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Archives for May 2024

Mystik Dan Prays for Rain

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BALTIMORE – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Already aided when the morning-line favorite was scratched from the Preakness this week, Mystik Dan’s stable is praying for rain. Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan slid into the favorite slot when Muth, a winner by six lengths over third-place Mystik Dan in the Arkansas Derby, spiked a fever on his second day at Pimlico and bowed out of the second leg of the Triple Crown.

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Now trainer Kenny McPeek and former jockey Robby Albarado are running the champion in fair conditions in Baltimore wondering if wet weather in the weekend forecast might also bend the odds further in Mystik Dan’s favor.

“I’m doing a rain dance all this week,” Albarado said. “I’m not saying he has to take a racetrack with him, but we know he gets over it well.”

Albarado, now a jockey agent, compared the running style on a sloppy track of Mystik Dan to 2007 Preakness winner Curlin.

“He feels good on all tracks, but there’s something about this that he just gets over (mud and sloppy courses) easy,” Albarado said. “On a muddy track, Curlin would just maul them. He got over it like glass … like an ice skater. This horse is similar getting over it the same type of way. It’s definitely not a disadvantage for him.”

Brian Hernandez Jr., a friend of Albarado, will be back aboard Mystik Dan on Saturday after winning at Churchill Downs in a photo finish. He spent Thursday at Churchill Downs working out Kentucky Oaks winner Thorpedo Anna. He also was in attendance across town at the PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club.

The Derby weekend sweep wasn’t the first of its kind for McPeek and Hernandez Jr. They pulled the double at Oaklawn with Mystik Dan sprinting far ahead of the field on a rain-soaked track to claim the Southwest Stakes by eight lengths on Feb. 3.

Justify, a Baffert-trained horse, was the last to win the Kentucky Derby and Preakness in 2018.

Two other Derby entries are in the Preakness field: fourth-place finisher Catching Freedom and Just Steel, who ran 17th.

–Field Level Media

Panthers Send Bruins to Early Summer

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BOSTON – Florida’s Gustav Forsling’s rebound goal with 1:33 left in regulation lifted the visiting Panthers to a 2-1, series-clinching win over the host Bruins in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Friday.

Anton Lundell had his initial shot stopped by Boston goaltender Jeremy Swayman (26 saves), but from the left side Forsling slipped the loose puck inside the near post for the deciding goal.

Lundell finished with a goal and an assist after scoring the tying tally at 12:44 of the second, helping the Panthers to their sixth straight playoff win at TD Garden.

Pavel Zacha scored Boston’s lone goal.

Sergei Bobrovsky made 22 saves for Florida, including nine in the third period.

Bruins captain Brad Marchand returned to the lineup following a two-game absence due to an upper-body injury.

After the Bruins were unable to clear a shot blocked by Jake DeBrusk, Lundell picked up a loose puck in the slot and unleashed a dart to beat Swayman and tie the game at 12:44 of the middle frame.

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A rollercoaster first period saw the Bruins post the first four shots on goal before a span of 14:11 without one, but Zacha buried the opening goal — the first of his 25-game playoff career — with 52.8 seconds left to make it 1-0.

DeBrusk continued his strong playmaking run with a dish off the neutral zone wall to spring Zacha for the breakaway, which he brought to his backhand and slipped under the crossbar.

Bobrovsky came up with several key saves in the second period that allowed his Panthers to tie the game, including denying Justin Brazeau’s one-timer on the same shift as Lundell’s goal.

Florida looked to take a 2-1 lead in the opening minute of the third. Brandon Montour took a slapper from the right point that Swayman initially thought beat him through the five-hole, but the Boston netminder had the puck behind his pads after it clanked off the post.

Bobrovsky made another important stop eight minutes into the final frame, holding both posts to keep out Charlie McAvoy’s driving attempt to the crease.

Neither team could cash in on a power-play attempt late in the third period, which included 22 overlapping seconds of 4-on-4.

–Field Level Media

Seize the Grey Takes Preakness

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BALTIMORE – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Seize the Grey led gate to wire, holding off a charge from Mystik Dan to capture the 149th Preakness Stakes on Saturday at Pimlico Race Course.

Over a muddy track, Seize the Grey broke swiftly under jockey Jaime Torres and led the field out to sensible fractions. Seeking to replicate the ride that led Mystik Dan to the Kentucky Derby two weeks earlier, jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. had his mount in an early ground-saving position stalking the early pace with Imagination to the outside.

When the field hit the far turn, Seize the Grey moved on the rail, forcing Mystik Dan to his outside. Now having the ground saving position, Seize the Gray opened up a gap, which Mystik Dan failed to close at the head of the stretch. The winning time for the 1 3/16-mile race was 1:56.82.

Mystik Dan finished 2 1/4 lengths back of Seize the Gray. His loss extends the current Triple Crown drought to six years. Catching Freedom finished third.

Seize the Grey’s win made the 88-year-old D. Wayne Lucas the oldest trainer in history to win a Triple Crown race. Conversely, Torres won in his first Triple Crown start.

–Field Level Media

Red Sox Face Cards for 3-Game Set

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ST. LOUIS – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – After losing three of their past four games at home, the Boston Red Sox will try to regroup on their six-game road swing. That journey begins when they open a three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday night.

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The Red Sox are coming off a 7-5 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday night in one their best offensive games of the month. Jarren Duran (3-for-5, homer, two doubles, two runs) and Rafael Devers (2-for-4, homer, two runs) led the attack. Devers has hit a homer in consecutive games while Duran is 5-for-8 with four doubles and three runs in his past two outings.

But since May 2, the Red Sox have scored three or fewer runs nine times. They went 4-9 during that period to fall further off the pace in the American League East.

The Red Sox will open the series with starting pitcher Brayan Bello (4-1, 3.13 ERA), who came off the 15-day injured list to earn a 3-2 victory over the Washington Nationals in his most recent start. He allowed those two runs on four hits over five innings while striking out one and walking two.

“For his first one coming out of the IL? Good,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “Gave us five, two runs. So now he’ll be ready for the next one.”

Right lat tightness had knocked Bello out of the starting rotation for a few turns.

“Feels good to be back, feels good to help the team win and also it feels good that a lot of good things are happening for us right now,” Bello told reporters through the team interpreter. “A lot of guys are coming back, so it feels really nice.”

This will be his first career appearance against the Cardinals, who have lost 10 of their past 14 games.

St. Louis will counter with starting pitcher Kyle Gibson (2-2, 3.67). He received a pair of no-decisions over his past two starts, allowing five runs (four earned) on 10 hits in 11 innings.

Gibson struck out 11 and walked six in those games. He didn’t receive much in terms of run support, which has been a persistent problem for St. Louis this season.

During their 7-2 loss to the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday, the Cardinals were 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position. They went 11-for-73 while posting a 3-4 record on their trip against the Milwaukee Brewers and Angels.

Still, St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol said he believes his team is in a better place ahead of this Boston series after taking two of three from the Angels.

“Road trip started in a bad way,” Marmol said Wednesday in Anaheim Calif. “Look at how those first games, especially that second game in Milwaukee (an 11-2 loss last Friday). They weren’t good at all. The third game (a 5-3 loss last Saturday) I actually felt like we got beat. We didn’t beat ourselves. And that was the turning point for how the rest of the series went in Milwaukee and how the first two games went here. Feel good going back home. Really do.

“We’re in a much better spot. All areas of the game look like they’re supposed to right now. The offense is starting to click. And that’s what we’ve been missing. It feels right.”

Gibson is 4-4 with a 3.41 ERA in 10 career starts against the Red Sox.

–Field Level Media

NFL Releases 2024 Schedule

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NEW YORK – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – The Kansas City Chiefs will open the season with a difficult one-two punch as they seek their third Super Bowl championship in a row.

The NFL released its full regular-season schedule on Wednesday night, when the Chiefs got a full look at the challenges in store for them in 2024. They will face Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens in the NFL’s “Kickoff Game” on Sept. 5, and one week later they will play a Cincinnati Bengals team that has beaten them in six of the past eight regular-season meetings.

Plenty of other tests await the Chiefs, such as a road contest on Oct. 20 against the San Francisco 49ers in a rematch of last season’s Super Bowl.

In other highlights from the schedule release, Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets learned that they will be in prime time six times this season. The Jets’ national slate includes a Week 1 matchup against the 49ers on “Monday Night Football,” another Monday night matchup in Week 6 against the Buffalo Bills, and a Week 9 game against the Houston Texans on Amazon’s Thursday night schedule.

Rodgers and the Jets also will travel to London, where they will kick off against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 5 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The league’s international schedule includes four other matchups. The Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles will face off on Sept. 6 in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in what will be the NFL’s first regular-season game to be played in South America.

Two more London games feature the Jacksonville Jaguars vs. the Chicago Bears on Oct. 13 and the New England Patriots vs. the Jaguars on Oct. 20, and the final international game showcases the New York Giants vs. the Carolina Panthers on Nov. 10 in Munich, Germany.

The NFL again will play three games on Thanksgiving. The action starts with No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams and the Bears visiting the Detroit Lions, and it continues with a midafternoon matchup between the Giants and Dallas Cowboys. The nightcap features the Miami Dolphins at Green Bay.

One day later, on “Black Friday,” the Las Vegas Raiders will visit Kansas City. This marks the second year that the NFL has broadcast a game on the day after Thanksgiving.

On Dec. 8, Kirk Cousins will visit a familiar environment when his Atlanta Falcons travel to play the Vikings. Cousins left Minnesota during free agency in the offseason to sign with the Falcons, who guaranteed him $100 million and surprised him weeks later by selecting fellow quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with their first-round draft pick.

The schedule also includes a pair of games on Christmas Day, a Wednesday, that will air on Netflix — a first-time broadcast partnership for the NFL. The streaming service will feature the Chiefs vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Ravens vs. the Texans.

“We couldn’t be more excited to be the first professional sports league to partner with Netflix to bring live games to fans around the world,” said Hans Schroeder, NFL’s executive vice president of media distribution.

–Field Level Media

 

Filed Under: NFL

NFL Team-by-Team Schedules

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NFL team-by-team 2024 schedules. All times ET

Arizona Cardinals 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, at Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m.
Sept. 15, vs. Los Angeles Rams, 4:05 p.m.
Sept. 22, vs. Detroit Lions, 4:25 p.m.
Sept. 29, vs. Washington Commanders, 4:05 p.m.
Oct. 6, at San Francisco 49ers, 4:05 p.m.
Oct. 13, at Green Bay Packers, 1 p.m.
Oct. 21 (Mon), vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 9 p.m.
Oct. 27, at Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m.
Nov. 3, vs. Chicago Bears, 4:05 p.m.
Nov. 10, vs. New York Jets, 4:25 p.m.
Nov. 24, at Seattle Seahawks, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 1, at Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m.
Dec. 8, vs. Seattle Seahawks, 4:05 p.m.
Dec. 15, vs. New England Patriots, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 22, at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m.
Dec. 29, at Los Angeles Rams, time TBA
Jan. 5, vs. San Francisco 49ers, time TBA

Atlanta Falcons 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m.
Sept. 16 (Mon), at Philadelphia Eagles, 8:15 p.m.
Sept. 22, vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 8:20 p.m.
Sept. 29, vs. New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m.
Oct. 3 (Thu), vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 8:15 p.m.
Oct. 13, at Carolina Panthers, 4:25 p.m.
Oct. 20, vs. Seattle Seahawks, 1 p.m.
Oct. 27, at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m.
Nov. 3, vs. Dallas Cowboys, 1 p.m.
Nov. 10, at New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m.
Nov. 17, at Denver Broncos, 4:05 p.m.
Dec. 1, vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 1 p.m.
Dec. 8, at Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m.
Dec. 16 (Mon), at Las Vegas Raiders, 8:30 p.m.
Dec. 22, vs. New York Giants, 1 p.m.
Dec. 29, at Washington Commanders, time TBA
Jan. 5, vs. Carolina Panthers, time TBA

Baltimore Ravens 2024 Schedule
Sept. 5 (Thu), at Kansas City Chiefs, 8:20 p.m.
Sept. 15, vs. Las Vegas Raiders, 1 p.m.
Sept. 22, at Dallas Cowboys, 4:25 p.m.
Sept. 29, vs. Buffalo Bills, 8:20 p.m.
Oct. 6, at Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m.
Oct. 13, vs. Washington Commanders, 1 p.m.
Oct. 21 (Mon), at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 8:15 p.m.
Oct. 27, at Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m.
Nov. 3, vs. Denver Broncos, 1 p.m.
Nov. 7 (Thu), vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 8:15 p.m.
Nov. 17, at Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m.
Nov. 25 (Mon), at Los Angeles Chargers, 8:15 p.m.
Dec. 1, vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 15, at New York Giants, 1 p.m.
Dec. 21 (Sat), vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 4:30 p.m.
Dec. 25 (Wed), at Houston Texans, 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 5, vs. Cleveland Browns, time TBA

Buffalo Bills 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, vs. Arizona Cardinals, 1 p.m.
Sept. 12 (Thu), at Miami Dolphins, 8:15 p.m.
Sept. 23 (Mon), vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 29, at Baltimore Ravens, 8:20 p.m.
Oct. 6, at Houston Texans, 1 p.m.
Oct. 14 (Mon), at New York Jets, 8:15 p.m.
Oct. 20, vs. Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m.
Oct. 27, at Seattle Seahawks, 4:05 p.m.
Nov. 3, vs. Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m.
Nov. 10, at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m.
Nov. 17, vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 1, vs. San Francisco 49ers, 8:20 p.m.
Dec. 8, at Los Angeles Rams, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 15, at Detroit Lions, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 22, vs. New England Patriots, 1 p.m.
Dec. 29, vs. New York Jets, 1 p.m.
Jan. 5, at New England Patriots, time TBA

Carolina Panthers 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, at New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m.
Sept. 15, vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 1 p.m.
Sept. 22, at Las Vegas Raiders, 4:05 p.m.
Sept. 29, vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m.
Oct. 6, at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m.
Oct. 13, vs. Atlanta Falcons, 4:25 p.m.
Oct. 20, at Washington Commanders, 4:05 p.m.
Oct. 27, at Denver Broncos, 4:25 p.m.
Nov. 3, vs. New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m.
Nov. 10, vs. New York Giants, 9:30 am
Nov. 24, vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 1 p.m.
Dec. 1, vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 4:05 p.m.
Dec. 8, at Philadelphia Eagles, 1 p.m.
Dec. 15, vs. Dallas Cowboys, 1 p.m.
Dec. 22, vs. Arizona Cardinals, 1 p.m.
Dec. 29, at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m.
Jan. 5, at Atlanta Falcons, time TBA

Chicago Bears 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, vs. Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m.
Sept. 15, at Houston Texans, 8:20 p.m.
Sept. 22, at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m.
Sept. 29, vs. Los Angeles Rams, 1 p.m.
Oct. 6, vs. Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m.
Oct. 13, vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 9:30 am
Oct. 27, at Washington Commanders, 1 p.m.
Nov. 3, at Arizona Cardinals, 4:05 p.m.
Nov. 10, vs. New England Patriots, 1 p.m.
Nov. 17, vs. Green Bay Packers, 1 p.m.
Nov. 24, vs. Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m.
Nov. 28 (Thu), at Detroit Lions, 12:30 p.m.
Dec. 8, at San Francisco 49ers, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 16 (Mon), at Minnesota Vikings, 8 p.m.
Dec. 22, vs. Detroit Lions, 1 p.m.
Dec. 26 (Thu), vs. Seattle Seahawks, 8:15 p.m.
Jan. 5, at Green Bay Packers, time TBA

Cincinnati Bengals 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, vs. New England Patriots, 1 p.m.
Sept. 15, at Kansas City Chiefs, 4:25 p.m.
Sept. 23 (Mon), vs. Wash Commanders, 8:15 p.m.
Sept. 29, at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m.
Oct. 6, vs. Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m.
Oct. 13, at New York Giants, 8:20 p.m.
Oct. 20, at Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m.
Oct. 27, vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 4:25 p.m.
Nov. 3, vs. Las Vegas Raiders, 1 p.m.
Nov. 7 (Thu), at Baltimore Ravens, 8:15 p.m.
Nov. 17, at Los Angeles Chargers, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 1, vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m.
Dec. 9 (Mon), at Dallas Cowboys, 8:15 p.m.
Dec. 15, at Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m.
Dec. 19 (Thu), vs. Cleveland Browns, 8:15 p.m.
Dec. 29, vs. Denver Broncos, time TBA
Jan. 5, at Pittsburgh Steelers, time TBA

Cleveland Browns 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, vs. Dallas Cowboys, 4:25 p.m.
Sept. 15, at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m.
Sept. 22, vs. New York Giants, 1 p.m.
Sept. 29, at Las Vegas Raiders, 4:25 p.m.
Oct. 6, at Washington Commanders, 1 p.m.
Oct. 13, at Philadelphia Eagles, 1 p.m.
Oct. 20, vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m.
Oct. 27, vs. Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m.
Nov. 3, vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 1 p.m.
Nov. 17, at New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m.
Nov. 21 (Thu), vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 8:15 p.m.
Dec. 2 (Mon), at Denver Broncos, 8:15 p.m.
Dec. 8, at Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m.
Dec. 15, vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 1 p.m.
Dec. 19 (Thu), at Cincinnati Bengals, 8:15 p.m.
Dec. 29, vs. Miami Dolphins, 8:20 p.m.
Jan. 5, at Baltimore Ravens, time TBA

Dallas Cowboys 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, at Cleveland Browns, 4:25 p.m.
Sept. 15, vs. New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m.
Sept. 22, vs. Baltimore Ravens, 4:25 p.m.
Sept. 26 (Thu), at New York Giants, 8:15 p.m.
Oct. 6, at Pittsburgh Steelers, 8:20 p.m.
Oct. 13, vs. Detroit Lions, 4:25 p.m.
Oct. 27, at San Francisco 49ers, 8:20 p.m.
Nov. 3, at Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m.
Nov. 10, vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 4:25 p.m.
Nov. 18 (Mon), vs. Houston Texans, 8:15 p.m.
Nov. 24, at Washington Commanders, 1 p.m.
Nov. 28 (Thu), vs. New York Giants, 4:30 p.m.
Dec. 9 (Mon), vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 8:15 p.m.
Dec. 15, at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m.
Dec. 22, vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 8:20 p.m.
Dec. 29, at Philadelphia Eagles, 4:25 p.m.
Jan. 5, vs. Washington Commanders, time TBA

Denver Broncos 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, at Seattle Seahawks, 4:05 p.m.
Sept. 15, vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 4:25 p.m.
Sept. 22, at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m.
Sept. 29, at New York Jets, 1 p.m.
Oct. 6, vs. Las Vegas Raiders, 4:05 p.m.
Oct. 13, vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 4:05 p.m.
Oct. 17 (Thu), at New Orleans Saints, 8:15 p.m.
Oct. 27, vs. Carolina Panthers, 4:25 p.m.
Nov. 3, at Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m.
Nov. 10, at Kansas City Chiefs, 1 p.m.
Nov. 17, vs. Atlanta Falcons, 4:05 p.m.
Nov. 24, at Las Vegas Raiders, 4:05 p.m.
Dec. 2 (Mon), vs. Cleveland Browns, 8:15 p.m.
Dec. 15, vs. Indianapolis Colts, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 22, at Los Angeles Chargers, 4:05 p.m.
Dec. 29, at Cincinnati Bengals, time TBA
Jan. 5, vs. Kansas City Chiefs, time TBA

Detroit Lions 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, vs. Los Angeles Rams, 8:20 p.m.
Sept. 15, vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m.
Sept. 22, at Arizona Cardinals, 4:25 p.m.
Sept. 30 (Mon), vs. Seattle Seahawks, 8:15 p.m.
Oct. 13, at Dallas Cowboys, 4:25 p.m.
Oct. 20, at Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m.
Oct. 27, vs. Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m.
Nov. 3, at Green Bay Packers, 4:25 p.m.
Nov. 10, at Houston Texans, 8:20 p.m.
Nov. 17, vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m.
Nov. 24, at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m.
Nov. 28 (Thu), vs. Chicago Bears, 12:30 p.m.
Dec. 5 (Thu), vs. Green Bay Packers, 8:15 p.m.
Dec. 15, vs. Buffalo Bills, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 22, at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m.
Dec. 30 (Mon), at San Francisco 49ers, 8:15 p.m.
Jan. 5, vs. Minnesota Vikings, time TBA

Green Bay Packers 2024 Schedule
Sept. 6 (Fri), at Philadelphia Eagles, 8:15 p.m.
Sept. 15, vs. Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m.
Sept. 22, at Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m.
Sept. 29, vs. Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m.
Oct. 6, at Los Angeles Rams, 4:25 p.m.
Oct. 13, vs. Arizona Cardinals, 1 p.m.
Oct. 20, vs. Houston Texans, 1 p.m.
Oct. 27, at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m.
Nov. 3, vs. Detroit Lions, 4:25 p.m.
Nov. 17, at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m.
Nov. 24, vs. San Francisco 49ers, 4:25 p.m.
Nov. 28 (Thu), vs. Miami Dolphins, 8:20 p.m.
Dec. 5 (Thu), at Detroit Lions, 8:15 p.m.
Dec. 15, at Seattle Seahawks, 8:20 p.m.
Dec. 23 (Mon), vs. New Orleans Saints, 8:15 p.m.
Dec. 29, at Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m.
Jan. 5, vs. Chicago Bears, time TBA

Houston Texans 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m.
Sept. 15, vs. Chicago Bears, 8:20 p.m.
Sept. 22, at Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m.
Sept. 29, vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m.
Oct. 6, vs. Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m.
Oct. 13, at New England Patriots, 1 p.m.
Oct. 20, at Green Bay Packers, 1 p.m.
Oct. 27, vs. Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m.
Oct. 31 (Thu), at New York Jets, 8:15 p.m.
Nov. 10, vs. Detroit Lions, 8:20 p.m.
Nov. 18 (Mon), at Dallas Cowboys, 8:15 p.m.
Nov. 24, vs. Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m.
Dec. 1, at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m.
Dec. 15, vs. Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m.
Dec. 21 (Sat), at Kansas City Chiefs, 1 p.m.
Dec. 25 (Wed), vs. Baltimore Ravens, 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 5, at Tennessee Titans, time TBA

Indianapolis Colts 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, vs. Houston Texans, 1 p.m.
Sept. 15, at Green Bay Packers, 1 p.m.
Sept. 22, vs. Chicago Bears, 1 p.m.
Sept. 29, vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m.
Oct. 6, at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m.
Oct. 13, at Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m.
Oct. 20, vs. Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m.
Oct. 27, at Houston Texans, 1 p.m.
Nov. 3, at Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m.
Nov. 10, vs. Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m.
Nov. 17, at New York Jets, 8:20 p.m.
Nov. 24, vs. Detroit Lions, 1 p.m.
Dec. 1, at New England Patriots, 1 p.m.
Dec. 15, at Denver Broncos, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 22, vs. Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m.
Dec. 29, at New York Giants, time TBA
Jan. 5, vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, time TBA

Jacksonville Jaguars 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, at Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m.
Sept. 15, vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m.
Sept. 23 (Mon), at Buffalo Bills, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 29, at Houston Texans, 1 p.m.
Oct. 6, vs. Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m.
Oct. 13, at Chicago Bears, 9:30 am
Oct. 20, vs. New England Patriots, 9:30 am
Oct. 27, vs. Green Bay Packers, 1 p.m.
Nov. 3, at Philadelphia Eagles, 8:20 p.m.
Nov. 10, vs. Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m.
Nov. 17, at Detroit Lions, 1 p.m.
Dec. 1, vs. Houston Texans, 1 p.m.
Dec. 8, at Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m.
Dec. 15, vs. New York Jets, 1 p.m.
Dec. 22, at Las Vegas Raiders, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 29, vs. Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m.
Jan. 5, at Indianapolis Colts, time TBA

Kansas City Chiefs 2024 Schedule
Sept. 5 (Thu), vs. Baltimore Ravens, 8:20 p.m.
Sept. 15, vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 4:25 p.m.
Sept. 22, at Atlanta Falcons, 8:20 p.m.
Sept. 29, at Los Angeles Chargers, 4:25 p.m.
Oct. 7 (Mon), vs. New Orleans Saints, 8:15 p.m.
Oct. 20, at San Francisco 49ers, 4:25 p.m.
Oct. 27, at Las Vegas Raiders, 4:25 p.m.
Nov. 4 (Mon), vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 8:15 p.m.
Nov. 10, vs. Denver Broncos, 1 p.m.
Nov. 17, at Buffalo Bills, 4:25 p.m.
Nov. 24, at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m.
Nov. 29 (Fri), vs. Las Vegas Raiders, 3 p.m.
Dec. 8, vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 8:20 p.m.
Dec. 15, at Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m.
Dec. 21 (Sat), vs. Houston Texans, 1 p.m.
Dec. 25 (Wed), at Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m.
Jan. 5, at Denver Broncos, time TBA

Las Vegas Raiders 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, at Los Angeles Chargers, 4:05 p.m.
Sept. 15, at Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m.
Sept. 22, vs. Carolina Panthers, 4:05 p.m.
Sept. 29, vs. Cleveland Browns, 4:25 p.m.
Oct. 6, at Denver Broncos, 4:05 p.m.
Oct. 13, vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 4:05 p.m.
Oct. 20, at Los Angeles Rams, 4:05 p.m.
Oct. 27, vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 4:25 p.m.
Nov. 3, at Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m.
Nov. 17, at Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m.
Nov. 24, vs. Denver Broncos, 4:05 p.m.
Nov. 29 (Fri), at Kansas City Chiefs, 3 p.m.
Dec. 8, at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m.
Dec. 16 (Mon), vs. Atlanta Falcons, 8:30 p.m.
Dec. 22, vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 29, at New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m.
Jan. 5, vs. Los Angeles Chargers, time TBA

Los Angeles Chargers 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, vs. Las Vegas Raiders, 4:05 p.m.
Sept. 15, at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m.
Sept. 22, at Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m.
Sept. 29, vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 4:25 p.m.
Oct. 13, at Denver Broncos, 4:05 p.m.
Oct. 21 (Mon), at Arizona Cardinals, 9 p.m.
Oct. 27, vs. New Orleans Saints, 4:05 p.m.
Nov. 3, at Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m.
Nov. 10, vs. Tennessee Titans, 4:05 p.m.
Nov. 17, vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 4:25 p.m.
Nov. 25 (Mon), vs. Baltimore Ravens, 8:15 p.m.
Dec. 1, at Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m.
Dec. 8, at Kansas City Chiefs, 8:20 p.m.
Dec. 15, vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 22, vs. Denver Broncos, 4:05 p.m.
Dec. 29, at New England Patriots, time TBA
Jan. 5, at Las Vegas Raiders, time TBA

Los Angeles Rams 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, at Detroit Lions, 8:20 p.m.
Sept. 15, at Arizona Cardinals, 4:05 p.m.
Sept. 22, vs. San Francisco 49ers, 4:25 p.m.
Sept. 29, at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m.
Oct. 6, vs. Green Bay Packers, 4:25 p.m.
Oct. 20, vs. Las Vegas Raiders, 4:05 p.m.
Oct. 24 (Thu), vs. Minnesota Vikings, 8:15 p.m.
Nov. 3, at Seattle Seahawks, 4:25 p.m.
Nov. 11 (Mon), vs. Miami Dolphins, 8:15 p.m.
Nov. 17, at New England Patriots, 1 p.m.
Nov. 24, vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 8:20 p.m.
Dec. 1, at New Orleans Saints, 4:05 p.m.
Dec. 8, vs. Buffalo Bills, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 12 (Thu), at San Francisco 49ers, 8:15 p.m.
Dec. 22, at New York Jets, 1 p.m.
Dec. 29, vs. Arizona Cardinals, time TBA
Jan. 5, vs. Seattle Seahawks, time TBA

Miami Dolphins 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m.
Sept. 12 (Thu), vs. Buffalo Bills, 8:15 p.m.
Sept. 22, at Seattle Seahawks, 4:05 p.m.
Sept. 30 (Mon), vs. Tennessee Titans, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 6, at New England Patriots, 1 p.m.
Oct. 20, at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m.
Oct. 27, vs. Arizona Cardinals, 1 p.m.
Nov. 3, at Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m.
Nov. 11 (Mon), at Los Angeles Rams, 8:15 p.m.
Nov. 17, vs. Las Vegas Raiders, 1 p.m.
Nov. 24, vs. New England Patriots, 1 p.m.
Nov. 28 (Thu), at Green Bay Packers, 8:20 p.m.
Dec. 8, vs. New York Jets, 1 p.m.
Dec. 15, at Houston Texans, 1 p.m.
Dec. 22, vs. San Francisco 49ers, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 29, at Cleveland Browns, 8:20 p.m.
Jan. 5, at New York Jets, time TBA

Minnesota Vikings 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, at New York Giants, 1 p.m.
Sept. 15, vs. San Francisco 49ers, 1 p.m.
Sept. 22, vs. Houston Texans, 1 p.m.
Sept. 29, at Green Bay Packers, 1 p.m.
Oct. 6, vs. New York Jets, 9:30 am
Oct. 20, vs. Detroit Lions, 1 p.m.
Oct. 24 (Thu), at Los Angeles Rams, 8:15 p.m.
Nov. 3, vs. Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m.
Nov. 10, at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m.
Nov. 17, at Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m.
Nov. 24, at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m.
Dec. 1, vs. Arizona Cardinals, 1 p.m.
Dec. 8, vs. Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m.
Dec. 16 (Mon), vs. Chicago Bears, 8 p.m.
Dec. 22, at Seattle Seahawks, 4:05 p.m.
Dec. 29, vs. Green Bay Packers, 1 p.m.
Jan. 5, at Detroit Lions, time TBA

New England Patriots 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, at Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m.
Sept. 15, vs. Seattle Seahawks, 1 p.m.
Sept. 19 (Thu), at New York Jets, 8:15 p.m.
Sept. 29, at San Francisco 49ers, 4:05 p.m.
Oct. 6, vs. Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m.
Oct. 13, vs. Houston Texans, 1 p.m.
Oct. 20, at Jacksonville Jaguars, 9:30 am
Oct. 27, vs. New York Jets, 1 p.m.
Nov. 3, at Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m.
Nov. 10, at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m.
Nov. 17, vs. Los Angeles Rams, 1 p.m.
Nov. 24, at Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m.
Dec. 1, vs. Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m.
Dec. 15, at Arizona Cardinals, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 22, at Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m.
Dec. 29, vs. Los Angeles Chargers, time TBA
Jan. 5, vs. Buffalo Bills, time TBA

New Orleans Saints 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, vs. Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m.
Sept. 15, at Dallas Cowboys, 1 p.m.
Sept. 22, vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 1 p.m.
Sept. 29, at Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m.
Oct. 7 (Mon), at Kansas City Chiefs, 8:15 p.m.
Oct. 13, vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m.
Oct. 17 (Thu), vs. Denver Broncos, 8:15 p.m.
Oct. 27, at Los Angeles Chargers, 4:05 p.m.
Nov. 3, at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m.
Nov. 10, vs. Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m.
Nov. 17, vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m.
Dec. 1, vs. Los Angeles Rams, 4:05 p.m.
Dec. 8, at New York Giants, 1 p.m.
Dec. 15, vs. Washington Commanders, 1 p.m.
Dec. 23 (Mon), at Green Bay Packers, 8:15 p.m.
Dec. 29, vs. Las Vegas Raiders, 1 p.m.
Jan. 5, at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, time TBA

New York Giants 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, vs. Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m.
Sept. 15, at Washington Commanders, 1 p.m.
Sept. 22, at Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m.
Sept. 26 (Thu), vs. Dallas Cowboys, 8:15 p.m.
Oct. 6, at Seattle Seahawks, 4:25 p.m.
Oct. 13, vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 8:20 p.m.
Oct. 20, vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 1 p.m.
Oct. 28 (Mon), at Pittsburgh Steelers, 8:15 p.m.
Nov. 3, vs. Washington Commanders, 1 p.m.
Nov. 10, at Carolina Panthers, 9:30 am
Nov. 24, vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m.
Nov. 28 (Thu), at Dallas Cowboys, 4:30 p.m.
Dec. 8, vs. New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m.
Dec. 15, vs. Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m.
Dec. 22, at Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m.
Dec. 29, vs. Indianapolis Colts, time TBA
Jan. 5, at Philadelphia Eagles, time TBA

New York Jets 2024 Schedule
Sept. 9 (Mon), at San Francisco 49ers, 8:15 p.m.
Sept. 15, at Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m.
Sept. 19 (Thu), vs. New England Patriots, 8:15 p.m.
Sept. 29, vs. Denver Broncos, 1 p.m.
Oct. 6, at Minnesota Vikings, 9:30 am
Oct. 14 (Mon), vs. Buffalo Bills, 8:15 p.m.
Oct. 20, at Pittsburgh Steelers, 8:20 p.m.
Oct. 27, at New England Patriots, 1 p.m.
Oct. 31 (Thu), vs. Houston Texans, 8:15 p.m.
Nov. 10, at Arizona Cardinals, 4:25 p.m.
Nov. 17, vs. Indianapolis Colts, 8:20 p.m.
Dec. 1, vs. Seattle Seahawks, 1 p.m.
Dec. 8, at Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m.
Dec. 15, at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m.
Dec. 22, vs. Los Angeles Rams, 1 p.m.
Dec. 29, at Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m.
Jan. 5, vs. Miami Dolphins, time TBA

Philadelphia Eagles 2024 Schedule
Sept. 6 (Fri), vs. Green Bay Packers, 8:15 p.m.
Sept. 16 (Mon), vs. Atlanta Falcons, 8:15 p.m.
Sept. 22, at New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m.
Sept. 29, at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m.
Oct. 13, vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m.
Oct. 20, at New York Giants, 1 p.m.
Oct. 27, at Cincinnati Bengals, 4:25 p.m.
Nov. 3, vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 8:20 p.m.
Nov. 10, at Dallas Cowboys, 4:25 p.m.
Nov. 14 (Thu), vs. Washington Commanders, 8:15 p.m.
Nov. 24, at Los Angeles Rams, 8:20 p.m.
Dec. 1, at Baltimore Ravens, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 8, vs. Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m.
Dec. 15, vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 22, at Washington Commanders, 1 p.m.
Dec. 29, vs. Dallas Cowboys, 4:25 p.m.
Jan. 5, vs. New York Giants, time TBA

Pittsburgh Steelers 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, at Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m.
Sept. 15, at Denver Broncos, 4:25 p.m.
Sept. 22, vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 1 p.m.
Sept. 29, at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m.
Oct. 6, vs. Dallas Cowboys, 8:20 p.m.
Oct. 13, at Las Vegas Raiders, 4:05 p.m.
Oct. 20, vs. New York Jets, 8:20 p.m.
Oct. 28 (Mon), vs. New York Giants, 8:15 p.m.
Nov. 10, at Washington Commanders, 1 p.m.
Nov. 17, vs. Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m.
Nov. 21 (Thu), at Cleveland Browns, 8:15 p.m.
Dec. 1, at Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m.
Dec. 8, vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m.
Dec. 15, at Philadelphia Eagles, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 21 (Sat), at Baltimore Ravens, 4:30 p.m.
Dec. 25 (Wed), vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 1 p.m.
Jan. 5, vs. Cincinnati Bengals, time TBA

San Francisco 49ers 2024 Schedule
Sept. 9 (Mon), vs. New York Jets, 8:15 p.m.
Sept. 15, at Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m.
Sept. 22, at Los Angeles Rams, 4:25 p.m.
Sept. 29, vs. New England Patriots, 4:05 p.m.
Oct. 6, vs. Arizona Cardinals, 4:05 p.m.
Oct. 10 (Thu), at Seattle Seahawks, 8:15 p.m.
Oct. 20, vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 4:25 p.m.
Oct. 27, vs. Dallas Cowboys, 8:20 p.m.
Nov. 10, at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m.
Nov. 17, vs. Seattle Seahawks, 4:05 p.m.
Nov. 24, at Green Bay Packers, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 1, at Buffalo Bills, 8:20 p.m.
Dec. 8, vs. Chicago Bears, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 12 (Thu), vs. Los Angeles Rams, 8:15 p.m.
Dec. 22, at Miami Dolphins, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 30 (Mon), vs. Detroit Lions, 8:15 p.m.
Jan. 5, at Arizona Cardinals, time TBA

Seattle Seahawks 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, vs. Denver Broncos, 4:05 p.m.
Sept. 15, at New England Patriots, 1 p.m.
Sept. 22, vs. Miami Dolphins, 4:05 p.m.
Sept. 30 (Mon), at Detroit Lions, 8:15 p.m.
Oct. 6, vs. New York Giants, 4:25 p.m.
Oct. 10 (Thu), vs. San Francisco 49ers, 8:15 p.m.
Oct. 20, at Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m.
Oct. 27, vs. Buffalo Bills, 4:05 p.m.
Nov. 3, vs. Los Angeles Rams, 4:25 p.m.
Nov. 17, at San Francisco 49ers, 4:05 p.m.
Nov. 24, vs. Arizona Cardinals, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 1, at New York Jets, 1 p.m.
Dec. 8, at Arizona Cardinals, 4:05 p.m.
Dec. 15, vs. Green Bay Packers, 8:20 p.m.
Dec. 22, vs. Minnesota Vikings, 4:05 p.m.
Dec. 26 (Thu), at Chicago Bears, 8:15 p.m.
Jan. 5, at Los Angeles Rams, time TBA

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, vs. Washington Commanders, 4:25 p.m.
Sept. 15, at Detroit Lions, 1 p.m.
Sept. 22, vs. Denver Broncos, 1 p.m.
Sept. 29, vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 1 p.m.
Oct. 3 (Thu), at Atlanta Falcons, 8:15 p.m.
Oct. 13, at New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m.
Oct. 21 (Mon), vs. Baltimore Ravens, 8:15 p.m.
Oct. 27, vs. Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m.
Nov. 4 (Mon), at Kansas City Chiefs, 8:15 p.m.
Nov. 10, vs. San Francisco 49ers, 1 p.m.
Nov. 24, at New York Giants, 1 p.m.
Dec. 1, at Carolina Panthers, 4:05 p.m.
Dec. 8, vs. Las Vegas Raiders, 1 p.m.
Dec. 15, at Los Angeles Chargers, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 22, at Dallas Cowboys, 8:20 p.m.
Dec. 29, vs. Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m.
Jan. 5, vs. New Orleans Saints, time TBA

Tennessee Titans 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m.
Sept. 15, vs. New York Jets, 1 p.m.
Sept. 22, vs. Green Bay Packers, 1 p.m.
Sept. 30 (Mon), at Miami Dolphins, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 13, vs. Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m.
Oct. 20, at Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m.
Oct. 27, at Detroit Lions, 1 p.m.
Nov. 3, vs. New England Patriots, 1 p.m.
Nov. 10, at Los Angeles Chargers, 4:05 p.m.
Nov. 17, vs. Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m.
Nov. 24, at Houston Texans, 1 p.m.
Dec. 1, at Washington Commanders, 1 p.m.
Dec. 8, vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m.
Dec. 15, vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m.
Dec. 22, at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m.
Dec. 29, at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m.
Jan. 5, vs. Houston Texans, time TBA

Washington Commanders 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 4:25 p.m.
Sept. 15, vs. New York Giants, 1 p.m.
Sept. 23 (Mon), at Cincinnati Bengals, 8:15 p.m.
Sept. 29, at Arizona Cardinals, 4:05 p.m.
Oct. 6, vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m.
Oct. 13, at Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m.
Oct. 20, vs. Carolina Panthers, 4:05 p.m.
Oct. 27, vs. Chicago Bears, 1 p.m.
Nov. 3, at New York Giants, 1 p.m.
Nov. 10, vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m.
Nov. 14 (Thu), at Philadelphia Eagles, 8:15 p.m.
Nov. 24, vs. Dallas Cowboys, 1 p.m.
Dec. 1, vs. Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m.
Dec. 15, at New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m.
Dec. 22, vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 1 p.m.
Dec. 29, vs. Atlanta Falcons, time TBA
Jan. 5, at Dallas Cowboys, time TBA

Celtics Eliminate Cavaliers

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BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Boston’s center Al Horford had 22 points and 15 rebounds as the host Celtics advanced to the Eastern Conference finals by handing the short-handed Cleveland Cavaliers a 113-98 loss in Game 5 of a semifinal series on Wednesday night.

Top-seeded Boston won the best-of-seven series 4-1. The Celtics advanced to the Eastern Conference finals for the third straight season and for the sixth time in the past eight years.

Jayson Tatum added 25 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists for Boston. The Celtics led by just three points early in the fourth quarter but extended the lead to 14, 101-87, on a Tatum 3-pointer with 6:45 to play. The Cavaliers didn’t threaten after that.

It was a skeleton crew that took the court for Cleveland, which played without star guard Donovan Mitchell (calf), center Jarrett Allen (rib) and guard Caris LeVert (knee).

The calf injury also caused Mitchell to miss Cleveland’s 109-102 loss in Game 4 on Monday night. Allen didn’t play in the series, and LeVert was coming off a 19-point performance in Game 4.

Evan Mobley had a game-high 33 points and seven rebounds for the fourth-seeded Cavaliers. He made 15 of his 24 field-goal attempts.

Cleveland received a season-high 25 points from Marcus Morris Sr., who made 5 of 6 3-point attempts.

It was 28-28 after one quarter. Cleveland used an 18-6 run to take a 46-40 lead in the second quarter, but Boston responded with a 13-2 spurt that put the Celtics in front 53-48. Boston had a 58-52 lead at halftime.

The Celtics had a 69-57 advantage with 8:41 remaining in the third quarter after a Horford 3-pointer capped an 11-0 run. Cleveland kept fighting back, however, and was within seven points, 85-78, at the end of three quarters.

Cleveland failed to score 100 points in eight of its 12 playoff games.

–Field Level Media

 

Diaz Takes Down Red Sox

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BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Tampa’s Yandy Diaz’s two-run single in the sixth inning was the difference as the Rays edged past the host Boston Red Sox 4-3 on Wednesday. The Diaz hit highlighted a three-run frame, and the relief trio of Shawn Armstrong, Pete Fairbanks and Kevin Kelly combined to throw three scoreless innings to finish the game.

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Kelly recorded his first save of the season for Taj Bradley (1-1), who struck out six while allowing just two runs on four hits over the first five innings.

Jose Siri went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored for Tampa Bay, which has won two of the first three games in the four-game series.

Jarren Duran went 2-for-3 with two doubles and a run scored while Wilyer Abreu and Rafael Devers homered for the Red Sox.

Boston manufactured a go-ahead run right out of the gates in the first inning, as Duran lined a leadoff double off the Green Monster in center and scored on Connor Wong’s sacrifice fly two batters later.

Boston starter Tanner Houck (3-5) pitched a 1-2-3 first inning before working around baserunners in each of the next two frames, but the visitors knotted the score at 1-1 in the fourth.

After Jonathan Aranda walked and Isaac Paredes chopped a single down the third-base line with one out, Richie Palacios reached on Boston first baseman Garrett Cooper’s fielding error to get Tampa Bay on the scoreboard.

Abreu wasted no time giving the Red Sox a 2-1 lead back in their half of the fourth, launching a towering solo home run out to right.

The Rays didn’t take the lead back until Houck departed after allowing three runs (one earned) on five hits over 5 2/3 innings.

After Palacios and Jose Caballero hit consecutive singles and a strikeout of Ben Rortvedt ended Houck’s day in the sixth, Siri knocked a game-tying base hit through the left side. Palacios scored just ahead of catcher Wong’s tag.

Caballero swiped third before scoring ahead of Siri on Diaz’s single past diving shortstop Ceddanne Rafaela and into left.

The Red Sox got a run back in the last of the sixth when Devers lined a solo shot to straightaway center, but got no further as the final three Tampa Bay relievers recorded scoreless frames.

Despite the loss, Boston’s bullpen was also strong as Cam Booser and Chase Anderson combined to throw three scoreless and hitless innings after Weissert exited. Booser struck out four over two frames.

–Field Level Media

It’s an NFL Christmas

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NEW YORK – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Treading further into territory once reserved for NBA broadcasts, the NFL plans to continue airing games on Christmas Day beyond the 2024 doubleheader on Netflix announced.

NFL Vice President of Media Hans Schroeder said Thursday the league already has outlined plans for Christmas games in 2025 and 2026. Since Christmas is on a Saturday in 2027, it’s a near certainty regular-season games will be played that day, too.

“Amazon will have their traditional Thursday night game in primetime on Christmas on Thursday next year, and we’ll have another game on Netflix in the afternoon,” Schroeder said on a conference call discussing the league schedule for the 2024 season released Wednesday.

“Netflix will have a game on Friday the year after that (2026). We’ll use how we think about ’25 to form how we go into ’26.”

With Christmas falling on a Wednesday in 2024, the four teams involved were scheduled for Saturday games the week before to emulate the Saturday-to-Thursday game week schedule.

Traditionally, the NBA is the only game competing for airtime with a scarce sports broadcast schedule on Christmas Day. After ratings showed sincere interest from fans in Christmas games in 2023, the NFL claims it decided to commit to more in future seasons.

All three games had more than 27 million viewers according to Nielsen, ratings that piqued the interest of the NFL. The games were peeled out of the full network broadcast agreements and Netflix reportedly bid $75 million for each of its three holiday games.

VP of Broadcast Mike North said the NFL “wasn’t thinking about” scheduling on Christmas 2024 at this time last year.

“When you saw the viewership numbers for Christmas for the tripleheader last year, and the tripleheader the year before — I think it’s four of the last five years that we’ve played on Christmas — the fans have spoken,” North said. “They want the games there and our broadcast partners want the games there.”

–Field Level Media

Bruins Heading Home for Game 6

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SUNRISE – Boston’s Charlie McAvoy had a goal and an assist to help the Bruins stave off elimination with a 2-1 win against the Florida Panthers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Tuesday night in Florida.

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The Panthers still lead the best-of-seven series 3-2 heading to Game 6 on Friday night in Boston.

Morgan Geekie also scored and Jeremy Swayman made 28 saves for the Bruins, who have never overturned a 3-1 series deficit in a best-of-seven set in 25 previous attempts.

Sam Reinhart scored and Sergei Bobrovsky made 26 saves for the Panthers, who had won three in a row to take command of the series.

Geekie gave the Bruins a 1-0 lead at 4:49 of the first period with his fourth goal of the playoffs.

Jake DeBrusk retrieved the puck behind the Florida net and passed it to Geekie driving toward the crease. Bobrovsky came off the goal line to attempt a save, but Geekie pulled the puck to his backhand and slid it into the net.

The Panthers were getting outshot 17-8 when Florida coach Paul Maurice gave his team a spirited pep talk during a timeout early in the second period.

Aleksander Barkov won the ensuing faceoff and the Panthers kept the puck in the Boston zone before Aaron Ekblad took a shot from the right point that hit Reinhart in the slot.

Swayman tried to poke the puck through the middle, but it went back to Reinhart, who banked his shot off the post and into the net to tie it 1-1 at 6:23.

McAvoy moved Boston back ahead 2-1 at 10:25 of the second.

Trent Frederic entered the Florida zone off a rush and passed the puck back to Charlie Coyle, who dropped it for McAvoy. The Boston defenseman had room to skate between the hashmarks and score with a wrist shot.

Boston forward Danton Heinen made contact with Bobrovsky just before McAvoy’s goal, prompting the Panthers to challenge for goalie interference, but the goal was upheld after a video review.

Bobrovsky kept it a one-goal deficit when he turned away DeBrusk on a breakaway with 5:35 left in the second period. He also stopped Pavel Zacha on a short-handed breakaway at 2:13 of the third.

Boston played its second straight game without team captain Brad Marchand, who was injured late in Game 3 on a hit to the head by the Panthers’ Sam Bennett. Marchand leads the Bruins in scoring during the postseason with 10 points (three goals, seven assists).

–Field Level Media