Sports
Persian Spirit ready for rescheduled Chautauqua Stakes in 2026
The postponement of Saturday’s Chautauqua Stakes, which some thought might have been a missed opportunity for Persian Spirit, was not necessarily seen that way by his trainer Symon Wilde.
The Cable Bay gelding had been backed into $2.40 after the skies opened before the 1300-metre Group 3 race, which was eventually called off due to lightning and heavy rain forcing an early end to the day’s racing.
While Persian Spirit has a prior win on a Heavy track and was considered to benefit from Saturday’s downpour, Wilde’s confidence was not as significantly boosted as the punters.
“I actually prefer him on dry ground because he’s more dynamic,” Wilde commented.
“You’d never scratch him on a wet track, but I actually think he’s at his absolute best on a (Soft) 5 or a 6.”
The Chautauqua Stakes will now be contested this Wednesday at Sandown, alongside the 1600m benchmark 84 race that was also lost on Saturday.
Persian Spirit is once again the favourite for the rescheduled running, priced at $3.20, with Tennessee Bound at $4.20 and Warnie on the third line at $5.
Sandown was rated a Heavy 8 on Monday morning, but sunny conditions are predicted for Melbourne on Monday afternoon and Tuesday, with a chance of showers on Wednesday.
The race rescheduling means two trips to Sandown from Warrnambool in five days for Persian Spirit, but Wilde indicated the first trip did not appear to have impacted him.
“We gave him a little bit of evens on the grass this morning at Warrnambool and he’s all set to go,” Wilde said on Monday morning.
“He was out in his paddock yesterday, he’ll go the beach tomorrow and he’s eating up well.
“It doesn’t look like it’s knocked him around at all.”
Wilde’s initial intention was to aim for the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) the following Saturday after the Chautauqua Stakes. He mentioned that while the new timing is not ideal, he would likely proceed with the Group 1 opportunity if the horse performs well on Wednesday.
Persian Spirit commenced his campaign with a narrow second placing to Shadhavar in the Listed Regal Roller (1200m) at Caulfield on August 15.
“That was always the aim, to be third up in the Rupert Clarke,” Wilde stated.
“We planned to be first-up then three weeks then two weeks into the 1400 metres.
“It’s definitely not ideal but if he happened to win on Wednesday we’ll probably stick to that plan.”
With the Chautauqua Stakes rescheduled for Wednesday, punters can assess the racing odds at various Australian betting sites.
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Shooting at Asian Games: Suruchi Singh’s rise from Bhiwani to world record | Asian Games 2026
India will look to improve on its tally of 107 medals from the Hangzhou Asian Games when it kick-starts its campaign at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Shooting is expected to once again be among the country’s biggest medal contributors, having produced 22 medals in Hangzhou, or one-fifth of the total medals India won.
Among the names carrying India’s hopes in Japan will be Suruchi Inder Singh Phogat, who heads into the Games with the confidence that she has already established herself on the international stage.
At just 20, Suruchi has put together an impressive resume, with a junior world record, an ISSF World Cup Final title and multiple World Cup gold medals to her name. Her performances over the last two seasons have also propelled her into the upper tier of the women’s 10m air pistol event, making her one of India’s most promising medal prospects in Aichi-Nagoya.
Who is Suruchi Singh?
Born on April 28, 2006, in Sasroli village in Haryana’s Jhajjar district, Suruchi Inder Singh Phogat is an Indian sport shooter specialising in the women’s 10m air pistol event. She began training in shooting at the age of 13 at the Guru Dronacharya Shooting Academy in Bhiwani under coach Suresh Singh.
Suruchi comes from a family with sporting connections, with her father, Havildar Inder Singh, initially encouraging her to take up wrestling. She eventually chose shooting and quickly developed into one of India’s most promising young shooters.
Her international breakthrough came in the junior ranks before she established herself on the senior ISSF circuit. She enjoyed a spectacular 2025 season, winning three consecutive individual World Cup gold medals in Buenos Aires, Munich and Lima. She also won mixed-team gold in Lima and went on to claim the ISSF World Cup Final title in Doha.
Her Doha performance produced one of the biggest milestones of her career as she shot 245.1 in the final to set the junior world record in the women’s 10m air pistol event. She also holds an Indian national record of 588 in the event.
Suruchi has continued that momentum into 2026, winning another World Cup gold in Munich and a silver medal in the mixed-team event at the Asian Championships in New Delhi. She is now ranked third in the 10m air pistol shooters’ rankings and has secured a direct berth at the 2026 ISSF World Cup Final in Rome.
Full list of medals won by Suruchi Singh:
| Competition | Event | Year | Result |
| ISSF World Cup Final | 10m Air Pistol Women | 2025 | Gold |
| ISSF World Cup | 10m Air Pistol Women, Buenos Aires | 2025 | Gold |
| ISSF World Cup | 10m Air Pistol Women, Munich | 2025 | Gold |
| ISSF World Cup | 10m Air Pistol Women, Lima | 2025 | Gold |
| ISSF World Cup | 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team, Lima | 2025 | Gold |
| ISSF World Cup | 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team, Buenos Aires | 2025 | Bronze |
| ISSF World Cup | 10m Air Pistol Women, Munich | 2026 | Gold |
| Asian Championships | 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team | 2026 | Silver |
| Asian Championships | 10m Air Pistol Women | 2025 | Bronze |
| Asian Championships | 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team | 2025 | Bronze |
| ISSF Junior World Cup | 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team Junior | 2023 | Bronze |
| ISSF Junior World Cup | 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team Junior | 2023 | Silver |
Process in focus for Suruchi
The Asian Games will offer Suruchi an opportunity to turn her rapid rise on the global circuit into success on the continental stage. Yet, despite the expectations that come with her recent performances, the 20-year-old is determined not to become consumed by the prospect of a medal.
For Suruchi, the priority is controlling the elements within her reach. That mindset comes from an understanding of what makes shooting such a demanding sport. The stillness of the firing line can be misleading; behind every shot is a battle to control concentration, breathing and emotions while dealing with the pressure of competition.
“People look at shooting and think, ‘What is so difficult? You just have to stand and shoot.’ They don’t see what is happening inside you. Controlling your thoughts, your breathing and your emotions while every shot matters, that is the real challenge,” she said.
A rapid rise through the ranks
Suruchi’s journey in shooting began at 13, when she started training at the Guru Dronacharya Shooting Academy in Bhiwani. Her progress was initially gradual as she developed her technique and gained experience through junior competitions.
Her path was also shaped by the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. With normal training routines affected, she continued practising at a makeshift range, ensuring that her development did not come to a complete halt.
Looking back, Suruchi believes choosing an individual sport ultimately gave her the opportunity to build something of her own.
“I’m actually thankful that I came into shooting. If I had chosen another sport, especially a team sport, maybe I wouldn’t have reached this far. Shooting gave me the chance to build something on my own, and I’m happy with where that has taken me.”
That sense of individual responsibility has remained a defining part of her approach. In shooting, there is no teammate who can compensate for a poor shot, making an athlete’s ability to analyse and correct their own mistakes particularly important.
Learning from failure as much as success
In Suruchi’s words, progress has not been measured solely by the number of medals she has won.
She views every competition as an opportunity to identify what went wrong and improve before the next one. That approach has helped her deal with the inevitable setbacks that accompany a career at the highest level.
“A medal is not the only thing I take away from a competition. If I don’t win, I look for the mistake. Maybe my technique was wrong, maybe something was missing. I find it, learn from it and come back better. That is how I improve.”
The results of that approach became increasingly visible during the 2025 season.
Suruchi’s three consecutive individual World Cup victories in Buenos Aires, Munich and Lima marked a major breakthrough. She then carried that momentum into the World Cup Final in Doha, where she won the individual title and produced her junior world-record score of 245.1.
The season also included mixed-team gold in Lima and a bronze in Buenos Aires, further underlining her growing consistency across different formats.
From breakthrough to consistency
The biggest question after a breakthrough season is whether an athlete can reproduce that level of performance. Suruchi has offered a strong answer in 2026.
She won another individual 10m air pistol gold at the ISSF World Cup in Munich, qualifying with a score of 578 before scoring 242.1 in the final to secure the top spot.
She also produced a strong showing at the 2026 Asian Championships in New Delhi, winning silver in the 10m air pistol mixed-team event alongside Samrat Rana and finishing fourth in the individual women’s event.
The results have strengthened her position among the leading shooters in the world and earned her a direct place at the 2026 ISSF World Cup Final in Rome.
For a shooter still only 20, the consistency is perhaps as significant as the individual titles. Her success is no longer confined to one breakthrough tournament; she has continued to produce results across the international calendar.
The support system behind the rise
While Suruchi’s results have made her the face of her own success story, she credits the wider support structure around Indian shooting with helping her develop into a more disciplined athlete.
According to Suruchi, the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), along with its coaching set-up and camps, has played an important role in her preparation for international competitions.
“NRAI has given me much more than just the opportunity to compete. The coaches and camps have changed the way I train, prepare and understand my game. I have become a much more disciplined athlete because of that support.”
For Suruchi, however, the most important aspect of that support is the understanding developed between the shooter and her coaches over time.
“The biggest advantage is that our coaches know us closely. They see us train, they understand our game and they know when something is not right. So when we reach a competition, they are not trying to understand us for the first time; they already know what we need.”
That familiarity can be crucial in a sport where the smallest technical or mental adjustment can have a significant impact on performance, she added.
Asian Games present another test
The 2026 Asian Games will be another important marker in Suruchi’s development. She will arrive in Aichi-Nagoya with significantly more international experience than she had at the start of her senior career, along with the confidence that comes from winning at World Cup level. But the young shooter is refusing to let her recent success change the way she approaches competition.
Rather than thinking about the medal before she steps onto the range, Suruchi wants to focus on executing each shot and giving herself the best possible chance of producing her best performance.
“At the Asian Games, I don’t want to think about what the result will be. I just want to fight for every shot, give my 100 per cent and leave the range knowing I gave everything I had for that medal.”
Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur was hesitant to provide injury updates on Monday, Sept. 7, as his team began its preparations for Week 1. After all, the NFL does not require teams to disclose details on injuries until their first full practice of the week, typically on a Wednesday before a Sunday game.
LaFleur did, however, provide a positive answer when asked whether he is optimistic that running back Jeremiyah Love will be ready for the Cardinals’ opener, against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, Sept. 13.
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“Yeah, I feel good,” LaFleur said.
The Cardinals held a jog-through behind closed doors on Monday, and LaFleur said that Love was “out there moving around.”
Last week, Love was present but not participating during portions of practice open to media.
“We’ll see on Wednesday; I’ll have a better idea for all those (injured) guys,” LaFleur said.
That list also includes right guard Isaiah Adams (knee) and cornerback Will Johnson (ankle), neither of whom practiced last week.
LaFleur has been transparent about injuries throughout the offseason, but said that he was hesitant to provide too many details during a game week.
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“I think we know there’s a team over in California that’s listening to this too right now,” LaFleur said.
On Wednesday, though, the Cardinals will be required to publish their first full injury report of the season.
Cardinals name captains
Before breaking for their league-mandated three-day weekend, the Cardinals voted on their five captains: quarterback Jacoby Brissett, center Hjalte Froholdt, safety Budda Baker, linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. and long snapper Casey Kreiter.
Froholdt, Baker and Wilson were all captains last season, while Brissett was an expected inclusion as the starting quarterback entering Week 1.
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On special teams, Kreiter steps in for the injured Joey Blount in a leadership role, as the most reliable of the Cardinals’ three specialists. Kicker Chad Ryland has struggled over the past year, and punter Blake Gillikin has dealt with a lengthy string of injuries.
With only two captains on offense and defense — down from three a year ago — running back James Conner did not make the cut, as he begins the season on injured reserve.
“When you do get voted a captain, obviously that’s saying that your teammates, the locker room, looks up to you,” LaFleur said. “I can’t think of five better people to look up to in terms of just guys that are gonna keep it real with each other, hold people to standards, communicate with me.”
LaFleur comfortable entering Week 1
In another reality, the arrival of Week 1 could be intimidating for a first-time head coach. LaFleur has never run his own in-season schedule — building and installing a game plan under the time constraint of a looming kickoff.
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But as his first real test looms, LaFleur is comfortable in his own preparations.
“Obviously it’s gonna be new for our guys, but me personally, this is basically the same as what we did for three years in LA,” LaFleur said.
Plus, the Cardinals’ schedule this week will be the same as it was during training camp, when they held morning meetings and lifting sessions before late-afternoon practices.
“I told them today, it’s gonna feel like training camp, just not as many hours cause you’re not gonna go as long as training camp,” LaFleur said.
And on Monday, LaFleur said his players responded well, rejuvenated after the three-day break. It felt, he said, more like a continuation of training camp than the start of a game week, even as the coaching staff began installing its game plan.
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“When I really anticipate to feel it is on Wednesday,” LaFleur said. “Because that’s gonna be that first real Wednesday work day.”
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Will Jeremiyah Love play in Week 1? Arizona Cardinals provide update
Oliver Lines stunned Zhao Xintong with a 4-2 win over the world number one in the first round of the English Open.
China’s Zhao, the 2025 world champion, made two century breaks as the tie was level at 2-2 following the first four frames.
But England’s Lines, 31, compiled breaks of 77 and 84 to win the next two frames and set up a last-32 meeting with Yuan Sijun in Brentwood.
“You know you have to raise your game,” said Lines.
“You try not to think about it, but you know if you don’t play somewhere near your best then you are going home.”
Elsewhere, world number four Neil Robertson was beaten 4-3 by China’s Luo Zetao.
But former world champion Kyren Wilson beat Poland’s Mateusz Baranowski 4-1 and China’s three-time UK Championship winner Ding Junhui sealed a 4-3 win over Michael Holt.
The Toronto Blue Jays‘ outfielder will begin a rehab assignment with the triple-A Buffalo Bisons on Wednesday, manager John Schneider shared before Monday’s game in Sacramento.
Schneider said the plan is for Santander to serve as the designated hitter in his first game before he plays in the outfield. He is expected to need several games to regain his timing before the Blue Jays activate him.
Santander, 31, has not played in 2026 after undergoing surgery on his left shoulder in February. He also missed most of the 2025 season with an injury to the same shoulder.
Before becoming a Blue Jay, Santander was a dependable slugger for eight seasons with the Baltimore Orioles. He had his best season at the plate in 2024 when he won a Silver Slugger Award and hit a career-high 44 home runs.
The Blue Jays have been lacking power all season and enter Monday tied for the second-fewest home runs in the majors.
Meanwhile, Schneider also provided injury updates for three Blue Jays pitchers.
Trey Yesavage, who underwent surgery to repair the meniscus in his left knee last month, threw a 34-pitch bullpen in Dunedin, Fla., on Monday. The next step for him is two innings against live hitters on Thursday.
Shane Bieber, out with inflammation in the teres major, the muscle that connects the shoulder blade to the upper arm, extended his flat ground catch play to 75 feet on Monday in Sacramento.
Lastly, an MRI of Jameson Taillon’s elbow is currently being evaluated by Dr. James Meister, and the Blue Jays are waiting to hear his feedback before formulating a plan going forward.
Taillon was placed on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation on Saturday after exiting his first game back from the injured list on Friday. Schneider has said he anticipates Taillon will be out for the remainder of 2026.
Tyson Fury’s claim that he has turned his attention to a third fight with Oleksandr Usyk has been rubbished by the Ukrainian’s managers.
Negotiations are still ongoing for a heavyweight clash between Fury and Anthony Joshua in November, but Fury insists his fellow Briton is seeking ways to back out of the deal.
Fury has issued a series of messages on social media to Usyk, who beat him in May and December 2024, proposing the unbeaten 39-year-old steps in to turn their rivalry into a trilogy.
But in a statement to Sky Sports News, Usyk’s manager Sergey Lapin said: “Usyk is not Tyson’s back-up plan.
“If Fury needs an opponent, he should visit the Ready to Fight platform. They can help him find a worthy opponent there.
“Oleksandr is always open to big challenges. But serious intentions are backed by a concrete offer, not statements in the press.”
Usyk vacated his three heavyweight belts in June, shortly after beating former kickboxer Rico Verhoeven in Cairo. But he has made no indication of retirement.
Fury insisted on Sunday that he had given up on facing Joshua, who “would never fight the Gypsy King”, and announced that he was looking for a new opponent.
Fury and Joshua have already signed individual contracts for the fight but negotiations have stalled over the venue, with Joshua reportedly insisting it takes place in London, while other options including New York’s Madison Square Garden are also being considered.
Alexandra Eala of the Philippines returns a shot against Iva Jovic of the United States during their Women’s Singles Third Round match on Day Seven of the 2026 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 05, 2026 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP
Filipino sensation Alex Eala said she can’t wait to experience the “really fun environment” of the Asian Games after a battling defeat in the third round of the US Open.
The rising 21-year-old will be the favorite to win women’s singles gold when the Games begin in Japan on September 19.
At the previous edition of the Games, in 2023 in China, Eala went home with bronze medals in singles and mixed doubles.
READ: Alex Eala on upcoming Asian Games stint: ‘I love being with PH team’
Much has changed for Eala since, last month becoming the first player from the Philippines to win a WTA singles crown and now ranked 18 in the world.
Her ground-breaking exploits have made her a superstar back home.
“I love playing and competing with the Philippines team,” Eala said after her agonizing three-set loss to United States teenager Iva Jovic in New York on Saturday.
Proud Filipino Eala has been a regular at the Southeast Asian Games, winning singles gold last year, and she added: “I think it’s a really fun environment, and I love being with the team, especially this last SEA Games in December, I had such a great time.
“I think they are really memories that stick with me.”
China’s Zheng Qinwen won Asian Games singles gold three years ago on home turf.
She will not defend her title in Aichi-Nagoya.
Also not involved will be Japan’s four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka, who will be in action at the China Open in Beijing.
Eala will miss Beijing knowing that gold at the Asian Games will seal an automatic berth at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
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Eala is set to play at the Singapore Open on September 21-27, with the Asian Games women’s singles starting the same day that Singapore ends.
Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma grew up together, received their initiation into cricket together and emerged as superstars in world cricket together. While Shubman Gill is currently India’s Test and ODI captain, Abhishek Sharma is currently No. 3 in the ICC rankings. They have played together for Punjab and have been part of the same India squads. On Monday, however, they were rivals on opposite sides. In a Sher-E-Punjab T20 League match in Mohali, Shubman Gill represented Fazilka Falcons, while Abhishek Sharma was playing for Amritsar Soormas. Batting first, the Falcons scored 191/6 in 20 overs. Gill was the top scorer with a 35-ball 67, hitting eight fours and three sixes.
That innings came to an end in the 10th over. The over started with Gill hitting Abhishek for a six straight down the ground off the first ball. On the third ball, Gill struck a four through deep mid-wicket, followed by another six off the fifth delivery. Sharma, however, had the last laugh on the final ball of the over as Gill was caught by Naman Dhir while trying to go big.
Later, Abhishek scored a 15-ball 49 (6x4s, 4x6s) to give his team a flying start in the chase.
Recently, Shubman Gill smashed seven fours and a six in his 21-ball 40 as his team, Fazilka Falcons, pipped the Arshdeep Singh-led Ludhiana Lions by a solitary run in their Sher-E-Punjab T20 League match.
Playing his first match of the season for the Falcons, India’s Test and ODI captain provided a flying start to the innings, but they could manage only 170/9 in their 20 overs. In reply, the Lions were restricted to 169/9 after 20 overs.
For his explosive contribution at the top of the order and the impact of his much-awaited first appearance of the season, Gill was named Player of the Match.
Ludhiana found a way to fight back through Kartik Chadha, who produced a remarkable spell to derail the Falcons’ momentum.
Chadha claimed the prized wicket of Gill and finished with outstanding figures of 4/9 in his four overs, putting the brakes on the Falcons’ scoring rate.
Despite the setback, important contributions from Prerit Dutta (36 off 23) and Jaiveer Bhinder Singh (21 off 18) helped the Falcons recover and post a competitive 170/9 in 20 overs.
Chasing 171, the Ludhiana Lions were under pressure early as the Falcons’ bowlers struck at regular intervals. Opener Karteek Sharma attempted to steady the innings with a patient 32 off 29 balls, but the Lions continued to lose wickets as the required run rate climbed.
Just when the chase appeared to be slipping away, Krish Bhagat and Madhav Pathania produced a stunning late revival.
The pair launched a counterattack, putting the Falcons’ bowlers under immense pressure and stitching together an unbeaten 61-run partnership from just 29 balls.
Pathania was particularly destructive, smashing an unbeaten 37 off 16 balls, while Bhagat remained not out on 28 off 23 balls, keeping the Lions firmly in contention heading into the final over.
With 19 runs required from the last six balls, the game went down to the wire.
The Lions kept their hopes alive until the final delivery, but with six needed off the last ball, Pathania could manage only a boundary, leaving Ludhiana agonisingly short of victory.
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Nxled is headed to the PVL Finals for the first time in franchise history. —MARLO CUETO
The wait, for Nxled, was almost as nerve-wracking as its own survival match.
In fact, for setter Gel Cayuna, it was more tense.
“Personally, I was more nervous watching the other teams play than during our own game,” she said.
Cayuna and the Chameleons secured at least a battle for bronze berth after beating the Farm Fresh Foxies, 25-20, 25-21, 18-25, 25-22, in the first game of Sunday’s triple header.
“After our game against Farm Fresh, there was nothing else we could do but wait and hope the results [of the other games] would go our way,” the new Nxled setter told the Inquirer in Filipino.
To book their breakthrough PVL finals appearance, they needed a losing result from either EST Cola of Thailand or Creamline, which was led by the 6-foot-5 Jaja Santiago-Minowa.
The Thais made short work of Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City in straight sets to dash that Nxled path and reach their own route to their first-ever PVL finals.
That EST win, the guest team’s fourth straight, also dethroned PLDT even before its match against Creamline, which put the Chameleons last hope hanging by a thread.
However, despite being relegated to the battle for third, Savi Davison played her heart out and set a new career-high 37 points, as PLDT clipped Creamline, and forged a 25-17, 23-25, 21-25, 25-23, 15-12 victory on Sunday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum despite Santiago-Minowa’s nine blocks and 25 points.
That also gave Nxled its first PVL Finals appearance as it battles EST Cola in a winner-take-all duel on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
“It was really exciting and fulfilling to get the result we needed, especially since making the Finals was no longer in our control,” said Cayuna, as all three teams finished at 3-2 (win-loss).
Nxled advanced through the FIVB point-system tiebreak with 10 points, ahead of Creamline’s nine and PLDT’s eight.
In just her second tournament as a Chameleon, the two-time Season Best Setter has adapted to the system of Nxled under Italian coach Ettore Guidetti and the core composed of champion players from the defunct Petro Gazz.
“It’s very fulfilling, especially considering how little time we had together to prepare and build our connection as a team. I’m grateful that we’re finally seeing the results of all our hard work,” Cayuna said on the heels of the milestone achieved despite missing three-time MVP Brooke Van Sickle due to a shoulder injury.
“And knowing that this is Nxled’s first time reaching the Finals makes it even more special for all of us.”
Cayuna has been maximizing the talent around her, with MJ Phillips and her fellow ex-Cignal Jackie Acuña manning the middle, while Jonah Sabete-Escamillan, EJ Laure-Cariño and Myla Pablo led the offense.
It will be Cayuna’s fourth PVL finals—settling for bridesmaid finishes in her first three with Cignal, including the All-Filipino Conference last May just days before her previous team filed for leave of absence.
As one of the most experienced players for first-time finalist Nxled, the Far Eastern University product gets another shot at an elusive PVL title against an international club.
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“There’s really nothing new with my mindset. For me, every game is important, so you always have to prepare mentally and physically. Every game, you have to give your best,” said Cayuna. INQ
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The AFC South is shaping up to be one of the NFL’s most unpredictable divisions this season. The Houston Texans have held the crown for years, but can they reclaim the division with the Jacksonville Jaguars’ young core not going away any time soon?
With a healthy Daniel Jones back for the Indianapolis Colts and veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen now in the fold, the Colts could make some real noise. Over in Tennessee, the arrival of Robert Saleh puts a rebuilding Titans team in a prime position to play spoiler down the stretch.
If you want to know how the AFC South will unfold, the “First Things First” group of co-hosts were all over it. On Thursday’s show, Nick Wright, Danny Parkins, and Chris Broussard broke down the AFC South. They didn’t stop at general commentary, either. The trio made their definitive predictions for how the division will shake out.
Nick Wright’s AFC South Prediction
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The Titans are entering a full rebuild under head coach Robert Saleh, but Nick Wright still sees potential for growth. With offensive additions like Carnell Tate and Wan’Dale Robinson, Wright believes a six-win season is well within reach.
“I do have them getting six wins … here’s the case for them,” Wright said. “Carnell Tate, Cam Ward take a year or two jump, and maybe Robert Saleh is actually a good head coach.”
When it comes to the expectations for the Colts, all eyes shift towards Jones and his recovery from the season-ending Achilles injury. Wright’s concerns aren’t about Jones specifically, but they’re focused squarely on head coach Shane Steichen.
After failing to meet expectations, Wright believes Steichen should be firmly on the hot seat.
“Daniel Jones [is] quickly coming back from the Achilles injury, but how mobile is he actually going to be,” Wright said. Also, I worry about Shane Steichen, and I worry about the instant hot seat.”
When it comes to the Jaguars, they’re not so easy to predict. After winning 13 games last season and winning the division, they could be a team that’s not just on the rise, but could be competitive for years to come.
Wright made sure to highlight the Jaguars’ young core in quarterback Trevor Lawrence and two-way standout Travis Hunter.
“13 wins like last year,” Wright said. “There’s no way they don’t get at least a little more out of Travis Hunter this year. They’re not going to get less. Year two of Trevor Lawrence and [Liam] Coen…I like that. They have, far away, the best quarterback in that division.”
The Houston Texans topped Wright’s predictions. He highlighted that the performance of quarterback C.J. Stroud will be a large factor in Houston’s success this season.
“I think they will be fighting for the No. 1 seed all year,” Wright said. “I think they go 12-5. If CJ Stroud is average, they can win 11 games. If he’s above average, they can win 12 games. If he’s good, you can argue they’re the best team in the league.”
Chris Broussard’s AFC South Prediction
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Broussard followed Wright’s lead in his AFC South predictions, with the Texans standing at No. 1 and the Titans at the bottom. With new head coach Robert Saleh, Broussard is hoping for good things to come out of Saleh’s first year and Ward’s second starting season.
“I hope I’m wrong. I like Cam Ward. I would really like to see him do something this year,” Broussard said. “I’d like to see Saleh get a real chance … We’ll see, I’m pulling for him.”
For the Colts’ third-place prediction, Broussard has a hard time believing that Indianapolis won’t follow the same pattern this season as it did last season.
“We all remember the 8-2 start, and then one of the worst collapses in NFL history. They lost their last seven. They lost their last three when Jones was healthy. Why? Because they started playing good teams,” Broussard said.
For the Jaguars at second, their run to the playoffs was impressive, but Broussard does not see back-to-back appearances.
“At No. 2, the Jags, but missing the playoffs,” Broussard said. “He was very good last year. Is that who he finally is? Or is he going to go back down the roller coaster? I’m not betting on a bad year, but I’m not expecting a good year.”
As the Texans top Broussard’s list, the talented defense is a large factor in its success. However, the talent that Stroud brings to the offense will be another point of focus for Broussard.
“The Houston Texans [are] winning this division. Contrary to popular opinion, C.J. was average last year … obviously he was banged up for a few games. I expect a bounce back,” Broussard said. “I don’t know if I’m ever expecting him to be that great top-five quarterback that we thought he was going to be.”
Danny Parkins’ AFC South Prediction
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Like Wright and Broussard, Danny Parkins placed the Titans in last. Parkins did not hold back when it came to what the Titans season could look like under quarterback Cam Ward.
“I’d be really worried if I was a Titans fan. I love Carnell Tate, I loved it leading up to the NFL Draft,” Parkins said. “I didn’t see much of anything to believe in Cam Ward. I think they are in contention, with the Dolphins, for the worst team in the NFL.”
Parkins switched things up and placed the Jaguars third. While Lawrence has been through ups and downs in his NFL career, Parkins is not expecting Lawrence to hold the same standard he did in last year’s 13-4 season.
“A huge regression for the Jacksonville Jaguars,” Parkins said. “I think Trevor Lawrence cannot be trusted. Is it possible that Liam Coen unlocked it? Absolutely. … He did it with Baker, he did it with Trevor. But his whole career has been a roller-coaster. Seems like we might be ready for a big dip.”
As for Parkins’ second-place team, the Texans, the defense should not be an issue for Houston. However, the concern lies within Stroud at the helm of the offense.
“You have the best defense in the NFL, but defensive production year over year does fluctuate,” Parkins said. They had remarkable defensive health last year … I don’t have evidence that C.J. Stroud is good.”
And sitting atop his AFC South predictions, Parkins believes the Colts will take home the AFC South title. Parkins emphasized the Colts could be a dangerous team in the division if Jones is back in full force.
“They return four of five starters on their offensive line. … I really like their offense this year … they need to win by scoring,” Parkins said. “So if you see the best version of Daniel Jones for a full year, I think the Colts can win the AFC South.”
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