Jack Hughes Delivers in Overtime as Devils Edge Flyers in Season Opener

NEWARK, N.J. — The New Jersey Devils opened their 2026-27 season in dramatic fashion Thursday night, with Jack Hughes providing the finishing touch in a 3-2 overtime victory over the Philadelphia Flyers.

With 1:37 remaining in overtime, Hughes created the winning sequence himself. After taking the puck away from Travis Sanheim, Hughes pushed the play up ice and found Jesper Bratt on a two-on-one. Bratt quickly returned the puck, and Hughes buried the game-winner into an open net to give New Jersey its first victory of the season. (NHL)

Philadelphia struck first behind Rasmus Ristolainen, who redirected a Sanheim shot past Jake Allen in the opening period. Dougie Hamilton answered late in the second to make it 1-1 before Sanheim restored Philadelphia’s lead early in the third. (NHL)

But another Hughes helped turn the game around.

Luke Hughes tied the score at 2-2 at 9:44 of the third period, finishing a setup from Luke Evangelista to eventually force overtime. That set the stage for his older brother to end it at 3:23 of the extra period. (NHL)

Flyers goaltender Joseph Woll kept Philadelphia in the game with 41 saves, while Allen stopped 23 shots for New Jersey. The Flyers showed a much stronger effort after suffering a 7-0 loss to Pittsburgh one night earlier, but Hughes and the Devils ultimately had the final answer. (NHL)

For New Jersey, it was an early reminder of what makes Hughes one of the NHL’s most dangerous players: give him one opening with the game on the line, and he can make it count.

Andre Szmyt’s Game-Winning Field Goal Lifts Browns Past Steelers, 27-24

The Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers rarely make things easy on each other. Thursday night was no different.

Cleveland escaped with a dramatic 27-24 victory over Pittsburgh, with kicker Andre Szmyt delivering the game-winning field goal to finish another memorable chapter of one of the NFL’s oldest rivalries. (theScore)

The Browns looked firmly in control early, overcoming a slow start and exploding for three touchdowns in the second quarter to take a 21-10 lead into halftime. Deshaun Watson completed 14 of 17 passes for 181 yards and a touchdown in the first half, while Cleveland also found the end zone on runs from Jaleel McLaughlin and Quinshon Judkins. Denzel Ward helped swing momentum with an interception of Aaron Rodgers. (BrownsZone with Scott Petrak -)

But Browns-Steelers games have a habit of getting uncomfortable.

Pittsburgh erased the deficit in the fourth quarter, scoring 14 points to pull even at 24 and turning what once looked like a comfortable Cleveland lead into a fight to the finish.

That left the game in the hands — or more accurately, on the right foot — of Szmyt.

With the pressure at its highest, the Browns kicker came through, drilling the deciding field goal and sending Huntington Bank Field into celebration. It was another clutch moment for a kicker who entered Thursday having made all six of his field-goal attempts through Cleveland’s first three games. (NFL)

For Cleveland, this was more than another win over Pittsburgh. The Browns entered the night tied with the Steelers at 2-1, with first place in the AFC North at stake. Now 3-1, Cleveland walks away from Thursday Night Football with a rivalry win, three straight victories and an early statement inside the division. (CBS Sports)

And when the Browns needed one final play to finish it, Szmyt delivered.

Matthew Knies Makes Immediate Impact in Blue Jackets Debut

Matthew Knies didn’t need much time to make Columbus feel like home.

Just days after being acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs, Knies delivered a statement performance in his Columbus Blue Jackets debut Thursday night, recording two goals and an assist in a 6-3 season-opening victory over the Buffalo Sabres at Nationwide Arena. (Reuters)

It was about as strong of a first impression as Columbus could have hoped for.

Knies scored his first goal as a Blue Jacket late in the opening period, finding space in the slot and beating Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to give Columbus a 2-1 lead. He wasn’t finished. Knies later added another goal and an assist, finishing his first night in Columbus with three points. (NHL)

The performance came only days after Columbus acquired the 23-year-old winger in a six-player trade with Toronto. The Blue Jackets sent Kirill Marchenko, Miles Wood and Elvis Merzlikins to the Maple Leafs while receiving Knies, Steven Lorentz, Emil Andrae and a second-round pick. (NHL)

Columbus immediately placed Knies in a significant role alongside Adam Fantilli and Kent Johnson on the top line, giving the Blue Jackets an intriguing combination of size, skill and youth. (NHL)

On Thursday night, that opportunity quickly turned into production.

Knies looked comfortable attacking the middle of the ice, using the size and physical style that made him such an effective player in Toronto. More importantly for Columbus, he didn’t look like a player trying to find his place with a new team. He looked involved from the start.

The rest of the Blue Jackets followed.

Cole Sillinger, Adam Fantilli, Sean Monahan and Mathieu Olivier also scored, while Charlie Coyle recorded three assists and Zach Werenski added two. Jet Greaves made 23 saves as Columbus earned its first season-opening victory in five years. (NHL)

One game won’t define a trade of this magnitude. Columbus gave up an established scorer in Marchenko to bring Knies into its young core, and both organizations will have years to evaluate how the deal ultimately plays out.

But for Knies, there may not have been a better way to introduce himself.

New sweater. New linemates. New city.

Two goals, three points and a Blue Jackets win.

For one night, at least, Matthew Knies looked right at home in Columbus.

Odell Beckham Jr.’s Giants Reunion Ends, Leaving His NFL Future Uncertain

Odell Beckham Jr.’s return to where it all started was supposed to offer one more chapter to one of the most memorable careers in recent New York Giants history. Instead, the reunion lasted just three games.

The Giants officially released Beckham on Tuesday, ending his second stint with the franchise after the veteran wide receiver struggled to carve out a role in New York’s offense. Beckham appeared in all three games to begin the season but played only 20 offensive snaps, finishing his return to New York without a reception and with just one target. (Giants)

Head coach John Harbaugh described the move as a matter of roster construction rather than an indictment of Beckham personally. New York simply wasn’t getting enough production from the roster spot, and the Giants ultimately elevated Braxton Berrios and Charlie Jones to the active roster. (Giants)

For Beckham, however, the move creates a much larger question: What comes next?

At 33 years old, Beckham is far removed from the receiver who immediately became one of football’s biggest stars after New York selected him 12th overall in the 2014 NFL Draft. His first five seasons with the Giants produced 390 receptions, 5,476 receiving yards and 44 touchdowns, along with three consecutive Pro Bowl selections to begin his career. (Reuters)

His career after New York has taken him through Cleveland, Los Angeles, Baltimore and Miami. The defining moment of that stretch came with the Rams, when Beckham helped Los Angeles win Super Bowl LVI before tearing his ACL during the championship game. Injuries and inconsistent opportunities have made it difficult for him to regain that form since.

That history is what makes his latest release feel different.

Beckham has already completed the veteran-receiver tour through several organizations, and his extremely limited role with the Giants raises questions about what kind of opportunity remains available. A receiver-needy team could still see value in his experience and take a chance on him as depth, particularly as injuries begin to reshape rosters during the season. But there is no guarantee another call comes—or that the role offered would be significantly larger than the one he just left behind.

There has been no indication that Beckham has decided to retire. For now, he is a free agent, and his next move remains uncertain. (https://www.ksla.com)

If this does prove to be the final chapter, Beckham leaves behind a career that was bigger than the numbers alone. He currently sits at 575 receptions, 7,987 receiving yards and 59 touchdowns, but his impact was most visible during those electric early seasons in New York, when seemingly every Giants game carried the possibility of another highlight. (Reuters)

More than a decade after Beckham became a star in a Giants uniform, his return offered the possibility of his career coming full circle.

Instead, it may have left him facing the most uncertain moment of it.

Maple Leafs, Blue Jackets Complete Blockbuster Marchenko-Knies Trade

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Columbus Blue Jackets waited until the eve of the NHL season to deliver one of the biggest trades of the year.

Toronto acquired forward Kirill Marchenko, goaltender Elvis Merzlikins and forward Miles Wood from Columbus on Monday in a blockbuster deal centered around Matthew Knies heading the other way. The Blue Jackets also received forward Steven Lorentz, defenseman Emil Andrae and a conditional second-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft. Columbus will retain 18 percent of Merzlikins’ salary. (1st Ohio Battery)

For Toronto, Marchenko becomes the centerpiece of the deal — and potentially a major piece of the organization for years to come. The 26-year-old recorded 27 goals and 67 points in 76 games last season, continuing his emergence as one of Columbus’ most productive offensive players. He leaves the Blue Jackets with 102 goals and 208 points through 292 NHL games. (PuckBank)

The Maple Leafs also wasted little time securing their newest forward. Marchenko agreed to a six-year, $75 million extension carrying a $12.5 million average annual value following the trade, giving Toronto long-term certainty with one of its newest offensive weapons. (theScore)

But acquiring him required Toronto to part with one of its most intriguing young players.

At just 23 years old, Knies is already an established NHL power forward and could prove to be an important addition to what Columbus is building. The 6-foot-3 winger is coming off the best offensive season of his career, recording 23 goals, 43 assists and 66 points in 79 games. He now leaves Toronto with 67 goals and 160 points in 240 regular-season games. (Puckpedia)

His value, however, extends beyond the scoresheet.

Knies brings the type of heavy, net-front style that could complement Adam Fantilli particularly well. Knies ranked in the 96th percentile among NHL players in high-danger shots on goal last season with 84, after ranking in the 97th percentile the year before. He is comfortable working around the crease, battling for loose pucks and creating offense in the difficult areas of the ice. (NHL)

Fantilli gives Columbus speed, skill and the ability to attack through the middle. Knies can provide the size and physical presence alongside him. The possibility of pairing the two gives the Blue Jackets an intriguing foundation for their top line, especially after Fantilli signed a six-year, $82.5 million extension just days before the trade. (NHL)

Knies also arrives with experience playing next to elite talent. Much of his time in Toronto was spent alongside Auston Matthews, where he learned how to complement a high-end center without needing to dominate possession of the puck himself. In Columbus, he could be asked to fill a similar role alongside Fantilli — winning battles, getting to the front of the net and creating space for his center to operate.

More importantly for Columbus, this isn’t necessarily a short-term replacement for Marchenko.

Knies is signed through the 2030-31 season at a $7.75 million annual cap hit, while Fantilli’s new contract runs through 2031-32. That gives Columbus the opportunity to keep the pair together through some of the most important years of their development. Knies is 23. Fantilli is 21. Instead of simply replacing the production lost by trading Marchenko, the Blue Jackets may have found another player who fits the timeline of their young core. (Puckpedia)

The trade also closes a significant chapter in Columbus with Merzlikins moving on after seven seasons with the organization, while Toronto adds another proven scorer in Marchenko as it reshapes its own top six.

There is risk on both sides. Toronto is betting that Marchenko’s offensive ceiling can give its lineup another dynamic scoring threat. Columbus is betting on something different: that Knies’ combination of age, size, physicality and offensive upside can become an ideal match for the franchise’s young centerpiece down the middle.

For the Blue Jackets, that’s what makes Knies more than simply the player coming back for Marchenko.

If the chemistry with Fantilli develops, Columbus may have just put together two-thirds of a young top line capable of growing together for years.

De’Von Achane’s 2026 Season Cut Short by Torn ACL

The Miami Dolphins have been dealt a major blow just three weeks into the season.

Star running back De’Von Achane will miss the remainder of the 2026 season after suffering a torn ACL during Sunday’s 24-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Achane injured his left knee early in the game and was able to leave the field under his own power, but further testing confirmed the season-ending injury. (Reuters)

The injury brings an abrupt end to a season that carried high expectations for the 24-year-old. Achane was coming off the best year of his young career in 2025, rushing for 1,350 yards and eight touchdowns while averaging an NFL-best 5.7 yards per carry. He added 488 receiving yards and earned the first Pro Bowl selection of his career. (NBC Sports)

Miami also made its commitment to Achane clear during the offseason, signing him to a four-year, $64 million contract extension. Now, the focus shifts toward his recovery and a return in 2027. (NFL)

For the Dolphins, replacing Achane will be no small task. Ollie Gordon II and Jaylen Wright are now positioned to take on larger roles in Miami’s backfield as the team moves forward without one of the most explosive players in football. (ESPN)

Achane’s season may have ended far earlier than expected, but at just 24 years old, there is still plenty of football ahead for one of the NFL’s most dynamic running backs.

Guardians Clinch Third Straight AL Central Division Title

The American League Central still runs through Cleveland.

The Cleveland Guardians officially captured their third consecutive AL Central championship Saturday night, defeating the Kansas City Royals 11-5 at Kauffman Stadium. Combined with the Chicago White Sox falling 9-6 to the Colorado Rockies, Cleveland secured the division with one game remaining in the regular season. (MLB.com)

And they didn’t exactly sneak their way into another division title.

Cleveland’s offense erupted for five home runs against Kansas City, with Patrick Bailey and Brayan Rocchio each going deep twice and Chase DeLauter adding another. Steven Kwan and Travis Bazzana collected three hits apiece, while Nathaniel Lowe drove in four runs. Tanner Bibee also settled in after allowing three runs in the first inning, keeping Kansas City off the board over his final five frames. (Reuters)

The victory capped another late-season push from a Guardians team that refused to fade. Cleveland sat six games behind Chicago in the division race in mid-August and endured stretches of the season without key pieces, including José Ramírez following hand surgery. By the end of September, however, the Guardians had climbed right back to a familiar position: atop the Central. (MLB.com)

Winning the division has become something of a tradition in Cleveland.

The Guardians have now captured the AL Central in 2024, 2025 and 2026, giving manager Stephen Vogt a division championship in each of his first three seasons at the helm. The three-peat also continues a much longer stretch of success for the organization, marking Cleveland’s seventh division championship in the past 11 seasons. (MLB.com)

Each of the last three championships has carried its own story. The 2024 club established Cleveland as one of the American League’s top teams in Vogt’s first season. The 2025 Guardians completed a historic comeback after falling 15½ games behind Detroit in July. This season presented another collection of injuries, offensive struggles and adversity, yet Cleveland once again found its best baseball when the calendar began moving toward October. (MLB.com)

Now, the reward is bigger than another division championship banner.

Cleveland has secured the No. 2 seed in the American League and a first-round bye, sending the Guardians directly to the AL Division Series with home-field advantage. (ABC News)

Three seasons. Three AL Central championships.

Different rosters have faced different challenges along the way, but the result has remained remarkably consistent. As October arrives, Cleveland isn’t simply returning to the postseason.

The Guardians are returning as division champions — again.

No. 1 Texas Escapes Knoxville, Survives Late Tennessee Push

For most of Saturday afternoon, Texas looked like the better football team.

By the final snap, the Longhorns were simply happy to get out of Knoxville with a win.

No. 1 Texas survived a furious late push from No. 14 Tennessee, escaping Neyland Stadium with a 20-17 victory to remain undefeated at 4-0 and open SEC play with a win. What once looked like a controlled road victory quickly turned into a fight for survival. (University of Texas Athletics)

Texas wasted little time setting the tone. Arch Manning opened the game completing his first six passes, including a 43-yard connection with Emmett Mosley V that helped set up a nine-yard Raleek Brown touchdown run. The Longhorns carried a 10-3 advantage into halftime behind a defense that allowed Tennessee just 88 first-half yards. (University of Texas Athletics)

But Tennessee wasn’t going quietly.

Qua Moss flipped the momentum early in the third quarter with a 57-yard punt-return touchdown, suddenly tying the game at 10 despite Texas controlling much of the afternoon. The Longhorns responded with a Gianni Spetic field goal before Brown found the end zone for the second time with 5:41 remaining, pushing Texas ahead 20-10. (University of Texas Athletics)

That should have been enough.

It wasn’t.

Freshman Tennessee quarterback Faizon Brandon engineered an 80-yard drive late in the fourth quarter, finding Mike Matthews for a 30-yard touchdown with 1:22 remaining. The Volunteers then recovered the ensuing onside kick, sending an already deafening Neyland Stadium into a frenzy and giving Tennessee an improbable opportunity to tie or win the game. (Yahoo Sports)

Suddenly, the No. 1 team in the country was hanging on.

Texas’ defense made sure it did.

After terrorizing Tennessee’s offense throughout the afternoon, the Longhorns came through one final time. Brandon’s last-second Hail Mary reached the end zone, but Jelani McDonald knocked the football away as time expired.

Texas escaped, 20-17. (Yahoo Sports)

Colin Simmons Takes Over

If there was one player Texas can thank for leaving Knoxville undefeated, Colin Simmons belongs near the top of the list.

Simmons tied a Texas program record with five sacks, leading a Longhorn defense that finished with 10 sacks — the second-most in a single game in school history. Tennessee managed only 221 total yards after entering the weekend averaging more than 500 yards of offense per game. (University of Texas Athletics)

The defense needed to be that good because Texas’ offense was far from flawless.

Manning completed 14 of 19 passes for 201 yards, but threw an interception and was sacked six times. Texas also committed 11 penalties for 115 yards, repeatedly making life more difficult for itself. (Yahoo Sports)

Still, winning on the road in the SEC rarely comes with style points.

Texas walked into a packed Neyland Stadium as the No. 1 team in America, absorbed Tennessee’s best late punch and found a way to leave 4-0.

But Saturday also served as a warning.

The Longhorns looked dominant defensively, yet penalties, offensive mistakes and special-teams miscues allowed a game they largely controlled to come down to one final ball floating toward the end zone.

Texas survived this time.

With Oklahoma waiting in the Red River Rivalry on Oct. 10, the Longhorns will have some cleaning up to do before the margin for error becomes even smaller. (University of Texas Athletics)

Iowa Stuns Michigan in Ann Arbor With Last-Second Thriller

Michigan had the game in its hands. Iowa took it away.

In one of the biggest finishes of the young college football season, No. 17 Iowa walked into the Big House and stunned No. 18 Michigan, 20-19, scoring the game-winning touchdown with just two seconds remaining. The victory kept the Hawkeyes undefeated and gave Iowa its first win at Michigan Stadium since 2010. (Yahoo Sports)

For much of the afternoon, it looked like Michigan was going to survive.

The Wolverines carried a 10-7 advantage into halftime and extended their lead to 13-7 through three quarters. Iowa’s offense had struggled to consistently break through, while Michigan appeared to have done just enough to control the game.

Then came the fourth quarter.

The Hawkeyes scored 13 points in the final period and refused to let the game slip away. With Michigan leading 19-14 in the closing moments, Iowa quarterback Hank Brown was left with one final opportunity to engineer a drive that could define the Hawkeyes’ season.

He delivered.

On the play before the winning touchdown, Brown fired deep for tight end Addison Ostrenga, who somehow came down with a tipped pass roughly 30 yards downfield. It was the type of play that can turn a good season into something much more memorable.

One snap later, Brown found Reece Vander Zee in the left corner of the end zone.

Touchdown Iowa.

20-19.

Ballgame. (NCAA.com)

Give Iowa Its Credit

It’s easy to look at this game from Michigan’s perspective and focus on what went wrong. But this one deserves to be about what Iowa did right.

The Hawkeyes went into one of the most difficult environments in college football, fell behind and never panicked. When Michigan had opportunities to put the game away, Iowa hung around. And when the Hawkeyes finally got their chance, they made Michigan pay.

That shouldn’t be entirely surprising, either.

Iowa entered Saturday undefeated with one of the country’s most impressive defenses. Through its first three games, the Hawkeyes were allowing just 176.7 yards and 4.3 points per game, both of which ranked No. 1 nationally entering the matchup. (theScore)

This was also a program that had something to prove against Michigan. The Wolverines entered the afternoon having won 15 of the previous 22 meetings and had shut Iowa out 26-0 the last time these programs met in the 2023 Big Ten Championship Game. (University of Michigan Athletics)

Saturday looked nothing like that game.

Instead, Iowa showed toughness, patience and, most importantly, an ability to deliver when the moment demanded it.

Michigan will have plenty to clean up after letting a late lead disappear at home. But sometimes an upset isn’t simply about the favorite failing to finish.

Sometimes the other team earns it.

Iowa earned this one.

The Face of the Franchise: Macklin Celebrini Becomes Sharks Captain

It didn’t take long for the San Jose Sharks to realize whose team this had become.

Macklin Celebrini has officially been named captain of the San Jose Sharks, adding another milestone to what has already been a remarkable start to his NHL career.

Celebrini was presented with the “C” patch by Sharks legend and former captain Joe Thornton today.

At just 20 years old, Celebrini will wear the “C” for a franchise that has quickly built its future around him. It’s a major responsibility for any player, let alone one entering just his third NHL season. But if the first two years of Celebrini’s career have shown anything, it’s that he hasn’t needed much time to look comfortable on hockey’s biggest stage.

San Jose selected Celebrini first overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, making him the first No. 1 overall selection in Sharks history. Almost immediately, he gave the organization exactly what it had been searching for throughout its rebuild — a legitimate franchise centerpiece.

Celebrini recorded 25 goals and 63 points in 70 games as a rookie in 2024-25, leading San Jose in scoring while earning NHL All-Rookie Team honors and finishing as a Calder Trophy finalist. The Sharks also named him their Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year.

Then he went from promising young star to one of the best players in hockey.

Celebrini exploded for 45 goals, 70 assists and 115 points during the 2025-26 season, breaking the Sharks’ single-season franchise record for points. Even more remarkable, he spent the entire regular season as a teenager. Only Wayne Gretzky and Sidney Crosby have recorded more points in an NHL season before turning 20.

He also joined Gretzky as just the second teenager in NHL history to record at least 40 goals and 70 assists in the same season.

In only 152 NHL games, Celebrini has already produced 70 goals, 108 assists and 178 points.

Those aren’t simply impressive numbers for a young player. They’re the type of numbers that can change the direction of a franchise.

His rapid rise has extended beyond San Jose. Celebrini represented Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics and later captained his country at the IIHF World Championship, where he recorded 14 points in 10 games and was named the tournament’s Best Forward. He was also named the IIHF Male Player of the Year for the 2025-26 season.

That experience makes the letter on his Sharks sweater feel less surprising.

The captaincy isn’t simply a reward for what Celebrini has already accomplished. It’s a statement about where San Jose believes this franchise is going.

The Sharks reinforced that belief this offseason by signing their young superstar to a five-year, $94 million contract extension, ensuring the centerpiece of their rebuild will remain in San Jose for years to come.

There was a time when the Sharks were searching for their next identity.

They don’t have to search anymore.

In two seasons, Celebrini has gone from No. 1 overall pick, to Calder finalist, to 115-point superstar. Now comes another title.

Captain.

The rebuild in San Jose has its leader, and the future of Sharks hockey officially belongs to Macklin Celebrini.

Nick Chubb Back Where He Belongs: Browns Legend Returns to Cleveland to Retire

There was never much flash with Nick Chubb.

No elaborate touchdown celebrations. No need to command the microphone. No interest in making himself bigger than the name stitched across the front of his jersey.

Chubb simply took the football, found daylight and ran — usually through somebody along the way.

Today, one of the most respected players to wear a Cleveland Browns uniform returned to Berea for one final piece of business. Chubb signed a one-day contract with Cleveland, allowing him to officially retire with the organization that drafted him and the city that embraced him for the better part of a decade. (Cleveland Browns)

It is a ceremonial transaction on paper. In Cleveland, it means considerably more.

From Georgia to Cleveland

Long before the chants of “CHUBB” rolled through the Dawg Pound, they were coming from Saturdays in Athens.

A native of Cedartown, Georgia, Chubb arrived at the University of Georgia and quickly developed into one of the most productive running backs in program history. Across four seasons with the Bulldogs, he rushed for 4,769 yards and 44 touchdowns, finishing his college career second on Georgia’s all-time rushing list. He recorded 24 games with at least 100 rushing yards and surpassed 200 yards three times. (Cleveland Browns)

But Chubb’s college career also provided the first major test of the resilience that would eventually define him.

A devastating knee injury during the 2015 season threatened his future. Instead, Chubb worked his way back onto the field, eventually closing his Georgia career with 1,345 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior in 2017. (Cleveland Browns)

Cleveland was paying attention.

The Browns selected Chubb with the 35th overall pick in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

It didn’t take long for Cleveland to understand what it had.

No. 24 Becomes a Cleveland Staple

Three carries.

That’s all Chubb needed against the Oakland Raiders in Week 4 of his rookie season.

He turned those three opportunities into 105 yards and two touchdowns, including a 63-yard score. Later that season against Atlanta, Chubb ripped off a 92-yard touchdown run — still the longest rushing touchdown in Browns history. (Cleveland Browns)

From there, No. 24 became one of the few constants during another unpredictable stretch of Browns football.

Quarterbacks changed. Coaches changed. Expectations rose, disappeared and rose again.

Chubb kept running.

He put together four consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons from 2019 through 2022, culminating with the finest statistical season of his NFL career: 1,525 rushing yards in 2022. He earned four Pro Bowl selections along the way. (Cleveland Browns)

His place in Browns history is secure.

Chubb leaves Cleveland third on the franchise’s all-time rushing list with 6,843 yards, trailing only Hall of Famers Jim Brown and Leroy Kelly. His 51 rushing touchdowns rank third in franchise history, while his 30 games of at least 100 rushing yards rank second. (Cleveland Browns)

Those numbers tell you how good Nick Chubb was.

They don’t completely explain why Cleveland loved him.

One play might do that better.

Against Houston in 2020, Chubb broke free for what could have been a 59-yard touchdown. Instead of padding his statistics, he deliberately stepped out of bounds at the 3-yard line, allowing Cleveland to kneel out the remaining time and secure the victory.

Touchdown available. Game already won.

Chubb chose the latter. (Cleveland Browns)

That was Nick Chubb.

The Run That Changed Everything

For years, watching Chubb run became almost routine.

The patience behind the line. The sudden cut. The balance through contact. And once he reached the second level, the surprising speed that could turn an ordinary rushing attempt into six points before a defense realized what had happened.

Then came Pittsburgh.

In Week 2 of the 2023 season, Chubb suffered a catastrophic injury to the same left knee he had injured at Georgia. It required two surgeries, repairing damage that included his MCL, medial capsule, meniscus and ACL. (Cleveland Browns)

For most players, getting back onto an NFL field after an injury like that would have been the story.

Chubb actually did it.

More than a year later, he returned against Cincinnati in October 2024. He played eight games during his comeback season before a broken foot brought it to an early end. (Cleveland Browns)

Cleveland and Chubb eventually went separate ways. He signed with Houston for the 2025 season, rushing for 506 yards and three touchdowns before announcing his retirement in August 2026. He finishes his NFL career with 7,349 rushing yards, 54 rushing touchdowns and exactly 100 games played. (Yahoo Sports)

But there was still one thing left to do.

Come home.

Forever a Brown

Chubb could have simply retired.

Instead, he chose Cleveland.

“I love Cleveland. It’s a second home to me,” Chubb said as he returned to the Browns. “The decision to retire a Brown was an easy one.” (Cleveland Browns)

There is something fitting about that.

For a franchise with no shortage of complicated chapters over the last several decades, Nick Chubb was remarkably uncomplicated.

Give him the ball.

Watch him work.

For seven seasons, Cleveland watched one of the NFL’s premier running backs build a career that now places his name alongside some of the greatest players the Browns have ever had. And even after his year in Houston, there was never much question which colors belonged at the end of his story.

Brown and orange.

Chubb will be back in front of the Cleveland crowd Sunday for the Browns’ home opener against Carolina, where he is scheduled to serve as Dawg Pound captain and smash the guitar before kickoff. (BrownsZone with Scott Petrak -)

One last roar from a crowd that spent years chanting his name.

One final goodbye for No. 24.

Nick Chubb came to Cleveland as a second-round running back from Georgia.

He leaves as something much harder to become.

A Cleveland Brown for life.

Adam Fantilli and Blue Jackets Finally Reach Massive Six-Year Deal

The wait is officially over in Columbus.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed star center Adam Fantilli to a six-year, $82.5 million contract, carrying an average annual value of $13.75 million and keeping him in Columbus through the 2031-32 season. The agreement ends a contract standoff that caused the 21-year-old restricted free agent to miss the beginning of training camp. (NHL)

Fantilli is coming off the best season of his young career, recording 24 goals and 35 assists for 59 points in 82 games. Since Columbus selected him third overall in the 2023 NHL Draft, Fantilli has accumulated 67 goals and 140 points through 213 NHL games. (NHL)

The new contract makes Fantilli the highest-paid player in Blue Jackets history by average annual value, a major commitment that shows just how important Columbus believes he is to the franchise’s future. (Sportsnet.ca)

General manager Don Waddell called Fantilli a major part of what the organization is building, praising his combination of speed, size, skill and competitiveness. With the negotiations finally behind them, Columbus can now turn its attention back to hockey — with its young No. 1 center locked up for the long term.

For Fantilli, the deal also puts an end to questions surrounding his future in Columbus. After a tense offseason and missed time at training camp, both sides have made a significant commitment to moving forward together.

Gavin McKenna Is Bringing New Life to Toronto

A new chapter has begun in Toronto, and Gavin McKenna is already giving Maple Leafs fans plenty of reasons to be excited.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft has shown flashes of exactly why he was one of hockey’s most anticipated prospects throughout the preseason. After making his debut against Montreal, McKenna took another step forward against Ottawa, recording his first preseason point with an assist on a John Tavares goal as Toronto rolled to a 6-1 victory. His confidence with the puck, creativity and willingness to attack defenders have brought a noticeable spark to a Leafs team looking for a fresh start.

McKenna isn’t the only reason for excitement. Auston Matthews looked locked in against the Senators, finishing with three points and capping off his night with a vintage Matthews snipe. After scoring 20 goals in an injury-shortened 2025-26 season, seeing Toronto’s captain firing the puck with confidence is an encouraging sight heading into the regular season.

Perhaps one of the biggest advantages McKenna has entering his rookie season is the talent surrounding him. At just 18 years old, he has the opportunity to pick the brains of Matthews, John Tavares, William Nylander and Matthew Knies. Matthews and Tavares can offer particularly valuable perspectives as former No. 1 overall picks themselves, while McKenna has already been skating alongside Tavares and Nylander. Matthews has also praised McKenna’s confidence and ability to quickly find his groove with the team.

Toronto also made one of the biggest moves of the offseason by signing veteran goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky to a three-year contract. The two-time Vezina Trophy winner and back-to-back Stanley Cup champion brings experience and stability in net, and he stopped 13 of 14 shots in Toronto’s 6-1 preseason win over Ottawa.

Between McKenna’s arrival, Matthews looking locked in and Bobrovsky providing a championship presence in goal, there is a different feeling surrounding the Maple Leafs. McKenna may still only be 18, but he has landed in a rare situation for a No. 1 pick — surrounded by elite players he can learn from while having the opportunity to immediately become an important part of Toronto’s next chapter.

Zach Ertz Returns Home to Philadelphia

A familiar face is returning to Philadelphia.

Veteran tight end Zach Ertz is reuniting with the Philadelphia Eagles, signing with the team’s practice squad after starting tight end Dallas Goedert suffered a sprained MCL in Philadelphia’s Week 2 win over the Tennessee Titans. Ertz is expected to have an opportunity to work his way back onto the active roster as the Eagles deal with injuries at the position. (Reuters)

For Ertz, the move represents a homecoming to the franchise where he became one of the greatest tight ends of his generation.

Philadelphia selected Ertz in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft out of Stanford. From 2013 through 2021, he developed into one of the Eagles’ most reliable offensive weapons, recording 579 receptions, 6,267 receiving yards and 38 touchdowns while earning three consecutive Pro Bowl selections from 2017-19. (Philadelphia Eagles)

His defining moment came in Super Bowl LII. With Philadelphia trailing the New England Patriots late in the fourth quarter, Ertz caught an 11-yard touchdown from Nick Foles to give the Eagles the lead. Philadelphia went on to win 41-33, capturing the franchise’s first Super Bowl championship. (Philadelphia Eagles)

Ertz followed the championship season with the best statistical year of his career in 2018, catching 116 passes for 1,163 yards and eight touchdowns. His 116 receptions established an Eagles single-season record and, at the time, an NFL record for receptions by a tight end. (Philadelphia Eagles)

The Eagles eventually traded Ertz to the Arizona Cardinals during the 2021 season before he later spent two seasons with the Washington Commanders. Now, at 35 years old, Ertz is back where his NFL career began — and he has a chance to add another chapter to his Philadelphia legacy.

Ertz returns with 579 catches as an Eagle, just 11 receptions away from passing Hall of Famer Harold Carmichael’s franchise record of 589. (NFL)

More than a decade after Philadelphia called his name on draft night, one of the heroes of the Eagles’ first Super Bowl championship is wearing Midnight Green once again.

NFL Stars Hit Hard by Injuries in Brutal Week 2 Sunday

Week 2 of the NFL season brought plenty of action on Sunday, but it also came with a concerning wave of injuries to some of the league’s biggest names.

Two of the most significant injuries came at quarterback. Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels suffered a dislocated left elbow against the Dallas Cowboys and was carted off the field. Initial X-rays reportedly showed no fracture, but Daniels is expected to undergo additional testing to determine the full extent of the injury. The setback is especially concerning after Daniels dealt with injuries to the same elbow during the 2025 season. (Reuters)

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was also carted off after suffering a non-contact hamstring injury late in Chicago’s 9-3 loss to Minnesota. Bears head coach Ben Johnson indicated afterward that the team was relieved the injury was not to Williams’ knee, but the severity of the hamstring issue remains uncertain. (Reuters)

Green Bay also received a scare when star wide receiver Jayden Reed was carted off after taking a high hit on the Packers’ second offensive play against the Jets. Reed was ruled out for the remainder of the game with what the NFL listed as a neck injury. (CBS Sports)

The injuries extended beyond those three. Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. suffered a knee injury against Chicago, while Steelers running back Rico Dowdle was eventually ruled out with a toe injury. Baltimore star left tackle Ronnie Stanley also dealt with a toe injury during the Ravens’ matchup with New Orleans. (CBS Sports)

San Francisco’s receiving corps took another hit as well. Demarcus Robinson suffered a high ankle sprain and was carted off against Miami, while Mike Evans exited with a hip injury, although he reportedly appeared capable of returning if necessary. (San Francisco Chronicle)

For several teams, Sunday’s results may ultimately be overshadowed by the health of their stars. Daniels, Williams and Reed headline a long list of players whose statuses will be closely watched as the NFL turns its attention toward Week 3.

Pete Golding and Ole Miss Spoil Lane Kiffin’s Return to Oxford in Emotional Win Over LSU

OXFORD, Miss. — Lane Kiffin’s return to Oxford was nearly a year in the making. On Saturday night, Pete Golding, Trinidad Chambliss and the Ole Miss Rebels made sure it ended with Kiffin leaving his former home with a loss.

No. 8 Ole Miss defeated No. 7 LSU, 32-24, in one of the most anticipated games of the young college football season, handing Kiffin a defeat in his first trip back to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium since his controversial departure for LSU.

For Ole Miss, this was never going to feel like just another SEC game.

From Kiffin’s Assistant to His Replacement

Pete Golding spent three seasons as Kiffin’s defensive coordinator at Ole Miss before suddenly finding himself responsible for holding the program together late last year.

Kiffin left Ole Miss for SEC rival LSU on Nov. 30, 2025, following an 11-1 regular season and just before the Rebels were officially selected for their first College Football Playoff appearance. Ole Miss immediately promoted Golding, who took over the program and guided the Rebels all the way to the CFP semifinals. (Ole Miss Athletics - Hotty Toddy)

The timing of Kiffin’s exit created a firestorm in Oxford.

Kiffin wanted to accept the LSU job while continuing to coach Ole Miss through its playoff run, but athletic director Keith Carter rejected that request. Kiffin publicly claimed the players also wanted him to remain for the postseason, a characterization that several Ole Miss players later disputed. (Los Angeles Times)

The situation only became more contentious from there. Reports indicated Ole Miss officials were concerned Kiffin would attempt to bring players and staff members with him to Baton Rouge, with stars such as Chambliss and running back Kewan Lacy at the center of the battle to keep the Rebels’ roster intact. (The Wall Street Journal)

Ten months later, Kiffin finally returned to the stadium he once called home — this time wearing LSU colors.

Chambliss Delivers Against His Former Coach

Of all the players who could have spoiled Kiffin’s homecoming, perhaps none was more fitting than Trinidad Chambliss.

Chambliss remained at Ole Miss following Kiffin’s departure and entered 2026 as the Rebels’ starting quarterback. His presence added another layer to Saturday’s matchup after reports that Kiffin had shown interest in bringing his former quarterback to LSU. (Yahoo Sports)

On Saturday, Chambliss helped Ole Miss seize control early.

The Rebels jumped ahead 10-0 before Chambliss connected with Traylon Ray for a 21-yard touchdown to extend the advantage to 17-0. After LSU finally responded, Chambliss struck again, finding Deuce Alexander for a 20-yard touchdown just before halftime.

Ole Miss entered the locker room leading 24-7, with Chambliss having repeatedly attacked an LSU defense that entered the night determined to contain him. (WBRZ)

LSU eventually fought its way back into the game, cutting into the Rebels’ lead during the second half. But Ole Miss refused to let Kiffin complete the comeback, putting the finishing touches on a 32-24 victory.

More Than Another SEC Win

The buildup surrounding Kiffin’s return was unlike almost anything Oxford had experienced before.

Ole Miss fans booed their former head coach throughout the day, and authorities significantly increased security around the game because of the emotion surrounding his return. The matchup drew a record crowd of more than 70,000 inside Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. (AP News)

But when the game finally began, Golding and his players did their talking on the field.

Less than a year after being handed the program under extraordinary circumstances, Golding defeated the coach he once worked under. Chambliss, one of the biggest pieces Ole Miss fought to retain, helped deliver the victory.

Kiffin helped build Ole Miss into a national contender during his six seasons in Oxford. His departure threatened to disrupt everything the program had built.

Instead, Golding took Ole Miss to the College Football Playoff semifinals, kept many of the program’s biggest stars in Oxford and entered 2026 with the Rebels still among the highest-ranked teams in the country.

Then, when Kiffin finally returned, Ole Miss was waiting.

On a night centered around Lane Kiffin’s homecoming, Pete Golding and Trinidad Chambliss made sure the final story belonged to the Rebels.

José Ramírez Makes History With 1,000th Career RBI

José Ramírez has added yet another milestone to his legendary career in Cleveland.

The Guardians superstar recorded the 1,000th RBI of his career with a solo home run against the Athletics, becoming just the second player in franchise history to reach 1,000 RBIs, joining Cleveland legend Earl Averill.

For Ramírez, it’s another accomplishment in a career that started with little fanfare.

Cleveland signed Ramírez as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 2009. He wasn’t viewed as a highly touted prospect and received a signing bonus of just $50,000 before working his way through Cleveland’s minor-league system.

Ramírez eventually made his MLB debut with the Cleveland Indians in 2013 at just 20 years old. Initially serving as a utility player, he gradually earned a permanent spot in the lineup before developing into one of the best all-around players in baseball.

Since then, J-Ram has become the face of Cleveland baseball.

Ramírez has earned seven All-Star selections and six Silver Slugger Awards, while finishing near the top of American League MVP voting multiple times. He was also a key piece of the Indians team that captured the 2016 American League pennant and came within one victory of winning the World Series.

His rare combination of power, speed and consistency has also placed him alongside some of baseball’s biggest names. Ramírez has recorded three seasons with at least 30 doubles, 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases, joining Barry Bonds and Alfonso Soriano as the only players in MLB history to accomplish the feat three times.

Now, more than a decade after making his debut for the Indians, Ramírez has another number attached to his résumé:

1,000 career RBIs.

From an overlooked international signing to one of the greatest players in Cleveland baseball history, José Ramírez continues to build a legacy that will be remembered in Northeast Ohio long after his playing days are over.

Michigan Fires Head Coach Sherrone Moore

Sherrone Moore has been relieved of his duties as head coach of Michigan’s football team, per ESPN insiders @PeteThamel and @AdamShefter. This comes as a complete shock due to Moore’s recent success after the departure of Jim Harbaugh. His overall record was 16-8. However, this included two massive wins for the program against The Ohio State Buckeyes in 2023 and 2024 as well as a victory against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl. The decision was not football related.

According to the University of Michigan’s Athletic Director, Warde Manuel, “Sherrone Moore has been terminated, with cause, effective immediately. Following a University investigation, credible evidence was found that Coach Moore engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. This conduct constitutes a clear violation of University policy, and the University of Michigan maintains zero tolerance for such behavior”.

Moore has been with the team since he was hired in 2018 as the TE coach. In 2021, he was promoted to the OL coach with partial duties as the offensive coordinator. He took sole ownership of the offensive coordinator position in 2023 and led Michigan as acting head coach in games which Harbaugh had been suspended. Moore was instrumental in Michigan’s 2023 National Championship run as the OC and quickly took over head coaching duties after Jim Harbaugh’s departure for the Los Angeles Chargers.

Manuel also stated, “Biff Poggi has been appointed head football coach in an interim capacity, effective immediately”. Biff Poggi was the associate head coach for the 2025 season. He served as the interim head coach for two games this season during a self-imposed suspension due to Moore’s involvement in the Connor Stalions sign-stealing scandal. Poggi will coach Michigan for their upcoming game against the Texas Longhorns in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Eve.

Potential Landing Spots For Mavs’ Star Anthony Davis

The Dallas Mavericks are struggling heavily a quarter of the way through their 2025-2026 campaign with a 6-15 record. Despite a slow start, the future still looks bright for their 1st overall pick, Cooper Flagg, as he continues to improve game by game. However, it is becoming more evident that their “win now” approach is falling apart at the seams. With the dismissal of GM Nico Harrison on November 11th, it is obvious the Mavs’ ownership is moving their priorities in a different direction.

Recent reports from DallasHoopsJournal.com announced that star Power-Forward, Anthony Davis, “expects to be traded”(as of Dec. 1). Davis is without a question, a future Hall of Famer and a top 5 Power-Forward of all time. However, Davis' age (32) as well as long injury history has simply put the Mavs in a tough situation. They want to build their future around Cooper Flagg but players like Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis do not fit their current timeline. So this begs the question.. what team wants Anthony Davis?

Talks have been ramping up within the Bulls’ organization about possibly bringing home the Chicago Native, per Jamal Collier (ESPN Chicago Insider). The Bulls began their 2025-2026 campaign to a hot 6-1 start. Since then, they have lost 9 of their last 12 games and currently sit at 9-10. Chicago has had major concerns with their defense and rim protection, something that Anthony Davis specializes in. The Bulls also have a roster full of young talent which could be exactly what the Mavs’ organization is looking for in potential trade pieces. Although talks may cool down within each organization, the trade deadline is still over 2 months away (Feb. 6) and we cannot completely rule out a trade to bring Anthony Davis back home to Chicago.

Josh Allen Sets New NFL QB Rushing Record

Buffalo Bills’ quarterback Josh Allen passed former Carolina Panthers’ Cam Newton Sunday evening for most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in NFL history. Allen scrambled on a designed run early in the 4th quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers for an 8-yard touchdown, making the score 22-7. This marked the 76th rushing touchdown of his career at just 29 years old.

Josh Allen accomplished this record in 123 total games played, 25 less than the former record holder, Cam Newton. Allen has always been considered a dual threat quarterback by many coaches and analysts. However, these statements hold more weight now than ever as he continues to add historic NFL rushing records to his resume, while simultaneously shredding defenses with his passing abilities.

Since Allen was drafted in 2018, Derrick Henry (Ravens’ running back) is the only player in the NFL with more rushing touchdowns. This puts into perspective just how dominant the Bills’ quarterback has been over the past 8 seasons. Allen is coming off a historic 2024-2025 season in which he was awarded MVP. He continues to prove why he is still at the top of the list of the NFL’s most valuable players.