Kyle Schwarber belly-flopped more than he actually slid headfirst into second base and popped up with his uniform smudged in dirt. He punched his right fist in the air and shouted something in exhilaration toward a fired-up Phillies dugout.

Schwarber delivered with a clutch two-run double, yes. He also showed the fire, the fight that vanished from the Phillies during a treacherous week that sent them from the brink of a wild-card clinch to the edge — and yes, the bottom was crumbling — of an all-time franchise collapse.

His slide had Phillies fans roaring from their feet — perhaps more than a few who wore brown paper bags over their heads a night earlier — and instantly all felt right on a soggy day inside Citizens Bank Park.

Zack Wheeler pitched a gem against Tampa Bay on Sunday and untangled a few thousand knots inside the stomachs of Phillies fans, and even from those inside a mostly solemn clubhouse. The Phillies survived their perilous five-day scare and are indeed headed to the playoffs for the fifth straight season, beating the Rays 7-3 to clinch the final NL wild-card berth.

Jhoan Duran struck out Nick Fortes to end it. Duran pounded his mitt and was greeted by teammates for a fairly muted celebration on the field.

Philadelphia’s freefall coincided with the Arizona Diamondbacks getting hot over the final week of the season and turning the Phillies’ slam dunk of a playoff spot into something much more tenuous.

Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly said ahead of Wednesday’s game — the first day the team could clinch — that, yes, Philadelphia would wait until midnight if needed to pop the bubbly if it beat Milwaukee and the Diamondbacks lost a time zone away to Colorado.

The Phillies lost that one. Then came three more defeats, capped by a 12-1 embarrassment on Saturday against the AL East champion Rays.

Mattingly’s presumed wait of a few hours to celebrate was not complete until 5:19 p.m. Eastern on Sunday, Sept. 27.

The Phillies scored only three runs during their four-game losing streak. They needed an unearned run on Saturday to snap a 21-inning scoreless streak.

Schwarber’s double in the second inning made it 4-0, and that all but erased the significance of the Diamondbacks’ outcome in San Diego.

J.T. Realmuto slogged through 34 straight hitless at-bats. He also ripped an RBI double in the second inning.

Bryson Stott batted cleanup for only the seventh time in his career. He also hit an RBI double that scored Schwarber in the first inning.

Bryce Harper lined a solo shot into the first row of the right-field seats, and Edmundo Sosa added a two-run homer for a 7-1 lead in the seventh.

Slumps were busted. Losing streaks were obliterated. Corks were set to be popped.

Wheeler allowed one run and threw 97 pitches over six innings to win his 14th game of the season on a rainy day that stirred memories of the 2008 World Series.

The Phillies though likely took a loss by pushing the clincher to the 162nd game. With Game 1 of the Wild Card Series set to start Tuesday in Atlanta, the Phillies will surely have to beat the Braves without a start from Wheeler.

The Phillies’ rotation has been a strength this season, and Jesus Luzardo and Cristopher Sanchez are in play for Games 1 and 2. Andrew Painter or Aaron Nola could make a Game 3 start, if necessary.

Philadelphia had a 6 1/2-game lead over Arizona for the third NL wild card on Sept. 1 before going into a tailspin that spurred painful memories of the 1964 season. Those Phillies lost 10 straight games to blow a 6 1/2-game lead and the NL pennant with 12 games left.

This year’s team will be able to raise a playoff flag on opening day (whenever that is in 2027).

The Phillies also must try and prove their late-September meltdown was nothing but a blip in a long and successful October.

That’s a problem to start to solve on Monday.

On Sunday, it was hugs and high-fives and a collective exhale that more playoffs were on the horizon.

Reporting by The Associated Press.

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The San Francisco 49ers’ wide receiver room might be even thinner after Week 3, and they might be without their top offensive lineman for a bit, too. 

Mike Evans was carted off the field late in the first half of Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals. He was later ruled out due to a rib injury. 

Offensive tackle Trent Williams joined Evans in the locker room in the third quarter. He was ruled questionable to return with a stinger. 

It’s unclear when Evans’ injury occurred, as no one made contact with him on the play that he left the field injured. However, earlier in the drive, the 49ers’ veteran wide receiver took a hit from Cardinals safety Budda Baker on a pass over the middle. The hit on that pass was hard enough for Evans to drop the ball. 

Evans eventually labored in pain after an incomplete pass was thrown in his direction. He appeared to be grabbing his right side in pain as he struggled to leave the field. 

Evans, 33, has been productive so far in his first season in San Francisco. He had nine receptions for 103 yards and a touchdown through the first two weeks before adding three catches for 34 yards and a touchdown on Sunday. He also contributed to San Francisco’s first touchdown when he initiated a hook-and-ladder. 

San Francisco was already down multiple receivers entering Sunday’s game. Third-year receiver Ricky Pearsall suffered a season-ending injury in training camp, while rookie De’Zhaun Stribiling suffered an ankle injury that put him on short-term injured reserve in Week 1. Christian is on short-term injured reserve as well, and Demarcus Robinson also missed Sunday’s game due to an ankle injury 

Beyond wide receiver, the 49ers are dealing with injuries to edge rusher Nick Bosa and defensive lineman Mikail Kamara, among others. 

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Have we seen the last of Mad Max on the mound?

Max Scherzer struck out seven over seven-plus innings for his 225th career win and help the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Cincinnati Reds 5-1 in Sunday’s season finale.

A two-time World Series champion and three-time Cy Young Award winner, Scherzer (4-9) boosted his career strikeout total to 3,557. That’s the ninth-highest mark in big league history — three behind former teammate Justin Verlander, who made the final start of his decorated career Saturday.

Scherzer, who turned 42 in July, has said he would wait until the offseason to make a decision on whether to retire. But his start on Sunday certainly felt like the future Hall of Famer could be leaning towards calling it a career. 

The sellout crowd of 42,131 in Toronto rose for a standing ovation when Scherzer took the mound alone before the game. Scherzer stepped off and saluted the crowd with a wave.

Known as one of the fiercest competitors in baseball, he initially refused to leave the mound when Blue Jays manager Jon Schneider tried to take him out.

One inning later, Scherzer finally did come out, hugging Schneider on his walk back to the dugout before jumping into the stands and hugging his family.

The Associated Press contributed to his report.

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The Minnesota Vikings have ruled out star wide receiver Justin Jefferson for the remainder of Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with an ankle injury, the team confirmed.

Jefferson went down in the first quarter and went into the medical tent for more evaluation. He emerged with both ankles heavily taped, walked the sideline testing his mobility, and was eventually escorted to the locker room. Notably, Jefferson was able to walk off the field under his own power.

His final play of the game came in the first quarter, when he was brought down by Buccaneers safety Tykee Smith. 

Jefferson finished the day with two catches for 32 yards, including a 22-yard catch on Minnesota’s opening drive.

The injury comes at a pivotal moment for Minnesota’s offense, as quarterback Kyler Murray made his return Sunday after clearing the concussion protocol. 

The injury will hurt Minnesota no matter how long he misses. Jefferson has established himself as one of the best receivers in the league and a matchup nightmare who demands a defense’s full attention on every snap.

Despite a carousel of shaky quarterback play last season, Jefferson still posted his sixth straight 1,000-yard campaign, making him just the third player in NFL history to reach the 1,000-yard mark in each of his first six seasons, joining Randy Moss and Mike Evans.

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All that remains in Week 3 is a Monday Night Football matchup between the Eagles and Bears, before Week 4 kicks off with a Thursday tilt between the Steelers and Browns.

Here are the lines for every Week 4 matchup at bet365 Sportsbook as of Sept. 28. 

This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.

Thursday, Oct. 1

Spread: Steelers -2.5
Moneyline: Steelers -155, Browns +130
O/U: 38.5

Sunday, Oct. 4

Spread: Colts -3.5
Moneyline: Colts -180, Commanders +150
O/U: 47.5

Spread: Cardinals -1
Moneyline: Cardinals -115, Giants -105
O/U: 44.5

Spread: Texans -2.5
Moneyline: Texans -150, Cowboys +125
O/U: 47.5

Spread: Packers -3.5
Moneyline: Packers -190, Buccaneers +160
O/U: 39.5

Spread: Bengals -2.5
Moneyline: Bengals -150, Jaguars +125
O/U: 51.5

Spread: Rams -2.5
Moneyline: Rams -130, Eagles +110
O/U: 46.5

Spread: Bills -6.5
Moneyline: Bills -310, Patriots +250
O/U: 48.5

Spread: Bears -2.5
Moneyline: Bears -160, Jets +135
O/U: 42.5

Spread: Ravens -11.5
Moneyline: Ravens -750, Titans +525
O/U: 43.5

Spread: Vikings -10
Moneyline: Vikings -700, Dolphins +500
O/U: 38.5

Spread: 49ers -2.5
Moneyline: 49ers -155, Broncos +130
O/U: 46.5

Spread: Chiefs -5.5
Moneyline: Chiefs -225, Raiders +185
O/U: 48.5

Spread: Seahakws -6.5
Moneyline: Seahawks -310, Chargers +250
O/U: 43.5

Spread: Lions -3.5
Moneyline: Lions -190, Panthers +160
O/U: 50.5

Monday, Oct. 5

Spread: Saints -2.5
Moneyline: Saints -155, Falcons +130
O/U: 48.5

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Tom Brady didn’t hold back on Sunday, breaking out some social media slang to describe Justin Herbert’s fourth-quarter interception.

Facing third-and-5 from the Buffalo 23 with the Chargers trailing, Herbert forced a deep pass toward the middle of the field that Bills defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson read the whole way, intercepting it at the 1-yard line and returning it out to the 42.

Brady didn’t mince words.

“There’s a safety in the middle of the field,” Brady said. “Poor awareness, poor decision, throws him a meatball sub.”

It was the second time Brady called out the Chargers’ decision-making in the game. 

Earlier, in the third quarter, Los Angeles had marched to the Buffalo 1-yard line before a false start and a holding penalty pushed the offense backward, forcing Herbert into tougher throws than necessary. 

Brady called it out as it happened.

“Second and goal on the one. I just think you shouldn’t even be in this situation. Quarterback sneak, put it in,” Brady said. “You call a fancy play, lose yards, false start, now these are much higher level of difficulty plays you have to run.”

Justin Herbert was under pressure early and often against the Bills on Sunday. (Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)

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Herbert finished 20-of-34 for 226 yards with a touchdown and an interception as the Bills improved to 3-0. 

The Chargers dropped to 0-3, unable to find answers in the red zone or take advantage of Buffalo’s five turnovers.

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The Minnesota Vikings are still undefeated, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers remain winless.

Minnesota continued its winning ways on Sunday, with quarterback Kyler Murray returning and helping the Vikings come away with a 23-16 victory over the Buccaneers to improve to 3-0. The win wasn’t the most impressive showing for the Vikings’ offense, though, as they put up 230 total yards of offense and rode another impressive defensive performance to victory.

On the flip side, the Buccaneers might be in danger. They fell to 0-3, and quarterback Baker Mayfield might face an extended absence after suffering a thumb injury late in Sunday’s game. 

Here are my takeaways from the Vikings’ win over the Buccaneers.

1. With Another Loss, Todd Bowles Is Running Out Of Time

 

All three losses have been close, but it doesn’t change the fact that the Bucs are now 0-3, and head coach Todd Bowles is getting close to running out of time.

To make matters worse, Baker Mayfield left the game in the final two minutes with what looked to be an injury to his throwing hand. If it was hard to win with Mayfield at quarterback, it will be much worse with an undrafted rookie starting in Jalon Daniels.

Bowles’ defense played well Sunday, but another big special-teams mistake and an uninspired offense did them in against the Vikings. They’ll try to avoid their third home loss in as many weeks when the Green Bay Packers come to town. And as bad as Green Bay has been, it’s a game the Bucs and Bowles need desperately to win.

Todd Bowles and the Buccaneers have lost 10 of their last 12 games. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

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Tampa Bay went into the year as the team to beat in the NFC South, and that’s still in play if the Buccaneers can start turning close losses into close wins. If they don’t do that soon, you wonder how much patience the Glazer family will have.

The Bucs lost seven of their last nine to finish last season and miss the playoffs. Add it up, and they’re 3-11 in their last 14 games. Even in a bad division, coaches don’t get to stick around with too much sustained losing like that.

After the Packers, the Buccaneers have a short week going to the Dallas Cowboys. If they can’t win either of those, they’d be 0-5, and it’s possible the Bucs use the mini-bye to make a major change. The Glazer family has never changed coaches during a season in 30-plus years of owning the Bucs, but fans were already calling for Bowles’ job down the stretch last year.

When the Vikings added Jauan Jennings from the 49ers, it looked like they might have one of the best 1-2-3 receiver combos in the league with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.

Jefferson missed most of Sunday’s game with an ankle injury, though, so it was a chance for the rest of the receivers to step up in his absence. Addison made a big impact on one drive — with a 30-yard sideline catch and a 41-yard touchdown — but otherwise, the receivers were nowhere to be found. Addison totaled 14 yards the rest of the game, and Jennings had a single 1-yard catch, his only statistical contribution in the first three games.

Jefferson might not miss any time and play next week against the Dolphins, but the rest of the receivers need to step up in a big way to keep defenses from collapsing their coverage around the only dangerous part of the passing game right now.

3. Bucs Defense Must Find A Way To Create Takeaways

Tampa Bay’s defense was missing two top rookies Sunday in edge rusher Rueben Bain and linebacker Josiah Trotter, but the biggest takeaway from their first three games is the absence of takeaways.

The Buccaneers got a pick-six from Trotter in their season-opening loss to the Bengals, and that was their lone takeaway in the first two games — only three NFL teams had fewer entering the weekend. They got another Sunday when Vita Vea batted a pass at the line that caromed into the hands of defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson, but the offense couldn’t take advantage of the short field and only got a field goal.

But there isn’t enough pressure on opposing quarterbacks, so risky throws are rarely made. If the Buccaneers are unable to create pressure, then their secondary has to create takeaways. 
 

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Baker Mayfield suffered a dislocated right thumb on his throwing hand in the fourth quarter of a 23-16 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Head coach Todd Bowles spoke to reporters on Monday morning and revealed that Mayfield will be sidelined for three weeks.

Mayfield scrambled and avoided two defenders before he was hit by Vikings’ linebacker Blake Cashman near his right hand as he released the ball that was intercepted by linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel.

Not too long after the play involving Mayfield, he was seen walking into the locker room with training staff. He did not return to the game.

The injury comes just weeks after Mayfield signed a three-year, $165 million extension with Tampa Bay in September, making him the highest-paid player in franchise history and one of the top-earning quarterbacks in the league. The deal keeps him under contract through the 2029 season.

Tampa Bay entered Sunday 0-2 after a 23-19 loss to the Browns last week, and Mayfield had struggled to start the season, completing 44 of 62 passes with one touchdown and four turnovers through two games. He also dealt with an illness earlier in the week but practiced fully and was cleared to play.

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Oregon announced Sunday that quarterback Dante Moore sustained a concussion in a late hit by linebacker Desman Stephens during the second quarter of the Ducks’ victory over Southern California on Saturday.

Stephens, who was ejected from the game for targeting, was suspended for one game by USC earlier Sunday for the hit and his celebration afterward.

“Dante sustained a concussion in last night’s game but fortunately his MRI and CT scans came back clean and he did not suffer any additional injuries,” Oregon coach Dan Lanning said in a statement. “Every concussion is different and we are going to move forward with an abundance of caution to ensure we make the best decisions for Dante and his future.”

Moore was sliding to complete an 11-yard run to the USC 12 in the second quarter when Stephens hit him in the head and chest with his shoulder. Moore’s helmet snapped back and hit the turf, and his hands raised in what appeared to be an involuntary motion. Eventually was placed on a stretcher with his neck in a brace and left the game in an ambulance.

Stephens celebrated after the hit and was confronted by Oregon players before he left the game. His actions were roundly criticized.

Stephens later apologized and expressed empathy for Moore and his family in a statement issued by the Trojans.

“I want to sincerely apologize for my actions during yesterday’s game,” Stephens in a statement released by the university. “Seeing a player injured like that is incredibly serious, and my reaction in the moments afterward was completely inappropriate and inexcusable. Regardless of what was going through my mind at the time, there is no justification for smiling or celebrating while another player receives medical attention. I take full responsibility for my actions. That is not the person or teammate I want to be, and I will learn from this.”

USC coach Lincoln Riley condemned Stephens’ actions while announcing the suspension for his starting linebacker, who won’t play when No. 18 USC (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten) hosts Washington (3-1, 0-1) next weekend.

“Desman’s actions in last night’s game are unacceptable and are not reflective of USC football nor of his personal character,” Riley said. “He understands his mistake, accepts the consequences of his actions and will learn from this. The entire Trojan Family wishes Dante a full recovery, and we send our best regards to him and his family.”

Lanning expressed gratitude in his statement Sunday for the medical attention that Moore received.

“We are extremely appreciative of our entire medical staff and the medical staffs at USC and LA General County Hospital for their quick and thorough action in making sure Dante received the very best care possible,” Lanning said.

The Ducks, while shaken by the loss of their quarterback, went on to win 41-27. Oregon, which jumped five spots to No. 15 in the AP Top 25 with the victory, is off next weekend before hosting UCLA on Oct. 10.

The Division I Football Bowl Subdivision Oversight Committee in March approved a one-year trial rule for this season that gives a player a break for his first targeting penalty and clears the way for him to play in the next game. Since this was Stephens’ first such penalty, he would have been eligible to play against the Huskies had USC not suspended him.

Following the game, Lanning had called the hit “disgusting.” Stephens drew even more ire for smiling on the bench and later returning to the Trojans’ sideline in the second half after being ejected.

Riley defended Stephens’ return to the sideline Saturday night, saying he was allowed back because “he’s on our football team.”

Reporting by The Associated Press.

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South Carolina edge rusher Dylan Stewart was suspended indefinitely after throwing a punch at an Alabama player on Saturday night, coach Shane Beamer announced Sunday.

Stewart was called for a personal foul after he punched tight end Josh Ford in the helmet in the fourth quarter of the Gamecocks’ 49-18 loss in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Beamer said he would make a decision early this week about when, and if, Stewart will return. Stewart, who is widely projected to be a first-round pick in next year’s NFL draft, was ruled out of Saturday’s home game against No. 24 Kentucky.

“There’s a standard of how we do things in this program, and that was not it last night,” Beamer said. “It’s beyond the punch. The punch is unacceptable. He’s not the first person to ever, unfortunately, throw a punch in a football game, and he won’t be the last. But it’s some of the other stuff that isn’t how we do things in this program. Accountability is a core value of this program, and we are all accountable to the standard.”

Stewart, an Associated Press preseason All-America first-team pick, missed the first two games of the season because of a back injury. He has one tackle for loss and three quarterback hurries in two games.

Reporting by The Associated Press.

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