Author: Eternity Lab

Arch Manning, the betting favorite to be the first overall pick in the NFL draft, visits his uncle’s old stomping grounds as No. 1 Texas takes on No. 14 Tennessee in Knoxville. No. 20 Oregon also takes on No. 12 USC in a massive Big Ten showdown. 

That’s just two of the six top 25 matchups this weekend, but beyond these massive showdowns, there are several games flying under the radar and could offer intriguing betting opportunities.

Here are five of the best sleeper games to watch and wager on in Week 4 of college football.

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.

Spread: Mississippi State -6.5

The Outlook: Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor continues to fuel his Heisman campaign after last week’s win at South Carolina. Despite trailing by 16 points in the second quarter, Taylor and the Bulldogs outscored the Gamecocks 41-7 from that point until the early fourth quarter.

On the other sideline, Missouri has done nothing but outscore its opponents, 119-52, averaging nearly 40 points per game while allowing just 17.3. However, Mizzou found itself down 10-0 early against Troy last weekend, but a 24-point second quarter propelled the Tigers to a 27-17 win. Quarterback Austin Simmons threw for just 91 yards and a touchdown in the victory, but he’s still third in the SEC in passing touchdowns (8) and has proved he can win a game through the air.

Playoff Implication: If you haven’t heard about Taylor or Mississippi State yet, you will soon enough. The Bulldogs made their first appearance in the top 25 after last week’s win over South Carolina and moved to 3-0. Missouri, meanwhile, has steadily climbed from its preseason No. 25 ranking. 

Both teams enter this SEC showdown 3-0, but if they want to stay undefeated and continue climbing the SEC standings, they’ll have a gauntlet of ranked conference foes to navigate.

The Bulldogs begin a stretch in which four of their next five opponents are ranked. Same deal for the Tigers, who have four consecutive ranked teams on the schedule, starting with the Bulldogs.

Spread: UCLA -1.5

The Outlook: UCLA has the fifth-best rushing attack in the country, and running back Wayne Knight is leading the way. Knight has 345 yards and eight touchdowns, ranking eighth and first, respectively, in the country. In the Bruins’ win over Purdue, Knight ran for 177 yards and two touchdowns, the second-most rushing yards of his career.

Meanwhile, a career day for Maryland quarterback Malik Washington still wasn’t enough to lead the Terrapins to a win against Virginia Tech last week. Washington passed for 359 yards, the second-most in his career. The Terrapins now start conference play at 2-1, looking to avoid dropping to 2-2.

Playoff Implication: Not many people have UCLA on their radar, but the Bruins are 3-0 for the first time since 2023 and already 1-0 in conference play. If they can pull off a win in College Park, improving to 2-0 in the Big Ten, the Bruins could quickly start getting more attention around the country.

A long shot could be an understatement for Maryland’s hopes of competing in the Big Ten, but they can play spoiler for this UCLA team.

Spread: Louisville -12.5

The Outlook: No. 16 Louisville was the last team standing in its high-scoring affair against No. 22 SMU, 41-31. Running back Keyjuan Brown’s 53-yard scamper gave the Cardinals the lead, and they never gave it back. Even after its Week 1 loss against Ole Miss, Louisville sits near the top of the ACC with its win over SMU.

Wake Forest gave Miami its best shot, but it still wasn’t enough for the win as the Demon Deacons fell 33-20. Wake Forest held the Hurricanes’ offense to just seven points in the second half. If they can keep that offense out of the end zone, they should have no trouble with Louisville’s.

Playoff Implication: If anybody wants to help Miami represent the ACC in the CFP, Louisville has one of the best chances to do so. The Cardinals are averaging 46 points per game, but they’re also giving up 28.3, both third-most in the ACC.

Spread: West Virginia -1.5

The Outlook: West Virginia is coming off a huge rivalry win over No. 25 Virginia, 38-27, and is 3-0 for the first time since 2018. Mountaineers quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. and running back Cam Cook combined for 246 rushing yards. Along with his 123 rushing yards and three touchdowns, Hawkins Jr. had 190 passing yards and two touchdowns.

Oklahoma State followed up its stunning upset over Oregon with a throttling of Murray State, 59-0. Quarterback Drew Mestmaker threw for 324 yards and five touchdowns in the rout. The Cowboys racked up 662 yards of offense while holding the Racers to 160 total yards.

Playoff Implication: Oklahoma State already shocked the world once with its upset win over No. 6 Oregon at the time. If it wants to continue to put the nation and the Big 12 on notice, it needs to keep the train rolling, but this West Virginia team is no slouch. Hawkins Jr. and Cook are in the top five in the Big 12 in rushing and could cause major problems for this Cowboys defense.

Spread: Boise State -7

The Outlook: Boise State’s Dylan Riley ran for 198 yards and two fourth-quarter touchdowns to lift the Broncos past South Dakota, 38-24. After that performance, Riley ranks third in the country in rushing yards, giving Boise State another workhorse in the backfield.

Western Michigan looked poised to pull off one of the biggest upsets ever in Week 1 against Michigan. Instead, the Broncos had what could have been an all-time victory and moment in college football taken away. Western Michigan didn’t let that derail its season, though, and bounced back with two straight wins. However, much like Boise State, these Broncos needed two fourth-quarter touchdowns to secure a Week 3 win over Rice.

Playoff Implication: In this battle of the Broncos, everything is on the line for both teams. This could be an elimination game for these programs’ hopes of representing the Group of 6 in the College Football Playoff.

For Western Michigan, the defense has been its identity so far this season. Michigan needed a last-second Hail Mary to score 13 points against the Broncos. For Boise State, its punishing ground game has been the driving force behind its offense and 2-1 start. One of these strengths will have to give in this game. Which will it be?

Week 4 Parlay Slip

Bet $10 to win $239.14 if:

• No. 19 Missouri (+6.5) vs. No. 24 Mississippi State (-112)
• UCLA Moneyline vs. Maryland (-120)
• Wake Forest (+12.5) vs. No. 16 Louisville (-110)
• West Virginia vs. Oklahoma State OVER 60.5 points (-108)
• Western Michigan (+7) vs. Boise State (-105)

Source

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. 

The Cleveland Guardians and Boston Red Sox meet in a game with major postseason implications as the MLB heads to the postseason. New users can use Kalshi promo code FOXSPORTS55 to claim $55 in bonuses and get involved in the markets surrounding Guardians vs. Red Sox.

Cleveland is fighting to secure its place in the postseason, while Boston looks to strengthen its position in the AL playoff picture. With the Guardians and Red Sox both part of a crowded American League race, every game carries added importance as the regular season winds down.

New users can use Kalshi promo code FOXSPORTS55 to claim $55 in bonuses and trade on Guardians vs. Red Sox. Sign up and get involved in the markets surrounding one of the key MLB matchups with postseason implications.

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

How to Claim the Kalshi Welcome Bonus

1. Click this ‘Claim Now’ link to visit Kalshi and start the signup process.
2. Create a new Kalshi account using your email address and basic registration details.
3. Enter Kalshi promo code FOXSPORTS during signup, so the welcome offer is attached to your account.
4. Complete identity verification, which Kalshi requires before users can deposit and trade.
5. Deposit funds and trade at least $25 in prediction markets to receive up to $25 in trading credit.

*Probabilities are subject to change* 

Cleveland Guardians vs. Boston Red Sox

Teams	Chance	Yes	No
CLE Guardians	44%	44¢	57¢
BOS Red Sox	56%	57¢	44¢

More markets available on Kalshi.

Wednesday’s Key Games:

• Brewers at Phillies, 6:40 p.m. ET
• Guardians at Red Sox, 7:10 p.m. ET
• Padres at Dodgers, 10:10 p.m. ET

Current Potential Postseason Series

American League

• No. 3 Houston Astros vs. No. 6 Chicago White Sox
• No. 4 Yankees vs. No. 5 Red Sox
• No. 2 Cleveland Guardians plays the winner of Astros/White Sox
• No. 1 Tampa Bay Rays plays the winner of Yankees/Red Sox

National League

• No. 3 Atlanta Braves vs. No. 6 San Diego Padres
• No. 4 Chicago Cubs vs. No. 5 Philadelphia Phillies
• No. 2 Los Angeles Dodgers plays the winner of Braves/Padres
• No. 1 Brewers plays the winner of Cubs/Philles

Source

With quarterback Jaxson Dart sidelined for the remainder of the season due to a knee injury, New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh made it clear that the team is looking for help. 

Harbaugh told reporters that “all options” remain open at quarterback, including acquiring a starting quarterback via trade, as the team will roll with Jameis Winston as their starting quarterback in Week 3 against the Tennessee Titans. 

“We will,” Harbaugh added when asked if the team will add another quarterback. “We plan on doing that, absolutely. Can’t say who at this point. We’re working on that.”

Winston brings plenty of veteran experience to the quarterback room and can offer stability following the loss of a promising young signal caller. On the flip side, Winston also hasn’t held down a full-time starting job since 2019 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jake Haener is the only other quarterback the Giants have roster control over, but he’s on the team’s practice squad.

It remains to be seen how Harbaugh will handle the quarterback situation with Dart sidelined for the remainder of the regular season. However, Harbaugh also didn’t rule out the possibility of Dart returning for a postseason run if the Giants make the playoffs.

FOX Sports reporter Ralph Vacchiano recently explored replacement options for Dart. However, he made it clear that the most straightforward path for Harbaugh and the Giants remains the most probable one: Stick internally and ride the wave with Jameis Winston.

“Like it or not, the 32-year-old Winston is the best of the terrible options facing the Giants,” Vacchiano wrote. “There is no Joe Flacco-like, plug-and-play starting quarterback sitting in free agency. Most of the backups who might be available in a trade aren’t much of an upgrade either. And the good ones who could provide some excitement will surely cost more than the Giants would be willing to give up.”

For a Giants team looking to make noise in a competitive NFC this season, losing Dart is a devastating blow. Tests confirmed he avoided ACL damage, but tears to his MCL, PCL, and meniscus mean surgery is required—with the meniscus damage posing the biggest hurdle.

It’s still unclear what specific procedure Dart will undergo, but all signs point toward a full meniscus repair rather than a simple trim. Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy suffered a comparable injury in 2024, which ultimately sidelined him for the entire season.

Speaking of McCarthy, he is certainly a name worth monitoring if Harbaugh and the Giants pursue external options. According to ESPN, general manager Joe Schoen did extensive homework on him leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft and knows the ins and outs of his game.

The report added that rival executives believe McCarthy could be acquired at a value. That valuation comes on the heels of his demotion to third on the Vikings’ depth chart, sitting behind both Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz.

The loss of Dart will certainly be felt, and navigating what comes next for this offense won’t be easy. For now, the Winston era in New York kicks off Sunday when the Giants host the Tennessee Titans at MetLife Stadium.

Source

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 promo code FOX to claim $50 in bonuses as the Cleveland Guardians and Boston Red Sox meet in an American League matchup with major postseason implications.

Cleveland is battling for its place in the postseason, while Boston is also looking to strengthen its position in the AL playoff race. With the regular season winding down, the matchup carries added importance as both teams continue fighting for postseason positioning.

New users can use Polymarket promo code FOX to claim $50 in bonuses for Guardians vs. Red Sox. Sign up, place a qualifying trade and get involved in the markets surrounding one of the key MLB matchups with postseason implications.

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 $50 trading bonus will be credited to your account automatically after the qualifying deposit.

*Probabilities are subject to change* 

Cleveland Guardians vs. Boston Red Sox

Teams	Chance	Yes	No
CLE Guardians	44%	44¢	57¢
BOS Red Sox	56%	57¢	44¢

More markets available on Kalshi.

Wednesday’s Key Games:

• Brewers at Phillies, 6:40 p.m. ET
• Guardians at Red Sox, 7:10 p.m. ET
• Padres at Dodgers, 10:10 p.m. ET

Current Potential Postseason Series

American League

• No. 3 Houston Astros vs. No. 6 Chicago White Sox
• No. 4 Yankees vs. No. 5 Red Sox
• No. 2 Cleveland Guardians plays the winner of Astros/White Sox
• No. 1 Tampa Bay Rays plays the winner of Yankees/Red Sox

National League

• No. 3 Atlanta Braves vs. No. 6 San Diego Padres
• No. 4 Chicago Cubs vs. No. 5 Philadelphia Phillies
• No. 2 Los Angeles Dodgers plays the winner of Braves/Padres
• No. 1 Brewers plays the winner of Cubs/Philles

Source

When Jadarian Price first stepped onto Notre Dame’s campus, he couldn’t have predicted the impact he would make in South Bend. Even in a shared backfield under head coach Marcus Freeman, Price became half of a dynamic backfield duo alongside Jeremiyah Love.

Fast forward two years, and both Price and Love heard their names called in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Love went third overall to the Arizona Cardinals, while Price closed out Day 1 at Pick 32, landing with the Seattle Seahawks.

Through two weeks of the season, Price is already making his mark in Seattle after taking over following Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker’s free agent departure for the Kansas City Chiefs. Price has rushed for 104 yards and 4.5 yards per carry, taking control of the backfield.

How’s his former coach Marcus Freeman doing? He has the Fighting Irish sitting at 3-0 and ranked No. 3 in the latest AP Poll. Even after losing Love and Price to the NFL Draft, Freeman still has this offense humming.

When Freeman and Price finally got the chance to catch up, the dynamic had shifted. This time, Freeman sat down with Price for an interview to hear about his NFL journey so far and what life has been like since leaving South Bend.

Here is Freeman’s one-on-one interview with Price:

Did Price Stiff-Arm Or Truck A Cardinals Defender?

Jadarian Price rushed 13 times for 52 yards against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

–>

Price’s Response: “I trucked somebody. It helps to have a good offensive line and the past two games they’ve knocked guys off the ball. They’re getting past the line of scrimmage pretty good and these guys are legit, but I’m trusting my talent.”

The Biggest Different Between Seattle And South Bend?

Price’s Response: “Seattle in some ways is a lot like South Bend. It’s starting to get a little gloomy now, but that’s football weather. The program values spiritual life and all that stuff here. People have bible study here. A good majority of guys do chapel and mass the night before the game.”

Price’s Response: “I didn’t realize that he was the one who scored until after the game. He was the first person to score in the NFL because that was the first game of the season. Like that’s legit and pretty cool, man. It was good talking to him after the game.”

Price’s Response: “They’re doing great, and I think they’re getting awards every week. We do team awards and Julian Love had a pick in like every game. He’s always around the ball. Riley [Mills] has been getting tackles for loss and things like that. But yeah, they’re a great part of our team, and we did Notre Dame events with them back in the off season in the summer, all three of us.”

Price’s Response: “Montana reached out…Joe Montana. For this like a venture capital thing. So we spoke to this tech company startup. We were just talking to them about connecting football to the life of a CEO or something like that. It was pretty cool.”

Price’s Response: “Yeah. We didn’t get to do the jersey swap this time but luckily we play them [The Cardinals] twice. I think we’ll do a jersey swap next time.”

Source

Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton could return for the playoffs after a 5 1/2-month absence due to calf strains.

Stanton faced pitchers Wednesday at Double-A Somerset along with center fielder Trent Grisham, sidelined since straining his right hamstring on Sept. 4. Both ran the bases and Stanton homered while taking six or seven at-bats.

“Putting them on the outskirts of the conversation,” New York manager Aaron Boone, bothered by a cold, said in a raspy voice.

Already without injured star Aaron Judge due to a strained right calf, New York is likely to host Boston in a best-of-three Wild Card Series starting Tuesday, with all three games at Yankee Stadium.

Following the end of the seasons for Yankees farm teams, New York has minor leaguers working out at Somerset in nearby New Jersey.

Stanton hasn’t played since April 24 because of strained calf muscles in both legs after starting the season with a .256 batting average, three homers and 14 RBIs in 24 games. The 36-year-old former NL MVP had 38 homers and 100 RBIs in his first season with New York in 2018 but has missed 500 of 1,194 games since (41.9%), through the end of this regular season.

His other injuries included strains of his right biceps, right knee, left hamstring (three times), left quadriceps and both calf muscles along with right ankle inflammation, left Achilles tendinitis and tendon pain in both elbows.

“You’re looking more at a pinch-hit scenario,” Boone said. “We’ll see if that’s even a realistic option.”

Stanton is owed $25 million next year in the final guaranteed season of a $325 million, 13-year contract that includes a $10 million buyout of a 2028 club option.

Reporting by The Associated Press.

Source

NFL Week 3 odds are giving bettors an early-season idea of just how valuable a starting quarterback is to the point spread.

In the case of the Chicago Bears, it’s a lot.

“You’re seeing the full move from Caleb Williams being out,” Caesars Sports head of football trading Joey Feazel said. “Last week, we opened the Bears -1.5 vs. the Eagles on the look-ahead line.

“It moves six points the other way without Williams. So we now have the Eagles -4.5.”

Oddsmakers and sharp bettors serve up their midweek insights on the Monday night matchup and more, as we dive into NFL Week 3 betting nuggets.

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.

Chicago Hopes

Williams suffered a hamstring injury in the fourth quarter of the Bears’ 9-3 home loss to the Vikings on Sunday. He hasn’t yet been ruled out for Week 3, but as of Wednesday, he’s listed as doubtful, and reports suggest he could miss multiple weeks.

That could be a huge blow for a team that nearly reached the NFC Championship Game last season and started the 2026 campaign like a house on fire, in a 59-37 rout of the Panthers.

Now, the Bears are 1-1 straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS), with Tyson Bagent likely the starter vs. the Eagles (2-0 SU and ATS). And that’s if Bagent can clear concussion protocol ahead of the 8:15 p.m. ET Monday kickoff.

The line swung in the Bears-Eagles game after the Caleb Williams injury. (Getty Images)

–>

The backup QB got banged up after subbing in for Williams vs. Minnesota.

Late Sunday night, Caesars opened Eagles-Bears at Philadelphia -3.5 (-115). The Eagles advanced to -4.5 Tuesday, on the increased chance of Williams sitting out.

“It’s one-way action toward the Eagles and toward the Under,” Feazel said Wednesday afternoon.

The total is at its low of 41, after opening at 43.5 on Sunday night and initially ticking up to 44.5. And last week’s lookahead number was 47.5.

NFL Rocks On FOX

In Week 3, FOX gets arguably the best team in the NFL so far. The Bills (2-0 SU and ATS) opened with an impressive 36-31 road win over the Texans, then followed last Thursday with a 41-31 home win over the Lions.

On the flip side, the Chargers (0-2 SU and ATS) are one of the bigger disappointments so far. Los Angeles opened with home games against the Cardinals and Raiders, who each lost 14 times last season.

Yet the Bolts were dealt upsets in both matchups. So Caesars opened Buffalo as a 7-point home favorite in NFL Week 3 odds, for a 1 p.m. ET Sunday start.

Bettors are noticing Josh Allen and the Bills. (Getty Images)

–>

“Bettors are taking note of the Bills. Last Thursday night was very good to the customers,” Feazel said of Buffalo’s high-flying win over Detroit. “Right now, we’re seeing action coming in on the Bills. Buffalo has been really good offensively, and the Chargers fell well short of expectations so far.

“It’ll continue to be one-way traffic for the Bills in this one. The book is gonna need the Chargers plus the points.”

NFL Sharp Side

Professional bettor Randy McKay is off to a 2-0 start, winning on Broncos -2.5 vs. Jaguars last week. In NFL Week 3 odds, he’s on one of the early-season surprises.

The Saints (1-1 SU/2-0 ATS) nearly upset host Detroit in Week 1, then knocked off Baltimore 24-17 as an 8.5-point road underdog in Week 2. McKay likes the Saints -3 at home vs. the Raiders, another early surprise at 2-0 SU and ATS.

“I’m going with the hot Saints,” McKay said. “This is the first true road test for Las Vegas, which had the majority of fans in Los Angeles last week vs. the Chargers. And this is a sandwich spot for the Raiders, with the Chiefs on deck.

“It’s the first of three straight home games for the Saints. I see a big effort coming against a Raiders offensive line that will struggle in the dome.”

   Running It Up In Rio?

The Ravens and Cowboys are both 1-1 SU and ATS, but Baltimore has the far more stunning loss. As noted above, in Week 2, as 8.5-point home favorites, the Ravens tumbled to the Saints 24-17.

Meanwhile, Dallas rebounded from a Week 1 road loss to the Giants by rolling over the Commanders 37-20 as a 4.5-point home favorite.

Now, both teams head to Rio de Janeiro for a 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday showdown. Caesars opened the Ravens as 3-point favorites and moved to -3.5 on Tuesday, where the number remained on Wednesday afternoon.

Oddsmakers say that bettors are intrigued by the Ravens. (Getty Images)

–>

“There’s a little bit more two-way action right now. But I still think the public is more intrigued by this Ravens team,” Feazel said, before noting the total might actually be more intriguing. “It’s two explosive offenses, both teams can score points. So we’ve seen some Over action.”

The Ravens-Cowboys total opened at 52.5 and remains there midweek. That’s the highest total on the board, two points clear of Chargers-Bills (50.5).

   Sunday Night Fight

The Rams and Broncos both rebounded from blowout Week 1 losses. But Los Angeles (1-1 SU and ATS) was much more impressive, drilling the Giants 28-6 as a 6.5-point home favorite. Denver, a 2.5-point home favorite, had to rally from a 13-3 second-half deficit to beat the Jaguars 20-13.

In Week 3 NFL odds, Caesars opened the Rams as 2.5-point road favorites. And the line remains Rams -2.5 on Wednesday afternoon, for an 8:20 p.m. ET Sunday kickoff.

“It’s pretty much a two-way game right now, with a little bit more on the Rams. They looked sharper in Week 2,” Feazel said. “I would anticipate the public coming in more on the Rams as we get closer to game time.”

I Like Big Bets And I Cannot Lie

By Sunday, there’ll be countless six-figure plays on the NFL. And maybe even a seven-figure major wager or two.

For the moment, though, Caesars Sports noted a couple of five-figure bets by midweek, both on solid moneyline favorites:

• $20,000 Seahawks moneyline -280 vs. Commanders
• $18,000 Bills moneyline -335 vs. Chargers

As long as Seattle just beats Washington, regardless of margin, the bettor pockets $7,142 profit (total payout $27,142). And if Buffalo does likewise against L.A., then the bettor profits $5,373 (total payout $23,273).

Source

Kenneth Walker III has been everything the Kansas City Chiefs were looking for when they signed him to a three-year, $45 million deal in free agency.

The reigning Super Bowl MVP running back for the Seattle Seahawks last season has continued to perform as he did during the postseason. He’s the only running back with back-to-back 100-yard performances through two games.

Walker leads the league in rushing with 290 rushing yards and a touchdown, averaging an impressive 6.2 yards per carry. He also has nine receptions for 79 receiving yards and a score.

As predicted, the addition of Walker has added more explosiveness to Kansas City’s offense. The Chiefs have nine rushes of at least 10 yards through two games. Kansas City had 44 of those runs the entire season in 2025. With Patrick Mahomes returning from a season-ending knee injury, Walker’s presence on the field has made it so the Texas Tech product does not have to create every big play on offense.

But Walker also has benefited from playing with the best quarterback in the NFL on offense. Walker faced a light box (six or fewer defenders at the line of scrimmage) on 36.2% of his runs through two weeks. Last year with Seattle, Walker faced a light box on 26.7% of his rushes last season, per Next Gen Stats.

So, defenses having to account for the presence of Mahomes and Kansas City’s passing game has given Walker advantages in the run game. However, everything is not perfect in Kansas City. Although the Chiefs would like Walker to be their workhorse back, there’s a reason he was in a job share with Zach Charbonnet in Seattle — concerns about nagging injuries and his durability.

Walker already has a league-high 56 touches. He had 257 touches last season, as the Seahawks did a good job of limiting his touches, so he was effective in the postseason. Walker is on pace for 476 touches this season, which would be the most in a single season in his career. Kansas City would be wise to do something similar, using talented rookie Emmett Johnson to spell Walker so he lasts the duration of the season.

Now, let’s dive into my picks for the top three of all the major awards heading into Week 3.

Offensive Player Of The Year

The skinny: Jaxon Smith-Njigba can’t keep this up, right? A year after dominating the league, earning Offensive Player of the Year in just his second NFL season, he’s at it again. Smith-Njigba has accounted for 42% of Seattle’s offense through two games. He accounted for 44% of Seattle’s receiving offense last year. 

Derrick Henry, meanwhile, has a chance to rebound from a so-so performance in a loss to New Orleans (68 yards, one touchdown) when he faces a Dallas defense allowing 174 rushing yards a game in Brazil. 

Defensive Player Of The Year

The skinny: Dallas Turner has emerged as the go-to rusher of one of the top defenses in the league for Minnesota. He’s tied for third in the league in sacks (3), first in quarterback pressures (20) and first in quarterback hits (11). 

As for Greg Rousseau, he leads the league in sacks (4) and is tied for fifth in pressures (12), providing the Bills with a much-needed defensive presence up front. 

Coach Of The Year

The skinny: Give Kevin O’Connell credit for winning two games at the start of the season with a backup quarterback in Carson Wentz. As a result, Minnesota has been arguably the biggest surprise through the first two games of the season, upsetting Chicago in Week 2. 

Joe Brady has lived up to lofty expectations in Buffalo, going 2-0 against a pair of playoff-caliber opponents, although he has one of the best players in the league in Josh Allen. 

Finally, Kyle Shanahan has dealt with a lot of adversity this offseason, but has his team atop the best division in football. The 49ers have picked up two decisive victories, upsetting the Rams in Week 1 before demolishing the Dolphins in Week 2.

Offensive Rookie Of The Year

The skinny: Kaelon Black didn’t provide much in the 49ers’ win over the Dolphins, rushing for 25 yards. But he had 65 rushing yards in Week 1.

Denzel Boston leads all rookies in receiving yards (154) and receiving touchdowns (2), logging 95 receiving yards in the Browns’ upset win over the Buccaneers.

Jadarian Price leads all rookies in rushing yards (104) and carries (23), as the Seahawks haven’t missed Kenneth Walker so far. 

As for the lack of quarterbacks on this list, Falcons quarterback Jack Strand (8-for-15 for 59 yards and an interception) is the only rookie quarterback to have taken an offensive snap through two games this season.

Defensive Rookie Of The Year

The skinny: Anthony Jr. Hill leads the league with 26 combined tackles, but Josiah  Trotter continues to make the most game-changing plays, with 24 combined tackles, a sack and an interception returned for a score. 

Hezekiah Masses, meanwhile, had two interceptions against Justin Herbert and the Chargers, as he’s just one of the many reasons why the Raiders have surprised so far.

MVP

The skinny: Brock Prudy continues to set a high standard in efficiency. He has the most games with at least a 140 passer rating (eight) through a quarterback’s first five years in league history. He had a 149.1 passer rating in the 49ers’ win over the Dolphins, throwing for as many touchdowns (2) as he did incompletions. 

Yes, Patrick Mahomes threw for 382 yards and three touchdowns. But what stood out was his ability to push the ball down the field after failing to do so in Week 1 against the Broncos.

Still, Allen leads the league with nine total touchdowns. He had five total scores in the Bills’ decisive victory over the Lions after his four-touchdown performance against a strong Texans defense a week prior. 

FOX SPORTS NEWSLETTER

Your teams. Your sports. Your inbox.

Follow your favorite leagues, teams and players for a personalized daily newsletter.

Sign up for the newsletter

Create or log in to your FOX Sports account.

Source

Wednesday brought some clarity at quarterback in one building and plenty of uncertainty in others, as teams across the league finalized their injury reports ahead of Week 3. 

The Atlanta Falcons got good news heading into their Thursday night matchup against the Green Bay Packers, while two other franchises are still sorting out who’ll actually take the snaps this weekend.

Tua Tagovailoa is cleared to back up Michael Penix Jr. on Thursday, but the New York Giants are exploring every option at quarterback after losing Jaxson Dart for the season, and the Chicago Bears still don’t know whether Case Keenum, Tyson Bagent or Caleb Williams will start Monday night against the Philadelphia Eagles. 

Here’s the latest from around the NFL on Wednesday.

With Jaxson Dart out for the season, John Harbaugh made clear the Giants aren’t ruling anything out at quarterback — including a trade for a starter. 

Jameis Winston will run the offense in Week 3 against the Titans, but Harbaugh confirmed the team plans to add another arm to the room, even if he wouldn’t name candidates.

Winston brings experience but hasn’t held a full-time starting job since 2019, and Jake Haener is the only other quarterback New York controls, sitting on the practice squad. 

Tests showed Dart avoided ACL damage, but tears to his MCL, PCL and meniscus will require surgery, with the meniscus the biggest concern — an injury similar to the one that cost Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy his entire 2024 season. 

McCarthy, now buried on Minnesota’s depth chart behind Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz, has reportedly drawn interest as a trade value given Giants GM Joe Schoen’s familiarity with him from the 2024 draft process. Harbaugh didn’t close the door on Dart returning for a potential postseason run.

Chicago’s quarterback picture remains murky ahead of Monday night’s game against Philadelphia, with Case Keenum, Tyson Bagent and Caleb Williams all in play depending on health. 

Keenum, 38, practiced Wednesday and hasn’t played in a regular-season game since December 2023, but he’s healthy — which is more than can currently be said for the other two. He said he is nervous about possibly starting, but he welcomes the emotions.

“I love the feeling of being nervous. I do get nervous. And it’s not a scared nervous, it’s an excited nervous, because I know I’m prepared. I’m confident in my preparation and what I’ve done. I’m confident in my teammates. I’m confident in their preparation. I’m confident in the game plan and what my coaches have put together.”

Williams is still working back from the hamstring injury that knocked him out of Sunday’s loss to Minnesota, and while he hasn’t been ruled out, caution is expected given how much his mobility factors into his game. 

Bagent, who went 5 of 9 for 54 yards in relief before getting sacked on the final play, was unexpectedly placed in concussion protocol Tuesday with no clear return timeline. 

Coach Ben Johnson said the team has no plans to bring in another quarterback this week, framing the uncertainty as an opportunity for whoever ends up under center.

Tua Tagovailoa is good to go for Atlanta’s trip to Green Bay, and he’ll be doing so as the backup. 

The quarterback was not on the Falcons’ final injury report of the week, and head coach Kevin Stefanski indicated earlier Wednesday that Tagovailoa was trending toward serving behind Michael Penix Jr. for Thursday Night Football.

Tua Tagovailoa was actually slated to start the season opener before an oblique injury suffered during practice week sidelined him (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

–>

Tagovailoa was actually slated to start the season opener before an oblique injury suffered during practice week sidelined him, with Cooper Rush filling in for the first two games while Penix worked back from reconstructive knee surgery. 

Now healthy, Tagovailoa slots in as QB2 behind Penix, who’s set to handle starting duties in Week 3.

Carolina is placing running back Jonathon Brooks on injured reserve after he’s set to undergo surgery Wednesday for a core muscle injury, though he’s expected to return later this season. 

The Panthers said Brooks is looking at a minimum six-week recovery after injuring his groin late in Sunday’s win over Atlanta.

“It was a pretty significant groin injury, and we got multiple opinions about what’s the best course of action,” head coach Dave Canales said. “Jonathon’s gonna have surgery to repair the injury, and the timeline of return with surgical or nonsurgical was gonna be similar.”

It’s the latest setback in an injury-plagued career for Brooks, who has played just five of a possible 36 games since being drafted in 2024 due to two ACL tears — one at Texas and one as a rookie. 

With Brooks used sparingly through two games, Chuba Hubbard remains the clear starter, and Carolina is reportedly bringing in veteran Austin Ekeler to fill out the backfield behind him and A.J. Dillon.

NFL Related Stories

Source

Can Arch Manning keep Texas at the top while playing Peyton Manning’s alma mater, Tennessee? Will Ole Miss fall victim to a trap game against Florida? 

In the Big Ten, Oregon and USC face off in what could be a College Football Playoff eliminator, while Michigan tries to keep its CFP hopes alive against Iowa. 

Elsewhere, Ohio State hosts Illinois on “Big Noon Kickoff,” and Penn State looks to stay perfect under new head coach Matt Campbell. 

Week 4 is the most loaded college football slate yet, and we’re breaking down our straight-up picks and the matchups to watch closely throughout the weekend.

	RJ Young	Laken Litman	Michael Cohen	Ben Portnoy
Last Week	6-4	6-4	6-4	7-3
Overall	20-8	18-10	19-9	19-9

  No. 7 Ohio State vs. Illinois

Jeremiah Smith and Ohio State defeated Illinois, 34-16, in 2025. (Photo by Ben Jackson/Getty Images)

–>

When: Saturday, noon p.m. ET (FOX)
Where: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
Line: Ohio State -27.5

RJ Young: Ohio State 
It’s easy to forget the Buckeyes were up by 20 friggin’ points against the No. 1 team in the country, and that team isn’t in the same league — pun intended — as Illinois.

Laken Litman: Ohio State
The Buckeyes are going to do everything in their power the rest of this season to prove they aren’t the version of their team that led Texas, 20-3, at halftime and then lost. 

Michael Cohen: Ohio State 
A year ago, Ohio State traveled to Champaign to face a ranked Illinois team whose fans believed it had at least a puncher’s chance of keeping up with the Buckeyes. The game was never close. There are levels to college football, and Illinois can’t match Ohio State. 

Ben Portnoy: Ohio State 
Ohio State is about as good as it was a year ago. Illinois, for all the moves it made, does not look nearly as complete as it was last fall. For that reason, give me the Buckeyes big.

  No. 14 Tennessee vs. No. 1 Texas

Arch Manning will make his first career start in Knoxville against Tennessee, where his uncle, Peyton, attended college. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

–>

When: Saturday, noon p.m. ET (ABC)
Where: Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tennessee
Line: Texas -4.5

Young: Texas 
Will Muschamps’ defense will take this opportunity to formally introduce true freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon to the SEC.

Litman: Texas
It’s the battle for ‘UT’ trademark rights and who wears the better orange! But in all seriousness, Texas will get its second top-25 win, building even more confidence ahead of the Red River Rivalry. 

Cohen: Texas 
It’s hard to look beyond the glaring discrepancy in experience between Texas quarterback Arch Manning and Tennessee quarterback Faizon Brandon, a true freshman. Manning has been on the wrong end of these moments earlier in his career and learned from them. 

Portnoy: Texas 
Texas gets its second real test of the season when it heads to Knoxville against a Tennessee team that’s been as hard to peg as any in the SEC so far. I love Vols quarterback Faizon Brandon long term, but beating Texas this early in his career feels like a stretch. Longhorns add another big-time win to their resume.

  No. 18 Michigan vs. No. 17 Iowa

Quarterback Bryce Underwood will make his first start against Iowa in his college career. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)

–>

When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (CBS)
Where: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Line: Michigan -5.5 

Young: Iowa
In a rock fight — and it’s almost always a rock fight with Iowa — you’re better off siding with the Hawkeyes than their adversaries, especially against a Michigan offense that hasn’t really demonstrated it can score with any consistency.

Litman: Michigan
Can quarterback Bryce Underwood take another step forward after a tough start to the season? He was efficient last week against UTEP but will be tested by Iowa’s stingy defense, which has given up the fewest points of any team in the country so far this year. 

Cohen: Iowa 
What a fascinating matchup this is for the national perception of the Big Ten. The Hawkeyes defense, ever a strong suit, has already posted two shutouts this season. Bryce Underwood will have his work cut out for him. 

Portnoy: Iowa
If you hate points and wish the forward pass was never invented, this is the game for you. Michigan’s offense has been anemic through three games — including in its win over Oklahoma. Jokes aside, Iowa has looked largely competent offensively and wide receiver Tony Diaz has been a revelation. I’ll take the Hawkeyes at home.

  No. 2 Georgia vs. Oklahoma

Oklahoma coach Brent Venables leads the Sooners into their first game against Georgia since joining the SEC. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

–>

When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Where: Sanford Stadium, Athens, Georgia
Line: Georgia -14

Young: Georgia
How bad is Oklahoma? The Sooners were dropped from the AP poll after a win at home last weekend. Georgia is too strong for them. 

Litman: Georgia
Oklahoma has very little to show for itself offensively, which is going to be a big problem against Georgia. 

Cohen: Georgia
This one seems pretty straightforward, right? Georgia is one of the few highly ranked teams that has looked elite every time it’s taken the field this season. Another comfortable win is forthcoming.  

Portnoy: Georgia
I’m not overthinking this one. Georgia hasn’t been challenged, but Oklahoma (like Michigan) has yet to prove it can score enough points to beat just about anyone, let alone the Bulldogs.

  No. 21 Florida vs. No. 4 Ole Miss

Trinidad Chambliss will try to remain the Heisman favorite against Florida on Saturday. (Photo by Austin McAfee/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

–>

When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Where: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Florida
Line: Florida -3.5

Young: Ole Miss
Trinidad Chambliss makes Ole Miss into the kind of offense that can score on anyone, and that includes Florida.

Litman: Ole Miss
The Rebels avoid a letdown performance, and Trinidad Chambliss keeps himself in the Heisman Trophy discussion, despite head coach Jon Sumrall’s strong start at Florida. 

Cohen: Ole Miss
Right now, Trinidad Chambliss is the best quarterback in college football. He’s calm, confident and carrying Ole Miss to new heights. Traveling to Florida will be difficult, surely, but the Rebels’ magic extends for another week. 

Portnoy: Ole Miss
This is as trappy a trap game as I can remember. Ole Miss looked the part of a national title contender last week and the defense stepped up big time against Lane Kiffin’s prolific offense. I think the Rebels win in Gainesville, but it won’t be for a lack of points from Jon Sumrall’s Gators.

  Iowa State vs. No. 15 Utah

Morgan Scalley is off to a 3-0 start as Utah’s head coach. (Photo by Bryan Byerly/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)

–>

When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (FOX)
Where: Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, Iowa
Line: Utah -8.5

Young: Utah
Utah is the most complete team in the Big 12 so far.

Litman: Utah
Utah is 3-0 under first-year head coach Morgan Scalley and continue to show why it’s are one of the best teams in the Big 12.

Cohen: Utah
Week in and week out, Utah continues to show why it’s one of the most consistent programs in college football — even after losing head coach Kyle Whittingham to Michigan. Far too much efficiency and high-level execution for Iowa State to match. 

Portnoy: Utah
Iowa State gave their cross-state rival a scare two weeks ago, and the Cyclones might be a bit better than we gave them credit for heading into the season. However, Utah has annihilated everyone it has faced so far, and I think it opens its Big 12 slate with a win.

  No. 13 Penn State vs. Wisconsin

Rocco Becht is off to a 3-0 start in his first season as Penn State’s head coach. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

–>

When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (Peacock)
Where: Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pennsylvania
Line: Penn State -10

Young: Penn State
Matt Campbell hit the ground running, and I don’t expect Wisconsin to stop him from reaching a full sprint in a game that could get away from the Badgers fast.

Litman: Penn State
Quarterback Rocco Becht has been efficient to start, completing more than 70% of his passes through three games, and Wisconsin doesn’t have enough firepower to keep up.

Cohen: Penn State
After breezing through the non-conference portion of its schedule, Penn State should cruise to a win over Wisconsin to begin Big Ten play under new head coach Matt Campbell. 

Portnoy: Penn State
Penn State’s schedule opens up about as well as Matt Campbell could’ve hoped in Year 1. The Badgers have bolstered their roster and I like Colton Joseph under center, but I still think Penn State’s talent advantage shows up in this one.

  No. 14 USC vs. No. 20 Oregeon

Dan Lanning is 2-0 against USC as Oregon’s head coach. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)

–>

When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET (NBC)
Where: Los Angeles Coliseum, Los Angeles, California
Line: Oregon -3

Young: Oregon
USC scared the heck out of its fan base needing to fend off Rutgers, which lost to UMass earlier this season.

Litman: Oregon
This is put up or shut up for Dan Lanning’s Ducks. Oregon cannot afford to lose with its season on the line.

Cohen: Oregon
This feels like an early tipping point for the Ducks, one way or the other. A win over former Pac-12 rival USC would restore a lot of faith in a team that has stumbled out of the gates. Oregon will respond with a victory. 

Portnoy: USC
One fan base is going to be losing its collective mind after this one on Saturday. Oregon beat the hell out of Portland State last week, but lost receiver Jeremiah McClellan to a pregame injury. The Oklahoma State loss makes me cautious about taking the Ducks moving forward. I’ll take Lincoln Riley to quiet some doubters with a massive home win.

  No. 10 LSU vs. No. 23 Texas A&M

LSU coach Lane Kiffin looks to get his team back on track after losing to his former team, Ole Miss, in Week 3. (Photo by Gus Stark/LSU/University Images via Getty Images)

–>

When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Where: Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Line: LSU -8.5

Young: LSU
Tigers defensive coordinator Blake Baker will lock up the A&M offense then probably rob the cookie jar with a couple of takeaways that prove the difference in the game.

Litman: LSU
Despite Lane Kiffin’s homecoming not going according to his plan, the Tigers nearly beat Ole Miss and are a talented group that will overpower a lackluster Texas A&M team. Plus, this one is at Tiger Stadium at night.

Cohen: LSU
It was clear from some of Lane Kiffin’s post-game comments that the emotional side of last week’s trip to Ole Miss really affected him. With that elephant in the room now gone, he and the Tigers should bounce back against a Texas A&M team that has looked far from impressive. 

Portnoy: LSU
Speaking of fan bases ready to flip out — LSU and Texas A&M meet in what could effectively be a College Football Playoff elimination game. LSU lost a barnburner last week in Oxford, but I think the Tigers are just flat out better than anything the Aggies can put on the field right now. 

  No. 24 Mississippi State vs. No. 19 Missouri

Quarterback Kamario Taylor broke out with 251 yards and four touchdowns against South Carolina in Week 3. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)

–>

When: Saturday, 7:45 p.m. ET (SEC Network)
Where: Davis Wade Stadium, Starkville, Mississippi
Line: Mississippi St. -6.5

Young: Mississippi State
All aboard the Kamario Taylor hype train!

Litman: Mississippi State
Quarterback Kamario Taylor gets his shot in prime time. I’ll take the Bulldogs at home at night with their cowbells.

Cohen: Mississippi State
Is there a more exciting young quarterback prospect than Kamario Taylor right now? He’s transforming Mississippi State into a must-see outfit for the first time since Dak Prescott was suiting up for the Bulldogs. 

Portnoy: Mississippi State
Welcome to the Kamario Taylor show. I was in Columbia last week as Taylor torched South Carolina and, man, was it impressive. I’ve liked what I’ve seen from Missouri and quarterback Austin Simmons, but I’m going all-in on the Bulldogs. It’s starting to feel a bit like 2014 in Starkville.

MORE CFB

10 Teams outside the Top 10 that could reach the College Football Playoff

–>

Source