Walker runs all over Denver, Mahomes looks healthy as Chiefs beat up Broncos 31-10
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kenneth Walker III ran for 173 yards and scored two touchdowns in his Chiefs debut, and Kansas City exacted some revenge on the Denver Broncos for stealing their AFC West crown with a 31-10 victory. Walker stole some of the spotlight from Patrick Mahomes and his surgically repaired left knee. Mahomes didn’t appear to be affected by the knee, or the brace he wore on it. He threw for 184 yards and two scores while running for another to help the Chiefs snap a three-game skid against the rival that ended their nine-year run as division champs.
Kawhi Leonard’s return to Toronto is official as Raptors and Clippers complete long-awaited deal
Kawhi Leonard is heading back to the Toronto Raptors after all. The Raptors and Los Angeles Clippers have agreed to complete the trade that was initially agreed to earlier this summer. The deal includes Leonard returning to Toronto, while the Clippers receive Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round draft picks, two second-round picks and a pick swap. The trade was delayed due to an NBA investigation into the Clippers’ salary cap practices. The NBA recently penalized the Clippers and Leonard, but his contract remains intact.
Judge hits first homer since May 24 as Yankees clinch record 61st postseason berth, 9th in 10 years
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Aaron Judge hit his first home run since May 24 as the New York Yankees clinched their record 61st postseason berth and ninth in 10 years. Spencer Jones was batting with two outs in the eighth inning of an 8-3 win against Minnesota when Toronto lost to Detroit, assuring the Yankees of at least an AL wild card berth Judge, who returned last week after missing more than three months because of a fractured rib, hit a three-run homer off A.J. Minter earlier in the six-run eighth to give the Yankees a 7-2 lead. The Yankees captain had been 3 for 20 with 11 strikeouts since returning.
A quiet toast as the Dodgers clinch record-tying 14th straight playoff spot
CINCINNATI (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers marked their record-tying 14th consecutive trip to MLB’s postseason with a toast of bubbly after a 4-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. The two-time defending World Series champions — who joined Milwaukee and Tampa Bay as teams who have secured playoff spots — cut their magic number to three for a fifth straight NL West title and 13th in 14 seasons. Los Angeles tied the Atlanta Braves’ postseason run from 1991 through 2005. The Braves made five World Series trips during that span, but only won once in 1995.
In Buffalo and elsewhere, NFL players find grass to be the better choice over artificial turf
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — There’s little debate when it comes to NFL players’ preference for playing on grass versus artificial surfaces. The NFL Players Association says 92% of its members favor grass. Or just ask Bills quarterback Josh Allen, who looks forward to experiencing fewer turf burns as Buffalo makes the switch to grass after moving into its new Highmark Stadium. The debate resurfaced this year when some NFL facilities temporarily installed grass to host World Cup games before returning to artificial turf. The NFL doesn’t have a preference and is instead working with the NFLPA to establish standards to achieve as much consistency as possible across all 30 playing surfaces.
Gambles by Matt LaFleur and Sean McVay backfire on the NFL’s opening weekend
The NFL’s opening weekend saw two major backfires. Packers coach Matt LaFleur made a debatable call by taking points off the board, leading to Green Bay’s collapse in a 39-22 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Rookie Trey Smack had nailed a field goal, but LaFleur accepted a penalty instead, resulting in a failed fourth-and-1 attempt. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Rams lost 27-7 to the 49ers in Melbourne, Australia. The Rams arrived just a day before kickoff, unlike the 49ers, who acclimated for a week. Australian players in the NFL suggested the Rams’ travel strategy contributed to their poor performance.
PGA Tour will have an elite tier and outlines the path to get there and stay there
The PGA Tour has outlined plans for its two-tier system in 2028. The top level is the Championship Series. That elite tier will be for the top 90 on the points list, the top 20 from the lesser Challenger Series, players who win multiple times on the Challenger Series and anyone who has won in the upper level the previous two years. The tour also is allowing the top college senior to go to the Championship Series. One of the differences is that winners of the majors and The Players get the same benefits as winning a Championship Series event.
Sean McVay says Rams’ season opener made it clear Myles Garrett needed knee surgery
LOS ANGELES (AP) — After spending time during training camp trying to manage Myles Garrett’s knee injury, it was the Los Angeles Rams’ dismal season-opening loss to the San Francisco 49ers that made it evident to everyone that the star defensive end needed surgery. Garrett did not record a tackle or sack while playing 61.5% of the defensive snaps in the Rams’ 27-7 defeat in Melbourne, Australia. Coach Sean McVay said Monday that conversations with Garrett immediately after the game last Thursday made it clear a different approach would be needed. McVay did not have an updated timeline for Garrett’s recovery beyond the four-game minimum that comes with being placed on injured reserve, pending the results of the procedure.
Patrick Mahomes shines on his surgically repaired knee in Chiefs’ season-opening rout of Broncos
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes seemingly had no issues with his surgically repaired left knee in the Kansas City Chiefs’ season-opening win over the Denver Broncos. Mahomes ran for a 15-yard touchdown, matching his longest TD run in the regular season. He also threw for 184 yards and two TDs while leading an efficient Chiefs offense in Kansas City’s 31-10 victory. It was nine months ago to the day that Mahomes tore two ligaments in the knee in a loss to the Chargers. He had surgery the next day and immediately began the rehab effort, staying in Kansas City over the summer.
Taylor Swift skips the Emmys for Arrowhead, cheering on hubby Travis Kelce alongside Tom Cruise
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Pop superstar Taylor Swift was back at Arrowhead Stadium on Monday night. She sat alongside Tom Cruise while watching new husband Travis Kelce and his Kansas City Chiefs open the NFL season against the Denver Broncos. It’s the first time Swift has seen Kelce play since they were married over the summer. The 14-time Grammy Award-winner decided to skip the Emmy Awards in Los Angeles. Instead, Swift was at the venue where her romance with Kelce began. Kelce tried and failed to deliver her a friendship bracelet as a fan when she performed at Arrowhead Stadium.
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