🏈 Unbelievable Finish to Bengals & Ravens TNF Game, College Football & NFL Weekend Preview, + More!

Happy Friday, Blitzers!

We’ve made it to another Friday, and a long upcoming weekend! We have a lot to cover today including the incredible TNF game last night, college football preview, and a look at the rest of NFL games this week.

The Blitz will be off on Monday celebrating Veterans Day, but we’ll be recapping everything that happened over the weekend on Tuesday. Let’s get into things!

WTF Stat: On the play below QB Lamar Jackson traveled 58.1 yards to gain 10 and a first down, setting up a Derrick Henry 1-yard TD one play later.

Jackson did not cross the line of scrimmage until 10.1 seconds after the snap and had just a 4.0% probability of gaining a first down.

🏈 Another unreal game between the Ravens and Bengals, as the Ravens pulled out the 35-34 win. Thursday Night Football this season has been awesome. Last night was another classic back-and-forth battle with 850+ yards of offense and 34 points scored in the 4th quarter. Cincinnati had been in control, holding a 21-7 lead midway through the third quarter. But the Ravens rallied back and took a 7-point lead after an 11-play, 70 yard drive late in the 4th quarter. They left the Bengals with less than 2 minutes in the game. But QB Joe Burrow drove the Bengals down the field and scored but they gambled with a 2-point conversion attempt and lost.

• Ravens Takeaways: Two close games against the Bengals, and two wins. These are the types of games that build character and momentum as you head for your ultimate goal. This wasn’t the Ravens best game by any means. They struggled early, RB Derrick Henry was slowed, their defense was letting up a lot of big plays, they had some questionable clock management at the end, but they still managed to pull out a win. Impressive to win even when you’re not at your best. Things don’t get much easier for the Ravens the rest of the season, they’ll see the Steelers (2x), Chargers, Eagles and Texans before it’s all said and done.

• Bengals Takeaways: There was so much to like about this game before the final outcome. WR Jamarr Chase was unstoppable (11 receptions, 264 yards, 3 TD), QB Joe Burrow (34/56, 428 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs) did everything he could, and for most of the game the Bengals seemed to dominate. But they just came a 2-point conversion (and a missed face mask) short. I still believe the Bengals are a top-10 team in the NFL but are now 4-6, and can’t afford any more slip ups the rest of the season.

🏈 Christian McCaffrey is set to make his season debut for the 49ers this Sunday against the Buccaneers, barring any setbacks. After being on injured reserve since September due to bilateral Achilles tendinitis and a prior calf injury, McCaffrey has impressed in recent practices. Coach Shanahan also expects key players WR Deebo Samuel (rib, oblique) and WR Jauan Jennings (hip) to be ready to play against the Bucs.

🏀 The Lakers have assigned rookie Bronny James to their G League affiliate, South Bay, where he is expected to make his debut on Saturday against Salt Lake City. James will remain on the Lakers' roster for their Friday game against the 76ers before rejoining South Bay. The plan is for him to primarily play in G League home games while alternating between the Lakers and South Bay.

Top College Football Games This Weekend

#3 Georgia (7-1) at #16 Ole Miss (7-2) - Sat. 3:30 PM (ABC)

What’s At Stake: Lane Kiffin has been desperate for a signature win against the upper-echelon of the SEC at Ole Miss. Kiffin is 0-5 against opponents in the Top 5. For a team that had playoff hopes at the beginning of the year, this is a must win game. Unfortunately, it’s against Georgia. The Rebels are 1-8 against the Dawgs since 2000. A lot of things need to go right for a team to beat UGA. QB Jaxson Dart needs to be flawless, limit turnovers, and hope that QB Carson Beck continues to play like a 3rd string JV quarterback. Kiffin’s biggest knock is that he can’t win a big game. He won’t kick that moniker this week.

The Pick: Dawgs -2.5

Michigan (5-4) at #8 Indiana (9-0) - Sat. 3:30 PM (CBS)

What’s At Stake: If someone woke up from a one year coma and saw this match-up, they’d say I made a typo. Unranked Michigan visits undefeated #8 Indiana. IU truly has been a buzzsaw all season long, while Michigan is not the powerhouse it has been, they’re still probably the most talented team IU has seen thus far. All the pundits have already given IU this game and started focusing on a potential showdown with Ohio State next week…could that be a mistake? I think they win, but it’s not going to be by 14.5 points.

The Pick: Michigan +14.5

#20 Colorado (6-2) at Texas Tech (6-3) - Sat. 4:00 PM (FOX)

What’s At Stake: Colorado is back in the Top 25 and are contending for a spot in the Big 12 championship game. What does that mean? Well, so far this season in the Big 12 that means chaos will ensue. The Red Raiders are a formidable opponent and the Wreck ‘Em crew will be out in full force in Lubbock. It also seems like any time the Sanders get too excited about how they’re doing, they’re served a large serving of humble pie.

The Pick: Texas Tech +4

#11 Alabama (6-2) at #15 LSU (6-2) - Sat. 7:30 PM (ABC)

What’s At Stake: Nothing like a night game in the Bayou. I think if this was a Noon EST start or even a 3:30, the Tide would win this game. Unfortunately for the Alabama faithful, it is not. Last night game at home, LSU upset Ole Miss 29-26. Both teams are fairly similar on paper, decent on both sides of the ball. It’s going to come down to the QBs, is it Jalen Milroe or Garrett Nussmeier who makes the big play? When teams are this even, I tend to side with the home team.

The Pick: LSU +2.5

#9 BYU (9-0) at Utah (4-4) - Sat. 10:15 PM (ESPN)

What’s At Stake: When all the east coasters are tucked into their beds lamenting all the money they lost not listening to me, the Holy War will be kicking off. Most of the time, no one cares about this game, but this year it is a big deal since they are conference opponents for the first time since 2011 and BYU is undefeated. The battle for the Beehive Boot has some serious stakes this season. It’s the perfect trap game. Utah has been bad and has the perfect opportunity to spoil the season for little brother BYU. Utes get it done.

The Pick: Utah +3.5

Other Games I’m Keeping an Eye On

Miami at Georgia Tech - 12:00 PM (ESPN)

Florida at Texas - 12:00 PM (ABC)

Iowa State at Kansas - 3:30 PM (FS1)

Clemson at Virginia Tech - 3:30 PM (ESPN)

Florida State at Notre Dame - 7:30 PM (NBC)

Washington at Penn State - 8:00 PM (PEACOCKED)

NFL Week 10 Preview

NFL’s Most Intriguing Games

Denver (5-4) at Kansas City (8-0) - 1:00 PM (CBS)

The View: I got burned SO bad by the Broncos last week. I can’t fall into their trap again. The Chiefs continue to eke out victories and are probably the most dubious 8-0 team in the history of the NFL. However, WR DeAndre Hopkins did look pretty good last week and if they get a renaissance out of him they will be tough to beat. The Broncos do have a good defense and QB Bo Nix has looked good, but going into Arrowhead is a tough ask especially after getting stomped by the Ravens last week.

Pick: Chiefs -7.5

San Francisco (4-4) at Tampa Bay (4-5) - 1:00 PM (FOX)

The View: RB Christian McCaffrey is finally going to make his 2024 debut for the Niners. San Fran hasn’t had the season they envisioned, but they are still very much in the hunt in the NFC West. The Bucs missed a golden opportunity to steal one against Kansas City last week and are in the midst of a three game losing streak. They’ll be begging to get to the bye week after this one. Niners get a big boost by CMC and take care of business on the road.

Pick: Niners -6.5

Atlanta (6-3) at New Orleans (2-7) - 1:00 PM (FOX)

The View: The post-Dennis Allen era is nigh. Teams do get a bit of a boost playing for the interim head coach and when your coach has an electric name, Darren Rizzi aka the Rizzler, that boost gets amplified. The Falcons are perfect on the road, but this is the type of game where the home team gets so fired up, the fans want to see the new regime win and are extra loud, that the should be favorite stumbles. Hard to bet on QB Derek Carr without his top 2 receivers…but fortune favors the brave.

Pick: NO +4

Pittsburgh (6-2) at Washington (7-2) - Sunday 1:00 PM (CBS)

The View: The Commanders are the darlings of the NFL right now. Coming into this game at 7-2, atop the NFC East, literally no one saw this coming. Dan Quinn is doing an unheralded job as head coach and QB Jayden Daniels is that dude. Here’s the thing, though. They haven’t faced a defense like Pittsburgh all season long and the Steelers are coming off a bye week. That gives QB Russell Wilson more time to gel with the offense and more time for the defense to come up with a gameplan to slow down Daniels. Steelers get the upset.

Pick: Steelers +2.5

Detroit (7-1) at Houston (6-3) - Sunday 8:20 PM (NBC)

The View: The unstoppable force vs. the immovable object. Lions are undefeated on the road. The Texans are undefeated at home. Houston has lost two of its last three, but they should get WR Nico Collins back to challenge this Lions secondary, which is the weak spot on this otherwise well-balanced team. QB Jared Goff is having a historic run in terms of completion percentage and hasn’t thrown an incompletion when targeting WR Amon-Ra St. Brown since September. The Lions are a well-oiled machine and I don’t see them losing to the Texans.  

Pick: DET -3.5

NFL Gambling Record:

D-Man: 4-4

Jean Machine: 28-11

Full NFL Schedule click here

NBA Top Games

Timberwolves 135, Bulls 119: Anthony Edwards led the T-wolves to a 135-119 win, scoring 33 points, along with eight rebounds and six assists. Minnesota overcame a 13-point deficit, particularly dominating in the fourth quarter. Julius Randle added 22 points and 10 rebounds, and Rudy Gobert chipped in with 21 points and nine boards.

Bucks 123, Jazz 110: The Bucks started off the season slow (1-6 going into this game), but Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo help deliver their second win. Lillard scored 34 points, while Antetokounmpo added 31 points and 16 rebounds in his return after missing a game due to a right adductor strain. The victory prevented their first seven-game losing streak since 2014.

Spurs 118, Trail Blazers 105:  Keldon Johnson and Malaki Branham each scored 17 points to lead the Spurs, who were without head coach Gregg Popovich for the fourth straight game due to a medical issue. Acting head coach Mitch Johnson said the team is uncertain when Popovich will return.

NHL Top Games

Bruins 4, Flames 3: Brad Marchand scored a game-winning goal with 20 seconds left in overtime to lift the Boston Bruins to a 4-3 victory over Calgary. Marchand's backhand goal came after he redeemed himself for a penalty in the third period that led to a power-play goal for Calgary. This was his second overtime winner of the season and the 21st of his career.

Jets 1, Avalanche 0: Gabriel Vilardi scored early, and Connor Hellebuyck stopped 35 shots to lead Winnipeg to a 1-0 win. Vilardi's goal came just 1:06 into the game, and Hellebuyck made it stand up, recording his third shutout of the season and 40th career shutout. The Jets are now 13-1 on the season.

Flyers 2, Lightning 1: Owen Tippett scored the game-tying goal late in regulation and then netted the winning shot in the shootout to lead Philadelphia to a 2-1 victory over Tampa Bay. Travis Konecny also scored in the shootout, while goalie Ivan Fedotov made 20 saves through overtime and stopped both Gage Goncalves and Victor Hedman in the shootout for his first NHL win.

See full scoreboard here and standings here.

On this day in 1966, Frank Robinson wins the AL MVP while playing for the Orioles, and becomes the first baseball player to win MVP in both the AL and NL. He won the NL MVP with the Reds in 1961. Here’s the famous catch he made during that season:

Yesterday’s Trivia Time Answer

Which NHL goalie has the most wins in his career?

B) Martin Brodeur - Brodeur leads the NHL with 691 wins as a goalie. Here is a look at the top 10:

Check back on Monday for today’s trivia answer and more info!