In picks published Thursday, Barnwell left Tate just outside his top three for Offensive Rookie of the Year, behind Cleveland’s Denzel Boston, Kansas City’s Kahlil Benson and the Jets’ Kenyon Sadiq. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein has Tate third among offensive rookies. Barnwell wrote that Tate “got off to a slow start as part of a struggling Titans offense.” He added: “Tate probably should have had at least one touchdown against the Giants the week before if not for some inaccurate throwing by Cam Ward.”

The throw Ward missed against the Giants

The play came in the third quarter of a 12-7 loss at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 27. Trailing 12-0 and facing third down from the Giants’ 7, Ward missed Tate wide open in the end zone, and the drive ended on downs one snap later. Ward finished 23 of 36 for 181 yards that day, and Tate had six catches for 58 yards.

It fits the season Ward is having. The No. 1 pick in 2025 is completing 63 percent of his passes and averaging 6.1 yards per attempt, and his 63.9 passing grade ranks 22nd among 36 quarterbacks at PFF. Tennessee is 0-4 under first-year coach Robert Saleh and has not scored more than 20 points in a game.

Tate broke through anyway in Baltimore with nine catches for 145 yards, the most by a Titans rookie since A.J. Brown had 153 in 2019. Barnwell noted the two fumbles that came with it, one of which Kyle Hamilton punched out to set up a Ravens field goal before halftime. PFF has also charged Tate with three drops. “I have to hold onto the ball next time,” Tate said after the game.

Saleh has backed his quarterback, saying this week that Ward is “going to be a damn good quarterback.” The next chance for the two to connect comes Sunday, when the Titans host Houston at 1 p.m. ET on CBS.

More on the Tennessee Titans

• Firing the Executive Behind Their New Uniforms Leaves the 0-4 Titans Red-Faced Off the Field
• Titans’ Carnell Tate Climbs to No. 3 in Rookie Rankings With His Full Route Tree Still Untapped
• NFL Insider Names Titans’ Jermaine Johnson II Among Pass Rushers Contenders Will Call About
• Titans’ Bid to Salvage Season Hinges on a Fix QB Cam Ward Must Make

The team has lost four straight games to open the season, and its offense is averaging just 11.5 points per game.

Speaking to the media about his performance so far, Willis acknowledged that he and the Dolphins need to play better.

“Speaking of holding myself to the level of accountability I try to, it’s not good enough,” Willis said. “We don’t have any wins yet, obviously. We can’t keep blaming stuff on us being young and still everybody being new, like that’s not a factor once the season starts.

“That’s cool to say in the offseason when we’re building and growing, but I think we’ve done a great job continuing to grow each week. I think we look like a way better team than we did when we went out against the Raiders. I think that we went a little bit backwards last week during the Vikings game. I think we have to continue to improve and stay on that path upwards. Yes, it’s okay to make mistakes, but we have to fix those mistakes and be able to continue to grow in these situations that we find ourselves in.”

Not all the Dolphins’ struggles are Willis’ fault, but he needs to play better

Through four games, Willis has thrown for 712 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He has also completed just 56.3% of his passes during that span. Willis ranks 24th in Total QBR, sandwiched between Aaron Rodgers and Daniel Jones.

Miami signed Willis to a three-year, $67.5 million contract during the offseason, hoping he could be its long-term quarterback solution. However, evaluating Willis has been difficult without the rest of his supporting cast.

Star running back De’Von Achane will miss the remainder of the season after tearing his ACL in the Dolphins’ Week 3 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Miami has also been without rookie wide receiver Caleb Douglas, who built chemistry with Willis throughout training camp. Douglas has missed the past two games because of an ankle injury.

Still, the Dolphins could be in line to select one of the top quarterback prospects in the 2027 NFL Draft. Willis will need to turn his season around if he wants Miami to pass on the opportunity to select a potential franchise quarterback next April.

So far the Giants have used an opportunistic defense while weaponizing special teams to the top of the division through the season’s first quarter.

Here are the three primary reasons why the Giants are 3-1 after four weeks.

Coaching

It’s hard to overstate just how important John Harbaugh and his staff have been. It’s no coincidence the Giants are alone in first place for the first time since 2015, since that was the last time they had an adult in the head coach’s chair.

It obviously isn’t just Harbaugh, since defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson and the three-headed offensive brain trust of Matt Nagy, Greg Roman and Brian Callahan also deserve praise.

But Harbaugh hired them all. Harbaugh also has raised, and continues to raise, the talent level on the roster. He and his staff have gotten through to Deonte Banks, Greg Newsome II and others who were disappointments earlier in their careers.

They’ve also pushed the right buttons at the end of games, especially on defense, where the Giants have won two straight on game-sealing interceptions.

Dominic Zvada and Jordan Stout

The Giants were 1-7 in one-score games in 2025, and although coaching was a major factor for that record, so too were the Giants’ laughably bad specialists.

But the Giants kicking game has improved vastly. Undrafted rookie Dominic Zvada hasn’t missed a kick, going 9 for 9 on field goals, including three from 50-plus yards.

The 2025 Giants had just four made field goals from beyond 40 yards and went 1 for 3 from 50-plus yards for the whole season.

Punter Jordan Stout is helping their defense by creating better field position. A year after ranking 29th in punting average with Jamie Gillan, the Giants have had as many punts downed inside the 20-yard line (9) as have been returned, and Stout is averaging 50.6 per punt.

Turnover Creation

Much has been made of the Giants’ fumbling woes, and Jameis Winston is giving Giants fans the full gunslinger experience by throwing as many interceptions as touchdowns (3) through three games.

But those haven’t hurt nearly as much due to their opportunistic defense, which is tied for second in takeaways through four weeks. Their ball-hawking defense has six interceptions and is already 67% of the way to the 2025 Giants’ team total (9), led by Jevón Holland, who is tied for the NFL leading with three picks and was named NFC Defensive Player of the Month for September.

These turnovers has covered for the Giants’ run defense, which still ranks 16th in rushing yards allowed per game (109) and 25th in yards allowed per carry (4.7), and for their pass rush, which has just three sacks in four games.

Maye couldn’t help but praise his vet, Jacoby Brissett, and the role he played in Maye’s development.

“For me, it was Jacoby Brissett,” said Maye. “A great vet that plays the game the right way, that knows how to operate in the locker room, knows how to hang out with teammates, knows how to just be a quarterback in this league. That’s one of the coolest things I got to do my rookie year with Jacoby.”

Drake Maye’s Development

As a rookie, Maye got the opportunity to sit and watch Brissett until his first career start in Week 6 against the Houston Texans. The former UNC Tar Heel would appear in 13 games his rookie season and finish with 2,276 yards, 15 touchdowns, and ten interceptions, and added 421 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.

In his second season, Maye took a tremendous second-year jump, finishing second in MVP voting with 4,394 yards and 31 passing touchdowns to eight interceptions. He also added another 450 rushing yards and scored four times with his legs.

Now in his third year in the NFL, Maye has been off to an underwhelming start with only four touchdowns compared to an NFL-leading eight total turnovers. However, there is hope that the quarterback has regained his MVP form after outperforming the Bills’ quarterback Josh Allen with three passing touchdowns and 323 total yards (269 passing and 54 rushing).

Maye was rewarded with the AFC’s Offensive Player of the Week for his Week 4 performance.

Selected third overall by New England, Maye was described as a quarterback who had the arm and physical tools but needed the right coaching to help him fulfill his potential. It’s safe to say that learning from Jacoby Brissett, who was in his second stint with New England, helped Maye develop into the franchise quarterback he is today.

The trick is to get an upset win here or there, and the Jets are heading into a slate of games against teams that won’t remind anyone of the 1985 Chicago Bears. If Gang Green is to make a run at respectability, now is the time. Either that, or they’ll be reminded of a saying by former coach Bill Parcells: “You are what your record says you are.”

At the quarter pole, here are a few of the standouts on the New York Jets:

Defensive Rookie of the Year:  David Bailey has 11 pressures, tied for the most among NFL rookies. True, he only has two sacks and no terribly memorable plays, but his “almost” rate has been pretty good. Now he just needs to translate that into measurable statistics.

Offensive Rookie of the Year:  Kenyon Sadiq was really the only choice, having won the NFL Rookie of the Week award for his play against Detroit. He topped 100 yards on 7 receptions in that game and has shown glimpses of what a weapon he’ll become. Don’t forget his end-around touchdown against Tennessee in the first game. 

Coach of the Year: Offensive coordinator Frank Reich has made the Jets offense hum at times, particularly in the opener against Tennessee and the Detroit game. He needs a better running game, which will be tough with Breece Hall out with an injury. But backup Braelon Allen had a decent game against Chicago in the brief moments the Jets had the ball, sparking some hope for a more balanced attack.

Comeback Player of the Year: Geno Smith led the NFL in interceptions in 2025 with 17 picks. This year, he’s been a cool, calm and collected pocket master. Throw out the Chicago Bears game and he’s on track for his second NFL Comeback award. 

Protector of the Year:  Left guard Dylan Parham has been a revelation for the Jets, leading all linemen with an 88.7 PFF grade. His loss to a knee injury has thrown off the O-line’s effectiveness, but he has over-delivered when he’s in there. 

Defensive Player of the Year: You’d have to give it to the Grand Old Man of Linebacking, Demario Davis. He has two sacks, 32 tackles (19 solo) and a pass deflection. 

Offensive Player of the Year: Receiver Garrett Wilson is a marked man in every game, and particularly so with No. 2 receiver Adonai Mitchell out with a hand injury. But Wilson still has 24 catches for 270 yards and two touchdowns, so imagine what he’ll be when there’s someone else to take some of the heat off of him.

MVP:  As goes Geno Smith, so go the Jets. Heading into the Cleveland game, he has 902 passing yards, five touchdown passes, and most importantly, 0 interceptions. His 72.7% on completions is keeping the Jets in most games, and he’s playing behind a line that has leaked more than a few times. Give him time and he can make you pay.

ESPN’s Bill Barnwell made that argument Thursday, ranking Meinerz second for Protector of the Year in his early awards picks, behind only San Francisco’s Trent Williams, whose 49ers beat Denver 24-14 on Sunday. Barnwell wrote that Meinerz “has allowed zero quick pressures or sacks this season,” which puts him in a group he described as “just a handful of offensive linemen” who have kept their quarterback clean.

Meinerz was a finalist last season

Protector of the Year is the NFL’s award for its top offensive lineman, voted on by a panel of former linemen. Chicago’s Joe Thuney won the first one in February, and Meinerz and Broncos left tackle Garett Bolles were among the finalists. Meinerz, a third-round pick out of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 2021, has been a first-team All-Pro in each of the past two seasons and signed a four-year, $72 million extension in July 2024.

His reputation was built in the run game, and that part has held. Meinerz has played 245 of Denver’s 247 offensive snaps and has a 91.9 run-blocking grade and an 86.2 overall mark, the highest on Denver’s offense, according to PFF. The same grades are harder on his pass protection at 51.4, and the Broncos still rank 29th in rushing yards as a team.

Nix is completing 60 percent of his passes with five touchdown passes and three interceptions, and Barnwell described Denver as “an offense that needs all the help in front of the erratic Bo Nix that it can get.” Meinerz, speaking Monday about the line, said there is “still a big ceiling for us to chase here.”

The Broncos are 2-2 and play at the winless Chargers on Sunday at 4:05 p.m. ET on CBS, with Davis Webb’s play calling under scrutiny after the loss to San Francisco. Los Angeles leans on Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu off the edge, and Teair Tart leads its interior linemen with four quarterback hits.

Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy announced Thursday that wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. has aggravated his foot injury and is expected to miss multiple weeks, delivering another setback to Pittsburgh’s offense.

According to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, Pittman’s latest injury will force the Steelers to move forward without a player they acquired during the offseason to strengthen Rodgers’ supporting cast.

The timing is particularly unfortunate for Pittman, who was preparing to face the Colts for the first time since Indianapolis traded him to Pittsburgh in March.

Instead of getting an opportunity to compete against his former teammates, Pittman now faces an extended absence with no definitive return date.

Steelers HC Mike McCarthy said WR Michael Pittman re-injured his foot and now is expected to miss multiple weeks. pic.twitter.com/4YEtQaKuCP

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 8, 2026

Mike McCarthy Confirms Michael Pittman’s Injury Setback

Pittman’s status became increasingly concerning Wednesday when the veteran receiver was spotted moving around the Steelers’ locker room with his left foot elevated on a scooter.

He had been listed as a limited participant in practice, but Thursday’s announcement confirmed the situation was more serious than initially hoped.

“It’s the same foot, so it’s going to be a multiple-week injury,” McCarthy said Thursday. “We’re still going through the evaluation of his roster position.”

The Steelers have not announced whether Pittman will be placed on injured reserve.

Pittman previously missed Pittsburgh’s Week 2 matchup against the New England Patriots because of the foot injury. He returned to action, but the latest setback raises additional concerns about when the Steelers can expect him to contribute again.

For Rodgers, the injury removes an experienced option from a passing attack still working to establish consistency through the opening month of the season.

Aaron Rodgers Faces Another Challenge Without Pittman

Pittsburgh acquired Pittman from Indianapolis in March and signed him to a three-year, $59 million contract extension, hoping the former Colts standout could provide another dependable weapon alongside DK Metcalf.

However, Pittman’s first season with the Steelers has gotten off to a frustrating start.

Through three appearances, the 29-year-old has recorded seven receptions for 89 yards without a touchdown. Those numbers are a significant departure from his previous production in Indianapolis, where he surpassed 1,000 receiving yards twice.

His absence could create additional opportunities for Roman Wilson and other Pittsburgh receivers, while increasing the importance of Metcalf in the passing game.

Big Week 5 Game

The Steelers enter Sunday’s matchup with a 2-2 record after suffering a disappointing loss to the Cleveland Browns.

Indianapolis also enters at 2-2, making the contest important for both teams as they attempt to build momentum in the AFC.

Pittsburgh will host the Colts at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday, October 11, with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.

For now, the Steelers’ immediate challenge is finding a way to keep their offense moving without Pittman. His extended absence also creates a longer-term concern for a Pittsburgh team hoping to establish itself as a contender in the AFC North.

Related: Aaron Rodgers Praises DK Metcalf at Steelers Practice 

Related: NFL to Announce Punishment Decision After Aaron Rodgers Incident

That puts his status for Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons very much in doubt.

What we know about Lamar Jackson’s ankle

Jackson got hurt on a sack late in the first half of Sunday’s 24-18 win over Tennessee, tripped up from behind while scrambling, and did not return after halftime. He left the stadium in a walking boot and had an MRI on Monday. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport later reported a sprained ankle that is not considered long-term or surgical, while adding that Jackson has an outside chance to play this week and could miss multiple games.

Head coach Jesse Minter has stayed noncommittal. He said Monday that he does not expect the injury to be a long-term problem, and after Wednesday’s practice he pointed to the calendar. “It’s Wednesday, there’s a lot of time between now and Sunday,” Minter said.

Two missed days make that window a lot smaller.

The drop-off would be steep. Jackson has completed 70.8% of his passes for 967 yards, six touchdowns and one interception, and he has run for 144 yards and another score. His 91.4 overall grade ranks second among 33 quarterbacks, according to PFF. He is also not the only key name sitting out, as Ronnie Stanley, Marlon Humphrey and Trey Hendrickson all missed Wednesday’s practice.

Tyler Huntley would be next. He went 8 of 9 for 63 yards in the second half against the Titans and is 7-9 in 16 career starts, including a 2-0 run in place of an injured Jackson last season with wins over Chicago and Green Bay. Baltimore re-signed him in March on a two-year deal worth up to $11 million for exactly this situation. Rookie Joe Fagnano is the third quarterback.

The Ravens are 3-1 and tied with Cleveland atop the AFC North. Friday’s injury report will carry a game status for Jackson, and a third straight absence would make Huntley the likely starter.

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While both teams are technically traveling for the game, the Eagles are considered the away team, so they’ll be wearing their usual away threads in London.

Eagles to Wear White Jerseys, White Pants vs. Jaguars in Week 5

For their third away game of the season, the Eagles will be wearing one of their standard away uniform combinations of white jerseys and white pants, according to the team’s official X account.

All white for London 🙌@FanDuel | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/ynZqI0g5TM

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) October 7, 2026

It will be the second time this season that the Eagles have gone with this look. They also wore the white-on-white look during their 24-20 Week 2 victory over the Tennessee Titans. They’ll be hoping for a similar outcome this time around.

The Eagles enter the game riding a five-game winning streak over the Jaguars that dates back to 2010. The last time that the Jaguars bested the Eagles in a game was 20 years ago, in October of 2006.

Jaguars to Wear Teal Jerseys, Black Pants vs. Eagles

Meanwhile, as the home team, the Jaguars will wear a familiar look with teal jerseys, black pants and black helmets against the Eagles in London. It’s a clean look, for sure, and one that their fans will surely appreciate.

Capturing the London look @SherwinWilliams | #PHIvsJAX pic.twitter.com/HixC7QMK4c

— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) October 8, 2026

After dropping their second game of the season, the Jaguars will be seeking a third consecutive win in London, while the Eagles will be looking to avoid a third straight loss.

Something’s got to give, and given all of the injuries that the Eagles are dealing with heading into the game, it’s going to be tough for the Birds to come out on top. Tough doesn’t mean impossible, though, and the Eagles should enter the game with some serious motivation after how poorly the last two weeks have gone for the team.

His debut was uneven. Daniels completed 19 of 27 passes for 148 yards with a touchdown pass and two interceptions in a 17-14 loss to Green Bay, and he ran for 55 yards. “Obviously, not happy with the result,” Daniels said after the game. “At this position, you want to do everything you can to go out there and win the football game. We came up short.”

He’ll run more than he did against Green Bay

Daniels carried eight times in his debut and set a club record for rushing yards by a rookie quarterback. His 64.1 rushing grade from PFF was well ahead of his 53.1 passing grade. Now he faces a defense that has allowed the most rushing yards to quarterbacks in the NFL and gives up 150.3 yards per game on the ground. Expect double-digit carries and a couple of designed runs in the red zone, where Tampa Bay ranks 31st in touchdown rate.

The first half will be cleaner

Both interceptions came before halftime and led to 10 Packers points. After the break, Daniels went 11 of 14 and threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Kenneth Gainwell. Todd Bowles noticed. “He had some ups and he had some downs, but for his first time out there, he didn’t panic,” Bowles said this week.

Dallas hasn’t intercepted a pass this season. It is the only defense in the league without one.

The pressure will still get to him

Tampa Bay has allowed 16 sacks, three of them on Daniels, and the rookie has said he needs to do a better job of setting the protection. According to Next Gen Stats data, he was 4 of 8 for 34 yards with an interception when pressured inside the pocket against Green Bay and 3 of 4 with a touchdown pass when he got outside it.

Quinnen Williams had a sack and two tackles for loss at Houston, and Rashan Gary has 12 pressures, per PFF. The Cowboys have only four sacks, but they pressured C.J. Stroud on 10 of 35 dropbacks Sunday.

He’ll need more from Emeka Egbuka

Chris Godwin was the safety valve in the debut with six catches on seven targets, but they went for 31 yards. Egbuka had two catches for 13. Tampa Bay needs more than that against a secondary that is missing Cobie Durant and traded for Joey Porter Jr. only last week. Dallas is allowing a 60.6% success rate on dropbacks, the worst in the league by Next Gen Stats’ count, and 8.0 net yards per pass attempt.

A realistic line for Daniels is 200 passing yards, 50 rushing and two total touchdowns. That would give the Buccaneers a chance to score more than 20 for the first time since Week 1. Their point total has dropped in every game this season, from 27 in the opener to 14 against the Packers.

“Anderson might be the best player in football right now, full stop,” Barnwell wrote. With the Rams’ Myles Garrett sidelined after knee surgery, he called Anderson “the most unblockable defender in the league” and ranked him ahead of Buffalo’s Greg Rousseau and Minnesota’s Dallas Turner. Barnwell added that Anderson would land between sixth and 10th on a longer MVP ballot.

The numbers behind Barnwell’s pick

Anderson, the third pick in the 2023 draft, finished second to Garrett in last season’s voting with 12 sacks. He has 4.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss this year, including 2.5 sacks at Indianapolis in Week 3, when he strip-sacked Daniel Jones. Barnwell pointed to work that doesn’t show up there. Anderson is chipped or double-teamed on just under 30 percent of his rushes, more than either Rousseau or Turner, and still ranks second among edge rushers with a 37 percent run stop win rate.

Anderson’s 92.8 overall grade at PFF is the best of 110 edge defenders, and his 18 defensive stops lead the position. He is listed at 243 pounds, and Barnwell wrote that he “straight-up bullied” Bengals left tackle Orlando Brown Jr., who is listed at 350, in Week 2.

Opposing coaches have been saying similar things. Indianapolis’ Shane Steichen said after Week 3 that Anderson “is as good as it gets,” and Dallas’ Brian Schottenheimer echoed him Sunday. “He does more than just wreak havoc on quarterbacks,” Schottenheimer said after the Cowboys’ win.

The rest of the defense is the part Barnwell acknowledged “hasn’t been great.” Houston was first in scoring defense last season and is 26th now at 27.3 points allowed per game, which is why DeMeco Ryans is taking over the play calling Sunday at Tennessee. Kickoff is 1 p.m. ET on CBS. Anderson did not practice Wednesday because of an ankle injury.

The Athletic highlighted the best free agent additions through the first four weeks of the season. Two Raiders made the list.

Nakobe Dean

“Dean, who signed a three-year deal averaging a little over $12 million annually, has been an identity-changing addition for the Raiders on that side of the ball,” Daniel Popper wrote.

The Raiders’ run defense has been a strength this season, ranking sixth in expected points added. Dean is tied for 10th in the NFL with nine run stops, according to Pro Football Focus. Part of his excellence has included making big plays, as he leads the Raiders with three forced fumbles. 

Dean has also helped in pass rushing situations; his five pressures are only behind the three edge rushers Maxx Crosby, Malcolm Koonce and Kwity Paye. The 25-year-old linebacker has been a difference maker and could be around in Las Vegas for years to come. 

Tyler Linderbaum

“The Raiders ranked 28th in pressure rate allowed in 2025. This year, they rank 12th. Linderbaum has been a stabilizing force for the Raiders in pass protection, and the improved protection has given quarterback Kirk Cousins the time to be effective and accurate over the middle of the field,” Popper wrote. 

After having the worst offensive line in 2025, the Raiders had to do something. The big splash of the offseason was signing center Tyler Linderbaum away from the Ravens. His presence alone has helped improve an offensive line that allowed the most sacks in the NFL last season. 

The Raiders’ run game is still a struggle, but overall the offensive line has improved with Linderbaum in the middle. 

Las Vegas did make Linderbaum the highest paid center in the NFL, giving him $9 million more than Kansas City’s Creed Humphrey. Linderbaum has to produce at an extremely high level to qualify his contract as a good deal.

While the Raiders are 3-1, the team still has clear flaws and likely won’t contend for a Super Bowl in the near future. But if Spytek can continue to make additions like Dean and Linderbaum, Las Vegas can fly to the top of the NFL standings quicker than expected.

More on the Las Vegas Raiders

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Starting tight end Mason Taylor, who has been out with a thumb injury and missed the last two games, was listed as a full participant in practice on Wednesday’s injury report.  

The designation is merely a routine move at this point, since the Jets opted for a walk-through on Wednesday instead of a full-on practice. Head coach Aaron Glenn said he wanted to give his defensive players some recovery time after being on the field against the Chicago Bears for 89 plays.

In Taylor’s absence, rookie Kenyon Sadiq took over and had one great game, one not-so-great. Sadiq was ineffective against Chicago after a monster game versus Detroit. Taylor is a good blocker and decent receiver, and could open a few things up for offensive coordinator Frank Reich in tandem with fellow tight ends Sadiq and Jeremy Ruckert. 

In other injury updates, defensive edge Kingsley Enagbare was limited because of an ongoing knee injury. The Jets are thin on defensive linemen, and have been maneuvering to fill the gaps. Edge Nate Lynn has been elevated to the active roster, while edge Nathan Voorhis has been added to the practice squad. 

Rotational edge Braiden McGregor was placed on injured reserve and will miss the remainder of the 2026 season because of  a torn pectoral muscle.  

McGregor joins an injury report that lists edges Enagbare and Will McDonald IV, who has been hobbled by an ankle injury; and David Onyemata, who is recovering with a core muscle surgery. Defensive end Joseph Ossai is playing, but is limited as he recovers from a foot injury.

The news is much grimmer on the offense. RB Breece Hall (quad), WR Adonai Mitchell (finger), G Dylan Parham (knee), CB Jarvis Brownlee Jr. (concussion) and LB Kiko Mauigoa (quad) were listed as did not practice, which likely means they are out for the upcoming Cleveland Browns game. 

In a bit of good news, the Jets designated wide receiver Tim Patrick (groin) to return from injured reserve. He would have practiced fully and will be a fourth receiver and special teams participant.   

ESPN’s Bill Barnwell flagged it on Thursday while explaining why Gibbs missed his top three for Offensive Player of the Year. Barnwell wrote that Gibbs “has endured his heaviest workload as a pro” and “hasn’t been quite as efficient as the other top backs.” Atlanta’s Bijan Robinson and Kansas City’s Kenneth Walker III, his top two picks, each have 99 touches.

Total volume of carries for Gibbs could be impacting his stats

Gibbs is averaging 4.4 yards per carry after entering the season at 5.3 for his career. He is also averaging 20 carries and 25.5 touches per game. His previous highs were 14.7 carries in 2024 and 18.8 touches last season, when David Montgomery was still around to take 158 carries. Montgomery was traded to Houston in March, and his replacement, Isiah Pacheco, has been on injured reserve all season. Sione Vaki, the only other Lions back with a carry, has nine.

The numbers since Week 1 support Barnwell’s point. Gibbs ran 29 times for 156 yards against New Orleans in the opener and has 197 yards on 51 carries since, a 3.9 average. That stretch includes 15 carries for 46 yards against the Panthers. His seven touchdowns, tied with Derrick Henry and Josh Allen for the NFL lead, have covered for it. PFF still gives him an 87.4 overall grade, the best on Detroit’s offense.

Workload isn’t the only possible cause. Detroit’s line has shuffled through injuries, and the Lions are 20th in rushing as a team. Dan Campbell saw the question coming in September. “Do I want to set records with how many carries? No, that’s not something I want to do,” Campbell said after the opener.

Detroit is 2-2 and visits Arizona on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET on FOX. The Cardinals allow 4.2 yards per carry, the bye follows and Pacheco is eligible to come off injured reserve this week.

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But there are clear flaws across the roster, most notable at wide receiver. Las Vegas didn’t use many resources this past offseason to improve the wide receiver room. Jalen Nailor signed to a three-year contract and Malik Benson was selected in the sixth round. Neither has made much of an impact this season. 

Tre Tucker produced a monster game in Los Angeles. His 119 yards helped Las Vegas beat the Chargers, but that is the only time this season a Raiders’ wide receiver has topped 50 yards. 

Injuries have also taken over the wide receiver room. Nailor suffered a concussion in Week 4, while Jack Bech fractured his forearm in Week 3. The Raiders could get back Dont’e Thornton, who is on injured reserve with a hamstring injury, but as of now Cody White is the number two wide receiver. 

If the Raiders are going to make a run at the playoffs this season, a trade for a wide receiver could make the offense stronger. Pro Football Focus picked out three trade candidates the Raiders could add.

Marvin Harrison Jr.

The Cardinals used the fourth-overall pick on Marvin Harrison Jr. in the 2024 NFL Draft. He put up 885 yards as a rookie and has failed to improve. That has prompted consistent rumors that Arizona could trade the wideout. 

A change of scenery could be what it takes to unlock Harrison’s potential. He had consecutive 1,200-yard, 14-touchdown seasons at Ohio State before entering the NFL. Harrison is just 24 years old and could be part of an offensive core if the Raiders can transform his career.

 Quentin Johnston

Another former first-round pick could be on the move, as the Chargers may not have much use for Quentin Johnston. The 21st-overall pick in 2023 has yet to top 800 yards in a season. 

Trading for Johnston would come with the same logic as trading for Harrison. He is a player who has not yet realized his draft status and needs a new situation to take off. Meanwhile the Chargers could be looking at a lost season and could try to sell off pieces for draft picks. 

Calvin Ridley

If the Raiders want a more seasoned wide receiver, the Titans could look to move Calvin Ridley. The 31-year-old has fallen well behind Carnell Tate and Wan’Dale Robinson for targets in Tennessee, making him expendable for a winless team. 

Ridley topped 1,000 yards in Tennessee in 2024, but he played just seven games last season due to a broken fibula. The Raiders likely wouldn’t get a 1,000-yard wide receiver, but could improve the position anyway.

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Bill Barnwell of ESPN ranked Rousseau second for Defensive Player of the Year on Thursday, behind Houston’s Will Anderson Jr., and called it “a good old-fashioned breakout.” He also laid out what had been missing. Edge rushers usually turn about 45 percent of their quarterback knockdowns into sacks, Barnwell wrote, and Rousseau’s career total was “about eight below what his hit totals would suggest.”

What changed for Rousseau under Leonhard

Leonhard switched Buffalo to a 3-4 front, moved Rousseau farther outside and stood him up in a two-point stance far more often. The Bills now list him as an outside linebacker. Barnwell wrote that most of his pressures have come on speed rushes around tackles, where his length shows up. “When it looks right with Greg, it’s pretty, man,” Leonhard said last week.

The sacks came two at a time. Rousseau had a pair of strip sacks of C.J. Stroud in the opener, including the one that sealed a 36-31 win in Houston, then two each against Jared Goff and Justin Herbert. Only Mark Gastineau in 1984 and Kevin Greene in 1998 had opened a season with two sacks in each of the first three games. He also leads the league with eight tackles for loss and shares the lead with three forced fumbles.

He is finishing at about the same rate as before, with six sacks on 16 quarterback hits, but he is getting there far more often. Rousseau had 23 hits all of last season. PFF credits him with 29 pressures, an 86.3 pass-rush grade and an 88.2 overall grade, the best on Buffalo’s defense.

New England kept him without a sack in Sunday’s 29-26 loss, though he still had four quarterback hits. Buffalo, which gave Rousseau a four-year, $80 million extension in March 2025, is 3-1 and visits the Rams on Monday night.

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The Saints certainly can move the ball on offense and they have developed a solid passing offense behind QB Tyler Shough. He has thrown for 1,203 yards in his first four games of the season, averaging 300.8 yards per game. That’s a figure that has to make Kevin O’Connell’s mouth water since the Vikings have the least productive passing offense in the NFL.

Shough is completing 67.2 percent of his passes and he has a 9-3 TD-interception ratio. He leads an offense that can clearly pick up big chunks of yardage through the air.

He has a brilliant partner in crime in WR Chris Olave, who has caught 35 passes for 491 yards with a long of 47 yards and 1 touchdown. The Saints are also getting quite a bit of support from TE Juwan Johnson, who has caught 21 passes for 232 yards with 3 TDs. He can be a solid target for Shough on third-down plays.

The running game is limited at this point because Travis Etienne is on Injured Reserve with a hamstring issue and that means Alvin Kamara must carry the load. While he was explosive earlier and once had a six-TD game against the Vikings in his career, the 31-year-old is pedestrian at this point. After running for 471 yards and 3.6 yards per carry last year, he has just 74 yards and 3.0 yards per carry this year.

Vikings defense will get tested, but should be ready for Saints

The passing game will test the Vikings’ top-rated defense, and it would appear that defensive coordinator Brian Flores and edge rusher Dallas Turner are looking forward to the matchup. The Saints may be explosive, but they turn the ball over.

The Vikings are tied for second with the Chiefs at plus-5 in turnover differential, while the Saints are minus-5 in that key category. The only team worse is the Indianapolis Colts at minus-6. This category could be the determining factor in the outcome of the game.

The Vikings are certainly hoping that their offense will finally show some improvement and that the possible return of Justin Jefferson (sprained ankle) can give the Vikings’ 32nd-ranked passing game a desperate lift.

The Vikings need Kyler Murray to build off the fourth quarter he had in the Week 4 win over the Dolphins and give them a solid 60 minutes under center. The Saints struggle on defense and they rank dead last by allowing an average of 32.0 points per game.

The Vikings have certainly had their offensive issues to this point, but they should have an opportunity to take a step forward against a defense that has shown little ability to stop any opponent to this point.

ESPN’s Bill Barnwell ranked Mims third for Protector of the Year in a column published Thursday, behind San Francisco’s Trent Williams and Denver’s Quinn Meinerz. Barnwell wrote that Mims has been one-on-one against pass rushers at the third-highest rate in the league and has allowed a half-sack and two quick pressures on 169 pass-rush snaps. He called the 2024 first-round pick “arguably the best pass-protecting right tackle in the league.”

Why the Bengals leave Mims alone

Burrow wants five receivers out in routes, and when Cincinnati does send help to a tackle, it usually goes to Orlando Brown Jr. on the left side. PFF’s grades reflect the split. Mims has an 81.1 pass-blocking grade, fourth among 69 tackles, while Brown sits at 56.8. PFF has charged Mims with two pressures on 176 pass-blocking snaps, the fewest of any tackle it ranks.

The 6-foot-8, 350-pound Mims was the 18th pick out of Georgia and has started all 21 of the Bengals’ games since the beginning of last season. Offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher watched him handle Pittsburgh’s T.J. Watt in Week 3 and said the next day that “there’s a fraction of the players in this league that truly can be special and he is in that fraction.” A week earlier, after Mims faced Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter in Houston, Burrow said the tackle “was lights out all day.”

The run game is less settled. Barnwell has Mims 12th in run block win rate, but PFF gives him a 43.8 run-blocking grade that ranks 66th among tackles, and the Bengals managed 23 yards on 15 carries in Sunday’s loss to Jacksonville. Burrow threw 54 times for 428 yards in that game.

Cincinnati is 2-2 and visits Miami on Sunday before its bye. Chop Robinson had eight pressures for the Dolphins last week. Whichever side he rushes from, the Bengals have shown they are comfortable leaving Mims by himself.

D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai have both shown they can make an impact on the ground, and Chicago’s rushing attack enters the matchup with the NFL’s top rushing offense. If the Bears can establish the run early at Lambeau Field, they could control the tempo and put significant pressure on a Packers defense that has struggled to stop opposing rushing attacks.

Bears Running Back Duo Can Crush the Pack

Swift and Monangai have to be seeing this matchup like a shark smells blood in the water. Green Bay ranks 28th in the NFL, allowing nearly 139 rushing yards per game. The Packers also rank 25th in defensive rush EPA at -0.039 and 24th in rush success rate at 42.7%.

Needless to say, this is a game in which the Bears’ offensive line should be ready to maul the Green Bay front. Swift and Monangai should be ready to hit the ground running.

Chicago currently averages 196 rushing yards per game, making this a massive potential mismatch at hostile Lambeau Field. While the Bears have won three of their last four against the Packers, only one of those victories came in Green Bay. Before that win, Chicago had not won on the road against the Packers between 2015 and January 2025.

Make no mistake: Green Bay will want to take the Bears’ running game away, but does it have enough strength up front to make that happen?

No Micah Parsons, No Chance?

The obvious missing piece for the Packers is Micah Parsons. He is a game-changing presence for their defense, but he remains unavailable for several more weeks.

The analytics show just how much Green Bay misses him. With Parsons on the field, the Packers ranked eighth in defensive rush EPA at -0.112 and surrendered a modest 42.2% success rate.

Without Parsons to close out the 2025 season, those metrics took an immediate step back. The Packers ranked 23rd in rush EPA at 0.015 and 28th in rush success rate at 47.7%.

Those numbers correlate closely with Green Bay’s early defensive struggles in 2026. The Bears have an opportunity to take advantage of that weakness with Swift and Monangai leading the way.

Can Chicago’s running back duo continue rolling when the Bears visit Lambeau Field this week?

Benton signed a significant contract extension this offseason, raising expectations for him to become a consistent force in the middle of Pittsburgh’s defense. While Benton has played well for much of the season, his production has dipped over the past two weeks, giving Williams reason to question whether he is living up to those expectations.

Benton Has Played Well Most of the Season

Benton had a stellar first two weeks of the season. After posting pass-rush grades of 73.3 and 92.9 while recording four pressures and two run stuffs during that span, his production has taken a step back. While he recorded two more run stuffs over the past two weeks, he has produced only two pressures, and his grades have taken a nosedive. While PFF grades aren’t bulletproof, they align with some of the struggles Benton has shown on film.

“I’m looking at Keeanu Benton immediately … You need to make more impact on the game. What is going on? You’ve gotta make more plays. You’ve gotta step up. Keeanu, you’re supposed to be the person that they just paid and supposed to be stepping up. You’ve gotta make more plays. I don’t feel like Keeanu Benton is carrying his weight. He’s not justifying his contract. He’s the third-best defensive tackle we have right now. Let’s say Harmon is playing the best. Cam Heyward just had eight tackles this game. What are you gonna do to affect the game in a major way?” Williams said on the Steelers Blitz podcast.

Benton received a big payday this offseason, so consistency should be the minimum expectation. His limited pass-rush production in Week 3 had a lot to do with the Bengals relying on multiple quick-throw concepts to neutralize Pittsburgh’s pass rush. Week 4, however, saw Benton turn in his best run-defense performance of the season.

The good news is that Benton has received worse grades in the past and still produced plenty of impactful snaps. The key now will be turning his pressures into more meaningful plays.

Benton Can Get Back to Turning Pressures Into Sacks

Per PFF tracking, Benton posted a 21.12% pressure-to-sack rate in 2025 while producing a 7.24% pressure rate across 456 pass-rush snaps. Benton has shown that he can turn pressure into production before, and there is no reason to believe he can’t do it again.

PFF credited Benton with contributing to seven sacks last season, the highest total of his career. With six pressures so far this season, getting back to the form he showed during the first two weeks could put him on the verge of another significant step forward.

Williams’ concerns and expectations are completely valid. We’ve seen what Benton is capable of, and after the Steelers rewarded him with a contract extension this offseason, there is no reason he can’t get back on track.

However, as more games accumulate under his new deal, expectations will only continue to rise for the fourth-year defensive tackle. Pittsburgh needs Benton to become more than a player who flashes potential. The Steelers need him to consistently affect games, particularly as the season progresses.

Yes, he has thrown for 1,007 yards and 11 touchdowns with a 69.9% completion rate. But what has been perhaps most impressive about his play so far is that he has done so with a makeshift cast of wide receivers due to the everlasting injury problems the Niners have been dealing with.

At least right now, Purdy is playing at an elite level, and one NFL legend feels he should be the frontrunner for the MVP award.

No quarterback is playing better than Purdy right now

Rob Gronkowski, arguably the greatest tight end in football history, made an appearance on “Up & Adams with Kay Adams” and said that Purdy is his favorite right now to win the MVP.

“Brock Purdy should be the favorite,” Gronkowski said. “Brock Purdy should be No. 1 and then it should be Lamar Jackson, and then it should be Josh Allen. … I think Brock Purdy might be the No. 1 quarterback in the NFL that can scan a defense, process a defense, read the coverage, go to the guy that’s open, and get the job done using his brain processing powers of knowing the game of football and knowing what the defense is going to do. Brock Purdy is definitely up there. If he’s not No. 1, he’s definitely, no doubt, top three.”

Purdy will have the opportunity to start to solidify his chances of winning the MVP award this Sunday when he and the 49ers take on the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Last season, the Seahawks demolished San Francisco 41-6 in the divisional round of the playoffs.

Gronkowski believes the Niners will be victorious this time.

“I really like the San Francisco 49ers,” he said. “I think they’re going to beat Seattle. Why? Because they’re playing together at a high level. … I feel like, in that locker room, in that organization, they feel like this is the time now. They got to dominate their opponents.”

While the 49ers are 4-0, Seattle is 3-1 after suffering a surprising 33-31 loss to the Washington Commanders in Week 3. It isn’t quite the juggernaut it was last season when it went 14-3, but it is still a very solid team, especially on the defensive side of the football.

A win in Seattle and a strong performance by Purdy would go a long way in further silencing his doubters. He currently has the best passer rating (126.2) and QBR (89.7) in the league, and no one has thrown more touchdown passes than him this season.

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Now NFL Network draft analyst Lance Zierlein has him at No. 4 in his ranking of offensive rookies through four weeks, the highest of any lineman on the list. “The early leader for best rookie lineman might be a third-rounder,” Zierlein wrote. The four linemen behind Barber were all first-round picks: Detroit’s Blake Miller, Miami’s Kadyn Proctor, Baltimore’s Olaivavega Ioane and Cleveland’s own left tackle, Spencer Fano.

Where Barber still has room to grow

Zierlein credited Barber’s “accurate, firm hands and a consistent base,” and cited Next Gen Stats data charging him with half a sack on 141 pass-blocking snaps. PFF’s charting is kinder, showing no sacks and six pressures allowed. His 70.2 overall grade ranks 21st of 74 guards, and his 75.7 run-blocking grade ranks 13th.

Size is the open question. Barber is listed at 6-foot-7 and 320 pounds, and Zierlein wrote that he “needs to add mass for one-on-one battles against NFL block-shedders.” That tracks for a player who spent five seasons at Florida as a tackle and had never taken a game snap at guard before the Browns moved him inside midway through training camp. His 64.0 pass-blocking grade from PFF, 33rd among guards, is the lowest of his three marks.

The coaching staff has been sold for a while. “Austin has been progressively getting better every week,” coach Todd Monken said after the opener. Offensive coordinator Travis Switzer pointed to how Barber handled the position switch. “It’s hard enough for a rookie to come in and play, let alone when he’s been at multiple spots,” Switzer said. “It’s all about the approach and the way he goes about it.”

Zierlein called Barber “the biggest surprise in what’s becoming an outstanding draft class” for general manager Andrew Berry. Jenkins did not practice Wednesday because of his back, which leaves Barber in line for a fifth straight start when the 3-1 Browns visit the New York Jets on Sunday.

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The Pro Bowl tight end is playing the final year of his rookie contract, making his situation an important one for Detroit. While LaPorta would like to remain with the Lions, he acknowledged that negotiations have not produced an agreement.

“I don’t know if it’s truly off the table, but I think there’s certainly a stalemate right now,” LaPorta said. “I’m really giving the reins to my agent, Jack Bechta. He’s been handling it with the front office.”

Sam LaPorta on contract extension talks: “I don’t know if it’s truly off the table, but I think there’s certainly a stalemate right now. I’m really giving the reins to my agent, Jack Bechta. He’s been handling it with the front office. All the advice he’s given me so far is that…

— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) October 7, 2026

LaPorta added that his agent has told him the two sides simply have not reached terms yet. For now, the tight end is leaving the business side to his representation and focusing on the season.

That approach comes after LaPorta’s best game of the season against the Carolina Panthers. He caught eight passes for 84 yards and a touchdown in Detroit’s 32-26 loss, giving the Lions another reminder of what he can provide in the passing game.

Through four games, LaPorta has recorded 228 receiving yards and two touchdowns. His continued production could become increasingly important as Detroit tries to navigate a competitive NFC North.

The Lions enter Week 5 at 2-2 after the loss to Carolina. They will look to rebound against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, while LaPorta continues to play without a long-term contract in place.

For now, there is no indication that LaPorta’s contract situation is affecting his performance. The tight end has made it clear that his agent is handling the negotiations while he concentrates on helping Detroit win.

Whether the two sides eventually reach an agreement remains unclear. LaPorta’s latest comments, however, show that the possibility of a deal is still open.

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This is a game that will definitely have postseason implications. The NFC West divisional race went down to the wire in 2025, and it’s on pace to do so again. The 49ers are definitely going to want to prove they have improved since the Seahawks blew them out in the playoffs nine months ago.

Ahead of this matchup, let’s talk about the three burning questions we have surrounding the Seahawks this weekend.

Will Sam Darnold Return to Form?

Sam Darnold missed most of Week 1 and all of Week 2 with a glute injury. Fortunately, Drew Lock performed admirably and led the team to two wins. Darnold returned for Week 3, and despite throwing for a career-high in yards, the quarterback turned it over twice and the Seahawks lost.

Last weekend, Darnold made fewer mistakes and the Seahawks won, but he had just 168 yards. We haven’t yet seen the type of performance Darnold had frequently last year where he looks like one of the best passers in the league. It will be hard to do that again in Week 5, as the 49ers are one of the best defenses.

How Will Defense Handle Its Toughest Test Yet?

The Seahawks’ defense looked like the best unit in the league over the first two weeks. The unit fell back a little in Weeks 3 and 4, but still ranks near the top of the league in most defensive categories.

The thing is, the Seahawks haven’t exactly played the most dynamic offenses. The 49ers are easily the best offense the Seahawks have played so far, as they are seventh in yards per game, third in points per game, and sixth in rushing yards per game. Will this unit still look elite against a fellow elite unit?

Can Emanuel Wilson Handle Starting Running Back Duties?

The Seahawks are going to be without Zach Charbonnet again, which means Emanuel Wilson is still RB1. Wilson has two games of 80+ yards this season and has shown some signs of life, but this 49er defense will be tough to go against.

Only eight teams are allowing fewer rush yards per game than the 49ers so far. If Wilson can’t get going, the Seahawks won’t have Charbonnet or Jadarian Price to turn to. That means the offense could be in big trouble if Wilson has a down performance. It would have been nice to have Charbonnet back for this one, as someone who’s had success against the 49ers in the past.

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The Steelers’ loss to the Cleveland Browns created plenty of discussion about the pair after Rodgers missed an opportunity to find Metcalf late in the game. With Pittsburgh needing a potential field-goal opportunity, the quarterback instead looked downfield before his final pass was intercepted.

Rodgers, however, does not believe the sequence has damaged his relationship with his top receiver.

#Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers on WR DK Metcalf:

“We all lose our minds at times out on the field, and mine always get caught. His, not so much. … DK is a passionate guy, and sometimes you just gotta let him go, because that passion is what makes him such a great player.” pic.twitter.com/wrDhkR9Irb

— Brendan Howe (@bybrendanhowe) October 7, 2026

“We all lose our minds at times out on the field, and mine always get caught. His, not so much. … DK is a passionate guy, and sometimes you just gotta let him go, because that passion is what makes him such a great player.”

Metcalf remains an important part of Pittsburgh’s passing attack. Through the first four games, he has been targeted 24 times, giving him the most targets on the Steelers.

The receiver also showed what he can provide during the loss to Cleveland, finishing with five receptions for 115 yards. That production explains why Rodgers remains confident that the two can find their rhythm.

The Steelers have struggled to consistently move the ball early in the season, but Rodgers’ comments suggest there will not be a major change in how he approaches Metcalf. Instead, the veteran quarterback believes communication and continued work can resolve their issues.

Pittsburgh enters Week 5 at 2-2 and will need more from its passing game as the AFC North race develops. Cleveland and Baltimore are both 3-1, leaving little room for the Steelers to drop more games.

Rodgers has made his position clear. He still trusts Metcalf, and the quarterback believes their connection will eventually produce the results Pittsburgh expects.

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Robinson enters Sunday’s matchup after producing a huge performance against the New Orleans Saints. The Falcons running back rushed for 145 yards and two touchdowns in Atlanta’s 45-24 win, including a 59-yard touchdown run that helped set the tone.

Hamilton was asked Wednesday how the Ravens can slow down Robinson. His response showed just how highly Baltimore’s defense views the young star.

Kyle Hamilton was asked how do the Ravens slow down Falcons RB Bijan Robinson: “That’s a loaded question.”

Hamilton added, “They don’t make a lot like him.” pic.twitter.com/EUFg0gKdmC

— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) October 7, 2026

“That’s a loaded question,” Hamilton said. “They don’t make a lot like him.”

That assessment is understandable considering the problems Robinson can create for a defense. His combination of speed, vision and ability to make defenders miss makes him dangerous both between the tackles and in space.

The Ravens will also have to account for Brian Robinson Jr., who gives Atlanta another physical option in the backfield. That could make it difficult for Baltimore to focus its attention entirely on Bijan.

Hamilton could play an important role in Baltimore’s effort to contain Atlanta’s rushing attack. The All-Pro safety has the range to help near the line of scrimmage while still providing the secondary with another experienced defender.

The matchup could become even more important if Baltimore’s offense is without Lamar Jackson. The Ravens quarterback is dealing with an ankle injury and did not practice Wednesday, putting additional pressure on the defense.

For Hamilton and the Ravens, the formula will be straightforward even if executing it is not. They must limit Robinson’s opportunities to create explosive plays and force Atlanta to find other ways to move the football.

Robinson has already shown what can happen when he gets into open space. Baltimore will need to make sure he does not get there often on Sunday.

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NFL Network draft analyst Lance Zierlein ranked Miller fifth in his top 10 offensive rookies at the quarter mark, second among linemen behind Cleveland’s Austin Barber. “It’s early, but the Lions appear to have found their bookend for Penei Sewell,” Zierlein wrote.

What the numbers say about Miller

Zierlein cited Next Gen Stats data showing one sack allowed on 130 pass-blocking snaps. PFF has not charged him with a sack at all, crediting him with eight pressures allowed and a 76.1 pass-blocking grade that ranks 16th of 69 tackles. “He’s good at using his length to run rushers past the top of the pocket and can find his anchor when bull-rushed,” Zierlein wrote.

Miller has done that in three starts. He hurt a knee in the opener and sat out the Week 2 trip to Buffalo, which the Lions’ website noted was the first game he has missed at any level. That followed 54 consecutive starts at Clemson, a school record for a non-specialist, and Zierlein wrote that with that kind of experience, “it shouldn’t be all that surprising” to see him start this well.

The run game is where the work remains. Zierlein wrote that Miller “strains as a run blocker but still shows room for improvement with hand placement and usage,” and PFF’s 61.7 run-blocking grade puts him 41st at the position. PFF also has him flagged three times, twice in the 32-26 loss at Carolina. Miller isn’t arguing. He described his play as “by no means perfect, or even close to it,” according to 97.1 The Ticket.

His coaches like the temperament. “He is a consistent, steady player for a young guy,” coach Dan Campbell said. Offensive coordinator Drew Petzing added, “The moment’s never too big, you never see panic.” Miller played all 71 snaps against the Panthers, and the 2-2 Lions visit the Arizona Cardinals at 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday on Fox before their bye.

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According to Jordan Schultz, the Vikings reached out to Beckham immediately after his release from New York, seeking an offensive spark alongside his fellow LSU alumnus Justin Jefferson. That search quickly led him to Minnesota.

Beckham reportedly said Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell called him within 10 minutes of clearing waivers. The opportunity became even more appealing because of Minnesota’s strong start to the season.

Odell Beckham Jr said #Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell called him as soon as he was released by the #Giants:

“It seemed as if he wanted me to be here. It always feels better when you’re doing it for somebody where it feels like their heart is there for it.” pic.twitter.com/Y1g8fQYaSr https://t.co/wfWMSG6t3g

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) October 7, 2026

The Vikings entered Week 5 with a perfect 4-0 record, while the defense and special teams helped power their undefeated start. Adding Beckham gives Minnesota another experienced option alongside Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.

For Beckham, the move represents a quick turnaround from an unexpected ending in New York. The Giants released the veteran receiver after his return to the franchise failed to develop as hoped.

Now, Beckham has a chance to contribute to a Minnesota offense that has already established itself as one of the league’s most productive units. His experience and ability to threaten defenses vertically could give O’Connell another option to work into the passing game.

The Vikings also have plenty of reason to value additional receiver depth as the season progresses. Beckham’s arrival gives Minnesota another proven player who can step into a meaningful role if injuries or defensive matchups create a need.

Beckham’s Giants return may have ended sooner than expected, but his release ultimately opened the door to a much different opportunity. He now gets a chance to chase another championship with a Vikings team that has yet to lose.

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Erin Swartz, the team’s senior vice president of brand marketing, is one of three business-side executives leaving the organization, the Tennessean’s Tyler Palmateer reported. It is one more unwelcome headline for a team that has dropped four straight under first-year coach Robert Saleh.

Adam Nuse and Charles Jensen are also out. “As the Titans prepare for the opening of our new stadium and the future of Titans football, we are making changes to how we lead the business side of the organization,” the team said in a statement. Tennessee plans to hire an executive vice president and chief business officer to oversee revenue, marketing and communications.

The Titans’ rebrand debuted in March

Swartz was one of the public voices of the March 12 unveiling. The new look dropped the flames from the logo and made Titans blue the primary color, a nod to the franchise’s Houston Oilers roots. “I think that Titans blue is a really bold color, a really powerful color,” Swartz told the team’s website that night. “Seven other teams in the NFL have navy, but this color is much more unique to us.”

Team president and CEO Burke Nihill said that same night, “I do hope our fans feel proud when they see it.”

Longtime Titans reporter Paul Kuharsky wrote at the time that reviving the Oilers look was a good decision, though he called the Tennessee elements “secondary at best.” The team’s statement does not connect Wednesday’s departures to the uniforms, and the Titans declined to make Nihill available for an interview, according to Kuharsky.

The Titans have a stadium to sell

The timing is what makes it awkward. This is the farewell season at Nissan Stadium, with an enclosed replacement expected to open in 2027 and Super Bowl LXIV coming to Nashville in February 2030. Those are the years a franchise leans hardest on its brand and its sales pitch, and Tennessee is reorganizing that side of the building in the middle of a season while it searches for a new business chief.

The football isn’t helping. Tennessee went 3-14 in each of the past two seasons and is 0-4 in the new uniforms, averaging 13.8 points per game. Three of the four losses have come by six points or fewer, and second-year quarterback Cam Ward’s 63.1 overall grade from PFF ranks 23rd among 33 quarterbacks.

Houston, also 0-4, visits at 1 p.m. ET Sunday on CBS. A win would at least change the subject.

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Okada was a key piece of the league’s best defense, and the expectation was that would continue in 2026. Unfortunately, Okada has yet to make his season debut as he deals with a nagging hamstring injury.

The good news is that Okada was a full participant in practice on Wednesday. This is just the time this season that Okada has been a full participant, with last Friday being the first. The safety obviously didn’t end up playing last week, so he’s not guaranteed to play this week, but this is a positive sing.

Seahawks Wednesday Injury Report

The following players were listed on Wednesday’s report:

• Zach Charbonnet- Knee- Limited
• Irvin Charles- Knee- Limited
• George Holani- Ribs- Limited
• Tyrice Knight- Ankle- Limited
• Patrick O’Connell- Thumb- Full
• Ty Okada- Hamstring- Full
• Nehemiah Pritchett- Ankle- Limited
• Jaxon Smith-Njigba- Rest- DNP
• Beau Stephens- Knee- Limited
• Chazz Surratt- Calf- DNP
• Leonard Williams- Ankle- Limited

The good news here is that only two players were unable to practice, and only one of those was due to injury. It’s also good to see Okada practicing fully, as mentioned above.

There were a number of limited participants, and those can go either way. Irvin Charles and Zach Charbonnet are both on the PUP list, but their practice windows have now been activated. Charbonnet being available would be huge considering Jadarian Price is on injured reserve.

Beau Stephens has been splitting reps at right guard with Christian Haynes, so if he can’t go, we could see a full game of Haynes. Nehemiah Pritchett has been a solid depth defensive back, and the Seahawks have already had plenty of injuries there.

It will be interesting to see how the report changes on Thursday and Friday. Okada is obviously the situation most worth keeping an eye on. Having Okada back would really open the defense up and allow Nick Emmanwori to move around more.

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Minnesota decided to sign Beckham to its practice squad Wednesday after the New York Giants released him on Sept. 29, and Jefferson made clear how much the move means to him.

“It’s definitely cool,” Jefferson said. “All of the years that I’ve watched him play and looked up to his game his play style, on and off the field, how he carried himself as a superstar in the league. We’ve been brothers for a very long time.

“The connection has always been there. We’ve always talked about this moment, one day being able to play with each other. For it to actually be here is definitely crazy.”

“We’ve been brothers for a very, very long time. The connection has always been there.”

Justin Jefferson reacts to getting to play alongside new Vikings receiver Odell Beckham Jr. pic.twitter.com/UKjYgpGJ7Q

— Bring Me The Sports (@BMTNSports) October 7, 2026

The connection goes back to Jefferson’s days at LSU, while Beckham also overlapped with Jefferson’s older brothers, including quarterback Jordan and safety Rickey.

Justin also said parts of his own game come directly from watching Beckham play.

“I’ve always been a fan of his game,” Jefferson said. “I modeled my game after him in certain areas — the way he runs his routes, the wiggle at the top of his routes. There’s bits and pieces that I took from his game.”

Beckham could be elevated from the practice squad before Minnesota visits the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, potentially allowing the two Louisiana natives to play together in their home state.

Jefferson is working toward a return after missing Week 4 with a sprained ankle, and said he plans to play on Sunday.

“Hopefully so,” Jefferson said. “That’s definitely the plan. Being back at home in Louisiana is definitely something that I want to do. The plan is for me to play, but who knows?”

The undefeated Vikings visit the Saints on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.

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Johnson’s decision came shortly after the Eagles’ 24-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. The veteran lineman had been a key part of Philadelphia’s offensive line for years, making his departure a significant change for Hurts and the offense.

Hurts addressed Johnson’s retirement following Wednesday’s practice and made it clear that their relationship will continue well beyond football.

Jalen Hurts on Lane Johnson: “As a person, I wish to see him smiling again. I wish to see him happy and at peace. That’s what I sincerely wish for him. As a player…really hard to focus on considering the urgency I have to win.”

— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) October 8, 2026

Jalen Hurts on Lane Johnson: “As a person, I wish to see him smiling again. I wish to see him happy and at peace. That’s what I sincerely wish for him. As a player…really hard to focus on considering the urgency I have to win.”  As reported by Zach Berman on X.

Hurts also spoke positively about the younger players stepping into larger roles, describing them as “funny,” “hungry” and “younger.” He believes their opportunity can bring energy to an Eagles team looking to rebound.

Johnson spent 14 seasons with the Eagles and established himself as one of the most respected players in franchise history. His presence also gave Hurts an experienced blocker protecting the right side of the pocket.

Now, Philadelphia must adjust without him. The Eagles are turning to younger players along the offensive line, including rookie right tackle Markel Bell and rookie center Willie Lampkin as the team reshapes the unit.

Philadelphia enters Week 5 at 2-2 and is preparing to face the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium in London. With Johnson no longer anchoring the offensive line, Hurts will have to lead an offense adjusting to a major change.

For Hurts, though, Johnson’s retirement is about more than football. His message made clear that the bond they built in Philadelphia will remain long after Johnson leaves the field.

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The win moved Dallas to 2-2 on the season, and now the Cowboys have little time to celebrate, with a short week setting up Thursday night’s home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

That quick turnaround arrives with a key injury question hanging over the offense. All-Pro guard Tyler Smith has spent the past month working his way back from thumb surgery, and his availability for Thursday night has been the biggest storyline building toward Thursday’s kickoff.

NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that the Cowboys are activating Smith off injured reserve in time to play Thursday. The three-time Pro Bowler underwent surgery just before the season opened and had been targeting an early comeback ever since.

The #Cowboys are activating All-Pro G Tyler Smith from Injured Reserve to play tonight against the #Bucs. A big lift.

One of the NFL’s best, Smith had thumb surgery right before the season with hopes of returning as soon as possible. After a full practice Wednesday, he’s back. pic.twitter.com/3XQLuAy8R2

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 8, 2026

After taking part in a full practice Wednesday, the Cowboys’ top offensive lineman is officially set to go, giving a line that could use the reinforcement a real lift against the Buccaneers.

Smith’s injury traces back to training camp in Oxnard, where discomfort in his thumb surfaced after a joint practice with the Saints. He tried to play through it before admitting the injury had worsened, and testing revealed a torn UCL in his left thumb.

Surgery followed on Sept. 8, and the left guard landed on injured reserve with an original recovery window of four to six weeks. Dallas opened Smith’s practice window Monday, and he built up his workload steadily from there, moving from limited reps to a full practice Wednesday before being listed as questionable for Thursday’s game.

T.J. Bass filled in at left guard while Smith was sidelined, and the undrafted product out of Oregon didn’t allow a sack in 2025, prompting Dallas to reward him with a second-round restricted free agent tender in March.

Getting Smith back gives Dallas one of its most proven blockers, a three-time Pro Bowler who signed a four-year, $96 million extension last September.

The Cowboys will host the Buccaneers on Thursday, Oct. 8, with kickoff set for 8:15 p.m. ET at AT&T Stadium.

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The Broncos have not announced anything, and Stokley left some room in a follow-up post. “Will it be 100 percent we shall see but I’m hearing he’s taking over the majority if not all of the play calling,” he wrote, according to Denver Sports.

Why Sean Payton’s return brings relief

The numbers explain why that news would land well in Denver. Through four games with Webb calling plays, the 2-2 Broncos rank 27th in scoring, 27th in total yards and 30th in explosive plays with 16, according to ESPN’s Jeff Legwold. They have one first-half touchdown and 13 first-half points, per Andrew Mason of Denver Sports. Bo Nix’s 48.4 overall grade from PFF ranks 31st among 33 quarterbacks, and PFF has charged him with nine turnover-worthy plays against four big-time throws.

Payton didn’t argue with any of it. “Certainly this isn’t championship football, what we see,” he said Wednesday.

He also called the plays in each of his first three seasons with the Broncos, the last of which ended at 14-3 and in the AFC championship game. When he handed the job to the 31-year-old Webb in February, he said at the NFL Scouting Combine, “I think it will help us, and certainly I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t think it was going to help our team win.” Taking it back after four games is the quickest fix available to him, and the schedule gives him a reason to move now. The Chargers are 0-4, and the Seattle Seahawks visit four days later on a Thursday night.

What comes next for Bo Nix

The switch also removes the easiest explanation for the offense’s problems. Webb’s play-calling was the most visible change to the offense this season, and players have defended him all week. “Yeah, I’m real confident in him,” Nix said after the loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Tight end Adam Trautman said of Webb, “Nothing falls entirely on him,” and wide receiver Courtland Sutton, who called the criticism of Nix unfair Wednesday, said, “We all got our hand in it.” Payton offered his own endorsement the same day: “I think Davis is very fast and quick and understands what we’re doing.”

If the first halves still stall with Payton holding the play sheet, the questions shift to Nix and to the roster around him. Denver has not picked up a first down on any of its four opening drives. Kickoff is 4:05 p.m. ET Sunday on CBS, and the first series will be worth watching.

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John Harbaugh explained what makes Reese a great player and how his skill set is what caused the Giants to play him at off-ball linebacker rather than at edge rusher, where many analysts projected him.

Reese is among the early-season favorites to win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. He leads the NFL in solo tackles (27) and is tied for third on the Giants in passes defended (4) and tied for second in interceptions (1).

Keyed by Reese’s contributions, the Giants are 3-1 for the first time since 2022 and alone in first place in the NFC East for the first time since 2015.

John Harbaugh Explained What Makes Arvell Reese ‘a Great Tackler’

A bad tackler wouldn’t be among the NFL leaders in tackles, but Harbaugh went into greater detail about what makes Reese elite.

“He’s a great tackler, sure tackling,” Harbaugh said. “One thing you look for is kind of called no-hesitation tackling. In other words, guys who get there quick and don’t give the ball carrier much chance to make him miss, they aren’t really too hesitant.”

Reese’s ability to play fast but still be under control is an asset, especially while playing inside linebacker. According to Pro Football Reference, Reese has just one missed tackle, and his 2.9% missed-tackle rate is tied for ninth in the NFL among linebackers with at least 20 tackles this season.

“He’s got that unique talent to get (to the ball) quickly and still hit his target,” Harbaugh said. “You see it, he’s doing it now, he’s doing a great job.”

John Harbaugh Explained Why the Giants Decided to Play Arvell Reese at Inside Linebacker

Inside linebacker is the quarterback of the defense, so having a 21-year-old in that spot is a daunting prospect for any team.

But even though he was projected to move to edge rusher, Reese was an inside linebacker at Ohio State, and Harbaugh could see how his skills would translate to the NFL.

“You watched him on tape, and he played (inside linebacker) really well,” Harbaugh said. “I could see where they might have said, ‘Well, he’s young, he hasn’t played a lot’ … but he played it really well at Ohio State against the best teams in the country, in a pretty complicated defensive system that they have.

“The evidence was right there.”

But the Giants have still deployed Reese on the edge in passing situations. They may do so more now that Brian Burns is out for the season with a torn ACL and meniscus.

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The Bengals’ rushing attack hit rock bottom in Sunday’s loss to Jacksonville, finishing with just 23 yards on 15 carries. Brown failed to produce explosive runs and recorded only 10 yards on nine attempts.

Cincinnati sits near the bottom of the NFL in rushing efficiency and yards per carry. Burrow threw for 428 yards against Jacksonville, but relying almost entirely on the passing game without a consistent rushing threat is becoming difficult for Zac Taylor’s offense.

Cincinnati Can Wear Down Miami’s Run Defense

Miami’s defensive front has held up at times, but the unit is being asked to stay on the field for long stretches because the offense cannot sustain drives. The Dolphins managed just 77 net passing yards against Minnesota, while their defense spent 39:11 on the field and faced 72 offensive plays. 

Cincinnati should look to exploit that by running the ball consistently and forcing Miami’s defense to stay on the field. If the Bengals stay committed to the run early, the physical toll on Miami’s front seven could create more cutback lanes as the game goes on.

Cincinnati’s Offensive Line Needs to Create More Push

Cincinnati has improved its protection on the edge, with right tackle Amarius Mims being flawless through the first four games. But that pass protection has not translated into enough push in the running game.

The Bengals have struggled to create movement inside against base fronts and have not consistently reached the second level to block linebackers. Chase Brown has often been contacted before crossing the line of scrimmage, forcing him to do more damage as a receiver out of the backfield. He caught 11 passes against Jacksonville.

The pass protection has given Burrow time to attack, but the run blocking is still one of the offense’s biggest problems. The Bengals have to run the football better. With Ja’Marr Chase in concussion protocol and Tee Higgins dealing with an adductor injury, Cincinnati needs to take advantage of a tired and winless Miami defense in Week 5.

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Beckham said Wednesday that head coach Kevin O’Connell’s interest in having him played a major role in his decision to sign with the Vikings’ practice squad.

“(O’Connell) had extreme confidence and belief and texted me,” Beckham said. “It’s always good to be somewhere where you’re wanted. He was the one who reached out and kind of made this whole thing happen. Life happens fast, but life in the NFL feels like it happens faster. It was just a situation that came up, and it seemed right.

“There’s always options, but it’s like, again, go where you know—it seemed as if he wanted me to be here and that was expressed to me. That feels good when you’re playing a sport like this, when you’re laying your livelihood on the line. It always feels better when you’re doing it for somebody where it feels like their heart is there for it as well.”

Odell Beckham Jr said #Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell called him as soon as he was released by the #Giants:

“It seemed as if he wanted me to be here. It always feels better when you’re doing it for somebody where it feels like their heart is there for it.” pic.twitter.com/Y1g8fQYaSr https://t.co/wfWMSG6t3g

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) October 7, 2026

Beckham could have explored other opportunities after the Giants released him on Sept. 29. However, Minnesota offered him familiarity with O’Connell, who was the Los Angeles Rams’ offensive coordinator when Beckham joined the team during the 2021 season.

That run ended with Beckham and O’Connell winning Super Bowl LVI. Beckham caught the game’s opening touchdown before suffering a torn ACL in the second quarter.

The 33-year-old returned to the Giants this offseason after sitting out the 2025 season, but his second stint in New York ended quickly. He played 19 offensive snaps and didn’t record a catch before the sides parted before Week 4.

Beckham also has a personal connection in Minnesota through Justin Jefferson. The receivers have known each other for years through their LSU ties, and Beckham already joked about choosing No. 9 because of Jefferson.

“The reason I picked 9 is because Justin got half his game from me,” Beckham said Wednesday.

Jefferson is working back from a sprained ankle and expected to play on Sunday, while fellow wideout Jordan Addison is dealing with hamstring soreness. At this point, it’s unknown if Beckham will make his Vikings debut this weekend.

The undefeated Vikings visit the New Orleans Saints on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.

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Nix has rushed for just 25 yards through Denver’s first four games, a significant departure from the mobility he displayed during his first two NFL seasons. After Sunday’s 24-14 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, Nix explained that his reduced rushing production is tied to his development within Sean Payton’s offense.

“I think because I’m seeing the field better and I know what my outlets are and I’m getting to them faster,” Nix said. “I think that’s just a product of being in a system for three years and understanding.”

Bo Nix said the reason he’s not running as much is because he’s seeing the field better.

States that he would rather get the ball to RJ Harvey and have him run than have himself run pic.twitter.com/hLzD6AiYBR

— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevens) October 7, 2026

Nix then made his preference clear when discussing the choice between keeping the ball and getting it to running back RJ Harvey.

The decision reflects a quarterback who believes experience is allowing him to make quicker decisions rather than relying on his legs whenever a play breaks down. Through four games, Nix has completed 81 of 135 passes for 819 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions.

However, the Broncos are coming off a frustrating performance in San Francisco and sit at 2-2. Nix completed 25 of 42 passes for 214 yards and a touchdown in the loss, while Denver managed only 14 points.

The Broncos will need their offense to find more consistency as the season moves forward. Nix’s willingness to lean on his passing ability could ultimately determine whether his new approach becomes a strength or a source of frustration.

For now, Nix believes the reduced rushing is evidence of growth. The Broncos will hope that improved decision-making eventually translates into more points and wins.

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It carried him to No. 3 in NFL Network draft analyst Lance Zierlein’s top 10 offensive rookies at the quarter mark, behind Cleveland’s Denzel Boston and Arizona’s Jeremiyah Love. Zierlein noted the 145 yards were the 11th most by any player in a game this season and that Tate’s 268 yards on 22 catches rank 15th in the league.

What Tate hasn’t been asked to do

The most interesting part of the write-up for Tennessee is what Zierlein hasn’t seen yet. “Tate is an impressive route runner but we have yet to see his full repertoire fully utilized,” he wrote. “He’s run simple slants and hitches more than any other routes so far.”

That matches the first three games, when Tate’s catches came underneath and his longest gain against the Giants in Week 3 covered 20 yards. Baltimore saw more of him downfield, including a 33-yard catch on fourth-and-11 that set up a late touchdown. Zierlein did flag one limit, writing that Tate is “not outrunning the coverage on deep throws,” before adding that his hands and feel for getting open mean “it probably won’t matter.”

The breakout had a blemish. Tate lost a fumble at the end of a long catch late in the first half, and the Ravens turned it into a 64-yard field goal. PFF graded him at 67.0 for the game and has him at 63.8 for the season. “He’s a young kid and he’s going to get better. He’s going to get more consistent,” coach Robert Saleh said after the game. “He’s going to be a good player for a while.”

Tate is still looking for his first NFL touchdown, and how much more of the route tree coordinator Brian Daboll gives him is worth watching. The 0-4 Titans host the winless Houston Texans at 1 p.m. ET Sunday at Nissan Stadium on CBS.

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Wide receiver Luther Burden III told reporters everything they need to know about how the Bears are approaching this matchup. He echoed what his head coach, teammates, and fan base want from this rivalry: beat the Packers decisively.

“[Head coach Ben Johnson] wants to beat them really bad like everyone else in the room, like every Chicago fan. Beat them real bad, and make them quit.” Burden said.

Bears-Packers Back to Being a Competitive Rivalry

During the Aaron Rodgers era of Packers football, Green Bay dominated the Bears. The Packers broke Chicago fans’ hearts and seemingly owned the rivalry. However, the tides have begun to shift in the Windy City, perhaps in a way that has Green Bay fans sweating.

The Bears have won three of the last four meetings, including the playoff matchup. For the first time since 2007, Chicago has won consecutive games against its longtime rival.

Chicago hasn’t won three consecutive matchups against the Packers in 20 years. Not only could this game represent a sweet changing of the guard for Bears fans, but it also carries significant early-season stakes. It has been quite some time since the Bears could enter a game against Green Bay with so much on the line, especially this early in the season.

Big Stakes Early?

The Bears are 3-1, while the Packers sit at 2-2. By the end of Week 5, Chicago could be 4-1 and in second place in the NFC North. Just as easily, the Bears could fall to 3-2 and sit in last place with an 0-2 record in divisional games in 2026.

In a divisional race that, while still early, remains tightly contested, falling two games behind in the division could deliver a gut punch to Chicago’s 2026 campaign.

It certainly wouldn’t be the end of the world, but it’s a slow start Johnson doesn’t want his team to have. Green Bay will give Chicago everything it can handle in this grudge match.

Can the Bears win on the road with their backup quarterback and earn three straight wins over the Packers for the first time in 20 years?

Taylor presents an especially difficult matchup for a Steelers defense that missed too many tackles in Week 4 against the Cleveland Browns. If Pittsburgh cannot clean up those issues, Taylor has the ability to turn missed tackles into explosive gains and put the Colts’ offense in position to control the game.

Taylor Can Turn Steelers Missed Tackles Into Huge Gains

The Steelers have struggled with missed tackles at times this season. In Week 4, the issue stuck out like a sore thumb as Pittsburgh missed 14 tackles, and Cleveland took full advantage. Taylor will be that much more difficult to contain and presents a massive mismatch for a defense that has struggled to consistently bring ball carriers down.

Taylor not only forces missed tackles, but he also excels at gaining yards after contact. Of his 353 rushing yards this season, 229 have come after contact, as Taylor averages 2.66 yards after contact per attempt. If the Steelers cannot consistently tackle Taylor, that could lead to a huge day for the Colts’ rushing attack. He currently averages 73.3 rushing yards against the Steelers in four career games.

Steelers Down Key Defensive Lineman

It also doesn’t get any easier for Pittsburgh considering the Steelers will be without Derrick Harmon for at least the next four games. Harmon suffered a foot injury in Week 4 and landed on injured reserve this week. He has been an asset against the run and played a key role in limiting Taylor to 45 rushing yards in the 2025 matchup.

That could prove to be a significant blow to the Steelers’ defense if one of their two young defensive tackles cannot step up.

The prime candidate for this game could be rookie sixth-round pick Gabriel Rubio. The 2026 selection out of Notre Dame has a calling card against the run, which he displayed during the preseason when he recorded six tackles and five run stuffs. His versatility could also put him in a nose tackle role, as he played 30 snaps at that position and another 38 outside of the 0- and 1-techniques.

Regardless of who becomes the next man up, the Steelers need to tackle better while holding their own along the line of scrimmage. Otherwise, Taylor will be in position to have a big day in Week 5.

But things quickly devolved for them, as a cluster of injuries accumulated even as they continued to win games. When they closed out the regular season against the Seahawks, they scored just three points and lost by 10, as they mustered just 173 total yards of offense.

Then came the divisional round of the NFL playoffs, where the Niners got slaughtered by Seattle 41-6. Once again, they had trouble moving the football, and they fell behind 17-0 before they scored for the first time.

The painful memories of that defeat have stuck in the minds and hearts of the Niners ever since. This Sunday, they will return to Lumen Field and have a chance to gain a measure of revenge against the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks.

It seems like no one on the roster needs any external motivation.

One player makes an admission about his team’s attitude toward the Seahawks

Once again, the Niners are short-handed due to injuries. A number of wide receivers and defensive linemen are out of action, and fullback Kyle Juszczyk, safety Marques Sigle and cornerback Upton Stout got injured last Sunday versus the Denver Broncos. Juszczyk, Sigle and Stout missed practice on Wednesday as a result.

Sigle is expected to miss this Sunday’s game with an ankle injury. It will present Malik Mustapha with an opportunity to get more snaps, and he knows what it would mean to defeat Seattle.

“I think it’s unspoken. Everyone knows what it is. Everyone knows the mindset going into it. We don’t like them, and we have to go after it and get the job done.”

The 49ers and Seahawks have been rivals dating back to the early 2010s. Now, just as they did then, the Seahawks win with a withering defense. These days, their defense has been masterminded by head coach Mike Macdonald, who is gaining respect as a high-quality tactician. San Francisco will need to find a way to continue to protect Purdy well and attack that defense consistently and efficiently both on the ground and in the air.

San Francisco is undefeated at 4-0 and ranks second in scoring and third in points allowed, while Purdy is playing MVP-level football. The Seahawks are 3-1 and are looking to fully return to the lofty level of play they were at last year when they finished with a 14-3 record.

Both teams could have something to prove. The Niners can prove that their 4-0 start is no fluke, while Seattle can prove that it is still the best team in the NFC despite losing Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III to the Kansas City Chiefs this offseason.

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Already, some are clamoring for new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel to be fired, something head coach Jim Harbaugh insisted isn’t a possibility. Some feel general manager Joe Hortiz needs to be fired, and some are even wondering if Harbaugh could be shown the door.

Perhaps a somewhat easier thing for the Chargers to do in order to at least set themselves up for better results next year is to make roster changes. Lately, there has been growing talk that veteran edge rusher Khalil Mack could be traded before the Nov. 10 trade deadline. In fact, one executive said he believes Mack will be gone by then.

But one other star on the Chargers’ defensive unit could also be moved, and it is a surprise one.

Who else could be sent away?

In an article for CBS Sports, Jordan Dajani mentioned multiple Chargers players on expiring contracts who could be traded, and one name he prominently mentioned is one fans may not have expected — Tuli Tuipulotu.

Tuipulotu recently turned 24 years of age and is an emerging star. The edge rusher made the Pro Bowl for the first time last year with 13 sacks, 23 quarterback hits and 20 tackles for loss, and through four games this year, he has eight QB hits, two tackles for loss, two sacks, two passes defended and one forced fumble.

There doesn’t seem to be any real progress on an extension for him, which led Dajani to speculate that the Los Angeles-area product could be on the move.

“The Chargers front office has likely already spent some time negotiating with Tuipulotu’s camp, so they have some idea whether a long-term extension is in the cards,” Dajani wrote. “If it’s not, it makes sense to acquire draft capital rather than lose a starting pass rusher for nothing. The Chargers did spend a first-round pick on a pass rusher in this past draft with Akheem Mesidor.”

Dajani mentioned the Seattle Seahawks, Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys as three potentially good fits for Tuipulotu.

Obviously, it would be better for the Chargers to come to terms on an extension with Tuipulotu, given how young he is and how productive he is. But owner and chairman Dean Spanos has a reputation, whether true or not, for being stingy, and there is always the chance he simply won’t be willing to pay Tuipulotu what he will demand.

Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus is one analyst who feels the team will be a seller ahead of the deadline. He also feels Tuipulotu could be a trade candidate, and he named two other interesting possible fits: the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens, two perennial contenders who are looking for that one star edge rusher to put them over the top.

Los Angeles Chargers Essentials

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Where the experts split is on the margin, and the betting line has moved with them. Dallas was favored by 10 on Monday.

CBS Sports

Pete Prisco: Cowboys 34, Buccaneers 14

Prisco has the most lopsided score of anyone, and his reasoning centers on Daniels. “He will be making his first road start,” Prisco wrote of the rookie, who threw two interceptions in his debut against Green Bay. Tyler Sullivan has it 34-20 and John Breech has it 27-17, so all three CBS writers see Dallas winning by double digits.

ESPN

FPI: Cowboys by 11.4

ESPN’s Football Power Index is more confident than the sportsbooks. The model favors Dallas by 11.4 points and gives the Cowboys an 87% chance to win outright. That margin would be Tampa Bay’s first loss by more than seven points this season.

NBC Sports

Vaughn Dalzell: Cowboys -8.5

Dalzell is laying the points and likes Dallas to clear its team total of 28.5. “I doubt Jalon Daniels will be effective,” he wrote in his preview, pointing to the short week. The Cowboys have scored at least 31 in three straight games.

Sports Illustrated

Iain MacMillan: Buccaneers +9.5

Here is the first dissent. MacMillan stops short of calling for an upset, but he sided with Tampa Bay because of what Dallas has shown on defense. “I can’t lay this many points on this Cowboys team,” he wrote. Dallas allows 28.0 points per game and ranks 30th in yards allowed. The Buccaneers’ defense ranks fourth. Colleague Peter Dewey is on the over at 47.5, noting every Cowboys game this season has gone over the total.

Bleacher Report

Kristopher Knox: Buccaneers +8.5

Knox landed in the same place, writing in his picks column that “Dallas’ defense remains a major liability” and that Daniels’ scrambling could keep the score tight. There is support for that. Daniels ran for 55 yards against the Packers, and the Cowboys have allowed the most rushing yards to quarterbacks in the league.

Tampa Bay has played 10 straight one-score games going back to last season, so the two holdouts have recent history on their side. The Buccaneers have also failed to cover in 13 straight, according to The Associated Press. Kickoff is 8:15 p.m. ET on Prime Video.

More on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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• Todd Bowles Needs Wins in the Buccaneers’ Next Five Games or the Week 10 Bye Could End His Run

Zierlein ended his write-up with a caution, though. Coach Mike LaFleur told reporters that Love tweaked an ankle in the Week 4 loss to the New York Giants, and it is a different ankle from the one he sprained in the preseason.

What LaFleur has said about Love’s ankle

“It’s been kind of lingering a little bit. Nothing too extreme,” LaFleur told Arizona Sports’ Burns & Gambo on Monday. He said Love “just kind of felt it a little bit” against the Giants. That helps explain why Tyler Allgeier played 36 snaps to Love’s 30 and why the rookie watched all four plays from the Giants’ 4-yard line at the end of the 36-24 loss.

Love was limited on Wednesday’s injury report. LaFleur said the ankle “shouldn’t impact” him for Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions and described the plan as maintenance.

The production shows why Arizona is being careful. Love has 223 rushing yards on 55 carries, a 4.1-yard average, and Zierlein noted that total ranks 19th in the league. He has scored once as a runner and once as a receiver. Zierlein wrote that the run lanes “have been average” and credited Love’s play strength and acceleration for squeezing the most out of his touches. PFF has him at a 72.6 rushing grade, compared with 59.2 for Allgeier.

Love is thinking about the long haul, too. “I’m really frustrated with myself because I just want to be good. I want to be 100 percent,” he said after the Giants game. He also acknowledged the staff’s approach: “This is probably going to be the longest year of my life, and I want to manage that workload.”

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That matchup could decide whether the Colts can finally end their long winless drought in Pittsburgh, which dates back to Nov. 9, 2008. Jones has shown he can operate Shane Steichen’s rhythm-based passing game, but Arthur argued the offense cannot survive its familiar sequence of scoring drives followed by quick giveaways that hand opponents extra possessions.

Arthur said Pittsburgh’s defense has not been dominant by every conventional measure, but its takeaways have covered for those shortcomings. That makes Jones’ decision-making and pocket awareness the Colts’ most urgent offensive issue, especially if the Steelers can force obvious passing situations and let T.J. Watt attack.

The absence of Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce has made Jones’ task harder. Pierce played only 17 snaps in Week 2 before leaving with a heel injury, and Indianapolis later placed him on injured reserve. Arthur said Pierce’s vertical speed had helped keep defenses honest and opened space underneath for the rest of the offense.

Without that downfield threat, Arthur sees a passing game still searching for answers around wide receivers Josh Downs, Keenan Allen and Laquon Treadwell, along with tight end Tyler Warren. Downs can create separation, but Arthur said opponents have been able to crowd Warren and challenge the Colts to generate explosives without Pierce stretching the field.

That leaves running back Jonathan Taylor as the offense’s dependable answer. Arthur said Steichen’s preferred formula is to use the passing game to soften defenses early, then let Taylor close games out. Jones protecting the football is what gives that formula a chance to reach the second half intact.

The Colts do not need Jones to carry the offense at Acrisure Stadium. They need him to avoid the giveaways that can erase Taylor’s impact and give Pittsburgh’s offense short fields.

Colts News and Notes

– Taylor remains the centerpiece of Indianapolis’ red zone plan. Arthur said the Colts intentionally lean on their ground game in short-yardage and goal-to-go situations, where Taylor and Jones’ quarterback sneaks behind center Tanor Bortolini and guard Quenton Nelson give the offense multiple answers.

– Arthur identified the Colts’ four-man rush as a major defensive concern. He said the unit has needed blitzes to create pressure, placing added importance on DeForest Buckner and Adetomiwa Adebawore generating disruption against a Pittsburgh offense that wants to establish its physical running game.

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The No. 1 wide receiver spoke Wednesday about becoming a leader in the New York offense amid injuries to quarterback Jaxson Dart and now wide receiver Braxton Berrios, each of whom has been placed on injured reserve.

Nabers, the No. 6 pick of the 2024 NFL draft, is already the Giants’ single-season franchise leader for receptions (109). Although Nabers isn’t part of the Giants’ leadership council under first-year coach John Harbaugh, the coaching staff is pushing him to become more vocal.

Malik Nabers Has ‘A Huge Voice’ in the Giants’ Offense

Nabers seems to prefer to let his play do the talking. He is quiet and reserved off the field, especially after missing all but 13 quarters of the Giants’ 2025 season.

“Right now, since we’re down a couple of people, I’m just trying to lead the team to get more wins,” Nabers said. “The more and more I’m reserved and not really saying a lot, it kind of can be either taken as the wrong way or a positive way.”

But the new coaching staff is trying to pull Nabers’ leadership capabilities out of him. Running backs coach Willie Taggart spoke with Nabers on Wednesday about using his words more effectively with teammates.

“I have a huge voice in the offense,” Nabers said. “Just using my voice and just knowing how to use my voice the right way. … Everything doesn’t have to be an outburst or anything like that. Just simply having a one-on-one conversation or getting the offense going like, ‘Let’s go.’ Just using my voice as a leader and being that guy that everybody wants me to be.”

Malik Nabers Made Suggestions to John Harbaugh

Part of Nabers using his voice is to articulate his perspective to Harbaugh, and he did so after the Giants’ 36-24 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday by requesting more targets.

“Just also trying to give me the ball down the field to create some of those opportunities for us to gain more points,” Nabers said. “It felt like during the first half when we did that, it kind of led into the right direction with scoring touchdowns in the red zone, and after that, we just couldn’t get going.”

After a massive 84-yard outburst in the first half, Nabers only had one catch after halftime, a 28-yarder in the third quarter. The Giants offense only scored 11 points in the second half, in part because they couldn’t get Nabers involved.

“I felt like the offense was needing a spark and I wanted to be that spark,” Nabers said. “I was just trying to figure out what was going on and what was the thought process on going into after halftime and coming out [and] what was the talk that he had with the coaches on implementing things down the field — we had a talk about it.”

As with most weeks, the Raiders will need an entire team effort to win. While obvious stars like Brock Bowers and Maxx Crosby can shape the outcome of a game, these four Raiders need to have a big game. 

Cody White

The Raiders wide receiver room is depleted due to injuries. Jack Bech and Jalen Nailor were injured in consecutive weeks, meaning Cody White finished Week 4’s loss to Kansas City as the number two wide receiver. 

White started the season on the practice squad and was elevated for game day for the first three games. He was signed to the active roster ahead of last week’s game. He has only caught five passes this season, but three of them have gone for touchdowns. 

Leading wide receiver Tre Tucker is healthy and had a 119-yard performance against the Chargers, but Las Vegas needs more from the wide receivers. This week, White may be the only real option by default. 

Ashton Jeanty

Ashton Jeanty is struggling again. After a dismal rookie season, Jeanty is putting up even worse numbers this year. He is averaging 3.4 yards per carry, as Las Vegas ranks dead last in the NFL in the stat. 

If the offense is going to continue to produce, the running game has to get going. Jeanty may be hurt; he pulled himself out of last week’s game a couple of times. He suffered an ankle injury in training camp, but has not missed any game time. The Raiders listed him as a full participant on Wednesday’s injury report as well. 

Jeanty needs to start performing like a top-10 pick. 

Kwity Paye 

Kwity Paye had two sacks in the Raiders’ season-opening win against Miami and then disappeared. 

The Raiders’ newest edge rusher has just one quarterback pressure after posting eight against the Dolphins. Last week, the Raiders defense looked like the Maxx Crosby solo show. Crosby had eight pressures in Week 4. No one else on the team had more than two.

That is supposed to be Paye’s job. He is expected to create havoc as a secondary threat behind Crosby. But since Week 1, he has not made many plays. We have seen the Raiders’ defense when Crosby is the only competent pass rusher, and it hasn’t been good. 

Hezekiah Masses

Hezekiah Masses has had an eventful start to his NFL career. He came on in Week 1 after starter Darien Porter left with an injury, and he broke up the first pass he saw. 

The rookie then picked off two of Justin Herbert’s passes in Week 2 and added a third interception against the Saints in Week 3. He has been making plays for the defense. 

But then the Chiefs attacked Masses. He was targeted seven times last week, the most of any Raider. The Chiefs scored two touchdowns when throwing at Masses, who didn’t have a pass breakup in the game. 

New England’s passing offense is not off to a hot start, as the Patriots are 21st in expected points added on drop backs. But Masses can’t get exposed like he did last week.

Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano put Ryans seventh in his updated hot seat rankings after he was unranked on the previous list. Vacchiano wrote that firing the 42-year-old “would be harsh” and that staff changes are the likelier outcome. With the window closing on a quarterback on a rookie contract, though, he added, “don’t be shocked if they at least think about hiring a coach who can make that investment pay off.”

How C.J. Stroud’s contract affects DeMeco Ryans

Houston picked up Stroud’s fifth-year option in April, which pays him $25.9 million in 2027, and the two sides tabled extension talks until after this season. Vacchiano wrote that Stroud “has been stuck in neutral since his rookie season,” but the early numbers push back on that. Stroud has thrown for 1,141 yards and five touchdown passes without an interception, and his 81.2 grade is the best among Texans who have played all four games on offense, according to PFF.

The defense is where Houston has slipped. It finished first in the league last season and ranks 20th this season, allowing 27.3 points per game. The Texans gave up a 96-yard touchdown drive to Buffalo in the final three minutes of the opener and let Dallas go 74 yards in under two minutes for the winning score Sunday. “If our guys are saying communication is not right, then ultimately it falls on me,” Ryans said.

Not everyone sees real danger. ESPN’s Dan Graziano has called Ryans safe, and the conversation in Houston has centered more on whether general manager Nick Caserio could take the fall.

Ryans also turned a 0-3 start into a 12-5 season a year ago. The odds are longer this time, since only the 1992 Chargers have reached the playoffs after starting 0-4. Houston visits winless Tennessee on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on CBS.

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NFL Network draft analyst Lance Zierlein put Boston at No. 1 in his top 10 offensive rookies at the quarter mark, ahead of Arizona running back Jeremiyah Love, the third pick, and Tennessee receiver Carnell Tate, the fourth. His reasoning came down to consistency. “While others on the list have one or two big games that account for much of their production, Boston has delivered each week,” Zierlein wrote.

Why Boston landed ahead of Love, Tate

Boston has 13 catches for 284 yards and two touchdowns. That yardage is the ninth most by a rookie through Week 4 since 2016, according to the Next Gen Stats figures Zierlein cited, and 10 of the 13 receptions went for a first down or a score. He has a catch of at least 46 yards in three of his four games, including a 60-yarder in the 27-24 win over Pittsburgh that stands as Cleveland’s longest play of the season.

His 284 yards lead all rookies and his 21.8 yards per catch leads the league, according to The Associated Press. The AP also noted he is the fourth player in league history with a touchdown catch of at least 45 yards in each of his first two games. PFF has given him a 77.6 receiving grade through four games, the best among Browns wide receivers.

Coach Todd Monken expects more. “He’s done an excellent job early on, and he’s only going to continue to get better because that’s his mindset,” Monken said after the Steelers game. Boston told reporters Wednesday that none of this caught him off guard. “I planned on coming in and making an impact,” he said. Quarterback Deshaun Watson has seen it coming since the spring. “The way he operates, it’s real professional,” Watson said. “It’s been great.”

Zierlein called Boston “a confident ball-winner” who “has taken to his role as WR1 much earlier than expected.” The 3-1 Browns visit the New York Jets at 1 p.m. ET Sunday on CBS.

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