He has been quick to make an impression at Derby, scoring three goals and providing two assists in 11 appearances.

Jackson has started eight games in the Championship this season – one fewer than he managed across the entire league campaign last term.

For Jackson, it adds to his story of perseverance.

“I had trials at Bradford and Leeds, but didn’t quite make the grade, but those experiences were eye-opening for me because beforehand I looked at professional footballers as these godlike figures and I could only dream of being in their shoes,” he said.

“I’ll be honest, I didn’t think I was good enough. I didn’t think I had the ability because I never really had that academy learning – players are technically taught so much and I literally had my family there guiding me, saying you can do this better and that better.”

That guidance and existence outside the traditional development pathway has given Jackson an unusual perspective of what it takes to sustain a career in the game.

“I thought I missed out on a hell of a lot of coaching, and because of that I wasn’t sure how far I could actually go,” he said.

“So when I was told something, I took it on board. I didn’t think I knew everything, whereas in football nowadays kids think they know everything. They think they can get through the game without listening – without taking information on board.

“Work ethic, humility and the constant want to keep improving can get you further than ability alone.

“It wasn’t the conventional route into football, as much as I’d have liked it to be. I was patient, but thankfully I persevered and I’m sat here today.”

It is at Derby’s Moor Farm training base that Jackson opens up about his remarkable journey, and yet he is quick to say that he is “not one to keep looking back” when asked about the success his final two years at Ipswich brought.

Instead, he is more interested in focusing on his future at Derby, who sit mid-table after a solid start the campaign.

“In terms on reflecting, you don’t get much time,” Jackson said.

“I want to keep looking forward because we have a job to do here.”

Every week in the NFL, bettors, sportsbooks or both bemoan some form of a bad beat. 

Whether it’s a spread pick, a moneyline bet, or a wager on the total points scored — there’s always one occurrence that affects a few bets.

In the Thursday Night Football game between the Saints and the Broncos, it was the point total (37) that caused bettors some pain. 

Let’s check out how it all went down. 

Last minute touchdown for New Orleans

From the start of the game, Denver dominated this matchup. Sean Payton’s squad jumped out to a 16-3 lead at the end of the first half, and would make it 26-3 heading into the fourth.

With two rookie quarterbacks starting in a Thursday night game, several bettors took the Under on the point total, closing at 37. The score was still 26-3 with just over six minutes left in the game, meaning the total sat at 29 points.

But then, just six plays into that drive, Spencer Rattler was sacked, causing him to fumble. Cody Barton would recover it and take it to the house for a touchdown. After the extra point, the score was now 33-3— pushing the total to 36.

Suddenly, it was a sweat.

The Saints recorded seven plays by the time the two-minute warning hit, and were at Denver’s 48-yard line. Backup quarterback (and third-string to the injured Derek Carr) Jake Haener was thrust into action due to an injury sustained by Rattler. He’d go under center for four plays before the Saints called their first timeout, with just 1:25 left in the game.

On the very next play, Haener threw a touchdown to Cedric Wilson Jr. Not only was it their only touchdown of the game, but it doomed Under bettors— pushing the total from 36 points to 43.

The final score would remain 33-10, causing consecutive home losses by 20+ points for the Saints— the first time that’s happened since Weeks 16 and 17 of the 2001 season. 

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Chris Fallica

FOX Sports Wagering Expert

“Bear Bets” are real wagers that Chris “The Bear” Fallica is actually making.

We’re on to Week 7, and I’ve got my eyes on a handful of games.

For those new to this space, if you are looking for a few wagers to get in on the NFL action, I have you covered. Nothing makes football better than having a few bucks on the games weekly.

Last week, we went 3-0 in this spot. Let’s keep building on that!

Last Week: 3-0 (Season: 13-8)

(All times ET)

SUNDAY, OCT. 20

GIANTS @ EAGLES (1 p.m., FOX/FOX Sports App)

I think the Eagles are in a bad place right now. They were far from convincing in a win over the lowly Browns last week and now head to face the Giants, who have had trouble finding the end zone at home. Even with their wide receiver group healthy and back in the lineup, the Eagles offense sputtered last week and the Giants front should give them problems here. It doesn’t hurt the Giants should have Malik Nabers back as well. 

PICK: Giants (+3.5) to lose by fewer than 3.5 points, or win outright

CHIEFS @ 49ERS (4:25 p.m., FOX/FOX Sports App)

Let’s get one thing clear: This is not a revenge game. There is no revenge for losing two Super Bowls which you should have won. However, the Niners can do themselves a lot of good in a quest to get back to another Super Bowl this year by beating the two-time defending champs and getting above .500 this year. The Chiefs are coming off a bye, but the Niners also have a few extra days rest having won in Seattle on Thursday. That should help heal some of their injuries, while we know K.C. will be without Isiah Pacheco and Rashee Rice. I sense there will be a bunch of people flocking to the “Mahomes as a dog” angle here, but I think this game means a lot more to the Niners here given the Chiefs lead in the division and S.F. having given away a couple of games this year. 

PICK: 49ers (-1.5) to win by more than 1.5 points

Chris “The Bear” Fallica has covered sports for nearly three decades. While college football has been his focus, he also enjoys the NFL, Soccer, Golf, Tennis, MLB, NHL and Horse Racing, with an “occasional” wager on such events. Chris recently won the inaugural Circa Football Invitational and finished in the Top 10 of the Golden Nugget Football Contest. He’s a multiple-time qualifier for the NHC Handicapping Championship. Remember, “The less you bet, the more you lose when you win!” Follow him on Twitter @chrisfallica.

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The Irish government has indicated to Uefa a desire to host more Euro 2028 tournament matches in the Republic of Ireland.

The European Championship finals will be staged across the UK and Ireland, with the Aviva Stadium in Dublin to host six matches.

Five games were scheduled to take place in Belfast but the UK government’s decision not to provide funding to rebuild Casement Park in the west of the city in time for the Euros put pay to that.

The cost of rebuilding the derelict Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) stadium to a specification which would allow it to host Euro matches had escalated, with the UK government saying that the finances required had exceeded £400m.

Speaking at the Aviva Stadium on Thursday, Irish Culture and Sports Minister Catherine Martin said that she would like to see more of the tournament’s matches held on the island of Ireland.

On the prospect of additional Euros games potentially being staged outside of Dublin, she said: “I think that’s ultimately for the stakeholders themselves to decide. But yes, the more that can be held on a wider spread.

“I always talk about regional tourism as well, and looking at the 250,000 people working in tourism, 70% of them are in the regions.”