The United Nations might be the only place that has more flags than an NFL game in 2025.

Fans, players and coaches know the drill. Every big play, highlight reel moment and game-changing turnover come with the same default response – a visual scan of the field looking for a yellow flag. It has become something that announcers weave into their calls.

ESPN’s Joe Buck can often be heard saying, ‘No flags,’ or ‘I don’t see any flags,’ in those moments. On Monday night in Denver, it was Buck’s partner, Dallas Cowboys Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman, that stole the headlines.

‘The product’s not very good,’ Aikman said after a flag in the third quarter. ‘I’m gonna be honest. It’s not very good. I mean, this is ridiculous.’

It was the 22nd penalty of the night and the 15th accepted during the Denver Broncos game against the Cincinnati Bengals contest on ‘Monday Night Football.’

There was still 7:10 left in the third quarter at the time.

Aikman’s frustration was spurred on by a penalty called on Denver’s Alex Palczewski. The offensive lineman was flagged for a blindside block moments before – a call that ESPN rules analyst Russell Yurk agreed with. Aikman, however, seemingly had enough.

‘I’m not gonna keep my mouth shut,’ Aikman said of the penalty after it was announced by referee Alex Moore. ‘That’s a good call. Just not a necessary call. No opportunity to try and make a play.

‘Nothing brings a broadcast to a screeching halt more than these yellow flags,’ Aikman continued after taking a break for a play – an assessment that Yurk also agreed with.

Football fans were treated to a ‘Monday Night Football’ doubleheader in Week 4, with the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins playing in the other game. The officiating crew, led by Craig Wrolstad, was also a topic of discussion in South Beach.

‘That’s gotta be a flag,’ ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky said following a late hit on the Jets’ Jeremy Ruckert in the fourth quarter. ‘I mean, you can’t miss this. That’s two tonight that are obvious against the Jets that they just haven’t thrown.’

Earlier in the contest, the Jets had a touchdown wiped off the board for a pass interference call against Garrett Wilson that has since drawn the ire of social media.

‘I watch football and they don’t call that, but I’ll make sure I don’t do it again and leave no doubt,’ Wilson told reporters after the game.

“I’m personally frustrated because I feel like me personally, us not winning, I watch football all the time and I just feel like, I don’t know if this is wrong to say, but I think I get called for more stuff just based off us just not winning,” Gardner said after the game. “I watch these winning programs and there’s some egregious things and it don’t get called, letting the players play. I got called on something today, and I’m just supposed to let him push off on the top of the route?”

Referees have always been a topic of discussion in the NFL, but it has become increasingly heated in recent years with rule changes and gambling taking centerstage.

It begs the question – have the number of flags per game actually increased or does it just feel like it?

Are NFL referees throwing more flags this season?

According to NFL Penalties, the 2025 regular season is seeing an average of 17.4 total flags per game with 1,116 – including offsetting and declined – in just 64 games.

It’s the highest total per game in the regular season since the site started tracking flags in 2009.

2025: 17.4
2024: 15.25
2023: 13.6
2022: 13.2
2021: 13.9
2020: 13.1
2019: 16.2
2018: 15.9
2017: 15.8
2016: 15.8
2015: 16.3
2014: 15.9
2013: 13.7
2012: 14.4
2011: 14.8
2010: 14.0
2009: 13.9

Stephen Curry is entering his 17th season with the Golden State Warriors, but suddenly he could soon be experiencing a first: playing with his brother.

Veteran Seth Curry is signing a one-year deal with the Warriors, per ESPN. It’s been a busy Tuesday for the Warriors, who earlier reached agreement on a deal with Jonathan Kuminga.

Seth Curry, 35, has suited up for nine teams over 11 NBA seasons. He spent last season with the Charlotte Hornets, where he averaged 6.5 points in 15.6 minutes per game over 68 contests (14 starts). He led the league in 3-point field goal percentage – perhaps surprisingly something Stephen Curry, 37, has never done – hitting 45.6% of his shots from beyond the arc.

For his career, Seth Curry is averaging 10 points, 2 rebounds and 1.9 assists per contest.

ESPN said the brothers could be sharing the court as soon as Wednesday’s practice.

Collier said Engelbert has not reached out since the runner-up for MVP was injured in Game 3 of the semifinals.
Engelbert said: Caitlin Clark should be grateful to make $16 million off the court because without the WNBA, she wouldn’t make anything.
Engelbert also said players should be on their knees thanking their lucky stars for the media rights deal that she got them.

Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier is calling out WNBA leadership.

In her end of season media availability on Tuesday following the Lynx’s 86-81 Game 4 semifinal loss to the Phoenix Mercury on Sunday, Collier openly criticized WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert and the ‘tone-deaf and dismissive approach that our leaders always seem to take’ in governing the league.

‘We have the best players in the world, we have the best fans in the world, but right now we have the worst leadership in the world,’ Collier said in a prepared statement on Tuesday. ‘The real threat to our league isn’t money, it isn’t ratings or even missed calls or even physical play. It’s the lack of accountability from the league office.’

Collier’s comments come two days after the Lynx were eliminated from the WNBA playoffs by the Mercury in Game 4 of the semifinals, an elimination game Minnesota played without Collier, who suffered a left ankle injury in Game 3, and head coach Cheryl Reeve, who served a one-game suspension for blasting ‘awful’ officiating after and for her conduct following her ejection in Game 3.

GAME 4: Phoenix Mercury eliminate Minnesota Lynx, advance to WNBA Finals

Collier said she fully expects to be fined for her remarks. ‘It seems like anything with free speech will be fined now,’ she said, alluding to a string of fines levied in the postseason alone. Reeve was reportedly fined $15K for her Game 3 remarks and behavior, while Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon and Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White were each fined $1K for their public support of Reeve.

‘Our leadership’s answer to being held accountable is to suppress everyone’s voices by handing out fines,’ Collier said. ‘I’m not concerned about a fine, I’m concerned about the future of our sport

‘Fans see it every night, coaches both winning and losing, pointed out every night in pregame and postgame media. Yet leadership just issues fines and looks the other way.’

USA TODAY Sports reached out to the WNBA for comment and received this statement for Engelbert.

“I have the utmost respect for Napheesa Collier and for all the players in the WNBA. Together we have all worked tirelessly to transform this league. My focus remains on ensuring a bright future for the players and the WNBA, including collaborating on how we continue to elevate the game.  I am disheartened by how Napheesa characterized our conversations and league leadership, but even when our perspectives differ, my commitment to the players and to this work will not waver.”

Napheesa Collier: The WNBA ‘doesn’t value us’

Collier, who currently serves as the WNBPA vice president, said she decided to publicly air her grievances after repeated concerns she voiced directly to Engelbert went ignored.

‘I finally grown tired. For far too long, I have tried to have these conversations in private, but it’s clear there is no intention of accepting there’s a problem,’ Collier said. ‘The league has made it clear it isn’t about innovation, it isn’t about collaboration, it’s about control and power.’

Collier recalled a specific conversation she had with Engelbert about WNBA officiating back in February during the inaugural season of Unrivaled, the 3-on-3 league co-founded by Collier and Breanna Stewart.

‘I sat across from Cathy (Engelbert) and asked how she planned to address the officiating issues in our league. Her response was, ‘Well, only the losers complained about the refs,” Collier said.

Collier said Engelbert also had a cavalier attitude toward the ongoing CBA negotiations and player salary, noting, ‘We go to battle every day to protect a shield that doesn’t value us.’

‘I also asked how she planned to fix the fact that players like Caitlin (Clark), Angel (Reese) and Paige (Bueckers), who are clearly driving massive revenue for the league, are making so little for their first four years. Her response was, ‘Caitlin (Clark) should be grateful to make $16 million off the court, because without the platform that the WNBA gives her, she wouldn’t make anything.”

Collier continued: ‘In that same conversation she told me players should be on their knees thanking their lucky stars for the media rights deal that I got them. That’s mentality driving our league from the top … The league believes it succeeds despite its players, not because of them.’ 

Napheesa Collier: WNBA leaders are ‘tone-deaf, dismissive’

Collier revealed Engelbert hasn’t reached out to her this year, including after she suffered a left ankle injury in the chaotic closing minutes of the Lynx’s Game 3 loss to the Mercury, further highlighting the divide between league leadership and its players.

‘I have the privilege of watching my husband (Alex Bazzell) run (Unrivaled) where he has to balance a hundred different things at once. I won’t pretend the job is easy, but even with all of that on his plate, he always takes the time to reach out to players when he sees an injury, whether it’s Unrivaled or even during the WNBA season,’ Collier said, referring to Bazzell, who serves as the president of Unrivaled.

‘That is what leadership looks like,’ she continued. ‘It’s the human element, it’s basic integrity and it’s the bare minimum any leader should embody. This year alone, I’ve gotten calls, texts, and well wishes from so many players across the league. Those moments remind me that sometimes there are things bigger than the results than this game we play.’

‘But do you know who I haven’t heard from? Cathy (Engelbert). Not one call, not one text. Instead, the only outreach has come from her No. 2 two telling my agent that she doesn’t believe physical play is contributing to injuries. That is infuriating and it’s the perfect example of the tone-deaf, dismissive approach that our leaders always seem to take,’ Collier added.

Collier said she suffered a ‘couple torn ligaments’ and a ‘torn shin muscle’ in her left ankle and wouldn’t have been available to play if the Lynx did push a decisive Game 5 against the Mercury. Collier made it clear, however, that her statement was not about winning or losing, it was about ‘something much bigger.’

‘Since I’ve been in the league, you’ve heard the constant concerns about officiating and it has now reached levels of inconsistency that plagues our sport and undermining integrity in which it operates,’ she said. ‘Whether the league cares about the health of the players is one thing, but to also not care about the product we put on the floor is truly self-sabotage. Year after year, the only thing that remains consistent is a lack of accountability from our leaders.’

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Sanders suggested the chants came from young, intoxicated fans and were not representative of the university.
The Big 12 Conference fined Colorado $50,000 for the hateful and discriminatory language.
The incidents occurred at Colorado’s 24-21 home loss to Brigham Young University.

Colorado football coach Deion Sanders issued an apology Tuesday to Brigham Young University for the profane anti-Mormon chants during last week’s game in Boulder and said they probably came from “young kids” who were probably “intoxicated and high simultaneously.”

The chants also drew a public reprimand and $50,000 fine Tuesday from the Big 12 Conference.

Sanders made the comments at his weekly news conference in Boulder after his team lost to BYU 24-21. Colorado officials on Sunday condemned the chants that came from the stands at Folsom Field Saturday, which included a chant that said, “(Expletive) the Mormons.”

After the game late Saturday, Sanders wasn’t aware of any chants. He commented on them for the first time Tuesday.

“On behalf of CU, on behalf of our athletic department, we would like to apologize to our opponents from a week ago for whatever derogatory statements were made by our fans,” Sanders said. “That’s not indicative of who we are. Our student body, our kids are phenomenal. So don’t indict us just based on a group of young kids that probably was intoxicated and high simultaneously. Maybe I shouldn’t have said that as well. But the truth gonna make you free. But BYU, we love you, we appreciate you, and we support you. God bless.”

The Big 12 issued a statement from commissioner Brett Yormark announcing the fine.

‘Hateful and discriminatory language has no home in the Big 12 Conference,’ the statement said. ‘While we appreciate Colorado apologizing for the chants that occurred in the stands during Saturday’s game, the Big 12 maintains zero tolerance for such behavior. Colorado will receive a $50,000 fine in accordance with our Conference policies.’

The chants also drew the attention of Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee, who said on social media site X it “was hours upon hours of religious slurs and bigotry.”

Colorado is 2-3 season and next plays Saturday at TCU. No. 23 BYU is 4-0 and hosts West Virginia on Friday.

BYU is operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com

The coaching shake-up at UCLA continued on Tuesday, Sept. 30.

According to an initial report from Ben Bolch of the L.A. Times, the Bruins and offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri have mutually parted ways. Sunseri becomes the second coordinator to leave since the school announced the firing of head coach DeShaun Foster on Sept. 14. Defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe also left the team earlier in September.

Tight ends coach Jerry Neuheisel will take over the play-calling duties for UCLA for its Oct. 4 matchup against No. 6 Penn State at the Rose Bowl. In addition, the L.A. Times reports that former UCLA offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone will assume analyst responsibilities.

Sunseri was the co-offensive coordinator at Indiana under Curt Cignetti in 2024, a season in which the Hoosiers’ offense averaged 47.8 points per game and reached the College Football Playoff. He shared coordinating responsibilities with Mike Shanahan.

UCLA is scheduled to travel to Bloomington, Indiana, for a matchup against Cignetti and the Hoosiers on Saturday, Oct. 25. It seems Sunseri will not be with the team for a reunion.

The success Sunseri enjoyed with Indiana has not followed him to Los Angeles, despite the addition of Tennessee transfer quarterback Nico Iamaleava. The Bruins have averaged just 14.2 points per game, ranking 132nd among FBS teams. Only Northern Illinois (10.3 ppg) and UMass (12.3) have averaged less. UCLA is also averaging 321.2 yards per game, which ranks 117th nationally.

Mazzone previously served as UCLA’s offensive coordinator from 2012 to 2015 under head coach Jim Mora.

The biggest remaining free agent domino in the NBA finally fell — and it came just one day after most teams reported for training camps.

Restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga and the Golden State Warriors have agreed to a two-year, $48.5 million contract, according to ESPN, which also reported that the contract has a team option in which the deal voids, with the intent for it to be renegotiated next offseason.

Kuminga, 22, has been seeking a long-term commitment from the Warriors, but had limited leverage as a restricted free agent. The Warriors essentially would’ve had the chance to match any offer sheet another team would’ve tendered to Kuminga. But, because teams had very little salary cap space this offseason, a market for Kuminga never materialized, and he remained unsigned for most of the summer.

Kuminga also had the option to sign the one-year, $8 million qualifying offer that would’ve made him an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2025-26 season. That would’ve allowed him to test the market, increasing the risk that the Warriors would lose the 2021 No. 7 overall draft pick with no assets to show for it.

With this agreement in place, the Warriors will also have the option to work with Kuminga and his representatives to explore potential trade options when he becomes eligible to be dealt in January; the NBA trading deadline falls on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026.

The Warriors reported for training camp Monday, Sept. 29 and held their first practice Tuesday.

Getting the deal in place allows Kuminga to join the Warriors as they try to capitalize on their championship contention window with Stephen Curry (37), Jimmy Butler (36) and Draymond Green (35) as the centerpieces.

“You have a guy who is trying to figure out his situation, and we respect that process,” Curry told reporters Monday. “It’s going to play out. When he’s here ready to work, we expect him to be locked in on doing what he needs to do to help us win.”

The Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres began the National League wild card series at Wrigley Field on Tuesday, Sept. 30, with both teams hoping to grab a crucial lead in the best-of-three set.

At the end of the day, the Cubs would emerge victorious in front of their home crowd. Early on, it looked like it would be all Padres, as the Friars threatened often, putting several runners in scoring position, but it wasn’t enough. Back-to-back home runs in the fifth inning fro Seiya Suzuki and Carson Kelly were all the Cubs needed to take the lead and never look back. The Cubs won by a 3-1 margin.

The Cubs (92-70) won the NL’s top wild card spot to earn home-field advantage against the Padres (90-72), who are making consecutive postseason appearances for just the second time in franchise history. The two teams haven’t met since April, splitting the six matchups early in the season.

Here are the highlights from Game 1:

FINAL: Cubs 3, Padres 1 (Cubs lead series 1-0)

Brad Keller didn’t need much to set down the Padres in the ninth inning. Machdo grounded out, Merrill flied out to deep center, and Bogaerts struck out. No one even reached base, so despite the Padres threatening constantly early in this game, they could not get the runs across to win the first game of the series.

The Cubs win, 3-1. Game 2 of the series is set for tomorrow at 3:08 p.m. ET.

Cubs add to their lead

After a leadoff single from Dansby Swanson, the Cubs did everything they could to bring him home. He would advance to second on a sac bunt from Matt Shaw. After an intentional walk to Michael Busch to set up the double play, that strategy was instantly ruined when both runners advanced on a wild pitch.

That gave Nico Hoerner the opportunity to drive in a run or two with two men in scoring position and only one out. Hoerner would hit a sac fly, driving in Swanson and extending Chicago’s lead to 3-1.

Andrew Kittredge keeps Padres off scoreboard

With pressure on him to maintain the lead, Andrew Kittredge came up huge for the Cubs, sending the Padres down in order in the top of the eighth. It remains 2-1 Cubs into the bottom of the eighth.

Mason Miller strikes out the side

Attempting to keep the Cubs to within one, the Padres brought out their big guns. Former Athletic Mason Miller took the mound in the seventh and didn’t give up an inch, striking out the side, including a brutal strikeout on Carson Kelly with a 103 mph fastball.

Should Miller take the mound for the eighth, Chicago could have a very difficult time scoring, meaning now is the time for San Diego to take advantage and possibly tie this game up.

We head to the eighth inning. It’s 2-1 Cubs.

Danny Palencia strikes out two more

It has been a show from Palencia in his 1.2 innings of work. Despite facing the heart of the Padres’ lineup in the sixth, Palencia was able to set both Machado and Merrill down on strikes. Bogaerts gave a fastball a nice ride to deep center, but it was ultimately caught.

Cubs hold their 2-1 lead into the bottom of the sixth.

Carson Kelly goes back-to-back to take the lead

Well, that tie game didn’t last long. Right after Suzuki, Pivetta surrendered another home run to catcher Carson Kelly and suddenly the Cubs have turned this game on its ear.

The second homer also prompted Padres’ manager Mike Shildt to get the bullpen going. Pivetta remains on the mound, but a few more mistakes may force the team to bring in a reliever. It’s 2-1 Cubs.

Seiya Suzuki homer ties it, 1-1

After four strong innings from Nick Pivetta, the veteran finally showed some cracks when Seiya Suzuki took him deep to lead off the bottom of the fifth. Though Pivetta has only surrendered two baserunners, the game is tied at 1 apiece.

Boyd exits in the fifth

After Padres’ catcher Freddy Fermin singled with one out, bringing up the top of the Padres’ lineup, Cubs manager Craig Counsell had seen enough. Already, he is turning to his bullpen, specifically Danny Palencia, who will get the luxury of facing Fernando Tatis and Luis Arraez as he tries to hold this one-run deficit.

Pivetta has retired eleven straight Cubs

After surrendering a single to Nico Hoerner in the first inning, Pivetta has coasted since, setting down 11 straight Cubs to round out the fourth inning. Still, despite Pivetta’s excellence, the Padres have not given him much run support. Though they have threatened, the Friars have not been able to bring in runners from scoring position.

Into the fifth, it remains 1-0.

Terrific play by Swanson robs Padres of another run

The middle of that Padres lineup gave Boyd trouble once again. After Manny Machado walked to lead off the inning, Bogaerts would move him to third just two batters later with a single to center field. There were runners on the corners with only one out for Ryan O’Hearn.

Back in the second inning, O’Hearn had already been robbed of a hit after shortstop Dansby Swanson made a diving stop to hold Bogaerts at third base. This time, O’Hearn lifted a lazy fly ball to shallow center field and Swanson raced back, making an excellent over-the-shoulder catch to hold Machado at third. Two at-bats, and twice O’Hearn has been robbed by Swanson.

Swanson’s great glove kept another run from scoring, keeping the game at just 1-0 heading into the bottom of the fourth.

Boyd coasts through third

After a rough second, Matthew Boyd bounced back to go three-up, three-down in the third, including striking out Luis Arraez, a very rare sight.

The Cubs return to the dugout still trailing by one.

Pivetta K’s two in second

The Cubs were looking to get a run of their own after the Padres kicked off the scoring in the top of the second. However, Nick Pivetta was dealing, striking out two Cubs in a perfect second. It remains 1-0 heading into the third.

Cubs limit damage, strand Bogaerts at third

After Bogaerts reached third with no outs, it looked like the Padres were set for a 2-0 lead. However, a great diving stop from Dansby Swanson held Bogaerts at third. That was followed up with a popout to third and a groundout to short.

Somehow, the Padres only managed one run in the inning. Still, they head into the bottom of the second up 1-0.

Padres take lead on Bogaerts double

Merrill led off the top of the second inning with a bloop double down the right field line. And it didn’t take long for the Padres to bring him home. Xander Bogaerts followed Merrill up with a double of his own into the left center gap. The throw into second got away from the Cubs as well, allowing Bogaerts to reach third. There are no outs in the inning, the Padres have already scored, and Bogaerts is just 90 feet away from scoring.

END 1: Padres 0, Cubs 0

Michael Busch gave a Pivetta fastball a ride out to deep center, but Jackson Merrill was able to catch the ball at the warning track. The Cubs then got the first baserunner of the game after Nico Hoerner smoked a ground ball through the 34 hole. However, that was as far as he’d get as both Ian Happ and Kyle Tucker would go down without much issue from Pivetta. It remains scoreless as we head to the second inning.

Padres go down in order in top of the first

The Padres’ daunted top-three in Tatis, Arraez, and Machado went down quietly in the top of the first. Manny Machado had the best opportunity to reach base, ripping a line drive straight at Cubs third baseman Matt Shaw, who was able to pick it out of the air.

It’s tied at zero heading into the bottom of the first.

What time is Cubs vs Padres game?

First pitch is scheduled for 3:08 p.m. ET at Wrigley Field.

Cubs vs Padres TV channel, live stream

Tuesday’s game is airing on ABC and can be streamed with Fubo.

Watch Cubs vs. Padres in MLB playoffs

Cubs v. Padres 2025 head-to-head record

The Cubs and Padres went 3-3 against one another this year. The teams played only two series head-to-head this season, with the Cubs winning the first series 2-1 and the Padres winning the next series 2-1 just a week later.

Across those six games, both teams scored exactly 25 runs. This could be as evenly matched a playoff series as we’ll see all year.

Padres vs. Cubs pitching matchup

Padres: Nick Pivetta (13-5, 2.87 ERA)

Pivetta’s postseason experience is limited to three games with the 2021 Red Sox, where he earned a solid 2.63 ERA.

Pivetta made two starts against the Cubs back in April, with one great start and another troubling start. In his first start which took place at Wrigley Field, Pivetta only lasted three innings, surrendering three earned runs on six hits. In his next start though, Pivetta played well in front of his home crowd, tossing six innings of one-run ball, only allowing four hits and a walk, while striking out six.

Cubs: Matthew Boyd (14-8, 3.21 ERA)

Boyd has struggled recently, posting an ERA over 5 over his last 11 starts. It was a far cry from the 2.20 ERA we saw from him in the first half of the season as Boyd earned his first All-Star bid.

That said, Boyd has a lot of factors going his way. Most notably, he was spectacular in the postseason for Cleveland a season ago, posting a 0.77 ERA across three games. He played a pivotal role in helping Cleveland reach the ALCS. Furthermore, Boyd pitched very well against the Padres earlier this year, surrendering only two runs across 11.1 innings in two starts against the Friars this year.

Padres lineup today

Fernando Tatis Jr. (R) RF
Luis Arraez (L) 1B
Manny Machado (R) 3B
Jackson Merrill (L) CF
Xander Bogaerts (R) SS
Ryan O’Hearn (L) DH
Gavin Sheets (L) LF
Jake Cronenworth (L) 2B
Freddy Fermin (R) C

Cubs lineup today

Michael Busch (L) 1B
Nico Hoerner (R) 2B
Ian Happ (S) LF
Kyle Tucker (L) DH
Seiya Suzuki (R) RF
Carson Kelly (R) C
Pete Crow-Armstrong (L) CF
Dansby Swanson (R) SS
Matt Shaw (R) 3B

Cubs vs Padres gambling odds

Cubs vs Padres predictions

USA TODAY Sports’ MLB experts are split on the best-of-three wild card series between Chicago and San Diego:

Bob Nightengale: Cubs in 3
Gabe Lacques: Padres in 2
Jesse Yomtov: Padres in 2

MLB playoff bracket 2025