Week 16's most consequential games, plus Tiger Woods' proud-dad moment

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Good morning! Crush it today.

Stakes: We are still processing the Bucs loss We are nearly done with Week 16 of the NFL season.

Teams are far past the days of determining how to play together, building cohesion, learning from mistakes, etc., etc.

These groups are finished products, and every team has stakes at this point whether that means postseason chances or draft positioning.

Advertisement Yesterdays slate was particularly wild, so lets play a game I just made up called You Crushed It Or Blew It for the days most important contests.

We can begin with the absolute nonsensical delight in the nightcap: Dallas 26, Tampa Bay 24 Washington 36, Philadelphia 33 Las Vegas 19, Jacksonville 14 Lets finish this out with a little rapid-fire action: Did Goff hit 'em with the fake stumble?! : #DETvsCHI on FOX : https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/6xDqZ9BFzV NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2024 We missed a few entrants in our game.

See all Week 16 takeaways here .

Penn State nets historic title The Penn State womens volleyball team won the programs eighth national title yesterday after beating Louisville, but the trophy means much more.

Look at the levels here: Caruso, Thunder ink extension Alex Caruso, who came to Oklahoma City from Chicago in an offseason trade last summer, is on the books for another four seasons after agreeing to an extension worth $81 million .

Caruso, 30, has long been one of the NBAs best wing defenders it helped the Lakers win a title in 2020 and has been as-advertised this year for the Western Conferences best team.

Another win for the leagues best front office .

Rangers send Lowe to Washington Texas traded first baseman Nathaniel Lowe to the Nationals yesterday in exchange for reliever Robert Garcia, which will sting for some Rangers fans.

Lowe was critical to Texas 2023 World Series win and has been a solid power hitter for the Rangers over the last four years.

See more on the swap here .

More news Love The Pulse? Check out The Athletic s other newsletters .

I have a 2-year-old daughter, which means I am extremely soft emotionally at the moment and, well, most of the time these days.

Add in the holidays, and Im ready to break down at any second.

So, yes, I may have found some dust in my eyes when I saw 15-year-old Charlie Woods ace and Tiger Woods reaction at the PNC Championship yesterday: CHARLIE WOODS ACE ALERT! HIS FIRST HOLE-IN-ONE.

UNREAL.

: Peacock and Golf Channel | PNC Championship pic.twitter.com/YObfZZbvG3 Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) December 22, 2024 I love how Charlies incredulity leads into genuine joy from the best golfer to ever live.

Team Woods finished second after losing in a playoff to Bernhard Langer and his son, Jason.

Very fun all around.

Happy holidays, parents.

CFB: Coastal Carolina vs.

UTSA 11 a.m.

ET on ESPN This game, the Myrtle Beach Bowl, is literally being played on Coastals campus, so this should be a fun atmosphere, especially in the middle of a Monday during Christmas week.

If youre home, turn it on.

NFL: Saints at Packers 8:15 p.m.

ET on ABC Spencer Rattler is starting for New Orleans, so theres little I can say in prognostication.

The Packers might be a sneaky top-five team in the NFL, though, and they can clinch a postseason berth with a win.

Get tickets to games like these here .

He is the No.

1 recruit in the nation, likely the top pick in next years NBA Draft , and yet he is more: a legitimate trailblazer in the new world of college sports.

Meet AJ Dybantsa .

What a brutal year for As fans.

Melissa Lockard on the passing of Rickey Henderson , Oaklands Superman.

Jesse Granger has a fascinating look at which NHL goalies are best at stopping high-danger shots and why.

Great video breakdowns throughout, too.

Jason Jones has a lovely story on NFL legend Howie Long , who seems to be a lovely person.

Theres a reason why thats so .

I loved this from a few days ago via Tyler Holzhammer: a guide to Christmas -themed trading cards .

Yes, Santa has cards.

Most-clicked in the newsletter yesterday : Hendersons obituary .

Read it if you havent.

Most-read on the website yesterday : Stewart Mandels final thoughts from the weekend, where he argues we shouldnt blame the Playoff committee for all those blowouts.

(Top photo: Ron Jenkins / Getty Images).

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