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Maye Day for New England

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FOXBORO – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – New England QB Drake Maye passed for three touchdowns as the Patriots extended their winning streak to five games by beating the Cleveland Browns 32-13 Sunday in Massachusetts.

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Maye completed 18 of his 24 pass attempts for 282 yards. He was intercepted once. Each of his three TD passes came in the third quarter.

The Patriots (6-2) received three field goals from Andy Borregales.

Cleveland defensive end Myles Garrett recorded a franchise-record five sacks in the loss. Garrett, 29, passed Reggie White and set the NFL record for career sacks by a player under the age of 30 with his first sack in the game. Garrett has 10 sacks this season and 112 1/2 for his career.

Cleveland’s Dillon Gabriel was 21 of 35 for 156 yards. He threw two touchdowns and was intercepted twice.

Cleveland running back Quinshon Judkins left the game in the third quarter with a shoulder injury and did not return. He gained 19 yards on nine carries.

After the Patriots opened the scoring on a Borregales 36-yard field goal, the Browns (2-6) took a 7-3 lead when Gabriel tossed an 18-yard touchdown pass to tight end Harold Fannin Jr. with 5:10 remaining in the first quarter.

Borregales made field goals from 32 yards and 42 yards in the second quarter to put New England up 9-7 at halftime.

The Patriots extended their lead to 16-7 on a 7-yard TD pass from Maye to tight end Hunter Henry, and a 1-yard touchdown pass from Maye to Stefon Diggs helped New England increase its advantage to 23-7 with 6:43 remaining in the third. The Diggs TD was set up by a Robert Spillane interception that he returned 33 yards to the Cleveland 6-yard line.

New England’s final TD came on a 39-yard pass from Maye to Kayshon Boutte that stretched the lead to 30-7 with 53 seconds remaining in the third.

After David Njoku caught an 11-yard touchdown pass from Gabriel with 9:24 to play, New England capped the scoring on a safety when Gabriel was called for intentional grounding on a pass from the end zone with 4:06 left.

–Field Level Media

It’s On to LA

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LOS ANGELES  – (Wire Service Report) – After the long 32-year wait to return to Canada, the World Series shifts back to Los Angeles, where memories remain thick from its visit just one year ago. All even at one game each, the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers will duel to get the upper hand in the best-of-seven matchup when Game 3 arrives Monday night.

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In Game 1 at Los Angeles last year, the Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman hit a game-ending grand slam against the New York Yankees on the way to becoming the first player to hit a home run in each of the first four games of a World Series.

A different kind of history is set to unfold in the opening inning Monday. Blue Jays right-hander Max Scherzer is set to become the first pitcher to take the mound for four different teams in the World Series.

After already appearing in a World Series for the Detroit Tigers (2012), Washington Nationals (2019), and Texas Rangers (2023), Scherzer is chasing his third career title. He will enter off a strong 5 2/3-inning start in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series when he helped the Blue Jays past the Seattle Mariners.

The outing came after he went 1-3 with a 9.00 ERA over his last six starts in the regular season.

“This is what you play for, to be able to get to this spot, to get to this moment, to have a shot at it,” said Scherzer, who is 1-1 with a 2.70 ERA in four postseason appearances (three starts) against the Dodgers. “… Just so fortunate to have another crack at this. There’s so many great players that have never gotten to a World Series.”

Scherzer pitched for the Dodgers in 2021, when they fell in the National League Championship Series to the Atlanta Braves. He was scratched from a scheduled start in a decisive Game 6 of the NLCS saying his arm was “locked up.”

After the Blue Jays dominated Game 1 on Friday by scoring 11 runs, the Dodgers responded with Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s complete game in a 5-1 victory that evened the series.

Los Angeles is now 9-0 this postseason when a starter goes at least six innings.

“These guys aren’t going to go away. They’re very confident. It’s a very talented team,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of the Blue Jays. “(Offensively), you got to continue to tack on, you got to get to the pen, and you got to beat those guys up and keep building on innings.”

Los Angeles right-hander Tyler Glasnow will follow Yamamoto’s command performance with a start in Game 3. After going 4-3 with a 3.19 ERA in 18 regular-season starts, Glasnow has been impressive in the postseason.

Glasnow gave up one run over 5 2/3 innings of a Dodgers win in Game 3 of the NLCS against the Milwaukee Brewers and has a 0.68 ERA in three appearances (two starts) this postseason with 18 strikeouts over 13 1/3 innings.

In 11 career regular-season starts against the Blue Jays, Glasnow is 1-4 with a 5.82 ERA, last facing them at home Aug. 10 when he allowed two runs with eight strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings of a no-decision.

After returning from a broken hand in the NL Division Series victory over the Philadelphia Phillies, the Dodgers’ Will Smith had his best game of the postseason when he hit a home run and had three RBIs in the Game 2 victory.

“You got to embrace the emotions, but you also got to tame ‘em,” Smith said. “… You got to just focus on the task at hand. Basically, just not try to do too much at times. Kind of let the game come to you, not try to force anything, and just kind of focus on what you’re doing.”

–Field Level Media

TL’s Sunday Sports Notes | Oct 26

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By TERRY LYONS, Editor of Digital Sports Desk

BOSTON – Credibility. It’s such a powerful word yet it comes with such a fragile state of being. One’s credibility can be built-up over a lifetime but lost in a minute or two. Even if you’re not involved with a situation whatsoever, if you don’t voice a strong opinion on that newsworthy issue, you can lose credibility just by not saying a single word.

It is with that in mind, I think I’m almost obligated to write today on the NBA’s season opening (alleged) gambling bombshell that exploded on the third day of the 2025-26 season, not even 12 hours after 7-5 San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama put up 40 points and 15 rebounds in a 125-92 Spurs’ thrashing of the Dallas Mavericks on October 22.

Yet, the morning of October 23, the word began to circulate in NBA and mainstream news circles that “NBA Players” were involved in a gambling scandal. Social media carried the ball, a palm, spin and travel that would’ve made Earl “The Pearl” Monroe quite proud. Word circulated quickly that Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups was involved and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier was arrested the morning after a DNP-coaches decision in Orlando where the Magic slipped past the Heat, 125-121 in their exciting season opener.

Two hours of online mayhem led to a 10:00am (ET) news conference by the Feds of the Eastern District of New York – complete with beady-eyed FBI Director Kash (Don’t call me Cash) Patel in the center of the dog-and-pony show laying out indictments which included accusations against Billups, Rozier and retired NBA guard Damon Jones. The Rozier and Jones indictment is HERE.

Interestingly, the inclusion of Jones, once a member and teammate of Cleveland Cavaliers (now LA Lakers) superstar LeBron James, allowed media speculators to drag NBA royalty into the mix at no extra charge.

In regard to Billups, the charges were related to a conspiracy to rig illegal poker games. The games took place in New York City, East Hampton, Long Island, and throughout the United States and a total of 31 defendants were arrested in 11 States, including members and associates of the Bonanno, Gambino, and Genovese organized crime families. The charges were filed by the US Justice Department at the Brooklyn headquarters of the Eastern District of New York which also has offices in Central Islip, Long Island.

The multiple card games at the alleged locations caused losses to the many victims of at least $7,150,000. It is alleged that Billups’ role was to act as a “Face Card,” or in other words, as a lure to attract unsuspecting victims and to add a sense of professionalism to the atmosphere at the gambling games of chance.

In terms of charges in the card game portion of the bombshell indictments, crimes of fraud, money laundering and extortion have been tacked on to the basic illegal gambling and wire fraud counts.

Now, for some perspective:

No. 1 – I do not know anything about this case other than from watching the press Eastern District of New York press conference and reading the court documents.

No. 2 – It is important in these situations to know that speculation is wrong and there are very few people who know what is at the root of these cases. For that reason, the feds choose not to comment regarding the on-going investigation and league and team legal and security teams must keep their mouths shut, yet cooperate with the investigators.

Remember one of the most important lessons from reading this weekly missive: “Never miss an opportunity to keep your mouth shut.”

No. 3 – Social media (and to a great extent, the mainstream media) in an effort to fill the airwaves with opinions, innuendo, erroneous assumptions and, generally, useless information that fans/readers/listeners/viewers consume, often break the golden rule of justice in these United States. That is the fact the accused person is assumed innocent until proven guilty through a court of law, usually by a jury of their peers.

Now, a few things that I learned over years of experience in the sports world:

No. 1 – When the indictments are unsealed, they look awfully convincing and the accused seem so guilty of the charges written on the papers. However, prosecutors must prove the case in court, and we all (anyone who has ever served on Jury Duty) know that there is often some “reasonable doubt” left open by the prosecutors and pointed out by the attorneys of the accused.

No. 2 – In cases involving organized crime, the feds (and sometimes local or state police) will use people accused of lesser crimes to turn and testify against those facing more serious charges – prosecuting the “big fish” by using the “little fish.”

Overall, it is very important not to jump to conclusions.

This week, more than once, I read online – in stories by legitimate reporters and in posts by total dimwit fans – the question of “how could a player who has made millions do such a thing?”

Let’s slice that up?

No. 1 – A statement such as that is already assuming the player is guilty. The assumption is being made without a single ounce of evidence put forth by the prosecution.

No. 2 – In many cases involving organized crime, a player/celebrity – or really anyone – can be used by the “bad guys” just because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time, or – sadly – because a longtime friend or relative (no matter how close) has dug themselves into a hole on the wrong side of the law.

In many cases, the threat of harm or public exposure to the athlete, his immediate family, his friends or a threat to hurt his career can become powerful tools used by organized crime to sink their hooks into a player/celebrity. Often, the “ask” of said player/celeb is something very simple and seemingly legal. As in, “All you have to do is come over to the house at 9:00pm and socialize with our guys, have a drink, relax, watch tv, watch the game and hang out for an hour or two.”

Or else.

The “or else” can be underlined with pictures of the player/celeb’s kids at school or the local playground, maybe a photo or short motion picture on an iPhone of a wife, daughter, girlfriend or – they’ve gone as far as – a mother shopping at the local grocery store to prove, “they know where you, your friends and family live.”

The verbal threat of violence – often never even considered to be carried out by the mobsters – is enough to draw the player/celebrity into the scheme.

So, the “how could a player making tens of millions do such a thing” is understood a little more if the full story is told in the court of law. As it should be and, hopefully, will be if the charges stand.

Remember? Sometimes, a case can not be made and – even though an indictment from a Grand Jury has come down – prosecutors can not “make the case” and must dismiss the charges.

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THE SKY IS FALLING: From a distant memory, maybe call it a totally un-related comparison, I can remember back to 1987 when a fax machine in the NBA office was spewing out a multi-page Maricopa County indictments of 13 people, including Phoenix Suns players, former players and even the team photographer for the club.

As I read the indictments – which seemed so convincing, and were the very first time I was going to be “in the room where it happened,” – I thought that a number of people would be going to jail. I ran the pages of the indictment down to the Commissioner’s office as they came in, maybe two or three pages at a time, so they could be reviewed. When they were all complete, I awaited instructions for what would come next – a statement, Legal instructions on our official comment when answering media calls, maybe arranging a media conference call or drafting an NBA statement.

When it all played out, months later, here’s a synopsis of what resulted:

Player testimony: Suns player Walter Davis, who was cooperating with authorities after entering a rehabilitation program, provided grand jury testimony that led to the indictments. He was not charged but was suspended by the team after suffering a relapse. Suns rookie center William Bedford was also granted immunity in exchange for his testimony.

Dismissed charges: The case against most players ultimately fell apart due to lack of evidence, and no one went to trial. Suns veterans James Edwards and Jay Humphries entered a deferred prosecution program, and charges against them were later dismissed.

Probation: Suns reserve Grant Gondrezick and two other individuals pleaded guilty to lesser charges and received probation.

The enormity of the charges as they came across the fax machine seemed insurmountable. The reality? It was a very thin case and little, if any, evidence was produced. The charges were dropped.

At that time, four players had been dismissed from the NBA because of violation of the NBA/NBA Players Association anti-drug program. The situation with the Suns resulted in the NBA initiating a Player Programs Department – the first ever in professional sports – and Celtics legend, Tom “Satch” Sanders was hired to head-up the department and staff-up to be able to properly serve the NBA and its players.

Arguably – not – it was one of the most important decisions the late David Stern ever made and the hiring of Sanders was – possibly – the most impactful in league history.

What to Expect? – The season will not be pretty for the Portland Trail Blazers. The league placed Billups and Rozier (both active in the league) on mandatory suspension and the Blazers asked assistant coach Tiago Splitter to step up as interim coach. The Heat will “hear it” from the opposing fans as they travel through the 82 game schedule for 2025-26.

It will take time for legal proceedings to move forward, in part because of a busy schedule in NY’s Eastern District. The accused are promised a fair and speedy trial with full legal representation to defend the charges. The feds will have to build and present their case. No timetable has been made public.

In Closing: I have to advise to all readers to follow the case closely but to make no judgements. After writing this column, I plan to keep my mouth shut because I have no information and do not plan to seek out information.

It would be wise for others – not in the know – to do the same.

HERE NOW, THE NOTES: On the heels of a gambling scandal in the pro ranks, the NCAA approved a rule change on Wednesday that will allow its athletes and athletic department staff members to bet on professional sports. Two weeks after a Division I cabinet approved the change, Division II and III management councils signed off on it, allowing the new rule to go into effect Nov. 1. The ruling doesn’t change the NCAA rule forbidding its athletes from betting on college sports. The NCAA also prohibits sharing information about college competitions with known gamblers. The NCAA also doesn’t accept advertising or sponsorships of NCAA championships by betting or fantasy sports gambling sites. Go figure?

The South Bay Lakers selected 2025 NBA champion Dillon Jones (6-5, 235, Weber State) with the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA G League Draft. The Osceola Magic selected Tyler Smith (6-9, 224, NBA G League Ignite) with the second overall pick, while the Greensboro Swarm selected Ace Baldwin (6-1, 190, Penn State) third overall pick. Jones, the No. 26 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, appeared in 54 games for the Oklahoma City Thunder last season. The Weber State product also averaged 10.4 points and 4.3 rebounds in four games for the Washington Wizards at NBA Summer League.

Michael Baiamonte, the Miami Heat’s in-arena public address announcer and the second longest tenured PA man in the NBA, will retire at the conclusion of the 2025-26 season. Baiamonte has announced more than 1,500 professional basketball games including six NBA Finals.

Lawrence Tanter of the LA Lakers is the longest tenured public address announcer in the NBA, working for the Lakers since 1982-83.

TIDBITS & NUGGETS: As it relates to future prosecution in the feds’ gambling cases against some 31 defendants, the National Security Law firm notes, “Federal prosecutors are always looking to build cases that allow them to climb the criminal enterprise ladder. They may cast a wide net, targeting individuals with the hope of flipping them to build a case against higher-level offenders. Defense attorneys can turn this dynamic in their clients’ favor.” … In EPL action, Liverpool matched their worst EVER run at Brentford when they lost, 3-2, to the home but 10th place club on Saturday. It was Liverpool’s fourth consecutive league loss.

Tom Aspinall, the UFC’s undisputed heavyweight champion, had a disastrous start to his title defense on Saturday, as his bout ended in a no-contest at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi. Aspinall (15-3) was unable to continue after title challenger Ciryl Gane (13-2) accidentally poked his right eye during an exchange at 4:35 of the opening round. Aspinall was provided five minutes to recover, but referee Jason Herzog stopped the show once the champ said he couldn’t see. Aspinall was immediately transported to the hospital post-fight.

While the sports industry, media and fans all poo-poo the NBA for its start-of-season gambling scandal, the vast number of media outlets leads their NFL coverage with “Best Bets,” “Sleeper Picks,” “Fantasy Football Props,” and other teases for sports gambling on Sunday’s NFL schedule. … Jimmy the Greek would be proud.

El Clásico – be there. It’s on TV (ESPN2 or ESPN+) Sunday at 11:15am.

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THIS JEST IN: North Carolina still hasn’t won a game against an NCAA Power Four Football opponent under Hall of Fame pro coach Bill Belichick, but Saturday’s 17-16 overtime loss to ACC rival and No. 16, Virginia, showed some improvement. The Tar Heels dominated Virginia at the line of scrimmage, racking up six sacks and largely stopping Virginia’s ground game, but UNC a failed 2-point conversion in overtime which proved to be the difference. Belichick was going for the victory in the final play.

YOU CAN’T MAKE IT UP: There’s no TACOS in Texas! According to the Associated Press, Texas Tech is banning the throwing of tortillas by fans on kickoffs after the 14th-ranked Tech Red Raiders were penalized twice and fined for objects being thrown onto the field in their most recent home game. TT Athletic director Kirby Hocutt said the fans entering the stadium would be instructed to discard tortillas, and there would be reminders before kickoff for anyone who took tortillas in to give them to stadium workers in order for them to be thrown away. Anyone caught throwing tortillas would have their ticket privileges revoked from the rest of the academic year across all sports, Hocutt said. The announcement came a little more than a week after the Red Raiders were given two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties after kickoffs in a 42-17 win over Kansas.

Louisville Runs All Over BC

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LOUISVILLE – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Louisville ran for a season-high 317 yards and the No. 19 Cardinals used their big-play capabilities to hold off upset-minded Boston College 38-24 on Saturday. Isaac Brown needed just 14 carries to amass a career-high 205 yards, and Keyjuan Brown added 95 on 10 rushes. Both scored on big plays and also set up Miller Moss’ two scoring runs for Louisville (6-1, 3-1 Atlantic Coast Conference).

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Moss threw for 187 yards on 15-of-27 passing with an interception and a touchdown. His second run gave Louisville the lead for good, 14-10, with 1:42 left in the first half.

Isaac Brown, who ran for 151 yards on five carries in the first half, added a 62-yard touchdown 40 seconds later to make it an 11-point game. However, the Eagles (1-7, 0-5) refused to go away, and Brown’s fumble to start the second half led to Grayson James finding a wide-open Kaelan Chudzinski for a 23-yard touchdown pass. That cut the BC deficit to 21-17 just 52 seconds into the second half.

The Eagles entered the weekend next-to-last in the ACC in average time of possession (27:33). However, they held the ball for 23:53 in the first half alone. They led 10-7 after James threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Lewis Bond on the first play of the second quarter.

James completed 23 of his 46 passes for 244 yards. He threw three touchdown passes but was also intercepted twice.

Louisville’s defense, which stopped BC on downs in Cardinal territory twice in the first half, came up with three turnovers in the second half to keep the Eagles from completing a comeback. An Antonio Watts fumble recovery led to a 22-yard touchdown pass from Moss to Caullin Lacy midway through the third quarter.

A Kalib Perry interception set up a Cooper Ranvier 41-yard field goal to make 31-17 with 8:13 remaining in the game.

Jeremiah Franklin caught a 21-yard touchdown pass from James less than two minutes later to make it 31-24.

The Eagles had the ball at their 44 with three minutes remaining, but they chose to punt. Keyjuan Brown ended any thought of an Eagles comeback with a 67-yard TD run with 1:49 remaining.

–Field Level Media

Dodgers Knot World Series

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TORONTO – Finishing what he starts has become a postseason trend for Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander pitched his second consecutive complete game Saturday night in a 5-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays to knot the World Series at one apiece.

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Game 3 of the best-of-seven series will be played Monday in Los Angeles, with Dodgers right-hander Tyler Glasnow opposing Blue Jays right-hander Max Scherzer.

With the game tied 1-1 in the seventh, Will Smith (three RBIs) and Max Muncy each hit solo homers to back Yamamoto.

Yamamoto (3-1) allowed one run, four hits and no walks while striking out eight.

“To be honest, I was not thinking I could complete the game because my pitch count racked up kind of quickly,” Yamamoto said through an interpreter. “But I’m very happy I completed the game.”

He managed his pitch count as the game progressed and it finished at 105 with 73 strikes, retiring his final 20 batters.

“At the end of the fifth inning, I believe the pitch count was 71, so at that point I was still trying to take it one inning at a time,” Yamamoto said. “If I was going to the ninth inning or not, we didn’t really talk about it.”

In his previous start, he pitched a three-hit complete game in a 5-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series on Oct. 14. He was the first Dodger to throw a postseason complete game since Jose Lima in 2004.

Orel Hershiser was the last Dodger with consecutive postseason complete games in Game 7 of the 1988 NLCS and Games 2 and 5 in the 1988 World Series.

“Second complete game in a row in the postseason, that’s pretty impressive, with a layoff in between,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. “I think he made it hard for us to make him work. He was in the zone, his split was in and out of the zone. It was a really good performance by him.”

Los Angeles opened the scoring in the first inning against Kevin Gausman (2-2). Freddie Freeman ripped a two-out double into the right field corner and scored on Smith’s single to center.

The Blue Jays threatened in the bottom of the inning when George Springer led off with a double and Nathan Lukes singled. Yamamoto escaped the jam with two strikeouts and a lineout.

Toronto tied it in the third. Springer was hit by a pitch to open the inning. He took third on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s one-out single to deep left and scored on Alejandro Kirk’s sacrifice fly to center.

Game 2 then settled into a pitchers’ duel.

“After that first inning, I was thinking six (innings),” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I felt he would find a way to get through six. …Then the pitch count kind of stayed where it needed to stay. And then for me, I just didn’t see anything fall off as far as his delivery and the execution.”

Gausman retired 17 in a row until Smith smashed a 3-2 fastball to left with one out in the seventh for his first home run of the postseason. With two outs, Muncy hit his second homer of the postseason, a blast to left on a 2-2 fastball.

World Series: Dodgers vs Guerrero Jr.

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TORONTO – (Wire Service Report) – Given the Los Angeles Dodgers’ starting pitching dominance in the postseason, manager Dave Roberts could pick anybody in the rotation and feel good about his team’s chances.

But after the way left-hander Blake Snell and righty Yoshinobu Yamamoto performed in the first two games of the NLCS, why change anything for the World Series?

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Roberts confirmed this line of thinking on Tuesday as he tabbed Snell and Yamamoto to start on Friday and Saturday in Toronto against the Blue Jays. Both will be working on 10 days’ rest.

“I think we’re going to run the same rotation back, I think for sure for the first two,” Roberts said.

Snell, who inked a five-year, $182 million deal with the Dodgers in the offseason, threw 21 innings versus National League competition in the playoffs and allowed just two runs (0.86 ERA) and six hits. He blanked strong-hitting teams in Philadelphia and Milwaukee — highlighted by allowing just one hit over eight innings with 10 strikeouts and no walks in Game 1 of the NLCS against the Brewers.

Yamamoto threw a complete game the next night in Game 2 against Milwaukee, allowing 1 run on 3 hits.

Both of those efforts came on the road, the same challenge the duo will face against the hot-hitting Blue Jays.

Roberts has other outstanding options for Games 3 and 4 in Los Angeles as power right-handers Tyler Glasnow (0.68 playoff ERA) and Shohei Ohtani are lined for those games.

The Dodgers’ relative weakness — the bullpen — may get a lift in the World Series. Southpaw Tanner Scott, who missed the last two series after an emergency surgical procedure, could return to boost that group.

Scott, another free-agent acquisition this winter, earned 23 saves but struggled at times. He blew 10 saves and pitched to a 4.74 ERA.

“It’s just kind of trying to get a grasp on the doctors giving him the full kind of green light, the go-ahead,” Roberts said. “I know that he’s anxious, which is a good thing, but fortunately, we get to see for a couple more days how he responds to throwing and bullpens and things like that.”

–Field Level Media

Wash Wizards Always Innovating

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WASH DC – (Staff Report from Official Team News Release) – The Washington Wizards are launching of the “Wizards 529” season ticket plan for the upcoming 2025-26 NBA season. This limited-quantity package offers fans full access to all 41 home games for just $529 – less than $13 per game. Designed as an innovative and affordable season ticket option, the “529 Plan” includes reserved seating in select value sections, along with early access to marquee matchups, exclusive fan events, and loyalty incentives.

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Inspired by both the Wizards’ youth movement and the widely recognized 529 college savings plan, the “529 Plan” encourages fans to invest in the future of D.C. basketball.  Tailored for first-time season ticket buyers, students, families, and young professionals, the package offers an accessible and affordable long-term way to witness the next era of the Wizards, and the growth of the game in the nation’s capital firsthand.

“Our Basketball leadership is building a talented roster for the future, and we want our fans to be part of that journey,” said Hunter Lochmann, Monumental Sports and Entertainment Chief Marketing Officer. “Just like a 529 savings plan, this ticket package is all about smart investing – in this case, investing in the future of D.C. basketball.”

In addition, the Wizards’ College Series and Student Rush ticket packages are returning for the 2025-26 season. The College Series features a 10-game lineup highlighted by UNC, UVA, UMD, and Pittsburgh, and purchases include a limited edition, co-branded school and Wizards Hawaiian shirt, while supplies last. Student Rush presented by Chick-fil-A, will be offered for select home games throughout the season, with tickets starting at just $15. Students will also receive a Chick-fil-A meal voucher with their purchase.

Washington will also have custom player designed giveaways. On Nov. 25, the first 10,000 fans in attendance will receive pajama pants designed by guard Bub Carrington. Fans can also take home a City Edition themed hat designed by second-year man AJ Johnson on Feb. 3.

This season, the Wizards will host a variety of theme nights. For the second consecutive season, Washington will host Hoops & Hounds Night presented by Brandywine Valley SPCA on Feb. 22, inviting fans and their dog to watch the Wizards vs. Hornets matchup at Capital One Arena. In addition, the SPCA will be on the concourse with dogs available for adoption. Further details will be announced later in the season.

NFL: Monday Night Football Previews

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-1) at Detroit Lions (4-2)
Monday, 7 p.m. ET
Betting Hero odds: Lions -5.5, Total 52.5
Series Rewind: Former NFC Central rivals meet in Detroit for the third time in 22 months. They’ve split the past two meetings, both decided by one score: the Lions won 31-23 in the 2023 playoffs and the Buccaneers snuck out with a 20-16 victory in Week 2 last season. Bucs QB Baker Mayfield ran for a TD, threw for a TD, was sacked 4.5 times by Aidan Hutchinson and intercepted by safety Brian Branch.

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The Lions can outscore teams when necessary and exploiting shorthanded defenses is a specialty of QB Jared Goff. Goff leads the NFL with a 120.6 passer rating, 14 touchdowns and pilots an offense averaging 31.8 points per game. Goff has multiple options at most positions and elite playmakers in RB Jahmyr Gibbs and WR Amon-Ra St. Brown. Both are over 460 yards from scrimmage this season and have a combined 11 touchdowns. The Bucs can score points, too, and Detroit’s secondary might look different with Branch serving a one-game suspension and Kerby Joseph (knee) fighting through a knee injury. CB Terrion Arnold is a candidate to return from the shoulder injury that pushed him to IR and surprisingly practiced Friday. Tampa has a similar issue at wide receiver. Mike Evans (hamstring) was plotting to play, but after a limited Thursday practice he didn’t take the field with the Bucs on Friday. If he’s out, as Emeka Egbuka (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (fibula) are expected to be, QB Baker Mayfield would be without his top three wideouts and starting RB Bucky Irving (foot, shoulder). He’s tied with Goff for the most TD passes in the league (81) since 2023.

Houston Texans (2-3) at Seattle Seahawks (4-2)
Monday, 10 p.m. ET
Betting Hero odds: Seahawks -3, Total 41.5
Series Rewind: Seattle beat the Texans by 20 (33-13) in 2021 the last time these teams met. The Seahawks have won the past three meetings and four of five all-time.

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QB Sam Darnold appears to be working out just fine in Seattle. He has 11 touchdowns passes and a passer rating over 110 in four consecutive games. The Seahawks are dynamic defensively when healthy and DT Lawrence Jackson in the middle holds the key to locking down Houston’s passing game and QB C.J. Stroud. Stroud and Darnold have matching 70.8 completion percentages, but Stroud was sacked 12 times in the first five games as the Texans search for a consistent spark in the running game. Rookie Woody Marks and relative greybeard Nick Chubb have combined for 94 carries and 368 yards with Joe Mixon on the non-football injury list. Seattle is trying to turn Lumen Field back into the place visitors don’t want to see on the schedule. But the Seahawks are 1-2 this season at home after going 3-6 last year at home in coach Mike Macdonald’s first season at the helm. Houston returned from the bye week and won at Baltimore in Week 5. Stroud had four TD passes. Darnold and WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba run into a talented secondary on Monday, but they’ve more than held their own this season. JSN is No. 1 in the NFL with 696 receiving yards in 2025, with a league-high four 100-yard receiving games.

–Field Level Media

 

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NFL: Patriots v Titans Game Preview

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New England Patriots (4-2) at Tennessee Titans (1-5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Betting Hero Odds: Patriots -7, Total 42.5
Series Rewind: Current Patriots coach Mike Vrabel was head coach of the Titans when Tennessee beat the Patriots in the 2019 postseason. In the regular-season series, the Titans have won three of the past four meetings, including a 20-17 overtime home victory last season.

Vrabel instantly is turning around the Patriots, who bring a three-game winning streak into the clash. Tennessee is now seeking a new coach after firing Brian Callahan following last week’s 20-10 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders that continued a dreadful start. Anyone want to remind Titans’ brass who coached the franchise to the 2019 season AFC Championship Game? Oh yeah, Mr. Vrabel, who spent six seasons in Nashville before being dismissed following the 2023 season. New England is on the rise and second-year quarterback Drake Maye is displaying he’s the real deal with 1,522 yards and 10 touchdowns against two interceptions. Linebacker Harold Landry was a Vrabel favorite in Tennessee and he is thriving with a team-high 4.5 sacks in his first season with the Patriots. Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward is struggling with 1,101 yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions and the franchise is hoping interim head coach Mike McCoy can jumpstart an offense that ranks 31st in scoring (13.8 points per game) and last in total offense (232.3 yards per game). It will have to happen without top receiver Calvin Ridley (hamstring), who is out this week. RB Tony Pollard is shining on the ground with 362 yards and two touchdowns. Star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons has a team-high 4.5 sacks and the three-time Pro Bowler has a solid chance of surpassing his career-best 8.5 in 2021.

NFL: Game Previews

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Week 7 Game Capsules

By Field Level Media

Philadelphia Eagles (4-2) at Minn Vikings (3-2)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Betting Hero odds: Eagles -2.5, Total 43.5
Series Rewind: The home team has taken five of the past six meetings. The last time the Eagles defeated the Vikings in Minneapolis was in a wild-card playoff game at the Metrodome on Jan. 4, 2009.

Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni is 8-0 against the NFC North, including wins in Philadelphia against Kevin O’Connell’s Vikings in 2022 and 2023. Things have gone south lately for the defending champs. Consecutive lackluster losses to the Broncos and Giants ignited questions and critiques from every direction. The Eagles’ offensive stars largely have sputtered to this point — even All-Pro tackle Lane Johnson wants them to be “less predictable.” Despite being outgained in every game, Philadelphia still is playing winning football with only three turnovers through six games and touchdowns on 14 of 16 trips to the red zone. But with only a modest threat of a vertical passing game, RB Saquon Barkley enters this week last in the league in yards after contact and has been stuffed on 28 percent of his carries according to Inside Edge. The Vikings return to Minneapolis after games in Dublin and London with a quarterback quandary. Ex-Eagle Carson Wentz will make his fourth straight start, with J.J. McCarthy assessing his ankle is “getting there” but not 100 percent this week. He is listed as questionable. In his only previous start against Philly, Wentz was sacked nine times in a 24-8 loss with Washington in Week 3 of 2022. Either quarterback should benefit from a determined running game. First-year Vikings RB Jordan Mason leads the NFL in EPA — expected points added — on first-down running plays this season. If Philadelphia can stuff the run on early downs, the pocket won’t be safe. The Vikings are 31st in the NFL in sacks allowed per pass attempt, permitting a QB takedown on nearly 15 percent of dropbacks.

New Orleans Saints (1-5) at Chicago Bears (3-2)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Betting Hero odds: Bears -4.5, Total 46.5
Series Rewind: The Saints have won seven straight games in the series. The first ever meeting between the franchise was in 1968. Bears RB Brian Piccolo had 112 rushing yards in Chicago’s 23-17 win.

It could be a good day for the quarterbacks given the defenses combine to allow a combined average of more than 54 points per game. Saints QB Spencer Rattler was the starter at Oklahoma when a hotshot freshman showed up and took the job. Caleb Williams, who would eventually transfer to Southern California on the tail of coach Lincoln Riley, has the Bears on a three-game winning streak with a chance to get four in a row at Rattler’s expense. The Bears last won four consecutive games under Matt Nagy in 2018. Chicago has evolved offensively and asked less of Williams in a Monday win at Washington. RB D’Andre Swift, who is questionable this week, racked up 175 yards from scrimmage last week and WR Rome Odunze had a TD catch in four of five games this season. Rattler has only one interception this season. His top target is WR Chris Olave, who has at least six receptions in every game this season, and RB Alvin Kamara is on the verge of joining the 600-catch club. He has 595 and caught nine passes in his only career game against the Bears in 2020. New Orleans has three one-score losses among five defeats. Kicker Cairo Santos (thigh) was ruled out, meaning Week 6 hero Jake Moody remains on the active roster.

Carolina Panthers (3-3) at New York Jets (0-6)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Betting Hero odds: Panthers -1.5, Total 42.5
Series Rewind: The Panthers have won four of the past five meetings, most recently a 19-14 victory in Charlotte, N.C., in the 2021 season opener. The Jets’ last win in the series was on Nov. 29, 2009.

The good news for the Jets is that they’re less than halfway to matching their 0-13 start in 2020. Three of New York’s losses have been by two points, including last Sunday’s 13-11 dud against Denver in London. The Panthers have won three of their last four, the last two by three-point margins, but still are hunting for their first road win of the season. Carolina running back Rico Dowdle has been unstoppable in October with 473 yards from scrimmage and two TDs against the Dolphins and Cowboys. He’ll be sharing the ballcarrier workload with Chuba Hubbard, who is back after a two-game absence. The tandem has to deal with Jets linebacker Jamien Sherwood, who has 218 tackles in 23 games since the start of last season. Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, the No. 1 overall pick in 2023, is looking for his 10th win as a starter. Jets QB Justin Fields, the No. 11 pick two years earlier, is looking for his 15th. New York head coach Aaron Glenn’s defense only has one takeaway. He’s looking for Fields to make plays after sputtering last week. A rebound could happen, but Fields is searching for a new primary target. Top WR Garrett Wilson is dealing with a knee injury and is listed as doubtful.

Washington Commanders (3-3) at Dallas Cowboys (2-3-1)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Commanders -1.5, Total 54.5
Series Rewind: This is the 131st meeting in one of the league’s marquee division rivalries (Dallas leads 79-49-2). They settled for a split last season, each team winning at home in one-score games.

Terry McLaurin remains out — missing his fourth consecutive game — and fellow Commanders WR Deebo Samuel is banged up. But expect fireworks in a clash of offenses ranked in the top seven in the NFL in scoring against defenses that both rank in the bottom seven of the NFL in yards allowed. The Cowboys’ Dak Prescott looks to become the third QB since 2000 (Andrew Luck and Russell Wilson) with at least three TD passes and a 120 rating in four straight games. The return of CeeDee Lamb after a three-game absence due to an ankle injury gives Prescott another weapon. Counterpart Jayden Daniels has a 104.0 rating and a 13-to-2 TD-to-INT ratio in 10 career road games. It’s the first rivalry game for head coaches Dan Quinn and Brian Schottenheimer, who worked together on the Jets’ coaching staff from 2007-08 and again with the Cowboys from 2022-23 and remain good friends. Tight ends continue to play vital roles for both teams. Jake Ferguson, on pace for more than 120 receptions this season, has four TDs in his last three games for Dallas, while Zach Ertz has seven career scores against the Cowboys.

Miami Dolphins (1-5) at Cleveland Browns (1-5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Betting Hero odds: Browns -2.5, Total 36.5
Series Rewind: Miami leads the all-time series 11-9 and has won four of the last five games against the Browns.

After calling out teammates for lack of attendance at players-only meetings after last week’s loss, Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa apologized this week. He has a chance to atone to the fanbase and his teammates if he’s able to lead Miami to a win in a battle of two of the six teams that have one or fewer wins entering the seventh week of the season. Miami’s defense, which ranks 30th in total defense (389.3 yards per game) and 29th in scoring defense (29.0 points per game), could potentially benefit from going against a Cleveland offense that ranks dead last in scoring offense (13.7). Rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel has not been the answer so far for the Browns. He was sacked six times in last week’s loss and is averaging 4.8 yards per pass attempt, the lowest among all starters. The chances for rainy and windy conditions might render the forward pass worthless. Cleveland has a “mudder” at running back in rugged rookie Quinshon Judkins, a 222-pounder and one of the many rookies bringing optimism to the Browns during another down season.

Las Vegas Raiders (2-4) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (3-3)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Betting Hero odds: Chiefs -11.5, Total 45.5
Series Rewind: The Chiefs have dominated the series with 13 victories in the past 15 meetings.

Kansas City hasn’t been above .500 this season but the club has recovered from a shaky 0-2 start. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes erased the king-is-gone narrative by accounting for 10 touchdowns over the past three weeks, including four (three passing, one rushing) in last week’s 30-17 win over the Detroit Lions. Mahomes has thrown for 1,514 yards and 11 touchdowns against two interceptions and now will see top target Rashee Rice on the field for the first time this season. Rice just completed a six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal-conduct policy. Hollywood Brown (30 catches) and star tight end Travis Kelce (28) are Kansas City’s reception leaders. First-round rookie LT Josh Simmons (excused for a family matter) was scratched for the second game in a row. Las Vegas is looking for improved ball-protection measures from quarterback Geno Smith, who has been intercepted a league-worst 10 times while passing for 1,350 yards and seven touchdowns. It remains to be seen whether star tight end Brock Bowers (knee) can return after practicing Friday for the first time since Oct. 1. Rookie RB Ashton Jeanty (424 rushing yards) had 75 in last week’s 20-10 win over the Tennessee Titans for his second-highest output of the season. He has scored five touchdowns (three rushing, two receiving).

New England Patriots (4-2) at Tennessee Titans (1-5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Betting Hero Odds: Patriots -7, Total 42.5
Series Rewind: Current Patriots coach Mike Vrabel was head coach of the Titans when Tennessee beat the Patriots in the 2019 postseason. In the regular-season series, the Titans have won three of the past four meetings, including a 20-17 overtime home victory last season.

Vrabel instantly is turning around the Patriots, who bring a three-game winning streak into the clash. Tennessee is now seeking a new coach after firing Brian Callahan following last week’s 20-10 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders that continued a dreadful start. Anyone want to remind Titans’ brass who coached the franchise to the 2019 season AFC Championship Game? Oh yeah, Mr. Vrabel, who spent six seasons in Nashville before being dismissed following the 2023 season. New England is on the rise and second-year quarterback Drake Maye is displaying he’s the real deal with 1,522 yards and 10 touchdowns against two interceptions. Linebacker Harold Landry was a Vrabel favorite in Tennessee and he is thriving with a team-high 4.5 sacks in his first season with the Patriots. Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward is struggling with 1,101 yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions and the franchise is hoping interim head coach Mike McCoy can jumpstart an offense that ranks 31st in scoring (13.8 points per game) and last in total offense (232.3 yards per game). It will have to happen without top receiver Calvin Ridley (hamstring), who is out this week. RB Tony Pollard is shining on the ground with 362 yards and two touchdowns. Star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons has a team-high 4.5 sacks and the three-time Pro Bowler has a solid chance of surpassing his career-best 8.5 in 2021.

New York Giants (2-4) at Denver Broncos (4-2)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Broncos -7, Total 40.5
Series Rewind: The all-time series is tied 7-7 dating back to 1972. The Broncos have won three of the last four, but the Giants took home the most important game between them, a 39-20 victory in Super Bowl XXI in 1987.

Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo have injected life into the moribund Giants, most recently leading them to a stunningly dominant win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Now coming out of a mini-bye, the Giants will have an even tougher test on their hands: a Denver team with not just postseason but Super Bowl aspirations. New York has won two of Dart’s first three starts but the only loss came on the road at New Orleans. The Broncos won’t make it easy and C John Michael Schmitz (concussion) is missing from the middle of the line and communication hub for the first-year pro. Denver had nine sacks in a 13-11 win over the Jets in London. Edge rusher Nik Bonitto leads the league with 8.0 sacks in six games. The Broncos might require a LB shuffle with ILB Dre Greenlaw (quad) participating in Friday’s practice and listed as questionable for Sunday’s game, which would require a roster move to add him to the 53-man active roster; OLB Jonah Elliss (shoulder) is out. The Broncos have been playing well and won three straight while quarterback Bo Nix still hasn’t quite found the gear he had a year ago as a rookie, marginally down in yards per attempt, completion percentage and passer rating. A Giants defense that ranks 26th in passing defense (242.0) could be just the fix.

Indianapolis Colts (5-1) at Los Angeles Chargers (4-2)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Chargers -1.5, Total 48.5
Series Rewind: Chargers have won eight of the past 10 meetings, including two postseason victories over Peyton Manning.

Indianapolis has scored well with quarterback Daniel Jones running the show as the Colts lead the NFL in scoring (32.3 points per game) and rank fourth in total offense (376.8 yards per game). Jones is completing 71.7% of his throws for 1,502 yards and eight touchdowns against just three interceptions. He also has been sacked just five times behind a solid offensive line led by seven-time Pro Bowl guard Quenton Nelson, who is on the fast track to Canton if he continues his high-caliber play for another four to five seasons. That same line is leading the way for Jonathan Taylor, who leads the NFL with 603 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns. The Chargers came dangerously close to a third straight loss last week but Cameron Dicker’s 33-yard field goal with five seconds to go gave the squad a 29-27 road win over the hapless Miami Dolphins. Second-year running back Kimani Vidal was a virtual lifesaver with a career-best 124 rushing yards. He will again be counted on with Najee Harris (Achilles) out for the season and rookie Omarion Hampton (ankle) on the injured list. Elite pass rusher Khalil Mack (elbow) is questionable after four-game absence and LT Joe Alt (ankle) is doubtful.

Green Bay Packers (3-1-1) at Arizona Cardinals (2-4)
4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday
Betting Hero odds: Packers -6.5, Total 44.5
Series Rewind: The Packers stomped the Cardinals 34-13 in Green Bay last season and has a record of 46-24-4 against the franchise in the regular season. Aaron Rodgers hit Randall Cobb for a pair of second-half touchdowns in a 24-21 Packers victory in the most recent game in the series played in Glendale, Ariz., in 2021. The first ever game between the teams was in 1921, a 3-3 tie.

Four consecutive losses — by a total of nine points — and simmering doubt about the health of QB Kyler Murray (foot) cloud the Cardinals’ view from the bottom of the NFC West. Jacoby Brissett threw two TD passes and topped 300 passing yards at Indianapolis last week in a 31-27 loss to the AFC-leading Colts. Backfield issues go far beyond Murray. He’s the leading rusher for Arizona at 173 yards and the next three on the Cardinals’ list of top ground gainers — Trey Benson (160), James Conner (95) and Emari Demercado (81) — are all hurt. Benson and Conner are on IR and Demercado left last week’s game with an ankle injury. Marvin Harrison Jr. cleared concussion protocol on Friday and is no longer on the injury report. The Packers are the only NFC team to not lose a game (2-0-1) against a conference opponent this season. Packers coach Matt LaFleur is 11-1 against the NFC West during the regular season with 11 consecutive wins. He’s crossing his fingers the flight to Arizona includes a few more healthy offensive linemen, a lingering concern since Week 1. Green Bay’s defense held four of five opponents under 20 points. The exception was a 40-point outburst by the Dallas Cowboys. Takeaways are a focus for the group, which has only two interceptions but has successfully made most teams one-dimensional allowing 73 rushing yards per game. Missing for Green Bay on Sunday are WR Christian Watson (knee), defensive end Lukas Van Ness (foot) and defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt (knee).

Atlanta Falcons (3-2) at San Francisco 49ers (4-2)
8:20 p.m. ET, Sunday
Betting Hero odds: 49ers -1.5, Total 46.5
Series Rewind: The Falcons have won three of the past four games but San Francisco has a 48-33-1 edge in the all-time series. Atlanta took the most recent matchup, 28-14 in 2022.

Primetime is the place for the Falcons, who scorched the Bills last week on SNF, smacked the Vikings (22-6) in Week 2 and return to the Sunday primetime slot to test their “legit” status in the words of QB Michael Penix. Penix has picked up the pace with 20-plus completions in back-to-back games while RB Bijan Robinson makes a case for MVP consideration. He’s leading the NFL with 822 yards from scrimmage. No player has had a five-game start to the season with those numbers since Christian McCaffrey with Carolina in 2019. McCaffrey still is going strong and currently on pace for more than 2,000 total yards and 110 receptions. He had seven catches, 111 total yards at Tampa last week and has become the stabilizing presence for an offense forced to flip quarterbacks due to Brock Purdy’s toe injury while rotating a cadre of wounded wideouts. McCaffrey ranks No. 2 in the league behind Robinson with 780 total yards in 2025. Mac Jones produced a season-high 347 passing yards last week but was picked off twice by the Buccaneers in defeat. Atlanta is without rookie edge Jalon Walker (groin) and CB Clark Phillips III (triceps). The potential return of TE George Kittle would be well-timed for the Niners. He averages 103.3 yards per game in three career games against the Falcons. Besieged by injuries this season, San Francisco’s defense is already without DE Nick Bosa (knee) and subtracts All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner from the depth chart as it preps for Robinson. Warner underwent ankle surgery this week after a season-ending injury at Tampa Bay. Replacement Tatum Bethune posted 10 tackles against the Bucs.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-1) at Detroit Lions (4-2)
Monday, 7 p.m. ET
Betting Hero odds: Lions -5.5, Total 52.5
Series Rewind: Former NFC Central rivals meet in Detroit for the third time in 22 months. They’ve split the past two meetings, both decided by one score: the Lions won 31-23 in the 2023 playoffs and the Buccaneers snuck out with a 20-16 victory in Week 2 last season. Bucs QB Baker Mayfield ran for a TD, threw for a TD, was sacked 4.5 times by Aidan Hutchinson and intercepted by safety Brian Branch.

The Lions can outscore teams when necessary and exploiting shorthanded defenses is a specialty of QB Jared Goff. Goff leads the NFL with a 120.6 passer rating, 14 touchdowns and pilots an offense averaging 31.8 points per game. Goff has multiple options at most positions and elite playmakers in RB Jahmyr Gibbs and WR Amon-Ra St. Brown. Both are over 460 yards from scrimmage this season and have a combined 11 touchdowns. The Bucs can score points, too, and Detroit’s secondary might look different with Branch serving a one-game suspension and Kerby Joseph (knee) fighting through a knee injury. CB Terrion Arnold is a candidate to return from the shoulder injury that pushed him to IR and surprisingly practiced Friday. Tampa has a similar issue at wide receiver. Mike Evans (hamstring) was plotting to play, but after a limited Thursday practice he didn’t take the field with the Bucs on Friday. If he’s out, as Emeka Egbuka (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (fibula) are expected to be, QB Baker Mayfield would be without his top three wideouts and starting RB Bucky Irving (foot, shoulder). He’s tied with Goff for the most TD passes in the league (81) since 2023.

Houston Texans (2-3) at Seattle Seahawks (4-2)
Monday, 10 p.m. ET
Betting Hero odds: Seahawks -3, Total 41.5
Series Rewind: Seattle beat the Texans by 20 (33-13) in 2021 the last time these teams met. The Seahawks have won the past three meetings and four of five all-time.

QB Sam Darnold appears to be working out just fine in Seattle. He has 11 touchdowns passes and a passer rating over 110 in four consecutive games. The Seahawks are dynamic defensively when healthy and DT Lawrence Jackson in the middle holds the key to locking down Houston’s passing game and QB C.J. Stroud. Stroud and Darnold have matching 70.8 completion percentages, but Stroud was sacked 12 times in the first five games as the Texans search for a consistent spark in the running game. Rookie Woody Marks and relative greybeard Nick Chubb have combined for 94 carries and 368 yards with Joe Mixon on the non-football injury list. Seattle is trying to turn Lumen Field back into the place visitors don’t want to see on the schedule. But the Seahawks are 1-2 this season at home after going 3-6 last year at home in coach Mike Macdonald’s first season at the helm. Houston returned from the bye week and won at Baltimore in Week 5. Stroud had four TD passes. Darnold and WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba run into a talented secondary on Monday, but they’ve more than held their own this season. JSN is No. 1 in the NFL with 696 receiving yards in 2025, with a league-high four 100-yard receiving games.

–Field Level Media

 

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