And Then There Were 4…

12/12/2022

By: Jeff Yoder

Welcome Back 

The World Cup and Heisman Trophy stole the early half of the weekend before Week 14 in the NFL and a Zion Williamson showcase took over on Sunday. As we enter the final week before the break, get ready for a number of holiday specials.

Programming: The Sportsletter will not be sent from Dec. 17–Jan. 2 other than a few holiday break editions.

Letter Rip!

 

WORLD CUP

And Then There Were 4

Photo: Picture Alliance / Getty Images

Two Penalty Kick Shockers, Harry Kane’s Blunder & Morocco’s Dream Run Highlight World Cup Quarterfinals

 

If you weren’t entertained by the World Cup quarterfinals this weekend, check your pulse. All four matches were decided by just two regulation goals. A pair of matches were won on penalty kicks while Morocco and France earned one-goal wins over Portugal and England, respectively. And then there were four — Croatia, Argentina, Morocco, and France.

 

Croatia def. Brazil (1-1, 4-2 PKs)

A shocker on Friday saw Croatia knock off Brazil with a frantic finish. Brazil dominated in regulation — outshooting Croatia 21-11 and 11-1 in shots on the frame — but the match went into extra time tied at 0-0. Neymar scored for Brazil in the 105th minute, but Bruno Petkovic saved Croatia in the 117th before Croatia earned the win in PKs (4-2). The runner-ups from 2018 are back in the semifinals.

 

Argentina def. Netherlands (2-2, 4-3 PKs)

Lionel Messi and Argentina are still kicking despite blowing a 2-0 lead late against the Netherlands. Wout Weghorst scored two goals in the waning minutes, including the equalizer at the buzzer (90+11’). In penalties, Argentina held on (4-3). In Messi’s last World Cup, Argentina holds all the cards.

 

Morocco def. Portugal (1-0)

One more for Morocco! The dream run for the only remaining African squad continues after knocking off Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal in another stunning upset. Portugal out-possessed Morocco a whopping 74% to 26%, but it was a first-half goal from Youssef En-Nesyri was the difference-maker. The 22nd-ranked club in the World Cup is in the final four.

 

France def. England (2-1)

France and England may have been the most intriguing matchup of the quarterfinals, and both teams went back and forth toward a thrilling finish. After trading goals, Olivier Giroud tallied the go-ahead goal for France in the 78th minute. Harry Kane got a look at a PK for England in the final minutes but sailed it over the bar. The French prevailed.

 

Semifinals Schedule

Argentina vs. Croatia (Tues. 2:00 pm ET)

France vs. Morocco (Wed. 2:00 pm ET)

 

Additional Storylines

ESPN: World Cup Semifinals: Key Team Factors, Predictions, Schedule & More

The Guardian: Morocco’s World Cup Oddysey Has Changed What It Means to be The Underdog

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CFB

The Trojan Horse

Photo: Icon Sportswire / Getty Images

USC Quarterback Caleb Williams Wins 2022 Heisman Trophy

 

The 2022 Heisman Trophy ceremony was a four-horse race Saturday in New York, but it was the Trojan horse who ran away with college football’s most prestigious award. USC sophomore quarterback Caleb Williams captured the vote after leading the Trojans to an 11-2 season, a narrow miss of the College Football Playoff, and a startling stat line (see below). USC’s only two losses of the year came against Utah. After transferring to Southern California from Oklahoma to follow head coach Lincoln Riley, Williams became the third quarterback under Riley to take home the Heisman, joining Baker Mayfield (2017) and Kyler Murray (2018). He’s also the seventh player in USC program history to win the award, but the three other quarterbacks are heading to the CFB Playoff.

 

“I may be standing up here today, but y’all get to go to the College Football Playoff. Guess you can’t win them all… While this may be an individual award, I certainly understand that nothing, in this sport or life, is done alone.” — Caleb Williams

 

Caleb Williams Stats

Passing: 4,075 yards, 37 TDs, 4 INTs (66.1 Comp. %)

Rushing: 109 carries, 372 yards, 10 TDs

 

2022 Heisman Trophy Voting

1. QB Caleb Williams (USC) — 2,031 points

2. QB Max Duggan (TCU) — 1,420 points

3. QB C.J. Stroud (OSU) — 539 points

4. QB Stetson Bennett (UGA) — 349 points

 

Watch: Caleb Williams Heisman Trophy Acceptance Speech

 

Additional Storylines

24/7 Sports: Caleb Williams Says ‘Job’s Not Done’ for Trojans After Winning Heisman Trophy

LA Times: ‘Just Keep Believing’: Read Caleb Williams’ Full Heisman Trophy Speech

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NFL

Week 14: Eagles Fly Into Playoffs

Photo: Al Bello / Getty Images

Eagles 1st Team to Clinch Playoff Berth, 49ers Rout Bucs Behind Purdy & More From Week 14

 

The first team to punch their ticket to the NFL playoffs made it official on Sunday. The Eagles are flying high and into the postseason following a 48-22 shellacking of the Giants in an NFC East blitzkrieg. At 12-1, Philly launched the December season of clinching postseason berths. Meanwhile, a number of other storylines arose on Sunday as the 49ers and third-string QB Brock Purdy absolutely dominated Tom Brady and the Bucs. The 49ers (W6), Bengals (W5), Cowboys (W4), Eagles (W4), and Bills (W4) kept their win streaks rolling. Here’s a look at the Week 14 stats and highlights…

 

Week 14 Stat Leaders

QB T. Lawrence (JAX): 30/42, 368 yards, 3 TDs

QB J. Goff (DET): 27/39, 330 yards, 3 TDs

QB J. Hurts (PHI): 21/31, 294 total yards, 3 TDs

QB P. Mahomes (KC): 28/42, 352 total yards, 3 TDs, 3 INTs

RB C. McCaffrey (SF): 16 touches, 153 yards, 2 TDs

RB M. Sanders (PHI): 18 touches, 155 yards, 2 TDs

RB D. Henry (TEN): 20 touches, 155 yards 1 TD

WR J. Jefferson (MIN): 11 receptions, 223 yards

WR J. Chase (CIN): 10 receptions, 119 yards, 1 TD

WR J. Jeudy (DEN): 8 receptions, 73 yards, 3 TDs

TE E. Engram (JAX): 11 receptions, 162 yards, 2 TDs

 

All Week 14 Scores & Highlights

Bills def. Jets (20-12) | Bengals def. Browns (23-10) | Cowboys def. Texans (27-23) | Lions def. Vikings (34-23) | Jaguars def. Titans (36-22) | Eagles def. Giants (48-22) | Ravens def. Steelers (16-14) | Chiefs def. Broncos (34-28) | 49ers def. Buccaneers (35-7) | | Panthers def. Seahawks (30-24) | Rams def. Raiders (17-16) | Chargers def. Dolphins (23-17)

 

Monday Night Football

Patriots at Cardinals (8:15 pm ET)

 

Additional Storylines

B/R: NFL Week 14: Biggest Takeaways From Sunday’s Games

CBS Sports: NFL Week 14 Grades: Cowboys Earn ‘C’ for Unimpressive Win, Bucs Get ‘F’

NFL: Eagles Expose Giants’ Faults, Cowboys Reignite Question as NFC East Race Enters Final Stretch

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NBA

The Zion Era Is Here

Photo: Sean Gardner / Getty Images

Zion Williamson Goes Off for Back-to-Back 35-Point Games as the Pelicans Take Over the West

 

Fans have waited three years to get a full picture of the new-look Pelicans with Zion Williamson in elite form, and the time is now. Zion showed out over the weekend with back-to-back 35-point games that put the NBA on notice. The Pelicans beat the Suns twice to extend their win streak to seven games and officially take over the top spot in the Western Conference. Zion is averaging 29.8 ppg in the month of December while shooting better than 65 percent from the floor, and the Pels (18-8) haven’t lost yet this month. Watch out, NBA. The Zion era could be coming…

 

Watch: Zion, Pelicans Top Suns for 7th Straight Win (129-124, OT)

 

Other NBA Highlights

 

Embiid’s Big Weekend: Joel Embiid scored 91 points in two wins for the 76ers over the weekend, including 53 in Sunday’s victory over the Hornets.

 

Nets Hitting Stride: The Nets extended their win streak to three games on Saturday with a win over the Pacers (136-133) despite being without Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. Brooklyn (16-12) has now won eight of their last ten.

 

Grizzlies Win 4th Straight: Memphis is riding the league’s second-longest win streak at four games after beating the Pistons on Friday (114-103). Ja Morant had 15 points and 12 boards, but he’s averaging 27.7 ppg on the year.

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🎥 OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

🏒 NHL: Rantanen Single-Handedly Lifts Avs

A full boat of NHL highlights ended Sunday with a hat trick from Miko Rantanen that led the Avalanche to a thrilling overtime win against the Blues (3-2, OT). Rantanen’s fifth career hat trick included the game-tying goal with eight seconds left and the OT winner.

 

⛳️ GOLF: Thomas & Spieth Win The Match

The latest rendition of The Match didn’t quite live up to the hype, but fans got to watch Tiger Woods play golf once again. The duo of Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas beat Woods and Rory McIlroy (3 and 2) on Saturday in Tampa for a winter golf respite under the lights.

 

🏀 NCAA College Basketball

M: #8 Alabama def. #1 Houston (71-65)

M: #7 Tennessee def. #13 Maryland (56-53)

M: #4 Purdue def. Nebraska (65-62, OT)

M: #10 Arizona def. #14 Indiana (89-75)

W: #20 Maryland def. #6 UConn (85-78)

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📰 THE HEADLINES