Trump casts doubt on Democrats’ historic midterm wins

For NFL front offices, Sunday was the final exam. By Tuesday afternoon’s trade deadline, every team has to decide whether it’s chasing a title this season or chasing draft picks — and a few of them got pretty clear answers this weekend. Start in Indianapolis, where all-pro running back Jonathan Taylor may have just played his last game as a Colt. Indy lost to Dallas on a touchdown in the final two minutes and fell to 2-7, and Taylor spent his postgame news conference fielding questions about whether he’d be back. The Colts reportedly have an offer of a second-round pick and more for their star running back, but they surely would like a bigger haul. Cincinnati, meanwhile, looks like a team ready to shop, perhaps just a piece or two away from a return to the Super Bowl. Quarterback Joe Burrow was terrific again in an impressive win over the Falcons in Madrid. The Bengals already gave up a first-round pick for defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II in the spring, and another splash, maybe at safety, wouldn’t be shocking. Wideouts could be the hottest item these next couple of days. Kansas City had no problem handling the Jets on Sunday, but the Chiefs are still winning without much receiving help for quarterback Patrick Mahomes. And Denver, which somehow keeps pulling out close wins and leads the AFC West, could also use receiving help. Indianapolis’s Josh Downs, Tennessee’s Calvin Ridley and Cleveland’s Jerry Jeudy are among the names floating around. Then there are the teams that may be ready to call it a season. The Chargers are 0-8 after getting blown out by Houston. They insist they don’t need to sell, but contenders will surely call about pass rusher Khalil Mack anyway. Philadelphia has lost seven straight and needs to start planning for its future. The Eagles already sent center Cam Jurgens to Baltimore, but tight end Dallas Goedert is among those who could also hear his name called Tuesday. And Dallas, despite its win over the Colts, is 4-5 and could listen on receiver George Pickens, who’s playing on the franchise tag this season. As for Taylor, he said he knows as much about his future as the rest of us. Speaking to reporters after Sunday’s 27-23 loss, he very much sounded a lot like a man saying goodbye. Asked if it was his final game there, he said, “If it is, I’m very grateful for the city of Indianapolis.”