Trivia

Jaguars WR Parker Washington had a 96-yard punt return touchdown on Sunday. It was the first ever special teams touchdown in the NFL’s London Games and the longest punt return in franchise history.

Who is Jacksonville’s all-time leading punt returner?

• A: Reggie Barlow

• B: Alvin Pearman

• C: Ace Sanders

• D: Mike Thomas

View the answer in the “Feedback” section

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Stocks

Trending up

• 🏈 (NFL) Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr. The 21-year-old first-round rookie is exceeding unthinkable expectations. Thomas Jr. ranks sixth among all players in receiving yards after catching all 5 of his targets for 89 yards and a touchdown on Sunday (mostly against Patriots stud cornerback Christian Gonzalez). Since 2000, the only other rookies to record 480-plus yards and 4-plus scores in their first seven games are Ja’Marr Chase, Odell Beckham Jr., Marques Colston and A.J. Green. Thomas Jr. is a “star” according to team owner Shad Khan and everyone else with two eyes. -Gus Logue

• 🏈 (CFB) Georgia Bulldogs. When Kirby Smart makes his team out to be underdogs doubted by the media, it’s usually a motivational tactic not based in reality. Over the past seven days, that doubt was as real as it gets. Not many outside of the Georgia state line were giving the Dawgs much of a chance as they traveled to Austin to take on the undefeated (and #1 ranked) Texas Longhorns. Despite a day to forget from All-American QB Carson Beck, the Dawgs rolled over the Longhorns, 30-15, and now control their destiny in the race to the SEC title game. -Trent Osborne

• 🏀 Boston Celtics. If there was any question as to whether the defending champions would have the same hunger as last year, they silenced everyone with their play against the New York Knicks. The Celtics tied an NBA record with 29 made three-pointers on the night they raised an NBA record 18th banner. Franchise centerpieces Jayson Tatum (37 points, 10 assists) and Jaylen Brown (23 points) were absolutely unstoppable. If opening night was any indication as to what’s to come, the rest of the league is in serious trouble. -RJ Saunders

• ⚾️ 2024 World Series. MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and baseball executives must be over the moon about this Fall Classic matchup. Yankees vs. Dodgers. New York vs. LA. Two of the most historic franchises in the sport. You could not dream of a more marquee matchup. The two biggest stars in baseball are Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge, and they will square off for the title. Get your popcorn ready. -Andrew Gibson

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• 🏈 (NFL) Jaguars DT Maason Smith. As much as Thomas Jr. is on the rise, the stock of Jacksonville’s second-round rookie is on the decline. Smith was a healthy scratch for the second time in his young career — even after the Jaguars traded away Roy Robertson-Harris, thus losing defensive tackle depth. It’s way too early to make any definite claims about Smith or Thomas Jr., let alone most rookie-deal players, but the latter must find a way to at least get on the field. -Gus Logue

• 🏈 (CFB) Alabama Crimson Tide. Remember when the Crimson Tide beat Georgia in the Game of the Year? It was only three weeks ago, but it feels like an eternity given that the Tide are now 1-2 (and a play away from 0-3) since. In under a month we’ve gone from “Will Alabama miss a beat without Nick Saban?” to Bama’s message boards being lit on fire asking about a contract buyout for first-year head coach Kalen DeBoer. Life after the GOAT was always going to be a rough transition for Alabama fans, but they certainly weren’t expecting to be on life support in their pursuit of a second straight SEC Championship just past the halfway point of the season. -Trent Osborne

• 🏀 Philadelphia 76ers. For a team that has championship aspirations, the Sixers got bad news that Joel Embiid and Paul George are out for the team’s opener against the Milwaukee Bucks. Both will be evaluated and will look to play next week. Hopefully it won’t be a lengthy issue, but with the injury history of Embiid and George, it’s sad to think that injuries is what could keep Philadelphia from returning to the Finals for the first time since 2001. -RJ Saunders

• ⚾️ Tropicana Field. The home of the Rays was damaged significantly by Hurricane Milton earlier this month. The Rays and MLB are evaluating temporary stadiums to play in while the stadium’s roof is repaired — the ballpark will not be ready for Opening Day 2025, so where the Rays will play their home games to start next year is to be determined. The team is considering all options to stay around Tampa. -Andrew Gibson

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