Month: September 2025

NFL Week Four Winners and Losers

jminx941 Comment

What an exciting week four! There were more blocked kicks, a rookie runningback had a three touchdown day, the Giants got their first win of the season against the undefeated Chargers and two other teams remain undefeated after four games. The last Sunday of September delivered surprising results and some exciting divisional matchups. So, let’s take a look at what stood out at the end of the month.

Winners: Drake Maye and the New England Patriots Offense

Anyone who watched New England’s offense this month, knows they mostly played well. Some attribute the good play to the Patriots playing worse defenses. Regardless of the takes, the dominant home win against Carolina was the third straight week New England’s offense has played well.

The Patriots started their offensive barrage in the second quarter. Drake Maye’s five yard touchdown run turned out to be the game winning score. Maye also completed 14 of 17 passes for 203 yards and two touchdowns. His two scoring passes were New England’s last two of the game.

Maye is playing better because the running game has improved. While four running backs combined for over 100 yards, none of them, including Rhamondre Stevenson, fumbled the ball. TreVeyon Henderson and Antonio Gibson had two rushing touchdowns before halftime and solidified an easy win.

Many believe the Patriots are still a dark horse playoff team. An offense playing better combined with a solid defense and good special teams makes New England interesting to watch the next two months.

Matthew Stafford and Puka Nacua

This site predicted Los Angeles would be a serious playoff contender to start the regular season. After September, it’s safe to say the Rams could be a Super Bowl pick if quarterback Matthew Stafford and star wide receiver Puka Nacua stay healthy.

Stafford had a classic Sunday performance against the undefeated Colts. He completed 29 of 41 passes for 375 yards, three touchdowns and a 123.5 passer rating. All three of Stafford’s touchdowns either gave Los Angeles a lead or tied the game at some point. While Indianapolis sacked the veteran quarterback three times, the defense struggled to rattle him and couldn’t disrupt Stafford’s reads.

The receiver Matthew Stafford trusts most is three year star Puka Nacua. Rams general manager Les Snead knew in the offseason that Nacua was more valuable than former phenom Cooper Kupp. After trading Kupp to Seattle, Nacua became the de facto number one receiver, and has been on a roll to start the season. Sunday he had 13 catches (on 15 targets) for 170 yards and the game tying touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

Los Angeles could be the hardest team to play against this season. Matthew Stafford plays better each year under center and it’s possible Puka Nacua breaks some league receiving records this season.

Chicago Bears

Many believed that Chicago was in another cycle of agony after week two. A blowout win against Dallas in week three was nice, but a road game in Las Vegas was the litmus test on where the Bears were in both confidence and progress.

Chicago succeeded where they failed in week one. The defense set the tone early with first half interceptions by Kevin Byard III against Raiders quarterback Geno Smith. While there is still room for improvement on all sides of the ball, the Bears offense had another good game. Sophomore quarterback Caleb Williams threw a second half touchdown to Rome Odunze and runningback D’Andre Swift had the game winning score. There were some trick plays called by rookie head coach Ben Johnson and the receiver trio of Cole Kmet, Olamide Zaccheaus and DJ Moore combined for 125 yards.

The best part for Chicago is their record. After a quick 0-2 hole, two straight wins gets the bears to 2-2 before their bye week. The Bears also have an easier schedule than most teams before Thanksgiving. They could be a fun watch the next few months.

Travis Etienne Jr.

It’s been a while since Travis Etienne Jr. was in the winners column. He earned that Sunday after he ran all over the 49er’s defense.

Etienne Jr. ran 19 times for 124 yards and a touchdown in a surprise road win in San Francisco. His one score gave Jacksonville their first lead of the game. The Jaguars never trailed after.

Many analysts believe head coach Liam Coen was hired to stabilize the passing game and further develop struggling franchise quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Coen’s specialty is providing a balanced offense that creates a strong running game. Travis Etienne Jr. is the most important offensive player for Coen after September. The Jaguars offense will go as far as he can throughout the regular season.

Losers: Brandin Cooks

New Orleans put up a valiant effort in Buffalo and came close to winning the game several times. The closest was on a pivotal fourth quarter drive where Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler found receiver Brandin Cooks wide open in the end zone between two defenders.

Cooks couldn’t catch Rattler’s pass in open coverage despite the odd review angles and the referees ruling it a touchdown. The referees quickly revised that Brandin Cooks didn’t maintain control and the touchdown was called back. New Orleans had to settle for a field goal and cut the deficit to two.

That play changed the game. Buffalo went four plays the next possession and scored a touchdown. The Bills added a field goal their next possession, and the Saints last possession ended in a lost fumble.

Cooks has been a solid veteran receiver for a while on different teams. It stings the game got away after a reverse call on an almost game changing touchdown.

Whoever believed the AFC west was the best and most competitive division in the NFL

Before week one, many viewers believed the whole AFC west division could and would make the entire postseason. Even yours truly wrote in great detail how all four teams were superior to the other teams that could finish in second and third place in the other three divisions. After Sunday, it’s clear the AFC west could have two teams make the playoffs. It also appears Kansas City is on their way to win another division title.

Las Vegas currently is a mess with one win after four games. The offensive line is porous and quarterback Geno Smith has thrown seven interceptions compared with three touchdowns. His aggressive play cost the Raiders two wins after a solid week one performance. Veteran head coach Pete Carroll is known for improving defenses, but so far Las Vegas looks worse in the secondary and has been out-played in all but one game. There is little hope both the offense and defense can improve with the number of quality opponents they play the next two months.

Los Angeles is in a worse position. After the Chargers won all but one game before October, their reward is the loss of several star players to injured reserve. Multiple linebackers including pass rusher Khalil Mack won’t play the rest of the year. Los Angeles lost their second starting tackle Joe Alt in a brutal road loss to New York Sunday. Runningback Najee Harris is done for the year with an Achilles injury. The Chargers had some season ending injuries before the regular season began, and the number of bodies on IR keeps growing. It won’t surprise anyone when the offense stagnates and the defense plays worse because of the losses to important starters and star playmakers.

We don’t know how Denver will fare against Cincinnati to close out week four, but the Broncos have been underwhelming the first month of the season. Yes, two close losses aren’t cause for concern, but sophomore quarterback Bo Nix has seemingly been in a daze. Head coach Sean Payton’s confused about the early season issues after last season’s second half successes. One has to think Denver will be the one team outside of Kansas City that will improve.

As for the Chiefs, the return of receiver Xavier Worthy instantly makes Kansas City the best team in the AFC west. In two weeks, Rashee Rice will be back from suspension. Head coach Andy Reid can then call the plays he’s held on to since pre-season since the offense isn’t lacking playmakers at receiver. Not many people thought this division would look finished before October. Funny how the NFL works.

Baltimore Ravens

Head coach John Harbaugh continues to gloss over game planning against serious opponents. Sunday was a loss for everyone involved with the Ravens organization for not addressing the Harbaugh messes throughout the previous years.

Kansas City dominated the Ravens for three out of four quarters. The Chiefs hadn’t played well most of the 2025 calendar year, and yet one wouldn’t have known that if they watched Sunday’s blowout. Baltimore gave up 35+ points in three of their four September games. They might have the NFL’s worst defense after posting the worst defensive stats in franchise history.

The offense also feels it. Since the defense can’t stop anyone (outside of Cleveland), the Ravens are pressured to score each possession. That leads to odd errors like runningback Derrick Henry averaging one fumble per game, questionable interceptions in certain coverages, and the offensive line giving up a few sacks per game.

Anyone who’s watched game film knows that while Baltimore has a lot of All-Pro talent, the coaching staff is awful and the players keep regressing. Injuries to offensive captain (and former league MVP) Lamar Jackson, defensive captain Roquan Smith, and anchor defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike make this a day and week to forget for many…unless the organization is serious about making long-term changes.

Matthew Golden

Sunday night’s game in Dallas ended in a stunning tie and probably a doctor’s visit for Green Bay special teams returner Matthew Golden. Golden had a first half punt return where he got drilled at the Packer 40 yard line by Dallas linebacker Marist Liufau.

Matthew Golden should be good this week but he must remember not to spin right after catching the ball on a return. Otherwise he’ll be the victim of another early-2000s era tackle.

Quick Update on Writing

jminx941 Comment

Happy Monday or Tuesday to you all. I’ve appreciated the recent reactions to the WNBA first round playoff picks. Jdsportscorner continually shows positive growth from new viewers and comments flowing in each week. There’s yet to be a dip since I’ve used this website in a professional matter.

There are also times I cannot deliver. I was outside most of Sunday. I couldn’t write, edit or publish a week two Winners and Losers. I’ll also be out of state this upcoming weekend. That means there won’t be a Winners and Losers for week three or a WNBA second round playoff picks. Regular content should return will return around the middle of next week. Audiences should expect, or be on the lookout for future Winners and Losers articles, WNBA playoff picks, and the upcoming NHL season picks the next few weeks (with September 24th as the starting date).

Many options are being considered to address this in the near and distant future. All readers will know more once they are figured out.

2025 WNBA First Round Playoff Predictions

jminx949 Comments

It’s been a thrilling WNBA season. All kinds of records were broken on and off the court. There’s been a lot of praise over the rookies and veterans. Most teams were competitive throughout the year. Now for the playoffs.

The first round should be a quick but fun time. Four teams must advance to the second round by two games in a three game series. It’s time to pick which four have the best chances to extend their championship run.

#8 Golden State Valkyries v. #1 Minnesota Lynx

Minnesota’s Courtney Williams (10) is a threat on both sides of the court against opposing guards.

There are three lopsided first round series, starting with Golden State and Minnesota. The Lynx thrashed the Valkyries twice in the last two weeks. Golden State fans should applaud the team for making the playoffs their first season in the WNBA. Natalie Nakase’s also the favorite to win coach of the year. Still, Minnesota will go full throttle and the Valkyries don’t have the roster to contend with them.

Prediction: Lynx win series 2-0

#7 Seattle Storm v. #2 Las Vegas Aces

One of the best first round series matchups will be Las Vegas’ Jackie Young (0) v. Seattle’s Gabby Williams (5)

There’s no question who should win this series. The 16 straight game winning Aces versus the struggling Storm. The dominant Las Vegas center A’ja Wilson has more blocks on Seattle center Ezi Magbegor than any other WNBA player. This will get ugly fast.

Prediction: Aces win series 2-0

#6 Indiana Fever v. #3 Atlanta Dream

Guard depth is an advantage Atlanta has over Indiana. Shatori Walker-Kimbrough doesn’t have pressure to fill in for Allisha Gray or Jordin Canada when they need rest.

This series would be more interesting if the Fever had their injured guards healthy. Atlanta must finish the series fast and try to stay ahead of the remaining veteran playoff teams. Indiana won’t go quietly with how well guard Kelsey Mitchell and forward Damiris Dantas play. Their lack of playoff experience and overall talent make the Fever a quick out.

Prediction: Dream win series 2-0

#5 New York Liberty v. #4 Phoenix Mercury

Breanna Stewart and the Liberty can pick up where they left off after last year’s championship run.

The only first round series that should go all three games. Both New York and Phoenix won by blowouts in their regular season matchups. Don’t expect that to continue this series.

There’s a high probability the series winner goes to the championship. The Mercury have forwards Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas, guards Kahleah Copper and DeWanna Bonner and centers Natasha Mack and Kalani Brown. The Liberty have forward Breanna Stewart and center Jonquel Jones back at full health. Guards Natasha Cloud and Sabrina Ionescu, and forwards Leonie Fiebich, Isabelle Harrison and Emma Meesseman round out a fantastic roster.

Coaching is always a factor since Sandy Brondello’s won titles in both cities. However, Phoenix has the better overall, determined roster. The chemistry between Thomas, Bonner, Sabally and Copper will be too much for the smaller Liberty. Jonquel Jones’ inconsistent play this season should be something to remember, especially in the second half of each game.

Prediction: Mercury win series 2-1

NFL Week One Winners and Losers

jminx942 Comments

Except for the inevitable injury or two, the first week of the NFL regular season is usually mild. It was anything but mild on Sunday. Week one is seen by some as a fluke week, while others see it as a prelude of what will come once teams settle in. Here are my winners and losers from Sunday’s games.

Winners: Aaron Rodgers

The 21 year veteran quarterback had an abysmal two years in New York. In what many consider his last gasp at both a championship run and starting job at quarterback, Aaron Rodgers signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the offseason. Week one was a revenge game against his previous team–the New York Jets, and Rodgers gave his viewers a vintage performance.

Aaron Rodgers completed 22 of 30 passes for 244 yards, four touchdowns and a 136.7 passer rating. Two of Rodgers’ scores were lead changes, and two came a minute apart to start the fourth quarter. His control of the two minute offense gave the Steelers an extra 39 yards before Chris Boswell kicked the game winning 60 yard field goal.

Many analysts still believe Pittsburgh will have a hard time scoring more than 24 points a game given the lack of offensive talent around Aaron Rodgers, but a 34 point performance against what is considered one of the league’s better defenses in New York should make some question the Steelers ceiling.

The Pete Carroll and Geno Smith-led Las Vegas Raiders

The reunion for head coach Pete Carroll and quarterback Geno Smith was big news in the offseason. Las Vegas’ first game to start the 2025 season was on the road against a re-booted New England. Many viewers believed the game would be close, but the Raiders would find a way to pull out the win. Those were correct predictions.

Geno Smith found Tre Tucker for the first touchdown of the game. Smith finished 24 of 34 for 362 yards and a 102.8 passer rating. The new Raiders quarterback posted a franchise debut record in yards and passer rating. Smith also led a balanced attack and Las Vegas won the time of possession battle.

Defense is Carroll’s specialty. Vegas held the Patriot running backs to under three yards a carry and New England’s passing game to under 300 yards. Sophomore quarterback Drake Maye threw one interception and was sacked four times. The Patriots offense was suffocated after the first quarter.

Pete Carroll became the oldest head coach in league history to coach a game (73 years and 357 days) and the first head coach in NFL history to win all four of his team debuts (via Sportscenter with Scott Van Pelt). Carroll’s defense is predicted to continue improvement. If the offense stays as balanced and the defense continues to fluster opposing offenses, this could be the start of something special in Sin City.

Daniel Jones

Analysts will and have judged Indianapolis’ win against Miami as an all-around disaster for the Dolphins. That take ignores how historical the Colts offense was in a dominant performance. Led by new starting quarterback Daniel Jones, Indianapolis became the first team to score on every offensive possession since 1978.

Jones completed 22 of 29 passes for 272 yards, a touchdown and a 115.9 passer rating. He also ran seven times for 26 yards and two scores. Jones’ two consecutive touchdowns in the second quarter sealed an easy win.

NFL Network panelists discussed how Daniel Jones’ time in Minnesota wound up helping and re-programming some of the stability and basics under center. The newfound confidence seems to have paid off.

Los Angeles Rams defense

If one were told Los Angeles’ offense would score just 14 points against Houston, the assumption would be the Rams lost. Not only would that be wrong, but the result wound up a resounding Los Angeles win.

The Rams’ defense feasted on Houston’s offense. Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud IV completed 19 passes for 188 yards and an interception. Los Angeles’ front seven sacked Stroud three times while the secondary confused him and messed up reads to his receivers. Outside of three field goals in the first half, the Texans couldn’t do anything right.

While Houston’s defense mostly stifled the Rams’ offense, it was the Los Angeles defense that won the game. The Rams’ offense could be slow to start a lot of games this year, but now they know the defense will show up and play hard.

Losers: Tennessee Titans second half offense

For some reason, Tennessee kept offensive coordinator Nick Holz after last season’s failures. Someone should have informed the Titans front office that a team usually relieves coordinators after they end up with the number one pick. Otherwise, there are results like Sunday’s in Denver.

Tennessee’s rookie quarterback and first overall pick Cam Ward was ok in his regular season debut. He didn’t make many mistakes but he definitely didn’t do anything special. Ward’s conservative play did give the Titans a lead most of the game, but Holz didn’t put him in better positions or utilize offensive strengths when the Broncos faltered.

After Denver took a 13-12 lead, Tennessee had two good chances to get a scoring drive before the Broncos could extend their lead. On the first, two penalties forced a punt. The second resulted in Denver fumbling a punt return and the Titans were gifted with an extended possession at the Bronco 24 yard line. A two yard run by Tony Pollard would be the only play with positive yardage. Ward was sacked twice for 27 yard losses after Pollard’s two yard run. Tennessee punted, and Denver went on to score the last touchdown of the game.

The Titans will have a rough season and few weeks when they’ll be favored to win any games. Sunday was one of the best opportunities to leave with a victory. It could have been done if there was a better run offense.

Cleveland Browns

For anyone who has read Winners and Losers before, or are familiar with the NFL for any reasonable length of time, it’s well known that with rare exceptions, the Cleveland Browns are losers. They lose in ways that defy belief and expectations. While the in-state loss to division rival Cincinnati felt familiar, it doesn’t excuse how sloppy, unprepared and deflating it was for Cleveland.

The Bengals did everything possible to lose the game. The only reason Cincinnati didn’t lose, was because the Browns made worse mistakes. Undrafted kicker Andre Szmyt missed an extra point and a potential game winning field goal. Veteran quarterback Joe Flacco had an interception after a pass intended for Jerry Jeudy bounced off another receiver’s hands deep in Cleveland territory. Flacco’s second interception doomed any chance for the Browns to get the last score of the game.

Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski’s issues this year range from who will be quarterback every week to if the kicker can make an extra point. It could be a long, rough year for Browns fans…again.

John Morton

Anyone who has watched the NFL the last few years knew the hottest offensive coordinator and assistant coach was Detroit’s Ben Johnson. When the Chicago Bears hired Johnson to be their next head coach this offseason, many expected the Lions offense would have some drop-off, especially to begin the regular season. Few expected a week one crater.

Detroit was overwhelmed almost the whole game in Green Bay. While new defensive addition Micah Parsons played less than half of the defense’s snaps, the Packers bullied the Lions in every way possible. Goff was sacked four times, intercepted once, and constantly hit until near the end. Detroit’s lone touchdown came in garbage time when Green Bay led by 21 points.

The most concerning part might be the Lions offensive line. They missed Frank Ragnow and Kevin Zeitler. The Packers took advantage of those losses and applied constant pressure. There was a point at which the NFL Network and beat reporters said Green Bay’s defensive front didn’t look like four men…it looked like seven.

There is no need yet to panic over Detroit. This is the Lions first road loss since the 2024 NFC championship game. Many knew the Packers would improve this season, and this was before getting Micah Parsons from Dallas. Offensive coordinator John Morton has a lot of work to do, but the Lions schedule is brutal. It may take a longer time for the offense to look anywhere near elite this season.

John Harbaugh

Spring has Groundhog Day, October third has Mean Girls, and these articles bring in the new NFL year with John Harbaugh in the Losers section. It’s a tradition unlike any other.

U.S. audiences were treated to Baltimore demolishing Buffalo Sunday night–they thought. After Ravens running back Derrick Henry ran for a 46 yard touchdown, Baltimore’s 15 point lead with 11:50 remaining all but assured a decisive week one win. While Bills receiver Keon Coleman scored a touchdown the following possession, the Ravens had an eight point lead with four minutes remaining. Enter coach Harbaugh.

One might think in a close scoring game where the result would matter further into the season, Harbaugh would have a better game plan than running the football the remaining four minutes. Quarterback Lamar Jackson ran for a first down the first play after Coleman’s touchdown. Buffalo expected another run the following possession. Henry also needed some rest and should’ve sat out a few more possessions. Harbaugh decided Henry should carry the ball next. That led to a nine yard loss and a fumble recovered by Bills defensive lineman Ed Oliver.

After Buffalo scored a touchdown (and missed the two point conversion), all Baltimore had to do was run down the remaining 1:51 in the game. But no. The Ravens ran two run plays and a pass for seven yards that took 25 seconds off the clock. The Bills got the ball back and won with a last second field goal.

Harbaugh’s continuous blunders, time mismanagement and inability to make the hard decisions somehow remain accepted and overlooked. The second most tenured coach in the league with one team somehow defies expectations by blowing double digit leads and leaving with losses. Given how Harbaugh has yet to learn from his mistakes, expect Baltimore to make the same errors with little to no accountability. Another head coach could never get away with this if they tried.