In Episode 2554 of Effectively Wild, Ben Lindbergh chats with Japanese baseball analyst Yuri Karasawa about the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks' dynasty, NPB's new pitch clock and universal DH, and whether MLB's pull on talent hurts Japan’s pro league. They also discuss prospects like Teruaki Sato and the impact of losing amateurs such as Shoki Oda. Later, Rockies analytics director Michael McClellan explains his move from the Rays, how Colorado can close the data gap, tackle Coors Field quirks, and leverage AI in pitching strategy. The preview hints at deep dives into NPB‑MLB dynamics and Rocky Mountain analytics.
For NFL Week 9 fantasy managers, streaming D/ST options hinge on matchups more than marquee names. The Seattle Seahawks rebound from a 34‑point, one‑sack loss to the Bears and face the Arizona Cardinals, offering a bounce‑back chance. The Houston Texans, coming off a 27‑point, 420‑yard night against the Chiefs, could exploit the winless Chargers but remain inconsistent. Denver’s Broncos, despite a modest 24‑point, 399‑yard effort versus Kansas City, showed a clutch fourth‑quarter stop and now meet the Panthers, keeping them viable. Lastly, the New York Giants, after a solid 21‑point, 237‑yard week versus Houston, target a struggling, injury‑hit Eagles squad for potential turnover upside. Each defense presents a distinct risk‑reward scenario for weekly streaming.
Spencer Jones clears the injury list and is set for his season debut Saturday in Mexico City against Indiana, after missing Denver’s first seven games with a hamstring strain. Veteran DeMar DeRozan is also listed as probable after a back spasm. Meanwhile, Nikola Jokic finally looks like his MVP self, dropping 32 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds in a win over Toronto, though the Nuggets are 4‑3 overall and 0‑3 against winning teams, raising concerns about his contract and the supporting cast’s performance. Rookie Bryce Hopkins shines with a career‑high 18 points in the same victory, earning praise from coach David Adelman and Jokic.
The Los Angeles Lakers host the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, at 10:00 PM ET in a Western Conference showdown. The game airs on Prime Video, which also offers a free live stream. Luka Doncic leads the Lakers after a 138‑117 win over Miami, while Portland looks to build on its 118‑110 victory over Denver. Key factors include limiting turnovers, rebounding, and containing Doncic’s playmaking. Fans can catch the action on Prime’s platform, subject to regional restrictions.
A controversial false‑start on Kansas City’s right tackle Jaylon Moore erased Patrick Mahomes’ game‑winning touchdown, allowing the Denver Broncos to win 28‑24 and claim the AFC West lead on Nov. 7, 2026. Former Broncos safety Justin Simmons lashed out at Chiefs fans on the DNVR Sports podcast, calling them “delusional” and accusing officials of favoring Kansas City. Mahomes finished with 321 yards and three TDs, while Andy Reid and Mahomes both admitted they didn’t see the penalty. The loss drops the Chiefs to 5‑2 as they prepare to host the New York Jets next Sunday.
Spencer Jones is set to rejoin the Denver Nuggets rotation on Saturday, Nov. 7, when Denver faces the Indiana Pacers in Mexico City, after recovering from a hamstring strain. Coach and front office have targeted the game for his return, and he is no longer on the injury report. Jones brings defense, three‑point shooting and veteran stability, but his comeback forces a reshuffle of a rotation that has featured rookies Trevon Brazile and Bryce Hopkins. Analysts predict a 10‑ or 11‑man rotation, likely limiting Hopkins’s minutes while giving Jones about 14 minutes to prove his worth alongside stars Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.
Broncos rookie RB Jonah Coleman shines with 30 carries for 134 yards, nine catches for 97 yards and a game‑winner against the Chiefs in Week 8, earning praise from OT Mike McGlinchey. Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones deflects age excuses, stressing the need to win one‑on‑ones as the team struggles with pass rush, while coach Andy Reid highlights his disruptive impact. Meanwhile Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak lauds rookie G Trey Zuhn III’s calm Week 8 debut, noting his potential for continued snaps.
Friday’s NFL moves see several roster changes: the Broncos cut DB Taylor Rapp, and the Seahawks release RB Velus Jones. The Eagles approve an injury settlement, freeing RB Dameon Pierce from IR. The Panthers shuffle the secondary, dropping practice‑squad DB Zion Childress and adding DB Jakorian Bennett. In a notable trade, the Cardinals send QB Jacoby Brissett and a 2027 fifth‑rounder to the Ravens for a 2027 fourth‑round pick and a 2028 seventh‑round pick, with the Ravens also swapping those same picks in the opposite direction and waiving QB Austin Reed. These transactions were posted on NFLTradeRumors.co on November 7, 2026.
The Denver Broncos cut cornerback Taylor Rapp on Friday, ending his brief 2026 stint. The 28‑year‑old, a 2019 second‑round pick of the Rams, logged three games and 14 tackles for Denver before being released. Rapp previously spent a year with Buffalo, signing a three‑year, $14.5 million extension in 2024 before being let go in the offseason. He joined the Broncos in late August, briefly made the practice squad, then the active roster, only to be cut less than a week later.
The Broncos head to Carolina on Sunday without starting safety Brandon Jones (hamstring), defensive end Eyioma Uwazurike (shoulder) and backup cornerback Kris Abrams‑Draine (ankle), all listed as DNP. Veteran safety Talanoa Hufanga is questionable with an ankle issue, while Dondrea Tillman (hip) and wide receiver Pat Bryant (ankle) remain questionable but likely to play. Denver relies on its depth—Taylor Rapp, Devon Key, JL Skinner and others—to fill the void. Pat Bryant returns from IR after a Week‑4 ankle injury, and the team released Rapp in a procedural move, expecting his practice‑squad elevation. Coach Sean Payton emphasizes the importance of drafting depth as the Broncos prepare to face the Panthers.
Steven Stamkos nets the overtime winner 2:18 in, giving the Nashville Predators a 3-2 triumph over the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena on Nov. 6, 2026. Nashville led 2-1 in the first period with goals from Ross Colton and Vitali Pinchuk, while Colorado’s Jaden Schwartz and Parker Kelly tied it in the second. Goalkeeper Justus Annunen records 30 saves, and Ryan O’Reilly adds two assists, including the setup on Stamkos’ slap shot. The win lifts Nashville to 7-4-5, improves the season series to 2-0, and sees the Predators block 25 shots versus Colorado’s 10.
ESPN veteran Linda Cohn critiques wife‑of‑quarterback Brittany Mahomes and Rams spouse Kelly Stafford for how they voice complaints about the NFL. After Kansas City’s 28‑24 loss to Denver on Nov. 1, Mahomes blasted a false‑start flag that erased a late TD, accusing officials of bias toward the Chiefs. Cohn acknowledges her point but warns it sounds dismissive to outsiders. Meanwhile, Stafford questions the Rams’ unusually short 10‑day rest between games on Nov. 15 and Nov. 25, citing player recovery concerns amid a 34,847‑mile travel slate. Cohn says both women have valid issues but must "know the room" and consider broader perceptions when speaking publicly. The piece examines the balance between personal insight and public criticism in NFL discourse.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, fresh from a 5‑catch, 87‑yard game in a 28‑24 loss to Denver, says he “can’t wait” to celebrate his first Christmas as a married man with wife Taylor Swift. The couple wed in July at Madison Square Garden after dating since 2023 and announcing their engagement in August 2025. Kelce also features in a Tommy Hilfiger holiday campaign, joking about Christmas traditions and festive attire. The Chiefs look to rebound Sunday at home against the New York Jets as they try to halt a two‑game skid and reclaim AFC West standing.
At the NFL’s Week 9 midpoint, Arrowhead Pride highlights the Chiefs’ rising stars—the “Bulls”—and slipping players—the “Bears.” Running back Emmett Johnson shines after the Broncos loss, while receiver Rashee Rice is poised for a 100‑yard game and rookie edge rusher R. Mason Thomas leads the team in pressure rate despite limited snaps. Conversely, wideout Xavier Worthy’s breakout hopes fade, kicker Harrison Butker struggles with missed kicks, and offensive line coach Andy Heck (alongside Andy Reid) faces criticism for persistent protection woes. The piece also points to sleeper value picks like punt returner Jacob De Jesus and fullback Ben VanSumeren, plus a potential push‑in for Justin Fields in short‑yardage situations.
Erin Andrews replies to Brittany Mahomes’ Instagram post from the Chiefs‑Broncos game with a simple "Looking good!!" after Brittany shared photos of herself and her kids cheering at Mile High. The article notes Patrick Mahomes’ 321‑yard, three‑TD effort in a 28‑24 loss, the Chiefs’ 5‑2 record and upcoming Week 9 home clash with the New York Jets. It also highlights Andrews’ career as Fox’s lead NFL sideline reporter.
After a 120-100 loss to the Warriors that dropped Miami to 3-6, coach Erik Spoelstra says he “feels for” Tim Hardaway Jr., whose minutes have plummeted to four and seven per game. Signed to add shooting punch, Hardaway has posted just 5.1 points on 28.6% shooting in nine games, far below his 40.7% three‑point rate with Denver. Spoelstra blames the limited role on the second unit’s struggles against multi‑ball‑handler opponents, not on Hardaway’s effort. The Heat’s next test comes against Sacramento Sunday.
A thin, injury-ravaged backfield forces Denver to keep J.K. Dobbins in the plan, even as Jonah Coleman's burst argues for more.
Jones is dealing with a hamstring injury, but the Broncos could get fellow safety Talanoa Hufanga back in uniform.
Alex Singleton was named AFC Defensive Player of the Month on Thursday — Broncos DC Vance Joseph says the honor is overdue
Denver Nuggets big man Nikola Jokic may be on the decline. At least that's the growing narrative. It's far too soon to entertain such talk.
With the NFL trade deadline looming on Nov. 10, The Game Haus outlines offensive players likely to move. Veteran RB Jonathan Taylor (Colts) could be a rebuild-friendly upgrade for the Broncos or Vikings, while Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr. remains a buy‑low option for the Chiefs or 49ers. TE Dallas Goedert (Eagles) may be sold as a free agent, attracting interest from the Buccaneers or Seahawks. Colts WR Josh Downs, who publicly requested a trade, fits the Bills or Giants. OT Austin Jackson (Dolphins) and Browns’ Dawand Jones—both on expiring or cheap contracts—are potential targets for the Packers, Bengals, Texans or Panthers. The piece spotlights each player’s contract situation, performance, and best‑fit teams ahead of the deadline.
"I want to know the plays that he loves, I wanna kinda relay the plays that I love," Sean Payton said of his strategy with Broncos QB Bo Nix
Colorado Avalanche forward Zachary L'Heureux is sidelined for an extended period after an upper-body injury sustained on Oct. 13 against the Dallas Stars. Initially listed day-to-day, his status has now been upgraded to week-to-week, and head coach Jared Bednar says the recovery is "long‑term" with no clear timeline. L'Heureux, who has logged just three games this season (one assist and a fighting major), was placed on long‑term injured reserve retroactive to Oct. 10. The 23‑year‑old was acquired from Nashville in June 2024 alongside Fedor Svechkov, and his absence leaves the Avalanche lacking depth at left wing.
The NFL hits a record‑pace viewership milestone through Week 8, averaging 18.45 million viewers—up 3% from last season and the highest for this point in the Nielsen people‑meter era (since 1988). CBS leads the surge, posting a 19.56 million average (5% rise) and the network’s biggest audience ever, bolstered by the Chiefs‑Broncos showdown (28.18 M viewers). Thursday Night Football on Prime Video climbs 13% to 17.56 M, while Monday Night Football hits an eight‑week high of 18.6 M. Sunday Night Football remains the top primetime draw at 22.6 M, though down from last year. The data reflects new Nielsen “Big Data” methodology and growing out‑of‑home viewing.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton announces that wide receiver Pat Bryant will be activated from injured reserve this Saturday, ending a three‑week practice window after spraining his ankle in Week 4 against the 49ers. The 23‑year‑old, a former Illinois standout and 2024 Second‑Team All‑Big Ten honoree, has logged four games this season with nine catches for 133 yards and a touchdown. Bryant is under a four‑year, $6.58 million deal that includes a $1.43 million signing bonus and a $1.5 million 2026 cap hit.