The Chicago Bears aim to cap a three‑game primetime streak at 3‑0 before their bye week, but they face a revitalized Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday Night Football. The Bucs, coming off a 16‑0 shutout of Atlanta, have improved to 3‑5 after a 0‑4 start, boasting the league‑best defense but a struggling passing attack—only 62 yards through the air in the past two weeks. Running backs Bucky Irving and Kenny Gainwell each average 5 yards per carry, while quarterback Baker Mayfield plays through a thumb injury. The Bears enter as 6½‑point favorites, but recent close losses (including a 27‑17 defeat in 2023) suggest the game could be tighter than the spread implies.
The Bulls slip to a 1‑7 record after a 30‑point loss in New York, now tied for the league’s worst record and holding the lowest net rating (‑17.5). Offensive and defensive ratings sit at 28th and 29th, and the team ranks last in three‑point shooting (27.2%). Veteran Norman Powell urges a tougher mentality, while rookie No. 4 pick Caleb Wilson is “soft‑benched” after a frustrating outing, according to coach Tiago Splitter. Jalen Smith exits early with a hand injury, and the club sends Nic Claxton and Dailyn Swain to the G League. Powell is also flagged as a potential trade candidate.
The Chicago Blackhawks (4‑11‑1) head to Tampa on Thursday for a back‑to‑back game, facing the 9‑3‑2 Lightning at 6 p.m. CT. After a 5‑3 loss to Florida, Chicago’s only hope is a tighter defensive effort and a shoot‑first approach to snap their 0‑6‑1 road record. Connor Bedard extends his point streak to seven, while Roman Kantserov keeps his to six. Tampa, sitting atop the Eastern Wild Card with a .714 points percentage, comes off a 4‑2 win over Detroit; Brayden Point scored twice and Vasilevskiy posted a 2‑goal shutout. Projected lineups feature Bedard, Kantserov and Tyler Bertuzzi for Chicago, and Point, Kucherov and Guentzel for Tampa, with Vasilevskiy in net against Arvid Söderblom.
The Chicago Cubs are rumored to be making a serious push for free‑agent pitcher Tarik Skubal this offseason. MLB insider Bowden tells CBS Sports that the Cubs have the money and are likely to “make a run” for the 29‑year‑old, who could command a record‑breaking salary for a pitcher. While other teams are also interested, insiders Ken Rosenthal and Bowden suggest Chicago will target at least two starting arms, with Skubal a top candidate. Skubal, a two‑time AL Cy Young winner, posted a 2.72 ERA, 186 strikeouts and a 12‑7 record in 26 starts after being traded to the Dodgers from Detroit. The Cubs aim to improve on their 89‑73 2026 season by bolstering their rotation.
Cubs center fielder Pete Crow‑Armstrong joins Seiya Suzuki as a finalist for Louisville Slugger’s 2026 Silver Slugger award, alongside outfielders Corbin Carroll, Jackson Chourio, Fernando Tatis Jr., Jordan Walker and James Wood. Third‑base finalists are Alex Bregman and Max Muncy. Crow‑Armstrong already collected three postseason honors—Baseball America Player of the Year, Players Choice Award, and a Gold Glove—so a Silver Slugger would cap a historic offseason. Winners are announced on Nov. 17.
The Blackhawks are one of just two teams in the NHL that has yet to eclipse the 10-point mark in the standings.
The Boston Red Sox announce former MLB player Shelley Duncan, 47, will join their major‑league coaching staff, though his exact title is still undecided. Duncan’s résumé includes managing low‑level Diamondbacks squads, serving as the Blue Jays’ field coordinator, a stint as the White Sox’s analytics coordinator, and most recently winning the 2025 International League Manager of the Year with the Yankees’ Triple‑A club. His hiring follows a sweeping coaching overhaul that saw Alex Cora ousted, interim manager Chad Tracy earn a three‑year deal, and several interim coaches reassigned within the organization.
The New York Rangers are eager to land Tampa Bay Lightning star Nikita Kucherov, but they may face stiff competition from the Seattle Kraken and Chicago Blackhawks. Both clubs have the cap space and draft capital to meet Lightning GM Julien BriseBois’s demanding price—a top‑tier NHL‑ready forward, high‑end prospects, and several first‑round picks. Kucherov, who rejected a four‑year, $15 million‑per‑year extension, holds a 10‑team trade list and must approve his destination. While New York offers a Stanley Cup‑contending roster, Seattle and Chicago could outbid on assets, making the trade saga uncertain.
Adam Schefter indicates that Carson Wentz is likely to start for the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football against the Buffalo Bills, as quarterback Kyler Murray remains questionable with a hamstring injury suffered in the Week 8 loss to Detroit. Murray is 64.9% complete for 6.6 yards per attempt with five touchdowns and three interceptions this season. Wentz, who has played two games this year—a relief effort and a start—has thrown three touchdowns and no interceptions, including a 39-22 Week 1 win over Green Bay and a 9-3 victory over Chicago. The Bills’ defense will face a veteran backup in a primetime showdown.
Jalen Brunson erupts for 22 first‑quarter points as the New York Knicks roar to a 135‑105 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Nov. 4, 2026. Brunson finishes with 33 points, while Karl‑Anthony Towns adds 17 and 12 rebounds. New York jumps to a 43‑21 lead after one period and never looks back, holding the Bulls to just 105 points and 10‑of‑44 three‑pointers. Bench contributors Dalton Knecht and Jordan Clarkson each chip in 10, showcasing depth that helped the Knicks win four of their last five after an 0‑3 start.
After a 135-105 loss to the New York Knicks, Bulls coach Tiago Splitter publicly challenged rookie forward Caleb Wilson to stay aggressive even when the team trails by 20, 30 or 40 points. Wilson, who finished with just 5 points on 5‑for‑15 shooting, was upset about limited touches early in the game. Splitter emphasized resilience as the Bulls slump to 1-7 in their rebuild. Wilson averages 19.5 points and 6.5 rebounds, and the Bulls next face the Philadelphia 76ers Sunday at the United Center.
A practice video shared by Red Wings reporter Ansar Khan shows the team pausing for several minutes before drills, waiting for defenseman Moritz Seider to take the ice. Fans seized the moment as a possible hint that Seider, 25, could be named Detroit’s new captain after Dylan Larkin’s removal. While Seider already serves as an alternate captain and has drawn praise for his leadership following the Oct. 29 win over Chicago, the organization has not confirmed any decision, and other candidates like Alex DeBrincat and Lucas Raymond remain in the conversation. The speculation continues until an official announcement.
Steve Kerr draws a striking parallel between Stephen Curry’s early‑season brilliance and his own experience sharing the floor with Michael Jordan. Citing Curry’s 30‑point average, 42.9% three‑point shooting and clutch performances—a 44‑point game versus Minnesota and a 31‑point, eight‑three display against the Lakers—Kerr says the Warriors’ star mirrors Jordan’s relentless competitiveness and showmanship. The coach’s remarks, captured by the Sacramento Bee, highlight Curry’s ability to dominate defenses night after night, echoing the aura that defined Jordan’s Bulls dynasty. Readers get insight into Kerr’s coaching mindset and why Curry’s current run feels historic.
Pete Crow-Armstrong, Seiya Suzuki and Alex Bregman are among the NL Silver Slugger finalists, with Crow-Armstrong poised to win an outfield spot after leading MLB with 45 homers, 119 runs and a 10.6 fWAR. Suzuki faces stiff competition from the likes of Fernando Tatis Jr., while Bregman could edge out Steven Muncy thanks to higher run totals, RBIs and defensive value. The Cubs are also finalists for Best Offensive Team, having topped the NL in runs (850), home runs (220), RBI (804), slugging (.428), wOBA (.337), wRC+ (114) and fWAR (37.7).
The Miami Dolphins host the Detroit Lions in Week 9 on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium. CBS will broadcast the game with Kevin Harlan and Trent Green, but only Miami, West Palm Beach, and Fort Myers viewers will see it locally; the rest of Florida gets other matchups. NFC North markets—including Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Chicago, and Toledo—will also receive the Lions‑Dolphins game. The Dolphins sit 1‑6 after a Week 8 loss, while the Lions are 5‑2 and aiming for a playoff push. Additional Florida games: Jets‑Chiefs, Broncos‑Panthers, Browns‑Saints on CBS; Cowboys‑Colts, Giants‑Eagles, Packers‑Patriots on FOX; and Buccaneers‑Bears on Sunday Night Football.
The Chicago White Sox are poised to hire Milwaukee Brewers assistant director of domestic scouting Matt Roffe to run their domestic draft operations, filling the vacancy left by Mike Shirley’s September resignation. Roffe, a key figure in the Brewers’ talent‑identification engine that helped the 2023 World Series champions thrive on a modest payroll, brings five years of scouting experience plus stints with the Diamondbacks, Padres and MLB research departments. His blend of analytics, technology and player evaluation is expected to inject fresh ideas into Chicago’s scouting department.
NFL.com's Nick Shook moved the Bears to No. 3 in his Week 9 power rankings. Here is why the defense drove the jump, and what still sits between Chicago and first place in the North.
The Atlanta Braves signed 35‑year‑old catcher Austin Wynns in early June 2026 as a stop‑gap after injuries to Drake Baldwin and Sean Murphy. Acquired from the Angels for cash considerations, Wynns appeared in six games, going 1‑for‑14 with a .071 slash line and allowing six stolen bases without throwing anyone out. He was released on June 16 when Baldwin returned, posting a -0.3 fWAR stint with Atlanta. After brief minor‑league contracts with the Rangers and Cubs, Wynns finished 2026 with a career‑low -0.7 fWAR in 89 plate appearances and a wRC+ of 2. The move was a low‑impact roster shuffle that failed to improve the Braves' catching depth.
The Arizona Diamondbacks have two Silver Slugger finalists: catcher Gabriel Moreno and outfielder Corbin Carroll. Carroll, the 2025 winner, posted a .239/.328/.467 slash line with 22 homers, 33 doubles and an MLB‑leading 17 triples in 156 games. Moreno, a two‑time Gold Glove winner, captured the NL batting title at .311, added 16 homers, 33 doubles and an .874 OPS. Both face tough competition from players like Jackson Chourio, Pete Crow‑Armstrong, Seiya Suzuki, Fernando Tatis Jr., Jordan Walker, James Wood, and Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman. The winners will be announced on November 17.
The Seattle Mariners unveiled 36‑year‑old Jason Kanzler as their new manager on November 4, 2026 at T‑Mobile Park. With coaching stints at the Astros and most recently as the Cubs’ farm director, Kanzler has never managed a big‑league club, a point that has sparked skepticism after a 76‑win season. The author notes Kanzler’s thoughtful, communicative press conference answers as a promising sign, emphasizing the importance of middle‑manager‑style communication in modern baseball. The piece invites fans to share their first impressions and whether the hiring debate has shifted.
The Chicago Cubs face a looming rotation void after the 2026 season and must get creative to acquire win‑now starters. While big‑market teams may outspend them, front office boss Jed Hoyer could use trades, overseas signings, or reclamation projects, and a surprising free‑agent target: former Padres reliever Adrian Morejon. Morejon, a left‑handed power arm who wants a starter role, could be converted for $14‑$18 million and fit Wrigley’s wind‑friendly park. If the transition fails, Chicago can revert him to the bullpen, making the gamble a potentially high‑reward move for the struggling staff.
MLB free agency opens with a looming December 1 lockout, giving teams less than a month to seal deals. The author ranks the top 20 free agents, highlighting a deep starting‑pitcher pool led by Tarik Skubal. Skubal, a two‑time Cy Young with a 2.72 ERA and 10.55 K/9 in 2026, is projected to sign a record‑setting nine‑year, $400 million contract (≈$44.44 M AAV) with the New York Mets. Pitcher Michael King (3.21 ERA) is tipped for a four‑year, $140 million deal with the Chicago Cubs, while outfielder Randy Arozarena is forecast to land a five‑year, $135 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles. The piece updates the list as agents negotiate amid the compressed window.
Sharp Football’s Week 7 “The Worksheet” preview, authored by Rich Hribar, dissects every NFL matchup for fantasy managers. After a historically low‑scoring Week 6—averaging just 21.5 points per game and record‑high offensive penalties—the guide urges roster tweaks as the fantasy season hits its midpoint and bye weeks approach (Bills, Jaguars, Chargers, Commanders). It highlights early Paris kickoff (Steelers @ Saints at 9:30 a.m. ET) and provides game‑by‑game tables, player rankings, and injury updates for all 15 Week 7 contests, from Patriots @ Bears on Thursday night to Cowboys @ Eagles on Monday night. Use the data to fine‑tune lineups before the rush of the second half of the season.
On November 5, the South Side Sox recall several historic moments. In 1892, future White Sox catcher Yam Yaryan was born; after two MLB seasons (1921‑22) he logged a 20‑year minor‑league career with 209 homers and a .302 average as a player‑manager in 1940. The post also notes Ban Johnson and Charles Comiskey’s 1901 lease of St. Louis’s Sportsman’s Park, paving the way for the Browns’ 1902 debut, and compares early‑20th‑century city team counts to today’s three‑city model. It then highlights the 1976 AL expansion draft, where the Sox lost five players, including future Cy Young winner Pete Vuckovich, and discusses Ron Schueler’s 1990 appointment as senior VP after GM Larry Himes’s dismissal.
Alex Bregman explains the three simple steps that helped him turn a perceived defensive decline into a second Gold Glove after his 2024 win. He credits offseason work with Matt Chapman in Arizona, daily drills and video study with Cubs infield coach Jonathan Mota, and targeted ready‑position, footwork, and long‑toss routines that solidified his rhythm through the All‑Star break. Bregman also mentions learning from infield specialist Nate Trosky and highlights how these habits boost both defense and overall productivity for the Astros third baseman.