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FWAA-NFF Super 16 Poll for Week 5

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Photo Cred: FWAA

FWAA-NFF Super 16 Poll for Week 5 (Sept. 26) has been released. Panelist Ayokunle Spencer submitted his ballot. Here is this week’s Super 16 ranking.

FWAA-NFF SUPER 16 POLL (Week 5 – Sept. 26)
Ayokunle Spencer (Panel)
WEEKLY SUPER 16
POLL
1 Ohio State
2 Oregon
3 Miami (FL)
4 Oklahoma
5 Texas A&M
6 Indiana
7 Ole Miss
8 Texas
9 Florida State
1 0 Alabama
1 1 Georgia
1 2 LSU
1 3 Tennessee
1 4 Georgia Tech
1 5 Penn State
1 6 Iowa State

Kenny Omega, Gail Kim, & the Manufactured Fires of Tribalism

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Photo Cred: Wrestling News

While no one can deny Kenny Omega’s contributions to professional wrestling, his recent comments only added fuel to the ever-burning flames of tribalism, earning more headshakes than nods. Omega, best known for his success in Japan before arriving in the U.S. in 2019 as AEW launched, found himself in a spat with retired legend Gail Kim. The exchange raises the question: is tribalism fan-driven and amplified by wrestlers, or do the wrestlers themselves encourage the divide?

Kenny Omega headed to WWE or All Elite Wrestling - cleveland.com

Photo Cred: Cleveland.com

Gail Kim, who spent nearly two decades in the ring before retiring in 2019 and transitioning into a producer role, has always been candid about what she does and doesn’t like in wrestling. Recently, she took aim at two things: her distaste for deathmatches and her discomfort with how AEW’s Riho was sexualized in a past match. Riho, Omega’s close friend and mentee, also happened to be the inaugural AEW Women’s Champion.

Kim’s criticism wasn’t a crusade. She didn’t condemn deathmatch wrestlers—she simply said the style wasn’t for her. But in today’s wrestling discourse, that was enough to unleash a mob. Fans stormed her mentions, armed with smartphones when they should have been armed with soap and water. Even Brett Lauderdale, founder of GCW, felt compelled to argue with her.

Kim isn’t alone in her dislike. Deathmatches are a niche inside an already niche industry. For many, watching two wrestlers in jeans bash each other with light tubes isn’t worth the price of admission. Yet judging by the outrage, you’d think Kim had insulted Old Glory itself.

Gail Kim and Awesome Kong Feud: Redefining Women's Wrestling

Photo Cred: Pro Wrestling Stories

On Riho, Kim was equally clear. She didn’t disparage Riho as a performer or person; she took issue with the production that sexualized a younger wrestler. Still, an army of fans lined up to “defend” Riho, slinging insults at Kim and accusing her of everything from bullying to hypocrisy. Their smoking gun? Footage from Kim’s early WWE run where she was presented in a sexualized light. As if pointing out her past treatment somehow invalidated her critique. If only these fans put the same energy into drawing bathwater as they did into drawing false equivalencies.

This is where Omega entered, escalating things by putting “legend” in quotes when referencing Kim and suggesting she was somehow aligned with TKO. The jab was both petty and misinformed. Gail Kim is a legend. Her feud with Awesome Kong produced some of the highest-rated segments in TNA history, long before Hogan and Bischoff ever arrived. Her underdog storyline against Kong remains one of the best examples of women’s wrestling being treated seriously on U.S. television. She even mixed it up with Hall of Famer Jackie Moore in a memorable Texas Death Match angle.

Omega’s attempt to paint Kim as a TKO mouthpiece ignores her very public critiques of WWE during her two stints there. Her words speak for themselves:

  • “WWE is basically scooping up all the talent and making it really difficult. They say they want competition and like competition, but I don’t believe that. They are trying to make this a monopoly.”

  • “I’ve experienced WWE twice now, and I know that I do not enjoy that place. The second time I really had optimistic hopes and dreams, but I know I would never go back there.”

Yes, she’s guest-coached at the Performance Center—but nothing beyond that. And as for money, Kim and her husband, celebrity chef Robert Irvine, devote significant time and resources to philanthropy. She doesn’t need TKO’s paycheck. Omega could have found this out with a two-minute Google search, but instead chose to lob lazy accusations to score tribal points.

And of course, you knew Dave Meltzer would surface. Wrestling’s least-beloved historian couldn’t resist chiming in, sparring with Kim in a way that highlighted her composure and his pettiness. Meltzer demanding Kim apologize was especially rich, given some of his own past commentary. Watching him these days is like visiting a childhood restaurant only to find it run down, poorly painted, and serving expired food—the Sizzler of wrestling media.

The truth is simple: not everyone has to like deathmatches. Those who enjoy them can keep watching, but forcing others to accept them as gospel is as obnoxious as a door-to-door proselytizer who won’t take “no” for an answer. Gail Kim did not attack Riho personally. She criticized creative choices. The angry backlash reveals more about fan insecurity—and their struggle with reading comprehension—than it does about Kim.

This whole episode is another reminder that tribalism is a dead-end. WWE, AEW, and every other company see fans as what they are: consumers. AEW caters to a niche. WWE aims for monopoly-level control. Neither is bending to your tweets or message-board rants. The sooner fans accept that, the sooner we can stop mistaking constructive criticism for personal attacks—and maybe even remember to use body wash correctly.

College Momentum from The Maxwell Football Club

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Who’s Hot on the Maxwell Award List

QB Mark Gronowski, Iowa

On a night that the defense allowed 400 yards, offense and special teams picked up the slack. Iowa opened its Friday night trip to Rutgers with a Kaden Wetjen 100-yard kickoff return, and Gronowski rallied the Hawkeyes back three times for a 38-28 win. The South Dakota State transfer completed 12-of-18 for 186 yards while rushing for 55 yards and three TDs, the final two in the fourth quarter to seal the win. It was Gronowski’s 52nd victory as a quarterback, making him the winningest QB in college football history.

QB Brendon Lewis, Memphis

Unbeaten Memphis entered the G5 playoff berth discussion with Saturday’s stirring comeback to beat Arkansas, 32-31. The Tigers trailed by as much as 18 points to the Hogs but rallied behind the dual-threat playmaking of Lewis. The Nevada transfer hit 15-of-30 for 199 yards, a touchdown and a pick. But he was most dangerous on the ground, rushing for 103 yards and two more scores.

QB Jayden Maiava, USC

Everyone will learn a lot about USC in the next few weeks, but the offense has been very sharp with Maiava at the controls. Now that Miller Moss is at Louisville, Maiava is no longer looking over his shoulder. The Trojans have opened with four wins by at least two touchdowns, including Saturday’s 45-31 defeat of visiting Michigan State. In the win, Maiava accounted for five scores, throwing for three on 20-of-26 passing and rushing for two more.

WR Eric McAlister, TCU

The Iron Skillet is headed back to Fort Worth. TCU avenged last year’s 66-42 loss to rival SMU with a come-from-behind thriller on Saturday, 35-24. McAlister had a monster game as Josh Hoover’s favorite target on crossing patterns. The 6-3, 205-pound senior posted a hat trick, scoring three long TDs on eight receptions for 254 yards, most of which came after the catch. McAlister’s second touchdown gave the Frogs the lead in the fourth and his final TD grab put the game away.

QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana

The Indiana offense was very good with Nathan Rourke under center last year. It’s even better now that Mendoza is running the attack. In a showdown of ranked teams, the Hoosiers hammered Illinois 63-10 in arguably the most impressive win by any team in the opening month. IU shredded a quality Illini D for 579 balanced yards and 31 first downs. With pinpoint precision, Mendoza completed 21-of-23 for 267 yards, five TD passes and no turnovers.

QB Dante Moore, Oregon

With four starts under his belt, Moore appears ready for the first showcase game of his young college career. The 4-0 Ducks visit Penn State this weekend in a marquee battle of top 10 teams. Moore enters the game with 11 TD passes, one pick, and budding confidence. In Saturday’s Civil War with Oregon State, the sophomore from Detroit hit 21-of-31 passes for 305 yards, four scoring strikes and no turnovers. Moore was also second on the team with 53 rushing yards on seven carries.

RB Jadarian Price, Notre Dame

Jeremiyah Love is one of the top backs in the country. His teammate is not far behind. Price showed in Saturday’s 56-30 win over Purdue why the Fighting Irish boast an elite one-two punch out of the backfield. The versatile junior, who’d start for many programs, scored a career-high four touchdowns – rushing for 74 yards and three TDs and taking a kickoff back 100 yards.

RB Dylan Riley, Boise State

It is never easy replacing a legend. But from the early returns, the Boise State ground game will be just fine following the departure of 2024 Maxwell Award winner Ashton Jeanty. Riley stepped out of his predecessor’s enormous shadow Saturday at Air Force, rushing 19 times for 171 yards and four touchdowns. He also proved valuable in the passing game with two catches for 84 yards and a fifth score as the Broncos rolled, 49-37.

The Maxwell Football Club honors the nation’s best defensive player with the Chuck Bednarik Award. Here’s a look at last week’s standout defenders.

Who’s Hot on the Bednarik Award List

S Peyton Bowen, Oklahoma

The Sooners have a veteran QB, a championship-caliber D, and a ceiling that gets higher each week. Oklahoma defeated Auburn, 24-17, Saturday behind a school-record 10 sacks and clutch play from John Mateer. Bowen didn’t have one of those sacks, but he did have five tackles and two pass breakups and was terrific in coverage. His 88.8 PFF grade ranked third among all Week 4 safeties while his 87.5 cover grade also ranked in the top 10.

DB Boo Carter, Tennessee

The sky is the limit for the versatile Carter. In Saturday’s 56-24 win over UAB, the sophomore showcased his athleticism and big-play ability. Already an elite punt returner, Carter delivered a career day on defense. His team-high nine tackles included three stops for loss, a sack, and two forced fumbles on the same series, one of which Kaleb Beasley returned for a touchdown.

LB Ray Coney, Tulsa

Tulsa evened its record Friday night with its first win over Oklahoma State in Stillwater since 1951. It was a signature instate win for new head coach Tre Lamb who came over from ETSU and brought his star linebacker with him. Coney has been a rock in the middle for the Golden Hurricane. The nation’s leader in tackles had a team-high 13 stops in the 19-12 win including 1.5 for loss and a sack.

ED Michael Daley, Rice

Four games into Scott Abell’s tenure at Rice and the 3-1 Owls have almost matched last year’s win total. Rice beat Charlotte on the road Thursday, 28-17, behind a mix of north-south running and a tenacious pass rush. Daley had 2.5 of the six sacks of 49er QB Grayson Loftis. The 6-2, 237-pound former BYU transfer with the wicked spin move also had three tackles and eight total pressures, according to PFF.

LB Red Murdock, Buffalo

The Bulls suffered a crushing defeat to Troy Saturday, squandering a 17-0 lead and allowing the game-winning score with 45 seconds left. However, in the loss Murdock once again showed why he’s one of the game’s most underrated linebackers. The 6-1, 240-pound junior racked up a dozen tackles, including 2.5 for loss, a sack and a pair of forced fumbles.

DE Quincy Rhodes, Arkansas

In the end, it wasn’t enough, but Rhodes had the kind of game Saturday that will attract the attention of NFL scouts. The athletic 6-6, 275-pounder with the dynamite spin moves jumped off the tape in Saturday’s disappointing loss in Memphis. Rhodes had six tackles, four TFLs and a pair of sacks. It was his second multi-sack game in the last three weeks.

LB Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech

The Red Raiders are for real and the Big 12 favorite as the opening month nears an end. Texas Tech stuffed Utah in Salt Lake City, 34-10, silencing the always rowdy Rice-Eccles Stadium crowd. The team that so artfully used the portal this offseason leaned on one of its star holdovers to limit the Utes to just 263 yards. Rodriguez, who’s always near the ball, notched a team-high 11 tackles, a half TFL, an interception, and a forced fumble.

LB Daniel Wingate, Maryland

Wingate is playing at an All-Big Ten level in his third season in College Park. The 4-0 Terrapins kept Wisconsin out of the end zone for the first 59:32 of Saturday’s 27-10 win in Madison. The 6-5, 230-pound Wingate was at the center of the defensive domination with a game-best 11 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and a sack. Seven of his tackles were solo stops.

The Maxwell Football Club supports former Alabama and Seattle Seahawks star RB Shaun Alexander in annually naming the top college freshman.

Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award Player of the Week

CB Demetres Samuel Jr., Syracuse

In a little over a year, Fran Brown has dramatically upgraded the talent at Syracuse. Samuel is a shining example. The true freshman from Florida didn’t just win a starting job in the Orange secondary; he’s been an impact performer. In Saturday’s 34-21 road upset of Clemson, Samuel helped corral the talented Tiger receivers with six tackles and four forced incompletions. The four forced incompletions tied for third among all FBS defenders in Week 4.

 

Must-See Week 5 Games

Ohio State (3-0) at Washington (3-0)

Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (CBS)

Washington gets a chance to show it belongs in the Big Ten title chase.

Year 2 under Jedd Fisch has been a fast climb in Seattle. The Huskies already look nothing like last season’s 6–7 squad, racing to a 3–0 start behind the explosive trio of QB Demond Williams, RB Jonah Coleman, and WR Denzel Boston. Now comes the measuring stick — the defending national champions. Ohio State is also 3–0, highlighted by a gritty win over Texas in the opener. QB Julian Sayin has shown poise with eight touchdown passes, but he’s also thrown three picks over the last two weeks. Saturday marks his first road start, a major test against a Husky D eager to prove it’s Big Ten ready.

LSU (4-0) at Ole Miss (4-0)

Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC)

The Sip will be rocking with unbeaten LSU rolling into Oxford.

Both teams are surging out of the gate. LSU has already stacked wins over Clemson and Florida, and Brian Kelly’s biggest question mark — the defense — has been a revelation, allowing no more than 10 points in any game so far. Ole Miss has been just as impressive, navigating two early SEC hurdles with wins over Kentucky and Arkansas before dismantling a strong Tulane team, 45–10. Credit Lane Kiffin, the quarterback whisperer. Even with backup Trinidad Chambliss at the controls, the Rebel offense hasn’t slowed down, averaging 45 points per game and lighting up defenses with its usual mix of tempo and explosiveness.

Oregon (4-0) at Penn State (3-0)

Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET (NBC)

Penn State has circled this one for nearly a year — payback for last season’s Big Ten title game loss to Oregon.

The Nittany Lions get their shot under the lights in a White Out at Beaver Stadium, one of college football’s most intimidating settings. Both teams enter unbeaten, having cruised through September without breaking a sweat, but the stakes are rising. The winner joins Ohio State as the early Big Ten frontrunner and strengthens its case as a national contender. For Penn State, all eyes will be on Drew Allar. The QB has the tools NFL scouts covet, and this is the kind of stage that can elevate his draft stock. On the other sideline, Oregon’s precocious sophomore Dante Moore has been electric so far, but he’s never experienced an environment quite like Happy Valley at night.

Alabama (2-1) at Georgia (3-0)

Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET (ABC)

Alabama at Georgia serves as the exclamation point to what might be the most consequential weekend of the season to date.

Whenever the Tide and the Dawgs meet, it has a heavyweight title bout feel, and Saturday night will be no different. Alabama hasn’t visited Sanford Stadium since 2015, and Georgia has turned it into a fortress with 33 straight home wins. The Bulldogs come in riding high after a dramatic Week 3 comeback at Tennessee. For Alabama, this is a chance at redemption. The Tide has been climbing steadily since its opening-day loss to Florida State, and nothing would flip the national conversation faster than snapping Georgia’s home streak. A win Between the Hedges wouldn’t just vault Bama back into the SEC’s upper echelon — it would reestablish it as a national title threat.

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After Defeating the Tigers & Bears, USC Sets Sights on Big Ten Debut

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Photo Cred: USC

USC had a victorious weekend as they secured back-to-back wins over the LSU Tigers and the Cal Bears. The Trojans capped it off with a four-set victory over UC Berkeley, continuing their strong early-season push. The Trojans opened the match with an electrifying start, holding the Bears to a .000 hitting percentage in set one.

Cal struggled to handle USC’s relentless pressure at the net and from the service line. Sophomore London Wijay led the attack with a .150 average, while freshman setter Reese Messer distributed the ball effectively, finishing the frame with a .320 percentage. The balanced attack kept Cal on its heels and highlighted the Trojans’ ability to move the ball efficiently.

No. 19 USC Women's Volleyball Collects 3-1 Win Over California - USC  Athletics

Photo Cred: USC

Set two, however, saw the Bears bounce back. Cal secured a 27-25 win after maintaining a steady lead for much of the set. USC struggled with unforced errors and keeping attacks inbounds, though they never allowed the Bears to completely pull away.

“On our side, we need to be a lot better at attacking the court,” said USC head coach Brad Keller. “We had 52 digs each. We had 15 blocks to their six. Clearly, we’re playing defense, we’re just not scoring the ball. Next week is going to be about not necessarily the defensive side of things, but transitions and killing the ball.”

Despite a team hitting percentage of just .099 overall, the Trojans still had several key contributors. Wijay finished with four kills, junior Adonia Faumuina followed with three kills, and Messer tallied 11 assists to guide the offense. Freshmen Mullen and Messer also chipped in three sets each, providing steady support in the middle of the lineup. On the other side of the net, Cal began to build momentum behind standout sophomore Dominique Phills, who collected four kills and 16 receptions.

Setter Maria Știrbu contributed 12 assists, helping the Bears to a .097 hitting percentage. Set three began with more struggles for USC as the Bears jumped out to an early lead. But a critical timeout allowed the Trojans to regroup. From that moment on, the energy inside the arena shifted. USC stormed back with renewed confidence, hitting .276 with 15 kills compared to Cal’s .062. A decisive kill by senior Riley McGinest sealed the set, swinging momentum firmly in USC’s favor and igniting the home crowd.

“I was hired to compete and win national championships. Everything we do, talk, and act on will be about that goal,” Keller said. “It’s not an accident that we are now 9-1. I don’t mean that arrogantly—I just believe in this team. The goal is to always win the Big Ten and the national championship.”

The Trojans carried that energy into set four, closing the match with their most dominant performance of the night. USC rolled to a 25-14 victory, hitting .379 as a team. Freshman Abigail Mullen and classmate Taylor Deckert both had four digs, with Mullen also adding five kills. Sophomore Mia Tvrdy chipped in four more kills to round out a balanced offensive effort. Cal, meanwhile, finished the set with a .167 hitting rate as the Trojans overwhelmed them on both sides of the ball.

No. 19 USC Women's Volleyball Collects 3-1 Win Over California - USC  Athletics

Photo Cred: USC

For Keller, the mix of experienced leaders and rising underclassmen is the difference-maker.
“I think these young, talented players see and understand the assignment. We have leadership. Adonia came and hit .467. It’s just a lot of really good humans in one building that are all about the same thing,” he said. “And when you have that, and you have direction, discipline, and consistency, then you can get to some spaces that other people cannot.”

With the victory, USC improved to 9-1 on the season. The Trojans now turn their focus to Sept. 26, when they will play their first-ever Big Ten Conference game against Penn State. For many of the players, it will be their Big Ten debut—an important milestone in what Keller hopes will be a championship-caliber season.

What To Look For – Week 4

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Photo Cred: NFL

career milestones in Week 4 of the 2025 NFL season, including:

  • QB Justin Herbert
  • WR Keenan Allen
  • QB Jared Goff
  • RB Jahmyr Gibbs
  • RB Christian McCaffrey
  • WR Puka Nacua
  • QB Lamar Jackson
  • RB Derrick Henry
  • WR Ja’Marr Chase
  • DE Trey Hendrickson
  • DE Myles Garrett

JUSTIN HERBERT & KEENAN ALLEN

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert recorded 300 passing yards in Week 3, marking his 29th career game with at least 300 passing yards since entering the NFL in 2020.

With at least 300 passing yards at the New York Giants (1 p.m. ET, CBS), Herbert can become the fourth quarterback in NFL history with 30 such games in his first six seasons, joining Patrick Mahomes (41 games) as well as Pro Football Hall of Famers Dan Marino (32) and Kurt Warner (30).

The players with the most games with at least 300 passing yards in their first six seasons in NFL history:

PLAYER TEAM GAMES
Patrick Mahomes Kansas City 41
Dan Marino HOF Miami 32
Kurt Warner HOF St. Louis Rams 30
Justin Herbert L.A. Chargers 29*
*in sixth season

Herbert, since Week 3 of the 2024 season, has nine consecutive regular-season road starts without an interception. Without an interception on Sunday, Herbert can become the first quarterback in NFL history without an interception in 10 consecutive regular-season road games (minimum 15 attempts in each game).

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen has 993 career receptions in 157 games and with seven receptions on Sunday, can surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison (167 games) as the fastest player in NFL history to reach 1,000 career receptions.

JARED GOFF & JAHMYR GIBBS

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff has 43 career games with at least 300 passing yards since entering the NFL in 2016.

With 300 passing yards against Cleveland (1 p.m. ET, FOX), Goff can tie Drew Brees (44 games) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Dan Marino (44) for the third-most such games by a player in his first 10 seasons in NFL history, trailing only Patrick Mahomes (48 games, in his ninth season) and Matt Ryan (45).

The players with the most games with at least 300 passing yards in their first 10 seasons in NFL history:

PLAYER TEAM(S) GAMES
Patrick Mahomes Kansas City 48^
Matt Ryan Atlanta 45
Drew Brees San Diego Chargers, New Orleans 44
Dan Marino HOF Miami 44
Jared Goff L.A. Rams, Detroit 43*
*in 10th season; ^in ninth season

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs had two rushing touchdowns in the Lions’ Week 3 win, marking his 28th and 29th career rushing touchdowns.

With a rushing touchdown on Sunday, Gibbs – who turns 24 years old following the 2025 season – can become the seventh running back in the Super Bowl era with at least 30 rushing touchdowns prior to his 24th birthday, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers Barry Sanders (43 rushing touchdowns), Emmitt Smith (41) and Walter Payton (34) as well as Maurice Jones-Drew (34), Clinton Portis (34) and Jonathan Taylor (33).

The players with the most rushing touchdowns under the age of 24 in NFL history:

PLAYER TEAM(S) RUSHING TOUCHDOWNS
Barry Sanders HOF Detroit 43
Emmitt Smith HOF Dallas 41
Maurice Jones-Drew Jacksonville 34
Walter Payton HOF Chicago 34
Clinton Portis Denver, Washington 34
Jonathan Taylor Indianapolis 33
Jahmyr Gibbs Detroit 29*
*turns 24 on March 20, 2026

CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey recorded 88 receiving yards and 52 rushing yards in the 49ers’ Week 3 win, his third consecutive game with at least 50 receiving yards and 50 rushing yards to begin the 2025 season.

With at least 50 receiving yards and 50 rushing yards against Jacksonville (4:05 p.m. ET, FOX), McCaffrey can become the first player with at least 50 receiving yards and 50 rushing yards in four consecutive games multiple times in his career.

The players with the most consecutive games with at least 50 receiving yards and 50 rushing yards in NFL history:

PLAYER TEAM DATES GAMES
Christian McCaffrey Carolina Nov. 11, 2018 – Dec. 2, 2018 5
Charlie Garner Oakland Raiders Sept. 8, 2002 – Oct. 6, 2002 4
Robert Smith Minnesota Oct. 29, 2000 – Nov. 19, 2000 4
Marshall Faulk HOF St. Louis Rams Dec. 5, 1999 – Dec. 26, 1999 4
Herschel Walker Dallas Nov. 8, 1987 – Nov. 26, 1987 4
Lydell Mitchell San Diego Chargers Oct. 8, 1978 – Oct. 29, 1978 4
Clem Daniels Oakland Raiders Oct. 23, 1966 – Nov. 13, 1966 4
Christian McCaffrey San Francisco Sept. 7, 2025 – active 3*
*active streak

PUKA NACUA

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua recorded 11 receptions for 112 yards in Week 3, his fifth-consecutive regular-season game with at least eight receptions.

With at least eight receptions against Indianapolis (4:05 p.m. ET, FOX), Nacua can join Eric Moulds (in 2002 with Buffalo) and T.J. Houshmandzadeh (in 2007 with Cincinnati) as the only players in NFL history with at least eight catches in each of his team’s first four games of a season.

LAMAR JACKSON & DERRICK HENRY

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson completed 21 of 27 attempts (77.8 percent) for 288 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions for a 148.1 passer rating in Week 3. Jackson has recorded at least two touchdown passes, no interceptions and a passer rating of 125-or-higher in each of his three games this season.

With at least two touchdown passes, no interceptions and a passer rating of 125-or-higher at Kansas City (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS), Jackson can become the first player ever to reach those marks in each of his team’s first four games of a season.

In Week 4, Jackson can become the fifth quarterback in NFL history to record at least two touchdown passes and a passer rating of 90-or-higher in 12 consecutive games, including the postseason, joining Tom Brady (12 games from 2014-15), Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning (13 games in 2004), Philip Rivers (13 games from 2017-18) and Aaron Rodgers (14 games from 2010-11).

Jackson has a 141.8 passer rating through his first three games this season. On Sunday, he can become the fourth quarterback with a passer rating of 140-or-higher through his team’s first four games of a season in NFL history (minimum 50 pass attempts), joining Milt Plum (152.7 passer rating through Cleveland’s first four games in 1960), John Hadl (145.7 with the L.A. Rams in 1973) and Craig Morton (143.3 with Dallas in 1969).

The quarterbacks with the highest passer rating through his team’s first four games of a season in NFL history (minimum 50 attempts):

PLAYER TEAM SEASON PASSER RATING
Milt Plum Cleveland 1960 152.7
John Hadl L.A. Rams 1973 145.7
Craig Morton Dallas 1969 143.3
Lamar Jackson Baltimore 2025 141.8*
*through team’s first three games

Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry enters Week 4 with 109 career rushing touchdowns. With a rushing touchdown on Sunday, Henry can tie Pro Football Hall of Famer Walter Payton (110 career rushing touchdowns) for the fifth-most rushing touchdowns in NFL history. Only Pro Football Hall of Famers Emmitt Smith (164 career rushing touchdowns), LaDainian Tomlinson (145) and Marcus Allen (123) as well as Adrian Peterson (120) have more.

The players with the most rushing touchdowns in NFL history:

PLAYER TEAM(S) SEASONS RUSHING TOUCHDOWNS
Emmitt Smith HOF Dallas, Arizona 1990-2004 164
LaDainian Tomlinson HOF S.D. Chargers, N.Y. Jets 2001-11 145
Marcus Allen HOF L.A. Raiders, Kansas City 1982-97 123
Adrian Peterson Minnesota, New Orleans, Arizona, Washington, Tennessee, Seattle 2007-21 120
Walter Payton HOF Chicago 1975-87 110
Derrick Henry Tennessee, Baltimore 2016-active 109*
*entering Week 4

BENGALS ON MONDAY NIGHT

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase has recorded at least 115 receiving yards in each of his four career games on Monday night, with two touchdown receptions in each of his past two.

With at least 100 receiving yards at Denver on Monday Night Football (8:15 p.m. ET, ABC), Chase can become the first player in NFL history with at least 100 receiving yards in each of their first five games on Monday night.

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson has recorded at least half a sack in each of his nine appearances on Monday Night Football.

With at least half a sack on Monday night, Hendrickson can become the first player in NFL history with at least half a sack in each of his first 10 games on Monday night.

MYLES GARRETT

Cleveland defensive end Myles Garrett – with at least half a sack in each game this season – ranks tied for second in the league with four sacks entering Week 4.

With two sacks at Detroit (1 p.m. ET, FOX), Garrett – who has 106.5 career sacks and turns 30 years old on Dec. 29 – can surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer Reggie White (108 sacks) for the most sacks by a player under the age of 30 since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic.

Media Contact: Sam Drexler, NFL; Sam.Drexler@NFL.com

Top Teams of the Week: NFL Power Rankings After Week 3

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Photo Cred: NFL
  1. Philadelphia Eagles Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl 59: Everything you need to know - WHYYThe Eagles are looking like a different team compared to their Super Bowl campaign. In their latest game against the Rams, Jalen Hurts was asked to play Superman in the second half after trailing by 19 points—and he delivered. Hurts orchestrated a furious comeback, leading Philadelphia to a 33–26 win. That kind of resilience shows this team still knows how to win in tough moments. Even as defenses have started to bottle up Saquon Barkley more effectively, the Eagles simply have too many weapons for opponents to contain for four quarters.

2. Buffalo Bills
The Bills came out firing to start the season, looking like one of the AFC’s strongest contenders. Beating Baltimore in Week 1 on a walk-off field goal set the tone, and dismantling the Jets only reinforced that early hype. Hosting a winless Miami Dolphins squad should have been smooth sailing, but Buffalo nearly let that one slip away. An interception late in the fourth quarter prevented the Dolphins from tying the game, but the cracks showed. Allowing Miami to go 10-for-15 on third downs raised real questions about Buffalo’s defense. Even with Josh Allen under center, failing to get consistent stops could make life harder than it needs to be.

3. Los Angeles ChargersNFL Power Rankings: Los Angeles Chargers crash into top 5 following 3-0  start | Sporting News

Photo Cred: Sporting News


Off to the dream start, the Chargers remain undefeated while already picking up key division wins. Jim Harbaugh has clearly changed the culture in just his second season, and the defense continues to look as sharp as last year. The offense, meanwhile, has taken a noticeable step forward. Still, their victories haven’t been dominant—they’ve felt more like survival than statement wins. With injuries, especially along the offensive line, beginning to pile up, this team’s depth will be tested. Fortunately, a favorable schedule over the next few weeks could create some distance between the Chargers and the rest of the AFC West.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Baker Mayfield hasn’t had the smoothest career journey, but he seems to have found a true home in Tampa. His toughness, grit, and leadership have become the heartbeat of this Buccaneers team. He’s willing to do the dirty work, take hits, and rally his teammates when needed—exactly what coaches dream of in a quarterback. Combine that with an elite receiving corps, and the Bucs’ offense looks dangerous. The bigger issue lies on defense. Tampa has struggled to close out games in the fourth quarter, and unless that improves, they’ll continue to leave the door open for comebacks. If the defense steadies, this could become one of the NFC’s most dangerous teams.

5. Indianapolis Colts
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the season so far, the Colts remain undefeated under Daniel Jones. Jones has been efficient, turnover-free, and productive, while the offense has punted just once all year. Pairing him with an elite running back has given Indianapolis a balanced, explosive attack that’s caught opponents off guard. Three wins against quality teams suggest this isn’t a fluke. Their upcoming matchup against the Rams in California could be a defining test—win there, and it’s time to take them seriously. The one red flag is the pass rush. Too often, opposing quarterbacks have enjoyed clean pockets, and unless the defensive line improves, it could come back to haunt them.

6. San Francisco 49ers
Like the Chargers, the 49ers have had to navigate injuries early in the season. With Brock Purdy sidelined, Mac Jones stepped in and delivered a gutsy game-winning drive against the Cardinals. But grit only goes so far in a league as tough as the NFL. The schedule stiffens in the coming weeks, and sustaining their win streak will require more than just scrappy victories. Losing Nick Bosa for the season is an especially devastating blow. Without their defensive cornerstone, San Francisco needs someone else to emerge on the line, or this team could struggle to keep pace with the NFC’s elite.

Jonathan Taylor, Derwin James & Andre Szmyt Named Week 3 AFC Players of the Week

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NEW YORK — Sept. 24, 2025 — Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James, and Cleveland Browns kicker Andre Szmyt are the AFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played in Week 3 (September 18, 21-22).

OFFENSE: RB JONATHAN TAYLOR, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

  • Taylor led the league with three rushing touchdowns and had 118 scrimmage yards (102 rushing, 16 receiving) in Indianapolis’ 41-20 win at Tennessee, improving the Colts to 3-0 for the first time since 2009. This marks Taylor’s third-career game with at least three rushing touchdowns, tied for the second-most such games since entering the NFL in 2020.
  • This is the fifth-career Offensive Player of the Week award for Taylor and second this season. He is the first Colts player to earn the honor in back-to-back weeks.
    • 2021: Week 11
    • 2022: Week 10
    • 2024: Week 16
    • 2025: Week 2, 3
  • Taylor surpasses John Hall (four-time winner) for the fourth-most Player of the Week awards by a former Wisconsin player, trailing only Russell Wilson (11), T.J. Watt (eight) and J.J. Watt (seven).

DEFENSE: S DERWIN JAMES, LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

  • James led the league with four tackles for loss and recorded 12 tackles and a sack in the Chargers’ 23-20 win over the Broncos. This marks James’ fourth-career game with at least 10 tackles and a sack, the most in the NFL since he entered the league in 2018.
  • This is James’ first-career Defensive Player of the Week award, becoming the first Chargers safety to earn the honor since Rodney Harrison (Week 5, 1999).
  • James becomes the sixth former Florida State safety to earn Defensive Player of the Week, joining Michael Boulware, Terrence Brooks, Pro Football Hall of Famer LeRoy Butler, Chris Hope and Dexter Jackson.

SPECIAL TEAMS: K ANDRE SZMYT, CLEVELAND BROWNS

  • Szmyt converted on both of his field goal attempts – including the 55-yard game-winner as time expired – in the Browns’ 13-10 win over the Packers. He also converted on his lone point after attempt. His game-winning 55-yard field goal helped Cleveland overcome a 10-point deficit in the final four minutes to earn their first win of the season. All four of his kicks came in the final four minutes.
  • This is Szmyt’s first Player of the Week award, joining Phil Dawson (two-time winner), Dustin Hopkins (two), Matt Stover and Cade York as the only Browns kickers to win Special Teams Player of the Week.
  • Szmyt becomes the third former Syracuse kicker to win Special Teams Player of the Week, joining Gary Anderson (six-time winner) and Olindo Mare (three).
For more from NFL Communications, visit  media.nfl.com

Caleb Williams, Isaiah Rodgers & Jordan Davis Named Week 3 NFC Players of the Week

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NEW YORK — Sept. 24, 2025 — Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, Minnesota Vikings cornerback Isaiah Rodgers and Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jordan Davis are the NFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played in Week 3 (September 18, 21-22).

OFFENSE: QB CALEB WILLIAMS, CHICAGO BEARS

  • Williams completed 19 of 28 attempts (67.9 percent) for 298 yards and tied a career-high with four touchdown passes with zero interceptions for a 142.6 passer rating, leading the Bears to a 31-14 victory over the Cowboys. His four touchdown passes led the league in Week 3.
  • This is the first-career Player of the Week Award for Williams, becoming the first Bears quarterback to earn the honor since Justin Fields (Week 9, 2022).
  • Williams becomes the eighth former University of Southern California quarterback to win Offensive Player of the Week.

DEFENSE: CB ISAIAH RODGERS, MINNESOTA VIKINGS

  • Rodgers recorded two forced fumbles, an 87-yard interception return for a touchdown and a 66-yard fumble return for a touchdown in the Vikings’ 48-10 win over Cincinnati. He became the first player in NFL history with an interception return touchdown of 85-or-more yards and a fumble return touchdown of 65-or-more yards in the same game and is the first player since 2000 with two forced fumbles and two touchdowns in the same game.
  • This is the first-career Player of the Week Award for Rodgers, becoming the first Vikings cornerback to earn the honor since Xavier Rhodes (Week 11, 2016).
  • Rodgers becomes the first former University of Massachusetts player to win a Player of the Week award.

SPECIAL TEAMS: DT JORDAN DAVIS, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

  • Davis blocked the Rams’ game-winning field goal attempt as time expired and returned it 61 yards for a touchdown, helping the Eagles overcome a 19-point second-half deficit to win 33-26 over the Rams. Per Next Gen Stats, he is the heaviest player (336 pounds) in NFL history to return a blocked kick 50-or-more yards for a touchdown and reached a top speed of 18.59 mph on the return, the fastest speed by a player over 330 pounds since at least 2017.
  • This is the first-career Player of the Week Award for Davis, becoming the first Eagles defensive tackle to win Special Teams Player of the Week.
  • Davis becomes the second former University of Georgia defensive lineman to win Special Teams Player of the Week, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer Richard Seymour (two-time winner).
For more from NFL Communications, visit  media.nfl.com

Week 4 NFL Preview and Capsules

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Photo Cred: USA Today

NEW YORK — Sept. 23, 2025 — Through the first three weeks, fantastic finishes have been a common thread across the NFL slate. There have been 15 games decided by a game-winning score in the final three minutes of regulation or in overtime, the most such games through Week 3 in NFL history.

For Week 4 capsules, click here.

Here’s a look at a few interesting storylines entering Week 4:

  • Dublin bound: The first-ever NFL regular-season game in Dublin, Ireland, is set for Week 4 when Minnesota and Pittsburgh play at Croke Park (9:30 a.m. ET, NFL Network) on Sunday. The following week, the Vikings will become the first team to play multiple international games in different cities in the same season, when the team travels to London to take on the Cleveland Browns at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
    • Last week, Minnesota cornerback Isaiah Rodgers recorded two forced fumbles, an 87-yard interception return for a touchdown and a 66-yard fumble return for a touchdown in the Vikings’ 48-10 win over Cincinnati, becoming the first player in NFL history with an interception return touchdown of 85-or-more yards and a fumble return touchdown of 65-or-more yards in the same game.
    • In Week 3, Pittsburgh quarterback Aaron Rodgers surpassed Pro Football Hall of Famer Brett Favre (508 touchdown passes) for the fourth-most regular-season touchdown passes in NFL history and topped Philip Rivers (63,440 passing yards) for the sixth-most regular-season passing yards all-time.
  • 3-0 teams: Six teams – BuffaloIndianapolis, the Los Angeles Chargers, PhiladelphiaSan Francisco and Tampa Bay – have begun the season with three consecutive wins.
    • New Orleans (0-3) at Buffalo (3-0) (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Buffalo can begin 4-0 for the fifth time since 1990 and the first since 2020. The Bills, since Week 11 of the 2023 season, have won 13 consecutive regular-season home games and have scored at least 24 points in each game.
      • Last week, Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen recorded his 86th career win (including the postseason) since entering the NFL in 2018 and surpassed Joe Flacco (85 wins) for the fifth-most wins by a quarterback in his first eight seasons, including the playoffs, in NFL history.
      • During the Bills’ current 13-game home winning streak, Allen has 37 touchdowns (26 passing, 10 rushing, one receiving) and a 105.4 passer rating, including multiple combined passing and rushing touchdowns in 12 of the 13 games.
      • Buffalo running back James Cook is the only player in the NFL with at least 100 scrimmage yards and a rushing touchdown in each of the first three weeks of the season. Since 1990, only three previous players have recorded 100 scrimmage yards and a rushing touchdown in each of their team’s first four games of a season: Christian McCaffrey (2023), DeMarco Murray (2014) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith (1995).
    • L.A. Chargers (3-0) at N.Y. Giants (0-3) (1 p.m. ET, CBS): The Chargers can win each of their first four games of a season for the sixth time in franchise history and the first since 2002. Los Angeles, with divisional wins over Kansas City (Week 1), Las Vegas (Week 2) and Denver (Week 3), became the third team since realignment in 2002 to defeat division opponents in each of their first three games of a season, joining the 2006 Chicago Bears and 2003 Minnesota Vikings.
      • Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert passed for 300 yards in Week 3 and is the only quarterback with multiple 300-yard games this season. Herbert has 29 career games with at least 300 passing yards and can become the fourth player all-time with at least 30 such games in his first six career seasons, joining Patrick Mahomes (41 games) and Football Hall of Famers Dan Marino (32) and Kurt Warner (30).
    • Philadelphia (3-0) at Tampa Bay (3-0) (1 p.m. ET, FOX): Philadelphia can start 4-0 for the third time in the past four seasons (2022-23) while Tampa Bay can begin 4-0 for the fourth time in franchise history and the first since 2005. Since 2015, the reigning Super Bowl champion has begun the following season with four consecutive wins five times.
      • Last week, Philadelphia overcame a 19-point second-half deficit to win, becoming the first team to overcome a second-half deficit of 19-or-more points since Denver in Week 4 of the 2023 season (overcame 21-point deficit to win at Chicago). Eagles defensive tackles Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis each blocked a field goal in the fourth quarter as Philadelphia became the first team since at least 1978 to block two field goals in the fourth quarter of the same game.
      • Tampa Bay became the first team in the Super Bowl era (since 1966) to record a game-winning score in the final minute of the fourth quarter in each of its first three games of a season. The Buccaneers are also the third team since 1970 to record a game-winning score in the final minute of regulation in three consecutive games at any point in a single season, joining the 2017 Pittsburgh Steelers (Nov. 26-Dec. 10) and 1994 New York Giants (Dec. 4-18).
    • Indianapolis (3-0) at L.A Rams (2-1) (4:05 p.m. ET, FOX): Indianapolis can begin 4-0 for the first time since 2009. In five of the past 10 seasons (2015-24), a team has begun 4-0 the season after missing the playoffs.
      • The Colts have punted once this season, the fewest punts by a team in its first three games of a season since at least 1940.
      •  Indianapolis running back Jonathan Taylor leads the league with 338 rushing yards and 431 scrimmage yards entering Week 4. Last week, he became the fourth player since 2000 with at least 7,500 scrimmage yards and 60 touchdowns in his first 70 career games, joining Arian FosterAdrian Peterson and Pro Football Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson.
      • Los Angeles wide receiver Puka Nacua leads the NFL with 29 receptions and 333 receiving yards this season. He had 11 receptions for 112 yards in Week 3 and became the fifth player all-time with at least 10 receptions and 100 receiving yards in six games within his first three career seasons, joining Ja’Marr Chase (seven games), Justin Jefferson (seven), Michael Thomas (seven) and Odell Beckham Jr. (six).
    • Jacksonville (2-1) at San Francisco (3-0) (4:05 p.m. ET, FOX): San Francisco can start 4-0 for the third time (2019 and 2023) since head coach Kyle Shanahan was hired in 2017.
      • San Francisco running back Christian McCaffrey recorded his 12th career game with 10 receptions last week, most by a running back in NFL history.
      • McCaffrey has 33 career games with at least 50 rushing yards and 50 receiving yards, the second-most by a running back all-time, including in each of the first three weeks this season. Since 2000, there have been only three previous occurrences of a player recording at least 50 rushing yards and 50 receiving yards in four consecutive games: McCaffrey himself in 2018 with Carolina (five consecutive games), Charlie Garner (four consecutive games in 2002 with the Oakland Raiders) and Robert Smith (four consecutive games in 2000 with Minnesota).
      • Jacksonville leads the NFL with seven interceptions and nine takeaways through the first three weeks, including multiple interceptions in each game. Since 2000, only five previous teams have recorded two-or-more interceptions in each of their first four games of a season: 2021 Dallas Cowboys (first five games), 2018 Miami Dolphins (first four), 2010 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (first four), 2007 Oakland Raiders (first four) and 2003 Kansas City Chiefs (first four).
    • Ravens-Chiefs continue rivalry: The Baltimore Ravens (1-2) and Kansas City Chiefs (1-2) are set to meet on Sunday (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS), marking the seventh time in the past eight seasons, including playoffs, the two teams have squared off. Five of the previous six meetings have all been decided by seven-or-fewer points.
      • Since 2018, when both Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes took over as their teams’ starting quarterback, Kansas City and Baltimore rank first and second in the NFL in points per game and total yards of offense per game, respectively.
      • Jackson is the fourth quarterback ever with a passer rating of 125-or-higher in each of his team’s first three games of a season, joining John Hadl (1973 with the Los Angeles Rams), Patrick Mahomes (2019 with Kansas City) and Russell Wilson (2020 with Seattle).
    • Parsons returns to Dallas: Green Bay defensive lineman Micah Parsons is set to play his first game in Dallas (Sunday night, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC) since being acquired by the Packers from the Cowboys in August. During his four seasons with Dallas (2021-24), Parsons ranked fifth in the NFL in sacks (52.5) and tackles for loss (64) and became the second player since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic, to record at least 12 sacks in each of his first four career seasons, along with Pro Football Hall of Famer Reggie White.

Media Contact: Sam Drexler, NFL; Sam.Drexler@NFL.com

Bruce Pearl Shocks College Basketball with Retirement

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Photo Cred: USA Today

After 11 memorable seasons at the helm, Bruce Pearl is officially stepping down as Auburn’s head basketball coach. While he may be leaving the sidelines, Pearl is not leaving Auburn altogether—he will remain a visible figure within the athletic department, transitioning into an ambassador role as a special assistant to the athletic director. His presence will still loom large around the program, even if he won’t be calling plays from the bench.

Auburn's Bruce Pearl to step down as head coach - Auburn Tigers - Official  Athletics Website

Photo Cred: Auburn University

Taking over the program will be Auburn’s associate head coach—and Bruce’s son—Steven Pearl. The university wasted no time in solidifying the move, signing Steven to a five-year contract as he begins his head coaching career. Steven played for his father at Tennessee from 2007–2011 and has been part of Auburn’s coaching staff since 2014, learning the ins and outs of the program from the ground up. While his promotion represents continuity, the challenge will be stepping out from his father’s long shadow and proving he can lead Auburn in his own right.

Bruce Pearl leaves behind an incredible legacy on The Plains. Over his 11 seasons, he compiled a record of 246–125, guiding the Tigers to six NCAA Tournament appearances, including two Final Four runs. He also delivered three SEC regular season championships and two SEC Tournament titles. Beyond the wins and accolades, Pearl transformed Auburn from an afterthought in college basketball into a national contender, regularly attracting top-level recruits and raising the program’s profile to heights rarely seen before his tenure.

Still, despite the familiarity of this transition, questions remain. The timing of the announcement—just over a month before the start of the season—creates challenges for a team already deep in preparations. Even if Auburn has been planning this change behind the scenes, the short notice puts added pressure on the coaching staff to maintain stability.

Another complication is the NCAA’s transfer portal rules. When a head coach steps down, players are granted a special 30-day transfer window to explore other opportunities. Promoting Steven Pearl may help minimize roster turnover, as players already know and trust him, but in today’s college basketball landscape nothing is guaranteed. Rival programs will surely test Auburn’s ability to hold on to its talent.

Bruce Pearl, Steven Pearl latest father-son college basketball handoff

Photo Cred: USA Today

The coming weeks will be critical. Auburn finds itself balancing the excitement of a new era with the anxiety of sudden change. If Steven Pearl can keep the roster intact and build on the foundation his father left behind, Auburn could remain among the SEC’s elite. For now, however, the program faces a stressful month ahead—holding its breath to see if this passing of the torch will be as smooth as it looks on paper.