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Giants hand Eagles surprising loss on ‘Thursday Night Football’

From Sept. 29, 2024 through last Saturday, the Philadelphia Eagles lost two just regular season games. They’ve now equaled that in the last five days.

Philadelphia went on the road to take on NFC East foe New York on ‘Thursday Night Football’ and it was the Giants – led by their star rookies – who won the first game of Week 6 34-17 at MetLife Stadium.

Philadelphia scored a field goal on their opening drive but New York fired back with consecutive touchdown drives thanks to their rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart.

The first-round pick out of Ole Miss took in himself from 19 yards out to open the scoring for New York. He found Wan’Dale Robinson on the right sideline on their next drive and the wide receiver took it 35 yards to the house for another score.

Philadelphia responded with touchdowns on a 75- and 74-yard drive to take a 17-13 lead midway through the second quarter behind a ‘Tush Push’ touchdown by Jalen Hurts. That ended up being the last time the Eagles crossed the goal line for a score.

Giants rookie running back Cam Skattebo scored the first of his three rushing touchdowns on the next drive to put New York up 20-17 at halftime. A couple of Skattebo touchdowns and two key turnovers late in the fourth quarter sealed the win for the Giants, their second in three weeks.

Dart finished 17-of-25 passing for 195 yards and a touchdown as well as 13 carries for 58 yards and a score on the ground. Skattebo had 110 total yards (98 rushing, 12 receiving) and three touchdowns.

Philadelphia’s offense struggled against the Giants. The Eagles went just 1 of 9 on third down and Hurts’ interception late in the fourth quarter ended any hopes of a comeback. Former Giant Saquon Barkley managed just 58 yards on 12 carries as the Eagles failed to reach 100 yards rushing as a team for the fourth week in a row.

New York heads on the road next week against the Denver Broncos (3-2), who just handed Philadelphia their first loss of the season four days ago. The Eagles stay on the road again in Week 7 with a game against the Minnesota Vikings (3-2).

USA TODAY Sports provided live updates, highlights and more from the Week 6 matchup between the Giants and Eagles on Thursday night below.

Giants vs. Eagles takeaways

Jaxson Dart lives up to first-round hype

New York traded up for Dart in the 2025 NFL Draft and were panned by many for doing so. He’s now led the team to two wins in the last three weeks. Tonight, the Ole Miss product stood strong in the face of pressure and delivered regularly to keep the Giants’ offense moving. He completed 17 of 25 passes and, if not for a few drops, could’ve had an even better night.

Turnovers crush hopes for Eagles comeback

In the last 20 quarters of football Philadelphia played entering Thursday night, the Eagles had turned the ball over once: a Jalen Hurts fumble in Week 3. They were well in range to make this a 3-point contest early on in the fourth quarter but Hurts’ interception in the red zone swung things back in New York’s favor. An A.J. Dillon fumble on their ensuing drive sealed the loss as the Giants ran out the clock.

NFC East hierarchy becomes anarchy

Just 10 days ago, the Eagles looked well in control of the division with four wins – as many as the rest of the division combined. Now Washington has a chance to pull even in the wins column at home against the Chicago Bears in primetime on Monday night. In a couple of weeks, New York and Philadelphia will face off again in what could be a must-win for the Eagles before their bye.

Giants vs. Eagles highlights

Jaxson Dart stats vs. Eagles

The Giants rookie passer had an efficient, effective showing vs. the Eagles:

17/25 passing
195 yards
2 touchdowns (one rushing, one passing)
13 carries, 58 yards

Eagles turn the ball over again on A.J. Dillon fumble

Philadelphia ends a drive with a turnover once again as running back A.J. Dillon took a pass from Jalen Hurts for a first down but fumbled before his knee came down. The Giants’ defense recovered the ball and the offense takes over at their own 25-yard line with 6:25 left in the game.

Eagles vs Giants score: Cam Skattebo finds the end zone again

New York made the most of two key mistakes by the Eagles: a Jalen Hurts interception and defensive pass interference in the end zone on cornerback Kelee Ringo. That penalty on third-and-8 brought the Giants to the 1-yard line and Skattebo punched it in for his third touchdown of the night.

Jude McAtamney made the extra point and New York has now doubled up the defending champions with 9:41 to go in the game.

Jalen Hurts throws costly interception deep in the red zone

Hurts dropped back to pass from the Giants’ 15-yard line and fired off a pass under pressure to the left side towards Jahan Dotson. New York cornerback Cordale Flott intercepted the pass and sprinted down the sideline before getting knocked out of bounds at the Eagles’ 23-yard line.

The Giants offense takes over with 11:25 to go in the game.

When was the last time the Giants beat the Eagles?

While the Eagles have held recent dominance over the Giants, it hasn’t been too long since the last time the Giants beat their division rival. The Giants beat the Eagles in Week 18 of 2024, by a 27-10 tally.

Another punt for the Giants’ offense

Quarterback Jaxson Dart returned to the game to applause throughout MetLife Stadium but he couldn’t spark the Giants’ offense. New York went two yards in three plays before punting back to Philadelphia. The Eagles’ offense will take over at its own 34-yard line with 12:51 to go in the game.

End of 3rd quarter: Giants 27, Eagles 17

The Eagles’ defense forced a punt after Jaxson Dart left the game for New York but the offense hasn’t done much with that opportunity. Philadelphia will open the fourth quarter facing third-and-12 from their own 10-yard line.

Jaxson Dart injury update: Giants QB slow to get up after sack, exits game

The Giants’ rookie quarterback couldn’t evade pressure on first-and-10 from the Eagles’ 43-yard line and took a hard hit from multiple defenders. Dart eventually got up under his own power and jogged to the medical tent. Veteran Russell Wilson is now in the game for the Giants at quarterback.

Brian Burns sacks Jalen Hurts again to force another punt

Philadelphia gained 14 yards on a first-down pass from Hurts to Dallas Goedert to start their drive but went backward from there. Burns chased down Hurts for his second sack of the game on third-and-7 for a loss of nine yards. The Eagles punted again to give the Giants the ball back again with 5:25 left in the third quarter.

Eagles vs Giants score: Skattebo rumbles in for another TD

The Giants’ rookie running back brought the New York offense near the goal line with a 12-yard run on 2nd and 10 from the Eagles’ 13-yard line. He powered through on a second effort one play later to give the Giants a two-score advantage over the Eagles.

Jude McAtamney’s extra point is good and the Giants extend their lead with 7:56 to go in the third quarter.

Quinyon Mitchell injury update: Eagles CB ruled out of game

The Eagles’ first-round draft pick from a year ago has now been ruled out of tonight’s game with a hamstring injury. Veteran Adoree’ Jackson will likely play in Mitchell’s place for the rest of the game at outside cornerback.

Jalen Hurts overthrows DeVonta Smith, Eagles punt

These two offenses punted once each in the first half. They’ve now done that in the first two drives of the second half. Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts overthrew wideout DeVonta Smith on third-and-6 from their own 11-yard line and the Eagles kicked it back to the Giants. New York takes over at their own 44-yard line.

Giants punt after Theo Johnson can’t hang on

New York went three-and-out to open the second half and settled for their second punt of the game. Quarterback Jaxson Dart fired a pass deep to Johnson in the face of unblocked pressure but the tight end couldn’t control the ball to the ground and it was ruled incomplete.

The Eagles’ offense takes over at their own 7-yard line following an unnecessary roughness penalty on the punt with 13:43 to go in the third quarter.

Halftime: Giants 20, Eagles 17

Philadelphia barely got to midfield in the final 79 seconds of the half and ran out of time to get in range for kicker Jake Elliott to get in range for a game-tying field goal. The Eagles go into halftime down three points to the Giants, who will receive the second-half kickoff.

This is the first time the Giants have led at halftime over the Eagles since Week 18 of the 2023 season.

Eagles vs Giants score: Cam Skattebo gives Giants lead ahead of halftime

New York responded to the Eagles’ long scoring drive with one of their own. The Giants marched 67 yards in 15 plays to take the lead. This time, it was another Giants rookie to find the end zone as Skattebo powered over the left guard from four yards out for the go-ahead touchdown.

Jude McAtamney knocked through the extra point to take a three-point lead with 1:19 left in the first half.

Quinyon Mitchell injury update: Eagles CB questionable to return

Philadelphia’s top cornerback is on the sideline as the game nears halftime with what the team is calling a hamstring injury. He is questionable to return to tonight’s game and the Eagles have veteran Adoree’ Jackson in the game in his place.

Eagles vs Giants score: Philadelphia uses ‘Tush Push’ to take the lead

Philadelphia called their infamous ‘Tush Push’ play four times in a row inside the Giants’ 5-yard line to get the go-ahead score. Quarterback Jalen Hurts broke past the goal line from one yard out to cap off a 13-play, 74-yard drive that took nearly eight minutes off the game clock.

Jake Elliott’s extra point is good and Philadelphia takes a four-point lead with 6:56 to go in the first half.

Eagles vs Giants score: Hurts flips ball to Dallas Goedert for TD

Philadelphia’s offense marched 72 yards in seven plays for their first touchdown of the game. Quarterback Jalen Hurts took the snap from under center with an empty backfield and tossed the ball to Goedert for a 3-yard touchdown.

Jake Elliott’s extra point is good and the Eagles cut the deficit to three points with 1:49 to go in the first quarter.

Eagles vs. Giants score: Wan’Dale Robinson breaks free for TD

It took just four plays for the New York offense to march 66 yards for a score. Quarterback Jaxson Dart scrambled away from pressure on second-and-9 and found Wan’Dale Robinson on the right sideline. Robinson broke free from an Andrew Mukuba tackle and sprinted down the right sideline for another Giants touchdown.

Jude McAtamney’s extra point is no good but the Giants hold a 10-point lead with 5:37 to go in the first quarter.

Brian Burns sacks Jalen Hurts to end Eagles’ drive

New York’s defense stonewalled Saquon Barkley on second-and-5 from the Eagles’ 34-yard line for a loss of three yards. On the next play, Giants edge rusher Brian Burns looped inside for a drive-stopping sack and a loss of eight yards.

The Giants’ offense gets the ball back on their own 34-yard line with 7:39 left in the first quarter.

Eagles vs. Giants score: Jaxson Dart calls his own number for go-ahead TD

Facing third-and-7 from the Eagles’ 19-yard line, Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart avoided a tackler and sprinted for a touchdown, his second rushing score of the rookie season. A 34-yard shot from Dart to Lil’Jordan Humphrey set up the Giants near the red zone.

New York leads Philadelphia with 9:59 to go in the first quarter.

Eagles vs. Giants score: Philadelphia’s offense sputters, settles for FG

Saquon Barkley ran for 31 yards on his first two carries but the Eagles’ offense managed just five yards with him off the field for a breather. Dallas Goedert couldn’t get past the marker on third-and-10 from the Giants’ 29 and the Eagles brought out the special teams unit.

Jake Elliott knocked through a 42-yard field goal to give the Eagles a 3-0 lead with 11:59 to go in the first quarter.

Saquon Barkley takes first snap vs. Giants for 19 yards

Well, that didn’t take long: Saquon Barkley took his first snap for 19 yards right up the gut to give the Eagles a first down. He went right back up the middle for another first down.

Eagles starting the game on offense

Philadelphia will have great field position because the opening kickoff did not fall in the landing zone (inside the 20-yard line). Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkely and company will begin their first drive from their own 40-yard line.

What time does the Giants game start tonight?

Kickoff time: 8:15 p.m. ET

The Philadelphia Eagles travel to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ to take on the New York Giants at 8:15 p.m. ET on Thursday night.

What TV channel is New York Giants vs. Philadelphia Eagles on today?

New York market: WNYW (Fox 5)
Philadelphia market: WTFX (Fox 29)

The game will be broadcast on TV locally for those in the New York and Philadelphia TV markets.

MetLife turf ‘played a part’ in Jalen Carter not playing, report says

NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, while reporting on Prime Video’s pre-game broadcast, said Carter, in what was ‘somewhat of a surprise’ development, was sitting out with a heel injury. Rapoport added that ‘the turf at MetLife Stadium played a part in (Carter’s) decision.’ – Nate Davis

Giants record in primetime games

Dating back to 2019, the Giants have put forth a subpar showing under the brightest lights. The Giants are 2-20 in night games since 2019, including a 1-12 record at MetLife. – Chris Bumbaca

Jalen Carter inactive

Eagles defensive star Jalen Carter will not play vs. the Giants with a heel injury. He was listed as questionable earlier in the week with the ailment, leading to his deactivation for Thursday’s matchup.

What happened to Malik Nabers?

During the Giants’ Week 4 game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Nabers tore his ACL and meniscus while leaping to try to catch a pass.

Giants vs. Eagles live stream

Live stream: Amazon Prime Video

Watch ‘Thursday Night Football’ with Amazon Prime Video

Giants inactives vs. Eagles

The Giants will be without wide receiver Darius Slayton, further hampering their wide receiver corps. Here’s the rest of the list:

WR Darius Slayton
ILB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles
ILB Swayze Bozeman
T James Hudson III
OL Evan Neal
DL Elijah Garcia
QB Jameis Winston (3rd QB)

Eagles inactives vs. Giants

The Eagles will be without a couple of stars in the trenches: Defensive lineman Jalen Carter will be out, while guard Landon Dickerson will be out, as well.

CB Mac McWilliams
G Landon Dickerson
TE Grant Calcaterra
WR Xavier Gipson
DT Jalen Carter
QB Sam Howell (3rd QB)

Giants vs. Eagles prediction

It will be a beautiful October night in East Rutherford and spooky season is getting underway. The defending champs have not lost back-to-back games since December 2023, and it’s not likely that streak ends tonight against a reeling Giants team with a rookie quarterback. This has all the feels of a perfect spot for the Eagles to get right. The struggling stars Saquon Barkley and A.J. Brown will lead the charge to a double-digit win.

Prediction: Eagles 26, Giants 16

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Senate leaves Washington as government shutdown nears 3rd week, military pay at risk

The Senate is set to leave town on Friday until early next week as neither side is ready to give in the ongoing government shutdown stalemate.

Lawmakers voted deep into the night on Thursday on the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, which advanced on a largely bipartisan vote. But the $925 billion package, which authorizes funding for the Pentagon, was effectively the last hurrah for the week in the upper chamber.

While there was discussion of putting the House GOP’s continuing resolution (CR), along with congressional Democrats’ counter-proposal, on the floor for one last vote, the plan never came to fruition. Both would likely have failed for an eighth consecutive time.

Senate Republicans and Democrats will instead return on Tuesday next week, after observing Columbus Day, to continue the ongoing back and forth on the GOP’s CR following a week of trying and failing to pass the bill and reopen the government.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., plans to continue bringing the Republicans’ bill to the floor in an effort to fragment Senate Democrats. So far, only three Democratic caucus members have consistently split from their largely unified party.

Talks have continued in the background behind closed-doors, but nothing has quite yet materialized into full-blown negotiations on expiring Obamacare, formally known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA), tax credits to find an off-ramp as the government shutdown barrels into a third week.

‘The ACA issue is important to a lot of us, not just to Democrats,’ Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said. ‘The tax subsidies were enhanced during COVID. They do need to be reformed, but they do need to be extended as well.’

Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., is one of a handful of Republicans consistently meeting with Democrats. He said he’s not meeting with lawmakers ‘so dug in that they can’t get off their position,’ but still, no movement across the aisle has happened.

Mullin and other Republicans want to pass their short-term CR until Nov. 21, while Senate Democrats are adamant that, unless there is a deal on the ACA subsidies, they won’t provide GOP with the votes to reopen the government.

‘Well, if it continues, the way it’s gone, the longer we go, the harder it is,’ Mullin said. ‘It’s a big task. Anything to do with ACA or healthcare, you get a lot of moving parts. I think that gets very difficult the longer this thing [goes on]. You get into next week. I mean, we’ve got four and a half weeks left, right, and so that timeframe keeps getting shorter.’

Their return next week also all but guarantees that members of the military will not receive their paychecks on time, given that the date to have payroll locked in and processed falls on Monday.

‘Certainly, if folks miss a paycheck, the intensity will go up,’ Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.V., said.

The continued gridlock has most in the Senate GOP unwilling to consider turning to the ‘nuclear option,’ a move they made last month when they unilaterally changed the Senate’s rules for confirmations on nominations to break through Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and his caucus’ blockade of President Donald Trump’s nominees, to change the filibuster.

‘There’s always a lot of swirl out there, as you know, from, you know, social media, etc., but no, we’re not having that conversation,’ Thune said.

But not every Republican wants to ignore nuking the 60-vote filibuster as, day in and day out, the GOP’s plan to reopen the government falls five votes short.

Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, said that if the shutdown continues, it’s an option that should be considered.

‘Look, 50%, 60% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck,’ he said. ‘We’re going to trip that wire next week. Now if there’s another paycheck — that’s probably 80% of Americans that can’t go without two paychecks in a row. I think at that point we have to look at it and say ‘the Democrats are still doing political stunts.’’

Republicans also found a new point of attack against Democrats. Schumer told Punchbowl News in an interview that ‘Every day gets better for us,’ in his assessment of Senate Democrats’ political momentum as the shutdown marches onward.

‘Who is ‘us?’ Not better for the American people,’ Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, R-Wyo., said. ‘Who does he mean by ‘us?’ Not the military who is not getting paid. Not the Border Patrol who are not getting paid. Not the air traffic controllers who are not getting paid. Who is ‘us?’ He’s playing a game!’

But Senate Democrats are largely shrugging off the issue. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, contended that it was Republicans’ latest attempt to ‘change the topic from 114% increase in premiums,’ a point Democrats have argued could happen if the Obamacare tax credits aren’t extended.

‘They’re a little desperate to change the news cycle, and this is their latest attempt,’ Schatz said. 

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GOP senators back Russ Vought’s hardball shutdown strategy as standoff intensifies

Senate Republicans are taking a hands-off approach to threats from White House budget chief Russ Vought, arguing that his pressure on Senate Democrats to reopen the government, for now, is warranted.

Away from the gridlock on Capitol Hill, Vought, who is the director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), has made moves to pressure Senate Democrats, led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to reopen the government.

Before the shutdown started earlier this month, the OMB released a memo to government agencies instructing mass firings beyond the typical furloughs of nonessential employees during government shutdowns. He has since withheld nearly $30 billion in infrastructure funding to blue states and cities.

And earlier this week, a memo circulated around the White House that suggested that furloughed employees would not receive back pay when the government reopened — a move that runs counter to a law signed by President Donald Trump in 2019.

‘We heard earlier, right at the beginning of the shutdown, that we may see some terminations, some firings within the department,’ Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, told Fox News Digital. ‘We saw a lot of big numbers kind of thrown around, and they haven’t materialized, which I think is good, but certainly what it does, it’s very unsettling.’

The administration’s latest actions come as conversations on a path out of the shutdown have been ongoing. For now, Republicans don’t believe that Vought’s moves are undercutting those talks.

Sen. John Hoeven. R-N.D., told Fox News Digital that Vought was what Vought ‘thinks probably helps push Democrats to come to the table and open the government back up.’

‘I mean, that’s for him to decide,’ he said. ‘What I’m looking to do is to try to talk to enough Democrats, and I hope that between reaching out to them and pressure they get from back home, we can get the government open and back to work on these things.’

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., told Fox News Digital that the administration was ‘going to do what they’re going to do, and they’ve got to manage this, and they’re going to manage it according to their priorities.’

‘I think they’re trying to be sensitive to discussions up here that might be productive,’ Thune said. ‘But, you know, as of right now, it’s like I said before, all this stuff is just kind of window dressing until we fundamentally get down to the issue about, are we going to open up the government or not?

‘And I think when all those issues go away, these guys, the things that the White House is talking about doing or hinting that they might do, become unnecessary,’ he continued.

Senate Democrats are demanding a deal extending expiring Obamacare subsidies, and won’t provide the votes needed to reopen the government unless they get more than a guarantee to tackle the issue.

Thune and Senate Republicans are adamant that they will negotiate on extending the tax credits, with reforms baked in, only after the government reopens. And so far, as the stalemate has dragged on, neither Vought nor the administration have taken action on their threats of mass firings or back pay.  

‘Right now it’s fine,’ Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., told Fox News Digital. ‘If he starts taking Draconian sorts of actions, then I think it creates a more difficult scenario for us. It puts us further away from what he wants to get accomplished, too.’

Still, Senate Democrats have not taken kindly to his overtures.

Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., told Fox News Digital that there was ‘no question’ Vought was hurting ongoing talks between the parties.

‘Russ Vought is basically acting like a bomb thrower, and bomb throwers are never helpful in negotiations,’ he said. 

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Nobel Peace Prize goes to Maria Corina Machado, despite calls for Trump to receive the award

The Nobel Committee awarded this year’s peace prize to Maria Corina Machado amid calls for President Donald Trump to receive the award in the wake of his brokering a historic deal between Israel and Hamas. 

Machado, a Venezuelan opposition leader, was described as a ‘brave and committed champion of peace’ by Joergen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee.

‘She is receiving the Nobel Peace Prize for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy,’ Frydnes said.

Trump has received several high-profile nominations since returning to office. However, the committee’s deadline for nominations was Jan. 31, meaning he could be eligible for next year’s prize.

During a Cabinet meeting on Thursday, Trump was asked about the Nobel Peace Prize, but did not comment on the award in his response. Instead, he focused on the possibility of addressing Israel’s Knesset.

Earlier this week, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, a group representing the families of hostages and terror victims formed after Oct. 7, appealed to the committee on Trump’s behalf.

‘In this past year, no leader or organization has contributed more to peace around the world than President Trump. While many have spoken eloquently about peace, he has achieved it. While others have offered empty promises, he has delivered tangible results that have saved countless lives,’ the forum wrote in a letter to the committee dated Oct. 6.

‘He has not merely spoken of peace — he has delivered it,’ the forum added.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Trump in July during a visit to Washington, D.C., that he had nominated the president for the Nobel Peace Prize. Netanyahu handed the letter he sent the committee to Trump when he told him the news.

‘The president has already realized great opportunities. He forged the Abraham Accords. He’s forging peace, as we speak, in one country and one region after the other,’ Netanyahu said. ‘So, I want to present to you, Mr. President, the letter I sent to the Nobel Prize committee. It’s nominating you for the peace prize, which is well-deserved.’

Weeks prior to that meeting, the U.S. and Israel carried out major operations that destroyed Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, as both countries warned a nuclear Tehran would be a threat to the world.

Trump was nominated for the award in the past but was not selected. Notably, U.S. Rep. Claudia Tenney, R-N.Y., nominated Trump for the prize in 2020 when he brokered the Abraham Accords, normalizing relations between Israel and Arab nations.

Had he won, Trump would have become the fifth U.S. president to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Previous laureates include former President Barack Obama, former President Jimmy Carter, former President Woodrow Wilson and former President Theodore Roosevelt.

Fox News Digital’s Greg Wehner and Caitlin McFall contributed to this report.

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High-ranking Democrats admit to knowingly abandoning women

Nothing woke America up to the realities of gender ideology quicker than the photo of Riley Gaines standing next to her National Championship opponent, a 6’1′ male towering over her with his broad shoulders and smoldering grin. You felt it in your bones – this isn’t right. 

The moment sparked a nationwide campaign to try and convince everyday Americans that this feeling was not just instinct; it was internalized bigotry and evidence that there was noble, progressive work still to do. Only one problem. It was all a lie. And recent admissions show that not even the top Democratic leaders believed what they were selling.  

Just five years ago, I was a freshman in college, testifying in my dorm room about a bill that stated men cannot compete on women’s sports teams. ‘Politics are crazy,’ I thought, ‘Why do I even need to testify on something so obvious?’ 

I quickly learned of my own naivety when the bill did not pass in my very conservative state. ‘This isn’t a real issue,’ they insisted while I, a female athlete who had previously competed against a man, sat in front of them. There was clearly much more to this problem than I realized.

When the spotlight on the issue grew, it was somehow immediately deemed partisan. The issue was linked to the Democrats’ pro-LGBTQIA+ position, which they had insisted was the civil rights issue of our time, and now it was squarely at odds with something plainly unjust. But they were in too deep. 

At every turn, those who tried to find solutions to the problem of men in women’s sports, including traditionally far-left organizations like Women’s Liberation Front, found themselves up against the powerful political operatives of the Democratic Party. Though the ties between LGB and T were fading, the radical left insisted that to be pro-gay or pro-woman, you had to also stand for men in women’s sports. Democrats obliged.

In some ways, this makes sense. If the Democrats acknowledge that sex exists in sports, then what does this mean to other parts of their agenda that rely on sex-denying ideology? The crusade to abolish sex is one that spans decades, and they are not about to budge now. So, they doubled down, even redefining ‘sex’ as ‘gender identity’ wherever they could, including in landmark pro-woman legislation like Title IX, and they continued to label anything contrary as ‘extreme’ through the 2024 election. 

Concerned Women for America LAC exit polling suggests this issue played an outsized role in the election, and the Democrats paid the price with a resounding loss in both chambers of the federal government and the White House. Voters did not buy the lie that their concerns were merely internalized bigotry. And at least some Democrats are finally ready to face the music and speak more openly about it.

The Democrats’ highest-ranking figure has finally addressed one of the biggest political flops of modern history, and while her confession is unsurprising, it should shake the party to its core. 

In her recently released book about her presidential candidacy, former Vice President Kamala Harris admits that she, too, shares concerns: ‘I agree with the concerns expressed by parents and players that we have to take into account biological factors such as muscle mass and unfair student athletic advantage when we determine who plays on which teams, especially in contact sports.’ 

But she added, ‘There was no way I was going to go against my very nature and turn on transgender people.’

And there it is. Tension unmasked. When reality collides with allegiance, the Democrats choose allegiance.

The highest leaders of the party know they were ignoring the real, reasonable and consequential concerns of millions of women. Abandoning women and their safety was a calculation worth making in their eyes. 

Harris is not alone. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has publicly admitted that this is ‘an issue of fairness – it’s deeply unfair.’ Yet, his state is one of the worst offenders of women’s rights in this area.

On this Worldwide X/X Day (Real Women’s Day), the good news is that some party members are choosing reality and abandoning ship. Just a few weeks ago, 10 House Democrats voted, for the first time, for a National Defense Authorization Act amendment that would keep men from competing on women’s athletic teams at service academies. Just a few months ago, most of these same members refused to vote for a bill with similar protections. 

As we hope this issue joins the parade of failed civil rights attacks of times gone by, voters and candidates alike should heed the warning. Never stand for a lie. Truth is our only sure foundation. Policy must be based on reality.

We know wrong when we see it. It is instinctive, and often clearly on display, like that photo of Riley Gaines’ medal being given to a male.

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Trump’s grand peace strategy is bearing fruit, in Middle East and around the world

President Donald Trump turned heads when he signed a recent executive order promising to defend the state of Qatar from attack and – in so doing – protect U.S. interests. The language of the order is clear: if Qatar is attacked, ‘the United States shall take all lawful and appropriate measures – including diplomatic, economic, and, if necessary, military.’

This move comes after Israel, another close American ally, hit Qatar with airstrikes targeting Hamas officials. Some people who don’t understand the full context of the president’s Middle East peace strategy have questioned this order, even though Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has since apologized for the strikes and promised no further action in Qatar.

The truth is that Trump’s executive order is yet another example of his abiding commitment to protecting American interests in the Middle East. During his first term, he declared that ‘The nation of Qatar, unfortunately, has historically been a funder of terrorism at a very high level.’ 

The Biden administration rewarded Qatar’s support during its withdrawal from Afghanistan by designating the nation a major non-NATO ally in 2022. We are in a new strategic calculus surrounding Qatar, and this is the context in which Trump has taken such a bold move.

President Trump is interpreting the strategic moment unlike any United States president before him. The Qatar announcement puts all parties in the region on notice: Israel conducted military strikes against Doha. It won’t do that again any time soon. Iran struck Qatar. It will think long and hard about doing anything close. The Saudis have paired up with the Pakistanis for mutual defense. Trump has done a checkmate. The political office of Hamas in Qatar is just less relevant now. 

Trump is forcing peace by clarifying options and the game for long-standing divisions from the Levant to the Gulf. This is bringing the broader Middle East closer to peace than it has been in years.

Who else could staunchly support Israel’s right to defend itself from Hamas and Iran’s nuclear program while simultaneously being tough on Netanyahu to actively pursue peace? There’s a tremendous amount of nuance in this approach.

Here is the president’s goal: A durable peace deal, not just between Israel and Hamas, but one that brings all parties in the Middle East to the table. This is why the United States has been so involved in brokering a deal in the Middle East and has relied on the positive relationships that Trump has built through trade and diplomacy.

America has been clear that there is some room for negotiation, but some things won’t change. Primary among them is that Hamas must disarm. This is a prerequisite to any lasting peace and Trump knows it. That’s why the 20-part plan is take it or leave it on the condition of disarmament.

Further evidence of the genius of this approach is the broad support the plan has received from disparate countries, both in the Middle East and in Europe. It has garnered support from countries that are both for and against Palestinian statehood. The plan has served as a unifying beacon to a region (and a world) that has long wanted peace but has never had a leader courageous and tenacious enough to make that dream a reality.

Another outcome of this broad support is the true isolation of Hamas. They’re the only ones who are for their continued militarization. In effect, by their protracted resistance to peace, they have alienated almost everyone who may be sympathetic to some of their nonviolent goals. That puts Hamas under enormous pressure – pressure that is both intentional and calculated to move the Middle East toward lasting peace.

All this comes while Trump has doubled down on American and European support of Ukraine to find a way to speed up the end of Europe’s horrible war, yet another example of the administration keeping promises made during the presidential campaign. The approach should sound familiar. 

The president provided Russia with every opportunity to end the conflict peacefully. Despite that effort, Moscow refused and has continued its aggression toward Ukraine. Now, as a last resort — just like the situation with Iran’s nuclear program – the United States is providing additional support to its allies, all in service of the ultimate goal, which has always been and will always be lasting peace, not just for the Middle East, but for the world. Trump is determined to be the peace strategist. 

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Dodgers knock out Phillies on walk-off error in MLB playoff thriller

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers limped through their dress rehearsal during the season, looking at times like they were just a pedestrian team and might even be vulnerable in the postseason.

Suckers.

The Dodgers, once again, have turned it on when the calendar flipped to October, and are threatening to go where no National League team has gone in nearly 50 years:

Winning back-to-back World Series.

The Dodgers knocked off the Philadelphia Phillies, 2-1, in 11 innings Thursday, winning the NL Division Series in four games, and now advance to the National League Championship Series to face the winner of the Milwaukee Brewers-Chicago Cubs series on Monday.

It was an epic pitching duel, but ended on perhaps the biggest blunder to end a postseason game since New York Mets first baseman Bill Buckner’s gaffe in the 1986 World Series.

Phillies reliever Orion Kerkering, facing Andy Pages with two outs and the bases loaded in the 11th, appeared to get out of the jam when he induced a soft bouncer. Kerkering fumbled the ball but still had plenty of time to get Pages at first base.

Instead, he panicked. Big time.

Kerkering inexplicably threw home and it sailed over catcher J.T. Realmuto, who was pointing for his pitcher to throw to first.

As the ball rolled to the backstop, the Dodgers were rushing onto the field to celebrate a return trip to the NLCS.

It’s the first time a postseason series clincher has been decided on an error.

The Dodgers appear to be peaking at the right time, winning 10 of their last 11 games, dating back to the final week of the regular season.

And, if you listen to the Dodgers, they feel like they’re just getting started.

“I still think there’s another gear in there,’ Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy said. “I don’t think we fully reached where we can be at. That’s not saying we are, and that’s not saying we aren’t. But I still think there’s a whole other level in there we haven’t reached yet.’

Who knows how much better the Dodgers can get the rest of October, but they are a whole lot better now than they were in the summer, believing all along that this day would finally arrive.

“We knew who we were as a team all year long,’’ Muncy said. “Even though we weren’t playing up to it at certain points we trusted who we were. … There were some rough times this year, but no one was faltering in the clubhouse. And I think the reality was the group of guys we have in there, with the amount of experience and talent to just know we were going to come through it.’

Let’s be honest, it’s not like the Dodgers had any doubt that they’d be playing in October. They’ve been in the postseason 13 consecutive seasons, winning 12 NL West titles during the stretch.

It was just a matter of what kind of shape they’d be in once they got into the playoffs.

“Obviously every year in spring training,’’ Muncy said, “every team’s going to show up with a big speech about our goal this year is to win the World Series, blah, blah, blah. The reality of it is there’s only a handful of teams that can actually say that is a realistic goal. And we’re one of those every single year.

“So, for us, making the postseason is not something that you should ever take for granted, and we definitely don’t. But we expect to be here. And once we get to this point, it’s a whole other level. And for a couple of years we went through a stretch where we had a little trouble flipping the switch when we got to this point. We rolled through the regular season, and we just couldn’t find a way to flip that switch at this point in the year.

“The last couple of years, I feel like we’ve found that way. And I think that’s just what’s carrying us.’

Certainly, this heavyweight bout with the Phillies wasn’t easy, with both teams believing this might have been the World Series two rounds early.

This game resurrected memories of Steve Carlton and Don Drysdale the way Phillies ace Cristopher Sanchez and Tyler Glasnow were pitching. It was an old-fashioned pitching duel between Tyler Glasnow of the Dodgers and Phillies ace Cristopher Sanchez, with each pitching six shutout innings, turned into a managerial second-guessing delight.

The move that will certainly be second-guessed into the winter was manager Rob Thomson’s decision in the eighth inning that backfired.

Sanchez, who tired in the seventh, walked No. 7 hitter Alex Call and then giving up a sharp single to Enrique Hernandez, was pulled. Thomson went to closer Jhoan Duran for a potential eight-out save.

Duran induced a bouncer to first baseman Bryce Harper for the second out, with the runners advancing to second and third base, and then Thomson made the move that will have radio talk-show hosts screaming for his head.

He elected to intentionally walk Shohei Ohtani.

Under most circumstances, it would make perfect sense, particularly considering Ohtani has hit two homers in four at-bats off Duran in his career.

This is not normal circumstances.

Ohtani has looked awful at the plate this series, with just one hit in 17 at-bats, to go along with eight strikeouts.

Still, Thomson is well aware of his resume, believing Ohtani could break out at any time, and ordered Duran to intentionally walk him, loading the bases.

Mookie Betts made him pay the price. Duran walked Betts on a full count, with a 101-mph fastball thrown high for ball four, tying the game at 1-apiece.

The move took Dodgers manager Dave Roberts off the hook when he pulled Tyler Glasnow after six brilliant innings, giving up just two hits while striking out eight. Glasnow was at only 83 pitches, but Roberts wanted a fresh arm and summoned Emmet Sheehan, who was a starter throughout the regular season, but is in the bullpen for the postseason.

Realmuto greeted him with a leadoff single to center. Sheehan induced an easy bouncer to Edman at second base, who flipped the ball to shortstop Mookie Betts for one out, but Sheehan was late covering first base, and he missed the return throw from Betts. The ball sailed out of play, allowing Kepler to reach second.

Nick Castellanos, who was in a 1-for-13 deep freeze, made Sheehan pay for his mistake by lining a double down the left field line, scoring Kepler for the game’s first run.

The lead lasted right up to Betts’ walk in the bottom of the seventh, turning the game over to the bullpens, with rookie Roki Sasaki retiring all nine batters he faced.

The Phillies had Duran pitch 1 ⅔ innings, Matt Strahm for an inning, and then turned to starter Jesus Luzardo, who was originally scheduled to pitch Game 5.

Thomson wanted to make sure there was a Game 5.

It never happened, thanks to a blunder that will be forever remembered in baseball lore.

Follow Nightengale on X: @Bnightengale

Here’s how Thursday’s game unfolded:

Dodgers win on Orion Kerkering error

The Dodgers loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the 11th and Andy Pages hit a comebacker to Orion Kerkering – who went home with his throw but airmailed it, allowing the winning run to score.

Dodgers’ Alex Vesia stands tall in the 11th

Dodgers left Alex Vesia came on for the 11th and walked Bryce Harper with one out. Then Alec Bohm hit a ball to the edge of the warning track in center that scared the crowd, but went down as the second out. Vesia threw a wild pitch on his first offering to pinch-hitter Harrison Bader that moved Harper to second, but Vesia eventually won a 10-pitch standoff, whiffing Bader to end the top of the 11th.

Jesus Luzardo dominates the 10th

Game 2 starter Jesus Luzardo was brought into the game for the 10th inning and promptly struck out Shohei Ohtani on three pitches. The left-hander got Mookie Betts to fly out and then struck out Teoscar Hernandez to end the inning and send the game to the 11th.

Roki Sasaki pitches perfect 10th

Dodgers rookie Roki Sasaki set the Phillies down in order in the top of the 10th, retiring all nine batters he has faced through three scoreless innings. Jesus Luzardo will come in for the Phillies to pitch the 10th.

Tied after nine: MLB playoff extra innings rules

The Dodgers and Phillies are heading for extra innings in Game 4. Roki Sasaki stayed in the game for a second inning in the ninth and set the Phillies down and has now retired all six batters he faced. Matt Strahm came on for the Phillies and pitched a clean inning to send it to the 10th.

Major League Baseball’s extra innings format is different in the playoffs from the regular season, getting rid of the ‘ghost runner’ starting on second base once a game goes beyond nine innings.

Unlike the previous six months of baseball, extra innings in the postseason will not feature the free runner.

To the ninth: Dodgers 1, Phillies 1

Roki Sasaki came on to pitch the eighth for the Dodgers and retired the Phillies in order. Jhoan Duran came back out for Philadelphia and set the Dodgers down with two strikeouts sandwiching a grounder, sending the game to the ninth inning tied 1-1.

Dodgers tie it on Mookie Betts’ RBI walk

Cristopher Sanchez gave way to Jhoan Duran with runners on first and second in the bottom of the seventh, and the Phillies reliever got Andy Pages for the second out. But manager Rob Thomson opted to intentionally walk Shohei Ohtani to load the bases for Mookie Betts. The former MVP worked the count and drew a walk to bring in the tying run.

Duran struck out Teoscar Hernandez to get out of the inning and send the game to the eighth tied at one.

Phillies strike first in the seventh

Emmet Sheehan relieved Tyler Glasnow in the top of the seventh after the Dodgers starter tossed six scoreless innings. He surrendered a leadoff single to J.T. Realmuto then got the first out on Max Kepler’s fielder’s choice but the ball skipped away out of play as the Dodgers tried to turn a double play, putting Kepler on second.

Nick Castellanos followed with an RBI double just inside third base to bring home the first run of the game.

But Sheehan retired Bryston Stott and Trea Turner to strand Castellanos on second and keep it a 1-0 game heading into the seventh-inning stretch.

Dodgers vs Phillies still scoreless into the sixth

Tyler Glasnow and Cristopher Sanchez have traded zeroes through the first five innings, with each team only managing two hits. Sanchez is only at 62 pitches with no walks and four strikeouts.

Cristopher Sanchez escapes after Alec Bohm’s error

WIth runners on first and third and two outs after third baseman Alec Bohm’s error, Phillies starter got Mookie Betts to ground out and end the bottom of the third.

Game 4 is scoreless heading into the fourth inning.

Phillies defense shines in the second

Mookie Betts led off the bottom of the second with a single against Cristopher Sanchez, then Tommy Edman hit a line drive to left field that looked to be heading for the gap until Max Kepler laid out to make a spectacular diving catch. Sanchez then got Will Smith to ground into an inning-ending double play.

Tyler Glasnow works around Schwarber double

Game 4 is underway at Dodger Stadium and the Phillies threatened in the top of the first with Kyle Schwarber’s one-out double. But Tyler Glasnow got Bryce Harper to ground out and struck out Brandon Marsh swinging after walking Alec Bohm.

Get your MLB postseason questions answered!

USA TODAY Sports MLB reporter Gabe Lacques is taking questions live at 11:30 a.m. ET on Friday, Oct. 10.

Submit questions now and stop by for the full Q&A on USATODAY.com.

Tanner Scott injury update

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers, who have not used closer Tanner Scott this postseason, no longer trusting him to pitch in crucial situations, removed him from their postseason roster Thursday before Game 4 of the National League Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Dodgers received permission from MLB to take him off their roster and replace him with left-handed reliever Justin Wrobleski.

Scott, who received a four-year, $72 million free agent contract, is now ineligible to pitch for the Dodgers until the World Series, if the Dodgers advance. Scott, who had warmed only briefly in their NL wild card series against the Cincinnati Reds, underwent an “abscess incision’ in his lower body, with Dodgers manager Dave Roberts calling it a minor procedure. — Bob Nightengale

Phillies lineup today

Trea Turner (R) SS
Kyle Schwarber (L) DH
Bryce Harper (L) 1B
Alec Bohm (R) 3B
Brandon Marsh (L) CF
J.T. Realmuto (R) C
Max Kepler (L) LF
Nick Castellanos (R) RF
Bryson Stott (L) 2B

Dodgers lineup today

Shohei Ohtani (L) DH
Mookie Betts (R) SS
Teoscar Hernández (R) RF
Freddie Freeman (L) 1B
Tommy Edman (S) 2B
Will Smith (R) C
Alex Call (R) LF
Enrique Hernández (R) 3B
Andy Pages (R) CF

Phillies-Dodgers prediction, odds

What time is Phillies vs Dodgers game today?

First pitch is scheduled for 6:08 p.m. ET at Dodger Stadium.

Where to watch Dodgers vs Phillies Game 4: TV channel, stream

Thursday’s game will air on TBS and HBO Max – and can be streamed with Sling TV.

Watch Dodgers vs Phillies on Sling TV

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LeBron out for NBA opener, beyond as Lakers star deals with injury

When the Los Angeles Lakers open the 2025-26 NBA season, they’ll be missing the league’s all-time leading scorer.

The Lakers announced Thursday, Oct. 9 that LeBron James has been dealing with a sciatica issue on his right side and will be reevaluated in three-to-four weeks. The Lakers had previously said that James was dealing with nerve irritation in his glute.

With the Lakers set to tip off their regular season Tuesday, Oct. 21 against the Golden State Warriors, that timeline sidelines James for the opener and beyond. The Lakers also have a nationally-televised game Friday, Oct. 24 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

James has not played in either of Los Angeles’ two preseason games thus far, and he has not practiced fully with the team, though he has been a constant presence in the facility. Recently, James was spotted jogging around the court, putting up shots and layups, though he was doing so casually, not wearing any socks.

Lakers coach JJ Reddick had said Thursday, Oct. 8 that James was “on his own timeline” in his progression from the injury.

What does this mean for the Lakers?

Los Angeles, which is trying to compete in the Western Conference as James is entering the final season of his contract with the team, will likely lean even more heavily on star guard Luka Dončić.   

James, however, averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game last season and remains a key piece of the Lakers’ offense. The team will miss his passing and play-making ability, and defenses are likely to devote extra attention to Dončić while James is sidelined. In theory, teams will likely try to force the ball out of Dončić’s hands, putting more pressure on guard Austin Reaves and forward Rui Hachimura to hit shots.

Although James’ time on the sideline will come early in the season, the Lakers nonetheless cannot afford to fall behind too much in a Western Conference that is loaded with talented teams.

The Lakers could opt to start forwards Jarred Vanderbilt or Jake LaRavia in James’ place, or Reddick could opt for a smaller lineup with guards Marcus Smart or Dalton Knecht on the floot.

What does this mean for LeBron James?

This will mark the first time that James misses a season opener. Set to enter his NBA record 23rd season, James has been one of the more dependable and available players, even despite his age.

Still, James will turn 41 in late December and will likely need to manage his usage and body as the season progresses. Known for being a player who is exacting and meticulous about his body and his health, James will likely ensure he is fully healthy before making his return to the court.

Once he is cleared, however, James may still need some time to acclimate to game speed, as he has missed the bulk of training camp with the nerve issue.

If James is cleared three weeks from Thursday, James would potentially be available to return for Los Angeles’ sixth game of the season, against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, Oct. 31.

If the timeline is pushed to four weeks, James could potentially miss the first nine games of the season, with a Saturday, Nov. 8 contest against the Atlanta Hawks being a potential return.

James has maintained that he wants to compete for NBA championships, so the nerve issue should not be a significant concern, provided the rest and recovery heals the injury. Given the length of the NBA regular season and playoffs, some missed time is to be expected for a player James’ age.

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Eagles star WR plays coy when discussing meeting with teammates

Before the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants met on Thursday night, members of the Eagles met on Monday to talk through things. Or maybe they didn’t.

Even at 4-2, the Eagles offense has failed to impress through six weeks this season. Notably, wide receiver A.J. Brown has seemingly not been a focal point of the offense, with just 274 yards and one touchdown through six games this season.

Quarterback Jalen Hurts, running back Saquon Barkley and Brown are the trio tasked with putting points on the board, but there’s seemingly been a disconnect between the starting passer and his star wideout this season, leading to a meeting between the trio to get on the same page.

Brown, though, says he doesn’t quite remember that meeting taking place.

‘I don’t recall a meeting,’ he said following the Eagles’ 34-17 loss to the Giants on ‘Thursday Night Football.’ ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about. No – you need to talk to them. I don’t recall. I don’t recall.’

The wide receiver’s coy response comes after Hurts and Barkley’s forthright discussion and confirmation of the meeting, which took place on Monday following Philadelphia’s first loss of the 2025 season.

Barkley says he wishes the meeting had stayed private, but he and Hurts both noted that it was just a conversation between teammates.

Brown finished the loss to the Giants with 80 yards on six receptions (nine targets).

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Watch: Dodgers win series on walk-off thanks to crushing Phillies error

The Los Angeles Dodgers managed to get the best of the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 4 of the National League Division Series on Thursday, Oct. 9.

The Dodgers and Phillies needed to go to the 11th inning before the game was decided in favor of Los Angeles, 2-1.

Andy Pages was at the plate for the Dodgers, who had the bases loaded, against Phillies pitcher Orion Kerkering. Pages broke his bat on a hit that went in Kerkering’s direction, but he struggled to recover the ball.

When he did, there appeared to be a sense of panic from the pitcher, who threw the ball away past home plate while trying to get pinch runner Hyeseong Kim out. Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto was pointing for Kerkering to throw to first before the ball came sailing his direction.

Kim was safe at the plate, scoring on the error and helping the Dodgers move on. The Phillies’ season is over.

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