Early look at Hawks' potential draft additions next summer
It's never too early to look ahead to next summer's NBA Draft - one that could see the Atlanta Hawks adding to their impressive young core.
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Bengals vs. Falcons NFL in Spain Week 9 Preview: OBI Podcast
The Bengals head to Madrid for a historic Week 9 showdown at the Bernabeu Stadium, facing the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Nov. 8. Cincinnati rides a three‑game winning streak and looks to maintain momentum, while the enigmatic Falcons aim to upset the inter‑conference visitors. Hosts John Sheeran and Anthony Cosenza preview key players, winning strategies, and the latest Bengals trade rumors on the upcoming Orange and Black Insider podcast, airing Friday at 2 p.m. ET. The preview also spotlights fan merch and betting partners.
Analyst offers 49ers luxury and bargain trade options ahead of deadline
The 49ers could bolster their defense before the trade deadline. ESPN's Bill Barnwell identifies Falcons safety Jessie Bates III and Saints DE Cameron Jordan.
Report Of Baker Mayfield “Throwing Dimes,” Todd Bowles Thinking Of Winning A Field Goal Battle
The Buccaneers aren’t worried about Baker Mayfield’s recent low pass volume. Coach Todd Bowles explains that Mayfield’s “throwing dimes” approach helped the Bucs dominate Atlanta in a rain‑soaked shutout at the Licht House on Sunday, and Bowles also hints at a strategic focus on winning the field‑goal battle. The article delves into how the Bucs’ game plan leverages Mayfield’s precision and the special‑teams edge.
Hawks face major Jalen Johnson dilemma with impending back to back
With two games against the Wizards and Nets coming up, Atlanta must make a crucial Jalen Johnson decision soon.
Is Anthony Davis playing tonight? Wizards vs. Hawks injury report
The Wizards host the Hawks Friday night with Anthony Davis listed as questionable due to a right‑ankle sprain. Davis, who averages 23.4 points, 9.3 rebounds and shoots 50% from the floor this season, could be a game‑changer if he suits up. Washington also has five other players sidelined, including Reece Beekman and Justin Champagnie. Atlanta lists eight injuries, notably Jalen Johnson (questionable) and several out (Keshon Gilbert, Mouhamed Gueye). The article breaks down both teams’ injury reports and Davis’s availability.
Bengals vs Falcons Madrid Game Preview
The Cincinnati Bengals and Atlanta Falcons meet Sunday, Nov. 8 at Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid, Spain, in the NFL's second regular-season game in the country.
Top offseason trade targets for the Braves: Shortstops
The Braves’ offseason trade wishlist zeroes in on shortstop, with five candidates highlighted. All‑Star Jeremy Peña (Astros) tops the board, offering a .300 average and 800+ OPS while potentially becoming trade‑able if Houston rebuilds. Veteran Corey Seager (Rangers) brings a .860 career OPS but carries injury concerns and a $155 million contract through age 37. Young Angel Zach Neto (26, 5+ WAR/season) is under team control until 2030, though his price in prospects would be steep. Orioles’ Gunnar Henderson, a former 8.8 WAR MVP finisher now at 3.2 WAR, could fetch a "king’s ransom." Finally, Marlins’ Otto Lopez, fresh off a 6.1 WAR, .300‑average season, is also under contract through 2030. The piece assesses each player’s value and the likely cost for Atlanta.
Kingston Flemings has chance to make ultimate statement against franchise legend
Flemings vs. Trae Young, part two, should be an elite matchup between polarizing Hawks eras.
Will Dave Dombrowski be desperate enough to give huge contract to a reliever?
After a shaky Game 1 of the NL West playoffs—where Jhoan Duran barely retired five batters before an Atlanta rally handed the Braves a 5-3 win—the Phillies' bullpen woes are again on display. Over the past four postseason runs, relievers like Matt Strahm, Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estévez have faltered, prompting questions about whether GM Dave Dombrowski will finally break his habit of avoiding long-term deals for closers. Dombrowski, who previously let Craig Kimbrel walk and passed on a multi‑year contract for Hoffman, jokes he’d consider a four‑year deal only for a Rivera‑level talent. With Brad Keller sidelined by surgery and the roster thin on reliable late‑innings arms, the Phillies may be forced to rethink their reliever strategy this offseason.
2026 Atlanta Braves Player Review: Dominic Smith
Dominic Smith entered the 2026 Braves on a modest split contract after a solid 2025 with the Giants, but his season proved uneven. He appeared in 108 games, posting a .253/.311/.383 slash line, .304 wOBA and 9 homers, yet his fWAR slipped to -0.5. After limited use in September, Smith was thrust into the NL Wild Card Series, starting Game 3 and delivering key hits that helped Atlanta advance. While his early‑season promise faded and contact quality waned, his clutch postseason performance gave him a brief spotlight in an otherwise underwhelming year.
NFL predictions: Fireworks between Falcons and Bengals
The Falcons, now 3‑5 and tied for last in the NFC South, face a must‑win against the high‑powered Bengals in Week 9’s Madrid showdown. Cincinnati boasts the league’s second‑best scoring offense, led by QB Joe Burrow and the Ja’Marr Chase‑Tee Higgins duo, but ranks near the bottom in rushing. Atlanta’s defense hopes to exploit that weakness with a fully healthy secondary (A.J. Terrell, C.J. Henderson, Billy Bowman) and the return of edge rusher James Pearce Jr. Offensively, rookie QB Michael Penix Jr. must rebound from a rainy loss, while Bijan Robinson offers a potential “takeover” against a vulnerable Bengals run defense. The game hinges on the Falcons’ ability to limit Burrow’s passing and capitalize on their own scoring chances.
CJ McCollum Accepting A Bench Role Is Best For The Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks have shifted CJ McCollum to a bench role after rookie Kingston Flemings earned a starting spot. Signed to a one‑year, $21 million deal, McCollum now averages a career‑low 26.8 minutes, while Flemings posted 23 points on 86.3% true shooting in a recent win over Miami. Coach Quin Snyder noted the team’s reduced pick‑and‑roll reliance and McCollum’s limited playmaking fit, prompting the veteran to request the change. The move aims to maximize Flemings’ development and let McCollum contribute off the bench.
2027 Bears mock draft: Post-Jeffery Simmons trade picks
The Bears enter the 2027 draft without a first‑round pick after trading it (and a future 2028 pick) to the Titans for All‑Pro DT Jeffery Simmons, who shone in a win over the Seahawks. With cornerback Jaylon Johnson likely to be released and Tyrique Stevenson facing free agency, Chicago’s top need is a new CB, landing Zabien Brown from Alabama in the second round. In round three they target interior pass‑rusher Mateen Ibirogba, a former edge player now at Texas Tech. A fifth‑round pick from the Falcons, Antwan Raymond of Rutgers, offers depth at running back. The mock outlines how Chicago could rebuild its defense and add skill‑position depth without a first‑rounder.
Top Landing Spots for Free Agent Raisel Iglesias
Raisel Iglesias, 37, finishes 2026 with a 2.55 ERA, 34 saves and a 1.1 fWAR, ranking 34th all‑time in saves (287). Despite a slight decline in advanced metrics, he remains an elite closer, posting sub‑3.00 ERA and a 99th‑percentile chase rate. The article evaluates four likely landing spots, highlighting a possible return to the Atlanta Braves—where his slider and veteran leadership have been crucial—and a move to the Detroit Tigers, who need a seasoned arm to reinforce a bullpen aiming for a 2027 playoff push. Other contenders are discussed, with contract expectations of a 1‑2‑year deal at $14‑18 million.
Top Landing Spots for Free Agent Nick Martinez
Nick Martinez, the 35‑year‑old swingman who helped the Rays reach the 2026 World Series with a 2.81 ERA in four appearances, enters free agency after declining a $20 million option. With a 2025 line of 31 games, 3.10 ERA, 180 innings and a $13 million salary, analysts project a $16‑22 million annual value over 1‑3 years. The article breaks down potential landing spots, highlighting the Atlanta Braves’ need for rotation stability, Boston Red Sox’s search for a reliable starter after Sonny Gray’s departure, and other suitors. Martinez’s track record of consistent, contact‑oriented pitching makes him a coveted option for teams looking to bolster depth without relying on strikeouts.
NBA Eastern Conference power rankings: Hawks up, Hornets down & more
Ranking the 15 teams in the Eastern Conference heading into the weekend.
NL East MLB Draft Hits & Misses Since 2020 | Draft Podcast
Baseball America’s draft podcast hosts J.J. Cooper and Carlos Collazo launch a new series reviewing recent MLB draft classes, starting with the NL East. In a 46‑minute episode they break down each team's successes and busts since 2020, dedicating segments to the Braves (4‑15 min), Marlins (15‑23 min), Mets (23‑34 min), Phillies (34‑46 min) and Nationals (46‑end). Listeners get detailed analysis of each franchise’s draft picks, highlighting standout prospects and missed opportunities, with links to the 2027 Top‑10 prospects list and the upcoming Prospect Handbook.
Braves add another former GM to their front office
The Atlanta Braves have bolstered their front office by rehiring two former executives as senior advisers to amateur scouting. Former Astros GM Dana Brown—who helped the Braves win a World Series and discover Michael Harris II, Spencer Strider, and Tyler Matzek during his 2019‑22 stint—returns alongside ex‑Angels GM Perry Minasian, a former Braves assistant GM (2017‑20). Both will work with scouting VP Ronit Shah, leveraging their respected talent‑evaluation skills despite mixed results as general managers. Their combined experience contributed to Atlanta’s seven division titles and a 2021 World Series triumph.
Reviewing NL East Farm Systems For 2027 | Future Projection
Baseball America’s Future Projection podcast kicks off its 2027 farm‑system review with Ben Badler and Carlos Collazo dissecting the NL East. The episode breaks down each club’s top ten prospects—Mets (6:00), Nationals (22:00), Marlins (50:00), Phillies (1:03:00) and Braves (1:19:00)—highlighting standout talent and how they could shape the division next season. Listeners get a detailed, timed rundown of emerging players, making it a must‑listen for anyone tracking the next wave of MLB stars.
Jordan Watkins has clear chance to continue coming out party
Jordan Watkins shone in the 49ers’ 29-20 loss to the Falcons, hauling in three catches for 56 yards and nearly scoring on a dramatic fourth‑quarter dive that was overturned on review. With wideout injuries persisting—including Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel and possibly Christian Kirk—Watkins could become Brock Purdy’s primary target when San Francisco returns from its bye to face the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders rank near the bottom of the league in pass‑defense success, giving Watkins a prime chance to exploit his speed and chemistry with Purdy for a breakout performance in Week 9.
Will Falcons’ James Pearce Jr. play vs. Bengals in Week 9 after 8-game suspension?
The Atlanta Falcons face the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 9 while weighing the return of edge rusher James Pearce Jr. After serving an eight‑game suspension for personal‑conduct violations, Pearce is cleared to play but is battling a back injury that the team will monitor over the weekend. Coach Kevin Stefanski hopes Pearce can boost the pass rush, building on his rookie season’s 10.5 sacks. Meanwhile, RB Brian Robinson Jr. is ruled out with a hamstring strain. Pearce’s availability could be a key factor in Atlanta’s defensive game plan against the Bengals.
James Pearce Jr. might not play Sunday, other Falcons injury updates
James Pearce Jr. drops from "play‑able" to questionable after a minor back flare‑up, coach Kevin Stefanski says, leaving the Falcons unsure of his status for Sunday’s game in Madrid against the Bengals. The team already lost pass rusher Samson Ebukam to IR and still misses RB Brian Robinson Jr. with a hamstring. Meanwhile, safety Billy Bowman Sr. and linebacker Divine Deablo may return. With the Falcons at 3‑5 in the NFC South, missing Pearce could jeopardize their chances against Joe Burrow and set up a tough stretch against the Chiefs, Vikings and Lions.
Falcons adjust Week 9 injury report for Bengals game in Madrid with Brian Robinson Jr. downgrade
The Atlanta Falcons head to Madrid for their Week 9 showdown against the Cincinnati Bengals on Nov. 8, but lose running back Brian Robinson Jr. to a hamstring injury. Robinson, who has 53 carries for 211 yards and four touchdowns this season, has been sidelined since Week 6. The Falcons also list rookie receiver Zachariah Branch out with a hamstring issue, while edge rusher James Pearce Jr. monitors a back problem after becoming eligible from an eight‑game suspension. On the bright side, cornerback Billy Bowman Jr. clears his hamstring and is ready to play. The game tips off at 9:30 a.m. ET from the Santiago Bernabéu.
Falcons vs. Bengals injury report: Zachariah Branch absent from practice
The Falcons head to Madrid to face the Bengals on Sunday, but wide receiver Zachariah Branch sits out Thursday practice with a hamstring strain, casting doubt on his availability. Atlanta also lists CB Billy Bowman Jr., DE James Pearce Jr., WR Beaux Collins, LB Yasir Abdullah, LB Divine Deablo, and RB Brian Robinson Jr. on the injury list. The Bengals miss safety Kyle Dugger (quad) but otherwise remain healthy. James Pearce Jr. is cleared to debut after his suspension ends, giving Atlanta a boost on the defensive line.
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