Commanders face unanimous doubt before their primetime Chiefs matchup
When the Washington Commanders visit the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night, there could be a curse at work.
No, it isn’t the injury bug that has bitten the Commanders so hard, costing quarterback Jayden Daniels the third game of his season in eight tries.
Instead, it's the dreaded sweep curse (if you're a Kansas City fan) that comes up whenever a panel of experts all pick one team to win a game, in this case, NFL.com picking the Chiefs to beat Washington, and none thinking it’ll even be a one-score affair.
“The Chiefs have quickly become the scariest team in the NFL once again, winning four of their last five games after beginning the campaign 0-2. Patrick Mahomes is playing insanely well right now. He leads the NFL with 18 total touchdowns and just got his offense back to full strength -- most notably Rashee Rice, who returned and scored two TDs last week after missing the majority of last year with an injury and serving a six-game suspension to open this season. In fact, over their last four games, the Chiefs have scored 126 points -- the most by Kansas City in a four-game stretch since Weeks 4-7 of 2022, the year when Mahomes won his second MVP and the Chiefs won their third Super Bowl. The Commanders are headed in the opposite direction. Their defense is among the worst in the NFL, they've lost back-to-back games and they'll be without Jayden Daniels (hamstring) on Monday night. It doesn't look promising for Marcus Mariota and the banged-up Washington offense against a Kansas City defense ranked third in scoring and fifth overall. Add in the fact that this is a prime-time game at Arrowhead, and it could get ugly,” Brooke Cersosimo said about her choice of Kansas City over the Commanders.
Along with picking the home team, Cersosimo also predicts a scoring margin of nine points, the closest of all the panelists’ predictions.
The widest margin of victory prediction belongs to Gennaro Filice, who believes Washington will lose by three touchdowns, 38-17.
Every NFL.com panelist is hitting at a rate around or above 64 percent this season, giving them better odds of being right than wrong, though none of that will matter once the whistle blows.
Around the rest of the NFC East Division, the panel also believes the Philadelphia Eagles will beat the New York Giants, though the margin of victory there is much smaller than in the Commanders’ game.
Meanwhile, three of the panel members believe the Denver Broncos will beat the Dallas Cowboys, while two believe Dak Prescott and friends will get the best of Bo Nix’s squad.
The Commanders will look to hand each panelist a loss on their record by not only overcoming the public doubt in their team, but by defeating arguably the most dangerous team in the NFL now that quarterback Patrick Mahomes is getting all of his weapons assembled.
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BREAKING NEWS: Houston Texans fans are heartbroken as star wide receiver Nico Collins and his family face devastating news regarding his mother. 💔 According to sources close to the team, Collins has temporarily stepped away from the Texans to be with his family during this difficult time, as his mother is battling serious health issues. The incident has prompted an outpouring of prayers and support from teammates, fans, and the entire NFL community. Although Collins is known for his fierce competitiveness and quiet determination on the field, this time, he has touched millions with the image of a devoted and loving son. 🙏🏈
The Houston Texans and the entire NFL community are rallying behind Nico Collins, the team’s breakout wide receiver, after heartbreaking news emerged that his mother is facing severe health complications
Multiple sources close to the team have confirmed that Collins has temporarily stepped away from football to be with his family during this incredibly difficult time. The 26-year-old star, known for his quiet leadership and relentless work ethic, has asked for privacy and prayers as he focuses on what truly matters most — his mother.
💬 “Right now, football can wait.”
According to Texans insiders, Collins personally informed head coach DeMeco Ryans and team executives earlier this week of his decision to take personal leave. The team immediately offered its full support, emphasizing that Collins’ family comes before anything else.
Coach Ryans addressed the media with a heartfelt message:
“We’re a family here, and Nico is part of that family. Right now, he needs to be with his mother — and that’s exactly where he should be.”
The Texans organization has also requested that the media respect Collins’ privacy, calling this “a deeply personal and emotional time for one of our own.”
💔 The NFL Rallies Around Collins
Within hours of the announcement, messages of love, faith, and solidarity poured in from across the league.
C.J. Stroud, Collins’ teammate and close friend, shared a simple but powerful message on X (formerly Twitter):
“We got you, brother. Prayers up for Mama Collins.” 🙏
Other NFL stars — including Amon-Ra St. Brown, D.J. Moore, and Tyreek Hill — echoed their support, proving that sometimes, the league’s fiercest competitors become one big family when it matters most.
Fans flooded social media with the hashtag #PrayForNico, turning it into a trending topic nationwide.
Posts of encouragement, photos of Collins embracing his mother after past games, and stories of his humble upbringing have all resurfaced, reminding everyone that even the toughest athletes carry hearts that break and bleed like anyone else’s.
🌹 A Mother’s Strength Behind the Star
Those who know Collins personally have often spoken about the profound influence of his mother, who raised him with love, discipline, and unshakable faith.
From his high school days in Birmingham, Alabama, to his rise as one of the NFL’s most dynamic receivers, she has been his biggest fan, motivator, and hero.
In a past interview, Collins once said:
“Everything I am comes from her. The way I play, the way I fight — it’s her strength in me.”
That quote has now resurfaced across social media, shared thousands of times as fans send prayers not only to Nico but to the woman who shaped him.
🏈 Texans Fans Show Pure Class
At NRG Stadium, fans have already begun organizing gestures of support. A growing number plan to wear “Mama Collins Strong” T-shirts at the next home game, while others have started a
One fan wrote on Facebook:
“He gives us everything every Sunday. The least we can do is give him love when he needs it most.”
Texans Nation — often described as one of the NFL’s most loyal fanbases — is proving that their loyalty extends beyond touchdowns and stats.
🙏 A Private Battle, A Public Outpouring
Though details about his mother’s condition remain private, reports indicate that Collins has been spending nearly all his time at the hospital, stepping away from team practices and media commitments.
According to one close friend, Nico has remained strong for his family, often seen praying quietly before leaving the facility each night.
“He’s heartbroken,” the source said. “But he’s also showing incredible strength — the kind only a son with deep love for his mother could have.”
💬 A 20-Word Statement from Nico Collins
“Football gave me purpose, but my mother gave me life. Right now, she’s my only game, my only fight.” — Nico Collins
❤️ Love Beyond the Game
This story has touched millions not because of touchdowns or stats, but because it reveals the man behind the helmet — a son standing by his mother with courage, faith, and devotion.
While the Texans wait patiently for their star receiver’s return, fans and fellow players alike understand that some battles are bigger than football — and this one is being fought with love.
As one fan put it best:
“He’s given us unforgettable plays on the field. Now we owe him something greater — our prayers off it.”
Stay strong, Nico Collins. Houston, and the entire NFL, are standing with you. ❤️🏈🙏
