After a Lakers-Warriors thriller Christmas night, LeBron James made a bold claim with NBA ratings declining and the NFL as popular as ever.
"I love the NFL, but Christmas is our day," he said.
The numbers say otherwise.
It should be noted the NBA had a great day by its standards, averaging 5.2 million viewers on Wednesday, its most on the holiday in five years.
James' game against Stephen Curry and the Warriors averaged 7.7 million viewers, peaking at 8.3 million. The 10:30 p.m. ET game between the Suns and Nuggets was also the largest late window ever with 3.8 million people watching.
But the NFL still dominated, averaging 24.2 million viewers with the Chiefs-Steelers and Texans-Ravens games despite both games being blowouts on Netflix.
James was predictably trolled on social media.
NFL games will have been played on five separate days in Week 17 when it's said and done. Thursday, Sunday, and Monday are common game days, and Saturday games are played later in the season.
Christmas falls on a Thursday next year, so maybe the NFL will load up similarly to its Thanksgiving tripleheader.
The NFL's Christmas viewership didn't match Thanksgiving numbers, while the NBA had improved ratings after a decline early on in the season.
But it's clear the NFL is king, no matter the day.
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said it’s going to be tough for quarterback Jalen Hurts to play in the upcoming game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.
"He’s still in the (concussion) protocol, it’s going to be tough for him to make it this week," Sirianni said to reporters during a press conference on Friday.
Hurts sustained a concussion in the first quarter of the Eagles' 36-33 loss to the Washington Commanders this past Sunday.
The star quarterback was scrambling on a second-and-20 when he hit his head on the ground while being tackled at the end of his 13-yard run. Hurts was evaluated on the sideline before eventually being taken to the locker room and ruled out with a concussion.
The game against the Cowboys will be the first game Hurts has missed this season.
Backup quarterback Kenny Pickett completed 14 of 24 passes for 143 yards with a touchdown and interception in relief of Hurts. Pickett, like Hurts, was also on the Eagles' injury report this week with a rib injury.
However, Pickett said during a press conference on Thursday that he will be "ready to go" on Sunday.
Sirianni said he liked what Pickett did in practice this week.
"I think (Pickett) has had a nice week of practice; he’s done a nice job. And you know, have had some good practices and walk-throughs this week," he said.
Philadelphia acquired Pickett from the Pittsburgh Steelers in March to back up Hurts. Now, the team's seed in the playoffs lies in his hands.
The Eagles still have an outside chance at the No. 1 seed in the NFC as they are currently 12-3, but both the Detroit Lions and the Minnesota Vikings are 13-2. Philadelphia would need some help to grab the top spot and the all-important bye week in the Wild Card round.
While the Eagles may be eyeing the No. 1 seed, the NFC East is still up for grabs after their loss to the Commanders on Sunday.
If the Eagles were to lose their next two games and the Commanders to win their next two, the NFC East would be decided based off tiebreakers.
The Eagles’ last two games are at home, as they play the Cowboys at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday and then the lowly New York Giants in Week 18.
The Commanders face a tougher schedule over the last two weeks of the regular season. They play the Atlanta Falcons, who are fighting for their playoff lives, at 8:20 p.m. ET on Sunday, and then the Cowboys in Week 18.
Saquon Barkley needs 268 yards rushing his final two games to become the NFL's new single-season rushing champion, and the current record holder is hoping Barkley misses the mark.
Barkley has proven to be the best signing of the offseason after the Philadelphia Eagles inked him to a three-year deal after six seasons with the division rival New York Giants.
Barkley has put himself in the league MVP conversation, averaging 122.5 rushing yards per game and taking the Birds to another level.
"I don't think he'll break it. But if he breaks it, he breaks it. Do I want him to break it? Absolutely not," Dickerson told the Los Angeles Times this week. "I don't pull no punches on that."
Dickerson set the record in 16 games, so Barkley has one extra contest to break the record. Dickerson doesn't mind that too much.
"I'm not whining about it. He had 17 games to do it? Hey, football is football. That's the way I look at it. If he's fortunate to get over 2,000 yards and get the record, it's a great record to have," he continued.
Barkley's mostly likely chance to break the record will come against his former team, which Dickerson said would be "a true slap in the face."
Barkley is on pace to become the ninth player to rush for 2,000 yards in a season. The other eight all did it in 16-game seasons, including the most recent, Derrick Henry, four years ago.
Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles ruled out All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr., tight end Cade Otton and wide receiver Sterling Shepard for Sunday's game hosting the Panthers.
Tommy Lazzaro, a former Central Michigan quarterback and a sergeant in the United States Army, was tragically killed in a hunting accident over the weekend, according to officials. He was 27.
Lazzaro, who served with the 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, was shot by a stray bullet at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida on Sunday when he was driving to help another soldier who was experiencing car trouble, a spokesperson for 7th Special Forces Group told Task & Purpose.
A hunter shooting on the range fired the shot. According to the report, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office described the incident as a "tragic hunting accident."
"We deeply mourn the loss of U.S. Army Sgt. Thomas Lazzaro of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)," Col. Patrick Nelson, 7th SFG(A) commander, said in a statement to the news site.
"We will never forget his dedication, courage, and commitment to safeguarding our freedoms. His absence leaves a void that will be felt professionally and personally among those who had the honor of working with Thomas. Our heartfelt condolences extend to his family, friends, and comrades during this difficult time.
Central Michigan also released a statement mourning the loss of the former Chippewas quarterback.
"When we took over the program, Tommy was truly our leader in so many ways," former head coach Jim McElwain said in a statement provided by the school. "CMU Football was blessed to have him and will always remember him for all he did for many of us. He will be missed by all of the Chippewas."
Lazzaro played four years at Central Michigan, where he had five starts from 2016-2019. During the 2019 season, he led the Chippewas to a 6-2 record in conference play and bowl appearance. He finished his career at Central Michigan with 542 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns and 758 passing yards and five touchdowns.
According to Central Michigan, Lazzaro graduated with a degree in entrepreneurship in 2019 and joined the Army to follow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather.
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said Friday that quarterback Jalen Hurts is still in concussion protocol, meaning Kenny Pickett will likely start against the Cowboys.
Capitals star Alex Ovechkin was a full participant in practice Friday and could return to the lineup Saturday night against the Maple Leafs after missing five weeks with a broken left leg.
Tulane running back Makhi Hughes, who rushed for 1,401 yards and scored 17 total touchdowns this season, has entered the transfer portal, sources told ESPN.
Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson, who set school single-season records for rushing yards and touchdowns this season, is foregoing his final season of eligibility and will enter the 2025 NFL draft, he announced on his Instagram account Friday.
