Ohio State, Indiana headline teams that are a lock for College Football Playoff.
LSU, Penn State top jobs available, but good debate on which is better.
Survive and advance works fine for Alabama. Just survive.

We interrupt your regularly scheduled programming of firings, hot boards and rampant speculation of potential hires (call Urban!) to draw attention, if ever so briefly, to the College Football Playoff.

The first CFP rankings will be revealed next week, and the talking heads will bobble and squabble over the bubble, but a handful of teams already have done the heavy lifting, putting the hay in the barn for a bid. I need to get my hands on Seth Davis’ March Madness Sharpie marker, because I’m ready to lock in five teams for the playoff.

Here’s where my mind is after Week 9:

Five teams have ‘clinched’ College Football Playoff bids

Esteemed colleague Paul Myerberg recently noted he’s nearly ready to lock in five teams for the playoff: Ohio State, Indiana, Oregon, Texas A&M and Mississippi. I agree with his assessment in four of five cases. I’m not yet all-in on one of his playoff near-locks, but I’ve got a replacement lock ready for insertion.

Here are five teams I’m ready to Sharpie into the playoff:

Ohio State (7-0): Talk of dynasties being dead is premature. The Buckeyes are positioning themselves to join Georgia, Alabama and Southern California (including one USC shared championship) as the only teams to win back-to-back national titles since 1980. Who knows what’ll happen in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in the regular-season finale, but the Buckeyes aren’t losing twice in November.
Indiana (8-0): The Hoosiers’ win at Oregon, combined with their dominant average margin of victory, gives them plenty of cushion as they navigate the season’s final month. Smart money is on Indiana taking an undefeated record into the Big Ten Championship, but it’ll be in good shape even if it drops a game.
Texas A&M (8-0): If the first CFP rankings hinged on strength of record and strength of schedule, the Aggies would be No. 1 after road wins at Notre Dame and LSU. They’re left with three SEC games, plus one Championship Subdivision opponent. They might make the playoff with two losses. Better chance they’ll avoid drama and neatly navigate into the bracket.
Mississippi (7-1): The Rebels tout wins against Oklahoma and LSU, and the November schedule is a blessing, with no ranked opponents left. Dropping one more game would damage their seeding, but they’d likely qualify at 10-2. Three of their final four games are at home. They’re in great shape.
Notre Dame (5-2): The Irish can’t afford another loss. So, why am I ready to Sharpie them into the bracket? Because, they’ll enjoy an accommodating November schedule, courtesy of their independence. They finish with Boston College, Navy, Pittsburgh, Syracuse and Stanford. Only Navy is ranked. That game is in South Bend. Remember what Notre Dame did to a ranked Army squad last season? Yep, the Irish are rolling toward 10-2, with close losses to Texas A&M and Miami in tow. The committee won’t be able to resist them.

Not ready to lock in … Oregon (7-1): The Ducks needed overtime to survive at Penn State, and that no longer looks like such a marquee win after the Nittany Lions soured. Oregon closes with four straight Big Ten opponents who are 5-3 overall or better. They could lose as soon as a Nov. 9 game at Iowa. Heck, they could lose twice. Oregon retains a good playoff chance, but landmines lurk in its path.

What’s the best job on the market?

It’s either LSU or Penn State. A lack of resources aren’t a problem at either school.

The case for Penn State: Don’t knock life in the Big Ten, where the wheat is more neatly separated from the chaff than it is in the SEC. Also, while some (like Nick Saban) choose to focus on how James Franklin got fired nine months after taking Penn State to the CFP semifinals, it’s also notable that Franklin got 12 seasons despite just one playoff berth. Imagine receiving such a long runway at LSU. The demands of both jobs are big. LSU’s demands are bigger, and the path to the playoff is easier at Penn State. A new hire could take Penn State back to the playoff in Year 1.

The case for LSU: Each of Brian Kelly’s three predecessors won a national championship. Make a strong hire, and LSU can celebrate another championship within four (or fewer) years. LSU is the only Power Four school in a talent-rich state. That’s an asset, even in this pay-for-play era. Kelly also signed the top-rated transfer class entering his final season, showing there’s money for talent. The literal politics of the job can be a quagmire (the governor became involved in firing Kelly), but you can’t knock the passion for the program, and LSU’s brand reaches from coast to coast.

Can Hugh Freeze escape hot seat at Auburn?

Difficult task, but perhaps not impossible. The four-game losing streak painted Freeze into a corner. Beating Arkansas was a must. So is beating Kentucky, up next. Topple Vanderbilt, too, and then maybe momentum builds for giving this one more go in 2026, not unlike what Florida did with Billy Napier last season. Never count out Auburn when the Iron Bowl is played on the Plains, either.

Freeze finally changed quarterbacks against Arkansas, benching Jackson Arnold — what took so long? — in favor of Ashton Daniels. Freeze must sow belief these next few weeks that he can solve yearslong offensive woes, if retained.

A crowded coaching carousel also might become Freeze’s friend. Does Auburn want to hire in a cycle when LSU, Penn State and Florida also are hiring?

How vulnerable is Alabama?

Are you glass half-full, or half-empty? I took it as an encouraging sign for Alabama that it rallied to win, 29-22, at South Carolina after playing with danger for three-plus quarters. This is the type of game last year’s team would’ve lost.

Look around the SEC. Gimme games are in short supply. Alabama’s reality is no different from that of Georgia, or others in the conference. The Tide’s wins against Georgia, Vanderbilt, Missouri and Tennessee hold up well on the resumé. Three of the final four games are at home, where Kalen DeBoer has not lost. The Tide remain in good shape.

Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network’s senior national college football columnist. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on X @btoppmeyer.

The Pittsburgh Steelers defense has allowed 68 points and over 700 passing yards in its last two losses.
Despite significant financial investment, the Steelers defense ranks last in the NFL against the pass.
Coach Mike Tomlin acknowledged the team’s defensive problems are repetitive and not improving quickly enough.
Veteran defensive tackle Cam Heyward expressed frustration, stating the team lacks fight and doesn’t handle adversity well.

PITTSBURGH – It wasn’t difficult to sense the level of frustration coming from Cam Heyward in a near-empty Pittsburgh Steelers locker room late Sunday night.

Another week, another embarrassing letdown from a once-proud defense.

“There’s a lot of ball and not enough fight on our side,” Heyward, the veteran defensive tackle and elder statesman, said after the 35-25 loss against the Green Bay Packers included Jordan Love as the latest quarterback to torch the Steelers. “I don’t think we handle adversity.”

Well, adversity has not only arrived. It has blasted through the front door.

Ten days after Joe Flacco passed for 342 yards and three touchdowns to lift the Cincinnati Bengals past Pittsburgh, Love threw for 360 yards – and at one point completed a franchise-record-tying 20 consecutive passes – and three touchdowns to steal the stage from Aaron Rodgers in the primetime showcase game.

Particularly disturbing for Heyward & Co. was the onslaught after halftime, when the Packers flipped a game by scoring on their first five possessions of the second half.

“That second half kind of split open,” Heyward said. “If you’re hit hard enough, you’ve got to have answers for it. Part of being a professional is fixing your mistakes fast. And then answering those problems. This is a lesson we can all learn from.”

Or else.

The past two games, as Pittsburgh (4-3) fumbled away a seemingly firm grip on the AFC North lead, the Steelers have allowed 68 points in the back-to-back defeats. The pass defense now ranks dead-last in the NFL – worse than the Dallas Cowboys and Bengals defenses in that category – as Flacco and Love combined to throw for 702 yards and six touchdowns.

And look who’s coming next: The red-hot Indianapolis Colts, with an offense powered by NFL rushing leader Jonathan Taylor and revitalized quarterback Daniel Jones.

Did somebody mention fixing something fast?

Steelers’ defensive spending yielding minimal returns

Hey, it’s officially a crisis now – which is where coach Mike Tomlin and the Steelers brain trust hardly expected it would be at this point in the season after investing so much energy and resources into boosting the fortunes of the unit.

On Sunday night, the effort was wrapped in missed tackles, blown assignments, misplayed pop-up passes, chunk plays and very little heat on the quarterback. The unit had zero sacks and zero turnovers. And ultimately zero chance to regain the momentum.

When someone asked Tomlin if the defensive issues are more rooted in the schemes or in the execution, there was no room to backpedal.

“You know, we all have to own it,” Tomlin said. “Certainly, you start with the schematics because that’s the leadership components of it, and certainly we’ll be looking at everything that we’re doing, man, because some of these problems are somewhat repetitive. We’re not getting better fast enough.”

The Steelers came into the season thinking that they could complement Rodgers with a stiff defense that would relieve pressure on the crafty quarterback. It seemed like a decent plan and with the addition of versatile cornerback Jalen Ramsey and veteran cornerback Darius Slay. The revamped secondary was pegged to provide consistent man-to-man coverage on the back end, which would allow defensive coordinator Teryl Austin more flexibility in using creative blitzes.

Yet that answer has backfired to this point. There’s no way the Steelers, who haven’t won a playoff game since the 2016 season, can win big with this dysfunctional defense.

And while the revamped secondary has floundered, it’s clearly a collective challenge. The investments up front – including linebacker T.J. Watt, signed to an extension worth $41 million per year, and last year’s free agent addition, linebacker Patrick Queen – haven’t paid off, either.

The numbers underscore this. According to Spotrac.com, no team in the NFL has invested as much of its salary cap this season on its defense than the Steelers, with a $120.283 million allocation. For cash expenditures, it’s the second-most expensive defense in the league with a tab of $151.4 million.

Yet those other numbers – 30th in yards allowed (386 per game), 32nd against the pass (273.3) – illustrate how little bang they are getting for the buck.  

Once upon a time, tough, physical, championship-level defense was the Steelers calling card. It matched the reputation of a city known for blue-collar grit. What happened to that tradition? It’s a fairy tale now, considering the current edition of the Pittsburgh D.

Heyward said, “If you can own your mistakes and make them disappear, it goes a long way.’

If only that can really happen – like fast.

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

Even a brutal twist of fate that ended in a dislocated ankle has not been enough to completely dampen the spirits of New York Giants rookie running back Cam Skattebo.

Skattebo, 23, took to social media on Oct. 27 to express his gratitude for the encouragement he received in the wake of the season-ending ankle injury he sustained one day earlier.

‘Thank you everyone for the support!!’ he wrote on X. ‘Surgery went well. I just want to thank the city of Philly for taking the best care of me. Every moment I spent in the hospital with family and friends I felt loved and supported in every way (heart emoji) thank you to the doctors, surgeons, and staff that did their best work on me.

‘This is just the beginning of my journey and I can’t wait to show you guys all about it!!! GOD has a plan for me, stick the course and it will all work itself out, BRB (be right back).’

Skattebo dislocated his ankle in the Giants’ Week 8 clash with the Philadelphia Eagles. After sustaining the injury, the rookie running back remained in Philadelphia to undergo emergency surgery to repair his lower leg.

According to Giants.com Senior Managing Editor Dan Salomone, the surgery was successful. But as a result of the injury, Skattebo’s rookie season is over.

Skattebo, whom the Giants drafted in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, had become something of a spark plug for his team prior to the injury. After beginning the season backing up second-year Tyrone Tracy Jr., the rookie from Arizona State took over the starting job in Week 4 – the same game in which rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart became the starter – after Tracy dislocated his shoulder.

Through eight games, Skattebo was the Giants’ leading rusher with 101 carries for 410 yards and five rushing touchdowns. He also caught 24 of his 32 targets for 207 yards and two receiving touchdowns in his first eight games.

In addition to his strong statistical output, Skattebo brought the energy to a Giants team that had been lacking it in years past. His loud outbursts in the background of press conferences, willingness to rip his shirt off in postgame interviews and the constant (literal) headbutts with his fellow rookie Dart all quickly made him a fan favorite.

Provided there are no complications with Skattebo’s recovery from surgery nor any setbacks in his impending rehab journey, the Giants’ running back should be back healthy and ready to go to begin the 2026 season.

A federal investigation into illegal gambling has led to the arrests of several prominent NBA figures.
Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier are among those facing criminal charges.
The alleged scheme involved rigged poker games with Mafia ties and betting on games using non-public information.

The NBA is facing a gambling crisis after a sitting head coach, a current player and a former player were all arrested in connection with two federal indictments related to illegal gambling on games and rigged poker games that had Mafia ties.

Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and former NBA player Damon Jones are all facing criminal charges in the wake of the scandal, which is also connected with the investigation that led to the NBA banning former Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter. Federal authorities allege the extensive scheme spanned years, and there are more than 30 co-defendants accused in the case along with these prominent NBA figures.

The investigation remains ongoing, authorities said, and fallout has been immediate. Billups and Rozier were placed on immediate leave from their respective teams. Rozier’s attorney issued a statement declaring Rozier is ‘not a gambler.’ Billups’ attorney also released a statement denying Billups’ alleged role in the rigged poker games and emphasized that Billups did not gamble on basketball games.

Here’s a timeline and breakdown of all the alleged events and games that are mentioned as part of the federal investigation into the NBA’s gambling scandal:

NBA gambling scandal timeline

April 9, 2019

Federal authorities allege that rigged poker games backed by the Bonanno, Gambino and Genovese organized crime families of La Cosa Nostra began as early as 2019. One specific game involving Billups on this date allegedly defrauded victims out of more than $50,000. The scheme featured a shuffling machine that had been secretly altered to use concealed technology to read the cards in the deck, predict which player at the table had the best poker hand, and relay that information to an off-site operator.

The indictment also includes messages in which the defendants had signals for a ‘quarterback’ at the table to use once he was relayed the information in real time from off-site, and discussions about purposefully losing hands to keep the victims at the table longer. One of the victims was ‘starstruck’ by Billups, according to the indictment, and ‘this was by design.’

October 2020

The indictment alleges that following another rigged poker game in late October 2020, bank records show co-defendant Robert Stroud wired $50,000 to co-defendant Sophia Wei, who then wired $50,000 to Billups.

December 2022

Investigators allege this is when the gambling scheme involving non-public game status information began, with the co-defendants accused of using ‘access to private information known by NBA players or NBA coaches that was likely to affect the outcome of upcoming NBA games or individuals’ performances,’ according to the federal indictment. ‘They provided other co-conspirators this non-public information ‒ in exchange for either a flat fee or a share in expected wagering profits ‒ for the purpose of betting.’

February 9, 2023

The morning before a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks, Jones is accused of providing non-public injury information about an unnamed player who fits the description of LeBron James in the indictment. Jones, according to the investigation, sent a text message alerting a co-conspirator in the case that James would not be playing, even though James had not been ruled out on the official injury report yet.

James did not play in the game and the Lakers lost. Jones, who played three NBA seasons with James in Cleveland, served as an unofficial assistant coach working primarily with James during the 2022-23 campaign.

March 23, 2023

The indictment alleges Rozier, then playing for the Charlotte Hornets, informed co-defendant Deniro Laster that Rozier was going to prematurely remove himself from a game against the New Orleans Pelicans in the first quarter. Laster then allegedly sold this information to multiple co-conspirators, including co-defendant Marves Fairley. Fairley and an unnamed co-conspirator agreed to pay Laster $100,000 from their expected gambling winnings. Fairley also sold the information to co-defendant Shane Hennen, who dispersed it to a network of associates in order to place wagers on prop bets for Rozier’s ‘under’ in the game. Prior to the start of the March 23 game, authorities allege Hennen, other unnamed and named co-conspirators in the investigation placed more than $260,000 in bets on Rozier’s under.

Rozier, according to the indictment, removed himself from the game in the first quarter after playing less than 10 minutes and did not return. He had five points and two assists and finished ‘under’ the lines set by oddsmakers for his points, assists and 3-point shots.

March 24, 2023

Prior to a game between the Portland Trail Blazers and Chicago Bulls, according to the indictment, an unnamed co-conspirator who fits the description of Billups allegedly told co-defendant Eric Earnest the Trail Blazers were tanking and several of their best players would not be playing. Earnest then provided the non-public information to Fairley, who promised to pay at least $5,000 if bets against the Trail Blazers were successful. Fairley and Hennen then placed more than $100,000 in wagers that Portland would lose the game.

The Blazers wound up not playing their top four leading scorers for the season and the lines changed once the official injury report was released approximately 30 minutes before tipoff. The Bulls then beat the Trail Blazers, 124-96.

March 28, 2023

The indictment alleges Fairley traveled to Philadelphia to collect his cut of the winnings from the March 23 game involving Rozier. Laster is also alleged to have traveled to Philadelphia on the same day to collect his portion of the winnings from Fairley. Rozier arranged and paid for Laster’s travel, according to the investigation. Fairley gave Laster ‘tens of thousands of dollars’ in cash as payment for the information Laster provided to Fairley regarding Rozier’s plan to remove himself from the game early.

March 30, 2023

Laster drove from Philadelphia to Rozier’s home in Charlotte, North Carolina, according to the indictment, and during the early morning hours of April 1, he and Rozier counted the money that Laster had received from Fairley from the March 23 game.

April 6, 2023

Hours before a game between the Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers, according to the indictment, one of the Magic’s ‘regularly starting players’ told an unnamed co-conspirator that Orlando would be sitting its entire starting lineup. This non-public information was provided to Fairley, who allegedly placed an $11,000 bet that the Cavaliers would cover the spread. The Magic, according to the investigation, were favored by 9.5 points at the time. The Magic did not play their starters and Cleveland won the game by 24 points.

September 2023

On September 7, five co-defendants successfully robbed an altered shuffling machine, according to the indictment. Jones then asked co-defendant Robert Stroud, who was named as part of the robbery as well, for a $10,000 advance in connection with a rigged poker game in East Hampton, New York. Stroud sent $2,500 to Jones via Zelle. Three days later, messages featured in the indictment show co-defendant Tony Goodson coaching Jones on how to cheat, while comparing two players in the rigged poker game to NBA stars Stephen Curry and LeBron James.

January 15, 2024

Before a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder, Jones allegedly gave non-public injury information to Earnest related to an unnamed player who fit the description of Anthony Davis in the indictment. Jones claimed to have learned from a trainer for James and Davis that Davis was injured and only going to play a limited number of minutes. Earnest shared the information with Fairley, who then shared it with Hennen and another co-conspirator. Fairley allegedly bet about $100,000 against the Lakers. Jones was paid approximately $2,500 for the information, according to the indictment.

Davis was listed as probable and ultimately played in the 112-105 Lakers’ win, finishing with 27 points and 15 rebounds over more than 38 minutes of action. After the game, according to the investigation, Fairley requested that Jones repay the $2,500. But Jones, investigators noted, reiterated via text message that he had provided credible information.

January 23, 2024

Rozier was traded by the Charlotte Hornets to the Miami Heat. The Heat weren’t made aware that Rozier was being investigated for suspicious betting activity, two sources told USA TODAY Sports.

January 26, 2024

Prior to a game between the Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Clippers, then-Raptors forward Jontay Porter agreed with co-defendant Long Phi Pham and others to exit the game prematurely due to injury in order for others to place bets on Porter’s unders for the game, according to the indictment. Pham provided the information to Hennen, who then alerted Fairley and other associates.

March 20, 2024

The same scheme involving Porter, Pham, Hennen and Fairley was executed as part of a game between the Toronto Raptors and Sacramento Kings.

April 17, 2024

The NBA banned Porter for disclosing confidential information to sports bettors and betting on games after a league investigation.

Jan. 13, 2025

Porter pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy in federal court, with a sentencing hearing scheduled for December. He faces a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.

January 30, 2025

The Wall Street Journal reported that Rozier was still under investigation by federal authorities over suspicious betting activity flagged in connection with the March 2023 game between the Charlotte Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans. ‘In March 2023, the NBA was alerted to unusual betting activity related to Terry Rozier’s performance in a game between Charlotte and New Orleans,’ NBA spokesman Mike Bass said at the time. ‘The league conducted an investigation and did not find a violation of NBA rules. We are now aware of an investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York related to this matter and have been cooperating with that investigation.’

Trusty added that ‘FBI agents’ were involved in the league investigation.

Oct. 23, 2025

Rozier, Billups and Jones were arrested for their respective roles in the rigged poker games and illegal betting scheme surrounding NBA games.

October 24, 2025

NBA commissioner Adam Silver, in his first public comments, said during a halftime interview with Amazon Prime, he was ‘deeply disturbed’ by the allegations.

“There’s nothing more important to the league and its fans than the integrity of the competition,’ Silver added.

Asked how the league had cleared Rozier given his arrest, Silver noted, ‘the federal government has subpoena power, it can threaten to put people in jail, it can do all kinds of things that a league office can’t do. So we’ve been working with them since then.’

Week 8 of the 2025 fantasy football season put a new meaning to ‘bye-mageddon’, especially at the wide receiver position. Just one of the current top-10 non-quarterbacks is a wideout.

With Monday Night Football pending, the top eight quarterbacks are Jordan Love, Drake Maye, Justin Herbert, Jalen Hurts, Bo Nix, Joe Flacco, Tua Tagovailoa and Josh Allen. The top four scorers on the slate (Jonathan Taylor, James Cook, Breece Hall and Saquon Barkley) are all running backs. At wideout, Troy Franklin (23.9), Michael Pittman Jr. (19.5), Jaylen Waddle (18.4), Khalil Shakir (17.8) and Ladd McConkey (17.8) were the only ones to surpass 15.4 half-PPR points. It took until Sunday Night Football, but Tucker Kraft (29.8 fantasy points) made sure that National Tight Ends Day didn’t disappoint.

Here’s a look at Week 9 fantasy football rankings. Toggle between standard, half PPR (point per reception), and full PPR to see where players rank in your league’s format. Scroll to the bottom to view the complete rankings.

Our team at USA TODAY Sports has you covered with plenty of content to help with your Week 7 waiver wire and roster decisions. Looking for up-to-date player news? We’ve got it. Don’t forget to check out the rest of our content:

Waiver wire: 9 players to add | 5 players to drop

Fantasy analysis: Week 8 recap from every Sunday game | 10 players to buy or sell

Please note: These rankings will change significantly as the week goes on. Check back on Sunday morning for final updates.

(The risers and sleepers sections will focus on players available in at least half of Yahoo leagues. All snap and target data from PFF.)

Week 9 fantasy football quarterback rankings: Risers and sleepers

Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers (47% rostered) – The veteran has showcased a solid floor this season, racking up at least 12 fantasy points in every game. Over his last three, Rodgers has posted 18, 25 and 17 fantasy points, respectively. In Week 9, he’ll go up against a Colts team that’s allowed more than 21 fantasy points to four of the six non-Cam Ward quarterbacks they’ve faced. The Steelers also have one of the friendliest slates of passing defenses through Week 16.
Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence (42%) – After failing to eclipse 12 fantasy points in three of his first four games this season, Lawrence has rebounded nicely, posting totals of 27, 19 and 18 over his last three outings. He’s a top streaming option against a Raiders team that’s ceded more than 16 fantasy points to five of the six non-Cam Ward passers they’ve faced.
Seahawks QB Sam Darnold (36%) – Darnold was a rough watch in the season opener, but he’s garnered at least 16 fantasy points in five of his six contests since. He’s one of the safer streaming options against a Commanders defense that’s allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to the position in 2025 (with MNF pending).
Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa (19%) – Starting Tua in fantasy is like going for a colonoscopy — you really don’t want to do it, but you might not have a better choice. The 27-year-old racked up four tuddies and 24 fantasy points in Week 8, and the matchup this week is even better on paper. To date, the Ravens have surrendered the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing signal-callers.

Week 9 fantasy football running back rankings: Risers and sleepers

Giants RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. (49%) – With Cam Skattebo out for the season, Tracy becomes the top priority on waivers. While he’s far from a model of efficiency, Tracy was the RB16 in fantasy from Week 5 and on in 2024. Tracy played 78% of snaps after Skattebo went down on Sunday.
Titans RB Tyjae Spears (31%) – While Spears and Tony Pollard finished tied with 12 touches in Week 8, the former led the way in snaps (37 to 33) and routes (18 to 17). With Brian Callahan no longer at the helm, this may become the norm. At worst, the 24-year-old is a solid bench stash in PPR leagues.
Dolphins RB Ollie Gordon (11%) – After head coach Mike McDaniel said he’d like to diversify the offense more, he went on to give rookie Ollie Gordon his highest touch (11) and snap total (21) of the season. Gordon turned that volume into 66 yards and a score. The 21-year-old is worth a speculative add in most leagues with deep benches.

Week 9 fantasy football wide receiver rankings: Risers and sleepers

Broncos WR Troy Franklin (37%) – In Week 8, Franklin was once again the clear WR2 behind Courtland Sutton, though his eight targets did lead the team. Franklin broke out with six receptions for 89 yards and two scores, making him the current overall WR1 on the week. While he won’t get to face the Dallas secondary every week, Franklin’s role seems stable enough to make him a weekly flex option.
Patriots WR Keyshon Boutte (40%) – While his five targets won’t jump off the page, Boutte did lead all Patriots receivers in snaps (50) and routes (31) on Sunday. The 23-year-old has now scored at least 12.5 half-PPR points in four of his eight games this season, including three straight. Boutte is an every-week high-upside flex play, especially in plus matchups.
Titans WR Chimere Dike (8%) – Dike has seen his role grow since Callahan’s departure, and in Week 8, he finished a hair behind Elic Ayomanor for the team lead in snaps (67 to 63) and routes (42 to 39). The 23-year-old led the Titans in targets (8) and receiving yards (93), and he’s now racked up 27.8 half-PPR points over the last two weeks. His role could diminish when Calvin Ridley (hamstring) returns, but given the play of the rest of this receiving corps, that doesn’t seem like the most likely outcome.
Packers WR Christian Watson (16%) – In his first game back since tearing his ACL in January, Watson played a larger-than-expected role. He finished third among Packers wide receivers in snaps (36) and routes (24), and second in targets (4). He caught all of his targets for 85 scoreless yards. Watson will always be a high-variance play, but those in deeper leagues should look to add him.
Dolphins WR Malik Washington (15%) – Washington has garnered at least five targets in all four games since Tyreek Hill’s injury, though he has yet to top 36 yards in that stretch. Washington has posted 8.0 and 13.6 PPR points over his last two games. Those in deep full PPR leagues could look to add him as a bye week fill-in at flex.

Week 9 fantasy football tight end rankings: Risers and sleepers

Bears TE Colston Loveland (22%) – With Cole Kmet out, Loveland got the start and saw an 81% snap rate while finishing third on the team with 32 routes. His output was uninspiring (5 targets, 3 receptions, 38 yards) but his role was encouraging considering Chicago’s upcoming opponent. In Week 9, the Bears will take on the Bengals, who have allowed 2.0 more half-PPR points per game to tight ends than any other team.
Saints TE Juwan Johnson (32%) – Aside from a three-week stretch where he was seemingly battling through injuries, Johnson has been a relatively stable option at an unstable position. The 29-year-old has been targeted at least seven times in five of his eight outings, and he’s totaled at least 7.8 half-PPR points in each of those five games. The return of Foster Moreau and Taysom Hill has not significantly reduced his playing time, as he has yet to see a snap share below 70%.

Week 9 fantasy football rankings: PPR, half-PPR, and standard

As the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays prepare to take the field for Game 3 of the World Series, let’s get to the obvious question: After Luna, the 7-year-old Maltipoo, picked the Game 1 of the World Series wrong, did we start looking for another dog?

Might a Golden Retriever or Terrier serve us better with this man vs. dog World Series predictions contest?

After brief consideration … no!!! Of course not!!! Dogs are loyal, and so are we. Well, at least after Luna picked Game 2 correctly.

A quick recap: Luna, who started an NFL playoff predictions contest last year 8-0, predicted the Dodgers would win Game 1. Before they got bashed by the Blue Jays 11-4, that is.

You should have heard Luna whimper.

But she picked the Dodgers in Game 2, and sure enough the Dodgers avenged the Game 1 loss with a 5-1 victory over Blue Jays.

What about the men? Bob Nightengale and Gabe Lacques look in good position with each having picked the Dodgers to win the World Series in six games.

Luna has picked the Dodgers to win in seven games, and for Game 3 has picked Blue Jays to win at Dodger Stadium.

It’s a slightly confounding prediction, but win or lose, we’re sticking with this dog.

Lionel Messi wants to play in the 2026 World Cup. He just hasn’t made a final decision yet.

Messi – the reigning Argentine World Cup champion and Inter Miami star in Major League Soccer – again expressed his desire to play in next summer’s tournament co-hosted in the United States, Canada and Mexico during an interview on ‘NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas.’

“Well, the truth is that yes, it’s something extraordinary to be able to be in a World Cup. And I would like to be there. To feel well and to be an important part of helping my national team – if I am there,” Messi said in the interview, which aired on Monday, Oct. 27.

“I’m going to assess that on a day-to-day basis when I start preseason next year with Inter [Miami] and see if I can really be 100%. I’m really eager because it’s a World Cup.

“We’re coming off winning the last World Cup, and being able to defend it on the field again is spectacular because it’s always a dream to play with the national team, especially in official competitions, so hopefully God will allow me to do it once again.”

Messi discussed several topics during the interview, shared in social media clips and airing less than a week after he signed a three-year contract extension to prolong his career with Inter Miami in the U.S.

“I’ve always said that I’ll base my decision on how I feel day to day and how I feel physically and mentally to continue playing and to continue being part of this club,” Messi said about re-signing with Miami. “And honestly, I felt really good during the year. I’m happy living in Miami, as is my family, and honestly, the decision was easy.”

Messi also believes “growing soccer in the United States is possible” and thinks the country will be spectacular during World Cup next summer.

“I think there are still big changes to be made so that teams can continue to grow, but I think there is a very important foundation in place where teams are prepared and want that growth, and I think it’s time to do it,” he said.

Considered the greatest soccer player of his time, Messi is also a fan of GOATs in other sports like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in tennis, and Michael Jordan, LeBron James and Steph Curry in basketball.

He also says fellow Argentine World Cup winner Diego Maradona was “always our greatest idol and greatest admiration for everything he meant to us. I was little and saw him play live, Diego transcended everything.”

Messi and Inter Miami have a 1-0 series lead against Nashville SC in their best-of-three, first-round series in the MLS Cup Playoffs. Game 2 is Saturday, Nov. 1 in Nashville.

For the third time in the last three seasons, the Minnesota Vikings have lost a quarterback to a season-ending injury before Week 9.

Two years ago, it was a Week 8 Achilles injury to Kirk Cousins. Last year, it was a torn meniscus that ended first-round pick J.J. McCarthy’s rookie season before it even began. This year, on Oct. 27, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that Carson Wentz will land on injured reserve and miss the remainder of the 2025 season after undergoing a season-ending surgery on his left shoulder.

Wentz, 32, first injured his shoulder in a Week 5 game against the Cleveland Browns. He had been wearing a brace on his arm in every game since. He was noticeably grimacing in pain and favoring his injured shoulder on ‘Thursday Night Football’ on Oct. 23.

Now, he’s undergoing surgery to repair the shoulder ailment and will miss the rest of the season.

McCarthy is expected to return from his ankle injury in Week 9’s game against the Detroit Lions. Undrafted rookie Max Brosmer, who served as Wentz’ backup over the last several weeks, is expected to remain in that role behind McCarthy.

Carson Wentz injury update

Wentz will miss the remainder of the 2025 NFL season after he undergoes surgery to repair his left shoulder.

The veteran quarterback initially sustained the injury to his left shoulder in the Vikings’ Week 5 game in London against the Browns. After missing a couple of snaps in that game, he returned to action with a brace on his arm.

Wentz had worn a brace on his arm in the Vikings’ two games since as well. On Oct. 23, throughout the team’s ‘Thursday Night Football’ clash with the Los Angeles Chargers, the 10th-year quarterback was in clear pain, grimacing and clutching at his left shoulder.

After the game, Wentz told reporters it was ‘quite possibly’ the worst pain he had felt while playing in a game.

‘I’m just trying to do everything I can to help this team,’ he said. ‘I feel confident even with the pain, that I could help, that I can contribute and make plays and spread this ball around and I thought we did okay at times.

‘At the end of the day, I feel like I’m physically able to go whether it hurts or not. It is what it is.’

Wentz’s season is now over after going 2-3 in his five games as the Vikings’ starter.

Vikings QB depth chart

J.J. McCarthy
Max Brosmer
Carson Wentz (IR – shoulder)

Wentz, a 10-year NFL veteran, began the season as Minnesota’s backup to the second-year McCarthy. When the youngster sustained a high ankle sprain in Week 2, Wentz was thrust into the starting role. His start in Week 3 made him the first quarterback ever to start a game for six different teams over a six-season span.

McCarthy will play out the remainder of his de facto rookie season after he missed all of last year with a torn meniscus he suffered in a preseason game. In Week 2’s game against the Atlanta Falcons, the second-year quarterback sustained a high ankle sprain and has missed every game since.

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said McCarthy might have been able to play in Week 8 if their game were on a Sunday rather than on ‘Thursday Night Football.’ It was a good indication that McCarthy will be ready to go for Week 9’s clash with the Lions on Nov. 9.

It’s been a rough few days for the Las Vegas Raiders organization. Monday, the team announced that former safety George ‘The Hitman’ Atkinson died. He was 78.

‘The Raiders Family is deeply saddened by the passing of George Atkinson, a life-long Raider whose physical style of play helped define an era of football,’ read a statement from the team. ‘Selected by the Raiders in the seventh round of the 1968 Draft out of Morris Brown, George burst onto the pro football scene as an exciting defensive back and explosive returner, earning back-to-back AFL All-Star selections in his first two seasons. He later anchored the defense as a part of the famed ‘Soul Patrol’ secondary of the 1970s, helping lead the Raiders to unprecedented success as the Silver and Black advanced to five consecutive AFC Championship Games and won Super Bowl XI following the 1976 season.

‘George’s contributions as a friend and mentor to everyone in the Raiders organization continued long after his playing career, and his genuine personality and wonderful sense of humor will be dearly missed by everyone who knew him. The prayers of the Raider Nation are with Denise, Brittany, Maya, Angela, Craig, and the entire Atkinson family at this time.’

Atkinson, who played in 144 games and intercepted 30 career passes, and Jack ‘The Assassin’ Tatum were one of the most intimidating safety combinations of all time, both widely considered dirty players − even in the 1970s, when player safety wasn’t nearly the priority it is in the modern NFL.

Hall of Fame Pittsburgh Steelers coach Chuck Noll was referring to Atkinson, who repeatedly targeted Steelers wideout Lynn Swann with vicious hits (having possession of the ball wasn’t a requirement), saying in 1976, ‘People like that should be kicked out of the game, or out of football.

‘There is a certain criminal element in every aspect of society. Apparently, we have it in the NFL, too.”

Atkinson claimed Noll’s comments amounted to ‘defamation of character,’ and subsequently filed a $3 million slander and libel lawsuit. The suit went to trial, but the jury sided with Noll, insomuch that he didn’t have to pay Atkinson a dime.

Despite questionable forearm shivers, Atkinson was an accomplished player and a key piece of dominant 1970s Oakland Raiders teams coached by John Madden. In addition to Tatum and Atkinson, the ‘Soul Patrol’ included cornerbacks Willie Brown, a Hall of Famer, and Skip Thomas. Atkinson had been the unit’s last living member.

The ‘Soul Patrol’ was perhaps at its finest in 1976, when the Raiders went 13-1 in the regular season and won their first championship by embarrassing the Minnesota Vikings 32-14 in Super Bowl 11.

Following his career, Atkinson tried to shine a spotlight on those Raiders squads, feeling the 1970s Steelers, Dolphins and Cowboys all unfairly got more credit. He particularly liked to call the Steelers ‘soft.’

No stranger to tragedy, Atkinson’s twin sons, George III and Josh, both died of suicide. Previously, they’d played college football for Notre Dame, George III eventually hooking on briefly with the Raiders and Cleveland Browns.

Atkinson’s death comes days after Carol Davis, wife of legendary Raiders owner Al Davis (and mother of current owner Mark Davis) died at the age of 93.

Barstool Sports golf media personality Cody ‘Beef’ Franke has passed away from a ‘sudden medical issue’ that he suffered over the weekend. He was 31 years old.

Franke, who was the head golf pro at Thornberry Creek Country Club at Oneida in Hobart, Wisconsin, before joining Barstool, was beloved for his training videos. He rose to fame though as a host of the ‘Foreplay’ podcast, a golf podcast by Barstool, where Franke would continue making advice and training videos but would also travel the world playing the most prestigious golf courses along with the rest of the ‘Foreplay’ team.

Social media responds to Franke’s death

Franke’s best moments

Franke wasn’t just a golf personality with no respect for the sport. He was a consummate professional with incredible manner. One of his most popular videos shows him refusing to shake people’s hands without first taking his hat off as a sign of respect.

His tips and advice videos were always short and to-the-point while also being informative, helpful, and entertaining. Here’s a quick video of him detailing how to hit a stinger shot when he first joined Barstool.

What caused Franke’s death?

The circumstances surrounding Franke’s cause of death are still mostly unknown. All that is publicly available is that Franke died of a ‘sudden medical issue’ that surfaced over this past weekend.

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