Blog

Dear readers, I know that Oscar Piastri already had trouble sleeping after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. But, just as my colleague Christian Nimmervoll thought this after Baku, I feel the same way now after Singapore: Piastri will have had another very restless night. His cautious, reserved demeanour in the media rounds doesn’t change that. 

No question: something is brewing inside Piastri. 

On the one hand, there was the situation with Lando Norris right after the start, which from his perspective was not just unfortunate – but unfair. 

Of course, one can argue about that view. But what seems undeniable to me is that Piastri must be feeling increasingly fooled. Because it always looks like he’s the one who has to take the hit – and Norris is the one who benefits. See Monza. 

And even though team boss Zak Brown and team principal Andrea Stella have been repeating like a mantra for months that both McLaren drivers have equal opportunities and that fairness is paramount, doubts inevitably creep in during such moments. 

Piastri, of course, knows all the internal agreements and will be able to correctly assess situations like those in Monza or Singapore. But that doesn’t erase the “Why always me?” impression. With every new case, his frustration and concern grow that maybe, just maybe, Norris really is being favoured. 

The gap is shrinking 

On the other hand, there’s Piastri’s dwindling lead in the drivers’ standings: with his victory in Zandvoort and Norris’ retirement, he had built up a cushion of 34 points – his largest lead so far. 

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Photo by: Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images

But that lead is crumbling, week by week: in Monza it shrank by three points, in Baku by six, in Singapore by another three – and in two of those three races, controversial incidents from Piastri’s perspective played a decisive role. That’s enough to make anyone think twice. 

Because Norris is closing in, step by step: if the current points trend since Monza continues, Piastri will lose this championship to Norris – by two points. 

And then there’s Max Verstappen, still lurking as an invisible threat: 10 points gained in Monza, 25 in Baku, six in Singapore – Piastri’s recent numbers against him are also clearly negative. 

How will Piastri respond? 

This won’t leave Piastri unaffected – how could it? 

And if the current trend in the championship standings doesn’t already cost him sleep, then surely the question of how he should now approach his intra-team battle with Norris does. 

Especially after Singapore, I expect some kind of reaction from Piastri: a statement on the racetrack, either through an outstanding performance behind the wheel or through uncompromising wheel-to-wheel behaviour against Norris. Because what Piastri desperately needs right now is a turning point – also for his own self-confidence. 

And let’s be honest: who could sleep soundly in this situation, on the verge of perhaps the greatest success of their career? I certainly couldn’t. And I don’t think Piastri can, either. 

Yours, Stefan Ehlen 

Read Also:

We want your opinion!

– The Motorsport.com Team

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Vince Whaley stepped into the water to play a shot and a 6-foot spectator with a full set of teeth was watching closely. He still turned his back on the alligator and saved par.

Whaley figures the gator was about 20 feet away in the water when he played his shot from the bank on the par-5 11th hole Sunday in the Sanderson Farms Championship.

Advertisement

He was one shot out of the lead at the time, and yes, he was fully aware of the gator eyeing him, the full head above water.

“Well, thankfully my back was to him so I could focus on the shot for a second,” Whaley said, adding he had “a lot of trust” in his caddie monitoring the situation.

The gator never moved. Whaley splashed out short of the putting surface and got up-and-down for par. He wound up with a 67 and tied for third.

And the plan if the gator had moved?

“The plan was to get the hell out of the water,” he said.

___

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Fantasy football analyst Ray Garvin shares his thoughts on Week 4’s most noteworthy action.

Emeka Egbuka is that dude

What a game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Seattle Seahawks, a 38-35 final and what made it even better — especially if you had any pass catchers in this one — is that the guys who needed to get the ball got the ball.

Advertisement

Sam Darnold threw four touchdown passes and went for 341 yards, finishing as QB3 on the week heading into Sunday Night Football. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, absolute star, eight receptions, 132 yards, one touchdown. And on the other side of the ball, Baker Mayfield gave you 379 yards through the air, two touchdowns and just enough rushing to pat the fantasy stat line.

But the name you need to know, the one that should be on the tip of everyone’s tongue right now, is Emeka Egbuka.

Egbuka didn’t just show up, he erupted. Seven targets, seven receptions, 163 yards and a touchdown. All five of his downfield (10+ air yard) targets were caught; 145 yards and the touchdown came on those alone. He did this all against zone coverage, running 29 of his 31 routes against zone looks and torching it at every level. He now ranks second in the NFL in receiving yards versus zone (418) and first in touchdowns against zone (4). He also exposed Josh Jobe for 81 yards in coverage, the most that defender has ever allowed to a single player in his career.

Advertisement

What we’re seeing here is not just a talented rookie making some noise — this is a special player on a special run.

[Yahoo Sports TV is here! Watch live shows and highlights 24/7]

The stars have aligned for Egbuka in Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers have lost their top three pass catchers from last year and what was left behind is an offense with a fearless quarterback and a wide receiver room that just needed someone to step up. Emeka Egbuka hasn’t just stepped up, he’s taken over. This is vintage Cooper Kupp/Puka Nacua level territory. This is a player whose skill set is meeting opportunity in the exact right moment. And if you bet on that talent in the summer, or if you traded for him early, you’re watching that investment blossom in real time.

This is what winning fantasy football looks like —it’s hitting on one of these guys.

Advertisement

Heading into Sunday Night Football, Emeka Egbuka is the WR3 in total half PPR scoring behind only Puka Nacua and Amon-Ra St. Brown. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is WR5. He may not reach Puka’s rookie reception volume but this isn’t about volume, this is about dominance. Egbuka is a zone beater, a deep threat and the most consistent player in a pass-heavy offense that continues to win games late. What we’re witnessing is a breakout in the truest form.

Emeka Egbuka is a star. And fantasy managers who have him, you’re not just along for the ride, you’re leading the way.

Instant reaction: Emeka Egbuka is the WR1 in Tampa Bay. It doesn’t matter who’s active. Even when Mike Evans returns, this offense runs through Egbuka.

Philadelphia Eagles: More passes, more problems

If I told you the Eagles would run the ball just 11 times with four different ball carriers and Jalen Hurts would throw 38 passes, you’d probably guess A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith went nuclear. You’d be half right. DeVonta Smith did his part — 10 targets, 8 receptions, 114 yards, led the team across the board. A.J. Brown? Third in targets behind Dallas Goedert with just five catches for 43 yards and no touchdowns, and he and Hurts missed badly on what should’ve been a 61-yard house call. Brown said he slowed down because he lost the ball in the air. Hurts missed him.

Advertisement

Whatever angle you take, the result is the same — a wasted play, a wasted game and a WR43 fantasy finish on the week for a top fantasy receiver coming into the season.

This was supposed to be a “make-it-right” game. Reports coming out said there was locker room tension about the passing attack, and it felt like Philly tried to force the ball through the air to prove a point. The result was ugly. They lost at home to Bo Nix and the Broncos, who were practically begging the Eagles to take the game. Saquon Barkley touched the ball just nine times. Six carries. Thirty rushing yards. No red-zone work. The only thing that saved his fantasy day — and I mean saved it — was a long receiving touchdown. He finished Week 5 as RB9 in half PPR, and even though you’re not mad at the final line, it’s terrifying knowing that one play kept you from a total dud.

This offense looks disjointed. Philly lost Landon Dickerson during the game, Hurts didn’t turn the ball over but still looked shaky and no one can seem to agree on who the focal point of the offense is. And yet, you’re trapped. You can’t bench A.J. Brown. You can’t bench DeVonta Smith. You definitely can’t bench Saquon. You’re just stuck starting all of them and hoping for the best.

Coming out of Week 5, that’s the only word that feels right for the Eagles: Stuck. And that should make any fantasy manager uneasy.

Advertisement

Instant reaction: You have to start your Eagles and hope for the best. A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith and Saquon Barkley are in your lineup every week, but just be ready for things to go sideways.

Put some respect on Dak Prescott’s name

Y’all better quit playing and put some respect on Dak Prescott. You don’t have to like the Dallas Cowboys but we’re not here to talk about playoff wins. This is fantasy football and Dak is balling.

Week 5, QB2 going into Sunday night. Eighteen-for-twenty-nine for 237 yards and not one, not two, not three but four passing touchdowns. That’s QB9 on the season and he’s doing it without CeeDee Lamb. The man’s throwing dimes to Jake Ferguson, George Pickens is still doing his thing and unheralded Ryan Flournoy just dropped a buck-14 on six grabs. If Lamb misses more time, this offense is still lit. And oh yeah, Dak had four new offensive line starters and still added 28 yards on the ground. This ain’t just solid, this is certified star territory. He’s elevating everyone around him. You better lock him into lineups weekly, no questions asked.

Advertisement

Instant reaction: If CeeDee Lamb misses time, Ryan Flournoy is absolutely in play for Week 6 and maybe beyond.

Rico Dowdle just put the league on notice

Rico Dowdle’s name was called — and Rico Dowdle delivered.

With Chuba Hubbard out, he got the start and turned it into a statement. The man went nuclear: 23 carries, 206 yards, one touchdown, three catches for 28 more and sits as the RB1 in half PPR heading into Sunday night with 30.9 points. That’s 26 total touches and not one defense-adjusted fluke.

He ripped Miami all day. But here’s the kicker: Hubbard’s expected to miss more time and next week, Dowdle gets a home game against the same Dallas defense that just gave up a monster day to Breece Hall. That’s a revenge spot for a back who rushed for 1,000 yards in Big D last season.

Advertisement

The volume is there. The upcoming matchup is juicy. If you grabbed Rico off waivers, you’re flexing gold right now.

Instant reaction: Rico Dowdle is a locked-in RB2 with RB1 upside next week vs. Dallas

Reality check for Giants’ rookies

Y’all remember last week, when folks were ready to put Cam Skattebo and Jaxson Dart in Canton? Yeah, let’s chill. This Week 5 L to the Saints? That was the comedown. Dart threw two touchdowns, but also threw two picks, fumbled and looked skittish down the stretch. Skattebo? He got his 22 opportunities and gave you RB19 numbers in half-PPR (11.4 points), but that fumble was brutal.

Advertisement

Dart ended up QB16 (15.6 points) and still couldn’t drag this offense to a win. The Giants are 1-4, the schedule gets nasty and this offense is running out of answers. If you’ve got a chance to flip Skattebo off the box score or move Dart in redraft, I’m making that call.

This loss was the warning shot. It’s about to get rough.

Instant reaction: Cam Skattebo is sliding down from auto-start to flex consideration. Jaxson Dart? You can’t roll him out again. Not on a short week. Not against Philly.

Stick a fork in ’em: The Ravens are done

This ain’t the same Baltimore squad we were hyping a month ago. No Lamar Jackson, no shot. Cooper Rush is playing like a career backup, because that’s exactly what he is. The Ravens are allowing 35.3 points per game; you just can’t win like that. The offensive line is Swiss cheese, the defense can’t get off the field and outside of Zay Flowers and Derrick Henry, there’s nothing here to lean on.

Advertisement

Henry bailed us out with a garbage-time score but that’s not a weekly bet. Zay’s getting volume, but it’s empty. Baltimore is done in the water without Lamar. I’m benching every Raven not named Flowers or Henry and even they might be one more dud away from hitting the pine too.

You’re not playing vibes, you’re playing fantasy. Don’t be loyal to a sinking ship.

Instant reaction: Only Derrick Henry is comfortably startable for Baltimore with Cooper Rush at quarterback. Even Zay Flowers comes with real risk right now.

Arizona Cardinals: Shame, shame, shame

The Arizona Cardinals should be ashamed of themselves. They lost 22-21 to the Titans in embarrassing fashion. Emari Demercado dropped the ball at the goal line on what would have been a 72-yard touchdown. Instead of putting the game away, it ended in a turnover.

Advertisement

Marvin Harrison Jr. started hot but only finished with four catches for 98 yards on five targets. Trey McBride posted five receptions for 41 yards. Kyler Murray rushed for a score and threw for 220 yards, but this offense continues to be inconsistent and frustrating.

On the Tennessee side, Calvin Ridley finally came through with five for 131, but it came in a game where most fantasy managers had benched him. Tony Pollard fumbled but also scored and ran for 67 yards.

You’re starting MHJ and hoping, you’re starting McBride and hoping and as it stands right now, you’re probably still not starting Calvin Ridley next week.

Instant reaction: This doesn’t look like it’s getting better for Marvin Harrison Jr. The volume just isn’t there and the game scripts are never right. Even Trey McBride is underwhelming. Stock down for everyone in Arizona.

Advertisement

Bench your Bengals

Ja’Marr Chase bailed you out. That’s the takeaway here. Chase goes into Sunday Night Football as the WR2 on the week in half PPR scoring after putting up six catches for 110 yards and two touchdowns. But here’s the thing: 79 of those yards and both touchdowns came on just two catches in the fourth quarter. The Bengals were trailing, desperate — and that’s when Chase came alive.

Jake Browning? Still bad. He tossed three picks and this offense looked completely stuck until the very end. Tee Higgins found the end zone but had just 22 yards. Chase Brown led the team in catches with seven for 21 yards.

Advertisement

You’re starting Ja’Marr because you have to. He’s that kind of talent. But outside of him, there’s no one in Cincinnati you can start right now and feel remotely good about it.

Instant reaction: Benching every Bengal not named Ja’Marr Chase moving forward.

The Los Angeles Chargers suffer a second straight loss

That’s two straight losses for the Chargers — and this one’s bad. They fell to a Washington Commanders team that just got Jayden Daniels back from injury. Daniels didn’t look right for most of the first half, playing with a massive knee brace, but still managed 231 yards and a touchdown on just 15 completions. No interceptions, only one sack. He did enough.

Advertisement

Jacory Croskey-Merritt finally had his breakout performance. Over 100 yards rushing, two touchdowns, and two catches for 39 yards. Deebo Samuel Sr. looked like vintage Deebo again. Ninety-six yards and a touchdown on 11 targets. On the Chargers’ side, Justin Herbert’s 22 completions came with just 5.7 yards per attempt. He was sacked four times, led the team in rushing and the offensive line looked banged up. Omarion Hampton got banged up late and now has an ankle injury we have to monitor. Keenan Allen led the team in receiving. Ladd McConkey found the end zone but only had 39 yards. Quentin Johnston fumbled and the explosive plays weren’t there.

Instant reaction: Not ready to panic just yet, but there might be some real problems brewing with the Chargers’ offensive line. If that front can’t hold up, we’ve got a serious issue in Los Angeles.

The New England Patriots have a confusing running back depth chart.

It means that rookie RB TreVeyon Henderson plays less than anyone wants him to.

Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson both see a lot of work, too.

On one play on the Pats’ first drive of Sunday Night Football against the Buffalo Bills, Stevenson and Gibson both lined up with Drake Maye in the backfield, but not Henderson.

MORE: Cardinals’ Emari Demercado makes unforgiveable fumble mistake

Is TreVeyon Henderson playing tonight?

Yes, TreVeyon Henderson is active and playing tonight.

The problem is that he’s part of a three-man backfield rotation.

That can create long stretches of action in which he doesn’t see the football.

But the Pats should get him double-digit touches as the game goes along, if usual patterns are followed.

Especially after Rhamondre Stevenson lost a fumble on the Pats’ second drive, it might be TreVeyon time.

More Bills-Patriots News:

ROME, ITALY – MARCH 16: Martina Piemonte of SS Lazio women in action during the Women Serie A Playoff Group B match between SS Lazio and Como on March 16, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

The 2025-26 Serie A Women kicked off this weekend, as the twelve hopeful teams put their preparation into practice for the new season.

Once again, Juventus and Roma are considered to be front runners for the title, with a team outside of those two clubs not having won the competition since Fiorentina in 2016-17.

Meanwhile, Como have been investing heavily in their women’s team and Parma, Genoa and Ternana all new additions to the league.

This year’s competition has seen the number of teams increased from ten to twelve, promising more action for the growing women’s game in Italy.

Serie A Women – Match-Day 1 Round-Up

The Serie A Women season kicked off with Inter hosting new girls Ternana, with five different goalscorers securing an emphatic 5-0 win for the Nerazzurri. Martina Tomaselli, Haley Bugeja, Masa Tomasevic, Tessa Wullaert and Nikee Diana van Dijk all got their names on the scoresheet. Meanwhile, Eleonora Pacioni was sent off for the visitors in the first-half, making life infinitely more difficult for the minnows.

After Inter, it was Roma’s turn to get their campaign off to a winning start. The Giallorossi dominated Parma in an impressive 4-0 victory, with goals from Alice Corelli, Rinsola Babajide, Manuele Giugliano and Giulia Dragoni.

Napoli left it until the 76th minute to break the deadlock against Fiorentina, with Cecille Fløe scoring the only goal as the Partenopei secured all three points.

In the biggest surprise of the weekend, Juventus were held to a 0-0 draw in Sassuolo. The champions were dominant, with 68% possession and 18 shots but were unable to finish their chances in an early blow for Max Canzi’s side.

Sunday’s matches saw Lazio and Como do battle in a tight game, with the Biancocelesti snatching the three points thanks to goals from Clarisse Le Bihan and Martina Piemonte. Veronica Bernardi scored a late consolation goal for the hosts but it was too little too late for the lakeside team.

Finally, Milan fought back from a goal down to beat Genoa 2-1. Alice Karin Sondergaard gave the hosts the lead in the 45th minute before Evelyn Ijeh equalised with six minutes to go and Emma Koivisto won the match for the Rossoneri in the 7th minute of injury time at the end of the game.

After the first round of fixtures, Inter, Roma, Lazio, Milan and Napoli make up the top five, all having won their first matches. Ternana sit bottom and their five goals conceded to Inter is a concerning early indicator that it may be a long season for the Umbrian club in the Serie A Women.

NAPLES, ITALY – OCTOBER 05: Frank Anguissa of SSC Napoli celebrates after scoring his side first goal during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Genoa CFC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on October 05, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Napoli and Roma are the Serie A table leaders as the October international break begins, while Milan lead Inter and Juventus by one point.

The Serie A Round 6 is in the history books and sees Roma and Napoli at the top of the standings with 15 points each.

Both sides secured comeback wins on Sunday. Roma beat Fiorentina 2-1 at the Stadio Franchi, while Napoli recovered from one goal down against Genoa thanks to Frank Anguissa and Rasmus Hojlund’s goals in the second half at the Stadio Maradona.

Milan’s 0-0 draw against Juventus means the Rossoneri are no longer at the top of the table, but Massimiliano Allegri’s men still enjoy a one-point lead over Inter and the Bianconeri.

Four teams are still looking for their first win in the league this term: Pisa, Genoa, Hellas Verona and Fiorentina, who also occupy the final four places in the table.

Lecce won their first Serie A match in 2025-26, beating Parma away 1-0 on Saturday.

Serie A 2025-26 table after Round 6

 

Qualification for the Champions League league stage

 

Qualification for the Europa League league stage

 

Qualification for the Conference League play-off round

CHARLOTTE. N.C. (AP) — Bryce Young threw a go-ahead, 4-yard touchdown pass to Mitchell Evans with 1:59 remaining, Rico Dowdle ran for 206 yards and a score, and the Carolina Panthers overcame a 17-point first-half deficit to beat the Miami Dolphins 27-24 on Sunday.

Young completed 19 of 30 passes for 198 yards and two touchdowns after turning the ball over on Carolina’s first two possessions, leading to two touchdown passes by Tua Tagovailoa and a 17-0 Miami lead.

Advertisement

Making his first start for the Panthers, Dowdle matched the second-highest rushing total in franchise history.

The Panthers (2-3) remained unbeaten at home and equaled a franchise record with their 17-point comeback. Carolina improved to 4-117 (including playoffs) when trailing by 17 or more.

Tagovailoa finished 27 of 36 for 256 yards with TD passes to De’Von Achane, Darren Waller and Jaylen Waddle in Miami’s first game since Tyreek Hill sustained a season-ending knee injury.

The Panthers took the lead midway through the fourth quarter on a 1-yard TD run by Dowdle, but Tagovailoa answered quickly with a 46-yard touchdown pass to Waddle to put the Dolphins ahead 24-20 with 4:50 left.

Advertisement

The Panthers responded with an impressive drive sparked Young’s 17-yard pass to rookie Jimmy Horn on fourth-and-5. Evans’ TD catch was his second score in two games.

The Dolphins (1-4) had a chance to retake the lead, but Patrick Jones II sacked Tagovailoa for a 7-yard loss on third-and-10. Miami coach Mike McDaniel elected to punt with 1:10 left.

On Carolina’s ensuing drive, Miami’s Jack Jones was flagged for pass interference on Hunter Renfrow on a third-down play, giving Carolina a game-sealing first down.

The Dolphins were held to 19 yards rushing, and Tagovailoa was sacked three times.

Advertisement

The momentum changed late in the second quarter when Young found struggling wide receiver Xavier Legette for a 7-yard touchdown strike to cut the lead to 17-7. Legette had come into the game with just 8 yards receiving on four catches this season and had sat out the last two games with a hamstring injury.

A field goal by Ryan Fitzgerald on the final play of the half got Carolina within 17-10. Dowdle’s 53-yard burst set up another field goal to open the second half.

Dowdle, a free-agent pickup from Dallas, also had a 43-yard run. He came within 5 yards of breaking the franchise single-game rushing record held by DeAngelo Williams.

Up next

Dolphins: Host the Los Angeles Chargers next Sunday.

Panthers: Host Dallas next Sunday.

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl