Sports
Week 6 NFL Capsules


Jacksonville Jaguars (1-4) at Chicago Bears (3-2) in London, 9:30 a.m. ET
A two-week installment in London awaits the Jaguars following their first win of the season, which was also QB Trevor Lawrence’s first victory in 10 starts. The former No. 1 pick said he’s “comfortable” in England, where he led Jacksonville to a 2-0 record last season. The Bears introduce rookie No. 1 pick Caleb Williams to an international audience at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with a chance to stretch their winning streak to three games. Chicago hasn’t won three in a row since 2020, when Mitchell Trubisky, Allen Robinson II and David Montgomery played key roles in the Bears capping a three-game run by beating the Jaguars. The Bears have won three of the past four matchups with Jacksonville and are in a rush to establish two things offensively: the running game and a comfortable tempo for Williams. He’s been successful in no-huddle situations where defensive substitutions are strained or limited, and more prone to pitching the ball out to RB D’Andre Swift. The Jaguars can get to the quarterback. Chicago’s offensive line isn’t 100 percent and accounting for DE Josh Hines-Allen, who had 3.0 sacks and two forced fumbles in Jacksonville’s pair of London games in 2023, is a high priority.
Washington Commanders (4-1) at Baltimore Ravens (3-2), 1 p.m. ET
Resuscitated since an 0-2 start, the Ravens draw a regional rival playing with renewed confidence under coach Dan Quinn, thanks to the early success of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and a familiar offensive game plan. The Commanders are the first team since the 49ers in 1954 to score three rushing touchdowns four times in the first five games; the Ravens lead the NFL with 1,056 rushing yards. Commanders QB Jayden Daniels and Washington are No. 2 in the NFL in rushing with the Heisman Trophy-winner playing a massive role. He has 1,135 passing yards and 300 rushing yards — the most rushing yards by a quarterback in his first five career games in the Super Bowl era — and became the first player in NFL history with at least 1,000 passing yards and 250 rushing yards in his first five career games in leading Washington to a win over the Browns last week. The Commanders last started a season 4-1 in 2008; they finished 8-8. Baltimore escaped Cincinnati with an overtime win last week but nearly buckled to submission defensively. The Ravens have allowed at least 25 points in four of five games this season. They’ve allowed 14 touchdowns in five games after surrendering 24 offensive TDs in 17 games in 2023.
Arizona Cardinals (2-3) at Green Bay Packers (3-2), 1 p.m. ET
A revolving door of go-to receivers turned up a new name for Packers QB Jordan Love last week: TE Tucker Kraft. With Romeo Doubs serving a one-game suspension and Christian Watson on injured reserve, Kraft posted a career-high 88 yards with two TDs. Head coach Matt LaFleur loves the balance and said the Packers push the ball to all levels of the field to keep defenses guessing. Even with Doubs back, Kraft and emerging WR Dontayvion Wicks are expected to remain in the mix as Love looks for his 12th game in his past 13 starts with multiple TD passes. Arizona can win back-to-back road games if the Cardinals leave Lambeau Field with a win as they did last week at San Francisco. S Budda Baker had another double-digit tackle game for the Cardinals and leads defensive backs in tackles in 2024. Packers newcomer Xavier McKinney has been a top playmaker for Green Bay with five interceptions. The free agent signee from the Giants is the fourth player since 1970 with a takeaway in each of his team’s first five games of the season and one of four players since 1990 with an INT in six straight games. He’ll be challenged by Cardinals QB Kyler Murray, who had two TD passes and a season-best 83 rushing yards and another score last week.
Houston Texans (4-1) at New England Patriots (1-4), 1 p.m. ET
Drake Maye, the No. 3 pick in the 2024 draft, takes over at quarterback in his first start of the season as the Patriots try to scratch out more offense than they could muster with Jacoby Brissett under center. The Patriots have five touchdowns in five games in 2024. That was when Brissett could count on a running game; Rhamondre Stevenson (foot) has yet to practice this week. Maye will operate an offense without a defined lead receiver, behind an offensive line allowing nearly four sacks per game, against the NFL’s leading defense in QB pressures. The Texans relentlessly attacked Bills QB Josh Allen last week, prompting a 9-for-30 performance at Houston. QB C.J. Stroud could have the benefit of his No. 1 running back returning. Joe Mixon (ankle) hasn’t played since Week 1 and is on schedule to play just as the Texans placed No. 1 wide receiver Nico Collins on IR with a hamstring injury. Depth exists at the position, where the Texans can slide Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell into bigger roles. Stroud hasn’t thrown an interception in three consecutive road starts. He’s third in the NFL with 1,385 pass yards in 2024.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2) at New Orleans Saints (2-3), 1 p.m. ET
Spencer Rattler steps into the QB spot for the Saints with Derek Carr (oblique) hurt, marking only the second rookie starter at the position for New Orleans since 2000. Tasked with helping snap a three-game skid, Rattler shares the backfield with RB Alvin Kamara, who is tied for second in the NFL with 602 yards from scrimmage. Kamara is no stranger to big games against the Buccaneers and averages more than 100 total yards with eight total TDs in his six home games against Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers have been in town since Tuesday, vacating Florida ahead of Hurricane Milton, and won three of the past four meetings in the series. New Orleans enters on a short week after losing to the Chiefs on Monday night. The Bucs have had extra time to rest and prepare for this contest because their last game, a 36-30 overtime loss at Atlanta, occurred Oct. 3. Tampa Bay had a season-high 160 rushing yards in the game. The Bucs had a 24-17 halftime lead but got outscored 19-6 the rest of the way against the Falcons.
Cleveland Browns (1-4) at Philadelphia Eagles (2-2), 1 p.m. ET
Fourth-year coach Nick Sirianni looks to improve to 4-0 after a bye week with the Eagles, who alternated wins and losses in September. Since losing six of their last seven games in last season’s collapse, Philadelphia has yet to get back on track. The Eagles are just 13-10 (including the postseason) since Sirianni and Jalen Hurts won the NFC Championship Game in their second season together in 2022. Hurts turned the ball over 28 times in those 23 games, including seven times (four interceptions, three fumbles) already this season. Asked about the New York Jets’ firing this week of head coach Robert Saleh, Sirianni said he isn’t listening to the outside noise about his own job security. The Browns are riding a three-game losing streak and playing their third consecutive road game. The teams are meeting for the first time since 2020, a 22-17 home win by the Browns in head coach Kevin Stefanski’s first season in Cleveland. Stefanski is sticking with struggling signal-caller Deshaun Watson, who has more interceptions (12) than wins (nine) since the Browns gambled $230 million on a player who made three straight Pro Bowls with the Houston Texans from 2018-20. Injuries on the offensive line has meant Watson is under constant pressure. He has been sacked more times (26) than any other quarterback in the NFL. The Washington Commanders got him seven times in last weekend’s 34-13 romp.
Indianapolis Colts (2-3) at Tennessee Titans (1-3), 1 p.m. ET
Anthony Richardson (hip) is ready to jump back into the captain’s seat for the Colts, who lost at Jacksonville last week, and the Titans are likely to have Will Levis (shoulder) back in a meeting of AFC South teams trying to keep pace with the Houston Texans (4-1). Tennessee is coming off its bye week after giving first-year coach Brian Callahan his first win with a 31-12 victory at the Miami Dolphins on “Monday Night Football” Sept. 30, a game Levis exited in the first quarter. Like Richardson, running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) didn’t play at Jacksonville and top receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (back) is hurt. He has 22 receptions for 238 yards and one touchdown in five games this season. Richardson’s playmaking skills might be needed based on the recent performance on the Colts’ defense. Whether Indianapolis’ defense can offer any resistance remains to be seen. The Colts rank last in total defense (419.2 yards allowed per game), next-to-last against the run (157.0 yards per game) and 29th of 32 teams against the pass (262.2 yards per game). Jacksonville carved Indianapolis up for 497 total yards last week, including 371 through the air.
Los Angeles Chargers (2-2) at Denver Broncos (3-2), 4:05 p.m. ET
Los Angeles managed 16 total points in a pair of defeats against Denver last season, part of the reason the Chargers are under new management in 2024. New boss Jim Harbaugh steers a rested bunch into Week 6 following a bye week, wary of a battle plan from the Broncos that looks eerily familiar. Denver enjoyed home cooking last week, when the Broncos snapped an eight-game losing streak to the Raiders. The Broncos put up 34 points, their highest output in a game since beating the Lions 38-10 on Dec. 12, 2021, with a backfield of Teddy Bridgewater and Melvin Gordon. Defense is the common denominator in this AFC West contest. The Broncos have allowed 11.8 points per game since a Week 1 loss at Seattle and are tied for second in the NFL in scoring defense behind the Chargers’ NFL-leading 12.5 opponent points per game. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert welcomed the early bye week. He played through a high ankle sprain in consecutive losses before the Week 5 break as the Chargers reset in the midst of a stretch with two touchdowns in the past 10 quarters. The Steelers and Chiefs took away the running game that put up 395 yards to carry the offense during a 2-0 start. Production declined to 116 total yards in the defeats to Pittsburgh and Kansas City.
Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2) at Las Vegas Raiders (2-3), 4:05 p.m. ET
With WR Davante Adams expected to miss another game, the Raiders are switching it up at quarterback. Aidan O’Connell replaces Gardner Minshew; O’Connell has led the Raiders to a 4-2 record with eight touchdowns and two picks in six career starts at home. Minshew had two costly interceptions last week, including a 100-yard pick-6 by Patrick Surtain II at Denver. The Steelers dropped a second consecutive game since starting 3-0. Russell Wilson (calf) still hasn’t played, but Justin Fields has a career-best 97.1 passer rating in his first season in Pittsburgh. He has passed for 961 yards, five touchdowns and one interception, and he has rushed for 172 yards and three scores. Najee Harris is the Steelers’ top running back with 270 yards but only 3.3 yards per carry. George Pickens leads the team’s receivers with 23 catches for 310 yards. The Steelers’ T.J. Watt has 4.5 sacks in five games this season after tallying 19 sacks in 17 games last year. Watt surpassed 100 career sacks last week against the Cowboys. Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby can also change the game on defense. Crosby has five sacks in four games after notching 14.5 in 2023.
Atlanta Falcons (3-2) at Carolina Panthers (1-4), 4:25 p.m. ET
Atlanta hasn’t played since winning 36-30 in overtime against the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Oct. 3. The quest to show gains continues because margins have been tight. The Panthers have lost two games in a row, falling to 1-2 since Andy Dalton became the starting quarterback. Most recently, Carolina was decked in a 36-10 loss to the Bears and rookie QB Caleb Williams. Other than winning on the road against the Raiders on Sept. 22 and producing some good stretches against the Bengals the next week, the Panthers haven’t held up well. Carolina tries to slow Kirk Cousins, who has given the Falcons stability at quarterback. Cousins threw for a franchise-record 509 yards in the win over the Buccaneers. Drake London has caught 32 passes from Cousins, with three going for touchdowns. The Falcons lead the series with Carolina by 36-22, including 15-14 on the road. The teams split last year, with Atlanta taking the season opener at home 24-10 before the Panthers responded with a 9-7 home victory in December.
Detroit Lions (3-1) at Dallas Cowboys (3-2), 4:25 p.m. ET
Dallas has won five consecutive games against the Lions, none more controversial than the 20-19 victory at AT&T Stadium in 2023 when Detroit’s go-ahead two-point conversion pass to lineman Taylor Decker in the closing seconds was deemed to be an ineligible receiver infraction. The Dec. 30 defeat jostled the wild-card pecking order and clinched Dallas a home playoff game — which it promptly lost to the Green Bay Packers. The Cowboys are still looking for their first home win of the season but will need to find a way to do it without multiple key players available due to injury. Dak Prescott threw for 352 yards against the Steelers on Sunday night but he didn’t rely on his top receiver, All-Pro CeeDee Lamb. Jalen Tolbert led the receiving corps with seven receptions for 87 yards and the game-winning touchdown with 20 seconds left in regulation. Rico Dowdle sparked the running game with 87 yards on 20 carries. Lions QB Jared Goff completed all 18 of his pass attempts and Detroit beat the Seattle Seahawks before enjoying a bye during Week 5. The dynamic running game featuring Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery has the Cowboys concerned about getting their decimated defense off the field.
Cincinnati Bengals (1-4) at New York Giants (2-3), 8:20 p.m. ET
Bengals QB Joe Burrow set season highs in completions (30), completion percentage (76.9), passing yards (392), TDs (five) and passer rating (137) last week — then said Cincinnati can’t expect to compete for a championship. That’s because the Ravens scored last to win a 41-38 shootout. Whether the Giants can produce enough firepower to stay with the Bengals remains to be seen, but New York scored a significant win at Seattle last week. The Giants had a season-best 420 total yards against the Seahawks in a breakout game for rookie Tyrone Tracy (129 yards) with first-rounder Malik Nabers (concussion) and Devin Singletary (groin) out. Tracy could be prominent once more with Singletary not yet 100 percent and Nabers ruled out. The Bengals are finding ways to fumble away wins. Burrow threw a late interception in regulation and the special teams failed in overtime when holder Ryan Rehkow bobbled the snap on a potential 53-yard game-winning field goal. But the defense is lagging with losses in games in which the Bengals scored 38, 33 and 25 points this season. Cincinnati’s offense is fourth in points per game and has 16 total TDs. The Cincinnati defense is 31st in points allowed and has allowed 17 TDs.
–Field Level Media
Sports
A'ja Wilson has no shortage of motivation after Aces' early exit in '24


LAS VEGAS — Entering her eighth season in the WNBA, Las Vegas Aces superstar A’ja Wilson is poised to build on what was arguably the most dominant individual campaign in league history.
Wilson joined Cynthia Cooper (1997) as the second player in league history to win a unanimous MVP award and joined an exclusive club as the fourth player to win the award three times. She averaged 26.9 points and 11.9 rebounds per game last season and set the all-time single-season mark for points (1,021) and rebounds (451).
Unfortunately for Las Vegas, injuries and fatigue from their two previous championship runs mounted and resulted in the team’s worst regular-season record (27-13) since 2019. The Aces’ three-peat hopes ended with a 76-62 home loss to the New York Liberty to drop their semifinal series 3-1.
It’s that loss on her home floor that served as Wilson’s motivation this offseason.
“Losing sucks, especially on your home court,” Wilson said “It still kind of burns a little bit, but I’ve used that as fuel to help my teammates understand how hard it is to win in this league. Yes, we can celebrate the two championships. They were great. But for us to move forward, we have to understand how hard this league is and value the basketball and the little things. I think that’s what we lacked last season, so we’re going to make sure that we can show up better than we did.”
While the Aces appeared to be on top of the world heading into their potential three-peat campaign in 2024, the reality inside the locker room was that both the internal and external pressure to win another championship had become suffocating. A common theme across media day was the fact that the team feels less pressure entering the 2025 season, a sentiment Wilson shared as the unquestioned leader of the team.
“(Three-peat talks) obviously impacted us, because it’s like, y’all think we don’t want to win? We’re trying as well,” Wilson said.
“I would definitely say it’s refreshing this year. I feel like this is one of my only years where it feels like there’s no weight. There’s a lot of weight to be defending champs. It’s a lot of weight to be trying to win one. We don’t have that. We actually have a clean slate to really dial into getting back to who we are culturally, like, in our system and everything.”
Leading the Aces back to the top of the mountain for a third time in four years is one of a few historically significant achievements Wilson can collect this upcoming season. Wilson could also become the first four-time MVP in league history, though the meaning of that is something she hasn’t quite allowed herself to ponder yet.
“I haven’t given it much thought, but it would be a blessing to have my name in that conversation,” Wilson said. “Every year, I try to be better than I was the year before just to give myself a chance in this league. Because the league is getting better. We’re growing. At this point, you just want to maintain your stamina. You want to maintain your mental, all of that, because the season gets hard. I can’t think too much about that just yet, but I’m definitely going to try to be better than I was last year.”
As Aces coach Becky Hammon put it, fans can expect to see an even better version of Wilson this season.
“What I see is, she went and got better,” Hammon said. “Which is hard to do when you’re already the best, but it speaks to her work ethic, her desire and her mindset this whole offseason. We talked a lot this offseason. She’s a busy lady, but I can tell you what she always does is her workouts. She’s always getting her workouts in. That comes first and foremost, she never gets her priorities jumbled up.”
When Hammon was asked what a player like Wilson would possibly need to improve after last season’s campaign, the coach did not feel like revealing too much.
“There was (something for Wilson to improve), and she did,” Hammon said. “I’m not going to tell you what it was. Actually, there were two things.”
–Will Despart, Field Level Media
Sports
Jacob Wilson joins Aaron Judge in spotlight for Yankees-A's series


The top two hitters in the majors square off Friday night when the New York Yankees face the Athletics in the opener of a three-game series in Sacramento, Calif.
It’s no surprise to see Yankees star Aaron Judge off to a superb start after winning American League MVP honors last season. He has a major league-best .400 batting average and entered Thursday’s play tied for the big-league lead with 12 homers and 34 RBIs.
But who had Athletics rookie Jacob Wilson ranking second in the majors at .357 as the season nears the quarter pole? Wilson has played in just 64 career games and quickly has solidified himself as a future All-Star, perhaps even this season.
Sharing the marquee board with Judge seems quite surreal for the 23-year-old shortstop who was the No. 6 overall pick of the 2023 draft.
“It’s a great feeling, for sure,” Wilson said of his name being mentioned with Judge. “Obviously, everybody has seen what he is doing. It’s pretty incredible watching him do his thing on a daily basis. To be up there with him is pretty cool for me.
“I’m excited to play against him this week and see what it looks like in person.”
Wilson had his first career four-hit game during Wednesday’s 6-5 home loss against the Seattle Mariners and has six multi-hit outings in the past eight games. He went 8-for-14 with one game-winning hit in the three-game series against the Mariners and is 16-for-34 (.471) with four walks during the eight-game stretch.
The hot hitting led to Athletics manager Mark Kotsay moving Wilson to the leadoff spot on Wednesday. Kotsay indicated Wilson may be sticking at the top of the lineup.
“I think you’ll see Jacob up there now,” Kotsay said. “Jacob’s earned it. … Jacob has shown enough over the last week. He’s walking and taking pitches, and, obviously, swinging the bat really well.”
Judge arrives in Sacramento in the midst of a four-game funk in which he is 2-for-15.
The two-time MVP just went 1-for-10 in a three-game home series against the San Diego Padres, but the one hit was a homer.
Judge grew up 50 miles south of Sacramento in Linden and starred for Linden High but wasn’t highly sought by major league teams. The then-Oakland Athletics selected him in the 31st round in 2010.
Judge instead went the college route and starred for Fresno State. He was chosen in the first round (32nd overall) by the Yankees in the 2013 draft.
Trent Grisham was one of the heroes of Wednesday’s 4-3, 10-inning win over the Padres. He hit a tying two-run pinch-hit homer in the eighth inning.
Grisham had two homers and five RBIs in the series against the Padres — one of his former teams — and already has 10 long balls in just 89 at-bats. He hit just nine last season in 179 at-bats.
“I’m having fun with the guys, I would say that more than anything,” Grisham said. “The clubhouse is really good in here, led by Cap (Judge). So, I would say the guys have been the most enjoyable part.”
New York is starting right-hander Will Warren (1-2, 5.65 ERA) in Friday’s series opener. Right-hander Osvaldo Bido (2-2, 4.71) will be on the mound for the Athletics.
Warren, 25, struck out a career-high eight in 4 2/3 innings while losing to the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday. He gave up five runs (three earned) and seven hits. Warren hasn’t previously faced the Athletics.
Bido, 29, received a no-decision against the Miami Marlins last Saturday when he gave up four runs on three hits over five innings. He is winless (0-1) over his last three starts. Bido hasn’t faced the Yankees.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao coming out of retirement


Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao plans to end his retirement and return to the ring on July 19 against Mario Barrios in Las Vegas, ESPN reported Thursday.
Pacquiao, 46, will be fighting for the first time since losing a unanimous decision to Yordenis Ugas in 2021.
The fight will be for Barrios’ WBC welterweight championship belt. Barrios turns 30 on May 18.
Pacquiao is an eight-division champion who is slated to be inducted into the boxing Hall of Fame in June. He reportedly will formally announce his return to boxing next week. The report stated that Pacquiao has been cleared to compete by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
In recent years, Pacquiao has been focusing on his political career in the Philippines.
The boxer nicknamed “PacMan” has a 62-8-2 record with 39 knockouts during his career. He won his first major title — the WBC flyweight crown — at age 19 in 1998.
Pacquiao was 54-3-2 prior to turning 33 and 8-5 afterward. One of those losses was to Floyd Mayweather Jr. via unanimous decision in 2015, a bout that reportedly drew nearly $400 million in pay-per-view sales.
Barrios (29-2-1, 18 knockouts) fought to a 12-round, split-decision draw against Abel Ramos last November. This will be his third defense since winning the title by beating Ugas in 2023.
–Field Level Media