Friday’s 6-pack:
— Somehow, Angels GM Perry Minasian had his contract extended thru 2026.
— Pirates 7, Reds 0- Rookie P Paul Skenes is 8-2, 2.16 in 17 starts.
— A’s 3, Rays 1- Osvaldo Bido won his third straight start.
— Nationals 8, Rockies 3- Juan Yepez hit a 3-run homer.
— Cardinals 3, Brewers 0- Miles Mikolas threw six shutout IP.
— Struggling Seattle Mariners fired manager Scott Servais, an act of desperation.
Quote of the Day
“I’d love to have him. He’s great. Coach has been great to me. We’ve had a chance to catch up pretty often, check in with each other. He’s been a great resource and a great person to be able to pick his brain.”
USC football coach Lincoln Riley, talking about Pete Carroll, who apparently will teach a class at USC this year
Friday’s quiz
Actor Mark Harmon was the star of
NCIS; what college football team did he play QB for?
Thursday’s quiz
Steph Curry played his college basketball at Davidson, in the Southern Conference.
Wednesday’s quiz
In the movie
Major League, Corbin Bernsen’s character plays third base for Cleveland; he wore number 24.
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Cardinals
Since 2010, Arizona is 102-123-1 in regular season, 1-3 in playoffs.
From 2019-22, Kliff Kingsbury was their coach; he’ll be back in Arizona in Week 4, as OC of the Washington Commanders.
Falcons
Atlanta’s starting QB’s since 2021:
2021- Matt Ryan
2022- Marcus Mariota
2023- Desmond Ritter- They went 7-10/7-10/7-10 last three years
2024- Kirk Cousins/Michael Penix
Panthers
Carolina is 19-48 SU/27-38-2 ATS in four years since they let Ron Rivera go.
This year will be first time since 2018 they had same #1 QB two years in row.
Last four years, Panthers are 0-9 ATS as a favorite of 3 or fewer points.
Bears
Chicago’s single season leaders in passing yardage:
3,838- Erik Kramer, 1995
3,812- Jay Cutler, 2014
3,666- Jay Cutler, 2009
3,659- Jay Cutler, 2015
3,274- Jay Cutler, 2010
Cowboys
Dallas won Super Bowl after the 1995 season; since then, they’re 5-13 in playoff games.
Last three years, Cowboys were 12-5/12-5/12-5, but went 1-3 in playoffs.
Lions
Detroit won NFL titles in 1952, 1953, 1957, but none since.
In Super Bowl era, they’re 3-13 in playoff games.
In his 8-year career, QB Jared Goff in 5-4 in playoff games.
Packers
Last 7 years, favorites are 15-6 ATS in their NFC North home games.
Last five years, Green Bay is 6-1 ATS as a road dog vs NFC North rivals.
Rams
Lions took Matthew Stafford with 1st pick of 2009 Draft; Rams took OT Jason Smith with the 2nd pick, but he lasted only three years with the Rams, played another year with Jets.
Other QB’s picked in first round of ’09 Draft:
Mark Sanchez, 5th pick by Jets
Josh Freeman, 17th pick by Tampa Bay
Famous birthdays, August 23rd:
Barbara Eden, 93
Sonny Jurgensen, 90
Rik Smits, 58
Rex Grossman, 44
Mike Yastrzemski, 34
Seth Curry, 34
Tyler Glasnow, 31
Lane Thomas, 29
Bryce Miller, 26
Vikings
Kirk Cousins was Minnesota’s QB the last six years; in the 12 years before that, Vikings had used nine different #1 QB’s, everyone from Matt Cassel, Christian Ponder to Tavaris Jackson.
Since 2005, Minnesota is 3-5 in playoff games.
Giants
In two years under Daboll, Giants are 11-5-1 ATS at home.
In two years under Daboll, under is 12-5 in their home games.
Saints
New Orleans QB’s the last four years:
2020- Drew Brees
2021- Jameis Winston
2022- Andy Dalton
2023- Derek Carr- they went 37-30 in regular season, 1-1 in playoffs.
Eagles
Last three years, over is 19-6 in Philly home games.
Last year, Eagles went 11-6 despite a minus-10 turnover ratio; they fired both coordinators.
49ers
Last six times San Francisco made the playoffs, they went WWL
Last five years, 49ers are 4-1 ATS in their post-bye game.
Seahawks
Last three years, Seattle is 5-10-1 ATS as a home favorite.
Last three years, Seahawks are 16-10 ATS as an underdog.
Buccaneers
In Bruce Arians’ last two years, Tampa Bay was 29-10, 5-1 in playoffs.
First two years without Arians, they’re 18-19, 1-2 in playoffs.
Commanders
Washington hasn’t won a playoff game since 2005, when Joe Gibbs was coach.
Washington QB’s since 2017:
2017- Kirk Cousins
2018- Alex Smith
2019- Case Keenum
2020- Alex Smith
2021-22- Taylor Heinicke
2023- Sam Howell
2024- Jayden Daniels