Philadelphia sports fans are notorious for getting under an opposing team’s skin. But it’s not often they do it to the home team.

That may have been the case though in the Eagles’ 20-16 victory Sunday over the Cleveland Browns.

Entering the game after their bye week, the Eagles were 8-point favorites over a Browns team that has struggled all season on offense. However, a questionable play call at the end of the first half preceded a blocked field goal the Browns returned for a touchdown to tie the score at halftime.

The Eagles eventually righted the ship, with a 45-yard DeVonta Smith touchdown reception midway through the fourth quarter providing the winning margin. But as the team was closing out the victory, Sirianni turned around to jaw with some fans behind the team’s bench.

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When asked about his outburst by reporters after the game Sirianni downplayed the significance.

‘When I’m operating and having fun, I think that breeds to the rest of the football team,’ he said. ‘If I want the guys to celebrate after big plays, then I should probably do that myself, right?’

The win improved the Eagles’ record to 3-2, a half game behind the Washington Commanders in the NFC East standings.

While his antics generated postgame criticism from both local and national media, Sirianni claimed it was just good-natured give-and-take with the city’s historically demanding fans.

‘It was just all out of fun,’ he said. ‘We thrive off the crowd when they cheer for us. We hear them when they boo. We don’t necessarily like it. I don’t think that’s productive for anybody. When they cheer for us, and when we got them rolling – we love it.’

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We’re going to do things a little differently this week here at college football overreaction headquarters.

The sheer number of games in Week 7 that came down to a play or two should demonstrate just how truly razor thin the margin between victory and agony is in this sport. Yet observers on both sides of such results tend to ascribe more significance to them than is often warranted. Heck, sometimes even fans on the winning side of such nail biters often feel like their favorite team is on the brink of a catastrophic letdown.

So with the season now at the halfway point, we’ll look in on a few choice locales around the sport and assess whether it’s truly panic time. We’re going to concede that teams that have already lost twice are already in full-on crisis mode – waves to Oxford, Mississippi, Norman, Oklahoma, and Salt Lake City –, and concentrate on playoff contenders that may or may not have just cause for concern.

Columbus, Ohio

Ohio State fans have long been known for calm rationality when things don’t go as planned. Yeah, just kidding. But seriously, Buckeye Nation, this wasn’t that bad.

Sure, it would be nice to see a Ryan Day led team actually execute a last-minute drive with the game on the line. But if Ohio States gets another crack at Oregon, which seems quite likely, it will be on a neutral field. That should mean the Buckeyes will be able to eliminate the false starts and other glitches directly attributable to playing in hostile environs.

There’s another rather serious road test coming in a few weeks – more on that one below – and if something similar unfolds in the closing minutes of that one it might be time to consider this a bad trend. For now though, all the Buckeyes’ goals are still attainable.

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Athens, Georgia

Georgia won its last two games since the loss at Alabama, but Bulldogs’ fans still saw plenty they didn’t like from the team even in victory. The Bulldogs weren’t in any real danger of losing either game, but they took well over a half to put Auburn away, and they surrendered over 300 passing yards to a Mississippi State squad that is winless against Bowl Subdivision competition. There were signs of trouble even before the Alabama game when the UGa offense did next to nothing in a one-point escape at Kentucky. With different units struggling at various times, a trend that seems to indicate a troubling lack of attention to detail, Dawgs’ faithful are wondering if the team is ready for next week’s road date with No. 1 Texas.

A victory in Austin, of course, would knock the Georgia panic meter back down to 0, approximately where it was following the dominant win against Clemson in the season opener. But the lack of a complete performance since then is rightly worrisome.

State College, Pennsylvania

After a miserable first half at the L.A. Coliseum had Nittany Lions’ fans in the depths of despair, the team’s rally and overtime escape from the Trojans was probably more akin to relief than elation. Drew Allar and Co. made the key plays when needed, but it’s still fair to wonder if the Lions have the big-play weapons to match the likes of Ohio State, whom they’ll see in three weeks, or potential Big Ten finale opponent Oregon.

For now, though, supporters should take heart from getting to 6-0 and enjoy the upcoming week off. Of course, they would then like to see a drama-free trip to Wisconsin before the Buckeyes come calling.

Tuscaloosa, Alabama and Knoxville, Tennessee

The good news for Alabama and Tennessee is one of them will get an important win next week. The loser of that game, however, will be in full-on panic mode, and it will almost certainly be justified.

From an outsider’s perspective, what makes the coming clash intriguing is it will be the struggling units opposing each other. The Crimson Tide’s inability to get third-down stops nearly did them in again, but the Volunteers’ offense has been average at best since SEC play began. It’s a reasonably good bet that those groups will lead to much angst from the followers over the next seven days.

Big 12 headquarters

As the clock ticked away on Utah’s second consecutive loss in the wee hours Saturday morning, all but eliminating the perceived favorite from the Big 12 title picture, a few posters on various internet platforms were pondering the possibility that the eventual champion from the ‘oversized dozen’ might not be among the four highest-ranked FBS conference winners. That theoretical scenario would leave the door open for a Group of Five league champ to snag a top-four seed and first-round bye in the expanded playoff field.

Could it happen? It’s not out of the question, but Iowa State and Brigham Young keeping their respective records unblemished with little consternation later on Saturday helped alleviate such concerns. The league race is still wide open, but there shouldn’t be any anxiety at the conference office just yet.

Two games in, the WNBA Finals are more than living up to the hype. 

First Minnesota shocked everyone ‒ the Liberty most of all ‒ with an overtime win after trailing by 18 in Game 1. 

Then Breanna Stewart turned in maybe the best defensive performance of her career ‒ or at least, of her playoff career ‒ when she recorded seven steals in a much-needed Game 2 win for New York. 

Now tied 1-1, the series heads to Minneapolis for Games 3 and 4. These teams met only once in the regular season at the Target Center, and the Lynx won that one. If the Liberty can steal one on the road like Minnesota did, Game 5 will be back at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. 

WINNERS

The league

There are so many new fans tuning in for the first time this season and the Finals more than delivered, particularly with Game 1. That Lynx comeback was so thrilling – and downright tough to understand if you only studied the stat sheet – Napheesa Collier went back and re-watched the game late Thursday night, something she said she never does. But it was so crazy, she needed to understand exactly what happened. 

There’s no question the fans felt the same – and it’s especially good for the league that the Finals have been so good because they’re showcasing that this league has plenty of playmakers, and fans have lots of talent to cheer for. 

The Liberty set an attendance record Sunday with 18,046 fans, prompting New York coach Sandy Brondello to say ‘the winner is women’s basketball.’

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The Lynx

Yeah, this series is tied 1-1, but it is really, really hard to go on the road and win a game in the playoffs. Going back to home to Minnesota having spoiled the Liberty’s home court advantage is huge. Minnesota beat New York its only game in Minneapolis this season (an 84-67 Lynx win on May 25), which means it’s completely feasible that the Lynx win the title at home.

All-WNBA Defense

First Collier showed everyone exactly why she won Defensive Player of the Year honors in Game 1, blocking six shots (tying a career high) and grabbing three steals. She altered numerous other looks in the Lynx’s surprise 95-93 overtime win, an impact Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve called ‘incredible.’

Game 2 was the Stewie Steal Show, as Stewart, another first team All-Defense selection, nabbed a career-high seven steals, leading the Liberty to an 80-66 win. New York’s roster is known for its long wingspans, which cause all sorts of defensive havoc. The Liberty totaled 13 steals in Game 2 – two of which came from Jonquel Jones, another All-Defense selection. 

Lynx forward Alanna Smith, also an All-Defense player, who recorded a steal in each game, has done a terrific job defending Jones so far this series, making everything tough for her even though she has two inches and 32 pounds on Smith.  

Betnijah-Laney Hamilton

She’s not playing at 100% after midseason knee surgery and continued treatment to get her game-ready. But she certainly looked healthy – and lethal – Sunday in Game 2, when she started 4-of-4 from the field and finished with 20 points, tying a season-high. 

LOSERS

Officiating

Who could have guessed that just a couple hours after commissioner Cathy Engelbert was pressed about how the league is working to improve officiating, the stripes would fumble the end of Game 1 so badly. 

Or rather, they fumbled the end of regulation. When the ball got knocked out of bounds during Liberty possession with minutes to play and none of the officials knew who had touched it last, it was downright embarrassing. Putting New York at the free throw line with .8 seconds left – when they’d declined to give a whistle to Minnesota the possession before despite Collier getting hammered inside. Fortunately Stewart missed the second free throw, which forced overtime and let the players decide the game. 

Officiating was rough during Game 2, too. After barely calling fouls the first half, the second half turned into a foul (and free throw) fest. 

All we’re asking for is consistency – and for the officials to be a non-factor. Seems pretty straight forward. 

Minnesota’s first halves

Two days after coming back from an 18-point deficit and pulling out a miraculous 95-93 overtime win in Game 1, the Lynx again fell behind double digits in Game 2, as the Liberty built as much as a 17-point lead in the first half. 

Asked how frustrated she was that her team couldn’t score in the final few minutes, even after cutting it to two twice, Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve didn’t mince words. 

‘I’m disappointed that we let it get to 17, I’m more disappointed in that,’ she said. ‘I’m more than disappointed. I’m pissed that that happened again.’

The Columbus Blue Jackets’ home opener for the 2024-25 season will take on a different tone this year as the team continues to mourn the recent death of star forward Johnny Gaudreau.

The Blue Jackets are set to face the Florida Panthers, the defending Stanley Cup champions, at 7 p.m. ET Tuesday at Nationwide Arena. Usually, the Blue Jackets’ first regular season home game would be preceded by a party and a player ‘blue carpet’ walk, but the team rescheduled those events for the Oct. 17 game.

Instead, the team will show a pre-game video and host a ceremony remembering the lives of Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, at 7 p.m. at the home opener. Puck drop is set for 7:13 p.m., a nod to Johnny Gaudreau’s jersey number 13.

Johnny Gaudreau, 31, and his brother Matthew Gaudreau, 29, were killed Aug. 29 when a suspected drunk driver struck them while the brothers were biking in Oldmans Township, New Jersey.

Fans attending the home opener will be able to visit a ‘special concourse tribute’ that includes items placed at the arena to remember the brothers, and all attendees will receive a ’13’ patch like the ones the Blue Jackets will be wearing all season, according to a Blue Jackets press release.

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Additionally, proceeds from the game’s jersey auction, CBJ Foundation 50/50 raffle, CBJ Foundation gameday auction and ’13 Gaudreau 21′ lapel pin sales will go to the John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation. Fans interested in the auctions, which conclude during the home opener’s second intermission, or in the lapel pins can text JOHNNY to 26791 or visit cbjauction.givesmart.com, according to the press release.

The typical home opener festivities will kick off with the CBJ Plaza Party at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 17 before the Blue Jackets take on the Buffalo Sabres. Blue Jackets players will walk the ‘blue carpet’ from 4-5 p.m. that day, and arena doors open at 5:30 p.m., according to the press release.

ARLINGTON, Texas – One minute, they were flat-blasting the Dallas Cowboys all over the turf at Jerry World. They were winning in the trenches, on the edges, and up the gut. 

It was, as they say in Texas, a good ole-fashioned butt-whupping. 

The next moment, the Detroit Lions were taking a knee in a show of respect. 

The 47-9 rout at AT&T Stadium on Sunday was interrupted for more than 10 minutes in the third quarter by a football reality check as Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit’s spectacular defensive end, lay in misery. Hutchinson came into the game as the NFL leader with 6 ½ sacks. He left on a cart with his left leg in an air cast. 

Hutchinson suffered a fractured tibia and fibula and underwent surgery. It is believed that the break occurred in his lower leg. 

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“It was tough,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said. “Obviously, he’s going to be down for a while.” 

The “heartbeat of this team” is what running back David Montgomery called Hutchinson. That certainly speaks to his grit, skill, passion and leadership.  

Yet Hutchinson, a third-year vet, also serves as a reminder of how fortunes on a football field can change in a heartbeat. Any given play can be the last play of a game, season or even a career. Football is tough like that, which every participant nonetheless signs up for. 

The sport has a way of doling out perspective, too. The Lions (4-1) won and to some degree lost, too. While Campbell called the 38-point victory the most complete game of his tenure – the Lions racked up 492 yards, never punted, forced five turnovers and didn’t give up a touchdown – his team suddenly had to process the loss of arguably its best player. 

This had to come quickly. But it’s part of football. One minute, as doctors and athletic trainers treated Hutchinson, concern was evident with the hush that fell over a crowd of 93,644 that roared for much of the afternoon. Players from both teams took to one knee. Campbell rushed to the scene where Hutchinson lie. The entire Lions bench emptied, joining teammates gathered near Hutchinson. When the cart drove out to midfield, it was obvious that he wouldn’t walk away, even with assistance. 

“Those are hard moments,” said Campbell, who played 11 seasons in the NFL as a tight end. “It’s hard for everybody. When you’re standing there and that’s one of yours when something like that happens…Our guys have done a good job, our coaches, in just getting them refocused.” 

Refocus. That may seem a bit cruel. A comrade is carted off, and now you’re tasked to strap it right back up for football as usual, with violent collisions and tug-of-war skirmishes over a blade of grass. 

Yet it’s not cruel. As the Lions reminded us, the ability to check the emotions prompted by Hutchinson’s setback and then focus on the heat of the moment is a matter of survival. It comes with the duty of being a pro, albeit with an undeniable human element. 

No, they are not robots. 

“It’s tough,” Lions defensive tackle DJ Reader said. “Especially for someone who’s been there before. Not necessarily that injury, but you’ve been on your back with your eyes looking at the ceiling. You kind of get emotional, because you know what it takes. You don’t know what kind of fight you’re in for. 

“But I know as team, (shoot), it’s been our whole lives. Like we can go out to practice and people get injured. In games, it happens. So, it’s one of those things you can click back in. I think there’s a time to be human during the game. So, we understand how to be human, then process it and get back to what we need to do.” 

Campbell knows. It was essential for the Lions to stay aggressive after Hutchinson was carted away. That’s cold, hard football mentality. 

“You dwell on that too much, you start to get a little timid, and that’s when you get hurt,” Campbell said. “So, our guys snapped right back in.” 

Now they’ll be challenged to process the long-term loss of Hutchinson. After advancing to the NFC title game last season, Detroit is certainly equipped to make another legitimate run at the franchise’s first Super Bowl berth. The mission undoubtedly just became much tougher, but it’s not impossible. 

“It’s an unfortunate loss for us, a big, big blow for us,” said Montgomery, who rushed for 80 yards and two touchdowns on Sunday. “It’s more personal for us now.” 

Added Reader, “You don’t really replace a player like that. You just hope other guys step up.” 

It was notable that Hutchinson was injured while making a big play as he sacked Dak Prescott for a 6-yard loss. It wasn’t a particularly violent play that took him out. It appeared that his leg collided with that of linemate Alim McNeill as Hutchinson pulled Prescott down with him as he fell awkwardly to the turf.  

Incidentally, Prescott suffered a similar injury in 2020, with a compound fracture to his right ankle.  

“Obviously, that’s tough to watch,” Prescott said, “having experienced it, knowing where he is in that moment. Hated it. Hated every bit of it.” 

Prescott made it a point to share some encouraging words before Hutchinson was carted away.  

“I just told him to keep his head up,” Prescott said. 

Thinking back to the moments after he suffered his own injury, Prescott isn’t even sure that Hutchinson heard him. 

“When you’re in that, it’s blurry,” Prescott said. 

He will get Hutchinson’s phone number from one of the Michigan guys on the Cowboys and reach out again with more encouragement in due time. Prescott hasn’t forgotten how one particular book he received, ‘Relentless,’ helped with his mindset during his recovery. So, he plans to do likewise with Hutchinson and will maybe share the book. 

Prescott expects Hutchinson will rebound, with the injury setback providing another chapter to his journey. 

“The guy he seems to be, not knowing him, he’ll be better after it,” Prescott predicted. “I know it’s probably hard to imagine right now. I just told him, it’s part of his story. 

“Hell of a player,” he added. “I mean, he did it going out on a sack. So, game-changer.” 

For the Lions about now, that surely cuts more than one way. 

(This story was updated with new information.)