Michael Spiers
Wildcat Wrestling
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Camden County’s boys’ wrestling team isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
The Wildcats dominated in Macon two weekends ago, locking up their 11th straight state championship with a runaway 303.5-point performance—more than 80 points ahead of second-place Buford.
Leading the charge were three-time champs Bradley Patterson and Ryder Wilder, along with first-time winners Isaac Santos and Brock Weaver.
But it was a full-team effort that made the difference, with 14 wrestlers earning top six finishes and eight making it to the finals.
For an understanding of Camden Wrestling’s continued dominance, consider that the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) created the 7-A classification in 2016, and the Wildcats have won the state championship in wrestling every year since 2014.
The GHSA did away with the 7-A classification at the end of the 2024 school year, making 6-A the highest classification in the state. This means that in the history books of Georgia high school wrestling, Camden County will remain the ONLY squad to have ever won a 7-A wrestling state championship.
Camden set the tone early and never looked back, outscoring every team across all classifications. Head coach Jess Wilder knew his team had the firepower to finish the job, but he didn’t want them getting too comfortable.
“Two years ago, we were down by 28 points going into the last day, and a lot of these guys remember that because they were freshmen,” Wilder said. “We came back and won that year, so we knew we couldn’t take our foot off the gas.”
Camden finished with four individual champions: Patterson (113), Wilder (190), Santos (120), and Weaver (157).
They also had four runners-up—Cane Smolarsky (126), Rod Zow (144), Jamaal Coppedge (165), and Brian Wright (175)—plus several other key contributors. Brandon Higgins (132), Hunter Prosen (138), and Joseph Schulze (285) placed third, Waylon Rozier (150) and Caleb Gaskin (215) finished fourth, and Clayton Newton (106) took fifth.
Buford had the same number of finalists as Camden, but their lack of depth hurt them. “That’s why we win state,” Wilder said. “Our depth is what separates us. Our guys who battled back through the consolation rounds made a huge difference.”
Wilder and Patterson were nearly untouchable. Wilder pinned his finals opponent in just 27 seconds, with his other two pins lasting 31 and 49 seconds.
Patterson was just as dominant, racking up two pins in 25 seconds total before winning his semifinal and final by technical fall, including a 16-0 shutout in the championship match.
Santos fought through a tough semifinal before rolling to a 16-0 title win, while Weaver capped off his run with an 11-3 major decision.
Other Wildcats put together strong performances as well, with Smolarsky, Zow, Coppedge, and Wright all making the finals.
Higgins had one of the fastest pins of the tournament—just five seconds—before winning third place with a clutch 3-1 decision.
The boys weren’t the only ones making headlines. Breanna Higgins tore through the girls’ 100-pound bracket, pinning all four of her opponents to claim a state title.
She finished things off with a second-period pin in the finals after making quick work of the competition leading up to it.
With 15 total state placers between the boys’ and girls’ teams, Camden County once again showed why it’s the top wrestling program in Georgia.
The Wildcats keep setting the bar—and they don’t look like they’re slowing down anytime soon.
The Combine
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
It’s that time of year again. NFL Combine week is here!
As a long-suffering fan of the Jacksonville Jaguars, the end of February is when hope springs eternal. The annual scouting showcase kicks off in Indianapolis, bringing together top college prospects, NFL coaches, scouts, and media for a jam-packed week of workouts, interviews, and nonstop rumors.
While most fans tune in for the 40-yard dashes and bench press reps, this event is just as much about front-office chatter, draft strategy, and free agency buzz.
The combine runs from February 24 to March 3 at Lucas Oil Stadium, with on-field workouts starting Wednesday. Players will be split into different position groups throughout the week:
Wednesday, Feb. 26 – Kickers & Punters (Workouts) | Punters, Kickers, DL, LB (Media)
Thursday, Feb. 27 – Defensive Linemen & Linebackers (Workouts) | DBs & TEs (Media)
Friday, Feb. 28 – Defensive Backs & Tight Ends (Workouts) | RBs, WRs, QBs (Media)
Saturday, March 1 – Running Backs, Wide Receivers & Quarterbacks (Workouts) | O-Line (Media)
Sunday, March 2 – Offensive Linemen (Workouts) | No Media Availability
For Jaguars fans, this is a big week. Head coach Liam Coen and new GM James Gladstone, who spent the last nine years as the scouting director with the Los Angeles Rams, spoke to the media on Tuesday, giving us insight into their offseason plans and how they envision the new-look Jags to come together.
Executive VP Tony Boselli is due to speak to the media on Wednesday. This will be one of the first real updates from the new leadership since Coen’s introductory press conference.
While the combine is all about scouting draft prospects, there’s always free agency talk going on behind the scenes.
The official free agency period starts March 12 at 4 p.m., but teams can begin negotiating March 10.
The franchise tag deadline is March 4, so this week will be a key time for teams to decide whether to lock up their biggest free agents before they hit the market.
For Jacksonville, offensive line, defensive line, and secondary are top priorities. Running back isn’t a huge need since Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby are under contract, but with Etienne set to hit free agency in 2026 and a deep RB class in this draft, the Jags could still grab one for the future.
Jacksonville holds nine picks in the 2025 draft, including the No. 5 overall selection. They’re expected to focus on the trenches, especially the defensive line. Here are a few big name D-line prospects to keep an eye on:
Mason Graham (DT, Michigan) – He’s been one of the most popular mock draft picks for the Jags. If he puts up big numbers at the combine, he could solidify himself as the best defensive tackle in the draft.
Kenneth Grant (DT, Michigan) – Another Michigan beast on the D-line. He’s huge and athletic, and if he tests as well as expected, his draft stock could explode.
Cam Jackson (DT, Florida) – The Jags love drafting Gators, and Jackson could be the next in line. He ended his college career strong and could boost his stock with a solid performance this week.
Once the combine wraps up, all eyes turn to free agency (March 12) and the NFL Draft (April 24-26).
This week will give us a better idea of what the Jaguars might do, whether it’s locking in their draft strategy or making moves in free agency.
Get ready for a week of rumors, scouting reports, and plenty of buzz around the future of the franchise. Can this long-suffering Jags fan dare to dream?!
Another Shake Up
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Now that it’s been almost a month since the conclusion of the first ever 12-team college football playoff format, leaders of the two most powerful conferences are set to meet today in New Orleans, and those meetings could have a major effect on the product we watch over the next few years.
College football’s playoff system is about to get another shake-up, with serious talks of expanding to 14 or even 16 teams as early as 2026.
The Big Ten and SEC are leading the charge, pushing for automatic bids for their teams, and it looks like they’re going to get their way.
The most likely format would guarantee four spots each for the SEC and Big Ten, two each for the ACC and Big 12, and one for the highest-ranked Group of Five team. Notre Dame would also get a guaranteed spot—if it finishes in the top 14.
That means if the playoff stops at 14 teams, there might not be any extra at-large spots some years.
In this setup, the top two teams would get byes in a 14-team field, but if they go to 16 teams, nobody gets a bye—just straight into the action.
The selection committee would also take a backseat, with rankings deciding the seeds instead of a room full of administrators debating which 8-4 team is “better.”
One big change could be how conferences handle their schedules. The SEC has been debating whether to move to a nine-game conference schedule for years, and with automatic bids locked in, they might finally do it. The Big Ten already plays nine, and the ACC and Big 12 might follow.
There’s also talk of a scheduling agreement between the SEC and Big Ten, setting up big non-conference matchups like Georgia-Michigan, Texas-Ohio State, or LSU-Oregon every year. That would be great for fans, TV ratings, and—of course—revenue.
With automatic bids taking center stage, conference championship games could change or even lose some importance.
The SEC and Big Ten are looking at new ways to determine their four teams, like play-in games where, say, the third-best team plays the sixth best, and the fourth-best plays the fifth best, with the winners grabbing the last two playoff spots.
Meanwhile, the ACC and Big 12 aren’t thrilled about the SEC and Big Ten grabbing the biggest share of auto-bids.
ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips says the playoff should be “a true championship, not an invitational,” but let’s be real—the CFP has always been more of an invite system than a true playoff.
It is also important to consider the fact that ESPN is shelling out $1.3 billion a year for CFP broadcast rights starting in 2026, so they have a big say in all of this.
There are concerns that a playoff dominated by the SEC and Big Ten could push fans from other conferences away.
If the field expands to 14, there will be two extra first-round games in December, competing with the NFL.
A 16-team format would add four extra games, which could mean renegotiating TV deals to bring in even more money.
This playoff expansion is just part of a bigger power shift in college sports. The SEC and Big Ten have already secured more control over the CFP’s format and money, and they’re looking to take that influence even further.
Beyond football, these conferences—and others—are pushing for more control over things like the NCAA basketball tournament, which could also expand.
Everything is being driven by TV deals, revenue sharing with athletes, and the battle for financial dominance in college athletics.
Decisions are expected soon, but one thing’s for sure—change is coming. Whether the playoff grows to 14 or 16 teams, the SEC and Big Ten are making sure their teams are taken care of.
Conference championships might look different, scheduling could get a shake-up, and TV money will continue to drive the sport’s future.
At the end of the day, this is all about two things: more playoff spots for the biggest conferences and more money for everyone involved. Buckle up—college football’s postseason is about to get a whole new look.
Big-Easy Hire
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The coaching carousel following the 2024 NFL season has finally quit spinning. The last head coaching vacancy was officially filled as my hometown New Orleans Saints get their man.
Kellen Moore, fresh off a Super Bowl win as the Philadelphia Eagles’ offensive coordinator, is stepping into a new role as head coach of the New Orleans Saints. \
The team announced the big move Tuesday, just two days after Moore helped the Eagles take down the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in Super Bowl LIX. Quarterback Jalen Hurts walked away with the game’s MVP honors, and it didn’t take long for Moore to be at the center of coaching headlines.
Saints’ owner Gayle Benson said hiring Moore was all about finding the right person to bring back the winning culture the franchise and its fans expect. “It became clear that Kellen is the guy to do that,” she said. Benson also gave props to Darren Rizzi for stepping up as interim coach after Dennis Allen was fired midseason.
Moore, 36, decided to chase the head coaching opportunity after just one season in Philadelphia, where the offense was a force to be reckoned with. The Eagles averaged 27.2 points per game during the regular season and cranked that up to 36.3 in the playoffs, tops in the league. Even Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni tried to convince Moore to stay, joking after the Super Bowl win, “Let’s run this back, Kellen.”
But Moore was ready for a fresh challenge, and he’s got one in New Orleans. One of his biggest tasks will be fixing the Saints’ defense, which gave up 379.9 yards per game last season—one of the worst marks in the league.
Word is Moore might bring in former Chargers head coach Brandon Staley, who was recently an assistant with the 49ers, as his defensive coordinator. The two worked together when Moore was the Chargers’ offensive coordinator in 2023.
The Saints were the last NFL team to lock down a new head coach, as league rules kept them from finalizing Moore’s hire until after the Super Bowl.
They were patient, though, even flying to Philly for an interview with Moore after the NFC Championship Game.
Other candidates included New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, and Rizzi, who had filled in as interim coach.
Moore marks a shift from the Saints’ recent approach. He’s the first head coach hired from outside the organization since Sean Payton left after the 2021 season.
Unlike his predecessor Dennis Allen, who was a defensive-minded coach with more experience, Moore brings a younger, offensive-focused vibe that’s a bit reminiscent of when Payton first joined the team.
Moore’s path to coaching started after he retired as a player in 2017.
A standout quarterback at Boise State, he played in the NFL with the Lions and Cowboys before making the jump to coaching.
He was the Cowboys’ quarterbacks coach in 2017 and later their offensive coordinator from 2019 to 2022. After a year with the Chargers, he moved on to the Eagles this past season.
Known for his offensive creativity, Moore’s play-calling has kept his teams competitive since 2019.
His offenses rank fifth in the NFL in points per game (26.4) and yards per game (376.5), with quarterbacks posting a 62.1 Total QBR, also fifth in the league during that span.
Saints fans are hoping Moore can bring that same firepower to New Orleans and get the team back on track. With his offensive know-how and a fresh perspective, there’s plenty of reason for excitement as he takes the reins.
Super Dawgs
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
I spend a lot of my time talking with folks that love all levels of football just as much as I do.
For the casual southern sports fan, there doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of general excitement for this year’s version of Super Sunday.
When the Kansas City Chiefs face off against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX this Sunday, February 9th in New Orleans, they’ll be chasing NFL history — a chance to pull off a three-peat and claim their third straight Lombardi Trophy.
Seven teams have gone back-to-back, but no one’s ever pulled off the elusive triple crown. Despite the historic implications, some fans are admittedly feeling a little “Chiefs fatigue.” After all, when the same team keeps winning, it can be tough to stay excited—just ask those who lived through the Patriots or Warriors dynasties.
Even Patrick Mahomes’ magic and the past season’s wild crossover with Taylor Swift’s fanbase haven’t kept everyone hooked.
But here’s a reason for southern sports fans, especially those of us here in Georgia, to get hyped for this Super Bowl: The Eagles’ defense is basically Bulldogs 2.0.
Over the past two drafts, Philadelphia loaded up on Georgia talent to build a defensive powerhouse.
It started in 2022 when the Eagles snagged defensive tackle Jordan Davis and linebacker Nakobe Dean, two key pieces from Georgia’s dominant national title-winning squad.
Then in 2023, they went back to Athens for defensive tackle Jalen Carter, linebacker Nolan Smith, and cornerback Kelee Ringo.
Just last month, they added safety Lewis Cine from the Bills’ practice squad. That’s six Bulldogs on one NFL roster. Talk about a Dawg Pound.
And it’s not just for show — these guys are making an impact.
Carter has been a beast on the line with 4.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, and a Pro Bowl nod.
Smith broke out in his second year with 6.5 sacks.
Even Ringo, who hasn’t seen as much action on defense, made a name for himself on special teams and earned a Pro Bowl alternate spot.
While Dean is sidelined with an injury, the rest of the Georgia crew is holding down the fort for a defense that allowed the fewest yards per game and the second-fewest points this season.
This isn’t just about talent; it’s about chemistry. These guys have been through the battles together, winning back-to-back college championships under head coach Kirby Smart and defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann. That built-in trust is paying off in the NFL.
Schumann even joked that until the Eagles field an entire defense of Bulldogs, other players will have to contribute too — but you get the sense he wouldn’t mind seeing it.
Now the question is whether this Georgia-fueled defense can shut down Mahomes, Andy Reid, and Travis Kelce on the biggest stage. If they do, it might be time for Philly to send some honorary Super Bowl rings back to Athens.
And for even more local flavor, don’t forget that one of the starting cornerbacks for the Philadelphia Eagles is former Brunswick High School standout, Darius Slay.
So, if you’re not feeling the Chiefs storyline this year, the Eagles defense is a pretty compelling reason to tune in.
It’s got Georgia fingerprints all over it and could end up being a championship-winning unit at the next level.
And hey, if that happens, the Bulldogs’ legacy will officially stretch from college football glory to NFL dominance.
Not too shabby for a bunch of Dawgs.
The GOAT
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Legendary Camden County High School football coach Jeff Herron may have hung his whistle up for good at the end of the 2023 season, but those that know this man like I do understand that he has never been one to stand on life’s sideline.
Coach Herron is the living embodiment of “Team First”, but all of us that call Camden home are thrilled to see him get the individual honors that he so justly deserves.
This week the National High School Football Hall of Fame announced that it will induct Jeff Herron into its newest class.
Coach Herron roamed the sideline for 32 years as the head man at high schools in Georgia and South Carolina, compiling an overall record of 334 – 69. His record of 312 – 54 in Georgia alone, a winning percentage of 85.3%, is good enough for second best in the state’s history and 34th best in national high school football history.
Herron was named Region or Area Coach of the Year 25 times and the Georgia Coach of the Year 9 times in those 32 years. He was the Atlanta Falcons High School Coach of the Year in 2009. He has led 19 region champions, had 10 final four appearances and five state championships.
He is the only head football coach in Georgia High School Association (GHSA) history to win state titles at three different schools. He won his first state championship while at Oconee County in 1999, three at Camden County in 2003, 2008 and 2009, and his final at Grayson High School in 2016. That 2016 team at Grayson went 14-1, winning the GHSA 7A State Championship and the Public-School National Championship.
Coach Herron’s Camden County Wildcat teams also won 12 straight region championships, and hold the state record with a 58-game regular season winning streak, and a 28-game overall winning streak.
During his tenure, the Wildcats were ranked in the USA Today Top 25 six times and selected by ESPN as the program of the decade in Georgia for the 2000-2010 decade.
He also coached Walton (1989), Cedar Shoals (1990-93), Wheeler (1995-96) and Prince Avenue Christian (2013-15) in Georgia, and at T.L. Hanna (2017-18) in South Carolina.
In 2022, Jeff Herron was inducted into the Hall of Fame at Emory & Henry College in Virginia, where he was a starter and four-year letterman.
He was the team captain for the 1981 season when he was named a 2nd Team All Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) player.
In September of 2024 it was announced that Coach Herron will also be inducted as part of the 2025 Georgia Athletic Coaches Association (GACA) Hall of Fame class, which will also include former Charlton County High School head football coach Rich McWhorter, former Dougherty County and Troupe County head coach Charles Flowers, and basketball coaches Anzy Hardman and Rufus McDuffie.
The GACA induction will be on May 31, 2025 in Dalton, Georgia.
Its going to be a busy summer for Coach Herron. Two weeks after the GACA ceremony, he will be inducted into the National High School Football Hall of Fame on June 14th in Canton, Ohio.
All of us in Georgia’s southeasternmost county are eternally grateful for everything Coach Herron has accomplished as a coach, but we are most indebted for his role as a teacher, and a leader of young people when we needed it most.
The best news of all…Jeff Herron goes into the National High School Football Hall of Fame, and into coaching eternity, as a Camden County Wildcat.
Big 10 Is Big Dog?
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
For years, the SEC was the king of college football.
Teams like Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Florida, and Auburn dominated the sport, racking up 13 national championships between 2006 and 2022.
The SEC was the standard everyone else chased. But the past two seasons have certainly shaken things up. Michigan claimed the title at the end of the 2023 season, and Ohio State followed up this year with a 34-23 win over Notre Dame.
It has been decades since there was a two year stretch without an SEC team appearing in the championship game.
So, is the Big Ten the new top dog in college football? I know some college football people that are starting to look at it that way.
Big Ten teams didn’t just win the last two titles—they also went 5-1 against the SEC in 2024, showing they’ve got the upper hand right now, with a heavy emphasis on right now.
A big part of this success is how the Big Ten has embraced the changes in college football, especially with name, image, and likeness (NIL).
Schools like Ohio State, Michigan, and Oregon are spending big money to keep their rosters stacked. Ohio State reportedly spent over $20 million on its 2024 squad, while Michigan has been splurging to reload after its 2023 title run. With massive alumni bases pouring money into these programs, the Big Ten is thriving in this new era.
Take Michigan’s 2023 title, for example. They didn’t rely on having a roster full of five-star recruits. Instead, they focused on scouting and developing NFL-level talent, with 13 players from that team drafted last year.
On the flip side, Ohio State has leaned heavily on NIL to keep stars like Emeka Egbuka and J.T. Tuimoloau around and bring in game-changing transfers. These strategies are helping the Big Ten keep up with—if not outpace—the SEC.
Still, the SEC isn’t going anywhere. The South is a recruiting goldmine, especially when it comes to big, athletic linemen, and that’s not changing.
Alabama, Georgia, and other SEC teams continue to crush it in recruiting rankings. In 2024, six of the top nine teams in the 247Sports Talent Composite were from the SEC, and the conference landed eight of the top 15 recruiting classes.
The SEC’s depth and talent pool ensure it’ll always be a contender, even if the past two seasons haven’t gone their way.
What’s changed is how teams build and manage their rosters. The NIL era and transfer portal have made things more competitive, and the SEC’s old formula of stockpiling talent is harder to pull off. Programs like Alabama and Georgia are adjusting, but Big Ten schools have been quicker to adapt. That’s why the Big Ten is on top right now
But don’t count the SEC out. They’re still loaded with talent, and schools like Alabama and Georgia aren’t going to sit back quietly.
While the Big Ten basks in back-to-back championships and a strong 2024 showing, the SEC is too competitive to stay down for long.
With their recruiting edge and relentless drive to win, it’s only a matter of time before they’re back in the title conversation.
For now, the Big Ten has the bragging rights. But college football is unpredictable, and with the SEC and Big Ten both packed with powerhouse programs, the battle for dominance is far from over. This rivalry is setting the stage for an exciting new chapter in the sport.
Final Four
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The college football season is almost over, and that’s a tough pill to swallow.
The good news, though, is that the last three games are absolute blockbusters—the College Football Playoff semifinals and the championship.
This year’s Final Four brings together some of the biggest names in the game: Notre Dame, Penn State, Ohio State, and Texas.
Before I jump in, let’s take a second to consider that all four teams that received a first-round bye were soundly defeated in the last round. It begs the question as to whether we will see changes to the 12-team playoff format in the future, but that will be another article for another day.
Here’s what I expect as these last four heavyweights fight for the national title.
Orange Bowl: No. 6 Penn State vs. No. 7 Notre Dame: When: Thursday, January 9th, 7:30 PM EST (ESPN). Where: Miami Gardens, Florida.
Penn State has had a wild season. They cruised through the Big Ten schedule before running into an Oregon buzzsaw in the conference championship.
Still, the Nittany Lions bounced back big-time in the playoffs, crushing SMU and Boise State. Their defense is terrifying, led by star edge rusher Abdul Carter, who’s expected to play despite getting banged up last game.
On offense, Penn State is all about consistency, they don’t hit a lot of home runs—think steady singles and doubles, not grand slams.
Notre Dame’s road to the playoffs had its bumps too. They lost early to Northern Illinois (yeah, really), but since then, they’ve been locked in, rattling off 10 straight wins.
Their ground game is a powerhouse, even after losing two NFL-caliber linemen from last year.
Defensively, their secondary is a brick wall, but their run defense has had some cracks, especially with injuries piling up.
This matchup is all about defense. Both teams are loaded on that side of the ball, and neither offense has been lighting up the scoreboard lately.
Penn State’s defense feels more complete, but Notre Dame’s run game is a real wild card. It’s going to be a grind.
Expect a defensive slugfest. The over/under is set at 45.5, and it’s hard to see these teams blowing past that.
Penn State might have a slight edge thanks to their depth and defensive balance.
My Prediction: Penn State 24 Notre Dame 17
Cotton Bowl: No. 5 Texas vs. No. 8 Ohio State: When: Friday, January 10th, 7:30 PM EST (ESPN). Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas.
Ohio State has been on a tear, looking every bit like the best team in the country during the playoffs.
They steamrolled top-seeded Oregon, putting up 500 yards of offense while their defense shut the door.
Freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is already playing like a superstar, and running back TreVeyon Henderson is a scoring machine. Their offensive line, once a concern, has turned into a strength at the perfect time.
Texas hasn’t had the same kind of dominance. They barely survived Arizona State in double overtime, and their defense seemed to run out of gas late in the game.
The Longhorns’ offense has had trouble finishing drives all season, and their red-zone struggles could be a problem against Ohio State, whose defense is elite at shutting teams down inside the 20.
The key here is whether Texas can keep up with Ohio State’s explosive offense. The Buckeyes are firing on all cylinders, and their defense is just as good.
Texas has a strong defensive front, but if they can’t sustain drives or put points on the board, it could be a long night.
Ohio State should have the upper hand. Their offense is rolling, their defense is suffocating, and Texas hasn’t shown they can hang with a team this good.
The Buckeyes are favored by six points, and it wouldn’t be a shock if they cover that easily.
My Prediction: Ohio State 38 Notre Dame 21.
No matter who makes it to the championship game, this year’s playoff has been a thrill ride. Injuries, endurance, and execution will decide it all.
Ohio State looks like the team to beat, but don’t sleep on Penn State’s defense or Notre Dame’s ground game. Even Texas, with their inconsistencies, could pull off a shocker if everything clicks.
The National Championship Game will be played on Monday, January 20th at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Playoffs!
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
With college football bowl season in full swing, and the college football playoffs going on, it’s understandable that current focus is squarely on the collegiate gridiron.
But with just one week left in the 2024-25 NFL regular season, the pro league is offering its share of excitement.
There are still plenty spots and seeding up in the air in both the AFC and NFC playoff races. While some teams have locked in their spots, Week 18 is shaping up to be a high-stakes showdown for division titles, seeding, and those last few playoff berths. Here’s how things look after Week 17 officially ended following Detroit’s win on Monday night.
NFC Playoff Picture: The NFC race is heating up, especially in the North and South divisions.
The Detroit Lions are back on top after a wild 40-34 win over the 49ers. They’ll face the Minnesota Vikings in Week 18, a winner-takes-all battle for the NFC North crown and the conference’s No. 1 seed. Both teams are 14-2, but Detroit has the edge because of their Week 7 victory over Minnesota. In that game, Jahmyr Gibbs went off, racking up 160 total yards and a touchdown.
It’s simple: if the Lions win or tie, they clinch the division and the top seed. If the Vikings win, they take over the North. Either way, this primetime matchup is going to be must-watch football.
Down South, the Buccaneers are clinging to a one-game lead over the Falcons.
Tampa Bay just needs a win or a tie against my hometown New Orleans Saints in Week 18 to lock up the division.
The Falcons, though, have a tougher road. They need to beat the Panthers and hope the Saints upset the Bucs.
Meanwhile, the Eagles are cruising into the playoffs with the No. 2 seed locked up. The Rams, Commanders, and Packers round out the current NFC playoff teams.
AFC Playoff Picture: Over in the AFC, things are a little clearer, but there’s still plenty of drama.
The Chiefs have been dominant all season, clinching the No. 1 seed, so they’ll probably rest their starters in Week 18.
The Bills have locked in the No. 2 spot after crushing the Jets 40-14.
But the AFC North is still up for grabs. The Ravens and Steelers both have a shot at the division title and the No. 3 seed.
The Ravens will face the Browns, while the Steelers take on the Bengals. Both teams are already in the playoffs, but Week 18 will decide who comes out on top.
The Texans secured the AFC South a couple of weeks ago, and the Chargers clinched their spot last week with a win over the Patriots.
That leaves one wild card spot up for grabs, and the Broncos are sitting in the driver’s seat. They’re 9-7 and control their destiny, but the Dolphins and Bengals (both 8-8) are right behind them.
For Miami to sneak in, they need a win and a Broncos loss.
The Bengals need even more help, with both the Broncos and Dolphins needing to lose on top of their own win. On a side note: wouldn’t it be fun to watch former LSU great Joe Burrow, or Joe Shiesty as they call him in the ‘League’, take a 9-8 Bengals team that started the season at 0-3 all the way to a Lombardi Trophy?!
Week 18 Games to Watch: Here’s what’s on tap for the final week of the regular season:
NFC North Showdown: Lions vs. Vikings – The division and top seed are on the line. Winner takes all.
NFC South Fight: Buccaneers vs. Saints and Falcons vs. Panthers – Can Tampa Bay hold off Atlanta’s late push?
AFC North Battle: Ravens vs. Browns and Steelers vs. Bengals – The division title is still anyone’s game.
Wild Card Chase: Broncos, Dolphins, and Bengals – Denver controls the last spot, but Miami and Cincinnati aren’t out of it yet.
With so much on the line, Week 18 is going to be an absolute thriller. Whether it’s division titles or wild-card spots, every game has something riding on it.
Get ready for some fireworks as the regular season comes to an epic close!
Moving On
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Atlanta Falcons made waves in early 2024 by signing veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins to a big four-year, $180 million deal.
But less than a year later, the team is already moving on. In a move that surprised many, Atlanta drafted Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick in the NFL Draft.
At the time, Penix was seen as a long-term project, but with their playoff hopes slipping away, the Falcons decided to speed up his development.
This bold decision not only shifts the team’s short-term game plan but also puts a spotlight on Cousins’ uncertain future.
Cousins started the season strong, but things went downhill fast over the last month. During a 1-4 stretch, he threw just one touchdown compared to nine interceptions and was sacked 11 times.
Now sitting at 7-7, Atlanta is still technically in the NFC South playoff race, but Cousins’ struggles left them little choice but to bench him.
The move shows the team no longer trusts him to lead—not just for the rest of this season, but likely beyond.
Financially, Cousins’ contract comes with challenges, but Atlanta has some options. He’s guaranteed $27.5 million in 2025, with another $10 million guaranteed in 2026 if he’s still on the roster.
The Falcons could release him after the season as a post-June 1 cut, which would result in a $40 million dead-cap hit. While that’s a hefty number, it would clear future obligations in 2025 and 2026.
Trading him is another option, though it’s trickier. They could save up to $27.5 million with a post-June 1 trade, but his no-trade clause and declining performance make this scenario harder to pull off.
From the beginning, it was clear Cousins might not be a long-term solution. Falcons GM Terry Fontenot turned heads by drafting Penix just weeks after signing Cousins, signaling the team was already planning for the future.
Fontenot defended the move, calling it a smart way to secure a franchise quarterback down the line. But the decision to bench Cousins so soon shows they never fully believed he could be the answer.
Unless Penix falters or the team makes a deep playoff run, it seems likely Cousins’ time in Atlanta is done.
His recent struggles, combined with the team’s pivot to Penix, highlight both his decline and the Falcons’ urgency to develop their rookie QB.
While Cousins could technically stay on as an expensive backup in 2025, that seems unlikely given the team’s commitment to moving forward with Penix.
Starting Penix now is a gamble, but one the Falcons felt they had to take. With the playoffs still within reach, they’re hoping the rookie can give their offense a spark.
Head coach Raheem Morris acknowledged the stakes, saying they didn’t expect to have such a high draft pick again, making Penix a key part of their future plans.
As for Cousins, his next move is up in the air. Teams like the Jets, Raiders, Titans, or even the 49ers and Rams could potentially be interested, especially with coaches like Kyle Shanahan or Sean McVay who have ties to Cousins from earlier in his career. Still, his declining play and no-trade clause complicate things.
At the end of the day, the Falcons’ switch from Cousins to Penix reflects a bigger strategy. They’re looking ahead to the future while trying to salvage what they can this season.
Whether this gamble pays off right away or takes time, it’s clear Atlanta is entering a new chapter at quarterback.
