Week 7 AFC report cards reveal a mixed bag: the Broncos (A) dominate the Cardinals, while the Chiefs slip to D+ after a Seattle loss. The Bengals earn an A+ with a comeback win over the Ravens, who fall to D+. The Patriots sit at B‑, the Jets at C‑, and the Dolphins secure an A after beating New York. In the AFC South, the Titans earn B‑, the Colts D+, and the Texans C+. Bye weeks give the Bills, Chargers and Jaguars a reset. Grades highlight surprise victories and disappointing defeats across the conference.
The 2026 World Series heads toward a possible finale as the Brewers, riding a near‑perfect postseason with just one loss, look to close out the Rays after a dominant Game 3 win. Meanwhile, the Arizona Fall League spotlights Tate Southisene as a top‑performing position player, and MLB offseason chatter includes former Nationals GM Mike Rizzo interviewing for the Astros' GM vacancy. Brewers reliever Brandon Woodruff returns for a ninth‑inning outing after months sidelined by injury.
Bye weeks are back, with the 49ers, Giants, Saints, and Texans off in Week 8. If you are looking for […]
Week 7 of the NFL sees the Cowboys rout the Eagles 38-21, while former Purdue Boilermakers shine. Tyrone Tracy Jr. scores a rushing TD for the Giants in a 27-21 win over the Texans, adding a reception and 53 kickoff return yards. Derrick Barnes records six tackles in Detroit’s 20-17 victory over Green Bay, and George Karlaftis notches a tackle‑for‑loss and two QB hits as the Chiefs fall 20-3 to Seattle. Baker Mayfield returns for Tampa Bay, which dominates Carolina 43-13, though Payne Durham remains unused. The 49ers lose 29-20 to Atlanta despite Jalen Graham’s solo tackle, and the Raiders are beaten 35-21 by the Rams.
The Houston Astros are prioritizing a new general manager before hiring a manager, and former Washington Nationals GM Mike Rizzo has emerged as the leading candidate. Rizzo, 65, blends traditional scouting with modern analytics and is credited with drafting Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg and engineering the Juan Soto trade. His experience aligns with owner Jim Crane’s hands‑on style, suggesting he could thrive in an organization that values both data‑driven development—evidenced by recent hires from Driveline Baseball—and seasoned baseball judgment. If hired, Rizzo is expected to retain the core roster while making targeted improvements, positioning the Astros for continued competitiveness.
The Texans, Saints, Giants, and 49ers have a bye this week, giving fantasy managers plenty of hurdles to clear to […]
The Pirates’ 2026 turnaround—82 wins, a record‑setting 35 homers by Brandon Lowe—won’t last without an aggressive offseason. The article argues three must‑dos: re‑sign 32‑year‑old power hitter Brandon Lowe, whose Gold Glove finalist season (35 HR, 96 RBI, .260 avg) makes him the franchise’s top threat; add a quality right‑handed bat like former Astros third‑baseman Isaac Paredes (25 HR, .262 avg, .807 OPS) to shore up middle‑lineup pop and address left‑handed pitching woes; and acquire a left‑handed starter, citing Foster Griffin (3.60 ERA, 15 wins, recent All‑Star) as a potential fit after Mitch Keller’s decline. These moves aim to cement Pittsburgh’s rise into a playoff contender for 2027.
The Rockets defeat the Hawks 120-110 in a quick turnaround home‑home series, capitalizing on superior two‑point shooting and rebounding despite committing twice as many turnovers (25 vs. 13). Houston shoots 53% overall and dominates the boards 52‑35, while Atlanta slumps at 28% from three. Alperen Sengun leads with 29 points, nine rebounds and nine assists, and Reed Sheppard adds 13 off the bench. Fred VanVleet returns, but injuries sideline Steven Adams and Marcus Smart. The win comes on the road, driven by a 10‑point free‑throw edge and aggressive interior play.
The Houston Rockets extend their unbeaten streak to 4-0 with a 120-110 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Oct. 27, 2026. Alperen Sengün leads the way, posting a near‑triple‑double with 29 points, nine assists and nine rebounds. Kevin Durant contributes 22 points, and Jabari Smith Jr. adds 16 points, 12 boards and five assists. The win solidifies Houston’s strong start to the season, while Atlanta struggles to keep pace despite efforts from Jalen […]
Alperen Sengün fuels Houston’s hot start with a 29‑point, 9‑reb, 9‑ast, 6‑steal line that ties Nikola Jokić as the only NBA centers ever to post those stats in a single game. The Rockets beat the Atlanta Hawks 120‑110 at home, snapping a second straight win and highlighting the impact of floor‑general Fred VanVleet, who’s been on the court for all of Sengün’s biggest scoring nights. Houston now rides a 4‑game winning streak and aims for a fifth against Milwaukee on Wednesday.
The Houston Rockets remain undefeated with a 4-0 record following their 120-110 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Monday night.
The Rockets have received a concerning update about Steven Adams.
The Atlanta Hawks fell 120-110 to the Houston Rockets on Oct. 26, failing to score in the fourth quarter after trailing 91-85 entering the final period. CJ McCollum led the Hawks with 15 points at halftime and the team kept its usual starters, but poor three‑point shooting and turnovers let Houston, boosted by the return of Fred VanVleet and a 29‑point performance from Alperen Sengun, seize the lead. Bench contributors like Aaron Wiggins and Kingston Flemings sparked runs, yet the Hawks couldn't sustain momentum. The loss leaves Atlanta heading home to face the Miami Heat on Wednesday.
The Pacers’ Ben Sheppard faces meniscus surgery Wednesday after a left‑knee tear, likely a meniscectomy that could sideline him just a few weeks, coach Rick Carlisle says. Meanwhile, center Ivica Zubac’s ankle sprain improves—he entered the arena boot‑free—but guard Andrew Nembhard sits out with a back issue. Elsewhere, the Rockets’ Steven Adams is out until at least early November with a right soleus strain, Wizards rookie AJ Dybantsa misses his fourth game but is progressing, and the Hornets have no timelines for Coby White, Kon Knueppel or Grant Williams despite “positive steps.” Nuggets forward Spencer Jones hopes to debut within the next three games after bilateral hamstring management.
The Seattle Mariners are set to interview two managerial candidates, Joe Espada and Jason Kanzler, in person this week, according to MLB.com. Both former coaches on the 2022 World Champion Astros staff, the 51‑year‑old Espada brings a résumé that includes managing the Astros and a stint with the Yankees, while the 36‑year‑old Kanzler, a former minor‑league hitting coordinator turned Cubs director of player development, represents a younger option. The club aims to decide by month’s end to rebuild its coaching staff after a turnover following last season’s ALCS run.
The Astros revealed that outfielder Joey Loperfido had arthroscopic surgery on his right hip to fix an impingement and labral tear, delaying his return for spring training. The injury surfaced after the 2026 season, adding to a year that already saw Loperfido on the IL with a quad strain. With three option years exhausted, he faces roster uncertainty heading into 2027. Over the past three seasons, he posted a .240/.300/.378 line with a 92 wRC+, solid BABIP, and modest defensive value across all outfield spots. At 27, his minor‑league success and cheap contract could make him a useful bench depth option, but his health and lack of options put his roster spot at risk.
During the Giants' 27-21 overtime win over the Texans on Oct. 26, running back Cam Skattebo is flagged for unnecessary roughness after lowering his helmet into safety M.J. Stewart on a seven‑yard gain. The penalty sparks outrage from Skattebo, his dad Leo Skattebo III (who posted “Looks clean to me” on X), and Giants coach John Harbaugh, who argue the rule unfairly targets physical runners. Skattebo, who posted 124 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries after a touch‑less week, says the NFL praises his style in promos but punishes it on the field. The incident fuels the ongoing debate over helmet‑contact safety rules.
The Houston Astros face a pivotal offseason as they weigh trading shortstop Jeremy Pena—still a year from free agency and projected to earn $13.1 million—alongside third‑baseman Carlos Correa, who returned from a season‑ending ankle injury after filling in at shortstop. Analysts on Crush City Territory argue it would be “malpractice” to keep the 2022 World Series MVP, who posted a .277 average, 22 homers and 56 RBIs this year, citing his high trade value. With the Astros finishing 81‑81 and exiting the Wild Card round, the club must also fill the GM and manager vacancies while deciding its infield configuration for 2027.
The Houston Rockets host the Atlanta Hawks at the Toyota Center on Oct. 26, 2026, with tip‑off at 7:30 PM CST (Space City Home Network). Expected lineups feature Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Kevin Durant and Alperen Şengün for Houston, and CJ McCollum, Nikeil Alexander‑Walker, Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu for Atlanta. The Rockets are missing Steven Adams (calf) and Marcus Smart (forearm), while the Hawks list Mo Gueye as injured. The game will also be broadcast on KBME Sports Talk 790 and KLTN 102.9 (español).
The combined thread previews two marquee matchups on October 26, 2026. The Atlanta Hawks (2‑1) travel to Houston to face the 3‑0 Rockets on Tuesday night, with tip‑off at 8:30 PM EDT at Toyota Center; the game streams on Amazon Prime, NBA League Pass and YouTube TV, and airs locally on Peachtree TV and WANF. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Dream (2‑2) seek to even the WNBA Finals series against the Golden State Valkyries at San Francisco’s Chase Center, starting at 8:00 PM EDT and available on NBC, USA and Peacock. Starting lineups are listed, featuring CJ McCollum and Jordin Canada for the Hawks and Dream respectively.
Bad news for the Cleveland Guardians. Good news for the Minnesota Twins.
In the Giants' 27‑21 overtime win over the Houston Texans on Oct. 25, backup QB Jameis Winston contributed four carries, a rushing TD and a 19‑yard handoff to Cam Skattebo without displacing starter J.J. McCarthy, who threw for 252 yards on 20‑of‑28 passing. The article argues the Giants should retain a limited short‑yardage package for Winston after the bye, using the same personnel to keep defenses guessing, rather than reopening the quarterback debate. It notes practical considerations—substitution timing, alignment, and handoff credibility—while emphasizing that McCarthy remains the primary offense.
New York Giants rookie Cam Skattebo draws a rare unnecessary‑roughness flag for lowering his helmet during a 5:17‑into‑the‑first‑quarter run against the Houston Texans, wiping out a seven‑yard gain and costing the Giants 15 yards. Former quarterback Drew Brees blasted the call on Instagram, calling it “textbook tough physical run.” Former players Jacob Hester and Scott Shanle joined the outcry, while coach John Harbaugh also disagreed. Despite the controversy, Skattebo posted 124 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries, helping the Giants beat Houston 27‑21 and improve to 4‑2‑1.
In his first start for the New York Giants, quarterback J.J. McCarthy helped the team rally to a 27‑21 overtime win over the Houston Texans on Oct. 25, 2026. He threw for 252 yards, completing 20 of 28 passes, while Cam Skattebo rushed for 124 yards and Devin Singletary capped the OT period with a 30‑yard TD. After receiving the game ball from coach John Harbaugh, McCarthy delivered an impassioned locker‑room speech, praising his teammates’ resilience and promising to have their backs as the season continues. The victory lifts the Giants to a 4‑2‑1 record ahead of a bye week before the Eagles matchup on Nov. 8.
The Houston Astros are set to interview longtime Washington Nationals GM Mike Rizzo on Monday for their vacant general manager role, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. Rizzo, who led the Nats to a World Series title in 2019, is the most seasoned candidate among a pool that includes Brewers assistant GM Matt Kleine (who has already met with Houston), White Sox assistant Josh Barfield, Cardinals assistant Randy Flores, Royals SVP Scott Sharp, and Braves assistant Ben Sestanovich, as well as Astros assistants Charles Cook and Gavin Dickey. At 65, Rizzo brings proven success but faces questions about his adaptability to modern analytics, while younger contenders offer fresh perspectives.