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Happy Thanksgiving to all sports enthusiasts! Get ready for some exciting NFL matchups and college basketball thrills this holiday morning with Carter Burns. Nothing beats enjoying Thanksgiving dishes while watching top teams face off, especially with the Chiefs vs. Cowboys game airing on CBS. Here’s a short video to boost your anticipation—whether you’re a fan of the Chiefs, Cowboys, cheerleaders, or Beyoncé, it’s worth the watch.
If you’re celebrating with family, we’ve created a comprehensive cheat sheet for the three NFL games lined up, including a handy script from JP Acosta to help you chat football with family members.
A quick note: this newsletter covers both Thanksgiving and Black Friday, and you can expect a special recap and weekend preview in your inbox on Saturday morning.
Now, let’s dive in.
5 Key Things You Should Know This Thanksgiving
Blue Jays set to sign Dylan Cease to the biggest deal in franchise history. The offseason is heating up, and Toronto is making waves by securing a seven-year, $210 million contract with right-hander Cease—$60 million more than their previous record. Despite a rough last season with a 4.55 ERA for the Padres, Cease is a top free agent who could strengthen a rotation that nearly won the World Series.
University of Michigan wins the Players Era Men’s Championship. Last night, No. 7 Michigan crushed No. 12 Gonzaga 101-61, gaining an extra $1 million on top of their participation prize. Meanwhile, Kansas claimed third place by beating No. 17 Tennessee 81-76 at the Las Vegas event.
Arsenal beats Bayern Munich to headline UEFA Champions League Round 5. Arsenal remains unbeaten and is seen as the team to beat internationally after their 3-1 win over Bayern, who started the season strong but fell short. Liverpool’s woes continue with a 4-1 home loss to PSV, marking five defeats in their last seven games.
College football rivalry week kicks off with major games on Friday. The schedule includes three Top 25 clashes: No. 4 Georgia State vs. No. 23 Georgia Tech, No. 3 Texas A&M vs. No. 16 Texas, and No. 25 Arizona vs. No. 20 Arizona State. All eyes are also on Lane Kiffin as No. 7 Ole Miss faces Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl, with an announcement on Kiffin’s future expected Saturday.
More changes in college football coaching. Colorado State plans a fresh start with Jim Mora Jr., fresh off rebuilding Washington, while Southern University considers hiring NFL legend Marshall Faulk, currently a running backs coach at Colorado.
NBA Cup Knockout Stage Battle
With only one day left in group play, the NBA Cup knockout rounds are taking shape. Eleven games conclude on Friday, including nationally televised contests featuring the Bucks vs. Knicks and Mavericks vs. Lakers. Lakers’ Luka Doncic criticized the court surface after multiple slips, calling it dangerous.
Locked into the knockout stages are:
- Raptors (East Group A champions)
- Lakers (West Group B champions)
Friday’s key games will decide other group winners and wild card spots, with magic vs. pistons, knicks vs. heat, and others set to conclude the group phase.
NFL Thanksgiving and Black Friday Preview
Thanksgiving football returns with four games over two days, starting at 1 p.m. ET as the Lions host the Packers—a timing shift pleasing West Coast fans. Below are links to previews and predictions for each game, plus highlights from weekday matchups.
Fan Take:
The Blue Jays signing Dylan Cease is a game-changer for baseball fans, signaling a bold move to strengthen their pitching staff with top talent. This deal reflects the growing trend of high-value contracts that could reshape team dynamics and competition in the sport for years to come.
