Shedua Sanders Shines in First NFL Start as Cowboys and Chiefs Ignite Playoff Dreams

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Good morning! Carter Burns sums up the past weekend’s action just as Thanksgiving week nears, a time to appreciate standout moments in sports. The last three days have packed in thrilling NFL performances, ongoing drama in college football, notable NBA career milestones, and buzz around MLB offseason trades.

Let’s dive in.

🏈 Five Must-Know Headlines for Monday

1. Week 12 of the NFL promised chaos, and that’s exactly what we got. Extra time was needed as the Lions edged the Giants, Jaguars outpaced the Cardinals, and the Chiefs staged a second-half comeback to beat the Colts, keeping their playoff hopes alive. The Cowboys, without overtime, also secured a crucial victory over the Eagles. A standout story was Shedule Sanders leading the struggling Browns to a rare win in his first start—a feat not achieved by a Cleveland QB in 30 years.

2. Oregon State and Oklahoma State secured wins that bring them closer to the College Football Playoff. The Ducks rose to No. 5, and the Sooners held No. 8 after defeating a ranked opponent. After victories against USC and Missouri, both teams only need a win in their season finale to nearly guarantee a spot in the 12-team playoff.

3. The Mets and Rangers are poised to swap Brandon Nimmo and Marcus Semien in an offseason trade. Semien is set to be the Mets’ starting second baseman, especially as the team considers moving Jeff McNeil. Nimmo just experienced a breakout year for the Rangers with 25 homers and notable speed in the outfield.

4. Chris Paul plans to retire after the 2025-26 NBA season. This year will mark Paul’s final act following a legendary career highlighted by 12 All-Star appearances and a future Hall of Fame induction. Now back with the Clippers, Paul’s legacy spans multiple teams, notably the New Orleans Hornets, where he built much of his storied reputation.

5. Gotham FC claimed the NWSL Championship with Rose Lavelle scoring the decisive goal late in the match to beat the Washington Spirit, securing their second league title. Trinity Rodman had an uncharacteristically quiet final and left injured in stoppage time, visibly emotional as the game concluded.

🎠 Coaching Carousel Drama: Lane Kiffin, Mike Norvell, and Justin Wilcox

The coaching carousel is heating up this season. Lane Kiffin remains undecided about his 2026 destination, with LSU and Florida courting him while the door at Ole Miss remains open. Kiffin visited Baton Rouge and Gainesville recently, denied any ultimatums from Ole Miss, and said money isn’t the deciding factor, despite LSU’s offer to make him one of the highest-paid coaches ever. His decision is expected post the Ole Miss game.

Florida has already taken steps by naming Mike Norvell as coach for the 2026 season, with pledges to revamp recruiting and player development after two down years. Meanwhile, California fired Justin Wilcox immediately following a heavy loss to Stanford. With a 6-5 record, Wilcox struggled, going five games under .500 over four years.

⭐ Jahmil Gibbs Shines for the Chiefs in NFL Week 12

The Chiefs saved their season with a 23-20 comeback victory over the Colts, remaining playoff contenders at 6-5. Jahmil Gibbs was the top scorer of the week, racking up 264 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns to help the Lions fend off an upset from the Giants.

Notable:

• Jackson Smith-Njigba set a Seahawks single-season record with 165 yards.
• The Bears secured their fourth consecutive win.
• Cowboys erased a 21-point deficit to beat the Eagles.
• JJ McCarthy’s two interceptions doomed the Bengals despite strong defense.
• A series of milestones were hit by Dak Prescott, Derrick Henry, Jameis Winston, and TJ Watt.
• Injuries impacted key players like Patriots’ Will Campbell, Bengals’ Tee Higgins, and Buccaneers’ Baker Mayfield.
• The Giants were the first to be eliminated from playoff contention.

👏 College Football Week 13 Winners: Notre Dame, Vanderbilt, and BYU

With the College Football Playoff race nearing its end, teams on the bubble need every win. Notre Dame was crushed 70-7 by Syracuse, while Vanderbilt secured a massive 45-17 victory over Kentucky, marking their second nine-win season ever. BYU stayed in the Big 12 Championship conversation with a 26-14 win over Cincinnati.

Less fortunate were Bill Belichick’s North Carolina team, which lost to rival Duke, ending bowl hopes, along with Georgia Tech after a loss to Pittsburgh. Kansas’ struggles continued with another loss, and Baylor fell to Arizona.

👍👎 Best and Worst of the Week

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📺 What to Watch Monday

• Players Era Festival: Rutgers vs. #20 Tennessee at 1PM on TNT
• Players Era Festival games featuring Seton Hall, North Carolina State, Kansas, Notre Dame, St. John’s, Iowa State, Houston, Syracuse, Auburn, Oregon, Illinois, Michigan, San Diego State, Gonzaga, Alabama
• Everton vs. Manchester United at 3PM on USA Network
• Cavaliers vs. Raptors at 7PM on Peacock
• Panthers at 49ers at 8:15PM on ESPN/ESPN2
• MLS Playoffs: Minnesota United FC vs. San Diego FC at 10PM on Apple TV
• And more college and NBA action on various networks.

Fan Take: This newsletter highlights key moments shaping the future of basketball and other sports, including Chris Paul’s impending retirement, which marks the end of an era in the NBA. For basketball fans, it’s a reminder of the sport’s evolving landscape and the importance of celebrating legends while staying excited for new stars to emerge.