By Jake Russell
The Redskins let a 14-point lead slip in Denver while the Ravens rested up before preparing for Cleveland. The Nationals are reportedly set to name a new manager. The Caps are in the midst of a five-game road stretch. The Wizards made a deal with the Suns in time for Wednesday's season opener. The Midshipmen won a thriller as time expired as the Terrapins fell to a top-10 conference foe this weekend. D.C. United finished its season in record-setting fashion.
The Baltimore Ravens (3-4) used their bye week to rest up and prepare for their second of three straight divisional games. They are an NFL-best 10-1 after bye weeks since 2002. The team reportedly signed former Cincinnati Bengals running back Bernard Scott on Monday to bolster the running game. They also worked out running back Beanie Wells last Wednesday, who reportedly suffered a season-ending Achilles injury and couldn’t finish his tryout. Next game: at Cleveland Browns, November 3, 4:25 p.m.
The Washington Redskins (2-5) squandered a 21-7 third quarter lead against the Denver Broncos and allowed an astonishing 38 unanswered points, 31 of which came in the fourth quarter. Peyton Manning threw for 354 yards and four touchdowns but also threw three interceptions and lost a fumble. Washington’s offense was not able to fully capitalize off of those mistakes. This weekend they face a potent San Diego Chargers team coming off of a bye led by Phillip Rivers, who is ninth in the league in passing yards (2,132) and tied for sixth in the league in passing touchdowns (15). Next game: vs. San Diego Chargers, November 3, 1 p.m.
The Washington Capitals (5-6) won two of three on their five-game road trip last week against the Winnipeg Jets and Edmonton Oilers. Their lone loss of the week came against the Calgary Flames. Alex Ovechkin scored his 10th goal in as many games Thursday at Edmonton and Aaron Volpatti scored his first of the season against Calgary on Saturday night. Next game: at Vancouver Canucks, October 28, 10 p.m.
News surfaced last week that the Washington Nationals plan to make Arizona Diamondbacks third base coach Matt Williams their new manager and hope to retain bench coach Randy Knorr. The team also announced Saturday that Stephen Strasburg, Adam LaRoche and Bryce Harper had surgeries last week. Strasburg had bone chips removed from his right elbow, Harper’s bursa in his left knee was repaired, and LaRoche’s left elbow was cleaned up.
The Washington Wizards made a five-player deal Friday, sending Emeka Okafor and a protected first round pick to the Phoenix Suns for Marcin Gortat, Shannon Brown, Malcolm Lee and Kendall Marshall. The team reportedly plans to release Brown, Lee and Marshall. Washington also finished their preseason last Wednesday with a 2-5 record after beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 101-82 at U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati. The Wizards open the season on the road against the Detroit Pistons Wednesday night. Next game: at Detroit Pistons, October 30, 7:30 p.m.
The Maryland Terrapins (5-3) put up a valiant effort against the ninth-ranked Clemson Tigers without several starers, including C.J. Brown, Stefon Diggs and Deon Long, but succumbed 40-27. Sophomore wide receiver Levern Jacobs caught eight passes for 158 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Caleb Rowe went 19 of 45 for 282 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. The Terps have lost three of their last four games after starting the season 4-0 and are seeking their elusive sixth win, which would make them bowl eligible. Next game: vs. Syracuse Orange, November 9, 3:30 p.m.
The Navy Midshipmen (4-3)redeemed themselves after a tough double overtime loss to Toledo last week. Kicker Nick Sloan, who missed an extra point attempt in double overtime against the Rockets, nailed a 30-yarder as time expired to put the Mids past the Pittsburgh Panthers 24-21 Saturday. He was named FBS Division I Independent Special Teams Player of the Week. Quarterback Keenan Reynolds led the team with 93 yards rushing and 105 yards through the air. Next game: at Notre Dame Fighting Irish, November 2, 3:30 p.m.
D.C. United (3-24-7)concluded its 2013 season with a 2-1 loss to the Houston Dynamo Sunday at R.F.K. Stadium, setting an MLS record for futility. The black and red’s three wins are the least in league history. The team would have tied its own league record for fewest goals in a season (21) from three years ago if Kyle Porter’s first-half header didn’t find the back of the net.
