Stafford, Lions Snap Losing Streak on MNF
The Detroit Lions got off to a quick start to their season, but just as quick, things took a downhill turn for them. Their offense was plagued with injuries, and their defense allowed one big play after another, all leading to a three-game losing streak. The Lions were in good position to end that skid on Monday night, and did just that with a 30-17 win over the struggling Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. It was just their second win in 25 years at Green Bay, although, the lack of Aaron Rodgers in the contest definitely played a role. Matthew Stafford threw for 361 yards and two touchdown passes to Marvin Jones Jr., becoming the fourth-youngest player to reach 200 career touchdowns. Only Peyton Manning, Brett Favre, and Dan Marino reached the mark at a younger age. The win puts the Lions at 4-4 on the year, tied with the Packers for second in the NFC North, two games behind the Minnesota Vikings, who were on a bye this week. Brett Hundley struggled in his second start since Rodgers broke his collarbone ,throwing for 245 yards on 26-of-38 passing, as he over-threw his targets on numerous occasions. He did run for a score late, as did Jamaal Williams for Green Bay, who dropped to 0-3 without Rodgers. They will go on the road to visit the Chicago Bears next week, while the Lions return home to host the winless Cleveland Browns.
Irving, Celtics Edge Hawks For Ninth Straight Win
The Boston Celtics' tough 0-2 start and the tragic loss of Gordon Hayward to an early injury has been put far behind them, Kyrie Irving scored a season-high 35 points on Monday night, as the Celtics improved to 9-2 with their ninth straight win, 110-107 over the Atlanta Hawks. Irving shot 14-of-22 from the field and added seven assists, while Jayson Tatum contributed 21 points to help Boston improve to 6-1 away from home. Al Horford recorded his second straight double-double of 15 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists for Boston, who has their longest win streak in seven years. Capping off his first 30-point game in the green and white, Irving hit a go-ahead three-pointer with 1:37 left in the game, giving the Celtics the lead for good. The Hawks, coming off a road upset of the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday night, fell to 0-4 on their home floor and 2-9 overall. To no one's surprise, Dennis Schroder led the Hawks with 23 points in a losing effort. Dewayne Dedmon did add 19 points, as did Marco Belinelli off the bench. Boston will now take their NBA-leading record back home to host the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday. The Hawks will be off until Friday night, when they visit the recently-hot Detroit Pistons.
Maple Leafs, Capitals Continue to Right Ship With Late Wins
Two teams with high expectations have been struggling as of late in the NHL, which has caused them to slip in the standings a bit. First, the Toronto Maple Leafs, losers of five of seven heading in to Monday, earned an impressive 4-3 shootout win over the Las Vegas Golden Knights at home. Mitch Marner beat Maxime Legace in the shootout to help Toronto overcome blowing a two-goal lead. Nazem Kadri scored twice, while James Van Riemsdyk added a goal to build a 3-1 lead after two periods for the Leafs. James Neal and Reilly Smith both scored in the third to force extra time for Las Vegas. Frederik Andersen stopped 22 shots, and then three more in the shootout, as the Leafs remain in second place in the Atlantic Division. One team this is not as fortunate in the standings is the Washington Capitals, who got a 3-2 overtime win over the lowly Arizona Coyotes on Monday. John Carlson scored with 45.4 seconds left in the extra period to give Washington their eighth win, putting them at 17 points, but still outside the Metropolitan's top three. The victory is their third in a row, which makes it their first three-game win streak of the season. Despite the win, the Capitals went just 1-for-6 on the power play, putting them at 2-for-25 with the man advantage at home this season. Although, Alex Ovechkin did net his 12th goal, as he looks to lead his team back to the top of the Metropolitan Division sooner rather than later.
The Detroit Lions got off to a quick start to their season, but just as quick, things took a downhill turn for them. Their offense was plagued with injuries, and their defense allowed one big play after another, all leading to a three-game losing streak. The Lions were in good position to end that skid on Monday night, and did just that with a 30-17 win over the struggling Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. It was just their second win in 25 years at Green Bay, although, the lack of Aaron Rodgers in the contest definitely played a role. Matthew Stafford threw for 361 yards and two touchdown passes to Marvin Jones Jr., becoming the fourth-youngest player to reach 200 career touchdowns. Only Peyton Manning, Brett Favre, and Dan Marino reached the mark at a younger age. The win puts the Lions at 4-4 on the year, tied with the Packers for second in the NFC North, two games behind the Minnesota Vikings, who were on a bye this week. Brett Hundley struggled in his second start since Rodgers broke his collarbone ,throwing for 245 yards on 26-of-38 passing, as he over-threw his targets on numerous occasions. He did run for a score late, as did Jamaal Williams for Green Bay, who dropped to 0-3 without Rodgers. They will go on the road to visit the Chicago Bears next week, while the Lions return home to host the winless Cleveland Browns.
Irving, Celtics Edge Hawks For Ninth Straight Win
The Boston Celtics' tough 0-2 start and the tragic loss of Gordon Hayward to an early injury has been put far behind them, Kyrie Irving scored a season-high 35 points on Monday night, as the Celtics improved to 9-2 with their ninth straight win, 110-107 over the Atlanta Hawks. Irving shot 14-of-22 from the field and added seven assists, while Jayson Tatum contributed 21 points to help Boston improve to 6-1 away from home. Al Horford recorded his second straight double-double of 15 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists for Boston, who has their longest win streak in seven years. Capping off his first 30-point game in the green and white, Irving hit a go-ahead three-pointer with 1:37 left in the game, giving the Celtics the lead for good. The Hawks, coming off a road upset of the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday night, fell to 0-4 on their home floor and 2-9 overall. To no one's surprise, Dennis Schroder led the Hawks with 23 points in a losing effort. Dewayne Dedmon did add 19 points, as did Marco Belinelli off the bench. Boston will now take their NBA-leading record back home to host the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday. The Hawks will be off until Friday night, when they visit the recently-hot Detroit Pistons.
Maple Leafs, Capitals Continue to Right Ship With Late Wins
Two teams with high expectations have been struggling as of late in the NHL, which has caused them to slip in the standings a bit. First, the Toronto Maple Leafs, losers of five of seven heading in to Monday, earned an impressive 4-3 shootout win over the Las Vegas Golden Knights at home. Mitch Marner beat Maxime Legace in the shootout to help Toronto overcome blowing a two-goal lead. Nazem Kadri scored twice, while James Van Riemsdyk added a goal to build a 3-1 lead after two periods for the Leafs. James Neal and Reilly Smith both scored in the third to force extra time for Las Vegas. Frederik Andersen stopped 22 shots, and then three more in the shootout, as the Leafs remain in second place in the Atlantic Division. One team this is not as fortunate in the standings is the Washington Capitals, who got a 3-2 overtime win over the lowly Arizona Coyotes on Monday. John Carlson scored with 45.4 seconds left in the extra period to give Washington their eighth win, putting them at 17 points, but still outside the Metropolitan's top three. The victory is their third in a row, which makes it their first three-game win streak of the season. Despite the win, the Capitals went just 1-for-6 on the power play, putting them at 2-for-25 with the man advantage at home this season. Although, Alex Ovechkin did net his 12th goal, as he looks to lead his team back to the top of the Metropolitan Division sooner rather than later.
