This is the September edition of The Lineup, a newsletter recapping many of the most important developments in the world of sports.
Leading Off: Early NFL Season Analysis
Fantasy Football Early Season Standouts
The fantasy football season is three weeks in, and there are already several standouts. Before getting to the offensive players, two defenses have been exceptional: The Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks. They are the only defenses to surpass 40 points in points per reception (PPR) leagues following their week 3 blowout wins.
AFC: The AFC has been unpredictable to say the least, starting with the Colts and Daniel Jones. They are now 3-0 on the season, with Jones ranked as the fourth-best quarterback in total points. This is a shock to most, especially Giants fans, who only saw Jones rank within the top 10 QBs one time in his six seasons there. Another Colt, Jonathan Taylor, has been the top running back in fantasy to this point, reminiscent of his 2021 season, where he finished as RB1.
NFC: The NFC has been highlighted by Puka Nacua and Christian McCaffrey. Nacua missed some time last year, but his hot streak to end the season has extended into this year, making him the top-scoring wide receiver. Similarly, McCaffrey has been plagued by the injury bug throughout his career. Once again, he’s proving that, when healthy, he’s an elite running back and will always finish among the top.
Despite their 1-2 record, Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze have been a surprise dynamic duo. Williams has 70.3 fantasy points so far this season, capped off by last week’s 29.13-point performance, where he threw for four touchdowns. Odunze has been the top beneficiary of this excellent play, giving Bears fans something to finally look forward to.
By Max Moughan
NFL Rookie Report
AFC: Cam Ward
When a player gets drafted first overall, the circumstances around him are usually not ideal, and former Miami Hurricane Cam Ward is no exception; his receivers have been dropping passes, and his offensive line hasn’t been able to protect him.
Despite this, Ward has looked great. His best plays have been off script when the structure falls apart, reflecting the strength of his game from college—his improvisational ability.
While he hasn’t been able to make up for all the issues around him, he has shown enough flashes for Titans fans to feel great about their field general.
NFC: Emeka Egbuka
Egbuka was a highly touted slot receiver out of Ohio State due to his route-running nuance and clear ability to damage defenses from the slot, but no one could’ve predicted him to have the type of start he has had.
In the absence of Chris Godwin, veteran quarterback Baker Mayfield needed a reliable separator to target over the middle, and Egbuka instantly stepped into that role, racking up four receptions and two touchdowns in his first game.
Egbuka wasn’t just a flash in the pan. After three weeks, he’s leading the Buccaneers in receiving yards and is tied with Tetairoa McMillan and Tyler Warren for most receptions among rookies.
Egbuka has adjusted extraordinarily well because of his ability to combine high football IQ with great footwork, creating an exceptional separator and go-to target for an explosive Buccaneers passing attack.
By Patrick Sypher
AFC and NFC’s Best
AFC: Buffalo Bills
The Bills are 3-0 to start the season after Josh Allen threw for 394 yards and two touchdowns in a 15-point comeback and walked off the field to seal the win against the Ravens in Week 1. The Bills dominated on the ground in the team’s win against the New York Jets; running back James Cook ran for 132 yards and two touchdowns. This past Sunday, the Bills scored thirty points for the third straight game.
The Bills appear to be in great shape for a deep playoff run with a high-flying offense. They will need their defense to step up if they want to finally cross the finish line and win their first Super Bowl.
NFC: Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles are 3-0 with wins over two playoff teams last year, the Rams and Chiefs. Quarterback Jalen Hurts led the Eagles with two rushing touchdowns to a 24-20 divisional win over the Dallas Cowboys.
They then travelled to Arrowhead and defeated the Chiefs in a Super Bowl rematch. The Philadelphia defense held the Kansas City offense to 17 points in the Week 2 victory.
In Week 3, the Eagles got their passing game going with AJ Brown, who had 6 catches for 109 yards and a touchdown. The Rams had a chance to win the game on a field goal, but the Eagles blocked the kick, and Jordan Davis returned it all the way back for a touchdown to seal the win for Philadelphia, 33-26.
Philadelphia is playing tremendously on both sides of the ball, thanks to their defensive line and powerful run game, making them a threat to repeat as Super Bowl champions.
By Nate Shoemaker
Early NFL MVP Prediction
The NFL’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) award has always been a statement about who defined the season. Through three games, Justin Herbert and Josh Allen have demonstrated leadership and arm talent, and have led their teams to an undefeated start. But what’s arm talent without a little mobility?
Even after a 1-2 start, Lamar Jackson’s impact on the game is undeniable. Jackson, the two-time MVP, now has the highest passer rating of all time. He surpassed Aaron Rodgers after the Ravens’ win against the Browns, and sustained it after losing to the Lions this week.
The Ravens are averaging 37.0 points per game in their first three games, leading the NFL and demonstrating explosiveness even in their losses.
In 2024, Jackson accomplished a feat no one in NFL history has, throwing for 4,000+ yards and 40+ Touchdowns while rushing for 800+ yards; Jackson also racked up a 122.7 passer rating. Historically, all other quarterbacks to throw for 40+ touchdowns with a passer rating above 115 won MVP, those including Aaron Rodgers (twice), Peyton Manning (twice), and Tom Brady. Jackson has begun the 2025 season at the same pace.
After three games, Jackson is already on track to have over 4,000 passing yards, over 50 passing touchdowns, and almost 700 yards on the ground. At this point, it is really hard to make an argument that anyone besides Jackson should take home the MVP.
By Luca Di Rienzo
Myers Nails Primetime Game-Winner
Jason Myers, Marist football’s most notable alumnus, and the Seattle Seahawks are off to a 3-1 start following a thrilling Thursday Night Football win over the Arizona Cardinals. Myers made his first two kicks of the night, as the Seahawks held a 20-13 late lead in the fourth quarter.
With a chance to put the game out of reach, Myers pushed a 53-yarder wide right. The Cardinals marched down the field and tied the game at 20 with 28 seconds left. They left too much time for Seattle; Sam Darnold quickly worked the Seahawks into Myers’ field goal range.
This time (after getting caught sniffing a smelling salt as he jogged onto the field), Myers drilled a 52-yard attempt for a walkoff Seattle victory.
By Ben Leeds
The Cleanup Spot: WNBA Updates
WNBA Championship Contenders
Dominance in the WNBA is hard to come by, but this year, three teams have a chance to cement their legacy. Out in Minnesota, the Lynx’s trajectory just gets better and better as time goes on. After setting a franchise record in wins last year with 30, they bested that mark this season with 34, clinching the No. 1 seed.
The Lynx have stayed hot, dominantly sweeping the Golden State Valkyries to open the playoffs. If one were to make an NBA comparison, this is the Oklahoma City Thunder of the WNBA. Both teams harness player development, an elite defensive identity, and similar amounts of success.
Las Vegas is also in this conversation. Aces star center, A’ja Wilson, seems to be a level ahead of her competition whenever she steps foot on the court; she just earned her fourth MVP award, the first WNBA player to ever do so.
While they survived a very close series against the Seattle Storm, Las Vegas’ determination built momentum that they can carry to the finish line.
By Luca Di Rienzo
WNBA Awards
Las Vegas Aces star center A’ja Wilson earned her fourth WNBA MVP award this past week, becoming the first to go back-to-back since Breanna Stewart with the Seattle Storm in 2018. This year marked Wilson’s eighth season with the Las Vegas Aces after being drafted first overall in 2018 – meaning she has won the award in half of her seasons in the WNBA.
Wilson had her second-best points per game stats in her career, averaging 23.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, three assists, just over two blocked shots and one-and-a-half steals. Wilson became the first WNBA player to achieve a 30-20 double-double and recorded the most 30-point games in a season with 13, leading the league in points scored. Wilson is a threat on both sides of the ball, also leading the league in rebounds and blocks.
The WNBA rookie of the year was no surprise – UConn star and number one overall draft pick Paige Bueckers needed no time to adjust to the league. Despite the Wing’s 10-34 record, the guard recorded the league’s first 40-point game in the season, shooting 80% from the field.
Bueckers led her team in points, assists, steals and blocks, averaging 19.2 points per game. Her 692 points rank third all-time amongst WNBA rookies, placing her behind Seimone Augustus (744) and Caitlin Clark (769), while her scoring average places her in the top-10 rookie seasons in league history.
By Cara Lacey
Liberty Cut Ties with Sandy Brondello
After four seasons with the Liberty, head coach Sandy Brondello will not be returning to New York. She led the team to back-to-back WNBA Finals appearances, including winning the franchise’s first championship in 2024. Brondello and the Liberty faced an injury-riddled season, with key players Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones each missing 13 regular-season games, while guard Sabrina Ionescu also sat out a handful of games. Brondello put out 18 different starting lineups over the course of the season.
Despite the injuries, New York secured the fifth seed in the WNBA playoffs. The Liberty won Game 1, an overtime thriller, but the Phoenix Mercury won the next two games, ending the Liberty’s season. After the Game 3 loss, Brondello received glowing support from Liberty guard Natasha Cloud, who was traded to New York back in March. Cloud praised the now former head coach for keeping the team positive through the losses and injuries. Stewart also commented after the game that the team had her back the way Brondello had theirs.
Brondello leaves as the Liberty’s winningest head coach, compiling a 107-53 record over four seasons and guiding the team to a franchise-best 9-0 start this past season. Brondello will be a highly sought-after coaching free agent for other teams around the league, and a possible landing spot for her could be the Seattle Storm, where she finished her playing career.
By Cara Lacey
Mid-Inning Relief: MLB Season Winds Down
Jonah Tong Makes Big League Debut
Imagine being 22 years old. What comes to mind? Perhaps a core memory, such as college graduation, maybe a new career path or job? For top pitching prospect Jonah Tong, it was none of the above. The young right-hander was on the mound at Citi Field in front of a crowd of 42,112 electrified Mets fans.
Growing up in Markham, Ontario, Jonah Tong would flip through the pages of his local newspaper in search of a sport to call his own. Tong came across an ad for a local T-ball and softball league, and without hesitation, he told his mother of his newly discovered passion.
Upon his high school graduation in 2021, Tong’s fastball velocity touched 84 mph while he put most emphasis on his 12-6 curveball, a pitch that would later dominate opposing pros.
The righty strutted out to make his debut against the Miami Marlins and promptly threw six pitches to retire the first three batters he faced. Proving he was able to withstand the heat, Tong itched for more.
Unlike most rookie pitchers, Tong’s first strikeout did not come until the third inning against right-handed outfielder, Joey Weimer. A 12-6 curveball got Weimer chasing below the zone for strike three.
One word to sum up Tong’s debut? Consistency. Tong ended his night with a final line of five innings of work, giving up six hits, four runs (one earned) and six strikeouts.
By James McTague
NL MVP Race: Ohtani vs. Schwarber
With the season winding down, the race for the National League MVP award is heating up. For much of the season, the two names leading the race have been the two-way player for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani, and the designated hitter/outfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies, Kyle Schwarber. Ohtani, who has already won three MVP awards, has had his usual dominant season even with injury issues that kept him from pitching for much of the year.
Ohtani has registered a 7.5 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) to go along with 53 home runs and an OPS+ of 178. He also has an ERA just under 2.90. Schwarber, with a lower WAR at 4.4 as well as a lower OPS+ at 154, has a career-high 56 homers and 31 more RBIs than Ohtani has at 132.
Schwarber, a free agent following this season, has never won an MVP award and has adjacent statistics; the edge very well could go to Schwarber, putting together his best year in his 11th big league season.
By Stephen Zaglin
AL MVP Race: Judge vs. Raleigh
With the 2025 Major League Baseball regular season coming to an end, Mariners Catcher Cal Raleigh and Yankees two-time American League MVP Aaron Judge are left to battle it out for this year’s MVP title.
For Judge, an efficient swing path and a “team first” mentality have played a big role in why he hits the ball so well. Judge has accumulated a league-leading .330 batting average with 51 home runs and 109 runs batted in. He also has a .457 on-base percentage, leading all of MLB, and is second in runs scored (134).
It is all about consistency from both sides of the plate for Cal Raleigh. Whether he is coming through in a clutch moment or breaking the Mariners out of a slump, the switch-hitting machine dominates opposing pitchers with an impressive .361 on-base percentage, a league-leading 60 home runs and 125 runs batted in. Currently batting .247, Raleigh has reached 60 home runs with only three regular-season games remaining, closing in on Judge’s single-season American League home run record of 62.
MVP voting will be based on statistics, player availability, general character, disposition, loyalty and effort. This leaves baseball enthusiasts alike wondering, will the Baseball Writers Association prioritize the surprising power bat and strong offensive performance in a switching catcher? Or the historical offensive impact that Judge has had on the Yankees coming back from injury?
By James McTague
The Closer: World Series Predictions
Phillies Defeat Mariners
In the National League, the Philadelphia Phillies are going to get through and make it back to the World Series for the first time since 2022. Even without their ace Zack Wheeler, the Phillies are the most balanced team in their league. Christopher Sanchez has stepped up for the Phillies, building off a fantastic 2024 campaign, putting up a 2.57 ERA with over 200 strikeouts. With the addition of Johan Duran, Philadelphia’s bullpen has been lights out with an ERA.
The Phillies’ lineup has been nothing short of spectacular, especially Kyle Schwarber, who has been mashing all season with 56 Home Runs, which leads the National League.
In the American League, the Seattle Mariners, led by MVP candidate Cal Raleigh – who set the single-season home run record for a catcher with 60 (and counting) – are primed to win the pennant.
In addition to Raleigh, they have one of the best rotations in baseball. 25-year-old Bryan Woo has proven to be one of the true aces of the game with a 2.94 ERA and nearly 200 strikeouts. On the backside of the rotation, Luis Castillo and Logan Gilbert have been consistent starting pitchers for Seattle, each putting up an ERA below four.
The Mariners’ lineup supports Raleigh with stars like Julio Rodriguez and Eugenio Suarez, who have 32 and 49 home runs, respectively.
In the Mariners vs. Phillies World Series, Philadelphia will take it due to their experience in the postseason.
By Jonathan Chernin
Blue Jays Defeat Phillies
With the end of the 2025 MLB regular season approaching, all eyes are on the playoffs and who will ultimately be crowned champions. Twelve teams will battle it out, culminating in a best-of-seven series that starts on Oct. 24. Analyzing the bracket and teams in play as of Sept. 26, the World Series Champions will be the Toronto Blue Jays, defeating the Philadelphia Phillies
With a 91-68 record and a division title in reach, the Blue Jays are firing on all cylinders, with offensive production from outfielder George Springer, hitting .303 with 31 home runs and All-Star first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., with a .295 average and 23 homers. The pitching staff, led by Kevin Gausman and Chris Bassitt, has a combined 21 wins and over 150 strikeouts. Toronto is a team that has the pieces to play deep into October.
From the National League, the 94-65 Phillies are also led by stars, including Kyle Schwarber, with 56 home runs and 132 RBI. First baseman Bryce Harper has 27 homers and a .263 batting average. On the mound, Jesus Luzardo has a 14-7 record and 206 strikeouts, while lefty pitcher Christopher Sanchez is 13-5 with 196 strikeouts.
With the last few races being decided this week, will the banner fly north of the border for the first time since 1993 (also, a Toronto-Philly matchup)? Yes.
By Andrew Caruso
Phillies Defeat Yankees
The Philadelphia Phillies currently hold the second-best record in the MLB at 94-65, and they clinched first place in the National League East. Their top offense ranks second in batting average, second in hits, and fourth in on-base percentage in all of baseball, thanks to the bats of Trea Turner, Bryce Harper, Alec Bohm, Kyle Schwarber and more.
Philadelphia’s top-line pitching staff features Cristopher Sanchez, Ranger Suárez, Jesús Luzardo and others; they sit at second in wins, third in strikeouts and tied for third in saves. However, the staff recently experienced inconsistencies after their ace, Zack Wheeler, underwent season-ending surgery.
In the American League, the New York Yankees’ booming bats make them top contenders. Seven Yankee hitters eclipsed the 20 home run threshold, including Aaron Judge, Trent Grisham, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Cody Bellinger, Ben Rice, Austin Wells and Giancarlo Stanton. This, paired with ranking first in the bigs in runs scored, home runs and RBIs, proves their lineup’s depth.
Judge leads the MLB in batting average at .330 and ranks fourth in home runs with 51. The pitching staff ranks fourth in strikeouts and tied for third in wins, led by the arms of Carlos Rodón, Max Fried and rookie sensation Cam Schlittler. Their biggest issue lies in their bullpen, due to shaky seasons from Luke Weaver and Devin Williams, who have blown numerous saves.
The Phillies overall appear stronger, and in their matchup with New York this year, they took two of three games in dominant fashion. A “Red October” could certainly be in the near future.
By Kayleigh LaPointe
Edited by Center Field Staff
Graphic by Cara Lacey
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