NFL’s Christmas Day Games Average 28.7 Million Viewers
Released by the NFL:
NEW YORK — Dec. 28, 2023 — On Christmas Day in 2023, the average viewership (TV + Digital) across all three NFL games – Las Vegas Raiders versus Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants versus Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Ravens versus San Francisco 49ers – was 28.7 million – up +29% versus Christmas Day last year (22.2 million).
The 1 p.m. ET game on CBS and Nickelodeon between the Raiders and Chiefs averaged 29.6 million viewers (TV + Digital), making it the second most-watched Christmas Day NFL game on record. It was behind only the Cincinnati Bengals versus the Minnesota Vikings on ABC in primetime in 1989. Raiders-Chiefs is also up +31% versus CBS and Nickelodeon’s Christmas Day game in 2022.
Photo Cred: Titan Times
The 4:30 p.m. ET game on FOX between the Giants and Eagles averaged 29.0 million viewers (TV + Digital), ranking as the third most-watched Christmas Day NFL game on record.
The primetime Christmas Day game on ABC and ESPN+ between the Ravens and 49ers averaged 27.6 million viewers (TV + Digital).
All three games rank among the top five Christmas Day NFL games on record, dating back to 1988.
Photo Cred: Hudson Reporter
Schrader Will Be Challenged by the Ohio State Defensive Front in the Cotton Bowl
Running back Cody Schrader has been a standout performer for No. 9 Missouri this season, playing a crucial role in securing a spot in the Cotton Bowl today. However, the unique challenge posed by No. 7 Ohio State’s solid run defense may test his skills.
Ohio State’s Talented Defensive Line
Statistically, OSU is the best run defense that MU will face all season. Jim Knowles’ run defense is ranked No. 22 in the nation heading into today’s New Year’s Six bowl game matchup, which is higher than any other defense Missouri has gone against.
Ohio State’s defensive front made a significant impact multiple occasions this season. In their 20-12 victory over then-No. 7 Penn State, the Buckeyes held the Nittany Lions ground attack to just 49 rushing yards. PSU’s leading rusher, Kaytron Allen, managed only 26 yards in their October matchup. OSU also gave up a mere 70 rushing yards in their 37-3 blowout win over Minnesota in November. The Golden Gophers’ leading rusher for the contest, RB Jordan Nubin, had just 49 yards on 19 carries. Knowles’ defense held six out of 12 opponents to under 100 rushing yards this season.
Photo Cred: AP News
Defensive tackle Tyleik Williams and defensive end Jack Sawyer are two players to watch out for in that vaunted defensive line. Williams boasts 50 tackles (19 solo) and three sacks through 12 games. Sawyer has 3.5 sacks on the season, recording six total tackles (three solo) in their 30-24 loss to Michigan, which closed out the regular season. DE J.T. Tuimoloau is a key piece as well, with 34 total tackles (11 solo) and a team-leading four sacks this season. The junior has been practicing this week but hasn’t announced if he will play today or not. DTs Ty Hamilton and Michael Hall Jr. are also key names to keep an eye on throughout the Cotton Bowl. Hall hasn’t announced whether or not he will play in the bowl game but he is practicing in full pads this week.
Head coach Ryan Day’s team also features a solid linebacker core. Tommy Eichenberg leads OSU in tackles with 80 (40 solo). The senior tallied 13 total tackles (seven solo) in Ohio State’s 37-17 victory over Maryland in October. However, his status for the game is questionable due to an arm injury that he suffered against Rutgers in November. LBs Steele Chambers and Cody Simon are expected to play pivotal roles in Knowles’ defense. Chambers is the second-leading tackler for the Buckeyes with 75 tackles (36 solo), while Simon has 45 (18 solo) through 12 games. Both players are expected to suit up for the bowl game.
Photo Cred: Dayton Daily News
Schrader’s Remarkable Season
Schrader is enjoying a remarkable season for the Tigers. The fifth-year senior is the fourth-leading rusher in the nation with 1,489 yards and 13 touchdowns. The St. Louis, Missouri native also leads the SEC in rushing yards.
The former walk-on has been a consistent performer in critical moments when Mizzou needed him the most. Schrader’s standout performance came in Missouri’s 36-7 victory over Tennessee last month. The Truman State transfer became just the 10th player in FBS history to record 200+ rushing yards and 100+ receiving yards in the same game. He scored a touchdown as well and led the Tigers in both rushing and receiving in that contest.
Photo Cred: theScore.com
Head coach Eliah Drinkwitz was also able to rely on his talents in MU’s 34-12 Mayor’s Cup win over South Carolina in October. The 5-foot-9, 214-pound RB rushed for 159 yards and two touchdowns, scoring in the first and fourth quarters. He also delivered a noteworthy performance in Missouri’s loss to LSU in early October, rushing for 114 yards and three touchdowns. Schrader found the end zone once in the first half and twice in the second, providing Mizzou with a chance to win before they ultimately fell apart in the last three minutes.
Friday will be the last time that Schrader puts on a Missouri uniform. The RB spent three seasons with Division II Truman State before transferring to Columbia as a walk-on for the Tigers in 2022. Following an impressive 2022 campaign, Schrader was awarded a scholarship, which began in January, and was appointed captain for the current season. The fifth-year senior aims to cap off his college career on a high note against Ohio State’s talented defensive line.
Photo Cred: Truman State University Athletics
Gametime
Missouri will kick off against Ohio State in the 88th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at 7 P.M CT at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Friday, December 29th.
New Year’s Six Bowl Games Preview Part 2: College Football Playoff Semifinals
The long-awaited main event is finally here! Since the early December announcement, college football enthusiasts have been eagerly anticipating the showdowns set to take place on New Year’s Day. Despite the season’s imperfections, including Florida State’s absence from the playoffs, only a handful of teams being competitive, and questionable realignment decisions driven by financial interests, the sport never fails to deliver a spectacular show every Saturday on campuses across the nation.
This only gets magnified when the biggest and best programs battle for it all with the eyes of the country on them. The spotlight now shifts to New Year’s Day, which will feature a treat for all sports fans, starting with Alabama battling Michigan at the scenic Rose Bowl and finishing with Texas taking on Washington in the Sugar Bowl. The victors of these clashes will compete for the national championship a week later.
#4 Alabama vs. #1 Michigan (Rose Bowl)
At 5 PM on New Year’s Day, Alabama and Michigan will square off at the scenic Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Michigan has seen its head coach, Jim Harbaugh, get suspended twice for three games each time this season. One was a self-imposed suspension for recruiting violations during the COVID dead period, while the latter one occurred due to a sign-stealing scheme that had opponents’ hand signals recorded and decoded by UM staffer Connor Stallions, who has since been fired.
Despite those off-the-field controversies, the Wolverines have remained unfazed on the field, beating fellow top-10 teams Ohio State and Penn State. They boast a 12-0 record for the second consecutive season and secured their third straight Big Ten championship. The only thing left for them to accomplish is to win a College Football Playoff game and truly compete for the national title. With this being UM’s third-consecutive appearance in the Playoff, they hope to learn from their mistakes and utilize their experience to perform well on the biggest stage. Michigan is led by star quarterback J.J. McCarthy, a double-headed monster at running back with Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards, a robust receiving game led by wideouts Roman Wilson and Cornelius Johnson, and their tight ends led by Colston Loveland.
Photo Cred: Toro Grounds For Success
On defense, UM tops the nation in scoring defense, allowing a mere 9.46 points per game. The Wolverines are also second in total defense, allowing just 239.7 yards per game, only behind Penn State. Defensive standouts include defensive ends Jaylen Harrell and Josiah Stewart, the team’s sack leaders (linebackers Junior Colson and Michael Barrett), and the vaunted secondary led by star cornerbacks Will Johnson and Mike Sainristil. This might be the best Michigan team out of its previous iterations, and they will not go out without a fight as they look to take their program from a regional to a national dynasty.
Photo Cred: The Michigan Daily
However, Michigan’s opponent might be the most formidable one they’ve faced all season. The Alabama Crimson Tide are arriving with a 12-1 record, with their lone loss coming in Week 2 against Texas, and they have not looked back since then. Alabama had a dominant performance in the SEC, including an impressive victory over the back-to-back national champions, the Georgia Bulldogs. In addition to clinching the SEC championship, their victory in that game propelled them into the College Football Playoff. Following quarterback Jalen Milroe’s benching by Nick Saban in their 17-3 triumph over USF, Milroe made a notable comeback the following week against Ole Miss and has demonstrated consistent improvement since. The Wolverines have yet to encounter a quarterback with the level of mobility displayed by Milroe, who boasts 2,718 passing yards and 23 touchdowns, along with 468 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns.
Milroe’s dual-threat ability poses a challenge to Michigan’s top-ranked defense, especially behind Alabama’s physical offensive line. Alabama’s receiving corps, which includes Ja’Corey Brooks, Jermaine Burton, and freshman sensation Isaiah Bond, provides additional weapons for Milroe. Bond is renowned for securing the season-saving, go-ahead touchdown pass against Auburn on fourth-and-goal from the 27-yard line. On defense, future NFL cornerbacks Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold support Alabama’s vaunted defensive front and linebacking core by shutting down opposing receivers. Michigan has encountered difficulties with SEC physicality in the past, succumbing to a previous bowl matchup against the Tide. Additionally, they suffered a decisive defeat to Georgia two years ago in the College Football Playoff semifinals.
Photo Cred: Andscape
Even last year, the Wolverines could not chase down the TCU Horned Frogs despite being the favorites, as interceptions and multiple empty red-zone trips cost them a spot in the national championship game. This coaching matchup pits two masterminds against each other, as Nick Saban brings championship pedigree and experience against Jim Harbaugh’s top-level coaching ability. All in all, this should be a fantastic game, as UM has likely learned from its past experiences in the playoffs. With that being said, they might have run into the one team with the talent, coaching, and big-game experience to take them down. Michigan is favored slightly over Alabama as a two-point favorite, with the over/under set at 44.5 points. Despite that, this prediction leans towards Alabama, the underdogs.
Prediction: Alabama 28, Michigan 24
#3 Texas vs. #2 Washington (Sugar Bowl)
Last but not least, the New Year’s Day festivities conclude with the second semifinal matchup. #3 Texas and #2 Washington face off at 8:45 PM in New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl. This clash showcases two high-flying offenses set to change conferences next season, with Washington joining the Big Ten and Texas joining the SEC. The teams also faced each other last season in the Alamo Bowl. The current matchup features the undefeated Pac-12 champion against a one-loss Big 12 champion. Texas clinched the Big 12 title for the first time since 2009 on its way out of the conference, defeating Oklahoma State in the Big 12 Championship game. The Longhorns’ lone loss this season was to No. 12 Oklahoma.
Photo Cred: allstatesugarbowl.org
Texas, led by stars at quarterback (Quinn Ewers) and running back (Jonathon Brooks), features a dynamic group of receivers. Xavier Worthy, Jordan Whittington, Georgia transfer Adonai Mitchell, and tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders are the main stars in that position group. Defensively, Longhorns linebackers Jaylan Ford and Anthony Hill Jr., the team’s leading tacklers, lead the charge. Defensive end Ethan Burke stands out as the team sacks leader with 5.5. Texas averages 36 points per game and holds opponents to under 19 points.
Photo Cred: San Antonio Express-News
Their opponent, the Washington Huskies, boast a similarly potent offense, led by Heisman trophy finalist Michael Penix Jr. and star wide receiver Rome Odunze. Penix passed for more than 4,000 yards and notched 33 touchdowns this season, while Odunze amassed 1,428 receiving yards alongside 13 touchdowns. Additionally, UW running back Dillon Johnson recorded 1,113 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. The Huskies achieved an undefeated record in a challenging Pac-12 conference, securing two narrow victories against the eighth-ranked Pac-12 runners-up, the Oregon Ducks. Each clash was decided by three points. The second encounter took place in the Pac-12 championship game. Washington also triumphed over formidable opponents such as Oregon State, Arizona, and USC. USC QB Caleb Williams is anticipated to be among the top two quarterbacks selected in the NFL draft, underscoring the significance of the victory against the Trojans.
Photo Cred: KOMO News
Their cornerback duo of Dominique Hampton and Jabbar Muhammad will look to slow down the Texas receivers. Washington’s defense features anchors like Edefuan Ulofoshio, Alphonzo Tuputala, and Zion Tupuola-Fetui in the front seven. Each of those players have multiple sacks from the linebacker and defensive end positions. The Huskies average 37.7 points per game while allowing 23.6 points per game. This matchup features two similar opponents with spectacular passing offenses and strong defenses, so it is expected to be a high-scoring affair. Texas is favored by 4.5 points over Washington in this matchup, with the over/under set at a whopping 64 points! Once again, the prediction gravitates towards the underdogs Washington.
Prediction: Washington 41, Texas 35
New Year’s Six Bowl Games Preview Part 1: The Non-Playoff Bowls
With the holiday season in full swing, attention turns to the culmination of an exhilarating college football season. While the countdown officially begins for the College Football Playoff semifinals, four additional bowl games stand out above all others—the non-playoff New Year’s Six games. Selected by the same committee that designates the playoff games, these matchups will unfold on or before New Year’s Day.
This year’s non-playoff New Year’s Six bowl games present intriguing contests: Missouri vs. Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl, Penn State vs. Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl, Florida State vs. Georgia in the Orange Bowl, and Liberty vs. Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl. These games promise to deliver excitement and spectacle as fans eagerly anticipate the action-packed showdowns.
#9 Missouri vs. #7 Ohio State (Cotton Bowl)
The New Year’s Six games kick off on Friday, December 29th at 8:00 PM, with #9 Missouri facing #7 Ohio State at the Cotton Bowl in Arlington, Texas. The first of several Big Ten-SEC matchups in the New Year’s Six, this game provides much intrigue to fans of both teams. Ohio State, after an 11-1 season, looks to rebound after a disappointing loss to Michigan kept them out of the Big Ten championship game and the College Football Playoff. The Buckeyes will have a chance to recover against the Missouri Tigers.
With Kyle McCord having transferred to Syracuse, Devin Brown will have the opportunity to start at quarterback. Brown, initially in contention for the starting job earlier in the season, was eventually relegated to the backup role. Many of OSU’s biggest stars, including star wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., running back TreVeyeon Henderson, tight end Cade Stover, and linebacker Tommy Eichenberg, remain undecided on playing in the bowl game. Other Buckeye stars are either entering the transfer portal or declaring for the NFL draft.
Photo Cred: Cotton Bowl
Meanwhile, Missouri comes in as one of college football’s biggest overachievers, exceeding expectations and boasting a 10-2 record in a competitive Southeastern Conference. This marks the Tigers’ first appearance in the Top 10 since 2013. Mizzou is led by quarterback Brady Cook as well as star running back Cody Schrader. Schrader topped the SEC with 1,499 rushing yards and earned AP All-American first-team honors. They also showcase star receiver Luther Burden III and cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine, both receiving AP All-American team accolades.
Offensive tackle Javon Foster is recognized as a key contributor to an offensive line that was a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award, annually presented to the best offensive line in college football. With uncertainties surrounding and anticipated opt-outs of several star Ohio State players, Missouri is currently favored by one point, promising an exciting matchup to kick off the New Year’s Six games.
Prediction: Missouri 27, Ohio State 24
#11 Ole Miss vs. #10 Penn State (Peach Bowl)
Next is another Big Ten-SEC matchup, with #11 Ole Miss set to battle #10 Penn State in the Peach Bowl in Atlanta at noon on December 30th. This matchup features two of the best non-playoff teams in the country, both coming off 10-2 seasons. Despite dominating most of their respective conferences, both teams struggled against the toughest opponents on their schedules. The Nittany Lions have been a very good football team over the past few seasons but have failed to get over the hump. They won comfortably in each of their 10 wins, but losses to Ohio State (20-12) and Michigan (24-15) had them struggling mightily on offense against the Big Ten’s top dogs.
Penn State particularly excels on defense, holding opponents to only 11.4 points per game. That is good enough for third in the country, coincidentally behind only Michigan and Ohio State. They also hold opponents to just 223.3 yards per game, which is the lowest in the nation. PSU will be without star defensive end Chop Robinson, who is declaring for the NFL draft. Many other star players, including fellow defensive end Adisa Isaac and star offensive tackle Olu Fashanu, will travel to the game. Fashanu, a projected top-10 NFL draft pick and a consensus All-American on the offensive line, isn’t certain to play but Isaac will.
Photo Cred: Peach Bowl
Ole Miss, on the other hand, boasts a high-flying offense. They are ranked top-20 in the nation with 34.8 points per game and 455.6 yards per game. The Rebels are led by star quarterback Jaxson Dart, who has thrown for nearly 3,000 passing yards, and running back Quinshon Judkins, who has amassed 1,052 yards on the ground. They’ve secured a blend of decisive victories and narrow wins, triumphing over formidable opponents such as LSU, Tulane, and archrival Mississippi State to achieve a double-digit win season. Their two defeats came at the hands of the participants in the SEC championship game: Georgia and Alabama.
This matchup provides much intrigue as it pits two very similar yet different teams against each other. Both are perennially very good but not great teams, yet each has contrasting styles of play. The Nittany Lions enter the game as four-point favorites, boasting the presence of several star players who are scheduled to play in the matchup. The winner of this game will earn their 11th win of the season and a notable triumph over a quality opponent from one of college football’s two most challenging conferences.
Prediction: Penn State 31, Ole Miss 27
#6 Georgia vs. #5 Florida State (Orange Bowl)
Later that afternoon at 4 PM, the two best non-playoff teams will battle it out at the Orange Bowl in Miami. This matchup pits the back-to-back national champions #6 Georgia Bulldogs against the #5 Florida State Seminoles, who narrowly missed the College Football Playoff despite an undefeated season and an ACC championship victory. The injury to FSU’s star quarterback, Jordan Travis, was too much for the CFP selection committee to ignore. They made the unprecedented decision to leave the Seminoles out, which angered many FSU fans and college football fans around the nation. Many of Florida State’s star players, including receiver Keon Coleman, leading rusher Trey Benson, and defensive lineman Jared Verse, are sitting out the bowl game as they are all projected to enter the NFL draft.
Photo Cred: GeorgiaDogs.com
Georgia fans might argue that their team was unfairly excluded from the playoffs. Just a week prior, they were ranked No. 1 in the country, narrowly losing to SEC champion Alabama after finishing the season 12-0. The Bulldogs breezed through their schedule without many challenges, although they had a few close calls with Auburn, Missouri, and Georgia Tech. Star tight end Brock Bowers suffered a midseason injury that limited his play even when he returned down the stretch. The team ultimately fell short to the Crimson Tide in the SEC championship game, costing them a playoff spot. No Georgia players have officially opted out of the Orange Bowl.
However, it is unlikely that Bowers will suit up after a season riddled with injuries, as he is headed to the NFL after this season. With many FSU players opting out and Georgia nearly at full strength, the Bulldogs are massive 14-point favorites in this bowl matchup. This game should still be one to watch, as both teams look to rebound from demoralizing ends to their otherwise stellar seasons. They will each get one more shot before turning the page to 2024.
Prediction: Georgia 31, Florida State 14
#23 Liberty vs. #8 Oregon (Fiesta Bowl)
Ringing in the New Year, one more game awaits before diving into the playoff matchups. It’s the Fiesta Bowl, pitting undefeated Conference USA champion #23 Liberty against #8 Oregon, the Pac-12 conference runners-up. The Flames lead the country in rushing yards, averaging 302.9 yards per game on the ground. In their inaugural appearance in a New Year’s Six game, Liberty makes history as the first Conference USA (C-USA) team to achieve this feat. Liberty, formerly a member of the FCS, ascended to the FBS as an independent before aligning with Conference USA. They’ve experienced notable success along the way. This season, despite a schedule lacking Power Five opponents, Liberty emerged as the highest-ranked Group of Five team in the nation.
Photo Cred: http://www.fiestabowl.org
They face a tough challenge against the Oregon Ducks, whose only two losses came at the hands of the same College Football Playoff team, Washington. Star quarterback Bo Nix will play in the game, which will make Oregon’s high-flying offense hard to stop. On defense, the Ducks have allowed just 97.5 rushing yards per game, which will pose a big challenge to Liberty’s top-ranked rushing offense. Oregon is favored by 17.5 points, as the runner-up Pac-12 team should be favored over the C-USA champion. Commonly, the Conference USA is seen as one of the lesser Group of Five leagues. This game serves as a great appetizer for the playoff action to follow later in the day, providing an intriguing matchup in its own right.
Prediction: Oregon 49, Liberty 17
No. 13 Illinois’ Three-Point Shooting Is Too Much for Missouri
In Friday’s clash at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri, No. 13 Illinois dominated with a 97-73 victory due to sharp three-point shooting. A loss in the annual Braggin’ Rights rivalry game saw the Tigers drop to a 7-5 record on the season.
The Fighting Illini connected on 11 3s, with seven of them coming in the first half. The ability to create open shots from beyond the arc was a big factor in UIUC’s early lead against MU early.
Forward Quincy Guerrier led Illinois in three-point shooting, finishing the night with five successful attempts. Guard Terrence Shannon Jr. found Guerrier on a fast break for a 3 to give the Fighting Illini a 9-4 lead early in the matchup. Guerrier also drilled a shot from beyond the arc to give UIUC a 20-9 advantage with 12:15 remaining in the first half.
Photo Cred: Spectrum News
Shannon played a crucial role by assisting all three of Guerrier’s first-half three-pointers. Toward the end of the first half, the guard delivered the ball to Guerrier for his third 3 of the night to extend Illinois’ lead to 43-20.
Guerrier, the former Oregon Duck, continued his impressive performance in the second half, knocking down two more shots from beyond the arc. The first came with less than two minutes left in the half. The forward’s second one came towards the end of the game, widening the Fighting Illini’s lead to 93-65 lead with 1:52 remaining.
Forward Coleman Hawkins added three significant contributions from beyond the arc for UIUC, all of which came in the first half. The senior scored his first one at the beginning of the contest to make the score 14-7. His second three-pointer increased Mizzou’s deficit to 30-15 with 9:23 remaining. The forward also knocked down a far-ranged 3 off Shannon’s assist with a little over six minutes left in the first half. His efforts helped to build substantial leads at different points in the game.
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Photo Cred: The Champaign Room
Shannon, who led the Fighting Illini in scoring with 30 points, recorded two three-pointers. Forward Marcus Domask found Shannon for his first 3 in the first half. The former Texas Tech Red Red Raider knocked down his second 3 with 13:50 remaining, giving UIUC a 65-40 lead. He concluded the contest with four assists, helping teammates Guerrier (three) and Hawkins (one) hit four combined 3s.
Junior guard Luke Goode also chipped in with a three-pointer for Illinois toward the end of the game, which was assisted by Domask. With the shot, UIUC extended their lead to 88-58 with 4:29 left in the game.
The Fighting Illini finished the game shooting 11-for-33 (33.3%) from three-point range on Friday. Head coach Brad Underwood’s team shot 36.8% from beyond the arc in the first half and 28.6% in the second.
Photo Cred: Yahoo Sports
2023 NFL Playoff Scenarios – Week 16
Released by the NFL:
AFC
1. BALTIMORE RAVENS (11-3) at San Francisco (11-3); Christmas (Monday), 8:15 p.m. ET, ABC
Baltimore clinches AFC North division title with:
- BAL win + CLE loss or tie OR
- BAL tie + CLE loss
2. CLEVELAND BROWNS (9-5) at Houston (8-6); Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Cleveland clinches playoff berth with:
- CLE win + CIN loss + DEN loss or tie + BUF loss + MIA win or tie + IND loss or tie OR
- CLE win + PIT loss or tie + BUF loss + MIA win or tie + DEN loss or tie OR
- CLE win + PIT loss or tie + BUF loss + MIA win or tie + JAX loss + IND win OR
- CLE win + PIT loss or tie + DEN loss or tie + JAX loss + IND win OR
- CLE win + PIT loss or tie + BUF loss + KC win + IND win + JAX loss OR
- CLE win + PIT loss or tie + DEN loss or tie + MIA win or tie + IND loss OR
- CLE win + PIT loss or tie + DEN loss or tie + MIA win or tie + JAX loss OR
- CLE win + CIN-PIT tie + BUF loss + IND win + JAX loss
3. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (9-5) vs. Las Vegas (6-8); Christmas (Monday), 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Kansas City clinches playoff berth and AFC West division title with:
- KC win OR
- KC tie + DEN loss
4. MIAMI DOLPHINS (10-4) vs. Dallas (10-4); Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX
Miami clinches AFC East division title with:
- MIA win + BUF loss or tie OR
- MIA tie + BUF loss
Miami clinches playoff berth with:
- MIA win OR
- MIA tie + JAX loss OR
- MIA tie + IND loss + HOU loss OR
- MIA tie + IND loss or tie + CLE loss OR
- MIA tie + HOU loss or tie + CIN loss or tie OR
- MIA tie + CIN loss or tie + IND loss or tie
Photo Cred: PFF
NFC
CLINCHED:
San Francisco 49ers (11-3) – NFC West division title
Dallas Cowboys (10-4) – playoff berth
Philadelphia Eagles (10-4) – playoff berth
Photo Cred: ClutchPoints
1. DETROIT LIONS (10-4) at Minnesota (7-7); Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX
Detroit clinches NFC North division title with:
- DET win or tie
Detroit clinches playoff berth with:
- LAR loss or tie OR
- SEA loss or tie
2. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (11-3) vs. Baltimore; Christmas (Monday), 8:15 p.m. ET, ABC
San Francisco clinches NFC’s No. 1 seed, lone first-round bye and homefield advantage with:
- SF win + PHI loss + DAL loss + DET loss
Photo Cred: Larry Brown Sports
2024 Pro Bowl Games Skills Competitions Announced
New and returning fan-favorite skills include Dodgeball, Tug-of-War, Precision Passing, and more
Competitions that showcase AFC and NFC players’ football and non-football skills to happen Thursday, Feb. 1 and Sunday, Feb. 4 in Orlando
NEW YORK — Dec. 20, 2023 — The NFL announced the new and returning skills competitions that Pro Bowl players from the AFC and NFC will compete in during 2024 Pro Bowl Games presented by Verizon, including Dodgeball presented by Bud Light, Tug-of-War, Precision Passing and much more.
Taking place over two days in Orlando, the skills challenges will be broadcast live on Thursday, Feb. 1, on ESPN from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. ET on the Pro Bowl Skills Show, a made-for-tv event taking place in the Nicholson Fieldhouse at the University of Central Florida, and continue Sunday, Feb. 4, culminating in epic flag football.
Photo Cred: Florida Sports Foundation
Fans can buy tickets to Sunday’s event at Camping World Stadium, which will also be televised starting at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN, ABC, Disney XD, ESPN+, ESPN Deportes, and NFL+. Ticketholders will get to witness all the impressive player feats live, including the final day of skills competitions and flag football between the league’s best players. Visit probowl.com/tickets to buy tickets, which start as low as $45.
A staple of the annual all-star competition, the NFL’s top players are set to participate in the following new and fan-favorite skills competitions that showcase their football and non-football skills:
Thursday, Feb. 1:
- Precision Passing: Each of the conference’s three quarterbacks will battle it out in a one-minute accuracy competition, as they attempt to accumulate points by hitting as many targets as possible. The conference with the highest cumulative score among all participants earns three points. There are a total of 10 targets that are either static or attached to robotic dummies and drones, each worth a different amount, ranging from one to five points.
- Best Catch: Pre-taped in landmarks around Orlando, Best Catch will feature one player from each conference, as they show off their creativity, inventiveness and talent. Fans will vote online to determine their favorite catch, and the player with the highest number of votes will earn three points for his conference.
- Closest to the Pin: This golf accuracy competition will feature six players from each conference. They will drive the golf ball, working to hit it as close to the hole as possible. The winner will earn three points for his conference.
- High Stakes: Starting off with a football in hand, each player will attempt to catch punts from a JUGS machine. Each player that succeeds in catching the football without dropping others will advance to the next round and attempt to catch an additional football. The most sure-handed player who catches the most footballs wins.
- Dodgeball presented by Bud Light: A multi-round tournament of classic dodgeball featuring four teams of five players. In the first match, the AFC offense will face the NFC defense, and in the second game, the NFC offense squares off with the AFC defense. The winner will earn three points for their conference.
- Kick Tac Toe: Each team’s kicker will compete in a giant Tic-Tac-Toe competition to showcase their skills. The first kicker to complete a connecting line of three squares or hit five squares total will be declared the winner and earn three points for his conference.
Photo Cred: YouTube
Sunday, Feb. 4:
- Madden NFL Head-to-Head: For the fourth consecutive year, EA SPORTS will host the Madden NFL Head-to-Head Pro Bowl Games event. Two players will represent the NFC and defend their title against the AFC played in Madden NFL 24 using the official 2024 Pro Bowl Games rosters. New this year, the winning team will earn their conference three points.
- Gridiron Gauntlet: A full-field relay race between six AFC players and six NFC players who show off their athletic prowess in a challenging obstacle course. They’ll break through walls and crawl under doors, among other obstacles, to get to the final sled push across the field with the ultimate goal of finishing first. The winning team will earn their conference three points.
- Tug-of-War: New this year, Tug-of-War is a five-on-five demonstration of teamwork, strength and strategy. Positioned above a foam pit, players are challenged to pull backwards on the rope, attempting to move the opposing team in their direction. The competition will be the best of three, and the winner who pulls the opposing team across the marker twice gains three points.
- Move the Chains: This offensive and defensive linemen strength and speed competition takes strategy and teamwork. Each team of five players must work together to move 3,000 pounds of weights off a massive wall and be the first team to pull that 2,000-pound wall across the finish line. The winner will earn three points for their conference.
Photo Cred: YouTube- NFL
The Pro Bowl Games skills competitions will be brought to life by A. Smith & Co. Productions, producers of shows such as “American Ninja Warrior,” “Hell’s Kitchen,” and “The Titan Games.” The skills will have cumulative scoring leading up to flag football on Sunday.
The 2024 Pro Bowl Games presented by Verizon will be a week-long celebration of AFC vs. NFC competitions, culminating with 7-on-7 flag football. To help program the week-long event, the NFL will work with longstanding partners, including the Disney family of ESPN and ABC, Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions, producers of shows such as ESPN’s “Monday Night Football with Peyton & Eli,” the “Places” franchise and the Netflix docuseries “Quarterback,” and A. Smith & Co. Productions. Peyton and Eli Manning will also be the head coaches for the AFC and NFC teams respectively.
Photo Cred: Sports Travel Magazine
On Location, the official hospitality partner of the NFL, will offer guests elevated hospitality packages for a one-of-a-kind experience at the 2024 Pro Bowl Games. This includes field access throughout the game, access to closed practice sessions, player introductions, and premium seating to the game. Fans interested in ticket and hospitality packages can visit On Location’s website at Onlocationexp.com/probowl.
