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Among the distinctive visuals provided by every NFL game are the venue-specific ones – stadiums adding their own colors, backdrops and quirks that provide unique layers to football environments that fans have (generally) come to appreciate in person and/or on platforms like EA Sports’ signature “Madden NFL” video game.

The arrival of Week 5 means the start of this year’s International Series – London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium the host for Sunday morning’s meeting of the New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings. It will be the second foreign facility employed this year after Corinthians Arena in São Paulo, Brazil, became the 100th different stadium used to stage a regular-season game during the Super Bowl era (since 1966).

As for the more familiar facilities that football fans could reasonably road trip to? With autumn now in full swing, it seemed as good a time as any to assess and rank, with the help of our league experts who have paid frequent visits to them, all 30 regularly used NFL stadiums.

(Notes: Six USA TODAY Sports writers who regularly cover the NFL were polled in order to achieve a collective staff ranking. Club win-loss records in respective stadiums are through the 2023 season and include playoffs.)

1. Lumen Field – Seattle Seahawks

Year opened: 2002

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Capacity: 68,740

Surface: FieldTurf

Seahawks’ record there: 129-60

Super Bowls hosted: 0

“It’s a retroactive crime that the team and its rabid 12s were stuck in the concrete Kingdome for nearly a quarter-century – though maybe they got even by propagating the wave throughout the sporting world. Moving on. Lumen Field’s gorgeous architecture, reverberating cacophony when the Seahawks are good (it redirects off the cantilevered roof that covers most of the seats down onto the playing field), wet weather, proximity to downtown Seattle (which can be seen beyond the ‘Hawks’ Nest’ seating behind the north end zone, where the most caffeinated 12s convene), the interior shrine to Washington’s high school football teams – save natural grass, it’s basically everything you’d want in a stadium. Also, helluva place to see a concert – especially if, say, Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder shows up to front a song or two in a U2 set.” – Nate Davis

2. Lambeau Field – Green Bay Packers

Year opened: 1957

Capacity: 81,041

Surface: SISGrass

Packers’ record there: 276-137-6

Super Bowls hosted: 0

‘Lambeau is what all NFL stadiums should be. It has all of the amenities required in 2024, with jumbo video boards in both end zones, luxury suites galore and a first-rate locker room for the Packers. No, it doesn’t have a dome, but football was intended to be played in the elements. If not, we wouldn’t all be endlessly entertained by snow globe games and shots of fans wearing more layers than a 4-year-old playing in the snow. But I digress.

“It’s not only the stadium and all the history that’s occurred there that make Lambeau so special, it’s what surrounds it. For those not fortunate enough to have been there, it’s set in the middle of a neighborhood. Literally. There are people for whom Lambeau is their backyard. They will let you park in their driveway or on their lawn, and they will do this for a ridiculously low fee. Offer you a bratwurst and the use of their bathroom while they’re at it. It’s the perfect blend of quaint, old-word charm and modern glitz, and there is nothing else in the NFL like it.” – Nancy Armour

3. U.S. Bank Stadium – Minnesota Vikings

Year opened: 2016

Capacity: 66,468

Surface: Act Global Xtreme Turf

Vikings’ record there: 43-24

Super Bowls hosted: 1 (52/LII, 2018)

‘While playing in inclement weather should ideally be football law, if you’re going to take the game indoors – and we are talking about downtown Minneapolis and the sub-freezing and even sub-zero temperatures that often descend there late in the season – it doesn’t get much better than this. The partially translucent roof and façade allows spectators to see the elements without actually being subject to them. And the Norse ambience? From the crowd’s Skol chant, to the fake snow that falls from the rafters, to the Gjallarhorn suspended above the field that a special guest sounds before the game, to the pervasive feeling that you’re in a massive Viking longship or mead hall … you wonder how the locals ever put up with the Metrodome for so long.’ – Nate Davis

4. SoFi Stadium – Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams

Year opened: 2020

Capacity: 71,500

Surface: Artificial Turf (Hellas 44oz. Matrix System)

Chargers’ record there: 16-18

Rams’ record there: 23-14

Super Bowls hosted: 1 (56/LVI, 2022)

Future Super Bowl site: (61/LXI, 2027)

‘The plan when SoFi Stadium opened was for the site to be a sports epicenter – and it has delivered. Also scheduled to be featured prominently during the 2028 Summer Olympics, SoFi is unique in its design as there’s a canopy that covers a majority of the stadium, a massive 360-degree double-sided video board hanging from the ceiling, and the YouTube Theater is attached on the outside of the bowl. It’s located in the heart of Inglewood and across the street from the iconic Kia Forum (formerly known as the Great Western Forum), so there’s even a nostalgic element as fans drive up.” – Tyler Dragon

5. AT&T Stadium – Dallas Cowboys

Year opened: 2009

Capacity: 80,000 (expandable to 100,000)

Surface: SoftTop Matrix Turf

Cowboys’ record there: 77-50

Super Bowls hosted: 1 (45/XLV, 2011)

‘They call it ‘Jerry World,’ which is the perfect moniker for the swanky stadium most likely to be confused for a theme park. I mean, there’s no other NFL stadium that features a hologram of the team’s owner with an AI-generated ability to take questions from fans: ‘Meet Jerry Jones – An Interactive Experience.‘ What a hoot. Personally, I think the best look for this vibrant palace is when the retractable roof is open and the retractable glass doors behind each end zone are opened.

‘No, you can’t miss the TV. Two gigantic video boards suspend 90 feet above the playing field, measuring 160 feet long and 72 feet wide. Not including the side boards, that’s the equivalent of 3,200 52-inch flat-screen TVs. Jones will tell you the idea for the boards was inspired when he attended a Celine Dion concert in Las Vegas and loved the huge video board at the back of the stage. In any event, no worries if you leave your seat. You can get lost and not miss a bit of the action. There are video screens everywhere – at concession lines, on concourses, even in restrooms … with 3,000 monitors throughout the stadium.

‘Besides the 10 stadium clubs, wine bars and more concessions options than you can shake a stick at, you can be blown away by the art gallery that accents the place. There are more than 38 commissioned pieces of art, including the ‘Sky Mirror’ outside one of the main entrances. That doesn’t include the hundreds of photos of Cowboys players and key moments from the franchise’s history displayed throughout. Restless? You can also take in the game on one of the two outdoor plazas (with manicured lawns and of course, huge video boards and concessions) adjacent to the stadium. All in all, there’s something for everyone to see – not a bad perk if the game is a dud.” – Jarrett Bell

6. Allegiant Stadium – Las Vegas Raiders

Year opened: 2020

Capacity: 65,000

Surface: Natural Bermuda

Raiders’ record there: 17-17

Super Bowls hosted: 1 (58/LVIII, 2024)

‘Do you have money? Lots of friends? Then Allegiant Stadium would actually be a cool place to watch a game. I think I walked every square inch of the place before last season’s Super Bowl. My main takeaway was how much ‘club’ seating – suites on every level, exclusive lounges – Mark Davis packed into the place. Vegas is the perfect town for that type of strategy, and it all seems like a cool time. The gripe about location is that the better end of The Strip is on the opposite side, far from the stadium. Does it live up to the $1.9 billion price tag? Difficult to say. It clearly was made with designs of hosting concerts and who knows what else. But there are no bad sightlines for football games, and the in-stadium food is top-notch.’ – Chris Bumbaca

7. Mercedes-Benz Stadium – Atlanta Falcons

Year opened: 2017

Capacity: 72,000 (expandable to 75,000)

Surface: FieldTurf

Falcons’ record there: 26-30

Super Bowls hosted: 1 (53/LIII, 2019)

‘What a sweet place – and not just because of the pinwheel design of the retractable roof, the circular video board (aka ‘The Halo’) hanging above the field, or the view of the Atlanta skyline through the glass panels beyond the east end zone. The customer-friendly principles that Falcons owner Arthur Blank built into the building represent a huge reason the venue pops. They call it ‘fan-first pricing’ when it comes to concessions, which means patrons can get a $2 soda (with three free refills) and a $5 beer, contrasting the gouging that exists at so many stadiums. And the food has a ‘best of Atlanta’ theme, with local vendors serving it without an in-stadium markup.

‘There are wide concourses, including a ‘100-yard Club’ extending the length of the field in the upper deck. Then there’s the vibe, juiced during Falcons games by a DJ situated on a plaza and by ‘The Dirty Birds Nest,’ a section (134) in the lower deck that is pretty much a party-within-a-game. And hey, the stadium is accessible by the subway system known as MARTA, which has done its part in easing traffic. All in all, the city demolished the Georgia Dome and made a glitzy stadium way better than its predecessor. Now if the Falcons can only field a consistent winner.’ – Jarrett Bell

8. GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium – Kansas City Chiefs

Year opened: 1972

Capacity: 73,426

Surface: Grass

Chiefs’ record there: 256-168-1

Super Bowls hosted: 0

‘There’s a reason why young opposing quarterbacks pretty much never win on their first visit to Arrowhead. It’s the noise. Goes perfectly with the ‘Sea of Red’ visual in the stands. With the crowd noise once measured at a Guinness-record 142.2 decibels, one might find it difficult to think, let alone bark signals to be heard while in the midst of such a rowdy environment. Hand signals. That’s the ticket.

‘Sorry, but despite the huge bucks dropped on the naming rights deal, I’m still challenged to call the home of the Kansas City Chiefs GEHA Field. I mean, it’s been Arrowhead since it opened. In any event, Taylor Swift apparently thinks it’s a cool venue. And no place in the NFL does tailgating like Arrowhead, which can boast the best-smelling parking lot in the league because, in these parts, the rabid fans know a thing or two about how to barbecue.’ – Jarrett Bell

9. Caesars Superdome – New Orleans Saints

Year opened: 1975

Capacity: 73,000

Surface: Turf Nation-M6

Saints’ record there: 203-186

Super Bowls hosted: 7 (12/XII, 1978; 15/XV, 1981; 20/XX, 1986; 24/XXIV, 1990; 31/XXXI, 1997; 36/XXXVI, 2002; 48/XLVII, 2013)

Future Super Bowl site: (59/LIX, 2025)

‘The NFL’s oldest operating dome occasionally feels like it – though the Superdome continues to get occasional upgrades aimed at keeping it as modernized as possible, aside from the major ones necessitated by the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. But the atmosphere never fails to deliver, hardcore Saints fans treating every home date as Mardi Gras – decked out appropriately, of course – and typically making this one of the toughest places for visiting teams to play. There’s no avoiding the din of the crowd in the open air press box … until you leave the premises, which isn’t a long walk from the city’s famed French Quarter. Whether a regular-season game in October or the Super Bowl – whether the lights are working or not – cool place to take in a game.’ – Nate Davis

10. Acrisure Stadium – Pittsburgh Steelers

Year opened: 2001

Capacity: 68,400

Surface: Natural grass

Steelers’ record there: 139-59-2

Super Bowls hosted: 0

“Amazing how one can pine for corporate promotion, but how we, uh, miss ‘Heinz Field.’ But this is a great yard, its riverfront location even allowing for dropoff via ferry, plus a nice view of downtown Pittsburgh from the stadium’s open end. Make sure to visit the Steelers’ Hall of Honor Museum inside the stadium before hopefully taking in a late-season contest against the Ravens with the wind whipping (and blowing field-goal tries off target) and the sod torn up. Of course, gonna be tough to ever top Bane blowing up ‘Gotham City Stadium’ in ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ … though props to ex-Pittsburgh receiver Hines Ward for scoring despite the explosives.” – Nate Davis

11. Hard Rock Stadium – Miami Dolphins

Year opened: 1987

Capacity: 64,992

Surface: Grass

Dolphins’ record there: 181-121

Super Bowls hosted: 6 (23/XXIII, 1989; 29/XXIX, 1995; 33/XXXIII, 1999; 42/XLI, 2007; 44/XLIV, 2010; 54/LIV, 2020)

‘Opposing fans circle this trip on their calendars every year and wonder: Why are my team and I broiling in the Miami sun when the other side of the stadium is in the shade? Are we early to our seats, because Dolphins fans are still tailgating outside? They play tennis and race Formula 1 cars here, too? It may not boast the historic charm some NFL venues offer, but it’s a slice of an eclectic city where sports and entertainment converge. Don’t forget your bathing suit.” – Safid Deen

12. Lucas Oil Stadium – Indianapolis Colts

Year opened: 2008

Capacity: 63,000

Surface: Matrix Helix Turf

Colts’ record there: 82-53

Super Bowls hosted: 1 (46/XLVI, 2012)

‘Indiana historically identifies as basketball country, and it looks like their beloved football team plays in a brick-and-glass fieldhouse. It can be distracting to players, but the shadows created by the retractable north end-zone window and/or sliding roof can create some wild shadows on the field. The statue of Peyton Manning, adjacency to downtown Indy – and ability to get there via underground walkways that guard against the elements – are nifty bonus accents.’ – Nate Davis

T-13. Lincoln Financial Field – Philadelphia Eagles

Year opened: 2003

Capacity: 69,879

Surface: Natural grass

Eagles’ record there: 108-72-1

Super Bowls hosted: 0

‘The second-best tailgating scene in the Northeast – number one if the Bills are excluded (and in their own category). The Linc is nothing special in itself – this place is made by the fans. The building might have the highest per capita cussing rate in North America and is always a difficult environment for the visiting team (and fans) – and usually the home team, too. Reach out far enough from the east side of the stadium and you can practically high-five somebody traveling south on Interstate-95. The entire setup in Philly is a transit lover’s dream, with Wells Fargo Arena (home of the 76ers and Flyers) and Citizens Bank Park (home of the Phillies) accessible via SEPTA. It’s a beautiful combination of massive structures all separated by parking lots on the south side of town.’ – Chris Bumbaca

T-13. M&T Bank Stadium – Baltimore Ravens

Year opened: 1998

Capacity: 70,765

Surface: Grass

Ravens’ record there: 151-68

Super Bowls hosted: 0

‘About as standard a football stadium as they come. The Ravens have revealed a gradual renovation process that began earlier this year. There is a certain steepness to the upper sections that makes it feel as though fans are on top of the field. Those wearing purple and black create an aesthetically pleasing visual – certainly more so than the surrounding area, but if you’re cool with tailgating on train tracks, then go for it.’ – Chris Bumbaca

T-13. State Farm Stadium – Arizona Cardinals

Year opened: 2006

Capacity: 65,000 (expandable to 73,000+)

Surface: Grass

Cardinals’ record there: 78-68-2

Super Bowls hosted: 3 (42/XLII, 2008; 49/XLIX; 2015; 57/LVII, 2023)

‘One of the NFL’s premier stadiums, especially on the western side of the country. Its sleek silver exterior is striking, and the retractable roof protects those inside from the desert sun. The entire field can be moved in a single tray which rolls outside so the grass can soak in Arizona’s sunlight – and also clears the interior for events that don’t require the turf. The Glendale-based venue, which is about 18 miles from Phoenix, is adjacent to the popular Westgate Entertainment District.’ – Tyler Dragon

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16. Ford Field – Detroit Lions

Year opened: 2002

Capacity: 64,500

Surface: FieldTurf

Lions’ record there: 81-98

Super Bowls hosted: 1 (40/XL, 2006)

‘As shown during the playoff run of the revitalized franchise last season, the home field can be something special – and raucous – when the Lions provide something to roar about. OK, it took way too long to erect a statue of the legendary Barry Sanders outside of Ford Field – it finally happened last year – but at least it didn’t take as long as it did for the franchise to win another playoff game!

‘The Lions came back to the Motor City in 2002 after their 27-year journey into the wilderness of the Pontiac Silverdome and appreciation for the current venue begins with the real estate axiom: location, location, location. Even if the traffic pattern is rather squeezed, there’s some serious civic pride flowing from the fact that all four of Detroit’s major pro sports teams play at sparkling downtown facilities within walking distance of each other. Thus, there are no shortage of options for stuff to do before and/or after the games given the vast menu of restaurants, bars and casinos in nearby Greektown, along the Woodward corridor or in other parts of downtown. And hey, Ford Field is undoubtedly special to Jerome Bettis, the hometown hero who had his Super Bowl XL farewell at the place.’ – Jarrett Bell

17. Raymond James Stadium – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Year opened: 1998

Capacity: 65,844

Surface: Grass

Buccaneers’ record there: 114-100

Super Bowls hosted: 3 (35/XXXV, 2001; 43/XLIII, 2009; 55/LV, 2021)

‘There wouldn’t be all that much to distinguish this place – if not for that 100-foot replica pirate ship beached behind the north end zone that unleashes cannon fire to celebrate the Bucs’ scores, among other triggers. The field quality is also consistently rated highly by players. Beyond that and its typical affordability to fans? Meh.’ – Nate Davis

18. Empower Field at Mile High – Denver Broncos

Year opened: 2001

Capacity: 76,125

Surface: Kentucky Blue Grass

Broncos’ record there: 120-75

Super Bowls hosted: 0

‘I’ve heard it described as a giant diaphragm by Broncos fans. It’s never managed to quite capture the magic of its Mile High Stadium forebear – yet is also loud, still features the ‘Bucky the Bronco’ statue, ‘Incomplete’ chant, and Denver’s notorious altitude advantage. We still miss the late, great Barrel Man.’ – Nate Davis

19. Gillette Stadium – New England Patriots

Year opened: 2002

Capacity: 64,628

Surface: FieldTurf

Patriots’ record there: 154-46

Super Bowls hosted: 0

‘Ah, ‘The Razor.’ No doubt, it can be a drag to get in and out of the Patriots’ home as traffic flows (or not) with essentially one way in and out on U.S. Route 1 through Foxborough, Massachusetts. Still, the place scores major points with its lighthouse – at 22 stories, the tallest in the country – situated on a plaza on the open north end of the stadium. And that’s part of the background for the largest outdoor hi-def video board in the nation, which spans 370-feet wide and 60-feet high. Of course, visiting teams might find the boat horn that blares when the Patriots defense lines up on third down as rather annoying. Then again, that slice of New England charm pales when compared to having jammed communications – which more than one suspicious visiting team has complained about.

‘No, Gillette Stadium isn’t as intimidating as it was when Tom Brady was the host. But it can still serve ‘Patriot Weather’ as the season gets deeper. The whole setup is so much better than it used to be before Robert Kraft bought the franchise during the 1990s. The facility is adjacent to Patriot Place, a sprawling shopping, dining and entertainment destination – and, in addition to tours that take you to the observation deck at the top of the Lighthouse, the Patriots Hall of Fame (and pro shop) can add some value before you hop back on to the congested highway.’ – Jarrett Bell

20. Levi’s Stadium – San Francisco 49ers

Year opened: 2014

Capacity: 68,500

Surface: Natural Grass

49ers’ record there: 46-38

Super Bowls hosted: 1 (50, 2015)

Future Super Bowl site: (60/LX, 2026)

‘It’s a little underwhelming given it opened in 2014. It has a Silicon Valley feel with around 9,000 club seats and 174 suites, but there’s not really a bad spot in the place. The stadium is located in Santa Clara, roughly 43 miles from San Francisco – and it’s actually more convenient for out-of-state fans to fly into San Jose rather than San Francisco. However a major perk, for all the journalists or those fortunate enough to be inside the press box, is the top-of-the-line catering.’ – Tyler Dragon

21. NRG Stadium – Houston Texans

Year opened: 2002

Capacity: 71,995

Surface: Artificial Turf (Hellas Matrix)

Texans’ record there: 92-92-1

Super Bowls hosted: 2 (38/XXXVIII, 2004; 51/LI, 2017)

‘Sure, this massive place just might remind you of an airplane hangar. But really, with its huge glass panels and eco-friendly upgrades, NRG Stadium has more persona than that – especially when the rodeo is in town. When it opened, it was the first NFL venue with a retractable roof – a fabric piece of work that lets the light shine in and splits at the 50-yard line. Seems right to have such a notable distinction. The Astrodome opened in 1965 as the first domed stadium in the U.S. and still stands nearby as a historical landmark on the grounds of Reliant Park – and quite the reminder of just how far the H-Town stadium game has evolved.’ – Jarrett Bell

22. Soldier Field – Chicago Bears

Year opened: 1924

Capacity: 61,500

Surface: Bermuda Grass

Bears’ record there: 241-184-2

Super Bowls hosted: 0

‘Remember the end of the movie ‘Independence Day,’ when the big alien spaceship crashes into earth? That’s basically the model for Soldier Field. The Bears wanted a modern stadium while keeping the history and distinction of the building’s original Neoclassical style. They failed miserably in both aims. By putting a new bowl inside the old façade, the Bears limited their seating capacity and now have the smallest stadium in the league, without the bells and whistles of those built in the last 30 years. The massive glass and aluminum structure atop the stately columns is an architectural abomination. And don’t even start on the grass, which somehow gets patchy and thin the moment it’s put down. The only good thing about Soldier Field is the views from the upper deck – and I’m not referring to what’s happening on the field.’ – Nancy Armour

23. Huntington Bank Field – Cleveland Browns

Year opened: 1999

Capacity: 67,827

Surface: Grass

Browns’ record there: 84-116-1

Super Bowls hosted: 0

‘Located on the shore of Lake Erie, the Browns’ stadium opened in 1999. Temperatures can be frigid and the lake effects can make the climate almost unbearable. But the atmosphere of the ‘Dawg Pound’ is a unique NFL experience. The stadium provides a true midwestern football feel with its location and design combined with the history of the team. The downtown venue is adjacent to the Great Lakes Science Center and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. However ownership is already considering where and how to build the organization’s next home.’ – Tyler Dragon

24. Bank of America Stadium – Carolina Panthers

Year opened: 1996

Capacity: 75,037

Surface: FieldTurf Vertex CORE

Panthers’ record there: 119-113

Super Bowls hosted: 0

‘There is little character to this one. Situated nicely in Charlotte’s downtown, BofA doesn’t have much to it – aside from the daunting black panther statues guarding the gates. Oh, and the ‘Panther Blue’ seats are cool. It also serves as the club’s base of operations.’ – Chris Bumbaca

25. Nissan Stadium – Tennessee Titans

Year opened: 1999

Capacity: 69,143

Surface: Matrix Helix Turf

Titans’ record there: 117-90

Super Bowls hosted: 0

‘There’s probably still a debate or few (at least in Buffalo) about whether the most iconic moment at the cozy stadium that sits on the East Bank of the Cumberland River – the cross-field lateral from Frank Wycheck to Kevin Dyson that ignited the ‘Music City Miracle’ – was really legit. Of course, in Nashville, the case was closed when it happened for the Tennessee Titans in the 1999 playoffs.

‘What’s not up for debate is how Nissan Stadium (known as Adelphia Coliseum when the ‘Miracle’ occurred) is a neat complement across the river from downtown, offering close proximity to food and entertainment. Its concept within a park works (there’s even a zip line for the kids), and the parking lots are closer than at most stadiums. On the flip side, Titans fans have grumbled for years about a subpar in-game experience – the complaints including a scoreboard that skimps on updates of out-of-town scores, predictable promotional content and spotty Wi-Fi. In any event, you could probably strike up a debate surrounding the viability of the dollhouses aligned along the end zone plaza.’ – Jarrett Bell

26. Highmark Stadium – Buffalo Bills

Year opened: 1973

Capacity: 71,621

Surface: A-Turf Titan

Bills’ record there: 246-164

Super Bowls hosted: 0

‘Fitting this is where Jason Kelce went wild and shirtless, the ex-Eagles center climbing out of a private suite to hobnob with fans during a playoff game in January that featured his brother Travis. It’s that kind of place. Gritty. Cold. Old. Like the dank cellar of NFL stadiums. When the Bills open a new $1.7 billion-plus home in 2026 in the parking lot of the current stadium, it will be fair to wonder about the culture shock for the rowdies known as the ‘Bills Mafia.’

‘Yeah, the Bills play in one of the league’s oldest venues, with seatbacks attached to aluminum benches, but ‘The Ralph’ (as it is affectionately known, paying homage to franchise founder Ralph Wilson) still has a certain charm with atmosphere fueled by the ‘Mafia’ … and Lord only knows what type of beverages. I mean, who else breaks tables with body slams as part of a pre-game tailgating tradition? Hey, it is their home, their furniture. I’m guessing that tradition and others will somehow live on at the new Highmark.

‘Then there’s the weather. The Ralph sits on a path known for heavy ‘lake effect’ snow, and the treacherous wind that can come off Lake Erie without a blizzard – capable of turning a perfect spiral into a curveball – might be more notorious. It’s no wonder that when Buffalo drafted Josh Allen in 2018, a prerequisite was that he possessed a cannon arm – a la Bills legend Jim Kelly. No, the Bills don’t want a dome. They want to keep that home-field advantage.’ – Jarrett Bell

27. EverBank Stadium – Jacksonville Jaguars

Year opened: 1995

Capacity: 67,838

Surface: Grass

Jaguars’ record there: 118-111

Super Bowls hosted: 1 (39/XXXIX, 2005)

‘Aside from its gimmicky built-in pools, it feels like a college stadium – and the annual Florida-Georgia game has often provided the venue’s best football drama. Empty seats – and consequential tarps – the unmistakable smell of damp football uniforms underneath the stands, and mascot Jaxson de Ville’s zip line have been defining aspects of this stadium – and perhaps why it will soon be getting a structural overhaul.’ – Nate Davis

28. Paycor Stadium – Cincinnati Bengals

Year opened: 2000

Capacity: 65,656

Surface: FieldTurf CORE

Bengals’ record there: 107-89-2

Super Bowls hosted: 0

‘Formerly known as Paul Brown Stadium, it sits next to the Ohio River. Fans inside can look across the water and see Kentucky from the downtown location. The lower and middle seating sections provide good views of the action. But the upper deck can be unappealing, especially during winter. The location gives fans a good feel of Cincinnati. Great American Ball Park (home of MLB’s Reds), the National Underground Railroad and Freedom Center and other tourist attractions are within walking distance from Paycor.’ – Tyler Dragon

29. MetLife Stadium – New York Giants, New York Jets

Year opened: 2010

Capacity: 82,500

Surface: FieldTurf CORE

Giants’ record there: 55-60-1

Jets’ record there: 54-62

Super Bowls hosted: 1 (48/XLVIII, 2014)

‘It looks like an air conditioner. Or a prison. Depends on one’s perspective while approaching – slowly, in traffic – from the beautiful, redolent ‘Swamps of Secaucus.’ Only the field has historically been worse, players routinely complaining about the number of season-ending injuries suffered there over the years.’ – Chris Bumbaca

30. Northwest Stadium – Washington Commanders

Year opened: 1997

Capacity: 67,617

Surface: Natural grass

Commanders’ record there: 100-120-1

Super Bowls hosted: 0

‘A gargantuan, crumbling (even near the players) erector set sitting at the center of a massive parking lot about a half hour’s drive removed from the nation’s capital. Sometimes, the food is edible. Sometimes, the hot water even works. Capacity was steadily reduced by about a third under previous owner Dan Snyder … mostly because tens of thousands of seats regularly sat empty. Here’s hoping the club’s new ownership group remedies the situation ASAP by getting the team moved back into the District of Columbia, which finally seems to be (slowly) paving the way to a new venue.” – Nate Davis

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At 26.6 PPR fantasy points per game, Alvin Kamara of the New Orleans Saints leads the way after four games, followed by the Eagles’ Saquon Barkley (24.5) and then Henry (23.4) at No. 3.

ON BYE: Detroit, Philadelphia, Tennessee, L.A. Chargers

Fantasy football rankings for Week 5 are based on the point-per-reception (PPR) scoring used in most seasonal and daily fantasy football formats. One point is awarded for every 10 rushing and receiving yards and one point for every 20 passing yards. Six points are awarded for touchdowns scored, four points for passing TDs and one point for receptions.

Rankings are compiled by Daniel Dobish, TheHuddle.com. 

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

Fantasy football Week 5 running back rankings

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Here’s the issue with gold: it’s difficult to find as much info on it as stocks. For many investors, the buzz around Costco’s (COST) gold sales put gold back on the mainstream radar. But that won’t tell you if it’s still a smart buy or what price you should pay for it.

This is where technical analysis comes in—it examines things from a clearer, more objective perspective. 

In a previous article, I covered gold projections using SPDR Gold Shares ETF (GLD) as a proxy. If you were even semi-bullish on gold, I hope you followed along, as intermediate-term targets were hit, along with an added bonus of a short-term trade.

Let’s take a look.

First, log in to your StockCharts platform and click here for the weekly before/after chart.

CHART 1. WEEKLY CHART OF GLD. The price bars after the orange arrow is what happened after the September 17 article on GLD.Chart source: StockCharts.com. For educational purposes.

In a  nutshell, here’s what happened:

The orange arrow pointing at the 127.20% Fibonacci Extension is where the last article left off.The 138.20% Fib target was also reached, and GLD appears to be moving toward the 161.80% target.

The daily chart also pointed out a solid entry point, and now you can see the before and after results laid out clearly.

CHART 2. DAILY CHART OF GLD. The green vertical line denotes the before/after in relation to the September 17 article.Chart source: StockCharts.com. For educational purposes.

Take a look at everything to the right of the green vertical line:

As mentioned in the last article, the 50% level at the bottom of the 2nd Quadrant Line marks a strong entry point. The magenta circle highlights the bounce, as anticipated.As price reached the 138.20% Fib extension target of $242.50, there was yet another short-term trading opportunity that occurred—a measured move of 5.2% from the bounce to just under $247.

Can GLD Hit the 161.80% Fib Extension Target Above $250?

Although analyst targets are varied, Goldman Sachs just upped its gold target to $2,900 an ounce, but it’s a long game. If you’re looking at GLD, that would mean a potential price of $280, and Goldman is aiming for early 2025. So expect some bumps along the way, with pullbacks likely. Keeping an eye on the global and economic factors pushing gold is key if you’re in this for the long haul.

Central banks are also playing a big role in the gold market. In 2024, they scooped up 290 metric tons of gold in just the first quarter—the biggest quarterly haul in over 20 years. With no signs of slowing down, central banks are keeping gold demand strong and steady, setting the stage for its long-term growth.

Closing Bell

So let’s wrap it up. There are plenty of reasons to be bullish on gold. If you’re eyeing GLD, keep tracking those Fib targets, but don’t forget that the ride could be bumpy. You will have to redraw a new set of Quadrant Lines and measure both the pullbacks and extensions. You may also find a few more shorter-term trades in the process. While global factors may shake things up along the way, you’ve got the tools to take advantage of the situation, no matter which direction GLD takes.

Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The ideas and strategies should never be used without first assessing your own personal and financial situation or without consulting a financial professional.

In this video from StockCharts TV, Julius explores the October seasonal outlook for the S&P 500 and various sectors. Seasonality suggests a potential rise in the S&P 500, fueled by strength in technology, but there are still concerns about the ongoing negative divergence between price and key indicators like RSI and MACD.

This video was originally published on October 3, 2024. Click anywhere on the icon above to view on our dedicated page for Julius.

Past episodes of Julius’ shows can be found here.

#StayAlert, -Julius

Liberty Media-owned Formula One and luxury giant LVMH are entering into a 10-year partnership, according to a joint press release from the companies Wednesday afternoon. 

The partnership will officially launch at the start of next F1 season and will include “hospitality, bespoke activations, limited editions and outstanding content.”

The official arrangement will not be the first time that LVMH and F1 have worked together. F1 worked with one of LVMH’s brands during last year’s Las Vegas Grand Prix and the team-up was a success, according to Liberty Media president and CEO Greg Maffei. 

“The opportunity to scale our commercial arrangements is emblematic of the vision we have for Formula 1 as the business continues to grow its platform,” Maffei said in the release. “We look forward to working with Bernard and Frédéric Arnault in the years to come.”

LVMH owns brands such as Louis Vuitton, Moet Hennessy and TAG Heuer, which will be included in the partnership.

“Both in our workshops and on circuits around the world, it is this incessant search to break boundaries that inspires our vision, and this is the meaning that we want to bring to this great and unique partnership between Formula 1 and our Group,” LVMH Group chairman and CEO Bernard Arnault said in the release.

More details of the partnership are set to come in 2025 and there were no financial details included in the release. 

Liberty Media purchased F1 in 2017 and has turbocharged the league’s growth in recent years.

Netflix released a behind-the-scenes series “Formula 1: Drive to Survive” in 2019 that helped push F1 from a niche sport to a more mainstream audience as viewers became fans after getting to see the personalities of individual drivers. The sport has also gotten a tailwind from social media and content creators, giving people more ways to become fans.

The next Grand Prix is Oct. 20 in Austin, Texas.

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It’s a lighter than usual schedule with eight of the Top 25 teams in the US LBM Coaches Poll having the week off, including new No. 1 Texas. But with conference play now in full swing, there are still plenty of potential upsets for our staff prognosticators to consider.

The lone meeting of ranked teams features No.9 Missouri hitting the road for the first time to take on No. 21 Texas A&M for a key early showdown in the crowded SEC. Elsewhere in that league, No. 11 Mississippi looks to bounce back from its first loss of the season but faces a tricky visit to South Carolina.

In the Big Ten, No. 10 Michigan makes its first trip to the league’s new west-coast wing to meet Washington, technically a rematch of last season’s national championship game although both programs have since undergone nearly complete overhauls. A couple more familiar Big Ten rivals renew acquaintances as No. 3 Ohio State returns home to meet Iowa.

Here’s how our panel of pickers think those and other contests involving ranked teams will go.

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When Kelsey Plum started chirping at New York basketball super fan Spike Lee during Game 1 of the WNBA semifinals between the Las Vegas Aces and the New York Liberty on Sunday, people who have watched Plum play knew what was coming: A scoring outburst. 

Known as one of the league’s best trash talkers, Plum told reporters afterward she couldn’t repeat what she and Lee said to each other, but that she encouraged him to “talk louder.” She erupted for 24 points that day, keeping the Aces within striking distance.

The issue is that her backcourt mates didn’t match her output. And after Game 1, Plum didn’t care much about her personal stat line. 

“It’s a loss, that’s the only thing I really see,” she said. “That’s the only statistic that matters.” 

The two-time defending champion Aces are staring at a daunting 0-2 hole after dropping Game 1 (87-77) and Game 2 (88-84) in Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. Game 3 — and if necessary, Game 4 — will take place in Vegas on Friday and Sunday, respectively. Aces fans are hoping that back in the friendly confines of Michelob ULTRA Arena, Vegas guards Plum, Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young will be more like their previous postseason selves.  

While forward A’ja Wilson unanimously won this season’s MVP, Aces coach Becky Hammon is the first to say that when it comes to the postseason, “our trio of guards has always been the separation factor for us.” 

So what happens when that trio goes missing?

After a rocky start to 2024, mostly due to Gray nursing a lingering leg injury and sitting out, the Aces won nine of their last 10 regular season games, before sweeping Seattle in the first round. (The only loss was a 75-71 defeat in New York, a game Wilson missed.) They looked like the Aces of old — led by those guards and Wilson, all of whom were WNBA All-Stars and Olympians in the summer. 

But Vegas hasn’t ruled the league the last two years purely because of its star power — it’s because of each of those individual stars’ unique skillsets.

Plum can score in a variety of ways, and takes pride in being able to get buckets even when a game has no flow. She’s stronger than she looks, can finish inside through contact and drain 3s from the perimeter.

Young is maybe the strongest guard in the WNBA pound-for-pound, a player who can bully defenders on the block. 

“Plum, specifically because of her pace, her ability to get to the rim and make rim reads, to create for herself and her teammates, is a huge factor for us,” Hammon said. “Her play and Jackie’s play both really impact our wins and losses. When they’re good, we typically are good.”

Gray has been so good the last two postseasons she earned the nickname Point Gawd; she was the 2022 Finals MVP when the Aces dispatched the Connecticut Sun in four games. Gray averaged 18.3 points, 6.0 assists and shot an eye-popping 58.5% from the field that series.

“We have games where Plum will have 25, Jackie will have 25 but really, it’s the way (the three of them) complement each other,” Hammon said. “It’s a great combo when they’re all clicking.”

But through two games, that hasn’t happened. At all. 

Plum had 24 points in Game 1, but just six in Game 2, burdened by foul trouble.

Young has scored 17 points in each game but is shooting a combined 11-of-29 from the floor, just 38%. 

Gray has been the worst of the three. She scored four points on 2-of-7 shooting in Game 1 and 14 points on 5-of-12 shooting in Game 2, but has been uncharacteristically sloppy with the ball, dribbling off her foot and letting it slip through her hands out of bounds. 

Wilson needs space to operate, especially because when she can get the ball one-on-one, she’s practically guaranteed to score. The best way to get that spacing is with quick ball movement and that comes with having perimeter players who command attention, pulling defenders away from the paint. This is particularly true with New York, which boasts a lot of length defensively (there was debate after Game 1 if Breanna Stewart’s wingspan is 7-foot-1 or 6-foot-10.75. No matter the answer, it impacts opponents’ offense.) But with the Aces disjointed and some questionable shot selection, the paint has been clogged, and Wilson has struggled to get free.

The Aces’ disconnect extends to the defensive end, too. Hammon was furious about the number of uncontested layups New York got in both wins, saying after Game 2 that the Liberty put on a ‘layup clinic.’ She called them “backbreaking,” and expressed her displeasure during timeouts with a variety of four-letter words. 

At the end of the regular season, Hammon was convinced that “offensively, our best games are still ahead of us.” 

That has certainly not been the case against the Liberty. In contrast, the best guard on the floor in the series has been New York’s Sabrina Ionescu, who’s averaging 22.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks. 

Additionally, Vegas guard Tiffany Hayes, who made a strong push for Sixth Player of the Year during the regular season (the winner has not been announced), was practically a non-factor in Game 1, scoring two points. She averaged 9.5 during the regular season and scored in double figures 16 times.

Told after Tuesday’s loss that no team in WNBA playoff history has come back from an 0-2 deficit in a five-game series — in fact teams are 0-18 in the playoffs when that happens — Gray quipped “I love being in the history books, so we might as well try to start there.” 

To do that, it’ll have to start with her, and the Aces’ other starting guards. 

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Former first lady Melania Trump is drawing heat from pro-life advocates over an excerpt in her memoir where she suggests a woman’s right to choose an abortion is a ‘fundamental right of individual liberty,’ according to a report Wednesday.

Melania Trump wife of Republican presidential candidate and former President Trump, wrote the memoir entitled ‘Melania’ that is scheduled to come out on Oct. 8, per the Amazon release date. In the book, according to a preview by The Guardian, Melania expresses a viewpoint that has historically been at odds with the Republican Party’s platform. 

‘It is imperative to guarantee that women have autonomy in deciding their preference of having children, based on their own convictions, free from any intervention or pressure from the government,’ Melania reportedly wrote.

‘Why should anyone other than the woman herself have the power to determine what she does with her own body? A woman’s fundamental right of individual liberty, to her own life, grants her the authority to terminate her pregnancy if she wishes.

‘Restricting a woman’s right to choose whether to terminate an unwanted pregnancy is the same as denying her control over her own body. I have carried this belief with me throughout my entire adult life.’

The excerpts quickly drew the ire of pro-life advocates who have already been disgruntled by some of Trump’s seemingly ambiguous comments regarding abortion. 

‘Melania Trump’s support of abortion is anti-feminist and clearly outside the teaching of our Catholic faith. She is wrong,’ wrote Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life of America advocacy group. 

Lila Rose, founder of leading pro-life advocacy group Live Action, also responded to a promotional video Melania posted for her memoir in which she states, ‘Individual freedom is a fundamental principle that I safeguard… what does my body my choice really mean?’

‘Who is this Melania Trump, or Kamala Harris? Functionally the same exact position on abortion,’ Rose wrote on X. 

President of pro-life advocacy group Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, Marjorie Dannenfelser, wrote on X: ‘The women of America are capable of great strength and creativity. They are naturally inclined to speak for those who are powerless. Abortion is not the source of their freedom and liberation.’

In August, Trump sparked confusion among pro-life supporters about where he stood on an amendment that would upend Florida’s ban on abortions after six weeks’ gestation. Trump, after saying ‘I think the six-week is too short, there has to be more time,’ to an NBC reporter when asked how he would vote, later walked it back and said he would vote against the amendment.

Other spouses of Republican presidents, such as Pat Nixon, Betty Ford, Nancy Reagan, Barbara Bush and Laura Bush, have been recorded either during or after their husbands’ tenure in office expressing pro-choice views.

Trump has also said he opposes a nationwide abortion ban and the GOP’s official platform softened its language about its abortion stances this year.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Melania Trump’s office for comment but did not hear back by publication deadline.

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Second gentleman Doug Emhoff denied the veracity of a Daily Mail report in which three unnamed sources accused him of having slapped a former girlfriend during a 2012 trip to the Cannes Film Festival.

Fox News Digital has not been able to independently confirm the allegations.

‘This report is untrue,’ an unnamed representative for Vice President Kamala Harris’ husband told news outlet Semafor. ‘Any suggestion that he would or has ever hit a woman is false.’

The Daily Mail’s exclusive story on Tuesday quoted a trio of unidentified sources who claim Emhoff slapped his then-girlfriend while the couple waited in a valet line following an event in Nice, France, in 2012. The alleged altercation was purportedly sparked when the woman — identified only by the pseudonym ‘Jane’ and described as a successful New York attorney — flirted with a valet, according to the article.

The Harris campaign, the Office of the Vice President and a representative for Emhoff’s ex-wife, Kerstin Emhoff, did not comment despite repeated requests from Fox News. 

Several media outlets, including Semafor, noted they had been unable to match the Daily Mail’s reporting, and legacy media companies such as The New York Times have yet to report on the claims. 

The Daily Mail’s article hinged on the recollections of three people described as being Jane’s friends. The outlet said its sources requested anonymity due to fear of retaliation from Emhoff. The three friends reportedly provided the outlet with a photo of the pair when they were still a couple, as well as itineraries and correspondence between Emhoff and Jane to substantiate that they made the trip to France in May 2012.

One of the sources is described by the Daily Mail as a female New York attorney who learned about the alleged incident from Jane.

‘He hauled up and slapped her so hard she spun around,’ the source is quoted as saying. ‘She said she was in utter shock. She was so furious, she slapped him on one side, and then on the other cheek with the other hand.’

Another friend, described by the Daily Mail as a New York businessman, told the outlet Jane called him sobbing following the alleged incident. 

‘It was very clear what she was telling me,’ that source said, according to the Daily Mail. ‘She said she was with a guy, her date, she was at the Cannes Film Festival, and he hit her. She was in the car with the guy at the time.’

The male friend said he learned more details about the alleged episode after the initial phone call. 

‘It was something like 3 a.m. They were trying to get out of there and they both had been drinking. There was a gigantic line for taxis,’ he told the outlet. ‘She went up to one of the valet guys, offered him 100 euros or whatever, to get to the head of the line. She told me she put her hand on his shoulder. Doug apparently thought that she was flirting, and came over and slapped her in the face.’

A third friend, described as a female executive, told the Daily Mail that she learned of the alleged incident in 2014, and purportedly found out new details from Jane in 2018, when Harris, then a senator from California, made headlines with her questioning of a Supreme Court nominee who had been accused of sexual assault.

‘[She] is a gorgeous, strong woman and you would never expect somebody to hit her,’ the third friend told the Daily Mail. ‘When he hit her she hit him back, like, ‘Don’t you ever do that again.”

The third Daily Mail source added: ‘I asked her if he ever apologized. She said ‘no,’ but he commented about the hit she gave him. It was a tennis metaphor. But no apology at all.’

All three friends told the outlet that Jane hit Emhoff back after the alleged initial slap. They also claimed that Jane tried to leave the valet area after the alleged slap, but that Emhoff got into a cab with Jane.

Jane and Emhoff had been dating for about three months before the reported trip to France, according to the friends. Emhoff allegedly cut the trip short and returned to the U.S. for his daughter’s birthday at the end of May, and never saw Jane again, the friends told the outlet. 

Emhoff’s alleged relationship with Jane unfolded after his 2008 divorce from his first wife and before his 2014 marriage to Harris. 

The New York Post on Wednesday slammed Emhoff as ‘Worst Gentleman’ in its cover story detailing the Daily Mail’s article.

Emhoff is fresh off of a Sunday sit-down interview on MSNBC during which host Jen Psaki celebrated him as having reshaped ‘the perception of masculinity.’

‘There is also an important, interesting part about how people have talked about your role is how your role has reshaped the perception of masculinity,’ Psaki said. ‘I’m not sure you planned on that, but you are an incredibly supportive spouse. Has that been an evolution for you? Do you think that’s part of the role you might play as first gentleman?’

Emhoff responded: ‘It’s funny. I’ve started to think a lot about this. I’ve always been like this. My dad’s always been like this. To me, it’s the right thing to do, support women. It is mutual with Kamala and I. We support each other, we have each other’s back.’

He added: ‘I’ve said many times when we lift up women, we support women, whether it’s pay equity, child care, family leave, and all of these issues in this post-Dobbs hellscape. Women should not be less than. Women should not have less rights and be treated differently. That’s not the American way.’

Clips of the exchange spread like wildfire on social media as critics noted that, in August, Emhoff admitted to having an affair with his family’s nanny during his first marriage years ago.

Emhoff’s admission came shortly after the Daily Mail published a separate report in August claiming that he got his daughter’s nanny pregnant.

The affair occurred before Emhoff’s relationship with and eventual marriage to Harris. 

‘During my first marriage, Kerstin and I went through some tough times on account of my actions. I took responsibility, and in the years since, we worked through things as a family and have come out stronger on the other side,’ Emhoff said over the summer, acknowledging the affair, but not naming the nanny. 

Emhoff and his first wife were married from 1992 to 2008 and share two adult children. Harris married Emhoff in 2014, and helped co-parent his children, who call their stepmom ‘mommala.’ 

Emhoff reportedly told Jane in 2012 about his divorce, according to her female friend who works as an executive. 

The Daily Mail’s report was published just five weeks before the election, when Harris will square off against former President Trump at the ballot box. 

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Boxer Terence Crawford said he rejected a two-fight deal with Conor McGregor because it would have required them to fight once in the Octagon.

Crawford, who has no experience as a mixed martial arts fighter, said the offer came from Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority. McGregor, in a separate interview, confirmed details of a two-fight offer that would have pitted the men in the boxing ring, too.

‘They offered me the fight,’ Crawford, a four-division boxing champion, said in an interview with Bernie Tha Boxer. ‘Me and Conor got on the phone and started politicking to try and figure something out. Man, I’m not getting in no (expletive) Octagon with you so you can be kicking and elbowing me!’

McGregor, the former UFC champion, helped usher in the current era of crossover fights when he boxed Floyd Mayweather in 2017 – an event that sold more than 4 million pay-per-views. McGregor, 36, has not fought since 2021 and in June he cited an injury in withdrawing from a UFC bout against Michael Chandler.

McGregor has said he plans to fight in 2025.

Of the Crawford deal, McGregor told Duelbits,  ‘It’s going to be hundreds of millions on the line. What’s up? He (Crawford) said, ‘I don’t want to take a kick.’ You got to respect that.’

Crawford, 37, is coming off a victory over Israil Madrimov in August and has been angling for a fight against Canelo Alvarez.

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