This is a revised presentation of the CBS Sports HQ AM Newsletter, your comprehensive guide to each day’s events in the sports world. You’re welcome to subscribe and receive it directly in your email inbox every weekday morning by following this link.
🤕 Five key updates for today
- Precious victory. Despite the absence of several significant players, the 49ers managed to outperform the Rams on Thursday evening, securing a 26-23 triumph in overtime. After San Francisco narrowly made a field goal, the Rams opted to aim for a decisive win on their subsequent possession, attempting — and failing — on a 4th-and-1 play from San Francisco’s 11-yard line instead of settling for a straightforward field goal to tie the score. The Rams committed multiple errors late in the game, Mac Jones engineers yet another unlikely victory, and we share our initial reactions.
- The WNBA Finals are set to begin tonight. The opening game will feature a face-off between the Mercury and the Aces. We assessed the starting lineup of both teams, ranking the top 10 players before the match, and predictably, A’ja Wilson holds the top position. However, not all is positive within the WNBA, as negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement continue. Fever’s star player, Caitlin Clark, acknowledged that Lynx’s Napheesa Collier raised “many important points” in her recent critique of what she termed “the poorest leadership globally.” Returning our focus to the court, here are our predictions for how the Finals series might unfold.
- Lamar Jackson was absent from practice again. Still in recovery from a hamstring injury incurred during the Ravens’ Week 4 match against the Chiefs, Jackson’s participation in the Week 5 game against the Texans remains uncertain. Baltimore, with a current record of 1-3, faces challenges in regaining momentum and fulfilling its pre-season expectations as a Super Bowl contender.
- Could London host the Super Bowl? NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has indicated that the league is prioritizing hosting its championship game in cities that already accommodate NFL teams, thus reducing the likelihood of London’s bid succeeding anytime soon.
- Another action-packed Saturday of college football is on the horizon. CBS Sports is providing extensive coverage, ranging from updates on Heisman Trophy odds and forward-looking analyses, to identification of potential upset scenarios in the College Football Playoff race, and Week 6 game forecasts. We’ve got all your needs covered.
⚾ Must-see: The Tigers, Cubs, and Yankees secure Wild Card Series wins to advance
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Thursday’s action began with the Tigers defeating the Guardians 6-3 in Cleveland. This victory effectively nullified Detroit’s significant late-season stumble, which had allowed Cleveland to rally from a 15 ½ game deficit to claim the AL Central title. The Tigers will now proceed to the ALDS, where they will compete against the Mariners.
Subsequently, the Cubs managed to overcome the Padres 3-1 on their home field, marking their first playoff series win since the 2017 NLDS. The Cubs now advance to the NLDS to challenge the top-seeded Brewers in a face-off between NL Central division rivals. The Padres had an opportunity to tie the score with a runner in scoring position during the ninth inning, but they were unable to capitalize as Andrew Kittredge induced Freddy Fermín to fly out, concluding the game.
To conclude the night, the Yankees achieved a 4-0 shutout against the Red Sox, propelled by an exceptional performance from rookie starting pitcher Cam Schlittler. Schlittler made history as the first pitcher in MLB postseason play to record 12 strikeouts while permitting neither a walk nor any runs over eight innings, completely neutralizing Boston’s offensive efforts. The Yankees are now slated to play the Blue Jays in the ALDS.
While the Blue Jays enter the series with the advantage of choosing their preferred starting pitcher, and the Yankees have already utilized three different starters, CBS Sports’ prediction indicates that the Yankees are projected to win the series in five games.
🏀 Is there trust among college basketball coaches that new recruiting guidelines will be followed?
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In light of a House settlement establishing new regulations to manage NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) spending, CBS Sports analysts Gary Parrish and Matt Norlander recently surveyed approximately 100 college basketball coaches on a variety of topics, including their expectations for how the settlement terms would be adhered to by their competitors.
Surprisingly, 89% of the coaches polled expressed a lack of confidence in their rivals to comply with the recruiting guidelines. As one coach commented, “We operate within the SOUTH region of the United States. Rules are secondary; achieving victories is paramount. Let’s be realistic.”
Although the remaining 11% of coaches displayed a degree of optimism regarding adherence to the rules, the overall sentiment offers an insightful perspective on expectations amidst the evolving landscape of college sports.
- Parrish: “The responses highlight a point I’ve emphasized in my writing and discussions well before the House Settlement became a reality — that imposing a salary cap in college basketball, particularly one that varies among programs even within the same conferences, was inherently flawed in its current design. Consider this: When the effective salary cap remained at zero for decades, widespread recruiting violations were prevalent as ambitious coaches sought advantages and struggling coaches fought to remain competitive.”
👊 A championship doubleheader is set for UFC 320 this Saturday
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UFC 320 is scheduled for Saturday night in Las Vegas, featuring a strong lineup of matches including a main event clash between light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev and former titleholder Alex Pereira. Ankalaev previously defeated Pereira at UFC 313 to claim the championship. Pereira mentioned to CBS Sports’ Brian Campbell that he performed at “about 40%” during their initial encounter.
Ankalaev responded to Pereira’s remarks, stating, “If he attributes his performance to being only 40% prepared, I could claim that I was operating at just 20%. The timing of our last fight is well-known. It coincided with the holy month of Ramadan, which restricted my ability to prepare as thoroughly as I needed. So, I don’t believe he should emphasize the 40% point, as it’s widely understood that I faced a more challenging camp and preparation period than he did.”
We have extensive coverage to prepare you for Saturday’s significant event, including bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili discussing his ambitions of becoming the greatest of all time (G.O.A.T.) before his title defense in the co-main event, as well as our selections for the best betting options across the five main card fights.
👍👎 Highlights and Lowlights from Around the Sports World
- How do Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby measure up against their contemporaries? With the NHL season commencing on Tuesday, we present a compilation of the league’s top 75 players.
- We’re approximately one month away from the NFL’s trade deadline, and we’ve analyzed the players most likely to be traded, identifying both potential buyers and sellers among the teams.
- Following an injury sustained during a kick return in Monday night’s defeat against the Dolphins, the Jets have placed running back Braelon Allen on injured reserve and have signed veteran back Khalil Herbert.
- As the Warriors prepare to make NBA history by starting four players aged 35 or older on opening night, 39-year-old Al Horford may hold the key to the team’s overall success.
- Renowned manager Jurgen Klopp shared his perspectives with CBS Sports on life after stepping down from managerial duties. Klopp commented, “I miss nothing; I’m enjoying my current activities,” now that he no longer carries “1,000% responsibility” for events on the field. Klopp also mentioned that he managed just fine without viewing a single World Cup match.
- Ahead of his second career start in the NFL, Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart acknowledged that he feels a sense of determination as he prepares for the game against the Saints, a team that chose not to draft him previously.
- The NFL experts at CBS Sports have provided their forecasts for the most significant and intriguing matchups of Week 5.
- In a standout performance during his inaugural NFL season, Raiders rookie running back Ashton Jeanty reverted to the “Michael Myers stance” he employed prior to snaps during his time at Boise State.
- Patriots quarterback Drake Maye has the opportunity to match Tom Brady’s record when the team travels to face the Bills on Sunday night. Concurrently, wide receiver Stefon Diggs will return to Buffalo that evening, anticipating “an intense atmosphere.”
- European Ryder Cup team members Matt Fitzpatrick and Tyrrell Hatton expressed strong opinions regarding PGA of America president Don Lea following verbal abuse directed at European players during the event.
- Former Yankees scout Dick Groch, who advocated for New York to draft Derek Jeter, has passed away at the age of 84.
- As the UFC moves forward with plans to host an event on the White House lawn to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, CEO Dana White stated that the organization will need to allocate $700,000 for repairs to the South Lawn.
- Good news for Saints supporters: the team has agreed to a 10-year extension to remain in New Orleans.
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📺 This Weekend’s Viewing Guide
Friday
⚽ Sassuolo vs. Hellas Verona, 2:45 p.m. on Paramount+
⚽ Fulham vs. AFC Bournemouth, 3 p.m. on USA Network
🏒 Preseason: Sabres vs. Penguins, 7 p.m. on NHL Network
🏀 WNBA Finals — Game 1: Mercury vs. Aces, 8 p.m. on ESPN
🏈 West Virginia vs. BYU, 10:30 p.m. on ESPN
Saturday
⚽ Torino vs. Lazio, 9 a.m. on Paramount+
⚽ Tottenham vs. Leeds, 7:30 a.m. on USA Network
⚽ West Ham vs. Arsenal, 10 a.m. on Peacock
🏈 Kentucky vs. Georgia, 12 p.m. on ABC
🏈 Iowa State vs. Cincinnati, 12 p.m. on ESPN2
🏈 Wisconsin vs. Michigan, 12 p.m. on Fox
🏈 Illinois vs. Purdue, 12 p.m. on Big Ten Network
⚽ Liverpool vs. Chelsea, 12:30 p.m. on NBC
⚾ NLDS — Game 1: Cubs vs. Brewers, 2:08 p.m. on TBS
🏈 Penn State vs. UCLA, 3:30 p.m. on CBS
🏈 Texas vs. Florida, 3:30 p.m. on ESPN
🏈 Vanderbilt vs. Alabama, 3:30 p.m. on ABC
🏈 Boise State vs. Notre Dame, 3:30 p.m. on NBC
🏈 Virginia vs. Louisville, 3:30 p.m. on ESPN2
🏈 Kent State vs. Oklahoma, 4 p.m. on SEC Network
⚾ ALDS — Game 1: Yankees vs. Blue Jays, 4:08 p.m. on Fox
⚾ NLDS — Game 1: Dodgers vs. Phillies, 6:38 p.m. on TBS
🏈 Texas Tech vs. Houston, 7 p.m. on ESPN
🏈 Minnesota vs. Ohio State, 7:30 p.m. on NBC
🏈 Miami vs. Florida State, 7:30 p.m. on ABC
🏈 Mississippi State vs. Texas A&M, 7:30 p.m. on SEC Network
⚾ ALDS — Game 1: Tigers vs. Mariners, 8:38 p.m. on FS1
Sunday
🏈 Vikings vs. Browns, 9:30 a.m. on NFL Network
🏈 Raiders vs. Colts, 1 p.m. on Fox
🏈 Giants vs. Saints, 1 p.m. on CBS
🏈 Cowboys vs. Jets, 1 p.m. on FOX
🏈 Broncos vs. Eagles, 1 p.m. on CBS
🏈 Dolphins vs. Panthers, 1 p.m. on Fox
🏈 Texans vs. Ravens, 1 p.m. on CBS
🏀 WNBA Finals — Game 2: Mercury vs. Aces, 3 p.m. on ABC
🏈 Titans vs. Cardinals, 4:05 p.m. on CBS
🏈 Buccaneers vs. Seahawks, 4:05 p.m. on CBS
⚾ ALDS — Game 2: Yankees vs. Blue Jays, 4:08 p.m. on FS1
🏈 Lions vs. Bengals, 4:25 p.m. on Fox
🏈 Commanders vs. Chargers, 4:25 p.m. on Fox
⚾ ALDS — Game 2: Tigers vs. Mariners, 8:03 p.m. on FS1
🏈 Patriots vs. Bills, 8:20 p.m. on NBC
