Category: Sports

GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Washington Commanders fear veteran running back Austin Ekeler tore his right Achilles in the fourth quarter of Thursday night’s 27-18 loss to the Green Bay Packers, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Ekeler, 30, still needs to undergo imaging that is scheduled for Friday for confirmation, sources said.

“That will be significant,” Washington coach Dan Quinn said about the potential season-ending loss of Ekeler. “He provides a lot of unique things for us.”

With 5 minutes, 50 seconds to play, Ekeler was running a route on third-and-10 and went to cut, only to fall to the ground. He was then helped to the sideline as athletic trainers looked at his right foot.

Ekeler was taken to the locker room and ruled out shortly afterward. He left the stadium using crutches and wearing a walking boot on his right foot.

“He’s one of the great leaders on this team,” rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt said. “I learn a lot from him, so it’s definitely tough.”

Ekeler finished the game with eight rushes for 17 yards. He caught two passes for 7 yards.

Ekeler was Washington’s top running back, also serving as its primary third-down back. In 12 games last season, Ekeler rushed for 367 yards and had 366 yards receiving.

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — When it comes to quarterback Justin Fields, the New York Jets aren’t gloating, but they’re reveling in his Week 1 performance, saying they knew he was capable of big things.

“He’s not done yet; we’re not done,” wide receiver Garrett Wilson said Thursday. “We’re all excited for the opportunities we have to go show the world what we can do.”

Fields, criticized by fans and media for a spotty preseason, played one of the best games of his career in his Jets debut. He ran for two touchdowns, passed for one and completed 16 of 22 attempts for 218 passing yards. His Total QBR (79.4) was his seventh highest in 45 starts.

The Jets suffered a last-minute loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers 34-32, but Fields’ performance has infused the team with confidence as it prepares for the Buffalo Bills (1-0) on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.

Wilson, who played with Fields at Ohio State, said his quarterback’s aggressive mentality and willingness to run are rubbing off on his teammates. He rushed 12 times for 48 yards against the Steelers.

“This game rewards people that love it … and he loves the game,” Wilson said. “He plays it the right way and has the right mindset. Every time he takes the field, all the teammates, that stuff’s contagious, right?

“So, when your quarterback’s doing that, it’s like you have no choice. I’m going to pop up after taking a hit or whatever it may be because you see him do it.”

After cutting Aaron Rodgers, the Jets signed Fields to a two-year, $40 million contract as a free agent, hoping that he could resurrect his career. In the opener, he displayed better-than-advertised accuracy, fitting the ball into some tight windows.

Fields operated mainly in the pocket, where he had struggled in the past, but he also made off-script plays.

“Stuff like that for receivers is like a dream,” said Wilson, who had seven receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown. “All of a sudden, you’re just running routes, and you get the break-off and play street ball a little bit and it’s open. Yeah, man, we’re all excited.”

Jets coach Aaron Glenn cautioned that it was only one game and that Fields still is a “work in progress,” but he couldn’t resist a little jab at the media.

“I think each one of you guys were dogging him all during preseason about what he can’t do, and I think he just showed what he can do,” Glenn said.

When Fields threw a 33-yard touchdown to Wilson, it triggered memories for center Josh Myers, who played with them at Ohio State. The first person to congratulate Wilson was tight end Jeremy Ruckert, another former Buckeye.

“I told [Justin] it was like 2019 all over again,” Myers said.

Said Fields: “It felt like old times, for sure.”

Fields could be without starting receiver Josh Reynolds (hamstring), who was on the injury report Thursday and didn’t practice. Veterans Tyler Johnson and Allen Lazard, inactive last week, likely would join Wilson as the top three receivers for the game if Reynolds is inactive. Cornerback Sauce Gardner (groin) has a new injury and was limited in practice.

Sweet William clashes with Sunway and Kyle Of Lochalsh in the 2025 instalment of the Doncaster Cup – live on Sky Sports Racing on Friday afternoon.

3.00 Doncaster – Last year’s hero Sweet William fancied to follow up

Sweet William headlines a field of eight for the Group Two Betfred Howard Wright Doncaster Cup Stakes.

An impressive winner of this contest 12 months ago, John and Thady Gosden’s six-year-old will head the betting for this year’s renewal and should prove tough to beat under Rab Havlin. He was outbattled by Trawlerman in the Lonsdale Cup but should thrive with no comparable stars going to post on this occasion.

Sunway tops the dangers for David Menuisier and Oisin Murphy. He has struggled to trouble the judge in all starts this season, but his trainer is confident he can return to his best. The four-year-old has finished in the money on his two previous visits to Town Moor and another big run will see him go close.

Kyle Of Lochalsh easily landed a Goodwood handicap last month and warrants a go at this level, while Willie Mullins’ Hipop De Loire heads up in distance after his Ebor sixth. Pendragon‘s bid for a four-timer was foiled the last day and Sir Mark Prescott steps him up in trip for this test.

2.25 Doncaster – Speedballs Lady Iman and Mission Central lock horns

A cracking-looking Group Two Carlsberg Danish Pilsner Flying Childers Stakes where several have claims, including Mission Central.

Aidan O’Brien’s son of No Nay Never built on his debut to win a Curragh maiden before following up in Group Three company at the same track. The manner of that success could see him hard to pass as he drops back to five furlongs with Christophe Soumillon booked.

Lady Iman has enjoyed a splendid campaign, winning on four occasions, but will have to bounce back from a slightly disappointing effort in the Nunthorpe back against her own age group. Ger Lyons is reunited with Juddmonte’s Colin Keane here.

Military Code and Royal Ascot winner Havana Hurricane rate the best of the remainder.

1.50 Doncaster – Catullus and Do Or Do Not contest Flying Scotsman

A trappy renewal of the Listed Betfred Flying Scotsman Stakes sees Catullus and Do Or Do Not feature among 10 runners.

The Charlie Appleby-trained Catullus got off the mark when landing skinny odds at Yarmouth last time and looks an obvious contender as he tackles this better heat. He has improved with every start and William Buick’s mount will be raring to go after a short 28-day break.

Ed Walker’s Do Or Do Not has a different profile having contested Group Two races on his last four starts and the pick of his form would see him go close as he dips in grade.

Another to note is Karl Burke’s debut York winner Hankelow, who kept on well all the way to the line in the colours of Sheikh Mohammed Obaid. Roger Varian’s course and distance victor Avicenna also enters calculations, as does Ballydoyle representative Frescobaldi.

Best of the rest

The latest renewal of the Mallard Handicap sees Shadow Dance (Varian) face Subsequent (Andrew Balding), with the latter still 5lb above his last winning mark of 97 despite failing to fire on his three outings this term. Prescott’s Synergism arrives as the form horse in the race and remains fairly handicapped off 87. Stepping up in class here, he should be monitored in the market.

Manara and Perfect Your Craft look the ones to beat in the 3.40pm British Stallion Studs EBF Premier Fillies’ Handicap on Town Moor, with the latter Valmont-owned runner having scored on two of her three starts thus far. Bosphorus Rose chases the four-timer here, but will have to shoulder a 6lb penalty for that hot run of form. Emma Lavelle’s Chilli Queen also has every chance, still outside the grip of the handicapper despite three consecutive wins of her own.

Elsewhere, the feature Xenon Workplace Handicap (2.10pm) at Chester sees Hollie Doyle have a very good chance of success aboard Scarlet Moon, who has struck four times over long distances since being gelded in October 2024.

At Saint-Cloud, Britain are represented in the Listed Prix Turenne (2.28pm) by the Crisfords’ Sea Scout and the Owen Burrows-trained Gethin.

GREEN BAY, Wis. – Remember when the Green Bay Packers couldn’t beat any playoff-caliber teams?

They took care of that twice in a matter of five days to start the season. They defeated the Washington Commanders on Thursday night at Lambeau Field after opening the season with a win over the Detroit Lions there Sunday.

Last year, the Lions won 15 games and the Commanders prevailed in 12 on their way to the NFC Championship Game. The Packers became just the fifth team in the Super Bowl era (since 1966) to win their first two games against teams that won 12 or more contests the previous season.

This after going a combined 0-6 last season against the Lions, Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles.

It also gives the Packers a 2-0 start for the first time since 2020, when they started 4-0 on their way to a 13-win campaign.

The Commanders fell to 1-1 and returned home to play the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 3.

Here are the most important things to know from Thursday night for both teams:

Green Bay Packers (2-0)

What to make of the QB performance: Just think of the yardage the Packers will pile up when Jordan Love connects on the deep balls. He missed Matthew Golden deep twice in the first half, yet he still had 214 yards passing through two quarters — his most in the first half in his career and the most by any Packers quarterback since Aaron Rodgers in Week 4 of 2020 against the Falcons with 228 yards. Love finished with 292 yards.

The Parsons factor: Defensive end Micah Parsons faced multiple double teams — and even a triple team on one play — yet still managed a half-sack and three QB hits. He also drew an illegal-hands-to-the-face penalty and likely forced a false start against the Commanders. He was held on the sack he shared with Edgerrin Cooper, but that penalty was declined. Overall, the Packers recorded 12 hits on Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels.

Most surprising performance: The surprising part about Tucker Kraft’s six-catch, 124-yard, one touchdown game was that it was his first career 100-yard receiving performance. As good as Kraft was last year in his 50-catch, seven-touchdown season, he did not hit the 100-yard mark in a contest. Kraft was a budding star going into this season, and he might be on his way to full-on stardom.

Trend to watch: Teams should know by now what’s going to happen when the Packers get near the goal line: Josh Jacobs is getting the ball and scoring. It happened for the 10th straight regular-season game Thursday, when Jacobs scored on a 2-yard run to give the Packers a 14-0 lead in the second quarter. Jacobs got the ball on the play before, too, and rushed for 5 yards on first-and-goal from the 7. Jacobs extended his franchise record for consecutive games with a touchdown and became just the fourth player over the past 30 seasons with a rushing touchdown in at least 10 straight games, joining LaDainian Tomlinson (18 straight from 2004-05), Jonathan Taylor (11 straight in 2021) and Priest Holmes (11 straight in 2002).

Next game: at Cleveland Browns (1 p.m. ET, Sept. 21)

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Washington Commanders (1-1)

The Commanders wanted to distance themselves from last season, preferring to look forward. Thursday’s game, unfortunately for Washington, will provide that distance.

The Commanders looked nothing like the team that surprised the NFL by reaching the NFC Championship Game in January.

Though the final tally was 27-18 and the Commanders were only down one score early in the fourth quarter, make no mistake: Green Bay dominated this game.

The Packers made Daniels look ordinary and held an offense that ranked seventh in yards last season to 230 overall.

They made Washington’s defense look pedestrian, gaining 406 yards and hitting numerous big plays.

Worse for Washington, it also lost multiple key players during the game — defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr., (quad), receiver Noah Brown (groin), tight end John Bates (groin) and running back Austin Ekeler (Achilles) all left the game.

It was the Commanders’ first of five Prime Time games this season. But it was a forgettable performance — one they’ll want to distance themselves from as soon as possible.

Trend to watch: Matt Gay was once one of the NFL’s better kickers from 50 yards and beyond; in his first five years he made 25-of-36 from that distance. However, he has now made just 1-of-3 this season and is 4-of-12 since the start of last season. Washington had hoped he solved its kicking issues after using four place-kickers last season, but his inability to connect from long distance makes that questionable.

Biggest hole in the game plan: Take your pick. But Washington’s defense looked slow against Green Bay’s offense. Too often Packers targets were running open, which is why they had eight plays of 15 yards or longer — one for 57 and another for 37. The Packers hurt them by sending receivers in motion, who then beat the corners to the outside when Washington played man coverage, as well as with play-action passes down the field.

What to make of the QB performance: No team has made Daniels look as pedestrian as the Packers did Thursday night. Credit the Green Bay pass rush and its speed to chase him down when he scrambled. The Packers sacked Daniels four times and held him to 17 yards rushing. He threw for 200 yards, but most of that came when the Commanders were down 17. His offensive line provided little help, notably rookie right tackle Josh Conerly Jr., who has struggled in the first two games in pass protection.

Next game: vs. Las Vegas Raiders (1 p.m. ET, Sept. 21)

GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Washington Commanders and the Green Bay Packers are facing off on Thursday Night Football at Lambeau Field.

Both teams won their Week 1 matchups against the New York Giants and Detroit Lions, respectively, and are looking more Thursday.

Our two team reporters — John Keim for the Commanders and Rob Demovsky for the Packers — are at Lambeau, and they’re keeping you updated on all the biggest plays and highlights.

Here are the highlights from the game.

Commanders-Packers highlights

EAGAN, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings have lost linebacker Blake Cashman for at least a month because of a hamstring injury he suffered Monday night in the team’s 27-24 victory over the Chicago Bears.

The Vikings placed Cashman, their primary defensive signal-caller, and running back/kick returner Ty Chandler (knee) on injured reserve Thursday, sidelining both for at least the next four games.

They are also watching the progress of safety Harrison Smith (personal health issue), left tackle Christian Darrisaw (knee), linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (concussion protocol), cornerback Jeff Okudah (concussion protocol), tight end Josh Oliver (ankle) and center Ryan Kelly (toe) to see if any of them will be available for Sunday night’s game against the Atlanta Falcons.

Cashman suffered the injury while chasing Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams down the sideline Monday night. He is likely to be replaced in the starting lineup by veteran Eric Wilson, whom the Vikings signed as a free agent this offseason. The Vikings also signed tight end Nick Vannett from their practice squad, a possible indication about Oliver’s availability.

Meanwhile, cornerback Tyrek Funderburk and linebacker Sione Takitaki were signed to the practice squad.

EAGAN, Minn. — What a week for J.J. McCarthy.

The Minnesota Vikings quarterback left the team facility Thursday morning to be with his fiancée, Katya Kuropas, as the two prepared to welcome a baby boy, according to head coach Kevin O’Connell.

There was no immediate announcement of the birth from the couple, who shared in May that they were expecting their first child in September. Kuropas’ labor conveniently waited until after McCarthy’s NFL debut Monday night in Chicago, when he accounted for three touchdowns in the fourth quarter to lead Minnesota to a 27-24 comeback victory over the Chicago Bears.

McCarthy traveled home with the team Monday night, participated in game planning work on Tuesday and practiced normally on Wednesday. He took part in meetings on Thursday morning, O’Connell said, but then left to join Kuropas. He is expected to start Sunday night’s game against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium.

McCarthy, 22, was the No. 10 overall selection in the 2024 draft. He missed his entire rookie season, however, due to a torn meniscus in his right knee.

Manchester United’s bid to reach the Women’s Champions League group stage has been dealt a blow following a 1-0 third-round qualifying first-leg defeat against Brann.

Marc Skinner’s side dominated the fixture in Norway only for Ingrid Stenevik to score the only goal of the game with 14 minutes remaining.

The defeat means United must win the return rubber at Leigh Sports Village in a week’s time by at least two goals to guarantee they are in the pot for the league-phase draw.

Defeat added insult to injury for Skinner’s side, who had been hit by a missing bag of boots en route to the match in Bergen earlier on Thursday.

A number of first-team players were left without footwear for the tie – and despite their best efforts, the club have still not been able to locate the missing boots.

“In the meantime, we have secured new boots of the right make and sizes for all the affected players, and they are ready to participate in tonight’s game as normal,” a club spokesperson said ahead of the game, as per Reuters.

Brann goalkeeper Selma Panengstuen was the thorn in United’s side as she pulled off a string of fine saves.

In the opening period, Ella Toone saw two efforts denied by Panengstuen, while Elisabeth Terland headed wide on two occasions.

After the interval, Panengstuen stopped Dominique Janssen and then Melvine Malard with a strong double save.

And in the 76th minute, United fell behind when Stenevik headed home Signe Gaupset’s free-kick.

The visitors pushed for an equaliser with the inspired Panengstuen denying Toone again as Brann held out to record a slender first-leg victory.

United will drop into the second qualifying round of the Europa Cup if they fail to progress from the tie.

Skinner’s players, who recorded a 4-0 win against Leicester in their Women’s Super League opener last weekend, return to action against the London City Lionesses on Sunday.

England duo Charley Hull and Lottie Woad made strong starts to the LPGA Tour’s Kroger Queen City Championship, as Chanettee Wannasaen grabbed the early lead in Ohio.

Wannasaen carded an eagle and seven birdies in a bogey-free 63 to set the clubhouse target at TPC River’s Bend, with world No 2 Nelly Korda among the chasing pack after an opening-round 67.

Hull – who has finished tied-second in her last two worldwide starts – made a string of early birdies in her four-under 68, with Woad also five back after three birdies in her last five holes.

Solheim Cup duo Maja Stark and Celine Boutier were among the other players to post an opening-round 68, with world No 1 Jeeno Thitikul and defending champion Lydia Ko part of the afternoon wave.

Hull – beginning on her back nine – birdied her opening two holes and added another at the par-three 13th, before picking up a shot at the par-four 15th to briefly move into the outright lead.

“I got off to a pretty fast start,” Hull said. “Played pretty decently, hit it pretty decently. Just didn’t make any birdies on the back nine, but I played pretty solid. Hopefully we can go low over the next few days.”

The Englishwoman finished her bogey-free round with 11 straight pars and was quickly overtaken by Wannasaen, who followed a front-nine 33 by making an eagle at the par-four 10th.

The Thai played birdied the next and finished with three more over her final four holes, with her score three shots better than the rest of the morning starters.

Korda briefly threatened a push for the lead with five birdies in a seven-hole stretch, eventually finishing on five under, while Woad’s eventful round included an eagle, four birdies and two bogeys.

“[The round had] kind of everything,” Korda said. “Made a couple putts here and there. Overall, everything was flowing and the weather was great. There was really no wind. With the saturated conditions, a little softer, you could be a little bit more aggressive.”

Who will win the Kroger Queen City Championship? Live coverage continues Friday from 9pm on Sky Sports Golf. Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW.

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson will not face discipline from the NFL for his altercation with a Buffalo Bills fan during a season-opening 41-40 loss, a league spokesman said Thursday.

“The matter has been addressed by the club and there is no further action from the league,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy wrote in a statement.

On Sunday night, Jackson was celebrating with some teammates near the front row of Highmark Stadium after he threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Hopkins late in the third quarter. The fan wearing a red Bills jersey initially hit Hopkins on the helmet before doing the same to Jackson, who immediately delivered a two-handed push that sent the fan falling backward.

The fan was ejected from the stadium Sunday night. The fan also has been “indefinitely banned from Bills and NFL stadiums,” a team official told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Monday.

On Wednesday, Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta had a lengthy conversation with Jackson. The team is looking to avoid any future altercations like this one.

“Our player’s safety is of the utmost importance,” a Ravens official told Schefter. “We have spoken to Lamar, who understands the impact of the situation, about the incident.

“While we will keep internal matters private, we have implemented additional security protocols — both at home and on the road — to better protect our players and handle negative fan interactions moving forward.”

On Wednesday, Jackson apologized to the fan during his weekly media session and suggested, “Just chill next time. You can talk trash and stuff but keep your hands to yourself.”

About 10 minutes after Jackson’s incident with the fan, Ravens running back Derrick Henry was nearly hit with a frozen water bottle in the end zone on the other side of the stadium after his 29-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

“Stuff like that shouldn’t be happening. It’s not WWE,” Jackson said. “We’re playing football out here. So just keep it to football. I know guys are going to talk trash. I know the opposing team is going to talk trash. Keep it that way. But keep your hands and keep your objects to yourself.”

ASHBURN, Va. — As Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels made his way through the concourse of Capital One Arena following a Washington Capitals game in late April, he was forced to begrudgingly reach a conclusion about his status in the nation’s capital that many had known for months: He was a big deal.

On this day, the simple act of walking to the bathroom required the help of four to five security guards. There, a handful of fans tried to snap selfies with him.

At the start of the game, there was initially one security guard keeping people away from Daniels and fellow Washington quarterbacks Marcus Mariota and Sam Hartman, seated in the first row against the glass. But in between periods, as hundreds of fans tried to make their way to Daniels’ row, the number of security personnel rose to between four and six.

After the game, Daniels and his teammates remained in their seats for nearly 40 minutes, waiting for the crowd that had gathered to see him to — they hoped — thin out. Instead, as more than a hundred fans waited outside his section, Daniels’ group had to exit at a different part of the arena. As he headed through the concourse en route to the Caps’ locker room, another hundred or so fans followed, mirroring a scene of a golfer, in the final group, walking to the final hole of a major.

They chanted “Jayden! Jayden!” and “MVP! MVP!”

All totaled, Daniels and his group needed 10 security guards and four ushers to help control the crowd at multiple points in the arena. And when he finally went to his car — around an hour after the game had ended — another hundred or so fans were waiting.

“From a security standpoint, this was our most challenging VIP for a game,” said Jeremy Bull, who is the director of event security for the arena. “We have everyone from presidents to congressmen on a regular basis. He was by far our biggest celebrity that other guests were interested in.”

For Daniels, who says he is happier hanging out with friends at home than going out, the extra attention he received at the game took him by surprise. But it wasn’t a surprise to those around him. Three months after his standout Rookie of the Year season helped galvanize a stagnant franchise to a 12-5 record and an unlikely spot in the NFC Championship Game, the scene at Capital One Arena was just the latest example of Daniels’ new reality — one filled with celebrity encounters, media requests, endorsement opportunities, invites to fashion shows in Europe, film festivals and awards galas.

But as the world around him changed, Daniels, according to those who know him best, has not. And while that world around him remains impressed with all he accomplished in a dazzling Year 1, Daniels, who is kept grounded by his family and friends in his hometown of San Bernardino, California, is eager to turn the page and continue improving his game in Year 2, which began with a Week 1 win against the New York Giants and continues Thursday at the Green Bay Packers (8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video).

“Last year was last year,” said Daniels, always eager to change the conversation whenever last season is brought up. “I don’t like when people talk about it to me and ask me about it because it don’t mean anything to me. I don’t say I get irritated about it, but kind of just moving on to the present, trying to focus on getting better so I could be better for this year.”

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ON OCT. 27, 2024, Daniels’ star reached a new level.

To that point, Daniels, the Heisman Trophy winner from LSU in 2023, had already been a sensation in the NFL, having won the NFL’s offensive player of the month in September. He was mentioned among others in the MVP race and was flying toward winning Offensive Rookie of the Year.

But his national profile skyrocketed that late October day. With Washington trailing the Chicago Bears 15-12 with six seconds remaining, Daniels had one more long shot chance to win the game. When the ball was snapped, the Commanders possessed a win probability of 1.4%.

Daniels dropped back, rolled to his right, retreated and ran back to his left against the Bears’ four-man rush. Then, from his own 35-yard line, he heaved a Hail Mary. His prayer of a pass was answered as receiver Noah Brown caught the ball as time expired to help lead Washington to an improbable 18-15 home victory.

The play was the biggest “wow” moment in a season full of them for Daniels to that point, and sent Northwest Stadium — and outside interests wanting a piece of Daniels — into a frenzy. Afterward, all of the morning network shows requested Daniels, according to Commanders director of communications Charlie Mule.

It was just a peek into what would happen in the offseason.

Daniels went on to continue starring on the field. He threw for 3,568 yards and 25 touchdowns and rushed for 891 yards and six scores en route to winning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and helping Washington to its first NFC Championship Game in 32 years.

Once the season ended, Daniels was invited to appear on “Sundae Conversation with Caleb Pressley,” a humor-based show that has 1.1 million subscribers on YouTube. Pressley has interviewed Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Rob Gronkowski, Luka Doncic, Joe Burrow, Doja Cat, Shane Gillis and Morgan Wallen, among others. In June, “iShowSpeed,” a show with 43.6 million subscribers on YouTube, invited Daniels to participate when it was going to be about 20 miles from the Commanders’ facility.

In total, Daniels was invited to appear for sit-down interviews on approximately 20 national shows, Mule said. Daniels also received as many as 20 endorsement opportunities. He was asked to go to Paris for a week in April to promote the NFL. He was invited to fashion shows in Milan and Paris, as well as the Cannes Film Festival.

Daniels declined most of the requests, passing on all but a handful of national interviews — turning down “Sundae Conversation,” “iShowSpeed,” all the fashion shows, Cannes and even “SportsCenter” in early July. (He did appear on the set when ESPN was at the Commanders’ practice July 27.) Otherwise, he has said no to all but several national media opportunities. And he rejected most of the marketing opportunities, especially if they interfered with his ability to train. He did go to Paris to promote the NFL, even spending half of his last day there getting his hair cut so he could land in California the next day and go train before heading to San Francisco 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk‘s wedding the following day.

Four days after the Super Bowl, Daniels got a glimpse into his newfound status. He and his childhood friend Rome Weber attended a USC women’s basketball game vs. UCLA. A number of celebrities attended, including entertainer Kevin Hart and actors Issa Rae and Sanaa Lathan, as well as Vanessa Bryant, the widow of Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant.

Of the star-studded group, Daniels, the Southern California native, attracted the most attention from fans.

“At halftime everyone is coming down to the court to get pictures and say hi to Jayden,” Weber said. “It was like a dream, but it’s not a dream — but it doesn’t seem real.”

Hart did not ask for a picture, but the noted Philadelphia Eagles fan did walk over to say hello. And then the comedian jokingly flapped his arms — referencing the Eagles’ fight song “Fly Eagles Fly” — four days after Philadelphia’s Super Bowl victory and nearly three weeks after the Eagles beat Washington to clinch the NFC title.

“We talked about it a little bit in the car [on the way home], but as far as it shocking him, I don’t think it shocks him anymore,” Weber said.

But there are some things that kind of do.

“A lot of people say a lot of different things that kind of catch me off guard,” Daniels said, “like I changed their life, I saved their life and things like that. One person jokingly said I was the reason why the crime rate went down [in Washington] during football season last year.”

Daniels said he now understands the heightened interest others have in him.

“I never thought there’d be a day I had to have security,” said Daniels, “but when I go out that’s always a thing I have to have.”

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AT THE NFL awards ceremony a week before the Kansas City Chiefs fell to the Eagles in Super Bowl LIX, Daniels wished he could have been anywhere else. It’s not that he didn’t appreciate winning the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. But the loss to Philadelphia a week earlier still stung. He also was ready to move on.

Daniels wasn’t focused on what he had accomplished. He established multiple rookie records, including most total offensive yards, and was the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Month for September.

“I didn’t want to be in New Orleans,” Daniels said. “I’m obviously happy I won. I’m blessed to do things like that. But at times in New Orleans, I mean after we had just lost, I did not want to be there. It was kind of a miserable feeling for me.”

But when he accepted the award, Daniels — wearing sunglasses and a green-and-black printed sport coat over a black shirt — deflected the credit, thanking: God, his mom, his family back home, the Commanders, team owner Josh Harris, the DMV (District, Maryland, Virginia), the Washington fan base and his college receivers, and fellow nominees, Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., and Giants wideout Malik Nabers. Then he left the stage.

“What’s the point of bragging?” Daniels’ father, Jay, has often told him. “You know you’re good when others talk about you.”

“I am never the one that wants to get in front of the camera and talk about what I’ve done, what I’ve accomplished,” Daniels said. “I kind of just like to go unfazed, [in] the dark and then play on Sundays.”

Friends and acquaintances credit Daniels’ parents, Jay Daniels and Regina Jackson, for their son’s approach to fame and the spotlight. The San Bernardino community in which Daniels grew up and frequently visits has also played a key role.

“His dad will sit there and everyone’s congratulating him. You’re like 27-of-30 and five touchdowns and his dad is like, ‘Yeah, but you missed the open receiver on this play,’” said Daniels’ former high school coach Nick Rogers. “He definitely gets brought back down to earth when he’s down here. If anybody’s pumped him up enough he comes back to this city and there’s enough people that will bring him right back to reality.”

In January 2024, the stadium at Cajon High School, where Daniels became a five-star recruit, was renamed Jayden Daniels Stadium.

“When we see people in awe of him, we’re like, look, you’re still this little scrawny 13-year-old when you first met. Get over yourself,” said Teenya Bishop, Daniels’ high school principal, with a laugh. “We try to keep him humble or grounded. I think he appreciates us not treating him different.”

Nor has Daniels changed how he treats others. At the Commanders’ facility, he hangs out in different departments — whether it’s with the security guards or the communications staff. Mule, a big New York Mets fan, is a constant target. Daniels will chide him every time the Mets lose — writing down the score in Mule’s notebook or, on one particular day, stuffing Mule’s six Mets bobbleheads in a garbage bag and placing them on his chair.

“He connects with people that your average star athlete probably wouldn’t,” Bishop said.

Ryan Porter, who has worked as Daniels’ quarterback coach since Daniels was around 11 years old, said the quarterback was often reminded by his father how quickly the attention can fade. One bad game, or subpar season, could alter his path.

“I remember his dad always telling him, ‘You’re on a pedestal today but playing this position it could all be gone tomorrow in the blink of an eye. Don’t forget that,’” Porter said. The lessons stuck.

“It’s almost like he’s desensitized,” Bishop said. “He knows his mission. His mission is to be the best quarterback. And so he just stays focused on the prize.”

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WORKING TOWARD “THE PRIZE” — being on a football field and working on his game — is the source of Daniels’ main enjoyment. Two weeks after the title game loss, Daniels texted one of his offseason quarterback coaches, Taylor Kelly, about getting back to work. A week later, he did the same with Porter.

Daniels worked a handful of times with Porter to perfect his footwork; then he worked with Kelly, who consults with the Commanders’ staff on what to emphasize, for multiple weeks. Daniels also focused his time on analyzing his own tendencies, hoping to anticipate how defensive coordinators might defend him this season.

Neither Kelly nor Porter noticed a change from the approach that made Daniels such a star on the field last season.

“You could tell there was never a moment in the workouts where he was like, ‘I’ve made it,’” Kelly said. “It was always like they were 2-[15] and he approached it as if, ‘I haven’t done anything.’”

The Commanders aren’t worried about any regression, either. That wouldn’t match the focused QB they’ve seen all offseason and during camp. Daniels, for instance, like he did all last season, still arrives around 5:30 a.m. and conducts walk-throughs with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard.

“He’s always been so poised, such high confidence, but I feel like he’s just taking another step,” tight end Zach Ertz said. “He’s very efficient. He sees the game a certain way. He is talking to guys how he sees it, making sure everyone’s on his page and not necessarily just how each individual sees the game. He’s taken even more ownership of this thing as he should.”

This season, Daniels is more vocal in the huddle — he booted rookie receiver Ja’Corey Brooks from the huddle after a false start during one practice. He also lets Kingsbury know more often what plays he likes or dislikes. He wasn’t perfect in Washington’s 21-6 win over the Giants on Sunday, but he still threw for 233 yards, one touchdown and rushed for another 68 yards.

“It’s the comfort level,” Kingsbury said. “When you’re a rookie it’s like, ‘Yeah I’ll do it. Whatever you call, I got it.’ [It’s] him understanding now it’s your show. I’m just along for the ride.”

For now, there’s just one path Daniels wants to travel, and that doesn’t involve getting caught up in the hoopla.

“I got so much more I want to accomplish,” Daniels said. “Last year was just the beginning.”

New Nottingham Forest boss Ange Postecoglou has joked that he will have to win a trophy in his first year in charge to remain in the job.

At Tottenham, Postecoglou famously declared that he “always wins things” in his second year, and he delivered on his promise as he led the club to Europa League glory last season.

But despite ending Spurs’ 17-year trophy drought, Postecoglou was sacked after the club’s worst-ever Premier League season as they finished 17th.

Three months on from his dismissal, Postecoglou has replaced the sacked Nuno Espirito Santo at Forest, whose owner Evangelos Marinakis believes the Australian is the man to bring trophies to the club.

Asked about winning silverware in his second season, Postecoglou interjected: “I’ve won a couple in my first [season] as well. [At] Celtic, I won a double in my first year so…”

Questioned whether he was going to win one in his first year, he replied: “Yeah, of course I can. I may have to, to have a second year here, mate.”

Postecoglou will be aiming to end Forest’s 35-year trophy drought and has a chance to defend his Europa League title at the club, with Forest part of this season’s competition.

“I want to win trophies,” he said. “That’s what I’ve done my whole career.

“Looking at the opportunity here, every club wants to be successful for sure, but what I’ve seen over the last few years, those ambitions are backed up with actions. That’s perfect conditions for me.”

‘I knew Spurs sacking was coming before Europa League final’

The 60-year-old is set for a swift return to north London as Forest visit Tottenham’s rivals Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday lunchtime.

Winning Spurs’ first European trophy in 41 years was not enough to keep him in the job as he was sacked 16 days after the victory in Bilbao.

But Postecoglou revealed he knew “a fair way before” the Europa League final that he was going to be sacked.

He said: “I knew it was coming, so it wasn’t a surprise.

“I knew it was coming a fair way before the final. But we won it, we had the parade, so it was a great three days, and I didn’t want it to tarnish that, but after that, I kind of knew it was done.

“From my perspective, I had the chance to process that. Whether I feel it was unjust, other people make those decisions and determinations, that’s up to them, and you have to ask their reasoning for it.

“What I do know is that I had two years that were very, very challenging, but I worked with some fantastic people in the football department.

“The supporters, we put them through some tough times, but there isn’t a Spurs supporter that I don’t come across now that doesn’t want to hug me and take me home for dinner, so I must’ve done something right.

“I’m very proud of what we achieved there, and it will always take a special place in my heart.

“How it ended, I don’t really think about it a lot. And to be fair, I left Celtic and Yokohama – and I’m sure they were both disappointed – so you understand that’s part of the business we’re in.

“But that’s allowed me to move into this and maybe these things happen for a reason.”

Ange on style: I’ve played just about every system there is

Postecoglou’s arrival at Forest is likely to see him introduce a polarising style to his predecessor, Nuno.

The pragmatic Portuguese boss built his team on defensive solidity during his 21 months in charge, but Postecoglou prefers attacking football known as ‘Angeball’.

The ex-Celtic boss, however, believes he is adaptable and can play any system.

He said: “I do love my teams to attack. I do love my teams to score goals.

“But the one constant in my career is everywhere I’ve been I’ve won things.

“Sometimes that’s done in a slightly different way. The principles are the same, but I’ve played just about every system there is. I’ve played three at the back, five at the back, three in midfield, three strikers, two strikers. I’ve done 4-4-2 for a whole season.

“There used to be a melting pot of different ideas and different opinions. There tends to be a melting pot of the same ideas these days sometimes and it would be nice if people just took a step back.

“If you look at my two years at Spurs, we finished fifth the first year, just missed a Champions League spot, and we were really aggressive with our football.

“Last year was different and I had to adjust things, but it brought success.

“But I’m never going to go away from: I want my teams to play football that’s exciting and gets people talking.”

Can ‘Angeball’ work at Forest?

Sky Sports’ Sam Blitz:

He’s back. And given his standout moments last season, he was never going to be away for long.

Mic-drop comments, bold statements, and interviews you never wanted to end. Postecoglou was box office at Tottenham Hotspur – and the manner in which he delivered on his promise of “I always win things in my second season” only adds to the appeal.

Perhaps the surprise is where he has ended up next. Nottingham Forest have replaced a head coach who took them from 17th to Europe, with a head coach whose Premier League position went from Europe to 17th last season.

Postecoglou’s links to Evangelos Marinakis are clear, given their shared heritage – plus the fact that the Forest co-owner gave the former Spurs coach an award over the summer for becoming the first Greek manager to win the Europa League.

But there is an ideological clash here. Postecoglou prided himself on playing attractive, attacking football with high lines, aggressive presses and lots of the ball. He is now entering a squad of Forest players who were drilled in low blocks, counter-attacking breaks and a lack of ball possession under Nuno Espirito Santo.

So will Angeball work at the City Ground? Read more here.

Welcome to The Playbook for Week 2, which kicks off Thursday with the Commanders at the Packers.

This column features score projections, over/unders, win probabilities, and, of course, easily digestible fantasy advice for seasonlong leagues and DFS. This guide should help you with all sorts of decision-making, including sit/start decisions, last-minute waiver adds and lineup choices.

Additionally, we have folded the Shadow Reports, previously a separate column, into the game-by-game breakdowns below. Using our play-by-play data, we’re able to identify defensive schemes and where each wide receiver and cornerback lines up on each play. By tracking these WR/CB matchups, including potential shadow situations, we can offer the best projections, rankings, sit/start advice and waiver wire suggestions each week.

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All of this advice is centered on 12-team PPR leagues with relatively standard scoring and lineup settings (1 QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, 1 flex, 1 K, 1 D/ST), although I’ll often mention “shallow” or “deep” leagues for some starters. The charts show all players who have been projected for at least 6.0 fantasy points this week, as well as all D/STs. “Matchup” is automatically determined using a proprietary metric that factors in raw and volume-adjusted fantasy points allowed to each position by the opposing defense this season.

(Editor’s note: Projections and rankings will align almost perfectly, but sometimes when a projection is close, a player might be ranked slightly higher or lower because of other factors, including upside or risk. This column is subject to updates during the weekend, although at the very minimum, rankings will be updated on the site and projections will always be updated inside the game leading up to kickoff.)

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WAS-GB | CLE-BAL | JAX-CIN | NYG-DAL | CHI-DET | NE-MIA | SF-NO | BUF-NYJ
SEA-PIT | LAR-TEN | CAR-ARI | DEN-IND | PHI-KC | ATL-MIN | TB-HOU | LAC-LV

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Projected score: Packers 26, Commanders 25

Lineup locks: Jayden Daniels, Josh Jacobs, Terry McLaurin, Deebo Samuel

Fantasy scoop: The Packers’ comfortable Week 1 victory kept their pass plays to a minimum (26 dropbacks), but we did get a look at the team’s new-look WR room. Romeo Doubs (16 routes, four targets), Matthew Golden (13 routes, two targets), Dontayvion Wicks (nine routes, two targets), Jayden Reed (12 routes, five targets), Malik Heath (three routes, zero targets) and Savion Williams (one route, one target) were all involved. This deployment paints the picture of a wide receiver-by-committee approach, but it’s very possible Golden was limited a bit in his pro debut. The first-round rookie’s role figures to increase as the season progresses, and the targets will follow in more competitive, pass-friendly games. In the meantime, Golden, Reed and Doubs are no more than fringe flex options.

Over/under: 51 (highest)
Win Probability: Packers 57% (13th highest)

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Projected score: Bengals 28, Jaguars 22

Lineup locks: Joe Burrow, Chase Brown, Ja’Marr Chase, Brian Thomas Jr., Travis Hunter, Tee Higgins

Fantasy scoop: The Jaguars’ RB picture is a bit clearer after the team traded Tank Bigsby to the Eagles on Monday. Week 1 saw Jacksonville deploy four backs, with Travis Etienne (16 carries and three targets on 39 snaps) the clear leader and Bigsby (five carries on 12 snaps), LeQuint Allen (one carry and one target on nine snaps) and Bhayshul Tuten (three carries on four snaps) also involved. With Bigsby gone, the team will lean on the other three, with Etienne the clear top option … for now. Allen will be a factor in passing situations (he ran only four fewer routes than Etienne) and Tuten is positioned for more change-of-pace carries. Etienne showed well against a shaky Carolina defense in the opener and is a viable flex option this week. But should Etienne’s efficiency dip, Tuten will be a candidate for a larger role. The rookie remains a fine end-of-bench stash.

Fantasy scoop: Hunter was quiet in his NFL debut (33 yards), but there’s good news: The No. 2 pick was on the field for 30 of the team’s 33 pass plays and led Jacksonville in targets (six) and catches (six). Hunter, who was limited to six snaps on defense, is unlikely to maintain a 28% target share, but even if he’s closer to 20% to 25%, he’s a good bet for consistent WR2-3 production. He should be locked into lineups this week against a shaky Bengals defense.

Over/under: 49.2 (fourth highest)
Win probability: Bengals 71% (third highest)

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Projected score: Cowboys 24, Giants 21

Lineup locks: CeeDee Lamb, Malik Nabers

Fantasy scoop: Javonte Williams was Dallas’ clear feature back in Week 1, playing 80% of the offensive snaps and totaling 15 carries and three targets. Williams was not overly effective (3.6 yards per carry, 3.3 yards per target) but bailed out those who started him in fantasy with a pair of short touchdown runs. Williams’ heavy usage is enough to position him as a fringe RB2 this week against a New York defense that gave up 164 yards to Washington’s RBs in Week 1. But if Williams’ efficiency doesn’t improve, it’s likely that Miles Sanders (50 yards on five touches in Week 1) and rookie Jaydon Blue (inactive) will chip away at his workload.

Shadow Report: Expect Trevon Diggs to shadow Nabers in Week 2. Diggs was limited in his return in Week 1, but when he was on the field, he shadowed A.J. Brown on six of nine coverage snaps. Additionally, Dallas chose to shadow Nabers in both 2024 matchups, with Diggs traveling with him in Week 4 and DaRon Bland following him in Week 13 (Diggs was out). Nabers was productive in both games, totaling 23.1 fantasy points and 14.9 points, respectively. He can, of course, be started with confidence, and Darius Slayton should be considered a Week 2 sleeper against Kaiir Elam.

Over/under: 44.7 (12th highest)
Win probability: Cowboys 62% (11th highest)

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Projected score: Lions 27, Bears 22

Lineup locks: Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Sam LaPorta

Fantasy scoop: Week 1 gave us our first look at Ben Johnson’s version of the Chicago offense, and, at least in the short term, it was good news for Odunze and bad news for Colston Loveland. Odunze paced the Bears’ wide receiver room in snaps (59), routes (34) and targets (9). Many of the looks came in the short area (7.6 aDOT) and limited him to 37 yards, but the second-year-receiver did find the end zone, and his 26% target share is certainly sustainable moving forward. Odunze should be in lineups as a WR3 this week. Loveland, on the other hand, was out-snapped 57-35 and out-targeted 4-2 by Cole Kmet. The rookie was on the field for only 22 of the team’s 43 pass plays (compared to 37 for Kmet), which isn’t enough to provide TE1 fantasy numbers. Loveland should be stashed on benches until his playing time increases.

Over/under: 48.1 (fifth highest)
Win probability: Lions 68% (seventh highest)

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Projected score: Rams 26, Titans 20

GREEN BAY, Wis. — On the first day of training camp this summer, Matt LaFleur tried something different. After the one hour, 36-minute practice, the Green Bay Packers coach called the team together in the middle of Ray Nitschke Field.

He shared his thoughts on the practice, went over the schedule for the rest of the day and stepped out of the center of the huddle as usual.

Then he said nothing.

“In the past, I’d call on a specific person to break it down,” LaFleur said in a recent interview with ESPN. “This time, I just wanted to see who took it. And the first time the whole team was here, he took it. So I was like, ‘There we go.’”

The “he” was quarterback Jordan Love.

And that’s how his third season as a starter began.

It was exactly the kind of step LaFleur had been looking for ever since he challenged Love after last season to become more vocal, even though the No. 26 draft pick in the 2020 draft led the Packers to the playoffs each of his first two seasons as the starting quarterback.

If it took Love some time to get to this point, it was by design — right out of the Packers’ quarterback development manual. Love sat behind future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers for three years before taking over as the starter. Nearly two decades ago, Rodgers waited his turn behind Hall of Famer Brett Favre for three years. In Rodgers’ third season as the starter, the Packers won the Super Bowl.

Despite the success the Packers have had with this approach, it did not start a trend around the NFL where teams take a quarterback in the first round and let him sit for multiple seasons.

“Show me a team since then that has done that,” a high-ranking personnel executive from another team said. “There aren’t any. Everyone says, ‘That’s the way we should do it, like Green Bay.’ But no one ever does.”

The Packers’ opponent on Thursday night at Lambeau Field (8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video) certainly did not. The Washington Commanders made rookie Jayden Daniels their starter from the get-go, and it worked for them. The No. 2 pick in the 2024 draft helped turn a 4-13 team into a 12-5 squad that reached the NFC Championship Game, and Daniels won Offensive Rookie of the Year.

“I’ve been around high draft picks; they feel they have all the answers,” Commanders tight end Zach Ertz said. “Jayden was the complete opposite. He’s asking me about certain plays, why I ran a certain route this time, how could the timing be a little better. It was the humility that stood out to me.”

It doesn’t usually go that smoothly.

“It’s usually the high-pick guys that come into situations where there’s like zero chance for success,” LaFleur said.

Daniels, however, was proof that it can work.

“A guy like Jayden Daniels, he came in and they’re going to shape the offense exactly to his strengths and skill set,” said Steve Calhoun, Love’s personal quarterback coach since his high school days. “When those guys come in day one and they come in with a new coaching staff, like [Tennessee Titans‘ No. 1 pick] Cam Ward this year, they’re going to build the offense exactly to his strengths.

“Jordan’s situation, he came in behind Aaron and the offense is not tailored to Jordan. And so he had to learn how to play in the footsteps or in resemblance of how coach LaFleur was calling the game for Aaron.”

Of the six quarterbacks drafted in the first round last season, all but one started games as a rookie. Only Minnesota’s J.J. McCarthy, who missed last season with a torn right meniscus, did not.

“It can be a vicious cycle,” said a VP of player personnel for another team. “Most teams who draft quarterbacks need them to play because they lack the competency on the roster, which limits the chance to slowly develop them into that role, which can lead to poor play, and on and on it goes.

“Green Bay, by chance or by plan, positioned themselves to handle the development curves because [Rodgers] was still there. No [Rodgers], and I’m sure Love is starting Day 1.”

And what would’ve happened if Love had to play right away?

“I don’t know,” Love said. “Who knows?”

To do it the Packers’ way, an established quarterback must be in place.

“The No. 1 thing is most of them don’t have a Hall of Fame quarterback that’s starting for you, that’s playing at an MVP-type level,” said Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst, who drafted Love. “When you have that, it’s very easy to sit a player like that.”

Otherwise, it’s nearly impossible.

“It’s very hard not to put that guy in the game because there’s a bunch of other players that want to win, too,” Gutekunst said.

It also helped Gutekunst that he does not have a single overbearing owner wondering why a first-round pick isn’t playing.

“Our ownership structure allows us to do what we think is best for the long term, which maybe not every organization has that ability to do,” Gutekunst said.

Said LaFleur: “Gutey and I have talked about it many times: You’ve got to play these guys, especially at that position, when they’re ready. But I don’t think people have the patience to do it.”

In the Packers’ case, their patience paid off, and six years later, there was Love taking charge of the team breakdown on Day 1.

“It’s just him maturing and seeing that opportunity to have his voice heard,” Calhoun said. “I don’t think last year, maybe at the beginning of the season, was that time. Or even the year before. I think Jordan does a great job of analyzing the whole thing and seeing when his voice and when it’s his time to be that leader.”

ESPN Commanders reporter John Keim contributed to this story.