Controversial MNF Seahawks’ Win, Dolphins Fire Philbin, Nationals Fire Williams, Wild Card Game
FOOTBALL
The end of the Monday Night Football matchup between the Detroit Lions and the Seattle Seahawks did not disappoint.  This game was pretty uneventful until the 4th quarter. The Lions were in a position to win when QB Matthew Stafford threw the ball to his favorite target, WR Calvin Johnson. Johnson was diving into the end-zone for what looked like a touchdown, but at the 1-yard line, the Seahawks’ safety Kam Chancellor knocked the ball out of Johnson’s hands, and the play was ruled a touchback.  Unfortunately for the Lions, the NFL admitted after the game that the ball was illegally batted out of the end-zone so the Lions should have had the ball back on the one yard line.  The Seahawks escaped with the win, and the Lions went home with a disappointing record of 0-4. Seattle 13, Detroit 10.
Elsewhere in the NFL, just a day after the Miami Dolphins lost to the New York Jets in London, the Miami brass fired head coach Joe Philbin. The Dolphins had very high expectations coming into this season. They thought they were going to have a fast-paced, explosive offense under Ryan Tannehill.  At 1-3, their offense looks lackluster and the team appears dysfunctional. Over the weekend, Philbin apparently told the practice squad to go easy on Tannehill so as not to affect his confidence and Tannehill reportedly derided the squad for not making as much money as him by saying, “Enjoy your practice squad paycheck, enjoy your practice squad trophy.†Clearly the team needs a change of attitude and leadership.
BASEBALL
The Washington Nationals fired their manager Matt Williams. Just like the Dolphins, the Nationals were supposed to dominate this season. They paid over the top for a number star pitchers and hitters but supposedly there was an ugly chemistry in the Nationals’ clubhouse.  The chaos was apparent when slugger Bryce Harper recently fought in the dugout with his teammate Jonathan Papelbon.
Also, in baseball, check out the first wild card game Tuesday night between the Houston Astros and the New York Yankees.  Winner moves on, loser goes home. It’s great post-season baseball drama.
