Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold suffers a quad injury on Monday Night Football against the Bears and will miss Sunday’s home game versus the Arizona Cardinals. Veteran backup Drew Lock, who previously helped Seattle beat the Cardinals on the road, gets the start. The Cardinals will be led by Gardner Minshew, who recently replaced Jacoby Brissett after a comeback win over Dallas. Kickoff is set for Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET in Seattle, and the Seahawks hope Lock can replicate his early‑season success without Darnold.
Brian Thomas Jr., the 2024 first‑round pick who burst onto the scene with 87 catches, 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns as a rookie, has slipped to just 824 yards and four scores in 21 games this season. Now 24 and under contract through 2027, the Jaguars are willing to move him before the NFL trade deadline on Nov. 10. Sportsnaut lists six likely destinations: the Las Vegas Raiders, who need a reliable target for Kirk Cousins; the Washington Commanders, who could reunite Thomas with former LSU teammate QB Jayden Daniels; the Seattle Seahawks, seeking a spark beyond Jaxon Smith‑Njigba; the Pittsburgh Steelers, open to a high‑upside gamble; the Kansas City Chiefs, needing depth behind Patrick Mahomes; and the Los Angeles Rams. Each team’s specific receiver woes are detailed, making the trade saga a must‑read for NFL fans.
Sam Darnold has already been ruled out for Week 8.
Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald confirms that starting quarterback Sam Darnold, who suffered a quad injury in Monday’s game, will miss Week 9 against the Arizona Cardinals. The 29‑year‑old will be listed as week‑to‑week but not placed on IR, with veteran Drew Lock slated to start Sunday. Darnold, a former 2018 first‑round pick, has thrown for 1,478 yards, 10 TDs and nine interceptions this season across seven games. The move follows his three‑year, $100 million deal with Seattle after stints with the Jets, Panthers, 49ers and Vikings.
Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams has racked up $35,823 in NFL fines for wearing Caddix cleats, a brand not approved by the league’s official partners Nike, Adidas and Under Armour. Despite the penalties, Williams insists the shoes’ “SmartStuds” technology helps prevent lower‑body injuries and he will keep wearing them. Caddix’s PR chief Michelle Kafka defended his choice, calling the situation a rare case of a top draft pick lacking a shoe contract and sparking debate over athlete branding and league‑mandated logos. The Bears recently beat Seattle with Williams in plain black cleats.
Midseason award outlooks for the 2026 NFL season spotlight Josh Allen, Jaxon Smith‑Njigba, Will Anderson Jr. and rookie Carnell Tate. Allen leads the Bills to a 6‑1 record, posting 1,793 passing yards, 11 TDs and 270 rushing yards in seven games, keeping him atop the MVP race. Seahawks' Smith‑Njigba tops the league with 985 receiving yards and nine TDs, making a strong case for a repeat Offensive Player of the Year. Texans' edge rusher Anderson Jr. ties for the league lead with 7.5 sacks despite Houston’s 2‑5 start, positioning him as Defensive Player of the Year frontrunner. The article also previews rookie offensive contender Carnell Tate.
After splitting a weekend back-to-back and beating San Jose on Monday night, the Calgary Flames (7-8-0, 14 points) will conclude a three game road swing on Wednesday night when they face the Seattle Kraken (8-5-1, 17 points) at Climate Pledge Arena. It’s the final game of the season series between the Flames and Kraken! Yes, already….
After a 10‑point loss to the Chicago Bears, Seattle’s Seahawks tumble out of the top‑10 in the latest national power rankings. CBS Sports and Bleacher Report each drop them six spots—to 14th and 13th—citing Sam Darnold’s struggles and a 4‑4 record that makes the win over Kansas City look like a fluke. More lenient outlets move the Seahawks only a few places, with NFL.com placing them 7th, ESPN at 8th, and Pro Football Talk at 9th. The average ranking fell from 5.8 to 10.2, and questions loom over offensive coordinator Brian Fleury’s future as Seattle heads into a Week 9 showdown with the Arizona Cardinals.
With the NFL trade deadline looming on Nov. 10, the Indianapolis Colts must decide whether to move star running back Jonathan Taylor. The 27‑year‑old, under contract through 2028, has attracted interest from the Broncos, Vikings, Seahawks and Giants, and Indianapolis seeks a first‑round pick in return. After a 2‑6 start and a crushing 42‑7 loss to Jacksonville that dropped fan confidence to 31%, the team faces a rebuilding crossroads following the recent departures of Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner. Trading Taylor could stockpile draft capital, but would further weaken an offense already struggling to score. Fans are left weighing long‑term optimism against short‑term pain.
The article argues the Los Angeles Rams should pursue a blockbuster trade for Dallas Cowboys WR George Pickens to boost their offense before the November deadline. Pickens, on track for a third 1,000‑yard season with 533 yards and two TDs so far, is on the franchise tag and reportedly content in Dallas, but rumors suggest a trade could materialize if the Cowboys stumble. With the NFC West heating up—49ers, Seahawks and Bears have all added All‑Pro talent—the Rams risk falling behind if they rely solely on internal upgrades. The piece weighs Pickens’ impact against cap considerations and the Rams' need for a true WR1.
The Bears pull off a blockbuster trade, sending their 2027 first‑ and fourth‑round picks plus a 2028 first‑rounder to the Tennessee Titans for All‑Pro DT Jeffery Simmons, signaling a full‑tilt push for the Super Bowl. Simmons, a 29‑year‑old who posted 15.5 sacks this season, joins a Chicago defense that just posted a 34‑17 road win over Seattle, improving to 6‑2 and extending a three‑game winning streak against the Falcons, Patriots and Seahawks. With a Week 10 bye looming, the article breaks down the trade’s cap implications, the multiplier effect on players like Montez Sweat, and what the move means for Chicago’s 2026 title run.
Week 9 fantasy insights from Gridiron Experts highlight key start‑sit decisions amid rising injuries. QB Jayden Daniels (Commanders) earns a start over the Rams thanks to his rushing upside, while Sam Darnold (Seahawks) remains a top‑10 option against a porous Cardinals pass defense. RB Jonah Coleman (Broncos) steps into a lead‑back role with strong DraftKings points and a favorable Panthers matchup. Rhamondre Stevenson (Patriots) secures RB2 status after a season‑high workload, and Tyler Allgeier (Seahawks) climbs to RB2 after backfield injuries boost his carries and target share. Wideout Jameson Williams (Lions) continues his hot streak against the Dolphins. These picks aim to maximize flex and bottom‑line value.
Former Seahawks sixth‑round pick Jacob Martin, now 30, is having his breakout year with the Tennessee Titans. Through eight games he has recorded a career‑high 6.5 sacks, three of them in a 43‑36 overtime loss to the Bengals, placing him behind only T.J. Watt, Will Anderson, Chase Young and Greg Rousseau league‑wide. Martin also leads Tennessee with 21 pressures, 14 QB hits and a career‑best tackle‑for‑loss total, all while on a one‑year, $9 million deal that could earn him a bigger contract. His surge underscores the Titans’ surprisingly resilient pass rush despite injuries to Jeffery Simmons.
Ahead of his first press conference as the Seattle Mariners manager, Jason Kanzler reflects on a 2020 "Ahead of the Curve" podcast where he discussed data‑driven coaching while still with the Astros. He shares how teaching remedial physics taught him to value trust over authority, the shifting power dynamics between minor‑ and major‑league players, and his role as a "translator" who filters overwhelming analytics for hitters. Kanzler also cites mentor Tommy Weber’s mantra that “silence is a sound,” emphasizing listening over lecturing. The blog distills these insights to preview what his Mariners tenure might look like, offering a deeper look at his coaching philosophy.
The Chicago Bears cement their rise to NFL elite with a 34-17 win over defending champion Seattle Seahawks, improving to 6-2—their best record since 2012. QB Caleb Williams throws for 247 yards and a touchdown in his first Lumen Field start, leading an 80‑yard, 8:32 drive that dominates Seattle’s stout pass defense. New defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons debuts with six tackles, a sack and a pass breakup, helping the Bears record a 1‑of‑11 third‑down conversion rate and force an interception. The Bears have led 158 of a possible 180 minutes during a three‑game winning streak, showing control on both sides of the ball and positioning themselves as legitimate contenders.
Week 9 fantasy owners get mixed signals at wide receiver. Parker Washington (JAX) looks to rebound against a Ravens defense that yields the eighth‑most fantasy points to WRs after a 1‑reception, 16‑yard outing in the 42‑7 win over Indianapolis. Keenan Allen (IND) remains a steady target and could thrive versus a Dallas secondary that’s struggled against the pass. Ladd McConkey (LAC) offers upside after a 86‑yard, 54‑yard burst against the Rams, but the Chargers’ inconsistent air attack tempers expectations. Conversely, Michael Wilson (ARI) sits out due to reported broken ribs and a tough Seattle matchup that historically suppresses WR production. These start‑sit recommendations help managers fine‑tune their Week 9 lineups.
After a hamstring setback, quarterback Caleb Williams fuels the Chicago Bears' surge, leading them to a 6-2 record and a spot behind the Vikings in the NFC North. Following Monday's win over Seattle, Williams posted a bold Instagram tribute to Kevin Durant—featuring Durant’s “Shoot til my arms fall off” shirt and the caption “throw til my arms fall off”—to silence critics. He’s logged 1,267 passing yards, six TDs and a 70.9% completion rate, while still facing remarks about his emotions and play style. The fiery post underscores his confidence as the Bears eye another playoff run.
Ahead of the Nov. 10 trade deadline, Bears GM Ryan Poles may revisit cornerback Nahshon Wright, the Pro‑Bowl player who helped Chicago’s secondary in 2025 before slipping to the Jets, where he’s seen only special‑teams snaps. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport flagged Wright as a depth option, noting his frustration with New York and his desire for a defensive role. Wright logged 5 interceptions, 11 passes defended and 2 forced fumbles in 2025, but a return would hinge on a modest price and whether he can bolster a secondary that struggled against the Seahawks. The article weighs the familiar talent against the Bears’ cap and roster needs.
Field Gulls’ latest SB Nation Reacts poll asks Seahawks fans if Sam Darnold will remain Seattle’s starter in 2027 after a dismal start to the 2026 season. The article recalls Darnold’s NFC Championship heroics, then highlights his regression and the team's offensive struggles, noting Drew Lock’s elbow injury and the looming 2027 contract expiration. It outlines possible paths: Darnold’s prove‑it season, promoting Jalen Milroe, re‑signing Lock, a trade, or a draft pick. Fans are urged to vote on Darnold’s future and the franchise’s confidence.
The Chicago Bears limited the Seattle Seahawks to just one sack in their Week 8 showdown at Lumen Field, a stark improvement over the four sacks allowed to Atlanta and three to New England since Caleb Williams returned. The lone sack came when left tackle Theo Benedet was forced back, causing Williams to scramble into the pocket before being taken down by defensive end Mike Morris. The Bears mixed tempos effectively, but the analysis highlights Benedet’s struggle and the overall sack distribution: Williams (4.5), Garrett Bradbury (3), and Benedet (2.5) after eight games. The piece compares this sack rate to the Bears' historical figures dating back to 2010.
Bleeding Green Nation releases its Week 9 NFL Power Rankings, led by the Chicago Bears at No. 1 after a dominant win over the defending Super Bowl champs in Seattle. The San Francisco 49ers sit second, while the Buffalo Bills remain the AFC’s sole one‑loss team at third. The Kansas City Chiefs drop to fourth after two straight defeats, and the Detroit Lions hold the top spot in the NFC North at fifth. Highlights include Jacksonville’s league‑best +85 point differential at seventh, Seattle at eighth, and a struggling Ravens squad falling to sixteenth amid injuries to Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley.
ClutchPoints breaks down Week 9 fantasy quarterback starts and benches. Top starters include Brock Purdy (SF vs. LV) with a favorable Raiders defense, Jared Goff (DET @ MIA) against a pass‑friendly Dolphins unit, and Caleb Williams (CHI vs. TB) after his 247‑yard, 1‑TD win over Seattle. Additional QB1 options are Dak Prescott and Patrick Mahomes. Meanwhile, Justin Herbert (LAC vs. HOU) tops the sit list due to low production and turnovers. The article also highlights streaming prospects and matchup nuances such as injuries and defensive strengths, helping managers fine‑tune their lineups.
Brew Crew Ball ranks the five most memorable Brewers games of the magical 2026 season, culminating in the franchise’s first World Series title. #5 is the historic 22‑0 shutout of the Mariners on Aug. 18, tying the modern‑era record for margin of victory. #4 highlights the 10‑1 win over the Rays in WS Game 3 (Oct. 26) that gave Milwaukee a 3‑0 lead. #3 recaps the 6‑2 NLCS Game 3 triumph vs. the Dodgers (Oct. 14) featuring a clutch home run by Jake Bauers. #2 details the walk‑off 4‑3 NLDS Game 2 win over the Padres (Oct. 4) sealed by Jackson Chourio’s two‑run single. #1 crowns the decisive WS Game 5 (Oct. 28) where the Brewers beat Tampa Bay 4‑1 to clinch the championship.
The Seattle Seahawks held a tryout this week that featured former Cincinnati Bengals starter Cordell Volson. Drafted in 2022, Volson logged 48 starts at left guard before a shoulder injury led to his release in 2025. After brief stints with the Titans, Packers practice squad and missing final cuts, he now hopes to join Seattle’s depth chart, which currently lists Anthony Bradford and Beau Stephens as backups to Grey Zabel and Quenton Nelson. The Seahawks also evaluated tight ends Chase Curtis and Kenny Fletcher, while Ben Sims remains the sole TE on the practice squad.
The Seattle Mariners name 36‑year‑old Jason Kanzler as their manager for the 2027 season. Meanwhile, Rays reliever Edwin Uceta faces shoulder surgery that will sideline him into 2027, and 16‑year‑old Robinson Canó Jr. signs a $1 million international deal with the Miami Marlins for 2028. Across MLB, the league proposes delaying a salary‑cap start to 2028, the Red Sox trade left‑hander Eduardo Rivera to St. Louis, and the Astros interview Rangers bench coach Luis Urueta for their vacant managerial post. Additional notes include the Rangers’ $20 million payroll ceiling for 2027 and former Ranger Mark Teixeira winning a Texas congressional seat.