WATERCOOLER CHAT: DODGERS AND CARDINALS TAKE OPENING GAMES, BROWNS UPSET BILLS IN THURS NIGHT FOOTBALL
BASEBALL
The playoffs continued. In Atlanta, the Braves were looking to continue their dominant season, but they would have to do it against a surging Los Angeles Dodgers team. This Dodgers team is peaking at just the right time.  They also have one of the best pitchers in baseball in Clayton Kershaw. Kershaw would strike out 12 Braves, as the Dodgers simply cruised by Atlanta. And remember, this is a Dodgers team that was in last place for quite a while in the beginning of the season. Then, Yasiel Puig came in and it was a game changer. They look great right now. LA Dodgers 6, Atlanta 1.
Then, it was the St. Louis Cardinals hosting the red hot Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates may be terrifying to play in front of their insane fan base, but when they’re on the road in St. Louis, another excellent crowd, it’s a different story. The Cardinals were ready for the Bucs, and an early 3rd inning home run from Carlos Beltran gave the Cards an instant 3-0 lead.  The Pirates were never able to rally and the Cards take the opening game. St. Louis 9, Pittsburgh 1.
FOOTBALL
Finally, it was Thursday Night Football between the Buffalo Bills and the Cleveland Browns. On paper, this would look like a ho-hum match-up between two lackluster teams. However, the Browns are actually in first place, and the Bills look like a possible playoff team this year. Plus, throw in a wild Cleveland home crowd, and you’ve got quite a thrilling game. Both teams lost their starting quarterbacks in the game, but Brandon Weeden came in for the Browns and had some key touchdown passes to give the Browns the victory. The Browns now sit atop the AFC North. This is the surprise team of the season. Cleveland 37, Buffalo 24.
