NFL

Ravens 35, Giants 14

The NFL is a league of parity, but this matchup didn’t represent that. In a mismatch of great proportions, the Ravens had their way with the Giants, especially MVP candidate Lamar Jackson. Josh Allen is and should be the leader in the clubhouse for the award, but Baltimore’s quarterback is continuing to make things interesting down the stretch. Jackson finished this win 21-of-25 for 290 yards and five touchdowns.

2021 first-round pick Rashod Bateman underwhelmed in his first three seasons as a pro, but the Ravens never lost faith. Baltimore talked up Bateman all offseason, and he’s delivered this year. Bateman, thanks to a pair of long scores, tallied three receptions for 80 yards and two scores yesterday.

At 9-5, Baltimore is a virtual lock for the playoffs, but it’ll have to navigate a matchup versus Pittsburgh next Saturday. That should be a great one. I won’t be paying close attention, however, due to the NFL inexplicably scheduling the game at the same time as Clemson at Texas.

Man, the 2-12 Giants just need this season to end to be put out of their misery. Plenty, of course, has gone haywire for New York this year, and that falls on general manager Joe Schoen, not Brian Daboll. Unfortunately, Daboll will likely join Schoen in getting fired after the season. John Mara almost certainly will want a full-on regime change.

I understand why the Giants and Daniel Jones parted ways; it was time. That decision, though, has led to some dreadful quarterback play for Big Blue. Tommy Devito and Tim Boyle predictably struggled through this contest, combing to go 22-of-37 for just 181 yards. At least Malik Nabers was involved, as the rookie garnered 10 receptions for 82 yards and a touchdown.

Losing Dexter Lawrence was a major blow for New York’s defense. The defensive tackle was putting together an MVP-caliber campaign, but at least the club still has Brian Burns on the defensive front. Burns recorded his eighth sack of the season in this defeat.

Jets 32, Jaguars 25

Where was this Aaron Rodgers to Davante Adams connection all season? It was a vintage performance for the former Packers duo in this win, as Adams posted nine receptions for 198 yards and two scores. The 4-10 Jets are obviously eliminated this season, but maybe yesterday will give whatever the new Jets brass is something to think about for 2025.

Jamien Sherwood is having a heck of a season. After three seasons of sporadic playing time, the former fifth-round pick has been everywhere this year, recording 134 tackles and two sacks. Sherwood made nine of those tackles yesterday. Just in time for free agency.

Mac Jones lost this game with two costly turnovers, but he did, for the most part, what the Jaguars likely wanted him to do: feed Brian Thomas. The LSU product has arguably been the best rookie wideout this season, and he displayed his explosiveness in this loss. Running all around Jets defenders, Thomas posted 10 catches for 105 yards and two scores.

While Thomas has been a bright spot this year, the defense in Jacksonville has not. The Jags put together yet another dreadful defensive effort yesterday. At least Travon Walker is flashing, as the former No. 1 overall pick had a tackle for loss yesterday, to build upon his 8.5-sack campaign.

NCAAF

Texas Tech transfer WR Micah Hudson commits to Texas A&M

Hudson, arguably the best recruit in Texas Tech history, surprisingly didn’t make much of an impact as a true freshman. That apparently was reason enough for the former five star to head east to Texas A&M, where he’ll be hoping to increase his production.

Hudson recorded eight receptions for 123 yards this season.

Georgia transfer CB Julian Humphrey commits to Texas A&M

Humphrey was one of the top cornerbacks in the transfer mortal, making this a huge addition for the Aggies.

What I wanted to touch on, though, is the recent exodus of defensive players from Georgia. The Bulldogs lost another cornerback, A.J. Harris, to Penn State last year — a blow, but an isolated departure. This season, however, Georgia has lost Humphrey, Samuel M’Pemba and Troy Bowles, all recent blue-chip recruits. The sky isn’t falling in Athens, but this is certainly a trend to monitor for one of college football’s behemoths.