After this weekend we’re thinking about MVPs, and we’re thinking about Cam Newton. The Carolina Panthers are still undefeated with only two games left in the season, and quarterback Cam is a big part of that. Check out this weekend’s action here:
QUIPS FOR THIS WEEK
NFL
Sunday Night Football ended with the Arizona Cardinals defeating the Philadelphia Eagles 40-17 on the road.
Headed into Sunday, the Texas Texans and Indianapolis Colts were both 6-7, but the Texans won the AFC South match up 16-10. The Atlanta Falcons beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 23-17 to end their six-game losing streak. The Carolina Panthers beat the New York Giants 38-35 to remain undefeated this season with only two games remaining. The New England Patriots scored a 33-16 win over the Tennessee Titans, the Buffalo Bills lost 25-35 to the Washington Redskins, the Oakland Raiders lost 20-30 to the Green Bay Packers, and the Pittsburgh Steelers clinched a 34-27 win over the Denver Broncos.
On Saturday, Randy Bullock of the New York Jets kicked a 40 yard field goal with 36 seconds left to lead the Jets over the Dallas Cowboys 19-16.
Monday Night Football features the Detroit Lions and the New Orleans Saints at 8:30pm EST on ESPN.
College Football
Bowl games have begun! This weekend, Utah won the Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl 35-28 against BYU, Appalachian State beat Ohio 31-29 to clinch the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl, Arkansas State fell 28-47 to Louisiana Tech in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, Arizona won 45-37 over New Mexico in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl, and Georgia State lost the Autonation Cure Bowl 16-27 to San Jose State.
Check out the rest of the schedule here.
NBA
On Friday, the Golden State Warriors continued their almost perfect (26-1) record with a 121-112 win against the Milwaukee Bucks. Remember when, last week, the Bucks handed the Warriors their first loss all season? Well, the Warriors came back late in the game to redeem themselves this time! The San Antonio Spurs scored a 115-107 win against the Los Angeles Clippers to remain undefeated at home. The other Los Angeles team, the Lakers, lost on Saturday to the Oklahoma City Thunder, 78-118.
Welcome back, Kyrie! On Sunday, Kyrie Irving rejoined the Cleveland Cavaliers for the first time since June and with a full, healthy squad, the Cavs scored a 108-86 win against the Philadelphia 76ers.
College Basketball
This weekend, Michigan State scored another win, this time over Northeastern, to hold onto their number one spot and undefeated record this season. #4 Kentucky had a surprising loss to Ohio State, 67-74 in the CBS Sports Classic, Northern Iowa upset the #5 Iowa State Cyclones, 81-79, and #7 Duke was upset in overtime by Utah 75-77 at Madison Square Garden.
Soccer
Seven months after Jose Mourinho led Chelsea to win the Premier League title, the two parted by mutual consent on Thursday. Chelsea has confirmed that Guus Hiddink as their new manager through the end of the season. On Saturday, Chelsea scored a 3-1 win against Sunderland, Premier League newbies Leicester City beat Everton 3-2 to remain at the top of the table, Manchester United lost 1-2 to Norwich City, Tottenham Hotspur won 2-0 against Southampton, Stoke City lost 1-2 to to Crystal Palace, and we watched a 1-1 draw in the Newcastle United/Aston Villa match. On Sunday, Liverpool lost 0-2 to Watford.
Keep an eye out for Monday’s Arsenal/Manchester City match – the two teams are 2nd and 3rd place, respectively, and this is a massive game for both clubs. Saturday’s Boxing Day matches are important, as well:
- Manchester United v. Stoke City at 7:45am EST
- Chelsea v. Watford at 10am EST
- Liverpool v. Leicester City at 10am EST
- Southampton v. Arsenal 2:45 EST
European champion Barcelona won the 2015 FIFA Club World Cup 3-0 over the South American champion, River Plate, with a goal from Messi and two from Suarez yesterday morning.
NHL
On Saturday, Jamie Benn and Jason Spezza helped the number one Dallas Stars to sail past the Montreal Canadiens with a 6-2 win. The St. Louis Blues scored a 3-2 win against the Calgary Flames to shut down the Flames’ seven-game winning streak and remain at the top of the league standings. Vladimir Tarasenko of the Blues scored his 21st goal, and this was his second time in three games with three points. The Blues’ Colton Parayko also passed to himself to score a goal – check it out here. And, on Sunday, the Washington Capitals played the New York Rangers and won 7-3.
The Montreal Canadiens will play the Boston Bruins on Saturday, January 1 at 1pm EST in the Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic 2016.
JUST FOR FUN
Spoke too soon
The kid who cried when the New York Knicks signed Kristaps Porzingis is now a fan
STORIES FOR INSIGHTS, COOL FACTOR + DEBATE
One to watch
Cam Newton: making football fun to watch
He has an almost undefeated season under his belt with Carolina – will they make it to 16-0?
Hero
Rest in peace, Zaevion William Dobson
The high school football player was killed while shielding others from gunfire
Holly Holm
Becoming a celebrity
After defeating Ronda Rousey, everything has changed but her
The SportsQuip 