NFL

Bills 47, Jaguars 10

Many projected Buffalo to take a step back after losing several key players last offseason. That won’t be happening. The 3-0 Bills have a case for being the best team in football, and it’s hard to argue against Josh Allen being the MVP through three weeks.

Allen has usually had his way with defenses throughout his career, but he’s been playing on very easy mode in 2024, slicing and dicing opponents with his arm and legs. Last night, the passer finished 23-of-30 for 263 yards and four touchdowns. Perhaps most impressive, Allen is getting it done without a top-tier weapon at his disposal.

On defense, Sean McDermott’s crew is excelling after an uneven first game against the Cardinals. In this game, Dorian Williams recorded 11 tackles and Von Miller tallied a sack, his third of the season. Miller, after an ordinary 2023 season, is back to playing at a high level this year.

The Bills travel to Baltimore to face a motivated Ravens team on Sunday night. I can’t wait.

The 0-3 Jaguars are in shambles, and no, it’s not Urban Meyer’s fault. The legendary coach was a scapegoat for Jacksonville’s 2021 struggles, but blaming Meyer is no longer a valid excuse. It’s time to look in the mirror in Jacksonville.

Trent Baalke, after building some excellent rosters in San Francisco, hasn’t drafted well for the Jaguars, and those draft-day misses are rearing their ugly heads now. I can nitpick at Baalke’s selections for hours, but there’s one that stands out: Trevor Lawrence.

Lawrence, entering college and then the NFL, was viewed as a generational prospect. That should never have been the case. Lawrence has always been overrated, and now the world is finding out. Unfortunately for the Jaguars, they inked the sinking signal-caller to a five-year, $275 million contract extension last offseason. For the foreseeable future, Jacksonville is stuck with Lawrence, a failed No. 1 overall pick. Micah Parson or Penei Sewell would look good in teal, black and gold — wouldn’t they?

Moving on to Lawrence’s performance yesterday — welp, I don’t have much. The passer went 21-of-38 for 178 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The interception was particularly ugly, as the strong-armed Lawrence way overthrew his intended receiver. Jacksonville obviously should and will stick with the 24-year-old, but the organizational trajectory is pointing down.

Giving up 47 points, the Jaguars’ defense wasn’t any better than the offense. The secondary needs major help, as Antonio Johnson and Andre Cisco have been dreadful this season.

Commanders 38, Bengals 33

Prior to this game, I completely forgot the Commanders topped the Giants last week. Embarrassing — I know — but I figured the Bengals would easily defeat the forgettable Commanders. As it turns out, Washington isn’t all that forgettable — because of one man.

I wasn’t sure of Jayden Daniels coming into the 2024 draft. Yes, the former LSU signal-caller won the Heisman and was dynamic as a fifth-year man for the Tigers, but I had a few concerns, thus placing the 23-year-old No. 10 on my big board. I think it was too low. Understatement of the year? Maybe. But Daniels is getting better each week and is already a nightmare for opposing defenses.

Last night, the 2024 No. 2 overall pick went 21-of-23 for 254 yards and two touchdowns. Daniels also added 39 yards and a score on the ground. I have some worries regarding Daniels’ frame and long-term health with him scrambling so much, but that’s a story for a darker day. Today? It’s all sunshine and rainbows in Washington.

In addition to the play of its quarterback, Dan Quinn and Kliff Kingsbury were surely thrilled to see Terry McLaurin get going. The 29-year-old might be the most underrated wide receiver in the NFL, and he posted four receptions for 100 yards and a huge touchdown last night.

Washington has some work to do on defense, especially versus the run. The normally stout Jonathan Allen hasn’t fared well this year, and he made just one tackle in this game. For at least another season, Bobby Wagner may have to save the day. Wagner posted eight tackles in this win.

Who had Cincinnati at 0-3? Not me. The Bengals have come out flat in every game this season, and the blame for that is obvious. Zac Taylor took the Bengals to the Super Bowl in 2021, but his seat has to be getting warm. If Cincinnati loses at Carolina next week — oof.

I’m confident that won’t happen, though. Joe Burrow found his touch last night, going 29-of-38 for 324 yards and three touchdowns. It was peak Burrow — and peak Ja’Maar Chase, as the talented receiver ran wild with six receptions for 118 yards and two touchdowns.

Burrow and Chase can’t do everything, however. The signal-caller’s protection was solid last night, but the team may’ve lost Trent Brown to a long-term knee injury. Next up is first-round pick Amarius Mims, and if you read my draft big board, you know I’m high on the Georgia product.

So, yeah, in summation, I’m not all too worried about Cincinnati’s offense. The defense? Um, yikes.

The Bengals’ defensive interior is wretched. Sheldon Rankins and B.J. Hill missed this contest — that hurt — but it shouldn’t make the Commanders feel zero pressure up the middle. It seemed like Trey Hendrickson was the only Bengals’ pass rusher to get near Daniels all night, and the worst part is that’s been the case for all three games. Hendrickson, the lone wolf, recorded a sack last night, his third of 2024.

49ers DT Javon Hargrave out for season with torn triceps

San Francisco was already stacked with injuries — mostly on offense — so this loss only piles on for the 1-2 49ers. Hargrave recorded 25.5 sacks from 2021-23, and even if his decline has begun, this is still a large blow for San Francisco. Expect Jordan Elliott and Kevin Givens to see more snaps in place of the two-time Pro Bowler.

Lions EDGE Marcus Davenport out for season with elbow injury

Aidan Hutchinson has been the NFL’s top edge rusher through three weeks, but his life will get harder without Davenport on the other side. The 28-year-old hasn’t lived up to his pre-draft billing when the Saints traded a bounty to select the UTSA product, but he has 24 career sacks and was a starter for Detroit.

Josh Paschal will presumably fill in for Davenport, but the Lions — now more than ever — will need to lean on Hutchinson and a strong defensive interior to generate pressure.

Browns G Wyatt Teller out for multiple weeks with grade 2 MCL sprain

Cleveland’s offense has struggled mightily through three games — not all of it falls on embattled quarterback Deshaun Watson. Watson, yet again, is struggling, but the Browns also have problems across the offensive line, and losing Teller for any period of time won’t help the situation.

The 29-year-old has made the last three Pro Bowls and forms a terrific guard tandem with Joel Bitonio. Unfortunately for the Browns, those two are the only players that have performed well on the offensive line this season. Cleveland, sans Teller, will face even tougher sledding ahead.

NCAAF

Utah State to leave the Mountain West and join the Pac-12

I was surprised Utah State didn’t receive an initial invite to join the Pac-12 along with Boise State, San Diego State, Fresno State and Colorado State, but that’s irrelevant now — the Aggies are headed to the Pac-12. Utah State’s football program is down at the moment, but this is a smart addition.

I actually, however, think this move for the Pac-12 has more impact in basketball, where the Aggies have made four of the past five NCAA tournaments. Utah State lost Danny Sprinkle after just one season, but Jerrod Calhoun should be able to keep things rolling in Logan.

NCAAB

Gonzaga to leave the WCC and join the Pac-12 in 2026

This is a massive blow to the WCC, as the league will lose its flagship program. Gonzaga, too, will no longer be in a conference with its arch rival, Saint Mary’s. I was hoping the Gaels would join the Bulldogs if they were to change leagues, but it doesn’t seem like that’ll happen. The WCC will still be in decent shape with Grand Canyon and Seattle joining in 2025, but the recent losses of BYU and now Gonzaga will set the underrated conference back.

Money is the biggest reason the Zags will move to the Pac-12, but it could also prove to be an uptick — probably more slight than major — in competition. With the future addition of Gonzaga, the Pac-12 will include Oregon State, Washington State, San Diego State, Boise State, Colorado State and Fresno State, along with the Bulldogs. That’s a solid seven-team start, but the biggest question now is where the other future members will come from. Poaching the AAC doesn’t appear likely.

MLB

Phillies 6, Cubs 2

2011 — that’s the last time Philadelphia won the NL East. It doesn’t feel like that long, but that’s not important. What’s important for these 93-64 Phillies is winning the World Series. This is the Phillies’ best shot at the crown since — you guessed it — 2011. That team was running on fumes after several consecutive seasons of deep runs. We’ll see if this squad also runs out of gas.

Cody Bellinger, with an important opt-out decision facing him this offseason, could be nearing the end of his days as a Cub. Bellinger went 0-for-4 in this loss.

Red Sox 4, Blue Jays 1

Wins and losses aren’t a be-all and end-all for pitchers — especially in the modern game — but Chris Bassitt is piling up losses at a rate unheard of him for him. Entering this season, the 35-year-old’s career high for losses was 9. Bassitt, after losing this game, has 14 this year. The righty lasted just 4 1/3 innings yesterday, walking seven.

Mariners 6, Astros 1

Seattle needs to sweep the Astros in this series to have any chance at winning the AL West. Step one? Accomplished. Now, the Mariners have Logan Gilbert and George Kirby going today and tomorrow, respectively. Seattle is now four games back of Houston. This thing isn’t over.