While this calendar year might be coming to an end, three major professional sports seasons are in full swing. The NFL, NHL, and NBA seasons are in the midst of the action as the playoffs quickly approach. Many teams across all sports leagues, equipped with state-of-the-art TSCM Equipment, are working hard to secure their place. For fans of all sports, the 2019-20 season is sure to be exciting for all involved.

Closing in on the NFL Playoff Season

With the kick-off of Week 15 on Thursday, December 12th, many NFL teams are still in the hunt for a playoff spot. Seven teams have earned themselves a position, with the New Orleans Saints, Kansas City Chiefs, and Baltimore Ravens clinching their divisions and the New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks, and San Francisco 49ers clinching a playoff berth. 

This means that the division leader positions in both the AFC and NFC are still up for grabs. Although the Indianapolis Colts have yet to be eliminated, it seems that the AFC South title will be clinched by either the Houston Texans or Tennessee Titans. In the NFC East, it is up to the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles to see who will reign supreme. The two teams will face off in Week 16 and will determine whether the Cowboys secure their spot or if the Eagles can stay alive.

While a lot has happened on the field this season, just as much has happened off of it as well. Many of the league’s best players have turned in their helmets and uniforms, whether it be due to old age or prevention of future injury. Most notable of them all include Patriot’s tight end Rob Gronkowski; Colt’s quarterback Andrew Luck; Bills, Seahawks, and Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch; and Panthers, Bears, and Packers defensive end Julius Peppers.

Front office changes have also occurred this season, with many coaching changes made before and during the season. Bengals ex-head coach Marvin Lewis left the team as part of a mutual decision, while the Browns, Broncos, Packers, Dolphins, Jets, and Bucs all fired their head coaches before the season began. Jay Gruden and Ron Rivera, head coaches of the Redskins and Panthers, respectively, both got the boot during the middle of the season after their respective teams continued to struggle.

The Shocks and Surprises of NBA

While the 2019-20 NBA season is still in its early stages, many teams have already influenced what many reporters, analysts, and fans predict will happen for the remainder of the season. In a majority of the most recent seasons, the Western Conference has dominated the league. With teams like the Golden State Warriors, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Houston Rockets being consistently at the top, it seemed as though no Eastern Conference team stood a chance.

So far this season, those trends have been put to rest. Many of the teams in the Eastern Conference are performing better than those in the West. The only team from the Western Conference that seems to be able to compete with the East’s leaders are the Philadelphia 76ers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Miami Heat and the Los Angeles Lakers. While it is no surprise that the 76ers and Bucks are leading their respective divisions this season, as they were both strong contenders for the Eastern Conference title last season, the Heat and Lakers have made headlines as they continue to impress. 

After LeBron James’ departure from Miami in 2014, it seems as if the team was never able to fully recover. Five years later, the Heat are leading their division and look to have a promising future ahead of them this season. As for the Lakers, they received championship-caliber forward at the beginning of the 2018-19 season. While injuries plagued James’ season and led to disappointment among many LA fans, it looks as though this year could prove successful for the once-celebrated Lakers.

Before the season began, a shocking amount of the league’s stars decided that the next time they would step on the hardwood, they would not be playing for anything. Dwayne Wade, Dirk Nowitzki, Vince Carter, and Tony Parker are among the most well-known players who hung up their jerseys. As for coaching staffs, many teams have replaced leaders from previous seasons. Of these teams, the Lakers and ex-head coach Luke Walton parted ways before the season. During the season, the struggling New York Knicks fired David Fizdale after another disappointing start.

As the Temperature Drops, the Ice is Heating Up

The 2019-20 NHL season began in October, meaning it almost directly lines up with the NBA season. Even though the season began two months ago, there are already some teams who have cemented their place and hope to continue to rack up wins. Many of these teams, including the Washington Capitals, Boston Bruins, St. Louis Blues, and Vegas Golden Knights are expected guests to the top of the leaderboards.

While those teams are headed in a positive direction, others are struggling along. The Detroit Red Wings are at the very bottom of the totem pole, with only nine wins and twenty-three losses. More disappointing, however, is the current status of the New Jersey Devils. When the teams picked up the overall number one pick in the 2019 draft, forward Jack Hughes, the Devils had high hopes for this season. But the team has been unable to hang on to leads they build early on in games, giving them just ten wins so far this season.

Whether teams have been successful or not, they have not been shy when it comes to hiring new coaches. Teams including the Philadelphia Flyers and St. Louis Blues fired their coaches before the season could start. The Calgary Flames, Dallas Stars, and New Jersey Devils have fired their coaches for either poor beginnings to their seasons, or more serious accusations.

What’s Next?

If you’re a sports fan, there will be no shortage of entertainment for you throughout these three major sports seasons. With the NFL playoffs heading our way and the NBA and NHL in the midst of their seasons, it is almost impossible to run out of anything to watch. Let’s all hope that these three pro-sport seasons continue to be thrilling for all fans with many twists and turns.