Kenneth Walker continues to dominate through the first four games of the NFL season. He rushed for 177 yards and two touchdowns, putting his season totals at 537 yards and four touchdowns. He’s been the best addition of the offseason and it’s not particularly close. In addition to Walker, the Chiefs continue to roll as well. They took down the Raiders on the road to improve to 4-0. 

Chiefs Are Back Like They Never Left

The Chiefs have continuously shown the league they last year was an anomaly, and they won’t be missing the playoffs again anytime soon. Patrick Mahomes once again was impressive, bouncing back well from his season ending injury last year. He threw for 250 yards and two touchdowns against a Raider defense that has been solid so far this season. The Chiefs offense has looked like the offense of years past. They’ve scored 30 plus points in three of four games and just keep getting better. 

Injury Bug Hits Despite Win

Despite the impressive victory, the Chiefs were struck with the injury bug. Wide receivers Rashee Rice and Tyquan Thornton left with injuries. Rice pulled up with a hamstring injury in the first quarter, while Thornton’s appeared much more serious. He was in the midst of a career day, catching five passes and totaling 111 yards. Thornton also scored two touchdowns. 

Unfortunately for him, it seems likely that he’ll miss an extended period of time. After catching a 55 yard pass from Patrick Mahomes, Thornton’s left leg was rolled up on and appeared to be very much out of place. It was quite the gruesome injury, and he was eventually carted off after having his leg stabilized. It’s unclear how much time Thornton will miss, but it’s unfortunate timing as he was starting to come into his own on the Chiefs offense. 

Chiefs AFC West Favorites

Through four games it’s clear that the Chiefs are the team to beat in the AFC West, and likely the entire AFC as well. The NFL season is roughly 25% complete, and a familiar face sits atop the league. 

The Buffalo Bills suffered their first loss of the 2026 NFL season to the New England Patriots, but they also saw a loss to their team as well as DJ Moore ended up suffering an injury again.

Moore suffered his shoulder injury again, and now that leaves the Bills in a spot where they need to get a boost from their wide receiver room if Moore isn’t capable of playing.

Schefter: D.J. Moore aggravated shoulder injury; not considered long term issue at the moment.

— Underdog NFL (@UnderdogNFL) October 5, 2026

The Biggest Issue With DJ Moore

With the recurring issue starting surrounding Moore’s availability, the Bills are going to have to start to account for Moore to potentially have this be an issue that impacts them every game for the future.

Keon Coleman and Khalil Shakir will have to further step up if Moore has to miss any time.

The Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants gave fans plenty to talk about during their Week 4 showdown, but one of the biggest moments had little to do with what happened between the whistles.

The matchup featured almost everything imaginable, including another dose of the unpredictable “Jameis Winston Experience” and a dramatic walk-off pick-six that provided a stunning finish.

Yet one sideline interaction involving Cardinals star tight end Trey McBride quickly became one of the game’s most talked-about moments.

McBride became involved in a heated exchange with an official, but video of the confrontation appeared to show that the referee was the one who escalated the situation. Instead of simply walking away or attempting to calm things down, the official could be heard directing an NSFW insult toward McBride.

That immediately raised questions about the standard NFL officials are expected to maintain when dealing with players during emotional moments.

Players are routinely warned about directing abusive or disrespectful language toward officials. Going too far can result in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and potentially additional discipline from the league.

That is what makes the McBride incident so controversial.

Had McBride directed similar language toward the referee, there is a strong possibility he would have been penalized. Instead, the official appeared to initiate the verbal confrontation with one of Arizona’s most important offensive players. McBride deserves credit for not allowing the situation to escalate even further.

In my opinion, this type of interaction is bad for the NFL. The league already faces constant scrutiny from fans, players and coaches over officiating. The last thing it needs is an official becoming part of the story because of an unnecessary verbal confrontation with a player.

Officials are supposed to control the game, not add fuel to an already emotional situation.

It also creates the appearance of a double standard. Players are expected to control themselves when speaking to officials, regardless of how frustrated they might be. If they cross the line, they can be penalized, fined or even ejected. Officials should be held to a professional standard as well.

Incidents like this can damage trust in officiating. Fans need to believe referees are impartial professionals whose only concern is enforcing the rules. When an official gets into a personal confrontation with a player and allegedly uses inappropriate language, it can make people question that professionalism.

That is not good for the NFL.

McBride has developed into one of the league’s premier tight ends and a centerpiece of Arizona’s offense. Regardless of his status, however, no player should have to worry about an official escalating an argument.

The NFL regularly reviews and disciplines player conduct. It should be willing to examine the conduct of its officials with the same seriousness.

The Cardinals-Giants game provided plenty of memorable moments, particularly its dramatic finish. But the McBride confrontation became a major storyline for a different reason. Players are expected to control their emotions around officials. The NFL should demand the same from the people wearing the stripes.

Four games into the season, nobody has made a better case for Defensive Player of the Year than Fred Warner, and the box scores are only part of it. The 49ers linebacker piled up 33 tackles through three games, including a career-high 17 against Arizona, then added seven tackles and two pass breakups in Sunday’s 24-14 win over Denver, bringing him to about 40 on the year. He also forced a fumble in each of the first two weeks and picked up half a sack against Miami.

San Francisco is 4-0 and has allowed just 64 points across those four games, and it’s doing that without Nick Bosa and with a banged-up secondary. That means the middle of the field is carrying a lot of weight, and Warner is the one holding it.

What makes the case stronger is what happened when he wasn’t there. Last year a fractured and dislocated ankle ended his season after six games, and the defense fell apart right after: San Francisco gave up 21 points or fewer in four of its first six games, then did it only four more times in the next eleven while allowing 30 or more five times. Now he’s back, and the unit is playing like the one from before the injury.

If the award goes to the player a defense can least afford to lose, it’s hard to find a better answer than the guy whose absence last year showed exactly how much the Niners need him.

Tyson Bagent is the second quarterback to start for the Bears since Caleb Williams has been out. After Case Keenum’s incredible performance against Philadelphia, it was Bagent’s turn to become QB1. While he didn’t play amazing, he did enough to get the win. He threw for 268 yards and threw an interception. When it comes to being a backup quarterback, you just need to do enough to win and get the ball to your playmakers. That’s exactly what Bagent did.

Obviously Monangai’s performance set the tone, but Bagent managed to get his receivers involved in the offense. Rome Odunze caught six passes for 94 yards, while Luther Burden III added four catches for 63 yards. Tight end Colston Loveland also racked up 57 yards on six catches. Tyson Bagent didn’t have the performance that Keenum did a week ago, but his teammates lifted him up and did enough to get the victory. 

2-0 Without Williams

Chicago is now 2-0 with Williams on the sideline. There’s a chance he returns next week against Green Bay, but with the way the offense has performed in his absence, he may be able to recover a little longer. Not many teams can win multiple games with a backup quarterback, but the Bears have managed to do it twice with two different men. 

The Los Angeles Chargers’ season continues to look bleaker after losing their fourth consecutive game to begin the season.

The Chargers’ opened the 2026 NFL season 0-4 after falling to the defending Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks 30-23, after a 17-point second half wasn’t enough. A popular Super Bowl pick early in the season, the Chargers look more like the NFL’s laughing stock than a contender. What went wrong for the team?

The Offense is a Major Issue

All fingers are pointing to the offense, as the team looks disjointed. Despite a young star at quarterback with Justin Herbert, the team has taken four weeks to score over 20 points. The Chargers have struggled to put up points against the Arizona Cardinals, the surprisingly good Las Vegas Raiders, and couldn’t score against the Buffalo Bills, who are far from a good defensive team. Offensive Coordinator Mike McDaniel has taken responsibility for the team’s woes following the loss to the Bills last week:

“We were the reason we lost the football game. And you gotta pull your weight in this league. There are things we’ve done in the past three games that are active participation in losing the game, and so flat-out, our jobs are going to prove everything, and I’m not living in hope; I’m living in reality.”

While McDaniel has accepted responsibility, with rushing attempts and the offensive game failing so far, he doesn’t line up on the field, and just as much blame goes to Justin Herbert. Despite lofty expectations, Herbert has been putrid this season. Despite his superstar label, through four games, he has 4 touchdowns against 6 interceptions.

After hiring head coach Jim Harbaugh, the team had high expectations that he and the Chargers would ascend into championship aspirations, but once again, they’ve faltered and find themselves 0-4. In NFL history, only one team started 0-4 and made the Playoffs, and ironically, it’s the 1992 San Diego Chargers.

Will history repeat itself for the Los Angeles Chargers? Time will tell, but for now, this team must do some serious soul-searching to find some semblance of a competent offense and football team.

Carnell Tate looks like a number one receiver in the making, and Week 4 showed it. The Titans rookie led the team with nine catches for 145 yards, the most by any Titan since A.J. Brown in 2021. He was targeted 12 times and caught nine of them, averaging about 16 yards per catch, with a pair of 33-yard grabs and a 22-yarder, the three longest of his rookie year. He also gave Tennessee a second-half spark, including a 33-yard catch that converted a fourth-and-11 during a fourth-quarter scoring drive. His production was balanced, too: 74 yards on five catches in the first half and 71 yards on four in the second. That’s a receiver who wins early, late, and in tight windows, in an offense that wasn’t helping him much.

That’s also why he belongs in the Offensive Rookie of the Year conversation. The numbers already put him in rare company: his 145 yards are the most by a Titans rookie since A.J. Brown in 2019, and he’s the first Titans rookie with nine or more catches in a game since Kendall Wright in 2012. He now has 22 catches for 268 yards through four games, and his Week 4 yardage more than doubled what he’d produced in his first three combined, so he’s trending up fast. Tennessee is 0-4, which means he’ll keep getting heavy volume as the focal point of the passing game, and a rookie who commands that many targets from a high-profile quarterback has a real path to a big second half and a touchdown total that catches up to his yardage.

Ahead of the Detroit Lions road test vs. the Carolina Panthers, the Lions have announced their inactive players.

The Lions, who face the Panthers on Sunday night Football, have declared the following players inactive:

• Offensive Lineman Ben Bartch

• Tight End Tyler Conklin

• Edge Ahmed Hassanein

• Defensive Tackle Mekhi Wingo

• Safety Bishop Fitzgerald

• Linebacker Devin White

Aside from players who began the season on Injured Reserve, the Lions enter Sunday’s game largely healthy. Detroit is still missing key starters across the board, including safeties Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch; the latter is potentially returning to practice this week, center Cade Mays (who is eyeing a Week 7 return), backup running back Isiah Pacheco, and offensive guard Giovanni Manu.

The Lions are playing an injury-riddled Carolina squad. Carolina, who’s among the league leaders in points, is missing several key players, including wide receiver Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker, who is the team’s current leader in yards. 

The Lions and Panthers are likely to have a high-scoring game, with both teams featuring high-powered offenses and the worst defenses in the NFL this season. The Lions, who are 2-1 on the season, surrender almost 32 points per game, and Carolina, at 1-2, isn’t far behind at 27.7, including surrendering 59 points opening week to the Chicago Bears. With Carolina missing key targets against a healthy Lions team, this could be a long night for the Panthers.

The Sunday night game is Carolina’s 1st Sunday Night Football game since 2016, and the first time hosting since 2015. The Lions matchup with the Panthers concludes an NFL first, as all four NFL Cat teams play each other, with the Jacksonville Jaguars defeating the Cincinnati Bengals 22-17.

Detroit and Carolina will kick off at 8:20 pm to close the Sunday slate, as both cats look to declare themselves the victor.

Here are my three takeaways from the Bears 23-12 victory over the Jets.

Heavy Workload for Kyle Monongai 

Monongai has been hit or miss all season given how much he splits in Carrie’s with his running back mate in De’Andre Swift. But today’s game was all about Momongai as he had two rushing touchdowns and over 140 rushing yards on 30 carries, a true workhorse and someone that can chew up the clock and finish games. Monongai led the way today with his feet having his way with the jets defense. One of the main benefits of having a great run attack is if one is having a rough day they have another back that can take over when needed and that is what the Bears have with Swift and Monongai.

Defense continues to dominate

The Defense came through yet again for the Bears only allowing one late touchdown in the fourth quarter but other than that it was a clean game all around. The defense didn’t produce any takeaways but made Jets quarterback Geno Smith’s day a rough one. The Jets were 0/7 on their down conversions and that is what cost them the game. The Jets rush attack really missed Star Breece Hall today as the run game was unable to get anything going all game that hurt any momentum that they were trying to get. It was a great plan for Dennis Allen and co coming into this game and everything seemed to execute the way the Bears wanted. 

Bagent made the necessary plays needed to win

Bagent had a good game minus the interception he threw in the second quarter. Bagent was able to get the ball into the hands of his playmakers as Odunze had a good game garnering over 90 receding yards and Luther Burden getting the ball several times as well. Colston Loveland had his best game so far this season getting multiple catches for over 50 yards. Bagent just a nice game all around and did his job and won the game for the Bears to make them 3-1 on the season.

Next week is the big rivalry game as the Bears travel on the road to take on the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field next Sunday at 12:00 CT

The Patriots were on the verge of falling to 1-3 this afternoon with a loss to Buffalo. Fortunately for them, they decided that wasn’t going to happen. In what was as close to a must win as it gets, New England prevailed. 

Drake Maye Finally Delivers

Drake Maye finally had the performance that his team had been waiting for all season. The 2025 MVP Runner-Up had looked like a shell of his former self through three games. Maye threw for 269 yards and three touchdowns, while leading the team in rushing with 54 yards. The Patriots offense finally seemed to get into a rhythm this afternoon. They’ve struggled this season, and another underwhelming performance would have resulted in some major question marks.

Defense Gets the Job Done

The Patriot defense didn’t have their best performance by any means, but they managed to hold a high powered offense to 26 points. Buffalo has been lighting up the scoreboard this season, and New England held their own. The Bills had the ball late in the fourth quarter and it just felt like they were going to take the ball down the field and win the game. The Patriot defense had other plans.

Craig Woodson picked off Josh Allen with 1:15 left to seal the game. Allen launched a deep pass into double coverage and the New England defense took advantage. New England would run the clock out to secure the win.

Patriots Get to 2-2 and Save Season

Mike Vrabel’s squad did exactly what they needed to do today, and that was to come out with a win regardless of how it looked. They walked into the 3-0 Bills stadium and got the job done. It didn’t look pretty, but that’s Patriots football. New England hasn’t looked like the Super Bowl team that they were last year, but showing that they can compete with the top team in the league is a good step in the right direction. They’ll have another opportunity to build from this win, as the surprisingly impressive Las Vegas Raiders come to town. 

As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sit with an 0-3 record, they need to start to look to make changes to their current way of doing things as it is clear it isn’t working.

Ahead of their Week 4 matchup one key thing they need to change is their usage of Sean Tucker.

Sean Tucker Needs a Defined Role

Offensive coordinator made a comment about Tucker’s usage recently by saying, “100%, we’ve got to get Tuck going. He is special with the ball in his hands, as you guys have seen from his time here. That’s on us as coaches to find spots to mix him in.”

🚨Buccaneers OC Zac Robinson discussed getting RB Sean Tucker more involved:

“100%, we’ve got to get Tuck going. He is special with the ball in his hands, as you guys have seen from his time here. That’s on us as coaches to find spots to mix him in.” pic.twitter.com/ob2wQmdeLP

— Polymarket Football (@PolymarketBlitz) October 1, 2026

For the Buccaneers, they need a better scheduled run game, and that means getting Tucker involved early and often for him to truly make the Cary impact.

With having a rookie like Jalon Daniels under center as well, they need to make sure Tucker isn’t getting involved late in drives and stalling his time to get up to speed.

NFL Week 4 action kicks off this morning in London, where the Commanders and Colts face off. At this point in the season if you’re facing a must win, then your season is truly on the line. There are a few teams that fall into that category.

Green Bay Packers

The Packers are having a disastrous start to their season. They are 1-2 and most recently lost to a team that was considered the worst in the league. After their disappointing wild card playoff loss to the Bears last season, this year was all about starting hot. Well that has been anything but the case. Jordan Love looks like a shell of himself and their running back room is perhaps the worst in the league. 

Luckily for the Packers, momentum is a beautiful thing, and they can regain some with a win in Tampa Bay this afternoon. With Baker Mayfield out with a thumb injury, it’s important that the Green Bay defense takes advantage of the situation. If they can pressure undrafted rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels, then they’ll be in good shape.

Philadelphia Eagles

By no means is the Eagles season in danger if they lose to the Rams this afternoon. They are 2-1 and play in a division that is going to be a tight race all year. However, they need to make a statement and show that they are a serious contender. Last week they were embarrassed by a quarterback who hadn’t started a game in three years, Case Keenum. The Eagles are supposed to be among the best in the league and a dominant football team. They’ve looked anything but that through three games. 

Saquon Barkley doesn’t look like the All-Pro running back that he is, and Jalen Hurts is struggling mightily. All the question marks about the Eagles in the offseason are still there. We don’t know if they can win the big game, and their toughness is questioned week after week. They have a great opportunity against the Rams this afternoon. If they can take down the high powered offense of Los Angeles, then some of the noise will quiet. 

Los Angeles Chargers

I feel like I’m beating at a dead horse saying that the Chargers need to win, and this will be the last time I say this if they lose again. A loss would all but guarantee that the Chargers will miss out on the postseason. Only one team in NFL history has started 0-4 and still made the playoffs, and believe it or not, it was the 1992 Chargers when they played in San Diego. This year’s Chargers haven’t given anyone a reason to believe they could turn things around after starting 0-4. 

This is the definition of a do or die game for Justin Herbert and company. If they lose to Seattle today, then their season is all but over. 

The Detroit Lions and tight end Sam LaPorta have decided to break off contract talks, according to sources close to ESPN and the NFL Network.

After working on a long-term deal with LaPorta, contract talks have stalled, and the star tight end will become a free agent following the season. The talks were ongoing over the past few weeks as LaPorta hoped to become one of the NFL’s top-paid tight ends, but this is far less likely now. The Lions still have options for LaPorta, as those talks can definitely resume. There’s also the option of the franchise tag.

Why This Is a Mistake By the Detroit Lions

LaPorta has been one of the top tight ends in the NFL since drafted by Detroit in 2023. A consistent target for Jared Goff, LaPorta has over 2,200 yards and 21 touchdowns in his career. He’s a threat both catching and blocking, which has helped Detroit become one of the best offenses in the league.

The Lions are dealing with their second hard negotiation this year, after a holdout from star running back Jahmyr Gibbs dominated training camp, before ultimately agreeing on a deal. The Lions are also waiting for the return of safety Brian Branch from injury, as he is also looking for a new contract. 

Detroit’s cap sheet is getting more inflated by the day, as extensions continue to pile up. With top extensions going out to Alim McNeil, Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and others, general manager Brad Holmes will have to start making difficult choices. Detroit has been successful in drafting top players, and while the team has paid to retain them, now they have to face the reality that they can’t keep everyone.

LaPorta and the Lions will table talks for now, but with months left before free agency, the two have more than enough time to get back on the same page.

Drake Maye’s tools will help keep his a fantasy football rebound in reach on a weekly basis, however it will be tough for him to rebound this week against a Buffalo Bills defense.

Why Drake May Should Not Be Trusted in Fantasy

A more efficient passing performance could lead to Maye being a more dependable option especially with his rushing upside. If the Patriots fall behind it could lead him to being in more opportunities to pass the ball.

The danger is he is going up against a Buffalo defense that can capitalize on the turnover errors that he has had this season. The rebound case can happen, but this week will not be that week.

Matthew Golden is entering the Green Bay Packers‘ Week 4 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a 22.6% target share and a team-leading 27.4% first-read share. 

With those statistics backing him, Golden should be in store for a huge fantasy matchup in Week 4.

Why to Trust Matthew Golden in Week 

With Golden frequently being the first option by Jordan Love, it creates a path to having reliable targets. It also helps that Golden has received both downfield and red-zone targets to give him the chance to deliver in numerous ways. 

The pressure on Jordan Love and whether he is able to stay consistent with his throws is what will be the factor in determining his fantasy outlook and overall success. On the surface, though, Golden is a great player to have in lineups today. 

After Mason Graham’s breakout start to the 2026 NFL season, when he went down with an injury while the Cleveland Browns faced the Pittsburgh Steelers, it caused the entire team to hold their breath.

Graham having a knee injury isn’t ideal, but they received an encouraging update regarding his return timetable.

Mason Graham could make it back in time for the #Browns divisional home game against the Ravens in 2 weeks per @MaryKayCabot #DawgPound pic.twitter.com/jcmVIciu2A

— SleeperBrowns (@SleeperBrowns) October 3, 2026

Why This Update Matters

Graham has recorded four sacks, 15 tackles, six tackles for a loss and five quarterback hits to start the season. His impact has provided the Browns a much-needed interior pressure presence that they have needed with Myles Garrett no longer on the team to help from the edge.

By the time Graham is supposed to return it will be for their matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. A healthy Graham would help disrupt Lamar Jackson’s timing while stopping the run, both of which the Browns need to beat the Ravens and show they can truly contend.

Javonte Williams gave fantasy managers hope in Week 3, but now Week 4 is a different story as he has a matchup against the Houston Texans. Last week Williams rushed for 98 yards over 19 attempts against the Baltimore Ravens, but now the Texans’ defense leads to a different challenge.

Why Javonte Williams Will Be Risky

There is still hope when it comes to Williams as he saw immense rushing volume and continues to get a huge workload. What holds him back is the lack of receiving volume. Houston has gone on to lead to stopping the run game really well as they have allowed just 231 yards on the ground.

If the Cowboys stall before reaching scoring territory, Williams’ volume will get stalled and lead to a bad Week 4 matchup for him in fantasy football and in general.

We have been on a roll with our bold predictions, and before we get into the Week 4 predictions, check out how we did last week with our predictions:

True

• Case Keenum and the Bears upset the Eagles on Monday night.
• Deshaun Watson and the Browns upset the Panthers.
• Jaxon Smith-Njigba goes nuclear with a 7-catch, 100+ yard game. He had 10 catches for 128 yards and two touchdowns.
• Drake Maye throws three interceptions in a blowout loss to Jacksonville: Maye threw two interceptions, plus a lost fumble.
• Kenneth Walker goes for 150 yards and two TDs vs. the Dolphins: He scored two (one rushing, one receiving) while running for just 70 yards.
• Marcus Mariota uses his legs, with 40+ rushing yards and a scramble TD: Washington pulled the upset and Mariota’s 9-yard scramble iced it.

Close

• Jeremiyah Love goes for 150+ yards and two TDs vs. the 49ers: He had his first 100-yard scrimmage game (90 rushing) and a touchdown catch.

False

• Kyler Murray goes for 300 yards and three TDs vs. Tampa Bay: Completely false, as he threw for 168 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
• Parker Washington has a monster day: Completely false, since he caught three passes for 40 yards and a touchdown, a season low.
• Lamar Jackson has a masterclass vs. Dallas: Close, because he went 15-of-20 for 186 yards and two TDs and led the game-winning drive, but ran for only 50 yards on six carries.

1. Raiders Upset the Chiefs

Picking the Raiders to win may not even be a hot take anymore, as they are off to a 3-0 start. However, they are most definitely the underdog against Kansas City this week. I’m picking them to take down the Chiefs and get to an outstanding 4-0 start to the season. Kirk Cousins and company are going to keep this thing rolling. 

2. Jalon Daniels Upsets the Green Bay Packers

Undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels will lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to an upset over the Green Bay Packers. With Baker Mayfield out and being 0-3, this team is in do or die mode. I predict that the former Kansas Jayhawk will have a big day and get the win. Daniels is elusive and has a sneaky big arm, and I like him to put that to use. 

3. The Jaguars and Bengals will Combine for 70 points.

These are two offenses that have been lighting up the scoreboard through three weeks, and I don’t see why that should change this week. Joe Burrow and Trevor Lawrence are going to be airing it out all afternoon, and they both have receivers ready to answer the call. If you love offense then you should tune into this game.

4. Ja’Marr Chase Goes Nuclear

Ja’Marr had 150+ yards in his last matchup versus Jacksonville in 2025, and while the name value of Travis Hunter and Jarian Jones is nice, neither hold a candle to Chase.

5. Darren Waller Breaks Out on Sunday Night Football

The Lions have a historically bad defense against tight ends so far through three weeks of the NFL season, and Waller will be the next beneficiary.

One of the biggest things that keeps being a conversation on a weekly basis is the Jacksonville Jaguars’ usage of Travis Hunter. While many people criticize the usage, head coach Liam Coen has a direct answer for anyone questioning his usage.

Coen ended up saying, “I don’t give two f’s about value, and neither does he. We care about winning, and that’s it.”

#Jaguars HC Liam Coen on Travis Hunter:

“I don’t give two f’s about value, and neither does he. We care about winning, and that’s it.” pic.twitter.com/gYidgFH3TX

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 3, 2026

Why Travis Hunter Remains a Talking Point

With how highly Hunter was drafted and with his ability to play both cornerback and wide receiver. However, he has not been utilized in both ways.

The Jaguars enter Week 4 with a 2-1 record, getting a win against the Bengals could silence these comments a bit, but until Hunter truly starts to make an impression on one side of the ball, these comments will continue.

When the Houston Texans give David Montgomery the chance to make an impact to sustain drives, he has shown the ability to do so.

Just look back at his three-touchdown performance in Week 1, but the Texans need to get back to relying on Montgomery if they want to see their offensive production get back on track. Montgomery has the upside, but that also makes him a bust candidate if they don’t turn to him on the ground.

Why There Is Risk With David Montgomery

Montgomery has handled more carries than Woody Marks, which adds encouragement that he still has the lead role in the backfield to keep the value stable. If the Texans create clearer running lanes then he has a chance to be a true book player on a weekly basis.

However, this week he faces a Dallas Cowboys defense that now has added Joey Porter Jr who can help be another presence near the line of scrimmage. That, in addition to what should be a shootout game, the value of Montgomery could diminish quickly.

Despite having a great opportunity with being on the Cincinnati Bengals’ offense, the production hasn’t been there to make him a worthy fantasy start on a weekly basis.

Brown has scored just once over three games and has yet to exceed 82 yards. The worst thing for Brown is he needs a breakout performance for managers to still feel confident in starting him. That won’t happen easily in Week 4 either while facing the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Why the Jaguars Are a Bad Matchup for Chase Brown

If the Jaguars devote extra attention to Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, Brown could have a chance to truly have an impact. If they don’t, the Jaguars have the defensive talent to contain Brown, especially with the Jaguars’ linebacker talent.

For there to be any value, the Bengals need to make sure to sustain offensive drives to keep Brown on the field.

The Seattle Seahawks are placing rookie running back Jadarian Price on Injured Reserve, according to ESPN Insider Adam Schefter.

Price, who was drafted in the 1st round of the 2026 NFL draft, will be on the IR for the next four weeks after reaggravating a chest injury. He was initially ruled out for Sunday’s game vs. the Los Angeles Chargers, but will now be out for at least a month. Price has played all three game so far this season.

Price suffered the injury originally in week two, but reaggravated it in practice and missed the team’s Thursday and Friday practices. According to head coach Mike MacDonald, there’s no current timeline on Price’s return, but praising him all the same:

“He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do since he got here. He’s had a great attitude. He’s been a great teammate. He has a great future. He’s going to play great football for us when he comes back, whenever that is… It’s just unfortunate.”

Why This Injury Is Significant

Injuries have made Price’s transition into professional football a rough one. The final selection in the first round out of Notre Dame, Price joined a favorable situation with the defending champion Seahawks, and would take over the starting position after letting go of reigning Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker. Through three career games, Price has registered 28 carries for 119 yards, but has yet to register a score for the 2-1 Champions. 

The Seahawks will likely turn to veteran running back Emanuel Wilson for starter reps, as he’s only 9 yards behind Price on the season and has seen the larger carry count as they ease the young back into the NFL.

The Seahawks look to bounce back after their first loss in week three agains the Chargers on Sunday, October 4th.

The NFL offensive player of the year award is now a NON-QB award, as the MVP has also transitioned to the Best QB award as well. I wanted to preface this because no quarterbacks will show up in this list, but the best NON-QB offensive players will.

Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith Njigba

JSN is on pace for a historic season, and with the Seahawks sitting at 2-1, he’s going to be in contention for this all year.

Saints WR Chris Olave

One of the most underrated players in the NFL through three games, Chris Olave is second in the NFL in receiving yards and he is going to keep the volume throughout the season.

Chiefs RB Kenneth Walker

With the Chiefs sitting at 3-0, and leading the NFL in touchdowns, Walker is going to be one of my favorite picks to win this award as he’s going to be the workhorse all year.

Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs

Gibbs is on pace for a ton of touches this year, and the preseason favorite undoubtedly is going to be in contention for this fight.

The New York Giants made a surprising move this week when they traded a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Minnesota Vikings for former first-round quarterback J.J. McCarthy. The timing makes sense after Jaxson Dart was ruled out for the rest of the regular season, but it also creates an interesting question for John Harbaugh: when should McCarthy actually get his chance?

For now, the answer should be simple. Jameis Winston should remain the starter, but the Giants should not be afraid to turn to McCarthy if Winston fails to give this offense enough production.

Winston Deserves the First Opportunity

I do not think McCarthy should walk into the building and immediately take Winston’s job. Winston has been in the offense all offseason, knows the system and has already helped the Giants win a game.

Against Tennessee, he completed 14 of 22 passes for 118 yards in a 12-7 victory, and while the passing attack was far from impressive, the Giants did exactly what they needed to win. John Harbaugh has also made it clear that Winston is the starter entering Week 4 against Arizona.

McCarthy Has Not Had Enough Time Yet

The biggest reason to wait is not necessarily about Winston. It is about McCarthy. The Giants acquired him on September 28, and he only began practicing with the team later that week. Minnesota had already decided to move on from him after selecting him 10th overall in 2024, and McCarthy spent his 2026 preseason competing for a job before ultimately falling behind Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz.

He is also coming off a 2025 season in which he started 10 games and completed 57.6% of his passes for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Throwing him into the lineup immediately would mean asking him to learn a new offense while simultaneously trying to establish himself as an NFL starter again.

Week 4 Should Still Belong to Winston

The Cardinals game should be Winston’s opportunity to show that he can keep the job. The Giants are 2-1 heading into the matchup, and there is no reason for Harbaugh to make a quarterback change simply because McCarthy is now on the roster.

Winston also deserves the chance to play a normal game after making his first start in miserable weather against Tennessee. If he can consistently move the offense, protect the football and take advantage of the Giants’ weapons, there is no reason to rush McCarthy onto the field.

But the Giants Cannot Wait Forever

This is where I think the situation gets interesting. If Winston continues producing games where the Giants struggle to score touchdowns, McCarthy should eventually get an opportunity. Winston has now started one full game for New York, and the Giants did not score a touchdown in that victory.

Winning games with defense, special teams and Cam Skattebo is great, but the Giants cannot expect that formula to work every week. If the offense becomes the clear weakness, there should be a point where Harbaugh asks whether McCarthy can give the team more upside.

Give McCarthy a Few Weeks to Learn

If Winston struggles, I would target the middle of the season for a potential change rather than making the decision after one bad performance. That gives McCarthy time to learn the playbook, build chemistry with Malik Nabers, Skattebo and the rest of the offense, and become comfortable with Harbaugh’s system.

McCarthy also brings a different skill set than Winston, including mobility and the experience of starting 10 games in the NFL. He went 6-4 in those starts last season, although his overall passing numbers show that he still has plenty to prove.

McCarthy Is More Than Just a Backup

The reason this trade is so interesting is that the Giants did not acquire a random veteran to sit behind Winston. McCarthy was the 10th overall pick two years ago and was considered a long-term quarterback prospect when Minnesota drafted him.

The Vikings ultimately moved on, but New York clearly sees enough talent to justify giving up a draft pick for him. Harbaugh called McCarthy a strong young quarterback with NFL experience and said the former first-round pick would make the Giants a stronger football team. That does not mean he should automatically start, but it does mean the Giants should eventually find out what they have.

My Timeline for McCarthy

If Winston plays well, I would have no problem letting him remain the starter for the rest of the season. If the offense continues struggling, however, I would give McCarthy a chance somewhere around the middle of the season.

I would not make the switch because of one ugly game. I would make it if there is a consistent pattern of the offense failing to produce touchdowns and Winston failing to create enough explosive plays. By that point, McCarthy should have had enough time in the system to make the transition worthwhile.

Final Thoughts

J.J. McCarthy should not start for the Giants simply because he was a former first-round pick. Winston has earned the opportunity to begin this stretch as the starter, and McCarthy needs time to learn a completely new offense. But the Giants also need to keep the bigger picture in mind. They are 2-1, have a talented defense, and have players like Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo who can help them compete.

If Winston proves he can lead the offense, keep him in. If he cannot, I would rather see the Giants take a chance on McCarthy than spend the rest of the season wondering what their young quarterback can do. The goal should not be to make a quarterback change quickly. It should be to make the right one when the time comes.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are still searching for their first win of the 2026 NFL season, but they could very well still be able to turn their season around before it’s too late.

Their outlook for Week 4 is still not great as Baker Mayfield is out and they have to start Jalon Daniels. However, they could get Mayfield back sooner than expected.

Baker Mayfield’s Update Offers Encouragement

With Mayfield, it is now being reported that he could end up returning around Week 6.

Pelissero: Baker Mayfield (right thumb) Week 6 against Steelers seen as “potential target date” for return.

Mayfield returning in Week 5 would be “tough, but not impossible.” pic.twitter.com/e6prkTOFPd

— Underdog NFL (@UnderdogNFL) October 3, 2026

Until Mayfield does return, the Buccaneers need to have the best plan set up for him to keep the team stable and competitive until Mayfield can come back and make it worthwhile.

Relief is coming to the Motor City, as the Detroit Lions could be getting secondary help very soon.

According to reports, Lions star safety Brian Branch could return to practice as early as this week. Branch’s potential return starts his three-week clock from the Injured Reserve. This timeline would put Branch on pace to return after Detroit’s bye week and play in week seven. 

Detroit head coach Dan Campbell stated in a Friday press conference that he believes Branch is close to a return. Campbell and defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard will be more than happy to have their safety back. Branch’s return provides relief in Detroit’s struggling secondary, albeit with some rust. Branch, who’s been out of action since tearing his Achilles in December, is likely going to need some time to get back into his play style. 

How Brian Branch’s Return Helps the Lions

Pre-injury, Branch was one of the hardest-hitting players on Detroit’s defense through his first three years. Since being drafted by Detroit, he has registered over 250 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 7 interceptions, and is one of the most feared players in the NFC North.  He and fellow safety Kerby Joseph were one of the best safety duos in the NFL, but with both gone, the team has suffered. While Branch is nearing a return, Joseph’s status is unknown.

Returning to Detroit would alleviate pressure in the pass game for a Lions team currently allowing almost 300 yards a game passing. The Lions defense has been carved up repeatedly, especially in the second half of games, and the Lions are dead last in points allowed per game, allowing 31.7 points per game. While the team is 2-1 to start the season, the defensive issues could prevent the Lions from reaching their potential.

If Branch does return to practice, he could suit up as soon as October 25th against the Green Bay Packers.

With the slower start that Luther Burden has had to start the year so far, fantasy football managers may have given up on him and moved on from him off their roster.

However, there are signs of hope that fantasy managers should continue to hang onto him going forward.

Luther Butden is Growing Into a Larger Role

The most encouraging sign for Burden is his 23.5% target share that he still has had even with the production not exactly being there. Even better, he leads the Bears with a 32.8% first-read share.

Week 3 also helped back Burden’s case as he had seven receptions for 61 yards and a touchdown. With Tyson Bagent or Case Keenum starting, it is safe to assume the Bears will once again opt for the quick passing game, if this is the case, Burden should continue his upward trend with breaking out.

Detroit has been a gift to tight ends this season, and that’s the best reason to get Darren Waller into your Week 4 lineup. In three games, opposing tight ends have hauled in 29 passes for 351 yards and six touchdowns against the Lions, and each of those scores went to a different player. Detroit sits dead last in the league at roughly 28.5 per game to tight ends. When depth-chart names like Jeremy Ruckert and Dawson Knox are finding the end zone against you, a veteran with Waller’s role has every chance to join them.

The timing works for Waller too. He’s caught 10 balls for 112 yards and two touchdowns through three games, with both scores coming in a three-catch, 33-yard day in Carolina’s 34-3 rout of Atlanta. A third touchdown was erased by a penalty in the opener. His workload climbed in Week 3 to a season-high eight targets, and across the last two games he has two red zone targets, a 55.6% route share and 1.68 yards per route run. Carolina’s offense is putting up close to 30 points a game, and with Detroit’s defense giving up points in bunches, the Panthers should get plenty of trips inside the 20.

Tight Ends Versus the Lions

• Week 1 vs. Saints: Juwan Johnson had 3 catches for 54 yards and a touchdown, and Noah Fant added 4 catches for 33 yards and a score.
• Week 2 at Bills: Dalton Kincaid had 7 catches for 95 yards and a touchdown, and Dawson Knox caught a 5-yard touchdown.
• Week 3 vs. Jets: Kenyon Sadiq had 7 catches for 105 yards and a touchdown, Jeremy Ruckert had 5 catches for 39 yards and a touchdown, and Jelani Woods added 1 catch for 20 yards.

As the Indianapolis Colts look to build off getting their first win of the 2026 NFL season, they have ran into the problem of having an even further depleted wide receiver room ahead of their Week 4 game against the Washington Commanders in London.

With Alec Pierce already out it was a bad start, but now ahead of the game it was announced that Keenan Allen will also miss the game.

Keenan Allen (groin) downgraded to out for Week 4.

— Underdog NFL (@UnderdogNFL) October 3, 2026

Josh Downs Needs to Step Up

With Allen and Pierce out, it will need to be Josh Downs who steps up as the downfield option for Daniel Jones while Tyler Warren remains the underneath option.

Against a Commanders’ secondary that has dealt with issues containing the pass, Downs should see plenty of opportunities to make an impact. The biggest factor in this will be making sure the Colts are able to sustain drives still while just relying mainly on Warren and Downs as the receiver options.

In a move that was speculated, the New York Giants earlier in the week went on to make the trade with the Minnesota Vikings to acquire quarterback JJ McCarthy.

The move, on the surface, for the time being, could’ve been seen as a move to make sure they had more quarterback depth behind Jameis Winston following Jaxson Dart‘s season-ending injury. However, McCarthy could actually see playing time sooner than expected.

JJ McCarthy Has the Skills to Earn the Opportunity 

Things didn’t work out for McCarthy in Minnesota as he struggled to stay healthy, and is coming off a 2025 season in which he completed just 57.6% of his passes for 1,632 yards and 11 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. 

The struggles were glaring, but the Vikings also didn’t have the patience or developmental plan in place for McCarthy to grow correctly. The Giants under Harbaugh do.

McCarthy will still have to learn the playbook and show he can put together great days in practice, but even when he does see the field, it should look like a different McCarthy on the field, as by playing for the Giants he doesn’t have the extra added pressure, as the Giants know they are a rebuilding team and McCarthy can afford to make mistakes in real time and learn from them.

The upside McCarthy brings is greater than what Winston brings, and based on Jeremy Fowler’s report in which he said, “People I’ve talked to – say that it’s possible that McCarthy could play sooner than later if he learns the playbook and continues to acclimate,” it is clear the Giants view this situation exactly like that.

@JFowlerESPN on Giants QB JJ McCarthy:

“People I’ve talked to – say that it’s possible that McCarthy could play sooner than later if he learns the playbook and continues to acclimate.” pic.twitter.com/9PrYIzegAy

— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) October 3, 2026

The mobility and downfield passing ability McCarthy brings is extremely similar to Dart’s, which should help the offense be able to keep implementing the offensive scheme they were trying to in the first year under Harbaugh. If McCarthy excels, this situation with landing in New York could just end up being the second chance McCarthy needed to turn his career around. 

The New York Giants have a key matchup in Week 4 as they face the Arizona Cardinals. As far as fantasy football goes, the one player in this matchup set for a huge game is Cam Skattebo.

With the Cardinals’ defense struggling to sustain tackles and having to face a physical rusher like Skattebo it sets up for what should be a successful day on the ground for him.

Arizona’s Tackling Issues Play Into Cam Skattebo’s Strengths

With how the Cardinals have struggled to complete tackles and limit rushers as a whole, it sets Skattebo up for an ideal matchup. Skattebo’s 10 forced missed tackles already stood out, but when facing a poor defense like Arizona that should play to his advantage.

Skattebo already has rushed for 170 yards this season, and with the Giants’ gap-scheme on offense it should be all a recipe for him to have success and be a fantasy breakout player.

After reversing the Maxx Crosby trade it was supposed to be Trey Hendrickson who was supposed to fill the void the Baltimore Ravens needed to boost their pass-rush production.

Three weeks into the season and Hendrickson had been underwhelming, and now he will miss the Ravens’ Week 2 matchup against the Tennessee Titans with a finger injury that required surgery.

Trey Hendrickson out for the #Ravens this week after finger surgery but HC Jesse Minter says it’ll be a “very, very short-term” absence. pic.twitter.com/aI8470glyk

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) October 2, 2026

Mike Green Must Make the Most Of This Opportunity

With Hendrickson out, it’ll be Mike Green who needs to step up and lead the pass rush. The biggest thing for Green will be to show he can lead the position for the future by consistently pressuring Cam Ward, making an impact against the run and over the course of the game make Tennessee respect him.

The Cowboys and Texans face off in Houston this Sunday. Dallas sits at 1-2 and Houston at 0-3. I’m not sure anyone expected either of these teams to be in the situations that they’re in as soon as week 4, but this is an absolute must-win for both teams. 

Disaster in Dallas

Fresh off of trading for Joey Porter Jr., the Cowboys defense gets a major boost. While the run defense has been more of an issue than the pass defense, adding someone like Porter Jr. is certainly not a bad thing. The Dallas offense is scoring plenty of points, but the wins aren’t there. After a devastating loss to Baltimore in Brazil, the Cowboys have their backs against the wall.

The NFC East division doesn’t have a clear frontrunner at the moment, and the Cowboys are still in the thick of things. However, a 1-3 start to the season will only increase the doubts about them being a playoff team.

There were conversations about the Cowboys taking a major step forward in 2026, but so far that hasn’t been the case. They have an opportunity to get a win against an in-state rival, the Texans squad this week. It’s important that they take advantage. 

Texans Tumbling

The Texans are easily one of the most disappointing teams in the NFL through three games. Sitting at 0-3 after having Super Bowl aspirations to start the year, this team’s season is already on the ropes.

Houston is an interesting case, because their offensive and defensive units haven’t looked bad enough to be sitting at 0-3. Yes, they haven’t performed anywhere near the level that they’ve shown in recent years, but there are plenty of teams who have looked worse yet won football games. 0-3 implies that you’re a really bad football team, and I don’t think the Texans are that. They’re certainly not a good football team at the moment, but to call them really bad is a stretch. 

That’s why it’s important that they get a win over the Cowboys this week. If they’re able to get to 1-3, then they will have some life. The Texans travel to Tennessee next week, and that’s a team that’s truly bad. 

Final Thoughts

This game is going to be a battle of who wants it more. Both of these teams understand that their seasons are on the line. The loser may be staring a doomed season in the face, while the winner could have a new lease on life. I don’t think that the Cowboys or Texans are as bad as their records indicate, but it’s up to them to show the rest of the league that.

The Minnesota Vikings entered the 2026 NFL season being a bit overlooked, and so far they have made any doubters regret that with a 3-0 record.

While the Vikings have had a great start, they are about to face their biggest test of the season in Week 4 as they will be without Justin Jefferson as he has been ruled out with a sprained ankle.

Vikings WR Justin Jefferson is out Sunday due to his sprained ankle.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 2, 2026

The Minnesota Vikings’ Offense Will Be Tested

While the Vikings have an undefeated record, their offense hasn’t been great as they rank last in the NFL in total offense with 238.3 yards per game.

For an offense already trying to find a rhythm with Kyler Murray as the quarterback, missing Jefferson will be more of a challenge than many expect. To keep the offense balanced, Kevin O’Connell needs to get Jordan Addison and Jauan Jennings involved early on. Even though they are facing the 0-3 Miami Dolphins, they can’t overlook this situation and become complacent.

Believe it or not, the Detroit Lions have trade targets to help the secondary. Wild concept, but the Lions aren’t screwed because they missed out on one player. Do the Lions need more than one to help their depleted backfield? Absolutely, but there are several moves they can make.

Detroit has all of its 2027 Draft picks available; they have monetary flexibility, and best of all, they have players that are pretty gettable to help out the secondary. There’s not going to be a long-term fix immediately, but that doesn’t mean kicking the can down the road. These are Three Cornerbacks the Detroit Lions Should Trade For:

Kristian Fulton 

Kristian Fulton of the Kansas City Chiefs is a prime target because of his play. While six career interceptions isn’t a gaudy number, his tape shows Fulton makes plays on the ball. He’s physical, reads the routes, and goes up for the ball. His stats don’t match his production. He works hard, plays hard, and is a Dan Campbell guy.

The Lions might not have to give up much to get him either. In the final year of a two-year contract with the Chiefs, Detroit could give up a mid- to late-round pick and get a solid starter. Low risk and high reward, Detroit should look into making a move for Fulton as soon as possible. Detroit doesn’t need a superstar; they need NFL players.

Riley Moss

The Denver Broncos’ Riley Moss is comparable to Fulton in that the production doesn’t necessarily show up on stat sheets. He’s another corner who just knows how to make plays. A part of one of the best defenses in football and often overshadowed by teammate Patrick Surtain Jr., he could show his worth with the Lions.

The Lions have the pass rush to help inflate Moss’s numbers. Detroit can get to the quarterback. All the 26-year-old needs to do is track the ball. He is more than capable of making the necessary play, and the Lions would love him for it. While the Lions don’t need a superstar, a Riley Moss would help guarantee Detroit a stronger pass defense to help their rising defensive line.

Deonte Banks

Deonte Banks from the New York Giants is like the two before, but with one difference: 6’2”. Talent is one thing, which the Lions definitely need, but size is something you can’t teach. While not the biggest cornerback, a 6’2” corner is more likely to break up a pass against a 6’5” wide receiver. He hits, he plays physical, and he’d thrive in Detroit.

Detroit needs a talent like Banks because he’s what the Lions were looking for when they drafted Terrion Arnold. A big-bodied corner who can make plays on the ball and match up with bigger receivers is just what the Lions need. In Detroit’s defensive scheme, he would have time to break up plays. Detroit isn’t looking to necessarily force turnovers, but looking to make plays and force possessions, and Banks is a perfect fit.

With Detroit, literally any talented cornerback would help. Detroit is abysmal on pass defense and needs legitimate NFL starters to make their defense work. These three players would be welcomed and perfect fits for Detroit.

Week 3 was rough for Malik Nabers and the New York Giants. However, with the Nor’easter in New Jersey bringing rain and heavy winds, Nabers still recorded five catches on six targets.

The Giants will play the Arizona Cardinals, who have allowed the second most fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers. The increase in targets for Nabers after losing Dart keeps me optimistic that he will still be a top Wide receiver in the league. 

Both Quarterbacks Will Use Nabers

With John Harbaugh trading for JJ McCarthy, the Giants will now have Jameis Winston and McCarthy as their top-two quarterbacks. McCarthy comes from Minnesota, which has an elite wide receiver in Justin Jefferson. Nabers is yet another elite LSU receiver that can help McCarthy.

For now, it’ll be Winston as QB1 for the Giants. No matter what, Nabers’ fantasy value should be rated highly this week.

Los Angeles Rams superstar defensive tackle Aaron Donald has been ruled out for Sunday’s game, as reported by ESPN Insider Adam Schefter.

Donald, who missed multiple practices due to back soreness, is missing a showdown with the Philadelphia Eagles on October 4. The Rams’ head coach Sean McVay said the team is taking it day by day with Donald.

The details on the injury are murky, as his back soreness came out of nowhere for the team. Whether the issue is long-term or if McVay is taking it on the side of caution is unknown, but the ailment is enough for Donald to miss time.

Donald returned to the field for the first time since his retirement and has played two games, registering four tackles in his time on the field. While still in fantastic shape, Donald is taking reps to get back into NFL shape and looks to boost his numbers as the season goes on.

How Aaron Donald’s Injury Impacts the Rams

Donald’s injury is the latest in a number of setbacks for the Super Bowl hopeful. The Rams have faced injuries throughout the beginning of the season, including knee surgery for superstar edge Myles Garrett, who is out for multiple weeks, and missing wide receiver Puka Nacua for two games, the latter of whom returns on Sunday. 

After trading for Garrett, Donald came out of a two-year retirement to bolster a fearsome front line, signing a one-year, $20 million contract for the 35-year-old. Due to the injuries across the board, the Rams have sputtered early, falling to an early 1-2 record. Since the team has yet to play at full strength, there’s plenty of time for the team to gel and become the superteam they were initially seen as.

The Rams will look to get back into the win column on Sunday against an Eagles team that’s also struggling early.

You won’t find many prospects that I personally love more than Payton Talbott, and he finally gets another chance to climb up the rankings with this test against former King of the Flyweights, Deiveson Figueiredo.

Fight Breakdown

Payton Talbott is apart of that new age of mixed martial artist that doesn’t come from a specific base, but is moreso a mixed martial artist who is trained and well versed in all disciplines before he truly got started in his MMA journey. A striker first, Talbott has brutal striking that starts with his long ranged weapons and ability to manage distance.

When you think of a distance managing striker you may be pulled into believing he has more of a point fighting style, but every strike is thrown with the precision and power to find the off switch on his opponents. Arguably his most destructive weapon is his knees, his ability to not just catch opponents recklessly coming into the pocket, but step in and use the knee in that sort of exchange always allows him to be dangerous in the pocket as well as at range. Talbott has no qualms about being a forward pressure scrappy fighter either, and in a lot of cases when he gets rolling downhill he starts to morph into that pressure fighter and really put it on his opponents.

Talbott has had one set back at the hands of Raoni Barcelos and his offensive grappling, who strung together plenty of impressive wins after the fact and was on his way to defeating Raul Rosas Jr. before that scary finish in the 5th derailed his win streak, so Talbott’s lone loss has aged quite gracefully, but the loss opened this false narrative that Talbott has a glaring weakness in his defensive wrestling, so Talbott responded by decisively beating multiple grapplers and even showcasing his own wrestling, taking down the legendary Henry Cejudo with a blast double and Cejudo’s trademark inside trip while completely dismantling Cejudo on the feet.

The rumors of Talbott’s demise as a prospect were greatly exaggerated, and he looks to continue to prove such with a signature win over Figgy.

Deiveson Figueiredo has earned his nickname of the “God of War”. Figgy made his waves as one those rare flyweights with terrifying finishing abilities, and since moving up to Bantamweight has had a very up and down run. It’s sometimes hard to tell if Figgy’s downward trend is because of the talented and much larger crop of talent at 135 or if Figgy is a shell of himself, but nonetheless, the former flyweight champ has an uphill battle against the much larger and much younger Talbott.

Figgy’s striking is highly predicated on forward pressure and blitzing into the pocket, which can open up windows for his grappling. Figgy’s best shot in his striking arsenal is a stance switch stutter step hook, something he landed on Song Yadong and actually won Round 1 utilizing before eventually falling to a submission in Round 2.

Figgy will have an advantage (at least on paper) with his esteemed grappling credentials if this fight gets on the ground, and he would look to employ a strategy similar to his fellow countryman that also knocked Talbott off as a massive underdog, the same spot Deiveson is in as a +525 dog himself. If Figgy is unable to ground the dangerous Talbott, it could be a long (or short) night for the Brazilian.

Official Pick:

Figgy can talk all he wants about going back down to 125 and challenging Van, but the reality is at the end of the line when it comes to the realm of the contenders. The UFC is feeding the long time vet to Talbott and setting the table for the matchup everyone has wanted for years with Talbott facing off against Suga Sean O’Malley, in order for Talbott to create enough noise to make the decision makers pull the trigger on Talbott’s fast tracking to the top he will need to finish the former champ, and this matchup feels tailor made for this, which is why Talbott holds a hefty -725 tag as the favorite.

Similar to the Cejudo matchup, Talbott is a much longer and taller fighter. Talbott stands at 5’10 with a 70.5 inch reach while Figgy stands at just 5’5 with a 68 inch reach. And similar to the Cejudo fight, Figgy will likely crash into the pocket and try to get to Talbott in a way that will open him up to a litany of Talbott’s offense. I don’t see Figueiredo withstanding the punishment that Cejudo was able to, and I think a well timed knee up the middle will kickstart a highlight reel finishing sequence and make Payton Talbott the talk of UFC 332.

Official Pick: Payton Talbott by KO/TKO (+110)

The San Francisco 49ers principal owner, Jed York, has been suspended for six games for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy, according to ESPN Insider Adam Schefter.

Arrested in a prostitution sting in August, York, 46, is also being fined $500 thousand as part of the league’s policy.  In a statement, York announced that he accepts his punishment in full and apologizes for his actions:

“This was an inexcusable mistake and I take full responsibility. What I did does not reflect my values or the man I strive to be for my family. While I fell short of the model I want to set for my sons, I now hope to show them the importance of owning up to one’s failures, and that even our worst moments teach us to be better.”

What Happened

York was arrested in East Palestine, Ohio, on August 23 for soliciting a prostitute. Using the pseudonym Joe (clearly incognito), he was unaware he was talking to an undercover officer. The meeting was to take place at a mobile home park for a sum of $140. He was arrested for soliciting a prostitute and possessing criminal tools (in this case, a cellphone). The initial charges were reduced to disorderly conduct and possessing criminal tools, to which he pleaded no contest. He served two days in jail and had to pay a $1,150 fine.

The incident has had no internal effect on the 49ers, who are 3-0 as of this update. York, who has been a principal owner since 2024, has been the team’s CEO since 2008.

York has been away from the team since the incident and is eligible to return to the 49ers on October 20, the day following their game vs. the Washington Commanders on Monday Night Football.

It didn’t take weeks for Michael Penix Jr. to get back into the swing of things with playing for the Atlanta Falcons after having suffered a torn ACL last season. Rather, it only took Penix Jr a few drives to look comfortable again in their Week 3 win over the Green Bay Packers.

In addition to Penix Jr. looking great again, he also helped uplift one of his teammates who had been struggling to look better, and that was Drake London.

Michael Penix Jr. Changes Drake London’s Season in One Game

In the game against the Packers, London caught nine of his 10 targets for a career-high 194 yards. Most notably was the fact that London also climbed to the second-most yards per route run after the game with 3.86 yards. 

After just one game with Michael Penix, Drake London is now second among WRs in yards per route run among WRs with 50+ routes this season.

(also yea JSN is nuts) pic.twitter.com/HpHs00Kauc

— Matt Harmon (@MattHarmon_BYB) September 28, 2026

Entering the game, London had just six receptions for 80 yards across two weeks, showing that the connection he and Penix Jr. have is something that can’t easily be replaced. 

Now, the challenge going forward for Atlanta will be to make sure they continue to have London featured in ways that maximize his strengths more to help Penix Jr. They can’t return to a conservative passing game, and London needs to continue to see double-digit targets.

London is entering his prime, and Penix Jr. fits what Atlanta wants on offense. Together, they showed they need respect as a top duo based on their connection, but the Falcons need to lean into that for the offense to stay productive.

Jordyn Brooks has yet to miss a tackle through three games, according to Pro Football Focus, making him one of just three linebackers in the NFL without a miss so far. PFF currently gives Brooks a 76.6 overall grade, while his 78.4 run-defense grade ranks sixth and his 82.8 pass-rush grade ranks fourth among qualified linebackers. 

That level of tackling reliability shouldn’t be surprising.

Brooks earned first-team All-Pro honors last season after leading the NFL with 183 total tackles, including 99 solo stops. Miami rewarded him with a three-year extension during the offseason, making it clear he would remain one of the foundational pieces of the rebuild. 

Now Miami may have found the perfect player beside him. Rodriguez already has 28 tackles through three games and followed his huge NFL debut with six tackles, three tackles for loss and an interception against Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City. 

My Take

The Dolphins are 0-3, so there hasn’t been much to celebrate.

Their linebacker room is becoming the exception.

Rodriguez looks like a potential Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate, while Brooks continues to play like one of the NFL’s most dependable veterans.

That combination gives Miami something extremely valuable during a rebuild: two linebackers who could anchor the middle of Jeff Hafley’s defense for years.

Rodriguez may be the exciting new name, but Brooks is quietly reminding everyone that Miami already had an elite linebacker in the building.

Related: Post Week 2 2026 Offensive Rookie of the Year Power Rankings

Related: The Bengals Offensive Line is Legit

Related: 2026 NFL Stat Leaders: Darkhorse Candidates

The Washington Commanders are looking to build off their first win of the season, but they are going to have to try to do so without Rachaad White.

Ahead of the Commanders’ Week 4 match against the Indianapolis Colts in London, it was announced White would be out with a shoulder injury.

Rachaad White (shoulder) listed out for Week 4.

— Underdog NFL (@UnderdogNFL) October 2, 2026

Jacory Croskey-Merritt Must Step Up

With White now out, it is Jacory Croskey-Merritt who needs to take on a larger workload. With White having recorded 100 yards over three carries, that leaves immense rushing volume open for Croskey-Merritt to take on.

Austin Ekeler will also be a factor, especially with his receiving background, but Croskey-Merritt will be depended on as the lead running back.

The Pittsburgh Steelers lost to the Cleveland Browns last night 27-24 on Thursday Night Football. After getting out to an early 10-0 lead, Pittsburgh gave up 21 unanswered to the Browns and found themselves trailing 21-10. They would come back to tie the game at 24 late in the fourth quarter, before losing on an Andre Szmyt 56-yard field goal with :10 remaining. 

Pittsburgh’s offense played well last night, as Aaron Rodgers threw for over 290 yards for the second consecutive week. He’s been solid through four games, but his personality and antics between plays are killing the momentum of this team. 

Rodgers Can’t Keep His Cool

Whether it was yelling at head coach Mike McCarthy, or showing disgust with his offensive line, Aaron Rodgers was constantly angry. He doesn’t look like he’s enoying himself out there and it’s rubbing off on his teammates. The Steelers don’t look like they have fun on the football field, and last night wasn’t any different. 

At the very least Rodgers is playing good football, and there’s no denying it. He’s making vintage Aaron Rodgers throws and is getting the ball to his playmakers, but his personality is slowly killing this team. This is also something that Rodgers has done for quite some time. It happened at the end of his time in Green Bay, and it certainly happened during his short stint with the Jets. It’s just who he is and teams have to deal with it if they want the football player Aaron Rodgers. 

Where do the Steelers go from here?

The Pittsburgh Steelers are exactly who everyone thought they were, which is an average football team that will finish right around .500. You could chalk last night’s loss up to it being another typical AFC North game, but the truth is that the Steelers have bigger issues. They aren’t a championship contender and have problems that need to be addressed. Unfortunately, those will never get addressed because they will continue to do this back and forth of winning and losing. After a win, the conversation will be about how they are a playoff team and can all of a sudden look good, and the very next week they’ll lose and the alarm bells will ring. 

This has been Pittsburgh Steelers football for the past five years or so, and it’s going to be until something fundamentally changes. Two things can be true: The Steelers can beat good teams and show promise, and they can also have deep rooted issues that inevitably will cost them their season. Aaron Rodgers’ attitude isn’t the only problem in Pittsburgh, but it sure doesn’t help.

While Alec Pierce did not record a catch in the Indianapolis Colts‘ first win of the 2026 season over the Houston Texans in Week 3, let alone even play, as he is on injured reserve, his impact was still shown in the game, just in a different way. 

The Colts only had one touchdown and 300 total yards. Jonathan Taylor carried the ball 23 times for just 68 yards as well, highlighting an issue with the Colts’ offense. This performance without Pierce on the field shows how vital he is for the success of the offense.

Alec Pierce Changes the Offensive Outlook For the Indianapolis Colts

Dating all the way back to the 2025 season, Indianapolis has averaged 4.75 yards per carry with Pierce on the field, which ranks as the second most since then. Without. him, that number falls to just 3.46 yards per carry, which ranks 30th over that span.

The Colts’ run game with Alec Pierce on/off the field since 2025:

ON:

4.75 YPC (2nd)
2.49 yards before contact/attempt (4th)
+0.083 EPA/rush (1st)

OFF:

3.46 YPC (30th)
1.38 yards before contact/attempt (30th)
+0.053 EPA/rush (5th)@FantasyPtsData

— Ryan Heath (@RyanJ_Heath) September 29, 2026

Pierce is clearly not just the Colts’ best deep receiver; he is the player who changes how defenses plan for the entire offense. For back-to-back seasons in 2024 and 2025, it was Pierce who led the NFL in yards per reception with 22.3 yards and 21.3 yards, respectively. This had led to Pierce earning the respect of the safeties of the opposing teams to make sure to try to erase Pierce’s ability downfield.

Because of this, it creates more room for Taylor before the snap. Without him, the opposing defenses can turn to covering underneath more to limit Taylor and Tyler Warren, as the Colts don’t have many deep threat options outside of Pierce. 

Houston exposed this by crowding the line of scrimmage, and now the Colts need to adjust to make sure they can add more wins even with Pierce out for the next few games. 

The Chicago Bears walk into Week 4 with momentum after dominating the Eagles 27–7 on Monday night, but they also walk in with uncertainty. Caleb Williams remains sidelined with his hamstring injury and has not practiced. That leaves Chicago with a decision that has been debated all week. Do they ride the veteran hot hand in Case Keenum, who looked completely in control of Ben Johnson’s offense, or do they turn back to Tyson Bagent, the backup they extended and trust long‑term?

Keenum’s performance against Philadelphia was everything Chicago needed. He was calm, decisive, and operated Johnson’s system with veteran precision. The offense looked organized, balanced, and confident. The run game fed off his timing. The quick game was sharp. The screens were perfectly timed. Social media exploded with praise for how clean the offense looked under Keenum, and many fans believe the Bears should not walk away from a formula that clearly works.

But Bagent is healthy again, cleared from concussion protocol, and ready. He is loved by the fanbase, respected in the locker room, and has shown he can execute Johnson’s offense at a high level. He brings mobility, toughness, and rhythm throws that fit Chicago’s scheme. Some fans argue that if Bagent is healthy, he should start. Others argue that Keenum earned another week.

Whoever starts will be operating one of the best play‑calling systems in football. Ben Johnson has proven he can elevate any quarterback, and against a solid Jets defense, that advantage matters.

Jets Lose Key Playmakers Ahead of Sunday

New York announced major injury news this week. Breece Hall will not play. Mason Taylor is out. Adonai Mitchell is out. Those losses dramatically change the Jets’ offensive identity. Hall is the engine of their run game. Mitchell is their explosive boundary threat. Taylor is a reliable chain‑mover. Without them, the Jets must lean heavily on their defense who has been playing well as of late, Geno Smith, Garrett Wilson, and rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq.

Geno has been rolling to start the season, playing efficient football and avoiding turnovers. Wilson remains one of the most dangerous receivers in the league, and Sadiq has emerged as a versatile weapon who can line up anywhere. Those two should see a surplus of targets against an unpredictable Bears defense that has been inconsistent but opportunistic.

The Jets will need to manufacture offense through the air. Their run game takes a massive hit without Hall, and Chicago’s defensive front has been improving each week. The Bears will challenge New York to win through timing routes, contested catches, and tight windows.

Chicago’s Run Game Must Carry the Load

The Bears have injuries of their own. D’Andre Swift did not practice after dinging his knee, and his status remains uncertain. If Swift cannot go, Kyle Monangai will carry a heavy load. Monangai has proven he can handle volume, run with power, and create yards after contact. Chicago’s offense thrives when the run game sets the tone, and Monangai is fully capable of doing that.

The rest of the Bears offense is relatively healthy. Colston Loveland continues to emerge as a reliable target. Luther Burden and Kalif Raymond provide speed and versatility. The offensive line has been improving in pass protection. And Johnson’s scheme continues to create easy throws and defined reads for whoever starts at quarterback.

The Jets defense is physical, disciplined, and aggressive. They disguise coverages well and collapse pockets quickly. Chicago must stay ahead of the sticks, avoid third‑and‑long situations, and rely on their run game to keep the Jets honest.

Score Prediction

This game comes down to two things. Chicago’s offensive structure and New York’s injuries. The Bears have the better play caller, the healthier roster, and the momentum. The Jets are missing their star running back, their explosive downfield receiver, and a key tight end. Geno will compete, Garrett Wilson will make plays, and Kenyon Sadiq will be involved. But the Jets simply do not have enough firepower.

Prediction: Bears 30, Jets 17. 

Whichever running back plays for Chicago,Swift or Monangai, should find the end zone. 

Colston Loveland gets his first touchdown. Garrett Wilson scores for the Jets. And the Bears ride their offensive rhythm to a comfortable win.

The New England Patriots are entering a key Week 4 game against the Buffalo Bills and now face a key question surrounding Drake Maye and his right shoulder.

It was revealed that Maye is dealing with a shoulder injury, as offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels said Maye’s shoulder “got dinged last week.”

Josh McDaniels said Drake Maye’s shoulder “got dinged last week,” but it hasn’t impacted his game plan for Week 4, via @ByMarkDaniels:

“Business as usual for us.”pic.twitter.com/Gv9uVbEY75

— Underdog NFL (@UnderdogNFL) October 1, 2026

The New England Patriots Need to Protect Drake Maye

For the Patriots, a team that needs a win to get back on track after falling to 1-2 to start the year, they need Maye fully healthy and for him to play at his best to start gaining confidence back after a horrid start to the season.

There are ways for the Patriots to expose the Bills’ defense, but they need to monitor Maye’s health to see if he is what gives the Patriots the best advantage to win the game or if his injury and recent slump are going to do more to harm the potential success of the Patriots currently. Going against a rival, they need Maye to sustain drives, but if his turnover issues continue in addition to having an injury, he should be benched for the time being. 

The Washington Commanders are getting a boost back ahead of their Week 4 matchup in London against the Indianapolis Colts. The player they are getting back is their tight end Chig Okonkwo.

Chig Okonkwo (hamstring) will play Week 4.

— Underdog NFL (@UnderdogNFL) October 2, 2026

While they are missing Jayden Daniels under center, having Okonkwo back to be another option for Marcus Mariota will heavily benefit the outlook for the offense. 

Why Chig Okonkwo’s Return Matters

The Commanders ended up signing Okonkwo this offseason after he established himself with the Tennessee Titans previously. Having a tight end who can help contribute as a receiver gives the Commanders the ability to incorporate more of the short and intermediate passing game to get the ball out of Mariota’s hands quickly.

In his lone appearance with the Commanders before his injury, he caught two passes for 16 yards, and now he has the chance to rebound, get back on track, and start building chemistry.

With Breece Hall being considered week-to-week, it has created a sudden opening in the New York Jets‘ backfield, and the player set to emerge with this being the case is Braelon Allen.

With the workload Allen should see, it makes him a priority player in fantasy football to add to rosters.

Why Braelon Allen is Worth Adding

When Hall went out last week in the Jets’ Week 3 loss to the Detroit Lions, it was Allen who took over on the ground. Allen finished the game with just 14 yards over four carries but should see more production this week with more opportunities. 

When Allen saw 10 attempts in Week 1 against the Tennessee Titans, he ended up with 40 yards, and he has the receiving ability to make an impact there as well. This gives him high upside against the Chicago Bears, as he should see early-down carries and more chances near the goal line to boost his value. 

Week 3 didn’t go the way the Cincinnati Bengals were hoping, as they ended up losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 30-27. While they lost, they still ended the week remaining with one of the most balanced rosters, proving further that they have started to accomplish what they have lacked recently with having a balanced team around Joe Burrow. 

After Week 3, the Bengals sit ninth in offensive EPA per play and seventh in defensive EPA per play, ranking as one of only four teams to rank inside the top 10 in both categories. This is important ahead of their Week 4 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, as the Jaguars are also one of those other three teams.

4 teams are in the top 10 in EPA/play on both offense and defense so far this season, per @SumerSports

*Jacksonville Jaguars (4th O/4th D)
*Kansas City Chiefs (6th O/5th D)
*Seattle Seahawks (10th O/2nd D)
*Cincinnati Bengals (9th O/8th D)

— Shawn Syed (@SyedSchemes) September 28, 2026

The Jacksonville Matchup Will Be the Measuring Stick Moment For the Cincinnati Bengals 

With the Jaguars coming off a dominant Week 3 win in which they beat the New England Patriots 35-6, they ended up ranking fifth in offensive EPA per play and fourth on defense. 

For the Bengals, both sides of the ball will be tested early. Burrow will face a defense coming off a dominant performance, and the Bengals’ rebuilt defense will need to bounce back against Trevor Lawrence. 

For the Bengals to remain inside these categories, it will take Burrow making the right decisions and finding ways to sustain drives against the Jaguars’ defense that has been built to try to force turnovers. It will also take the Bengals’ defense to adjust and slow down Bhayshul Tuten, unlike what they failed to do against the Steelers and Jaylen Warren last week. 

Both teams have shown how efficient they can be to start the season, but Sunday will be a collision to show who can be the most efficient when it matters most. 

There has long been the GOAT debate in the NFL when it comes to the tight end position and that debate has centered around Rob Gronkowski and Travis Kelce.

During the latest Inside the Pocket episode, Orlando Brown Jr. gave his clear thoughts as to who the best tight end is.

Travis Kelce Earns Orlando Brown Jr.’s Vote

When going through a rapid-fire question portion of the show, Brown Jr. was asked which tight end in a this-or-that style format. Ultimately, Brown Jr. chose Kelce, saying, “I got to go with Kelce, man.”

Brown Jr. had personal experience playing alongside Kelce and got to see his work ethic and production firsthand from their time on the Kansas City Chiefs together between 2021 and 2022. A big factor in this choice was Kelce’s sustained production, which is backed up by Kelce having recorded seven consecutive seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards.

Gronkowski had his own impact on how people view the tight end position, as he had 9,286 yards and 92 touchdowns over his career. The power and physicality as a blocker that Gronkowski played with can’t be overlooked, and his influence can’t be either. For Brown Jr., the deciding factor in this was his personal experience having played with Kelce, but in reality, both tight ends have a case in this conversation.