{"id":256087,"date":"2025-09-26T12:25:10","date_gmt":"2025-09-26T12:25:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/256087\/"},"modified":"2025-09-26T12:25:10","modified_gmt":"2025-09-26T12:25:10","slug":"weekend-sports-watch-guide-mlb-playoff-push-wnba-semis-alabama-georgia-lamar-vs-mahomes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/256087\/","title":{"rendered":"Weekend sports watch guide: MLB playoff push, WNBA semis, Alabama-Georgia, Lamar vs. Mahomes"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s Friday night, where we\u2019re just grooving to the beat<\/a>. Here\u2019s to this loaded weekend of high-leverage games, a lineup that can contend with the best \u201csports equinox.\u201d<\/p>\n

College football serves up ranked SEC and Big Ten pairings, under the lights and with College Football Playoff gravity. The NFL gives us the near-annual Lamar Jackson-Patrick Mahomes showcase, plus Micah Parsons\u2019 return to Dallas on \u201cSunday Night Football.\u201d Both WNBA semifinal series are knotted up entering Friday\u2019s action, a fitting development for the league\u2019s most-watched season<\/a> ever. And the MLB playoff race is a certified banger \u2014 thank you, Cleveland.<\/p>\n

U.K. stakes to reach American screens include the Premier League\u2019s sixth matchweek and a contentious<\/a> Ryder Cup. There\u2019s a lot going on, so hopefully this weekend compilation helps consolidate listings and set the hype up right.<\/p>\n

All times ET, and all odds via BetMGM.<\/p>\n

Weekend sports viewing guide<\/p>\n

Watching in person?<\/strong> Get tickets on StubHub<\/a>.<\/p>\nGameTimeTVStream<\/tr>\n\n\n

Tigers at Red Sox<\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n

7:10 p.m., Fri.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n

Apple TV+<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\n

Aces at Fever (G3)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n

7:30 p.m., Fri.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n

ESPN2<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\n

Lynx at Mercury (G3)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n

9:30 p.m., Fri.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n

ESPN2<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\n

Burnley at Man City<\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n

10 a.m., Sat.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n

USA<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\n

Rangers at Guardians<\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n

7:15 p.m., Sat.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n

Fox<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\n

Oregon at Penn St.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n

7:30 p.m., Sat.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n

NBC<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\n

Alabama at Georgia<\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n

7:30 p.m., Sat.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n

ABC<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\n

Vikings vs. Steelers<\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n

9:30 a.m., Sun.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n

NFLN<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\n

Newcastle at Arsenal<\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n

11:30 a.m., Sun.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n

USA<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\n

Ryder Cup final<\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n

Noon, Sun.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n

NBC<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\n

Ravens at Chiefs<\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n

4:25 p.m., Sun.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n

CBS<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\n

Packers at Cowboys<\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n

8:20 p.m., Sun.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n

NBC<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC are available for free over the air. In addition, CBS streams on Paramount+, Fox streams on Fox One and NBC\/USA\/Universo streams on Peacock. All ESPN network broadcasts also stream on ESPN Unlimited. Out-of-market viewers can stream NFL games with NFL Sunday Ticket from YouTube TV<\/a>.<\/p>\n

FridayTigers at Red Sox, 7:10 p.m. on Apple TV+<\/strong><\/p>\n

Why you should watch: <\/strong>Detroit might be amid the single most disastrous collapse<\/a> in the history of MLB, a league that\u2019s existed across three centuries. So, how is this team combusting so furiously and with such synchronicity? Somehow, everyone on the team began glitching out, and late September is a supremely bad time for that to happen. The Tigers were in first place for 184 straight days, and led the Guardians by 9 1\/2 games atop the AL Central at the start of the month. Detroit and Cleveland are now tied for first in the division.<\/p>\n

The Tigers hit Kenmore Square in need of a flash reset. Time to burn the calendars, drink the detox and flip hats backward for a final weekend rally. There\u2019s something romantic about Fenway Park on a fall night, and unlike their guests, the Red Sox have not incurred a precedent-setting falloff. They\u2019ll try to laminate their wild-card spot while putting the \u201cMortal Kombat\u201d finishing move on Detroit.<\/p>\n

Aces at Fever, 7:30 p.m. on ESPN2<\/strong><\/p>\n

Why you should watch: <\/strong>Indiana is indestructible, surviving Caitlin Clark\u2019s injury (and, like, four other backcourt injuries) to claw into the top eight. It then sealed a first-round upset of Atlanta by winning an elimination game, on the road and by two points. Now, the Fever have reclaimed home-court advantage after a dominant Game 1 showing in Las Vegas. The Aces are still favored, because they employ all-multiverse shotmaker and back-to-back MVP A\u2019ja Wilson. But Indy\u2019s Kelsey Mitchell is one of the WNBA\u2019s best long-range ballers, and the Fever look unafraid after a trying past few months. Games 3 (Friday) and 4 (Sunday) are in the Fever\u2019s Gainbridge Fieldhouse.<\/p>\n

Lynx at Mercury, 9:30 p.m. on ESPN2<\/strong><\/p>\n

Why you should watch:\u00a0<\/strong>The Lynx play exemplary basketball, leading the WNBA in both offensive and defensive ratings. Napheesa Collier is a two-way wrecking ball on the inside, and the \u201cStud Budz<\/a>\u201d are pugnacious around the perimeter. Minnesota is a model franchise and a year-to-year contender, and it has been forthcoming in its desire for sheer revenge after last year\u2019s finals heartbreaker.<\/p>\n

Got it? Good. Now consider that the Mercury just erased a 20-point deficit<\/a> in the Lynx\u2019s den, tying the league record for biggest playoff road comeback. Consider that overtime was forced by an offensive rebound-turned-desperation 3. And consider that Phoenix\u2019s masco<\/a>t is a purple flame-throwing dinosaur named Scorch. Enough considering, it\u2019s time to lock in. Games 3 and 4 are in the desert (they have air conditioning, though, just to clarify).<\/p>\n

SaturdayBurnley at Manchester City, 10 a.m. on USA<\/strong><\/p>\n

Why you should watch:\u00a0<\/strong>For Erling Haaland, point blank. He is prolific and inevitable and now has the \u201csucker-punch<\/a>\u201d finisher back in his toolkit. It\u2019s an unbelievably deluxe toolkit, the kind with matte casing and fold-out compartments. Haaland is a week removed from setting a Champions League record, passing luminaries like Lionel Messi and Ruud van Nistelrooy as the fastest player to 50 UCL goals. The 25-year-old striker is an instant mood-booster, unless you\u2019re from Lancashire.<\/p>\n

Rangers at Guardians, 7:15 p.m. on Fox<\/strong><\/p>\n

Why you should watch: <\/strong>Cleveland was 69-70 on Sept. 4. From there: 17 wins in 20 games, including two series victories over the Tigers, who had held the AL Central\u2019s top spot for almost every waking moment of the 2025 season. With the divisional tiebreaker, the Guardians are now masters of their domain in this final weekend before the playoffs. The crowds are suitably buzzing<\/a>. \u201cFun times in Cleveland today!<\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n

No. 6 Oregon at No. 3 Penn State, 7:30 p.m. on NBC<\/strong><\/p>\n

Why you should watch:\u00a0<\/strong>It\u2019s college football\u2019s game of the week (by AP rankings and statistical projections). Both programs were CFP quarterfinalists a year ago, and they both harbor national title aspirations this time around. According to Bill Connelly\u2019s SP+ rankings<\/a>, a predictive model that adjusts for tempo and opponent, the Ducks-Nittany Lions matchup is separated by 0.4 points. Dante Moore is thriving as Oregon\u2019s quarterback, and counterpart Drew Allar has NFL scouts studying his every dropback.<\/p>\n

No. 17 Alabama at No. 5 Georgia, 7:30 p.m. on ABC<\/strong><\/p>\n

Why you should watch: <\/strong>It\u2019s college football\u2019s game of the week (by tradition and historic animosities). The juggernauts\u2019 rivalry dates back to 1895. The lower-ranked team has won the past four meetings, including the Bulldogs taking down the top-seeded Tide in the 2022 CFP National Championship Game. Kirby Smart\u2019s 2025 squad has home-field advantage at Sanford Stadium<\/a> and extra confidence after its blockbuster comeback against Tennessee<\/a>. Kalen DeBoer will have a lot to answer for if his program loses twice before October.<\/p>\n

SundayVikings vs. Steelers, 9:30 a.m. on NFL Network<\/strong><\/p>\n

Why you should watch:\u00a0<\/strong>This is the first-ever regular-season football game in Ireland. It\u2019s the second of seven international games splayed across the NFL schedule, and the first one (Chargers-Chiefs in Brazil) was a total bopper<\/a>. Dublin\u2019s Croke Park entertains a pair of 2-1 teams with large, ardent followings. What will Aaron Rodgers say from the Emerald Isle? Will he flagrantly misquote \u201cFinnegans Wake,\u201d or tout the hallucinogenic properties of colcannon? Tune in (early) to find out.<\/p>\n

Arsenal at Newcastle United, 11:30 a.m. on USA<\/strong><\/p>\n

Why you should watch: <\/strong>Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was riled up after Newcastle slowed play down in a January 2023 draw (0-0). Then he was all-out apoplectic<\/a> 10 months later, when Anthony Gordon\u2019s lone goal match-winner survived three separate video reviews. The Gunners won the most recent meeting 1-0, and the scoring has typically been limited when these two sides tangle. Still, Arsenal\u2019s high wattage makes it a must-watch Premier League offering, especially for American followers. Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Martin \u00d8degaard are among the international star names.<\/p>\n

Ryder Cup (final round), noon on NBC<\/strong><\/p>\n

Why you should watch: <\/strong>It\u2019s the United States (a country) versus Europe (a continent) for the 45th transatlantic head-to-head golf tournament. For the 2025 installment, world No. 2 Rory McIlroy leads the reigning champion Europeans onto the verdant greens of Bethpage Black on Long Island, New York. The Americans seek a vindication two years in the making. The hosts are captained by Keegan Bradley, the youngest golfer to hold the position since Arnold Palmer, and headlined by top-ranked player Scottie Scheffler.<\/p>\n

Ravens at Chiefs, 4:25 p.m. on CBS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Why you should watch: <\/strong>The fight sells itself. It\u2019s disorienting enough that one of these perennial contenders will be 1-3 after Sunday. Since 2020, only five teams to start 1-3 or worse have made the postseason, per TruMedia. Last year\u2019s Ravens-Chiefs game was also an automated chaos machine. It ended with Isaiah Likely\u2019s end zone catch that was called a touchdown and then overturned<\/a> by a fraction of a toe grazing the white chalk.<\/p>\n

Despite the recent division titles and Lamar Jackson\u2019s two MVP seasons, Baltimore has become the breeding lab for new, inventive and elaborate<\/a> ways to lose football games. Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City have made a dynasty from eking out one-score thrillers. Mahomes is 5-1 in head-to-head meetings with Jackson, including a win in the playoffs. Five of those games were decided by seven points or fewer. Listen close and you\u2019ll already hear Tony Romo, yelping and squawking with excitement.<\/p>\n

Packers at Cowboys, 8:20 p.m. on CBS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Why you should watch: <\/strong>We wrap up with a vengeful version of \u201cSunday Night Football.\u201d Green Bay brings Micah Parsons down to Dallas, where he had been a franchise staple since his first-round draft selection in 2021. Parsons and Cowboys owner\/general manager\/human mascot Jerry Jones went through protracted contract negotiations all offseason \u2026 all for the premier pass rusher to be traded seven days before the 2025 opener<\/a>. Expect a spirited celebration if Parsons gets a sack of former teammate Dak Prescott, and expect bizarre postgame quotes if Jones\u2019 team gets embarrassed in prime time.<\/p>\n

Streaming and ticketing links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.<\/p>\n

(Photo of the Georgia Bulldogs: Todd Kirkland \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"It\u2019s Friday night, where we\u2019re just grooving to the beat. Here\u2019s to this loaded weekend of high-leverage games,…\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":256088,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[49],"tags":[8802,532,1281,4341,1282,8998,1885,3919,9001,234,3570,4144,1519,8812,16863,9445,1381,1502,1545,62,1278,67,132,68,232],"class_list":{"0":"post-256087","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-wnba","8":"tag-alabama-crimson-tide","9":"tag-baltimore-ravens","10":"tag-boston-red-sox","11":"tag-burnley","12":"tag-cleveland-guardians","13":"tag-dallas-cowboys","14":"tag-detroit-tigers","15":"tag-georgia-bulldogs","16":"tag-green-bay-packers","17":"tag-indiana-fever","18":"tag-kansas-city-chiefs","19":"tag-las-vegas-aces","20":"tag-minnesota-lynx","21":"tag-minnesota-vikings","22":"tag-newcastle-united","23":"tag-oregon-ducks","24":"tag-penn-state-nittany-lions","25":"tag-phoenix-mercury","26":"tag-pittsburgh-steelers","27":"tag-sports","28":"tag-texas-rangers","29":"tag-united-states","30":"tag-unitedstates","31":"tag-us","32":"tag-wnba"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/115270590309061660","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/256087","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=256087"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/256087\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/256088"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=256087"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=256087"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=256087"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}