By the time Mike Quinlan arrived on the scene, people were running out on the mini-golf course looking for Caleb Williams. The Chicago Bears quarterback had shown up to Skokie Sports Park with a friend on the evening of July 15. Word had traveled fast. 

They arrived already wearing Bears jerseys, spilling out of cars before Williams had even made the turn. They lingered outside holes 17 and 18, watching the Heisman Trophy winner attempting to end Chicago’s decades-long search for a franchise quarterback, first attempt to pull off a summer date in front of a throng of fans in the North Shore suburbs. 

It took about two hours to finish the round. Skokie Sports Park employee Josh Herrera even convinced Williams to take a swing at the driving range. The footage quickly spread through NFL and Chicago social media. Herrera had never seen the place so packed.

“But he didn’t turn down a picture. He probably took 1,000 pictures,” said Quinlan, the golf operations supervisor at Skokie Sports Park. “It was odd. I didn’t think he’d be so, he seemed down to earth. Just to show up to a municipal mini golf course …”

There is anxious optimism throughout Chicago that Williams can prove current perceptions of him are not reality as this high-profile football marriage between the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL draft and the Bears enters year two. He begins the 2025 NFL season as one of the league’s most intriguing and polarizing figures, with a quarterback-starved fan base and a historic franchise in transition eyeing his every move, still hopeful they’ve got their long-awaited star but also in a hurry. 

The Bears hired coveted Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to replace former coach Matt Eberflus, beefed up their offensive line and used their first three draft picks on offensive players this offseason. The honeymoon period during a tone-setting and culture-shifting preseason has featured buy-in and a blossoming partnership between Williams and the offensive guru attempting to course-correct after a rockier-than-expected rookie year. 

Williams was notably out-shined by No. 2 pick Jayden Daniels and lost 10-straight games in 2024, despite producing passing statistics that compare favorably to previous No. 1 picks that started at quarterback as a rookie. He was also the subject of reports about attempts to avoid being drafted by Chicago because of its reputation with quarterbacks, including a much-discussed book by ESPN’s Seth Wickersham that also details some of Williams’ problems with the previous Bears coaching regime during his rookie year. 

Those pre-existing and complicated dynamics still fuel national and local debates, and linger over every conversation about the Bears.

“He’s under as much pressure as anyone in the league this season, fair or unfair – and by the way, I think he’s up for it,” said former Bears wide receiver Tom Waddle, co-host of the long-running “Waddle & Silvy” show on ESPN 1000 radio in Chicago. “The town has never had one of those elite, franchise kind of quarterbacks. I think you put it all together and it tells you that there’s a lot that’s been given to him and a lot that’s going to be expected of him.”

Where Caleb Williams fits in Chicago QB ‘fishbowl’

Williams seemed to accept the spotlight he’s under, and how distinct it is to Chicago, when training camp began and he announced one of his goals for this season: “Being the first 4000-yard passer in Bears history.”

The Bears are the only team in the NFL without one. 

More recently, they’ve used first-round draft picks on Mitch Trubisky (No. 2 overall in 2017) and Justin Fields (No. 11 overall in 2021) that didn’t pan out. Williams performed better than either of them did as a rookie. 

Indeed, Williams had a better QB rating as a rookie than former No. 1 picks turned future Pro Football Hall of Famers like John Elway, Troy Aikman and Peyton Manning in their debut NFL season. He finished with a better QBR than fellow No. 1 picks and current NFL starting quarterbacks Matthew Stafford, Jared Goff and Trevor Lawrence in their rookie season. 

Only Manning, Cam Newton and Andrew Luck had more touchdown passes (20) as a rookie quarterback among No. 1 picks. Only Cincinnati Bengals star Joe Burrow had a higher completion percentage (62.5%) as a rookie. No former No. 1 pick who became a starting quarterback as a rookie has thrown fewer interceptions (5) than Williams did in 2024.

‘I think it’s easy to dismiss some of the things that make up who he is when you have talent,” said Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, who first worked with the Bears quarterback when Williams was a 14-year-old at a QB Collective camp. “People make a lot of assumptions, and I do think that he, based on knowledge of him as a player for awhile, he does work to the caliber of NFL quarterbacks when no one’s watching, and he’s done that for awhile.’

Williams nonetheless ranked 28th out 32 eligible quarterbacks in QBR last season, and scrutiny about his readiness followed in spite of the chaotic circumstances, particularly given Daniels’ early success in comparison.

“That will always hang over you,” Waddle noted. 

The Bears just gave backup QB Tyson Bagent a weird contract

Williams famously doesn’t fit typical quarterback conventions, with painted fingernails and a passion for fashion dating back to when he first burst on the national scene at Oklahoma and USC in college. But the toughness he showed after taking 68 sacks in 2024 – tied for the third-most in league history – earned the respect of Bears’ teammates, who now defend him in the wake of public attacks they’ve deemed unnecessary. 

“When you’re the No. 1 pick and you’re yourself, you’re going to get a lot of hate,” Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze told reporters on Aug. 26. “It’s sad to say that, but that’s just kind of how the light that we were put in and Chicago sports are very wanting success and having it now, and they expect a lot from all their sports teams. So we’re in that light, and you take the good with the bad. He gets a lot of hate for those reasons, but he comes in, he works hard every single day and he’s himself. So I appreciate him for that.”

Bears fans can perhaps be forgiven for being impatient. Trubisky in 2018 is the only Pro Bowl quarterback produced by the franchise since Jim McMahon made it from the 1985 Super Bowl team.

Trubisky is viewed as a draft bust after Chicago selected him eight spots before the Kansas City Chiefs chose Patrick Mahomes. He doesn’t see the experience that way after the Bears allowed his rookie contract to expire in 2021.

“It is a fishbowl, but at the same time I would say enjoy it. Like really take it all in,” Trubisky said in August when asked to give Williams advice while back at Halas Hall as a member of the Buffalo Bills for a joint practice and preseason game against the Bears. 

“I only had it for four years. I wish I had it longer, to be honest, so take it in, enjoy the process,” Trubisky continued. “All eyes are (on) you in the city, but it’s really a privilege and there is a lot of pressure that comes with that. But it’s a privilege and I miss that. It’s a lot of fun to be the franchise guy, especially in a city like this.”

How far can Caleb Williams carry the Bears?

George McCaskey looked almost incredulous when presented with the observation. There can’t be many NFL owners standing in the August heat to greet every fan who wants a brief audience with him at a practice. 

“The least I can do is say thanks,” the Bears chairman and controlling owner told USA TODAY Sports, and so there he was fielding questions from fans young and old lined up to speak with him before the team’s joint practice with the Miami Dolphins last month. 

After a few minutes, his mindset heading into the season emerged: “Whatever it takes to get to the playoffs,” McCaskey answered at one point.

This remains a family-run organization in the wake of Virginia McCaskey’s death last February, and it’s facing a pivotal few months on multiple fronts. The Illinois state legislative session in October is crucial to the Bears moving forward with their plans to build a fixed-roof stadium and mixed use development in Arlington Heights, Illinois that would attract the Super Bowl and other major events, team president Kevin Warren said in multiple interviews during the preseason. 

The Bears, meanwhile, have just one playoff win since 2006, and it’s not lost on anyone what the presence of a long-term solution at quarterback would mean.

“A lot of people are waiting with bated breath because it’s been so long since we’ve had a guy at the quarterback position who can quite literally carry us in times of need, and Caleb showed us last year that he’s capable of that,” said former Bears offensive lineman Kyle Long. “Can you imagine what would happen in Chicago if Caleb Williams was the tide that rose all ships and everybody becomes media darlings? The Super Bowl thing is a kingmaker and if you’re in Chicago and you do it, it’s way different than that.”

There have been glimpses of greatness and groans during Johnson’s first training camp with Williams in Chicago. He overloaded Williams with information on purpose before paring down his playbook as Monday’s season opener against the Minnesota Vikings approaches.

Williams worked meticulously at times on footwork and the proper cadences for play calls. There are still concerns about the number of sacks he took last year and how quickly he’s reading defenses. The team signed back-up Tyson Bagent to a new contract and kept veteran Case Keenum on the 53-man roster as a third quarterback for additional support. 

Johnson acknowledged recently Williams hasn’t often met the coach’s goal of completing 70% of his passes in practice and described his new quarterback’s training camp as ‘a couple steps forward and one step back.’ 

‘We’re going to grow together. This offense is going to grow together with him,’ Johnson told reporters. ‘There will be some bumpy steps along the way, but that’s OK. That’s the nature of doing it. But I feel really good about where he’s at right now and there’s no reason why we can’t win this year.’

But the statistics and milestones, for now, may be less important than the perception that Williams is ready to embrace being the superstar Bears quarterback Chicago desperately wants him to be.

“Him and I are going to be here for awhile,” Williams said of Johnson. “That’s the plan.”

They’ve been nondescript and largely underwhelming all year. Suddenly, though, the New York Yankees have a puncher’s chance at a prime time spot in the playoffs.

The Yankees finished off their season series with the first-place Toronto Blue Jays by winning two of three at Yankee Stadium and suddenly, with 19 games left in the season, are just two games out of the American League East lead.

Couple that with the putrid play of contenders in the AL West and the East champion is virtually assured a top two seed and a first-round bye in the playoffs.

It’s all surprising stuff for a Yankee team that was 6 ½ games out just two weeks ago, and in danger of missing the playoffs altogether. Now, they’ve surged three spots in USA TODAY Sports’ power rankings, reaching No. 6.

While New York has a half-dozen challenging upcoming games against Detroit and Boston, it will finish the season with seven games against Baltimore and three apiece vs. the Chicago White Sox and Minnesota, all well under .500. Toronto, however, does hold the tiebreaker thanks to winning the season series. Yet what once felt like settled business is once again a race.

A look at our updated rankings:

1. Milwaukee Brewers (-)

On pace to win an even 100 games.

2. Philadelphia Phillies (-)

Smooth September disrupted by Trea Turner’s hamstring strain.

3. Toronto Blue Jays (-)

Anthony Santander (remember him?) slated to start rehab assignment.

4. Chicago Cubs (+1)

Oh, no: Closer Daniel Plascencia has shoulder injury.

5. Detroit Tigers (-1)

‘Pitching chaos’ is back due to rotation struggles behind Tarik Skubal.

6. New York Yankees (+3)

How many extra bases will Aaron Judge’s throwing arm cost them?

7. Los Angeles Dodgers (-1)

Jack Dreyer shaping up to be pivotal piece of postseason bullpen.

8. Boston Red Sox (-1)

600 career wins for Alex Cora trailing only Terry Francona (744) and Joe Cronin (1,071) in club history.

9. San Diego Padres (-1)

Five-game skid softened by Dodgers’ woes; just one game out.

10. Houston Astros (-)

Framber Valdez loses first start after drilling own catcher in chest.

11. New York Mets (-)

Juan Soto update: 38 homers, 29 steals, .928 OPS.

12. Seattle Mariners (-)

Amid grim September, Cal Raleigh one homer shy of Mickey Mantle’s record for a switch-hitter.

13. Texas Rangers (+1)

Reliever Shawn Armstrong with a 0.83 ERA in second half.

14. Kansas City Royals (-1)

Bobby Witt Jr. slowed by back spasms.

15. Cleveland Guardians (+2)

José Ramírez passes Jim Thome for No. 2 on Guardians’ all-time RBI list.

16. San Francisco Giants (-)

Even six shutout innings can’t get 300-hunter Justin Verlander a win.

17. Cincinnati Reds (-1)

Hunter Greene strikes out 12 for third time this year as Reds snag series from Mets.

18. Arizona Diamondbacks (-)

Briefly crawl above .500 for first time since July 1.

19. St. Louis Cardinals (-)

Jordan Walker ends an 0-for-25 skid in fine fashion – a walk-off double.

20. Tampa Bay Rays (-)

Playoff drive stunted by closer Pete Fairbanks two losses and blown save in seven-game span.

21. Los Angeles Angels (-)

Top starter Jose Soriano has 2.47 ERA on road, but 4.50 at Angel Stadium.

22. Miami Marlins (-)

Brian Navarreto hits first big league home run five years after debut.

23. Baltimore Orioles (+3)

A 5-1 run against NL West powers San Diego and Los Angeles.

24. Atlanta Braves (-1)

Chris Sale gives up just two runs in 12 ⅔ innings in return from rib cage injury.

25. Athletics (-)

Nick Kurtz, Shea Langeliers should both top 30-homer mark on next trip to Yolo County.

26. Pittsburgh Pirates (+1)

Bubba Chandler gives up nine runs to Brewers in first career start.

27. Minnesota Twins (-3)

Pablo Lopez returns from three-month absence with six strong innings.

28. Washington Nationals (-)

Josiah Gray makes first rehab start, 17 months after last appearance.

29. Chicago White Sox (-)

Dominic Fletcher, 28, makes long-awaited return to majors.

30. Colorado Rockies (-)

100th loss comes in embarrassing brawl-marred game.

Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills mounted a 15-point comeback over the final four minutes of regulation to stun the Baltimore Ravens on ‘Sunday Night Football’ in Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season.

The Bills scored on each of their final three drives to win the 41-40 shootout. They capped the miraculous comeback with a 32-yard field goal by 41-year-old kicker Matt Prater, who had replaced the injured Tyler Bass earlier in the week.

Allen was the driving force behind the comeback. He passed for 167 yards over the final three drives and accounted for two touchdowns, one through the air and one on the ground. He finished the game with 394 passing yards and two touchdowns in addition to 30 yards and two scores on the ground.

The Ravens appeared to be in control for most of the game thanks to the excellence of Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry. The duo combined for 239 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns while Jackson added 210 yards and two touchdowns through the air.

However, Henry had a key fumble on the Ravens’ penultimate possession that set the Bills up for their final touchdown. He and Jackson couldn’t get a first down on Baltimore’s final possession, which would have given it a chance to run the clock out on Buffalo.

The Bills have now won back-to-back games against the Ravens, including a 27-25 victory over them in the 2024 NFL playoffs.

USA TODAY Sports provided live updates, highlights and more from ‘Sunday Night Football’ below.

Matt Prater hits field goal with time expiring, Bills complete comeback

Matt Prater just joined the Bills, and he’s already helping them win games. The veteran kicker completed the comeback with a 32-yard field goal, giving the Bills an incredible comeback on the first ‘Sunday Night Football’ matchup of 2025.

Josh Allen puts Bills in field goal range with laser to Josh Palmer

Josh Allen is showing why Josh Allen won MVP in 2025. Allen laid in a beautiful pass to offseason acquisition Josh Palmer, who took it to Baltimore’s 34-yard line to put Buffalo in field goal range.

Bills hold Ravens to three-and-out, get chance to take lead

The Bills have no timeouts left but they do have two other things: The reigning NFL MVP and an opportunity to take the lead with a field goal late after holding the Ravens to a three-and-out.

Josh Allen scores, Bills fail 2-point conversion

This game was a 2-point conversion from being tied after Josh Allen extended over the goal line for a score. An attempt to Keon Coleman in the end zone fell to the turf, meaning the Bills are still down two points with 1:58 left in the matchup.

Derrick Henry fumbles, Bills recover on 30-yard line

Down eight points, Henry coughed it up, with the Bills recovering on Baltimore’s 30-yard line with time ticking away in the fourth.

Bills strike again, tighten lead late

Josh Allen had a little bit of luck on his side tonight, as evidenced by this touchdown pass.

On his 41st throw of the night, Allen found Keon Coleman in the end zone for six points. It wasn’t a direct line, however: The ball was tipped around the goal line before it landed in Coleman’s hands.

Ravens 40, Bills 32

Derrick Henry strikes again, logs 46-yard TD run

Henry has found the end-zone for the second time of the night. He found a seam in the left side of the defense and managed to run through it untouched for the core.

The Ravens could not make the extra point, however, so their lead over the Bills will remain 15 points.

Ravens 40, Bills 25

Lamar Jackson eludes Bills defense, scrambles for first down on third-and-10

Jackson was nearly sacked on a third-and-long. Instead, he ended up getting away from the pressure and running for 19 yards.

Josh Allen cuts Bills deficit with 2-yard TD run

Two plays after James Cook racked up 51 yards on a third-down dump-off pass, Allen found a way into the end-zone. He bootlegged into the end-zone to cut the Bills’ deficit to 9 points.

The Bills once again went for two and were unable to convert it. Allen was intercepted by Kyle Hamilton on the play. The ball was lateraled to Kyle Van Noy, who took a knee after getting the ball out of Buffalo’s end-zone.

Ravens 34, Bills 25

DeAndre Hopkins makes incredible one-handed TD catch

Hopkins’ first catch as a member of the Ravens goes for a touchdown. The veteran made a beautiful, one-handed grab behind Christian Benford and pulled it into his body before tumbling over the goal line for the score.

Tyler Loop makes the extra point, and Baltimore has a 15-point lead.

Ravens 34, Bills 19

Baltimore defense forces Buffalo to punt

The Bills picked up one first down after forcing the Ravens to punt for the first time, but their offense stalled after that. Josh Allen had a chance to complete a deep pass down the field to Khalil Shakir, but Kyle Hamilton was able to break it up.

The Ravens will now get the ball back, leading by 8 with 2:42 left in the third quarter.

Josh Allen tosses pass to Khalil Shakir on the move

Allen and Lamar Jackson are two of the best playmakers in the NFL. They both have made big plays tonight, with Allen’s on-the-move dump-off to Shakir being the latest example of his unique skill set.

Ravens forced for punt for first time after 3-and-out

The Bills defense was finally able to stop the Ravens. Baltimore started its drive with a 5-yard run by Derrick Henry, but Ed Oliver stonewalled him in the backfield for a 5-yard loss one play later.

Lamar Jackson followed that up with an incompletion, so the Bills will get the ball back looking to tie the game.

James Cook punches in 2-yard TD run

James Cook led the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns last season. He got on the board in Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season by punching in a 2-yard carry on second-and-goal to cut the Buffalo’s deficit to one possession.

A penalty on Ravens during the point after prompted the Bills to go for 2 from their 1-yard line. Allen hit Keon Coleman on a short pass, but the second-year receiver had stepped out of bounds before making the catch. By rule, that made it an incompletion, so the try was no good.

Ravens 27, Bills 19

Pass interference sets up Bills with goal-to-go opportunity

The Bills decided to go for it on fourth-and-5 on the Baltimore 31-yard line. Josh Allen couldn’t find anyone open so heaved one up downfield to Josh Palmer. Cornerback Jaire Alexander tackled Palmer, who was coming back to the underthrown ball, resulting in a pass interference and setting up the Bills with a goal-to-go chance.

Ravens open second-half scoring with 23-yard Zay Flowers TD

Derrick Henry was the big story of the first half. The Bills sold out to stop him to open the second half, which opened things up for Lamar Jackson and Flowers.

Jackson hit Flowers on back-to-back plays for gains of 39 and 23 respectively. The second one saw Flowers scamper through Buffalo’s defense on a screen pass and easily waltz into the end-zone.

Tyler Loop made the extra point and Baltimore is now leading by two scores.

Ravens 27, Bills 13

Buffalo makes most of minimal time, Matt Prater kicks field goal

Starting their drive with 25 seconds left and no timeouts, the Bills managed to gain 48 yards and split the uprights with a Matt Prater 43-yard field goal to tighten the gap entering the break.

Allen hit tight end Dalton Kincaid with a crucial 22-yard gain, leaving a single second on the clock before the kick.

Ravens 20, Bills 13

Tyler Loop knocks through field goal, expand lead to 10

With time ticking down in the half, new Ravens kicker Tyler Loop netted his second field goal of the night, giving the Ravens a 10-point lead with 25 seconds left in the half. That’s enough time for the big-armed Allen to make some magic before the half.

Ravens 20, Bills 10

Ravens hold Bills to field goal after 12-play, 63-yard drive

After consecutive 3-and-outs, Buffalo managed to mount an extended drive. The Bills got as far as the Baltimore 7-yard line, but the Ravens eventually managed to stop them and force a 25-yard field goal attempt.

Prater’s kick was true and Buffalo’s deficit is now one score with 2:50 remaining in the first half. Ravens 17, Bills 10

Ravens-Bills score: Lamar Jackson caps drive with TD run

The Ravens are running all over the Bills in the second quarter. Not long after Henry’s 49-yard run, Lamar Jackson took it 11 yards for the score to lengthen Baltimore’s lead in the second quarter.

Derrick Henry rips off 49-yard run

Henry remains the Bills’ Kryptonite. He finds yet another hole in Buffalo’s defense and turns it into a gain for 49 yards.

Henry already has 101 yards and a touchdown on just seven carries.

Bills go 3-and-out for second straight possession

After marching down the field effectively on their first possession, the Bills have been stymied by the Ravens defense. They went just 4 yards before giving the ball back to Baltimore, which will now look to build on its lead.

Derrick Henry powers in 30-yard TD run

Henry had 283 rushing yards against the Bills in two games last season. He is picking up right where he left off, adding a 30-yard TD run to his ledger to kickstart the second quarter and give the Ravens their first lead of the game.

Henry is now up to 52 rushing yards across Baltimore’s first two drives. Tyler Loop made the extra point to give them a 3-point lead. Ravens 10, Bills 7

Lamar Jackson injury update

Sideline reporter Melissa Stark detailed on the NBC broadcast the Ravens medical staff had been working on Jackson’s throwing hand after Baltimore’s first drive. She said they appeared to be looking at a small cut near the base of his nail.

Jackson was able to take the field for the Ravens’ second drive and Baltimore did not provide an injury update about the quarterback. As such, the cut isn’t believed to be a serious issue at present.

End of first quarter: Bills have early lead on Ravens, 7-3

The Bills and Ravens both scored on the first possession of their ‘Sunday Night Football’ clash. Josh Allen hit Dalton Kincaid for a 15-yard touchdown while Ravens rookie kicker Tyler Loop hit a 52-yard field goal to get Baltimore on the board.

Allen and Lamar Jackson have both been efficient so far. Allen has completed 3 of 4 passes for 22 yards and a touchdown while Jackson has completed 4 of 5 passes for 41 yards.

Jackson (11 yards) has outperformed Allen on the ground (3 yards) while Derrick Henry (5 carries, 22 yards) is on pace for another strong rushing performance against Buffalo.

Bills go 3-and-out on second possession

The Bills ran the ball three times with James Cook on their second offensive drive of the game. Cook gained 9 yards on the first carry but was stonewalled for no gain and a loss of 2 yards on the ensuing two carries.

Brad Robbins punted the ball back to Baltimore. The Ravens got the ball back at their own 15-yard line.

What happened to Justin Tucker?

The Ravens released Tucker on May 5 after sexual misconduct allegations were made by more than a dozen massage therapists. Tucker has maintained his innocence, but the Ravens decided to move on from him after spending a sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on Tyler Loop.

Tucker has remained unsigned since the Ravens released him. The NFL opened an investigation into the allegations against him in February. The league announced in June that it had suspended Tucker for the first 10 weeks of the 2025 NFL season.

Tucker will be eligible for reinstatement on Nov. 11. He can serve his 10-game suspension as a free agent.

Ed Oliver sacks Lamar Jackson for 15-yard loss to force field goal

The Ravens got the ball into the red zone, but they went backward to end the drive. On a third-and-8, Jackson faded back to pass and attempted to evade Oliver, who came free up the middle. Oliver was able to mirror Jackson, stay in front of him and bring him down for the loss.

Rookie kicker Tyler Loop came on to attempt the 52-yard field goal and he managed to sneak it inside the right upright. The Ravens are now trailing by 4 early.

Bills 7, Ravens 3

How old is Matt Prater?

Prater, who is kicking for the Bills in the absence of Tyler Bass, turned 41 in August. He is the second-oldest active player in the NFL behind only Aaron Rodgers.

Josh Allen hits Dalton Kincaid for 15-yard TD

The Bills open the scoring in their Week 1 matchup against the Ravens. Allen found Kincaid open over the middle of the field and fired a bullet to him. The veteran tight end reeled it in easily before Kyle Hamilton could hit him, getting Buffalo on the board.

Matt Prater made the extra point to give the Bills an early 7-point lead.

Bills 7, Ravens 0

Where to watch Bills vs. Ravens

Channel: NBC
Stream: Peacock | Fubo

The Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens contest on ‘Sunday Night Football’ will be broadcasted on NBC. For fans who prefer to stream the action, Peacock and Fubo, which comes with a free trial, are both carrying the broadcast.

Mike Tirico is set to handle the play-by-play and Cris Collinsworth joins him in the booth to provide analysis. Melissa Stark will report from the sidelines, rounding out the NBC broadcast crew for the game.

Watch ‘Sunday Night Football’ live with Fubo (free trial)

Bills vs. Ravens TV channel

The Buffalo Bills vs. Baltimore Ravens game will be broadcasted on NBC on Sunday night.

Bills vs. Ravens start time

Date: Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025
Time: 8:20 p.m. ET

The Bills and Ravens game will kick off at 8:20 p.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 7.

Is Isaiah Likely playing tonight?

Likely has been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Bills.

The tight end suffered a small foot fracture during training camp on July 29. He underwent surgery and is said to be recovering well, but he still needs more time before getting back into game action.

Mark Andrews should see a boost in workload and Charlie Kolar could have a bigger role in Sunday night’s action.

Bills vs. Ravens live odds, moneyline, over/under

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Oldest players in NFL in 2025 

Just three players in the 2025 NFL player pool are 40 years old or older: Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Jets kicker Nick Folk, and Browns quarterback Joe Flacco. 

Rodgers will turn 42 during the season, with a birthday coming the first week in December. 

Here’s the full list of the oldest players in football: 

QB Aaron Rodgers, Steelers: 41 years old (Dec. 2, 1983) 
K Matt Prater, Bills: 41 years old (Aug. 10, 1984) 
K Nick Folk, Jets: 40 years old (Nov. 5, 1984) 
QB Joe Flacco, Browns: 40 years old (Jan. 16, 1985) 
C/LS J.J. Jansen, Panthers: 39 years old (Jan. 20, 1986) 
C/LS Jon Weeks, 49ers: 39 years old (Feb. 17, 1986) 
P Thomas Morstead, 49ers: 39 years old (March 8, 1986) 
C/LS Morgan Cox, Titans: 39 years old (April 26, 1986) 
QB Josh Johnson, Commanders: 39 years old (May 15, 1986) 
DL Calais Campbell, Cardinals: 39 years old (Sept. 1, 1986) 

Josh Allen arrives for Week 1 vs. Ravens

The reigning NFL MVP arrives for the Bills’ Week 1 matchup and is wearing the first of nine custom hats designed by patients at Buffalo’s Oishei Children’s Hospital. After each home game, his hat will be auctioned off to support the Patricia Allen Fund.

Lamar Jackson has arrived for ‘Sunday Night Football’ vs. Bills

The two-time NFL MVP has arrived at Highmark Stadium for the Ravens’ Week 1 game.

Ravens inactives vs. Bills

Bills inactives vs. Ravens

Who are the announcers for Bills vs. Ravens on NBC? 

Mike Tirico will handle play-by-play duties during the game, with Cris Collinsworth providing color commentary and Melissa Stark reporting from the sidelines.

NBC’s weekly ‘Football Night in America’ pregame show will begin at 7 p.m. ET and feature insight from a panel of analysts, including Maria Taylor, Jason Garrett, Chris Simms, Mike Florio, Devin McCourty, Tony Dungy, and more. 

When is the Bills new stadium opening?

The Bills are set to move into their new stadium at the beginning of the 2026 NFL season. The hope is that the stadium will be open for fans in July 2026, a month before the preseason begins. As a result, the 2025 NFL season is slated to be the Bills’ last at the current Highmark Stadium.

Which NFL team has the most Super Bowl wins? 

The Pittsburgh Steelers are tied with the New England Patriots for the most Super Bowl wins with six. Pittsburgh and Dallas have the unique distinction of playing each other more than any other team combination in Super Bowl history with three matchups. The 49ers have eight total Super Bowl appearances and have five rings to show for it, the most recent coming in 1994. 

Where is Justin Tucker?

Tucker was suspended for the first 10 weeks of the 2025 NFL season after a league investigation into sexual misconduct allegations. The kicker will be eligible for reinstatement on Nov. 11 and can serve out the suspension as a free agent.

The five-time All-Pro was released by the Ravens on May 5 after sexual misconduct allegations were made by more than a dozen massage therapists. Following the allegations, the NFL opened an investigation in February and announced the suspension in June.

Tucker has maintained his innocence in the matter.

‘I cannot be any clearer,’ Tucker said in a statement. ‘These accusations are false and incredibly hurtful to both me, and more importantly, my family.’

Who is the Ravens new kicker?

Baltimore selected him with the 186th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft – the first time in franchise history that the Ravens drafted a kicker.

NFL Week 1 final scores

Thursday, Sept. 4

Philadelphia Eagles 24, Dallas Cowboys 20

Friday, Sept. 5

Los Angeles Chargers 27, Kansas City Chiefs 21

Sunday, Sept. 7

Las Vegas Raiders 20, New England Patriots 13
Pittsburgh Steelers 34, New York Jets 32
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23, Atlanta Falcons 20
Indianapolis Colts 33, Miami Dolphins 8
Arizona Cardinals 20, New Orleans Saints 13
Washington Commanders 21, New York Giants 6
Cincinnati Bengals 17, Cleveland Browns 16
Jacksonville Jaguars 26, Carolina Panthers 10
San Francisco 49ers 17, Seattle Seahawks 13
Green Bay Packers 27, Detroit Lions 13
Los Angeles Rams 14, Houston Texans 9
Denver Broncos 20, Tennessee Titans 12

NFL MVP odds 2025

1. QB Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (+500)
T-2. QB Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals (+600)
T-2. QB Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (+600)
4. QB Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (+700)
5. QB Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders (+900)
6. QB Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers (+1200)
7. QB Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles (+1400)
8. QB Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (+1500)
9. QB Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers (+2500)
10. QB Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+3000)

Have the Bills won the Super Bowl?

The Bills are one of 12 NFL teams that have never won the Super Bowl. Buffalo made it to the Big Game four consecutive seasons from 1991 to 1994, but the Bills lost each time.

Who is Josh Allen married to?

Josh Allen is married to actress Hailee Steinfeld. She is best known for her roles in True Grit, the Pitch Perfect movies, The Edge of Seventeen and, most recently, Sinners.

Resistance takes many forms.

Sometimes it’s people taking to the streets in protest, as they did this weekend in Chicago and its suburbs. Sometimes it’s governors banding together to ensure their citizens have access to vaccines that have been thoroughly vetted, as the governors of California, Oregon, Washington and Hawaii have.

And sometimes it’s ABC and ESPN not muting the full-throated chorus of boos that occurred when the president of the United States was shown at the U.S. Open on Sunday.

The U.S. Tennis Association’s request that broadcasters “refrain from showcasing any disruptions to the President’s attendance in any capacity’ was an embarrassment. This is not North Korea or Russia, and it is not ABC’s, ESPN’s or any other broadcaster’s job to stroke President Donald Trump’s ego. His vice president, Cabinet secretaries and Republican House leadership have that covered.

ABC and ESPN refused to kowtow. While they didn’t linger on Trump when he was shown during the national anthem ahead of the men’s final between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, they didn’t filter out the reaction to him, either. The jeers and catcalls, resounding in Arthur Ashe Stadium, were clearly audible.

ABC broadcast the match while ESPN livesteamed it on its app.

Refusing to bow to authoritarian demands is important, regardless of whether they come from the White House or a sports governing body. If Trump chooses to go to the U.S. Open, it’s fair game for ABC and ESPN to show the public’s reaction to it. Just as it was in 2000, when then-President Bill Clinton went.

To suggest otherwise was wholly inappropriate by the USTA and, worse, served to overshadow the anticipation for the latest meeting in what has become tennis’ next great rivalry. Instead of talking about Sinner and Alcaraz, the focus before the match was on the USTA’s clumsy attempt at censorship.  

ABC and ESPN’s refusal to sugarcoat Trump’s reception was important for another reason, too.

Trump’s most diehard supporters often get their news from outlets — Fox News and X, to name two — that consider facts to be an inconvenience. These people are fed a steady diet of lies about Trump and his most horrific policies and ideas, giving them a worldview that does not reflect reality.

These people are told Chicago is the “murder capital of the world,” prices have come down and manufacturing jobs are coming back to the United States. This toxic stew of propaganda also serves to create the illusion that Trump is wildly popular, beloved by everyone except the nasty libs.

None of this is true, of course. Chicago’s homicide rate isn’t even in the top 20 of major U.S. cities and crime there has been falling. Prices remain stubbornly high, and retailers are starting to say they will have to hike prices even further because of Trump’s tariffs. The latest jobs report, issued on Sept. 5, showed a loss of 12,000 manufacturing jobs, continuing a decline for the year.

And poll after poll show more people disapprove of both Trump and his policies than approve of them.

Anything that can pierce Trump supporters’ bubble of misinformation is a good thing. Hearing Trump get jeered — loudly — for a couple of seconds during the U.S. Open broadcast might not cause the fever to break. But it could make his supporters question why. Especially if they’re already feeling disillusioned about their growing grocery bills or Trump’s refusal to release the Epstein files.

A seconds-long clip of a president being booed on a U.S. Open broadcast shouldn’t be a big deal. But so many guardrails have been erased by Trump and his minions, and obeying the USTA’s edict would have been one more. Good for ABC and ESPN for recognizing that.

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

UCLA quarterback Pierce Clarkson has been suspended from the team after he was arrested on an unspecified felony charge.

Clarkson was arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department at 12 p.m. local time on Friday, Sept. 5, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff online jail records. The charges against Clarkson were not released.

UCLA said in a statement on Sept. 7 it was aware of the charges against Clarkson and ‘he has been indefinitely suspended from all team activity pending the outcome of the legal process.’

‘This situation will be evaluated by the UCLA Office of Student Conduct and any further action taken will be in accordance with that evaluation and University policy,’ the statement read.

Clarkson’s bail was set at $30,000 and he was released the same day he was arrested after he posted bond. He is set to appear in Los Angeles Municipal Court on Oct. 3.

A 21-year-old transfer from Louisville, Clarkson has been battling for the backup quarterback position for the Bruins alongside Luke Duncan while Nico Iamaleava is the starter. Clarkson played in three games with the Cardinals, completing four passes on six for 18 yards along with three rushes for 14 yards during his time in Louisville.

Clarkson hasn’t seen any action in the first two games of the 2025 season. UCLA confirmed to USA TODAY Sports that he was not with the team in Las Vegas for the team’s game against UNLV.

The Bruins are 0-2 to start the season.

Aaron Rodgers led the Pittsburgh Steelers to a 34-32 victory over his former team, the New York Jets.
Aaron Rodgers led the Pittsburgh Steelers to a 34-32 comeback victory over his former team, the New York Jets.
The 41-year-old quarterback threw for 244 yards and four touchdowns in his first game with the Steelers.
Rodgers acknowledged he was happy to beat the Jets after the organization decided to move in a different direction.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The dichotomy of Aaron Rodgers was on full display Sunday behind the podium at MetLife Stadium, minutes after the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback authored his latest come-from-behind victory, albeit the first in his new uniform. 

It was merely a Week 1 victory, the first of 17 games, he repeated. Already, he’s adopted Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin’s “the standard is the standard” idiom. But he wasn’t overly shy about the fact he had something to prove to the New York Jets, the organization that essentially told him “thanks but no thanks” after two dramatic years that is probably best characterized as mostly disastrous. 

“I was happy to beat everybody associated with the Jets,” Rodgers said. 

A seemingly revitalized Rodgers – who signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers after a prolonged courtship (the quarterback cited “personal reasons” for the delay) – led his team to a 34-32 victory over his former squad. The 41-year-old threw his counterpunch to Father Time with four touchdown passes and 244 yards on 22-for-30 passing. 

It was a day of firsts for Rodgers wearing the black and gold, but it marked his 24th career comeback victory and 35th game-winning drive. 

“I love beating everybody,” Rodgers said. “It doesn’t matter who it is.”  

Before the game, Rodgers caught up with Jets running back and former teammate Breece Hall, who asked him how it felt to be back at MetLife facing his former team. Rodgers quickly pointed out that he only played 18 games here. He said the emotions won’t be close to what he will experience Week 8 when the Steelers host the Green Bay Packers, the team he played for during the first 18 seasons of his storied career. 

The last time Rodgers made a debut at MetLife Stadium, it was the most devastating night of his career. Everybody, especially Jets fans, remembers. In his Jets’ debut, the first time he didn’t wear a Packers jersey to that point, ended four plays into his New York career with a torn Achilles and a lost season that included the firing of Robert Saleh and a 14th consecutive season without a playoff berth for the franchise. 

“The energy definitely felt different today,” Rodgers said about Sept. 11, 2023, when he took the field to an elated crowd while carrying an American flag. “Anybody who was there could feel that there was a major difference.” 

As Rodgers took the field at 1:12 p.m. local time Sunday, Jets fans – only a little bit more than half of the crowd – serenaded him with boos. He heard the “cat calls and boo birds.” 

“I’m not sensitive about that. I respect that. I kind of like that,” Rodgers said. “But there were probably people in the organization that didn’t think I could play anymore so it was nice to (show) those people I still can.” 

That was an obvious reference to his offseason meeting with new Jets head coach Aaron Glenn and the new front office. It was conveyed to Rodgers, in his words, that he wasn’t right for the direction the Jets wanted to go. 

“Yes, that’s what (Glenn) did,” Rodgers replied when asked about the interaction that he first detailed months ago during a “Pat McAfee Show” appearance. 

To have a season taken away, battle back and have a rough season in 2024, he said, was not easy for him to stomach. He gave as much as he could to the Jets. No hard feelings about that, he added. But he didn’t necessarily appreciate how the Jets handled the decision by making him fly cross-country to deliver the news they were moving in a different direction. 

“That’s in the past,” the four-time MVP said, “and we’re 1-0.” 

The Athletic columnist and Rodgers biographer Ian O’Connor asked him about his career mission dating back to his high school days of overcoming slights. 

“You already wrote about that,” Rodgers said. 

So was the hype about Rodgers’ return overblown? Nope, he said. Did he have something to prove? Also no, apparently. 

At times, Rodgers looked like a sitting duck in the pocket and his former Jets teammates made him pay by sacking him four times. Rodgers was still mobile enough to fake a handoff and roll to the right and lead Jaylen Warren for an easy walk-in touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter to cut the Steelers’ deficit to two points at 26-24.

Four plays later, after a Jets’ special-teams blunder that gave Pittsburgh the ball back, he found Calvin Austin III for a go-ahead touchdown. Thanks to some ball luck on the final drive – even though the offense couldn’t convert on the plus-side of the field – Pittsburgh kicker Chris Boswell nailed the game-winning field goal from 60 yards out with 63 seconds left on the clock. 

Throughout the game, but particularly in the fourth quarter, right guard Isaac Seumalo found Rodgers to be calm and confident. No stage is too big for No. 8, Seumalo said. 

“I always say the best players have the foundation of just being excellent in the basics, and then the creativity, to improvise on the run,” Seumalo told USA TODAY Sports. “He knows how to make the game easy, make it slow, improvise when he needs to. He played great today.

“This is what we expect from him. And he expects that from himself too.” 

Tight end Jonnu Smith, who caught one of Rodgers’ touchdown on a goal-line pop pass with 32 seconds before halftime, said he’s long known the type of player Rodgers is but has been impressed by how he comports himself as a teammate. 

Rodgers said he’s always tried to have meaningful conversations and will talk to guys before, during and after practice. He mentioned how he asked wide receiver D.K. Metcalf (four catches, 83 yards), another Steelers’ offseason acquisition, during camp – they shared a bathroom – to give him a report early in game week about how he viewed his matchups and what he wanted to see in the game plan. Rodgers didn’t think much about it after the ask. But come Tuesday of last week, Metcalf authored a lengthy text message to him. 

“We just wanted to play for each other and play for (number) eight,” said Austin III, who had four catches for 83 yards. “When we go out there, we have his full confidence that whatever he’s saying, he’s getting us in the best position.” 

The identity of the offense – offensive coordinator Arthur Smith called 30 passes compared to 20 rushes, though Pittsburgh trailed most of the game had something to do with that – will vary week-to-week and is based in selflessness, Austin said. 

“It doesn’t matter if it’s running or passing,” he said, “it’s playing for each other. I know one thing – our identity is that we’re going to be with each other.” 

Rodgers still holds fond feelings for people associated with the Jets. He named backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor, linebacker Quincy Williams and running backs Braelon Allen and Hall as individuals he was glad he saw on the field before the game. He even warmed up with a ballboy he worked with during his time with the Jets. 

Rodgers wondered how he would react once the competitive juices started flowing on the sideline. He thanked his still-anonymous wife and circle of friends for encouraging him to take time with the decision. 

“Happy to be a Steeler,” Rodgers said, “and happy things went the way they did.” 

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