VICTORIAS CITY — Jaja Santiago is reunited with fellow Philippine women’s volleyball team star Alyssa Valdez, as arguably the best overseas-based homegrown women’s volleyball player in the country joins the most successful club in Creamline for the PVL Invitationals starting Aug. 31.
The last time Santiago and Valdez played together was in the 2022 Southeast Asian Games before Santiago gained her Japanese citizenship after years of playing in the prestigious SV.League.
Before playing for San Francisco Signal in League One Volleyball in the US, Santiago opted to make a PVL comeback and join Creamline, a team she beat in the 2021 PVL Open Conference Finals to deliver Chery Tiggo the league’s maiden professional crown.
The 6-foot-5 middle blocker teams up with Valdez anew after representing the national team together from the under-23 level until they reached the seniors.
Santiago and Valdez also dominated the club scene with PLDT, winning two titles in the Shakey’s V-League—the PVL’s predecessor–in the 2015 season.
“I’m very excited because I think the last time we teamed up was withPLDT. Now we’re together again. Even though we’re getting older and gaining more experience, I’m still learning a lot from Ate Ly, and I’m really excited to play with her again,” said Santiago in Filipino.
Santiago also looks forward to sharing the court and learning from the Creamline veterans led by Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza, Pangs Panaga, Michele Gumabao, Kyle Negrito, Kyla Atienza, Bea De Leon, and Denden Lazaro-Revilla, as well as the young guns Ishie Lalongisip, Sheena Toring, Erin Pangilinan, Barbie Jamili, and Nica Celis.
“There are so many new players. Some of them are my former teammates, while others I haven’t played with yet because they just graduated. I’m really excited to play against all the teams in the Invitational. Even during the On Tour, I know there’s still a lot I can learn from them,” said Santiago.
The former SV.League Best Blocker also wants to share her international experience with the younger middle blockers of Creamline.
“I’m not a perfect middle blocker, but if I can share the experience I’ve gained from playing internationally, I’m happy to do that little by little. Whenever they ask me questions, I try to share whatever knowledge I have about volleyball, even the small things,” she said.
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Her official comeback is in the Invitationals, where she faces defending champion PLDT, Nxled and Farm Fresh, as well as guest teams EST Cola of Thailand and Ho Chi Minh City of Vietnam.
England’s seam-bowling all-rounder Sam Curran’s hopes of making a Test comeback have been dealt a significant blow after he was ruled out for the remainder of the home season due to groin surgery. Curran, 28, had been expected to join the national squad for the ongoing Test series against Pakistan and could have earned his first Test appearance since 2021. However, Curran was booked to undergo an operation on his groin following the conclusion of The Hundred, and that has brought his season to a premature end.
“Sam Curran has been assessed for a groin injury and will undergo surgery on Friday. He will not be available for the remainder of the home season,” county side Surrey said in a statement.
England’s newly-appointed chief selector Marcus North had previously hinted that Curran could be considered as an all-round option after the retirement of Ben Stokes following their 2-1 defeat to New Zealand in June.
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“With the retirement of Ben Stokes, it’s quite clear that he provided us with a certain balance in the team. Sam Curran is certainly a player of interest for us. He’s someone our backroom staff and medical team will be working with in the coming weeks to make sure that he potentially becomes an option in the third Test. He’s someone that we really value highly, and we see playing a role in the future for us as an all-rounder.”
The injury setback also coincides with fellow Surrey and England cricketer Will Jacks being ruled out of the Pakistan Test series after undergoing emergency surgery. Jacks, though, could yet feature for England in a white-ball series against Sri Lanka that concludes the men’s international home season.
“Will Jacks is currently recovering after a successful operation to remove his appendix. We will monitor his recovery and assess his availability ahead of the Sri Lanka series,” the statement from Surrey further said.
In Surrey’s ongoing County Championship game against Nottinghamshire at The Oval, uncapped Indian batting all-rounder Mahipal Lomror has been handed a debut and is filling in for Jacks, while his fellow countryman, leg-spinner Rahul Chahar, has missed out on the match due to a neck issue.
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(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Spain’s Royal Family Welcomes World Cup Champions To Zarzuela Palace
Troyes will entertain Paris FC at the Stade de l’Aube in their Ligue 1 campaign opener on Saturday. The hosts are back in the top flight after three seasons, while the capital club secured a mid-table finish in Ligue 1 last season.
ESTAC enjoyed an unbeaten run in the preseason, although their last two games ended in draws. They faced Panetolikos at home last week and were held to a 1-1 draw, with Renaud Ripart scoring in that match.
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Les Bleus registered just one win in the preseason. They lost their last two friendly games, conceding seven goals. In their match against Angers last week, Pablo Pagis and Luca Koleosho were on the scoresheet as they lost 3-2.
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Troyes vs Paris FC head-to-head stats and key numbers
There is limited history between the two teams, who have met 14 times in all competitions. They have contested these meetings closely, with the visitors leading 6-4 in wins and four games ending in draws.
They last met in the 2024-25 season of Ligue 2, and the capital club won both the home and away games with an aggregate score of 4-0.
They will meet in the top flight for the first time since the 1973-74 season.
Troyes have won their last five competitive home games, scoring at least four goals in three matches during that period.
Paris FC have suffered just two defeats in Ligue 1 away games in 2026.
Four of the last six meetings between them have produced over 2.5 goals.
ESTAC have won just one of their last 10 meetings against the visitors, with that triumph coming at home.
The capital club have seen over 2.5 goals in five of their last six league outings.
Troyes vs Paris FC prediction
ESTAC went unbeaten in the preseason, winning four of the six games, and will look to build on that form here. They have seen decisive outcomes in their last five competitive games, suffering two defeats, with both losses coming away from home.
Ismael Boura was injured in the friendly against Auxerre earlier this month and is expected to be sidelined for a few weeks.
Les Bleus concluded the preseason on a four-game winless run, conceding 11 goals in that period. Interestingly, they also scored at least two goals in three games.
Emmanuel Mbemba picked up a knock earlier this month and is facing a race against time to prove match fitness.
The capital club have won their last three meetings against the hosts, and considering their Ligue 1 away record in 2026, we back them to secure a narrow win.
Liverpool have agreed to send Scottish defender Calvin Ramsay to St Mirren on loan until June 2027
The right-back will leave Liverpool as he looks to gain regular playing time and continue his development, with the loan deal set to run until June 2027.
Ramsay joined Liverpool from Aberdeen in 2022 and has spent time away from Anfield on loan as he looks to establish himself at the highest level.
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The Scotland international has faced competition for places at Liverpool and will now have the opportunity to play more regularly with St Mirren.
The move also comes with Ramsay currently having one year remaining on his Liverpool contract, meaning his future at Anfield could become an important talking point during the next stage of his career.
His spell at St Mirren is expected to provide valuable first-team experience while allowing the defender to continue developing his game.
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For St Mirren, Ramsay’s arrival adds a talented Scotland international to their squad and gives the club another defensive option ahead of the new campaign.
With the loan move now agreed, Ramsay will be hoping to make a strong impression at St Mirren and return to Liverpool with his career moving in the right direction.
We wish Calvin Ramsay the best of luck during his loan spell at St Mirren.
Marvel Stadium will play host to Saturday’s
Round 24 AFL game between Carlton Blues and
Fremantle Dockers. The game kicks off at 1:15 pm with Fremantle Dockers heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Carlton Blues vs.
Fremantle Dockers
game and give you our free tips and bets.
Carlton has already secured a Wildcard place after its 82-82 draw with the Western Bulldogs, extending a remarkable recovery under permanent coach Josh Fraser. Patrick Cripps had 34 disposals and Sam Walsh 33 in that result, providing the midfield drive required against the ladder leader. Fremantle clinched the minor premiership by defeating Adelaide 112-88, with Caleb Serong collecting 29 disposals, 12 clearances and two goals while Jye Amiss kicked five. The Dockers also won the Round 7 meeting 103-89 and have prevailed in 19 of their past 21 matches. Carlton’s form and Marvel Stadium familiarity should ensure a competitive tune-up before finals, but Fremantle’s balance around the contest and potency inside 50 make it the more dependable side.
As the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft, Fernando Mendoza has a lot of expectations to meet. Long-suffering Las Vegas Raiders fans are hoping he is the franchise quarterback they have been sorely lacking, though the organization itself has been taking things slowly with the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner.
Longtime NFL Network analyst and former NFL head coach Steve Mariucci knows some things about quarterback play, having worked with the likes of Brett Favre and Steve Young. In a new interview with Alex Withers for Casino.org, Mariucci revealed his feelings on Mendoza and his future.
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‘Baptism by fire’
Mariucci told Withers he’s a “fan” of Mendoza and believes he’ll be “the man to watch this season.”
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“I’m watching him closely coming out of this draft to see when he plays and then how well he plays,” Mariucci explained. “It’s going to be a baptism by fire. It’s going to be hard for him but he’s my standout pick for the season based on raw talent.”
The Raiders have posted four consecutive losing seasons and went 7-27 in 2024 and 2025. The organization is starting over with first-year coach Klint Kubiak, and is banking on Mendoza being a long-term solution.
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“The Raiders are building, getting stronger, and trying to get back up there with the rest of that division, so his time there will only make him a better quarterback,” Mariucci said. “But it will be interesting to see when they play him but it’s all about his readiness, and development which he’ll get at the Raiders.”
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No rush for the Raiders
Mendoza’s readiness has been a major storyline already this summer. Many teams eagerly through their first-round quarterbacks into the fire, but Las Vegas is banking on Kirk Cousins beginning the year as the starter.
“Kirk’s a veteran guy that’s going to be a very good influence on him. He’ll be a good mentor for Fernando to help him learn his trade,” Mariucci said of the 38-year-old, four-time Pro Bowler.
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In his preseason debut, Mendoza acquitted himself well, completing 10 of 16 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown in a loss to the Arizona Cardinals. There are already calls for him to start, though others are taking a more measured approach.
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“He led a good scoring drive,” Kubiak said of Mendoza, via Pro Football Talk. “As far as getting and out of the huddle, commanding the group, getting the play calls down, I saw the same guy I see in practice. I saw an ascending player who’s got to keep getting better.”
MCG will play host to Saturday’s
Round 24 AFL game between Melbourne Demons and
Western Bulldogs. The game kicks off at 4:15 pm with Melbourne Demons heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Melbourne Demons vs.
Western Bulldogs
game and give you our free tips and bets.
Melbourne enters the final round with momentum after dismantling Port Adelaide 132-56, a result that kept its top-four prospects alive. The Demons must win and hope other results fall their way, but Jacob van Rooyen’s three-match suspension removes an important forward target. The Western Bulldogs drew 82-82 with Carlton without Marcus Bontempelli and remain under pressure to avoid slipping into the 10th-placed Wildcard position. They edged Melbourne 93-90 in Round 11, so the matchup has already proved finely balanced this season. Melbourne has won 10 of its past 11 matches at the MCG and should again benefit from its midfield pressure and familiarity with the ground. The Bulldogs have sufficient scoring power to challenge, but the Demons’ recent defensive control gives them the advantage.
Naoya Inoue has been linked to a fight with fellow multi-divisional world champion Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez over the past few months, and as hype surrounding that clash builds, Inoue has taken to social media to provide an update.
Inoue defended his undisputed super-bantamweight crown for a seventh time in May as he outpointed Junto Nakatani in the biggest fight in the history of Japanese boxing, but the ever-restless fans were keen for Inoue to be tested once again – calling for a bout with Rodriguez.
Posting on X, ‘The Monster’ has now provided a big update on his plans, revealing that he has begun sparring in the gym and that he is preparing to either face Rodriguez or move up to featherweight in his next bout.
“Starting today, I began sparring sessions with the Mexican fighter who has come as Takuma’s partner.
“I’m staying at super bantamweight to prepare for the rumoured big fight, or challenging for featherweight—whichever way it goes, I’ll keep building up.
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“Either way, next year will be the year of challenges. I want to show the figure of someone who keeps challenging right up to the end of my boxing career.”
Rodriguez-Medina now seems to be the only stumbling block to a fight between Inoue and Rodriguez, with the Canelo Alvarez vs Christian Mbilli undercard on Saturday, October 31, being one potential date that the bantamweight unification contest could land on.
Gervonta Davis’ return date remains unknown but he may have an opponent in mind for when he does after recently calling out Jesse Rodriguez, and now ‘Bam’s response has been shared.
In October, Davis’ old belt will be up for grabs as Floyd Schofield and Lucas Bahdi compete for world honours after being on standby throughout the year, with the undefeated duo each poised to step through the ropes with over a year’s worth of ring rust to contend with.
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Now that he is without a belt, it is unclear which weight ‘Tank’ will return at, with the three-division world champion having been linked to a super-lightweight rematch with Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz, but having also bizarrely called out reigning WBA bantamweight champion, ‘Bam’ Rodriguez.
In an interview with Sean Zittel, Rodriguez’s trainer Robert Garcia revealed that Rodriguez has agreed to the fight, which would presumably be at a maximum of 135lbs, 17lbs and four weight classes higher than where ‘Bam’ currently competes.
“Tank Davis sent him a private message challenging him and Bam was like, ‘yeah, let’s do it’. Bam is not afraid of nobody, Bam knows that he can compete against anybody.”
Still, despite accepting the proposal, it seems as though Naoya Inoue is Rodriguez’s target, with the pair looking likely to collide in an iconic battle in Japan in either February or March of 2027.
September brings a busy period on the sporting calendar for Irish fans.
From international football fixtures and the return of club rugby to major horse racing events and Formula 1 action, the month features several competitions worth following. This practical guide highlights the key fixtures, dates, and events to track throughout September 2026.
Football Highlights
September is an important month for international football and European club competitions. The Republic of Ireland begins its UEFA Nations League campaign late in the month, while the Champions League and Europa League return earlier in September. Irish fans can therefore follow both national-team fixtures and major club competitions throughout the month.
International Football
The Republic of Ireland returns to competitive action in the UEFA Nations League league phase with two away fixtures. Ireland faces Kosovo vs. Republic of Ireland on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at Stadiumi Fadil Vokrri in Pristina, before playing Israel vs. Republic of Ireland on Sunday, September 27, 2026, at Nagyerdei Stadion in Debrecen, Hungary. These opening matches will begin to shape the group standings and provide an early test for Ireland during the autumn international schedule.
Club Football
The English Premier League continues its 2026–27 season throughout September following the summer transfer window. Irish players competing in England will also continue their domestic campaigns.
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European competitions return during the month as well. The Champions League league phase Matchday 1 takes place from 8–10 September 2026, while the Europa League league phase Matchday 1 is scheduled for 16–17 September 2026.
Rugby Fixtures to Watch
Rugby union returns to the spotlight in late September with the start of the 2026–27 United Rugby Championship (URC) season. The competition officially begins on Friday, September 25, 2026, bringing Leinster, Munster, Ulster, and Connacht back into league action.
The opening weekend runs across September 25–26, with the Irish provinces beginning their campaigns and early interprovincial fixtures adding important points before European competitions start later in the autumn. These first rounds also offer an early indication of how each province is shaping up for the new season.
Sports schedules are not the only thing fans may check online between fixtures. Some also follow online casino promotions during their downtime. Those interested in no-deposit offers can view information about 40 free spins, including how no-deposit free spins work and the conditions that may apply. For some fans, this can be a simple way to relax between fixtures before turning their attention to the next major sporting event.
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Horse Racing Events
September hosts some of the leading Flat racing fixtures in Ireland, with the country taking centre stage during the middle of the month.
Irish Champions Festival
The Irish Champions Festival is one of the biggest events in the Irish autumn Flat racing calendar, taking place across two days at two major racecourses. The festival begins on Saturday, September 12, 2026 at Leopardstown Racecourse, where the programme includes the Group 1 Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes.
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Racing continues on Sunday, September 13, 2026 at The Curragh, with the Group 1 Comer Group (International) Irish St. Leger among the headline races. Across the two days, the festival brings together leading thoroughbreds, jockeys, and trainers, with the dates and main races confirmed by the Irish Champions Festival.
Listowel Harvest Festival
Later in the month, the historic Listowel Harvest Festival in County Kerry runs from September 20 to September 26, 2026, featuring Flat and National Hunt racing alongside its long-running festival programme.
King Alexander and Daniel King win the Tote Galway Plate. Credit: Breandán Ó hUallacháin.
Other Major Sporting Events
Beyond football, rugby, and racing, September 2026 also features major international motorsport events and Gaelic Games competitions.
Formula 1 & Gaelic Games
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For motorsport fans, September brings three Formula 1 races. Irish supporters can follow the action from home or attend events abroad during a busy part of the season.
Formula 1 Grand Prix Racing: September features the Italian Grand Prix at Monza from 4–6 September, the Spanish Grand Prix at Madrid from 11–13 September, and the Azerbaijan Grand Prix at Baku from 24–26 September. These dates match the current official Formula 1 calendar.
Gaelic Games (Club Championships): The GAA club championship season also continues across different counties during September, with teams competing through their respective county and provincial competitions before the later All-Ireland stages.
With the inter-county season completed, attention shifts back to club competition as local teams compete for county and provincial honours and places in the later stages of the All-Ireland club championships.
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Practical September 2026 Sports Calendar
To help you quickly scan the month ahead, here is a chronological snapshot of the top sporting fixtures for Irish supporters:
Date
Sport
Event / Fixture
Venue / Location
Sept 4-6 2026
Formula 1
Italian Grand Prix
Monza
Sept 8-10 2026
Football
Champions League Matchday
Across Europe
Sept 11 -13 2026
Formula 1
Spanish Grand prix
Madrid
Sept 12, 2026
Horse Racing
Irish Champions Festival (Day 1)
Leopardstown Racecourse
Sept 13, 2026
Horse Racing
Irish Champions Festival (Day 2)
The Curragh
Sept 16-17 2026
Football
Europa League Matchday
Across Europe
Sept 20–26, 2026
Horse Racing
Listowel Harvest Festival
Listowel Racecourse
Sept 24, 2026
Football
Kosovo vs. Republic of Ireland
Stadiumi Fadil Vokrri, Pristina
Sept 24-26 2026
Formula 1
Azerbaijan
Baku
Sept 25, 2026
Rugby
URC 2026–27 Season Kick-Off
Various Venues (Ireland & UK)
Sept 27, 2026
Football
Israel vs. Republic of Ireland
Nagyerdei Stadion, Debrecen
The current official F1 calendar confirms the September dates for Monza, Madrid and Baku.
How to Keep Track of the September Sports Calendar
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Keeping up with broadcast schedules, fixture changes, and team announcements is simple with official digital channels:
Official Governing Bodies: Follow updates directly from the FAI, Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU), and Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) websites.
Broadcast Schedules: Check local television listings on RTÉ Sport, Virgin Media Sport, Premier Sports, and Sky Sports for live coverage and kickoff details.
Live Score Apps: Use sports tracking apps to receive notifications, last-minute venue updates, and team news.
Official sources are usually the best place to confirm any late changes to match times, broadcast details, or competition schedules. September 2026 offers Irish fans a busy mix of international football, club rugby, horse racing, motorsport, and Gaelic Games. From Ireland’s UEFA Nations League fixtures and the return of the URC season to the Irish Champions Festival and Formula 1 races across Europe, the month provides plenty of major sporting dates to follow. Checking official schedules before each event is recommended, as kickoff times, race schedules, and broadcasting details can change closer to the date.
Hello football friends, and welcome to the Thursday edition of the Pick Six newsletter!
The second week of the preseason is kicking off tonight with two games and one of those games will take place in Los Angeles with the Chargers hosting the 49ers. Based on how training camp has gone for the 49ers from a healthy standpoint so far, they’ll be lucky if they even have enough players to suit up for this game. I’m not blaming the electrical substation for the injuries, but if I ran the 49ers, I would just have the team fly to Australia now so they can get as far away from that electrical substation as possible.
The 49ers have an aging roster and some of their best players — like Christian McCaffrey, Mike Evans and Trent Williams — are in the 30-and-over club, which I’m only mentioning, because we’re going to rank the 30 best players 30 and over today. We’re also going to go around the NFL and name one person from each team who’s on the hot seat. If I don’t turn this newsletter in on time, I’m going to be on the hot seat, so let’s get to it.
As always, here’s your daily reminder to tell all your friends to sign up for the newsletter. To get them signed up, all you have to do is click here. Let’s get to the rundown.
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1. NFL hot seat for all 32 teams: Head coaches aren’t the only ones facing pressure this year
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There are plenty of NFL head coaches on the hot seat right now, but they’re not the only ones. There are plenty of players and assistant coaches who are also under a lot of pressure heading into the upcoming season. As a matter of fact, there are so many people on the hot seat this year that Zach Pereles was able to make a list of 32 different people — one from each team — who are on the hot seat.
Let’s check out four names from his list:
Eagles: Offensive coordinator Sean Mannion.Mannion’s philosophies are a big change for QB Jalen Hurts, specifically when it comes to playing from under center and targeting the middle of the field. History says offensive coordinators in Philadelphia either take huge leaps or get run off by season’s end.
Panthers: QB Bryce Young. This is a make-or-break year for the former Alabama star. After a disastrous rookie season, Young took a step forward near the end of his second year and another step last year, but he still ranked just 29th in net yards per attempt, 26th in EPA per play and 25th in interception rate. The Panthers won the NFC South last year and expect to take another step, but Young could be the limiting factor — and a significant one at that.
Chiefs: WR Rashee Rice. Rashee Rice spent 30 days in jail this offseason for violating his probation stemming from his 2024 high-speed car crash. The jail time not only caused him to miss Chiefs OTAs and mandatory minicamp, but also forced him to rehab from knee surgery in a clearly less-than-desirable setting. Rice has looked predictably stiff and slow in training camp as a result, and the ramp-up process seems likely to bleed into the regular season. Simply put, Rice’s inability to be reliable off the field is now impacting his considerable on-field abilities.
Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr. Harrison has failed to live up to the lofty expectations that come with being the No. 4 overall pick. Last year, he got passed in the pecking order not only by TE Trey McBride, but also WR Michael Wilson. A big year for Harrison gets him back on track … and could get him paid. Another inconsistent year raises even more questions.
If you are in the 30-and-over club, NFL stands for “Not For Long,” because there’s a good chance that your career won’t be lasting much longer. Unless you’re a quarterback or kicker, most players are out of the league or they see their production fall off a cliff after turning 30. Basically, football is a young man’s game, but there are some old guys who have managed to stay relevant into their 30s and Tyler Sullivan is here to tell us who.
Sullivan recently ranked the top 30 NFL players 30 and over and we’re going to check out the top five names on his list:
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1. Bills QB Josh Allen (30).Even though Stafford has the most recent MVP, Josh Allen currently holds the belt as the NFL’s top quarterback. The Bills quarterback is a force both through the air and as a runner, totaling 39 touchdowns (25 passing and 14 rushing) during the 2025 regular season. He’s entering his ninth season in the NFL and already has the most total touchdowns (301) in a player’s first nine seasons in NFL history.
2. Rams EDGE Myles Garrett (30). Without question, the best defensive player in the NFL. Garrett will only move further to the center of the national stage after the Rams pulled off a blockbuster trade to acquire him this offseason.
3. Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes (30). His numbers were down in 2025 across the board, even pre-injury, but that may speak more to the situation around him (lack of weapons and a depleted offensive line) than any sort of slippage on his end. Mahomes has 111 wins since 2018, which is the second-most by any quarterback in an eight-season span all time.
4. Rams QB Matthew Stafford (38).The defending NFL MVP can go no lower than this. Stafford’s 2025 season was extraordinary. He spearheaded a Rams offense that was No. 1 in the NFL in points per game (30.5), total yards per game (394.6), and passing yards per game (268.1). For his part, Stafford led the NFL in passing yards and passing touchdowns. That helped him become the third-oldest player to win the MVP award all time, and the oldest first-time MVP winner.
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5. 49ers LT Trent Williams (38). Despite getting long in the tooth, he continues to be arguably the best left tackle in the NFL. He had the third-best PFF grade among offensive tackles last season.
The good news with Sullivan’s list is that you don’t have to be over the age of 30 to read this full story here.
3. Who will be the NFL’s final undefeated team this year?
If there’s one thing I think that we can all agree on heading into the 2026 season, it’s that no one is going to go undefeated, and if no one is going to go undefeated, that means every team is going to lose at least one game.
With that in mind, I took upon myself this week to predict who will end up being the final undefeated team in the NFL. I did this prediction last year and actually got it right, so this year, we’re going to find out if I just got lucky or if I’m actually smart (I’m assuming it’s the second one).
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Based on my prediction, here are the four teams that will stay undefeated the longest:
Seahawks (First loss: at Broncos in Week 6): If the Seahawks are going to slip up early in the season, this feels like the most likely spot. After facing the 49ers in Week 5, they have to turn around and play on a Thursday night at Denver in Week 6. The Seahawks, who will have to fly halfway across the country on a short week, will have just three days’ rest to prepare to face a Broncos team that should be one of the best in the AFC.
Packers (First loss: vs. Cowboys in Week 6): All eyes will be on Micah Parsons in this game. The Packers’ defensive star, who’s coming off a torn ACL that he suffered in 2025, is hoping to be back on the field in time for this game, but there’s no guarantee that’s going to happen. If he’s not back, the Cowboys’ offense might end up shredding Green Bay’s defense. If he is back, he’ll likely be a little rusty and that could open the door for the Dallas offense to have a big night.
Chiefs (First loss: at Seahawks in Week 7): After missing the playoffs last year, we have the Chiefs getting off to a hot start in 2026, only to run into a buzzsaw. The game is being played on a Sunday night in Seattle and it’s hard to pick against the Seahawks in a situation like that.
Ravens (First loss: at Bills in Week 8): The Ravens open the season by playing seven straight games against teams that finished under .500 last year and that’s why I have them as the NFL’s final undefeated team.
So there you have it, the Ravens will be the final undefeated team
Now, this is the part where I tell you that being the final undefeated team isn’t necessarily a good thing and that’s because the final undefeated team has gone 20 STRAIGHT seasons without winning the Lombardi Trophy. The last time the final unbeaten team won the Super Bowl came in 2006 when Peyton Manning’sColts started the season 9-0 on their way to winning the Lombardi Trophy.
There are 32 NFL teams and I predicted when EACH one of them will suffer their first loss. If you want to see my full list of predictions, we have you covered here.
4. NFL All-Overpaid Team: Deshaun Watson headlines the list
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In the NFL, it can be pretty easy to see when a guy is being overpaid, it happens when a player’s production isn’t living up to his contract. Apparently, there are quite a few overpaid guys in the NFL and I know that because Garrett Podell went through and made an ENTIRE TEAM out of overpaid players. This is not a team you want to be on.
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You want to be an All-Pro, you want to be a Pro Bowler, but you definitely don’t want to be on Garrett’s All-Overpaid Team.
Let’s check out three players who made the the roster:
QB: Deshaun Watson (Contract: Five years, $230 million fully guaranteed).Watson’s deal is the worst contract in NFL history. When he’s played in his limited 19-start tenure as the Browns‘ starting quarterback, he’s been one of the NFL’s worst, ranking in the bottom five in the NFL in multiple efficiency metrics among the 50 quarterbacks who have thrown 500-plus passes since 2022.
WR: Chris Godwin (Contract: Three years, $66 million with $44 million guaranteed).Godwin’s extension is aging like spoiled milk. He has missed a combined 18 games over the last two seasons, eight of which came in 2025, when he registered career lows in catches (33) and receiving yards (360) while producing the second-fewest receiving touchdowns of his career (two).
CB: Marlon Humphrey (Contract: Five years, $97.5 million with $39.957 million guaranteed). Humphrey is now on the wrong side of 30, fresh off a struggle-filled 2025 season. He registered a 50.1 PFF defensive grade, which ranked 103rd out of 112 qualified cornerbacks in 2025.
If you want to see who else made the cut on the All-Overpaid Team, Garrett has the full roster here.
5. Four NFL players might be headed back to college football and one has even entered the transfer portal
Back in June, the NCAA changed its eligibility rules to allow players to play five seasons of college football in a five-year period. Under the previous rule, you would only get four years of eligibility in a five-year span. The new rule wasn’t supposed to apply to outgoing seniors and that’s why the lawsuit was filed. Sixteen players want their eligibility restored and this TRO makes them eligible to play this year.
According to ESPN, Wright, Williams and Hankerson are all interested in returning to college if they get cut by their NFL team. Another rookie showed exactly how this situation could end up working. Former UCLA running back T.J. Harden was cut by the Seahawks on Monday and he has now entered the college transfer portal, according to On3. That’s right, there is an NFL PLAYER in the transfer portal.
The players have until Sept. 1 to decide if they want to return to college football, which is a timeline that works out perfectly for them, because the NFL will be holding its annual cut day on Aug. 30. If any of the four players get released, they can quickly find a college team to play for if returning to school is what they want to do.
And since this is now all happening, I guess I might as well go check to see if I have any eligibility left. I’ll keep you guys posted.
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6. Extra points: Vita Vea finally gets a new deal
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It’s been a busy few days around the NFL, and since it’s nearly impossible to keep track of everything, I put together a quick roundup for you.
Buccaneers won’t be trading Vita Vea. It took just over three weeks, but the drama between Vita Vea and the Buccaneers is finally over. Vea requested a trade back on July 28, but that request is off the table after the Bucs rewarded him with one-year, $30 million extension. Vea will get a $6 million bump in his 2026 pay to bring it to $24 million and then he’ll get another $24 million in 2027. The two-time Pro Bowler is a key part of the Bucs’ defensive front and Tampa Bay just couldn’t really afford to lose him.
Texans 2025 receiving TD leader out for season. As a rookie last season, Jayden Higgins caught six TD passes, which was tied for the most on the team, but he won’t get a chance to add to that total this year. The receiver tore his ACL during a joint practice with the Raiders and is now out for the season. We’ve got more details on the injury here.
Seahawks sign former All-Pro corner. The Seahawks have been kicking the tires on several corners around the NFL over the past few weeks and they finally added one on Wednesday by signing Trevon Diggs to a one-year deal. The former All-Pro was once one of the top corners in the NFL, but he hasn’t been the same since tearing his ACL in 2023. The Seahawks had initially agreed to a deal with Terrion Arnold earlier this week, but that still hasn’t been finalized and with Arnold headed for the commissioner’s exempt list, he might not end up in Seattle at all. According to ESPN, Arnold will be placed on the commissioner’s list once he signs with any team. If he’s on that list, he can’t play until his legal situation is resolved. The former Lions cornerback is currently facing eight felony charges stemming from a kidnapping and robbery in Florida back in February.
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