The Cheat SheetBy Matt Clapp on

The Broncos get a huge win for the AFC playoff picture on Monday night football, the Yankees traded for a closer with baggage, and the Spurs’ mascot did something awesome. That and more in today’s Cheat Sheet…

Broncos beat Bengals in OT to clinch a playoff berth

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 28: Outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware #94 of the Denver Broncos walks off the field smiling and holding a football after recovering a fumble to end the game against the Cincinnati Bengals in favor of the Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 28, 2015 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos beat the Bengals 20-17 in overtime. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 28: Outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware #94 of the Denver Broncos walks off the field smiling and holding a football after recovering a fumble to end the game(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

The Broncos are in the playoffs after a comeback 20-17 overtime win over the Bengals on Monday night in Denver.

In the first half, it was all Bengals, with A.J. McCarron leading Cincinnati to a 14-0 lead on two drives that each took over seven minutes off the clock.

The Broncos’ elite defense finally kicked it into gear in the second half, holding the Bengals to only a field goal. And the Denver offense made some big plays in the second half, like this 39-yard touchdown run by C.J. Anderson:

Denver kicker Brandon McManus HORRIBLY missed a field goal to end regulation with the game tied 17-17.

But, McManus redeemed himself with a field goal on the first drive of overtime, and then DeMarcus Ware recovered a McCarron fumble on the ensuing drive to get Denver the huge win.

Had the Broncos lost the game, they could’ve missed the playoffs entirely, but now they’re still alive for the No. 1 seed in the AFC. For that to happen, they need to beat the Chargers and have the Patriots lose to the Dolphins. But if the Broncos lose to the Chargers and the Chiefs beat the Raiders, the Chiefs win the AFC West over the Broncos. Denver still has another big regular season game ahead.

 

Yankees trade for Aroldis Chapman, even while he’s under investigation by MLB for domestic violence

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 10: Aroldis Chapman #54 of the Cincinnati Reds reacts after throwing a wild pitch against the Chicago White Sox during the ninth inning on May 10, 2015 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – MAY 10: Aroldis Chapman #54 of the Cincinnati Reds (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)

The Yankees acquired star reliever Aroldis Chapman in a trade with the Reds on Monday, giving New York an incredible late-inning bullpen that features Chapman, Andrew Miller, and Dellin Betances.

But as The Comeback’s Kevin McGuire writes, there is much more to this trade than just the baseball side of things, as Chapman was accused of domestic violence earlier in the month and MLB is investigating the incident (the Dodgers and Reds had a deal done involving Chapman, until the domestic violence reports made the Dodgers back away). The Yankees even made this trade expecting MLB to suspend Chapman.

So, don’t let the Yankees tell you it’s about anything other than the baseball side of things. It’s also clear that NFL teams are not alone in totally throwing aside awful allegations to bring in talented athletes.

 

Spurs’ mascot catches a bat, while wearing a Batman costume

Before Monday night’s Spurs-Timberwolves game in San Antonio, Spurs mascot “The Coyote” caught a bat that was flying around the arena, and did so while wearing a Batman costume. 

 

 

Quick Hits

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– NFL Week 16 was one of the weirdest weeks ever.

– Michael Jordan made a very cool surprise video tribute to Kobe Bryant while the Lakers were in Charlotte on Monday night for Kobe’s final game there.

– The Cleveland Browns fired their general manager, so here we go again with a top-to-bottom overhaul in the organization. Not that it isn’t needed, of course.

– CNN anchor Poppy Harlow fainted on live TV.

– A man died in Germany after a condom machine blew up. I repeat: A man died in Germany after a condom machine blew up.

– Olive Garden in Times Square is charging $400 per head on New Years Eve. OLIVE GARDEN. Here’s the worst part: it doesn’t even include free breadsticks, and those are the only reason people still go to Olive Garden, right?

– *For people caught up on Game of Thrones only*: The first look (photo included) of a key GoT character in season 6.

– Mac from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia in a 1998 Yoo-Hoo commercial.

One last breath of gratuitous procrastination

If a Golden Retriever puppy getting an ice cube stuck to itself doesn’t give you good vibes for the rest of your day, I don’t know what to tell you.

About Matt Clapp

Matt is an editor at The Comeback. He attended Colorado State University, wishes he was Saved by the Bell's Zack Morris, and idolizes Larry David. And loves pizza and dogs because obviously.

He can be followed on Twitter at @Matt2Clapp (also @TheBlogfines for Cubs/MLB tweets and @DaBearNecess for Bears/NFL tweets), and can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.

View all posts by Matt Clapp