Thinking Patrick Mahomes can do something with anybody seemed wayward final evening.
This about sums it up:
The complete recreation shifted on this one play, and if it wasn’t that one:
Kansas City had survived a gap proper hook from the Lions, and firstly of the second half had a landing lead and the ball when Kadarius Toney determined to volleyball set one to Brian Branch. KC was solely down one when Toney forgot how his arms labored and that was about that. There’s no must overplay this, because the Chiefs held the Lions below 4 yards per carry and to 21 factors with their greatest defensive participant at dwelling ready for his test. Toney catches both of those passes and KC virtually definitely wins.
We know the way this goes from right here although. Kansas City could have possibly one other rocky recreation or two within the opening few video games as a result of typically defending champs get a bit bored in September and October and attempt to recalibrate what they’ve from what they misplaced from the earlier season. Andy Reid could have a tetchy press convention someplace in there, whereas Mahomes will guarantee everybody that every part is okay. And then the receivers will develop, and with extra reps change into extra comfy, and Travis Kelce will likely be again. By the time we get to December, it’ll look similar to it has the previous 5 years. You’ve seen this film.
Probably why it’s greatest to get pleasure from it right now. Even if it’ll make for some obnoxious Detroiters for the following few weeks whereas they ignore that the Red Wings will suck once more.
Fossil gas protestors delay Gauff-Muchova semifinals
The ladies’s semifinals contained nearly a little bit of every part on Thursday evening. Topped off with the primary one between Coco Gauff and Karolina Muchova being delayed almost an hour due to some environmental protesters. That was highlighted by one in all them gluing his toes to the concrete flooring of Arthur Ashe. Which…ouch?
Protesting isn’t about doing it the place it’s handy, and these 4 will definitely have grabbed a good quantity of consideration. How a lot that does to unravel local weather change? More debatable, however A for effort.
Coco Gauff continues her run
As for the precise match, Gauff continued her run over the normally fairly artful Muchova in straight units. She had to make use of a bit extra selection than in earlier rounds the place she had simply principally pushed her opponents off the course, going to a reasonably crazy/spinny forehand to maintain Muchova off-balance. It’s having that quantity of instruments that has induced Gauff to play the perfect tennis of her profession thus far.
It gained’t be an All-American last although, as Aryna Sabalenka proved within the second semi that turning into No. 1 on this planet, as she’s going to do when this match is over, is about much more than simply taking part in good tennis as she overcame herself and Madison Keys. Sabalenka was turned to mush within the first set by Keys, shedding 6-0 as Keys couldn’t miss and Sabalenka couldn’t hit a bull within the ass with a snow shovel. Sabalenka made 12 unforced errors in that first set as Keys piled up 12 winners, which primarily provides as much as a bagel. Keys’s forehand was a doomsday machine.
Sadly, Keys will likely be up all evening and possibly just a few extra as she served for the match and a return to the ultimate at 5-3 within the second, and misplaced it as love. Sabalenka wasn’t good within the second set till the tiebreaker (7-1), however piling up sufficient wins to change into No. 1 means understanding the way to cling round simply lengthy sufficient and simply shut sufficient even when you’ll be able to’t discover your recreation to take your alternatives. It’s the definition of grinding, which Sabalenka did.
The third set was an indication of energy tennis from each, as there’s little subtlety to both’s recreation after they’re on. Sabalenka was damaged early within the set however broke again, and as soon as once more within the tiebreak, she was immovable (10-4). She even overcame pondering she had it gained on the regular 7:
It’s Sabalenka’s second Grand Slam last of the yr, and he or she’s made the semis in all 4. She demonstrated why by merely gutting it out with so many issues malfunctioning, and giving a harsh lesson to Keys about what the highest of the sport appears like.
Follow Sam on Twitter @Felsgate and on Bluesky @Felsgate.bsky.social
Discussion about this post