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When the NFL schedule makers put the Rams and Broncos in a standalone spot as the late afternoon game on Christmas Day, they did not anticipate it being a matchup of 4-win teams with no playoff implications.

As such, it was the game most casual fans likely tuned out of to do Christmas festivities, but those that wanted a lighter way to watch what became a 51-14 Rams demolition of the Broncos were able to tune in to the Nickelodeon broadcast for some laughs. Along the way they were treated to Patrick Star calling a Russell Wilson interception live, a baby in the stands getting slimed, Santa doing the Griddy in the end zone, and Baker Mayfield completing 24-of-28 passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns in the win.

Afterwards, Mayfield was presented with the vaunted NVP award, becoming the first winning quarterback to earn the honors as previous winners Dak Prescott and Mitchell Trubisky had lost in their NVP winning efforts. Mayfield, who won the Heisman Trophy in college, was asked where the NVP ranked among his list of career accolades and he said “it’s up there…it’s a true honor” which is an incredible quote about a blimp trophy.

I hope the NFL never stops doing Nickelodeon games because watching players speak earnestly about the NVP award and who they’d like to slime is far better than most any postgame interview in any sport. I hope the blimp trophy earns a rightful, prominent placement in the Mayfield house.

It is hard for Russell Wilson’s first season as a member of the Denver Broncos to go any worse. Having said that, things might have hit a new low on Christmas Day during the team’s game against the Los Angeles Rams, as Wilson threw an abysmal interception to Bobby Wagner and got absolutely roasted by Patrick Star from SpongeBob SquarePants on Nickelodeon’s broadcast of the game.

The pick itself is bad enough — Wilson does not see Wagner, his longtime teammate with the Seattle Seahawks, basically standing in the middle of the field. Wagner barely moved from where he stood pre-snap, and yet Wilson decided to fire a ball right near him in an effort to complete a pass to his tight end, Greg Dulcich.

This happened while Patrick, SpongeBob’s lovably dumb neighbor who lives under a rock, was providing play-by-play on the Nickmas Game. After the pick, Patrick decided to crack a joke at the former Pro Bowl signal caller’s expense based on the let Russ cook meme.

“That’s not what he wanted to cook!” Patrick said. Even Noah Eagle got in on the fun and said that Russ “burnt whatever he was cooking.”

It is hard to describe this as anything other than the low point of Russ’ tenure in Denver. This will, of course, change if Cosmo and Wanda from The Fairly OddParents clown him later in the broadcast.

The Miami Dolphins once seemed destined for an AFC playoff berth at 8-3, tied atop the AFC East with the Buffalo Bills. Flash forward one month and Miami is still stuck on eight wins after suffering their fourth consecutive loss, this time a home loss against the Packers on Christmas.

The Dolphins led 20-10 in the first half, but would not score again in the final 35 minutes of game time, with the Packers scoring 16 unanswered to win 26-20. In the fourth quarter, Miami forced an interception of Aaron Rodgers that seemed like it might swing things their way.

However, on the first play after the Rodgers interception, Tua Tagovailoa sailed a pass over the head of Tyreek Hill into coverage that was picked off by Jaire Alexander and returned inside the 15.

Miami’s defense would force a field goal, and the Dolphins would drive down into field goal range themselves on the next drive, only for a second Tagovailoa interception, this time to De’Vondre Campbell, to end another scoring opportunity.

Once again, the Dolphins defense was able to force a short field goal attempt and leave Miami with one more chance to win the game with a touchdown. On the second play of Miami’s two-minute drill attempt, Tagovailoa again missed badly with a throw, going in between two receivers to Rasul Douglas, who sealed the game with the third consecutive fourth quarter pick for the Packers defense.

It was a disastrous quarter for Tagovailoa in what has been a disastrous month. In their four game losing streak, Tagovailoa has six touchdown passes and five interceptions, while completing just 52.5 percent of his passes (after completing 69.7 percent in the first 11 games of the season). The loss drops Miami into the seventh and final playoff spot in the AFC, with the various 7-8 teams in the AFC all now still in the hunt behind them, and plenty of questions about the once high-flying Dolphins offense and whether Tua has been figured out.

The Dallas Mavericks will host the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday afternoon as the second of five Christmas Day games in the NBA, but prior to tipoff, the team held a special ceremony outside the American Airlines Center to pay tribute to the best player to ever don a Mavs uniform: Dirk Nowitzki.

The Mavs finally unveiled a massive statue of Dirk doing his iconic one-legged fadeaway outside the AAC, with the current Mavs all in attendance to honor the franchise legend.

The Mavs also produced a short behind the scenes video of the statue’s creation that offers a cool look at the two-year process of sculpting and casting the bronze statue (that is gigantic) of Dirk doing his signature fadeaway.

It’s a fitting tribute to the best player in franchise history, and also a very good pivot from the initial design that tried to show the arc of the shot but looked…off. No one will be confused as to what Dirk is doing as his fadeaway is not just his signature move but one that is universally recognized as “the Dirk” on basketball courts everywhere. He is now immortalized outside the arena as well as inside, where his No. 41 hangs in the rafters alongside the 2011 Mavs championship banner.

Could James Harden return to the Houston Rockets in free agency this offseason. According to a new report by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the possibility of Harden leaving the Philadelphia 76ers and returning to the franchise where he turned into a league MVP is being “seriously considered” if he decides to hit the open market.

Harden, who previously played in Houston from 2012-21, is eligible to become a free agent this summer if he declines a player option on the 2-year deal worth a little more than $68 million he signed with the Sixers this past offseason. While Wojnarowski notes that “experiencing a deep playoff run in a rabid, hungry Philadelphia marketplace could positively impact his thinking,” there are a number of factors — including the possibility of the Sixers getting bounced from the postseason early — that could lead to him wanting to head to his old stomping grounds.

Via ESPN:

Despite forcing his way out of the Rockets in January of 2021, Harden has maintained something of a magnetic pull to Houston, drawn to the community, lifestyle and family there, sources said. After what would become relatively brief stops in Brooklyn and Philadelphia, a move back to a rebuilding Rockets franchise would effectively represent comfort and familiarity over an immediate championship pursuit.

The Rockets traded Harden early in the 2021 campaign to the Brooklyn Nets, for whom he played 80 games before getting sent to the Sixers at the trade deadline in 2022.

Multiple times per week, our TV and film experts will list the most important ten streaming selections for you to pop into your queues. We’re not strictly operating upon reviews or accrued streaming clicks (although yes, we’ve scoured the streaming site charts) but, instead, upon those selections that are really worth noticing amid the churning sea of content. There’s a lot out there, after all, and your time is valuable.

TIE: 10. The White Lotus (HBO series streaming on HBO Max)

Interestingly enough, an actor (Bruno Gouery) who plays one of the murderous gays from this Mike White anthology also appears in Emily In Paris (and fans are shook), so there’s some bizarre crossover vibes happening. Sicily will never be the same, that’s for sure, and now, the wait begins for Season 3, which I really need to still star Meghann Fahy and Aubrey Plaza as podcasters with blunt advice for people in sh*tty relationships. Maybe they’ll ever lead a seminar at a resort. The sky’s the limit, people.

TIE: 10. Bullet Train (Sony movie streaming on non-basic Netflix and VOD)

If you’re in the move for a solid Brad Pitt action movie, this one will more than get the job done. The story’s based upon Kotaro Isaka’s darkly comedic novel of the same name (and not the 1975 Japanese film), and you’ll meet five assassins on a speedy train to Kyoto. Somehow, they all end up being on related missions, and this revelation could very well rock their worlds if they succeed in turning upon each other. Co-stars include Joey King and Aaron Taylor-Johnson but also stick around for Michael Shannon, Bad Bunny, Brian Tyree Henry, Sandra Bullock, and Logan Lerman.

9. Fleishman Is In Trouble (FX series on Hulu)

Claire Danes has been pretty ghostly on this series for a few episodes, but man, what a presence she struck in only a few moments (as Rachel) last week. Jesse Eisenberg’s Toby is still having quite a time of things while trying to hang onto a social life and his career, and Lizzy Caplan’s narrator/Libby is guiding us along as the season barrels toward a conclusion. Another sad marriage story might not sound like your cup of tea, but this show’s satiric enough to take off any depressing edges. Author Taffy Brodesser-Akner had the rare privilege of adapting her own novel, and while there are differences from the source material, the book’s spirit stays intact.

8. The Recruit (Netflix series)

Noah Centineo became one of the Internet’s Boyfriends after To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, and now, he’s in a series about espionage. The streaming world is really something. In this series, Noah portrays a rookie CIA lawyer who somehow (and this should not be too surprising) ends up getting sucked in a dangerous set of international circumstances because an ex-asset goes rogue with various threats. From there, Noah Centineo (actually, his character’s name is “Owen,” but “Noah” is more fun here) must trot around the globe to clean up the mess and rise in the CIA ranks.

7. Harry & Meghan (Netflix docuseries)

The second part of this miniseries continues to spark controversy because Prince Harry and Meghan Markle did not hold back in revealing how she felt “fed to the wolves” with no defense from the Royal Family. The Windsors are not thrilled about this development, although none of this should really surprise them after Harry dealt with his own mother’s death and doesn’t want to see history repeat itself. Additionally, if British drama is your thing, this new batch up episodes should really hit the spot.

6. Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan (Amazon Prime series)

More espionage is coming your way on streaming. John Krasinski can’t seem to miss, which is good news for fans of Tom Clancy, and this season, the CIA’s finest returns to evade the Russians (always timely, and especially right now) after making it out of Venezuela. Logic doesn’t always matter with this franchise, but the storytelling always entertains, and this will be the penultimate season, so one can expect things to be mapped out enough to tie up loose ends for Season 4.

5. Emily The Criminal (Roadside Flix/Netflix movie)

This isn’t technically a horror movie, but man, it still might scare the hell out of you. Fortunately, Aubrey Plaza is fed up and taking no bullsh*t as the title character, who sees no other way out of student loan hell but to join a criminal underworld. A lot of people will enjoy the hell out of her determination, but one would be advised to not try this at home. Theo Rossi is along for the ride as her mentor (and maybe more), and you won’t be able to see where this film is going. Be ready for it to stick with you, but at least you’ll get to see Aubrey Plaza get angry enough to kick some ass and tell plenty of people off in the process. The White Lotus Season 3, anyone?

4. Wednesday (Netflix series)

That dancing scene will never leave the Internet, and that’s alright. Tim Burton did well by this iconic character (along with the indispensable Thing) and gave her a purpose other than being the sullen daughter in a famously kooky fam. This show’s already one of the most popular in Netflix history, so we can probably expect a Season 2 announcement soon. Don’t blink, Jenna Ortega!

3. Avatar (20th Century Fox/Disney movie streaming on Amazon and VOD)

James Cameron’s (allegedly) pants-sh*tting sequel is racking up the dollar signs around the globe, so you might as well check out the original film from like 50 years ago. Actually, 2009, but who’s counting? The movie got yanked from Disney+ for the time being, but you can still head to Amazon and VOD platforms to fire it up. Get down with the the Na’vi because Pandora must be warmer than Earth right now.

2. Emily In Paris (Netflix series)

This juggernaut cannot be stopped, but that’s what happens when creator Darren Star comes to town. Emily Cooper’s in for one hell of a personal-life ride this season while she also makes big decisions not he professional front. Yes, she and Hot Chef Gabriel are still making sexy eyes at each other while committed to other people, but do not count out Camille. She might be a pushover, but she’s got some fire in her yet. Enjoy the ridiculous fashion and all of the views (scenery, pretty people, and so on), and do not feel guilty about enjoying this confection of a show.

1. 1923 (Paramount+ series)

Taylor Sheridan went from playing a Sons of Anarchy deputy to being ruler of the Yellowstone empire. His latest entry adds Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren to the fold as two land-defending Duttons who will set the stage for all of the conflict that follows. This series will take them through the Great Depression and Prohibition, but also, dastardly parties want the ranch, and surely, Helen will show them who’s boss before zooming forward in time toward the Fast and Furious franchise.

The Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants squared off in a matchup of two at the best teams in the NFL at finding ways to win games this season. Ultimately, Minnesota was able to find a way to come out on top thanks to a boot by standout kicker Greg Joseph, who drilled a 61-yard field goal as time expired to give the Vikings a 27-24 victory.

It took something special to get Minnesota into a position to need a field goal. After a Justin Jefferson touchdown with three minutes remaining, the Giants got the ball and went 75 yards down the field in less than a minute. Things were capped off by a Saquon Barkley touchdown run, as the Pro Bowl running back took a handoff on a fourth-and-2 and burst through the middle of the team’s offensive line. Twenty-seven yards later and he found himself in the end zone, and after a 2-point conversion, things were tied up.

But somehow, someway, the Vikings have come out on top in these sorts of games all year long. After eight plays and 33 yards — a series that included Minnesota converting a third-and-9 and a third-and-11 — Joseph came onto the field with a chance to bury a career long. It marked the second week in a row that Joseph walked it off, as he hit a 40-yard boot to beat the Indianapolis Colts last year.

With the win, Minnesota moved to 11-0 this season in one-score games.

Things have not gone especially well for the New England Patriots offense this season. Sometimes, the best thing to do when that’s the case is to throw up a prayer and hope it gets answered, and during Saturday’s game against Cincinnati Bengals, a prayer in the most impossible of situations got answered.

New England faced a third-and-29 from just on the other side of midfield. Cincinnati, knowing the Patriots had to get to the 19-yard line, decided to drop seven guys into coverage, have one dude spy Mac Jones, and rush three. That basically worked out, as Jones had no choice but to heave a prayer as far as he possibly could down the field. The problem for the Bengals, however, was that Scotty Washington’s inability to reel the ball in actually worked out for New England, as the ball landed right in the hands of Jakobi Meyers for one of the most improbable touchdowns of the season.

This is probably not a sustainable way to get points in an NFL game, but seeing as how things have gone for Jones, Matt Patricia, and co. this season, they might as well run the “throw the ball into the end zone and hope it works” play more often.

The New York Jets selected Zach Wilson No. 2 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. It’s been less than two years since they made that decision, and it already sounds like Wilson’s time with the team could be coming to an end. According to Fox’s Jay Glazer, the Jets have “lost all confidence” in the former BYU gunslinger in the aftermath of Thursday’s 19-3 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, and it’s gotten to the point where the expectation is that he’s entering his final days as a member of the Jets.

“Well, look, you gotta just talk about Mike White,” Glazer said. “If Mike White is able to come back — and I say if, people don’t know, there are multiple fractures of those ribs. If he’s able to come back, he’ll start next week.

“But Jimmy is right, also,” Glazer continued. ”They’ve lost all confidence in Zach Wilson. Zach lost confidence in himself going into that last game, came out with even less confidence. Expect the Jets to move on from him after the season.”

Wilson has already been benched by the team this year, only for White to step in and give the team a major spark before he went down with a rib injury that led to Wilson regaining the starting gig. So far this season, Wilson, who was drafted over other quarterbacks like Justin Fields and Mac Jones, is completing 54.5 percent of his passes for 1,688 yards with six touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Fans of Pusha T and DJ Drama have received some exciting news this holiday season. Last night (December 23), the two confirmed that they are working on a mixtape for Drama’s iconic Gangsta Grillz mixtape series.

The two spoke in a Twitter Space last night, moderated by Rap Radar’s B. Dot, where they revealed the news.

Andrew Barber, of Chicago hip-hop blog Fake Shore Drive shared live updates of the Space chat via Twitter.

“Live from @bdotTM’s Twitter spaces, confirmed by @DJDRAMA & @PUSHA_T,” he said in a tweet in response to a fan asking for confirmation.

In a recent interview with XXL, Push teased the Gangsta Grillz mixtape, though, at the time, he didn’t indicate that it was part of Drama’s series. He is working on the mixtape in tandem with the album, and revealed that he is doing so in order to embrace creative freedom.

“What I’m trying to do is restore the feeling in every aspect of this subgenre of music,” he said. “And just of this cloth, of this taste level. I’m just trying to make people realize how viable this is. To show people that I can’t do what you do, but you definitely can’t do what I do. I have to show those differences. That’s the whole premise behind the mixtape.”