Weekly Sports Recap

The main highlights in sports this past week involved football (College and NFL) and NASCAR. There were many close matchups in football with some upsets and blowouts, and there were three intense finishes to each of the NASCAR races in Bristol, Tennessee too. Keep reading to hear more about these exciting events! 

Football

Image from newsadvance.com

On the college side of football, there were several “must watch” games throughout the week, especially on Saturday (9/18). Number one seeded Alabama was able to hold off the hard-charging Florida Gators 31-29. The Crimson Tide started off strong by scoring 21 points in the first quarter, but the Gators outscored them in the next three, even though it was not enough to upset the number one seed. The Clemson Tigers were able to defeat Georgia Tech 14-8. The Tigers have been one of the best teams in the past few years, but they are still trying to find some chemistry early in the season. Unranked West Virginia was able to defeat and upset number 15 ranked Virginia Tech 27-21. There was a Virginia rivalry game this past weekend as well between the Liberty Flames and ODU Monarchs. The Flames burned the Monarchs 45-17 in their hometown, Lynchburg, VA. 

In the NFL, the Washington Football Team defeated the New York Giants by one point (30-29) on Thursday night (9/16). The Washington Quarterback, Taylor Heinicke, threw 34-46 for 336 yards and two touchdowns. On Sunday (9/19), there were several close games around the NFL. The Bears beat the Bengals 20-17. The Browns beat the Texans 31-21. The Rams beat the Colts 27-24. The 49ers beat the Eagles 17-11. The Raiders beat the Steelers 26-17. If that was not enough close football, there were three more games that were decided by three points or less.

Lamar Jackson celebrates after scoring a late touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Chiefs. Image from cbssports.com

The Cowboys beat the Chargers 20-17 with a last-second field goal from 56 yards to win the game. The Titans defeated the Seahawks 33-30 in overtime with a field goal. Then the banged up and injured Baltimore Ravens defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 36-35, with Lamar Jackson scoring a late touchdown and the Ravens defense coming up with an interception to seal the game. More football scores and highlights can be found here.

NASCAR

AJ Allmendinger (#16) and Austin Cindric (#22) slide across the finish line. Image from wcyb.com

Friday night (9/17) might have been the best NASCAR finish I have ever seen. In the NASCAR Xfinity Series race, championship favorites AJ Allmendinger and Austin Cindric led the field to a Green-White-Checkered finish, which means there were two laps left in the race. The two leaders beat and banged their way around the track until they came to the checkered flag and crashed. Allmendinger won the race by about half a car length over Cindric, and his car was completely destroyed. It was the first time I saw the winner of the race not be able to celebrate and drive his car to victory lane. Thankfully, both drivers were checked and released from the care center, and Allmendinger was able to celebrate with his team in victory lane without his car there. 

The remains of Allmendinger’s car being towed to the garage. Image from journalnow.com

The Cup Series race on Saturday night (9/18) delivered just as much drama. With 35 laps to go, Kevin Harvick and Chase Elliott collided on the track, which led to Elliott having a flat tire and being forced to pit, losing the lead and all of his track position. He came back onto the track behind Harvick, who was still in the lead and showed his displeasure by swiping towards Harvick’s car without hitting it. Elliott proceeded to hold up Harvick, which allowed Kyle Larson, Elliott’s teammate, to pass Harvick with a few laps remaining to get the win. After the race, both drivers parked their cars on pit road and had a heated discussion with a few shoves back and forth, but no real fight took place. A few minutes later, both drivers were seen talking in the garage area in a less frustrated manner. Elliott and Harvick even went into Elliott’s hauler to further discuss the incident so the media would not be in their way. For more details about the NASCAR race at Bristol, click here.

Kevin Harvick (#4) slides into Chase Elliott (#9) which eventually cuts Elliott’s tire down. Image from racingnews.com

It was a wild week for sports. With all the excitement, I am glad that most stadiums (for any sport) are allowing fans back in the grandstands. It is clear that the atmosphere is more electric than it was for the past year and a half. The drama will only continue to grow in the next few weeks as the football season gets underway and NASCAR continues through their playoff run.

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James Oakley

James Oakley is a writer for The Daily Runner.