🏀 Another Huge College BBall Upset, Packers & Lions TNF Preview + More!

Morning Blitzers,

This has been a long week back from the Thanksgiving break. I think the Lakers are feeling the effects more than anyone. They got crushed last night, 134-93 and this quote resonated with me, ”I think we're definitely far off from where we want to be and where we expect to be this time of the year," Gabe Vincent said. I hear you Gabe, except I was staring into my bowl of Wheaties when I said that this morning. Good news is we’ve made it to Thursday, and the weekend is in sight. Let’s get into it!

WTF Stat: The Lions are 9-3 against the spread this season so far, pretty good right? But this is the 4th year in a row that they’ve proven the experts in Vegas wrong. Since 2021, they are an impressive 46-20 (69.7%) ATS, the Packers are 5th best ATS since 2021, going 37-29 (56%)… The spread tonight is -3.5, who are you taking?

Dominate the Field in Style.

A must-have for soccer players, Nike Kylian Mbappé collection helps you dominate the field in style. These top-tier boots, including the Vapor and Superfly models, offer a precision fit and traction that keeps you agile on the pitch. Whether you're executing a nutmeg or unleashing a powerful strike, you’re sure to own every moment of the game. Don’t just play the game—own it! Shop the Kylian Mbappé collection and make your mark on the pitch.

Shop the Kylian Mbappé Collection

🏀 Unranked Creighton stunned No. 1 Kansas with a 76-63 victory, thanks to a standout performance by Pop Isaacs, who scored a season-high 27 points, including six 3-pointers. Despite Kansas cutting a 13-point deficit to one early in the second half, Isaacs hit back-to-back threes to help Creighton regain control and secure the win. This loss was Kansas' first to an unranked opponent in three years.

🏈 The Jaguars placed QB Trevor Lawrence on injured reserve on Wednesday, likely ending his season. Lawrence, who was already dealing with a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder, suffered a concussion in the first half of Sunday's loss to the Houston Texans after a hit from linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair. This marks Lawrence's sixth injury since Week 6 of the 2023 season, including two concussions, two shoulder injuries, a knee injury, and an ankle injury.

🏈 The Ravens have suspended WR Diontae Johnson for one game due to conduct detrimental to the team. The suspension follows Johnson's refusal to enter the game against the Eagles. Despite being dressed for the game, he did not play, even as starting WR Rashod Bateman was sidelined with an injury. Johnson, who was acquired by the Ravens from the Panthers in late October, has played only 39 snaps for Baltimore, with minimal impact (one catch for six yards). The suspension means he will miss the upcoming Ravens' December 15 game against the New York Giants.

Thursday Night Football Preview

Game: Packers (9-3) @ Lions (11-1) at 8:15 EST

Why we’re watching: I’ll keep this short and sweet. These are two of the best teams in the NFL. We’re in one of the longest weeks of the year (the full week after Thanksgiving is brutal). If you’re not hyped up for this playoff preview, on national TV, on a week night, you may not have a pulse. Enjoy it, you’ve made it to Thursday, we all deserve this.

Key Matchup: Who can put up more explosive plays - everyone knows what the Lions offense can do. Their offense has been unstoppable averaging a league best 31.9 points/game, they’re top 5 in both rushing and passing yards. They have a combined 53 plays over 20+ yards. The Packers have been just as impressive without as much fanfare. They are 3rd in the league in yards/game, lead the league in passing plays over 40+ yards and have more combined 20+ yard plays than the Lions (54).

TNF Prop Bets: Jean (5-6) - Jahmyr Gibbs +20.5 receiving yards — Keith (7-4) - Amon-Ra St. Brown +70.5 receiving yards

D-Man’s Pick (8-4 TNF): Will Detroit’s cluster of injuries hurt them this week? Is QB Jordan Love hitting his second-half stride like we saw last year? Both can be true, and I still think the Lions win and cover. The Lions are the best team ATS over the least few years (see WTF stat above), you have two choices bet the Lions or stay away. This week we choose to bet. Let’s go! Lions -3.5

Top NBA Scores

• Magic 106, 76ers 102: Franz Wagner scored 35 points, and Jalen Suggs added 17 to lead the Magic to victory over the short-handed 76ers. The 76ers were missing Joel Embiid, Paul George, Andre Drummond, and Kyle Lowry, due to injuries or rest, dropping their record to 5-15.

• Celtics 130, Pistons 120: The Celtics extended their record to 9-1 in their last 10 games with a 130-120 win. Jaylen Brown led Boston with 28 points and nine assists, while Kristaps Porzingis added 26 points and nine rebounds. Despite leading by as much as 20 points early, the Celtics had to fend off a late surge from the Pistons, who hit four consecutive 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to cut the lead to eight.

• Hawks 119, Bucks 104: The Hawks snapped the Bucks' seven-game winning streak with a 119-104 victory, extending their own streak to five games. Jalen Johnson led the Hawks with 23 points and 13 rebounds, while De’Andre Hunter added 20 points and Trae Young contributed 17.

See full NBA scoreboard here, and standings here.

Top NHL Scores

• Maple Leafs 3, Predators 2: Auston Matthews scored twice in the third period to lead the Leafs to a 3-2 victory over the Predators, extending their winning streak to three games. William Nylander also scored for Toronto, and Mitch Marner recorded three assists.

• Bruins 4, Blackhawks 2: Brad Marchand and Morgan Geekie each scored twice to lead the Bruins to a 4-2 victory over the Blackhawks on Wednesday night, marking their third consecutive win. Boston rallied from a 1-1 tie in the second period, with Marchand scoring two quick goals early in the frame, including a one-timer and a rebound. Geekie sealed the win with a breakaway goal early in the third period.

• Kings 3, Stars 2: Warren Foegele's wraparound goal early in the third period helped the Kings rally from a 2-0 deficit to beat the Dallas Stars 3-2, securing their fourth consecutive win.

See full NHL scoreboard here, and standings here.

On this day in 1978, 38-year-old Pete Rose signs 4-year, $32 million contract with Philadelphia Phillies becoming highest paid baseball player. He would play five years for the Phillies batting .291 and racking up 826 hits (holds the record with 4,256 hits in his career). He would play one year with Montreal, before finishing his career back in Cincinnati.

Yesterday’s Trivia Time Answer

Aroldis Chapman has the fastest MLB pitch ever thrown at 105.8 MPH, what pitcher has the second fastest pitch ever thrown?

C) Ben Joyce - Last season Ben Joyce threw a 105.5 MPH pitch. The 23-year old had a strong second year appearing in 31 games, having a 2.08 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 33 Ks (kind of shocking this number isn’t higher considering how hard he is throwing).

Check back tomorrow for the answer to today's trivia question and more info!