The biggest surprise from last week’s NFL action was the sudden resurgence of the Cleveland Browns offense under new quarterback Jameis Winston.

For a team that had not put up even 20 points in any game previously to score 29 in an upset win over the Ravens was nothing short of miraculous. And it also opened up a number of new possibilities for fantasy managers.

Not to say that we didn’t alert you. Both Winston and wide receiver Cedric Tillman were mentioned as potential pickups last week in this space – and they’re both still available in many leagues. Who else can help bolster fantasy rosters?

Fantasy football players to add for Week 9

Due to the wide variance in types of leagues and individual team needs, the players listed here are in the lowest to highest availability rates in Fantrax leagues, which may or not match rates on other platforms. (Suggested bid values based on $100 free agent acquisition budget for the season.)

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.

RB Jaleel McLaughlin, Denver Broncos (34%)

The running back supply on the waiver wire these days is dangerously low. That’s why McLaughlin, coming off a season-high 47 rushing yards, heads our list. His 9-yard touchdown reception was his second in four weeks. If you need a running back this week, he might be your best bet. FAAB bid: $5.

TE Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints (44%)

Coming back from a rib injury he suffered in Week 4, Hill jumped right back into his familiar utility role, catching two of four targets for 21 yards, rushing four times for 20 yards and completing a 3-yard pass. There’s always a chance on any given week he can score a touchdown. FAAB bid: $4.

WR Kalif Raymond, Detroit Lions (57%)

Starting wideout Jameson Williams still has one more week to go on his suspension. Last week’s pick to click, Tim Patrick, didn’t as QB Jared Goff only threw for 85 yards in a blowout win. But Raymond caught a 7-yard touchdown pass and ran a punt back 90 yards for another score. It’s hard to count on return TDs, but the possibility is always there. FAAB bid: $2.

WR Demarcus Robinson, Los Angeles Rams (62%)

Paradoxically, the return of top wideouts Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua last week helped Robinson have his best game of the season. He caught just two of his three targets against the Vikings, but both were for touchdowns. The Rams offense looks much more potent with the big guns back. Perhaps it’s a sign of things to come for Robinson, too. FAAB bid: $3.

RB Isaac Guerendo, San Francisco 49ers (64%)

The Niners are on bye this week and Christian McCaffrey could potentially return in Week 10, so why even bother with a third-string running back who won’t provide any immediate return? For one, he’s healthy. Second, he’s been productive. The rookie rushed for 85 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries vs. Dallas (and also caught three passes for 17 yards). With Jordan Mason (shoulder) banged up and McCaffrey not ready to be the workhorse, there’s plenty of room for Guerendo. FAAB bid: $8.

WR Elijah Moore, Cleveland Browns (64%)

Moore is not Cedric Tillman (still 56% available!) but he’s still a viable option with gunslingin’ Jameis Winston taking over at quarterback. The fourth-year wideout was the team leader in targets on Sunday, catching eight of 12 for 85 yards. The only drawback is a tough Chargers pass defense this week and a bye next week. FAAB bid: $3.

WR Calvin Austin, Pittsburgh Steelers (84%)

Like Raymond, Austin supplemented his 54 yards and a touchdown receiving with a long punt return for a score. Although he plays second fiddle to George Pickens, both should continue to see their numbers improve with Russell Wilson at quarterback. Van Jefferson (89% available) could also be an option. FAAB bid: $5.

WR Jalen Coker, Carolina Panthers (90%)

Let’s get this straight: Bryce Young is not giving his receivers the same kind of boost Winston and Wilson are. But Coker, an undrafted rookie from Holy Cross, did have the best game of his young career on Sunday (4-78, TD) with Young under center. Of course, Diontae Johnson didn’t play due to a rib injury, but there’s a strong possibility he gets traded very soon, opening the door for Coker even wider. FAAB bid: $6.

WR Parker Washington, Jacksonville Jaguars (94%)

A season-ending injury to veteran wideout Christian Kirk and a chest contusion for hotshot rookie Brian Thomas leaves a pretty big void in the Jaguars’ receiving corps. (Not to mention Gabe Davis also missing time with a shoulder injury.) Washington showed flashes last season as a rookie and is coming off his best game of the season (3-46). He could see his role increase significantly. FAAB bid: $7

TE Adam Trautman, Denver Broncos (95%)

Trautman joined in the fun on National Tight Ends Day, catching four passes for 85 yards and a one-handed touchdown. He seems to have supplanted Greg Dulcich as the main tight end in what’s become a pretty potent passing game under rookie QB Bo Nix. If you’re looking for a fishing-in-the-dark pickup this week against the NFL’s worst pass defense, see if you can land Trautman. FAAB bid: $2.

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How will this year’s World Series play out? Using the Dynasty League Baseball online simulation, USA TODAY Sports’ Steve Gardner and DLB designer Mike Cieslinski will pre-play each game to provide some insight into the key matchups and strategy fans can expect to see in the Fall Classic.

After three games laden with power hitting and plenty of scoring, the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers went retro in Game 4 of USA TODAY Sports’ annual Simulated World Series.

The result was a tense, nail-biting affair that came down to a battle of the bullpens. In the end, Yankees closer Luke Weaver recorded the final seven outs to preserve a 4-3 victory and even the Sim Series at two games apiece.

BOX SCORE: Yankees 4, Dodgers 3

FULL PLAY-BY-PLAY: Yankees hold on for nail-biting win in Game 4

World Series Game 4 simulation

The Dodgers, knowing before the series started that this would be a bullpen game, turned to rookie Landon Knack (3.65 ERA in 69 innings during the regular season) as their Game 4 opener. He and Ryan Brasier matched zeroes with Yankees starter Luis Gil through the first three innings before L.A.’s Gavin Lux opened the scoring with an RBI single in the top of the fourth.

The Yankees took the lead in the fifth when Alex Verdugo and Gleyber Torres hit back-to-back doubles and Aaron Judge singled home Torres with the go-ahead run for his eighth RBI of the series. One inning later, another Torres double scored Verdugo with the Yanks’ third run of the game.

Shortly after Yankees starter-turned-reliever Nestor Cortes gave up an RBI double to Mookie Betts in the top of the seventh to cut the lead to 3-2, New York turned to closer Luke Weaver to get out of a bases-loaded, two-out jam.

After allowing a long fly ball to deep left field that just barely went foul, Weaver struck out Will Smith to end that threat. He then worked out of a two-on, no-out situation in the eighth after Jazz Chisholm’s RBI double added a valuable insurance run.

Still relatively fresh after picking up a three-out save in Game 2, Weaver remained on the mound for the ninth. Once again, he got into hot water right away – loading the bases on a walk and two singles, then giving up an RBI groundout to make it 4-3. But with the tying run on third, Weaver got Miguel Rojas to ground out to end it.

What to watch in (the real) Game 4

The Judge factor: Struggling mightily in real life, Yankees slugger Aaron Judge went 2-for-4 in Sim Series Game 4, with an RBI single in the bottom of the fifth that put New York ahead to stay. In this series, Judge is hitting an even .500 (8-for-16) with two home runs and eight RBI. It’s not a stretch to suggest that if Judge is hitting anywhere close to the way he did during the regular season, the Yankees wouldn’t be facing elimination – as they are in the real Game 4. Time may be running out on the Yankees and their MVP slugger.

High-leverage at-bats: Both teams had numerous chances to break the game open, but their successes were rare. With runners in scoring position, the Dodgers were 2-for-17, while the Yankees were 3-for-16. That resulted in the Dodgers leaving a total of 14 runners on base and the Yankees 10. Part of that may be due to both teams using multiple relievers to match up against the other team’s hitters. The Dodgers used six pitchers, while the Yankees used four. Expect plenty of pitching changes from the two managers tonight.

Weaver’s staying power: Luke Weaver didn’t take over as the Yankees closer until September, but he pitched well all season long. In his 62 appearances, he threw 84 innings – so getting six or seven outs at a time isn’t unfamiliar territory. In Dynasty League Baseball, Weaver is classified as a long reliever, meaning he can face up to 15 batters without getting tired. In Sim Series Game 4, he nearly got there, facing 12.

Previous 2024 Sim Series results

Game 1: Dodgers 13, Yankees 9

Game 2: Yankees 7, Dodgers 4

Game 3: Yankees 9, Dodgers 5

Caitlin Clark. Artificial intelligence. NIL. Private equity. Pickleball.

What do those national flash points have in common?

All have also become influencers for youth sports participation in recent years, according to the Aspen Institute’s National State of Play 2024 report, which was released Tuesday.

The annual report, put out by Aspen’s Sports & Society Program, also details how girls sports participation is increasing while boys participation is significantly declining; Black children are playing sports far less than they once did; and kids are specializing in one sport even more.

Meanwhile, 39.8% of children aged 6-17 regularly participated in a team sport in 2023, the highest rate since 2015, according to data from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), which tracks participation.

But nine of the 16 sports evaluated for the Project Play report experienced lower participation rates in 2023.

Some kids are getting priced out, others edged out by competition to make teams, while overall physical activity among U.S. youths received a D- from the Physical Activity Alliance.

“The purpose of youth sports is not to create the next Tiger Woods,’ Tom Cove, senior advisor for the SFIA, says in the report. ‘It should be to provide a quality experience to the vast number of kids so they enjoy it, and part of that is winning, but not the main goal. If we lose sight of that, we’re doing kids and families a disservice and we’re doing sport in general a disservice.”

Aspen’s Sports & Society Program, which assists leaders in building healthy communities through Project Play, shared the full report with USA TODAY Sports before its release.

The report draws on surveys, interviews with leaders in the youth sports sector, media accounts and additional research.

Here are some highlights, and what youth and adolescent athletes and their parents can learn from them:

Fewer boys are playing sports, while girls participation is rising

Half of boys aged 6 to 17 participated regularly in sports in 2013, but only 41 percent did in 2023, according to SFIA data. Boys participation has sat at 41% or lower for eight straight years.

But girls aged 6 to 12 (34%) and 13-17 (38%) regularly played at higher levels in 2023 than in any recent year dating to at least 2012.

“I would speculate there’s an element to this that making teams has become really hard, and more boys can’t make the team, so they stop playing,” Cove said. “In general, girls aren’t getting cut nearly the way boys are. My sense is youth sports have become a self-fulling prophecy around travel and competition, and there aren’t enough places to play when you get cut.”

Since 2013, the core participation gap between boys and girls had shrunk from 15.4 percentage to 5.4 points.

“The decline in male sports participation could be one more reflection of this widespread decline in boys and men’s achievement,” Linda Flanagan, author of ‘Take Back the Game: How Money and Mania Are Ruining Kids’ Sports — and Why It Matters’, says in the Project Play report. “We also shouldn’t discount the impact of phones, which became widely available in 2012, coinciding with the start of the teenage mental health crisis.”

Karen Issokson-Silver, vice president of research and education for the Women’s Sports Foundation (WSF), suggests cost to play might be impacting participation rates for boys.

According to WSF research, women surveyed in their 20s reported the highest barrier to play sports as a child was due to costs.

“It would not be surprising that this would show up in participation rates, and perhaps more so for boys where the cost of play could be considerably higher given a more competitive level of play available to them and the transportation, equipment and coaching costs associated with that,” Issokson-Silver said.

COACH STEVE: Is it worth it? 10 questions for athletes to consider if they play on a travel team

Black children are playing sports less than they once did, while Hispanic participation is on the rise

According to SFIA data, 35% of Black youth aged 6-17 regularly participated in sports during 2023, down from 45% in 2013. That year, they played at a higher rate than their white peers. White, Hispanic and Asian American children played sports more frequently in 2023 than Black youth.

“In connection to the plight of Black communities more broadly, Black youth sport involvement is integrally connected to socio-ecological conditions that are rooted in historical, political, economic, and cultural complexities,” authors of the National Black Sport Participation and Physical Activity Report wrote in 2024. “For example, despite only constituting 13.5% of the U.S. population, Black people represent 20.1% of those who live in poverty.”

Joseph Cooper, co-author of the Black sports participation and activity report, said the COVID pandemic, much lower participation rates by Black girls than boys, school closings, unemployment rates, health disparities, family compositions and Black youth interest in other activities like music, arts, dance, esports and multimedia could be impacting the decline in sports participation.

“It’s hard to understate the impact of COVID on the Black community,” Cooper, director of the Sport Leadership and Administration Program at the University of Massachusetts Boston, said in the Project Play report. “There was medical mistrust within communities of when it was safe to play, the opportunity structure financially to play was impacted, and a number of programs simply closed.”

SFIA data finds that regular sports participation for Hispanic children aged 6-12 increased 14% from 2022 to 2023, the highest since 2016.

“The increased sports participation is due to parents’ increased knowledge and understanding of the value sports provides to children, which has been a recent change in the Hispanic community,” Patty Godoy, co-founder of the ELLA Sports Foundation, which empowers leadership in Latina athletes, said in the report.

“For Hispanics, investing in youth sports is now seen as an investment on social capital. Sports is seen as a vehicle to attend university and break the cycle of economic challenges and social/cultural disconformities, thus opening doors for more lucrative futures.”

However, children from the lowest-income homes in some states (New Mexico, Mississippi, Louisiana) with low youth sports participation rates and large minority populations play sports at up to half the rate of those from the highest-income group.

Kids are specializing in one sports even more

The average number of sports kids aged 6-17 regularly played in 2023 was 1.63, down 13% since 2019, according to SFIA data. More than 10 years ago, children averaged more than two sports.

According to the Project Play report, the number started decreasing amid the increased commercialization of youth sports and pressure to pick one sport at younger ages.

Such commercialization, overtraining and burnout within youth sports have been contributors to 70% of kids quitting sports by age 13.

Michele LaBotz, the medical director of the athletic training program at the University of New England and a TrueSport Expert Advisory Panel member, told USA TODAY Sports that we’re moving toward individual recommendations regarding an athlete’s possible specialization.

“When counseling athletes/families, a strengths-based approach focusing on what athletes can/should be doing to optimize their development rather than emphasizing what they should not be doing seems to be more effective,” LaBotz wrote in an email after speaking last week at a National Athletic Trainers’ Association media briefing on emerging trends in youth sports specialization.

“There is currently a great deal of information on injury prevention,’ she says, ‘but very little practical information helping families and athletes decide if/when sports specialization is appropriate, and determining any impacts that specialized training/competition (beneficial or not) may be having on their athlete.”

Tying the Caitlin Clark effect — and other ‘disruption’ — to youth sports

Among the report’s top youth sports trend to watch: Clark, the transcendent basketball star, might be helping shape the youth landscape in the near future.

Sports participation rates for girls have gone up during Clark’s time at Iowa and the WNBA. Cove, of the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, believes she plays a role in the rise and compares it with the participation increases among girls that also occurred in the 1990s when Mia Hamm was a national soccer star.

Unlike those days, though, youth sports has become a multibillion dollar industry. The vast majority of the country allows high school athletes to monetize their name, image and likeness (NIL). NIL is another ‘disruption’ to the youth sports landscape, according the Project Play.

COACH STEVE: Former NBA player coaches kid athletes to market themselves in fifth or sixth grade

According to Project Play, the analytics that dominate pro and college sports are now trickling down to youth sports. For example, artificial intelligence (AI) can now be used by many platforms to create virtually instant highlight clips without spending hours going through game footage.

“Technology could create a new arms race and increase the unhealthy aspects of youth sports as children and parents fight for attention from recruiters and on social media,’ Jon Solomon, the Aspen Institute Sports & Society Program Community impact director, writes in the report. ‘The data is now here for families with means to chase certain athletic metrics. How we use it is up to us. There’s a real risk it will ramp up even more the pressure on children and the costs to play.”

Another danger of driving up the cost of youth sports is the encroachment of private equity into the multibillion industry.

Billionaires David Blitzer and Josh Harris paid $116 million in 2021 for an 80% share of the Cooperstown All Star Village, a wildly popular venue for kids’ baseball tournaments, and have since acquired more than a dozen companies built around youth sports.

Pickleball, flag football and traditional sports thrive. Some decline in participation.

Pickleball, the feel-good paddle sport enjoyed around the country, became a varsity high school sport in 2024. Montgomery County (Maryland) launched it as part of its corollary sports program that provides increased access and participation opportunities for students with disabilities.

According the Project Play Report, students with and without disabilities participate, and some schools had to turn away students because of the popularity of the program.

Flag football, backed by the NFL and some of its former stars, is a girls high school varsity sport in 13 states and became the fastest growing sport in the U.S. between from 2019 to 2023.

The rise in core youth sports participation is largely due to the popularity of the most popular sports. Basketball, baseball and soccer have the most participants, although soccer (along with wrestling) participation declined.

“Soccer is the sport that kids most often play first,” said Tom Farrey, Aspen Institute Sports & Society Program executive director. “But immediately, soccer starts losing them, as travel teams form and community leagues begin to wither, denying a sustained experience from late bloomers and kids whose families can’t afford the youth sports arms race. We’ve got to find a way to bring back in-town leagues.”

The states that have led the way among youth sports participation — Vermont (69%), Iowa (68%), North Dakota (67%), Wyoming (64%), Maine (64%), South Dakota (64%) and New Hampshire (64%) — are mostly rural and less populated. There are fewer kids, and fewer cuts.

Physical activity among half of U.S. youth barely gets a passing grade

Only 20 to 28 percent of youth aged 6-17 meet the 60 minutes of daily physical activity guideline, according to The Physical Activity Alliance’s latest U.S. Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth.

Other grades: Overall physical activity: (D-); organization sports participation (C-); active transportation or whether kids bike or walk to school (D-); sedentary behavier (D).

A ‘C’ grade indicates the United States is succeeding with about half of children.

Solomon, who authored the Project Play report, says it’s challenging to make overarching takeaways about the state of youth sports because the data often is lagging and tells only part of the story and no one experience summarizes every child.

But he says we’re seeing positive trends of children returning to sports at pre-pandemic levels, reflecting the value parents and their kids place in it.

“Unfortunately, there are also some children playing sports less, whether due to rising costs, transportation barriers, lack of quality programming or any programming in their community, or lack of interest by children,” Solomon tells USA TODAY Sports. “There continues to be a need for more affordable, local, quality sports programming that meets the needs and interests of young people.

‘We need to do a better job of asking kids what they want from sports and then listening to them. After all, it’s their experience, not ours as adults.”

Steve Borelli, aka Coach Steve, has been an editor and writer with USA TODAY since 1999. He spent 10 years coaching his two sons’ baseball and basketball teams. He and his wife, Colleen, are now sports parents for two high schoolers. His column is posted weekly. For his past columns, click here.

NEW YORK − Freddie Freeman, who needs nearly five hours of treatment each day for his badly sprained ankle, may not have the luxury of using ice when he arrives Tuesday night for Game 4 of the World Series.

The Dodgers will need all of that ice to assure they can keep those hundreds of bottles of champagne and beer cans cold for the raucous celebration they’re planning.

The Dodgers are on the brink of capturing the World Series title after beating the New York Yankees once again Monday, 4-2, in front of a subdued crowd at Yankee Stadium.

The Dodgers are the 25th team in World Series history to go up 3-games-to-0, and 21 of those previous series ended in a sweep. The Yankees have trailed 3-0 in six postseason series in franchise history and have been swept each time.

So, the way the Dodgers figure it, a sweep provides them more time to get ready for their parade, which is tentatively scheduled Friday in downtown Los Angeles, their first World Series parade since 1988.

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The Dodgers won the World Series during the pandemic in 2020, but with COVID-19, there was no parade or even a wild champagne celebration.

“We want that parade,’’ Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “We never got a chance to celebrate with the city of Los Angeles. That’s something of incentive.

“But outside of that, you have an opportunity to be a world champion. So, we’re right there. That’s more than enough incentive and motivation.’’

Freeman doesn’t need the motivation. What he’s doing now, night after night, homer after homer on baseball’s biggest stage, is cementing a legacy that may never be forgotten in Dodgers history.

“I expect Freddie to never pay for a meal ever again in LA,’’ Dodgers outfielder Kiké Hernández said. “It’s not just because of what he’s done the last three games, but because of what he’s done the last month to put himself in a position of where he can just show up and wear cleats.

“I really don’t think you guys have any idea what he’s put himself through to be able to play for this.

“It’s starting to become some superhero (stuff).’’

Freeman, hobbling on one leg since severely spraining his ankle in the final week of the regular season, is putting one of the greatest World Series power shows since the days of Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson.

He has homered in every game this World Series, and dating back to 2021 when he helped lead Atlanta to a title, he has homered in five consecutive World Series games, tying George Springer for the all-time record.

Freeman is hitting .333 this Series with three homers, a triple, seven RBI, and has scored three runs to go along with his .385 on-base percentage, 1.250 slugging percentage and 1.635 OPS. The only Dodger players in franchise history with more RBI in a World Series RBI are Hall of Famers Duke Snider and Gil Hodges, who have eight RBI apiece.

“You can really cement a legacy for a guy like Freddie,’’ Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy said, “who really doesn’t need anything more to cement his legacy. This has been a pretty special run for him.’’

It began in Game 1 when he hit a two-out, 10th-inning walk-off grand slam in the Dodgers’ 6-3 victory. He homered again in the third inning in Game 2 in the Dodgers 4-2 victory. And there he was again Monday night, hitting a two-run homer off Yankees starter Clarke Schmidt, with the Dodgers never looking back.

Yes, those are stats that could find their way on Freeman’s plaque in Cooperstown, who Hernández believes has the best case for the Hall of Fame as any player on the field in this World Series.

“I mean, what he’s done up to this point, if he stays healthy,’’ Hernández said, “he’s going to have a real good chance of getting to 3,000 hits. Just look at the production that he’s put in.’’

Hernández laughs, remembering Freeman being so hard on himself during the season, and lamenting that he had hit .282 with 22 homers and 89 RBI with an .854 OPS that still was 43% higher than the league average.

“And that was his worst year of his career,’’ Hernández said. “That says a lot about the player, especially since he’s been playing 14 years in the big leagues. Just based off his track record, you see it.’’

Freeman, an eight-time All-Star, three-time Silver Slugger, Gold Glove winner, MVP winner with eight top-10 finishes, has accumulated 2,267 hits and 343 homers with an .899 OPS.

Yet, what he’s doing in this World Series could be forever remembered in Dodger folklore, knowing that doctors told him that his ankle wouldn’t be fully recovered for six weeks, and thriving at a time the Dodgers need him most.

“This guy’s been doing it one foot,’’ said Dodgers second baseman Gavin Lux, “and broken bones all over the place. It’s been really fun to watch him do what he’s doing after everything he’s gone through this year.

“He’s the ultimate competitor. He’s just Freddie Freeman. Nothing should surprise us.

“He’s just locked in right now, playing on one foot, which is crazy.’’

If anyone in the Dodgers clubhouse is surprised, it may be, well, Freeman himself. This is a guy who hit just .100 in last year’s postseason when the Dodgers were swept in the National League Division Series by the Arizona Diamondbacks, and he was perfectly healthy. He hit .219 with one RBI and no extra-base hits in the first two rounds of the playoffs against the San Diego Padres and New York Mets, and kept out of the lineup in two games in the NLCS.

There was no guarantee he’d be healthy enough to even play in the World Series.

Now, here he is, the most dominant hitter on the field that’s filled with All-Stars, five former MVPs, the American League home run king (Aaron Judge), the first 50/50 player (Shohei Ohtani), and the greatest young hitter in the game (Juan Soto).

Who could have imagined that when the Dodgers lost Game 5 of the NLCS against the Mets, meaning the World Series couldn’t start early on Oct. 22, it would be the most beneficial postseason defeat in history, providing Freeman with five days off.

“Those days off were huge for me,’’ Freeman said. “Days off when you’re injured helped. I got my ankle in a spot where I could work on my swing, and got off to a good spot thankfully going into the Series. I’ve been seeing the ball very well. I’m swinging at the strikes, taking the balls, and not missing any mistakes.’’

It’s crazy to think about it, Freeman says, but even with his throbbing ankle, his swing has never felt better this season.

“There were points throughout the course of the season I felt good,’’ Freeman said, “but I felt like it was a constant battle all season. I’m thankful it’s in a good spot right now.’’

Really, Yankees manager Aaron Boone says, if you didn’t know any better, no one would ever know Freeman was ever injured.

“Obviously, we all know how great of a player Freddie Freeman is,’’ Boone said. “I think clearly having those few days following their championships series probably served him well and helped him, most notably probably in the batter’s box. He’s getting off swings you’re typically used to seeing Freddie get off where maybe that wasn’t happening in the previous rounds.’’

And now, if the Dodgers close out World Series in New York, you may see Freeman dancing across the field in the celebration, knowing he’s got all winter to rest his ankle.

“I really just want to hoist that trophy,’’ Freeman said. “I don’t care if I go oh-for-70 with 70 strikeouts, as long as we win. We know what’s at stake.

“We got a chance to be champions.’’

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The Pittsburgh Steelers had a season-high 426 yards of offense but needed a late interception to put away the New York Giants, 26-18, on ‘Monday Night Football.’

Rookie cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr.’s interception of Daniel Jones with 34 seconds left ended the Giants’ slim chances at a comeback in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter.

The Steelers held on to make it three wins in a row – including two in prime time – and enter their bye week at 6-2 with a one-game lead atop the AFC North standings.

The teams traded field goals and missed opportunities in the first half despite combining for 410 yards of offense. Each side had a touchdown called back by penalty and another ruled out of bounds.

The Steelers finally broke through in the third quarter with a touchdown on special teams, their first since Week 1 of the 2021 NFL season, behind wide receiver Calvin Austin’s 73-yard punt return touchdown. Austin scored on the ensuing Steelers drive on a 29-yard pass from Russell Wilson to give Pittsburgh a 23-9 lead.

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New York responded with a 45-yard touchdown run by rookie Tyrone Tracy on the next drive. A failed two-point conversion out of an unusual formation made it an eight-point game.

The teams traded field goals to make it 26-18 before trading fumbles as well. Wilson turned the ball over on a 2nd down scramble. Five plays later, Steelers star pass rusher T.J. Watt sacked Jones, forced a fumble, and recovered it to keep Pittsburgh ahead.

New York’s defense held strong to give the offense one last chance with 1:53 to go in the game. The Giants were driving before Jones’ pass intended for Devin Singletary was bobbled and eventually intercepted by Bishop Jr.

With the win, Pittsburgh maintains a lead over Baltimore (5-3) for the AFC North lead. Wilson moves to 2-0 as a starter in Pittsburgh and threw a touchdown pass for the 20th consecutive game.

New York drops to 2-6 with a home game against NFC East leader Washington in Week 9. The ground game looked good against one of the better run defenses in the league but penalties, sacks allowed, and turnovers in key moments kept New York from coming back in the second half.

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USA TODAY Sports provided live updates, highlights and more from the Steelers vs. Giants Week 8 ‘Monday Night Football’ matchup below:

Daniel Jones throws game-sealing INT to Beanie Bishop Jr.

With the Giants out of timeouts and driving to potentially tie the game, Daniel Jones threw a game-sealing INT to cornerback Beanie Bishop.

The Steelers would take over and kneel out the clock to end the game.

Giants take over inside two minutes

New York’s defense held strong to force a Pittsburgh punt immediately after the two-minute warning. The Giants’ offense now takes over on their own 7-yard line with 1:53 left in the game and facing an eight-point deficit.

T.J. Watt takes the ball back for Pittsburgh, strip sacks Daniel Jones

The Steelers’ top edge rusher beat the Giants’ right tackle and sacks Jones, forces a fumble, and recovers the ball all in a matter of second. The Steelers take over on their own 28.

Russell Wilson fumble gives New York offense another chance

On second-and-6 from the Steelers’ 34, Wilson dropped back and evaded pressure before scrambling upfield and fumbling. Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke recovered the ball to set the New York offense up on the Pittsburgh 37.

Tyrone Tracy stats: Giants RB makes history on ‘MNF’

Tracy became the first Giants rookie running back to rush for 100 yards in a ‘Monday Night Football’ game with his effort tonight. He’s up to 137 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries with five minutes to go in the game.

Steelers-Giants score: Nabers drops pass, leads to Giants FG

Malik Nabers couldn’t hold on to a Daniel Jones pass on third-and-7 from the Steelers’ 30 and New York opted for its fourth field goal of the game instead of going for it.

Greg Joseph made it from 48 yards out to cut Pittsburgh’s lead to one score with five minutes left in the game. Steelers 26, Giants 18.

Steelers-Giants score: Pittsburgh settles for fourth FG after third-down sack

Giants linebacker Azeez Ojulari got to Russell Wilson for his second sack of the game on 3rd and goal to force a Steelers field goal. George Pickens had the key play for Pittsburgh on the drive with a 43-yard catch into the red zone.

Chris Boswell knocks in his fourth field goal of the game from 27 yards out and New York gets the ball back on their own 30 with 7:15 remaining. Steelers 26, Giants 15.

Giants’ failed 2-point conversion attempt features odd formation

New York went for two after their first touchdown of the game with quarterback Daniel Jones lined up in an unusual shotgun formation. Center John Michael Schmitz Jr., tackle Chris Hubbard, and tight end Theo Johnson were the only players on the line in front of Jones.

The rest of the linemen were split left in front of wideout Malik Nabers but were all watching for the snap, not Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith who easily slipped through their front and knocked the ball out of Nabers’ hands.

Steelers-Giants score: Tyrone Tracy scores first TD for New York

The Giants’ rookie running back broke free against one of the top run defenses in the league for a 45-yard touchdown run. The Giants went for two but were unable to convert, cutting the deficit to eight points.

Malik Nabers made a crucial catch for the Giants on 3rd and 16 to extend the drive. Two plays later, Tracy scored.

Steelers-Giants score: Austin scores again for first offensive TD

Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin gets it done on offense as well with an easy catch on a deep post to extend Pittsburgh’s lead. Chris Boswell’s extra point is good to give the Steelers a two-touchdown lead with 13:16 to go in the game.

Russell Wilson has now thrown a touchdown pass in 20 consecutive games dating back to Dec. 11, 2022. Steelers 23, Giants 9.

End of third quarter: Russell Wilson finds Van Jefferson for big play

The third quarter closes with Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson finding Van Jefferson deep for a 36-yard gain on 3rd and 11. Pittsburgh is now across midfield to the Giants’ 31 and searching for their first touchdown on offense.

What is Daniel Jones’ primetime record?

Daniel Jones’ primetime record fell to 1-14 after the Giants’ loss to the Bengals in Week 6.

Jones has played 67 games for the Giants since they drafted him in 2019, and his primetime struggles might show a national audience why he’s not a long-term solution under center.

Steelers’ defense forces another Giants punt

Linebacker Patrick Queen made key stops on second and third down to force New York to punt for a third consecutive drive. Giants punter Matt Haack avoided another touchdown this time by booting the ball all the way to the Steelers’ end zone for a touchback.

Steelers-Giants score: Calvin Austin returns punt for first TD of game

The first touchdown of the game comes from special teams in this contest. After a three-and-out by the Giants’ offense, Calvin Austin takes a punt 73 yards for the score.

A penalty on New York was declined and Pittsburgh takes its largest lead of the game with 4:38 left in the third quarter.

Steelers can’t overcome 3rd down penalty and punt back to New York

Pittsburgh was facing third-and-eight from their own 18 when offensive linemen Ryan McCollum was called for a false start. Russell Wilson found Pat Freiermuth on a pass but the tight end couldn’t move the chains after an eight-yard gain. New York’s offense takes over on its own 26.

Deonte Banks benched: Giants sit down starting cornerback

Banks, New York’s starting outside cornerback, has not taken the field in the second half. Backup Greg Stroman is into the game for the second-year cornerback.

Banks helped force the incompletion on a potential George Pickens touchdown in the first half and was later hurdled by Steelers running back Najee Harris.

Consecutive Steelers sacks push Giants out of field goal range, force punt

T.J. Watt got home for his first sack of the game with the Giants facing second-and-10 at the Steelers’ 31. On the ensuing play, Alex Highsmith earned his second sack of the season to push New York to the Pittsburgh 43 and out of field goal range for Greg Joseph.

The Giants were forced to punt and Pittsburgh’s offense takes over on their own 16.

Animated ‘Monday Night Football’ game set for Disney+, ESPN+ on December 9

The NFL’s Monday Night Football game on Dec. 9 between the Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys will include ‘The Simpsons Funday Football’ alternate broadcast on Disney+ and ESPN+.

The broadcast will use the NFL’s Next Gen Stats player tracking and Sony’s Beyond Sports technology to create an animated version of the Bengals-Cowboys game in the style of ‘The Simpsons.’

Characters and voices from the show will be included in the broadcast. Peyton and Eli Manning as well as Stephen A. Smith are set to appear in the broadcast.

Steelers tied with Giants at halftime as penalties, red zone struggles pile up

Red zone defense was the biggest decider in the first half between Pittsburgh and New York. The two teams combined for 410 yards of offense in the first half but had two touchdowns called back by penalty and another two called out of bounds.  

‘This is football,’ Tomlin said of the red zone struggles for both teams on the broadcast. ‘This is ‘Monday Night Football.’ … We’ll keep working.’

The Giants were flagged for more penalties in the first half – five to the Steelers’ two – but each team had 30 penalty yards.

Steelers-Giants score: New York ties it up with another field goal

The Giants ended their fourth drive of the game with their third field goal of the contest. New York couldn’t convert third-and-five from the Steelers’ 29 and settled for a 44-yard field goal by Greg Joseph. Darius Slayton had a big catch on 3rd down early on in the drive to bring the Giants across midfield. Steelers 9, Giants 9.

Brian Burns gets first sack of the game to force Steelers’ punt

New York’s pass rush got home twice on the drive with Azeez Ojulari and Brian Burns getting to Russell Wilson. The latter’s sack ended the Steelers’ drive and forced them to the other side of the 50 at the 2-minute warning. Pittsburgh punted for the first time all game and New York will take over with two timeouts at their own 17.

Minkah Fitzpatrick forces incompletion, Giants punt for the first time

New York went three-and-out for the first time in the game after Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick hit Darius Slayton on third down to knock the ball out of his hands.

New York kicks the first punt of the game and Pittsburgh’s offense will take over on its own 18.  

Steelers-Giants score: George Pickens incompletion leads to third Steelers field goal

George Pickens had a crucial third down conversion to bring the Steelers into the red zone but later couldn’t get both feet down in bounds in the end zone for a touchdown. After review, the play was confirmed as an incomplete pass.

Chris Boswell makes his third field goal of the game to give Pittsburgh the lead again from 27 yards out. Steelers 9, Giants 6.

Steelers 6, Giants 6: New York kicks another field goal after Nabers can’t stay in bounds

A disjointed Giants drive ends with another field goal to tie the game early in the second quarter.

The Giants declined a field goal from 47 yards in the first minute of the quarter and got a crucial fourth down conversion on a pass from Daniel Jones to Malik Nabers to keep the drive alive.

A pair of plays later, a touchdown pass from Jones to Chris Manhertz was nullified by an illegal shift penalty. Nabers corralled a pass in the end zone on the next play but couldn’t get both feet down in bounds. New York went with a 39-yard field goal to tie the game once again. Steelers 6, Giants 6.

End of first quarter: Giants driving as Steelers lead 6-0

New York overcame two early penalties to cross midfield thanks to Pittsburgh’s Alex Highsmith, who was flagged for a roughing the passer penalty. The Giants have called multiple screen plays on this drive, including to tight end Theo Johnson and running back Devin Singletary.

Steelers-Giants score: Pittsburgh settles for another field goal

Big plays by Najee Harris and Darnell Washington brought the Steelers’ offense from their own 30 to the Giants’ 8-yard line. Two incomplete passes by Russell Wilson – the second of which was tipped by Isaiah Simmons – made the Steelers settle for another field goal. Chris Boswell made his second kick of the night with a 25-yarder. Steelers 6, Giants 3.

Steelers-Giants score: New York answers with 29-yard field goal

A deep pass by Daniel Jones to Darius Slayton for 43 yards set the Giants up at the Steelers’ 11-yard line. New York proceeded to lose yards on consecutive plays and had to settle for a field goal after failing to convert a 3rd and 12 from the Steelers’ 18. New York’s Greg Joseph scored his 10th field goal of the season. Giants 3, Steelers 3.

Pittsburgh Steelers don Color Rush jerseys for ‘MNF’

The Steelers are in for a different look on ‘Monday Night Football,’ wearing their Color Rush alternate jerseys for the matchup. The uniforms feature a black jersey with gold letters, making for a sharp look.

Steelers-Giants score: Chris Boswell knocks in 31-yard field goal

Pittsburgh took the opening possession of the night to the red zone and nearly had a touchdown on a Russell Wilson pass to George Pickens. But a facemask penalty by Broderick Jones nullified the score and backed up the offense to the Giants’ 22. A third-down pass to Jaylen Warren set up a Chris Boswell field goal from 31 yards out. Steelers 3, Giants 0.

Joey Porter waves Terrible Towel before kickoff

The longtime Pittsburgh linebacker and father of current Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. riled up the crowd by waving a ‘Terrible Towel’ before kickoff. The Steelers received the opening kick to start the game after the New York Giants won the coin toss and deferred.

Steelers vs. Giants start time

Date: Monday, Oct. 28
Time: 8:15 p.m. ET

The next — and last ‘MNF’ doubleheader of the 2024 season — is scheduled for Week 15.

Steelers vs. Giants TV channel

TV channel: ESPN | ESPN2 (‘ManningCast’)

ESPN is the broadcast home of ‘Monday Night Football’. Joe Buck (play-by-play), Troy Aikman (color commentary), and Lisa Salters (sideline reporter) will be on the call.

ESPN’s popular alternate broadcast, the ‘ManningCast’ returns. Eli Manning will have a chance to speak on his former team alongside his brother Peyton. Monday night’s guests include Bill Belichick — who is a regular guest on the show for the 2024 NFL season — as well as Pro Football Hall of Famers Lawrence Taylor and Bill Cowher, and rapper/actor LL Cool J.

Steelers vs. Giants picks, predictions

Here’s how the USA TODAY Sports staff feels the Week 8 ‘MNF’ matchup between the Giants and Steelers will shape up:

Lorenzo Reyes: Steelers 25, Giants 7
Tyler Dragon: Steelers 25, Giants 16
Richard Morin: Steelers 24, Giants 14
Jordan Mendoza: Steelers 24, Giants 13

MOST VALUABLE BET: Who is the favorite to win NFL MVP in 2024? 

Steelers vs. Giants odds, moneyline, over/under 

The Steelers are favorites to defeat the Giants, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering NFL betting promos in 2024, including the ESPN BET app and Fanatics Sportsbook promo code. 

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more. 

Spread: Steelers (-6) 
Moneyline: Steelers (-275); Giants (+225) 
Over/under: 36.5 

Not interested in this game? Our guide to NFL betting odds, picks, and spreads has you covered with “Thursday Night Football” odds and “Sunday Night Football” odds. 

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Giants’ inactive players vs. Steelers

P Jamie Gillan
CB Adoree’ Jackson
CB Cor’Dale Flott
LB Ty Summers
G Jake Kubas
DL Jordon Riley
QB Tommy DeVito (emergency third QB)

Steelers’ inactive players vs. Giants

QB Justin Fields (emergency third QB)
CB C.J. Henderson
LB Nick Herbig
C Zach Frazier
RB Cordarrelle Patterson

Fields (hamstring) was listed as questionable and was a game-time decision. Kyle Allen will be the backup quarterback to Russell Wilson.

Will the Giants bench Daniel Jones? 

Despite benching Daniel Jones in Week 7, the Giants appear ready to stick with their struggling quarterback. According to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, Jones took all the first-team reps this week at practice. He added that the six-year veteran isn’t expected to be on a short leash.

Following the blowout loss to the Eagles, head coach Brian Daboll notably defended Jones after the benching and explained why he would remain the starter.

“I think he gives us the best chance, number one,” Daboll said. “I thought there were a lot of plays that he did exactly what he needed to do, and then look, there were some plays where it wasn’t just on Daniel [Jones]. It was a collection of things. It wasn’t just one person, a protection, or a route.” — Nick Brinkerhoff

Daniel Jones contract details 

In March 2022, the Giants signed Jones to a four-year, $160 million contract with $82 million guaranteed. The deal also included incentives for playoff appearances, divisional titles and playoff wins, so long as Jones played at least 65% of snaps. 

The contract also included a potential out for the team after two seasons if the Giants were unimpressed by the quarterback’s performance. 

The $82 million in guarantees includes only Jones’ 2023 and 2024 salaries, as well as a prorated signing bonus. After the 2024 season, the quarterback’s cap hit drops from $69 million to $22 million.

Steelers vs. Giants weather update

Which NFL team has the most Super Bowl wins? 

The Steelers are tied with the New England Patriots for the most Super Bowl wins with six. 

Pittsburgh and Dallas have the unique distinction of playing each other more than any other team combination in Super Bowl history with three matchups. 

NFL franchises with most Super Bowl wins:

New England Patriots — 6
Pittsburgh Steelers — 6
Dallas Cowboys — 5
San Francisco 49ers — 5
Green Bay Packers — 4
Kansas City Chiefs — 4
New York Giants — 4

4th & Monday: Our NFL newsletter always brings the blitz 

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Russell Wilson contract details: What Steelers, Broncos owe QB in 2024 salary

The Pittsburgh Steelers starter is on a more-than-reasonable deal in 2024. He signed the one-year pact with the Steelers, hoping to revitalize his career after a disastrous couple of seasons with the Denver Broncos. -Jacob Camenker

NFL draft 2025 order  

The Giants currently hold the No. 10 overall pick entering “MNF.” The Steelers hold the 25th selection. 

Here’s the order heading into the ‘Monday Night Football’ matchup in Week 8. 

Carolina Panthers
Tennessee Titans
New England Patriots
New York Jets
Jacksonville Jaguars
New Orleans Saints
Las Vegas Raiders
Cleveland Browns
Miami Dolphins
New York Giants
Cincinnati Bengals
Los Angeles Rams
Dallas Cowboys
Indianapolis Colts
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Seattle Seahawks
San Francisco 49ers
Chicago Bears
Arizona Cardinals
Los Angeles Chargers
Atlanta Falcons
Denver Broncos
Baltimore Ravens
Philadelphia Eagles
Pittsburgh Steelers
Minnesota Vikings
Buffalo Bills
Green Bay Packers
Washington Commanders
Houston Texans
Detroit Lions
Kansas City Chiefs

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