The New Year Brings with It Some Sports Excitement

by Dave Torromeo

Professional & College Football, Team USA Hockey

I hope Larry David doesn’t read this as he might get mad at me for saying “happy new year” too late in the year! But the 2025 sports year has gotten off to an awesome start! A combination of bowl games and playoffs start this time of year; all very exciting as we head into the playoffs for both college and professional football.

Let’s start with the NFL as we approach wildcard weekend, and a chance for some upsets. Right now, the Kansas City Chiefs, (of course), are the favorite on the AFC side and many people believe the Detroit Lions finally have what it takes to get to a Super Bowl. Personally, I’ll be rooting for the Lions on the NFC side on the AFC side, it’s looking like Buffalo or Baltimore may have what it takes to dethrone the Chiefs.

The playoff landscape is set, and the journey to Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans is underway. The postseason features 14 teams vying for the coveted Lombardi Trophy, with the Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions securing the top seeds in the AFC and NFC, respectively, earning them first-round byes and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Professional Football

AFC Playoff Picture

Division Champions:

  • Kansas City Chiefs (15-2): Clinched the AFC West and the No. 1 seed, aiming for a historic third consecutive Super Bowl title.
  • Buffalo Bills (13-4): Secured the AFC East title with a dominant season, poised to challenge the Chiefs’ supremacy.
  • Baltimore Ravens (12-5): Claimed the AFC North, led by dynamic quarterback Lamar Jackson.
  • Houston Texans (10-7): Emerged as AFC South champions, showcasing resilience throughout the season.

Wild Card Teams:

  • Los Angeles Chargers (11-6): Under new head coach Jim Harbaugh, the Chargers have revitalized their playoff aspirations.
  • Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7): With veteran leadership, the Steelers secured a wild card spot, adding depth to the AFC playoff field.
  • Denver Broncos (10-7): Clinched the final AFC playoff berth, demonstrating significant improvement this season.

NFC Playoff Picture

Division Champions:

  • Detroit Lions (14-3): Achieved the No. 1 seed in the NFC, riding a remarkable 11-game winning streak into the playoffs.
  • Philadelphia Eagles (12-5): Claimed the NFC East title, entering the postseason with strong momentum.
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-6): Secured the NFC South crown, continuing their streak of playoff appearances.
  • Los Angeles Rams (10-7): Won the NFC West, edging out competitors through a strength-of-victory tiebreaker.

Wild Card Teams:

  • Minnesota Vikings (11-6): Surprised many by clinching a playoff berth, led by quarterback Sam Darnold.
  • Washington Commanders (10-7): Returned to the postseason, energized by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.
  • Green Bay Packers (10-7): Rounded out the NFC playoff teams, aiming to make a deep run.

Wild Card Weekend Matchups

The playoffs commence with the Wild Card round, featuring six games that promise intense competition:

AFC:

  • Los Angeles Chargers at Houston Texans: The Chargers, revitalized under Coach Harbaugh, face the Texans in a battle of contrasting styles.
  • Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens: A classic AFC North rivalry renewed, with both teams boasting formidable defenses.
  • Denver Broncos at Buffalo Bills: The Broncos look to upset the Bills, who are determined to capitalize on their home-field advantage.

NFC:

  • Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles: The Packers aim to challenge the Eagles’ stout defense in a compelling matchup.
  • Washington Commanders at Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rookie sensation Jayden Daniels leads the Commanders against the experienced Buccaneers.
  • Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Rams: The Vikings seek to continue their surprising season against the Rams’ balanced attack.

Road to Super Bowl 59

The winners of the Wild Card games will advance to the Divisional Round, where the top-seeded Chiefs and Lions await their challengers. The playoffs will culminate in Super Bowl 59, set to take place at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on February 9, 2025. As teams prepare for the postseason, fans anticipate a series of thrilling contests that embody the competitive spirit of the NFL.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Notre Dame won a thrilling semifinal game over Penn State in a game that looked like it was going to overtime. Notre Dame will play the winner of the Texas Ohio State game, and it looks like the championship game slated for Monday, January 20 will be a great one!

The 2024-2025 college football season has been a thrilling journey, culminating in a historic College Football Playoff (CFP) that has captivated fans nationwide. This season marked the debut of the expanded 12-team playoff format, designed to offer a more inclusive and competitive path to the national championship.

The Road to the Semifinals

Notre Dame won a thrilling Orange Bowl contest in a game that looked to be going to OT advancing to the national championship game. Mitch Jeter kicked a 41-yard field goal in the Orange Bowl’s final seconds to give Notre Dame a 27-24 win over Penn State, sending the Fighting Irish to the College Football Playoff national championship game on Jan. 20.

The playoff journey began with first-round matchups held at the higher-seeded teams’ campuses, introducing a new level of excitement and home-field advantage to the postseason. However, these initial games highlighted the disparity between elite programs and lower-seeded teams, with several contests ending in decisive victories for the favorites.

As the tournament progressed, the unpredictability of college football shone brightly. In a surprising turn of events, all top-four seeded teams, who had earned first-round byes, were eliminated in the quarterfinals. This unexpected outcome paved the way for a semifinal lineup featuring No. 6 Penn State, No. 7 Notre Dame, No. 5 Texas, and No. 8 Ohio State—each a storied program with a rich football heritage.

Semifinal Showdowns

The semifinals promise to deliver compelling narratives and historic milestones. In the Orange Bowl, Penn State is set to face Notre Dame, while the Cotton Bowl will feature a clash between Texas and Ohio State. Notably, this semifinal round guarantees that either James Franklin of Penn State or Marcus Freeman of Notre Dame will become the first Black head coach to lead a team to the FBS national championship game, marking a significant moment in college football history.

Analysts have weighed in on these matchups, with ESPN’s Paul Finebaum favoring Notre Dame over Penn State, citing the Nittany Lions’ relatively unchallenging path to the semifinals as a potential disadvantage. In the Cotton Bowl, Finebaum gives the edge to Ohio State, highlighting the Buckeyes’ recent dominant performances and their momentum heading into the semifinal.

Looking Ahead

The expanded playoff format has sparked discussions about its impact on the competitiveness and excitement of the postseason. While some early-round games were lopsided, the overall structure has allowed for unexpected outcomes and the inclusion of teams that might have been overlooked in the previous four-team system. This evolution reflects the dynamic nature of college football and the ongoing efforts to crown the most deserving champion.

As fans eagerly anticipate the semifinal matchups, the stage is set for a dramatic conclusion to a season already filled with surprises and memorable moments. The forthcoming games not only promise high-stakes competition but also the potential to reshape the historical landscape of college football championships.

Hockey

Hockey? Did somebody say Hockey? Well, those of us in the New York area really don’t want to talk about the NHL so let’s talk about something more positive.

The 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship, held in Ottawa, Ontario, showcased the rising talents of international ice hockey, with Team USA achieving a historic back-to-back gold by defeating Finland 4-3 in a thrilling overtime finale.

Tournament Journey

Team USA commenced the tournament with a commanding 10-4 victory over Germany, setting a dominant tone for their campaign. Throughout the preliminary rounds, they demonstrated exceptional skill and teamwork, culminating in a hard-fought semifinal win against Czechia, where Gabriel Perreault opened the scoring early, leading to a 4-1 triumph.

Gold Medal Showdown

In the championship game against Finland, Team USA faced formidable opposition. The contest was intense, with both teams exchanging leads, ultimately resulting in a 3-3 tie at the end of regulation. In overtime, forward Teddy Stiga emerged as the hero, netting the decisive goal that secured the gold for the United States.

Standout Performances

Ryan Leonard, serving as Team USA’s captain, was instrumental throughout the tournament, earning the Most Valuable Player accolade. His leadership and on-ice prowess were pivotal to the team’s success. Additionally, Gabriel Perreault distinguished himself by contributing significantly to the offense, tying for the second-highest point total in the tournament with 10 points (three goals, seven assists) over seven games. His exceptional playmaking earned him a spot on the tournament’s All-Star team.

Defenseman Drew Fortescue also played a crucial role, anchoring the blue line with a +6 rating, tying for the third-best among defensemen. His defensive reliability was a cornerstone of Team USA’s success.

Historical Significance

This victory marks the United States’ seventh gold medal in the history of the IIHF World Junior Championships and their second consecutive title, underscoring the nation’s growing prominence in international junior ice hockey. The team’s resilience and ability to perform under pressure were evident throughout the tournament, particularly in the high-stakes environment of the gold medal game.

Looking Forward

The achievements of players like Leonard, Perreault, and Fortescue not only highlight the depth of talent within USA Hockey but also offer a promising glimpse into the future of American ice hockey on the global stage. As these young athletes continue to develop, their experiences and successes at the World Junior Championship are poised to contribute significantly to the advancement and recognition of the sport in the United States.

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