Aaron Judge ties MLB record by hitting 50 homers for 4th time, matching Ruth, McGwire and Sosa
NEW YORK (AP) —
Aaron Judge tied the major league record by reaching 50 home runs for the fourth time, hitting a pair of
longballs as the New York Yankees regained a share of the AL East lead for the first time since July with an 8-1 win over the Chicago White Sox.
Max Fried (19-5) won his sixth straight start and became the major leagues’ first 19-game winner. Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr connected on an RBI double in the third inning to help the Yankees win last night.
New York (90-68) has won seven of eight, moving a season-high 22 games over .500 and getting to 90 wins for the seventh time in the last eight full seasons.
The Yankees, who had not held a share of the division lead since before play on July 3, are tied with Toronto atop the division with four games left.
The Blue Jays, who have lost six of seven, hold the tiebreaker.
Judge’s 50th homer, a three-run drive off
Off the field and onto the podium: Why sport-specific performance training matters
By Dr Kent L Bazard
MOST athletes know the importance of practice. But when it comes to preparation, many still rely on general workouts and conditioning programmes that fail to reflect the real demands of their sport. This is where sport-specific performance training makes all the difference. Defined as training designed to replicate the physical, biomechanical, and energetic requirements of a particular sport, sport-specific training is more than just lifting weights or running drills. It is a science-based approach that blends strength, power, speed, mobility, and skill transfer — all tailored to the actual needs of the athlete. In short, it is the training that helps athletes not just look strong or feel fit, but actually perform better in their sport.
The purpose of this type of training is twofold: to optimise performance and to reduce the risk of injury. By addressing the unique demands of a sport — whether that involves change-of-direction speed, explosive power, or joint
stability — athletes can build resilience while also sharpening the exact tools required for competition.
This isn’t just theory. A growing body of sports science research supports the value of sport-specific training.
In 2020, the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research published findings showing that resisted sprint training significantly improved acceleration in track athletes more than traditional strength training alone.
Meanwhile, a large-scale review in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that sport-tailored injury prevention programs reduced non-contact ACL injuries by up to 50 percent.
Other studies have confirmed that plyometric training, when aligned with sport-specific movement patterns, results in greater transfer to on-field or oncourt performance.
These principles are not limited to professional sport, though they are widely used there.
Elite athletes such as Serena Williams have long relied on individualized off-court programs that
incorporate movement circuits, mobility drills, and targeted strength routines tailored to the demands of tennis.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s training plan includes sprint mechanics, weighted jump training, and deceleration work designed to mirror the specific conditions of high-level football.
The Miami Heat have become known across the NBA for integrating biometric monitoring, strength asymmetry testing, and mobility-based loading strategies to extend player longevity and performance.
Olympic-level sprinters, often seen as the purest expression of athletic movement, also benefit from off-track interventions such as contrast training, rotational core work, and sprint-specific plyometrics.
These methods have proven especially effective in reducing soft tissue injuries, particularly in the hamstrings, where eccentric strength is critical to speed development and injury prevention.
For youth and developing athletes, the benefits are just as powerful.
At Empire Sports Medicine, we routinely see athletes struggling with chronic issues such as hamstring tightness, groin pain, or shoulder dysfunction — not because they aren’t working hard, but because their training lacks specificity.
Once properly assessed and placed into a sportaligned performance programme, these same athletes often see improvements not only in strength and mobility, but also in confidence, coordination, and injury resilience.
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NASSAU FLIGHT SERVICES BALLERS BEAT THE PANTHERS 75-54
By JONATHAN BURROWS Tribune Sports Reporter jburrows@tribunemedia.net
THE Nassau Flight Services Ballers booked their ticket to the Bahamas Government Departmental Basketball Association (BGDBA) championship series with a 75-54 win over the Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture Panthers yesterday at the AF Adderley Gymnasium. The win closed out a hard-fought semifinal bestof-five series, with the Ballers taking it 3-2. The Panthers had forced the deciding game five after an 0-2 deficit.
Abel Joseph led the Ballers with a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds. His high IQ and on-court coach mentality paved the way for the Ballers to execute this win.
The Panthers’ leading scorer was Brandon Strachan, who finished with 19 points and eight rebounds in the losing effort. With the win, the Ballers move
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EFFECTS OF FAILED GRAND SLAM TRACK LEAGUE FELT IN DIFFERENT WAYS ACROSS WORLDS
By EDDIE PELLS AP National Writer
TOKYO (AP) — The failure of Michael Johnson’s attempt to transform track and field with the Grand Slam Track league hovered over big swaths of the sport’s world championships over its nine-day run in Tokyo.
Dozens of athletes who competed but didn’t get paid adjusted their 2025 schedules so they could run in the league’s four events, which turned out to only be three after the final meet in Los Angeles was scrubbed. Those who struggled at worlds — distance runners who participated in the GST stood out — could look at the need of trying to peak three or more times over the season — for the league, for their national championships, then for world championships — as part of their problem. But others who
THE Uptop Elite Basketball Club presents its second annual Sean TipOff Tournament from September 24-28 at the DW Davis Gymnasium for junior and senior boys’ teams. The tournament started yesterday and continues through Friday at the same time. On Saturday, the action will get
underway at 10am. The registration fee is $250 per team and interested persons are urged to contact coach Lamont “Redhead” Armaly at 826-8306 for more information and to register your teams.
BBSF BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT THE Bahamas Baptist Sports Federation will
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LEAGUE -
JAZZ CHISHOLM JR., left, gestures toward teammates after hitting an RBI double as White Sox’s Miguel Vargas, right, looks away during the third inning last night. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Sloop champions ‘Shroud’ recognised during
at Nassau Royal Sailing Club
hold its 2025 Basketball Tournament, sponsored by A.I.D. Automotive, this weekend at the AF Adderley Gymnasium. The tournament, designed for teams in the 12-and-under and the men’s division, will get started on Friday and wrap up on Saturday. Teams still interested in participating are urged to contact tournament director Sean Bastian at 826-8535 or email seanbasbastian@gmail.com or federation president Brent Stubbs at 426-7265 or email stubbobs@gmail.com for more details and to register your teams.
TRACK WILLIAM JOHNSON CROSS COUNTRY
THE Silver Lightning Track Club will hold its sixth annual William “Knucklehead” Johnson Cross Country Championships on Saturday, October 11 at St Augustine’s College, starting at 7am. All interested persons are urged to contact club president and head coach Rupert Gardiner at 8212836 for more information and to register your teams.
SOFTBALL
BEST OF THE BEST THE Bahamas Softball Federation will hold its
Best-of-the-Best Modified Pitch Softball Tournament from September 25-28 in Palmetto Point, Eleuthera.
The tournament is being held in memory of the late Van “Lil Joe” Johnson and Reggie “The Juicer” Knowles, both former national men’s softball team players from Eleuthera.
The entrance fee is $350 per team for a roster of 15 players per team. First place winners will collect a championship trophy, $1,000 in cash prie, 15 cases of Ultra Michelob and 15 championship hats.
The runners up will be awarded a trophy, $500 in cash prize and five cases of Ultra Michelob. For more information, persons can contact BSF president Marvin “Togie” Wood at 808-7281 or Brian “The Ninja” Neely at 5530244 for more information. LEGENDS TRACK INVITE
THE Devynne Charlton Barrier Breakers Foundation is scheduled to hold the Legends Track and Field Devynne Charlton Invitational on January 24, 2026 at the Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium. The event, which is expected to bring in a number of top athletes from around the world, will be held in honour of Charlton for her achievement as the world indoor two-time 60 metre hurdles champion and world
A CELEBRATION was held at the Nassau Royal Sailing Club to officially recognise Team Shroud’s achievement.
Aaron Judge ties MLB record by hitting 50 homers for 4th time
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Jonathan Cannon (4-10), gave the Yankees a 3-1 lead in the second inning. He added a solo shot in the eighth against Cam Booser.
Judge hit 52 homers as a rookie in 2017, an AL-record 62 in 2022 and 58 last year. The only other players with four 50-homer seasons were Babe Ruth, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa.
Trent Grisham added his 34th homer for New York.
Chicago has lost 10 of 11 and reached 100 defeats for the third straight year, tied for second-most in the AL behind Washington’s four in a row from 1961-64. In the NL, Colorado has topped 100 losses
for the third consecutive season. New York used a FriedRice battery for the first time, with the All-Star left-hander pitching to Ben Rice. Fried lowered his ERA to 2.86, allowing four hits in seven innings.
Chicago got its run on Lenyn Sosa’s secondinning sacrifice fly.
Key moment Judge’s first homer made this the third season with four major league players reaching 50, after 1998 and 2001.
Key stat Fried is 6-0 with a 1.55 ERA in his last seven starts.
Up next Yankees LHP Carlos Rodón (17-9, 3.04) and White Sox RHP Davis Martin (7-10, 4.03) start tonight’s series finale.
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on to face the number one-seeded Police CrimeStoppers in the bestof-seven championship series.
The CrimeStoppers were dominant throughout the regular season, losing just one game that came at the hands of the Ballers.
“We came and we played our defence, and the players took what they gave us which was a whole lot,” said Ballers’ head coach Ricardo Richardson. “Heading into the finals I expect them to play the same way and play the same defence, we going to use what we have to come out victorious in the next series,” he added.
The championship matchup between the Ballers and the CrimeStoppers tips off later this week at the AF Adderley Gymnasium.
EFFECTS OF FAILED GRAND SLAM TRACK LEAGUE FELT IN DIFFERENT WAYS ACROSS WORLDS
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ran in the league thrived in Tokyo, and it was an impressive list that included Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, Oblique Seville and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone.
American Jasmine Jones, who won the silver medal in the 400-metre hurdles, ran in Grand Slam Track. Her coach said success there built confidence, but came at a price.
“A lot of people changed their season,” said Jones’ coach, 2004 Olympic gold medallist Joanna Hayes. “Some people it worked out for. Some people it didn’t. I hope they figure out a way to pay the athletes. They really did work hard for that league.”
Some, like American 400 runner Jacory Patterson, saw their lives change after winning meets in Grand Slam Track. Patterson landed a deal with Nike. But after coming into Tokyo as a favourite, he finished a disappointing seventh.
Unlike most pro sports in the U.S., track is a sport filled with athletes who do side gigs to make ends meet — UPS drivers, Walmart, selling cell phones — so missing five-figure or larger payments is bound to have an impact.
McLaughlin-Levrone, one of the few “haves” in the sport, did not buy into the view that the league’s collapse was a sign of bigger trouble.
“I think the unfortunate nature of that situation is exclusive to that situation,”
she said. “I don’t think that at all reflects on the athletes and our sport.”
Noah’s next move Noah Lyles, never a fan of Grand Slam Track, hasn’t soured on the idea of a league that might make track better.
“I want to be able to set track and field, the sport, up in best position to springboard to be independently great, away from the amateruism we are experiencing,” Lyles said.
What that might look like is anybody’s guess, but he hinted in an interview with Bloomberg before the championships that it needed to be better planned and about more than watching people run.
“Let’s put on a production and, as I’ve gone to more and more events, it’s not so much the sport that I was watching, but how I felt when I was there,” Lyles said.
The greatest bronze of all
When defending heptathlon champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson looked at the final standings on the scoreboard and saw hers was the fourth name listed, she said “I wasn’t really celebrating.”
Then, when she saw a “3” pop up by her name and a race official call her over to where the medals were, she felt something different.
Johnson-Thompson and America’s Taliyah Brooks were involved in a rare tie for third in the sevenevent endurance test, one in which every mark in each event is assigned a
)
score value that’s added to a cumulative point total.
The bronze medallists in the event won by American Anna Hall finished with 6,581 points each. Had Johnson, who trailed Brooks by 84 points, not beaten her by exactly 1.46 seconds in the event-closing 800-meter race, there would have been a winner and loser in the quest for third.
At some meets, including those in college in the U.S., officials will break a tie by looking at each athlete’s placement in individual events. Not at world championships, though.
“I’ve never seen it,” Johnson-Thompson said of the tie. “And I’m not questioning it.”
A bus to the track
Some athletes complained about a strange situation in Tokyo this week — they warmed up then had to take a 15-minute bus ride to the track.
Normally, a warm-up track is adjacent to the stadium and involves a walk or a quick ride in a cart over to what’s known as the “call room.” (That cart ride is no sure thing, either. Ask Jamaica’s Andrew Hudson.)
“It’s definitely not usual, but we’re all in the same boat,” American 1,500 runner Nikki Hiltz said earlier in the week.
Athletes are called to the bus between 50 and 60 minutes before their race time, then taken to the stadium where they can use an indoor straightaway to loosen up again.
“With the whole warm-up situation, you’re warming up for almost two hours,” Britain’s 800-metre runner Keely Hodgkinson said. Jamaican coach Stephen Francis called it not “befitting the top meet of the year for World Athletics” in an interview with that country’s TVJ network.
Some love for shot put
Shot put hasn’t been feeling the love of late. Its greatest champion, Ryan Crouser, is trying to change that.
After adding his third straight world title — impressive because he’s been injured all year — to his three Olympic titles, Crouser headed home to restart work on his new league for throwers only, the “World Shot Put Series.”
Crouser was, understandably, not happy when World Athletics kept shot put out
of the debut of its Ultimate Championship next year — an event that will bring together top performers from a number of events to compete for $150,000 top prizes.
Crouser was also miffed that this year’s schedule at worlds called on shot put to go through qualifying in the morning, then finals the same night — a gruelling schedule for those heaving the 7.26-kilometre (16 pound) sphere.
He said his new league is a chance to give proper treatment to this very technical and misunderstood part of track and field.
“So, World Shot Put Series it is,” Crouser said. “Hopefully we’ll replace that with the World Shotput Series Ultimate Championship.” Quotable
“I have actually told him that one more world record, World Athletics misses its Christmas party. Two more world records, we miss the summer party.” — World Athletics President Sebastian Coe on a conversation with pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis, who earned a $100,000 bonus from the federation when he set the world record last Monday.
The value of sport-specific training goes beyond physical preparation. Athletes who understand how to train for their sport are often more mentally engaged, more coachable, and better able to self-regulate during periods of high fatigue. They are also more likely to recover efficiently, adapt to changing game situations, and extend their playing careers. Ultimately, the difference between a good athlete and a great one is often found in what they do behind the scenes. Sport-specific performance training is not a bonus — it is a requirement for long-term success. If you’re training without a
plan that reflects your sport, your goals, and your individual profile, you may be working hard but not working smart. At Empire Sports Medicine, we believe the weight room, turf, and track are just as important as the field, court, or pool. Our programs are built to reflect the science of sport — because preparation doesn’t end when practice does.
• Dr Kent Bazard, sports medicine physician at Empire Sports Medicine, specialises in ensuring athletes reach their peak performance safely. With extensive experience and a passion for sports health, Dr. Bazard provides insights and guidance for athletes of all ages - men and women.
UNITED States’ Jacory Patterson competes in the 400 metres semifinal at World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.
(AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko
NEW York Yankees’ Aaron Judge looks toward the field as he celebrates with teammates after hitting a three-run home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox last night in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Mercury snap back from 20-point deficit to beat Lynx in OT and even WNBA semifinal series
By The Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS (AP)
— Satou Sabally scored 11 of her 24 points in the fourth quarter and Alyssa Thomas had 19 points and 13 assists to help the Phoenix Mercury erase a 20-point deficit and beat the Minnesota Lynx 89-83 in overtime on Tuesday night, tying the WNBA semifinal series at one game apiece.
Sami Whitcomb’s 3-pointer from the wing with 4 seconds left in regulation evened the game at 79 after Thomas kept alive the possession following Whitcomb’s airballed 3 from the top of the key, and Napheesa Collier’s 18-footer for the win fell short at the buzzer to force extra time.
Thomas, who had a triple-double in the decisive Game 3 victory in the first round that ousted defending champion New York, grabbed eight rebounds and ignited the rally with her intensity after a lacklustre first half. Her three-point play with 3:32 left in the fourth quarter ended a stretch of 33:28 during which the top-seeded Lynx had the lead.
Collier scored 24 points on her 29th birthday, Kayla McBride had 21 points and Courtney Williams added 20 points, nine assists, seven rebounds and three steals for the Lynx, whose bench was outscored 25-3. The Mercury, who played their fourth game in seven days, will host Game 3 of the best-of-five series on Friday night.
ACES 90, FEVER 68 LAS VEGAS (AP) — A’ja Wilson bounced back from a rare off game with 25 points and nine rebounds, and Las Vegas evened their
WNBA semifinals playoff series with a convincing victory over Indiana. The best-of-five series heads to Indianapolis, where Game 3 will be played Friday night. Wilson
made 10 of 18 shots to go with playoff career-high five steals, two nights after the four-time MVP made just 6 of 22 field goals. NaLyssa Smith added 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting and Jackie
18
ACES COACH BECKY HAMMON SLAMS OFFICIATING AFTER PHYSICAL GAME 2 VICTORY OVER FEVER
By MARK ANDERSON AP Sports Writer
LAS VEGAS (AP)
— Aces coach Becky Hammon said before Tuesday’s 90-68 victory over the Fever that evened the WNBA playoffs semifinal series at a game apiece that Las Vegas couldn’t “tiptoe into a bar fight” with Indiana.
The Aces made their presence literally felt, continuing what is becoming an early trend in this series that neither side is particularly happy about.
“The physicality’s out of control for sure,” Hammon said. “You can bump and grab a wide receiver in the NFL for those first five yards, but you can do it in the W for the whole half court. You put two hands on somebody, it should be an automatic foul. The freedom of movement? There’s no freedom. I’m not saying we’re not fouling, too. I’m not saying that. I’m saying it’s out of control.”
Complaints about officiating has been a season-long issue with players and coaches throughout the league saying the referees let too much go.
It’s not even just this season. Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve ripped the officials after the Lynx lost the deciding Game 5 of last year’s WNBA Finals to
New York over a foul call that benefited the Liberty and helped force overtime.
“Most of my assistants come from the NBA, and they’re like this does not fly in the NBA,” said Hammon, who also spent seven years in that league as an assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs.
“There would be fights. We just have very well-mannered women that can get to the next play.” Fever coach Stephanie White also wasn’t pleased with how Tuesday’s game was called, though her complaint was a little different. She pointed to the 41 total fouls, 22 on Las Vegas and 19 on Indiana. But the Aces took 21 free throws compared to 15 for the Fever.
“It’s hard for us to find flow when there’s a foul called every 10 seconds,” White said. “I mean, it just really is. When they’re at the free throw line, we can’t get up and down the floor, and that’s a challenge. They were much more aggressive and physical defensively, and we didn’t counter that with our off-ball actions or our back cuts.”
The Fever have kept their season alive despite contending with a number of serious injuries, including a season-ender to Caitlin Clark. Lexie Hull went into Game 2 questionable with a back injury, but she played
and scored 15 points. Hull wore a brace when not on the floor.
“It feels like a physical game every game,” Hull said. “It feels like it’s been a physical season. But I’ve been on the ground a little bit more this series so far.
We just keep getting back up.”
Beyond the physical part of the series, Hammon also was miffed she felt compelled to use a challenge in the first quarter on an out-of-bounds call the Aces successfully had
overturned. She said one of the other two officials should have helped referee Jeff Wooten make the correct call.
“I shouldn’t have to use a challenge on something that went off your head, and I’m sure every coach
would agree,” Hammon said. “Like, that’s maddening. If Steph had to use her challenge in the first five minutes, that’s not ideal, especially on an out-ofbounds call, which I feel is probably the easiest call to get right.”
Young scored 13, and Jewell Loyd and Dana Evans each had 10 points. Chelsea Gray finished with 10 assists. Odyssey Sims led the Fever with
points and Lexie Hull scored 15.
MINNESOTA Lynx guard Courtney Williams controls the ball as Phoenix Mercury forward Kathryn Westbeld, left, and guard Monique Akoa Makani defend during the second half of Game 2 of a WNBA basketball playoff semifinals series Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, in Minneapolis.
(AP Photo/Matt Krohn)
LAS Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon speaks with an official during the second half of Game 2 of a WNBA basketball playoff semifinals series against the Indiana Fever, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, in Las Vegas.
(AP Photo/John Locher)
Pro Picks: Micah Parsons and Packers will beat Dak Prescott and Cowboys convincingly
By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer
MICAH Parsons will be all business when he returns to Dallas.
The two-time All-Pro isn’t planning to socialise with his former teammates before the Green Bay Packers (2-1) kick off against the Cowboys (1-2) on Sunday night.
“I don’t never really go out during warmups anyway,” Parsons told the AP. “I like to just channel in all my focus on the minutes I got to play football.”
Expect Parsons to be at his best in an emotional matchup. He considers Dak Prescott a close friend and mentor but now will go out and look to sack him.
Jordan Love and Green Bay’s offence struggled against Cleveland. The Cowboys have struggled on defence without Parsons.
The Packers are 7-point favourites on the road. Pro Picks likes the visitors, especially with CeeDee Lamb sidelined for Dallas.
BEST BET:
PACKERS: 33-17
Baltimore (1-2) at Kansas City (1-2)
Line: Ravens minus 2 1/2
Hard to believe one of these teams will be 1-3 unless they tie. Only the 2001 Patriots ever rebounded from 1-3 to win the Super Bowl. Baltimore’s injury-riddled defence couldn’t stop Detroit and the offensive line couldn’t protect Lamar Jackson. The Ravens are 6-3 against the spread (ATS) in their past nine games. Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs are 4-1 ATS in their past five games vs. Baltimore.
UPSET SPECIAL:
CHIEFS, 24-23
Seattle (2-1) at Arizona (2-1)
Line: Seahawks minus 1 1/2 Sam Darnold has continued to play impressive ball with his new team. The Cardinals lost RB James Conner and will need someone to step up. Jonathan Gannon’s defence has played well early on. Seattle has won seven straight in this series.
CARDINALS: 22-20
Minnesota (2-1) vs. Pittsburgh (2-1), in Dublin Line: Vikings minus 2 1/2 Carson Wentz played well in his first start for the Vikings but now faces T.J. Watt and the Steelers. Brian Flores’ fierce defence
presents a tough challenge for Aaron Rodgers. It’s the first game in Ireland and the first of two straight games abroad for Minnesota.
VIKINGS: 23-19
Tennessee (0-3) at Houston (0-3)
Line: Texans minus 7 Cam Ward hasn’t brought winning to Tennessee, where coach Brian Callahan is on the hot seat already. The Texans have dug a huge hole with an unexpected poor start. Only the 1992 Chargers made the playoffs after going 0-4. The Titans covered the spread as road underdogs in Week 1. The Texans are 0-3 ATS.
TEXANS: 22-16
Washington (2-1) at Atlanta (1-2) Line: Commanders minus 1 Marcus Mariota was sharp filling in for Jayden Daniels but the Commanders could be without wide receiver Terry McLaurin. Michael Penix Jr. and the rest of Atlanta’s offence struggled in an embarrassing loss to Carolina.
FALCONS: 20-18
New Orleans (0-3) at Buffalo (3-0) Line: Bills minus 16 Nothing is going well for the rebuilding Saints. The Bills could win this one with Mitchell Trubisky and give Josh Allen a bye, which they won’t.
BILLS: 34-13
Philadelphia (3-0) at Tampa Bay (3-0)
Line: Eagles minus 3 1/2
Jalen Hurts is 1-4 against the Buccaneers, including a pair of playoff losses. But the Bucs are depleted by injuries. WR Mike Evans is out and the offensive line is decimated. Baker Mayfield has led three comeback wins in the final two minutes. It’ll be tough to do it against Vic Fangio’s defence. The Eagles have won nine straight games. The Buccaneers are 6-1
straight up and 5-2 against the spread in their past seven games vs. Philly.
EAGLES: 27-22
Carolina (1-2) at New England (1-2)
Line: Patriots minus 5 1/2
Coming off a 30-0 rout over Atlanta, the Panthers are getting no respect from oddsmakers.
Five turnovers hurt New England in a loss to Pittsburgh. The Panthers are 9-3 ATS in their past 12 games.
The Patriots are 0-5 ATS in their past five as favourites.
PATRIOTS: 23-16
Cleveland (1-2) at Detroit (2-1)
Line: Lions minus 9 1/2
Myles Garrett and a tough defence will keep the Browns in games. The Lions didn’t need much time to adjust to new coordinators. Their offence and defence are clicking. Both teams are 2-1 ATS this season. The Lions have to avoid a letdown on a short week after a huge road win.
LIONS: 24-13
Los Angeles Chargers (3-0) at New York Giants (0-3)
Line: Chargers minus 6 1/2
The Chargers are off to their best start since 2002. The defence should give rookie QB Jaxson Dart plenty of trouble in his first career start. An injury-riddled offensive line needs to protect Justin Herbert against a formidable front four. The Giants have lost nine of 10 and are 3-7 ATS in those games.
CHARGERS: 24-16
Jacksonville (2-1) at San Francisco (3-0)
Line: 49ers minus 3
A revamped defence has helped the Jaguars to a promising start, and the offensive line has protected Trevor Lawrence well. The 49ers are 2-0 with Mac Jones filling in for Brock
Purdy but now they’ve lost edge Nick Bosa for the season. The Jaguars are 0-2 in San Francisco. 49ERS: 23-19
Indianapolis (3-0) at Los Angeles Rams (2-1)
Line: Rams minus 3 1/2
Daniel Jones is rejuvenated with the Colts. It helps to have Jonathan Taylor to help carry the load. The Rams would be undefeated if not for a pair of blocked field goals in the fourth quarter in Philly. The Colts are 4-2 ATS in their past six games. The Rams are 5-1 ATS in their past six.
RAMS: 24-20
Chicago (1-2) at Las Vegas (1-2)
Line: Bears minus 1 Caleb Williams would be an All-Pro if he faced the Cowboys each week. Ben Johnson’s offence clicked and Williams tossed four TDs against Dallas. WR Rome Odunze is tied for the league lead with four TD catches. The Raiders have lost two in a row after winning Pete Carroll’s debut. Geno Smith and Ashton Jeanty aren’t getting a chance to show what they can do behind an offensive line that’s struggling.
BEARS: 26-23
New York Jets (0-3) at Miami (0-3)
Line: Dolphins minus 2 1/2
A pair of winless teams meet in prime time. The Jets nearly upset the Buccaneers on the road and could have Justin Fields back. The Dolphins played tough against the Bills and had extra time to prepare. Miami has won nine straight in this series. The Jets are 4-10 ATS in their past 14 games vs. the Dolphins.
DOLPHINS: 24-20
Cincinnati (2-1) at Denver (1-2)
Line: Broncos minus 7 1/2
After the worst loss in franchise history, the Bengals have to play much better. They don’t have Joe Burrow but Jake Browning has won before and he has playmakers. The Broncos need to turn things around quickly following a disappointing start.
BRONCOS: 23-16
Last week: Straight up: 11-5. Against spread: 6-10.
Overall: Straight up: 36-12. Against spread: 24-24.
FANTASY PLAYS: PLAYERS TO START AND SIT FOR NFL WEEK 4
By DORIAN COLBERT
WEEK 4 is the time where patterns emerge, but surprises are still possible. Let’s lean into matchups, volume and inefficiencies. Here are your starts, locks and avoids going into Week 4. Quarterbacks
Start: Drake Maye, Patriots vs. Panthers Maye has steadily improved each week, showing poise in the pocket and the ability to extend plays with his legs. New England has leaned on quick reads and play action to build Maye’s confidence, and he’s responded with efficient stat lines. Carolina’s defence has struggled on the road, especially against mobile QBs, giving Maye legitimate QB1 streaming potential in Week 4.
Other Locks: —Jared Goff vs. Browns —Jordan Love vs Cowboys
—Josh Allen vs. Saints Avoid: Dak Prescott, Cowboys vs. Packers Prescott’s matchup this week is less forgiving. The Cowboys offense has leaned on ball control when the deep passing game isn’t there, which could limit Prescott’s attempts. He’s an OK option in season-long leagues, but not the ceiling play you want in Week 4. The Micah Parsons revenge narrative is strong here too.
Running backs
Start: Trey Benson vs. Seahawks Benson has quickly earned trust in Arizona’s backfield, stepping into a top role with James Conner out. Seattle’s defence has been strong up front, but it has also given up big runs when over pursuing, which plays into Benson’s onecut style and burst. He’s also been more involved in the passing game than expected, giving him a dualthreat profile that boosts
his PPR value. With 15 to 20 touches on the table, Benson carries RB2 security and the upside to reach the top 12 at the position this week.
Other Locks:
—Bijan Robinson vs. Commanders
—Jordan Mason vs. Steelers
—Javonte Williams vs. Packers
Avoid: Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs vs. Ravens
Pacheco has been Kansas City’s early down workhorse, but he has yet to reach 50 all-purpose yards in a game this season. The Ravens’ front seven has been inconsistent, but at 1-2, they’ll dig deep this week. Kansas City is also more likely to lean on Patrick Mahomes’ arm in a matchup of this magnitude, further reducing Pacheco’s ceiling. Unless he punches in a short touchdown, he’s unlikely to deliver RB2 value this week.
Wide receivers
Start: Rome Odunze vs. Raiders
Odunze’s matchup with Las Vegas offers big-play potential. Odunze’s combination of size and speed makes him difficult for Vegas corners to handle one-on-one, and the Raiders have been prone to giving up intermediate and vertical completions to physical WRs. Averaging nine targets a game and having scored in every game so far this season, he has a chance to deliver his best fantasy line yet in 2025.
Other Locks: —Cortland Sutton vs. Bengals —Elic Ayomanor vs. Texans
—Garrett Wilson vs. Dolphins
Avoid: Marquise Brown, Chiefs vs. Ravens
Brown’s target share has been inconsistent. If the Chiefs go toward other route options such as Tyquan Thornton or
run-heavy scripts, he becomes less of an option. In a matchup where deep passes are less certain, he’s a risky WR3. Unless he hits on a long play, he’s more likely to disappoint than deliver.
Tight ends Start: Sam LaPorta vs. Browns LaPorta has emerged as one of Detroit’s most dependable playmakers, ranking near the top of the league in tight end targets. The Browns have been middling versus tight ends and LaPorta’s chemistry with Jared Goff makes him a focal point in scoring territory. His route participation is elite and his consistent usage gives him one of the safest floors at the position. With both steady volume and touchdown equity, he’s a locked-in TE1.
Other Locks: —Jake Ferguson vs. Packers —Tyler Warren vs. Rams
—Juwan Johnson vs.
Bills
Avoid: Zach Ertz, Commanders vs. Falcons
Ertz is trending down in Washington’s passing hierarchy and hasn’t been commanding steady volume. The Falcons have played tight ends well this season, they’re top ranked against the position right now, limiting their scoring opportunities. At this stage in his career, Ertz lacks the explosive plays to overcome low target counts. Unless Washington falls behind early and throws nonstop, he’s best left on the bench.
PACKERS defensive end Micah Parsons (1) celebrates sacking Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during the second half Sunday, September 7, 2025, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
COWBOYS quarterback Dak Prescott (4) passes the ball against the Bears during the second half on Sunday, September 21, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
EZE SCORES FIRST ARSENAL GOAL IN LEAGUE CUP WIN. MAN CITY, TOTTENHAM AND NEWCASTLE ALSO ADVANCE
By STEVE DOUGLAS AP Sports Writer
EBERECHI Eze scored his first goal for Arsenal in a 2-0 win at Port Vale in the English League Cup yesterday, while Manchester City, Newcastle and Tottenham also beat third-tier opponents to advance to the last 16.
Making his fifth appearance for his boyhood team following a summer move from Crystal Palace, Eze stroked home a cool finish in the eighth minute after running onto Myles LewisSkelly’s deft flick. Leandro Trossard added the second in the 86th.
Arsenal fielded a heavily rotated team for a competition that likely ranks lowest on its list of priorities this season, even if manager Mikel Arteta is under increasing pressure to win the club’s first major trophy since 2020.
Pep Guardiola did the same with Man City, yet
started Phil Foden and saw the England midfielder score the first goal from outside the area and set up the second for Savinho in a 2-0 win at Huddersfield.
Joao Palhinha’s overhead kick was the highlight of Tottenham’s 3-0 win over Doncaster, and both Joelinton and William Osula scored twice for defending champion Newcastle in its 4-1 home win over Bradford.
The draw for the last 16 was made after the games and Newcastle will continue its title defence at home to Tottenham in one of four allPremier League matchups, along with Arsenal-Brighton, Liverpool-Crystal Palace and Wolverhampton-Chelsea.
Wrexham, the globally popular second-tier team co-owned by “Deadpool” actor Ryan Reynolds, will play Welsh rival Cardiff at home and another team from Wales, Swansea, was drawn to play Man City.
ARSENAL’s Eberechi Eze celebrates scoring their side’s first goal of the game during the English League cup third round soccer match between Port Vale and Arsenal at Vale Park, Stoke-onTrent, England, Wednesday, September 24, 2025.
