🏈 Notre Dame Advances, NFL Week 18 Preview + More!

Happy Friday, Blitzers!

Happy New Year! 2025 has started off strong: two workdays followed by a weekend. Every week should be like this! But just in case we’re all forced to do a full week next week, don’t worry—the Blitz has you covered. We’ll be back to our normal schedule, bringing you all the sports news you need to start your morning off right. Now, let’s get into it!

WTF Stat: Two stats of the day: 

and because I’m a Brian Kelly hater:

🏈  Notre Dame defeated Georgia 23-10 in the Sugar Bowl, securing a spot in the College Football Playoff semifinals. Despite Georgia outgaining Notre Dame in total yards, the Bulldogs were plagued by turnovers, including two fumbles and failed fourth-down attempts. Notre Dame's defense was dominant, and saw key plays including a 98-yard kickoff return by Jayden Harrison and a touchdown pass from Riley Leonard.

🏈 NFL Pro Bowl rosters announced — you can see the full rosters here. But let’s talk about what is most important… the snubs:

• Bills RB James Cook - Give me Cook over RB Joe Mixon all day. Mixon had a great year, but Cook had more touchdowns (15 vs 11), and a much better YPC (5.0 vs 4.1). Their rushing and receiving totals are pretty much the same, I’ll take the more explosive Cook.

• Lions S Kerby Joseph - Why are we only selecting one free safety and three total safeties? Most NFL teams at this point run five if not six defensive backs the majority of the game. Joseph led the NFL in interceptions and passer rating allowed. It seems like this should have been a no-brainer selection.

• Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez - If the Patriots weren’t so bad this one would be a bit more obvious, but you don’t get the benefit of the doubt when you have three wins. The second year Gonzalez is easily one of the best CBs in the NFL but may be a bit too quiet to get the recognition.

• Bucs QB Baker Mayfield - He’s going to get in likely because one of the current QBs from the NFC is going to the Super Bowl. But he had a great year. Him and Sam Darnold are great comeback stories.

• Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr. - I love me some WR Zay Flowers but Thomas deserved it more. He had more receptions, yards, and touchdowns (10 vs 4). Add in the fact that he was a rookie, and the turmoil at QB he dealt with makes it even more impressive.

• Vikings DE Danielle Hunter:

NFL Week 18 Preview

Cincinnati (8-8) at Pittsburgh (10-6) - Sat. 1:00 PM (ABC)

The View: I’ve been on the Bengals bandwagon all year, and I’ve been betting them all year (my bank account is not happy about this). But after a tumultuous year, somehow they have a chance to make the playoffs. Just when I thought I was out… They pull me back in. The Bengals have no defense, but who needs a defense when your offense is on fire. Plus, the Steelers are headed in the opposite direction after losing the last three games. Give me the Bengals, one more time!

What's at Stake: If the Bengals win and Denver loses to Kansas City and Miami loses to the Jets, the Bengals are in (so there’s a chance!). The Steelers have a chance to win their division if they win and the Ravens lose.

The Pick: Bengals -2

Minnesota (14-2) at Detroit (14-2) - Sun. 8:20 PM (NBC)

The View: Who would have thought the NFC North would come down to the final game of the year between two 14-win teams, and one of those teams wouldn’t be the Packers. Whoever wins this game will likely be the Super Bowl favorite. 2.5 points seems a bit light for a home game, I’m taking the Lions.

What's at Stake: Winner of this game clinches #1 seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Loser becomes the first 14-win wild card team.

The Pick: Lions -2.5

New Orleans at Tampa Bay (9-7) - 1:00 PM (FOX)

The View: After watching the Saints the last two weeks, I feel like this spread should be at least 21 points. But I have a strange feeling that the Saints somehow make this divisional game close or backdoor and cover. I’m not putting real money on this game because It’s not worth having to pay attention to them play (I’m still upset about the Saints vs. Packers MNF game). But I’m taking the Saints to play spoilers aka lose by 13.

What's at Stake: Bucs win and they clinch the NFC South (or if Atlanta loses to then Panthers).

The Pick: Saints +14

Kansas City (15-1) at Denver (9-7) - Sunday 4:25PM (CBS)

The View: Veteran QB Carson Wentz will be under center for the Chiefs in week 18. Any time you take the best QB in the NFL off the field you’re going to see a huge point swing. Add in that the Broncos only lost by a last-second missed field goal last time they played. You have to imagine most people will be betting the Broncos. The line is now at 10.5 points. Which is pretty nuts. I understand why most people are jumping off the Chiefs, but not me. I’ve seen their witchcraft all season long. I think they play spoilers and beat the Broncos to go 16-1 in the regular season.

What's at Stake: The Broncos win and they clinch a playoff spot. They’re also in if Cincy + Miami lose.

The Pick: Chiefs +10.5

Baltimore (11-5) at Cleveland (3-13) - Saturday 4:30 PM (ESPN)

The View: QB showdown for the ages. We have the MVP favorite, QB Lamar Jackson, versus the Browns 4th QB this season (and 40th QB to start a game since 1999) in QB Bailey Zappe. The Browns have injuries up and down their depth chart, and outside of WR Jerry Jeudy and DE Myles Garrett, not a lot to love. I’ll ride the 20 point spread and stick with Baltimore.

What's at Stake: Ravens clinch the AFC North title with a win or Steelers loss.

The Pick: Baltimore -20

Full NFL Schedule click here

NBA Top Games

Celtics 118, Timberwolves 115: Jayson Tatum led the Celtics to a 118-115 victory, scoring 33 points, dishing out nine assists, and grabbing eight rebounds. Derrick White added 26 points, and Sam Hauser contributed 15 points in place of the injured Jaylen Brown.

Thunder 116, Clippers 98: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 29 points and had eight assists, leading the Thunder to victory, extending their franchise-record winning streak to 13 games. The Thunder, who trailed by 16 points in the first half, made a strong comeback with a 42-point third quarter.

Warriors 139, 76ers 105: Stephen Curry led Golden State to a dominant win, scoring 30 points and making all eight of his 3-point attempts. Jonathan Kuminga added 20 points off the bench.

See full NBA scoreboard NBA here and standings here.

NHL Top Games

Wild 4, Capitals 3: The Wild rallied to beat the Capitals 4-3 in a shootout, with Matt Boldy scoring the game-winning goal. Marco Rossi tied the game in the third period. Boldy scored the only goal in the shootout, while Marc-Andre Fleury made 28 saves in regulation and overtime to secure the win.

Ducks 4, Jets 3: Troy Terry scored his second goal of the game in overtime, leading the Ducks to a 4-3 victory. Terry also added an assist, contributing to a three-point performance.

Avalanche 6, Sabres 5: Devon Toews scored 48 seconds into overtime to lift the Avalanche to a dramatic 6-5 victory. The Avalanche, who extended their winning streak to six games, overcame a three-goal deficit, with Jonathan Drouin tying the game at 5 with just 6.8 seconds left in regulation. Toews then capitalized on a breakaway to secure the win.

See full scoreboard here and standings here.

On this day in 1920, the Boston Red Sox baseball owner Harry Frazee announces agreement to sell slugger Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees for $125,000 in cash and a $350,000 loan. It started the 84 year "Curse of the Bambino".

Yesterday’s Trivia Time Answer

Who did Saquon Barkley pass in the 2,000 yard club today?

C) O.J. Simpson - Here is a look at the full list:

Check back on Monday for today’s trivia answer and more info!