Jake Moody makes a splash in his Ravens debut on Thursday Night Football, converting a 53-yard field goal to put Baltimore on the board against the Jacksonville Jaguars. With Tyler Loop on IR and backup quarterback Joe Fagnano under center, Moody's long‑range kick becomes a critical weapon for a team missing Lamar Jackson. The 26‑year‑old, a former Michigan All‑American and two‑time Big Ten Kicker of the Year, seeks to revive his career after brief stints with the Bears and Commanders. The kick remains Baltimore’s sole score early in the first quarter.
The 49ers’ WR Brandon Aiyuk files for reinstatement and will report Friday, but coach Kyle Shanahan says he has no expectations for the player. A potential trade for Vikings WR Jauan Jennings collapses after Jennings says he’s happy in Minnesota. GM John Lynch hints at a fluid situation with Aiyuk and notes WRs Demarcus Robinson and KhaDarel Hodge should return, while Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel may miss Week 9. Meanwhile, the Cardinals are eyeing a second‑round pick for OLB Josh Sweat and may trade S Budda Baker before the deadline; QB Jacoby Brissett’s deal is near finalization, and RB James Conner likely sits out this week. The Rams plan a cautious return for DE Myles Garrett, and the Seahawks, reeling from a 34‑17 loss to the Bears, acknowledge failures in all three phases and vow to improve.
Chicago Fire FC enter MLS Decision Day needing a win over Columbus Crew at SeatGeek Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 6, to lock the 4th seed and host Charlotte FC in the first playoff round. Captain Jack Elliott emphasizes the importance of home‑field advantage and maintaining momentum, noting the team’s confidence after a stronger 2026 season (16‑7‑10, 55 points). He reflects on a 0‑0 draw with Columbus in March and urges focus. Midfielder André Franco celebrates his 2026 comeback after an ACL injury, hoping for more minutes as the Fire aim for a deep postseason run.
Khalil Mack tells the Los Angeles Chargers he wants to stay, shutting down the Chicago Bears' trade pursuit. Despite the Chargers' 0-7 start, Mack, 35, remains tied for the team lead with three sacks and hopes to help a struggling squad. The Bears, fresh off a Jeffery Simmons deal, were eyeing Mack to bolster their edge rush for a Super Bowl push, but the veteran stresses his commitment to LA amid "outside noise." With a one‑year contract, the Chargers can still move him before the deadline if the team slides to 0‑8.
Former Bears long snapper Patrick Mannelly, a 245-game franchise record holder, discusses the 2026 Chicago Bears and his personal health journey. He recently joined Heartflow's GAMEFILM Registry, which uses CT scans and AI to study former NFL players' hearts, revealing that 85% of 200 surveyed ex‑players show coronary plaque despite few known diagnoses. Mannelly highlights rising star quarterback Caleb Williams, recent wins over the Patriots and Seahawks, and the impact of heavy linemen like Jeffery Simmons. He also recounts teammate Jon Dorenbos’s surprise aortic aneurysm discovery, underscoring the silent cardiovascular risk that one in three former NFL players face. New findings will be presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions on Nov. 9 in Chicago.
Windy City Gridiron opens a members‑only forum to chat about Thursday Night Football as the Jacksonville Jaguars face the Baltimore Ravens on Nov. 6, 2026. The Ravens, dealing with injuries to Lamar Jackson and Snoop Huntley, have added former Bears QB Austin Reed as a backup and will start UDFA Joe Fagnano despite a recent ding. A trade for Jacoby Brissett was reported but won’t take effect until next week. Fans can join the exclusive WCG‑MA thread or the broader NFL Feed to discuss the matchup.
The Chicago Bears celebrate the acquisition of All-Pro defensive end Jeffery Simmons from the Tennessee Titans, but their DT depth suffers a blow as Kentavius Street lands on injured reserve after a knee injury in Week 8's win over Seattle. Street, signed to a one‑year deal and who posted nine tackles, a sack and a QB hit in his first eight games, is unlikely to return this season. Coach Ben Johnson looks to veterans Neville Gallimore and James Lynch, plus newcomers Jayden Loving and rookie Jordan van den Berg, to fill the void and keep the pass rush effective when Simmons isn’t on the field.
On Thursday Night Football, the Jacksonville Jaguars (5-2) host the Baltimore Ravens (4-4) in the first NFL matchup since the Seahawks fell to the Bears. Trevor Lawrence looks like an MVP contender, backed by a defense featuring Travis Hunter, Travon Walker and Josh Hines‑Allen. The Ravens are shorthanded without Lamar Jackson (thumb injury) and Tyler Huntley (turf toe), prompting a trade for Jacoby Brissett that won’t take effect until the weekend, leaving third‑string UConn rookie Joey Fagnano to start on a short week. First‑year Ravens coach Jesse Minter faces a tough test.
Ahead of the Bears’ Week 9 clash with the Buccaneers, rookie cornerback Malik Muhammad publicly tells veteran Jaylon Johnson he must improve after ranking near the bottom of PFF’s cornerback grades (96th of 103). Muhammad, a fourth‑round pick with one interception and five pass breakups in seven games, lauds Johnson’s attitude but stresses the difficulty of the position. The critique comes as Chicago rides a 7‑2 record, led by QB Caleb Williams and a strong defense anchored by recent addition Jeffery Simmons, while the secondary struggles.
The New York Yankees are likely to look for a platoon partner for Austin Wells instead of an outright replacement, and a perfect option just hit free agency.
In Week 8, Chicago rookie DT Jeffery Simmons debuted with six tackles, two TFLs and a sack, earning high praise from head coach Ben Johnson and teammates for his disruptive presence against Seattle. Meanwhile, Detroit’s Sione Vaki impressed Lions coach Dan Campbell and QB Jared Goff with a strong rushing performance that eased the load on starter Jahmyr Gibbs. Green Bay’s rookie kicker Trey Smack has missed five field goals and three PATs, but coach Matt LaFleur remains confident in his resilience. Packers DE Micah Parsons admits his conditioning is the worst of his career after missing training camp, tempering expectations for an All‑Pro return this season.
Caleb Williams sparked a 34-17 victory over the Seattle Seahawks on Nov. 5, 2026, throwing for 247 yards and a TD, and credits a "be decisive" mantra from former USC coach Lincoln Riley. The Heisman winner, Chicago’s top overall pick in 2023, has helped the Bears claim the NFC North title and reach a 6-2 record, including a second win against a defending Super Bowl champion (the 2025 24-15 win over Philadelphia). New head coach Ben Johnson says the mindset shift is unlocking Williams’ potential, reigniting championship talk in Chicago.
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Game Preview
Dennis Allen praises Jeffery Simmons’ impact in his Bears debut, calling the former Titans Pro Bowler a "consummate professional" who instantly grasped Chicago’s scheme. Simmons tied for the team lead with six tackles and recorded a sack on Sam Darnold as the Bears routed the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks 34-17 at Lumen Field. The performance underscores GM Ryan Poles and coach Ben Johnson’s aggressive "Super Bowl or bust" vision, lifting Chicago to a 6-2 record while the NFC North race tightens against the Vikings, Lions and Packers.
Knicks head coach Mike Brown insists Dalton Knecht is more than a spot‑up shooter, calling him a true scorer after his debut. Knecht tallied 10 points and seven rebounds off the bench in a 30‑point win over the Chicago Bulls, offering a promising start for the former No. 17 2024 Lakers draft pick who signed a two‑way deal after being waived. Brown’s comments highlight a willingness to look past stereotypes and evaluate Knecht’s offensive versatility, though he must still prove his defense to earn a regular rotation spot.
ClutchPoints outlines the 25 NBA stars most likely to be traded before the 2027 deadline, highlighting roster shake‑ups already brewing in the 2026‑27 season. The list includes veterans like Jr Jrue Holiday (Portland), Kristaps Porzingis and Draymond Green (Golden State), and Jimmy Butler (Warriors), whose age and expiring contracts make them trade bait. Front‑court assets such as Domantas Sabonis (Sacramento), Zach LaVine (Kings), and Zion Williamson (New Orleans) are also flagged as movable as teams shuffle for younger talent. The article notes emerging buyers—Chicago, Phoenix, Charlotte, and Dallas—while noting each player’s recent performance and contract status. Readers get a concise preview of potential blockbuster moves ahead of the 2027 trade deadline.
After a 34-17 loss to the Bears, Seattle Seahawks defensive star DeMarcus Lawrence tells reporters the defense is “right where we need to be,” despite the unit ranking last in red‑zone efficiency and allowing touchdowns on all four Bears trips inside the 20. Lawrence emphasized a collective, play‑by‑play approach and refused to single out the defense amid the team’s 4‑4 record following a Super Bowl win. He and the Seahawks aim to bounce back against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
D'Andre Swift scored three second half rushing touchdowns in Seattle, becoming the first Bear with three rushing scores in a half since Walter Payton in 1977. Inside a historic night.
Eight in‑season NFL trades have already hit the market ahead of the Nov. 10 deadline, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Teams are split: struggling clubs swap talent for draft picks, while playoff hopefuls add firepower. Highlights include the Giants grabbing QB J.J. McCarthy, the Steelers sending CB Joey Porter Jr. to Dallas, the Ravens acquiring Pro Bowl C Cam Jurgens, and the Bears trading two first‑rounders for DT Jeffery Simmons. The Colts off‑loaded DT DeForest Buckner and G Quenton Nelson for future picks, and the Ravens are poised to add QB Jacoby Brissett after Lamar Jackson’s injury. The flurry of moves showcases a rapid front‑office scramble for postseason positioning.
NBA anti‑tanking reforms have reshaped the draft lottery, but early season results show many teams still flounder. Stephen Noh notes that six clubs sit at 1‑0, double last year’s count, with the Bulls, Jazz, Bucks and Kings all 1‑7 and Chicago posting a league‑worst –17.6 net rating. While the new rules may curb deliberate losing later in the year, they won’t instantly fix weak rosters. Noh points to bright spots—Memphis’s 6‑2 start and progress from Dallas, Washington and New Orleans—driven by health, development and smart additions. The lottery tweak can encourage better decisions, but it won’t create talent overnight.
The New York Mets are set to add Johnny Washington as a co‑hitting coach, according to sources cited by Joel Sherman. Washington, who most recently served as the Braves’ farm system hitting coordinator, replaces Jeff Albert’s former director‑of‑hitting role and will share duties with Troy Snitker and assistant Rafael Fernandez. Washington’s résumé includes stints as the Padres’ first‑base coach (2017‑18), their hitting coach (2019), a KBO hitting coach for the Hanwha Eagles (2021), the Cubs’ assistant hitting coach (2022), and the Angels’ hitting coach in 2023 before being dismissed earlier this year. The move signals the Mets’ push to revamp their offense for the 2026 season.
Friday’s NFL roster moves see the Bears put RB Zavier Scott on IR, while the Ravens shift gears by elevating LB Adisa Isaac, K Jake Moody and signing QB Austin Reed, then placing Tyler Huntley and Lamar Jackson on IR. The Chiefs add WR Bub Means, the Giants waive QB Jake Haener, and the Raiders swap TE Carter Runyon for WR Cody White. Practice squad signings span the Bills (Kader Kohou), Patriots (Kindle Vildor), Rams (Joshua Karty, David Long), Seahawks (Adrian Martinez, Jamie Sheriff) and more.
The Chicago Bulls are struggling on offense and need Matas Buzelis to embrace his instincts as a scorer to pull away from their destructive tendencies.
The New York Mets appoint Johnny Washington as co‑hitting coach alongside returning Troy Snitker, adding him to Andy Green’s staff. Washington spent 2026 as the Atlanta Braves’ minor‑league hitting coordinator after stints with the Padres, Cubs, Angels and a KBO team. He previously worked with Mets players Jared Young and Luis Torrens. The hire follows the Mets’ search for hitting help, with Kevin Long and John Mallee ruled out, and comes as the club finished near the league bottom in OPS and runs in 2026. Fellow assistants Rafael Fernandez and AJ Ellis also join the revamped coaching roster.
Cubs outfielder Pete Crow‑Armstrong caps a historic 2026 season by becoming an NL MVP finalist after a breakout year that saw him lead MLB with a 9.8 WAR, 119 runs, 45 homers, a .570 slugging percentage and a .943 OPS, while also logging 107 RBIs and 41 steals. The surge builds on his 2025 All‑Star performance and reflects manager Craig Counsell’s mentorship, which Crow‑Armstrong credits for improving his mindset off the field. As Chicago eyes a deeper playoff run, the duo’s partnership will be pivotal heading into the 2027 offseason.