We were reminded of life’s Growing Pains as we lost Canadian actor Alan Thicke (best known as TV dad Jason Seaver) and legendary sports broadcaster Craig Sager, recognized for his dedication and being fashionably far out.
We keep going and let sports entertain this week, just as these men did for many years.
National Football League (NFL)
Only two weeks remain in the regular season, and the playoff race is on.
Sheer dominance. The New England Patriots, who share the league’s best record, beat the defending champion Denver Broncos in the Mile High City. The Patriots clinched the AFC East for an NFL-record eighth straight season. With four Super Bowl victories in the past two decades, the Pats are the league’s premiere franchise.
Going, Going Gone…The Jacksonville Jaguars (2-12) lost to the Houston Texans Sunday and didn’t even wait until season’s end to axe coach Gus Bradley. Bradley ended his three-year tenure with the second-worst winning percentage of any NFL head coach with at least 50 games under his belt.
Ending the pain. The Oakland Raiders defeated the San Diego Chargers and clinched their first playoff berth since 2002. In that season the Raiders lost in the Super Bowl. #RollercoasterRide #SuperBowlOrBust
The pain continues on the shores of Lake Erie as the Cleveland Browns lost again dropping their record to a dismal 0-14. They are the only winless NFL team.
On Sunday night, in a battle of division leaders, the Dallas Cowboys beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Boys were led by their two rookie MVP candidates: QB Dak Prescott and RB Ezekiel Elliott. About the only think Elliott did wrong was get penalized for jumping into a Salvation Army red kettle after scoring a touchdown. #DoingGood
Christmas Day Schedule
As Christmas falls on a Sunday, the NFL shifted most of its games this week to Saturday, Christmas Eve. Below are the two Christmas Day matchups.
Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers (4:30pm ET)
Denver Broncos @ Kansas City Chiefs (8:30pm ET)
Boxing
The final blow…In another confirmation that father time remains undefeated, Bernard Hopkins, the 51-year-old boxer with a stellar 28-year career, fought his last fight Saturday. His career ended with a thud, however, as his opponent, who was born one year after Hopkins turned pro, knocked him out of the ring, literally.
National Basketball Association (NBA)
The Golden State Warriors are growing together and once again strut their stuff as the team to beat. After setting the record for most regular season wins last year, the Warriors added former MVP Kevin Durant in the offseason. Some haters secretly hoped for chemistry issues but that never materialized as they hold the NBA’s best record.
On the other end of the spectrum we have severe growing pains for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Philadelphia 76ers. Despite a slew of high draft picks and young talent, these squads have two of the worst records in the league. Hopeful fans are saying “maybe next year” but many have heard it too often and remain skeptical.
To give Christmas cheer to basketball fans, the NBA will have five games on Christmas day. Here are the marquee matchups:
Christmas Day Schedule
Golden State Warriors @ Cleveland Cavaliers (rematch of the last two NBA Finals) (2:30pm ET)
Chicago Bulls @ San Antonio Spurs (5:00pm ET)
College Basketball
They grow up fast in the Bluegrass State where the #6 Kentucky defeated #7 North Carolina 103-100 led by amazing freshman Malik Monk and his 47 points.
Move over Kardashian’s, the Ball family is coming. Let us introduce you to a young stud in the making, Lonzo Ball, #2 UCLA’s freshman point guard who ranks second nationally in assists. There must be something in the gene pool because Lonzo is paving the way for his two younger brothers to share in the spotlight. LiAngelo is headed to UCLA next season, and LaMelo is committed for the 2019 campaign.
This week’s AP Top-5 teams:
#1 Villanova
#2 UCLA
#3 Kansas
#4 Baylor
#5 Duke
To all our great readers, we wish you Happy Holidays!
Remember at TINK Sports we watch the games so you don’t have to.
See you next time…
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