By Michael Lipinski, Sports Talk Philly Contributor

The Penn State Nittany Lions (7-5, 4-5 Big Ten) return to the after losing 5-of-7 games to finish off the 2021 regular season campaign. At one point a Top 5 team, the Nittany Lions limped too the the finish line and an appearance in the Outback Bowl. 

No. 21 Arkansas Razorbacks (8-4, 4-4 SEC) were one of the bigger surprises this college football season. The Razorbacks complied right wins including two over Top 15 programs.  Head coach Sam Pittman was moments away from having Arkansas in the ten win club. Arkansas suffered a heartbreaking 52-51 loss to No. 17 Ole Miss and lost to CFP finalist No. 2 Alabama 42-35. 

This matchup could be the story of a team, Penn State, that woefully under achieved and an Arkansas squad that overachieved. The nation seems to think this is the case, Penn State is a 59.9% favorite according to ESPN’s Football Power Index. However, Vegas is favoring the overachiever, Arkansas is a 2.5-point favorite in most betting sites. 

Date: January 1, 2022

Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL

When: Noon/Eastern

TV: ESPN2

Radio: 1210 WPHT and the Penn State Radio Network

Series History 

This is the first ever matchup between Penn State and Arkansas. 

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

Thursday’s game was already going to be an uphill battle for the Flyers. Like every team in the league, they are dealing with players in COVID protocol and players on the injured list. Unlike their counterparts in Thursday’s game, they were also on the back end of a back-to-back and had an interesting night of travel, arriving at their hotel in San Jose at 4:30 a.m. local time. 

Despite that, the Flyers did find a way to keep their points streak going for a seventh straight game, finally getting the tying goal with 4:03 to play in regulation. 

This time, the overtime didn’t go their way, delivering a fitting result to end a pair of games where the Flyers were massively outplayed. Injuries, COVID, and everything else aside, the Flyers are not clicking the way they need to. They may be turning the corner in terms of results, but they may be turning into a head-on collision with some of the best teams in the league still ahead on the schedule.

Here are five takeaways from Thursday’s 3-2 overtime loss to the Sharks.

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

As the third period progressed, it was clear the legs were not there and the Flyers points streak was running out of time. Then, somehow, they found a way to keep it going for another game. A goal with 4:03 left forced overtime and extended the points streak to seven games.

But one night after getting the win in overtime, the Flyers didn't get the same fate on this night. Tomas Hertl scored on a rebound with 30.8 seconds remaining to hand the Flyers a 3-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night.

By Matthew Green, Sports Talk Philly Staff

While the NBA is a only a little over one-third of the way through its season, it is never too early to debate who will bring home the coveted Most Valuable Player award when the 2021-2022 regular season is over. 

At this point of the season, fans and media have begun to narrow down their MVP favorites to the top six or seven players that have a legitimate shot to take home the hardware. Many former MVPs and big names have once again thrown their names into the hat for this year's MVP award. 

While several players are having tremendous seasons this year in their own right, there is one glaring player that has inserted himself into the conversation that has not yet won the trophy: Joel Embiid.

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

The Flyers returned to the ice on Wednesday night and picked up where they left off in similar fashion. A 3-2 overtime win in Seattle marked their fifth win in the last six games and extended their points streak.

It's a quick turnaround on Thursday, as the Flyers head to California to finish up the four-game road trip. Their first game comes in San Jose, as they take on the Sharks.

Game time is 10:30 p.m.

By Michael Lipinski, Sports Talk Philly Contributor

Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers has entered the NBA health and safety protocol, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.  Rivers is one of seven coaches to enter the NBA health and safety protocol over the past few days.  The Sixers will be coached by assistant coach Dan Burke until Rivers is able to clear the NBA COVID-19 protocols. 

Philadelphia 76ers coach Doc Rivers has entered the league’s Covid protocols, team source tells ESPN. Assistant Dan Burke will take over as acting coach.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 30, 2021

By Michael Lipinski, Sports Talk Philly Contributor

The Philadelphia Eagles Reserve/COVID-19 list is getting smaller ahead of a pivotal NFC East matchup against Washington. Linebacker Shaun Bradley has been activated from the Reserve/COVID-19 list, the team announced on Thursday. 

Roster Move: Eagles have activated LB Shaun Bradley from the Reserve/COVID-19 list. pic.twitter.com/ZSC7xRaih2

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) December 30, 2021

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

There were plenty of reasons for the Flyers to start off a little slow and rusty. It was their first game of a four-game West coast trip off an 11-day pause that included multiple players on the COVID list. The team flew out to Seattle on Tuesday after just their second full-team practice since the pause.

So when they came out of the first period on Wednesday in a 1-1 tie after some uninspiring hockey, at least there was still 40 minutes ahead to get into a rhythm. The next 20 minutes were just as uninspiring and downright sloppy. 

But again in the third period, as they have many times before, they were in a position to grab two points. A quick response and another overtime winner ensured they did come away with just that, as their points streak hits six games with a 5-0-1 record.

Here are five takeaways from Wednesday’s 3-2 win over the Kraken.

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

Following an 11-day break in the schedule, there was certainly some rust to be expected in the Flyers game. But for the better part of Wednesday's game, the Flyers were outclassed by the Seattle Kraken. 

Just when it seemed like Seattle finally capitalized to put their stamp on the game, the Flyers got the goal right back, setting up an overtime beauty for Ivan Provorov in a 3-2 win over the Kraken.

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

It feels like a year since the Flyers last took the ice on Saturday, Dec. 18, against the Ottawa Senators. That night, they scored an overtime win and extended their points streak to five games before the NHL eventually shut down due to an extensive COVID outbreak around the league.

COVID is still running wild in the NHL and the rest of the world, but the Flyers make their return with five new additions to the COVID protocol list over the last several days, but also three players back from protocols. They will face the Seattle Kraken in their return, opening up a four-game road trip on Wednesday night. 

Game time is 10 p.m.