Sports
Week 4 NFL Capsules
Sep 20, 2020; Inglewood, California, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is sacked by Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa (97) during the third quarter at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images New Orleans Saints (2-1) at Atlanta Falcons (1-2), 1 p.m. ET
New Orleans lost for the first time last week as the Eagles made the Saints’ offense appear mortal following thrashings of the Panthers and Cowboys. Scoring (34.3 points per game) wasn’t an issue for the Saints in the first two games of the season. They match up with NFC South rival Atlanta for the first time since the Falcons hired Raheem Morris and signed QB Kirk Cousins in the offseason. Cousins, who last week cleared 40,000 career passing yards, has 13 touchdowns and two interceptions in his five career starts against the Saints. Derek Carr had four TD passes and a passer rating of 145.5 in the last meeting with the Falcons.
Cincinnati Bengals (0-3) at Carolina Panthers (1-2), 1 p.m. ET
First-year coach Carolina Dave Canales made the painful decision to bench 2023 No. 1 pick Bryce Young after an abysmal start to the season. The decision proved poignant with a one-sided win over the Raiders with 36-year-old Andy Dalton passing for 319 yards and three TDs. RB Chuba Hubbard, who had 169 yards from scrimmage against Las Vegas, found wide running lanes behind Carolina’s rebuilt offensive line. Canales is stressing a physical, run-first approach to open the passing attack, which lost Adam Thielen to a hamstring injury. He was placed on injured reserve this week. The Bengals have no QB concerns with Joe Burrow completing 70.9 percent of his passes with five TDs and no interceptions, but Cincinnati is ending a treacherous September with the Baltimore Ravens up next week to kick off October.
Los Angeles Rams (1-2) at Chicago Bears (1-2), 1 p.m. ET
Los Angeles is fighting through a rash of injuries to key personnel and scored a win over the 49ers to avoid an 0-3 start last week. The Bears are averaging 17.7 points per game and their only win came in a Week 1 showing in which the offense didn’t score a touchdown and produced 148 total yards. Pass protection remains a focus on either side and the Bears are expected to weigh changes at guard as early as this week. Rookie QB Caleb Williams has four interceptions and was sacked 13 times in the first three games. Rams QB Matthew Stafford (sacked 10 times this season) is pushing for Los Angeles to get the offense going early after scoring 13 total points in the first half of the first three games. Each side said it would emphasize the running game. Rams RB Kyren Williams is averaging 3.0 yards per carry after gaining 5.0 yards per attempt last season.
Minnesota Vikings (3-0) at Green Bay Packers (2-1), 1 p.m. ET
At 3-0, the Vikings are proving potent on either side of the ball, allowing 10 points per game with at least five sacks in the first three games of the season. The Vikings would become the first team in NFL history to record 5-plus sacks in the first four games if they get to the Green Bay quarterback at that volume this week. The Packers are expected to let Jordan Love return to action after recovering from a knee injury incurred Week 1. Love had four total touchdowns (one rushing) in his last meeting against Brian Flores’ Minnesota defense. But head coach Matt LaFleur said the level of disguise evident in the scheme this season ratchets up the challenge — and potential headaches — another notch. Did we mention the Vikings are scoring at will, too? In his fourth NFL stop, QB Sam Darnold appears to be the ideal fit in Kevin O’Connell’s offense. He has eight touchdowns and a 67.9 completion percentage with former Packers RB Aaron Jones delivering as an every-down back. He gained 148 yards from scrimmage last week.
Jacksonville Jaguars (0-3) at Houston Texans (2-1), 1 p.m. ET
In Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson’s words, the time for speeches is over in Jacksonville as perspiration builds over a winless September and QB Trevor Lawrence’s streak of eight consecutive starts without a victory. Jacksonville could put itself back in the AFC South division race with a win at Houston, where QB C.J. Stroud has been close to flawless: 9 TDs (8 pass, 1 rush) vs. 0 INTs with a 113.5 rating in his past five home starts. Stroud hasn’t thrown an interception in six career division starts and the Jaguars’ spongy secondary has been user-friendly, a key reason they’ve allowed 28.3 points per game this season. That’s a suspected trouble spot with Houston throwing out a triple-threat at wide receiver that now includes Stefon Diggs with Tank Dell and Nico Collins. Diggs had 10 receptions for 123 yards while playing for the Bills against Jacksonville last season. Acquired via trade, Diggs had 10 catches for 94 yards last week. Collins leads the NFL in receiving with 338 yards and had 7-104-1 in his last outing against Jacksonville.
Pittsburgh Steelers (3-0) at Indianapolis Colts (1-2)
The challenge with Anthony Richardson is multifaceted, starting with the fact that he’s 6-foot-4, 244 pounds and runs a 40 in the 4.4s. The Colts QB has 118 rushing yards but his six interceptions have been detrimental to delivering late in games this season. The stingy Steelers’ defense gives up only 8.7 points per game and makes life difficult on young quarterbacks. Steelers All-Pro linebacker T.J. Watt had two sacks in the last meeting with Indianapolis and is one of two players in the AFC with a sack in each of the first three games this season (Von Miller, Bills). Watt has 99.5 career sacks and would become the fourth player (since 1982) with 100 sacks in his first eight seasons. To slow down Watt and the Steelers’ often-confounding LB blitz packages, Richardson runs plenty of RPOs (run-pass option) and has good rapport with slot receiver Josh Downs and emerging deep threat Alec Pierce. Pierce is averaging 25 yards per catch with two touchdowns. Russell Wilson (calf) isn’t expected to be available for the fourth consecutive game. QB Justin Fields hit a 90-plus passer rating in all three starts and is one of only five starters in the league in that category.
Denver Broncos (1-2) at New York Jets (2-1), 1 p.m. ET
Rookie QB Bo Nix helped the Broncos knock off the Buccaneers in Tampa last week and Denver spent the week at Greenbrier Resort plotting a way to attack the New York Jets. Nix dukes it out with one of his football idols in Aaron Rodgers, who was a legal driver when Nix was born. Rodgers has the Jets climbing after an opening loss to the 49ers. The schedule ahead is more daunting for New York with matchups upcoming against three currently undefeated teams: the Vikings in London, the Bills in primetime and the Steelers. Rodgers has been sacked five times this season and the Broncos bring an underrated defensive front that ranks among league leaders in four-man pressures (no blitz) in 2024. Denver tries to spark a running game that might find daylight considering the Jets allow 4.8 yards per carry and 129 rushing yards per game this season. That could mean more of Tyler Badie, who had 70 rushing yards last week. Nix has a rushing touchdown in two of the first three games.
Philadelphia Eagles (2-1) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1), 1 p.m. ET
If there’s one team Jalen Hurts doesn’t want to see coming, it could very well be the Buccaneers. Off to an uneven start with four interceptions but a 70.6 completion percentage, Hurts and the Eagles bowed out of the playoffs on the same field at Tampa in January. The health of his wide receivers was worrisome late in the week and A.J. Brown has missed the past two games. Hurts might need to use his legs, but that’s not a problem historically. He’s one rushing touchdown from tying Hall of Famer Steve Young (43) for third all-time in quarterback rushing TDs. With his primary receivers hurt, Hurts leaned on TE Dallas Goedert (10 catches, 170 yards) last week, and RB Saquon Barkley had 147 rushing yards in his second two-TD game of the season. Barkley leads the NFL in rushing with 351 yards. Baker Mayfield went for 337 yards and three touchdown passes in the wild-card win over the Eagles in January. Will his protection hold up this week? Mayfield was sacked seven times in last weekend’s stunning 26-7 home loss to the previously winless Denver Broncos. For the second straight week, he threw for fewer than 200 yards and tossed an interception. The Buccaneers have won five of the past six meetings.
Washington Commanders (2-1) at Arizona Cardinals (1-2), 4:05 p.m. ET
Commanders coach Dan Quinn said it should no longer be a surprise when rookie QB Jayden Daniels “balls out,” which was a fair description of his Week 3 effort: 91.3 completion percentage — best ever by a rookie in NFL history — 293 total yards and three TDs on “Monday Night Football,” a coming-out party of sorts for the No. 2 pick in the 2024 draft. His season completion percentage sits at 80.3 percent and his passer rating of 111.8 is fourth in the league. Daniels takes the show on the road Sunday with WR Terry McLaurin coming off of his best game of the season, a 100-yard effort capped with a clinching 27-yard TD grab. Cardinals QB Kyler Murray knows a little something about the expectations facing Daniels as a former No. 1 pick. Murray and top rookie WR Marvin Harrison Jr. are forming a strong rapport, and the receiver is going for his third consecutive game with a TD grab. He’ll likely be targeted more frequently with the Cardinals ruling out TE Trey McBride.
New England Patriots (1-2) at San Francisco 49ers (1-2), 4:05 p.m. ET
Jordan Mason (324 rushing yards) and Jauan Jennings (18 receptions, 276 yards, three touchdowns) are the unexpected statistical leaders for San Francisco while the 49ers navigate uncertain injury situations with multiple players, including reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year Christian McCaffrey. McCaffrey hasn’t suited up yet this season, but the depth of playmakers on the roster is a problem the Patriots would fully embrace. Journeyman Jacoby Brissett operates a highly conservative, pass-if-you-must offense as the placeholder for first-round pick Drake Maye. Brissett averages 122.3 passing yards per game using backs and tight ends as his primary outlets. While the road team has won four consecutive games in this series, the 49ers arrive to the Week 4 matchup angry. Pass rusher Nick Bosa put teammates on notice this week, demanding a better showing considering the October schedule includes the Chiefs, Cowboys and undefeated NFC West foe Seattle. Bosa has 2.0 of the 49ers’ 8.0 sacks this season.
Kansas City Chiefs (3-0) at Los Angeles Chargers (2-1), 4:25 p.m. ET
Welcome to the AFC West rivalry, Jim Harbaugh. Los Angeles was shaken in its first loss of the season at Pittsburgh last week with QB Justin Herbert at less than full strength and fighting a high-ankle sprain. With a bye in Week 5, the Chargers could surprise by resting Herbert. But the expectation is the opposite as Herbert attempts to beat Patrick Mahomes after losing the past five meetings. Mahomes has been picked off four times this season and the Chargers are more than capable of electrifying the pocket. Harbaugh’s defense ranks in the top 10 in rush defense, pass defense and total defense while allowing 11.0 points per game in 2024. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid rolled his eyes at the narrative TE Travis Kelce is washed. Kelce could very well be in line for a get-right game. In his past five starts against the Chargers, he has 40 catches for 640 yards (128 per game) and six TDs. Chargers second-year WR Quentin Johnston has three TD catches, and RB J.K. Dobbins leads the AFC in rushing with 310 yards.
Cleveland Browns (1-2) at Las Vegas Raiders (1-2), 4:25 p.m. ET
Whether these teams ponder a more lasting move with their current passers might depend on the performance in Sunday’s game. Raiders QB Gardner Minshew was benched for the final drive in a 36-22 home loss to the Carolina Panthers after throwing an interception in the fourth quarter. Aidan O’Connell took over and orchestrated a late 13-play, 70-yard touchdown drive. Browns QB Deshaun Watson continues to struggle amid a revamped offense and absorbed eight sacks during a 21-15 loss to the visiting New York Giants. Watson came out of the game fine physically, although the rough afternoon could bring about trust issues. The Raiders gave up 437 yards, including 306 passing, and allowed four touchdowns to a team that was in the midst of a change from Bryce Young to Andy Dalton. Cleveland is 31st in the NFL in total offense and 30th in passing. Watson’s rough day for the Browns came as his offensive line was in flux all around him. Pro Bowl guard Wyatt Teller (knee) was just placed on injured reserve, while tackles Jedrick Wills Jr. (knee) and James Hudson III (knee) left Sunday’s game with injuries.
Buffalo Bills (3-0) at Baltimore Ravens (1-2), 8:20 p.m. ET
Lamar Jackson leads all quarterbacks with 254 rushing yards this season and the Ravens are not ready to ask him to limit his risk. Josh Allen leads the NFL with a 133.7 passer rating, completing 75 percent of his passes with seven TDs and no interceptions. Allen also has two rushing touchdowns as the Bills look for him to protect his body. Buffalo’s defense has helped allay concerns about Allen needing to run the ball to move the chains, allowing 20 total points in wins the past two weeks over the Dolphins and Jaguars. By building big leads, the Bills have six takeaways and 11.0 sacks behind a rejuvenated Von Miller (3.0). The Ravens got their first win of the season at Dallas last week and have successfully taken away the run with an average of 50 rushing yards allowed in 2024. But quarterbacks are averaging 291 passing yards against Baltimore, which has been outscored 39-17 in the fourth quarter.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Jenny Shin inches closer to first LPGA Tour win in 10 years
Jun 19, 2025; Frisco, Texas, USA; Jenny Shin plays her shot from the 18th tee during the first round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images Jenny Shin carded a 1-under-par 71 on Saturday to maintain her five-stroke lead heading into the final round of the Women’s Scottish Open in North Ayrshire.
Shin recorded two birdies and a bogey at Dundonald Links on Saturday to ascend to 12-under 204 for the tournament.
The 33-year-old South Korean is bidding for her first LPGA Tour win since capturing the now-defunct Volunteers of America Texas Shootout 10 years ago. The last LPGA Tour player to go 10 or more years between official victories was Vicki Fergon, who went 12 years and three months between wins at the 1984 S&H Golf Classic and the 1996 Michelob Light Heartland Classic.
“I’ve never been in this position (a five-shot lead), so I don’t know how to feel (on Sunday),” Shin said. “I’m going to go and practice for a little bit and get a good feel for tomorrow so I’m not such a mess in the morning.”
Shin made a birdie on the sixth hole and answered a bogey on the 10th hole by making another birdie on No. 11.
“That was a very tough round. I was quite nervous for the first five holes, so I’m really glad that I was able to finish the day in red numbers,” she said. “It was a pretty boring and nerve-wracking day at the same time.”
“That was a bit of a hiccup on No. 10. I changed my setup this week because of all the wind and out of habit, I lined up the putt and went back to my old setup. I shut the face. I knew what I was doing, so I was able to get back pretty easily.”
Shin holds a five-stroke lead over Thailand’s Pajaree Anannarukarn, who had three birdies during her bogey-free round of 69.
“I would say almost everything went well,” Anannarukarn said. “I was driving the ball well and hitting it good out there. The putter was very hot today, so that was the key. It was a challenging day, and also, at the same time, I had good fun battling with the wind. It was a great day out there.”
Japan’s Erika Hara (71 on Saturday) and Germany’s Esther Henseleit (73) sit at 5 under for the tournament.
Despite her troubles, Henseleit said she wasn’t going to press as she attempts to record her first win since joining the LPGA Tour in 2020.
“It’s really hard to press on this golf course, to be honest. Just no matter like if you want to take birdie or par, you kind of have to hit the same shots because they are the only possible shots,” Henseleit said.
“So I don’t think my game plan really changed, and yeah, I’m just trying to do my thing out there and hopefully tomorrow I can hit a few close and make some putts.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Course management sets up Lucas Herbert for wire-to-wire effort at LIV UK
Jul 17, 2026; Southport, ENG; Lucas Herbert plays a shot on the 18th hole during the second round of The Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Birkdale. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images Lucas Herbert maintained his lead through three rounds of LIV Golf United Kingdom on Saturday and will carry a three-shot advantage into the final round as he bids for a wire-to-wire victory at Rocester, England.
Herbert shot a 3-under-par 69 in the third round and is at 20 under for the tournament to maintain an advantage over Bryson DeChambeau, who was at 4 under Saturday and is at 17 under through three rounds.
“Look, I enjoy it; I enjoy being in the lead,” said Herbert, who won in May at LIV Golf Virginia. “It’s been awesome to play with Bryson the last couple days and get to play with him again tomorrow. It’s a great energy out there. Any time when you’re in the lead you get good energy. … I think maybe playing under pressure brings the best out of me.”
England’s Tyrrell Hatton (67) was alone in third place at 15 under, while Australia’s Cameron Smith (66) was alone in fourth place at 14 under. A two-way tie for fifth at 13 under included Harold Varner III (68) and Mexico’s Abraham Ancer (65).
After scorching the JCB Golf and Country Club course with an 11 under in the opening round, Herbert was far more conservative in the third round when he opened with seven consecutive pars. He closed the front nine with consecutive birdies at Nos. 8 and 9.
After a bogey 5 at No. 11, Herbert closed with a pair of birdies over his last seven holes, including a birdie 3 at 18 when he put a 132-yard second shot to inside of 7 feet from the hole.
“I am going to do my best just to stick to what I’m doing, try and make as many putts as I can,” Herbert said. “I wasn’t happy with my (putting) speed out there. I was a little tentative today. That’s not going to happen tomorrow. I am going to make sure I get the ball to the hole and get a lot more chances.”
Herbert acknowledged the challenge of trying to close out the victory against a trio of proven players in DeChambeau, Hatton and Smith.
DeChambeau put himself in line for his third victory of the season, and first since March at South Africa, with five birdies and a bogey in the third round.
DeChambeau’s lone hiccup came at the par-5 10th hole when he sent his third shot just over the green and missed a 13-foot putt for par. He improved his round with a pair of birdies over the final three holes.
“I played some good golf,” said DeChambeau, who gained a stroke on Herbert during the round. “I felt like I could have had a couple things go a couple different ways, but the birdies on 16 and 17 were huge for tomorrow.”
Hatton, a fan favorite for the week while in his home country, made an early charge with three birdies over his first four holes, but the run was interrupted by a bogey 6 at No. 6. He rebounded with a pair of birdies to close his front nine then had another bogey 6 at No. 10. He was 1 over on the day at the four par-5 holes.
With windy conditions expected for the final round, Hatton knows there will be additional challenges ahead.
“It’s quite quirky out there, so it’s easy to get a little bit unlucky with some of the slopes,” Hatton said. “And you don’t really have to do too much wrong to drop shots. We’ll see how it goes. Either way, I think just focusing on my side, just trying to play another good round of golf, whatever the weather.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Lionel Messi (rest) officially ruled out of MLS All-Star Game
May 17, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) reacts against the Portland Timbers during the second half at Nu Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi was one of four players officially ruled out of Wednesday’s MLS All-Star Game at Charlotte, N.C., as the Argentina star continues to recover from a run to the World Cup Final.
Also on Saturday, Hugo Cuypers, Rodrigo De Paul, Mbekezeli Mbokazi were ruled out of the All-Star Game, which will match the best of MLS against the top players from Mexico’s LIGA MX.
Cuypers earned his All-Star spot with his play for the Chicago Fire, but he was transferred to Mexico’s CF Monterrey on Thursday. De Paul, an Inter Miami midfielder, will follow Messi’s lead and bow out of Wednesday’s festivities after playing for Argentina in the World Cup.
Mbokazi, a defender from the Chicago Fire, was ruled out with a lower body injury. The South Africa native also appeared in this summer’s World Cup.
To replace the foursome, Inter Miami midfielder Yannick Bright, Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Andres Cubas, Houston Dynamo forward Guilherme and Fire forward Philip Zinckernagel all were named All-Stars on Saturday.
Bright has guided Inter Miami to a 9-2-1 record in his 12 starts this season, while Cubas has three assists in 12 matches for the Whitecaps. Guilherme has eight goals and five assists in his first season with the Dynamo, while Zinckernagel has five goals and seven assists for the Fire.
–Field Level Media
Jenny Shin inches closer to first LPGA Tour win in 10 years
Charlize Theron's Forgotten R-Rated Thriller Gets Second Life On Streaming
