Sports
Fox News Digital Sports NFL power rankings after Week 3 of 2024 NFL season
Three weeks of the 2024 NFL season have gone by in a flash, and, for the first time this season, there are two teams at the top of the power rankings.
The Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills both deserve the top spot after their wins in Week 3.
The Chiefs eked out another victory, showing that even if they are banged up and don’t play a clean game, they can still get the job done. Their win came against the Atlanta Falcons.
The Bills were led by Josh Allen’s four touchdown passes against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He moved the ball with ease, and Buffalo effectively had the game won by halftime.
The rest of the Week 3 power rankings look a bit different from Week 2.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (3-0)
Patrick Mahomes warms up before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium Sept. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
They haven’t been lighting it up, but the 3-0, back-to-back Super Bowl champions get the benefit of the doubt, even if teams like Buffalo and Minnesota have been impressive. We keep the Chiefs at No. 1 again.
Last week: 1
1. Buffalo Bills (3-0)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen warms up before a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Josh Allen and his band of relative unknowns are playing as a team and making few mistakes.
Last week: 2
3. Minnesota Vikings (3-0)
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws a pass during the first half of a game against the Houston Texans Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
It’s officially time to say the Vikings are contenders this season after yet another dominating win over a Houston Texans team that was just as shocked as the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers were in weeks 1 and 2 respectively. As Brian Flores continues to whip up blitzes that send quarterbacks into a frenzy, Sam Darnold is delivering dimes all over the field. When he received the game ball Sunday from Kevin O’Connell, the entire locker room was clapping and cheering for him, showing how he’s won everyone over. Minnesota is the NFL’s biggest surprise of the 2024 season
Last week: 9
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-0)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass to wide receiver Calvin Austin III during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
The Steelers are 3-0, but it’s still hard to fully buy in. Mike Tomlin is clearly one of the best coaches in the NFL when it comes to getting the most out of his roster, and he’s done it again this year. Still, the schedule has been relatively easy and doesn’t get much tougher until November.
Last week: 12
5. Detroit Lions (2-1)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) runs the ball as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting (23) defends during the first half of a game Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Dan Campbell and Ben Johnson got away from the team’s power-run identity in the loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but they went back to the well in a big win over the Arizona Cardinals on the road Sunday. The hook-and-lateral was even done to perfection, and the offense looked to be back to its normal self. The Lions remain a top contender in this division, and it’ll be interesting to see them go against the Vikings in their first meeting next month.
Last week: 8
6. Seattle Seahawks (3-0)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) greets running back Kenneth Walker III after scoring a touchdown during the first half of a game against the Miami Dolphins Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Soft schedule or not, the fact is Seattle is two games clear of the rest of the NFC West and building confidence by the week. Coach Mike Macdonald’s crew has been doing it with defense. The defense is among the NFL’s best in passing yards allowed (1st) and total yards allowed (2nd).
Last week: 10
7. Philadelphia Eagles (2-1)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) celebrates after scoring a two-point conversion against the New Orleans Saints in the second half in New Orleans Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Philadelphia survived a parade of failed risks by Nick Sirianni in New Orleans to stay on the higher end of the NFL hierarchy this week. It’s a win the Eagles can credit to Saquon Barkley. The Eagles might be 0-3 if not for signing Barkley. He’s on pace to have the best season of his career. Nick Sirianni is off the hook for his coaching, but only time will tell if he has a better approach next time.
Last week: 11
8. Green Bay Packers (2-1)
The Green Bay Packers’ Malik Willis scrambles during the first half of a game against the Tennessee Titans Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Nashville. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Malik Willis has done it again, this time against the team he entered training camp with this preseason. The Tennessee Titans watched as the Packers’ offense flowed well with Willis leading the way for Matt LaFleur’s bunch. With Love returning sooner than later under center, the Packers could be a scary opponent as this division looks to be a powerhouse (except for a team we’ll hit later on)
Last week: 17
9. Houston Texans (2-1)
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud walks off the field after a game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Minneapolis. The Vikings won 34-7. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Joe Mixon’s absence Sunday was noticeable as the Houston Texans suffered a 34-7 beatdown by the Minnesota Vikings. Despite the struggling offense, which managed just 38 rushing yards, the biggest issue for Houston was sloppy play. In back-to-back weeks, the Texans committed more than 10 penalties, including four straight while trailing 14-0 before halftime.
Last week: 3
10. New York Jets (2-1)
Aaron Rodgers of the New York Jets smiles after defeating the New England Patriots in a game at MetLife Stadium Sept. 19, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
If the offensive line stays healthy — a big if given its health history — this is going to be a team that gets better. Why? Because youngsters are growing up, and the 40-year-old quarterback is heating up.
Last week: 15
11. New Orleans Saints (2-1)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr leaves the field after a game in New Orleans Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Believe it or not, the Saints were not going to score on every offensive possession this season. The Eagles were the first team to slow down Derek Carr and the Saints’ offense Sunday, holding them to just one touchdown and two field goals. The Saints’ defense and special teams did their best, forcing three Philadelphia turnovers, but couldn’t contain Saquon Barkley long enough to secure a victory.
Last week: 4
12. San Francisco 49ers (1-2)
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings reacts after scoring against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
No need to panic in San Francisco. This is still a very good football team, even at 1-2 after blowing a winnable game against the Rams. The focus for Kyle Shanahan’s group will be on getting right against the Patriots Sunday and getting healthier to endure the long season.
Last week: 6
13. Baltimore Ravens (1-2)
Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry runs for a touchdown as the Dallas Cowboys’ Trevon Diggs (7) defends in the second half of a game in Arlington, Texas Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)
Baltimore was cruising against Dallas but somehow managed to let the Cowboys back into the game and nearly blew it. That’s not a great sign for a team that had Super Bowl aspirations coming into the season. The Ravens are lacking a killer instinct so far this year, and they need to find it fast.
Last week: 14
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield, center, is tackled by Denver Broncos defensive end Zach Allen on a fourth down play during the second half of a game in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
Hard to label the Buccaneers loss to the Broncos as anything other than disappointing after such a strong win in Detroit. Coming into the week, it felt like the Buccaneers had a good chance at starting 3-0, but Baker Mayfield and the offense struggled to get anything going against the Broncos’ defense. On the other side of the ball, Bo Nix and the Broncos’ offense were able to move the ball without much resistance from the Buccaneer defense.
Last week: 5
15. Los Angeles Chargers (2-1)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) is sacked by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Elandon Roberts, bottom left, during the second half of a game Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert aggravated his high ankle sprain in the second half of Los Angeles’ 20-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Herbert’s early exit effectively ended the Bolts’ hopes of mounting a comeback, and the team’s offense still appears to have some major flaws.
Last week: 7
16. Washington Commanders (2-1)
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels greets fans as he walks off the field after a game against the Cincinnati Bengals Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, in Cincinnati. The Commanders won 38-33. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
So far, Jayden Daniels has stood out as the top player of the 2024 rookie quarterback class. A game-winning drive followed by a quality start has every positive indicator a team could want with a rookie quarterback. The rest of the roster has outperformed expectations, even if it isn’t stacked with Pro Bowlers. Washington is ahead of schedule in the Dan Quinn era, at least three games in.
Last week: 27
17. Dallas Cowboys (1-2)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott walks off the field after the team’s game against the Baltimore Ravens in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
The Cowboys haven’t started 1-2 since 2020. It’s a bad look for a team that gave out two of the biggest contracts in NFL history this offseason to Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, but the talent is still there. The Cowboys have a surprisingly disastrous season every couple of years. Their 2020, 2015 and 2010 seasons were all derailed by injuries and a bad start, and the teams never recovered. Mike McCarthy has already led one of those failures. The good news for the Cowboys is there haven’t been any injuries to key players, and they have a weaker opponent this week.
Last week: 13
18. Arizona Cardinals (1-2)
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray reacts against the Detroit Lions during the first half of a game Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona has obliterated a mediocre team (Rams) and lost close contests to two good ones (Bills, Lions). The Cardinals will tell us who they really are when they host the surging Commanders Sunday afternoon.
Last week: 18
19. Los Angeles Rams (1-2)
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford walks off the field after a game against the San Francisco 49ers Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
There are signs of life in Los Angeles after that thrilling comeback win over the 49ers. Injuries have hurt the Rams, but they showed off impressive depth on offense Sunday and hope to carry that momentum into this week and get back to .500 against the Bears in Chicago.
Last week: 25
20. Atlanta Falcons (1-2)
Kansas City Chiefs defensive end George Karlaftis (56) hits Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) during the first half of a game Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
For a moment, it looked like the Falcons were about to pull off another fourth-quarter comeback. Kirk Cousins led the Falcons to the red zone to give the Falcons a chance to win the game late in the fourth quarter, but Bijan Robinson got stuffed on fourth down to drop the Falcons to 1-2. On the bright side, the Falcons’ defense held its own against Patrick Mahomes and the explosive Chiefs’ offense, holding it to 22 points.
Last week: 19
21. Cincinnati Bengals (0-3)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow watches from the sideline during the second half of a game against the Washington Commanders Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
OK, it might be time to start panicking a bit about the Bengals. While they are still better than their 0-3 record would suggest, at some point they have to start winning games. Teams that start 0-3 miss the playoffs over 90% of the time, so Cincinnati needs to start winning. Like, now.
Last week: 16
22. Miami Dolphins (1-2)
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel reacts as Miami Dolphins quarterback Skylar Thompson is evaluated on the field after a play during the second half of a game against the Seattle Seahawks Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
If they don’t beat the Titans on “Monday Night Football,” there’s going to be a lot more heat on general manager Chris Grier to trade for a quarterback with experience.
Last week: 20
23. Indianapolis Colts (1-2)
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) celebrates his touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the second half of a game Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
The Colts picked up their first win of the season with a crucial 21-16 victory over the Chicago Bears Sunday, and it was all thanks to the once-ridiculed defense that paved the road to victory. Indy’s defense limited the Bears to 63 rushing yards and pressured Caleb Williams, who went 33 of 52 for 363 yards and two touchdowns. Williams committed two turnovers.
The biggest issue plaguing the Colts for now is quarterback play. For the second week in a row, Anthony Richardson completed just 50% of his passes, and he’s thrown six interceptions on the year. He’ll need to be more consistent for Indy to be a true competitor in the AFC South.
Last week: 28
24. Chicago Bears (1-2)
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) is pressured by Indianapolis Colts defensive end Tyquan Lewis (94) during the second half of a game Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Caleb Williams is simply going through it right now, and the Bears’ offensive line is just not helping him drop back and read his progressions. The Indianapolis Colts, who are also struggling, were pressuring Williams all game long, but this is what the No. 1 overall pick will have to get used to. He did have a good day passing on the stat sheet, but Williams is still missing deep shots downfield by a wide margin and throwing interceptions. There’s a lot to work to be done in Chicago, and it’s not on the defensive side of the ball
Last week: 24
25. Cleveland Browns (1-2)
New York Giants linebacker Brian Burns, right, forces Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) to fumble, which the Giants recovered, during the first half of a game Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
It’s hard to watch Deshaun Watson and not think that his days as a starting NFL quarterback are over (Jameis Winston time?). Losing to the Giants at home was a terrible loss, and the Browns are lost right now. Might be time to blow it up and start over.
Last week: 22
26. New York Giants (1-2)
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers catches a touchdown pass against the Cleveland Browns during the first half Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
In short glimpses over their last two games, the Giants have shown off a simple, yet effective formula: a relentless defensive line and forcing the ball to their top receiver. The Giants rode a similar formula to the Super Bowl in 2011 and their last double-digit win season in 2016. The only problem with this Giants team is that for every minute it shows off that effective formula, there is at least a minute and a half where it shows utter nothingness from offense, defense and special teams.
Last week: 31
27. Denver Broncos (1-2)
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix scrambles as he looks for a receiver during the first half of a game in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
Bo Nix showcased what he can do for the Broncos’ offense with both his arm and his legs, and he represents the best chance for Broncos success this season. Denver was able to shut down a red-hot Buccaneers team and now has to hit the road to take on the Jets.
Last week: 30
28. Las Vegas Raiders (1-2)
Gardner Minshew followed up his solid performance against the Ravens last week with a disappointing one. Meanwhile, Andy Dalton had one of the best days of his NFL career and led the Panthers to a surprising win in Week 3. While Aidan O’Connell did see some action against Carolina, Raiders coach Antonio Pierce hinted he would stick with the status quo at quarterback.
Last week: 21
29. New England Patriots (1-2)
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) gets sacked by New York Jets linebacker Jamien Sherwood (44) in the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. (Robert Deutsch/Imagn Images)
Jerod Mayo continues to resist suggestions to play Drake Maye. That’s understandable in the first month of the season when a good season is still plausible. But that possibility evaporates in October. Maye’s time is coming.
Last week: 23
30. Carolina Panthers (1-2)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton celebrates after a win against the Las Vegas Raiders Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
What a difference a week can make. After looking awful for the second straight week, head coach Dave Canales pulled the plug on Bryce Young and put in Andy Dalton. Dalton jump-started what previously looked like a lifeless offense and threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns for a dominant victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. The Panthers’ defense held Gardner Minshew and the offense in check until garbage time in the fourth quarter.
Last week: 32
31. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-3)
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence warms up before a game against the Buffalo Bills Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
The test of “Monday Night Football” and playing against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium proved to be too difficult a hurdle to overcome for the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Bills routed the Jags in a 47-10 win that had head coach Doug Pederson calling the loss “shocking.” Not much is going right for the Jags on either side of the ball, but they’ll need to figure it out with back-to-back games against division opponents up next.
Last week: 26
32. Tennessee Titans (0-3)
The Tennessee Titans’ Will Levis is sacked by the Green Bay Packers’ Edgerrin Cooper during the second half of a game Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Nashville. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Malik Willis showed the Titans exactly what they’re missing after they traded the third-year quarterback away to the Green Bay Packers at the end of August. The Titans are winless through Week 3 after a 30-14 loss to the Packers. And while Willis shined in Jordan Love’s absence, Will Levis continued to struggle to bring any life to the Titans’ offense.
Last week: 29
The Fox News Digital Sports college football winners and losers were compiled by the Fox News Digital Sports staff and the OutKick.com staff.
Sports
Russell Wilson escalates feud with Sean Payton, labels Broncos coach ‘classless’
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Russell Wilson and Sean Payton spent just one NFL season together, but tension lingered after a rocky year.
And it appears the tension that built up from that tumultuous stretch continues to linger.
Wilson’s interview on the “Bussin’ With the Boys” podcast, recorded before last month’s Super Bowl between Seattle and New England, recently resurfaced.
In the interview, Wilson doubled down on his October comment labeling Payton “classless,” saying he felt slighted by his former coach’s remarks.
Head coach Sean Payton of the Denver Broncos talks to quarterback Russell Wilson on the sideline during an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium Aug. 11, 2023, in Glendale, Ariz. (Ryan Kang/Getty Images)
“[When] you’ve been on the same side or this and that, and I got the same amount of rings as you got, meaning Sean, right?” said Wilson, who won a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks as Payton did coaching for the New Orleans Saints.
“I got a lot of respect for him as a play-caller, this and that, but to take a shot, I don’t like. I don’t think it’s necessary, you know, I mean, especially when I’m not even on your own team anymore. So, for me, there’s a point in time where you have to, I’ve realized, I’ve stayed quiet for so long. There’s a there’s a time and place where I’m not.
“I know who I am as a competitor, as a warrior, as a champion, too, and, you know, I’ve beaten Sean, too. You know, like we’ve been on the same place and the same thing. And so, it’s not a matter of disrespect. Just don’t disrespect me.”
Sean Payton and Russell Wilson of the Denver Broncos during an a game against the Minnesota Vikings at Empower Field at Mile High Nov. 19, 2023, in Denver, Colo. (Ryan Kang/Getty Images)
After a rocky one-year stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024, Wilson joined the New York Giants last offseason. However, he was relegated to a backup role after just three games.
Rookie Jaxson Dart quickly showed promise once he had the chance to start, but his season was briefly derailed by injury. Jameis Winston — not Wilson — stepped in for Dart in a handful of games. Dart threw three touchdowns in a Week 7 matchup with the Broncos, nearly pulling off an upset in what was eventually a close loss.
After the game, Payton said Dart provided a “spark” to the Giants’ offense.
“I was talking to [Giants owner] John Mara not too long ago, and I said, ‘We were hoping that that change would have happened long after our game,’” Payton said.
The New York Giants’ Russell Wilson attempts to escape a sack by Dallas Cowboys defensive end James Houston (53) in the first half of a game Sept. 14, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Payton also said the Broncos would have faced less of a challenge had Wilson been under center.
“Classless … but not surprised,” Wilson responded in a social media post. “Didn’t realize you’re still bounty hunting 15+ years later though the media.”
Despite last season’s struggles and chatter about his football future, Wilson does not appear ready to call it quits in 2026.
“I wanna play a few more years for sure,” he said. “I think, for me, I’ve always had the vision of getting to 40, at least. I think the game is different. Quarterbacks, we get hit. It’s not, you know, we get hit hard, but … there’s certain rules. I mean, back in the day when I started, bro, it was you just get [clobbered].
“I mean, so I feel like the game allows you to, you know, live a little longer, I guess. I feel healthy. I feel great. But I think, more than anything else is, do you love the game? Do you love studying? Do you love the passion for it all? Do you love the process? Do you love the practice? Do you love — everybody loves the winning part of it, but it’s process. There’s a journey that you got to be obsessed with. And that part I’m obsessed with.”
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Sports
Fatigue a factor as early matches begin at Indian Wells
The early rounds of the BNP Paribas Open began Wednesday, with top seeds slated to start play Friday during the 12-day ATP and WTPA Master 1000 tournament.
A busy stretch of the tennis season reaches another gear at Indian Wells Tennis Garden, the second largest outdoor tennis stadium in the world.
While many consider it the “fifth Grand Slam” because of its elite player field, amenities and equal prize money for men and women, professionals acknowledge the tournament is part of a stressful stretch on the tennis calendar.
Indian Wells is followed by the Miami Open, another two-week Master 1000 tournament. The tour stops are known as the “Sunshine Double.”
Some players made the short trip from Indian Wells to Las Vegas this past weekend to participate in the MGM Grand Slam, an exhibition designed to help players ramp up for back-to-back tournaments.
American Reilly Opelka, a 6-foot–11 pro, said managing fatigue after a series of tournaments before hitting Indian Wells has altered his practice and play in exhibition matches, including a loss to 19-year-old Brazilian Joao Fonseca in Las Vegas.
“Normally in any kind of competition, you get excited and play with a pressure point … but you don’t feel this when you are practicing,” Opelka said.
“I was trying to feel like this a few days ago while practicing with … [Tommy Paul,] but instead we got tired and hungry. … That usually doesn’t happen. We just decided to stop and go to eat somewhere.”
Paul said despite the decision to cut practice short, he feels fresh for the upcoming events.
“I started the year pretty well and for Americans, we are excited for the Sunshine Double,” Paul said.
Casper Rudd lost to Opelka during the first round of the Las Vegas exhibition. The Norwegian also lost a week ago during the first round of the Acapulco Open, falling to Chinese qualifier Yibing Wu in straight sets.
Rudd said he felt “extremely tired” after the Australian Open in January.
Rancho Palo Verdes resident Taylor Fritz, ranked No. 7 in the world, said the best way to prepare yourself for grueling tour schedule is “putting [in] the time, work and repetition.”
“… Be there, be focused on the quality that you are doing,” said Fritz, a 28-year-old who won the Indian Wells title in 2022.
While some players are guarding against burnout, others struggled to even reach California. Some players who live in Dubai, including Russians Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev, have to contend with closed airspace triggered by the U.S. and Israel bombing Iran.
The ATP announced Wednesday that, “the vast majority of players who were in Dubai have successfully departed today on selected flights.”
Sports
Law firm fighting for women’s sports in SCOTUS battle comments on ruling possibly impacting SJSU trans lawsuit
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
A law firm leading the charge in the ongoing Supreme Court case over trans athletes in women’s sports has responded after a federal judge suggested the case’s ruling could impact a separate case involving a similar issue.
Colorado District Judge Kato Crews deferred ruling in motions to dismiss former San Jose State volleyball co-captain Brooke Slusser’s lawsuit against the California State University (CSU) system until after a ruling in the B.P.J. v. West Virginia Supreme Court case, which is expected to come in June.
Slusser filed the lawsuit against representatives of her school and the Mountain West Conference in fall 2024 after she allegedly was made to share bedrooms and changing spaces with trans teammate Blaire Fleming for a whole season without being informed that Fleming is a biological male.
Meanwhile, the B.P.J. case went to the Supreme Court after a trans teen sued West Virginia to block the state’s law that prevents males from competing in girls’ high school sports.
The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) is the primary law firm defending West Virginia in that case at the Supreme Court, and has now responded to news that Slusser’s lawsuit could be affected by the SCOTUS ruling.
“We hope the ruling from the Supreme Court will affirm that Title IX was designed to guarantee equal opportunity for women, not to let male athletes displace women and girl in competition. It is crucial that sports be separated by sex for not only the equal opportunity of women but for safety and privacy. Title IX should protect women’s right to compete in their own sports. Allowing men to compete in the female category reverses 50 years of advancement for women,” ADF Vice President of Litigation Strategies Jonathan Scruggs said.
Slusser’s attorney, Bill Bock of the Independent Council on Women’s Sports, expects a Supreme Court ruling in favor of the legal defense representing West Virginia, thus helping his case.
(Left) Brooke Slusser (10) of the San Jose State Spartans serves the ball during the first set against the Air Force Falcons at Falcon Court at East Gym in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on Oct. 19, 2024. (Right) Blaire Fleming #3 of the San Jose State Spartans looks on during the third set against the Air Force Falcons at Falcon Court at East Gym on October 19, 2024 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. ( Andrew Wevers/Getty Images; Andrew Wevers/Getty Images)
“We’re looking forward to the case going forward,” Bock told Fox News Digital.
“I believe that the court is going to find that Title IX operates on the basis of biological sex, without regard to an assumed or professed gender, and so just like the congress and the members of congress that passed Title IX in 1972, allowed this specifically provided for in the regulations that there had to be separate men’s and women’s teams based on biological sex, I think the court is going to see that is the original meaning of the statute and apply it in that way, and I think it’s going to be a big win in women’s sports.”
The Supreme Court’s conservative majority appeared prepared to rule in favor of West Virginia after oral arguments on Jan. 13.
Slusser spoke on the steps of the Supreme Court on Jan. 13 while oral arguments took place inside, sharing her experience with a divided crowd of opposing protesters.
With Fleming on its roster, SJSU reached the 2024 conference final by virtue of a forfeit by Boise State in the semifinal round. SJSU lost in the final to Colorado State.
Slusser went on to develop an eating disorder due to the anxiety and trauma from the scandal and dropped out of her classes the following semester. The eating disorder became so severe, that Slusser said she lost her menstrual cycle for nine months. Her decision to drop her classes resulted in the loss of her scholarship, and her parents said they had to foot the bill out of pocket for an unfinished final semester of college.
President Donald Trump’s Department of Education determined in January that SJSU violated Title IX in its handling of the situation involving Fleming, and has given the university an ultimatum to agree to a series of resolutions or face a referral to the Department of Justice.
Among the department’s findings, it determined that a female athlete discovered that the trans student allegedly conspired to have a member of an opposing team spike her in the face during a match. ED claims that “SJSU did not investigate the conspiracy, but later subjected the female athlete to a Title IX complaint for ‘misgendering’ the male athlete in online videos and interviews.”
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
SJSU trans player Blaire Fleming and teammate Brooke Slusser went to a magic show and had Thanksgiving together in Las Vegas despite an ongoing lawsuit over Fleming being transgender. (Thien-An Truong/San Jose State Athletics)
SJSU Athletic Director Jeff Konya told Fox News Digital in a July interview that he was satisfied with how the university handled the situation involving Fleming.
“I think everybody acted in the best possible way they could, given the circumstances,” Konya said.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
-
World1 week agoExclusive: DeepSeek withholds latest AI model from US chipmakers including Nvidia, sources say
-
Wisconsin4 days agoSetting sail on iceboats across a frozen lake in Wisconsin
-
Massachusetts1 week agoMother and daughter injured in Taunton house explosion
-
Massachusetts3 days agoMassachusetts man awaits word from family in Iran after attacks
-
Maryland5 days agoAM showers Sunday in Maryland
-
Florida5 days agoFlorida man rescued after being stuck in shoulder-deep mud for days
-
Denver, CO1 week ago10 acres charred, 5 injured in Thornton grass fire, evacuation orders lifted
-
Oregon7 days ago2026 OSAA Oregon Wrestling State Championship Results And Brackets – FloWrestling