Lions win first NFC North title in history

 

The Detroit Lions have clinched the NFC North for the first time in franchise history (they last won a division in 1993 when it was still the NFC Central) after a 30-24 win over the Minnesota Vikings. They also clinched their first playoff berth in 7 years. Coach Dan Campbell, who was hired in 2020 and took them from 3 wins to a division title, said this following the win: "This is special. It's something you don't get to do all the time. They're always special to win a division, I don't care how many of them cause of the work that goes into it. But to do something that hasn't been done in 30 years for a team is special. And that's a special group of men back in there that are staying tame at this point."

This is one of the best feelgood stories in NFL history, as a team who was a laughingstock 2-3 years ago is now division champs. The Lions will now aim for their first playoff win in 32 years, back in the 1991-92 NFC divisional round over the Dallas Cowboys. It will be interesting to see if they get it. 

Chargers fire head coach Brandon Staley

 The Los Angeles Chargers have fired head coach Brandon Staley and general manager Tom Telesco after an embarrassing (and even that's too nice) 63-21 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on primetime. Staley has had some bad moments in his 3 years in LA, such as choking away a win in a win or go home Week 18 game, playing his starters in a meaningless Week 18 game the next year, blowing a 27-0 lead the next week in the playoffs, and then this to cap it all off. The Chargers are now 5-9, bottom of the AFC West, and have almost no shot at the playoffs. Additionally, they've lost star quarterback Justin Herbert for the rest of the year. On the bright side, backup QB Easton Stick looked pretty solid.

This is great for the Chargers, as many people -myself included- feel Staley was the problem all along. He's seemed to hold them back these past 3 years, and last night's Raiders game proved it. That was one of the worst blowouts in a long time against a team that just got shut out and had a rookie quarterback and a backup running back. It was pathetic to watch.

Giff Smith will take over coaching duties for the Chargers, while JoJo Wooden will become interim general manager. We'll see what happens, although odds are heavily stacked against them.

49ers vs Eagles preview

 

The highly-anticipated NFC Championship rematch is here. The San Francisco 49ers and the Philadelphia Eagles square off on Dec. 3 at 4:25 pm et. Let's break it down.

The Eagles are coming off a home win against the Buffalo Bills in arguably the greatest game of the year. They're 10-1 and the likely favorite to win the Super Bowl. Jalen Hurts has had a fantastic start to the season. He's got 2,697 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, along with a 67.6% completion percentage, the highest of his career thus far. A.J. Brown has over 1,000 yards and 7 touchdowns. However, the Eagles have been without tight end Dallas Goedert for the past 3 weeks, and he's likely to miss this week. 

The 49ers are coming off their 3rd straight win on Thanksgiving night against the struggling Seahawks, and with a win, they might be able to clinch the NFC West with a win at home versus the Hawks. Brock Purdy has been hot to start the year, and will be looking for revenge against the team who broke his arm last January. Christian McCaffrey has had a brilliant start as well, with nearly 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns. Don't forget George Kittle, who's had a solid start with 667 yards and 5 scores.

Now, for my prediction. I can kind of see why the 49ers are favored, but I gotta back my hometown team.

Prediction: Eagles win 30-27

This game could very well going to overtime, but even if it does, I think the Eagles will stop the Niners.