Football’s Power Struggle
10/18/2023By: Jeff Yoder
Good Morning
In case you missed it, yesterday brought some crazy headlines. Terrell Owens was the victim of vehicular vengeance. The Eagles added WR Julio Jones to fix their red-zone woes. Neymar went down in a World Cup qualifier for Brazil. And those stories were just the beginning of a day riddled with click-worthy captions…
In Today’s Edition: There’s a new No. 1 in this week’s power rankings (can you guess?), and a Phillies-Rangers World Series looks almost inevitable. Sports isn’t stopping in this mid-week edition, and neither are we.
Letter Rip!
NFL
NFL Power Rankings 7.0
Five Teams Are 5-1 Through 6 Weeks — But It’s Time to Drink the Detroit Kool-Aid
With five teams all 5-1 through six weeks, there’s a lot of possibilities in this week’s top-5. All five teams have shown their weaknesses, but the Lions have earned their place at the top. They’re balanced on both sides and the play of QB Jared Goff is MVP-level through six weeks. Goff’s 2023 season to date: 1,618 yards, 11 TDs, 3 INTs, 73.3 QBR. He’s top-10 in every category (top-5 in some), and his defense is stacked. This team is for real.
Deeper on Detroit: Detroit’s lone loss was an OT defeat to the Seahawks. They beat the Chiefs, and the 49ers and Eagles are banged up now. Kansas City is still winning repeatedly, but they’re not dominating. And the Dolphins still need to prove their defense can beat elite teams. A lot of the top teams not named Detroit will cannibalize each other in the weeks ahead. Matchups between the Dolphins-Eagles, Dolphins-Chiefs, Chiefs-Chargers, Eagles-Cowboys, and 49ers-Jaguars could see a lot of the top squads hurt each other in the month ahead. The Lions have the Ravens in Week 7, but the following month looks peachy with the Raiders, Packers and Bears at home (three likely wins). Dan Campbell’s crew gets our No. 1 spot, and they have an opportunity to hold it for quite awhile while the 49ers and Eagles battle injuries.
Fun Fact: The season-opener was a one-point decision between the Lions and Chiefs (21-20). Could that have been a Super Bowl preview right out of the gate?
NFL Power Rankings (Week 6)
1. Lions (5-1) | ↑3
2. Chiefs (5-1) | ↑1
3. 49ers (5-1) | ↓2
4. Dolphins (5-1) | ↑1
5. Eagles (5-1) | ↓4
6. Bills (4-2) | —
7. Jaguars (4-2) | ↑2
8. Cowboys (4-2) | —
9. Ravens (4-2) | ↑3
10. Browns (3-2) | ↑3
Teams 11-20
11. Bengals (3-3) | ↑8
12. Rams (3-3) | ↑3
13. Chargers (2-3) | ↓3
14. Seahawks (3-2) | ↓7
15. Jets (3-3) | ↑8
16. Steelers (3-2) | ↑2
17. Texans (3-3) | ↑4
18. Buccaneers (3-2) | ↓7
19. Saints (3-3) | ↓5
20. Packers (2-3) | —
Teams 21-32
21. Falcons (3-3) | ↓5
22. Colts (3-3) | ↓6
23. Raiders (3-3) | ↑1
24. Commanders (3-3) | ↑3
25. Vikings (2-4) | —
26. Titans (2-4) | ↓4
27. Bears (1-5) | ↓1
28. Cardinals (1-5) | —
29. Broncos (1-5) | —
30. Patriots (1-5) | —
31. Giants (1-5) | —
32. Panthers (0-6) | —
Read More
The Ringer: NFL Power Rankings: Who Belongs on Top?
SI: NFL Power Rankings: Upset-Filled Sunday Provides Shakeup
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MLB PLAYOFFS
NLCS Gm 2: Flight Night in Philly
Kyle Schwarber (2 HRs) & Trea Turner (1 HR) Launch Phillies Into Home-Run History With Game 2 Shutout Against Diamondbacks (10-0)
We all knew the Phillies had unfinished business after last year’s World Series runner-up finish, and it’s playing out in these playoffs. Philadelphia launched another barrage of home runs on Tuesday night in Game 2 of the NLCS, starting with Trea Turner in the 1st inning and picking up steam with a pair of blasts from Kyle Schwarber in the 3rd and 6th. Aaron Nola was simply spectacular, and his raised level of pitching could be the key to a Phillies World Series run. Nola (6 IP, 7 Ks, 3 Hits, 0 Runs) was downright deadly with the backdoor sinker. Philly held a 2-0 lead when Nola exited, then they slammed the door on Game 2 with eight runs in the 6th and 7th frames. Citizens Bank Park was a madhouse, but we’re heading to the desert for Games 3, 4 and 5. PHI Leads Series (2-0)
Phillies HRs in October
Nick Castellanos: 5 HRs
Bryce Harper: 4 HRs
Kyle Schwarber: 3 HRs
Trea Turner: 3 HRs
J.T. Realmuto: 2 HRs
Bryson Stott: 1 HR
Brandon Marsh: 1 HR
Philly HR History: The Phillies lead the postseason with 19 home runs in eight playoff games, but 15 of those have occurred in the last four outings. That’s the most HRs (15) in a four-game streak in MLB playoff history.
Watch: Phillies Rout D-Backs Behind Schwarber’s 2-HR Night (10-0)
Tonight’s Schedule
ALCS Gm 3: Astros at Rangers (8:03 pm, FS1)
TEX Leads Series (2-0)
Read More
MLB: Phillies Seize 2-0 NLCS Lead as Bats Ring D-Backs’ Bell in 10-0 Shutout
CBS Sports: Schwarber HR Party Rolls on as Phillies Win Game 2 Blowout
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NCAAW
Women’s Preseason Poll
Angel Reese & The LSU Tigers Start Their Repeat Bid at No. 1 Overall; Caitlin Clark’s Hawkeyes in at No. 3
It’s the women’s turn! The AP Preseason Poll for women’s college basketball was revealed on Tuesday, and there’s no surprise at the top. The defending champs from LSU, with superstar Angel Reese, earned 35 out of 36 1st-place votes to lead the opening poll. UConn comes in at No. 2, and the Fighting Caitlin Clarks (Iowa) round out the top-3. If you recall, it was LSU-Iowa in last year’s national championship, and both schools return their biggest stars. Could we see a repeat in 2024? Here’s a look at the preseason rankings:
Women’s NCAA Preseason Poll
1. LSU (35)
2. UConn (1)
3. Iowa
4. UCLA
5. Utah
6. South Carolina
7. Ohio State
8. Virginia Tech
9. Indiana
10. Notre Dame
Rest of Top-25: 11. Tennessee | 12. Ole Miss | 13. Texas | 14. Maryland | 15. Stanford | 16. North Carolina | 17. Louisville | 18. Florida State | 19. Baylor | 20. Colorado | 21. USC | 22. Creighton | 23. Illinois | 24. Washington State | 25. Mississippi State | Full AP Poll Article
Read More
NCAA: LSU, UConn & Iowa Top Women’s Preseason Poll
USA Today: The Madness in Women’s College Basketball Will Continue, And That’s a Great Thing
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HIGHLIGHTS
SOCCER: USMNT Routs Ghana (4-0)
The U.S. Men’s National Team fired four first-half goals in a 4-0 romp against Ghana on Tuesday. Gio Reyna scored two goals for the first time on the U.S. scoresheet since 2021, while Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun also found the net.
NHL: McDavid Spins Oilers to 1st Win
It was an ugly opening week for the Oilers, but Edmonton went off against the Predators on Tuesday (6-1) thanks to two goals from Leon Draisaitl and a stunning, knee-swirling finish from Connor McDavid. Early goal of the year candidate?
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STORYLINES
After edging ahead in Heisman Trophy odds one week ago, Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is officially the clear favorite. Two candidates also exited the conversation, too. (B/R)
The Miami Marlins’ former general manager declined her half of the mutual option with the club on Monday, and she immediately vaults to the top of the want list for several teams. (Sporting News)
The Spurs are set to play 19 games on ESPN, ABC, TNT, or NBA TV, including four of their first eight. They were on national TV just once last season. That’s the Victor Wembanyama effect. (ESPN)
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NEWS
- Eagles Sign 7-Time Pro Bowl WR Julio Jones to 1-Year Contract (B/R)
- Giants Bring in QBs Matt Barkley & Ian Book While Daniel Jones Recovers From Neck Injury (CBS Sports)
- Sweden Soccer Players Take Overnight Flight Home After Deadly Shooting, Suspended Match in Belgium (FOX Sports)
- NFL Owners to Vote on Changing the Offseason Coach-Hiring Cycle (Sports Illustrated)
- Patrick Mahomes & Travis Kelce Join Minority Ownership of Formula 1 Team (Yahoo! Sports)
- Rockets Send Kevin Porter Jr. & Draft Picks to Thunder for Victor Oladipo, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (CBS Sports)
- Longtime USMNT Star Michael Bradley to Retire (Yahoo! Sports)
- Terrell Owens Struck by Vehicle After Argument in Pickup Basketball Game (NBC Sports)
- Neymar Carted Off With ‘Severe’ Knee Injury in Brazil-Uruguay Match (B/R)
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SCHEDULE
Today’s Must-Watch List
MLB Playoffs
ALCS Gm 3: Astros at Rangers (8:03 pm, FS1)
*TEX Leads Series (2-0)
WNBA Finals
Gm 3: Aces at Liberty (8:00 pm, ESPN)
*LV Leads Series (2-1)
NHL
Penguins at Red Wings (7:30 pm, TNT)
MLS
Inter Miami CF at Charlotte FC (8:00 pm, AppleTV)
*All Times ET