Atlanta has served as the home for the SEC Championship Game since 1994, and though the current contract with Mercedes-Benz Stadium is set to expire in 2026, the league reportedly plans to remain in Atlanta beyond that date.
The SEC previously agreed to a 10-year deal with the city in 2015, and that deal allowed the league to extend the deal for two successive five-year periods.
Though no decision has been made on that front, SEC spokesman Herb Vincent told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the league’s intention is to remain in Atlanta for the foreseeable future.
“We’re actively engaged in discussions with Mercedes-Benz Stadium to extend our agreement to keep the SEC Football Championship game in Atlanta,” Vincent said. “Atlanta’s been a tremendous home for SEC football. Mercedes-Benz provides a tremendous atmosphere and we’re excited about our future in Atlanta.”
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Other cities have reportedly approached the league about moving the championship game, including Nashville — which is planning to open a new stadium for the NFL’s Tennessee Titans — and Dallas. However, the league seems intent on remaining in Atlanta, with Vincent calling the city “home.”
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ATLANTA — After falling behind by a touchdown early in the second quarter, the Atlanta Falcons (8-7) scored 34 unanswered points to close out Sunday’s 34-7 victory over the New York Giants (2-13) inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Atlanta has eclipsed seven wins for the first time since 2017, and it now enters the final two games of the regular season with a shot at the postseason — and with a jolt of energy from rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
Here’s who’s rising and falling after the Falcons’ victory …
QB Michael Penix Jr.
The consensus from Atlanta’s side postgame on Penix: He played well.
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Rookie quarterbacks can go either way in their debut. Penix was solid, completing 18-of-27 passes for 202 yards, no touchdowns and an interception that bounced out of tight end Kyle Pitts’ hands and into the arms of Giants cornerback Cor’Dale Flott.
Consider Sunday a success for Penix, who provided no reason to stop dreaming.
OLB Matt Judon
Judon’s season overall hasn’t been what many expected when Atlanta sent a third-round pick to the New England Patriots for his services in August, but he’s turned a corner lately — and played his best game of the season Sunday.
The 32-year-old Judon collected one sack, two quarterback hits, a pass deflection and returned an interception 27 yards to the endzone for his first career touchdown.
Judon wore plenty of blame when he was struggling. He deserves similarly strong credit when he plays at the level he did Sunday.
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ILB Kaden Elliss
Elliss is the only player in the NFL with a sack in each of the last four consecutive weeks, according to the Falcons’ communication staff. He was excellent Sunday, logging a team-high seven tackles and two quarterback hits.
The 6’2″, 238-pound Elliss notched one sack — a forced fumble that was recovered by outside linebacker Arnold Ebiketie and gave Atlanta’s offense the ball in plus-territory.
Since inserting Elliss into the pass rushing plan more frequently, the Falcons’ pass rush — and defense as a whole — has made considerable strides.
TE Kyle Pitts
Pitts was targeted only twice — one went for seven yards, and the other led to Penix’s interception on a pass that hit his hands.
After a four-catch game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 15, Pitts failed to carry that production back home. He now has one or fewer receptions in four of the Falcons’ last five games and five of their last seven.
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Evidently, Pitts’ minimal production since the calendar flipped to November wasn’t solely due to quarterback Kirk Cousins.
There really isn’t much to complain about regarding Atlanta’s performance. Perhaps a slow start? A missed field goal from kicker Riley Patterson, who responded by making his other two field goals and all four extra points?
For the first time this season, there’s only one faller.
The Falcons return to action at 8:20 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29, against the Washington Commanders inside Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland.
ATLANTA — After listing outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter and wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge as questionable on Friday’s game report, the Falcons made a final decision on the two prior to Sunday’s game against the New York Giants.
Both were given the all-clear after working through injuries this week. Carter was listed on the injury report as having a groin injury, while Hodge was listed as having a ribs injury.
Because of Hodge’s active status, the Falcons decided to keep practice squad receiver Dylan Drummond inactive after using a standard practice squad elevation on him Saturday. On the same day, the Falcons signed fellow receiver Chris Blair to the active roster. So, the Falcons have good depth at receiver heading into Michael Penix Jr.’s first career start.
Here is the full list of Falcons’ inactives for Week 16:
The offseason continues to move on as the Braves stay quiet for now. Today was the flurry of first base movement, which fortunately didn’t impact the Braves, who have no opening at first base or designated hitter. It is hard not to get antsy watching players move all over the place in the offseason where the Braves opened up a bunch of money to do something but have yet to do anything of note. I do maintain that something (probably multiple things) of note will happen, but it is frustrating to see options dwindle and players move. All of that said, my preference coming into the offseason was signing Ha-Seong Kim, a viable starter, and a viable outfielder. I have begun to suspect that a trade is going to be the pathway to at least one of those holes and Kim is still out there. Time will tell and all we can do is try to remain patient. Plenty of time remains before Spring Training and the season begin.
Braves News
Demetrius reviewed Austin Riley’s rollercoaster of a 2024 season, that featured underperformance, quality production, and injury at various times.
Gaurav took a look at prospect Mitch Farris’ impressive2024 season, as the 13th round pick of the Braves’ 2023 draft.
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MLB News
Baseball icon and Hall-of-Famer Rickey Henderson died of pneumonia on Saturday at the age of 65.
Cleveland traded first baseman Josh Naylor to the D-Backs for pitcher Slade Cecconi and a competitive balance round B pick.
The Guardians signed Carlos Santana, just after dumping a different first baseman in Naylor to Arizona.
Negotiations between the Dodgers and Teoscar Hernandez do not appear to be moving and the Dodgers are reportedly looking into alternatives.
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The Yankees signed former MVP Paul Goldschmidt to a one year deal worth $12.5 million to fill their hole at first base.