🏈 Lead Story · NFL Preseason Kickoff
FOOTBALL IS BACK! PANTHERS EDGE CARDINALS IN CANTON CLASSIC
Carolina pulls off a 33–30 thriller in the Hall of Fame Game to open the 2026 NFL preseason
By The Daily Dribble Sports Desk
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Canton, Ohio — The 2026 Hall of Fame Game officially kicked off the NFL preseason on Thursday night.
Football is officially back! The Carolina Panthers spoiled the Arizona Cardinals' night in Canton, Ohio, winning the 2026 NFL Hall of Fame Game 33–30 in a game that was way more exciting than anyone expected from a preseason opener. Quarterback C. Beck was super sharp, completing 15 of 19 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown — that's a 78.9% completion rate, Jacob! — to lead the Panthers to victory.
Running back B. Knight did his job on the ground, grinding out 60 yards on 12 carries to help Carolina control the clock and seal the win. The Cardinals had their chances, but the Panthers defense came up big in the closing minutes to hold on for the three-point victory. While the result doesn't count in the regular-season standings, it's the first taste of NFL action since last February — and it was absolutely delicious!
The Hall of Fame Game is a special tradition held in Canton, Ohio — the same city where the Pro Football Hall of Fame lives. Every year, it kicks off the entire NFL preseason, and this year's game delivered the drama. The real regular season is still a few weeks away, but after a long offseason, this was the perfect warm-up act.
⚾ MLB Recap — Thursday, August 6
Thursday was a MEGA baseball day with 11 games on the schedule, and several of them were absolute barnburners! The New York Mets demolished the Cleveland Guardians 13–6 behind M. Semien's monster 3-hit game (HR, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 runs). The Detroit Tigers shut out the Seattle Mariners 11–0 — yes, a shutout! — with D. Dingler going 3-for-6 with a homer and 3 RBI. And the Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox played an epic 13-inning thriller, with Boston winning 12–11 after C. Meidroth clubbed 2 homers and drove in 4 runs. The Cubs also needed 11 innings to beat the Blue Jays 3–2 in a makeup game, with D. Cease delivering a gem: 7 innings, 0 runs, only 2 hits, and 10 strikeouts!
| Away |
Score |
Home |
Score |
Note / Star |
| Angels ✓ |
4 |
Orioles |
1 |
Z. Neto: 2-5, HR, 3 RBI |
| Athletics |
5 |
Reds ✓ |
6 |
S. Stewart: 2-4, HR, 2 R |
| Mets ✓ |
13 |
Guardians |
6 |
M. Semien: 3-4, HR, 2B, 2 RBI |
| Pirates |
2 |
Brewers ✓ |
5 |
G. Sanchez: 2-3, HR, RBI |
| Blue Jays |
2 |
Cubs ✓ |
3 |
Final/11 · Makeup 6/21 · D. Cease: 10 K! |
| Tigers ✓ |
11 |
Mariners |
0 |
D. Dingler: 3-6, HR, 3 RBI — Shutout! |
| Nationals |
3 |
Phillies ✓ |
7 |
J. Young: 2-2, 3B, RBI |
| White Sox |
11 |
Red Sox ✓ |
12 |
Final/13 · C. Meidroth: 2 HR, 4 RBI! |
| Marlins |
3 |
Braves ✓ |
11 |
R. Acuña Jr.: 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2 R 🔥 |
| Twins ✓ |
4 |
Royals |
3 |
B. Witt Jr.: 3-4, 2B, 2 R, SB |
| Padres ✓ |
5 |
Diamondbacks |
1 |
G. Moreno: 3-4, 2B, RBI |
😴 Offseason Watch
🏀 NBA
No games yesterday — the NBA season is still going but there were no games scheduled on August 6. Check back for playoff updates and offseason signings!
🏀 College Basketball
College hoops is totally on break right now — the season doesn't tip off until November. Players are in the gym working on their games. March Madness can't come soon enough!
⚽ Soccer / World Cup
No international soccer games in the data yesterday. Keep an eye out — the next FIFA World Cup is on the horizon and qualifying news could pop up any time!
📊 By the Numbers
MLB games played Thu.11
Mets' winning score13
Meidroth HR in one game2
Cease strikeouts vs. TOR10
Tigers' shutout margin11–0
Acuña Jr. HR vs. Marlins2
Extra-inning games Thu.2
Panthers' HOF win margin3 pts
Beck completion %78.9%
OKC Thunder record (NBA)64-18 🔥
🏈 NFL Preseason Standings
Only the Hall of Fame Game has been played. Regular season 0-0 for everyone else!
| NFC South | W | L |
|---|
| Panthers | 1 | 0 |
| Falcons | 0 | 0 |
| Saints | 0 | 0 |
| Buccaneers | 0 | 0 |
| NFC West | W | L |
|---|
| Rams | 0 | 0 |
| 49ers | 0 | 0 |
| Seahawks | 0 | 0 |
| Cardinals | 0 | 1 |
⚾ MLB AL East
| Team | W | L | GB |
|---|
| Rays | 68 | 46 | — |
| Yankees | 64 | 51 | 6.5 |
| Red Sox | 63 | 51 | 6.0 |
| Orioles | 56 | 59 | +1.5* |
| Blue Jays | 54 | 62 | +4.0* |
*Below .500
⚾ MLB AL Central
| Team | W | L | GB |
|---|
| White Sox | 59 | 55 | — |
| Twins | 57 | 59 | +1.0* |
| Guardians | 57 | 59 | +1.0* |
| Tigers | 56 | 59 | +1.5* |
| Royals | 48 | 68 | +10* |
⚾ MLB AL West
| Team | W | L | GB |
|---|
| Astros | 59 | 57 | — |
| Rangers | 57 | 58 | 0.5 |
| Mariners | 56 | 60 | 2.0 |
| Athletics | 45 | 70 | 12.5 |
| Angels | 44 | 71 | 13.5 |
⚾ MLB NL East
| Team | W | L | GB |
|---|
| Braves | 70 | 45 | — |
| Phillies | 62 | 54 | 8.5 |
| Marlins | 58 | 58 | 12.5 |
| Nationals | 56 | 61 | 15.0 |
| Mets | 50 | 66 | 20.5 |
⚾ MLB NL Central
| Team | W | L | GB |
|---|
| Brewers | 72 | 43 | — |
| Cubs | 67 | 49 | 5.5 |
| Cardinals | 57 | 58 | 15.0 |
| Reds | 56 | 58 | 15.5 |
| Pirates | 57 | 60 | 16.0 |
⚾ MLB NL West
| Team | W | L | GB |
|---|
| Dodgers | 69 | 46 | — |
| Diamondbacks | 61 | 55 | 8.5 |
| Padres | 60 | 56 | 9.5 |
| Giants | 48 | 67 | 21.0 |
| Rockies | 45 | 70 | 24.0 |
🏀 NBA — Top Divisions
No games yesterday — but here are the final regular season records!
| Northwest | W-L |
|---|
| Thunder ⚡ | 64-18 |
| Nuggets | 54-28 |
| Timberwolves | 49-33 |
| Trail Blazers | 42-40 |
| Jazz | 22-60 |
| Southwest | W-L |
|---|
| Spurs 🌹 | 62-20 |
| Rockets | 52-30 |
| Pelicans | 26-56 |
| Mavericks | 26-56 |
| Grizzlies | 25-57 |
| Central | W-L |
|---|
| Pistons 🔩 | 60-22 |
| Cavaliers | 52-30 |
| Bucks | 32-50 |
| Bulls | 31-51 |
| Pacers | 19-63 |
🧠 Trivia Time!
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D. Cease struck out 10 batters in 7 innings for the Cubs on Thursday — but the game still went to extra innings! How many innings did the Cubs vs. Blue Jays game last?
▶ Answer: 11 innings! The Cubs won 3–2.
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The OKC Thunder finished with the best record in the entire NBA this season. What was that record?
▶ Answer: 64-18 — wow, that's incredible! 🔥
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C. Meidroth had a monster game in the Red Sox's 13-inning win over the White Sox. How many home runs did he hit, and how many RBI did he finish with?
▶ Answer: 2 home runs and 4 RBI in one game — a hero for Boston!