Tag Archives: regular-season

Brooklyn Nets vs Washington Wizards Preview and Prediction – Nov. 16 | 2025-26 NBA Season

Posted on by
Reply

**Brooklyn Nets vs. Washington Wizards Preview and Betting Tips**

The Brooklyn Nets and Washington Wizards are set to face off in one of eight NBA games scheduled for Sunday. Both teams enter this matchup near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, each holding a 1-11 record.

### Brooklyn Nets Overview

The Nets currently sit 13th in the Eastern Conference with a 1-11 record. They have won just once in their last five games and are coming off a 105-98 road loss to the Orlando Magic on Wednesday.

Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. stood out in that game, recording 24 points, alongside 11 rebounds and seven assists. Nic Claxton contributed 13 points, five rebounds, and three assists.

### Washington Wizards Overview

The Wizards, positioned 14th in the Eastern Conference, also have a 1-11 record. They fell 135-112 to the Houston Rockets on the road Wednesday.

Alex Sarr was the top performer for Washington with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists. Kyshawn George added 16 points, seven rebounds, and nine assists.

—

### Brooklyn Nets vs. Washington Wizards Game Details

– **Date & Time:** Sunday at 6 p.m. ET
– **Location:** Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.
– **Broadcast:** YES and MNMT

—

### Betting Lines

– **Moneyline:** Nets (+120) | Wizards (-140)
– **Spread:** Nets (+2.5) | Wizards (-2.5)
– **Total (O/U):** Over 234.5 (-110) | Under 234.5 (-110)

—

### Head-to-Head Preview

Historically, the Wizards have had the upper hand with a 110-100 record against the Nets. However, Brooklyn has been more dominant recently, winning seven of their last 10 matchups.

Their last regular-season meeting was on March 29, where the Nets secured a narrow 115-112 road victory. In that game, Wizards guard AJ Johnson posted 20 points and four assists while Nets forward Tyrese Martin finished with 20 points, five rebounds, and four assists.

—

### Predicted Starting Lineups

**Brooklyn Nets**
– PG: Egor Demin
– SG: Terance Mann
– SF: Michael Porter Jr.
– PF: Noah Clowney
– C: Nic Claxton

**Washington Wizards**
– PG: C.J. McCollum
– SG: Tre Johnson
– SF: Kyshawn George
– PF: Khris Middleton
– C: Alex Sarr

*Note: Starting lineups are subject to change ahead of tipoff.*

—

### Betting Tips

– **Michael Porter Jr. Over/Under 23 points:** Porter Jr. is averaging 23.2 points per game this season. Given his recent form, betting on the over is a safe choice.
– **Alex Sarr Over/Under 19 points:** Sarr is averaging 19.1 points per game, making the over a reliable bet as well.

—

### Game Prediction

Despite both teams struggling this season, the Nets are favorites heading into this matchup. Expect a close contest, but Brooklyn is projected to come out on top, holding a 58.3% win probability.

**Final Prediction:** Over 231 points, Brooklyn Nets win.

—

Unlock free expert tips and get your picks now for more NBA games and betting advice!
https://www.sportskeeda.com/basketball/brooklyn-nets-vs-washington-wizards-preview-prediction-nov-16-2025-26-nba-season

Phoenix Suns Get Crushing News After Latest Jalen Green Update

Posted on by
Reply

Unfortunately for the Phoenix Suns, guard Jalen Green’s comeback has been cut short once again. After returning from an early-season hamstring strain with a 29-point debut, Green is expected to miss the next four to six weeks after re-injuring his right hamstring in Saturday’s 114-103 win over the Los Angeles Clippers, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

The 23-year-old guard exited late in the first quarter, clutching the same hamstring that sidelined him for the Suns’ first eight games. Trainers helped him off the floor as he put little weight on his right leg—just seven minutes into his second start for Phoenix.

A Painful Repeat of a Promising Return

Green’s debut against the Clippers two days earlier had Suns fans buzzing. The former Houston Rockets guard shot 10-for-20 from the floor, drained six 3-pointers, and looked like the explosive scorer Phoenix envisioned when acquiring him in the Kevin Durant trade. But 48 hours later, his momentum ended abruptly.

Green had two points before grimacing in pain after driving into the lane and immediately reaching for his hamstring.

“As soon as you see JG go out, you just feel for him,” head coach Jordan Ott said. “He worked so hard to get back. Highs and lows of sports in 48 hours.”

Teammate Royce O’Neale said Green was in good spirits after the game, while Collin Gillespie added, “It was tough to see after how hard he fought to get back.”

Suns Stay Hot Without Green

Even without Green, Phoenix rolled. The Suns built a double-digit lead and never trailed again, improving to 6-5 after a 1-4 start. The win marked their fifth in six games, showing improved chemistry between Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks, and the rest of the rotation.

Booker, who has dealt with his own hamstring injuries, empathized with his backcourt mate.

“It’s tough. I’ve definitely been through it,” Booker said. “We’re going to rally around him. His debut the other night was off the charts.”

Phoenix carried that energy into its next game, a 121-98 blowout over the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday night, extending its winning streak to two while Green began recovery.

A Lingering Issue

Green’s hamstring problems began in training camp, when he strained the muscle before the preseason opener against the Lakers. He then reaggravated it during the team’s trip to China for two preseason games against the Nets, forcing him to miss the Suns’ first eight regular-season contests.

Despite that, his Nov. 6 debut performance briefly reignited optimism.

“I was so excited, I couldn’t even sleep,” Green said afterward. “I told the guys I couldn’t even get my pregame nap in.”

The setback is especially frustrating given Green’s durability — he played all 82 games in each of the past two seasons with Houston.

“There’s some good in there,” Booker said. “We saw a glimpse of what we can be together, but the priority is making sure he’s fully ready next time.”

If history is any indication, Green’s work ethic should speed up his recovery. But for now, Phoenix will have to stay patient — and hope the next comeback sticks.

https://heavy.com/sports/nba/phoenix-suns/phoenix-suns-get-crushing-news-after-latest-jalen-green-update/

Donald Trump plans to be the 1st sitting US president at a regular-season NFL game since 1978

Posted on by
Reply

LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Extra security measures were in place hours before the Washington Commanders’ game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, as President Donald Trump planned to become the first sitting president in nearly a half-century to attend a regular-season NFL contest.

Officers in black uniforms identifying them as members of the U.S. Secret Service joined military, police, and other guards inside and outside Northwest Stadium. There were more fences than usual blocking sidewalks, and some pathways were restricted to ensure security.

According to the league, only two other sitting presidents have attended an NFL game during the regular season: Richard Nixon in 1969 and Jimmy Carter in 1978. Trump also became the first sitting president to attend a Super Bowl when he watched the Philadelphia Eagles defeat the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in February.

Trump was expected to sit with principal owner Josh Harris, the leader of the group that purchased the Commanders from Daniel Snyder for about $6 billion in 2023. In a report by ESPN on Saturday, an intermediary for the White House revealed that Trump wants the club’s new stadium—part of a nearly $4 billion development project at the site of the former RFK Stadium in the nation’s capital—to bear his name.

“That would surely be a beautiful name,” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said.

Sunday’s visit to Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, was the latest in a series of high-profile appearances by Trump at sporting events including golf’s Ryder Cup, auto racing’s Daytona 500, and tennis’ U.S. Open.

“We are honored to welcome President Trump to the game as we celebrate those who have served and continue to serve our country,” said Commanders club president Mark Clouse. “The entire Commanders organization is proud to participate in the NFL’s league-wide Salute to Service initiative, recognizing the dedication and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans, active-duty service members, and their families this Sunday.”

There has been friction between Trump and the NFL during his first presidential term, notably when he objected to players kneeling during the national anthem to protest social or racial injustice. This movement began in 2016 with then-San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
https://www.boston.com/sports/sports/2025/11/09/donald-trump-plans-to-be-the-1st-sitting-us-president-at-a-regular-season-nfl-game-since-1978/

ESPN’s ‘College Gameday’ crew picks Texas A&M vs. Missouri in Week 11

Posted on by
Reply

No. 3 Texas A&M (8-0, 5-0 SEC) is set to take on No. 22 Missouri (6-2, 2-2 SEC) in Columbia on Saturday afternoon. The Aggies are coming off their second bye week and are ready to finish strong with four regular-season games remaining.

Facing one of the best defenses in the country, Texas A&M’s offense will need to produce another high-scoring performance. Missouri is now relying on freshman quarterback Matt Zollers, but star running back Ahmad Hardy, who leads the SEC in rushing with 937 yards and 11 touchdowns, will be the main focus for Texas A&M’s defense. The Aggies need to shut down running lanes early and force Zollers to drop back and create an unbalanced game plan.

However, Texas A&M’s run defense has struggled to start games against lesser rushing attacks in the past. Despite this, the Aggies remain confident heading into the matchup.

Outside of Missouri senior safety Jalen Catalon’s dismissive comment regarding Texas A&M star quarterback Marcel Reed, head coach Eli Drinkwitz acknowledges that the redshirt sophomore has taken the next step as a pocket passer. To prevent Reed from making an impact, Missouri’s defense will need to apply significant pressure on the pocket.

“You know that he does as good a job as anybody in self-scout. He knows what he put on tape, and he knows how to correct it,” Drinkwitz said. “He knows what he’s doing. As a team, you have to be really sound in what you do. You can’t think, ‘We got him.’ You just have to be sound.”

If Reed feels pressure, his first instinct is to find the open hole and keep the opposing defense honest — a strategy that completely dismantled LSU throughout the game.

Overall, Marcel Reed has been vocal about his excitement to play on the road, a sentiment that remains as the team prepares for the 2:30 p.m. kickoff on Saturday.

On Saturday morning, ESPN’s College GameDay crew — including Desmond Howard, Nick Saban, Pat McAfee, Kansas City QB and guest picker Patrick Mahomes, and Kirk Herbstreit — all picked Texas A&M to win its third straight road game. It’s a clean sweep, so we’ll see if the Aggies can hold up their end of the bargain.
https://aggieswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/aggies/football/2025/11/08/texas-aggies-football-missouri-espn-college-gameday-picks-week-11/87167934007/

Chicago Bulls vs Milwaukee Bucks Preview and Prediction – Nov. 7 | 2025 NBA Emirates Cup

Posted on by
Reply

Chicago Bulls vs Milwaukee Bucks Preview, Odds, Betting Tips and Prediction

The Chicago Bulls vs Milwaukee Bucks matchup is one of 11 NBA Emirates Cup games scheduled for Friday. The Bulls lead the Eastern Conference with a 6-1 record, while the Bucks are fifth in the same conference with a 5-3 record.

These two historic Eastern franchises have faced each other in 271 regular-season games, with Chicago holding a narrow 137-134 lead. Last season, they met four times and split the series evenly at 2-2.

Current Form and Key Insights

This East Group C NBA Emirates Cup clash features two of the most surprising overachievers to start the season. The Bulls kicked off their NBA Cup campaign with a win over the New York Knicks, while this will be Milwaukee’s first game in the tournament this season.

Chicago has impressed everyone with a strong 6-1 start, sitting atop the standings. They come into this game following a narrow 113-111 victory against the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday. Josh Giddey led the Bulls with a triple-double of 29 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists, while Nikola Vucevic contributed 19 points and 10 rebounds.

The Bulls appear to be firing on all cylinders, aiming to overcome past playoff disappointments after missing out in three consecutive play-in tournaments. In a wide-open Eastern Conference, Chicago looks to build on their excellent start.

Injury Update (Bulls): Zach Collins (left wrist fracture) and Coby White (calf) will be sidelined, while Ayo Dosunmu is questionable with a quadriceps injury.

On the other hand, the Bucks have also silenced doubters with a solid start to the season. However, Milwaukee will want to forget a recent lopsided 128-100 loss to the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday. Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 22 points and grabbed eight rebounds, supported by Ryan Rollins (11 points), Myles Turner (10 points), and Kyle Kuzma off the bench with 18 points.

This recent defeat may be an aberration for the Bucks, who will be looking to bounce back and kickstart their NBA Cup campaign positively as defending champions of the in-season tournament.

Injury Update (Bucks): Kevin Porter Jr. is out indefinitely following right knee surgery. Tauren Prince is questionable for Friday’s matchup due to a neck strain.

Projected Starting Lineups

Chicago Bulls
PG: Josh Giddey
SG: Kevin Huerter
SF: Isaac Okoro
PF: Matas Buzelis
C: Nikola Vucevic

Milwaukee Bucks
PG: Ryan Rollins
SG: AJ Green
SF: Gary Trent Jr.
PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo
C: Myles Turner

Odds and Betting Tips

  • Moneyline: Bulls +145, Bucks -170
  • Spread: Bulls +4 (-110), Bucks -4 (-110)
  • Total Over/Under (O/U): Over 240.5 (-110), Under 240.5 (-110)

Note: Odds are subject to change as the game approaches. The odds listed are based on available information at the time of writing.

Betting experts favor the Bucks to win at home, but we anticipate the Bulls’ hot start to continue with a road victory. Expect a high-scoring affair with the total going over 240.5 points.

Player Betting Tips:

  • Josh Giddey is favored to score over 21.5 points.
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo is projected to score just over 32.5 points.

Prediction

Despite Milwaukee being favored, the Bulls’ momentum and balanced squad should earn them a win on the road. Fans can look forward to an exciting, high-paced game with plenty of scoring opportunities.

Stay tuned for updates and enjoy the game!

https://www.sportskeeda.com/basketball/chicago-bulls-vs-milwaukee-bucks-preview-prediction-nov-7-2025-nba-emirates-cup

Joe Buck better not try selling the Cowboys to Chris Russo

Posted on by
Reply

Just because most people continue to care about the Dallas Cowboys doesn’t mean Christopher “Mad Dog” Russo wants to be subjected to them on national television.

The Cowboys may have made a big splash at the trade deadline, landing Quinnen Williams from the New York Jets. But it doesn’t change the fact that Dallas is 3-5-1, with a defense likely to remain one of the worst in football — even with Williams.

Despite entering the season with low expectations and playing to them, America’s Team still has six national games left on its schedule. It all starts Nov. 17, when the Cowboys will play their third Monday Night Football game in three weeks on ESPN.

Russo is already warning Joe Buck not to try to sell anyone on the Cowboys’ playoff chances.

“Joe, in two weeks, I don’t want to hear about chances that Dallas has to make the playoffs when you have the Raiders game the next time we see Dallas at 3-5-1,” Russo ranted Wednesday morning on *First Take*. “Did you see this Dallas schedule? Did you see this on television, what I gotta put up with? A Monday night game against the Raiders, I know they’re gonna get ratings, it’s on ESPN, so I gotta be nice, I know they’re gonna get ratings, but who cares about the Dallas Cowboys and the Raiders game?”

We’re just one week removed from Stephen A. Smith being on *First Take* and claiming the Cowboys were a championship contender — and that was after a loss!

Maybe Buck won’t go that far in selling the Cowboys to the audience. But he doesn’t have to. Because whether they’re good or bad, the Cowboys stay relevant.

“And then I gotta eat my turkey with the Chiefs! I know Mahomes is fun, but Dallas stinks!” Russo continued. “And then on top of that, to make Al Michaels happy, Goodell sent him to Detroit — that’s a Thursday night game!”

The Cowboys could lose their next two games, limp into Thanksgiving Day against the Chiefs at 3-7-1, and the CBS broadcast would still probably become the most-watched regular-season game in NFL history — with or without Russo’s support.

When the Cowboys are on national TV, people watch. Don’t blame the NFL or the networks for putting the Cowboys in the spotlight even when they’re bad. Blame the people who keep watching.
https://awfulannouncing.com/espn/joe-buck-cowboys-chris-russo.html

San Antonio Spurs vs Phoenix Suns Preview and Prediction – Nov. 2 | 2025-26 NBA Season

Posted on by
Reply

The San Antonio Spurs will hit the road to face the Phoenix Suns in one of eight scheduled league games this Sunday. The Suns have started the season with an impressive 5-0 record, marking their best start in 59 years. Their most recent game was a home victory against the Miami Heat on Thursday, winning 107-101.

For the Spurs, center Victor Wembanyama showcased an outstanding performance with 27 points, 18 rebounds, and six assists. Sophomore guard Stephon Castle contributed 21 points, six rebounds, and eight assists.

On the other hand, the Suns currently hold a 2-4 record. They snapped a four-game losing streak on Friday with a commanding 118-65 home win over the Utah Jazz. Guard Devin Booker led the charge, recording 36 points, five rebounds, and nine assists. Grayson Allen also made a significant impact with 14 points, seven rebounds, and six assists.

**San Antonio Spurs vs. Phoenix Suns Game Details**
– **Date & Time:** Sunday at 8 p.m. ET
– **Location:** PHX Arena, Phoenix, Arizona

**Betting Lines:**
– Moneyline: Spurs (-230) vs. Suns (+190)
– Spread: Spurs (-5.5) vs. Suns (+5.5)
– Total (O/U): Over 227.5 (-110) / Under 227.5 (-110)

—

### Head-to-Head and Recent Matchups

The Spurs have historically held the advantage against the Suns, leading their head-to-head meetings 139-90 out of 229 games. However, Phoenix has been more competitive recently, winning six of the last ten matchups.

Their most recent meeting was on April 11, with the Suns winning convincingly 117-98 at home. In that game, Suns forward Ryan Dunn posted 26 points and 11 rebounds, while Spurs forward Julian Champagnie added 23 points and five rebounds.

—

### Predicted Starting Lineups

**San Antonio Spurs**
– PG: Dylan Harper
– SG: Stephon Castle
– SF: Devin Vassell
– PF: Harrison Barnes
– C: Victor Wembanyama

**Phoenix Suns**
– PG: Devin Booker
– SG: Grayson Allen
– SF: Royce O’Neal
– PF: Ryan Dunn
– C: Mark Williams

*Note: Starting lineups are subject to change ahead of tipoff.*

—

### Betting Tips

Victor Wembanyama’s over/under is set at 28 points. Currently averaging 30.2 points per game this season, the safer bet leans toward the under. Similarly, Devin Booker has an over/under of 29 points and is averaging 30.3 points per game, making the under the safer choice here as well.

—

### Game Prediction

The Suns enter this game as underdogs against the Spurs. San Antonio holds a 69.7% win probability compared to Phoenix’s 34.5%. Given recent form and player performances, the Spurs are favored to continue their strong start with another victory on the road.

—

Stay tuned for expert picks and further analysis as game day approaches!
https://www.sportskeeda.com/basketball/san-antonio-spurs-vs-phoenix-suns-preview-prediction-nov-2-2025-26-nba-season

“We need each other”: Spire co-owner on signing Daniel Suarez for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season

Posted on by
Reply

**Spire Motorsports Co-Owner Jeff Dickerson Hopes for a ‘Good Story of Redemption’ with Daniel Suarez Signing**

After months of speculation, Daniel Suarez has officially secured a 2026 seat with Spire Motorsports, driving the No. 7 Ford. The Monterrey native, who was recently released from Trackhouse Racing to make room for 19-year-old prodigy Connor Zilisch, now replaces Justin Haley, whose underwhelming performance this season included just two top-10 finishes in 34 starts.

Suarez has shown stronger results this year with seven top-10s, although he has also recorded nine DNFs, making him the second most crash-prone driver this season. Despite this, Spire Motorsports co-owner Jeff Dickerson is optimistic about the future. He believes next year offers both Suarez and the team a fresh start and an opportunity to prove their doubters wrong.

“It’s just the thing where I think we need each other. I think all of us love a good story of redemption and giving people a platform to prove doubters wrong,” Dickerson shared. He also highlighted Suarez’s near victories this season, noting the driver finished second twice — at Las Vegas and the regular-season finale at Daytona International Speedway.

In his five-year tenure with Trackhouse, Suarez made history as the first Mexican-born driver to capture two Cup Series wins, driving the No. 99 car.

—

**“Wasn’t Looking at Spire Motorsports as an Option”: Daniel Suarez Opens Up on New Signing**

Daniel Suarez spoke candidly about his initial views of Spire Motorsports before joining the team. A two-time Xfinity Series champion, Suarez has competed with top-tier outfits like Joe Gibbs Racing and Trackhouse Racing prior to this move.

Reflecting on Spire’s growth over the past three years, Suarez said, “I mentioned this to Jeff, three years ago I probably wasn’t looking at Spire Motorsports as an option. Right now, I believe that this is the fastest-growing team in NASCAR, and I want to be part of that. I know that they are not even close to being done.”

Spire Motorsports has confirmed that the partnership with Suarez is a long-term commitment. For the upcoming season, the 33-year-old driver will join Michael McDowell and Carson Hocevar, completing the team’s three-car lineup.

—

**Looking Ahead: Team Dynamics and Driver Performances**

Carson Hocevar, in his sophomore season with Spire, has shown promising speed. He finished sixth in the recent playoff race at Talladega Superspeedway, while teammate Michael McDowell earned the Busch Light pole position for the same event.

Though Hocevar has notched two runner-up finishes this year, his aggressive driving style has sparked several controversies. Notably, repeated clashes with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. escalated into a heated feud that nearly became physical.

As Spire Motorsports prepares for the upcoming season with a refreshed roster, all eyes will be on how Suarez adapts to his new environment and whether the team can turn their shared ambitions into tangible success on the track.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/nascar/news-we-need-other-spire-co-owner-signing-daniel-suarez-2026-nascar-cup-series-season

Lakers’ LeBron James ripped by Lou Williams for setting bad example with ‘Decision 2.0’ fakeout

Posted on by
Reply

As Los Angeles Lakers All-Star LeBron James enters his 23rd NBA season, his “Decision 2.0” has caught many by surprise. Fans and analysts alike anticipated that the 2025-26 season would be his last, but James’s recent move seemed to fake out those expectations. Among those disappointed was former NBA player and FanDuel Sports analyst Lou Williams.

The marketing behind James’s second “Decision” was a Hennessy ad, which didn’t sit well with Williams. Speaking on FanDuel Sports’ Run It Back, Williams expressed why he felt the ad sent the wrong message, especially to kids.

“It’s the dad and the coach in me,” Williams said. “When you flirt with the Decision 2.0, the first time it was about the Boys & Girls Club. So, when you do it again, you involve the kids. My daughter texted me, ‘Is LeBron retiring?’ So, now, you have this age of kids waiting to hear his decision, and we’re inviting them to a Hennessy party.”

Williams’s co-host, Chandler Parsons, shared a similar sentiment, admitting that he didn’t appreciate the new ad.

“I thought it would be something worthy of making a decision about [retiring],” Parsons explained. “So, yeah, I got duped a little bit. But I didn’t love this. You’re LeBron James, man. It just felt like a reach for attention when you’re the last person that needs that. I was not a fan.”

Adding to the news surround James is his current health status. For the first time in his career, LeBron will not start the upcoming regular season due to a sciatic nerve injury on his right side. This injury will keep him sidelined for at least the first few weeks, causing him to miss the Lakers’ entire preseason.

### Skip Bayless Rips LeBron James’ New Ad Ahead of Lakers’ Season

Few NBA analysts have been less critical of LeBron James than Skip Bayless. However, even Bayless didn’t hold back his frustration over James’s Decision 2.0 ad with Hennessy.

Speaking on the Skip Bayless Show, Bayless expressed disappointment over the move at this stage of James’s illustrious 23-year career.

“It was an iconic sports moment because we’d never seen anything like that,” Bayless said, referring to LeBron’s original 2010 “Decision” to join the Miami Heat. “It was a GOAT-ish sort of endeavor. And to take that decision, ‘The Decision,’ and stoop to cheapen it, to sell it out? To make money, to launch some new Hennessy brand of Cognac? Really, you would stoop to that, LeBron, as you enter this stage and age, as you enter year 23, age 40?”

Looking ahead, the Lakers will host the Golden State Warriors in their regular-season opener on Tuesday, a game fans will be eagerly anticipating as LeBron continues his quest toward an unprecedented NBA legacy.
https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-lebron-james-ripped-lou-williams-setting-bad-example-decision-2-0-fakeout

Sunday Night Football: Christian McCaffrey’s big night powers 49ers to 20-10 victory

Posted on by
Reply

Christian McCaffrey entered Week 7 with 780 yards from scrimmage and four total touchdowns. However, 444 of those yards and three of those touchdowns came on 46 receptions. His rushing average was just 3.1 yards per carry over the first six games of the season.

Things looked much more like 2023 on Sunday night against the Falcons. McCaffrey torched Atlanta for 129 yards rushing and two touchdowns, adding seven receptions for 72 yards, leading the 49ers to a 20-10 victory. McCaffrey was clearly the best player on the field, as reflected by how often San Francisco relied on him throughout the game.

He opened his scoring with a 1-yard touchdown run with 1:48 left in the second quarter. Later, he helped seal the win with a crucial 17-yard catch on third-and-3 from the Atlanta 21-yard line. Following that reception, McCaffrey capped the drive with a 4-yard touchdown run, giving the 49ers a 10-point lead with just 2:26 remaining in the fourth quarter.

This performance marked McCaffrey’s first 100-yard rushing game in the regular season since Week 16 of 2023. Additionally, it was his best rushing output since Week 14 of last year when he gained 145 yards.

The 49ers, who had been averaging only 3.1 yards per carry this season, flipped the script on Sunday, rushing 39 times for 174 yards—an impressive 4.5-yard average.

Quarterback Mac Jones contributed 17 completions on 26 attempts for 152 yards but threw one interception. Filling in for Fred Warner, linebacker Tatum Bethune recorded 10 total tackles, including one for loss.

On the Falcons’ side, Michael Penix Jr. completed 21 of 38 passes for 241 yards, including one touchdown, but also lost a fumble. Penix had a costly intentional grounding penalty late in the first half, which ran out the clock and ended the second quarter prematurely.

Midway through the fourth quarter, with the Falcons trailing 13-10 and facing fourth-and-1, coach Raheem Morris opted to go for it instead of attempting a 53-yard field goal. Unfortunately, Penix’s pass to Drake London was slightly late and broken up, resulting in a turnover on downs.

Running back Bijan Robinson was limited to just 40 yards on 14 carries but contributed six receptions for 52 yards.

Despite numerous injuries this season, the 49ers have improved to 5-2 and maintain first place in the NFC West, thanks to their head-to-head tiebreaker over the Rams. San Francisco will travel to face the Houston Texans next weekend.

Meanwhile, the Falcons, now 3-3, return home to face the struggling Miami Dolphins, who hold a 1-6 record, in Week 8.
https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/sunday-night-football-christian-mccaffreys-big-night-powers-49ers-to-20-10-victory