Samwise NFL Newsletter
Friday, October 2, 2026
Watson Leads Third Straight Winning Drive as Browns Edge Steelers 27-24
Deshaun Watson led a winning drive for the third consecutive game Thursday night, putting the Cleveland Browns in range for Andre Szmyt’s 56-yard field goal with 10 seconds left in a 27-24 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Cleveland led 21-10 at halftime, but Pittsburgh tied the score at 24-24 on a 3-yard Aaron Rodgers touchdown pass to Pat Freiermuth and a 2-point sneak by Rodgers. Safety Grant Delpit intercepted a final desperation heave to preserve the win. The victory gave the Browns their first 3-1 start since 2021 and sole possession of the AFC North for the first time since Nov. 9, 2014.
Steelers’ McCarthy Regrets Profane Exchange with Rodgers Caught on Broadcast
Steelers coach Mike McCarthy expressed regret for profanity he used toward quarterback Aaron Rodgers that was caught on the broadcast of Thursday’s 27-24 loss in Cleveland. Midway through the first quarter, a hot mic caught a frustrated Rodgers yelling toward the sideline before cameras showed McCarthy muttering a profanity. “Any negative communication on my part, I wish I wouldn’t use those words,” McCarthy said. Rodgers said crowd noise made some calls hard to hear. He completed 22 of 40 passes for 299 yards with two interceptions and was sacked five times, each against man defense, according to ESPN Research.
Cowboys Send Steelers Two Draft Picks for Cornerback Joey Porter Jr.
The Dallas Cowboys acquired cornerback Joey Porter Jr. from the Pittsburgh Steelers for a 2027 sixth-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick, according to multiple reports cited by Pro Football Talk. The sixth-rounder is Pittsburgh’s own pick, which the Steelers had previously traded to Dallas in the George Pickens deal. Porter is in the final year of his contract, carrying a $3.924 million salary. He had not played this season, officially because of a back injury, and was unhappy with his contract. For Dallas, the move bolsters the defense immediately; Pittsburgh adds future draft capital for a player who wanted out.
Sources: Pro Football Talk
Browns Lose Mason Graham to Knee Injury; Steelers Lose Harmon and Dean
Browns defensive tackle Mason Graham was ruled out of Thursday’s 27-24 win over Pittsburgh with a left knee injury suffered on the Steelers’ opening series, when his left leg bent awkwardly while he was being blocked. Graham, the No. 5 pick in the 2025 draft, leads the Browns with four sacks, tied for second most in the NFL. Replacement Mike Hall Jr. was carted to the locker room with an ankle injury in the second quarter but returned in the third. Pittsburgh lost defensive tackle Derrick Harmon to a foot injury and cornerback Jamel Dean to an ankle injury; both left in the second quarter and were ruled out.
Jayden Daniels Unconcerned About Reinjuring Elbow as Commanders Prepare for Colts
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels said Thursday he has no concern about reinjuring his dislocated left elbow. “That’s what the brace is for,” Daniels said. “If I had that concern, I would have gotten surgery.” Daniels was a limited participant in practice for the second consecutive day Thursday at the resort in England where the Commanders are staying ahead of Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts, but it remains uncertain whether he will play. If not, Marcus Mariota will make a second consecutive start. Daniels dislocated the elbow in a Week 2 loss at Dallas. He will wear a different brace that keeps the elbow slightly bent.
Saints Place Travis Etienne Jr. on Injured Reserve with Hamstring Injury
The New Orleans Saints placed running back Travis Etienne Jr. on injured reserve with a hamstring injury, sidelining him for at least the next four games. Etienne grabbed his left hamstring at the end of a 16-yard run in the third quarter of the Week 3 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders and did not return. Coach Kellen Moore said the injury did not require surgery. “It’ll take a little while,” Moore said. Kendre Miller and Alvin Kamara will take the majority of Etienne’s snaps, with rookie CJ Donaldson working in short-yardage situations. Etienne signed a four-year, $52 million contract with New Orleans in free agency.
Eagles’ DeVonta Smith and Zack Baun Remain Out of Practice
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun (concussion) and wide receiver DeVonta Smith (hamstring) remained out of practice Thursday. Wide receiver Hollywood Brown (ankle), tight end Dallas Goedert (knee) and offensive tackle Fred Johnson (knee) also missed a second consecutive practice; all three missed Monday’s loss to the Chicago Bears. Running back Will Shipley (foot) returned to limited work after missing Wednesday, and linebacker Jihaad Campbell (knee) returned to full participation. Defensive tackles Jordan Davis (calf) and Moro Ojomo (calf, elbow) were again limited, and safety Marcus Epps (groin) was added to the injury report as a limited participant.
Sources: Pro Football Talk
Kenneth Walker III and Brock Purdy Named September Offensive Players of the Month
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III and San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy were named the AFC and NFC Offensive Players of the Month for September. Walker heads into October as the NFL’s leading rusher with 360 yards for the 3-0 Chiefs. Purdy has completed 60 of 83 passes for 789 yards and nine touchdowns with one interception and has yet to take a sack. Buffalo’s Gregory Rousseau and the New York Giants’ Jevon Holland took the defensive honors. Chiefs tackle Kahlil Benson, an undrafted free agent, became the first lineman to win Offensive Rookie of the Month since Quenton Nelson in October 2018.
AFC Standings
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| AFC East | |||
| Buffalo Bills | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| New York Jets | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| New England Patriots | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Miami Dolphins | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| AFC North | |||
| Cleveland Browns | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Baltimore Ravens | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| AFC South | |||
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Tennessee Titans | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Houston Texans | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| AFC West | |||
| Kansas City Chiefs | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Denver Broncos | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 0 | 3 | 0 |
NFC Standings
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFC East | |||
| Philadelphia Eagles | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| New York Giants | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Washington Commanders | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| NFC North | |||
| Minnesota Vikings | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Detroit Lions | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Chicago Bears | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Green Bay Packers | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| NFC South | |||
| Carolina Panthers | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| New Orleans Saints | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Atlanta Falcons | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| NFC West | |||
| San Francisco 49ers | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Seattle Seahawks | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 1 | 2 | 0 |
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Curated by JD · samwise.agency