🏈⚾️ Weekend Recap: NFL Week 7, Liberty are Champs, Big SEC College Football Games, World Series Set + More!

Good Morning, Blitzers!

We had a great weekend with a lot of action in the sports world. From a full slate of NFL and College football games, MLB playoffs, WNBA Finals, Premier League, and NHL. We also have our first NBA games starting tomorrow. Lot going on in the world of sports! We’ll be here for all of it. So start your week off right, and jump into the Blitz below!

WTF Stat: Unfortunately we didn’t get to see Raiders QB Aidan O’Connell for the full game yesterday as he was knocked out of the game early with a hand/finger injury. He may want to considered scrambling a bit more:

🏀 The New York Liberty won their first WNBA championship by defeating the Minnesota Lynx 67-62 in overtime of Game 5. Jonquel Jones led the Liberty with 17 points, marking a historic victory for a franchise that had previously lost in five Finals appearances. They won despite struggles from stars Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu, Stewart did seal the win with two free throws in the final seconds. This championship marks New York's first basketball title since the Knicks' NBA win in 1973. The series drew record ratings and attendance, with the Liberty's victory celebrated by a sellout crowd of 18,090 fans.

⚾️ Dodgers 10, Mets 5: With the victory last night, the Los Angeles Dodgers clinched their 25th NL pennant and advance to the World Series for the first time since 2020. Tommy Edman and Will Smith had huge games, combining for 2 HRs, 6 RBI and 4 runs. The Dodgers outscored the Mets 40-26 in the series. The Dodgers will face the New York Yankees in the World Series, marking their first matchup in 43 years. Game 1 is set for Friday at Dodger Stadium.

In case you missed it:  Juan Soto's 3-run homer in 10th inning sends the Yankees past Guardians 5-2 and into World Series for 41st time:

NFL Week 7

What You Missed

→ The Lions prevail in NFC North showdown - In one of the best games from yesterday, the Lions beat the undefeated Vikings 31-29. At one point both teams had double-digit leads but each team showed a lot of fight battling back and making this game come down to the wire. Ultimately the Lions just had too many weapons on offense and we’re able to get the ball last and pull out the victory with a late field goal.

→ Saquon Barkley’s revenge game - Barkley got booed early on in this one, but responded with a casual 17 carries, 176 yards (10.4 average), and a TD in his former team’s building. Pretty rough game all-around for the Giants who lost 28-3 and looked awful on offense. QB Daniel Jones struggled (14/21, 99 yards), but you can’t really blame him as he had no time, getting sacked 7 times and hit 11 times.

→ New names getting it done for the Bills - WR Amari Cooper arrival was the big story line, and he had a great day (after dropping the first pass thrown his way), he put up 4 receptions, 66 yards and a TD, but it was WR Keon Coleman’s coming out party (4 receptions, 125 yards). If players like Coleman and fellow rookie RB Ray Davis can continue to contribute and get better as the season progresses, they should lock up the AFC East in no time and be one of the top contenders again this year. The Bills ended up beating the Titans 34-10 in a game that was closer than final score indicates (the Bills were trailing 10-7 at halftime).

What We Learned

→ The Chiefs are still better than the 49ers - In the Super Bowl rematch the 49ers once again came up short (28-18). It was a bit of an underwhelming game as it featured 5 interceptions, 0 TD passes, and 63 run plays. Ultimately the Chiefs were able to control the clock and make the key plays including this 4th quarter interception which was really the back breaker for the 49ers after a 9-play, 65-yard drive.

→ WR Devante Adams didn’t solve all of the Jets other problems - Not too shocking but the Jets got beat (37-15) on Sunday Night Football. They got beat by a Steelers team that was more physical, better coached, had better concentration, and turned the ball over less (2 turnovers to 0). In QB Russell Wilson’s first game as starter he looked like he belonged, going 16/29 for 264 yards and a TD.

→ We (I) may have drank too much of the Falcons Kool-Aid - I was all aboard the Kirk Cousins express, and the leader of the Falcons bandwagon, but the train derailed yesterday after a 34-14 loss at home to the Seahawks (who were on a 3-game losing streak). The game was close until a forced-fumble-TD (see above) late in the 4th quarter, from there, the wheels really fell off as the next two possessions ended in interceptions. I would be remiss if I didn’t post this run from Bijan Robinson.

→ There are tiers amongst the worst teams in the league - The Jaguars are much better than the Patriots (they won 32-16 and rolled them after the first quarter). The Colts are better than the Dolphins (they won 16-10 but I think they’re a better team with QB Joe Flacco under center). And the Rams are slightly better than the Raiders (they won 20-15 in a game that both teams looked determined to lose).

Surprises

→ Tough game for C.J. Stroud and the Texans - Stroud is having an MVP-caliber season so far, but had a pretty poor showing (10/21, 86 yards passing) against the Packers in a 24-22 loss. The game still ended up being competitive thanks to RB Joe Mixon (25 carries, 115 yards, 2 TDs) tearing it up in the run game and a couple of key interceptions from the Texan defense. But ultimately QB Jordan Love led the Packers on a game winning drive.

→ Jayden Daniels got injured but, the Commanders and Marcus Mariota still roll - It sounds like Daniels will be fine but Commander fans were all collectively holding their breath. Despite Daniels going down in their first offensive possession, the Commanders still easily won this one and it was impressive how easily Mariota came in and ran the offense. They beat up on the Panthers 40-7. Great coaching from the Commanders.

→ QB Jameis Winston hasn’t been unleashed sooner - Coming into yesterday Winston was the 3rd string emergency QB for the Browns. He finished the day as the starter going 5/11, for 67 yards and a TD. QB Deshaun Watson looks to have torn his Achilles in the 21-14 loss to the Bengals and back up QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson was ineffective running the offense. We should see a lot more of Winston and that means a lot more wildcardness (it’s a word) and a Browns team that will be a lot more fun to watch. The Bengals, looked solid in this one as WR Tee Higgins and WR Ja’Marrr Chase combined for 9 receptions, 137 yards and 2 TDs. P.S. Not a good look Browns fans.

🏈 Tonight

The Ravens @ Buccaneers @ 8:15 EST on ABC and Chargers at Cardinals @ 9 EST on ESPN.

College Football Roundup

The Shocker

Georgia 30 - Texas 15: Just in case America forgot: Georgia is an elite football team, but I didn’t see the Dawgs scoring 23 unanswered points to start this game. The most shocking thing about this game was the amount of turnovers. 4 for Texas (3 fumbles, 1 INT) and 3 for Georgia (3 INTs). Both of these top 5 teams have shown their warts, but Texas has a much easier path to the SEC championship down the stretch. Georgia has Florida, Ole Miss, and Tennessee in the next three weeks.

Statement Games

Tennessee 24 - Alabama 17: Another slugfest SEC October football game, the Volunteers made the plays when it mattered most to hand Alabama its second conference loss of the season. The wins may not look pretty, but the Vols are 6-1 and in a chaotic 2024, have a good shot at a title game appearance. 

LSU 34 - Arkansas 10: Quietly one of the hottest teams in the country, the LSU Tigers are undefeated in SEC play and avoided a trap game in Fayetteville with a dominating victory over the Razorbacks. An away game at Texas A&M looms in the future for Brian Kelly’s Tigers.

Indiana 56 - Nebraska 7: I can’t believe I’m writing this, undefeated Indiana Hoosiers may just be for real. They’re not only winning, they are soundly beating opponents. They have scored 80 points more than the next highest Big 10 team. We live in weird times.

Miami 52 - Louisville 45: QB Cam Ward is a dog. Miami’s defense? Needs improvement. Regardless, the Hurricanes remain undefeated and they do not play a ranked team for the rest of the season.

Iowa State 38 - UCF 35: The Cyclones needed a touchdown with 30 seconds left to avoid the UCF upset. Iowa State has proven that they can win and they can win close games. 4-0 in the Big 12 and undefeated on the season.

Colorado 34 - Arizona 7: Maybe it’s time that we don’t write off Coach Prime and the Buffs. Colorado is 5-2, 3-1 in the Big 12 with this drubbing of Arizona.

That Could Have Been Embarrassing

Missouri 21 - Auburn 17: After getting ranked in the preseason Top 10, Mizzou has not lived up to the hype, but a home loss to floundering Auburn would have been embarrassing. Instead, the Tigers are 6-1 on the season with some hope to right the ship down the stretch. Huge showdown in Tuscaloosa with the Tide next week.

That Was Embarrassing

Maryland 29 - USC 28: SMH USC. SMH. Lincoln Riley, once thought of as a top 5 coach in the NCAA, is now 3-4 on the season and all four losses were by one score or less. With the amount of talent that USC brings in every year, the lack of a clutch gene usually stems from the man with the headset.

South Carolina 35 - Oklahoma 9: Oh boy, the Sooners are down bad. Getting boat raced by Texas in the Red River Shootout is one thing, getting stomped at home to South Carolina is a horse of a different color. Oh look! A metaphor.

Illinois 21 - Michigan 7: Well, Michigan, the journey back down to Earth after a natty has been quick and it has been jarring. Illinois didn’t even throw for 100 yards and the Wolverines lost by two touchdowns.

Video Game Stats

QB Bryson Daily (Army): 7/10, 147 yds, TD, 31 car, 171 yds, 5 TD

QB Ethan Garbers (UCLA): 32/38, 383 yds, 4 TD, 9 car, 48 yds, TD

QB Tyler Shough (L’Ville): 31/51, 342 yds, 4 TD

RB AJ Turner (Marshall): 15 car, 177 yds, 3 TD

RB Bhayshul Tuten (VTech): 18 car, 266 yds, 3 TD

RB RJ Harvey (UCF): 25 car, 196 yds, 2 TD

RB Marion Anderson Jr (Memphis): 22 car, 183 yds, 4 TD

WR Caleb Douglas (TTech): 9 rec, 99 yds, 3 TD

Top Ten Power Rankings

*Note this isn’t an AP Top 25, this is who I think are the best ten teams after this week. Come at me.

1. Georgia - W vs. Texas, 30-15

2. Texas - L vs. Georgia, 30-15

3. Ohio State - Bye

4. Oregon - W vs. Purdue, 35-0

5. Tennessee - W vs. Bama, 24-17

6. Miami - W vs. L’ville, 52-45

7. Penn State - Bye

8. Clemson - W vs. UVA, 48-31

9. Alabama - L vs. Tenn, 24-17

10. LSU, W vs. Ark, 34-10

Knocking on the Door: Iowa State, Texas A&M, Notre Dame

Premier League Recap

Chuffed

1. Liverpool - Coming off the break to get a home win against Chelsea is something to be excited about for the Reds.

2. Tottenham - Dominating 4-1 bounce back victory for Spurs over fellow London foe, West Ham.

3. Manchester United - Broke a 3-game winless streak with a 2-1 victory over Brentford.

Gutted

1. Arsenal - The Gunners only managed one shot on target and were shutout by Bournemouth.

2. Southampton - Giving up a game-winning goal in the 98th minute is enough to make anyone feel blue…especially when you’ve only managed 1 point in 8 games.

3. Wolves - That’s five straight losses for Wolves and they had City on the ropes, only to give up a 95th minute goal to John Stones.

Five Stars

1. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) - Goal, assist in victory

2. Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth) - Goal, assist in win over Arsenal

3. John Stones (City) - Game winning goal in 95th minute vs. Wolves

4. Jordan Ayew (Leicester) - Game winning goal in 98th minute vs. Southampton

5. Bernd Leno (Fulham) - Goalie assist!

The Mint Matches of the Week

Saturday, October 26th

Aston Villa v. Bournemouth - 10:00 AM

Sunday, October 27th

Chelsea v. Newcastle - 10:00 AM

West Ham v. Manchester United - 10:00 AM

Arsenal v. Liverpool - 12:30 PM

Top NHL Games

Jets 6, Penguins 3: Winnipeg extended their season-opening win streak to five games with the victory over the Pittsburgh. 12 different players have scored for the Jets so far this season. Adam Lowry and Mason Appleton helped put things away last night scoring quick goals in the third period to secure the win.

Avalanche 4, Sharks 1: Ross Colton scored twice to lead the Colorado to a 4-1 victory over the winless San Jose Sharks. Justus Annunen, making his first start of the season, made 25 saves.

Kings 4, Ducks 1: The game was scoreless for the first two periods, but then Adrian Kempe, Alex Laferriere, Kevin Fiala, and Mikey Anderson score in the third period. The Kings dominated the second and third periods, outshooting the Ducks 33-10. This victory marked the Kings' continued success against Anaheim, having won 10 of their last 11 matchups.

On this day in 1973, Oakland A's beat NY Mets, 5-2 in Game 7 at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum to win the second title in a row. The A's manager Dick Williams, immediately quit after the World Series victory. Tired of the A’s owner, Charlie Finley, meddling, and upset by Finley’s public humiliation of second baseman Mike Andrews for his fielding miscues during the World Series, Williams resigned. George Steinbrenner, then finishing his first season as owner of the Yankees, immediately signed Williams as his manager. However, Finley protested that Williams owed Oakland the final year of his contract and could not manage anywhere else. Williams was the first manager in A's franchise history to leave the team with a winning record after running it for two full seasons. He would go onto coach for the Angels, Expos, Padres, and Mariners and is one of only 8 managers to win pennants in both leagues.

Friday’s Trivia Time Answer

Who is the last player to record a quadruple double in an NBA game?

B) David Robinson - Only four players ever have recorded a quadruple-double with David Robinson being the last to do it in 1994, putting up 34 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and 10 blocks.