Who has the best MVP season or seasons in the history of the WNBA?

USA TODAY is trying to answer that question by ranking the 16 players who have been named MVP since the league began in 1997. From Cynthia Cooper, who was part of the league’s first dynasty with the Houston Comets, to A’ja Wilson, who is a part of the latest super team, we take a look at the women who built the W.

As for No. 1, you’ll have to scroll down to find out the answer. But, here’s a hint: She and her team are playing in their third WNBA Finals in four years and are within two victories of a third championship.

The WNBA Finals continue on Wednesday with Game 3 (8 p.m. ET, ESPN) at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix. The Aces hold a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

16. Yolanda Griffith, C, Sacramento Monarchs

MVP season: 1999

In her first season in the WNBA after coming over from the ABL, Griffith won both WNBA MVP and Defensive Player of the Year. She averaged 18.8 points, 11.3 rebounds and 2.5 rebounds in her MVP season. Griffith was also named WNBA Finals MVP in 2005, when the Monarchs won the championship.

15. Jonquel Jones, F/C, Connecticut Sun, New York Liberty

MVP season: 2021

Jones helped the Sun to the league’s best record in 2021. They ended the season on a 14-game win streak, the fourth-longest in league history at the time. Jones finished with a league-best 11.2 rebounds per game and a career-high 19.2 points, scoring 20 or more points in 12 of 27 games that season. She became the first player in WNBA history to win MVP, Sixth Woman of the Year and the Most Improved Player awards in her career.

14. Nneka Ogumike, F, Los Angeles Sparks

MVP season: 2016

Ogwumike’s game is rooted in efficiency. She was named MVP after recording a 73.7% true shooting percentage — a record for NBA and WNBA players — which combines field-goal, 3-point and free throw percentages. The mark stands nearly a decade later. Ogwumike’s resume also includes No. 1 overall pick, WNBA champion, Rookie of the Year, All-WNBA first-team and four-time All-Defensive first-team.

13. Tamika Catchings, F, Indiana Fever

MVP season: 2011

Catchings finished as the WNBA MVP runner-up three seasons, before capturing the coveted award in her 10th season in 2011. One year later, Catchings added a WNBA Finals MVP after leading the Indiana Fever to their only title. The five-time Defensive Player of the Year is the WNBA’s all-time leader in steals by a wide margin and is top 10 in points, rebounds, free throws and minutes played.

12. Tina Charles, C, Connecticut Sun, New York Liberty, Washington Mystics, Phoenix Mercury, Seattle Storm, Atlanta Dream

MVP season: 2012

Charles was named the MVP in 2012 after securing her third consecutive rebounding title. She led the league in rebounds for a fourth time in 2016. The eight-time All-Star became the fastest player in league history to reach 1,100 rebounds, doing it in 100 games. Charles remains the WNBA’s all-time leader in rebounds and double-doubles. She ranks second in points, behind Diana Taurasi.

11. Elena Delle Donne, F/G, Chicago Sky, Washington Mystics

MVP seasons: 2015, 2019

Delle Donne became the first WNBA player to join the 50/40/90 club in 2019, shooting 50% from the field, 40% from the 3 and 90% from the free throw line for the season, a feat nine NBA players have accomplished. Napheesa Collier acheived the feat this season. Delle Donne also led the Washington Mystics to their first title in franchise history in 2019, winning her second league MVP. Her first came in 2015, her third season in the league.

10. Diana Taurasi, G, Phoenix Mercury

MVP season: 2009

Taurasi is one of three guards in league history to win MVP and as one of the greatest shooters ever, it’s the least surprising bit of her resume. A three-time WNBA champion, Taurasi also won Finals MVP twice. She is an 11-time All-Star and five-time scoring champion. Taurasi led the league in points per game (20.4) and made 3-pointers (79) during her her 2009 MVP season.

9. Sylvia Fowles, C, Chicago Sky, Minnesota Lynx

MVP season: 2017

Fowles might be one of the most underrated players on this list and in WNBA history. She’s an eight-time All-Star and four-time Defensive Player of the Year with two titles and a Finals MVP. She also led the league in rebounds three separate seasons. During her MVP season, she was a walking double-double, who led the league in field goal percentage (65.5), total blocks (67) and win shares (9.2).

8. Breanna Stewart, F, Seattle Storm, New York Liberty

MVP seasons: 2018, 2023

Stewart winning MVP twice is impressive enough, but nothing sounds more astounding than the margin of her 2023 win. There were 13 points separating her from A’ja Wilson and Alyssa Thomas, the closest margin in league history. Why was it so hard? Stewart does it all, as evidenced by her three championships and two WNBA Finals MVPs. She is also a seven-time All-Star, six-time WNBA first-team and defensive team pick.

7. Candace Parker, F, Los Angeles Sparks, Chicago Sky

MVP seasons: 2008, 2013

Parker remains the only player in WNBA history to earn Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season. She averaged 18 points and close to 10 rebounds plus an absurd 2.3 blocks on 52% shooting. She added another MVP five years later because one was not enough. The former Tennesee star even has three WNBA championships and a Finals MVP because everything with her is elite.

6. Maya Moore, F, Minnesota Lynx

MVP season: 2014

Moore has four rings, and if that wasn’t impressive enough, she added five All-WNBA first-team selections and an MVP in eight seasons in the league. During her MVP season, she averaged a blistering 23.9 points on 48% shooting to go with 8.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.9 steals.

5. Lauren Jackson, F/C, Seattle Storm

MVP seasons: 2003, 2007, 2010

Jackson, who is from Australia, was the first international player to win MVP. A threat at both ends of the court, she led the Seattle Storm to their first two titles. Jackson was absolutely dominant in 2007, when Jackson led the league in rebounding (9.7 per game) and was second in scoring (23.8 ppg) and blocks (2.0 bpg).

4. Lisa Leslie, C, Los Angeles Sparks

MVP seasons: 2001, 2004, 2006

Leslie was first player to dunk in a WNBA game (and a WNBA All-Star game) and first to score 6,000 points. When she retired, Leslie was the league’s career leader in both points and rebounds. A two-time WNBA champion, she also won two Finals MVPs.

3. Sheryl Swoopes, F/G, Houston Comets

MVP seasons: 2000, 2002, 2005

After missing the 2001 season with a torn ACL, Swoopes came back to win MVP and Defensive Player of the Year in 2002. She was in the top three in steals from 1998 to 2003 and was in the top five in both player efficiency and win shares during that span.

2. Cynthia Cooper, G, Houston Comets

MVP seasons: 1997, 1998

Cooper was the anchor of the Houston Comets team that won an unprecedented four consecutive WNBA titles. She led the league in scoring in each of her MVP seasons and was in the top 10 in assists and minutes played. Cooper, who helped USC to a pair of titles in 1983 and 1984, played 11 seasons overseas before the WNBA existed.

1. A’ja Wilson, C Las Vegas Aces

MVP seasons: 2020, 2022, 2024, 2025

Duh. Wilson is not only the W’s first four-time MVP, she joins LeBron James, Wilt Chamberlain, Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers, Barry Bonds, Wayne Gretzky, Gordie Howe and Eddie Shore as the only athletes to win four or more MVPs. Wilson is the most dominant player in basketball right now, able to control a game both offensively and defensively. You might be able to slow her, but you cannot stop her.

AI-assisted summary
• The network will air up to 100 regular-season games on NBC and its streaming service, Peacock.
• Sunday Night Basketball” or the moniker “Basketball Night in America” will broadcast each week from the game site.
• The on-air talent includes broadcasters Mike Tirico and Reggie Miller, with a studio team led by Maria Taylor, Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady.

STAMFORD, CT — When a media company loses the rights to broadcast an event, even in sports, it’s rare for that company to make another run at those same rights, especially after two decades.

That’s what happened to NBC when Disney took over and outbid the Peacock network for the NBA broadcast rights in 2002. This marked the end of a successful 12-year run that helped boost the league’s popularity to new heights, largely thanks to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls’ dominance in the 1990s.

When the NBA on NBC signed off for the final time on June 12, 2002, after the Los Angeles Lakers’ 113-107 victory over the New Jersey Nets in Game 4 of the Finals – completing the sweep and the last three-peat among the four major North American sports – the network didn’t go into panic mode..

They still had Grand Slam tennis, Notre Dame football, and the sure moneymakers that are the Winter and Summer Olympic Games. It wouldn’t be until 2006 when the network secured the rights to “Sunday Night Football,” the top-rated program in the United States in each of the last 14 years.

Now, NBCUniversal is back in the hoops game after paying about $2.5 billion a year, which is part of the record 11-year, $76 billion media rights deal the league struck with Amazon and Disney.

“I look back on my early days at the NBA, in the weekly meetings we would have in Dick Ebersol’s office, and he famously had a sign behind his desk that said storytelling,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said. “That was as a reminder of his people, and I think that storytelling is just as important today with all the technology. I’m really looking forward to this partnership.”

The company’s executives presented their plan at a press event Monday at NBC Sports headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut, aiming for a significant return on that investment, and have already exceeded advertising expectations for the season.

“It’s an enormous investment by the company. The NBA came around, and we thought it made sense for us,” Rick Cordella, NBC Sports president, said. “As the NBA fills a time in the schedule in the spring, where the NBA offers a diverse audience, and it’s not often you can take on a big sport and start from scratch.”

Don’t call it a comeback

The theme of the day was not only nostalgia but also advancing the product. Of course, “Roundball Rock,” the iconic theme of the NBA on NBC, is back, but Grammy-winning musician Lenny Kravitz will perform the show open for “Sunday Night Basketball” when it premieres on Feb. 1. 

“A global icon with unmatched style and passion, Lenny is the perfect artist to set the tone for coverage of the biggest game of the week every Sunday night,” NBC Sports Creative Director Tripp Dixon said. “As a fresh addition to our Sunday Night franchise, we’re excited for our Sunday Night Basketball anthem to capture the energy and spirit of the league, and with a superstar like Lenny at its foundation, we can’t wait for fans everywhere to see what we’ve cooked up.”

Up to 100 NBA regular-season games will air on NBC and Peacock, NBCUniversal’s streaming service, on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday nights, with the latter games branded as “Coast 2 Coast Tuesday.’

Mike Tirico, the lead play-by-play broadcaster, Hall of Famer Reggie Miller, and Jamal Crawford will call the network’s first NBA game in over 23 years on Oct. 21 when the Houston Rockets face the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. The Golden State Warriors head to Los Angeles to play the Lakers to complete the Opening Night doubleheader; Noah Eagle and Grant Hill are set to broadcast the nightcap.

It will have been 8,532 days between NBC’s last NBA telecast and this year’s season opener.

“To be back with the league and associated with the league is just heaven for me. The cool part now is I covered Reg, Jamal, and Melo, and all these guys. And now to work with them, it just kind of doubles down on my excitement,” Tirico said to USA TODAY Sports.

‘Some of my best moments were on NBC. Some of the best calls, Tom Hammond, Bob Costas, Marv Albert,” added Miller, who noted that the league needs a villain like he was in the ’90s. “It’s all about the calls for me. Some of my best moments were on this network. Now we get a chance to deliver some of these calls for these younger players.’

Top talent should lure viewers

Besides the games themselves, NBC is banking on the chemistry of the talent they have assembled to broadcast the games.

Part of that job belongs to Maria Taylor, as the lead studio host, along with analysts Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady.

“Sunday Night Basketball” or the moniker “Basketball Night in America” will broadcast each week from the game site, and while studio shows can be hit or miss, it didn’t take long for Anthony, Carter and McGrady to disagree with just about everything, especially when Anthony said the New York Knicks will be the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, which elicited hearty chuckles and negative head nods from his fellow retired coworkers. (Carter and McGrady both said that the Cleveland Cavaliers will rule the East.)

‘Sunday Night Basketball’ will take a break on Feb. 8 and 15, as the network broadcasts the Super Bowl, NBA All-Star Game and the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics from Italy.

There will also be an ‘on the bench’ portion of the game, where one sideline reporter or analyst will be assigned to each team, providing insight into their strategy.

Anthony acknowledged that he is taking it ‘day by day,’ as there will be a learning curve as a new studio analyst, but he assured viewers that he will approach the role with authenticity, teaching the game while entertaining, and moving the conversation forward.

He said his job was not to criticize players, but he also didn’t want to discuss the other companies that would be broadcasting the league and making any comparisons of content.

“We don’t talk about anyone else in this building,” Anthony said.

Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier is opening up about her decision to publicly criticize WNBA commissioner WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert’s ‘tone-deaf and dismissive’ leadership.

‘I just got to the point where I was fed up,’ Collier said on Monday, nearly one week after delivering a scathing statement following the Lynx’s playoff elimination by the Phoenix Mercury in the semifinals. ‘No matter the consequences, I felt like it was something that needed to be done.’

Collier spoke to former Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday during ‘A Day of Unreasonable Conversation,’ a one-day summit held annually in Los Angeles for changemakers, storytellers and activists.

‘I never had planned to do that,’ Collier said. ‘I am on the union for CBA negotiations … and for so long, I felt like I saw what was going on behind closed doors. For so long, we tried to have these conversations and move the needle. … And I saw nothing was changing.’

NAPHEESA COLLIER says the WNBA has the ‘worst leadership’ in scathing statement

Following the Lynx’s 86-81 Game 4 semifinal loss to the Phoenix Mercury on Sept. 28, Collier used her exit interview to air her grievances with Engelbert and the league, which she said has the ‘worst leadership in the world.’

‘The real threat to our league isn’t money, it isn’t ratings or even missed calls or even physical play. It’s the lack of accountability from the league office,’ Collier said in her prepared statement. ‘We go to battle every day to protect a shield that doesn’t value us.’

On Monday, Collier said she decided to put pen to paper after her frustrations finally boiled over, adding that she was willing to deal with any ensuing consequences because it was ultimately the ‘right thing to do.’

‘Coaches winning and losing alike were complaining about the same things over and over again, players over and over again, and we weren’t seeing a change that our leadership was trying to make,’ said Collier, who wore a boot on her right foot after tearing several ligaments in her ankle and a muscle in her shin on a controversial play in the final seconds of Lynx’s Game 3 semifinal loss to the Mercury.

‘Whether I was going to get annihilated for this or people were going to support me, I felt what I was doing was right. I felt like it needed to be said,’ Collier added.

In her statement, Collier recalled a specific conversation she had with Engelbert about WNBA officiating back in February during the inaugural season of Unrivaled, the 3-on-3 league co-founded by Collier and Breanna Stewart.’I also asked how she planned to fix the fact that players like Caitlin (Clark), Angel (Reese) and Paige (Bueckers), who are clearly driving massive revenue for the league, are making so little for their first four years. Her response was, ‘Caitlin (Clark) should be grateful to make $16 million off the court, because without the platform that the WNBA gives her, she wouldn’t make anything.”

Collier continued: ‘In that same conversation she told me players should be, ‘On their knees thanking their lucky stars for the media rights deal that I got them.’ That’s mentality driving our league from the top … The league believes it succeeds despite its players, not because of them.’ 

Engelbert said she was ‘disheartened’ by Collier’s characterization of their conversation in a statement released on social media on Tuesday. During her annual press conference ahead of the WNBA Finals, Engelbert denied making a comment about Clark and said there’s ‘a lot of inaccuracy about what I said or what I didn’t say.’

Engelbert said she planned to meet with Collier this week, but Collier reportedly called off the meeting following Engelbert’s press conference.

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The NHL standings could be a little more bunched this season.

Last year, the No. 1 overall team, the Winnipeg Jets, and the No. 32 San Jose Sharks were separated by 64 points. This year, USA TODAY predicts that the gap between first and last will be 47 points.

First, the Sharks and other bottom teams should improve. Also, the league is changing the rules on salary retention in trades. That will make it harder for top teams to load up and for bottom teams to have fire sales during the season.

Another factor is the 2026 Winter Olympics. Top teams will send more players to Italy in February for an intense tournament. Bottom teams won’t send as many players and will get some midseason rest.

USA TODAY Sports makes its annual attempt at projecting the records for all 32 NHL teams (explanations below) before the 2025-26 season starts on Tuesday, Oct. 7.

Pacific Division

• The Vegas Golden Knights will benefit from landing the best free agent (Mitch Marner) and win the Presidents’ Trophy as the top regular-season team.
• The Edmonton Oilers are a threat to get back to the Stanley Cup Final – and win it – because of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. McDavid’s team-friendly extension will make it easier to build around the two stars.
• Los Angeles Kings captain Anze Kopitar will play his final NHL season. It will include a playoff berth and another first-round meeting with the Oilers.
• The Vancouver Canucks hope to shake off a disappointing season. They will need more from Elias Pettersson and for goalie Thatcher Demko to stay healthy.
• The Calgary Flames missed the playoffs on a tiebreaker. They’ll be in the race until near the end.
• The Anaheim Ducks hope to take another big step in their rebuild with the hiring of coach Joel Quenneville. They’ll continue improving but fall short of the playoffs.
• The Seattle Kraken have a new general manager and coach but will miss the playoffs for the fourth time in their five-year existence.
• The San Jose Sharks should end their two-year streak of finishing last but will be among the bottom teams again.

Central Division

• The Dallas Stars changed coaches after losing in the conference finals for three seasons in a row. New coach Glen Gulutzan will try to get the team over the top.
• Nikolaj Ehlers is gone, but the Winnipeg Jets will be a top team as long as Connor Hellebuyck is in net. He might play less in the regular season with an Olympics to win for Team USA.
• The Colorado Avalanche got captain Gabriel Landeskog back during the playoffs and moved out Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood in the offseason.
• The Minnesota Wild took care of two priorities by getting forward Kirill Kaprizov and goalie Filip Gustavsson signed long-term. Kaprizov got a record deal.
• The Utah Mammoth have a new practice facility, a new name and logo and newcomers J.J. Peterka and Nate Schmidt. Things are looking up in their second season in Utah.
• The St. Louis Blues clinched the final Western Conference berth last season. They’ll be in the mix again this season.
• Nashville Predators coach Andrew Brunette is on the hot seat after last season’s free agent spree fizzled.
• The Chicago Blackhawks‘ rebuild around Connor Bedard will take time. Good thing Gavin McKenna is available to whoever wins the draft lottery.

Atlantic Division

• With the Toronto Maple Leafs missing Marner and the Florida Panthers missing Aleksander Barkov, the Atlantic Division title is there to grab for the ultra-talented Tampa Bay Lightning.
• It will be hard to replace Marner and his 102 points, but Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews is healthy.
• No Barkov for seven to nine months. No Matthew Tkachuk early. But the Panthers are deep and coach Paul Maurice always makes the right moves.
• The Ottawa Senators have a good mix and should be able to extend their playoff streak to two seasons.
• The Montreal Canadiens added Noah Dobson, and Ivan Demidov is a rookie of the year favorite. They will be in the hunt for a playoff spot.
• Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams is under pressure to end the team’s 14-year playoff drought. He added depth to the defense and in net but traded No. 2 scorer J.J. Peterka.
• The Detroit Red Wings hoped they addressed their goaltending concerns by adding John Gibson.
• Was the Boston Bruins‘ missed playoff berth a one-off or a trend? Last season’s sell-off makes it more difficult to turn things around.

Metropolitan Division

• The Carolina Hurricanes signed free agent Nikolaj Ehlers and re-signed Logan Stankoven long-term. Could this be the year this group gets to the Stanley Cup Final?
• A lot of players had career years in 2024-25. That will be hard to duplicate but the Washington Capitals remain dangerous.
• The New Jersey Devils‘ key will be Jack Hughes staying healthy. They made the playoffs by only two points after he had season-ending surgery in March.
• The Columbus Blue Jackets jumped from eighth in the division in 2023-24 to fourth last season while honoring the memory of Johnny Gaudreau. They just missed the playoffs but should make it this time.
• A lot of New York Rangers players took a step back as they went from a Presidents’ Trophy to a missed playoff berth. Some veterans were moved as a result. New coach Mike Sullivan will need to get the rest back on track.
• New GM Mathieu Darche is putting his imprint on the New York Islanders. It helps that the team won the draft lottery and took defenseman Matthew Schaefer.
• The Philadelphia Flyers brought in franchise legend Rick Tocchet behind the bench. He won coach of the year in his first full season in Vancouver, but this team isn’t as talented.
• The Pittsburgh Penguins are in a quandary. They could use a rebuild, but that’s not fair to Sidney Crosby and the older core. But if they start slowly, some secondary veterans could end up moving.

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The Milwaukee Brewers weren’t comfortable putting rookie Jacob Misiorowski in their playoff rotation, leaving it up to fans’ imaginations just what a 6-foot-7 rookie who averages nearly 100 mph with his fastball would look like as a bullpen weapon.

Turns out it was beyond almost anyone’s imagination.

Misiorowski entered in the third inning of a tie game in Game 2 of their National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs and didn’t give up the ball until the Cubs were figuratively blown away and he was in line for his first playoff victory. The Miz pitched three scoreless innings, giving up just one hit and striking out four to stabilize the Crew in their 7-3 victory Oct. 6.

Misiorowski hit at least 100 mph on the radar gun 31 times and topped out at 104 mph twice facing his first batter, Cubs slugger Kyle Tucker. Since the pitch-tracking era began in 2008, only Reds starter Hunter Greene and two-time Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom have hit 100 more in a single game – and Misiorowski pitched just three innings.

Milwaukee can eliminate its Lake Michigan rivals with one more win in Game 3 at Wrigley Field on Oct. 8. The Brewers overcame a first-inning home run by the Cubs for the second consecutive game to hit three more of their own.

Yet it was pitching they needed badly, and Misiorowski delivered.

Was the kid nervous? Perhaps a little.

When he ended his first inning of work by inducing a comebacker from Carson Kelly, Misiorowski waved off first baseman Andrew Vaughn and sprinted – as a storklike figure only can – toward first base to touch the bag himself.

Misiorowski then journeyed into foul ground, pumped his fist and exulted toward the adoring throng at American Family Field. Just burning off a little extra energy.

Milwaukee is just one win away from breaking a six-series playoff losing streak, even as it appears the club will once again have to take some unorthodox routes to reach its first World Series since 1982.

In just their second playoff game this year, manager Pat Murphy opted for a bullpen game, and lefty Aaron Ashby gave up a three-run first-inning homer to Seiya Suzuki. But Vaughn responded with his own three-run jack in the bottom of the inning – the first time in playoff history multi-run homers were hit in both halves of the first – to square the affair.

Misiorowski was handed a clean inning to begin, and he plowed through the third, fourth and fifth, allowing just a single and one walk. William Contreras and Jackson Chourio hit homers in the third and fourth to put the Brewers ahead for good.

They can go for the clincher with Quinn Priester in Game 3. And should the Cubs manage to stave off elimination once or twice, the Brewers know a towering rookie will once again be available to serve as the hardest-throwing fireman the playoffs have likely ever seen.

• The Broncos rallied from a 14-point deficit to upset the defending Super Bowl champions on the road.
• Sean Payton’s gutsy decision to go for a two-point conversion late in the game epitomized the Broncos’ vibe.
• The Eagles’ streak of 12 consecutive home wins was snapped in Week 5.

It was a lot more than merely the NFL’s biggest upset on Sunday. When the Denver Broncos rallied from a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter — at The Linc, of all places — to stun the Philadelphia Eagles it went down as a quintessential statement win.

Bold. Gritty. Resilient. Clutch.

Those were surely markers on the 21-17 smackdown against the defending Super Bowl champion, but they also represent the identity of a team that has served notice that it intends to keep stacking signature victories.

“The one thing our team is never going to do is quit,” Nik Bonitto, the star linebacker who collected 2 ½ of the six sacks on Jalen Hurts, said during his postgame news conference.

“We have some very resilient people in that locker room. I feel like we’ve been in that spot so many times where we’ll be down a score or two and just find a way to fight back and continue to keep playing. So, hat’s off to everybody.”

Until Sunday, though, the Broncos (3-2) were on the wrong end of the close ones this season. Both of their losses, at Indianapolis and at the Los Angeles Chargers, came on walk-off field goals as time expired. The Broncos entered Sunday’s game with the weird distinction of having never trailed in the fourth quarter — before the clock struck zeroes.

This time, it came down to a Hail Mary pass into a pack of players falling incomplete.

Instead of a miracle, the Broncos shut out the Eagles in the fourth quarter while the Bo Nix-led offense that had previously punted on six consecutive drives came to life.

It’s no wonder that Broncos coach Sean Payton said he was most encouraged that his team managed to finish the job. To some degree, Denver undoubtedly learned something from the tough defeats. Yet in another sense, it might have been more about a gut-check.

When Saquon Barkley zipped 47 yards with a Hurt pass for a touchdown that made it 17-3 early in the third quarter, conditions seemed ripe for a rout. Except that they weren’t. Never mind that the Eagles (4-1) had won 12 consecutive games on their home turf. Something happened.

“When you play somebody like that, you’re going to get punched,” Payton said. “It’s not going to be easy, but we kept fighting. That’s what I was most encouraged about. Just the fight, the grit, you felt — that’s the funny thing — that momentum shifted.”

Payton praised his young quarterback, Nix, for his leadership in crunch time — and it came with poise and performance. Nix didn’t commit a turnover and in completing 9 of 10 passes in the fourth quarter, came up with one clutch play after another. On a third-and-15 from the Eagles 45, he found Courtland Sutton over the middle for 34 yards, setting up his 11-yard TD dime to Evan Engram. On the next drive, he coolly took a one-yard sack rather throwing the ball away on a third-down scramble, forcing the Eagles to take their final timeout with 1:14 remaining, before the Broncos extended the lead to four points with a Will Lutz field goal.

Yet Payton’s gutsy decision to go for a two-point conversion after the Engram TD — Nix found Troy Franklin on a flat pass that made it 18-17 — put another stamp on the signature win.

Yes, it’s a team built by Payton, in his third season with the Broncos, with a resume that includes once calling for a surprise onside kick in the Super Bowl that helped his New Orleans Saints win a crown. On a day when he notched his 173rd career regular-season victory, which surpassed his mentor, Bill Parcells, for 15th place all-time, it was fitting that Payton came up aces on a critical game-management decision.

Payton could’ve opted for the PAT to tie the game, but in going for two, he went for seizing the lead on a play that was, of course, specially designed for such a situation. And not only did it underscore the bold statement that went a step further than an impressive rally from 14 points down, it ultimately took away the option for Philadelphia to tie the game and force overtime with a field goal on its final drive. It was masterful strategy.

“We came here to win a game, and I had two or three calls that I loved,” Payton said, referring to plays inside the 5-yard line.

“We felt … let’s do that. Let’s keep being aggressive.”

Parcells would be so proud. It worked. And it added so much to the statement the Broncos made in scoring what has been the rare victory against a quality opponent.

Since the start of last season, the Broncos were 1-10 against teams with a winning record — until Sunday.

Add that to the statement. After hearing all week about the measuring stick that awaited them — the other wins this season came against a rookie quarterback making his first NFL start for Tennessee and against a battered Cincinnati team missing Joe Burrow — they proved that can indeed measure up. It led to the perfect question for Payton’s postgame locker room address, as he asked his team: “Who are you afraid of?”

No, there’s nothing to fear.

“We talked about it,” Payton said. “I said, ‘Look, you don’t get a chance to play these games that have a ton of upside.’ Now, don’t get me wrong. There’s downside, but there’s a ton of upside relative to defining what you become.”

Here’s to a bold, confident identity that could ultimately develop into something special.

Contact Jarrett Bell at jbell@usatoday.com or follow on social media on X and Bluesky.

The New England Patriots beat the Buffalo Bills on ‘Sunday Night Football’ in Week 5, knocking off the last of the NFL’s unbeaten teams in a 23-20 victory on the road in Orchard Park.

The victory wasn’t easy. The Patriots nearly squandered a 10-point fourth-quarter lead after allowing back-to-back scoring drives to the Bills.

However, Drake Maye orchestrated an excellent final drive for the Patriots. He capably led the Patriots 37 yards over seven plays and set up rookie kicker Andy Borregales for a 52-yard field goal attempt. Borregales’ kick split the uprights with 15 seconds left, leaving no time for Josh Allen and Co. to make a comeback.

Maye showed during Sunday’s contest that he could hold his own against Allen, as the second-year quarterback completed 22 of 30 passes for 273 yards and a 101.1 passer rating. He showed a strong connection throughout the contest with Stefon Diggs (10 catches, 146 yards) as the two carried a Patriots offense that averaged a disappointing 3.2 yards per carry against a porous Bills run defense.

Meanwhile, Allen had a solid showing for the Bills. The reigning NFL MVP completed 22 of 31 passes for 253 yards and two touchdowns while also leading the team in rushing yards (53).

However, Allen was also responsible for two turnovers, an interception and a lost fumble, a microcosm of an uncharacteristically sloppy game for the Bills. Buffalo turned the ball over three times in total after doing so just once over its first four games.

USA TODAY Sports provided updates, highlights and more from the Bills vs Patriots on Sunday night below.

Bills vs. Patriots instant takeaways

• Drake Maye is continuing to make strides in his second season: The 23-year-old still has room for improvement but was impressive Sunday, going toe-to-toe with Josh Allen in a hostile road environment. His steady performance on New England’s game-winning drive should inspire hope among the Patriots faithful that the UNC product can continue to develop into a star under Josh McDaniels’ tutelage.
• Stefon Diggs is healthy and balling: The veteran is looking fully healthy after posting 10 catches for 146 yards against his former team, the Bills. The 31-year-old has now posted back-to-back 100-yard outings and is building chemistry with Maye. Expect him to continue to make strides as he gets further removed from the ACL tear he suffered in October of last year.
• No panic in Buffalo: The Bills’ loss is more of a bump in the road than a reason for panic. Buffalo endured its sloppiest game to date, losing the turnover battle 3-1 and committing 10 penalties for 90 yards, so the Bills should bounce back quickly if they can avoid mistakes in a Week 6 ‘Monday Night Football’ battle with the Atlanta Falcons.

Stefon Diggs stats vs. Bills

• 10 receptions
• 12 targets
• 146 receiving yards
• 0 touchdowns

Drake Maye stats vs. Bills

• 22-of-30 (73.3% completion rate)
• 273 yards
• 0 passing touchdowns
• 0 interceptions
• 101.1 passer rating
• 3 rush attempts for 12 yards and 0 rushing touchdowns

Josh Allen stats vs Patriots

• 22-of-31 (70.9% completion rate)
• 253 yards
• 2 passing touchdowns
• 1 interception
• 103.3 passer rating
• 9 rush attempts for 53 yards and 0 rushing touchdowns

James Cook stats vs. Patriots

• 15 rush attempts
• 49 rushing yards
• 0 touchdowns
• 0 receptions
• 1 target

Dalton Kincaid stats vs. Patriots

• 6 receptions
• 6 targets
• 108 receiving yards
• 0 touchdowns

TreVeyon Henderson stats vs. Bills

• 6 carries
• 24 rushing yards
• 2 receptions
• 3 receiving yards
• 0 touchdowns

Rhamondre Stevenson stats vs. Bills

• 7 carries
• 14 rushing yards
• 2 receptions
• 13 receiving yards
• 2 total touchdowns (both rushing)

Bills vs. Patriots highlights

Bills vs. Patriots final score: Patriots 23, Bills 20

Bills vs Patriots score: Andy Borregales 52-yard field goal to take the lead

The Patriots drive 37 yards, resulting in a 52-yard game-winning field goal by Andy Borregales.

Patriots 23, Bills 20

Matt Prater ties game with 45-yard field goal

The Bills have overcome a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to tie the Patriots. Prater’s 45-yard attempt snuck inside the right upright, so with 2:17 left in regulation, Buffalo and New England are tied at 20.

Bills 20, Patriots 20

Patriots go 3-and-out after key false start, sack

The Patriots had a third-and-inches on the drive following Buffalo’s touchdown, but backup offensive lineman Vederian Lowe was whistled for a false start before a QB sneak to back New England up. Then, on third-and-5, Drake Maye was flushed from the pocket and forced out of bounds for a short loss.

That forced the Patriots to punt the ball back to the Bills, who are trailing 20-17. Bryce Baringer’s kick went into the end-zone, so Buffalo will need to go 80 yards to take the lead with 5:52 left in regulation.

Bills vs. Patriots score: Bills respond quickly with Keon Coleman TD

The Bills respond quickly down two scores and make it a three-point game yet again. Keon Coleman hauls in a two-yard score in the back of the end zone. Buffalo drives down the field 74 yards on just eight plays thanks to two 15-yard penalties against New England. First a roughing the passer penalty on Cory Durden followed by an unnecessary roughness penalty on the next play on rookie Joshua Farmer.

New England will aim to answer with 7:37 to go.

Patriots 20, Bills 17

Bills vs. Patriots score: Rhamondre Stevenson scores second TD, Patriots extend lead

The Patriots dive 90 yards on 11 plays that resulted in Rhamondre Stevenson’s second touchdown of the night on a seven-yard scamper. Stefon Diggs has exploded in the second half and accounted for 53 yards on four catches throughout the 5:43 scoring drive.

The Bills find themselves down two scores with just over 12 minutes remaining.

Patriots 20, Bills 10

End of third quarter: Patriots driving into Bills territory

New England holds a 13-10 lead after forcing a turnover deep in its own territory on the Bills’ last drive. Now, the Patriots are driving into Bills territory at the start of the fourth quarter looking to extend their lead.

Stefon Diggs drags toes on sideline catch for third down conversion

The former Bill, continues to make a mark on tonight’s game against his former team. This time, he shows us some toe-drag swag on a 10-yard catch on third down, which resulted in a new set of downs for the Patriots.

Bills penalties today

The Bills have struggled with penalties in their Week 5 game against the Patriots. Buffalo has been penalized for 10 accepted infractions, which have resulted in a total of 80 yards in penalties.

By comparison, the Patriots have committed four penalties for 40 yards.

Marcus Jones intercepts Josh Allen, marking third Bills turnover

The Bills continue to struggle with turnovers after committing just one in their first four games. Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones undercut an Allen throw intended for Khalil Shakir and brought it in before being tackled at the 10-yard line.

Buffalo was in scoring range before the interception. Now, New England will have a chance to extend its lead, though it is backed up deep in its own zone.

Stefon Diggs stats today

Thus far, Diggs’ return to Buffalo has been a good one. The veteran is leading the Patriots with five catches for 81 yards and has seen a team-high seven targets during the contest.

With 6:34 left in the third quarter, Diggs may be on his way to his second consecutive 100-yard receiving game.

Bills vs. Patriots score: Patriots answer with Rhamondre Stevenson TD run

After Buffalo opened the second half with its first touchdown, Drake Maye and the Patriots answered. The second-year quarterback went 3 of 3 passing for 64 yards, including two completions for 48 yards to Stefon Diggs, before Stevenson turned his lone touch into a 4-yard touchdown run.

Andy Borregales makes the extra point, and the Patriots are back on top, leading 13-10.

Patriots 13, Bills 10

Bills vs Patriots score: Josh Allen tosses first TD of game to Curtis Samuel

Sean McDermott and Joe Brady dialed up a unique motion for Samuel, who bluffed an orbit-type motion before changing directions. The result? He ended up wide open for an easy check-down and waltzed into the end-zone for the score.

Matt Prater’s extra point is good, and Buffalo has its first lead of the day, 10-6.

Bills 10, Patriots 6

What number is TreVeyon Henderson?

Henderson is No. 32, for those having trouble locating him on the field. For some reason, the font on the second-round rookie’s jersey is smaller than that of his counterpart’s, making it harder for fans and NFL analysts, like Ryan Fitzpatrick, to read. https://x.com/FitzMagic_14/status/1975009599540584949 It isn’t clear why the nameplate font on Henderson’s jersey is smaller, but just know the Ohio State product is wearing the number 32.

Drake Maye stats at halftime

Maye has completed 9 of 16 passes for 89 yards in the first half, good for a passer rating of 72.1. He showed good rhythm on the Patriots’ final drive of the half but has found himself under pressure from Buffalo’s strong defensive front, taking two sacks in the first half.

Maye has also added 12 yards on three carries and could be asked to run more in the second half with Antonio Gibson (knee) ruled out for the game.

Josh Allen stats at halftime

Allen was efficient in the first half, completing 9 of 11 passes for 100 yards, good for a 104.5 passer rating. The reigning MVP is also tied for his team’s lead in rushing yards, racking up 32 on four carries in the first half.

That said, Allen has also made a couple of mistakes, taking an 8-yard sack and losing a fumble. He will look to clean up those errors in the second half.

Bills vs. Patriots score: Patriots settle for field goal, take 6-3 lead into halftime

Drake Maye got the Patriots to the 1-yard line, but Hunter Henry couldn’t catch a quick pass to the flat with 1 second left in the half. Mike Vrabel settled for a 19-yard Andy Borregales field goal, and the rookie was able to kick it through with ease.

Despite the score, the Bills have actually outgained the Patriots 159-135 in the first half. However, the Bills have committed eight penalties for 65 yards, compared to two for 20 yards by the Patriots, while New England is winning the turnover battle 2-1.

The Bills will get the second-half kickoff and will get the next crack at notching the game’s first touchdown.

Patriots 6, Bills 3

Milton Williams helps sack Josh Allen, force Bills punt

Allen was sacked just seven times across the first four games of the 2025 NFL season. The Patriots got to him late in the second quarter, when Milton Williams and Jaylinn Hawkins pressured him and slung him to the ground.

The Bills were forced to punt, and the Patriots regained possession on their own 30-yard line. New England will look to score in the 2:22 remaining before halftime in the 3-3 tie.

Patriots rule out Antonio Gibson with knee injury

The Patriots will play the remainder of their game without Gibson. The running back suffered a knee injury on a kick return and was quickly ruled out by the team.

New England now has just two healthy running backs remaining on its roster: starter Rhamondre Stevenson and second-round rookie TreVeyon Henderson.

Bryce Baringer pins Bills at 10-yard line after another Patriots punt

The bad news for Patriots fans? Baringer has had to punt three times. The good news? He has pinned the Bills inside their own 15-yard line with each kick.

This time, Khalil Shakir opted not to field Baringer’s kick and the Patriots downed it at the 10-yard line. Josh Allen and the Bills will have a long field to cover with 6:24 left in the second quarter.

Antonio Gibson injury update

Gibson, a running back for the Patriots, was injured on a kick return following Buffalo’s field goal. The veteran was upended after being hit hard in the leg by Bills defensive back Cam Lewis, and he fumbled the ball.

Gibson remained down on the field for a couple of minutes before leaving the field gingerly but under his own power. He went to the blue medical tent for further evaluation.

How old is Matt Prater?

Prater is 41 years old, making him the second-oldest active player in the NFL behind only Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. 

Prater is in his 19th season and has played for five different teams during his NFL career.

Bills vs Patriots score: Matt Prater makes 31-yard field goal to tie game

The Bills have answered the Patriots’ game-opening score. Josh Allen marched the Bills down the field with some big passing plays, including a 23-yarder to Joshua Palmer, but the Patriots got a key stop on third down in the red-zone.

Prater’s 31-yard attempt was true, and the Bills and Patriots are tied at 3 with 9:34 left in the second quarter.

Bills 3, Patriots 3

How many fumbles does Rhamondre Stevenson have?

After his latest fumble, Stevenson has put the ball on the turf three times this season. His third fumble came on his 44th touch, meaning he has fumbled roughly every 14.7 touches thus far in 2025.

Stevenson had seven fumbles on 240 touches last season, good for one fumble every 34.3 touches.

Patriots leading Bills 3-0 after sloppy first quarter

Both the Patriots and Bills have gotten off to a slow start in their ‘Sunday Night Football’ battle, but New England is leading thanks to a couple of Buffalo turnovers.

The Bills had just one turnover across their first four games. In one quarter Sunday, they fumbled twice, losing both and setting the Patriots up for their chip-shot field goal near the end of the first quarter.

The Patriots had a turnover of their own after the fumble-prone Rhamondre Stevenson lost his third of the 2025 NFL season. However, New England’s defense has done a good job limiting Josh Allen and James Cook, who have just 15 combined rushing yards on five carries.

Allen has performed well as a passer, completing 5 of 7 passes for 61 yards, but the Bills have often been behind the chains. Buffalo has been called for five penalties and lost 29 total yards because of them.

The Bills will need to clean up their operation to get on the board, but they have plenty of time to figure things out in this divisional rivalry.

Bills vs Patriots score: Andy Borregales makes 30-yard field goal to put Patriots ahead

The Patriots get on the board first on ‘Sunday Night Football.’ They weren’t able to gain any yardage after recovering Keon Coleman’s fumble, but Borregales was able to make a chip-shot 30-yarder with ease.

Keon Coleman loses fumble, giving Patriots ball in red-zone

The Bills entered their Sunday night game against the Patriots having committed just one turnover on the season. They now have two turnovers in the first quarter after Keon Coleman fumbled after a short catch.

The Patriots jumped on the ball at Buffalo’s 11-yard line. That puts New England well within scoring range as the first quarter winds down.

Stefon Diggs drops potential first-down catch, forcing Patriots punt

Diggs caught his first target of the day, but he couldn’t do the same on his second. Drake Maye’s throw was placed on Diggs’ back shoulder slightly behind the veteran, but Diggs couldn’t reel it in.

Rather than go for it on fourth-and-3, the Patriots decided to punt. The Bills will once again start from inside their own 15-yard line in a 0-0 tie.

Why Josh Allen says ‘Go Pokes’ in SNF intro

Allen’s ‘Go Pokes’ message is a nod to his alma mater, Wyoming. The Cowboys use ‘Go Pokes’ as their rallying cry – much like Alabama fans say ‘Roll Tide!’ to honor the Crimson Tide – so consider the message Allen’s way of honoring his roots.

Bills stall out, punt for first time

Thus far, the Bills and Patriots have traded punts and fumbles across their ‘Sunday Night Football’ game’s first four possessions.

Buffalo has been able to move the ball a bit better than New England, with Josh Allen completing 4 of 6 passes for 59 yards, but his last two passes have fallen incomplete.

Rhamondre Stevenson fumbles ball right back to Bills

One play after recovering a fumble, the Patriots fumbled it right back to the Bills. Stevenson caught a dump-off from Drake Maye before having the ball punched out of his hands by Shaq Thompson.

Stevenson has now fumbled three times on 44 touches across five games for the Patriots in 2025.

Patriots recover fumble after Dawson Knox knocks ball out of Josh Allen’s hands

The Bills got the ball near midfield on their first drive before giving the ball back to the Patriots. Josh Allen was under center when he took the snap with tight end Dawson Knox coming across on jet motion.

Knox bumped into Allen, jarring the ball out of his hands and allowing Patriots defensive tackle Joshua Farmer to pounce on it with ease.

Bills force punt on first possession

The Patriots got off to a good start, as Drake Maye completed his first pass to Stefon Diggs for 15 yards. However, New England couldn’t get another first down after that and were forced to punt the ball to Buffalo.

Josh Allen and the Bills will begin their first offensive possession of the night from their own 14-yard line after a Khalil Shakir fair catch.

Stefon Diggs catches pass on first play from scrimmage

In the veteran’s first game back in Buffalo, he reeled in a 15-yard pass from Drake Maye on the first play of the game.

What time does Bills vs Patriots game start?

• Kickoff: 8:20 p.m. ET

The Bills and Patriots game will start at 8:20 p.m. ET on Sunday, Oct. 5.

What TV channel is Bills vs Patriots on?

• TV channel: NBC

NBC will broadcast the Bills vs Patriots ‘Sunday Night Football’ matchup. Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth will be on the call, with Melissa Stark providing updates from the sideline.

Stefon Diggs takes the field in Buffalo wearing Patriots uniform

Bills uniforms tonight vs Patriots

The Buffalo Bills are unveiling their ‘Cold Front’ uniforms tonight against the Patriots. It marks the debut of the all-white alternates, and Buffalo is hosting a white-out event at Highmark Stadium to commemorate the occasion.

Bills inactives vs. Patriots

Patriots inactives vs. Bills

Josh Allen arrives for Week 5 vs. Patriots

The reigning NFL MVP arrives for the Bills’ Week 5 matchup and is wearing the fourth of nine custom hats designed by patients at Buffalo’s Oishei Children’s Hospital. After each home game, his hat will be auctioned off to support the Patricia Allen Fund.

Bills 2025 schedule

Patriots 2025 schedule

Bills vs Patriots live stream

• Live stream:Fubo | Peacock

Peacock, NBC’s proprietary streaming service, will carry the ‘SNF’ game.

Fubo will also carry Bills vs. Patriots. Fubo has NBC, as well as CBS, Fox, ABC, NFL Network and the ESPN family of networks, meaning you can catch NFL action all season long with the streaming service. Fubo also offers a free trial.

Watch 2025 NFL action with Fubo (free trial)

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Who are the announcers for Bills vs. Patriots on NBC? 

Mike Tirico will handle play-by-play duties during the game, with Cris Collinsworth providing color commentary and Melissa Stark reporting from the sidelines.

NBC’s weekly ‘Football Night in America’ pregame show will begin at 7 p.m. ET and feature insight from a panel of analysts, including Maria Taylor, Jason Garrett, Chris Simms, Mike Florio, Devin McCourty, Tony Dungy, and more. 

Bills vs. Patriots odds

Bills vs Patriots injury report

How tall is Josh Allen?

Josh Allen is listed at 6-5, 237 pounds on the Bills’ official website. 

Among NFL quarterbacks, only Joe Flacco, Justin Herbert and Trevor Lawrence are taller than Allen. All are listed at 6-6.