With the Detroit Lions’ margin for error gone in their playoff race, the Pittsburgh Steelers are the first team in their way between them and the postseason. If Detroit drops their home finale to the AFC foe, their playoff chances aren’t completely gone, but we’re talking about postseason odds in the single digits. On paper, […] With the Detroit Lions’ margin for error gone in their playoff race, the Pittsburgh Steelers are the first team in their way between them and the postseason. If Detroit drops their home finale to the AFC foe, their playoff chances aren’t completely gone, but we’re talking about postseason odds in the single digits. On paper, the Lions look like the more talented roster. They’ve got significantly better weapons on offense, and while things are probably more even on defense, the Steelers are missing some key players on that side of the ball. Still, all it takes is one heroic performance by one or two players to turn the entire outcome of the game. So today’s Question of the Day is: Which Steelers player is the biggest threat to a Lions victory? My answer: Most Lions losses this year have one thing in common: the inability to run the football. The Lions have failed to reach 100 rushing yards five times this season, and they have lost each of those games. Their only time rushing for over 100 yards and still losing the game was Thanksgiving against the Packers, and even then, they needed a 24-yard scramble from Jared Goff to reach the century mark. So, who is the biggest threat to Detroit’s run game struggling again this week? That would be veteran defensive lineman Cameron Heyward. The 36-year-old interior defender is playing like someone a decade younger. He currently possesses the third-best PFF run defense grade among interior defenders (83.0), has seven tackles for loss, and is fourth among all defensive linemen in tackles that result in “stops”— a positive play for the defense. His veteran experience could be a ton of trouble for Detroit’s inexperienced offensive line that is also going through several injuries. As of this publishing, it’s unclear who will be playing at left guard or center. It’s possible Christian Mahogany returns to play guard, but a downgrade to a limited practice on Friday suggests he may not be ready yet. If not, Detroit may have to rely on Trystan Colon or rookie Miles Frazier. At center, Graham Glasgow is questionable after missing the past two practices. If he can’t go, it’ll be Colon, Michael Niese, or possibly practice squad center Kingsley Eguakun—who has never started a game. In most of these cases, we’re talking about players with single-digit starts working alongside offensive linemen for yet another combination of players who have limited reps with each other. That vs. a seven-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro is a bit scary for Detroit. Which Steelers player do you think is the biggest threat to a Lions victory? Scroll down and share your thoughts in the comment section. See More:
Discussion: Which Steelers player is biggest threat to a Lions victory?
College Football Playoffs round 1: Draft prospects for the NY Giants
Good morning New York Giants fans! Happy Saturday and welcome back to Bowl Season. The first round of the College Football Playoffs got started last night with the matchup between (8) Oklahoma and (9) Alabama, and today we have three more playoff games. Saturday starts off with (7) Texas A&M vs. (10) Miami, followed by (6) Ole Miss vs. (11) Tulane, and the day is capped by (5) Oregon vs. (12) James Madison. Today’s games should feature a number of draft prospects, as well as a pair of teams we haven’t really focused on in Tulane and JMU. So without further ado, let’s get into it. (7) Texas A&M vs. (10) Miami ESPN – noon We get what should be the best game of the day first thing. While they’d never admit it, I suspect the college schedule makers put the games featuring Tulane and JMU against the NFL’s games at 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Giants fans will want to watch the line of scrimmage, and any potential matchup between TAMU edge defender Cashius Howell and Miami right tackle Francis Mauigoa. Mauigoa is a big, stout lineman at 6-foot-6, 320 pounds who’s a powerful run blocker and a reliable pass protector — at least at the collegiate level. There are some who question whether Mauigoa will be able to stay at tackle in the NFL, and this promises to be a good test. Players to watch (7) Texas A&M Chase Bisontis (OG – 71) Ar’maj Reed-Adams (OG – 55) Trey Zuhn III (OT – 60) K.C. Concepcion (WR – 7) Albert Regis (iDL – 17) Cashius Howell (EDGE – 9) Taurean York (LB – 21) Will Lee III (CB – 4) (10) Miami Carson Beck (QB – 11) Francis Mauigoa (OT – 61) C.J. Daniels (WR – 7) Reuben Bane (DE / EDGE – 4) Akheem Mesidor (DE / EDGE – 3)I Keionte Scott (CB – 0) (6) Ole Miss vs. (11) Tulane TNT / HBO Max / TruTV – 3:30 p.m. This game marks the start of the post-Lane Kiffin era for Ole Miss. But even so, it would be a definite upset if Tulane manages to in this game. For Giants’ fans, Ole Miss defensive tackle Zxavian Harris bears watching. He’s an imposing presence at 6-foot-8, 330 pounds with plus run defense skills as well as some pass rush upside. He’s primarily a B-gap player for Ole Miss, which could fit well with Dexter Lawrence at nose tackle, and he has 4 sacks, 3 hits, 14 QB hurries to his name this year. Players to watch (6) Ole Miss Trinidad Chambliss (QB – 6) De’Zhaun Stribling (WR – 1) Dae’Quan Wright (TE – 8) Zxavian Harris (iDL – 51) Princewill Umanmielen (EDGE – 1) Suntarine Perkins (LB – 4) (11) Tulane Jake Retzlaff (QB – 12) John Bock II (OL – 51) Ty Thompson (TE – 13) Mo Westmoreland (EDGE – 0) (5) Oregon vs. (12) James Madison TNT / HBO Max / TruTV – 7:30 p.m. Credit to JMU for making it to the dance, but this is another one where the lower-ranked team winning would be a colossal upset. From the Giants’ persepctive, Oregon QB Dante Moore might be the player to watch in this game — not as a draft target, but as potential trade bait. Moore is a 20-year old red-shirt sophomore with very limited starting experience, so it would likely behoove him to return to school. However, this year’s quarterback class is a weak one outside of Fernando Mendoza, and he would likely be one of the top two (or three, if Alabama’s Ty Simpson comes out) off the board in April. That could create a much-needed opportunity for the Giants to trade down and acquire more picks. Elsewhere, defensive tackle A’Mauri Washington should definitely interest the Giants and Giants fans. Washington is a big, powerful defensive tackle who excels at clogging interior gaps (usually the B-gap) as well as batting down passes (6 on the season). He doesn’t have much pass rush production (2 sacks, 2 hits), but does have 13 hurries to his credit. Players to watch (5) Oregon Dante Moore (QB – 5) Isaiah World (OT – 76) Emmanuel Pregnon (OG – 75) Iapani Laloulu (OC – 72) Kenyon Sadiq (TE – 18) A’Mauri Washington (iDL – 52) Matayo Uiagalelei (EDGE – 10) Bryce Boettcher (LB – 28) Dillon Thieneman (S – 31) (12) James Madison George Pettaway (RB – 6) Jacob Thomas (S – 7) See More: New York Giants Draft
Eagles roster news: 2 moves announced ahead of Commanders game
The Philadelphia Eagles officially announced two roster moves ahead of their Week 16 game against the Washington Commanders. Here’s an overview: Note: teams can temporarily promote practice squad players up to three times each in the regular season and an unlimited number of times in the postseason. Let’s sort through this news on a player-by-player […] The Philadelphia Eagles officially announced two roster moves ahead of their Week 16 game against the Washington Commanders. Here’s an overview: TE E.J. Jenkins and CB Brandon Johnson were temporarily elevated from the practice squad. Note: teams can temporarily promote practice squad players up to three times each in the regular season and an unlimited number of times in the postseason. Let’s sort through this news on a player-by-player basis. E.J. JENKINS The Eagles ruled fullback/tight end/special teams contributor Cameron Latu questionable on their final injury report. Latu was listed under did not participate on Tuesday due to a stinger injury before being upgraded to limited on Wednesday and full participation on Thursday. Perhaps Latu is a game-time decision and the Eagles elevated Jenkins to have more depth in case the former can’t play. Or maybe they’re just playing it safe with Latu and holding him out. We’ll find out more when the Eagles officially announce Week 16 inactives at 3:30 PM Eastern. If Latu can’t play, the Eagles will have four active tight ends: Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcaterra, Kylen Granson, and Jenkins. Note that this is Jenkins’ second temporary elevation of the 2025 regular season. BRANDON JOHNSON The Eagles temporarily elevated Andre’ Sam for each of their last three games. Now that he’s out of elevations, the Eagles are going with Brandon Johnson. The undrafted rookie defensive back figures to mainly contribute on special teams but he could also provide depth at cornerback and safety in a pinch. It’s worth noting that Johnson will likely be active over 2025 fifth-round draft pick Mac McWilliams, who has largely been a healthy scratch this year. This is Johnson’s first temporary elevation of the 2025 regular season. … Side note: the Eagles had until 4:00 PM Eastern on Friday to active Cameron Williams from injured reserve if they wanted him to be available for Week 16. Unsurprisingly, they did not activate him. But his practice window to return from injured reserve remains open for now. See More: Philadelphia Eagles News
Survey results: Giants fans overwhelmingly want Chris Shula
There seems to be a sentiment among New York Giants fans that the team shouldn’t entertain the idea of hiring someone who’s never done the job before to be the team’s next head coach. And after Ben McAdoo, Joe Judge, and Brian Daboll, there’s certainly merit to that opinion. But when pressed and presented with the top “inexperienced” candidates, Giants fans have a clear and overwhelming favorite: Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula. Shula is a young coach at 39, but he’s beeen coaching in some capacity since his first job as a linebackers coach at Ball State in 2010. He’s spent most of the last decade as a defensive coach for the Los Angeles Rams, joinging the staff with Sean McVay. The two are college classmates and reportedly close friends, and McVay has endorsed Shula as a head coach. The hope is likely that hiring Shula would reorient the Giants’ focus to the defensive side of the ball and get results from the investments made in that side of the ball in recent years. Hiring any defensive-minded coach would also make hiring the right offensive staff critically important, as the development of Jaxson Dart is of paramount importance to the future of the Giants. Unfortunately, few fans are truly confident in that future as things stand now. Just 35% of fans believe the team is headed in the right direction. That’s roughly the same percentage of fans who are optimistic about the Giants future as in the previous two polls. That tracks, as little has changed over the last three weeks. The Giants are slight underdogs, -2.5 points per FanDuel, at home to the Minnesota Vikings this week.
Eagles vs. Commanders Week 16 game information
The Philadelphia Eagles are now 9-5 heading into their Week 16 matchup against the Washington Commanders (4-10) on Saturday evening. This is the first time these NFC East teams will meet in 2025, and the NFL probably anticipated some division or postseason implications on the line when they scheduled it, but that’s not exactly how […] The Philadelphia Eagles are now 9-5 heading into their Week 16 matchup against the Washington Commanders (4-10) on Saturday evening. This is the first time these NFC East teams will meet in 2025, and the NFL probably anticipated some division or postseason implications on the line when they scheduled it, but that’s not exactly how things worked out. The Eagles were able to bounce back and look effective against the Raiders last week, and are now facing a Commanders team without QB Jayden Daniels, TE Zach Ertz, and OT Laremy Tunsil. Philadelphia has managed to make it to this point of the season relatively healthy, with Lane Johnson (foot) and Jalen Carter (shoulder) the only ones out due to injury. Landon Dickerson continues to deal with a variety of ailments, and Fred Johnson has been dealing with an ankle injury, but both lineman participated at practice late in the week, and will play on Saturday. The Eagles need just one win over the final three games to secure the NFC East title — marking the first time that a team in the division repeated since 2004. They’re also looking at heading into the postseason with the No. 3 seed in the NFC. They play the Commanders on Saturday and again in Week 18, with just the Buffalo Bills in between, and might even be able to get some starters rest down the final stretch. Hopefully Jalen Hurts and Co. are able to sustain the level of efficiency they were able to execute against Las Vegas, and find some kind of momentum and rhythm to finish out the next few weeks. The season hasn’t always looked good for the Eagles, but playing their best football at this point should be encouraging. Here’s everything you need to know about how to watch the game. TV Schedule Date: Saturday, December 20, 2025 Time: 5:00 PM ET Channel: FOX Location: Northwest Stadium | Landover, MD Announcers: Joe Davis, Greg Olsen, Pam Oliver (field reporter) Referee: Craig Wrolstad (The Eagles are 10-10 in the 20 games with him at Field Judge or Referee.) Radio: SportsRadio 94WIP Online Streaming FuboTV | NFL+ | FOX One Odds The Eagles are big favorites in this Week 16 NFC East matchup. Philadelphia Eagles: -7 (-320) Washington Commanders: +7 (+260) Over/under: 44.5 points Social Media Information BGN Facebook Page: Click here to like our page BGN Twitter: Follow @BleedingGreen BGN Manager: Brandon Lee Gowton: Follow @BrandonGowton Eagles 2025 Regular Season Schedule Week 1 – vs. Dallas Cowboys (Sept. 4, 8:20 PM ET, NBC) Thursday Night Football Week 2 – at Kansas City Chiefs (Sept. 14, 4:25 PM ET, FOX) Week 3 – vs. Los Angeles Rams (Sept. 21, 1:00 PM ET, FOX) Week 4 – at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Sept. 28, 1:00 PM ET, FOX) Week 5 – vs. Denver Broncos (Oct. 5, 1:00 PM ET, CBS) Week 6 – at New York Giants (Oct. 9, 8:15 PM ET, Amazon Prime Video) Thursday Night Football Week 7 – at Minnesota Vikings (Oct. 19, 1:00 PM ET, FOX) Week 8 – vs. New York Giants (Oct. 26, 1:00 PM ET, FOX) Week 9 – BYE WEEK Week 10 – at Green Bay Packers (Nov. 10, 8:15 PM ET, ESPN/ABC) Monday Night Football Week 11 – vs. Detroit Lions (Nov. 16, 8:20 PM ET, NBC) Sunday Night Football Week 12 – at Dallas Cowboys (Nov. 23, 4:25 PM ET, FOX) Week 13 – vs. Chicago Bears (Nov. 28, 3:00 PM ET, Amazon Prime Video) Black Friday Game Week 14 – at Los Angeles Chargers (Dec. 8, 8:15 PM ET, ESPN/ABC) Monday Night Football Week 15 – vs. Las Vegas Raiders (Dec. 14, 1:00 PM ET, FOX) Week 16 – at Washington Commanders (Dec. 20, 5:00 PM ET, FOX) Week 17 – at Buffalo Bills (Dec. 28, 4:25 PM ET, FOX) Week 18 – vs. Washington Commanders (TBD) See More: Philadelphia Eagles game information
Bengals News (12/20): Pissing off the Steelers
Bengals News Bengals might’ve angered Steelers with waiver wire steal The Cincinnati Bengals simply needed help on special teams when they claimed wide receiver Ke’Shawn Williams on the waiver wire. Quick Hits | How Mike Gesicki Helped Joe Burrow Become A Bengal, Plus Help Him Make History On Sunday No Bengal is around from the Dec. 22, 2019, Burrow […] Bengals News Bengals might’ve angered Steelers with waiver wire steal The Cincinnati Bengals simply needed help on special teams when they claimed wide receiver Ke’Shawn Williams on the waiver wire. Quick Hits | How Mike Gesicki Helped Joe Burrow Become A Bengal, Plus Help Him Make History On Sunday No Bengal is around from the Dec. 22, 2019, Burrow Bowl in Miami, the Dolphins’ exhausting 38-35 overtime win that gave the Bengals the first draft pick of the 2020s in the person of record-shattering quarterback Joe Burrow. Who’s behind billboard calling for Zac Taylor to be fired? What we know Bengals fans aren’t happy, and some are even forking over their own money to have their voices heard. Bengals vs. Dolphins Final Score Prediction for NFL Week 16 (Cincy to Cover) Joe Burrow and the Bengals are road favorites in Miami after the Dolphins’ quarterback change. Bengals declare several players out for Week 16 game at Dolphins and provide latest update on Tee Higgins Tee Higgins is officially questionable for the Bengals’ Week 16 game in Miami. Ja’Marr Chase confirms what Joe Burrow & Bengals fans know is inevitable If you can’t escape it, you might as well embrace it. NFL News Early winners in 2026 NFL free agency: Eight players making bank with contract-year performances The 2025 NFL regular season has entered its final stretch — and a handful of players are putting the finishing touches on exquisitely timed contract-year breakouts. NFL Week 16 odds, predictions, expert picks: Can Patriots bounce back? Who emerges in NFC South and NFC North? With just three weeks left in the 2025 regular season, these games carry substantial weight as we continue to mold the playoff picture. Rams’ latest narrow defeat could be difference in whether or not they secure top seed in NFC The Los Angeles Rams have been reminded time and again how close the margins are between winning and losing. Tua Tagovailoa Tanked the Dolphins. Now the Rebuild Begins Miami has benched its franchise quarterback. There are no easy fixes for what comes next. Projecting 2025 NFL standings, playoff games, Super Bowl 60 With three weeks left in the 2025 NFL regular season, we’re starting to get a sense of which teams will be in the playoffs.
New York Giants mailbag: Joe Schoen, Brian Flores, assistant coaches
Kölnerbigblue asks: Ed, if the Giants move on from Joe Schoen, is there any benefit to doing it later rather than sooner? Would we be permitted to talk to Assistant GMs during the season? Ed says: Kolner, not really. As with coaches, the Giants could not talk to anyone who currently has a job with another team. When they fired Jerry Reese near the end of the 2017 season, the only candidates they spoke with were Dave Gettleman and Louis Riddick. Neither was working for an NFL team at the time. Bob Donnelly asks: In your Kudos & Wet Willies summary of Sunday’s game against the Commanders you wrote: “Game day roster management always seems to be a problem with the Giants. Kafka doesn’t seem to be immune.” I suspect few if any of my fellow BBV readers would disagree with that statement.What can you tell us about how the Giants go about making the weekly roster decisions and who is ultimately responsible for the game day roster? Ed says: Bob, what I know is that the Giants don’t finalize these decisions until after their final practice of the week. They meet as a staff to discuss their needs, players available, players they are not certain about, etc. I believe the front office is involved in those meetings. These decisions are not easy. A team only gets two practice squad elevations each week, and a player can only be elevated three times before he has to be added to the 53-man roster. This past week, the Giants needed an elevation for punter Cameron Johnston with Jamie Gillan injured. They had to choose between an elevation for defensive tackle Elijah Chatman with Rakeem Nunez-Roches out and one for a return man with Gunner Olszewski still in the concussion protocol. Personally, I would have chosen to elevate Ihmir Smith-Marsette to return punts and kickoffs. The Giants made the opposite choice. I don’t know the medical reports, but I also might have gone ahead and placed one of Nunez-Roches, Gillan, or Kayvon Thibodeaux on IR to open up some roster flexibility to make sure I had a real return man available. The thing that I don’t understand is why the Giants seem to get burned over and over by refusing to place injured players on short-term IR. Paulson Adebo used up a roster spot for five games when he could have been on IR. Thibodeaux has now missed four games. Injured reserve requires missing a minimum of four games. Placing those players on IR would have increased the team’s roster flexibility. I don’t know why they keep making this mistake over and over. Just put the player on IR and stop handicapping yourself. Pat Lam asks: I was wondering which current NY Giants coaches you would try to keep. I’m hoping that Andre Patterson and Carmen Bricillo somehow stay. Ed says: Pat, Bricillo has done good work with the offensive line. Patterson has long been one of the best, most respected defensive line coaches in the league. I would hope whoever the new coach is will at least speak to them to see if there is a match. With the right head coach, I wouldn’t object to Mike Kafka staying as offensive coordinator. I would, though, fully understand if Kafka did not want to do that. Jack MacMullen asks: There seems to be a difference in opinion on the search for the new head coach. Most opinions/articles prefer a previous coach with a winning history/leader of men approach, while the oddsmakers always have a few of the hot coordinators high on their lists. Based on recent Giants history results, how concerned would you be if the next coach was the up and coming coordinator? Ed says: Jack, personally I would like a guy who has been a successful head coach somewhere. In reality, I am not sure that matters. What matters is whether or not whoever the coach is can lead men, set standards, hold players accountable, hire quality assistants, let them do their jobs, and work productively with the front office to build the best possible roster. David Gray asks: Why hasn’t Robert Saleh’s name been brought up as a candidate for head coach? I know his overall record with Jets was not good, but he was 7-10 in each of his last two years as head coach (the last 7-10 season with Zach Wilson starting 11 games at quarterback and Trevor Siemian and Tim Boyle also starting) and was fired after starting 2-3 in 2024. As head coach, the Jets defense excelled with Saleh: from 2022-23, the Jets ranked first in passing yards allowed per game (178.9) and opponent yards per play (4.7), second in total defense (301.7) and sixth in opponent yards per rush (4.1). Over those two seasons, the Jets defense also tallied 93 sacks and 29 interceptions, tied for the eighth and 10th-most, respectively, in the NFL. And despite all of the injuries, he has the Niners defense 8th in points this season. Ed says: David, I have seen Saleh’s name mentioned a few times. Never, though, have I seen or heard any national insider say he was a leading candidate. Saleh was a terrible head coach with the New York Jets, part of a regime that basically stepped aside and turned over control of the franchise to Aaron Rodgers. Would I be surprised if he got an interview? No. I would be shocked if he got the job. What about his Jets’ tenure makes you believe he can be a head coach? More specifically, that he can be a good head coach in New York? Jason Robbins asks: To me, after McAdoo, Judge, and Daboll (I don’t count Shurmur as he was a last resort and brought in more as an “adult in the room” after the McAdoo disaster, I truly believe the two most important factors should be prior head coaching experience and a history of winning. To me, barring Tomlin or Jim Harbaugh becoming
Giants news, 12/20: Marcus Freeman, trading Jaxson Dart, Brian Flores
Good morning, New York Giants fans! From Big Blue View Other Giant observations Burns doesn’t worry that he might be remembered as a star player who spent his entire career stuck on losing teams. “No, because I see where we’re going,” he said. “We’ve got our guy [Dart]. And throughout my years in Carolina, it was always a struggle to find the guy to play the most important position on the field. But apparently, we have him. So I don’t think [losing a lot] is going to be in my future. If you think too much about the window, you’re going to lose it.” The college world’s view of the Giants interest in Marcus Freeman Kayvon Thibodeaux adamant on return to Giants despite lingering injury | New York Post “I’m still feeling good and shooting for the last two [games],” Thibodeaux told The Post. “I have to come back; I have to play. Obviously, I just want to play football, but I still feel a certain level of pride in this team and I still feel a certain level of expectation on myself to leave everything on the field. The fact that we still have some opportunities left, I can’t sit and think about what else is to come. As long as I’m healthy and I can play, then I’m going to play. For what I injured, you can’t play if you can’t play. I’m definitely going to make sure that I’m able to do my job at a high level.” Giants’ Cor’Dale Flott can make impression vs. former LSU teammate Justin Jefferson | New York Daily News Giants corner Cor’Dale Flott has already made himself money in free agency with the way he has covered receivers this season amid the team’s constant losing. But Sunday presents a unique opportunity: the chance to lock down one of the NFL’s best receivers, the Minnesota Vikings’ Justin Jefferson, who just so happens to be Flott’s former teammate at LSU. “My old teammate, my guy, but an elite receiver, top of the game,” Flott said with a smile. “So I’ve got to come in with my mind right and be ready to compete…He’s elusive, catch radius is great, coming in and out of his breaks. You can’t just put him in a frame and say he’s this type of receiver. That’s what I think makes him elite. Some receivers you can say, ‘He’s a down the field guy] or ‘he’s an intermediate guy.’ He can do it all. So kudos to him.” Inside Jaxson Dart’s biggest NFL challenge yet as Giants quarterback | The Record Jaxson Dart is doing everything he can to be ready for the challenges that come with facing a Brian Flores-coordinated defense for the Minnesota Vikings. Flores will try to test seemingly every facet of Dart’s development as the quarterback of the New York Giants when they take the MetLife Stadium field against each other on Sunday afternoon. ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky compares Jaxson Dart approach this Sunday – counter to how he likes to play – to how Tom Brady tweaked his mindset when facing Rex Ryan. Q: What’s something only someone in your seat would notice about [Jaxon Dart]? Kafka: I think what you see is what you get with him. He’s a confident kid. He cares about his teammates. He cares about his craft. He loves football. The things that you see, what you see is really what you get. I really appreciate that. He’s himself. He’s not trying to be anybody else. He’s always going to be himself, and you’ve got to love a guy like that. PFF Grades and Data: Key insights for the Week 16 NFL games | PFF Giants tight end Theo Johnson is developing into a key pass catcher for the Giants, especially on third down, where he leads the position in receiving yards (260) and ranks tied for third in conversions (12). Four of those conversions came from contested catches, which also co-leads all tight ends. Minnesota is the league’s fifth-best third-down defense, though (36% conversion rate allowed). Tyrone Tracy details the success of the run game NY Giants Can Surprise People in 2026 — If These 5 Things Are Addressed | SI.com Stop the run. No, you are not experiencing deja vu. New York’s run defense remains putrid, ranked 31st in the league. The Giants as a whole have failed to mount adequate resistance against opposing running backs. They are giving up an NFL-worst 5.6 yards per carry and have allowed the second-most rushing yards per game (153.6). Imagine how this team would look if it could control the tempo on defense. The late-game implosions that fans have become numb to should occur much less frequently if New York is more organized at the first and second levels. The organization would be wise to either re-sign McFadden or add a reliable veteran linebacker, such as Alex Anzalone or Alex Singleton. A little more help in this area could go a long way in 2026. BIGGEST WISH: Coaching stability. Since Tom Coughlin resigned in January 2016, Big Blue has endured one disaster after another. First, it was Ben McAdoo and his oversized suit going 13-15. Pat Shurmur bumbled his way to 9-23. Joe Judge was in over his head, finishing 10-23. Brian Daboll at least won a playoff game before bottoming out, ending his run this year with a 20-40-1 record. The Giants have been rudderless for a decade. New York has to nail this hire. The next coaching staff must be able to get the best out of quarterback Jaxson Dart while turning around a moribund defense. Another swing-and-miss on the coaching hire, and we’ll be right back here in two years writing a similar blurb. Who is the best prospect fit right now for them at No. 1? Arvell Reese, Edge/linebacker, Ohio State.. Like the Titans, the Giants have their QB in place with Dart. With edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux entering the final year of his rookie deal
Is Laiatu Latu living up to expectations?
Indianapolis, IN — Indianapolis Colts second-year defensive end Laiatu Latu already has more sacks than he did as a rookie, poised to lead the team in sacks as they enter the final stretch of the regular season. Despite this progression on the surface, some fans and analysts seem to think that Latu will never take […] Indianapolis, IN — Indianapolis Colts second-year defensive end Laiatu Latu already has more sacks than he did as a rookie, poised to lead the team in sacks as they enter the final stretch of the regular season. Despite this progression on the surface, some fans and analysts seem to think that Latu will never take the next step in his ascension, often citing claims that his high-pressure numbers are nothing more than empty calories, given that he struggles to finish his sacks. Colts general manager Chris Ballard took Latu with the 15th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, serving as the first defensive player to come off the board. This naturally baked in an expectation for Latu that he simply must be the best defensive player in his draft class, from the moment he’s drafted no less. Couple that with Ballard’s draft day comments that confidently, or arrogantly, depending on how you look at it, deemed Latu to be the “best [expletive] rusher in the draft,” and it begins to make sense why patience is running thin with the second-year pass rusher. Entering Week 16, Laiatu Latu has the T-7th-highest pressure rate (14.2%) among qualified defensive ends, according to Next Gen Stats. The names above him: Will Anderson Jr., Myles Garrett, Aidan Hutchinson, Bryce Huff, Danielle Hunter, and George Karlaftis. The biggest difference? Latu has the slowest get-off amongst the group. His get-off (0.91 seconds) is the only average over 0.90 seconds. The rest have averages from 0.73-0.89. Latu also has the least amount of ‘quick pressures’ — a pressure logged in under 3 seconds — among them, with 9, the only player with less than 10. Latu’s 352 pass rushes in 2025 are 1 more than his rookie total, aka the perfect sample size to compare. His sack percentage and pressure rate have both improved from his rookie season, but his get-off and time to pressure have fallen off. Time to pressure: 2.69 seconds -> 3.05 Get-off: 0.84 seconds -> 0.91 Furthermore, you begin to question Latu’s impact when breaking down each of his 10.5 sacks in the league thus far. Broken up between his rookie and sophomore campaigns in the NFL, here’s the type of protection Latu is beating for each of his sacks: 2024-25 (Rookie) Bears: two tight ends (Marcedes Lewis and Cole Kmet) Dolphins: tight end Jets: rookie tackle Olu Fashanu Lions: swing tackle Dan Skipper 2025-26 (so far) Rams: tackle Alaric Jackson Chargers: third-string tackle Austin Deculus Titans: tackle Dan Moore Jr. Steelers: tackle Broderick Jones (2x), tight end Darnell Washington Chiefs: rookie tackle Josh Simmons (1-yard scramble drill) Seahawks: running back Zach Charbonnet This isn’t to discredit Laiatu Latu’s efforts thus far, but rather to provide context for how it is he’s landing sacks. He receives his fair share of chip help from tight ends or running backs when 1-on-1 with tackles when rushing the passer, proving that opposing offenses strategically account for his gravity across the defensive front. Latu is undeniably talented; it’s the inconsistency and types of blockers that he’s faced and won against that offer long-term concern. Regardless of the potential brief setback, Latu is indeed finishing sacks at a much higher and more effective rate than as a rookie. This would make three consecutive years of new schemes to digest, which alone serves as a reason to remain patient with him. His 6.5 sacks currently lead the team heading into Week 16, with Kwity Paye’s 4.0 sacks holding second place down. Then you add in how he’s tapped into the athleticism from his college days as a bluff rusher who falls back into coverage under defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, resulting in three interceptions so far this season, which is tied for the team lead (safety Camryn Bynum). As my fellow draftniks may recall, Laiatu Latu’s popular pro player comparison coming out of college was Cincinnati Bengals’ superstar pass rusher Trey Hendrickson; therefore, the mere idea of pairing him with the defensive coordinator who fully unlocked Hendrickson, Lou Anarumo, seemed like a match made in heaven. It’s certainly paid dividends thus far, though you begin to wonder if Anarumo’s scheme, as well as the added weight in the offseason, caused Latu to lose some explosion, particularly in his get-off. As far as meeting normal expectations, I’d argue that Latu is chugging along. When it comes to reaching those lofty, immediate expectations of a dying regime and its fed-up fanbase, however, the waters get muddied. People have the right to make speculative remarks and/or attempt to predict a player’s career outcome, but it feels disingenuous to paint Latu, at this point, as anything other than a very good football player. Deeming him a bust will certainly be some’s prerogative, though I find it hard to deem his career thus far as a disappointment. Patience is important, and it’s especially difficult to maintain when the organization seems to be going nowhere, but other than Chris Ballard’s abysmal draft history of edge rushers in the first two rounds of the NFL draft and a couple of statistical setbacks, there’s hardly a reason to fret about the start to Laiatu Latu’s career. See More: Indianapolis Colts Analysis
Jakobi Meyers signs extension with the Jacksonville Jaguars
The Las Vegas Raiders are sitting at 2-12 and staring at the number one pick in the draft. The team has 10 draft picks in total, with hopes of rebuilding the franchise. Two of those picks came via a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars. After demanding a trade before the start of the season, the […] The Las Vegas Raiders are sitting at 2-12 and staring at the number one pick in the draft. The team has 10 draft picks in total, with hopes of rebuilding the franchise. Two of those picks came via a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars. After demanding a trade before the start of the season, the Raiders moved wide receiver Jakobi Meyers to North Florida for a fourth and sixth-round pick. Since joining the Jaguars, Meyers has flourished with 27 catches, 355 yards, and three touchdowns. His production has lifted Treveor Lawrence to another level, and the team is 6-1 since he joined. All of this led to what Meyers was seeking this offseason: a new contract. Meyers was rewarded for his play with a three-year, $60 million contract extension. The former NC State Wolfpack receiver has a chance to help his new football team win the AFC South this year and for years to come. In other Raiders links: Raiders Week 16 injury report after Thursday: Check out the injury report from Thursday as Maxx Crosby returns to practice. Geno Smith still ‘expecting to win a lot of games’: Smith has faith he will be the quarterback for the Raiders in 2025. Raiders Hit New Valuation Milestone in 2025: While the Raiders are not performing on the field, they are hitting a new valuation milestone off the field. See More: Las Vegas Raiders News