Back in the Game 📢
We’re baaaaaccccckkkkk!!!!!
I missed writing!
But it was nice to pause and think about what’s most fun to cover. And to get some Smallballer feedback. (Thanks Sam and Jake!)
So we’re experimenting this week.
Today, we’ll recap the weekend: the best game, big stories, and wildest plays.
Friday, we’ll catch up on highlights from the rest of the week. Oh, and we’ll preview the most important games on the weekend schedule. Go ahead: print it out and circle what you’re most excited about!
Both days, we’ll focus on what you asked for: NFL, college football, MLB, and NBA.
And with a few days between posts, you’ll have time to read and watch whenever you want.
Ready to give it a try?
NFL Week 4 👔🏈
Best game: Sunday night. The 2–1 Green Bay Packers against the 1–2 Dallas Cowboys.
A fun twist? The Packers’ best player is Micah Parsons. He was on the Cowboys… until a few weeks ago when they traded him!
🎥 Click here to watch the highlights!
That tackle Parsons made in overtime on his old teammate Dak Prescott?
It might have saved the game.
The Cowboys settled for a field goal. The Packers made one too, so the game ended 40–40. It was the first tie this year!
Biggest news: We’re a month into the season. So we’re starting to really see who the best and worst teams are.
The Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles, both 4–0, are the only undefeated teams left.
The New Orleans Saints, New York Jets, and Tennessee Titans are all 0–4.
In the middle, one of the most disappointing 1–3 teams is the Baltimore Ravens. They lost to Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, 37–20.
And Ravens QB Lamar Jackson hurt his hamstring. If he’s not able to play, the Ravens may be in big trouble.
Wildest play: Remember the tush push? That special QB sneak is a big reason why the Eagles won the Super Bowl last year and are still undefeated this year.
But this weekend, Philadelphia reminded the rest of the NFL that they’ve got a few tricks up their sleeves.
🎥 Watch the Eagles fake out Tampa Bay’s defense early in the game.
🎥 And then hit play on the touchdown that helped clinch Philly’s win.
Pretty cool. And good inspiration for you Smallballers who spend your whole recess on the football field!
Let’s move on to…
College Football Week 5 🎓🏈
Best game: Whew, this was a tough choice!
On Friday night, #8 Florida State played Virginia. The game went to double overtime… and Virginia pulled off the upset.
Then, on Saturday:
#13 Ole Miss upset #4 LSU
#17 Alabama stunned #5 Georgia
#23 Illinois beat #21 USC
What could be better than all of those?
Let’s go #3 Penn State vs. #6 Oregon.
🎥 Ready to see what happened with the game tied 3–3 late in the third quarter?
With all those upsets, you shouldn’t be surprised to know…
Biggest news: The top 25 rankings got all mixed up again!
Should we play spot the difference? Last week’s rankings on the left, this week’s on the right.
👀 How many teams didn’t move at all?
🕵️ Did you and your grown-up get the same answer?
🏅 Want extra credit? Spot the two teams that dropped out of the top 25 after losing.
💬 Drop your answers in the comments!
Wildest play: The two teams who jumped into the top 25?
#24 Virginia (because they beat Florida State).
And #25 Arizona State.
🎥 Because they made these incredible plays in their comeback win against former #24 TCU.
Did you see that sack?! He yanked the ball right out of the QB’s hands while tackling him.
Football was today’s main course. Did you save room for dessert? How about we finish with the…
MLB Playoffs ⚾️
The bracket is ready. The games start today!
First up? The Wild Card round, where each series is best of three. So if you win two games, you move on.
I’m most excited for Tigers–Guardians and Red Sox–Yankees.
That Tigers and Guardians series? It’s an AL Central showdown. The Tigers had a huge lead in the division… but lost eight of their last ten games.
The Guardians got hot at the right time: winning seven of their last ten to clinch the division.
Now, they get to play the series at home in Cleveland.
Winner advances to play the Seattle Mariners and star catcher Cal Raleigh. Who finished the regular season with 60 home runs. (Sam was closest with his guess of 63!)
And how about Yankees vs. Red Sox? Maybe the best rivalry in all of sports. Yankee Stadium is going to be buzzing. 🏟️
Oh, and the Rockies? They finished with 119 losses. Two fewer than last year’s White Sox… who set the modern record for most losses in a season.
Congrats… sort of!
Now, just like the Rockies’ season, Smallball is over.
At least we’ll be back Friday. See you then!
P.S. If you made it this far and have some watching time before Friday… check out the week’s best plays, NFL or college. Your choice!
🎥 NFL Week 4
🎥 College football Week 5
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I was at Yankees Red Sox last night and the stadium was definitely buzzing!
TCU and USC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!