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Sun beat the Mystics to end a 13-game road losing streak

Sun beat the Mystics to end a 13-game road losing streak

Yahoo9 hours ago
WASHINGTON (AP) — Saniya Rivers scored 17 points, Olivia Nelson-Ododa had 15 points and nine rebounds, and the Connecticut Sun beat the Washington Mystics 80-69 on Tuesday night to end a 13-game road losing streak.
Connecticut (7-27) secured its first road win since May 30 against Indiana to improve to 2-15 away from home. The Sun have won five of their last six road games against the Mystics, with a 104-67 loss earlier this season.
Tina Charles added 13 points and nine rebounds for Connecticut. Aaliyah Edwards scored eight points in 16 minutes in her first game against her former team.
Sonia Citron led Washington (16-19) with 19 points. Shakira Austin added 12 points and Jade Melbourne had 11. Citron passed Chamique Holdsclaw (525) for most points by a rookie in Washington's franchise history — with nine games remaining.
STORM 94, SKY 88
CHICAGO (AP) — Skylar Diggins scored 24 points, Nneka Ogwumike added 21 points and Seattle beat Chicago.
Chicago (8-26) has lost five games in a row and 13 of its last 14.
Dominique Malonga had 15 points, seven rebounds and a career-high three blocks for Seattle (18-18). The 19-year-old rookie hit 7 of 13 from the field and has made 106 total field goals to become the first player in WNBA history with 100 field goals before the age of 20.
Brittney Sykes scored 12 points and Ezi Magbegor had 11 points, eight rebounds and four blocks for the Storm.
Angel Reese, who returned from a seven-game absence due to a back injury, and Ariel Atkins scored 19 points apiece for Chicago and Kia Nurse added 13. Kamilla Cardoso had 10 points, six rebounds, six assists and three blocks and Elizabeth Williams added 10 points and nine rebounds.
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Breaking down the 10 Detroit Lions rookie performances vs. Dolphins
Breaking down the 10 Detroit Lions rookie performances vs. Dolphins

Yahoo

time9 minutes ago

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Breaking down the 10 Detroit Lions rookie performances vs. Dolphins

As the preseason rolls onward, the Detroit Lions are going to use every chance that they can get to evaluate the backend of their roster. Once again, the team's 2025 rookie class impressed. A total of 10 first-year players suited up in the preseason matchup against the Miami Dolphins, and many of them made quite the case for a roster spot once the regular season begins. Undrafted wide receiver Jackson Meeks put on a show for the second week in a row. The rookie who played for Georgia and Syracuse made the first reception of the game and went on to finish the day with a team-high 93 yards as well as a touchdown. He was used heavily on special teams as well, taking the field for nearly half of the unit's snaps. He did make one rookie mistake, getting flagged for an illegal shift later in the game. Third-round pick Isaac TeSlaa also had himself a day. The Michigan native was another big contributor on offense, hauling in four receptions for 41 yards and a trip to the endzone. He had some opportunities that were missed as well, including dropping an overthrown pass from Kyle Allen and having a first-down reception called back due to an illegal forward pass penalty. Dominic Lovett wasn't as productive on offense as he was in the previous preseason outings. His biggest contribution in this game came on special teams as a gunner. In the third quarter, he scooped up the ball off of a muffed punt by the Dolphins and returned it within a few yards of the endzone—although you aren't allowed to advance a muffed punt. Zach Horton got a significant amount of time on offense, taking the field for over 70% of the team's snaps. He displayed even more versatility than he has in the other preseason games, being used as an in-line tight end, fullback, slot receiver, and even lining out wide on a few plays. He caught his first two passes of his career, totaling 15 yards. He, too, couldn't escape the eyes of the referees, and was called for a holding penalty that negated a big run from Craig Reynolds. With many new faces in Detroit's secondary, undrafted cornerback Tyson Russell didn't make much of an impact as he had the week prior, but still recorded three tackles. Offensive lineman Mason Miller made the move from tackle to guard in this game, most likely due to the plethora of injuries that Detroit has in that position group right now. He played much better than he had earlier in the preseason, and even earned a shoutout from the broadcast crew for his blocking on long run from Jacob Saylors. Undrafted rookies Ian Kennelly and Keith Cooper both were named starters for this game and played on defense for a majority of Detroit's snaps. Cooper flashed some positional versatility, playing both as an interior defensive lineman and edge rusher. Wide receiver Jakobie Keeney-James had a quiet day, being targeted once but not recording any stats. Fan-favorite Ahmed Hassanein only played 10 snaps for Detroit before sustaining an injury that will cause him to miss some time this season. The following draft picks did not play: Tyleik Williams, Tate Ratledge, Miles Frazier (PUP), Dan Jackson (IR)

Jaxson Dart, Seahawks' offense, Bengals' defense top questions after preseason Week 2
Jaxson Dart, Seahawks' offense, Bengals' defense top questions after preseason Week 2

New York Times

time12 minutes ago

  • New York Times

Jaxson Dart, Seahawks' offense, Bengals' defense top questions after preseason Week 2

NFL coaches and their teams have different goals in the preseason, depending on each situation. For example, the Eagles are using the preseason to figure out who they should start at cornerback opposite Quinyon Mitchell. Other teams have quarterback competitions and there are natural position battles that will be determined by the film in preseason. Advertisement Some teams are trying to learn new schemes, so their starters will see more playing time than with other teams. These reps are useful and insightful. The game does change during the preseason with actual game planning and star players on the field, but there are things we can learn in these exhibition matchups. Here are five questions answered after the second round of games. Dart-mania is reaching a fever pitch in New York. I get it. It's been a long time since the Big Apple has seen good quarterback play. In the Giants' two preseason games, Dart has completed 26 of 35 passes for 291 yards (8.3 yards per attempt) and a touchdown. He also ran for a touchdown. Giants fans should be excited about Dart's long-term potential, but the right decision is to stick with the plan and sit him. Dart is coming from a simplistic offense at Ole Miss. The scouting report on him is that he will need time to acclimate to an NFL offense. The stats and big throws are exciting, but head coach Brian Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka are rightfully doing a great job of keeping things simple for Dart with screens and isolation routes in which he'll throw to the single receiver in three-by-one formations or choice routes to the slot. He has eight completions on screens (bubble and true screens) for 73 yards. To Dart's credit, he's executing the concepts that are called for him at a high level. Even on simple screens, he's doing a great job of changing his arm angles to get the ball to his target, but those plays don't take a lot of thinking. 13:57 remaining in the third quarter, third-and-4 On third-and-4, the Giants were in empty and had a verticals concept called. Dart saw the weak-side safety drop straight back rather than 'poach' the three-receiver side. Dart knew he had space to fit the ball to his receiver running the special seam route on the other side of the formation. Dart threw a perfect pass that led his receiver away from a hit to convert on third down. Dart is on the right developmental track. This is not a negative review. I liked Dart as a prospect! My point is to slow down the Dart train even after an exciting preseason. The Seahawks should have a top-10 defense this season, but the question is how good their rebuilt offense can be under new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. The Seahawks' offensive line has been a major issue for years, and it didn't appear they did enough to upgrade their line in the offseason, especially since they pivoted to quarterback Sam Darnold, who is quick-pressure-sensitive (pressures under 2.5 seconds). Advertisement So far in the offseason, they look like they've made some major improvements in run blocking. First-round pick Grey Zabel has looked dominant in two preseason games, and the Seahawks might have found a hidden gem in his former teammate, North Dakota State center Jalen Sundell. He's furiously seized his opportunity while Olu Oluwatimi has missed time with injury, and has a shot to take the job. Sundell's ability to explode out of his stance is perfect for Kubiak's offense. With Zabel and Sundell on the field, in two games, the Seahawks averaged 8.2 yards per rush attempt. If there's one thing a Kubiak knows how to do, it's scheme up a rushing attack, and it appears a formidable one is shaping in Seattle. This is the Seahawks' first year in the system, but they are already playing fast and executing every variant of wide zone in the book. From under center stretch, zone toss, mid zone, split zone, they looked comfortable doing it all against the Raiders and Chiefs, who both were overwhelmed upfront. With the Vikings, Darnold was supported by one of the best collections of skill players and one of the best play-callers in the league. This season, the Seahawks can support him with a strong running game and a well-designed play-action game designed to get the ball out of his hands with timing. The Seahawks won't average eight yards per rush attempt in the regular season, but if this sort of physicality can translate, this offense could provide more than enough firepower to complement what should be one of the best defenses in the league. No. We won't even get into the pass defense, which is going to be problematic even if they get defensive end Trey Hendrickson back. The run defense has looked horrendous for the second week in a row. In two games, the starting Bengals defense has allowed 13 carries for 141 yards (10.8 ypc), including five red-zone carries. Also, they played against the Eagles' backups in Week 1. Rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt goes by "Bill" Bill just went 27 yards to the 🏠 Watch on ESPNStream on @NFLPlus and ESPN+ — NFL (@NFL) August 19, 2025 It's still early, so there is time to improve, but they've been physically dominated up front. Some of the holes could have fit three running backs running side-by-side with their arms locked. Cincinnati's offense is better suited to handle a leaky defense than almost any team in the league, but if teams can run the ball at will and control the clock, it's hard to see the Bengals as true playoff contenders. Colts coach Shane Steichen on Tuesday announced that Daniel Jones will be the starter for the entire season barring injury. Not only did he say Jones was the starter this season, but also that he could be the Colts' long-term starter, slamming the door shut on 2023 No. 4 pick Anthony Richardson. Of course, there is still a chance that Richardson will play for the Colts this season because Jones has been injury-prone and has only played a full season once in his six-year career. Advertisement This reeks of a decision made by a coach and general manager who are on the hot seat. Jones offers a higher floor than Richardson, but how much higher is that floor? 10 percent higher? The ceiling is significantly lower. Jones has been a bad, turnover-prone and inconsistent quarterback throughout his career. He's had 85 turnovers (47 interceptions and 38 fumbles lost) in 70 games. If the competition was close, they should have gone with Richardson, who is just 23 years old — younger than Shedeur Sanders, Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr. The Colts wanted Richardson to show improvement, and he did. He was more accurate throwing underneath and still showed the ability to make the splash throws that few human beings can make. He did make a couple of bone-headed mistakes, missing a hot read that led to a sack and injury in the first preseason game, but even veteran quarterbacks have made similar mistakes. Richardson needed reps and time to develop, but it seems that Steichen and GM Chris Ballard are running out of time, so they are going with what they deem to be the safer choice. Richardson could still ultimately be a bust, but Jones didn't outright win the job. The right decision for the franchise long term would have been to see what they have in Richardson and to continue developing him. After Sanders' strong performance in the first preseason game and subsequent oblique injury, Dillon Gabriel got his turn at a preseason start. Gabriel was drafted two rounds earlier than Sanders and naturally had the leg up in the competition for the second-string spot. It would have taken a monumental meltdown for him to lose his spot in the pecking order, and he played a really good game against the Eagles. Even though most people remember the pick-six that he threw, it wasn't his fault. The throw wasn't even a bad decision. Andrew Mukuba PICK-6! The @Eagles second-round pick takes Dillon Gabriel's pass to the house. Watch on @NFLNetworkStream on @NFLPlus — NFL (@NFL) August 16, 2025 Gabriel attempted to check the ball down to his tight end, but receiver Diontae Johnson ran his route too close to the line of scrimmage, allowing safety Andrew Mukuba to come off the roof and intercept the pass at the line of scrimmage. Other than that pass, Gabriel was decisive and completed several downfield passes within the structure of the offense. He converted 5 of 7 third downs through the air. He threw passes with excellent velocity and pinpoint accuracy. 14:03 remaining in the first quarter, third-and-10 On third-and-10, the Browns had a sail concept with a backside dig in which Gabriel had to read the sail route to the shallow to the dig. Eagles defenders had leverage on both the sail and the dig route. Gabriel had to manage a muddy pocket and step up while getting through his progression and get to his third read. He managed to get to the dig and threw a well-placed ball that didn't lead his tight end into a big hit. Though Joe Flacco was named the starter, he's 41 years old. If the Browns start losing games and are out of the playoff picture, they could look to hand over the reins to one of their rookie quarterbacks, and Gabriel might have solidified his spot as the youngster with his first crack at things with an impressive showing. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle

2025 SEC football predictions: Will Texas rise to the top? Is Alabama ready to bounce back?
2025 SEC football predictions: Will Texas rise to the top? Is Alabama ready to bounce back?

New York Times

time12 minutes ago

  • New York Times

2025 SEC football predictions: Will Texas rise to the top? Is Alabama ready to bounce back?

The entirety of college football outside of the SEC derived much joy last season from watching the SEC land only three College Football Playoff berths and none of its teams reach the national championship. This year, I predict, the SEC will come storming back. The league's offenses last year largely stank. No team averaged 30 points in conference games. Not coincidentally, many of the SEC's highest-profile QBs in 2024 — Georgia's Carson Beck, Alabama's Jalen Milroe, even Texas' Quinn Ewers — regressed from the year before. Advertisement This year's group should fare better. It's a strong cast, led by Texas' Arch Manning, South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers, LSU's Garrett Nussmeier, Florida's DJ Lagway and Oklahoma's John Mateer, all of whom rank in the top 10 of The Athletic's preseason QB Tiers. Oh, and Vanderbilt's Diego Pavia. But a couple of the prime contenders will need a new guy to deliver. I'm betting on Alabama's Ty Simpson. I'm selling Georgia's Gunner Stockton. SEC championship: Texas over Alabama Texas: Manning is going to be good. How good? We'll see. But the Longhorns, who won 13 games last season, should have a much more potent rushing attack with the tandem of Quintrevion Wisner and a healthy CJ Baxter. The front seven will be dominant. If Texas flops, it will be because a less-experienced offensive line took a significant step back. Alabama: Kalen DeBoer's 9-4 debut was a disaster, particularly on offense. But it's a big deal that he's reuniting with his former Washington offensive coordinator, Ryan Grubb. Bama has a great receiving corps led by Ryan Williams, a huge offensive line and a defense teeming with vets like linebacker Deontae Lawson and defensive tackle Tim Keenan III. I'm all in on a Tide bounce-back. LSU: Brian Kelly has the pieces. Nussmeier threw for 4,052 yards last season, and he has targets galore in Aaron Anderson, Kentucky transfer Barion Brown and breakout tight end Trey'Dez Green. And the defense could be significantly better with all the transfer upgrades, to go with returning stud linebackers Whit Weeks and Harold Perkins. Texas A&M: This is my SEC sleeper team. The Aggies quietly fielded the league's top scoring offense in conference play (29.4), and dynamic QB Marcel Reed figures to be more advanced. The backfield is deep, led by Le'Veon Moss. Yes, the defense has questions. But I like the Aggies to go on the road in Week 3 and upset Notre Dame. Advertisement Georgia: Although it won the SEC last year, Georgia did not meet the standard of Kirby Smart's previous teams. The Dawgs should have a strong rushing attack with Nate Frazier and Josh McCray, but how will OC Mike Bobo best utilize Stockton? Even the defense has questions for once. I've got the Dawgs straddling the CFP bubble. Oklahoma: It's a make-or-break year for Brent Venables. With exciting ex-Washington State QB Mateer and his former OC, Ben Arbuckle, last year's miserable offense should be light-years better. But I still don't have full confidence in Venables, who has finished below .500 in two of his first three seasons. Would 8-4 be good enough to earn Year 5? Florida: Billy Napier earned a reprieve after November upsets of LSU and Ole Miss propelled the Gators to an 8-5 finish. Lagway is bursting with talent. But those now mentioning Florida as a CFP candidate may be overreacting. All of the Gators' best performances were at home. This year they visit LSU, Miami, Texas A&M and Ole Miss. South Carolina: I feel bad bursting Gamecocks fans' bubbles with a 6-6 pick. I realize excitement is through the roof thanks to Heisman contender Sellers. But it's asking a lot of Shane Beamer to turn around and reload after losing defensive stalwarts like Bronko Nagurski winner Kyle Kennard, All-American safety Nick Emmanwori and All-SEC RB Raheim Sanders. Hugh Freeze: I'm not sure Auburn can afford a third head-coach buyout in five years. I'm not sure it has a choice if Freeze finishes below .500 again. But he and ex-Oklahoma QB Jackson Arnold should help salvage each other's careers. Auburn was an explosive offense last season when it wasn't giving away the ball (which was often). Sam Pittman: Arkansas improved from 4-8 to 7-6 last season, but Pittman's program still feels like it's treading water. QB Taylen Green is decent but hardly spectacular, and the cast around him is ever-changing. And this year's schedule is brutal: Notre Dame, Texas A&M, at LSU, at Texas, at Ole Miss. Even on the road in Memphis is tricky. Advertisement Mark Stoops: The winningest coach in UK history isn't in trouble — yet. But he will be if this season goes as poorly as I'm predicting. The program has been struggling to keep up in the portal/NIL era, and Stoops has been struggling to find an offensive identity. But maybe journeyman QB Zach Calzada will make me look foolish for 3-9. (Photos of Arch Manning, left, and Kalen DeBoer: Brett Davis / Imagn Images; Gary Cosby Jr. / Imagn Images) Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle

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