Month: September 2024

Gruden brothers love Commanders QB Jayden Daniels

The two former NFL head coaches love watching Jayden Daniels.

Jay Gruden spent almost six seasons as head coach of the then-Washington Redskins before he was fired in 2019, making him the most successful coach of the Daniel Snyder era. The legendary Joe Gibbs coached for only four years in his second stint before walking away, but he led Washington to two playoff berths.

These days, Gruden is an analyst covering Washington and the rest of the NFL. Gruden roots for the Commanders now that Snyder is no longer the team’s owner.

Like everyone else, Gruden is a huge fan of Washington rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. After the Commanders blew out Arizona on Sunday, Gruden tweeted the following.

 

Jay Gruden isn’t the only one in his family who is a fan of Daniels. His older brother, Jon, the former Super Bowl-winning coach of the Buccaneers and Raiders, revealed uniquely how much he enjoys Daniels.

 

On Monday, Jay Gruden joined “Grant and Danny” of 106.7 The Fan for his weekly spot and discussed Daniels.

Regardless of what anyone thinks of the Gruden’s, they know offense. And they are huge fans of Washington’s new signal-caller.

 

AL Wild Card Series Game 1: Detroit Tigers at Houston Astros odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Tuesday’s Detroit Tigers at Houston Astros odds and lines, with MLB expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The Detroit Tigers and Houston Astros meet in a best-of-3 AL Wild Card Series Tuesday. First pitch from Minute Maid Park is set for 2:32 p.m. ET (ABC). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s MLB odds around the Tigers vs. Astros odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Regular-season series: Astros won 4-2

The Tigers (86-76) won 10 of 13 games to end the regular season — 2 losses came after they had already clinched a Wild Card spot. Detroit’s 3.61 ERA is the 4th-lowest in MLB, but its 4.21 runs per game (RPG) ranks 19th and last among playoff teams.

The Astros (88-73) entered the season with the 3rd-shortest odds to win the World Series at +800, but now have the 5th-shortest odds (+900 at BetMGM Sportsbook) after a somewhat disappointing year. Houston managed to turn its season around after starting 7-19, but its 4.60 RPG (10th in MLB) is a letdown after averaging 5.09 last year, which was 5th in the majors.

Tigers at Astros projected starters

LHP Tarik Skubal vs. LHP Framber Valdez

Skubal made 31 starts this season, going 18-4 with an AL-best 2.39 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 1.6 BB/9 and 10.7 K/9 in 192 IP.

  • Last start: Win, 7 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 7 K in 2-1 home victory over Tampa Bay Rays Sept. 24
  • 2024 road stats: 8-3, 2.86 ERA (88 IP, 28 ER), 1.03 WHIP, 11.4 K/9 in 15 starts
  • 2024 vs. Astros: 1-1, 4.26 ERA (12 2/3 IP, 6 ER), 1.26 WHIP, 6.4 K/9 in 2 starts
  • Career vs. Astros: 1-1, 3.16 ERA (25 2/3 IP, 9 ER), 1.01 WHIP, 9.5 K/9 in 4 starts

Valdez made 28 starts this season, going 15-7 with a 2.91 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 2.8 BB/9 and 8.6 K/9 in 176 1/3 IP.

  • Last start: Win, 5 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 8 H, 2 BB, 4 K in 4-3 home victory vs. Seattle Mariners Sept. 24
  • 2024 home stats: 9-2, 2.53 ERA (96 IP, 27 ER), 1.05 WHIP, 9.2 K/9 in 15 starts
  • 2024 vs. Tigers: 1-0, 1 road start (May 10), 7 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 4 K in 5-2 win
  • Career vs. Tigers: 2-2, 2.49 ERA (47 IP, 13 ER), 1.19 WHIP, 8.2 K/9 in 8 appearances (7 starts)

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Tigers at Astros odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of MLB odds. Lines last updated Monday at 11:32 p.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Tigers +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Astros -150 (bet $150 to win $100)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Tigers +1.5 (-200) | Astros -1.5 (+165)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +100 | U: -120)

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Tigers at Astros picks and predictions

Prediction

Tigers 3, Astros 2

Moneyline

It’s hard to fade the TIGERS (+125) with Skubal on the mound — especially at plus money. Detroit used a 15-3 run Sept. 7-27 to clinch a Wild Card spot, allowing 3 or fewer runs in 12 of the 18 games.

Skubal ended the regular season as a -5000 favorite (bet $5,000 to win $100) at multiple books to take home the AL Cy Young Award. He’s allowed 2 or fewer ER in 10 of 12 starts since the All-Star break and has won 6 straight decisions over his last 9 starts.

Valdez went 0-3 in 3 playoff starts last year — all at home — giving up a total of 12 ER in 12 IP. While he did go 3-0 over 4 starts when the Astros won the 2022 World Series, his most recent postseason data points are slightly concerning.

Getting the red-hot Tigers at plus money with the AL Cy Young favorite on the mound is worth a play. Tigers manager A.J. Hinch — who was fired by the Astros in 2020 — has a good shot at getting his revenge Tuesday.

BET TIGERS (+125).

Run line/Against the spread

Detroit +1.5 (-200) should hit, but the bid-ask difference is too high.

PASS. Bet the ML and/or total instead.

Over/Under

The Tigers are 3-0 to the Under in Skubal’s last 3 starts, and the Under is 1-0-1 in Valdez’s last 2. However, laying -120 without even getting the key number of 7 isn’t recommended. Don’t play this line unless you can get it at -108 or cheaper.

LEAN UNDER 6.5 (-120).

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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Jared Goff goes 18-for-18 passing as Lions topple Seahawks

Jared Goff didn’t throw an incompletion as the Lions downed the Seahawks

Jared Goff threw 18 passes on Monday Night Football against the Seattle Seahawks. The Detroit Lions’ quarterback complete each of them in a 42-29 victory.

Goff threw for 292 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught a touchdown pass from Amon-Ra St. Brown.

The 18-for-18 isn’t an NFL record because it requires 20 attempts to qualify for that mark.

Geno Smith of Seattle had a phenomenal game. He was 38-of-56 for 395 yards with a TD pass and a pick.

Seattle had 516 yards of total offense. Detroit piled 389 yards. Each team had 11 drives in the wild contest.

Seattle had beaten Detroit six straight times coming into the game.

Both teams are 3-1.

Kenneth Walker III had 80 yards rushing and three TDs on the ground for Seattle. He added 36 receiving yards.

For Detroit, St. Brown made six catches for 45 yards and a TD reception in addition to the TD toss to Goff.

The only other NFL game to finish with a 42-29 score happened in 2005 when the Cincinnati Bengals beat the Baltimore Ravens.

Seahawks undefeated no more, fall to Lions 42-29 on MNF

Seahawks undefeated no more, fall to Lions 42-29 on MNF

The Seattle Seahawks are no longer among the ranks of the undefeated in the NFL, as they fall 42-29 to the Detroit Lions on Monday Night Football. It is the first loss in Detroit (and to the Lions overall) since the 2012 season. Seattle falls to 3-1 on the year, but remains atop the NFC West in first place going into Week 5.

The Seahawks defense were without six starters, and boy howdy, did they play like it. Leonard Williams, Byron Murphy II, Uchenna Nwosu, Boye Mafe and Jerome Baker were all ruled OUT before a snap was even taken, and Pro Bowl safety Julian Love left during the game with a thigh injury. The result was a Detroit Lions team having their absolute way with the Seahawks all night long.

Detroit took a 21-7 lead into the half, and maintained at least the two-score lead for most of the game. Anytime Seattle pulled close with a touchdown of their own, the Lions were quick to respond. Here’s what I’m talking about:

  • Seahawks score on opening drive of the third quarter to make it 21-14, Lions march 70 yards in five plays to make it 28-14.
  • Seahawks answer with an 80-yard touchdown drive to make it 28-20 (failed two-point attempt) and the Lions score on a 75-yard touchdown in one play to make it 35-20.
  • Seahawks make it 35-27, and after punts from both teams, Lions turn it into 42-27 with under six minutes to play.

Sadly, the fumble from DK Metcalf in the first half truly loomed large, as it gave Detroit their initial 14-0 lead. The Lions did not take their foot off the gas, keeping the Seahawks at a healthy distance on the scoreboard.

Detroit quarterback Jared Goff was quite literally perfect on the night, completing 18-of-18 passes for 292 yards and two touchdowns, as well as a receiving touchdown on a trick play. Seattle’s inability to slow Goff and the Lions down even a little wasted a sublime performance from the Seahawks offense.

Geno Smith and Kenneth Walker III were nothing short of elite on Monday. Smith threw for 395 yards, while Walker III found the end zone as many times as there are numbers in his name. Having Walker III back in the lineup makes this Seahawks offense as lethal as ever, rushing for 80 yards and three scores.

Smith and Co. gave it their best effort, and actually managed to outgain Detroit 516 to 398, but they simply could not keep pace with a Detroit team facing next to no resistance. A late safety and gave the Seahawks one final chance, which ended in an interception from a Smith desperation heave to the end zone. It is a rotten shame Seattle could not find a way to win with their offense playing at such a high level, easily their best performance of the year so far.

What’s next for the Seahawks? They will return to the Pacific Northwest for a Week 5 game against the flailing New York Giants, who will present a favorable matchup for Seattle to get back in the win column. Hopefully they will get considerably healthier next Sunday, otherwise quarterback Daniel Jones is actually going to look like a player worthy of the massive extension he received last year.

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49ers anticipate internal reinforcements coming on defensive line

A defensive tackle may be coming off IR soon for the 49ers, which will help make up for Javon Hargrave’s absence.

The San Francisco 49ers badly need some help on their defensive line following a season-ending triceps injury for defensive tackle Javon Hargrave.

While the club may explore external options at some point via trade, one reinforcement will be coming internally.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan on Monday told reporters in his conference call that he anticipates defensive tackle Kalia Davis will have his 21-day practice window opened Wednesday, putting him on track to return to the field as soon as the team believes he’s ready.

Davis has been on IR since suffering a knee injury in the 49ers’ preseason opener. That injury required surgery that Shanahan initially said would keep him out for about half the season.

It isn’t quite half the season going into Week 5, but the 49ers would surely take it if he’s able to step in and contribute right away.

With Hargrave out, the 49ers elevated undrafted rookie Evan Anderson from the practice squad for Week 4.

Davis, a sixth-round pick in the 2022 draft, made his debut in 2023 after a knee injury in college cost him his rookie campaign. Last season Davis played in three games and posted 1.0 sacks. He won’t be a starter, but he should add some more depth to a group where it’ll be all hands on deck trying to replace a player like Hargrave.

The 49ers will have 21 days to activate Davis off IR. If they don’t activate him after that window he’ll be placed on season-ending IR. All signs point to him returning relatively quickly once he’s activated.

San Francisco won’t have any tough decisions to make when bringing him back. They have two open roster spots so activating him won’t require a corresponding move.

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NFL power rankings: Are the Washington Commanders legit?

The Commanders are suddenly 3-1 and rising in NFL power rankings. Are they legit?

The Miami Dolphins (1-3) lost to the Tennessee Titans (1-3) 31-12 and the Detroit Lions (3-1) secured a big 42-29 victory over the Seattle Seahawks (3-1) in a Monday Night Football doubleheader tonight.

Elsewhere in the NFL this week, the Minnesota Vikings (4-0) stayed perfect with a 31-29 victory over the Green Bay Packers (2-2) and the Jacksonville Jaguars (0-4) remained winless with a 24-20 loss to the Houston Texans (3-1).

Following a 26-24 loss to the Atlanta Falcons (2-2), the New Orleans Saints (2-2) suddenly look a lot less intimidating than they did two weeks ago.

The Baltimore Ravens (2-2) made a statement with a 35-10 victory over the Buffalo Bills (3-1) and the Washington Commanders (3-1) look legit after a big 42-14 win over the Arizona Cardinals (1-3).

So, where does that leave us? Here are our latest NFL power rankings going into Week 5 of the 2024 NFL season.

NFL power rankings after Week 4

  1. Kansas City Chiefs (4-0)
  2. Minnesota Vikings (4-0)
  3. Detroit Lions (3-1)
  4. Houston Texans (3-1)
  5. Baltimore Ravens (2-2)
  6. Buffalo Bills (3-1)
  7. Washington Commanders (3-1)
  8. San Francisco 49ers (2-2)
  9. Green Bay Packers (2-2)
  10. Seattle Seahawks (3-1)
  11. Indianapolis Colts (2-2)
  12. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1)
  13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1)
  14. Dallas Cowboys (2-2)
  15. Los Angeles Chargers (2-2)
  16. Denver Broncos (2-2)
  17. New York Jets (2-2)
  18. Atlanta Falcons (2-2)
  19. Philadelphia Eagles (2-2)
  20. New Orleans Saints (2-2)
  21. Chicago Bears (2-2)
  22. Cincinnati Bengals (1-3)
  23. Arizona Cardinals (1-3)
  24. Tennessee Titans (1-3)
  25. Los Angeles Rams (1-3)
  26. Miami Dolphins (1-3)
  27. Las Vegas Raiders (2-2)
  28. New England Patriots (1-3)
  29. Carolina Panthers (1-3)
  30. Cleveland Browns (1-3)
  31. New York Giants (1-3)
  32. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-4)

Week 5 will kick off on Thursday when the Falcons host the Bucs.

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Watch Kenneth Walker’s second TD of the night on MNF

Walker gets his second touchdown on Monday Night Football

Former Michigan State football running back Kenneth Walker is currently playing on Monday Night Football, as his Seattle Seahawks traveled to Ford Field for a game with the Detroit Lions.

While the game is not currently over, Walker currently has three touchdowns in the game, and is going wild against the Lions.

Here, via the Seattle Seahawks on X, you can watch the second touchdown for Walker, who showed off the power and leg strength he possesses:

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on Twitter @Cory_Linsner

Titans vs. Dolphins Player of the Game: DT T’Vondre Sweat

The Titans defeated the Dolphins 31-12 in Miami on Monday Night Football, and there’s one player who earned Player of the Game honors.

The Tennessee Titans went to Florida and earned their first win of the 2024 season by defeating the Miami Dolphins 31-12.

In a game in which starting quarterback Will Levis went down with an injury, so many players stepped up that it was difficult to single out one player. However, defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat has earned this week’s Player of the Game honors.

Sweat recorded six tackles (three solo) and two for a loss. This is his most productive game thus far, and his energy is so infectious that everyone around him plays that much better.

Sebastian Joseph-Day recorded six tackles (three solo), one sack, one tackle for a loss and two quarterback hits.

Kenneth Murray Jr. had nine tackles (six solo) and one tackle for a loss.

But Sweat’s energy kept the defense going, allowing Joseph-Day and Murray Jr. to break through and make tackles. He is fast cementing himself as the foundation for this defense’s future. His play on the field, his energy, and his larger-than-life personality are all things we will see a lot of going forward.

WATCH: K9 scores his third touchdown on Monday Night Football

K9 has three touchdowns on MNF:

Former Michigan State football running back Kenneth Walker is currently playing on Monday Night Football, as his Seattle Seahawks traveled to Ford Field for a game with the Detroit Lions.

Walker is currently in the midst of having a monster game against the Lions, having notched three TDs early in the fourth quarter of a close game. The third touchdown for the former Spartan was a beautiful play by Walker, bouncing a run outside and beating the Lions defenders to the pylon.

Watch the TD via X:

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on Twitter @Cory_Linsner