[Love sports and technology? Sign up for our sports tech newsletter to receive this rundown from GeekWire’s Taylor Soper via email every week.]

TAYLOR’S TAKE ON THE WEEK IN SPORTS TECH: One trend I like to track is watching how big tech giants are getting into sports — and our spotlight on the Seahawks use of Microsoft software this week was a good example.

Microsoft in June debuted its new Sports Performance Platform, a product born out of the company’s internal incubator that helps coaches and trainers gain insight into injury prevention, or analyze the proper workload for a practice regimen.

Now the Seahawks are lifting the hood on how the platform, in combination with other sports tech hardware and software, helps with data-driven decision making. Other teams like Real Madrid; Cricket Australia; SL Benfica; and some U.S. colleges are also using Microsoft’s technology. Read more about how the technology impacts coaching decisions here.

Highlights from the week in sports tech

Cameron McAlees is the first-ever operations manager for Portland’s new Blazer5 Gaming esports team. (Photo via Bruce Ely / Trail Blazers)

What to watch this weekend: Lots of NFL games with playoff implications — Chiefs vs. Chargers on Saturday at 5:25 p.m. PT on NFL Network; Rams vs. Seahawks on Sunday at 1 p.m. on FOX; and Steelers vs. Patriots on Sunday at 1:25 p.m. on CBS … college football bowl games kick off Saturday with six games … the NHL is hosting an outdoor game at 7 p.m. on NBCSN Saturday to celebrate its 100th anniversary.

Thanks for tuning in, everyone! — Taylor Soper

Like what you're reading? Subscribe to GeekWire's free newsletters to catch every headline

Job Listings on GeekWork

Find more jobs on GeekWork. Employers, post a job here.