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

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

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

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.”

The 2026 NFL regular season gets underway in roughly 48 hours, but many Fantasy football drafts are still to come as many league managers like to wait until close to kickoff to get as much information as possible. Avoiding 2026 Fantasy football busts is one of the best ways to win a league as players such as Jayden Daniels, Brian Thomas, Mike Evans and Mark Andrews left gaping holes in Fantasy lineups last season due to injury and/or a lack of production. 

Who should you target in your fantasy football draft strategy, and which players should fall on your list of potential 2026 Fantasy football busts and riskiest picks? Before finalizing your 2026 Fantasy football draft strategy, be sure to check out the 2026 Fantasy football rankings and cheat sheets from the proven computer model at SportsLine.

Last year, the model accurately predicted that Commanders receiver Terry McLaurin would fall well short of his top-50 ADP. The result: A season after piling up nearly 1,100 receiving yards and a career-high 13 touchdown catches, McLaurin had career lows in receiving yards (582) and receiving touchdowns (3). Injuries were a factor, but his per-game averages were down across the board as well, so anybody who avoided him in Fantasy drafts dodged a major headache. 

The same model has a proven track record providing Fantasy football tips, identifying A.J. Brown as a sleeper in 2020, nailing Jonathan Taylor’s monstrous season in 2021 and correctly predicting C.J. Stroud would take a step back in 2024. Additionally, it’s called past Fantasy football sleepers like Derrick Henry in 2019, Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara in 2018, and Davante Adams in 2017. 

Now, SportsLine has simulated the entire NFL season 10,000 times and released its latest Fantasy football rankings 2026, along with plenty of sleepers, breakouts and busts. Head to SportsLine now to see them. 

Top 2026 Fantasy football busts

One of the 2026 Fantasy football busts the model is predicting: Houston Texans running back David Montgomery. The 29-year-old was a high-volume touchdown scorer in Detroit, but now he heads to a less explosive offense. Some Fantasy players are bullish on his upside since he’s not sharing a backfield with Jahmyr Gibbs, but he’s still expected to split snaps with Woody Marks, who had more than 900 yards from scrimmage as a rookie. 

The latest ADP data shows Montgomery going off the board around pick No. 52. SportsLine’s model, however, has him in the same tier as later-round picks like Jaylen Warren and even 10th-rounder Kenneth Gainwell, making Montgomery a risky pick in the fourth or fifth round. See more busts at SportsLine.

Another bust that SportsLine’s Fantasy football rankings 2026 have identified: Bills running back James Cook. Cook is going off the board with an ADP around No. 9 overall and is the fifth running back being taken on average. SportsLine’s model, however, ranks him as RB No. 10, behind players such as Derrick Henry and Chase Brown, saying that he should be more of a late-second or even third round pick.

Cook has stacked two impressive seasons and was the RB6 a year ago, so it’s understandable why he’s getting first-round consideration in many drafts. He did fumble at a higher rate last season, however, and he’s not an elite target out of the backfield. Also, Josh Allen always looms as a touchdown vulture for Buffalo, as these factors are why the model is leaning to other high-end backs early. See which other Fantasy football busts 2026 to pick here.

How to find proven 2026 Fantasy football rankings

SportsLine is also fading one of the first six receivers off the board in early 2026 Fantasy football drafts. The model ranks this player barely inside the top 10 and is calling for him to be one of the biggest busts in the league this year. You can only see who it is, and the 2026 Fantasy football rankings for every player, at SportsLine.

So which 2026 Fantasy Football busts should you be steering clear of, and which high-end WR should you completely fade? Visit SportsLine now to get 2026 Fantasy Football cheat sheets for every single position, all from the model that helped managers avoid a disastrous Terry McLaurin season in 2025.

2026 Fantasy football ADP

(PPR, via CBS)
Get Fantasy football cheat sheets at SportsLine.

1. Jahmyr Gibbs (1.09)
2. Bijan Robinson (2.09)
3. Ja’Marr Chase (4.02)
4. Puka Nacua (5.18)
5. Jonathan Taylor (5.37)
6. Jaxon Smith-Njigba (6.37)
7. Christian McCaffrey (7.76)
8. Amon-Ra St. Brown (8.27)
9. James Cook (9.06)
10. Chase Brown (11.93)
11. De’Von Achane (12.47)
12. CeeDee Lamb (13.76)

Philippines’ Alexandra Eala hits a return to Ukraine’s Oleksandra Oliynykova during their women’s singles second round tennis match on day five of the US Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 3, 2026. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP)

Alex Eala is taking a positive outlook after getting the ax at the US Open following her defeat to good friend Iva Jovic in the third round at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

As she has always done this year, particularly during a successful summer run in the North American hardcourt swing, the Filipino tennis sensation is looking forward to things that she needs to do instead of wallowing in defeat.

And why not? She has the Asian Games coming and she gets to fight for the country in a way that’s different from her battles on the WTA Tour.

“I love playing and competing with the Philippines team,” Eala said after her agonizing three-set loss to American teenager Jovic in New York on Sunday (Manila time).

“That felt like a marathon and I felt like I lost my sanity five times over to win that match,” Jovic said of the three-hour match. “But it’s really worth it for this feeling. I’m usually not one that shows that many emotions, but this one really meant a lot to me. It’s everything to have another match here at the US Open.”

In a way, Eala has been competing for the Philippines on the women’s tour. Wherever she goes, a wall of passionate supporters follows her, waving Filipino flags.

“It’s indescribable to sum up the support and how it makes me feel in just a few words. It’s a real privilege to experience this in a lifetime,” Eala said. “[P]laying on Arthur Ashe and feeling the support and being in those environments and learning these lessons and fighting and doing what I love … I’m really happy. I’m really lucky to have these opportunities, to have these people support me, and to be working hard, to be able to work hard, and to be able to live this life how I am living it.”

The difference is that in the Asian Games, her opponents will have the same kind of flag-waving support as well. It’s going to be a pure battle for the country, with no individual prize money at stake.

The rising 21-year-old will be the favorite to win women’s singles gold when the Games begin in Japan on Sept. 19, with so many of the top guns not competing.

China’s Zheng Qinwen won Asian Games singles gold three years ago on home turf but will not defend her title in Aichi-Nagoya. Japan’s four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka, who will be in action at the China Open in Beijing, will also not be involved.

At the previous edition of the Games, in 2023 in China, Eala went home with bronze medals in singles and mixed doubles.

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 groundbreaking exploits have made her a superstar back home.

And defending national pride at the continental Olympics will amplify her popularity.

Eala has been a regular at the Southeast Asian Games, winning singles gold last year, and she said: “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.”

Eala will miss Beijing knowing that gold at the Asian Games will seal an automatic berth at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

Eala is set to play at the Singapore Open on Sept. 21 to 27, with the Asian Games women’s singles starting the same day that Singapore ends.

“The Asian Games happens once every four years and I find myself drawn to competing in that,” the world No. 18 said.—WITH A REPORT FROM AFP INQ

The Olympic gold medallist from Oldham suffered a heavy crash at the Ethias-Tour de Wallonie in June which has left him just returning to fitness for his home UCI ProSeries tour this week.

Matt Walls will be happy just to finish the Lloyds Tour of Britain as he ponders a return to the track ahead of the 2028 Olympics.

The Olympic gold medallist from Oldham suffered a heavy crash at the Ethias-Tour de Wallonie in June which has left him just returning to fitness for his home UCI ProSeries tour this week.

And having withdrawn from the Lidl Deutschland Tour on his return to the road in August, a crash on stage two from Boston to Skegness has left him happy to settle with just trying to cross the line on the final day in Earlston on Sunday.

“I’ve just been trying to ride into it and if we get opportunities, we’ll take them, but I ended up crashing on the way to Skegness, so we’ll just take it day-by-day,” said Walls.

“At this point, success would just be to finish it and survive. I came into it hoping for a decent result, but we’ll just see how it goes. The recovery from my crash in Belgium was quite a long one. I did quite a bit of damage and took quite a bit of time off, but I’m just taking it step-by-step and slowly building back up.”

Walls switched teams at the start of the year after not being renewed with World Tour team Groupama-FDJ and now rides on the Continental level Team Storck-MRW BAU. It represents a drop down for the track specialist, having struggled to find his place at the French team, but offers the opportunity for a reset on the road.

“It’s a nice environment. There are good riders and we all get on. It’s obviously a smaller team, but it just means we’re closer,” said the 28-year-old.

But with the LA28 Olympics now just two years away, Walls is undecided on whether a return to the track also beckons. Having won gold in the omnium at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics games, held in 2021, he suffered a horror crash at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games that saw him fly into the crowd.

Since then, Walls has not picked up any international medals on the track, with his two medals in Tokyo the last major honours to his name.

“I haven’t done much track over the last couple of years, really since my crash at the Commies,” he said. “I’m not really sure if I’m coming back and doing more. I want to but it’s just hard trying to find that balance between road and track.”

British Cycling is inspiring riders and fans across the country through the Lloyds Tour of Britain, bringing the sport to life and celebrating the joy of cycling through Britain’s biggest free-to-spectate cycling event. Visit britishcycling.org.uk

Tyson Fury has received a response over a potential trilogy bout with Oleksandr Usyk.

Fury had been expected to finally meet long-term rival Anthony Joshua later this year, especially after the pair both successfully through warm-up bouts in July.

The past few weeks has seen the same drama that has continuously plagued the potential fight over the past decade though, with disagreements over the location of the bout serving as the latest issue that is preventing the clash from happening.

Fury appeared to lose patience with the delays, as he posted on social media over the weekend insisting that he was now looking for a new opponent, with former foe Usyk, who ironically now trains with Joshua, at the top of his list.

Usyk and Fury met twice in 2024, with the Ukrainian coming out on top in them both, but after relinquishing his world heavyweight titles earlier this year, it could have paved the way for another meeting with ‘The Gypsy King.’

Despite Fury’s wishes, it seems that a third bout isn’t currently on Usyk’s radar, as his manager Sergey Lapin told Sky Sports News that they aren’t paying attention to the statements being put out.

“Usyk is not Tyson’s backup plan. Oleksandr is always open to big challenges. But serious intentions are backed by a concrete offer, not statements in the press.”

Instead it is likely that Usyk will still target a clash against former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, with the pair believed to be in talks for a meeting in 2027.

Julien Laurens:

I have picked five players to watch in this year’s Champions League. The first is Jude Bellingham. This is a very big season for him individually and collectively for Real Madrid under Mourinho in the number 10 role that I think suits him well. After a very good World Cup, I think that momentum will carry. I expect him to score a lot of goals and to be very strong and be decisive.

Como’s number 10 Nico Paz is at the heart of everything they do with the ball. It’s their first time in the Champions League. Cesc Fabregas is the manager, so they’re a very entertaining team, nice to watch. Paz is a special player – very much in the making – but he will be a top player very soon.

Mr Champions League – Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. In the past two seasons, he’s been incredible at PSG, especially last year on that left wing where he can cut inside or go on the outside, he’s a threat with the right foot and the left foot, he scored some great goals, he’s really good technically. I think he’s in the running for the Ballon d’Or. He’s one of those players that gets you on the edge of your sofa. He’s the guy.

Lens are back in the Champions League having pushed PSG all the way last year in Ligue 1 – and Ismaelo Ganiou is arguably their best player. A strong centre-back, 21 years old, good on the ball, very quick and physical. I expect him to leave at the end of the season for a big Premier League club.

Since leaving Aston Villa to go to Roma, Donyell Malen has been incredible, scoring almost a goal per game as a lone striker for Gian Piero Gasperini’s side. Roma being back in the Champions League is great and they’re a very entertaining team to watch again. I think we will see Malen back to his best level.

Guillem Balague:

Bayern Munich forward Harry Kane is in a campaign to win the Ballon d’Or. He deserves to be in contention and I do not expect him to drop his level as Bayern’s style suits him greatly.

Teenager Lamine Yamal is hungry for more and has set his sights on the Champions League. Hansi Flick wants a team that defends high and passionately so he can shine.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has got another level and with PSG going far he will again rescue the team and win big games. He will be a Ballon d’Or winner soon.

Shakhtar have a long tradition of converting Brazilian stars into European multimillion transfers and 20-year-old Kaua Elias could be the next one on the list.

After a difficult season for Martin Odegaard last year with injuries, he has started this one very well. The Norwegian can dominate games, and his team – more confident now – will need him to do that. He seems ready to take that leadership.