The Chicago Bears have started their season with two losses, including a 52-21 defeat by the Detroit Lions.
Despite high expectations for rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, the team’s performance remains consistent with past disappointing seasons.
Head coach Ben Johnson and Williams both expressed the need to stay positive and united despite the frustrating start.

With a new coach, new offensive line and new start for Caleb Williams, this was supposed to be the year the Bears weren’t a disappointment. And yet, here we are, two games into the season and Chicago is already in its usual tailspin.

Six days after their fourth-quarter meltdown gave the Minnesota Vikings a stunning win, the Bears put up less of a fight than some practice squads in a 52-21 loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday. For those who haven’t looked at the NFC North standings yet, that means Chicago is again (still?) in the division basement, and it sure doesn’t look as if it has much hope of finding its way out.

“We’ve got 15 more games. It’s the first two games. There’s been multiple occasions of teams that have rallied back to go on a run,” Williams said.

“We’ve just got to keep believing, keep pushing,” he added. “And not let anything divide us or anything like that. We’ve got to keep going. It’s only two games and we’ve got to keep moving along.”

Which sounds good. And is the right thing to say.

But it is troubling that the Bears can change coaches (Ben Johnson is their third in five seasons and fifth in 12 years), change quarterbacks (Williams is their third first-round QB in the last six years), change other personnel and the results … stay the same.

Williams can make some unbelievable plays that are testament to why he was the overall No. 1 pick in last year’s draft. Like that sweet, sidearm throw to Rome Odunze for Chicago’s second touchdown. But he can also make some plays that leave folks wondering if the Bears used that pick on the wrong guy. Like his inexplicable decision in the second quarter to try and make a play rather than throwing the ball away when he was flushed out of the pocket, resulting in an interception that Detroit would turn into another touchdown and a 21-7 lead.

Williams was 19 of 30 for 207 yards and a 91.9 QB rating before being replaced by Tyson Bagent for the last seven-plus minutes of the game.

“In that situation, it sucks that your guys are out on the field and you’re not. And that’s frustrating because you put so much time, energy and effort, and those guys are out there still battling and you’re on the sidelines,” Williams said. “… It was coach’s decision and I’ve got to move on from it.”

This loss wasn’t all on Williams. The Bears were whistled for eight penalties at a cost of 50 yards. Those included two false starts as well as offensive holding and face mask penalties that put Chicago in second-and-32 before Williams’ interception.

As for the defense, well, what is there to say about a unit that gave up 511 yards and 52 points?

Johnson knows Jared Goff and his tendencies about as well as anyone after spending the past three seasons as Detroit’s offensive coordinator, and it made no difference as Goff ran roughshod on the Bears. Goff finished 23 of 28 for 334 yards and five touchdowns, and a near-perfect passer rating of 156.

“Anytime you lose a game like this, man, it’s a kick in the teeth. Nothing about that feels good,” Johnson said.

It does feel familiar, though.

The Bears have not had a winning season since 2018 and have not made the playoffs since 2020. The rest of the NFC North has put themselves among the league’s elite — Detroit, Minnesota and Green Bay all made the playoffs last year — while the Bears keep spinning their wheels.

“We’re not going to hang our heads and get down on this. It’s one game,” Johnson said. “We’re going to be just fine.”

Maybe. But at some point, it can no longer be brushed off as a rough game or a bad season. At some point, it’s a broken franchise.

Follow USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armour on social media @nrarmour.

Much like life, the fantasy football season is short – so let’s make the most of it.

Whether you’re eyeing a playoff run or pressing the panic button, remember that we’re only two weeks in. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t draw some conclusions from what our eyes are telling us so far.

It can be easy to continue rostering your favorite offseason sleeper that hasn’t gotten going yet. It can be easy to keep that breakout star on the bench until they finally start delivering. It can be easy to blame a slow start or matchups.

That’s why we’re here to help you with the hard decisions, because no one deserves to go through this alone.

Winning a fantasy championship is a community effort. Here’s a look at five guys we think you should leave behind as we move through the season.

Waiver wire players to drop: Week 2

Braelon Allen, RB, New York Jets

Depending on your perspective, the Jets looked like a group that was somewhere between the Detroit Lions of the east and store-brand Baltimore Ravens in Week 1. Reality came quickly for Aaron Glenn’s squad, but it came even faster for Allen believers. ‘Gang Green’ looked like the team that everyone thought we’d be getting this season, which means that fantasy relevance is hard to come by for the Jets.

Justin Fields, Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson are the only startable options going forward. Allen remains a solid handcuff in the event of a Hall injury, but we won’t be seeing a ‘Sonic and Knuckles’ duo out of this squad. If you need the roster spot, you can safely send Allen to the waiver wire.

Marvin Mims Jr., WR, Denver Broncos

Similar to the Jets, we want no part of the Broncos offense if it isn’t a few players. Courtland Sutton is the unquestioned No. 1 pass catcher, with Troy Franklin sliding into a stable role behind him. Mims remains a boom-or-bust, but Denver hasn’t proven to be capable of supporting more than that in the passing attack.

Mims only played 21 snaps in Week 2, according to Pro Football Focus. It’s an alarming decrease from the 53 he played in Week 1, especially in what was a much better game for the offense. That is not enough to warrant keeping the receiver on your roster.

Evan Engram, TE, Denver Broncos

Many expected Engram to be a fantasy factor in 2025 and for good reason. Engram was joining a Broncos team that surprised last season and didn’t really feature a tight end. That has remained the case despite the Engram addition. The tight end has just four catches through two weeks and only six targets to go with it.

He seemingly has little touchdown upside and isn’t a factor to accumulate yards either. Much like Mims, we are moving on from pass-catching targets in Denver that aren’t Sutton or Franklin.

Kaleb Johnson, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers

The rookie running back is firmly lost in the shuffle of an Arthur Smith offense. Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell are getting all the work, leaving Johnson on the outside looking in. He totaled just two carries through two weeks and has negative one yard to show for it.

After a mistake on special teams that cost Pittsburgh a touchdown on Sunday, he doesn’t project as someone who will be seeing significant playing time anytime soon. Bid farewell to the rookie running back.

Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars

As much as things change, the more they stay the same for Lawrence. At one time, he was the prince who was promised. Now a middle of the road quarterback option in fantasy. Despite Liam Coen’s best efforts, turnovers continue to be a problem for Lawrence, who also isn’t looking to run this season.

He has three interceptions already through two weeks and just 16 rushing yards. The passing touchdowns aren’t offsetting those other mistakes and there are better quarterback options available. Feel free to move on.

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The New York Giants lost to the Dallas Cowboys 40-37 in overtime, marking their ninth consecutive loss to the rival team.
Giants quarterback Russell Wilson threw for 450 yards and three touchdowns, a significant improvement from his Week 1 performance.
Despite Wilson’s strong passing game, a crucial interception in overtime set up the Cowboys’ game-winning field goal.

In what has become a rite of passage in Sundays in the fall, the New York Giants inexplicably lost a game they were winning in the final moments, this time to the Dallas Cowboys, 40-37, in an overtime finish that featured six lead changes from the fourth quarter on.

The difference, however, was the success of the passing attack. Quarterback Russell Wilson put up 450 yards through the air on 30-of-41 passing with three touchdowns, one week after the media – this author squarely included – said he should lose his job.

His patented ‘moon balls’ were as beautiful as a waning crescent that angles the sky perfectly. According to NextGen Stats, Wilson has completed 7 of 9 deep passes for 264 yards, the most deep passing yards in a game in the Next Gen Stats era (since 2016). He found receivers Wan’Dale Robinson and Malik Nabers for touchdowns of 32 and 48 yards, respectively, within the final three minutes.

So, sorry, Russ. If that feels like a half-hearted apology, well, it sorta is. The statistics looked sexy. Only Eli Manning, Phil Simms and Y.A. Tittle have thrown for more yards in Giants history. But the sustainability of such an attack, one that can’t run the ball, while putting a defense that clearly can’t hold up on the back foot, is dubious. Just look at the 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers. It’s certainly a step in the right direction. But a celebration? Save the party hats and streamers.

Nonetheless, the accuracy returned after a 17-for-37 end-zone-less showing Week 1 against the Washington Commanders. Making his second Giants’ start, Wilson appeared much more comfortable behind a still-shaky offensive line and picked apart the Cowboys’ secondary until it mattered most.

Wilson was on his way to a career high in passing yards (452), but his last completion went four minus-four yards on first down in overtime. On second down, he and Nabers were not on the same page – Cowboys safety Donovan Wilson could have set up a folding chair as Wilson’s pass hung in the air before he caught it for an interception. Earier in overtime, he nearly fumbled the game away but the ball luckily bounced out of bounds.

Dallas kicker Brandon Aubrey nailed a game-winning 46-yard field goal after his 64-yard connection tied the game at 37 to send it to overtime.

Were it not for Aubrey’s clutch kicks, the overall tone of the result – either a victory or tie – is obviously better.

The reality is that Giants have lost nine straight games to the Cowboys and Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott hasn’t lost to the NFC East rival since 2016. They are 0-2 for the seventh time in nine seasons. And the schedule doesn’t get any easier over the first half of the season. The Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers all loom through Week 9.

The Cowboys, meanwhile, avoided the dreaded 0-2 start. The secondary clearly has holes, but owner and general manager Jerry Jones has to be pleased with his defense’s performance against the run over its first two games. And the air-raid attack led by quarterback Dak Prescott (38-for-52, two touchdowns, one interception) has a better shot of being a season-long success compared to the Giants’ attempt to run it.

Mike Vrabel earned his first win as Patriots coach and 100th of his career in a 33-27 victory over the Miami Dolphins.
Rookie quarterback Drake Maye accounted for three touchdowns, including two passing and one rushing.
Antonio Gibson’s 90-yard kick return touchdown in the fourth quarter was a key turning point for New England.

MIAMI GARDENS, FL — Mike Vrabel ran as fast as he could down the New England Patriots’ sideline.

He was so excited, he could not help himself.

He just couldn’t catch whom he was running after.

Antonio Gibson scored a 90-yard kick return touchdown with Vrabel briefly chugging along beside him, quarterback Drake Maye accounted for three touchdowns, and the Patriots outlasted the Miami Dolphins, 33-27, at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 14.

Vrabel – the three-time Super Bowl champion as a Patriots player – secured his first victory as Patriots coach, and the 100th win of his NFL coaching career.

“I’m proud of our team,” Vrabel said. “It will always be about the players – now and forever.”

Gibson’s touchdown with 7:06 left in the fourth quarter, immediately answered a 74-yard punt return by Dolphins returner Malik Washington on the previous drive.

It was the turning point in the Week 2 matchup to help the Patriots retake the lead, and their fifth victory since Bill Belichick left the franchise two seasons ago.

Patriots defender Milton Williams sacked Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa with 53 seconds remaining to help New England bounce back after its 20-13 loss in Week 1 against the Las Vegas Raiders.

“I’m just excited for these guys,” Vrabel said. “I’m really excited they could fight, compete, come on the road, be in a game. … There’s a lot to coach from, but it’s going to be easier to coach from a win.”

Maye, the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NFL draft, was 19 of 23 for 230 yards. He threw touchdown passes Mack Hollins and Kayshon Boutte on his first two drives of the first quarter, and scored a 6-yard rushing touchdown in the second half.

Maye also ensured Vrabel would get the game-ball after he kneeled on the final play of the game.

“It was awesome. Just rallying around coach, how much he cares about us, how much of a player’s coach he is,” Maye said of the Patriots’ locker room after the win. “It took everybody, but obviously he’s leading the charge. That meant something special.”

As the Tennessee Titans coach from 2018-2023, Vrabel had a 99-54 record highlighted by a trip to the 2019 AFC title game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Vrabel was hired to replace Jerod Mayo, who went 4-13 last year with two six-game losing streaks last season.

It may be far-fetched for New England to replicate the glory of being NFL frontrunners with Belichick and former quarterback Tom Brady fueling six Super Bowls and 17 AFC East titles.

Vrabel is just scratching the surface in his coaching tenure with his former club. He believes they’re, at least, off to an admirable start they can build on.

“We’re not front runners and that’s a big thing in this league,” Vrabel said.

“I appreciate the character. … There’s a lot of things we have to do better, but we didn’t pout. We didn’t drop our heads. We moved onto the next play, and we kept on competing. We have to learn to compete and believe we can win football games.”

Joe Burrow left the Bengals’ game against the Jaguars on Sunday in the second quarter.
Burrow remained on the field after taking a sack from Jaguars defensive lineman Arik Armstead.
Burrow was replaced in the game by backup quarterback Jake Browning.

Joe Burrow exited the Cincinnati Bengals’ 31-27 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday with a toe injury and did not return.

Burrow remained down on the field after being sacked by Jaguars defensive lineman Arik Armstead on a second-and-20 in the second quarter. Trainers attended to him before he went to the sideline and entered the medical tent before heading to the locker room with an apparent limp.

Burrow was initially designated as questionable to return at halftime but was later ruled out for the remainder of the contest.

Burrow was diagnosed with turf toe, according to Fox-19 in Cincinnati, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport and Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer. No timetable for his return has been reported. ESPN’s Adam Schefter, however, reported that images of images of Burrow’s injury are being sent to foot specialist Dr. Robert Anderson,

After the game, however, Bengals coach Zac Taylor said he did not have an update on Burrow’s status and was not certain what happened on the play in which the quarterback was hurt. Burrow left the locker room on a crutch while wearing a walking boot. If surgery is determined to be necessary, the procedure would be expected to sideline Burrow for three months, Schefter reported.

Backup quarterback Jake Browning entered the game in his place. With the Bengals trailing 27-24 late in the fourth quarter, he capped a 15-play, 92-yard touchdown drive by going over the top on a quarterback sneak to put Cincinnati up for good with 18 seconds remaining. He finished with 241 yards and two touchdowns with three interceptions.

“Resilient group. Found a way,’ Taylor said in a postgame news conference. ‘Feels like that’s what this year is turning into already.”

Burrow completed eight of 14 passes for 83 yards and a touchdown before leaving the game.

Injuries have plagued Burrow throughout the early portion of his career, with both his rookie campaign in 2020 (torn anterior cruciate ligament) and his 2023 season (wrist) being cut short. The two-time NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award winner made light of the dynamic in February.

“I wouldn’t say this is necessarily an award you wanna be nominated for two times,” Burrow said during his acceptance speech at NFL Honors. ‘But I’m proud of the work I’ve put in to come back from these injuries I seem to face every year.

This story has been updated with new information.

Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani and his agent filed paperwork on Sunday, Sept. 14 moving to dismiss a lawsuit in which they were accused of wrecking a $240 million housing development on Hawaii’s Hapuna Coast.

The original lawsuit was filed last month, in which Ohtani and his agent, Nez Balelo, were accused ‘tortious interference and unjust enrichment,’ who used their ‘celebrity leverage to destabilize and ultimately dismantle Plaintiffs’ role in the project’ and attempted to sabotage a second business venture, by developer Kevin J. Hayes Sr., real estate broker Tomoko Matsumoto, West Point Investment Corp. and Hapuna Estates Property Owners.

In an order to dismiss that was filed in the Hawaii Circuit Court and obtained by USA TODAY Sports, Ohtani and Balelo’s attorneys said that in 2023, Hayes and Matsumoto acquired rights for a joint venture, and said they owned a minority percentage in order to use Ohtani’s name, image, and likeness, calling Ohtani a “victim of NIL violations.”

“Unbeknownst to Ohtani and his agent Nez Balelo, plaintiffs exploited Ohtani’s name and photograph to drum up traffic to a website that marketed plaintiffs’ own side project development,” the lawyers said in the lawsuit. “They engaged in this self-dealing without authorization, and without paying Ohtani for that use, in a selfish and wrongful effort to take advantage of their proximity to the most famous baseball player in the world.”

Unlike the previous lawsuit, Ohtani is referred to by that name instead of ‘Otani,’ who the plaintiffs said used ‘threats and baseless legal claims to force a business partner to betray its contractual obligations.’

Ohtani is nearing the end of his second season with the Dodgers, having signed a 10-year, $ 700 million contract, which helped Los Angeles win the World Series last year. He is a five-time All-Star and three-time Most Valuable Player, who is hitting .281 with 49 home runs, 93 RBI, and has scored 135 runs for the NL West leaders.

‘Nez Balelo has always prioritized Shohei Ohtani’s best interests, including protecting his name, image, and likeness from unauthorized use.  This frivolous lawsuit is a desperate attempt by plaintiffs to distract from their myriad of failures and blatant misappropriation of Mr. Ohtani’s rights,’ Laura Smolowe, an attorney representing Balelo and Ohtani, said in a statement.

Brian Thomas Jr. endured a tough day at the office in the Jacksonville Jaguars’ 31-27 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Thomas was targeted a team-high 12 times but managed four catches for 49 yards in the defeat. Part of the reason for his lackluster stat line? He had a few crucial drops throughout the contest, including one on a key fourth down late in the game.

Jaguars coach Liam Coen was asked about Thomas’ effort after the game, and specifically whether he believed the second-year receiver was ‘shying away from some contact.’

‘I gotta go watch it and just go figure out what that was all about and what it looked like,’ Coen responded. ‘Yeah, I got to go take a look at that.’

Coen’s comment is far from a condemnation of Thomas. But certainly, it seems like the first-year coach was frustrated with his talented, young playmaker – and Jacksonville’s offense, in general – after the team’s loss to the Bengals.

Thomas was a star for the Jaguars as rookie, generating 87 receptions for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns in his first season. Thus far in 2025, he has just five catches for 60 yards, putting him on pace for 42.5 catches and 510 yards over a 17-game season.

Thomas will look to post a better line, and avoid drops, in Week 3, when the Jaguars host the Houston Texans in a battle of AFC South rivals.