Ravens QB Lamar Jackson is out this week.
Jackson suffered a hamstring injury in Week 4 against the Chiefs.
Cooper Rush will get the start against the Texans.

The Baltimore Ravens are hoping to snap their two-game losing streak at home in Week 5 against the Houston Texans.

They’ll have to do so without their two-time MVP quarterback.

The Ravens confirmed Lamar Jackson will not play in Week 5 against Houston due to a hamstring injury suffered against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 4. Jackson did not practice at all this week and is one of multiple starters who will be out of action on Sunday.

Jackson exited Week 4 against the Chiefs at the 8:10 mark of the third quarter. Veteran backup Cooper Rush entered the game for him and finished the final 23 minutes of game time out under center for Baltimore. He completed 9 of 13 passes for 52 yards against Kansas City.

Thanks to its dominant performance in Week 4, Houston ranks No. 1 in the NFL in fewest points allowed and sixth in passing defense. Rush and the Ravens passing game could have a tough task ahead of them with Jackson out.

Ravens QB depth chart

Lamar Jackson (injured)
Cooper Rush
Tyler Huntley (practice squad)

Huntley came from the Browns’ practice squad after the preseason in Cleveland. He originally signed with Baltimore in 2020 as an undrafted free agent.

In the 32-year existence of the UFC, dozens of records have been set, smashed and set again. Then there are thresholds, one of which is ready to be broken at UFC 320 Saturday, Oct. 4 in Las Vegas.

Merab Dvalishvili can become the first fighter to score 100 takedowns. He needs only three more to reach the century mark heading into his bantamweight title defense fight against Cory Sandhagen in the co-main event.

Dvalishvili, the 34-year-old Georgian, already has the career takedown record with 97. The previous record holder was Georges St-Pierre, who had 90 during his Hall-of-Fame career. And now the 100 mark awaits.

“Will be nice numbers,’’ Dvalishvili said at the final press conference before UFC 320.

Those numbers reflect not only Dvalishvili’s exceptional wrestling skills, but also his dominance in the bantamweight division.

Dvalishvili (20-4, 3 KOs) has won 13 fights in a row, including victories over four former UFC champions: Jose Aldo, Petr Yan, Henry Cejudo and Sean O’Malley. Dvalishvili beat O’Malley twice – in 2024 to win the bantamweight title and in June to defend a second time.

“Like I said, it’s just beginning for me,’’ Dvalishvili said.

But Sandhagen (18-5, 8 KOs) suggests it’s the end of Dvalishvili’s dominant run, including three matches as the bantamweight champion.

Dvalishvili has vowed to engage in striking rather than focus on wrestling during the fight. Sandhagen called him a liar but also said takedowns will not save Dvalishvili.

“Whether he likes it or not, we’re striking because he’s not going to be able to take me down,’’ Sandhagen said. “And if he does, I’ll get right back up.’’

Fired back Dvaslishvili, “I’ll show you everything. We fighting mixed martial arts. Of course I’m ready (to) knock you out…’’

He’s also ready to do more than reach the 100-mark for takedowns when he gets into the octagon with Sandhagen.

“Maybe 110,’’ Dvaslishvili said. “We’ll see.’’

October has arrived, which means conference play is now in full swing in college football. The Week 6 slate isn’t quite as jam-packed with marquee contests as the most recent menu was, but there are still plenty of juicy tidbits to keep us entertained on Saturday.

Our weekly viewers’ guide to the most important and potentially compelling matchups will begin, as it often does, in SEC country. The lineup also features a prime-time rivalry showdown, a clash of unbeatens in the Lone Star State, and a meeting of 2024 playoff participants trying to work their way back. Let’s dive in, shall we?

No. 17 Vanderbilt at No. 11 Alabama

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

Why watch: The words ‘Vanderbilt’ and ‘playoffs’ don’t usually appear in the same sentence, which is why Commodores QB Diego Pavia’s bold pronouncement heading into the season caused such a stir. He and his Vandy teammates now have the chance to back up the notion that they are indeed contenders to make the field of 12. They did, after all, take down the Crimson Tide a year ago, but of course Alabama is well aware of that. Alabama for its part is very much back in the picture after last week’s win at Georgia, though again, the Tide did that last year as well then had a rough second half of the season. Pavia has certainly done his part for Vandy, accounting for 15 total TDs while making excellent use of TE Eli Stowers and RB Sedrick Alexander. His mobility could be an issue for the Tide defensive front, which will likely need backing from DB Bray Hubbard. Alabama QB Ty Simpson has also been hot since the opening loss to Florida State. WR Ryan Williams is a constant big-play threat, though his hands have let him down at times. Expect to see Commodores DB C.J. Heard in the vicinity of the ball often.

Why it could disappoint: This year’s Alabama squad isn’t built to simply show up and coast to victory. The Tide might still do so, but the Commodores would have to help them by giving the ball away. This feels more like it’s going to be another wild ride – possibly not to the tune of 40-35 like last season’s encounter in Nashville but points should again be plentiful.

No. 3 Miami (Fla.) at No. 19 Florida State

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

Why watch: The anticipated top-10 matchup didn’t materialize, but that hardly reduces the hype level as the ACC’s Sunshine State showdown gets the prime-time treatment. The urgency might be dialed up higher for the Seminoles, who must avoid a second conference loss in succession, but the Hurricanes won’t be feeling charitable toward their archrivals. Seminoles QB Thomas Castellanos isn’t shy about taking off, but he’s been receiving considerable punishment of late as a result. With Miami DE Rueben Bain eager to mete out more of it, he might want to let RB Gavin Sawchuk do the heavy lifting in the ground game. Hurricanes QB Carson Beck and his long-ball threats were largely held in check in their last outing against Florida, but RB Mark Fletcher helped with some tough yards. He’ll likely be needed again, as DBs Ja’Bril Rawls and Jerry Wilson will be actively patrolling the Florida State secondary.

Why it could disappoint: Neither team has been immune to the turnover bug, so it’s conceivable that one could find itself digging out of an early hole. Both offenses are equipped to stage a comeback should that occur, but a close contest throughout is more probable.

No. 14 Texas Tech atHouston

Time/TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN.

Why watch: The Cougars, perhaps the quietest unbeaten squad in the power conferences, will be quiet no more if they can topple the Red Raiders, who are among the early favorites in the wide-open Big 12. Houston had to work harder than it wanted to get out with a victory at winless Oregon State last week, but QB Conner Weigman made the plays when needed late. He’ll want to get the offense moving a bit quicker this time, but Texas Tech LB Jacob Rodriguez might have something to say about that. The Red Raiders should be rested after their impressive victory at Utah two weeks ago. QB Behren Morton is expected to start after leaving that game early with a neck injury, but the strong performance of freshman backup Will Hammond should give the team confidence should Morton experience complications. WR Coy Eakin and TE Terrance Carter Jr. lead a deep group of pass catchers, but the Cougars have snared five interceptions.

Why it could disappoint: In theory, Texas Tech is more battle-tested and could hand the Cougars their first taste of adversity. But if Houston has successful drive outcomes early, it should be game on for 60 minutes.

Minnesota at No. 1 Ohio State

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

Why watch: The Golden Gophers were able to defend their home turf and outlast Rutgers to start Big Ten play on the right foot. The challenge ramps up by an order of magnitude as they head into the Horseshoe to face the top-ranked Buckeyes. Minnesota QB Drake Lindsey will be the next signal caller to try and solve the Buckeyes’ championship caliber defense, which starts up front with DE Caden Curry sealing the edge with LBs Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles often there to clean up. The Ohio State offense might still have untapped potential, a scary thought as QB Julian Sayin is already completing passes at a 78% clip. Freshman RB Bo Jackson has emerged as another weapon, giving Gophers LBs Devon Williams and Maverick Baranowski more to think about.

Why it could disappoint: If this is the week the Buckeyes’ offense breaks out of its first-quarter funk, things could be decided in short order. Minnesota will have to be nearly perfect, which it has not always been when playing away from home.

Mississippi State at No. 5 Texas A&M

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

Why watch: While the Bulldogs will almost certainly exceed their projected last-place finish in the SEC, last week’s near upset of Tennessee was still a major missed opportunity. They can’t dwell on it, however, as they must regroup quickly to take on the Aggies, who stifled Auburn in their league opener but are hoping to show more pop from the offense. A&M QB Marcel Reed will look to get big-play WRs Mario Craver and K.C. Concepcion involved quickly. The Miss State defense relies on safety help from Isaac Smith and Jahron Manning limiting such explosive plays. Bulldogs QB Blake Shapen has weapons of his own in WRs Brenen Thompson and Anthony Evans, but Aggies DE Cashius Howell could keep him from finding them.

Why it could disappoint: Mississippi State has made huge strides on the offensive side of the ball this season, but the Aggies’ defense might prove harder to solve. It would take only moderate improvement on a surprisingly low 30.61% third-down conversion rate for A&M to establish game control.

Boise State at No. 21 Notre Dame

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

Why watch: This pairing of playoff teams from a season ago lost a bit of its luster with both squads off to subpar starts in 2025. Both now enter on winning streaks, though none of their combined five victories can be considered needle movers. The Boise offense has been more reliant this year on QB Maddux Madsen, whose passing can be streaky. When he’s on target, WRs Latrell Caples and Chris Marshall are valuable downfield weapons, so Notre Dame DBs Jalen Stroman and Adon Shuler must minimize the big plays. Fighting Irish QB C.J. Carr is completing 68.3% of his passes, though the offense works best when RBs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price are involved. They’ll become well acquainted with Broncos DB Ty Benefield and LB Marco Notarainni.

Why it could disappoint: The Broncos have undoubtedly worked out a few issues since getting blown out at South Florida, but this is a major step up in competition. The Fighting Irish have also found their identity and could take immediate charge here.

Good news on the injury front for the Washington Commanders.

Quarterback Jayden Daniels will start the Commanders’ Week 5 game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Daniels missed the previous two games while recovering from a knee injury suffered during Washington’s loss to the Green Bay Packers on ‘Thursday Night Football’ in Week 2.

He practiced fully earlier this week and looks to have progressed enough to be healthy for Sunday’s game.

Daniels missed the Commanders’ 41-24 win over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 3 and their 34-27 loss ot the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4.

Even with Daniels’ absence, Washington hasn’t fallen back from second in the NFC East. The undefeated Philadelphia Eagles still lead the way, but the Commanders are just behind them and a game ahead of both the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants in the win column.

Daniels’ return comes ahead of a key stretch of Washington’s season. The Commanders are in primetime twice in the next month with an appearance on ‘Monday Night Football’ in Week 6 against the Chicago Bears at home and Week 8 on the road versus the Kansas City Chiefs.

Commanders QB depth chart

Jayden Daniels
Marcus Mariota
Josh Johnson
Sam Hartman (practice squad)

The Commanders carry three quarterbacks on their active roster in Daniels, Mariota and Johnson. That was the case even before Daniels’ injury.

LAS VEGAS — After the Las Vegas Aces punched their ticket to the WNBA Finals for the fourth time in six years on Tuesday, head coach Becky Hammon said ‘there’s little time to celebrate.’

‘We play again in two days,’ Hammon said. ‘That’s a really quick turnaround.’

The postseason is moving at a blistering pace, with the best-of-three first-round series (1-1-1) and best-of-five semifinals (2-2-1) already in the books in a little more than two weeks. Next up is the 2025 WNBA Finals between the Aces and Phoenix Mercury, which expands to a best-of-seven game series for the first time in league history. It tips off at Michelob Ultra Arena Friday (8 p.m. ET, ESPN).

The new playoff structure has drawn mixed reactions from players and coaches in its first season, as concerns of travel, rest and player safety have emerged as the playoffs have worn on.

‘It’s tough. It’s not ideal, but it is the playoffs,’ Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb said after the Mercury played four games in seven days on Sept. 23. ‘It’s something that should be looked at moving forward. Absolutely. We’re not here to make excuses. We’re here to win.’

RANKING WNBA FINALS ROSTERS: Who’s at the top of the list?

PREDICTIONS: Who will win the WNBA Finals? Experts make their picks

The league expanded the WNBA Finals from a best-of-five series to best-of-seven as the popularity and appetite for women’s basketball continues to skyrocket. ‘The incredible demand for WNBA basketball makes this the ideal time,’ WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said at the announcement in 2024.

‘It’s exciting to be part of the first one,’ Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas said on Thursday. ‘We talk about how a best-of-five is a tough series. … We don’t know what a best-of-seven brings, but nothing changes. We still approach it the same way.’

Becky Hammon disliked first-round format

Neither Phoenix nor Las Vegas’ path to the WNBA Finals has been easy. Both teams were pushed to the brink of elimination and faced a decisive Game 3 in the first round of the playoffs. The Mercury went on to defeat the defending champion New York Liberty, while the Aces outlasted the Seattle Storm to keep their season alive.

Aces head coach Becky Hammon told USA TODAY Sports on Thursday she’s ‘not a fan of the 1-1-1’ structure in the first round, which gives every playoff team a home game this season, instead of the previous 2-1 format that only rewarded the lower seed a home game if they were able to steal one game on the road.

‘This conversation came up last year when the Indiana (Fever) didn’t get a (home) game and they were upset,’ Hammon said, referring to Caitlin Clark and the Fever being swept by the Connecticut Sun in the first round in 2024. ‘But for me, you got to finish better. … Either move it to five (games) or move it to a 2-1 format. It puts the higher seed at a huge disadvantage.’

Hammon pointed to the ‘brutal’ first-round series between the Mercury and Liberty as an example, where both teams traveled cross-country, adding an additional strain on top of an already extended regular season and expanded WNBA Finals series. ‘I mean that’s tough on both squads,’ Hammon added.

Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts, however, said he ‘loved’ the new format despite his team dropping Game 1 to the Liberty at home, setting up an elimination game on the road in New York. The Mercury went on to rout the Liberty 86-60 at Barclays Center in Game 2 to secure home court advantage again.

‘We were the higher seed and should’ve protected home. We didn’t, so we’ve got to come here and earn it, right?’ Tibbetts said. ‘Everything that we have to go through, New York’s got to do the same, so I don’t think a team has an advantage. Both teams have one on the other team’s floor.’

He added: ‘I think everybody should get a chance to get a home game. Last year was my first year in this league and for us not to get a home game in the playoffs I think is wrong. I think the league did the right thing… So I’ll give the league credit on that.’

Is fatigue a factor in the WNBA playoffs?

The Mercury ousted the Liberty in Game 3 at home on Friday Sept. 19 at 11 p.m. ET. Phoenix flew to Minnesota the next day at 2 p.m. ET ahead of their semifinal series against the Lynx and touched down at 5 p.m. ET that Saturday, followed by a quick film session at 6 p.m. ET. The Mercury had a team breakfast and a walkthrough on Sunday before Game 1 of the semifinals tipped off at 5 p.m. Talk about a whirlwind.

After losing Game 1 to the Lynx, which Tibbetts attributed to ‘physical fatigue and mental fatigue,’ Phoenix stormed back to take Games 2 and 3, and made it a priority to close out the series at home in Game 4.

‘We wanted it so bad today. We need some days off,’ Tibbetts said after clinching a Finals bid following a 14-point comeback win over the Lynx in Game 4. ‘We wanted days off and we’ve just been going. It’s the W schedule. This is what it is. Obviously if you lose today, you go to Minnesota and you figure it out, but the carrot was to win today to get some rest, and we all need it. We all need it physically, mentally. So I’m really happy for the group that we’re going to get some time off.’

Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper said their day off ‘was much needed’ and pointed to the importance of recovery throughout the postseason to remain in optimal shape, despite the demanding schedule. ‘This was much needed just seeing how every series went, dealing with the physicality and just the pace,’ Copper told USA TODAY Sports. 

‘Keep the main thing the main thing’

Travel won’t be a concern for the 2025 WNBA Finals, which features a battle of the desert on the West Coast. And although the championship is expanding to best-of-seven games for the first time, Hammon said the preparation won’t change much at all, calling it ‘an evolving game plan.’

‘You cannot get too far ahead of yourself and be like, ‘Oh, there’s seven games now,” Hammon told USA TODAY Sports. ‘Whatever game you’re playing, you want to make the next adjustments for the next game. … So you just stay open-minded and just putting in the work just to win the next game. All that matters is Game 1.’

The Aces are going into the WNBA Finals on two days rest after winning a decisive Game 5 against the Indiana Fever in the semifinals on Tuesday. The Mercury last played on Sunday. Sure, rest is incentive enough to close out any series early, but it remains to be seen if the playoff format can be improved to allow for more recovery time.

‘It’s the first time being done,’ Hammon said. ‘I think you have to take a serious look at how (the format) plays out this year and then go back and revamp and say, ‘Hey, we could do this better, this better, this, that.”

Others are withholding judgement until the season is over.

‘I’ll let you know after the championship round,’ Aces guard Chelsea Gray told USA TODAY Sports. ‘The turnaround is quick. You have to get your mind right, you have to get your body right. There’s not time to take a day off of not recovering. The games are coming quick, especially those afternoon games, but you got to be ready and alert right away. So I’ll let you know how I feel about the format afterwards.’

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

Don Rae Jr., the president of the PGA of America, officially apologized via email to 30,000 golf professionals on Thursday regarding comments about the chants directed at Team Europe during the Ryder Cup.

Rae initially compared the vulgar remarks to those typically heard at a youth soccer game, but he has since retracted those statements in his apology.

‘Let me begin with what we must own. While the competition was spirited – especially with the U.S. team’s rally on Sunday afternoon – some fan behavior clearly crossed the line,’ Rea wrote in his letter, which was obtained by The Associated Press, to PGA of America members. ‘It was disrespectful, inappropriate, and not representative of who we are as the PGA of America or as PGA of America golf professionals. We condemn that behavior unequivocally.’

European players, including Rory McIlroy, faced a significant amount of vulgar language from the crowd, with remarks aimed at their personal lives. During the Ryder Cup competition on Friday, Sept. 26, fans chanted ‘F— you, Rory’ when he appeared on the large screens around the course. McIlroy responded to the spectators, and his fellow European golfers rallied together in a show of unity to support him.

Despite the distractions from the rowdy crowd, Team Europe remained focused and ultimately claimed the trophy to become the first team to win the tournament on foreign soil since the Europeans did so in 2012.

The Phoenix Mercury have traveled to Las Vegas to face the Aces in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals on Friday, Oct. 3 (8 p.m. ET, ESPN).

When the season opened, it was fair to wonder if either team would be here. The Mercury saw the end of the Diana Taurasi-Brittney Griner era but reloaded by acquiring Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally. Phoenix beat the defending champion New York Liberty and No. 1-seeded Minnesota Lynx to advance to the WNBA Finals.

“We’ve done an incredible job as far as getting our chemistry together and figuring out our spots,” Kahleah Copper, the third member of the Mercury Big 3, said. “I don’t think anyone thought we could do it so quickly, especially with (DeWanna Bonner) jumping in there halfway through the season. Some of us being in and out with injuries.

‘It’s a testament to who we are as players and the sacrifices we’re willing to make for each other. And then it’s that off-the-court chemistry that keeps us super confident and comfortable with each other, and it translates on the court.” 

For their part, the Aces started the season with a 5-6 record and reached the .500 mark by the All-Star break, before going on a 16-game winning streak to claim the No. 2 seed for the playoffs. Las Vegas beat the Seattle Storm and Indiana Fever to advance to the Finals. 

What time is Mercury vs. Aces Game 1?

Game 1 of the WNBA Finals between the No. 2 seed Las Vegas Aces and No. 4 seed Phoenix Mercury is scheduled to tip off at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, Oct. 3 at Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas.

How to watch Mercury vs. Aces in WNBA Finals: TV, streaming for Game 1

Date: Friday, Oct. 3
Time: 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT)
Location: Michelob Ultra Arena (Las Vegas)
TV: ESPN
Stream: Fubo, ESPN Unlimited

Stream Mercury-Aces series on Fubo (free trial)

Phoenix Mercury starting lineup

Head coach: Nate Tibbetts

0 Satou Sabally | F 6′ 4′ – Oregon
2 Kahleah Copper | G 6′ 1′ – Rutgers
4 Natasha Mack | C 6′ 4′ – Oklahoma State
8 Monique Akoa Makani | G 5′ 11′ – Cameroon
25 Alyssa Thomas | F 6′ 2′ – Maryland

Las Vegas Aces starting lineup

Head coach: Becky Hammon

0 Jackie Young | G 6′ 0′ – Notre Dame
1 Kierstan Bell | F 6′ 1′ – Florida Gulf Coast
3 NaLyssa Smith | F 6′ 4′ – Baylor
12 Chelsea Gray | G 5′ 11′ – Duke
22 A’ja Wilson | C 6′ 5′ – South Carolina

USA TODAY at the WNBA Finals

Phoenix Mercury arrivals

Satou Sabally with a cute little bag.

Las Vegas Aces arrivals

Dane Evans with the heels.

The Vanderbilt football team is no longer the easy opponent it once was in the SEC.
Alabama players and coaches have stated they are not overlooking Vanderbilt after last season’s upset.
Quarterback Diego Pavia has emerged as a key player, elevating the team’s performance.

Here we go again. Football isn’t the story, excuses are. 

It started with Alabama players, in lockstep after last week’s thrilling win at Georgia, promising they’ve learned from last season.

“I think I can speak for everyone when I say we’re not overlooking Vanderbilt,” said Tide offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor.  

Then there was Crimson Tide coach Kalen DeBoer, who was asked right out of the gate at his weekly news conference about “not taking Vanderbilt seriously” in last season’s historic upset.

“I’m not going to argue against that,” DeBoer said.

Just stop it.  

This isn’t the same Vanderbilt of years past, the SEC’s annual tomato can stumbling and staggering through college football’s best conference with 40-point losses. 

This isn’t the same Vanderbilt, the program that fit better in the Ivy League than the conference that annually sends more players to the NFL than any other in college football.

This is a legit SEC team that already passed its first major test of the season last month, beating South Carolina – the rising College Football Playoff darling of the offseason – by 24 points on the road.

It’s not just dismissive that Alabama (or any other team) says they’re “not overlooking” Vanderbilt, it’s insulting. 

Vandy hung 40 last year on an Alabama defense full of future NFL players. Vandy knocked out South Carolina star quarterback LaNorris Sellers in September, bludgeoning a hot SEC program and making it look wildly outmanned.  

Vanderbilt has won 12 of its last 18 games, and among those six losses, was a three-point gut-punch it gave away to Texas — which advanced to the CFP semifinals last season and played Ohio State better than any other team in the playoff.

So yeah, Alabama – or anyone else – isn’t overlooking anything. It’s no different than any other team on the SEC schedule.

The Commodores are unbeaten, and beating teams by an average of 32 points. They have one of the best players in college football (QB Diego Pavia), and they’re playing with a level of confidence never seen in more than a century of football on the West End.

You think this team is intimidated by Alabama, or the fact that Tide players and coaches say, this time, really, they’re not overlooking Vanderbilt? Please, enough of this nonsense.

While Alabama was assuring everyone this time would be different, Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea was busy explaining this time would be like every other time.

Preparation, focus, execution.   

“They’re really excited to play” Lea said earlier this week. “We need to narrow our focus here in the next couple days just on the details within the plan.”

If teams truly are a reflection of their coach, Vanderbilt is a carbon copy of the measured but intense Lea. When the former Vanderbilt fullback first returned to his alma mater, he promised the goal wasn’t any different than any other school. 

He walked to the podium at his first SEC Media Days in 2021 – after a winless season in 2020 under Derek Mason – and said the goal is to win a national championship. And there was laughter in the big room. 

Because it’s never about what can be at Vandy, always about what has been. 

It’s not about the seven wins last season, the most at the school since 2013. It’s not about how Lea has transformed the roster with impact players from the transfer portal that just about nobody else wanted — and the detailed player development it takes to beat schools with significantly more advantages than you.

Like Alabama. Or Auburn. Or Florida.

It’s not about how Pavia has become a legitimate thrower this season, and how the offense is more dangerous because of it. His completion percentage is 75 percent, and he has 13 touchdown passes — while averaging nearly 10 yards per attempt.

But instead of embracing the new Heisman Trophy candidate no one expected, we’re focusing on the guy who already won it — who will parachute into the big moment in Tuscaloosa to reclaim some Q time. 

That’s Johnny Manziel on the Vanderbilt sideline. In a Pavia jersey. 

Stop it, already.

Football is the story at Vanderbilt. 

Matt Hayes is the senior national college football writer for USA TODAY Sports Network. Follow him on X at @MattHayesCFB. 

The Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles are the only undefeated teams remaining in the NFL.
Rookie Dillon Gabriel will make his first career start for the Cleveland Browns in London.
The Denver Broncos’ top-ranked defense will face the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles’ offense.

There are only two.

The Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles are the NFL’s last two remaining undefeated teams entering Week 5.

Buffalo puts its undefeated record on the line in a primetime AFC East matchup versus the New England Patriots. While the Eagles host the Denver Broncos.

Cleveland’s quarterback merry-go-round stopped at Dillon Gabriel this week as the Browns get ready to take on the Minnesota Vikings in London.

Week 5 concludes in Jacksonville with the Jaguars playing host to a surging Kansas City Chiefs club looking to get above .500.

We’re a quarter of the way through the regular season. USA TODAY Sports examines five things to watch in Week 5.

Rookie Dillon Gabriel’s first start

As many anticipated, the Browns benched veteran Joe Flacco and named Gabriel their starting quarterback. Gabriel is set to become the Browns’ 41st different starting quarterback since 1999, the most in the NFL during that span.

Flacco is the backup quarterback and Shedeur Sanders will remain the team’s third-string QB.

Gabriel’s first career start will be against a blitz happy Vikings defense at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Minnesota blitzes on 35% of its defensive snaps, tied for the fourth highest rate in the NFL.

“A moment you prep for. You’re extremely excited for. But also got to realize that’s it’s extreme focus. That’s what I’ve continued to harp on,” Gabriel told reporters this week.“You wait for the perfect time, you’re gonna wait a whole lifetime. For me, I’m just, I’ve always been ready.”

Are Cam Ward, Titans going to perform like “a–” in Arizona?

Ward had a blunt assessment of his team last week.

‘If we keep it a buck right now, we ass,” Ward said after the team lost to the Houston Texans in Week 4. “We’re 0-4. At this point, we got nothing to lose. We dropped a quarter of our (expletive) games, and we’ve yet to do anything, so, we have to lock in.’

It’s going to be fascinating to witness how the team responds to Ward’s comments. Tennessee ranks 25th in total defense, tied for 29th in points allowed, 31st in total offense and last in points per game. Statistics that give Ward’s comments validity.

The Cardinals have their own issues. Arizona’s dropped two straight games and are the only club in the NFC West void of a winning record. But the connection between Kyler Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr. did appear to improve during the second half of last week’s loss.

Broncos defense vs. physical Eagles offense

The Broncos defense leads the league with 15 sacks and 57 pressures. Denver’s stout defense is also tied for second in the NFL for points allowed.

The Broncos defensive unit faces a significant test against an Eagles team who’s trying to become the first team to begin 5-0 three times in a four-year span since the Indianapolis Colts (2006-07 and 2009).

Despite being undefeated, the Eagles’ pass game has yet to get off the ground, as they rank second to last in the league in pass offense.

“Every game plan starts with, in the pass game, how are we getting A.J. (Brown), how we’re getting DeVonta (Smith) and how we’re getting Dallas (Goedert) the football,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said this week. “That’s always the first thing in our discussions. When you know that your process is that and you know there are things that you need to help you win football games like getting those guys the football, I think in the long run it takes care of itself. We’re early in the season. We’re pumped that we’re 4-0 but we know there are a lot of things to get better at.”

The Eagles have struggled to pass the football, but Jalen Hurts is the first quarterback in NFL history with five touchdown passes, four rushing touchdowns and zero interceptions in his team’s first four regular-season games, per NFL Research. The Eagles have seemingly found ways to win in all three phases.

Jayden Daniels returns after missing two games

A sprained knee caused Daniels to miss the previous two contests. The Commanders star quarterback was cleared by doctors to return this week.  

“He’s definitely chomping at the bit to get going,” Commanders coach Dan Quinn said.

Daniels and the Commanders have a favorable matchup in Week 5.

The Chargers defense allowed 161 rushing yards, including 54 by Giants rookie QB Jaxson Dart in Week 4. Daniels amassed 891 rushing yards in his first season, which set the rookie quarterback rushing record. The dual-threat QB should have some advantages with his legs versus the Chargers assuming his knee in 100%.

Plus, Daniels will have a little extra motivation to perform well on Sunday. He’s from nearby San Bernardino, California and plans to have a large cheering section at the game.

“It would mean the world,” Daniels said this week about playing in Los Angeles. “I plan on having a lot of people at the game. That’s the hometown. Being able to play back in my hometown as a pro, it’ll mean everything.”

It’s the first time the Chargers have hosted the Commanders since 2017.

Did Chiefs find their groove?

Was the demise of the Chiefs exaggerated? It appears to be after the Chiefs rattled off two straight wins, including a dominant victory against a defense-less Ravens club.

Patrick Mahomes was the lone QB to pass for four touchdowns last week. He was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance. Mahomes now has 252 career touchdown passes. He surpassed Aaron Rodgers for the fastest player in NFL history to reach 250 career touchdown passes.

“Some of the things (Patrick Mahomes) does on a regular day basis, just shows you how gifted of a player and human being he is. But more so than that, just how good of a person he is. I think that’s one of the things that always stuck out to me when I first got to the Chiefs, in terms of guys you want leading your franchise, leading your team,” Chiefs guard Trey Smith said to USA TODAY Sports in a recent interview. “He just has all the properties that you would want in a guy like that.”

Mahomes and the Chiefs face a Jaguars team that has a league-high 13 takeaways. Kansas City only has one giveaway this season, tied for the fewest in the NFL entering Week 5.

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.

LAS VEGAS – The 2025 WNBA Finals almost didn’t include the No. 2 seed Las Vegas Aces.

In August, Las Vegas was ninth in the league standings with seemingly no way to climb out of its slump. A 53-point loss to the Minnesota Lynx on their home floor poured salt in every possible wound the Aces had and openly revealed their flaws. The Aces later admitted they held conversations behind closed doors that were raw, authentic and honest about how they weren’t meeting their own expectations.

Those vulnerable moments spurred them to a 16-game win streak to end the regular season. Their determination also helped them through two grueling playoff series, which took every possible game to get to the WNBA Finals. According to Las Vegas guard Jewell Loyd, there’s only one word to describe the team.

‘Resilient,’ Loyd said. ‘We’ve been through a lot of s—. A lot of s—. And we’ve found ways to just keep pushing. We never turned our heads. We just kept our heads down and just kept with the work.’

When USA TODAY asked the same question ― one word to describe the Aces this season ― to Loyd’s teammates A’ja Wilson and Chelsea Gray, they couldn’t come up with a word as easily. For the better part of close to two minutes, Wilson and Gray were baffled at the thought of such a question. ‘One word is crazy,’ Gray said jokingly.

As she sorted through her thoughts, Wilson was still mystified. She covered her mouth and looked up at the ceiling, seemingly for inspiration. Then, she started chuckling and rocking back and forth, still stumped. ‘I really cannot put it into words’, she eventually mustered. Eventually, Gray quipped she couldn’t do just one word. She needed three.

‘Trust the process.’

‘You just don’t know what you don’t know,’ Gray explained. ‘Us going through that prepared us for something bigger. It was getting scary. … We went through some hard times, some uncomfortable conversations. We had some uncomfortable film sessions, some plane rides, some practices, but it’s all part of a process that you’re not really sure where it’s gonna lead.’

While Gray was finishing her answer, Wilson was still flustered as she looked down at her phone, which she had discreetly pulled out. She eventually leaned over to reveal the word to her teammate she had been actively scouring Google for.

‘I got a word, but I don’t know how to say it,’ Wilson said in a hysterically honest tone, as she scurried out the door to her next destination. However, she turned back momentarily just before leaving to reveal her word of choice: circuitous. Circuitous means not straight or direct ― roundabout. Despite not having the answer in the moment, Wilson was spot on in her assessment. This trip back to the WNBA Finals for a possible third Aces ring in four seasons has had so many twists and turns it’s hard to keep up with.

Yet, it revealed, as Gray mentioned, you have to trust the process, however nonsensical it may be at the time. It also confirms another notion: Don’t count out the Aces.