#nfl

#nfl

The Colts have signed free-agent linebacker Germaine Pratt two days after the veteran was surprisingly released by the Las Vegas Raiders. Pratt signed a one-year contract with the Raiders during the offseason and was just four games in when he was left inactive in last Sunday's loss to the Colts while not traveling with the club to Indianapolis.

The Falcons and Bears have opened the 21-day practice windows for three injured reserve players today. All three will have the next three weeks in which they can participate in practice until they are completely cleared and able to be activated off of IR at any time during that window. If they fail to be activated after 21 days, they will revert to IR and will not be eligible to be activated to the active roster again this season.

The Cincinnati Bengals turned to their division rivals for a much-needed solution at quarterback, acquiring Joe Flacco in a trade with the Cleveland Browns, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Bengals also will receive a sixth-round draft pick while the Browns landed a fifth-round pick in the trade, sources told Schefter. Flacco joins Cincinnati two days after Bengals coach Zac Taylor was non-committal on Jake Browning's status as the starting quarterback.

CINCINNATI -- Bengals coach Zac Taylor isn't relinquishing one of the team's most important duties. Taylor confirmed Monday that he will retain his role as the team's offensive playcaller after the Bengals suffered their third straight loss, a 37-24 home defeat to the Detroit Lions on Sunday. Cincinnati mustered just 3 points through the first three quarters for the third consecutive week. That prompted Taylor to take responsibility for his share of the team's struggles.

Dan GrazianoOct 5, 2025, 07:44 PM ET CloseDan Graziano is a senior NFL national reporter for ESPN, covering the entire league and breaking news. Dan also contributes to Get Up, NFL Live, SportsCenter, ESPN Radio, Sunday NFL Countdown and Fantasy Football Now. He is a New Jersey native who joined ESPN in 2011, and he is also the author of two published novels.

Bo Nix threw an 11-yard touchdown pass and JK Dobbins rushed for a two-yard score in the fourth quarter as the Denver Broncos wiped out a 14-point deficit to hand the Philadelphia Eagles their first loss of the season. The Broncos batted down Jalen Hurts' last-gasp pass on the final play of the game to send the Super Bowl champions to just their second loss in their last 22 games.

Wentz threw for 236 yards and a TD in the win. The Vikes' first drive was derailed by a turnover. After picking up 36 yards through the air and on the ground, Cleveland forced a fumble that was recovered by safety Grant Delpit on Minnesota's side of the field. That was the Browns' third takeaway of the season. On their second series, Browns rookie running back Quinshon Judkins bounced a handoff outside for a 32-yard gain to get into the red zone.

While the Falcons are indeed off today, the rest of the NFL rolls on, including all three NFC South rivals.

Can Giants receivers Wan'Dale Robinson and Darius Slayton step up against the Saints? The numbers suggest they can. New Orleans has one of the most pass-inducing defenses in the NFL, ranking second highest in pass rate over expectation allowed (plus-2%), per NFL Next Gen Stats. It's easy to see why. While the Saints' defense allows minus-0.10 EPA per designed carry (ninth best), it allows 0.25 EPA per dropback (fourth worst).

A year after a major overhaul and six months after a seemingly minor tweak, teams have returned 78.3% of kickoffs during the first four weeks of the season -- the highest rate over that period in 19 years. The NFL has seen 519 kickoff returns, the most through Week 4 in its history. Coaches have reacted strongly to moving the touchback from the 30-yard line in 2024 to the 35 this season, refusing to concede the additional 5 yards.

Both teams have playoff aspirations for 2025, but it is the Rams who look much better place to contend to go all the way, with terrible injury luck continuing to severely hamper the 49ers as it did during the 2024 season, when they slumped to a 6-11 record after going within a play of winning the Super Bowl in the prior campaign.

I own the fact that I probably used the wrong choice of words, but however you want to word it, I mean, they're really, really good at putting their players in position to be successful. As coaches, we're always chasing leverage. They're trying to have winning leverage. We're trying to take leverage away. Everyone in the league is trying to find every avenue they can.

Star quarterback Jackson left the game in the third quarter after being sacked by George Karlaftis and did not return as the Chiefs completed a 37-20 win. Asked about the two-time NFL MVP afterwards, Harbaugh was short on details but did not think it was a major concern. "There's nothing that looks like it's season-ending by any stretch for anybody," said Harbaugh, who saw four other starters - Roquan Smith, Marlon Humphrey, Nate Wiggins and Ronnie Stanley - also exit.

The Packers took advantage of the weak Dallas defense right away. On their first third down of the night, Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love connected with rookie wideout Matthew Golden for a 46-yard pickup, the longest play of his young career. A few downs later, Romeo Doubs caught a two-yard touchdown pass in the end zone for a 7-0 advantage. Following an exchange of punts, the Cowboys took over on offense deep in their own territory.

"This is for my people, my culture and our history. Ve y dile a tu abuela, que seremos el Halftime Show Del Super Bowl," he added.

The Philadelphia Eagles managed to outlast the Tampa Buccaneers' comeback attempt for a 31-25 win on the road. With that victory, Philadelphia improved to 4-0 on the season. The Eagles were able to ride a 24-6 halftime lead to victory. Philly's special teams unit was once again a difference-maker. Cameron Latu blocked a Tampa Bay punt that was returned 36 yards for a touchdown to put the Eagles ahead 7-0 early in the first quarter. That was Philadelphia's second special teams TD in as many weeks.

DETROIT -- Cleveland Browns starting wide receiver Cedric Tillman has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Lions because of a hamstring injury. During the second quarter, Tillman entered the medical tent for several minutes. He tested his hamstring along the sideline and reentered the game for a few snaps before leaving again.

Even though the Minnesota Vikings scored two touchdowns in the final eight minutes of the first international game of the season, the Pittsburgh Steelers managed to fend off a potential game-tying drive for a 24-21 win. With that victory, Pittsburgh moved into sole possession of first place in the AFC North. Minnesota had a chance to tie this game with 1:01 left in the fourth quarter. However, quarterback Carson Wentz threw an incompletion on a 4th and 17 to give the Steelers the win.

Entering Week 4 of the NFL season, we enter with an unblemished 9-0 record after wins by Buffalo, Kansas City, and Indianapolis last weekend. There are seven undefeated teams in the NFL, but two of them will clash in Week 4 so that number will be reduced entering Week 5. In the American Football Conference (AFC), the Buffalo Bills, Indianapolis Colts, and the Los Angeles Chargers are perfect at 3-0,