This Week in Sports Talk: December 22, 2019

This Week in Sports Talk (TWIST) is our weekly roundup of top headlines and sports news, plus a preview of what’s up next. Heading into the week of December 22, 2019, here’s the top sports news, with a twist. Skim it, and you’ll be good to go all week.

This Week in Sports Talk: December 22, 2019

We begin with some short takes in sports news heading into the week of December 22, 2019.

Happy Holidays from Tiger Woods and friends

We were touched to see this photo of Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson in green Christmas onesie pajamas and big smiles. That is, until our Sports Desk shared the news that some cynics are questioning whether or not Tiger actually posed for this photo in person.

Is it really him in this TaylorMade brand holiday greeting? Or just Photoshop Tiger? Your call, dear reader. Your call.

J-Lo is already prepping for her Super Bowl show

Everyone who loves Jennifer Lopez (and say what you will, we do) knows that her work ethic is nearly unparalleled. She even sang about it one of our go-to songs for our own workouts, “On The Floor (featuring Pit Bull),” which you can catch here.

So it comes as no surprise to learn that she’s already rehearsing her halftime performance for the upcoming Super Bowl LIV in Miami. It’s not until February 2, 2020, but she’s already deep into refining the show. Can’t wait to see it, girl.

Is there anything that Serena Williams can’t do?

Last weekend, Serena Williams and Mike Tyson met for a private boxing lesson in Florida as she preps for the start of a new tennis season. After he showed her the proper placement of her hands and feet, she went at it.

She has so much strength that Tyson had to hold down the free-standing punching bag while she hit it.”Wouldn’t want to get in the ring with this GOAT,” Mike wrote on Twitter afterward. We remain in awe of her. You can catch their workout here. 

Top Sports Headlines heading into the week of December 22, 2019

Now that we’re warmed up, here’s everything else you need to know about sports heading into the week of December 22, 2019:

1. NFL

Must Know:

It’s Week 16, and the NFL season now sees two straight weeks of games on Saturday and Sunday. There were three big games yesterday.

The New England Patriots beat the Buffalo Bills, 24-17, to become the AFC East champions. The Bills will have to settle for a wild card slot.

In the the AFC South, the Houston Texans defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 23-20, to clinch their division title. At halftime, the game was tied at 17. Deshaun Watson played with what appeared to be a minor injury in the second half of the game. Jameis Winston’s future is in question – with four interceptions (along with a touchdown and 335 yards passing) in this game, he now leads the league with 28 interceptions.

And just one season after playing in Super Bowl LIII, the Los Angeles Rams will not appear in the postseason. Yesterday, they lost to the San Francisco 49’ers, 34-31, after the 49’ers scored a last-second field goal. The win gives San Francisco the inside track for the NFC’s No. 1 playoff seed.

Nice to Know:

Today, the three games that matter are the New Orleans Saints versus the Tennessee Titans, with the Titans hoping for a win to get the last wild card slot in the AFC. The Dallas Cowboys are battling the Philadelphia Eagles for the NFC East title. And the Green Bay Packers versus the Minnesota Vikings, which will determine who wins the NFC North title and who gets the wild card slot.

No matter the outcome of these three games, the playoff picture is coming into focus. In the AFC, the Ravens, Pats, Chiefs, Texans and Bills are a lock. The last space will be either the Steelers or the Titans. In the NFC, the Seahawks, 49’ers, Green Bay, and New Orleans are a lock. Seeding is still to be determined, though.

Extra Credit:

The Jacksonville Jaguars lost in arbitration in a claim against them for fining a player over participating in rehabilitation therapy on his own, without the team’s oversight and permission. The NFL Players Association head announced that 25% of the player complaints this season have been lodged against the Jaguars. Meaning that one team out of 32 had 25% of the complaints from players. The head of the Players Association said publicly that players should think twice before going to play in Jacksonville.

Two days later, executive vice president for football operations Tom Coughlin was fired. The head coach and many others seem likely to be terminated before the shakeup is over.

Bonus Round:

On Monday night, New Orleans Saints’ quarterback Drew Brees broke Peyton Manning’s touchdown pass record of 539 with 4 touchdown passes to get 541. Manning soon posted an adorable and funny congratulatory video, which you can catch here.

Meanwhile, the New England Patriots’ Tom Brady is hot on Brees’ trail at 538. Brees also set the record for single game completion percentage, going 29 of 30 for 96.7%. Our Sports Desk notes that a good completion percentage is 60 or better.

2. NBA

Must Know:

The top two teams in the NBA – the LA Lakers and the Milwaukee Bucks – continue to dominate. The stars of each team, LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo, respectively, are both on fire right now.

On Thursday night, the Bucks beat the Lakers, 111-104. Antetokounmpo delivered a career-best five 3-pointers. As of this posting, Milwaukee holds the NBA’s best record at 25-4. So if anyone asks around the holiday dinner table, you know who’s the best of all. At least for now.

Nice to Know: 

The Dallas Mavericks phenom Luka Doncic is still on the injured list with a right ankle sprain. But that didn’t stop his team from signing a big new endorsement deal. Doncic, who was recently named Sports Illustrated’s Breakout Player of the Year, had a two-year deal with Nike that expired before the start of the season.

Yesterday, his team announced a multi-year endorsement deal with Jordan Brand, makers of the Air Jordan basketball shoe. Doncic will reportedly have some player-exclusive models for which he would have some design input. Earlier this year, Jordan Brand shocked the sports world by signing star rookie and number one NBA draft pick Zion Williamson.

Extra credit:

Christmas Day is always a big day in the NBA – it’s like a holiday gift for fans. This year, there are five games.

The marquee match-ups on December 25, 2019 are the Milwaukee Bucks’ phenom Giannis Antetokounmpo versus the Philadelphia 76’ers’ rising star Joel Embiid.

And the LA Clippers with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George versus the LA Lakers’ Lebron James and Anthony Davis. Plan your mealtimes accordingly . . . 

3. College Football Bowl Games

Must Know:

On December 28, the Peach Bowl will see #1 LSU play #4 Oklahoma. On the same day, the Fiesta Bowl is #2 Ohio St against #3 Clemson. The two winners will meet in the College Football Playoffs National Championship Game.

Nice to know:

There are LOTS of other Bowl Games the same week. Our Sports Desk is most excited about the Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Day, when No. 13 Alabama takes on No. 14 Michigan.

This Week in Sports News December 22, 2019

That’s it. You’re good to go with the top headlines and coming attractions heading into the week of December 22, 2019. Happy Holidays, dear reader! We’ll see you next week.

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