CHICAGO — Another title, or at least a third consecutive trip to the WNBA Finals, seemed to be a given as the New York Liberty opened the season with nine straight wins, most of them decisive.

And then the injuries piled up.

Jonquel Jones missed almost two weeks with a sprained ankle. And then another month when she aggravated the injury. Breanna Stewart missed a month with a bone bruise. Natasha Cloud missed a game after breaking her nose. Sabrina Ionescu just returned Tuesday after missing four games with a toe injury. Nyara Sabally has played only 17 games this season because of knee issues.

Put it all together, and this week was the first time since late May the defending champions have had their full squad available. The Liberty head into the playoffs with their starting lineup having played 12 full games together.

“I’ve been in this league for quite some time as a player and a coach, and I don’t think I’ve ever been in this situation with so many players in and out. Especially your key players,” Liberty coach Sandy Brondello said before Thursday night’s regular-season finale against the Chicago Sky.

“I’m confident in this team when we’re full,” Brondello added. “I think we’ve shown that when we’ve had a full team that we can beat anyone, but we still have to play really good basketball.”

If there’s a team built to weather a season like this, it’s the Liberty. Though they are the No. 5 seed in the playoffs and have to go on the road to start their best-of-three series against Phoenix, there’s no one in the WNBA that is going to take New York lightly.

Not if they’re smart, that is.

The Liberty returned four starters from the team that won the WNBA title last year, while adding Cloud to the starting lineup. That means all five of New York’s starters have won at least one WNBA title.

The depth beyond the starting five is scary-good, too. Sabally and Kennedy Burke were on New York’s team last year. Marine Johanes, who gets significant minutes off the bench, was part of the France team that won the silver medal at last year’s Paris Olympics.

And the Liberty got a late-season boost when they added Emma Meesseman last month after she led Belgium to the EuroBasket title. Meesseman, who played with Cloud on Washington’s 2019 title team, has scored in double figures in all but three of her 17 games with New York.

“We have a locker room that really understands what it takes to go long and to win a championship,” Jones said.

“Experience is, ultimately, the name of the game and having pros invested who have been here before,” she added. “I don’t know if I can necessarily put it into words, but more experienced teams tend to do really well.”

The Liberty lost in the WNBA Finals in 2023, to the Las Vegas Aces. Don’t discount that experience, either, Ionescu said.

“We know what it takes to win, we know what it takes to lose,” she said. “I think that just helps.”

With New York’s playoff seed locked and the Sky limping to the end of yet another dismal season, Brondello used Thursday night’s game as a chance to build chemistry. Give the starters quality minutes together and get everyone some time on the floor.

The starters all played 19 minutes or more, with Ionescu going the longest at 26 minutes. Brondello cleared her bench late in the third quarter, and every Liberty player got at least 10 minutes.

“I will say, where we are now with a healthy team, we’re going to be so much better in the postseason because of all that adversity that we hit in the middle of the season,” Cloud said. “I’m a big, firm believer in the adversity along the way shapes you for your purpose.”

Even if it didn’t, the Liberty didn’t have much choice in the matter. Injuries are a fact of life in sports, unfortunate as they may be, and teams don’t get to choose when they happen.

All you can do is weather the storm the best you can.

“I don’t think anything can really prepare you for the year that we had,’ Ionescu said. ‘You can kind of use it one or two ways: As an excuse to not come out and compete and just kind of let that be what the year is going to look like, or you can use it to help you moving forward and equip you to better handle the adversity that’s to come. That’s the way that we’re looking at it.

“It’s going to tell a great story, no matter how it turns out to be.”

Best of all, after a season filled with adversity, every single member of the Liberty will have a hand in writing it.

Follow USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armour on social media @nrarmour.

Week 2 of the NFL kicked off Thursday night with the Commanders and Packers squaring off. Green Bay controlled the game and came away with a 27-18 win.

Some of you may have wondered whether you should stream “Bill” Crosky-Merritt. Hopefully, you didn’t, as he finished with just four carries for 17 yards.

Streaming decisions early in the season are never easy. It’s tough to bench someone you drafted in the sixth round in favor of a player taken in the 10th or picked up off waivers. For the most part, that’s still fine. You drafted those players expecting them to carry you throughout the season. One or even two weeks shouldn’t change that mindset.

However, if you waited on quarterback or tight end, or if your flex is a weak spot, looking for streaming options is a smart move. With that in mind, here are 10 solid streamers for Week 2.

*Streamers are players who are rostered in 50% or less of Yahoo! leagues.

Fantasy Football Streamers for Week 2

Quarterbacks

Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars

The Bengals limited Cleveland to 14.2 fantasy points in Week 1, but that was against the Browns’ offense. The Jaguars should produce more, especially with a stronger performance expected from both Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter.

Geno Smith, Las Vegas Raiders

Smith faces the Chargers, who just allowed 26 fantasy points to Patrick Mahomes, and that was without Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy.

If there’s one thing we know about Smith, it’s he likes to sling the ball. He has thrown for more than 4,000 yards in two of the last three seasons and was on pace to do it again in 2023 before missing two games. He opened 2025 strong, throwing for 362 yards in Week 1.

The Raiders are likely to be playing from behind against Los Angeles, which should force Smith into another high-volume passing day.

Running Backs

Just under the 50% rostered mark, Benson is in a prime spot this week. Even though he had four fewer carries than James Conner in Week 1, he outgained him 69-39 on the ground.

The matchup is even better. Carolina just gave up 143 rushing yards to Travis Etienne Jr. The Panthers’ run defense looks no better than last year, so both Conner and Benson could have strong outings.

Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs continue to use Hunt in a 50-50 split with Isiah Pacheco, even though the results have been mixed. That keeps Hunt in play as a sneaky value some weeks.

This could be one of them. Kansas City will still be without Rice and possibly Worthy. Even if Worthy suits up, he may not see his normal workload. That could shift the offensive focus toward the run game and give Hunt added usage as both a runner and receiver.

Wide Receivers

Kayshon Boutte, New England Patriots

Boutte’s Week 1 usage was encouraging. He ran the most routes for New England, tied for the team lead in targets, and posted a 17.4-yard average depth of target.

This week he faces Miami, which struggled badly against Daniel Jones and the Colts. If there’s a matchup for Boutte to repeat his Week 1 production, this is it.

Cedric Tillman, Cleveland Browns

Cleveland gets Baltimore, which just allowed 53.8 fantasy points to Buffalo’s wideouts. The Browns won’t put up those kinds of numbers, but the Ravens secondary is showing the same problems it had in 2024, when it allowed the second-most points to receivers.

Tillman’s usage in Week 1 was strong, and there’s no reason to expect a step back. Yes, Harold Fannin Jr. led the team in targets, but don’t count on that being the norm.

JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kansas City Chiefs

This is more of a deep-league option, but if Worthy is out, JuJu gets a significant boost.

He saw five targets in Week 1 and caught all of them, even while Marquise Brown commanded 14 targets. If Worthy misses the game, expect a more balanced target share with JuJu more involved.

Tight Ends

Harold Fannin Jr., Cleveland Browns

How can you not like what you saw from Fannin in Week 1? The overall touches may go down, now that defenses will know to look for him on the field, but it feels like the Browns want to find ways to get Fannin the ball.

You should want a tight end who is on the field and not relegated to just being a blocker as much as Fannin was in Week 1.

It’s hard not to like what we saw from Fannin in Week 1. His touches may dip now that defenses know what is coming, but the Browns clearly want to get him involved.

At tight end, you want someone on the field and running routes, not stuck blocking. Fannin checks that box.

Jonnu Smith, Pittsburgh Steelers

It shouldn’t have been a surprise that Smith emerged as Pittsburgh’s top pass-catching tight end, but many still doubted it on draft day. One week in, he out-snapped Pat Freiermuth and doubled his target total.

When streaming tight ends, target volume is king. Smith should continue to be the safer play.

Defense

Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals draw Carolina, which turned the ball over three times and managed just 10 points against Jacksonville in Week 1.

Arizona fell short last week in what looked like a good spot against New Orleans, but that was a tough cross-country road trip. Back at home against a shaky Panthers offense, the Cardinals are a strong Week 2 streamer.

Appearing on ‘Fox & Friends,’ President Donald Trump discussed his visit to Yankee Stadium for the anniversary of 9/11 on Thursday, including his thoughts on Yankees star Aaron Judge, who has the ‘biggest forearms’ Trump has ever seen.

Trump took pictures in the Yankees’ clubhouse and addressed the team before the game, marveling at how big and muscular the 6-foot-7 Judge was in person, something he reiterated the morning after.

‘(Judge) is some strong guy. He had the biggest forearms – you know I’ve seen weightlifters – I’ve never seen arms this big,’ Trump told the Fox News hosts. ‘And he’s a fantastic person.’

Judge, the two-time AL MVP winner, hit two home runs in the Yankees’ 9-3 win over the Detroit Tigers in the Bronx.

‘The fans were really nice,’ Trump joked Friday. ‘You never know what you’re going to get in a New York ballpark.’

Trump, who was friends with late owner George Steinbrenner, said attending the game was like ‘old times’ and that the Steinbrenner family ‘has been fantastic with me.’

Former Syracuse women’s basketball star Tiana Mangakahia has died after a fight with cancer, her family announced on social media.

Mangakahia was 30.

‘Tiana was a shining light who touched the lives of everyone she met with her kindness, strength, and warmth. She fought right till the very end, showing courage and grace beyond words,’ the family wrote. ‘Though our hearts ache without her, her legacy and the love she gave will stay with us forever.

Mangakahia, originally from Australia, transferred to Syracuse in 2017 after spending two years at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas and led the nation in assists, earning first-team All-ACC honors.

Before her senior season at Syracuse, she was diagnosed with cancer and underwent chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, and reconstructive surgery. She sat out the 2019 season, but returned to the Orange in 2020 and averaged 11.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 7.3 assists, and 1.5 steals per game.

After graduating, she played in Russia and Australia, including the Women’s National Basketball League in her native country, but retired from the sport after the cancer returned in 2023.

‘The WNBL is deeply saddened by the passing of athlete Tiana Mangakahia, who has died at the age of 30 after a courageous battle with breast cancer. ‍Tiana’s basketball journey was defined by resilience, determination, and an unwavering love for the game,’ the WNBL said in a statement.

Last week, Mangakahia posted on social media that her health had taken ‘a negative turn’ and was ‘experiencing significant physical decline.’

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The 2025 WNBA regular season is in the books.

The highly-anticipated 2025 WNBA playoffs have arrived and the first-round matchups are officially locked in. It came down to the final game of the season to determine the seedings and matchups.

Will the defending champion New York Liberty repeat, following in the footsteps of the back-to-back champion Las Vegas Aces in 2022-23? Can the Minnesota Lynx claim the title they say was stolen from them in 2024 for their first since 2017? Or will the Atlanta Dream or Golden State Valkyries hoist the WNBA championship trophy for the first time in franchise history?

The journey to the title starts Sunday. Here’s a look at the first round of the 2025 WNBA playoffs (all best-of-three series), including projected starting lineups, head-to-head records and X-factors for each matchup:

No. 1 Minnesota Lynx (34-10) vs. No. 8 Golden State Valkyries (23-21)

Minnesota won the regular-season series vs. Golden State, 4-0.

Minnesota Lynx starting lineup

Head coach: Cheryl Reeve

• 6 Bridget Carleton | F 6′ 2′ – Iowa State
• 8 Alanna Smith | F 6′ 4′ – Stanford
• 10 Courtney Williams | G 5′ 8′ – South Florida
• 21 Kayla McBride | G 5′ 11′ – Notre Dame
• 24 Napheesa Collier | F 6′ 1′ – UConn

Golden State Valkyries starting lineup

• 6 Kaila Charles | G 6′ 1′ – Maryland
• 12 Iliana Rupert | C 6′ 4′ – France
• 13 Janelle Salaun | F 6′ 2′ – France
• 14 Temi Fagbenle | C 6′ 4′ – USC
• 22 Veronica Burton | G 5′ 9′ – Northwestern

Why Minnesota Lynx could win

The Lynx have been on a mission this season coming off a controversial 2024 WNBA Finals loss to the Liberty. Minnesota not only has best the record in the league with a franchise-best 34 wins, the Lynx are in sole possession of the top-ranked offense and defense this season. Eight teams in WNBA history have accomplished both in the same season and seven went on to win a title. Napheesa Collier’s leadership has been paramount to the Lynx and her efforts landed her in the MVP conversation as she’s averaging career-highs in points (23), field-goal percentage (52.6%) and blocks (1.6). She ranks in the top 10 in points, field-goal percentage, rebounds, blocks and steals per game. The Lynx scored the highest amount of points (86.4 per game) and have held opponents to the third-lowest (77.2 ppg) this season.

Why Golden State Valkyries could win

Golden State became the first expansion team in WNBA history to make the playoffs in its inaugural season and set an all-time WNBA attendance record, selling out all 22 regular-season home games at Chase Center. Can the Valkyries take their record-breaking season a step further and secure their first playoff win or title? Golden State won’t be at full strength following a string of injuries, but the Valkyries haven’t lost their gritty nature that makes it hard for any team to score. Golden State, which has the fourth-best defensive rating, is holding opponents to the fewest overall points (76.4), the fewest points in the paint (28.8) and the lowest field-goal percentage (40.4%) in the league this season.

X-factor: Lynx at Target Center

Target Center has been a huge X-factor for the Lynx. Minnesota began the season on a 14-game home winning streak and finished with a league-best 20-2 record in Minneapolis. (Only the Dream and Storm have defeated the Lynx at home.) That’s why it was important for the Lynx to lock in the No. 1 overall seed to secure home-court advantage for the duration of the postseason. If the Lynx are able to handle business at home (like they’ve done all season), expect lots of post-victory ‘electric slide’ celebratory dances.

Lynx vs. Valkyries schedule

• Game 1: Valkyries at Lynx 1 p.m. ET Sunday (ESPN)
• Game 2: Lynx at Valkyries, 10 p.m. ET Wednesday (ESPN)
• Game 3: Valkyries at Lynx TBD Friday (ESPN2)

No. 2 Las Vegas Aces (30-14) vs. No. 7 Seattle Storm (23-21)

Las Vegas and Seattle tied in the season series, 2-2.

Las Vegas Aces starting lineup

Head coach: Becky Hammon

• 0 Jackie Young | G 6′ 0′ – Notre Dame
• 1 Kierstan Bell | F 6′ 1′ – Florida Gulf Coast
• 3 NaLyssa Smith | F 6′ 4′ – Baylor
• 12 Chelsea Gray | G 5′ 11′ – Duke
• 22 A’ja Wilson | C 6′ 5′ – South Carolina

Seattle Storm starting lineup

Head coach: Noelle Quinn

• 3 Nneka Ogwumike | F 6′ 2′ – Stanford
• 4 Skylar Diggins | G 5′ 9′ – Notre Dame
• 5 Gabby Williams | F 5′ 11′ – UConn
• 13 Ezi Magbegor | F 6′ 4′ – Australia
• 20 Brittney Sykes | G 5′ 9′ – Syracuse

Why Las Vegas Aces could win

No team is hotter than Las Vegas. After stumbling to a 5-7 start to the season, the 2022 and 2023 WNBA champions rebounded in epic fashion and closed the regular season on a 16-game win streak, marking the longest in franchise history. The Aces show no signs of cooling down, especially with MVP front-runner A’ja Wilson leading the league in points per game (23.4) and blocks (2.3) per game.

Why Seattle Storm could win

The Storm haven’t made things easy on themselves this season — as the last team to clinch a playoff spot following a dreadful stretch, which included a six-game losing streak — but you can never count out their formidable defense. Seattle leads the league in steals (8.5 per game) and blocks (5.1), with Gabby Williams leading the league in total steals (99) and Ezi Magbegor (96) leading in total blocks. Fourteen-year veteran Nneka Ogwumike has turned in yet another efficient season, averaging 18.3 points (ninth-best in the league) while shooting 51.9% from the field.

X-factor: Jewell Loyd hitting her stride

Six-time All-Star Jewell Loyd got off to a slow start this season, averaging 11 points at the WNBA All-Star break, marking her lowest output since her rookie campaign in 2015. Aces head coach Becky Hammon decided to move Loyd to the bench, which she was on board with and benefitted from. Loyd exploded for seven of the Aces’ 22 3-pointers in a blowout win over the Los Angeles Sparks on Thursday to lock in the No. 2 seed. Look out if Loyd continues to play like this.

Aces vs. Storm schedule

• Game 1: Storm at Aces, 10 p.m. ET Sunday (ESPN)
• Game 2: Aces at Storm, 9:30 ET Tuesday (ESPN)
• Game 3: Storm at Aces, TBD Thursday (ESPN2)

No. 3 Atlanta Dream (30-14) vs. No. 6 Indiana Fever (24-20)

Atlanta and Indiana tied the season series, 2-2.

Atlanta Dream starting lineup

Head coach: Karl Smesko

• 00 Naz Hillmon | F 6′ 2′ – Michigan
• 3 Jordin Canada | G 5′ 6′ – UCLA
• 10 Rhyne Howard | G 6′ 2′ – Kentucky
• 15 Allisha Gray | G 6′ 0′ – South Carolina
• 24 Brionna Jones | F 6′ 3′ – Maryland

Indiana Fever starting lineup

Head coach: Stephanie White

• 0 Kelsey Mitchell | G 5′ 8′ – Ohio State
• 1 Odyssey Sims | G 5′ 8′ – Baylor
• 6 Natasha Howard | F 6′ 3′ – Florida State
• 7 Aliyah Boston | C 6′ 5′ – South Carolina
• 10 Lexie Hull | G 6′ 1′ – Stanford

Why Atlanta Dream could win

The Atlanta Dream recorded a franchise-high 30 wins this season, doubling their win total from last season, and their success is due to the ability to dominate both sides of the ball with the second-best offensive (108.2) and defensive (99.2) rating in the league. Not only does Atlanta have the most rebounds (36.6 per game) this season, it’s holding opponents to the second-fewest points per game (76.8). Guard Allisha Gray is also averaging a career-high 18.4 points and guard Rhyne Howard became the ninth player in WNBA history to record 100-plus 3-pointers in a season.

Why the Indiana Fever could win

If this season has taught us anything, it’s that the Fever are resilient. The Fever have had a carousel of players this year after losing five (!) for the season due to injuries, none greater than the loss of guard Caitlin Clark, who played in 13 games this year. Indiana may be down, but it’s not out. The Fever closed the regular season on a three-game win streak, including an impressive 83-72 win over the league-leading Lynx on Sept. 9. (To be fair, Minnesota was without Napheesa Collier.) Indiana is averaging 84.9 points per game (third-best in the league) behind Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston.

X-factor: Brittney Griner off the bench

Atlanta coach of the Year candidate Karl Smesko recently moved veteran center Brittney Griner to the bench for the first time in her career, a risky move that has paid off. Atlanta’s bench has only averaged 19.2 points per game, fourth-worst in the league, but Griner’s addition has added another dimension to the Dream’s bench. Griner had 17 points and four blocks off the bench in the Dream’s regular-season finale win over the Connecticut Sun.

Dream vs. Fever schedule

• Game 1: Fever at Mercury, 3 p.m. ET Sunday (ABC)
• Game 2: Mercury at Fever, 7:30 p.m. ET Tuesday (ESPN)
• Game 3: Fever at Mercury, TBD Thursday (ESPN2)

No. 4 Phoenix Mercury (27-17) vs. No. 5 New York Liberty (27-17)

Phoenix won the regular-season series vs. New York, 3-1.

Phoenix Mercury starting lineup

Head coach: Nate Tibbetts

• 0 Satou Sabally | F 6′ 4′ – Oregon
• 2 Kahleah Copper | G 6′ 1′ – Rutgers
• 4 Natasha Mack | C 6′ 4′ – Oklahoma State
• 8 Monique Akoa Makani | G 5′ 11′ – Cameroon
• 25 Alyssa Thomas | F 6′ 2′ – Maryland

New York Liberty starting lineup

Head coach: Sandy Brondello

• 9 Natasha Cloud | G 5′ 10′ – St. Joseph’s
• 13 Leonie Fiebich | F 6′ 4′ – Germany
• 20 Sabrina Ionescu | G 5′ 11′ – Oregon
• 30 Breanna Stewart | F 6′ 4′ – UConn
• 35 Jonquel Jones | C 6′ 6′ – George Washington

Why Phoenix Mercury could win

The Mercury’s depth is its superpower. Phoenix leads the league in bench points per game (24.9), with the second unit being led by the likes of Sami Whitcomb and DeWanna Bonner — who was part of the Mercury’s 2014 championship team that was coached by Brondello. Any player can go off and the Mercury thrive when sharing the ball — the Mercury are 13-0 when at least five Mercury players score in double figures. Don’t forget about the Mercury’s defensive prowess. They have the third-best defensive rating (99.9) in the league, the team’s best since 2019.

Why New York Liberty could win

The New York Liberty’s title defense hasn’t gone as scripted, as a series of injuries has forced New York to field 10 different starting lineups. The Liberty’s Big 3 of Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones and Sabrina Ionescu have played 15 games together this season, going 12-2 during that span. The championship core is back to healthy heading into the playoffs. Experience is on their side. The Liberty returned six players from their championship team, while 34.9% of the Mercury’s minutes have been played by rookies. The addition of former WNBA Finals MVP Emma Meesseman has yielded instant dividends, as she’s averaging 13.4 points and 5.1 rebounds in 12 games in New York.

X-factor: Mercury’s 3-point shooting

The Mercury have a significant advantage when their 3-point shot is falling. Phoenix is 12-1 this season when shooting 40% or better from the 3-point line and have recorded a league-leading four games with 15 or more 3-pointers, including 18 made 3-pointers in a win over the Liberty on June 27. The Mercury should feel right at home at PHX Arena after securing home-court advantage and get a boost from the home crowd. Their devoted fanbase is called the X-factor, after all.

Mercury vs. Liberty schedule

• Game 1: Liberty at Mercury, 2 p.m. ET Sunday (ESPN)
• Game 2: Mercury at Liberty, 8 p.m. ET Wednesday (ESPN)
• Game 3: Liberty at Mercury, TBD Friday (ESPN2)

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AI-assisted summary
• The Washington Commanders’ offense struggled in a 27-18 loss to the Green Bay Packers.
• Quarterback Jayden Daniels faced constant pressure, particularly from Packers edge rusher Micah Parsons.
• Washington’s offense posted its lowest total yardage and yards per play since Daniels became the starter.
• Quarterback Jayden Daniels and the offense posted their lowest yardage total since he became the starter.
• Packers edge rusher Micah Parsons generated eight pressures, consistently disrupting Washington’s plays.
• The Commanders also suffered several key injuries, including to running back Austin Ekeler.

The last offensive play of the Washington Commanders’ 27-18 defeat at the hands of the Green Bay Packers was an encapsulation of how the game went for the unit led by second-year quarterback Jayden Daniels. 

Packers edge rusher Micah Parsons, already looking at home in Green Bay, beat Commanders left tackle Laremy Tunsil, then dispatched of left guard Brandon Coleman and made a beeline for Daniels, who once again had to throw early in an effort of self-preservation. 

No separation, no time, no chance. 

During the week, Washington coach Dan Quinn said there were plays in a 21-6 Week 1 victory over the ghastly New York Giants that were “close.” 

“Those are the ones that you don’t get second chances in our game, but it shows that we need the timing, we need the execution,” Quinn said. “And that kind of speaks to September football a little bit.” 

Washington managed 15 first downs – two by penalty. The fewest for the Commanders last year, during Daniel’s magical rookie season in which his team made the NFC Championship Game and he won Offensive Rookie of the Year, was 18 (twice). 

The rest of the stats paint a worse picture for the Commanders. The 251 total yards of offense was the worst since Daniels became the starter and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury was hired by Quinn. 

Parsons, per Next Gen Stats, had eight pressures (despite just 0.5 sacks), with six of those coming in the second half. Washington could not run the ball, with 51 rushing yards between three ballcarriers (Daniels led the team with seven carries). Daniels finished 24-for-42 with 200 passing yards. That none of his seven scrambles (17 rushing yards) resulted in a first down was a grave error. 

The 3.5 yards per play was the lowest mark for the Commanders in Daniels’ young career. Washington was 5-for-16 on third down. According to NextGen Stats, the Commanders had two explosive plays (65 total) for a 3.1% explosive play rate, which would have been the lowest explosive play rate in a single game all of last season. NFL numbers guy Warren Sharp noted that the Packers blitzed Daniels 12 times, with two sacks, and he completed three passes on those plays. 

Kingsbury’s calls lacked much flair for most of the night. Too often Daniels’ best option on third-and-medium or worse was a back shoulder throw to a receiver down the sideline. And too often that throw wound up low and away and fell incomplete. 

Of course, when the kicker (Matt Gay) misses two field goals (both from 50-plus yards), it’s going to make the offense look worse.

To put lipstick on the final score margin, the Commanders scored the game’s last touchdown with 2:53 left in the game. Daniels still displayed his elite playmaking ability as a pair of Packers had free rushes at him. He still hung in there to find Samuel for a score and extended the two-point conversion in the pocket to hit Luke McCaffrey. 

The brutality extended to the Commanders’ injury report. Running back Austin Ekeler was carted off with an Achilles injury late in the fourth quarter. Prior to that, tight end John Bates – one of the team’s better blockers – exited with a groin injury, the same body part that caused wide receiver Noah Brown to leave as well. Deatrich Wise, a defensive end, was carted off in the first half with a groin injury.  

Wide receiver Deebo Samuel said the injuries were deflating.

‘That kind of takes the fight out of you, a little bit,’ Samuel said, according to the Washington Post. ‘You know all the work they put in, all summer long. Just to see them go down, it kind of hurt. But that’s the nature of this game.’

AI-assisted summary
• Joey Aguilar replaced Nico Iamaleava, who left Tennessee for UCLA in a rare college football ‘pseudo-trade.’
• Aguilar has impressed in his first two games with the Volunteers, rallying the fan base behind him.
• Aguilar faces his biggest test yet against No. 3 Georgia, a team Tennessee has not beaten since 2016.

Trades don’t happen in college football. But there was effectively one when Nico Iamaleva left Tennessee for UCLA, resulting in then-incoming Bruins quarterback Joey Aguilar departing to take over Iamaleava’s spot with the Volunteers.

Like trades that happens in the professional ranks, there’s are winners and losers in player movement similar to this. They can become evident immediately or takes time.

There’s only been two weeks of play this season, but in the eyes of those that proudly belt “Rocky Top,” the decision has become crystal clear: they are much better off than they were before, standing strong behind their quarterback after an impressive start sporting the Power T on his helmet. 

Now, with No. 3 Georgia coming into Neyland Stadium to open SEC play, Aguilar has the chance to prove he can be the guy to guide them back to the College Football Playoff.

Joey Aguilar’s fast start at Tennessee

While Tennessee fans were done with Iamaleava the moment he went back to California, there was uncertainty surrounding Aguilar. He had experience, spending two years at junior college before starting 25 games at Appalachian State. In two seasons with the Mountaineers, he threw for 6,760 yards and 56 touchdowns, breaking school records and hovering around the top of several statistical categories.

But life is vastly different in the SEC. Aguilar came to Knoxville knowing there were big shoes to fill. The job wasn’t handed to him either, he had to earn it – and display why he should retain it.

Aguilar made a quick impression in the second quarter of the season opener against Syracuse. On a play action, Aguilar launched a ball over 50 yards in the air and placed it perfectly in the hands of Braylon Staley, who ran it in the endzone for a 73-yard score. 

It was the first of three touchdowns Aguilar threw in his Tennessee debut, finishing the day 16-for-28 with 247 yards in the 45-26 win over the Orange that had the Volunteers feeling optimistic about 2025.

“Man, truly, honestly it’s a blessing to have a quarterback like that in the room,” Staley said after the game. “He’s a leader. He’s out there confident.”

The solid start set Aguilar up for a special debut in Neyland Stadium. With his mom and grandmother emotional in the stands, he put up another strong effort with 288 yards and two touchdowns on 23-of-31, all in the first half of the 72-17 rout of East Tennessee State. 

In just six quarters, Aguilar has thrown for 535 with five touchdowns and no interceptions. His play is largely why the Volunteers are fourth in scoring offense (58.5) and second in total offense (605) per game in the Bowl Subdivision.

“He was difficult to defend. There’s no doubt about it,” East Tennessee State coach Will Healy said.

The immediate success has made “Joey Football” a hero in Knoxville.

It helps having Josh Heupel as his coach, who has become a quarterback guru in the college ranks, coaching Sam Bradford, Drew Lock and Dillion Gabriel before landing in Knoxville. Aguilar is also Huepel’s fourth different signal-caller in the past four years.

“You look at a guy that’s come in, three and a half months, whatever it might be. To be able to learn, grasp and play the way he did, it’s a testament to his work,” Heupel said after the Syracuse win.

As if Aguilar’s play couldn’t have made life great for big orange fans, it’s been sweeter considering how Iamaleava’s time at UCLA has started. Iamaleava has struggled in two losses with the Bruins, throwing for just 391 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, including one that ended the chance of a comeback against UNLV.

Joey Aguilar faces biggest test in Georgia

It’s been all fun, but it must be noted Aguilar’s first two games came against two of Tennessee’s easiest opponents.

The honeymoon phase will certainly be tested against Georgia, entering another chapter of a rivalry that hasn’t really been one lately. Huepel is 0-4 against Kirby Smart, and the Bulldogs have won eight in a row against Tennessee. During the streak, the Bulldogs have won by an average of 24.9, with each victory by at least two touchdowns. 

Aguilar did face Power Four teams at Appalachian State. He threw for 275 yards with two touchdowns and an interception in an overtime loss to North Carolina in 2023. Last season, he struggled out of the gate in a blowout loss to Clemson.

Those games against the Tar Heels and Tigers were some of his most inconsistent; they were two of the three games in his FBS career when his completion percentage was less than 52%, including a career-low 43.9% against Clemson.

But with Tennessee and its weapons, he’ll be in better position to play on equal footing.

‘He’s playing really efficiently. He’s got great arm talent. He’s a really good athlete,’ Smart said. ‘He’s been very, very impressive in the two games he played.’

It’s impossible to know how Tennessee and UCLA would have fared without the movement of Iamaleava and Aguilar after spring practice. But with a win against the Bulldogs, Aguilar can continue to have Tennessee thinking about a return to the playoff.

“My transfer from App State to UCLA to now is just another chapter in my life,” Aguilar said. “Coming out here and representing the Big T, GBO, just grateful.”