Armadillo Sports

Jaguars 31, Chiefs 28
Chiefs led 14-0 midway thru the second quarter.
Jaguars drove 60 yards, scored winning TD with 0:23 left.
LB Lloyd had 99-yard pick-6 to put Jaguars ahead 21-14.
Jaguars have 14 takeaways, are +8 in turnovers.

Jaguars in first half: 31 plays, 156 yards, 7 points.
Jaguars in second half: 24 plays, 175 yards, 17 points.
Chiefs had won 23 games in row when they led by 14+ points.
Chiefs are 15-24 ATS in last 39 games coming off a win.

— Dodgers 4, Phillies 3
Snell-Luzardo were in 0-0 pitchers’ duel after six innings.
Will Smith had a 2-run single in LA’s 4-run 7th inning.
All-time, Phillies are 0-8 in playoff series when they lost the opener.
Series head west with Dodgers leading, 2-0

— Brewers 7, Cubs 3
Both teams hit 3-run homers in first inning.
Milwaukee used 8 pitchers; Misiorowski was only one to get 6+ outs.
Cubs only had one hit after the second inning.
Series heads to Wrigley with Milwaukee leading, 2-0

— College football conference trends (in conference games):
American
Home teams 4-9 ATS
Favorites 9-4 ATS

ACC
Road teams 12-8 ATS

Big 18
Underdogs 12-7 ATS

Big X
Favorites 12-7 ATS

Conference USA
Home teams 5-2 ATS

Mid-American
Home teams 7-3 ATS

Mountain West
Home teams 3-4 ATS

SEC
Home underdogs 4-0 ATS
Home teams 11-5 ATS

Sun Belt
Home teams 9-1 ATS

— NFL divisional trends:
AFC East
Home teams 1-4 ATS divisional games
4-6 ATS non-divisional games

AFC North
4-11 ATS non-divisional games

AFC South
8-5 ATS non-divisional games

AFC West
6-7 ATS non-divisional games

NFC East
8-6 ATS non-divisional games

NFC North
7-5 ATS non-divisional games

NFC South
Non-divisional road underdogs 5-3 ATS

NFC West
Home teams 0-4 ATS divisional games
7-5 ATS non-divisional games

— This is only the 4th time ever that every NFL team has a loss by Week 5.

Famous birthdays, October 7th:
José Cardenal, 82
Judy Landers, 67
Dylan Bakler, 66
Priest Holmes, 52
Omar Miller, 47

Evan Longoria, 40
Chase Daniel, 39
Mookie Betts, 33
Jesus Sanchez, 28
Tutu Atwell, 26

— NBA season starts in a couple weeks; NBA uses their preseason to market their game all over the world. Just this month, they’ll have games in:

Adu Dhabi
Australia
China
Puerto Rico
Vancouver, Canada

In regular season, they’ll have NBA games in England, Germany, Mexico City.

— White Sox IF Colson Montgomery hit 21 home runs this year in 71 games, the most home runs EVER by a player who didn’t hit a home run before the All-Star break.

— St Louis Cardinals are probably going to make big changes this winter:
2024: 83-79…….2,869,783 fans at home games (35,872/game)
2025: 78-84…….2,250,007 fans at home games (27,777/game)

Cardinals missed the playoffs the last three years; last time they missed the playoffs 4+ years in a row was 1988-95.

— Texas Rangers hired Skip Schumaker as their new manager; he went 84-78 managing the Marlins in 2023, then went 62-100 last year and he surprisingly resigned.

— Saturday night, Fresno State held off Nevada 20-17 in the Mountain West; Fresno held the ball for the last 8:42 of the game to preserve their win. 15 plays, 68 yards, no punts.

— Sunday in England, Dillon Gabriel was 41st quarterback to start for the Cleveland Browns, since 1999.

— Time flies; the NHL season starts tonight, with three games scheduled. 

Titans 22, Cardinals 21
Arizona led 21-6 with 13:00 left; RB Demercado appeared to run for a 72-yard TD to salt the game away, but he dropped the ball just before he crossed the goal line; it became a touchback.

Arizona’s first four drives: 22 plays, 173 yards, 21 points.
Arizona rest of game: 42 plays, 185 yards, no points.
Cardinals lost their last three games by total of five points.

Rookie QB Ward threw for 265 yards in his first NFL win.
Titans’ last three drives: 25 plays, 205 yards, TD-INT-FG
WR Ridley caught five passes for 131 yards.
Tennessee also scored a TD when Arizona picked off a Ward pass with 5:00 left, but the guy fumbled and the Titans recovered it in the end zone for a TD. 

Broncos 21, Eagles 17
Eagles led 17-3 after the third quarter.
Broncos in first 3 quarters: 45 plays, 171 yards, 3 points.
Denver in 4th quarter: 27 plays, 190 yards, 18 points.
Down 17-10, Denver scored a TD with 7:36 left; they went for 2 points and the lead, and made it, talking the lead for good. 

Eagles’ last five drives: 20 plays, 54 yards, no points.
Eagles are 4-1, but they’ve been outgained in all five games.
Philly converted 2-11 third down plays, Broncos 5-16.
Philly is 7-10-1 ATS in last 18 games as a home favorite.

Buccaneers 38, Seahawks 35
Buccaneers kicked a 39-yard FG at the gun for a walk-off win.
Tampa Bay is 3-0 on road, with wins by 1-3-3 points.
Tampa Bay is 13-2 ATS last 15 games as a road underdog.
Mayfield threw for 379 yards, two TD’s.

Both teams averaged 10+ yards/pass attempt.
Seahawks’ first 3 drives: 15 plays, 95 yards, no points.
Seahawks’ last six drives: 30 plays, 311 yards, 35 points, one INT
Seattle is 7-13-1 ATS in last 21 games as a home favorite.

Panthers 27, Dolphins 24
Carolina drove 78 yards, scored game-winning TD with 1:59 left.
RB Dowdle ran ball 23 times for 206 yards and a TD.
Panthers outgained Miami, 418-248.
Carolina won both its home games, scoring 30-27 points.

Miami led 17-0 with 5:00 left in first half.
Dolphins ran the ball 14 times for only 19 yards.
Dolphins are 0-3 on road, giving up 30.3 ppg.
Under McDaniel, Miami is 9-13-1 ATS in games with spread of 3 or less points.

Vikings 21, Browns 17
Vikings drove 80 yards in 10 plays, scored game-winning TD with 0:25 left.
Under O’Connell, Vikings are 28-10 SU in games decided by 8 or fewer points.
Under O’Connell, Vikings are 20-13-3 ATS as a favorite.
Vikings are first team in ’25 to gain more than 277 yards vs Cleveland.

Rookie QB Gabriel threw for 190 yards, 2 TD’s in his first NFL start.
Rookie RB Judkins ran for 110 yards on 23 carries.
Minnesota converted 3-9 on third down, Cleveland 3-15.
In their 1-4 start, Browns have scored 16-17-13-10-17 points.

Patriots 23, Bills 20
New England led 6-3 at halftime.
Patriots kicked a 52-yard FG with 0:15 left for the win.
Patriots scored 33-42-23 points in wins, 13-14 in losses.
New England is 2-0 on road (33-27 @ Miami/23-20 here)

Bills outgained NE 363-338, but had 3 turnovers (minus-2)
Buffalo in first half: 27 plays, 125 yards, 3 points.
Buffalo in 2nd half: 36 plays, 263 yards, 17 points.
Patriots are 2-5 SU/5-2 ATS in last seven visits to Buffalo.

Famous birthdays, October 6th:
Tony Dungy, 70
Alfredo Griffin, 68
Elisabeth Shue, 62
Rubén Sierra, 60

Jeremy Sisto, 51
Freddy Garcia, 49
Jake Bauers, 30
Bryson Stott, 28

Herb Jones, 27
Trevor Lawrence, 26
Kyle Pitts, 25
Jonathan Kuminga, 23

— Blue Jays 13, New York 7
Toronto led 11-0 in the fourth inning.
Daulton Varsho was 4-for-5, scoring 4 runs, with 4 RBI
Toronto leads series 2-0; Game 3 is Tuesday in New York.

— Mariners 3, Tigers 2
Julio Rodriguez won the game with an 8th inning double.
Skubal pitched 7 innings, but Tigers got only three hits.
Series is tied, 1-1; Game 3 is Tuesday in Detroit. 

Texans 44, Ravens 10
Texans’ first five drives: 36 plays, 266 yards, 31 points.
QB Stroud threw for 244 yards, four TD’s.
Houston outgained the Ravens, 417-207.
Texans won last two games 26-0/44-10, after an 0-3 start. 

QB Jackson didn’t play; Baltimore trailed 24-3 at halftime.
Baltimore’s first six drives: 28 plays, 112 yards, 7 points.
Ravens gave up 41-38-37-44 points in their four losses.
Ravens are giving up 409.4 yards/game.

Saints 26, Giants 14
Giants led 14-3 New Orleans early in the second quarter.
Rattler threw an 87-yard TD pass to Shaheed.
Howden returned a fumble 86 yards for TD on first play of 4th quarter.
Saints converted 7-15 on third down, Giants 3-10

Giants’ first two drives: 16 plays, 129 yards, 14 points.
Giants rest of game: 53 plays, 207 yards, no points.
Giants are 5-9-1 ATS in last 15 games with spread of 3 or fewer points.
Giants committed 5 turnovers, had 8 penalties for 95 yards.

Cowboys 37, Jets 22
Cowboys in first half: 32 plays, 298 yards, 23 points.
Dallas led 23-3 at halftime.
Since 2021, Cowboys are 12-6 ATS as a road favorite.
Dallas scored 40-40-37 in wins/tie, 20-14 in losses. 

Jets are 10-17 ATS in last 27 games as a home underdog.
Jets are 6-19-1 ATS last 26 games vs NFC teams.
Jets are 8-16-1 ATS in last 25 games coming off a loss.
Jets are 8-17-1 ATS last 26 games with spread of 3 or fewer points.

Colts 40, Raiders 6
Indy went 3/out on their first five drive.
Colts’ next six drives: 47 plays, 295 yards, six TD’s.
Colts are 3-0 at home, scoring 33-29-40 points.
Under Steichen, Indy is 7-2 ATS as a home favorite.

Raiders drove 80 yards, kicked FG on their first drive.
Raiders’ next six drives: 26 plays, 121 yards, no points.
Las Vegas lost last four games, giving up 20-41-25-40 points.
Raiders are 20-26-1 ATS in last 47 games coming off a loss.

Commanders 27, Chargers 10
Washington’s first two drives: 8 plays, 30 yards, no points.
Washington’s next four drives: 27 plays, 177 yards, 20 points.
QB Daniels is 16-7 as an NFL starter.
Commanders are 7-3 ATS last 10 games with a spread of 3 or fewer points.

Chargers’ first two drives: 18 plays, 119 yards, 10 points.
Chargers rest of game: 47 plays, 221 yards, no points.
QB Herbert has been sacked 16 times in Chargers’ first five games.
Chargers’ WR Keenan Allen caught his 1,000th career pass.

Lions 37, Bengals 24
Lions led 14-3 at halftime.
Detroit’s first two drives in 2nd half: 12 plays, 108 yards, 14 points.
Lions won last three games, scoring 52-38-34-37 points.
Detroit is +7 in turnovers in its last four games.

Bengals lost last three games, by a combined 113-37.
Lions are 12-2 ATS last 14 games as a road favorite.
Detroit is 16-7 ATS in last 23 games vs AFC teams
Detroit is 25-11 ATS last 36 games coming off a win.

— UCLA 42, Penn State 37
Bruins, with an interim head coach, were 24.5-point underdogs.
UCLA led this game 27-7 at halftime.
Nico Iamaleava threw for 166 yards, 2 TD’s, ran for 128 yards, 3 TD’s.

— Miami 28, Florida State 22
Carson Beck threw for 240 yards, four TD’s
Hurricanes led 28-3 after three quarters, hung on for the win.
Miami was +3 in turnovers; they had 12 penalties for 98 yards.

— Florida 29, Texas 21
Florida gets its first I-A win in four tries.
Gators had scored total of 33 points in their three losses.
Texas is 0-2 on road, losing this game, also 14-7 at Ohio State.

— Alabama 30, Vanderbilt 14
Game was tied 14-14 at halftime.
Crimson Tide outgained Vandy, 486-333.
Alabama threw for 340 yards (11.0 Yards/attempt)

— UNLV 31, Wyoming 17
October 4th, and it snowed in Laramie, Wyoming.
5-0 Rebels led this game 24-3 at halftime.
UNLV ran for 153 yards, was +2 in turnovers.

— Upsets of the Day:
UCLA (+24.5) 42, Penn State 37
Ball State (+14.5) 20, Ohio U 14
Arkansas State (+13.5) 31, Texas State 30
Akron (+8.5) 28, Central Michigan 22

Virginia (+7.5) 30, Louisville 27 OT
Florida (+6.5) 29, Texas 21
Wake Forest (+6.5) 30, Virginia Tech 23
Temple (+6.5) 27, Tex-San Antonio 21

— Brewers 9, Cubs 3
Milwaukee scored six runs in the first inning.
Jackson Chourio had 3 RBI, but aggravated his leg injury.
Freddy Peralta got 17 outs, allowed two runs.

— Blue Jays 10, New York 1
Alejandro Kirk hit two home runs.
Leading 2-1, Blue Jays scored four runs in 7th, four more in 8th.
This was Toronto’s first win in a playoff game since 2016

— Dodgers 5, Phillies 3
Teoscar Hernandez hit a 3-run homer in the 7th inning.
Phillies led 3-0 after five innings.
Tyler Glasnow got 5 outs, in his first relief stint in seven years.

— Tigers 3, Mariners 2 (11)
Zack McKinstry had the game-winning single in the 11th inning.
Detroit used 8 pitchers; they were 2-8 with RISP.
McKinstry’s hit was Detroit’s only hit after the fifth inning. 

— Famous birthdays, October 5th:
Trace Armstrong, 60
Jeff Lebo, 59
Rex Chapman, 58

Grant Hill, 53
Kate Winslet, 50
Jesse Palmer, 47

Travis Kelce, 36
Zack Littell, 30
Michael Hoecht, 28

— Virginia 30, Louisville 27 OT
Virginia led 24-14 after three quarters.
Louisville forced OT, kicked 50-yard FG with 1:08 left.
4-1 Louisville outgained the 5-1 Cavaliers, 383-237

— Clemson 38, North Carolina 10
Clemson’s first four drives: 16 plays, 253 yards, 28 points.
Tigers passed for 399 yards (10.2 yards/attempt)
North Carolina is 1-3 vs I-A teams, giving up 34-48-38 points in losses.

— Washington 24, Maryland 20
Maryland led this game 20-0 in the third quarter.
Washington’s last five drives: 45 plays, 298 yards, 24 points.
Maryland’s last four drives: 19 plays, 52 yards, no points.

— Appalachian State 27, Oregon State 23
App State led 17-0 in first quarter; they were +3 in turnovers.
Beavers outgained App State, 456-354.
Oregon State QB Murphy threw for 358 yards, 2 TD’s, 2 INTs

— Texas Tech 35, Houston 11
Tech QB Morton threw for 345 yards and a TD.
5-0 Red Raiders led 25-11 at halftime.
Tech outgained Houston, 552-267. 

How NFL teams do on first drive of a half:
(All teams 4 games/8 halves, except SF/Rams (5/10))

NFC East
Dallas:
outscored 34-7 on first drive of a half
outgained 197-88 on first drive of games

Giants:
10-10 on first drive of each half
last three weeks, Giants gained 190 yards on first drive of game.

Eagles:
outscored opponents 27-14 on first drive of a half
scored TD on first drive in 3 of 4 games. 

Commanders:
outscored 16-10 on first drive of a half
first drives of a game: 17 plays, 43 yards

NFC North
Bears:
outscored opponents 28-10 on first drive of a half
have four takeaways in first drive of a half (+4)
first drive of half: 4 TD’s, 4 three/outs.

Lions:
outscored 35-27 on first drive of a half
Allowed a TD on first drive in all four games
39 plays, 325 yards, four TD’s

Packers:
outscored opponents 24-3 on first drive of a half
opponents’ first drive of game: 17 plays, 38 yards, no points

Vikings:
outscored opponents 17-13 on first drive of a half
opponents on 1st drive, last 4 halves: 12 plays, 8 yards, 4 punts

NFC South
Falcons
outscored opponents 23-10 on first drive of a half
first drive of game: 28 plays, 197 yards, 13 points.

Panthers
outscored opponents 24-20 on first drive of a half
Last two games, had TD drives of 61-76 yards on their 1st drive.

Saints
outscored 27-14 on first drive of a half
Last 2 games, gave up 3 TD’s and FG on first drive of the half. 

Buccaneers
outscored 24-13 on first drive of a half
opponents on 1st drive of half: 28 plays, 253 yards, 24 points

NFC West
Cardinals
outscored opponents 16-10 on first drive of a half
opponents on 1st drive of game: 15 plays, 42 yards, no points

Rams
outscored opponents 27-20 on first drive of a half
in their two losses, opponent scored a TD on their first drive.

49ers
outscored opponents 17-0 on first drive of a game
Last 2 games, 49ers averaged 64.3 yards/1st drive of a half

Seahawks
outscored opponents 27-10 on first drive of a half
last three games, have 3 TD’s, 2 FG’s on first drive of half.

Famous birthdays, October 4th:
Susan Sarandon, 79
Tony LaRussa, 81
John Wathan, 76
Truck Robinson, 74

AC Green, 62
Mark McLemore, 61
Liev Schreiber, 58
Kurt Thomas, 53

Tony Gwynn Jr, 43
Derrick Rose, 37
Dakota Johnson, 36
Oneil Cruz, 27

AFC East
Bills
outscored opponents 52-24 on first drive of a half
1st drives of a half: 70 plays, 560 yards, 7 TD’s, FG

Dolphins
outscored 34-20 on first drive of a half
opponents average 74.3 yards/opening drive of game.

Patriots
outscored 31-14 on first drive of a half
opponents on 1st drive of game: 24 plays, 201 yards, 21 points. 

Jets
outscored 33-13 on first drive of a half
Opponents on 1st drive of half: 3 TD’s, 4 field goals

AFC North
Ravens
outscored 38-37 on first drive of a half
last two games, started game with TD drives of 80-70 yards

Bengals
outscored 28-17 on first drive of a half
allowed TD on first drive in three of four games

Browns
outscored opponents 14-10 on first drive of a half
Last 3 games: 13 plays, 19 plays on first drive of 3rd quarter

Steelers
17-17 on first drive of each half
first drive of 2nd half: 15 plays, 30 yards, no points

AFC South
Texans
outscored 17-10 on first drive of a half
first drive of 2nd half: 23 plays, 58 yards, no points

Colts
outscored 24-22 on first drive of a half
1st drive of half: one TD, 5 FG’s, 2 turnovers

Jaguars
outscored 20-13 on first drive of a half
Opponents on 1st drive of 3rd quarter: 27 plays, 245 yards, 14 points

AFC West
Broncos
outscored opponents 14-10 on first drive of a half
opponents on 1st drive of half: 66 plays, 341 yards, 7 FG’s

Chiefs
outscored opponents 27-20 on first drive of a half
1st drive of 3rd quarter: 32 plays, 224 yards, 21 points

Raiders
17-17 on first drive of each half
last 3 games, threw three INT’s on first drive of a half. 

Chargers
outscored 24-19 on first drive of a half
opponents on 1st drive of 3rd quarter: 41 plays, 228 yards, 17 points

Packers 40, Cowboys 40 OT
Green Bay led 13-0; PAT after 2nd TD was blocked, run back for 2 points.
Packers in 2nd half/OT: 47 plays, 329 yards, 27 points
Green Bay was 10-14 on third down, Dallas 4-11.
Packers are 4-12-1 ATS last 17 games as a road favorite.

Dallas won its first home game 40-37 in OT, then this happened.
Last three games, Cowboys allowed 506-385-489 total yards.
First three Dallas drives: 11 plays, 35 yards, 3 punts
Last seven Dallas drives: 57 plays, 406 yards, 38 points

Jaguars 26, 49ers 21
Jaguars are 3-1 for the second time in the last 18 years.
Jaguars have 13 takeaways already, are +9 in turnovers.
Jaguars ran punt back 87 yards for TD to grab a 26-14 lead.
Jacksonville held last three opponents to 48-87-83 rushing yards.

49ers turned ball over on two of first three series.
49ers were 8-13 on third down, Jacksonville 4-14
49ers had 12 penalties for 90 yards, Jaguars 5 for 54.
Last 2+ years, 49ers are 7-13-1 ATS in games coming off a win.

Bears 25, Raiders 24
Bears drove 73 yards, scored game-winning TD with 1:34 left.
Bears blocked 54-yard FG on last play to preserve the win.
Chicago had four takeaways for second game in a row.
Chicago was 7-16 on third down, Las Vegas 2-8.

Raiders led 14-9 at halftime.
Las Vegas ran ball 31 times for 240 yards.
Ashton Jeanty carried ball 21 times for 138 yards.
Bears are 7-13-3 ATS in last 23 games with spread of 3 or fewer points.

Giants 21, Chargers 18
Rookie QB Dart threw for 111 yards, ran for 54 more in his first NFL start.
Giants’ first four drives: 34 plays, 154 yards, 13 points.
Giants’ last six drives: 36 plays, 107 yards, 8 points.
Under Daboll, Giants are 10-6-1 ATS vs AFC teams.

Giants were 7-15 on third down, Chargers 4-12.
Bolts held last three opponents to 218-265-250 total yards.
Chargers had 14 penalties for 107 yards, Giants 8 for 43
Rookie RB Hampton ran ball 12 times for 128 yards and a TD.

Eagles 31, Buccaneers 25
Eagles blocked punt for TD for the game’s first score.
Eagles led 24-6 at halftime, hung on for dear life.
Mayfield threw INT in red zone midway thru 4th quarter.
Eagles are 5-2 ATS in last seven games as a road favorite.

Buccaneers outgained Philly, 376-200.
Tampa Bay turned ball over on three of their last five drives.
Tampa Bay is 3-7 ATS last ten games as a home underdog.
NFC South teams are 5-7 ATS in non-divisional games.

Rams 27, Colts 20
Stafford’s 88-yard TD pass to Atwell (1:33 left) was a game-winner.
Rams’ last two drives: 12 plays, 171 yards, 14 points.
Stafford threw for 375 yards, three TD’s.
Nucua caught 13 passes for 170 yards and a TD. 

Rams had 13-play, 96-yard drive to take 13-10 lead at half.
Rams are 9-3-1 ATS last 13 games vs AFC opponents.
Colts had three turnovers, and 11 penalties for 88 yards.
Colts didn’t turn ball over in their first three games. 

Famous birthdays, September 29th:
Ian McShane, 83
Tim Flannery, 68
Craig Lefferts, 68
Andrew Dice Clay, 68

Hersey Hawkins, 59
Erika Eleniak, 56
Zachary Levi, 45
Calvin Johnson, 40

Kevin Durant, 37
Tyler Mahle, 31
Ashley Frangipane, 31 (Halsey)
Lucas Havrisik, 26

Chiefs 37, Ravens 20
Ravens gave up 41-38-37 points in their three losses.
Star QB Jackson left game with an ankle injury.
AFC North teams are 4-7 ATS in non-divisional games.

 Chiefs’ first four drives: 34 plays, 223 yards, 20 points.
Mahomes threw for 270 yards, 4 TD’s, to four different guys.
Chiefs won seven of last eight games vs Baltimore.
Chiefs are 11-7 ATS in last 18 games with spread of 3 or fewer points.

Steelers 24, Vikings 21
Steelers led 14-6 at halftime of first-ever game in Ireland.
Steelers scored 34-21-24 points in wins, 17 in their loss.
Steelers have run ball 87 times for only 259 yards.
Steelers are 27-14-1 ATS last 41 games with spread of 3 or fewer points.

Rodgers threw an 80-yard TD pass to Metcalf.
Vikings QB Wentz threw for 350 yards, but also two INTs.
Vikings scored 27-48 points in their wins, 6-21 in losses.
WR Jefferson caught 10 catches for 126 yards, 

Texans 26, Titans 0
Tennessee is 0-4 SU/ATS, losing by 8-14-21-26 points.
Titans have three TD’s, 10 FG’s on their 44 drives.
Tennessee is 3-12 ATS in last 15 games as an underdog.
Texans outgained Tennessee, 353-175.

Texans led this game 6-0 at halftime.
This was Houston’s first shutout since 2010.
Houston was 6-15 on third down, Tennessee 2-11.
Texans’ first four drives of 2nd half: 31 plays, 190 yards, 20 points. 

Falcons 34, Commanders 27
QB Penix was 20-26/313 passing, with two TD’s.
Falcons’ first three drives: 28 plays, 181 yards, 17 points.
Atlanta led 17-10 at halftime.
Falcons outgained Washington, 435-294

Falcons were 6-12 on third down, Commanders 1-8.
Washington is 0-2 on road, losing 27-18/34-37.
In its wins, Commanders ran ball for 220-201 yards.
Its losses, Commanders ran 51-147 yards. 

Bills 31, Saints 19
Saints’ first nine drives ended in Buffalo territory.
Bills led by only 14-10 at halftime.
Buffalo won its first four games,. scoring 41-30-31-31 points.
Last 3+ years, Bills are 3-8-1 ATS as a double digit favorite.

Saints lost first four games, 20-13/26-21/44-13/31-19.
Since 2018, Saints are 19-9-1 ATS as a road underdog.
Rattler is 0-10 as an NFL starting QB.
New Orleans has been outscored 85-33 in first half of games.

Lions 34, Browns 10
Detroit led this game 20-7 at halftime.
Lions scored 52-38-34 points in their last three games.
Lions are 16-8 ATS last 24 games as a home favorite.
Detroit is 15-7 ATS in last 22 games vs AFC teams

Browns scored 16-17-13-10 points in their four games.
Cleveland is minus-6 in turnovers this year.
Browns are 6-15-1 ATS last 22 games coming off a win.
Browns allowed only 277 yards, most they’ve given up this year.

Patriots 42, Panthers 13
Down 6-0, Patriots ran a punt back 87 yards for a TD.
Patriots also ran a punt back 61 yards to set up another TD.
NE’s first four drives: 21 plays, 151 yards, 21 points.
Patriots scored 33-42 points in wins, 13-14 points in losses.

Carolina drove 76 yards for a TD on first drive.
Carolina’s next five drives: 30 plays, 93 yards, no points.
Panthers are 6-14-1 ATS last 21 games as a road underdog.
Carolina is 7-15 ATS in last 22 games vs AFC opponents.

— Playoff picture with postseason starting Tuesday:
NL: Phillies, Brewers, Dodgers. Wild Cards: Cubs, Padres, Reds
AL: Blue Jays, Guardians, Mariners. Wild Cards: New York, Red Sox, Tigers

Cowboys 40, Giants 37 OT
Cowboys drove 42 yards, kicked 46-yard FG with 0:04 left in OT.
Dallas kicked a 64-yard FG at end of regulation to force OT
Giants had taken lead on a 48-yard TD pass with 0:25 left.
Giants are 0-9 SU/3-6 ATS in last nine visits to Dallas.

Wilson was 30-41/450 passing, with three TD’s.
Prescott was 38-52/361 passing with two TD’s.
Giants in 4th quarter: 14 plays, 186 yards, 21 points.
Giants in overtime: 6 plays, 3 yards, no points. 

Bengals 31, Jaguars 27
QB Burrow injured the big toe on his left foot (check status)
Backup QB Browning scored the game-winning TD with 0:18 left.
Cincinnati ran ball 17 times for only 48 yards.
Bengals are 2-0 for the first time since 2018. 

Cincinnati’s winning drive was 15 plays, 92 yards.
Ja’marr Chase caught 14 passes for 165 yards.
Jacksonville led 17-10 at halftime.
Jags’ QB Lawrence was 24-42/271 passing (3 TD’s, 2 INT’s)

Patriots 33 Dolphins 27
Patriots snap a five-game losing skid to the Dolphins in Miami.
Dolphins took 27-23 lead with 74-yard punt return for TD.
Patriots took lead back with 90-yard kickoff return for a TD.
It was first time since 1992 that a punt return TD was immediately followed by a kickoff return for a TD. 

Dolphins are 0-2, giving up 33 points in both games.
New England’s first three drives: 36 plays, 209 yards, 15 points.
Since 2021, Miami is 11-17-1 ATS in games with spread of 3 or fewer points.
Patriots were 7-12 on third down, Dolphins 4-10.

Colts 29, Broncos 28
Colts kicked 45-yard FG at gun to go to 2-0 for first time since 2009.
Colts missed 60-yard FG on previous play, but a 15-yard penalty on Denver gave Indy a second chance.
Indianapolis scored 4 TD’s, kicked 6 FG’s on its first 10 drives this season.
Indy hasn’t punted in its first two games.

Denver’s first four drives: 26 plays, 172 yards, three TD’s.
Denver rest of game: 29 plays, 147 yards, one TD.
Since 2017, Broncos are 7-11 ATS as a road favorite.
Under Steichen, Indy is 14-6 ATS in games with spread of 3 or fewer points.

Eagles 20, Chiefs 17
Game was tied 10-10 at halftime.
Barkley ran ball 22 times for 88 yards and a TD.
Philly is 11-5 ATS in last sixteen games vs AFC teams.
Eagles are 12-2-1 ATS in last 15 games with spread of 3 or fewer points.

Chiefs threw INT in red zone early in 4th quarter; Kelce dropped an easy throw.
KC’s first four drives of 2nd half: 24 plays, 90 yards, no points, 2 turnovers.
Chiefs are 0-2 for the first time since 2014.
Chiefs are o-2 in one-score games; before this year, they had won 11 consecutive one-score game. 

]Lions 52, Bears 21
Goff passed for 334 yards, five TD’s, three of them to St. Brown
Detroit scored a TD on six of its last seven possessions.
Last 3+ years, Lions are 15-8 ATS as a home favorite.
Last 5+ years, Detroit is 11-5 ATS in home games vs NFC North rivals.

Since leading 17-6 in Week 1, Bears have been outscored, 73-28.
Chicago in 2nd half of this game: 32 plays, 131 yards, 7 points.
QB Williams is 5-14 as an NFL starter. 
Since 2020, Chicago is 10-14 ATS as a road underdog.

Rams 33, Titans 19
Tennessee led 13-10 at halftime.
Rams in 2nd half: 35 plays, 262 yards, 23 points.
Titans in 2nd half: 31 plays, 75 yards, 6 points.
Last 3+ years, Rams are 7-1 ATS as a road favorite.

Rams outgained Tennessee, 439-252.
In two games, Rams have allowed one TD on 20 drives.
In two games, Titans have kicked 8 FG’s, scored only one TD.
Titans are 3-10 ATS in last 13 games as an underdog.

Famous birthdays, September 15th:
Tommy Lee Jones, 79
Oliver Stone, 79
LeRoy Irvin, 68
Dan Marino, 64
Earnest Byner, 63

Sherman Douglas, 59
Jason Terry, 48
Mike Dunleavy Jr., 45
Terry McLaurin, 30
Easton Stick, 30

Seahawks 31, Steelers 17
Leading 17-14, Seahawks scored a TD when the Steelers didn’t cover a kickoff that went in the end zone and Seattle fell on it for a TD that made score 24-14.
Seattle in 2nd half: 33 plays, 207 yards, 17 points.
Seahawks outscored Pittsburgh, 395-267.
Seahawks are 10-3 ATS in last 13 games as a road underdog.

Pittsburgh led 14-7 at halftime.
Steelers in 2nd half: 33 plays, 183 yards, 3 points, 2 turnovers.
Steelers ran ball 21 times for only 72 times.
Last 3+ years, Pittsburgh is 4-10-1 ATS as a home favorite.

Cardinals 27, Panthers 22
Cardinals scored a defensive TD 1:33 into the game.
Arizona’s first four drives: 28 plays, 148 yards, 13 points.
Arizona led 20-3 at halftime, then hung on for dear life.
Down 27-22 with 1:58 left, Carolina recovered an onside kick, but was stopped on downs by the Cardinal defense.

Panthers in first half: 29 plays, 111 yards, 3 points.
Carolina ran the ball 19 times for only 49 yards.
QB Young is 6-24 as an NFL starter; Canales is 5-14 as a head coach.
Carolina is 9-16-2 ATS in last 26 games coming off a loss.

Ravens 41, Browns 17
Lamar Jackson was 19-29/225 passing, with four TD’s.
Ravens scored 40-41 points in first two games, but split the pair.
Ravens lead was only 10-3 at halftime.
Up 27-10, Ravens scored defensive TD on 63-yard fumble return.

Ravens in second half: 24 plays, 158 yards, 24 points.
Browns in second half: 38 plays, 250 yards, 14 points.
Since 2021, Cleveland is 8-16-1 ATS as a road underdog.
Last 6+ years, Cleveland is 4-14 ATS in AFC North road games.

Bills 30, Jets 10
Buffalo outgained the Jets, 403-154.
Bills ran the ball 43 times for 224 yards.
James Cook ran 21 times for 132 yards, two TD’s.
Last 4+ years, Bills are 8-5 ATS in AFC East road games.

Bills were 5-14 on third down, Jets 0-11.
Buffalo led 20-3 at halftime.
Jets in first half: 24 plays, 78 yards, 3 points.
Bills won ten of last 12 series games.

49ers 26, Saints 21
Backup QB Jones threw for 279 yards and three TD’s.
49ers led this game 16-7 at halftime.
SF ran the ball 26 times for only 77 yards.
49ers were 8-15 on third down, New Orleans 4-11

Saints’ first four drives: 17 plays, 57 yards, no points.
Last 4+ years, Saints are 7-13 ATS as a home underdog.
Rattler is 0-8 as an NFL starting QB.
Saints are 7-13 ATS in last 19 games coming off a loss.

Falcons 22, Vikings 6
Falcons ran 63 plays for 326 yards, Vikings 46 plays for 198.
Minnesota turned ball over four times on 10 drives.
Falcons led 9-6 at halftime.
Only TD of game came on an 88-yard drive by Atlanta late in game. 

McCarthy was 11-21/158 passing with two INT’s.
Vikings in first half of their 2 games: 51 plays, 219 yards, 4 FG’s.
Last nine years, Minnesota is 1-7-1 SU in home openers.
Under O’Connell, Vikings are 8-10 ATS as a home favorite.

— Steelers 34, Jets 32
Steelers kicked a 60-yard FG with 1:03 left for the win.
Aaron Rodgers was 22-30/244 passing, with four TD’s.
Jets outgained Pittsburgh, 394-271, led 26-17 after three quarters..
Steelers’ last four drives: 20 plays, 115 yards, 17 points.

Jets’ first four drives: 31 plays, 212 yards, 19 points.
Jets rest of game: 33 plays, 162 yards, 13 points.
Jets were 0-2 on two-point conversions.
Justin Fields looked good; he threw for 218 yards, ran for 48 more.

— Bills 41, Ravens 40
Buffalo kicked a 32-yard field goal at the gun for a comeback win.
QB Allen was 33-46/394 passing, with two TD’s.
Buffalo is 20-5-1 ATS in last 26 games with spread of 3 or fewer points.
Bills’ last five drives: 36 plays, 264 yards, 22 points.

Ravens’ first five drives: 34 plays, 277 yards, 27 points.
Baltimore’s last three drives: 8 plays, 17 yards, no points.
Ravens led 34-19 after the third quarter.
Ravens ran ball 29 times for 238 yards, converted 6-11 on 3rd down.

— Bengals 17, Browns 16
Cleveland missed an extra point and a 36-yard field goal.
Cincy was 7-14 on third down, was +2 in turnovers.
Bengals won despite being outgained, 327-141.
Bengals gained only 7 yards the whole 2nd half, the fewest yards any winning team has scored in the 2nd half of a game over the last 25 years. 

Browns’ first four drives: 43 plays, 189 yards, 16 points.
Browns rest of the game: 30 plays, 129 yards, no points.
Last 2+ years, Browns are minus-35 in turnovers.
Last 3+ years, Cleveland is 7-2 ATS in AFC North home games.

— Buccaneers 23, Falcons 20
Mayfield threw a 25-yard TD pass to Egbuka with 0:59 left.
Falcons missed a 44-yard FG that would’ve forced an overtime.
Last 3+ years, Tampa Bay is 10-4 ATS on artificial turf.
Bucs won five of last seven visits to Atlanta.

Falcons outgained Tampa Bay, 358-260.
Atlanta had an 18-play TD drive that covered 91 yards, took 8:46.
Since 2019, Atlanta is 7-12 ATS in NFC South home games.
Last two years, Falcons are 7-17 ATS in games with spread of 3 or fewer points.

— Rams 14, Texans 9
Rams improved to 7-2 in season openers under Sean McVay.
Puka Nukua caught 10 passes for 130 yards.
Last 2+ years, Rams are 7-3-1 ATS vs AFC teams.
Last 2+ years, Rams are 8-4-1 ATS in games with spread of 3 or fewer points.

Rams were 7-13 on third down, Houston 2-9.
Matthew Stafford went over 60,000 career passing yards (#10 all-time)
Texans in first half: 34 plays, 119 yards, 9 points.
Texans rest of the game: 26 plays, 121 yards, no points.

— 49ers 17, Seahawks 13
49ers drove 68 yards, scored game-winning TD with 1:34 left.
San Francisco outgained the Seahawks, 384-230
49ers won/covered last four visits to Seattle.
Last 3+ years, 49ers are 6-2-1 ATS in NFC West road games.

Seahawks led 10-7 after the third quarter.
49ers turned ball over on three of first four 2nd half drives.
Last 3+ years, Seahawks are 8-16-1 ATS at home.
Last 4+ years, Seattle is 4-9 ATS in NFC West home games.

— Packers 27, Lions 13
Green Bay’s first 3 drives: 21 plays, 184 yards, 17 points.
Packers led 17-3 at halftime.
QB Love was 16-22/188 passing, with two TD’s.
Packers won their 13th straight home opener, NFL’s longest streak since 1988. 

Lions in first half: 32 plays, 69 yards, 3 points.
Total yardage in game: 266-246, Green Bay.
Detroit ran ball 22 times for only 46 yards.
Lions didn’t score a TD until a garbage time score with 0:55 left. 

— Commanders 21, Giants 6
Giants scored only 3 points on two trips inside Washington’s 5-yard line.
Last three years, Giants were outscored 89-12 in their Week 1 games.
Last nine years, Giants are 1-8 SU/ATS in Week 1 games.
Washington outgained the Giants, 432-231. 

Commanders ran ball 32 times for 220 yards.
Washington scored twice on first four drives, led 14-3 at halftime.
QB Daniels is 15-6 as an NFL starter.
Deebo Samuel caught 7 passes for 77 yards, also had a 19-yard run.

— Cardinals 20, Saints 13
Arizona’s first five drives: 39 plays, 229 yards, 20 points.
Cardinals led 17-10 at halftime.
Saints were in Arizona red zone on last drive, but couldn’t score.
Under Gannon, Cardinals are 4-3 ATS as a favorite.

QB Rattler is 0-7 as an NFL starter; they need to play rookie QB Shough.
Saints in second half: 48 plays, 171 yards, 3 points.
New Orleans had 13 penalties for 89 yards.
Last 4+ years, Saints are 7-12 ATS as a home underdog.

— Colts 33, Dolphins 8
Colts win a season opener for first time since 2013.
Indy scored on all of their seven drives: 70 plays, 418 yards.
Colts outgained Miami, 418-211, 211-43 in first half.
Under Steichen, Indy is 13-6 ATS in games with spread of 3 or fewer points.

Colts QB Jones was 22-29/272 passing, also ran for 26 yards.
Dolphins’ first five drives: 28 plays, 123 yards, 2 turnovers, no points.
Miami was minus-3 in turnovers; they ran only 46 plays.
Since 2021, Miami is 11-16-1 ATS in games with spread of 3 or fewer points.

— Raiders 20, Patriots 13
Geno Smith was 24-34/362 passing, with a TD.
Since 2019, Las Vegas is 22-16 ATS as a road underdog.
Raiders are 8-3 ATS in last 11 road openers.
Last 2+ years, Raiders are 11-5-1 ATS in games with spread of 3 or fewer points.

New England led 10-7 at halftime.
Patriots lost four of last five season openers.
NE is 8-17-3 ATS last 28 games with spread of 3 or fewer points.
QB Maye is 3-10 as an NFL starter. 

— Jaguars 26, Panthers 10
Liam Coen wins his first game as an NFL head coach.
Jaguars’ first five drives: plays, 129 yards, no points.
Jacksonville ran ball 32 times for 200 yards.
There was a 76-minute lightning delay in the 2nd quarter.

Carolina was 8-15 on third down, but had 3 turnovers on 9 drives.
Panthers are 7-14 ATS last 21 games vs AFC opponents.
Last 4+ years, Panthers are 11-21-1 ATS as a road underdog.
QB Young is 6-23 as an NFL starter.

— Broncos 20, Titans 12
Titans kicked 4 FG’s, but 3 of those drives started in Denver territory.
Tennessee 133 yards of total offense, 131 penalty yards.
Last 2+ years, Tennessee is 4-12 ATS as a road underdog.
Titans’ defense had four takeaways (+2).

Denver outgained the Titans, 317-133.
Broncos ran ball 30 times for 151 yards.
Broncos led only 13-12 after the third quarter.
Denver has covered nine games in a row when favored.

— If the baseball playoffs started today (they do not):
NL: Phillies, Brewers, Dodgers. Wild Cards: Cubs, Padres, Mets
AL: Blue Jays, Tigers, Astros. Wild Cards: New York, Red Sox, Mariners

— South Florida 18, Florida 16
You pay a team $500,000 to show up and play you, you’re not supposed to lose to that team.

South Florida not only upset the Florida Gators, they banked a half-million bucks.

USF kicked a 20-yard field goal at the gun for the win.
Bulls have started season with upsets over Boise State/Florida.
Florida committed 11 penalties for 103 yards.

— Iowa State 16, Iowa 13
Cyclones kicked a 54-yard field goal with 1:54 left for the win.
Iowa had won the previous six series games played in Ames.
Total yardage was only 238-214, in State’s favor.

— Baylor 48, SMU 45 OT
Baylor QB Robertson was 34-50/440 passing, for 440 yards, 4 TD’s.
SMU led 38-24 with 6:00 left in the game.
Baylor outgained the Mustangs, 601-458.

— NC State 35, Virginia 31
State QB Bailey was 16-23/200 passing, with a TD pass.
Cavaliers led 24-14 at halftime.
Virginia was 13-19 on third down, NC State 1-7

— Michigan State 42, Boston College 40 OT
Spartans’ QB Chiles threw for 231 yards, 4 TD’s.
BC led 21-14 at halftime.
Eagles threw for 390 yards, outgained Michigan State 457-380.

— Upsets of the Day:
South Florida (+17.5) 18, Florida 16
Army (+17.5) 24, Kansas State 21
Missouri State (+8.5) 21, Marshall 20
Jacksonville State (+7.5) 34, Liberty 24
Texas State (+3.5) 43, Tex-San Antonio 36

— Fresno State 36, Oregon State 27
Fresno drove 44 yards, kicked game-winning FG with 0:04 left.
Bulldogs scored on a pick-6 on the last play for the final margin.
Beavers’ QB Murphy was 31-48/371 passing (4 TD’s, 2 INT)

— Oklahoma 24, Michigan 13
Oklahoma outgained the Wolverines, 408-288.
Sooners led 14-0 at halftime.
Michigan QB Underwood completed only 9 of 24 passes, for 142 yards.

— Syracuse 27, UConn 20 OT
UConn led 14-6 at halftime.
UConn tied the game on a 41-yard FG with 0:01 left.
Syracuse QB Angeli was 33-53/417 passing, tin two TD’s.

— Clemson 27, Troy 16
Trojans led 16-3 at halftime on a rainy day in South Carolina.
Clemson was favored by 31 points; they ran ball for 103 yards in 2nd half.
Troy committed 10 penalties for 97 yards.

— UNLV 30, UCLA 23
Rebels outgained UCLA 250-110 in the first half, led 23-3 at half.
Bruins were on UNLV’s 25-yard line in last minute, but threw an INT
Lot of flags: UCLA had 14 penalties for 129 yards, UNLV 13 for 130.

— Famous birthdays, September 7th:
Joe Rudi, 79
Susan Blakely, 76
Bert Jones, 74
Corbin Bernsen, 71
Bill Schroeder, 67

Jason Isringhausen, 53
Kevin Love, 37
Sandy Alcantara, 30
Donovan Mitchell, 29
Heliot Ramos, 26

— Orioles 4, Dodgers 3
Yamamoto had a no-hitter going, led 3-0 with two outs in last inning.
Jackson Holliday homered, then Baltimore scored three more runs for an unlikely win.
Dodgers are 22-32 since the 4th of July.

— Astros 11, Rangers 0
Hunter Brown allowed four hits in 6 shutout IP.
Yordan Alvarez went 3-for-5 with a home run.
Astros lead AL West by 3.5 games over Seattle, 5 games over Texas.

— Cardinals 3, Giants 2
Jordan Walker’s walk-off 2-run double was the game-winner.
Justin Verlander allowed three hits in 6 scoreless IP.
Game ended the Giants’ streak of 18 straight games with a home run.

— Padres 10, Rockies 8
San Diego scored six runs in 2nd inning, cruised to an easy win.
Luis Arraez was 3-6 with two RBI for the Padres.
San Diego moves within a game of the Dodgers in the NL West.

— Diamondbacks 5, Red Sox 1
Brandon Pfaadt pitched six strong innings for Arizona.
Boston trails Toronto by 4.5 games in AL East.
Arizona has won six games in a row against the Red Sox.

— RIP to former player/manager Davey Johnson, who passed away at age 82.

Johnson played 13 years in the majors, had a .744 OPS; he hit 43 home runs for the Braves in 1973. He then managed five teams in the major leagues for 17 years, winning the ’86 World Series with the Mets.

He is an integral part of Mets’ history, on both sides; as an Oriole, he made the last out of the 1969 World Series.

RIP, sir.

— Most popular picks in Circa Casino’s survivor pool:
Broncos 7,173 entries
Cardinals 4,171
Eagles 1,811 (already won)
Jaguars 1,636
Bengals 1,231

— Chargers 27, Chiefs 21
Loss snaps Chiefs’ 11-game win streak in games decided by 8 or fewer points.
Chiefs’ first three drives: 12 plays, 28 yards, three punts.
Last 5+ years, Chiefs are 10-21 ATS vs AFC West rivals.
Over last 23 years, team that lost the Super Bowl is 6-17 ATS in its season opener the next year.

Chargers in first half: 31 plays, 181 yards, 13 points.
Bolts were 7-13 on third down, Chiefs 5-14.
Just 4th win for the Chargers in last 23 games vs Kansas City.
Last seven years, Chargers started season 1-0 six times.

— Louisville 28, James Madison 14
Game was tied 14-all after the third quarter.
Louisville’s winning TD was scored by their defense with 13:05 left.
JMU had 12 penalties for 95 yards, Cardinals 5-49.

— Maryland 20, Northern Illinois 9
Maryland won its 17th consecutive non-conference game.
Malik Washington threw for 254 yards, two TD’s.
NIU ran ball for 180 yards, but averaged only 4.1 yards/pass attempt.

— Three NFL teams have two #1 picks in next year’s draft:

Rams, Cowboys, Browns

— August 30, 1990, the Astros traded 37-year old reliever Larry Andersen to the Red Sox, for a young 1B who was playing AA ball.

Andersen helped the Red Sox win the AL East that season, making 15 relief appearances and posting a 1.23 ERA with 25 strikeouts in 22 IP, but the young player wound up in the freakin’ Hall of Fame.

You may have heard of Jeff Bagwell; he hit 449 home runs, with an OPS of .948, while playing his whole 15-year career for Houston. Pretty good deal for the Astros.

— St Louis 1B Willson Contreras had his six-game suspension reduced to four games; he started serving it Friday night, won’t be back until Tuesday’s game.

— Still strikes me as weird when I see a pitcher with a single-digit uniform number; not sure why, but it does. Jack Flaherty, MacKenzie Gore, Blake Snell come to mind.

— Famous birthdays, September 6th:
Ron Boone, 79
Jane Curtin, 78
Kevin Willis, 63
Rosie Perez, 61

Idris Elba, 53
Eric Zeier, 53
Derrek Lee, 50
Jerry Blevins, 42

Mitch Moreland, 40
Sam Acho, 37
John Wall, 35
Dustin May, 28

— AL Wild Card race:
as of now, the three Wild Cards: New York, Red Sox, Mariners
0.5 games behind- Rangers
1 game behind- Royals
2 games behind- Rays
2.5 games behind- Guardians

— White Sox 7, Tigers 5
Not for nothing, but the White Sox are 5-0 this week.
Colson Montgomery homered, had four RBI.
Detroit still leads AL Central by 8.5 games.

— Mets 5, Reds 4
Cincinnati had bases loaded, no one out in 9th inning, but didn’t score.
Mets now lead the fading Reds by six games in the NL Wild Card race.
Mets are 7-4 in last 11 games, Cincinnati 3-11 in its last 14.

— Orioles 2, Dodgers 1
Samuel Basallo hit a walk-off homer for Baltimore.
Dodgers have lost six of their last seven games.

— Blue Jays 7, New York 1
Kevin Gausman allowed four hits in 8 IP.
Toronto extends its AL East lead to four games.
Blue Jays are 8-3 vs New York this season.

— Giants 8, Cardinals 2
San Francisco has won 11 of its last 12 games.
Rafael Devers has homered four times in his last five games.
Giants trail the Mets by four games for the NL’s last Wild Card spot.

— If the playoffs started today (they don’t):
NL: Phillies, Brewers, Dodgers. Wild Cards: Cubs, Mets, Padres
AL: Blue Jays, Tigers, Astros. Wild Cards: New York, Red Sox, Mariners

— Eagles 24, Cowboys 20
There was an hour-long lightning delay in the third quarter.
Eagles’ DL Jalen Carter got ejected before the first play; he spit on Dallas QB Prescott, while standing right next to an official.

There were 7 possessions in first half: 5 TD’s, 2 field goals. Eagles led 21-20 at half.

Eagles in first half: 30 plays, 216 yards, 21 points.
Eagles in second half: 34 plays, 83 yards, 3 points.
Cowboys lost five of their last six visits to Philadelphia.
Last seven years, Eagles are 4-3 SU/1-6 ATS in home openers.

Dallas in first half: 32 plays, 177 yards, 20 points.
Dallas in second half: 26 plays, 136 yards, no points.
Cowboys have covered their last five road openers.
Under is 7-3 in Cowboys’ last ten season openers.

— Buffalo Bills signed K Matt Prater to their practice squad; their regular kicker, Tyler Bass, has been banged-up with a hip injury. This would be Prater’s 20th year in the NFL.

— Bill Belichick has banned New England Patriots’ staff from watching his North Carolina team practice; his disdain towards the Patriots’ organization after his departure from the team two years ago apparently hasn’t lessened any.

Scouts from other teams are limited to watching just three sessions of UNC practice, but three sessions are better than none; not sure how this will help his recruiting going forward.

— Obscure Stat of the Day:
Milwaukee P Jose Quintana faced three batters in an inning Wednesday; all three guys hit a ground ball back to Quintana, the first time that happened in a 1-2-3 inning since 2017.

— New York Mets are going all-in on young starting pitchers; they’re calling up Brandon Sproat to start Sunday’s game in Cincinnati. Sproat is 8-6, 4.24 in 25 AAA starts this season.

— Detroit Lions signed QB CJ Beathard to their practice squad, to be their #3 QB, behind Jared Goff and Kyle Allen. Beathard has started 13 NFL games, for the 49ers/Jaguars.

— 20-year-old Kendall George, the 36th overall pick in the 2023 baseball draft, has stolen 97 bases in 110 games this year- he is hitting .290 with a .406 on-base percentage. George is one of the LA Dodgers’ top minor league prospects.

— Washington Nationals VP of Amateur Scouting Danny Haas has bolted Washington for the Baltimore Orioles.

— Famous birthdays, September 5th:
William Devane, 86
Billy Kilmer, 86
Michael Keaton, 74
Willie Gault, 65

Jeff Brantley, 62
Brad Hopkins, 55
Ryan Spilborghs, 46
Colt McCoy, 39

TJ Warren, 32
Jarren Duran, 29
Steven Kwan, 28
Mac Jones, 27

William Devane is a great actor who grew up here in Albany; his father was Franklin D Roosevelt’s chauffeur when FDR was governor of New York.

— Phillies 2, Brewers 0
Game was scoreless after six innings.
Trea Turner had the go-ahead hit in the 7th.
Jhoan Duran got his 26th save this season.

— Pirates 5, Dodgers 3
Paul Skenes threw six shutout innings.
Dodgers got swept three straight in Pittsburgh.
Pirates are 42-30 at home, 22-47 on the road.

— Rays 4, Guardians 2
Tampa Bay has won seven games in a row.
Ryan Pepiot threw five no-hit IP (90 PT), got the win.
Rays are only two games out of the last AL playoff spot.

— Royals 4, Angels 3
Bobby Witt’s 8th inning home run was a game-winner.
Adam Frazier got his 1,000th career hit.
Royals are only two games out of the last AL playoff spot.

— New York 8, Astros 4
Trent Grisham hit his career-high 30th home run.
New York holds the AL’s #1 Wild Card slot.
Astros still lead AL West by 3.5 games.

— White Sox 11, Twins 8
Minnesota led 7-4 after six innings.
Kyle Teel was 3-4 with three runs scored, four RBI
White Sox sweep the four game series in the Twin Cities. 

— If the playoffs started today (they don’t):
NL: Phillies, Brewers, Dodgers. Wild Cards: Cubs, Mets, Padres
AL: Blue Jays, Tigers, Astros. Wild Cards: New York, Red Sox, Mariners

This is our Week 1 NFL article; you can find it every week on the NFL page. As the season goes on and more games are played, the information gets better.

Week 1
Thursday
Cowboys vs Eagles (-7)
Dallas won its last three road openers, covered the last four.
Since 2020, Cowboys are 10-13 ATS as a road underdog.
Last five years, Dallas is 7-8 ATS in NFC East road games.
QB Prescott is 78-51 as an NFL starter. 

This is Brian Schottenheimer’s first game as a head coach.
Under is 6-3 in Cowboys’ last nine season openers. 

Last four years, Eagles are 15-11-1 ATS as a home favorite.
Last four years, Eagles are 7-5 ATS in NFC East home games.
Last four years, Philly is 4-0 SU/3-1 ATS in Week 1 games.
Last six years, Eagles are 3-3 SU/1-5 ATS in home openers.
QB Hurts is 51-23 as an NFL starter, 5-3 in playoff games.
Sirianni is 53-23 as an NFL coach, 5-3 in playoff games.
Over is 5-1 in Philly’s last six season openers.
Over the last 17 years, the Super Bowl champ is 19-6-2 ATS in its Week 1 game the next year.

Eagles beat Dallas twice last year: 34-6/41-7.
Cowboys are 1-4 SU/ATS in last five visits to Philadelphia.
Home teams covered five of last six series games.
Over is 6-2 in last eight series games

Friday
Chargers vs Chiefs  (-2.5) (@ Brazil)
Last six years, Chargers started season 1-0 five times.
Chargers are 4-2 SU/6-0 ATS vs AFC West rivals last year.
Last year, Bolts were 3-2 ATS as an underdog. Last eight years, 

QB Herbert is 41-40 as an NFL starter, 0-2 in playoff games.
Jim Harbaugh is as an NFL head coach.

Last eight years, Chiefs are 7-1 SU/6-2 ATS in Week 1
Kansas City is 13-6-1 ATS in last 20 games with spread of 3 or fewer points.
Last five years, Chiefs are 10-20 ATS vs AFC West rivals.
QB Mahomes is 106-26 as an NFL starter, 17-3 in playoff games.

Andy Reid is 301-163-1 as an NFL head coach
Over the last 22 years, the team that lost the Super Bowl is 6-16 ATS in its season opener the next year.

Chiefs won six in row, 19 of last 22 series games.
KC beat Chargers twice last year, 19-17/17-10.
Under is 4-1 in last five meetings.

Giants @ Commanders (-7.5)
Last eight years, Giants are 1-7 SU/ATS in Week 1 games.
QB Wilson is 130-85-1 as an NFL starter, 23-32 last four years.
Daboll is 19-33-1 as an NFL head coach, 1-1 in playoffs.
Under Daboll, Giants are 12-10 ATS as a road underdog
Under Daboll, Giants are 5-4 ATS on road vs NFC East rivals.

Washington was 12-5 LY, its first winning year since 2016.
QB Daniels is 14-6 as an NFL starter.
Quinn is 60-50 as an NFL coach, 5-3 in playoffs.
Last four years, Commanders are 4-7-1 ATS at home vs NFC East rivals.
Last 20 years, Washington is 1-5-1 ATS as a favorite in Week 1 games.
Last 12 years, Commanders are 4-8 ATS in Week 1 games.

Washington beat Giants twice LY, 21-18/27-22.
Previous five years, Giants were 7-2-1 SU/ATS vs Washington.
Giants are 5-2 SU/6-1 ATS in last seven visits here. 

Cardinals (-4.5) @ Saints
Last three years, Arizona is 0-2 ATS as a road favorite.
Under Gannon, Cardinals are 3-3 ATS as a favorite.
Murray is 36-46-1 as an NFL starter.
Gannon is 12-22 in two years as a head coach.
Cardinals lost last three season openers, giving up 44-20-38 points.
This is first time since 2018 that Arizona is favored in Week 1.

Saints won their last six season openers SU.
Last four years, Saints are 7-11 ATS as a home underdog.
This is Kellen Moore’s first game as a head coach.
This is rookie QB Shough’s first NFL game- he’ll be 26 in a few weeks.

Teams split last six series games.
Over is 7-2 in last nine meetings.

Dolphins @ Colts (-1)
Dolphins won four of last five season openers.
Miami is 7-3 ATS in its last ten road openers.
QB Tagovailoa is 38-25 as an NFL starter.
McDaniel is 28-25 as a head coach, 0-2 in playoffs.
Since 2021, Miami is 11-15-1 ATS in games with spread of 3 or fewer points.
Dolphins are 12-8 ATS in last 20 games on artificial turf.

Since 2014, Colts are 0-10-1 SU in season openers.
Colts have split their last six home openers.
QB Jones 25-45-1 is as an NFL starter, with the Giants.
Steichen is 17-17 SU in two years as a head coach
Under Steichen, Indy is 12-6 ATS in games with spread of 3 or fewer points.

Colts won eight of last ten series games.
Teams split last six meetings played in Indy.

Raiders @ Patriots (-2)
Since 2019, Las Vegas is 21-16 ATS as a road underdog.
Raiders are 7-3 ATS in last ten road openers.
Last 2 years, Raiders are 10-5-1 ATS in games with spread of 3 or fewer points.
QB Geno Smith is 40-44 as an NFL starter.
Carroll is 181-131-1 as an NFL head coach, 11-11 in playoffs.
Carroll was 28-23 coaching New England from 1997-99.

Patriots lost three of last four season openers.
NE is 0-4 SU/0-3-1 ATS last four home openers.
NE is 8-16-3 ATS last 27 games with spread of 3 or fewer points.
QB Maye is 3-9 as an NFL starter.
Vrabel was 56-48 as head coach of the Titans.

Raiders won last two series games, after losing previous six.
Raiders are 0-4 SU/1-3 ATS in last four visits to Foxboro.
Tom Brady is now a part-owner of the Raiders.

Steelers (-2.5) @ Jets
Pittsburgh opens on road for 10th time in last 11 years.
Steelers won/covered four of their last five season openers.
Last four years, Pittsburgh is 4-3 ATS as a road favorite.
QB Rodgers is 164-97-1 as an NFL starter.
He played for the Jets the last two years (6-12).

Tomlin is 191-118-2 as an NFL head coach.
Tomlin won a Super Bowl, but it was in 2008.
Rodgers won a Super Bowl, but it was in 2010.
Steelers are 25-12-1 ATS last 38 games with spread of 3 or fewer points.
Under is 11-1 in their last 12 road openers.

Jets are 9-15 ATS as a home underdog.
Jets are 1-5 SU/ATS in last six season openers.
Under is 7-1 in their last eight home openers.
QB Fields is 14-30 as an NFL starter.
Fields played for the Steelers last year (4-2 in six starts).

This is Aaron Glenn’s first game as a head coach.
Last four years, Jets are minus-28 in turnovers.
Jets are 7-15-1 ATS in last 23 games with spread of 3 or fewer points.

Teams split the last ten series games.
Steelers lost four of last five visits to the Garden State.
Under is 5-2 in last seven meetings. 

Panthers @ Jaguars (-2.5)
Last 4 years, Panthers are 11-20-1 ATS as a road underdog.
Carolina is 1-5 SU/ATS in last six season openers.
Panthers are 7-13 ATS last 20 games vs AFC opponents.
QB Young is 6-22 as an NFL starter,
Canales is 5-12 as a head coach.
Last 3 years, Carolina is 5-5-2 ATS in games with spread of 3 or fewer points.

Last 5 years, Jaguars are 4-10 ATS as a home favorite.
Last 2 years, Jaguars are 6-4 ATS vs NFC opponents.
Jaguars are 6-5-1 ATS in last 12 games with spread of 3 or fewer points.
Since 2012, Jacksonville is 3-10 ATS in its home opener. 

Jaguars’ last four home openers stayed under the total.
QB Lawrence is 23-39 as an NFL starter.
This is Liam Coan’s first game as a head coach.

Carolina won four of six series games.
Three of last four meetings stayed under the total.
These two head coaches were the last two OC’s for the Buccaneers.

Bengals (-5) @ Browns
Since 2021, Bengals are 14-7 ATS as a road favorite.
Since 2021, Bengals are 13-8-1 ATS on natural grass.
Last six years, Cincinnati started 0-1 five times.
QB Burrow is 43-32-1 as an NFL starter.
Taylor is 51-54-1 as a head coach.
Under Taylor, Bengals are 8-9-1 ATS in AFC North road games,
Last three years, Cincinnati is +19 in turnovers. 

Last four years, Browns are 7-6-1 ATS as a home underdog.
Last three years, Cleveland is 7-2 ATS in AFC North home games.
Browns are 3-2 SU in their last five home openers.
QB Flacco is 115-92 as an NFL starter (7-14 since 2020)
Last two years, Browns were -22/-11 in turnovers.
Stefanski is 41-46 as a head coach.
Over is 5-1 in Cleveland’s last six home openers.

Cincinnati won four of last six series games.
Bengals are 1-6 SU/3-3-1 ATS in last seven visits to Cleveland.
Under is 3-1-1 in last five meetings.

Buccaneers (-1.5) @ Falcons
Since 2021, Tampa Bay is 7-11 ATS as a road favorite.
Since 2020, Bucs are 12-10-1 ATS in games with spread of 3 or fewer points.
Since 2021, Bucs are 7-5 ATS in NFC South road games.
Last three years, Tampa Bay is 9-4 ATS on artificial turf.
Bucs won/covered five of last seven road openers. 
Mayfield is 52-56 as an NFL starter, 20-17 with the Bucs.
Bowles is 54-68 as a head coach, 28-27 with Tampa Bay.

Last three years, Falcons are 4-2-1 ATS as a home underdog.
Since 2019, Atlanta is 7-11 ATS in NFC South home games.
Last two years, Falcons are 7-16 ATS in games with spread of 3 or fewer points.
QB Penix was 1-2 as a starter as a rookie last year.
Morris is 29-47 as a head coach.
He was 17-31 as coach of Tampa Bay, from 2009-11.
This is 6th year in a row Falcons are at home in Week 1.
Last five years, Atlanta is 1-4 SU/2-3 ATS in home openers.

Falcons won last three series games, by 3-6-5 points.
Bucs won four of last six visits to Atlanta.
Over is 9-3 in last 12 meetings.

49ers (-1.5) @ Seahawks
Since 2020, 49ers are 16-14-1 ATS as a road favorite.
Last 3 years, 49ers are 5-2-1 ATS in NFC West road games.
Since 2020, 49ers are 10-12 ATS in games with spread of 3 or fewer points.
QB Purdy is 27-15 as an NFL starter.
Shanahan is 78-66 as an NFL head coach
Under is 6-2 in San Francisco’s last eight road openers.

Last three years, Seahawks are 8-15-1 ATS at home.
Last four years, Seattle is 4-8 ATS in NFC West home games.
Since 2021, Seattle is 11-13-2 ATS in games with spread of 3 or fewer points.
Darnold is 35-39 as an NFL starter.
Seahawks are his 4th team the last four years.
MacDonald was 10-7 LY, in his first year as a head coach.

San Francisco won six of last seven series games.
49ers won/covered last three visits to Seattle.
Under is 4-1-1 in last six meetings.

Titans @ Broncos (-7)
Last two years, Tennessee was 4-11 ATS as a road underdog.
Last year, Titans were 2-9 ATS as an underdog.
Titans were minus-16 in turnovers last year.
Last four years, Tennessee is 0-4 SU/1-3 ATS in Week 1.
Rookie QB Ward is making his first NFL start.
Callahan was 3-14 LY, his first year as an NFL head coach

Last year, Denver was 8-0 ATS as a favorite, 6-0 at home.
From 2015-23, Broncos were only 13-26-4 ATS as a home favorite.
QB Nix was 10-8 as a starter in his rookie season.
Payton is 179-114 as an NFL head coach, 18-17 with Denver.
Broncos lost four of last six home openers.
Under is 6-0 in their last six home openers.

Tennessee won three of last four series games.
Last four meetings stayed under the total.

Texans @ Rams (-2.5)
Last 2 years, Texans were 10-7/10-7, 1-1 in playoffs both years.
Last 2 years, Houston was +11/+12 in turnovers.
QB Stroud is 21-15 as an NFL starter. 

Ryans is 22-16 in two years as an NFL head coach.
Under Ryans, Texans are 6-3 ATS as a road underdog.
Under Ryans, Texans are 5-4-1 ATS vs NFC teams.
Under Ryans, Houston is 9-8 ATS in games with spread of 3 or fewer points.

Last two years, Rams went 10-7/11-6 (1-2 in playoffs).
QB Stafford is 39-25 as the Rams’ starter (113-118-1 overall).
McVay is 88-57 as an NFL head coach.
Last four years, Rams are 8-12 ATS as a home favorite.
Last two years, Rams were 6-3-1 ATS vs AFC teams.
Last two years, Rams were 7-4-1 ATS in games with spread of 3 or fewer points.

Rams have won four of five games vs Houston (5-0 ATS)

Lions (-1.5) @ Packers
Last two years, Lions were 27-7 SU/24-10 ATS.
QB Goff is 85-57-1 as an NFL starter, 43-30-1 with Detroit.
Campbell is 46-37-1 as an NFL head coach.
Detroit has two new coordinators this season.
Last two years, Lions were 11-2 ATS as a road favorite.
Last 3 years, Detroit is 8-1 ATS in road games vs NFC North rivals.
Lions are 18-6 ATS in last 24 games with spread of 3 or fewer points.

Green Bay has had winning seasons 5 of last 6 years.
QB Love is as an NFL starter
LaFleur is as an NFL head coach.
Since 2018, Packers are 6-3 ATS as a home underdog.
Last 2 years, Green Bay was 1-5 ATS in home games vs NFC North rivals.
Packers are 12-12-1 ATS in last 25 games with spread of 3 or fewer points.

Detroit won five of last six series games.
Lions won/covered last three visits to Lambeau.
Over is 6-3 in last nine meetings.

Ravens @ Bills (-1.5)
Last 2 years, Ravens were 25-9 SU/22-12 ATS
QB Jackson is 73-29 as an NFL starter
John Harbaugh is 185-115 as an NFL head coach.
Since 2017, Baltimore is 14-5-2 ATS as a road underdog.
Ravens are 20-6 ATS in last 26 games with spread of 3 or fewer points.

Buffalo has had six straight winning years (71-28 SU/55-42-3 ATS)
Last year, Bills were +24 in turnovers (32-8)
QB Allen is 83-40 as an NFL starter.
McDermott is 93-52 as an NFL head coach.
Last five years, Bills are 22-17-1 ATS at home.
Buffalo is 19-5-1 ATS in last 25 games with spread of 3 or fewer points.

Ravens won four of last six series games.
Ravens lost 27-25 here in last year’s playoffs.
Under is 3-1-1 in last five meetings.

Vikings @ Bears (-1)
Vikings were 14-3 last year, dumped QB Darnold anyway.
2nd year QB McCarthy is making his first NFL start; he was hurt last year.
O’Connell is 34-19 as an NFL head coach.
Last two years, Vikings were 11-5-2 ATS on the road.
Under O’Connell, Minnesota is  4-4-1 ATS on road vs NFC North rivals.
Vikings are 14-11-4 ATS in last 29 games with spread of 3 or fewer points.
Under O’Connell, Vikings are 26-9 SU in games decided by 8 or fewer points.

Bears have had four straight losing years; they have a new coach now.
This is Ben Johnson’s first game as an NFL head coach.
QB Williams was 5-12 as a starter in his rookie year LY.
Last two years, Chicago was 10-5-1 ATS at home.
Last five years, Bears were 3-11-1 ATS at home vs NFC North rivals.
Chicago is 6-11-2 ATS in last 19 games with spread of 3 or fewer points.

Vikings won eight of last nine series games.
Minnesota is 5-0 SU/4-0-1 ATS in last five visits to Chicago.
Under is 5-2 in last seven meetings.

— Astros 2, Angels 0
Cristian Javier didn’t allow a hit in 6 IP (85 PT)
Carlos Correa had a game-winning single in 7th inning.
Angels have lost 8 of their last 10 games.

— Pirates 4, Red Sox 2
Paul Skenes threw 6 innings; he is now 9-9, 2.05 this year.
Red Sox led 2-0 after the fifth inning.
Andrew McCutchen knocked in the go-head run in the top of the 6th.

— Tarleton State 30, Army 27 OT
I-AA Tarleton was a 14.5 point underdog.
Army missed 43, 35 yard field goals at end of regulation, in overtime.
Army outgained Tarleton 411-344, but was minus-3 in turnovers.

— Auburn 38, Baylor 24
Auburn ran a kickoff back 98 yards for a TD.
Tigers ran ball for 307 yards (5.9 yards/carry).
QB Arnold, a transfer from Oklahoma, ran ball for 137 yards, scored 2 TD’s.

— Georgia Tech 27, Colorado 20
QB King ran 45 yards for a touchdown with 1:07 left.
Tech lost two fumbles, threw an INT on its first three drives.
Tech outgained Colorado, 463-305.

— Wake Forest 10, Kennesaw State 9
Jake Dickert gets a close win in his first game as Wake Forest’s coach.
Deacons’ only TD came in first quarter; they were an 18-point favorite.
Wake Forest outgained Kennesaw State of C-USA 348-307

— UNLV 38, Sam Houston State 21
Rebels led 24-7 at halftime, improved to 2-0.
QB Colandrea threw for 249 yards, two TD’s.
UNLV ran 56 plays, only 9 of them on third down. 

— Famous birthdays, August 30th:
Dave Chalk, 75
Robert Parish, 72
David Paymer, 71
Michael Michele, 59
Cameron Diaz, 53

Shaun Alexander, 48
Cliff Lee, 47
Adam Wainwright, 44
Mikal Bridges, 29
Drake Maye, 23

— Cardinals 7, Reds 5 (10)
Masyn Winn went 3-for-5, drove in three runs.
Game-winning run scored on a throwing error by Elly De La Cruz.
Reds have lost seven of their last eight games.

— Phillies 2, Braves 1
Eric Bohm’s 8th inning sac fly scored the game-winning run.
Braves had 12 hits, but were 2-12 with runners in scoring position.
Kyle Schwarber scored both runs for the Phillies.

— Mets 19, Marlins 9
Mets led 5-0 before they made an out; it was 12-0 after two innings.
Rookie Jonah Tong allowed four runs in 5 IP in his MLB debut.
Brandon Nimmo homered twice, scored 4 runs, had 4 RBI

— Brewers 7, Blue Jays 2
Freddy Peralta tossed six shutout IP.
Game was scoreless after five innings.
Toronto’s lead in AL East is down to three games.

— New York 10, White Sox 2
New York won its sixth consecutive game.
New York’s payroll: $295,660,655

Chicago lost its fourth game in a row.
White Sox’ payroll: $84,161,459

— Diamondbacks 3, Dodgers 0
Zac Gallen allowed two hits in six shutout IP.
Dodgers still lead San Diego by two games in NL West.

— Guardians 5, Mariners 4
Seattle scored 4 runs in top of 1st, led 4-1 after six innings.
Steven Kwan had a walk-off sacrifice fly in the 9th inning.
Cleveland moves within four games of Seattle for the AL’s last Wild Card slot. 

Trends for major league teams
(thru Monday’s games)

— Arizona (64-68)
Arizona won seven of its last nine home games.
Diamondbacks are 17-24 in one-run games.
Arizona scored in first inning in 14 of last 17 home games.
Arizona is 14-28 in last 42 games where winning run scored from 7th inning on.

— Braves (59-72)
Braves are 11-5 in their last 16 games.
Atlanta is 33-33 at home, 26-39 on the road.
Braves are 21-18 vs NL East rivals, 38-54 vs everyone else.
Under is 3-0 in their last three games.

— Cubs (76-55)
Chicago is 8-2 in its last ten games.
Cubs are holding #1 Wild Card slot in NL
Under is 19-3-1 in their last 23 games.
Cubs are 59-37 vs righty starters, 17-18 vs lefties.

— Reds (68-64)
Cincinnati lost four of its last five games.
Reds are 50-44 vs righty starters, 18-20 vs lefties.
Under is 13-5-1 in their last 19 road games.
Reds scored in first inning in 10 of last 19 home games.

— Rockies (37-94)
Colorado lost five of its last six games.
Under is 9-5 in Rockies’ last 14 games.
Rockies are 5-30 vs lefty starters, 32-64 vs righties. 
Colorado hasn’t scored a first inning run in its last 27 road games.

— Dodgers (75-57)
Dodgers are 6-1 in last seven home games.
LA leads San Diego by a game in NL West.
Dodgers are 56-38 vs righty starters, 19-19 vs lefties.
Under is 7-4 in their last 11 home games.

— Marlins (62-69)                                                                      
Marlins are 5-11 in their last 16 games.
Miami is 31-35 at home, 31-34 on the road.
Under is 14-7 in Marlins’ last 21 road games.
Last three weeks, Marlins are 1-5 in games where winning run scored from 7th inning on.

— Brewers (82-50)
Brewers are 3-5 in their last eight games.
Milwaukee is 44-22 at home, 38-28 on the road.
Over is 13-5-1 in their last nineteen home games. 
Milwaukee leads the Cubs by 5.5 games in the NL Central.

— Mets (70-61)
Mets are 6-3 in their last nine games.
Mets are 42-24 at home, 28-37 on the road.
Over is 10-3-2 in their last 15 games.
Mets leads the Reds by 2.5 games for last NL Wild Card slot.

— Phillies (76-55)
Phillies are 14-7 in their last 21 games.
Phillies are 58-35 vs righty starters, 18-20 vs lefties.
Over is 6-1-1 in their last eight games.
Phillies lead the Mets by six games in NL East.

— Pirates (57-75)
Pirates won five of their last seven games.
Pittsburgh is 39-30 at home, 18-45 on the road.
Under is 10-5-3 in their last 18 games.
Pirates are 17-12 in last 29 games where winning run scored from 7th inning on.

— St Louis (65-67)
St Louis is 4-8 in its last dozen games.
Cardinals are 17-6 in home series openers.
St Louis is 36-30 at home, 29-37 on the road.
Over is 7-1-1 in their last nine games.

— Padres (74-58)
San Diego won 16 of its last 21 home games.
Padres are 43-22 at home, 31-36 on the road.
Padres are 52-38 vs righty starters, 22-20 vs lefties.
San Diego is 24-18 vs NL West rivals, 50-40 vs everyone else.

— Giants (63-68)
Giants are 4-11 in their last 15 games, 2-15 in last 17 at home.
Giants are 50-45 vs righty pitchers, 13-23 vs lefties.
Over is 15-8-2 in their last 25 road games.
SF lost 10 of last 12 games where winning run scored from 7th inning on.

— Washington (53-78)
Nationals lost their last three games.
Washington is 11-24 in its last 35 home games.
Over is 7-3-4 in their last 14 games.
Washington is 22-10 last 32 games where winning run scored from 7th inning on.

Famous birthdays, August 26th:
Brett Cullen, 69
Rick Partridge, 68
Melissa McCarthy, 55
David Price, 40
Elvis Andrus, 37

James Harden, 36
Maikel Franco, 33
Ranger Suarez, 30
Spencer Torkelson, 26
Kyren Williams, 25

— Orioles (60-71)
Baltimore lost four of its last five games.
Over is 5-3 in their last eight games.
Orioles are 31-34 at home, 29-37 on the road.
Orioles are 19-17 vs AL East rivals, 41-54 vs everyone else.

— Red Sox (72-60)
Red Sox are 4-1 in their last five games.
Boston is 1-8 in extra-inning road games.
Over is 13-6 in their last 19 games.
Right now, Red Sox hold the 1st AL Wild Card slot.

— White Sox (48-83)
Chicago won its last three games, scoring 22 runs.
White Sox are 29-37 at home, 19-46 on the road.
Under is 7-4 in their last 11 games.
Chicago is 34-65 vs righty starters, 14-18 vs lefties.

— Cleveland (64-66)
Cleveland lost its last six games, outscored 37-10.
Guardians got shut out in their last three games.
Guardians are 49-43 vs righty starters, 15-23 vs lefties.
Over is 15-6 in their last 21 home games.

— Detroit (78-55)
Detroit is 18-9 in its last 27 games.
Tigers are 26-14 vs its AL Central rivals, lead division by 10.5 games.
Detroit is 18-4 in home series openers.
Over is 7-2 in their last nine games.

— Houston (72-59)
Astros are 13-16 in their last 29 games overall
Astros are 6-13 in their last 19 home games.
Astros lead Seattle by 1.5 games in AL West.
Over is 12-5-1 in their last 18 games.

— Royals (67-65)
Royals lost four of their last five road games.
Kansas City is 52-56 vs righty starters, 15-9 vs lefties.
Over is 4-2 in Royals’ last six games.
Royals scored in first inning in 10 of last 14 home games.

— Angels (62-69)
Angels lost seven of their last 10 games.
Halos are 8.5 games out of last Wild Card slot.
Angels are 51-57 vs righty starters, 11-12 vs lefties.
Angels are 30-17 in games where winning run scored from 7th inning on.

— Twins (59-72)
Twins lost 11 of their last 15 games.
Minnesota is 33-31 at home, 26-41 on the road.
Over is 7-2 in their last nine games.
Twins haven’t scored in first inning in their last 11 games.

— New York (71-60)
New York is 9-4 in its last 13 games.
Over is 8-1 in their last nine games.
New York is 58-46 vs righty starters, 13-14 vs lefties.
Right now, New York has the #2 Wild Card slot in AL.

— A’s (61-72)
A’s are 28-22 in their last 50 games.
Over is 6-2 in their last eight home games.
A’s are 15-18 in one-run games, 8-4 in extra innings.
Last 10 weeks, A’s are 9-4 in games where winning run scored from 7th inning on..

— Seattle (71-61)
Mariners lost six of their last nine games.
Seattle is 25-9 in its last 34 home games.
Over is 6-2 in their last eight games.
Right now, Mariners hold the #3 Wild Card in AL, by four games.

— Tampa Bay (64-67)
Tampa Bay won its last three games, scoring 26 runs.
Rays are 34-33 at home, 30-34 on the road.
Tampa Bay is 6.5 games out of the last Wild Card slot.
Rays are 5-10 in last 15 games where winning run scored from 7th inning on.

— Texas (66-67)
Rangers lost 12 of their last 18 games.
Texas is 54-45 vs righty starters, 12-22 vs lefties
Rangers are 40-27 at home, 26-40 on road.
Texas is 5.5 games out of the AL’s last Wild Card slot.

— Toronto (77-55)
Blue Jays are 14-9 in their last 23 games overall.
Blue Jays won 18 of their last 23 home games.
Over is 9-5-1 in their last 15 home games.
Toronto leads Red Sox by five games in AL East.

— If the baseball playoffs started today (they don’t):
NL: Phillies, Brewers, Dodgers. Wild Cards: Cubs, Padres, Mets
AL: Blue Jays, Tigers, Astros. Wild Cards: Red Sox, New York, Mariners

— Iowa State 24, Kansas State 21
This game, played in Ireland, was 7-7 at halftime.
Iowa State QB Becht passed for 183 yards, 2 TDs and ran for a score.
K-State outgained the Cyclones, 383-313; both teams had two turnovers.

— Hawai’i 23, Stanford 20
Hawai’i K Matsuzawa made a 38-yard FG at the gun for the win.
Matsuzawa is a Japanese kid who taught himself to kick by watching videos on YouTube.
Stanford was 8-17 on third down, Rainbows were 3-10.

— Western Kentucky 41, Sam Houston State 24
Bearkats led 24-20 with 11:58 left in third quarter.
Hilltoppers were 11-19 on third down, Sam Houston 2-14
WKU’s QB McIvor was 33-51/401 passing, with 3 TD’s.

— Kansas 31, Fresno State 7
Jayhawks outgained Fresno, 383-216- they ran ball for 207 yards.
Kansas led 24-7 at halftime and coasted home from there.
EJ Warner (Kurt Warner’s son) was 18-29/179 passing for the Bulldogs.

— UNLV 38, Idaho State 31
Rebels were a 30-point favorite in Dan Mullen’s first game as coach.
Idaho State led 31-24 with 12:00 to play.
Bengals outgained UNLV 555-532, but turned ball over four times.

— Broncos 28, Saints 19
Sean Payton wins in his return to the Superdome.
Denver outgained the Saints 396-236.
New Orleans still hasn’t decided who their starting QB will be.

— Bills 23, Buccaneers 19
#3 QB Buechele threw for 278 yards and one TD.
Tampa Bay averaged 38 yards per kick return in this game.
This was first time in his career that Josh Allen sat out the whole pre-season.

— NFL preseason scores don’t mean so much; cutdown day is Tuesday. Teams will be getting their rosters in order with no games on the schedule next weekend.

— Famous birthdays, August 24th
Anne Archer, 78
Kevin Dunn, 70
Steve Guttenberg, 67
Cal Ripken Jr., 65
Reggie Miller, 60

Marlee Matlin, 60
Tim Salmon, 57
Dave Chapelle, 52
Michael Redd, 46
Mason Miller, 27

— Padres 5, Dodgers 1
Nestor Cortes allowed one hit in six scoreless IP.
Padres won their last five games.
San Diego leads NL West by a game, with 32 games left.

— Astros 9, Orioles 8
Christian Walker homered for the third game in a row.
Astros led 7-5 after the third inning.
Colton Cowser homered, had 3 RBI for the Orioles.

— Mets 9, Braves 2
Mets hit six home runs; McNeil/Vientos homered twice each.
Clay Holmes allowed three hits in 6.1 IP.
Cal Quantrill was Atlanta’s 17th starting pitcher this season.

— Red Sox 12, New York 1
Red Sox have won eight games in a row against New York.
Trevor Story was 3-5, with a homer, 3 RBI
Guys batting 7-9th in Boston’s order were 8-14 with six runs scored.

— Blue Jays 7, Marlins 6 (12)
Toronto led 4-0 in the 7th inning.
George Springer was 3-6, with 2 RBI, 2 runs scored.
Blue Jays lead AL East by five games.

— Giants 7, Brewers 1
Freddy Peralta threw 5 shutout IP, Brewers led 1-0 after five.
Milwaukee’s bullpen gave up three runs in the sixth inning.
Logan Webb pitched six innings, got his 12th win.

— Diamondbacks 10, Reds 1
Arizona led 7-0 in the fourth inning, against Reds’ ace Andrew Abbott.
Geraldo Perdomo leads major league shortstops with 84 RBI.
Cincinnati trails the Mets by games for the last Wild Card slot.

— If the baseball playoffs started today (they don’t):
NL: Phillies, Brewers, Padres. Wild Cards: Cubs, Dodgers, Mets
AL: Blue Jays, Tigers, Astros. Wild Cards: Red Sox, New York, Mariners

Trends for major league teams
(thru Friday’s games)

— Arizona (63-66)
Arizona won six of its last seven home games.
Diamondbacks are 17-24 in one-run games.
Arizona scored in first inning in 12 of last 15 home games.
Arizona is 14-27 in last 41 games where winning run scored from 7th inning on.

— Braves (58-70)
Braves are 10-3 in their last 13 games.
Atlanta is 32-32 at home, 26-38 on the road.
Braves are 20-16 vs NL East rivals, 38-54 vs everyone else.
Over is 7-3 in their last ten games.

— Cubs (74-55)
Chicago is 6-2 in its last eight games.
Cubs are seven games behind Milwaukee in NL Central.
Under is 18-2-1 in their last 21 games.
Cubs are 57-37 vs righty starters, 17-18 vs lefties.

— Reds (67-62)
Cincinnati is 15-12 in its last 27 games.
Reds are 49-43 vs righty starters, 18-19 vs lefties.
Under is 11-4-1 in their last 16 road games.
Reds scored in first inning in 10 of last 19 home games.

— Rockies (37-92)
Colorado is 7-4 in its last eleven games.
Over is 8-5 in Rockies’ last 13 road games.
Rockies are 5-30 vs lefty starters, 32-62 vs righties. 
Colorado hasn’t scored a first inning run in its last 25 road games.

— Dodgers (73-56)
Dodgers are 15-17 since All-Star break.
LA/San Diego are tied for first in NL West.
Dodgers are 54-38 vs righty starters, 19-18 vs lefties.
Under is 5-3 in their last eight games.

— Marlins (60-68)                                                                      
Marlins are 5-12 in their last 17  games.
Miami is 29-34 at home, 31-34 on the road.
Under is 14-7 in Marlins’ last 21 road games.
Last three weeks, Marlins are 1-4 in games where winning run scored from 7th inning on.

— Brewers (81-48)
Brewers are 32-7 in their last 39 games.
Milwaukee is 43-20 at home, 38-28 on the road.
Over is 11-4-1 in their last sixteen home games. 
Milwaukee leads the Cubs by 7 games in the NL Central.

— Mets (68-60)
Mets are 6-16 in their last 22 games, 4-2 in last six.
Mets are 41-24 at home, 27-36 on the road.
Over is 8-2-2 in their last 12 games.
Mets trail Philly by six games in NL East.
Mets leads the Reds by 1.5 games for last NL Wild Card slot.

— Phillies (74-54)
Phillies are 12-6 in their last 18 games.
Phillies are 57-34 vs righty starters, 17-20 vs lefties.
Over is 4-0-1 in their last five games.
Phillies lead the Mets by six games in NL East.

— Pirates (55-74)
Pirates won three of their last four games.
Pittsburgh is 37-30 at home, 18-44 on the road.
Under is 8-4-3 in their last 15 games.
Pirates are 17-11 in last 28 games where winning run scored from 7th inning on.

— St Louis (64-66)
St Louis is 3-7 in its last ten games.
Cardinals are 16-6 in home series openers.
St Louis is 35-30 at home, 29-36 on the road.
Under is 11-4-1 in their last sixteen home games.

— Padres (73-56)
San Diego won 15 of its last 19 home games.
Padres are 42-21 at home, 31-35 on the road.
Padres are 51-36 vs righty starters, 22-20 vs lefties.
San Diego is 23-17 vs NL West rivals, 50-39 vs everyone else.

— Giants (61-68)
Giants are 9-25 in their last 34 games, 2-15 in last 17 at home.
Giants are 48-45 vs righty pitchers, 13-23 vs lefties.
Over is 14-7-2 in their last 23 road games.
SF lost 10 of last 12 games where winning run scored from 7th inning on.

— Washington (53-75)
Nationals are 6-3 in their last nine games.
Washington is 11-24 in its last 35 home games.
Over is 5-2-4 in their last 11 games.
Washington is 22-10 last 32 games where winning run scored from 7th inning on.

Famous birthdays, August 23rd:
Barbara Eden, 94
Richard Sanders, 85
Shelley Long, 76
Mike Boddicker, 68

Julio Franco, 67
Mark Ingram, 60
Mark Bellhorn, 51
Scott Caan, 49

Rex Grossman, 45
Miles Mikolas, 37
Mike Yastrzemski, 35
Tyler Glasnow, 32

— Orioles (59-69)
Baltimore won six of its last nine games.
Over is 4-1 in their last five games.
Orioles are 30-32 at home, 29-37 on the road.
Orioles are 19-16 vs AL East rivals, 40-53 vs everyone else.

— Red Sox (70-59)
Red Sox are 5-7 in their last 12 games.
Boston is 1-8 in extra-inning road games.
Over is 11-5 in their last 16 games.
Right now, Red Sox hold the 1st AL Wild Card slot.

— White Sox (45-83)
Chicago lost 14 of its last 17 games.
White Sox are 26-37 at home, 19-46 on the road.
Over is 3-1 in their last four games.
Chicago is 32-65 vs righty starters, 13-18 vs lefties.

— Cleveland (64-63)
Cleveland is 1-6 in its last seven games.
Guardians are 4 games out of the last Wild Card slot.
Guardians are 49-41 vs righty starters, 15-22 vs lefties.
Over is 14-6 in their last 20 home games.

— Detroit (77-53)
Detroit is 17-7 in its last 24 games.
Tigers are 25-13 vs its AL Central rivals, lead division by 10.5 games.
Detroit is 18-4 in home series openers.
Under is 13-7 in their last 20 road games.

— Houston (71-58)
Astros are 12-15 in their last 27 games overall
Astros are 6-13 in their last 19 home games.
Astros lead Seattle by 2.5 games in AL West.
Over is 11-4-1 in their last 16 games.

— Royals (66-63)
Royals are 10-5 in their last fifteen games.
Kansas City is 51-54 vs righty starters, 15-9 vs lefties.
Over is 11-7 in Royals’ last 18 games.
Royals scored in first inning in 10 of last 14 home games.

— Angels (61-67)
Angels lost 11 of their last 15 road games.
Halos are 7.5 games out of last Wild Card slot.
Angels are 50-55 vs righty starters, 11-12 vs lefties.
Angels are 30-17 in games where winning run scored from 7th inning on.

— Twins (59-69)
Twins lost 8 of their last 12 games.
Minnesota is 33-31 at home, 26-38 on the road.
Over is 5-1 in their last six games.
Twins haven’t scored in first inning in their last eight games.

— New York (69-59)
New York is 9-5 in its last 14 games.
Over is 5-1 in their last six games.
New York is 56-46 vs righty starters, 13-13 vs lefties.
Right now, New York has the #2 Wild Card slot in AL.

— A’s (59-71)
A’s are 26-21 in their last 47 games.
Under is 6-3 in their last nine road games.
A’s are 14-18 in one-run games, 7-4 in extra innings.
Last 10 weeks, A’s are 8-3 in games where winning run scored from 7th inning on..

— Seattle (69-60)
Mariners lost five of their last six games.
Seattle is 23-8 in its last 31 home games.
Over is 5-2 in their last seven games.
Right now, Mariners hold the #3 Wild Card in AL, by three games.

— Tampa Bay (62-67)
Tampa Bay is 15-31 in its last 46 games.
Rays are 33-33 at home, 29-34 on the road.
Tampa Bay is 7 games out of the last Wild Card slot.
Rays are 5-10 in last 15 games where winning run scored from 7th inning on.

— Texas (64-66)
Rangers lost 11 of their last 15 games.
Texas is 53-44 vs righty starters, 11-22 vs lefties
Rangers are 38-26 at home, 26-40 on road.
Texas is 5.5 games out of the AL’s last Wild Card slot.

— Toronto (75-54)
Blue Jays are 12-8 in their last 20 games overall.
Blue Jays won 17 of their last 22 home games.
Over is 8-5-1 in their last 14 home games.
Toronto leads Red Sox by five games in AL East.