Coming off a humbling 2-0 defeat against South Korea on Saturday, Sept. 6, coach Mauricio Pochettino’s United States squad will look to rebound against another strong squad from East Asia: Japan.

Japan already has qualified for the 2026 World Cup. The USMNT has qualified by default as one of the host nations. Like the U.S., Japan will go into next year’s tournament with aspirations to make a run well into the knockout stages. In the previous two World Cups, Japan has reached the Round of 16. That represents the furthest Japan has advanced in the World Cup.

The USMNT reached the Round of 16 in the 2022 World Cup, but the squad in its current form does not appear competent enough to even accomplish that. The pressure is mounting for Pochettino and his team to improve and give American fans any sort of hope that the team can at least get through the group stage next summer. A strong showing against a quality opponent such as Japan could go a long way in building some confidence.

How to watch USMNT vs. Japan: Time, TV, streaming

Date: Tuesday, Sept. 9
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Lower.com Field (Columbus, Ohio)
TV channel: TNT (English); Telemundo, Universo (Spanish)
Streaming: Max, Sling TV (English); Peacock (Spanish)

Stream USMNT vs. Japan on Sling TV

USMNT starting 11 vs. Japan

USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino has tabbed four different starters from his lineup for Saturday’s 2-0 loss to South Korea.

Defender Chris Richards, midfielder Cristian Roldan, and forwards Folarin Balogun and Alex Zendejas get the start Tuesday night. All four came on as substitutions on Saturday.

Sebastian Berhalter, Sergiño Dest, Diego Luna and Josh Sargent each started on Saturday, but will open this game on the bench.

For Christian Pulisic, this will be his 80th career USMNT cap. Arfsten makes the start in the home stadium of his club team, the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer.

Japan starting 11 vs. USMNT

The Samurai Blue currently are on a 13-match unbeaten streak that dates back to February 2024. 

In the most recent matchup against the U.S., Japan prevailed 2-0 in a 2022 World Cup tune-up match in Düsseldorf. Germany.

Japan was the first team (non-host nation) to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

USMNT roster for September friendlies

Goalkeepers (3): Roman Celentano (FC Cincinnati), Matt Freese (New York City FC), Jonathan Klinsmann (Cesena/Italy)
Defenders (8): Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), Noahkai Banks (FC Augsburg/Germany), Tristan Blackmon (Vancouver Whitecaps/Canada), Sergiño Dest (PSV Eindhoven/Netherlands), Alex Freeman (Orlando City SC), Nathan Harriel (Philadelphia Union), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace/England)
Midfielders (7): Tyler Adams (Bournemouth/England), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps/Canada), Luca de la Torre (San Diego FC), Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake), Jack McGlynn (Houston Dynamo), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders), Sean Zawadski (Columbus Crew)
Forwards (6): Folarin Balogun (AS Monaco/France), Damion Downs (Southampton/England), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan/Italy), Josh Sargent (Norwich City/England), Tim Weah (Marseille/France), Alex Zendejas (Club América/Mexico)

Japan roster for USMNT friendly

Goalkeepers (3): Zion Suzuki (Parma/Italy), Keisuke Ōsako (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Tomoki Hayakawa (Kashima Antlers)
Defenders (7): Yūto Nagatomo (FC Tokyo), Kō Itakura (Ajax/Netherlands), Ayumu Seko (Le Havre/France), Tsuyoshi Watanabe (Feyenoord/Netherlands), Hayato Araki (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Hiroki Sekine (Reims/France), Yukinari Sugawara (Werder Bremen/Germany)
Midfielders (11): Wataru Endo (Liverpool/England), Takumi Minamino (Monaco/France), Junya Itō (Genk/Belgium), Ritsu Dōan (Eintracht Frankfurt/Germany), Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad/Spain), Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton & Hove Albion/England), Kaishu Sano (Mainz 05/Germany), Joel Chima Fujita (FC St. Pauli/Germany), Henry Heroki Mochizuki (Machida Zelvia), Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace/England), Kodai Sano (NEC Nijmegen/Netherlands)
Forwards (6): Ayase Ueda (Feyenoord/Netherlands), Daizen Maeda (Celtic/Scotland), Mao Hosoya (Kashiwa Reysol), Kōki Ogawa (NEC Nijmegen/Netherlands), Shūto Machino (Borussia Mönchengladbach/Germany), Yuito Suzuki (SC Freiburg/Germany)

USMNT to face Portugal in March friendly, per reports

The U.S. men’s national team is set to face Portugal in a March friendly, according to multiple reports.

Fox Sports reported that the USMNT-Portugal match would take place at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The 71,000-seat venue could also potentially host a match against Belgium, though Washington, D.C. and other locations are also being considered. — Seth Vertelney, Pro Soccer Wire

USMNT 2025 schedule and results

Jan. 20 (friendly) — United States 3, Venezuela 1
Jan. 22 (friendly) — United States 3, Costa Rica 0
March 20 (Concacaf Nations League) — Panama 1, United States 0
March 23 (Concacaf Nations League third-place match) — Canada 2, United States 1
June 7 (friendly) — Türkiye 2, United States 1
June 10 (friendly) — Switzerland 4, United States 0
June 15 (Concacaf Gold Cup) — United States 5, Trinidad and Tobago 0
June 19 (Concacaf Gold Cup) — United States 1, Saudi Arabia 0
June 22 (Concacaf Gold Cup) — United States 2, Haiti 1
June 29 (Concacaf Gold Cup quarterfinal) — United States 2, Costa Rica 2 (U.S. won penalty shootout, 4-3)
July 2 (Concacaf Gold Cup semifinal) — United States 2, Guatemala 1
July 6 (Concacaf Gold Cup final) — Mexico 2, United States 1
Sept. 6 (friendly) — South Korea 2, United States 0
Sept. 9 (friendly) — United States vs. Japan, 7:30 p.m. ET (Lower.com Field, Columbus, Ohio)
Oct. 14 (friendly) — United States vs. Australia, 9 p.m. ET (Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, Colorado)

USA TODAY Sports’ 48-page special edition commemorates 30 years of Major League Soccer, from its best players to key milestones and championship dynasties to what exciting steps are next with the World Cup ahead. Order your copy today!

A procedural error in last Saturday’s college football game between Kansas and Missouri will cost a Big 12 officiating crew its next assignment.

The mistake occurred during the wild second quarter of the game eventually won by Missouri 42-31. The Tigers scored a safety on a sack and offensive fumble recovery in the Kansas end zone. Instead of a free kick from the 20-yard line, the Jayhawks punted the ball. This was a violation of Rule 2 Section 16 Article 6 of NCAA Football, the Big 12 said in a statement. The entire crew has been removed from its next assignment scheduled for Friday, Sept. 12, the league announcement said.

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The Big 12 officials in Saturday’s Kansas-Missouri game allowed a punt to occur on a free kick in violation of Rule 2 Section 16 Article 6 of NCAA Football rules. That Big 12 officiating crew has been removed from its next scheduled assignment on Friday, September 12, the league announcement said.

“We believe we have one of the best officiating programs in college football,’ Big 12 Chief Football & Competition Officer Scott Draper said in a statement. ‘When the Conference’s high standard for officiating is not met, the Big 12 will take action.”

The Big 12 crew was working the game at Missouri since it is traditional for the visiting team’s conference to assign game officials when teams from different leagues play each other. The Big 12 statement did not specify which Friday conference game – Colorado at Houston or Kansas State at Arizona – would have been the crew’s next assignment.

The San Francisco 49ers’ hopes for a rapid revitalization have taken a serious hit just one week into the new season.

Tight end George Kittle is expected to be placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Tuesday, sidelining him for at least the team’s next four games.

The move comes just two days after Kittle exited the 49ers’ 17-13 win over the Seattle Seahawks in the second quarter. He did not return and finished with four catches for 25 yards and a touchdown.

Kittle isn’t the only member of the Niners facing uncertainty regarding his availability, as quarterback Brock Purdy is also dealing with left shoulder and toe injuries that leave his status for a Week 2 matchup with the New Orleans Saints in question.

How long will George Kittle be out?

San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that Kittle would miss ‘a few weeks.’ With the move to injured reserve, however, Kittle will miss contests against the Saints, Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars and Los Angeles Rams, at minimum. San Francisco’s extended time off following its ‘Thursday Night Football’ tilt with the Rams in Week 5 could help facilitate a return for the six-time Pro Bowl tight end if he’s deemed healthy enough to return.

49ers’ TE depth chart

Luke Farrell
Jake Tonges

Farrell played in 57.9% of the team’s offensive snaps on Sunday, but the fifth-year veteran is deployed primarily as a blocker. Tonges, meanwhile, not only recorded his first career reception Sunday but also hauled in the game-winning 4-yard touchdown from Purdy in the final two minutes.

The Baltimore Ravens lost to the Buffalo Bills after blowing a 15-point lead, continuing a pattern of late-game collapses.
Under coach John Harbaugh, the Ravens have now lost 17 games in which they held a double-digit lead.
Despite regular season success and multiple division titles, this recurring issue has become part of the team’s identity.

ORCHARD PARK, NY – Let John Harbaugh tell us how his Baltimore Ravens will regroup and step out of the fresh mess marked by a stunning collapse on Sunday night. They opened a new season with a stinking old habit in blowing a 15-point lead in the final minutes against the Buffalo Bills.

History, repeating itself, already.

“We’ll go back to work like we always do,” Harbaugh said after the 41-40 setback. “We’ve been here before.”

Uh-oh. Clearly, this is not where they want to go again. At least not like this.

“This is how the NFL works,” Harbaugh continued. “It’s a tough league. You play tough games in tough environments, and hopefully you learn from it and keep getting better. You get better throughout the course of the season and become the team you’re going to be. It’s a long journey.”

Buffalo Bills’ stunning, brilliant, impossible win over the Ravens is an instant classic

Convinced? As level-headed and assuring as those words were intended, that’s a tough ticket because, well, as Harbaugh put it, they’ve been here before and that theme has been heard before. Sure, on one level, Harbaugh deserves the benefit of the doubt. He’s won more NFL games as a head coach than Joe Gibbs, Paul Brown, Bill Cowher, Marv Levy and Tony Dungy – Hall of Famers, all of them.

The Ravens entered the season, again, as a sexy Super Bowl pick. Last season, they won 12 games and the division crown. They won 13 games in 2023 and claimed the No. 1 seed. Since Lamar Jackson entered his first full season as a starter in 2019, and Harbaugh retooled his offense to fit the skill set of his multi-dimensional quarterback, the Ravens have won three division titles. And zero Super Bowls.

Harbaugh’s track record also is bogged down by too many situations like Sunday night. According to Josh Dubow of The Associated Press, the Ravens have blown 17 double-digit leads under Harbaugh. Ouch.

Last year about this time, they blew a 10-point lead in losing to the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 2. In 2023, they squandered a 15-point lead against Cleveland and a 10-point edge against Pittsburgh. In 2022, it was 17 points against Buffalo and 21 points to Miami.

So, to say they’ve been there before just doesn’t cut it. Because that’s not a good thing. This has gone on for so long that it’s become part of the Ravens identity. What a far cry from the M.O. of the championship teams of yesteryear, with Ray-Ray and crew. They can play “bully ball” with Derrick Henry powering a physical rushing attack and they can produce explosive fireworks triggered by Jackson. But they are also among the NFL’s best at blowing big leads, which is hardly the identity of a champion.

“Banging our heads on the wall about it at this point,” Kyle Hamilton, the all-pro safety, said after the latest drama. “First and foremost, the offense put up 40 points. No way that we should be in that position as a defense. I don’t know. We just need to figure out how to win games. We are winning them for 45 minutes, but you have to win for 60 minutes.”

Of course, soul-searching is widespread. Henry, the dominating running back, blasted the Bills in rushing for 169 yards and 2 touchdowns. But that monster performance was marred by his fourth-quarter fumble – forced by Ed Oliver — that led to a Buffalo touchdown.

Henry apologized to his teammates in the locker room afterward and accepted blame for the loss.

“First of all, I have to take care of the ball,” Henry said. “I told my teammates after the game that the loss is on me. I own it like a man. We emphasize taking care of the football, keeping it high and tight. I got lackadaisical. They made a play, but I put this loss on me.”

That’s noble enough, but these big collapses are never determined by one play. On Sunday night, the Ravens were also stung by a fourth-down touchdown pass by Josh Allen late in the fourth quarter that was deflected by tight end Dawson Knox into the hands of Keon Coleman. And after Henry’s 46-yard TD run early in the fourth quarter, rookie kicker Tyler Loop (who replaced the highly-reliable-yet-scandal-ridden Justin Tucker) missed a PAT kick. Before halftime, the Ravens mismanaged the clock in setting up for Loop’s 49-yard field goal, allowing the Bills to respond with a field goal in 31 seconds. Buffalo was out of timeouts on that hurry-up drive yet still managed to stop the clock with one second left as tight end Dalton Kincaid stepped out of bounds after gaining 22 yards on a sideline pattern. The Ravens were so sloppy in that sequence.

One play, here or there, surely made a difference in the big picture.

There was a debatable decision by Harbaugh, too, to punt on a fourth-and-two with 1:33 remaining. The field position from the Ravens’ 39-yard line undoubtedly influenced the decision, but in retrospect they kicked to put the ball back into the sizzling hands of Allen, the reigning NFL MVP who passed for 251 of his 394 yards in the fourth quarter.

NFL, Buffalo Bills ban fan who shoved DeAndre Hopkins and Lamar Jackson

Then again, the Ravens pass defense came up short, too, in failing to slow Allen’s roll. He scrambled to extend plays, then nailed 32- and 25-yard completions on the 66-yard game-winning drive capped by Matt Prater’s 32-yard field goal as time expired.

“We talked about it all offseason, how we struggled last season at the beginning,” Hamilton said of the pass defense in crunch time. “Then (we said), ‘It’s a new year, and it’s a new team,’ and then we come out and do that.

“We are saying something different, but we are doing the same things. I don’t know if there is something mentally that we have to get over or if there is a mental block, but I looked up at the scoreboard when they were about to kick the field goal and it said they had 400 passing yards or something. I’m about to throw up on the field. It’s something that we have to get fixed.”

With a long season ahead, there’s no need to panic. Maybe the Sunday night outcome will cost the Ravens a tiebreaker edge and a playoff home game. Maybe not. They need to keep it in context. It was Week 1. Teams have been blown out in Week 1 or otherwise stumbled out of the gate and won Super Bowls.

Still, the Ravens need to embrace some group therapy, given the pattern of way too many squandered leads, and have another reality check.

So, you want to become a champion? Well, just finish the game. For the Ravens that’s so much easier said than done.

Contact Jarrett Bell at jbell@usatoday.com or follow on social media: On X: @JarrettBell

On Bluesky: jarrettbell.bsky.social

Alex Bregman reached the postseason every full year of his career with the Astros.
Signed late in free agency, Bregman has been an All-Star and veteran leader for Boston.
Red Sox have firm grasp on AL wild-card spot and should continue Bregman’s streak.

PHOENIX — The season ends for more than 500 players and 18 teams in the next three weeks, with All-Stars like Mike Trout and teams like the Colorado Rockies once again having their seasons expire in September, forgetting October even exists on the baseball calendar.

For Boston Red Sox third baseman Alex Bregman, the month of September has only meant one thing:

It’s the preseason for the postseason.

Bregman, the three-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion, is baseball’s only current player who has been to the postseason every year since his first full season in 2017 with the Houston Astros.

No one in baseball has a longer streak.

Atlanta second baseman Ozzie Albies is missing out on the playoffs for the first full season in his career, a streak that began in 2018. Bregman’s former teammate, Astros All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve, has played in every postseason since 2017, too, but he missed the postseason in four of his first five years.

Los Angeles Dodgers three-time Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw missed the postseason at the beginning of his career and was injured for their 2024 World Series championship run. Yankees MVP Aaron Judge was home during the 2023 playoffs.

Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman has been to the postseason eight times, but only once since 2020.

Dodgers All-Star first baseman Freddie Freeman missed postseasons until his run began in 2018 for Atlanta and Los Angeles. And shortstop Mookie Betts, the three-time World Series champion, has been to the postseason eight times, but missed it in 2019 and during his first full season of 2015.

But here is Bregman once again, playing this year for the Red Sox instead of the Astros, and heading back for another October run.

“Fingers crossed we get to do it again, and the streak doesn’t end,’ Bregman tells USA TODAY Sports. “Believe me, it’s a whole lot of fun. Just being in a playoff race in September is awesome. It allows you to lock in on the present moment and focus on the game at hand, and not get too far ahead of yourself – or think too much in the past.

“That’s the best part about playing in pressure-packed games, knowing that the next pitch is always the most important one.’

Bregman has become a modern-day Derek Jeter with his postseason run. Jeter won the first of his five World Series titles in his first full season with the Yankees in 1996, and played in the postseason 12 consecutive seasons before the Yankees missed the playoffs in 2008.

Bregman won the World Series with the Astros in his first full season in 2017, and with the Red Sox having a five-game lead for at least a wild-card berth, this should make it nine consecutive years.

“It’s special, it really is,’ Bregman says. “I hope I’m playing in October as long as I play baseball.’

Bregman, of course, isn’t single-handedly leading his teams to the playoffs every year, but it’s not just a sheer coincidence, either. There’s a reason Bregman has become the face of the Red Sox since Rafael Devers was dumped and shipped off to San Francisco.

“Him, Chapman, those two have been part of winning teams,’ Red Sox manager Alex Cora said, “and they understand what it means. So, it’s important. He has played meaningful games in September his whole career. Every game that he has played in his career has meant something in September. There’s not many like that.

“With the ups and downs, he’s not going to panic. He’s going to be ready to play. He’s going to help them through the process and it’s great that we have him in the clubhouse.’

Bregman has been ‘real deal’ for Red Sox

Bregman and his leadership are more vital than ever after losing rookie sensation Roman Anthony for the rest of the regular season with a strained oblique. Gold Glove outfielder Wilyer Abreu, who was leading the team with 22 homers at the time he was injured in mid-August, is nearing a return.

“He’s a guy that I’ve absolutely respected from Day 1,’ Red Sox infielder Nathaniel Lowe says. “Obviously, his resume is well respected, but he does everything, whether he’s vocal in a scouting report meeting, talking to you about the technical aspects to hitting, to just winning.

“Having a guy in the mix like that all of the time, it’s just good for the rest of the group, whether it’s first-time guys or guys who are looking to get back and prove something, like me.’

Says outfielder Rob Refsnyder: “He’s the best, man. He prepares really well. He’s invested in how everyone’s doing. He’s the real deal.’

Lowe, who won a World Series with the Texas Rangers in 2023 and was in the World Series in 2020 with the Tampa Bay Rays, will tell you that Bregman hardly was the most lovable guy in their Astros-Rangers rivalry during his four years in Texas.

They were incensed when Bregman blurted out after winning the AL West in 2023: “People were wondering what it was going to be like if the Astros didn’t win the division. I guess we’ll never know.’

Rangers third baseman Corey Seager, MVP of the 2023 World Series, came back and mocked Bregman during their celebration: “I’ve just got one thing to say. Everybody was wondering what would happen if the Rangers wouldn’t win the World Series. I guess we’ll never know.’’

And dropped the mic.

Yet, as much as the two teams hated one another, the Rangers still had ultimate respect for Bregman.

“I didn’t expect any animosity from him after playing against him in the division,’ Lowe says. “And even when we were competing, I never really took anything personally aggressive, anyway. He was just celebrating a win when he made those comments that circled back to us.

“That’s all in the spirit of competition.’

‘Alex is built for Boston’

Bregman’s personality and leadership is a chip off the block of Red Sox great Dustin Pedroia. He aggravated his opponents with his braggadocio and aggressive style of play but was one of the most respected players in the game. You hated him on the other side of the field, but, oh, did you love him if you were wearing a Red Sox uniform.

“Alex is built for Boston,’ Pedroia says. “That environment changes you. I talked to him a little bit. He loves it in Boston. He’s fit to play there, and he knows what it means.

“It’s working out great, so he’s got to keep it going.’

Bregman, who nearly signed with the Detroit Tigers as a free agent to play for manager A.J. Hinch again, indeed loves playing for the Red Sox. He signed a three-year, $120 million contract with opt outs this year, giving him the opportunity to depart if he wishes – or at least to use the leverage to get a long-term contract.

The strategy may be for Bregman to opt out and then have the Red Sox – who saved about $255 million by trading Devers – turn around and use a chunk of that savings to keep Bregman. With Bregman hitting just .117 in his last 15 games since Aug. 23, he realizes he needs to revert to being the hitter who was batting .348 with a .969 OPS in his first 19 games of August, to make the decision a no-brainer.

“It’s such a great baseball city, and Fenway Park has been awesome,’ says Bregman, who calls one of his favorite moments meeting Red Sox Hall of Famer Wade Boggs. “Fenway has been rocking. I feel like winning baseball and the belief in Boston is back, and I’ve really enjoyed it. Everyone in Boston loves the Red Sox, and when we’re winning, you can really feel that energy.’

It has been four years since the Red Sox were in the playoffs, and the last time they had a winning record, but even without Anthony and Abreu now they’ve been rolling. They are 37-21 since the start of July, the second-best record in baseball behind only the Milwaukee Brewers.

They have been tenacious, certainly resilient, and with Garrett Crochet (14-5, 2.67 ERA), Brayan Bello (11-6, 3.12 ERA) and Lucas Giolito (10-3, 3.38 ERA) atop the rotation, and Chapman’s dominance (retiring 50 consecutive batters without a hit since July 23), they could be a living nightmare for any team they face in October.

“This team reminds me of some of my earlier years in Houston,’ Bregman says. “When so many guys are young, everyone in here wants to learn and get better, and the focus is on winning. It’s a lot of fun to be in this environment.

“The camaraderie is great in here too. This team hangs out a lot on and off the field. It’s fantastic.’

Bregman, 31, who’s in his ninth full season, is the one largely responsible for this cohesiveness. Teammates migrate to his locker before games to talk strategy and the opposing pitcher. They talk on the bench during games. And afterwards, they’ll frequently congregate with Bregman holding court.

“Obviously, what he does on the field is incredible,’ Crochet says, “but what he does in the clubhouse is really special. He’s a great mentor for the young guys. It’s cool having a guy to talk to prior to the game, and then after the game he loves to talk about either what transpired that day or planning for the next. I can’t say enough good stuff what he means to this team.’

Alex Bregman, confirmed ‘baseball rat’

It was during the winter of 2021-22 when Bregman was actively recruiting All-Star shortstop Trevor Story to join the Astros. The Astros had an opening with Carlos Correa departing as a free agent, and Story was available at the same time after six years with the Colorado Rockies.

Story wound up signing with the Red Sox on a six-year, $140 million deal, and when Bregman hit free agency and went unsigned with spring training camps opening, it was Story’s turn to recruit Bregman to Boston.

“He’s obviously been a really good player for a long time,’ Story says, “and there was always mutual respect across the game for him. Now that I’ve been with him, it just confirms that he’s a baseball rat. He’s obsessed with the game, just his impact on the offense and defense, and helping the young guys has been huge.’

Now, with less than three weeks left to play, this is where all of the hard work, preparation and cohesiveness could pay dividends. The Red Sox know they belong in October. Even though they’re chasing the Toronto Blue Jays and their hated rivals, the Yankees, they refuse to abandon their hopes of winning the AL East.

Besides, not to be greedy, but Bregman would love to keep his streak alive of not only reaching the playoffs every year – but also winning a division title every full year, too. His Astros teams won the AL West every season but the shortened 2020 COVID year.

“It’s a tough division, and obviously we’re a few games back right now, but we are still fighting for that division title,’ Bregman says. “If we finish strong, we can do it.’

If not, and the Blue Jays wind up winning the AL East, the first round of the playoffs is lining up to be the Red Sox against the Yankees in a best-of-three wild-card series – with the sounds of Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline’ or Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York’ in the air.

“It’s so cool playing against those guys,’ Bregman says. “Just fun games, pressure-packed, great environment. It was a lot of fun living out that childhood dream watching those games on TV and watching them play in October.’’

Bregman pauses, exhales, and says, “Playing baseball in October, that’s what it’s all about.’’

Really, it’s all he knows.

Follow Nightengale on X: @Bnightengale

The Super Bowl 59 champion Eagles remain entrenched at No. 1 after Week 1 win.
But every other team in the top five prior to Week 1 is on the move now.
The LA Chargers didn’t crack the top five − yet − but did make the biggest move up the rankings.

NFL power rankings entering Week 2 of the 2025 season (previous rank in parentheses):

1. Philadelphia Eagles (1): Their opening night win was defined by Jalen (QB Hurts efficiently carving up the Cowboys) and Jalen (DT Carter efficiently getting himself ejected with one shot of spittle aimed at Dak Prescott). Both, presumably along with newly added teammate Za’Darius Smith, will be on the field for Sunday’s Super Bowl 59 rematch with K.C. − Hurts maybe needing to involve his receivers more, and game-wrecking Carter needing … to simply remain involved and focused.

2. Buffalo Bills (5): QB Josh Allen won Sunday night’s battle of MVPs with Lamar Jackson. Buffalo won’t face another team that made the postseason in 2024 or a former MVP until the Chiefs come to Western New York in Week 9 … which means an apparently smooth road to building equity into a No. 1 playoff seed for the Bills.

4. Baltimore Ravens (2): They coughed up yet another double-digit fourth-quarter lead and became the first team ever to lose despite scoring at least 40 points and rushing for at least 235 yards in a game. Though this setback could come back to bite Baltimore when it comes time to seed the AFC playoff field, let’s not lose sight of the fact that the Ravens are likely to score 40 and run for 235 with relative regularity in 2025.

6. Washington Commanders (7): It’s obviously early, but rookie RB Jacory ‘Bill’ Croskey-Merritt is currently the NFC’s leading rusher after gaining 82 yards in his NFL debut. No wonder Brian Robinson Jr. is in San Francisco and RB Chris Rodriguez was inactive Sunday.

9. Pittsburgh Steelers (10): Just when you think you’ve seen and heard it all in the NFL, a kicker gets described as ‘a serial killer’ with ‘a low pulse rate.’ Leave it to Mike Tomlin to always keep it fresh, and now you further understand why seemingly revitalized QB Aaron Rodgers wanted to play for him.

10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (12): The anti-Chiefs, the presently battered − but still ruling − NFC South champs already have a one-game lead on the rest of a division they’ve run since 2021.

11. Arizona Cardinals (11): Bit of an underwhelming win against what would seem like an overmatched Saints opponent on Sunday. Still, the Cards are 1-0 for the first time in four years. QB Kyler looked great … and also didn’t.

12. Denver Broncos (8): No defense allowed fewer yards (133) or collected more sacks (6) in Week 1 than this one, an already dominant unit looking even better against a rookie QB. Now the Broncos need their second-year quarterback to shake off what felt like a rookie regression of his own Sunday.

13. San Francisco 49ers (13): Brock Purdy. George Kittle. Jauan Jennings. Talented-but-brittle Christian McCaffrey. No squad looks more like a M*A*S*H unit coming out of Week 1. Good time to catch the Saints. Probably.

15. Minnesota Vikings (15): Or is it Michigan? It wasn’t necessarily pretty, but QB J.J. McCarthy made the plays when he needed to, otherwise relying on a very talented supporting cast, as his team won its Big Ten, er NFC North, opener.

18. Jacksonville Jaguars (20): WR/CB Travis Hunter is and will be a fine player. But we’re going on record now to opine that surrendering a future first- and second-rounder to get him is a deal that won’t age well.

21. New York Jets (23): Woulda, coulda, shoulda after they fumbled away a potential win against Pittsburgh and their former leader, Rodgers. But Justin Fields looks like the 21st-century quarterback the Jets have long needed, and Sauce Gardner again looks the part of a corner who deserves to be paid like the league’s best.

23. Dallas Cowboys (25): We’ll see how long they can sustain the good vibes after a surprising near miss in Philly. This team will probably go as far as QB Dak Prescott and WR CeeDee Lamb can carry it … assuming Lamb can hang on.

24. Las Vegas Raiders (27): They need to find a wideout (or two) who want to be here given Davante Adams forced his way out, Jakobi Meyers has tried to do the same, and Amari Cooper bolted for retirement shortly after rejoining the organization. Maybe rookies Dont’e Thornton Jr. and Jack Bech will be those guys.

25. New England Patriots (19): A disappointing opener for a team that made so many offseason adjustments. But WR Kayshon Boutte does now have consecutive 100-yard receiving games after getting his first in the 2024 regular-season finale.

26. Indianapolis Colts (31): QB Daniel Jones’ Indy debut deservedly stole the spotlight. But rookie TE Tyler Warren had a heavy hand in a dominant Week 1 performance, picking up four first downs through the air and one on the ground.

32. Miami Dolphins (28): What did we learn about this team? Honestly not much … aside from the fact that the Fins have a second-year corner named Storm Duck on the roster. Feels like a storm − and maybe a lot of duck bombs − is coming Miami’s way.