The Los Angeles Dodgers will host the New York Mets for Game 2 of the National League Championship Series.

The Dodgers’ lineup remains powered by Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts, who led the team in beating the San Diego Padres in the National League Division Series.

The Dodgers will lean on the bullpen for Game 2 but manager Dave Roberts did not announce a starter.

The Mets had to overcome the Milwaukee Brewers in the wild-card round before getting the best of the Philadelphia Phillies (3-1) in the NLDS.

Follow every MLB game: Latest MLB scores, stats, schedules and standings.

Here’s how to watch Monday’s Game 2:

What channel is the Dodgers vs. Mets game on today? Time, TV schedule

Time: 4:08 p.m. ET

TV: FOX/FS1

Stream: YouTube TV, MLB TV

Mets-Dodgers Game 2 will be broadcast nationally on FOX.

Watch the NLCS with a Fubo subscription

Dodgers vs. Mets NLCS schedule

All times Eastern

Game 1: Dodgers 9, Mets 0

Game 2: Mets at Dodgers, 4:08 p.m., Monday, FOX/FS1

Game 3: Dodgers at Mets, 8:08 p.m., Wednesday, FS1

Game 4: Dodgers at Mets, 8:08 p.m., Thursday, FOX/FS1

Game 5: Dodgers at Mets, 5:08 p.m., Friday, FOX/FS1

Game 6: Mets at Dodgers, 8:08 p.m., Sunday, FOX/FS1

Game 7: Mets at Dodgers, 8:08 p.m., Monday, FOX/FS1

Alex Bowman thought he turned in a successful day in the NASCAR Cup Series playoff race Sunday at Charlotte Motor Speedway, but less than three hours after the Bank of America Roval 400 ended, Bowman and his No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports team were informed of the bad news: he was disqualified.

Worse than that, his disqualification meant that Bowman would not be advancing to the Round of 8 of the playoffs since Sunday was an elimination race, which trimmed the playoff field from 12 drivers to eight.

Bowman’s car failed post-race inspection, with officials determining the No. 48 did not meet weight requirements. That failure resulted in an automatic disqualification, dropping him to last in the finishing order.

‘So, unfortunately when we were running the No. 48 through (inspection), it didn’t pass the minimum weight specs,’ NASCAR Cup Series Managing Director Brad Moran explained Sunday night. ‘We give the teams every opportunity to try to meet minimum weight. … They are allowed a half percent of a weight break – which is about 17 pounds, give or take – that is what they are allowed. And it was more than that.’

Though Bowman originally only finished 18th Sunday, that result – and his Stage 2 win – would have been enough to secure him the points needed to advance to the third round of the playoffs. It was also enough to eliminate two-time Cup Series champion Joey Logano from the playoffs.

But Bowman’s misfortune turned into a reprieve for the Team Penske driver as Logano, who won titles in 2018 and 2022, was elevated into the Top 8 of the standings once Bowman’s points from Sunday were stripped away.

Hendrick Motorsports has the option to appeal Bowman’s disqualification, if the organization chooses. Any appeal would be heard this week prior to the next round.

‘We are working to understand the issue and will make a decision Monday about whether to submit an appeal,’ Hendrick Motorsports said after hearing the news.

Logano now joins Penske teammate and reigning series champion Ryan Blaney in the Round of 8, along with a pair of champions from Hendrick Motorsports: 2021 champ Kyle Larson, the winner of Sunday’s race; and 2020 champ Chase Elliott. Hendrick will also have a third title contender in the Round of 8 with William Byron, while Joe Gibbs Racing advanced two drivers into the third round: Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell. Tyler Reddick, who drives for 23XI Racing, the team that Hamlin co-owns with Basketball Hall of Famer Michael Jordan, also advanced to the third round after winning the 2024 regular season title.

The playoff field will be trimmed from eight drivers to four following races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Homestead-Miami Speedway and Martinsville Speedway. Those final four drivers will race for the championship Nov. 10 at Phoenix Raceway.

NASCAR Cup Series playoff standings entering Round of 8

Rank, driver, team, points (points behind leader).

Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports … 4,052
Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing … 4,032 (-20 points)
Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing … 4,029 (-23)
William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports … 4,023 (-29)
Ryan Blaney, Team Penske … 4,019 (-33)
Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing … 4,015 (-37)
Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports … 4,014 (-38)
Joey Logano, Team Penske … 4,012 (-40)

NOTE: Points were reset for the remaining eight drivers following Sunday’s post-race inspection.

NEW YORK — Breanna Stewart needed to rant. 

“It’s about time,” said the New York Liberty forward just minutes after leading her team to an 80-66 win over the Minnesota Lynx in Game 2 of the WNBA Finals, a victory in which she tallied 21 points, eight rebounds and a career-high seven steals. 

She wasn’t referring to the much-needed win, a particular officiating call or the fact that New York set an attendance record with 18,046 fans. 

No, she was calling out her college coach, Geno Aureimma, the 11-time national champion widely considered the greatest of all time.

“I text him and was like, you know what it’s about time that you come to my game,” Stewart said as the press room chuckled. She shook her head in mock disgust. “I’ve been here for two years and he hasn’t come down! What are you doing?” 

After the game, holding her 3-year-old daughter Ruby at center court, Stewart told ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe that she felt the need to put on a good show for Auriemma, since he finally decided to show his face at the Barclays Center. 

Also sitting courtside for Game 2: C. Vivian Stringer, the first NCAA coach to lead three different teams to the NCAA women’s basketball Final Four. She did that with Rutgers most recently in 2007 – and four years later, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton starred for Stringer and the Scarlet Knights. (Stringer retired in 2022.)

After she scored a season-high-tying 20 points, Laney-Hamilton smiled and said anytime her college coach is in the building, she wants to make her proud. 

Laney-Hamilton’s performance, as she continues to battle a right knee injury, got Stringer on her feet a couple times, and who could blame her for being so excited – especially when Laney-Hamilton started the game 4-for-4 from the field, helping the Liberty build as much as a 17-point lead. 

“I was happy to be able to play well in front of her,” said Laney-Hamilton, who scored in double figures for the first time since Sept. 22 – New York’s first playoff game of 2024. She also recorded two assists and a steal.

“It gives me a little bit of momentum as we continue to go through the series,” she said. “I’ve been struggling physically, mentally, as I’ve been going through everything, so to see a glimpse of what I’m capable of, it felt really good.” 

So, which college coaches of other Liberty players are coming to Minnesota for Games 3 and 4? 

Sabrina Ionescu was quick to answer that question in the press conference, saying that her college coach, Oregon’s Kelly Graves, would be in the Target Center Wednesday. That means the Liberty can probably expect a big game from Ionescu and guard Courtney Vandersloot, who played for Graves at Gonzaga. 

“They are all welcome,” New York coach Sandy Brondello said, laughing. 

Sunday was a vintage Stewart performance, and in truth, she didn’t need her college coach on the sideline to hype her up. 

Stewart is a three-time Olympian and two-time MVP for a reason. After a fourth-quarter (and overtime) fiasco in Game 1 – which included a missed Stewart free throw at the end of regulation that would have won it – Stewart said, “the moment the game ended Thursday night, I was looking forward to Sunday.” 

She played like it, too. 

Stewart had two huge sequences, both in the second half. 

At the end of the third quarter she drew back-to-back fouls on Liberty possessions, hit two free throws on the second, denied a Lynx shot on the other end and then hit a runner, giving New York a 61-53 lead with 55.8 seconds to go and halting any momentum Minnesota had. 

Her other stretch might have been even more impressive. 

Clinging to a two-point lead, 66-64, with 5:36 left, Stewart recorded back-to-back steals on Minnesota possessions, refusing to let the Lynx tie or take the lead. New York finished the game on a 12-0 run over the final 3:21, which included a timely corner 3 from Laney-Hamilton and offensive tip-in by Stewart. 

Given Laney-Hamilton’s season, her performance might have been even more impressive than Stewart’s. Certainly it was grittier. 

In July, just before the month-long Olympic break, Laney-Hamilton had minor surgery on her knee, returning to the Liberty in late July. She’s been bugged by it all season and in obvious pain for stretches. Brondello said earlier in the series that even after surgery Laney-Hamilton is not 100%, 

Sunday, she praised her toughness. 

“She was digging deep,” Brondello said, “and that’s what we needed.” 

Stewart agreed.

‘I think what B brings is this grit, this toughness … all of us know, she’s giving us whatever she’s got.

‘We know she can do this and happy to see her get into a good rhythm with everything that’s been up and down this season and know that she’s a big factor in everything we do.’

Laney-Hamilton didn’t want to assign herself a percentage of health and declined to get into specifics of treatment, saying only that the Liberty have been “doing a little bit of everything to try to get me feeling good.” 

Clearly, it’s working. But to be safe, they should probably invite Stringer — and Auriemma — on the charter to Minneapolis, too. 

The ‘Monday Night Football’ doubleheader will return to ESPN and its family of networks in Week 7, but in Week 6 we have one game: a massive AFC East clash between the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets.

NFL fans got to watch the defending Super Bowl champions last Monday night when the Chiefs defeated the Saints. To conclude Week 6, two AFC teams that entered 2024 looking to topple the Chiefs square off. Additionally, ESPN’s ‘ManningCast’ will be available for a second consecutive Monday night for those interested in an alternate viewing option.

With Aaron Rodgers and Josh Allen set to be in action on Monday night, it’s hard to imagine that the Week 6 ‘Monday Night Football’ game won’t live up to the hype.

Here’s everything to know about the ‘MNF’ matchup in Week 6.

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

Who plays on Monday Night Football tonight?

Matchup: Buffalo Bills at New York Jets
Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

The Jets (2-3) are hosting the Bills (3-2) in an AFC East matchup between two teams with playoff aspirations. According to the BetMGM NFL odds, the Bills come into the game as short 2.5-point favorites.

Each side is coming into Week 6 off a loss. The Bills began the season strong with three straight wins but have dropped two in a row. In Week 5, they suffered a painful 23-20 loss to the Texans. The Bills made multiple baffling coaching decisions regarding clock management in the fourth quarter, leading to the loss.

Buffalo has been outscored by opponents 38-6 in the first half over the last two weeks.

Meanwhile, the Jets delivered shockwaves across the league when they fired head coach Robert Saleh this past Tuesday. New York is off to a disappointing 2-3 start to the season, and owner Woody Johnson decided it was time for a massive organizational shift.

The Jets have also lost two consecutive games, most recently in London against the Vikings, 23-17. The Jets named defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich the interim head coach and relieved Nathaniel Hackett from offensive play calling. Ulbrich has named Todd Downing the new offensive play-caller, though Hackett remains on the staff.

Downing has 22 years of NFL coaching experience, including stints as offensive coordinator for the Raiders (2017) and Titans (2021-22).

Both teams will be eager to get back in the win column on Monday night. The Bills have never lost three consecutive games with Allen as their quarterback. During his rough two-game stretch, Allen has been without his most reliable receiving option, Khalil Shakir. After throwing a career-high 18 interceptions last season, Allen has yet to throw an interception in 2024, which marks the longest stretch of his career without one, but he will face the Jets’ second-overall pass defense led by Sauce Gardner.

With a win on Monday night, the Jets can tie Buffalo for first place in the AFC East. They will need a better performance from Rodgers, who is coming off a three-interception game. The Jets will look to get Breece Hall and a running game that ranks dead last in the league going. Garrett Wilson will look to continue his momentum from his career-best 13 reception showing in London.

What time is the NFL game tonight?

Start time: 8:15 p.m. ET

‘Monday Night Football’ will begin at 8:15 p.m. ET, the customary start time throughout the 2024 NFL season.

What channel is ‘Monday Night Football’ on tonight?

Cable TV: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes
Streaming: Fubo

‘Monday Night Football’ will air on ESPN in Week 6. There will not be another game airing on ABC, nor will a simulcast of ESPN’s game air on the network.

That said, ESPN’s ‘ManningCast’ will be available to watch again in Week 6. Eli and Peyton Manning will break down the game from the comfort of their home on ESPN2, so viewers can watch it on that network if they so desire.

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Bye weeks have thinned fantasy football rosters in recent weeks, but fantasy managers have found ways to keep their lineups afloat.

Fantasy football owners have relied on waiver wire injury replacements and matchup-based streamers to carry their lineups. But as some top players return to lineups after their time off, these replacements will provide diminishing returns for their fantasy managers.

That will lead to some difficult add/drop decisions; and while it may seem counterproductive to cut a player who started at a prominent position mere days before, it is sometimes the best option.

Here’s a look at five players to cut after Week 6 of the fantasy football season, including a former top handcuff and a few recent, high-quality streaming options.

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Waiver wire players to drop: Week 7

Justin Fields, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Fields has been a fine streamer for fantasy managers this year, and his rushing ability gives him a quality floor most weeks. That said, there are a couple of reasons to drop him if you need to in Week 7.

First, Fields is facing the New York Jets this week. The Jets should be able to contain him on the ground better than most, so that will make him a sit candidate in Week 7 before his more favorable matchups against the New York Giants and Washington Commanders.

Second, Russell Wilson is now waiting in the wings and could take over for Fields at any point if the fourth-year quarterback struggles. Fields has a 4-2 record so Mike Tomlin may not be champing at the bit to bench him, but the fact of the matter is that Fields’ job isn’t nearly as secure as some of the other top streaming options at the position.

Stashing Fields to use in Weeks 8 and 9 would be fine, but don’t be afraid to cut him to add another playmaker or quarterback to your fantasy roster. It shouldn’t be too difficult to get him back even if you do let him hang out on the waiver wire for a week.

Gus Edwards, RB, Los Angeles Chargers

Many fantasy football managers drafted Edwards hoping he would become the No. 1 back in the Chargers’ run-heavy offense. Instead, J.K. Dobbins has emerged as the more explosive threat for Los Angeles, relegating Edwards to top handcuff status.

The Chargers placed Edwards on IR before Week 6 with an ankle injury, so he will be out until at least Week 10. His absence allowed Kimani Vidal to be active for the first time in his NFL career, and Vidal responded by racking up 51 yards and a receiving touchdown on six total touches in his first game.

Vidal is an explosive pass-catcher, and if he performs well with Edwards out, the rookie should hold onto the No. 2 running back role behind Dobbins. That will give Edwards little fantasy value for the rest of the season.

Trey Sermon, RB, Indianapolis Colts

Sermon got a second consecutive start in place of the injured Jonathan Taylor, but once again, he didn’t fully take advantage of his opportunities.

Sermon saw a team-high 18 carries but turned them into just 29 yards. He didn’t log a catch or a touchdown, so he disappointed all fantasy owners who hoped he would be a safe, high-volume flex despite a middling matchup against a good Tennessee Titans run defense.

Taylor’s status for Week 7 and beyond is uncertain, but it’s hard to imagine trusting Sermon again, even in a favorable matchup against a weak Miami Dolphins defense. Sermon may get a touchdown to be fantasy relevant, but it’s also possible the Colts will give Tyler Goodson (eight carries, 51 yards) more work. That would essentially eliminate Sermon’s fantasy value.

Tre Tucker, WR, Las Vegas Raiders

Both Davante Adams (hamstring) and Jakobi Meyers (ankle) missed the Raiders’ Week 6 game against the Steelers, so fantasy football owners were hopeful Tucker could emerge as a high-volume receiving option for receiver-needy lineups.

Instead, Tucker disappointed. He was targeted just twice by Aidan O’Connell and failed to log a reception. Perhaps the second-year speedster will be better in easier matchups, but O’Connell’s lack of high-end arm strength will limit Tucker’s downfield potential. And if Meyers or Adams returns to action in the coming weeks, Tucker will likely become a fantasy afterthought — if he isn’t already.

Isaiah Likely, TE, Baltimore Ravens

Any hope that Likely would emerge as the Ravens’ top pass-catching tight end during the 2024 NFL season appears to be gone. He has blown up twice during the first six weeks of the season — posting 111 yards and a touchdown in Week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs and logging two touchdowns in Week 5 against the Cincinnati Bengals — but in his four other games, he has combined for six catches and 83 yards.

The Ravens continue to split the tight end workload between Likely, Mark Andrews and Charlie Kolar, and Andrews seems to be improving week to week after a slow start to the season. As such, Likely can be safely released; he’s more of a boom-or-bust DFS option than a legitimate starter in fantasy football leagues.

LOS ANGELES — First baseman Freddie Freeman remains determined to play and make an impact on the Los Angeles Dodgers’ postseason run.

Freeman’s ankle was tested early after Max Muncy brought him in to score in the first inning to help the Dodgers take a 2-0 lead in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series against the New York Mets on Sunday.

The veteran was in visible pain as he hobbled from second base with a grimace on his face before reaching home plate and landing in the arms of teammate Mookie Betts, who also scored on the play.

‘I think everyone would be impressed if they saw what he went through and how he is performing out here,’ Betts told FOX during a postgame interview.

“I’m getting used to it,” Freeman told reporters. “I know what to expect day in and day out. It’s obviously not going to get any better but I think we’re at a good point now where it’s not going to get worse unless I roll it again.”

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Freeman’s night ended early after playing seven innings and hitting a single in the fourth that brought Shohei Ohtani in to score, giving the Dodgers a 6-0 lead.

“I felt good about getting him out after seven to take some innings off of his legs,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.

When did Freddie Freeman hurt his ankle?

Freeman sprained his right ankle during a game against the San Diego Padres on Sept. 26. He did miss some games following the injury. 

Freeman sat out the Dodgers’ final regular season series against the Colorado Rockies before returning for the National League Division Series against the Padres last week.

Will Freddie Freeman play NLCS Game 2 for Dodgers?

Roberts didn’t have a chance to talk to Freeman immediately after Game 1 but said there was nothing at the moment that led him to believe the first baseman wouldn’t be available.

Freeman will be considered a game-time decision considering the quick turnaround the Dodgers will have for Game 2 (the game is set to begin at 4:08 p.m. ET — 1:08 p.m. local time). He continues to have tape over his cleat to help prevent him from rolling his ankle again.

“I’d say when I wake up I will know if I can make it through,” Freeman told reporters after the game. “We have a good plan. We have a tight window tomorrow, it takes me about four and a half hours to get ready for a game so I might just be sleeping here tonight.”

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers, who privately worried about an emotional letdown in the National League Championship Series, spent Sunday night making sure they don’t get too confident the rest of the series.

The Dodgers absolutely manhandled the Mets, 9-0, in Game 1 of the NLCS, with New York becoming the latest victim in the Dodgers pitching staff’s path of destruction.

The only drama for the sellout crowd of 53,503 at Dodger Stadium was seeing just how long the Dodgers could continue their consecutive postseason scoreless shutout streak.

Hint: It’s still going.

The Dodgers tied the major-league record with 33 consecutive shutout innings, accomplished only by the Baltimore Orioles in the 1966 World Series.

Follow every MLB game: Latest MLB scores, stats, schedules and standings.

The Dodgers pitching staff has been so overpowering that they’re yielding a .127 batting average over the 33 innings. They pitched a perfect game – retiring 27 consecutive batters in a row – going back to Game 5 of the NL Division Series against the San Diego Padres until Francisco Lindor’s leadoff walk in the fourth inning.

Starter Jack Flaherty was sensational, pitching seven shutout innings and giving up just two hits. He retired the first nine batters he faced, and didn’t give up a hit until Jesse Winker’s leadoff single in the fifth inning. He was mobbed by his teammates in the dugout when he finished the seventh inning, having thrown 98 pitches.

Flaherty’s performance now allows Dodgers manager Dave Roberts to go with a bullpen game in Game 2 on Monday, saving starter Walker Buehler for Game 3 and Yoshinobu Yamamoto for Game 4.

The way the Dodgers thoroughly dominated the Mets on Sunday, there may be no need worrying about a Game 5.

Certainly, it could create pause for the Mets thinking about starting Kodai Senga again. He melted down in the biggest start of his major league career, lasting just 1 ⅓ innings, and never giving the Mets a chance.

He walked three consecutive batters in the first inning, and permitted six of the 10 batters he faced to reach base, and was mercifully pulled after throwing just 30 pitches, throwing just nine strikes, departing with the Dodgers up 3-0.

“He just didn’t have it together,’ Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said.

Well, neither did any other Mets player, for that matter.

The Mets produced just three hits the entire game. Their vaunted top of the order with Lindor, Mark Vientos, Brandon Nimmo and Pete Alonso went hitless, striking out four times.

If their pitching and hitting wasn’t bad enough, there was first baseman Pete Alonso’s throwing error and Winker’s brutal baserunning blunder. He killed the Mets’ lone rally of the night in the fifth inning. Winker led off with a single to right field, and Jose Iglesias followed with a single to center, setting up a first-and-third situation with no outs.

Nuh-uh.

Winker, who had a good jump, looked at center fielder Enrique Hernandez, who faked as if he was going to throw to third base. Winker froze. Hernandez threw the ball to second base. And Winker got caught up in no-man’s land, and was tagged out running to third base.

The Mets never recovered and didn’t reach base again until the eighth inning, after Flaherty departed.

Just like that, Game 1 eased any anxiety that the Dodgers might be tapped from their NLDS win.

“I think the clubhouse kind of found out about each other,’ said Dodgers infielder Max Muncy, whose two-run, two-out single in the first inning set the tone. “It’s something that we knew kind of who we were the whole season. But you get into the fire like that [against the Padres] in that kind of atmosphere, you learn who you are as a team.

“I think everyone really liked what they saw. And you just find out there’s no quit, there’s no give-up, there’s no letting down on anything. That’s what you need this time of year.’

The Dodgers offense steadily wore down the Mets. They didn’t produce a single extra-base hit until Mookie Betts’ three-run double in the 8th inning but provided a slow, torturous attack with nine singles – and two-hit games by Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy and Enrique Hernandez.

“They are really good, it’s not a secret,” Mendoza said. “That’s a really good team and a lot of superstars. They are deep. They’re versatile. They’re righty-lefty. And they can do a lot of different things offensively.’

And, as Mendoza painfully discovered Sunday, they’ve got an awfully deep and talented pitching staff, too.

“They’re sparking us right now,’’ Muncy said. “They’re showing the fire for us, and we all want to get behind them. We all want to give them the lead and let them go out there and do what they want to do.’’

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Here’s how Sunday’s game unfolded:

Mookie Betts clears the bases in 8th

With a 6-0 lead in the bottom of the eighth, Mookie Betts laced a bases-loaded double inside third base that brought home all three runners and extended the Dodgers lead to 9-0.

Mets without a run through eight

Dodgers pitchers are at 32 consecutive scoreless innings, with Daniel Hudson pitching the eighth after a stellar seven-inning start from Jack Flaherty. Hudson walked a batter and gave up a hit in the eight, but stranded two runners by getting a Francisco Lindor fly out and a Mark Vientos strikeout.

Dodgers pitchers run scoreless streak to 30 innings

Jack Flaherty has tossed six shutout innings for the Dodgers, whose pitchers have now combined to hold opponents without a run for 30 innings – dating back to Game 3 of the NLDS against the Padres.

Los Angeles leads the Mets 6-0 heading into the seventh inning.

Dodgers add three more: 6-0 through four

With one out o the bottom of the fourth, Tommy Edman’s RBI single off David Peterson made it 4-0. Shohei Ohtani followed with an RBI double to right-center, extending the Los Angeles lead to 5-0. With two outs, Freddie Freeman blooped a single into left field to score Ohtani for the Dodgers’ sixth run.

Ohtani’s two run-scoring hits are a good sign after he went 2-for-15 in the last four games of the NLDS against the Padres.

Mets hitless through four

Dodgers starter Jack Flaherty didn’t allow a baserunner in the first three innings – but issued two walks in the top of the fourth, ultimately stranding the pair as the Mets squandered a scoring opportunity.

Lefty David Peterson came on to get the final out in the third inning and goes back out to start the fourth for the Mets.

Shohei Ohtani RBI single makes it 3-0

After Gavin Lux walked and Tommy Edman bunted him over, Shohei Ohtani delivered an RBI single to extend the Dodgers’ lead to 3-0. 

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza pulled Kodai Senga after that, bringing in Reed Garrett from the bullpen. The right-hander retired Mookie Betts and then Ohtani was thrown out trying to steal second to end the inning.

Dodgers take 2-0 first-inning lead

After retiring leadoff man Shohei Ohtani, Mets starter Kodai Senga walked three consecutive batters to load the bases with one out, throwing just three of his first 16 pitches for strikes.

Senga got Will Smith to fly out to center – not hit deep enough to score Mookie Betts – but Max Muncy made him pay with a two-run single to center with two outs. After a wild pitch moved runners to second and third, Senga got Enrique Hernández for the third out and minimize the damage.

NLCS Game 1 underway in Los Angeles

Dodgers starter Jack Flaherty set the Mets down in order to begin the 2024 National League Championship Series: a Francisco Lindor groundout, Mark Vientos strikeout and Brandon Nimmo lineout.

Dodgers pitchers have now gone 25 innings without allowing a run.

Acquired from the Tigers at the trade deadline, Flaherty went 6-2 with a 3.58 ERA in 10 regular season starts for the Dodgers.

***

Dodgers NLCS roster

LOS ANGELES — Relief pitcher Alex Vesia and shortstop Miguel Rojas were left off the NLCS roster on Sunday.

Veisa was left out due to a right intercostal injury but Dodgers president Andrew Friedman told reporters that the team is “hopeful” that Vesia could be available for the World Series if the team were to advance.

Dodgers pitcher Brent Honeywell was named to the NLCS roster in Vesia’s place. Honeywell was placed on the injured list in late September after cracking his fingernail on the middle finger of his right hand.

Rojas will be unavailable due to a torn adductor muscle that forced him to miss the last two games of the NLDS. Kevin Kiermaier was added to the roster to provide depth to the outfield, and Tommy Edman is expected to replace Rojas at shortstop

– James H. Williams

Mets NLCS roster: Jeff McNeil added, Ottavino out

LOS ANGELES — The New York Mets are fully healthy heading into their National League Championship Series against the Dodgers.

The Mets announced their NLCS roster with second baseman Jeff McNeil as a notable inclusion after missing more than a month with a fractured wrist. To make room for McNeil, the Mets removed right-handed reliever Adam Ottavino for the best-of-seven series against the Dodgers.

McNeil has not played since Sept. 6 when he was removed from a game against the Reds after being hit on the right arm. Before the injury, McNeil was coming into his own in the second half, batting .289 with a .923 OPS, including seven home runs, 12 doubles, 20 RBI and 22 runs in 41 games after the All-Star break.

– Andrew Tredinnick, NorthJersey.com

Mets lineup for Game 1

Francisco Lindor (S) SS
Mark Vientos (R) 3B
Brandon Nimmo (L) LF
Pete Alonso (R) 1B
Starling Marte (R) RF
Jesse Winker (L) DH
Jose Iglesias (R) 2B
Tyrone Taylor (R) CF
Francisco Alvarez (R) C

Dodgers lineup

Shohei Ohtani (L) DH
Mookie Betts (R) RF
Freddie Freeman (L) 1B
Teoscar Hernández (R) LF
Will Smith (R) C
Max Muncy (L) 3B
Enrique Hernández (R) CF
Gavin Lux (L) 2B
Tommy Edman (S) SS

In many ways, the Week 6 edition of “Sunday Night Football” felt more like a Big Ten college football game: strong defensive efforts, impressive moments from both rushing offenses and plenty of punts.

The Cincinnati Bengals were able to grind out a 17-7 win over the New York Giants following that formula. Between the two teams, there were 10 punts and two missed field goals – both from the Giants. All three touchdowns in the game were on the ground – a 47-yard scramble score from Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, a 1-yard rush from Giants running back Tyrone Tracy and a 30-yard run from the Bengals’ Chase Brown taking advantage of busted run defense.

“Ugly … real ugly,” Burrow said of the win after the game.

Burrow finished the game 19-of-28 for 208 yards, with no passing touchdowns or interceptions. Daniel Jones was 22-of-41 passing for 205 yards and one interception.

Defensively, Bengals DT B.J. Hill starred with two pass deflections and two QB hits against his former team. Defensive end Trey Hendrickson also recorded two sacks.

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Cincinnati and New York both move to 2-4 after the game as they head into their respective divisional games in Week 7.

The Bengals will face the Cleveland Browns next week, while the Giants take on the Philadelphia Eagles.

Bengals vs. Giants highlights

Final: Bengals 17, Giants 7

Giants’ faint hopes extinguished by another missed field goal

Trailing by 10, New York tried to go for a field goal on second down after entering Cincinnati territory with the clock winding down late in the fourth quarter. The wise coaching decision did not pay off. For the second time in the game, Greg Joseph’s kick hooked wide left, giving the Bengals the ball back with under a minute left, sealing the Giants’ loss.

Cincinnati wins, 17-7.

Giants kicker Graham Gano is eligible to come off injured reserve as early as next week.

Chase Brown seemingly seals Bengals win with late TD

One play after nearly costing his team by fumbling, the Bengals’ running back breaks through the line to a wide-open second level. He sprinted the remaining 25 yards for what was, in total, an almost-untouched, 30-yard touchdown run.

Evan McPherson’s PAT extends Cincinnati’s lead to 17-7 with under two minutes left in the game.

Bengals retain possession after fumble

Giants linebacker Micah McFadden forced a fumble from running back Chase Brown after a big gain, but no player was able to get possession before the ball ended up out of bounds. It’s still Cincinnati’s ball in New York territory as the game hits the two-minute warning.

The Bengals are driving and still lead, 10-7.

Bengals force another turnover on downs

The Giants went for it on fourth down for a fifth time in the game. This time, on fourth-and-2 from the Cincinnati 36-yard line, Daniel Jones threw a pass behind Darius Slayton, who was running a slant route. Bengals cornerback D.J. Turner was able to knock the ball away and get his team the ball back with three minutes remaining in the game.

Cincinnati still leads, 10-7.

Joe Burrow takes brief trip to medical tent

The Bengals’ signal-caller took a hard hit from Giants defender Brian Burns on the final offensive play of Cincinnati’s last possession. The Bengals’ medical personnel had him evaluated in the blue medical tent for a moment, but NBC’s broadcast showed Burrow walking back to the sideline shortly thereafter. He was under center the Bengals’ next possession.

Giants’ potential game-tying field goal attempt goes wide left

The Giants were able to maintain an offensive drive to the Cincinnati 28-yard line before stalling. For the first time in the game, New York sent out its field goal unit on fourth down, but Greg Joseph’s 47-yard attempt sailed wide left of the uprights.

It’s still 10-7 Cincinnati with 10 and a half minutes to play in the game.

Bengals vs. Giants score: End of third quarter

The Giants ran just one play on their ensuing possession — a 15-yard screen pass to rookie tight end Theo Johnson — before the third quarter ended. They’ll have the ball with a first down on their own 30-yard line to begin the fourth quarter.

The Bengals lead 10-7.

Dexter Lawrence sack forces Bengals to settle for field goal

One play after an apparent rushing touchdown was nullified by an offensive holding call, the Giants’ star defensive tackle broke through the Bengals’ pass protection for his seventh sack of the season. The play brought up fourth down and forced Cincinnati to settle for a 37-yard field goal attempt.

Evan McPherson’s first attempt of the game split the uprights to give the Bengals a 10-7 lead with under a minute remaining in the third quarter.

Darius Slayton cleared to return after concussion evaluation

Ja’Marr Chase gives Bengals another big gain

The wide receiver broke free of cornerback Cor’Dale Flott’s coverage downfield for just a brief moment. It was enough for him to haul in Joe Burrow’s pass for a 33-yard gain — the second-most explosive play of the game behind Burrow’s 47-yard touchdown scramble.

The Bengals have put together a response to New York’s scoring drive. They made it into the red zone just a few plays after Chase’s big catch.

Tyrone Tracy caps off Giants’ strong drive with first NFL score

The Giants took advantage of the fumble recovery and a pass interference call in the end zone. They strung together a 16-play, 79-yard drive that included two converted fourth down plays, capped off by their first score of the game. Tracy had 39 yards from scrimmage on the drive and pounded the ball into the end zone to finish off the long scoring drive.

After Greg Joseph’s PAT, the score is tied, 7-7, and the Bengals will take over with just under six minutes left in the third quarter.

Giants’ second fourth down gamble pays off

One possession after a fourth-down attempt failed, New York once again went for it on fourth down from inside its own territory. This time, running back Tyrone Tracy converted the first down on a speed-option play to the right side. The Giants retain possession with just over nine minutes left in the third quarter.

Giants’ fourth down gamble fails but Bengals can’t take advantage, fumbling right back

New York went for it on fourth-and-2 from its own 38-yard line, but an incomplete pass from Daniel Jones intended for Wan’Dale Robinson gave Cincinnati the ball back with a short field.

The Bengals quickly squandered their prime opportunity to score, however. Three plays after taking possession, linebacker Bobby Okereke punched the ball out from the hands of running back Zack Moss, and fellow linebacker Micah McFadden jumped on it. The Giants take the ball back on their own 21-yard line.

Two and a half minutes into the second half, it’s still 7-0 Cincinnati.

Halftime: Bengals 7, Giants 0

There has not been much offense in this week’s ‘Sunday Night Football’ game. Every possession in the second quarter ended with a punt, so the score remains 7-0 Bengals at the end of the first half. Joe Burrow’s long scramble touchdown is still the only score.

Bengals vs. Giants first quarter score

Joe Burrow’s 47-yard scramble touchdown is the sole score on ‘Sunday Night Football’ through 15 minutes of action. The Giants will open the second quarter with the ball as Cincinnati punts for the second time in the game.

Bengals’ Germaine Pratt picks off Daniel Jones to halt Giants drive

Defensive tackle B.J. Hill applied quick pressure on Jones on New York’s first play in the red zone. The quarterback was unable to get a throw off before Hill affected the pass, which left a jump ball floating in the air above the heads of several Bengals defenders. In the end, it was Pratt who came down with it.

Pratt’s pick immediately ends the Giants’ red zone threat, and Cincinnati will now take over at its own 27-yard line.

Joe Burrow escapes Azeez Ojulari’s sack attempt

With the Bengals backed up within their own 15-yard line on third down, Ojulari got off the line fast and had Burrow wrapped up inside the Cincinnati 5. However, the outside linebacker didn’t complete the tackle to secure the sack. It allowed the Bengals’ quarterback to roll out and throw the ball away.

NBC color commentator Cris Collinsworth speculated that Ojulari was worried about getting a penalty on the play, which would explain why he inexplicably let go of the quarterback in the middle of making a tackle.

Joe Burrow gets Bengals on board with long rushing TD

A few plays into the Bengals’ first drive of the night, their gunslinger found an outside lane on the right side and broke away for a 47-yard rushing touchdown on third-and-18. It opened the night’s scoring by giving Cincinnati an early 7-0 lead.

What time is Bengals at Giants? 

Start time: 8:20 p.m. ET

The Giants vs. Bengals ‘Sunday Night Football’ matchup will get underway at 8:20 p.m. ET. The Bengals travel to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, to take on the Giants.

How to watch Giants vs. Bengals

TV channel: NBC

The game will air on NBC and Peacock. The game is also available to stream on Fubo.

Mike Tirico (play-by-play) and Cris Collinsworth (analyst) will be on the call, with Melissa Stark adding reports from the field for NBC. 

Bengals inactives vs. Giants 

DE Cedric Johnson 

T Andrew Stueber 

DT Lawrence Guy 

WR Jermaine Burton 

TE Tanner McLachlan 

DT Jay Tufele 

Giants inactives vs. Bengals 

WR Malik Nabers 

P Jamie Gillan 

RB Devin Singletary 

CB Tre Hawkins III 

G Jake Kubas 

WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton 

QB Tommy DeVito (third QB) 

Giants vs. Bengals predictions, picks

Here’s how the USA TODAY Sports staff feels the Giants vs. Bengals ‘Sunday Night Football’ matchup will shake out:

Lorenzo Reyes: Bengals 30, Giants 13
Tyler Dragon: Bengals 27, Giants 20
Jordan Mendoza: Bengals 27, Giants 25

Giants vs. Bengals odds, moneyline, over/under 

The Bengals 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. 

Spread: Bengals (-3.5) 

Moneyline: Bengals (-190); Giants (+155) 

Over/under: 48 

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

New to sports betting? USA TODAY readers can claim exclusive promos and bonus codes with the best online sportsbooks and sports betting sites. 

Giants vs. Bengals weather update 

It’s going to be a cool, cloudy night in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with a high of 68 degrees and a low of 66 degrees during the game. According to the Weather Channel, winds will max out at 5 mph, and chances of precipitation are steady at 15% for the entirety of the game. 

NFC East standings 

Washington Commanders (4-2) 

Philadelphia Eagles (3-2) 

Dallas Cowboys (3-3) 

New York Giants (2-3) 

AFC North standings 

Baltimore Ravens (4-2) 

Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2) 

Cincinnati Bengals (1-4) 

Cleveland Browns (1-5) 

Malik Nabers injury update 

The Giants will be without their rising star rookie wideout for their Week 6 matchup vs. the Bengals. Nabers was ruled out as he’s still dealing with concussion symptoms after he suffered one in Week 4. This will be the second straight game that he will miss. 

Kayvon Thibodeaux injury update 

New York placed pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux on injured reserve as he recovers from wrist surgery. Thibodeaux, who was drafted in 2021, has two sacks in the 2024 season.  

Who is the highest-paid NFL player?  

The NFL’s top 18 players in average annual salary are all quarterbacks, according to OverTheCap.com. Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott became the league’s highest-paid player this year, agreeing to a four-year, $240 million deal. Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is the first non-quarterback on the highest-paid list after striking a four-year, $140 million contract extension this offseason.  

Complete list of the league’s highest-paid players 

Cris Collinsworth staying at NBC, signing contract extension 

The No. 1 team on NBC’s ‘Sunday Night Football’ will stay intact, at least for the foreseeable future. 

According to a report from The Athletic, NBC Sports is close to securing a new four-year contract extension with top analyst Cris Collinsworth. The extension will keep him with the network through the 2029-30 season. His current contract runs through the 2026 season. 

NBC is scheduled to broadcast two more Super Bowls in the next six years, including Super Bowl 60 in 2026 and Super Bowl 64 in 2030. 

Collinsworth, 65, has won seven Emmy Awards for Outstanding Sports Studio Analyst. He makes about $12.5 million a year and has teamed up with Mike Tirico to call games. 

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