For the first time in nearly two years, the New York Giants and New England Patriots will face off in an NFL game. It may be a preseason matchup but there’s a lot for both franchises to sort out ahead of roster cuts over the next few weeks.

New York’s enjoyed an exciting preseason thanks to rookie first-round pick Jaxson Dart. The quarterback from Ole Miss led the team on three scoring drives in their last contest, a 31-12 win over the Jets. Dart went 14-of-16 passing with 137 yards and two touchdowns (one passing, one rushing) to lead the way even as four Giants quarterbacks attempted at least four passes.

New England open their preseason slate with a bang in a 48-18 win over the Commanders. Rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson took the opening kickoff – his first career NFL touch – 100 yards for a touchdown and New England never looked back. The Patriots earned another win a week later, 20-12 over the Vikings, thanks in no small part to backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs’ connection with rookie wide receiver Efton Chism III.

The starters on both teams aren’t expected to play much, if it all. It’s down to the backups and depth players to decide which of these 2-0 teams will leave MetLife Stadium with a win tonight.

USA TODAY Sports is tracking live updates from the Patriots vs. Giants contest. Here’s a look at the major highlights and scoring updates from the preseason Week 2 NFL battle:

Giants-Patriots score update: Greg Dulcich hauls in second TD

It’s the last preseason game and none of the starters are out there, but Giants fans have to be happy to seeing the scoring continue. Dulcich snags his second touchdown of the night to take a 32-point lead. Giants 42, Patriots 10

End of third quarter: Giants up big with 15 minutes to go

After a pair of touchdown drives led by DeVito and a defensive score, this one has gotten away from New England. The Giants take a 25-point lead into the final quarter as just 15 minutes remain in the preseason for each side.

Giants-Patriots score update: New York pouring it on with pick-six

And 16 seconds later, the Giants are back in the end zone. Wooldridge throws one behind his receiver into the arms of TJ Moore, who returns the interception 44 yards for six. Giants 35, Patriots 10

Giants-Patriots score update: Jonathan Ward takes screen pass for 41-yard TD

It was just a harmless screen from DeVito, but his short toss to Ward ends up with a celebration in the end zone for the 41-yard touchdown. New York takes an 18-point lead with about a minute to go in the third quarter. Giants 28, Patriots 10

Giants-Patriots score update: Tommy DeVito extends the lead

‘Tommy Cutlets’ has entered the program and promptly marched the Giants down the field for a touchdown to push the lead back to 11. The 11-play, 74-yard drive ends with the seventh-round rookie, Thomas Fidone II on the receiving end of the DeVito touchdown pass. Giants 21, Patriots 10

Patriots come up empty to open second half

The second half is underway and the Patriots can’t keep the momentum going to start the third quarter. A pass interference penalty put them behind the sticks and forces an early punt.

Halftime: Giants up by four at the break

The Giants were in control for nearly the entire first half, but the Patriots snuck their way back into it with 10 unanswered points. New England will try to complete the comeback in the second half while the Giants, and their fans, will likely continue replaying Jaxson Dart highlights for the next two quarters to close the preseason.

Giants-Patriots score update: Ben Wooldridge finds Jeremiah Webb for TD

Wooldridge marched the Patriots down the field for a touchdown before halftime, capping it off with a touchdown to Webb. New England took six minutes off the clock, using 14 plays to travel 80 yards, cutting further into the New York lead. Giants 14, Patriots 10

Kyle Dugger intercepts Jameis Winton on fourth down

The Giants aren’t settling for field goals in the preseason, so they opted to let Winston throw on fourth down. It naturally ended up in the arms of Dugger in the end zone, who didn’t have any competition for that ball from the quarterback. New England takes over with about six minutes to go in the opening half.

Giants-Patriots score update: Patriots cut into Giants lead

Borregales missed his first field goal, but didn’t miss this one. He connects on a 30-yarder, cutting the deficit to 11. New England benefited from a muffed punt from New York, which set them up at the Giants’ 12-yard line. It may only be preseason, but Mike Vrabel likely won’t be satisfied abut his offense’s performance after being given a gift. Giants 14, Patriots 3

End of first quarter: Giants up by 14

Only 45 minutes to go in the final preseason game for both sides and the Giants wasted no time getting out to a lead. Jaxson Dart put together another solid performance in limited action before giving way to Jameis Winston.

Giants-Patriots score update: Jameis Winston to Jalin Hyatt for six

One play after Dart exited, Winston delivered a 27-yard touchdown to Hyatt to put the Giants up by two scores. New York has been in control since the opening kickoff, especially with the clear quarterback advantage. Giants 14, Patriots 0

Jaxson Dart injury update

Dart was removed from the game by the officials after his head hit the turf on a run late in the first quarter. He was taken into the blue medical tent and evaluated before being cleared, according to Prime Video’s Kaylee Hartung.

Andy Borregales missed field goal

It’s a tough moment in the kicking battle for Borregales, as the rookie pushes the 49-yard field goal wide to the right. A sixth-round pick out of Miami, Borregales is competing with Parker Romo for the kicking job on the Week 1 roster. The Giants remain in control with a seven-point lead.

Who is Ben Wooldridge?

Drake Maye and Joshua Dobbs have solidified their spots on the New England depth chart, checking in as QB1 and QB2. That allows the spotlight to shine on Wooldridge for one night in the preseason finale.

Undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft, Wooldridge has seven years of college experience – spending three seasons at Fresno State and four at Louisiana, but didn’t play in the 2018 or 2021 seasons. The 6-foot-2, 214-pound quarterback has dealt with his fair share of injuries, however. Wooldridge dealt with a torn ACL, Lisfranc injury, sprained AC joint and a broken collarbone in recent years.

In 29 career college games, Wooldridge completed 60.9% of passes and threw for 4,769 yards, 38 touchdowns and 18 interceptions.

Patriots can’t answer, go three-and-out on opening drive

Ben Wooldridge is getting the start for New England tonight, but he can’t replicate the success Dart and the Giants had to open things up. A quick three plays forces a punt for the Pats.

Giants-Patriots score update: Jaxson Dart fires a dart for the lead

A star is being born in the Meadowlands. It may just be the final preseason game, but the Giants might’ve found something in Dart. His fingerprints were all over that opening drive, marching the Giants 65 yards in just five plays for an early touchdown. Dart was 2 of 3 for 57 yards, including the seven-yard touchdown to Greg Dulcich. Giants 7, Patriots 0

Patriots vs Giants start time

Date: Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025
Time: 8 p.m. ET

The New England Patriots and New York Giants kick off their final preseason matchup at 8 p.m. ET Thursday.

Patriots vs Giants TV channel, streaming

Cable TV: N/A
Local TV:

Boston: ABC 5 (WVCB)
New York: NBC 4 (WNBC)

Streaming: Amazon Prime Video

The Patriots vs. Giants preseason game will not be broadcast nationally as it’s being carried by Prime Video. Al Michael (play-by-play) and Kirk Herbstreit (analyst) will be calling the game with Kaylee Hartung reporting from the sidelines.

Fans in local markets can catch it on TV, though, with Patriots fans in Boston tuning in to ABC 5 and Giants fans in New York watching on NBC 4.

Watch ‘Thursday Night Football’ with Amazon Prime

Patriots vs Giants odds, moneyline, over/under

The Giants are favorites to defeat the Patriots, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering NFL betting promos in 2025 including the ESPN BET app and Fanatics Sportsbook promo code. 

Spread: Giants (-6.5) 
Moneyline: Giants (-275); Patriots (+230) 
Over/under: 37.5

Not interested in this game? Our guide to NFL betting odds, picks and spreads has you covered. 

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Are the Giants starters playing tonight?

New York Giants coach Brian Daboll hasn’t specified if the Giants will play their starters but they’ll likely play little, if at all. The final preseason game is traditionally for teams to make decisions farther down the roster and the Giants will likely fall into that mode.

Is Jaxson Dart playing tonight?

Yes. The rookie quarterback is expected to get at least a quarter of action as he has in the team’s prior two preseason games. Free agent signee Russell Wilson, the starter for the regular season, is not expected to play, giving more time for Dart to get reps against opposing NFL defenses.

Is Rob Gronkowski coming back to the Patriots?

One of the best players in Patriots history was back in Boston for the opening of ‘Gronk Playground’ earlier this week. Susan Hurley, who helps run his charity, has been pushing for him to sign a one-day contract to retire with the Patriots.

‘I like that a lot. The reason why we’re really going to do that is because of Susan Hurley,’ Gronkowski said. ‘She wants to see that happen. She’s been dreaming about that happening for a while… [Robert Kraft] gave her the thumbs up, so we’re going to make it happen in the future. It’s going to be a special moment. Come back for a day, a weekend, whatever it is. We’ll make it happen.’

Gronkowski won three Super Bowls in his nine seasons with the Patriots. He retired for the 2019 season but came back for a two-year stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and won a fourth Super Bowl in the 2020 season.

Is there Thursday Night Football today?

Tonight’s Giants-Patriots matchup from Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts will be the first ‘Thursday Night Football’ game on Prime Video of the season. Al Michael (play-by-play) and Kirk Herbstreit (analyst) return to the booth for the first time this season. Kaylee Hartung will be reporting from the sideline as well.

‘Thursday Night Football’ is off for Week 1 of the NFL regular season as NBC will carry the season opener. Michael, Herbstreit and Hartung will be back in action on Prime Video for ‘Thursday Night Football’ in Week 2 when the Green Bay Packers host the Washington Commanders.

Each SEC team will be required to play a ‘high-quality’ non-conference opponent from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, or Notre Dame.
Some schools, like Mississippi and Auburn, will need to quickly adjust their future non-conference schedules to meet the new requirement.
Other teams, such as Florida, Georgia and Alabama, meet the requirement in the next decade.

SEC schedules are now required to get even tougher.

The league announced it will finally make the move to a nine-game conference slate starting with the 2026 season along with requiring its teams to schedule one additional ‘high quality’ non-conference opponent from the ACC, Big Ten or Big 12 or Notre Dame each season.

In short, every SEC school now will be mandated to play 10 games a season against a Power 4 team. It should up the strength of schedule of its programs, and it’s no coincidence it came after the College Football Playoff selection committee announced a day prior it would put greater emphasis on strength of schedule.

‘The SEC has established itself as the leader in delivering the most compelling football schedule in college athletics,” commissioner Greg Sankey said in a statement. ‘Fans will see traditional rivalries preserved, new matchups more frequently, and a level of competition unmatched across the nation.’

With the non-conference schedule requirment set to be in place for 2026, it’s time to look to see if SEC teams will already meet the standard, or if they’ll soon have to figure out who to play.

Which SEC teams have a Power 4 non-conference team scheduled?

The good news is everyone, as all 16 SEC teams are scheduled to play at least four games against a Power 4 non-conference foe within the next 10 years, according to FBSchedules.

However, some of them are going need to quickly figure out who to put on their schedule. Most notably is Mississippi, which doesn’t have a Power 4 non-conference game in 2026 through 2031. This comes as the Rebels also don’t have a Power 4 non-conference game in 2025.

Another team that will need to figure out its immediate schedule is Auburn, which doesn’t have one scheduled in 2027 and 2028. The Tigers also don’t have any non-conference Power 4 teams set to play after the 2030 season.

Other teams that have a few years to figure out their schedules in include:

Mississippi State: Power 4 non-conference team scheduled through 2029
Texas A&M: Power 4 non-conference team scheduled through 2029
Kentucky: Power 4 non-conference team scheduled through 2030
Oklahoma: Power 4 non-conference team scheduled through 2030 and in 2035-36
Tennessee: Power 4 non-conference team scheduled through 2030
Texas: Power 4 non-conference team scheduled through 2029 and in 2032-33
Vanderbilt: Power 4 non-conference team scheduled through 2031
LSU: Power 4 non-conference team scheduled through 2032
Arkansas: Power 4 non-conference team scheduled through 2033

Meanwhile, there are some SEC teams that benefit from having annual rivalries with teams in Power 4 conferences, like Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, who already meet the requirement through the 2037 season. The Gators and Bulldogs have gone to the extreme with three Power 4 non-conference games scheduled; Florida has it in 2028 and 2031 while Georgia will do it in 2027, 2030 and 2033.

Other teams that won’t have problems are Alabama and Missouri. The Crimson Tide and Tigers meet the requirement all the way through 2035.

SEC future Power 4 non-conference games

Alabama

2026: at West Virginia, Florida State
2027: West Virginia, at Ohio State
2028: Ohio State, at Oklahoma State
2029: at Notre Dame, Oklahoma State
2030: at Georgia Tech, Notre Dame
2031: Georgia Tech, at Boston College
2032: Arizona, at Minnesota
2033: at Arizona, Minnesota
2034: at Virginia Tech, Boston College
2035: Virginia Tech

Arkansas

2026: at Utah
2027: Oklahoma State
2028: at Notre Dame
2029: Utah
2030: at Texas Tech
2031: Texas Tech
2032: at Oklahoma State
2033: Oklahoma State

Auburn

2026: Baylor
2029: at Miami
2030: Miami

Florida

2026: at Florida State
2027: Florida State
2028: Colorado, at Arizona State, at Florida State
2029: at Colorado, Florida State
2030: at Central Florida, at Florida State
2031: Arizona State, at Notre Dame, Florida State
2032: Notre Dame, at Florida State
2033: Central Florida, Florida State
2034: at Florida State
2035: Florida State
2036: at Florida State
2037: Florida State

Georgia

2026: at Louisville, Georgia Tech
2027: at Florida State, Louisville, at Georgia Tech
2028: Florida State, Georgia Tech
2029: at Clemson, at Georgia Tech
2030: Clemson, Ohio State, Georgia Tech
2031: at Ohio State, at Georgia Tech
2032: Clemson, Georgia Tech
2033: at Clemson, NC State, at Georgia Tech
2034: at NC State, Georgia Tech
2035: at Georgia Tech
2036: Georgia Tech
2037: at Georgia Tech

Kentucky

2026: Louisville
2027: at Louisville
2028: Louisville
2029: at Louisville
2030: Louisville

LSU

2026: Clemson
2027: Houston (neutral)
2028: Southern Methodist
2029: at Southern Methoidst, Arizona State
2030: at Arizona State
2031: at Utah
2032: Utah

Mississippi

2032: at Virginia Tech
2033: Purdue
2034: at Purdue
2035: Virginia Tech

Mississippi State

2026: at Minnesota
2027: Minnesota
2028: Texas Tech
2029: at Texas Tech

Missouri

2026: at Kansas
2027: Illinois
2028: at Illinois
2029: Illinois
2030: Colorado
2031: at Colorado
2032: at Kansas
2033: Illinois
2034: at Illinois
2035: at Brigham Young, Illinois

Oklahoma

2026: at Michigan
2027: at Southern Methodist
2028: at Houston
2029: Nebraska
2030: at Nebraska
2035: at Clemson
2036: Clemson

South Carolina

2026: Miami, at Clemson
2027: at Miami, Clemson
2028: North Carolina, at Clemson
2029: at North Carolina, Clemson
2030: NC State, at Clemson
2031: at NC State, Clemson
2032: at Clemson
2033: Clemson
2034: Virginia Tech, at Clemson
2035: at Virginia Tech, Clemson
2036: at Clemson
2037: Clemson
2038: at Clemson

Tennessee

2026: at Georgia Tech
2027: Georgia Tech
2028: West Virginia (neutral)
2029: Washington
2030: at Washington

Texas

2026: Ohio State
2027: Michigan
2028: at Notre Dame
2029: Notre Dame
2032: at Arizona State
2033: Arizona State

Texas A&M

2026: Arizona State
2027: at Arizona State
2028: Louisville
2029: at Louisville

Vanderbilt

2026: NC State
2027: at Stanford
2028: at NC State
2029: Purdue
2030: at Stanford
2031: Stanford

The SEC will play a nine-game schedule beginning in 2026, the league announced on Thursday, bringing the conference in line with the Big Ten as the two heavyweights battle for Bowl Subdivision supremacy.

The long-debated, long-awaited decision will lead to a dramatic overhaul of the annual SEC schedule, creating the possibility for deeper rivalries and, in some cases, new rivalries born out of recent expansion.

“The SEC has established itself as the leader in delivering the most compelling football schedule in college athletics,” commissioner Greg Sankey said in a statement. “Fans will see traditional rivalries preserved, new matchups more frequently, and a level of competition unmatched across the nation.’

Under the new arrangement, the SEC will retain a division-free alignment while playing three annual opponents. The format is “focused on maintaining many traditional rivalries,” the league said.

The remaining six games on each team’s schedule will rotate through the non-rival portion of the SEC. Every team will play at least once every two years and every opponent home and away every four seasons.

With these details complete, here’s how the league should address each member’s three permanent rivalries:

Alabama

Three opponents: Auburn, LSU, Tennessee

Alabama already plays all three rivals every year under the eight-game model, so not much would change for the Crimson Tide, though it will be one of the most-difficult trio of games.

Arkansas

Three opponents: Missouri, Texas, Texas A&M

This would rekindle the former Southwest Conference rivalry against Texas, known best for memorable matchups in 1964 and 1969 that decided national championships. The Razorbacks and A&M have met every year since 2009, predating the Aggies’ move to the SEC, while Missouri has gone 9-2 in the series since becoming Arkansas’ annual crossover opponent in 2014.

Auburn

Three opponents: Alabama, Georgia, Vanderbilt

Auburn can’t avoid Alabama and Georgia as annual rivals. Honestly, rounding things out with the Commodores would be the only fair thing to do.

Florida

Three opponents: Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee

The Gators’ dance card should include rivals Georgia and Tennessee. While LSU would be a more fitting permanent rival than Kentucky, facing the Bulldogs, Volunteers and Tigers every season would be an unfair burden for Florida to carry. (The Gators’ schedules the past few seasons have been hard enough.)

Georgia

Three opponents: Auburn, Florida, Mississippi

As much as everyone would like to see Alabama and Georgia meet every year during the regular season, that’s a matchup better left for the SEC championship game or expanded playoff.

Kentucky

Three opponents: Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee

Kentucky absolutely has to play Tennessee, its biggest SEC rival and fiercest annual rival altogether this side of Louisville. The Wildcats have also split the last eight games against Florida, a rivalry that was once one of the most lopsided in the Power Four.

LSU

Three opponents: Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma

The matchup with Alabama would remain one of marquee games of the regular season across the FBS. The Rebels would give LSU a nearby rival and allow the Tigers to continue planting their recruiting flag in that talent-rich neighboring state. Oklahoma rounds out the Tigers’ permanent opponents; making that a game could create a new SEC rivalry out of whole cloth.

Mississippi

Three opponents:  Georgia, LSU, Mississippi State

The Rebels wouldn’t have it easy. In addition to the Egg Bowl on rivalry weekend, there’d be annual dates with LSU and the Georgia. But these rivals would present an opportunity — getting the Bulldogs and Tigers every year gives the Rebels the chance to earn wins that would resonate with the playoff committee and offset what has recently been a pretty paltry non-conference slate.

Mississippi State

Three opponents: Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina

Mississippi State is one SEC program that would benefit from a more varied conference schedule. Beyond the Egg Bowl, the Bulldogs would take on a very even series against South Carolina that has the Gamecocks holding a 10-7 advantage since joining the conference in the early 1990s.

Missouri

Three opponents: Arkansas, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt

Arkansas and Missouri have attempted to kickstart a rivalry this past decade, though the Tigers have owned the series, as noted. Missouri took five of six from the Aggies as members of the Big 12 but are 2-3 in the SEC, including two losses in a row by a combined 52 points.

Oklahoma

Three opponents: Mississippi State, LSU, Texas

Mississippi State is one of five Power Five schools the Sooners have never played, along with Georgia Tech, Michigan State, Purdue and Rutgers. Oklahoma and Texas will continue to play the Red River Rivalry at the Cotton Bowl through at least 2036.

South Carolina

Three opponents: Kentucky, Mississippi State, Vanderbilt

Clemson is the rival to end all rivals for South Carolina, which has struggled to find a similar foil in the SEC. The Gamecocks have done well against Mississippi State and Vanderbilt. Kentucky grabbed control of the series by taking seven of eight from 2014-21 but the Gamecocks have recently evened the score by taking three in a row.

Tennessee

Three opponents: Alabama, Florida, Kentucky

Alabama and Florida would be locked in for Tennessee, but there might be a temptation to sub out Kentucky for Vanderbilt, for example, to give the Volunteers more of a breather.

Texas

Three opponents: Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas A&M

Oklahoma, of course. As mentioned, Arkansas is an old-school rival. And then there’s the series with Texas A&M, which was gloriously renewed this past season. If not great for the bottom line of wins, losses and national championships, these permanent games would make a good chunk of the Longhorns’ SEC schedule appointment viewing.

Texas A&M

Three opponents: Arkansas, Missouri, Texas

The Razorbacks and Tigers have become the Aggies’ top SEC rivals, so it would make sense to maintain these matchups while adding in Texas.

Vanderbilt

Three opponents: Auburn, Missouri, South Carolina

Vanderbilt is turning into a much more competitive opponent under coach Clark Lea, making what most opponents pencil in as an easy win into anything but. (Just ask Alabama about that.) These are three solid rivals for the Commodores, though the SEC might throw them into the mix with the Tide, Georgia or another favorite as a way to make thing a little easier for the league’s best.

Being a first-round pick doesn’t seem to convey the job security it once did, even for quarterbacks.
WR Quentin Johnston isn’t the only first-rounder on the Chargers who needs to step it up in 2025.
Injuries and inconsistent performance have contributed to the struggles of some first-rounders.

Former Houston Oilers and Atlanta Falcons head coach Jerry Glanville, probably appropriately, said it best years ago: ‘NFL stands for ‘not for long.’ ‘

It’s true for the capricious league’s coaches, general managers and certainly its players, even ones with a seemingly relative level of security brought by the status of being drafted in the first round. But even that is an ever-diminishing safety net.

Just last month, the Tennessee Titans released WR Treylon Burks, albeit with an injury designation, only three years after he was drafted 18th overall as the presumed replacement for A.J. Brown when he was traded on the same night Burks was picked. But with 53 catches in three seasons, Burks obviously didn’t approximate Brown’s value, his roster spot in obvious jeopardy even before he broke his clavicle in the early portion of training camp.

Other recent first-rounders will doubtless share fates adjacent to Burks’, whether it comes during next week’s roster cutdowns or in the coming months. The upcoming season also happens to be a pivotal one for players taken in Round 1 of the 2023 draft as their clubs must decide next spring whether or not to pick up their highly lucrative (and fully guaranteed) fifth-year options for the 2027 season.

Going into the 2025 campaign, here are 25 recent first-rounders who are already on a bubble in some manner or could soon find themselves in various levels of jeopardy:

QB Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts

Seems like it was only five minutes ago that first-round quarterbacks, and certainly those taken within the top five picks, had a lengthy leash to justify the investment in them. Alas, those days are gone, Richardson, the No. 4 overall pick in 2023, losing the battle to retain his QB1 status earlier this week to Daniel Jones – maybe ironically so given Jones, the sixth overall pick in 2019, is now on his third roster in less than a year. Maybe the light will come on for Richardson, a tremendous dual-threat talent but a raw player with very little football experience despite how far his ability has carried him. But, at the moment, he’s quite clearly on a trajectory likely to land him on another roster in 2026.

COUNT THE REASONS: Why players like Daniel Jones, Joe Flacco keep getting starting QB jobs

QB Kenny Pickett, Cleveland Browns

The only first-round passer in 2022, chosen 20th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pickett collected a Super Bowl ring as a backup with the Eagles last season after washing out in Steel City. He was traded to Cleveland in March, but a hamstring injury has prevented him from playing in the preseason and ruined any shot he had at winning the Browns’ four-man QB1 battle. What happens moving forward remains to be seen given the unlikelihood the Browns would cut rookies Dillon Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders.

2021 quarterbacks

Five passers were selected in the first round four years ago – yet, with the exception of the Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence, all of them have joined their third teams this year. Heading into Week 1, only Lawrence and the New York Jets’ Justin Fields, who’s been a victim of circumstances as much as his own shortcomings, are slated to start. Meanwhile, Zach Wilson (Miami Dolphins), Trey Lance (Chargers) and Mac Jones (San Francisco 49ers) are all – once again – ticketed for backup roles, Jones the only one currently under contract beyond 2025. Hardly ideal conditions to achieve career longevity or attain opportunities at redemption.

2021 running backs

Najee Harris and Travis Etienne Jr. were the only Round 1 backs four years ago, drafted 24th and 25th overall, respectively. But while Harris’ 1,277 touches since his rookie year lead the league, the Steelers let him walk in March, when he joined the Chargers. However a fireworks mishap during a Fourth of July event damaged one of his eyes, leaving Harris mostly as a bystander during training camp – and allowing first-round rookie Omarion Hampton the opportunity to establish himself as the Bolts’ bellcow. As for Etienne, whose first year in the NFL was wiped out by a foot injury, he managed a career-low 812 yards from scrimmage in 2024, leaving new Jags coach Liam Coen answering questions about his role and status during the offseason. Heading into his walk year, Etienne could be headed for a three-way timeshare in Jacksonville’s backfield.

A flock of Philadelphia Eagles

The reigning champs have somehow wound up as something of a football halfway house for 2022 first-rounders, currently carrying four on their roster. But DT Jordan Davis, the only one Philly actually drafted, was also the only one to secure his fifth-year option. Among the trio of WR Jahan Dotson, G Kenyon Green and S Lewis Cine, who suffered a compound fracture to his leg during his rookie season with the Minnesota Vikings, only Dotson seems like a virtual lock to even make the 53-man roster – and, coming off a 19-catch effort in 2024, his prospects took something of a hit given the trade for fellow WR John Metchie III earlier this week.

DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Kansas City Chiefs

You’re forgiven if you don’t recall him being K.C.’s first-rounder two years ago. Anudike-Uzomah has three career sacks and 41 tackles in 34 career games. Those totals won’t improve in 2025, a hamstring injury already landing him on season-ending injured reserve. Almost no chance his option is picked up and maybe only a moderately better one that he’s still with the team in 2026.

A coupla Cowboys

Dallas drafted DT Mazi Smith with the 26th pick in 2023. The Cowboys swung a deal with the Bills for 2022 first-round CB Kaiir Elam earlier this year, which tells you how things went for him in Buffalo. Smith has been a major disappointment to date and, despite starting all 17 games in an unproductive 2024 campaign, could see veteran Solomon Thomas take a major cut of his snaps. Elam has had a decent offseason with Dallas but has to prove a better option than highly compensated (but currently injured) Trevon Diggs if he’s going to stick around beyond this year.

G Cole Strange, New England Patriots

One of the, well, stranger first-round picks in recent years – Bill Belichick, not necessarily known for his drafting acumen, took the Chattanooga lineman much earlier than most draft observers expected – Strange has not yet fulfilled his former coach’s faith in him. A major part of the issue was a torn patellar tendon that cost Strange 21 games over the past two seasons. Unsigned beyond this season, he’s trying to crack what was a terrible line in 2024, one the Pats heavily attempted to remedy this offseason.

Bolt brothers

WR Quentin Johnston, a first-rounder of the Los Angeles Chargers two years ago − before current coach Jim Harbaugh and GM Joe Hortiz arrived − might have to beat out surging rookies Tre’ Harris and/or KeAndre Lambert-Smith … to be the team’s No. 3 wideout now that Keenan Allen is back and teamed with Ladd McConkey. Johnston can make big plays but doesn’t do it frequently enough. His inconsistent track record – but consistent issues with drops – is unlikely to help his case, and opportunities could be limited on a run-oriented offense. Worst of all, he was carted off the field Saturday with a concussion.

G Zion Johnson‘s option for 2026 was declined this year. The Bolts have tried him at guard, center and the second team this summer, factors portending a future elsewhere next year.

Struggling Saints

OL Trevor Penning, drafted 19th overall in 2022, had his option declined this year. He and the team are hoping a switch to guard, assuming he overcomes a recent turf toe injury, can revitalize his career after he failed to cut it at both tackle spots. DT Bryan Bresee, the 29th pick in 2023, showed signs of life in his second season, but it’s been a struggle so far. As New Orleans switches to a base three-man front under new coordinator Brandon Staley, Bresee also needs to take advantage of relative change of scenery in hopes of kickstarting his career.

A two-Pack in Green Bay

The 2025 season will doubtless be a defining one for the careers of Packers LB Quay Walker and DL Lukas Van Ness. Drafted 22nd overall in 2022 with the pick obtained in the trade of WR Davante Adams, Walker has been solid if unspectacular while starting 43 games in his career. But his fifth-year option was declined, and he must also overcome ankle surgery that wiped out his offseason and a good chunk of training camp as he tries to convince Green Bay or another team he’s worthy of a significant payout in 2026. Meanwhile, Van Ness never started at Iowa but shined as a situational pass rusher. He’s effectively had the same role during two NFL seasons, yet to start a game, however has just seven sacks and 22 pressures in 34 appearances. He’ll need to show much more this year if he wants his option activated afterward.

LB Devin Lloyd, Jacksonville Jaguars

Similar to Walker, he’s been a solid player, Lloyd’s biggest sin perhaps the fact his off-ball ‘backer position just isn’t a highly valued one. Though his career started with NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month honors after his first three games in 2022, his first season was uneven overall. But Lloyd has been reliable since, starting 46 games overall and averaging nearly 120 tackles during his three seasons. But his option wasn’t picked up for 2026, and with Foyesade Oluokun entrenched in the middle of the Jags’ defense, Lloyd may very well have to hit the bricks next year and hope a market develops for him elsewhere.

DE Myles Murphy, Cincinnati Bengals

Maybe you’d heard that Cincy’s underwhelming defense desperately needs to get DE Trey Hendrickson back in the fold? Or that DE Shemar Stewart was drafted in Round 1 this year to help prop it up following the retirement of Sam Hubbard? One of the underlying issues to those subplots has been the utter lack of production from Murphy, who’s supplied all of three sacks and 15 pressures in two seasons and has yet to earn a regular-season start.

OL Evan Neal, New York Giants

Drafted seventh overall in 2022, he was expected to fortify a line, presumably as the bookend to hyper-talented LT Andrew Thomas. Instead, Neal is now listed as a backup guard after becoming the highest-drafted player in his class to not earn his fifth-year option.

CB Emmanuel Forbes Jr., Los Angeles Rams

He’s starting his first full season in LA after hooking on with the Rams midway through his second year, when the Washington Commanders’ new regime decided he needed a fresh start. A pick-six machine in college – Forbes had an FBS record six for Mississippi State – he’s swiped all of two balls in 22 NFL games, not nearly enough to offset his limitations, namely his 6-foot, 166-pound frame coming out of Starkville. The Rams now list Forbes at 180 pounds, and his best bet is probably to try and secure a dime back role and hope to expand his snap count from there.

OT Jedrick Wills Jr., free agent

This is a fascinating case study. Wills was a serviceable, if not dominant, left tackle for the better part of five seasons in Cleveland. But his tenure ended on a poor note at the end of the 2024 season, Wills removing himself from the lineup last November as a “business decision” in order to recover from a knee injury. Per Fox Sports, he’s prepared to sit out all or part of the 2025 season in a bid to get the joint fully healthy. Wills missed 21 of his final 34 games with the Browns but is only 26 and plays a highly coveted position. Should be interesting to see if demand for his services outstrip questions about his recent durability issues and approach to handling them.

Some of the biggest names in the WNBA have been sidelined indefinitely with various injuries as teams enter the final stretch of the season, but that hasn’t stopped basketball fans across the nation from showing up.

WNBA officials announced Thursday that the league set a new single-season attendance record, with 13 franchises welcoming more than 2.5 million fans in 226 games this year. And that number is expected to grow as there are three weeks remaining in the regular season and the 2025 WNBA Finals have expanded to a best-of-seven format for the first time in league history.

The previous record was set more than two decades ago in 2002 by 16 teams across 256 games.

Women’s basketball has continued to skyrocket in popularity, both on the collegiate and professional level. Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese’s rivalry at Iowa and LSU, respectively, captivated the nation and brought a new audience to the WNBA as viewers followed the budding stars to the pros their rookie season. Incoming rookie Paige Bueckers, who set single-game rookie scoring record with 44 points against the Los Angeles Sparks on Wednesday, has carried the momentum as the league rewrites attendance and viewership records.

Both Clark and Reese have dealt with injuries this season. Clark has missed 22 of the Indiana Fever’s 35 games due to various injuries, including 13 consecutive games with a right groin injury. Reese missed seven games with a back injury and recently returned to the lineup in the Sky’s loss to the Seattle Storm on Tuesday. MVP frontrunner Napheesa Collier (right ankle) has missed five straight games for the Minnesota Lynx and New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (right knee) has been sidelined 11 games.

The WNBA expanded from 12 teams to 13 franchises this season, welcoming the Golden State Valkyries. The Valkyries have received unprecedented support in their inaugural season and have sold out all 17 of their home games at Chase Center this season.

The league is set to grow to 18 teams by 2030, with franchises being added in Portland, Oregon (2026), Toronto (2026), Cleveland (2028), Detroit (2029) and Philadelphia (2030).

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A new Netflix docuseries, ‘America’s Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys,’ explores the Dallas Cowboys’ sustained popularity despite a lack of recent championships.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones attributes the team’s value and popularity to his hard work and marketing efforts.
Jones defends Dallas’ performance, citing its overall win record the past three decades and near misses in playoff runs.

Again, for maybe the 29th time over the years, I had to ask Jerry Jones to explain how the Dallas Cowboys – the most valuable sports franchise on the planet – have sustained such immense popularity despite continually falling short of winning championships.

Then again, why ask? Just look around. Or watch.

There’s a fresh answer with the compelling eight-part docuseries, “America’s Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys,” that dropped this week on Netflix.

It reminds us that no team does drama quite like the Cowboys.

And it reinforces the fact that no team markets itself quite like “America’s Team.”

“I explain it by hard work. I bust my ass,” Jones, referring to the franchise’s value and popularity, told USA TODAY Sports over lunch recently in his training camp office in Oxnard, California. “This exact same hard work that is going on in the football. I work my ass off. And that hasn’t slowed down. This is the busiest I’ve ever been at training camp.”

All that busy work, though, hasn’t resulted in a contract extension for All-Pro linebacker Micah Parsons, whose “hold-in” attempt for a new deal has juiced the summer episode of the NFL’s longest-running soap opera. And Jones freely admits he doesn’t mind the drama.

After all, the rift with Parsons keeps the Cowboys ticking on the relevance meter.

The docuseries, meanwhile, adds more layers to the buzz. Sure, the rise and fall of Jerry’s Cowboys – who haven’t even advanced to the NFC title game in the 29 years since winning a third Super Bowl crown during the 1990s – deserves documentary treatment. There are electric characters. Rich storylines. Fascinating details. Heaps of controversy.

Yet despite revealing perspectives shared by the likes of Michael Irvin, Troy Aikman and Charles Haley, among others, the docuseries feels too much like a slick, PR-crafted production. I mean, did they really need those cheesy Western-themed backdrops and effects?

Also, for all the candid revelations from Irvin – who provided backstory from his 1996 drug possession trial and spilled the tea on the “White House” near the team’s headquarters, where some players engaged in booze, drugs and sex escapades – there was no such depth relating to multiple controversies attached to Jones.

Not that I’m surprised. Somebody had to sign off on all the access and cooperation that gave the project its juice. Rather than delve into the team owner’s stance a few years ago against national anthem protests by NFL players or touch the since-settled legal issues linked to a woman alleging to be Jones’ illegitimate daughter, the directing duo of brothers Chaplain and Maclain Way portrayed Jones in a manner he would undoubtedly approve of.

Sure, Jones ignited controversy from the start of his ownership in 1989 when he, well, aptly replaced the legendary Tom Landry with Jimmy Johnson. And during the mid-‘90s he sued NFL partners in breaking off to secure his own massive marketing deals. Look at how that controversy turned out: Forbes, in its latest compilation, values the franchise at $12.8 billion. And Jones, who bought the team for roughly $150 million, is in the Hall of Fame, having forever changed the NFL business landscape as the league’s most powerful owner.

Yet it will be tough for longtime Cowboys fans to waltz down memory lane without connecting the nostalgia with the current state of affairs. The final episode of the docuseries titled, “The Drought,” covers the 29 years since Super Bowl 30.

“What’s the common denominator? Jones. I get it,” Jones said.

Then Jerry, who is on his eighth head coach since Johnson but will indeed get testy when asked about turning over the reins as GM, digs in.

“How long has it been since Buffalo won the Super Bowl?” he said, knowing that the five-time defending AFC East champion Bills have never won a Super Bowl. “Buffalo hasn’t been chopped liver. They’re solid. They’re probably in the top third of the NFL.”

The Cowboys, meanwhile, posted three consecutive 12-5 records under since-departed coach Mike McCarthy, with two NFC East titles, before sinking to an injury-riddled 7-10 finish in 2024.

“I just can’t get as convicted that the way we’re doing it, that our approach to trying to win a Super Bowl, that that needs to change,” Jones said. “I guess that’s why I’m so defensive.”

He knows. The visibility that comes with being the NFL’s biggest draw just increases the heat when they flop, year after year, in chasing another Super Bowl.

Put another way, Jones says, “The ass-kicking that comes with this doesn’t deter me at all.”

Of course, Jones, 82, can still sell it. When he maintains that over the past three decades the Cowboys are among the top six teams in the NFL for victories, it illustrates how hope is such a tangible resource.

“That shows that you’re not defunct,” he said. “Fair? I know we’re in range to have success.”

But still. A 29-year drought?

“On two or three occasions, if not for a nano-second, a nano-factor, we would’ve been in the Super Bowl,” he said, including the would-be Dez Bryant catch in a 2014 NFC divisional playoff loss at Green Bay, as an example. “So, I hang my hat on those times.

“And I hang my hat on the fact that nobody gets to be in 20 of them. Maybe they experienced four of them, or three of them, or like Charles (Haley), five. Thirty years sounds like you should be in half of them. I don’t look at it that way. I look at it like how many people have never been in one? I look at the three (Dallas won in the ‘90s) and I feel like I at least have three years left, or four or five years left, and there’s always the promise that I can get it this season. Or get it next season.”

Now that’s some serious spin. The scene from Dallas’ last playoff game – a blowout loss against the Packers in a 2023 NFC wild-card round matchup at JerryWorld that was the worst postseason setback in the franchise’s history – certainly provided compelling images for the final episode of the docuseries. Jones was in the locker room consoling players, including Parsons – the man now embroiled in a contract dispute.

He hugged Parsons and whispered that the blowout wasn’t the fault of the star player. To which Parsons mumbled, “I just wanna win.”

What a contrast to the vibe from the early episodes, which detailed how Johnson established a tone. The coach once refused to allow meal service on the team’s chartered flight home after a disturbing loss. And in a classic tirade his first year, Johnson bellowed, “The asthma field is over there!” after one player explained why he collapsed while running wind sprints.

Sure, times have changed. Some of the drills Johnson ordered during his demanding training camps wouldn’t be tolerated today, under the collective bargaining agreement. Even so, somebody has to win big. And that is no longer the Cowboys’ way.

At least when it comes to winning on the field. Otherwise, business is booming for a franchise still commanding a huge presence on the NFL relevance map.  

Contact Jarrett Bell at jbell@usatoday.com or follow on social media: On X: @JarrettBell

On Bluesky: jarrettbell.bsky.social

MIAMI GARDENS, FL – Travis Hunter’s preseason has come to an end.

The Jacksonville Jaguars’ top pick and the team’s starters won’t play in their final preseason game against the Miami Dolphins on Saturday, Aug. 23.

Jaguars coach Liam Coen said he’s focused on getting Hunter, who has been dealing with an upper body injury this preseason, ready for the season opener at home against the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 7,

Fantasy football rankings: Sleeper picks for every position in 2025

“It was being smart about the next few weeks. The ultimate goal is Carolina [in Week 1]. That’s at the top of mind right now,” Coen said of Hunter after a joint practice with the Dolphins on Thursday, Aug. 21. “We’re moving in the right direction.”

If the Jaguars needed Hunter to play in a game, Coen said the receiver/defensive back would be healthy enough to be in action.

However, the Jaguars are taking a conservative approach with their No. 2 overall pick from the 2025 NFL draft.

Hunter worked in individual drills on offense, but did not participate in any 11-on-11 work during the one-day joint practice.

Hunter played 10 snaps on offense, and eight snaps on defense during his preseason debut on Aug. 9 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He did not play in the Jaguars’ second preseason game against the New Orleans Saints on Aug. 17.

Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence said he’s been able to build some chemistry with Hunter since the spring, but the two will need to work on their timing before the season.

The Jaguars’ offense is installed, but there are some routes they have not worked on together because of limited time, Lawrence said.

“Hopefully we’ll get him back out there, running around really soon, and we can make up ground we might have missed,” Lawrence said of Hunter.

“When it comes to man coverage, and him going and winning and making a play, I’m not as worried about that. I just have to give him a good throw.”

The 2025 Little League World Series has just two teams left standing in the International bracket, as Aruba held off Venezuela for a 3-1 win at Howard J. Lamade Stadium on Thursday.

Aruba escaped one bases-loaded jam early, and from there got their runs with solid fundamentals. Emerson Mercado’s first-inning sacrifice fly opened the scoring, while Jayderick Wederfoor’s single in the third ended up being a game-winning RBI.

Isaac Arendsz brought Anthony Santos around for a third run with a sac-fly of his own in the top of the sixth inning, leaving Venezuela in a deep hole. Samuel Castillo did get a run on the board, pouncing on a throw to first that missed its target, but Aruba held firm to get the final outs needed to advance. The victory gave Aruba a bit of revenge, as Venezuela came out on top when these same two nations (represented by the same two Little League clubs on both occasions) met last year.

With the win, Aruba will advance to take on defending International champions Chinese Taipei, who on Monday won a meeting between these two ballclubs 4-0. Aruba has reeled off three consecutive wins to clinch the rematch, outscoring their opponents 12-2 in the process.

Here are highlights and play-by-play from the 2025 Little League World Series International lower-bracket final between Aruba and Venezuela:

Little League World Series: Aruba vs. Venezuela highlights

Little League World Series scores today

Thursday, Aug. 21

All times Eastern

International Bracket

Game 33: Aruba 3, Venezuela 1

United States bracket

Game 34: Nevada (Mountain) v. South Carolina (Southeast): 7 p.m. @ Lamade

Aruba holds off Venezuela 3-1

Venezuela made a major push, getting the tying run to bat with one out, but Emerson Mercado got a pop-up and then closed the game out with a strikeout.

Big sigh of relief for Aruba, which advances to the International bracket championship game on Saturday, when they’ll face Chinese Taipei — who won a previous meeting between these teams 4-0 — at Howard J. Lamade Stadium. That game is scheduled to start at 12:30 p.m. ET.

Venezuela makes it 3-1

A wild pitch and an error have cost Aruba their shutout, with Samuel Castillo coming home as Alam Parra kept Venezuela’s hopes alive.

Parra’s hit appeared to be handled, but a throw to first missed its target. That got Parra on base, and let Samuel Castillo — who had moved to second on a wild pitch from Emerson Mercado — come home to get his team on the board.

Venezuela limits damage heading into bottom of sixth

Credit Saul Vegas Duran for recovering from a difficult situation. Aruba had the bases loaded with no outs, but Venezuela coughed up just one run after their pitcher sat two down consecutive batters with strikeouts.

That said, it’s crunch time for the Barquisimeto Little League team. It’s the bottom of the sixth, meaning they need three runs to stay alive.

LLWS: Aruba extends lead to 3-0

Aruba loaded the bases with their first three batters in the top of the sixth, and Isaac Arendsz has an RBI to make it 3-0, as a sac-fly brings Anthony Santos home.

Venezuela pitcher Saul Vegas Duran hasn’t been able to keep Aruba from making contact, and Arendsz’s fly ball to right field gave Aruba a potentially crucial extra run. Diliano Raven and Arnold Gismar Martha remain in scoring position, though Vegas Duran did get a second out with his sixth strikeout of the day.

A pitcher’s best friend? A double play to end the inning for Aruba’s Emerson Mercado

Aruba’s Mercardo stepped on the mound in relief in third inning and he’s been lights out since. He’s scattered two hits, allowed one walk but has two strikeouts and some solid defense behind him as Aruba holds onto a 2-0 lead after five innings.

Venezuela’s Saul Vegas Duran keeping team’s hopes alive

Duran came on in relief in the third inning and has allowed only three hits and has struck out five batters since. Although Aruba leads 2-0 after the top of the fifth inning, Venezuela still has a chance.

When is the 2025 Little League World Series championship game?

The 2025 Little League World Series is set to conclude at Williamsport, Pennsylvania on Sunday, Aug. 24. The 20 teams from across the globe will be down to two when the championship game kicks off at 3 p.m. ET. on ABC.

Venezuela’s Saul Vegas Duran avoids a bases loaded jam

Aruba loaded the bases with two outs. But Duran closed that opportunity by striking out Jay-Sell Girón to end the inning. It was Duran’s fourth strikeout. After the top of the fourth inning, Aruba leads 2-0 over Venezuela.

Little League World Series: Who won 2024 tournament?

The 2024 LLWS finished with a thriller, as Florida claimed a 2-1 extra-innings victory over Taiwan.

The Lake Mary Little League team made history beyond lifting the Little League World Series trophy. In winning the game, they became the first Florida-based team to ever win the tournament. — Sherlon Christie

Aruba’s new pitcher is Emerson Mercado

Mercado came out of the bullpen to relieve Jay-Sell Giron, who finished with two innings pitched, two hits and two walks. Giron threw 30 pitches, so he needs one day’s rest and could pitch Saturday, if Aruba wins today’s game.

Venezuela’s Saul Vegas Duran on the mound now

Vegas Duran is the second pitcher of the day for Venezuela as it trailed 2-0 to Aruba in the top of the third inning. He comes in and strikes out the first batter he faced to end the inning.

Venezuela’s Francisco Rivero gets close to pitching limit

Rivero threw 30 pitches in the third inning and finished with 84 pitches (one less than the threshold) before getting removed from the mound. He battled through 2 2/3 innings by allowing two hits, two runs, three walks and he had four strikeouts.

Call on the field? Catch. But the play apparently isn’t reviewable

And apparently the umpires didn’t get the call right based on the replay angles shown by ESPN several times after the play. The left fielder appeared to trap the ball while sliding to make a catch and then Aruba threw the ball to second base for the double play as the runner on second failed to tag up. It’s still 1-0 Aruba after all that commotion and lengthy delay.

Venezuela team: What to know

Cardenales Little League (Barquisimeto, Venezuela) made a repeat appearance at the LLWS this year as the Latin America champion. According to Little League, “Cardenales LL has represented Latin American in Williamsport three times previously, and it will be the 23rd appearance for the country, the sixth-most appearances among international teams.” Last year, Cardenales LL finished in third place with a 5-2 record. The country of Venezuela has won the LLWS twice, the last time coming in 2000 by Maracaibo, Venezuela. — Sherlon Christie

Aruba’s Jay-Sell Giron takes the mound versus Venezuela

Giron didn’t need many pitches (10) to get through the bottom of the first inning as he got two fly outs and a ground out. Giron ever overcame a throwing error by a teammate and still kept Venezuela off the scoreboard. Aruba leads 1-0 after the first inning.

Aruba team: What to know

Aruba Center Little League (Santa Cruz, Aruba) made a return trip to the LLWS this year after once again capturing the Caribbean region title. Overall, this was Aruba Center’s third trip to the LLWS, after previous appearances in 2024 and 2011, according to Little League. The 2024 team went 2-2 in in Williamsport. A team from Aruba has never won the Little League World Series. — Sherlon Christie

Venezuela’s Francisco Rivero takes the mound against Aruba

Rivero got himself in a little trouble to start the top of the first inning by hitting Aruba’s Anthony Santos, walking Arnold Gismar Martha and then hitting Isaac Arendsz to load the bases with one out on 26 pitches. Aruba’s Emerson Mercado then got the scoring going with a sacrifice fly, 1-0, Aruba. But that’s all the damage so far. It took 38 pitches from Rivero but Venezuela quashes the threat.

It’s Aruba vs Venezuela in an elimination game at the LLWS

Aruba comes into today’s game with three players Diliano Raven, Emerson Mercado and Anthony Santos that have hit a home run. Also, Aruba is the only team in the 2025 LLWS with three players with at least one home run in Williamsport this year. Meanwhile, Venezuela has shown it can pitch (a.k.a Juan Reyes), who threw two complete games already at LLWS, and proven it can play defense. The question is can Venezuela put together enough offense (just two extra base hits so far in the 2025 LLWS) to win more games in Williamsport.

What time is the 2025 Little League World Series today?

Thursday, Aug. 21

All times Eastern

International Bracket

Game 33: Aruba v. Venezuela: 3 p.m. @ Lamade Stadium

United States bracket

Game 34: Nevada (Mountain) v. South Carolina (Southeast): 7 p.m. @ Lamade

Six teams still in the hunt for the LLWS title, here are the teams left

Chinese Taipei has clinched a spot in Saturday’s 12:30 p.m. ET international championship game on ABC. Their opponent? Well, that will be settled today as Venezuela and Aruba play an elimination game for the other spot in the international championship game.

Connecticut has secured a spot in Saturday’s 3:30 p.m. ET U.S. championship game on ABC. Who will Connecticut play? That answer comes tonight as Nevada and South Carolina have an elimination game showdown for the other spot.

As Day 9 of the Little League World Series gets underway, here’s a look at the modified double-elimination bracket.

How to watch 2025 Little League World Series

The 2025 Little League World Series will be broadcast on ESPN platforms, with the championship game airing on ABC. Games will also be available to stream on ESPN+.

Date: Thursday, Aug. 21
Times: International game, 3 p.m. ET; U.S. game, 7 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Stream: Fubo
Location: South Williamsport, Pennsylvania

Stream the Little League World Series on Fubo

2025 Little League World Series bracket: Scores, results

For a full list of LLWS results, click here.

United States Bracket

Wednesday, Aug. 20

Game 30: Connecticut (Metro) 7, Nevada (Moutain) 3

Game 32: South Carolina (Southeast) 7, South Dakota (Midwest) 6

Thursday, Aug. 21

Game 34: Nevada (Mountain) v. South Carolina (Southeast): 7 p.m. @ Lamade

Saturday, Aug. 23

Game 36: Connecticut (Metro) v. W34: 3:30 p.m. @ Lamade

International Bracket

Wednesday, Aug. 20

Game 29: Chinese Taipei 7, Venezuela 3

Game 31: Aruba 3, Japan 0

Thursday, Aug. 21

Game 33: Venezuela v. Aruba: 3 p.m. @ Lamade

Saturday, Aug. 23

Game 35: Chinese Taipei v. W33: 12:30 p.m. @ Lamade

Little League World Series Championship/Consolation Games

Sunday, Aug. 24

Game 37 (Third-Place Game): L35 v. L36: 10 a.m. @ Lamade

Game 38 (Championship): W35 v. W36: 3 p.m. @ Lamade

Little League World Series location

The 2025 Little League World Series started on August 13 and concludes on Sunday, Aug. 24, in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The LLWS games are played at Volunteer Stadium and Howard J. Lamade Stadium.