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The unions representing hospitality workers in Las Vegas on Thursday reached a tentative deal with MGM Resorts International for a new contract covering nearly 25,400 employees, less than 24 hours before a strike threatened to shut down the Strip.

The Culinary Workers and Bartenders Unions said they have a five-year tentative agreement with the casino operator, which averts a strike at eight MGM properties and comes a day after rival Caesars Entertainment reached a deal with 10,000 workers.

MGM Resorts, the biggest Las Vegas operator by number of employees, said on Wednesday that the new contract would result in the largest pay increase in the history of its contracts with the unions.

MGM did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Shares of MGM were up 1.78% in morning trading.

The negotiations, which began in April, came as a number of unions across industries press employers for better pay and benefits, buoyed by a shortage of workers.

The Las Vegas unions, considered among the most powerful in the United States, were demanding meaningful wage increases, funds for healthcare and pensions as well as a reduction in steep housekeeping quotas and mandating of daily room cleaning.

Caesars Entertainment, the second-biggest Las Vegas casino operator by number of employees, said that its deal with the unions provides “meaningful wage increases” and aligns with plans to bring more union jobs to the Strip.

Wynn Resorts has yet to yield an agreement ahead of Friday’s strike deadline but said it has negotiations scheduled with the unions on Thursday.

Casino resort operators have been earning record profits from a steady post-pandemic recovery in Las Vegas tourism.

Visits to the city in September were 4% lower than in the same period in 2019, according to data from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. Room rates, however, have surged more than 47%.

The city is gearing up for events including the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix this month, which is expected to draw thousands of tourists.

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United Airlines plans to make it easier for customers to earn elite status through co-branded Chase credit cards, the latest airline to tweak its lucrative frequent flyer program to reward big spenders.

The airline isn’t changing overall requirements for elite frequent flyer status next year, a first for the carrier since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Instead, United said Thursday that in 2024, it will reward customers with 25 qualifying points for every $500 they spend on co-branded cards. Currently, customers get 500 points for every $12,000 spent. The carrier will also lift caps on credit card spending that can qualify toward elite status.

Travelers need 5,000 qualifying points plus four flights to get to silver status, the lowest level, or have a combination of flights and points.

Airlines reward their elites with perks such as free upgrades, when available; earlier boarding; and other perks.

But ranks of elite frequent flyers have surged in recent years as travelers continued to spend during the Covid-19 pandemic and airlines allowed them to hold on to their tier status even if they weren’t flying.

That has challenged airlines to keep their programs both exclusive and reasonably attainable and angered elites who are jostling alongside fellow travelers for upgrades or airport lounge access.

Delta Air Lines in September said elite status would be awarded solely on spend — instead of a combination of flights and spending — though last month it walked back some planned changes to its SkyMiles program and lounge access limits after customer complaints.

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David Ross is still processing his thoughts and feelings about being fired by the Chicago Cubs.

However, the Tallahassee resident is thankful for the opportunity to manage the club for four seasons. He’s also looking forward to the future, both professionally and personally, as he deals with emotions from Monday’s turn that stunned the baseball world.

The Cubs dismissed Ross and signed former Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell to a record-setting five-year, $40 million contract.

“I think the thing that comes over me is that I am extremely thankful for the opportunity, to be honest,” an emotional Ross told the Tallahassee Democrat in an exclusive interview Thursday.

“There was a lot of people who worked really hard alongside me. … I am really thankful for the four years I got, coming from zero coaching experience to getting the chance to manage such a great organization that has impacted my life in a great way. There’s great people there. I really don’t have a whole lot negative to say, to be honest.

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“I get mad from time to time but I have a lot to be thankful for.”

Ross, who helped lead the Cubs to the organization’s first World Series championship as a player in 2016, was handpicked to replace Joe Maddon as manager in 2019.

Ross, 46 went 262-284 with the Cubs, leading them to the 2020 NL Central title in the COVID-shortened season.

They rallied from 10 games below .500 in midsummer this season, but stumbled down the stretch in a crowded NL wild-card race behind division winner Milwaukee.  

What David Ross said to Cubs president Jed Hoyer

Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer traveled to Florida Monday and met with Ross at his home.

Hoyer has defended his decision to fire Ross, saying, ‘Yes, it was incredibly hard to let Rossy go,’ and hire Counsell in interviews from the Major League Baseball’s general managers’ meetings in Scottsdale, Arizona.

“We had our conversation,” Ross said.

“If my boss doesn’t think I am a good manager, then he should move on. I don’t fault him for that. If he doesn’t think I am the right guy, that’s his job. That’s his choice. I have my own thoughts and opinions that I will keep to myself.”

David Ross talks with FSU legend Charlie Ward

Ross was the guest speaker Thursday at a local church for the first annual Championship Breakfast, held in conjunction with the Charlie and Tonja Ward Family Foundation.

Ward is the former Heisman Trophy winning quarterback at Florida State and current boys basketball coach at Florida High. The pair held a Chalk Talk session, where Ross was emotional when he talked about his family, baseball career and time with the Cubs as a player and manager.

Ross, who traveled to Chicago Thursday for a previously scheduled event, told the Democrat he is excited about his future and spending time with his three children.

“Anger and all that stuff is poison for me,” Ross said.

“It’s time for me to figure out what’s next. I have a lot of gratitude. Some of the toughest times of my life, whether it’s getting released or different things in my career, on and off the field, have been blessings at some point. Have made me a better man. There’s been a lot of good things after some really tough times in my life. Hopefully this is another one of them.

‘I try to trust in my faith and God knowing He’s got something else planned for me. That’s the way I am looking at.’

Sports Editor Jim Henry can be reached at jjhenry@tallahassee.com

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

Week 10 of the 2023 NFL season marks the start of the campaign’s second half.

It begins with Thursday’s DJ Moore Bowl in Chicago as the Bears host the wideout’s former team, the Carolina Panthers. Sunday, in Germany, the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts will bring this year’s international schedule to a close. The rest of the day features quite a few solid, if not must-see, matchups.

But the game of the weekend might take place in Jacksonville, the formidable San Francisco 49ers paying a rare visit to the scalding Jaguars in a battle of first-place teams.

Who prevails? Our panel of experts weighs in:

(Odds provided by BetMGM. Access more BetMGM odds here.)

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.

Carolina Panthers at Chicago BearsIndianapolis Colts at New England PatriotsCleveland Browns at Baltimore RavensHouston Texans at Cincinnati BengalsSan Francisco 49ers at Jacksonville JaguarsNew Orleans Saints at Minnesota VikingsGreen Bay Packers at Pittsburgh SteelersTennessee Titans at Tampa Bay BuccaneersAtlanta Falcons at Arizona CardinalsDetroit Lions at Los Angeles ChargersNew York Giants at Dallas CowboysWashington Commanders at Seattle SeahawksNew York Jets at Las Vegas RaidersDenver Broncos at Buffalo Bills

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The Week 11 college football schedule is, in a word, loaded. The schedule features four top-15 matchups for our expert pickers to ponder.

The headliner, of course, is No. 2 Michigan’s trip to No. 9 Penn State, the first ranked opponent the Wolverines face this season. In the SEC, top-rated Georgia looks to secure its place in the league title game hosting No. 10 Mississippi, and No. 12 Tennessee travels to No. 15 Missouri in a game with possible New Year’s Six bowl implications. Out west, No. 5 Washington puts its perfect record on the line against No. 14 Utah.

All but one of the teams ranked in the US LBM Coaches Poll are in action, with No. 11 Louisville’s Thursday night home date with Virginia providing a jump start to the weekend. Here’s how our staff predicts all the outcomes.

Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside.

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DENVER – Seattle Kraken forward Jordan Eberle will miss the game at Colorado on Thursday night after suffering a cut to his leg from a skate blade during practice.

Kraken coach Dave Hakstol said after the morning skate Thursday at Ball Arena that Eberle was “day-to-day right now as we go forward.” Eberle arrived at the rink with his teammates.

Eberle suffered the cut during a practice on Wednesday. Seattle general manager Ron Francis told The Seattle Times that Eberle suffered a cut near his quad muscle and had an MRI to determine the severity of the injury.

Hakstol said Eberle underwent the procedure “to make sure that they went through and discovered everything that was going on with him.

“He’s doing well today,” Eberle said. He won’t play tonight.”

The injury to Eberle comes with skate cuts in the spotlight after former NHL player Adam Johnson died last month after his neck was cut by a skate blade during a game in England.

Eberle has one goal and three assists in 13 games this season, his third with Seattle. The injury prompted the Kraken to call up top prospects Shane Wright and Ryan Winterton from Coachella Valley of the American Hockey League. Wright was Seattle’s first-round pick in 2022 and Winterton was a third-round pick in 2021. Wright appeared in eight games last season for Seattle, while Winterton is playing in his first season above juniors.

Winterton said his parents are flying in from Toronto to be in the stands for his NHL debut.

“It’s been kind of crazy, honestly. Just kind of living out my childhood dream, which is kind of surreal,” Winterton said. “I don’t think it’s hit me yet, but it’s definitely cool to be here. It’s cool to get the call.”

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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — They stood 20 feet from one another Wednesday afternoon, with microphones and notepads in their face, but not once did they speak.

It had been two days since the Chicago Cubs stole Craig Counsell away from the Milwaukee Brewers, and still, Matt Arnold, Brewers president of baseball operations and Jed Hoyer, Cubs president of baseball operations, have yet to talk.

One day, it will happen.

Apparently, just not any time soon.

The wound is too fresh, the cut is too deep, and the emotions are too raw.

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The good folks of Wisconsin are livid that Counsell, who was nearly as beloved as broadcaster Bob Uecker, departed for the Cubs, of all teams.

Sure, they would have been disappointed if Counsell had left for the New York Mets, but they would have understood the reasoning, all $40 million worth.

They would have been upset if Counsell had left for the Cleveland Guardians, replacing Terry Francona, but at least he would have been in the other league and warmly welcomed every time he returned.

But the Cubs?

The hated Cubs?

The team that fills their own ballpark and mocks their tailgate parties and sausage races?

Come on, anyone but the Cubs, their bitter NL Central Division rivals.

Arnold was ‘very, very shocked’ that Counsell left for the Cubs, but said that they will continue to be friends, and, at least for now, neighbors in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin.

‘All the accolades, he deserves,’ Arnold said. ‘I certainly enjoyed our time together. I’ll always have good memories working with Craig Counsell.

‘He’s still my friend and neighbor, but at the same time we’re going to be competing against each other.’

The Brewers are now scrambling to find a replacement, with bench coach Pat Murphy a candidate to manage. But if Murphy doesn’t get the job, he very well could be joining Counsell in Chicago, too.

‘Mark Attanasio’s a very loyal person, and so if it ends up with Pat Murphy not being our manager,’ Arnold said, ‘he will absolutely have a home here with the Brewers.’

Time will tell whether Counsell will ever be forgiven by their fans.

MLB FREE AGENT RANKINGS: Ohtani on top, but plenty of star power available

This is the second time the Cubs hired a current manager and fired their own. They did it nine years ago when they hired Joe Maddon away from the Tampa Bay Rays, and fired Rick Renteria. Maddon led the Cubs to the NLCS in 2015 and won the World Series a year later. The move infuriated several veteran managers believing it was wrong to take someone else’s job.

This time, several mangers have privately expressed their anger toward Counsell for doing the same to David Ross. The Cubs planned to keep Ross, who had a year left on his contract, firing him only after hiring Counsell. If Counsell had not accepted the job, Ross would have been back.

The Cubs didn’t even approach Counsell until his contract officially expired Oct. 31. The Guardians and Mets asked the Brewers for permission to interview Counsell after the Brewers lost their wild-card series to the Arizona Diamondbacks in October, but the Cubs simply waited. Hoyer met him in Chicago on Nov. 1, told him about their plans to be aggressive in free agency – yes, that includes bidding for Shohei Ohtani — and the two hit it off.

‘I sat down with him for hours and hours, and just loved the conversation,’ Hoyer said. ‘He’s super engaging. Had a really great back-and-forth. And it was clear that not only his ability – his ability is obvious – but I felt there was a connection, and a commonness of purpose. From that point, I knew that obviously it had to be kept very quiet, because I couldn’t risk that publicly with David.’

The Cubs, of course, also made their job more attractive by offering Counsell a five-year, $40 million contract, making him the highest-paid manager in baseball history – twice as much as the Brewers’ four-year, $20 million offer.

‘In looking at my decision, you’re considering a number of things,’ Counsell told Milwaukee reporters, ‘and the challenging part of this industry is that there’s one job in 30 places in 30 different cities and me still preserving what I think is a great situation (working just 90 miles from his home). I was able to do that, yet also get a professional challenge. But the proximity made this attractive…

‘I understand that it was a decision that affected a lot of people. And I take that very seriously. … But as I went through it, it just became clear that I needed a new challenge.’

Hoyer, who watched Ross help win a World Series for the Cubs before spending the last four seasons working together, acknowledged this was the most emotional decision of his career. He took a flight to Ross’ home in Tallahassee, Florida, to inform him of his decision, one described as tense and emotional. Hoyer insisted Wednesday that he believes the move will be pivotal in their quest to return to the World Series.

‘I felt like it was a move that could help us win more games in the short term, more games in the long term,’ Hoyer said, ‘and I felt like that’s my responsibility in this job to make moves like that. … It was a difficult move, but a move I felt we had to do for the interest of the organization.’

The Cubs now will shift their focus to free agency, trying to sign everyone from Ohtani to Aaron Nola to Cody Bellinger, believing they can return atop the NL Central and win postseason games for the first time since 2017. Their plans to immediately win was an integral part of their recruiting pitch to Counsell.

Counsell wasn’t about to come to Chicago and settle for mediocrity.

‘We talked a lot about what our plan is,’ Hoyer said. ‘He was clearly very curious and obviously I’ve been open with him what our plans are, but you have to keep your cards a little bit close to the vest because I had no sense whether this was something he was going to do.’

Now, Counsell can share all of his secrets about the Brewers, while Arnold scrambles to find his replacement.

‘We’ve had a lot of success here, and I think Craig is part of that,’ Arnold said, ‘but Craig is not the only part of that. Our franchise has been successful because of a lot of people. Craig is certainly one of those people, but there are a lot of people here and a lot of reasons why we have had success. So now, it’s just doubling down on the good people we have.’

This heated Midwest rivalry, with the Brewers reaching the postseason in five of the past six years, and constantly reminding Cubs fans of their success, is about to become a doozy.

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It will be easier than ever to watch the National Women’s Soccer League after a historic new media deal.

The league announced a four-year media rights deal with CBS, ESPN, Amazon Prime Video and Scripps Sports on Thursday, ahead of Saturday’s championship match between Gotham FC and OL Reign.

The new media rights deal ‘sends a very strong message to the marketplace and to our fans that we are in a five-way partnership here,’ NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman said during a press conference on Thursday in San Diego. ‘We are committed collectively to ensuring that this creates the opportunity that this league deserves to be in front of fans and to make sure our fans know where to watch.’

The four-year deal, worth $60 million per year and $240 million in total, is the largest broadcast deal for any women’s sports league. ‘This moment is a celebration, a celebration of how far we’ve come and far we’re headed,’ Berman added.

Starting in 2024, CBS, ESPN, Prime Video and Scripps Sports will nationally broadcast 118 NWSL games.

Prime Video will kick off every regular-season weekend with Friday night matches, followed by a Saturday doubleheader on Scripps’-owned ION network. Prime Video will air a total of 27 games in the season, while Scripps Sports will broadcast 50 games and the 2024 NWSL Draft in January.

CBS will air a minimum of 21 games, including the 2024 NWSL Championship. ESPN will broadcast 20 games across its platforms, which will simultaneously stream live in English and Spanish on ESPN+.

“These partnerships fundamentally change the game for our league and the players who take the pitch each week. On behalf of the NWSL, our owners and players, I want to commend CBS Sports, ESPN, Prime Video and Scripps for investing in our league and affirmatively declaring to the marketplace that this league is exciting, valuable, and important,” Berman said in a press release. “We have taken great care to ensure our games are discoverable by increasing our reach in order to expose new audiences to everything that makes our league special, without compromising the economic value of our product. This is the beginning of our future.”

The record-breaking deal marks the latest expansion for the NWSL, which announced the addition of two franchises – Utah Royals FC and Bay Area FC – for the 2024 season, bringing the total number of teams to 14. By 2026, the league will expand to 16 teams.

The NSWL’s new media rights deal succeeds the league’s four-year deal with CBS Sports, which ends with the 2023 NWSL Final between Gotham FC and OL Reign on Saturday, when a first-time champion will be crowned. The championship match at San Diego’s Snapdragon Stadium also marks the final professional match for U.S soccer stars Megan Rapinoe of the Reign and Ali Krieger of Gotham.

‘We’re thrilled to extend our relationship with the NWSL, continuing as the home of the NWSL Championship and offering an expanded slate of matches on CBS as we build on the success of the last four years,’ said CBS Sports Chairman Sean McManus.

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Audio from an alleged meeting between Ole Miss football coach Lane Kiffin and junior defensive tackle DeSanto Rollins leaked Thursday, in which Kiffin berates Rollins and threatens to kick him off the team, saying: ‘go read your (expletive) rights about mental health.’

Front Office Sports published 46 seconds from the alleged meeting, which at times became contentious, and is the center of a September lawsuit Rollins filed against Kiffin and the University.

During the audio, Kiffin does the majority of the speaking, at times raising his voice and using profanity toward Rollins, 22, who is a native of Baton Rouge, La.

What is said in the leaked audio during the alleged meeting between Lane Kiffin and DeSanto Rollins?

The full transcript is as follows:

KIFFIN: If you would’ve come here when you kept getting messages that Head Coach wants to talk to you, and you say, ‘I’m not ready to talk to him.’

ROLLINS: I wasn’t.

KIFFIN: Well, what (expletive) world do you live in?

ROLLINS: I don’t see why you got to be disrespectful, honestly.

KIFFIN: Get out of here. Go. Go. You’re off the team. You’re done. See ya. See ya.

ROLLINS: Cause I’m—

KIFFIN: See ya, go. Go. And guess what? We can kick you off the team. So go read your (expletive) rights about mental health, we can kick you off the team for not showing up. When the head coach asks to meet with you, and you don’t show up for weeks? OK, we can remove you from the team. It’s called being a (expletive). It’s called hiding behind (expletive) and not showing up to work.

A message left Thursday afternoon for a spokesperson with the Ole Miss football program was not immediately returned.

What is the latest development in the lawsuit against Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss?

On Wednesday, Kiffin and his attorneys filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, according to court documents obtained by the Clarion Ledger, which is part of the USA TODAY Network. The motion indicates that Rollins is still considered to be an active member of the football program.

According to online roster on the Rebels’ official athletic website, Rollins is still listed, though he has not appeared in a game during the 2023 season.

What are the allegations made in the lawsuit against Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss?

The lawsuit seeks $40 million in damages and alleges:

Racial discrimination on the part of Kiffin and Ole MissDiscrimination on the basis of disability — or perceived disability — on the part of Kiffin and Ole MissSexual discrimination on the part of Ole MissIntentional affliction of emotional distress on the part of KiffinNegligence and gross negligence on the part of Kiffin and Ole Miss

Rollins is also seeking a temporary restraining order and a temporary injunction that reinstates him to the football team.

He alleges that he did not receive a mental health evaluation after sustaining a concussion during the Grove Bowl in April 2022. That July, he endured an injury to his Achilles tendon that the filing says left him suffering from ‘severe depression, anxiety, frustration, embarrassment, humiliation, a loss of sleep and loss of appetite that substantially limited his ability to perform major life activities of walking, jumping, standing for long periods of time, standing on his toes, climbing, eating and sleeping.’

The suit also claims Rollins suffered similar symptoms when he reaggravated a previous injury to his lateral collateral ligament in his knee that August. He alleges that Kiffin and the Ole Miss coaching staff forced him to practice afterward. He alleges Ole Miss failed to provide him with mental health resources in response to his injuries, or the death of his grandmother the following January.

What is the racial component to the allegations against Ole Miss?

Over the summer, Kiffin said that the entire football staff at Ole Miss is Mental Health First Aid certified. The University claimed it was the first program in the country to do so.

Rollins alleges that Kiffin has never kicked a white player off the team for requesting or taking a mental health break and that a white player who had been removed from the team had been allowed to return. The filing also alleges that women’s volleyball players and white softball players had been allowed to take breaks to deal with ‘mental issues.’

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Monday’s Chargers-Jets game – hopefully you didn’t do yourself the disservice of watching it – marked the completion of Week 9 of the 2023 NFL season and, as the 136th game on the rundown, concluded the end of the campaign’s first half.

As with any year, this one has had its share of surprises, disappointments, key injuries, unexpected breakouts, barnburners and duds. That all gets taken into account when issuing midseason report cards, though these grades are generally issued after assessing each team against its own unique circumstances rather than simply letting brown-nosing division leaders set the curve and flunking the cellar dwellers. But none other than Bills QB Josh Allen knows the red pen will be unsparing.

‘The math’s there. It’s not pretty. It’s not going to be easy,’ Buffalo’s star said amid his team’s atypical struggles. ‘But if there’s a locker room that can handle this, it’s this locker room right here.’

There will be no math here, Josh … but yeah, better hope he’s right, Mafia.

Without further ado, 2023 NFL midseason grades for all 32 teams:

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.

Arizona Cardinals (1-8): C-

They’ve essentially settled where many league observers expected they would – at the bottom of the barrel, in possession of the NFL’s worst record. Yet not before hanging in as a tough out against several good teams and amid key injuries, a woeful talent deficiency, green coaching staff, absence of injured QB1 Kyler Murray and trade of QB2 Joshua Dobbs. Also, through no fault of GM Monti Ossenfort’s, that first-round pick he obtained from the Texans on draft night continues to lose value as Houston improves. All told, tip of the cap to a Cardinals club that could have rolled over for not doing so.

Atlanta Falcons (4-5): C

They’re a game out in the NFC South and a game out of the conference’s final wild-card spot. Might it be different had HC Arthur Smith’s (perhaps commendable) commitment to second-year QB Desmond Ridder not strayed toward (perhaps) stubbornness? Might it be different had Atlanta made a run at a veteran quarterback (read: Lamar Jackson) in the offseason? Who’s to say? But credit the defense for being much improved. And the offense has the play makers to take off … if new QB1 Taylor Heinicke can ignite it. With the league’s easiest remaining schedule (based on opponents’ winning percentages), the opportunity is there.

Baltimore Ravens (7-2): A-

Buffalo Bills (5-4): C

When they win, there tends to be little doubt – yet that hasn’t happened with the regularity that’s become commonplace since Allen’s rise to prominence. And he’s been dealing with a tender wing at a time when the offense seems to have gotten stale and predictable, and while the defense has been decimated by injuries. There’s still time for Buffalo (eighth place in the AFC) to start a stampede, but it’s growing critically short.

Carolina Panthers (1-7): F

They finally broke into the win column, but that hardly conceals what’s been a fairly disastrous season. No team has surrendered more points, though Carolina’s defense has consistently been put into bad spots by the offense. And that’s where the primary issues lie. Signed during free agency, RB Miles Sanders hasn’t produced. The offensive line has been horrid tackle to tackle. And the net effect has been deleterious for rookie QB Bryce Young, whose lack of protection has led to regular beatings, poor decisions and increasingly bad reads. And, now, he’s forced to hear the second guessers who, in hindsight, are ripping the Panthers for not picking C.J. Stroud first overall.

Chicago Bears (2-7): D

After a dreadful 0-4 start, they seemed to find something during a Week 5 rout of the Commanders on a Thursday night prime-time stage. DJ Moore seems to have solved the long-festering issues at wideout, too. But then QB Justin Fields injured his throwing thumb, putting any progress on pause. It’s also worth questioning GM Ryan Poles for spending another high-end second-round draft pick at the trade deadline, this time for DL Montez Sweat – a player who isn’t going to reverse Chicago’s fortunes in 2023 yet could have been pursued, along with superior pass rushers, on next year’s free agent market. At least Poles probably limited the potential damage by extending Sweat’s contract.

Cincinnati Bengals (5-3): B+

You have to commend QB Joe Burrow for playing through his early season calf injury, which clearly debilitated him and, by extension, the offense as a whole. You also have to wonder why a group with this much talent couldn’t figure out a way to work around the quarterback’s temporary limitations a bit more effectively. Regardless, Cincy persevered, has now won five of six and very much appears capable of reaching a third consecutive AFC championship game. At minimum.

Cleveland Browns (5-3): B+

They’ve probably got the league’s best defense. They’ve probably got the league’s best defensive player, DE Myles Garrett. They’ve somehow maintained the league’s third-ranked rushing game despite losing Pro Bowl RB Nick Chubb to a grisly Week 2 knee injury. And they’re currently seeded sixth in the AFC playoff picture even though QB Deshaun Watson (shoulder) has essentially played in half the games. If he settles into any semblance of a rhythm, the Browns will be a very tough proposition late in the season.

Dallas Cowboys (5-3): B-

The defense remains among the league’s best, despite the loss of CB Trevon Diggs (ACL) and embarrassing defeats at Arizona and San Francisco. But the offense has generally regressed under HC Mike McCarthy – and before you point to the Cowboys ranking third in points per game, remember five of their 23 touchdowns have come on defense or special teams, while rookie K Brandon Aubrey has been a record-setting sniper. Otherwise? QB Dak Prescott and Co. are monsters between the 20-yard lines, but minnows in the red zone – Dallas’ 43.8% TD conversion rate the league’s fourth worst. And a once-fearsome O-line continues to degrade. But don’t discount a second-half surge, the Cowboys’ upcoming schedule far more forgiving than first-place Philadelphia’s.

Denver Broncos (3-5): C-

The hiring of HC Sean Payton was understandably heralded. But the veteran coach made a rookie mistake by bringing unnecessary scrutiny to his team over the summer and also made the wrong hire at defensive coordinator given the way Vance Joseph’s unit has “performed” – surrendering 70 points in one game and the most yards per game in the league. Yet following a 1-5 start, Payton (and GM George Paton) resisted the urge to blow the roster up before the trade deadline, and the Broncos have now won two in a row – including their first defeat of the Chiefs in eight years. And while Russell Wilson has hardly been perfect, he’s much closer to the quarterback the Broncos thought they were obtaining last year than the one who so bitterly disappointed Denver fans in 2022.

Detroit Lions (6-2): B+

They’re cruising toward their first-ever NFC North crown. Youngsters like DE Aidan Hutchinson and WR Amon-Ra St. Brown are blossoming into superstardom, and this year’s draft class has probably been better than advertised. Of concern? The complete no-show in a 38-6 Week 7 loss at Baltimore, and the lack of production from 2022 first-round WR Jameson Williams. Moving forward, the Lions have a very favorable schedule, and a team that’s never hosted a playoff game at Ford Field is in very good position to secure home-field advantage in the postseason.

Green Bay Packers (3-5): D+

A talent-laden defense has improved since routinely letting former QB Aaron Rodgers down during his final year in Wisconsin … but not nearly enough to compensate for an offense headed in the opposite direction. QB Jordan Love has been consistently inconsistent, failing to stake an ironclad claim to his role the way predecessors Rodgers and Brett Favre did. In Love’s defense, he’s gotten inadequate support from his offensive line and play makers. Another offseason full of questions looms for GM Brian Gutekunst.

Houston Texans (4-4): A-

Offensive Rookie of the Year frontrunner Stroud has flourished, producing at a high level while generally making good decisions – and doing so despite often playing behind a patchwork offensive line and with a virtually nonexistent running game. Rookie HC DeMeco Ryans has elevated a bad defense to average despite a lack of name players aside from rookie DE Will Anderson Jr. and Derek Stingley Jr., the promising second-year corner close to making a return. Completely realistic this winds up as your surprise 2023 playoff team.

Indianapolis Colts (4-5): A-

They’ve been in every game save one (at Jacksonville). And bet you didn’t know Indy is the only team in the league to score at least 20 points every week. This isn’t a team studded with stars, save maybe RB Jonathan Taylor, who’s still getting his legs under him after putting his now-resolved contractual fight behind him. Credit to rookie HC Shane Steichen, who’s gotten the most out of the divergent skill sets and experience of injured rookie QB Anthony Richardson and veteran backup Gardner Minshew II. Four wins may not seem like much, but half that total at this point seemed far more realistic during training camp.

Jacksonville Jaguars (6-2): B+

They started slowly (1-2) but not nearly the early season funk they had in 2022, when they were 2-6 out of the chute. And they got hot much earlier in 2023, currently on a five-game heater spread across five different stadiums. QB Trevor Lawrence might be playing the most efficient football of his three-year career and showed toughness playing through a knee injury. He’s also gotten plenty of help from former Clemson teammate Travis Etienne. The Jags were wise to upgrade the offensive line by acquiring G Ezra Cleveland at the trade deadline. But they could certainly use more pop from OLB Travon Walker, last year’s No. 1 overall draft pick, and WR Calvin Ridley, last year’s deadline deal import.

Kansas City Chiefs (7-2): B+

The defense has almost been off the charts, the best one K.C. has had in HC Andy Reid’s 11-season tenure. The publicity around the defending Super Bowl champs has rocketed off the charts … but not for anything All-Pro TE Travis Kelce has done between the lines. Yet a typically rocket-fueled offense is squarely on the charts, appearing disjointed at times as league MVP Patrick Mahomes seeks rhythm with pass catchers not affiliated with Taylor Swift. All things considered, not much to complain about here – especially given the upward potential of Reid’s attack and fact the Chiefs are very likely to cruise to the AFC’s No. 1 seed. Again.

Las Vegas Raiders (4-5): C+

Given the tumult, it’s amazing they’re still viable. And while you can say Mark Davis’ 2022 hiring of HC Josh McDaniels was a monumental mistake for the organization, you’ve also got to credit the owner for rectifying it midway through this season despite the financial implications. McDaniels also screwed up the Silver and Black from the quarterback perspective over the past year, but maybe a new solution – rookie Aidan O’Connell – has fallen into the role. There’s still plenty to fix here, but at least it seems Davis and interim HC Antonio Pierce have salvaged the culture and gotten some key veterans to check back in.

Los Angeles Chargers (4-4): C-

Yet again, the whole seems to be significantly less than the sum of its parts, though – per usual – the Bolts are also coping with their typical inordinate amount of serious injuries. However, aside from WR Mike Williams (torn ACL), most of the key players are back in uniform. Wins over the Bears and Jets have leveled the Chargers’ record, and the defense – still the worst in the NFL against the pass statistically (286 yards per game allowed) – has finally shown up. If new coordinator Kellen Moore can get a bit more juice out of the offense, a playoff return is within reach … assuming HC Brandon Staley doesn’t have to make too many critical in-game decisions.

Los Angeles Rams (3-6): C+

The wheels have started coming off the past two weeks – not all that surprising when a cap-strapped team paying off years of draft debt loses its Super Bowl-winning quarterback, Matthew Stafford, even after nicely surviving the early season hamstring injury to WR Cooper Kupp. Prior to that, rookie WR Puka Nacua had been a revelation, a no-name (aside from Aaron Donald) defense hadn’t embarrassed itself, and LA had hung tough against some of the NFL’s best teams. But backfield injuries that crippled the run game and Stafford’s bum thumb signal a potential implosion, especially given the (desperate?) decision to add Carson Wentz to the QB depth chart. On the plus side, a team that hasn’t drafted in the first round since 2016 is currently projected to select sixth overall next year.

Miami Dolphins (6-3): B

Per Shakespeare (and the late Stuart Scott), “full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” Maybe that’s overly harsh, but a high-octane offense capable of scoring 70 points in a game also hasn’t shown up in a meaningful way against legit opponents – and that’s been particularly true of QB Tua Tagovailoa. WR Tyreek Hill might be the best player in the league this year, but even he came up small Sunday in Germany against the Chiefs in a game he desperately wanted to win. But keep an eye on a 12th-ranked defense run by first-year coordinator Vic Fangio. It’s shown incremental improvement and just got All-Pro CB Jalen Ramsey back from knee surgery. If Fangio’s crew can alleviate the load on the offense, the Fins might find another gear down the stretch … and maybe even take down a winning team.

Minnesota Vikings (5-4): B

They probably ought to be 7-2 but seemingly used up all of their pixie dust in 2022 – and purged some quality veterans afterward. This year’s bad luck truly spiked when QB Kirk Cousins tore his Achilles in Week 8. And yet that didn’t derail what’s become a four-game winning streak following a 1-4 start. A blitz-heavy approach has made the defense passable. And HC Kevin O’Connell did a masterful job last Sunday, in conjunction with newly acquired Dobbs, while teaching the playbook on the fly during a 31-28 win in Atlanta. While Cousins isn’t coming back in 2023, All-Pro WR Justin Jefferson will very soon – and that might be more than enough to allow the Vikes to hold on to the NFC’s final wild-card spot.

New England Patriots (2-7): D-

It’s not a shock they’re mired in the AFC East’s basement. It is surprising that six-time Super Bowl-winning HC Bill Belichick is (sort of) answering questions about his job security. Yet he deserves the probing. As good as the Patriots were for as long as they were, they have not adjusted to life after Tom Brady – whether it be during games, or constructing the coaching staff or addressing their talent shortfall. And given how heavy Belichick’s hand is, those issues all tie back to him.

New Orleans Saints (5-4): C

For the fourth consecutive season, the defense is a top-10 power. However the Derek Carr-led offense has been stuck in neutral. Belated signs it’s finally about to take off, QB/TE/FB Taysom Hill and WR Rashid Shaheed surprisingly serving as key components, while RB Alvin Kamara has settled in following his three-game suspension and an overly emotional Carr has tried to cool his jets. Yet with the league’s second-easiest remaining schedule, the NFC South leaders could be primed to go on a run.

New York Giants (2-7): F

They paid QB Daniel Jones. Then they didn’t sufficiently upgrade his weaponry. Then they didn’t block anyone in front of him. Now? Jones is out for the year with an ACL tear, an injury that may force Big Blue to search for his replacement given how much he also seemed to regress on the field – albeit amid circumstances stacked against him. Otherwise? DL Dexter Lawrence has been a standout … which pretty much distinguishes him from the remainder of the roster.

New York Jets (4-4): B

Philadelphia Eagles (8-1): A-

Hard to argue with the results of the league’s only eight-win team. But, from a cosmetic standpoint, only three of those triumphs have come by more than one score. Jalen Hurts is hobbling around the field, and the offense might be overly reliant on tush-pushing a quarterback who’s otherwise got a virtual target lock on WR A.J. Brown. Defensively, Philly has been lights out against the run … and lights decidedly on against the pass. If it seems like I’m nitpicking the reigning NFC champs, let’s wait and see how they hold up following a Week 10 bye – after which is a murderers’ row that serves up Kansas City, Buffalo, San Francisco, Dallas and Seattle in succession.

Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3): B-

Statistically, their offense and defense are among the league’s worst. OC Matt Canada remains under fire, his unit outgained by nearly 800 yards through eight games. And yet the defense makes the big plays – sacks and takeaways – while QB Kenny Pickett seems to deliver the clutch throw right when Pittsburgh needs it. Numerically, not a great team. In reality, a squad no one can afford to take lightly. And the return of All-Pro DL Cam Heyward should only help.

San Francisco 49ers (5-3): B

A 5-0 start has been tempered by a three-game losing streak, during which QB Brock Purdy has looked mortal while turning the ball over six times. And yet some of that can seemingly be explained away by injuries to All-Pro LT Trent Williams and WR Deebo Samuel … and the still questionable decision to move on from veteran K Robbie Gould. Presumably, the Niners’ bye week was rejuvenating, but it was definitely fortifying – DE Chase Young rented for a song and, perhaps, sticking around as part of the long-term plan. And what should be an elite (but 10th-ranked) defense will need to step up with five of the next seven games against teams that are in or share first place in their respective divisions.

Seattle Seahawks (5-3): B-

They’re tied with San Francisco atop the NFC West. And yet a 20th-ranked offense has been a bit disappointing, QB Geno Smith not playing nearly as well as he did in 2022, and a run game featuring second-round RBs Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet underwhelming. Good to see Bobby Wagner back on D, the Hall of Fame-caliber linebacker good as he’s ever been – even at age 33. Losing LB Uchenna Nwosu hurts, but the defense has gotten a boost from recent draft picks like LB Boye Mafe and CB Devon Witherspoon plus the return of S Jamal Adams. Solid squad overall, but feels like it should be better in a top-heavy NFC. Doesn’t project as much more than the one-and-done playoff outfit the Seahawks were last season.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-5): C+

The offense hasn’t experienced a tremendous dropoff post-Brady, QB Baker Mayfield and Co. fresh off a 37-point outburst. However HC Todd Bowles’ defense has gone over a cliff, no NFC team less effective defending the pass. A 3-1 start suggested the Bucs could again win the NFC South. A four-game losing streak has brought them back to earth, indicative they probably would’ve benefited long-term by unloading some guys at the trade deadline.

Tennessee Titans (3-5): D+

Maybe it was incumbent on HC Mike Vrabel to give such a veteran-heavy squad another chance to recapture its 2021 form, when the Titans were the AFC’s No. 1 playoff seed. But didn’t it seem obvious that they needed to pivot to one of their younger quarterbacks weeks ago? Aren’t they going to regret not getting something for RB Derrick Henry when they had the opportunity? Few coaches get more out of a roster than Vrabel does, but just feels like major opportunities were squandered here.

Washington Commanders (4-5): D+

They don’t really own a quality win. They started dismantling the defense at the trade deadline, spinning off Young and Sweat – not that either had made a significant impact on a unit ranking 28th. OC Eric Bieniemy doesn’t even attempt to run the ball, and opposing defenses enjoy a turkey shoot each week when rushing QB Sam Howell. And yet the Commanders are just a game out of the projected playoff field, largely because Howell has thrown the ball pretty effectively when he’s had the time to let it go. The upcoming schedule suggests Washington won’t stick around much longer … but who knows?

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Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Nate Davis on X, formerly Twitter @ByNateDavis.

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