Eric Williams

NFL Reporter

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Kyler Murray is playing like an MVP candidate in leading the Arizona Cardinals to the top spot in the NFC West, showing that head coach Jonathan Gannon and general manager Monti Ossenfort were right to stick with the former No. 1 overall pick rather than find a new QB.

Murray can play at an elite level, and the Cardinals would have been hard-pressed to find someone of similar ability through the draft, free agency or trade. 

“I felt like he was a premium player, and I think that I felt in my mind if we put the right people in place and coach them the right way, he could elevate his game to another level, which I think he has,” Gannon said. “[And] I don’t think he’s hit his ceiling yet.”

Now in his sixth season, the Oklahoma product has finally matured, showing command of the Arizona offense. Murray has played particularly well in the past month. During Arizona’s four-game winning streak, he has completed 70.8% percent of his passes for 872 yards, with four touchdowns and one interception for a 104.0 passer rating.

In a lopsided win over the Jets on Sunday, Murray connected on a franchise-record 17 straight attempts, completing 91.7% of his passes overall for 266 yards and a score. He also rushed for 31 yards and two touchdowns. 

In the process, Murray passed Jake Plummer for third-most passing yards in franchise history with 17,705. For his effort, Murray was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week. 

Murray also showed his toughness on Sunday. He took a vicious hit on a sack by New York’s Quincy Williams, and then went on to throw a touchdown to rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. on that drive. 

“I’m kind of glad it happened,” Murray said about the play in which his helmet flew off. “It felt good. It’s playing football. I don’t get hit too often, so I get it, it’s kind of an adrenaline rush. It’s a physical, violent game. It’s part of the game. I appreciate it.” 

Murray had the most significant move up the MVP odds leader board, going from 20/1 last week to 15/1. Lamar Jackson remains the leader, followed by Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes. After his five-interception performance last week, Lions QB Jared Goff dropped from 7/1 to 20/1.

Here’s my top five as we head into Week 11. 

1. Lamar Jackson, Ravens
Current MVP Odds: -110 (bet $10 to win $19.09 total)

The reigning league MVP continues to play at an elite level in leading the Ravens. And he’s been particularly clutch with the game on the line. In the fourth quarter this season, Jackson has completed 64.3% of his passes for 723 yards, with seven touchdowns and no interceptions for a 120.1 passer rating.

Jackson also has been lethal completing passes in the intermediate area of the field (10 to 19 yards). According to Next Gen Stats, Jackson has completed a league-high 73.9% of his passes for an NFL-high 10 touchdowns with no interceptions on those throws.

Tom Brady’s 3 Stars of Week 10: Lamar Jackson, Ja’Marr Chase, Leo Chenal | DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE

2. Josh Allen, Bills
Current MVP Odds: +350 (bet $10 to win $45 total)

On Sunday, Allen had two interceptions in one game for the first time this season, but Buffalo still managed to hold off the Indianapolis Colts. Allen could potentially be looking at more turnover-worthy plays when the Bills host the undefeated Chiefs this week.

Kansas City blitzes 36.5% of the time, fourth highest in the league. However, Allen has thrown for 705 yards, with a league-high 11 touchdowns and zero interceptions against the blitz this season, according to Next Gen Stats.

3. Jalen Hurts, Eagles
Current MVP Odds: +1200 (bet $10 to win $130 total)

Interesting stat line for Hurts: He averaged 33 passes a game in the first four weeks of the season. But since the Eagles’ bye week, he has thrown just 21 times per game and is responsible for 16 total touchdowns (eight passing, eight rushing) and just one interception during his team’s five-game winning streak.

So, offensive coordinator Kellen Moore’s emphasis on Saquon Barkley and the running game is paying dividends for Philadelphia. 

4. Kyler Murray, Cardinals
Current MVP Odds: +1500 (bet $10 to win $160 total)

Speaking of the running game, Arizona offensive coordinator Drew Petzing’s ability to marry his diverse running game with the play-action passing game has led to an explosive offense for Murray and the Cardinals.

Arizona averages 5.24 rushing yards per carry, No. 2 in the NFL. That success running the ball has opened the play-action passing game for Murray. According to Next Gen Stats, Murray has completed 72% of his passes for 817 yards, with four touchdowns and two interceptions for a 109.7 passer rating on play-action passes. 

5. Jayden Daniels, Commanders
Current MVP Odds: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)

Washington’s rookie quarterback had an uneven performance in a one-point loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, completing just 50% of his passes for 202 yards, with no touchdowns and no interceptions. 

However, Daniels still leads all rookies in passing yards (2,147), completion percentage (68.7%), passer rating (101.7) and is No. 3 in rushing yards (464). 

Honorable mention: Patrick Mahomes, Derrick Henry, Saquon Barkley, Jared Goff, Joe Burrow

Eric D. Williams has reported on the NFL for more than a decade, covering the Los Angeles Rams for Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles Chargers for ESPN and the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma News Tribune. Follow him on Twitter at @eric_d_williams.

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The San Antonio Spurs say veteran coach Gregg Popovich is “expected to make a full recovery” after he suffered a mild stroke earlier this month.

The 75-year-old has missed the Spurs’ last six games with what was originally described as an undisclosed health issue.

He suffered the a stroke on 2 November at the team’s arena before a home win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

A club statement said Popovich “has already started a rehabilitation program” but the “timeline for his return to the sidelines has not been determined”.

Assistant Mitch Johnson has stepped in as interim coach in Popovich’s absence.

Popovich, the oldest coach in NBA history, is the league’s all-time leader in victories with 1,390 regular season wins and another 170 post-season triumphs.

He has guided the Spurs to five NBA titles in his 29 seasons at the helm.

The UFC is back in New York for UFC 309, and the popular “Embedded” fight week video series is here to document what’s happening behind the scenes.

UFC 309 (pay-per-view, ESPNews/Hulu/FX, ESPN+) takes place Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York.

In the headliner, heavyweight champion Jon Jones (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) puts his title on the line for the first time when he takes on former champ Stipe Miocic (20-4 MMA, 14-4 UFC) in a fight delayed by a year. In the co-feature, former lightweight champ Charles Oliveira (34-10 MMA, 22-10 UFC) takes on Michael Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) after he was left at the altar by Conor McGregor.

The third episode of “Embedded” follows the featured fighters while they get ready for fight week. Here is the UFC’s description of the episode from YouTube:

Stipe Miocic runs some final fight week errands before hitting pads; Charles Oliveira says goodbye to his family before heading to New York; Michael Chandler trains at the hotel and goes to GMA; Jim Miller rings the New York Stock Exchange bell; Jon Jones has boxing practice.

Previous UFC 309 ‘Embedded’ episodes

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 309.

The FIA’s Formula 1 Commission has approved the introduction of driver cooling kits for the 2025 season, to be used in extreme heat conditions.

Driver cooling has become a topic since the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix, with several drivers suffering from symptoms of heat exhaustion after the chequered flag.

As first reported by Motorsport.com in July, the FIA and all F1 teams initiated research to improve the venting and cooling of drivers in such extreme conditions.

Initial proposals involved fitting a simplified air conditioning system to the cars but while exact technical details are yet to emerge, Motorsport.com understands the solution now agreed between the FIA, F1 and all teams involves a simplified system that no longer requires an AC unit.

The system will only be mandated by the FIA in extreme heat conditions, with the minimum weight of the cars increased correspondingly when applicable.

The Commission also agreed to change the protocol for closing up the grid whenever certain cars don’t make it to the start of a race. The issue came up in Brazil when Williams driver Alex Albon failed to make the start after a heavy crash in that morning’s qualifying session, with his team unable to repair the car due to the compressed timetable.

Mechanics clear the grid prior to the start

Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

Albon’s car was withdrawn long before the race, but per the existing grid protocols the definitive starting grid had already been set and his seventh place on the grid was still left vacated.

Motorsport.com understands the FIA will now tighten up its procedure by forming the final grid one hour before the start at the latest. That means cars that are withdrawn up to 75 minutes before the start will be not be included in the final grid, and the following cars can all move up the relevant positions to close up the grid.

During the Geneva meeting the Commission, which was chaired by the FIA’s head of single-seaters Nikolas Tombazis and F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, also tidied up elements of the 2025 financial rules, approving expanded exemptions against the cost cap for costs relating to sustainability initiatives.

The meeting discussed the progress that has been made on the 2026 technical regulations to improve the performance levels by increasing downforce, as recently explained by Tombazis. The statement said the FIA is confident that the much-discussed technical regulations for 2026 will be ready in time for approval by the FIA World Motor Sport Council after the conclusion of the 2024 season.

There have also been revisions to the FIA sporting regulations to incorporate gender-neutral language, removing certain masculine pronouns and other gendered language. Similar tweaks had already been made to the sporting regulations of F2 and F3 late last year.

TOM ASPINALL has revealed his “respect” for Jon Jones is fast eroding as the UFC heavyweight champion continues to dismiss a future fight with him. 

The pride of Wigan has been chasing a blockbuster unification fight with the MMA icon ever since he claimed the interim title last November. 

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But Jones has repeatedly dismissed the prospect of sharing the octagon with the 31-year-old, who he’s branded the “intern champion” on a number of occasions. 

The Hall of Famer has double downed on his dismissiveness to fight Aspinall ahead of his maiden defence of the heavyweight title fight against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 early on Sunday morning. 

And the burly Brit is growing tired of what he believes to be Jones’ “ducking and diving.”

He said on his YouTube channel: “Jon Jones’ resume is far superior to mine. 

“But he has what I deserve and I want to go and prove that I’m the guy. 

“And that’s the only way we can sort it. So I’m challenging him to a fight. 

“And I’m a little bit disappointed that Jon, as the great champion that he is, doesn’t want to give other guys the opportunity when someone is breathing down his neck. 

“Because that’s the first thing that most champions would do is like, ‘Right, this guy wants it.

“I’m gonna put him in his place.’

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How to Watch UFC 309

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The UFC makes it’s annual visit to New York City on November 16 for another blockbuster pay-per-view card.

UFC 309 will take place at the iconic Madison Square Garden, which provided some unforgettable moments since mixed martial arts was legalised in New York state in 2016.

Topping the bill at the ‘World’s Most Famous Arena’ is the eagerly-anticipated heavyweight title fight between champion Jon Jones and former titleholder Stipe Miocic.

And in the co-main event of the evening, Michael Chandler will throw down with former lightweight champion and fellow fan favourite Charles Oliveira.

UFC 309 is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated cards of what has been another massive year for MMA’s top promotion.

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And fans in the UK and Ireland can watch all the action from what promises to be an incredible night at MSG live on TNT Sports Box Office.

The penultimate pay-per-view card of the year will be available to purchase for a mere £19.99.

UFC 309 will also be available to buy on Discovery+, EE TV, Prime Video, Virgin Media TV and Sky Sports.

And fight fans don’t need to subscribe to TNT Sports to buy the star-studded event.

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Watch UFC 309: Jones v Miocic exclusively live on TNT Sports Box Office from 1am on Saturday 16 November.

For more info visit: tntsports.co.uk/boxoffice

“And if he thinks that I don’t deserve it, show me that I don’t deserve it. Show me.”

“If you kick my arse in front of the whole world, I’m happy to stick my hand out and go, ‘Listen, you’re the better man.’

‘No problem. You took my dreams away from me, but at least I tried.’

“But this ducking and diving is something that I don’t really have respect for.”

There’s a chance Aspinall could end up sharing the octagon with Jones this weekend as he’s the official backup fighter for the New York showdown. 

It won’t, however, be a short-notice showdown for the interim king of the heavyweights, who has had a full training camp in preparation for a potential last-minute call-up. 

But the Atherton assassin doesn’t foresee either Jones or Miocic accepting a short-notice MSG melee with him. 

“I’ve been preparing like I have a fight,” he said. “Do I think that’s gonna happen?

“I highly doubt it. I highly doubt that these guys are gonna take the fight on less than a week’s notice now.

“But we’re showing up, just in case. “

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Don’t expect Stipe Miocic to get drawn into a war of words with Jon Jones.

With just days remaining until they meet in the UFC 309 main event, the seemingly respectful showdown took an odd turn after UFC Countdown aired prior to fight week. In the feature, Miocic said “bring it on, bitch” when addressing Jones and that apparently upset the reigning UFC heavyweight champion, who took to social media to fire back at his upcoming opponent.

“Hiring black fighters to mimic me will not help you, Stipe,” Jones wrote. “And you shouldn’t have called me a bitch, the disrespect wasn’t necessary. Let’s play.”

Miocic has no idea why Jones got so rattled by such an innocuous comment, but he’s not spending a lot of time thinking about it.

“I keep talking about that,” Miocic said during UFC 309 media day. “He was literally telling everyone he was going to beat my ass. I’m almost positive. Did he not say that before [I called him a bitch]? Sorry. Talk shit about me but whatever.”

If anything got Miocic heated it was Jones’ claim that he was “hiring Black fighters” to help him prepare for the fight.

“That was bullshit because they’re my teammates,” Miocic said. “They’re like, ‘We’re not getting paid?’ Apparently, I’m hiring people, too. Whatever.”

Throughout his career, Jones has engaged in a few tense rivalries, perhaps none uglier than his longstanding feud with Daniel Cormier. He also went through something similar with former teammate Rashad Evans after Jones became UFC champion while they were originally training under the same coaches.

Perhaps Jones’ comments towards Miocic are a way to get him more amped up for the fight or maybe it’s just a promotional tool to stir up more pay-per-view buys. Whatever the case, Miocic doesn’t really care much about what Jones has to say about him.

“Maybe [that’s what he needs to get motivated], maybe not,” Miocic said. “I don’t know what he’s thinking but some of the stuff, I’m just like OK. I literally had no idea [what he said] until somebody told me. It’s funny. It’s just comical. It’s actually very funny.”

It turns out his philosophy of not paying much attention to what’s said about him was an epiphany for Miocic that changed his career forever.

In the past, he admits that off-handed comments from fighters or fans would get under his skin, but Miocic learned over time that none of it really matters.

“In the beginning of my career, I was a little sensitive about it,” Miocic said. “You don’t know me, I don’t know you but why are you saying shit like that to me? I would get terrible [direct messages] and stuff. Like what is wrong with you? You don’t know me.

“But I literally just stopped caring because I realized, they don’t know me, I don’t know them. They’re just pissed off about something and they’re just trying to take it out on me. I could care less honestly. It’s the best thing I ever did in my life.”

Just because he doesn’t give fiery comments any oxygen doesn’t mean that Miocic has escaped that kind of vitriol coming his way. The difference these days, much like with what Jones had to say about him, is that Miocic pretty much just ignores it and moves on.

“You get hate all the time,” Miocic said. “You get DMs all the time [saying,] ‘You’re a piece of shit, I hope you die.’ Whatever. It is what it is.”