NFL – National Football League – Week 5
Last Night
Kansas City Chiefs 30, Las Vegas Raiders 29

Chiefs 30, Raiders 29 – Chiefs hold on for wild 30-29 victory over rival Raiders
Patrick Mahomes threw four touchdown passes to Travis Kelce, the Chiefs overcame an early 17-point deficit along with a dubious roughing-the-passer penalty, and Kansas City extended its mastery of the Las Vegas Raiders, holding on for a 30-29 victory. The Raiders had a chance to march for the winning field goal, but a pass to Davante Adams that was ruled a catch was overturned by replay, which showed him stepping out of bounds. That brought up fourth down in the closing seconds, and Derek Carr’s final pass fell incomplete to allow Kansas City to hold on.

NFL – Roughing-the-passer call prompts officiating scrutiny
A controversial roughing-the-passer penalty just before halftime of the Las Vegas Raiders’ game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night delivered another blow to the NFL and its beleaguered officiating crew. The Chiefs had just scored to trim their deficit to 17-7 just before halftime when Chris Jones stripped Derek Carr from behind. The Pro Bowl defensive tackle landed on the Raiders quarterback while also coming away with the ball, and replays showed it was clearly loose and that Jones clearly recovered, but referee Carl Cheffers threw a flag for roughing the passer. The call came one day after referee Jerome Boger was panned for a roughing call on Tom Brady that helped the Buccaneers seal their win over Atlanta.

NFL – Panthers fire Matt Rhule after 1-4 start; Wilks takes over
The Carolina Panthers have fired coach Matt Rhule, ending the former Baylor coach’s tenure five games into his third losing season. Rhule is the first NFL coach to be fired this season. He went 11-27 with Carolina and leaves with roughly $40 million left on the seven-year, guaranteed $62 million contract he signed in 2020. Defensive pass game coordinator and secondary coach Steve Wilks will serve as interim coach for the rest of the season. The Panthers also fired two of Rhule’s longtime assistants, defensive coordinator Phil Snow and assistant special teams coach Ed Foley.

MLB – Major League Baseball Playoffs – Divisional Series – Best of Five
Today
Philadelphia (Suárez 10-7) at Atlanta (Fried 14-7), 1:07 p.m.
Seattle (Gilbert 13-6) at Houston (Verlander 18-4), 3:37 p.m.
Cleveland (Quantrill 15-5) at New York (Cole 13-8), 7:37 p.m.
San Diego (Clevinger 7-7) at Los Angeles (Urías 17-7), 9:37 p.m.

MLB – MLB Playoffs: Judge, Verlander join fray as 8 teams remain
Major League Baseball’s first foray into a best-of-three wild-card round provided its share of memorable moments. A 15-inning, 432-pitch game. A seven-run comeback win. Joe Musgrove’s ears. Now it’s on to the division series, which is business as usual with a best-of-five format. The four matchups are Braves-Phillies, Padres-Dodgers, Mariners-Astros and Guardians-Yankees and all of them begin Tuesday. The Astros, Yankees, Braves and Dodgers got to rest and watch the wild-card drama round from home, thanks to superior regular season records.

MLB – Giants hire Pete Putila as new general manager
The San Francisco Giants have hired Houston assistant general manager Pete Putila as their new GM. President of Baseball Operations Farhan Zaidi announced that Putila will replace Scott Harris, who was hired as GM for the Detroit Tigers last month. The 33-year-old Putila was in his 12th season with the Astros and third as assistant general manager. Houston has advanced to the postseason in each of Putila’s three seasons as assistant GM, reaching the World Series last season and the American League Championship Series in 2020.

MLB – Cubs’ Hoyer planning more ‘intelligent spending’ this winter
Chicago Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer says he is encouraged by how the team finished the franchise’s second straight losing season. But he says the organization is focused on the short and long term when it comes to its offseason plans. Hoyer is staying with the ambiguous concept of “intelligent spending” — which could price the big-market club out of the massive contracts at the top end of the free-agent market. While Hoyer left himself miles of wiggle room when it comes to the team’s offseason plans, he did confirm the club would make a qualifying offer to All-Star catcher Willson Contreras.

NHL – National Hockey League – Regular Season Start
Tonight
Tampa Bay Lightning at New York Rangers, 7:30 p.m.
Vegas Golden Knights at Los Angeles Kings, 10:00 p.m.
-Blackhawks open up on Wednesday at Colorado at 9:00 p.m.
-Red Wings open up on Friday vs. Montreal at 7:00 p.m.

NHL – Blackhawks claim D Jarred Tinordi off waivers from Rangers
The Chicago Blackhawks have claimed defenseman Jarred Tinordi off waivers from the New York Rangers. The 30-year-old Tinordi scored a goal in seven games with New York last season. He was selected by Montreal in the first round of the 2010 draft. The Blackhawks open the regular season on Wednesday night at Colorado.

NBA – National Basketball Association – Preseason
Tonight
Oklahoma City Thunder at Detroit Pistons, 7:00 p.m.
Milwaukee Bucks at Chicago Bulls, 8:00 p.m.

NCAAFB – Wisconsin’s Mellusi hurts wrist, won’t play against Spartans
Wisconsin running back Chez Mellusi will miss at least one game after injuring his right wrist in the Badgers’ 42-7 victory over Northwestern. Mellusi has rushed for 223 yards and one touchdown on 56 carries this season. Wisconsin announced Monday that Mellusi wouldn’t be available when the Badgers visit Michigan State on Saturday. Badgers interim head coach Jim Leonhard said it was uncertain just how much time Mellusi would miss. Mellusi rushed for 815 yards and five touchdowns in nine games with Wisconsin last year before a torn left anterior cruciate ligament knocked him out for the remainder of the season.

Golf – LIV – Johnson has $30 million year and growing in LIV Golf
Dustin Johnson already is assured of a $30 million year with Saudi-funded LIV Golf. Johnson finished out of the top 10 for the first time in six events last week in Bangkok. But because Branden Grace had to withdraw because of injury, Johnson is assured of claiming the points race. He has a 42-point lead over Grace. Johnson has won about $12.7 million in earnings, with $3 million of that coming from the team competition. Winning the season points title comes with an $18 million bonus. Johnson still has two events left this year.

NWSL – NWSL players call for owner to sell Chicago franchise
The fallout is continuing after the release of a report into misconduct in the National Women’s Soccer League. Chicago Red Stars players are calling for owner Arnim Whisler to sell the team. Alaska Airline says it’s diverting Thorns and Timbers sponsorship dollars this quarter to an NWSL Players Association emergency fund to protect players. The NWSL has also dismissed the coach of the Orlando Pride and an assistant following an investigation into retaliatory behavior.

Gymnastics – USA Gymnastics expands mental health services for athletes
USA Gymnastics is expanding its mental health coverage for athletes and coaches. The organization will provide financial assistance for up to eight visits a year to mental health providers for eligible national team members across all disciplines. The new plan also allows for four visits to mental health providers for eligible coaches. USA Gymnastics will reimburse athletes/coaches up to $125 per visit. Coaches and athletes may use whatever health care provider they would like if the provider has “appropriate training and licensure in sport psychology or mental health.” Funding for the program was provided in part by the organization’s sponsorship deal with apparel provider GK Elite.

MCCAA – Junior College Athletics
Tonight
Women’s Volleyball
Glen Oaks Community College at Lake Michigan College, 6:30 p.m.

MHSAA – High School Sports
Last Night
Boys Soccer
St. Joseph 2, Vicksburg 1
Lakeshore 9, Niles 1
Edwardsburg 7, Dowagiac 2
Cassopolis 6, Berrien Springs 1
Schoolcraft 2, South Haven 0
Bloomingdale 5, New Buffalo 1
Holland Black River 7, Bridgman 0
Watervliet 5, Lawton 4
Coloma 4, Parchment 4 – TIE
Brandywine 2, Constantine 1
Allegan 8, Saugatuck 0
Fennville 3, Kalamazoo Hackett 2
Otsego 2, GR Ottawa Hills 1
Delton-Kellogg 3, Kalamazoo Christian 3 – TIE

Volleyball
Edwardsburg 3, Lakeshore 0
Buchanan 3, St. Joseph 1
Our Lady of the Lake 3, Lawrence 0
Bridgman 3, South Haven 0
Cassopolis 3, Bangor 0

Today
Volleyball
Bloomingdale at Centreville, 7:30 p.m.
Mendon at Hartford, 7:30 p.m.
Paw Paw at Comstock, 6:00 p.m.
River Valley at Howardsville Christian, 6:00 p.m.
Fennville at Allegan, 6:30 p.m.
Watervliet at Coloma, 6:30 p.m.
Delton-Kellogg, Kalamazoo Christian, Parchment at Galesburg-Augusta, 6:30 p.m.

MHSAA – High School Football AP Rankings
Division 1
1. Belleville (5)                                     (7-0)     50
2. Caledonia                                           (7-0)     44
3. Rockford                                            (7-0)     39
4. Macomb Dakota                                    (7-0)     37
5. Rochester Adams                                 (6-1)     26
6. West Bloomfield                                  (6-1)     23
7. Lapeer                                                (7-0)     17
8. Brighton                                            (7-0)     16
9. Davison                                              (6-1)     10
10. Saline                                              (6-1)     4
Others receiving votes: Romeo 3. Southfield 2. Detroit Catholic Central 2. Clinton Township Chippewa Valley 2.

Division 2
1. Dexter (4)                                          (7-0)     49
2. Warren De La Salle (1)                         (6-1)     46
3. Livonia Franklin                                   (7-0)     37
4. Muskegon Mona Shores                         (6-1)     36
5. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central          (7-0)     32
6. South Lyon                                         (6-1)     23
7. Midland                                              (6-1)     17
(tie) East Lansing                                     (6-1)     17
9. Birmingham Seaholm                             (7-0)     9
10. Battle Creek Central                       (6-1)    5
Others receiving votes: Saginaw Heritage 2. Swartz Creek 1. Temperance Bedford 1.

Division 3
1. Detroit King (5)                                  (5-1)     50
2. Mason                                                 (7-0)     44
3. Muskegon                                           (5-2)     36
4. River Rouge                                        (5-1)     33
5. Mount Pleasant                                   (6-1)     31
6. St. Joseph                                         (6-1)    26
7. Walled Lake Western                            (6-1)     21
8. Zeeland West                                     (6-1)     19
9. Grosse Pointe North                            (7-0)     9
10. Trenton                                           (6-1)     3
(tie) Cadillac                                          (5-2)     3
Others receiving votes: none.

Division 4
1. Grand Rapids South Christian (4)           (7-0)     49
2. Whitehall (1)                                     (7-0)     46
3. Riverview                                           (7-0)     40
4. Redford Union                                     (7-0)     35
5. Freeland                                            (6-1)     30
6. Edwardsburg                                    (6-1)    20
7. Croswell-Lexington                             (6-1)     17
8. Goodrich                                            (6-1)     13
8. Tecumseh                                            (7-0)     13
10. Fruitport                                          (5-2)     4
Others receiving votes: Chelsea 3. Hudsonville Unity Christian 2. North Branch 2. Charlotte 1.

Division 5
1. Grand Rapids Catholic Central (3)          (6-1)     48
2. Frankenmuth (2)                                  (7-0)     47
3. Detroit Country Day                            (5-1)     40
4. Gladwin                                             (7-0)     33
5. Corunna                                             (6-1)     28
6. Portland                                            (6-1)     26
7. Marine City                                         (6-1)     16
8. Muskegon Oakridge                              (6-1)     13
9. Belding                                              (6-1)     8
10. Olivet                                              (6-1)     5
Others receiving votes: Armada 3. Berrien Springs 3. Kingsley 3. Flint Hamady 2.

Division 6
1. Clinton (4)                                         (7-0)     49
2. Standish-Sterling                               (7-0)     42
3. Negaunee                                           (7-0)     40
4. Grand Rapids West Catholic (1)             (6-1)     32
5. Durand                                              (7-0)     28
6. Boyne City                                          (7-0)     23
7. Millington                                          (6-1)     15
(tie) Warren Michigan Collegiate               (6-1)     15
9. Constantine                                     (6-1)    9
(tie) Madison Heights Bishop Foley             (7-0)     9
Others receiving votes: Ecorse 5. Reed City 5. Almont 2. Buchanan 1.

Division 7
1. Traverse City St. Francis (4)                  (7-0)     40
2. Hudson                                              (7-0)     36
3. Detroit Central                                   (7-0)     32
4. Ithaca                                                            (6-1)     25
5. Elkton-Pigeon Bay Port Laker                (7-0)     23
6. Napoleon                                            (7-0)     20
7. North Muskegon                                  (6-1)     14
8. Charlevoix                                          (6-1)     8
9. New Lothrop                                       (6-1)     7
(tie) Jackson Lumen Christi                       (4-3)     7
(tie) Lawton                                         (6-1)    7
Others receiving votes: Union City 1.

Division 8
1. Ottawa Lake Whiteford (4)                    (7-0)     40
2. Beal City                                            (7-0)     36
3. Ubly                                                 (7-0)     32
4. Iron Mountain                                     (6-1)     28
5. Evart                                                 (6-1)     22
6. Centreville                                       (6-1)    15
7. Fowler                                               (6-1)     12
8. Frankfort                                           (6-1)     10
9. Reading                                              (6-1)     9
(tie) Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary   (6-1)     9
Others receiving votes: Harbor Beach 4. St. Ignace LaSalle 3.

8-Player Division 1
1. Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian (4) (7-0)     48
2. Adrian Lenawee Christian                      (6-1)     41
(tie) Merrill (1)                                      (7-0)     41
4. Munising                                            (7-0)     33
5. Martin                                              (6-1)    31
6. Bridgman                                          (7-0)    26
7. Rogers City                                        (7-0)     12
8. Kingston                                            (7-0)     11
9. Newberry                                           (6-1)     10
10. Farwell                                            (7-0)     5
Others receiving votes: Brown City 4. Norway 4. Mesick 4. Auburn Hills Oakland Christian 3. Lincoln-Alcona 2.

8-Player Division 2
1. Powers North Central (4)                     (7-0)     40
2. Colon                                               (7-0)    36
3. Marion                                               (7-0)     30
4. Climax-Scotts                                   (6-1)    24
5. Morrice                                              (6-1)     20
6. Crystal Falls Forest Park                      (6-1)     18
7. Peck                                                  (6-1)     15
8. Posen                                                (6-1)     14
9. Au Gres-Sims                                     (6-1)     11
10. Mendon                                           (5-2)    9
Others receiving votes: Lake Linden-Hubbell 3.