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Paradox take "first step" in response to Bloodlines 2's DLC clan backlash with PlayStation refunds, promise more info next week
Game Updates

Paradox take “first step” in response to Bloodlines 2’s DLC clan backlash with PlayStation refunds, promise more info next week

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Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 publisher Paradox have gotten the ball rolling on the “adjustments” they promised in response to the controversy over the game’s day-one paid DLC vampire clans.

As we’ve covered previously, the Toreador and Lasombra clans were originally revealed to be locked behind a purchase of either Bloodines’ £18.69/€21.99/$21.99 Shadows and Silk DLC pack, or the £74.99/€89.99/$89.99 premium edition that said DLC comes bundled with. Cue understandable unhappiness, and Paradox swiftly moving to declare they’d rejig some stuff before launch.

The first domino’s now fallen, and it’s refunds for PlayStation pre-orderers. “Anyone who pre-ordered the premium edition through the PlayStation Store will be contacted and refunded starting Monday, September 8th,” World of Darkness community developer DebbieElla announced on the Bloodlines 2 Discord. “You will be able to pre-order your premium edition copy again later, before the release on October 21st.”

The good news for us PC folks is that Paradox made clear this is just an “intentional first step” in their planned tweaks following the backlash. “We are working hard on the adjustments that we promised, and we will be able to tell you all the details on September 17th,” DebbieElla wrote. “Making significant changes like this involves many moving parts, and we want to make sure that we get it right with this change.”

So, a little longer to wait for info as to whether there’ll be changes to the DLC/editions and their pricing on PC. However, pulling existing pre-orders and then requesting folks make them again points towards a premium edition price drop being at least one of the measures Paradox are taking. Any change might make paying extra for the two clans a bit more palatable, but unless the premium edition’s brought down to match the price of the base game, dishing the DLC clans out at no extra cost, odds are the sour taste won’t come close to being washed away.

Paradox and Bloodlines developers The Chinese Room previously defended charging for Toreador and Lasombra vamps when our James asked them about the decision at Gamescom, citing the game’s changing scope.

“We have been expanding it from where we originally planned to land it, I think, constantly, and Paradox have been really good when we go, or when the clients go, or when Paradox go: ‘We should add a bit more here. Let’s push the date back.’ As you know, the date has pushed back, but that has been to fatten it out into something that we feel does land where the players want it,” Bloodlines 2 narrative director Ian Thomas said.

We’ll keep you in the loop as to what Paradox announce on the 17th, and keep on hoping that Bloodlines 2 will stop all this Sideshow Bob rake-stepping as it tries to position itself as a “spiritual successor” to Bloodlines.



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Gear News of the Week: Veo 3 Comes to Google Photos, and Garmin Adds Satellite Comms to a Watch
Product Reviews

Gear News of the Week: Veo 3 Comes to Google Photos, and Garmin Adds Satellite Comms to a Watch

by admin



Google via Julian Chokkattu

A few months ago, Google debuted a feature in Google Photos that lets you convert your existing photos into short videos using generative AI. These videos introduce slight synthetic movements to your stills, so a person may appear to slightly shift around in the frame, or a picture of your sleeping pup could gain a leg twitch. This week, the company upgraded this feature with its Veo 3 video generation model, which boosts the quality of the results.

To play around with it, head to any photo in Google Photos, tap the three-dot button at the top right, and tap Create. Choose the Photo to Video option, and then pick between Subtle Movement or I’m Feeling Lucky, which will be a little more creative. I tried it on a photo of my wife and it had her raise her arms to make a heart sign. (The fingers looked surprisingly realistic, though my wife exclaimed that her hands looked massive.) Google says you can even combine its Photo to Video tool with other Create tools, like Remix, which can change the style of the photo to a sketch or 3D animation.

The Veo 3-powered version of the feature is now available in the US.

Garmin Finally Launches Watches With Satellite Communication

Courtesy of Garmin

As Taylor Swift and Tom Jones have both observed, “It’s been a long time coming.” Garmin, manufacturer of our favorite outdoor fitness trackers and hands down the best satellite messenger, finally added satellite and cellular communication to a smartwatch. The new Fenix 8 Pro has Garmin’s inReach technology inside, which means you can send messages over satellite or cellular networks to Garmin’s Response team. Not only can you trigger emergency alerts, but you can also send texts, make calls, and check the weather forecasts. It also has a MicroLED screen that can deliver up to 5,000 nits of brightness, making it not only visible in your tent at night but everyone else’s. (That’s a joke.)

There are two versions of the watch. The AMOLED screen comes in 47- and 51-mm sizes and gets up to 27 days of battery life per charge, while the MicroLED version comes only in a 51-mm size and gets up to 10 days of battery life in smartwatch mode. The Fenix 8 is already our favorite outdoor sports watch, and the ability to easily use satellite communication when you need it only makes it even more useful. It almost makes you overlook the sting of its enormous price—the MicroLED version goes for a cool $2,000, which seems less expensive when you consider that you previously may have had several devices to cover your bases before (a smartwatch for work, a fitness tracker for working out, and a satellite communicator for off-grid shenanigans). The AMOLED version is only $1,100. Both models will be available for purchase on September 8. —Adrienne So

Polar Made a Whoop Band

Courtesy of Polar

Fitness tracker company Polar announced the Polar Loop this week, its first screenless tracker that, well … there’s no way to get around it: The Polar Loop looks remarkably similar to the Whoop band, a black, bracelet-style screenless tracker. However, unlike Whoop (which requires a $199 yearly subscription to use), every feature is available on the Polar Loop from day one, with no added fees. Polar’s bracelet is designed for 24/7 wear. Its suite of fitness metrics is more limited—it doesn’t track blood pressure and can’t detect Afib—but it does have auto-activity tracking, sleep tracking, and a few training tools, like Training Load and Fitness Test. Everything is accessible through the Polar Flow app.

I’ve tested many Polar fitness trackers, and Polar’s heart rate monitor is our top pick. While I appreciate the accuracy and beauty of the hardware, I’ve found its app and metrics very difficult to use and parse. As the popularity of the Whoop band and the entire smart ring product category has shown, there is a real hunger for what Polar CEO Sander Werring calls “discreet, screenless experiences.” You can always layer a watch in front of it! —Adrienne So

JBL Is Down to Party

JBL debuted a trio of new Bluetooth speakers, including two large boombox-style party speakers and a cool portable go-anywhere model. The new Boombox 4 and PartyBox 700 may have hilariously on-the-nose names, but they will also offer appropriate amounts of power. The former kicks out 210 watts of power and two additional woofers for more bass than the previous model, with up to 30 hours of play time and a life-proof IP68 rating. The PartyBox 700 is the largest JBL party speaker that runs on battery, with a hilariously loud 800 watts of power and 15 hours of playback; this thing is meant to replace a PA at your next block party. At $550 and $1,099, respectively, these are meant for folks who need seriously loud models.

Courtesy of JBL

The most exciting speaker for most people will be the new JBL Grip, a $100 speaker that has a cool integrated rope hook and a nightlight for in-tent (or under-blanket) reading. Its battery can provide up to 14 hours of playback, and the speaker features JBL’s now-standard Auracast—also available on the above speakers—to allow you to pair multiple speakers together. —Parker Hall

ExpressVPN Mixes Things Up

Courtesy of ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is overhauling its subsription offerings and phasing out the single, streamlined plan the company has offered for 16 years. In its place are three new plans priced at different tiers, each with different features. It’s a clear hit back at rivals like Surfshark, Nord, and Proton, each of which has built out robust security suites that go far beyond a VPN.

Even with the new options, ExpressVPN’s core service remains intact. The new Basic tier ($13 per month) replaces the subscription ExpressVPN previously offered, with the only difference being a bump from eight simultaneous connections to 10. The next tier is Advanced at $14 per month, and above that is Pro at $20 per month. You can score a discount on any plan by buying an entire year at once.

The new Advanced and Pro tiers include a lot of extras, so it’s worth looking over the list published by ExpressVPN. Some highlights include Keys, ExpressVPN’s password manager, identity theft monitoring on the Advanced plan, and a dedicated IP and data removal services on the Pro plan.



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NFL Week 1: Biggest questions, takeaways for every game
Esports

NFL Week 1: Biggest questions, takeaways for every game

by admin


  • NFL NationSep 7, 2025, 04:05 PM ET

    Close

      NFL Nation is made up of 32 team-specific reporters who cover the NFL year-round across ESPN.com, ESPN television shows, ESPN Radio, ESPN+ and social media platforms. It was established ahead of the 2013 season.

The opening week of the 2025 NFL season is underway, and we’re already off to a wild start.

In the season opener on Thursday, the Eagles held off the Cowboys despite a lightning delay and the ejection of defensive tackle Jalen Carter before the first play from scrimmage. The action continued Friday night, when the Chargers stunned the Chiefs with a tight win in São Paulo, Brazil. And in the early window Sunday, new Colts quarterback Daniel Jones scored three total touchdowns in a blowout win over the Dolphins.

Our NFL Nation reporters are reacting to all the action, answering lingering questions coming out of each game and detailing everything else you need to know for every team. Let’s get to it.

Jump to:
MIA-IND | KC-LAC | DAL-PHI

Catch up on the action: Box score | Recap

Colts

What does Sunday’s performance say about Daniel Jones’ potential? This game went exactly according to plan for Jones and the Colts. All along, coach Shane Steichen had predicted Jones would be a quick decision-maker and not force bad throws. He showed that by delivering on-time, quick throws but also utilizing timely aggressive downfield targets to Michael Pittman Jr., Tyler Warren and Alec Pierce. Jones finished 22-of-29 for 272 yards and a touchdown pass. He also added two rushing scores on goal-line sneaks, becoming the first Colts quarterback with two rushing touchdowns in a season opener.

Trend to watch: The Colts used a variety of blitzes Sunday, something the team rarely employed under former defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. But under new coordinator Lou Anarumo, the Colts got aggressive. DBs Kenny Moore II and Nick Cross recorded sacks and defensive end Laiatu Latu had an interception while dropping into coverage on a creative blitz call. Indianapolis ranked 29th in blitz rate in 2024 at 18.7%. — Stephen Holder

Next game: vs. Broncos (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET)

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Dolphins

Where was the connection between Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill? Tagovailoa appeared out of sync with his top target, which makes sense considering he hasn’t taken live game snaps with Hill since last December. The Dolphins’ leading receiver finished with four catches for 40 yards on six targets, but 21 of those came on a single completion. Neither player seemed concerned about their cohesiveness during the week, but this performance raised eyebrows. They now have a date next week with the Patriots and coach Mike Vrabel, whose Titans teams gave Miami trouble in 2021 and 2023.

Most surprising performance: The Dolphins’ front seven is supposed to be the strength of their defense, but it failed to make an impression Sunday. Indianapolis scored on its first seven possessions, gashing the Dolphins’ defense with 156 rushing yards. Jones was also surgical whenever Miami was able to pressure him, completing 5-of-6 passes for 72 yards and a touchdown — with a whopping plus-16% completion percentage over expectation, per NFL Next Gen Stats. — Marcel Louis-Jacques

Next game: vs. Patriots (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Catch up on the action: Box score | Recap

Chargers

What’s going on with right guard Mekhi Becton? Becton looked exhausted throughout Friday night’s game and spent time on the sideline receiving oxygen during offensive series. He missed three weeks of training camp practice with an undisclosed injury and came into Friday night’s game questionable with an undisclosed illness. The positive sign for the Chargers is that Becton finished the game on the field, but the number of snaps he missed was concerning.

Most surprising performance: Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston finished with five catches for 79 yards and two touchdowns, buoying the Chargers’ victory. He has been one of the Chargers’ most maligned players in his first three years, struggling to find consistency since his rookie season. Friday was a sign that he could reach the potential that made him a first-round pick in 2023. — Kris Rhim

Next game: at Raiders (Monday, 10 p.m. ET)

play

0:25

Herbert’s big 1st-down run seals Chargers’ win

Justin Herbert converts a crucial 3rd-and-long and seals the Chargers’ big win over the Chiefs.

Chiefs

Will Xavier Worthy’s injury put the Chiefs’ offense back in the same predicament as last season? After his first pass of the season, quarterback Patrick Mahomes was without three of his key receivers — Rashee Rice (suspended the first six weeks), rookie Jalen Royals (knee tendonitis) and Worthy (right shoulder). If Worthy and Royals are unavailable next week, Mahomes will likely have to be a superhero again, relying primarily on tight end Travis Kelce and his improvisational skills. The one receiver who can still make a difference is Hollywood Brown, who finished last week’s game with 99 receiving yards.

Stat to know: Entering the season opener, the Chiefs had won a league-record 17 straight one-score games, including the playoffs. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was excellent in the second half, allowing his team to keep its lead despite Mahomes’ impressive rallying efforts. In the second half, Herbert completed 13 of his 16 pass attempts for 147 yards and two touchdowns. The Chiefs blitzed him often, sacking him twice, but he sealed the victory when he scrambled to his right for a 19-yard gain on a third-and-14 just before the two-minute warning. — Nate Taylor

Next game: vs. Eagles (Sunday, 4:20 p.m. ET)

Catch up on the action: Box score | Recap

Eagles

Can the secondary get things buttoned up for their Week 2 matchup against the Chiefs? The cornerback spot opposite Quinyon Mitchell was a question mark all summer and remains so after Adoree’ Jackson was flagged for a pass interference, yielded five catches for 103 yards and missed two tackles, per NFL Next Gen Stats. The outcome could have been worse if not for some critical drops by Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio will have to decide whether to make the move to Jakorian Bennett, who was acquired from the Raiders in August, or stick with Jackson for the Super Bowl rematch against Patrick Mahomes.

What to make of the QB performance: Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts picked up where he left off, taking advantage of large rushing lanes to score a pair of rushing touchdowns and propel the Eagles’ offense. He now has 16 games with multiple rushing touchdowns, extending his NFL record for a QB (second is Josh Allen with 12). — Tim McManus

Next game: at Chiefs (Sunday, 4:20 p.m. ET)

Cowboys

Is there a reason to be encouraged even in a loss? Probably so, but let’s remember that an ugly win is better than a morale-serving loss. The offense has a chance to be explosive, and the young line performed much better than expected. The defense struggled at the start (123 rushing yards in the first half) but only allowed three points in the second half. Playing the defending Super Bowl champ on their celebratory night is never easy, yet the Cowboys hung with the Eagles. They opened some eyes with what they did, but they still need a win in Week 2 in a bad way.

Turning point: In games against teams like the Eagles, margins for error are slim, which is why Lamb’s drops were critical. But Miles Sanders’ fumble at the Eagles’ 9-yard line in the third quarter flipped the momentum. Sanders got the Cowboys in position to retake the lead in the third quarter with a 49-yard gain, his longest since 2020, but then he lost the ball on his next carry. On the next three possessions, the Cowboys did not make it to Eagles’ territory. — Todd Archer

Next game: vs. Giants (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)



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JMU's icy white threads top best Week 2 college football uniforms
Esports

JMU’s icy white threads top best Week 2 college football uniforms

by admin


When you’re looking to make a statement in the College Football Playoff race, it’s always wise to keep style in mind.

Editor’s Picks

1 Related

The James Madison Dukes cruised in their Week 1 opener against Weber State, but will hit the road for a major test against the Louisville Cardinals in Week 2. Playing under the lights Friday night (7 p.m. ET, ESPN2), the Sun Belt contenders will look to pull off a power conference upset and assert themselves as an early contender for the top Group of 5 team in the country.

The Dukes will contrast the Friday night sky with their uniforms — a simple but clean all-white look.

Is it cold in here? 🥶 pic.twitter.com/XTe3Pgr4Nu

— JMU Football (@JMUFootball) September 3, 2025

Accenting the white threads will be the school’s primary colors, purple and gold, featured on the jersey’s numbers and nameplate as well as on a stripe running down the center of the helmets.

James Madison won’t be the only team bringing uniform heat this weekend. Here are some of the top uniforms from Week 2 of the college football season.

Local pride

You might have heard of the Idaho Vandals. But how about the Idaho Fightin’ Taters?

No? Don’t worry, it’s a limited-time moniker — in its Week 2 home opener against the St. Thomas-Minnesota Tommies, Idaho football will don helmets that feature the text “Fightin’ Taters.” The helmet pays homage to the state’s deep connection with the potato industry. The distinctive black lid will be paired with a matching all-black jersey and pants set, completing a look that’s memorable and sleek.

𝗚𝗥𝗢𝗪𝗡 𝗜𝗡 𝗜𝗗𝗔𝗛𝗢: The Fightin’ Taters 🥔

Coming to the Dome this weekend ✌️

🗞️: https://t.co/LBzBOBCyxJ pic.twitter.com/x0pG5jeYh3

— Idaho Football (@VandalFootball) September 1, 2025

Speaking of a school honoring its location, the SMU Mustangs are making clear what city their program represents with their uniforms.

The Mustangs’ Dallas threads come with a number of unique elements — most noticeably, the jersey has the city’s name in script on the front, as opposed to the customary “SMU.” Dallas is honored on the helmets as well, as the school’s red mustang motif is placed inside the negative space of a “D” outline.

We are Dallas’ team. pic.twitter.com/iOG9agVTke

— SMU Football (@SMUFB) September 3, 2025

The UTEP Miners call El Paso, Texas — nicknamed the Sun City — home, and the team is paying homage to the city’s moniker on its helmets this week.

The lids feature a unique logo design that includes the nickname positioned under a mountain sunset, with the negative space between the “Sun City” text and sunset forming the Miners’ traditional pickaxe emblem. The sun rays take inspiration from El Paso’s city flag.

Forged in the 𝐒𝐮𝐧 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲☀️#PicksUp | #WinTheWest pic.twitter.com/NOWso8Vhe6

— UTEP Football (@UTEPFB) September 4, 2025

It’s a standard blue and white uniform for the Buffalo Bulls this week, but with one notable twist on the helmet art.

This week’s helmets for the Bulls will prominently feature the numbers 716 on one side, an homage to the city of Buffalo’s traditional area code.

𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐓𝐰𝐨 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 🧵

⚪️🔵⚪️#UBhornsUP🤘| #BullMarket📈 pic.twitter.com/c8osG5PKNM

— UB Football (@UBFootball) September 3, 2025

Slick threads

You won’t find many color schemes as pretty as the one the Rice Owls are rolling with this Saturday.

The light blue the Owls are repping is already easy on the eyes, but what really makes the uniform are the colors accenting that shade. Navy complements the baby blue on helmets and shoulder sleeves, and the numbers are outlined in red, creating a look akin to the powder blue threads once donned by the Houston Oilers.

Fit Too Cold 🥶#WE pic.twitter.com/KIzPjp33l3

— Rice Football (@RiceFootball) September 3, 2025

The Mississippi State Bulldogs host the No. 12 Arizona State Sun Devils on Saturday, seeking to pull off a major upset in a prime-time kickoff.

The Bulldogs’ uniforms reflect the nighttime kickoff — the team is going with an all-black look for the SEC vs. Big 12 matchup. The black helmet, jersey and pants are complemented by maroon stripes that run across the shoulder sleeves and down the center of the helmet.

Under the Lights – In All Black.#HailState pic.twitter.com/9GUiPRzjmD

— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) September 3, 2025

It’s easy to score a hit with all-white threads, and the Liberty Flames are rolling with their own variation of the classic look against Jacksonville State.

In addition to a clean script “Liberty” on the front of the jersey, the distinguishing feature of the Flames’ uniforms comes on the helmet. Instead of the school’s name or logo, the helmet features a cartoon eagle in mid-throwing motion.

it’s all in the details 🤩 pic.twitter.com/fucFjNnHdv

— Liberty Football (@LibertyFootball) September 3, 2025

After an all-gold Week 1, the Minnesota Golden Gophers are sticking with the color-rush style theme for Week 2.

This time, Minnesota is going all-in on the school’s other primary color, maroon. The Golden Gophers will don maroon pants, jerseys and helmets this week, with the helmet featuring an outline of Goldy Gopher as opposed to the standard block M design.

Breaking Out the Maroons 👀〽️🏈#RTB #SkiUMah #Gophers pic.twitter.com/u3qlx8plBU

— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) September 5, 2025




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NFL Week 1 latest buzz, questions, news and fantasy tips
Esports

NFL Week 1 latest buzz, questions, news and fantasy tips

by admin


  • Jeremy Fowler

    Close

    Jeremy Fowler

    senior NFL national reporter

      Jeremy Fowler is a senior national NFL writer for ESPN, covering the entire league including breaking news. Jeremy also contributes to SportsCenter both as a studio analyst and a sideline reporter covering for NFL games. He is an Orlando, Florida native who joined ESPN in 2014 after covering college football for CBSSports.com.

  • Dan Graziano

    Close

    Dan Graziano

    senior NFL national reporter

      Dan Graziano is a senior NFL national reporter for ESPN, covering the entire league and breaking news. Dan also contributes to Get Up, NFL Live, SportsCenter, ESPN Radio, Sunday NFL Countdown and Fantasy Football Now. He is a New Jersey native who joined ESPN in 2011, and he is also the author of two published novels.

Sep 4, 2025, 06:10 AM ET

Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season is finally here, and league insiders Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano are breaking down the biggest questions, latest news and notable buzz heading into the season opener.

The top story of the past week was the Cowboys trading star edge rusher Micah Parsons to the Packers last Thursday. Now that the dust has settled a bit, where does that leave Dallas? Jeremy and Dan checked in with sources around the league.

But they have more ahead of Week 1. Our insiders also made picks for under-the-radar teams that could make the playoffs, predicted which players could break out in Week 1, pointed out coaching situations that need fast starts and even gave some fantasy football advice based on what they are hearing. It’s all here, as Dan and Jeremy answer big questions and empty their reporting notebooks with the latest heading into Week 1.

Jump to:
Post-Parsons Cowboys | Playoff sleepers
Breakout candidates | Coaching situations
Fantasy intel | More notes for Week 1

What are people in the league saying about the ceiling for this Parsons-less Dallas team in 2025?

Graziano: I think the offense is expected to be good as long as quarterback Dak Prescott stays healthy. The addition of wide receiver George Pickens makes the Cowboys potentially explosive in the passing game, and while their running back room might be uninspiring, they’ll run effectively if the offensive line performs.

There’s obviously curiosity about whether the Cowboys can generate a consistent pass rush post-Parsons, but Dallas coaches would point out that they had already begun building their defense without him in training camp, as he didn’t participate. The Cowboys believe their defense is in a good place in terms of learning the scheme. There’s skepticism around the league, but I don’t think anyone is writing them off completely. When Prescott has been healthy, they’ve generally been a playoff team.

Fowler: People inside the league are not as down on Dallas as fans and media seem to be right now. The loss of Parsons hurts, but the Cowboys have been a sneaky good drafting team over the past decade and have three former Day 2 edge rusher picks — Sam Williams, Marshawn Kneeland and Donovan Ezeiruaku — ready to go. The roster has talent. And the Pickens addition received attention around the league. Evaluators know how good he can be in 2025 in a contract year with a proven quarterback. Despite all that, Philadelphia and Washington are considered a cut above in the division, which seems right.

Graziano: And that’s fair. But it has been 21 years since a team repeated as NFC East champion, so that takes Philly out of the mix! And if Washington takes a step back, who knows? This could be one of those NFC East seasons where you don’t need 12 or 13 wins to take the title, which sets up well for the Cowboys.

play

2:16

Why Stephen A. is still baffled Jerry Jones let Micah Parsons leave

Stephen A. Smith details why the Micah Parsons trade was an egregious deal.

Fowler: Dallas’ schedule is manageable, too. If the Cowboys can somehow get past Philly on Thursday night, winnable games await in Weeks 2 and 3 (Giants at home, Bears on the road). Then it’s the Packers at home for the Parsons reunion.

Who’s your pick for an under-the-radar team that will make the playoffs?

Fowler: New England Patriots. Mike Vrabel’s presence has already paid off. Quarterback Drake Maye is poised for a Year 2 jump. The defensive tackle duo of Christian Barmore and Milton Williams has a chance to be special. Two of their AFC East rivals (Dolphins and Jets) appear to be in transition. Running back TreVeyon Henderson has the explosiveness to break off big runs. And Josh McDaniels is a proven playcaller.

Offensive line and wide receiver remain concerns, but New England has made efforts to address both spots. The Patriots haven’t produced a 1,000-yard receiver since Julian Edelman in 2019. For this to work, someone — paging Stefon Diggs — needs to break that streak. A wild-card spot feels attainable.

Graziano: Arizona Cardinals. The NFC West teams could finish the season in any order and it wouldn’t surprise me. Arizona is in Year 3 with Jonathan Gannon as head coach and Drew Petzing as offensive coordinator, and the fact that they didn’t change any offensive personnel in the offseason indicates they believe they’re on track there. Quarterback Kyler Murray is another year removed from his knee injury and has one more offseason working in Petzing’s system. So if it doesn’t hum this season, you must wonder how long ownership will stick with the plan.

Defensively, they made some aggressive additions, signing away edge rusher Josh Sweat from the Super Bowl champs, using a second-round pick on cornerback Will Johnson (who slipped in the draft because of injury concerns) and bringing back the ageless Calais Campbell. It’s time for Arizona to show it can move beyond being a team that hovers around .500 and fades in December.

Which player is going to come out of nowhere in Week 1 — and make an impact all season?

Graziano: It could be Jaguars running back Bhayshul Tuten. I don’t know how the Jaguars’ running back room will shake out, and I’m not sure they do yet, either. Travis Etienne Jr. and Tank Bigsby are the incumbents, but the Jags drafted Tuten in the fourth round and LeQuint Allen Jr., who profiles as a third-down back, in the seventh. The veterans might get the first shot, but the new front office and coaching staff drafted Tuten and Allen and have plans for them.

Tuten is the most explosive of the group — a “home run hitter” in the Jaguars’ eyes. If he’s able to pick up the offense and acclimate to the NFL quickly, that explosiveness could lead to greater opportunities sooner rather than later.

Editor’s Picks

2 Related

Fowler: Great pick. I’ll go with 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall. The 49ers’ receiver room has been decimated by injury, with Brandon Aiyuk still recovering from last season’s knee injury and Jauan Jennings (calf) potentially needing time to ramp up after recently returning to the lineup. And word out of San Francisco is that Pearsall is poised for a Year 2 jump. The 49ers have been a top-five passing offense during Brock Purdy’s two full seasons as starting quarterback, so chances at chunk yardage will be there. Kyle Shanahan will make it so.

Another player to watch is rookie Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt. He might be Washington’s RB4 right now, but every time I asked somebody there about their backfield plans, Croskey-Merritt was mentioned early and often. The Commanders are very high on him.

Graziano: I’m also curious to see what the Browns have planned for third-round rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. A ludicrously productive tight end in college, Fannin was used in a variety of ways at Bowling Green and the Browns say they believe they can deploy him all over the formation. He’s likely to team with David Njoku in the two-TE formations coach Kevin Stefanski loves to use. Fannin probably will stay on the field if he shows he can handle blocking responsibilities. And if he can consistently get open, that probably will earn him more targets from Joe Flacco or whomever else ends up playing QB for the Browns this season.

Fowler: Here’s a deep-cut sleeper for you … Cardinals edge rusher Jordan Burch. His name came up a few times when I’ve asked scouts for Rookie of the Year candidates, so don’t be surprised if the third-round pick makes an early impact. Arizona has some sneaky-good talent, so it’s up to some of the recent draft picks to flash greatness.

Which head coach most needs a strong start in September?

Fowler: The Giants’ Brian Daboll. Any coach with a 19-33-1 record through three seasons could use early momentum. Ownership has been patient with the Giants’ rebuild, and this was Daboll’s first offseason with a high-pedigree rookie quarterback to develop. The early returns on Jaxson Dart are very good, so I’m not labeling September some sort of win-this-month-or-else scenario.

But the schedule is tough. The first four opponents — Commanders, Cowboys, Chiefs and Chargers — won a combined 45 games last season. Setting a tone against that gauntlet would be useful. The Giants’ roster has improved, and the team has a defensive line good enough to dictate terms of victory.

Graziano: Hot-seat talk in early September is dicey, so I’ll start with the disclaimer that I have no inside information to make me think these guys are in any immediate trouble. But given the Bengals’ aspirations and their history of poor September starts under Zac Taylor, he could use a strong start if only for his own sanity.

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Fowler: For sure, a fast start would take the pressure off in Cincy. I’d also argue that Colts coach Shane Steichen fits the mold. Picking Daniel Jones over Anthony Richardson Sr. at quarterback was a bold move, considering the franchise’s investment in Richardson as the No. 4 pick in 2023. But Steichen believes Jones gives the Colts the best chance to win. Proving that to be correct early would ease tension.

Graziano: One more. This team gives coaches a lot of runway, but the Cowboys’ hiring of Brian Schottenheimer was widely criticized outside of the building. It was well-received inside the building, where Schottenheimer is well-liked and respected. People are excited to see him get his chance. But to the extent that the Cowboys care about outside opinions, a Thursday night upset in Philadelphia and a fast start would go a long way toward making the Schottenheimer move look good.

What is one thing you heard this preseason that could help fantasy managers win their leagues?

Graziano: I’m drafting Buccaneers rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka everywhere I can. The Bucs loved him before picking in the first round in April, and they’ve grown to covet him even more since. They believe he can play any of the wide receiver positions in their offense, which is a good thing because Chris Godwin Jr. still isn’t back from last year’s gruesome season-ending injury and Jalen McMillan is out for a while because of a neck injury.

Expect the Bucs to use Egbuka in the slot and on the outside as needed. Given how mature and polished a player they already believe him to be, he could get a ton of targets in one of the league’s top offenses and hold onto a starting role even when Tampa’s receiver corps is back to full strength.

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Will Emeka Egbuka be a top-25 fantasy WR this season?

Daniel Dopp breaks down Emeka Egbuka’s chances of becoming a top-25 fantasy WR.

Fowler: Rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden should get a lot of targets, too. The Packers’ first-round pick has greatly impressed coaches so far. “Phenomenal,” one Packers source told me of Golden’s presence. “Makes a wow play every day.” Golden is listed as a starter already and the Packers aren’t hiding their affection for him. It’s not like one of those situations where you hear, “Oh, he’s a rookie, he’s coming along.” It’s, “No, this guy can play.” The Packers will utilize two-TE sets often and Romeo Doubs is still a prime option, but Golden’s talent looks undeniable.

Also, Panthers receiver Xavier Legette, a first-rounder from 2024, will be a factor in Carolina. Teammate Jaycee Horn told me Legette reminds him of A.J. Brown with his combination of physicality and speed.

What else are you hearing this week?

Graziano’s notes:

  • Based on everything I’ve been told this week, I would be shocked if Parsons doesn’t play in some fashion for the Packers against the Lions on Sunday. It’s too soon for Parsons to know the entire defense, and he probably isn’t in football shape yet since he didn’t practice in training camp. But the Packers should be able to draw up a play package that maximizes Parsons’ impact as an edge rusher in key situations, then continue ramping him up during the early weeks of the season.

  • The Chiefs are very excited by how rookie left tackle Josh Simmons has performed this summer. One person I spoke to mentioned Simmons’ ability to recover mid-play when he’s beaten off the snap. Coaches say he doesn’t make the same mistake twice, and though some growing pains should be expected, the Chiefs have a high degree of trust in their first-round pick’s ability to protect Patrick Mahomes’ blind side. With 2024 second-round pick Kingsley Suamataia moving inside to left guard, the Chiefs consider themselves more solid on the offensive line than they were last season, when they ended up having to play veteran guard Joe Thuney at left tackle during the postseason and were exposed against the Eagles in the Super Bowl.

  • One unresolved under-the-radar contract situation to watch is that of Steelers veteran defensive lineman Cameron Heyward. Heyward adjusted his contract last year, and as a result his 2025 salary of $13.25 million is about half of what the top defensive tackles in the league earn. He has been practicing but also made it clear he wants a raise. This could get resolved before Sunday’s opener, and the relationship between the team and their 14-year veteran mainstay is strong enough that it’s hard to imagine him sitting out the game. But as with any player, his leverage only increases if he forces the team to confront life without him — especially with rookie first-rounder Derrick Harmon set to sit out Sunday’s game because of an injury. The Steelers probably could resolve this by adding some cash and reachable incentives. Until then, it’s worth keeping an eye on.

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J.J. Watt to McAfee: Anticipation is building around Steelers

J.J. Watt tells Pat McAfee there’s growing anticipation around the Steelers’ offense and Aaron Rodgers.

  • If both offensive coordinators have their way, the Steelers-Jets game could be over in less than 2½ hours. Both teams want to run the ball and keep the other team’s offense off the field. The Steelers are putting an offense together around a young line and a 41-year-old quarterback in Aaron Rodgers who signed in June. It could take some time for it to come together. Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith probably will design a conservative game plan against the tough Jets defense to put Rodgers in do-no-harm situations in an attempt to steal a road win.

  • As for the Jets, my understanding is that the offense plans to employ a run-heavy, keep-away style leaning on running backs Breece Hall, Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis, along with quarterback Justin Fields’ running ability. The Jets hope to get early leads and lean on their strengths. At some point, Fields will have to make plays from the pocket in big third-down spots. If his ability to do that surpasses expectations, the Jets could maybe expand their offense from there. But in the meantime, expect them to run, run and run some more.

  • We mentioned above that the Cardinals’ offense remains mostly intact from what it was entering last season. The one new guy is right guard Isaiah Adams, who started the final five games of last season. But there was one key departure that people around the league noticed — offensive line coach Klayton Adams, who was hired as the Cowboys’ offensive coordinator. Adams had a significant role in the design and implementation of the Cardinals’ run game the past two seasons; only the Ravens and Eagles have rushed for more yards in that span than Arizona. It also thinks highly of new offensive line coach Justin Frye, who held the same role for Ohio State last season, but this is Frye’s first NFL job after 18 years as a college assistant. The Cardinals did retain assistant offensive line coach Chris Cook, who came in with Gannon and Petzing in 2023, so there’s some continuity. But working with Jeff Saturday for the past half-decade or so has drilled into my mind the importance of the offensive line coach, so I have half an eye on this situation.

  • With no sense of when Joe Mixon might return from his injury, the Texans are piecing things together at running back. They kept five backs — Nick Chubb, Dameon Pierce, Dare Ogunbowale, British Brooks and fourth-round rookie Woody Marks. Chubb seems to be the starter for now, but he hasn’t shown the same explosiveness post-injury that he had earlier in his career, which could open the door for Pierce or Marks to take on a larger role. It’ll be interesting to see how many of these guys are active on game days, since Brooks and Pierce are too valuable on special teams to be inactive. But until someone steps up and shows more than they have so far, expect the Texans to use the run game to set up a passing game they believe will be more dynamic in C.J. Stroud’s third year than it was in a disappointing 2024 that led to the firing of offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik.

Fowler’s notes:

  • Week 1 can create urgency for contract extensions that teams or players slow-played over the past four months. That happened in Tampa Bay on Tuesday, when the Bucs reached agreement on a four-year, $90 million extension with right tackle Luke Goedeke. The Bucs identified Goedeke as a player they’d like to keep long term, and a recent comp — the Packers’ Zach Tom at four years, $88 million — informed the right tackle market. With Goedeke extended, here are a handful of candidates I’m keeping my eye on: Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson, Cowboys guard Tyler Smith, Saints cornerback Alontae Taylor, Rams safety Quentin Lake and Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers.

    Hutchinson will capitalize on the ballooning pass-rush market, and the Lions have begun discussions with him. Dallas wants to allocate some of the money saved by the Parsons trade for Smith, arguably the league’s best guard. Taylor and Lake are ascending defensive backs their teams value beyond this season. There’s a chance Las Vegas and Meyers, the Raiders’ de facto No. 1 receiver coming off a 1,000-yard season despite uneven quarterback play, could come to an agreement despite Meyers recently asking for a trade. And while cornerback Trent McDuffie and the Chiefs won’t reach a new deal by Week 1, via our Nate Taylor, McDuffie is the type of cornerstone player Kansas City would like to keep. This one has challenges — McDuffie is considered small as an outside corner — but many league evaluators consider him a top-five cornerback, and players of that caliber usually get paid.

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  • The Anthony Richardson situation is one I will watch closely throughout the season. Richardson’s agent, Deiric Jackson — who publicly questioned trust in the Colts to our Stephen Holder after Richardson lost the QB battle to Jones — met in person last week with Colts general manager Chris Ballard to clear the air. Jackson called the meeting “very constructive,” and just a chance for sides to “let feelings be known.” Though a trade was not requested, the topic was broached in this meeting. Ballard reinforced that Indy has no plans to trade Richardson and still believes in the quarterback.

    Richardson isn’t making any waves — he will remain professional, backing up Jones and maintaining his readiness. But part of his camp’s frustration is that all parties acknowledge patience would be required when Richardson was drafted. He entered the league with one year as a full-time high school starter and one year as a starter at Florida. He has admitted publicly that his leadership and maturity were not up to par in 2024, which contributed to his in-season benching. But despite that, Richardson is 8-7 as an NFL starter, including two fourth-quarter comebacks late last season. He also worked on improving his regimen, leadership, mechanics, diet and ability to layer short-to-intermediate throws, resulting in improvement in camp that ultimately wasn’t enough to win the job. But the Colts know Richardson has a chance to play this season. This situation feels far from settled — and raises questions about how franchises fail young quarterbacks along the way.

  • A few notes from the Parsons fallout. One team that inquired about Parsons’ availability but ultimately didn’t pursue aggressively was Carolina. The Panthers made a call but did not formally offer a trade package to Dallas. Carolina would have made sense because the Cowboys were looking for a premier defensive tackle, which Carolina has in Derrick Brown. … In our reporting, multiple team execs believed that Parsons was intrigued by several teams in the process, including the Ravens and Chiefs. This was moot — the Cowboys were focused on getting the best deal they could. And the Chiefs were never in it. But it’s noteworthy nonetheless. … Also, don’t be surprised if Green Bay eventually moves former first-round pick Lukas Van Ness inside in certain packages as Parsons gets acclimated. Van Ness’ frame (6-foot-5, 272 pounds) gives him some positional flexibility.

  • Chargers running back Najee Harris (eye) has jumped right back into the fray upon returning from his injury. He has practiced fully since returning to the lineup and was cleared for contact this past Friday. The Chargers have been pleased with his progress and the Chiefs have prepared with the assumption Harris will be in the lineup Friday. Rookie Omarion Hampton has impressed this camp, and I’m expecting enough carries to go around for both in Greg Roman’s offense.

  • Regarding the Chiefs, don’t be surprised if familiar faces Isiah Pacheco and JuJu Smith-Schuster are factors in Brazil. Pacheco looks healthy and is running hard. And with Rashee Rice suspended for six games, the Chiefs trust Smith-Schuster in their three-receiver sets. Not sure how many targets he’ll get, but he’ll be a factor. And Mahomes looks ready to fire off some explosive plays. He is coming off one of his better camps, playing “fast, fun and free” as one team source said, and getting back to creatively trying difficult plays that only he can make. Perhaps that’s an experimental practice thing, but Kansas City believes Mahomes is close to hitting those explosive plays on a regular basis again.

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  • Now that we’re past the preseason, watch for the Bears to flash some creativity to maximize quarterback Caleb Williams. My sense from people in Chicago is that while head coach Ben Johnson would coach Williams relentlessly on the basics throughout camp, they would eventually play to Williams’ strengths, utilizing his mobility and off-platform throwing as an off-script playmaker. Bears fans could see more of that in the regular season.

  • Expect the Bengals’ offense to be ultra-aggressive to start Sunday’s game against the Browns. Despite a maligned defense, Taylor has challenged his offense to get off to faster starts so that the defense can aggressively pursue the quarterback while holding a lead. Quarterback Joe Burrow has taken to that sentiment, setting the tone with one of his best — and healthiest — training camps. Cincinnati also believes its defense will be better than fans and media do. The Bengals have worked on shoring up tackling issues and playing more as a unit.



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Week 1's biggest fantasy football questions - Bears' offense, TreVeyon Henderson, Travis Hunter and more
Esports

Week 1’s biggest fantasy football questions – Bears’ offense, TreVeyon Henderson, Travis Hunter and more

by admin


  • Matt BowenSep 3, 2025, 10:37 AM ET

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      Matt Bowen is a fantasy football and NFL writer for ESPN. He joined ESPN in 2015, writes regularly for ESPN+ and spent multiple years on “NFL Matchup.” After graduating from the University of Iowa, Matt played safety in the NFL for St. Louis, Green Bay, Washington and Buffalo over seven seasons.

Week 1 of the fantasy football season is more about player usage than schemes or game plans. Sure, the coaching matters, and so do the individual matchups. But when we set our lineups for this week, we want to base it on the volume and scoring opportunities for the players we just drafted, right?

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Yes, Week 1 numbers aren’t necessarily a projection of a player’s value for the remainder of the season. We know that. But they do give us a stronger sense of player deployment and situational roles, which is information we need to make lineup decisions moving forward. And when I look at this week’s slate of games, I have a lot of questions for the 2025 season.

We can talk backfield rotations here, a quarterback’s projected upside in a new system or the rookies in position to produce early. Let’s start in Chicago with quarterback Caleb Williams, new head coach Ben Johnson and an offense that has the players to potentially produce multiple fantasy starters.

What should we expect from Ben Johnson’s offense in Chicago?

I don’t expect the Week 1 matchup versus the Minnesota Vikings defense to be a true indicator of what this offense will be under Johnson this season. Remember, Minnesota led the NFL with a blitz rate of 38.4% last season, and coordinator Brian Flores is excellent at creating post-snap chaos with his fronts and pressures. He will speed up the internal clock for Williams, making his first start in a new system.

Williams, whom I see as a fringe QB1 in 12-team leagues, averaged 15.0 PPG as a rookie while showing flashes of his playmaking traits. Now you add Johnson’s playcalling and coaching to the mix, plus upgrades on the offensive front.

So, can Johnson bring a stronger sense of calm to Williams’ game as a pocket thrower? Well, he did exactly that with Jared Goff in Detroit. And it’s more than just the quarterback, as the Bears have fantasy upside on this roster.

Running back D’Andre Swift posted 12.2 PPG last season and will show off his perimeter speed and pass-catching ability in Johnson’s offense. Rookie tight end Colston Loveland has the route-running skills to get into the TE1 mix this season — if his usage remains consistent. Rome Odunze? Don’t be surprised if he ends up passing DJ Moore as the top target for Williams. And let’s not forget about rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III (one of my top late-round fliers). Catch-and-run juice — with motion/movement ability — in Johnson’s scheme.

This Bears’ offense has the potential to produce multiple fantasy starters and maybe a league winner, if the scheme hits. But it might not happen immediately. Have patience here, starting on Monday night in Soldier Field.

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Why TreVeyon Henderson could make a huge surge in fantasy

Why TreVeyon Henderson could make a huge surge in fantasy

Henderson was a preseason star. The rookie made big plays, showing the ability to get north/south with the ball in a hurry. Plus, Henderson brings receiving traits to the Patriots’ offense as a target for quarterback Drake Maye, so he will be a dual threat in Josh McDaniels’ offense. Because of this, Henderson’s ADP jumped in August, pushing him into the RB2 mix.

However, Rhamondre Stevenson will have a role in this offense, too. Stevenson, who missed the preseason with an injury, is expected to play in Week 1 versus the Las Vegas Raiders, and we know what he brings to the run game. At 6 feet, 227 pounds, Stevenson is a downhill hammer who can find the end zone on goal-line carries. From 2022-24, Stevenson scored on 9 of 17 carries inside the 3-yard line.

So, while Henderson flew up draft boards in August (including mine), Stevenson’s presence looms, and we have to see how this backfield rotation shakes out based on volume and game situation.

I’m all-in on Jeudy’s ability to get open in isolation matchups, and he plays in a heavily schemed pass game under Browns coach Kevin Stefanski. Think play-action concepts that create open grass for Jeudy to catch and run. Now he’s paired with Flacco, a veteran quarterback who is essentially playing with house money at this stage of his career. Flacco isn’t shy about cutting it loose, and I believe that creates a sense of upside for Jeudy to start this season.

With the anticipated volume for Jeudy in Week 1 against Cincinnati, I have him ranked as a lower-tier WR2. And Jeudy could stay in that range moving forward, as long as Flacco is on the field. But if Flacco misses time due to injury, or if the team simply turns the ball over to a rookie (Dillon Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders), Jeudy’s value would drop, making him a trade-away candidate. I don’t see Flacco playing 17 games in 2025, so prepare accordingly.

Do the Texans have an answer at RB with Joe Mixon out?

With Mixon starting the season on IR due to an ankle injury and no real timetable for his return, the Houston backfield is a mystery heading into Sunday’s game against the Rams.

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Sure, it’s easy to say the Texans will go pass heavy with C.J. Stroud. But let’s remember that new offensive coordinator Nick Caley was with Sean McVay in Los Angeles, where the run game is a foundational piece of the system. So Houston needs to find an answer.

The Texans signed veteran Nick Chubb this offseason, but I didn’t see the same explosive running style on his tape last season in Cleveland as what he used to show before sustaining another knee injury. Dameon Pierce had only 40 carries last season but did show some flashes as a rookie in 2023, averaging 8.0 PPG in seven games as a starter. And then there’s rookie Woody Marks out of USC. I really liked his college tape. He’s an elusive runner with third-down ability.

Maybe the eventual lead back for the Texans isn’t even on the roster yet. It could be a player signed off another team’s practice squad or part of a trade as the season gets moving. Wait and see. That’s my approach to the running back position in Houston.

Can Kaleb Johnson earn the early-down carries in Pittsburgh?

Johnson’s ADP started to slide in August, and I get it. The preseason tape on the rookie out of Iowa didn’t really pop, and Jaylen Warren, who was just rewarded with a contract extension, is a proven pro.

Ideally, in Arthur Smith’s offense, Johnson would be the early-down and goal-line runner, with Warren a change-of-pace back who contributes to the passing game. Warren has 127 receptions over his first three pro seasons, and he gives the Steelers more juice on the edges as a runner.

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Yes, Johnson does fit the outside zone scheme in Pittsburgh. We saw that on his college tape in Iowa City. Plus, Johnson can get rolling in the open field, as his 21 carries of 20 or more yards ranked second in the country behind only Ashton Jeanty.

At this point, however, you drafted Johnson as a bench player, while Warren can be started in Week 1 as a flex in 12-team leagues. We just don’t know what role Johnson will have as a pro yet. And that’s OK. Johnson could emerge as a fantasy starter if the volume/production matches up. Let’s see how he is utilized in the game plan this week against the Jets.

Can Sam Darnold get on the fantasy radar in Seattle?

Darnold averaged 18.5 PPG in Minnesota last season, and he finished as QB9 in total scoring. Sure, Darnold played in Kevin O’Connell’s QB-friendly offense. He had Justin Jefferson as his top target, too.

Darnold’s decision-making late in the down can still be an issue, and he had three games last season with fewer than 10 points. But Darnold also completely fell off the fantasy radar when he signed with the Seahawks this offseason.

Do I like the system fit for Darnold in Seattle under new coordinator Klint Kubiak? Absolutely. It will utilize outside zone play-action with defined throws and shot plays. Cater to his mobility and arm strength. Darnold has a No. 1 receiver in Jaxon Smith-Njigba, a serviceable secondary option in Cooper Kupp, and I think rookie tight end Elijah Arroyo can emerge quickly. There’s some upside here.

While Sunday’s home game versus the 49ers isn’t the best matchup for Darnold, the system under Kubiak could push him into the streaming discussion this season.

Other things I’m watching for in Week 1 …

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1:39

Why Travis Hunter is so difficult to assess for fantasy

Field Yates and Mike Clay break down why Travis Hunter is one of the fantasy football’s biggest wild cards.

  • Travis Hunter’s offensive snap count in the Jags’ home opener against the Panthers. I still believe Hunter has All-Pro upside at cornerback, but from a fantasy perspective, we need to see him in Liam Coen’s offense. Hunter has the ball skills and big-play ability to produce as a WR3/flex.

  • Commanders rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt. He played good football in the preseason, quickly climbing draft boards after the team traded Brian Robinson Jr. to the 49ers. I want to see how the backfield rotation with Austin Ekeler plays out. Croskey-Merritt has a running style that fits on Sundays in the league.

  • The route deployment of Panthers rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan in Dave Canales’ offense. McMillan has the 6-foot-5 frame to win boundary matchups for quarterback Bryce Young against the Jags’ defense. Remember, Canales coached 6-foot-5 Mike Evans in Tampa.

  • Cam Ward — in his first pro start — versus the Broncos’ defense. Ward has the throwing and movement traits to produce as a rookie. It’s a tough Week 1 matchup, but what if Ward can post, let’s say, 15 points against Denver? There’s a lot of upside here for Ward, who is rostered in only 26.2% of ESPN leagues.

  • Deebo Samuel’s alignment versatility and usage in Kliff Kingsbury’s offense. Samuel averaged only 10.2 PPG in San Francisco last season, and the play speed was declining on the tape. But I like the fit under Kingsbury, who can scheme touches for Samuel.



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Marvel Rivals Season Four Adds Daredevil and Angela To The Roster, Launches Next Week
Game Updates

Marvel Rivals Season Four Adds Daredevil and Angela To The Roster, Launches Next Week

by admin


Season four of Marvel Rivals is officially known as The Heart of the Dragon, and it’s introducing one character fans of the (super) hero shooter have been hoping for: Daredevil. In the cinematic reveal trailer, he faces off against Angela, the long lost sister of Thor and the other character joining the roster. You can check it out for yourself below.

 

The trailer shows the two characters seemingly acting as representatives of Heaven and Hell. This is a particularly interesting take on Daredevil, as his stories, especially in the recent live-action series, traditionally focus on street-level crime with minimal super powers. In this trailer, he also seems to unleash energized punches and a powerful devil form. It’s hard to tell what his canonical abilities are, versus what are stylized visuals for the animation, but Marvel Rivals sometimes provides original takes on characters and their origin stories, so it could go either way.

“The Timestream Entanglement has drawn the Seven Capitals together, forming the Heart of Heaven. After Knull’s fall, Hela is imprisoned in the An’Hay-Zhidi, where Dizang—Devil of the Eighth City—dares her to atone for her sins,” the video description reads. “But Angela will not forgive her betrayal. She arrives in the Heart of Heaven demanding Hela be handed over, yet its guardian refuses to surrender someone under his protection. Justice will be served and a debt will be paid.”

In a following, more detailed video, the developers at Netease confirm that Angela would be a vanguard, using her ichor to form weapons and a shield. She’ll also get a team-up with Thor, who will be able to throw a thunder spear which he can jump to, dealing damage upon landing. Other team ups are adjusting as well: Magik and Black Panther are losing theirs, but Magik is getting a tether ability as a part of the team up between Scarlet Witch and Doctor Strange, while Black Panther is joining the team up between Namor and Hulk.

 

Season four will also bring other, more minor new features. A new arcade hub will hold new and returning modes like big brain blast, clone rumble, conquest, conquest (annihilation), and doom match, along with free fight, which removes limits on duplicate heroes. You’ll also be able to mark your preferred heroes into a favorites tab, other players can see custom ultimate effects, and, hilariously, they’re adding a slow walk setting to the PC version of the game because they “heard how much you like slow walking for superhero aura farming.”

Lastly, they announced that rank placement matches are coming to the game eventually, but won’t be ready in time for season four. Players have expressed frustration that each season resets them so far down the competitive ladder that it’s frustrating to have to fight through lower ranks with less skilled players to get back to their standard challenge, and placement matches are a possible solution to that.

Angela and the rest of Marvel Rivals season four come to the game for free a week from Friday, on September 12.



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Bond, James Bond comes to PlayStation's State of Play this week
Esports

Bond, James Bond comes to PlayStation’s State of Play this week

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We can’t wait to get our hands on 007 First Light. While that has to wait until 2026 for that, PlayStation is giving us a virtual front seat to some gameplay footage. On September 3rd, we’ll be treated to thirty minutes of Bond goodness as part of a game-specific State of Play. Take a look at the details from PlayStation Blog below.

Prepare for a deep dive on 007 First Light! During this special State of Play, the development team at IO Interactive declassifies new gameplay on James Bond’s upcoming espionage action-adventure thrill ride.

Catch the show live on PlayStation’s Twitch and YouTube channels on September 3 at 11am PT / 7pm BST / 8pm CEST.

Back at June’s State of Play, we unveiled the game’s Reveal Trailer, offering your first look at IO Interactive’s unique take on Bond.

In this upcoming State of Play, tune in for over 30 minutes of gameplay featuring a playthrough of Bond’s first mission as an MI6 recruit. The action includes everything from high-speed car chases to on-foot stealth sequences and shootouts. Stay tuned after the playthrough for insights from IO Interactive on the intense espionage gameplay.

We can’t wait to show you what the team has been cooking up on September 3.

Stay tuned to GamingTrend for more 007 First Light news and info!


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Projecting the College Football Playoff top 12 after Week 1
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Projecting the College Football Playoff top 12 after Week 1

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COLUMBUS, Ohio — Following his team’s 14-7 loss at Ohio State on Saturday, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian summed up one of the biggest changes in competing for a national title in the era of the 12-team College Football Playoff.

“The days of a national champion being undefeated are over,” he said, “especially when you play in games like this and you play in the conference we play in.”

Week 1’s blockbuster matchups guaranteed at least one playoff contender was going down, but the Longhorns weren’t alone. Alabama lost. Clemson lost. Boise State lost. Notre Dame lost. And though there’s plenty of time to recover, the early results already shook up the playoff pecking order. Here’s a prediction of what the selection committee’s top 12 would look like if it were released today.

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Projecting the top 12

Garrett Nussmeier and LSU made a statement on the road. Imagn Images

Why they could be here: Throw out the preseason rankings and everything you thought you knew about the best teams in college football. Nobody made a bigger Week 1 statement, on the road against a team capable of winning the ACC and competing for a spot in the playoff. The committee starts from scratch, and LSU showed all of the components it looks for — from a Heisman hopeful in quarterback Garrett Nussmeier to a defense that proved it can play at an elite level.

Why they could be lower: While the committee insists it starts from scratch, some might give the reigning national champion Ohio State the benefit of the doubt — whether it’s intentional or not. The Buckeyes played a complete game under first-year starting quarterback Julian Sayin. It was also a clean game, with only two penalties and no turnovers, plus a defensive effort that was the difference in the game.

Need to know: If LSU and Clemson don’t lock up playoff spots as conference champions, Saturday’s LSU win could be critical for seeding in the at-large spots. The higher seed gets home-field advantage, and the top four seeds earn first-round byes. Even if LSU doesn’t win the SEC — and Clemson wins the ACC — there could be a scenario in which LSU is still ranked ahead because of Week 1.

Toughest remaining game: Sept. 27 at Ole Miss. Alabama’s performance in its loss to Florida State makes the trip to Tuscaloosa seem less daunting. Though that game is a coin toss, ESPN’s FPI gives Ole Miss a 70.1% chance to beat LSU.

Why they could be here: The Buckeyes beat one of the SEC’s top teams, and they did it with a first-year starting quarterback, but it was at home against a Texas team that didn’t live up to its preseason ranking.

Why they could be higher: Ohio State and LSU had similar performances in that they won with defense and faced offenses that struggled, so it would probably boil down to which opponent the committee thought was more talented.

Need to know: The Buckeyes are projected to win each of their remaining games, and they have the best chance in the FBS to win out (11.2%).

Toughest remaining game: Nov. 1 vs. Penn State. The Nittany Lions are loaded and hired former Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. PSU coach James Franklin said his program wants to “change the narrative” about its inability to win the biggest games.

Malachi Tony and Miami got a top-10 win to open the season. Carmen Mandato/Getty Images

Why they could be here: The Canes beat a CFP contender that didn’t quit, earning one of the top nonconference wins of Week 1 and probably the whole season. Transfer quarterback Carson Beck had a strong performance, but equally as important was Miami’s defensive improvement. That was a sticking point in the committee meeting room last year and played a role in keeping the Canes out of the playoff.

Why they could be lower: Nobody ranked behind Miami has a better nonconference win, so it would be about the committee believing other teams looked better in their first game.

Need to know: The state of Florida will have a huge impact on the CFP race, and Miami doesn’t leave it until November. It will have home-field advantage against South Florida and Florida, and the Hurricanes travel to Tallahassee to play rival FSU on Oct. 4.

Toughest remaining game: Oct. 4 at Florida State. Given how the Noles played in their win against Alabama, this rivalry game suddenly looks more daunting.

Why they could be here: The Nittany Lions might be the best team in the country, but they don’t earn the top spot by hammering Nevada. The selection committee rewards the teams that beat the best competition.

Why they could be lower: Florida State beat Alabama while Penn State manhandled an overmatched, unranked Mountain West Conference team. Other teams beat better competition.

Need to know: Penn State’s nonconference lineup also includes Florida International and Villanova, which will be a factor if the Nittany Lions lose to Oregon and Ohio State. A 10-2 Penn State team isn’t a lock if it loses its two best chances to impress the committee — and there are other contenders with two or fewer losses and better wins. Strength of schedule still matters.

Toughest remaining game: Nov. 1 at Ohio State. ESPN’s FPI gives the Buckeyes a 61.2% chance to win — the only game on Penn State’s schedule it’s not expected to win.

Micahi Danzy and Florida State stunned the college football world in Week 1. Melina Myers/Imagn Images

Why they could be here: Florida State outmuscled one of the SEC’s top programs, giving FSU one of the best Week 1 wins. Still, some committee members will question how good Alabama is this year.

Why they could be higher: This wasn’t a fluke. The Seminoles controlled the line of scrimmage and were the more physical team. FSU racked up more than 200 yards on the ground, with over 100 yards inside and outside the tackles. Quarterback Tommy Castellanos gave the Noles a true dual threat, and FSU’s defense smothered rookie Bama quarterback Ty Simpson.

Need to know: FSU still faces rivals Miami and Florida this season, and also travels to Clemson, but plays five of its first six games at home.

Toughest remaining game: Nov. 8 at Clemson. This has been a game that has helped determine who plays for the ACC title — and it’s certainly possible they could meet again in the conference championship game.

Why they could be here: The Bulldogs looked dominant in their 45-7 victory over Marshall, but it was a home game against an overmatched opponent, and Georgia did what a playoff team should do. Georgia got a strong performance from first-year starting quarterback Gunner Stockton, who accounted for four touchdowns.

Why they could be higher: Georgia played a clean game, with just two penalties and no turnovers through the first three quarters, the defense was dominant and the Bulldogs got the ground game going.

Need to know: Georgia has the second-best chance to win the SEC behind Texas (26.4%).

Toughest remaining game: Nov. 15 vs. Texas. The Longhorns are confident their mistakes are fixable, and this game should again help determine who will play in the SEC title game — or be a sneak preview of it.

Dante Moore, left, had an impressive debut with the Ducks. Tom Hauck/Getty Images

Why they could be here: A 59-13 drubbing of Montana State won’t move the needle in the room. Still, the defending Big Ten champs continued their offensive success with first-year starting quarterback Dante Moore, who had three passing touchdowns, tied for the most in a game in his career.

Why they could be lower: This is the only team on the list that beat an FCS team, and the committee tracks wins against FCS opponents.

Need to know: Oregon avoids Ohio State and Michigan this year in the Big Ten schedule.

Toughest remaining game: Sept. 27 at Penn State. Both teams should be undefeated heading into this game — it will be critical to the CFP and Big Ten rankings — and it will be an unforgiving environment on the other side of the country. It’s the only game ESPN’s FPI projects Oregon to lose.

Why they could be here: New quarterback Joey Aguilar looked comfortable executing coach Josh Heupel’s offense against a respectable Syracuse team, notching a nonconference win that would earn respect in the committee meeting room. This was a complete performance, evidenced by an offensive AND defensive touchdown in the first quarter. The Vols made an early statement that they’ll be just fine without quarterback Nico Iamaleava — at least against an average opponent.

Why they could be higher: The committee could reward the Vols for a win against an ACC team over Georgia and Oregon playing lesser opponents.

Need to know: The Vols have the fourth-best chance in the SEC to reach the playoff (49.9%) behind Georgia, Texas and Ole Miss.

Toughest remaining game: Sept. 13 vs. Georgia. ESPN’s FPI gives the Bulldogs a 60% chance to win.

Why they could be here: This was a tough loss on the road to a talented team, but Notre Dame’s slow start to the second half on both sides was glaring. First-year starting quarterback CJ Carr struggled, but so did the running game, which has one of the best backs in the country in Jeremiyah Love. Miami looked like the better team, had more explosive plays and started the second half by pushing Notre Dame’s defense down the field while controlling the clock.

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Why they could be lower: The committee could give South Carolina more credit for its win and stronger quarterback play.

Need to know: Because the top four seeds are no longer reserved for conference champions, Notre Dame can earn a first-round bye if it finishes in the selection committee’s top four. The Irish should be cheering for the Canes the rest of the season because a road loss to the ACC champs could be one of the better losses among contenders.

Toughest remaining game: Oct. 18 vs. USC. The Irish will get home-field advantage against their rivals, and ESPN’s FPI gives them a 58.6% chance to win.

Why they could be here: The Longhorns aren’t out of the playoff just because they lost a close road game to one of the best teams in the country. They had opportunities to win the game. They need an answer, though, to the red zone woes, and to extract more from the passing game. The selection committee won’t punish Texas for losing to Ohio State, but it will ding the Longhorns for playing poorly.

Why they could be lower: There are Hall of Fame coaches and players in the committee meeting room, and there’s no sugarcoating quarterback Arch Manning’s poor debut. This game wasn’t an instant classic. It was kind of a dud, and Texas didn’t convince anyone it’s a lock for the SEC title.

Need to know: Texas doesn’t face another Power 4 opponent until its SEC opener at Florida, so the Longhorns should be 4-1 heading into the swamp.

Toughest remaining game: Nov. 15 at Georgia. ESPN’s FPI gives the Bulldogs a 54% chance to win.

Why they could be here: The Gamecocks earned a respectable nonconference win against Virginia Tech, but the Hokies are a bottom-tier ACC team that was picked to finish 11th in the preseason media poll. It was also a close game early, as South Carolina entered the half with a 10-8 lead. South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers had one of the most impressive Week 1 performances by a quarterback, though, and the committee often singles out the nation’s top players. Still, it wasn’t a flawless outing, as he was sacked five times, which will be a problem against SEC defenses.

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Why they could be higher: A neutral-site win against an ACC team could get more votes from committee members than a home win against a non-Power team.

Need to know: This could be a dangerous spot on Selection Day — just ask Alabama. Because the five highest-ranked conference champions are guaranteed spots in the playoff, the committee’s No. 11-ranked team could get bumped out. In this scenario, the Big 12 and Group of 5 champion would enter the bracket ahead of No. 11.

Toughest remaining game: Oct. 11 at LSU. ESPN’s FPI gives the Tigers a 59.6% chance to win.

Why they could be here: The Tigers aren’t being punished for losing to a top-tier team, but they’re in the final spot because of a one-dimensional offense that was exposed by LSU’s defense. Clemson’s combination of running backs accounted for 31 yards and a measly 1.6 yards per carry. Quarterback Cade Klubnik will have to play better to beat rival South Carolina, which is ranked above in part because of a better quarterback performance.

Why they could be higher: The LSU defense deserves credit for harassing Klubnik all game. He didn’t always have the time he needed to throw, and this was hardly a blowout like last year’s season-opening loss to Georgia.

Need to know: In this scenario, Clemson would miss the playoff because it would get bumped out for the fifth-highest-ranked conference champion. This week, that’s projected to be South Florida.

Toughest remaining game: Nov. 29 at South Carolina. This would still be a critical head-to-head result late in the season that could help either team’s playoff position, but ESPN’s FPI gives South Carolina a 66.5% chance to win. Clemson is 0-4 against SEC teams since the start of last season.

Bracket

Based on the rankings above, the seeding would be:

First-round byes

No. 1 LSU (SEC champ)
No. 2 Ohio State (Big Ten champ)
No. 3 Miami (ACC champ)
No. 4 Penn State

First-round games

On campus, Dec. 19 and 20

No. 12 USF (American champ) at No. 5 Florida State
No. 11 Arizona State (Big 12 champ) at No. 6 Georgia
No. 10 Texas at No. 7 Oregon
No. 9 Notre Dame at No. 8 Tennessee

Quarterfinal games

At the Goodyear Cotton Bowl, Capital One Orange Bowl, Rose Bowl Presented by Prudential and Allstate Sugar Bowl on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.

No. 12 USF/No. 5 Florida State winner vs. No. 4 Penn State
No. 11 Arizona State/No. 6 Georgia winner vs. No. 3 Miami
No. 10 Texas/No. 7 Oregon winner vs. No. 2 Ohio State
No. 9 Notre Dame/No. 8 Tennessee winners vs. No. 1 LSU



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Key Economic Events to Watch This Week for Bitcoin

by admin



In brief

  • Bitcoin ended the month with a 6.47% loss, despite reaching a record high of $124,545.60.
  • Experts are closely watching jobless claims, U.S. productivity, and the August jobs report that could influence the Fed’s September rate cut decision.
  • A weak jobs report could counterintuitively be a positive catalyst for Bitcoin, according to experts who remain cautious due to September’s bearish seasonality.

Bitcoin extended last week’s correction, closing the month on a negative note, with experts awaiting key macroeconomic data that could shape the U.S. Federal Reserve’s upcoming rate cut decision.

The spotlight is on the trifecta of jobless claims, U.S. productivity, and the August jobs report as the Fed faces conflicting data points with rising inflation and a weakening jobs market.

“The Fed is walking a tightrope,” Kurt S. Altrichter, founder of Ivory Hill Wealth Advisory, said in an X post on Sunday. Cutting rates “too soon risks reigniting 1970s-style inflation,” while holding them steady could “trigger a recession” by breaking the labor market, Altrichter added. 



The pressure on Chair Jerome Powell, as a result, is immense, making this week’s data releases more critical than usual.

All eyes are now on Thursday’s initial jobless claims, which track new applications for unemployment benefits. 

While the consensus forecast of 230,000 claims aligns with the prior week’s 229,000, a reading above this threshold would signal a further softening of the labor market and add significant pressure on the Fed to consider slashing interest rates.

Following closely on the same day is the final revision of U.S. Productivity and Unit Labor Costs.

The preliminary Q2 2025 productivity growth is set at +2.4% quarter-over-quarter annualized, with unit labor costs at +1.6%, down from the first quarter’s 6.9%, according to the August report. 

A downward revision in productivity or an upward revision in unit labor costs would raise concerns about persistent inflationary pressures, as higher labor costs per unit of output could signal wage-driven price increases. 

Friday’s Unemployment Rate and Nonfarm Payrolls forecasts peg the unemployment rate at 4.3%, up from July’s 4.2%, with payrolls adding 75,000 jobs, up slightly from July’s 73,000 and wages up 0.3% month-over-month.

“We expect payrolls to come in below consensus, around 40,000–60,000 versus 75,000 expected, with unemployment likely rising to 4.3%” Xu Han, director of Liquid Fund at HashKey Capital, told Decrypt.

He cautioned that hiring is weakening gradually, but the markets may be “underestimating the risk of larger layoffs ahead,” a scenario that could push the Fed toward not just a single 25-basis-point cut in September, but “a series of cuts beyond” into late 2025. 

This perspective is counterintuitive as it suggests that a weaker growth and employment report might not be a negative for Bitcoin. 

Instead, it could provide the clarity investors need on the Fed’s rate path, acting as a green light for risk assets like Bitcoin by boosting expectations of looser monetary policy and increased liquidity.

Regardless, experts remain cautious of Bitcoin due to bearish September seasonality. 

“As we enter a more volatile September—typically the weakest seasonal month—with Bitcoin trading near a fragile equilibrium, we recommend focusing on the medium short-term holder cost basis,” Han said.

Bitcoin ended August with a 6.47% loss and is currently trading at $107,500, according to CoinGecko data.

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