Tag: entertainment

NFL Week 4 and the WNBA Playoffs: Colts Fumble, Chiefs Statement Win and the Indiana Fever are One Win Away From the WNBA Finals

This week on TORG Stories: We break down the biggest NFL headlines, from the Chiefs getting back on track to the Ravens’ recent struggles and the Bears’ dominant defensive play. Plus, a deep dive into the WNBA playoffs with the Fever forcing a Game 5 and Boston’s historic night.

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Welcome to the Torg Stories Podcast! We’re recording on Sept 29, 2025. This episode is titled, “NFL Week 4 and WNBA Playoffs: Colts Fumble, Chiefs Statement Win, & the Indiana Fever are One Win Away From the WNBA Finals.” 

Bill Torg’s NFL Headlines from Sunday, Sept 28, 2025:  

The Ravens are in Trouble and the Chiefs are Righting the Ship: 

  1. Ravens lose 37-20 to the Chiefs. Quarterback Lamar Jackson has injured his hamstring. 5 starters went out with injuries. The Chiefs quarterback Mahomes had 4 TDs and no interceptions. 
  2. Giants upset the Chargers 21-18 and got their first win. Jaxson Dart got his first start at quarterback. He rushed for 54 yards and a touchdown. 
  3. Eagles won the battle of the unbeatens by defeating the Buccaneers 31-25.  Baker Mayfield finally was unable to deliver a game tying or winning score in the last minute. 
  4. Bears Block Party: We get another game decided by a blocked kick as Bears beat the Raiders. 
  5. Steelers go to 3-1 with a 24-21 win over the Vikings in Dublin. The Steelers almost gave it away. Weird not go for it on 4th and inches with less than two minutes to go. Rogers went 18-22 with a TD and no interceptions. Carson Wentz quarterbacked for the Vikings and went for 350 yards, 2 TDs and 2 INTs. 

Colts Corner: Week 4 Recap & The Road Ahead

1. The Big Picture: 

  • Unbeaten Streak Snapped: Colts Fall to Rams 27-20 After Avalanche of Mistakes
  • Current Record: 3-1 (Still a great start, and still tied for 1st in the AFC South)
  • The Vibe: The Colts proved they can hang with an NFC contender like the Rams, but they ultimately beat themselves with a flurry of critical, self-inflicted errors.

2. The Heartbreak Moments (The Unforced Errors)

  • The Unfathomable Fumble: Rookie WR Adonai Mitchell caught a deep ball and was on his way to a 76-yard go-ahead touchdown, but he inexplicably dropped the ball just before crossing the goal line, resulting in a touchback and a massive 7-point swing. (This is the most critical talking point.)
  • The Costly Penalty: A Jonathan Taylor 53-yard touchdown run, which would have put the Colts back in the lead late in the 4th quarter, was nullified by a holding penalty (also on Mitchell).
  • Turnovers: QB Daniel Jones threw his first two interceptions of the season, coming on the team’s first and final drives. Overall, the Colts committed 3 turnovers and were flagged for 11 penalties.

3. Offensive Standouts (Who Played Well)

  • Jonathan Taylor (RB): Continues to be productive, rushing for 76 yards (on 17 carries). Mention the momentum-changing 53-yard run that was called back.
  • Pace Setter: The Colts’ offense found success in the second and third quarters, using play-action and the run game to briefly take the lead in the fourth quarter.
  • Daniel Jones (QB): Despite the turnovers, he was efficient, passing for 262 yards and leading two fourth-quarter scoring drives (a TD to Pittman Jr. and a field goal).
  • Tyler Warren (TE/FB): Scored his first NFL touchdown on a 2-yard rush.

4. Defensive & Special Teams Notes

  • Defensive Effort: They held a potent Rams offense to 3 points in the third quarter and forced two key turnovers (Kam Curl’s two interceptions).
  • Special Teams Boost: Anthony Gould had a good kickoff return of 38 yards, helping set up an early field goal.

5. The Road Ahead (Upcoming Schedule)

  • Next Game: Sunday, October 5th vs. the Las Vegas Raiders at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Here are some of the biggest shifts in the NFL standings:

AFC Standings Shifts

  • AFC West Race Tightens: The Kansas City Chiefs moved to 2-2 after dominating the Ravens, while the previously undefeated Los Angeles Chargers suffered their first loss.
    • Detail: The Chargers lost to the Giants (21-18) and are now 3-1, immediately putting the Chiefs back in the division conversation, as the Chiefs’ statement win (37-20 over Baltimore) provided a much-needed morale and point differential boost.
  • AFC North Turmoil: The Pittsburgh Steelers moved into the early division lead at 3-1, while the Baltimore Ravens plummeted.
    • Detail: The Ravens dropped to 1-3 after a blowout loss to the Chiefs (37-20) and are now dealing with multiple injuries, including to QB Lamar Jackson. This has created a significant gap in the division, with the Steelers now holding a strong position.
  • AFC South Shakes Up: The Indianapolis Colts lost their undefeated status, while the Jacksonville Jaguars moved into a tie for the division lead.
    • Detail: The Colts’ first loss (27-20 to the Rams) dropped them to 3-1, while the Jaguars’ upset win over the 49ers (26-21) boosted their record to 3-1, setting up a tight race in the AFC South.

NFC Standings Shifts

  • The Undefeated Club Shrinks Dramatically: The number of remaining undefeated teams was slashed from six to just two.
    • Detail: The Buffalo Bills (4-0) and Philadelphia Eagles (4-0) are the only teams remaining perfect. The Chargers (3-1), Colts (3-1), San Francisco 49ers (3-1), and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1) all suffered their first loss on Sunday.
  • NFC West Regroup: The Los Angeles Rams delivered a statement victory to keep pace with the rest of the conference, while the San Francisco 49ers took their first loss.
    • Detail: The Rams moved to 3-1 by beating the Colts, while the 49ers lost at home to the Jaguars (26-21), keeping the division standings from getting out of hand early.
  • NFC South Still Contested: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers suffered their first loss, but the other teams in the South remain tightly grouped.
    • Detail: The Buccaneers dropped to 3-1 after losing to the Eagles. However, the rest of the division still trails: the Falcons won (2-2), and the Saints remain winless (0-4).

Five Games to Watch Next Week: 

  1. San Francisco 49ers (3-1) at Los Angeles Rams (3-1)
    • Detail: This NFC West rivalry matchup is a “loser-leaves-town” scenario for the division lead after both teams suffered their first loss in Week 4, immediately turning this Thursday night game into a high-stakes, must-win affair.
  2. Kansas City Chiefs (2-2) at Jacksonville Jaguars (3-1)
    • Detail: The Chiefs’ offense is trying to prove their Week 4 breakout (37 points vs. Ravens) was real against an elite Jaguars defense that leads the NFL in forced turnovers (12) and just gave the 49ers their first loss.
  3. New England Patriots (2-2) at Buffalo Bills (4-0)
    • Detail: It’s the only matchup featuring a currently undefeated team (Bills) and a Patriots team under Mike Vrabel that just posted a statement win (42-13 over Carolina) and has explosive special teams highlights to its credit.
  4. Houston Texans (1-3) at Baltimore Ravens (1-3)
    • Detail: A critical AFC Wild Card eliminator, where the Ravens are in panic mode after falling to 1-3 and likely being without QB Lamar Jackson (hamstring), giving C.J. Stroud’s Texans a chance to deliver a crippling blow to Baltimore’s season.
  5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1) at Seattle Seahawks (3-1)
    • Detail: This is a crucial interconference battle between two NFC teams that suddenly need a win to separate themselves from the 3-1 middle tier of the conference and keep pace in the Wild Card race.

Torg’s novel Love on the Big Screen

Love on the Big Screen novel cover by Bill Torgerson. A man and woman in silhouette stand in a spotlight; the man holds a boombox over his head, referencing classic 80s movie romance. The title is in vibrant pink and blue text.
$2.99 Kindle and $9.99 paperback click here

Love on the Big Screen is about a college freshman basketball player whose understanding of love was shaped by late 80s romantic comedies such as Say Anything, Sixteen Candles, and The Breakfast Club. It’s now available on Amazon for $2.99 as a Kindle book and $9.99 in paperback. Click here to link to Amazon and check out the book. 

Torg Game Ball Awards for Sept 29, 2025

  1. Patrick Mahomes (QB, Kansas City Chiefs)
    • Reason He Deserves the Game Ball: Mahomes put the Chiefs’ offense back on track with a vintage 4-touchdown, 0-interception performance (124.8 passer rating) in a must-win game that sent a decisive message to the rest of the AFC.
  2. Marcus Jones (CB/PR, New England Patriots)
    • Reason He Deserves the Game Ball: Jones single-handedly flipped the momentum and kick-started the Patriots’ dominant victory with an 87-yard punt return touchdown and a 61-yard return, providing a historic outburst of special teams scoring.
  3. Puka Nacua (WR, Los Angeles Rams)
    • Reason He Deserves the Game Ball: Nacua was utterly uncoverable, posting a career-high 13 receptions for 170 yards and the game-tying touchdown late in the fourth quarter to set up the Rams’ comeback victory over the Colts
  4. Lexie Hull of the Indiana Fever: Bad shooting game in their win over the Aces but had 4 steals and 7 rebounds in a gritty and hustling performance. She drew the most offensive fouls in the WNBA this season. 
  5. Aliyah Boston of the Indiana Fever: 24 points, 14 rebs, and 5 assists. 

Anne, did you choose some more NFL Categories to share?

  1. I learned…
  • You still lose a timeout on your second challenge if you win it. The Aces staff somehow lost count of their timeouts. 
  1. Statistical pick ups from the broadcast: 
  • Steph White 4-0 in the red leather jacket. 
  • Fever has had 18 players appear in games this year. 

Ravens, Browns, Panthers, Giants, and Texans are 1-3. 

Where are we at with the WNBA Playoffs?

  1. The First Finals Spot Has Been Clinched.
    • The Phoenix Mercury defeated the Minnesota Lynx (the No. 1 seed) 3-1 to advance to the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2021.
    • Individual Highlight: Alyssa Thomas delivered a near triple-double in the clinching Game 4 with 23 points, 10 assists, and 8 rebounds, while DeWanna Bonner hit two crucial three-pointers in the final minutes to seal the comeback win.
  2. The Indiana Fever Have Forced a Decisive Game 5.
    • The Fever beat the Las Vegas Aces 90-83 in Game 4 to tie the best-of-five series at 2-2, setting up a winner-take-all Game 5 on Tuesday night in Las Vegas.
    • Individual Highlight: Aliyah Boston had a career playoff performance with 24 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 assists, becoming just the second player in Fever franchise history (alongside Tamika Catchings) to record a 20/10/5 game in the postseason.
  3. The #1 Seed Lynx Faced Unprecedented Playoff Chaos.
    • The Minnesota Lynx were eliminated in Game 4 while missing both their star player, Napheesa Collier (ankle injury suffered in Game 3), and Head Coach Cheryl Reeve, who was suspended by the league.
    • Discussion Questions on the Reeve Suspension:
      • The Right Call? Was the WNBA justified in issuing a one-game suspension for Reeve’s on-court confrontation and comments, or was the punishment too severe given the high stakes and her stated concern over player safety (Collier’s injury)?
      • The Real Problem: Reeve publicly called for a “change of leadership at the league level when it comes to officiating.” Do you agree that officiating inconsistency is the WNBA’s biggest structural problem right now, especially as the league continues its rapid growth?
      • The Precedent: This is believed to be the first time a coach has been suspended for a WNBA playoff game. Does this harsh penalty set the right standard for coach conduct, or will it simply discourage coaches from speaking out about league issues?

Torg Weekend Betting Results:

  1. Steelers moneyline over Vikings +124. Steelers hang on to win 24-21. WIN 1-0. 
  2. Chargers over Giants in my survivor pool. LOSS. 1-1. 
  3. Chargers live moneyline vs. Giants +104. LOSS 1-2. 
  4. Josh Allen for the Bills under 220.5 passing yards vs Saints. Just thought they’d run it a lot and blow them out. Allen 209 yards. WIN. 2-2. 
  5. Eagles moneyline with Hurts anytime touchdown scorer +146. No Hurts TD. LOSS. 2-3. 
  6. Panthers moneyline over Pats +210. Blown out. 42-13. LOSS 2-4. 
  7. Fever moneyline over Aces +158. Fever force game five! Win! 3-5. 
  8. Colts moneyline boosted 50% over Rams +234. LOSS. 3-6
  9. Ravens -2.5 and Jackson 25 yards rushing. Lamar gets yards but injured. LOSS. 3-7. 
  10. Niners -3.5 live bet with 3-0 lead -106. Loss 3-8. 
  11. Bears moneyline over Raiders +108. Blocked kick to win. WIN. 4-8. 
  12. Mercury moneyline with Thomas to get 10 points and 8 assists +106. WIN 5-8. 
  13. Mercury moneyline when they fell down 10-1 to open the game. +116. WIN 6-8. 
  14. Quarterbacks for Cowboys and Packers to each get a TD pass and 200 yards passing. +164. WIN 7-8. 

Thanks for checking out the Torg Stories Podcast! 

Unanswerable Questions, Where the Time Goes, and Ted Lasso Season 3, Episode 5

It’s unanswerable questions, pie charts of our time spent, and Ted Lasso Season 3, Episode 5 on this episode of the Torg Stories Podcast..

If you put your energy into the things you love, the universe puts its energy back into you. -Zava

Anne, I’m coming off watching UConn hammer South Carolina. You’re coming off a big Fortnite win!

In the show Ted Lasso, the great footballer Zava says this: if you put your energy into the things you love, the universe puts its energy back into you. Anne, after I heard that, I wanted to reflect on where I put my energy.

With the help of Microsoft Co-Pilot, I created a pie chart that shows how I spend my time (is this the same as energy?) each 24 hour day.

What were my observations in trying to put together that chart?

  1. Dividing up time might be missing what Zava was after. Putting your energy into something isn’t the same as it’s how you spend your time. I can cut the grass but even on the mower, my energy might be somewhere else.
  2. I was struck by the seasonal and day to day differences in my life. I think especially coaching but also just teaching provide more variety than are in some lives, maybe I’m just thinking of your life, Anne.

Season 3, Episode 5 titled “Signs.”

  • We open with Richmond going 7 weeks without a victory. Coaches office. Roy points to the problem that makes sense most to me. Watching Zava. Rebecca comes in. Still on the edge.
  • Rebecca in a coffee shop. Has her server take that match book. Nice job by the show keeping the narrative thread. Rebecca runs into that guy she dumped. Ring a ding, ding: wedding calling! Saw Hamilton and then, LOL, that guy tells another of his boring stories. I forgot what, Shite in Nining Armor is. The fiance said it by mistake.
  • Jack, Keeley, and Barbara meet in Keeley’s office about more clients. Makes me think a bit of Jerry McGuire conversation. Jerry wanted less clients. Shandy keeps it going. Jack gives Keeley the words to fire Shandy. I find compliment sandwiches insulting. But do I do it? Or if you make it well, does it work? The worst people often think they are the best. Jack’s dad calls it, talent dysmorphia.
  • Coaches office. Trent has an idea. Funny from Ted about the documentarians who won’t intervene. Henry bullying incident at school. Beard and Roy are ready to go.
  • Higgins comes to see Rebecca. He thinks a coaching change might be in order. Rebecca changes the subject and asks Higgins if he believes in psychics. Higgins: the universe is full of things we can’t explain. (fingernails)

I asked Anne for 3-5 unanswerable questions. Here is what I came up with:

  1. Are there intelligent beings not from earth?
  2. Is space infinite? How does that work?

I only came up with two so I asked Microsoft Co-Pilot for a 3rd funny one. Here it is:

If a tomato is a fruit, does that make ketchup a smoothie?

  • Nate calls his mom to practice before calling Anastasia?
  • Shandy gets the firm fired by a client. Keeley fires Shandy. Funny that I felt some Jerry McGuire earlier, because Shandy out of Keeley’s office exactly the scene when Jerry gets fired.
  • Rebecca goes to see the doctor about fertility. No emergency contact. Everyone talks to her about the team. She asks if she can have children. She wants a baby.
  • Team in the weight room. Get some rest. No video games unless it’s Animal Crossing. Zava: You will not win because of me. You will win because you work together.
  • Ted in his apartment. His ex Michelle calls. Ted finds out Henry did the bullying.
  • One of Keeley’s employees, Dan, attempts a joke of quitting. It’s a good sign! Jack goes to Richmond game with Keeley.
  • Zava doesn’t show.
  • Shandy leaves a lamb on a table that keeps pooping.
  • Nate takes Anastasia to dinner. Manager comes out and is so excited to see them both. Jane snickers at something Nate says.
  • Ted says about Zava, “Maybe he’s dead.” Made me laugh.
  • Date not going well. Nate gives a nice speech on what makes it special. Anastasia leaves him.
  • Richmond loses 4-0. Zava retiring. Looks like Doc gives bad news. Keeley says her break up still hurts. Keeley kisses Jack. She kisses her back. Another ill advised relationship.
  • Jade joins Nate. Is it wrong to think maybe she can get him going the right way?
  • Henry calls. If you’re angry, count to ten. If that doesn’t work, do it again. Hip hop song The Message.
  • Ted deals with panic attack successfully.
  • Ted rips the sign. Belief doesn’t just happen because you hang a sign up on the wall. Ted lists envy, fear, shame. You know what I want to mess around with? The belief that I matter. The belief that we all deserve to be loved. The belief of hope. Nice montage! Believe that things can get better, that I can get better. Can’t nobody rip that apart.
  • Jamie tells Roy he’ll see him in the morning. Last shot of the episode is of the ripped BELIEVE sign.

Anne’s off to London!

Thanks for checking out this episode of the Torg Stories Podcast!

The Cars We’d Pick, Favorite TV Couples and Goodbyes with Ted Lasso

Anne went to the Pacers at Clippers game this week at Intuit in LA and we use Ted Lasso Season 2, Episode 11 to talk about cars we’d pick to start our fleet, name our favorite TV couples, and discuss if we’re any good at goodbyes. (hint: not really)

If money is no issue, what couple of automobiles do you want?

  1. 77 Trans Am with the eagle on it.
  2. 70 Chevelle
  3. Carolina Blue G Wagon
  4. Ford Raptor truck
  5. Escalade / Mercedes van

Favorite TV couples?

  1. Alex Keaten and Ellen Reed. Fox’s real wife Tracy Pollan. Bill Vera and the Beater’s song. Billy Vera and The Beaters “At this Moment.” What did you think I would do at this moment?
  2. Seinfeld and Elaine count?
  3. Jim and Pam
  4. Maddie and David on Moonlighting

Notes and Discussion Questions for Ted Lasso “Midnight Train to Royston” from Season 2, Episode 11:

  • Crowd chanting. Sam scores a hat trick. At least Nate looked happy for him. Rebecca texts him congratulations. Collin drives a lime green Lambo. Anne, if money was no object, what are a couple autos you would pick?
  • Keeley has an interview and photoshoot with Vanity Fair. Ted comes in to Rebecca’s office. Dr. Sharon is leaving. Ted is collecting cash. Higgins comes in. Edwin Akufo owns Ghana tech firm. Inherits 1.2 billion pounds. He’s coming for a visit.
  • Nate and Beard in the office. Will the kit man brings in Nate’s suit. Roy comes in and asks if his eyebrows are crazy. Ted comes in coaches office. Nate has a new tactic, a false nine. Nate says here we go again. His idea and Coach Lasso gets all the credit. The forest is a socialist community.
  • Out on the pitch, the team is working on a goodbye dance for Dr. Sharon. Beard says, “The team is not NSYNCH.” The album, No Strings Attached. Edwin Akufu’s helicopter arrives. He has people who shake hands for him. Weighted blanket. “Chop it up with Ms. Welton,” Ted says. I said that in a team meeting the other day! Dramatic pause by Beard. “That was it!”
  • Rebecca, Ted, Keeley, Higgins, meet with Akufu in Rebecca’s office. He wants to buy Sam. Edwin wants Sam to play in Africa. “A sad white man is still a white man.” Sam comes in. Edwin is willing to shake Sam’s head. Higgins wrote a play about a footballer who eats at a museum.
  • Nate was waiting in Keeley’s office. He wants help picking out a suit.
  • Roy goes to pick up Phoebe from school but school is out. She draws breasts for some reason. There’s an art fundraiser. Reminds me of the Buckley fundraiser. He offers to help the teacher set up the art.
  • Rebecca comes in and tells Ted she had an affair with Sam. Limbo, Ted says, great party game but terrible relationship status. Ted says Sam and Rebecca are already one of his favorite TV couples. Anne, what are your favorite TV couples. Ted tells Rebecca to listen to her gut and on her way down to her gut to check in with her heart. Ted reminds Rebecca a year ago she told him she hired him so that he would fail. They agree to meet again next year. Third season!
  • At the clothing store with Nate and Keeley. Keeley does a Roy Kent impression. Nate has on a plaid suit. The seller is concerned the crotch is too loose. They check it out intensely.
  • Ted thinks he’s running into Sharon’s office but she has left and Higgins has returned to his office. He says he knows everyone’s birthday: Liam Neeson, Tina Turner, Chuck Norris, Sharon Stone, and Osama Bin Laden. Ted is angry about the letters. Higgins, “Don’t let-her get away with it Ted.” Ted comes running back in. Love it when this happens. Anne, how are you at goodbyes? Let’s try to remember some.
  • Edwin and Sam at the museum. Edwin bought the piece. Edwin wants to make things better. Banksy is there.
  • Nate settles on an all black suit. Nate asks, Do you ever want to be the boss? She is straightening his tie. She pumps him up about fighting hard for there dreams. Go for it, she says and Nate leans in for a kiss. At least he is very apologetic. Why does he need to spit there?
  • Roy is still talking to the teacher. Roy asks why the other classes pictures are shit? The best teachers are the toughest ones. Who were your best teachers? She asks if he’s married. Roy says no. How about Karen the teacher’s sweater? What is on there? Looked like popsicles.
  • Ted waits outside Sharon’s apartment. Ted is really mad and talks about being abandoned. Is a bunch of cash a good gift? His wife left him… His dad left him… Ted agrees to read the stupid letter. LOL, he corrects her spelling. Funny to moved by a scene where I don’t know what the letter said. Friendship is a theme of Ted Lasso. She is going to Royston. Her train leaves at midnight. She asks him if he wants to go get a drink.
  • Edwin and Sam are out to eat eating South African food. Sam is the fourth person to know that Edwin is buying a team. He wants to build up the African club. Take all the time you need. You have 72 hours.
  • Roy arrives for the photoshoot. It’s at Keely’s house. Keeley is really nervous. Roy comes over and gives her a pump up speech. Reminds me of when she pumped him up before going on to be a pundit. They kiss. We get a montage of the photoshoot. Cut to Sharon and Ted in the pub. Cut to Sam walking through town. Roy and Keeley are told to look at each other. She says Nate tried to kiss her. Thank you for telling me. He was talking to Phoebe’s teacher for three hours. She tells him that Jamie told her he still loves her. Roy looks ready to cry.
  • Roy and Sharon play pinball. Favorite arcade games? Putting your name on a machine. The boys come up, You’re the shrink for the team, eh? The big guy is afraid of snakes. Anne, what are you afraid of? Ted left and wrote her a letter. (goodbye or the glass could be the pic)
  • Sam arrives home and Rebecca is on his doorstep. She says she hopes he doesn’t go.
  • Ted gets back to his apartment, which is seeming less like a premiere league coach’s apartment. Trent Crimm texts him that an article is running in the paper about the panic attack. Nate was his source. Ted decides not to comment.
  • Trent sends a bunch of short texts. I prefer one long text. That’s the end of the episode. I think that’s Radiohead at the end.

Thanks for checking out this episode of the Torg Stories Podcast!