This Week in Sports Talk (TWIST) is our weekly report on the big sports news headlines and major events, plus a preview of what’s up next. For September 10, 2023, here’s the news to know from the past week and what to keep an eye on in the days ahead, in the NFL, MLB and more.
weekly top 10 sports news headlines: September 17, 2023
Here’s what you need to know heading into a new week:
1. Highlights from week 1 in the NFL
One week into the season, the 49’ers, Cowboys, Eagles look like the best teams in NFC. While in the AFC, there were many slow starts to the season – nevertheless, our Sports Desk notes that the AFC seems to have a stronger crop of young quarterbacks, which should ultimately make for a really good season.
Jets’ Aaron Rodgers is out for the season
The New York Jets haven’t won a Super Bowl since the era of Joe Namath. So anticipation was at a fever pitch for the first game of the season last weekend, because the savior quarterback 4-time MVP Aaron Rodgers was finally taking to the field. And then . . . he sustained an injury in the first quarter, and is out for the season. Ugh!!!!!!!!!!
The only happy news out of that game is that the Jets ultimately won, topping Josh Allen and the Bills. The experts say that all is not lost: the Jets have a very strong defense, and they’ll have to rely on that along with a conservative offense led by Zack Wilson as the starting quarterback. Really painful start to the season. But the true believers say the season’s not over yet.
disappointing starts for the Chiefs, Bengals and Giants
The Kansas City Chiefs were without Travis Kelce, and it showed. They’re 0-1 heading into week 2, and everyone is hoping this is just a slow start, hiccup kind of thing.
The Cincinnati Bengals played terribly during week 1, losing to the Cleveland Browns and their formidable defense. Bengals QB Joe Burrow had an injury that kept him on the sidelines in the preseason. So his supporters say this was like a preseason game, and that everything will be fine. Our Sports Desk notes that Burrow has historically been a slow starter, and “it’s just one game” – but he is the highest-paid player in the NFL now. So . . . you know.
The Dallas Cowboys decimated the New York Giants in their home opener. We had to cover our eyes.
this could be the Dolphins’ season to shine
Our Sports Desk observes that with the Jets’ Aaron Rodgers out, and the Buffalo Bills off to a shaky start, the AFC East could belong to the Dolphins this year – they have the fastest offense team in the league.
2. Thursday Night Football NFL week 2 – Eagles are now 2-0
After a win on Thursday night, the Philadelphia Eagles are 2-0. And Jalen Hurts has put aside any doubts about his ability to play at the NFL level, proving that he’s developed into a world-class quarterback. He threw a 63-yard bomb to wide receiver Devonta Smith in one of the top plays of the season to date.
3. Big games and storylines for the rest of NFL week 2
Courtesy of USA Today Sports and our own Sports Desk, here are some of the games of note today.
- The Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots is a divisional matchup that may be a proof point for our Sports Desk’s theory that this could be the ‘Fins season to shine
- After their shellacking last week, the New York Giants really can’t afford to lose to the Arizona Cardinals
- There’s pressure on quarterback Russell Wilson and coach Sean Payton; the Denver Broncos really need to beat the Commanders
- San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams will see both teams try to get to 2-0
- Kansas City Chiefs at Jacksonville Jaguars will see the quarterback battle of Mahomes versus Lawrence – and Chiefs fans are hoping for the return of Travis Kelce
- The snake-bitten New York Jets travel to the Dallas Cowboys, who were on fire during week 1
- The Bengals’ quarterback Joe Burrow will try to bounce back against the Baltimore Ravens, their AFC North rivals
4. Prime time continues in Colorado
Coach Prime and son have done it again. No. 21 Colorado scored a dramatic double-overtime victory over their rivals, Colorado State yesterday.
5. other college football headlines from week 3
No. 1 Georgia faced a scare before putting together a strong second half against South Carolina. South Carolina led 14-3 at halftime – but the Bulldogs pulled out a 24-14 win. No. 10 Alabama beat South Florida, 17-3. But the level of play has left many scratching their heads about the Crimson Tide this season.
Finally, Harrison Mevis, aka the “Thicker Kicker,” hit a 61-yard field goal to lift Missouri over No. 15 Kansas State.
6. US Open Men’s Final
After we went to press last weekend, the men’s final at the US Open proved to be another one for the record books. Novak Djokovic, 36, defeated Daniil Medvedev, 27, in straight sets to win his 24th Grand Slam title, the most of any male player.
7. Ohtani out for the season
Slugger-pitcher Shonei Ohtani of the LA Angels is out for the season with an injury. Our Sports Desk says he probably cost himself $100 million as he enters free agency.
The other Angel that may be out of LA is Mike Trout. If he really does want out of LA, the New York Yankees are potentially in the mix, as are his hometown Phillies and Bryce Harper. Trout is the best player in baseball for the past 10 years, but has only made it to the playoffs once with the Angels.
8. MLB NL Standings: Atlanta Braves remain on top
In the NL East, the Atlanta Braves have a laughably comfortable lead, with the second-place Phillies 15 games back. The Mets, for the record, are now only 27 games back – last week it was 28. The Mets and Nats are below .500 as of this posting.
The LA Dodgers are similarly dominant in the NL West, 14 ahead of the second-place Diamondbacks.
The tight race in the NL Central is starting to look less competitive. The Milwaukee Brewers are now 6 ahead of the Chicago Cubs.
9. MLB AL Standings: Orioles lead
Our Sports Desk has decreed that the Baltimore Orioles are in charge of the AL East. But the once-hot Tampa Bay Rays are hanging around the hoop, now only 2 games back. We here in Gotham prefer not to discuss the New York Yankees, but at least now they’re in fourth place, not last, in their division. Boston is below the .500 mark.
The Minnesota Twins have a comfortable lead in the AL Central, 7.0 ahead of the Guardians.
In the AL West, though, there’s still a bit of a race. The Houston Astros, Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers are within 2.5 games of each other.
10. a new winner on the F1 circuit
Carlos Sainz, the Ferrari driver won the Singapore Grand Prix, ending Max Verstappen’s 10-race winning streak.
weekly top 10 sports news headlines: September 17, 2023
That’s our take on the big sports news headlines and major events, and a preview of the week ahead, including what to know about college football, the NFL, MLB and more to join the talk with the avid fans in your life this week. Have a great week, dear reader. See you next Sunday.
