Sports

The NFL has made sportsmanship and respect for the opponent a point of emphasis for 2025. The NFL made that point following Week 1, in the form of five taunting fines.

Lions defensive back Brian Branch, who (as noted by MDS) picked up a couple of fines during the loss at Green Bay, Packers safety Xavier McKinney, Eagles linebacker Nolan Smith, Lions receiver Jameson Williams, and Brown receiver Jerry Jeudy were fined $11,593 each for taunting.

Williams and Jeudy were not flagged for taunting.

So five tauntings, but only three were called. If it's obvious enough to be seen after the fact, it's something the officials should be spotting in real time.

All players have the right to appeal the fines imposed on them. Although the league discloses the fines, it does not release the results of the appeals.

The Giants are sticking with Russell Wilson. Unless they aren't.

Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports that the Giants have "no sense of urgency" to bench Wilson for rookie first-rounder Jaxson Dart.

But Schefter adds this this "doesn't mean a change can't come soon at the quarterback position, but the Giants would prefer that it not happen anytime soon."

So, again, they'll be sticking with Wilson. Unless they aren't.

The Giants presumably hope to dial down the external pressure to place Dart in the game, allowing them to wait for the right time.

The Giants visit the Cowboys on Sunday, before hosting the Chiefs and Chargers. A Week 5 visit to the Saints seems to be the first best spot to make a change. Next, there's a mini-bye after the Week 6 Thursday night game against the Eagles before Week 7 at Denver.

If history is a guide, they'll play Dart when they think he's ready. In 2004, the Giants benched future Hall of Famer Kurt Warner despite a 5-4 record for then-rookie Eli Manning.

It's also possible, in theory, that the Giants will pivot to veterarn Jameis Winston before going with Dart. At this point, everything is on the table.

Unless it isn't.