Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Joshua Cephus has enjoyed a solid training camp
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USA Today
2 minutes ago
- USA Today
Raiders applying advice from 11-time champion
When champions speak on how they got to the top of the mountain, you listen. It's the reason why the Raiders organization is making full use of any advice seven-time Super Bowl winning QB Tom Brady has to offer. But there is a man who is even more accomplished than even Brady in his given sport. And Pete Carroll is using his words to try and inspire his players to greatness. Carroll has coached in the NFL and at the collegiate level for a long time. He's always one of those guys who can strike up a good conversation with just about anyone. This includes professional athletes from many different sports. Raiders tigh end Michael Mayer said this week that Carroll has been using words NBA legend Bill Russell once told him as a way to get his players in the right mindset to be winners. "'Every day when I wake up, I try to find ways to help my teammates,' Mayer said, quoting Carroll quoting Russell. "He said every day he wakes up and he's not thinking about himself. He's not thinking about what he can do to help the team. It's how can I get my teammates better? And I think literally like 12 years in a row he led his team in assists and did a bunch of crazy stuff. And that was a pretty cool story to hear. That's what we're trying to build here. That's the culture we're trying to build here. I want to help Brock [Bowers] out as much as I can. He wants to help me out. Geno [Smith] wants to help us. I mean, when your teammates are playing good, you're playing good, the offense is playing good, and the team's playing good. So we're all in this together." Russell used this philosophy to lead the University of San Francisco to two NCAA titles and then the Boston Celtics to 11 NBA championships in 13 seasons. And unbelievable run. Mayer isn't the only one with whom Russell's words have resonated. Several players on this team have talked about how much closer they are as teammates than they had been in previous years. How they are all having a lot more fun playing for each other and the camaraderie that goes with that. Carroll has used this philosophy to win championships at the collegiate and the NFL level, just as Russell did. Tried and true.
USA Today
2 minutes ago
- USA Today
Predicting NFL standings for each division in 2025
With the season nearing opening kickoffs for all 32 NFL teams, we're taking a look into the crystal football. The prediction? A glimpse into how the divisions will wind up at the end of the season. Will there be repeat winners? Surprises? A mix of everything? Some teams look like powerhouses while others are already headed for the 2026 NFL draft. Here's how the 2025 NFL divisions will stack up… AFC East No surprises here, the Bills remain light years ahead of the competition. And no one will remember who finished second, much like few recall who finished behind Secretariat in his Belmont romp (it was Twice A Prince, the longest shot in the field of five). Prediction: 1. Bills - 2. Patriots - 3. Jets - 4. Dolphins AFC North This division has three teams that would be considered playoff contenders and one that is destined to a high draft pick. Hopefully, the Cleveland Browns won't fall so far that they wind up with the first pick in the 2026 draft and have to decide whether to choose Arch Manning should he declare out of Texas. It seems like Cleveland already has a surplus of ordinary quarterbacks, although one did win a Super Bowl for another AFC North team. Typical. Prediction: 1. Ravens - 2. Bengals - 3. Steelers - 4. Browns AFC South This division is another one-horse race — except, the team named for a horse isn't going to be that franchise. Unless the Houston Texans decide to stumble and fumble, they will rumble through the AFC South. Does it really matter who finishes behind the reigning division champs? (It doesn't.) Prediction: 1. Texans - 2. Colts - 3. Jaguars - 4. Titans AFC West One tough division despite how dominant the Chiefs have been. Sean Payton and the Broncos are trending upward. Jim Harbaugh turned the Chargers' culture around in a year. Pete Carroll may act young and chipper but the Raiders will test every bit of his enthusiasm. Prediction: 1. Chiefs - 2. Chargers - 3. Broncos - 4. Raiders NFC East It has been a long time since a team repeated as champions in this division. That, along with all the roster shuffling, is enough to give pause on whether the Philadelphia Eagles will be able to win the NFC East again. The challenge will be testing, but Washington figures to level off after its surprising season in 2024. The Cowboys are a quagmire. And Brian Daboll will likely be looking for another job after the Giants have another poor season. Jaxson Dart may have gone to Ole Miss, but he will not have the career Eli Manning had. Prediction: 1. Eagles - 2. Cowboys - 3. Commanders - 4. Giants NFC North The Lions are a force. They have everything going for them. However, Dan Campbell's coordinators exited, which should dent the team. Matt LaFleur and the Packers are rock solid. Would love to stop reading about Jordan Love, injuries, and procedures. They are redundant season to season—still, time to give Green Bay a chance to run by Detroit in the NFC North. The Vikings will falter and have to wonder if the faith they put in J.J. McCarthy was worth it. Ben Johnson will start the Bears moving forward … slowly. Prediction: 1. Packers - 2. Lions - 3. Vikings - 4. Bears NFC South Welcome to the land of mediocrity. Todd Bowles and his Bucs will squeak to another division title. Their NFC South dynasty will not be remembered for the series of division championships. It will be the tale of being the best of an ordinary lot. The Carolina Panthers will get better, just not sure they are ready to win nine or 10 games, which it will take to gain the postseason. The Falcons are going to watch Michael Penix Jr. How fitting would it be if the Saints wound up with the first pick and somehow were able to land Arch Manning on the team his grandfather led? Prediction: 1. Buccaneers - 2. Panthers - 3. Falcons - 4. Saints NFC West A strong division with all four teams set to contend. Yes, that means the Arizona Cardinal are going to continue to improve. They won't win it all but they also won't finish last. With all the back issues Matthew Stafford is having there have to be concerns about how many games he will play for the Rams. The Seahawks have Sam Darnold, who has a solid corps of receivers. And no one should be surprised when the 49ers flip the script on their 2024 record. Prediction: 1. 49ers - 2. Seahawks - 3. Cardinals - 4. Rams
3 minutes ago
Karol G to headline halftime show during YouTube's first exclusive NFL broadcast
NEW YORK -- Bringing football fans, Brazil and Karol G together for a one-night experience? That's a winning formula. The Grammy award-winning musician will headline a halftime show during YouTube's first exclusive NFL broadcast next month, which will stream live from Corinthians Arena in São Paulo, Brazil on Sept. 5. That's the NFL week 1 matchup between the Los Angeles Chargers and the reigning AFC-winning Kansas City Chiefs. 'This year has been truly rewarding, and the timing of this opportunity — to be part of such an important moment like YouTube's first-ever NFL live broadcast — is perfect,' the singer shared in an exclusive written statement. 'With my latest album 'Tropicoqueta,' I set out to represent the many facets of my Latin culture, something I'm incredibly passionate about in everything I do. I'm excited to bring that same energy and pride to this global stage and honored to continue elevating Latin culture on such a monumental platform.' It's a natural pairing. Karol G is a global superstar, American football is growing in popularity worldwide, and many of the world's most ardent music fans call Brazil home — it's one of the many reasons 'Come to Brazil' has become a stalwart meme, a three-word stand-in for the ultimate expression of fandom. 'Our goal is to highlight the excitement and Americana of the NFL, but do this thoughtfully in a way that plays to local cultures, practices and traditions,' said Tim Tubito, senior director of global game presentation and entertainment at the NFL. Booking Karol G 'not only excites our fans and pays homage to their culture in South America, but has an impact on a global scale,' he added. 'We hope all of our fans are ready for a historic celebration.' The game is free to stream for fans across the globe, exclusively through YouTube and YouTube TV. It begins at 5 p.m. Pacific / 8 p.m. Eastern / 9 p.m. BRT (local time). A pre-show kicks off an hour earlier. 'To celebrate this moment, we are thrilled that global superstar Karol G will perform during our halftime show,' said Angela Courtin, VP of sports and entertainment marketing at YouTube in a statement. 'The game and performance will be broadcast worldwide for free on YouTube, blending the fandom of sports and music together for one epic cultural moment.'
