Former Syracuse women’s basketball star Tiana Mangakahia has died after a fight with cancer, her family announced on social media.

Mangakahia was 30.

‘Tiana was a shining light who touched the lives of everyone she met with her kindness, strength, and warmth. She fought right till the very end, showing courage and grace beyond words,’ the family wrote. ‘Though our hearts ache without her, her legacy and the love she gave will stay with us forever.

Mangakahia, originally from Australia, transferred to Syracuse in 2017 after spending two years at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas and led the nation in assists, earning first-team All-ACC honors.

Before her senior season at Syracuse, she was diagnosed with cancer and underwent chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, and reconstructive surgery. She sat out the 2019 season, but returned to the Orange in 2020 and averaged 11.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 7.3 assists, and 1.5 steals per game.

After graduating, she played in Russia and Australia, including the Women’s National Basketball League in her native country, but retired from the sport after the cancer returned in 2023.

‘The WNBL is deeply saddened by the passing of athlete Tiana Mangakahia, who has died at the age of 30 after a courageous battle with breast cancer. ‍Tiana’s basketball journey was defined by resilience, determination, and an unwavering love for the game,’ the WNBL said in a statement.

Last week, Mangakahia posted on social media that her health had taken ‘a negative turn’ and was ‘experiencing significant physical decline.’

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The 2025 WNBA regular season is in the books.

The highly-anticipated 2025 WNBA playoffs have arrived and the first-round matchups are officially locked in. It came down to the final game of the season to determine the seedings and matchups.

Will the defending champion New York Liberty repeat, following in the footsteps of the back-to-back champion Las Vegas Aces in 2022-23? Can the Minnesota Lynx claim the title they say was stolen from them in 2024 for their first since 2017? Or will the Atlanta Dream or Golden State Valkyries hoist the WNBA championship trophy for the first time in franchise history?

The journey to the title starts Sunday. Here’s a look at the first round of the 2025 WNBA playoffs (all best-of-three series), including projected starting lineups, head-to-head records and X-factors for each matchup:

No. 1 Minnesota Lynx (34-10) vs. No. 8 Golden State Valkyries (23-21)

Minnesota won the regular-season series vs. Golden State, 4-0.

Minnesota Lynx starting lineup

Head coach: Cheryl Reeve

6 Bridget Carleton | F 6′ 2′ – Iowa State
8 Alanna Smith | F 6′ 4′ – Stanford
10 Courtney Williams | G 5′ 8′ – South Florida
21 Kayla McBride | G 5′ 11′ – Notre Dame
24 Napheesa Collier | F 6′ 1′ – UConn

Golden State Valkyries starting lineup

6 Kaila Charles | G 6′ 1′ – Maryland
12 Iliana Rupert | C 6′ 4′ – France
13 Janelle Salaun | F 6′ 2′ – France
14 Temi Fagbenle | C 6′ 4′ – USC
22 Veronica Burton | G 5′ 9′ – Northwestern

Why Minnesota Lynx could win

The Lynx have been on a mission this season coming off a controversial 2024 WNBA Finals loss to the Liberty. Minnesota not only has best the record in the league with a franchise-best 34 wins, the Lynx are in sole possession of the top-ranked offense and defense this season. Eight teams in WNBA history have accomplished both in the same season and seven went on to win a title. Napheesa Collier’s leadership has been paramount to the Lynx and her efforts landed her in the MVP conversation as she’s averaging career-highs in points (23), field-goal percentage (52.6%) and blocks (1.6). She ranks in the top 10 in points, field-goal percentage, rebounds, blocks and steals per game. The Lynx scored the highest amount of points (86.4 per game) and have held opponents to the third-lowest (77.2 ppg) this season.

Why Golden State Valkyries could win

Golden State became the first expansion team in WNBA history to make the playoffs in its inaugural season and set an all-time WNBA attendance record, selling out all 22 regular-season home games at Chase Center. Can the Valkyries take their record-breaking season a step further and secure their first playoff win or title? Golden State won’t be at full strength following a string of injuries, but the Valkyries haven’t lost their gritty nature that makes it hard for any team to score. Golden State, which has the fourth-best defensive rating, is holding opponents to the fewest overall points (76.4), the fewest points in the paint (28.8) and the lowest field-goal percentage (40.4%) in the league this season.

X-factor: Lynx at Target Center

Target Center has been a huge X-factor for the Lynx. Minnesota began the season on a 14-game home winning streak and finished with a league-best 20-2 record in Minneapolis. (Only the Dream and Storm have defeated the Lynx at home.) That’s why it was important for the Lynx to lock in the No. 1 overall seed to secure home-court advantage for the duration of the postseason. If the Lynx are able to handle business at home (like they’ve done all season), expect lots of post-victory ‘electric slide’ celebratory dances.

Lynx vs. Valkyries schedule

Game 1: Valkyries at Lynx 1 p.m. ET Sunday (ESPN)
Game 2: Lynx at Valkyries, 10 p.m. ET Wednesday (ESPN)
Game 3: Valkyries at Lynx TBD Friday (ESPN2)

No. 2 Las Vegas Aces (30-14) vs. No. 7 Seattle Storm (23-21)

Las Vegas and Seattle tied in the season series, 2-2.

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

Seattle Storm starting lineup

Head coach: Noelle Quinn

3 Nneka Ogwumike | F 6′ 2′ – Stanford
4 Skylar Diggins | G 5′ 9′ – Notre Dame
5 Gabby Williams | F 5′ 11′ – UConn
13 Ezi Magbegor | F 6′ 4′ – Australia
20 Brittney Sykes | G 5′ 9′ – Syracuse

Why Las Vegas Aces could win

No team is hotter than Las Vegas. After stumbling to a 5-7 start to the season, the 2022 and 2023 WNBA champions rebounded in epic fashion and closed the regular season on a 16-game win streak, marking the longest in franchise history. The Aces show no signs of cooling down, especially with MVP front-runner A’ja Wilson leading the league in points per game (23.4) and blocks (2.3) per game.

Why Seattle Storm could win

The Storm haven’t made things easy on themselves this season — as the last team to clinch a playoff spot following a dreadful stretch, which included a six-game losing streak — but you can never count out their formidable defense. Seattle leads the league in steals (8.5 per game) and blocks (5.1), with Gabby Williams leading the league in total steals (99) and Ezi Magbegor (96) leading in total blocks. Fourteen-year veteran Nneka Ogwumike has turned in yet another efficient season, averaging 18.3 points (ninth-best in the league) while shooting 51.9% from the field.

X-factor: Jewell Loyd hitting her stride

Six-time All-Star Jewell Loyd got off to a slow start this season, averaging 11 points at the WNBA All-Star break, marking her lowest output since her rookie campaign in 2015. Aces head coach Becky Hammon decided to move Loyd to the bench, which she was on board with and benefitted from. Loyd exploded for seven of the Aces’ 22 3-pointers in a blowout win over the Los Angeles Sparks on Thursday to lock in the No. 2 seed. Look out if Loyd continues to play like this.

Aces vs. Storm schedule

Game 1: Storm at Aces, 10 p.m. ET Sunday (ESPN)
Game 2: Aces at Storm, 9:30 ET Tuesday (ESPN)
Game 3: Storm at Aces, TBD Thursday (ESPN2)

No. 3 Atlanta Dream (30-14) vs. No. 6 Indiana Fever (24-20)

Atlanta and Indiana tied the season series, 2-2.

Atlanta Dream starting lineup

Head coach: Karl Smesko

00 Naz Hillmon | F 6′ 2′ – Michigan
3 Jordin Canada | G 5′ 6′ – UCLA
10 Rhyne Howard | G 6′ 2′ – Kentucky
15 Allisha Gray | G 6′ 0′ – South Carolina
24 Brionna Jones | F 6′ 3′ – Maryland

Indiana Fever starting lineup

Head coach: Stephanie White

0 Kelsey Mitchell | G 5′ 8′ – Ohio State
1 Odyssey Sims | G 5′ 8′ – Baylor
6 Natasha Howard | F 6′ 3′ – Florida State
7 Aliyah Boston | C 6′ 5′ – South Carolina
10 Lexie Hull | G 6′ 1′ – Stanford

Why Atlanta Dream could win

The Atlanta Dream recorded a franchise-high 30 wins this season, doubling their win total from last season, and their success is due to the ability to dominate both sides of the ball with the second-best offensive (108.2) and defensive (99.2) rating in the league. Not only does Atlanta have the most rebounds (36.6 per game) this season, it’s holding opponents to the second-fewest points per game (76.8). Guard Allisha Gray is also averaging a career-high 18.4 points and guard Rhyne Howard became the ninth player in WNBA history to record 100-plus 3-pointers in a season.

Why the Indiana Fever could win

If this season has taught us anything, it’s that the Fever are resilient. The Fever have had a carousel of players this year after losing five (!) for the season due to injuries, none greater than the loss of guard Caitlin Clark, who played in 13 games this year. Indiana may be down, but it’s not out. The Fever closed the regular season on a three-game win streak, including an impressive 83-72 win over the league-leading Lynx on Sept. 9. (To be fair, Minnesota was without Napheesa Collier.) Indiana is averaging 84.9 points per game (third-best in the league) behind Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston.

X-factor: Brittney Griner off the bench

Atlanta coach of the Year candidate Karl Smesko recently moved veteran center Brittney Griner to the bench for the first time in her career, a risky move that has paid off. Atlanta’s bench has only averaged 19.2 points per game, fourth-worst in the league, but Griner’s addition has added another dimension to the Dream’s bench. Griner had 17 points and four blocks off the bench in the Dream’s regular-season finale win over the Connecticut Sun.

Dream vs. Fever schedule

Game 1: Fever at Mercury, 3 p.m. ET Sunday (ABC)
Game 2: Mercury at Fever, 7:30 p.m. ET Tuesday (ESPN)
Game 3: Fever at Mercury, TBD Thursday (ESPN2)

No. 4 Phoenix Mercury (27-17) vs. No. 5 New York Liberty (27-17)

Phoenix won the regular-season series vs. New York, 3-1.

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

New York Liberty starting lineup

Head coach: Sandy Brondello

9 Natasha Cloud | G 5′ 10′ – St. Joseph’s
13 Leonie Fiebich | F 6′ 4′ – Germany
20 Sabrina Ionescu | G 5′ 11′ – Oregon
30 Breanna Stewart | F 6′ 4′ – UConn
35 Jonquel Jones | C 6′ 6′ – George Washington

Why Phoenix Mercury could win

The Mercury’s depth is its superpower. Phoenix leads the league in bench points per game (24.9), with the second unit being led by the likes of Sami Whitcomb and DeWanna Bonner — who was part of the Mercury’s 2014 championship team that was coached by Brondello. Any player can go off and the Mercury thrive when sharing the ball — the Mercury are 13-0 when at least five Mercury players score in double figures. Don’t forget about the Mercury’s defensive prowess. They have the third-best defensive rating (99.9) in the league, the team’s best since 2019.

Why New York Liberty could win

The New York Liberty’s title defense hasn’t gone as scripted, as a series of injuries has forced New York to field 10 different starting lineups. The Liberty’s Big 3 of Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones and Sabrina Ionescu have played 15 games together this season, going 12-2 during that span. The championship core is back to healthy heading into the playoffs. Experience is on their side. The Liberty returned six players from their championship team, while 34.9% of the Mercury’s minutes have been played by rookies. The addition of former WNBA Finals MVP Emma Meesseman has yielded instant dividends, as she’s averaging 13.4 points and 5.1 rebounds in 12 games in New York.

X-factor: Mercury’s 3-point shooting

The Mercury have a significant advantage when their 3-point shot is falling. Phoenix is 12-1 this season when shooting 40% or better from the 3-point line and have recorded a league-leading four games with 15 or more 3-pointers, including 18 made 3-pointers in a win over the Liberty on June 27. The Mercury should feel right at home at PHX Arena after securing home-court advantage and get a boost from the home crowd. Their devoted fanbase is called the X-factor, after all.

Mercury vs. Liberty schedule

Game 1: Liberty at Mercury, 2 p.m. ET Sunday (ESPN)
Game 2: Mercury at Liberty, 8 p.m. ET Wednesday (ESPN)
Game 3: Liberty at Mercury, TBD Friday (ESPN2)

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The Washington Commanders’ offense struggled in a 27-18 loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Quarterback Jayden Daniels faced constant pressure, particularly from Packers edge rusher Micah Parsons.
Washington’s offense posted its lowest total yardage and yards per play since Daniels became the starter.
Quarterback Jayden Daniels and the offense posted their lowest yardage total since he became the starter.
Packers edge rusher Micah Parsons generated eight pressures, consistently disrupting Washington’s plays.
The Commanders also suffered several key injuries, including to running back Austin Ekeler.

The last offensive play of the Washington Commanders’ 27-18 defeat at the hands of the Green Bay Packers was an encapsulation of how the game went for the unit led by second-year quarterback Jayden Daniels. 

Packers edge rusher Micah Parsons, already looking at home in Green Bay, beat Commanders left tackle Laremy Tunsil, then dispatched of left guard Brandon Coleman and made a beeline for Daniels, who once again had to throw early in an effort of self-preservation. 

No separation, no time, no chance. 

During the week, Washington coach Dan Quinn said there were plays in a 21-6 Week 1 victory over the ghastly New York Giants that were “close.” 

“Those are the ones that you don’t get second chances in our game, but it shows that we need the timing, we need the execution,” Quinn said. “And that kind of speaks to September football a little bit.” 

Washington managed 15 first downs – two by penalty. The fewest for the Commanders last year, during Daniel’s magical rookie season in which his team made the NFC Championship Game and he won Offensive Rookie of the Year, was 18 (twice). 

The rest of the stats paint a worse picture for the Commanders. The 251 total yards of offense was the worst since Daniels became the starter and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury was hired by Quinn. 

Parsons, per Next Gen Stats, had eight pressures (despite just 0.5 sacks), with six of those coming in the second half. Washington could not run the ball, with 51 rushing yards between three ballcarriers (Daniels led the team with seven carries). Daniels finished 24-for-42 with 200 passing yards. That none of his seven scrambles (17 rushing yards) resulted in a first down was a grave error. 

The 3.5 yards per play was the lowest mark for the Commanders in Daniels’ young career. Washington was 5-for-16 on third down. According to NextGen Stats, the Commanders had two explosive plays (65 total) for a 3.1% explosive play rate, which would have been the lowest explosive play rate in a single game all of last season. NFL numbers guy Warren Sharp noted that the Packers blitzed Daniels 12 times, with two sacks, and he completed three passes on those plays. 

Kingsbury’s calls lacked much flair for most of the night. Too often Daniels’ best option on third-and-medium or worse was a back shoulder throw to a receiver down the sideline. And too often that throw wound up low and away and fell incomplete. 

Of course, when the kicker (Matt Gay) misses two field goals (both from 50-plus yards), it’s going to make the offense look worse.

To put lipstick on the final score margin, the Commanders scored the game’s last touchdown with 2:53 left in the game. Daniels still displayed his elite playmaking ability as a pair of Packers had free rushes at him. He still hung in there to find Samuel for a score and extended the two-point conversion in the pocket to hit Luke McCaffrey. 

The brutality extended to the Commanders’ injury report. Running back Austin Ekeler was carted off with an Achilles injury late in the fourth quarter. Prior to that, tight end John Bates – one of the team’s better blockers – exited with a groin injury, the same body part that caused wide receiver Noah Brown to leave as well. Deatrich Wise, a defensive end, was carted off in the first half with a groin injury.  

Wide receiver Deebo Samuel said the injuries were deflating.

‘That kind of takes the fight out of you, a little bit,’ Samuel said, according to the Washington Post. ‘You know all the work they put in, all summer long. Just to see them go down, it kind of hurt. But that’s the nature of this game.’

Joey Aguilar replaced Nico Iamaleava, who left Tennessee for UCLA in a rare college football ‘pseudo-trade.’
Aguilar has impressed in his first two games with the Volunteers, rallying the fan base behind him.
Aguilar faces his biggest test yet against No. 3 Georgia, a team Tennessee has not beaten since 2016.

Trades don’t happen in college football. But there was effectively one when Nico Iamaleva left Tennessee for UCLA, resulting in then-incoming Bruins quarterback Joey Aguilar departing to take over Iamaleava’s spot with the Volunteers.

Like trades that happens in the professional ranks, there’s are winners and losers in player movement similar to this. They can become evident immediately or takes time.

There’s only been two weeks of play this season, but in the eyes of those that proudly belt “Rocky Top,” the decision has become crystal clear: they are much better off than they were before, standing strong behind their quarterback after an impressive start sporting the Power T on his helmet. 

Now, with No. 3 Georgia coming into Neyland Stadium to open SEC play, Aguilar has the chance to prove he can be the guy to guide them back to the College Football Playoff.

Joey Aguilar’s fast start at Tennessee

While Tennessee fans were done with Iamaleava the moment he went back to California, there was uncertainty surrounding Aguilar. He had experience, spending two years at junior college before starting 25 games at Appalachian State. In two seasons with the Mountaineers, he threw for 6,760 yards and 56 touchdowns, breaking school records and hovering around the top of several statistical categories.

But life is vastly different in the SEC. Aguilar came to Knoxville knowing there were big shoes to fill. The job wasn’t handed to him either, he had to earn it – and display why he should retain it.

Aguilar made a quick impression in the second quarter of the season opener against Syracuse. On a play action, Aguilar launched a ball over 50 yards in the air and placed it perfectly in the hands of Braylon Staley, who ran it in the endzone for a 73-yard score. 

It was the first of three touchdowns Aguilar threw in his Tennessee debut, finishing the day 16-for-28 with 247 yards in the 45-26 win over the Orange that had the Volunteers feeling optimistic about 2025.

“Man, truly, honestly it’s a blessing to have a quarterback like that in the room,” Staley said after the game. “He’s a leader. He’s out there confident.”

The solid start set Aguilar up for a special debut in Neyland Stadium. With his mom and grandmother emotional in the stands, he put up another strong effort with 288 yards and two touchdowns on 23-of-31, all in the first half of the 72-17 rout of East Tennessee State. 

In just six quarters, Aguilar has thrown for 535 with five touchdowns and no interceptions. His play is largely why the Volunteers are fourth in scoring offense (58.5) and second in total offense (605) per game in the Bowl Subdivision.

“He was difficult to defend. There’s no doubt about it,” East Tennessee State coach Will Healy said.

The immediate success has made “Joey Football” a hero in Knoxville.

It helps having Josh Heupel as his coach, who has become a quarterback guru in the college ranks, coaching Sam Bradford, Drew Lock and Dillion Gabriel before landing in Knoxville. Aguilar is also Huepel’s fourth different signal-caller in the past four years.

“You look at a guy that’s come in, three and a half months, whatever it might be. To be able to learn, grasp and play the way he did, it’s a testament to his work,” Heupel said after the Syracuse win.

As if Aguilar’s play couldn’t have made life great for big orange fans, it’s been sweeter considering how Iamaleava’s time at UCLA has started. Iamaleava has struggled in two losses with the Bruins, throwing for just 391 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, including one that ended the chance of a comeback against UNLV.

Joey Aguilar faces biggest test in Georgia

It’s been all fun, but it must be noted Aguilar’s first two games came against two of Tennessee’s easiest opponents.

The honeymoon phase will certainly be tested against Georgia, entering another chapter of a rivalry that hasn’t really been one lately. Huepel is 0-4 against Kirby Smart, and the Bulldogs have won eight in a row against Tennessee. During the streak, the Bulldogs have won by an average of 24.9, with each victory by at least two touchdowns. 

Aguilar did face Power Four teams at Appalachian State. He threw for 275 yards with two touchdowns and an interception in an overtime loss to North Carolina in 2023. Last season, he struggled out of the gate in a blowout loss to Clemson.

Those games against the Tar Heels and Tigers were some of his most inconsistent; they were two of the three games in his FBS career when his completion percentage was less than 52%, including a career-low 43.9% against Clemson.

But with Tennessee and its weapons, he’ll be in better position to play on equal footing.

‘He’s playing really efficiently. He’s got great arm talent. He’s a really good athlete,’ Smart said. ‘He’s been very, very impressive in the two games he played.’

It’s impossible to know how Tennessee and UCLA would have fared without the movement of Iamaleava and Aguilar after spring practice. But with a win against the Bulldogs, Aguilar can continue to have Tennessee thinking about a return to the playoff.

“My transfer from App State to UCLA to now is just another chapter in my life,” Aguilar said. “Coming out here and representing the Big T, GBO, just grateful.”

The Philadelphia Eagles entered the 2025 NFL season as the clear-cut favorites to represent the NFC in Super Bowl 60.

Just two weeks into the season, the Green Bay Packers have announced themselves as the top challenger to the reigning NFC champions.

The Packers dominated the Washington Commanders 27-18 in Week 2’s ‘Thursday Night Football’ matchup. The game wasn’t quite as close as the score might have indicated, as Green Bay outgained Washington 404-230 during the contest and saw Jordan Love (19-of-31 passing, 292 yards, two TDs) outplay Jayden Daniels (24-of-42 passing, 200 yards, two TDs).

The Packers’ rise as a legitimate challenger comes after they spent most of the offseason flying under the radar. They were able to do so by virtue of being the most mundane team in the NFC North, as the Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings all underwent seismic shifts with their coaching staffs (Chicago and Detroit) or quarterback rooms (Minnesota).

But once the Packers – who have made the NFL playoffs in back-to-back seasons as the No. 7 seed – traded for Micah Parsons, their outlook changed. They went from having a good-looking defense to a potentially great one.

How Micah Parsons has helped make Packers defense elite

Through two weeks, the Packers have looked every bit the part of an elite defense. Second-year defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley has the unit playing at a high level, and the reason for their success was evident in the team’s win over the Commanders.

The Packers faced a Commanders team led by Daniels, one of the league’s top dual-threat quarterbacks. Throughout the evening, Green Bay’s defense was able to contain the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year, rarely allowing him to make big plays with his legs and limiting his ability to complete long, downfield passes. As a result, the Commanders totaled just 230 yards of offense, their fewest ever in a game started by Daniels.

How did Green Bay do it? Hafley’s defense routinely disguised its coverages to keep Daniels off balance. That forced the quarterback to check the ball down often, which was also a staple of the Packers’ success in their Week 1 matchup with the Detroit Lions. They forced Jared Goff to work more horizontally than vertically with their defensive looks, which limited his average depth of target (ADOT) to a league-low 4.29 yards.

Of course, part of the reason this strategy worked is because the Packers were able to routinely generate pressure with just four rushers. That allowed the team to drop seven into coverage, which crowded the field and made it harder for each quarterback to generate downfield completions.

Parsons is playing a significant role in leveling up Green Bay’s ability to generate pressure with four men. His versatility and quickness off the snap were both on display often as he wreaked havoc against the Commanders.

That consistent pressure is a big part of why the Packers have allowed an average of 15.5 points per game through two games. More impressively, they haven’t allowed a single touchdown in the first three quarters of either contest. All three of the touchdowns they have surrendered have come in the fourth quarter when the team has had a two-score lead.

Eventually, the Packers may run into a team against which the four-man rush and shell coverage isn’t as successful. Still, the Lions and Commanders are no pushovers. Detroit was the NFC’s No. 1 seed last year while Washington beat the Lions to reach the NFC championship game. And each sported a top-four offense in EPA per play.

So, considering the Packers are achieving these results against high-end offenses with Parsons playing a limited role as he works into shape after battling a back injury, Green Bay has to be happy with where its defense is at.

Jordan Love playing at high level gives Packers excellent balance

The Packers spent the 2024 NFL season hoping Love would take the next step after his torrid finish to the 2023 campaign. That never happened as he battled a knee injury that impacted him throughout the season.

Love appears to be making that leap in the 2025 season. The 26-year-old has gotten off to a strong start, looking comfortable as a passer and performing efficiently in each of Green Bay’s wins.

Love looked particularly comfortable against Washington. He read the field well throughout the evening and was largely able to deliver his passes accurately. He did have a couple of overthrows on deep passes that could have gone for big gains, but he didn’t have any critical mistakes, remaining turnover-free for a second consecutive game.

The most impressive part of Love’s performance against the Commanders was that he thrived without one of his top targets, Jayden Reed, available for most of the game. The team’s leading receiver from 2024 suffered a shoulder injury in the first quarter and did not return to action.

Love’s progression should strike some fear into Green Bay’s NFC counterparts. He is already elevating the weapons around him without Reed and Christian Watson (torn ACL) available and is also showing a willingness to take chances downfield. He logged the NFL’s second-highest ADOT among quarterbacks in Week 1 (11.5).

How will Love do when Reed returns, or after he develops more chemistry with rookie first-round speedster Matthew Golden? The sky is the limit for the young quarterback.

Add in Green Bay’s strong, Josh Jacobs-helmed running game and its elite defense and the Packers look like one of the best-balanced teams in the NFL.

That should be enough to make the Eagles sweat as they watch their previously unquestioned stranglehold on the NFC begin to diminish.

It’s a big fight with an even bigger paycheck.

Canelo Alvarez is guaranteed to make more than $100 million to fight Terence Crawford on Saturday, Sept. 13, said Turki Alalshikh, the Saudi matchmaker and deal broker who has led his country’s massive investment in boxing.

One of the biggest deals Alalshikh made is a three-fight deal with Alvarez. And on Sept. 11, during the final press conference before the two boxers face off, he responded when asked if he would become the first person to guarantee a Mexican athlete $100 million.

“No, you get the number wrong,’’ said Alalshikh, Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority. “… More than that.’’

Alalshikh, often referred to as “His Excellency,’’ offered no other details. But this fight will mark the second of the three-fight contract with Alvarez coming off his lackluster victory over William Scull by unanimous decision.

Alalshikh has been credited with putting together the fight between Alvarez and Crawford – two of the best fighters of their generation – and it will be live-streamed by Netflix. He also has brought in UFC CEO Dana White as a business partner.

“When Sheik Turki asked me to be a part of this thing, there’s absolutely no way you wouldn’t do it,’’ White said. “… It’s going to be an incredible fight on Saturday night and I’m honored to be here.’’

Terence Crawford seeks to quiet doubters

Crawford used the press conference as an opportunity to air his grievances, largely about failing to get the credit he thinks he deserves from the boxing world. He said people have taken issue with the quality of boxers he’s fought while going 41-0.

“And for what everybody say, I haven’t fought anybody,’’ Crawford said. “So come Saturday we’re going to all see.’’

That’s been a theme of the pre-fight buildup, Crawford saying he’s been disrespected while winning world titles in four weight classes. A victory over Alvarez (63-2-2, 39 KOs) would end the doubt about Crawford’s greatness, the boxer from Omaha, Nebraska, said.

“It’s been a long time coming, it’s been long overdue,’’ Crawford said, “and come Saturday I’m going to show the world what they’ve been missing out on.’’

Exuding confidence, Crawford said he thought he could beat Alvarez not only in boxing, but anything else.

“The only thing he probably can beat me in is horseback riding because I don’t ride horses,’’ Crawford said. “But anything else you don’t come close.’’

Not surprisingly, Crawford elicited boos from the pro-Alvarez crowd – and it brought a smile to his face.

Canelo Alvarez faces drought

Alvarez made no promises about ending his knockout drought. His last one came eight fights ago, when he beat Caleb Plant by ninth-round TKO in 2021.

“If the knockout come, good,’’ Alvarez said. “If not, I’m going to show why I’m the best.’’

Whereas Crawford griped about his doubters and agitated Alvarez supporters, Alvarez embraced the role of grateful champion.

“This fight for me is big,’’ he said. “It’s one of the biggest fights in my career.’’

But some people already are looking ahead.

One reporter asked Alvarez if, before the boxer’s career ends, he would fight David Benavidez, the WBA world light heavyweight champion. Alvarez has sidestepped that matchup, which likely would test Alvarez.

“Look, I never say no to anything,’’ he said. “We’ll see later, but I’m focused 100% on this fight.’’

This story has been updated with new information.