Best games of Oct 20–26

The most dramatic games of the week, ranked the same way as Worth the replay?: late drama, comebacks, lead swaps and overtime, weighted by how big a game it was. No scores, no winners.

  1. #1
    HurricanesatOilers
    NHL· Thu, Oct 22· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    A+
    100/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback16/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 100 × pre-game weight 1.00 (pre-game Watchability 100) = 100

  2. #2
    TimberwolvesatCavaliers
    NBA· Mon, Oct 26OvertimeDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    A+
    98/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback18/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 100 × pre-game weight 0.97 (pre-game Watchability 95) = 98

  3. #3
    TennesseeatSouth Carolina
    CFB· Sat, Oct 24· ESPN/Disney+Down to the wireBig comeback
    A+
    93/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback19/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 95 × pre-game weight 0.98 (pre-game Watchability 96) = 93

  4. #4
    LightningatMammoth
    NHL· Sat, Oct 24· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wire
    A+
    88/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth7/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 91 × pre-game weight 0.97 (pre-game Watchability 93) = 88

  5. #5
    BYUatUCF
    CFB· Sat, Oct 24· FoxOvertimeDown to the wireBack and forth
    A+
    87/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 97 × pre-game weight 0.90 (pre-game Watchability 79) = 87

  6. #6
    WildatOilers
    NHL· Tue, Oct 20· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wire
    A
    83/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback4/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth7/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 86 × pre-game weight 0.96 (pre-game Watchability 92) = 83

  7. #7
    IowaatMinnesota
    CFB· Sat, Oct 24· FS1Down to the wire
    A
    83/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 88 × pre-game weight 0.95 (pre-game Watchability 89) = 83

  8. #8
    IndianaatMichigan
    CFB· Sat, Oct 24· FoxOvertimeDown to the wire
    A
    82/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback6/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 83 × pre-game weight 0.98 (pre-game Watchability 97) = 82

  9. #9
    BayloratKansas
    CFB· Sat, Oct 24· TNTDown to the wireBig comeback
    A
    81/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings24/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 91 × pre-game weight 0.90 (pre-game Watchability 79) = 81

  10. #10
    LakersatJazz
    NBA· Sun, Oct 25Down to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    A
    81/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback20/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 100 × pre-game weight 0.81 (pre-game Watchability 62) = 81

  11. #11
    Cavaliersat76ers
    NBA· Thu, Oct 22· ESPNDown to the wireBig comeback
    A
    81/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback20/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 89 × pre-game weight 0.91 (pre-game Watchability 81) = 81

  12. #12
    76ersatKnicks
    NBA· Tue, Oct 20· NBCDown to the wire
    A
    80/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late13/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 81 × pre-game weight 0.99 (pre-game Watchability 98) = 80

  13. #13
    CelticsatPistons
    NBA· Tue, Oct 20· NBCDown to the wireBig comeback
    A
    79/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback19/20
    Decided late7/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 81 × pre-game weight 0.97 (pre-game Watchability 93) = 79

  14. #14
    RocketsatSpurs
    NBA· Fri, Oct 23· Prime VideoDown to the wireBack and forth
    A
    77/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 82 × pre-game weight 0.94 (pre-game Watchability 88) = 77

  15. #15
    SyracuseatNorth Carolina
    CFB· Sat, Oct 24· ACC NetworkOvertimeDown to the wireBig comeback
    A
    76/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings24/25
    Comeback19/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 100 × pre-game weight 0.76 (pre-game Watchability 52) = 76

  16. #16
    ArmyatTulsa
    CFB· Fri, Oct 23· ESPN2Down to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    A
    76/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback18/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 98 × pre-game weight 0.78 (pre-game Watchability 55) = 76

  17. #17
    PackersatLions
    NFL· Sun, Oct 25· FoxDown to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    75/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback8/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 84 × pre-game weight 0.90 (pre-game Watchability 79) = 75

  18. #18
    Virginia TechatClemson
    CFB· Sat, Oct 24· ESPNDown to the wire
    B+
    75/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 84 × pre-game weight 0.89 (pre-game Watchability 77) = 75

  19. #19
    SabresatCapitals
    NHL· Sat, Oct 24· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wire
    B+
    74/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth7/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 93 × pre-game weight 0.80 (pre-game Watchability 60) = 74

  20. #20
    HoustonatUtah
    CFB· Sat, Oct 24· ESPNDown to the wire
    B+
    73/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late14/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 74 × pre-game weight 0.99 (pre-game Watchability 99) = 73

  21. #21
    KnicksatCeltics
    NBA· Fri, Oct 23· Prime VideoDown to the wire
    B+
    71/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback3/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 72 × pre-game weight 0.99 (pre-game Watchability 99) = 71

  22. #22
    MagicatKnicks
    NBA· Sun, Oct 25Down to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    71/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late13/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 84 × pre-game weight 0.84 (pre-game Watchability 69) = 71

  23. #23
    SharksatCanadiens
    NHL· Tue, Oct 20· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    71/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback16/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth7/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 100 × pre-game weight 0.71 (pre-game Watchability 42) = 71

  24. #24
    HawksatMagic
    NBA· Wed, Oct 21Down to the wire
    B+
    71/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 80 × pre-game weight 0.88 (pre-game Watchability 76) = 71

  25. #25
    TimberwolvesatHeat
    NBA· Wed, Oct 21· ESPNBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    71/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension11/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback20/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 75 × pre-game weight 0.95 (pre-game Watchability 90) = 71

  26. #26
    DukeatVirginia
    CFB· Fri, Oct 23· ESPNDown to the wire
    B+
    71/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 85 × pre-game weight 0.83 (pre-game Watchability 67) = 71

  27. #27
    BruinsatStars
    NHL· Tue, Oct 20· ESPNOvertimeDown to the wire
    B+
    71/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings14/25
    Comeback4/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth7/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 79 × pre-game weight 0.90 (pre-game Watchability 80) = 71

  28. #28
    RangersatMaple Leafs
    NHL· Thu, Oct 22· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    70/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback7/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 84 × pre-game weight 0.83 (pre-game Watchability 66) = 70

  29. #29
    49ersatFalcons
    NFL· Sun, Oct 25· FoxBig comeback
    B+
    69/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late14/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 81 × pre-game weight 0.85 (pre-game Watchability 71) = 69

  30. #30
    Red WingsatOilers
    NHL· Mon, Oct 26· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    68/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback16/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 100 × pre-game weight 0.68 (pre-game Watchability 35) = 68

Updated nightly. Games from before our pre-game Watchability numbers start (early September) use an estimate from the AP rankings for college football and an average for the rest.