The CBS Sports HQ AM Newsletter delivers a multi-sport roundup headlined by Jordan Love's strong performance in Green Bay's 27-19 Thursday night win over Carolina, a blockbuster NFL trade sending Jeffery Simmons to Chicago, the WNBA Finals forcing a decisive Game 7, Milwaukee's first World Series celebration in 57 years, and the start of the 2026-27 college basketball season in Rome.
NFL: Love shines, Watson returns from hospital
Packers quarterback Jordan Love threw for 288 yards and three touchdowns as Green Bay bounced back with a primetime victory. The defense sacked Panthers quarterback Bryce Young six times. Wide receiver Christian Watson caught eight passes for 113 yards and returned to the game after a second-quarter chest injury that required a hospital visit.
Titans trade Simmons to Bears
Tennessee shipped four-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons to Chicago for two first-round picks and a Day 3 pick swap. The move signals a deep rebuild for the Titans and an all-in push for the Bears around quarterback Caleb Williams.
WNBA Finals headed to Game 7
Atlanta Dream forced a winner-take-all Game 7 with a win over the Golden State Valkyries, overcoming a late surge. The final game is scheduled for Saturday at 8 p.m. ET. Finals MVP candidate Kiah Stokes was held scoreless for Golden State.
Brewers celebrate historic World Series title
Milwaukee holds a championship parade today for the Brewers, who captured the franchise's first title after a 57-year wait. The victory offers hope to the four remaining teams without a World Series win, though the Tampa Bay Rays have now fallen short twice this decade.
College basketball season tips off in Rome
Notre Dame and Villanova's men's and women's teams open the 2026-27 season in Italy on Sunday. South Carolina tops the initial women's power rankings, while national championship and conference predictions are set for the men's side.
Top 50 MLB free agents ranked
With the World Series complete, the hot stove season begins amid looming collective bargaining negotiations and a potential December lockout. Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal ranks as the No. 1 free agent. NPB Triple Crown winner Teruaki Sato, who hit .306/.383/.609 with 39 home runs, highlights the international contingent. The list closes with a tier of left-handed relievers including Matthew Boyd, David Peterson, Robbie Ray, and Patrick Sandoval.
College football Week 9 picks
A light slate features only two ranked matchups, but every game carries College Football Playoff implications. Tom Fornelli's lock of the week backs Mississippi State's team total under 14.5 points at No. 11 Texas. Key games include No. 1 Miami at North Carolina, No. 2 Ohio State at USC, and No. 3 Georgia vs. No. 17 Florida.
NFL Week 8 upset alert: Ravens at Bills
Multiple experts project Baltimore to upset Buffalo as three-point underdogs. Lamar Jackson returns from a month-long ankle sprain absence; he is 10-5 straight up and 13-2 against the spread as an underdog in his career. The Bills' defense ranks third-worst in scoring allowed (28.5 ppg).
Other notes
Nico Iamaleava signals a decision on a 2027 UCLA return; Colorado quarterback Julian Lewis hospitalized after a medical emergency; Sergio Garcia announces post-LIV Golf plans; Canelo Alvarez challenges Christian Mbilli for the WBC super middleweight title Saturday; Victor Wembanyama discusses the "villain" label; Chiefs make a kicker change; LSU lands a five-star 2027 basketball commit; MLS's Union complete a stunning turnaround; and the football world mourns run-and-shoot pioneer June Jones.
Weekend viewing guide
Highlights include Manchester United at Chelsea (Saturday 8:30 a.m. ET), Borussia Dortmund at Bayern Munich (Saturday 1:30 p.m.), WBC title fight Mbilli vs. Alvarez (Saturday noon ET), WNBA Game 7 (Saturday 8 p.m.), and a full slate of college football, NFL, soccer, NHL, NBA, and UFC action through Sunday.
