Dennis Allen praises Jeffery Simmons’ impact in his Bears debut, calling the former Titans Pro Bowler a "consummate professional" who instantly grasped Chicago’s scheme. Simmons tied for the team lead with six tackles and recorded a sack on Sam Darnold as the Bears routed the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks 34-17 at Lumen Field. The performance underscores GM Ryan Poles and coach Ben Johnson’s aggressive "Super Bowl or bust" vision, lifting Chicago to a 6-2 record while the NFC North race tightens against the Vikings, Lions and Packers.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell says veteran Carson Wentz will deliver "really good quarterback play" in Monday night’s primetime clash against the Buffalo Bills after Kyler Murray’s hamstring sidelines him. O’Connell notes Wentz’s two prior starts this season have already produced two wins, and he’s confident the veteran can keep Minnesota competitive. Murray’s injury is deemed week‑to‑week, with no IR move on the table, so the Vikings will ride Wentz’s experience against the Bills on November 5, 2026.
Lamar Jackson sits out Thursday Night Football as the Ravens host the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 9. The two-time MVP suffered a right‑thumb injury on the first snap of the Nov. 1 game versus Buffalo, collided with pass rusher Greg Rousseau, and underwent surgery, landing him on injured reserve for at least four games. Coach Jesse Minter names rookie Joe Fagnano the starter; Fagnano threw 10‑of‑21 for 91 yards, an interception and a fumble in the 36‑10 loss to the Bills but is now cleared to play. Baltimore is 1‑2 without Jackson this season, averaging 17.7 points versus 29 with him. The Ravens must adapt without their star quarterback.
The Browns’ cultural woes intensify after a bruising loss to the Steelers on Nov. 1, 2026. Quarterback Deshaun Watson suffers a concussion from a helmet‑to‑helmet hit by safety Jaquan Brisker, while defensive end Jared Verse endures a dangerous head‑first drop by offensive lineman Mason McCormick during an extra‑point. Neither incident prompted teammates to defend the injured players, underscoring the lack of protective camaraderie that defensive end Verse has repeatedly warned about. By contrast, former Browning Baker Mayfield’s on‑field retaliation against Atlanta highlights the missing fight the team needs to adopt.
The Ravens officially place quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley on injured reserve ahead of Week 9, sidelining both for at least four games. Jackson will undergo thumb surgery with an uncertain return timeline, while Huntley's turf‑toe injury appears season‑ending. Undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano gets the start against Jacksonville, and the team expects to add Jacoby Brissett from the Cardinals for the Chargers matchup in Week 10. Baltimore drops to 4‑5 and faces a likely defeat by the Jaguars, but a win‑or‑lose stretch against the winless Chargers, Texans and Panthers could bring them to 6‑7 before their Week 13 bye. Post‑bye playoff hopes hinge on Jackson’s health and return.
Thursday Night Football pits the Jacksonville Jaguars against the Baltimore Ravens on November 5 at 8:15 PM ET. Viewers can watch nationally on Amazon Prime Video (free trial) or stream locally via Fubo (free trial). Jacksonville, led by Trevor Lawrence and a league‑best 3.4 yards per rush defense, aims to stifle Baltimore’s ground game, while the Ravens need Derrick Henry to bounce back after three sub‑60‑yard outings and rookie QB Joe Fagnano to handle his first start. The game carries playoff implications for the AFC‑south contenders.
Tyler Huntley is ruled out of the Ravens’ Week 9 Thursday night game against the Jacksonville Jaguars due to a turf toe injury, likely ending his season. The veteran backup had stepped in after Lamar Jackson’s thumb injury on Nov. 1, but now rookie Joe Fagnano makes his first NFL start. Fagnano, who saw action in the Week 8 loss to Buffalo, was cleared to practice despite an ankle tweak. Huntley has thrown for 727 yards, four TDs and one INT in five games this season, highlighted by a 30‑23 OT win over Atlanta in Week 5.
One of the hottest NFL fans just caused a major stir with her Week 8 outfit.
Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers quells knee worries ahead of Sunday’s Week 9 clash with the Philadelphia Eagles, replying simply, “I’ll be good.” The 2025 ACL‑meniscus survivor missed Wednesday’s practice and was listed as a non‑participant, but worked with trainers Thursday. Nabters was just named NFC Offensive Player of the Month for October after four straight 100‑yard games. New York (4‑2‑1) faces an Eagles squad (2‑6) at Lincoln Financial Field, a site where the Giants haven’t won since 2013. The team will confirm his status Friday before the 1 p.m. ET kickoff.
The 49ers release their Thursday injury report, noting that veteran tackle Trent Williams returns after a day off while star RB Christian McCaffrey participates on a limited basis following a hamstring issue. Wide receiver Christian Kirk sits out with a knee injury after limited action Wednesday, and could be replaced by ankle‑limited Demarcus Robinson. GM John Lynch confirms Deebo Samuel (hamstring) and Mike Evans (ribs/Achilles) will miss Sunday, leaving the receiving corps thin and raising questions about Brandon Aiyuk’s potential return.
Facing an 0‑7 start, the Los Angeles Chargers' offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel will keep calling plays but is shifting his game‑day spot from the sideline to the coaches’ booth for the Week 9 clash with the Houston Texans. He says the move will give him a better view of defenses and allow quicker adjustments between series. The change comes amid injuries, limited offensive weapons, and growing pressure on McDaniel, with another loss pushing the Chargers to 0‑8 and sparking doubts about his future.
The Kansas City Chiefs aim to rebound in Week 9 against the New York Jets after back‑to‑back losses to Seattle (20‑3) and Denver (28‑24). Favorited by 10 points, Kansas City (5‑2) gets a boost as Travis Kelce and Rashee Rice return to full practice. Kelce, battling a lingering ankle issue, posts 29 receptions for 410 yards and two TDs, while Rice, after hamstring and knee concerns, records 20 catches for 243 yards and two scores. Mahomes hopes the now‑healthy top targets will reignite the offense.
The Minnesota Vikings suffered their first defeat of the 2026 season, falling 19-15 to the Detroit Lions on Nov. 1 at Ford Field. After a six‑game winning streak, the loss spotlights the team's offensive struggles and raises concerns about a potential snowball effect if they drop consecutive games against upcoming foes like Buffalo, Green Bay and San Francisco. The article warns that a four‑game losing streak could derail playoff hopes, citing the Colts’ 7‑1 to 8‑9 collapse as a cautionary tale. It also discusses possible fixes, from bolstering the run game with a player like Jonathan Taylor to re‑evaluating the quarterback situation between Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz.
Former Eagles quarterback and Super Bowl LII MVP Nick Foles sparks controversy by claiming a Big 12 college offense contains more “details” than Philadelphia’s current NFL scheme, calling it “a problem.” He also praised former coordinator Kevin Patullo’s system as superior. Fans and SportsRadio WIP hosts reacted fiercely on X, and Foles has echoed his criticism on multiple podcasts after the Eagles’ recent loss to Washington. The comments raise questions about the team’s playbook sophistication and the quarterback’s role in the ongoing offensive debate.
Dianna Russini is set to return to the sports media scene next week, headlining her own digital show slated to launch the week of Nov. 9. Reports from Mike Florio (Pro Football Talk) and Page Six confirm the project—still unnamed—will feature athlete interviews, though the platform remains undisclosed. Sources rule out Barstool, Kalshi, FanDuel and PrizePicks as partners. Russini resigned from The Athletic in April 2026 after a scandal involving Patriots coach Mike Vrabel, which the outlet deemed a breach of its standards. The key question now is which brand will back her new show.
The new Steelers Afternoon Drive podcast, hosted by Derrick Bell and Zachary Smith, tackles the pressing question of how aggressive the Steelers should be at the 2026 trade deadline. The episode weighs the team’s current standing in the division and conference, roster depth, future needs, and available assets to outline who they might trade and what kinds of players they should target for a playoff push. Listeners can join the discussion on YouTube, Megaphone, or social media, and even share their own black‑and‑gold rides.
After a 34-17 loss to the Bears, Seattle Seahawks defensive star DeMarcus Lawrence tells reporters the defense is “right where we need to be,” despite the unit ranking last in red‑zone efficiency and allowing touchdowns on all four Bears trips inside the 20. Lawrence emphasized a collective, play‑by‑play approach and refused to single out the defense amid the team’s 4‑4 record following a Super Bowl win. He and the Seahawks aim to bounce back against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
Dallas Cowboys special teams coach Nick Sorensen confirms that return specialist KaVontae Turpin remains the primary option despite a rib injury that sidelined him after Week 6. Backup Tyler Goodson, signed from the Falcons' practice squad, and fellow returner Jonathan Mingo have stepped in, with Goodson also serving as Javonte Williams' backup running back. Sorensen praised coverage standouts Justin Barron, Hunter Luepke, Markquese Bell and Alijah Clark, noting their playmaking and penalties that can swing field position. The Cowboys, now 3‑5, head to Indianapolis for their Sunday matchup against the Colts.
Buffalo Bills head coach Joe Brady detailed the team's recent decision to release safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
Dallas Cowboys special teams coordinator Nick Sorensen defends kicker Brandon Aubrey, calling him the NFL's best despite recent misses. Aubrey is 15‑of‑19 on field‑goal attempts this season, with two blocks attributed to poor line protection, including a 62‑yard block and a 65‑yard miss against the Texans. He finished 2025 at 36‑of‑42, all misses from 50+ yards, and earned All‑Pro honors each of his first three years. In the 33‑30 overtime loss to the Cardinals, Aubrey made 3 of 4 field goals and 20 of 21 extra points. Sorensen emphasizes trust among the special‑teams unit as the Cowboys, now 3‑5, head to Indianapolis.
The Packers are eyeing Colts star RB Jonathan Taylor as the trade deadline approaches, but cap space and draft picks are tight. Analyst Tom Silverstein suggests edge rusher Lukas Van Ness could be the missing piece: he leads Green Bay with 4.5 sacks, costs $13.75 million in 2027, and could be moved to free up salary and reduce the draft price Indianapolis demands (likely a second‑rounder). With Micah Parsons already on board, the team may deem Van Ness expendable, making him a potential trade chip to land Taylor before the Nov. 10 deadline.
Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker warns that Indianapolis boasts an "explosive group," highlighting running back Jonathan Taylor’s 610 yards and eight touchdowns on 148 carries this season. Parker also praised the Colts’ talent pool—including Josh Downs, Keenan Allen, Tyler Warren and Mo Alie‑Cox—and coach Shane Steichen’s scheme. He stressed the Cowboys’ focus on early pressure, citing Quinnen Williams’ five sacks, and emphasized a simple, execution‑driven defensive game plan after holding Arizona to just three first‑half points. The Colts (2‑6) host Dallas (3‑5) at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday at noon CT on FOX.
Steelers cornerback Darius Slay says Pittsburgh is ready to repeat as AFC North champions, citing the unit’s elite defensive play and a revitalized rushing attack that have powered a four‑game winning streak and secured sole possession of first place. Slay highlights the team’s ability to dominate at both ends of the field and expresses confidence that the 2026 Steelers can sustain that momentum through the rest of the season.
The NFL roundup highlights several NFC moves: The Giants' attempt to claim RB Robert Henry Jr. was foiled when the Commanders scooped him up. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones defends his low‑pay coach philosophy, backing head coach Brian Schottenheimer (now 10‑14‑1) and dismissing staff changes despite injuries to OLB Malachi Lawrence and TE Jake Ferguson. Eagles plan to start QB Joe Milton in Week 9, seeking an offensive spark, while LG Landon Dickerson remains uncertain about the change. Giants lock CB Greg Newsome into a three‑year, $46 million extension, and contend with RB Cam Skattebo’s hamstring issues.
D'Andre Swift scored three second half rushing touchdowns in Seattle, becoming the first Bear with three rushing scores in a half since Walter Payton in 1977. Inside a historic night.