Lions Fall to Falcons on Controversial Final Play
The Detroit Lions may have proven that they are legitimate contenders in the NFC, despite the final result on Sunday afternoon. After what looked to be a go-ahead touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford to Golden Tate, the refs reviewed it and said that Tate was down before the goal line, sealing a 30-26 win for the defending NFC Champions, Atlanta Falcons. The play took place with eight seconds left, and due to NFL rule, there was a 10-second runoff with the overturn, which ended the game, breaking the hearts of Lions' fans. Problem is, the replay looked as if Tate got in before his knee was down. Nevertheless, the Falcons moved to 3-0 with the controversial win, despite Matt Ryan finishing with three interceptions on the day. He threw for 294 yards and two touchdowns in the win, while Devonta Freeman had 106 yards and a score on the ground. Stafford only had one scoring pass in the tough loss, although, the second, would've avoided Detroit's first loss of the season. They will look to get back on track when they visit the Minnesota Vikings next week in their first NFC North divisional game. Meanwhile, the Falcons return home to host the Buffalo Bills, who hold a surprising 2-1 record.
Brady, Patriots Avoid Upset Against Texans
The New England Patriots have struggled on their home field so far this season, and Deshaun Watson and the Houston Texans nearly took advantage of that on Sunday afternoon. Although, they fell just short, as Tom Brady connected with Brandin Cooks for a game-winning, 25-yard touchdown pass with 23 seconds left for a 36-33 win for the defending Super Bowl Champs. The game-winner was the fifth touchdown pass of the day for Brady, who finished with 378 yards through the air and zero turnovers. Cooks had five catches for 131 yards and two touchdowns in the win. Opposing rookie quarterbacks are now 0-9 in New England against a Bill Belichick-coached Patriots team. Watson nearly came through on Sunday, as he put up 301 yards and two touchdowns, but his two interceptions haunted him. The Pats led by eight in the third quarter, but Watson would lead three scoring drives, two of which ended with field goals from Ka'imi Fairbairn. The Texans could not pull off the upset on this day, though, as they fell to 1-2 on the young season. They will play host to AFC South division rival, the Tennessee Titans next week. The Patriots play host to Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers for their Week 4 matchup.
D-Backs Clinch Playoff Spot on Martinez Walk-Off
The Arizona Diamondbacks hit a home run (no pun intended) with the acquisition of J.D. Martinez at the trade deadline. The move continued to pay off on Sunday, as Martinez hit a walk-off RBI single for a 3-2 win over the Miami Marlins. The big knock came with two outs in the ninth, as Arizona clinched a playoff spot as a National League Wild Card team. The win, combined with the Cardinals and Brewers loss earlier in the day, is what solidified Arizona's spot. This team only won 69 games a season ago, but they are now 90-66 in a tough NL West division. Fernando Rodney earned his fifth win in relief for the D-Backs after he pitched a scoreless ninth inning. Chris Herrmann went deep in the win for Arizona, who took two of three from Miami over the weekend. Giancarlo Stanton and Brian Anderson both doubled home runs for the Marlins, as they got just two runs on five hits against Arizona starter Patrick Corbin. The Diamondbacks will now be participating in their sixth postseason in its 20-year franchise history, and first since 2011. They will now look to hang on to the top Wild Card spot to be able to host the Wild Card Game. That process continues on Monday night when they host the lowly San Francisco Giants.
The Detroit Lions may have proven that they are legitimate contenders in the NFC, despite the final result on Sunday afternoon. After what looked to be a go-ahead touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford to Golden Tate, the refs reviewed it and said that Tate was down before the goal line, sealing a 30-26 win for the defending NFC Champions, Atlanta Falcons. The play took place with eight seconds left, and due to NFL rule, there was a 10-second runoff with the overturn, which ended the game, breaking the hearts of Lions' fans. Problem is, the replay looked as if Tate got in before his knee was down. Nevertheless, the Falcons moved to 3-0 with the controversial win, despite Matt Ryan finishing with three interceptions on the day. He threw for 294 yards and two touchdowns in the win, while Devonta Freeman had 106 yards and a score on the ground. Stafford only had one scoring pass in the tough loss, although, the second, would've avoided Detroit's first loss of the season. They will look to get back on track when they visit the Minnesota Vikings next week in their first NFC North divisional game. Meanwhile, the Falcons return home to host the Buffalo Bills, who hold a surprising 2-1 record.
Brady, Patriots Avoid Upset Against Texans
The New England Patriots have struggled on their home field so far this season, and Deshaun Watson and the Houston Texans nearly took advantage of that on Sunday afternoon. Although, they fell just short, as Tom Brady connected with Brandin Cooks for a game-winning, 25-yard touchdown pass with 23 seconds left for a 36-33 win for the defending Super Bowl Champs. The game-winner was the fifth touchdown pass of the day for Brady, who finished with 378 yards through the air and zero turnovers. Cooks had five catches for 131 yards and two touchdowns in the win. Opposing rookie quarterbacks are now 0-9 in New England against a Bill Belichick-coached Patriots team. Watson nearly came through on Sunday, as he put up 301 yards and two touchdowns, but his two interceptions haunted him. The Pats led by eight in the third quarter, but Watson would lead three scoring drives, two of which ended with field goals from Ka'imi Fairbairn. The Texans could not pull off the upset on this day, though, as they fell to 1-2 on the young season. They will play host to AFC South division rival, the Tennessee Titans next week. The Patriots play host to Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers for their Week 4 matchup.
D-Backs Clinch Playoff Spot on Martinez Walk-Off
The Arizona Diamondbacks hit a home run (no pun intended) with the acquisition of J.D. Martinez at the trade deadline. The move continued to pay off on Sunday, as Martinez hit a walk-off RBI single for a 3-2 win over the Miami Marlins. The big knock came with two outs in the ninth, as Arizona clinched a playoff spot as a National League Wild Card team. The win, combined with the Cardinals and Brewers loss earlier in the day, is what solidified Arizona's spot. This team only won 69 games a season ago, but they are now 90-66 in a tough NL West division. Fernando Rodney earned his fifth win in relief for the D-Backs after he pitched a scoreless ninth inning. Chris Herrmann went deep in the win for Arizona, who took two of three from Miami over the weekend. Giancarlo Stanton and Brian Anderson both doubled home runs for the Marlins, as they got just two runs on five hits against Arizona starter Patrick Corbin. The Diamondbacks will now be participating in their sixth postseason in its 20-year franchise history, and first since 2011. They will now look to hang on to the top Wild Card spot to be able to host the Wild Card Game. That process continues on Monday night when they host the lowly San Francisco Giants.
