Apologies for the getting this out late, the boys got LOCKED OUT of their account by the powers that be. They can try to hold on us down, but we’ll always come back stronger. Here’s today’s edition of the DAILY STUMP:

Who is the only QB to throw for 300 yards and 3 TDs in a game this year? Yeah, you guessed it, ANDY DALTON! What an absolutely WILD day of ball yesterday! Not only did we have madness in the NFL, but the WNBA playoffs started, the MLB had a full slate, and there were soccer matchups left, right, and center! A big day yesterday can only mean we’re in for a big week! Happy Monday! Let’s ROLL!

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Today’s Trivia🧠

🏈 Which NFL team has appeared in the MOST Monday Night Football games?

• A. Pittsburgh Steelers

• B. Chicago Bears

• C. Dallas Cowboys

• D. New York Giants

• E. Philadelphia Eagles

(answer at the bottom of the Stump!)

On This Day…

🎾On this day in 2022, Tennis great Roger Federer plays his final professional match during the Laver Cup in London.

He teamed up with close friend and long-time rival Rafael Nadal, but the two lost to Americans Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe. Federer retired as one of the best to ever play the game and one of the most beloved athletes the sport of tennis ever saw.

What’s Worth Your Time

🏈Worth the Wait: Andy Dalton

It’s been a little while since we saw the ‘Red Rifle’ Andy Dalton as the starting quarterback on an NFL team for the foreseeable future, but he’s got the keys in Carolina now.

What was meant to be a veteran backup and mentorship role to Bryce Young has turned into a potential career revival for the Carolina Panthers’ new QB Andy Dalton.

Dalton went out there and gave a serious jolt to a Panthers squad that has been desperate for solid QB play. Dalton ended up throwing for 319 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Panthers to their first win of the 2024 season, 36-22 over the Raiders.

Dalton has been a little bit of a journeyman since he left Cincy, and has almost exclusively been the backup. Dalton certainly looked like Red Rifle of old yesterday, and maybe this will be similar to what we saw from Joe Flacco last season.

⚽️Sunday Soccer Review

While football was going on in the USA, fútbol was being played all across the world. Let’s fill you in on what you missed.

Haaland Strikes Again - To start off what ended up being a really ugly and gritty matchup, Erling Haaland took care of some historical business. Haaland put his 100th career Premier League goal in the bin about 9 minutes into the game. Man City didn’t score again until DEEP into stoppage time to secure a 2-2 draw, but it was Haaland who once again stole the show early.

Barcelona looks like Barcelona - It’s no secret that LALIGA runs through Barca, and that was no different in yesterday’s matchup versus Villarreal. Barca stars Robert Lewandowski, Pablo Torre, and Raphinha all put goals in the net in a 5-1 blowout. The scoring started early and Barca never took their foot off of the gas. Barca is now 6-0-0 to start the year.

Pulisic Gets Derby Going Early - Captain America Christian Pulisic got the Milan derby started early with a 10th-minute goal. It was a BATTLE throughout the whole game for both squads as AC Milan ended up putting a header in the back of the net in the 89th minute to beat Inter. Both teams are now 2-2-1 on the year as the Serie A season gets really rolling.

⚾️Cincy Going in a Different Direction

Cincinnati has been pretty disappointing this season after they surprised much of the league in 2023, so they made a move.

David Bell was hired in 2019 and entered this year as a serious playoff contender for the first time in a while, but this year has not gone as planned. They have battled injuries and overall underperformance which has led to a 76-81 record with 5 games left in the season.

Bell, who was let go shortly after yesterday’s game, received a three-year contract extension after the Reds surged into serious contention last season.

The Reds had high expectations entering the year, and other than the emergence of Elly De la Cruz as a true star and Hunter Greene as their ace of the future, this season has been a real disappointment.

Bench coach Freddie Benavides will serve as the interim manager.

🏈Monday Morning Quarterback

Nobody hates being a Monday Morning QB more than us at the Daily Stump, but let’s react to some things from the NFL yesterday.

The Titans Made a Mistake in Firing Vrabel - Tennessee has now fallen to 0-3 on the year after yesterday’s blow out courtesy of the Green Bay Packers and former Titans QB Malik Willis. Not only are they 0-3, but they’ve looked really poor. Bad QB play, bad defense, little to no run game, and it doesn’t look like things are getting better anytime soon. At least with Vrabel, the team had an attitude and an edge to them.

The Dolphins Will Miss the Playoffs - After losing Tua for the foreseeable future, not many were sure what the Dolphins would look like without him. Well, the answer is it’s not pretty. The Phins got smoked by the Seahawks, 24-3, and gave up a quick 17 points in the first quarter. To make matters worse, backup QB Skylar Thompson left the game with an injury. Without Tua, I just don’t see how this team can make a run to the playoffs.

The Vikings May Be Are a Problem - I’m not exactly sure what’s going on in Minnesota, but these boys look to be a problem. And yesterday, Houston had the problem. Sam Darnold tossed 4 touchdowns and is the best QB in the NFL right now. You heard me, he’s the best QB in the NFL right now. With Justin Jefferson catching the ball and a really strong backfield, the Vikings may be a real problem.

🏈Bold Take: Malik Nabers is HIM

Yeah, I know it may be not that hot of a take to say the second receiver taken off the board in this year’s draft is a really good player, but here’s why I think he may be the biggest thing in NYC since OBJ.

If you watched any of the Giants offense yesterday, it is likely that you heard Malik Nabers’ name once or twice. He finished the game with 8 receptions, 78 yards, and two touchdowns. A really solid performance from a rookie.

But it was what I saw beyond the numbers that really impressed me. The dude is a ball player. His demeanor is that of a star, he knows he’s that guy and he plays with so much confidence. He already looks like the most dominant player on the field in his third game in the NFL.

Giants players gravitate towards him, he plays with high intensity and passion, he just wants it more. He’s tall, strong, smooth, fast, and confident. He exudes swagger, he’s the perfect WR1.

He has the ability and the mindset to be the best WR in the league for years to come, I’m that high on him. Watch the Giants and just look at how he carries himself. A true junkyard dog.

Yesterday, but the Good Stuff❗️❗️ 

🏈 If you didn’t see the RAMS COMEBACK…MUST WATCH!

⚾️ I know it’s repetitive but we can’t not post it! This guy is THANOS! #53!

🏈 HOOK AND LADDER ALERT! Lions run it to PERFECTION!

🏈 Wildest stat you’ll see today!

🏈 Bears fans are in SHAMBLES!

🏀 Playoffs have begun! Aces looked good!

🏈 First 3-0 team….the Justin Field led STEELERS!

💯 Full Scoreboards: MLB, Soccer, PGA, NFL, WNBA, NCAAF

Today’s Slate

*All times are ET*

🏈 MNF on ESPN: Jaguars @ Bills (7:30 PM) Commanders @ Bengals (8:15 PM)

⚾️ Red Sox @ Blue Jays (7:07 PM), Mariners @ Astros (8:10 PM), Cubs @ Phillies (6:40 PM), Giants @ DBacks (9:40 PM), full schedule

⚽️LALIGA: Betis vs Mallorca (3:00 PM on ESPN+) ; Serie A: Atalanta vs Como (2:45 PM) ; NWSL: LA vs Portland (10:00 PM on CBSSN), full schedule

Trivia Answer:

C. Dallas Cowboys! While the Cowboys have appeared in the most games, the Pittsburgh Steelers have the most games won with 52!

Can’t thank you enough for sticking to the end of this thing we call The Daily Stump. If you know anybody who might want this bit of daily sports news in their life, send them this link! It would go a long way! Appreciate the hell out of you all!

Trees get chopped. Stumps hold strong!