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Eckel’s NFL Notes: Drake Maye in rarified air with Patriots

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Drake Maye, head coach Mike Vrabel and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels have the Patriots on top of the AFC East

It might be time to get rid of the word young when describing New England quarterback Drake Maye.

Oh, the Patriots QB is still just 23 years old. It’s just that he’s no longer a good, young quarterback — he’s just a good quarterback, a real good quarterback.

Maye, head coach Mike Vrabel and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels have the Patriots on top of the AFC East and just a game back of the equally surprising Indianapolis Colts for the AFC’s top seed.

The second-year quarterback out of North Carolina has had an MVP-type first half. Through eight games, Maye has completed 75.2 percent of his passes, which if he keeps at that pace would set an NFL record. The current mark is 74.4 set by New Orleans’ Drew Brees in 2018.

Maye’s league-best quarterback rating is 118.7. How good is that? It would be the best in Patriots history. Yes, Patriots history. Tom Brady’s best rating ever was 117.2 in 2007.

Going into Sunday’s game against Atlanta, and the league’s top-ranked pass defense, Maye has thrown for 200 yards and has had a passer rating of at least 100 in seven straight games. Only three quarterbacks have had longer streaks — Aaron Rodgers with 12 in 2011 and eight in 2020, Brady with eight in 2007 and Peyton Manning with eight in 2004.

Rodgers, Brady, and Manning — that’s a pretty good neighborhood for Maye to occupy.

MVP Talk

If Maye isn’t the early leader for MVP, then maybe it’s Colts running back Jonathan Taylor.

A non-quarterback as MVP hasn’t happened since Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson won the award in 2012. And if Saquon Barkley didn’t win it last year, then Taylor has a tough road to the award.

Still, Taylor in eight games has rushed for 850 yards and 12 touchdowns. Add in his 256 receiving yards and two more touchdowns, and he’s making a tough case for himself.

Two-Way Travis

Here’s how Jacksonville’s Travis Hunter has split his time on both offense and defense so far this year for the Jaguars.

Through seven games, as the Jags travel to Las Vegas Sunday, Hunter has played in 459 of the team’s 885 plays, or 52 percent.

He’s played 305 snaps on offense as a wide receiver (67 percent of the team’s snaps) and 154 on defense (36 percent) as a cornerback.

As far as production, Hunter has caught 28 passes for 298 yards with a touchdown (8-101-1 came last week). Defensively, he’s made 15 tackles and has three pass breakups.

Caught in the Draft

Just about halfway through the season, here’s how the top 10 picks of the 2026 NFL Draft would look:

  1. Jets, 2. Saints, 3. Titans, 4. Browns, 5. Dolphins, 6. Giants, 7. Cardinals, 8. Raiders, 9. Ravens, 10. Commanders.

NFC North Battle

Minnesota visits Detroit Sunday, where the Vikings are 0-4 the past four years. The Lions have also beaten the Vikings five straight times, which is their longest winning streak against their division rival since the first five times they played them (1961-63).

Lions quarterback Jared Goff has all five of the wins, and in those five wins, he has averaged 31.2 points, completed 76.3 percent of his passes, thrown nine touchdowns to just two interceptions, and has a QB rating of 113.5.

D vs. D

One of the best games of this week will be the Houston Texans hosting the Denver Broncos — especially if you like defense.

Houston, despite a 3-4 record, leads the league in both points allowed per game and yards allowed per game. Denver ranks fifth in both categories. The Broncos lead the league in sacks, while the Texans are third in turnovers.

So yeah, with all that said, the score will probably be 37-34.

And No D

Then there’s the Cincinnati Bengals defense, which ranks last in the league in points allowed per game, yards allowed per game, rushing yards allowed per game, and are 30th in passing yards allowed per game.

Also, according to Next Gen Stats, the Bengals lead the league with 94 missed tackles.

Game of the Week

Buffalo will host Kansas City in a rematch of last year’s AFC Championship Game Sunday in the national 4:25 game.

The Bills have beaten the Chiefs the last four times the two have met in the regular season. However, the Chiefs have won the last four times the two have met in the playoffs.

Happy Birthday and Maybe More

Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love will celebrate his 27th birthday Sunday when the Packers host Carolina.

If you’re into this kind of numbers thing, Bart Starr, Brett Favre, and Aaron Rodgers all won the NFL Championship for the Packers the year they turned 27.





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Tampa Bay Downs special: Let ’em Run live from Florida

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Tune în Wednesday for a special show from Tampa Bay Downs

Let ‘em Run Special Wednesday Podcast LIVE from Tampa Bay Downs

Midweek racing brings fresh opportunity, sharper opinions, and real-time insight from the track. This Wednesday, Let ‘em Run takes the show on the road with live analysis straight from Tampa Bay Downs. With strong angles, value-driven plays, and boots on the ground, this special edition delivers the kind of edge horseplayers look for during the week.

Be sure to tune in on Wednesday at 12:30 PM EST for our special “Boots on the Ground” segment. John Kostin will be live from Tampa Bay Downs and joined by guest handicapper Wadie Khalaf. Together, they will break down the card with a sharp focus on the Late P5 and key spot plays, including the always-popular Bro’s BRISnet Play of the Day. You can catch the show live on Sports Talk Media Network, along with multiple streaming apps and social channels. Let’s take a closer look at a few races that stand out.

Tampa Bay Downs | Wednesday 1/21/26

Race 2 | 12:20 PM EST

This race offers a strong opinion with limited value, but there is still a way to make it pay. The #5 Uncashed sits at 2-1 on the morning line and owns a +10 BRISnet Prime Power advantage over the rest of the field. That edge pushes the projected win percentage to around 55%. He also profiles as the lone “E” type in the race, which strengthens the pace advantage. Trainer numbers support the play as well, with a 31% win rate when sending out runners who won last time out.

Since the price will likely drop, the value shifts to a double play. The suggested approach is a $50 double using 5 with 9 and 10 in Race 3. The outside posts win often in that race, and the odds should offer a better return.

Race 8 | 3:55 PM EST

This race sets up nicely for another BRISnet-based angle and should provide a fairer price at post time. The #1 Paynter’s Prodigy sits at 3-1 and checks several important boxes. He is an “E” type, owns the highest last-race speed figure, and also tops the field in early TimeformUS Pace.

The only other true speed appears to be #12 Chico Charlie at 6-1, but that runner draws a tough, ground-losing outside post. The price on the #1 may drift up, as jockey Wesley Ho remains capable but does not draw heavy public support. That scenario could create solid betting value.

All three of us will share insights and opinions on the full Late P5 during the live podcast. Be sure to tune in. Bet smart, cheer hard, fast horses equal serious fun, and as always, Let ‘em Run.





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Dalton Smith: Britain has a new world champion

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Dalton Smith became world champion

A Statement Night in Brooklyn for Dalton Smith

On January 10, 2026, Dalton Smith announced himself on the world stage with a stunning knockout victory over Subriel Matias to claim the WBC Junior Welterweight World Championship. Fighting in Brooklyn, New York, Smith delivered a fearless performance in his United States debut and dismantled one of the division’s most feared punchers.

Smith stopped the Puerto Rican powerhouse in the fifth round with a brutal sequence of chopping right hands. The finish capped a fight that evolved from a sharp, technical opening into an all-out war, with both men trading heavy shots. When the moment arrived, Smith imposed his will and closed the show against the 33-year-old champion.

Built for the Big Stage

Smith entered the fight with a growing reputation for knockout power, fast hands, and a proven chin. Against Matias, he matched intensity and confidence from the opening bell. As the rounds wore on, Smith controlled the exchanges and turned pressure into opportunity, becoming the first fighter to knock Matias out.

Matias arrived with a reputation as a destroyer, but Smith refused to retreat. He stood his ground, answered fire with fire, and changed the trajectory of the junior welterweight division.

Roots in Sheffield

Born February 8, 1997, in Sheffield, England, Smith grew up in a sports-driven household. Football came first, but boxing quickly took hold. His father, Grant Smith, and grandfather, Brian Smith, introduced him to the Steel City Gym around 2003, setting the foundation for his career.

Smith thrived as an amateur. He collected national titles, earned a medal at the 2014 European Youth Championships, and captured the ABA title in 2018. Those accomplishments marked him as one of Britain’s elite prospects.

The Professional Rise

Smith turned professional in 2019 after signing with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing. He debuted in Nottingham against Luka Leskovic and earned a points win. Momentum followed fast. Seven straight victories, many by knockout, pushed him into the national spotlight.

In 2021, Smith captured the English title with a sixth-round stoppage of Lee Appleyard. He followed that by winning the WBC International Silver super lightweight title in 2022, forcing Ray Moylette’s corner to halt the fight in round ten. Eight months later, Smith claimed the British title with a devastating sixth-round finish against Sam O’Maison.

From Contender to Champion

Victories over Sam Maxwell and former WBC Silver champion Jose Zepeda elevated Smith into elite company. In 2025, wins over Walid Ouizza and Mathieu Germain sealed his world title opportunity.

Smith entered the Matias fight undefeated at 19-0 with 14 knockouts. Matias stood at 23-2 with 22 knockouts. The collision delivered fireworks, and Smith emerged as the last man standing.

With the win, Dalton Smith became the fifth active British world champion, joining a growing list of elite names and signaling the arrival of a new force at 140 pounds.





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USMNT Watch: Wright, Agyemang & Weah shine in Europe with crucial goals

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Marseille’s US forward #22 Timothy Weah celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between SCO Angers and Olympique de Marseille (OM) at the Stade Raymond-Kopa in Angers, central Framce, on January 17, 2026. (Photo by JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER / AFP)

The United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) players continued to impress across Europe this weekend, finding the scoresheet in some of the continent’s most competitive leagues.

Goals from France’s Ligue 1, England’s Championship, and the German Bundesliga highlighted another strong round of performances abroad.

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup fast approaching and set to be hosted on home soil, this surge in form couldn’t come at a better time as American players better prepared and more competitive than ever before.

Sports Talk ranks the best performers who found the scoresheet across Europe.

Patrick Agyemang

The former Charlotte forward scored a crucial goal in the English Championship to power Derby County to a 1-0 win against Preston North End.

The 25-year-old who has been in fine form since he moved to England last July, broke the deadlock for the Rams with his header in the 82nd minute.

The effort was Agyemang’s seventh Championship goal of the season on his 23rd outing.

Haji Wright

Wright was the second American to light up the Championship over the weekend…

He came off the bench to grab the match-winning goal for Coventry City that ended his goal drought since October in their 2-1 defeat of Leicester City.

Introduced by Frank Lampard in the 67th minute, the 27-year-old continue with Tatsuhiro Sakamoto’s cross to secure three points for Coventry in the 85th minute.

His last goal was against Sheffield Wednesday on October 4 and he has now bagged nine goals in 23 league games this term.

Haji Wright of Coventry City during the Sky Bet Championship match between Millwall and Coventry City at The Den on October 01, 2025 in London, England.

Timothy Weah

The versatile winger was among the goals as Olympique Marseille ran rampant in the French Ligue 1 with a 5-2 triumph against Angers.

Weah finished off a brilliant team movement with his header in the 40th minute to give Marseille a 4-0 lead at halftime.

The Juventus loanee has been a key figure in De Zerbi’s defensive set-up this season and his versatility on the flanks has seen him score two goals and provide an assist in 15 Ligue 1 matches this season.

James Sands

The New York City loanee opened his Bundesliga goal account in St. Pauli’s 3-2 loss to Borussia Dortmund.

With St. Pauli trailing 2-0, Sands tried to inspire a comeback with his goal in the 62nd minute but it was not enough as Dortmund grabbed a late winner in the stoppage time.

The American defender played from start to finish in the game that was his 16th appearance in the German top division this season.

Brenden Aaronson & Antonee Robinson

Aaronson and Robinson faced off in the Premier League as Leeds United hosted Fulham at Elland Road.

The game ended in favour in Aaronson as Leeds secured a hard-fought 1-0 for thier first league win of the new year.

Aaronson and Robinson played the entire 90 minutes but the former was replaced in stoppage time.





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