The NFL needed a solid Sunday to put some of the uglier bits of news behind it, at least temporarily. The games did not disappoint.
Start with the Seattle Seahawks’ 26-20 overtime win against the Denver Broncos. This was a rematch of the Super Bowl, won 43-8 by the Seahawks. If only this, and not that, had been the Super Bowl. The Broncos overcame a 17-3 deficit, tied the game with 18 seconds left, and then lost in OT on Marshawn Lynch’s 6-yard touchdown run.
What a shootout between the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins. The Eagles came from behind to win 37-34. They’re the first team to start a season 3-0 after trailing by 10 points or more in each of those games.
Honorable mention to the Cincinnati Bengals, the only AFC team that’s 3-0, and the unbeaten Arizona Cardinals. The Bengals rolled over the Tennessee Titans 33-7 with quarterback Andy Dalton catching a touchdown pass.
The Cardinals came from behind to beat the San Francisco 49ers 23-14, winning again with backup quarterback Drew Stanton.
BASEBALL
The Atlanta Braves, who won the NL East last year, were eliminated from the playoff chase on Sunday. Key stat: They are 8-60 when scoring less than two runs.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
The top seven teams are unchanged in the AP poll, even though No. 1 Florida State and No. 2 Oregon struggled mightily. FSU beat Clemson 23-17 in overtime without quarterback Jameis Winston, suspended for the game due to campus misbehavior. Oregon edged Washington State 38-31. The coolest game was Arizona’s 49-45 win over Cal. ‘Zona scored 36 points in the fourth quarter and won on a Hail Mary pass on the final play.
NASCAR
A season-high 15 cautions marred the Chase race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway but Joey Logano led 73 laps and advanced to the next round of the Sprint Cup championship.
Today’s question
Is there really a best team in college football right now, and who is it?
Answers in the comment box, please.
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman .
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