December Sports, Zero Downtime Edition
This is one of those weekends where the remote never stops moving and nobody apologizes for it. Rivalries, playoffs, heavyweight matchups, and one boxing spectacle nobody asked for but everyone will watch anyway.
Here’s the full slate — with times, channels, and zero fluff.
NFL
Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears
Saturday — 8:20 PM ET
FOX
This rivalry survives quarterbacks, coaches, rebuilds, and common sense.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers
Sunday — 1:00 PM ET
Fox
Because technically somebody has to win the NFC South.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Denver Broncos
Sunday — 4:05 PM ET
Fox
6 TDs last week for Trevor Lawrence, one of the best defenses in the NFL this week.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Detroit Lions
Sunday — 4:25 PM ET
CBS
Physical football. Loud stadium. Somebody wins ugly.
New England Patriots at Baltimore Ravens
Sunday — 8:20 PM ET
NBC / Peacock
Patriots need to rebound, Drake Maye with a standalone MVP opportunity, Ravens desperate for Ws.
NBA
Friday
Philadelphia 76ers at New York Knicks
Friday — 7:30 PM ET
Prime
Two fanbases convinced the refs hate them equally.
Oklahoma City Thunder at Minnesota Timberwolves
Friday — 9:30 PM ET
Prime
Young stars, athletic lineups, and a game that might turn serious very quickly.
Saturday
Houston Rockets at Denver Nuggets
Saturday — 5:00 PM ET
NBA TV
Denver controls games quietly. Houston tries to disrupt that plan loudly.
NHL
Friday
Carolina Hurricanes at Florida Panthers
Friday — 7:00 PM ET
ESPN+
Speed, pressure, and very little space to breathe.
Dallas Stars at Anaheim Ducks
Friday — 10:00 PM ET
ESPN+
Pair of underrated Western Conference contenders.
Saturday
Detroit Red Wings at Washington Capitals
Saturday — 12:30 PM ET
NHL Network
Youth movement meets veteran resistance.
Edmonton Oilers at Minnesota Wild
Saturday — 3:00 PM ET
ESPN+
Elite skill vs structured defense. Always worth your time.
Carolina Hurricanes at Tampa Bay Lightning
Saturday — 7:00 PM ET
ESPN+
Yes, again. No complaints.
Sunday
Colorado Avalanche at Minnesota Wild
Sunday — 6:00 PM ET
ESPN+
Minnesota doesn’t get a break this weekend. Neither should you.
Soccer
Saturday
Tottenham vs Liverpool
Saturday — 12:30 PM ET
NBC / Peacock
Pace, pressure, and someone losing control of midfield early.
Stuttgart vs Hoffenheim
Saturday — 7:30 AM ET
ESPN+
Bundesliga chaos, fully endorsed.
RB Leipzig vs Bayer Leverkusen
Saturday — 10:30 AM ET
ESPN+
Fast, aggressive, and played at a volume most leagues avoid.
Juventus vs Roma
Saturday — 2:45 PM ET
Paramount+
Tactical tension. Somebody wins 1–0. Nobody is happy afterward.
Sunday
Villarreal vs Barcelona
Sunday — 10:15 AM ET
ESPN+
Barcelona road matches remain a weekly stress test.
NCAA Football
FBS Playoffs
Alabama vs Oklahoma
Friday — 6:00 PM ET
ABC/ESPN
Two brands that assume they belong here. Only one leaves satisfied.
Miami vs Texas A&M
Saturday — 12:00 PM ET
ABC/ESPN
Talent everywhere. Discipline negotiable.
Tulane vs Ole Miss
Saturday — 3:30 PM ET
TNT
How will no Lane Kiffin impact Ole Miss?
James Madison vs Oregon
Saturday — 7:30 PM ET
TNT
Belief vs depth. Speed vs confidence.
FCS Playoffs
Montana vs Montana State
Saturday — 2:00 PM ET
ABC
Brawl of the Wild rematch. If you skip this, that’s on you.
Illinois State vs Villanova
Saturday — 5:30 PM ET
ESPN2
Clean football. No gimmicks. Real stakes.
NCAA Women’s Volleyball
National Championship Match
Sunday — 3:00 PM ET
ABC
Elite execution, real pressure, and one of the best championship environments in college sports.
Boxing
Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua
Saturday — 8:00 PM ET
Netflix
Yes, it’s ridiculous.
Yes, you’ll check the result.
Yes, many of you will watch live.
The Stain Sports 