I played offensive line for eight seasons in the NFL, and before that I spent my Saturdays in Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon, blocking for guys who ended up on lists like this one. So when I watch college football now, I watch for the stuff that signaled to me in the huddle whether a guy was for real.

I’m picking the 10 players who impressed me most during the previous weekend. Not just the gaudiest stat lines, but the performances that hold up when you turn the tape on. Some weeks, that’ll be an edge rusher wreaking havoc. Other weeks, it’ll be a lineman you’ve never heard of who didn’t lose a rep all afternoon. I have a soft spot for those guys. 

Let’s take a look at this week’s group. 

If you’re in the mood to watch someone be an ass-kicker on offense then I’d watch No. 99 for the Utes. Semi is a TE and backup defensive tackle who plays a fullback/second tight end role for the Utes offense. He’s like a flex player. He will line up attached to the tackle. He will also align in a wing or in the backfield. He’s a monster in the run game and this weekend against Kansas, he caught a one-yard touchdown pass. Taulanga is so much fun to watch.

Another game, another Oregon State impressive offensive output behind this remarkable freshman. Ten catches for 191 yards, three touchdowns with a long of 71 yards. Legree is up to 38 catches with 932 yards and 12 touchdowns in just six Beavers games. 

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Gio Lopez continues his fantastic season for Wake Forest. His Demon Deacons offense is 11th in points per drive this season. He threw for 303 yards and three touchdowns against in-state rival North Carolina State this past weekend. He’s completing 67%of passes this season with 13 touchdowns to just one interception. Watch out for the Demon Deacons with him under center. 

Iowa put up an impressive rushing performance against Washington on Friday night that was led by Moulton. He forced a whopping 16 missed tackles, including what felt like 11 on his long touchdown run. The senior had 26 carries for 208 yards and two touchdowns in a dominant 41-24 vs. Washington for the Hawkeyes.

The Nebraska quarterback was a fun watch this weekend, as the Huskers almost pulled off the upset against Indiana. He wasn’t as efficient throwing the football as other quarterbacks on this list, but he was able to move the ball when needed. He also added 17 carries for 47 yards with a long of 39 for a touchdown.

Oregon was upset by UCLA, but it wasn’t from a lack of effort or play from the Ducks defense. The front seven was outstanding and Matayo was a big factor. He had four pressures, two sacks and an important run-stuff on the goal line. He’s difficult to block for an offensive tackle in pure pass protection situations. This guy will play on Sundays.

Wayne Knight has been the focal point of UCLA’s offense, powering the Bruins to a 5-0 start. His 10 rushing touchdowns are tied for third in college football, while his eye-popping 7.7 yards per carry ranks third among running backs with at least 50 carries. With starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava out for the season, the Bruins will need to lean on Knight even more going forward.

CJ Baxter put Kentucky on his back in the 35-34 win over LSU. Baxter rushed for 123 yards and two touchdowns and has now rushed for 120+ yards in two of his last three games. His eight rushing touchdowns are also tied for seventh in the entire country.

Peyton was in the right place at the right time to catch the duck that Texas quarterback Arch Manning threw into the air. Bowen was able to secure the interception and then run 42 yards for the touchdown. Bowen was also second on the Oklahoma defense in tackles (seven) in their upset win. 

Georgia’s Offensive Line

This group was outstanding against Alabama on Saturday. They controlled the line of scrimmage which helped them control the game. The Dawgs put up 200 yards on the ground and allowed just two pressures the entire game. Let’s not forget, entering the game, Alabama’s offensive was averaging a whopping 49.6 points per game along with 186.4 rushing yards per outing. This was an absolutely incredible performance by Kirby Smart and Glenn Schumann’s group. 

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This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. 

New users can use Polymarket’s promo code FOX to get a $25 bonus for an exciting Monday slate of sports. With two Super Bowl favorites battling on the gridiron to Game 1 of the ALCS.

The Buffalo Bills visit the Los Angeles Rams in a primetime showdown featuring two teams looking to build momentum early in the season. 

Baseball fans also have the MLB postseason to follow, with the Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Guardians opening the ALCS as they battle for a spot in the World Series.

Sign up using promo code FOX to claim a $25 bonus on Polymarket and trade on eligible markets for Bills vs. Rams, Rays vs. Guardians and other available events. 

For more information and full terms and conditions, visit our Polymarket promo code page.

How to Claim the Polymarket Promo with Code FOX

1. Click here to download the Polymarket app on iOS or Android.
2. Create a new Polymarket account using your email address.
3. Enter promo code FOX in the promo code or invite code field during registration.
4. Complete identity verification as prompted inside the app.
5. Deposit a minimum of $10 to your Polymarket account.
6. Your $25 trading bonus will be credited to your account automatically after the qualifying deposit.
7. Deposit funds and trade at least $25 in prediction markets to receive up to $25 in trading credit.

*Probabilities are subject to change* 

Teams	Chance	Yes	No
LA Rams	61%	62¢	39¢
BUF Bills	39%	39¢	62¢

Teams	Chance	Yes	No
CLE Guardians	40%	40¢	61¢
TB Rays	60%	61¢	40¢

More markets available on Polymarket.

How to Watch Bills vs. Rams

• When: Monday, October 12, 2026 at 8:15 p.m. ET
• Where: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
• TV: ABC, ESPN
• Stream: ESPN Unlimited – Get the FOX One / ESPN Bundle

Players To Watch

Buffalo is 3-1 with a quarterback who is both its passer and its short-yardage runner. Josh Allen has 13 touchdowns, seven of them rushing, and leads the Bills with 78 points. He has thrown for 1,039 yards, and he finished with 253 in the 29-26 loss to New England on Oct. 4.

Los Angeles has allowed 83 points through four games, 20.75 per game. Los Angeles has to account for both the pass and the keeper on every down.

The Bills rank sixth in the NFL at 139.0 rushing yards per game, and James Cook III is the biggest reason. He has 421 yards on 70 carries, 6.0 per attempt, and has scored a rushing touchdown in three of Buffalo’s four games. He ran for 75 yards against New England on Oct. 4.

Los Angeles has a turnover margin of minus-5, tied for 26th in the NFL. Extra possessions would mean more carries for Cook.

With Matthew Stafford leading a passing offense that ranks second in the NFL at 290.3 yards per game, Puka Nacua is the receiver the Rams look for most when he is on the field. He has 14 catches for 199 yards in two games and had nine catches for 125 yards in the 24-20 win at Philadelphia on Oct. 4.

Buffalo has allowed 107 points through four games, 26.75 per game. That number leaves room for Nacua to keep getting targets.

Kyren Williams has given Los Angeles steady ground production, with 294 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 54 carries, 5.4 per attempt. He ran for 80 yards at Philadelphia on Oct. 4 and has at least 80 in each of the last three games.

Buffalo’s turnover margin is minus-2, tied for 20th in the NFL. The Rams’ 11th-ranked ground game, at 126.8 yards per game, gives Williams a way to keep the ball and shorten the game.

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The Milwaukee Brewers got off to a 2-0 lead in the National League Championship Series over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday, and ace Jacob Misiorowski played a major role in the Game 1 win.

Misiorowski, who is in his second postseason run with the Brewers, allowed one run on five hits with five strikeouts and three walks over 4 1/3 innings against the reigning World Series champions in Sunday’s win. And he credited much of that outing to former St. Louis Cardinals ace and current MLB on FOX commentator Adam Wainwright.

When FOX Sports’ David Ortiz asked Misiorowski during the MLB on FOX pregame show before Monday’s Game 2 win, Misiorowski immediately credited Wainwright for impacting his mindset.

“Honestly, big shoutout to Wainwright,” Misiorowski said. “I got to talk with him and got to pick his brain a little bit on how to watch video of myself, and brought that into this one, and really stuck with my game plan instead of trying to adapt to the game too much. It worked out.”

For Misiorowski, who grew up outside of Kansas City, Missouri, Wainwright has always been the inspiration behind his baseball talent and his pitching style. Now, looking up to Wainwright, who played 18 seasons for the Cardinals and was part of their 2006 World Series-winning team, his simple pieces of advice have played a big part in Misiorowski’s success as a pitcher.

The 24-year-old right-hander has been the anchor of Milwaukee’s rotation, and that was on full display Sunday, when he took the ball opposite Dodgers ace and two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal.

When talking about Wainwright’s impact with FOX Sports’ Kevin Burkhardt, Misiorowski explained how it changed his approach.

Adam Wainwright has been a mentor to Jacob Misiorowski.(Photo by Dylan Heuer/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

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“The biggest one was the mindset of watching film. I would really get down on myself and couldn’t really watch film by myself. I would get frustrated and have to turn it off,” Misiorowski said. “Wainwright was telling me to think about it differently.”

So how did Wainwright change the way “Miz” watches film? By keeping it simple.

“Before, I was critical of every little movement,” Misiorowski said. “Now, Wainwright’s like, ‘Hey, focus on little things. Instead of fixing it, plan on how to make it better,’ and that’s helped a lot.”

That one simple lesson has helped turn the Brewers’ starter into one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball in just two seasons. This postseason, Misiorowski has allowed three runs on nine hits over 8 1/3 innings.

With a fastball that routinely tops 100 mph and has even reached the 105-mph mark, he has delivered in big moments as Milwaukee tries to get past the Dodgers, who swept the Brewers in last year’s NLCS, and hand Los Angeles its first postseason elimination since 2023.

MLB Related Stories

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The past week perfectly displayed the Yin and Yang of betting on NFL odds, particularly for high-rollers, who aren’t necessarily sharp, but certainly have a lot of disposable income.

Last Monday night, a six-figure bet landed on the Falcons to beat the Saints. On Sunday night, an even larger six-figure play dropped on the Ravens to beat the Falcons.

And in between, the Cowboys were dealt the season’s biggest upset by the Bucs, vaporizing a six-figure wager while making a big winner of a prediction markets trader.

More on all that activity, along with a parlay that rode Oklahoma’s upset to a five-figure payday, plus a seemingly ridiculous Polymarket trade on the Jaguars that needed just eight seconds to cash out.

This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.

Six-Figure Sweats

In the final game of Week 4, the Falcons and Saints got together last Monday night in New Orleans. At Caesars Sports, a customer ponied up $150,000 on Atlanta moneyline +105.

Then the two-headed monster of Bijan Robinson and Brian Robinson combined for five touchdowns, as the Falcons rolled to a 45-24 victory. The bettor bagged $157,500 profit, for a total payout of $307,500.

But as they say, what comes around, goes around. 

In NFL Week 5 odds, the Falcons were home favorites vs. the Ravens because Baltimore didn’t have quarterback Lamar Jackson, who was out with an ankle injury.

That led to a lot of Atlanta support from the public betting masses. 

In Las Vegas, though, a high-roller put a whopping $272,194.60 (yep, 60 cents, too, and don’t ask me why) on Ravens moneyline +155 at Red Rock Resort.

Derrick Henry helped lead the Ravens to a win over the Falcons on Sunday (Getty Images).

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The Falcons led much of the night, including 23-15 after a field goal with 2:31 remaining. But the Ravens then drove for a touchdown, and Derrick Henry ran in the 2-point conversion to tie it at 23 and force overtime.

Then backup QB Tyler Huntley led a 14-play, 68-yard drive, capped by his 1-yard TD plunge. A Ravens interception subsequently ended the Falcons’ possession and the game, giving Baltimore a 30-23 victory.

And giving the bettor a massive win of $421,901.65, for a total payout of $694,096.25.

   Big Winner, Big Loser

The Cowboys were the biggest favorite on the NFL Week 5 oddsboard, closing at -9.5 against the winless Bucs. And there were more signs that pointed to an easy Dallas victory:

• Tampa Bay was on an 0-13 nosedive against the spread (2-11 straight up)
• The Bucs were starting undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels at QB
• Tampa was traveling on a short week

A Caesars Sports customer got a better number than the closer, putting $106,000 on Cowboys -8. But at no point was Dallas covering, and in fact, the Pokes trailed almost the entire second half, including 24-10 after the third quarter.

The Cowboys ultimately lost 24-16, making that wager a six-figure donation to the house.

On the flip side, though, a trader at Kalshi put $84,000 worth of faith into the big underdog Buccaneers. The transaction was at a price of 20%, which correlates to +400 in betting odds.

Behind a clean game from Daniels and a big night from running back Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay held on for a 24-16 victory. And the Kalshi customer bagged a huge profit of $336,000 (total payout $420,000).

Parlay Partay

If you can accurately predict underdogs winning outright, then you stand to make some good money. Much easier said than done, of course.

But a Fanatics Sportsbook customer rode four college football upsets to a big payday, capped by one of the day’s biggest games, Texas vs. Oklahoma.

The bettor put $100 on a parlay that included two teams as even bigger underdogs than Oklahoma: Buffalo at Toledo, and California at home vs. Virginia Tech.

Surprisingly, Buffalo scored the first 16 points vs. Toledo en route to a 23-8 victory. And Cal got a touchdown with 18 seconds left to knock off VaTech 25-20.

Houston had zero trouble with Kansas State, rolling 35-16. And Oklahoma finished it off, rallying from a 17-7 halftime deficit to upend No. 1 Texas 27-24 on a final-seconds field goal.

At hefty odds of +14676 — just shy of 147/1 — that hundred bucks turned into $14,676 profit. 

Now that’s an upset.

Prediction Market Winners & Losers

Prediction markets remain a controversial topic but are still operating and seeing a lot of football trades made across the country. And there were some big transactions over the past few days.

On Sunday, though, a far smaller trade actually proved to be the most interesting, and the ROI was fantastic.

A Kalshi customer put $175 on Giants vs. Commanders ending in a tie, at a price of just 2%. That translates to odds of about +4903.

Washington took a 27-13 lead on Jayden Daniels’ second TD run of the game, with 11:05 remaining in the fourth quarter. But New York rallied with two touchdowns to tie it at 27 with 1:43 left, and the game went to overtime.

Then neither team scored in OT, with Washington completely blowing an opportunity to kick the winning field goal in the waning seconds. 

Instead, the clock ran out after Daniels was sacked at the Giants’ 24-yard line.

So the game ended in a 27-27 tie, and the trader profited $8,581 (total payout $8,756). No, it’s not a six-figure payday. But anytime you can 49x your money, it’s been a great day.

And how about this maneuver at Polymarket: After the Jaguars went down 17-16 on an Eagles field goal, with just eight seconds remaining, a trader put $2,817.99 on Jacksonville to win the game. That trade was also in the 2% range of succeeding.

But Ameer Abdullah had other ideas, returning the ensuing kickoff 53 yards to the Eagles’ 39-yard line. Adbullah was brought down with just one second on the clock, and Cam Little then booted a 57-yard field goal to give the Jags a shocking 19-17 victory.

And the trader profited $122,426.01 (total payout $125,244).

Here’s Hoping You Had It

It’s not all about making big bets or cashing out huge on a 10-leg parlay. Which, to be clear, is rare.

Sometimes, it’s about putting 10 bucks on a single straight bet, backing a long shot or semi-long shot, and getting a solid return on investment.

For example, backup tight end Teagan Quitoriano somehow had two of the Cardinals’ three touchdowns in a 45-21 blowout loss to the Lions. At Caesars Sports, Quitoriano was +45000 (450/1) to score two or more TDs.

If you’d just taken a $10 flier on that player prop, then you’d be sitting on $4,500 profit.

But that’s a huge long shot. In the more realistic realm: How about QB C.J. Stroud scoring the first touchdown of the Texans-Titans game?

Stroud was +3500 (35/1) to do so at DraftKings Sports. Strangely, the game’s first TD didn’t come until midway through the third quarter, but it was on a 2-yard Stroud run.

Ten bucks on that would’ve netted $350 profit.

In the Bucs’ Thursday night upset, Bucky Irving was +1500 to score two or more touchdowns, at FanDuel Sports. He scored in the second and third quarters.

A tenner on that turns into $150 profit. If you got frisky and bet $100, then you’d pocket $1,500.

And if you’re one of those who likes to take an alternative shot on First Touchdown Scorer, then the Ravens-Falcons game provided just such an opportunity.

Seven minutes into the first quarter, Atlanta safety Jessie Bates III got a scoop-and-score off a Mark Andrews fumble, returning it 36 yards to put the Falcons up 7-3.

In the First TD Scorer market, FanDuel had Atlanta’s defense at +3500. Ten dollars on that would have your wallet $350 fatter today.

I Like Big Bets And I Cannot Lie

The biggest reported bet on either NFL Week 5 odds or college football Week 6 odds arrived at Caesars Sports on Saturday’s Texas A&M vs. Missouri showdown.

The customer dropped an eye-popping $850,000 on Tigers moneyline -173. All Mizzou had to do was win, by any margin.

It was a no-sweat bet, as the Tigers coasted to a 27-6 victory. The bettor turned a profit of $491,329 (total payout $1,341,329).

Parlaying big favorites isn’t always the best idea. But it can pay off, and it did for a Station Sports customer on Sunday in Vegas.

The bettor put $139,000 on Bengals moneyline -170/Lions moneyline -250. So all that was needed was for Cincinnati to beat Miami and Detroit to beat Arizona, regardless of margin.

The Lions routed the Cards 45-21, while the Bengals held off Miami 31-24. At -128 odds, the bettor profited $108,194 (total payout $247,194).

The Bengals’ victory over Miami helped one bettor win their parlay. 

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Other notable wagers on NFL Week 5 odds and college football Week 6 odds:

• $112,000 Oregon moneyline -440 vs. UCLA (Caesars). The customer got an expensive lesson, as the Ducks tumbled 17-15 in one of the weekend’s biggest upsets
• $75,000 USC +3 (-150) vs. Penn State (Station). The underdog Trojans won outright 31-23, and the bettor netted $50,000 profit (total payout $125,000)
• $75,000 Kansas State moneyline -145 vs. Houston (Station). This was likely from the same bettor who had the USC wager. So the customer gave it all back and then some, as K-State lost 35-16
• $70,000 Bucs +9 (-112) vs. Cowboys (Caesars). As noted above, Tampa got the upset. So the bettor banked $62,500 profit (total payout $132,500)
• $66,000 Arizona State -20.5 (-114) vs. Hawaii (Caesars). That’s a five-figure donation to the house, as ASU wins 30-12, just short of covering the spread
• $50,000 Derrick Henry Anytime TD -150 (Caesars). It took until the third quarter, but the reliable Henry scored on an 18-yard TD pass in the Ravens’ 30-23 overtime win vs. the Falcons. So the bettor profited $33,333 (total payout $83,333)

It’s always worth reminding that these high-profile, high-net-worth customers have the ability to make big bets and often absorb big losses. 

For you and me, not so much. So keep your bet size and expectations reasonable. Never bet more than you can afford to lose.

Source

AMERICAN FAMILY FIELD (Milwaukee) – In Game 1, the Brewers defeated the defending two-time American League Cy Young Award winner. In Game 2, they exhausted the reigning World Series MVP.

And as the National League Championship Series moves to Los Angeles, the Brewers have the reigning champions on the ropes with a 2-0 series lead after a 7-4 Game 2 win.

Here are my takeaways:

1.

Brewers Wear Out Yamamoto During Third-Inning Grinder

The longest plate appearance of Jake Bauers’ career lasted 7 minutes, 15 seconds, long enough for Alex Vesia to start warming up in the Dodgers’ bullpen and be warm by the time Bauers walked to first base after taking pitch No. 12 from Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

The runners at first and second, who were on the move in a full count, looked exhausted. They were granted only a momentary break in the middle of the battle, when there was a mound visit to try to fix Yamamoto’s PitchCom device. Otherwise, it was a constant sprint and retreat.

The Brewers made Yoshinobu Yamamoto work for every out he recorded on Monday at American Family Field. (Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) –>

Bauers fouled off three four-seamers, a curveball, a cutter and a splitter from Yamamoto, who threw the kitchen sink at the Brewers’ first baseman hoping he would eventually swing and miss. He did not. After a constant barrage of foul balls to the left and the right, Bauers finally took a curveball in the dirt to accept his base on balls, complete with a well-deserved bat flip.

“It was a blast, honestly,” Bauers said. “Any time you can get that locked in doiong anything, it’s, to me, one of the most enjoyable experiences I think a human being can have.” 

Yamamoto had built a reputation for dominating on this October stage, where last year he fired a complete game in his lone start against the Brewers in Game 2 of last year’s NLCS. That was the first of five straight playoff appearances in which Yamamoto allowed no more than one run, a streak that ended Monday at American Family Field.

The Dodgers led 2-1 after the two-out walk to Bauers to load the bases. They had a southpaw in Vesia warming, but they also had their reigning World Series MVP on the mound as lefty Christian Yelich stepped to the plate. The Brewers’ captain was not in the lineup for Game 1 against left-hander Tarik Skubal, a move that manager Pat Murphy said might not happen again going forward.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts left Yamamoto in to face Yelich, who delivered a two-run single on a hanging curveball to put the Brewers ahead and end Yamamoto’s day at 2 2/3 innings. 

It was the shortest outing of Yamamoto’s postseason career and his shortest outing in any game since July 7, 2025, when he failed to escape the first inning. That start was also against the Brewers and was the last time he had fewer than five whiffs in a game until Monday, when he got just four swings and misses on his 73 pitches. 

“Tonight, he just didn’t have it,” Roberts said, “which is very rare.”

The Dodgers had grown so accustomed to watching Yamamoto excel this time of year that it was hard for them to witness. 

“But he’s a human being, too,” said Mookie Betts. “I think everyone is so used to him being a robot that if he didn’t go eight innings with no hits or whatever, then it wasn’t Yamamoto. It shows that he’s a human being, and it’s playoff baseball. It’s part of it.” 

2.

Brewers Get More Big Hits From William Contreras

With Jackson Chourio’s heroics in the NL Division Series against the Padres and Brice Turang’s big swing in Game 1 of the NLCS, William Contreras’ positive contributions might have gone overlooked to start the postseason.

“Whatever people think about him,” Murphy said, “he’s underrated.” 

After his second three-hit game of the playoffs in Game 2 of the NLCS, that should no longer be the case.

Contreras homered in Game 1 of the NLDS, had three hits, including a home run, in Game 3 of the NLDS and went deep again Monday night while guiding Milwaukee’s comeback offense. 

On Monday, Contreras tied the game with a single in the first inning and then again with a solo homer in the fifth — the fifth of his postseason career, tying him with Chourio for the most in Brewers postseason history. In the sixth, he came through with the go-ahead single that gave Milwaukee the lead for good.

“He’s the fire of our team,” Yelich said. “He just likes the moments, like the big moments, and we’ve got all the confidence in the world in him when he’s out there.” 

The dogged Brewers would pour it on from there, winning the bullpen battle the rest of the way.

Including the postseason, the Brewers have a winning record this year when the opponent scores first. Four of their five wins this postseason have come in comeback fashion.

William Contreras continued his stellar postseason at the plate for the Brewers with a pair of clutch hits. (Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) –>

3.

Dodgers’ Challenge Reluctance Comes Back To Bite Them

As difficult of a time as Yamamoto was having against an unrelenting Milwaukee offense, he also didn’t get help from his catcher.

In the first inning, Will Smith did not challenge what would have been strike three to Brice Turang, who then doubled in the at-bat and came around to score the game-tying run.

In the third inning, which Yamamoto failed to finish, it happened again.

The Brewers had one out and a runner on second base when a full-count cutter from Yamamoto to Turang caught the outer edge of the plate. It was called a ball. Yamamoto tentatively tapped his head, almost as if to try to convince Smith to challenge it. He did not. 

“I thought about it,” Yamamoto said through a translator. “But that was too fine a line on the strike zone, so I just didn’t know.” 

Smith said he didn’t want to burn a challenge that early in the game on a pitch that could have gone either way. Ultimately, no challenge was granted, and Turang would come around to score again after Bauers’ marathon plate appearance. 

After the Dodgers’ first game of the playoffs, center fielder Andy Pages had his ABS privileges taken away after a bad use of one in Game 1 of the NLDS. 

On Monday, the Dodgers’ unwillingness to challenge early came back to bite them and played a role in Yamamoto’s early departure. 

4.

Brewers’ Dominant ‘Pen Shuts Down Dodgers Lineup

The Brewers’ bullpen entered Monday night with a 0.38 ERA this postseason.

That was before their latest act of dominance.

After Edman reached on Henderson’s error in the fifth inning, the Dodgers did not get another baserunner all night. They went 15 up, 15 down against the Brewers’ indomitable bullpen, one night after mustering just two hits over 4 2/3 scoreless innings against Milwaukee’s relievers in Game 1.

“They all throw 100 from different angles,” said Freddie Freeman, explaining what makes them so difficult. 

The five perfect innings from the bullpen Monday night were the most by a relief unit ever in a postseason game. In 28 2/3 innings this postseason, Milwaukee’s bullpen has allowed just one run. 

Abner Uribe has been a big part of the Brewers’ shutdown bullpen this postseason. (Aaron Gash/MLB Photos via Getty Images) –>

5.

Brew-tal Defense Gives The Dodgers A Chance

The Dodgers entered Game 2 with a different game plan against Logan Henderson than they had the night before against Jacob Misiorowski.

In Game 1, they were hoping to let the ball get deep in the zone, foul off pitches and make Misiorowski work, which they did. 

“To think you’re going to catch him out front and pull it in the air is bananas,” Roberts said.

Against Henderson, though, power was the plan. The Dodgers hoped to catch the ball out front, “take some shots,” according to Roberts, and feature more of their power in Game 2. Only, it did not play out that way for a Dodgers team that still hasn’t homered in the series.

Logan Henderson’s own glove let him down in Game 2 against the Dodgers. (Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) –>

Henderson’s low-release fastball creates a rising effect, one that clearly played tricks on the Dodgers early on. Through two innings, the Dodgers had already whiffed five times on their 10 swings against Henderson’s fastball — the same number of times they swung and missed all of Game 1 against Misiorowski’s heater.

But while they couldn’t capitalize by slugging Henderson, they found another way to pressure the standout rookie. Henderson didn’t look rattled while throwing to home plate. Fielding his position was another story.

And he wasn’t alone.

The Brewers’ typically sound defense made multiple blunders in the third inning, which began with a Tommy Edman single. Edman was nearly erased one batter later when Mookie Betts drilled a one-hopper to shortstop, but rookie Cooper Pratt, who had three errors in the NLDS — the most of any player this postseason — couldn’t handle it.

Instead of another double play for the Dodgers — who grounded into three of them in Game 1 — it was two on, no out. After a spectacular catch from Sal Frelick on a deep drive from Freeman, Henderson then tried to pick behind Betts at first base with runners at the corners and threw the ball away, allowing a go-ahead run to score.

It wasn’t the plan, but small ball was the Dodgers’ only hope Monday night.

After the Brewers knocked out Yamamoto in the bottom of the frame, another Henderson error followed in a go-ahead fifth for the Dodgers. Kyle Tucker doubled to start the frame, and Edman followed with a sacrifice bunt. Henderson airmailed the throw, allowing Tucker to score a game-tying run, ending Henderson’s night.

Only two of Henderson’s four runs allowed were earned, but it was the first time all year he surrendered more than three runs in a start.  

Ultimately, it would not matter.

5 ½. What’s Next?

Of the 27 teams to go up 2-0 in the NLCS, regardless of series length, 23 have won the pennant. Of the 18 clubs who have carried a 2-0 advantage into Game 3 of the NLCS in its current best-of-seven format, 15 have advanced to the World Series. 

The Dodgers clearly have their work cut out if they want to three-peat, but they’ll send another former Cy Young winner to the mound for Game 3 in Blake Snell. 

“I know Blake has a bad taste in his mouth from that last outing against the Braves,” Roberts said. “So you’re going to see a locked-in, focused Snell. On the other side of things, we’ve got to support him offensively too.”

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The Dodgers lost their second straight NLCS game after falling 7-4 to the Brewers, recording just three hits against Milwaukee’s pitching. 

FOX Sports’ David Ortiz was the only one at the MLB on FOX pregame show desk to predict the Brewers win in Game 2. Why?

“I have never seen the Dodgers offense be this poor,” Ortiz said.

He was able to take his victory lap postgame.

“Papi, you called it!” FOX Sports’ Alex Rodriguez said to his co-analyst. “You’re the only one who called it.”

L.A.’s bullpen gave up seven runs and 12 hits to Milwaukee as the Dodgers’ offense struggled to put points on the board. Even Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who is historically a solid postseason pitcher, struggled to keep the Brewers scoreless. But the Dodgers still have a chance to turn things around.

This time, with the Dodgers down 2-0, the stakes are even higher entering Game 3 in Los Angeles. 

“The Dodgers are in some deep trouble,” Ortiz said. “They haven’t been able to put it together offensively. They are 2-for-26 with men on base. I told you.”

The Dodgers’ underwhelming performance is tied to several parts of the roster, but one is clear.

Two-way star Shohei Ohtani hasn’t delivered any solid showings since returning from injury. In 16 at-bats leading up to Game 2, Ohtani has hit .188 with three hits. Tonight, Ohtani went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. For the four-time MVP, the numbers don’t match the powerhouse that Ohtani has been in past postseason runs with Los Angeles.

While Ohtani remains a major factor in whether the Dodgers can bounce back, FOX Sports’ Derek Jeter didn’t deny that Los Angeles is in trouble against a red-hot Brewers offense.

“It’s tough, man. It’s tough to turn your entire team around offensively when you’re going up against a team like the Milwaukee Brewers… I agree, the Dodgers are in trouble,” Jeter said. “Unless they can figure out how to string together some hits. Because on top of them (the Dodgers) being in a little bit of trouble, now the Milwaukee Brewers offense is getting hot … This is going to be the biggest hurdle they’re going to have to overcome if they want to go back and win a third championship in a row.”

The Dodgers’ resume proves it’s an organization built to win. It’s home to a four-time MVP in Ohtani, and it’s chasing its third consecutive World Series Championship. After its second consecutive postseason loss, Ortiz noted Los Angeles’s lack of offense on the diamond.

“It’s difficult to watch these guys not score runs offensively,” Ortiz said. “We know that the Dodgers are capable of scoring runs offensively, but nobody is hitting. The unexpected has happened, and they are facing good pitching.

“Like I always say: good pitching can always stop good offense.”

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Niners-Seahawks put us on the edge of our seats, while Commanders-Giants left us … shaking our heads in disbelief.

In Packers land, the arrow is pointing up after a whooping of a fierce division rival. Then there’s Nashville, where hopes keep lowering for the Titans. 

In my Best and Worst superlatives coming out of Week 5, I focus on game play, defenses and overall team quality: 

   Best Game This Week: 49ers-Seahawks Thriller

Monday night was fantastic, with the Bills besting the Rams to close NFL Week 5. I’m still going with Sunday’s 49ers-Seahawks catchup, which added to the many thrilling games we’ve seen between these NFC West rivals over the years.

Niners kicker Eddy Piñeiro hit the go-ahead 44-yard field goal with 1:56 left and San Francisco’s defense forced a turnover on downs on the Seahawks’ final possession to escape Seattle with the 32-29 win. Seahawks star wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba had a stunning drop on third-and-10 that would’ve set Seattle up in field goal range and Cooper Kupp was ruled short of the line to gain on the ensuing fourth-down play. 

The game featured four lead changes, two ties and an NFL season-high seven combined turnovers. There wasn’t a touchdown drive longer than 24 yards until early in the fourth quarter, when 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy and wide receiver Mike Evans caught fire, connecting four times for 75 yards and a two-point conversion on a go-ahead possession with 11:02 left. 

The ejection of Dre Greenlaw in the second quarter was a pivotal moment as well — the 49ers’ veteran linebacker headbutted the Seahawks’ Ernest Jones IV after delivering a late hit to Sam Darnold by Seattle’s sideline. San Francisco managed to overcome that for its biggest win of the season yet, improving to 5-0. 

What did we learn from this spectacular slugfest? Both heavyweights reaffirmed that they’re among the top Super Bowl contenders this season. While sloppiness defined Sunday’s showdown, both squads showed high-level play in all three phases. 

The Niners carry a two-game lead in the NFC West entering Week 6, but the division feels destined to go down to the very end. The Rams will factor into that as well.  

   Worst Game This Week: Giants-Commanders Tie

This 27-27 game provided a masterclass in terrible late-game execution and clock management. 

In overtime, the Giants blew their chance for the game-winning field goal when running back Cam Skattebo fumbled and lost the ball after a strip by Commanders nose tackle Daron Payne inside the 25-yard line. 

Washington then botched its opportunity to win as well. Despite having no timeouts, quarterback Jayden Daniels scrambled and took a sack with 12 seconds left in overtime and the Commanders couldn’t spike the ball before time expired, preventing them from kicking the potential game-winning field goal.  

In many ways, this overtime tie defined what the NFC East is becoming this season: a massive disappointment, with whoever is the least bad coming out on top. 

The Giants (3-1-1) currently lead the division, but their upside is capped with QB Jaxson Dart out for the season with a knee injury. The Eagles (2-3), with their terrible offense, could be barreling toward a rebuild. The Cowboys (2-3) have a massive liability in their defense, which can’t stop anybody. And the last-place Commanders (1-3-1) constantly have Daniels’ health concerns hanging over their heads.

Washington didn’t need to add insult to injury with abysmal game management.

 

Best Defense This Week: Green Bay Packers

The Packers suffocated their hated rival in the Bears, forcing a season-high five turnovers — Green Bay’s most takeaways in a game since 2016. Four of the five came on consecutive possessions in the second half. 

Chicago had been managing without star quarterback Caleb Williams (hamstring) the past couple of weeks, winning its previous two games, but Green Bay provided a reality check. The Packers had two interceptions off Tyson Bagent (12-of-21, 87 yards), who was benched after three quarters, then added two more takeaways off Case Keenum (11-of-19, 108 yards, INT, lost fumble). Wide receiver Rome Odunze also lost a fumble, with linebacker Zaire Franklin forcing the ball out and safety Evan Williams recovering it. Safety Xavier McKinney had a team-high two picks. 

The Packers also held the Bears’ No. 1-rated rushing attack to 81 yards, by far a season low, and limited Chicago to 3.6 yards per play.

Xavier McKinney (No. 29) had two interceptions against the Bears, who turned the ball over a total of five times on Sunday. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

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Not only did Green Bay’s defense make Chicago miss Williams, but the performance was the former’s season best ahead of Micah Parsons’ eventual return. The star edge rusher hasn’t started practicing yet, but he’s been eligible to come off the physically unable to perform list since last week. 

Earlier this month, the Packers looked like a team in danger of missing the playoffs. The past couple of weeks have shown us that we can’t count them out. They’re starting to find themselves. 

 

Worst Defense This Week: Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders weren’t the only team to allow 45 points this week — the Cardinals are in that party, too — but Las Vegas’ defense was worse across the board. In their 45-17 win, the Patriots went 6-of-12 on third down, had 536 yards of offense, averaged 8.1 yards per play and scored six touchdowns against the Raiders. 

Patriots receiver Kyle Williams scores one of New England’s six touchdowns against a beleaguered Raiders defense on Sunday. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

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We’re starting to learn that Las Vegas’ effectiveness defensively may be reliant on the ability to force turnovers. The Raiders are 3-0 when they have two-plus takeaways and now 0-2 when they have no more than one. Las Vegas’ defense couldn’t get off the field Sunday, as New England had a time of possession of 34:27. 

It’s part of the reason why I’m not yet buying the Raiders as a contender. They’ve had just one bad loss — they went down to the wire with the Chiefs in Week 4 — but haven’t shown consistency on defense from start to finish against good teams. The Raiders gave up 30 points and 189 rushing yards to Kansas City last week. And Las Vegas’ 3-0 start came against the Dolphins, Chargers and Saints — teams that are a combined 1-14. 

 

Best Overall Team This Week: New England Patriots

The Patriots beat the Raiders by 28 points, the NFL’s largest margin of victory in Week 5. 

Highlighting the dominance was quarterback Drake Maye, whose funk just a couple of weeks ago feels like an alternate reality. A week after winning AFC Offensive Player of the Week, Maye played lights out against Las Vegas: a 76.5% completion rate for 374 yards, five total touchdowns (four passing) and a 150.9 passer rating, the latter of which is the third-highest mark of his career. 

It was all the more impressive given that New England was without two of its top wide receivers — A.J. Brown and Mack Hollins. We are starting to see that the Patriots’ offense can be as explosive as any in the league. 

But credit to New England’s defense as well in Week 5. The Raiders scored at least 26 points in each of their first four games, but the Patriots kept them under 20. New England erased the run game (Vegas had a season-low 38 rushing yards) and held up well when the Raiders reached scoring position. Las Vegas had just 17 points to show for six possessions that reached plus territory. 

After a big win over the Bills last week and a dominant showing against the Raiders this week, the Patriots are back as serious AFC contenders. 

 

Worst Overall Team This Week: Tennessee Titans

The Titans keep finding ways to create new lows. Facing a fellow 0-4 team in the Texans, Tennessee scored just a field goal en route to a 23-point loss to a division rival at home. 

Former No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward (23-of-36, 170 yards, 0 TDs, INT) took several steps back after an encouraging performance against the Ravens in Week 4, reigniting questions about his standing as the Titans’ quarterback. Tennessee’s offensive line, which has largely been solid this season, fell apart against Houston — Ward was sacked a season-high four times and the Titans produced a season-low 57 rushing yards. 

Titans QB Cam Ward was sacked a season-high four times against the Texans, who won their first game of the season. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)

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Tennessee’s defense was fine through two quarters — Houston had just 12 points to show for four drives that got inside the Titans’ 35-yard line — before unraveling down the stretch, giving up back-to-back touchdowns to start the second half. 

Nothing will change in the Titans’ outlook until they can get something going on offense, where they rank dead last in both scoring and yards produced per game. Former Giants head coach Brian Daboll has been a massive disappointment as the offensive coordinator hire to this point, and Ward’s development has been headed backward. 

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TROPICANA Field (St. Petersburg, Fla.) — Talk about an upset.

Facing the Tampa Bay Rays, the best team in the American League, it was the tough and tired Cleveland Guardians who came through and remarkably took Game 1 of the ALCS with a 7-3 win on Monday night at Tropicana Field.

The odds were against them after going the distance in the ALDS. Cleveland spent all its energy storming back from the brink of elimination against the White Sox, only to still have some fight left in the tank. No matter that Tampa Bay’s indomitable ace was on the mound. No matter that the Rays were recharged after four days off following their sweep of the Yankees. No matter that Tropicana Field was rocking with a sold-out crowd waving yellow towels and creating extra pressure. 

The Guardians, on the strength of their MVP-caliber stars, stole Game 1 on the road. 

Here are my takeaways:

1. Cleveland’s Counterpunch Was An Uppercut

(Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images) –>

The Guardians were waiting for their unofficial team captain, Jose Ramirez, to make some noise all night. If their epic comeback in the ALDS was any indication, these Guardians go as Ramirez goes. 

He finally got his moment and started a rally when he led off the top of the eighth inning with a hustling infield single to Rays third baseman Junior Caminero, who tried and failed to barehand the grounder. Ramirez reached first base safely with the spark that Cleveland needed to get going.

Guardians rookie outfielder Chase DeLauter picked up where Ramirez left off by lacing a double to right field off Rays right-hander Tyler Wells. Suddenly, after catcher Patrick Bailey tied the game at 2-2 in the sixth on a solo homer, the Guardians had the go-ahead runs in scoring position. 

First baseman Nathaniel Lowe, acquired by Cleveland at the trade deadline for his postseason experience, delivered when his team needed him the most. Lowe ripped a single up the middle, past Tampa Bay’s diving infielders and into center field, scoring Ramirez and DeLauter and completing yet another epic comeback just two days after their last one.

“It’s hard to hit solo homers and win games,” Lowe said after the win. “And the guys that did it tonight deserve all the credit for doing it, for keeping us in the game. But when we build momentum, the way that we play, when runners get into scoring position, it’s when we can capitalize. I’m so thankful that I’m the guy that got to do it first tonight.”

Cleveland scored seven of the game’s last eight runs between DeLauter’s solo shot in the sixth, Bailey’s game-tying homer in the seventh, Lowe’s two-run single in the eighth, and Jo Adell’s two-run double in the ninth to put them over the edge with a 7-3 lead over the Rays. This would have been unthinkable just days ago, when the Guardians trailed the White Sox two games to none in the ALDS before clawing back, winning the series and advancing to the ALCS.  

The Rays seemed stunned. The Guardians put on a show and reminded us why they shouldn’t be.

“That’s a very good team over there,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said of the Guards. “They put a lot of pressure on pitchers and can foul balls off and lengthen out at-bats. And then you add the component that they’re good hitters.”

2. Cash Gets Greedy With Rasmussen

(Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) –>

Cash is one of this year’s favorites to win the American League Manager of the Year award. It would be his third time receiving the honor, and the first time since he won it back-to-back in 2020 and 2021, pointing to his consistency and longevity as one of the game’s best skippers.

That being said, Cash’s decision to leave his ace on the mound for one more batter won’t make it onto his career highlight reel. 

Tampa Bay right-hander Drew Rasmussen was dominant against the Guardians on Monday, though not as untouchable as he was against the Yankees in Game 1 of the ALDS. Rasmussen had limited Cleveland to one run through six solid innings, with his only blemish up to that point coming on a DeLauter home run to lead off the sixth inning. He had racked up seven strikeouts and did not allow a walk. It was everything the Rays could’ve asked from their ace. 

After the top of the sixth inning was over, Rasmussen was walking around in the Rays dugout like his night was over. There were two relievers warming up while the Rays batted in the bottom of the inning. Especially with Tampa Bay’s well-rested bullpen, since they swept the Yankees in the ALDS and haven’t played a game since Wednesday, it seemed like the ideal time to end Rasmussen’s night.

But Cash got greedy in a tight one-run game. The Rays were leading the Guardians, 2-1, and Cash went back to Rasmussen for the top of the seventh inning to try and preserve their lead. 

Rasmussen picked a bad time to throw his worst pitch of the night: a hanging cutter. Instead of burying it in on the hands, he missed his target and threw it up and in the middle to Guardians catcher Patrick Bailey, who crushed it 436 feet to center field for a game-tying solo home run. 

Though it was one batter too late, Cash promptly removed Rasmussen from the game, his mistake evident in the tens of thousands of fans who were silent as their ace walked back to the dugout with his tail between his legs. After the loss, Cash indicated he would’ve let Rasmussen finish the seventh inning if not for the Bailey home run. 

“A little bit,” Guardians left fielder Steven Kwan said when I asked if he was surprised Rasmussen came back out for the seventh inning. “But that’s more a reflection of today’s baseball climate as opposed to how he was doing. You have an ace. You want to ride him out as long as possible. But I’m happy with that. I like that decision.”
 

3. Retribution For Diaz & Caminero

(Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) –>

The Rays didn’t waste any time giving the Guardians a headache, and it might have hurt them more knowing which players did the early damage. 

Rays designated hitter Yandy Diaz, who on Tuesday will set the franchise record for the most games played in the postseason (31), was all over Guardians left-hander Foster Griffin in the first inning. Diaz, leading off as usual, ripped a 114.6 mph double to left field to set the table for the big boppers behind him. Slugger Jonathan Aranda surprised everyone by putting down a perfect sacrifice bunt that advanced Diaz, 90 feet from home plate. Then Junior Caminero smacked an RBI single to left, and just three batters into the bottom of the first, the Rays had a 1-0 lead. 

Call it retribution.

Diaz played for Cleveland from 2017-18, though he only played in 88 games in that two-year span. Before the 2019 season, Diaz was part of a three-team trade that sent him to Tampa Bay, where he played mostly at third base until Caminero took over in 2023.

Caminero signed as a free agent with Cleveland in 2019. He was traded to the Rays in 2021 for right-handed pitcher Tobias Myers, and Caminero finally made his major-league debut in 2023 as one of the Rays’ highly-touted top prospects. 

“Thank you to Cleveland for making me a professional,” Diaz said through an interpreter ahead of Game 1 on Monday. “I started my career there. I signed my first pro contract there. But also, I’m happy with the way things worked out. I’m happy that I was traded over here to Tampa Bay, in my opinion, the best organization in the league. I’ve made my career here. So that’s something I’m really proud of.”

The Guardians, who were stymied by the Rays early, remembered that they didn’t need two big boppers like Diaz and Caminero in their lineup. They had their own way of manufacturing power. 

3 ½. What’s next?

It will be Rays right-hander Freddy Peralta versus Guardians left-hander Parker Messick for Game 2 of the ALCS on Tuesday. Peralta, who said he prepared for the Guardians to be “very disciplined at the plate,” will try to set the tone with a much-needed win for Tampa Bay before the team goes on the road for Game 3.

Messick, who has a 5.40 postseason ERA after giving up four runs in two abbreviated starts against the White Sox in the ALDS, grew up in Orlando, Fla. The rookie southpaw went to high school in Plant City, which is about 45 minutes northeast of Tropicana FIeld, and he went to college at Florida State University. He’s expecting a large contingent of family members for his pivotal start on Tuesday.

“Pretty large group of people coming,” Messick said. “Mostly family. I know my hometown is throwing a little bit of a watch party. So that may keep a lot of people over there. It’s going to be fun.”

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SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California) — In a battle between the last two players to win MVP, Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills emerged victorious over Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams in a 37-34 overtime win in a game widely billed as a Super Bowl preview. 

And the win helped Allen get at least one monkey off his back. It served as his first career overtime win. He had gone 0-7 in overtime games prior to Monday, including the postseason, as Buffalo improved to 4-1.

As for Los Angeles, it’s back to the drawing board as its underwhelming start has continued. It’s now 2-3 on the year. 

Here are my takeaways from Monday’s thriller. 

1.

No Healthy WRs? No Problem For Superman Josh Allen

With the team’s No. 1 receiver in DJ Moore out with a shoulder injury and Joshua Palmer (shoulder) also unavailable, Buffalo needed to rely on Khalil Shakur and Keon Coleman to fill the void. Neither wide receiver stepped up for much of the game, though. 

However, the lack of healthy receivers didn’t matter, as Josh Allen once again put the Bills on his back in the fourth quarter and overtime. He finished with a game-high 121 rushing yards and a score, and also threw for 210 passing yards, basically serving as the offense for the Bills. 

That was evident on the Bills’ final drive. Allen ran for a total of 32 yards on back-to-back plays, leading Buffalo to get into field goal range. 

Along with Allen, James Cook also helped the Bills grind out the game on the ground, totaling 111 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries.  

2.

Rams’ Special Teams Highlights Sloppy Play

In a game expected to be a Super Bowl preview with two of the top four favorites to make the Super Bowl, we instead got a sloppy affair.  The two teams combined for 24 penalties and missed kicks by both kickers.

In fact, Los Angeles continues to find new ways to give up game-changing plays on special teams. Kicker Harrison Mevis had the game on his foot, but his 48-yard game-winning attempt was blocked in overtime. That came after a 50-yard miss earlier in the game, and a 70-yard return for the Bills on the opening kickoff that immediately turned into points for the Bills. 

Mevis is now 5 of 9 on field goal attempts this season for the Rams. 

The Bills had their sloppy moments, too. Allen threw an interception for a third straight game, which doubled as Jaylen Watson’s first pick as a member of the Rams. And as we alluded to earlier, Bills kicker Tyler Bass missed an extra point that could’ve wound up proving costly and Buffalo committed 13 penalties in the win. So, not all wins are pretty. 

3.

Give The Ball To Puka Nacua And Move Out Of The Way

The BYU product posted his best game statistically of the season, finishing with a career-high 17 catches that went for 138 yards and a score on 21 targets. Rams head coach Sean McVay used Nacua in different ways, on jet sweeps, bubble screens and passes down the field.

But why didn’t McVay go to Nacua again on a third-and-5 from the Bills’ 30 in overtime? The team opted to run Kyren Williams up the gut for no gain, leading to Mevis’ blocked field goal as they could’ve marched the ball further down the field.

Still, Nacua’s performance on Monday goes to show how vital he is to this offense. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford finished 40 of 54 for 383 yards, three touchdowns, with no interceptions, posting a 111.9 passer rating.  

The Rams leaned on Nacua and the passing game because they couldn’t get the running game going consistently. The Rams finished with just 77 rushing yards. Williams led the charge with 49 yards on 16 carries. Tight end Tyler Higbee added five catches for 83 yards.

3 1/2.   What’s Next

The Rams face the bottom dwellers of the NFC West, the Arizona Cardinals, on a short week at SoFi Stadium on Sunday. It’s a much-needed matchup for the Rams as they look to stay alive in the NFC West race. 

The Bills stay on the West Coast to face the Las Vegas Raiders, who are looking to break a two-game losing streak of their own.

 

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It’s been a weird start to the NFL season. Nobody could have predicted the Vikings and Giants would be among the teams with the best records. And few would’ve thought the Texans and Chargers would be down near the bottom. 

There’s a long way to go, of course, but there are at least some certain truths that are beginning to emerge about 2026. And the biggest might be this:

The NFC West is still really, really good.

How good? You’ll find out in my Week 6 power rankings. 

*Super Bowl odds courtesy of DraftKings

Record: 0-5

Previous ranking: 32

Super Bowl odds: +100000 (tied for 31st-best)

I actually felt a little bad dropping the Titans to the bottom last week, considering they had almost beaten the Eagles and the Giants. But then they went out and proved I was right. I know the Texans have a tough defense, but if you’re the Titans, you have to at least show up against 0-4 teams. Right now, they look like a team that should be very worried. 

QB Cam Ward has too many weapons around him to be as bad as he’s been. They should be more competitive than they currently are. But right now, they’re only competitive for the No. 1 pick in the 2027 draft, where they’re going to have to think long and hard about taking a QB … again.

Next game: @ Colts (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Stat To Know: The Titans have started 0-5 for the first time since 2009. 

Record: 0-5

Previous ranking: 31

Super Bowl odds: +100000 (tied for 31st-best)

The Dolphins head into their bye week 0-5, which is exactly what everyone expected. Head coach Jeff Hafley’s defense has been OK, but they’re one of the worst offenses in the league and there isn’t a quarterback anywhere playing as poorly as Malik Willis. 

Bright sides? There are a few. RB Ollie Gordon has 188 yards and two TDs in two starts since they lost De’Von Achane. And on Sunday, they scored a season-high 24 points and out-gained the explosive Bengals 331 yards to 307. Want another one? When they come out of the bye, they get the Jets twice in a month span, which might be their only two chances for wins this season.

Next game: BYE

Stat To Know: The Dolphins’ minus-62-point differential is the worst in the NFL through the first five weeks of the season. 

Record: 1-4

Previous ranking: 27 ↓

Super Bowl odds: +50000 (30th-best)

Back in the preseason, the Cardinals looked like they were headed towards a 0-13 start. Their QB was that shaky and their schedule was that tough. Now, I’d like to amend that to 1-12, but only because they beat the Chargers back on opening day. They are showing who they are: a promising, young team with no quarterback and not enough overall talent. 

Maybe trading WR Marvin Harrison Jr. wasn’t a white flag on the season, but it was definitely an indication that they know next year matters more. A big reason for that is that their remaining schedule is absolutely brutal. If they win more than one game before their Week 14 bye, it would be a huge surprise.

Next game: @ Rams (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET)

Stat To Know: The Cardinals are now 2-18 in their last 20 games dating back to last season. 

Record: 0-5

Previous ranking: 28 ↓

Super Bowl odds: +20000 (27th-best)

Here’s the best thing you can say about the Chargers: They almost won each of their last three games. And considering they played the Bills, Seahawks and Broncos, losing by a touchdown or less isn’t terrible. But alas, they are still terrible. They are 0-5, QB Justin Herbert is having his worst season, they can’t protect him (again) and nobody can hold onto his passes. 

Head coach Jim Harbaugh has even transitioned from looking like a deer in the headlights to looking like an old deer in the headlights. They hit their bye week after they play in Kansas City on Sunday. They’ve got a lot of thinking to do, and maybe a few choices to make, when they’re off.

Next game: @ Chiefs (4:25 p.m. ET)

Stat To Know: The Chargers have now lost eight straight games dating back to last season (including playoffs). This is the longest active losing streak in the NFL currently.

Record: 1-4

Previous ranking: 30 ↑

Super Bowl odds: +12500 (24th-best)

Yes, congratulations, the Buccaneers won and RB Bucky Irving’s 165 yards sparked an impressive offensive performance against the awful Cowboys defense. But boy, did head coach Todd Bowles do a heck of a job trying to give this game away in the final 8.5 minutes, starting with his weird decision to pass up a field goal from the 1-yard line that would’ve put his team up by an insurmountable three scores. 

Don’t expect them to keep treading water with Jalon Daniels at QB with the Steelers, Panthers, Falcons and Bears coming up. Bowles will still be among the most endangered coaches in the NFL after that, when the Bucs head into their bye.

Next game: vs. Steelers (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET)

Stat To Know: The Buccaneers rank second in the NFL in both rushing yards allowed per game (72.8) and yards allowed per carry (3.28).

Jalon Daniels and the Bucs shocked the Cowboys on Thursday.  (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

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Record: 1-4

Previous ranking: 23 ↓

Super Bowl odds: +15000 (26th-best)

If this were a ranking of the biggest disappointments in the NFL, the Saints would be No. 1, and no one else would be close, because there is no team in the NFL that has disappointed me more. I was sure they had the talent to be a worst-to-first story, one of the surprise teams to make the playoffs this year. And I believed that Tyler Shough was one of the next generation of QB stars. But three losses in a row, including five turnovers by Shough (eight for the team), have me out. 

I know the Vikings defense is good, but come on, just 142 yards of offense on Sunday? Apparently they’re not nearly as good as I thought.

Next game: @ Giants (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Stat To Know: The Saints have the third-worst turnover margin (11 giveaways against 5 takeaways) in the NFL through five weeks. 

Record: 2-3

Previous ranking: 29 ↑

Super Bowl odds: +30000 (29th-best)

The Jets are exactly who I told you they would be: A more competitive, more professional team that is capable of beating weak teams and mostly incapable of getting over the hump against strong ones. That’s how they got to 2-3 with wins over the Titans and now the Browns. 

Head coach Aaron Glenn’s team does play good defense, WR Garrett Wilson is a star and their offensive line can help them ground out a running game no matter who is in the backfield. 

Winning games? Just like we said with the Dolphins, New York gets Miami twice in a short span soon. Someone has to win those games, right?

Next game: @ Patriots (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Stat To Know: The Jets’ win over the Browns was their first home win since Week 13 of last season. 

Record: 1-3-1

Previous ranking: 24 ↓

Super Bowl odds: +10000 (23rd-best)

What the hell was that? There’s really not much more to say than that after the way the Commanders lost (OK, tied) the Giants on Sunday. It was bad enough that they wasted a triumphant return performance by QB Jayden Daniels that was giving them hope for the rest of their season. It was worse that head coach Dan Quinn’s defense forgot how to play in the second half and let the Giants shove them down the field and almost win the game. 

Letting the clock run out in overtime when you’re staring at a short, game-winning field goal? It’s inexcusable. And it’s on the coach — or more accurately, their soon-to-be-former coach.

Next game: vs. 49ers (Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET)

Stat To Know: The Commanders had an 89% chance to win immediately before the final play of overtime against the Giants. 

Record: 3-2

Previous ranking: 19 ↓

Super Bowl odds: +25000 (28th-best)

If you want to tell people you’re a contender, you can’t then go and lose to the Jets. I’m pretty sure there’s a rule about that somewhere, because now, all the goodwill the Browns built up in their 3-1 start is crumbling like a house of cards in a Nor’easter. 

Rookie WR K.C. Concepcion and second-year RB Quinshon Judkins got hurt in the game too, adding to their woes. And Deshaun Watson’s first real stinker reopens the door for Shedeur Sanders at QB. Maybe not literally yet, but if he’s bad against the Ravens on Sunday, don’t rule out Sanders getting a look at Tennessee in two weeks.

Next game: vs. Ravens (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Stat To Know: The Browns have only allowed one rushing touchdown this season, which is tied for first in the NFL. 

Record: 1-4

Previous ranking: 26 ↑

Super Bowl odds: +4500 (tied for 17th-best)

It says a lot about parity in the NFL that the Texans think they’re still in the race enough to trade a second-round pick for WR Marvin Harrison Jr. Yeah, they’ve got their eyes on the future too, but doing the deal now suggests they think they can climb out of their 0-4 hole this year. 

Blowing out the Titans on Sunday isn’t enough to convince anyone that they can. This week’s game against the Jaguars in London will be a much bigger test. The sooner DeMeco Ryans and QB C.J. Stroud figure out how to tap Harrison’s old potential, the better.

Next game: vs. Jaguars (Sunday, 9:30 a.m. ET)

Stat To Know: The Texans have now won seven of their last eight games against the Titans. 

Record: 3-2

Previous ranking: 25 ↑

Super Bowl odds: +4500 (tied for 17th-best)

The Packers’ blowout win over the Bears was certainly out of nowhere, and probably some sweet revenge for Matt LaFleur’s team. It was the first sign of life from their offense since opening weekend, which is really odd since QB Jordan Love has been playing well, and they really do have good receivers. 

The Packers still can’t really run the ball, and that’s going to hold them back. But Love and an improving defense have been enough to get them to 3-2. It doesn’t look pretty, but they have a chance to stay on their offensive roll with the Cowboys, Lions and Panthers up next.

Next game: vs. Cowboys (Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET)

Stat To Know: The Packers have now won 10 of the last 11 meetings with the Bears at Lambeau Field.

Record: 2-3

Previous ranking: 17 ↓

Super Bowl odds: +3000 (14th-best)

I’m sure there have been worse losses in recent Cowboys’ history than their Thursday night debacle at home against the winless Buccaneers, but I can’t think of any right now. It’s pretty clear by now that Jerry Jones’ weird rebuilding of his defense created something worse. But where has the offense gone? 

Quarterback Dak Prescott has a pair of elite wide receivers to throw to in CeeDee Lamb (when he’s healthy) and George Pickens and a solid running game, and they still couldn’t get moving until they were down two touchdowns with 8.5 minutes to go? They’ve got back-to-back primetime games coming up at Green Bay and at Philly. Those are two beatable teams, but even if they win, don’t believe your eyes. This team is too flawed to trust.

Next game: @ Packers (Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET)

Stat To Know: The Cowboys’ defense ranks last in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game (168.4) and opponent third-down conversion rate (52.6%). Dallas is also the only team without an interception and is tied with Indianapolis and Tennessee for the fewest takeaways (two). 

Record: 2-3

Previous ranking: 17 ↓

Super Bowl odds: +8000 (20th-best)

The Colts have too much talent on offense to continually come up so empty. QB Daniel Jones didn’t throw a touchdown pass against the Steelers and RB Jonathan Taylor had just 45 yards. Maybe things will start clicking when WR Alec Pierce returns. And at least next week they’ve got a break against the Titans. But head coach Shane Steichen is an offensive guy, and he needs to come up with some answers, because he doesn’t have the defense to prop his team up. If the struggles continue, he’s going to find himself on the hot seat long before he gets to their Week 13 bye.

Next game: vs. Titans (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Stat To Know: Through Week 5, the Colts’ defense is tied for the fewest takeaways in the NFL (two) and allows the third-most yards per play (6.45) and fourth-most total yards per game (384.2). 

Record: 2-3

Previous ranking: 17 ↓

Super Bowl odds: +6000 (18th-best)

The Falcons move up despite losing in overtime to the Lamar Jackson-less Ravens because there is no doubt they’ve turned a corner. They look like a completely different team since Kevin Stefanski got Michael Penix Jr. back at QB. 

The Falcons are much more competitive and have figured out how to use all their big weapons (RB Bijan Robinson, WR Drake London, TE Kyle Pitts) and they’ve even developed a pass rush too. Penix’s rib injury is concerning, but even without him, maybe the Falcons can keep their momentum going for a bit.

Next game: vs. Bears (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET)

Stat To Know: Atlanta ranks second in the NFL in rushing yards per game (166.8) and third in yards per carry (5.05).

Record: 3-1-1

Previous ranking: 20 ↑

Super Bowl odds: +12500 (tied for 24th-best)

The Jameis Winston Experience almost took the Giants on a ride up the rankings on Sunday with an impressive second half against the Washington Commanders. Then RB Cam Skattebo fumbled the game away in the final minutes. Lucky for them, the Commanders were mistake-prone too, because the Giants defense had no answers for QB Jayden Daniels until he and his coach combined on the ultimate brain freeze and somehow forgot to get the game-winning field goal off. 

Getting a tie for a gift isn’t great, but give John Harbaugh’s team credit for being spunky and leading their division at 3-1-1. Also, give them credit for knowing how much time was left on the clock.

Next game: vs. Saints (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Stat To Know: The Giants have forced eight takeaways this season, tied for the fifth-most in the NFL.

Record: 3-2

Previous ranking: 22 ↑

Super Bowl odds: +9000 (tied for 21st)

The Steelers are the most Jekyll and Hyde team in the NFL, which is why I have been all over the Power Rankings map with them. They are on a win-one, lose-one pace. But more than that, they seem to alternate between looking awful and looking terrific. They were back to mostly terrific against the Colts on Sunday. Aaron Rodgers had the offense humming, and he got a big-time performance from underrated RB Jaylen Warren, too. 

The Steelers have the Bucs, Saints and Browns before their bye week, so there’s an opening there for them to make a more definitive statement, and maybe put themselves in the playoff chase for good.

Next game: @ Buccaneers (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Stat To Know: The Steelers are 3-0 at home, averaging 28 points per game at Acrisure Stadium, compared to 0-2 on the road, where they average just 13.5 points per game. 

Record: 3-2

Previous ranking: 14 ↓

Super Bowl odds: +9000 (tied for 21st)

It was bound to strike midnight on the Raiders’ Cinderella story at some point, and it always figured to happen sooner rather than later. There’s still a lot to like about this growing Raiders team, including the play of veteran QB Kirk Cousins. But their running game, with RB Ashton Jeanty, is still not good, and their defense looked even worse on Sunday. 

Las Vegas was torn apart for 536 yards by a Patriots team that had one good game before this one. Maybe it’s all about Pats QB Drake Maye, who is clearly back, or maybe the Raiders are just what we always thought they were before the 3-0 start. 

Hang on tight, if you’re still a believer, because the Bills, Rams, 49ers, Seahawks and Broncos come up over the next six weeks. Ouch.

Next game: vs. Bills (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET)

Stat To Know: The Raiders have the eighth-best passing offense and the ninth-best total offense through Week 5. 

Record: 2-3

Previous ranking: 13 ↓

Super Bowl odds: +4000 (17th-best)

The Eagles are a puzzle wrapped inside an enigma. Even with all their injuries, they probably should have beaten the Rams and the Jaguars over the last two weeks. Yet they didn’t. This time they can blame their coach for his terrible late-game management. But this team still has a lot of problems. One is their offense, which is even more dysfunctional than it was last year. The other is injuries that are tearing apart their roster, particularly on the offensive line. 

On talent alone, they can hang with a lot of teams, but they haven’t played well enough to be a real contender. And unless their walking wounded, like RB Saquon Barkley, WR DeVonta Smith, edge rusher Jonathan Greenard and more, return soon, their hopes for a big season are over.

Next game: vs. Panthers (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET)

Stat To Know: The Eagles are under .500 (2-3) for the first time since 2021, when they were 6-7. At this point in time, Jason Kelce was their center, A.J. Brown was on the Titans, Philly’s OC was Shane Steichen (four OCs ago), Aaron Rodgers was on his way to his fourth MVP and Tom Brady was in his second-to-last season. 

Record: 3-2

Previous ranking: 16 ↑

Super Bowl odds: +2600 (15th-best)

If the MVP wasn’t basically a quarterback award, there would be a heck of a race brewing between Detroit RB Jahmyr Gibbs and Atlanta’s Bijan Robinson. Gibbs scored his eighth and ninth touchdowns on Sunday and added another 207 total yards to his season. And he did it on a day when QB Jared Goff threw for 271 yards and three touchdowns, too. 

As I’ve said before, the Lions can run up the score on anyone. It’s their defense that’s the problem. They did a fine job against the young and QB-challenged Cardinals on Sunday. If they can fix their defensive issues during the bye week, they might be an actual contender when they return.

Next game: BYE

Stat To Know: The Detroit Lions have started 3-2 or better in four straight seasons, which is the first time this has happened since 1968-72 (five straight seasons). 

Record: 3-2

Previous ranking: 15 ↑

Super Bowl odds: +2000 (tied for ninth-best)

The Patriots are such a different team when Drake Maye is playing like Drake Maye. In the first three games of the season, Maye threw just one touchdown pass with six interceptions and averaged 195 passing yards per contest. But in the last two games — both wins — he’s had seven touchdown passes, one interception with an impressive 321.5 passing yards per game.

And with him rolling, their running game was suddenly working, too. It’s no wonder that they made quick work of the upstart Raiders. And with the Jets and Dolphins coming up in their next three games, they’ve got a shot to get on a little bit of a roll now, too.

Next game: vs. Jets (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Stat To Know: The Patriots averaged 12 points per game in Weeks 1-3, ranking 31st in the NFL. In Weeks 4-5, they averaged a league-best 37 points per game.

Record: 3-2

Previous ranking: 11 ↓

Super Bowl odds: +1900 (eighth-best)

Yes, the Bengals won and they still dropped, but that’s because they’re starting to shake my faith. They were outgained by the Miami Dolphins, 331-307, and that’s an indictment of both their offense and their defense. 

And sure, Joe Burrow threw for four touchdowns, but only 190 total yards. What happened to the explosiveness in this offense? And where did the running game go? Wasn’t RB Chase Brown supposed to be good? After two straight losses, I was expecting them to bounce back with a little authority before their bye week, not barely hang on against probably the worst team in the entire league.

Next game: BYE

Stat To Know: The Bengals’ 3-2 record is their best start through five games since 2021, the same season they made the Super Bowl. 

Record: 3-2

Previous ranking: 12 ↑

Super Bowl odds: +7400 (19th-best)

Finally, QB Bryce Young is having his breakout season and showing why he was once the No. 1 overall pick. He’s been so good through four games (1,268 passing yards, nine touchdowns, just two interceptions) that he’s been mentioned in a few media conversations about being an early candidate for MVP. That feels premature, but the Panthers feel like they’re here to stay in the playoff chase. 

Yes, their defense has been battered, but keep in mind they were mostly lit up by the Bears and Lions, who light up a lot of teams. And when they come out of their bye week, the immediate schedule isn’t difficult at all.

Next game: @ Eagles (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Stat To Know: The Panthers are in first place in the NFC South despite being just 2-2. 

Record: 3-2

Previous ranking: 4 ↓

Super Bowl odds: +2000 (tied for ninth)

The Bears were still missing QB Caleb Williams and RB Kyle Monangai was out too, and boy did it show against a Packers team that has been hot and cold all season long. Backup QB Tyson Bagent was terrible and his replacement, Case Keenum, wasn’t much better. And nobody helped out RB D’Andre Swift, who was held to nine carries and 43 yards. 

Really, a Ben Johnson-coached team should never have just 246 yards of offense. He’s clever enough to coax a lot more than that out of whoever he has on the field. Their 31-7 loss was so bad they probably deserve to be out of the Top 10, but hope stays alive with Williams expected back next week.

Next game: @ Falcons (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Stat To Know: The Bears’ five turnovers on Sunday were their most in a game under Ben Johnson. Before that, they hadn’t committed more than three turnovers in any game during his tenure. 

The Bears are 2-1 without Caleb Williams, but they clearly need him back. (Photo by Daniel Bartel/Getty Images)

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Record: 2-3

Previous ranking: 9

Super Bowl odds: +700 (tied for best)

The Rams really drew the short straw on their schedule this season, and it’s starting to take its toll. Their three losses this season are to the 49ers, Broncos and Bills — three legitimate Super Bowl contenders. But at some point, they’re going to have to beat teams like that if they want to realize their Super Bowl dream. 

It would help if their special teams weren’t so awful. It says something about how good they are that they were a blocked overtime field goal away from beating the Bills on Monday night. Los Angeles has a really soft schedule coming up and will need to use that to get on a roll quickly before their dream season turns into a full-fledged nightmare.

Next game: vs. Cardinals (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET)

Stat To Know: In Monday night’s loss to the Bills, the Rams became the only team in NFL history to record 400-plus total yards, 30-plus first downs, five or more touchdowns, convert at least 50% of their third downs and commit zero turnovers, only to lose.

Kicker Harrison Mevis had a game-winning attempt blocked in overtime, further emphasizing the Rams’ spectacular special-teams issues. (Luke Hales/Getty Images)

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Record: 5-0

Previous ranking: 10 ↑

Super Bowl odds: +2000 (tied for ninth)

OK, Kyler Murray finally looked a little like the Kyler Murray of old. He wasn’t necessarily a dynamic passer, but he was very efficient and added a dash of dazzle with his legs. With the way the Vikings’ defense shut down the Saints (142 total yards!), they don’t really need much out of their offense to keep winning. So if Murray becomes Kevin O’Connell’s latest successful reclamation project, then maybe the 5-0 Vikings are for real. As it is, five games are enough of a sample to put them in the top 10 and keep them there through their well-deserved bye week. The offenses of the Colts, Lions and Bills pose some interesting challenges when they come back.

Next game: BYE

Stat To Know: The Vikings have won 10 straight games for the first time since 1999-2000. This is also only the fourth time in franchise history this has happened. 

Record: 3-2

Previous ranking: 8 ↑

Super Bowl odds: +2000 (tied for ninth)

Sean Payton took over the playcalling from OC Davis Webb and, what do you know? The Broncos’ offense is still a mess. They beat the Chargers, so … Hooray! But QB Bo Nix is still struggling, especially in the first three quarters, and the Broncos running backs aren’t doing anything positive at all. Good thing they can play defense, and that Payton is savvy enough to keep them sharp in the fourth quarter of games, especially when they’re behind. 

Also, to be fair to the Broncos, their schedule has been brutal — playing the Chiefs, Jaguars, Rams and 49ers before they finally got the winless Chargers. But that won’t change; they don’t get many soft spots to figure things out.

Next game: vs. Seahawks (Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET)

Stat To Know: The Broncos lead the NFL with eight fourth-quarter comeback wins since 2025 (5 in 2025, 3 in 2026). 

Record: 4-1

Previous ranking: 9 ↑

Super Bowl odds: +800 (tied for third-best)

The Ravens are just not the same team when QB Lamar Jackson is hurt, but they still looked pretty good Sunday night with Tyler Huntley at the helm. Their defense still isn’t what everyone thought it would be, but they can still run the ball better than almost anybody in the league. Getting Jackson back at full strength is really the key to their staying power, though. Maybe not next week in Cleveland, but certainly against the Bengals, Bills and Jaguars in the three tough weeks after that.

Next game: @ Browns (Sunday, 1:20 p.m. ET)

Stat To Know: The Ravens offense ranks top six in the NFL in completion percentage, passer rating, adjusted net yards per pass attempt, yards per carry, yards per play, turnover margin and points per game. 

Record: 4-1

Previous ranking: 6 ↑

Super Bowl odds: +1200 (seventh-best)

The Jaguars should send a nice bouquet of flowers to Nick Sirianni for the way he botched the end of the game in London, giving the Jags just enough room to pull off a miracle with a long kickoff return and a last-second, 57-yard Cam Little field goal. It should never have come to that in a game where they out-gained the Eagles 408-232. 

Head coach Liam Coen didn’t help his team by passing up two easy field goals because of his over-aggressive nature. He loves his analytics and never met a fourth-down play he didn’t think his team could convert. Maybe at some point he’ll learn that “points are points” and sometimes a coach’s job is just to not take his team out of the game.

Next game: vs. Texans (Sunday, 9:30 a.m. ET)

Stat To Know: With their win over the Eagles, the Jaguars are now 12-1 over their last 13 regular season games, the best record in the NFL in that span.

Trevor Lawrence and the Jags stayed hot in their first of two straight games in London. (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

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Record: 3-2

Previous ranking: 3 ↓

Super Bowl odds: +1100 (sixth)

There’s no shame in losing a nail-biter to the powerful 49ers, so they’re staying in the top five for now. It’s still hard to find a better defense anywhere in the NFL, and they get more than enough offense out of QB Sam Darnold. Yes, it would be nice if he did something besides just throwing to Jaxon Smith-Njigba. And their running game is getting a little thin with Zach Charbonnet still out and Jadarian Price now sidelined too. 

Don’t get too attached to Seattle being this high. The Broncos, Chiefs and Bears are up next. That’s rough and will tell a lot about where the defending champ really belongs.

Next game: @ Broncos (Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET)

Stat To Know: Prior to their loss to the 49ers on Sunday, the Seahawks had won nine straight home games. 

Record: 4-1

Previous ranking: 5 ↑

Super Bowl odds: +800 (tied for third-best)

That was a heavyweight win in Los Angeles on Monday night, and it was mostly thanks to the power of Josh Allen. He had 121 rushing yards, and combined with RB James Cook, for 232 total. When those two are rolling, this Bills team is just impossible to stop, even on a night when they were missing No. 1 WR D.J. Moore. Sure, they needed a field goal block in overtime to pull it off and their defense was generally terrible. 

This was still the perfect bounce-back game from the Bills’ stumble against the Patriots last week. It’s early, but it really is starting to feel like the Bills and Chiefs are headed towards an eventual showdown again in the AFC playoffs. The Bills really need to fix their defense before then.

Next game: @ Raiders (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET)

Stat To Know: Allen earned his first career overtime win, improving to 1-7 in overtime games with the Bills.

It was a Hollywood ending for the Bills, who got a game-winning field goal from kicker Tyler Bass on Monday night. (Luke Hales/Getty Images)

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Record: 4-0

Previous ranking: 2

Super Bowl odds: +950 (fifth-best)

The most impressive part about this Chiefs resurgence is how RB Kenneth Walker has given them the steady, powerful running game they’ve often seemed to lack. That’s given QB Patrick Mahomes room to breathe and not have to carry the offense. That will really help with the injuries to WRs Tyquan Thornton and Rashee Rice. Those are two big ones to watch as they come out of their bye week and have a huge swing through Seattle and Denver beginning in Week 7.

Next game: vs. Chargers (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET)

Stat To Know: Since Patrick Mahomes became the full-time starter in 2018, the Chiefs have started 4-0 in four completed seasons (2018, 2019, 2020 and 2024), reaching the Super Bowl in three of those seasons. 

Record: 5-0

Previous ranking: 1

Super Bowl odds: +700 (tied for best)

The 49ers barely hung on against the Seahawks and needed an unlikely drop by Seattle WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba to seal it, but don’t get bogged down by the details: They’re still undefeated and they’ve now beaten the defending champs, the Broncos and the Rams. They’re doing it with a stingy defense and an offense that’s hard to stop. They have it all, at least more than any other team in the NFL can say. And if you’re waiting for them to fall, don’t expect it to happen until they face the Seahawks again right after Thanksgiving. If they can hold their battered roster together, they could be 10-0 by then.

Next game: vs. Commanders (Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET)

Stat To Know: The 49ers are 3-0 against the Broncos, Seahawks and Rams this season, becoming the first team since the 1981 Broncos to record three wins in their first five games against teams that reached a conference championship game the previous season. 

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