🚚 Freight, Fuel & Football: Week 6 Edition

Diesel & Market Update

• As of October 6, the U.S. national average diesel price dropped ~4+ cents to $3.71/gal, down from last week. Work Truck Online

• Still, that’s ~12.7 to 13 cents above last year’s level—so year-over-year pressure remains. Work Truck Online

• According to C.H. Robinson, diesel in September averaged $3.75/gal, marking the second consecutive year-over-year increase after a long stretch of declines.

• Over the past six months, diesel has moved ~8%. But spot linehaul (base rates) has held relatively firm; fuel surcharges have soaked much of the swing.

  
  

Freight & Logistics Trends

• Spot truckload rates are under moderate pressure in many markets, especially in lanes with softer demand.

• Port / intermodal networks remain volatile: delays, drayage spikes, and congestion are pushing some shippers to consider alternate gateways or adjusted routing.

• More shippers are negotiating flexible routing, reworking fuel surcharge formulas, and prioritizing carrier partners that can pivot mid-route.

  
  

Commodity Spotlight – Renewable Diesel / Soybean Basis

• Policy momentum toward renewable diesel continues to lift interest in soybean oil as feedstock. Local basis (near crush plants) is increasing by ~9 to 23¢ per bushel in some regions.

• This matters especially for agricultural shippers or biofuel supply chain participants—moving feedstocks or intermediates may see margin pressure or shifting route flows.

• Keep an eye on shifting transport modes: bases further from crushing plants may move more by truck (versus rail) depending on cost structures.

  
  

🏈 NFL & Sports Corner — Week 6 Deep Dive

Week 6 Takeaways & Highlights

• The Broncos edged the Jets 13–11 in London. Bo Nix tossed an early TD, and Wil Lutz’s late go-ahead field goal sealed it. Denver’s defense sacked Justin Fields nine times, with the final sack ending the game. ESPN.com

• The Chiefs dismantled the Lions 30–17, reminding everyone that we shouldn’t count them out. Patrick Mahomes threw for 289 yards and 4 TDs. The Chiefs defense clamped down in the second half—holding Detroit to just ~112 yards. CBS Sports+2CBS Sports+2

  • CBS graded the Chiefs with an A for the game. CBS Sports

• Falcons vs Bills: Atlanta’s defensive performance was a highlight. They picked off Josh Allen, pressured him heavily, and limited the Bills’ third-down conversions. Meanwhile, Bijan Robinson erupted for 238 total yards and an 81-yard touchdown run. The Falcoholic+1

• Buccaneers vs 49ers: Tampa Bay snapped a losing skid with a 30–19 win. Baker Mayfield connected on key plays under pressure, and the defense made several key stops. Bucs Nation

• Saints vs Patriots: Spencer Rattler stood out in New Orleans’ narrow loss (25–19). He completed 20 of 26 passes (76.9%) for 227 yards, showed pocket awareness, and delivered precise throws in tight windows. Canal Street Chronicles

• Breakout Rookie: Matthew Golden (Packers) turned heads with 3 receptions for 86 yards vs. Cincinnati. The Times of India

• Rest matters: The Steelers leveraged extra rest after a bye to dominate the Browns 23–9. They outgained Cleveland 5.8 yards/play vs. 3.3. Sharp Football Analysis

  
  

Themes & What to Watch Next

• Parity is real — Many teams are clustered between 2–4 and 4–2 records, making every matchup critical. The Washington Post

• Offensive bounce-backs — Chiefs are showing they don’t need to win ugly; they can dominate. The Washington Post

• Emerging stars & revenge games — Rico Dowdle is continuing his surge with back-to-back explosive games. Cat Scratch Reader

• Quarterback protection & turnovers will increasingly separate contenders from pretenders.

• Next week’s marquee matchups 

  • 49ers @ Rams (Thursday night)

  • Bills @ Jaguars — Buffalo will look to reassert dominance 

  • Chiefs vs. ??? with Rashee Rice set to return

    
    

✍️ Closing Thoughts

Diesel is easing a bit, but year-over-year pressures still loom. Freight rates are under softening pressure in many lanes, but base rate rigidity and fuel surcharges remain stabilizing forces. On the NFL side, this week reinforced that no lead is safe, stars emerge fast, and defenses still win championships.

If you’re running freight programs this fall, it’s a good moment to lock in flexibility, revisit surcharge models, and lean on partner carriers who can reroute or absorb shocks.

– Hector Escobar | Eterna Logistics