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New York Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Why Jaguars need Travis Hunter (the cornerback), plus stats to watch & Washington's encore
Inside: Updated power rankings, how Washington's managing new expectations, and why Travis Hunter could — and should — see plenty of snaps at cornerback. We'll start with the latter. This article is from Scoop City, The Athletic's NFL newsletter. Sign up here to receive it directly in your inbox. There's a reality where the same player wins the offensive and defensive rookie of the year awards. We might be in it. As of Thursday morning, Travis Hunter was third in BetMGM's odds for the award on offense and second for the defensive version. That's one of those first-in-a-lifetime lines to type. Jacksonville was the perfect landing spot for a dual threat. He has their offense poised to breakout, but may be more valuable in the league's worst secondary. The Jaguars … The secondary should be improved with the additions of Hunter, former Cowboys standout nickel CB Jourdan Lewis (79.0 PFF coverage grade, 15th of 222 corners) and third-round pick Caleb Ransaw. And if talented but oft-injured CB Tyson Campbell bounces back and CB Jarrian Jones can build on a promising rookie season, this could become a position of strength for the Jaguars quickly. It'll help if Hunter continues making plays like this: Everything has gone well so far in Jacksonville, as Hunter signed his rookie contract at a CBA-mandated bargain of $11.6 million APY without missing any practice time. The biggest competition for Hunter the cornerback might be his receiving snaps; he began OTAs and minicamp as a wide receiver before splitting his days between each position. Advertisement The offense-first trend continued in training camp, with The Athletic's Jeff Howe reporting that Hunter joined the receivers for every offensive period but mixed in with defensive coaches during any special teams periods. But Jeff notes that this might not foreshadow Hunter's in-season workload, since Hunter has more experience on defense and thus the extra offensive coaching is more about growth than future opportunity. It's a sentiment shared by HC Liam Coen: 'That's why we're (starting with) more offense, not necessarily to say that he's going to play more offense this fall,' Coen said. 'It's because that's where he needs the most development right now. There's so much more fundamentals, technique, detail, timing, being at the right spot at the right time, a lot more verbiage.' Jeff's full story on the Jaguars' plans is worth your time. We'll monitor that throughout camp, as well as less glamorous battles in Cleveland (QB), New England (RB) and Indianapolis (QB). There's plenty to improve there, too: Browns: 14.2 points per game (ranked 32nd). Constantly trailing their opponents (Browns ranked 31st in time leading) forced Cleveland to pass at a league-high 68.6 percent rate, which isn't ideal for a team with a quarterback battle that is now between Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett. Patriots: 49.6 rushes per fumble (32nd). New England lost control of the ball at 10 times the rate of their division-rival Bills, which led to 12 total fumbles (ranking 28th). It's one reason TreVeyon Henderson was their surprise pick in round two, despite having Rhamondre Stevenson under contract. A split role is likely, as Chad Graff details on what to expect from Henderson. Colts: 56.3 percent completion rate (32nd). The 2024 Colts' quarterbacks, Anthony Richardson and Joe Flacco, posted the league's worst completion rate. It's the rare situation where Daniel Jones — who has a career completion percentage of 64.1 — will be a welcome change for the Colts' talented pass-catchers. Of course, that's assuming he wins their ongoing training camp competition, as Richardson is back throwing the football. If the Eagles are the NFL's best, who is No. 2? Lamar Jackson's Ravens finally passed Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs for that slot in The Athletic's latest Power Rankings. The 49ers (+7) and Jaguars (+5) rose more than any other team, while losing star LT Tristan Wirfs knocked the Buccaneers (-4) down. Here's the full list: Toughest team to rank? The Commanders, explained author Josh Kendall, who had them at No. 6. I shot him a message to ask why. It comes down to math: 💬 'Only 10 teams in the last 25 years have converted more fourth down attempts than Washington did a year ago (20) and none of those teams came close to the Commanders' 87 percent success rate. Changing that math alone could mean the difference in two to three wins. 'Then throw in a schedule that's one of the league's 10 hardest, a defense that wasn't good last year and the mystery box that is second-year quarterbacks and Washington may not finish anywhere close to the sixth I have them.' More on the Commanders, now: Expectations were low before the 2024 season. Washington's last playoff victory had come in 2005, and their previous five seasons ended like this: A new regime and rookie quarterback offered hope, but surely needed time. Or so we thought. The Commanders finished 12-5, nearly doubling their preseason expected win total of 6.5 and falling one game shy of a Super Bowl appearance. They won more games than any Washington team since Joe Gibbs coached the Super Bowl winners in 1991. How do you follow that? Advertisement These 2025 Commanders are expected to win, but their goals aren't tied to results. Instead, the offseason focus is on maintaining the 'Commander Standard,' while remaining a step ahead of opposing teams, all of whom had the offseason to study Kliff Kingsbury's offense. To help, Washington shipped a plethora of draft picks for veteran additions WR Deebo Samuel and OT Laremy Tunsil, then signed edge Von Miller, who is now 36. They're joined by early-round picks OT Josh Conerly Jr. and CB Trey Amos, who are expected to contribute early. They just need to resolve WR Terry McLaurin's contract situation. The other question in Washington is about their name. I felt like their 2024 success legitimized the name 'Commanders,' but that sentiment is not shared by all. I asked David Aldridge, The Athletic's senior columnist and Washington local, about whether my feelings align with those in D.C. : 💬 'There will always be a segment of the Washington fan base that will never accept the name 'Commanders,' because it was adapted while Dan Snyder owned the team. The antipathy toward the former regime will take more than a year or two to ebb. 'Among that segment, as well, are fans who will simply never accept any name other than 'Redskins,' no matter what evidence they receive that many Native and non-Native American fans of the team believe that nickname to be a racial slur. 'But, to answer your question: a lot of Washington fans have accepted the name 'Commanders,' and accepted it a lot faster after the team won the most games in 30 years last season, with Jayden Daniels as its franchise-level quarterback.' 📓 Are you ready? Inspiring head coaches and uninspiring quarterback competitions are two of the biggest training camp storylines to follow. ✅ Attendance is mandatory. Many players are absent from training camp as their contract demands remain unmet; the list is shorter than I expected, but still includes two Bengals pass rushers, a Browns running back and Lions LB Alex Anzalone. 👀 Eyes on Shedeur Sanders. A strong offseason could have the fifth-round pick starting for the Browns before long. He's one of 32 players in The Athletic's list of players to watch during training camp. 💼 Rashee Rice's suspension feels inevitable after he pled guilty to felony charges associated with his role in a multi-vehicle car crash last offseason. For now, he's a full participant at Chiefs camp. ▶️ Monday's most-clicked: Clemson's Cade Klubnik is No. 1 in The Athletic's ranking of all 136 projected starting college football quarterbacks. 📫 Enjoyed this read? Sign up here to receive The Athletic's free NFL newsletter in your inbox. Also, check out our other newsletters.
CNN
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- CNN
US passport falls again in power rankings
US passport falls again in power rankings The United States is on the brink of dropping out of the top 10 ranking of the world's most powerful passports. CNN's Will Ripley reports. 00:35 - Source: CNN Vertical Trending Now 13 videos US passport falls again in power rankings The United States is on the brink of dropping out of the top 10 ranking of the world's most powerful passports. CNN's Will Ripley reports. 00:35 - Source: CNN Fans pay tribute to Ozzy Osbourne Fans have gathered in Ozzy Osbourne's hometown to pay tribute to the former Black Sabbath singer, who died yesterday at the age of 76. One of them told CNN's Salma Abdelaziz that Osbourne will 'live on forever in his music.' 01:07 - Source: CNN Hot Chinese brands are coming to America Chinese brands like Luckin Coffee, Pop Mart, and HEYTEA are expanding in the United States, despite the ongoing trade war. CNN's Vanessa Yurkevich and Marc Stewart report from two different continents on why the companies covet American customers. 02:10 - Source: CNN Metal legend Ozzy Osbourne dies at 76-years-old Ozzy Osbourne, the hellraising frontman of Black Sabbath and reality TV star, has died aged 76. CNN's Stephanie Elam looks back at the legendary career as the Godfather of Heavy Metal. 03:05 - Source: CNN Missing child case from 46 years ago reopened A federal appeals court overturned the verdict of Pedro Hernandez, the bodega worker who was found guilty in 2017 of kidnapping and murdering Etan Patz in 1979. Patz was 6 years old when he disappeared on the first day he was allowed to walk alone to his school bus stop in New York City. 01:50 - Source: CNN Tesla Diner opens in Los Angeles The first Tesla Diner opened on Monday in Los Angeles to a crowd of customers. The restaurant has Tesla chargers, a robot that serves popcorn and a drive-in movie theater. Tesla CEO Elon Musk said he plans to build more diners in the future if this location succeeds. 00:58 - Source: CNN Is Coca-Cola with cane sugar healthier? Coca-Cola will launch a new soda in the US made with cane sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup. CNN's Jacqueline Howard looks at the difference between the two sweeteners. 01:29 - Source: CNN Stephen Colbert addresses 'The Late Show' cancellation 'Cancel culture has gone too far,' Stephen Colbert told the audience as he began his first post-cancellation episode of 'The Late Show.' The host went on to fire back at Trump's Truth Social post celebrating the announcement by CBS. The episode also featured cameos by late night talk show hosts including Jimmy Fallon, Jon Stewart, John Oliver and Seth Meyers. 01:24 - Source: CNN Malcolm-Jamal Warner's impact on Black community Actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, best known for his role as Cliff Huxtable on 'The Cosby Show,' has died at age 54 in a drowning accident in Costa Rica where he was on vacation with family, according to authorities. Costa Rica's Judicial Investigation Department told CNN that Warner was swimming Sunday at Playa Grande de Cocles in Limon province when a current pulled him deeper into the ocean, where the Red Cross later declared him dead. CNN's Lisa Respers France reports. 00:59 - Source: CNN International visitors to US will pay new fee CNN's Richard Quest explains how the Trump administration enacted a bill that will require international visitors to pay a new 'visa integrity fee' of $250 dollars. The fee will apply to all visitors who are required to obtain nonimmigrant visas to enter the US. 01:36 - Source: CNN Pilot apologizes after making hard turn to avoid B-52 bomber A pilot flying a Delta Air Lines regional jet apologized to his passengers on Friday after making an 'aggressive maneuver' to avoid hitting a US Air Force B-52 bomber, audio shared on TikTok from the incident shows. SkyWest Airlines and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the close call. 01:08 - Source: CNN Comparing Scottie Scheffler to Tiger Woods Scottie Scheffler's win at the Open has drawn comparisons to the great Tiger Woods. CNN Sports' Patrick Snell has taken a look at some interesting stats that show Scheffler's on course for greatness. 00:38 - Source: CNN Coldplay's Chris Martin warns concertgoers Coldplay's lead singer, Chris Martin, could be heard warning the audience about cameras at a concert in Madison, Wisconsin. 00:50 - Source: CNN
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
WNBA Week 9 power rankings
The post WNBA Week 9 power rankings appeared first on ClutchPoints. As the WNBA entered the All‑Star break, culminating the first half of the 2025 season, Week 9 provides in a snapshot of a league defined by dominant front‑runners, rising challengers, and teams fighting to lay foundations for future success. In this in‑depth essay, we'll explore all 13 teams, weaving together records, key storylines, and what lies ahead once the second half begins. Minnesota Lynx stand as the gold standard—top-tier defense, top-tier offense, and a championship contender that has averted fatigue and kept winning through adversity. Phoenix Mercury have earned their place as a real threat, with a high-functioning core and no easy outs. New York Liberty, despite injuries, remain one of the league's best. Their return-to-form pace and upcoming player resurrections forecast a dominant post‑All-Star stretch. Seattle Storm wield the depth and veteran talent to surprise but must secure better results against peers. Indiana Fever ride a wave of confidence, led by Clark's return and a reenergized offense, though their defense needs attention. In the middle is a pack of teams riding recent surges. Washington, Atlanta, and Golden State each have strengths and recent success, yet inconsistent showings near the break suggest their ceiling might hover between playoffs and early exits. Las Vegas, while always dangerous, must reconcile its defensive frailties despite A'ja Wilson's brilliance. Los Angeles surprised, but they're still searching for consistency. Further down, Chicago, Dallas, and Connecticut are in clear rebuild mode—each showing glimmers of hope but needing cohesion and development to pivot fully. 1. Minnesota Lynx (20–4) Topping the standings with a stellar 20‑4 record, the Lynx stand as the league's benchmark at the midpoint. Their formidable defense—a league-best defensive rating and +9.7 point differential per 100 possessions—anchors their identity. Offensively, Napheesa Collier continues her MVP‐level campaign, supplemented by veteran scoring from Kayla McBride, Courtney Williams, and Alanna Smith. Minnesota shines on its home court (12–0), and its balanced elite play has positioned it as the top contender following last year's Finals run. The challenge post‑break will be maintaining this pace as rivals regroup and the schedule intensifies. 2. Phoenix Mercury (15–7) The Mercury remain perched at second with a well‑balanced 15‑7 mark. Alyssa Thomas continues to nudge her way into MVP and Defensive Player of the Year conversations, recording nearly triple‑double numbers and anchoring Phoenix's defense. Kahleah Copper provides scoring punch, and Satou Sabally's facilitation and defense boost the backcourt. Their recent three‑game win streak into the break highlights consistency, though they've shown vulnerabilities against elite teams. For Phoenix, the path forward depends on whether their team cohesion can sustain against the league's best. 3. New York Liberty (15–6) Heading into the break, New York leads the East and sits third overall at 15‑6. Their efficiency is elite—top‑in‑class shooting, scoring, and ball control season‑to‑date. The recent return of Finals MVP Jonquel Jones after an ankle injury adds dynamic scoring and rebounding, especially alongside Breanna Stewart. The anticipated mid‑season signing of Emma Meesseman, fresh off EuroBasket MVP honors, bolsters frontcourt depth and enhances their hopes for back‑to‑back titles. With a 9‑0 start when healthy and crests of momentum closing before the break, the Liberty enter the all‑star pause poised for a dominant second half. 4. Seattle Storm (14–9) Seattle has carved out a 14‑9 record behind a seasoned lineup anchored by Nneka Ogwumike, Skylar Diggins‑Smith, Jewell Loyd, and Ezi Magbegor. Their net rating reflects solid overall effectiveness, though they've suffered close losses to top teams. Defensive intensity and veteran leadership remain strengths, but they require greater consistency on offense. Seattle heads into the break sensing opportunity—an infusion of stability could move them firmly into championship threat status. 5. Indiana Fever (12–11) At 12‑11, the Fever are a thrilling case study in both star‑driven highs and frustrating inconsistency. Caitlin Clark's return from injury sparked an offensive eruption — 66 points in a half, a franchise record, and a 2‑1 run in Week 9. They also captured the Commissioner's Cup, defeating Minnesota without Clark in the final. Yet Clark's recurring groin issues and sophomore struggle weighed down momentum. Coach Stephanie White continues shaping identity around Clark and role players, but the Fever's ceiling will depend on her health and a stronger defensive framework. 6. Washington Mystics (11–11) The Mystics sit at .500 following a 3‑0 Week 9 surge, pushing solidly into playoff contention. Rookie Kiki Iriafen has been a revelation, earning All‑Star reserve and Rookie of the Year nods with 11.9 PPG and 8.5 RPG. Together with Sonia Citron, the Mystics' rebuild shows promising interior development. Their mid‑season form suggests they can challenge for seeding if they maintain defensive discipline and balance veteran scoring. Upcoming roster health and chemistry will determine playoff placement. 7. Atlanta Dream (13–9) Atlanta rounds out the top five with a 13‑9 record, sitting second in the East. Led by Rhyne Howard, Tina Charles, and Chennedy Carter, the Dream have demonstrated scoring potential but suffered inconsistency, splitting their last 10 games. A commanding 86‑49 win over Chicago moments before the break highlighted their ceiling, but injuries—most notably Howard's knee issue—cast shadows over their immediate future. If they can plug the gaps, Atlanta could stake a claim as the East's next power. 8. Golden State Valkyries (10–12) As WNBA newcomers, Golden State has surpassed expectations, sporting a 10‑12 record. A June 7‑2 run earned Coach of the Year buzz for Natalie Nakase. However, recent losses—including a late‑season three‑game skid—exposed their dependence on perimeter shooting (31 % from deep). Their gritty identity persists, but consistency remains a challenge. For the second half, the Valkyries must sustain their blend of pace and efficiency to remain a playoff dark horse. 9. Las Vegas Aces (11–11) Just behind Golden State, Las Vegas sits at 11‑11 thanks to an up‑and‑down stretch, despite A'ja Wilson's awe‑inspiring play—27.2 PPG, nearly 12 RPG, and elite blocks. Wilson has climbed the MVP ladder as Collier slightly cooled. Still, Vegas's defense has faltered, and injuries — like Wilson's wrist — have hindered cohesion. With depth acquisitions and renewed focus, the Aces can pivot from bubble team to elite threat quickly—Wilson provides the spark. 10. Los Angeles Sparks (8–14) The Sparks enter the break at 8‑14—a frustrating position given the talent they possess. Kelsey Plum remains the off‑season highlight, earning All‑Star starter as a sophomore and averaging over 21 PPG. Dearica Hamby, Azurá Stevens, and Cameron Brink (recently injured) provide high-end flashes. Efficiency is solid, but turnovers and poor screening have defined the season. A surprise pre‑break win streak shows potential; now L.A. must build structure around its stars to shift from rebuilding to competing. 11. Chicago Sky (7–15) Chicago's season is anchored by rookie Angel Reese, who leads the league in rebounds (12.6 rpg). They've improved recently, prior to the break going 4–3, including a win vs. Minnesota. Their future hinges on continuing this growth. Reorganizing under a rookie‑led core, Chicago struggles to keep pace with a 7‑15 record. Angel Reese has emerged as a force—12.6 RPG and a dominant stretch with 19.1 PPG over recent games. Reese's growth positions her as a legitimate candidate for Most Improved Player. Despite her brilliance, team shooting and defensive rotation lag, and late‑release acquisitions haven't turned the tide. Chicago's future hinges on Reese's continued progression and system cohesion. 12. Dallas Wings (6–17) Dallas has been inconsistent, getting off to a poor start followed by a mid-season streak, only to collapse again, dropping their last three by double digits. Paige Bueckers made the All‑Star team, signaling promise, but stability continues to elude them. Before the break, Dallas stood at 6‑17, emblematic of a team in reconstruction. Bueckers has been dazzling, averaging 18.4 PPG and 5.4 APG while being selected as an All‑Star starter in her first season. Still, defensive woes persist for the Wings (11th in D‑rating), and key injuries have hindered depth. A 4‑6 stretch mid‑season offered glimpses, but this ship lacks balance. Dallas's mission post‑break: Establish guard continuity around Bueckers and build a system capable of winning in close games. 13. Connecticut Sun (3–19) Connecticut remains at the bottom with just three wins. However, signs of life—like a season highlight win over Seattle, improved defensive effort, and the addition of French guard Leila Lacan—suggests they're laying groundwork. This rebuild may yield deeper dividends in due time. Sitting at the bottom of the league with a 3‑19 record, the Sun face a steep climb. A thorough offseason rebuild saw most veterans depart. Lacan offers hope, averaging 11 PPG in her first four games, showing defensive tenacity. A season‑highlight 10‑point upset of Seattle underscores their competitive flashes. With uncertainty off‑court, including possible relocation, the Sun must remain resilient and use the break to find consistency and develop young talent. As teams return July 23, attention will turn to injury returns (Jones, Jones, etc.), rookie development (Bueckers, Reese, Iriafen), and mid-season adjustments. Minnesota and Phoenix will likely lead the narrative. But don't sleep on Chennai Clark's Fever or the dangerous veterans in Seattle and Washington. The middle pack—Atlanta, Golden State, Las Vegas, New York—will battle for positioning. Meanwhile, Sparks, Sky, Wings, and Sun will look to steady the ship and build on momentum. Week 9's power rankings reflect a league defined by dominant frontrunners, ascendant challengers, and hopeful underdogs. With talent across the board—from elite veterans to breakout rookies—the post‑All‑Star stretch promises fireworks. Titles and playoff berths feel far from decided; this NBA-style parity ensures every game matters from here to the Finals.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
NASCAR driver power rankings: Denny Hamlin rolls on; William Byron falling like a rock
Stop me if you've heard this before: It just might be Denny Hamlin's year. Did you see who finished fourth in Chicago? That's right, it was Denny, who hadn't finished better than 14th in his previous seven road-course starts. Advertisement In fact, it was just his second top-10 in his last 19 roadies. This week will tell us more, but if he's going to start handling right-hand turns without issue, he's definitely on all cylinders. Things are going well for Denny Hamlin, who posted a rare top-10 on a road course this past weekend in Chicago. On the other end of the spectrum, what in the world is wrong with William Byron? Here are his last five finishes: 28, 9, 27, 37, 40. This week's power rankings: 1. Denny Hamlin Congrats on that fourth-place in Chicago. It was just his second top-10 in his last 19 road races. 2. Chase Elliott Often leads at Sonoma, but hasn't won there. 3. Kyle Larson Seven straight races without a bonus point, which seems weird. 4. Ryan Blaney 0-for-32 on road courses since winning the Roval in 2018. Advertisement 5. Christopher Bell Mr. Hunch says he's the man to beat this weekend. 6. Alex Bowman Finding decent form in time for a shot at the million-dollar bracket battle. 7. Chris Buescher Still collecting points in steady fashion, but you can't put points on the mantel. 8. Ross Chastain Ross the Boss generally holds his own at road courses. Not great, not bad. 9. William Byron You thought it couldn't get worse, then he finished 40th in Chicago. It's a full-blown mini-slump now. 10. Chase Briscoe It was a toss-up between him and Ryan Preece for our 10th spot. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: NASCAR Power Rankings: Is William Byron reaching for the rip-cord yet?
Forbes
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Major League Pickleball Mid-Season Power Rankings
In honor of the New Jersey 5's Clown mascot, I have chosen Comic Sans for the font in this image. The Major League Pickleball (MLP) season is now halfway done, believe it or not. We've now held 5 of the planned 10 regular season events, with stops in Orlando, Columbus, Austin, Phoenix, and Daytona Beach. While the 16 Premier teams have all played different numbers of matches (ranging between 11 and 15 each), we've had more than enough match history to update our power rankings and to talk about how things may play out the rest of the way. Along the way, I'll post my pre-season ranking for each team and I'll talk about why they may have changed. Other useful reference data for this story includes the MLP Standings and Eric Tice's detailed Public MLP data. All stats, records, and standings data in this article are courtesy of these links and is as of 6/15/25). (note: PPM below means Points Per Match. Since there's an unbalanced schedule, the best way to rank teams is by PPM at any given point. Teams get 3 points for a regulation win, 2 for a DreamBreaker win, 1 for a DreamBreaker loss, and 0 for a regulation loss, so the best a team can do is to win every match in regulation for a perfect 3.00 PPM pace). I had them No. 1 after the draft and they remain No. 1 now. If anything, I think they're actually better than I thought they'd be. They've played 14 and won 14, 12 of them in regulation. The only two teams to even stretch Dallas to the DreamBreaker were an Texas (Dallas won 22-20) and New Jersey (21-11), both at the power-packed Austin event. Why is Dallas even better than expected? Jorja Johnson. She's won 26 of 28 games this year to lead the league, and sits at 73% points won, also leading the league. Of course, it doesn't hurt that the No. 2 ranked player by points won this season so far is also on Dallas, that being Hurricane Tyra Black. FEATURED | Frase ByForbes™ Unscramble The Anagram To Reveal The Phrase Pinpoint By Linkedin Guess The Category Queens By Linkedin Crown Each Region Crossclimb By Linkedin Unlock A Trivia Ladder Can Dallas finish the year undefeated? No, I think they'll drop one to either St Louis or New Jersey along the way on an off-day for someone. But they're well on their way to the regular season title. The Shock, like the Flash, returned their 2024 team intact and is the current favorite to join Dallas in the eventual MLP championship match. They suffered a shock loss in Daytona Beach to a spirited LA Mad Drops team, the only blemish to their record. They took out New Jersey in the season's first event in a rather 'spirited' match to put themselves firmly ahead of the 5's at the moment. We still have not seen Dallas and St. Louis play this season. New Jersey has shown some chinks in the armor this year, taking losses to the two teams above them, but then taking a shock loss to mid-table Utah. They've had some ups and downs: New Jersey gave Jorja Johnson her sole Mixed Doubles loss for the season in their Austin matchup, but still ended up losing the DreamBreaker. Anna Leigh Waters went 44-3 in games last season; she's already lost more games this year and we're only halfway through the season. She's still a glittering 13-2 in Mixed and 12-3 in Gender doubles so far, but the step-down from Humberg to Dizon is telling for the 2025 iteration of the 5's. Navratil and Dizon have a losing record in Mixed right now, which puts added pressure on the rest of the team to compete. And they're not unbeatable in DreamBreakers, as both Dallas and Utah have proven. They're still the 3rd team of the big-3 but I don't see them getting past St. Louis this year. The Mad Drops are the team everyone got wrong for 2025. I thought they were bad enough constructed as to outright miss the playoffs. Then, they suffered from personnel absences in their first two events and had to scramble along just to compete. Three of their four losses came when either Hunter Johnson or Quang Duong was missing, and one could make a credible argument they would have won at least two of them. Finally at full strength in Daytona Beach, they destroyed the competition, becoming the first team to top St. Louis this year and finishing the event 5-0. Jade and Catherine have been unstoppable, going 12-2 in Gender Doubles. They're a nightmare to play in a DreamBreaker: Duong has won 70% of his DreamBreaker points. This team could make some noise in the playoffs even if they can't supplant all three teams above them in the standings by year's end. Brooklyn actually sits ahead of LA in the standings right now, but has played just 11 matches. They've beaten who they should have, and lost to who they should have. They took both St. Louis and New Jersey to DreamBreaker, but suffer from a roster makeup that's ill-suited for singles play (3 of their 4 starters do not play singles, ever) . They're being led by their two females (Rohrabacher and Jackie Kawamoto) dominating in Gender doubles: they're 9-2 so far this season. Newman has been a monster in mixed, but a liability in DreamBreakers (he's won just 25% of his DB points, as has Rachel). They need to finish off teams before they have to play singles to have a chance. Columbus has disappointed this season, from where I thought they'd be before they started to play the games. Part of that was out of their hands: they played their entire host event without CJ Klinger. Now, that being said three of their four losses are to Dallas, NJ, and STL, so I'm not sure how much better they could have done. I can see them rebounding in the coming events, but there's a bit of a gap between them and the teams in 4th/5th place. Texas started the season on fire, with a win over Brooklyn and then becoming the team that came closest to topping Dallas (they lost 3-2, 22-20 in the DreamBreaker in Austin). But they've drifted since then. They took a bad loss to Carolina at Daytona, then lost a 3-2 shootout against LA that was a statement match so far this season. Their off-season acquisition Eric Oncins has been their best player, which is to say that their three established stars (Alshon, Pisnik, and Tuionetoa) have not played up to lofty standards. They sit 6th in the standings but may be hard pressed to push any further. Orlando is a case-study in team building. They have, individually, two of the best male doubles players out there in Staksrud & Frazier, yet they're 'just' 11-4 together this season. Neither guy is particularly gelling with their mixed partners either (Schneemann & Parker), which has left them mid-table. Their sterling record 10-5 flatters them a bit: it includes an early win over Utah before they gelled, a win over an under-manned LA in the first event, and a 4-0 blowout of undermanned Columbus. Staksrud-led Orlando finished well out of the Playoffs last season, even while he was taking over the No. 1 ranking spot in both Singles and Doubles. Perhaps this is just not a good format for Fed? For the most part, the teams we thought were good have been good, and the teams we thought were going to be bad have been bad, and all the middle-ground teams have fallen in line. That's why, up until Daytona Beach, the top 8 teams were completely undefeated against the bottom 8 teams. Utah has done the most to break this mold, with three shocking wins in the last two events to launch themselves into playoff position. In Phoenix they beat fellow edge-of-the-playoff teams like Atlanta and Phoenix to start this run, then in Daytona a shocking win over New Jersey (perhaps one of the biggest upsets in MLP history) has put them well into playoff contention. How have they done this? Primarily by winning ugly: their best player by points won percentage is Garnett at just a hair over 50%; the rest are in the 40%. Their No. 2 female Genie Erokhina is just 8-22 in games this season, making it tough on Garnett & Jones to get the wins they need to move forward. Miami has clearly been the best of the promoted teams, with several wins over Premier teams (NY, Utah, Phoenix) while holding serve against their fellow promoted teams (just one loss against 2024 challenger teams, to Atlanta in a DreamBreaker). They knew what they wanted early, re-acquiring Noe Khlif to re-pair him with Millie Rane. Their No. 2 Female Mya Bui has struggled though, going just 10-20 overall and 4-11 in Mixed, with her veteran partner Devilliers unable to stem the tide. Their goal is to remain in 10th place and make the playoffs,. Chicago's made from scratch draft day team has not performed as I thought they would, going just 4-10 with a few bad losses to sit right outside of playoff contention. Their big acquisition of James Ignatowich hasn't paid off: he's just 10-18 in games overall, just 4-10 with his buddy Freeman in gender doubles. The team tried to mix things up, recently moving Vivienne David for Vivian Glozman. On the bright side, many of their losses to rivals were in the DreamBreaker, meaning they're not getting blown out when they shouldn't, but they'll look back on losses to SoCal and Phoenix in particular as missed opportunities. Atlanta has been a bit Jekyll and Hyde so far this season, with a couple of decent wins (Carolina and Miami) and a couple of bad losses (Phoenix and Utah, though that doesn't look so bad now), but mostly has underlined the difference between Premier-quality players and Challenger level players. Their two 'No. 2' players DiMuzio and Fought are near the bottom of the player rankings and are a miserable 1-11 and 1-14 respectively in Mixed matches this year. The team swapped Glozman for David but have not yet tested their new-look lineup. They spent handsomely on DiMuzio in the draft at the expense of other, more veteran talent, and it has not yet paid off. They're a long-shot to get into playoff position. Much proverbial ink has been spilled on this team so far this year. It's kind of amazing that a team with the best player in the world, and a squad whose Men's doubles team won 35 gold medals together, is just 2-12 for the season. Ben and Collin are just 5-5 as a team; they should be closer to 9-1 frankly. Meanwhile, the mixed performance has been awful, and the energy level/effort level from the Johns brothers has been overtly awful. They've shown spurts of energy here and there, but the clear disgust they have for their ladies mixed partners shows out again and again. The league certainly has a problem here, when one of their marquee stars shows this little competitive fire for all the world to see; for example, how are they selling this to potential betting partners? I don't suspect we'll see much change between now and August and I'd be surprised if this team wins more than a handful more matches. Phoenix is a mess of their own doing. They managed to turn a decent 2024 team into a god-awful 2025 team. Lest we forget, they finished last year with Daescu, Frazier, Schneemann, and Christian. They managed to turn their best player (Daescu) into absolutely nothing; trading him straight up for Devilliers and then summarily waiving Jay. They spent $100k to acquire Jack Sock, who has more than demonstrated he's unable to carry a doubles team. Sock so far in 2025 is 7-21 overall, just 2-12 in Mixed, and even their three wins on the year were by the skin of their teeth (all three of their wins were in DreamBreakers). They purposely acquired Bouchard (giving away Dizon in the process), who is now 4-22 for the season, winning just 33% of her points and who is dead last amongst non-bench/non-subs in the league. I can't believe I thought they had a chance to compete before the season started (though to be fair that was pre Bouchard trade when I ranked them 8th). We knew NY was going to be bad, and they've lived up to their advance billing. At least they're trying, giving a ton of reps to their bench players in an attempt to compete. They've also struggled with injury, and have given onsite super sub AJ Koller 12 games out of their schedule. They've somehow got 3 wins; one over the all-sub Carolina team in the Columbus event and the other two against fellow bottom-dwellers NY and SoCal. A reminder: this (like with Phoenix) is self-inflicted; they had a playoff team last year (Sock, Klinger, Kawamoto, Jansen), most of whom they either traded away in exchange for cash before dropping their entire roster to remake out of the 2025 draft. Not a great look for a team owned by one of the MLP board members, especially when they didn't reinvest their gained cash. SoCal's plan for the year was to get the queen of MLP (Irina Tereschenko) back into action and hope for some luck. It hasn't happened: Tereschenko has struggled with injury and availability, and her sub Jalina Ingram has gone just 2-9 in her place. They've found gold in bench payer Blaine Hovenier, who's carried his mixed partner to a 7-7 record so far and has brought a ton of energy to the squad in a format where that stuff really matters. However, they have a serious roster problem. Judit Castillo and Ryan Fu are winless in mixed (0-14) and are a combined 7-48 for the season. I suspect SoCal may be looking to replace one or both to just try something new. As for the team, I honestly thought they had a chance to go 0-25 this season, but if they get even 2-3 more wins I think it'll be a surprise. There are several clear 'tiers' of teams so far, and some natural gaps have broken out in the PPM standings. Here they are: Title Contenders: Dallas, St. Louis Finals contender: New Jersey Wouldn't want to face them in the playoff quarters: Brooklyn, LA Mad Drops Lock for the Playoffs, not much else: Texas, Orlando, Columbus Stuck in-between good and bad: Utah Fighting it out for the last Playoff spot: Miami, Chicago, Atlanta Still trying to figure out what their GM was thinking: NY, Phoenix Trying not to finish last: Carolina, SoCal The Challenger teams have played just one event, and at that event the six teams played a pure round robin, so generating power rankings that differ from the current standings wouldn't really add much value. Las Vegas went undefeated and sits top of the table and probably could regularly beat at least three of the Premier teams as constructed. We'll know more after their next event. What do I expect from the 2nd half of the season? I think my big three predictions are: 1. Dallas does not go undefeated but finishes in 1st place. 2. Utah continues to improve and continues to get upsets. 3. Chicago gels and grabs the final playoff spot Next up for MLP? This week is the last remaining Waiver period for the league, so we plan on some moves being announced later this week. We'll have a recap of waiver picks, trades, and other transactions with analysis. San Clemente, Event No. 6 on the slate, follows next weekend after this weekend's PPA event at the same venue.
