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.

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.

The San Antonio Spurs will be missing a new face for a period of time, as newcomer Tobias Harris is dealing with a calf injury.

Harris, who signed a two-year, $31 million deal over the summer, suffered a calf strain during Sunday’s intrasquad scrimmage. The injury will keep the veteran forward out for the entirety of the preseason, and he will be doubtful for the Spurs’ season opener on October 20th.

A calf strain raises worries for many fans and media, who correlate a calf strain to a potential Achilles tear, but there’s no word on the severity of the strain. With the season starting in less than three weeks, sitting Harris out would benefit the Spurs’ long-term goals.

The Spurs signed Harris from the Detroit Pistons to be an integral part of the team’s development. Harris, who spent the last two seasons with the Pistons, helped the team turn around from a 14-win team in 2024 into the first overall seed in the East in 2026, winning 60. Harris is a renowned veteran presence, providing scoring and defense, as well as professional development and leadership in the locker room.

The Spurs are coming off of a successful season, where they blossomed into a title contender with superstar center Victor Wembanyama. San Antonio went through a rugged Western Conference and reached their first NBA Finals since winning their last NBA Championship in 2014, but lost to the New York Knicks in a gentleman’s sweep. 

Harris’s presence hopefully won’t be missed long, unless this issue lingers into the regular season. San Antonio missed a larger forward in the Finals, and hope Harris is the missing piece to get the team over the hump to win. The Spurs are a young team, but the talent and defense have already proved lethal on the court, and Harris is the right mind to bring in to take a step up.

The Spurs open the preseason vs. the Atlanta Hawks on October 8th, as the young team tries to capitalize on last season’s success.

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

Caleb Williams is still out now, which means Loveland was catching passes from Tyson Bagent after doing so from Case Keenum in Week 3. Of course, this does change the picture a little bit, but Williams being back is a huge net positive for Loveland. We’re now one week closer to that happening.

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has a Grade 2 hamstring injury that doctors consider a three-to-four-week injury, league sources told me and @RapSheet.https://t.co/yq9SlMt0Xz

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 27, 2026

Here’s why Week 4 was an encouraging sign for Loveland and why you should look to buy low on him right now.

Colston Loveland Week 4 Fantasy Football Takeaways

After 4 weeks of Loveland yet to surpass 12 fantasy points, some managers may be ready to give up on him. Loveland had his best game of the year with 11.7 fantasy points, but he’s still just averaging 5 PPG this year, making him a buy low relative to where he should finish.

The reason I’m optimistic about this is Loveland ran 26 routes, which was the second most on the team and one more than Luther Burden III. On top of that, Loveland also was able to draw nine targets, which led this team.

Again, this was with Bagent under center, but I’m optimistic because Loveland is talented enough that it feels as if Ben Johnson had his hands on getting him more involved. Now is a great time to trade for Loveland in your fantasy football league while you still can.

Related: 6 Fantasy Football Buy Low, Sell High Trade Targets Before Week 3

Related: Christian Watson Fantasy Football Managers Should Know This From Week 2

Related: DeVonta Smith Proves Himself As An Elite Fantasy Football WR in Week 2

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. 

On Sunday, October 4th, Detroit Pistons All-Star center Jalen Duren spoke for the first time since signing a 5-year, $200 million contract.

After months of silence during a drawn-out contract negotiation, Duren and Detroit President of Basketball Operations Trajan Langdon held a press conference announcing his return. Duren spoke on the length of the process, saying that the length of the process wasn’t ideal for either side, but he is glad he can be back. He voiced his frustrations about how he was framed by the media and blasted the false perceptions.

“Everything that was being heard was speculation. That’s part of the media’s job … I don’t fault anybody for that. I do know that a lot of the things were false and people believe things without it coming from the source’s mouth.”

While not directly addressing it, there were several rumors about his commitment to the city and sport that circulated. Duren also believes that his silence didn’t help, but was something he needed to do for himself.

Duren also spoke about basketball in the conference, focusing on his progression and two-way ability. He acknowledged the end of the season and his playoff struggles, but looks to become a better player on both sides of the ball. With players like Tobias Harris and Isaiah Stewart now gone, he knows he has to take a leap to fill the void.

With the contract talk behind him and the organization, and the regular season looming, Duren made sure to address the fans of the team, and his message was clear: “I am a Detroit Piston, and I want to be a Detroit Piston for life.”

Duren returns to a Detroit team with higher expectations, improved shooting, and the core team locked in for the next 5 years. As he takes the court again, fans will forgive the situation in time, but now everything shifts back to the team.

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. 

When it comes to the Philadelphia 76ers, they have plenty of players now who can create a shot, but the challenge now is giving those players room to operate without taking away from Joel Embiid.

Nick Nurse’s latest comments point toward what the answer could be for the 76ers as they want to change where Embiid works, using more movement to help the scorers complement one another. Nurse alluded to this by saying, “We are trying to move him around the floor a little more frequently this season.”

Coach Nurse on Joel Embiid’s offensive role, via @SixersAdam:

“We are trying to move him around the floor a little more frequently this season.”

— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) October 2, 2026

Philadelphia Needs The Stars to Create Space for Each Other

Moving Embiid between screening actions, post positions and catches outside the paint could force defenses to make more decisions before he receives the ball. An Embiid screen followed by a roll could give players like LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, and Tyrese Maxey more room to operate.

The biggest thing for Philadelphia will be to figure out how to get the timing right to make sure everything falls into place.

After a disappointing first fight at the UFC Heavyweight Division, Alex Pereira is giving the division another chance. This time, his opponent has been announced to be Sergei Pavlovich and the two will face each other at UFC 335 on December 12 in a fight that will determine Pereira’s future in the division going forward.

Alex Pereira will take on Sergei Pavlovich in a heavyweight bout at #UFC335, UFC announced on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/fQmbZGnq22

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) October 4, 2026

Alex Pereria Has Something to Prove Still

While Pereira has dominated every other division he has been in, he was not able to have that dominant start at the Heavyweight Division as he lost to Ciryl Game in his debut fight.

Beating Pavlovich would help Pereira’s get his heavyweight tenure back on track, and it is a fight in which could help him get back on track to his championship aspirations with a win over a top challenger.

A second loss if it were to happen would leave Pereira in a spot where he needs to reconsider if the move to heavyweight was actually the right call for his future.

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.

After shutting out the Cleveland Guardians in Game 1 of the American League Division Series 3-0, they are set up nicely entering their next game against the Guardians as they look to gain early control of the series.

In doing so, they are turning to Sean Burke on the mound for them.

Venable: Sean Burke will play a role in Game 2 of ALDS for the White Sox; starter TBA, via @JeffAgrest.

— Underdog MLB (@UnderdogMLB) October 3, 2026

Why Sean Burke Starting Is Notable

By starting Burke, the White Sox are going with a player who has had success against the Guardians as he went 2-0 with a 1.04 ERA and 21 strikeouts.

Burke also showed how strong he could be in his first postseason start as he struck out eight of the Houston Astros players. With Burke’s ability to finish at-bats with strikeouts it shows why Chicago is relying on him heavily on the postseason.

The pitching for the White Sox this postseason has been strong so far, and Hagen Smith would start this one, going 2.2 innings without allowing an earned run. Smith also picked up four strikeouts. To end this one, Chicago gave the ball to Taylor to go four innings. 

Grant Taylor, K’s the Side in the 9th with Hammers. 🔨🔨🔨 pic.twitter.com/KFQOfQMogr

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) October 3, 2026

Grant Taylor Game 1 ALDS Stats

Over that span, Taylor allowed just two hits, zero earned runs, and he also had six strikeouts. This doesn’t come as a huge shock, as Taylor was a very strong prospect coming out of LSU, and Chicago would draft him in the 2nd round of the 2023 MLB Draft.

In 2026, Taylor has pitched in 84 innings, posting a 2.25 ERA, 1.071 WHIP, and 2.8 WAR. The most impressive part of this performance was this stat pulled from Just Baseball on X:

“The only pitchers with a 4-inning save and 6 strikeouts in postseason history:

1929 Lefty Grove

2017 Lance McCullers Jr.

2026 GRANT TAYLOR”

To be on that short of a list with some phenomenal pitchers helps show just how impressive Taylor really was in Game 1 for the White Sox. 

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.

The Tampa Bay Rays were able to get the win in the first game of the American League Division Series over the New York Yankees, and now they turn to Freddy Peralta on the mound to try to help further put the Yankees behind and gain more of an advantage.

Freddy Peralta will start Game 2 of ALDS for the Rays. pic.twitter.com/MJF2hfLg6c

— Underdog MLB (@UnderdogMLB) October 4, 2026

Freddy Peralta Earned the Opportunity

Peralta might not have had a standout ERA as it was 4.42 but he did have 156 strikeouts and over the month of September he had a .89 WHIP and held opponents to a .162 average.

For the Rays, it is clear that Peralta is a trusted member of the rotation after arriving in Tampa Bay following the trade from the New York Mets. Now, Peralta needs to make the most of the opportunity and prove Tampa Bay right.

The James Madison Dukes move to 5-0 on the season and are still unranked. The committee will come together and will release the next ranking tomorrow. One thing certain: The Dukes deserve to be ranked. 

Utter Dominance From the Dukes

There’s not much to say about the Dukes other than his dominant they are. With the movement of Chesney to UCLA, the Dukes were expected to have a down season. But, the Dukes are yet again the real deal. 

Through their five games, the Dukes have outscore their opponents by 158 points. Most of that margin came from their huge victory over Wagner 87-3. 

Napier Was the Right Coach

Billy Napier had a ton of controversy after his tenure at Florida. However, his time in the Sun Belt has been nothing short of electric. He built his coaching resume at Louisiana going 40-12 and winning two Sun Belt championships. 

Now at Harrisonburg, he’s already proved that the Dukes can hang and control the valley. All that’s left for Napier at JMU is to see his team ranked, win another Sun Belt championship and get the Dukes back into the College Football Playoffs. 

The Pittsburgh Panthers ended up beating Virginia Tech to keep their perfect record in tact. While they got the win to start Week 5, they suffered a loss in the long-run as quarterback Mason Heintschel suffered a torn ACL and will now be out for the rest of the season.

Sources: Pitt QB Mason Heintschel has torn his ACL and will miss the remainder of the season. He got injured in the win over Virginia Tech on Friday. pic.twitter.com/jNcckTUXKY

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) October 3, 2026

How the Injury Impacts Pitt

The Panthers now need to establish trust with another quarterback to operate the offense while also keeping their ground game efficient.

Holden Geriner provided some optimism against Virgina Tech as he completed eight of 12 passes for 78 yards and a touchdown. Geriner is a fifth-year quarterback, so he has spent time around the college game, however he has limited starting experience, so now Pittsburgh will have to rely on him to continue to build confidence and lead the passing attack going forward.

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.

To be fair, there is some merit to this. The memories that fans and media have of the Pistons over the last five months aren’t exactly great. A 60-win team that came close to losing to the Orlando Magic. The team lost their second-leading playoff scorer to the San Antonio Spurs. The major contract standoff… It’s been a lot of negativity around the team, and with the East improving greatly this summer, it’s understandable that people are sour. The East looks that much tougher for Detroit, but they’re not as bad as you think.

The Pistons Are In A Better Position Than You Think

Is there a rain cloud over the Pistons? Sure, but it’s not a storm cloud. Detroit is not going from a 60-win team to a 40-win team. There’s going to be a slight drop-off, but that doesn’t necessarily equate to the worst team. The defensive infrastructure and coaching is still there, and the core players are still here. The Pistons made team adjustments; some of the moves were lateral, but not downgrades. There’s going to be a shift in how the team plays offensively, and this is why:

Losing out on Isaiah Stewart and Tobias Harris will be difficult losses to navigate, but the Pistons brought in Isaiah Joe, John Collins, and Taurean Prince, among other additions, because the team wanted to prioritize shooting. Though there were other major issues for the team, one thing to note is that the team only had one sharpshooter on the court last year, Duncan Robinson, and when he wasn’t converting shots, the team struggled. Getting shooters on the floor not only helps the team from the perimeter, but it also opens the floor for two players.

Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren are the main beneficiaries of the improved shooting. Thompson, who is still developing his shot, will be able to slash to the rim more efficiently and be able to utilize his playmaking by forcing defenders to stay on a shooter’s hip. Duren can roll to the basket more effectively with defenses now giving him more one-on-one matchups to the rim by trying to guard the outlet pass to a shooter. These moves were made with them in mind. This team is building a new engine, and the beneficiary is a certain 6’8” point guard.

This team is now much better suited for Cade Cunningham. With a bigger playmaker like Cunningham, the team needs floor spacing so he can operate effectively. Cade needs shooting to open the floor, and it’s no mistake that Cade has taken a leap when he’s surrounded by the Duncan Robinsons and Malik Beasleys of the world. Cade is going to benefit from the shooting, but there’s one last key.

The core of Cade, Thompson, and Duren are going into their combined fourth season together, and they now have two playoff years under their belts. Losing on the big stage is a part of winning on the big stage. This team has seen turbulent times, and they are all growing in the right direction. They’re continuing to grow and are getting better as players and as teammates. Every mistake and lesson fans and media are discussing, they are too. This is a team that’s getting battle-tested, and it will result in wins.

The Pistons aren’t taking a step back as an organization or as a team. Losing a few more games is not the same as getting worse. This is still a 50+ win roster. Fans and Media can doubt them, but don’t let the Pistons win again.

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 Chicago White Sox move to 3-0 in the postseason and are now two games away from their first Championship Series appearance since 2005. In that same season, they swept the Houston Astros to win the World Series. 

Now, the Sox are heating up and are led my Japanese superstar, Munetaka Murakami. They currently lead the series against the Cleveland Guardians and have an opportunity to advance at their home stadium. 

Fans are gravitating towards the White Sox’s and are beginning to cheer them on as they look to make history and have the greatest turnaround in the history of baseball. 

Alabama went into Starkville and took down Mississippi State 56-23. In what was supposed to be a thriller between two undefeated teams, was anything but that. The Crimson Tide put an absolute beatdown on Mississippi State on their home turf. 

Kamario Taylor Tumbles

Kamario Taylor had been having a Heisman caliber season through four games, but he struggled mightily this afternoon. He threw two interceptions, with one of them being a pick six. He also fumbled on the opening drive of the game. Taylor still managed to throw for 258 yards and two touchdowns, but his performance was anything but his best.

The Bulldog defense had a tough outing as well, giving up 56 to the high powered Alabama offense. Mississippi State had been riding high after starting 4-0, and getting ranked at number 16 in the AP Poll. They still have plenty of opportunities in front of them, and aren’t out of the College Football Playoff conversations. They had a reality check today, but sometimes that happens as a young team. They have the talent to bounce back moving forward. 

Keelon Russell Shines

Keelon Russell was fantastic this afternoon. He threw for 285 yards and three touchdowns, while only throwing six incompletions. He’s been incredibly impressive through four games, and today was nothing different. He made several big time throws and didn’t turn the ball over. Alabama has had an impressive start to the season, which was needed after the offseason conversations regarding their head coach being on the hot seat. 

Final Thoughts

Alabama showed that they have the experience and pedigree that Mississippi State doesn’t have at this moment in time. The young Bulldog team can turn it around, one week won’t define their season. On the other side, Alabama proved that they are a true national contender, and not just in the SEC. Today proved that experience matters at this point in the season, but changes can still be made down the road. Both teams have what it takes to be in the playoff conversations come December, now we will see which one capitalizes. 

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.

The Georgia Bulldogs have had a long history of developing strong running backs, and Nate Frazier has developed into that player for them now. However, ahead of their matchup against Vanderbilt they are having to monitor his status as he is a game-time decision.

Georgia RB Nate Frazier will be a game-time decision again today against Vanderbilt, sources tell @Clowfb and me for @On3.

How he handles warmups will be key. No. 2 Georgia visits Alabama next week. https://t.co/mzjaJYZmqI https://t.co/O3rDF9f2pa pic.twitter.com/QS0YKsNF1W

— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos) October 3, 2026

Why Georgia Needs to Be Careful With Nate Frazier

While Georgia would like to have him on the field, they also have a key matchup coming against Alabama that they need him healthy for. With 202 rushing yards and five touchdowns over three games, it is clear to see why Frazier is important for the Bulldogs.

If Frazier can’t go, Chauncey Bowens is the player who will take over on the ground.

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.

It has been since 2014 when Dak Prescott was the Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback that their matchup against Alabama has felt noteworthy. Until now.

With Kamario Taylor, he has Mississippi State in a spot where they must be respected once again going forward, but the Alabama Crimson Tide also have an electric quarterback in Keelon Russell to make this game one of the best shootouts the SEC has had in quite some time

Kamario Taylor and Keelon Russell Have the Edge

Taylor has been hard to ignore this season with 1,377 yards of total offense, leading SEC quarterbacks, plus adding on 14 touchdowns. Taylor has been electric, but so has Russell, and in an efficient way as he has completed 71% of his passes for 1,129 yards, eight touchdowns and just two interceptions.

With the deep ball passing ability of both quarterbacks it will make this matchup also important to see which defense steps up. Russell distributes the ball with great touch and efficiency to all levels of the field, but Taylor has especially been key in this area as he has already had 20 passes of at least 20 yards this season. The backend of the defense will need to be on high alert, but neither team can devote extra resources deep as both can beat you with their rushing ability.

Both of these quarterbacks has the “it” factor and have shown they can lead their offense in high-pressure moments to get the win despite being young in their college football careers. With the way both have taken over, they will be tough to slow down, but that makes this match the best one to watch as it is a matchup between two of college football’s most exciting quarterbacks.

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 Los Angeles Dodgers got the luxury to get some time off before their playoff run starts this postseason. Their first matchup is going to be against the Atlanta Braves in the National League Division Series.

With this game, they have gone on to elect Tarik Skubal as their starter, and it is a reasonable decision.

Tarik Skubal will start Game 1 of NLDS.

— Underdog MLB (@UnderdogMLB) October 2, 2026

Why Tarik Skubal Makes Sense

Since joining the Dodgers after being traded from the Detroit Tigers Skubal went on to have a 5-2 record and 2.61 ERA across 10 starts. While Yashinobu Yamamoto could’ve been an option, it is clear that with going against the Braves, the Dodgers want to give the experienced talent like Skubal the shot on the mound first.

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.

Having a strong rotation and pitching staff is what can lead teams to a World Series championship. That being said, here’s a look into the pitching matchup for Game 1 of the ALDS, where the 84-78 White Sox take on the 85-77 Cleveland Guardians.

Chicago White Sox Probable Starter: Hagen Smith

Starting with the White Sox, they named Hagen Smith their Game 1 starter. The rookie only has 28 innings of MLB experience, but he was drafted 5th overall back in the 2024 MLB draft and has dominated since.

That strategy worked extremely well for Chicago in the Wild Card round as he went three innings without allowing a run. We talked more about Smith in this previous TWSN article, but here’s a tweet from it that shows why the White Sox made this decision.

Pitchers in MLB history to achieve the folllowing in their first 19 career games, including the postseason:

25+ IP
5 or fewer runs allowed
12+ K/9

Hagen Smith. End of list 🤯 pic.twitter.com/LDKWakJlGa

— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) September 29, 2026

Cleveland Guardians Probable Starter: Parker Messick

For the Guardians who ended up winning the AL Central, they have Parker Messick taking the bump. Messick is also a young pitcher at 25 years old, but he has significantly more MLB experience. 

Messick has pitched in 186.1 innings during 2026 with a 2.56 ERA, 1.063 WHIP and 12-9 record. 

Where is White Sox vs. Guardians Game 1? (ALDS Game 1)

Game 1 of the ALDS will be at home for Cleveland, at Progressive Field.

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.

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.

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