Thursday Night NFC West Showdown
Nobody was sleepless in Seattle Thursday night, as the Los Angeles Rams came to town to beat their division-rival Seahawks, 26-17.
Rams’ quarterback Matthew Stafford got his groove back (ok, it was gone for like a minute, but still) to the tune of a 25-of-37 for 365 yards, one touchdown and one interception game. For context, Stafford was 13-of-19 for 131 yards and an INT in the first half. He was also dealing with a finger injury.
Seahawks’ quarterback Russell Wilson was dealing with a finger injury of his own and was out of the game in the fourth quarter, when backup Geno Smith tried to lead a Seattle comeback, but there was no comeback to be had. Wilson’s injury is to his middle finger in his throwing hand and head coach Pete Carroll said that Wilson will see a hand specialist.
The Rams improved to 4-1, while the Seahawks dropped to 2-3.
NLDS Matchups
Dodgers-Giants
After Chris Taylor’s epic, and I do mean epic, walk-off home run to send LA to the National League Division Series (NLDS), the Dodgers are in San Francisco to take on the rival Giants for the first time ever in the postseason. Yes, you read that right. Ever.
It’s one of baseball’s greatest rivalries, and MLB’s two best teams will now face off in a best-of-five series that will send the winner to the NLCS. It will be Logan Webb on the mound for the Giants and Walker Buehler for the Dodgers. First pitch is at 9:37 p.m. ET/ 6:37 p.m. PT from Oracle Park in San Francisco. To say I can’t wait may be the greatest understatement, like, ever.
Braves-Brewers
Meanwhile in Milwaukee, the National League East-champion Atlanta Braves are taking on the National League Central-champion Brewers in the other NLDS matchup. Both teams’ playoff hopes looked bleak this season, before both front offices made some money moves to shore up talent. First pitch was at 4:37 p.m. ET/1:37 p.m. PT on Friday with pitcher Charlie Morton starting for Atlanta and Corbin Burnes starting for Milwaukee. At the time of posting, the score was 0-2.
And in the American League
White Sox-Astros
After taking a 1-0 lead over the Chicago White Sox in the American League Division Series (ALDS), the Houston Astros and the White Sox went back and forth in Game 2, until the Astros blew it open in the seventh inning. The final score was, 4-9, and Houston takes a 2-0. Game 3 heads to Chicago on Sunday at 8:07 p.m. ET/ 5:07 p.m. PT.
Red Sox-Rays
And in Tampa, the Boston Red Sox are down 1-0 to the defending-AL East Champion Tampa Bay Rays, after the Rays won Game 1, 5-0. It was a game in which left fielder Randy Arozarena made history by being the first player ever in the playoffs to hit a home run and steal home in the same game. Game 2 begins Friday at 7:02 p.m. ET/4:02 p.m. PT.
Trey Lance and the San Francisco 49ers
When the 2-2 San Francisco 49ers take on the 4-0 Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, they will do so without quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who has been ruled out with a calf injury. That means rookie Trey Lance will make his first NFL start under center. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Friday that if Garoppolo is still the starter, and if he had been 100%, the veteran QB would start in Week 5.
Meanwhile, tight end George Kittle is doubtful with a calf injury, while running back Elijah Mitchell and cornerback Josh Norman are good to go.
San Francisco is coming off a Week 4 loss to the Seahawks and are facing a red-hot Cardinals team that is led by their red-hot quarterback, Kyler Murray. The battle for NFC West supremacy continues.
NFL Injury News
- Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey is doubtful for Sunday’s matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles, as he continues to battle a hamstring injury.
- When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers meet the Miami Dolphins in a battle for Florida on Sunday, they will do so without safety Antoine Winfield Jr, tight end Rob Gronkowski and defensive end Pat O’Connor. It will be the second-straight game Gronk has missed. However, cornerback Jamel Dean should be back for the Bucs.
- Broncos quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who suffered a Week 4 concussion, needs to clear one more step in the concussion protocol on Saturday morning to be cleared to play against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 5.