A Tepper tantrum, red hot Hurricanes and two CFP thrillers in the sports moments of the week
Posted January 2, 2024 3:56 p.m. EST
The internet is a big place. Unless you're 100% plugged in all the time (and let's be clear, that is NOT recommended), you're going to miss some stuff.
Let us do that work. You can be a well-adjusted human being and still catch all the best sports moments of the week, with a quick review ...
Panthers get embarrassed on and off the field
After a couple of encouraging performances in a row, the Carolina Panthers came crashing back down to earth Sunday in Jacksonville.
The Panthers were truly pathetic in a 26-0 loss to the Jaguars -- the first time they've been shutout since 2002.
Bryce Young was sacked six times and intercepted once. Seven out of ten offensive drives ended without a single first down. They totaled 124 yards on 53 plays -- their fourth-lowest in history and worst since 2010.
Travis Etienne gained half of the Panthers' total output on one play. It was bad.
But as bad as the team was, their owner's behavior was arguably an even bigger black eye for the franchise.
Video sure seems to show Tepper throwing his drink out an open window of his luxury suite and into a crowd of Jaguars fans late in the game.
Tepper and the team have yet to comment on the incident (or "Tepper tantrum," if you prefer). No apology, nothing.
I hate to invoke the name Dan Snyder here, because I think some have forgotten how truly terrible the former Washington owner was during his reign. He did stuff that goes way beyond throwing a fit and tossing a drink on some opposing fans who were (probably) heckling him.
However, in Snyder's absence, there is current opening for most hated owner in the NFL, and Tepper is looking more and more like a top candidate to fill that seat.
The team has been a disaster since he took over. He's already gained a reputation as a notorious hot head.
It doesn't matter what was said to Tepper. This was an awful look. And if he's acting like this in public, one can imagine how he is to deal with behind closed doors.
The best thing that Panthers fans can hope for this offseason is an "aha moment" from Tepper, that causes him to stop being a micromanager and, apparently, a jerk.
If that doesn't happen, it's not going to matter who the Panthers hire as their next head coach. Dysfunction at the top always seems to seep through to the rest of the organization.
Aho's big week gets Canes back in playoff position
What a difference a week makes.
Seven days ago, the Carolina Hurricanes had lost four of five and were sitting in fifth place in the Metropolitan Division, outside the playoff picture.
Three games and three wins later, they're back up to second in the standings and really hitting their stride going into the New Year.
Carolina's power play has been solid all season, but hit another gear during this current streak. In wins over the Predators, Canadiens and Maple Leafs, the Canes scored on six out of 13 power play chances.
Do you know who scored or assisted on all six of those goals?
Sebastian Aho, who claimed NHL First Star of the Week honors, and had himself a very historic week.
Aho notched four points in back-to-back games against the Predators (1G, 3A) and Canadiens (4A). He's the first player in franchise history to do that, and the first league-wide since Jeremy Roenick did it for the Coyotes in 1999.
Aho recorded three more points (1G, 2A), including the game-winning goal against Toronto on Saturday. He also eclipsed 500 career points, joining Ron Francis, Eric Staal and Kevin Dineen as the only Hurricanes/Whalers to hit that milestone.
Pretty, pretty good.
Bonus Canes content: Stormy the Pig's closing thoughts on 2023. You're welcome.
UNC, NC State fall in food-themed bowl games
North Carolina and NC State both lost their bowl games this week, which is a bummer.
But just as heartbreaking (for me, anyway) is the fact that Dave Doeren and Mack Brown missed a chance to take part in two delightful, food-themed celebrations.
As most of you are surely aware, the Duke's Mayo Bowl in Charlotte features a "mayo bath" for the winning coach. Yes, it's gross, but it's also one of the biggest prizes a fan can hope for during bowl season outside the College Football Playoff.
For the second time in three years, UNC's Mack Brown had a chance to join the prestigious "mayo bath" club, but after a 30-10 West Virginia win, it was Neil Brown who got the honor instead. And it was hilarious.
I still contend that coaches shouldn't be allowed to wear a hat for this, but I digress. The point is, imagine if this was Mack Brown instead! We were robbed, no matter who you root for.
The following night, NC State's 28-19 loss to Kansas State cost Dave Doeren two different historic feats.
The Wolfpack once again came up short of their second-ever 10-win season (they've finished with exactly 9 wins four times in the last seven years). They also missed a chance to be the first team ever to devour an edible mascot.
The Pop-Tarts Bowl mascot didn't live long, but did the most with its time on earth.
It danced. It created a meme. And then it was devoured.
NC State has to be kicking themselves. That gooey strawberry interior looks delicious.
The College Football Playoff semifinals were awesome
For years, we maxed out on one interesting College Football Semifinal game. One of the two always seemed to end up being a blowout.
Not this year.
Michigan, Alabama, Washington and Texas gave us arguably the best doubleheader in the event's history... just in time to get us excited about the 12-team expansion next season.
Game one of the night, at the Rose Bowl, gave us an overtime slugfest between the Wolverines and Crimson Tide.
The contest came down to a 4th & Goal from the 3-yard line. Alabama's Jalen Milroe was stuffed on a designed quarterback run, and Michigan survived for its first CFP win in program history.
Many on social media hated the Tide's playcall in that situation, but others (including Nick Saban himself) pointed out that it probably would have worked if not for another low snap -- something that had been a problem for them all game.
Game two didn't appear to be headed for a classic finish, until one of the all-time bad breaks almost blew the game for Washington.
The Huskies had the ball and were trying to kill clock, when running back Dillon Johnson was injured on third down. Losing Johnson at any point of the game was going to be bad news for Washington, but the fact that it happened in the last two minutes stopped the clock.
All of a sudden, instead of receiving a punt with 15 seconds left, Texas got the ball back with 45 seconds and got all the way down to the 12-yard line for the final play.
The Longhorns threw one up to Adonai Mitchell in the end zone, but Elijah Jackson defended it perfectly and preserved a 37-31 win for Washington.
Michigan vs. Washington in the National Championship game has a lot to live up to.
Week 17 NFL hijinks
The Green Bay Packers suspended All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander for Sunday night's game at Minnesota, and their reasoning is truly something I've never seen before.
Alexander wasn't named as a team captain for last week's game against the Panthers, but decided to crash the opening coin toss anyway and almost cost his team!
Alexander called the toss correctly, but incorrectly said the Packers wanted to "kick" rather than "defer." The phrasing here is important, because without saying "defer," the Panthers would have gotten the ball first to open the game, then had the choice to receive again after halftime.
The officials apparently stepped in and saved Alexander from his gaffe, but the question remains... why was he out there in the first place?
It's pretty simple, actually. Jaire grew up in Charlotte and attended Rocky River High School, so I guess that means it's his birthright to call the toss?
I love everything about this story, but watching Alexander explain the situation in his own words takes the cake.
Now, while that's all very silly and won't have any bearing on the playoffs, what we saw this Saturday night most definitely will.
The Detroit Lions scored late against the Dallas Cowboys, but instead of taking the tie, they went for two and the win. The Lions drew up a trick pass play to offensive tackle Taylor Decker, which seemingly gave them a huge road win and an inside track to the number two seed.
Then a flag was thrown.
The officials ruled that Decker (#68) never reported as an eligible receiver on the play -- you have to do that if you're an offensive lineman. Head referee Brad Allen said it was Dan Skipper (#70) who reported... even though there's video evidence to the contrary.
Undaunted by the penalty call, the Lions went for it again, failed, and lost the game, 20-19.
They would have had an outside chance at the number one seed in the NFC with a win, but are now locked in to the three. Meanwhile, the Cowboys have the inside track for the NFC East title and can lock up the two-seed with a win over the Commanders on Sunday.
Wild.
Happy New Year from Taylor and Travis
OK, these two are cute.
An ugly loss last week didn't keep Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce down for long. Swift was right back in the stands Sunday, cheering on her boyfriend and apparently wearing his jacket.
Awwww.
After the Chiefs emerged victorious over the Bengals, the couple stayed in Kansas City and attended a New Year's Eve party with Patrick and Brittany Mahomes.
There are pictures and even a short video of the couple kissing (!) at midnight.
Awwwwwwwww!
Happy New Year to everyone. We'll see you next week.
