Category: Sport

At numerous factors in the course of the fantasy soccer season, accidents, bye weeks and breaking information may cause you to wish reinforcements on your fantasy lineup. Each Friday all through the 2025 NFL season, Matt Bowen will provide up some late-week pickup choices to assist fill these holes, with an emphasis on deeper leagues.

Due to that, this column will focus totally on gamers rostered in fewer than 50% of ESPN leagues, with occasional exceptions.

With six groups on a bye this week, the choices are fairly slim, however there are sufficient high quality gamers accessible to drop into deep-league lineups. We’ll begin at quarterback, with two longtime veterans coming off big-time video games. I’m additionally eyeing a pair tight ends who’re offering double-digit fantasy manufacturing, and we’ll hit on a number of operating backs and large receivers, too. As at all times, I’ll provide you with a protection to stream this week, and this one can strain the quarterback.

Joe Flacco, Cincinnati Bengals (26.3% rostered; vs. Jets)

Flacco has tried no less than 45 passes in every of his two begins, with 18 or extra fantasy factors in each. Whereas a destructive sport script did play a job, we all know it is a heavy passing offense in Cincy. Plus, Flacco performs with an aggressive throwing mentality, and he has upper-level go catchers in Ja’Marr Chase (23 targets in Week 7) and Tee Higgins. Certain, Flacco tends to get unfastened with the ball at instances, the decision-making can decline, too. However with a Sunday matchup in opposition to a winless Jets group, you might be betting on Flacco to remain scorching in Week 8.

Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers (34.1% rostered; vs. Packers)

From a participant’s perspective, matching up in opposition to your former group does matter. And it goes up a notch if that group moved on from you. Simply one thing to consider right here as Rodgers will get the Packers on Sunday evening. However let’s not overlook that Rodgers was driving the ball — with velocity and site — within the Week 7 sport in opposition to the Bengals. Rodgers completed with 4 landing passes in that one, posting a complete of twenty-two.56 factors. He now has a number of landing throws in three of his previous 4 video games and I feel he’s trending up primarily based on the tape. He suits right here as a deeper-league possibility for Week 8.

Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans (23.5% rostered; vs. 49ers)

Schultz was restricted in apply earlier this week (again/shoulder), so let’s monitor the studies. Nonetheless, with the harm scenario within the Texans’ large receiver room, Schultz is a great pickup for Sunday’s matchup with the 49ers — if he can go. Within the Monday evening loss to the Seahawks, with Nico Collins (concussion) exiting early and Christian Kirk (hamstring) down for the sport, Schultz had season-highs in receptions (9), targets (10), receiving yards (98) and factors (18.8). That gave Schultz back-to-back video games with double-digit factors, plus he has no less than 5 receptions in 4 straight. Schultz has the seam-stretching potential to work the 49ers’ zone coverages, and we all know he can discover open turf beneath as a goal for C.J. Stroud.

Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (39.6% rostered; at Saints)

I’m stunned Otton’s roster proportion isn’t larger after three straight video games with 10 or extra factors. And identical to the Texans, there are a number of accidents on the large receiver spot in Tampa. Otton caught seven of 9 targets for 65 yards (13.3 factors) within the Monday evening loss to Detroit, and he has no less than 4 receptions and 50 yards in his previous three video games. He’s a dependable goal for quarterback Baker Mayfield, with a stable matchup in opposition to a Saints protection that ranks in the course of the street in opposition to opposing tight ends.

Kyle Monangai, Chicago Bears (31.5% rostered; at Ravens)

Monangai has the traits to enrich the operating model of D’Andre Swift in Chicago, and his utilization is climbing. Within the Week 7 win over the Saints, Monangai had season highs in touches (15), whole yards (94) and factors (17.4), plus he scored his first landing as a professional. He’s an indignant runner, with the contact steadiness and foot quickness to function in tight quarters between the tackles. And the Bears — since popping out of the bye in Week 6 — are operating the soccer with way more effectivity. The rookie from Rutgers has some upside this Sunday versus a Ravens protection that has allowed 29.1 PPG to opposing operating backs, the second most within the league.

Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans (32.8% rostered; at Colts)

In deeper codecs, managers can check out Spears on this week’s assembly with the Colts on account of his receiving numbers. He has caught no less than three passes in back-to-back video games, with 4 targets in every, and he can function beneath as an outlet for quarterback Cam Ward. Sure, I’d prefer to see Spears get extra carries (5 in every of his previous two video games), however you’ll be able to plan for 8-10 touches within the lineup. And with six groups on a bye this week, you may need to take a flier on him.

Tez Johnson (30.8% rostered) and Sterling Shepard, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (16.4% rostered; at Saints)

Mike Evans (collarbone) is probably going accomplished for the season and Chris Godwin Jr. (fibula) is uncertain for Sunday’s sport. So, we’ve two choices for potential replacements in Tampa, relying on what you want. Johnson offers managers the next ceiling. He has big-play juice, plus he’s slippery after the catch. Johnson caught 4 of 9 targets for 58 yards and a landing (15.8 factors) within the Week 7 matchup with Detroit, his second straight sport with a scoring seize. Shepard, in the meantime, has the next ground. He netted solely 25 yards receiving in opposition to Detroit, however he caught all seven of his targets, and he has two video games with double-digit factors this season. Me? I at all times take the higher-ceiling possibility (Johnson), however Shepard has PPR worth this Sunday, too.

Xavier Legette, Carolina Panthers (31.9% rostered; vs. Payments)

Legette had profession highs in final week’s victory over the Jets, catching 9 of 11 targets for 92 yards and a landing (24.2 factors). And whereas backup quarterback Andy Dalton will begin this week for an injured Bryce Younger (ankle), Legette nonetheless has upside because the Panthers’ No. 2 versus a zone-heavy Payments protection. Scheme open the home windows and script the shot performs for Dalton.

Chimere Dike, Tennessee Titans (2.2% rostered; at Colts)

With Calvin Ridley coping with a hamstring harm, large receiver Elic Ayomanor (22.3% rostered) will also be picked up this week because of the constructive matchup in opposition to the Colts. However I’ll go along with Dike first due to the big-play potential he brings to the sphere. He’s a burner, with 4.34 velocity, and we noticed that on his 38-yard landing catch final week in opposition to the Patriots. He can run away from protection on deep overs and crossers. Dike caught all 4 of his targets for 70 yards, ending with a career-best 16.9 factors. Take the upside right here with Dike — if Ridley is out.

Buffalo Payments (41.9% rostered; at Panthers)

The Payments’ protection hasn’t taken the ball away at a excessive charge this season (eight whole turnovers compelled). I’d prefer to see the next quantity there. However this unit has a strain charge of 38.9% (second highest within the league), and so they have no less than two sacks in 5 of six video games performed. With the quantity of groups on a bye this week, taking a protection that faces a backup quarterback (Dalton) is healthier than anticipated.

Manchester United are contemplating a January transfer for Atlético Madrid’s Conor Gallagher, whereas AFC Bournemouth have set a switch price for Chelsea and Liverpool tagret Antoine Semenyo. Be part of us for the newest switch information and rumors from across the globe.

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– Lionel Messi extends Inter Miami contract via 2028
– Rashford reveals earlier Barça talks over Man United exit
– Arsenal prodigy Dowman, 15, agrees scholarship deal – sources

– Atlético Madrid’s Conor Gallagher is on Manchester United shortlist of midfielders to signal within the January switch window, in accordance with talkSPORT. The 25-year-old has made greater than 60 appearances for the LaLiga membership since becoming a member of them final yr. since signing from Chelsea in 2024 for 40 million. Nonetheless, whereas the Previous Trafford hierarchy would like to safe a mortgage deal, talkSPORT experiences that Atlético wish to transfer him on completely for a price much like the 40 million they paid Chelsea for him. In the meantime, Diario AS that Gallagher is being “extra questioned on a regular basis” at Atlético. The newspaper says the England midfielder “isn’t in his greatest second” after the crew’s efficiency dropped when Gallagher got here off the bench within the 4-0 loss at Arsenal in midweek.

– A suggestion price in extra of £75m will likely be required to signal Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo, experiences the Every day Mail. Curiosity is constant to develop within the 25-year-old, with Chelsea believed to be eager on a transfer, whereas Liverpool in addition to golf equipment in Europe’s prime leagues would even be able to compete to signal him. The Cherries are anticipated to withstand presents for Semenyo in January as they appear to show down all approaches earlier than subsequent summer time, following a formidable season which has seen him straight contribute to 9 targets in eight Premier League matches.

– Bayern Munich have made Crystal Palace’s Marc Guéhi and Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck the highest choices of their seek for a center-back, Florian Plettenberg experiences. The Bundesliga champions are “totally concerned within the race” for Guéhi, 25, with plans to problem Actual Madrid and Liverpool for his signature. They may additionally look to 25-year-old Schlotterbeck as a second reinforcement if each Dayot Upamecano and Kim Min-Jae go away the Allianz Area, with Upamecano but to comply with phrases on a brand new contract. In the meantime, Bild experiences that AC Milan and Internazionale are eager on Bayern defender Kim. Each golf equipment are a possible January transfer for the 28-year-old South Korea worldwide, who has made only one begin within the Bundesliga thus far this season.

– Everton are eager on reuniting with Tottenham Hotspur striker Richarlison, in accordance with TEAMtalk. The Toffees are believed to be prioritising a transfer to bolster their ahead line within the subsequent switch window, with hopes of touchdown an skilled Premier League ahead. Richarlison has scored three targets in eight league video games thus far this season, however it’s reported that Spurs can be open to letting the 28-year-old go away in 2026, with perception that each Dominic Solanke and Randal Kolo Muani can be forward of him within the pecking order.

– Golf equipment in MLS are attentive to the state of affairs of RB Leipzig ahead Timo Werner, in accordance with Florian Plettenberg. Werner, 29, has performed only one minute thus far this season when approaching instead within the 1-0 league win over Wolfsburg in September, and it seems as if the Bundesliga will look to half methods with him in January. Philipp Hinze experiences that Werner is open to calling time on his spell in Germany, with Leipzig keen to simply accept a proposal price lower than 1m.

ESPN’s Alex Kirkland seems at what the longer term would possibly maintain for Conor Gallagher at Atlético Madrid:

– AC Milan just lately made an enquiry relating to Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski (Diario Sport)

– Manchester United ahead Joshua Zirkzee plans to ask the membership to let him go away in January. He has beforehand been linked with West Ham, in addition to golf equipment within the Serie A. (Every day Mirror)

– An settlement has been reached between Arsenal and midfielder Max Dowman over scholarship phrases. (The Athletic)

– Paris Saint-Germain center-back Willian Pacho has agreed phrases relating to a brand new contract on the Parc des Princes till the summer time of 2030. (Nicolò Schira)

– Newcastle United striker Nick Woltemade stays open to a swap to Bayern Munich. (Bild)

– Two golf equipment within the Serie A have been supplied the chance to signal Actual Madrid Endrick on mortgage. (Nicolò Schira)

– Borussia Dortmund are “optimistic” that ahead Karim Adeyemi will signal a brand new contract, with talks at the moment ongoing. (Florian Plettenberg)

– LAFC, Vancouver Whitecaps, and Montreal are set to problem Chelsea within the race for Randers FC ahead Mohamed Toure. (TEAMtalk)

– Golf equipment in Europe might look to tempt Sao Paulo ahead Lucca away in January. A launch clause in his contract permits golf equipment from exterior of Brazil to signal him for 80m. (Ekrem Konur)

– Al-Hilal defender Kalidou Koulibaly is about to increase his stick with the membership till the summer time of 2027. (NIcolo Schira)

SAN FRANCISCO — Aaron Gordon’s tenth and last made 3 on Thursday night time at Chase Middle felt like the ultimate dagger. It got here with 26 seconds left in regulation, placing the visiting Denver Nuggets up by three and punctuating a profession night time for the Twelfth-year ahead.

However the largest perimeter fireworks present in Gordon’s life occurred to come back in opposition to the best shooter of all time.

5 seconds later, out of a timeout, Stephen Curry stepped right into a semi-contested 34-footer off a display screen and buried it to tie the rating. 5 minutes later, after Curry opened extra time with one other made 3 and closed it with two free throws, the Golden State Warriors completed a 137-131 win to overshadow Gordon’s 50-point masterpiece.

“The larger the second, the extra he rises,” Draymond Inexperienced mentioned of Curry. “He’s this quiet man … however he loves the present. Anytime there’s a present to be placed on, he’s going to do it.”

Gordon’s stat line was jaw-dropping: 50 factors on 17-of-21 capturing and 10-of-11 from 3. He made eight straight 3s to open the sport, one shy of an NBA report.

“Ridiculous,” Curry mentioned. “No matter he did this summer time, it labored.”

Two seasons in the past, Gordon made solely 29% of his 1.9 tried 3s per recreation. Final season, he made a major leap, hitting 43.6% of his 3.4 per recreation.

However Thursday night time’s efficiency was altogether completely different. Gordon had by no means made greater than seven 3s in a recreation. In opposition to the Warriors, he grew to become solely the seventeenth participant in historical past to make 10 3s in a shedding effort. That has occurred to Curry seven instances and no different participant greater than as soon as.

This time, Curry was the one delivering disappointment to quell a particular night time. Curry’s 42 factors — on 14-of-25 capturing and 6 3s — had been the second most he has scored in his 17 house openers. The Warriors struggled when he was off the ground in opposition to the Nuggets however gained his minutes by 15 factors.

“The shot he made to tie it towards the top [of regulation], it’s a shot that solely he could make,” Nuggets coach David Adelman mentioned.

The Warriors’ largest strategic alternative of the night time got here late within the fourth quarter. Throughout a timeout huddle, assistant coaches Terry Stotts and Chris DeMarco prompt to go coach Steve Kerr that he deploy a much bigger lineup of Curry, Jimmy Butler, Jonathan Kuminga, Inexperienced and the newly acquired Al Horford.

It’s a five-man, jumbo-sized grouping (by Warriors’ requirements) that Kerr mentioned he hadn’t even thought of utilizing throughout coaching camp. They’d by no means even practiced collectively.

“The place we going to attain?” Kerr mentioned. “That was my largest concern. Might we execute [offensively]? However [Stotts and DeMarco] jogged my memory we’ve got Steph and Jimmy, and so they’ll discover a option to rating.”

Using a bigger lineup for the usually smaller Warriors allowed them to match up higher defensively, particularly with Horford’s capability to change on the heart place and Kuminga’s continued development as a two-way wing to open his fifth season.

“It was actually enjoyable to observe a bunch that’s by no means performed collectively shut a recreation in opposition to the most effective groups within the league,” Kerr mentioned.

That five-man group erased a seven-point Denver lead within the last 3:50 of regulation and beat the Nuggets by six in extra time.

“I did [previously] suppose that was a risk to be a closing lineup,” Inexperienced mentioned. “Or a beginning lineup. Or a center of the sport lineup.”

The win moved the Warriors to 2-0, gathering some early momentum as they attempt to set up themselves as a professional convention contender within the Denver tier. The Nuggets (0-1) journey house to face the Suns on Saturday night time.

LOS ANGELES — The Minnesota Vikings look like clearing the best way for J.J. McCarthy to return as their beginning quarterback subsequent week after a six-week restoration from a excessive proper ankle sprain.

McCarthy has served because the Vikings’ emergency third quarterback for 2 consecutive video games, together with Thursday night time’s 37-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Afterward, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell reaffirmed his dedication to getting McCarthy again on the sector as quickly as attainable.

“If J.J. is wholesome, J.J. will play,” O’Connell stated. “That’s been the case for the reason that damage. That’s all the time been form of my mindset, and I imagine we’re proper — hopefully — across the nook from seeing him be wholesome, have every week of preparation and go compete.”

McCarthy began the Vikings’ first two video games of the season however reported vital soreness in his proper ankle the morning after a 22-6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 14. O’Connell initially labeled McCarthy’s standing as “week-to-week,” and McCarthy later stated he acquired a timetable of as much as six weeks for a full restoration. The Vikings put him by a exercise Tuesday at their apply facility to see if enjoying towards the Chargers was an possibility, however O’Connell stated: “J.J. and the medical employees didn’t fairly really feel like he was there but.”

With a “mini-bye” this weekend, after which an additional apply scheduled for Monday, the Vikings will give McCarthy a full runway to transition again to the beginning position in time for his or her Nov. 2 sport on the Detroit Lions.

Backup Carson Wentz has began 5 video games in McCarthy’s place, compiling a 2-3 file, however has been enjoying with a big left shoulder damage that had him in apparent misery Thursday night time. He stated it “fairly presumably” was essentially the most ache he has been in throughout a soccer sport, and attributed it largely to his shortened restoration time due to a Thursday night time sport.

The Vikings’ medical employees fitted him with a shoulder harness and a number of other different protecting wraps, which Wentz stated he had by no means worn “something remotely near” with the intention to play. He completed 15-of-27 for 144 yards with 1 landing and 1 interception. He took 5 sacks and was hit eight occasions. After taking successful on a fourth-down incompletion within the fourth quarter, Wentz threw his helmet on the bench — for which he later apologized to the staff’s tools employees — and coated his face with a towel.

“The ache is ache,” Wentz stated. “I felt like I may nonetheless assist this staff and discover a method to go down and rating and all that stuff. So we knew that coming into the sport, that it was going to be a part of it. And once more, that’s the powerful a part of Thursday night time video games. [You] simply don’t fairly get the possibility to get better, however that’s no excuse by any means.”

O’Connell stated he was in fixed dialog with Wentz and the staff’s medical employees however by no means thought he wanted to interchange him till the sport was out of attain. With McCarthy designated the emergency quarterback, the primary obtainable possibility by rule would have been undrafted rookie Max Brosmer.

Brosmer didn’t enter the sport till 1 minute, 56 seconds remained.

“Carson’s a veteran participant,” O’Connell stated, “and he understands a few of our circumstances tonight. I believe it’s very tough to ask a rookie to go in there for his first efficiency and need to be weathering it a bit bit for the group.”

CHESTER, Pa. — U.S. girls’s nationwide workforce head coach Emma Hayes slapped the desk repeatedly at Subaru Park on Thursday as she described how she felt watching her workforce lose to Portugal, 2-1, moments earlier.

“I used to be pissed off this night as a result of I felt like a sport of a whack-a-mole,” Hayes stated, hitting completely different components of the desk for example the purpose. “I felt like if I put one thing out then I used to be whacking that. That’s how the sport felt for me as a coach, and I’ve been doing this for therefore lengthy — I hate them video games.”

Portugal scored each objectives on nook kicks — “no coach likes conceding on f—ing set items ever,” Hayes finally stated with a smile as she walked away from the press convention, drawing amusing from the room — and the U.S. struggled to attach with and with out the ball in opposition to a well-organized Portuguese workforce.

“It felt actually particular person on the market,” stated midfielder Rose Lavelle, who scored 35 seconds into the match. “I feel everybody was making an attempt to repair it on their very own.” Captain Lindsey Heaps added that “typically it felt somewhat bit like we had been on islands.”

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The tepid efficiency evoked a minimum of passing reminiscences of the 2023 World Cup, the place the USWNT held on for a draw with Portugal by mere inches — with the assistance of the goalpost in stoppage time — and averted their first group-stage exit in World Cup historical past. Alarm bells had been actually ringing round Eden Park that day in Auckland, New Zealand on account of a malfunctioning sprinkler — a scene that portended the USWNT’s worst World Cup end a number of days later by the hands of Sweden.

Hayes wasn’t the coach then, nevertheless, and whereas she was palpably disillusioned with Thursday’s “rushed” efficiency from her workforce, she isn’t alarmed.

“As Ben Northey, the [Australian] conductor would say, ‘Let it go,'” Hayes stated motioning her hand again previous her face.

It seems like a straightforward out for Hayes, however Thursday’s loss comes 113 days after the USWNT final performed — “it seemed like a workforce in preseason to me,” Hayes stated. Extra importantly, it was 609 days forward of the 2027 World Cup.

The USWNT’s loss on Thursday is the workforce’s third of the calendar yr, which has solely occurred 4 different occasions in this system’s 40-year historical past. By no means has the U.S. workforce misplaced 4 matches in a calendar yr.

Portugal’s diamond form within the midfield allowed them to maintain 60% of the ball within the first half and discover the open areas between the USWNT’s three-player midfield. Portugal performed across the People continuously, though Portugal was usually wasteful in entrance of aim throughout open play.

The USWNT’s issues compounded throughout each line. Hayes lamented mistimed defensive challenges and misplaced duels. After which there have been the set items, in fact. Diana Gomes outjumped three USWNT defenders on the six-yard line to attain Portugal’s equalizer simply earlier than halftime, and Fátima Pinto added the second after the People didn’t clear a nook kick..

“I feel there was stuff that didn’t work out everywhere in the area,” midfielder Sam Coffey stated.

“There’s one million excuses you may make — and we’re not going to. To say that we haven’t been collectively or we’re younger or no matter is a cop-out. The usual of this workforce is to personal when you’re not ok and also you’re not taking part in as much as the usual of the crest. There’s a customary of profitable, and it exceeds all of these issues.”

Thursday’s loss is simply the third in program historical past for the USWNT in opposition to an opponent outdoors of the highest 20 in FIFA’s rankings. It’s a onerous lesson for a younger American workforce who Hayes warned to not underestimate Portugal.

The largest concern wasn’t the consequence — it was the flat, disjointed efficiency, and the person methods through which gamers tried to unravel these issues in actual time. The USWNT’s lack of problem-solving and creativity in the end had been their undoing. That description feels just like the 2023 World Cup assembly between the USWNT and Portugal.

“Don’t carry me again to that sport,” Heaps stated with a slight giggle on Thursday.

However the excellent news for the USWNT — a minimum of for now — is that the poor exhibiting is an anomaly within the Hayes period. Hayes took over as coach a number of months earlier than the 2024 Olympics and led the workforce to a gold medal, then proceeded to overtake this system and win whereas experimenting to unprecedented ranges as she handed out 24 first caps in her first 24 video games.

The Hayes period has been off to a flying begin within the first 18 months, which is partly why a comparatively cheerful Heaps stated repeatedly on Thursday after the match that her workforce can’t be too destructive. Thursday wasn’t a World Cup, however fairly the primary sport for this core group on the journey to qualifying subsequent yr.

Sure, it was ugly. It was disjointed. However it wasn’t solely discouraging or alarming.

“It’s a sport of soccer, nobody died,” Hayes stated. “We’ve bought to be higher, and I promise you we might be higher — we higher be.”

A rematch on Sunday in opposition to Portugal in East Hartford would possibly a minimum of partly clarify that optimism. USWNT goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce stated merely about what’s on her thoughts for Sunday: “Revenge, for certain.”

Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown took up an unlikely but comical function off the courtroom.

Forward of the Celtics’ season opener Wednesday, Brown served as a pre-audition visitor decide as a part of comic Druski’s “Coulda Been Information” Boston auditions.

Brown particpated in a job much like that of Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson — who made an look in Might — because the decision-maker to find out if contestants ought to advance to the subsequent spherical of their audition for the document label: to get in entrance of Druski, the fictional label’s CEO.

Brown made 4 appearances within the auditions. The primary was as an aspiring rapper named “Blicky,” who donned a Jayson Tatum jersey. He additionally joked with a contestant who stated she was there to assist her brother, implying the contestant can be an ideal match for the comic’s actuality courting present.

“She must be on ‘Coulda Been Love,’ that’s a keeper proper there for Druski,” Brown quipped.

The Celtics guard additionally hilariously requested a contestant, “BStar,” what WNBA staff she performed for earlier than she broke out dance strikes, prompting Brown to ship her to the official audition.

His last approval got here for “Smeet,” who did a motivational speech from the Sylvester Stallone movie “Rocky.”

Brown scored 25 factors, grabbed 6 rebounds and dished out 4 assists within the Celtics’ 117-116 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday.