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Deadspin | Spencer Torkelson ties franchise record, as Tigers defeat Reds Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson (20) rounds third on a solo home run in the fourth inning of the MLB Interleague game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Detroit Tigers at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Saturday, April 25, 2026. The Reds won the second game of the series, 9-2. Hao-Yu Lee belted a pinch-hit, go-ahead two-run homer and Spencer Torkelson had three hits and homered in his fifth straight game as the visiting Detroit Tigers rallied for an 8-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday in Cincinnati. Kerry Carpenter doubled and tripled, while Gleyber Torres added three hits, including a two-run homer for the Tigers. Detroit salvaged the series finale and won for just the third time in 15 road games since opening the season with a pair of road wins in San Diego. Torkelson matched the franchise record when he homered in the seventh, joining Marcus Thames (2008), Willie Horton (1969), Vic Wertz (1950), Hank Greenberg (1940) and Rudy York (1937) as the only Tigers to homer in five consecutive games. Nathaniel Lowe and JJ Bleday belted solo homers for Cincinnati, which fell for just the second time in nine games. The Tigers took advantage of a rare error by Cincinnati third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes to open a four-run rally in the seventh. Gleyber Torres reached base against lefty reliever and loser Sam Moll (1-1), who surrendered the go-ahead homer to Lee to put Detroit up, 4-3. Lefty reliever Brant Hurter (3-0) pitched a perfect sixth to earn the win. The Tigers claimed a 2-0 lead in the first inning when Kerry Carpenter doubled down the right field line with two outs and the bases loaded. Cincinnati starter Rhett Lowder settled down after the first, working out of a jam in the second and allowed just the two runs on six hits, striking out seven and walking one. The Reds began their rally in the second off Detroit starter Keider Montero with Lowe’s fourth home run, with all four coming in the span of the three-game series. Two innings later, Bleday added his first homer with Cincinnati to tie the game. Cincinnati took its only lead of the game in the fifth when Ke’Bryan Hayes tripled to open the inning. After a TJ Friedl ground out on a drawn-in infield, Matt McLain doubled to left to put the Reds ahead, 3-2. Montero was charged with three runs on five hits, striking out five and walking two. The Tigers loaded the bases off reliever Brock Burke in the sixth with only one out. But Jake Rodgers struck out looking and Kevin McGonigle flew out to deep left-center, with center fielder TJ Friedl made a catch on the run in the middle of the warning track to end the inning. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Spencer #Torkelson #ties #franchise #record #Tigers #defeat #Reds

Deadspin | Spencer Torkelson ties franchise record, as Tigers defeat Reds
Deadspin | Spencer Torkelson ties franchise record, as Tigers defeat Reds Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson (20) rounds third on a solo home run in the fourth inning of the MLB Interleague game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Detroit Tigers at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Saturday, April 25, 2026. The Reds won the second game of the series, 9-2. Hao-Yu Lee belted a pinch-hit, go-ahead two-run homer and Spencer Torkelson had three hits and homered in his fifth straight game as the visiting Detroit Tigers rallied for an 8-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday in Cincinnati. Kerry Carpenter doubled and tripled, while Gleyber Torres added three hits, including a two-run homer for the Tigers. Detroit salvaged the series finale and won for just the third time in 15 road games since opening the season with a pair of road wins in San Diego. Torkelson matched the franchise record when he homered in the seventh, joining Marcus Thames (2008), Willie Horton (1969), Vic Wertz (1950), Hank Greenberg (1940) and Rudy York (1937) as the only Tigers to homer in five consecutive games. Nathaniel Lowe and JJ Bleday belted solo homers for Cincinnati, which fell for just the second time in nine games. The Tigers took advantage of a rare error by Cincinnati third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes to open a four-run rally in the seventh. Gleyber Torres reached base against lefty reliever and loser Sam Moll (1-1), who surrendered the go-ahead homer to Lee to put Detroit up, 4-3. Lefty reliever Brant Hurter (3-0) pitched a perfect sixth to earn the win. The Tigers claimed a 2-0 lead in the first inning when Kerry Carpenter doubled down the right field line with two outs and the bases loaded. Cincinnati starter Rhett Lowder settled down after the first, working out of a jam in the second and allowed just the two runs on six hits, striking out seven and walking one. The Reds began their rally in the second off Detroit starter Keider Montero with Lowe’s fourth home run, with all four coming in the span of the three-game series. Two innings later, Bleday added his first homer with Cincinnati to tie the game. Cincinnati took its only lead of the game in the fifth when Ke’Bryan Hayes tripled to open the inning. After a TJ Friedl ground out on a drawn-in infield, Matt McLain doubled to left to put the Reds ahead, 3-2. Montero was charged with three runs on five hits, striking out five and walking two. The Tigers loaded the bases off reliever Brock Burke in the sixth with only one out. But Jake Rodgers struck out looking and Kevin McGonigle flew out to deep left-center, with center fielder TJ Friedl made a catch on the run in the middle of the warning track to end the inning. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Spencer #Torkelson #ties #franchise #record #Tigers #defeat #RedsDetroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson (20) rounds third on a solo home run in the fourth inning of the MLB Interleague game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Detroit Tigers at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Saturday, April 25, 2026. The Reds won the second game of the series, 9-2.

Hao-Yu Lee belted a pinch-hit, go-ahead two-run homer and Spencer Torkelson had three hits and homered in his fifth straight game as the visiting Detroit Tigers rallied for an 8-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday in Cincinnati.

Kerry Carpenter doubled and tripled, while Gleyber Torres added three hits, including a two-run homer for the Tigers. Detroit salvaged the series finale and won for just the third time in 15 road games since opening the season with a pair of road wins in San Diego.

Torkelson matched the franchise record when he homered in the seventh, joining Marcus Thames (2008), Willie Horton (1969), Vic Wertz (1950), Hank Greenberg (1940) and Rudy York (1937) as the only Tigers to homer in five consecutive games.

Nathaniel Lowe and JJ Bleday belted solo homers for Cincinnati, which fell for just the second time in nine games.

The Tigers took advantage of a rare error by Cincinnati third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes to open a four-run rally in the seventh. Gleyber Torres reached base against lefty reliever and loser Sam Moll (1-1), who surrendered the go-ahead homer to Lee to put Detroit up, 4-3.


Lefty reliever Brant Hurter (3-0) pitched a perfect sixth to earn the win.

The Tigers claimed a 2-0 lead in the first inning when Kerry Carpenter doubled down the right field line with two outs and the bases loaded. Cincinnati starter Rhett Lowder settled down after the first, working out of a jam in the second and allowed just the two runs on six hits, striking out seven and walking one.

The Reds began their rally in the second off Detroit starter Keider Montero with Lowe’s fourth home run, with all four coming in the span of the three-game series. Two innings later, Bleday added his first homer with Cincinnati to tie the game.

Cincinnati took its only lead of the game in the fifth when Ke’Bryan Hayes tripled to open the inning. After a TJ Friedl ground out on a drawn-in infield, Matt McLain doubled to left to put the Reds ahead, 3-2. Montero was charged with three runs on five hits, striking out five and walking two.

The Tigers loaded the bases off reliever Brock Burke in the sixth with only one out. But Jake Rodgers struck out looking and Kevin McGonigle flew out to deep left-center, with center fielder TJ Friedl made a catch on the run in the middle of the warning track to end the inning.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Spencer #Torkelson #ties #franchise #record #Tigers #defeat #Reds

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Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson (20) rounds third on a solo home run in the fourth inning of the MLB Interleague game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Detroit Tigers at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Saturday, April 25, 2026. The Reds won the second game of the series, 9-2.

Hao-Yu Lee belted a pinch-hit, go-ahead two-run homer and Spencer Torkelson had three hits and homered in his fifth straight game as the visiting Detroit Tigers rallied for an 8-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday in Cincinnati.

Kerry Carpenter doubled and tripled, while Gleyber Torres added three hits, including a two-run homer for the Tigers. Detroit salvaged the series finale and won for just the third time in 15 road games since opening the season with a pair of road wins in San Diego.

Torkelson matched the franchise record when he homered in the seventh, joining Marcus Thames (2008), Willie Horton (1969), Vic Wertz (1950), Hank Greenberg (1940) and Rudy York (1937) as the only Tigers to homer in five consecutive games.

Nathaniel Lowe and JJ Bleday belted solo homers for Cincinnati, which fell for just the second time in nine games.

The Tigers took advantage of a rare error by Cincinnati third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes to open a four-run rally in the seventh. Gleyber Torres reached base against lefty reliever and loser Sam Moll (1-1), who surrendered the go-ahead homer to Lee to put Detroit up, 4-3.

Lefty reliever Brant Hurter (3-0) pitched a perfect sixth to earn the win.

The Tigers claimed a 2-0 lead in the first inning when Kerry Carpenter doubled down the right field line with two outs and the bases loaded. Cincinnati starter Rhett Lowder settled down after the first, working out of a jam in the second and allowed just the two runs on six hits, striking out seven and walking one.

The Reds began their rally in the second off Detroit starter Keider Montero with Lowe’s fourth home run, with all four coming in the span of the three-game series. Two innings later, Bleday added his first homer with Cincinnati to tie the game.

Cincinnati took its only lead of the game in the fifth when Ke’Bryan Hayes tripled to open the inning. After a TJ Friedl ground out on a drawn-in infield, Matt McLain doubled to left to put the Reds ahead, 3-2. Montero was charged with three runs on five hits, striking out five and walking two.

The Tigers loaded the bases off reliever Brock Burke in the sixth with only one out. But Jake Rodgers struck out looking and Kevin McGonigle flew out to deep left-center, with center fielder TJ Friedl made a catch on the run in the middle of the warning track to end the inning.

–Field Level Media

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KBFC 2-1 FCG Highlights, ISL 2025-26: Fallou bags winner as Kerala Blasters beats FC Goa Kerala Blasters will be the happier of the two sides heading into the break, as it has managed to sustain FC Goa’s threat for most of the half.With a five-man backline while defending, KBFC has stopped the opposition from finding any spaces in behind with a through ball or a cross.Goa, however, should have taken the lead in the closing stage of the half, but Dejan Drazic uncharacteristically sent the ball off target with only the goalkeeper to beat.At the other end, Vibin got KBFC’s best chance of the half, but a good save from Bob stopped the home side from taking the lead. #KBFC #FCG #Highlights #ISL #Fallou #bags #winner #Kerala #Blasters #beats #Goa

Deadspin | Guardians look to keep Tigers down, stay atop division May 17, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians designated hitter Jose Ramirez (11) celebrates after hitting a home run during the eighth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images The first-place Cleveland Guardians can extend their American League Central Division lead when they visit Detroit to face the slumping Tigers for the first of a four-game series Monday. Cleveland has won five of its last six games, including a 10-3 pounding of the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday. The Tigers have lost 10 of their last 12 games. Framber Valdez (2-2, 4.32 ERA) will start the opener of the four-game series for Detroit. The veteran left-hander delivered a solid performance in his previous outing after serving a five-game league suspension for beaning a Boston batter. Valdez limited the New York Mets to two runs and five hits while striking out seven in 6 2/3 innings last Wednesday. “Framber was dominating both sides of the plate,” utility man Zach McKinstry said. “It’s fun to play behind him when he’s dominating like that.” Valdez was working with a one-run lead before issuing a two-out walk to the Mets’ No. 9 hitter, Luis Torrens, who eventually scored the tying run. “This start mattered to him, just getting him back into the season,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “He worked hard to get into the game and I thought he threw the ball extremely well. The two-out walk will haunt him and it’ll haunt us a little bit. But we asked a ton out of him (Wednesday) and he delivered.” Valdez has been a Guardians killer during his career. He’s won all five of his appearances (four starts) against them, posting a 2.30 ERA. He will be opposed by right-hander Slade Cecconi (2-4, 5.60). It’s been a rocky beginning to the season for Cecconi, who has allowed four or more earned runs in five of his nine starts. He has shown signs of improvement in his last two starts. Cecconi limited the Kansas City Royals to two runs in 5 1/3 innings, then tossed four scoreless innings against the Los Angeles Angels. He posted seven strikeouts but required 89 pitches to record 12 outs. He’s 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA in two career starts against the Tigers. Valdez will try to cool down Angel Martinez. The Guardians outfielder has been on a power surge, homering in four of his last five games. He’ll carry a six-game hitting streak into the contest. He’s scored eight runs and knocked in eight during that span. Martinez has nine homers this season, compared to 11 in 139 games last season. “Honestly, I’m trying to not get too high,” Martinez said. “(Whether) you’re having a good day, you have a good week, good month, I try not to get too high. This game can humble you really quick. I’m just enjoying the moment, and what happened today, it doesn’t matter tomorrow.” Manager Stephen Vogt believes Martinez’s improvement is a natural progression for the talented 24-year-old. “I think every young hitter continues to grow and understand, ‘If I can shrink the strike zone, and I can bring that pitcher into the strike zone, I’ve got a lot better chance to hit it hard,'” Vogt said. “We’ve seen Angel struggle with chase at times. But when he does keep that pitcher in the zone, man, is he dynamic and hits the ball hard.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Guardians #Tigers #stay #atop #divisionMay 17, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians designated hitter Jose Ramirez (11) celebrates after hitting a home run during the eighth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

The first-place Cleveland Guardians can extend their American League Central Division lead when they visit Detroit to face the slumping Tigers for the first of a four-game series Monday.

Cleveland has won five of its last six games, including a 10-3 pounding of the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday. The Tigers have lost 10 of their last 12 games.

Framber Valdez (2-2, 4.32 ERA) will start the opener of the four-game series for Detroit. The veteran left-hander delivered a solid performance in his previous outing after serving a five-game league suspension for beaning a Boston batter.

Valdez limited the New York Mets to two runs and five hits while striking out seven in 6 2/3 innings last Wednesday.

“Framber was dominating both sides of the plate,” utility man Zach McKinstry said. “It’s fun to play behind him when he’s dominating like that.”

Valdez was working with a one-run lead before issuing a two-out walk to the Mets’ No. 9 hitter, Luis Torrens, who eventually scored the tying run.

“This start mattered to him, just getting him back into the season,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “He worked hard to get into the game and I thought he threw the ball extremely well. The two-out walk will haunt him and it’ll haunt us a little bit. But we asked a ton out of him (Wednesday) and he delivered.”

Valdez has been a Guardians killer during his career. He’s won all five of his appearances (four starts) against them, posting a 2.30 ERA.


He will be opposed by right-hander Slade Cecconi (2-4, 5.60). It’s been a rocky beginning to the season for Cecconi, who has allowed four or more earned runs in five of his nine starts.

He has shown signs of improvement in his last two starts. Cecconi limited the Kansas City Royals to two runs in 5 1/3 innings, then tossed four scoreless innings against the Los Angeles Angels. He posted seven strikeouts but required 89 pitches to record 12 outs.

He’s 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA in two career starts against the Tigers.

Valdez will try to cool down Angel Martinez. The Guardians outfielder has been on a power surge, homering in four of his last five games. He’ll carry a six-game hitting streak into the contest. He’s scored eight runs and knocked in eight during that span.

Martinez has nine homers this season, compared to 11 in 139 games last season.

“Honestly, I’m trying to not get too high,” Martinez said. “(Whether) you’re having a good day, you have a good week, good month, I try not to get too high. This game can humble you really quick. I’m just enjoying the moment, and what happened today, it doesn’t matter tomorrow.”

Manager Stephen Vogt believes Martinez’s improvement is a natural progression for the talented 24-year-old.

“I think every young hitter continues to grow and understand, ‘If I can shrink the strike zone, and I can bring that pitcher into the strike zone, I’ve got a lot better chance to hit it hard,'” Vogt said. “We’ve seen Angel struggle with chase at times. But when he does keep that pitcher in the zone, man, is he dynamic and hits the ball hard.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Guardians #Tigers #stay #atop #division">Deadspin | Guardians look to keep Tigers down, stay atop division May 17, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians designated hitter Jose Ramirez (11) celebrates after hitting a home run during the eighth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images The first-place Cleveland Guardians can extend their American League Central Division lead when they visit Detroit to face the slumping Tigers for the first of a four-game series Monday. Cleveland has won five of its last six games, including a 10-3 pounding of the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday. The Tigers have lost 10 of their last 12 games. Framber Valdez (2-2, 4.32 ERA) will start the opener of the four-game series for Detroit. The veteran left-hander delivered a solid performance in his previous outing after serving a five-game league suspension for beaning a Boston batter. Valdez limited the New York Mets to two runs and five hits while striking out seven in 6 2/3 innings last Wednesday. “Framber was dominating both sides of the plate,” utility man Zach McKinstry said. “It’s fun to play behind him when he’s dominating like that.” Valdez was working with a one-run lead before issuing a two-out walk to the Mets’ No. 9 hitter, Luis Torrens, who eventually scored the tying run. “This start mattered to him, just getting him back into the season,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “He worked hard to get into the game and I thought he threw the ball extremely well. The two-out walk will haunt him and it’ll haunt us a little bit. But we asked a ton out of him (Wednesday) and he delivered.” Valdez has been a Guardians killer during his career. He’s won all five of his appearances (four starts) against them, posting a 2.30 ERA. He will be opposed by right-hander Slade Cecconi (2-4, 5.60). It’s been a rocky beginning to the season for Cecconi, who has allowed four or more earned runs in five of his nine starts. He has shown signs of improvement in his last two starts. Cecconi limited the Kansas City Royals to two runs in 5 1/3 innings, then tossed four scoreless innings against the Los Angeles Angels. He posted seven strikeouts but required 89 pitches to record 12 outs. He’s 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA in two career starts against the Tigers. Valdez will try to cool down Angel Martinez. The Guardians outfielder has been on a power surge, homering in four of his last five games. He’ll carry a six-game hitting streak into the contest. He’s scored eight runs and knocked in eight during that span. Martinez has nine homers this season, compared to 11 in 139 games last season. “Honestly, I’m trying to not get too high,” Martinez said. “(Whether) you’re having a good day, you have a good week, good month, I try not to get too high. This game can humble you really quick. I’m just enjoying the moment, and what happened today, it doesn’t matter tomorrow.” Manager Stephen Vogt believes Martinez’s improvement is a natural progression for the talented 24-year-old. “I think every young hitter continues to grow and understand, ‘If I can shrink the strike zone, and I can bring that pitcher into the strike zone, I’ve got a lot better chance to hit it hard,'” Vogt said. “We’ve seen Angel struggle with chase at times. But when he does keep that pitcher in the zone, man, is he dynamic and hits the ball hard.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Guardians #Tigers #stay #atop #division

The complete NFL schedule for each team was released on Thursday night, and now we have a full picture of how things could shape up. There isn’t a lot when it comes to who “won” with their slate of games outside of favorable bye weeks, or easy opening runs to set up the season — but there are definitely a handful of teams who really got screwed over when it comes to their schedules.

These are the four teams that got an added layer of complexity added to their seasons due to scheduling.

The Cardinals will need to reconcile two opposing aims in 2026: Establishing Mike LaFleur as a winning coach, while also trying to ensure they tank the hell out of the season so they can find their quarterback of the future in the 2027 draft, because lol no, Carson Beck isn’t the answer.

It’s all well and good to say “just tank the year, and give LaFleur a season of grace,” but that’s easier said than done when you’re trying to establish a winning culture inside a locker room. The main issue is that there’s no good place on the Arizona slate where you can find them to at least grab a few wins and prove to themselves that the path is working.

An absolutely brutal run kicks the season off due to playing in the NFC West and getting a rough schedule as a result. Look at this opponent run up to the Week 14 bye: Chargers, Seahawks, 49ers, Giants, Lions, Rams, Broncos, Cowboys, Seahawks, Rams, Chiefs, Commanders, Eagles. That is just horrific for a team trying to find a way to win. I don’t know what the Cardinals did to deserve having FIVE divisional matchups before their bye.

No. 2: Los Angeles Chargers

The big thing with the Chargers’ slate is how well rested all of their opponents will be heading into their games. This chart really tells the whole story, with Los Angeles having an incredible 24 fewer days of rest over the course of the season compared to their opponents.

Not only this, but the Chargers have a bye week that falls too early in the season. They will be off Week 7, and still have the bulk of their games ahead of them. It’s especially rough when you factor in that the rest of the AFC West got fairly beneficial schedules for 2026 and that adds more difficulty for them.

No. 3: San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers’ have two international games, kicking off in Australia against the Rams, then heading to Mexico City later in the season. That would be difficult enough with irregular travel adding to the challenges of playing in the NFC West, but San Francisco also had a brutal run after their game against the Vikings in Mexico City, which comes at a critical time when they will be eyeing the playoffs.

From Week 13 until the end of the season here are their opponents in order: Seahawks, Giants, Rams, Chargers, Chiefs, Eagles, Cardinals.

The only gimme on the slate is Arizona, with so many tough games coming on the road to the playoffs. It’s incredibly easy to hit a skid, lose confidence, and limp into the playoffs at best. In addition, the 49ers have some brutal travel with their trip to Australia, as well as heading cross-country to New York and Atlanta. Overall this was just a brutal lineup of games.

This has much less to do with the fact that the Bears face the toughest strength of schedule in the NFL, and far more to do with their game scheduling. Across the 17 game regular season we see Chicago play five games in primetime, two with 4:25 p.m. ET kickoffs, and they play on both holidays. This means that over half the season sees Chicago moving around days, slots, and zones — which is really difficult when you’re trying to build routine and consistency.

Obviously, Ben Johnson is the kind of coach who can get solid performances out of his players, but there’s no doubt this is a tricky way to operate in a season with all the pressure of national games, the attention they bring, and changing up preparation from week to week. Throw that in with a tough opponent slate and it might be tricky for the Bears to have as much success this season.

#NFL #teams #royally #screwed #schedule">4 NFL teams who got royally screwed over by the schedule The complete NFL schedule for each team was released on Thursday night, and now we have a full picture of how things could shape up. There isn’t a lot when it comes to who “won” with their slate of games outside of favorable bye weeks, or easy opening runs to set up the season — but there are definitely a handful of teams who really got screwed over when it comes to their schedules.These are the four teams that got an added layer of complexity added to their seasons due to scheduling.The Cardinals will need to reconcile two opposing aims in 2026: Establishing Mike LaFleur as a winning coach, while also trying to ensure they tank the hell out of the season so they can find their quarterback of the future in the 2027 draft, because lol no, Carson Beck isn’t the answer.It’s all well and good to say “just tank the year, and give LaFleur a season of grace,” but that’s easier said than done when you’re trying to establish a winning culture inside a locker room. The main issue is that there’s no good place on the Arizona slate where you can find them to at least grab a few wins and prove to themselves that the path is working.An absolutely brutal run kicks the season off due to playing in the NFC West and getting a rough schedule as a result. Look at this opponent run up to the Week 14 bye: Chargers, Seahawks, 49ers, Giants, Lions, Rams, Broncos, Cowboys, Seahawks, Rams, Chiefs, Commanders, Eagles. That is just horrific for a team trying to find a way to win. I don’t know what the Cardinals did to deserve having FIVE divisional matchups before their bye.No. 2: Los Angeles ChargersThe big thing with the Chargers’ slate is how well rested all of their opponents will be heading into their games. This chart really tells the whole story, with Los Angeles having an incredible 24 fewer days of rest over the course of the season compared to their opponents.Not only this, but the Chargers have a bye week that falls too early in the season. They will be off Week 7, and still have the bulk of their games ahead of them. It’s especially rough when you factor in that the rest of the AFC West got fairly beneficial schedules for 2026 and that adds more difficulty for them.No. 3: San Francisco 49ersThe 49ers’ have two international games, kicking off in Australia against the Rams, then heading to Mexico City later in the season. That would be difficult enough with irregular travel adding to the challenges of playing in the NFC West, but San Francisco also had a brutal run after their game against the Vikings in Mexico City, which comes at a critical time when they will be eyeing the playoffs.From Week 13 until the end of the season here are their opponents in order: Seahawks, Giants, Rams, Chargers, Chiefs, Eagles, Cardinals.The only gimme on the slate is Arizona, with so many tough games coming on the road to the playoffs. It’s incredibly easy to hit a skid, lose confidence, and limp into the playoffs at best. In addition, the 49ers have some brutal travel with their trip to Australia, as well as heading cross-country to New York and Atlanta. Overall this was just a brutal lineup of games.This has much less to do with the fact that the Bears face the toughest strength of schedule in the NFL, and far more to do with their game scheduling. Across the 17 game regular season we see Chicago play five games in primetime, two with 4:25 p.m. ET kickoffs, and they play on both holidays. This means that over half the season sees Chicago moving around days, slots, and zones — which is really difficult when you’re trying to build routine and consistency.Obviously, Ben Johnson is the kind of coach who can get solid performances out of his players, but there’s no doubt this is a tricky way to operate in a season with all the pressure of national games, the attention they bring, and changing up preparation from week to week. Throw that in with a tough opponent slate and it might be tricky for the Bears to have as much success this season. #NFL #teams #royally #screwed #schedule

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