• Morning Blitz
  • Posts
  • The Toe Heard Round the World, US Open, NFL/CFB Previews and more

The Toe Heard Round the World, US Open, NFL/CFB Previews and more

AuthorAuthorAuthor

Matt St. Jean, Morning Blitz & Matt St. Jean
September 06, 2024

Good Morning, Blitzers!

Mmmmmm, soak it in, Blitzers, soak it in. A great game on a Thursday night? Collinsworth getting way too excited over 4-yard runs? We’re back baby! I have Tony Romo shouting “Oooooo Jim” in my future and I for one am very excited.

We’ve got a lot to talk about today. NFL in Brazil. US Open. The MLB Wild Card race is getting tiiiight. Let’s go!

WTF Stat: Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 900th goal becoming the first player ever to do so. He scored off a volley in a UEFA Nations League group match against Croatia. Ronaldo has scored 131 goals for Portugal and 769 goals for various clubs.

Written By: Keith McGonigle & Matt St. Jean

Isaiah Likely was THAT close to giving the Ravens the chance to win the game.

🏈 The defending Super Bowl champions beat the Baltimore Ravens on the opening night of the NFL by a toe…literally. Isaiah Likely’s buzzer-beating catch was ruled incomplete after review. Chiefs win 27-20.

  • 🔥 Take: The QB duel between Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson did not disappoint. Both players were their normal electric selves, but it was two unexpected performances that stole the spotlight on Thursday. Baltimore’s Isaiah Likely, aside from his toe, was a monster: 9 rec, 111 yards and a TD where he showed off moves that should not be possible for a dude with his size. On the Chiefs side, rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy burst onto the scene scoring a rushing TD in KC’s opening drive and nabbed a late TD that proved to be the winner. The NFL could not have asked for a better way to start the 2024 season.

🎾 Aryna Sabalenka, the Belarussian once again plays the villain at Arthur Ashe stadium defeating American Emma Navarro in straight sets to advance to the final. However, in the late match, Jessica Pagula defeated Karolina Muchova and the American will face off against Sabalenka on Saturday.

  • 🔥 Take: USA, USA, USA! Beat Sabalenka! USA! USA!

 🏈 The NFL continues its international expansion tonight when the Philadelphia Eagles play the Green Bay Packers at Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo, Brazil for the first time in league history.

  • 🔥 Take: The build up to this game has been a little, shall we say, interesting. From neither team being able to wear green due to gang violence to extensive security measures, everyone involved is likely just ready to get this game underway and get back to the United States. Meanwhile, Roger Goodell.

🏈 USC honored former running back Reggie Bush and quarterback Caleb Williams by retiring their numbers (5, 13). Bush’s number was removed in 2010 when he was embroiled in the boosters scandal. However, after getting his Heisman reinstated in April, Bush agreed to have his number put back up in the stadium.

  • 🔥 Take: Justice for Reggie! One of the most electric players in my lifetime gets full vindication and goes back where he belongs. As for Caleb Williams…does he really belong alongside Bush, Matt Leinart, Carson Palmer and Marcus Allen? You decide.

Winning Is A Choice…Choose INMO!

Ready to win cash daily? Download INMO and join the fun! Play $1 to play or vote. Enter daily challenges by either posting an original video, sourced video or voting for your favorite. Whether you’re showing off your skills or supporting the best, you’ve got a shot at winning cash every day. And yes, it really works! Start owning your content or voting for your favorite — download, play and start earning!

Win Cash With INMO

What to Watch Friday

First of five international games to be played in 2024.

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Green Bay Packers - Fri. 8:15 PM

  • Why We’re Watching: Both of these teams have Lombardi hopes for the 2024 season. The Eagles had a nightmarish end to 2023 and they want to get off on the right foot with new offensive coordinator, Kellen Moore and star RB Saquon Barkley. Meanwhile, QB Jordan Love took over for future hall of famer Aaron Rodgers and led the Pack to the Divisional round.

  • The Pick: Packers +2. Jordan Love with a healthy receiving corps, an alpha running back in Josh Jacobs outlast the Eagles in a shootout.

It’s an All-American semi-final in the US Open between Taylor Fritz (left) and Frances Tiafoe (right)

US Open Semi-Final: 12 Taylor Fritz vs. 20 Frances Tiafoe - 7 PM (ESPN)

  • Why We’re Watching: Fritz and Tiafoe will battle for the opportunity to become the first American since Andy Roddick in 2006 to compete in an US Open men’s singles final. Roddick is also the last American to win the US Open all the way back in 2003. It’s a big moment for US men’s tennis that hasn’t had a superstar in a long time.

  • The Line: Vegas has Fritz as the favorite (-275), which makes sense since Fritz has won the last six meetings between the two.

NFL SUNDAY IS BACK BABY!

New segment alert! We all know the apps will be humming this Sunday, Keith and I are employing our secret weapon, code-named: DMan, to give all of you some well-reasoned advice for your bets this Sunday.

Gambling Wisdom of the Week

NFL Week 1 is upon us and we couldn’t be more excited. All our crippling bad beats from last season are a distant memory and we know this is going to be the season where that 16 leg parlay is finally going to hit. Remember, the NFL season is a marathon, not a sprint. We want to responsibly build up our bankroll.

Week 1 historical trends: Division home dogs are 78% ATS in week 1 since 2014. Division home dogs of +1.5 and higher are 84% ATS. Since 2006, non-playoff teams from last playing a playoff team from last year 58% ATS in week 1. If that’s a division game it jumps to 73%. Pretty strong trends there pointing to the Indianapolis Colts as the team to pick this week. Does that pass the “fade the noise” test? Absolutely, the Texans went from worst to first in the division last year. Their team has picked up even more pieces in the offseason. This might be the most hyped team of the year. Meanwhile, the Colts noise has mostly been about when Anthony Richardson will get hurt again. Let’s not forget that the Texans team lost to the Panthers and the Jets last year. They also lost by 11 to a Colts team in week 2 that was mostly led by Gardner Minshew. Fade the noise, trust the trends…Colts +3

Additional Picks from the Jean Machine

  • Jacksonville at Miami: Dolphins -3

  • Pittsburgh at Atlanta: Falcons -3

  • Tennessee at Chicago: Titans +3.5

  • Dallas at Cleveland: Dallas +2.5

Full NFL Schedule click here

Top College Football Games This Weekend

 

The Longhorns led by QB Quinn Ewers take on Davis Warren and the Wolverines in the Big House.

No. 3 Texas vs. No. 10 Michigan (12 EST on FOX)

What’s at Stake: Big Noon Saturday doesn’t get any bigger than this when two blue bloods do battle in one of the best stadiums in America. Michigan underwhelmed in its opening win vs. Fresno State, while Texas pounded Colorado State. Both of these teams have high aspirations in 2024 and whoever comes out on top will be making a big time statement.

The Pick: Michigan +7.5: Home field advantage matters. Michigan grinds out the win with its great defense and running game.

Iowa State at No. 21 Iowa (3:30 EST on CBS)

What’s at Stake: The Cy-Hawk Trophy is at stake in this game that has been played since 1894. The Hawkeyes have dominated recently, winning 7 of the last 8 meetings. Also, fans of this game call it “El-Assico” because both teams bring out the worst in the other. It’s Week 2 and we have a big rivalry with a great name, I’m here for it.

The Pick: Iowa State +3.5: Never bet on Cade McNamara in a big game. It’s a rule.

No. 14 Tennessee at No. 24 NC State (7:30 EST on ABC)

What’s at Stake: The only other ranked on ranked game in the weekend may not evoke some old rivalry nostalgia or have that blue blood mystique, but this is a big one. Coastal Carolina transfer Grayson McCall struggled a bit in his Wolfpack debut and he needs to pick it up against a high flying Tennessee team led by QB Nico Iamaleava.

The Pick: Tennessee -10: Iamaleava is for real and the Volunteers stomp NC State.

Colorado at Nebraska (7:30 EST NBC/Peacock)

What’s at Stake: Coach Prime vs. Rhule. Shadeur vs. Raiola. A lot of firepower in…Colorado vs. Nebraska. Whew. Been a while since anyone has said that. This game used to slap in the 90s and early 2000s before these programs fell on dark times. Colorado’s Travis Hunter is worth the watch anytime as one of the most dynamic players in the country.

The Pick: Colorado +7.5: Yeah, the Buffs can’t play defense, but I’ll take their offense over Nebraska’s in a shootout.

Other games I’m keeping an eye on

  • Arkansas at #16 Oklahoma State - 12:00 PM EST

  • #23 Georgia Tech at Syracuse - 12:00 PM EST

  • Baylor at #11 Utah - 3:30 PM EST

  • South Carolina at Kentucky - 3:30 PM EST

  • Boise State at #7 Oregon - 10:00 PM EST

MLB - Top Games

  • Tigers 4, Padres 3: 3-2 count, 2-outs. Every kid’s dream. Grand Salami Walk-Off! Parker Meadows, the 9-hitter, took Robert Suarez deep to left field to lift the Tigers over the Padres. The Tigers are still 5 games back of the Wild Card.

  •  Rockies 3, Braves 1: The Braves stumble at home against the lowly Rockies tying them with the Mets in the Wild Card race.

  • Twins 4, Rays 3: Edouard Julien’s three-run bomb got the party started at the Trop and then the combo of Griffin Jax and Jhoan Duran slammed the door shut on a late Rays rally.

  • Giants 3, Diamondbacks 2: Patrick Bailey’s ground-rule double walked it off in the 9th for the Giants. The Diamondbacks are only 2.5 games up in the Wild Card as a result

See the full MLB scoreboard here and the current standings here.

WNBA

  • New York 77, Seattle 70: The Liberty held off a feisty Seattle Storm to remain atop the WNBA standings. Skylar Diggins-Smith led all scorers with 21, but it was the trio of Brianna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton that powered New York to victory.

  • Washington 90, Phoenix 77: The Mystics haven’t had the best season ever, but they showed out last night on the road in Phoenix. Karlie Samuelson shot a perfect 100% from the field and poured in 19 points off the bench to lead the way. Mystics are only 0.5 back for the 8th and final playoff spot.

Since 2002, only one quarterback who was drafted first overall won his debut game in Week 1 of the NFL. Who was it?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

1994 SF wide receiver Jerry Rice catches 2 touchdown passes and runs for another score in 49ers' 44-14 rout of the Raiders; surpasses Jim Brown as NFL's career TD leader with 127

Friday’s Trivia Time Answer

Who holds the single-season rushing touchdowns record with 28?

A.  LaDainian Tomlinson - He broke the record in 2006 vs. the Kansas City Chiefs and it wasn’t the only record he broke that day. His first touchdown took him past Paul Hornung's 46-year-old record of 176 points in a season (Tomlinson finished with 186). His second touchdown was the longest of his career at 85 yards; that was his 28th rushing touchdown of the season, passing Alexander and Priest Holmes, and also gave him multiple touchdowns in eight consecutive games, breaking a tie with John Riggins. He would go on to win the NFL MVP.

Check back in tomorrow for today’s trivia answer and more info!