The NFL and COVID-19
After New England Patriots’ QB Cam Newton tested positive for COVID-19, the Patriots’ Sunday game against the Kansas City Chiefs was moved to Monday and everything looked to be business as usual. But as we’ve seen in the last several months, that is not the case. CB Stephon Gilmore, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, has tested positive for the virus and this Sunday’s Patriots game against the Denver Broncos has now been moved to Monday night.
Meanwhile, the Tennessee Titans had more positive tests which moved their matchup against the Bills to Tuesday, for now. This would mean the Bills-Chiefs Thursday night game would get moved. It’s kind of a mess, especially since the Titans are being investigated for breaking protocols while the team was supposed to be shutdown.
This morning, the New York Jets were all sent home, as there was a presumptive positive COVID-19 test. Stay tuned…
Field Safety
The 2020 NFL season has seen five coaches, and in turn their teams, fined for not wearing a mask on the sidelines during games. The coaches were fined $100,000 and the teams $250,000. Now, there could be in-game penalties.
In a memo sent to teams today, per NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero, the NFL said that approaching an official without a mask could result in a 15-yard penalty, among other potential disciplinary actions. This applies to players and coaches.
NFL Senior VP of Officiating Perry Fewell informed clubs in a memo today that any individual who approaches an official without a face covering is subject to a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct, as well as possible fines, suspensions and forfeiture of draft picks.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 9, 2020
NBA Finals
After their, 102-96, win on Tuesday, the Los Angeles Lakers take their 3-1 series lead over the Miami Heat into Game 5 of the NBA Finals tonight.
Bam Adebayo returned for the Heat in Game 4, but they were still without Goran Drajic and his status for tonight is uncertain. Miami has been unable to contain LeBron James, and though the Heat had a plan for Anthony Davis in Game 3, he was back to form Tuesday night with 22 points, nine rebounds and four assists.
The Lakers are just too good and the Heat are just too banged up. Prediction: LA wins tonight and brings a championship home from the bubble for the first time since 2010.
Peanuts, Cracker Jack, Playoffs
National League
Get ready for some offense when the Los Angeles Dodgers take on the Atlanta Braves at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. The young Braves’ pitching staff that includes Max Fried and Ian Anderson will have to contend with Mookie Betts, Cody Bellinger and Corey Seager, to name a few. Meanwhile, Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler will have their mitts full with the Braves’ Freddie Freeman and Ronald Acuna, Jr. Neither team has lost a game so far in the playoffs. That will change Monday.
American League
Over in the American League, the Houston Astros and their hot bats took care of the Oakland A’s to advance to their fourth straight ALCS. Who will they play? Good question. Gerrit Cole and the New York Yankees take on Tyler Glasnow and the Tampa Bay Rays today to determine just that. Will we get a 2017 and 2019 ALCS rematch between the Astros and the Yankees? A Fangirl can dream.
Colts-Browns
Well, Fangirl Nation, I have some news. The 3-1 Cleveland Browns look like they may just be a good football team, and they host the 3-1 Indianapolis Colts on Sunday to prove it.
All of a sudden, Cleveland’s offense is clicking in the air and on the ground, though they will be without running back Nick Chubb who has a sprained knee. Baker Mayfield and Co. will be facing the league’s best defense in the Colts (hi DeForest Buckner!), as they lead the league in points allowed, yards and interceptions.
Meanwhile, Myles Garrett and the Cleveland defense lead the league with 11 total takeaways, as they face Philip Rivers, who will be starting his 229th consecutive game and looking for his 5000th completion. He needs four more to get there.
This game is important for each team to solidify its legitimacy as a true playoff contender. My the odds be ever in their favor.