⚾️ Dodgers vs. Yankees Game 3, MNF, NFL Power Rankings + More!

Morning Blitzers,

Yesterday was one of the best days of the year to be a sports fan. You had something for everyone. Game 3 of the World Series, Monday Night Football, 11 NBA games, and 8 NHL games. We’re covering them all here at the Morning Blitz, so let’s jump into things!

WTF Stat: How bad was the Jets loss on Sunday? Pretty bad:

⚾️ The Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees 4-2, taking a commanding 3-0 lead in the World Series. At this point Freddie Freeman has pretty much locked up the World Series MVP. He continued his hot streak last night, homering for the third straight game, while Walker Buehler had a strong outing on the mound (5 IP, 2 hits, 0 runs, 5 Ks). The Yankees struggled offensively, managing to score only after Alex Verdugo hit a two-run homer in the ninth. However, it was too late, as Michael Kopech closed out the game by retiring Gleyber Torres. Game 4 is set for today at Yankee Stadium, where the Dodgers will rely on a bullpen game against rookie Luis Gil for the Yankees.

🏈 WR Calvin Austin III had quite the game last night, scoring two touchdowns as the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the New York Giants 26-18 . Austin returned a punt for a 73-yard touchdown and later caught a 29-yard touchdown pass from Russell Wilson, who went 20/28 passes for 278 yards in his second start. The Steelers are starting to look like a Super Bowl contender with their defense playing the way it is and Wilson making throws like this:

Tuesday’s NFL Power Rankings

This Week’s Theme: Best Halloween Candies

Tier 1 - Full Sized Milky Way

There is nothing that represents Halloween to me more than a Milky Way. A lot of other candy bars need to use peanuts, or wafers or other fillers to get by, not Milky Way it’s just pure sugar through and through just the way God intended. Chocolate, caramel, and nougat, what else do you need? The same can be said about these tier 1 teams, there is not a lot of filler on these squads, just stacked top to bottom.

1. Kansas City Chiefs (7-0)

2. Detroit Lions (6-1)

3. Buffalo Bills (6-2)

4. Washington Commanders (6-2)

5. Green Bay Packers (6-2)

6. Houston Texans (6-2)

7. Baltimore Ravens (5-3)

8. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2)

9. Philadelphia Eagles (5-2)

10. Minnesota Vikings (5-2)

Tier 2 - Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

Another Halloween staple right here. I do feel bad for all those people out there that are allergic to nuts, you’re really missing out on about half of the candy options (Snickers, Butterfingers, all the Reese’s products, Baby Ruth, Peanut M&Ms, Paydays). But Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are the top of the top. If you want to say this should be the Tier 1 candy, I won’t argue. But like Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, these are some of my favorite teams that just haven’t made it over the hump.

11. Atlanta Falcons (5-3)

12. Denver Broncos (5-3)

13. Chicago Bears (4-3)

14. Los Angeles Chargers (4-3)

15. San Francisco 49ers (4-4)

16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-4)

Tier 3 - 3 Musketeers

I’m not a Musketeers hater, it’s a solid option. The problem is it’s just been surpassed by the Snickers and Milky Ways of the world. I also happen to think Charleston Chew adds a bit more pizazz. It’s still a middle of the pack candy bar and any time I think of Musketeers I think of this “magnificent valor” charge scene, so there’s that. The teams in Tier 3 are a crucial point in the season, if I had to bet, I’d say at least 2 of these teams will make the playoffs, it’s just a matter of who will play with magnificent valor, the rest of the season.

17. Arizona Cardinals (4-4)

18. Indianapolis Colts (4-4)

19. Los Angeles Rams (3-4)

20. Cincinnati Bengals (3-5)

21. Seattle Seahawks (4-4)

Tier 4 - Tootsie Rolls

Tootsie Rolls are from 1907, they’re an original candy, so it’s hard for me to hate on them. But they’re like the Wing-T, hard hits on QBs, or good refereeing - things of the past. These teams all started the season with a lot of hope but like the Tootsie Roll have not adapted. Can they throw themselves into a lollypop and become a Pops (an excellent candy) or will they remain the same tired old teams? Only time will tell.

22. Dallas Cowboys (3-4)

23. Miami Dolphins (2-5)

24. Cleveland Browns (2-6)

25. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6)

26. Las Vegas Raiders (2-6)

Tier 5 - Candy Corn

Every year I try Candy Corn thinking maybe my palate has become more refined and I’ll start understanding why Candy Corn was once so popular. My opinion has changed on things like Bourbon, Broccoli, and the Backstreet Boys (I mean what) after all. But every year I try Candy Corn and it’s terrible. Kind of like these teams, every week I think, ‘maybe they’re not that bad’. Then I watch the Titans get absolutely destroyed or see an awful football game between the Jets vs Pats and remember why there are different tiers in the NFL, these teams happen to be at the bottom.

27. New Orleans Saints (2-6)

28. New York Giants (2-6)

29. New York Jets (2-6)

30. New England Patriots (2-6)

31. Tennessee Titans (1-6)

32. Carolina Panthers (1-7)

Does anyone want to sponsor these rankings? This is free advertising!

Top NBA Games

Magic 119, Pacers 115: Paolo Banchero had an incredible night, scoring a career-high 50 points and tying the Orlando Magic's record for points in a half with 37. Banchero's performance included 16-of-26 shooting, 13 rebounds, and 9 assists, making him the youngest player in Magic history to score 50 points.

Nuggets 127, Raptors 125: It took an overtime for the Nuggets to get their first win of the season. Nikola Jokic led Denver a remarkable 40-point performance, including seven points in overtime, as they rallied from a 15-point deficit to defeat the Toronto Raptors 127-125. Jamal Murray played a crucial role, scoring a reverse layup to force overtime just before the buzzer.

Celtics 119, Bucks 108: The Celtics are now 4-0 after strong performances from Jaylen Brown (30 points), and Payton Pritchard (28 points with eight 3-pointers). The Bucks are now 1-3 despite solid games from Damian Lillard (33 points), and Giannis Antetokounmpo (30 points and 10 rebounds). The game was tightly contested until the Celtics pulled ahead late in the third quarter, fueled by Pritchard's key 3-pointer that capped an 18-2 run.

Bulls 126, Grizzlies 123: Zach LaVine scored 30 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter, to lead the Bulls to a 126-123 comeback victory. Nikola Vucevic added 22 points, while Coby White contributed 20. Josh Giddey had a crucial all-around performance with 12 points, 8 assists, and 13 rebounds, including a key offensive board late in the game.

Suns 109, Lakers 105: Tough loss for the Lakers, who led by as much as 18 points early on, but let the lead slip away by halftime. The game featured 14 lead changes, but ultimately Devin Booker (33 points) and Kevin Durant (30 points) were too much for the Lakers.

See full NBA scoreboard here, and standings here.

Top NHL Games

Lightning 3, Predators 2: Nick Paul scored 3:22 into overtime to give the Tampa Bay a 3-2 victory over Nashville Predators, in Steven Stamkos' return to Tampa. Stamkos, who spent his first 16 NHL seasons with Tampa Bay before joining Nashville, received a warm welcome, including a video tribute. Stamkos recorded his first two assists with the Predators in the loss.

Hurricanes 4, Canucks 3: Sebastian Aho scored just 47 seconds into overtime, leading the Carolina to a 4-3 victory over the Canucks. Martin Necas contributed a goal and an assist, while William Carrier and Jack Roslovic also scored for the Hurricanes, who extended their winning streak to four games.

Maple Leafs 6, Jets 4: John Tavares scored a hat trick to lead Toronto to a 6-4 victory, ending Winnipeg's unbeaten start to the season. William Nylander added a goal and two assists, while Matthew Knies and Morgan Rielly also found the net for Toronto.

Sharks 5, Utah Hockey Club 4: Alexander Wennberg scored a power-play goal in overtime, leading San Jose to a 5-4 victory, their first win of the season. Fabian Zetterlund contributed two goals, while Mikael Granlund and Tyler Toffoli also found the net.

See full NHL scoreboard here, and standings here.

On this day in 2018, Golden State shooting guard Klay Thompson breaks NBA record, previously held by teammate Stephen Curry, for most 3-pointers in a game with 14 in Warriors' 149-124 win over the Bulls in Chicago.

Yesterday’s Trivia Time Answer

On this day in 2018, the Boston Red Sox defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in game 5 to win the World Series, who was the MVP of the series?

A) Steve Pearce - This is one of those trivia questions that’ll stump even the biggest baseball fans. That 2018 Red Sox team was stacked, yet it was utility player Steve Pearce who would go 4/12, with 3 HR, 1 double, 4 walks, and 8 RBI that would take home the MVP.

Check back tomorrow for the answer to today's trivia question and more info!