A Shift in Power
The Key for the week of October 14, 2024
Giant Killers
OK, maybe not killers, but at least dominant enough to come out of New Jersey with a win. It may be too early to call the game a “Must Win,” but let’s face it, 2-4 sounds a lot better than 1-5. The defense was just tough enough to stop the Giants, and the offense, while Joe Burrow admitted wasn’t at its best, did enough to win against a NY defense that, over the last five games, had not allowed more than 21 points to an opponent. This time the Bengals didn’t need more than 17 points. Next up? Back in the division against the Browns on the lake. Cleveland stands 1-5 after Sunday’s loss to Philly, with QB Deshaun Watson ranked 32nd out of 32 starting quarterbacks. Even Ochocinco said he’s never seen a quarterback regress the way Watson has. With the Browns vowing they won’t make a quarterback change, it could be a chance for the Bengals to gain some ground in the North.
New York, New York
The Apple is having a moment in the playoffs, with the Mets and Yankees both in their respective league’s Championship Series, and the New York Liberty in the finals of the WNBA. If the New Yorkers meet in the World Series, it will be pandemonium in the city, the way it was in October 2000, the last time these two teams met for the title. As for the Liberty, even though the franchise was one of the founders of the WNBA in 1997, it has never won it all, despite being in the finals five times. In their way are the Minnesota Lynx, who are 3-1 against the Liberty this season. It’s a fitting wrapup to an historic WNBA season.
College Football Shakeup
In a world where Vandy beats Alabama, the Tide barely gets by South Carolina and Tennessee struggles against Florida, Texas and Oregon are separating themselves from the rest of the pack. Also, in a world of expanded playoffs where one loss is not fatal, Ohio State, Bama, Notre Dame and Georgia are still very much alive for the post season. Oregon’s one-point win over the Buckeyes was enough for them to flip-flop positions, with the Ducks now #2 and the Buckeyes down to #3. Texas remains a betting favorite to take it all, but that could change after this weekend, when the Longhorns welcome Georgia to Austin.
Ben’s Best Bet
Let’s go back to the MLB playoffs, where the Dodgers are favored as World Series champions, facing, according to the odds, the Guardians in a close pick over the Yankees. After a dominating performance on the mound against the Mets, and the hitting threat of Shohei Ohtani always lurking, Ben says it’s hard not to pick Los Angeles to win it all. But never rule out Aaron Judge and the Yankees to get to the Series. An LA-NY cross country series would be must-see TV in the two largest media markets.