Thursday Night Recap

Before we pop the top on any of our six-pack, a quick review of Thursday night’s football game …

The New England Patriots slowly and steadily dismantled the Miami Dolphins. A close game turned into a 36-7 rout in which the Dolphins rushed for 15 yards and their leaky offensive line allowed five sacks of Ryan Tannehill .

Tom Brady passed for 356 yards and four touchdowns as the Patriots slowly crushed the Dolphins and handed them their first loss (after two victories) under interim coach Dan Campbell.

And now, your six-pack …

BASEBALL

The New York Mets are down 2-0 to the Kansas City Royals in the World Series, with play shifting to New York. History buffs (and desperate Mets fans) will tell you that the 1986 Mets lost Game 1 by a run and Game 2 by six runs, just as they have now, before coming back to beat the Boston Red Sox in six games. The teams play Friday night and Saturday night at Citi Field. If the Royals win on Friday night, Game 4 becomes a possible clincher and must-see TV.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Georgia (5-2) at No. 11 Florida (6-1): Georgia has floated the idea of replacing QB Greyson Lambert. If the Bulldogs lose, Georgia may flirt with the idea of replacing coach Mark Richt. Welcome to the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party in, as always, Jacksonville, Fla.

No. 8 Stanford (6-1) at Washington State (5-2): You’ll want to see Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey at work. The son of former NFL receiver Ed McCaffrey has rushed for 953 yards and scored six touchdowns.

NASCAR

The Chase for the Sprint Cup Eliminator round begins on Sunday (1:15 p.m. ET) at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway with the Goody’s Headache Relief Shot 500. The .526 mile track is the shortest in the circuit. Joey Logano has won the last three races. Kevin Harvick is not the most popular driver around after others accused him – though NASCAR cleared him – of causing a late crash at Talladega that allowed him to advance to this round.

NFL

Green Bay Packers (6-0) at Denver Broncos (6-0): Someone won’t be unbeaten after this clash. Peyton Manning pitches products better than he throws a football these days. This one is appointment viewing and your appointment is at 8:30 p.m. ET on Sunday night.
 
 
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman .