Injuries happen. Especially to key skill position players. A top-tier quarterback like Joe Burrow can influence a point spread by seven or more points when he is sidelined. 

The Bengals, without Burrow, play the Vikings this weekend who are without McCarthy. Burrow’s injury alone swung the total from 47.5 to 41.5. The Vikings went from 1.5-point favorites to 4.5-points but currently sit at only 2.5 after their own injury updates.

The fantasy implications are where you really see the ripples. Ja’Marr Chase dropped from 1st overall pick to fringe WR1. Higgins is now a WR3 at best, and even Chase Brown’s stock takes a hit. 

Meanwhile the Ekeler Achilles injury in Washington gives more upside to a rookie like Jacory Croskey-Merritt who is already turning heads. We saw the other night how Jayden Reed’s injury led to a breakout performance for Tucker Kraft. 

One injury can ripple through an entire roster, turning first-round locks into coin flips and benchwarmers into game winners.

🏆 Props Battle is Here

We have already given out $100 to users this season but the battle continues in Discord. Cast your vote and prove you know football better than the community.

✅ Get it right → you’re in the running for $50 cash this week
✅ Stack wins all season → top spot scores a full year of Jaxon Premium ($999 value)

It’s free. It’s easy. And it’s only happening in the Pine Sports Discord. Go vote and join the battle.

❄️ Thursday Night in Buffalo

The Bills host the Dolphins on Thursday Night Football in a high-stakes AFC East clash. Buffalo is 2-0, riding six straight wins over Miami with a turnover-free offense, while the Dolphins sit at 0-2 with a banged up defense.

Tua Tagovailoa Over 0.5 Interceptions

Jaxon’s Take: Tua’s already tossed 3 picks through two games, and he averaged 1.5 INTs in two meetings with Buffalo last year. The Bills’ defense ranked top-5 in interceptions in 2024 and has the pass rush to force hurried throws. Odds are tilted toward at least one mistake.

My Take: Buffalo has had Tua’s number for years, and on a short week with the Dolphins desperate, I expect him to press. One risky ball into coverage and this cashes.

Dalton Kincaid Over 30.5 Receiving Yards

Jaxon’s Take: Kincaid has quietly been Allen’s security blanket, clearing this line in every game this year while averaging 42.5 yards. Miami’s defense ranks 26th against TEs, giving up chunk plays over the middle. That matchup screams value.

My Take: The Dolphins can’t cover tight ends, plain and simple. If Allen faces pressure, Kincaid is the quick outlet. Thirty yards feels way too soft.

Josh Allen Over 233.5 Passing Yards

Jaxon’s Take: Allen is averaging 271 per game this season and shredded for 394 in his lone home outing. Miami’s secondary has been a liability, allowing nearly 10 yards per attempt and ranking 22nd against QBs. Expect volume and efficiency.

My Take: Unless Buffalo runs away early, Allen’s arm will do the heavy lifting. He’s got too many weapons not to push 250+.

De’Von Achane Over 98.5 Rush + Rec Yards

Jaxon’s Take: Achane averaged a massive 143 combined yards in two games vs Buffalo last year and has cleared this number in 60% of his last five. The Bills rank middle of the pack vs RBs, which leaves plenty of room for him to hit.

My Take: If Miami moves the ball at all, it’s through Achane. Screens, draws, or dump-offs, he’s their spark. A hundred yards isn’t easy, but he’s the Dolphins’ best bet to get there.

Want some touchdown insights to spice up your SGP tomorrow night? Read what Jaxon has to say about likely TNF scorers. 👇️ 

 🌲 The Pine Line

🏃 Vegas expected its run game to set the tone this year. Two weeks in, the growing pains are showing. 

🎙️ A decade at the First Take desk is coming to an end. Her next move is still a mystery.

⚾️ A sleepless night, a 10-inning win, and a NL East Title. The real test has yet to start. 

🥊 Netflix just pulled boxing’s biggest crowd in decades. Historic viewership and a massive upset.

🤯 The best season ever by a catcher? Two homers Tuesday earn more spots in the record books.

🏆️ The Heisman race is officially chaos. Three weeks in, and there’s no clear front-runner.

🏅 Survivor Pool Week 3

The Cardinals and Rams both pulled off the wins for us in Week 2. We still haven’t seen any brutal upsets in the league yet but it’s bound to happen soon. Avoiding them will be crucial.

Path A: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-7.5 vs NYJ)

For Week 2, the Buccaneers check all the right Survivor boxes: they’re a 7.5-point favorite, playing at home, and not facing a divisional rival. That’s exactly the kind of setup we want early in the season.

What makes Tampa especially appealing is the strategic angle. While most entries will pile on the Bills or Packers this week, the Bucs project to be a much less popular pick. That gives us a chance to dodge the crowd while still leaning into a high win probability.

Path B: Buffalo Bills (-12.5 vs MIA)

If you’re aiming for maximum safety in Week 3, the Bills are the clear choice. They’re massive 12.5-point favorites at home, the largest spread of the week, which screams “high-confidence Survivor pick.”

Buffalo’s case goes beyond just the line. They’ve owned this rivalry. Buffalo has won nine of the last ten and 13 of the last 15 matchups against Miami. Combine that with their sharp early-season form and the Bills look every bit the juggernaut.

On the other side, Miami’s defense has been a sieve, giving up points on nearly every drive so far. That’s bad news against Josh Allen and company. For those prioritizing security over strategy, Buffalo stands tall as the premier Week 3 Survivor option.

⚽️ UEFA Champions League Soccer

The UEFA Champions League has entered a new era, one defined by bold changes and captivating storylines. The 2025-26 season features the new 36-team “Swiss model” league phase for the 2nd season, designed to deliver high-stakes clashes earlier than ever. It also gives underdogs like Cyprus’ Pafos FC the chance to face Europe’s elite.

Off the pitch, the competition is just as transformative. Global audiences remain massive and digital streaming numbers are soaring as Paramount+ sets new records. UEFA is also leaning into VR, AR, and eSports to capture younger fans.

This season is set up to be one of the most exciting in Champions League history.

DraftKings DrawBreaker Risk Free Promo

If you’re looking to use your Drawbreaker promo, Bayern Munich Moneyline (-155) stands out as the best option on Wednesday.

The Bavarians have stormed into the season with 14 goals in their first three Bundesliga matches (4.7 per game) and are unbeaten at home in European competition since 2021. Chelsea, meanwhile, has dropped points in two of their first four Premier League outings, conceding late goals in both.

With Harry Kane and Michael Olise leading a red-hot Bayern attack, the edge clearly leans to the hosts. Add in the fact that six of Bayern’s last seven Champions League home matches have gone over 2.5 goals (-210), and this one sets up not just for a Bayern win, but for goals to flow.

Got any hot takes?

Drop it on X @PineSports_AI and we’ll put it to the test with Jaxon AI. Who knows—your “wild” prediction might not be so crazy after all.