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theBandwagn from October 20, 2014

This oldie is still definitely a goodie

STAT OF THE DAY

7: Consecutive games that Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray has rushed for at least 100 yards, the longest such streak to open a season in NFL history.

  1. NFL WEEKEND WRAPUP

    Top 3 Storylines

    3) Big Trouble in the Big Easy. The New Orleans Saints were supposed to be Super Bowl contenders. Now at 2-4, they'll be lucky to be contending for a playoff spot. The most recent defeat, at the hands of the Detroit Lions, was particularly painful, as the Saints surrendered a 13-point lead in the final four minutes. The schedule doesn't get any easier, and up next is a virtual must-win against the Green Bay Packers next Sunday night. Read more here.

     

    2) Another disappointment for the champs. Last week, the defending champion Seattle Seahawks lost at home to a good Dallas Cowboys team—worrying, but not alarming. This week, it got much worse, as the 'Hawks lost, 28-26, to a St. Louis Rams team that was previously 1-4. Seattle dominated in terms of yards gained but gave up some big special teams plays (see Top Plays below). Read more here.

     

    1) Peyton nabs the record, victory. 38-year old Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (above) added to his best-in-class resume last night, when he broke the all-time record for career touchdown passes with his 509th. All told, he threw for four touchdowns, and the Broncos rolled to a 42-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers. Read more (and see the video) here.

     

    Top 3 Plays

    3) Even better than an XBox. Kansas City has enough excitement this week with baseball's Royals in the World Series, but Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles reminded us why he's still the best athlete in town with a video game-like run for a touchdown.

     

    2) Hogan comes up huge. It doesn't get much more clutch than this. Down 6 points with under 30 seconds remaining, Buffalo Bills wide receiver Chris Hogan picked a nice time to make an incredible leaping grab for a 28-yard gain to set up the game-winning touchdown a play later.

     

    1) Rams' double roll of the dice. To beat a far superior team, you're going to have to pull a few tricks out of the bag, and the St. Louis Rams did just that against the Seattle Seahawks. First, they faked out everyone in the stadium (including the cameraman and the defense) with a play that defies explanation. Then, up by two with the game winding down, they took a huge gamble with a fake punt...and let's just say they ended up with blackjack. 

  2. WORLD SERIES PREVIEW

     Calling a matchup between a perennial winner and an upstart "Dynasty vs. Destiny" may be one of sports' biggest clichés, but it does happen to aptly describe the matchup of this year's World Series. We explain below.

     

    Dyansty -  San Francisco Giants (National League Champions). The Giants won it all in 2010 and 2012, and are looking to become the first team to win three titles in five years since the 1996-2000 New York Yankees. They're led by catcher Buster Posey—who's already won one league MVP award and will be in the running for another this year—and pitcher Madison Bumgarner—who's put together four consecutive stellar seasons and has a penchant for insane celebrations. Watch their postseason highlight video here.

     

    Destiny - Kansas City Royals (American League champions). As we've mentioned a few times in the last couple if issues, the Royals haven't made the playoffs (much less a World Series) since 1985. This year, they barely snuck into the playoffs and proceeded to stun the three best teams in the AL with 8 consecutive playoff wins. Alex Gordon and Lorenzo Cain anchor arguably the best defense in the game. Watch their postseason highlight video here.

     

    Schedule (all games on FOX at 8 pm EST)

    Game 1: Tuesday

    Game 2: Wednesday

    Game 3: Friday

    Game 4: Saturday

    Game 5: Sunday (if necessary)

    Game 6: Tuesday (if necessary)

    Game 7: Wednesday (if necessary)

  3. THE BEST OF THE REST OF SPORTS

     Yellow flag saves the day for Florida State. The college football matchup between #2 Florida State and #5 Notre Dame lived up to the hype, as the two teams battled back and forth until the final minute. Notre Dame appeared to score the go-ahead touchdown with just seconds remaining, but an offensive pass interference penatly bailed out the defending champion FSU Seminoles, who held on for the 31-27 win. Read more here.