Sports
Josh Allen, 2-0 Bills take aim at struggling Jaguars
Oct 8, 2023; London United Kingdom, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) carries the ball against Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Josh Allen (41) during the first half of an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images The matchup of the two Josh Allens has a different ring to it this season.
In fact, this time there will officially be just one on the field when the Buffalo Bills battle the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday night in Orchard Park, N.Y.
The Bills’ quarterback still goes by the name, but the star Jacksonville defender who dominated the 2021 matchup now goes by Josh Hines-Allen. The change was made to honor the maternal side of his family.
Rest assured that Buffalo’s Allen won’t be confused by the change in identity when the Bills bid for a 3-0 start for the first time since 2020. He knows exactly who to look for on every snap.
“Anytime you get a D-end like that, they present problems,” Allen said Thursday of Hines-Allen, who had a career-high 17.5 sacks last season. “The motor that he has, he doesn’t let up. He finds ways to continue to get to the quarterback.
“He’s one of the premier edge rushes in the league and we have to be aware of him at all times.”
Jacksonville upset the Bills 9-6 in 2021 and Hines-Allen was a terror against the man whose name he once shared. He had an interception, recovered a fumble by Allen and notched a sack.
Hines-Allen is 2-0 in the head-to-head matchups with Allen, as the Jaguars also defeated the Bills last season, 25-20 in London.
This time, Jacksonville (0-2) is struggling entering the contest while Buffalo is riding high after a 31-10 road thumping of the Miami Dolphins.
Allen has thrown three touchdown passes in just 42 throws and the Bills rank third in the NFL in scoring offense at 32.5 points per game.
The offense is clicking despite the offseason trade of receiver Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans. Two other key performers also departed and now play for the Jaguars — center Mitch Morse and wideout Gabe Davis.
“Two guys that I’ve spent a lot of time with over the last few years here,” Allen said. “Two guys that mean a lot to me, not just football-wise. I consider them real close friends. … Takes a lot to win in this league, and they were two huge contributors over the last several years.”
The Jaguars are looking to avoid their first 0-3 start since losing their first five games under Urban Meyer in 2021. They are also trying to ignite a sagging offense that is tied for 27th in scoring at 15 points per game.
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence received a five-year, $275 million extension in the offseason, but his play has been largely lethargic this year. He is completing just 51 percent of his throws, and he went 14-of-30 passing with four sacks during last Sunday’s 18-13 home loss to the Cleveland Browns.
“We can’t hit the panic button, but we’ve got to have some real conversations,” Lawrence said. “We’ve got too good of a team to come out here and perform two weeks in a row like this. I mean, these games are precious and you don’t get them back, and we’re 0-2 to start the year and it’s not going to get any easier. We’d better fix it quick.”
Hines-Allen sees an opportunity for the Jaguars to begin a turnaround.
“We’re down 0-2 right now, everybody’s going to count us out,” Hines-Allen said. “Playing against a good team — 2-0 — we’re coming in there with our backs against the wall and coming out fighting. I’m excited about that — and not (playing) in the cold.”
Allen (left hand) was a full practice participant on Thursday. The only Bills to sit out were linebacker Terrel Bernard (pectoral) and cornerback Taron Johnson (forearm), two players who will miss the game.
Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (hamstring) didn’t practice Thursday. He was injured in pregame warmups prior to the Cleveland game.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Justin Rose, others enter PGA fray with 65s on easier Aronimink
May 16, 2026; Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, USA; Justin Rose prepares to putt on the 14th green during the third round of the PGA Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. — The PGA Championship saw exactly one round of 65 and one 66 over the course of the first two rounds at Aronimink Golf Club.
Before 2 p.m. local time Saturday, three players had posted 5-under 65s: Chris Kirk, Norway’s Kristoffer Reitan and Englishman Justin Rose.
Another low round was in the works, as Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland had six birdies and one bogey through 15 holes to tie the 36-hole leaders at 4 under par.
After two days of conversation about untenable pin locations and surprisingly challenging conditions, Aronimink Golf Club was open for business on a sunny Saturday afternoon in the Philadelphia suburbs.
Kirk, in fact, was one birdie away from shooting the sixth round of 62 in major championship history. After leaving his approach at No. 18 short of the green, though, he took out his putter and sent his ball 8 1/2 feet past the pin. He failed to save par, then his short comebacker hit the lip and a gasp ran through the crowd as Kirk carded his double-bogey 6.
“When I’m not playing particularly well, I tend to play more conservative. When I’m having a nice day and making putts, I’m going to try to keep the pedal down as long as I can,” Kirk said. “I was trying to make that putt from the front fringe on 18. It just doesn’t always work out that way.”
You’d forgive him for being aggressive. Kirk, Reitan and Rose each started the day 3 over par for the championship, inside the cut line by one stroke. They needed to put the “move” in “moving day.”
“I’m hoping the lead doesn’t stretch more than 6 or 7 (under),” Rose said. “That’s kind of what I’m kind of sitting here hoping. I think, if you don’t get off to a fast start, then you’re going to kind of get to, let’s say, the seventh hole, eighth hole, and you’re going to be like, geez, you know the easy holes are running out.”
To wit, Kirk and Rose did most of their damage on the front nine. Rose went out in 5-under 30 with birdies at Nos. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 9. Kirk had five birdies in a six-hole stretch before bogeying the tough par-3 eighth.
Reitan got to 65 another way — he eagled the par-4 13th and par-5 16th holes. The PGA of America moved up the tee at No. 13 Saturday, making it a drivable 292 yards; Reitan’s tee shot hit the pin with some momentum before settling to 6 feet for an easy eagle.
The 28-year-old Norwegian just won last week’s Truist Championship for his first PGA Tour title. He, Rose and Kirk agreed on the two main factors making Aronimink scorable today: pin positions that are less diabolical, and warmer weather with less wind than Thursday and Friday.
“I think they’re probably halfway responsible, both of those two factors,” Reitan said, before warning that the weather may not stay that way all afternoon.
“I don’t know how it’s going to look like this afternoon, but happy to get out early and try to take — or take advantage of the early morning conditions.”
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler called the PGA of America’s pin locations “absurd” Friday, adding that he felt they are the toughest he’s seen since turning pro. Some were positioned on small shelves within a green or on a tricky slope.
“Pin locations is a big difference, for sure,” Kirk said Saturday. “There’s a handful of really tough ones out there still, but for the most part, they’re much, much more accessible than they have been the last few days.
“It is warming up, and I think that makes a big difference,” Rose added. “Suddenly the ball is going a bit further. I think players feel a little bit better in T-shirts, and the body works a bit better, people start hitting the ball a little bit further.”
Second-round leaders Maverick McNealy and Alex Smalley are scheduled to tee off at 2:40 p.m. local time. Others making a move up the leaderboard in the meantime were Xander Schauffele (4 under for his round, 3 under for tournament) and Spaniard Jon Rahm (-3, -2).
–Adam Zielonka, Field Level Media
Sports
Nashville SC surging ahead of visit from fading LAFC
Apr 18, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Nashville SC forward Hany Mukhtar (10) kicks the ball to a teammate during the game against the Atlanta United during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images Nashville SC will be out to build on their Eastern Conference lead when they play host to Los Angeles FC on Sunday night.
Nashville SC (8-1-3, 27 points) entered the weekend atop the Eastern Conference, two points ahead of Inter Miami. One of the stingiest sides around, the club has conceded only eight goals, tied with Seattle for fewest in MLS at the start of Saturday’s play.
Like elite teams do, Nashville is getting contributions from everywhere. With central midfielders Eddi Tagseth and Patrick Yazbek sidelined due to injury Wednesday at New England, replacement Bryan Acosta stepped in and delivered two goals during a 3-0 victory.
Both goals Acosta were assisted by Cristian Espinoza, whose acquisition from the San Jose Earthquakes in the offseason provided another dangerous player to go along with Sam Surridge, Hany Mukhtar and Warren Madrigal. The foursome has combined for 20 goals and 15 assists.
Nashville SC coach B.J. Callaghan said Mukhtar, who’s been with the club since its first match in 2020, continues to lead the way.
“He’s just been so selfless in doing a lot of work to open up the opportunities for other guys,” Callaghan said.
LAFC (6-4-3, 21 points) fell 2-1 at St. Louis City SC on Wednesday for their first loss to the four-year old franchise. LAFC owned an 18-7 advantage in shots but got only four toward net and marked poorly in key situations, allowing defenders to log both St. Louis City goals.
First-year LAFC coach Marc Dos Santos said his team is worn down physically from playing twice a week since the season started in late February because of CONCACAF Champions Cup commitments.
“None of our players right now are at 100% and it’s just a reality that we’re facing,” said Dos Santos, whose team is winless over its last four matches across all competitions. “Sometimes, there are moments that are just difficult for a team and don’t go your way. Right now, we’re in a moment like that.”
LAFC forward Hueng-Min Son remains without a goal in 11 league matches (10 starts) this season but does have eight assists.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Offensively inconsistent Storm to meet defensively challenged Fever
May 13, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Seattle Storm center Dominique Malonga (14) goes up to make a basket against Toronto Tempo guard Brittney Sykes (20) during the first half at Coca-Cola Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images The Seattle Storm are having troubles on the offensive end, with a chance to find the bottom of the net more often when they face the Indiana Fever on Sunday night in Indianapolis.
The Fever continue to be concerned about their defense.
“We’ve got to be able to defend all the time,” Fever guard Caitlin Clark said. “When things aren’t going well, we’ve still got to find a way to defend. There’s an opportunity for us to improve in that area.”
The Storm (1-2) are wrapping up a three-game road stretch that most recently included Wednesday’s 86-73 loss to the expansion Toronto Tempo.
After 19 turnovers, Seattle is addressing ball security.
“Cleaning up some of our spacing,” Storm coach Sonia Raman said. “There’s a lot of work to be done there, but I think this is a group that is ready to tackle that.”
Center Dominique Malonga has led Seattle in scoring in two of its three games. Malonga combined with center Stefanie Dolson for 15 of the team’s 27 made baskets against the Tempo.
“I think Dom and I just found openings where we could,” Dolson said. “We did our best to get (people) open. … We just have to build that chemistry together. It’s a young group. We don’t know how to play with each other completely yet.”
Storm starting forward Jordan Horston did not take a shot in 18 minutes during Wednesday’s game.
“She’s still trying to find her spots and where that offense is going to come from for her,” Raman said.
Indiana coach Stephanie White said there are times the Fever appear to be resting on defense, and that was a concern following Friday’s 104-102 overtime loss at home to the Washington Mystics.
“We put a lot of pressure on our offense to be perfect when we don’t consistently defend,” White said. “The energy has to be dictated at that end of the floor and that’s a mindset.”
The Fever rolled on offense in the fourth quarter by shooting 61.1% from the floor and getting a game-tying 3-pointer from Clark with 3.1 seconds remaining in regulation.
“We showed the ability to make tough shots,” White said. “We just have to have more of it consistently.”
Indiana’s Aliyah Boston had no field goals for the first time in her career on 0-for-3 shooting Wednesday at Los Angeles and then departed from Friday night’s game with a lower leg injury after nine points in 21 minutes.
–Field Level Media
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Justin Rose, others enter PGA fray with 65s on easier Aronimink
