The NFL season comes to a close, hockey and college basketball begin to heat up, and 2025 is upon us, as I tell myself I neeed to write more, like way more, to make this site worth the price of running. So here we are, a day off and a check in from the sports desk.
Who Is The MVP?
Josh Allen: 3,731 yards, 28 Touchdowns, 6 INT, 531 rush yards, 12 rushing Touchdowns.
Lamar Jackson: 3,955 yards, 39 Touchdowns, 4 INT, 852 rush yards, 4 rushing Touchdowns.
Joe Burrow: 4,641 yards, 42 Touchdowns, 8 INT.
Saqoun Barkley: 2,005 rushing yards, 13 TDs, 278 receiving yards.
Sam Darnold 4,135, 35 Touchdowns, 12 INT.
To think, there was a moment in October where I pined, is offensive football dead? Do I even enjoy this sport anymore? And then, my heroes, the quarterbacks came to play. The betting favorite for MVP is Josh Allen, his season is wildly impressive considering the entirety of the football world, except myself, left him for dead. The roaming space cowboy man from western New York simply lit up the NFL this year. Big time performance after big time performance. 5-6 Josh Allen Masterclasses were had in 2024 and he cemented himself further as my favorite non Broncos football player.
That said, I would not give him the award. No, my pick for MVP would be Lamar Jackson. Jackson from week three on has been the best quarterback in the league. His rushing numbers down, passing, way up. The Lamar can’t throw truthers are floating somewhere in the Chesapeake bay. Jackson toyed with secondaries this year, 39 passing touchdowns, Lamar also has the added advantage that he will likely play in week 18 while Josh Allen sits out. He’s been the best player this year and if I had to cast a vote I would give Lamar his third MVP award, but this time he’s done it with his sensational arm. No one will care come January though as Jackson has massive post-season demons to slay.
If they sneak into the playoffs you can’t forget Joe Burrow. A truly magnificent pocket passer reminiscent of Brady stuck on a tragically mediocre Bengals squad that could leave him high and dry for the playoffs save f9r a Denver Broncos/ Miami Dolphins sized week 18 collapse catastrophe, very much in the card.
You can’t forget Saqoun, who is 101 yards away from breaking Eric Dickerson’s rushing record for a single season. If a running back were to win the award this year the honor would belong to Barkley. Sports desks around the country have a tough call to make.
NFL Notebook
- Off-season team I am about to be very high on: The Carolina Panthers. Hell if the Saints get the HC hire right and change up the QB situation I might never shut up about the NFC South on the Endzone Podcast this off season. Bryce Young, even in a blow out, made spectacular throws for the Panthers and has an exciting cast around him. If the Panthers add another weapon and fix a truly atrocious defense they have a chance to compete in a division that’s begging for a power to emerge.
- Jayden Daniels is fun as hell, the offensive rookie of the year, and he might be coming to wreck the playoffs. I do not want to see the Commanders in the wild card round if I’m the Eagles, Bucs, or Rams. They present a truly terrifying offense and a defense that Dan Quinn has rolling at a playoff level. They most certainly could win a game, and hell maybe 2 with Daniels behind center.
- Drew Lock wrecked the Giants off season plans. Really just hilarious, they can’t even tank correctly. At least they have a stud WR in Malik Nabers to pair with whoever their exciting rookie QB prospect will be.
- Will the McCaskey’s cave to public pressure and fire Ryan Poles? They certainly should, but will they. The Bears are entering potentially the most important off season in Franchise history. If they don’t take a competitive step forward next year apathy is going to creep into the fan base, if it hasn’t already.
College Basketball Teams The Sports Desk Has Eyes On As Conference Play Opens
Auburn: The Resume Auburn has is stunning. About 6 wins against teams that profile like 1/2 seeds and a clase loss to Duke. Lead by Johni Broom, in now the best basketball confrence in the nation the Tigers are worth tracking closely.
Tennesee: Undefeated, great Rick Barnes defense per usual, paired with this years dynamic transfer scorer Chaz Lanier the Vols are a team to really keep tabs on as again they play in the most high profile basketball conference in the nation.
Duke: The Cooper Flagg of it all. The Kon Knueppel of it all. The ACC is so down, so weak, just how hot can Duke get? There’s a scenario where they don’t really get tested until they play Illinois after Presidents day. Their only losses are to Kentucky and Kansas, if they handle UNC, which they should, key word should, the ACC is there’s whose stopping them?
Memphis: Penny Hardaway has them cooking, oh also shout out the extremely fun Wichita State, Memphis makes this list with Wichita as two mid-majors I want to get at least 2-3 looks at before February rolls along.
Utah State: A favoirte of the sports desk. Fun as hell, great defense, scorers everywhere. A set of dynamic guards Mason Faslev and Ian Martinez, I smell March Madness high-end sleeper cell. Get in on the ground floor. This could be a six seed.
VCU: Is Ryan Odom ready to dominate the A10, my east coast mid major of choice? Who knows, Rhode Island is very good this year.