Category: Sport

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — I finished by MetLife Stadium on Sunday to cowl Cowboys-Jets and I’ve to say, I don’t suppose it’s an overreaction to say the 2025 Jets most likely aren’t going to contend for a playoff spot. “Work in progress” might be essentially the most charitable strategy to describe Aaron Glenn’s bunch. However the Cowboys will take it, and it’s not an overreaction to say that Dallas’ protection performed its greatest recreation of the season to date. Or that quarterback Dak Prescott is taking part in at an especially excessive degree.

However that’s sufficient from that recreation. That is Week 5, and the outlines of the overreactions are beginning to get a bit of bit clearer. By now it’s secure to consider the Colts are good, the Lions are nonetheless a high contender, and the Ravens are in a heap of bother. Now we have sufficient proof now that we are able to speak with some confidence about who these groups are and who they aren’t.

With that in thoughts, let’s begin the Week 5 Overreactions column — the place we type by the weekly overreactions to try to work out which of them would possibly maintain up and which of them are mirages — with the primary recreation of the week, an exhilarating extra time NFC West matchup from Thursday night time.

Soar to:
Are 49ers true NFC contenders?
Is Nik Bonitto the DPOY favourite?
A.J. Brown will pressure a midseason commerce?
Fantasy overreactions!

When you spent Thursday afternoon and early night questioning if the 49ers would be capable to provide you with 11 gamers to go well with up and play the Rams that night time, you most likely weren’t alone. San Francisco rolled into Week 5 as overwhelmed up as any crew within the league, lacking its beginning quarterback, high three receivers, Professional Bowl tight finish and star edge rusher, to call a couple of.

Backup quarterback Mac Jones was beginning to appear to be the Black Knight from Monty Python and the Holy Grail as the sport went alongside, however he stored placing himself again collectively and going again into the sport. The Niners received in extra time to enhance to 4-1, dropping the Rams to 3-2 and located themselves in first place of their division with victories over every of the opposite three division contenders.

Verdict: NOT AN OVERREACTION

Nick Bosa being out for the season is likely to be what retains the Niners from being the kind of elite Tremendous Bowl contender they had been a few years in the past, after they held a lead in extra time of Tremendous Bowl LVIII earlier than dropping to Kansas Metropolis. However aside from that, they’re just about assured to get more healthy, and their schedule doesn’t seem to get tougher. They’ve a troublesome street recreation at Tampa Bay subsequent weekend, however after that they play solely two extra video games in opposition to groups that made final yr’s playoffs, and the final of these video games is Nov. 9.

San Francisco’s street to the playoffs appears to be like as easy as anybody’s, and in the event that they get a few of these key gamers again, they’ve an actual likelihood to contend for the NFC’s high seed. Once more, they’re in first place in what is likely to be the league’s hardest division, they usually’ve already gotten wins over the Seahawks and Rams on the street. The 49ers have had a brutally tough begin to the season when it comes to what’s occurred to them. However to date they’ve been in a position to overcome it, which units them up effectively the remainder of the best way.

The most important win of Sunday’s early window was the Broncos’ comeback from 14 down within the fourth quarter handy the defending Tremendous Bowl champion Eagles their first lack of the season. The protection was an enormous a part of it, and Bonitto led the best way with 2.5 sacks. He now has six sacks in his final three video games and 7 for the season because the Denver protection is rounding into the shape that was anticipated of it earlier than the marketing campaign began.

Bonitto completed ninth within the Defensive Participant of the Yr voting final season, when his teammate, cornerback Pat Surtain II, received the award. And proper now Bonitto is on tempo to simply surpass his 2024 complete of 13.5 sacks — to not point out the single-season NFL file of twenty-two.5 sacks.

Verdict: NOT AN OVERREACTION

Denver’s protection appears to be like like an elite unit, and the subsequent couple of weeks current it with potential stat-padding video games in opposition to the Jets and the Giants. The Broncos have stumbled a bit of bit within the early going and are simply 3-2. However they had been a playoff crew final season and have causes to consider they will get on a roll and contend once more this yr, even within the robust AFC West.

In the event that they push the Chiefs for the division title and even go forward and win it, voters shall be in search of awards candidates from the Broncos’ roster. Bonitto is off to the kind of begin that award-candidate frontrunners have.

The flip aspect of the Broncos’ massive win was a bitter loss for the Eagles, who carried a 17-3 lead into the fourth quarter at residence and couldn’t add to it or maintain on. Philly’s offense has been inconsistent at greatest this season, and Brown has let his frustrations be identified — professionally and respectfully, in fact, however all the identical.

Sunday noticed teammate DeVonta Smith catch eight passes for 114 yards, however Brown solely had 5 catches for 43 yards on eight targets. Brown is being paid like one of many high receivers within the league however isn’t getting used like one, and he’s made it clear he’d prefer to be extra concerned — to not pad his stats, however as a result of he thinks he will help make the offense higher and extra constant. He’s not unsuitable, however proper now Philly nonetheless isn’t on observe on that aspect of the ball.

Verdict: OVERREACTION

The Eagles aren’t buying and selling Brown, and from what I perceive he doesn’t need them to commerce him. This can be a crew that received the Tremendous Bowl eight months in the past and is aware of how you can climate early-season points and are available out on high. It would really feel a bit of tough proper now, however any time there’s been a flicker of discontent round Brown, he’s seized the chance to take possession of his frustrations and make it clear, internally and externally, that he’s all about no matter it takes to assist the crew win.

The Eagles didn’t win Sunday, and final yr’s celebrity, operating again Saquon Barkley, had solely 30 dashing yards on six carries. So clearly issues must be tweaked if this Eagles offense goes to do what it must do. Perhaps not being undefeated anymore will assist persuade Eagles coaches that one thing wants to alter earlier than this season begins trying extra like their 2023 collapse than their 2024 triumph.

You could decide up Rico Dowdle: NOT AN OVERREACTION. With Carolina beginning operating again Chuba Hubbard lacking the sport on account of harm, Dowdle rushed for 206 yards and a landing on 23 carries within the Panthers’ victory over Miami. Hubbard shall be again, and the crew gave him a giant contract extension final yr, however it additionally signed Dowdle in free company this yr, and Hubbard’s contract has no assured cash previous 2025. If in case you have Hubbard in your roster, Dowdle is a must-stash even when Hubbard returns. When you don’t, decide up Dowdle anyway since you by no means know. Perhaps the Hubbard supervisor in your league will overpay for Dowdle in a commerce.

You could decide up Ryan Flournoy: OVERREACTION. Yeah, Flournoy had a giant recreation for the Cowboys with CeeDee Lamb and KaVontae Turpin out with accidents, racking up 114 yards on six catches in Dallas’ victory over the Jets. That’s superior for his confidence and the Cowboys’ depth. However that position isn’t going to carry up as soon as these guys get again. And even when they aren’t again subsequent week, Flournoy remains to be third in line behind George Pickens and Jalen Tolbert, to not point out tight finish Jake Ferguson. You’ll be able to go away Flournoy on waivers in standard-size leagues.

Derrick Henry isn’t an RB1 if Lamar Jackson is out: NOT AN OVERREACTION. If in case you have Henry, you’re nonetheless taking part in him, and you may’t commerce him at his present worth. However clearly the specter of Jackson as a runner makes issues simpler on Henry, and never having Jackson means groups can key on the veteran operating again. However aside from Week 1, Henry hasn’t been an RB1 this season even with Jackson within the lineup. Modify expectations. This season is slipping away from the Ravens in a rush.

Quinshon Judkins shall be a first-round fantasy decide in 2026: NOT AN OVERREACTION. Judkins is a severely robust runner, which he confirmed Sunday in London in opposition to a troublesome Vikings protection. This can be a man who didn’t signal his rookie contract till the beginning of the season due to off-field authorized points. And whereas these may nonetheless end in him being suspended in some unspecified time in the future this season or subsequent, Judkins is a man you’re going to need in your lineup when he’s in Cleveland’s. He’ll solely get higher.

Fantasy managers ought to money in on Emeka Egbuka’s max commerce worth: OVERREACTION. When you’re promoting, I need in. This child isn’t a flash within the pan, and I don’t suppose his position goes to shrink very a lot as soon as Mike Evans is again from harm. Egbuka is a first-round decide who scores a landing each week. The crew loves him. The quarterback loves him. He can play any of the WR positions in Tampa Bay’s offense, and he’s a constructing block for his or her future. Maintain or attempt to acquire.

Week 5 of the 2025 fantasy soccer season featured a variety of large performances and a handful of disappointing ones.

Who have been the large winners and losers?

Matt Bowen and Tristan H. Cockcroft provide their analyses.

Bounce to a subject:
Rating winners | Rating losers |
Greatest accidents and what’s subsequent

1. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts: One other week, one other three-touchdown, 30-plus PPR fantasy level efficiency for Taylor, who has abruptly moved into second place at his place (121.3) behind Christian McCaffrey (123.9) for the season. Taylor scored 31.6 factors in his newest dominant effort, this one towards the Las Vegas Raiders, regardless of his not touching the soccer over the ultimate 17 minutes of the sport. Put apart his previous harm questions, as he’s operating about in addition to anybody at present and is a locked-in RB1. — Cockcroft

2. Rico Dowdle, RB, Carolina Panthers: With Chuba Hubbard down (calf), Dowdle took benefit of the optimistic matchup vs. Miami, scoring a career-high 32.4 factors. Dowdle noticed heavy run recreation utilization, carrying the ball 23 instances for 202 yards and a rating, plus he added 28 yards receiving on three catches. With open daylight to assault versus the Dolphins entrance, racked up six rushes of 10 or extra yards. Explosive. If Hubbard remains to be out for the Week 6 recreation versus Dallas, Hubbard suits as a stable RB2, and he’s at present out there in over 60% of ESPN leagues. — Bowen

3. Kyren Williams, RB, Los Angeles Rams: Williams’ enhance in receiving utilization pushed his whole to a season-high 31.1 factors within the Thursday evening loss to the 49ers. Williams caught eight of 10 targets right here for 66 yards, plus he added two landing grabs. Williams did lead the crew in speeding with 65 yards on 14 carries (4.6 YPC), whereas backup Blake Corum noticed only one speeding try. With a Week 6 matchup versus a banged-up Ravens protection, Corum will stay an upper-tier RB2. — Bowen

4. Dak Prescott, QB, and Javonte Williams, RB, Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys’ offense was buzzing as soon as once more towards the mightily struggling New York Jets, scoring 37 factors to present them a league-leading three video games totaling no less than that many. Prescott performed an enormous half, throwing 4 passing touchdowns and scoring 28.28 fantasy factors, to position himself no less than among the many prime 4 at his place for the season (pending Sunday and Monday evening outcomes). Williams caught one in all them and including a speeding rating of his personal, for a season-best 26.9 PPR fantasy factors that represented his third 20-point efficiency of 2025. The Cowboys’ defensive woes have resulted in Prescott incessantly airing issues out — his 195 passing makes an attempt are simply the league’s most — which appears unlikely to alter within the coming weeks. Count on extra large scores from each in Weeks 6 and seven towards the Carolina Panthers and Washington Commanders, groups which have additionally struggled defensively. — Cockcroft

5. Jake Ferguson, TE, Dallas Cowboys: These aforementioned Cowboys defensive struggles, coupled with the absence of star large receiver CeeDee Lamb, has ramped up Ferguson’s utilization within the passing recreation. He scored a career-best 23.9 PPR fantasy factors whereas tying for the crew lead in targets (9), giving him a decent end-leading 48 of the latter for the season. Whereas Lamb might be able to return from his ankle harm for Week 6, Ferguson ought to nonetheless be closely concerned sufficient to be a top-five possibility at his place. — Cockcroft

6. Matthew Stafford, RB, Los Angeles Rams: He orchestrated a late-game rally to tie, solely to see his Rams lose a heartbreaker in time beyond regulation, 26-23, on Thursday evening. Stafford’s fantasy managers have been happy nonetheless, as he scored 25.56 fantasy factors after totaling 27.40 the week earlier than. He’s making wonderful use of his prime two large receivers, Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, in addition to operating again Kyren Williams within the passing recreation, and will once more be a fantasy QB1 in Week 6 towards a Baltimore Ravens protection that has allowed 4 passing touchdowns to every of its previous two opponents. — Cockcroft

7. Mac Jones, QB, San Francisco 49ers: On quick week, with a number of backups enjoying vital roles within the 49ers move recreation, a beat-up Jones scored 22.18 factors within the Thursday evening win over the Rams. 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan schemed up Jones off play-action and used the fast recreation to get the ball out on this one. Jones, who accomplished 33 of 49 passes for 342 yards, averaged 6.0 air yards per try, with Kendrick Bourne (10-142) main the crew in receiving, whereas Christian McCaffrey and Jake Tonges caught touchdowns. With no return date set for beginning quarterback Brock Purdy (toe), Jones (out there in over 95% of ESPN leagues), might be in-line to start out once more in Week 6 at Tampa. — Bowen

8. C.J. Stroud, QB, Houston Texans: He scored 28.76 fantasy factors, his first recreation above 20 since Week 4 of final season, and totaled 4 passing touchdowns in a dismantling of the reeling Baltimore Ravens protection. The efficiency spoke as a lot to Stroud’s personal successes — he accomplished 9-of-10 passes to fit receivers for 119 yards and two scores — because it did the matchup itself. The Ravens have now seen three completely different quarterbacks prime 27 factors towards them (Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes), which is price tucking away for future opponents Matthew Stafford (Week 6), Caleb Williams (Week 8) and Tua Tagovailoa (Week 9). Stroud and the Texans, in the meantime, now head into their bye week. — Cockcroft

9. Darren Waller, TE, Miami Dolphins: After scoring 17.7 factors in his first recreation of the season final week, Waller was productive once more in Sunday’s loss to the Panthers. With a rise in snaps and routes run (26), Waller had 18.7 factors in Carolina, catching all 5 of his targets for 78 yards and a landing. Waller has now scored no less than a landing in every of his two video games performed, and he can nonetheless stretch the seams out within the area. With Tyreek Hill out for the season, Waller’s function as a middle-of-the-field possibility ought to stay regular within the Miami offense. Waller (out there in over 50% of ESPN leagues) ought to be a prime waiver add forward of the Week 6 matchup versus the Chargers. — Bowen

Midfielder Pedri slammed a “dreadful” first half as Barcelona suffered their first defeat of the LaLiga season on Sunday, shedding 4-1 to Sevilla on the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán.

A penalty from veteran Alexis Sánchez in opposition to his former aspect and a strike from Isaac Romero helped Sevilla right into a two-goal lead inside 37 minutes, however Marcus Rashford pulled one again with a volley simply earlier than the break.

Robert Lewandowski missed a penalty within the second half to stage, earlier than late objectives from José Ángel Carmona and Akor Adams inflicted back-to-back defeats on Barça for the primary time since December 2024 after the midweek reverse in opposition to Paris Saint-Germain.

“The primary half was dreadful,” Pedri instructed Barça One after the sport. “I don’t assume we’ve performed as badly as we did right this moment. We’ve got to be sincere with ourselves and be self-critical.

“There was no depth or high quality with the ball within the first half. We didn’t know the right way to play via their press. We didn’t know what to do with the ball.

“We’ve got to enhance plenty of issues. The coach [Hansi Flick] and us, the gamers, will work exhausting to enhance them after the break in order that this doesn’t occur once more.”

The defeat sees Barça, who had been with out Lamine Yamal and Raphinha in Seville, slip to second within the LaLiga desk, behind Actual Madrid who beat Villarreal on Saturday.

Regardless of struggling a second loss in all competitions in per week, Flick refused to be too downbeat, as an alternative praising the aspect’s response within the second half.

In addition to Lewandowski’s miss from the penalty spot, substitute Roony Bardghji additionally squandered two good possibilities, whereas Eric García had a header saved from a nook.

“The primary half was not good for us,” the Barça coach stated in a information convention. “They performed one in opposition to one in opposition to us and so they had been very aggressive so we had no answer to play out.

“It was actually not good. However within the second half the response was good. I recognize so much what we did, how we performed and it was actually good to see.”

In addition to Yamal and Raphinha, Barça had been additionally lacking Marc-André ter Stegen, Joan García, Gavi and Fermín López in opposition to Sevilla.

The worldwide break offers the Spanish champions an opportunity to get some gamers again match, with Flick promising a response after they return to motion in LaLiga in opposition to Girona on Oct. 18.

“Crucial factor is the response and the emotion — additionally within the dressing room — that I see,” he added.

“It’s essential that we preserve that and that after we begin once more after the break we’ll battle. We are going to battle for each title. So will probably be for the Champions League, for the Copa [del Rey], for the Supercopa and naturally for LaLiga. That is what we wish.

“I feel we’re a great group. Gamers will come again and so we go on. It’s optimistic and we work exhausting and that is what we’ve got to do.”

Week 5 of the 2025 NFL season turned the pregame tunnel into a classy runway.

Arriving at stadiums, gamers handled arrival like style week — sharp tailoring, patterns, blended textures and some matches that demanded a second look. Refined pops of group coloration and classy equipment did work, too, with clear timepieces, layered chains and even pairs of assertion shades.

Not everybody went full suit-and-tie. Loads saved it elevated-casual with relaxed knits, jackets and denim, whereas the athleisure crowd caught the touchdown with tailor-made sweats and crisp sneakers. A handful of matches pushed into fashion-forward territory — wide-leg trousers, high-quality particulars, surprising proportions — and drew cameras lengthy earlier than warmups.

From veterans with signature model to rookies discovering their lane, Week 5 delivered a wide range of seems to be. Listed below are the arrivals that set the tone earlier than the primary snap.

The Las Vegas Raiders are on the highway in opposition to the Indianapolis Colts, and Maxx Crosby’s shirtless arrival is selection that might learn as a style assertion or intimidation tactic, however both method it stood out.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones went with a proper assertion this week, sporting a red-and-black cut up swimsuit earlier than going through the Los Angeles Rams on “Thursday Night time Soccer.”

SINGAPORE — McLaren secured its second successive Method 1 constructors’ championship on the Singapore Grand Prix.

The staff efficiently defended the title with Sunday’s consequence, which noticed Lando Norris end on the rostrum and drivers’ championship chief Oscar Piastri end one place behind in fourth.

McLaren’s dominant season has made the championship a formality because the August summer season break. The staff has claimed 12 victories this yr — seven of which have been 1-2 finishes.

The staff has not received a drivers’ championship since Lewis Hamilton’s maiden title in 2008 however each its drivers are preventing to win it this yr. Piastri leads Norris within the championship by 22 factors after Singapore, with Crimson Bull’s Max Verstappen 63 behind Piastri in third place.

McLaren’s turnaround has been one of many outstanding tales of Method 1’s trendy period. When CEO Zak Brown took over in 2016, McLaren was in a failing partnership with Honda and often failing to progress out of the primary session of qualifying.

The staff has since cycled by means of engine offers with Honda and present companion Mercedes, which has proved to be a successful partnership. Brown oversaw the staff’s first win in a decade on the 2021 Italian Grand Prix.

Group boss Andrea Stella, employed the next yr, has been a key half within the puzzle in McLaren displacing Crimson Bull because the grid’s main outfit.

Former Crimson Bull designer Rob Marshall has additionally performed an necessary position in overseeing the class-leading vehicles of the previous two years.

Drivers Norris and Piastri are each tied down with McLaren long run, till a minimum of 2027 and 2028, respectively.

When the Indianapolis Colts introduced the signing of quarterback Daniel Jones on X in March, they captioned their put up merely: “INDIANA JONES.”

That planted the seeds of a brand new nickname that has taken the NFL by storm, with references to Jones because the fictional hero professor and archaeologist receiving close to common acclaim. Las Vegas Raiders move rusher Maxx Crosby stated it “is likely to be one of the best nickname round proper now.”

Whereas showing on the “ManningCast” in Week 3, Peyton Manning requested Jones if the true purpose he signed with the Colts was as a result of it gave him the chance for a nickname improve. Jones was often called “Danny Dimes” whereas with the New York Giants.

“An improve, huh? A nickname improve,” Jones stated, laughing. “I didn’t issue that in. However, , I’d say it’s most likely an improve. Yeah, it’s all the time a nickname … There’s a nickname now in all places.”

Jones advised Kay Adams that he watched a bunch of Indiana Jones films again within the day, nevertheless it’s been some time since he’s seen one. Whether or not he’s really “Indiana Jones” or not, his play on the sector has sparked a 3-1 begin for the Colts.

Heading into Week 5, the quarterback’s 79.7 complete QBR leads the league. Over the earlier two seasons, he ranked twenty ninth out of 33 certified quarterbacks in QBR, in response to ESPN Analysis. Jones has thrown for 1,078 yards, the third most within the NFL.

He was additionally the one participant within the final 90 years with three passing touchdowns, three speeding touchdowns and nil turnovers in his crew’s first three video games. Nevertheless, Jones threw two interceptions and one landing move within the Colts’ 27-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 4.

Indianapolis’ offense has thrived below Jones. The Colts are averaging a league-high 6.5 yards per play plus 30.8 factors per recreation, their most factors by means of 4 video games since 2014. Additionally they punted the ball solely as soon as within the first three weeks, giving them the fewest by any crew over its first three video games of an NFL season since at the very least 1940.

Whether or not or not Jones can maintain this resurgence stays up for debate. Indianapolis hosts the Raiders on Sunday — a well-known quest for the person nicknamed after the star of “Raiders of the Misplaced Ark.”