By Jake Russell
The Baltimore Ravens (2-2) struggled in Buffalo on Sunday as Joe Flacco threw five interceptions in a 23-20 loss to the Bills. The team only managed 24 rushing yards in the loss. Wide receiver Torrey Smith caught five passes for 166 yards and a touchdown. Terrell Suggs led the defense with 17 tackles and one sack. Next game: at Miami Dolphins, October 6, 1 p.m.
The Washington Redskins (1-3) earned their first win of the season after a strong effort from the defense’s front seven against the Oakland Raiders. In the 24-14 road victory, Brian Orakpo, Barry Cofield, and Ryan Kerrigan each tallied two sacks, the first time since 1993 that the Redskins had three players with at least two sacks in a single game. Robert Griffin III went 18 of 31 for 227 yards, and one touchdown. Alfred Morris exited the game early after running for 71 yards on16 carries. Pierre Garcon caught six passes for 59 yards and one touchdown. Next game: at Dallas Cowboys, October 13, 8:30 p.m.
The puck officially drops for the Washington Capitals when they take on the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks on the road Tuesday at 8 p.m. for their first game of the 2013-2014 season. On Sunday, the team traded center Mathieu Perreault to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for AHL prospect John Mitchell and a 2014 fourth-round pick. Mitchell will report to the Hershey Bears. Also on Sunday, reigning MVP Alex Ovechkin became the first Russian torchbearer in Olympia, Greece to kick off the 123-day relay that leads up to the 2014 Sochi Olympics, which begins in Fe uary. Next game: at Chicago Blackhawks, October 1, 8 p.m.
The Washington Nationals (86-76) and Baltimore Orioles (85-77) both finished over .500 on the season but fell short of their playoff expectations for the 2013 season, which came to a close Sunday.
Davey Johnson managed his last MLB game for the Nats in a 3-2 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks Sunday. The Nats finished the season with five players that hit between 20 and 26 home runs: Ryan Zimmerman, Jayson Werth, Ian Desmond, Adam LaRoche, and Bryce Harper. Jordan Zimmermann finished the season by leading the National League with 19 wins. Rafael Soriano finished second in the NL with 43 saves. Stephen Strasburg led the team with a 3.00 ERA.
For Baltimore, Chris Davis finished the season with an astonishing 53 home runs and 138 RBIs. Adam Jones had 33 home runs and 108 RBIs. Manny Machado led the team with 189 hits. Jim Johnson finished his season tied for the MLB lead with 50 saves.
While the Maryland Terrapins (4-0) did not play this past weekend, the team still earned a spot in the Associated Press Top 25 for the first time since the conclusion of the 2010 season. Now ranked 25th in the nation, the Terps face their toughest test this weekend when they travel to Tallahassee to take on 8th ranked Florida State. Next game: at Florida State Seminoles, October 5, 12 p.m.
After exciting wins against Indiana and Delaware two weeks ago, the Navy Midshipmen (2-1) dropped their first game of the season Saturday in a 19-7 road loss against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. Quarterback Keenan Reynolds left the game with an injury in the second quarter. Western Kentucky outgained Navy’s offense 417-183 in total yards. The team looks to regain the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy when they take on the Air Force Falcons at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium Saturday morning. Next game: vs. Air Force, October 5, 11:30 a.m.
D.C. United (3-21-6) fell to Toronto FC 4-1 on Saturday. Midfielder Jared Jeffrey (15’) scored the black and red’s lone goal. United midfielder Conor Shanosky scored an own goal, giving Toronto FC a 3-1 lead. Bright Dike, Darel Russell, and Alvaro Rey also scored for Toronto FC. Next game: vs. Chicago Fire, October 4, 8 p.m.
