Good morning and happy Friday! As we head into the final weekend of 2026, Carter Burns checks in with a recap of the Christmas sports action and a look ahead at a crucial weekend filled with pivotal NFL playoff matchups. For those who celebrated Christmas, hope your holiday was joyful and that Santa delivered your wishes. The holiday did bring some thrilling NBA and NFL games, although Lions fans might feel otherwise.
Here are five key takeaways for Friday:
1. The NFL’s Christmas tripleheader ended the Lions’ playoff hopes with a 23-10 loss to the Shockers, officially knocking them out of contention. Meanwhile, the Packers secured their playoff spot. Other notable Christmas games saw the Cowboys defeat the Commanders 30-23, Broncos narrowly beating their opponent 20-13 on the road, and the Chiefs playing what might be the last game at Arrowhead Stadium, featuring star Travis Kelce.
2. Nikola Jokic lit up the NBA Christmas games with a spectacular 56-point, 16-rebound, 15-assist triple-double, helping the Nuggets edge out the Timberwolves 142-138 in OT. Steph Curry also made history as the 22nd NBA player to surpass 26,000 career points during the Warriors’ 126-116 win over the Mavericks. LeBron James marked his 20th Christmas game but the Lakers fell to the Rockets 119-96. The Knicks staged a remarkable 17-point comeback to beat the Cavaliers, and the Spurs triumphed over the Thunder 117-102.
3. Brock Bowers and Laci Rice have been placed on injured reserve due to knee and concussion injuries respectively. With Raiders and Chiefs still having playoff hopes, resting these players is crucial as they recover fully. They join a growing list of NFL players sidelined for the season.
4. The Nuggets suffered another blow with the loss of Cam Johnson, who will miss 4-6 weeks due to a knee bone bruise. This is tough for Denver, already missing key players like Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun. Johnson had been averaging 11.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game.
5. The Athletics have locked up rising star outfielder and first baseman Tyler Soderstrom with a seven-year, $86 million contract extension through 2033, potentially increasing to $131 million with escalators. Coming off a breakout 2025 season with 25 home runs and 93 RBIs, he’s a cornerstone for their promising young team.
In college basketball news, the season is shifting into conference play, with Adam Finkelstein updating his NBA Draft big board after assessing the non-conference performances. PG Darrin Peterson of Kansas State tops the 2026 class, with other notable risers like Washington’s Hannes Steinbach and Christian Anderson from Texas Tech emerging as first-round prospects. The big board’s top 10 includes a mix of guards and forwards setting the stage for a compelling draft season.
As the NFL Week 17 games unfold, playoff spots are on the line with eight teams eyeing division titles, playoff berths, or top seeds. Key matchups this weekend could decide titles in the AFC West (Broncos), AFC South (Jaguars), AFC East (Patriots), AFC North (Steelers), NFC West (Seahawks), NFC South (Panthers), and NFC North (Bears). The Panthers face the Seahawks in a critical showdown Sunday, with expert picks favoring the Seahawks despite a seven-point underdog status.
Also, don’t miss this weekend’s extensive slate of sports highlights ranging from college bowls, NBA matchups, and premier soccer clashes across top leagues, offering nonstop action for sports fans.
Fan Take: Nikola Jokic’s Christmas performance was nothing short of legendary, reminding basketball fans why he’s one of the game’s most versatile and dominant players. As the NBA season heats up, his ability to impact every facet of the game sets a high bar and adds excitement to the league’s playoff race and future storylines.
