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Deadspin | Protas brothers help Capitals handle Penguins  Apr 8, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Washington Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery watches the play against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the third period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images   Ilya Protas scored his first NHL goal and added two assists and the Washington Capitals helped their playoff chances with a 6-3 win against the Penguins in Pittsburgh on Saturday.  Ryan Leonard scored twice, and Aliaksei Protas and Tom Wilson each had a goal and an assist for the Capitals (41-30-9, 91 points), who remain three points behind Philadelphia for third place in the Metropolitan Division thanks to the Flyers’ dominant 7-1 win over Winnipeg Saturday. Cole Hutson had two assists, and Logan Thompson made nine saves.  Anthony Mantha, Noel Acciari and Kevin Hayes scored for the Penguins (41-23-16, 98 points), who have clinched second place in the Metropolitan Division. Ryan Shea had two assists, and Arturs Silovs made 25 saves.  Pittsburgh played without a group of injured veterans, including Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Erik Karlsson, and Kris Letang. Each is considered day-to-day.  Aliaksei Protas gave the Capitals a 1-0 lead at 1:39 of the second period when he converted a back-door pass from brother Ilya.  Mantha tied it 1-1 at 2:05, scoring on a wrist shot through traffic from just above the left circle.  Leonard put Washington back on top when he scored on a tip-in at the right post. The play was initially ruled a save, but a video review determined the puck crossed the goal line.  Wilson’s 30th goal made it 3-1 at 8:08 when he knocked in the rebound after Silovs made the save against Ilya Protas.   Acciari pulled the Penguins within 3-2 at 11:47, poking in a loose puck from in front of the crease.  Leonard answered 11 seconds later when he chipped in the rebound of Hutson’s shot at 11:58 to increase the Capitals’ lead to 4-2.  Forward Pierre-Luc Dubois crashed into the boards after setting up Leonard and left the game with an upper-body injury.  Hayes got the Penguins within 4-3 with 3:10 left in the middle period when he got the puck coming out of the penalty box, skated in and beat Thompson with a wrist shot from the left faceoff dot.  Ilya Protas gave the Capitals some breathing room with a power-play goal at 5:56 of the third period when he tucked a rebound between Silovs’ pads to make it 5-3.  Alex Ovechkin added an empty-net goal at 16:22 for the 6-3 final.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Protas #brothers #Capitals #handle #Penguins

Deadspin | Protas brothers help Capitals handle Penguins
Deadspin | Protas brothers help Capitals handle Penguins  Apr 8, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Washington Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery watches the play against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the third period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images   Ilya Protas scored his first NHL goal and added two assists and the Washington Capitals helped their playoff chances with a 6-3 win against the Penguins in Pittsburgh on Saturday.  Ryan Leonard scored twice, and Aliaksei Protas and Tom Wilson each had a goal and an assist for the Capitals (41-30-9, 91 points), who remain three points behind Philadelphia for third place in the Metropolitan Division thanks to the Flyers’ dominant 7-1 win over Winnipeg Saturday. Cole Hutson had two assists, and Logan Thompson made nine saves.  Anthony Mantha, Noel Acciari and Kevin Hayes scored for the Penguins (41-23-16, 98 points), who have clinched second place in the Metropolitan Division. Ryan Shea had two assists, and Arturs Silovs made 25 saves.  Pittsburgh played without a group of injured veterans, including Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Erik Karlsson, and Kris Letang. Each is considered day-to-day.  Aliaksei Protas gave the Capitals a 1-0 lead at 1:39 of the second period when he converted a back-door pass from brother Ilya.  Mantha tied it 1-1 at 2:05, scoring on a wrist shot through traffic from just above the left circle.  Leonard put Washington back on top when he scored on a tip-in at the right post. The play was initially ruled a save, but a video review determined the puck crossed the goal line.  Wilson’s 30th goal made it 3-1 at 8:08 when he knocked in the rebound after Silovs made the save against Ilya Protas.   Acciari pulled the Penguins within 3-2 at 11:47, poking in a loose puck from in front of the crease.  Leonard answered 11 seconds later when he chipped in the rebound of Hutson’s shot at 11:58 to increase the Capitals’ lead to 4-2.  Forward Pierre-Luc Dubois crashed into the boards after setting up Leonard and left the game with an upper-body injury.  Hayes got the Penguins within 4-3 with 3:10 left in the middle period when he got the puck coming out of the penalty box, skated in and beat Thompson with a wrist shot from the left faceoff dot.  Ilya Protas gave the Capitals some breathing room with a power-play goal at 5:56 of the third period when he tucked a rebound between Silovs’ pads to make it 5-3.  Alex Ovechkin added an empty-net goal at 16:22 for the 6-3 final.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Protas #brothers #Capitals #handle #PenguinsApr 8, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Washington Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery watches the play against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the third period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

Ilya Protas scored his first NHL goal and added two assists and the Washington Capitals helped their playoff chances with a 6-3 win against the Penguins in Pittsburgh on Saturday.

Ryan Leonard scored twice, and Aliaksei Protas and Tom Wilson each had a goal and an assist for the Capitals (41-30-9, 91 points), who remain three points behind Philadelphia for third place in the Metropolitan Division thanks to the Flyers’ dominant 7-1 win over Winnipeg Saturday. Cole Hutson had two assists, and Logan Thompson made nine saves.

Anthony Mantha, Noel Acciari and Kevin Hayes scored for the Penguins (41-23-16, 98 points), who have clinched second place in the Metropolitan Division. Ryan Shea had two assists, and Arturs Silovs made 25 saves.

Pittsburgh played without a group of injured veterans, including Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Erik Karlsson, and Kris Letang. Each is considered day-to-day.

Aliaksei Protas gave the Capitals a 1-0 lead at 1:39 of the second period when he converted a back-door pass from brother Ilya.

Mantha tied it 1-1 at 2:05, scoring on a wrist shot through traffic from just above the left circle.

Leonard put Washington back on top when he scored on a tip-in at the right post. The play was initially ruled a save, but a video review determined the puck crossed the goal line.


Wilson’s 30th goal made it 3-1 at 8:08 when he knocked in the rebound after Silovs made the save against Ilya Protas.

Acciari pulled the Penguins within 3-2 at 11:47, poking in a loose puck from in front of the crease.

Leonard answered 11 seconds later when he chipped in the rebound of Hutson’s shot at 11:58 to increase the Capitals’ lead to 4-2.

Forward Pierre-Luc Dubois crashed into the boards after setting up Leonard and left the game with an upper-body injury.

Hayes got the Penguins within 4-3 with 3:10 left in the middle period when he got the puck coming out of the penalty box, skated in and beat Thompson with a wrist shot from the left faceoff dot.

Ilya Protas gave the Capitals some breathing room with a power-play goal at 5:56 of the third period when he tucked a rebound between Silovs’ pads to make it 5-3.

Alex Ovechkin added an empty-net goal at 16:22 for the 6-3 final.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Protas #brothers #Capitals #handle #Penguins

Apr 8, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Washington Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery watches the play against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the third period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

Ilya Protas scored his first NHL goal and added two assists and the Washington Capitals helped their playoff chances with a 6-3 win against the Penguins in Pittsburgh on Saturday.

Ryan Leonard scored twice, and Aliaksei Protas and Tom Wilson each had a goal and an assist for the Capitals (41-30-9, 91 points), who remain three points behind Philadelphia for third place in the Metropolitan Division thanks to the Flyers’ dominant 7-1 win over Winnipeg Saturday. Cole Hutson had two assists, and Logan Thompson made nine saves.

Anthony Mantha, Noel Acciari and Kevin Hayes scored for the Penguins (41-23-16, 98 points), who have clinched second place in the Metropolitan Division. Ryan Shea had two assists, and Arturs Silovs made 25 saves.

Pittsburgh played without a group of injured veterans, including Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Erik Karlsson, and Kris Letang. Each is considered day-to-day.

Aliaksei Protas gave the Capitals a 1-0 lead at 1:39 of the second period when he converted a back-door pass from brother Ilya.

Mantha tied it 1-1 at 2:05, scoring on a wrist shot through traffic from just above the left circle.

Leonard put Washington back on top when he scored on a tip-in at the right post. The play was initially ruled a save, but a video review determined the puck crossed the goal line.

Wilson’s 30th goal made it 3-1 at 8:08 when he knocked in the rebound after Silovs made the save against Ilya Protas.

Acciari pulled the Penguins within 3-2 at 11:47, poking in a loose puck from in front of the crease.

Leonard answered 11 seconds later when he chipped in the rebound of Hutson’s shot at 11:58 to increase the Capitals’ lead to 4-2.

Forward Pierre-Luc Dubois crashed into the boards after setting up Leonard and left the game with an upper-body injury.

Hayes got the Penguins within 4-3 with 3:10 left in the middle period when he got the puck coming out of the penalty box, skated in and beat Thompson with a wrist shot from the left faceoff dot.

Ilya Protas gave the Capitals some breathing room with a power-play goal at 5:56 of the third period when he tucked a rebound between Silovs’ pads to make it 5-3.

Alex Ovechkin added an empty-net goal at 16:22 for the 6-3 final.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Protas #brothers #Capitals #handle #Penguins

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The Masters 2026 — McIlroy falters, shares lead with surging Young after third round <div id="content-body-70853534" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Rory McIlroy charged back late after squandering a six-stroke edge to share the lead with Cameron Young after a wild third round at the Masters on Saturday.</p><p>A chaotic afternoon at Augusta National saw both men plunk key shots into water on the back nine but finish level atop the leaderboard on 11-under 205 through 54 holes, one stroke ahead of American Sam Burns.</p><p>McIlroy, who started the day with a record six-shot lead, carded a one-over-par 73 while Young roared into contention with a scintillating seven-under-par 65.</p><p>“I didn’t have it today,” McIlroy admitted. “I scrambled a lot on the front nine.”</p><p><b>READ | <a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/columns/lastword-suresh-menon/tiger-woods-and-the-rise-and-fall-of-sporting-icons/article70810489.ece" target="_blank">Tiger Woods and the rise and fall of sporting icons</a></b></p><p>Second-ranked McIlroy birdied the 14th and 15th holes to regain the lead but found the trees off the 17th tee on the way to a bogey and his one-over round.</p><p>“This golf course has a way of, when you’re not quite feeling it, you struggle,” McIlroy said. “You have to dig deep.</p><p>“I still have a great chance,” McIlroy added. “I’m in the final group. That’s where I want to be.</p><p>“I need to be better tomorrow. If I’m going to win tomorrow I have to be better than I was today.”</p><p>McIlroy, a five-time major winner, hopes to match Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Nick Faldo as the only back-to-back winners of the green jacket.</p><p>Third-ranked Young, last month’s Players Championship winner, got off to a scorching start with birdies on five of the first 10 holes.</p><div class="inline_embed article-block-item"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Watch every shot from Cameron Young’s third round. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/themasters?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#themasters</a><a href="https://t.co/1Ijv9inJCd">pic.twitter.com/1Ijv9inJCd</a></p>— The Masters (@TheMasters) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheMasters/status/2043154638203945117?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2026</a></blockquote></div><p>He birdied 13 and 14, his drive at the 13th hitting a tree and landing fortuitously in the fairway, then overcame a watery bogey at 15 by curling in a 27-foot birdie putt at the par-three 16th.</p><p>As a result, the 28-year-old American has a prime chance for his first major title.</p><p>“There certainly is no lead that’s safe out here, but Rory loves it here and no one would be surprised if he had shot 65,” Young said.</p><p>“It’s just one of those times that if he doesn’t, we have to take advantage and I got myself here today.”</p><p>Burns carded a 68 and was one stroke in front of Ireland’s Shane Lowry.</p><p>Lowry aced the 190-yard par-three sixth hole on his way to a 68 that left him in fourth on 207, one stroke ahead of Australian Jason Day and England’s Justin Rose.</p><p>Lowry, the 2019 British Open winner, became the first Masters player with multiple holes-in-one, having aced the 16th in the final round in 2016.</p><p>“That’s wild,” Lowry said. “You don’t ever expect to make a hole-in-one. I just couldn’t believe it. You’re out there and you’re in the hunt at the Masters and you’re making hole-in-one. It’s pretty cool. It was obviously amazing.”</p><p><b>Scheffler ‘in position’</b></p><div class=" article-picture center"><img src="https://ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/bhdfsx/article70853529.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/2270901711.jpg" data-original="https://ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/bhdfsx/article70853529.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/2270901711.jpg" alt="American golfer Scottie Scheffler walks to the 18th green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on Saturday in Augusta, Georgia." title="American golfer Scottie Scheffler walks to the 18th green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on Saturday in Augusta, Georgia." class=" lazy" width="100%" height="100%"/><div class="pic-caption"><figcaption class="figure-caption align-text-bottom"><p> American golfer Scottie Scheffler walks to the 18th green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on Saturday in Augusta, Georgia. | Photo Credit: Getty Images </p><img class="caption-image" src="https://assetsss.thehindu.com/theme/images/SSRX/lightbox-info.svg" alt="lightbox-info"/></figcaption></div><p class="caption"> American golfer Scottie Scheffler walks to the 18th green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on Saturday in Augusta, Georgia. | Photo Credit: Getty Images </p></div><p>World number one Scottie Scheffler fired a bogey-free 65 — his lowest career Masters round — to stand four off the lead on 209 alongside China’s Li Haotong, who also found water on his way to shooting 69.</p><p>“I put myself in position,” Scheffler said. “I just need to get the job done.”</p><p>McIlroy made double bogey at the 11th when his approach sailed left into a pond and after a bogey at the par-three 12th, his lead had vanished in Amen Corner.</p><p>McIlroy responded with a 19-foot birdie putt at the 14th and drove the green in two at the par-five 15th to set up a tap-in birdie only for a bogey at 17 to drop him back.</p><p>“I knew today wasn’t going to be easy,” McIlroy said. “The quality of the chasing pack was very good and a lot of guys played their best golf.”</p><p>Rose, a three-time Masters runner-up hoping for a green jacket at age 45, went from seven adrift to three back and hopes for a final round like last year when he made 10 birdies.</p><p>“It’s going to take a special round tomorrow, so there’s a chance, which is great,” Rose said. “I’m going to try to channel a bit of last year and see what happens.”</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 12, 2026</p></div><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> #Masters #McIlroy #falters #shares #lead #surging #Young

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Quiz: Can You Identify the Lead Singer of These ’80s Bands?

Deadspin | Preakness pushes date back to 22 days after Kentucky Derby  May 20, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; General view of the winners circle at Pimlico Race Course. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images   In an effort to attract more horses who compete in the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes is pushing back its date in 2027.  The event at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore will be held on May 23, a Sunday, 22 days after the first leg of the Triple Crown is contested at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.  Over the past five years, 82 out of 95 horses that ran in the Kentucky Derby sat out the Preakness.  Bill Knauf, president and general manager of the Maryland Jockey Club, said in a statement, “Moving the Preakness to the fourth weekend in May is a historic announcement. We believe the Preakness and the entire Triple Crown series are positioned for growth and great success. This extra week between the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness opens the Preakness to potential participants who use modern training methods.”  The Preakness also announced a broadcasting extension with NBC and Peacock through 2032. The date change includes moving the Black Eyed Susan Stakes, a top race for 3-year-old fillies, to the fourth Saturday in May.   Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said, “This agreement now means millions more people will be able to tune in and watch this iconic race weekend. It also means that when they view this race … it means that more people will watch and witness the greatest show in the Mid-Atlantic and continue to see Maryland on the world stage, exactly where Maryland belongs.”  While the Preakness’ new date eases the tight window between the first two legs of the sport’s Triple Crown, it tightens the window between the last two. The Belmont Stakes in Elmont, N.Y., is scheduled for June 5, 2027, just 13 days after the Preakness.  Knauf said, “Our focus is to preserve the tradition of horses running back in the Preakness and to enhance participation in the Triple Crown races. We acknowledge the great history of the traditional Triple Crown spacing between races, but recognize that change must always be examined. This is common in all professional sports. Now is the time for the Preakness.”  The Preakness revealed its new plan in the wake of the formation of the Thoroughbred Championship Series, which will feature the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes but not the Baltimore race. The new six-race venture will feature three races at Churchill Downs, two at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., as well as the Belmont.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Preakness #pushes #date #days #Kentucky #DerbyMay 20, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; General view of the winners circle at Pimlico Race Course. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

In an effort to attract more horses who compete in the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes is pushing back its date in 2027.

The event at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore will be held on May 23, a Sunday, 22 days after the first leg of the Triple Crown is contested at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

Over the past five years, 82 out of 95 horses that ran in the Kentucky Derby sat out the Preakness.

Bill Knauf, president and general manager of the Maryland Jockey Club, said in a statement, “Moving the Preakness to the fourth weekend in May is a historic announcement. We believe the Preakness and the entire Triple Crown series are positioned for growth and great success. This extra week between the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness opens the Preakness to potential participants who use modern training methods.”


The Preakness also announced a broadcasting extension with NBC and Peacock through 2032. The date change includes moving the Black Eyed Susan Stakes, a top race for 3-year-old fillies, to the fourth Saturday in May.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said, “This agreement now means millions more people will be able to tune in and watch this iconic race weekend. It also means that when they view this race … it means that more people will watch and witness the greatest show in the Mid-Atlantic and continue to see Maryland on the world stage, exactly where Maryland belongs.”

While the Preakness’ new date eases the tight window between the first two legs of the sport’s Triple Crown, it tightens the window between the last two. The Belmont Stakes in Elmont, N.Y., is scheduled for June 5, 2027, just 13 days after the Preakness.

Knauf said, “Our focus is to preserve the tradition of horses running back in the Preakness and to enhance participation in the Triple Crown races. We acknowledge the great history of the traditional Triple Crown spacing between races, but recognize that change must always be examined. This is common in all professional sports. Now is the time for the Preakness.”

The Preakness revealed its new plan in the wake of the formation of the Thoroughbred Championship Series, which will feature the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes but not the Baltimore race. The new six-race venture will feature three races at Churchill Downs, two at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., as well as the Belmont.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Preakness #pushes #date #days #Kentucky #Derby">Deadspin | Preakness pushes date back to 22 days after Kentucky Derby  May 20, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; General view of the winners circle at Pimlico Race Course. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images   In an effort to attract more horses who compete in the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes is pushing back its date in 2027.  The event at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore will be held on May 23, a Sunday, 22 days after the first leg of the Triple Crown is contested at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.  Over the past five years, 82 out of 95 horses that ran in the Kentucky Derby sat out the Preakness.  Bill Knauf, president and general manager of the Maryland Jockey Club, said in a statement, “Moving the Preakness to the fourth weekend in May is a historic announcement. We believe the Preakness and the entire Triple Crown series are positioned for growth and great success. This extra week between the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness opens the Preakness to potential participants who use modern training methods.”  The Preakness also announced a broadcasting extension with NBC and Peacock through 2032. The date change includes moving the Black Eyed Susan Stakes, a top race for 3-year-old fillies, to the fourth Saturday in May.   Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said, “This agreement now means millions more people will be able to tune in and watch this iconic race weekend. It also means that when they view this race … it means that more people will watch and witness the greatest show in the Mid-Atlantic and continue to see Maryland on the world stage, exactly where Maryland belongs.”  While the Preakness’ new date eases the tight window between the first two legs of the sport’s Triple Crown, it tightens the window between the last two. The Belmont Stakes in Elmont, N.Y., is scheduled for June 5, 2027, just 13 days after the Preakness.  Knauf said, “Our focus is to preserve the tradition of horses running back in the Preakness and to enhance participation in the Triple Crown races. We acknowledge the great history of the traditional Triple Crown spacing between races, but recognize that change must always be examined. This is common in all professional sports. Now is the time for the Preakness.”  The Preakness revealed its new plan in the wake of the formation of the Thoroughbred Championship Series, which will feature the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes but not the Baltimore race. The new six-race venture will feature three races at Churchill Downs, two at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., as well as the Belmont.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Preakness #pushes #date #days #Kentucky #Derby

After putting up solid numbers for the New England Patriots last year — more on that in a moment — Diggs has signed with the Washington Commanders for the 2026 campaign. According to multiple sources, the veteran WR inked a one-year deal with the Commanders worth up to $12 million. It is something of a homecoming for Diggs, who played his high school football at Good Counsel in Olney and played his college football at Maryland.

With many readers entering fantasy draft season, the question is simple: What are the fantasy implications of Diggs signing with the Commanders?

After playing in just eight games during the 2024 season, as Diggs suffered a torn ACL in Week 8 while playing for the Houston Texans, he signed a three-year deal with the New England Patriots in May of 2025. Diggs appeared in all 17 regular-season games for New England, catching 85 passes for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns in Foxborough. Diggs led the Patriots in targets with 102 — he was the only New England receiver with more than 90 targets — and also led the team in both receptions and receiving yardage.

How he was used in New England could be a window into his usage in Washington. According to charting data from Pro Football Focus, Kayshon Boutte saw the most downfield targets on the Patriots a year ago (21) followed by Mack Hollins with 16. (Pro Football Focus defines these targets as coming 20 yards or more downfield).

Where Diggs led the way was in the short and intermediate areas of the field, often on crossing routes. Again, turning to charting data from Pro Football Focus, Diggs led the Patriots with 77 targets in the short area of the field, defined as throws between the line of scrimmage and nine yards downfield. Hollins was second on the Patriots, with only 30 such targets.

Turning now to the Commanders, last year Deebo Samuel led the team in those targets with 26. But with Samuel now in San Francisco, Diggs will be tasked with working that area of the field, allowing Terry McLaurin to continue stretching defenses in the vertical passing game. That is where McLaurin is at his best, and if you look at his 2024 numbers (when playing with a healthy Jayden Daniels) McLaurin saw a staggering 32 deep targets that season, the most on the Commanders by far.

For context, Noah Brown and Dyami Brown tied for second with nine each.

Another factor to consider is this: Washington’s new offensive coordinator. David Blough steps into the role, replacing Kliff Kingsbury. The expectation is that Blough will lean into the under-center, play-action passing game, a schematic tweak that will create opportunities for Diggs on those crossing routes underneath.

McLaurin will be Washington’s WR1, with Diggs slotting nicely into that WR2 role. He’ll see volume in this system — meaning he offers a nice boost in PPR formats — and while McLaurin could siphon the bulk of touchdowns (remember Diggs had only four a season ago) and Daniels could vulture some as well with his legs, there will be production to be gained by drafting Diggs in the later rounds as a WR3 with WR2 upside.

#Stefon #Diggs #fantasy #football #outlook #Commanders #signing #means">Stefon Diggs fantasy football outlook: What Commanders signing means for 2026  Stefon Diggs finally has a home for the 2026 NFL season.After putting up solid numbers for the New England Patriots last year — more on that in a moment — Diggs has signed with the Washington Commanders for the 2026 campaign. According to multiple sources, the veteran WR inked a one-year deal with the Commanders worth up to  million. It is something of a homecoming for Diggs, who played his high school football at Good Counsel in Olney and played his college football at Maryland.With many readers entering fantasy draft season, the question is simple: What are the fantasy implications of Diggs signing with the Commanders?After playing in just eight games during the 2024 season, as Diggs suffered a torn ACL in Week 8 while playing for the Houston Texans, he signed a three-year deal with the New England Patriots in May of 2025. Diggs appeared in all 17 regular-season games for New England, catching 85 passes for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns in Foxborough. Diggs led the Patriots in targets with 102 — he was the only New England receiver with more than 90 targets — and also led the team in both receptions and receiving yardage.How he was used in New England could be a window into his usage in Washington. According to charting data from Pro Football Focus, Kayshon Boutte saw the most downfield targets on the Patriots a year ago (21) followed by Mack Hollins with 16. (Pro Football Focus defines these targets as coming 20 yards or more downfield).Where Diggs led the way was in the short and intermediate areas of the field, often on crossing routes. Again, turning to charting data from Pro Football Focus, Diggs led the Patriots with 77 targets in the short area of the field, defined as throws between the line of scrimmage and nine yards downfield. Hollins was second on the Patriots, with only 30 such targets.Turning now to the Commanders, last year Deebo Samuel led the team in those targets with 26. But with Samuel now in San Francisco, Diggs will be tasked with working that area of the field, allowing Terry McLaurin to continue stretching defenses in the vertical passing game. That is where McLaurin is at his best, and if you look at his 2024 numbers (when playing with a healthy Jayden Daniels) McLaurin saw a staggering 32 deep targets that season, the most on the Commanders by far.For context, Noah Brown and Dyami Brown tied for second with nine each.Another factor to consider is this: Washington’s new offensive coordinator. David Blough steps into the role, replacing Kliff Kingsbury. The expectation is that Blough will lean into the under-center, play-action passing game, a schematic tweak that will create opportunities for Diggs on those crossing routes underneath.McLaurin will be Washington’s WR1, with Diggs slotting nicely into that WR2 role. He’ll see volume in this system — meaning he offers a nice boost in PPR formats — and while McLaurin could siphon the bulk of touchdowns (remember Diggs had only four a season ago) and Daniels could vulture some as well with his legs, there will be production to be gained by drafting Diggs in the later rounds as a WR3 with WR2 upside.  #Stefon #Diggs #fantasy #football #outlook #Commanders #signing #means

85 passes for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns in Foxborough. Diggs led the Patriots in targets with 102 — he was the only New England receiver with more than 90 targets — and also led the team in both receptions and receiving yardage.

How he was used in New England could be a window into his usage in Washington. According to charting data from Pro Football Focus, Kayshon Boutte saw the most downfield targets on the Patriots a year ago (21) followed by Mack Hollins with 16. (Pro Football Focus defines these targets as coming 20 yards or more downfield).

Where Diggs led the way was in the short and intermediate areas of the field, often on crossing routes. Again, turning to charting data from Pro Football Focus, Diggs led the Patriots with 77 targets in the short area of the field, defined as throws between the line of scrimmage and nine yards downfield. Hollins was second on the Patriots, with only 30 such targets.

Turning now to the Commanders, last year Deebo Samuel led the team in those targets with 26. But with Samuel now in San Francisco, Diggs will be tasked with working that area of the field, allowing Terry McLaurin to continue stretching defenses in the vertical passing game. That is where McLaurin is at his best, and if you look at his 2024 numbers (when playing with a healthy Jayden Daniels) McLaurin saw a staggering 32 deep targets that season, the most on the Commanders by far.

For context, Noah Brown and Dyami Brown tied for second with nine each.

Another factor to consider is this: Washington’s new offensive coordinator. David Blough steps into the role, replacing Kliff Kingsbury. The expectation is that Blough will lean into the under-center, play-action passing game, a schematic tweak that will create opportunities for Diggs on those crossing routes underneath.

McLaurin will be Washington’s WR1, with Diggs slotting nicely into that WR2 role. He’ll see volume in this system — meaning he offers a nice boost in PPR formats — and while McLaurin could siphon the bulk of touchdowns (remember Diggs had only four a season ago) and Daniels could vulture some as well with his legs, there will be production to be gained by drafting Diggs in the later rounds as a WR3 with WR2 upside.

#Stefon #Diggs #fantasy #football #outlook #Commanders #signing #means">Stefon Diggs fantasy football outlook: What Commanders signing means for 2026

Stefon Diggs finally has a home for the 2026 NFL season.

After putting up solid numbers for the New England Patriots last year — more on that in a moment — Diggs has signed with the Washington Commanders for the 2026 campaign. According to multiple sources, the veteran WR inked a one-year deal with the Commanders worth up to $12 million. It is something of a homecoming for Diggs, who played his high school football at Good Counsel in Olney and played his college football at Maryland.

With many readers entering fantasy draft season, the question is simple: What are the fantasy implications of Diggs signing with the Commanders?

After playing in just eight games during the 2024 season, as Diggs suffered a torn ACL in Week 8 while playing for the Houston Texans, he signed a three-year deal with the New England Patriots in May of 2025. Diggs appeared in all 17 regular-season games for New England, catching 85 passes for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns in Foxborough. Diggs led the Patriots in targets with 102 — he was the only New England receiver with more than 90 targets — and also led the team in both receptions and receiving yardage.

How he was used in New England could be a window into his usage in Washington. According to charting data from Pro Football Focus, Kayshon Boutte saw the most downfield targets on the Patriots a year ago (21) followed by Mack Hollins with 16. (Pro Football Focus defines these targets as coming 20 yards or more downfield).

Where Diggs led the way was in the short and intermediate areas of the field, often on crossing routes. Again, turning to charting data from Pro Football Focus, Diggs led the Patriots with 77 targets in the short area of the field, defined as throws between the line of scrimmage and nine yards downfield. Hollins was second on the Patriots, with only 30 such targets.

Turning now to the Commanders, last year Deebo Samuel led the team in those targets with 26. But with Samuel now in San Francisco, Diggs will be tasked with working that area of the field, allowing Terry McLaurin to continue stretching defenses in the vertical passing game. That is where McLaurin is at his best, and if you look at his 2024 numbers (when playing with a healthy Jayden Daniels) McLaurin saw a staggering 32 deep targets that season, the most on the Commanders by far.

For context, Noah Brown and Dyami Brown tied for second with nine each.

Another factor to consider is this: Washington’s new offensive coordinator. David Blough steps into the role, replacing Kliff Kingsbury. The expectation is that Blough will lean into the under-center, play-action passing game, a schematic tweak that will create opportunities for Diggs on those crossing routes underneath.

McLaurin will be Washington’s WR1, with Diggs slotting nicely into that WR2 role. He’ll see volume in this system — meaning he offers a nice boost in PPR formats — and while McLaurin could siphon the bulk of touchdowns (remember Diggs had only four a season ago) and Daniels could vulture some as well with his legs, there will be production to be gained by drafting Diggs in the later rounds as a WR3 with WR2 upside.

#Stefon #Diggs #fantasy #football #outlook #Commanders #signing #means

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