The Sportsletter - Back in Charge ⚡️

BY JEFF YODER & MATTHEW CAHILL

OCT. 18, 2022  |  SUBSCRIBE  |  REFER  |  WEB VIEW

Good Morning,

Between another rain-out in New York and another low-scoring primetime football game, the weekend hangover was noticeable. Lucky for us, we'll get a double-dose of MLB Playoffs today before the NBA tips off the 2022-23 season. The 'Sports Equinox' (all 4 American pro sports leagues on the same day) is near...

Letter Rip!

NFL PICK 'EM

Congratulations to our Week 6 winner, Marcus H.! Marcus went 11-2 in a week full of upsets. Be sure to check your personal email today to claim your prize. We're resetting the points again for Week 7. Haven't been playing? No sweat. Join anytime. 

Thursday Night Football Games Not Included to Allow Players to Make Picks Until Sunday Morning

NFL

Back in Charge ⚡️

Photo: Harry How / Getty Images

MNF: Chargers Top Broncos for 3rd Straight Win (19-16, OT) Thanks to Muffed Punt, Walk-Off Field Goal

The L.A. Chargers and Denver Broncos met for another low-scoring primetime showdown on Monday Night Football. The AFC West rivalry full of field goals needed overtime before  muffed punt by Broncos returner Montrell Washington set up the walk-off field goal by Chargers kicker Dustin Hopkins. The result was a third straight win for the Chargers and third straight loss for the Broncos. It’s officially panic time for Russell Wilson and the Broncos, and back to believing for Justin Herbert and the Chargers.

Stat Leaders

QB J. Herbert (LAC): 37/57, 238 yards, 0 TDs, 1 INT

QB R. Wilson (DEN): 15/28, 188 yards, 1 TD

RB A. Ekeler (LAC): 24 touches, 83 yards, 1 TD

LB A. Singleton (DEN): 21 tackles

S D. James Jr. (LAC): 10 tackles, 1 sack

LB D. Tranquill (LAC): 8 tackles, 2 sacks

K D. Hopkins (LAC): 4/4 FG, 1/1 PAT

Watch: Chargers Top Broncos on MNF (19-16, OT)

AFC West Standings

Chiefs (4-2)

Chargers (4-2)

Broncos (2-4)

Raiders (1-4)

Additional Storylines

NFL: What We Learned From Broncos-Chargers on Monday Night Football

CBS Sports: No Pain, No Gain: Dustin Hopkins Fights Off Injury to Hit Walk-Off FG

NBA

NBA Tip-Off Power Rankings

Photo: Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images

2022-23 NBA Opening Night: Preseason Power Rankings (By Matthew Cahill)

The NBA season kicks off next week, and The Sportsletter team is more than ready for things to get started. Before action tips off later tonight with a doubleheader on TNT, here are our preseason power rankings. Let’s tip off another 82-game marathon.

NBA Power Rankings

1. Warriors

2. Celtics

3. Bucks

4. Clippers

5. Nuggets

6. 76ers

7. Suns

8. Heat

9. Nets

10. Grizzlies

11-20: 11. Timberwolves | 12. Hawks | 13. Raptors | 14. Cavaliers | 15. Mavericks | 16. Pelicans | 17. Bulls | 18. Lakers | 19. Knicks | 20. Wizards

21-30: 21. Kings | 22. Blazers | 23. Hornets | 24. Pistons | 25. Pacers | 26. Magic | 27. Jazz | 28. Rockets | 29. Spurs | 30. Thunder

NBA Opening Night Schedule

76ers at Celtics (7:30 pm ET)

Lakers at Warriors (10:00 pm ET)

Additional Storylines

SI: 2022-23 NBA Predictions & Award Winners

ESPN: Seasons Greetings: Team Previews for All 30 Teams

CBS Sports: NBA Power Rankings: Warriors Begin Title Defense at No. 1

MLB PLAYOFFS

Turning 2 in the Bronx

Photo: Christian Peterson / Getty Images

Game 5 of Yankees-Guardians Postponed Again; Padres-Phillies NLCS Begins Tonight

There was no baseball played on Monday night, but another rain delay in New York sets the stage for a super Tuesday in the MLB Playoffs. The Yankees and Guardians will try again with a Game 5 winner-take-all showdown this afternoon before the Padres and Phillies toss the first pitch in Game 1 of the NLCS. The weather looks clear in New York. It’s Nestor Cortes (Yankees) taking the mound against Aaron Civale (Guardians), although Cleveland hasn’t officially named Civale the starter. Out in San Diego, the Padres are starting Yu Darvish, who’s 2-0 with 11 Ks in the postseason, and the Phillies will hand the ball to Zack Wheeler. The Astros are sitting back and getting additional rest for the pitching staff. We’re about to find out who rounds out the final four in the hunt for October.

Tonight’s Schedule

ALDS Gm 5: Guardians at Yankees (4:00 pm ET)

NLCS Gm 1: Phillies at Padres (8:00 pm ET)

Additional Storylines

MLB: For the First Time in MLB History, Playoff Rounds Will Overlap

Yahoo! Sports: Yankees-Guardians Game 5 Postponed by Another Rain Delay

SI: Top Storylines to Follow in Phillies-Padres NLCS Matchup

THE STORYLINES

🏀 College Basketball Preseason Poll

North Carolina surprised just about everyone last year when a talented team led by first-year coach Hubert Davis parlayed a No. 8 seed in the men’s NCAA tournament into a run to the national title game. They won’t be sneaking up on anyone this year. (Sports Illustrated)

⚽️ The Future of the USWNT

As veteran leaders like Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe get older and contemplate retirement, the USWNT needs the next generation of budding stars to be primed for the global spotlight. The next World Cup is only nine months away. (FOX Sports)

🏈 Fixes for Surprising 3-3 NFL Teams

The NFC is in utter chaos through six weeks, as the teams many of us expected to be heavily favored as title contenders are flailing through rough stretches. The Bucs, Packers, 49ers and Rams are all struggling. (ESPN+)

📰 THE HEADLINES

• Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr. Undergoes Second Surgery on Wrist (B/R)
• Commanders QB Carson Wentz Expected to Miss 4-6 Weeks With Finger Surgery (ESPN)
• Panthers Trade WR Robbie Anderson to Cardinals 1 Day After Sideline Tirade (Yahoo! Sports)
• Hawks Sign De’Andre Hunter to 4-Year, $95 Million Extension (CBS Sports)
• Tom Brady Posts Message About Buccaneers’ Struggles in 2022 Season (SI)
• Texans Part Ways With Executive VP of Football Operations Jack Easterby After 3 Years (NBC Sports)
• ‘Inside the NBA’ Signs Broadcast Team of Barkley, Smith, Johnson & O’Neal to Long-Term Deals (USA Today)

Support The Sportsletter Team

Writer & Editor: Jeff Yoder

Product Manager: Matthew Cahill

Lead Designer: Joe Stella

Technical Lead: Kevin Lonergan

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