Sports Brief: September 25-29

Only a Few Undefeated Teams Left in the NFL

Going into week four, only three of the 32 active NFL teams remain undefeated, with those being the Miami Dolphins, the Philadelphia Eagles and the San Francisco 49er’s. All three teams sit atop of their division and hope for a chance at the Lombardi trophy at the end of the season. 

The Eagles, after losing the Super Bowl last year despite their lead, seem to be back for vengeance. Jalen Hurts has been promising this season and backed by their incredible defense. With the addition of a few pieces around the board, the Eagles seem to be headed back to play for the trophy once more. 

The 49er’s are being led by Christian McCafrey, who currently leads the league in rushing, and does not seem like he will be slowing down any time soon. The Dolphins are led by Tua Tagovailoa, who sits second in yards for the season. 

Watch for these teams as the season goes on as they try their hand at a perfect season. 

New Top 4 Teams in Latest AP Poll

This past weekend, the Ohio State Buckeyes took a trip to Indiana to play top 10 foe Notre Dame. The high intensity game was neck and neck, and physical as well, but Ohio State was able to hold out and win the game. 

Coach Ryan Day was very pleased with his team. 

“I’d like to know where Lou Holtz is right now,” Day said during a postgame interview with NBC. “What he said about our team, I cannot believe. This is a tough team right here. We’re proud to be from Ohio.

“It’s always been Ohio against the world, and it’ll continue to be Ohio against the world. But I’ll tell you what: I love those kids. We’ve got a tough team.” 

Ohio State moved up to number four in the latest AP Poll and are currently positioned to play for the National Championship at the end of the season. However, the team still has to face the likes of Penn State, Wisconsin and Michigan before it’s all over.  Can the Buckeyes keep their spot? Or will they collapse and take their foot off the gas?

A Historic Day for the Dolphins

On Sept. 24, the Miami Dolphins played the Denver Broncos, with the Dolphins projected to win by about 9 points. However, no one could have predicted the beatdown the Broncos would get. 

If Tua Tagovailoa was not in the MVP race already, his numbers now back up the early debate. His most effective outing in his young career is going 23/26 on passes and 16/16 in the first half. Within the game, he had 309 yards and four passing touchdowns. The 70 points scored was the most since 1966, only three points shy of tying the all time points record. 

Newly hired Broncos coach Sean Peyton said he was at a loss for words at the post game press-conference. 

“That was embarrassing and tough to watch,” Peyton said. “Aside from the (Marvin Mims touchdown) kick return, there weren’t a lot of positives to take from that game. We had opportunities with our offense early, but penalties took touchdowns off the board, and … I think they only punted one time.” 

Peyton also had a heated moment with the press after a reporter asked him if he knew he was one of only three teams ever to have 70 points scored on them.

“I’m aware, what’s your question?” Peyton said.

To say the least, the Broncos will watch film and try to forget this game ever happened. 

MLB Postseason Starting To Take Shape

With MLB playoffs approaching fast and the wildcard games starting Oct. 3, it is time to take a look at what teams have clinched a playoff berth and what teams are still trying to. 

According to the official MLB standings, The Braves have clinched the NL East and the No. 1 seed in the NL, and the Dodgers have clinched the NL West and the No. 2 seed in the NL. The Brewers have clinched the NL Central and will be the No. 3 seed in the NL. The Phillies have clinched the NL No. 4 seed and will host a Wild Card series. 

The Orioles clinched the AL East and the No. 1 seed in the AL with their 100th win on Thursday, and the Rays have clinched the No. 4 seed in the AL. The Twins have clinched the AL Central and are locked into the No. 3 seed in the AL. Despite losing the series finale against the White Sox in Chicago on Thursday, the Diamondbacks have won seven of their last 10 games to maintain their hold on the second NL Wild Card spot. Arizona closes out the regular season with three home games against an Astros team also fighting for a postseason berth. 

After being swept by the Braves in Atlanta, the Cubs dropped out of the third NL Wild Card spot and are currently half a game behind the Marlins, who own the tiebreaker, and two games behind Arizona for the second Wild Card. It might come down to the last day of the regular season to see who will be competing in the playoffs, so stay tuned.