By Jake Russell
The Redskins managed an important overtime home victory while the Ravens dropped their second straight division game. The Caps were able to handle life without Alex Ovechkin very well over the weekend. After high hopes, the Wizards have yet to live up to expectations after three games. The Nats have a new skipper and announced the fate of its coaching staff. The Navy Midshipmen return home next Saturday after an impressive effort on the road against Notre Dame.
The Washington Redskins (3-5) pulled off their second home win of the season in dramatic fashion with a 30-24 overtime victory over the San Diego Chargers. The team was poised to drop their sixth game of the season with San Diego down by three points on first down just inches from the goal line with 21 seconds remaining. The Redskins defense held the Chargers to a field goal. In overtime, the Redskins drove the length of the field to give fullback Darrel Young his third touchdown of the day. The team has little time to cele ate the much-needed win as they head to Minnesota to battle Adrian Peterson and the 1-7 Vikings on Thursday night. Next game: vs. Minnesota Vikings, November 7, 8:25 p.m.
On a more somber note, a verdict was reached in the murder trial of former Redskins safety Sean Taylor. The accused gunman in his death, Eric Rivera, was found guilty of second-degree murder on Monday afternoon.
The Baltimore Ravens (3-5) fell to the Cleveland Browns 24-18 on Sunday, snapping their 11-game winning streak against their divisional foe. The running game continues to struggle, with Ray Rice only rushing for 17 yards on 11 carries. Last week the team released defensive end Marcus Spears and safety Michael Huff and signed safeties Omar Brown and Brynden Trawick from the practice squad to the active roster and added wide receiver Kamar Aiken and quarterback Nick Stephens to the practice squad. Next game: vs. Cincinnati Bengals, November 10, 1 p.m.
The Washington Capitals (7-7) survived life without captain Alex Ovechkin for a weekend by pounding the Philadelphia Flyers 7-0 on the road Friday night and topping the Florida Panthers 3-2 in a shootout Saturday night. The Flyers matchup featured a rare goalie fight initiated by Philadelphia’s Ray Emery, who traveled the length of the ice to battle Caps netminder Braden Holtby. The NHL did not discipline Emery for his role in the altercation. Today the team recalled Dmitry Orlov from the Hershey Bears and announced Jason Chimera earned the NHL Third Star of the Week. Next game: vs. New York Islanders, November 5, 7 p.m.
There were high expectations heading into the season for the Washington Wizards (0-3) but none have come to fruition just yet. The Wiz have dropped their first three games of the season to the Detroit Pistons (113-102), Philadelphia 76ers (109-102) and Miami Heat (103-93). This week’s schedule consists of road trips to Philadelphia and Oklahoma City and a home matchup against the Brooklyn Nets. Next game: at Philadelphia 76ers, November 6, 7p.m.
Former Arizona Diamondbacks third base coach Matt Williams was officially announced as the fifth manager in Washington Nationals franchise history last week. Washington will retain its 2013 coaching staff, aside from bullpen coach Jim Lett, who will be replaced for former Nationals catcher and Harrisburg Senators manager Matt LeCroy. Williams said he will ing over Mark Weidemaier from Arizona as defensive coordination advance coach.
The Baltimore Orioles declined a $5 million option for next season for 32-year-old left-handed pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada on Saturday evening.
The Maryland Terrapins (5-3) enjoyed a chance to rest on their bye week but not before losing starting left tackle Mike Madaras, who said his heart was not into football or attending college anymore. Madaras, a 6-foot-5, 295 pound sophomore out of Good Counsel High School, had started all eight games for the Terps this season. Next game: vs. Syracuse Orange, November 9, 3:30 p.m.
The Navy Midshipmen (4-4) put up a valiant effort in a 38-34 loss at No.25 Notre Dame Saturday. The team was driving with just over one minute remaining when a fourth down end-around run by Shawn Lynch was halted by Fighting Irish linebacker Jaylon Smith. Quarterback Keenan Reynolds ran for three touchdowns and passed for another. Navy returner Marcus Thomas was named FBS Division I Independent Special Teams Player of the Week for his 137 yards gained on five kickoff returns. Next game: vs. Hawaii Warriors, November 9, 3:30 p.m.
The Terps men's basketball team opened its season with an 84-39 exhibition victory over Catholic University on Sunday afternoon to prep for the season. Jake Layman led the team with 23 points. Last week, it was announced sophomore guard Seth Allen will miss eight to 10 weeks after surgery to a repair a oken bone in his left foot. Next game: vs. Connecticut Huskies at Barclays Center, November 8, 6:30 p.m.
The Terps women's basketball team cruised past Catholic University (110-34) and Holy Family (99-44) last week before beginning their season Friday at South Florida. Next game: at South Florida Bulls, November 8, 7 p.m.
After a rough 2013 season, D.C. United began its rebuilding process by declining to exercise the option on former MLS MVP Dwayne De Rosario's contract last week. The 36-year-old earned a base salary of $600,000 but United officials felt it best to look for younger, cheaper alternatives, according to the Washington Post. The team also declined options on forwards Lionard Pajoy, Carlos Ruiz and midfielder Marcelo Saragosa.