Playoffs, Passion, and Prospects
The Key for the week of October 28, 2024
Hail Maryland (because that’s where the Washington Commanders play)
When Washington defeated the Bengals in week 3, it was a common thought that the Bengals were still reeling from their close loss to the Chiefs and were letting a rookie quarterback get the best of them. Well now, we’re finding out that the aforementioned rookie quarterback, Jayden Daniels, is the real deal, leading his team to an improbable win with two seconds to go on a Hail Mary tip into the end zone. (Remember, Daniels was limited in practice the previous week because of a rib injury and was questionable to start right up to Sunday) That play made everyone forget that the Chicago Bears had, just seconds before, made their own miraculous comeback to take the lead, but managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory with a misplayed defensive tip into the hands of the Commanders’ Noah Brown. This one will be hard for the Bears to forget but for the Commanders, it springs them right into the middle of division title talk.
Speaking of divisions…
Thanks to the Cleveland Browns, the Bengals are NOT last in their division, although the Browns showed new life this weekend in an upset win over the Baltimore Ravens. In sports you never say never, but since 1990, when the NFL expanded playoffs to six teams per conference, there have been 199 teams that started the season 3-5. Of that number, 21 rallied to make the playoffs—that’s just over 10 percent.
“So you say there’s a chance??”
Yes, there is a chance, but without a consistent defense, it would be hard to see the Bengals in the playoff picture. And yes, stranger things have happened, but it was especially telling in the post-loss press conference on Sunday that Joe Burrow said he is frustrated with the Bengals’ short yardage issues. Fail to convert short yardage on third and fourth downs killed Bengals’ offensive drives Sunday against the Eagles and prevented them from making a series charge in the second half. Up next, the Raiders and former Bengals coach Marvin Lewis, assistant head coach for Las Vegas.
WNBA Homecoming?
Christie Sides is out as Indiana Fever coach after taking the Fever to the playoffs this year, where they were ousted in straight sets by the Connecticut Sun. The Sun were coached by Indiana native Stephanie White, a high school, college and Fever legend in the state. I say “were” coached because on Monday, White became the seventh WNBA head coach to head for the exits. Even before Sides was shown the door, there was talk that White was chatting with both the Fever and Chicago Sky about their head coaching positions. Stephanie White just might find the attraction of Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston, the two past Rookies of the Year, too much to pass up while giving her the chance to return to her home state. Earlier in October White talked about a family emergency she was dealing with. With family still in Indiana, the Fever may be the best personal, as well as professional, choice for White.
Playoffs???
You can’t even read the word without sounding like Jim Mora. But with the World Series coming to a conclusion, MLS is just starting its post season. Inter Miami and Los Angeles Galaxy are the betting favorites to take the title, with defending champion Columbus Crew the fourth favorite. FC Cincinnati, third in the Eastern Conference just behind Columbus, not listed as a top five favorite as they start the playoffs against NYCFC. But don’t be surprised if the Orange and Blue make another deep run into the post season.