Thursday Sports Roundup Oct 3, 2024

3:00 PM ET - Manchester United at FC Porto (Europa League)

United currently sit 13th in the Premier League table and, within the past month, have twice been handed 3-0 embarrassments on their own pitch. First, by Liverpool and on Sunday, by Tottenham. I get the sense that they are going to seize this opportunity in Europa League play to release some frustration and prove they can elevate their play against a quality opponent. Porto is perennially one of the top squads in Portugal, and they are a strong side once again this year. They have a handful of talented young forwards who I expect to put the ball in net today. I think United will gain back a little confidence, but the ultimate result will be a draw.

Pick: Over 2.5 Goals (-135)

Score Prediction: FC Porto 2 Manchester United 2

7:08 PM ET - New York Mets at Milwaukee Brewers (MLB)

This is a philosophy I stick to fairly often: elimination games in major league baseball tend to be low scoring. From the pitching perspective, managers feel pressure to put their very best pitchers on the mound and they are quick to pull any guy who allows baserunners. From the hitting perspective, it's a challenge to stay calm under pressure and string together hits against high velocity arms. I envision a scoreless game until around the 4th inning, where we'll see Milwaukee get a couple of runs on the board and find a way to hang on and advance to face the Phillies in the NLDS. Sure, the first two games of this series have gone Over, but remember, the Brewers' recipe all year long has been great pitching and scrape together just enough offense to win.

Pick: Under 7.5 Total Runs (-115)

Score Prediction: Brewers 4 Mets 3

8:15 PM ET - Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons (NFL)

Could we see the first truly entertaining Thursday Night Football game since Week 1? I get the sense that yes, we will. I give the Falcons the edge here for a couple of reasons. First, the injury report. Tampa will be without 4 starters tonight, most importantly safety Antoine Winfield, Jr. who is a huge difference maker in the back end of the Bucs' defense. The other major absence of concern for the Bucs will be Right Tackle Luke Goedeke. His backup, Justin Skule, will be tasked with handling Matthew Judon out on the edge. That could be a headache that disrupts Tampa's timing and rhythm on offense. The next factor is how the Bucs' defense matches up against the Falcons. As you'd expect from a Todd Bowles defense, the Bucs take a blitz-heavy approach. They are third in the league in blitz percentage. However, it has yet to bear significant fruit, except against quarterbacks like Jalen Hurts who cannot beat the blitz. In my opinion, Kirk Cousins has the tools and the know-how to counter the Bucs' attack. I'll take this opportunity to highlight an underrated player - Falcons' WR Darnell Mooney. I believe he will have a big game tonight and get open for a 40+ yard TD at some point (especially given Winfield will not be playing). I can also see Bijan Robinson catching a pass or two in the flat and making a big play. I see Atlanta squeezing out a close win.

Pick: Darnell Mooney Over 45.5 Receiving Yards (-115)

Score Prediction: Falcons 20 Bucs 19