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NFL

Pack on Track 🧀

Photo: Quinn Harris / Getty Images

Packers Thump Lions Behind Aaron Rodgers & Aaron Jones (35-17) to Bounce Back From Week 1 Blowout

One week after everyone destroyed the Packers for their three-point outing in Week 1, Aaron Rodgers and company scored 21 unanswered in the second half to blow out the Lions in Lambeau Field on Monday Night Football (35-17). Rodgers was stellar, completing 81 percent of his passes as he shredded Detroit (0-2) down the stretch. He tossed four TDs, including three to RB Aaron Jones. Green Bay (1-1) may have looked ugly in their 38-3 loss to the Saints in the opener, but never count out Rodgers.

QB Comparison

A. Rodgers (GB): 22/27, 255 yards, 4 TDs

J. Goff (DET): 26/34, 246 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT

Other Top Performers

RB A. Jones (GB): 23 touches, 115 total yards, 4 TDs

WR D. Adams (GB): 8 receptions, 121 yards

Watch: Rodgers, Jones & Packers Blow Out Lions on MNF (35-17)

NFC North Standings

Packers (1-1)

Bears (1-1)

Lions (0-2)

Vikings (0-2)

Additional Storylines

CBS Sports: Rodgers, Jones & Packers Get Things Righted Against Lions

SI: Aaron Jones Wore Chain With Father’s Ashes During MNF, Loses Them During TD

MLB

Cards Cruise to 9th Straight

Photo: Jim McIsaac / Getty Images

St. Louis Takes Control of NL Wild Card Race Behind Jon Lester’s 200th Win

Make it nine straight for the birds on the bat! The Cardinals cruised to a 5-2 win over the NL Central-leading Brewers on Monday night behind Jon Lester’s 200th career win. The 37-year-old pitcher went six innings and allowed just three hits and two runs in a milestone game. St. Louis (80-69) just surged from a Wild Card hopeful to a three-game lead over the Reds (78-73) with 13 games to play. The Padres (76-73), Phillies (76-74) and Mets (73-77) are still in the hunt, but the Cards hold all the cards to the NL Wild Card race.

Watch: Cardinals Streak Hits 9 in Lester’s 200th Win

MLB Quick-Hitters

Salvy’s Catcher HR Record: It was only a matter of time. Royals catcher Salvador Perez went yard in the 5th inning last night for his 46th homer of the season to set the single-season catcher record. Johnny Bench (45) held the previous record. The Royals beat the Indians (4-2).

MVP Up for Grabs: Shohei Ohtani (Angels) looked like the clear-cut MVP favorite for most of the season, but a recent slump has put the award up for grabs. Both the AL and NL MVP races are tightening down the stretch.

Votto Smashes 2 HRs: The Reds kept pace in the Wild Card race with a 9-5 win over the Pirates thanks to Joey Votto’s two-homer game on Monday night. The 38-year-old slugger continues his renaissance season with his 32nd and 33rd home runs.

WNBA

The WNBA Playoffs Primer

Photo: Icon Sportswire / Getty Images

WNBA Playoffs Begin Thursday (Sept. 23) With Seeds 5-8 in Single Elimination Rounds

The WNBA regular season concluded over the weekend with a wild finish for the 8-seed. The New York Liberty (12-20) grabbed the final spot in the postseason on the final day thanks to a tiebreaker and losses by the L.A. Sparks (12-20) and Washington Mystics (12-20). The W’s playoff format is unique, and it starts with two single-elimination rounds before two best-of-five series between the final four teams. Here’s a look at what’s to come in the next month to crown a WNBA champion.

WNBA Playoff Bracket & Format

Round 1: Single Elimination

#6 Sky v. #7 Wings (Thurs. 8:00 pm ET)

#5 Mercury vs. #8 Liberty (Thurs. 10:00 pm ET)

Round 2: Single Elimination

#3 Lynx vs. Lower Seed (Sun. TBD)

#4 Storm vs. Higher Seed (Sun. TBD)

Semi-Finals: Best-of-5 Series

#1 Sun vs. Lower Seed (Begins Tues. Sept. 28)

#2 Aces vs. Higher Seed (Begins Tues. Sept. 28)

Finals: Begins Sun. Oct. 10

Full WNBA Playoff Bracket & Schedule

Additional Storylines

WNBA.com: Inside the W: Postseason Awards

ESPN: Liberty, Just 2-20 a Season Ago, Clinch Playoff Spot With Sparks & Mystics Losses

THE STORYLINES

🏀 50 Need-to-Knows About College Hoops

The 2021-22 men's college basketball season will be about a lot more than just the farewell tour of Mike Krzyzewski. Games begin in 50 days, so here are 50 things to know about the 2021-2022 season. (CBS Sports)

⚾️ The MLB Playoff Push

There are just two weeks to go in the 2021 MLB regular season. Which teams have the most at stake? Which end-of-season storylines aren't getting as much attention as they deserve? In short: How will it all shake out as September turns into October? (ESPN)

🏈 Buy or Sell: The NFL’s 2-0 Teams

Sunday was wild and wonky, and it featured some upsets the oddsmakers were happy to see. After the dust settled, there are multiple 2-0 teams that have exceeded expectations and a couple of 0-2 teams that carried much higher expectations into the season. (FOX Sports)

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