{"id":329628,"date":"2025-12-05T15:09:09","date_gmt":"2025-12-05T15:09:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/329628\/"},"modified":"2025-12-05T15:09:09","modified_gmt":"2025-12-05T15:09:09","slug":"lions-beat-cowboys-boost-playoff-odds-previewing-college-football-nfl-week-14","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/329628\/","title":{"rendered":"Lions beat Cowboys, boost playoff odds; Previewing college football, NFL Week 14"},"content":{"rendered":"

This is an article version of the CBS Sports HQ AM Newsletter, the ultimate guide to every day in sports. You can sign up to get it in your inbox every weekday morning here<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Good morning and happy Friday! Who’s ready for a monumental weekend of football? Carter Bahns here to preview college football’s conference championship games and an NFL slate loaded with playoff implications. We’ll also take a look ahead to this afternoon’s highly anticipated FIFA World Cup Draw<\/a> and Saturday’s potentially historic UFC 323 event. <\/p>\n

Oh, and the coaching carousel is still spinning. I know, I know, the sky is blue. But you won’t want to miss the latest updates. <\/p>\n

Let’s dive in. <\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfc8 Five things to know Friday Lions’ playoffs hopes get brighter while Cowboys’ hopes dim with a loss on ‘TNF.’ Thursday night’s game was going to provide the winner with a better — though not assured — path to the playoffs. However, the odds of the loser advancing to the postseason were grim. And that’s exactly where the Cowboys find themselves after being outplayed by the Lions. Detroit won, 44-30, behind three touchdowns by Jahmyr Gibbs<\/a>, who is now tied with Barry Sanders for the most scores from scrimmage before turning 24. Dallas lost CeeDee Lamb (concussion)<\/a> during the third quarter while Brandon Aubrey continues to kick into the NFL record books<\/a>.Penn State might finally have its man \u2026 plus more moves on the coaching carousel. The Nittany Lions’ bizarre search continues with another twist. After whiffing on numerous candidates, athletic director Pat Kraft has now turned his focus toward Matt Campbell. Can he finally get a deal done? I wrote about the potential hire<\/a> and what it would mean for both sides. Elsewhere on the college football coaching carousel, Kansas State hired<\/a> Collin Klein to succeed the retiring Chris Klieman, Billy Napier found a landing spot<\/a> back in the Group of Six with James Madison and UAB will go in-house with its hire<\/a>\u00a0by elevating Alex Mortensen. Florida is also set to make a splashy assistant hire<\/a> with Buster Faulkner poised to arrive as offensive coordinator from Georgia Tech.Tune in today to the FIFA World Cup draw. For the 42 teams that have already qualified for next summer’s World Cup, today is a pivotal day that determines their path to glory. Who will land in the Group of Death? Might the United States get a favorable draw as it gears up to host the tournament next summer? We will find out at noon ET when the 48 total teams are placed in 12 groups of four. Here are\u00a0the major storylines<\/a>\u00a0we’re focusing on for the draw, which you can follow live here<\/a>.\u00a0College football conference championship games begin tonight. A quartet of Group of Six games kicks off championship week, including the important battle between No. 20 Tulane and No. 24 North Texas, wherein the American Conference winner will all but guarantee itself a spot in the College Football Playoff. Each of the Power Four matchups on Saturday will influence the bracket<\/a>, too. At face value, the Big Ten Championship Game is the most compelling considering it features the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the country in unbeaten Ohio State and Indiana. That showdown may also determine which quarterback, either Julian Sayin and Fernando Mendoza,\u00a0wins the Heisman Trophy<\/a>.Playoff implications are aplenty as the NFL’s regular season enters its final month.\u00a0Five divisions are separated by a game or less<\/a> entering Week 14, which makes this the most wide-open Super Bowl race in league history. More bubble teams will be in action<\/a> on Sunday, like the Texans and Chiefs, who will go head-to-head in a critical AFC contest in Kansas City. \ud83e\udd4a Do not miss this: Will Merab Dvalishvili make history at UFC 323?
\n Getty Images<\/p>\n

No UFC champion has ever defended a bantamweight title 14 consecutive times, but that could change on Saturday when Merab Dvalishvili clashes with Petr Yan. “The Machine” defeated Yan by decision in March 2023 and would make history if he repeats<\/a> at UFC 323 against a challenger on a three-fight winning streak. <\/p>\n

Brent Brookhouse dished out his best bets for UFC 323 and likes the chances of Dvalishvili not only securing his 14th straight title defense but also doing so in convincing fashion. He’s picking Dvalishvili to win by KO\/TKO\/DQ or submission at +450 odds. <\/p>\n

Brookhouse: “Dvalishvili is -395 to win, and he should be expected to get the victory unless a fourth weight cut in a single calendar year has him physically diminished. I have a feeling Dvalishvili will be out to prove a point against Yan.”<\/p>\n

This is also the final UFC event of the ESPN era. UFC 324<\/a> on Jan. 24 ushers in a new chapter as the partnership with Paramount+ takes effect with an incredible debut card<\/a>. <\/p>\n

\u2705 Week 14 NFL expert picks
\n Getty Images<\/p>\n

Jordan Dajani and Jared Dubin are in agreement on the Jaguars defeating the Colts straight-up and the Eagles covering a 2.5-point spread. They’re split on most of the other critical Week 14 battles, though. Check out their full slate of picks<\/a>, and read on below for their cases for and against playoff hopefuls in a couple incredibly tight divisions. <\/p>\n

AFC North: Steelers at Ravens <\/p>\n

Dajani (Steelers +5.5): “The Ravens are definitely winning this game (in my opinion), so the issue is the spread. The Ravens have failed to cover in three straight games, and are 1-5 ATS in their past six home games.” Prediction: Ravens 23, Steelers 20Dubin (Ravens -5.5): “Pittsburgh’s offense just doesn’t have enough to hang — even with a Ravens offense that is struggling in its own right.” Prediction: Ravens 23, Steelers 13<\/p>\n

NFC North: Bears at Packers <\/p>\n

Dajani (Packers -6.5): “No offense to Caleb Williams, but the Bears find themselves at 9-3 because of a defense that forces turnovers and a fantastic rushing attack. However, the Packers have turned the ball over an NFL-low seven times this season, and allow under 100 rushing yards per game.” Prediction: Packers 28, Bears 20Dubin (Bears +6.5):\u00a0“The Bears can scheme up explosive plays in the passing game but aren’t particularly consistent down to down, and I trust Green Bay’s passing game more at the moment. The Packers come away with a win here, but the Bears keep it close.” Prediction: Packers 26, Bears 21 \ud83d\udc4d\ud83d\udc4e The best (and not-so-best) of the rest
\n Getty Images
\n Tune in! Russell Wilson will join CBS Sports as a guest analyst on “The NFL Today”<\/a> in Week 14.Jalen Carter underwent a procedure on both shoulders<\/a> and will miss the Eagles’ “Monday Night Football” matchup with the Chargers.So much for that idea. Despite being claimed this week by the Bills, Darius Slay will not report to Buffalo<\/a> and is unsure if he wants to continue his NFL career.After nearly 19 years, LeBron James’ double-digit scoring streak ended at 1,297 games<\/a> with an eight-point night against the Raptors. But the Lakers got the win.Scottie Scheffler shares the lead<\/a> with Wyndham Clark, J.J. Spaun, Sepp Straka and Akshay Bhatia after one round at the Hero World Challenge.Travis Kelce and Derrick Henry headline the 2025 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award club winners<\/a>.Even though the Browns opened Deshaun Watson’s 21-day practice window, chances are slim that he plays this season. Let us explain<\/a>.The proposed MLB salary cap is far from the most popular idea, but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is not opposed<\/a>.The NWSL rejected the Washington Spirit’s offer to Trinity Rodman, claiming it was against the spirit of the collective bargaining agreement. But the NWSL Players Association filed a grievance against the league<\/a> on the grounds that the offer is CBA-compliant.The dust has settled on Signing Day, but with time remaining in the Early Signing Period, all eyes remain locked on<\/a> five-star Ohio State commit Chris Henry Jr., who could shake things up with a flip.We handed out grades<\/a> to each SEC men’s basketball team after the first month of the season.Is your favorite team about to go quarterback shopping? These squads will be in the market<\/a> once the transfer portal opens.Who will be the best player traded at MLB’s Winter Meetings? Our baseball writers hypothesized in the latest edition of “Batting Around.”<\/a> \ud83d\udcfa What we’re watching this weekend Friday <\/p>\n

\u26bd 2026 FIFA World Cup draw, noon on Fox
\u26f3 Hero World Challenge (second round), 1:30 p.m. on Golf Channel
\ud83c\udfc8 CUSA Championship: Kennesaw State at Jacksonville State, 7 p.m. on CBS Sports Network
\ud83c\udfc8 Sun Belt Championship: Troy at No. 25 James Madison, 7 p.m. on ESPN
\ud83c\udfc0 Lakers at Celtics, 7 p.m. on Prime Video
\ud83c\udfd2 Golden Knights at Devils, 7 p.m. on NHL Network
\ud83c\udfc0 No. 11 Gonzaga vs. No. 18 Kentucky (M), 7 p.m. on ESPN2
\ud83c\udfc0 East Texas A&M at No. 5 UConn (M), 7:30 p.m. on NBC Sports Network
\ud83c\udfc8 American Conference Championship: No. 24 North Texas at No. 20 Tulane, 8 p.m. on ABC
\ud83c\udfc8 Mountain West Championship: UNLV at Boise State, 8 p.m. on Fox
\ud83c\udfc0 Mavericks at Thunder, 9:30 p.m. on Prime Video <\/p>\n

Saturday <\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfc8 Big 12 Championship: No. 11 BYU vs. No. 4 Texas Tech, noon on ABC
\ud83c\udfc8 MAC Championship: Miami (Ohio) vs. Western Michigan, noon on ESPN
\ud83c\udfc0 No. 10 Iowa State at No. 1 Purdue (M), noon on CBS\/Paramount+
\ud83c\udfc0 No. 4 Duke at No. 7 Michigan State (M), noon on Fox
\ud83c\udfc0 CareSource Invitational: No. 6 Louisville vs. No. 22 Indiana (M), 2:15 p.m. on CBS\/Paramount+
\u26f3 Hero World Challenge (third round), 2:30 p.m. on NBC
\u26bd MLS Cup Final: Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Inter Miami CF, 2:30 p.m. on Fox
\ud83c\udfc8 SEC Championship: No. 9 Alabama vs. No. 3 Georgia, 4 p.m. on ABC
\ud83c\udfc0 Rutgers at No. 3 Michigan (M), 4 p.m. on Big Ten Network
\ud83c\udfc0 Washington at No. 24 USC (M), 6 p.m. on Big Ten Network
\ud83c\udfd2 Mammoth at Flames, 7 p.m. on NHL Network
\ud83c\udfc0 Warriors at Cavaliers, 7:30 p.m. on NBA TV
\ud83c\udfc8 ACC Championship: Duke vs. No. 17 Virginia, 8 p.m. on ABC
\ud83c\udfc8 Big Ten Championship: No. 2 Indiana vs. No. 1 Ohio State, 8 p.m. on Fox
\ud83c\udfc0 Music City Madness: No. 14 Illinois vs. No. 13 Tennessee (M), 8 p.m. on ESPN
\ud83c\udfc0 Ole Miss at No. 23 St. John’s (M), 8 p.m. on NBC Sports Network
\ud83e\udd4a Premier Boxing Champions: Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz vs. Lamont Roach, 8 p.m. on Prime Video PPV
\ud83c\udfc0 No. 20 Auburn at No. 2 Arizona (M), 10 p.m. on ESPN
\ud83e\udd4a UFC 323 Dvalishvili vs. Yan 2, 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV <\/p>\n

Sunday <\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfc8 College Football Playoff selection show, noon on ESPN
\ud83c\udfc0 Boston University at No. 12 North Carolina (W), noon on ACC Network
\ud83c\udfc0 NC Central at No. 2 South Carolina (W), noon on SEC Network
\ud83c\udfc0 Purdue at No. 6 Michigan (W), noon on Big Ten Network
\ud83c\udfc8 Colts at Jaguars, 1 p.m. on CBS\/Paramount+
\ud83c\udfc8 Dolphins at Jets, 1 p.m. on CBS\/Paramount+
\ud83c\udfc8 Saints at Buccaneers, 1 p.m. on CBS\/Paramount+
\ud83c\udfc8 Steelers at Ravens, 1 p.m. on CBS\/Paramount+
\ud83c\udfc8 Bengals at Bills, 1 p.m. on Fox
\ud83c\udfc8 Seahawks at Falcons, 1 p.m. on Fox
\ud83c\udfc8 Titans at Browns, 1 p.m. on Fox
\ud83c\udfc8 Commanders at Vikings, 1 p.m. on Fox
\ud83c\udfd2 Avalanche at Flyers, 1 p.m. on NHL Network
\ud83c\udfc0 Missouri vs. No. 21 Kansas (M), 1 p.m. on ESPN2
\ud83c\udfc0 DePaul at No. 1 UConn (W), 1 p.m. on FS1
\u26f3 Hero World Challenge (final round), 1:30 p.m. on NBC
\ud83c\udfc0 UTSA at No. 12 Alabama (M), 2 p.m. on SEC Network
\ud83c\udfc0 Coast to Coast Challenge: No. 19 Texas Tech vs. LSU (M), 3 p.m. on ESPN2
\ud83c\udfc0 Oregon at No. 3 UCLA (W), 3 p.m. on FS1
\ud83c\udfc0 No. 7 Maryland at Minnesota (W), 4 p.m. on Big Ten Network
\ud83c\udfc8 Broncos at Raiders, 4:05 p.m. on CBS\/Paramount+
\ud83c\udfc8 Bears at Packers, 4:25 p.m. on Fox
\ud83c\udfc8 Rams at Cardinals, 4:25 p.m. on Fox
\ud83c\udfc0 Georgetown at No. 16 North Carolina (M), 5 p.m. on ESPN
\ud83c\udfc0 No. 20 Michigan State at Wisconsin (W), 6 p.m. on Big Ten Network
\ud83c\udfd2 Golden Knights at Rangers, 7 p.m. on NHL Network
\ud83c\udfc0 No. 22 Washington at No. 18 USC (W), 8 p.m. on Big Ten Network
\ud83c\udfc8 Texans at Chiefs, 8:20 p.m. on NBC <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"This is an article version of the CBS Sports HQ AM Newsletter, the ultimate guide to every day…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":329629,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[559],"tags":[64,63,594,184518,184516,184514,184515,593,56398,184517,184520,184519,13198,85,787],"class_list":["post-329628","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nfl","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-college-football","tag-college-football-conference-championship-weekend","tag-cowboys-playoffs","tag-lions-cowboys-score","tag-lions-playoffs","tag-nfl","tag-nfl-playoff-odds","tag-nfl-week-14","tag-ohio-state-indiana-pick","tag-ohio-state-vs-indiana","tag-soccer","tag-sports","tag-ufc"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/329628","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=329628"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/329628\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/329629"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=329628"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=329628"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=329628"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}