Twistity Sports Exclusive: Weekend TV Six-Pack

Got a thirst for some TV sports? We’ve got a six-pack of tasty viewing brewing just below. But first, a recap of the Thursday night NFL game … Thursday...

Got a thirst for some TV sports? We’ve got a six-pack of tasty viewing brewing just below. But first, a recap of the Thursday night NFL game …

Thursday Night Recap

The Arizona Cardinals clinched a playoff berth by beating the Minnesota Vikings 23-20. The Cardinals (11-2) have now won 11 games in consecutive seasons for the first time in team history. They can clinch the NFC West Division if the Seattle Seahawks lose on Sunday.

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The Vikings (8-5) were in field goal range in the final minute but Dwight Freeney’s sack-strip of Teddy Bridgewater ended that particular misadventure in play-calling and execution. The Vikings have lost three of their last four.

And now, your weekend TV six-pack …

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

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Saturday brings us the Army-Navy game (3 p.m. ET) from Philadelphia. Army (2-9) has lost 13 in a row to Navy (9-2) in this historic rivalry and its chances are again less than good. Both teams run the triple-option offense, so don’t expect to see much passing.

The Heisman Trophy will be awarded on Saturday night and the TV festivities begin at 8 p.m. Your three finalists are Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson and running backs Derrick Henry of Alabama and Christian McCaffrey of Stanford.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

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No. 3 North Carolina (7-1) at Texas (5-3), Saturday, 5:15 p.m. ET. The Longhorns have beaten UNC twice in a row and six of seven and come off a 116-point performance against Texas-San Antonio. Here’s a chance to see new coach Shaka Smart’s reinvention of the Horns. The Tar Heels are pretty much what you might expect.

NFL

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Atlanta Falcons (6-6) at Carolina Panthers (12-0): You can’t not watch the Panthers as they chase an undefeated season. The Panthers clinch a first-round playoff bye with a win. After a 5-0 start, the Falcons have disintegrated. But this is a division game.

Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5) at Cincinnati Bengals (10-2): The Bengals clinch the AFC North with a win. The Bengals are 5-1 at home and 4-1 in the division.

Dallas Cowboys (4-8) at Green Bay Packers (8-4): The Packers are always fun to watch. The Cowboys? Not so much. But they did win a game without injured QB Tony Romo and now aim for two in a row.

 
 
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman .;