The Sports Grind

Sunday is only a day (and change) away, and Calvin is breaking down the key games. Bryce Young is back at QB1 for the Carolina Panthers after Andy Dalton was involved in a car accident this week. Tua Tagovailoa is back under center for the Miami Dolphins and hopes to energize the team once again. In the AFC South, the Indianapolis Colts play the Houston Texans for the top spot in the division. The Cincinnati Bengals appear to be climbing out of their hole, and a win against the Philadelphia Eagles can do a lot for them. To close out the week, Calvin has another edition of The Foundation Picks, presented by Four Roses Bourbon.

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After a 6-0 start, the Minnesota Vikings’ ship is taking on water, dropping their last two games. The Los Angeles Rams got Cooper Kupp and Puca Nacua back on Thursday Night Football and it was enough to get the win, breathing life back into the season. For the Dallas Cowboys, Micah Parsons remains out with an ankle injury, but Calvin thinks there’s more to it as “America’s Team” plays the San Francisco 49ers.

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The final stage of the MLB season is finally here with the Los Angeles Dodgers set to host the New York Yankees tonight in Game 1 of the World Series. Calvin makes his pick for tonight AND for the series. In the NBA, Klay Thompson shined in his debut with the Dallas Mavericks as his perimeter presence helped lift his team over the San Antonio Spurs. In Denver, the Oklahoma City Thunder sent a message to the Nuggets with a strong win to start their respective seasons.

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Through seven weeks,  the Houston Texans seem less explosive than last year, and it is being traced to the offense. Head coach DeMeco Ryans addressed the issue, particularly focusing on protecting quarterback CJ Stroud. In New York, Daniel Jones’ struggles are reflecting back on the decisions of the Giants’ management, but team ownership isn’t giving up on the Brian Daboll / Joe Schoen pairing - at least not yet. Wrapping up the day, the UFC is in the news ahead of UFC 308, finally settling a lawsuit with athletes from 2010-2017.

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Finishing up the NBA conversation, the Phoenix Suns spoiled the Los Angeles Clippers’ party in the new arena, and an interesting approach to Kawhi was made. Getting off the rails a bit, the guys discuss scenarios in which the San Antonio Spurs could snag Lauri Markkanen from the Utah Jazz, even proposing their own trade. Diving into football, the Minnesota Vikings (-2.5) are on the road against the Los Angeles Rams tonight on Thursday Night Football.

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The 2024-25 NBA season is two days old, and the rest of the league is finally getting on the floor. Tonight, Wemby and the San Antonio Spurs are up in Dallas to face Luka Doncic and the Mavericks in a Texas showdown. Another key game in the West is the Denver Nuggets who play host to the Oklahoma City Thunder - two teams that tied for the best record in the conference last season.

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The baseball world lost a legend with the passing of Fernando Valenzuela, the 1981 Cy Young winner AND Rookie of the Year. Back on the gridiron, Jerod Mayo learned a lot from Bill Belichick, including how to not take the bait from outsiders, electing not to respond to Belichick’s remarks regarding the New England Patriots. In college, other athletic directors should take notes on how Auburn structured Hugh Freeze’s contract regarding the buyout. To close the show, Calvin takes a look at the mid-week lines for this weekend’s slate of college and professional football action.

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Moving onto tonight’s slate of games, the guys discuss the second night of the young NBA season. Not to be outdone, the NFL drama is picking up ahead of the trade deadline. DeAndre Hopkins is headed to the Kansas City Chiefs, but what impact he will have remains to be seen. Out West, the Los Angeles Rams have reportedly made Cooper Kupp available, but with the hefty price of a second-round pick.

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Over the weekend, Texas fans embarrassed themselves by throwing bottles on the field to protest a call. This week, head coach Steve Sarkisian responded to the behavior, but was his message strong enough? Getting into the action from last night, the Boston Celtics crushed the New York Knicks on ring night, a strong statement as they look to go back-to-back. During the broadcasts on TNT, Shaq and Charles Barkley were in on Joel Embiid’s approach to load management this season, but Calvin is coming to the former MVP’s defense.

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Tua Tagovailoa is once again making his way back to the field after being in the NFL’s concussion protocol. Meeting with the media this week, the Miami Dolphin quarterback showed frustration while answering question after question around his decision to return. Before closing out the show, Calvin takes things back to the hardwood to look at more NBA action this week as well as a brewing potential lockout in the WNBA.

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