• Similar to 2024, another spirited MVP debate is taking shape.
• There are also several good candidates for the 2025 Comeback Player of the Year.
• And, in case you missed it, a new award will be handed out after this season for the first time.

Entering its second month, the 2025 NFL season hasn’t exactly been awash in superlatives.

Only two teams, the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles, survived September unscathed … well, in terms of their 4-0 records anyway. Some of the league’s biggest stars – Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, Jayden Daniels, CeeDee Lamb, Malik Nabers and Tyreek Hill, to name just  few – have been hit by injuries. Others (Saquon Barkley, Brian Thomas Jr., C.J. Stroud) have been figuratively MIA.

Such is the state of the NFL, when the first few weeks are now often typified by choppy play as veterans settle in and rookies figure things out in an era when September often effectively serves as preseason. Nevertheless, even though 14 weeks remain until ballots are officially submitted, a few players have begun to emerge as leading candidates for the league’s most prestigious individual awards.

Here are our (very premature) choices for MVP, rookies of the year, Protector of the Year and several more:

Assistant Coach of the Year – Jim Schwartz, Cleveland Browns

Will anyone from the lowly Brown ultimately be lauded when all is said and done? Likely not. But this a good time to recognize one of the league’s best assistants, a guy who should certainly be under consideration for perhaps it’s most anonymous award. Schwartz’s defense has been remarkable – ranked No. 1 overall while giving up nearly 22 fewer yards per game than the next-closest team (and, for the analytics crowd, quite high on the DVOA scale). It’s all the more notable given how poor Cleveland’s offense, which has scored the second-fewest points in the league and was just turned over to rookie QB Dillon Gabriel, has been.

Coach of the Year – Shane Steichen, Indianapolis Colts

Personally, I know I didn’t give his team an ice cube’s chance in perdition. But not only have the Colts survived with Daniel “Indiana” Jones at quarterback, they’ve excelled – Steichen’s offense not punting during its first two games and new coordinator Lou Anarumo breathing life into the defense. If the season ended today – it doesn’t – the Colts would be the AFC South champs and a No. 3 playoff seed. Nice to see Steichen’s team finally justifying his reputation as a topflight play-caller.

Protector of the Year – OT Joe Alt, Los Angeles Chargers

This will be the first season the league will recognize an offensive lineman for individual excellence. The finalists and winner will be determined by a panel of retired blockers, Andrew Whitworth and Jason Kelce among them, who will evaluate metrics like blocking win rates while factoring in team success, leadership and durability, among other considerations.

As it pertains to Alt? Yes, he’s going to miss some time with a high ankle sprain, though I’d wager it won’t be much. Regardless, to this point, he’s already shifted from right tackle to the left side, which he played at Notre Dame, following the season-ending knee injury regular LT Rashawn Slater suffered in training camp. The results? Alt was exceptionally good prior to going down in Week 4, and the offense of the AFC West-leading Bolts was far more multi-dimensional than the ground-and-pound unit it often was last year.

Comeback Player of the Year – RB Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers

For a guy who’s often battled durability issues during his career, including various Achilles and knee problems in 2024, he and the Niners have certainly – and probably necessarily – thrown caution to the wind. CMC, who’s already played five games after Thursday night’s win over the Rams, leads the NFL with 130 touches and 669 yards from scrimmage. Hard to believe McCaffrey will remain on a pace for 442 touches, which would be the most in the league since DeMarco Murray had 449 (in 16 games) in 2014. Regardless, it’s been a selfless performance for a depleted team that nevertheless tops the NFC West and, if McCaffrey survives the season, might get him some MVP love.

Defensive Rookie of the Year – S Xavier Watts, Atlanta Falcons

The only freshman with multiple picks so far this season, the third-rounder out of Notre Dame is also among rookie leaders with 17 tackles. He’s certainly solidified the back end of an Atlanta D that currently ranks second in the league overall.

Offensive Rookie of the Year – WR Emeka Egbuka, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Defensive Player of the Year – DE Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit Lions

Another strong candidate, along with Cowboys QB Dak Prescott, for the comeback award after Hutchinson broke his leg at Dallas a year ago. He’s currently among the league’s leaders with four sacks and 23 pressures (per PFF). The fumble Hutchinson forced out of RB Derrick Henry’s grasp in a Week 3 win at Baltimore helped to turn the tide of that game. It’s also worth wondering if his production will only mushroom once he fully gets his sea legs back under him after missing 12 games and the playoffs in 2024.

Offensive Player of the Year – WR Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams

His numbers, to a degree, also reflect the benefit of playing a fifth game already, though Nacua’s showing Thursday (10 catches, 85 yards, TD) was probably his most modest in an otherwise sterling season. With a league-best 52 receptions and 588 receiving yards, Nacua is on pace to shatter the single-season record for catches (149) and also has a shot to be the first 2,000-yard receiver in league history.

League MVP – QB Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles

Want to quibble with this choice? By all means – so am I. We all know a four-week sample size is way too small to make a determination for an award that will surely continue engendering debate four months from now. But in the moment, sure feels like we could be headed to a repeat of 2024, when Josh Allen was named MVP even though Lamar Jackson was voted the league’s first-team All-Pro quarterback – and, admittedly, I gave my MVP vote to Jackson last year.

By the numbers, and certainly from a passing perspective, Allen is the better player right now – and anyone backing his MVP candidacy is on fully solid ground. But Hurts’ Eagles are equally undefeated. They’ve also played a drastically tougher schedule than Buffalo, will get everyone’s best shot as the reigning champs, and Hurts is also adapting to new coordinator Kevin Patullo. Nevertheless, Hurts has accounted for nine touchdowns (against one turnover) and done whatever is required to notch a win – including quietly (publicly anyway) continuing to set tone for this locker room. If Philadelphia’s offense starts clicking, and WR A.J. Brown starts getting his numbers, too? Great. But Hurts, God bless him, only cares about that win column. What better way to evaluate an MVP hopeful?

For the second consecutive week, an NFC West clash on ‘Thursday Night Football’ came down to the wire to kick off the Week 5 NFL schedule.

In a battle of 3-1 teams, the shorthanded San Francisco 49ers stopped the Los Angeles Rams on downs in overtime, putting an end to the Rams’ second-half comeback. The 49ers now get some much-needed extra rest and rehab following their improbable road win.

Their fellow NFC West contenders (Cardinals, Seahawks) are among the other teams set to host opponents in an exciting Sunday slate.

Week 5 features the first of three NFL regular-season games in London in 2025. The Minnesota Vikings look to bounce back after losing 24-21 to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin when they meet the Cleveland Browns. This is the second consecutive international game for the Vikings.

That means an early wake-up for NFL fans at 9:30 a.m. ET to catch all of the week’s action. Throughout the afternoon, there are intriguing matchups between playoff hopefuls. Among them, defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia hosts Denver in the early window while Tampa Bay visits Seattle in the late afternoon in what could be a key game for both NFC teams come January.

There are 12 matchups across the NFL schedule tomorrow. Here’s how to watch every game from Sunday’s slate:

NFL Week 5 Sunday game schedule

All times Eastern.

Minnesota Vikings at Cleveland Browns

• Time: 9:30 a.m.
• TV: NFL Network
• Location: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (London, England)

New York Giants at New Orleans Saints

• Time: 1 p.m.
• TV: CBS
• Location: Caesars Superdome (New Orleans)

Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens

• Time: 1 p.m.
• TV: CBS
• Location: M&T Bank Stadium (Baltimore)

Denver Broncos at Philadelphia Eagles

• Time: 1 p.m.
• TV: CBS
• Location: Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)

Dallas Cowboys at New York Jets

• Time: 1 p.m.
• TV: FOX
• Location: MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)

Las Vegas Raiders at Indianapolis Colts

• Time: 1 p.m.
• TV: FOX
• Location: Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis)

Miami Dolphins at Carolina Panthers

• Time: 1 p.m.
• TV: FOX
• Location: Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte)

Watch NFL Week 5 games with Fubo

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Seattle Seahawks

• Time: 4:05 p.m.
• TV: CBS
• Location: Lumen Field (Seattle)

Tennessee Titans at Arizona Cardinals

• Time: 4:05 p.m.
• TV: CBS
• Location: State Farm Stadium (Glendale, Arizona)

Washington Commanders at Los Angeles Chargers

• Time: 4:25 p.m.
• TV: FOX
• Location: SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)

Detroit Lions at Cincinnati Bengals

• Time: 4:25 p.m.
• TV: CBS
• Location: Paycor Stadium (Cincinnati)

New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills

• Time: 8:20 p.m.
• TV: NBC
• Location: Highmark Stadium (Orchard Park, New York)

Watch Bills vs Patriots with Peacock

AI-assisted summary
• WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert is facing criticism over comments she allegedly made to player Napheesa Collier during contract negotiations.
• Engelbert denied telling Collier that Caitlin Clark should be grateful for the WNBA platform but did not clarify other reported remarks.
• Tensions are high as the current collective bargaining agreement is set to expire, raising concerns about a potential labor stoppage.

Cathy Engelbert can tap dance until the WNBA Finals are over. The damage is irreparable.

The WNBA commissioner’s non-denial denials and plea for sympathy were not the assurance the players needed that Engelbert can be an honest broker in these tense contract negotiations. What little trust the players still had after that fruitless bargaining session at the All-Star Game was ethered earlier this week when Napheesa Collier shared how little Engelbert really thinks of them, and Engelbert would not — could not — counter that in her news conference ahead of Game 1 of the WNBA Finals on Friday night.

It was telling that Engelbert’s best defense when asked whether she’d said the players should be, “on their knees, thanking their lucky stars” for a new, $2 billion media rights deal was to claim “inaccuracy” about what she’d said. Yet Engelbert wouldn’t say what those inaccuracies were or where they occurred, instead deflecting to how tough the criticism has been on her and her family.

“I’m a human, too,” Engelbert said. “I have a family. I have two kids who are devastated by these comments.”

You know what’s really devastating? Knowing the commissioner who is supposed to be championing the league and its players doesn’t respect them and thinks they should take less than they deserve.

Engelbert did deny — strongly — telling Collier that Caitlin Clark should be grateful for the platform the WNBA gives her because it’s the reason she has her long, lucrative list of endorsements.

“Obviously,” Engelbert said, “I did not make those comments.”

And if Collier has a recording of their conversation? Or someone to corroborate what Collier said Engelbert told her? Those reports about Engelbert stepping down after the CBA is done actually will be inaccurate because she won’t last the day.

Napheesa Collier knew what she was doing when she blasted WNBA leadership

It’s worth remembering, by the way, that Collier’s grandfather helped win independence for Sierra Leone and then served as its first representative to the United Nations. Playing chess when everyone else thinks they’re playing checkers is in Collier’s DNA.

“These women are smart. They’ve done the numbers, they’ve run the numbers — I know this because I was previously on the executive committee — and everyone is playing their role to get to a point where they avoid a lockout, they keep this product on the floor,” ESPN analyst Chiney Ogwumike said after Engelbert’s news conference.

“But in order to do that, you have to have conversations and it now feels like it’s been wasted time. And that’s on Cathy, unfortunately.”

The negotiations over this next collective bargaining agreement were always going to be tense. Interest in women’s sports, the WNBA in particular, has exploded over the last five years, and money is pouring into the league.

That new media rights deal that begins next season will pump $200 million a year into the WNBA. Sponsors are clamoring for a piece of the league, and owners in Detroit, Philadelphia and Cleveland just shelled out $250 million each for expansion franchises.

Players want a significant bump in both their salaries and revenue sharing. Salaries currently top out at $250,000 while revenue sharing is around 10%, a pittance compared with the roughly 50% that’s typical of major men’s leagues.

Engelbert claims she’s heard the players and says she, too, wants them to get a much bigger piece of the pie. But her actions, and her words, say differently.

The 40 players who showed up for the bargaining session at the All-Star Game was a show of their commitment, yet players left the meeting frustrated. Engelbert and the rest of the league’s negotiating team offered little new and showed little interest in trying to bridge the gap with the players.

“It was pretty shocking to see,” New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart, who like Collier is a union vice president, said then. “Not many things did we both agree on. I think there were two bullet points where we were like, `OK, we can move forward with this.’”

And now, with the CBA expiring on Oct. 31, Engelbert has injected even more toxicity into the conversation.

It’s already too little, too late from Cathy Engelbert

Engelbert said she plans to sit down with Collier next week, which is a week too late. The minute Collier finished her exit interview Tuesday, Engelbert should have been on a Zoom call with Collier, union president Nneka Ogwumike and as many of the VPs as were available. Better yet, she should have gotten on a plane.

Engelbert said she wanted to get past the beginning of the WNBA Finals, but that’s just further proof of her tone-deafness. Players are furious, and you don’t recognize that’s a five-alarm fire? Every other player who was asked about Collier’s comments, including Clark and four-time MVP A’ja Wilson, stood behind her, and Engelbert doesn’t realize that’s a damning indictment of her leadership?

The players don’t trust her. They don’t believe Engelbert has their best interests at heart. They think she’s more worried about covering her ass than protecting theirs. They think satisfying her NBA overlords is a bigger priority for Engelbert than getting a fair deal. That’s the makings of a labor stoppage, not an agreement.

“I feel confident that we can repair any loss of trust,” Engelbert said. “… I think together we need to move forward.”

Engelbert has made that untenable, however. The biggest impediment to negotiations right now is her.

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

Major League Baseball’s best-of-five division series feature some scintillating in 2025, highlighted by the heavyweight bout between the Philadelphia Phillies and defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers.

In the American League, the New York Yankees face the division champion Toronto Blue Jays while the Seattle Mariners take on the Detroit Tigers. The Brewers-Cubs NLDS is also filled with storylines, namely Chicago manager Craig Counsell facing his former club in the postseason after skipping town in 2023.

‘The series is going to come down to who’s able to get the big hits in the big moments,’ Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto told reporters. ‘They’re extremely talented over in that clubhouse. And we obviously have confidence in the guys we have.’

Here’s how USA TODAY Sports’ MLB experts see the ALDS and NLDS playing out:

MLB playoff predictions, picks for division series

Blue Jays vs. Yankees

• Bob Nightengale: Blue Jays in 5
• Gabe Lacques: Yankees in 4
• Jesse Yomtov: Yankees in 3

Mariners vs. Tigers

• Bob Nightengale: Mariners in 4
• Gabe Lacques: Mariners in 4
• Jesse Yomtov: Tigers in 5

Phillies vs Dodgers prediction

• Bob Nightengale: Phillies in 5
• Gabe Lacques: Dodgers in 5
• Jesse Yomtov: Dodgers in 4

Brewers vs. Cubs

• Bob Nightengale: Brewers in 5
• Gabe Lacques: Cubs in 5
• Jesse Yomtov: Cubs in 4

LAS VEGAS — The Las Vegas Aces rallied in the fourth quarter to pull off an 89-86 victory over the Phoenix Mercury in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals on Friday at Michelob Ultra Arena.

Dana Evans scored 21 points including five 3-pointers and Jewell Loyd 18 points off the bench to spark the Aces. MVP A’ja Wilson added 21 points and 10 rebounds.

‘It was just a really great time for our bench to come up and have a big game,’ Aces coach Becky Hammon said. ‘I think you saw a little fatigue. That’s what makes us a difficult team because we do have potential for someone else to come up and get 20.

‘They were timely today. My goodness. Our bench was huge.’

The Mercury had five players score in double figures. Kahleah Copper had 21 points, but scored 19 of those in the first half. Alyssa Thomas had 15 points, 10 reobounds and nine assists.

‘We looked at some clips at halftime and made the appropriate adjustments,’ Hammon said. ‘… Really, attention to detail on those two players (Thomas and Copper) who were really hurting us.

‘You try to take away the easy ones, make the adjustments you can do in real time.’ 

Wilson said defense was the key in closing the gap in the fourth quarter. Las Vegas outscored Phoenix 22-15 in the final 10 minutes.

‘It was multiple times and situations where we understood our defense has to win the baskerball game,’ Wilson said. ‘We can’t go basket for basket with this team they’re too good. Think we just started to string defensive stops together.’

The WNBA Finals continue with Game 2 on Sunday (3 p.m. ET, ABC) at Michelob Ultra Arena. 

Winners

Aces guard Dana Evans from 3

Aces guard Dana Evans was the unlikely hero of Game 1 of the WNBA Finals. Evans finished with 21 points in 26 minutes off the bench and knocked down five 3-pointers, tying the record for the most 3-pointers off the bench in a WNBA Finals game. Evans also contributed four steals, three assists and two rebound and injected pace into the game, using her defense to fuel her offense.

“I got some early steals. I got to the basket. I saw the ball going in and I just kept being aggressive,’” said Evans, who added four steals, three assists and two rebounds.

Aces head coach Becky Hammon said Evans is simply “a problem” for opposing defenses, leading Hammon to nickname Evans “Gears, because I like her to get to different gears.”

Aces guard Jewell Loyd off the bench

The Aces have the luxury of having a two-time WNBA champion, two-time Olympic gold medalist and WNBA scoring leader coming off the bench. Jewell Loyd had struggled this postseason, averaging 5.4 points in the Aces’ five-game semifinal win over the Indiana Fever, shooting a dismal 26.9% from the field. But Loyd had a major impact in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals with 18 points and four rebounds. “Jewell (Loyd) came out in the first half and gave us a really good punch,” Hammon said.

Aces bench

The Aces’ one-two punch of A’ja Wilson and Jackie Young carried Las Vegas to the WNBA Finals with a combined 67-point performance in their Game 5 overtime win over the Indiana Fever. That was only three days ago and the effects still lingered on Friday. “I think you saw a little bit of fatigue from Jackie (Young) and A’ja (Wilson),” Hammon said. But the Aces’ bench came in clutch and lifted Las Vegas to a win. Hammon said the game plan was for Young and Chelsea Gray to get Loyd and Evans going early and to “get them as many looks” as possible, adding, “We have weapons and we want to use them all.”

Best-of-seven WNBA Finals

Buckle up everyone. If Game 1 is any indication, the up to six remaining games in the league’s first best-of-seven WNBA Finals are going to be a treat. No team led by more than nine points in Game 1, which featured 12 lead changes and nine ties alone between the Aces and Mercury. Basketball fans are the real winners.

Losers

Alyssa Thomas missing last FTs for Mercury

In Game 1 of Phoenix’s first round series against the New York Liberty, Thomas missed a would-be game-winning layup that could have ended the game in regulation. The Mercury went on to lose in overtime. In Game 1 of the WNBA Finals, Thomas had the opportunity to step to the line and hit one shot to tie the game and both to go ahead. Unfortunately, she missed both free throws. If you are wondering if Thomas might need encouragement after such a gut-wrenching moment, she doesn’t. ‘Nah, [she’s] good,” Mercury guard Kahleah Copper said flatly postgame.

Phoenix’s meltdown

The second half wasn’t kind to the Mercury. The turnovers started stacking up (six in the second half, 14 for the game) and Las Vegas capitalized. The Aces turned those turnovers into 20 points. What’s more, Phoenix has been the playoffs’ best fourth quarter team, but the Aces who won that period Friday. Vegas outscored Phoenix 22-15 with the game on the line.

Mercury’s bench

If Phoenix wants to win Game 2, they will need more from their bench. The Mercury had 16 points to the Aces’ 41 bench points. Head coach Nate Tibbetts only used three players of the bench. Sami Whitcomb and DeWanna Bonner got most of the minutes from the trio with 20-plus each. “Our bench has been really good too in these playoffs. Their bench outplayed ours tonight, but our bench has won us a lot of games in these playoffs,” Tibbetts said postgame.

WNBA officiating

The league’s referees have been the subject of so much news surrounding the WNBA during the season and into the playoffs. The WNBA Finals was no different. The officiating crew seemingly missed several calls that infuriated the crowd. Chats of “refs you suck” rang out at Michelob Ultra Arena multiple times throughout Game 1. Also, players began stacking up fouls for what felt like, at times, minimal contact. That led to frustration from both teams. Eventually, Mercury forward Satou Sabally was completely over some of the calls. She earned a technical foul after she threw down a ball in disgust when she was called for her fifth foul. When asked postgame about what she could do to not be in foul trouble going forward, she simply replied, “Just keep my hands up.”

Mercury’s Game 1 loss

Phoenix has lost every Game 1 this postseason. Before now, it hasn’t mattered as much. The Mercury went on to close out both series against the Liberty and the Minnesota Lynx. Still, it’s hard not to wonder if it will eventually catch up to them on the biggest stage. The Finals is not an arena where teams can afford to lose games they controlled for roughly 75% of the matchup. Late-game execution will matter the longer this series goes, and Phoenix can’t afford to go back to Mortgage Matchup Center down 0-2 against Las Vegas if they want a shot at winning it all.

Former NFL defensive lineman Arthur Jones has died. The Baltimore Ravens, who drafted Jones in 2010, announced his passing Friday afternoon.

‘We are terribly saddened to learn of Arthur Jones’ sudden passing,’ Ravens executive vice president and general manager Eric DeCosta said in a statement distributed by the team.

‘Arthur’s presence was a gift to everyone he encountered. His big, bright smile, infectious energy and eternal positivity created a presence that continuously uplifted others.

‘He was kind, courteous and enthusiastic − always displaying a love for family, teammates and friends.

‘We send our deepest condolences to the Jones family and all who loved Arthur.’

Jones was 39. The Ravens did not provide any details regarding his death.

A fifth-round pick out of Syracuse, he played four of his seven NFL seasons with Baltimore. He registered a sack (among his two tackles) and recovered a fumble in the Ravens’ Super Bowl 47 defeat of the San Francisco 49ers in New Orleans to cap the 2012 campaign.

Jones was also a member of the Indianapolis Colts for two seasons. He retired after spending the 2017 season with Washington.

Jones played 64 NFL games, finishing with 173 tackles and 10 sacks.

He was the older brother of former UFC heavyweight champion Jon ‘Bones’ Jones and former All-Pro pass rusher Chandler Jones.

Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III and his family confirmed they were involved in a four-car accident on a highway while traveling to Fort Worth, Texas, on Friday, Oct. 3.

There were only three cars present when the police arrived, with the fourth having left the scene, according to TMZ.

“Just got in the worst car accident of our lives with my wife and kids in Fort Worth, Texas,” Griffin said in a post on X. “Scary crash, ricocheted off the highway divider multiple times, blown both front tires. Thankful to God that my wife and kids are safe.”

Griffin’s wife, Grete, stated in a post on her Instagram story that her children were OK, but she went to the hospital for a CT scan after hitting her head during the accident. She also revealed that the former Baylor quarterback was getting his back checked out.

Griffin and his wife have three daughters. He also shares a daughter with his first wife.

Griffin, the 2011 Heisman Trophy winner, was in town after being scheduled to serve as part of the color commentary team for FOX Sports during the broadcast of TCU’s football game against Colorado. It remains unclear what his status is for the game on Saturday, Oct. 4.

The status of others involved in the accident has not been completely disclosed. Check back for more updates.

It’s that time of year in the NFL calendar when a new wrinkle enters consideration in fantasy football: bye weeks.

The first round of byes hits the league in Week 5 and takes some star fantasy players with it. Atlanta, Chicago, Green Bay and Pittsburgh all get a rest which means some of the top running backs (Bijan Robinson and Josh Jacobs), wide receivers (Drake London, Rome Odunze and D.K. Metcalf) and even tight ends (Kyle Pitts, Tucker Kraft) won’t be in action this week.

That makes it tougher to find value in your lineup than over the first month of the season when all 32 teams suited up on Thursdays, Sundays, Mondays or – in the case of Week 1 – even a Friday.

The Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers treated us to a thrilling ‘Thursday Night Football’ spectacle that featured lots of fantasy football points. Hopefully, there’s more where that came from.

If you’re still debating how best to set your lineup, we’re here to help. USA TODAY Sports has your guide to sorting out your fantasy lineup at every position for Week 5. Here are our staff start and sit recommendations for the rest of this week:

Fantasy football start ’em: Week 5 QBs

Jared Goff, Detroit Lions (at Cincinnati Bengals)

Goff has as high a fantasy ceiling as any quarterback, as he reminded fantasy managers during his 334-yard, five-touchdown outburst in Week 2. The Bengals have allowed the third-most passing yards to quarterbacks this season (1,089), so that could position Goff to have another big game.

The only question is whether the Bengals will be able to keep the game close enough to allow Goff the volume needed to have a top-tier day. But either way, Goff should be a threat to post multiple scores against a weak Cincinnati defense.

Justin Fields, New York Jets (vs. Dallas Cowboys)

Look, Fields wasn’t great as a passer against the Dolphins on ‘Monday Night Football.’ Still, he made up for it with a late passing touchdown to go with 81 rushing yards and a rushing score.

Now, Fields gets a great matchup against a Cowboys defense that has allowed a league-high 1,237 passing yards and 12 total touchdowns to quarterbacks through four weeks. Dallas just allowed Jordan Love to log a 25-yard scramble – the second-longest run of his career – so Fields has a high floor as a bye week fill-in for Week 5.

Jaxson Dart, New York Giants (at New Orleans Saints)

Like Fields, Dart showed his worth as a runner in Week 4. The rookie logged 10 carries for 54 yards and a touchdown in his starting debut, leading the Giants to a surprising win over the Los Angeles Chargers.

Will Dart be a high-volume passer? Probably not after logging just 20 pass attempts in his first start. Still, his mobility gives him a good rushing floor while the Saints have allowed the fifth-most FPPG to quarterbacks this season. Consider him a worthwhile streamer.

Drake Maye, New England Patriots (at Buffalo Bills)

The Bills have allowed a league-high 199 rushing yards to quarterbacks this year. Maye has excellent mobility and has posted at least 200 passing yards and two passing touchdowns in three consecutive games. The second-year starter may have the occasional bump in the road, but presently, he’s looking like an every-week starter.

Fantasy football sit ’em: Week 5 QBs

C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans (at Baltimore Ravens)

Stroud may draw some consideration as a bye-week filler. On paper, he looks like a good option, as he’s facing a Ravens defense that has allowed the third-most FPPG to quarterbacks this season and is dealing with numerous defensive injuries.

Still, it’s hard to recommend trusting Stroud. He has averaged just one touchdown per game this season and only logged multiple touchdowns against the lowly Titans. If Houston continues to lean on Woody Marks to lead its offense, that could lower Stroud’s ceiling.

Bo Nix, Denver Broncos (at Philadelphia Eagles)

Nix has posted three total touchdowns in two of his games this season. In the other two, he has logged just one touchdown. That inconsistency makes Nix a risky play against the Eagles, who have allowed just six total touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks this season.

Add in that Philadelphia ranks seventh league-wide in average time of possession (31:32) and Nix may not have the opportunities needed to emerge as anything more than a low-end streamer.

Fantasy football start ’em: Week 5 RBs

Cam Skattebo, New York Giants (at New Orleans Saints)

Skattebo followed his breakout Week 4 performance against the Chiefs with a solid stat line of 90 total yards on 27 touches. The rookie running back was overshadowed by the Giants’ rookie starter at quarterback as New York earned its first win and handed the Chargers their first loss of the season.

This week, things could be easier for Skattebo. The Saints are allowing the eighth-most points to opposing running backs this season and those with receiving chops like Skattebo have found lots of success. New Orleans gave up six catches for 52 yards and a touchdown to McCaffrey in Week 2. Most running backs have found room to run in a traditional sense, too, as the Saints are allowing 4.13 yards per carry this season.

As the first round of bye weeks hits the lineup, Skattebo looks to be a perfect spot for a starting role this week.

Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints (vs. New York Giants)

On the other side of that matchup in the Big Easy, Kamara appears poised for a great week as well. He has had solid volume in the offense despite the Saints’ 0-4 start to the season; he has had at least 13 touches per week and is averaging 3.9 yards per touch this season.

He hasn’t found the end zone since Week 1 which may change this Sunday. New York has given up at least one rushing touchdown in every game this season. The Giants defense is also allowing more than six yards per touch to running backs. The Saints’ running game is quietly among the top-10 league-wide by expected points added (EPA) per rush. Kamara and New Orleans should capitalize on a weak run defense in Week 5.

David Montgomery, Detroit Lions (at Cincinnati Bengals)

Montgomery was a sit recommendation last week and managed just 12 yards on nine rushes against Cleveland. That was a massive drop off from his incredible night against Baltimore in Week 3. Detroit continues its run against AFC North teams this week and Montgomery should be in for a better performance.

Cincinnati’s defense has allowed 193 total yards per game to opposing running back groups over the last three weeks. If not for a better performance against Cleveland in Week 1, the Bengals’ averages this season would look much worse. Running backs are averaging 5.4 yards per carry against the Bengals in their last three games. This one’s an easy gimme. Even if Gibbs goes off, there should be plenty of opportunity for Montgomery to eat as well.

Emari Demercado, Arizona Cardinals (vs. Tennessee Titans)

This was supposed to be Trey Benson initially but the Cardinals put the second-year back on injured reserve with a knee injury. He’ll be out for at least four weeks so it’s next man up in the Arizona backfield this week against Tennessee.

Demercado is listed next on the depth chart and couldn’t ask for a much better unit to face in his first start replacing Benson. Tennessee is allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season. Even the Texans – whose offensive woes are well documented this season – managed to get 181 total yards and two touchdowns from their running backs against the Titans.

Tennessee’s defense is allowing five yards per carry this season to opposing running backs. They’ve also given up seven touchdowns in four games. Demercado may be a flier but it’s hard to find a better spot start than him this week.

Fantasy football sit ’em: Week 5 RBs

Jordan Mason, Minnesota Vikings (vs. Cleveland Browns)

Cleveland came for the Detroit running backs last week and now they’re coming for Minnesota’s in Week 5. Mason had a tough afternoon against Pittsburgh in Dublin with 72 total yards on 19 touches. That was a far cry from his Week 3 performance against Cincinnati (116 yards on 16 rushes).

Minnesota’s dealing with injuries along the interior offensive line. That would be tough to overcome against most defenses in the NFL. It’s especially tough against the Browns. Opposing running backs are averaging 2.92 yards per carry against Cleveland’s defense. Even with this game taking place across the pond where the Vikings are more adjusted to the time difference thanks to last week’s Dublin game, Mason is a risky choice this week.

Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at Seattle Seahawks)

White is an appealing start with Bucky Irving out with a knee injury. Even with Irving out, White could be in for a tough day in fantasy football.

Seattle has clamped down on running backs in recent weeks, with just 84 total yards allowed per game in their last two contests. Demercado became the first running back to score on them with a receiving touchdown but it’s been tough sledding for running backs otherwise. White could be the latest to have a rough day against the Seahawks.

Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs (at Jacksonville Jaguars)

Pacheco finally found the end zone for the first time this season in Week 4 against the Ravens. The Chiefs’ offense as a whole played well, but Pacheco still didn’t find much room to run against what’s been the easiest defense for opposing running backs in fantasy football this year.

Kansas City trades that unit for a Jaguars defense riding a high from a big win on the road against the 49ers in Week 4. Jacksonville bottled McCaffrey on the ground to the tune of 2.88 yards per carry. He had better success as a receiver (six catches for 92 yards and a touchdown) but he’s one of the best receiving running backs in the league. Pacheco is not. If you’re in a tough spot with bye weeks, maybe put him in your FLEX spot. Otherwise, keep him on the bench for this one.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Washington Commanders (at Los Angeles Chargers)

‘Bill’ goes from one tough run defense to another one in Week 5. Croskey-Merritt had just 57 total yards on nine touches in the loss to Atlanta last week. On the plus side, he managed over six yards per touch but he didn’t get enough volume to have a significant day in fantasy football.

This week, he’ll get a Chargers defense that remains one of the best units against opposing running backs. The Giants were the first group of running backs to eclipse 100 yards against them but it took 32 carries. Prior to that, opposing running back groups totaled 13 carries at most against Los Angeles. They’re allowing 4.03 yards per carry and not giving much quarter in the receiving game, either, with just 4.18 yards per reception allowed.

Washington could be getting reinforcements on the offensive line soon with Sam Cosmi activated from IR. That will help Croskey-Merritt later on but not in Week 5.

Fantasy football start ’em: Week 5 WRs

Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers matching up against the Washington Commanders in Week 5 is excellent news for Los Angeles’ passing offense. Washington cornerback Marshon Lattimore has been rough in coverage through four games, and nickel corner Mike Sainristil has been inconsistent in his second season. That’s led to the Commanders holding the fourth-worst EPA/play allowed on dropbacks (0.219) in the NFL so far.

Allen, meanwhile, is a member of a Chargers offense that has leaned far more on quarterback Justin Herbert and its passing game than many anticipated. The veteran receiver is ninth in the NFL in targets (35) and leads his team with 24 receptions. Allen has split time in the slot and out wide again this season, meaning he should have a favorable matchup almost anywhere he lines up. Expect a return to form after a season-low, 37-yard outing against the Giants.

Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers

Johnston is a great start option for all of the same reasons that Allen is. The Commanders have allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to wideouts this season, and Herbert has looked like one of the best quarterbacks in football this season.

Johnston is having a breakout year and holds the edge over Allen in targets (36), receiving yards (337) and touchdowns (4). There should be plenty of targets for Herbert to spread around on Sunday afternoon, and Johnston and Allen will be two of the biggest beneficiaries.

Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions

Williams had a couple of drops and saw an underthrow from quarterback Jared Goff end in an interception in Week 4, but there’s reason to believe Week 5 will turn out much better for him.

For one thing, his eight targets in Week 4 were a significant uptick from the four he had in Week 2 and three in Week 3. For another, the Cincinnati Bengals – Detroit’s Week 5 opponent – are allowing the eighth-most fantasy points to receivers and have been allowing the eighth-most EPA/play on dropbacks to opponents over the last three weeks. The target share and volume is there, and the opponent is one the Lions can take advantage of in the passing game.

Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts

Pittman’s 10 targets against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday were his most so far this season and made him the Colts’ new leader in the statistic in 2025. He also scored his third touchdown in four games, and his 16.3-yard average depth of target was a new season-high.

The veteran receiver might be able to turn more of his target volume into big receptions against a Raiders defense that has allowed the third-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season.

Fantasy football sit ’em: Week 5 WRs

Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland Browns

Jeudy might be a tempting start because of the Browns’ change at quarterback. He’s been averaging just 7.8 fantasy points per game in PPR leagues, but could his Browns-leading 30 targets translate into more production without veteran Joe Flacco holding him back?

Maybe, but probably not this week. The Minnesota Vikings are the best team in the league at shutting down opponents’ passing offenses through four weeks. Brian Flores’ squad has allowed the fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this year and the lowest EPA/play on dropbacks.

Chris Godwin Jr., Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Godwin’s 10 targets in his Week 3 return only translated into three catches and 26 yards against the Eagles. He’s not likely to shake off any additional rust against a Seattle Seahawks defense that has allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to receivers this year.

DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles

Smith has largely been underwhelming in a fantasy context this season. He’s averaging 9.7 points in PPR leagues through four weeks even though he leads the Eagles with 158 receiving yards.

The Broncos’ defense is another bad matchup for Smith and the Birds. Denver has allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points to receivers this year and the second-lowest success rate against dropbacks. Given A.J. Brown’s outspoken frustration recently, Smith might be looking at an especially low target share in Week 5 as the Eagles try to keep their No. 1 wideout fed.

Fantasy football start ’em: Week 5 TEs

Darren Waller, Miami Dolphins at Panthers

Tough to fathom that Waller is a playable fantasy option after he came out of retirement this summer and was dealing with an injury but that’s the landscape of the position. This is the riskiest of starts most fantasy managers will make this week, but with Tyreek Hill now out for the season, Waller steps into a high-volume opportunity alongside Jaylen Waddle.

It was expected that the 33-year-old tight end would be eased into action and he was in Week 4 with just a 28% snap rate but Miami doesn’t have the luxury of holding him back. The matchup on Sunday on the road against the Panthers is also enticing as they’ve allowed the second-most yards to opposing tight ends.

Theo Johnson, New York Giants at Saints

Another tight end who could be thrust into a larger role after a season-ending injury to a teammate is Theo Johnson. Malik Nabers is out for the season, and Jaxson Dart will need to find other receiving targets. A young quarterback’s best friend is often a tight end with quick throws. Johnson is a freak athlete who put on a show at the 2024 combine. Listed at 6-foot-6, 259 pounds, Johnson is a legitimate red-zone threat and was on the receiving end of Dart’s first career passing touchdown, albeit a shuffle pass.

He missed time last season as a rookie due to a foot injury, but he managed an impressive line of 18 receptions for 216 yards over his final five games of 2024. He could finish first or second on the team in targets with Nabers out, as he demonstrated last Sunday by finishing first for New York with a 24% target share. Tight-end-needy teams can start Johnson because of his upside.

Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills vs. Patriots

Dalton Kincaid had a season low in targets (2) in Week 4 but continued to make the most of his opportunities, scoring a touchdown on a 28-yard grab. He has found the end zone in three of four games and is a clear beneficiary of the Bills’ high-octane offense. Red zone usage is key among tight ends to get those high-valued targets because a touchdown a week can be the difference between a top 10 finish or a finish outside the top 20. The Bills host the Patriots in Week 5 on Sunday night, who have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends.

Buffalo has the highest implied team total of the week yet again (29.5) and this matchup has the highest total of the week (50.5). There should be plenty of fantasy goodness for the Bills, and Kincaid should be in your lineups again in Week 5.

Fantasy football sit ’em: Week 5 TEs

T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings vs. Browns (London game)

Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy will continue to be sidelined with a high ankle sprain and Carson Wentz is slated to start his third straight game.

Hockenson has been one of the biggest disappointments of the fantasy season so far, finishing outside the top 10 at the position in three of four games. The Browns defense has been spectacular at times through the first month and Minnesota’s offensive line is dinged up entering this matchup. The Vikings will be without three starters up front in Ryan Kelly, Brian O’Neill and Donovan Jackson.

Expect it to be a brutal matchup for Minnesota’s offense against Myles Garrett and Co. Hockenson will finish outside the top 10 at the position again in Week 5.

Hunter Henry, New England Patriots at Bills

The veteran in New England was near entering must-start status but the matchup in Week 5 causes hesitation for Henry. The Patriots’ offense has flowed through Henry, but Stefon Diggs had his highest route participation of the year in Week 4. Drake Maye is blossoming into a great quarterback early in 2025, but a matchup in prime time on the road in Orchard Park is challenging for the 23-year-old quarterback.

The Bills have allowed the second-fewest receptions (nine) and fewest yards (67) to opposing tight ends. They’ve done this without Matt Milano, who is their best linebacker in pass coverage. You should arrange to keep Henry out of lineups this week.

Fantasy football kicker rankings Week 5

1. Brandon Aubrey, Dallas Cowboys (at New York Jets)
2. Jake Bates, Detroit Lions (at Cincinnati Bengals)
3. Chase McLaughlin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at Seattle Seahawks)
4. Spencer Shrader, Indianapolis Colts (vs. Las Vegas Raiders)
5. Cameron Dicker, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. Washington Commanders)
6. Ka’imi Fairbairn, Houston Texans (at Baltimore Ravens)
7. Harrison Butker, Kansas City Chiefs (at Jacksonville Jaguars)
8. Jake Elliott, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. Denver Broncos)
9. Matt Prater, Buffalo Bills (vs. New England Patriots)
10. Joshua Karty, Los Angeles Rams (vs. San Francisco 49ers) – Thursday Night Football
11. Chad Ryland, Arizona Cardinals (vs. Tennessee Titans)
12. Jason Myers, Seattle Seahawks (vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
13. Matt Gay, Washington Commanders (at Los Angeles Chargers)
14. Wil Lutz, Denver Broncos (at Philadelphia Eagles)
15. Cam Little, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. Kansas City Chiefs)
16. Will Reichard, Minnesota Vikings (vs. Cleveland Browns)
17. Nick Folk, New York Jets (vs. Dallas Cowboys)
18. Joey Slye, Tennessee Titans (at Arizona Cardinals)
19. Tyler Loop, Baltimore Ravens (vs. Houston Texans)
20. Daniel Carlson, Las Vegas Raiders (at Indianapolis Colts)
21. Eddy Pineiro, San Francisco 49ers (at Los Angeles Rams) – Thursday Night Football
22. Riley Patterson, Miami Dolphins (at Carolina Panthers)
23. Ryan Fitzgerald, Carolina Panthers (vs. Miami Dolphins)
24. Andre Szmyt, Cleveland Browns (vs. Minnesota Vikings)
25. Evan McPherson, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Detroit Lions)
26. Andy Borregales, New England Patriots (at Buffalo Bills)
27. Jude McAtamney, New York Giants (at New Orleans Saints)
28. Blake Grupe, New Orleans Saints (vs. New York Giants)

Fantasy football D/STs rankings Week 5

1. Minnesota Vikings (at Cleveland Browns in London)
2. Detroit Lions (at Cincinnati Bengals)
3. Arizona Cardinals (vs. Tennessee Titans)
4. Indianapolis Colts (vs. Las Vegas Raiders)
5. Cleveland Browns (vs. Minnesota Vikings in London)
6. Los Angeles Rams (vs. San Francisco 49ers) – Thursday Night Football
7. Philadelphia Eagles (vs. Denver Broncos)
8. Buffalo Bills (vs. New England Patriots)
9. Seattle Seahawks (vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
10. New York Giants (at New Orleans Saints)
11. Houston Texans (at Baltimore Ravens)
12. New Orleans Saints (vs. New York Giants)
13. Kansas City Chiefs (at Jacksonville Jaguars)
14. Los Angeles Chargers (vs. Washington Commanders)
15. Denver Broncos (at Philadelphia Eagles)

AI-assisted summary
• Cassie Sengul, a college golfer with cerebral palsy, found her sport after trying many others that were too physically demanding.
• A softball coach’s observation about her swing led Sengul to try golf, where she now plays collegiately and competes in adaptive tournaments.
• Experts suggest that trying various activities helps young athletes find a sport that fits their abilities and provides long-term fulfillment.

Cassie Sengul tried swimming. She tried horseback riding, cheerleading, soccer, and softball.

“My parents put me around every sport you could think of, sometimes doing three at one time, just to keep me active,” she says. “But I could never keep up with my teammates as much. I could never really excel.”

Sengul, 19, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy – a brain disorder that causes problems with normal motor function – at around age 2.

During her early teenage years, Sengul had a life-altering conversation with her softball coach, who told her: “You don’t really have a softball swing. It’s more of a golf swing, so you should give it a try just for fun.”

She attended a summer golf camp and started taking lessons. She came into her own at Gainesville (Virginia) High.

She is now a college sophomore who plays for NCAA Division III Drew University and is nationally and internationally ranked at adaptive golf.

“The more that we understand the development of kids and how that interacts with their health development – getting out, doing something physical, connecting with other people, feeling some responsibility – it just seems to be more and more important as time goes on,” says Matthew Oetgen, an orthopedist on the team at Children’s National Hospital that has performed two surgeries on Sengul. “It can get on the other side of it when there’s so much pressure to perform or these kids get sort of pigeonholed into one thing very early on.

“But Cassie’s story is great because she’s an active person who wanted to do a lot of stuff and then found this sport that not only is good for her, but she’s good at after trial and error doing certain things.”

Sengul will try to defend her women’s title at the GAP Adaptive Championship starting Oct. 6 in Telford, Pennsylvania. Her story is also one for all of us to take in about how athletics can carry us through life, and how we don’t have to start a sport early on to become elite.

She and Oetgen spoke with USA TODAY Sports about how young athletes can find long-term fulfillment with sports and meet athletic goals, no matter which obstacles face them.

We don’t have to follow what others are doing. Just help your kids find the sport they love

According to Children’s National Hospital, cerebral palsy affects body movement, muscle control, coordination, reflexes, posture and balance.

Children with cerebral palsy can experience issues with spasticity and tightness, Oetgen says. As bones grow, muscles, which are already tight, get stretched, which exacerbates the problem.

But stretching, building up muscle and working on motor control can counterbalance the condition’s effects on the body.

“Kids who are immobile or kids who don’t do very much, it tends to affect them a lot more,” Oetgen says. “And then kids who work on stretching and what I would call passively stretching, which is just walking around and being active, you’re sort of always stretching things out, it tends to counteract that tightening of the muscles and the constant sort of spasticity. And Cassie is one that has always been very active and has moved and done things. And that’s why I think she’s done so well from these procedures.”

Sengul had left foot and ankle surgery around age 7 and then had one to reposition her left big toe when she was 12.

“It’s not just a passive journey,” Oetgen says. “You get the foot in the right position, but you gotta work on it more and she’s always done that, which has sort of helped her do so well over time.”

Still, she was frustrated by her play at sports. What she didn’t realize, what many of us don’t realize, is that she was putting herself along a path to find the one that fit her best.

“I always did recreational because I knew it was gonna be too difficult to take it to the next level,” she says. “When I played soccer, softball, it was so much running and cardio that it was so hard for me to keep up, but I’d just wear out a lot quicker.

“With golf, it’s more of a duration over four hours, so it gives me time to get breaks, but I’m still moving for those four hours so it’s been a lot easier for me to do and it’s not as hard on my body to recover after a round.”

Keep searching for the right sport, the right situation, and believe in yourself once you get there

Sengul wanted to play a sport in high school, but needed one that worked with social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic. She found golf, or perhaps golf found her.

“It’s just sort of a unique sport that combines those things in the lower extremity that is more than just walking around,” Oetgen says. “Kids who have some weakness in the muscles, obviously walking and doing things will help strengthen the muscle. Playing golf, you’re walking a lot and you’re up and down the hills and side hills and all that sort of stuff, that forces you to get exercise and strength in the lower extremities, just by being out there.

“And then when you play on the level that Cassie plays, where you’re really pushing yourself and swinging hard, you’re putting a lot of torque and a lot of stretching on the body and a lot of that stuff comes from the lower extremity where Cassie would have the most effect from the condition. …

“It helps to have such a positive patient, and wanting to get better, and she did awesome.”

Sengul says it was “100% difficult at first.” She says both sides are still affected, but her left side is severely impacted. The physical therapy has come in her action and movement.

She is right-handed and even with stretching, she rotates less than the average golfer.

But she started going to weekly golf camps or clinics and slowly got addicted.

“I can remember my dad when I wanted to play golf, he was like, ‘Ohhhh, this is gonna be difficult,’ ” Sengul says. “He’s like, ‘Don’t expect to make the team your freshman year.’ And I wanted to prove him wrong so bad. And I did.

“It’s kind of basic, but you can do anything you put your mind to. I really wanted to be great at a sport and it was just finding the right one, and then once I found it, it’s all I wanted to do is be great and be a role model for future generations.”

If we handle the mental side of sports, we also help control the physical

She couldn’t hit it as far as everybody else, but that just meant she had to get really good at scoring with her short game and gaining confidence in as many areas as she could control.

What’s that Yogi Berra once said? Ninety percent of baseball is mental, the other half is physical. In golf, it can work the same way.

“Playing in a sport where it wasn’t just about your physical ability, it was more about how strong your mental game is, that kind of allowed me also to play well,” Sengul says. “I can shoot some solid rounds and put myself in contention more than I was ever able to do with any other sport. …

“I didn’t start on my freshman year team because I was at a different high school, but going into my sophomore year, I knew I could play and then that season I ended up starting every tournament and I was actually starting to shoot low rounds. So that was really the turning point and then I didn’t think I’d play it collegiately until I started getting coaches emailing me. I was like, ‘Whoa, I did not see this coming, but maybe I should. Maybe this will be fun.’ ”

More Coach Steve: Yogi Berra was a sports dad and grampa, too; what can parents learn from him?

You make friends when you have teammates with common goals and interests

Cassie also tried out adaptive golf, which allows people with disabilities to play through modified rules or equipment, based on their abilities.

Players are put in an impairment category – Sengul’s is coordination – and assessors place them at a yardage they think is appropriate.

“I play with people who hit it just as far as me,” she says. “Even if they have different conditions than me, we still all hit it around the same distance.”

Everyone is encouraged to play adaptive golf. Think of it as if every club team played in a competitive tier that matched their own skills.

“I’ve always gotten stared at my whole life, just because of the way I walked, but a lot of the time when people look at me weirdly, I’m like, ‘I know I can play better than you,’ ” she says. “I’ve never had anybody say anything, but I do get stares, but I’ve been taught to ignore them.”

Sengul entered the U.S. Adaptive Open in 2024. She says she walked around feeling timid but had that inner strength sports helped teach her. She finished fifth overall.

This past summer, as one of the younger players in the field at the U.S. Adaptive Open, she grabbed the overnight lead after the second round and finished fourth overall at 21-over 240 in three rounds.

“It’s not about how good you shoot that day or how many putts drop,” she says. “It’s really about connecting with people and connecting with yourself on the course.”

‘Is it worth it?’ Red flags to watch with youth sports programs

Find a game you can enjoy with others and have for life

Golf is an individual sport, but as we’ve seen in the Ryder Cup, players can be most passionate when the’ are playing for each other. Sengul feels the connection at Drew University, where she plays the same tees as everyone else.

She has learned to tell herself after a bad day, “Nobody’s going to remember this round in a week.” She also knows she can lean on others.

“I’m a vital part of the team and they know that; they don’t treat me any different,” she says. “They want me to win, so it’s just really special to have them always with me. We lost our conference championship last year. We ended up losing in a tiebreaker. So we all felt the pain of it. But we can make the most of what we have that’s in front of us.”

In adaptive golf, she says she mainly rides in a cart between holes just for pace of play. But overall she walks as much as possible when playing to get ready for college.

“We play basically every day here at school,” she says. “It’s five days of practice, and then you have a tournament over the weekend. So it was a lot just adjusting my body to that. And we do workouts during the week, too. So it was a lot for me to take on at first, but if I just keep doing it, it works out fine.”

‘What do you need to play?’

She feels the support from Taner Sengul and Kristina Peterman, the parents who let her try everything. Peterman caddies for her at adaptive tournaments.

“She doesn’t really have any golf knowledge, but it’s just about having fun and having a bond in a sport, which you really wouldn’t have with a parent, unless they were your coach,” Sengul says. “So it’s really gotten me closer with my parents.

“We’ll go and play on the weekends and have fun, but I’m better than them so they know not to try to teach me anything.”

Her sister, Alexa, 25, who grew up playing soccer, will sometimes get on the course with her, too.

“There is no age limit for this,” she says, “and you just meet so many people that you wouldn’t usually meet. Even if you get paired with some randoms on the course, you may have something in common and then you can become really close in adaptive golf.”

As Cassie spoke in a video interview last month, she was about to attend a Broadway show with a friend she met through adaptive golf.

“I’ve really gotten to know a lot of people from different backgrounds and how golf has all brought us together to make a movement in sports,” she says.

Issa Nlareb won last year’s men’s division champ at the GAP Adaptive Championship after shooting an even-par 145. He contracted bacterial meningitis in 2017, which resulted in amputation of both legs and several fingers.

“What do you need to play?” his doctor asked him.

He says she gave him straps to tie his feet and tie his hand to the club to help him grip it.

Oetgen sees Cassie once a year, mainly, he says, to hear stories of her progress. He followed her online at last summer’s U.S. Adaptive Open, thinking about how many other young athletes she is helping along the way.

“I always talk about Cassie and I have one other (12-year-old) patient who came in with a broken arm, and I asked her how she did it, and she fell off a rock climbing wall,” he says. “She said, ‘I’m a nationally ranked rock climber …. my parents just told me to keep on trying stuff until I got good at something.’ And she found rock climbing.

“And so I think it’s important to, early on, have people try different things and then you eventually find the thing that you like or that you’re good at. Cassie’s a great example there.’

Steve Borelli, aka Coach Steve, has been an editor and writer with USA TODAY since 1999. He spent 10 years coaching his two sons’ baseball and basketball teams. He and his wife, Colleen, are now sports parents for two high schoolers. His column is posted weekly. For his past columns, click here.