropriate, especially given the significance of the occasion. If you have an issue with the video or with me personally for posting it, you can address that with me directly.

"I am willing to take accountability for my own actions and for the content I choose to post. However, you will not use this situation as an excuse to be racist toward my students, my players, our staff, or anyone who represents Jefferson. They do not deserve to be targeted or disrespected because of a rivalry or a video posted online.”

It concluded: “At Jefferson, we are proud of who we are. We are Black, Hispanic, white, and people from many different backgrounds who come together as one school and one community. Our diversity is something to be proud of, not something to attack.”

Friday’s football game ended with Grant winning 35-14. Jefferson’s record dropped to 1-6, while Grant is 6-1.

Coming off their Week 6 bye, the Dolphins are replacing their kicker.

According to Jordan Schultz of The Schultz Report, Miami is re-signing Zane Gonzalez for the role. ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes the team is releasing Riley Patterson.

Gonzalez, 31, was previously with the Dolphins during the offseason program and training camp. He was placed on injured reserve in August and released with an injury settlement on Aug. 19.

In nine games for Atlanta last season, Gonzalez hit 19-of-22 field goals and 17-of-18 extra points.

Patterson missed an extra point in the Week 5 loss to the Bengals. He had also missed two field goals earlier in the season.

Miami will be on the road to face the Jets in Week 7.

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

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

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

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

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

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Fantasy football players to start in Week 7Quarterbacks

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

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

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

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

Running backs

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

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

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

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

Wide receivers

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

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

• Denzel Boston, Cleveland Browns (at Tennessee Titans)

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

Tight end

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

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

Defense/special teams

• Cleveland Browns (at Tennessee Titans)

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

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Fantasy football players to sit in Week 7Quarterbacks

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

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

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

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

Running backs

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

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

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

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

Wide receivers

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

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

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

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

Tight end

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

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

Defense/special teams

• New England Patriots (at Chicago Bears)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Eric Froton's Week 8 College Fantasy Football Rankings

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

College Fantasy Football Week 8 Rankings

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Why Amik Robertson Makes Sense for Detroit Lions

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

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

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

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

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

Would Washington Actually Trade Robertson Back to Detroit?

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

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

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

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

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

Should Brad Holmes Make the Call?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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