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Archives for October 2023

Patriots Release Cunningham

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FOXBOROUGH – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – The New England Patriots released quarterback Malik Cunningham on Tuesday, 10 days after signing the rookie from the practice squad to a three-year contract.

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Cunningham, who joined New England as an undrafted free agent out of Louisville, was signed before the Patriots’ game against the Las Vegas Raiders two weeks ago. Rather than a practice squad promotion for gameday, they inked him to a three-year deal.

Cunningham, 25, played six snaps against the Raiders, four at wide receiver and two at quarterback. He took one sack in the 21-17 loss. He was then a healthy scratch for this Sunday’s 29-25 win over the Bills.

The Patriots also released defensive lineman Trey Flowers, 30, who had been on the physically unable to perform list (foot) since Aug. 30. Flowers, who spent his first four NFL seasons (2015-18) with New England, has not played since Oct. 16, 2022, for the Miami Dolphins.

Game 7: Texas at Houston

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HOUSTON – (Wire Service Report) – Four years ago, the improbable became reality when the Houston Astros lost Game 7 of the 2019 World Series 6-2 to the Washington Nationals at Minute Maid Park, capping the first postseason series in league history during which the road team claimed every contest in a seven-game set.

With Houston’s 9-2 loss to the Rangers on Sunday in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series, the specter of a repeat of that dubious outcome grew exponentially when Texas forced a decisive Game 7 to be played today.

After producing a plus-11 run differential while sweeping Games 3-5 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, the Astros fell to 1-4 at home this postseason on the heels of posting a sub-.500 home record during the regular season.

An inability to produce in the clutch continues to plague the Astros, who finished 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position in Game 6 and are 2-for-17 in the ALCS at home in those situations. Houston loaded the bases with one out, trailing 4-2 in the bottom of the eighth inning, but failed to convert when Mauricio Dubon lined out to short and pinch hitter Jon Singleton struck out on Sunday.

“It’s disappointing,” said Astros manager Dusty Baker, who named right-hander Cristian Javier the starter for the series finale. “The name of the game is opportunities, and then after that, you hope that you come through. And, yeah, that was — that eighth inning where we had action, and especially with (Dubon) up there, this guy has been coming through all year long, and you know he’s going to make contact. And like I said, some days you just don’t get it done.”

Javier (2-0, 1.69 ERA this postseason) allowed two runs on three hits and one walk with three strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings in the Astros’ 8-5 victory in Game 3. Javier had not allowed a run in his three previous postseason starts and improved to 4-0 with a 0.82 ERA as a starter in the postseason.

Despite enduring an erratic season on the mound, Javier has maintained a levelheaded approach to his craft. With their season on the line, the Astros will require more of the same.

“My thought process is to stay positive and go out and just compete,” Javier said.

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The Rangers, who improved to 7-0 on the road this postseason, will counter with veteran right-hander Max Scherzer, who took the loss opposite Javier in Game 3 in what was his postseason debut for Texas and his first appearance since Sept. 12. Scherzer had been sidelined with a muscle strain in his shoulder before returning against the Astros and allowing five runs on five hits and one walk with four strikeouts over four innings.

Though Scherzer (0-1, 11.25) was adamant in the aftermath of that appearance that his arm was healthy, the Rangers are in a position to opt for alternative options should he scuffle after right-hander Nathan Eovaldi logged 6 1/3 innings on Sunday.

“Well, we have a full bullpen because of the job that Nate did,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said. “So, they’re all hands on deck, as they say. They’re all available. You look at matchups and things like that. But they’re all ready to go.”

Incidentally, Scherzer was the starting pitcher for the Nationals in that fateful Game 7 in 2019.

–MK Bower, Field Level Media

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Patriots Stun Bills, 29-25

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Belichick Notches Win No. 300

FOXBORO – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – New England head coach Bill Belichick earned the 300th regular-season victory of his head-coaching career thanks to some late-game heroics from Mac Jones that lifted the New England Patriots to a 29-25 victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday in Massachusetts.

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After New England (2-5) squandered a 12-point, fourth-quarter lead, Jones found Mike Gesicki for a go-ahead, 1-yard touchdown with 12 seconds left in the game.

Belichick joins Don Shula (328 wins) and George Halas (318) as the only coaches in NFL history to reach 300 wins in the regular season.

Reaching the milestone didn’t come easy, as Josh Allen headlined a ferocious rally for Buffalo (4-3).

Allen connected with Stefon Diggs for a 25-yard TD with 5:32 left in the game before sneaking into the end zone from the goal line with 1:58 to go, giving the Bills a 25-22 edge.

But Jones then put together the game-winning, 75-yard drive that allowed the Patriots to snap a three-game skid.

Jones completed 25 of 30 passes for 272 yards and two TDs. Allen threw for 265 yards, two scores and an interception on 27-for-41 passing.

Buffalo’s Dalton Kincaid led all receivers with eight receptions for 75 yards.

Allen orchestrated a 10-play, 81-yard drive to begin the second half, capping it with an 8-yard TD pass to James Cook to cut the Bills’ deficit to 13-10.

Chad Ryland pushed the Patriots’ advantage to 16-10 with a 49-yard field goal at the end of the ensuing drive.

Jones’ 4-yard scoring strike to Kendrick Bourne with 7:36 left in the fourth provided New England with its 12-point advantage. The two-point conversion run failed.

Ryland made a 24-yarder with 7:36 remaining in the first half to put New England up 13-3, and that lead held until the break. Tyler Bass had the chance to make it a one-score game, but his 42-yard attempt sliced wide right.

The Patriots drove to the Buffalo 12-yard line on the game’s opening drive, but they had to settle for Ryland’s 30-yard field goal.

Jabrill Peppers picked off Allen on the Bills’ first offensive snap, though, and New England cashed in seven plays later, as Ezekiel Elliott rushed for a 2-yard touchdown to make it 10-0.

Bass made good on a 36-yard field goal to pull Buffalo within 10-3 just 11 seconds into the second quarter.

–Field Level Media

NFL: Sunday Round-Up

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FOXBORO – (Wire Service Report) – Patriots’ coach Bill Belichick earned the 300th regular-season victory of his head-coaching career thanks to some late-game heroics from Mac Jones that lifted New England to a 29-25 victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday in Massachusetts.

After New England (2-5) squandered a 12-point, fourth-quarter lead, Jones found Mike Gesicki for a go-ahead, 1-yard touchdown with 12 seconds left in the game. Belichick joins Don Shula (328 wins) and George Halas (318) as the only coaches in NFL history to reach 300 wins in the regular season.

Reaching the milestone didn’t come easy, as Josh Allen headlined a ferocious rally for Buffalo (4-3). Allen connected with Stefon Diggs for a 25-yard TD with 5:32 left in the game before sneaking into the end zone from the goal line with 1:58 to go, giving the Bills a 25-22 edge.

Jones completed 25 of 30 passes for 272 yards and two TDs. Allen threw for 265 yards, two scores and an interception on 27-for-41 passing.

Browns 39, Colts 38

Kareem Hunt’s 1-yard touchdown run with 15 seconds left lifted Cleveland to a wild win over host Indianapolis.

The Browns (4-2) went 80 yards in 12 plays on the winning drive, aided by a pair of critical penalties. The Colts (3-4) were flagged for illegal contact that negated a fumble recovery with 38 seconds left, then committed pass interference to give Cleveland first-and-goal at the 1.

After P.J. Walker tossed three straight incomplete passes, Hunt broke the goal line’s plane on a run up the middle. Walker came on in relief of Deshaun Watson, who departed late in the first quarter. Watson was evaluated for a concussion during the first half, but the Browns said he cleared the protocol. After the game, Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski named Watson the starter for next Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks.

Falcons 16, Buccaneers 13

Younghoe Koo nailed a 51-yard field goal as time expired as Atlanta downed host Tampa Bay.

Despite losing three fumbles, Desmond Ridder threw for 250 yards on 19-of-25 passing for Atlanta. His 39-yard pass to Kyle Pitts helped set up Koo’s game-winning kick. With Bijan Robinson slowed due to an illness, Tyler Allgeier led the Falcons (4-3) in carries (21) and rushing yards (59) and added 53 yards receiving.

Baker Mayfield passed for 275 yards and a touchdown and added 32 rushing yards for the Buccaneers (3-3). His 31-yard scamper late in the fourth quarter helped set up Chase McLaughlin’s game-tying, 36-yard field goal with 49 seconds to play.

Ravens 38, Lions 6

Lamar Jackson passed for 357 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for another score as host Baltimore manhandled Detroit.

Baltimore scored touchdowns on its first four possessions while racing to a 28-0 halftime advantage. The Ravens racked up 355 yards before the break, including 255 passing yards by Jackson. Mark Andrews caught a pair of touchdown passes for Baltimore (5-2). Gus Edwards rushed for 64 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries and had an 80-yard reception.

Jahmyr Gibbs rushed for 68 yards and a touchdown and caught nine passes for 58 yards for the Lions (5-2), who had their four-game winning streak snapped. Jared Goff passed for 284 yards and was intercepted once. Amon-Ra St. Brown caught 13 passes for 102 yards.

Bears 30, Raiders 12

D’Onta Foreman rushed for two touchdowns and caught a TD pass from Tyson Bagent, who was making his first NFL start, to boost host Chicago to a win against Las Vegas.

The undrafted Bagent, from NCAA Division II Shepherd, got the best of a matchup featuring backup QBs as Chicago (2-5) secured its first victory at home since Week 3 of 2022. Bagent was 21 of 29 for 162 yards and a touchdown, and Foreman rushed 16 times for 89 yards while the Bears amassed 173 yards on the ground.

Brian Hoyer was 17 of 32 for 129 yards and two interceptions for the Raiders (3-4). Davante Adams, who earlier in the week said he wanted to be more involved in the offense after back-to-back quiet weeks, had seven catches on 12 targets for 57 yards.

Giants 14, Commanders 7

Tyrod Taylor tossed two touchdown passes and the defense held firm as New York earned a win over Washington in East Rutherford.

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In his second start for the injured Daniel Jones, Taylor went 18-for-29 passing for 279 yards. The Giants (2-5) scored on offense for the first time since Sept. 21, ending a three-game drought. Their defense racked up six sacks and Leonard Williams blocked a field goal. Darren Waller caught seven passes for 98 yards and a TD for New York, and Saquon Barkley rushed 21 times for 77 yards while adding three catches for 41 yards and a score.

Sam Howell went 22-for-42 passing for 249 yards and an interception for the Commanders (3-4), who punted 10 times and had eight three-and-outs.

Steelers 24, Rams 17

Kenny Pickett threw for 230 yards and ran for a touchdown as Pittsburgh overcame a sluggish first half to pull off a victory over Los Angeles in Inglewood, Calif.

Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris each rushed for fourth-quarter touchdowns as Pittsburgh (4-2) erased a seven-point deficit over the final 15 minutes. The Steelers won despite scoring just three first-half points and gaining 91 yards of total offense before halftime.

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford threw for 231 yards and a touchdown, while rookie Puka Nacua had eight receptions for 154 yards. Nacua delivered his fourth game of at least eight receptions and his third of at least 140 yards. Royce Freeman rushed for 66 yards on 12 carries for Los Angeles (3-4).

Seahawks 20, Cardinals 10

Geno Smith threw touchdown passes to rookies Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Jake Bobo in the first half and Seattle held on to defeat visiting Arizona.

Smith completed 18 of 24 passes for 219 yards with an interception and Kenneth Walker III rushed for 105 yards on 26 carries. The Seahawks (4-2) played without star receiver DK Metcalf because of a hip injury, but the rookies came through with four receptions apiece.

Arizona’s Joshua Dobbs was 19-of-33 passing for 146 yards. Emari Demercado rushed for 58 yards on 13 attempts and made a team-high four catches. The Cardinals (1-6) forced three turnovers — as many as Seattle had in its first five games of the season — but were only able to turn those into three points.

Broncos 19, Packers 17

Wil Lutz kicked four field goals, including the decisive 52-yarder with 3:50 remaining, to help host Denver record a victory over Green Bay.

P.J. Locke notched his first career interception with 1:40 remaining as Denver (2-5) snapped a two-game slide. Russell Wilson completed 20 of 29 passes for 194 yards and one touchdown, Courtland Sutton caught a TD pass and Javonte Williams had 96 yards from scrimmage (82 rushing, 14 receiving) for the Broncos.

Jordan Love was 21-of-31 passing for 180 yards, two touchdowns and one interception for the Packers (2-4), who lost their third straight game. Romeo Doubs and Jayden Reed had scoring catches for Green Bay.

Chiefs 31, Chargers 17

Patrick Mahomes completed 32 of 42 passes for 424 yards, four touchdowns and one interception, and Kansas City held on to beat visiting Los Angeles.

Travis Kelce finished with 12 catches for 179 yards and caught the go-ahead touchdown for the Chiefs (6-1), who won their sixth straight game. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Rashee Rice and Isiah Pacheco also caught one touchdown pass apiece.

Justin Herbert completed 17 of 30 passes for 259 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions for the Chargers (2-4). Joshua Kelley ran seven times for 75 yards and a touchdown. The teams combined for five touchdowns during a frenzied second quarter, but Kelce’s 1-yard TD with 15 seconds left put Kansas City up for good.

Eagles 31, Dolphins 17

Philly QB Jalen Hurts threw for two touchdowns and ran for a third on Sunday night as the Eagles pulled away from the visiting Miami Dolphins in the second half for a 31-17 win. Hurts, who was 23-of-31 passing for 279 yards and an interception, snapped a 17-17 tie with a 14-yard scoring strike to A.J. Brown with 15 seconds left in the third quarter. Brown, who ran through an attempted tackle around the 10-yard line, caught 10 passes for 137 yards.

–Field Level Media

DeChambeau, Crushers Take LIV

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MIAMI – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Bryson DeChambeau rolled in eight birdies on his way to a 5-under 67, powering his Crushers GC to the LIV Golf Team Championship title at Trump National Doral on Sunday in South Florida.

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DeChambeau’s top teammate was Anirban Lahiri of India, who posted the round of the day with a 7-under 65 that featured an eagle, five birdies and no bogeys. Charles Howell III (even-par 72) and Englishman Paul Casey (1-over 73) rounded out the Crushers’ final score of 11-under 277.

That was two better than RangeGoats GC, who finished second at 9-under 279 behind captain Bubba Watson’s 5-under 67.

“We’ve been wanting to win this for a long time,” DeChambeau told the TV broadcast. “Last year really left us a sour taste in our mouth and I can’t be happier with this team of mine. … They worked their butts off.”

The top four seeds — 4Aces GC, Crushers GC, Torque GC and RangeGoats GC — won in Saturday’s match-play semifinals to advance to the final round. Every player’s score counted in the final round as the four squads faced off in stroke play.

Torque, captained by Joaquin Niemann of Chile, finished third at 6-under 282. Niemann did the heavy lifting with a 6-under 66, but his three teammates averaged out to even par.

Defending champion 4Aces fell flat with a team score of even-par 288 to finish fourth. Captain Dustin Johnson had five bogeys and just two birdies for his team’s highest score, a 3-over 75. Peter Uihlein led the 4Aces with a 3-under 69.

Lahiri had an early birdie-birdie-eagle stretch at Nos. 4-6 to kickstart his round.

“I wasn’t tense at all,” Lahiri said. “I was actually really pumped up. I had a couple of Sundays (this season) where I let myself down, but I wasn’t going let them down today.”

Watson concluded his first season with LIV by going bogey-free with three birdies and an eagle for his round.

“The RangeGoats came out of nowhere,” Watson said of his team. “We played great. We gotta improve a little bit, but gosh, (to) finish second for the year, it’s a great place.”

The Team Championship concluded the second season of the Saudi-funded LIV Golf circuit. LIV’s future entering 2024 remains unclear amid the Saudi Public Investment Fund’s framework agreement with the PGA Tour and DP World Tour.

–Field Level Media

Rangers, Eovaldi Force Game 7

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HOUSTON — Texas SP Nathan Eovaldi remained unbeaten this postseason, while teammates Mitch Garver had three hits and two RBIs and Adolis Garcia socked a grand slam as the Texas Rangers defeated the host Houston Astros 9-2 in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series on Sunday.

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The Rangers squared the best-of-seven series at 3-3 and forced a decisive Game 7 on Monday by extending their road winning streak to seven games this postseason. Texas won for just the second time in 10 games when facing elimination and snapped a five-game skid in such contests.

The road team has won all six games of the ALCS. The road team won all seven games of the 2019 World Series, with the Astros falling to the Washington Nationals at Minute Maid Park.

The Rangers got a solo home run from Garver leading off the second inning and a two-run blast by Jonah Heim in the fourth to take a 3-1 lead.

Eovaldi (4-0) settled in after surrendering an RBI single to Yordan Alvarez in the bottom of the first that scored Jose Altuve. He retired the side in order in the second and fourth and worked around a pair of walks in the third before Alvarez led off the sixth with a single.

Alvarez subsequently scored on Mauricio Dubon’s sacrifice fly that cut the margin to 3-2, but Eovaldi held the line there. He departed after surrendering a one-out single to Altuve in the seventh. He was charged with two runs on five hits and three walks, and he struck out four.

The Astros finished 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position against Eovaldi and 1-for-8 overall.

Garver knotted the score at 1-1 with his opposite-field blast to right off Astros left-hander Framber Valdez (0-3). Two innings later, Valdez quickly recorded two outs before Garver singled ahead of Heim, whose two-run shot also went the opposite way to right, giving Texas a 3-1 lead.

Garver produced an RBI double in the eighth off Astros reliever Bryan Abreu, scoring Evan Carter, who reached on an infield single and stole second base.

Rangers closer Jose Leclerc then pitched out of a jam in the bottom of the eighth, getting Dubon to hit a soft liner to shortstop Corey Seager before winning an eight-pitch confrontation against pinch-hitter Jon Singleton with a strikeout to strand the bases loaded.

Garcia, who was 0-for-4 with four strikeouts and serenaded with boos during every plate appearance, blew it open with a grand slam off Astros reliever Ryne Stanek in the ninth.

–By MK Bower, Field Level Media

Big Bill Signed for Big Bucks

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FOXBORO – (Staff and Wore Service Report) – New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick signed a multi-year contract extension during the offseason, NFL Network reported Sunday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed for Belichick, whose Patriots have lost three in a row to fall to 1-5 on the season. New England has missed the playoffs in two of the past three seasons, leading to questions being raised about his future with the team.

Belichick, 71, has won six Super Bowl titles since becoming the Patriots’ head coach in 2000. The Patriots have missed the playoffs just five times in his 23 seasons prior to this campaign.

Speculation on Belichick’s future had surfaced repeatedly when New England’s record fell to 1-5.

His 299 regular-season coaching victories — accumulated with the Cleveland Browns (36) and Patriots (263) — entering Sunday’s games are third-most all-time in NFL history behind Hall of Fame members Don Shula (328) and George Halas (318).

–Field Level Media

NBA: Celtics Sign Knight, Waive Scrubb

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BOSTON – (Staff Report from Official News Release) – The Boston Celtics announced signed forward/center Nathan Knight to a two-way contract. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Knight (6-10, 253) played in 108 games with the Atlanta Hawks (2020-21) and Minnesota Timberwolves (2022-23). He owns NBA career averages of 3.7 points and 2.0 rebounds in 7.8 minutes per game while shooting 47.6 percent from the field.

The Syracuse native was a three-time Lou Henson Mid-Major All-American (2018, 2019, 2020) during his four-year colligate career at William & Mary, where he averaged 17.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 125 games. During his senior year, Knight was named the Lou Henson National Player of the Year by CollegeInsider.com, which is presented annually to the nation’s top Division I mid-major player. He was also selected as the Basketball Times National Mid-Major Player of the Year and 2020 CAA Player of the Year.

Knight attended Nottingham High School in Syracuse, New York and finished his high school career at Kimball Union Academy in Meriden, New Hampshire.

In a corresponding roster move the Celtics have waived guard Jay Scrubb.

TL’s Sunday Sports Notes | Oct 22nd

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Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass

 

By TERRY LYONS, Editor in Chief of Digital Sports Desk

FOXBORO – The Dog Day Afternoons of the NFL season are fast upon us. The anticipation of early September pro football and the heat of the Summer of 2023 are long gone. They’re in the rearview, optimism be damned, as 38% of the 2023 NFL regular season is in the books. In their place, reality has set in for the New England Patriots’ and the cruel dose of reality is accompanied by a 1-5 record, a last place position in the AFC East, a three-game losing streak and a (-80) score differential in the six games gone by.

In Week Seven, the Buffalo Bills travel to New England while the NFL schedule-makers provide the Patriots with a road trip to play the Miami Dolphins in Week Eight. New England’s one-and-five record of the morning of October 22 can easily be one-and-seven by the time All Saints Day rolls around and the only Saint you’ll need to know is St. Jude – the patron saint of lost causes as it’s ugly and it could get really ugly.

New England Coach Bill Belichick, waxing reminiscent like his famous, “On to Cincinnati” monotone retort of late September, 2014, had only a “We’re getting ready for Buffalo” message for the media and fans of the Patriots.

Belichick delivered his plan this week in much the same manner as he did when his 2-2 Patriots team of 2014 went on to Cincinnati and won seven straight and 10 of 11 games en route to a Super Bowl win over Seattle that February, his fourth of six Super Bowl titles in the 21st Century.

Except, this season, the “We’re getting ready for Buffalo” isn’t flying with the fans in Foxboro, nor Fitchburg, nor Fall River. It’s not flying in Falmouth (Mass. or Maine) and it’s not flying with fans or players anywhere near the six States encompassing New England. Rumors of Belichick’s future are flying in every direction – mostly South – and they include a report from Monday Morning QB’s Albert Breer that stated Patriots team owner Robert Kraft has been in discussion of what a “post Belichick” world would look like “for a while,” (as in weeks/months or years) he wrote.

The Dog Days will do that to coaches in the NFL, but never before to Belichick, certainly since he took over the Patriots in late January of 2000.

The Dog Days also wreak havoc on NFL players from coast-to-coast. Let us count the ways as we peruse NFL Injury Reports leading up to Sunday, Oct. 22nd.

The Buffalo Bills have been decimated by injuries decimating their defense, including defensive tackle DaQuan Jones (torn pectoral muscle), cornerback Tre’Davious White (Achilles’)-out for season, and defensive tackle Ed Oliverruled out of the game this weekend because of a toe injury. The Buffalo Bills are also missing RB Damien Harris – neck, on the injured reserve list, and leaving the rushing duties to RB James Cook.

ALSO OUT – are QB Jimmy Garoppolo – back injury (LV Raiders), QB DeShawn Watson – strained right rotor cuff (Cleveland Browns), QB Justin Fields – thumb injury (Chicago Bears).

Injured with game-time decisions to play or not to play are the SF 49ers duo of RB Christian McCaffrey – oblique and WR Deebo Samuels – shoulder. Listed as questionable is NY Giants QB Daniel Jones – neck; New England RB Rhamondre Stevenson – ankle remains questionable on a lengthy Patriots injury listing; GB Packers RB Aaron Jones – hamstring; and Seattle Seahawks WR DK Metcalf – hip.

Meanwhile, injured RB David Montgomery -ribs (Detroit Lions); RB Kyren Williams – ankle, (LA Rams); TE Pat Freiermuth – hamstring (Pittsburgh Steelers) are doubtful.

Let’s not overlook the big-name injuries earlier this season, including NY Jets QB Aaron Rodgers (Achilles’ – out for season), Cleveland Browns RB Nick Chubb (severe knee – out for season), NY Giants RB Saquon Barkley (knee – questionable after missing a month), LA Rams WR Cooper Kupp – (returned last week after missing six weeks with hamstring injury), and Cincy Bengals QB Joe Burrow (calf) has been nursing his injury all season and just getting into form in mid-October.

What does it all mean?

Injuries are a huge part of the NFL season and each club has the “next man up” mentality to replace its fallen soldiers. Often, the opportunity supplied to a reserve or practice player is enough motivation to fill the hole admirably, but more frequently on offense rather than defense. The injuries to the defensive unit of the Buffalo Bills might’ve side-tracked a Super Bowl season. In the Bills’ AFC, Kansas City remains the favorite while the Miami Dolphins continue to impress. In the NFC, San Francisco, Philadelphia, and Detroit all stand at 5-1 and will all will fight-it-out for the right to represent their conference come February. May the healthiest team advance.

HERE NOW, THE NOTES: The World Golf Hall of Fame recently announced that NBA All-Star and champion Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors will receive The Charlie Sifford Award presented by Southern Company, which honors recipients for their spirit in advancing diversity in golf. Curry receive the award on June 10, 2024, at the World Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony presented by CME Group held during the 124th U.S. Open at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club in the Village of Pinehurst – not far from Curry’s alma mater – Davidson College in North Carolina. The Charlie Sifford Award was created in 2021 to honor an individual who personifies Sifford’s groundbreaking achievements through perseverance, confidence, respect, and adaptability.

MOST MARKETABLE ATHLETES: SportsPro, a sports marketing e-News and event company with a decidedly European tone, named its 50 most marketable athletes of 2023. Not surprisingly, Lionel Messi – the great Argentine striker who “wowed” the MLS crowds backing the Inter Miami CF club this year.

Here’s the Top 20:

  1. Lionel Messi, soccer, MLS Miami
  2. Lebron James, NBA, LA Lakers
  3. Alex Morgan, USWNT
  4. Giannis Antetokounpo, NBA, Milwaukee Bucks
  5. Megan Rapinoe, USWNT (recently retired)
  6. Mikaela Shiffren, USA Alpine Ski Team
  7. Lewis Hamilton, F-1 motorsports, British/Mercedes
  8. Simone Biles, USA Gymnastics
  9. Kylian Mbappe, soccer, PSG France
  10. Max Verstrappen, F-1, Belgium/Dutch, Red Bull
  11. Novak Djokovic, tennis, Serbia
  12. Coco Gauff, tennis, USA
  13. Stephen Curry, NBA, Golden State Warriors
  14. Naomi Osaka, tennis, Japan
  15. Lucy Bronze, soccer, Britain, FC Barcelona
  16. Robert Lewandowski, soccer, Poland, FC Barcelona
  17. Leah Williamson, soccer, Britain, Arsenal
  18. Aryna Sabalenka, tennis Belarussia
  19. Angel Reese, USA, college basketball, LSU
  20. Alphonso Davies, soccer, Ghana/Canada, Bayern Munich

Some Notes Worth Considering: Eight of the Top 20 were soccer players, marketable worldwide but limited in a great degree in the USA; Three of the Top 13 were NBA players; Angel Reese is the lone American basketball player; A total of “Zero” NFL, MLB, NHL nor PGA Tour players are in Top 20 and you had to dig to No. 29 for golfer Rory McIlroy and to No. 35 to come up with KC Chiefs TE Travis Kelce (and, no, he was not pictured with pop star Taylor Swift) and the Top 50 revealed no MLB nor NHL players.

SILVER SCREEN: Two motion pictures featuring endurance sports will entertain us from now through the Christmas holidays. Starring Annette Bening and Jodi Foster, NYAD dives into the story of Diana Nyad and her triumphs, friendships, and her will to dig deep into the human spirit. The movie is available via Netflix. … With a promotional lift in Boston via The Head of the Charles Regatta, another spectacular endurance story, entitled, “The Boys in the Boat” is an inspirational drama based on The New York Times’ No. 1 best selling non-fiction novel written by Daniel James Brown in 2013. The film, directed by George Clooney, is about the 1936 University of Washington rowing team that competed for gold at the ‘36 Summer Olympics in Berlin. The movie reflects the true story of a group of underdogs at the height of the Great Depression as they are thrust into the spotlight and take on elite rivals from around the world as Nazi Germany surfaces beneath the Olympic flame. The movie rights were once owned by the Weinstein Group, but with Harvey Weinstein serving a life sentence behind bars, the rights were eventually acquired by Lantern Entertainment of Dallas who chose Clooney to direct. You heard it here first, watch NYAD on Netflix and find time to head to a movie theatre near you to see “The Boys in the Boat.” … Get the “Inside Look.”

Then, maybe, head out to Las Vegas and catch U2 performing at The Sphere where Van den Berg is filling-in for Larry Mullen, Jr. while the longtime U2 drummer, 61, recovers from undisclosed surgery with plans to return to the band. The price of a floor ticket for U2 is averaging $956.

TIDBITS: Former Celtics champion and basketball HOFer Kevin Garnett’s Big Ticket Sports is planning a joint-venture with Pro League Network to create str33t, a new 3×3 pro streetball-style basketball league. Str33t’s first series is expected to launch in early 2024, ahead of the Paris Games, which marks the second Olympics 3×3 basketball will be contested as an Olympic sport. … The league and USA Basketball’s efforts toward the Paris Olympics are not connected.

BREAKING GOOD? – Breaking is the only sport making its debut at Paris 2024. At the Paris 2024 Games, the breaking competition will comprise two events – one for men and one for women – where 16 B-Boys and 16 B-Girls will go face to face in solo battles. Athletes will use a combination of moves and improvise to the beat of the DJ’s tracks. Breaking made its Youth Olympic debut at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires in 2018. … Sport climbing, surfing, and skateboarding were also selected by the IOC as demonstration sports for the 2024 Olympic Games.

PITINO EXHIBITION “W”in DOUBLE OT: St. John’s defeated Rutgers, 89-78, in double-overtime of the charity exhibition game, the Dick Vitale Pediatric Cancer Research Fund at the V Foundation. … St. John’s Nahiem Alleyne buried a game-tying 3-pointer at the buzzer to force double-overtime. He led all scorers with 19 points on Saturday at Carnesecca Arena. It was new coach Rick Pitino’s first game as St John’s head coach, but the “W” won’t count in the record books.

PGA: Morikawa Ends Two-Year Drought

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CHIBA – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Collin Morikawa entered Sunday’s final round at the Zozo Championship in Japan, two shots behind leader Justin Suh. When it was all over, Morikawa turned the deficit into a six-stroke victory, shooting a 63 at the Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club to win his first title since 2021.

“Would have had to play, as it turns out, really well today to win,” said Beau Hossler, whose 70 was good enough for a tie with Eric Cole for second place at 8-under 272 for the tournament. “And that’s what champions do, right? Collin’s a proven champion on the biggest stages, so kudos to him.”

Morikawa’s Sunday round started with four birdies on the front nine. Suh, playing in the group behind Morikawa, countered with three bogeys, and by the time he made the turn, Morikawa had vaulted into the lead.

Morikawa’s bogey-free 63 was the lowest final-round score to win the Zozo in tournament history. His 14-under finish and six-stroke win was the biggest margin of victory in tournament history, besting Hideki Matsuyama’s five-stroke win in 2021.

“The game felt really good,” Morikawa said. “… Everything just kind of clicked, and we were able to not make any errors really, make the par putts when needed, and it was nice to finish off that front nine with a birdie on 8 and 9.”

Morikawa’s last PGA Tour win came at The Open Championship in 2021. Sunday’s win was his first overall since the 2021 DP World Tour Championship.

“It feels incredible,” he said of his sixth PGA Tour title. “Every win’s so different, and every experience, whether it’s winning or losing, you learn a lot, but this one just meant the world.”

Cole and Hossler entered the round tied for second at 8-under and both shot par 70 on Sunday to finish in the same spot. .

Robby Shelton fired his second 65 of the tournament — he also opened with a 65 — to move into a fourth-place tie with Japan’s Ryo Ishikawa (67). Americans took four of the first five places.

Another American, Suh, held his first-ever 54-hole lead but struggled throughout the round on Sunday with six bogeys and only two birdies. His 74 left him at 5-under for the tournament and in a tie for 10th.

Morikawa pocketed $1.53 million on Sunday. Perhaps more importantly, he walked away with both a sense of satisfaction and relief after the two-year winless drought.

“It feels so good, I can’t even explain it,” Morikawa said of his sixth PGA Tour win. “I knew I was going to get here at some point. It’s like getting your first win, your first major.”

–Field Level Media