Sports
Week 8 TNF: Preview, Props & Prediction
Oct 20, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws a pass against the Las Vegas Raiders in the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Alex Gallardo-Imagn Images The Los Angeles Rams host Minnesota on Thursday night seeking consecutive victories for the first time this season, while the Vikings try to rebound from their first loss of the campaign.
Los Angeles (2-4) snapped a two-game losing streak by beating the visiting Las Vegas Raiders 20-15 last weekend. Meanwhile, Minnesota (5-1) dropped a back-and-forth 31-29 affair to division rival Detroit on a field goal with 15 seconds remaining.
ODDS AND TRENDS
The Vikings are about a field goal favorite on the road by most sportsbooks.
The line is 3.0 points at BetRivers, where the Vikings have been backed by one-sided action with 79 percent of the spread-line money and a lopsided 93 percent on their -150 moneyline.
The public jury is certainly still out on Minnesota. After suffering their first loss of the season in Week 7, the Vikings have received only 4 percent of the total money wagered on the NFC championship at DraftKings, where they’re being offered at +650 to reach the Super Bowl. That’s the same percentage that have backed the Rams as +5000 longshots.
The Over/Under for Thursday night’s game is 48 total points at BetRivers, with the Over backed by 65 percent of the money.
PROP PICKS
–Cooper Kupp Over 6.5 Receptions (-130 at DraftKings): This has been the most popular player prop at DraftKings with Kupp expected to play for the first time since Week 2. Kupp had 14 receptions on 21 targets for 110 yards and a touchdown in the season opener, and had hauled in four catches on six targets before leaving the Week 2 loss to Arizona.
–Justin Jefferson Anytime TD (-143 at BetRivers): Jefferson reaching the end zone on Thursday night has drawn the most total money (1.5 percent) and bets (4.5 percent) of any player prop at the book. He has a touchdown in all but one game thus far, two weeks ago against the Jets in a game where Jefferson was targeted 14 times.
INJURY REPORT
Both teams are hoping to get key playmakers back for this contest.
For the Rams, Kupp is expected to play. Kupp participated in full at practice on Tuesday and Wednesday, while fellow receiver Puka Nacua was limited both days due to a knee injury after having his 21-day practice window opened up. Still, NFL Network reported Thursday the Rams are “optimistic” Nacua is ready to play, which would require a decision to activate Nacua off injured reserve.
Defensive end Braden Fiske (back) was limited Wednesday and linebacker Troy Reeder (hamstring) has been ruled out.
This week could also mark the return of tight end T.J. Hockenson for the Vikings. The veteran has been sidelined since late last season, when he tore the ACL and MCL in his right knee.
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said it was “very much a possibility” that Hockenson could return against the Rams, although his workload could be limited. He was limited in practice this week and listed as questionable on Wednesday.
“It’s early,” O’Connell said as the Vikings returned to practice this week. “We’ll make that determination as these next couple of days (go by). As we put together game plans, we want to have a good feel for that.”
Hockenson caught 95 passes for 960 yards and five touchdowns in 15 games (11 starts) for Minnesota last season. His return would give quarterback Sam Darnold another top target in the passing game alongside Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
Aaron Jones also said he felt good to play on short rest despite a hip injury that has nagged him for a couple of weeks. Jones racked up 116 total yards (93 rushing, 23 receiving) and a touchdown against Detroit.
“No problems out of it,” Jones said. “I’ll continue to stay on top of it on my end and do everything to check the boxes so I don’t end up back in that situation (with the injury).”
Linebacker Blake Cashman missed the Vikings’ practice this week because of a toe issue and has been declared out against the Rams. Hockenson and Jones were among those limited on Tuesday, although Jones was a full participant on Wednesday.
SCUFFLING RAMS NEED STAR WRs
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford will look to improve upon his 83.6 passer rating against a physical Vikings defense. Stafford has thrown for 1,392 yards and three touchdowns, with four interceptions this season.
Kyren Williams is the Rams’ biggest threat on offense. He has rushed for 436 yards and eight touchdowns in six games (all starts).
Tutu Atwell leads the team’s receiving unit with 23 catches for 332 yards. Demarcus Robinson, Kupp and Williams each have a receiving touchdown.
THEY SAID IT
“I’m aware of it, but at the end of the day, I mean, I’m going to be where my feet are. That’s all I know. I have a job to do here. And I take a lot of pride in giving everything I can for the guys in this building and being able to step on the field knowing that I prepared the best that I can.” — Kupp on rumors he could be traded ahead of the Nov. 5 deadline.
PREDICTION
This has the feeling of a do-or-die game for the Rams, who could look to trade Kupp and other veterans should they fall further in the NFC West. The Vikings are coming off a loss, but were toe-to-toe with the high-powered Lions. Los Angeles enters with the 26th-ranked defense, which even Kupp’s return can’t mask against a Minnesota offense averaging 333.2 yards per game. — Vikings 27, Rams 23
–Field Level Media
Sports
Right-handers for Giants, Brewers out to cap successful July with win
Jul 22, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Landen Roupp (65) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images A pair of young right-handers attempting to complete an unbeaten month of July will go head-to-head Tuesday night when Logan Henderson and the Milwaukee Brewers take on Landen Roupp and the host San Francisco Giants in the continuation of a three-game series.
The Giants opened the set with a 3-0 victory Monday, getting brilliant pitching from Tyler Mahle and a two-run homer from Grant McCray.
Roupp (7-8, 3.93 ERA) will attempt to successfully follow in Mahle’s footsteps as he looks to continue the form that led to a fast start this season before a two-month slump.
The 27-year-old began the season 5-1 through the end of April, but then started 11 consecutive losses, seven of which went on his record, in May and June.
The third-year major-leaguer has regained his winning form in July, however, going 2-0 with wins against the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners. He took a no-decision against the Kansas City Royals in a 5-4 win last Wednesday. He has allowed just three runs and nine hits in 21 innings.
Roupp’s earlier skid reached its greatest depth when he suffered through his worst outing of the season in a 16-2 loss at Milwaukee on June 1, charged with eight runs in four innings. The loss ran his career record against the Brewers to 0-2 with a 7.16 ERA in five games, including three starts.
Jackson Chourio’s two-run double and Brice Turang’s two-RBI triple, hit consecutively, were the big blows against Roupp in the earlier head-to-head in Milwaukee.
Henderson (4-1, 3.05) has had a similar month. Like Roupp, he is 2-0 with a no-decision in July. The Brewers have won all three Henderson starts, games against the St. Louis Cardinals, Miami Marlins and New York Mets.
In just his second major-league season, the 24-year-old Henderson went winless in his first three starts in 2026 before going unbeaten in his past five. He has allowed just six runs and 11 hits in 15 1/3 innings in July.
His July starts followed almost a six-week layoff due to back soreness. But he watched closely, especially the games of hard-throwing staff ace Jacob Misiorowski, who clearly inspires him.
“It never gets old, and he’s taking it up a notch every start,” Henderson told reporters recently. “I feel privileged to have a front-row seat every game.”
Henderson never has faced the Giants.
One player Henderson definitely won’t see will be Giants slugger Casey Schmitt, who strained his right knee rounding first base after a hit in the second inning of the opener and had to be removed from the game.
The Giants announced after the game that Schmitt, whose hit raised his average to .271, would undergo an MRI on Tuesday.
San Francisco manager Tony Vitello said after the game that he feared Schmitt could miss “significant” time.
“He’s a little bummed out. He loves to play every day,” Vitello told reporters after the win. “Scary moment for him. He was really struggling just to move around. Heart’s got to go out to him and you hope for the best.”
– Field Level Media
Sports
French legend Zinedine Zidane to coach national team
Jul 26, 2024; Paris, FRANCE; Zinedine Zidane during the Opening Ceremony for the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games along the Seine River. Mandatory Credit: Andrew P. Scott-Imagn Images Zinedine Zidane, who led France to the 1998 World Cup championship, has been named the next coach of the French men’s national team.
He replaces Didier Deschamps, 57, who had been at the helm since 2012. Deschamps said in January 2025 that he intended to retire at the end of the 2026 World Cup, in which France lost 6-4 to England in the third-place match.
The deal with Zidane, announced Tuesday, is for four years, and he officially will begin his job on Aug. 1. His staff is expected to be revealed in September.
Zidane, 54, entered coaching after his playing days, and his Real Madrid teams won three consecutive Champions Leagues finals (2016-18) and two LaLiga titles.
He resigned from his job in Madrid five years ago and has not coached since, long projected as the successor to Deschamps.
“For me it’s a continuity, a dream,” Zidane said. “I had some offers during the five years I was away to take charge of a club but I turned them all down for the France team. It was the only thing I wanted to do.”
And Zidane said he is ready to get to work.
“I have so many emotions, I am ready for the challenge,” he said. “That’s what motivates me.
“Today I have the opportunity to be in charge of this team and I will give everything so that this team can win.”
Zidane will make his coaching debut with the national team on Sept. 25, when he leads France against Turkey in their first match of this UEFA Nations League schedule.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Luca Van Assche beats Alexander Blockx in Portugal for first title
Jul 31, 2024; Washington, DC, USA; Luca Van Assche (FRA) hits a forehand against Andrey Rublev (not pictured) on day five of the Mubadala Citi DC Open at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images Luca Van Assche of France secured his first ATP title when he posted a 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 victory over Belgium’s Alexander Blockx on Sunday in the Estoril Open final in Portugal.
Van Assche, 22, converted 8 of 13 break points and overcame eight double faults to win in two hours and 24 minutes on the clay surface. He is the ATP’s 10th first-time winner this year.
Blockx, 21, had seven aces and seven double faults while playing in his first title match. He rallied from a 3-0 hole in the third set to tie it 5-5 before Van Assche closed it out by winning two straight games.
The championship match was the first between players born in 2004 or later.
–Field Level Media
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Right-handers for Giants, Brewers out to cap successful July with win
