Dak Prescott Touted by Cowboys Twitter for 'Carrying' Team in Win vs. Eagles
Dec 25, 2022
Dallas Cowboys' Dak Prescott throws during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
On just his third pass of the day, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott threw a pick-six against the Philadelphia Eagles. However, Prescott would not let the early blunder deter him as he powered Dallas to its biggest win of the season.
The 29-year-old threw for 347 yards, three touchdowns and an interception to lead the Cowboys to a thrilling 40-34 victory over their NFC East rivals, who were hoping to clinch a division title on Christmas Eve.
Dallas had trailed 27-17 early in the second half before storming back to hand Philadelphia its second loss of the year. With the win, it is still mathematically viable for the Cowboys to win the NFC East in the final two weeks of the season.
Prescott showed flashes of brilliance on Saturday with dazzling throws that wowed the home fans at AT&T Stadium. His connection with star receiver CeeDee Lamb was clicking all day, as the wideout racked up 10 catches for 120 yards and two touchdowns.
NFL Twitter heaped praise on Prescott for his heroics in the intense rivalry game:
Hope Dak's back is going to be OK after carrying the team for 95% of the game
Dak Prescott has his first 300-yard passing game of the season, and it’s against the No. 1 pass defense in the league. #Eagles had not allowed a 300-yard passer.
I've been critical of Dak's deep ball throws over his career, but that might have been his best one yet. The deep ball to Hilton was a rope, and then the TD pass to CeeDee was pretty good, too.
Dak the only reason this is a game. Philly shutting down the run completely, getting pressure, the Eagles are owning Cowboys defense(minus a self inflicted fumble) & Dak just cutting the Philly defense up. Sucks he had that 1 throw that gave the other team 7 points or it’d be pic.twitter.com/FuIQvqCKJZ
Saturday's performance was Prescott's first 300-yard game of the 2022 season, and it came at the perfect time. With back-to-back road games to end the season, Dallas will need its signal-caller to be at his absolute best as the playoffs approach.
The Cowboys (11-4) will look to keep the momentum going with they return to action on Thursday Night Football this week to visit the Tennessee Titans (7-8), who have lost their last five games.
Eagles Twitter Blasts Team for Turnovers in Jalen Hurts' Absence in Loss to Cowboys
Dec 25, 2022
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 24: Gardner Minshew #10 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks to pass during the first half in the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
In a game where they could have clinched the No. 1 seed in the NFC, the Philadelphia Eagles fell to the Dallas Cowboys 40-34 on Saturday at AT&T Stadium to drop to 13-2 on the season.
It was a very winnable game for the Gardner Minshew-led Eagles, but four turnovers, including two interceptions by Minshew, resulted in Philly dropping their second game of the season.
Minshew completed 24-of-40 passes for 355 yards and two touchdowns against two interceptions in the loss. He also fumbled once, as did running back Miles Sanders.
Following the loss, NFL Twitter ripped the Eagles for their string of turnovers, three of which came in the second half:
Two fumbles by the Eagles RB for absolutely no reason lost them this game. Oh well. Next week win and clinch, looking forward to having to Jalen coming back.
Turnovers did the #Eagles in. Quez has to fight harder on the two picks, failed exchange to Boston looked more on the RB from TV, and Miles fumble was bad
Can’t turn the ball over that much and expect to win. Eagles are the better team, but way too sloppy without Hurts. Sanders ball security & Lane’s injury status are main takeaways
Whatever. No reason it should’ve been that close with 4 turnovers. If they meet in the playoffs Dallas will lose by triple digits at the Linc with Hurts. Can’t wait.
Now the Eagles clinch the NFC and a Top 10 pick next week at home vs the Saints. Christmas not ruined. I think.
The Eagles still have a very good chance of locking up the No. 1 seed, especially if Jalen Hurts returns to the lineup next weekend against the New Orleans Saints.
Hurts missed Saturday's game with a shoulder injury. Before the matchup, Jay Glazer of Fox Sports reported the signal-caller would push to return to the field against the Saints if the Eagles lost to the Cowboys this week.
Giants Mocked by NFL Twitter for Failing to Clinch Playoff Berth in Loss to Vikings
Dec 24, 2022
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 24: Daniel Jones #8 of the New York Giants warms up against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
The New York Giants squandered the opportunity to clinch a playoff spot on Christmas Eve, falling to the Minnesota Vikings 27-24 at U.S. Bank Stadium to drop to 8-6-1 on the season.
The Giants had numerous opportunities to win Saturday's game, but a combination of drops and questionable decisions led to a disappointing afternoon for New York.
Quarterback Daniel Jones completed 30-of-42 passes for 334 yards and one touchdown in the loss, but an interception and a blocked punt in the fourth quarter ultimately cost them the game.
While the Giants went on to tie the game at 24 late in the fourth quarter, the Vikings won on a 61-yard field goal.
Following the loss, NFL Twitter mocked the Giants for failing to secure a playoff berth:
That was the most painful loss of the year for me. @Giants damn.
I remember this chick said at the beginning of the season that the Giants should’ve tanked and everyone was pissed. What have they accomplished? You played all these nail bitters and close wins to barely miss the playoffs and not get the number one pick
Earlier this season, fans were confident that the Giants would make the playoffs, but now the team's postseason hopes remain uncertain in a tight NFC race that has several teams on the bubble.
The Giants haven't made the postseason since 2016. If they make it this campaign, they could end up seeing the Vikings again.
Warriors' Stephen Curry Out at Least 2 More Weeks amid Rehab from Shoulder Injury
Dec 24, 2022
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 14: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors prepares to shoot a free throw during the game against the Indiana Pacers on December 14, 2022 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry is making "good progress" on his shoulder injury and will be re-evaluated in two weeks, Kendra Andrews of ESPN reported Saturday.
Curry suffered a left shoulder subluxation during his team's Dec. 14 game against the Indiana Pacers, which came with a reported recovery timeline of "a few weeks," per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
The guard was relieved the injury didn't require surgery.
"Surgery would've been 4-6 months," he told reporters. "Nobody was trying to deal with that right now."
Curry is a difficult player to replace considering his production as an eight-time All-Star and two-time MVP. He was named Finals MVP last season after winning his fourth NBA title.
In 26 games this year, the superstar guard is averaging 30.0 points, 6.8 assists and 6.6 rebounds per game.
With Curry unavailable, the Warriors have turned to Jordan Poole and Klay Thompson to take on bigger roles in the backcourt.
Golden State has still lost three of its four games since Curry's injury, falling to 15-18 on the season. The squad is currently in 11th place in the Western Conference.
Kedon Slovis to Transfer to BYU from Pitt; Ranked Among Top QBs in Transfer Portal
Dec 24, 2022
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - NOVEMBER 26: Pitt quarterback Kedon Slovis (9) passes in the second quarter as the Miami Hurricanes faced the Pittsburgh Panthers on November 26, 2022, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Samuel Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Pittsburgh quarterback Kedon Slovis announced Saturday via social media that he is transferring to BYU.
Slovis entered the transfer portal on Dec. 5. BYU will be his third school in what will be his fifth season in 2023. In addition to Pitt, he also suited up for the USC Trojans from 2019-2021.
I will always be grateful for Coach Narduzzi and the time I got to spend with all of my teammates at the University of Pittsburgh. I’m excited for this new chapter and can’t wait to get to work. #GoCougspic.twitter.com/yg0Sa4rXP6
The BYU staff was intrigued by the former Pitt quarterback's "level of accuracy," according to ESPN's Pete Thamel. He is entering his final year of eligibility in 2023 and will compete for BYU's starting quarterback job, Thamel added.
BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick praised Slovis in a statement, via Sean Walker of KSL.com:
"Kedon is an effortless passer, great leader and one of the most accurate quarterbacks in college football. I've enjoyed watching his calm demeanor. He is always poised, never too high or too low. I have been so impressed with his methodical approach to this decision to come to BYU. I can't wait for him to join us in January."
In his lone season at Pitt, Slovis completed 58.4 percent of his passes for 2,397 yards and 10 touchdowns against nine interceptions in 11 games. The transfer of star wide receiver Jordan Addison to USC heavily impacted the team's aerial attack.
Still, Slovis was far more accurate during his three seasons at USC, completing 68.4 percent of his passes for 7,576 yards and 58 touchdowns against 24 interceptions in 27 games.
BYU finished the 2022 season with an 8-5 record and is preparing for a move to the Big 12 in 2023 after being independent since 2011. Having played in both the Pac-12 and ACC, Slovis should help with that transition.
The addition of Slovis comes after former Cougars quarterback Jaren Hall, who spent the last two seasons as BYU's starter, declared for the 2023 NFL draft.
UCLA also expressed interest in adding Slovis this winter, according to Walker.
NBA GM Rips Jae Crowder for Not Playing for Suns amid Desire for New Contract
Dec 24, 2022
PHOENIX, AZ - MAY 15: Jae Crowder #99 of the Phoenix Suns prepares for the game against the Dallas Mavericks during Game 7 of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Semifinals on May 15, 2022 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
Jae Crowder's ongoing holdout from the Phoenix Suns is reportedly not winning him any fans around the NBA.
One anonymous general manager ripped into the Suns forward, saying Crowder has alienated teams by choosing to sit out over frustration with his contract.
"He just didn't show up," the general manager told Steve Bulpett of Heavy.com. "He said he's not playing unless he gets a contract extension that he wants. I think a lot of teams are turned off by that in and of itself. Like, 'What? You don't want to play for one of the best teams in the NBA and PROVE that you're worth it so you can get a contract next year? Like, you're not that good, bro. What are you doing?' It's a weird dynamic. It's one thing if Kevin Durant's holding out because he's not getting paid enough, but Jae Crowder? Seriously?"
Crowder seemingly responded to the comments via a post on his Twitter account:
DRAG MY NAME THROUGH THE MUD, WATCH ME COME OUT CLEAN.!
Crowder is in the final year of his contract and is being paid $10.2 million this season. He is coming off a largely unspectacular 2021-22 campaign, which saw him average 9.4 points and 5.4 rebounds while shooting just 39.9 percent from the field.
While Crowder is a solid role player who provides rugged defense on the perimeter, the anonymous general manager isn't particularly wrong in this case. If the market for Crowder was what he expected it to be, he'd already be wearing a different uniform.
Instead, Crowder is wasting the final year of his contract and doing nothing to help out his value on the open market. Rather than proving his worth on the court, he chose to make his stand after a largely shaky season.
The Suns have also played just fine without him, sitting at 19-14 despite missing Chris Paul for much of the season.
This gamble has already backfired in a major way for Crowder.
NFL Rumors: Lamar Jackson's Return from Injury May Hinge on Ravens' Playoff Picture
Dec 24, 2022
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 04: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens warms up prior to a game against the Denver Broncos at M&T Bank Stadium on December 04, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson could return from his knee injury next week, but it could come down to the team's playoff standing, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
The Ravens want to test him in "football-related movements" before clearing him to return, but Rapoport noted "a decision also could depend on where things stand in the playoff picture."
At 9-5, Baltimore is currently the No. 5 seed in the AFC. It could clinch a playoff berth in some scenarios in Week 16. The team might be more cautious with Jackson if it is already guaranteed to make the postseason and the AFC North is out of reach.
Conversely, a loss Saturday against the Atlanta Falcons could push the Ravens to use Jackson sooner.
The 2019 MVP sprained the PCL in his knee in a Week 13 win over the Denver Broncos and was later categorized as week-to-week by head coach John Harbaugh, who would not rule him out for the season. Jackson went on to miss Weeks 14 and 15, while Tyler Huntley started in his place.
Any injury to Jackson is cause for concern, especially for a Ravens squad that has relied on him heavily this year. The 25-year-old has completed 62.3 percent of his passes for 2,242 yards and 17 touchdowns against seven interceptions in 12 games. He has also rushed for 764 yards and three scores.
Baltimore is 1-1 in Jackson's absence this season, although Huntley has thrown zero touchdown passes in two starts and has only one rushing score.
The 24-year-old Utah product also started four games for Baltimore in 2021 and appeared in seven games overall. He completed 64.9 percent of his passes for 1,081 yards and three touchdowns against four interceptions, in addition to rushing for 294 yards and two scores.
Cowboys' Jerry Jones Ordered to Take Paternity Test by Judge amid Legal Dispute
Dec 24, 2022
JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 18: Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones looks on during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Jacksonville Jaguars on December 18, 2022 at tIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
A Texas judge has ordered Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones to take a paternity test in a case brought by 26-year-old Alexandra Davis, who says Jones is her father, per Jake Bleiberg of the Associated Press.
Jones has denied the allegation, and his lawyers plan to appeal the decision.
Davis' mother, Cynthia Davis, allegedly agreed to a financial settlement in 1998 that said Jones would support them financially if they didn't say publicly that Jones was the father. Alexandra Davis, who was born in 1996, filed a lawsuit in March claiming she wasn't bound to the agreement made by her mother.
In April, she dropped the lawsuit and planned to pursue a paternity test.
"Alexandra has just decided that she wants to go ahead and proceed with parentage and DNA testing," Jay Gray, one of Davis' lawyers, told the Associated Press. "She wants to remove any doubts that Jerry's her father."
On Thursday, a judge granted the motion to have Jones undergo testing.
The 80-year-old has been married since 1963 and has three children with his wife, Gene.
Eagles Rumors: Jalen Hurts Uncertain for Week 17 vs. Saints amid Shoulder Injury
Dec 24, 2022
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 18: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks to pass during the second half in the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 18, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is "uncertain" for his team's Week 17 game against the New Orleans Saints, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Hurts suffered a shoulder injury during Philadelphia's Week 15 win over the Chicago Bears, which will force him to miss the team's highly anticipated Christmas Eve showdown with the rival Dallas Cowboys.
The SC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder could cause him to miss more time, depending on his recovery and the team's position in the standings.
From @NFLGameDay: #Eagles QB Jalen Hurts, out today with an SC joint sprain, wants to play. But if Philly wins, playing him again in the regular season may not make sense. Either way, expect extreme caution. pic.twitter.com/AvCtrGjDqz
While the Eagles were firmly in control of the NFC East at the time of the setback, it was still disappointing for Hurts on an individual level since he was at the forefront of the MVP discussion.
He has completed 67.3 percent of his passes for 3,472 yards, 22 touchdowns and five interceptions to go with 747 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground.
Philadelphia will turn toward Gardner Minshew II under center while Hurts is out. While he can't replicate the dual-threat impact the starter has on the field, he is a solid backup with starting experience. Minshew went 7-13 as a starter for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2019 and 2020 and also started two games for the 2021 Eagles.
The Eagles also have a number of offensive weapons in A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith and Miles Sanders to help Minshew move the ball.
The 13-1 squad just needs to win one of its last three games to clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
Why the Dream Brock Lesnar Opponent at WrestleMania is Not Bobby Lashley
Dec 24, 2022
Brock Lesnar holds up the championship belt after winning the 2022 World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Elimination Chamber at the Jeddah Super Dome in Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coastal city of Jeddah on February 19, 2022. (Photo by Amer HILABI / AFP) (Photo by AMER HILABI/AFP via Getty Images)
It's easy to think Brock Lesnar's role in WrestleMania 39 next year is one of the most obvious parts of the event.
He's facing Bobby Lashley in a dream match, right?
Not so fast, friends. Another Lashley-Lesnar matchup would be a blast. But it would be another bout between the two former MMA fighters and pro wrestling heavyweights. A fun one, but a rehash and something that pales in comparison to another probable idea.
Lesnar vs. Gunther.
That alone should earn a raise of the eyebrow, at the very least. Using Lesnar as a way to prop up one of the best up-and-coming pro wrestlers in the sport at Mania is something it feels like the new Triple H-led creative would do. As opposed to shoving him into a "spectacle" match against a veteran like Lashley, at least.
And what a fast riser Gunther is in the new WWE. He's been a juggernaut of a force since the NXT days and already has the Intercontinental strap around his waist.
But Gunther hasn't had a marquee feud, instead sparring in the tag ranks or taking on mid-card solo challengers like Sheamus and Shinsuke Nakamura.
That changes in a hurry if he steps into the squared circle with Lesnar. Gunther, slightly taller than Lesnar and plenty intimidating himself, would have a chance to put on a thriller of a match that is straight-up fun as two big workhorses take part in some violence. It wouldn't be totally unlike another Lesnar vs. Lashley, except it's putting over a potential main-event star for the next decade-plus.
This is the sort of usage Lesnar should see at this point, too. He's out of the unified title scene with Roman Reigns for several reasons and doesn't have much else to do. WWE doesn't need the spectacle factor anymore. He brings non-wrestling viewers, but the company has that boost with the likes of Bad Bunny and Logan Paul.
What might need the boost is something else on the way to Mania, like Royal Rumble. That's the perfect spot to get Lesnar back in the mix with an appearance on a Raw to lay the groundwork. Lashley benefits by getting a huge spotlight match there too, then perhaps he can find a new long-term feud or find a way to compete for another mid-card title in the aftermath.
It's hard not to love this sort of idea given Lesnar's track record for putting other superstars over. He's arguably one of the best sellers of all time. Remember how good AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, Daniel Bryan, Finn Balor and others have looked when he's not necessarily just being used as a spotlight item in the title scene?
Why not give Gunther the same thing? Keep the intercontinental title on him, too, which would only further cement the mid-card titles as prestigious things all superstars should want to pursue again. That has been a big goal of this new WWE too, so Lesnar helps accomplish two things that leave the company a much better place upon his exit.
And sure, we could find other opponents for Lesnar. It would be fun to see Austin Theory seek him out for a bit of long-term revenge. One could run down a big list of veterans or otherwise it would be fun to see him spar with.
But Gunther is just this similar, heavyweight bout fighter with international appeal who needs his first big feud while he's blatantly on his way to contending in the main-event scene once it opens up.
This matchup is also a big win for the Mania card itself. WWE needs to fill the two nights with must-see material and there's no bigger contender for one of its mid-card titles. As a middle-Mania match (or even opener, knowing Lesnar), everything from the entrances to the fight and aftermath would be a Mania-styled spectacle befitting of the card. If booked and executed properly, it might just steal the show outright.
Another fun thing about the long-term? While Reigns looks like he could be on the way to being the next Lesnar, a final-boss type who shows up every now and then, Gunther could be the full-time version of that.
After all, one of the biggest things about Gunther is the aura around him. Nothing would enhance it more than a win over Lesnar after an unforgettable sleeper, but no-brainer Mania feud.
