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.

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

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

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

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 .;