In their first week, the Ravens stepped on the rake like it was a late January playoff game. No sweat, though. There’s a long way to go for everybody. But a recurring storyline again this year will be Lamar Jackson’s quest for an overdue Super Bowl. Same for the Bills’ Josh Allen. As their grace periods erode, anything less than reaching the big game will invite unsympathetic scrutiny and shouts that they’re no Patrick Mahomes.
Sunday punch: In a tale of two cities, the Ravens celebrate 30 years in Baltimore when they host the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, proving that the NFL schedule-maker has a keen sense of whimsy.
Ground game: His late-game fumble at Buffalo shifted the focus from an otherwise spectacular Week 1 effort, but nobody carries the football with both power and speed quite like Ravens one-man wrecking crew Derrick Henry.
What to expect: The AFC’s road to the Super Bowl, football insiders now assure us, will go through Buffalo. With the help of several snowplows most likely.
Analysis malpractice: Radio/TV/online opinionators are at it again, this time framing Sunday’s Super Bowl rematch between the Chiefs and Eagles as a one-on-one duel between Mahomes and Jalen Hurts. As if it’s a tennis match or a prize fight and not a total team endeavor. Don’t pay attention to these people.
Locally: Regarding the blowback from Virginia Wesleyan’s name change … Jane Batten didn’t ask for any of this.
Firing line: After a dismal performance against the Commanders, Russell Wilson will start again against the Cowboys, if only because the Giants aren’t ready to admit that they picked the wrong No. 1 quarterback. A repeat of Wilson’s anemic efforts, though, will soon usher in the Giants’ future — rookie Jaxson Dart.
Taxpayer relief: This week’s announcements from the Bears and Broncos that they will be building privately financed stadiums are a refreshing departure from the usual socialized municipal sports projects. May this become a trend.
Early returns: Even with a 22-for-30, four-touchdown passing day, Aaron Rodgers’ revenge victory over the Jets hinged on a late 60-yard field goal from Chris Boswell. Should the Steelers be concerned about their defense?
No doubt: Baseball insiders shouldn’t overthink this — with his 50 home runs and an MLB-leading 123 RBIs, the Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber is the NL MVP.
Military review: Somebody explain how Army can lose to Tarleton State of Texas one week, then win at Kansas State the next.
Class act: Italian tennis marvel Jannik Sinner could give the world lessons in how to lose with dignity.
Not all about numbers: Total viewing of college football is up 25% across all platforms, a third consecutive year of rising numbers. So no, portal chaos and pay-for-play haven’t turned off fans. Never thought they would. But viewership doesn’t tell us everything about the health of college sports.
To be expected: When three Division I men’s basketball players are banned by the NCAA for betting on their own games and manipulating their own stats to win prop bets via online gambling, the last reaction anyone should have is surprise. Meanwhile, how many cases like these go undetected?
Bob Molinaro is a former Virginian-Pilot sports columnist. His Weekly Briefing runs Fridays in The Pilot and Daily Press. He can be reached at bob5molinaro@gmail.com and via Twitter@BobMolinaro.
Originally Published: September 11, 2025 at 2:18 PM EDT