Tottenham took its summer spending to more than $400 million by signing Brazil winger Savinho from Manchester City on Tuesday in a deal worth 85 million pounds ($115 million).

During this transfer window, Spurs have already brought in Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali from Newcastle for a reported club-record fee of 100 million pounds ($133 million), days after purchasing another midfielder in Mateus Fernandes from West Ham for 85 million pounds (then $113 million).

The summer refresh under Roberto De Zerbi — setting out on his first full season in charge of Tottenham — now includes the 22-year-old Savinho, who joined City in 2024 for 40 million euros ($43.6 million) from sister club Troyes but hasn’t lived up to expectations.

He scored two goals in 53 Premier League appearances and didn’t make Brazil’s squad for this year’s World Cup.

Referring to a transfer saga that has lasted most of this summer, Savinho said in a Tottenham statement: “It’s taken a while but I’m very happy to be here.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity at a brilliant club with one of the best managers in the world. As soon as I spoke to the head coach, I knew I had to come. He told me he wants to help me reach the highest level, and I believe we can do that together, as a team.”

De Zerbi hailed Savinho’s “energy, imagination and quality,” saying: “He has the courage to attack defenders and the ability to change a game with his creativity.”

Tottenham began the Premier League season by fielding a much-changed starting lineup, containing Tonali and fellow new signings Jan Paul van Hecke, Marco Senesi and Andy Robertson, in a 3-0 loss at Brentford.

Spurs are rivaling Chelsea as the heaviest spenders in European soccer this transfer window.

It’s Another Big Sale By Man City

Recently hired City manager Enzo Maresca said last week that Savinho had told him “since day one” that he wanted to leave.

It’s a club-record sale from City, which also allowed Spain captain Rodri to join Barcelona in a deal worth 76.5 million euros ($88.5 million), has sold midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, goalkeeper James Trafford and defender Nathan Ake, and released stalwarts John Stones and Bernardo Silva this offseason.

The only senior outfield addition has been England midfielder Elliot Anderson, for a reported club-record fee of 116 million pounds ($155 million).

The transfer window shuts next Tuesday and there are likely to be a number of incomings at City before then, including potentially Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi.

Reporting by The Associated Press.

Source

As the calendar turns to fall, every NFL franchise dreams of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy at the end of the season.

The first step toward accomplishing that goal is making the playoffs.

That is something the New York Jets have not done in 15 years, with their last postseason appearance coming in 2010, the longest active streak in the league. 

Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears snapped a five-year playoff drought in the first season of the Ben Johnson era, winning 11 games and reaching the postseason last year. However, sportsbooks aren’t convinced they will make it back.

Let’s check out the latest “To Miss Playoffs” odds at DraftKings Sportsbook as of Aug. 25.

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To Miss Playoffs Odds

Arizona Cardinals: −20000 (bet $10 to win $10.05 total) 
Miami Dolphins: -4000 (bet $10 to win $10.25 total)
New York Jets: -1100 (bet $10 to win $10.91 total)
Las Vegas Raiders: -900 (bet $10 to win $11.11 total)
Cleveland Browns: -850 (bet $10 to win $11.18 total)
Tennessee Titans: -440 (bet $10 to win $12.27 total)
New York Giants: -320 (bet $10 to win $13.13 total)
Atlanta Falcons: -300 (bet $10 to win $13.33 total)
Washington Commanders: -290 (bet $10 to win $13.45 total)
Carolina Panthers: -270 (bet $10 to win $13.70 total)
New Orleans Saints: -225 (bet $10 to win $14.44 total)
Indianapolis Colts: -205 (bet $10 to win $14.88 total)
Minnesota Vikings: -186 (bet $10 to win $15.38 total)
Pittsburgh Steelers: -168 (bet $10 to win $15.95 total)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: -150 (bet $10 to win $16.67 total)
Jacksonville Jaguars: -125 (bet $10 to win $18 total)
Dallas Cowboys: -115 (bet $10 to win $18.70 total)
Chicago Bears: -115 (bet $10 to win $18.70 total)
Denver Broncos: +118 (bet $10 to win $21.80 total)
San Francisco 49ers: +122 (bet $10 to win $22.20 total)
Green Bay Packers: +122 (bet $10 to win $22.20 total)
Los Angeles Chargers: +140 (bet $10 to win $24 total)
Houston Texans: +150 (bet $10 to win $25 total)
Philadelphia Eagles: +154 (bet $10 to win $25.40 total)
Cincinnati Bengals: +160 (bet $10 to win $26 total)
Kansas City Chiefs: +170 (bet $10 to win $27 total)
Detroit Lions: +180 (bet $10 to win $28 total)
Seattle Seahawks: +184 (bet $10 to win $28.40 total)
New England Patriots: +184 (bet $10 to win $28.40 total)
Buffalo Bills: +255 (bet $10 to win $35.50 total)
Baltimore Ravens: +305 (bet $10 to win $40.50 total)
Los Angeles Rams: +350 (bet $10 to win $45 total) 

The Cowboys and Bears are -115 to miss the playoffs in 2026 (Michael Reaves/Getty Images).

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Here’s what to know about the oddsboard:

The Favorites: The Cardinals are overwhelming favorites to miss the playoffs at -20000, with the next-shortest odds all the way down at -4000. Arizona has plenty of offensive playmakers, including No. 3 overall pick Jeremiyah Love, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride, but its defense remains a glaring weakness. In 2025, the Cardinals finished 29th in scoring defense (28.7 PPG allowed), 27th in total defense (357.7 YPG allowed), 25th in rushing defense (126.9 YPG allowed) and 25th in opponent passer rating (97.6). Next on the oddsboard are the Dolphins at -4000, who will have a much different look in 2026. Jeff Hafley replaces Mike McDaniel as head coach, while Malik Willis will enter the season as a starting quarterback for the first time in his career. Miami has also parted ways with several key players from recent seasons, including Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Bradley Chubb and Minkah Fitzpatrick.

Biggest Surprises: The Cowboys and Bears are surprisingly more likely to miss the playoffs than make them, with both sitting at -115. Dallas missed the postseason in 2025 largely because of a struggling defense that ranked dead last in the NFL (30.1 PPG allowed). Over the last decade, the Cowboys have reached the playoffs five times (50% since 2016). Meanwhile, Chicago enters 2026 with high expectations after a historic 2025 season in which it won the NFC North and earned its first playoff win since 2011. Despite that success, the oddsmakers expect the Bears to take a step back. Chicago is favored to miss the postseason as it prepares to navigate a tougher schedule in Year 2 of Johnson’s tennure.

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The NASCAR Cup Series regular-season finale will race this weekend at Daytona, as the Coke Zero 400 gets the green flag on Saturday, Aug. 29 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

The week after Daytona, the postseason will begin. And this year, that looks a little different now that Cup has returned to The Chase format. 

Will the favorite William Byron capture the checkered flag or will a long shot emerge from the field this weekend?

Here are the early odds for the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at DraftKings Sportsbook as of Aug. 25.

NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 2026

William Byron: +850 (bet $10 to win $95 total)
Ryan Blaney: +850 (bet $10 to win $95 total)
Joey Logano: +1100 (bet $10 to win $120 total)
Tyler Reddick: +1200 (bet $10 to win $130 total)
Christopher Bell: +1200 (bet $10 to win $130 total)
Chase Elliott: +1200 (bet $10 to win $130 total)
Kyle Larson: +1600 (bet $10 to win $170 total)
Austin Cindric: +1600 (bet $10 to win $170 total)
Chase Briscoe: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)
Carson Hocevar: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)
Bubba Wallace: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)
Denny Hamlin: +2200 (bet $10 to win $230 total)
Chris Buescher: +2200 (bet $10 to win $230 total)
Brad Keselowski: +2200 (bet $10 to win $230 total)
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.: +2800 (bet $10 to win $290 total)
Ty Gibbs: +2800 (bet $10 to win $290 total)
Austin Dillon: +2800 (bet $10 to win $290 total)
Josh Berry: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)
Corey Heim: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)
Ryan Preece: +3500 (bet $10 to win $360 total)
Ross Chastain: +3500 (bet $10 to win $360 total)
Daniel Suárez: +3500 (bet $10 to win $360 total)
Alex Bowman: +3500 (bet $10 to win $360 total)

Todd Gilliland: +4500 (bet $10 to win $460 total)
Erik Jones: +4500 (bet $10 to win $460 total)
Michael McDowell: +5500 (bet $10 to win $560 total)
Shane van Gisbergen: +5500 (bet $10 to win $560 total)
Zane Smith: +6000 (bet $10 to win $610 total)
Austin Hill: +6000 (bet $10 to win $610 total)
Riley Herbst: +7000 (bet $10 to win $710 total)
Noah Gragson: +7000 (bet $10 to win $710 total)
Connor Zilisch: +7000 (bet $10 to win $710 total)
John Hunter Nemechek: +8000 (bet $10 to win $810 total)
AJ Allmendinger: +8000 (bet $10 to win $810 total)
Ty Dillon: +9000 (bet $10 to win $910 total)
Cole Custer: +9000 (bet $10 to win $910 total)
Casey Mears: +10000 (bet $10 to win $1,010 total)
Cody Ware: +13000 (bet $10 to win $1,310 total)
Joey Gase: +20000 (bet $10 to win $2,010 total)
Gray Gaulding: +20000 (bet $10 to win $2,010 total)
Daniel Dye: +20000 (bet $10 to win $2,010 total)

Here’s What To Know About The Oddsboard:

The Favorite

William Byron is locked into The Chase but is still seeking his first win of the season.

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William Byron has had a solid 2026. While he hasn’t gotten into Victory Lane, he does have 11 top 10s and four top-five finishes. In fact, he’s run well enough this year to have already secured his place in The Chase. Back in February, Byron finished 12th at Daytona. But when the series stopped here in February 2025, Byron got the win.

One To Watch

Ryan Preece is hoping for a great day at Daytona.

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Ryan Preece is just below the cutline to make The Chase, but he’s got one more shot this Saturday to sneak into the postseason. According to FOX Sports motorsports insider Bob Pockrass, Preece “will need a heck of a day at Daytona” if he wants to make The Chase. Preece has no wins, no poles and no top fives. But he does have five top 10s in 2026. He finished 25th at this track back in February but finished 14th here in August 2025.

WHAT YOU SHOULD READ NEXT

NASCAR is returning to The Chase postseason format. So which drivers are in, out or on the bubble?

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The Arizona Diamondbacks hope three-time All-Star Ketel Marte will return to their lineup next week, roughly two weeks after his unexpected disappearance from the team before a game in Boston.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Monday the team’s plan is for the second baseman to return for a home series against the Philadelphia Phillies, which starts on Aug. 31. Marte was initially put on the restricted list after his disappearance, but then moved to the 10-day injured list with mild inflammation in his left knee.

“That’s what we’re thinking about,” Lovullo said. “I think that will be the 10th day or the 11th day, so there is definitely a strategy to get him back on the field, get him healthy.”

Lovullo said Marte started taking batting practice Monday at the team’s facility in Scottsdale and hitting coach Joe Mather was encouraged by the veteran’s progress.

The 32-year-old Marte still hasn’t addressed his teammates about why he left them in the middle of a playoff race. The D-backs came into Monday’s game against the Chicago Cubs with a 69-62 record, two games behind the San Diego Padres for the final National League wild-card spot.

It’s the second straight year Marte has gone AWOL from the team. Last season, he went on the restricted list when his home in Arizona was broken into during the All-Star break. He missed three games after flying back to his home in the Dominican Republic and later apologized for his absence.

Lovullo said Marte is very private and the team would figure out the right time for him to address his teammates.

“We’re trying to create the softest space for him to re-emerge back in this environment,” Lovullo said. “That’s up to him however he wants to do it. I cannot force a human being to do something that I want to do, or anybody in this room wants to do, or a fan wants to do.

“One of the things that makes Ketel such an extraordinary player is he goes to the beat of his own drum. I respect that.”

Lovullo also addressed the concern that Marte might receive a less-than-warm reception from D-backs fans when he returns.

“Ketel is a very loving young man,” Lovullo said. “I don’t want (booing) to happen. I understand it’s a possibility it could happen, but we’ll all rally around him.”

Reporting by The Associated Press.

Source

And just like that, we’ve got football. 

I can’t wait to see what the SEC and Big Ten — among many other conferences — have in store this season. With that, here are my five best futures bets for the college football 2026-27 season.

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.

Alabama Over/Under 8.5 Wins

I think there’s a bit of denial in the SEC as a whole that nearly everyone in the league is going to fall in that 8-4/9-3 slot. Obviously, that’s where the Tide figure to be and most people I’ve heard seem to fall on the side of Bama being a solid Over team. 

I’m not quite there. 

Alabama has had a non-existent running game the past two years and I have to see it to believe it this year with regard to improvement. There’s inexperience — and great potential — at quarterback with Keelon Russell, but last year, with Ty Simpson, there was experience and a guy who went in the top 15 of the NFL Draft. We also saw Bama survive four one-possession wins and get blasted by a terrible Florida State team in Tallahassee, and the lasting impression of Bama was them getting manhandled by Indiana in the Rose Bowl. 

There are a lot of questions to ask of this Tide roster and staff entering 2026, and while on paper it looks like Bama should open 5-0, can we say with great confidence it will? Outside the Chattanooga game, any of the remaining seven games are losable. 

Find the best price on the Under and bet accordingly — and with confidence.

Fallica’s Pick: Alabama Under 8.5 Wins (+110)

North Dakota St. Over/Under 8.5 Wins

Everyone’s favorite FCS power has made the jump to FBS, and I’m curious to see how it goes. It’s a bit different being the plucky FCS underdog taking on a Power 4 in a one-off game than it is playing an FBS slate. 

Granted, the new-look MWC isn’t the greatest league out there, but the Bison have just nine returning starters — with QB not being one of them — and couldn’t do much in the portal. NDSU projects to be solid underdogs at UNLV and New Mexico and in virtual toss-up games at Air Force and Hawaii. It could lose all four and certainly isn’t immune to being picked off as a favorite either.

Fallica’s Pick: NDSU Under 8.5 Wins (+134)

Texas Make/Miss CFP

I think 9-3 feels like a pretty common landing spot when you go through Texas’ schedule. 

Sure, the Longhorns have one of the top rosters in the country, but there are at least five games where the spread projects to be within a touchdown. This is what Steve Sarkisian was talking about when comparing the slate Texas Tech faces in comparison to Texas. How would the CFP handle a 9-3 Texas? There’s a chance the Longhorns might face Ohio State without star tackle Trevor Goolsby, which wouldn’t be great. 

If Texas is 9-3, there could even be a chance to grab some plus money on the yes during the season, which would put you in a position to lock in a profit.

Fallica’s Pick: Texas to Miss CFP (+180)

John Mateer Over/Under Passing Yards

I know John Mateer would have gone Over this total last year even with the injury, but off the schedule are Illinois State, Temple and Kent State (which Mateer DNP), and now OU adds a ninth SEC game, along with a road trip to Michigan. 

I think we could see a lot more running from both Mateer and OU in general this year and that would keep Mateer’s passing total in check. Between Georgia, Texas and others, OU will face some pretty salty defenses.

John Mateer Under 2,560.5 Passing Yards

LaNorris Sellers Over/Under Passing Yards

LaNorris Sellers would have gone Under this total each of the last two years and, while there was a coordinator change with Kendall Briles, which in theory should help Sellers’ numbers, the Gamecocks are going to have to be a lot better on the offensive line. 

I think the improvement in Sellers’ numbers will come in the running game, which made him so dynamic in 2024 — rushing yards fell by 400 yards last year — and the talk of him being one of the top QB prospects out there. It could be a little sweaty, but I always feel like there are more ways to win an Under, whereas if you’re betting Overs, essentially everything has to go right.

LaNorris Sellers Under 2,525.5 Passing Yards

Source

San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York used an alias when he sent text messages over two days to a woman he believed to be a prostitute before he was arrested in a sting operation in Ohio, according to a police incident report obtained Tuesday.

The report from the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force had more than two pages redacted but provided more details about what led to York’s arrest and ultimately to him pleading no contest Monday to two misdemeanors.

York initially responded to an advertisement placed by police on a known prostitution website on Saturday, according to the report, sending two messages that went unanswered and saying his name was “Joe” and that he wanted to visit the woman.

York texted again Sunday morning and said he wanted to see the woman. He said he was staying nearby and asked for her address. He asked how much the woman charged and was told it was $160 for “full service sexual activity,” the report said.

York took a rental car to a mobile home park in East Palestine, Ohio, where he was given a fictitious lot number. He texted when he arrived at the mobile home park. He was then directed back to the main road, where he was stopped by marked police units. Police found York had $160 that was seized and they sent a text to his phone to determine it was the same one used to arrange the meeting.

He was booked into jail and was released after posting a $5,000 bond. York was initially charged with engaging in prostitution, but prosecutors amended that to disorderly conduct. He pleaded no contest Monday to that charge and to possessing criminal tools for using his phone to respond to the ad.

He was sentenced to one day in jail for both offenses to be served concurrently and was credited with one day served when he pleaded no contest. He also was fined $1,150. The $160 that was seized from him was given to the human trafficking task force as part of the plea. York also completed an online course.

York has been in Ohio, where he grew up near Youngstown, for most of the summer. He had filed for divorce from his wife, Danielle, in May, according to court records.

The NFL issued a statement saying the league is aware of the arrest and will review it under the personal conduct policy. Owners are subject to possible fines or suspensions for violating the policy.

The team said that the “legal matter” had been resolved and that it would have no additional comment.

Coach Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday that he has talked to York the past two days and doesn’t believe the arrest will have any impact on the team.

“Obviously, it’s a very tough situation,” Shanahan said. “The views for the organization going forward are the same as usual. There won’t be any difference in that. But I know it’s extremely fresh. I think it’s a very, very personal situation. I got a lot of respect for Jed. I got lot of respect for Danielle. The family does mean a lot to me. With it being this personal, I’m trying as hard as I can to keep it that way.”

Shanahan said he doesn’t expect any change in York’s involvement with the team, saying he has always allowed Shanahan and general manager John Lynch to make the football decisions.

Shanahan said he doesn’t feel the need to address the situation with his players.

Star linebacker Fred Warner said the players were aware of it but that he didn’t believe it would be a distraction.

“We all have social media, so we see things,” he said. “But at the same time, I got a lot of love, a lot respect for Jed, and don’t feel the need to comment on the situation. I think the team is kind of the same way. It really wasn’t a conversation being had in the locker room. Of course, yeah, you notice it, but at the time, we were so hyper-focused in this building of trying to prepare for Week 1. A lot of guys are on the bubble trying to make the team. So we’re just trying to get better as a football team and that’s a personal situation, and letting it stay personal with him.”

Reporting By The Associated Press.

Source

We’ve ranked the top 10 players at the most important positions in the NFL. Now, it’s time to find out who is the best player in the league entering the 2026 season. 

Several players have a reasonable claim to be considered the NFL’s best player ahead of the new year. Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is the reigning MVP, while his new teammate, Myles Garrett, just broke the NFL’s single-season record for the most sacks. 

There are also other quarterbacks to consider, like Josh Allen. The Buffalo Bills star has consistently played at an elite level since the turn of the decade and won MVP in 2024. Of course, there’s also Patrick Mahomes, who has widely been viewed as the NFL’s best player for several years.

So, who is the NFL’s best player ahead of the 2026 season? Here are our top 10 players in the league. 

Micah Parsons has recorded at least 12 sacks in each of his first five seasons. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)

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Ben Arthur: We’ll have to wait to see Parsons this year, as he’s expected to miss at least the first few games of the season recovering from an ACL tear.  But a healthy Parsons is one of the NFL’s best players — a complete edge rusher with speed that elicits fear from opposing offensive linemen. Despite missing three games in 2025, he still registered 12.5 sacks and 81 pressures in his debut season with the Green Bay Packers en route to Pro Bowl honors. The former first-round pick has recorded at least 12 sacks in each of his five NFL seasons. 

The quicker Parsons returns to form, the faster the Packers become a Super Bowl contender. He’s that much of a force multiplier on defense. 

Penei Sewell has been named a Pro Bowler four times in his first five seasons. (Photo by Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images)

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Greg Auman: Sewell is the oddsmakers’ favorite to win the Protector of the Year award, given to the NFL’s top offensive lineman, and he’ll do that as he tries to shift from right tackle to a new home at left tackle. It’s the same move the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Tristan Wirfs has made successfully, and if it takes, it solidifies Sewell at the top of his position. Sewell has four straight Pro Bowls, three straight first-team All-Pro nods and he’s still only 25 years old. 

We didn’t rank offensive linemen in our individual position rankings, so he’s making the overall top 10 here much like a write-in candidate, showing the strength of his value at his position.

Will Anderson has already emerged as an elite playoff performer early in his career. (Photo by Logan Bowles/Getty Images)

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Auman: What’s it like to be the best player on the best defense in the NFL? Anderson already has 30 sacks in three years and he hasn’t turned 25 yet. Give Houston credit. The Texans gave up a 2024 first-rounder and more to move all the way up from 12 to 3 to grab Anderson in the 2023 draft.

Anderson and Danielle Hunter are one of the most dangerous edge-rush pairs in the league, and Anderson’s even better in the playoffs. He’s got eight career sacks in six playoff games, with three forced fumbles in two playoff games last year. As Houston’s offense improves and they lead late in games more often, don’t be surprised if he takes another step to the 15-plus sack level in 2026.

Bijan Robinson had nearly 2,300 yards from scrimmage last season. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

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Vacchiano: Here’s the crazy thing about the Atlanta Falcons running back: He had a combined 2,298 yards from scrimmage last season (1,478 rushing, 820 receiving) with 11 touchdowns and he touched the ball 366 times — 21.5 times per game. And there were still times he felt underused in the Falcons’ offense. It’s probably too much to ask new coach Kevin Stefanski to use him more, but it’s a good bet he’ll use him better.

 Robinson, still only 24 and entering his fourth NFL season, will have to be the workhorse in Atlanta as the Falcons sort through their quarterback mess, but Stefanski will surely find more creative ways to use him and get him into open space, where his moves, acceleration and breakaway speed make him one of the most dangerous weapons in the league. With his rushing ability and his receiving skills, he’s the closest thing the NFL has to Christian McCaffrey in his prime. And if the Falcons were ever good again, he’d be in the chase for MVP.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba led the NFL in receptions and receiving yards in 2025, winning Offensive Player of the Year. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

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Eric D. Williams: One of the best route runners in the league, Smith-Njigba showed he’s much more than a slot receiver in 2025. With DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett no longer on the roster, Smith-Njigba leveled up, engineering one of his best seasons as a pro. Just 24 years old, the Ohio State product set franchise single-season records for receptions (119) and receiving yards (1,793) last season, taking home the league’s Offensive Player of the Year award.

The Seahawks rewarded Smith-Njigba by signing him to a lucrative contract extension that made him the highest-paid receiver in the league, with an annual salary of $42.15 million. With Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker Jr. signing with the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency and a new offensive coordinator Brian Fluery, taking over for the departed Klint Kubiak (now the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders), Smith-Njigba will be counted on to shoulder even more of the offense. Smith-Njigba accounted for 44% of Seattle’s receiving yards, the highest percentage by any player in the league. He led Seattle in receiving yards in 16 of 17 games this year, the most in a regular season in NFL history. 

Matthew Stafford won MVP after leading the NFL in passing yards and passing touchdowns in 2025. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

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Vacchiano: What Stafford did at his age in 2025 was just ridiculous, especially considering the season began with a mysterious back injury that threatened to derail everything. He threw for career-highs in yards (4,707) and touchdown passes (47) while tossing just eight interceptions — the fourth quarterback ever to throw for more than 45 touchdowns with fewer than 10 interceptions — and he did it all at age 37. And with the Rams still loaded, there’s no reason to think he’ll be any different at age 38. 

It helps that Stafford’s in a perfect system for his talents, but he brings plenty of skills. His arm is still remarkably strong; he’s got picture-perfect mechanics, and no one is better at placing throws in perfect spots for his receivers. Put his mind and arm together in the Sean McVay system and you’ve got a quarterback who could win a Super Bowl and make a run at becoming just the sixth player to ever win back-to-back MVPs. He just needs his body to hold up.

Ja’Marr Chase won the receiving Triple Crown in 2024. (Photo by Ben Jackson/Getty Images)

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Arthur: Chase is the most dominant wide receiver in football today. After winning the receiving triple crown in 2024, the Cincinnati Bengals superstar again led the NFL in receptions last season (185). The 26-year-old has recorded at least 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first five NFL seasons.

The fifth overall pick in 2021, Chase is a high-volume target who possesses a unique blend of speed and physicality. He’s ranked in the top two in yards after the catch in each of the last two seasons. He’s been a near-unstoppable force since entering the league despite facing constant double teams.

Patrick Mahomes is looking to bounceback in 2026 after missing the playoffs for the first time in his career last season. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

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Williams: Returning from season-ending knee surgery after a disappointing 6-11 campaign in 2025, Mahomes is under a lot of pressure to show last year was a fluke. Mahomes should benefit from the return of offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and the addition of Kenneth Walker III, implementing a more bullish rushing attack to create more balance on offense.

But the 30-year-old Mahomes also must get back to playing more efficient football, relying less on his legs to keep the chains moving and getting more from his receivers on the perimeter. Mahomes has the Super Bowl pedigree, appearing in the game five times and winning three of them. And at 30 years old, Mahomes remains one of the best at his position, with plenty of more years to chase more Lombardi trophies. Mahomes owns an astounding 17-4 record in the playoffs.

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 15: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills warms up prior to a preseason game against the Carolina Panthers at Highmark Stadium on August 15, 2026 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images)

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McKenna: Allen is football’s version of Atlas, putting the world on his shoulders. It’s been like that for a while now in Buffalo, with Allen being, by far, the only most notable player on offense — but honestly, on either side of the ball. Defensive tackle Ed Oliver, tackle Dion Dawkins and running back James Cook are really great players. But receiver? Tight end? Cornerback? Edge? 

There really hasn’t been a big and productive name since Stefon Diggs. And Diggs’ departure coincided with the widespread respect for Allen, because people began to see just how much the QB can do for his team. The only thing he hasn’t done, of course, is win a Super Bowl. If he does that, he’ll be the No. 1 guy on this list — and perhaps even for years to come.

Myles Garrett won Defensive Player of the Year in 2025 after setting the NFL’s single-season sack record. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

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Auman: Garrett was a unanimous Defensive Player of the Year winner last year with the Browns after setting the NFL single-season record with 23 sacks. The thing is, he had only four sacks in his last six games, so now, joining a loaded Rams front, could he break his own record? He got 23 sacks despite Browns opponents being ahead often enough that they only passed 487 times, third-fewest of any team. The Rams, ahead much more, had opponents throw 102 more times than the Browns’ opponents, so that’s a ton more sack opportunities for the NFL’s best. 

Could we see a non-QB, non-offensive NFL MVP? If Garrett has the first 25-sack season in league history and the Rams win the NFC West, he’d have a compelling case to make for that.

 

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Country music icon Dolly Parton died on Tuesday at the age of 80. The legendary singer-songwriter was best known for her music and acting career in film and television, but was also very involved in the sports world, from the NFL to the Olympics.

Here are some Dolly Parton’s best sports moments:

Thanksgiving Halftime Show

Parton was the halftime show performer for the Thanksgiving game between the Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Commanders in Dallas in 2023.

The 11-time Grammy winner performed a memorable halftime show where she some of her most popular hits like “Jolene” and “9-5,” and covers of “We Will Rock You” and “We Are The Champions” by Queen. To tie in the Cowboys, Parton donned the iconic Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader uniform.

The Dollywood Race Car

Parton also made an impact on the motorsports world, as she sponsored NASCAR driver Tyler Reddick’s car for the 2019 Alsco 300 NASCAR Xfinity Series in Bristol, Tennessee. 

Reddick went along in his Parton-themed car and took pictures in a curly blonde wig to highlight the singer. The No. 2 Chevrolet was a pink and white car that featured Parton’s face on the hood and “Dollywood” on the side, primarily to promote her record company.

(Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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2024 Paris Olympics

Parton found her way to the international sports stage, and collaborated with NBCUniversal for a promo music video ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. 

The music video featured high-profile athletes like gymnasts Suni Lee and Simone Biles and swimmer Katie Ledecky and a combined rendition of her covers, “We Will Rock You” and “We are the Champions.”

Dollywood Comes To New York

Parton paid a visit to Yankee Stadium in New York City in 1987, where she met up with players in the Yankee’s iconic pinstripe uniform. The team even presented Parton with an official team jacket and hat. 

Her famous visit and day spent with the team was used later in her television show, “Dolly.” Most famously, Parton posed for a picture with former Yankees stars including Ron Guirdry, Mike Pagliarulo, Dave Righetti and Rick Cerone. 

‘Rocky Top’ At Neyland Stadium

It’s only appropriate that Parton — a Nashville native — sang at one of Tennessee’s most iconic stadiums: Neyland Stadium. Parton performed Tennessee’s famous “Rocky Top” ahead of the Tennessee vs. Georgia rivalry in 2023. 

What made her performance even more Tennessee-like was being escorted out by a Tennessee football legend, Peyton Manning. 

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One of Tuesday’s biggest MLB matchups features two National League contenders, as the Los Angeles Dodgers visit the Atlanta Braves for a three-game series.

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A day after parting ways with general manager Dana Brown, Houston Astros owner Jim Crane addressed the move and said manager Joe Espada will remain in the role for the remainder of the season.

Before opening a three-game series against the Yankees on Tuesday, the Astros moved on from Brown, whose contract was set to expire at the end of the season. The team described the decision as mutual. Houston announced senior adviser Jeff Bagwell and assistant general managers Charles Cook, Gavin Dickey and Connor Huff will take over Brown’s responsibilities, while Crane will oversee baseball operations during the transition.

“There’s no good time for any of that, you know, when you let someone go,” Crane said outside the Houston clubhouse. “Just out of respect for Dana, we thought that was a time that would give him a little space to regroup. He’s a great talent. He’s been in the business a long time to get settled and to get back to work somewhere else.”

Brown was hired in January 2023 and succeeded James Click, who was fired six days after Houston won its second World Series title.

“We worked together very closely for three and a half years,” Espada said. “He gave me the opportunity to be manager of this team. It was tough. It was a tough conversation, but he was grateful for the opportunity and I’m grateful for our relationship and how we grind through this together, but it was emotional. It was a lot of emotions behind our conversation.”

Brown helped the Astros reach a seventh straight ALCS, which they lost in seven games to the Texas Rangers. Houston lost in a wild-card series to Detroit in 2024 and last season missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016 when it finished three games behind Seattle in the AL West and lost a tiebreaker with the Tigers for final wild-card spot.

“Not everybody’s been able to do it, that’s a good run,” Crane said. “We hope to keep that going. We had a little hiccup last year where we didn’t make the playoffs but we’re right there. I think some few adjustments we can get back to that and some good decisions. Certainly you got to keep working on it but the expectation that I have is that we’re in the playoffs every year. It’s hard to win every year, but to get there.”

The Astros began this year 20-31 but were only 5 1/2 games out of first place in a weak AL West on May 20. Houston (65-66) recovered to win 40 of its next 66 games through a 6-3 win over San Diego on Aug. 7 but entered Tuesday with nine losses in 14 games, including four to the Angels and A’s, though Crane said that performance did not influence his decision to dismiss Brown.

“That didn’t have anything to do with it,” Crane said. “We’re focused on winning the AL, winning the division and that’s our focus but that didn’t have anything to do with it.”

Espada was promoted from bench coach after the 2023 season when Dusty Baker retired. He helped the Astros recover from a 12-24 start to win their seventh AL West crown in eight seasons in 2024 and began Tuesday with a 240-214 record.

“I don’t know where that got mixed up, but that’s the same answer I gave since the first of the year,” Crane said. “We told him we’d deal with that at the end of the season and we’ve never changed that answer all year long.”

Before Crane addressed reporters for nearly 10 minutes, he met with Espada.

“Focus on winning today, that’s how I left that,” Espada said. “My responsibility is to lead this team. We have a very important stretch of games here. So I walk out of our office ready to go.”

Reporting by the Associated Press.

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