Sep 7, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back TreVeyon Henderson (32) runs for a touchdown against the Western Michigan Broncos during the second half at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-Imagn Images Congratulations! You’ve endured another year—one with a Leap Day, a Summer Olympics and a good old-fashioned U.S. presidential election. 2024 has been a long one.
December rewards us with Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s Eve and a slew of meaningful sporting events to go with it. Without wasting time, let’s get into our ranking of the 10 biggest events of the month. Football—NFL plus college—makes up half this list, but there’s room for basketball and some other novelties.
10. “The Showdown” LIV vs. PGA match, Dec. 17
Brooks Koepka poses with the Wanamaker Trophy on the 18th green following his victory at the PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club Sunday, May 21, 2023. PHOTO USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES. This can’t go higher than 10th because it’s an exhibition, and because you have to care about golf’s ongoing civil war to see its meaning. I, personally, am here for it. We get to see ex-rivals and current LIV golfers Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau team up against Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy representing the PGA Tour. They’ll play an 18-hole match at Shadow Creek, a legitimately tough course. This is nothing like the hit-and-giggle shows in cozy environments that “The Match” series has turned into.
9. Florida Panthers at Edmonton Oilers, Dec. 16
Nov 14, 2024; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid (97) celebrates after scoring a goal during the second period, his 1000th NHL point against the Nashville Predators at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images December is so jam-packed with football that hockey gets the squeeze, and the New Year’s Eve “Winter Classic” between the Blues and Blackhawks just missed the cut for this list. But if you get NHL Network, they’ll be carrying this Stanley Cup Final rematch nationally. The Panthers are very good once again, and the Oilers… well, the Oilers still have Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
8. Army vs. Navy Game, Dec. 14
Nov 9, 2024; Denton, Texas, USA; Army Black Knights quarterback Bryson Daily (13) carries the ball during warmups before a game against the North Texas Mean Green at DATCU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images This game is an institution. It’s on my personal bucket list. That doesn’t mean it’s always good football. Some years, neither offense can move the ball. This is not one of those years. The quarterback matchup of Navy’s Blake Horvath vs. Army’s Bryson Daily (who have 36 rushing touchdowns between them) is the zenith of a great year for the service academies.
7. Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State Warriors, Dec. 25
Oct 28, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) and forward LeBron James (23) walks to the bench during the first half against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images This year’s Christmas Day schedule looked much better on paper in the preseason than it does now. (Philadelphia at Boston? The Sixers will be basted like a holiday turkey.) But the Warriors and Lakers are both playing well entering the month, and you never know—this could be the last Christmas game LeBron James plays.
6. Auburn at Duke basketball, Dec. 4
Nov 22, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) celebrates a three pointer made during the second half against the Arizona Wildcat at McKale Center. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images Not much room for college hoops on this list, but make time for this one on Wednesday. Auburn has a claim as the best team in college basketball—ranked No. 1 on KenPom, with wins over Houston, Iowa State, North Carolina and Memphis, the latter three coming as the Tigers won the Maui Invitational. Next, they go to Cameron Indoor and tangle with Cooper Flagg and the Dukies. Must-see.
5. NBA Cup Championship game, Dec. 17
Dec 9, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) hoists the NBA Cup and celebrates with teammates after winning the NBA In-Season Tournament Championship game against the Indiana Pacers at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images The point of the NBA Cup is for basketball to try to stand out in a football-heavy December landscape, and last year’s inaugural tourney had the draw of the Lakers making the final. Group play isn’t finished yet, but some teams that could make it to Vegas include the Knicks, Bucks and Warriors. Still, everyone has their own opinion of whether the NBA Cup matters or not, so I can’t put this any higher than fifth.
Oregon kicker Atticus Sappington is hoisted into the air after kicking the game winning field goal as the Oregon Ducks host the Boise State Broncos Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. PHOTO USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES It just means more in the SEC, except this year, when every interesting team they have owns three league losses. This has been the Big Ten’s year, from Oregon’s dominance to Indiana’s fairytale run.
3. Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers, Dec. 25
Sep 5, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws a pass against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images The NFL has invaded the NBA’s holiday—I’ll never fully be on board with football on a Wednesday. But I can’t pretend I won’t be watching this game. Kansas City and Pittsburgh will be jostling for AFC playoff positioning, and might it be a white Christmas in Western Pennsylvania? On top of that, we all have to tune in to see if Netflix can handle a high-traffic livestream after their Jake Paul-Mike Tyson fiasco.
2. Buffalo Bills at Detriot Lions, Dec. 15
Oct 20, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) throws the ball against the Minnesota Vikings during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images Super Bowl preview? Sure feels like it. December appears to have far more interesting NFL matchups in store than November did, and Week 15 alone will also bring us Steelers-Eagles and Packers-Seahawks. They don’t hold a candle to these two red-hot, well-rounded teams. I only wish the game were in freezing Buffalo instead of indoors in the Motor City.
I don’t have enough space here to debate the finer points of the new 12-team playoff format.
What I know is that a few Fridays from now, history will be made with the first FBS-level playoff game held on a college campus, likely somewhere cold like Columbus, Ohio, or State College, Pa. A tripleheader will follow on Saturday. There’s no promise this particular game will be good, but you’ll be watching, and our brave new world of college football will feel realer than ever.
