Case in point: Indianapolis Colts cheerleader Morgan McLain connected with a fan using the only language he knows…ASL. 🥹

While handing a young fan named Mark a Colts Cheerleader booklet, McLain quickly learned from Mark’s mother that he was deaf. Jumping into action, she began asking him questions and speaking to him in ASL, having probably one of the most heartwarming sideline interactions in NFL history. 🥹

This is just one of those little reminders that while the Brads and Chads are worried about the box scores and their betting odds, there’s a lot more happening off the field and on the sidelines that’s bringing people together.

HERE’s McLains’s side of the story.

🚨WARNING🚨 watch if you only have the tissues nearby. 😭

– jen

In today’s memo:

AND MORE!

PS: Be on the look out for an up-and-coming NFL Football Guide!

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I recently got a little lamp candle warmer and I’m so excited to use it! And what’s my first choice going under the heat lamp? You guessed it! A CLOVERLAND scent! Home has never felt cozier, and I’m sharing them with you all.

Now thru 10/31, Her Sports Desk readers get 15% OFF using code HERSPORTS at checkout.•

•Can’t combine or stack with other discounts. One per customer. Discount code is case sensitive.•

Babe, it’s time to pull up a chair. I’m DEEP in the middle of creating this NFL guide for you, but I realized recently that you may need some basics NOW, not LATER. So, here goes…

Two teams take turns with the ball. Each team tries to move the ball down the field and into the end zone to score. A touchdown = 6 points (then they can kick for an extra point or try to get it back into the end zone for 2 pts). If a team can’t quite get there, but are close, they can choose to kick a field goal for 3.

An offense gets four tries to go 10 yards. If they make it, their tries reset (aka first down = fresh four downs). But if they don’t make it by the fourth try, they usually punt (kick it away) so the other team starts farther back. But if they’re close enough to score, they’ll try the field goal.

Tip: Peek at the marker on TV that says 3rd & 4 or 2nd & 8. That tells you: how many tries left and how far to go. If it’s short (1–2 yards), expect the tush-push plays I mentioned last week; if it’s long, expect a pass.

Four quarters, 15 minutes each, with breaks and timeouts that stretch it out. If the game is tied after regulation, overtime decides it with extra play time.

These are yellow cloths the referees throw and they mean someone broke a rule. The ref explains it and yardage goes forward or backward. You don’t need every code word—just know flags change where the next play starts.

Teams play 17 games each season. A record like 5–2 means 5 wins, 2 losses (sometimes there’s a tie: 8–8–1). Records decide who makes the playoffs.

Week 6 Byes: Vikings & Texans*

_{*I listed these byes last week, when I should have given you Week 5. SORRY! We’re back on track now.}

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The Division Series went off without much drama last week, but that’s only if you count my heart being ripped out of my chest and stomped on the ground by the Chicago Cubs not “much drama.” 😭

Anyway, the Conference Series round is a best of seven series that determines who plays in the World Series. So you can bet these teams are giving it all they’ve got!

Here are your final four contenders:

HERE’s everything you need to know about this matchup.

HERE’s everything you need to know about Game 1.

OH! And this year’s LCS has the chance to make history.

In historic fashion, the Las Vegas Aces swept the Phoenix Mercury 4-0 in the WNBA Championship Finals last week, making history by winning their third title in the last four seasons. A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young, and Chelsea Grey are planting the seeds for a dynasty and the trio doesn’t intend on slowing down!

Whether you’re in your 5th fantasy season or your first, we all make this rookie mistake from time to time: starting a running back, wide receiver, or tight end from the same team. But, Jen, why is that such a bad thing?

Because these three spots compete for points if players are on the same team. Every carry by your running back is taking away an opportunity from your wide receiver. And every catch from your tight end is robbing yardage from your running back.

So, if you’ve been struggling, make sure you aren’t playing too many players from the same team. Mix things up in Week 7 and see how you do!

Get your trade advice ahead of Week 7.

A quarterback sack (or “sack” for short) happens when the defense tackles the QB before he can throw or hand it off. It costs the offense yards and a down, often turning something like 2nd-and-6 into 3rd-and-long. Sometimes it even causes a fumble, which is what the defense wants. So, if you see the QB still holding the ball and a defender takes them to the ground behind the line of scrimmage, that’s a sack.