Good Morning! Here’s what happened in the world of sports on Thursday, December 19.

NFL

Thursday Night Football was a hugely important contest between two potential wild card teams, and the on-field action did not disappoint. Here’s what happened between the Broncos and the Chargers:

• Denver controlled this game early, as Bo Nix led touchdown drives on each of his team’s first three possessions. But things started to shift on a weird and wacky play to end the first half– thanks to the rare occurrence of a fair catch, a fair catch interference penalty, and the clock expiring, Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker made the first free-kick field goal in almost 50 years. It’s an unusual rule that teams aren’t normally able to take advantage of. In this case, Dicker’s kick was crucial in keeping LA in this game, making the score 21-13 going into the break.

• Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert took over in the fourth quarter. While the Denver offense stalled, Herbert threw two touchdown passes, including this beautiful dime up the sideline to Derius Davis. LA outscored the Broncos by 15 points in the second half, winning this one 34-27.

• With the win, the Chargers practically guaranteed themselves a playoff spot. With a 9-6 and now holding the tiebreaker over the 9-6 Broncos, LA has a 2.5 game lead over the teams sitting outside the playoff picture. While still control of their own destiny, this was Denver’s best chance to clinch a postseason position. They’ll travel to Cincinnati next weekend before hosting the Chiefs in the week 18.

NBA

It was a pretty busy night in the NBA, too:

• First, we have to acknowledge another incredible record set by LeBron James. The King passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most regular season minutes played by one player. But it was LeBron’s teammate Austin Reaves who led all Lakers with 25 points in LA’s 113-100 win over the Sacramento Kings.

• A great night for one legend, a pretty terrible evening for another. Steph Curry failed to make a shot from the field and the Golden State Warriors were blown out by the Memphis Grizzlies, losing by 51 points. Memphis made a franchise-record 27 threes! Again, it was a truly awful performance by Golden State. If you’re more of a visual learner, this play sums up the game nicely:

• Moving on, Karl-Anthony Towns made his first trip to Minnesota since being traded this summer. The New York Knicks big man dominated his homecoming with 32 points and 20 rebounds, leading New York to a 133-107 victory.

• The game was tied at 124. Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons had the ball at the top of the key. He drove the lane… game. Portland took down Denver 126-124 on the clutch buzzer-beater.

• Hawks forward De’Andre Hunter slammed an absolutely massive dunk over Victor Wembanyama, but the Spurs big man got the last laugh. Wemby dropped 42 points and San Antonio beat Atlanta 133-126 in overtime. Oh, he also pulled off this ridiculous move:

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Sam Houston held on for a 31-26 victory over Georgia Southern in the R+L Carrieres New Orleans Bowl. Bearkats defensive back Jaylon Jimmerson had two interceptions in the victory, including a pick-six.

NHL

Three overtime games yesterday on the ice, and I’m here to tell you about ‘em:

• The Penguins beat the Predators 5-4 in OT. Sidney Crosby had a goal and three assists to lead Pittsburgh.

• Ottawa won their fifth game in a row, taking down Calgary 3-2. Brady Tkachuk scored the game-winner in the extra frame.

• And the Edmonton Oilers were victorious over the Boston Bruins. Connor McDavid tied the game 2-2 with minutes remaining in the third period, setting up Mattias Ekholm to score the winning goal.

NOTEWORTHY NEWS

Unless you’re a big Sammy Sosa fan there isn’t much news to report today, which is kinda nice ahead of a supremely busy sports weekend (check out the action-packed section below, where NHL and NBA games aren’t even listed this weekend). So let’s use this space for my very scientific totally correct round one College Football Playoff predictions! For the record, I’m sticking with my preseason pick– the Oregon Ducks– to win the national championship. But first, here’s round one:

Notre Dame over Indiana: I’m rooting hard for the Hoosiers, but Marcus Freeman’s Fighting Irish team are playing fantastic ball. It’s going to be tough for the visitors to break down this veteran defense

Penn State over SMU: My gut is telling me to pick the Mustangs, but my brain says my gut is being ridiculous. As much as I want to see an SMU-Boise State quarterfinal, Penn State is simply a better football team.

Texas over Clemson: Sorry Dabo, but once again I’m siding with the home teams. Expect Quinn Ewers to have a big game tomorrow in front of the Longhorn faithful.

Tennessee over Ohio State: Technically this is an upset, but it doesn’t really feel like it. The Volunteers have looked much more convincing in their wins this season. Meanwhile, we all remember what happened to the Buckeyes the last time we saw them take the field.

TODAY’S BIG GAMES (all times Eastern)

MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL:

• (19) Cincinnati @ (22) Dayton, 8:30 PM on ESPNU

• (18) UCLA vs North Carolina, 3 PM on CBS (Saturday)

• (16) Purdue @ (2) Auburn, 4:30 PM on ESPN (Saturday)

COLLEGE FOOTBALL:

• StaffDNA CURE BOWL: Ohio vs Jacksonville State, Noon on ESPN

• UNION HOME MORTGAGE GASPARILLA BOWL: Tulane vs Florida, 3:30 PM on ESPN2

• CFP ROUND ONE: (10) Indiana @ (7) Notre Dame, 8 PM on ABC

SATURDAY’S BIG GAMES

WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL: (7) USC @ (4) UConn, 8 PM on Fox

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF:

• (11) SMU @ (6) Penn State, Noon on TNT/Max

• (12) Clemson @ (5) Texas, 4 PM on TNT/Max

• (9) Tennessee @ (8) Ohio State, 8 PM on ABC

NFL:

• Texans @ Chiefs, 1 PM on NBC

• Steelers @ Ravens, 4:30 PM on Fox

SUNDAY’S BIG GAMES

SOCCER: Liverpool @ Tottenham, 11:30 AM on USA

NFL:

• Eagles @ Commanders, 1 PM on Fox

• Vikings @ Seahawks, 4:05 PM on Fox

• 49ers @ Dolphins, 4:25 PM on CBS

• Buccaneers @ Cowboys, 8:20 PM on NBC

“This is a prestigious brand that is known for an amazing academic institution, an amazing athletic institution.” –new Wake Forest football coach Jake Dickert

Have a great weekend everyone! See you on Monday