Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving is tackled by Carolina Panthers cornerback Michael Jackson during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)
NFC Division picture coming into focus
By the middle of the day Sunday, the NFC division races could have a decided edge to them.
While there was some 2023 deja vu surrounding the Philadelphia Eagles and the NFC East, it was just ill-advised panic from Eagles fans who major in such classes.
The Eagles (9-5) have all but wrapped up the East after Dallas (6-7-1) fell to Minnesota, last Sunday night. Now, if the Eagles lose out to Washington twice and Buffalo and the Cowboys sweep the Chargers, Washington and the Giants, then it’s 1964 deja vu for Philly fans.
So all the Eagles have to do is beat Washington Saturday evening and the East is over. The rest of the conference features some big head to head battles as well. Here’s a look.
NFC West
Los Angeles at Seattle, Thursday, 8:15 p.m.
Both teams come into the game with the best records in the conference at 11-3. The Rams are currently in first place in the division by virtue of their win over the Seahawks, Nov. 16 in L.A. A Rams win would put them a game up and give them the sweep in the head-to-head tie breaker. A Seattle win and the ‘Hawks go a game up .This is Seattle’s last home game of the season and that 12th man will be ready. Two of the Rams three losses this season have come on the road, at Philadelphia and at Carolina, but they are 4-1 in their last five games in Seattle.
NFC North
Green Bay at Chicago, Saturday, 8 p.m.
The Bears (10-4) took over first place in the division last week when they beat Cleveland and the Packers (9-4-1) fell to Denver. A Bears win at home would give them a game-and-a-half lead with just two weeks to go. A Packers win would put them back in first by a half-game. Green Bay just beat the Chicago two weeks ago at Lambeau Field, so it’s also a revenge game for the Bears. The Packers have won six straight games at Soldier Field.
NFC South
Tampa Bay at Carolina, Sunday, 1 p.m.
Just as it is in the West, both teams come in tied at 7-7. What’s crazy is this is the first time the two will play this season. They close the season against each other in Tampa as well. The Panthers are just 4-3 at home this year, while the Bucs are 4-3 on the road. The Bucs currently hold the edge with a better record against common opponents. But the two head-to-head games could determine the division winner and the playoff berth. Another factor will be the sandwich game in between the two head-to-heads: Tampa Bay is at Miami; Carolina is home with Seattle.
New York, New York
Going into the weekend the Giants (2-12) and Jets (3-11) are two of the worst teams in the league, again.
Since 2017, the teams have not just been historically bad they are similarly bad. The Giants are 42-103-1 in that span, while the Jets are 42-104.
The worst they have both been in the same season was 2021 when both finished 4-13. They have a chance to beat that mark this season.
Road Sweet Road
If the San Francisco 49ers don’t win the West and have to go on the road as wild-card team in the NFC, don’t fret for Kyle Shanahan’s team. The 49ers, who close out their road schedule Monday night in Indianapolis, are 6-2 on the road this season. Included in that are wins at against both of their NFC West rivals, Los Angeles and Seattle.
Speaking of road winning, New England is trying to get home games in the playoffs, but the Pats are the only undefeated team on the road this year at 6-0. They will be in Baltimore for a big game, Sunday night.
Mile High
Denver hosts Jacksonville Sunday afternoon in a battle of first place teams in the AFC West and South respectively. The Broncos are a perfect 7-0 at home this season and have not lost at home in 13 games. The last time the Broncos lost at home was Sept. 15, 2024, when the Pittsburgh Steelers and Justin Fields beat them, 13-6.
President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, Isidoros Kouvelos, with Vangelis Marinakis, owner of Capital Maritime & Trading Corp. Photo: Hellenic Olympic Committee
Evangelos Marinakis, Capital Maritime and Trading Corp., ready to renovate Panathenaic Stadiumin support of Hellenic Olympic Committee
The Hellenic Olympic Committee HOC announced a strategic Gold Sponsorship partnership with Capital Maritime and Trading Corp and its chairman and founder Mr. Evangelos Marinakis. The partnership marks a significant step in strengthening Greece’s Olympic and athletic infrastructure while honoring the country’s historic sporting legacy.
Renovation of the Panathenaic Stadium
As part of the agreement Capital Maritime and Trading Corp will fully finance and execute the comprehensive renovation of the Panathenaic Stadium. The iconic monument reconstructed in the 19th century by national benefactor Georgios Averof for the revival of the first modern Olympic Games will return to its original purpose as a world class athletics venue.
Diamond League Level Infrastructure
The renovation will upgrade the stadium’s infrastructure to allow it to host international athletics competitions at Diamond League level, and also includes the installation of a new track surface that complies with all Diamond League specifications ensuring elite competition standards, as well as the replacement of the existing lighting system with state of the art LED technology.
Sustainability and Lighting Upgrades
The new lighting will enhance the visual character of the Panathenaic Stadium while reducing energy consumption and minimizing environmental impact. It will also create an illuminated nighttime route that highlights the history of the Olympic revival offering a distinctive experience for Greek and international visitors.
Illumination of the HOC Headquarters
Mr. Marinakis will also sponsor the illumination of the Hellenic Olympic Committee headquarters on Kifissias Avenue. Internationally acclaimed Greek lighting designer Eleftheria Deko whose work includes the Acropolis designed the project. The lighting aims to bring light culture and a contemporary aesthetic to the city.
Statement From Evangelos Marinakis
“The Panathenaic Stadium is far more than a sporting venue, Marinakis said. “It is a symbol of timeless Greek ideals fair competition sportsmanship and friendship among peoples.
“These values were born in ancient Greece revived with the first modern Olympic Games of 1896 in this very stadium and continue to inspire the world today. Our goal is to support this monument over the long term and keep it alive reminding us that sport is not merely an event but a continuation of values history and inspiration for future generations.”
Statement From the Hellenic Olympic Committee
HOC President Mr. Isidoros Kouvelos praised the partnership and Marinakis’ commitment to Greek sport.
“Evangelos Marinakis is a true man of sport who has consistently and generously supported every initiative that promotes its core values,” Kouvelos said. “A devoted supporter of the Olympic ideal and the power of sport, he continues to contribute in a meaningful and lasting way, both through the renovation of the Panathenaic Stadium, which will be able to host major international athletics competitions, and through his support of athletes and initiatives requested by the Hellenic Olympic Committee.
“He is a sponsor without time or financial limitations, who seeks no reciprocal benefit and demonstrates through his actions his genuine commitment to Greek sport and Olympic education. The Hellenic Olympic Committee extends its sincere gratitude for his ongoing and invaluable contribution.”
Continued Support of Greek Athletes
Days earlier, Marinakis also announced his support of world champion wrestler Giorgos Kougioumtsidis through ALTER EGO Media further underscoring his ongoing involvement in Greek sport.
The Bulls charge into Conference Play rested and ready for the Friday night lights.
Last night may have been the first unmistakable sign that we’re witnessing the beginning of the end of postseason bowl games as we’ve come to know them. South Florida’s appearance in the Cure Bowl looked more like a spring scrimmage than a December showcase. Missing four offensive starters — including quarterback Byrum Brown — the Bulls (9–4, 6–2 American) saw their normally explosive offense sputter in a 24–10 loss to Old Dominion (10–3, 6–2 Sun Belt) at Orlando’s Camping World Stadium.
Instead of seeing USF at full strength, fans were treated to quarterback Gaston Moore making the first start of his career and interim head coach Kevin Patrick trying to steer a depleted roster through a bowl game that never found its rhythm. ODU, also without its starting quarterback and several key contributors, wasn’t much sharper, but the Monarchs made fewer mistakes and did just enough to grind out a win in a matchup that at times bordered on unwatchable.
Over 200 Players and Dozens of Coaches Missing in 2025 Bowls
The 2025 college football postseason has exposed the fragility of the traditional bowl system. More than 200 players have opted out of bowl games, including 27 from Clemson in the Pinstripe Bowl and at least a dozen from Memphis in the Gasparilla Bowl in Tampa. These absences, combined with 10–15 head coaches leaving programs for new jobs or being fired, have left many bowls with depleted rosters and interim staffs. What was once a showcase of college football’s best talent has increasingly become a patchwork of backups and transitional leadership.
Why Players and Coaches Are Skipping Bowl Games
The reasons for this exodus are clear. For players, the NFL Draft and transfer portal loom larger than any non-playoff bowl. Draft prospects avoid injury risk, while portal entrants focus on securing new opportunities. Coaches, meanwhile, are swept up in the annual carousel of firings and hirings, with universities prioritizing recruiting stability over bowl preparation. As CBS Sports, ESPN, and USA Today have reported, the expanded College Football Playoff has only magnified the divide: playoff games retain stars and coaches, while other bowls are left behind.
Impact on Communities, ESPN, and Sponsors
The ripple effects extend far beyond the field. Communities that host bowls — from Tampa to New York — rely on tourism, hotel bookings, and local spending tied to these games. With diminished rosters and waning fan interest, the economic impact shrinks. For ESPN, which holds the rights to most bowls, the decline is even more pressing. Advertisers and sponsors, already frustrated by the absence of marquee players and coaches, see less return on investment. NBC Sports and Fox Sports analysts have noted that sponsors are questioning whether their dollars are better spent on playoff games, where the stakes and star power remain intact.
The Future: A Five-Year Projection
Looking ahead, the trajectory is sobering. By 2026–2027, expect sponsors to consolidate around playoff games, leaving smaller bowls scrambling for relevance. By 2028, ESPN may reduce coverage of lower-tier bowls, focusing resources on the CFP. By 2029, communities that once thrived on bowl tourism could see their events vanish. And by 2030, with a 16-team playoff fully entrenched, the majority of non-playoff bowls may disappear altogether. The nostalgia of bowl season will fade, replaced by a streamlined postseason centered on playoff rounds.
The sad reality is that the expanded playoff, combined with player opt-outs and coaching turnover, signals the end of bowl games as we know them. What was once a cherished tradition is giving way to a new era, where only the playoff matters and the smaller bowls become relics of college football’s past.
The NFC West is on the line tonight as the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks, both sitting at 11–3, collide under the lights on Prime Video in one of the biggest Thursday Night Football matchups of the season. With the division crown hanging in the balance and the San Francisco 49ers lurking just behind at 10–4, this game carries massive playoff implications for both teams. Two red‑hot quarterbacks—Matthew Stafford for the Rams and Sam Darnold for the Seahawks—headline a primetime duel that could ultimately decide home‑field positioning in January.
Both teams enter Week 16 loaded with star power and momentum. The Rams’ offense has been one of the league’s most explosive, averaging 383.6 yards per game, the second‑best mark in the NFL. Running back Kyren Williams continues to be a force, while wideout Davante Adams—though dealing with a hamstring issue—remains a game‑changing presence. Stafford has been sharp, guiding the Rams to wins in four of their last five meetings with Seattle.
Seattle counters with a balanced attack and one of the league’s top defenses, ranking fourth in total yards allowed. Quarterback Sam Darnold has stabilized the offense, while young star Jaxon Smith‑Njigba continues to emerge as a premier playmaker. The Seahawks have won four straight and are undefeated at home in primetime this season.
How to Watch and Listen: Full Broadcast Information
Kickoff:
8:15 p.m. ET (5:15 p.m. PT) from Lumen Field in Seattle
National Broadcast:
Prime Video (exclusive national stream)
Local TV:
FOX 11 (Los Angeles) for Rams fans
FOX 13 Seattle for Seahawks fans
Announcers:
Al Michaels (play‑by‑play)
Kirk Herbstreit (analyst)
Kaylee Hartung (sideline)
Radio Coverage:
Rams: ESPN LA 710 AM, 93.1 Jack FM, Tu Liga Radio 1330 AM (Spanish)
Seahawks: Local affiliates listed via Seahawks Radio Network
The Final Three Games Will Decide Everything
After tonight’s showdown, both teams face critical closing stretches. The Rams, already playoff‑bound, look to secure seeding with three tough matchups ahead. Seattle, which can clinch a postseason berth with a win tonight, must finish strong to hold off San Francisco and keep their NFC West hopes alive.
With two elite teams, two surging quarterbacks, and the division title at stake, tonight’s Rams‑Seahawks clash on Prime Video has all the ingredients of a December classic.
Politics8 years ago