Joey Chestnut trounced Takeru Kobayashi in their showdown Monday on Netflix, with Chestnut eating a record-breaking 83 hot dogs and buns.

Chestnut shattered his previous record of 76 hot dogs to earn $100,000.

Kobayashi ate 66 hot dogs during the 10-minute contest.

“I’ve been trying to hit 80 hot dogs for years, and without Kobayashi I was never able to do it,’’ Chestnut said. “He drives me. We weren’t always nice to each other, but I love the way we push each other to be our best.’’

The event brought the competitive eating rivals together for the first time in 15 years over hot dogs.

“I feel like I did everything I could,’’ the Japanese eater said, through an interpreter.

Chestnut, the American powerhouse, and Kobayashi, the Japanese legend, faced off five times on the Fourth of July at the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest.

Chestnut won three of those contests between 2005 and 2009. Kobayashi stopped competing at Nathan’s the next year over what he said was a contract dispute with Major League Eating, which runs the Nathan’s contest.

The 10-minute Netflix showdown involved new rules: No dunking hot dog buns in water, no pouring water on the hot dog buns and no separating the hot dogs from the buns.

Chestnut, 40, entered the contest with a world record of 76 hot dogs and hot dog buns.

Kobayashi, 46, entered with a personal best of 64½, set in 2009.

In May, Kobayashi announced his retirement. But the chance to compete against Chestnut lured him back for what he said will be his final contest.

Follow along for updates, highlights and more from the Joey Chestnut-Takeru Kobayashi contest.

Joey Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: official results

Chestnut defeats Kobayashi, 83-66.

One hot dog was deducted from Kobayashi’s total because of excess, uneaten food.

Joey Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: final minute completed (unofficial results)

Chestnut: 83

Kobayashi: 67

Analysis: It’s a record-breaking rout for Chestnut! He breaks his record by seven hot dogs. Kobayashi breaks his personal best of 64½, but it’s not nearly enough to match Chestnut.

Joey Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: nine minutes completed

Chestnut: 77

Kobayashi: 63

Analysis: Chestnut sets a new record of 77 hot dogs with 1:10 left to eat!

Joey Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: eight minutes completed

Chestnut: 72

Kobayashi: 60

Analysis: Chestnut just five hot dogs from breaking his record of 76.

Joey Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: seven minutes completed

Chestnut: 66

Kobayashi: 55

Analysis: Chestnut now with his own record in sight.

Joey Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: six minutes completed

Chestnut: 59

Kobayashi: 50

Analysis: Looks like the oddsmakers were right. Chestnut looking as powerful as ever. The chants go up, “Joey, Joey!’’

Joey Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: five minutes completed

Chestnut: 51

Kobayashi: 45

Analysis: Chestnut pulling away.

Joey Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: four minutes completed

Chestnut: 44

Kobayashi: 38

Analysis: Chestnut breaks his record pace for four minutes, according to Netflix livestream.

Joey Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: three minutes completed

Chestnut: 35

Kobayashi: 31.

Analysis: Japanese fans crying.

Joey Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: two minutes completed

Chestnut: 25

Kobayashi: 22

Analysis: Chestnut devouring dogs at a record pace and Kobayashi staying within striking distance.

Joey Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: one minute completed

Chestnut: 14

Kobayashi: 11

Analysis: Chestnut breaks his record for hot dogs in a minute. Kobayashi’s shirt is soaked with water.

Joey Chestnut vs. Kobayashi VIP guests 

Pat Bertoletti, the 2024 Nathan’s champion, is on Chestnut’s guest list. 

Kobayashi’s guest list includes Tomoko Miyake and Russian Sato, competitive eaters who have flown in from Japan. 

Time for the main event

Chestnut and Kobayashi take the stage. Moments away from showdown commencing. 

Joey Chestnut vs. Kobayashi scenery

The action is moving indoors from poolside at the Luxor.

Chestnut and Kobayashi won’t have to contend with the blistering sun during their showdown, which will begin in about five minutes.

Joey Chestnut record hot dog time 

Barred from competing at Nathan’s, Chestnut competed on the Fourth of July at Fort Bliss Army Base in El Paso, Texas. He ate 57 hot dogs in five minutes, just one fewer than the 58 Pat Bertoletti ate in winning the Nathan’s contest.  For Chestnut, that worked out to be 11.4 hot dogs per minute. 

Joey Chestnut, Kobayashi hot dog stats 

In his 19 Nathan’s contests, Chestnut has eaten 1,214 hot dogs. That’s an average of slightly more than six hot dogs per minute. (The first four contests Chestnut competed in were 12 minutes long. The contest has been 10 minutes long since 2008.) 

In his nine Nathan’s contests, Kobayashi ate 487.75 hot dogs. That’s an average of almost five per minute. (The first seven contests Kobayashi competed in were 12 minutes long.) 

Joey Chestnut world record 

Chestnut ate 76 hot dogs at Nathan’s in 2021 before setting the new record Monday. He ate 83 hot dogs in his defeat of Kobayashi.

Kobayashi hot dog record 

His set his personal best at Nathan’s in 2009 with 64½ hot dogs. That’s the second highest total at Nathan’s, behind only Chestnut’s 76. Kobayashi has not participated in the contest since 2009. 

World record shattered in watermelon eating

The undercard continued poolside at the Luxor when Leah Shutkever, a British eater, shattered the record for watermelon eaten in three minutes. Yes, there is such a record recognized by Guinness World Records.

Shutkever scarfed down more than 2,000 grams of watermelon – about 4.4 pounds – crushing the previous record of 1,750 grams.

A World Guinness Records official was on hand to confirm the record. 

Joey Chestnut vs. Kobayashi undercard begins

Matt Stonie, the 2015 Nathan’s champion, went head-to-head against three Olympic medal-winning swimmers: Ryan Lochte, Ryan Murphy and Max Irving.

They were eating chicken wings, and Olympic swimmers looked like they were dog paddling.

Stonie looked like Michael Phelps. He ate 53 wings and the swimmers ate 26.

Technique made a difference. While the swimmers chewed the meat off the bone, Stonie stripped the meat off the bone with his hands and shoved it in his mouth.

Joey Chestnut vs. Kobayashi, most Nathan’s titles 

Chestnut won a record 16 titles at Nathan’s in 19 contests (2005-2023). 

Kobayashi won six titles in eight contests (2001-2009)  

Joey Chestnut not invincible

Yes, Chestnut is the prodigious favorite among oddsmakers and he decisively won an online poll conducted by Netflix on Monday.

But Chestnut lost in 2015 to Matt Stonie, who ate chicken wings during Monday’s undercard and was the last person to take down Chestnut at Nathan’s.

“Joey’s a great eater but he’s not unbeatable,’’ Stonie said. “And I showed up hungry that day.’’

Joey Chestnut record for hot dogs eaten 

83, at Monday’s ‘Unfinished Beef’ in Las Vegas in 2024. 

Kobayashi record for hot dogs eaten 

64½, at the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest in 2009.   

Joey Chestnut vs. Kobayashi training 

Chestnut has been training at his home in Westfield, Indiana, and well enough to think he’s got a good chance to break his record of 76 hot dogs. 

Kobayashi has been training in Los Angeles after leaving his home in Japan on July 15, according to his account on X, formerly Twitter. He has not indicated how many hot dogs he’s been eating during his practice sessions. 

But Kobayashi has revealed he’s using Pokemon Sleep to measure his sleep time and he’s found a device that measures the best temperate for drinking water. 

Joey Chestnut vs. Kobayashi officiating 

At the weigh-in, Chestnut and Kobayashi again agreed to the rules, which include no dunking the hot dog buns in water and no separating the hot dogs from the buns. 

“We reviewed the rules, the referee’s decision-making methods, penalties, and how to prepare water and hot dogs,’’ Kobayashi wrote on X. “This is a super professional team. Overall, everything is the most rigorous I’ve ever been in my competitive career.’’ 

When is Joey Chestnut vs. Kobayashi?

The contest begins at 3 p.m. ET on Monday, Sept. 2.

How to watch Joey Chestnut vs. Kobayashi

Netflix will stream the contest.

Where is Joey Chestnut vs. Kobayashi?

HyperX Arena Las Vegas inside Luxor Hotel & Casino will be the host of the contest.

Joey Chestnut vs. Kobayashi trash talk

Netflix opened the livestream with some spicy videotaped quotes from the two eaters.

“He was an amazing champion, until he started losing … He could tolerate being next to me. That’s not champion behavior.’’ – Chestnut

“He used to be my main rival. But I kind of retired him.’’ – Chestnut

“I want to kick his ass.’’ –Kobayashi

Joey Chestnut vs. Kobayashi prize money

The winner will get $100,000, according to the Netflix livestream.

How many hot dogs will be cooked?

300 for the contest, according to the Netflix livestream.

Joey Chestnut vs. Kobayashi online poll

Who are you taking? That’s the question Netflix asked Monday in an online poll on X, formerly Twitter, that closed at 3 p.m. ET.

The results after 3,030 votes:

Chestnut: 79.7%

Kobayashi: 20.3%

Kobayashi arrival

The Japanese eating star is sporting a black track suit and black cap as he arrives for the contest.

Joey Chestnut arrival

Wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with “Unfinished Beef’’ and shorts, Joey Chestnut, the world record holder, arrives.

Joey Chestnut vs. Kobayashi odds 

FanDuel: Chestnut -700, Kobayashi +400 
BetOnline: Chestnut -1000, Kobayashi +550 
BetUS: Chestnut -1000, Kobayashi 550 

What’s under Kobayashi’s cap?

It’s a buzz cut. Kobayashi has shorn the hair he once wore in braids.

Joey Chestnut vs. Kobayashi undercard 

The undercard events will take place before the livestream begins.

Matt Stonie, who beat Joey Chestnut at Nathan’s in 2015 and remains the last person to beat Chestnut there, will compete against a trio of medal-winning Olympic swimmers.

The trio is Ryan Lochte, a 12-time medalist with six golds; Ryan Murphy, a five-time gold medalist; and Max Irving, who won a bronze at the Paris Olympics.

They’ll be eating chicken wings. 

It’ll be watermelon for Leah Shutkever, a speed eater who will attempt to set a world record for watermelon consumed in three minutes.

Joey Chestnut vs. Kobayashi contest rules 

Dunking hot dog buns into water will not be allowed. The rule was requested by Kobayashi, who said dunking can leading to cheating. The rules prohibit separating the hot dog and bun, a key move for dunking. Pouring water on the hot dog bun is also prohibited. Drinking water, however, will be permitted.

Netflix has not specified what the penalties will be for rule violations.

What kind of hot dogs for Joey Chestnut vs. Kobayashi? 

Ballpark beef hot dogs. 

Joey Chestnut vs. Kobayashi predictions 

Pat Bertoletti, 2024 Nathan’s champion: ‘Kobi’s going to show us why he was the best by putting up a big number, but Joey will prove why he is the best.’ Prediction: Chestnut 82, Kobayashi 74.

Bob Shoudt, Top 5 finisher at Nathan’s: ‘I think Joey’s going to have the lead the entire way. It should be pretty clear cut that Joey won without having to look at any kind of debris or anything.’ Prediction: Chestnut 78, Kobayashi 73.

John ‘Crazy Legs’ Conti, competitive eater: ‘It’s going to be a two-bite, three-bite scenario with these hot dogs,’ he said, referring to how many bites will be needed to consume each hot dog. ‘So it’s going to be a very fast contest.’ Prediction: In a ‘bun buzzer beater,’ both Chestnut and Kobayashi will eat more than 70 hot dogs.

Wouldn’t this be a disaster?

Just a little Netflix humor here.

Right, Netflix?

Joey Chestnut nickname 

Jaws 

Kobayashi nickname 

The Tsunami 

Joey Chestnut vs. Kobayashi history 

Their competitive eating history is rooted in the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contests held on the Fourth of July, and the first showdown took place in 2005. 

Kobayashi, then the four-time reigning champion, ate 49 hot dogs. Chestnut, in his Nathan’s debut, ate 32 hot dogs and finished third. 

In 2006, Kobayashi won his sixth consecutive title with 53¾ hot dogs. Chestnut ate 52 hot dogs – a 20-dog improvement in one year – and finished second. 

Chestnut swept the next three contests, including one that went to overtime in 2008. After the 2009 contest, Kobayashi stopped competing at Nathan’s because of what he said was a contract dispute. 

Joey Chestnut vs. Kobayashi contract disputes 

Both eaters have had strained relationships with Major League Eating (MLE), which runs the Nathan’s contest. After the 2009 contest, Kobayashi refused to compete because of what he called a contract dispute. Last year Chestnut was barred from competing because he signed a marketing deal with Impossible Foods, which MLE deemed a direct competitor to Nathan’s. 

Joey Chestnut vs. Kobayashi overtime 

In 2008 at Nathan’s, Chestnut and Kobayashi were tied at 59 hot dogs apiece after the 10-minute contest. Chestnut prevailed in the subsequent “Eat-Off,’’ finishing a plate of five hot dogs and hot dog buns in 50 seconds. That was seven seconds faster than Kobayashi did it. 

Netflix is prepared for such a scenario. 

If the contest is tied after 10 minutes, a three-minute overtime will commence. If it’s still tied after the overtime period, the winner will be determined by the first to finish five hot dogs and buns. 

Joey Chestnut vs. Kobayashi talk of cheating 

There will be no dunking hot dog buns in water – a rule in place at the request of Kobayashi. 

‘When you dunk the bun in the water, then they tend to come apart, fall apart and you’re losing a lot of the bread in the process,’’ he told USA TODAY Sports. “So the reason why this rule exists is to make it very clear to people who are watching the match … the number of hot dogs being consumed and also to hinder the possibility of cheating.’’ 

Kobayashi said he is not accusing Chestnut of cheating. 

Joey Chestnut on competition quirk 

Another rule in place at the request of Kobayashi prohibits the separation of the hot dog from the bun. 

‘It worries me a little,’ Chestnut told USA TODAY Sports. ‘Sometimes the (hot dog) rolls out of the bun. It’s not clear if I have to put in back in or I can just grab ’em both at the same time.’ 

Joey Chestnut vs. Kobayashi announcers 

Cari Champion and Chris Rose will call the head-to-head contest. Rob Riggle and Nikki Garcia will serve as hosts of the event.

Joey Chestnut vs. Kobayashi tension 

Chestnut and Kobayashi shook hands after the weigh-in Sunday at the behest of the announcer. But it looked strained, with Chestnut smiling and Kobayashi stone-faced.

Last week, Chestnut said Kobayashi was not talking to him, much less shaking hands. Why?

‘I had time to look back at how he treated me during the days that we competed together, the discriminatory, derogatory comments that he made about me,’ Kobayashi told USA TODAY Sports last week.

Chestnut said he had no idea what Kobayashi was talking about regarding the alleged discriminatory and derogatory comments. But of a relationship Chestnut said began to fall apart in 2010, Chestnut said: ‘I could have handled things differently. Probably should have.’

Joey Chestnut vs. Kobayashi last competition 

Chestnut and Kobayashi competed without hot dogs on the table. The last head-to-head competition was in 2010 in Singapore in front of a pro-Kobayashi crowd and bowls of shrimp wontons. Chestnut ate 380 shrimp wontons and Kobayashi ate 370. 

Recalled Chestnut, “He started out and he was pretty fast and he had a little bit of a lead on me. And then I caught him and it was obvious the crowd got quiet. … That was a great feeling.’’ 

Joey Chestnut vs. Kobayashi championship belt 

The prized Mustard belt of Nathan’s lore will not be at stake. But there will be a championship belt up for grabs, and it will be presented by WWE superstars Rey Mysterio and Omos. 

Joey Chestnut vs. Kobayashi serving size

At Nathan’s, hot dogs are served five on a plate. There will be 10 hot dogs on each plate during the Netflix contest, according to Chestnut.

Chestnut said he welcomes the change because it’ll reduce the number of times plates must be swapped out during the contest. ‘It’s always like an ordeal … (having) to dance around the people giving you the plates,’ he said. ‘So plates of 10 is good. It’ll allow me to just do a better rhythm.’

Why was Joey Chestnut barred from Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest? 

Chestnut was barred from competing at this year’s Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest this year after he signed a marketing deal with Impossible Foods. Major League Eating, which runs the Nathan’s contest, deemed Impossible Foods a direct competitor of Nathan’s because this year Impossible Foods started selling hot dogs. It was the first Nathan’s contest Chestnut has missed in 20 years.

It’s the week we’ve all been waiting for.

Real, meaningful NFL games will be played this week, and every week (except one) through Super Bowl 59, which will be played Feb 9, 2025 in New Orleans.

Week 1 starts with a bang as the defending two-time champion Kansas City Chiefs host fellow AFC – and Super Bowl – contenders, the Baltimore Ravens. There’s football the very next day, as the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles battle in Brazil on Friday night in the first game of the NFL’s 2024 international series.

The NFL’s first Sunday is loaded with intriguing matchups, capped by an NFC wild-card rematch for Sunday Night Football as the Detroit Lions host the Los Angeles Rams. And the first Monday Night Football clash pits Aaron Rodgers in his return from a torn Achilles and the New York Jets against the San Francisco 49ers, defending champs of the NFC.

Here’s what to know about Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season:

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When does 2024 NFL regular season begin?

The NFL season begins Thursday, Sept. 5 with the NFL Kickoff game between the Ravens and Chiefs. It is a rematch of last year’s AFC championship game, won by the Chiefs.

NFL Week 1 games

All times Eastern

Thursday, Sept. 5

Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs, 8:20 p.m. | NBC

Friday, Sept. 6

Green Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles (São Paulo, Brazil), 8:15 p.m. | Peacock

Sunday, Sept. 8

Pittsburgh Steelers at Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m. | FOX
Arizona Cardinals at Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m. | CBS
Tennessee Titans at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m. | FOX
New England Patriots at Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m. | CBS
Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m. | CBS
Jacksonville Jaguars at Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m. | CBS
Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m. | FOX
Minnesota Vikings at New York Giants, 1 p.m. | FOX
Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers, 4:05 p.m. | CBS
Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks, 4:05 p.m. | CBS
Dallas Cowboys at Cleveland Browns, 4:25 p.m. | FOX
Washington Commanders at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 4:25 p.m. | FOX
Los Angeles Rams at Detroit Lions, 8:20 p.m. | NBC

Monday, Sept. 9

New York Jets at San Francisco 49ers, 8:15 p.m. | ESPN, ABC

How to watch NFL Week 1 games

Throughout the 2024 season, the NFL will air games through a variety of streaming services, including Peacock, Fubo TV, and NFL Network. Different games will be featured on different platforms.

Starting with the 2023 season, NFL Sunday Ticket moved to YouTube TV, and the service will remain there. Fans can sign up to watch all non-digital-only games.

USA TODAY Sports’ Lorenzo Reyes contributed to this report.

NEW YORK — Iga Swiatek and Daniil Medvedev, the last two former champions left in the U.S. Open singles draws after a series of upsets, swept into the quarter-finals at Flushing Meadows with a minimum of fuss on Monday.

Top seed Swiatek, who won the title two years ago, showcased her all-court game in a straightforward 6-4 6-1 win over Russian Liudmila Samsonova to open the evening session at Arthur Ashe Stadium and warned she was only going to improve.

‘At the beginning, it wasn’t easy to get the rhythm, especially because we kind of put our focus more on recovery than actually practicing before the slam,’ Swiatek said of her week in New York.

‘So I’m happy that I got some matches here and for sure, I’m feeling better and better every day.’

Medvedev, the 2021 champion, had earlier brushed aside a delay caused by a fire alarm in the building where the Hawkeye line-calling system is housed to pummel Portugal’s Nuno Borge 6-0 6-1 6-3.

‘It was a strange experience but it did help me because I felt like he had started to get the momentum and this broke it a little bit,’ Medvedev said.

‘But that’s things that we don’t control. Hopefully it never happens again.’

There was already one success for Americans to cheer on their Labor Day holiday as Jessica Pegula efficiently disposed of Diana Shnaider 6-4 6-2 to reach the last eight without dropping a set.

The sixth seed, who missed the French Open due to injury but triumphed at a U.S. Open tune-up event in Canada last month, said she felt her game was trending in the right direction.

‘Today was the best I’ve felt off the ground so I want to keep working and bringing my best tennis for the later rounds,’ the 30-year-old said.

‘There’s always a lot of pressure here but I like it. It’s nice being an American here and getting all the support.’

Pegula has reached the quarter-finals of all four Grand Slams but never gone further and her path to the semis this week is blocked by the imposing figure of world number one Swiatek.

Karolina Muchova ousts Jasmine Paolini

The only minor surprise early on the eighth day of the championships also came in the women’s draw when Karolina Muchova, a semifinalist here last year, ousted Italian fifth seed Jasmine Paolini 6-3 6-3.

Unseeded after surgery on a wrist injury sustained at last year’s U.S. Open sidelined her for 10 months, the Czech showed her quality to outclass Paolini, who had reached the finals at both the French Open and Wimbledon this year.

Muchova will next face Beatriz Haddad Maia after the Brazilian produced 40 winners to send former world number one Caroline Wozniacki packing 6-2 3-6 6-3.

Later at the Louis Armstrong Stadium, Jack Draper became the first British man since Andy Murray in 2016 to reach the last eight at Flushing Meadows with a 6-3 6-1 6-2 thrashing of Tomas Machac.

The 25th seed has yet to drop a set at the tournament this year and will face Australian Alex de Minaur in his first Grand Slam quarter-final on Wednesday.

De Minaur came out on top 6-0 3-6 6-3 7-5 in a tight tussle with compatriot and close friend Jordan Thompson to reach the last eight at a third straight Grand Slam.

‘I’ve got so much respect for Thommo,’ said the 10th seed. ‘We’ve grown up together, he’s been like a big brother to me, so I really appreciate everything he’s done for me, and he’s a hell of a competitor.’

Time was, an NFL head coach might find his fanny getting warm if he was coming to the end of his fourth year and hadn’t yet guided his program into the postseason. Alas, stability and patience in a league where one-year turnarounds are hardly foreign – congratulations once more, Houston Texans – are long gone.

Nowadays, you might not survive a poor start to your inaugural campaign – looking at you, Nathaniel Hackett and Frank Reich. No playoffs after three years? See ya. Consistent postseason presence but underwhelming results? Meh. Even deeply rooted (and legendary) former Super Bowl architects like Bill Belichick and Pete Carroll headed for the door after disappointing 2023 campaigns.

‘That’s part of the business of the National Football League,” Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy, who hasn’t managed to end Dallas’ championship drought despite winning 12 games each of the past three seasons, said recently. “We’re excited and energized by this opportunity that’s in front of us.

‘The only thing we’ve been guaranteed is 17 games.’

If that, Mike.

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Yet coaches are guaranteed that monitoring hot seats is now a year-round endeavor … and, yes, seven of them – roughly the number of HCs replaced annually – appear to enter 2024 under rising temperatures, these chairs ranked lukewarm to scalding:

7. Matt Eberflus, Chicago Bears

Prior to 2024, the last two quarterbacks drafted No. 1 overall, the Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence and Panthers’ Bryce Young, saw their coaches canned before their rookie years wrapped – and, yes, the circumstances were quite extenuating, especially given the Urban Meyer fiasco in Jacksonville in 2021. There had been speculation regarding Eberflus’ footing prior to the arrival of presumed savior Caleb Williams this spring. And while the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner appears to have all the supporting elements a rookie quarterback could possibly want, if his maiden voyage resembles anything close to what Young experienced last year, good bet this organization – like Carolina – will move quickly to remediate the situation in order to elevate and safeguard Williams. And that could well mean bringing in a head man who specializes on the offensive side, which Eberflus does not.

6. Sean McDermott, Buffalo Bills

More a low simmer given he’s lorded over four consecutive AFC East crowns and five straight playoff appearances. Yet the Bills have only advanced beyond the divisional round once in McDermott’s seven seasons, and he took over the play calling on the defensive side in 2023 while changing offensive coordinators at midseason. While salary cap-necessitated roster adjustments might temper expectations this season, the buck’s going to land on McDermott’s desk at some point if this Lombardi-starved franchise can’t break though soon while QB Josh Allen is still in his prime.

5. Doug Pederson, Jacksonville Jaguars

‘For us winning – winning now – is an expectation,’ owner Shad Khan said in July, following an offseason when he opened the club’s coffers wide. ‘You want to be in the playoffs every year.’ Take note, Coach. Pederson went 9-8 in 2022, and his team closed with a purpose to win the AFC South. Then he went 9-8 in 2023 … thanks to a 1-5 finish, and the Jags were playoff no-shows. Might also be worth noting that the only time Pederson has won more than nine games in the regular season was when he led the 2017 Eagles to victory in Super Bowl 52. He might not quite have a Lombardi decree, but Pederson would probably be wise to heed Khan – though, a year after it appeared like Jacksonville might put a chokehold on this division, things are definitely up for grabs with C.J. Stroud’s Texans and Anthony Richardson’s Colts showing it’s going to be hotly contested for some time.

4. Dennis Allen, New Orleans Saints

Recycled after an unsuccessful tenure in Oakland ended a decade ago, he now owns a 24-46 career mark with nary a playoff appearance as a head coach. And while Allen’s defense has outpaced the offense in the years since QB Drew Brees’ retirement, if he doesn’t get this organization a successful reset holistically, hard to imagine Allen will enjoy another Mardi Gras as a local.

3. Robert Saleh, New York Jets

After stratospheric expectations in 2023, he and GM Joe Douglas got one more mulligan after the team’s season was scuttled four snaps in by QB Aaron Rodgers’ torn Achilles. Honestly, Saleh probably doesn’t get enough credit, notching seven wins each of the past two seasons and lording over the league’s second-ranked defense during that span – all despite the most consistently miserable quarterback play in the NFL. But that’s pretty clearly not going to suffice now. “We have all this talent, and we have to deploy talent properly. … This is it. This is the time to go. We’ve got to produce this year,” owner Woody Johnson said February during Super Bowl week. “We have to do a lot better than seven (victories), definitely.” The Jets are unquestionably loaded, perhaps even more so than in 2023, according to Rodgers, after another active offseason from Douglas. But it’s time for production to meet or exceed potential if Saleh wants to stick around for 2025.

2. Nick Sirianni, Philadelphia Eagles

As good an example as any of the tenuous nature of the coaching profession, he’s 36-20 in three seasons – all of them concluding in the playoffs, including a near miss in Super Bowl 57. But Sirianni – admittedly in his case – and the staff may have been the most underwhelming components of a 2023 squad that got off to a 10-1 start … but only won once thereafter. Entering 2024, Sirianni has his third set of coordinators since the start of the 2022 campaign – though OC Kellen Moore and DC Vic Fangio are more experienced than last year’s duo – and lost two of the locker room leaders he openly leaned on, C Jason Kelce and DT Fletcher Cox, to retirement.

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With DE Brandon Graham announcing he’ll head into the sunset next year, Sirianni may have to exert tighter control on the reins while younger players like QB Jalen Hurts and WR A.J. Brown try to fill the leadership void – which they evidently didn’t do in 2023, occasionally freelancing to Philadelphia’s detriment. Sirianni and Hurts must also prove their professional marriage is workable, a recent ESPN article reporting their relationship was “fractured” by the end of last season. Though this group may be in heavy transition emotionally, it can’t afford to underachieve from a talent perspective again – especially with RB Saquon Barkley, DE Bryce Huff, WR Jahan Dotson and some impressive rookies onboarding. A third one-and-done postseason in a four-year span will hardly be a selling point for Sirianni.

1. Mike McCarthy, Dallas Cowboys

The last time we saw him try to navigate a meaningful contest, his team was getting its doors blown off by the Packers in a wild-card defeat at AT&T Stadium – thus ending an 18-game winning streak at home for “America’s Team” while marking a third consecutive season with a bitterly disappointing ouster in the playoffs. Given the surprisingly convincing loss to the young, inexperienced Pack, not to mention Belichick’s availability, McCarthy’s return for a fifth season – currently the last one on his contract – in Big D hardly seemed inevitable.

But he’s back, albeit with a team that’s largely been handcuffed by salary cap constraints and also wondering if QB Dak Prescott will return himself next year – yet still carrying owner Jerry Jones’ constantly repeated “all in” mantra as it attempts to become the first squad to win consecutive NFC East crowns in 20 years … while also ending Dallas’ nearly three-decade absence from Super Sunday. While Jones hasn’t issued a mandate, hard to envision a lame duck like McCarthy returning to his post in 2025 without collecting a playoff win this season. At the very minimum.

***

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

As September dawns, a surprise guest has imposed on the National League playoff race.

And the Chicago Cubs are proving that, with the exception of their crosstown rivals, it’s never too late to make a meaningful run.

The hottest team in baseball just completed an 8-1 road trip and will take a season-high six-game winning streak into the week, extending a stretch of quality play that has moved them up six spots in USA TODAY Sports’ power rankings.

Chicago has gone 20-8 since July 31 and 32-18 in its last 50 games, pulling within three games of the final NL wild-card berth. The Cubs have done it on the strength of a once moribund and suddenly unstoppable offense that’s produced 99 runs in their last 10 games, ranking first in the major leagues in batting average and OPS in that span.

‘It’s like a tale of two seasons, right?’ says shortstop Dansby Swanson, who was batting .201 on July 9 but .293 (46 for 157) in 45 games since. ‘Y’all are saying we stink, and we can’t score runs, and everyone’s putting so much pressure to try to score runs and produce.

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‘Right now it feels like the opposite: Everybody’s free and confident, whether it’s themselves or the guy on deck or in the batter’s box.’

While they still need to leapfrog the New York Mets and Swanson’s former Atlanta squad, beware the bear in the woods: Just nine of the Cubs’ last 25 games are against teams with winning records.

A look at our updated rankings:

1. Los Angeles Dodgers (-)

Toe injury might end Clayton Kershaw’s season after just eight starts.

➤ DREADING OCTOBER? Dodgers could hit another MLB postseason wall

2. Philadelphia Phillies (+3)

Where would they be without Zack Wheeler? His 2.63 ERA would be a career best.

3. Milwaukee Brewers (-)

Brice Turang posts team’s first 40-steal season since Jonathan Villar swiped 62 in 2016.

4. New York Yankees (-2)

Anthony Rizzo is back – and Jasson Dominguez is not, even with September roster expansion.

5. Baltimore Orioles (-1)

Zach Eflin pops off IL, spins gem at Coors Field to salvage .500 road trip.

6. Cleveland Guardians (-)

Can we not play two? They’re 1-17 in doubleheaders since start of 2023.

7. Arizona Diamondbacks (+1)

Missed a chance to gain ground on Dodgers, but in dead heat for No. 1 wild card.

8. San Diego Padres (+2)

Weekly Jackson Merrill update: His 79 RBI already match Benito Santiago’s rookie franchise record.

9. Minnesota Twins (-2)

Royce Lewis homers for first time since Aug. 12.

10. Houston Astros (+1)

Now 6-0 in Yusei Kikuchi’s starts.

11. Atlanta Braves (+1)

Relievers John Brebbia and old friend Tyler Matzek added to organizational stew in time for playoff consideration.

12. Kansas City Royals (-3)

What a rollercoaster: Win three at Cleveland, climb into first, lose five and slide into tie for No. 2 wild card.

13. New York Mets (-)

Sean Manaea has completed seven innings in five of his last seven starts.

14. Chicago Cubs (+6)

Pete Crow-Armstrong batting .341 (30 for 88) with four homers in last 26 games.

15. Seattle Mariners (-)

Fifteenth feels like their permanent home in these rankings.

16. Boston Red Sox (-2)

August isn’t the greatest month to plan their annual retreat – 13-15 this time around.

17. Detroit Tigers (+3)

At 70-68, a real shot at their first winning record since 2016.

18. St. Louis Cardinals (-)

Jordan Walker is back, and now has a five-hit game at Yankee Stadium to his credit.

19. San Francisco Giants (-2)

The Thairo Estrada era appears to be over.

20. Tampa Bay Rays (-4)

How much work do they have this winter? They’re just 11-19 against AL East.

21. Toronto Blue Jays (+1)

Who’da thunk they’d have a shot at .500?

22. Cincinnati Reds (-)

Somehow have 22nd-best record yet a positive (+11) run differential.

23. Texas Rangers (+1)

Jacob deGrom punching out a lot of fools in his rehab starts.

24. Pittsburgh Pirates (-)

Oneil Cruz in center? Hey, why not.

25. Washington Nationals (-)

Dylan Crews shows off every tool in less than a week as a big leaguer.

26. Oakland Athletics (-)

Lawrence Butler Jr. goes on six-homer binge in five games.

27. Los Angeles Angels (-)

Caden Dana with a six-inning, two-run debut.

28. Miami Marlins (-)

Griffin Conine – yes, son of Mr. Marlin – has six hits in first 19 at-bats.

29. Colorado Rockies (-)

Outfielder Hunter Goodman back with September expansion.

30. Chicago White Sox (-)

31-107 really speaks for itself, does it not?

Uruguay striker Luis Suarez announced his international retirement on Monday, ending a 17-year career with his national team as their top scorer with 69 goals.

The 37-year-old, who has 142 caps for his country, made his international debut in 2007 and was key in the squad that reached the semifinals of the 2010 World Cup and won the Copa America a year later.

‘Friday will be my last match with my country’s national team,’ an emotional Suarez told a press conference.

‘The fact that is my decision to retire and that I’m not retired because of injuries or that they stop calling me for one thing or another, that gives me a lot of comfort, it helps me individually.

‘It’s difficult but it gives me peace of mind that until the last game I have given my all, and that flame has not been extinguished little by little,’ the striker added.

Uruguay take on Paraguay at the Centenario stadium in Montevideo on Friday in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup before facing Venezuela four days later.

Suarez scored the stoppage-time goal against Canada that secured third place at the Copa America in July and the striker added that one of his aims was to show he could continue to contribute to the national team.

‘My dream was for my children to see me win something important with the national team … that last goal was very nice for them and even though it wasn’t a trophy to take home, it was very nice for them,’ he said.

‘I wanted to show people again that I can continue to contribute to the national team and, well, I had the Copa America and yes, I could have done it (retired) perfectly after that, but having analysed the situation, I want to do it with my people, in my stadium.

‘I want my children to live this experience. Saying goodbye with the people here is something that I don’t know if many have done.’

Suarez has already said Inter Miami will be his last club after joining the Major League Soccer side last year to reunite with former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.

Suarez currently is in contention for the MLS Golden Boot with 16 goals this season, tied for second — with Los Angeles FC’s Denis Bouanga — and one goal behind co-leaders Cristian Arango of Real Salt Lake and Christian Benteke of D.C. United.

PARIS — It has been quite a trip to the Paralympics for USA para badminton duo Jayci Simon and Miles Krajewski. 

The duo was delayed leaving Atlanta due to mechanical issues, generating a travel nightmare. The delays persisted once they arrived in Paris. Match time reshuffling ‒ including the doubles semifinal match that didn’t start until 10 p.m. local time on Saturday ‒ made the tournament hectic, to say the least. 

Both played six matches in three days, but the seventh match is one they won’t soon forget. 

Simon and Krajewski persisted through the tumultuous schedule to earn silver in mixed doubles SH6, falling to China’s Naili Lin and Fengmei Li, 2-0. The medal is the first ever for the United States and the Pan American region in the Paralympics since para badminton ‒ a sport traditionally dominated by athletes from Asian countries ‒ was introduced in 2020 . 

‘I think nobody expected us to come in and get a silver medal or play in the finals match, but deep down we knew that we had a chance to win it all,’ Krajewski said. ‘So we came out here, played our best and we ended up in the finals.’

2024 Paris Olympics: Follow USA TODAY’s coverage of the biggest names and stories of the Games.

Rolling with the punches became the duo’s mantra for the tournament in SH6, the classification for those of short stature. The punches didn’t stop when the two took Court No. 1 inside Porte de La Chapelle Arena. 

Lin and Li rank as the No. 5 duo internationally, and showed their skill from the start of the match. Leading by as many as eight, China took the first set 21-14 before taking the second set 21-12. 

Going into the final against an intimidating opponent, there was no tension for the Americans. 

‘We knew that we were the underdogs and our goal was just to – well get out of group, that was our first goal and then to get to the gold medal match,’ Simon said. ‘So we achieved both of those so we were able to play a little bit looser knowing that we were the underdogs and just to give it our all.’

The two 19-year-olds hope the silver medal can help them in future Paralympic competitions. But before they worry about the next Games, there will be time for celebration and rest. 

Both Simon and Krajewski said the next few months will be lighter as they head back to college as Paralympic medalists. 

‘Very few make it to this stage and the gold medal match,’ Simon said. ‘Even though it’s been in our mind, it’s still just as amazing – even more amazing than what we dreamed about.’

Growing the sport back home

Badminton, especially the Paralympic version, is not a sport with huge popularity in the U.S. Krajewski and Simon hope that Monday’s medal can help change that. 

Abhishek Ahlawat, a member of the U.S. para badminton coaching staff, works at Frisco Badminton Academy in Texas, where the duo trains. Ahlawat also hopes to grow the sport, which the medal may help do. 

‘I hope that it creates more funding for us and also grows the sport,’ Simon said. ‘Not only the para level but also able-bodied as well.’

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The Philadelphia Eagles are working to remove a series of counterfeit political ads that have cropped up around Philadelphia, purporting to be an endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign.

‘We are aware counterfeit political ads are being circulated and are working with our advertising partner to have them removed,’ the team said Monday in a statement posted to its social media platforms.

Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee in the Nov. 5 general election, is facing Republican nominee and 45th president, Donald Trump.

According to images posted Monday on social media, at least one counterfeit ad was placed at a bus stop in Philadelphia. The advertisement depicts a caricature of Harris in side profile, wearing an Eagles football helmet and clutching a football. The ad also features the Eagles logo above ‘Kamala’ in bold, white letters. Below that, the ad features the text: ‘Official candidate of the Philadelphia Eagles.’

At the bottom of the ad, there is a link to an actual link that goes to the official website of the Philadelphia Eagles that encourages voter registration, PhiladelphiaEagles.com/vote.

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The website does not mention any candidate by name, nor does it mention any political party or cause. Rather, it lists resources and information to help fans in Pennsylvania find polling stations, request ballots, register to vote and participate in elections.

Based on the bus stop ID number that is visible in the image, at least one ad is located in West Philadelphia, on Walnut and 34th Streets, in the heart of the University of Pennsylvania.

In 2020, the NFL and NFL Players Association jointly launched the NFL Votes initiative. The program is a league-wide, non-partisan effort ‘that supports and encourages civic engagement among NFL players, and legends, club and league personnel, and fans.’