For the first time this summer, all of the NFL’s teams will be strapped up for a weekend’s worth of preseason action. With few exceptions – for better or worse – most of the 32 squads have fully taken shape, though a few important positional battles and contract standoffs await resolution. Still, this is the time of year when most clubs project confidence and optimism that, if everything falls into place, they could wind up in the playoffs and maybe even vie for a Super Bowl berth.

Yet the cold truth for most of them is that some level of disappointment awaits – whether that’s a tough loss on Super Sunday or winding up with a top-five draft pick in 2026 (though that would be an optimal outcome in some quarters). Remember, this is a zero-sum game. Despite the good vibes emanating from most camps, there’s no avoiding the reality of math − meaning for every 14-win team, there’s a mirror image somewhere with 14 losses.

So how will it all shake out? With every roster basically finalized (and maybe optimized) for the season ahead, let’s try to forecast the 2025 season with record projections for every outfit.

(A note on methodology: Using the most current information amid a few iterations of this exercise, I predict winners and losers for all 272 regular-season games to arrive at my projections. The outcomes allow me to apply tiebreakers, when needed, to determine and slot the 14-team playoff field – seedings in parentheses – before arriving at a champion. Warning, past performance is no guarantee of future returns.)

AFC East

(2) Buffalo Bills (13-4): Barring an injury to reigning league MVP Josh Allen, a sixth consecutive division title seems all but inevitable. Following their Sunday night opener against Baltimore, the Bills play six consecutive non-playoff teams from 2024 – an entire circuit through the AFC East with three other games against NFC South crews – which could catapult them to a very good start, which also includes home games in four of the first five weeks. Buffalo could also finish with a strong kick, four of its final five games against opponents who didn’t reach the postseason last year.

New York Jets (7-10): Rookie coach Aaron Glenn has probably inherited a more talented team than his former boss, Dan Campbell, did in Detroit – Campbell’s 2021 Lions losing 13 games. But these Jets could get off to a slow start, four of their first six games against clubs that reached the 2024 postseason, including a “home” game against Denver in London. But if new QB Justin Fields and his talented fellow youngsters jell over the course of the season, they could build momentum going into 2026 – nine of their final 11 opponents failing to reach the playoffs last season.

Miami Dolphins (5-12): Will HC Mike McDaniel, who enters the season under some pressure from ownership, even make it to the stretch drive? If he does, the Fins’ final five games are either in outdoor northern cities and/or against teams that had winning records in 2024 … and, historically, his team hasn’t played well in either of those circumstances.

AFC North

(1) Baltimore Ravens (14-3): Could this finally be the year QB Lamar Jackson takes his team all the way? An upgraded secondary should address what was Baltimore’s Achilles for much of 2024. And how good is an offense that seems to (somehow) get an improved version of Jackson every year, including 2024 when he was probably robbed of a third league MVP? Consider that recently signed WR DeAndre Hopkins, likely a future Hall of Famer, is probably the sixth option when you consider an attack that has a second tight end like … Isaiah Likely. Yes, I like, like, like these Ravens – and considering they have a midseason stretch when they play two games in 27 days, good way to stay fresh as they pursue a second No. 1 playoff seed in three seasons.  

(6) Pittsburgh Steelers (11-6): Optimism is riding high as new/old QB Aaron Rodgers assimilates with his new mates in the sweltering Latrobe, Pennsylvania, camp environment. There’s little question this roster is stacked, more so after a bold offseason plan executed by coach Mike Tomlin and GM Omar Khan. Whether it coalesces remain to be seen. Five of the Steelers’ first six opponents didn’t make the playoffs last year, perhaps a nice layout as Rodgers and Co. work out the kinks, though that stretch also includes a trip to Dublin. But four of the final six games are against 2024 division winners, and Pittsburgh collapsed down the stretch last season against strong competition. Still, it does feel like there’s enough ammo here to end the franchise’s run without a playoff win at nine years.

(7) Cincinnati Bengals (9-8): Since QB Joe Burrow was drafted in 2020, they’re 1-9 collectively in Weeks 1 and 2 – the lone win coming in 2021, when Cincy reached Super Bowl 56. The ongoing drama with All-Pro DE Trey Hendrickson seems to portend another rough start – and the Bengals open at Cleveland, where they rarely win, followed by a stretch of six games that includes five 2024 playoff opponents. Starting in October, the Bengals leave Ohio once in a six-week period, so perhaps that’s when they catch fire. Still, as much money as they’ve already spent this offseason, the Stripes seem to have fallen further behind Baltimore and Pittsburgh, teams that finished ahead of them last season.

Cleveland Browns (3-14): Whoever wins their high-profile four-way quarterback competition will still be the division’s weakest QB1. And with so many other question marks, especially on offense, it does feel like a team that has two first-round picks next year is already somewhat aimed toward the 2026 draft.  

AFC South

Jacksonville Jaguars (8-9): Though they’re not projected to advance to the Super Bowl 60 tournament in this scenario, this could be a team that surprises – especially if rookie HC Liam Coen can elicit results from QB Trevor Lawrence at least somewhat comparable to what he got from Baker Mayfield in Tampa last year. There’s a fair amount of established talent on this roster, and that doesn’t include rookie WR/CB Travis Hunter, who’s now its highest-profile member. Over the season’s final six weeks, the Jags face just one 2024 playoff team.

Tennessee Titans (5-12): A team set to start a rookie quarterback, No. 1 pick Cam Ward, will start out swimming in even deeper water with four of its first six games on the road. But maybe Ward gets on a subsequent roll with three successive games in Nashville following a Week 10 bye.

Indianapolis Colts (4-13): Even if they were settled behind center – which Indy most certainly is not – a schedule loaded with the entirety of the AFC and NFC West was going to present a serious challenge for a team that’s generally hovered around .500 since QB Andrew Luck retired six years ago.

AFC West

(3) Denver Broncos (12-5): The focus will naturally be on Year 2 of the Bo Nix-Sean Payton union, which comes off a spectacular honeymoon. However the Broncos don’t get enough attention for an elite offensive line nor a defense which may be the league’s best – particularly after it was further fortified by free agency and the draft. After playing the Jets in London on October 12, the Broncos will only make one road trip over the ensuing 48 days – a good time to gain altitude at altitude. But ending K.C.’s nine-season run atop the division won’t be easy – particularly when the Chiefs get a bye ahead of their trip to Denver and, later, host the Broncos on Christmas, which lands on a Thursday.

(5) Kansas City Chiefs (11-6): Coming off what was probably the flimsiest 15-victory regular season in league history (average margin of victory 7.1 points), could they actually win four fewer games, relinquish the divisional throne … and still functionally be a better team when the playoffs start? Absolutely, especially with RB Isiah Pacheco and WRs Hollywood Brown and Rashee Rice healthy, though a suspension could still likely curb the latter’s contributions. But don’t be surprised if the dynasty stumbles out of the gate as the new offensive line takes shape – while weathering a trip to Brazil before Arrowhead welcomes the Eagles, Ravens and Lions for its first three home dates.

Los Angeles Chargers (9-8): Coach Jim Harbaugh took the 49ers to the Super Bowl during his second year in San Francisco, so it’s tempting to foresee the Bolts taking a quantum leap, too, despite how badly they performed in last season’s playoffs. But the offense still seems a bit light on weaponry − despite WR Keenan Allen’s return − the defense lost some stalwarts in free agency, and the Chargers must navigate a schedule that includes nine dates with 2024 playoff squads.

Las Vegas Raiders (5-12): They should be more competitive and entertaining with coach Pete Carroll, QB Geno Smith and titillating rookie RB Ashton Jeanty aboard. Yet it’s hard to envision the Silver and Black making up any ground in an otherwise loaded division and, despite DE Maxx Crosby’s presence, this defense could be regularly overrun. Doesn’t help when a team from Sin City is forced to play three 1 p.m. kickoffs in the Eastern time zone in the season’s first five weeks.

NFC East

(1) Philadelphia Eagles (12-5): Viewed through the lens of a single season, the 2024 Eagles are probably one of the top three or four teams of the 21st century, so little reason to think they won’t be really strong again despite significant personnel losses on the defensive side. But though the Chiefs have made it seem routine, defending an NFL title is exceptionally hard – and the Eagles have to do it with a first-place schedule that includes the entirety of the AFC West and NFC North. Brutal. And awesome as Saquon Barkley, 28, was last season – maybe the best season a running back has ever had – it would be more realistic, given his personal history, to expect he misses a few games with injuries than an encore performance. It wouldn’t be a shock if the Eagles repeat … but history is decidedly against them.

(7) Washington Commanders (10-7): Their Cinderella run exceeded everyone’s wildest imagination – especially that of a long-suffering fan base. But are expectations ratcheted up a bit too much now? Washington’s schedule is basically as challenging as Philly’s yet also includes a stretch between Weeks 4 and 8 with just one home game. After what was arguably the greatest rookie season in league history, maybe QB Jayden Daniels takes an MVP step in 2025. But if he plateaus or even suffers something of a sophomore slump … and/or pricey veteran acquisitions like Laremy Tunsil and Deebo Samuel don’t live up expectations … and/or if this defense proves suspect – especially up front – then the Commanders’ season could be defined following a Week 12 bye, a gauntlet that includes the Broncos, Vikings, Cowboys and Eagles … twice.

Dallas Cowboys (9-8): They’re almost always relevant when QB Dak Prescott survives a full season or close to it – which he didn’t in 2024. But the Cowboys are adjusting to a rookie head coach, Brian Schottenheimer, still have a glaring concern at tailback, have yet another change at defensive coordinator (Matt Eberflus) and are currently playing contractual games with DE Micah Parsons, arguably the franchise’s best player. Also? Eagles, Chiefs, Lions, Vikings, Chargers, Commanders, i.e. the murders’ row Dallas must face from Weeks 12-17. Woof.

New York Giants (2-15): A team coming off a 3-14 season somehow draws the league’s toughest schedule based on opponents’ 2024 winning percentages (.574). So much for competitive balance. This record projection isn’t indicative of the young talent on this roster, including WR Malik Nabers, LT Andrew Thomas, rookie OLB Abdul Carter and others. But it’s very hard to find wins on this schedule or expect QB Russell Wilson will enjoy a renaissance at age 36, especially when pressure to play quarterback of the future Jaxson Dart as the season wears on is only likely to incrementally grow.

NFC North

(2) Green Bay Packers (12-5): Unlike the rest of their divisional rivals, they should benefit from continuity. And if QB Jordan Love remains healthy, rookie Matthew Golden makes the consistent impact not always provided by this receiving corps and they get off to a strong start – and the early part of the schedule seems to set up nicely – the Pack might just find themselves in the Super Bowl.

(5) Detroit Lions (11-6): They’re going to have to adapt – without coordinators Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn and six other staff members from a team that earned the NFC’s top playoff seed in 2024, to say nothing of the retirement of tough-as-rawhide C Frank Ragnow. Talent remains in abundance here, and the return of DE Aidan Hutchinson should bring a needed jolt to the defense. But finding synchronicity could be tough, especially with four of the first six games on the road.

Minnesota Vikings (9-8): They’re going to have to adapt – to new QB1 J.J. McCarthy, who lost his entire rookie season with a knee injury and watched Sam Darnold blossom into a Pro Bowler during his on-field absence. Similar to his time at the University of Michigan, McCarthy should have everything a quarterback could want in a supporting cast, including a fantastic coach in Kevin O’Connell. But the Vikes will have to weather WR2 Jordan Addison’s three-game season suspension to start the season. And following their (voluntary) two-week European vacation, they’ll have the Eagles, Chargers, Lions and Ravens lined up on the opposite side of a Week 6 bye. Replicating last season’s 14-3 record – or even something close to it – seems like a long shot.

Chicago Bears (7-10): They’re going to have to adapt – to Johnson, their new head coach, who’s changing the culture, scheme and expectations (yet again) after this organization’s disastrous 2024 campaign. And the learning curve is amplified by a schedule that, statistically, is second only to the Giants’ in terms of difficulty. Six of the Bears’ final eight opponents made the playoffs last season.

NFC South

(4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-8): They probably don’t get enough credit for their recent dominance of the division, which they’ve won the past four seasons – albeit by an average of one game since the start of the 2022 campaign. That could again be the case with teams like the Panthers and Falcons at least displaying the potential to be threats. The Bucs could also be hamstrung as long as LT Tristan Wirfs, arguably their best player, remains sidelined by recent knee surgery expected to cost him at least a handful of games – and against formidable defenses. But even if they endure a rocky start, Tampa Bay could finish with a surge – its last six games against teams that didn’t make the playoffs in 2024.

Atlanta Falcons (7-10): So much boils down to the quarterback position, but especially here. Michael Penix Jr. flashed in three starts as a rookie but is hardly a proven commodity. QB2 Kirk Cousins is battle-tested … and his presence is likely to add to the burden of Penix, who will almost undoubtedly struggle at some point – and perhaps from the jump, Atlanta facing four postseason squads from last season among its first five opponents.

New Orleans Saints (2-15): A rookie head coach (Kellen Moore). Likely a rookie quarterback (Tyler Shough) or one coming off a rough rookie season (Spencer Rattler). Schematic changes on both sides of the ball. The biggest questions here seem to be if players like RB Alvin Kamara and WR Chris Olave remain beyond the trade deadline and/or if hometown hero Arch Manning winds up back here via the 2026 draft.

NFC West

(3) San Francisco 49ers (11-6): On the opposite side of the scheduling scale from the Giants, the Niners, little more than a year removed from an overtime loss in Super Bowl 58, drew the league’s easiest schedule (.415 opponent winning percentage in 2024) – one that includes all of the AFC and NFC South teams and three additional last-place operations from last year. San Francisco opens with four 2024 non-playoff teams and finishes with seven of the same. Make no mistake, a new-look defense has much to prove, and the team’s best players – RB Christian McCaffrey, LT Trent Williams, WR Brandon Aiyuk – have to stay on the field, and Aiyuk (knee) may not be ready for Week 1.

(6) Los Angeles Rams (11-6): Again, it’s worth noting that this team came the closest to knocking off the loaded Eagles on the road to Super Bowl 59, the Rams nearly pulling off the upset … on the road … in the snow. Imagine what they can do with a promising young defense one year better, not to mention being somewhat past the LA wildfires that affected this team and its city last January. So much hinges on the health of QB Matthew Stafford, 37, whose back has kept him sidelined during training camp, though by design, according to ESPN. But if he can continue posting on game day, as he usually does, he and his team have a legit shot at a second ring in a five-season span.

Arizona Cardinals (9-8): They went from bad (4-13) in HC Jonathan Gannon’s first year to quietly middling last season (8-9). If QB Kyler Murray and the young players around him can take another collective step forward, a postseason return seems very much in play – especially if they can leverage a schedule that opens against six teams that didn’t reach the playoffs in 2024. However the Cards will only have two home games after Thanksgiving.

Seattle Seahawks (9-8): A tiebreaker cost them a playoff berth last season. They might be on the razor’s edge once again but not for lack of trying. Heading into his second year, coach Mike Macdonald and GM John Schneider have done more than retool this roster – especially a passing game that has a new coordinator (Klint Kubiak), quarterback (Darnold) and receiver (Cooper Kupp). Yet it’s also fair to expect these Seahawks to be far more reliant on the run, per Macdonald’s wishes. Seattle seems more philosophically calibrated for the long haul, but that could mean another round of uneven performances in the near term.

AFC playoffs

Wild card: (2) Bills def. (7) Bengals; (6) Steelers def. (3) Broncos; (5) Chiefs def. (4) Texans

Divisional: (1) Ravens def. (6) Steelers; (5) Chiefs def. (2) Bills

Championship game: (1) Ravens def. (5) Chiefs

NFC playoffs

Wild card: (2) Packers def. (7) Commanders; (6) Rams def. (3) 49ers; (5) Lions def. (4) Buccaneers

Divisional: (6) Rams def. (1) Eagles; (2) Packers def. (5) Lions

Championship game: (2) Packers def. (6) Rams

Super Bowl 60 (Santa Clara, California)

Ravens def. Packers

Jen Pawol continues to make history as a female baseball umpire.

Announced on Wednesday by Major League Baseball, Pawol is getting called up to be part of the five-team umpire crew for this weekend’s Atlanta Braves-Miami Marlins series, which features a doubleheader on Saturday, making her the first female umpire to work a regular-season MLB game.

Pawol is scheduled to be behind the plate for the Braves and Marlins series finale on Sunday, Aug. 10 at Truist Park in Atlanta. She will be working each of the final three games of the series with the crew, which needed a fifth member for the weekend due to the doubleheader.

The call-up by Major League Baseball comes well after other professional sports leagues broke down the gender barrier with female officials and referees of their own. The first full-time female official to work a professional sports game was Violet Palmer in 1997, who worked the Dallas Mavericks vs. then-Vancouver Grizzlies game to become the NBA’s first woman referee.

Here’s what to know about Pawol:

Who is Jen Pawol?

Pawol, who is 47 years old, comes from a softball background as she played softball at Hofstra University and was a three-time Colonial Athletic Association All-Conference team selection as the Pride’s catcher. She was a member of the U.S. Women’s softball team’s world championship team in 2001.

The New Jersey native first became an umpire in 2010 when she worked college softball games, and then shifted to baseball in 2016 when she was hired for a job in the Gulf Coast League following the completion of the Umpire Training Academy.

She does have some MLB experience on her resume, as she worked a Houston Astros vs. Washington Nationals spring training game in 2024. Starting at third base for that game, Pawol became the first female umpire to work a spring training game since Ria Cortesio did so back in 2007.

‘I greatly appreciate everyone’s enthusiasm, everyone’s welcoming attitude on the field tonight was very, very special,’ Pawol said in 2024 after umpiring her first MLB spring training game. ‘Both managers shared congratulations and were welcoming, along with my (umpiring) partners, the players. I knew a lot of the players on the field already and so many said ‘Congrats, great to see you up here.”

When is Jen Pawol making her MLB umpire debut?

Pawol is set to make her MLB umpiring debut on Saturday in Game 1 of the Braves-Marlins doubleheader. She is set to then work the plate for the first time in the majors on Sunday for the series finale.

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The Little League Softball World Series inches closer to the final as four teams were eliminated from contention on Tuesday, Aug. 5 and four more kept their championship hopes alive.

Day 4 featured two more win-or-go-home games.

The action started with an Orange bracket match between Cantareira of São Paulo, Brazil vs. Floyds Knobs Community Club of Indiana. Indiana would go on to win that matchup in a 2-0 pitcher’s duel. That game was followed up with an extra innings thriller that saw Florida defeat Washington for the second time this tournament. Florida scored four runs in the top of the seventh, and Washington could not match. Florida advanced with a 5-3 win.

Each of the winners play again Friday, while the losers have been eliminated.

Little League Softball World Series scores today

Orange Bracket: Indiana 2, Brazil 0

Purple Bracket: Florida 5, Washington 3

FINAL: Florida 5, Washington 3

It took a while for both teams’ offenses to get going in this one, but once the floodgates opened, it was mayhem, with all eight runs in this game coming in the final three innings. Starters Penelope Gahan (Washington) and Cayden Hugh (Florida) were outstanding all game long. Gahan tossed over 100 pitches on the day, and although she ultimately took the loss, it wasn’t until the seventh inning when Florida started to figure her out.

The bottom of the seventh inning saw Washington score two runs, but after both runs scored, the bases were empty and there were two outs. Hugh would walk Daphnee Calsyn, bringing the tying run to the plate. Liliana Delgado would fly out to end the game though.

Washington was eliminated from the tournament with the loss, with both of their losses coming against Florida. Florida advances to the purple bracket semifinals on Friday, August 8. They’ll face the losers of the matchup between Oklahoma and Virginia, scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on Thursday, August 7.

Florida score four in rollercoaster inning

The seventh inning started off with a ghost runner on second. Florida would sac bunt to move the runner to third. After a ground ball to third base caught the runner in between third and home, it looked like Florida’s hopes were doomed. Two outs, runner on first. How were they going to score?

Well, a walk and single would do just that, bringing home the go-ahead run. However, Florida wasn’t done. An overthrow on the throw home would push the leftover runners to second and third. A walk to Faith Miller would load the bases for Alana Luu who drove in Florida’s first run of the game.

Washington would make a pitching change after the walk, moving Penelope Gahan to the outfield and moving Anya Miller to the circle to record one more out.

Miller’s first pitch was a high fastball that got past the catcher. Luckily, no runners advanced. However, just three pitches later, Luu would offer a bases-clearing triple, extending Florida’s lead to four runs, going 3-for-4 on the day with arguably the two most important hits.

The inning would end without Luu coming home after a terrific play at shortstop, but the damage had been done. Washington needs four runs to stay alive. It’s 5-1 Florida.

Extra innings up next

For the bottom of the sixth, Florida’s ace Cayden Hugh returned to the circle and she was just as dominant, tossing a three-up, three-down inning, pushing this game to extra innings. We’re tied at 1 apiece as we head into free softball at Stallings Stadium.

Washington answers quickly

Washington had been held without a hit through four innings, but there was a different aura in the air heading into the fifth. Washington led the inning off with their first hit from Daphnee Calsyn, who would come around to score on a double from Liliana Delgado.

Although Delgado would get tagged out trying to stretch the double into a triple, those two hits were more than enough to shift the momentum back to an even playing field. It’s now knotted again at 1-1 with one out in the bottom of the fifth.

Florida finally breaks through

Florida had recorded a few hits and walks throughout this game, but had failed to put any runs on the board, constantly threatening, never coming through. However, that changed in the fifth inning. After getting Rachel Lester to third base with two outs, a walk would put runners on the corners. Florida had struggled in this situation all game, but a base knock from Alana Luu, the same player who prevented Washington’s first hit with a great play from right field, would drive in the runner, giving Florida a crucial 1-0 lead.

Florida would continue threatening, putting runners on second and third but the inning would end before any more runs scored. Still, in what has been a defensive masterclass from both teams, one run may be more than enough to secure the victory.

Florida 9-3 play prevents Washington’s first hit

Through 2.2 innings, the Washington offense had yet to record a hit. However, that streak appeared to be broken when Kaitlyn Stetich smacked the ball to right field. However, right fielder Faith Miller was having none of that launching the ball to first base as soon as she could and nailing the runner at first.

Miller’s heads up play keeps the no-hitter intact. Florida clearly has the defense to win this one. Now they just need their bats to come alive as we head into the fourth inning still scoreless

Rain expected to cease soon

It’s been a lengthy delay at Stallings Stadium at Elm Street Park, but the game between Florida and Washington should resume soon. According to the National Weather Service, there is a 100% chance of rain through 3 p.m. local time, but that percentage drops to a measly 10% soon after 3 p.m. There is still a chance for rain and thunderstorms, and so long as thunder and lightning are in the area, the game will not resume, but it should mostly dissipate within the next half hour.

When the tilt picks back up, Florida will look to put the first run of the game on the board. They currently have a runner in scoring position with two outs in the top of the third.

Tarp comes out as rain falls

Heavy rainfall is putting a damper on these outstanding pitching performances thus far. The top of the third inning will have to wait as Florida, with three hits to their name and a runner in scoring position, looks to finally put a run on the board.

Washington evades a jam of their own

After a leadoff walk, Washington was in danger of surrendering the first run of the game after a comebacker went off the glove of Washington pitcher Penelope Gahan, enabling two runners to reach base. However, a good play at short soon after prevented the runners from advancing. From there, Gahan got the final Florida hitter to pop out, ending the inning and the Florida threat. It’s still 0-0.

Washington-Florida remains scoreless through one

Washington had a good chance to score in the bottom of the first, drawing two walks in the inning, but Florida held tough, forcing the final out of the inning after a rousing pep talk from assistant coach John Miller. This elimination game remains scoreless.

FINAL: Indiana 2, Brazil 0

Indiana’s Briley Mercer was a force in the circle for her team. She tossed a six-inning complete game on 85 pitches with 54 of them strikes. Overall, she had eight strikeouts and retired 17 of the 21 batters she faced on Wednesday. Indiana, playing for a third straight day, wins its second straight elimination game and now gets a day off. Indiana returns to action at 7 p.m. on ESPN2 on Friday, August 8 against the loser of North Carolina vs Japan, which play Thursday, August 7.

Light rain has started, but play continues for now

With Indiana batting, light rain started in Greenville, North Carolina. Indiana got a runner on via a hit and a hit by pitch and a wild pitch put runners in scoring position. However, Brazil’s Dani Fugisaki defused the one-out threat with a strikeout and a line out to close out the fifth inning.

Brazil poises a scoring threat

Brazil’s starting pitcher, Dani Fugisaki, launched a towering shot to left field that bounce on the warning track and hit the fence. She was able to get to second base with one out. But Indiana’s Briley Merce got out of the inning with a pop up from the next batter. After the top of the fifth inning, 2-0, Indiana still.

Indiana (almost) gets another run

With two outs and a runner on third in the bottom of the fourth inning, Indiana’s Kennedy Nickels blasts a fly ball to center field. The runner on third, Scarlett Runn, left third base a little early. Brazil seized the opportunity to appeal and won.

Brazil goes down 1-2-3 in the top of the fourth inning

Indiana’s Briley Mercer got the first batter out with a strikeout and then a batter was out after a bunt attempt hit her outside the batter’s box. The final out was a ground out. 2-0 Indiana still. Mercer has amassed five strikeouts.

Indiana adds another run

A fielding error with two out allow a runner to score pushing the Indiana lead to 2-0 after bottom of the 3rd inning.

Indiana’s Mercer racking up the strikeouts

Mercer has struck out at least one batter in every inning so far and now has four strikeouts for the game as her team still leads 1-0 after the top of the third inning.

Indiana strikes first

After Brazil stranded a runner on second base in the top of the second inning, Indiana’s Reese Carroll gets an RBI-single to left field giving Indiana a 1-0 lead after two innings. It was Carroll’s first hit of the LLSWS, according to ESPN.

Indiana strands a runner at second base

Indiana gets a one-out double but can’t move the runner beyond that. After first inning, 0-0.

Indiana’s Briley Mercer cruises in the first inning

Mercer struck out two of the three batters she faced to keep Brazil off the scoreboard.

4 teams have their season on the line, first up Indiana vs Brazil

The first elimination game on Wednesday features Latin America Region champion Cantareira Little League from São Paulo, Brazil and Central Region champion Floyds Knobs Community Club Little League from Floyds Knobs, Indiana

How to watch 2025 Little League Softball World Series

The 2025 Little League Softball World Series will be broadcast on ESPN platforms, with the championship game airing on ABC. Games will also be available to stream on ESPN+.

• Dates: Aug. 3-10
• TV: ESPN | ESPN2 | ABC
• Stream: ESPN+
• Location: Greenville, North Carolina

Watch the 2025 LLSWS on ESPN+

2025 Little League Softball World Series Day 4 schedule

Wednesday, Aug. 6

All times Eastern

• Game 13 (Orange bracket): Latin America region: Cantareira (São Paulo, Brazil) vs. Central region: Floyds Knobs Community Club (Indiana), 10 a.m. | ESPN2
• Game 14 (Purple bracket): Northwest region: Mill Creek (Washington) vs. Southeast region: Lake Mary (Florida) 1 p.m. | ESPN2

2025 Little League Softball World Series Day 3 results

Tuesday, Aug. 5

• Game 9: Mill Creek, Washington (Northwest) 10, Westchester-Del Rey Los Angeles (West) 0
• Game 10: São Paulo, Brazil (Latin America) 10, vs. Repentigny, Quebec (Canada)1
• Game 11: Floyds Knobs, Indiana (Central) 4, Prague, Czechia (Europe-Africa) 1
• Game 12: Lake Mary, Florida (Southeast) 9, Guilford, Connecticut (New England) 0

2025 Little League Softball World Series Day 2 results

Monday, Aug. 4

• Game 5: Pitt County (North Carolina) 5, Floyds Knobs, Indiana (Central) 3
• Game 6: Tulsa, Oklahoma (Southwest) 2, Lake Mary, Florida (Southeast) 1
• Game 7: Johnstown, Pennsylvania (Mid-Atlantic) 9, Westchester-Del Rey Los Angeles (West) 0
• Game 8: Iwate, Japan (Asia-Pacific) 6, Repentigny, Quebec (Canada)1

2025 Little League Softball World Series Day 1 results

Sunday, Aug. 3

• Game 1: Lake Mary, Florida (Southeast) 9, Mill Creek, Washington (Northwest) 2
• Game 2: Pitt County (North Carolina) 4, São Paulo, Brazil (Latin America) 3
• Game 3: Repentigny, Quebec 5 (Canada), Prague, Czechia (Europe-Africa) 4
• Game 4: Johnstown, Pennsylvania ( Mid-Atlantic) 2, Guilford, Connecticut (New England) 1

OWINGS MILLS, Md. – For somebody who won’t participate in the Baltimore Ravens’ preseason opener on Aug. 7 against the Indianapolis Colts, Tuesday’s joint practice against the team that used to call Baltimore home can be invaluable to Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson – even if there is a mid-session melee.

A joint practice means Jackson can mimic the feeling of a preseason game. It also makes for funny reunions, like Jackson’s with Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. For six seasons, while Anarumo coordinated the Cincinnati Bengals’ defense, Jackson routinely torched Anarumo’s unit. The two-time MVP owns a 10-1 career record against the Bengals with 22 touchdowns and four interceptions in those games, all but one of which came during Anarumo’s Bengals tenure.

Anarumo was fired following last season and landed two hours West down I-74 as the Colts’ defensive coordinator, presenting a chance for Anarumo to approach Jackson on the field in between practice periods.

“He was telling me that was glad he doesn’t have to face me twice a year anymore,” Jackson said. “But I told him it’s always going to be competitive.

“We get great work out of these types of practices.”

For Jackson and the Ravens’ offense, a banged-up Colts secondary wasn’t the most challenging practice opponent. Besides, Baltimore’s starting secondary, as Jackson noted, features multiple first-round talents whose play often explains their draft position.

But going against a different-colored jersey helped get the competitive juices flowing, Jackson said.

“We don’t see these guys every day,” he said. “We get to see different looks from different guys, different types of coverages, see how different guys guard different people, different blitzes and stuff like that. So, definitely, we get a lot out of these types of joint practices.”

Chemistry with receiver DeAndre Hopkins is building, Jackson said; the two had a miscommunication on a hand signal that sent Hopkins on the wrong route, and Jackson was upset with himself after the rep.

That wasn’t the only time Jackson reacted strongly to his own wrongdoings. In the final two-minute drill session of practice, Colts’ seventh-round rookie safety Hunter Wohler intercepted Jackson (Wohler later also picked off backup Cooper Rush to end practice).

Baltimore Ravens and Indianapolis Colts get into joint practice brawl

“Watching how my guys are out there on the field and how we’re moving in the ball during certain periods, I felt like we did pretty good, besides the little ‘BS’ interceptions,” Jackson said. “Too many, but it happens.”

Baltimore, with offensive coordinator Todd Monken calling plays for the third season, has struggled in camp with the procedural penalties as the coaching staff continues to give Jackson additional pre-snap authority at the line of scrimmage.

Jackson doesn’t seem to be too concerned, and No. 8 made plays all day in every setting – 7-on-7, red-zone, 11-on-11 – against the Colts. His connection with tight end Mark Andrews appears stronger than ever. Fellow tight end Isiah Likely out for several weeks with a foot injury, opening the door for Charlie Kolar to have a big day with some wide-open chunk catches.

“We’re right where we need to be right now,” Jackson said.

In 2024, Jackson – who slimmed down during the offseason to become more elusive – led the NFL’s top-ranked offense (424.9 total yards per game) that finished third in scoring. Jackson’s rushing capabilities, along with the offseason acquisition of running back Derrick Henry, produced a balanced attack that became the first in league history to post at least 4,000 passing yards and 3,000 rushing yards in a single season. Baltimore was the first team in league history with more than 40 passing touchdowns and 20 rushing touchdowns. 

Jackson himself set career highs in passing yards (4,172), passing TDs (41) and passer rating (119.6), while throwing just 4 INTs. He also had 915 rushing yards – averaging 6.6 yards per carry with four scores on the ground – to become the first quarterback in NFL history with at least 4,000 passing yards and 800 rushing yards in a season. Jackson’s seven games with a passer rating of at least 135.0 also set a single-season NFL record, and his 119.6 rating for the season ranks fourth all time. He was the first player to ever record more than 40 passing touchdowns and less than five interceptions.

Monken, never shy with a microphone around, said what everybody who watches football in the Mid-Atlantic region has been thinking since Andrews dropped the football in the end zone in Orchard Park, New York, six months ago.

All of the work – even an honest day’s worth in August against another team – will come down to one, likely cold, day in January.

“I think every day is important,” Monken told reporters. “To say that one extra joint practice is going to lend itself … in terms of having a great regular season – which is what we’re trying to do – I mean, then we’ve got to finish it off. You’ve got to have a great regular season to put yourself in position for the backend.”

ESPN announced Tuesday it had agreed to acquire numerous media assets from the NFL in a landmark agreement.

Most notably, ESPN acquired NFL Network and the league’s ever-popular RedZone channel, which shows every touchdown from every game, as part of the deal. The NFL will acquire a 10% equity stake in ESPN as part of the deal.

ESPN has also acquired the NFL’s fantasy football product, making NFL Fantasy a part of ESPN Fantasy Football.

What will that mean for fantasy football managers? Here’s what we know about that element of the merger as the 2025 NFL season approaches.

How ESPN, NFL fantasy football merger will impact leagues

ESPN announced it was planning to ‘merge [the NFL’s fantasy product] into its existing platform’ after acquiring it from the NFL. That means all NFL Fantasy leagues will eventually be a part of the ESPN Fantasy Football app, and ESPN Fantasy Football will be the official game of the NFL.

A timetable for the app merger has not yet been finalized. That said, it seems unlikely to happen before the 2025 NFL season, as the agreements between ESPN and the NFL are subject to approval from both government regulators and NFL owners. Such a delay would allow those using the NFL Fantasy App to continue doing so in 2025.

ESPN did not immediately respond to USA TODAY Sports’ request for more details about the pending merger of the two products.

It’s worth noting ESPN changed the interface of its fantasy app on Monday, Aug. 4, one day before the agreement with the NFL was announced. ESPN outlined the changes made to the app for the 2025 fantasy football season, ‘will provide improved roster management options and a more personalized experience tailored to your teams and leagues.’

It’s unclear whether the pending merger was part of the impetus for the changes, nor is it clear whether the upgrades will facilitate ESPN’s eventual integration of the NFL Fantasy App’s data into its product.