Raiders coach Jon Gruden has fired back at critics who have written off 2018 as a lost season in Oakland, saying after the 1-5 Raiders' disastrous 27-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in London, "We aren't tanking anything."

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/25001318/tanking-anything

USC's Gustin has surgery, should be ready for NFL workouts

https://www.foxsports.com/college-football/story/usc-s-gustin-has-surgery-should-be-ready-for-nfl-workouts-101618

Orlando held off a South Carolina comeback attempt Monday night. One night later the Solar Bears knew exactly how the Stingrays felt.

The visiting Stingrays broke open a tied game with a four-goal second period, then held off a third-period rally to score a 6-5 victory over the Solar Bears in the...

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/os-sp-solar-bears-stingrays-1017-story.html

Golf

10: The CJ Cup at Nine Bridges, Golf Channel

MLB Playoffs

American League Championship Series

8:39: Red Sox at Astros, TBS

National League Championship Series

5:05: Brewers at Dodgers, Fox Sports 1

NBA

7: Heat at Magic, Fox Sports Florida

8: Pelicans at Rockets, ESPN

10:30: Mavericks at Suns,...

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/os-sp-tv-listings-1017-story.html

Arizona was 0-for-10 on third down (0-for-2 on fourth down) in last Sunday's 27-17 loss at Minnesota.

https://www.foxsports.com/arizona/story/heat-on-mccoy-again-as-cardinals-prepare-for-broncos-101618

The player known by teammates as “Mr. Automatic” is set to return for the Rams.

Kicker Greg Zuerlein, sidelined for five games because of a groin injury, is on track to play Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.

That became clear Tuesday when the Rams waived Cairo Santos, who kicked what proved...

http://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/la-sp-rams-report-20181016-story.html

Jackie Bradley Jr. hit a grand slam, Nathan Eovaldi hushed Houston a day after some social media trash talk and the Red Sox beat the Astros 8-2 on Tuesday to take a 2-1 lead in the AL Championship Series.

Steve Pearce hit a tiebreaking solo homer for Boston off Joe Smith in the sixth inning, a...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/ct-ap-sports-template-20180226-story.html

It’s better to be a Joker than the Vonster.

The Nuggets laugh like winners do. The Broncos are grumpypants losers.

And who would’ve predicted that? What the heck is going on in this dusty old cowtown?

On a beautiful autumn day in Colorado like they write postcards about, I rambled up and down Interstate 25, dropping in on both Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and Broncos linebacker Von Miller at practice, to check in on the state of our local superstars. This much I know is true: While Broncos Stadium at Mile High and the Pepsi Center stand barely a mile apart, Miller and Jokic are currently working in very different corners of the Denver sports scene.

On the eve of the Nuggets’ season opener, the Joker was basking in the light of promised good times ahead. Meanwhile, with the clock ticking at 10 minutes until Armageddon on the Broncos, the Vonster was fumbling for a way out of the dark.

“I wouldn’t say it’s a must win, but we’re going to kick their (booty), though. Make sure you put that out there. We’re going to kick their (booty),” Miller declared Tuesday, going all Jerry Lawler on the Arizona Cardinals.

Angry Vonster is dope. But picking a fight with the Cardinals, the NFL’s 98-pound weaklings? Isn’t that kind of like daring Baby Groot to put up his dukes?

There are a whole lot of chafed chaps in Broncos Country. But I’ve never seen Miller so irked. And I told him so.

“I’m not irritated,” Miller replied. “I’m just confident.”

Well, he’s as confident as a man who plays football for a team that’s lost 15 of its most recent 22 games can be. The bumbling Broncos have made Denver mad as …

“The city’s on fire,” said Broncos coach Vance Joseph, sitting on a seat that has been dialed up to broil.

If you don’t mind, might I suggest a good sports reason for Denver to smile? (Hey, they don’t call me Mr. Sunshine for nothing.)

Jokic is as happy as a dude whose eardrums are thumping to the beat of a brand-new boombox, gifted by Nuggets teammate Isaiah Thomas. The Joker, blessed with a new five-year contract worth nearly $150 million, is also fixing to make some sweet noise in the NBA.

Are 50 victories and the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference really a possibility for Jokic and these Nuggets, a team that hasn’t qualified for the playoffs since 2013? Well, that sounds about right to me. Mo’ money, mo’ W’s.

As Jokic leaned against the wall in the Pepsi Center after the final workout before the Nuggets departed to Los Angeles to play the Clippers in the season opener, I asked him: Is it tough being a big, rich NBA star?

“Nah. No,” replied Jokic, faking annoyance. “I would have to say: No!”

Jokic seems destined to be invited to the All-Star Game for the first time in his career. He stands 6 feet 10 inches tall and weighs 250 pounds. But you will never see him be too big for his britches or act like a star. Why?

“The Joker is not,” said Jokic, who doesn’t see a star in the mirror when he shaves. “I’m telling you right now.”

For Jokic and the Nuggets, the No Excuses Tour is about to begin. It’s playoffs or bust.

So allow me to ask again: What the heck is going on in this dusty old cowtown, when the Rockies, Nuggets and Avalanche all are legit playoff material, while the reputation of our local NFL team is in tatters?

For Miller and the Broncos, this season has become such a bumpy ride it has left everybody sore. There’s a soap opera being played out at Dove Valley.

Meanwhile, Jokic works in a far better place. He’s an all star. Getting his game on. Time to go play.

On a scale of one to 10, how excited is the Joker for this NBA season?

“Right around 2½ or 3,” deadpanned Jokic, who was quick to add: “No, I’m joking.”

Why curse the Broncos, when you can laugh with the Nuggets?

https://www.denverpost.com/2018/10/16/broncos-von-miller-nuggets-nikola-jokic/

Communication remains a challenge for Florida State’s offensive line halfway through this season.

Week after week, FSU coach Willie Taggart emphasizes the importance of fluid communication, but constant changes to the starting offensive line have made smooth collaboration difficult.

The Seminoles...

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/os-sp-fsu-football-news-1017-story.html