The 2025 World Series was one of the most thrilling in recent memory. After all, it was the first World Series of the 2020s to go seven games.

The Blue Jays’ incredible offense combined with the Dodgers’ star power and the series of unfortunate mishaps in pivotal moments made the series must-watch television across the globe.

Of course, superstars Shohei Ohtani, World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, Freddie Freeman, Blake Snell and so on, played a large role in the intrigue around the globe. The fact that the Dodgers have become villains in Major League Baseball played a large role as well. While fans may claim they hate dynasties, they always watch when they are on TV. The opportunity to see titans fall is a feeling people can’t seem to turn away from.

The viewership numbers speak for themselves.

How many people watch the 2025 World Series?

In total, the World Series drew approximately 238 million viewers around the world, or 34 million viewers per game.

That’s the largest World Series audience since 1992, and a massive 19% jump from last year.

How many of those viewers came from the United States?

The obvious question is how the inclusion of a Canada-based team influenced viewership. As USA TODAY’s Gabe Lacques pointed out, Canadian teams have been good for viewership.

In the story, Lacques mentions that John Kosner, president of Kosner Media, lauded the 2019 NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and Toronto Raptors. Kosner noted that despite the 2018 Finals featuring a showdown between Stephen Curry and LeBron James, the decisive Game 6 between Golden State and Toronto drew more viewers (18.3 million) than the decisive Game 4 the year before (16.2 million).

Kosner believes the teams itself do not matter, but rather how the teams capture intrigue.

‘It really matters more that the teams can capture people’s attention,’ Kosner said. ‘There was a lot of interest in Kawhi Leonard and Toronto in 2019. There’s a lot of interest in the Toronto Blue Jays and how they dispatched the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners.’

Still, it’s not coincidence that the Blue Jays’ involvement in the 2025 World Series bolstered viewership numbers north of the border. The seven-game series saw an average of 8.1 million Canadian viewers per game. Game 7 alone saw 11.6 million Canadian viewers.

The United States dwarfed that number though, nearly doubling the average Canadian viewership at 16.1 million, making it the most-watched World Series in the United States since the 2017 series between the Houston Astros and Dodgers.

Most notably, the 2025 series saw a huge rise in fans 17 and under. There was an 11% uptick within that demographic since last year, marking the most-watched World Series for fans 17 and under since 2017.

Japanese viewership

What really made a difference, though, was Japanese intrigue. The inclusion of Ohtani, Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki helped draw viewers from across the Pacific, and it paid off in a big way.

Game 6 averaged 13.1 million viewers on NHK-G in Japan, making it the most-watched World Series game on a single network in Japanese history. Game 7 averaged 12 million viewers on NHK-BS. All in all, Japan averaged 9.7 million viewers over the course of the full series, 1.6 million more per game than in Canada.

After facing off against each other in the 2025 WNBA Finals, Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray and Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper will reunite on the Rose with hopes of running it back. Rose BC also returns Azurá Stevens and Lexie Hull from their championship team, Unrivaled revealed on Wednesday. Angel Reese, who was named the Defensive Player of the Year after helping the Rose BC win its first title, is not participating in the second season.

The 2026 rosters were unveiled during Wednesday’s ‘Unrivaled Club Roster Reveal Show’ after the league’s eight head coaches conducted an internal draft made up of 48 players, up from 36 players last season after expansion clubs Breeze HC and Hive HC joined the 3-on-3 basketball league.

Here’s everything you need to know about Unrivaled’s season two club rosters:

2026 UNRIVALED HEAD COACHES: Noelle Quinn tapped to lead Breeze BC

How does the Unrivaled draft work?

All 48 players are divided into six pods based on their position.

The four teams that made the playoffs last season — Lunar Owls, Rose, Laces and Vinyl — had the ability to protect two players from their inaugural rosters. The remaining two teams that didn’t make the playoffs — Mist and Phantom — were only able to protect one player from the inaugural season. But there was one stipulation: Teams that protected a player had to forfeit the corresponding number of picks in the first round.

Breeze BC and Hive BC, the expansion teams, got the first and second overall picks. The first overall draft pick was determined by a coin toss between the two, with Breeze BC walking away with the first pick of the 38 remaining players.

From there, ‘remaining picks were conducted in a modified snake draft format designed to maintain competitive balance,’ Unrivaled explained. Each coach picked one player from each pod and each team is made up of six players.

2026 Unrivaled club rosters

*Represents rookies making their Unrivaled debut

Here is where each player landed for the second season of Unrivaled, which tips off in Jan. 5:

Breeze BC

Head coach: Noelle Quinn

*Paige Bueckers
Rickea Jackson
*Dominique Malonga
*Aari McDonald
Kate Martin
Cameron Brink

Cameron Brink was a member of the Lunar Owls last season, but did not play while recovering from an ACL injury. She is set to make her debut in 2026.

Hive BC

Head coach: Rena Wakama

*Kelsey Mitchell
*Sonia Citron
*Ezi Magbegor
*Natisha Hiedeman
*Saniya Rivers
*Monique Billings

Laces BC

Head coach: Andrew Wade

Jackie Young (protected)
Brittney Sykes
Alyssa Thomas (protected)
Jordin Canada
*Maddy Siegrist
*Naz Hillmon

Lunar Owls

Head coach: DJ Sackmann

Skylar Diggins (protected)
Marina Mabrey
Napheesa Collier (protected)
*Rachel Banham
*Rebecca Allen
Aaliyah Edwards

Mist BC

Head coach:  Zach O’Brien

Allisha Gray
Breanna Stewart (protected)
*Alanna Smith
*Veronica Burton
Arike Ogunbowale
*Li Yueru

Phantom

Head coach: Roneeka Hodges

Kelsey Plum
Satou Sabally (protected)
Aliyah Boston
*Dana Evans
Natasha Cloud
*Kiki Iriafen

Rose BC

Head coach: Nola Henry

Chelsea Gray (protected)
Kahleah Copper (protected)
*Sug Sutton
Azurá Stevens
Lexie Hull
Shakira Austin

Vinyl BC

Head coach: Teresa Weatherspoon

Courtney Williams
Rhyne Howard (protected)
Dearica Hamby (protected)
*Erica Wheeler
Rae Burrell
Brittney Griner

Development Pool

 Hailey Van Lith
Aziaha James
Haley Jones
Emily Engstler
Laeticia Amihere
Makayla Timpson

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LSU interim coach Frank Wilson has named Garrett Nussmeier the starting quarterback but hinted at a significant role for backup Michael Van Buren Jr.
Van Buren Jr. is a dual-threat quarterback who previously played at Mississippi State and is being compared to Florida State’s Thomas Castellanos.
With LSU out of championship contention, the coaching staff has little to lose by experimenting with the quarterback position.

The noise is all that’s heard. The odd soundbite, the strange analogy. 

Frank Wilson compared his four games as LSU’s interim coach to Pearl Harbor. Really, he did.

But look deeper. When bombs drop and sirens blare into the fog of LSU war, it’s time for everyone to come together.

It’s also a time for the unexpected. 

“Garrett (Nussmeier) is our starting quarterback,” Wilson said Monday at LSU’s weekly news conference ― and then, well, the bomb dropped. “We do think that Michael (Van Buren Jr.) brings some special things to the table that makes a defense have to defend him.”

And away we go. 

Make no mistake, if you’re given the keys to one of the top five programs in college football with four games to play, coach like there’s nothing to lose. Because there sure as hell isn’t. 

LSU can’t win the SEC, can’t reach the College Football Playoff and the season — and fired coach Brian Kelly’s tenure — is already a spectacular fail. The grease board is clean, go dirty it up with something no one expects. 

Something that may just give bitter rival Alabama fits.

Van Buren Jr. isn’t your typical backup. He played extensively last season at Mississippi State, and proved he could play at a high level in the SEC. 

Here’s the best way to describe Van Buren Jr.: Thomas Castellanos, with the ability to throw accurately. 

If that comparison sends PTSD down the spines of all things Crimson Tide, it’s doing exactly what Wilson wants. Put the idea of what could be into the minds of the Alabama defensive staff, which had no answers for Castellanos in the season-opening loss to Florida State. 

It’s no coincidence that Alabama’s defense has looked among the nation’s best in ranked games against Georgia and Tennessee, and looked susceptible against Florida State, Vanderbilt, Missouri and South Carolina.

Or more to the point, susceptible against Castellanos, Diego Pavia, Beau Pribula and LaNorris Sellers. Those four dual-threat quarterbacks combined to rush for 264 yards (that number includes losses because of sacks) and three touchdowns.

Now you see the allure of Van Buren Jr., and why Wilson says the backup will be more involved in the game plan this week.  

So while Nussmeier is LSU’s starter, while he was paid NIL millions to stay in Baton Rouge this season and not leave for another school or the NFL, Wilson has already been shown what cost of doing business means to LSU. 

If the school — and state, according to The Gov — are on the hook for $54 million to tell Kelly his services are no longer needed, what’s another couple million to see what you’ve got with Van Buren? 

The quarterback who had 16 touchdowns (five rush) in eight starts last season for the worst team in the SEC. Who threw for 306 yards and three touchdowns at Georgia, in a 41-31 loss that was dangerously too close for Georgia coach Kirby Smart. 

The quarterback who went right down the field on the last drive of the Texas A&M blowout loss that got Kelly fired. Nussmeier got sacked and dinged, and Van Buren entered and the next thing you know, he hits tight end Trey’Dez Green for a 28-yard gain. 

Van Buren runs four times for 18 yards, takes a couple of sacks, and completes two more passes, the last a 12-yard dart to Kyle Parker for LSU’s only score of the second half. 

A 75-yard drive where he accounted for 68 yards. Now that’s a bomb — figuratively speaking, of course. 

Wilson knows what he has in Nussmeier: a talented thrower who is getting punished because the LSU offensive line has struggled all season. When protected, Nussmeier can make every throw and the pass game is dangerous. 

When protection breaks down (as it often has), Nussmeier’s accuracy dips and he forces reckless throws. And — here’s the key — he doesn’t have the ability to extend plays downfield with his legs.

Like Castellanos. You remember him, right? 

The quarterback who ran 18 times for 78 yards against the Tide, numerous runs on second or third and make a play to extend drives. It’s simple math: The more your quarterback runs, the more the defense must account for him. 

From accounting for five, to accounting for six. And if the sixth has dynamic run ability from the quarterback position, everything changes on defense. 

Especially in the fog of war. 

“We’ll look at the opportunities that present itself for them, for us,” Wilson said. “And when they present themselves, we’ll take advantage of it.”

There’s nothing odd about that soundbite.

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

OU kicker Tate Sandell drew attention for wearing extremely short football pants during a game against Tennessee.
Despite NCAA rules requiring pants to cover the knees, players and referees have largely ignored this for years.
Coaches like Mike Gundy and Deion Sanders have expressed frustration over the trend of players wearing their pants above the knee.

Because accuracy is essential in journalism, I am making a change effective immediately.

The clothing item college football players wear on the lower half of their bodies will no longer be called football pants; I will henceforth call them football shorts.

And it’s not because of OU kicker Tate Sandell.

Oh, the shorts that the Sooner boomer wore Saturday during OU football’s prime-time game against Tennessee were extreme. Extremely short, that is. They definitely made everyone sit up and take notice of college football’s rising hem lines, starting with the broadcast crew.

Chris Fowler called them short shorts.

They sounded amused at first but then became almost agitated, like they couldn’t believe they were seeing such a thing on the field.

To which I say, “Where ya been?”

Even though the NCAA rule book stipulates that players should wear pants that cover the knees, they’ve been ignoring that rule for years. So have referees. Sandell is hardly the first player to wear his pants so short that, well, they’re shorts. 

Even though he said ripped pants forced him to keep ‘pulling them up a little higher trying to get them to stay,’ there’s photographic evidence that he’s been wearing the short shorts all season. 

By the way, I don’t have any reason to believe the article of clothing the OU kicker has been wearing is any different than what R Mason Thomas or Isaiah Sategna III are wearing. Sandell just pulled them way up.

Or tucked them under.

Or something.

How the pants are shortened probably varies, but players have been doing it for the better part of a decade. At first, the pants were hitched just above the knee. Then slowly but surely, they went higher and higher.

During the College Football Playoff to cap the 2022 season, I was watching one of the games on TV when I noticed a Michigan player whose pants were at least a hand length from his knee.

That seemed jarring then.

Now, it’s the norm.

During spring practice a few months after that playoff game, I found myself in a spirited conversation about the length of football pants with a coach known to have spirited conversations: Mike Gundy.

“Officials have been talking about it for five years,” the former Oklahoma State coach said. “They’ll come to me in the locker room when we have a meeting before a game, and they’ll say, ‘Coach, you gotta help us with uniforms. You gotta get ‘em down over their knees.’ 

“And I said, ‘Listen, if they’re not smart enough to cover themselves, don’t worry about it.’”

Two years earlier, Gundy said he showed his players a picture of himself during his OSU days to try to encourage them to protect themselves a bit better.

“I had every pad known to man,” he said.

But most college players aren’t interested in wearing knee pads at all. Frankly, they’re just following the example that NFL players set. Very few of them even wear their pants over their knees.

All of it makes Deion Sanders seethe. The Colorado coach said earlier this year at Big 12 Media Days that he’d like to see college players fined for wearing their pants above their knees.

“We’ve got guys out there in biker shorts,” he said.

Preach!

“That makes me sick because I’m a football guy — I played this game at a high level and I have so much respect for this game,” he continued. “How can we allow guys out there in biker shorts, no knee pads, no nothing, literally pants up onto their thighs.

“Let’s have more respect for this tremendous game.”

Now, it bears mentioning that Neon Deion was fined numerous times for uniform violations when he played in the NFL.

Do as he says, not as he did?

Sure sounds like it.

Listen, I love football uniforms. Classic looks. New-age varieties. Matte helmets. Chrome domes. I’ll happily debate why Notre Dame’s golden helmets are tops or how it’s possible to love Oregon’s ever-changing jerseys while also believing the Ducks should wear as much kelly green as possible as often as possible.

But people who are getting fired up lately about how much leg players are covering?

I’ll say it again, “Where ya been?”

College football players were given an inch and have taken 10 or 12. Maybe more in Sandell’s case. Does that make him the favorite to win the Thighsman Trophy?

Mandatory attire for the awards ceremony: football shorts.

Jenni Carlson: Jenni can be reached at jcarlson@oklahoman.com. Like her at facebook.com/JenniCarlsonOK, follow her at @jennicarlsonok.bsky.social and twitter.com/jennicarlson_ok, and support her work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today.

Week 9 of the 2025 fantasy football season was not one for the faint of heart.

With Monday Night Football pending, quarterbacks who finished outside the top-15 include Daniel Jones (QB16), Jayden Daniels (QB17 and injured), Patrick Mahomes (QB20), and Jordan Love (QB22). At running back, Jonathan Taylor (RB28), Jahmyr Gibbs (R37), and Kimani Vidal (RB41) each finished outside the top-25. Wide receiver was no different, with Zay Flowers (WR31), Ladd McConkey (WR37), Chris Olave (WR39), Brian Thomas Jr. (WR40), Deebo Samuel (WR42), Tetairoa McMillan (WR44), Xavier Worthy (WR52), DK Metcalf (WR76), and Rome Odunze (0 points) placing outside the top-30. Top tight ends like Tyler Warren (TE27), George Kittle (TE28), and Tucker Kraft (TE34 and injured) ranked outside the top-25. Yuck.

Here’s a look at Week 10 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 10 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 | 6 players to drop

Analysis: Week 9 recap and takeaways | 10 buy low, sell high candidates

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 10 fantasy football quarterback rankings: Risers and sleepers

Seahawks QB Sam Darnold (50% rostered) – After his impressive performance on Sunday Night Football, Darnold is now fantasy’s QB10 since Week 2. The veteran has racked up more than 16 fantasy points in six of his last seven outings. A mediocre Week 10 matchup versus the Cardinals will keep him from making a massive leap up the ranks, but he’s still an excellent streaming option. The addition of Rashid Shaheed doesn’t hurt.
Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy (29%) – McCarthy might be the top widely available add at the position. The 22-year-old has garnered 23.2 and 19.9 fantasy points in two of his three starts this season, and his remaining schedule is beyond juicy. Six of Minnesota’s next eight opponents are among the 11 most-generous teams against opposing quarterbacks.
Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers (40%) – Rodgers has proven to be a solid floor play in 2025. To date, he has yet to post fewer than 12 fantasy points in a game, and he has also surpassed 16 in three of his last four outings. In Week 10, he’ll go up against a Chargers defense that’s allowed four passers to eclipse 17 fantasy points against them.
Commanders QB Marcus Mariota (5%) – A brutal injury to Jayden Daniels will result in Mariota taking over the reins once again in Washington. The veteran will get to face the Lions and Dolphins over the next two weeks, so he’s worth a look in deeper leagues.

Week 10 fantasy football running back rankings: Risers and sleepers

Giants RB Devin Singletary (5%) – While most (including yours truly) were expecting Tyrone Tracy to be the lead back following Cam Skattebo’s injury, it was actually Singletary who led the way in Week 9. The veteran ranked first in snaps (32 to 25) and opportunities (10 to 9), while running just four fewer routes (15 to 19). With Tracy averaging the fifth-fewest yards per carry among backs with at least 50 attempts, that kind of split might be here to stay. He’ll be on the streaming radar against the Bears.
Jaguars RB Bayshul Tuten (31%) – Tuten didn’t get much of a post-bye rookie bump in Week 9. In fact, he finished third behind Travis Etienne and LeQuint Allen Jr. in both snaps and routes. That said, the rookie did finish fifth among all backs with six red zone carries, and potential touchdown equity makes him a viable streaming option for desperate managers in deeper leagues.
Patriots RB Terrell Jennings (1%) – With Rhamondre Stevenson out, rookie TreVeyon Henderson played 75% of the snaps and racked up 19 opportunities. However, despite playing just 17 snaps, Jennings received 11 carries and one target, turning that usage into 44 total yards and a score. Jennings also received three of the backfield’s five red zone carries. If Stevenson were to be inactive again, Jennings would be in play against a Bucs defense that’s allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to the position.
Browns RB Dylan Sampson (16%) – Sampson is worth an add only in the instance that rookie Quinshon Judkins is unable to go. However, given that Judkins practiced on Monday, it’s probably wise to look elsewhere for running back help.

Week 10 fantasy football wide receiver rankings: Risers and sleepers

Broncos WR Troy Franklin (48%) – Despite posting an underwhelming statline (four receptions for 24 yards), Franklin’s role in Week 9 was very encouraging. The 22-year-old played 80% of the snaps and generated 10 targets as well as two carries. Franklin now ranks seventh among all wideouts in targets over the last three weeks, and that kind of volume should play well against a Raiders defense that’s ceding the fourth-most fantasy points to the position.
Colts WR Alec Pierce (26%) – While the end zone has eluded him, Pierce has now totaled at least 67 receiving yards in five of his last six games. The volume has been there as well, as the 25-year-old ranks fifth at the position in targets over the last three weeks.
Jaguars WR Parker Washington (18%) – In the first game without Travis Hunter, Washington led the team in snaps (70), routes (36), targets (9), receptions (8), and yards (90). Not too shabby. Despite a tough Week 10 draw with the Texans, Washington is still worth grabbing, especially in PPR formats. Update: The addition of Jakobi Meyers puts a damper on Washington’s outlook going forward.
Packers WR Christian Watson (28%) – With tight end Tucker Kraft out for the season, Watson becomes immensely more valuable in fantasy. Kraft was the passing game’s primary threat for explosive plays, a role that might now have to fall in the capable hands of Watson. It’s worth noting that rookie wideout Matthew Golden is banged up as well. While consistency is unlikely to be Watson’s forte, he profiles as a high-upside flex play going forward.
Seahawks WR Tory Horton (5%) – With Cooper Kupp out of the lineup on SNF, Horton made his presence known. The rookie caught all four of his targets for 48 yards and two touchdowns. While the blowout was a contributing factor, Horton did lead the team in snaps (37) and finished second in routes (20). He’s worth a speculative add even if Kupp returns. Update: The addition of Rashid Shaheed takes a bite out of Horton’s 2025 outlook.
Buccaneers WR Tez Johnson (35%) – Johnson was the clear WR2 on the Bucs in Week 8 with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin out of the lineup. The 23-year-old finished second on the team in snaps (41) and targets (6) and tied for first in routes (41). He’d be worth a spot start in Week 10 if Godwin is out of the lineup.
Giants WR Darius Slayton (35%) – Slayton got a solid 90% snap share in Week 9, and that came with a 22% target share. While his output won’t blow anyone’s socks off, the 28-year-old did lead the team with 62 receiving yards. In Week 10, the Giants face a Bears secondary that’s allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing wideouts.

Week 10 fantasy football tight end rankings: Risers and sleepers

Bears TE Colston Loveland (24%) – Loveland was featured in this spot last week due to his mouthwatering matchup, and he sure did not disappoint. The rookie caught six of his seven targets for 118 yards and two touchdowns. While he won’t get to face the Oprah of defenses every week, the performance still makes him worth adding in most leagues.
Buccaneers TE Cade Otton (37%) – In Week 8, Otton played all but two snaps and finished third on the team in routes (22) and targets (5). That marked the fourth consecutive game in which the veteran had garnered at least five targets. He’s a decent streaming option against a New England defense that’s surrendered the 10th-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends.
Giants TE Theo Johnson (33%) – After catching another red zone touchdown in Week 9, Johnson now ranks fifth among tight ends in red zone targets (10) and fourth in touchdowns (4). The 24-year-old has gotten at least five targets in four of his last six games, and he hasn’t had fewer than four looks in a game since Week 2. He’s a top streaming option against a Bears squad that has ceded a touchdown to the position in three of their last four games.
Saints TE Juwan Johnson (35%) – Johnson continues to be a relatively consistent streaming option at a frustrating position. The 29-year-old has recorded double-digit half-PPR games in four of nine contests, and has only posted fewer than 7.8 points on three occasions. Johnson’s three worst outings came at a time when he was clearly banged up. Update: The trade of Rashid Shaheed is a boost for Johnson’s rest-of-season outlook.
Jets TE Mason Taylor (20%) – From Week 3 through Week 8, Taylor ranked third among tight ends with 39 targets (6.5 per game). While his production was certainly underwhelming during that stretch, Garrett Wilson’s impending return could help open things up for the rookie.

Week 10 fantasy football rankings: PPR, half-PPR and standard

LeBron James remains unavailable for the Los Angeles Lakers due to sciatica.

James was officially ruled out by the Lakers on Wednesday ahead of their home game against the San Antonio Spurs. The four-time NBA MVP has not played this season after the Lakers announced on Oct. 9 that he was dealing with a sciatica issue.

He was expected to be reevaluated in three or four weeks from that date. It will be four weeks on Thursday, Nov. 6.

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Wednesday that James will not be traveling with the team over its upcoming five-game road trip.

What is sciatica?

Sciatica is a pain caused by some level of irritation, pinching, or compression of the sciatic nerve, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

The sciatic nerve is located in the lower back and runs down the back of each leg. It begins from the lower part of the spinal cord and extends through the buttocks, back of the thigh and down to the foot.

As a result, the area of pain can range anywhere along the back of the leg.

When do the Lakers play next?

After Wednesday’s game, the Los Angeles Lakers will travel to play the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday, Nov. 8, at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT).

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The Philadelphia Eagles didn’t play in Week 9 but the franchise was certainly busy around the trade deadline.

Multiple deals brought reinforcements in for the Eagles’ defense. Coordinator Vic Fangio will have two new cornerbacks in Jaire Alexander and Michael Carter II as well as a familiar face in edge rusher Jaelen Phillips. Fangio worked with Phillips in 2023 in Fangio’s lone season with the Dolphins.

With those deals done and the dust settled, Philadelphia returns to the field after a bye week in Week 10 to face the Green Bay Packers in prime time. ‘Monday Night Football’ will see the two teams face off for the first time since the NFC wild-card playoffs last season.

These two teams are in the thick of the playoff race. Philadelphia currently sits atop the conference at 6-2; Green Bay is close behind at the No. 4 seed. A Packers win could see the two teams switch spots, while an Eagles victory would steady their hold on the conference.

A key part of a potential Eagles victory will be running back Saquon Barkley’s status. He left the Eagles’ Week 8 game against New York early with a groin injury. Here’s what we know about his status for Week 10:

Saquon Barkley injury update: Is Eagles RB playing Week 10?

Philadelphia hasn’t released an update about its star running back this week. Per multiple reports, Barkley’s initial groin injury wasn’t serious enough to keep him out of the lineup for an extended period of time.

Philadelphia hasn’t released an injury report for Week 10 yet, but it looks good for Barkley to be back in the lineup against Green Bay.

Saquon Barkley stats 2025

Barkley had one of the best seasons in NFL history for a running back in 2024. That earned him a spot on the cover of Madden and a spot in rarified air in the 2,000-yard club of running backs. Here’s his stats for the season so far:

Rushing attempts: 127
Rushing yards: 519
Rushing touchdowns: 4
Receptions: 24
Receiving yards: 159
Receiving touchdowns: 2

Eagles RB depth chart

Saquon Barkley
Will Shipley
Tank Bigsby
A.J. Dillon
Ben VanSumeren (injured reserve)

Bigsby is second behind Barkley in rushing yards among Eagles running backs, while Dillon is second to him in carries.

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua returned to the lineup in Week 9 to help his team to a 34-10 win over the New Orleans Saints.

He ended the day with seven catches for 95 yards and a touchdown but left the game early. Nacua went down awkwardly in the third quarter on a rushing attempt and suffered what coach Sean McVay called a rib injury.

McVay said he regrets the playcall that caused Nacua to leave the game early.

“I feel sick,’ McVay said. ‘That fourth-down situation where he’s getting kind of a side shot and he’s so good at that, and that’s such an important situation. You’re saying, ‘Damn. You leave him susceptible to a great player pursuing from an inside-out location that gives him a good shot.’ That’s not anything on him. That’s more on the playcall.’

Nacua’s been one of the best wide receivers in the NFL when on the field in 2025 so he’ll be key to the Rams keeping pace in a competitive NFC West. Los Angeles faces divisional foe San Francisco this week in a key game for the divisional race. Will Nacua be playing? Here’s what we know.

Puka Nacua injury update: Is Rams WR playing Week 10?

McVay said today that Nacua should be good to go against San Francisco on the road, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Nacua’s already missed a game earlier this season due to injury.

His healthy status will be crucial for the Rams this week. While they’re facing the 49ers, fellow NFC West contender Seattle is facing off with Arizona. Los Angeles is still winless in NFC West play; both San Francisco and Seattle have at least one win this season.

Puka Nacua stats 2025

Nacua leads the Rams in most receiving categories despite missing Week 7 against the Jaguars. Here are his stats and where he ranks on the team entering Week 10:

Targets: 73 (1st)*
Receptions: 61 (1st)
Receiving yards: 711 (1st)
Receiving touchdowns: 3 (T-2nd)
First downs: 35 (1st)*

*=leads NFL

Rams WR depth chart

Puka Nacua
Davante Adams
Jordan Whittington
Konata Mumpfield
Xavier Smith
Tru Edwards (practice squad)
Brennan Presley (practice squad)
Tyler Scott (practice squad)

Jimmie Johnson, 50, is returning to NASCAR in 2026.

Johnson, driver of the No. 84 Toyota Camry, hasn’t raced in the NASCAR Cup Series since May of this year, when he finished 40th at Charlotte. In total, he raced two times in 2025, including a third-place finish at the Daytona 500 in February.

Johnson, a seven-time NASCAR Cup champion, declared on X that he will be making the return only because he has always wanted to race in San Diego.

The Southern California native said he had always ‘dreamed of racing in San Diego.’

He will finally get that opportunity.

Why has Johnson stopped racing?

He hasn’t stopped, but instead has moved to a part-time racing role, focusing more on his majority ownership of Legacy Motor Club.

He retired from full-time competition after the 2020 season. Johnson has said the decision came at a time when he wanted to emphasize his family and business more.

What championships did Jimmie Johnson win?

Johnson is a seven-time NASCAR Cup champion:

2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2013
2016

In 2006, Johnson was absolutely dominant, averaging a top-10 finish throughout the season.

His seven titles are tied for the NASCAR record with Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Richard Petty. He was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2024.

The CollegeFootballPlayoff selection committee has submitted itsfirstrankings of the season, setting the table for the schools which will make the 12-team field. Now it’s time to grade its answers.

The initial top 25 gave insight into how the selection committee views the season so far with the final full month underway. Of course, some teams are in spots that are make sense based on 10 weeks of play, but that’s not the case with everyone. Whether it’s quality of wins or amount of losses, there are questions.

Some squads are rightfully in great or bad shape, while others should feel lucky or on the wrong end of the stage.

Here are the grades for every single College Football Playoff ranking in the Nov. 4 release:

1. Ohio State: B-

The defending champions have looked near perfect this season, but the Buckeyes don’t have the best resume in the country amongst the undefeated teams. Their wins against teams in the rankings are defeats of No. 11 Texas and No. 23 Washington.

2. Indiana: C-

The Hoosiers are indeed a top two team in the country, but they aren’t No. 2. Indiana has road wins at No. 9 Oregon and No. 20 Iowa, which are far more impressive than Ohio State’s ranked wins.

3. Texas A&M: A+

4. Alabama: A+

Forget the season-opening loss to Florida State; the Crimson Tide have four ranked victories that thrust them into a deserved spot.

5. Georgia: A+

Another team in the correct spot, the Bulldogs lose the head-to-head advantage to Alabama. But they do have a wins against Mississippi and Tennessee.

6. Mississippi: C

Lane Kiffin’s team should be behind a Georgia team it lost to, but it’s ahead of an undefeated team when it really only has one quality win at Oklahoma. Plus, Mississippi had close calls with Washington State and Arkansas.

7. Brigham Young: D

The Cougars should feel disrespected they are behind Mississippi, as it feels like they haven’t proved enough. If BYU beats Texas Tech, can it jump up at all?

8. Texas Tech: B-

The lone blemish from Arizona State is what puts Texas Tech behind BYU, but even with the win over Utah, it’s questionable to put the Red Raiders at this spot.

9. Oregon: C

It seems like the overtime win over Penn State doesn’t mean as much, which is unfortunate cause that version of the Nittany Lions is different than the team they currently are. The Ducks aren’t in a favorable spot.

10. Notre Dame: A

The Fighting Irish’s two losses at the start of the season came against great opponents, and the win over Southern California continues to look better.

11. Texas: B+

Rightfully above Oklahoma, Texas started to shed the loss at Florida with a dominant showing against Vanderbilt.

12. Oklahoma: A-

Michigan maintaining good standing helps Oklahoma stay in playoff consideration, and the road win over Tennessee put the Sooners in position to have strong finish.

13. Utah: D+

The only losses came against the two top teams in the Big 12 and they’ve beaten quality teams, but the Utes don’t have a ranked win to justify being above ACC teams.

14. Virginia: C+

Sure, the overtime win against North Carolina and loss to North Carolina State weren’t helpful, but owning a win at Louisville is far more impressive than some of the wins the teams above Virginia have.

15. Louisville: A

The Cardinals should be behind Virginia and the win at Miami is a quality mark to have. They probably need to get to the ACC title game to find way into field.

16. Vanderbilt: A-

While quite a turnaround is going with Vanderbilt, it doesn’t go up too high with not as many quality wins as once thought.

17. Georgia Tech: B-

A rather intriguing case given it just suffered its first loss. The Yellow Jackets have looked rather good, but just like Virginia, a loss to North Carolina State wasn’t great when it doesn’t have any strong wins.

18. Miami: B-

It’s been a free fall for Miami, but the win over Notre Dame seems like it got wiped out when it’s a top 10 win, something teams ahead of the Hurricanes don’t have.

19. Southern California: B+

The Trojans have to really enjoy their spot as it keeps playoff hopes alive. The dominant win over Michigan is good but the Illinois loss continues to worsen despite how close it was.

20. Iowa: F

21. Michigan: B-

It was ugly in the games Michigan lost. Luckily, a convincing win over Washington has kick-started a run that helps the Wolverines stay ranked.

22. Missouri: C+

Another team rewarded for having close losses against ranked teams when Missouri’s best win came against 5-4 Kansas.

23. Washington: B-

It appears beating Illinois helped the Huskies get ranked, which is odd given it didn’t look like a ranked team against Michigan.

24. Pittsburgh: A

The Panthers got some surprising love even though there really isn’t anything notable. Yet five consecutive wins should get most teams at least ranked.

25. Tennessee: F

Yes, Tennessee’s three losses came against top 12 teams. But a three-loss team with no notable wins shouldn’t be ranked over a worthy Group of Five team.