‘No 10 shake-up’ and Labour’s ‘asylum crackdown’
Nadler won't seek reelection, nodding to need for 'generational change'
Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) said he plans to leave Congress at the end of his term instead of run for reelection in 2026 while calling for “generational change” in the Democratic Party.
Nadler, 78, a fiery Manhattan liberal who has served in the House for more than three decades, told The New York Times in an interview published Monday evening that Democrats need fresh faces.
“Watching the Biden thing really said something about the necessity for generational change in the party, and I think I want to respect that,” Nadler told the Times, adding a younger successor “can maybe do better, can maybe help us more.”
Nadler reportedly shared his decision last week on the condition the news not be published until this week, when Congress is set to reconvene following its month-long recess.
The Hill has reached out to Nadler’s office for comment.
Nadler earlier this year bowed out of the race for the top Democratic spot on the House Judiciary Committee, saying he wanted to usher in a new generation of leadership in key roles in Washington. Nadler rose to the top of the Judiciary panel during President Trump’s first term in 2017 and helped guide the two impeachments of Trump.
Democrats have clamored for younger leadership following former President Biden’s decision to exit the 2024 presidential race amid concerns over his mental acuity, a move that came late in the election cycle and which many party insiders blame for Trump’s ultimate victory in November.
Nadler’s retirement sets up a likely crowded race to succeed him in the deep-blue and ultra-wealthy district running through Manhattan. A source told the Times that Nadler planned to back a former aide, Micah Lasher, a New York State Assembly member. Lasher declined to comment to the newspaper.
In his interview with the Times, Nadler suggested that other veteran Democrats should also eye the exits, without naming any specific individuals.
“I’m not saying we should change over the entire party,” he said. “But I think a certain amount of change is very helpful, especially when we face the challenge of Trump and his incipient fascism.”
Jim Cramer Shares Little Known Potential Catalyst For Abbott Laboratories (ABT)
We recently published Jim Cramer Just Couldn’t Stop Talking About These 13 Stocks. Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) is one of the stocks Jim Cramer recently discussed.
Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT)’s shares have gained 16.7% year-to-date despite suffering from a major dip in July. The shares sank by 8.5% after the firm’s second-quarter earnings failed to satiate growth-hungry investors. While Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) beat analyst estimates for earnings and revenue, its decision to keep guidance unchanged was just too much for investors to bear. In his previous comments about the firm, Cramer shared that he was among those who were looking for a guidance raise. This time, he shared what might be a potential catalyst for Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT):
“You know what, my colleague Jeff Marks said this could be good for Abbott. The Binax. Cause it looks like you know if you’re not going to give the COVID vaccine then a lot of people maybe you need the test. So maybe you buy Abbott off the Binax. I don’t know. I think Abbott’s much more of a. . .”
Here’s what Cramer said about Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) after its earnings:
“Today, in an otherwise positive market, I was discouraged to get a mixed update from Abbott Labs, medical technology company that we’ve long owned for the Charitable Trust… I’d say two decades. When Abbott Labs reported this morning, the… results were perfectly solid. Management tightened their full-year earnings guidance rather than raising it while also taking down their organic sales growth forecast and their operating margin outlook.
While we acknowledge the potential of ABT as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an extremely cheap AI stock that is also a major beneficiary of Trump tariffs and onshoring, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.
READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now.
Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
‘Parliament building inaccessible to me,’ MP says
James VincentPolitical editor, BBC Yorkshire
Marie Tidball MP says she is joking when she threatens to chain herself to a Parliament door handle. But I am not entirely sure I believe her.
Tidball was born with a congenital disability, which affects all four limbs. She has foreshortened arms and legs, with one digit on each hand.
When she was a child she missed three years of school because of the critical surgeries she needed.
The disability campaigner was elected as Labour MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge in South Yorkshire last July, and says that while getting into politics is difficult, getting around the Houses of Parliament is hard when you have a disability.
As MPs return to Parliament following the summer recess, I took a tour around the building with her.
It is not long before we reach a heavy wooden door with one of the round, smooth door handles.
“Within about five months of being here, I had about six conversations with senior people about door handles,” she tells me.
“And I said if I have to have another conversation about why we need to make the door handles more accessible I will chain myself to them – rather irreverently I might say.”
BBC/James VincentA Parliament spokesperson says work is taking place to upgrade access for disabled people and the House of Commons Modernisation Committee is currently looking at how to improve things.
But Tidball says there is a long way to go.
“Twenty-two per cent of the voting age population are disabled,” she says.
“We absolutely need to make sure that the composition of Parliament reflects those numbers. It makes our politics much more rich.”
As we go up and down sets of stairs and in and out of doors, we talk about how far away the accessible toilets are from some of the committee rooms.
And when you get there, you have to push open a heavy door to get into them.
I ask Tidball if any of this makes her angry.
“It does make me angry but you know what they say – don’t get angry, get organised,” she says, smiling.
“Ultimately I want to make this place more inclusive for other disabled people who might come through the doors.”
BBC/James VincentAs our footsteps echo across the stone floor tiles and the courtyards of Parliament, I notice we have already done a fair chunk of our recommended 10,000 daily steps.
Walking through the buildings is a good way to bump into fellow MPs but you can cover a fair distance.
Tidball wants to show me a change that has already been made in the newer Portcullis House – an accessible door.
I joke that perhaps it should have a plaque with her name on outside and Tidball laughs as she says it might be a part of her legacy.
She is among several disabled MPs who have given evidence to the Modernisation Committee about accessibility.
A number reported challenges including concerns about dark spaces in the historic Palace of Westminster, a lack of accessible toilet facilities and unclear signage.
BBC/James VincentWe have been given special permission to walk around certain areas of the Houses of Parliament with Tidball. The scale of the buildings is not often seen by the public.
As a political editor, I am supposed to be used to all the statues, vaulted ceilings, and, to be frank, posh surroundings.
But I’m not.
It instantly strikes me as an amazing slice of history but a very difficult place to navigate if you do not necessarily feel welcome.
When we get to Central Lobby we are being looked down upon by statues of former prime ministers as we chat. This is Parliament’s meeting place.
Members of the Commons and Lords mingle here and technically you can turn up here as a member of the public and ask to see your MP, although you are encouraged to make an appointment.
That is of course, if you feel like you can.
Fifteen years ago, the government passed the Equalities Act in these buildings.
The duty to make it easier for disabled people to access public spaces was made law in the room right next to where we are stood.
The irony is that room, the Commons Chamber, is still inaccessible to many.
These buildings are not easy to modernise.
But it is not just the fixtures and fittings that need to be looked at. The archaic ways of Parliament, that some people love, can create barriers for disabled MPs.
To get the Speaker’s attention during a debate, MPs stand up and sit down, pretty much constantly, to grab his eye.
“Sitting on those green benches is really special, but they were designed for tall men so for me it is a bit of struggle,” Tidball says.
She adds that although she feels “incredibly lucky” to be in Parliament, there are other physical challenges to the job.
When MPs vote they walk through voting lobbies – either the Aye or the No lobby.
“Its a long old walk, it takes about 15 minutes per vote,” Tidball says.
“We’ve done 10 votes in a day before. ”
‘Changes are needed’
Tidball wants everyone to feel like they could become an MP and hopes that Parliament can reflect society
In terms of it being welcoming for everyone, however, I ask her if it is good enough.
“It’s not good enough. That is why we’ll continue to work hard to make it better,” she says.
“I think we’ve got the will there to make those changes.”
“That culture has already changed and the staff have been incredible.
“While I have the privilege of being here, I’ve got to do what I can to make it easier for the next generation of disabled young people – to make them feel that this space is for them.
“I also want to make sure that constituents, regardless of whether they’ve got disabilities or not, feel that this is their house too.”
The House of Commons Modernisation Committee is currently looking at how to improve things.
An accessible toilet has been installed near the Commons Chamber, as well as improved signage and lighting.
A report is due to be published later in the year with plans for bigger changes.
Lucy Powell, Leader of the House of Commons and Chair of the Modernisation Committee, said: “The House of Commons must set an example on accessibility, yet we’re repeatedly falling short of what we expect from every other employer in the country.
“No-one can have listened to the evidence we’ve heard over the past months and not feel compelled to act.”
She said it is “unacceptable” that the role of an MP is made harder by the structure of the building and by inaccessible procedures and processes.
“Our inquiry is ongoing, and we’ll be setting out a whole host of ambitious recommendations in the autumn, but with these quick and important actions we make this a more workable and welcoming place to all those who use it,” she said.
A Parliament spokesperson said: “It is vital that Parliament is accessible to all.
“We understand that there is more to be done to ensure that disabled people do not face unnecessary difficulties when working in or visiting Parliament.”
They said Parliament is “committed to making further essential adjustments”.
“In the meantime, we are getting on with work across the estate to ensure the safety of our colleagues and visitors, as well as supporting the continued business of Parliament,” they said.
Giuliani out of the hospital after car crash, son says
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani left the hospital Monday after undergoing treatment for injuries from a car crash in New Hampshire over the weekend, his son said.
“I’m happy to report that he got out of the hospital today. He’s walking, thank God,” the former mayor’s son Andrew Giuliani said on the “Cats & Cosby” radio show hosted by John Catsimatidis and Rita Cosby on WABC 770 AM.
The younger Giuliani said his father suffered a fractured vertebrae and “he’s in a lot of pain.”
“But as you guys know, there are few tougher than Rudy Giuliani, so I’m — and obviously, you hear this news here just about a half hour ago that President Trump is going to nominate him to become a Medal of Freedom recipient, is kind of overwhelming considering that, you know, just two days ago, I was — I was concerned whether or not he’d — we’d still have him with us or not,” he added.
The former New York City mayor, who later served as Trump’s personal attorney, was seriously injured in a car crash Saturday in New Hampshire, his security team said. Giuliani’s vehicle was hit “from behind at high speed,” his head of security Michael Ragusa said.
According to a statement, Giuliani was taken to a local trauma center “where he was diagnosed with a fractured thoracic vertebrae, multiple lacerations and contusions, as well as injuries to his left arm and lower leg.”
On Monday, Trump announced that Giuliani would receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civilian honor, calling the former mayor “the greatest Mayor in the history of New York City, and an equally great American Patriot.”
Snowflake (SNOW) Soars 21% on Highly Optimistic Outlook
We recently published 10 Stocks With Double-Digit to 100% Upside in Just a Week. Snowflake Inc. (NYSE:SNOW) is one of the worst performers on Friday.
Snowflake Inc. saw its share prices climb by 21.26 percent week-on-week as investor sentiment was boosted by an impressive earnings performance in the second quarter and a highly optimistic growth outlook heading into the third quarter.
In its financial statement, Snowflake Inc. (NYSE:SNOW) said it narrowed its attributable net loss by 6 percent to $298 million from $317 million in the same period last year. Revenues jumped by 32 percent to $1.14 billion from $868.8 million year-on-year on the back of strong product revenues.
Copyright: hywards / 123RF Stock Photo
“Thousands of customers are betting their business on Snowflake and more than 6,100 accounts are using Snowflake’s AI every week. Customers love that our platform is easy to use, connected to enable fluid access to data wherever it sits, and trusted by companies of all sizes and industries. We have an enormous opportunity ahead as we continue to empower every enterprise to achieve its full potential through data and AI,” said Snowflake Inc. (NYSE:SNOW) CEO Sridhar Ramaswamy.
For the third quarter of the year, the company expects product revenues to grow by 25 to 26 percent to $1.125 billion to $1.13 billion, and by 27 percent to $4.395 billion in the full fiscal year of 2026.
While we acknowledge the potential of SNOW as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an extremely cheap AI stock that is also a major beneficiary of Trump tariffs and onshoring, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.
READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now.
Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
US Open 2025 results: Naomi Osaka beats Coco Gauff in fourth round
This manifested through her forehand – another area where she has struggled to find consistency over the years – while her serve held up well.
Eleven unforced errors from the forehand took the first set away from her. Framing a return from that wing also proved pivotal in the second set.
The mishit brought up two more break opportunities for Osaka at 3-2, with Gauff’s more-reliable backhand letting her down on the first point indicated the pressure she was feeling.
For much of the match, it felt like a virtually-capacity 25,000 crowd were slightly conflicted in their support of two hugely popular players.
Gauff led the home challenge in terms of seeding and superstar status, but Osaka – despite representing Japan – grew up in the Queens borough of New York City where the tournament is held.
Both women have also endeared themselves to fans by eloquently using their voices to shine light on social issues including racism.
Sensing the younger player needed them more, the crowd tried to rally Gauff as she stared at defeat, but she was unable to recover and exited at the fourth-round stage for the second straight year.
“I felt so discombobulated on the court, because I was serving well but not returning well. The last two years, everybody can agree that’s like a weird thought,” said Gauff.
“I think there’s a lot of positives to take from this tournament and I’m trying to be positive.
“I promise you that, I don’t feel that way right now, but I am not going to let this crush me.”
GOP leaders face rocky September with even slimmer House majority
Related video: Jeffries, Schumer Call For ‘FOUR CORNERS’ Meeting with GOP Leaders To AVOID Shutdown | SUNRISE
House GOP leaders are staring down a politically fraught and legislatively jam-packed September as lawmakers return to Washington — all while their tiny majority is set to get even slimmer.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) must contend with a Sept. 30 government funding deadline amid disputes among Republicans on the structure and length of a stopgap and as Democrats have the power to force a shutdown.
Calls for more disclosures about convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, which thwarted leadership’s plans ahead of the August recess, are set to come back to the forefront. And GOP lawmakers are planning to press their leaders on hot-button issues like stock trading, while contending with demands from President Trump on crime and beyond.
Adding to the pressure are two special elections in September that almost certainly will add two Democrats to the chamber in seats open due to the deaths of Reps. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) and Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.). Virginia’s special election is Sept. 9, and Arizona’s is Sept. 23.
That will give Republicans less breathing room on party-line votes, being able to afford just two GOP defections rather than three, assuming all members are present and voting.
In a majority that includes lawmakers who routinely oppose continuing resolutions (CRs) to extend government funding when there is no time left for the regular appropriations process — like Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) — having even one fewer vote could complicate the GOP strategy on a funding stopgap.
The last GOP-designed CR in March was sent to the Senate after every Democrat and Massie voted no, leaving Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) to make the call on whether to force a government shutdown, which he ultimately opted against. Putting that kind of pressure on Senate Democrats only works, though, if House Republicans are unified.
“Time is ticking, and I think that’s the biggest challenge,” said Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-Okla.), who sits on the House Appropriations Committee. “We spent the first seven months of this Congress focused on the ‘big, beautiful bill,’ which is necessary and incredibly important, and glad we were able to get that done. But now we’ve put ourselves in a position where we’re racing against the clock to get an appropriations package done. … It’s going to be a very busy four weeks.”
Republicans will also need near-unanimous support on a vote to authorize a subcommittee to investigate the Jan. 6 Capitol attack and the previous Democratic-led investigation into Jan. 6. That panel, set to be led by Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.), was announced more than seven months ago but was never formally established as Republicans hashed out disputes about its legislative jurisdictions.
A slimmer majority could also have implications for Trump’s authority over Washington’s police force. His takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department, initiated in mid-August, needs Congressional approval to last beyond 30 days, though it is unclear whether Republicans will move to do so.
Lawmakers will also contend with Trump saying he wants $2 billion from Congress to fund his plan to “beautify” Washington — a sum that could invite scorn from fiscal hawks. The city is facing a shortfall after Congress effectively cut its budget by $1 billion earlier this year in a federal spending bill.
It’s not just pressures from Trump that leaders will face. A slimmer majority also helps Republicans willing to team up with Democrats in hopes of forcing votes on other hot-button issues through discharge petitions. The rarely-successful procedural gambit lets members circumvent leadership to force floor consideration of legislation if 218 members — a majority of the House — sign on.
Massie and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) are planning a discharge petition to force consideration of their bill requiring the Trump administration to publicly release the so-called Epstein files. They have enough Republican cosponsors on the measure to reach the 218-signaure threshold if every Democrat signs on.
The duo will bring the Epstein issue to the forefront in the first days of Congress’ return with a press conference featuring Epstein survivors — though the environment on the GOP side may not be as tumultuous as in July in wake of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee issuing subpoenas for Epstein-related documents and testimony.
But Massie told The Hill of the Epstein issue this month: “I don’t think this is going to go away.”
Stock trading is another issue set to see a discharge petition and bipartisan pressure. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), who brought a successful discharge petition on proxy voting for new parents earlier this year before the effort was later quashed by leadership, has also pledged to bring another one to ban individual stock trading by members of Congress.
Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) is among those pushing for another stock trading ban bill — but as of now, he is seeking to have it go through the committee process rather than force it straight to the floor.
“There’s a group of us on a bipartisan basis who are saying, look, time is now,” Roy said Thursday on CNBC. “I told Republican leadership I was going to give them the benefit of the doubt to get through the ‘big, beautiful bill’ and to make sure we can move forward and advance the president’s agenda.”
Luna also told Joe Rogan on his podcast this month she was planning a discharge petition to bring a vote on term limits for members of Congress, an idea that is less likely to get majority support.
All of those hot-button issues will come as the House also presses forward this month on the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a piece of must-pass legislation that is not only one of the biggest legislative exercises of the year, but also a target for those looking to attach other priorities.
Republicans earlier this year cut a deal to add a bill to block the creation of a central bank digital currency to the NDAA or must-pass legislation. And Tea Party Patriots Action has been pushing to attach a bill to require proof of citizenship to register to vote to a must-pass measure like the NDAA.
EchoStar Corp. (SATS) Rockets 108% as Billion-Dollar Deal Stamps Out Bankruptcy Fears
We recently published 10 Stocks With Double-Digit to 100% Upside in Just a Week. EchoStar Corp. (NASDAQ:SATS) is one of the worst performers on Friday.
EchoStar Corp. soared by 108.61 percent in just the past five trading days of the week to hit a new all-time high, as investor sentiment was fueled by its $23-billion license sale to AT&T, which helped resolve one of its biggest regulatory challenges that once feared would put the company into bankruptcy.
In Friday’s session, EchoStar Corp. (NASDAQ:SATS) soared to its highest 52-week high of $61.87 before slightly dipping to end at $61.79.
hin255/Shutterstock.com
This followed ongoing optimism over announcements earlier this week that it entered into a definitive agreement with AT&T for the sale of its 3.45 GHz and 600 MHz spectrum licenses—a total of 50 MHz of nationwide spectrum—for $23 billion, as part of its steps to settle a dispute with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
It can be learned that EchoStar Corp. (NASDAQ:SATS) in May this year said that it was being investigated by the FCC over its compliance obligations to provide 5G service in the US, questioning the former’s buildout extension and mobile satellite service.
The probe pushed EchoStar Corp. (NASDAQ:SATS) to withhold interest payments to its creditors over potential risks that could arise from any outcomes.
The battle even prompted intervention from President Donald Trump, who urged the two parties to reach an amicable deal.
While we acknowledge the potential of SATS as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an extremely cheap AI stock that is also a major beneficiary of Trump tariffs and onshoring, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.
READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now.
Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
2025 NFL season sim: Predictions, surprises, playoff teams
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Seth Walder
If you don’t want spoilers for the 2025 NFL season, look away.
I typically write about the NFL in terms of probabilities — the chance the Eagles repeat as Super Bowl champions, the probability the Bengals get back to the playoffs, the odds the Browns are actually the best team in football (OK, maybe not that one).
But every so often, we need to inject certainty into a forecast. After all, the upcoming NFL season will play out only one way. So why not simulate the season one time and see what happens?
That’s what we’re doing here. We’re detailing the story of a single simulation from ESPN’s Football Power Index, which normally uses 10,000 simulations to build its projections. To be clear, this is not my prediction or ESPN Analytics’ prediction of how this season will unfold. (Vikings fans still in my mentions about Minnesota’s 4-13 record in last year’s simulation — please read that sentence.) This is simply simulation No. 4,091 — what definitely, absolutely, certainly could happen in 2025. Let’s play it out.
See FPI’s full projections for the 2025 season
Both Super Bowl LIX teams miss playoffs
Eleven months after the Chiefs and Eagles squared off in Super Bowl LIX, both teams cleaned out their lockers following Week 18. Neither managed to make it back to the playoffs, easily the shocker of the 2025 campaign in this simulation.
The Eagles were actually done before the final week. Thought to be infallible heading into the season, the Eagles were 5-4 after Week 10 — a game behind the Cowboys but still seemingly in control of their postseason destiny. But that turned into a 6-8 record, leaving Philadelphia in pure panic mode. In the end, the Eagles couldn’t make up the gap, falling short in the NFC East and wild-card battle.
The Chiefs’ collapse was much more startling. Kansas City controlled its destiny in the AFC West after beating the Broncos on Christmas Day to improve to 9-7. It needed to only to beat the Raiders to secure its 11th straight playoff spot. But Patrick Mahomes‘ clutch gene was nowhere to be found as the Chiefs fell 28-19, allowing the Broncos — who won their Week 18 game — to win the division on a tiebreaker. No wild-card bid for the Chiefs either.
The two defending conference champions weren’t the only surprising teams to miss the playoffs in 2025. The Commanders, 49ers and Packers all missed the postseason, too.
Aaron Rodgers experiment fails, Mike Tomlin has first losing record
The Steelers’ bid for the aging superstar quarterback was always a long shot upside play. Ultimately, the poor play that started in Green Bay in 2022 and continued in New York in 2024 couldn’t be reversed.
Things started OK. Rodgers got his revenge on the Jets in Week 1, and a 3-2 start prompted optimism. But a five-game losing streak hit, with losses to the Bengals, Packers, Colts, Chargers and Bengals again. At that point, it was clear that the Steelers’ season — and Rodgers’ career — was over.
Broncos steal AFC West crown
The AFC West wasn’t so tough after all. Despite optimism from all four teams entering the season, no one separated from the pack or put up a gaudy record. But someone had to prevail.
Denver became the first team in a decade to dethrone the Chiefs from their AFC West crown. Tied with the Chargers at 8-8 entering Week 18, the Broncos secured the division title with an 18-15 win over Justin Herbert, Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers.
The win was indicative of the Broncos’ strengths, as the offense provided just enough help for a smothering defense. Denver finished the season ranked first in defensive EPA per play.
Cowboys win surprise NFC East title
Like in the AFC West, it wasn’t that another team took the division crown from the Eagles as much as Philadelphia being sucked into the division’s overall mediocrity. And when the Eagles stumbled, Dallas took advantage.
Maybe we shouldn’t be that surprised that the Cowboys made the playoffs (even if winning the division seemed unlikely). Though the preseason chatter was all about Micah Parsons and his eventual trade, the remaining foundation of this team still included Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. Considering Prescott finished second in QBR in 2023, Dallas was always capable of having a quality offense, and it was good enough in this case to make up for missing Parsons. Young pass rushers Donovan Ezeiruaku and Sam Williams stepping up helped, too.
In the end, the Cowboys won the division with a 9-8 record, though they fizzled again in the postseason with a wild-card loss.
Colts win AFC South; Titans earn wild card
Even in a season when the Chiefs and Eagles missed the playoffs, what happened in the AFC South turned heads. Somehow, Colts coach Shane Steichen unlocked the 2022 version of Daniel Jones, leaning on the legs of the former Giants quarterback while Lou Anarumo and the new-look secondary turned around the defense. The result was a 10-7 record and playoff berth.
But the real AFC South story was the red-hot start of Cam Ward and the Titans. Tennessee began the season 9-3 as Ward took the league by storm. He was the talk of the NFL through 13 weeks and had a lock on the Offensive Rookie of the Year race. But the Titans proceeded to rattle off a five-game losing streak as the league caught up to the rookie QB, and Tennessee limped into the playoffs with a 9-8 record.
While the Colts stole the division from the Titans, Tennessee was able to turn the tables in the wild-card round. The result? A 34-13 blowout in Tennessee’s favor at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Ravens edge Bengals for AFC North title
With the Browns and Steelers nonfactors, it was clear by midseason that the AFC North would come down to Baltimore and Cincinnati. The race peaked in Week 15, when the two teams — then tied at 7-6 — squared off for their second meeting.
It was a classic in Baltimore. Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson traded big throws against seemingly helpless defenses — the quarterbacks combined for an outrageous eight touchdown passes. But the Ravens finally got the stop they needed, and rookie Tyler Loop finished off the Bengals with a 43-yard field goal as time expired to give the Ravens a 41-38 victory. The win put Baltimore up a game in the standings and also gave it a head-to-head tiebreaker against the Bengals. It was needed, as the Ravens and Bengals both finished 10-7.
The lack of home-field advantage proved costly for the Bengals, who lost a wild-card heartbreaker in Denver 35-32. The Ravens took advantage of playing at home, dispatching the Dolphins 34-17 in the wild-card round and the Broncos 24-22 in the divisional round to go to the AFC Championship Game.
With all the surprise NFC playoff misses, spots were available. And the Cardinals were one of the upstarts that took advantage. Arizona had a good, but not great, 9-8 season in which quarterback Kyler Murray played quite well, wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. took a small step forward and the defense was mediocre. That was enough for a wild-card berth, and the Cardinals made some postseason noise. Arizona routed the NFC South champion Falcons 35-14. Playoff Josh Sweat sacked Michael Penix Jr. multiple times, while Murray threw two touchdown passes to Zay Jones. But the Cardinals didn’t carry that momentum into their divisional round matchup with the Vikings, losing 28-22 when their attempted game-winning drive stalled out in the final minute. Sometimes preseason expectations hold. FPI predicted the Saints to be the worst team in football, and they were just that. The easy schedule worked in their favor, too. New Orleans was tied with the Jets and Browns for the worst record at 5-12, but it earned the No. 1 pick on the schedule-strength tiebreaker. Before the season, Archie Manning predicted that his grandson Arch Manning would remain with Texas for the 2026 season. But when the Saints — Archie’s former team — earned the first overall pick, speculation about the youngest Manning speeding up his NFL timetable began to grow. For much of the season, the Buccaneers looked like a mild disappointment, as quarterback Baker Mayfield couldn’t quite match his 2024 success with new offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard. Entering Week 18, Tampa Bay sat at 8-8 on the outside looking in at the playoffs — a game out of the NFC South and wild-card berths. The Bucs needed that final week to break their way, and it did. The division was out of reach once the Falcons beat the Saints, but the Buccaneers kept their playoff hopes alive with a 20-15 victory over the Panthers. They got the help they needed, with the 49ers losing to the Seahawks 24-17 and the Bears falling to the Lions 38-9. That allowed Tampa Bay to grab the last wild-card spot with a 9-8 record. The Bucs entered the playoffs with low expectations but shocked No. 2-seeded Detroit 27-24 in the wild-card round, keyed by a Yaya Diaby sack and a deflection of a Jared Goff pass that was intercepted. Tampa Bay then surprised the top-seeded Rams 27-22 in the divisional round thanks to a clinical Mayfield performance. Todd Bowles’ defense got the job done in the NFC Championship Game, confusing J.J. McCarthy and the Vikings and winning 28-13. Emeka Egbuka and Bucky Irving had big days, and the Bucs were Super Bowl bound — where they met the Bills. In a wild NFC playoffs, five of six road teams won their matchups. Here’s how the overall postseason played out leading into the Super Bowl: Wild-card round (AFC) No. 2 Ravens def. No. 7 Dolphins 34-17 (AFC) No. 6 Titans def. No. 3 Colts 34-13 (AFC) No. 4 Broncos def. No. 5 Bengals 35-32 (NFC) No. 7 Buccaneers def. No. 2 Lions 27-24 (NFC) No. 6 Cardinals def. No. 3 Falcons 35-14 (NFC) No. 5 Vikings def. No. 4 Cowboys 10-9 Divisional round (AFC) No. 1 Bills def. No. 6 Titans 28-14 (AFC) No. 2 Ravens def. No. 4 Broncos 24-22 (NFC) No. 7 Buccaneers def. No. 1 Rams 27-22 (NFC) No. 5 Vikings def. No. 6 Cardinals 28-22 Conference championships (AFC) No. 1 Bills def. No. 2 Ravens 24-20 (NFC) No. 7 Buccaneers def. No. 5 Vikings 28-13 Bills Mafia, rejoice. Buffalo really did it. After coming up short four times in a row in the early 1990s and then knocking on the door in recent years with Josh Allen, the Bills finally burst through with a statement win. Buffalo was the best team in the regular season, winning 13 games to earn the No. 1 seed in the AFC. Allen won his second straight MVP award — no controversy this time — and the Lombardi Trophy was considered Buffalo’s to lose. The Bills’ No. 1 seed earned them a divisional round matchup against a plucky Titans team that wasn’t ready for the moment. The Bills won 28-14. The real test came in the AFC Championship Game — the last game ever in Highmark Stadium. With snow flurries falling in true Buffalo fashion, the Bills hosted their fiercest challenger, the Ravens. Allen put on a top-tier performance, recording a 91 QBR and throwing a go-ahead fourth-quarter touchdown pass to tight end Dalton Kincaid. Allen and the Bills outdueled Jackson and the Ravens 24-20 to advance to Super Bowl LX. The betting market pegged the Bills as 7.5-point favorites over the Buccaneers, which was more than enough. The Bills opened with a two-score lead in the first eight minutes on a 56-yard touchdown run by James Cook. It didn’t get closer, so Allen hardly needed to make big plays. Cook took home Super Bowl LX MVP with his three touchdowns, and the Bills were finally victorious, trouncing Tampa Bay 55-23. ESPN senior sports analytics engineer Hank Gargiulo contributed to this article.
Cardinals win a playoff game
Saints get first overall pick, prompting Arch watch
No. 7 seed Buccaneers go on unlikely Super Bowl run
Bills win Super Bowl LX