This is an article version of the CBS Sports HQ AM Newsletter, the ultimate guide to every day in sports. We're so close to NFL football, you can practically smell it. But let's not put the cart before the horse.
Before the season officially kicks off, you need to read the Week 1 edition of Pete Prisco's NFL Power Rankings. Pete has a pair of NFC West teams -- the Rams and the Seahawks -- at the top to begin the season, but he doesn't expect them to finish there. Instead, Pete has called his Super Bowl shot with the Jaguars and Cowboys, both of whom begin the season in the top five.
Roll your eyes all you want, but Pete has a message for the doubters: "Talk to me in February." You can check out the full rankings right here, but for now, here's a brief peek: 16. Steelers The Cowboys might be at No. 5 in the rankings, but they could struggle to stay there following a significant offensive line injury. Three-time Pro Bowl guard Tyler Smith is expected to miss four to six weeks after undergoing thumb surgery.
If you've been outside at all in the past week, you know it has been unreasonably hot for this time of year. That said, I can guarantee you there are a handful of NFL coaches sweating more than the rest of us. Our own Zach Pereles highlighted five coaches sitting on the hottest seats as we enter the 2026 season, and it may not surprise you to see Bengals coach Zac Taylor on the list.
Taylor has survived a couple disappointing seasons already, but he's running out of excuses -- especially with an upgraded defense and a division full of first-year coaches. Without spoiling too much, Jets coach Aaron Glenn is also sitting on a toasty seat. But ... what if the Jets are better than expected?
Just read Josh Edwards as he lays out the best-case scenario for every Super Bowl longshot. ⚽ UEFA Champions League: Aston Villa at Club Brugge, 12:45 p.m. on CBS Sports Network 🏀 FIBA World Cup: Germany vs. South Korea, 2:45 p.m. on truTV ⚽ UEFA Champions League: Villareal at Borussia Dortmund, 3 p.m. on CBS Sports Network ⚾ Astros at Phillies, 6:40 p.m. on TBS
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