⚾️ Yankees Avoid World Series Sweep, Big NFL News + More!

Good Morning Blitzers,

Happy Hump Day Blitzers! Hope everyone’s week is going well. Let's kick things right off…

WTF Stat:  QB Anthony Richardson accuracy has been a big talking point so far this season, but is it that shocking? Here are his completion % at every level:

High School: 53.2%

College: 54.7%

NFL: 50.2%

In defense of Richardson, he’s played 10 games, he’s 22 years old, and here are another big bodied, athletic freak’s numbers, in QB Josh Allen:

High School: 55%

College: 56%

First 10 Games NFL: 52%

QBs can get better, maybe giving him a little patience isn’t the worst thing. If I’m the Colts I’m creating some goal line packages just for him. I’d make him still part of the team, use his legs, get creative with him, and help him gain some confidence. He’s too talented not to at least see the field, and as much as I love Joe Flacco, I don’t think the 39-year-old QB is the long term answer for the Colts.

⚾️ The Yankees avoid a sweep in Game 4 of the World Series, thanks to Anthony Volpe's grand slam in the 3rd inning which ignited the Yankees offense. They would go on to tack on 6 more runs winning 11-4 at home against the Dodgers. Freddie Freeman had initially put them ahead with a two-run homer, marking his sixth straight game with a home run. Yankees pitchers dominated in relief, allowing just one hit over five innings. Game 5 will feature Yankees ace Gerrit Cole against the Dodgers' Jack Flaherty.

🏈 The Colts have decided to bench QB Anthony Richardson in favor of Joe Flacco. This decision follows Richardson's request to come out of a recent game due to fatigue, prompting coaches to reevaluate their quarterback situation. Despite the benching, team sources insist that Richardson's future as the franchise quarterback remains intact, describing the move as a "growth opportunity" rather than a sign of quitting on him.

🏈 Couple of NFL Trades:

The Vikings have acquired LT Cam Robinson from the Jaguars to replace the injured Christian Darrisaw. The Vikings received Robinson and a conditional 2026 seventh-round pick, while the Jaguars received a conditional 2026 fifth-round pick that could upgrade to a fourth-round selection based on playing time.

The Ravens have agreed to trade for WR Diontae Johnson from the Carolina Panthers, pending a physical. The deal involves the Ravens sending a fifth-round pick and receiving Johnson along with a sixth-round pick from Carolina.

NFL Trade Season - Fun Projections

With a number of trades already going down so far, why not a predict a few of our own? The trade deadline is November 5th, and there looks like there will be plenty of sellers and buyers out there. Here are a few trades we’d like to see happen:

→ Browns Trade DE Myles Garrett to Lions

The Lions have scored 130 points the last three games. Offense isn’t there issue. There is however, a big hole on their defensive line after the injury to DE Aidan Hutchinson. Time to swing for the fences and try and acquire perhaps the best defensive player in the NFL. It may be costly (likely a first-rounder if not more) to acquire the 29-year-old who would be under contract until 2026. But could be a win-win for both teams.

→ Raiders Trade WR Jakobi Meyers to Lions

The Lions aren’t done! Did I say the offense wasn’t an issue? With WR Jameson Williams currently suspended and getting into more trouble the Lions may be on the prowl to add some WR depth. Jakobi Meyers is as reliable as they come and would make a great #2 option next to Amon-Ra St. Brown, plus he used to be a QB in college so you know OC Ben Johnson will already be drawing up some WR-pass-plays for him.

→ Patriots Trade RB Rhamondre Stevenson to Broncos

The 5-3 Broncos want to make a splash and help out their offense, why not trade for the only talented skill player on the Patriots roster? Ideally, I think Sean Payton would like to reunite with RB Alvin Kamara, but the Saints just added 2 more years to his deal, so they turn their attention to the next best RB on the market. Stevenson is 76th in the NFL in yards before contact/attempt (meaning his blocking is awful). He’d be a weapon on a team that could actually open holes for him.

→ Titans Trade DL Jeffery Simmons to Falcons

The Falcons have already made a number of big signings/trades in the offseason, why not one more? Despite adding Matthew Judon, the Falcons pass rush still leaves a lot to be desired. Adding a big-bodied interior defensive lineman will help free up Judon and others.

→ Giants Trade WR Darius Slayton to Buccaneers

With Mike Evans and Chris Godwin both slated to miss extended time, why not add an under-the-radar WR like Slayton. Slayton has put up solid numbers his whole career (15 YPC avg), despite having Daniel Jones as his QB his whole career. A change of scenery with a gun slinger like QB Baker Mayfield just makes too much sense.

→ Jaguars Trade TE Evan Engram to Texans

Texans need a little juice until WR Nico Collins returns, and I think they could buy low on Engram after his slow start to the season. Engram had 114 receptions last year and has had sneaky good career, at 30 years old he’s 6th in receiving yards (4,735) for active TEs. Texans TE Dalton Schultz is a solid player (although he is ranked 32nd for TEs by PFF), but it doesn’t hurt having another versatile weapon at the position.

→ Browns trade CB Denzel Ward to Commanders

Ward did just suffer his 6th reported concussion… So may be best for him to be on the sideline for awhile. But there is no doubt that Ward is one of the best CBs in the NFL when he is healthy. After going to his 3rd Pro Bowl last season, he currently leads the NFL in passes defended. The Commanders need a shut down CB, and Denzel is the very definition of that. This may be the best rep you’ll ever see against one of the best jump-ball WRs in the league:

Top NBA Games

Nuggets 144, Nets 139: Nikola Jokic led the Denver Nuggets to a 144-139 overtime win, recording a historic triple-double with 29 points, 18 rebounds, and 16 assists—only the second player in NBA history to achieve these stats in a game. Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon each contributed 24 points, while Russell Westbrook added 22.

Mavericks 120, Timberwolves 114: Kyrie Irving scored 35 points, including 16 in the third quarter, to lead Dallas victory. Luka Doncic added 24 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds, punctuating the win with a clutch 33-footer late in the game. Anthony Edwards had a standout performance for Minnesota, scoring 37 points with 24 coming in the first quarter, setting a Target Center record. However, the Timberwolves struggled with 20 turnovers.

Warriors 124, Pelicans 106: The Warriors overcame a 17-point deficit to defeat the Pelicans, despite missing starters Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins. Buddy Hield led the Warriors with a season-high 28 points, while Brandin Podziemski contributed 19 points, igniting a crucial second-half rally.

See full NBA scoreboard here, and standings here.

Top NHL Games

Wild 5, Penguins 3: In a nostalgic night in Pittsburgh, Marc-Andre Fleury shone in what is likely his final game in his old home, stopping 26 shots to help the Minnesota pull out the win. Frederick Gaudreau led the Wild with two goals, while Kirill Kaprizov continued his hot streak, adding a goal and two assists to tie the franchise record with his sixth straight multipoint game.

Capitals 5, Rangers 3: Alex Ovechkin scored twice, bringing his career total to 856 goals. Ovechkin's goals came in a fast-paced first period that also featured a fight between Matt Rempe and Dylan McIlrath, energizing the crowd. Connor McMichael and Aliaksei Protas, who had two assists, also contributed to the Capitals' offense.

Kraken 8, Canadiens 2: Brandon Montour led Seattle to an impressive 8-2 victory over Montreal, scoring a hat trick and adding an assist. Jamie Oleksiak scored just 25 seconds into the game, setting the tone; the Kraken snapped a three-game losing streak with the dominant performance.

See full NHL scoreboard here, and standings here.

On this day in 1973, Tom Seaver becomes 1st non-20-game winner to win the Cy Young award. Seaver went 19-10, with a 2.08 ERA, .98 WHIP and in an incredible 10.6 WAR (best in the majors for 1973). It’s been 5 years since the last pitcher (Justin Verlander) had 20 wins and won the Cy Young (no pitcher had over 18 wins this year). It’ll become less and less common moving forward.

Yesterday’s Trivia Time Answer

Which NBA player holds the record for highest 3-point shooting percentage in their career?

A) Steve Kerr - with a 45.4% 3- point shooting percentage Kerr leads all players. You can see the complete list here. Would have been interesting to see Kerr play in this era of basketball where hoisting up 3s is common place.

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