🧂These teams could shake up the NFL this year

Today is Kobe's birthday. Happy Birthday, Mamba 🐍

In Today's Rundown:

• Who are the surprise NFL teams in 2022?

• Can Kamaru Usman rally from a devastating loss?

• Who will rule college football?

• Quick Hits: Toddlers flipping bats, new game show ideas, a trip down memory lane, and more!

Join our Discord community! Chat and have a chance to win prizes from Playmaker.

We are just over two weeks away from the official start of the NFL season, when the Los Angeles Rams begin their title defense against the Buffalo Bills, this year's Super Bowl favorite, on Sept. 8.

The Rams, Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, and Los Angeles Chargers are considered by many to be playoff locks and Super Bowl contenders. But, every year a mystery team makes a big leap, and some, like the Cincinnati Bengals, arrive as a contender ahead of schedule. So who are the teams looking to make such a leap this fall?

New Orleans Saints - On the outset, it seems like this team is on a rebuild with longtime head coach Sean Payton departing, and quarterback Jameis Winston returning after an ACL tear last October.Last year's team won nine games despite missing significant weapons on offense, and Slant God Michael Thomas and running back talent Alvin Kamara should be 100% to go for the start of the season. They are surrounded in a new talent in wide receiver Chris Olave, who should be another weapon for Winston, and a defense which may secretly be one of the best in the league. Plus, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are dealing with injuries on the offensive line and a 45-year old quarterback that needed a break, and the Panthers and Falcons aren't quite ready to contend, setting up a chance for the Saints to win the NFC South. (+119 to make playoffs, +312 to win division, +3833 to win Super Bowl)*

Miami Dolphins - Buried in the conversation by the surging Bills, the Jets with emerging young talent, and a grumpy situation in New England, the Dolphins have the roster to win most NFL divisions this year. This is a make-or-break year for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, but he has impressive pieces surrounding him in speedster Tyreek Hill, and second-year talent Jaylen Waddle. The defense will once again pose problems, led by cornerbacks Xavien Howard and Byron Jones. Their small rookie class has already paid dividends, with seventh-round pick Skylar Thompson waiting in the wings in case Tua can't cut it and ready-to-play pass rushers in Channing Tindall and Cameron Goode. It'll be tough in an improved AFC, but they have the pieces in place to be a tough out in January. (+142 to make playoffs, +463 to win AFC East, +3917 to make Super Bowl)

Detroit Lions - THE LIONS ARE BACK! Optimism is abound in Detroit, led by second-year head coach Dan Campbell, as his infectious energy energizes the squad. He's gotten solid production out of Rams castoff Jared Goff, who is once again emerging as a solid QB in the league. They have an improving offensive line, and weapons in the Sun God Amon-Ra St. Brown, and DJ Chark. When Jameson Williams returns to action, they'll add the top wide receiver in college football last season.Looking at the division, the Green Bay Packers are bound to slip one of these days and the Chicago Bears have work to do with their second-year quarterback. If they can pick up wins over the Minnesota Vikings, a playoff appearance wouldn't be too far-fetched. (+362 to make playoffs, +917 to win division, +12083 to win Super Bowl)*all odds shown are consensus odds from major sports books on Props HQ and are subject to change.

In one of the biggest upsets of the year, Kamaru Usman took a major L, dropping his welterweight title to Leon Edwards last Saturday at UFC 278. The shocking fifth-round knockout ended his streak of 15 consecutive title defenses, second all time in UFC history. What's next for the former champion? Who will stand in his way as he climbs back to the top? 

He's the Kelly Clarkson of the Ones Basketball League! Meet basketball's one-on-one king, John Jordan! The inaugural winner of the OBL sits down with Playmaker's Napoleon 'Polo' Kerber to chat about his basketball journey in Europe, his go-to sneakers, the time an NBA player yammed on him, and more!

• MEME ROUNDUP! In this latest episode, we learn the proper way to cook bacon, bad slips and falls, yet another reason we should avoid public gyms, and much more!

• What's your red flag? We travel all over the country, asking random strangers for relationship and life advice in the latest episode of Meme Streets.

The college football season begins this Saturday, as nearly two dozen squads take the field before Labor Day weekend, the unofficial start to the fall season. A Big 10 matchup starts the new year, as Northwestern plays host to division foe Nebraska (-12.5, -534) in the afternoon. Elsewhere, Illinois (-10, -431) hosts Wyoming, and Vanderbilt (-6.5, -250) travels out to Hawaii in a Saturday night battle. Who will come out on top? Alabama (+171) is once again the early favorite to win the national championship, followed by College Football Playoff regulars Ohio State (+295), defending national champion Georgia (+392), and Clemson (+1017). Looking for long shots? USC (+2150) is the favorite to win the Pac-12 behind new head coach Lincoln Riley and nearly 20 transfers, many of them blue-chip prospects. They start the season 15th in the AP Top-25 poll. The ACC is much stronger this year, so two teams may battle to unseat Clemson in Miami (+8133) and NC State (+13250). Miami looks to return to greatness under first-year head coach and former UM grad Mario Cristobal, who has shown to be effective in previous coaching stops at Oregon, FIU, and Alabama. NC State has expectations to lift the ACC crown, bringing back most of its talent from an impressive 9-3 season.

We've all been there...

🏀 This may be the best dime in 2022 so far.

😳 I... yeah. This is an insane call to win a game.

👶 The next Jose Bautista has arrived.

🎯 The best player in the NBA at each position. Let the debate begin!

⛷ Malls are becoming extinct in many parts of the country. Here's a plan to save them!

Check out our newsletter archive and subscribe today!