In this week's edition of The Fifth Down, Kinnu Singh surveys the outcome and implications of three Thanksgiving Day matchups, plus a look ahead for the rest of the week's games in Week 12 power rankings.

Australia and Argentina are coming off nearly identical lopsided losses in the first round of the Rugby Championship

Since arriving in Australia, Sarina Wiegman has stepped up work on a new system, that may not even be unveiled until the knock-out stages. It is an inherent acknowledgement that England are no longer in the strong position they were, but simultaneously something that may yet prove the winning of this World Cup. This has been reflected in the mood of the camp in Australia, beyond the distraction over bonuses. There is certainly no lack of faith, especially in Wiegman’s ability to come up with something special. This is another benefit of a feat like the Euro 2022 victory. It banishes doubts, and fosters that immensely powerful feeling that everything will go well because the manager knows exactly what they are doing. It is why big games, as in that juncture quarter-final win over Spain, can almost seem like they will go exactly as Wiegman predicts. There’s also the fact that, right now, the manager has one of the most talented teams in the world. For so long, this has seemed like the moment England were long building up to. The question now is whether that moment just comes at the wrong time. Because, for all the faith in Wiegman and the team, those close to the squad say there isn’t quite the conviction there was as in October 2022. That was when England beat defending world champions USA 2-1 at Wembley, to herald themselves as favourites for this summer and perhaps the strongest international side in the world. The defeated visiting coach, Vlatko Andanovski, was publicly complimentary and privately struck by how good the Euro 2022 winners were. Wiegman for her part attempted to play down such excitement, knowing there was a lot of work to do until such a feat. “You are the best team in the world when you have won the World Cup. We haven’t. We are in a good place, but there are so many good countries.” While Wiegman was as much intending to manage the psychology of her squad, it was maybe another way she proved prophetic. The Dutch coach was exactly right in pointing to how this is perhaps the most open World Cup ever, with a quarter of the field going in with real hopes they can win it. England are meanwhile not in as good a place as they were back then. That can be a positive, too. There are enough examples of squads going into tournaments with everything in order only to be undone by the first moment of adversity. Tension can also bring an edge. These are the sort of setbacks that might actually propel a surge that could again become the story of the summer. If England get on a run, and enjoy that intangible momentum that is so specific to an international tournament, it could once more be something special. At the same time, there is a lot that could contribute to nerves. England have first of all lost over 400 caps worth of experience since Euro 2022, with the departures of Jill Scott and Ellen White made worse by such unfortunate injuries to Leah Williamson, Beth Mead and Fran Kirby. The squad has lost assurance as well as fluency and so many unique qualities. Millie Bright isn’t currently fit but should make the first game, with the hope she grows through the group stage. A few players are not at their sharpest, especially in midfield and out wide. This has fostered some of the bigger selection decisions for Wiegman, before she even gets to the overall system. She needs to decide who starts in the second centre-half role and up front. Through that, she also needs to solve the recent struggle for goals. Underlying all of this is a different group dynamic to Euro 2022. There are now quite a few different social groups in the squad, especially with the introduction of so many young players to replace stalwarts. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing and can evolve once the squad spend a few days together in camp. Little things can become big unifying forces. One of those last summer was how the entire squad made a point of not packing before leaving St George’s Park for knock-out games. It was to deepen that belief they would not be going home yet. One unifying factor this time, however, might ironically and ominously be a negative. The entire squad remain hugely frustrated that the issue of bonus payments has not been resolved. A potential “civil war” has been avoided through the players taking the unprecedented step to release a statement on the eve of the tournament, but that very description illustrates how a problem remains. The debate just hangs there. It is the sort of issue that will undeniably be seen as a huge factor if England underperform. There are more than a few layers to it, too. The Football Association haven’t wanted to talk about the situation since they don’t want to be in a position where they are essentially briefing against their own national heroes, especially in a scenario where something even more historic can be achieved. Much of this also comes from the immense popularity of the Lionesses. With Fifa’s ground-breaking stipulation guaranteeing 60 per cent of all prize money to every individual player, the England squad are only asking for the same deal that Australia and USA have, with performance-related bonuses on top. This is how an elite team is organised, and that status is precisely what the FA take pride in and now earn so much from. The players do not feel it is befitting an elite team for the federation to seek bonus discussions after an event. The common line has been that this would never be even considered for the men, and shows how much women still have to fight. It has created a cloud, as well as one more complication for Wiegman during the tournament. One of the manager’s many strengths, however, is ensuring focus. Wiegman is an expert at managing the mentality of a group, especially in the distinctive self-contained atmosphere of a tournament. She did it ahead of Euro 2022 by bringing the group together and then getting them to pair off with teammates they didn’t know so well. Wiegman has ideas on how to manage this, that have been aided by the players being willing to park it to make the best of the football. Within the team, the lack of certainty up front can also become a strength. It means Wiegman has different options for different challenges in Alessio Russo or Rachel Daly. Georgia Stanway has meanwhile grown into a leader, that brilliant goal against Spain proving a key step in her own career. The amount of youth - especially in Lauren James - can also introduce a vitality that might otherwise have been missing and shouldn’t be overlooked. One reason that teams so rarely win successive tournaments is because even a year is a long time in football. The dynamic can drastically change, and it’s very easy for a team to become stale without even realising. That can’t be said about England now, and the squad have the group stage to grow together. Wiegman does need to introduce more sharpness, though. Esme Morgan did well when she came on in the warm-up against Canada, and playing her alongside Bright at centre-back will allow Alex Greenwood to go to left-back, while facilitating more flow to the football. It isn’t quite to the levels of putting Williamson at centre-half in the game before the Euros, but then that also points to how the potential reveal of a new system so late need not be a concern. It can just click. It will probably have to. England are on the tougher side of the draw if they expectedly claim the group first-place, and that will likely bring a last-16 tie against hosts Australia or a robust Canada. The latter forced a 0-0 draw in a warm-up through a frustrating approach England are going to counter again and again. Wiegman’s team are probably going to have to battle through the majority of the eight sides who believe they can win it, if they are to become the fourth side to do a double of European Championship and then World Cup. The last was Germany, as far back as 2007. That emphasises how much has changed in the women’s game, and there is a sense that even tournaments of a decade ago don’t really offer much guidance or instruction to now because of how much has evolved. Wiegman continues to evolve England, as well as her own ability as a world-class coach. She of course has the job because she came so close to that double in the last World Cup, bringing the Netherlands to the final. They lost to USA. This is the standard. England know they can get there. The grand question is whether enough has aligned to ensure they get there over the next month. Read More England’s Lionesses park controversial bonus row on eve of Women’s World Cup FIFA Women’s World Cup start date, fixtures and full schedule Who are the threats to the Lionesses at the Women’s World Cup? Are the United States still the team to beat at the Women’s World Cup? Can France handle injuries after overcoming Women’s World Cup crisis? The inspiration behind Australia’s shot at home World Cup glory

New Zealand picked up an unwanted record by becoming the first host nation knocked out of the Women's World Cup group stages, after its 0-0 draw against Switzerland on Sunday.

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Arsenal host Sheffield United looking to extend their unbeaten run in the Premier League. Mikel Arteta’s side stormed back to draw with Chelsea and then eased past Sevilla in the Champions League midweek. The Gunners remain in contention at the top of the table behind leaders Tottenham, while Blades sit bottom with just a point to their name since promotion. Paul Heckingbottom will hope to snap a five-game losing streak and kickstart their bid to beat the drop, but a victory in north London would represent one of the biggest upsets in Premier League history. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the Premier League clash. Find all the latest tips and betting advice here. When is Arsenal vs Sheffield United? The match will kick off at 3pm GMT on Saturday 28 October at Emirates Stadium, London. Can I watch it online and on TV? The match is not available to watch live on UK television due to the 3pm blackout rule, although it is available to watch live in other territories. If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events then you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN roundup is here to help: get great deals on the best VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are and also with the terms of their service provider. What is the team news? Jurrien Timber (knee) remains a long-term absentee, while Thomas Partey, who missed the midweek match against Sevilla with a muscle problem, is out alongside Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus, who exited the game in Spain with a hamstring issue and is now out for several weeks. Anel Ahmedhodzic (hamstring) was absent from the Manchester United game last weekend, joining a lengthy injury list, including John Egan (foot), Tom Davies (thigh), Chris Basham (leg), Adam Davies (unspecified), Rhys Norrington-Davies (hamstring) and Daniel Jebbison (illness). While Max Lowe (ankle) and Will Osula (unspecified) are also sidelined, though Paul Heckingbottom insists they are "getting closer". Oli McBurnie is a doubt and has missed training this week since being forced off with a groin injury against the Red Devils, but George Baldock (calf) is back in training and could return to the squad in a rare boost for the Blades. Official line-ups Arsenal XI: Raya, White, Kiwior, Saliba, Zinchenko, Rice, Havertz, Smith Rowe, Martinelli, Nketiah, Saka. Sheffield United XI: Foderingham, Bogle, Trusty, Robinson, Thomas, McAtee, Norwood, Souza, Hamer, Ben Slimane, Brewster. Odds Arsenal 1/11 Draw 9/1 Sheffield United 22/1 Get latest match odds and tips here. Prediction Arsenal 4-0 Sheffield United Read More Erik ten Hag admits Man Utd ‘have a way to go’ as they prepare for derby day Mikel Arteta calls for increased squad sizes as Arsenal suffer fresh injury blow Arsenal reveal Gabriel Jesus injury blow as Mikel Arteta confirms ‘really bad news’ Ange Postecoglou: Spurs a big club who should challenge for trophies every year There’s a long way to go – Ange Postecoglou staying grounded despite Spurs form Gabriel Jesus urges Arsenal team-mates to believe they can win Champions League

It has been quite a few weeks for Jarrod Bowen – the family man and England international who welcomed twin daughters into the world last month before delivering Europa League Conference success for West Ham. Described by his first boss as a “manager’s dream”, Bowen’s last-minute winner in a closely-fought final against Fiorentina on Wednesday night provided an unforgettable end to West Ham’s 43-year wait for a major trophy. The 26-year-old, whose partner is reality TV star Dani Dyer, has a down-to-earth demeanour which has seen him become a firm favourite among team-mates and the club’s supporters since he relocated to London in 2020. “The best moment of my career” was how Bowen summed up the 90th minute at Prague’s Fortuna Arena when he latched on to a through-ball and beat the press to run in on goal and finish coolly to clinch a 2-1 victory and get manager David Moyes dancing. Exactly a year earlier, the former Hereford and Hull player had come off the bench for England in their Nations League draw away to Germany. It was his second cap in a number of days following a first international call-up after a fine season for the Hammers. The World Cup was in sight for a man who had never been capped at any age-group level, but it was not to be, another career setback that Bowen would use as fuel to keep moving forward. “I am disappointed I didn’t go to the World Cup, but three years ago I was playing for Hull City in the Championship. You have to look at it in different ways,” he said after missing the cut for Qatar. “It’s about your mindset and the person you are to keep going and know what you can do. It’s just been about keeping going, never hide from it, never slump and keep always looking forward.” Bowen featured in every Premier League game for West Ham this season, struggling, as much of the team did, in the early stages of the campaign. But this is a forward fired up by unsuccessful trials at Aston Villa and Cardiff, determined to prove he is still worth being in the conversation when Gareth Southgate and Steve Holland pick their next England squad. Peter Beadle worked with Bowen in the Hereford academy and took him along for the ride when he was appointed manager of the first team. Bowen’s rise to European trophy success will not have come as a shock to his old boss. “He’s done nothing but go from strength to strength since and I’m not surprised one bit,” he told West Ham’s website when Bowen completed his move to the London Stadium in 2020. “He’s a very humble human being. He comes from a very strong footballing background with his dad and he’s had a great upbringing. He’s honest and hard-working – a manager’s dream really.” Last month Bowen announced the arrival of twin daughters with his partner Dyer, whose actor father Danny Dyer would have been just as jubilant when he saw Bowen run through on Wednesday night to win a trophy for his beloved Hammers. Bowen is one of the most popular members of the West Ham dressing room but one of its quieter players. However, actions spoke far louder than words when he tucked home past Pietro Terracciano to secure his place as a West Ham hero. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Paul McGinley: PGA Tour players will feel like the losers out of golf merger Declan Rice set to leave West Ham after Europa Conference League success Women’s World Cup win would earn England’s players more than £200,000 each

A brief look at the Kansas City Chiefs at the midway point of the 2023 NFL season.

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Zion Williamson scored 33 points and the New Orleans Pelicans took a 124-114 victory over a Philadelphia 76ers squad playing without star center Joel Embiid

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Robert Wickens, paralyzed from the waist down in an IndyCar crash five years ago, won an IMSA class title at Road Atlanta on Friday