Turner, Dodgers Take 2-0 LCS Lead in Gibson-Like Fashion
On the anniversary of Kirk Gibson's famous home run, the Los Angeles Dodgers did their very best to relive that moment in Game 2 of the NLCS. Justin Turner followed suit with a walk-off, three-run home run on Sunday night for a 4-1 win over the Chicago Cubs, giving the Dodgers a 2-0 series lead heading back to Wrigley Field. John Lackey surrendered the winner, giving Brian Duensing the loss, as Duensing began the inning by walking Yasiel Puig. One baserunner and two outs later, Turner hit the game-winner to dead-center field on the 29th anniversary of Gibson's home run, which was in the opener of the 1988 World Series. This just added to Turner's success in the postseason, as he has a .377 average with 22 RBI in his postseason career. That includes going 13-for-18 with runners in scoring position, including 6-for-8 during this year's postseason. The Cubs now trail in a rematch of last year's NLCS, which was won by Chicago in six games. Addison Russell's solo home run was the only source of offense on Sunday for the Cubs, who have scored just three runs in the first two games of the series. The defending World Series Champions will look to avoid a 3-0 series deficit when they host Game 3 of the series on Tuesday night, as Yu Darvish will be matched up with Kyle Hendricks.
Bradys Becomes Winningest QB as Pats Top Jets
Sunday was a controversial win for the New England Patriots, but also a historic win at the same time. The Patriots took advantage of a late touchdown-reversal call against the New York Jets, giving them a 24-17 win, which was the 187th of Tom Brady's career. That moves him past Brett Favre and Peyton Manning for the most wins on the all-time quarterbacks list. The win also puts New England back in first place in the AFC East at 4-2 in their first game in 10 days, as they last beat the Tamp Bay Buccaneers, 19-14, on October 5th. The surprising Jets fell to 3-3 on the season, but were rightfully upset when Austin Seferian-Jenkins' touchdown catch was called off in the fourth due to him losing control of the ball, which no one else could really understand. Brady threw for 257 yards and two touchdowns, both to Rob Gronkowski, while Dion Lewis added a touchdown run, as the Patriots snapped the Jets' three-game win streak after their 0-3 start. Wide receiver Jermaine Kearse was not happy about how the Jets' win streak ended, as he called the touchdown reversal "b.s." in a postgame interview. New England will play host to a Super Bowl rematch next week against Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons, while the Jets look to get back above .500 on the road against the Miami Dolphins.
Rodgers Goes Down as Packers Fall to Vikings
The entire NFC North Division got turned around on Sunday afternoon in Minneapolis, Minnesota when Aaron Rodgers was carted off the field in the first quarter. It was later revealed that Rodgers suffered a broken right collarbone and will require surgery, likely forcing him to miss the remainder of the season. To add to the Packers' bad day, they fell on the road against the Minnesota Vikings, 23-10, as Brett Hundley could not get the job done in relief for the Packers' star QB. Hundley was intercepted three times while throwing for just 157 yards and a score in the loss. Jerick McKinnon found the end zone twice for Minnesota, once on the ground, the other through the air, as the Vikings pulled away following Rodgers' absence. Kai Forbath made field goals of 36,34, and 53 yards in the second half to seal the win for the now 4-2 Vikings, tying them with Green Bay for the top spot in the North. Harrison Smith led the defensive attack for the Vikings with 1.5 sacks and one interception, helping hold the Packers to a season-low 227 total. yards. Anthony Barr had the hit that knocked Rodgers out of the game, as the quarterback landed directly on his shoulder on a hit that did not seem too vicious at the time. Case Keenum got his fourth start in replace of the injured Sam Bradford and threw for 239 yards and a touchdown in the win. The Vikings will host the struggling Baltimore Ravens next week, as the Packers will move on without Mr. "Discount Double-Check" when they host the New Orleans Saints.
On the anniversary of Kirk Gibson's famous home run, the Los Angeles Dodgers did their very best to relive that moment in Game 2 of the NLCS. Justin Turner followed suit with a walk-off, three-run home run on Sunday night for a 4-1 win over the Chicago Cubs, giving the Dodgers a 2-0 series lead heading back to Wrigley Field. John Lackey surrendered the winner, giving Brian Duensing the loss, as Duensing began the inning by walking Yasiel Puig. One baserunner and two outs later, Turner hit the game-winner to dead-center field on the 29th anniversary of Gibson's home run, which was in the opener of the 1988 World Series. This just added to Turner's success in the postseason, as he has a .377 average with 22 RBI in his postseason career. That includes going 13-for-18 with runners in scoring position, including 6-for-8 during this year's postseason. The Cubs now trail in a rematch of last year's NLCS, which was won by Chicago in six games. Addison Russell's solo home run was the only source of offense on Sunday for the Cubs, who have scored just three runs in the first two games of the series. The defending World Series Champions will look to avoid a 3-0 series deficit when they host Game 3 of the series on Tuesday night, as Yu Darvish will be matched up with Kyle Hendricks.
Bradys Becomes Winningest QB as Pats Top Jets
Sunday was a controversial win for the New England Patriots, but also a historic win at the same time. The Patriots took advantage of a late touchdown-reversal call against the New York Jets, giving them a 24-17 win, which was the 187th of Tom Brady's career. That moves him past Brett Favre and Peyton Manning for the most wins on the all-time quarterbacks list. The win also puts New England back in first place in the AFC East at 4-2 in their first game in 10 days, as they last beat the Tamp Bay Buccaneers, 19-14, on October 5th. The surprising Jets fell to 3-3 on the season, but were rightfully upset when Austin Seferian-Jenkins' touchdown catch was called off in the fourth due to him losing control of the ball, which no one else could really understand. Brady threw for 257 yards and two touchdowns, both to Rob Gronkowski, while Dion Lewis added a touchdown run, as the Patriots snapped the Jets' three-game win streak after their 0-3 start. Wide receiver Jermaine Kearse was not happy about how the Jets' win streak ended, as he called the touchdown reversal "b.s." in a postgame interview. New England will play host to a Super Bowl rematch next week against Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons, while the Jets look to get back above .500 on the road against the Miami Dolphins.
Rodgers Goes Down as Packers Fall to Vikings
The entire NFC North Division got turned around on Sunday afternoon in Minneapolis, Minnesota when Aaron Rodgers was carted off the field in the first quarter. It was later revealed that Rodgers suffered a broken right collarbone and will require surgery, likely forcing him to miss the remainder of the season. To add to the Packers' bad day, they fell on the road against the Minnesota Vikings, 23-10, as Brett Hundley could not get the job done in relief for the Packers' star QB. Hundley was intercepted three times while throwing for just 157 yards and a score in the loss. Jerick McKinnon found the end zone twice for Minnesota, once on the ground, the other through the air, as the Vikings pulled away following Rodgers' absence. Kai Forbath made field goals of 36,34, and 53 yards in the second half to seal the win for the now 4-2 Vikings, tying them with Green Bay for the top spot in the North. Harrison Smith led the defensive attack for the Vikings with 1.5 sacks and one interception, helping hold the Packers to a season-low 227 total. yards. Anthony Barr had the hit that knocked Rodgers out of the game, as the quarterback landed directly on his shoulder on a hit that did not seem too vicious at the time. Case Keenum got his fourth start in replace of the injured Sam Bradford and threw for 239 yards and a touchdown in the win. The Vikings will host the struggling Baltimore Ravens next week, as the Packers will move on without Mr. "Discount Double-Check" when they host the New Orleans Saints.
