FeaturedThe Friday 5

The Friday 5: December 16th

By December 16, 2022 No Comments

NFC West Champions

The San Francisco 49ers beat the Seattle Seahawks, 21-13, on Thursday Night Football and are the 2022 NFC West Champions. The team that is now on their third quarterback of the season, and that was once 3-4, has won seven straight games and sits at 10-4.

The legend of Brock Purdy continues, as the rookie quarterback finished the night 17-of-26 for 217 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Christian McCaffrey had 108 yards rushing, 30 yards receiving and a rushing touchdown. George Kittle had two TD receptions and the defense continued to show why it’s the best in the league.

San Francisco currently holds the No. 3 seed in the playoffs, with the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 1 and the Minnesota Vikings at No. 2. With three weeks left in the season, it’s going to be very interesting.

 

Zach Wilson’s Return

After being benched three weeks ago, New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson will return under center. The change comes as quarterback Mike White, who suffered a rib injury in Sunday’s 20-12 loss to the Buffalo Bills, has not been cleared for contact. 

The Jets (7-6) were 1-2 with White as QB1 and they are fighting to make the playoffs for the first time since 2015. They host the Detroit Lions (6-7), a team that has been hot of late, on Sunday at 1 pm ET/10 am PT on FOX.

 

Steph Curry

The Golden State Warriors are going to be without star Steph Curry for a beat. Curry partially dislocated his left shoulder in Wednesday’s loss to the Indiana Pacers. Although surgery is not required, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that Curry will be out a few weeks.

Playing without their star will not help a Warriors team that is 14-15 and in 10th place in the Western Conference. Curry has been averaging 30 points, 6.8 assists and 6.6 rebounds this season. Get well soon!

 

Brittney Griner and the Phoenix Mercury

After 10 months in prison in Russia, WNBA star Brittney Griner is finally back in the United States. After undergoing a medical evaluation at the San Antonio Fort Sam Houston Base, Griner made her first public statement via Instagram.

I intend to play basketball for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury this season, and in doing so, I look forward to being able to say ‘thank you’ to those of you who advocated, wrote, and posted for me in person soon,” Griner said.

 

NFL Injury News

  • The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be without DT Vita Vea, OLB Genard Avery, OLB Carl Nassib and CB Jamel Dean for Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Meanwhile, the Bengals expect to have wide receivers Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins back.
  • The Tennessee Titans will be down a number of men for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers, as WR Treylon Burks, WR C.J Board, RB Dontrell Hilliard, DL Denico Autry, CB Kristian Fulton, CB Tre Avery and S Amani Hooker have all been ruled out. 
  • Brett Rypien will be the Broncos QB1 against the Cardinals on Sunday, as Russell Wilson has been ruled out after suffering a concussion last week.
  • Who will be Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback on Sunday? TBD. Kenny Pickett is doubtful and Steelers’ head coach Mike Tomlin has not crowned Mitch Trubisky or Mason Rudolph yet. The Steelers host the Carolina Panthers.
Tracy Sandler

Tracy Sandler

I created Fangirl Sports Network as a place for female sports fans to follow their favorite teams with content and coverage that speaks directly to females. It started with one and then eight and now 32 NFL Fangirls and 15 NBA Fangirls.