The Chicago Bears remained busy with the NFL trade deadline approaching on Tuesday, acquiring wide receiver Chase Claypool from the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The move comes after Chicago traded two-time All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith to the Baltimore Ravens on Monday and pass-rusher Robert Quinn to the Philadelphia Eagles last Wednesday.
The Bears (3-5) are sending a 2023 second-round draft pick to Pittsburgh (2-6) in exchange for Claypool, who has 32 catches for 311 yards and a touchdown reception in eight games this season.
The Steelers selected Claypool in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft, and he has totalled 153 catches for 2,044 yards and 12 TD grabs in 39 games.
Claypool has run the ball 32 times for 167 yards and two touchdowns in his career, and he threw a one-yard TD pass to Pittsburgh running back Derek Watt in last week's 35-13 loss to the Eagles.
The Brooklyn Nets have parted company with head coach Steve Nash.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Nets and Nash came to a mutual decision to part ways after a disappointing start to the 2022-23 season.
The Nets have won just two of their opening seven games, though they did beat the Indiana Pacers 116-109 on Monday.
Jacque Vaughn will be the Nets' acting head coach for Tuesday's game with the Chicago Bulls.
"We want to thank Steve for everything he brought to our franchise over the past two-plus seasons," said general manager Sean Marks.
"Since becoming head coach, Steve was faced with a number of unprecedented challenges, and we are sincerely grateful for his leadership, patience and humility throughout his tenure.
"Personally, this was an immensely difficult decision; however, after much deliberation and evaluation of how the season has begun, we agreed that a change is necessary at this time. We wish Steve, Lilla and their family all the best in the future."
A two-time MVP as a player and former consultant for the Golden State Warriors during two of their championship-winning seasons in 2017 and 2018, Nash took charge of the Nets in 2020.
He led them to the Eastern Conference semifinals in 2020-21, losing a seven-game series to eventual champions the Milwaukee Bucks.
A tumultuous 2021-22 campaign that saw James Harden traded to the Philadelphia 76ers ended with the Nets losing in the first round of the playoffs to the Boston Celtics in a sweep.
Despite having the chance to coach stars including Harden, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving during his Nets tenure, Nash has had to navigate much controversy, predominantly surrounding Irving.
Irving's refusal to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and his inability to play in cities with vaccine mandates, including New York, complicated Nash's second season in charge.
This season, Irving has attracted significant criticism and was condemned by Nets owner Joe Tsai for his promotion of a documentary film said to be "full of anti-Semitic disinformation".
Nash had said he hoped the Nets could "grow through this together", but they will now tackle this latest saga surrounding their star guard without him.
He leaves the Nets with a 94-67 regular-season record.
"Thank you, Brooklyn," Nash said in a statement on Twitter.
"A very heartfelt thanks to Joe and Clara Tsai along with Sean Marks for giving me the opportunity to coach the Brooklyn Nets. It was an amazing experience with many challenges that I'm incredibly grateful for.
"It was a pleasure to work with the players, performance team and front office everyday. I'm especially grateful to my coaching staff and video room who are a talented group with so much character and professionalism.
"Lastly, thanks to Brooklyn and the passionate fans who support this team. Family first and my family has found a home here and LOVES being a part of this beautiful community.
"I wish the Nets all the success in the world and the Nash's will be rooting for our team as they turn this season around."
The Minnesota Vikings acquired tight end T.J. Hockenson from the NFC North rival the Detroit Lions on Tuesday, according to multiple reports.
Minnesota are sending a 2023 second-round draft pick and a 2024 third-round selection to Detroit, and the Vikings will also receive a 2023 fourth-round pick along with a 2024 conditional fourth-round selection.
The Vikings lead the NFC North with a 6-1 record, while Detroit is in last place at 1-6.
It is a move which comes hours before the trade deadline after Minnesota lost tight end Irv Smith Jr. to a high ankle sprain in last week's 34-26 win over the Arizona Cardinals.
Smith is expected to miss eight to 10 weeks.
The Lions selected Hockenson with the eighth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. He has 186 catches for 2,068 yards and 15 touchdowns in 47 career games.
Hockenson was leading the Lions with 395 receiving yards and had a team high-tying three TD grabs this season.
He is under contract through 2023 after the Lions picked up his fifth-year option.
The fit-again Cheslin Kolbe will play his first Test at full-back when South Africa face Ireland at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
Kolbe has not featured for the Springboks since July due to a broken jaw, but the versatile back will don the number 15 shirt against the top-ranked side in the world.
Kurt-Lee Arendse and Makazole Mapimpi will start on the wings in an exciting back three for the world champions' opening Test of their tour in Dublin
Damian Willemse gets the nod at fly-half, with Jaden Hendrikse at scrum-half ahead of Faf de Klerk and Jasper Wiese selected as number eight in a loose trio with Pieter Steph-du Toit and Siya Kolisi
Springboks coach Jacques Nienaber said: "We selected a team we believe contains the best combinations to counter the threats posed by Ireland.
"Damian has done well for us at fly-half, and he is continuing to grow as a player in that role, while we think Cheslin has the potential to add a new dimension to our game at full-back.
"He was sidelined for a while after breaking his jaw against Wales, but he has played four 80-minute matches for Toulon since returning to play, and we are confident that he will step up to the challenge."
South Africa team: Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Makazole Mapimpi, Damian Willemse, Jaden Hendrikse; Steven Kitshoff, Malcolm Marx, Frans Malherbe, Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, Siya Kolisi (captain), Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jasper Wiese.
Replacements: Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche, Vincent Koch, Franco Mostert, Deon Fourie, Kwagga Smith, Faf de Klerk, Willie le Roux.
Brodie Retallick has been banned for New Zealand's upcoming Tests against Wales and Scotland, but he is in contention to return against England.
The lock was dismissed for a dangerous clean-out on Kazuki Himeno in the second half of Saturday's 38-31 victory over Japan in Tokyo.
Speaking after that match, New Zealand head coach Ian Foster confirmed his side would look at contesting the red card.
An independent judicial committee handed Retallick a three-game ban on Tuesday, though that will be reduced by one game if he completes a coaching intervention programme.
The 31-year-old will therefore play no part against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday or Scotland in Edinburgh the following week, but he will be eligible to face England on November 19.
New Zealand, who retained their Rugby Championship title in September, have already lost hooker Dane Coles and skipper Sam Cane through injury against Japan.
Sam Whitelock will take over as captain after recovering from an inner ear problem.
Stoffel Vandoorne will join Aston Martin as a test and reserve driver for the 2023 Formula One season.
The Formula E champion will share duties along with F2 champion Felipe Drugovich, raising doubts over the future of Nico Hulkenberg.
German Hulkenberg, Aston Martin's current reserve driver, has been linked with a move to Haas.
Vandoorne, who made 41 Grand Prix starts or McLaren from 2016 to 2018, will continue driving for the DS Penske Formula E team for the 2022/23 season.
"It is incredibly exciting to be stepping into a reserve-driver role in Formula One – and I'm delighted to be doing it with Aston Martin,” said 30-year-old Belgian Vandoorne.
"I've watched with great interest how the team has developed and expanded operationally, and I know how incredibly determined it is to make progress in every area.
"Joining Fernando [Alonso], who I already know from my Formula One racing career, and Lance [Stroll], to help them develop and improve next year's car will be a terrific job.
"I'm really looking forward to the challenge – and reward – of working together with the whole organisation at Silverstone."
Steve Nash said the Brooklyn Nets should look to "grow through this together" after a number of fans wore 'Fight Antisemitism' T-shirts in protest against Kyrie Irving's recent highlighting of a controversial film.
The 30-year-old Irving tweeted a link to 'Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America' last Thursday, with Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai condemning Irving for promoting the documentary film. Tsai alleged the film was "full of anti-Semitic disinformation".
The Nets and NBA released strong statements refusing to tolerate "hate speech", while coach Nash said the star guard had been spoken to prior to Saturday's 125-116 loss to the Indiana Pacers.
Irving said at the weekend he would not "stand down" and pointed to the "historical complexities" of African heritage in America, but he subsequently deleted the social media post that sparked the uproar.
Nash spoke again on the matter after Monday's 116-109 win against the Pacers, which saw a group of seven Nets fans conspicuous at courtside in the protest T-shirts.
They were Orthodox Jews, the New York Post reported, quoting one of the fans, Aaron Jungreis, as saying the Nets "should not keep a guy like that around", with regard to Irving. The fan also told the newspaper the Nets should "have to discipline him in some way".
Looking at how Irving has handled the episode, Nash said: "That's an ongoing conversation. I haven't been a part of those internal talks, to be honest. I've been coaching, preparing the team. But I know they're looking at that constantly."
Erasing the controversial social media content appears to have been taken as a positive step, with Nash saying that "certainly helps".
The Nets coach added: "I just hope that we all grow through this together. There's always an opportunity for us to grow and understand new perspectives.
"I think the organisation is trying to take that stance that we communicate through this and all come out in a better position with more understanding and wanting to have empathy for every side of this debate and situation."
Irving last week wrote on Twitter: "I am an OMNIST and I meant no disrespect to anyone's religious beliefs. The 'Anti-Semitic' label that is being pushed on me is not justified and does not reflect the reality or truth I live in everyday. I embrace and want to learn from all walks of life and religions."
Sam Whitelock has taken over as New Zealand captain for the tour of Europe after Sam Cane was ruled out.
Cane returned home after suffering two cheekbone fractures in a 38-31 win over Japan at the National Stadium in Tokyo on Saturday.
Whitelock will lead the All Blacks when they face Wales at the Principality Stadium on Saturday, Scotland at Murrayfield and England at Twickenham.
The lock did not feature against the Brave Blossoms last weekend due to an inner ear problem.
All Blacks forwards coach Jason Ryan says it was an easy decision to pick Whitelock as stand-in skipper.
"Really experienced, really respected in the group," Ryan said. "It was pretty straightforward, and really well supported by the vice-captains.
"He has (played) 100-plus test matches, so he's experienced a lot. He's the right man for the job."
Vice-captain Ardie Savea had no issue with being overlooked.
He said: "Regardless of if I was skip or vice, my role doesn't change in terms of how I lead in this team.
"I am just happy to be in the team, and if I do get a chance this week, just grateful to put on the jersey.
"I am stoked that we have Sammy taking control of the side and he will have myself and Baz (Beauden Barrett) right behind him, beside him."
Cleveland Browns franchise player Myles Garrett enjoyed sticking it to Joe Burrow with a convincing 32-13 home win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Monday's AFC North showdown.
Garrett, Sione Takitaki, Deion Jones, Taven Bryan and Isaiah Thomas all collected sacks on Bengals quarterback Burrow, while A.J. Green intercepted one of his passes off a Garrett deflection, and Tommy Togiai recovered the ball when Burrow fumbled.
It was a stat-stuffing performance from the Browns defense, holding the Bengals scoreless through the first three quarters to snap a four-game losing streak.
Garrett said this was a game his team were taking personally, indicating they felt disrespected by preseason comments from the Bengals.
"Heck yeah, we really wanted to get after them," he said. "They definitely had this one circled, as well.
"We all wanted to get after them after what they said about our defense and what they were going to do. We can’t wait to see them again in their house."
On Burrow, Garrett said: "I don't know if it's him saying the sacks are underrated or the wide receivers talking about our defensive backs, but I guess they just light a fire in us and we are able to get after them a little differently.
"Burrow and I are cool off the field, but in between the goal line and me, he is going to have to take that L."
Tallying one and a half sacks, Garrett is now fifth in the NFL with seven and a half for the season, but he said the most enjoyable part of this game was that everybody was getting involved.
"That first tipped pass leading to an interception, and then that sack," he said. "It felt like everyone was like 'the bank is open – everyone grab something'.
"I was rushing to get to the passer to make a big play, but there were a lot of guys playing lights out – it was just beautiful to see.
"[We were] just confident, just liked the matchup. [Burrow] is a great quarterback, and it is difficult to get to him, especially with how quick they get the ball off, but if and when we make him bring the ball down, we are rushing and we are going to get there.
"We had enough time to get there and have an effect on the game."
Garrett went on to talk about how he feels this could be a turning point for the Browns (3-5) as they take their momentum into their bye week.
"I think we have what it takes," he said. "We have taken our lumps, but we will show what we have and our dedication to the game and what it takes to get wins in this league, because they don’t come easily.
"Right now, to get a win like this, and in a dominant fashion, it is showing the guys how good we can really be.
"I don’t want to say perfect – perfect would have been a shutout, but it was damn close. It was a fun one to play in because it felt like everything was clicking all over the field."
Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner took his opportunity on the podcast of ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski to lay out the case for why the Los Angeles Lakers should trade for him.
Turner, 26, led the NBA in blocked shots per game in the 2018-19, 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons. His career average of 2.29 blocks per game is second among all active players, trailing only Lakers star Anthony Davis (2.34).
Of all the players to average at least two blocks per game across the past two seasons, only Memphis Grizzlies big-man Jaren Jackson Jr has also averaged at least one made three-pointer per game.
His unique combination of shot blocking and shooting at a relatively young age has made him an intriguing trade chip for the Pacers, who are well-and-truly in the middle of a total rebuild, led by young point guard Tyrese Haliburton.
There were reports in the offseason about a potential trade between the Lakers and Pacers that would have seen Russell Westbrook and the Lakers' first round draft picks in 2027 and 2029 sent to the Pacers for Turner and shooter Buddy Hield.
Speaking on the Woj Pod, Turner, who is in the last year of his contract, said he believes it is a deal the Pacers should revisit.
"Coming into a contract year as well, you can’t lose me for [nothing]," he said.
"[The Pacers] can’t have the notion of me playing out this year, they don’t trade me, and it’s like 'okay, say free agency comes around and I don’t re-sign here'. Let’s just be real – that’s just bad on the organisation.
"If they do trade me, and they do get assets for me coming along, they’re doing what’s best for them and doing what they’re paid to do. There’s no hard feelings with that."
He then laid out his case for why he believes he would be a strong fit, and be more appreciated with the Lakers.
"I know what I can provide for a team," he said. "My leadership, my shot-blocking, my three-point ability and just my ability to make plays out there on the floor.
"If I'm the Lakers, I take a very hard look at this with the position that you're in… but as far as pulling the trigger, I get paid to shoot. I'm not paid to make these calls, so I couldn't answer that.
"I just feel like here in the Midwest we don't get the love that I think we deserve... it doesn't get taken in on the national level.
"You are under the microscope out there in the West. When you are doing bad, you're going to hear about it. When you are doing great, you are going to get a lot of love, especially with the love that the Lakers get.
"I think that another aspect that is [appealing is] playing with greatness and playing under LeBron. I feel like he demands a certain level of excellency, especially at this point of his career. It's just one of those things; when you are out there, you got to perform.
"People are going to expect you to go out there and hold on to that legacy that the Lakers have built over the years."
The NBA trade deadline is not until February 9, but with the Lakers starting their season 1-5, they may act with urgency to turn things around.
Aryna Sabalenka fought from a set behind to come back and defeat Ons Jabeur 3-6 7-6 (7-5) 7-5 in their first match of the WTA Finals on Monday.
Sabalenka, 24, has now won her past three matches against Jabeur, and this time around it was her ability to limit the effectiveness of the Tunisian's serve that turned the tide.
Jabeur's serve dominated the opening set, winning 73 per cent (16-of-22) of her service points while not allowing Sabalenka a single break point opportunity.
The second set was a different story, as some double faults crept into Jabeur's game and her success rate on her service points dipped to 51 per cent (24-of-47), allowing Sabalenka to break three times before forcing a decider with a close tiebreaker.
Sabalenka finally got on top in the third set, narrowly edging the total points count 37 to 31 in the frame while converting both of her break point chances to finish off the victory.
She now sits second in the Group B standings, trailing Maria Sakkari due to the Greek winning her match in straight sets.
BREAK POINTS WON
Sabalenka - 5/8
Jabeur - 6/10
WINNERS/UNFORCED ERRORS
Sabalenka - 21/26
Jabeur - 37/29
ACES/DOUBLE FAULTS
Sabalenka - 1/6
Jabeur - 7/5
The Cleveland Browns were never in any trouble during their 32-13 home triumph over the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday.
Things got off to a poor start for the visiting Bengals, with quarterback Joe Burrow throwing an interception on the opening drive of the game.
After a scoreless first quarter, Nick Chubb powered home a three-yard touchdown run early in the second period, also converting the two-point conversion, and a late field goal would give his Browns an 11-0 lead at the long break.
The Browns came out of halftime strongly, manufacturing an 11-play drive that culminated in a three-yard touchdown scamper from quarterback Jacoby Brissett.
A four-yard goal-line fade to Amari Cooper blew out the margin to 25-0, before a few late touchdowns finally put some Bengals points on the board.
Burrow ended up completing touchdown passes to Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins to salvage a respectable day, completing 25 of his 35 passes for 232 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
Brissett was strong, completing 17-of-22 for 278 yards, one touchdown and one fumble, but Chubb was the engine that made the offense move.
Chubb ran the ball 23 times for 101 yards and two touchdowns, while through the air it was Cooper leading the way with five catches for 131 yards and a score.
With the win, the Browns snapped a four-game losing streak and moved to 3-5. They remain behind the Bengals (4-4) and the Baltimore Ravens (5-3) in the AFC North.
Big performances from Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday and Brook Lopez carried the Milwaukee Bucks to a 110-108 victory against the Detroit Pistons on Monday.
With their win, the Bucks are now 6-0, and the NBA's last remaining unbeaten team.
Two-time MVP Antetokounmpo led the way with a game-high 31 points on 12-of-23 shooting, and he delivered in an important stretch of the game.
After the Bucks came out of halftime with a 60-52 lead, the Pistons got on a quick run, cutting the margin to one at 62-61, before Antetokounmpo scored his team's first 10 points of the third quarter to steady the ship.
He was supported well by Holiday, who scored 25 points with an efficient long-range shooting performance, finishing seven-of-15 from the field while hitting five of his 11 three-point attempts. He also added 10 assists and seven rebounds
Meanwhile, Lopez was a force in the middle of the paint, scoring 26 points (10-of-16) with nine rebounds and two blocks.
For the Pistons, Cade Cunningham was excellent with 27 points (11-of-23), seven assists and six rebounds, while the fifth overall pick from this year's NBA Draft, Jaden Ivey, had seven of his 19 points in the fourth quarter to make it a game down the stretch.
Harden narrowly misses career-high
James Harden was one assist shy of his career-high as he dished out 17 in the Philadelphia 76ers' 118-111 win over the Washington Wizards.
His 17 assists matched his regular-season high, becoming the 10th time he has reached that figure, while he had 18 assists in a playoff game for the Brooklyn Nets against the Boston Celtics in the first round of 2021.
Against the Wizards, Harden also added 23 points (eight-of-17 shooting) and seven rebounds, with Tyrese Maxey finishing as their top-scorer with 28 on 12-of-22 shooting.
Washington's Kristaps Porzingis was the game's highest scorer with 32 points (10-of-17), nine rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Durant and the Nets get back in the win column
The Brooklyn Nets snapped a four-game losing streak when they defeated the Indiana Pacers 116-109.
Superstar duo Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving led the way as Ben Simmons missed the game with swelling in his knee.
Durant finished with a game-high 36 points on 13-of-22 shooting, while adding nine rebounds and seven assists. Irving was not far behind, posting 28 points (nine-of-19) with six rebounds, six assists and four steals.
Second-year wing Chris Duarte was impressive for the Pacers, scoring 30 points on 10-of-15 shooting, hitting five-of-10 from long range.
Maria Sakkari defeated Jessica Pegula 7-6 (8-6) 7-6 (7-4) in the opening match of the WTA Finals on Monday in Fort Worth.
It was a highly anticipated first match after the same two competitors faced off in the Guadalajara Open final just eight days ago, with Pegula taking that contest 6-2 6-3 in convincing fashion.
That final lasted just 71 minutes, but the rematch would be a far more gruelling affair, with the first set alone reaching 73 minutes.
Illustrating the even nature of the contest, both players won exactly 52 out of 104 total points played in the opening set, with both players converting three of their five break point opportunities.
Sakkari created a slight edge in the second set, winning 52 per cent of the points (42-of-81) and creating four break point opportunities to Pegula's one.
Pegula took her only chance to break, and then saved two match points to force a tiebreak, but Sakkari would not be denied as she secured the victory and moved to the top of the Group B standings.
BREAK POINTS WON
Sakkari - 4/9
Pegula - 4/6
ACES/DOUBLE FAULTS
Sakkari - 3/1
Pegula - 3/4
WINNERS/UNFORCED ERRORS
Sakkari - 22/22
Pegula - 22/28
Game 3 of the World Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros has been pushed back a day as inclement weather prevented play from starting on Monday.
It means the entire series will also be adjusted to allow for the scheduled off-day to remain, with Game 4 now scheduled for Wednesday, Game 5 on Thursday, and a day off on Friday.
If Game 6 and Game 7 are required, they will be contested back in Houston on Saturday and Sunday after Philadelphia hosts Game 3, Game 4 and Game 5.
The series is currently tied at 1-1 after the Phillies won the opener in a thrilling comeback, before Houston levelled things with a convincing Game 2 victory.
The Philadelphia 76ers have been stripped of a pair of second-round draft picks for holding conversations with free-agent players prior to the NBA's allotted time period, the league announced Monday.
Philadelphia will forfeit their second-round selections in the 2023 and 2024 drafts after being found to have engaged in early discussions with forwards P.J. Tucker and Danuel House Jr., both of whom later signed with the team.
The NBA said in a statement that the 76ers fully cooperated with the investigation.
Tucker, a 12-year veteran and defensive specialist, signed a three-year, $33million contract in July, a move made possible by star guard James Harden declining a $47m player option and re-signing with the 76ers at a lower salary to create cap flexibility.
House, a reserve averaging 2.7 points per game this season, was signed to a two-year deal worth around $8.4m.
Philadelphia are the fourth team in the past two years to lose second-round picks for a violation in player negotiation rules. The Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls were previously hit with similar penalties.
Carlos Alcaraz views fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal as another competitor and "not my enemy", despite the pair's battle for top spot in the world rankings.
The 19-year-old continues to break records at the top table in tennis, becoming the first teenager to be crowned world number one in the Open Era.
Alcaraz, aged just 19 years and 129 days, also set a new benchmark as the youngest number-one ranked male player in the world since rankings were published in 1973.
Those feats came after winning September's US Open, where he joined Arthur Ashe (1968) and Rod Laver (1969) as the only Open Era players to win on their first or second main-draw outing at the tournament.
Now, Alcaraz has Nadal – a record 22-time major winner – chasing him for top spot, though the youngster assures there will never be bad blood between himself and his compatriot.
"I don't see it that way," Alcaraz responded to Eurosport when asked if he was embroiled in a battle with Nadal.
"It's true, Rafa is fighting for the No.1. Some players have the same goal – to be No.1, so I need to do my best. Outside the court [Rafa and I] are colleagues, at least it's the way I see it.
"Rafa is not my enemy. I say hello, I don't see that competition. With the rest of the players, it's the same. Beyond that relationship, I'll try to keep being No.1."
While Alcaraz remains the world's top-ranked male player, he intends to savour the moment after a surreal victory at the US Open.
"It is an incredible feeling, waking up as No.1, the US Open winner. It's a dream come true," he added.
"I am enjoying this moment so far. I keep working, my life is still the same, I'm still the same kid, same player. I just keep practising, keep improving."
As the teen aims to relish topping the ranks, his next focus turns to the Paris Masters – where he faces Yoshihito Nishioka on Wednesday – with a knee injury not as serious as first thought.
"It's a little pain, but the calendar is very demanding," he said of the injury. "We are playing and travelling with barely any breaks and it's normal that we have a few pains.
"All players have them and we learn how to deal with them. I am feeling good physically and I am ready to play here in Paris and in Turin in the [ATP] Finals."
Jannik Sinner and Marin Cilic were the two most notable first-round losers at the Paris Masters, where Taylor Fritz kept his slim ATP Finals hopes alive on Monday.
World number 12 Sinner, the 11th seed in the French capital this week, suffered a straight-sets loss to Marc-Andrea Huesler, as did 15th favourite Cilic against Lorenzo Musetti.
Ninth seed Fritz downed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 7-5 6-2, with Cameron Norrie and Frances Tiafoe also recording straight-sets victories against Miomir Kecmanovic and Lorenzo Sonego respectively.
Victory for Fritz kept the American in the hunt for qualifying for November's ATP Finals in Turin for the first time, needing to reach the final in Paris to overtake Felix Auger-Aliassime or Andrey Rublev.
"Right now I'm just focused on kind of playing myself into the tournament," said Fritz. "I feel like any time this year that I've won a couple of matches in a tournament, then I've done well.
"So I'll just try to focus on these early rounds. Turin is still in the picture, obviously, but there's not much else I really could have done.
"Felix has played really, really well, so he deserves it, but I am going to try to steal his spot this week for sure."
Home favourite Gilles Simon awaits Fritz in the second round at the ATP 1000 event after defeating Andy Murray 4-6 7-5 6-3.
Alexander Bublik and Mikael Ymer played out another three-set battle, with the former triumphing 6-1 6-7 (2-7) 6-4.
Richard Gasquet, Yoshihito Nishioka, Karen Khachanov, Maxime Cressy, Nikoloz Basilashvili and John Isner were the other first-round winners on the opening day in France.
It's fair to say that, eight weeks into the 2022 NFL season, it has been a year of surprises.
The New York Giants have six wins, the Seattle Seahawks lead the NFC West and two preseason NFC favourites, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Green Bay Packers, have collapsed to 3-5 starts.
This is a campaign in which to expect the unexpected and, as such, three of the top quarterback displays from Week 8 heading into Monday Night Football are entirely in keeping with the theme of 2022.
While one star still shaking the rust off following an injury lay-off delivered the kind of game most have come to anticipate from him, the degree of accuracy displayed by the trio of signal-callers surrounding him at the top of Stats Perform's well-thrown rate chart by the end of Sunday's action was eyebrow-raising to say the least.
And there was one quarterback who tried and failed to find a new team in the offseason who rose above the rest.
Jimmy G's perfect day
There will never be a game that definitively decides the endless Jimmy Garoppolo debate in the Bay Area, where the San Francisco 49ers' quarterback who was meant to be elsewhere this season remains a beloved but polarising figure.
But nobody could argue Garoppolo was not excellent in Week 8 as the 49ers scored 24 unanswered points to sweep the Los Angeles Rams with an emphatic 31-14 win at SoFi Stadium.
So much of the attention in the immediate aftermath was rightly on Christian McCaffrey, who became the fourth player with a touchdown pass, rushing touchdown and touchdown reception in a single game since the 1970 merger in a remarkable performance just 10 days on from his trade from the Carolina Panthers.
However, Garoppolo also deserves a share of the spotlight following what was, by at least one measure, a perfect game from a quarterback frequently criticised for his volatility.
Garoppolo ended the defeat of the Rams with a 100 per cent well-thrown rate. Each of his 25 passes, excluding throwaways, was deemed to be accurate and well-thrown.
He is the 35th player to achieve such a feat and the second this season following Trevor Lawrence for the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 2 against the Indianapolis Colts.
While Garoppolo averaged only 6.76 yards per attempt, he still completed a host of big-time throws, including a third-down touchdown shot to a leaping McCaffrey and a 56-yard bomb down the left sideline to Ross Dwelley that was followed by a perfectly placed ball to George Kittle in the back of the endzone on a sprint out pass that iced the game.
At 4-4 heading into the bye with a star-studded offense and a series of players still to return from injury on defense, the 49ers are ideally positioned for a surge down the stretch. They won't get perfect every game from Garoppolo, but if he maintains a level close to what he produced in Inglewood on Sunday, San Francisco will be a major threat in the NFC.
Air Marcus has Falcons on top
Marcus Mariota had hardly been trusted to throw the ball over the four games prior to Atlanta's wild win over the Carolina Panthers by head coach Arthur Smith.
Only once over those four games had he registered more than 20 passing attempts, but Mariota was allowed to air it out on Sunday, and the Falcons should be delighted by the manner in which he did so.
The former second overall pick delivered an accurate well-thrown ball on 92.6 per cent of his 27 pass attempts, maintaining remarkable accuracy while pushing the ball down field with consistency in a captivating shoot-out.
Mariota averaged 10.15 air yards per attempt against Carolina. Just five quarterbacks – Josh Allen (12.96), P.J. Walker (12.33), Tua Tagovailoa (11.79), Russell Wilson (11.04) and Jalen Hurts (11.04) – were more aggressive in that respect.
Of that quintet, Tagovailoa (82.4 per cent) and Wilson (84.6 per cent) were the only two signal-callers to even post a well-thrown rate of 80 per cent.
Mariota blended accuracy and deep-ball aggression in a way most quarterbacks struggle to replicate and, though he tossed an overtime interception that should have cost the Falcons the game, his performance may convince Smith to diversify his approach and shift to a more balanced attack as the 4-4 Falcons look to make a surprise run at the NFC South title.
Dak looks all the way back
The case could be made that the Cowboys were still running the 'Cooper Rush' offense in Prescott's first game back from a finger injury in Week 7 against the Detroit Lions.
Dallas laboured somewhat in that one before pulling away and, though the Week 8 performance was not a faultless one from Prescott, it was one to breed hope the Cowboys can legitimately contend to go deep into the NFC playoffs with him at the helm of the attack.
Prescott posted a well-thrown rate of 92.3 per cent in the Cowboys' 49-29 win over the Chicago Bears, with arguably his most aesthetically pleasing throw coming on his first touchdown pass as he split safeties Eddie Jackson and Jaquan Brisker on a 21-yard rope to CeeDee Lamb on third-and-nine.
Third down did not prove a challenge for Prescott at any point. He completed five of his six third-down throws for 85 yards and a touchdown, with a Bears defense ill-equipped to stop the Cowboys consistently frustrated when they got into positions to get off the field.
An interception by Jackson was the sole blemish on the day for Prescott, who also had a rushing touchdown, and the room for improvement he clearly still has after a showing of this calibre should be of great excitement to the 6-2 Cowboys as they attack the second half of the season.
Fields fills Chicago with hope
The Bears did not produce the all-round performance to keep pace with the Cowboys, but it was another effort by last year's first-round pick Justin Fields to boost optimism around his prospects of blossoming into one of the league's better quarterbacks.
After finally building a gameplan around his athleticism in the Monday Night Football win over the New England Patriots, the Bears once again leant on Fields' mobility. He threw seven times on the move, with Chicago also implementing play-action and the quarterback bootleg into the attack.
The results were impressive as Fields finished the game with a well-thrown rate of 90.9 per cent while averaging 9.5 air yards per attempt. On top of that, he did not throw a single interceptable pass, though he did have one pick called back because of a roughing the passer penalty.
Fields was perfect on play-action, with all six of his passes from those concepts well thrown, and he would have had significantly more than 151 passing yards to his name had rookie receiver Velus Jones not dropped an outstandingly placed moonball down the right sideline from the Chicago 47-yard line in the second quarter.
But Fields still accounted for three touchdowns, throwing two and rushing for another in a 60-yard display on the ground. Though the Bears' decision to trade defensive stars Robert Quinn and Roquan Smith will play a role in limiting their wins in 2022, the Bears will be increasingly convinced Fields is the right man to rebuild the team around if he continues in this vein of form.
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