French sides very interested in Toulouse and Strasbourg Sunderland Winger Romaine Mundle this summer.

foot market report The Ligue 1 pair are both keen on the 23-year-old, who has no intention of renewing his current contract at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland rejected the bid

According to FM information, Toulouse are currently the frontrunners for the signature of Romain Mundle and have made an initial approach to Sunderland for him. The Black Cats rejected this.

However, Toulouse has no intention of giving up. In fact, they are planning to return to Sunderland this week with another offer. The nature of their bids is not mentioned by Foot Mercato at this point.

But the website points out that the French side have a history of signing talent from England in recent years. A clear example of this is Charlie Cresswell, who joins Leeds United in 2024 in a €4.5m deal. He has since established himself as a key player at the club.

Sunderland contract until 2028

Now it appears they are looking to repeat that success with Romaine Mundle. He is currently valued at €8m by the likes of Transfermarkt Joins Sunderland on a €1.8m deal in 2024.

Last season he struggled for game time at the Stadium of Light, making 14 appearances in the Premier League but only 12% of the available minutes. He was in the first team only 5% of the time throughout the campaign.

That’s why, perhaps, he doesn’t intend to extend his deal, which runs until 2028. This leaves Sunderland in a precarious position as letting his contract run for another year would put him in the final year of his deal, and they would need to sell him at a reduced price.

This is probably why Toulouse and possibly Strasbourg are now on the move. Despite Sunderland holding out on him for now, the French pair have seen an opportunity and are making a move for the 23-year-old.

Inter Milan manager Christian Chivu is ‘absolutely crazy’ liverpool Midfielder Curtis Jones, the Italian side are working hard to sign him.

gazzetta dello sport report Today on the 25-year-old and how he is the ‘most likely candidate’ for Inter at the moment.

inter milan keen

Inter are very keen to sign the ‘brilliant Englishman’, with Christian Chivu ‘absolutely crazy’ about the midfielder. He thinks that he is a ‘perfect’ player and there is no player like him in the team.

Inter Milan have been keen on the Liverpool midfielder for some time now. Everyone expected that a deal would be done in the January transfer window.

However, at the time it was felt that conditions were not ‘ripe’ as Liverpool had proved rigid in negotiations. Six months later, everything seems less complicated.

Curtis Jones now has a year left on his deal at Liverpool and Arne Slott is offering no guarantees of playing time next season.

Liverpool wants €30 million

As a result, he is ready to ‘enthusiastically embrace’ a new life in Italy and begin the Nerazzurri project. He is more interested in Inter than Galatasaray, who have also submitted an offer.

The biggest issue is Liverpool’s asking price. They quoted Galatasaray €30m in recent talks. Inter currently value Jones at around €20m. So, there is a big difference between the two, but it is not ‘insurmountable’.

The key to a quick solution may lie in the percentage of future sales offered. However, Inter need Liverpool to negotiate. The meeting of both the parties is fixed To begin negotiations next week.

The Reds are open to a deal, but do not intend to lower their standards too much, especially on an academy product. When it comes to the financial side of things it represents net profit. But there is a deal to be done and Inter certainly want to get it done.

Queens Park Rangers Dinamo have made progress in their attempts to sign goalkeeper Ivan Nevistic this summer.

Navistik kept five clean sheets and conceded 20 goals in 18 matches this season. His performances and profile may have convinced QPR to attempt to sign him.

The Croatian started the season as number 1, but lost his place to Dominik Livakovic, who arrived on loan from Fenerbahçe in January.

There is no clarity on whether Livakovic will extend his stay at Dinamo Zagreb or not. Earlier this month, Sport Witness broadcast news Crystal Palace interested in Fenerbahçe man.

QPR want to complete the signing quickly

However, Ivan Nevstic could be on the move, and a championship could be his next destination.

is according to 24 SATAWhich suggests QPR are serious about the goalkeeper, who could move to Loftus Road ‘very soon’.

Dinamo Zagreb would have no problem with an exit and are waiting for a formal offer.

sports news support this claim and provide their own update on QPR’s efforts to secure their services.

Julian Steffen’s side assured the stopper that he would be their new No. 1 when presenting his plan to them.

This allowed the player to reach an agreement on personal terms, a three- or four-year contract. The London club must agree terms with his club. Early next week, QPR officials will arrive in Zagreb with the intention of completing the signing.

Dinamo Zagreb will facilitate his exit and the report states that the operation should be carried out for a fee of between €500k and €1m.

At the moment, QPR are the ‘most realistic option’, even if unnamed German and Polish clubs lurk in the background.

Goalkeeper priority for QPR

QPR finished 15th this season, conceding 73 goals. This was the second worst defensive record after [89 goals] Sheffield Wednesday are bottom.

Julian Stephen had Joe Walsh, Paul Nardi and Ben Hamer as his three stoppers and the latter two have since left the club.

This has made signing a new stopper a priority for the English club. FC Juarez goalkeeper Sebastian Jurado has been on their agendaBut Ivan Nevstic is likely to join QPR.

The Croatian’s contract expires in 2028 and his value, accordingly transfer marketIs €500k.

Andoni Ierola will choose between AC Milan and crystal Palace between Friday and Saturday when it chooses its next destination.

Sport Mediaset Report, Via Milan NewsThat it is now a straight race between Crystal Palace and AC Milan for the departed Bournemouth manager.

crystal palace vs milan

Milan News relayed the information from the Italian newspaper today. He told that now there are two contenders for the Basque coach.

Having closely watched his success at Bournemouth, AC Milan have placed him at the top of their wish list. Crystal Palace are the other contenders.

They compete in the Europa Conference League final tonight, which will be Oliver Glasner’s last game in charge. They have had their eye on Andoni Ierola for some time but could ‘get serious’ about their efforts to recruit him tomorrow.

According to Claudio Raimondi of Sport Mediaset, the Basque coach will decide between Milan and Crystal Palace between Friday and Saturday. He wants to give the Eagles the opportunity to present his offer and draw comparisons with Milan.

crystal palace offer

This matches Spain’s latest report on Andoni Irola today. Sport Witness covered a report on sport Details of what’s happening to the 43-year-old man.

According to his information, Crystal Palace, Milan and Bayer Leverkusen are currently ‘trying their hardest’ to sign the Bournemouth coach.

They say Crystal Palace have offered Irola several million pounds. He is considering the offer because it is an interesting project and would allow his family to remain in England.

Now the Spaniard is ready to make a decision at the end of the week. It seems he still hasn’t decided what he wants to do after leaving Bournemouth.

And he is prepared to give Crystal Palace every chance to secure his signature as they look to secure a top-class replacement for Oliver Glassner.

west ham united FC Metz have made solid progress with their move to sign Alfa Toure in the summer transfer window.

The Premier League side had already set their sights on the defensive midfielder in the winter market.

In January, Sports Witness broadcast news West Ham’s initial offer of €7m. The source had reported the Hammers returning with an improved bid but this did not happen in the same window.

A month later, the Senegalese midfielder revealed that he was pleased by West Ham’s interest and talked about his dream of moving to England.

That time, He said: : “It’s always nice when clubs like West Ham or Besiktas show interest in me. It shows I still have to work hard. But I’m under contract with Metz and I’m very focused on my season. I leave it to my representatives. [my family] And the club,” Touré explained.

“I’m focused on the pitch. As long as I wear the Metz shirt, I give 100%… The Premier League is a very intense championship, with a lot of pace and impact. It’s a dream for many players. But one thing at a time.”

West Ham are in talks for Toure

Fast forward to May and game Cover the latest on West Ham’s interest in Senegal’s Alfa Toure.

The outlet has made it clear that it is their own update that Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have reached an agreement in principle with the 20-year-old.

He left Generation Foot for FC Metz in July 2024 and played 21 matches last season as the club achieved promotion to Ligue 1.

When compared to last season [1,042 minutes]The midfielder’s playing time improved this season. His league statistics are as follows:

• Appearances: 30
• Start: 16
• Total minutes: 1,611
• Minutes per game: 54

His performances have already attracted the attention of other clubs, including Anderlecht, but the London club remain in top form. West Ham are prepared to pay £6 million, after reaching an agreement in principle [€6.9m] To persuade the French Club.

The Hammers are making progress in their negotiations and have a ‘significant advantage’ over competitors. Unless there is a fresh setback or a last-minute twist, West Ham could finalize the operation this week.

Impact of demotion on West Ham move?

West Ham United suffered a 3-1 defeat to Newcastle United in the league on Sunday. The latest result means the Hammers are still in the relegation zone, two points behind 17th-placed Tottenham Hotspur, who have a game in hand.

There is no mention of what will happen to Alfa Toure if the Hammers are relegated from the Championship.

Touré’s contract runs until 2028, and transfer market Now estimate his value at €5m.

Last week it was revealed that New York Giants star wide receiver Malik Nabors had a second surgery on his knee to remove scar tissue from his ACL surgery.

The Giants hope he will be ready for the season opener against the Dallas Cowboys, but there is no guarantee he will. With his availability for Week 1 in question, they will have to consider the possibility that he will begin the season on the PUP list.

The team will be cautious with Nabors as the goal is to get him back on the field when he is 100%. Head coach John Harbaugh and the rest of the Giants executives will be closely monitoring the health of their star receiver as training camp approaches.

If the franchise has to start the year without their best playmaker, there are a number of directions they could go. Here’s a look at three possible scenarios the team could go with if Nabors is unavailable for the start of the season.

RELATED: Eli Manning reveals big secret about refusing to play for Chargers

Sign Odell Beckham Jr.

The Giants showed interest in acquiring Odell Beckham Jr. before it was revealed that Nabors had undergone a second surgery by bringing him in for a workout. With the possibility of starting the year without their star player and Darius Slayton recovering from core muscle surgery, this interest has certainly increased.

At 33 years old, Odell Beckham Jr. won’t be the number one option on any team, but he’s still a solid route runner with reliable hands who could be a dependable replacement for Jackson Dart. It seems likely that if OBJ plays in 2026, it will be with Big Blue, as he has not been linked with any of the other 31 teams.

RELATED: 2026 NFL QB rankings after Aaron Rodgers rejoins the Steelers

Give current veteran receivers a chance

One of the biggest priorities for New York this offseason was upgrading the receiver position. They accomplished this in free agency by signing Darnell Money and Kelvin Austin III to one-year contracts. They then traded three draft picks with the Cleveland Browns to move up and draft Malachi Fields with the 74 overall pick.^th Overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft

Although neither of them will be considered a true number one option in the passing game, their collection, along with tight end Isaiah, will be enough to keep the passing offense afloat until the Pro Bowl wideout is able to play.

sign deebo samuel

The New York Giants’ offense will be their most physical unit this season with the addition of 300-pound fullback Patrick Rickard. Rickard will create running lanes for Cam Scatebo and Tyrone Jr. Additionally, that would make them one of the most efficient teams in low-yardage situations.

But the team could add a physical presence on the outside if it signs free agent wideout Deebo Samuel. Samuel played with the Washington Commanders last season and had 72 receptions for 727 receiving yards, with five touchdowns.

Samuel’s best attributes are his versatility, his running after the catch and his ability to break tackles. Although he is 30 years old and has missed a step, the six-foot, 215-pound receiver will make the offense even more physical than it currently is. If Harbaugh wants to add another physical playmaker, Samuel would be an excellent option.

RELATED: 4 Best Stefon Diggs Landing Spots After the NFL Draft

This time last year, gold medal-winning boxer and pound-for-pound superstar Vasiliy Lomachenko capped off his impressive run while competing in the sweet science. The Ukrainian went out on a high note with a knockout win over George Kambosos Jr. in his last fight, and at the age of 37, it looked like his decision would hold after losing two of his last six. Well, that didn’t happen.

On Tuesday, Ring Magazine’s Mike Coppinger reported that the three-division champion intends to return to the sport this fall, and that he will not compete in a tune-up bout. He wants to jump into the deep end of the pool and is looking for a big money fight.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at four potential opponent options for Lomachenko’s next fight.

shakur stevenson

The scrap many fight fans will be hoping for is a matchup with, arguably, the toughest puzzle in the sport at the moment, Shakur Steveson. The 28-year-old has excelled on his way to a 25-0 record and has become one of the most sought-after fighters in boxing.

If the former lightweight champion is looking for a big name and a bigger challenge to return from retirement, there is no better option at lightweight or junior welterweight.

teofimo lopez

Teofimo Lopez became a star in the sport when he scored a stunning decision win over Lomachenko in 2020. It was a defeat the future Hall of Famer never had to avenge. Having suffered defeat against Stevenson in January, a rematch with the Ukrainian would be risky. However, a second win over “High Tech”, even at the age of 38, would one day strengthen his own HOF case.

Ending his retirement to get one back – something he has yet to do for any of his three losses – would be an interesting story as well as a great fight.

Raymond Muratalla

Another interesting option for Vasiliy Lomachenko’s comeback fight would be a scrap with the best fighter at lightweight not named Shakur Stevenson, Raymond Muratalla. The 29-year-old is 24-0 and holds the IBF title after defeating Andy Cruz in January.

It would be no surprise to see Lomachenko jump into title contention immediately, potentially setting up a unification bout with Stevenson early next year.

Naoya Inoue

Although it is unlikely, fight fans would love to see a dream fight between Vasiliy Lomachenko and current pound-for-pound star Naoya Inoue. After moving to 33-0 with a decision win over Junto Nakatani this month, there’s really not much else to do around that weight class for the unified junior featherweight king.

At the age of 33, when he is at the peak of his powers, he has to look for bigger opportunities to make money. Would the 122-pound star be willing to move up to 130, and would Lomachenko be willing to move down to make the fight? This is something both men should consider.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

celtic If they want to sign Issa Doumbia from Venezia, they may need to move quickly, with Portuguese competition close behind.

calciomercato.it Doumbia is set to leave the Italian club this summer, the report says. At present, his future seems likely to be in Portugal only.

Portuguese efforts

They explain that after a remarkable season that saw him play a key role in Venezia’s promotion from Serie B, several major European clubs are now eyeing the 23-year-old.

In particular, two of Portugal’s top three clubs, Sporting Clube de Portugal and Benfica, want him. According to CM.it, Sporting has stepped up its efforts to secure a deal in recent days.

However, the deal is not yet complete, as Rui Costa and his colleagues at Benfica have also made ‘important progress’. There is a real Lisbon derby going on for the midfielder’s signature. New and important developments are expected at some points throughout this week.

This should probably be a warning sign for Celtic. The Scottish giants have been credited with interest over the months.

celtic need to move

Sport Witness also covered a report detailing how their interest is justified. Doumbia is undoubtedly a star on the rise and the growing interest in him is testament to that.

The fact that the Portuguese pair are both also Champions League clubs is further testament to this fact. Both are now pushing for a deal, also indicating they want to get in on it before competition gets too fierce.

Celtic may be busy focusing on their title challenge, which is certain to go all the way, but this may also be something they need to focus on. Failure to move quickly now could see them miss out on potential summer signings.

Sporting Clube de Portugal and Benfica are certainly working to make sure they win the race behind the scenes.

While it seems like the entire basketball world knows that Tyrese Maxey is the best player on the Philadelphia 76ers, Nick Nurse clearly doesn’t, and his decision to let his veteran lead in Game 3 vs. the New York Knicks may cost him his job next week.

On Friday night, the 76ers were in position to win. They lost 2-0 in their semifinal series against the Knicks and had to deal with an atmosphere at Xfinity Mobile Arena that seemed to have just as many, if not more, New York fans. Still, Nurse had the horses to pull out a win and escape a 3-0 hole, especially with Joel Embiid back on the field.

There’s no doubt the 76ers are in a better position with Embiid on the floor. The seven-time All-Star commands respect on both sides of the court, even in this diminished version. However, the 2025-26 season confirmed an undeniable fact: Maxi is and should always be the No. 1 option on offense. Yet somehow the Sixers head coach hasn’t gotten the memo.

Where was Tyrese Maxey Friday night?

In addition to being the fifth-highest per-game scorer in the NBA this season, Nurse had enough evidence to focus on Maxey in Game 3, especially against the Knicks. The two teams split their four games during the regular season, and Games 1 and 2 of this series were very different.

With Embiid being the focal point in the opener, he got blown out for 40 points. With Embiid sidelined and Maxey moving on, Game 2 was close the entire time, and over-utilization of its starters was likely the difference between victory and defeat on Wednesday. As good a defense as the Knicks have, Maxi gives them the same problems he does the rest of the NBA. He is a wonderful blend of lightning speed and cunning.

This is Tyrese Maxey’s team now. Still, in the most important game of the 2025-26 season, Nurse wanted his 76ers to play like they did in 2022-23.

On Friday night, the two-time All-Star led not only the 76ers, but all players with 44 in Game 3. Yet, in the most bizarre statistic of the night, he took the fourth-most shots on his team. Paul George looked like he was 36 as he led the team with 18 shots, Embiid had 17 and Kelly Oubre — who averaged just 10 a game during the season — tallied 16 on Friday. Maxi had 12 shots in Game 3.

Nick Nurse loses his 76ers job in Game 3 vs. Knicks

Furthermore, it was clear that neither George nor Embiid were on a heater at halftime, as they were both outscored by Oubre on Friday as he led the 76ers with 22 points in a 108-94 loss to the Knicks in Game 3.

It’s baffling that as soon as the Knicks took control of the game in the second quarter, Nurse did not pull his team to the bench and demand an offensive run through Maxi, their best player and scorer.

Maxi can certainly take some blame for not asserting himself and demanding the ball. But he’s still only 25, and it’s no surprise he’d take on a pair of NBA greats in a big game. This is where Nurse must show the courage and leadership to engage his veterans in this instance to do what is best for the team.

Nurse was already feeling some heat in his third season as head coach of the 76ers. However, his coaching in Game 3 proves that – barring a history-breaking comeback to win this series – he is not the guy to take this team to the next level and will be out as head coach next week.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

armory There is a race to win both the Premier League and Champions League this season.

The Gunners top the table, three points ahead of second-placed Manchester City, who have a game in hand.

Arsenal face Atletico Madrid in a two-legged Champions League semi-final with the first leg in Spain later today.

The Premier League team reached the match with a 1-0 win over Newcastle United. Leandro Trossard was an unused substitute against the Magpies and is unlikely to start against the La Liga side.

Before the European Clash, Wednesday Edition Importance of LimburgHis performances and future at the Emirates remain under focus after this season.

Arteta has already banned Arsenal exit

The newspaper reports that Aston Villa, Borussia Dortmund, Galatasaray and Besiktas were all keen on a move. However, Mikel Arteta vetoed his transfer and Arsenal reformed his contract.

As of now, it is unclear whether the Belgium international will continue at the north London club.

His contract expires in 2027 and hence, the next window will be Arsenal’s last chance to make money from his sale. there is ‘Strong Chance’ he is leandro trossard ‘Last week in an Arsenal shirt’.

The World Cup allows the former Brighton & Hove Albion man to keep himself in the spotlight if he chooses to move elsewhere.

Trossard has scored seven goals and nine assists in 44 matches so far. He failed to score and provided three assists in 2026. Despite this, HBVL say he is among the north London club’s top five ‘influential players’ this season.

If Arsenal and the 31-year-old decide to part ways in the summer, they will not be short of options.

He joined the Gunners in January 2023 and scored 35 goals and 32 assists in 168 appearances.

Arsenal is looking for the attacker

Mikel Arteta has the Belgian and Gabriel Martinelli as his two options on the left wing, and the future of both of them needs to be sorted out. Faced with the possibility of losing one or both of them, Arsenal have taken action.

The Gunners have identified Ajax star Mika Godes as a replacement. On Tuesday, Sports Witness broadcast news Their scout will follow them live this weekend against PSV Eindhoven.

two months ago, Agent of the Gods Niels de Jonck said He is not surprised by the Arsenal ties and has pushed for his client to secure a big move in the summer.

Tottenham HotspurLuka Vuckovic has been struggling with injury at Hamburg SV this month.

Last summer, the Premier League team let him join Hamburg on loan and the centre-back impressed for them.

Since returning from the last international break, the defender started in a 1–1 draw against FC Augsburg on 4 April.

The Croatian international has since been on the sidelines with a knee injury and has missed two matches, during which the German club has conceded seven goals.

In their last 11 matches they have conceded only 11 goals. This gives an idea of ​​his importance in Hamburg.

On Monday, Sports Witness Covered claims from Germany That his knee is damaged, and his setback is much worse than initially expected.

The Tottenham man will return on May 10

sports news Take a look at these claims and immediately dismiss any concerns of a serious injury to Luka Vuckovic.

The Spurs man has suffered no new setbacks during the recovery process which is going according to plan. He suffered an injury during training and tests revealed a ‘minor ligament sprain’.

Hamburg have held talks with Tottenham Hotspur and during these discussions, both clubs agreed that he would miss three to four matches.

Sportske Novosti is not sure when he will make a full recovery. He is expected to miss the next two matches and will return on May 10 against SC Freiburg.

Spurs medical staff decision maker

Hamburger AbendblattA local newspaper of the German club has also pointed to the role of Tottenham Hotspur in arranging the return of Luka Vuckovic.

Hamburg are looking forward to the Croatian’s return against Hoffenheim this weekend. The decision will not depend only on him because Roberto De Zerbi’s side has a big authority.

As part of the loan deal, Spurs inserted a clause to decide when the 18-year-old would return in the event of injury.

The Tottenham medical staff, along with their German counterparts, are examining the latest MRI scan results. Vuckovic can return to the pitch only after getting the green signal from the Premier League.

We believe: The Tottenham clause makes sense

After this season, Luka Vuckovic will return to the north London club, where he is under contract until 2030.

Spurs want to ensure the player is not rushed back. If the English club refuses to sanction, it would be understandable as it would allow them to protect their assets to avoid aggravating the injury.

As we enter another week of the 2026 Major League Baseball season, all 30 clubs have now played at least 20 games. A lot of teams are in a hot spot at the moment and one club in particular is very cold. As the weekend action approaches its conclusion, we’ll try and project what will happen on the MLB schedule this week.

Let’s take a look at our bold MLB predictions for the upcoming games this week.

Carson Benz hits first HR since Opening Day

This prediction is definitely not about numbers. After all, the New York Mets entered Sunday on a 10-game losing streak, and rookie outfielder Carson Benz has made 68 plate appearances since last homering on Opening Day. Of particular concern is that he has collected only one extra-base hit (double) in his last 62 plate appearances and has put up an abysmal .140/.210/.158 triple-slash line over that span. However, we’re here to say that Benz’s power drought will end at some point this week with a home run against Simeon Woods Richardson (Wednesday) at Citi Field or a three-game homestand against the Colorado Rockies. The Mets would win that game as well.

Shota Imanaga gets 10+ Ks in consecutive starts

With the Chicago Cubs without three starters – Justin Steele, Matthew Boyd and Cade Horton, there is even more pressure on Shota Imanaga’s shoulders. Last week, he was lights-out against the Philadelphia Phillies with 11 strikeouts and only 3 hits allowed in 6 innings. Facing the same team in consecutive starts isn’t ideal, but the Phillies’ lineup has the fifth-highest strikeout rate in MLB (24.3 percent) since April 5. We think we have another gem coming from Imanaga this week.

Shohei Ohtani homers 5 hitless innings

In his major-league career, Shohei Ohtani has boasted a .930 OPS with 10 home runs against the San Francisco Giants, and he has hit 4 home runs in 58 career at-bats at Oracle Park. Not only are we seeing the Los Angeles Dodgers’ two-way star pitching deep this week in San Francisco, but we also think he’ll make it through 5 hitless innings against the Giants’ lineup.

READ MORE: SF Giants high on top MLB draft prospect

Cleveland Guardians lead 5-1

Starting pitching has carried the Cleveland Guardians this season, demonstrated by the fact that the team entered Sunday with the third-lowest rotation ERA (3.00) in baseball. Fortunately for the Guardians lineup, there is a “Be Right” series this month to start the week against the Houston Astros pitching staff, which has an ERA of 6.80 (worst in MLB). We believe Cleveland beats the Astros at home and then goes to Toronto to take a three-game series, and solidify their position at the top of the AL Central by coming out of the week with a 5-1 record.

Aaron Judge Homers Twice vs. Boston Red Sox

Aaron Judge is going to have some fun at Fenway Park this week. They get a three-game series against a Boston Red Sox pitching staff that has allowed the fifth-most home runs (26) in baseball this season, tied with the Colorado Rockies (25). Although he has not had a high average at Fenway (.217) in his career, he still has 12 homers in this ballpark, 3 of which came last season. It may have been a two-homer game, but we’re inclined to say Judge homers in two of the three games at Fenway.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

Sunderland John Lucumi can be kept a close eye on this week as Bologna face Aston Villa in the UEFA Europa League.

The defender has been a regular for the Italian team this season and has played 36 times in all competitions. Their campaign has been mixed, but the Colombians will play on Thursday, with the second leg to be played next week.

Lucumi made two important performances against AS Roma in the Round of 16. The second leg went into extra time and the South American held on throughout the contest, playing a major role in an important victory for Vincenzo Italiano’s team.

He had a slow start to the season but the centre-back has returned to his usual high standards.

Sunderland remain transfer interest

The background of the campaign has been interesting. sports witness The Italian’s claims about how keen Sunderland were were covered up.

They offered to land him but Bologna somehow managed to fight it off, even though Lucumi himself was interested in it.

Soon, it became clear that the player was not signing a new deal at the Rossoblu. His current contract expires in 2027 and the summer of 2026 is the ideal time for his sale.

Sunderland are saved Willing And the list of claimants has continued to grow. Barcelona are now also keeping an eye on the centre-back, with Bologna hoping the World Cup will help them raise Lucumi’s value.

The 28-year-old will play a key role for Colombia and if he performs well, more clubs could join the race.

Big match in England likely to be important

Bologna have played against Aston Villa several times in the last two seasons. Interestingly, Sunderland reconnoitered him The two clubs met in the group stages at the start of the campaign.

This in itself shows that Thursday’s game could prove to be a great opportunity for the Black Cats to focus on his progress.

It is absolutely certain that he will not be a Bologna player next season. The only drawback for Sunderland will be competition from other clubs.

Potential transfers may have a lot of time to spare by laying some groundwork this week to ensure they get an edge over others.

Odell Beckham Jr.’s improbable return to the New York Giants in 2026 got even closer to reality this week.

In John Harbaugh’s first offseason as head coach, the NY Giants have been very active in making changes to the roster to match the new culture they are trying to create. While veterans like Wan’Dale Robinson, Bobby Okereke and Graham Gano left in free agency, the team added impact players Isaiah Likely, Tremaine Edmunds and Darnell Mooney.

For the most part, it looks like the team has added veterans, and the most meaningful additions in the coming months will come via the NFL Draft. However, speculation is increasing about bringing back three-time Pro Bowler Odell Beckham Jr., and that’s mostly because quarterback Jackson Dart and receiver Malik Nabors have publicly pushed for the move.

The possibility added fuel on Monday, when Harbaugh acknowledged being open to the idea. “The obvious answer would be to look at every option,” he said at NFL league meetings. “And if Odell is an option, we’ll definitely consider him.”

NY Giants meet with Odell Beckham Jr. about comeback

Well, it looks like they’re doing more than just looking at her. On Tuesday, SNY’s Connor Hughes reported that the player who was selected 12th overall in the 2014 NFL Draft by the NY Giants showed up to NFL meetings in Phoenix, AZ, asked to speak with Harbaugh and team executives, and got it shortly after the coach made his comments on Monday.

Hughes said the team would need to see him work out individually after missing last season before they could talk about a contract. Still, the possibility of a reunion is as close as ever.

The 33-year-old became a star in the league during his first season. Winning the NFC Offensive Rookie of the Year award and Pro Bowl honors. He would then reach the Pro Bowl in each of the next two seasons. The pass catcher missed most of the 2017 season after tearing his ACL, but a bounce-back year in 2018 earned him a new five-year deal, worth $90 million.

Unfortunately, there were cracks in the relationship between Beckham Jr. and the NY Giants before, and it all came to a head in 2019 when they traded him to the Cleveland Browns. The receiver has since struggled to recapture his elite form, and while he came close during the Los Angeles Rams’ Super Bowl run in 2021, he tore his ACL for a second time.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

After weeks of low-key teasers, from vacation flicks to offseason party cameos, Patrick Mahomes stopped playing timid and addressed the biggest question hanging over Kansas City. Throughout the offseason, the Kansas City Chiefs—and their fans—were stuck on one thing: Will Mahomes be ready come Week 1? Now, we’ve got our answer.

Mahomes just hit IG. And Chiefs’ Kingdom is reading between the lines.

Could Patrick Mahomes be ready by September?

QB1 dropped a new post on Instagram featuring in-game shots, rocking number 15, a Chiefs hoodie, signature Adidas cleats, and tunnel walk energy. caption? Just a ⏰ (clock emoji). And if you know Mahomes, you know the clock means only one thing – he’s gearing up.

Mahomes is still rehabbing from the torn ACL he suffered in Week 15 of the 2025 season. He went under the knife on December 15, with an expected recovery window of 9-12 months – so we’re looking at September at the earliest.

In February, Andy Reid said that Mahomes was grinding. Logging seven-hour rehabilitation days at the facility. Classic QB1 behavior. But let’s be real: ACL recovery is not a straightforward path. There are outages, failures, and occasional audible noises. Mahomes probably has his sights set on Week 1, but nothing has been decided yet.

And the Chiefs are playing it smart. He made a move on March 16, trading with the Jets for Justin Fields. That’s your insurance policy; QB2 on paper, but he’s more than capable of holding down Mahomes if he doesn’t get the clearance.

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo went through an injury scare in Sunday’s 134-123 win over the Indiana Pacers, with concerns over whether the issue would keep the player out for some time. The basketball world is worried about what the injury status of Bucks forward Antetokounmpo will be, with the latest report revealing the timeline of when he will miss time.

According to Shams Charania, Antetokounmpo is dealing with a “left knee hyperextension and bone bruise,” as the team will evaluate him in a week.

“Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo has been diagnosed with a left knee hyperextension and bone bruise and will be reevaluated in a week, sources tell ESPN,” Charania, formerly of the

Antetokounmpo has missed his fair share of time this season, as he has played 36 games, averaging 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game, while shooting 62.4 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from beyond the arc.

A look at when the Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo got hurt

Antetokounmpo suffered a concussion with less than four minutes left in Sunday’s aforementioned win over the Pacers, landing awkwardly after a spin and posterizing dunk. He would play only 23 minutes in the contest, recording 31 points on 11 of 22 shooting from the field, along with 14 rebounds and eight assists.

Giannis with spin and poster. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/KtGawn8yUo

-Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) 15 March 2026

According to Eric Nehm of The Athletic, Milwaukee head coach Doc Rivers would talk about Antetokounmpo’s injury after the game, where he speculated that he “overextended his left knee” on the dunk.

Knowing what has been revealed, Rivers was right on the money, as Antetokounmpo will miss at least a week, with the next game potentially available on March 25 on the road against the Portland Trail Blazers. That is followed by a home game against the San Antonio Spurs on March 28, in which the team currently holds a 28–39 record, placing them in 11th place in the Eastern Conference.

Recently, the Miami Heat were the center of the basketball world when center Bam Adebayo had an incredible 83-point game against the Washington Wizards, giving them the second highest scoring game in league history. The game predictably sparked discussion about how “ethical” Adebayo and the Heat’s methods were, but it was still a historic accomplishment for Miami’s longtime defensive anchor.

On Monday, the NBA announced its players of the week for the past seven days, and to no one’s surprise, Adebayo took home the honor for the Eastern Conference, as league insider Mark Stein, formerly of the Ax, reported on Twitter.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic won the award for the Western Conference.

While Adebayo is a multi-time All-Star and has had good scoring nights, few could have predicted that he would be the player to challenge, let alone break, Kobe Bryant’s mark of 81 points for the second-highest scoring game in league history. Adebayo now trails only Wilt Chamberlain in scoring 100 points in a game.

Meanwhile, the Heat are looking to bounce back after their seven-game winning streak was recently snapped by the Orlando Magic. The Heat and Magic are in a race to see who can clinch the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference, with Orlando currently having a slight edge in that department, and a winning streak of their own.

While Miami certainly isn’t counting on Adebayo to break records on a nightly basis, the game against Washington was a great showcase of what an elite scorer he can be when he puts his mind to it, especially when a common criticism of the star has been his lack of aggression at times throughout his career.

The Heat next take the field on Tuesday evening for an important game against the Charlotte Hornets.

The Kansas City Chiefs have a new quarterback in the room. After speculation over the weekend that former Super Bowl winner Russell Wilson could be brought in ahead of the 2026 NFL season, general manager Brett Veach has initiated a trade to move in a very young direction.

Instead, Kansas City rolled the dice on a former first-round pick. With Patrick Mahomes on the mend, the Chiefs wanted a signal-caller who could step up, handle the heat and keep the offense steady when needed. Interestingly, they found that option within the AFC.

Chiefs find new QB2 as Mahomes recovery continues

The Kansas City Chiefs are finalizing a trade with the New York Jets for quarterback Justin Fields, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Fields is one of his best electric dual-threat quarterbacks. The former first-round selection brings elite athleticism and big-play ability that can change games in a heartbeat. Now, the Chiefs are bringing that skill set to Kansas City. Per the trade, the Jets receive a 2027 sixth-round pick, while paying Fields $7 million of his $10 million guaranteed.

However, there is a hurdle in the trade. Fields’ physical examination is pending; Let’s hope things don’t go as bad as they did with Max Crosby and the Ravens. With this trade, the Jets have three first-round picks and one pick each in the next four rounds, as well as three sixth-round picks, although with conditions.

Mahomes suffered ACL and LCL tears at the end of the 2025 season, and his status for the start of the 2026 campaign remains uncertain. Even if the franchise quarterback is ready to go, the Chiefs still need a reliable insurance policy behind him. This need became even more urgent after backup Gardner Minshew left in free agency to sign with the Arizona Cardinals.

Enter fields. The former Ohio State star was selected 11th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears. This will be his fourth stop in the Kansas City League after stints with the Bears, Pittsburgh Steelers and Jets. His role in Andy Reid’s crime will be one of the most interesting storylines of the season. Whether he ends up starting early until Mahomes recovers or simply serves as a high-upside QB2, Fields gives the Chiefs something they didn’t have before: a dynamic playmaker who can move forward and keep the offense dangerous when called upon.

We’re just into the first week of free agency and the league has already spent $1 billion. There’s never been a better time to hit the open market in the NFL. The second week of March marks the start of a new league year, and with it comes the annual free-agency frenzy – when front offices wheel and deal, and players cash in.

For years, the league believed that extravagance in free agency rarely resulted in Super Bowl contention. But this offseason? That script has been flipped. With multiple star players hitting the market and massive deals being struck in a matter of days, the spending spree has been unlike anything the NFL typically sees.

Now, an analyst has revealed just how staggering the league’s free-agency spending has been this early in the offseason.

NFL free agency begins a billion-dollar spending spree

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, money is flying through the league at a historic pace. Since Monday, NFL teams have paid out a record $5.83 billion in total player compensation, including $2.59 billion guaranteed at signing.

That’s a big jump from last year’s opening week numbers, when teams spent a combined $4.88 billion with $2.19 billion guaranteed during the same period.

A big reason for the spending spree? The league’s ever-expanding salary cap, which increased by $22 million this year, goes from $279.2 million in 2025 to $301.2 million in 2026. This growth is largely fueled by the NFL’s massive 11-year, $110 billion media rights deal with Amazon, CBS, ESPN, Fox and NBC.

The cap has been rising steadily in recent seasons, but the 2026 increase opens up a new level of pay for players across the league. So far this offseason, eight players have either reset the market at their position or received the richest free-agent deal ever for their role in terms of average annual value.

Among the deals that made headlines:

• CB Trent McDuffie – Traded to and signed by the Chiefs rams For 4 years, $124 million
• Of trey hendrickson – Signed by crows For 4 years, $112 million
• LT Laremy Tunsil – Re-signed by commanders on one 2-year, $60.2 million extension
• edge jalen phillips – Signed by panthers For 4 years, $120 million
• WR Alec Pierce – Re-signed by colts For 4 years, $114 million
• C Tyler Linderbaum – Signed by raiders For 3 years, $81 million
• RB Kenneth Walker III – Signed by Chiefs For 3 years, $43.05 million
• Te Isaiah possibly – Signed by veteran For 3 years, $40 million
• P Jordan Stout – Signed by veteran For 3 years, $12.3 million

McDuffie, Tunsil, Linderbaum and Stout all became the highest-paid players at their respective positions, while Phillips, Pierce, Walker and Likely set new records for free-agent contracts at their positions.

And the spending started rapidly. According to NFL Research, between the opening of the legal tampering window and Monday night at 8 p.m. ET, teams had already given away contracts worth $2.3 billion.

For years, the league’s conventional wisdom has suggested that players are better off signing extensions with the teams that drafted them, as franchises were historically cautious about spending more in free agency. But with the salary cap continuing to skyrocket, being patient may be the better play now on the open market.

Just look at the Tennessee Titans, who led the league by giving away $293.2 million in free agency to draft No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward in 2025. The Las Vegas Raiders were not far behind, spending $281.57 million as they prepared to draft Indiana Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza with the top pick in April.

One phrase agents have been throwing around this offseason is “biggest average per year by a free agent.” It’s a clever way of marketing — adding “by a free agent” helps differentiate those deals from the bigger contracts players often get via extensions, giving new signings a little extra sparkle.

The legal tampering period is in the rearview mirror and the first days of NFL free agency have passed, with several deals now official. With all the important physical details out of the way, with pen and declarations put to paper, we can now consider some action.

Let’s dive into our analysis of the biggest winners and losers from the early days of NFL free agency.

Winner: Tennessee Titans

Robert Saleh and the Tennessee Titans certainly opened the checkbook in NFL free agency and guaranteed more than $160 million in total contracts. Tennessee helped quarterback Cam Ward and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, adding slot receiver Van’Dale Robinson and center Austin Schlottman. Naturally, an even bigger investment was made on the defensive side of the ball. Saleh now gets a chance to defend himself with John Franklin-Myers and Jeffery Simmons wreaking havoc on the interior, while Tennessee upgrades at cornerback with Alonte Taylor and Kor’Dale Floot. The beauty of all these moves is that the club didn’t really have to break the bank on any of them, and it doesn’t feel like they overspent. After a poor roster in 2025, the Titans now have a strong unit that can at least be competitive next season.

RELATED: NFL free agency predictions for top free agents on offense

Loser: Dallas Cowboys

When the Cleveland Browns realized that the Green Bay Packers were going to release Elgton Jenkins, they waited for him to be cut rather than trade for him. Meanwhile, the Dallas Cowboys saw Rashaan Gary’s farewell post last weekend and decided they would trade their 2027 fourth-round pick to Green Bay. Dallas also signed Gary’s contract extension, which reduces his cap hit for 2026 but adds six void years to the deal. Let’s remind everyone how Gary did in 2025. He didn’t record a sack after Micah Parsons’ season-ending injury, and he was one of the least effective pass rushers in the NFL last year. We like the acquisitions of PJ Locke and Kobe Durant, but there haven’t been the defensive improvements expected from Dallas this offseason and the Gary trade is one of the most shocking moves in the NFL this offseason.

Winner:Baltimore Ravens

What did the Baltimore Ravens lose by keeping two first-round picks and adding All-Pro edge rusher Trey Hendrickson? Just money and a lot of respect in the league. From a pure rules perspective, Baltimore had the right to back out of the Max Crosby trade, and retaining both first-round picks while adding Hendrickson is a smart football move. That’s what we’re focused on here: The Ravens added what this defense desperately needed for first-year head coach Jesse Minter, and they still have the 14th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to use. Did they go about it the right way? certainly not. That said, you don’t have to look hard to find examples of teams doing questionable things throughout the NFL, as long as it makes them a little better on the field. Baltimore did just that.

READ MORE: Fantasy football winners, losers from NFL free agency

Loser: Indianapolis Colts

This is what happens when you let a general manager, who knows he’s on the hot seat, stay for another year and make all the decisions in NFL free agency. Rather than lose Alec Pierce to the open market, Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard gave him the largest contract ever for a free-agent receiver. The deal itself felt like an overpayment. However, we can justify the decision to use the transition tag on Daniel Jones. What makes less sense is to give a 50 million guarantee to a dual-threat quarterback who is dependent on his athleticism, coming off a torn Achilles, when he already has a history of durability issues. Ask the New York Giants how it went when they paid Jones for a small sample size of success. With all the money spent on Jones and Pierce, Indianapolis had nothing left to make meaningful growth anywhere else.

Read more: The worst contracts from the first day of NFL free agency

Winner: San Francisco 49ers

We understand that Mike Evans and Dre Greenlaw are no longer the premium impact starters they were in their prime. It also doesn’t help that he has a history of durability issues and will now be playing for the constantly snakebitten San Francisco 49ers. That said, Evans is a complete upgrade over Jaun Jennings as a red-zone threat, vertical option and third-down target for Kyle Shanahan’s offense. Health is not a given, but Evans could provide production that puts him on pace for 1,000-yard and double-digit-touchdown runs. As for Greenlaw, he is still a very effective starter and is at his best when paired with Fred Warner. San Francisco addressed two positions of need and didn’t spend much money, plus it handed Jake Tonga and Eddie Piñeiro new deals.

Loser: Denver Broncos

In a season where everything was going right for the Denver Broncos until Bo Nix’s injury, the inactivity this offseason has been strange. Russell Wilson’s contract is off the books, but Denver lost John Franklin-Myers on the open market, traded away Dre Greenlaw and did nothing to improve the receiving corps. We like the re-signing of JK Dobbins, as he has been extremely effective in Sean Payton’s offense when healthy. However, the Broncos’ roster looks significantly worse on paper than it did at the end of the regular season, and that could prove costly with so many AFC contenders strengthening this offseason.

Winner: Carolina Panthers

Did the Carolina Panthers overspend Jaylen Phillips with his $30 million per season contract? Absolutely. However, the move also addressed their most glaring defensive need with the best player that fits their long-term timeline. Carolina helped defensive coordinator Ejiro Avro even more by signing Devin Lloyd to a contract ($45 million over three seasons) that should prove to be quite a bargain. It added two high-end defensive starters, acquisitions that give the Panthers a lot of flexibility heading into the 2026 NFL Draft. Also, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers not performing well, Carolina may have to lose the division.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

A new rumor suggests that the Baltimore Ravens’ decision to back out of trading for Maxx Crosby has scuppered plans to create the scariest pass rush combo in the NFL.

On Tuesday night, NFL fans were stunned when the Las Vegas Raiders revealed that the Ravens have backed out of a planned trade that would have sent the five-time Pro Bowler to Baltimore. Following the news, reports emerged that the results of Tuesday’s physical exam left the medical team uneasy about Crosby’s long-term outlook.

Yet, despite adding one of the best pass rushers in the game, the Ravens made a surprising pivot on Wednesday. ESPN’s Adam Schefter was first to report that the franchise and top free agent Trey Hendrickson had agreed to a four-year deal worth $112 million.

Ravens plan to pair Crosby and Hendrickson in 2026

Everyone’s assumption is that the Ravens moved to sign the Cincinnati Bengals star after they backed out of a deal to acquire Crosby. However, adding Hendrickson was just another part of a grand plan to add a pair of elite pass rushers.

“He actually had a conversation with Trey Hendrickson about teaming up with Max Crosby,” Schefter revealed during an appearance Wednesday morning. Rise. “And when the conversation first started, Trey Hendrickson had in mind that he would be in Baltimore with Max Crosby. But alas, that did not happen.”

The combination of Crosby and Hendrickson would have immediately put the Ravens at the forefront of the best pass rush in the entire NFL the following season. Division rivals the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns now know that they were very lucky when the Crosby deal fell through. Because their QB was close to being in serious trouble in his two games against Baltimore the following season.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

MIAMI – The Miami Heat look to improve as the team heads into the regular season home stretch, with the upcoming week set to be crucial in solidifying their spot as they attempt to advance into the playoffs. Although the Heat are struggling with injuries to key players like Norman Powell and Andrew Wiggins, the team will have to work hard to take care of business.

After Miami defeated the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons on Sunday, the upcoming week will be crucial to picking up wins in their continued goal of avoiding the play-in tournament. It cannot be denied that the Heat aim to avoid the tournament, as many within the team have made it public, as they are sick and tired of making the playoffs the last three seasons.

The team will be in Miami until the contest against the Charlotte Hornets on March 17, meaning the team will be at home for seven of its last eight games, having already defeated the Houston Rockets and Brooklyn Nets twice. After the Pistons on Sunday, the Heat will face the Washington Wizards, Milwaukee Bucks and Orlando Magic.

Given the Eastern Conference standings, it is very tight, leaving very little room for error, as there is only four games separating the fifth to 10th seeds. Aside from handling business against lower-ranked teams in the conference like the Wizards and Bucks, although each have stars like Trae Young and Giannis Antetokounmpo, respectively, these are contests that Miami is expected to win.

The most important game will be against the Magic on Saturday, as they are right next to each other in the standings as before the Pistons contest, Orlando was in sixth place, to Miami’s seventh, a difference of just a fraction of a percentage point. Depending on how long Powell and Wiggins are out, Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and others will need to lift weights.

How has the Heat performed so far at home

Due to the Heat’s pressure to make the playoffs, the road to the postseason is not easy, as looking at the middle of the Eastern Conference teams, Miami has the toughest schedule left in terms of winning percentage, according to Esfandiyar Baraheni. Including Sunday against Detroit, the remaining 10 games will take place at Kasia Center, where the Heat have a 21-11 record on their home floor.

In addition to the overall goal of playing well at home, there is an added pressure of making every game count due to the standings, which head coach Erik Spoelstra said he wants his team to “enjoy in these matchups.”

“We’ve known all season how important it is to establish that home feeling and that feeling that you don’t want it to be a place where people don’t want to come, and I think we did a pretty good job of that,” Spoelstra told ClutchPoints before the win over Detroit. “But more importantly, it’s just the opportunities to be competitive, the context of these games is a little more, and that’s what you love this time of year. … That’s our motivation, trying to get to another level as a basketball team, but also as competitive. I want our guys to enjoy these matchups this time of year.”

Asked Erik Spoelstra about the urgency of caring as these home games get closer to the standings.

“We know from all seasons how important it is to establish a homely feeling and feeling, as you don’t want this to be a place people want to come to…” #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/Eu78RuXXPr

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 8 March 2026

If there’s one thing Miami needs for the rest of the schedule, it’s momentum and energy, the same things the home crowd can provide.

“I mean, being able to get in front of our home crowd and build that energy, keep this win streak going. And you know, when we get home, I think we can start getting 140,” Adebayo said after the team’s win over the Hornets on Friday.

“It’s nice, sunny, go to the beach, you know, you just have to stay home. I think that’s the most important thing. We love our fans, so getting home is going to be important for us. We want to make the most of it,” Jamie Jacquez Jr. said.

At any rate, Miami has a five-game winning streak after the Pistons game, taking the team record to 36–29.

NFL free agency begins next week and the new NFL league year 2026 will also make some blockbuster trades official. There’s been a lot happening lately with top players being added to new teams and marquee players getting franchise tags, so it’s worth breaking down some of the early action.

Following the first true week of the 2026 NFL offseason, we’re breaking down the winners and losers so far.

Winner: Baltimore Ravens HC Jesse Minter

Did the Baltimore Ravens pay a premium in the Max Crosby trade? Yes. This is exactly the type of move the front office needs to make to support first-year head coach Jesse Minter. He’s one of the best defensive play-callers in the NFL, but his scheme can only be truly excellent if it has an excellent edge player who can let him get past seven players. Last season, Baltimore ranked 28th in ESPN pass-rush win rate (30 percent) with the sixth-lowest pressure rate (19 percent) in the NFL. Crosby, when healthy, is one of the best three-down edge rushers in football. Minter now has his difference-maker at all three levels, with Crosby generating pressure, Roquan Smith playing the middle of the field and Kyle Hamilton doing everything else. This is the kind of move Super Bowl contenders make.

RELATED: Grading NFL Coaching Hires 2026

Loser: 2026 NFL Draft RB class out Jeremiah Love

Jeremiah Love is not only the best running back in the 2026 NFL Draft class; He is viewed by most people as one of the top three players overall this year. What does the NFL think of its draft-eligible teammates? The reported contract projections for Kenneth Walker ($13-plus million average annual value) and Travis Etienne ($10-plus million AAV), along with the likes of Rachad White, Tyler Allger, Kenneth Gainwell and Rico Dowdle among several teams keeping an eye on him, tell you everything you need to know. No matter who one sees as the second-best running back prospect — whether it’s Jonah Coleman, Jadarion Price or Emmett Johnson — the club is not fond of this year’s pool outside of Love. We could see only three running backs selected in the first three rounds.

RELATED: Ranking the Jeremiah Love landing spots

Winner: Fernando Mendoza and the Las Vegas Raiders

Let’s leave aside the debate about the Las Vegas Raiders not taking quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick. Now, let’s take a look at this week’s developments that will help beginners. First, the Baltimore Ravens have made moves that make re-signing Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum seem unlikely. Second, several of Linderbaum’s competitors – like the Chicago Bears, who just acquired Garrett Bradbury, and the Los Angeles Chargers, who just signed Tyler Biadasz – have taken themselves out of the mix. According to OverTheCap.com, the Raiders now have nearly $120 million in cap space, giving them the financial flexibility to aggressively pursue Linderbaum, potentially sign Rashid Shahid and do even more to fill out the supporting cast around Mendoza. Additionally, it appears the club will also sign an experienced quarterback to ease Mendoza if he doesn’t win the starting job in training camp.

RELATED: NFL free agency predictions for top running backs

Loser: Joe Burrow

The week began with the Cincinnati Bengals opting not to use the franchise tag on Trey Hendrickson, allowing him to leave in free agency. What does it mean? The organization can either make moderate moves now just to improve the roster so it can get a compensatory third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft or it can spend more money and let Hendrickson effectively walk for nothing. Of course, that assumes there are key players who want to play for Cincinnati for a long time. Meanwhile, quarterback Joe Burrow will also now have to deal with the fact that he will be playing eight games per season against Maxx Crosby, Myles Garrett and TJ Watt. This also does not include next season’s matchups against the Houston Texans defense. Burrow will either miss games in 2026 or take more than 50 sacks.

Winner: Alec Pierce

In January, it looked like Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce would get a multi-year contract in the range of $20 to $25 million per season when he hit the open market. Once Indianapolis placed the transition tag on Daniel Jones and George Pickens was tagged by the Dallas Cowboys, Pierce became the top offensive weapon in NFL free agency. He is reportedly already on the radar for clubs like the Tennessee Titans, San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots and Las Vegas Raiders. Because of all that interest and this free-agent class being weaker than usual, we think Pierce could now reach $30 million AAV. The hottest deep threat in the NFL is about to cash in, with his signing bonus almost certainly tripling his career earnings ($8.66 million) from his first four seasons.

RELATED: Predicting landing spots for top NFL free agent wide receivers

Loser: Daniel Jones

We are not here to suggest that quarterback Daniel Jones is suffering from his current situation in any way. After all, the “worst-case scenario” is for him to suffer a bust while earning a fully guaranteed $37.833 million in 2026. However, it seems like the 2026 NFL offseason didn’t unfold the way they wanted for Jones’ camp. First, Indianapolis did not sign him to a multi-year contract, nor did they use the franchise tag on him, which would have been worth $43.9 million. So he immediately lost money there. Second, while he is technically a free agent and free to sign an offer sheet with another team, there are other quarterbacks available and only a few teams are willing to spend big.

We also suspect the market will reflect reality more than the NFL free agency rankings. Jones is a dual-threat quarterback who is coming off an injury that had a significant impact at quarterback in his first season. He had durability problems early in his career. We suspect there won’t be much of a market for Jones, effectively forcing him to sign a one-year deal with Indianapolis.

RELATED: 2026 NFL free agency predictions for top quarterbacks

Winner: Minnesota Vikings

Heading into the 2026 NFL offseason, the Minnesota Vikings find themselves in a worrisome situation. Salary-cap issues forced cap casualties at some key positions, resulting in this roster becoming weaker at several positions and having less depth than before. All along, Minnesota needed to go out and find a viable quarterback who could challenge JJ McCarthy for the starting job when it had little money to offer. Then the Arizona Cardinals announced they would be releasing Kyler Murray, putting the majority of their salary on hold in 2026. We know Murray will probably talk to multiple teams, but signing with Minnesota seems inevitable. Assuming a deal gets done, the Vikings will have to sign an above-average starting quarterback for a minimum amount of money. It’s a dream for Kevin O’Connell and it could soon become a reality.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

The Philadelphia 76ers is the biggest fantasy game of the 2025-26 NBA season. Many fans believe this team has a legitimate chance to make the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in a quarter century, but that can only happen if Joel Embiid is healthy and playing at an impressive level. The former MVP-winning center has missed half the campaign and is currently dealing with an oblique strain. According to PhillyVoice’s Adam Aaronson, he’s still at least a week away from returning to the court.

Embiid has begun individual strength and conditioning work, but it remains to be seen when he will participate in practice. The Sixers will reevaluate their injury-plagued big man and hope for some good news.

Additionally, standout rookie VJ Edgecombe did not practice due to a back injury suffered Tuesday. His status for Saturday’s road matchup vs. the Atlanta Hawks is uncertain. Fortunately, veteran forward Kelly Oubre Jr. was back in action after missing the last two contests due to illness. He is expected to take the field at State Farm Arena.

Philadelphia (34-28) has endured ups and downs all season, but this is not the ideal time to endure abundant adversity. Nick Nurse’s team remains in sixth place in the East, trying hard to overcome the Orlando Magic, Miami Heat and scorching Charlotte Hornets.

With Paul George serving a 25-game suspension for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy, the 76ers need a healthy No. 21 even more.

76ers’ Joel Embiid can still dominate opponents

Despite his obvious physical limitations, Embiid is still an offensive powerhouse on the floor. He is scoring 26.6 points per game while shooting 49.5 percent from the field this season.

Before suffering his latest setback, the two-time scoring champion was beginning to find his rhythm from 3-point range. He missed 42.9 percent of his attempts from distance in five February games. If Joel Embiid is shooting from all spots on the hardwood, this group can compete with anyone in the conference. Defenses will be pushed to their limits trying to stop five-time All-NBA selection Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and Paul George.

But how many more “ifs” can fans endure? He has experienced firsthand the heartache that can come from setting high expectations. Regardless of how Embiid progresses through his recovery, the Sixers are having an entertaining campaign that should leave the city feeling optimistic about the long-term future of the franchise.

Nobody wants to admit it, but at this point, everything else will be a bonus. This is just the reality of the situation.

San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Ingram has spent much of this season honing his skills behind the scenes. The quiet development of the 2024 second-round pick has been a source of satisfaction within the Spurs organization.

Ingram was named G League Player of the Week after averaging 22.2 points, 13.4 rebounds and 7.4 assists in his last five appearances with the Austin Spurs. He recorded four double-doubles and one triple-double, while Austin posted a 4–1 record.

Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson said of Ingram’s development, “The Player of the Week is definitely trending in the right direction.” “I think it’s always somewhat gratifying for him, somewhat beneficial as an organization and a staff, and somewhat fun when you have a young player in your program for a year and they’re grinding, especially when you’re in the G League and it can be a little out of sight, out of mind to the outside world. You’re selling them on slowly getting better and keeping up with the process.

“It can be hard for young guys when, sometimes, they don’t get the attention or direct feedback that they’re looking for or that they’re used to, especially because a lot of them end up being really good college players. So it’s great for him to continue to be that way and see the improvement and development that he’s had and to be recognized in a very deserving way.”

Ingram, the No. 48 pick in the 2024 draft out of North Carolina, has spent most of this season in the G League, appearing in just five NBA games.

Harrison Ingram showing improvement in G League after signing two-way contract

The 6-foot-5 forward’s two-way development with Austin has been encouraging for San Antonio. Ingram is averaging 16.1 points, 12.7 rebounds and 4.8 assists on 48.2 percent shooting in 21 G League appearances.

“He’s really accepted his role and embraced it,” Johnson said. “It can be hard to do that in terms of your role as a defender, a physical role player, playing off the ball to a certain extent. But always trying to extend or create more possessions with offensive rebounds, hitting open shots, getting out and running in transition, and obviously we want him to be a dominant defender and be able to rebound. I think that’s something he’s really embraced and you’ve seen it. And sometimes when you do that If you do it, you get a monster production with it, you can tell he has put his energy in the right places.”

The Spurs signed Ingram to a one-year, two-way contract before this season.

Nine years covering the Raiders. I’ve recorded more stories and done more podcast episodes about dysfunction, coaching changes and wasted draft picks than I care to count.

It feels different this week at the NFL Combine.

The Raiders enter the NFL Combine in Indianapolis with the No. 1 pick, a head coach who actually has an offensive identity, and real questions worth asking. BEST: Who is catching passes for Fernando Mendoza?

With several other needs on the roster, don’t be surprised if general manager Jon Spitek goes aggressive with the pick of Mendoza. The Raiders have the assets and cap space to move back in the first round, and wide receiver is the position that keeps coming up in those conversations. Clint Kubiak’s offense needs weapons. Brock Bowers is elite. Ashton Jeanty is going to be a problem for the defense. But Mendoza needs help from someone on the outside, and right now, that room is thin.

So with that background, here are five wide receivers I’ll be keeping my eye on all week at the NFL Combine.

Carnell Tate Ohio State

Watch this kid in action during receiver drills and you’ll understand why scouts can’t stop talking about him. Tate isn’t the biggest receiver in this class and he’s not going to blow anyone away with his 40 time. What he does is make the game easier. His route running is as polished as I’ve seen from a college receiver in years – fast breaks, precise footwork, and an almost supernatural ability to find the soft spot in a field. He averaged 17.2 yards per catch last season at Ohio State. Put him next to Mendoza and you’re immediately giving your quarterback a legitimate WR1 to grow from. He’ll be gone before he’s 25, maybe before 20. The Raiders won’t be able to catch him at age 33 unless something strange happens.

Jordan Tyson arizona state

This is the person I’m most looking forward to meeting this week and this is the person who irritates me the most. Tyson is as explosive as any other player in this class. His cornerback gets sideways when he comes off the line, and when he gets into his route, he’s really hard to cover. The problem has been staying healthy. He has never played a full college season. The combine medical will tell teams a lot, and if he gets a clean bill of health and performs well, his stock will skyrocket. He will not participate in on-field workouts due to health concerns. A healthy Tyson could be a legitimate top 10 pick going into the draft, but I expect him to miss. He is a risky prospect with massive upside.

Corn Lemon | USC

Every analyst in Indianapolis is making the Amon-Ra St. Brown comparison right now, and I don’t think they’re wrong. Lemon is 5-11 and size concerns will follow him all week. But 79 catches, 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns last season is no small stat line. He runs perfect routes, catches everything, and absolutely punishes people after the catch. He averaged 502 yards after the catch alone in 2025. It is a weapon. For a young quarterback learning to navigate NFL defenses, having a receiver who consistently gets open up the middle and makes something happen once he gets the ball is invaluable. Check out his short-field agility numbers. If he pops athletically, the size conversation quickly cools down.

Denzel Boston | Washington

Whenever I think about what Las Vegas could realistically aim for, Boston is the name I keep bringing up. He’s right on the bubble between the end of the first round and the beginning of the second round, which puts him straight into play at pick 33 if he doesn’t make the expected run. At 6-3 and 209 pounds, he’s a competitive catcher machine – physical at the line, great hands, fighting for every ball. He gives a young QB a big target to rely on in tight windows. See him face to face. Big receivers either isolate themselves or get exposed in those practices, and Boston’s tape shows that he belongs.

Zakaria Branch Georgia

Branch is this week’s wildcard, and honestly, the most fun player to watch on this list. He’s small and his route tree is still developing, but if he goes sub-4.3 in the 40 — which some people think is possible — he becomes one of the most highly-touted players in Indianapolis regardless of position. That kind of speed opens up the entire offense. Kubiak used that kind of threat effectively in Seattle. Branch could be a Day 2 pick that ultimately becomes a steal.

The Raiders haven’t had this kind of draft capital or this kind of offseason clarity in a long time. Mendoza is the foundation. But who is standing outside him in line also matters equally. That picture begins to come into focus this week in Indianapolis.

It’s a good time to pay attention to the NFL Combine this week, Raider Nation.

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The Atlanta Hawks made several moves at the trade deadline and in one of those moves, they were able to acquire Jonathan Kuminga from the Golden State Warriors. He did not see much time on the field with the Warriors this season, and although it was mostly due to rotations, he was also injured.

Kuminga has yet to take the field for the Hawks due to his bone bruise and knee hyperextension, and he recently offered an update on his condition.

“Forward Jonathan Kuminga, who suffered a left kneecap injury while playing for Golden State in Dallas on Jan. 22, is progressing in his rehabilitation. He will be reevaluated in approximately a week and an update will be provided at that time,” the Hawks wrote.

Just because Kuminga will be reevaluated in a week doesn’t mean he’ll be back in that time period. There will probably be more standards he needs to overcome before he can get back on the floor, but the good news is that he’s making progress.

When Kuminga is ready to play, he should be a nice addition to the Hawks’ rotation, as he showed during his time with the Warriors that he can use his athleticism to get anywhere on the floor. Unfortunately, his role with the Warriors wasn’t very clear, and it seemed like there was growing tension between the two sides over the past few seasons.

With the Hawks, the hope is that Kuminga can find a consistent role for the remainder of the season, and if he plays well, they may accept his team option and keep him for the future.

There’s a good chance he’ll play behind Jalen Johnson, but there could be some scenarios where head coach Quin Snyder decides to put them on the field together.

Who has the best NFL defense in 2022? Our weekly NFL defense rankings examine every unit across the league on a weekly basis to determine the best defenses in the NFL.

Bookmark this page throughout the 2022 NFL season for weekly analysis and previews of matchups for the top-20 teams.

Let’s dive into our NFL defense rankings 2022, reviewing how the top 20 teams performed in Week 13. We also have Week 14 NFL previews for some of the best defenses in football.

20. Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings ruined the feel-good story that was Mike White, picking him off twice and forcing him to a 6.5 ypa average on 57 attempts. Of course, the 120 rushing yards allowed to the New York Jets tied to Garrett Wilson’s big day (162 yards) highlights why Minnesota’s defense can’t be trusted in the playoffs.

Sunday’s matchup against the Detroit Lions isn’t a favorable one for Minnesota. We’ve written earlier this year that the Vikings’ secondary gets exposed when the pass rush doesn’t get home very quickly. Entering Week 14, Jared Goff averages one of the fastest average times to throw (2.4). But Detroit will also test Minnesota deep, with the third-most throws (43) of 20-plus yards.

19. Kansas City Chiefs

• Previously: No. 18 in NFL defense rankings

Perhaps Justin Reid and his teammates might want to spend a little more time studying film and learning about their opponents. Joe Burrow scored three total touchdowns and did an excellent job spreading the ball around, hitting eight different receivers. Kansas City also surrendered 106 rushing yards to backup running back Samaje Perine.

The good news for the Chiefs, it’s legitimately not worth watching the Broncos’ film on offense. Denver in arguably the worst offense in the NFL, with Wilson refusing to leaving the pocket and disastrous play-calling.

18. Los Angeles Rams

• Previously: No. 14 in NFL defense rankings

Take Aaron Donald off the field and the Rams’ secondary gets exposed. Geno Smith torched Los Angeles on Sunday afternoon, turning 28 completions into 367 yards and three touchdowns with a 116.1 QB rating. While the Las Vegas Raiders offense has had its share of issues this season, Davante Adams will roast this cornerback group. No Donald and a declining effort from the Rams’ defense is a recipe for a lot of blowups to close out the season.

17. Detroit Lions

• Previously: 20th in NFL defense rankings

From the worst defense in the NFL to the No.17 spot in the defensive rankings, it’s been quite the turnaround for the Detroit Lions. Young talents like Aidan Hutchinson and Kerby Joseph are starting to acclimate, playing massive roles in Detroit stiffening up against the pass. There are still plenty of mistakes made and quite a few holes to fill this offseason, but the improvement deserves national recognition.

• Detroit Lions defense (Week 9-13): 77.2 QB rating allowed, 7-7 TD-INT, 57.3% completion, 6.4 ypa, 11 sacks

With that said, we do anticipate Justin Jefferson giving Detroit a lot of problems. What this matchup comes down to is whether or not the Lions’ defensive front can get to Kirk Cousins early. If he’s uncomfortable and Detroit takes an early lead, its defense can bend its ears back and take advantage of the Achilles’ heel of Minnesota’s offense.

NFL defense stats – Best pass defenses in NFL

Here are the best NFL pass defenses entering Week 14, based on passing yards allowed per game, yards per attempt, average QB rating allowed and completion rating surrendered.

16. Indianapolis Colts

• Previously: 10th in NFL defense rankings

We’ve returned to the version of the Indianapolis Colts defense when they are one of the worst run-stopping units in the NFL. Adding the 240-yard effort from the Dallas Cowboys to the equation, Indianapolis has now allowed 533 rushing yards, 5.2 yards per carry and seven rushing touchdowns in the last three games. For good measure, opponents have also averaged a 48.7% third-down conversion rate along with a 98.2 QB rating in that stretch. Maybe things change on the bye, but that would mean Gus Bradley is making adjustments and that seems unreasonable.

15. Carolina Panthers

• Previously: 16th in NFL defense rankings

Returning from the bye, the Carolina Panthers defense has held its last five opponents to 186.4 passing yards per game with 15 sacks, a 90.1 QB rating and a 7-4 TD-INT ratio and the average QB rating allowed drops to 86.9 over the last four weeks. This is a young defense with talent at all three levels and it should pose a credible challenge to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 14.

Related: Carolina Panthers coaching candidates

14. Baltimore Ravens

• Previously: 17th in NFL defense rankings

It’s not difficult to find reasons to be optimistic about the Baltimore Ravens defense moving forward. Pro Bowl safety Marcus Williams is nearing a return and he is going to add some much-needed playmaking to the secondary. In addition, Baltimore has now allowed just 3.8 yards per rush and 82.5 rush ypg this season.

However, the worst offense in the NFL averaged 5.2 yards per play vs Baltimore and holding this unit to nine points doesn’t erase concerns with Baltimore’s defensive issues in the fourth quarter. Facing another soft matchup in Week 14, battling the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Ravens’ defense will look better because of its opponent.

13. Pittsburgh Steelers

• Previously: 15th in NFL defense rankings

We didn’t anticipate the Atlanta Falcons’ offense providing us any answers regarding Pittsburgh’s secondary. Drake London (95 receiving yards on 12 targets) had a productive day, but Marcus Mariota isn’t nearly good enough to expose the faults on the Steelers’ defense. With Lamar Jackson uncertain for Week 14 and the Ravens’ offense an eyesore in recent weeks, the Steelers won’t face a legitimate challenger for several more weeks.

Related: Pittsburgh Steelers schedule

12. New Orleans Saints

• Previously: No. 13 in NFL defense rankings

It’s difficult to knock the New Orleans Saints defense for the loss on Monday Night Football. Midway through the fourth quarter, Dennis Allen’s group held Tom Brady to 120 total yards with two takeaways. The Saints’ offense put that all to waste and Brady engineered two touchdown drives covering 154 yards on 21 plays and only took less than five minutes off the clock.

Things will be much easier in Week 14. New Orleans – holding opponents to 187.1 pass ypg with an 86.0 QB rating in the last seven games – doesn’t have to worry about the Falcons throwing the ball effectively. However, this run defense is susceptible to some big games (553 yards allowed Week 9-11) and that bares monitoring against the Falcons’ strong ground game.

11. Cincinnati Bengals

• Previously: 12th in NFL defense rankings

The Cincinnati Bengals’ pass rush stepped up in a monumental way on Sunday, recording eight quarterback hits and even more pressures on Mahomes. It made the All-Pro quarterback uncomfortable enough to only complete 59% of his throws, stalling out multiple drives. Life should be quite a bit easier against a rusty Deshaun Watson in Week 14.

NFL defense stats – Best run defenses in NFL

Here are the best NFL run defenses in 2022, based on yards per carry, rushing yards per game, rushing touchdowns and run defense DVOA. NFL team defensive starts are prior to Week 14.

NFL defensive rankings: Top 10 NFL defenses in 2022

10. Tennessee Titans

• Previously: No. 7 in NFL defense rankings

The results from Sunday shouldn’t be much of a surprise. With a banged-up defensive line, NFL MVP candidate Jalen Hurts and the Eagles’ receivers were going to expose Tennesse’s secondary. In the last three games, the Titans have now allowed an average 104.2 QB rating with a 6-0 TD-INT rate and 289 pass ypg. On the bright side, one of the NFL’s best run defenses held Philadelphia to 67 yards on 24 carries (2.8 ypc). Facing Jacksonville in Week 14, Tennessee should fare well against the Jaguars’ sporadic offense.

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Previously: No. 10 in NFL defense rankings

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers wiped out the Saints’ run game (66 yards on 25 attempts) and forced Andy Dalton to make quick, accurate throws under pressure. It worked out nicely against one of the NFL’s worst offenses over the last month. Our concern is the run defense against the San Francisco 49ers. Tampa Bay has allowed 150-plus rushing yards five times this season, most recently on Nov. 27 against the Cleveland Browns. Brock Purdy won’t have to do anything if Shanahan’s scheme runs right through Tampa Bay.

8. Washington Commanders

• Previously: No. 9 in NFL defense rankings

As the Washington Commanders head into their bye week, fans can finally prepare for the return of Chase Young. When the former No. 2 pick rejoins the defense in Week 15, he’ll simply be strengthening a group responsible for 25 sacks with an average 82.6 QB rating, 5.9 ypa and a 34.3% third-down conversion rate surrendered in the last nine games. Two weeks to prepare for the New York Giants’ offense will make this a great streaming defense in Week 15.

Related: Washington Commanders deny benching Carson Wentz for draft-pick purposes

7. Denver Broncos

• Previously: No. 8 in NFL defense rankings

The Denver Broncos have a playoff-caliber defense, it’s just being weighed down by an offense that looks like it belongs in the USFL. Denver held its opponent under 200 passing yards on Sunday, the eighth time it has accomplished that feat in 2022. Even with Bradley Chubb long gone, the Broncos’ secondary keeps showing out. With that said, the Chiefs’ offense is a different beast and Denver will join the long list of good defenses that struggled vs Mahomes.

Related: Denver Broncos coaching candidates

NFL team defense stats – Best pass rush teams in NFL 2022

Here are the best pass-rushing teams in the NFL entering Week 12. Data will be updated after the conclusion of Monday Night Football.

1. Dallas Cowboys – 30.2% pressure rate (1st), 51% pass-rush win rate (2nd), 45 sacks
2. Philadelphia Eagles – 24.2% pressure rate (7th), 53% pass-rush win rate (1st), 36 sacks
3. New York Jets – 24.7% pressure rate (5th), 44% pass-rush win rate (10th), 34 sacks
4. New England Patriots – 27.5% pressure rate (2nd), 34% pass-rush win rate (28th), 37 sacks
5. Denver Broncos – 22.4% pressure rate (18th), 51% pass-rush win rate (2nd), 26 sacks

6. Buffalo Bills

• Previously: No. 6 in NFL defense rankings

There are positives to take away from the Buffalo Bills’ Thursday Night Football victory over the New England Patriots. Playing without Von Miller – out for at least a month – Buffalo held New England to 10 points, 242 total yards and a 25% third-down conversion rate. However, his was a short week against a below-average offense. We’re not really going to see Buffalo’s secondary and pass rush tested until it faces the Miami Dolphins on Dec. 18.

Related: NFL games today – 2022 NFL schedule

Top 5 defenses in NFL

5. New England Patriots

• Previously: No. 2 in NFL defense rankings

The last to games demonstrate why NFL defensive stats require context. While the New England Patriots defense ranked No. 1 in several categories, it was also a product of its schedule. In two games against the Bills and Minnesota Vikings, New England surrendered 524 passing yards, with a 5-1 TD-INT ratio, a 113.2 QB rating and its opponents combined for 57 points.

Considering the struggles vs Stefon Diggs and Justin Jefferson, we could see DeAndre Hopkins fare well in Week 14. Fortunately for New England’s defense, the Arizona Cardinals aren’t well-coached and Kyler Murray has regressed this season.

4. New York Jets

• Previously: No. 3 in NFL defense rankings

All things considered, the New York Jets proved on Sunday why they have one of the best pass defenses in the NFL. Justin Jefferson finished with 45 receiving yards on 11 targets and averaged under 6.5 yards per catch for only the second time this year. Ultimately, what cost New York was its low sack rate (5.4%) and allowing the Minnesota Vikings to convert 50% of their 18 third-down attempts. It doesn’t shake our confidence in one of the best NFL defenses this season, even with Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs looming.

Related: NFL insiders project historic contract extension for Justin Jefferson

3. Philadelphia Eagles

• Previously: No. 4 in NFL defense rankings

Our attention on Sunday focused on whether or not the Philadelphia Eagles could bottle up Derrick Henry. With Jordan Davis back, creating one of the deepest interior defensive lines in the NFL, Philadelphia held Henry to 30 yards on 11 carries. An inability to stop the run was our only small concern with Philadelphia’s defense. If we get a repeat performance vs Saquon Barkley, that remaining doubt will be erased.

2. Dallas Cowboys

• Previously: No.2 in NFL defense rankings

The Dallas Cowboys defense wasn’t flawless on Sunday Night Football, but Dan Quinn’s group flipped a switch late and it captures one of the best NFL defenses entering Week 14. In the past seven games, opponents are averaging just 169.9 pass ypg with a 33.7% third-down conversion rate and 28 sacks taken.

Now, we arrive at why the Dallas Cowboys are the No. 1 defense in Week 14 fantasy rankings. The Houston Texans offense is averaging just 173.5 passing yards and 75.2 rushing yards per game since Oct. 30. In that six-game stretch, Houston threw 10 interceptions and took 20 sacks. Guaranteeing a defensive touchdown feels wrong, but holding Houston to single-digit points with multiple turnovers and five-plus sacks, that is doable.

1. San Francisco 49ers

• Previously: No. 1 in NFL defense rankings

The San Francisco 49ers have the best defense in the NFL and Week 13 is the latest piece of evidence. Facing a Miami Dolphins that looked unstoppable, San Francisco recovered from the 75-yard touchdown it allowed to open the game by holding Miami to 233 total yards and 10 points on its final 44 plays. The Dolphins’ offense failed to convert any of their nine third-down attempts and Nick Bosa (three sacks) eviscerated the offensive line. With the defensive line healthy, San Francisco should feast vs Tom Brady in Week 15.

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Week 14 fantasy defense rankings

The following defense rankings are for fantasy football purposes and only apply to Week 14.

1. Dallas Cowboys D/ST vs Houston Texans
2. San Francisco 49ers D/ST vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
3. Philadelphia Eagles D/ST vs New York Giants
4. Buffalo Bills D/ST vs New York Jets
5. New England Patriots D/ST vs Arizona Cardinals
6. Baltimore Ravens D/ST vs Pittsburgh Steelers
7. Pittsburgh Steelers D/ST vs Baltimore Ravens
8. Kansas City Chiefs D/ST vs Denver Broncos
9. Tennessee Titans D/ST vs Jacksonville Jaguars
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers D/ST vs San Francisco 49ers
11. Los Angeles Rams D/ST vs Las Vegas Raiders
12. New York Jets D/ST vs Buffalo Bills
13. Cincinnati Bengals D/ST vs Cleveland Browns
14. Carolina Panthers D/ST vs Seattle Seahawks

Stats courtesy Football Outsiders, Pro Football Reference, ESPN, and Pro Football Focus.