PHOENIX ― The Phoenix Mercury will be without forward Satou Sabally when Game 4 of the WNBA Finals against the Las Vegas Aces tips off on Friday at Mortgage Market Center (8 p.m. ET, ESPN).

Sabally has been ruled out after being diagnosed with a concussion after hitting her head on Kierstan Bell’s knee while trying to corral an offensive rebound in the waning minutes of Game 3. Sabally spent several moments down on the court before being helped to her feet and back to the locker room. The Mercury, who are down 0-3 to the Aces, have an even steeper climb without the forward. However, they remain focused on what’s in front of them.

‘We’re still playing for something,’ Phoenix head coach Nate Tibbets said.

‘Unfortunately, we’ve kind of been through this early in the year. We’ve had different people step up at different times. Rotation’s gonna look a little bit different, but we’ve got people who have been on the side, waiting for an opportunity. You’re just not gonna replace Satou [Sabally] with one person. We’re gonna have to do it collectively.’

Tibbets says the team is taking the WNBA Finals one game at a time and liked the energy heading into Game 4. He said they will remain a group that fights and will keep competing. The Phoenix head coach did not reveal who would replace Sabally in the lineup, but said, ‘We’re gonna have to get into the bench more.’

Over the last several days, the team reached out to Sabally and tried to visit her in the hospital, but under the guidance of her medical staff, visitors and screen time has been limited. Tibbets confirmed Sabally is home and disappointed she can’t continue to compete with her team, but understands this is the best course of action given her injury. When USA TODAY spoke with players from the Mercury, they understood what they must do in her absence.

‘We’ve missed one or more of our big three. We’ve always risen to the occasion. We’ve always stepped up,’ guard Sami Whitcomb said. ‘Our season’s on the line, so there’s no better opportunity for us to come together and rise to the challenge. I’m sure you’ll see people stepping up in ways that maybe they haven’t yet in this series. So as much as you never wanna lose someone ― someone that plays such a large role ― that’s sports sometimes. You adjust.’

Veteran forward DeWanna Bonner stated the obvious: Phoenix has been behind in the win column all playoffs, but they can’t continue to do that against Las Vegas’ many weapons. Bonner says the team has been trying to ‘crack the code’ to get a win and build some confidence. She said despite the pressure on them to win on Friday, they aren’t overwhelmed.

‘When one man goes down, the other one just has to step up. All hands on deck. We have nothing to lose,’ Bonner said. ‘So, we’re going to come out and play hard and keep playing the way we know how to play. Definitely gonna miss Satou [Sabally] and her scoring, her lift, her rebounding everything, [but it’s] the next man up. We’re gonna continue to compete for this championship.’

Phoenix maintains it will ‘chip away’ at the path to a championship one play at a time and ‘throw it up again’ and get to the next matchup when Game 4 begins. The message, Bonner said, has been simple: ‘Don’t panic. We’ve seen crazier things. It’s the playoffs, so it’s always a chance to come back.’Starting guard Monique Akoa Makani was a bit more vulnerable with USA TODAY, sharing that despite Sabally’s injury not changing the Mercury’s preparation, it’s always tough to see a teammate struggling. Akoa Makani says Phoenix has tried to stay focused and will do its best to honor Sabally by putting it all on the line Friday.

‘It has never been a question of quitting or feeling sorry for ourselves,’ Akoa Makani said. ‘We know that some of the teams, especially on the NBA side, have been in this position before. We said we’re going to do one win (in a row) four times.’

The school provided the contract to USA TODAY Sports on Friday, Oct. 10, one day after USA TODAY Sports reported on Smith’s employment status.

The contract — which all parties signed in the past 24 hours, per university spokesperson Daniel Pittman — shows Smith will make $850,000 from Ohio this season, including a $50,000 retention payment he would receive if he remains the Bobcats’ coach on Dec. 31, 2025, the final day of the parties’ contract year.

His base salary is $615,000, although he “may receive an annual increase … in accordance with University raise pool guidelines.” He is getting $135,000 in “supplemental compensation,” as consideration for “increased duties, including, but not limited to, external promotion, marketing, development, and communications”. He also can annually receive a $50,000 retention payment for being the school’s head coach as of June 30.

Smith began the season with the possibility of getting a maximum of $660,750 in performance-incentive bonuses, according to the contract. He already has secured a $15,000 bonus, as he can get that amount if the team wins a regular season game against a Power Four conference opponent. The Bobcats defeated West Virginia, 17-10, on Sept. 6 in Athens, Ohio. They also lost at Rutgers, 34-31, and lost at Ohio State, 37-9.

According to documents and correspondence USA TODAY Sports previously had received from the school, Smith’s compensation was to have an average annual value of $850,000 per year from Dec. 17, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2029. Those documents did not say what Smith was to be paid for this, or any other year of his employment. In addition, they said Smith will have performance incentives, but they “will be negotiated between the parties, the terms of which will be comparable with other Mid-American Conference institutions.”

Smith’s bonus maximum for this season ranks sixth among the 12 MAC coaches for whom USA Today Sports could determine that amount as part of its annual survey of major-college football head coaches’ pay.

As of Dec. 1, 2025, if Ohio fires Smith without cause, it would owe him $2,511,250 — that’s 100% of the base salary remaining on the contract. He would owe (or would to cause a third party to pay) the same amount if he leaves on Dec. 1, 2025. 

Central Michigan, another MAC school is still working with coach Matt Drinkall under a “letter of agreement” that leaves details about incentives and an annual retention bonus undetermined. But the letter of agreement states it is “a fully binding contract, and shall remain valid, enforceable, and fully binding until the Long Form Agreement is fully executed by both parties.”

San Francisco earned a thrilling Week 5 ‘Thursday Night Football’ win over the Los Angeles Rams behind a career night from backup quarterback Mac Jones.

The 49ers and their fans have to hope he’s able to go at least one more time.

Starting quarterback Brock Purdy will not play the 49ers’ Week 6 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, per multiple reports. The 49ers’ franchise quarterback is still sidelined with a toe injury first suffered in Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks.

Jones is dealing with oblique and knee injuries as well and is questionable for the team’s Week 6 road game.

Jones has gone undefeated as a starter for San Francisco this season with wins over the Saints, Cardinals and Rams. His efforts have helped the 49ers keep atop the NFC West standings at 4-1 despite injuries on both sides of the ball.

Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was also ruled out for Sunday’s game. With the team still waiting for tight end George Kittle’s return from injured reserve, San Francisco has relied on veterans like Kendrick Bourne to pick up the slack.

San Francisco still hasn’t placed Purdy on IR, which would require that he be out for at least four weeks. That could be a good sign he’ll be back in the lineup sooner than later after a one-off in Week 4 against Jacksonville.

49ers QB depth chart

Brock Purdy (injured)
Mac Jones
Adrian Martinez (practice squad)

Jones’ questionable status means there is a chance Martinez makes his 49ers debut Sunday in Tampa. The former undrafted free agent quarterback won MVP honors in the United Football League (UFL) in 2024 for the Birmingham Stallions. He was cut from the New York Jets’ practice squad at the end of training camp and signed with the 49ers in late August.

The Baltimore Ravens suffered one of the most lopsided defeats in recent team history in Week 5: a 44-10 loss to the visiting Houston Texans.

They may have another tough matchup at home this week to bear without their star quarterback.

Lamar Jackson will not play in Week 6 against the Los Angeles Rams, per multiple reports. He did not practice all week and wasn’t likely to play Sunday at home due to his hamstring injury and the team will once again start backup Cooper Rush.

Jackson initially suffered this hamstring injury during Week 4 in a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Rush finished out that game and started last week against the Texans.

Rush completed 14 of 20 passes against Houston for 179 yards and had three interceptions. It was just the second time the career backup had thrown three interceptions; the first came back in October 2022. He and the rest of the Ravens’ offense will face a Rams defense that’s tied for ninth in turnovers this season, with seven.

Here’s what we know about Jackson’s potential return and the rest of the quarterback options for Baltimore.

When will Lamar Jackson return?

There’s no set timetable for Jackson’s return to the field for the Ravens, but his initial diagnosis was two to three weeks on the sideline. The team did not place him on injured reserve (IR), which would’ve required at least four weeks out of the lineup. That means he’ll likely be back sooner than four weeks from the initial injury.

Baltimore has its bye week after Sunday’s game against the Rams. Jackson could return to the lineup after that for Baltimore’s Week 8 matchup at home versus the Chicago Bears.

Ravens QB depth chart

Lamar Jackson (injured)
Cooper Rush
Tyler Huntley

Rush will make his second start of the season Sunday. Last year he went 4-4 as a starter for the Dallas Cowboys after starter Dak Prescott’s injury.

Huntley returned to the Ravens from the Cleveland Browns after training camp cuts and will likely be activated from the practice squad on Sunday to serve as the backup.

Only two teams are on bye this week – the Minnesota Vikings and Houston Texans – but the impact is still being felt. With injuries piling up across all positions, many fantasy football managers will be searching the free-agent pool for a streamer to get them through Week 6.

Most of the top options are usually scooped up during weekly waiver runs, but that’s not always the case. Some players fly under the radar, whether it’s because of name recognition, lack of long-term value or a poor matchup on paper. If you’re streaming, you don’t care about any of that. You just want production.

To help, here are 10 players and one defense you can stream to win Week 6.

*Streamers are players who are rostered in 50% or fewer of Yahoo! leagues.

Fantasy football streamers for Week 6

Quarterbacks

Brock Purdy and Lamar Jackson remain out, and now Kyler Murray could join them after missing practice all week with a foot injury.

Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers

It hasn’t been a pretty season for Young, but if there’s any team that can make a quarterback look good, it’s the Dallas Cowboys.

The Cowboys are allowing the second-most passing yards per game and have given up the second-most passing touchdowns. That makes them the worst fantasy defense against opposing quarterbacks.

Young should also get some help with Jalen Coker and Ja’Tavion Sanders expected to return from injury.

Mac Jones, San Francisco 49ers

Jones has played well filling in for Purdy, finishing as a QB1 in two of his three starts.

This week he faces the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who just allowed Sam Darnold to throw for 341 yards and four touchdowns. Tampa Bay, on the season, has given up the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, making this a favorable matchup on the slate for Jones.

Running backs

Adding to the laundry list of injured running backs this season is Omarion Hampton.

Hassan Haskins, Los Angeles Chargers

Speaking of Hampton, Haskins is likely the next man up for the Chargers, and he gets a strong matchup against the Miami Dolphins.

Streamer of the week in Week 5, Rico Dowdle, just gashed the Dolphins defense for 206 yards and a touchdown. Don’t expect Haskins to reach that level, as it was an outlier performance.

Haskins will also split work with Kimani Vidal, but this matchup should be enough for him to be a worthwhile streamer even in a 60/40 split.

Kimani Vidal, Los Angeles Chargers

Haskins’ backfield mate for Week 6 is rostered in even fewer leagues than Haskins.

The matchup is favorable, and even if Haskins is the primary back, there should be enough opportunities for Vidal to produce against the weak Dolphins defense. Greg Roman, the Chargers’ offensive coordinator, confirmed that both backs will factor in significantly.

Kendre Miller, New Orleans Saints

It happened: Miller out-carried Alvin Kamara. That is not something anyone would have expected before the season, but here we are.

The matchup is tough against the New England Patriots run defense, which allows the fourth-fewest points to opposing running backs. However, volume is the key when looking for streamers, and Miller has it.

Wide receivers

Last week’s streamer, Darius Slayton, landed on the injury list with a hamstring issue. The 49ers receivers are still questionable to play, and now Chris Godwin is trending toward missing the game.

Kendrick Bourne, San Francisco 49ers

Bourne had a strong Week 5, catching 10 passes for 142 yards. Don’t expect a repeat performance, but he should see plenty of targets again with Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall likely to miss time.

Even if one of those two returns, Bourne remains a viable option against the Buccaneers, who have allowed plenty of production to opposing receivers this season.

Troy Franklin, Denver Broncos

The Broncos and Franklin face the New York Jets in Week 6. The matchup looks worse on paper than it actually is, at least for everybody not named Courtland Sutton.

Sutton will likely be shadowed by Sauce Gardner, leaving the rest of the Broncos receivers to go against the Jets secondary that struggle.

The Jets rank 26th against WR2s and 29th against WR3s according to DVOA. That is excellent news for Franklin, who functions as the No. 2 receiver.

Sterling Shepard, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

With Chris Godwin back on the injury list, Shepard should see a major increase in usage. In Week 3, when Godwin was inactive and Mike Evans was injured early, Shepard posted a 4-catch, 80-yard performance.

As a bonus, if Godwin misses, Tez Johnson could be a deeper league dart throw after a solid Week 5 showing.

Tight ends

Favorite streamer of the year Brenton Strange is now on IR, but other options are emerging.

Mason Taylor, New York Jets

What does Taylor need to do to be rostered in more leagues? Over the last three games, he has 25 targets and 18 receptions.

The matchup against the Broncos is not ideal, but few tight ends see this kind of usage. His 25 targets rank third behind only Jake Ferguson and Trey McBride, while 18 receptions rank second behind Ferguson. That is strong company.

AJ Barner, Seattle Seahawks

Barner has been a touchdown machine this season, already scoring four times. Last week he upped his game, catching all seven of his targets.

Don’t expect that usage again, as his previous season high was three targets. Still, it is hard to ignore the red-zone role he is seeing.

Defense

This is another tough week for streaming defenses with top defenses all having great matchups. Of course, those defenses are highly rostered.

Washington Commanders

The Commanders have issues on defense, particularly in the secondary. Still, they remain a top-10 fantasy defense thanks to having the third-most sacks in the league.

The Chicago Bears and Caleb Williams have only allowed seven sacks in four games this season. However, as noted by A.J. Applegarth on The F6P Hour Podcast, Williams has been sacked six times in two games, both against top-10 teams in total sacks. Facing the Commanders, expect a few more, making them a strong streaming defense.

Sen. Maria Cantwell of Washington has cautioned Big Ten presidents that a shift into private equity could lead to challenges for the universities. She urged them to proceed with caution in a letter sent Friday, Oct. 10.

Multiple reports indicate that the Big Ten may be negotiating to sell a stake in its athletic revenue stream to private investors, targeting a potential private capital investment of $2 billion. This sale could include media rights and other assets owned by equity investors.

In a letter addressed to the Big Ten Presidents, Cantwell stated this potential deal ‘May be counter to your university’s academic goals, may require the sale of university assets to a private investor, and may affect the tax-exempt purpose of those assets.”

In her letter, Cantwell mentions that she has learned the regents and trustees of Big Ten member institutions have not received a comprehensive briefing on the deal currently being considered. She raises concerns about whether the conference is being transparent regarding the long-term implications of this potential deal.

‘Your university’s media revenues currently are not taxed because they are considered ‘substantially related to’ your tax-exempt purpose,’ she wrote. ‘However, when a private, for-profit investor holds a stake in those revenues, it raises questions whether the revenue loses its connection to your institution’s educational purpose.’

The implications of these potential deals for the media rights of these institutions remain uncertain. However, Cantwell ended her letter by encouraging the universities to be transparent regarding what a potential deal and payout could involve. She reminded them that ‘the conference reports to you.’

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Week 7 is upon us, college football fans, and the Saturday slate is promising indeed.

The action centers as it often does around the Big Ten and the SEC, with both of those high-powered conferences featuring a pair of ranked matchups. Both leagues also have contests that could result in upsets. Our viewers’ guide will also highlight a couple of Big 12 contests that should be worthy of attention.

Of course, as we saw last week, surprises can come from anywhere, so keep an eye on the scoreboard and a hand on the remote in case a game not mentioned in this space suddenly gets interesting.

No. 7 Indiana at No. 2 Oregon

Time/TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS.

Why watch: With both teams coming off an open date, the anticipation for this perhaps unexpected top-10 clash has had a few extra days to build. The Ducks return home for their Big Ten showdown in three weeks. The Hoosiers weren’t quite as dominant at Iowa a week after crushing Illinois, but they got a taste of how to handle a tough road environment that could serve them well in Eugene. Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza wasn’t at his best in Iowa City but delivered the winning play when needed. He’ll probably need to be sharper early on this week, although that’s easier said than done against LB Matayo Uiagalelei and the rest of the Ducks’ pass rushers. Oregon QB Dante Moore is taking full advantage of his arsenal, with four receivers with at least 15 catches. Hoosiers LBs Isaiah Jones and Louis Moore will lead the effort to disrupt him.

Why it could disappoint: It shouldn’t. This Indiana team will be ready for the spotlight, and the Ducks aren’t going to get overwhelmed on their home field either. The defenses are too good for it to be a first-to-50 type of game, but there should still be plenty of action.

No. 8 Alabama at No. 14 Missouri

Time/TV: noon ET, ABC.

Why watch: Back in the top 10 and squarely in the SEC title hunt, the Crimson Tide hit the road to take on the unbeaten Tigers, whose non-conference win against Kansas last month might be more impressive than it appeared at the time. After keeping Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia in check, LB Justin Jefferson and the Crimson Tide defensive front now turns its attention to Missouri QB Beau Pribula. But he could prove harder to contain thanks to the presence of his backfield mate, RB Ahmad Hardy, who is averaging a hefty 7.1 yards per carry. Alabama QB Ty Simpson is quite capable of keeping up in a track meet, though he was intercepted for the first time last week. WR Jermie Bernard remains his most dependable weapon, and RB Jam Miller is rounding into form after battling an injury to start the season. LB Josiah Trotter has emerged as the defensive mainstay for the Tigers.

Why it could disappoint: Neither team gives the ball away much, so about the only way it could truly become a rout is if one team proves to be physically superior. Past versions of Alabama have done that, but this year’s squad has been pushed around at times. Mizzou hasn’t, but this is clearly its toughest test to date.

No. 6 Oklahoma vs. No. 19 Texas in Dallas

Time/TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC.

Why watch: Both teams enter the Red River showdown with questions, although the struggling Longhorns undeniably have more of them. Texas is still looking for consistency on offense, as QB Arch Manning has been inaccurate and the ground game struggles to find holes. That’s a bad state of affairs as the Longhorns prepare to deal with DE Taylor Wein and the active Sooners’ defensive front. The Oklahoma offense appears likely to remain in the hands of backup QB Michael Hawkins, who got in a good tune-up start against lowly Kent State a week ago but now faces a much greater degree of difficulty. LB Anthony Hill Jr. and the Longhorns’ defense must be ready, however, in case John Mateer, officially listed as questionable, is able to return from hand surgery ahead of schedule for the Sooners.

Why it could disappoint: Even if Mateer plays, don’t expect a lot of offensive fireworks here. This is probably going to be a low-scoring affair, with either team likely to struggle to come back if the margin hits double digits.

No. 1 Ohio State at No. 17 Illinois

Time/TV: noon ET, Fox.

Why watch: To Illinois’s credit, the team got off the deck after what can only be described as a total beatdown at the hands of Indiana to win its next two games and stay in the Top 25. The next assignment for the Fighting Illini, however, might cause feelings of déjà vu if Ohio State continues to play like, well, Ohio State. Neither of the Buckeyes’ first two Big Ten opponents have reached the end zone thanks to next-level talents like DE Caden Curry and LB Sonny Styles. Illinois does have options, however, as QB Luke Altmyer has 12 scoring throws and RBs Ca’Lil Valentine and Kaden Feagin have combined for eight rushing TDs. But meanwhile, Buckeyes QB Julian Sayin has only gotten better, with WRs Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate able to strike at any time. Illini DBs Matthew Bailey and Miles Scott are likely in for a busy afternoon.

Why it could disappoint: Like Minnesota a week ago, Illinois will need to be just about perfect to hang with the Buckeyes. The Illini have more experienced hands than the Gophers, but they’ve also already been on the short end of a blowout this year as mentioned above. Ohio State will do its best to eliminate any drama.

No. 15 Michigan at Southern California

Time/TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBC.

Why watch: The Wolverines put their unblemished Big Ten record on the line as they venture to the west coast. The Trojans, already with a league loss on their ledger, are in need of a signature win to remain in the mix. Michigan QB Bryce Underwood remains a work in progress where his passing game is concerned, but he and RB Justice Haynes can break off big runs. The Trojans have been somewhat better in that area thanks to stoppers like LB Eric Gentry, but getting off the field on third down is still an issue. USC QB Jayden Maiava also gets solid ground support from RB Waymond Jordan, but not much gets by Wolverines LB Ernest Hausmann.

Why it could disappoint: Given the programs’ respective track records, one has to trust the Michigan defense more despite the long trip. It’s asking a lot of the Trojans to shut down the Wolverines’ ground game for four quarters.

Kansas at No. 10 Texas Tech

Time/TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Fox.

Why watch: The Red Raiders couldn’t have asked for a better start to their Big 12 campaign with a pair of decisive road wins in the bank. Up next is a visit from the Jayhawks, who are fresh off a road win at Central Florida and now look to make an even bigger splash. Texas Tech QB Behren Morton spreads the wealth among a deep array of targets, led by WRs Coy Eakin and Caleb Douglas. No matter where he goes with the ball, expect to find Jayhawks LB Trey Lathan somewhere in the vicinity. KU will counter with QB Jalon Daniels, who can show off his wheels at times but has let WR Emmanuel Henderson and TE Boden Groen do most of the work downfield. He’ll have to beware of Red Raiders DB Brice Pollock, who has already swiped three passes this season.

Why it could disappoint: The Jayhawks will have to improve on their 31.25% conversion rate on third down to control the clock and keep the Red Raiders’ high-flying attack off the field. IF it becomes a shootout, TTU’s depth at the ball-handling positions will win the night.

No. 23 Arizona State at Utah

Time/TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, ESPN.

Why watch: The day concludes with this throwback to #Pac12AfterDark as the Sun Devils and Utes now meet as Big 12 opponents in what could be a pivotal conference game. ASU prevailed in its first two conference contests by identical 27-24 scores, while Utah rebounded from the Texas Tech loss with a resounding road win against rebuilding West Virginia. The combination of QB Sam Leavitt to WR Jordyn Tyson remain the Sun Devils’ most frequent big-play threat, though ground support from RB Raleek Brown will also be needed. They’ll become well acquainted with Utah LB Johnathan Hall and DB Nate Ritchie. Utes QB Devon Dampier looks most often for WR Ryan Davis and TE Dallen Bentley. Opposing them will be ASU LBs Jordan Crook and Keyshaun Elliott.

Why it could disappoint: The Sun Devils have already been involved in three one-score games, so another close one wouldn’t be a surprise. The Utes probably won’t get swamped on their home turf a second time, but more explosive plays will be needed from the offense.

No. 9 Georgia at Auburn

Time/TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC.

Why watch: Georgia got the bounce-back performance it needed last week after the Alabama loss. The Bulldogs now take to the road to face a rested and desperate Tigers’ squad that needs a positive result after dropping their first two SEC contests on the road by a total of 13 points. The defensive side of the ball has for the most part been sound for Auburn, and LB Xavier Atkins could again make life difficult for Bulldogs QB Gunner Stockton. The Tigers’ offense has not performed well against SEC competition, as QB Jackson Arnold has been forced to scramble far too often. The good news for him is Georgia’s pass rush hasn’t been effective either, though LB Chris Cole brings heat on occasion from the second level.

Why it could disappoint: This is an old rivalry, so Georgia certainly isn’t going to take it lightly. If the Bulldogs decide to make this a statement game, there might not be anything the Tigers can do about it.

The Philadelphia Eagles lost to the New York Giants 34-17, marking their second loss in five days.
Players suggested the team’s offensive play-calling has become predictable to opponents.
The Eagles’ defense was hampered by injuries and had difficulty stopping the Giants’ rookie quarterback and running back.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Saquon Barkley ripped off his longest run of the season on the first snap of the game for 18 yards. His next attempt went for 13. Fast-forward 10 more attempts and three hours later, the reigning Offensive Player of the Year finished with 58 rushing yards and could not eclipse the 100-yard mark for the sixth time in six games this season. 

Oh, and the Philadelphia Eagles fell to the New York Giants 34-17 on ‘Thursday Night Football’ by being outplayed in all three phases of the game. Outcoached, too. 

What’s wrong with the defending Super Bowl champs? Maybe it’s an overreaction with their first two losses of the calendar year coming in the span of five days, but, it appears … plenty. 

The formerly potent rushing attack has gone lame. The tush push isn’t as automatic – it took four tries to go three yards and score a touchdown against the Giants. Injuries are mounting on defense.

At the risk of oversimplifying the issues, it was once again a ‘tale of two halves’ situation for the Eagles’ offense. They scored on three of their first four drives, the back half of that stretch being their two touchdown drives of the game. But the final possession of the first half, when the Eagles took over with 79 seconds remaining, was poorly managed and resulted in Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (24-for-33, one passing touchdown, one rushing touchdown, one interception) sliding into the turf on third down and time expiring before he could get off the fourth-down snap.

The chart drive from the second half went: punt, punt, punt, interception, fumble. The Eagles had seven first downs across those five possessions.

During those first-half drives, the Eagles went up-tempo in a few instances and saw some success with it. That’s the one thing the offense can hang its hat on at present, left tackle Jordan Mailata said.

‘That’s something we’re really good at,’ he said. ‘The film says that.’

Defensively, the Eagles were without defensive lineman Jalen Carter, who was ruled out with a heel injury somewhat surprisingly before kickoff. Cornerback Quinyon Mitchell departed in the first half with a hamstring injury. The pass rush couldn’t bring down Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, making his third career start, behind the line of scrimmage (the Eagles recorded two sacks for a loss of one total yard). Another rookie, running back Cam Skattebo, gained 79 of his 98 rushing yards after contact according to Next Gen Stats, and refused to hit the turf himself. 

The biggest warning signs, originating in the second half of their collapse against the Denver Broncos this past Sunday, point to the other side of the ball. Wide receiver A.J. Brown pleaded the fifth, as he did his best under-oath testimony impression after the game by repeating ‘I do not recall’ regarding the much-publicized offensive meeting that took place this week (much to the chagrin of the players because it was publicized). But he didn’t spend ‘TNF’ in witness protection, at least, and he certainly can’t complain about the lack of targets. Hurts looked for him nine times, and the receiver caught six of those passes for 80 yards.

Barkley feasted on the Giants last season, going for 176 rushing yards and a touchdown on 17 carries in his lone game against his former team in 2024. Barkley has 178 yards over his past four games.  

The reason he didn’t have a second game against New York last year was because Barkley had already surpassed 2,000 rushing yards by the time their Week 18 matchup rolled around. He’s on pace – should he play all 18 games this year – for 975.

‘Last year, do you think we were predictable?’ Barkley said. ‘Everybody knew we were going to run the ball. We still got it off. I also think we got to get back to the attitude, the mindset of, not really giving a (expletive) what people are trying to do.’

One thing Hurts mentioned when discussing the run game was ‘making sure we’re in the right play.’

From the Eagles’ locker room, players such as right tackle Lane Johnson said they had clearly become predictable to the opposition. The Eagles’ lack of efficiency in both the run and pass game have made that difficult over the first third of the season.

‘You can game plan all you want,’ Johnson said, via The Athletic. ‘But when you get in the game, a lot of it is making adjustments.

‘Last two weeks, you kind of know what it is: You know when the pass is coming, you know when the run is coming. … Moving forward, we’ve got to do a better job of that.’

Head coach Nick Sirianni slightly pushed back against the accusations of predictability and cited the Eagles’ comeback victory against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 3, when they aired it out in the second half to make up the deficit. Of course, that victory required plenty of help with the special teams, a unit which Thursday allowed Giants returner Gunner Olszewski to steal precious yards of field position throughout the game. 

Sirianni said he believed there were ‘some good moments’ in the rushing attack against New York.

‘We know we have the guys upfront to be able to do that,’ he said. 

Sirianni added that the Eagles didn’t play or coach their ‘brand’ of football Thursday.

‘That’s not to our standard in all phases,’ he said, ‘and in coaching.’

The Eagles will use the extra days of rest before a Week 7 road game against the Minnesota Vikings as a mini-bye week for the coaches to conduct a self-diagnosis on these issues. 

There is plenty of time to regain championship form. Philadelphia will, at worst, be tied for first place in the NFC East one-third of the way through the season. 

But the past five quarters of play, from blowing their 17-3 fourth-quarter lead against Denver to turning in a dud against a division rival, have been assuredly alarming.