Braves' Postseason Woes, Hawks' Preseason Dominance, Bulldogs' Undefeated Streak, & Falcons' Battles

Good evening everyone. I hope you're all starting to recover, or are well on your way to recovery after the Braves were eliminated from postseason contention in the NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies in game 4. I'm writing this now, still processing how the Braves, who were an incredible force during the regular season, seemed to lose their momentum as soon as the postseason arrived. The Braves fell to the Phillies in game 4 of the NLDS with a score of 3-1, with Spencer Strider on the mound. Strider pitched for 5 innings, giving up 7 hits and all three of the Phillies' runs, while striking out 7 batters. It was an alright start, not his best, but certainly an improvement from his last couple of outings. Let's hope this performance doesn't carry over into the next season. NL MVP front-runner, Ronald Acuña Jr., experienced a major slump in the postseason, with only two hits in 14 at-bats.

In the top of the fourth, Austin Riley sent another bomb, securing a homer in both games 3 and 4. Unfortunately, that was the only run the Braves managed to produce in the entire game. Strider faced tough competition from the Phillies, and the Braves' offense failed to show up in any of these games. While the Phillies are undeniably formidable in the postseason, it's disheartening to witness the Braves, who accomplished so much during the season, face such a decisive defeat from the explosive Phillies.

Kudos to the Phillies, though. They have an exceptionally impressive lineup, and their players demonstrate remarkable adaptability in various environments. Pitcher Kyle Wright recently underwent shoulder surgery and is not expected to play at all in the 2024 season. On the brighter side, pitcher Ian Anderson is on track for recovery from Tommy John surgery and should be ready for spring training. I'm eagerly anticipating his performance in the upcoming season.

Now, turning our attention to the Atlanta Hawks, they're off to a fantastic start in the preseason with a 3-0 record. In their match against the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday, they secured a narrow victory at 103-102. Jalen Johnson, in his third year, joined the starting lineup and delivered an impressive performance with 14 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds, shooting 2-2 from beyond the arc, and 6-7 from the field. He was undoubtedly one of the key players in the game, and I'm excited to see how he'll contribute once the regular season kicks off in just 10 days.

Trae Young, the linchpin of the team, scored 20 points with 3 assists, and 2 rebounds, shooting 4-7 from three-point range and 8-16 from the field. Young's presence is indispensable, and he brings unparalleled energy to the team. His range with three-pointers is truly remarkable, and I'm looking forward to witnessing more unexpected plays from him against tough defenses.

Clint Capela had a quieter game with 7 points and only 1 rebound, shooting 3-4 from the field. While it wasn't his best performance, the chemistry between him and Trae is unstoppable, and I have full confidence in his performance this season.

Dejounte Murray, now in his second year with the Hawks, displayed his hunger for the ball, scoring 7 points with 3 assists and 3 rebounds, shooting 1-4 from three-point range and 3-8 from the field. I thoroughly enjoy watching him play, and I'm eager to see the contributions he'll make for the Hawks to succeed.

The bench players had their time on the court, though their performance didn't quite meet my expectations, as the starters dominated most of the game. Seth Lundy's crucial defensive play sealed the win, and Bogi's steal, followed by a three-pointer from Young, demonstrated the team's tenacity.

On Saturday, the Hawks took on the New Orleans Pelicans, emerging victorious with a final score of 110-105. Bruno Fernando and Onyeka Okungwu secured spots in the starting lineup. In his fourth year, forward Okungwu is showing remarkable comfort on the court, delivering an impressive performance with 18 points, 2 assists, and 6 rebounds, including a successful three-pointer, and an impressive 8-10 shooting from the field.

Trae Young and Dejounte Murray have been demonstrating exceptional command over the game, collectively contributing 27 points, 6 assists, 7 rebounds, and sinking three three-pointers. The synergy between Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu is visibly strengthening, with Johnson consistently finding Okongwu for critical lobs that culminate in impressive slam dunks.

Looking ahead, the Hawks are gearing up to face the Pacers tomorrow at 7:00 PM EST. Be sure to join us after the game for a detailed recap of the action-packed match.

Moving on to the Bulldogs, they secured a decisive victory against the Vanderbilt Commodores with a score of 37-20, maintaining their flawless undefeated season at 7-0. Star QB Carson Beck completed 29 out of 39 passes for 261 yards, throwing one touchdown, but also unfortunately committing a turnover with an interception and a lost fumble.

RB Daijun Edwards was unstoppable, with 20 carries for a total of 146 yards and a touchdown, including an astounding 62-yard rush. The running game was a force to be reckoned with, executing numerous long plays to swiftly advance down the field. Cash Jones also made impressive gains, with three carries for 65 yards, including a 57-yard run.

Kendall Milton contributed significantly with 5 carries for 53 yards, including a notable 28-yard run. Receiver Brock Bowers had 2 carries for 21 yards. Receiver Dominic Lovett made a standout performance with 9 receptions for a total of 72 yards, including a touchdown pass from Beck. The remaining receivers shared touches and yards, playing a pivotal role in advancing the ball down the field.

Smael Mondon Jr. continued to shine with 6 tackles and a sack, while Tykee Smith, Jamon Dumas-Johnson, and Kamari Lassiter each contributed 5 tackles. Tykee Smith's interception, gaining 8 yards after the pick, was a standout defensive play. The Bulldogs are truly in top form, and I'm hopeful they can maintain this momentum as they face their border rivals, the Florida Gators, who enter the game with a 5-2 record. They're set to play on the 28th of October at 3:30 PM EST, so be sure to join me for a recap after the game.

Finally, the Falcons had a tough game, bringing them to an even .500 record, as they fell to the Washington Commanders with a score of 24-16. QB1 Desmond Ridder completed 28 out of 47 passes for a total of 307 yards, throwing 2 touchdowns but also experiencing a frustrating 3 interceptions.

Tyler Allgeier led the Falcons' rushing game with 13 carries for 51 yards, closely followed by Bijan Robinson, who also had 13 carries for 37 yards. Drake London delivered an impressive performance with 9 receptions for 125 yards, including a sensational 32-yard reception that capitalized on a false start from the defense. Kyle Pitts is gaining more opportunities, showcasing improved stats for the Falcons with 4 receptions for 43 yards, including the first touchdown of the game

Bijan Robinson is showing versatility by contributing in receptions, totaling 5 for 43 yards, and adding depth to the backfield and pass routes. Although the newest addition to the Falcons, Van Jefferson, wasn't able to secure any passes, he came close to a long touchdown pass from Ridder, narrowly missing out on a scoring play.

Nate Landman continues to demonstrate his defensive prowess with 9 tackles, while Jessie Bates contributed 5. Calais Campbell, a 16-year veteran, achieved a significant milestone with his 100th career sack. It was truly inspiring to witness this accomplishment in Atlanta, and I'm delighted to see him make such valuable contributions to the defense.

The Falcons managed to secure a total of 4 sacks on QB Sam Howell. Looking ahead, the Falcons are slated to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next week at 1 PM EST at Raymond James Stadium in St. Petersburg, Florida. Given Desmond Ridder's previous success against the Buccs, let's hope for a repeat performance. Join me after the game for a recap.