Weekend Wrap-Up: It’s Down to Four in the NFL, NCAAF Will Have a Champion & More
Commanders, Chiefs, Bills, Eagles, & Makhachev Rocked While Lions, Ravens & Moicano Choked This Weekend
Damn Commanders, Look at You Guys Go
All right, raise your hand if you thought the Detroit Lions would be waking up today thinking of a game plan ahead of this weekend’s NFC title game. Don’t feel embarrassed; it’s pretty safe to say that nobody expected the NFL betting odds upset of the year the Washington Commanders achieved by beating the Lions in Detroit by 45-31 and knocking them out of the playoffs.
WHY NOT US?!?!? pic.twitter.com/0psqpHrVST
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) January 19, 2025
Led by rookie sensation Jayden Daniels with 299 passing yards, 51 rushing yards, and two passing touchdowns, the Commanders took to Ford Field and truly lived up to the motto they’ve been rocking with all season long, “Anybody, Anywhere, Anytime.”
ANYBODY. ANYWHERE. ANYTIME.@budlight | #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/yRzWAwrf0H
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) January 19, 2025
Washington’s performance, defying all odds and showing that on a good day, underdogs can beat the snot out of overly hyped and overly confident Lions, is exactly the kind of stuff that makes NFL games some of the most thrilling sporting events around.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I still have love for Dan Campbell and his team. They are the definition of grit and hustle. But sometimes, a slice of humble pie ends up being what’s for dinner tonight when all you do beforehand is preach greatness and make plans ahead of time.
Frustrated but we move forward pic.twitter.com/uu6Xl1AkUm
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) January 20, 2025
For now, don’t worry Lions fans. Even if Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn leave (Aaron, please go to the New York Jets), there’s still plenty of fight left in Campbell and his players.
With or Without the Refs, Chiefs Knock Texans Out
If I had a nickel for every single time I’ve heard or read about how the Chiefs were once again helped by referees in their win against the Houston Texans this weekend, I’d probably have enough money to stop giving a crap about people bitching about KC winning fairly.
Since I’m still here and not counting my riches, can we all agree that while there were a couple of calls that seemed a bit iffy, that doesn’t take away from Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and KC’s defense dropping the hammer on Houston and showing why they are the current AFC favorites in BetUS Sportsbook’s Super Bowl LIX odds?
And before you come at me talking about how Mahomes didn’t do as much with only 177 passing yards, and one TD, do I need to remind you what that play looked like?
You know what? Here, have a refresher on me
Mahomes is not from this planet I am convinced pic.twitter.com/gYUVu2B4lc
— Brad Henson Productions (@BradHensonPro) January 18, 2025
I know.
Furthermore, how about we take a moment and talk about KC’s D going for eight sacks against C.J. Stroud? It almost looked like Oprah was at Arrowhead, and she was offering everybody sacks.
It was a sack party in Kansas City last night 🥳 pic.twitter.com/XRI1ilhV5C
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 19, 2025
In short, if you want to continue buying into the whole KC-refs NFL rumors bonanza, be my guest. On the field though, the Chiefs showed why they are a team made for games like those.
Eagles Run (Not Fly) Over Rams
If you need an explanation of what aura is, let me do you a solid. Look up Saquon Barkley’s stats from this past weekend from the Philadelphia Eagles’ divisional-round win against the LA Rams. That, my friends, is what aura is all about.
Leading Philly’s run till you drop attack against LA with 205 rushing yards and two TDs, it almost feels unfair that we’ve had to wait this long to see Barkley pop off like that in a playoff scenario.
If you showed this video to me one year ago I wouldn’t believe my eyes.
— Eagles Fan Central (@PhilaFanCentral) January 20, 2025
Then again, playing for the New York Giants, it’s not like he would get much done anyway.
In fact, if I were Saquon, I’d be looking into sending Giants General Manager Joe Schoen a really nice fruit basket, maybe a couple of cheesesteaks, and a lovely thank you note for letting me leave that dumpster fire he runs and joining the Eagles.
Now, it’s on to the Commanders.
Commanders. Eagles. Part III 🍿
Trip to the Super Bowl on the line 🔥 pic.twitter.com/mScCyaRQua
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 19, 2025
The weekend can’t come soon enough.
If Choking Is an Art, Call Baltimore Da Vinci
I’ll keep this short. Not sweet, but short.
Has anybody talked with Lamar Jackson about how he feels about what happened yesterday in his team’s heart-breaking 27-25 loss against Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills?
When in doubt, thank God for NFL news reporters who are unafraid to ask Lamar how he feels.
“Hold on to the f—ing ball. … This s—‘s annoying. I’m tired of this s—.”
—Lamar Jackson after the Baltimore Ravens loss to the Buffalo Bills. pic.twitter.com/ugwpx4yzHf
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 20, 2025
Yes, Lamar, “Hold on to the f*cking ball” seems like the right way to summarize what happened yesterday in that fatal two-point conversion screw-up by Mark Andrews.
This will be on my mind for the next 7 months pic.twitter.com/UTlufezB14
— The Ravens Realm (@RealmRavens) January 20, 2025
As I watched Andrews drop the ball, all I could think of was, “Is this what Lamar’s career will end up amounting to? Being the best regular season quarterback every year, only to fall flat in the playoffs?”
I guess we’ll have to wait until next season to find out. Until then, get ready AFC fans; another Allen vs. Mahomes showdown is upon us.
Allen. Mahomes.
Bills. Chiefs.Once again for the AFC Championship. #NFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/uov3Q3mNMv
— NFL (@NFL) January 20, 2025
Please hold your excitement.
Ohio State or Notre Dame, Who’s Winning the CFP Title?
In college football, the city of Atlanta is officially ready to host this season’s CFP Title Game between the #6 Ohio State Buckeyes, nine-point college football betting favorites, and the #5 Notre Dame Fight Irish.
THE CFP NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP HAS ARRIVED 🏆🏈
Who will win the first 12-team playoff? pic.twitter.com/lwoMvZiWkK
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) January 20, 2025
In a battle between football blue bloods, who do you get?
Makhachev Shows He’s H-I-M
This past Saturday, the UFC hosted its first big pay-per-view event of the season, UFC 311: Makhachev vs. Moicano. In a card stacked to the brim with talents, Jiří Procházka made work of Jamahal Hill in a light heavyweight bout, setting the stage for a co-main event fight that saw Merab Dvalishvili win by decision against fellow bantamweight Umar Nurmagomedov.
While Procházka and Dvalishvili gave MMA fans everything they could ask for, it’s safe to say that Islam Makhachev’s performance against Renato Moicano is exactly what fans were waiting for, and then some.
Beating interim challenger Renato Moicano with a first-round submission, Makhachev successfully defended his lightweight title for a fifth time, all while making this win his 15th consecutive title-defense victory, putting him one win away from tying Anderson Silva’s record of 16 title defense wins.
Islam likes this belt 🗣️
Who should be next for @MAKHACHEVMMA? ⬇️ #UFC311 pic.twitter.com/CKIRrZpXge
— UFC (@ufc) January 19, 2025
After scoring the win and promptly offering any and all challengers ready to step into the cage with him the chance to go for his belt, there was one thing left to do.
It was time for Dana White to finally acknowledge Makhachev for what he is: the best pound-for-pound fighter in UFC right now.
The Boss settles the debate! 😱 @MAKHACHEVMMA is the P4P #1! #UFC311 pic.twitter.com/aQPOqryVHZ
— UFC (@ufc) January 19, 2025
It took some time, but how can you debate the obvious?
One More Spin Around the Block
Over in the NBA, while everybody’s been taking it easy, the Milwaukee Bucks have been quietly sneaking up on the competition atop the Eastern Conference standings, stringing their fourth consecutive win this Sunday, beating the Philadelphia 76ers 123-109.
Perfect 4-0 homestand. pic.twitter.com/HFrMjM4Hyp
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) January 20, 2025
Meanwhile, in college hoops, we learned that if you decide to call Copper Flagg, star of the early NCAAB odds title favorites Duke Blue Devils, overrated, he will show you what happens when he decides to shut every single hater up.
If you don’t believe me, just ask Boston College fans.
This MF Cooper Flagg vs Boston something..
28 PTS (9-14 FG, 1-3 3PT, 9-11 FTs)
5 REBS
4 AST
2 STLS
2 BLKSAs of right now this MIN.. he’s the #1 pick.. pic.twitter.com/rjPF16u38C
— Frankie Vision (@Frankie_Vision) January 19, 2025
Last but not least, I don’t know if it’s only me, but I’m all in for Nottingham Forest’s EPL run this season. Marching third in the current season standings and tied with Arsenal for 2nd place, could we be in for a soccer odds shocker down the line?
Nottingham Forest appreciation post 👏
Unbeaten in their last eight Premier League games and sitting third in the league 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/8yDYwGQRiZ
— LiveScore (@livescore) January 20, 2025
Until next week, stay classy, San Diego (God bless Ron Burgundy).
