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While You Were Sleeping
Trouble with Tua
The Dolphins are picking a terrible time to slump, dropping their second straight and forcing us to rethink the Miami hype. The Chargers (7-6), on the other hand, looked much more like the team experts predicted they’d be.
- After a pair of embarrassing losses, what do we make of Miami’s preceding five-game winning streak? Not one came against a playoff team. The Dolphins are now 8-5.
- Step aside, Andrew Luck: Justin Herbert blew past Luck’s NFL record for most passing yards through a player’s first three seasons. Herbert had a season-high 367 yards in the 23-17 win. Meanwhile, Tagovailoa was just 10-28 passing for a measly 145 yards, over-throwing many intended targets and bounce-passing others.
The Herbert-Tagovailoa rivalry was born as soon as they were picked back-to-back three years ago. While Tagovailoa has put up better numbers this season, Herbert proved yet again he’s the more reliable arm.
Time will tell just how much this game meant once the playoff picture settles. We’ll get to that in a minute.
Mystery, Solved
Why Reyna barely played in Qatar
Craving USMNT content? Oh, have we got you…
Gio Reyna’s lack of involvement at the World Cup was easily the biggest question surrounding the Americans’ run in Qatar. Paul Tenorio and Sam Stejskal delivered the answer last night, reporting that Reyna had to apologize to the team over his lack of effort after being told he wouldn’t start in the initial game against Wales. Details:
- Reyna first showed an alarming lack of effort in a scrimmage ahead of the Americans’ opening match that “caused significant frustration” within the team and was so pronounced it had his teammates questioning if he was injured.
- Reyna threw his shinguards after not being subbed in against Wales, and then his lack of effort continued into a post-match training session. It prompted several veteran players to speak with him.
- The situation became untenable and had to be addressed multiple times, including with the coaching staff. Reyna finally stood up before a video session and apologized to his teammates.
The 20-year-old Reyna, the son of two former US national team players, ended his first World Cup with just 52 minutes played.
The situation came to light after comments coach Gregg Berhalter made at a leadership summit were made public (US Soccer said the event was supposed to be off the record). A Reyna mystery, solved.
NFL Playoff Picture
There are levels to this
Fourteen weeks of football feels like enough time to figure out what kind of a playoff picture we’re looking at, right? Maybe. Here’s where we’re at:
For those keeping track, that leaves Baltimore, Minnesota and Tampa Bay. About them…
- The Ravens barely beat the Steelers, and are potentially down to their third-string practice squad quarterback. Eek.
- The Vikings are 10-3, but have been outscored on the season, got stomped by Dallas, and just lost in Detroit.
- The Bucs? The team that let Mr. Doesn’t matter look like Mr. Brady, while Tom himself sat there like this? Somehow, someone has to win the putrid NFC South.
MLB Reset
Free agents to watch this week
(Photo: Jay Biggerstaff / USA Today)
MLB free agency got underway in earnest last week with a number of the biggest names going off the market. With the likes of Aaron Judge, Trea Turner, Xander Bogaerts and Kodai Senga out of the way, here’s who we’re keeping an eye on:
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Carlos Correa — It remains possible the shortstop could re-sign with the Twins, but Bogaerts leaving Boston for San Diego means the Red Sox could throw a massive deal Correa’s way. The Giants are still an obvious fit, as are the Dodgers (save for LA fans despising him, a hilarious potential speedbump).
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Dansby Swanson — Again, the SS could stick with the Braves, but could be a realistic option for the Cubs.
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Carlos Rodón — The Giants are interested in keeping the left-handed starter, but he’s reportedly seeking a long-term deal, which could be risky given his health record. His stock is looking up with Senga going to the Mets on a five-year deal, though.
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Jurickson Profar — Rinse and repeat on the SS situation. Correa’s signing will have a major cascade effect, and the versatile former top prospect has a lot of potential fits.
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Andrew Benintendi — The Astros are looking at the outfielder, as well as Michael Brantley and Michael Conforto. Houston could even sign two of those threeKen Rosenthal reports.
Any predictions? Here’s what Ken Rosenthal is hearing.
Briefs
A rivalry is born
Pelicans-Suns is the NBA’s newest rivalry, and Zion Williamson is adding fuel to the fire. His Friday night windmill dunk preceded an altercation between the teams and ignited the beef that’s been simmering since the last time they met at Smoothie King Center seven months ago. Williamson finished that win with 35 points, then piled on 35 more over 42 minutes in an OT win over Phoenix yesterday. This is clearly a different Pelicans team than the one that fell to Phoenix in the first round last year. Can it win the West?
Southgate stepping away?
One of the most famous managers at the World Cup is unsure about his future: England’s Gareth Southgate said he “needs time” to make the “right decision” about his status with the team after its quarterfinal loss to France. Southgate has coached England since 2016 and led the country to the World Cup semifinals four years ago and to the Euro 2020 final. He’s under contract through 2024.
Coach Prime already making waves
If you were wondering how long it would take Deion Sanders to make a recruiting statement at Colorado, the answer was six days. Dylan Edwards, a four-star running back from Kansas, flipped his commitment from Notre Dame to the Buffaloes on Saturday.
Edwards told The Athletic‘s Ari Wasserman that Sanders was his youth coach dating back to the age of 5 — so perhaps this one’s a unique circumstance. But he also told Wasserman: “I know a lot of guys that are about to flip their commitments. They are all big Power 5 guys with a lot of offers, guys that are four- and five-stars. Nobody is safe in this situation recruiting-wise.“
Pulse Picks
- How three-on-three basketball is becoming another offseason option for WNBA players.
- Ken Niumatalolo won’t return to Navy football after a long run. Chris Vannini highlights some names that could be in the mix.
- Paul Silas, a key member of the ’70s Celtics title teams and LeBron James’ first pro coach, died Sunday at 79 years old.
- More from the USMNT questions file: Goalkeeper Zack Steffen opened up about missing the World Cup rostersaying, “I was shocked, I was sad, I was mad, I was heartbroken.”
- The Winnipeg Jets’ decision to go after Rick Bowness is looking nothing short of brilliant as the team leads the Western Conference, Pierre LeBrun writes.
- Why Saquon Barkley played so little against the Eaglesand why he has no doubt he’ll face the Commanders.
- The Warriors’ defensive performance in their win over the Celtics proved Golden State still has it and can pull it out when it wantsMarcus Thompson writes.
- The Athletic ranked the greatest songs played in sports arenas over the last 50 years.
- Where does Brazil go from here as its World Cup title drought reaches 20 years?
(Top photo: Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)
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