Yahoo Sports

Pundit does not think Arsenal will struggle to cope without Saka

Arsenal is a fantastic unit, and one thing that separates them from most of their rivals is that the Gunners do not rely on one or a few set of players. They have a team that has match winners all over it, and that explains why it is easy for them to win games, even when their big-money striker cannot score goals.

You will hardly see Arsenal players doing well on the scorers or assist charts, but they won the Premier League title last season and could have won the Champions League as well. Mikel Arteta has built a solid unit that knows how to cope when a key player is injured or unavailable, so as Bukayo Saka faces a spell on the sidelines, the Gunners are not overly worried about the fitness of the Englishman.

Onuoha Backs Arsenal to Cope

Nedum Onuoha also does not believe they will suffer so much now that he is not on their team and said via BBC Live:

“The only negative is seeing one of their star players, Saka, having to pull up with an injury early in the first half. He was lying on the floor with his hand up and he knew he was in a bit of trouble, so now the concern will be how long he is out for.

“(Saka’s absence) It’s not necessarily something that means the team will struggle heavily but there is a reason why he is regarded as one of the best players in this Arsenal team and is seen as being important for them. They will still be hoping he isn’t out for so long.”

(Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Depth Gives Arsenal Confidence

Onuoha’s view reflects the confidence within the squad, as Arsenal’s strength lies in the collective rather than in any individual. The Gunners have shown time and again that they can adapt when key players are missing, and Saka’s injury will be no different.

The winger’s quality is undeniable, but Arsenal’s system is built to function even without him, and other players will now get the chance to step up. The club’s depth has been a major strength this season, and it will be tested again in the coming weeks.

Saka’s absence is a blow, but it is not one that should derail Arsenal’s season, and the fans will be hoping he returns sooner rather than later. The team’s focus remains on the next match and the next three points.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________ADMIN COMMENT

So here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….

You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.

CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us through this link…

More Stories / Latest News

Pundit does not think Arsenal will struggle to cope without Saka

22 October 2026, 15:00

Arteta reveals what type of injury Saka has suffered

22 October 2026, 14:00

Odegaard thinks Arsenal could have beaten Bayern Munich

22 October 2026, 13:00

Source: nyc-click/Shutterstock.comEugene Powers/Shutterstock.com Stephen A. Smith criticizes John Harbaugh

ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith criticized New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh on October 19, 2026. His remarks followed running back Cam Skattebo’s limited participation against the New Orleans Saints in Week 6.

During ESPN’s First Take, Smith challenged Harbaugh’s explanation for Skattebo receiving no offensive touches. The criticism followed New York’s 34-27 loss to New Orleans on October 18 at MetLife Stadium.

lev radin/Shutterstock.com Stephen A. Smith challenges Harbaugh’s explanation

Stephen A. Smith disputed John Harbaugh’s claim that Cam Skattebo’s lack of carries against New Orleans was unplanned. Smith addressed the coach’s explanation during ESPN’s First Take broadcast on October 19.

The ESPN commentator argued that Harbaugh should have acknowledged intentionally reducing Skattebo’s opportunities. Smith believed the coach could have directly explained his frustration with the running back instead of denying a planned benching.

Ringo Chiu/Shutterstock.com Cam Skattebo receives no offensive touches

Cam Skattebo finished the New York Giants’ October 18 game against the New Orleans Saints without a rushing attempt or reception. The running back participated in only 6 offensive snaps during the defeat.

Skattebo entered the matchup with 81 rushing attempts during the 2026 season and finished with the same total. All 6 of his offensive snaps came during the first half of New York’s loss.

D'Avril Grant/Shutterstock.com John Harbaugh explains the running back rotation

John Harbaugh said the New York Giants entered their October 18 matchup intending to evaluate several running backs. The coaching staff wanted to identify a player capable of establishing himself through consistent production.

Harbaugh explained that Skattebo received no carries because the offense called no running plays during his appearances. He maintained that the complete absence of rushing attempts was not part of the original plan.

Depositphotos Cam Skattebo’s fumbles prompt reduced playing time

Cam Skattebo recorded 4 fumbles during his first 5 games of the 2026 NFL season. His difficulties protecting the football contributed to concerns about his reliability in the New York Giants’ offense.

Skattebo’s latest costly mistake occurred during overtime against the Washington Commanders on October 11. The fumble disrupted New York’s opportunity to win before the teams finished their Week 5 matchup tied at 27.

Depositphotos Cam Skattebo accepts responsibility for mistakes

Cam Skattebo acknowledged that his reduced playing time followed his mistakes earlier in the season. Speaking after the October 18 loss, the running back accepted responsibility for the consequences of his previous fumbles.

Skattebo explained that he expected fewer opportunities against New Orleans but did not anticipate receiving zero touches. He also emphasized remaining prepared and continuing to perform his responsibilities whenever the coaching staff needed him.

nyc-click/Shutterstock.com Stephen A. Smith questions Skattebo’s attention

Stephen A. Smith also discussed Cam Skattebo’s growing public profile during his October 19 comments. The ESPN commentator suggested that the running back’s endorsement deals and increased recognition had become part of the discussion.

Smith argued that Skattebo needed to focus on meeting expectations as New York’s leading running back. His criticism linked the attention the player received to his responsibility to protect the football and to produce consistently.

Fun fact: During the September 3, 2022 season opener, Cameron Skattebo delivered a legendary performance to lead the Sacramento State Hornets to a 56-33 victory over Utah Tech.

Depositphotos Cam Skattebo’s rookie season showed promise

Cam Skattebo recorded 410 rushing yards and 5 rushing touchdowns during his rookie season with the New York Giants in 2025. He also contributed 207 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns across 8 appearances.

His debut season ended early after he suffered a serious ankle injury against the Philadelphia Eagles. The injury required surgery and interrupted his first NFL campaign before his return during the 2026 season.

yobro10/Depositphotos Cam Skattebo’s rushing average declines

Cam Skattebo averaged approximately 3.6 yards per rushing attempt through Week 6 of the 2026 NFL season. He recorded 294 rushing yards on 81 attempts before the New York Giants entered Week 7.

Those figures left Skattebo as New York’s leading rusher despite receiving no carries against New Orleans. His average was lower than the approximately 4.1 yards per rushing attempt he recorded during his rookie season.

Depositphotos New York Giants struggle with rushing production

The New York Giants struggled to establish a consistent running game during their October 18 loss to New Orleans. Their running backs combined for 34 rushing yards on 14 attempts during the matchup.

John Harbaugh expressed frustration with the lack of production from the backfield. The coach wanted a running back to earn a larger role through stronger performances rather than continuing to divide opportunities among several players.

UTBP/Depositphotos New York Giants release Najee Harris

The New York Giants released veteran running back Najee Harris on October 20, 2026. The roster decision followed his public frustration about limited opportunities during the team’s loss to the New Orleans Saints.

Harris recorded 99 rushing yards on 31 attempts during his time with New York. Against New Orleans, he gained only 2 yards on 4 carries after receiving the starting assignment ahead of Cam Skattebo.

Image Press Agency/Depositphotos Michael Irvin supports John Harbaugh’s decision

Hall of Fame wide receiver Michael Irvin supported John Harbaugh’s handling of Cam Skattebo during ESPN’s First Take discussion. Irvin believed the reduced playing time sent an important message about accountability and the need to correct mistakes.

Irvin expressed confidence that Skattebo could respond positively and earn another opportunity. His position differed from Stephen A. Smith’s criticism, which focused primarily on Harbaugh’s explanation rather than the decision to limit Skattebo’s involvement.

Wondering what prompted Stephen A. Smith to criticize WNBA reporters? Find out why Stephen A. Smith calls out WNBA reporters with a ‘very unpopular’ take.

BrianScantlebury/Depositphotos Cam Skattebo faces uncertain Week 7 role

Cam Skattebo’s playing time remained uncertain as of October 21, 2026, before the New York Giants’ scheduled matchup against the Houston Texans. The teams are set to meet on October 25 in Houston.

Following Najee Harris’s release, New York’s remaining running backs included Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy Jr., and Devin Singletary. John Harbaugh had not publicly established which player would receive the largest share of rushing opportunities.

Curious what led Stephen A. Smith to deliver such harsh criticism of the Mets? Explore how Stephen A. Smith explains why the Mets have become a “baseball abomination”.

Do you agree with Stephen A. Smith’s criticism of John Harbaugh, or was limiting Cam Skattebo’s playing time the right decision? Share your opinion in the comments!

This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.

Read More From This Brand:

• Stephen A. Smith walks off ESPN set after heated rant
• Stephen A. Smith responds after Bears’ trash talk backfires against Packers
• Stephen A. Smith questions the Lakers’ chances despite LeBron’s leadership

In 2017, the FBI became involved in an investigation surrounding the University of Arizona and an alleged $10,000 payment intended to persuade center DeAndre Ayton to join the Wildcats. Less than a decade later, the college sports landscape has completely transformed, with programs now needing to spend millions of dollars to assemble competitive rosters across the Power 5 conferences.

An article published by Matt Norlander of CBS Sports highlights this evolving landscape, breaking down how teams across the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, Big East and ACC stack up in roster spending.

At the conference level, the ACC has the lowest average cost to assemble a roster. However, that average masks a significant difference between the conference’s biggest spenders and those operating with considerably smaller budgets.

The article goes on to describe this discrepancy in numerical detail, stating:

The ACC has the widest gaps by far of any high-major. The usual suspects are in the stratosphere, while the conference also has 12 of its 18 teams under the national average of $13.5 million. There’s more variety in NIL situations and changes and upward and downward trends in this league than any other.

This shows that within conference play, Syracuse could be up against one of the country’s top spenders or one of the bottom spenders in Power 5 on any given night, which is a pretty interesting concept.

But where exactly does Syracuse rank themselves?

According to the article, the Orange fall into Tier 5 of the seven spending tiers, with an estimated roster value of approximately $10 million to $12 million.

Outside of Minnesota, every team in Tier 5 reached the NCAA Tournament last season. Syracuse also faced three teams from this spending tier during the 2025-26 campaign, losing to Iowa State, NC State and Clemson.

Of course, college basketball rosters are constantly evolving from year to year, and spending alone doesn’t determine a team’s success. Still, this provides some useful context for how Syracuse stacks up against programs operating with similar roster budgets.

With the college basketball season just under two weeks away, how do you feel that the Orange will fair with the roster they have constructed? Do you feel like Syracuse should be spending more or less money constructing their roster?

The Seattle Seahawks don’t need to make a trade just because the deadline is approaching. But after a 3-3 start, an offense that has struggled to find consistency, and two difficult games against the Kansas City Chiefs and Chicago Bears ahead, John Schneider has plenty of reasons to explore the market.

The NFL trade deadline is November 10. By then, Seattle should have a much clearer idea of what this team can realistically accomplish. If the Seahawks lose both upcoming games and fall to 3-5, the front office will have to confront an uncomfortable question: is this roster one or two additions away from getting back on track, or are the problems too widespread for a deadline deal to fix?

The timing of the Indianapolis Colts’ decision to fire general manager Chris Ballard makes that question even more interesting. Ed Dodds, a former Seahawks executive who worked under Schneider, is now overseeing Indianapolis’ personnel department on an interim basis. That doesn’t guarantee a trade between the two teams, but it creates an opportunity worth examining.

Running back: Should Seattle spend big on a star?

The Seahawks’ ground game has been a major concern. Kenneth Walker III departed in free agency, first-round rookie Jadarian Price has been dealing with an injury, and Zach Charbonnet has also been unavailable. Seattle has struggled to replace Walker’s production, leaving the offense without the balance it needs.

Jonathan Taylor is an obvious name to consider. He remains one of the league’s most productive backs, with 1,585 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns in 2025. Through six games in 2026, he has 492 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.

Taylor’s combination of acceleration, vision, contact balance and finishing ability would give Seattle a runner capable of creating yards even when the blocking isn’t perfect. He could transform the backfield and take some pressure off the passing game. There is also a historical connection. Taylor was a popular potential target for Seattle in the 2020 draft, and footage of him expressing interest in the Seahawks has resurfaced amid the trade speculation.

However, Taylor is not an expiring-contract player. He is under contract through 2028, with $16 million owed in 2027. A deal would likely cost at least a second-rounder plus additional compensation. Seattle would be making a substantial financial and draft investment in a position with a short career window.

That is where the argument against a Taylor trade becomes important. The Seahawks already used a first-round pick on Price, and both Price and Charbonnet are expected to return. They also have future extensions to consider, including defensive tackle Byron Murphy II.

Saquon Barkley offers a comparable high-end alternative. His 2024 season was extraordinary, with 2,005 rushing yards in the regular season and a Super Bowl championship with Philadelphia. His production fell to 1,140 rushing yards in 2025, and he has been limited to four games in 2026 by a hamstring injury.

Barkley is a versatile runner and receiver who could give Seattle another explosive weapon. But the injury situation, contract and acquisition price would all need to be evaluated carefully. The Eagles would also have to be willing to move a player who remains a major part of their offense.

Tony Pollard is a more economical possibility. He has surpassed 1,000 rushing yards in four seasons and could offer a dependable veteran presence. He wouldn’t solve the offense’s structural problems, but he could strengthen the rotation and reduce the pressure on inexperienced or returning players.

Omarion Hampton is a different kind of gamble. The Chargers selected him in the first round in 2025, and he has shown potential despite a modest statistical start to his NFL career. A change of scenery could help, but Los Angeles invested too much in him to move on without a meaningful offer.

Edge rusher: Khalil Mack could make the defense even better

The Seahawks’ defense has generally been more reliable than the offense, but the edge rush has not produced consistently enough. Mike Macdonald’s scheme can generate pressure from the interior, yet Seattle still needs players who can win from the outside.

Dante Fowler was a reasonable low-cost gamble, but his impact has been limited. If the Seahawks want to improve their ability to pressure quarterbacks in critical situations, Khalil Mack is an obvious target.

Mack has three sacks and five tackles for loss through six games in 2026. The veteran is playing on a one-year, $18 million contract with the Chargers, who have struggled badly enough to invite questions about whether they might consider moving veterans.

Mack would bring proven pass-rush ability, strength against the run and experience in high-leverage situations. He could also help Seattle manage the workload and maintain a higher level of pressure throughout the game.

The cost would matter. Other contenders would likely be interested in a player with Mack’s résumé. Still, if Los Angeles makes him available, this is the kind of short-term acquisition that could improve Seattle without requiring a long-term commitment.

YaYa Diaby is another possibility. He recorded nine sacks and 62 pressures in 2025, but has started slowly in 2026, with no sacks and seven pressures. Diaby is younger than Mack and offers more long-term upside, particularly because his contract is expiring. He also has the athleticism and run-defense ability to fit Macdonald’s scheme. The uncertainty is whether Tampa Bay would actually sell, and whether Seattle would be willing to pay enough to beat competing offers.

Carl Granderson could provide another option. He recorded six sacks in 2025 and has 2.5 through four games this season. His size and ability to defend the run make him an interesting fit, although his contract runs through 2027, so he would not be a rental. New Orleans also has its own division race to consider.

Will McDonald IV would offer explosive speed, but the New York Jets exercised his fifth-year option, making him a more complicated and potentially expensive target.

Cornerback: The value of insurance

Brandon Stephens is worth monitoring if the Jets become sellers. He spent four seasons in Baltimore, including the period when Macdonald was part of the Ravens’ coaching staff. That familiarity could ease his transition, although it would not automatically make him a perfect fit.

Cam Hart of the Chargers is a more developmental option. His size and physical profile are intriguing, but Seattle would need to determine whether he is ready to contribute consistently.

Kelee Ringo of the Eagles is the speculative alternative. He entered the league with considerable potential after playing at Georgia, but has yet to become a consistent contributor. A change of scenery could help, particularly if the acquisition cost is low.

Quenton Nelson: The opportunity Seattle shouldn’t ignore

If the Seahawks are serious about improving the offense, Quenton Nelson may be the most compelling target available.

Nelson is 30 years old, a six-time first-team All-Pro and an eight-time Pro Bowler. He is in the final year of his current contract, making him a different proposition from Taylor.

Nelson has a elite zone-blocking performance and the possibility of acquiring him for a second-round pick, similar to what Seattle paid for Leonard Williams in 2023. Maybe Anthony Bradford could be included in a package, giving Indianapolis a younger guard to evaluate while Seattle opens a spot for Nelson.

Nelson would also force a decision about Grey Zabel. Both players are left guards, so Seattle would need to consider moving Zabel to right guard or exploring another reshuffle. The important point is that the adjustment is manageable. Seattle should not reject the opportunity to acquire an elite guard simply because it would require changes elsewhere on the line.

The comparison with Leonard Williams is especially strong. Williams arrived in Seattle in his late twenties on an expiring contract, and the Seahawks paid a second- and fifth-round pick to acquire him. The team later re-signed him, and he became a key defensive player.

Nelson could follow a similar path. Seattle would acquire a high-level veteran, give him a chance to experience the organization, and attempt to convince him to stay beyond the season. Even if he eventually left, the team could potentially receive compensatory draft capital.

Final thoughts

Seattle’s recent midseason trade history provides a useful model. Leonard Williams became a defensive cornerstone. Ernest Jones IV helped stabilize the middle of the defense. Rashid Shaheed added a dynamic return threat.

Those deals had different levels of impact, and not every acquisition needs to become a franchise-defining move. The goal is to improve the team without sacrificing too much of its future.

The 3-3 Seahawks are already chasing a 6-0 San Francisco team, and the remaining schedule is another reason to take the next few weeks seriously. The NFC playoff race will also include the Rams and a competitive NFC North.

A 3-5 record after the Chiefs and Bears games would not automatically end Seattle’s season. It would, however, make the case for a major investment harder to defend unless the front office believes a specific player can change the team’s trajectory.

The best approach is to establish a clear priority. Nelson could transform the offensive line. Mack could improve a pass rush that needs more consistency. A running back might give the offense another dimension, while a cornerback could provide insurance against injuries.

One or two smart acquisitions could make a meaningful difference. But the Seahawks should be buying solutions, not headlines. The deadline is an opportunity to improve the roster — not an obligation to spend draft capital.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 18: Tyler Shough #6 of the New Orleans Saints scrambles with the ball under pressure from Charlie Jones #89 of the New York Giants during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium on October 18, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Bonjour, Who Dat Nation!

The Saints have traveled across the world and will find their offense going up against one of the best defenses in the league. The Steelers’ defense is a top-10 unit overall, and the matchup advantages they have could allow them to exploit the biggest issue with the Saints’ offense.

The Steelers’ defense is led by a legend in the making, T.J. Watt. So far this season, Watt has 4.5 sacks, 6 tackles for loss, and 15 total tackles. He also has a forced fumble and an interception, which he returned for a touchdown. The Steelers’ defensive unit as a whole has 16 sacks on the season, which ranks in the top 10 in the league. They are also in the top 10 in turnover differential at +3 on the season.

The Steelers’ defense is what is carrying the team. So far, no opponent has been able to score more than 27 points against them. They feature elite players at every level, including Watt and Alex Highsmith as pass rushers, along with Jalen Ramsey, who can play all over the secondary.

This is not a matchup that will be easy for the Saints. If anything, the Steelers may very well be able to exploit the Saints’ biggest weakness, which is the offensive line.

The Saints average 224 passing yards per game, while the Steelers allow only 204 passing yards per game. The Steelers average about 2.7 sacks per game, while the Saints are allowing 2.17. Having Asim Richards on the offensive line against T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith is something Kellen Moore will have to prepare for.

The Steelers’ rushing defense does present an opportunity for the Saints to have some success, as Pittsburgh is allowing 103.2 rushing yards per game. Unfortunately, the Saints are averaging only 97.3 rushing yards per game. The Saints were able to establish a running game last week against the Giants and will have to do so again in Paris. If they are unable to establish the run, it will put them in obvious third-and-long situations.

If the Saints are going to win this game, they will have to make sure to utilize motion to identify coverages, establish the running game early, and keep the offense on schedule. Third-and-long situations are a recipe for disaster against a pass rush this dangerous, especially with an offensive line that has obvious protection issues.

There is some excitement building around the possibility that Jordyn Tyson could make his season debut this week since he traveled with the team. If he is able to play in this game, it would be a big addition, giving the Saints another weapon in the passing game. Tyson is also a very willing blocker at the receiver position and could help improve the running game a little bit as well, especially if the Saints are able to get their running backs to the edge.

This will be a big test for the Saints’ offense and coaching staff. Hopefully, they are fully prepared and up for the task.

How do you think the Saints’ offense matches up against the Steelers’ defense? Share your thoughts in the comments.

BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 3: Jordan Ross #29 of the LSU Tigers before a game against the McNeese Cowboys at Tiger Stadium on October 3, 2026 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Gus Stark/LSU/University Images via Getty Images)

LSU got a big bounceback win, but we didn’t see any players move up or down in the draft. Still, a few things changed.

First Round

OT Jordan Seaton – note: Seaton’s draft stock is rising in the first round and will likely be the first tackle off the board.

TE Trey’Dez Green – note: Green is dropping a bit in the rankings but is still projected as a first-round pick.

Day 2

Second Round – S Ty Benefield

Second Round – EDGE Princewill Umanmielen

Third Round – C Braelin Moore – Note: Moore seems to have jumped Weeks in the draft projections.

Third Round – LB Whit Weeks

Third Round – EDGE Jordan Ross

Third Round – S Dashawn Spears

Day 3

Fifth Round – QB Sam Leavitt

Notes:

The Mississippi State win was an incredible start for some of these players to turn their draft stock around. Jordan Ross has been falling in recent weeks, but Saturday was a great performance; if he repeats it, he could jump into the second round. Leavitt is in a similar situation. Performing consistently will do wonders for his projections.

Kevin Gausman was acquired by the Cubs, ostensibly, because of his extensive postseason experience and in particular, how he starred for the Blue Jays in 2025.

Gausman’s regular season numbers for Toronto this year weren’t that great, though some of his peripherals suggested he could return to his 2025 form.

Welp. That didn’t work out too well, did it? In nine starts for the Cubs Gausman was measurably worse (4.83 ERA, 1.232 WHIP) than he was for the Jays (23 starts, 4.38 ERA, 1.288 WHIP). In particular, Gausman fell victim to the same thing many other Cubs pitchers did in 2026 — the long ball. In 50.1 innings for the Cubs, Gausman allowed 11 home runs. He’d allowed 15 homers in 127.1 innings for the Jays.

Whatever’s causing that for Cubs pitching, they need to get it fixed before 2027.

Gausman started Game 2 of the Wild Card Series and it did not go well, as he allowed five hits and three runs in 3.1 innings.

Gausman is an unrestricted free agent — no options of any kind. He turns 36 in January. He loved playing in Toronto:

The Gausman family full of gratitude and love for Toronto and the Blue Jays ❤️ pic.twitter.com/V2fQSIQ5nr

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) August 4, 2026

In fact, Gausman and his family went back to visit Toronto on a Cubs off day in September.

Seems possible, if the right-hander wants to continue playing, that’s the likely landing spot.

It was, I think, a worthwhile attempt, the deal bringing Gausman to the Cubs. Brett Bateman, the key piece in the deal, played 41 games for the Jays and batted .329/.402/.424, producing 2.2 bWAR. That’s quite good. But Bateman was blocked in Chicago by Pete Crow-Armstrong and so this was a good opportunity for him. The other player in the deal, Ty Southisene, is only 20 and has yet to play above A ball.

We should all wish Gausman well. I don’t think the Cubs should bring him back, though.

TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 03: Chuba Hubbard #30 of the Carolina Panthers is tackled by Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the third quarter during a game at Raymond James Stadium on January 03, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Carolina Panthers currently lead the NFC South, and while every storyteller in the media is talking about them being kings of the division, there are still many important games to play, and this is one of them. While the Bucs have felt the bite of injuries, they are currently only two and games back from being tied for the lead in wins. All it takes is for one slate of games to go their way for them to be competing deep into the end of the season. The Panthers are playing good football, and they have to keep it going. Let’s dive right into the storylines for this week’s game.

Offense: Bryce Young needs to keep up the passing party

The Panthers have one of the best passing offenses from basically every yardage category. And while Chuba Hubbard has also been extremely productive leading the rushing attack all season, he’ll be facing one of the better rushing defenses in football. Per Teamrankings.com , their rushing defense ranks as 2nd in yards per rush, 3 in rushes per game, 2 in rush yards per game, and 2 in rushing TDs per game. While you might think this is a result of simply being a bad football team this year, every loss they’ve had ended up being one score games. Teams tend to run the football more when games are close, but they’ve been very productive. I would expect the Panthers to have a bit more trouble running the football this week, even if they are playing their second straight backup quarterback on the other side of the ball. Their passing defense is much more susceptible, so Bryce Young and OC Brad Idzik should resume the aggressiveness in the air, but if the rushing attack isn’t playing the complimentary football that Dave Canales always preaches about, their could be a lot more pressure for Bryce to continue this unreal campaign.

Defense: Pass rush will need to get creative again

Dave Canales announced this week that EDGE Jaelan Phillips is set to miss this week. That leaves an already banged up group of edge rushers down their best man. And while Phillips is obviously a big part of getting pressure on the quarterback as a rusher, he’s equally more important in collapsing the pocket and setting up other pass rushers with good matchups they can win. I’ve been very impressed with 2025 rookie Princely Umanmielen, but what made the biggest difference in this past game in Philadelphia was an extremely aggressive blitzing game plan by DC Ejiro Evero. And he’ll likely have to do that again, dialing up guys like Devin Lloyd an Bobby Okereke from the linebacking spots and sending their multi-talented group of safeties on blitzes.

Bonus storyline: Get a grip on the darn penalties!

The Panthers were called for a franchise record 149 yards of penalties against the Eagles, which luckily didn’t cause them to lose the game. Penalties have been a massive issue with this team all season, and they can’t get away with this and not have it come back to bite them. Whether they are playing Jalon Daniels or a beat up Baker Mayfield this week, it could and should be a very close game based on how the Bucs schedule has gone. A poorly timed penalty could very much tip the scales out of their favor in what could be an ugly contest.

What are you watching for this week, Panthers fans?

Celtic’s European decline laid bare as former striker questions squad qualityFormer Celtic striker John Hartson believes expectations surrounding the club’s Europa League campaign have dropped significantly ahead of Thursday night’s clash against Celta Vigo.

John Hartson of Celtic celebrates scoring during the UEFA Cup, 3rd Round, 2nd leg game between Celta Vigo and Celtic held on December 12, 2002 at the Campo De Futbol De Balaidos in Vigo, Spain. Celta Vigo won the match 2-1, Celtic won the tie 2-2 on away goals. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Martin O’Neill’s side have endured a disappointing start to their European campaign, suffering successive defeats against Ferencvaros and Benfica.

With Celtic desperately needing points to keep their qualification hopes alive, Hartson has questioned whether the current squad possesses the quality required to compete consistently on the European stage.

Speaking to the Scottish Sun, the former Hoops favourite said: “It’s a big game. Losing the first home game to Ferencvaros wasn’t great, and we’ve been thumped by Benfica. Celta Vigo will be tough opposition again.

“If we’re being honest about it, Celtic maybe aren’t as good a side as they have been in the last two or three years. They’re certainly not as free-flowing as a team.

“They did exceptionally well to win their last seven games to win the league last season, but you don’t want to be putting the fans through that every year.

“But it’s definitely getting harder and harder in Europe. Back in my day, we had a strong squad to be able to cope with the top teams. Look right through our squad, and it had internationals in every position.

“But at this moment in time Celtic just aren’t looked at as a brilliant European side. I do think they’re capable of winning domestically. But in the Europa League, the expectation isn’t very high.

“There will be a full house on Thursday night and there will be a wonderful atmosphere, like there always is. I just think the general feeling is that they’re not as strong as they have been.

“It’s turning out to be a really hard European campaign, but that’s not to say the team can’t produce a big performance. I hope they can get a result this week, which gets it going for them in Europe this season.”

HAVE YOUR SAY – Join the Celtic conversation in our comments section below…

Celtic in the Fifties by Matt Corr, in two volumes, both published on 4th September 2026 by Celtic Star Books. Click on image to order.

Quick Tip –Add Celticshorts.com as your ‘Preferred Source’ on Google News for quick access to the Celtic content you value the most. It takes just a few seconds and you’ll notice the difference straight away! – Click HERE….Hail Hail!

Jude James was the next man up for Mizzou against Mississippi. James played the most snaps in his collegiate career (40), resulting in the most productive receiving performance by a Missouri tight end this season. 

With Brett Norfleet out due to injury against the Rebels, James was the third-most targeted Tigers receiver (5) in a 31-3 loss, but finished with five receptions for 57 yards. 

His biggest play of the game came in the third quarter. Lined up as the inline tight end, he releases vertically alongside Donovan Olugbode and Cayden Lee, who motions to the two-receiver side. The cornerback stays with Olugbode, while the safety carries Lee. James pushes vertically up the seam, where Simmons hits him for a 22-yard gain, the longest by a tight end this season.

It was the first of two receptions of routes run outside of being a safety valve option. His final reception came on an in-breaking route, where he ran an in-breaking route for 16 yards. 

In June, we examined how the tight ends could potentially be utilized in Mizzou’s offense in 2026 with the arrival of Chip Lindsey, and the team returning its No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 on the depth chart. So far, the usage and creativity haven’t been what was projected, but it was interesting to see the ways Lindsey and co. schemed James open. 

In the third quarter, Santana Banner forced a fumble and set the Tigers up in Rebels’ territory. After being backed up due to a chop block, MU faced a 2nd and 21 from its own 45. Simmons ran play action, and the two receivers on the short side of the field pushed vertically. 

James stayed in to initially pass block, before releasing into the flat. With two receivers pushing vertically, James gained 16 yards, making third-down more manageable. 

As for Norfleet, he’s been targeted 14 times this season for 80 yards and a score, which came on a cherry-on-top finish at KU. Like in the past, they have primarily been designed not too far down the field and to pick up little yardage.

Norfleet is averaging 1.14 yards per route run in 2026. That is up from 1.00 in 2025, but below his 1.31 in 2024 and 1.54 in 2023. James is averaging 1.65 so far through 2026. Against Mississippi, James ranked second out of all qualified receivers with 2.19 yards per route run and was the highest by a Mizzou tight end this season, and the highest in an SEC game by a Tiger since Norfleet against Auburn in 2024.

The question becomes whether James will not start, but see an increased usage after the bye week, starting with a trip to Arkansas on Halloween. We want to see more from these tight ends in the receiving game, and that’s what Jude can offer, and what was displayed against a top-10 team this past Saturday. 

At 6-foot-2, 235 pounds, he’s built more as a receiving threat he has the potential to stretch defenses. It’s not that Norfleet or Jordon Harris can’t contribute in the receiving game, but James’ speed is different from the two seniors. 

But with the tight end position, more responsibility goes beyond just contributing in the receiving game. Of Norfleet’s 182 offensive snaps, 53% have come on designated run-blocking plays. 71% of Harris’ 252 snaps have occurred on run-blocking snaps as well. Of James’ 109 snaps, he’s also been asked to run block 53% of the time. 

Norfleet is 255 pounds, while Harris is 269 pounds. Both are going to be relied on to blocking downs for this team. For someone like James, a former 3-star from St. Charles, he doesn’t need to be this team’s primary starter. But, the previous Saturday showed how he can help evolve this offense, after being a bit stale against Texas A&M and Mississippi, and provide a spark to a tight end room that’s been dormant this year.

He went over 15 offensive snaps for the first time since week one, and showed why that should be the case going forward. It’s And again, he might not have a full-time role this year, but you can see optimism beyond 2026 with James.

CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 18: Andre Szmyt #25 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates with Ronnie Hickman Jr. #33 after kicking the game winning field goal to defeat the Baltimore Ravens in the game at Huntington Bank Field on October 18, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Ravens lost their spot at the top of the division after falling to the Browns in Week 5, while the Steelers pulled off a comeback win, and the Bengals enjoyed a bye week.

Cleveland Browns (4-2)

Cleveland now sits atop the AFC North after defeating Baltimore, 13-10.

The Browns’ offense struggled to get anything going for most of the game. Cleveland’s lone touchdown of the day came from Austin Estime after a fourth-quarter fumble recovery set the offense up at the 35-yard line. Deshaun Watson struggled heavily against the Ravens’ defense, going 16 of 26 for 164 yards while being sacked five times. Jerry Jeudy was the most productive of the Browns’ wide receivers, catching four passes for 69 yards, including a 33-yard reception to get the offense in range for the game-winning field goal. Jaleel McLaughlin led a banged-up backfield with nine carries and 41 of the team’s 93 rushing yards.

Cleveland’s defense rebounded in a big way after allowing 10 points on Baltimore’s first two drives. The Ravens’ offense, led by backup quarterback Tyler Huntley, struggled to move the ball for the remainder of the game while Derrick Henry was effectively neutralized on the ground, even without Browns star defensive tackle Mason Graham in the lineup. Reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year Carson Schwesinger, who was questionable with an ankle injury, led his team with 13 total tackles and forced the critical fumble on Henry in the fourth quarter. Quincy Williams, Isaiah McGuire, and Maliek Collins accounted for the Browns’ three sacks on Huntley. Andre Szmyt missed his first field goal of the season while making two others, including the game-winner on the final drive of the game.

Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2)

Pittsburgh rallied from a 13-0 deficit to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in overtime, 26-19.

The Steelers scored just three points in the first half before ripping off 23 in the final two quarters and overtime. Aaron Rodgers’s two passing touchdowns brought him to 539 in his career, tying Peyton Manning for the third-most in NFL history. The 42-year-old completed 33 of his 49 passing attempts on the game for 253 yards and an interception to go along with his pair of scores. Jaylen Warren led the ground attack with 50 yards on 14 rushes, while a returning Rico Dowdle chipped in 40 yards on seven carries. D.K. Metcalf led all receivers with 93 yards on 11 catches, trailed closely by rookie Germie Bernard’s 87 yards and a touchdown on 11 receptions. Tight end Darnell Washington also had a touchdown catch to go with 25 yards on four catches.

The Steelers’ defense feasted against backup quarterback Jalon Daniels. Jalen Ramsey and Nick Herbig each had two sacks and Yahya Black had one, while Jamel Dean and Daylen Everette each came away with an interception. Payton led the defense with 11 tackles, bringing him up to 55 on the season, the eighth-most in the league. Chris Boswell finished 4 for 5 on field goals, bringing his number of missed kicks up to four for the season and putting him on pace for a career-high.

Baltimore Ravens (4-2)

Baltimore lost the division lead with a 13-10 loss in Cleveland.

Lamar Jackson’s second straight absence from the offense was glaring as Huntley struggled for much of the day, finishing 19 of 31 for 165 yards and a touchdown. Zay Flowers was the leading receiver with 66 yards on six catches, while rookie Josh Cuevas caught Baltimore’s only touchdown. Derrick Henry failed to get going on the ground after a strong start, rushing 17 times for just 58 yards with a costly fumble that led to Cleveland’s only touchdown. Rookie Ja’Kobi Lane impressed in his return to action after suffering a wrist injury in the season opener, converting first downs on all four of his catches for a total of 40 yards.

Baltimore’s defense was suffocating for much of the game. The pass rush was effective against Deshaun Watson, sacking him five times. Trey Hendrickson logged his second sack as a Raven after a two-game absence due to finger surgery; Nnamdi Madubike, Roquan Smith, Tavius Robinson, and Calais Campbell all got to Watson as well. As usual, though, cracks began to form where they always do: on third down, in the fourth quarter. Jerry Jeudy’s 33-yard catch moved Cleveland into field goal range for Andre Szmyt’s game-winner. That also set up a contrast with Ravens kicker Tyler Loop, who renewing discussions about his job security by missing his third field goal of the season in a game decided by three points.

Cincinnati Bengals (3-2)

The Bengals rested up during their early bye week and will look to join the AFC North’s four-win club on Sunday in Baltimore.

Carlos Alcaraz spent four months of the 2026 season sidelined with a wrist injury, forcing him to miss several big events.

The Spaniard initially suffered the setback at the Barcelona Open in April and was out of action until the start of the US Open in August, where he made an impressive return by reaching the quarterfinals. Since coming back to the tour in New York, Alcaraz has gone on to guide Team Europe to Laver Cup glory before winning his 27th ATP title at the Japan Open.

Photo by Kenta Harada/Getty ImagesCarlos Alcaraz confirmed for big event next season

During his time on the sidelines, Alcaraz missed out on two Grand Slams: Roland Garros and Wimbledon. He was also forced to withdraw from the ATP Masters 1000 events in Madrid, Rome, Montreal and Cincinnati.

In total, he missed out on four title defences, one of which was at the Queen’s Club Championships, where he will officially be returning in 2027. It was announced on Thursday that Alcaraz will feature at the prestigious ATP 500 grass-court event after missing it in 2026.

Alcaraz will be bidding to win the Queen’s title for the third time in 2027, having won the tournament in 2023 and 2025. Andy Murray still holds the record for the most men’s singles titles won at Queen’s in the Open Era with five.

As per the official Queen’s website, Alcaraz said: “I can’t wait to return to the HSBC Championships in 2027. I have such great memories of this tournament after winning the title twice, and it’s always one of the highlights of the grass court season for me.

“I’m ready to get back to The Queen’s Club, enjoy London once again and give the fans some exciting tennis. I know it’s going to be another great week.”

Alcaraz lost almost 6000 ATP points as a result of withdrawals from the Italian Open, Roland Garros, Queen’s, Wimbledon and the Cincinnati Open in 2026. Having started the year ranked first, those docked points resulted in him falling to third in the world.

Through the first seven games of the 2026 season, Florida's head coach Jon Sumrall has already eclipsed the program's win total from 2025.

The Gators raced out to a 4-0 start before suffering consecutive losses against Missouri and South Carolina, then upsetting Texas on the road. Despite those setbacks, ESPN's midseason evaluations of first-year Power Four coaches suggest Gator Nation has reasons to be encouraged.

Florida's offense has flourished under new offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner, one of Sumrall's most consequential offseason hires. The unit has scored 214 points through its first four games and is averaging 7.6 yards per play. Faulkner has been instrumental in generating explosive plays by creatively utilizing playmakers such as Jadan Baugh, Dallas Wilson and Vernell Brown III. The Gators are tied for No. 19 in FBS with 38 plays gaining at least 20 yards.

Discipline has emerged as a glaring weakness during Sumrall's first season. ESPN notes Florida has committed 55 penalties and 74.6 penalty yards per game, placing the Gators near the bottom of the national rankings. Defensive coordinator Brad White's unit has also struggled with consistency, allowing 403.8 yards per game (No. 85 nationally) and allowing opponents to score on 75% of red-zone possessions.

"The Gators defense has struggled at times in SEC play, although it rebounded nicely against Texas and quarterback Arch Manning, allowing only 272 yards. Florida had no answers for Missouri's offensive backfield of Austin Simmons and Jamal Roberts in a 45-17 loss, and then really struggled against South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers, who had four touchdown passes and no interceptions," ESPN college football reporter Adam Rittenberg wrote.

After floundering in recent years, UF is showing legitimate progress under Sumrall. While the team has shown flashes of high-level play, restoring consistency from week to week will help to reestablish Florida as a national championship contender. Emphatic victories over Ole Miss and Texas demonstrate potential, while blowout losses to Missouri and South Carolina expose the gap for Sumrall's Gators.

Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: ESPN evaluates Jon Sumrall's first season at Florida after Texas upset

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 20: Referee Walt Anderson #66 looks on after talking with the umpires in the first quarter of the game between the Green Bay Packers and the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum on December 20, 2015 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

Broncos head coach Sean Payton predicted in July that the NFL would mirror the UFL-style officiating transparency within the next two to three years.

“And I think every once in a while the benefit of this other league we have, I think quite honestly it’s been helpful for our league,” Payton told Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom.com. “Every once in a while you see something you like, and I think Dean Blandino and his crew, when we kick live right to the booth review, I think that’s healthy. And I think you’ll see that in the next two or three years in our league.”

“I definitely think you’ll see that coming,” Payton added. “I think it’s healthy, and it’s certainly comforting for the fan when you can see how they arrive at decisions. And I think it’s fair, especially to the officials and the people doing the review, to see what we arrived at.”

On Wednesday, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer revealed that it might not even take that long.

“[P]lanning is underway for more transparency. I’m told the NFL has watched closely at how the ACC and, after the Michigan–Western Michigan debacle, the Big Ten have started televising their replay review process,” Breer wrote.

“The idea of doing something similar to show the public replay reviews is being discussed, and work is being done to implement something similar to what we’ve seen in college football very soon, potentially in the coming weeks, and certainly (some in the league office hope) before the end of the regular season.”

It’d be uncharacteristic for the NFL to make such a significant change mid-season, but it’d certainly be a lauded move. The UFL, the ACC, and the Big Ten have all already adopted the practice, so it would make sense for the preeminent football league in the world to do the same.

The post NFL might bring massive change to replay review mid-season appeared first on The Comeback: Today’s Top Sports Stories & Reactions.

The New York Giants are preparing for a healthier and more complete version of the Houston Texans than the team that opened the season with early struggles.

Head coach John Harbaugh acknowledged the improvement after Wednesday’s practice, noting that Houston has found itself in recent weeks.

“They’re playing better. I mean, I guess the bottom line, they're healthier for sure than they were early on. In those weeks, they kind of found themselves a little bit," he told reporters. "They've added a couple players, added a wide receiver, and got a couple guys healthy. Two inside backers are back. They’re getting a receiver back again this game, who's been out for a while, Tank Dell. He’s a unique skill set guy. Every team evolves; every team's different than they were to start the season.”

The return of Tank Dell and the inside linebackers restores pieces that helped define Houston’s identity last year, when the unit ranked as the league’s top defense. Harbaugh described the current group as fundamentally driven rather than scheme-dependent.

“Yeah, it's more fundamentally based. It's not so much a scheme defense. I think it's more of a kind of a mindset defense. They really do a great job of playing ahead of plays, and staying on top of plays. They're in the right spot. They're playing aggressively. They play downhill on plays," he said. "They don't change the scheme up too much, although they're blitzing a little more the last two weeks since DeMeco has taken over the play calling. A little more aggressively, but they play aggressively.

"They play fundamental football. They're very physical. They've got the two edge guys that set the tone; they got the two inside backers back now. They're tone setters as well. They were the number one defense in the league last year. Not quite there statistically this year, but we can see that they're pretty confident in what they're doing, so we'll have to be at our best.”

Houston’s edge rushers continue to set the physical tone, while the recently returned inside linebackers add another layer of disruption. The increased blitz rate under DeMeco Ryans’s play-calling has only sharpened that approach.

The Giants recognize they will need to match that intensity in a difficult road environment against a team that is trending upward.

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Giants' John Harbaugh: Every team evolves, and Houston has found itself

Dan Sheehan will captain Ireland in next month's Nations Championship games in Caelan Doris' absence [Getty Images]

Leinster captain Dan Sheehan will start at number eight for the first time in Saturday's United Rugby Championship derby against Munster in Dublin.

The Ireland hooker switches to the back row as one of four changes made by head coach Leo Cullen for the Aviva Stadium game (18:00 BST) following last weekend's 48-23 Investec Champions Cup victory over Clermont Auvergne.

Ireland scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park makes his first appearance of the season, while former Munster out-half Joey Carbery earns his first start since rejoining Leinster.

Ronan Kelleher and Jamie Osborne are also drafted into the starting side, with Kelleher replacing Sheehan at hooker and Osborne joining Robbie Henshaw in midfield.

The hosts are seeking consecutive URC victories after bouncing back from opening defeats by the Lions and Sharks with a convincing win over Cardiff.

Leinster have collected eight points from their opening three league matches, including four bonus points.

Munster, meanwhile, have made seven changes to the side that defeated Racing 92 in the Champions Cup last weekend.

Shane Daly returns from injury, while Josh Wycherley, Kieran Brookes, Fineen Wycherley, Jack O'Donoghue, Alex Kendellen and Gavin Coombes are also drafted into the starting XV.

Former Ireland Under-20s international Sean O'Brien switches from the wing to outside centre as he prepares to make his 50th Munster appearance.

Mark Donnelly is in line for his first appearance of the season from the bench, with academy centre Gordon Wood also among the replacements.

Tadhg Beirne and Craig Casey - the only Munster players in Andy Farrell's latest Ireland squad - both start.

Munster have recovered from their opening URC defeat by Glasgow Warriors with a victory over the Bulls and a 26-26 draw against Ulster on October 10.

Line-ups

Leinster: Keenan; T O'Brien, Osborne, Henshaw, J O'Brien; Carbery, Gibson-Park; Porter, Kelleher, Furlong; J McCarthy, Ryan; Baird, Van der Flier, Sheehan (capt).

Replacements: G McCarthy, Usanov, Clarkson, O'Tighearnaigh, Penny, Gunne, Gabriel, Tector.

Munster: B O'Connor; McCarthy, S O'Brien, Nankivell, Daly; O'Shea, Casey; J Wycherley, Van der Merwe, Brookes; F Wycherley, Beirne (capt); O'Donoghue, Kendellen, Coombes.

Replacements: Clein, Donnelly, Ala'alatoa, Edogbo, Gleeson, B O'Donovan, Hanrahan, Wood.

Jordan Mason is set to return to the Minnesota Vikings' lineup after being sidelined for the past four games with a broken thumb.

This week the team announced that Mason was designated to return to practice, opening his 21-day window to return after being placed on injured reserve following the Vikings' Week 1 victory over the Green Bay Packers.

Mason fully participated in Wednesday's practice, making it likely he will return to action in Week 7, when Minnesota hosts the Indianapolis Colts. That will help ease Aaron Jones' workload after he had 97 total touches from Weeks 2 to 5.

The Vikings will face a Colts defense that ranks dead last in the NFL in EPA/run allowed. That should give Mason a chance to get back on track and keep establishing Minnesota's run-heavy approach in 2026.

This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: Vikings open practice window for Jordan Mason ahead of Week 7

The first five weeks of the 2026 NFL season are in the books, and the Cincinnati Bengals are coming out of their bye week with a 3-2 record. They’re absolutely still “in it,” but they’ve been a mixed bag so far.

After missing the playoffs for the third consecutive season in 2025, the Bengals completely rebuilt their defense. They traded the No. 10 overall pick to the New York Giants for Dexter Lawrence and signed Boye Mafe, Jonathan Allen, Bryan Cook, and Kyle Dugger in free agency.

Unfortunately, after starting 2-0 and looking like everything was heading in the right direction, the Bengals spent the next two weeks repeatedly shooting themselves in the foot.

Then, against the 0-4 Dolphins, they squeaked out an ugly win in which the defense surrendered 24 points to arguably the worst team in football. Before facing Cincinnati, the most points Miami had scored in a game was 13.

So, yeah. Mixed bag.

Here’s a progress report for the defense, starting with the…

RUN DEFENSE

The Bengals started the season doing an excellent job limiting explosive plays on the ground. The longest run they allowed to a running back against the Buccaneers and Texans was just 13 yards.

That changed in Week 3 against the Steelers.

Over the next three games, the Bengals surrendered runs of 35, 25, 39, 26 and 22 yards. Suddenly, a defense that had been effective at preventing big plays was giving them up with alarming regularity.

Lawrence has been outstanding against the run. Even when he isn’t directly involved in a tackle, he’s often occupying two blockers, which should create opportunities for his teammates to make plays.

Unfortunately, someone doesn’t always get the job done.

Missed tackles have once again become a significant problem for Cincinnati’s defense. According to PFF, the Bengals have a tackling grade of just 50.3, the seventh-worst mark in the NFL, and have been credited with 47 missed tackles.

That’s simply not good enough.

With the Bengals returning from their bye week, they’ll play their second divisional game of the season, this time against Derrick Henry, Lamar Jackson, and the Baltimore Ravens.

AFC North games are typically messy affairs, but Cincinnati absolutely cannot allow Henry and Jackson to get going on the ground. If they do, the Bengals risk spending much of the afternoon watching helplessly as Burrow and the offense remain stuck on the sidelines.

Run-Defense Grade: 75% (C)

PASS DEFENSE

Pass defense really consists of two components: the ability to cover receivers and the ability to rush the passer.

The Bengals have been very good at one of those things.

The other? Not so much.

Cincinnati’s defense has brought opposing quarterbacks down in the backfield 17 times through five games, tied for the third-most sacks in the NFL. That puts them on pace for approximately 58 sacks over a full regular season.

For perspective, that’s 16 more sacks than the Bengals recorded during the 2021 regular season, when they eventually reached Super Bowl LVI.

So, clearly, that part of the defense is working.

Unfortunately, when the pass rush doesn’t get home, the defensive backs left on islands have struggled to keep opposing receivers from getting open.

Take the Steelers game, for example.

Aaron Rodgers, who is 42 years old, was somehow able to scramble around the backfield and evade pressure like he was Burrow’s age. When he extended plays, Cincinnati’s secondary struggled to maintain coverage, allowing Pittsburgh to move the ball effectively through the air.

Of course, the Bengals couldn’t stop the run in that game, either, so there was plenty of blame to go around.

Evaluating pass defense can be tricky because there are so many moving parts. A great pass rush can make an average secondary look outstanding, while poor coverage can make even an effective pass rush look inadequate.

With that in mind, I’m breaking the pass defense into two separate grades.

Pass-Rush Grade: 94% (A)
Pass-Coverage Grade: 78% (C+)
Overall Pass-Defense Grade: 86% (B)

There’s a reasonable argument that the Bengals missed the playoffs in 2023 primarily because of Burrow’s injury.

The same excuse can’t be made for 2024 or 2025.

Following the 2024 season, the front office fired defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, hoping a change in leadership would fix the defense’s problems. Unfortunately, those issues persisted in 2025 under his replacement, Al Golden.

Rather than make another change, the Bengals decided to trust the process, retain Golden and give him considerably more talent to work with. So far, the results have been mixed.

Of course, injuries haven’t helped matters. Bryan Cook, Jordan Battle, and Kyle Dugger have all dealt with injuries, while Jalen Davis and Ja’Sir Taylor are on injured reserve.

Still, injuries or not, the defense hasn’t consistently performed at the level expected of a unit that received such a significant offseason investment.

Fortunately, the Bengals got an early bye week to get healthy, evaluate what’s working, and iron out some of the issues that have plagued them through the first five games. And they’d better take advantage of it. Taylor and his entire coaching staff have a lot riding on this season. It would be difficult to imagine the Bengals allowing four of the prime years of Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins to slip away without a single playoff appearance and still deciding Taylor is the right man for the job.

The offense has the firepower to compete with anyone in the league, but that won’t matter if the defense continues to give away explosive plays and miss tackles.

Taylor needs this defense to get right coming out of the bye.

Otherwise, he could find himself in serious trouble when the regular season comes to an end.

Overall Defensive Grade: 81% (B-)

So, how would you grade the defense? Sound off in the comments section!

Urban Meyer has a lot of familiarity not only with Kyle Whittingham, but also with what it's like to make a quarterback change. And at halftime last week against Penn State, Michigan football had to make a change from Bryce Underwood to Tommy Carr.

On an Urban Analysis segment on YouTube, Meyer explained to former Indiana head coach and Big Ten Network analyst Gerry DiNardo why the maize and blue made the call to change quarterbacks at halftime, as well as how it all went down.

"The Wolverines have struggled all year offensively," Meyer said. "However, Bryce Underwood, the Wolverine quarterback, had a really good day against Iowa. He saw some progress. But against Penn State, it wasn't good. The first half, and you can't blame the quarterback. The offense was not performing. But Bryce Underwood's stats, two interceptions, 5-of-11, 43 yards. So really, struggling offensively. It was time to make a change.

"Let's talk about how it happens. I know Kyle. The way I always did it, Gerry, is I go immediately to the training room. Because you might have some other personnel decisions to make. And then you march right in the offensive area. You look directly at the offensive coordinator and say, no, it's either the coordinator says it or the head coach, or they both agree, it's time to make a change. They make the decision. Once the change is done, then the offensive staff goes to work immediately.

"And this is where it's interesting. If you have two different skill sets, I had, for example, JT Barrett, Dwayne Haskins. Completely different skill sets. Boom. The offensive staff now puts the JT Barrett aside, now we have Dwayne Haskins. Completely different skill set. From watching the second half, I think the Wolverines think Tommy Carr has a very similar skill set to Underwood. So then the offensive staff goes to work, head coach leaves. He goes right to the defensive staff, talks to them, marches right back in. Now you know, once again, you've got 20 minutes. This is going fast. You look at the board, the run game's written up for Tommy Carr, pass game's written up for Tommy Carr. Boom. The coaches break.

"This is really cool. So the assistant coaches now go to their position group. Running backs go to the running back coach. Offensive line, and we practice this. You tell them exactly what's happening so there's no surprises. We're making a quarterback change, here's what we're doing, and get your guys fired up. Offensive coordinator then calls them all up, and the strength coach is in the back of the room yelling, seven minutes! Seven minutes! And you're like, let's go, let's go. Offensive coordinator calls them, explains to them we're making a quarterback change, let's all stick together, let's go. Bam. Two minutes left, the head coach calls them up, bring them up, grab a knee, explain to the team what's going on, let's go get them to the second half."

So, with that in mind, what did Meyer see from Carr once he was inserted?

He broke down a few plays and explained just why the offense was able to move with Carr under center compared to Underwood.

"Tommy Carr in the game, this is interesting," Meyer said. "First play of the second half that shows the confidence that Jason Beck, offensive coordinator of the Wolverines, has in this young quarterback. It's an RPO, he's reading a defender, and he throws a slant right behind him to trustee J.J. Buchanan. The second one, it's a Q counter, this is the Bryce Underwood game plan. So again, if they have similar skill sets, which I didn't know this, the staff must feel Tommy Carr is a very effective runner, like Bryce Underwood. So it's simply a quarterback counter, and I was kind of shocked at his speed, for I didn't hear this about this quarterback, I always heard he's a very good thrower, but a very good athlete.

"All right, this is a really good look. This is a check play at the line of scrimmage, and this is speed option. You can see Tommy Carr taking charge, he's checking. You can see that the Wolverines have numbers to the quarterback's left. There's three blockers, three defenders, you're going to pitch off the defensive end, center left guard and left tackle are going to zone up. They take away the pitch, Tommy Carr makes the right decision, and scores a touchdown."

Meyer, along with the rest of the Fox Big Noon Kickoff crew, will be in Ann Arbor this week for the Indiana at Michigan football game on Saturday. The pregame show is set for 10 a.m. EDT with kickoff slated for 12:10 p.m. EDT.

This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Urban Meyer breaks down Michigan's QB switch from Underwood to Carr

Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images

2 secret forces that pushed Steve Kerr to pick Warriors over Phil Jackson’s Knicks appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Steve Kerr has established himself as one of the most successful coaches in NBA history after winning four NBA championships with the Golden State Warriors. And while he ended up joining the likes of Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, Kerr was actually also being considered for the HC job at the New York Knicks, back in 2014.

Now, the 61-year-old tactician has revealed the two personalities that pushed him towards the Warriors. Speaking to The Ringer, Kerr revealed that he talked to the likes of Rick Carlisle and Danny Ferry, who were the Dallas Mavericks head coach and the Atlanta Hawks GM at this time, respectively.

“When I was going through that process, there were two people who really impacted that decision behind the scenes,” he said. “One was Rick Carlisle, and the other was Danny Ferry. I think Danny was GM of the Hawks at the time. When I was going through it, I called him and I said, “What do you think?” He said, “What do you think Phil Jackson would do if he was in your shoes?””

Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)

Kerr claimed that just like how Phil Jackson joined the Chicago Bulls effectively because of the kind of talent they boasted of, he ended up joining the Warriors because of Stephen Curry. Kerr revealed how Carlisle claimed he was not sure how his team could beat Golden State considering the players they had.

“And then Rick was the head of the Coaches Association,” he said. “He called me out of the blue—and we were friends, but not super close. He just said, “Hey, I’ve been in the business for a while. Could I offer some unsolicited advice?” And I said, “Yeah.” And he goes, “When we played the Warriors last year, I would look across the court and I would think, ‘Man, I don’t know how we’re going to beat these guys. They’re loaded. Holy shit.’”

And while he ended up choosing the Warriors, Kerr revealed it was ‘dope’ for him to see the Knicks win the title last season. He also suggested that while both Carlisle and Ferry helped him make the decision, his heart was already set on Golden State.

“And so I think both guys pushed me in that direction, in the direction my heart already was,” he said. “I’m from California. My daughter was at Cal-Berkeley playing on the volleyball team. I tried to trade for Steph Curry when I was GM of the Suns. My heart was telling me all along, go coach the Warriors. But Phil Jackson [who was president of the Knicks at the time] meant that much to me that I was considering going to the Knicks and obviously made the right choice.”

Needless to say, it was the ideal decision for Kerr, who was rumored to be on the verge of leaving the Warriors at the end of last season. However, as things stand, Kerr, who also won five championships as a player, is looking to run it back once again with Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler as his top stars.

 

Related: Steve Kerr knows players are ‘terrible GMs,’ so Stephen Curry is smart not to force big moves

Related: Steve Kerr’s Phil Jackson-Dennis Rodman secret to effectively being Draymond Green’s ‘uncle’