The orbital fracture that Richardson has been working through occurred on Oct. 12th. It happened during warmups prior to the Arizona game, when a pole that was attached to a stretch band snapped and impacted Richardson around his eye.
Prior to his return to the practice field, Richardson has been back with the team and ramping up the physical activity aspect of his return.
(Please note that this article will be updated.)
Shane Steichen:
The 21-day practice window for Anthony Richardson Sr. has been opened.
Sky Sports strategy analyst Bernie Collins believes that the job for the Cadillac Formula 1 team cannot be underestimated.
The American outfit is set to join the grid in 2026 as the 11th team with experienced drivers Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas. And while the regulation changes next year will reset the order of the grid, Collins argued that the General Motors-backed team will likely struggle as she compared its entry to Haas's debut in the championship at the 2016 Australian Grand Prix.
"Cadillac is going to be a struggle, I think, to get a new team together, to get all the people together, to get the car on the grid," she said during the Sky Sports F1 Show.
"Like we had it before in [2016]. Haas joined the grid, and I remember at that point, when I was with McLaren, walking into the track on the Friday morning as the Haas guys were walking out of the track to have a shower to go back to the track.
"That was how much pain they were in to get a new car on the grid for Australia. So, I think for the Cadillac guys, the job cannot be underestimated. If they get that car on the grid in Australia, that will be really good for them. That will be a victory in many ways."
Sergio Perez, Cadillac Racing
Sergio Perez, Cadillac Racing
Discussing the changes to the status quo in general, Collins noted the perception that Mercedes-powered teams will likely rise to the top.
"I think the status quo will change among the teams because I think it'll be who gets the engine right and who gets the engine wrong. I think the perception is that Mercedes engine teams will rise to the top. But we don't know. We've not compared them against each other.
"But if nothing else, they've got three teams who they are supplying, so they're going to learn a lot faster than Honda, which is only supplying one team."
Two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal and San Diego Padres fireballer Mason Miller have announced they will pitch for the United States at the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Skubal, who has pitched at least 190 innings and struck out at least 228 batters over the past two seasons for the Detroit Tigers, is joining a staff that already features NL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes, Minnesota Twins star Joe Ryan and Nolan McLean of the New York Mets.
The 2026 World Baseball Classic will take place from March 5 to March 17 in Miami, Houston, San Juan, and Tokyo. The semifinals and championship game will be played at LoanDepot Park in Miami.
The U.S. will play exhibition games against the San Francisco Giants (March 3) and Colorado Rockies (March 4). They will begin pool play on March 6 against Brazil and also play Great Britain (March 7), Mexico (March 9) and Italy (March 10).
Red-hot Trevor Lawrence confronts an ice-cold matchup, Brock Purdy looks to build off his best start of the season, and Dak Prescott tries to keep the troops focused with the season slipping away.
At running back, Jonathan Taylor wonders if he has one more spiked week in him, RJ Harvey deals with a sub-par Jags matchup, and Tony Pollard attempts to extend his surprising hot streak.
In the receiver ranks, Jameson Williams readies for shootout conditions with the Steelers, Mike Evans continues to pick up where he left off, and Tee Higgins and Drake London hope to return from injury.
Up the seam, Kyle Pitts follows up the game of a lifetime, Darren Waller goes in search of touchdowns in a dream Bengals matchup, and Brock Bowers asks the football gods for help with his quarterback situation.
At the Paul vs. Joshua weigh-ins, Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua will step on the scale Thursday in Miami.
Paul and Joshua have to weigh in at a maximum of 245 pounds for their eight-round heavyweight main event showdown Friday.
In the co-main event, super featherweight champion Alycia Baumgardner defends her titles against Leila Beaudoin in a 12-round contest. Baumgardner and Beaudoin must weight in at or below the championship limit of 130 pounds. This marks Baumgardner’s fourth defense as undisputed champion.
Also featured on the card is a boxing match between former UFC champions Anderson Silva and Tyron Woodley. Silva is widely regarded as one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time, having defended the UFC’s middleweight title 10 consecutive times from 2006-2013, while Woodley successfully defended the promotion’s welterweight championship four times.
Watch highlights of the official weigh-ins below.
The Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua official weigh-ins are expected to begin at 11 a.m. ET.
The Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua ceremonial weigh-ins are expected to begin at 6 p.m. ET.
Check out the Jake vs. Joshua weigh-in results below.
Main Card (Netflix at 8 p.m. ET)
Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua
Alycia Baumgardner (129.2) vs. Leila Beaudoin (130)
Justin Boone identifies under-the-radar stashes to consider adding to your roster before they become top fantasy football waiver-wire pickups in future weeks.
While the bar might move occasionally, the general focus is to search among the group of players who are rostered in around 15% or less of the Yahoo leagues.
Note: This is the final edition of stashes for this season.
The Saints were one of the backfields I highlighted in Monday’s waiver wire column after Devin Neal suffered a hamstring injury over the weekend.
We now know Neal has been ruled out for Week 16, paving the way for someone else to step up in an extremely favorable matchup with the Jets.
New York has permitted the second most fantasy points to running backs this season, including a mind-boggling 14 total touchdowns to RBs over their last five games.
Once Neal was out of the lineup last week, Estimé saw the better part of a near 55-45 split with Hull.
Estimé gained 50 scrimmage yards on six touches, with the majority of his production coming through the air. Hull had just 12 yards on four carries.
While either back could get the hot-hand treatment, I lean Estimé as the more enticing fantasy option given his role in the passing game.
Either way, Estimé should be added as a startable RB3 this week and Hull as a riskier RB3/flex.
Coker has been a regular in this column and it seems fitting to acknowledge him again given his recent surge in production.
The 24-year-old wideout has topped 50 receiving yards in three of his last four games and found the end zone two weeks in a row.
In addition to becoming a reliable second option in the Panthers’ passing attack, he’s emerged as a WR4/flex for fantasy with some upside.
We’ll also need to monitor the health of star wideout Tetairoa McMillan, who sat out Wednesday’s practice due to a foot/ankle injury ahead of an intriguing matchup with a banged-up Buccaneers’ secondary.
Shough has posted at least 18 fantasy points in three straight games as he gets more comfortable starting in an NFL offense.
While his recent increase in production isn’t going to win you a fantasy playoff matchup, it makes him a serviceable streaming option for those in need.
One notable reason for Shough’s improved fantasy stat lines has been his rushing numbers, with seven carries for 55 yards and two TDs in Week 14 and eight carries for 32 in Week 15.
The rookie also gets the benefit of taking on a Jets defense that may already be thinking about the offseason. New York is allowing the eighth most fantasy points to quarterbacks and just let Trevor Lawrence beat up on them for 330 passing yards and five passing touchdowns, as well as 51 rushing yards and a score.
While I still have my doubts that Shough can be the Saints’ long-term answer under center, he’s turned into a decent QB2 fantasy streamer down the stretch.
We’re digging deep at tight end this week, so hopefully you have better options that you can start in the fantasy semifinals.
Gesicki has had a tough string of opponents the last three weeks and only managed one quality fantasy outing during that stretch — a six-catch, 86-yard, one-touchdown performance versus the Bills.
However, he’ll get a much more friendly spot this week versus a Dolphins defense allowing the third most fantasy points to tight ends.
With Tee Higgins’ status uncertain as he tries to clear concussion protocol and Noah Fant dealing with an ankle issue, Gesicki should be a big part of the passing attack in Week 16.
Even so, he’s still a risky streamer for desperate fantasy managers until we know for sure if Higgins and Fant will suit up.
Week 16 of the NFL season kicks off on Thursday evening. It feels like it was just the preseason a week or so ago. Before we get into that on-field action, I solicited some Eagles questions on Bluesky for a fresh mailbag.
Let’s get after it…
@anthonypaparo.bsky.social: On a scale of 1-10, how comfortable are you trading AJ Brown this offseason to pay some of our defenders and rocking with Smitty as our #1 WR?
I’ll say a seven. A divorce feels inevitable simply from reading the tea leaves this season even if the Eagles were to go on to win back-to-back championships. The cap ramifications of trading Brown in the middle of this season were nonsensical. It would still be costly to deal him come the offseason, but it would be a bit more palatable.
Trade Brown for a couple of picks, go offensive line on Day 1 of the NFL Draft, nab a receiver on Day 2 and go from there to refresh the offense. I’d be fine with that.
The defense is so loaded on talent, so, yes, there are plenty of big paydays on the way on that side of the ball!
Even if the Eagles were to flame out this winter in the playoffs, the Brown era would go down as a remarkable success. They’d have made two Super Bowls, won one and he’d have at least three, and possible four, 1,000-yard seasons. Bringing Brown to Philly in 2022 just might be the best trade in franchise history. Things happen though!
@swanlynntanze.bsky.social: Would you take an Eagles Super Bowl win this year if it meant that next year the Eagles would lose to the Cowboys in the NFC title game, and the Cowboys would go on to win the Super Bowl?
Phenomenal question for a sick man.
If the Eagles had never won a Super Bowl, I’d say yes. Given that I’ve seen two parades in under a decade, however, I’m leaning no just because I enjoy the Cowboys’ futility so much.
Let’s live to fight another day in 2027, shall we?
@patgallen.bsky.social: Where would a midnight green jersey & midnight green pants combo rank among all possible combinations?
It’s been 23 years. Bring them back! Here are my rankings:
If they were a historic band, I’d say 1983 Metallica. They’re playing with a mix of heavy metal and punk that’s unmatched. Unsurprisingly, I’ll listen to the band’s Kill ‘Em All on vinyl on gameday sometimes.
For a current act, how about Turnstile? They have hardcore roots. That lends itself to the ferocity that players like Nakobe Dean, Cooper DeJean and Zack Baun carry themselves with out there on the field while destroying opponents. Turnstile is also getting a bit poppier as they reach more and more mainstream success, so, in a way, you can say that this Eagles defense is no longer under the radar after only a serviceable beginning, by their championship standards, to start the 2025 season. Everyone knows who they are and everyone knows they’re a force to be reckoned with when the ball is snapped.
Philadelphia’s own Will Yip has worked with them extensively as a producer as well, so that adds some local flair as well, right?
Kyle Pitts follows up the game of a lifetime, Darren Waller goes in search of touchdowns in a dream Bengals matchup, and Brock Bowers asks the football gods for help with his quarterback situation.
TE Notes: There are no holes to poke in Kyle Pitts’ monumental Week 15 performance. He turned gangbusters usage into monster production and did so in style, looking as explosive as he ever has in the open field. He’s a must start. Fantasy managers just need to remember he’s never had to fight Drake London for looks with Kirk Cousins under center this season. It could be more of a floor than ceiling outing for a tight end looking to get paid this offseason. … “Safe” isn’t the word that comes to mind for Dallas Goedert. But if you’re a tight end with spiked week potential who is also second at the position in touchdowns, you get a high-end ranking. … My most galaxy brain take for Week 16? You can’t quibble with Colby Parkinson’s targets case. The ball has to go somewhere with Davante Adams (hamstring) sidelined. But his touchdowns case? I have a suspicion Parkinson’s scoring binge is due at least in part to the double and triple teams Adams commands at the goal line. With Adams sidelined, the Seahawks’ defense will be more free to account for Matt Stafford’s seam stretcher.
Here’s the problem with benching Brock Bowers: The best case for most tight ends in the TE10-20 range is uncomfortably close to Bowers’ worst case. You are still probably best off betting on Bowers’ talent, and maybe tossing a few prayers on top of the pile. … There’s never been a better time to chase points with Darren Waller, as he gets to follow up his best 2025 performance with tight end ATM Cincinnati. It certainly helps that the frozen Dolphins are returning home to Miami accompanied by a solid game total. … Colston Loveland combines a 4/40 compiling floor with 50/50 touchdown odds. Especially considering the injured state of the Bears’ receiver corps, Loveland is more of a low-end TE1 than TE2 for the fantasy semis. … Maybe the most underrated player at the position all season, Dalton Schultz enters semifinals week fourth in tight end receptions (70). His lack of scoring (two TDs) is the problem, though Schultz furnishes a nice PPR floor if you’re lacking upside options.
With the No. 7 tight end average depth of target, Theo Johnson keeps ripping chunk gains even as he’s gone into a scoring drought. Jaxson Dart was inactive for much of Johnson’s recent scoreless streak, so perhaps it’s not as bad as it looks (five games). Johnson is a strong option on the TE1/2 borderline because he’s a rare player in that range to boast matchup-flipping upside. … Even with Philip Rivers’ noodle arm under center, Tyler Warren remains a decent bet to catch 3-4 passes. The problem is, there are no air yards underwriting his targets, while touchdowns will be extremely tough to come by for any member of the Colts’ offense. Warren offers unusual upside for a TE2, but that’s what he needs to be treated as for Week 16. … Brenton Strange’s floor is proving to be a little too low to trust him as a set-and-forget TE1. He’s better treated as a TE2 who might suddenly go off for 5/90/1. … Tight end defense is a Patriots weakness. Perhaps Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely might actually do something this week after disappearing for the first round of the fantasy playoffs.
Jameson Williams readies for shootout conditions with the Steelers, Mike Evans continues to pick up where he left off, and Tee Higgins and Drake London hope to return from injury.
WR Notes: Marvin Harrison Jr. (heel) is trying to return. The last time he did so in Week 13, he instantly slotted back in ahead of Michael Wilson in the targets pecking order. Although it’s difficult to envision that happening a second time, it is certainly not impossible. You nevertheless have to keep starting Wilson, whether it’s as your WR1 or WR3. If MHJ plays, Marv should be considered a lower-ceiling WR3. … George Pickens has reverted to frustrating type at the worst possible moment for fantasy managers. I don’t really see a choice other than going down with the ship. Pickens is the ultimate “I would rather lose with him in my lineup than on my bench” player. ... With Devaughn Vele (shoulder) out and the Saints’ backfield down to its No. 4 back, the world should be Chris Olave’s oyster vs. a barely-there Jets pass defense. ... Tee Higgins (concussion) will probably return for Cincinnati’s plus matchup with the Dolphins. The Bengals didn’t look like they wanted to be out there in Week 15, but beating down the ‘Fins in South Beach is always an appealing assignment. You can’t let vibes scare you off of reinserting Higgins into your lineup.
Drake London (knee) is also trying to return but appears more questionable than Higgins. Concerning as concussions are, you are either cleared or not. With the knee, the Falcons can keep coming up with reasons to rest London rather than activate him as they play out the string. Still, it’s the same deal. If London suits up, it should be assumed he is genuinely healthy and ready to help the fantasy cause. … Mike Evans is eternal. Still dangerous down the field, he opens up the Bucs’ entire offense. That’s why his successful Week 15 return didn’t really dent Emeka Egbuka in the box score, not that it helped end Egbuka’s prolonged slump. You are starting Evans. Egbuka and Chris Godwin are both viable “see what happens” WR3s. … Suddenly concussed, Rashee Rice is genuinely questionable to face the Titans. If he does play, fantasy managers shouldn’t expect much of a change in his target share. The looks will be lower quality but plentiful from a backup in Gardner Minshew who at least knows where to funnel the ball.
Resurgent at just the right time, DK Metcalf is a wheels-up WR2 vs. a shootout-prone Lions defense surrendering the second most receiver fantasy points. …Tua Tagovailoa was no longer viable under center. Quinn Ewers could definitely be worse, but it’s worth betting that any replacement-level QB is capable of getting Jaylen Waddle the ball at least 4-5 times. With Tua, it had become 2-3 times. … Rookie wall-ing of late in the box score, Tetairoa McMillan is officially physically compromised, battling foot and ankle issues. With everything on the line, he’s going to push to play, but fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if he ends up getting treated more like a WR3 role player, playing crucial third down and red zone snaps while resting up on the others. That, of course, would still be enough to make McMillan a top 30 option in fantasy. … If you want five catches for 71 yards, Jakobi Meyers is your man. If you want more than five catches for 71 yards … Jakobi Meyers will get back to you on that. Meyers’ floor belongs in every fantasy lineup, but especially this week against the Broncos, don’t expect any ceiling.
Jauan Jennings is in a similar boat to Meyers, only with a slightly lower floor. That could change if Ricky Pearsall (knee) finds himself on the shelf yet again, as is looking likely for Monday night against the Colts. … “Nine” is playing better, but it has not translated to better box scores for Justin Jefferson. Facing down Jefferson’s tough coverage seems to be something of a final boss for the first-year starting QB. The Giants in theory make the assignment much easier for Week 16, but the same was true of the Cowboys in Week 15. … Ladd McConkey has been held below 40 yards receiving in four straight contests. You tell me what to do with that. The Cowboys are at least a slump-busting matchup if there ever was one. … Rome Odunze (foot) and Luther Burden III (ankle) are on the wrong side of questionable. That means it might not be the worst idea to point chase what seemed like an outlier game for DJ Moore in Week 15. Olamide Zaccheaus is a “will at least get targets” WR5. … Christian Watson (chest) at less than full health feels like a rug pull waiting to happen, but his big-play ability is an ideal tiebreaker when sorting through lower-end WR3s.
No matter the Jets quarterback, the assignment remains the same: Get the ball to Adonai Mitchell and see what happens. It would be a stretch to say Brady Cook was “good” in Week 15. He also wasn’t bad enough to force Mitchell out of fantasy lineups for an ordinary matchup with the Saints. … Philip Rivers, on the other hand, was bad enough that I’m (further) reconsidering all Colts. Rivers can still process quickly, but he can’t move, and his deep ball looks like it was a victim of a dove hunt. Even the best-case scenarios are mostly focused on floor rather than ceiling outings, maxing out Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs as second FLEX space fillers. … Stefon Diggs has stopped producing as he plays through a finger injury. You don’t need me to explain Diggs’ upside any time he steps on the football field, but he does not seem particularly likely to tap into it in Baltimore. … Quentin Johnston (groin) seems likely to return against Dallas. He is best treated as a big-play dependent WR4, one whose down-field odds are lessened by the Chargers’ ongoing protection issues … Jerry Jeudy has no floor, no ceiling, and limited touchdown ability.
Jonathan Taylor wonders if he has one more spiked week in him, RJ Harvey deals with a sub-par Jags matchup, and Tony Pollard attempts to extend his surprising hot streak.
RB Notes: We’ve learned the hard way this season that the backup quarterback can, in fact, always be worse, but it’s difficult to see the Dolphins’ transition from Tua Tagovailoa to Quinn Ewers having much effect on De’Von Achane. Already the engine of the offense, Achane will remain so vs. Cincinnati’s turnstile defense, one that hasn’t appeared interested in playing for several weeks now. … Saquon Barkley still isn’t breaking out, and dominant linemen Lane Johnson and Landon Dickerson still don’t appear to be returning for Week 16. That makes Barkley a matchup- and workload-based bet against the tanking Commanders. It’s an admittedly compelling argument. … Josh Jacobs seems to be playing through every injury known to man right now, but he will continue to do so with everything on the line vs. the Bears. Jacobs had a perfectly fine game vs. Chicago two weeks ago, though he is somehow even more injured now. … RJ Harvey’s recent fantasy production will be put to the test vs. a Jaguars defense permitting the league’s fewest rushing yards. His workload advantage over his middling backups has nevertheless grown to the point that he can’t be benched as a home favorite.
Bucky Irving appears set to remain the bank examiner’s teacher’s pet to the last. Now losing goal-line carries to Sean Tucker with disturbing regularity, Irving is still maintaining a strong workload floor. The Panthers are a fine matchup. You’re not considering benching Irving, but you’re also no longer holding out hope he’s going to single-handedly win you a week. … Omarion Hampton keeps narrowly winning the touches battle with Kimani Vidal despite decisively losing the snaps war. Maybe it will actually count for something in fantasy this week with the Chargers finally getting a let-up on the matchup front in the Cowboys. I trust Hampton as a high-ceiling RB2, with Vidal remaining a high-floor FLEX. … Stunningly productive and efficient the past two weeks, Tony Pollard no longer has to contend with Patrick Mahomes’ Chiefs. The Gardner Minshew Chiefs are much more the Titans’ speed, making a blowout loss unlikely as Tennessee’s offense keeps taking baby steps forward. The Titans still feel like a risky place to put your fantasy chips, but Pollard projects as a Week 16 RB2, plain and simple. … If you want to “get cute” and bench Kenneth Walker III, I won’t be stopping you. He’s the most painfully average player in all of fantasy football.
The Browns’ offensive environment has degraded to the point Quinshon Judkins must be treated as the low-ceiling RB2 he probably should have been all along. Hopefully better days are ahead for 2026. … Listen, at some point, Aaron Jones is going to do something. He has 29 touches over the past two weeks. Workload has not been the issue. His matchup also won’t be a problem for Week 16 in a Giants defense permitting the second most RB fantasy points. … There’s only so high you can rank Michael Carter, but he’s miles ahead of Emari Demercado in the workload mix. The Falcons are the rare team unlikely to blow Arizona out. If you’re scrambling in your RB2/3 spots, Carter is more than just a defensible solution. He probably needs to be in your lineup. … Kenneth Gainwell has played Jaylen Warren to a snaps/touches standstill and is now out-producing him. With the Steelers tasked with matching points with the Lions on Ford Field’s fast track, it simply makes too much sense for Gainwell to retain his narrow advantage. That’s why I’m ranking Gainwell higher with the caveat I do fear I could be overinterpreting recent trends.
I’m not entirely sure what’s going on with Woody Marks’ (ankle) health. Coach DeMeco Ryans has said he is not overly concerned, but Marks was held out of practice on Wednesday. Nick Chubb (ribs) suited up. Jawhar Jordan, of course, was shockingly productive in Marks’ Week 15 absence. Whatever ends up happening, I doubt I will feel comfortable ranking Marks as a top-24 back despite his mouthwatering Raiders matchup. … Although D’Andre Swift has re-taken control of the Bears’ backfield, Kyle Monangai has thankfully not faded to irrelevance. With the Bears’ receiver corps snakebitten by injury, Monangai will continue to see RB3 workloads that feature an RB2-level of touchdown opportunities. … The Raiders seem to be going back to Geno Smith, but it’s time to get more serious about benching Ashton Jeanty. The Texans are as bad as matchups get for opposing signal callers, and they don’t exactly take it easy on running backs. The Raiders are at genuine risk of getting shut out for the second consecutive week. Any offensive momentum whatsoever would stabilize Jeanty’s FLEX floor, but that’s a poor bet to be making with everything on the line in fantasy leagues.
With an RB3 baseline more or less established, Blake Corum could inch toward RB2 status in Davante Adams’ (hamstring) expected absence. Adams is the goal-line finisher, and if/when he can’t go, those looks should trickle down more to the backfield than Colby Parkinson, et al. … With Devin Neal (ankle) out for Week 16, Audric Estime has the “last man standing” advantage for an A++ matchup with the Jets. That is not to say you should be excited about jamming a Week 16 mystery back into your lineup. But if you have to, you can be reasonably confident Estime will at least get enough work to make fantasy points possible. … Jacory Croskey-Merritt shined in Chris Rodriguez’s (groin) Week 15 absence, but “C-Rod” has resumed practicing in full. That, combined with an Eagles defense and game environment that makes it unlikely the Commanders will dictate the pace of play has “Bill” on the fringes of RB3 viability. … With Patrick Mahomes out and the Chiefs’ season finished, Kareem Hunt no longer makes sense as an RB3 bet. For one thing, the offense is going nowhere. For another, maybe coach Andy Reid will want to give Isiah Pacheco one last look heading into 2026, or — gasp — Brashard Smith any look at all.
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As always, take our survey and talk it out with your fellow fans in the comments.
Brock Purdy looks to build off his best start of the season, Dak Prescott tries to keep the troops focused with the season slipping away, and a red-hot Trevor Lawrence confronts an ice-cold matchup.
QB Notes: Joe Burrow certainly has the right matchup for Week 16, visiting the Dolphins in Miami. Does he have the right mindset? Fresh off a shocking shutout loss to the Ravens, Burrow seems in a darker place than ever, with the team having to clarify it’s perfectly healthy quarterback will indeed start the final three games of the season, Bizarre and somewhat troubling, but the ‘Fins should at least be a temporary cure for what ails him. That’s especially true if Tee Higgins (concussion) returns, as seems likely. Burrow is understandably cool on the Bengals experience. Fantasy managers need to give the Burrow experience another chance, even with everything on the line. … Fresh off becoming the first quarterback all season to produce three touchdown passes against the Texans, Jacoby Brissett gets a much better Week 16 fantasy setup as a home ‘dog in a reasonably high-totaled contest against a Falcons defense that is more forgiving than Houston’s. We’ve been expecting this wild Flacco ride to stop at some point, but it just doesn’t seem possible. The Cardinals can’t run the ball or play defense, meaning it’s always Brissett O’Clock.
The bottom line for Jared Goff: Even if the Steelers get T.J. Watt back, Goff is a touchdown home favorite with a total north of 50. Those are not conditions under which you bench Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams’ quarterback. … Coming off the best start of his abbreviated season, Brock Purdy is a high-floor bet vs. the Colts. Whether he can produce a ceiling could depend on if Philip Rivers can produce anything at all. … Matthew Stafford’s past five fantasy finishes: QB11, QB4, QB22, QB4 and QB15. That QB15 effort came against the Seahawks, with whom Stafford is now rematching on a short week on the road sans Davante Adams. It would be a bit extreme to call Stafford “benchable,” but the loss of his goal-line finisher against one of the league’s best defenses means he is not a must start with everything on the line. … Rematching with a Bears defense that produced one of his best overall statlines two weeks ago, Jordan Love should see enough passing volume to get home in fantasy. Vegas is projecting a reasonably good game environment, and Josh Jacobs is probably too banged up to handle 20-plus carries at the moment.
Jaxson Dart looked more like the quarterback fantasy managers have come to expect in Week 15, supplementing his two passing scores with 9/63 on the ground. The Vikings could go either way as a matchup, but matchups don’t matter as much when you can make bigs play with both your arm and legs. … Baker Mayfield was more recognizably himself with Mike Evans back in action for Week 15. With 10 days for quarterback and wideout to prepare for a must-win divisional showdown with the Panthers, Mayfield is a recent QB2 who could easily find himself back inside the top 12 when the Week 16 dust settles. … The Jaguars are a “pass funnel defense,” but it’s not because they’re slack through the air. They’re just that dominant on the ground. Although he’s coming off his first multi-score start in five weeks, Bo Nix is merely a QB2 for this intriguing playoff preview. … C.J. Stroud loves to be occasionally dominant. Week 15 was one such occurrence. With the Texans’ backfield banged up heading into a Raiders smash spot, Stroud has a decent chance to match last week’s QB8 output.
Trevor Lawrence, who is the QB2 by both average and total points over the past five weeks, is coming off one of the greatest fantasy quarterback performances of all time … and isn’t a QB1 for Week 16. Despite play that was dramatically improving even before his epic spiked week, Lawrence’s road date with the Broncos is simply too poor of a setup. Now, if you are in a situation where you “have” to play the quarterback of the moment, you can certainly sell yourself some optimism based on his ridiculously effective play of late. … Whatever post-deadline progress the Cowboys’ defense made has either stopped or reversed. Getting dunked on at home by “Nine” was a new low. The Chargers are going to want to establish the run, but Justin Herbert has the matchup and weapons to still earn priority streamer status for the fantasy semis. … Marcus Mariota has been one of this season’s best fill-in quarterbacks, but facing the Eagles isn’t time for QB2/superflex managers to get cute. If you have to play Mariota, there’s reasonable enough hope he will have a top-20 day. If you don’t have to play Mariota, there’s all too real of a chance he has nothing doing vs. one of the league’s best defenses.
The QB7 against the Dallas Cowboys, J.J. McCarthy is up to six total scores over his past two soft matchups. Coughing up the second most QB fantasy points, the Giants will look to make a trilogy of JJM's hot streak. “Nine” is no one’s idea of a comfortable start, but he is most definitely a two-QB league play for the fantasy semis. … Never quite as good of a streamer as you remember, Gardner Minshew does have a plus-plus matchup in the Titans. His weapons are another story, but Minshew will probably end up cracking the top 24. … Philip Rivers was the QB29 in his shock NFL return. Although his advanced stats weren’t as awful as I was expecting — he was “only” fourth to last in average depth of target, and middle of the pack in completion percentage over expected — he did not have the look of a 44-year-old whose performance was going to improve with time. Despite his experience, prolific history and well-stocked skill corps, Rivers is not a recommended superflex option.
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride heard about what happened to Pittsburgh Steelers star T.J. Watt — and McBride plans to continue his weekly dry-needling sessions.
“It’s something I do frequently. I’ve never had an issue like that,” he said. “But with every treatment, everything that you get done, I mean, there’s risk to everything.”
The risk that goes along with dry needling — at least in certain areas — caught many off guard last week when Watt was sent to the hospital with a partially collapsed lung sustained during the procedure. The 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year is out indefinitely after having surgery.
Dry needling is a treatment used by physical therapists and acupuncturists to treat pain and movement issues, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The medical professionals insert needles under the skin to target trigger points — knotted or tender areas — in muscles.
“I think there's like a bit of a systemic reaction,” said Chicago Bears center Drew Dalman, who has the treatment five to 10 times per year. “Like when you do that, it can draw blood flow and things like that to effected areas. I think there is some of that classic acupuncture muscle tension effect. I've always used that in terms of soft tissue-type issues.”
Dry needling gives NFL players relief for tight muscles
Dry needling is often part of a larger pain management plan, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The treatment is designed to alleviate tightness and tender areas in muscles by increasing blood flow to the area. It also can spark the release of endorphins that help with the pain.
The treatment is called dry needling because the thin needles don't have any medication.
“It just releases tight muscles," New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke said. "Obviously you have some fascial tension, so it helps release some of the fascia, too. It can kind of give you like a targeted trigger-point release where massage might not be able to get the muscle to release or different stretching techniques might not. Sometimes you stick a needle deep into that area, and it just gets it to relax.”
Two of the most common techniques are superficial — when the practitioner inserts the needle into the bottom layer of skin above the trigger point — and deep — when the needle is inserted deep into the muscle to penetrate the trigger point. There is also the pistoning technique, when the practitioner quickly moves the needle up and down through the tissue.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, dry needling is approved for use in 37 states and Washington, D.C. Training and certification can vary by state. Pennsylvania does not explicitly allow or ban the practice.
Washington Commanders guard Sam Cosmi said he started using dry needling during his college days at the University of Texas. Playing his fifth NFL season, he has a session every three weeks or so.
He described the sensation of the needle going in as a “bite.”
“I only do it when I have to do it. It’s not my favorite thing," Cosmi said.
Despite some concerns, NFL players will likely continue with dry needling
The use of dry needling varies around the NFL.
Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman John Jenkins said he has a session every week. The 36-year-old Jenkins, who is listed at 6-foot-3 and 360 pounds, has been using the treatment for about a decade.
“I do a lot of lower extremities, when it comes to dry needling," he said. "It helps me loosen up a lot of muscles that are pretty much tense. I’m a bigger person, right? So whatever helps me to loosen the muscles, I’m going to pursue that.”
Tennessee Titans center Lloyd Cushenberry said he uses the treatment when he thinks it's necessary. He cited his recovery from an Achilles tendon injury in November 2024 and a calf issue this past offseason.
“Sometimes, like with my calf, I felt some relief," he said. "But most of the time I’ve done it, it’s, I don’t know, maybe a placebo, I don’t know. I haven’t found too much, like it wasn’t a drastic difference afterwards. But when I did it with my calf this offseason ... it felt a little better.”
Some players are very particular about the areas where they will have the treatment. Cosmi said he doesn't have any sessions on his torso. Cushenberry said he sticks to his lower body.
“I’m a lower-body guy. If I’m getting dry-needled, stick it in my legs,” Commanders receiver Jaylin Lane said.
Lane said he heard about what happened with Watt and it made him nervous. Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Kyle Hinton also was aware of what happened, but he said it hadn't changed how he felt about the treatment.
“I trust all professionals, at least around here,” Hinton said. "I’m sure they have a great athletic training staff in Pittsburgh as well. But, you know, sometimes just stuff happens.”
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AP Pro Football Writer Teresa Walker and AP Sports Writers Howard Fendrich, Will Graves, David Brandt, Charles Odum, Stephen Whyno and Noah Trister contributed to this report.
The Brooklyn Nets (7-18) have been playing better basketball as of late and due to the uniqueness of the NBA Cup, they are having more to rest in between games than they will at any other point in the season. Brooklyn has been getting healthier along the way, but the tough part of their schedule begins on Thursday against the Miami Heat (14-12) and if you're wondering how you can watch all the action live, you've come to the right place!
The Nets come into this game following a 127-82 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday in which they tied for the best win in franchise history after beating the Bucks by 45 points. Rookie guard Egor Demin stepped up in the wake of forward Michael Porter Jr. struggling as the former BYU Cougar dropped 17 points, three rebounds, and three assists while forward Noah Clowney put up 16 points and three rebounds.
The Heat enter this matchup following a 106-96 loss to the Toronto Raptors on Monday in which the Raptors ran away with the game in the fourth quarter to come away with the win. Center Bam Adebayo had 20 points and 10 rebounds for Miami while guard Norman Powell, who is questionable for this matchup, also had 20 points while putting up three rebounds and four assists.
Nets: OUT: Haywood Highsmith (knee), Cam Thomas (hamstring), Ben Saraf (G League), Nolan Traore (G League), Tyson Etienne (Two-Way), and EJ Liddell (Two-Way).
Heat: OUT: Tyler Herro (toe), Nikola Jovic (elbow), Pelle Larsson (ankle), Terry Rozier (not with team), and Jahmir Young (G League). QUESTIONABLE: Norman Powell (calf). AVAILABLE: Kasparas Jakucionis (ankle) and Dru Smith (hip).
Advice and Prediction
The Nets have been playing better basketball as of late, but their schedule over the next couple of weeks is going to be tough, starting with the Heat coming to town. Brooklyn has been able to rely on the fact that Porter has been the offensive engine for head coach Jordi Fernandez's offense and for as long as Cam Thomas is out, the former Denver Nuggets sharpshooter will have to continue his excellent play moving forward.
The Heat have been playing differently this season than they did last season as they have prioritized getting up and down the court and getting easy buckets in transition. Guard Tyler Herro, who is out for this game with a toe injury, has been playing well, but Miami might have to figure out how they're going to score if Powell misses this game as well with his calf issue.
The Nets and Heat rank in the bottom half of the league in offensive rating, but the defensive side of the ball and pace is where both of these teams differ. Brooklyn ranks among the worst teams in the NBA in defensive rating and in pace while Miami is one of the best teams in that metric along with playing at the fastest pace in the Association by a considerable margin.
The reigning back-to-back American League Cy Young winner committed Thursday, Dec. 18, to Team USA for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, which begins March 5 and ends March 17.
It will be Skubal's first experience competing for Team USA.
Team USA has a stacked roster that features many MLB superstars, including Skubal, Aaron Judge, Paul Skenes, Bobby Witt Jr., Gunnar Henderson, Kyle Schwarber, Cal Raleigh, Corbin Carroll and Mason Miller, among others. The Team USA starting rotation will be headlined by Skubal and Skenes, but it also features Joe Ryan.
This is the sixth edition of the WBC.
For 2026, Team USA is a member of Pool B at Daikin Park in Houston, joining Mexico, Italy, Great Britain and Brazil. The first game for Team USA is scheduled for March 6 against Brazil.
Skubal becomes a free agent after the 2026 season.
Listen to our weekly Tigers show "Days of Roar" every Monday afternoon during the season and Tuesday afternoon during the offseason on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.
The reigning back-to-back American League Cy Young winner committed Thursday, Dec. 18, to Team USA for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, which begins March 5 and ends March 17.
It will be Skubal's first experience competing for Team USA.
Team USA has a stacked roster that features many MLB superstars, including Skubal, Aaron Judge, Paul Skenes, Bobby Witt Jr., Gunnar Henderson, Kyle Schwarber, Cal Raleigh, Corbin Carroll and Mason Miller, among others. The Team USA starting rotation will be headlined by Skubal and Skenes, but it also features Joe Ryan.
This is the sixth edition of the WBC.
For 2026, Team USA is a member of Pool B at Daikin Park in Houston, joining Mexico, Italy, Great Britain and Brazil. The first game for Team USA is scheduled for March 6 against Brazil.
Skubal becomes a free agent after the 2026 season.
Listen to our weekly Tigers show "Days of Roar" every Monday afternoon during the season and Tuesday afternoon during the offseason on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.
The Chicago Bears finished up a dominant performance against the Cleveland Browns and are looking ahead to a huge NFC North battle this Saturday with the Green Bay Packers.
Daryl Johnson was in the booth for the NFL on Fox for the Bears-Browns game, and he was nice enough to join the podcast to talk about the Bears-Browns game and how viable he sees this Bears team moving forward the rest of the season.
There was plenty made about how cold it was against Cleveland at Soldier Field, and with the Bears potentially having an important game to finish the season in Chicago against Detroit and potential home playoff games as well, cold is going to be a factor.
Johnston, who was on the Cowboys Super Bowl teams in the 90s, says that cold shouldn’t affect players, and it only will if you let it. As a warm-weather team, the Cowboys went 5-1 in cold-weather games from 1991 to 1995 (I did that research myself, so it may not be 100% accurate). How much can cold impact a game? Here’s what Johnston said about the cold.
“As much as you allow it to. We played in heat, we played in rain, we played in cold, we played in snow. The wind is the one thing that can impact a game outside of guys just being mentally tough. Because that definitely has an impact on the passing game and special teams,” Johnston explained. “The cold makes it a little more challenging on the catch, the ball is a little bit slicker, which means it’s harder to catch and easier to fumble, so you have to be dialed in a little bit more on your details. But other than that, it’s just a mental thing; if you let the cold impact you, then that’s weakness on your part, just not being mentally strong.”
It’s a great conversation. If you’d like to watch the podcast, you can do so on the 2nd City Gridiron YouTube page below:
If you’d like to listen to the podcast, you can do so on the 2nd City Gridiron Podcast feed wherever you get your podcasts, or use the player below:
The UFC has wrapped things up for 2025, and now the combat sports world turns their attention to Miami and the Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua heavyweight matchup in the boxing ring. With Joshua heavily favored to get the victory, what would be the result to make the event and matchmaking as successful as it can be?
On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel discusses the Jake vs. Joshua matchup and event, Anderson Silva vs. Tyron Woodley, and other storylines ahead of Friday night’s Netflix card. Additionally, topics may include Manel Kape’s big knockout of Brandon Royval in the main event of UFC Vegas 113, UFC lightweight champ Ilia Topuria providing more details as to why he’s taking time off from competition, Alex Pereira’s latest comments on competing at the UFC White House card, Terence Crawford announcing his retirement from boxing, and much more.
Join MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and Jed Meshew as they answer your questions all show long for the final live edition of the program for 2025.
Watch the show live at Noon ET / 9 a.m. PT in the video above.
If you missed the show live, you can still watch above, or listen to the podcast version, which can be found below and on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your pods.
The NFC playoff picture is coming together clearly already, with six teams completely eliminated from contention and the race for the Wild Card coming down to just a few other teams. Currently, the Packers are back in the #7 seed with a 9-4-1 record, though they would vault back up into the #2 spot if they can beat the Chicago Bears on Saturday night.
The NFC South will only get one team in the playoff field this year; the division will go to either the Buccaneers or Panthers, who play each other twice in the last three weeks. With both teams at 7-7 now, that means that they cannot both pass up the Packers, so the division winner gets in and the other is out — it’s as simple as that.
In fact, there is quite literally only one team that can catch the Packers and knock them out of the playoffs entirely at this point. That team is the 8-6 Detroit Lions, who sit 1.5 games back of Green Bay with three to play. That means the Packers’ magic number for clinching a postseason spot is just two; any combination of two Packers wins and/or Lions losses over the last three games will result in the Packers playing in the postseason in some fashion.
Of course the Packers would love to win the division and get a home game. In fact, the #1 seed is still on the table, as are other seeding considerations if they end up in a Wild Card spot. So let’s look at the few games that have any notable impact on the Packers’ potential playoff slotting this weekend and why a pair of quarterbacks who are over 40 years old (yes, including that one) could both help out Green Bay.
Thursday Night Football: Rams vs. Seahawks
This one is a bit academic; the winner of this game takes a lead in the NFC West and will hold the conference’s #1 seed. They’ll also have a clear path to keeping it, by winning out.
However, the NFC’s 1 seed remains a mathematical possibility for the Packers, albeit an unlikely one. They will need to win all of their final three games and have the Rams and Seahawks each lose two of their last three (plus the 49ers need to lose one more game at some point as well.) That means that in tonight’s game, Green Bay fans should be pulling for a win by whichever team has a better chance of going 0-2 in their last two games.
That’s clearly the Seahawks, who face the Panthers (who, as detailed above, are in the thick of the NFC South race) and the 49ers in the final two games. The Rams, meanwhile, have the Falcons and Cardinals — two teams that are already eliminated from playoff contention. LA losing one of those two is unlikely as it is, but both? That seems almost impossible. Thus, we’re going for Seattle in this one.
Verdict: Seahawks
Saturday Afternoon: Eagles vs. Commanders
This only comes into play for seeding purposes if the Packers win the NFC North. Green Bay sweeping the last three weeks would clinch at least the #2 seed, but if they lose one of the last three while still ending up atop the division, they would fall to the 3 seed unless the Eagles (currently 9-5) drop one more game as well
Verdict: Commies
Sunday Afternoon: Steelers vs. Lions
Here we have the other truly critical game on the Packers’ schedule. If Green Bay beats the Bears on Saturday night, a Lions loss in the late Sunday afternoon window would seal up a playoff spot for Green Bay while knocking Detroit out of at least the division race. Detroit could still potentially catch the Bears for a Wild Card despite those results, but it would punch Green Bay’s ticket to the postseason.
It’s time to cheer for the weird old guy on Sunday to do the Packers one more favor.
Verdict: Steelers
Monday Night Football: 49ers vs. Colts
As mentioned above, the Packers need to see the 49ers lose one of their last three games to have a shot at the #1 seed — if San Francisco wins out and manages to win the NFC West, they would still be a half-game ahead of Green Bay. This one is pretty important, because Packers fans will definitely be cheering for San Francisco to beat the Bears in week 17, and they could play spoiler against the Seahawks in week 18 as well.
However, that last Niners-Seahawks game only really comes into play as helping the Packers in a few specific scenarios, and the best one involves Seattle winning this week and Philip Rivers leading the Colts to a win on Monday night.
Let’s get ready to cheer for a pair of old dudes this weekend.
Here's everything Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud said entering Week 16's battle with the Las Vegas Raiders, including his growing rapport with Dalton Schultz, what to expect from Las Vegas' secondary and more.
Question: On if he’s been able to see a difference in his play since he returned from a concussion
C.J. Stroud: “I always say there's always things that you always pick up on while you're in it or away from it. So, I think we've gotten better in all phases. I won't say any specific area, but I do think in those specific areas that I touched on a couple weeks ago we got better in, as an offense. I think our defense is still playing great. So, putting up more points every week I think will help and just trying to execute at the highest level.”
Q: On if there’s anything he can do to fix the offense’s lack of success in the red zone
Stroud: “I always look internally to see what I can do better. Then from there, I think we look at it as a whole, what are we doing as players, as coaches, schematically? So, I think that's another area we can get better in.”
Q: On his relationship with former Houston Oilers QB Warren Moon
Stroud: “My dad used to play Warren Moon highlights all the time. He was always telling me about Warren and how great of a quarterback he was. To be able to play in the same city he did is cool and to meet him a couple times. He's always very nice and very respectful and instills a lot of confidence in me. So, it's really cool to see me, being a little kid, a fan of this guy, and then now he's supporting me. So, I'm really appreciative of him and us having a relationship.”
Q: On how it feels to have connections with great quarterbacks he used to admire as a fan
Stroud: “I think it's cool. I think something that I've learned is they're just people. When you're a kid, you just think they're just this crazy person. But it's cool to see them being down to earth and they're respectful. I think them to take time to reach out or see us in person. I'm not the only young quarterback. They probably see a lot of other quarterbacks out in public and they say hello and are very respectful and nice and giving us feedback and tips and pointers here and there. It's really cool to see the humanity side of them and just being able to pick their brains a little bit. So, it's always cool whenever you get to run into one of those guys. But I don't bother anybody. So, I try not to reach out too much. But, yeah, it's always really cool to see them.”
Q: On what he thought of Indianapolis Colts QB Phillip Rivers returning to the NFL after being retired
Stroud: “I thought he did amazing. I thought, to have that short week of prep and to be able to go out there and make some plays, I thought he did great. I thought he took care of the football, made plays, got it out early. So, I thought they… I think [Indianapolis Colts Head Coach] Shane Steichen is a heck of a coach and his scheme is great. I think the way they run the ball helps out. So, I've been a big fan of Philip for a long time, too. So, it's cool to see him play and get a good game under his belt.”
Q: On what he liked most about the team’s performance against Arizona and what he hopes to continue into the game with Las Vegas
Stroud: “I like the way we ran the ball. I thought we ran the ball really efficiently. I thought our quick pass game went really well. I was getting the ball in my hand and guys were open and running great routes and I think the best thing is to move on and learn from our mistakes, which we did, and try this week to fix those things. There will be new things that will come up this week. So, every week it's always a battle to fix these things. But I think we're starting to roll at the right time. December is when you want to play your best ball and every game is important and every game is hard. They want to win, we want to win. Then around the league, guys are hoping you lose and we're hoping to win every game. So, that's always at the back of our mind. The next game is the most important. So, being able to flush the failures and learn from them as well, and go and try to get another W.”
Stroud: “Maxx is a dog. He can wreck a whole game and he's done it year-in and year-out. I think he's a heck of a player. [He] Has a motor, doesn't stop, doesn't quit. So, we got to make sure we take care of that and try our best to slow him down. So, it'll be a fist fight up there every play. I know he's ready and we'll try to be ready as well.”
Q: On if starting 0-3 feels different than winning six games in a row
Stroud: “No, not really. Around the building, we know what we had. We knew what we had the whole year. My process hasn't changed. It's just we're starting to finish better, close out games. I really never lost faith. I think we're a heck of a team. Just like everybody loves us now, they can hate us in a week. So, who knows? It doesn't really matter. We're just focused as a team. We're focused on what we can control, and that's how we play each week, whatever that looks like. So, we're going to continue to have faith in one another and trust in one another and keep playing hard.”
Q: On what he’s seen from the Las Vegas Raiders defense
Stroud: “They're good. They have a lot of good defensive linemen. Devin White has been playing high-level [linebacker] for a long time. Elandon [Roberts] is a great [linebacker] as well. On the back end, they're figuring some things out. But I think they're up in your face and do really good in their spot drop zones and their blitzes. They can pressure you at any time. I think Pete Carroll has been a great coach and a great scheme for a long time. If you look, they've had some close games for some teams that are going to the playoffs and some teams that we played against that are good. So, this is not a team to slack off on one bit, just like last weekend. We've got to be able to establish the line of scrimmage early on and then the pass game and whenever that comes. But it's not going to be easy. It's going to be a challenge and we've got to be ready for it.”
Q: On Quarterbacks Coach Jerrod Johnson
Stroud: “I think Jerrod is becoming like… Me being a kid back then, being 16-years old, meeting him, and now being 24, it's crazy. It's almost ten years ago. It's wild. But just to see not only my growth, but his and our relationship grow. He's somebody who I consider a great friend and somebody I know I can call. Also, I've seen him grow as a coach and see him have his fingerprint in our system, finally, after a couple years he's able to put some input plays in and I thought he's done a great job of that. Coaching me, on footwork, he's a mechanical genius, I feel. He's a guru when it comes to footwork and being centered in the ground and pronation with your wrist, all that good stuff. He's very… He's a fan of it and good at coaching it. So, I'm very grateful and happy to have him as a coach.”
Q: On TE Dalton Schultz’s impact on the offense this season
Stroud: “It's been a lot. He's been felt by everybody. I think Dalton is week-in and week-out worked very hard. His leadership has gone to another notch. His run game blocking, and that just helps more for his route running ability, which I think he's one of the best in the league at. So, I'm super proud of him. I'm glad he's a brother of mine, somebody I consider a great friend. It's really cool to connect with him. I think me and him have a chemistry that we can be looking at each other a certain way, we just know what we're going to do and make a play. So, it's really cool to see. I hope I play with him for a very, very long time.
Quentin Merlin (23) was brought in as the replacement for Adrien Truffert, who left formative club Stade Rennais to join Bournemouth over the summer. Arriving for a €13m fee from Olympique de Marseille, expectations wer high for the former France youth international, however, Merlin has struggled to live up to those expectations during the opening half of the Ligue 1 season.
Merlin began the season as a starter under Habib Beye, but since the end of October, he has found his gametime limited, largely due to the successful tactical tweak that has seen Rennes line up in a 3-5-2, with Moussa Al-Tamaari, a forward by trade, acting as a marauding wing-back.
According to a report from Foot Mercato, Merlin has grown increasingly frustrated by his diminished role at the Breton club, and an exit in January could even be on the cards. His entourage, however, are calling for patience and are not looking to force a move away from Roazhon Park.
“I’d whoop ass right now,” Brady, 48, told Shaquille O’Neal and his co-host Adam Lefkoe on The Big Podcast with Shaq on Wednesday, Dec. 17. “I could go out there and play. Give me a month, I mean, I could go play with anybody.”
“Like I said, I took care of my body great,” Brady said.
But the Fox Sports lead analyst would take a hard pass on playing an entire season.
“I could do it all,” he said. “I, just, what I wouldn’t want to do is make the commitment to play… it’s like basketball season, do you really want to make the commitment to playing 82 games? That takes a lot of training and it’s like I don’t want to do that anymore.”
After 23 seasons in the NFL, the seven-time Super Bowl champ keeps busy these days in the broadcasting booth and in the owner’s suite as a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders.
TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty
But in light of Rivers’ return to the Indianapolis Colts last Sunday, Dec. 14 with four games left in the regular season, Brady offered a caveat to his hypothetical scenario.
When Lefkoe asked if he could “come back for just the finals,” Brady responded: “Okay, yeah, just the finals.”
As far as Rivers is concerned, returning to the league comes with extra perks.
When he made his debut on Sunday, nearly five years after he retired from the league, the father of 10 and grandfather of one threw for 120 yards, one touchdown and one interception — and netted five extra years of insurance benefits for his real-life teammates at home.
On El Larguero (Cadena SER), Real Madrid journalist Javier Herráez described what television images didn’t capture of Xabi Alonso’s reaction following Real Madrid’s 3–2 win over Talavera in the Copa del Rey. According to the journalist, Alonso appeared visibly shaken throughout the second half and after the final whistle despite advancing to the next round.
Herráez said, “I have seen him completely unhinged. I said the other day that I hoped he would stay and I was happy after the win against Alaves on a personal level, but today I saw him all game, because I was next to him with the headset, and when he left the pitch I saw him sunk, demoralized.”
The context was clear: Madrid led 2–0 at halftime but nearly lost control in the second half, allowing Talavera, a lower-division side, to press late and almost equalize. Herráez’s observation suggests that Alonso’s emotional response stemmed from the team’s inability to fully control a match they should have closed out comfortably.
Alonso tried to compose himself in the post-match press conference, calling the win and progression to the next round positive, but Herráez stressed that the coach’s body language told a different story. He wasn’t celebrating, he was clearly drained.
The Ottawa Senators haven’t been consistently rewarded for playing high-end hockey at 5-on-5, so a date with the reeling Pittsburgh Penguins is just what the doctor ordered on Thursday, December 18.
My Penguins vs. Senators predictions and NHL picks call for a convincing Ottawa win, with winger Drake Batherson stocking stuffing the scoresheet tonight.
Penguins vs Senators prediction
Penguins vs Senators best bet: Drake Batherson Over 2.5 shots on goal (+120)
He’s only converted four of his 13 attempts into shots (30.8%) across the past three games, which is well below his prior 52.6% conversion rate. This should prove to be a good matchup.
The Penguins allow the most shots per game to right wingers, while also losing six straight since Evgeni Malkin (upper body) went down.
Batherson is sporting an elite 61.0 Corsi For percentage at 5-on-5 in December and skates with the No. 1 power-play unit, too.
As noted, the Pens have dropped six straight with the most goals against in the league (4.33) during the skid, while Ottawa has been a 5-on-5 force with a fourth-ranked CF% and top-ranked expected goals percentage in December.
I’m also encouraged by Linus Ullmark turning away 23 of 25 shots during Monday’s road win over the Winnipeg Jets. Ullmark’s play has been better on home ice the past two years, sporting a .904 SV% at the Canadian Tire Centre compared to a .894 mark on the highway.
Returning to Batherson, he’s marked the scoresheet in five of seven games this month and paces the Sens in both goals and points per 60 minutes this season.
The Penguins have only won 34 of their last 81 games (-9.20 Units / -10% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Penguins vs. Senators.
How to watch Penguins vs Senators
Location
Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa, ON
Date
Thursday, December 18, 2025
Puck drop
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
SportsNet Pittsburgh, TSN5
Penguins vs Senators latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
It's been a tough season for Skinner, who was not backed fully in the summer transfer window and has endured a disappointing run of results.
Her side have been toying with relegation for a few seasons but Skinner has managed to guide them over the line and bring in some exciting players.
She has been shrewd in the transfer window with a low budget, finding ways to sign foreign players who haven't met the league's criteria points by sending them out on loan first.
As the first female manager at the club, she has also been instrumental in leading structural changes, pushing for more staff, more women's medical research, maternity support and general stability for the team.
Sources at West Ham speak fondly of Skinner's dedication during her time in the role, but there was an expectation to build on last season's performances and ninth-placed finish.
But they have been disappointing this term and although they have performed well in patches, they have consistently lacked organisation and solidity.
At this stage last season, they had eight points compared to the five they currently have and Skinner, an experienced coach, will know football is a results business.
The timing of West Ham's decision allows them to reset during the winter break and, perhaps more crucially, act in the transfer window to build a squad for her successor.
It is never too early to begin watching prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft. General manager Jason Licht has made the draft the key cog in the machine for the Bucs in terms of roster building and transforming the team itself.
We are going to be covering every position in the draft, but not all of them will be the Bucs' needs necessarily. But of course, anything is possible for a team, and if not, they will be drafted by a division rival that the Bucs see twice a year.
For this report, we will be discussing a linebacker prospect. The team has enjoyed the leadership and play of Lavonte David for years now, but that chapter may be closing soon. The team will need a linebacker to add to either play beside him or replace him, so this will be a priority position this draft cycle.
With that in mind, here is our report on Alabama's Deontae Lawson.
Information
Deontae Lawson
School: Alabama
Conference: SEC
Height/Weight: 6-2 3/8, 218 lbs.
Age when Drafted: 23
Previous Schools: None
Background
All-American Bowl selection in High School
Played basketball in High School
No. 3 linebacker in the 2021 recruiting class
Second-Team All-SEC in 2025
Notable Stats from 2025 (minus the Playoff)
Tackles: 137
Tackles for a Loss: 17.5
Sacks: 5
Turnovers Forced: 3
Notable PFF Numbers from 2025 (minus the Playoff)
PFF Run Defense Grade: 83.1
PFF Pass Rush Grade: 53.1
PFF Coverage Grade: 69
QB Hurries: 11
Missed Tackle Rate: 15.2%
Defensive Stops: 36
Skills
Leader in the middle of the defense
Decent pass-rush ability in his back pocket
Able to diagnose plays
Good downhill ability, packs a decent punch in the process
Good coverage ability and range
Player Summary
Deontae Lawson won't be participating in the Olympics anytime soon in terms of his athleticism, but you have to love that he is just a good football player. He attacks the ball regardless of who is in possession, he packs a punch in the process, and his ability to diagnose plays puts him in a good position to make plays. He can be a team's leader in the middle of the defense after being tasked with it at Alabama, and he took that role on and found success. I like Lawson a lot as a day-two prospect who can be drafted to start right away as a rookie in the right spot.
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Dallas got back to the practice field after their demoralizing loss to Minnesota, and Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer had to answer a series of questions at his press conference that dealt more with offseason moves than the upcoming game against Los Angeles.
On the field, Dallas unveiled a long injury list that should make Sunday's roster somewhat interesting, with the biggest question being the status of cornerback Trevon Diggs. Other things that might affect the roster are the limited opportunities remaining for a few players who have yet to play much, if at all this season, and are set to return.
Elsewhere, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones added to his resume as he was inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall-of-Fame, but his message about being eliminated from the playoff chase was echoed by his coach about the status of quarterback Dak Prescott. Also, wideout George Pickens got a chance to address the media and his focus remains solely on the field.
As for the Chargers, they are dealing with injuries of their own, but that won't stop them from trying to extend a winning streak that dates back to Hall-of-Fame running back Emmitt Smith's playing days.
Welcome to Week 16 of the fantasy football fades and busts of the week! I am your host, Matt Okada, and will be bringing you half a dozen players to avoid each and every week, through the most critical weeks of the year — the fantasy playoffs! Still looking for the perfect six-for-six, but we arguably hit on five last week, so the time is coming … let’s get it.
As a note, just because a player earns a “fade” or “bust” designation doesn’t automatically mean they should be benched — it depends on the rest of your roster or the options on your waiver wire. But you can expect them to fall short of expectations (when I get them right).
Happy Holidays and, without further ado, here is my list for Week 16 of the 2025 season.
QB Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears
Caleb Williams has been excellent in theoretically softer matchups the last couple months, including a 37.7-point performance against the Bengals and 20+ points against both the Giants and Steelers. But against stingier defenses, things have been ugly, including 5.68 points against the Saints in Week 7, 12.80 against the Ravens in Week 8, 10.32 against the Vikings in Week 11 and 10.46 against the Eagles in Week 13. A decent showing against the Browns last week isn’t enough to earn our confidence against Green Bay this Saturday night, in what will likely be freezing temperatures at Soldier Field. Even without Micah Parsons, the Packers defense is extremely tough — Williams posted just 15.94 points against them two weeks ago, despite throwing 35 passes and multiple touchdowns. That feels like his ceiling this weekend … and his floor is somewhere in the single digits.
What to do ❓ Avoid streaming Williams if you can help it … which you should be able to outside of 2QB leagues. You can turn to options like Jordan Love (in a better matchup on the same field), Justin Herbert (even with no offensive line), Jaxson Dart or even Trevor Lawrence against Denver.
RB Breece Hall, New York Jets
It’s been an up-and-down season for Breece Hall, which isn’t all that surprising considering the combination of his talent with the disaster of an offense he plays in. The Jets have scored fewer than 15 points six times this year, and Hall has scored single digits in five of six while averaging just 6.8 points per game. Even more concerning is that Hall’s early-season volume in the passing game has dried up with changes at quarterback — he’s had just two catches on three targets over the last two weeks combined. And Brady Cook will be starting again Sunday against the Saints.
The New Orleans defense is better than average, and the Jets have an implied total of just 18 points — at this point starting Hall is a half-blind wish for a touchdown or a breakaway play. Considering he’s scored once in the last five weeks and averaged just 40 scrimmage yards over the last two, either would take a holiday miracle.
What to do ❓ You’ll likely see Breece Hall somewhere in the bottom half of RB2 range in most rankings, but I don’t really know why. He was the RB44 two weeks ago and the RB47 last week — the two games Cook has played the majority of snaps at QB. For me, Hall is a low-end RB3 who should not be trusted except as a flex in deeper leagues.
RB Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders
It’s been a month since Ashton Jeanty cracked this column, and naturally his only good game over that month was the one I featured him here (Week 12 against Cleveland). He pulled together 20.8 fantasy points against the Browns that Sunday thanks to eight catches for 58 yards a touchdown — and that’s been nearly the only way he’s produced for fantasy since the Raiders’ Week 8 bye. However, that production has also dried up with Kenny Pickett at quarterback: Jeanty’s totaled just 15 receiving yards over his last two games combined and scored fewer than seven fantasy points in both as a result.
Even if Geno Smith is back this weekend against the Texans (which is tenuous at best), the matchup against Houston’s ravenous defense is absolutely awful. The game script will likely force Jeanty into a receiver-or-bust situation early, and even with a handful of catches, he feels unlikely to crack double digits.
What to do ❓ As with Hall, Jeanty appears in the RB2 basement for most fantasy rankers … but he’s finished outside the top 30 in four of the last five weeks. At some point, this just becomes stubborn devotion to a wishful thought of a Jeanty that could have been. Also like Hall, I’m dropping Jeanty to low-end RB3 range, at best.
WR Emeka Egbuka, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It’s honestly odd that Emeka Egbuka is eligible to crack this column, given how bad-to-middling he’s been for nearly three months now. But he remains heavily started and highly ranked, due in part to his torrid start to the season and in part to his consistent target volume. Stop it. The talented rookie has been on a completely different page from Baker Mayfield since Week 6, sporting a horrendous 41.8% catch rate and just 5.38 yards per target.
That means, even if he sees 10 targets in a game, he’s catching four balls for 54 yards on average. He’s scored fewer than nine fantasy points in eight of his last nine games and has been the WR37 over that span, behind receivers like Chimere Dike, Kayshon Boutte and Parker Washington. The matchup with the Panthers is mostly middle-of-the-road, but they have been tough on the deep ball. Oh, and Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan are both back to further reduce Egbuka’s target share.
What to do ❓ If you want to continue rolling Egbuka out there, on the optimistic belief that his 7-8 targets will finally produce another fantasy breakout this week, all power to you. But it feels like mining for fool’s gold at this point, and I’d consider Egbuka a borderline must-sit at the bottom (or outside) of WR3 range.
WR Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
It’s been quite a while since we’ve seen Brian Thomas Jr. in this column, as we’d mostly agreed to stop starting him, before he missed three games in the middle of the year. Now, however, after back-to-back outings with double-digit fantasy points, he’s back on the radar. And I’m taking him right back off.
Yes, he took three catches for 87 yards two weeks ago, and then found the end zone last week. And yes, he’s looked a little better and has seen 13 total targets these past two games. But he gets Pat Surtain II and the Broncos this Sunday. For context on this crew: no wide receiver has hit 13 fantasy points in regulation against Denver since Week 6 (Terry McLaurin did it in overtime in Week 13). Even with Trevor Lawrence’s recent hot streak, I trust Vance Joseph’s defense far more this weekend and will not be starting any Jacksonville wideout if I can help it.
What to do ❓ Bench Brian Thomas Jr. unless your only other options have fantasy ceilings in the single digits. I would be truly shocked to see BTJ top 10+ fantasy points and completely unsurprised to see him score five or six instead.
TE Tyler Warren, Indianapolis Colts
Sigh. Heading into November, it felt like we had a firmly entrenched top-tier TE1 in rookie Tyler Warren. Then he faced two tough matchups in the Chiefs and Texans … and Daniel Jones tore his Achilles. As a result, Warren has averaged just 5.7 fantasy points per game over the past month, and has totaled just five catches for 34 yards the past two weeks with mostly Riley Leonard and Philip Rivers at quarterback.
It’ll be Rivers again this Monday night against the 49ers … and let’s just say it didn’t look promising for the 44-year-old coming off the couch (and the Hall of Fame ballot) last Sunday. Warren caught just three of six targets for 19 yards from Rivers versus Seattle, and while the 49ers aren’t a tough matchup for tight ends, they’re certainly not softer than the Seahawks. He’s still a good bet for right around six targets, but the efficiency and the touchdown upside have plummeted for Warren, dragging him well out of “elite” range and possibly even out of “starter” range.
What to do ❓ If you haven’t snagged a solid streaming option, Warren might be your best bet in the penultimate week of fantasy. But if you can roll with Kyle Pitts, Harold Fannin Jr., Colby Parkinson, Dalton Schultz or Darren Waller instead … I’d recommend it.
Quarterback Beau Pribula appears to be spending just one season at Missouri.
Pribula is set to enter the transfer portal in January, according tomultiple reports. He transferred to Missouri ahead of the 2025 season from Penn State and won the starting job for the Tigers ahead of the season.
After a strong start to the season, Pribula’s performance dropped off in SEC play. And Missouri’s offense struggled as a result.
Over 10 games, Pribula was 182-of-270 passing for 1,941 yards and 11 TDs with 9 interceptions while also rushing for 297 yards and 6 scores. He missed two games after suffering a dislocated ankle in Missouri’s loss to Vanderbilt. The Tigers (8-4) went 1-1 in his absence before Pribula returned in a loss to Oklahoma.
The Tigers’ offense struggled mightily in that 17-6 loss to the Sooners. Pribula was 20-of-36 passing for 231 yards and 2 interceptions. Much of that yardage came with the Tigers trailing in the second half.
A week later, Pribula threw just seven passes in the Tigers’ 31-17 win over Arkansas as Missouri ran the ball 58 times. Assuming Pribula does not play in the Gator Bowl on Dec. 27, Matt Zollers will make his third start of the season.
Pribula transferred from Penn State ahead of the College Football Playoff a season ago after spending the 2024 season as Drew Allar's backup and appearing in all 13 of the Nittany Lions' games before the postseason. Pribula entered the portal when he did because of college football's calendar. This year, there's just a single transfer portal window that begins on Jan. 2 after most bowl games are complete — though four teams will still be playing in the College Football Playoff.
Pribula joins a growing list of starting quarterbacks who are reportedly planning to enter the transfer portal when it officially opens on Jan. 2. Florida’s DJ Lagway, Nebraska’s Dylan Raiola and North Texas’ Drew Mestemaker are already set to explore their transfer options.
The high school football season around the country is wrapping up and with that comes honors for coaches and players from the 2025 season. One state that that always produces some of the best talent and teams from around the country is Georgia high school football.
The Georgia High School Association (GHSA) state finals just ended last night and we decided to get right to it when it comes to end of the year honors.
We continue into the Peach State of Georgia as Rivals looked through the season and selected award nominees from this past season. Who were the best players for the 2025 season, though?
Rivals give you the Georgia high school football honorees for the 2025 season.
We think Wednesday night’s state-record performance in a 62-21 win over Gainesville for the Class 5A state championship was the cherry and whip cream on top when it came to debating Lawrence as the state’s player of the year. The Wake Forest signee rushed for 380 yards on 39 carries and scored five touchdowns, breaking a Georgia state championship rushing record on the night, previously held by Omari Arnold of Brooks County (2021) of 320 yards for a single championship game. The Wake Forest signee has been a terror for opposing defenses throughout the 2025 season, as Lawrence finished rushing for 2,198 yards (9.6 yards per carry) on 229 carries and scored 28 touchdowns. Lawrence has also added 401 receiving yards on 23 receptions and seven scores while adding 275 kick return yards. The future Demon Deacon left no doubt to his Player of the Year candidacy with a final spectacular performance to end his high school playing career.
The West Virginia signee was one of the major reasons Sandy Creek was able to finish the 2025 season lifting the program’s fifth Georgia High School Association (GHSA) state championship. On the season, the running back carried the rock 228 times for 2,313 yards (10.1 yards per carry) and 42 touchdowns on the ground. The future Mountaineer finished the season compiling 2,665 all-purpose yards and 44 total touchdowns this season. Coming off a season where Latimer rushed for 1,113 yards and scoring 19 times in 2024, the running back shattered his numbers of a year ago. Latimer ends his high school playing career having rushed for 4,826 yards and scoring 76 times, capping it with winning a state title in the process. We think that’s a Offensive Player of the Year-caliber kind of season.
Was there big name players we could’ve easily put here? Sure, but in looking at the totality of what Taylor did throughout the 2025 season as Columbus Carver won the Class 2A state championship, it was hard to overlook what the sophomore linebacker did. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound backer, who embodies the play his head coach Jarvis Jones showed when he played at Carver, put up monster numbers for one of the state’s best defenses, regardless of classification. Taylor led the team with 151 total tackles, 36 went for a loss, seven sacks, 10 forced fumbles, seven batted away passes, three interceptions and three fumble recoveries. Filling up the stat sheet the way he did as Carver clinched winning back-to-back state championships was something special and full circle. It’s just coincidental that Taylor plays the position similarly to his head coach.
Was there a team more dominant throughout the entire course of the season than Maurice Dixon’s group? The Creekside Seminoles shut out seven opponents throughout the course of the season, holding five others to a touchdown or less en route to winning the Class 4A state championship over Benedictine Military School. What really set the tone for the season was Dixon leading his team to a 70-28 throttling of DeSoto (TX), which is now playing for Texas’ UIL Class 6A, Division II state championship, to start the campaign. Creekside finished the Georgia high school football season scoring 845 points, which goes down as the GHSA’s most ever for points scored in a single campaign. The accolades go on and on for this group, putting Dixon and the Seminoles into the record books. There’s a number of coaches you can make the argument for, but Dixon did so bouncing back from a 10-3 season in 2024 to hoisting a state title at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and ending at a perfect 15-0.
How to Follow Georgia High School Football
For Georgia high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the Peach State, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the high school football excitement across the state of Georgia.
The New England Patriots signed linebacker Chad Muma to the 53-man roster off the tIndianapolis Colts practice roster.
The Patriots made the decision due to an injury to Robert Spillane as New England could use more depth at linebacker.
On Wednesday, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel was asked about the decision to sign Muma and he believes the linebacker can play right away and make an impact.
“I think he’s played in this league,” Vrabel said on Wednesday. “Again, we get down to this time of the year where you’ve got to find some guys that have played in games and that you could use in fourth down or the kicking game.
“Good speed, good ability to process and understand what’s going on. So, I think his experience helps, and obviously what he can do and how quickly he can learn.”
Muma, 26, was a third-round pick in 2022 by the Jacksonville Jaguars and has appeared in 55 career games. He appeared in five games this season with the Colts, recording five tackles. In his NFL career, Muma has recorded 99 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
The Patriots are set to go on the road to play the Baltimore Ravens on “Sunday Night Football” in a pivotal AFC showdown. New England is a three-point road underdog.
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Sunday marks the final home game of the 2025 season for the New Orleans Saints. The 4-10 Saints will host the 3-11 New York Jets. New Orleans is 2-5 in the Superdome this season after last week's 20-17 last second defeat of the Carolina Panthers. The Jets have a 1-5 road record, including a 48-20 loss in Jacksonville last week. The Saints and Jets will meet for just the 15th time on Sunday. These teams haven't played in New Orleans since the 2017 season. Here's a look through the brief history of games between these franchises.
Saints vs. Jets Series History
Overall: 8-6
Home: 3-3
Last 5 matchups: 4-1
Last meeting (2021): Saints (30-9)
Last meeting in New Orleans (2017): Saints (31-19)
The first meeting between the Saints and Jets wasn't until 1972. Playing in New York, the Saints gained 333 yards of total offense to outgain Hall of Famer Joe Namath and the Jets and held them out of the end zone. However, the Jets got six field goals on the day to pull out an 18-17 victory. These teams met in New Orleans for the first time in 1977.
New York again pulled out a close win on the strength of their kicking game by a 16-13 score. The Saints got 107 rushing yards from Chuck Muncie and outgained the Jets, but were again unable to put enough points on the board.Between 1972 and 1986, the Saints and Jets met five times. The Jets won four of those matchups, including two in New Orleans. The Saints did get their first victory over the Jets in 1980, with that coming in New York during that years second to last game. New Orleans had come into that game with an 0-14 record and trailed 13-7 at the half. The Saints would force 3 Jets turnovers on the day, including 2 interceptions of Richard Todd. However, 78 all-purpose yards and 2 fourth quarter rushing touchdowns from Tony Galbreath would propel New Orleans to a 21-20 victory. It would be their only win during a 1-15 year.
After losing four of their first five against the Jets in the series, New Orleans won three consecutive outings against them between 1989 and 1995. The first of those victories was a 29-14 win in New Orleans midway through the 1989 campaign. In that game, the Saints forced 4 turnovers to overcome their own 4 turnovers. Rickey Jackson, Pat Swilling, Wayne Martin, and Frank Warren combined for 5 sacks as the offense got 131 yards receiving from Eric Martin and 281 yards passing from Bobby Hebert in the win. The Saints then recorded consecutive shutouts of the Jets on the road on the day after Christmas in 1992 (20-0) and Christmas Eve in 1995 (12-0). These have been the only shutouts by either team in the series.
The last time the Jets won in New Orleans was midway through the 2001 season. New Orleans fell behind by a 13-0 score going into halftime but mounted a second half comeback. This was despite committing 4 turnovers and gaining only 246 yards of total offense while holding the Jets to just 272 total yards. Down 16-9 late in the fourth quarter, the Saints drove to the New York six yard line with a good chance to tie the game. New Orleans quarterback Aaron Brooks was taken down by an ugly face facemask penalty on a scramble by Jets defensive back Damien Robinson. Saints offensive lineman Kyle Turley, coming to the defense of Brooks, ripped Robinson's helmet off and hurled it down the field. That not only would offset Robinson's foul, but caused an additional penalty on Turley that moved his team back to the 20. New Orleans could not recover and were unable to punch the ball in the end zone to tie the game.
Since that unusual ending, the Saints have a 4-1 record against the Jets. Two of those wins were in the Superdome. The Saints got 132 scrimmage yards from running back Pierre Thomas during a 24-10 home defeat of New York in 2009, with their defense forcing 4 turnovers and recording 4 sacks. These teams last squared off in the Superdome late in the 2017 season. It was a closer game than it should have been because of 3 turnovers committed by the Saints. New Orleans was able to pull away and put the game out of reach in the fourth quarter for the win.
Quarterback Drew Brees threw for 281 yards in the victory, with 93 of those yards going to wide receiver Michael Thomas. Running backs Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara were the biggest differences in the outcome, racking up a combined 240 yards from scrimmage and accounting for 3 touchdowns in the 31-19 victory.
Notable Numbers
Aaron Glenn is the fourth different head coach for the Jets in their last four meetings against the Saints
Brady Cook will become the 10th different starting quarterback the Jets will use in their last 10 meetings against the Saints. Ken O'Brien (1986, 1989) was the last Jets quarterback to make repeat starts against the Saints
Demario Davis was a starting linebacker for the Jets the last time they played in New Orleans in 2017 and the last time they beat the Saints in 2013. In 2017, Davis led the Jets with 8 tackles. Davis had his first career interception off Drew Brees during the Jets 2013 win
Sunday marks the third straight meeting between the Saints and Jets in December. It will be the 8th time these teams have met in December out of their 15 overall meetings. The Saints have won the last five times these teams have played in December.
Farke confirms Leeds United star will miss Crystal Palace clash
Daniel Farke has confirmed that Lukas Nmecha will miss Leeds United’s clash with Crystal Palace on Saturday evening.
The Whites currently sit 17th in the Premier League, three points above Nottingham Forest, and have the chance to pull further clear of the relegation zone with a positive result.
Farke reported no new injury concerns to the players who featured in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Brentford.
“Lukas is also out of the next game. He’s still a bit symptomatic,” Farke confirmed.
Leeds’ injury list remains relatively short, however, and there was a positive update on Sean Longstaff, who has been dealing with a calf issue since the end of last month.
“He is progressing in his rehab and also doing individual stuff on the pitch, running and a little bit with a ball,” he said.
“But the first step will be for him to be integrated into team training and then, of course, a few training sessions to be available.
“Then, we decide, from game to game and from day to day.”
Meanwhile, Dan James faces a longer layoff after being withdrawn during Leeds’ 3-2 loss to Manchester City with a hamstring injury as well.
“[There is] no surgery,” Farke said. “So, thank God, it’s the conservative route, but it will still be about eight weeks in total before he can return to team training. And then let’s see how quickly he can be back to full speed.”
Shams Charania: Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett is reuniting with the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Lynx in a new, all-encompassing role involving business, community efforts and content development, sources told ESPN. His long-awaited No. 21 Wolves jersey retirement will also happen in Minnesota. Kendrick Perkins: Yes sir big fella @KevinGarnett5KG 💯🤞🏾
ICYMI: Bill Chisholm’s journey from having Larry Bird posters on his wall as a kid to owning the team he once idolized, including an inside look at how it all transpired.https://t.co/39Jzj9lBK1pic.twitter.com/FXjkTYNqGG
So far this advent we've watched Love Actually (good but controversial), Home Alone (say no more), something called Tinsel Town on Netflix (bang average), The Knight Before Christmas (dire) and A Castle for Christmas (slightly less dire) and Hercule Poirot's Christmas.
They all have happy endings, even the Agatha Chistie TV adaptation, and that had a murder in it.
None of them, though, could hold a Christmas candle to the blockbuster finale of St Mirren's League Cup win with its Hollywood ending.
A 3-1 win over the Scottish champions - and it could have been even more convincing. Talk about suspending disbelief.
This St Mirren story is an epic, somewhat unlikely tale with four Premiership sides taken care of in the knockout phase, including the holders and the team now at the top of the Premiership, two penalty shootout wins and a couple of tactical masterclasses by players who, according to Stephen Robinson, would "die for the club".
The manager, trophy in hand, addressing supporters from the balcony of Paisley Town Hall with Christmas lights twinkling in the distance was truly cinematic.
His words echoing round the centre of the town: "What a four years this has been, top six, Europe and now we win the cup."
Romance is not dead. All achieved on a shoestring budget that you couldn't produce a cheap indie flick on.
Mind you, as I toy with scribbling a screenplay for a Buddies blockbuster, I can't help wondering who would play Alex Gogic on the silver screen. After hearing the Cypriot singing at the Town Hall it definitely won't be a musical.
Anyway, such whimsical reverie should probably be put aside till the end of the season, as there are more important issues to focus on.
The battle for Premiership survival is more gritty kitchen sink drama than entertaining seasonal frolic.
Alas for the Buddies, unlike our favourite festive flicks, there's no guarantee of a happy ending.
Reports have indicated that the New York Yankees have at least explored shopping Jazz Chisholm Jr.
It remains unclear why the Yankees are doing so, but it’s likely related to his contract being up after next season.
If the Yankees don’t believe they’ll keep Chisholm long term, moving him for a player with more control could make sense.
On the flip side, Chisholm was arguably the second-best second baseman in baseball a year ago. Unless the Yankees are planning a major roster shakeup, it would be tough to justify moving on from him.
Despite that, Rucker Haringey of FanSided believes there’s reason to think the Yankees could move Chisholm in a deal with the Minnesota Twins for Byron Buxton.
“The Yankees have been open and honest about their lineup being too left-handed last season. That's why New York should use Chisholm to acquire a right-handed hitter who can help provide their lineup better balance.
“Minnesota center fielder Byron Buxton could be the answer to the Yankees' outfield issues. He's recently expressed a willingness to waive his no-trade clause, which could give New York a chance to secure his services,” he wrote.
Buxton is a very good player in his own right and deserves credit for what he’s done throughout his career.
When he’s healthy, there’s even an argument that he’s better than Chisholm.
However, his injury history is hard to ignore, and considering how often the Yankees have dealt with injuries in recent years, targeting a player with Buxton’s track record may not be the safest move.
Los Angeles Rams star receiver Puka Nacua sparked a wave of controversy this week after he promised streamer Adin Ross that he’d do his “Jewish” dance as a touchdown celebration.
On Tuesday, Nacua appeared on Ross’s stream on the platform Kick. Ross, one of the more controversial streamers, was previously banned from the popular streaming platform Twitch. He’s done streams with self-proclaimed white supremacist Nick Fuentes on numerous occasions, and also met with President Donald Trump and gifted him a Tesla Cybertruck.
At one point during Wednesday’s stream, Ross and Nacua were workshopping a potential touchdown celebration for the next time the receiver got into the end zone. Nacua mimicked the action of spinning the ball on the ground and then flexing his arms. Then, Ross instructed him to stand in a hunched-over position while rubbing his hands together. The gesture, as noted by Awful Announcing, is referred to by Ross as the “Jewish dance” or “Jewish emote” — meant to signify greed.
Much to Ross’s excitement, Nacua did the gesture himself. Ross then suggested that Nacua include it in a touchdown celebration.
“Oh my god,” Ross said. “You promise?”
“I promise,” Nacua said as he shook Ross’s hand. “I got you!”
As countless others pointed out on social media, the “Jewish dance” is widely viewed as an anti-Semitic trope. Yahoo Sports ran a headline on Thursday noting, “Puka Nacua’s recent livestream appearance raises antisemitism concerns,” and writer Mike Florio asked in the article whether or not the NFL is soon to get involved in the brewing controversy.
Below are some more reactions:
Rams star WR Puka Nacua also worked on a touchdown celebration dance on Adin Ross’ livestream in which he rubs his hands into the camera.
It’s an action can be seen as mocking Jewish people.
Days after Jewish families were gunned down at a Hanukkah festival, a football star is joking about performing an antisemitic “money” dance on live TV when he next scores for the @RamsNFLhttps://t.co/P1N20xOy4a
This is the meme they are mimicking, which is known as "the happy merchant" and is directly pulled from the he White Aryan Resistance newsletter in 1992.https://t.co/DE4IrHznsY
A new MLB rumor suggests New York Mets President David Stearns is bargain shopping in free agency, as if the Wilpon family is still the owners of the team.
Last week delivered a nightmare scenario for Mets fans. Going into the offseason, supporters of the club knew there was a possibility that All-Stars Edwin Diaz and Pete Alonso could walk in free agency. Yet, with having the richest owner in the sport, most assumed the front office would do what was necessary to hold on to a pair of core members of the roster.
Well, that didn’t happen, and Diaz took a record deal from the Los Angeles Dodgers, while Alonso took his talents down I-95 to the Baltimore Orioles for $155 million. The departures enraged fans who are now demanding the organization make some big moves to fill the void left by the exits.
While the Mets have been linked to trades for ace pitchers Tarik Skubal and Freddy Peralta, as well as top-of-the-market free agents Framber Valdez and Michael King, it seems that David Stearns is looking for more affordable options again this offseason.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Mets are among the clubs that have been the “most aggressive” in pursuing pitchers in the mid-tier market in free agency. After what happened last week, and following rumors of trades for Skubal and Peralta in recent weeks, this news will not make fans happy.
What ‘Mid-Tier’ Pitchers Could the NY Mets be Targeting?
Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images
The pitchers that Passan considers in this tier that the Mets are shopping in are Chris Bassitt, Lucas Giolito, Nick Martinez, Zack Littell, Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, Tyler Mahle, German Marquez, Walker Buehler, Patrick Corbin, and Michael Lorenzen.
A lot of money came off the payroll with Alonso and Diaz leaving in free agency. Surprisingly, they are not planning to pivot and use that free cash towards one of the top arms left on the open market. The strategy is sure to make fans feel like they have gone from being one of the biggest spenders to reverting to the final years of Fred Wilpon leading the organization and penny pinching when it came to contracts.
Stearns building a rotation with mid and lower level pitching talent he believes have upside isn’t anything new, however. It delivered great results in 2024 with Sean Manaea, but it was a disaster last season.
Speaking on El Larguero (Cadena SER), former Real Madrid player and analyst Alvaro Benito explained why Madrid continue to struggle to put matches away, regardless of the opponent.
Benito pointed to recurring lapses after taking the lead. “I haven’t understood those moments of continuing to sit deep and be beaten, allowing them to cross and invite pressure,” he said. According to Alvaro Benito, the concern is that this pattern has become habitual.
The issue goes beyond individual matches: “This Real Madrid struggles in certain aspects of the game, beyond who the opponent is,” he noted, underlining that the same problems appear whether Madrid face elite sides or lower-division teams.
Despite the criticism, Benito believes the club’s current approach with Xabi Alonso remains logical, at least for now. “I think it’s the correct thing to keep trusting Xabi until the Saudi Super Cup,” he said. Still, he acknowledged growing separation between coach and squad. “Let’s see if he manages to impose his idea. I see it as difficult because I see him more and more distant.” Benito was clear that patience has limits. “If the results get worse, it will be inevitable.”
The coaching carousel is ramping up into full swing as December moves along, and while the head coaching side may be wrapping up, the position coach side is just getting started. Similar to Michigan State, other new coaching staffs are rounding into form, including Cal.
Cal is expected to hire former Michigan State associate head coach, co-special teams coordinator and running backs coach Keith Bhonapha as the team's next running backs coach. The report comes from ESPN's Adam Rittenberg.
After spending time with Jonathan Smith, Bhonapha is heading back to the west coast, where he has spent every other year in his coaching career.
RESUME:
2003–2005: Hawaii (GA)
2009–2010: Boise State (RB)
2011–2013: Boise State (RB/RC)
2014–2021: Washington (RB/RC/ST)
2022: Boise State (AHC/RB)
2023: Oregon State (AHC/RB)
2024–present: Michigan State (AHC/RB)
Source: Cal is set to hire Keith Bhonapha as running backs coach. Bhonapha grew up near Cal in Oakland and has coached RBs at Michigan State, Oregon State, Boise State and Washington. pic.twitter.com/DhscG6phO6
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As of this morning, the following teams would be in the NCAA Tournament if the season ended today based on the NPI and conference standings. Please note that projected conference tournament winners are in italics and are projected by current in-conference point percentage:
Michigan
Dartmouth
Wisconsin
North Dakota
Michigan State
Denver
Minnesota-Duluth
Penn State
Harvard
Minnesota State
Augustana
Western Michigan
Quinnipiac
Boston College
Holy Cross
Bemidji State
First Four Out: Cornell, Providence, Northeastern, UConn
The selection committee avoids in-conference matchups in the first round and tends to place the one seeds in their closest geographic region. As hosts of their respective regionals, Denver (Loveland Regional) and Holy Cross (Worcester Regional) will automatically be assigned to their regionals should they make the NCAA Tournament.
With these stipulations in mind, the projected tournament would look like this:
Worcester Regional
Dartmouth vs. Holy Cross
Michigan State vs. Harvard
Albany Regional
Michigan vs. Bemidji State
Penn State vs. Harvard
Loveland Regional
North Dakota vs. Quinnipiac
Denver vs. Augustana
Sioux Falls Regional
Wisconsin vs. Boston College
Michigan State vs. Western Michigan
Bemidji State (No. 25 in NPI) currently has the highest point percentage in the CCHA, earning them a spot in this week’s projected field. Minnesota State dropped both of its games against Augustana last weekend to bump them down to second in the conference by point percentage. The conference currently has three teams in the field.
North Dakota took over first place in the NCHC with a sweep of Omaha, extending its win streak to seven. Denver’s split with St. Cloud State bumped them down to second place. North Dakota and Denver will meet only twice in the regular season, with both games in Grand Forks. The two teams have separated themselves from the pack early on, but there is still lots of hockey to be played.
Dartmouth fell in overtime against New Hampshire for its first loss of the season. The Big Green are still the top dogs in the ECAC, but they ceded the No. 1 spot in the NPI to Michigan. Idle Harvard and Quinnipiac join Dartmouth from the ECAC.
All four of the Big Ten teams in the field were idle last weekend. Michigan took over the No. 1 spot, and Michigan State jumped up to No. 5, but the conference race remains unchanged.
Boston College is the only projected team from Hockey East this week, but Providence, Northeastern, and UConn are all on the bubble early on. There is no clear top team in this conference, although Boston College has won eight of its last nine games after a 2-4-1 start.
Golf Twitter can be a tough crowd to please, but judging by the early results, the inaugural Optum Golf Channel Games were a big success. In other words, Smylie Kaufman, who we had on the latest episode of The Loop podcast earlier this week, was right. As usual.
But while the 28-second(!) birdie made by Team Rory and the dramatic playoff chip-off between Rory McIlory and Scottie Scheffler (Scottie was closer by two inches to win the overall competition) drew most of the attention from Wednesday night's action, we'd like to focus on a highlight from Keegan Bradley.
The U.S. Ryder Cup captain, who won the return of the Skins Game in dominant fashion last month, chipped in on just his second attempt in the short-game challenge at Trump National Jupiter. Even better? He gave himself the perfect nickname in the moment. Have a look—and listen:
"I'm the King of Exhibition Golf," Bradley crowed in the clip. And who could argue after the past few weeks? Usually we frown upon people coming up with their own nicknames, but Bradley nailed it. Go on, King.
The guy has been absolutely racking up Silly Season dollars. And Keegan's kids are going to have an extra-great Christmas this year.
The Denver Broncos added a new running back this week, claiming Cody Schrader off waivers from the Houston Texans. Broncos coach Sean Payton was asked about Schrader following Wednesday's practice, and he implied this was not the first time Denver attempted to claim the running back.
“We liked him the last time around," Payton said. "We’re 32nd right now in the claiming order. It was just another good back that we felt like you can’t have enough of."
Schrader (5-9, 214 pounds) was previously waived by the Jacksonville Jaguars on Dec. 6, but the Houston Texans -- who are higher than the Broncos in the waiver wire order -- were awarded the running back. Five days later, the Texans waived Schrader themselves, and Denver got another opportunity.
"His story is interesting," Payton said. "Small college, walks on then at Missouri, earns a scholarship, Rams. How he’s here today is pretty interesting. I just met him for the first time. I’m glad he’s with us."
The 26-year-old running back started his college career at Truman, a Division II program. He then played two seasons at Missouri, rushing for 2,372 yards and 23 touchdowns with the Tigers. Schrader initially signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent, then he spent a year and a half with the Los Angeles Rams. He appeared in two games with the Rams, rushing once for three yards while adding a six-yard reception.
"I know there was a lot read into that," Payton said. "Trust me, that was the furthest thing from our mind. It was more about this stretch run, making sure we’re healthy and we have depth there.”
Denver now has four running backs on the active roster as Schrader joins Harvey, Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie.
Florida Gators freshman Olivier Rioux dunks against Saint Francis on Wednesday in Gainesville, Fla. Photo by Avery Duffy/Florida Athletics
Dec. 18 (UPI) -- The University of Florida's Olivier Rioux, who already is certified as the world's tallest teen, made more history with a dunk for his first collegiate field goal.
The 7-foot-9 center, also the tallest player in college basketball history, slammed home the basket in a 102-61 thrashing of the Saint Francis Red Flash on Wednesday in Gainesville, Fla. Rioux, 19, played just two minutes.
"We were just going crazy," Gators guard Xavien Lee, who scored a team-high 18 points, told reporters when asked about the dunk.
The Gators led 100-59 with about 50 seconds remaining when Alex Kovatchev threw a pass into the right corner for fellow guard C.J. Ingram. Ingram immediately bounced the ball into the paint as Rioux ran there.
Rioux caught the pass, picked up his dribble and slammed the ball through the rim with both hands, triggering an eruption of applause from the home crowd.
"It was pretty special, man," Gators coach Todd Golden said of Rioux's dunk. "In transition? His vertical? He was up there. He pounded that thing."
Rioux, a Quebec native, took a redshirt season in 2024-25 and worked with the Gators' scout team. His profile says he was 6-foot-1 at age 8, 6-foot-11 in sixth grade and more than 7-feet as a seventh grader.
The 305-pound center made a free throw for his first collegiate points and pulled down his first rebound in an 80-45 Gators win over Merrimack on Nov. 21 in Gainesville. He has logged six minutes through his first three appearances this season.
Alex Condon, a 6-foot-11 center/forward, scored 14 points against the Red Flash (2-10). Gators 6-foot-10 center Rueben Chinyelu chipped in 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Florida (7-4) will host the Colgate Raiders (6-5) at noon EST Sunday in Gainesville.
Several Barcelona stars train at club facilities despite Flick giving the day off
FC Barcelona secured a hard-fought 2-0 victory over CD Guadalajara in the Copa del Rey on Tuesday night, securing progression to the Round of 16.
Up next for the La Liga champions is a clash against Villarreal away at Estadio La Ceramica in their final match before the mid-season break.
Pedri, Ferran among players who train on day off
Following the team’s victory away at Guadalajara, Hansi Flick gave the Barcelona squad Thursday off. Even though a morning training session had initially been scheduled, the coach decided to grant the players an extra day of rest.
Despite that, several first-team players showed up to work at the Ciutat Esportiva this morning voluntarily, reports Mundo Deportivo.
Pedri, Ferran Torres, Wojciech Szczesny, and Dani Olmo were among those who took advantage of the day off to train on their own and stick to their specific preparation plans.
Szczesny trained on a day off. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)
Of the quartet, Olmo is currently injured and recovering from a dislocated shoulder, with the Spanish playmaker targeting a return for the Catalan derby against RCD Espanyol in the first week of the new year.
As for Pedri and Ferran, the duo will likely be included in the starting XI when Barcelona take on Villarreal later this week, before the squad goes off for the Christmas break.
Ahead of that match, Flick’s side will hold two training sessions, on Friday and Saturday, to fine-tune their preparation against the Yellow Submarine.
Villarreal are enjoying a strong La Liga campaign, sitting third in the table, four points behind Real Madrid and eight behind Barça, albeit with two games in hand.
Arman Tsarukyan is keeping busy after getting snubbed of a UFC title shot.
The No. 1 UFC lightweight contender submitted Mehdi Baydulaev with just 12 seconds remaining in their grappling match at ACBJJ 20 on Wednesday in Moscow. Tsarukyan was almost disqualified after kneeing Baydulaev in the clinch, which prompted Baydulaev to return with a kick. Tsarukyan was issued a yellow card before the action continued.
From then on, Tsarukyan imposed his dominance before getting Baydulaev's back and cinching in the rear-naked choke. You can watch the full match in the video below:
The action doesn't stop there for Tsarukyan (23-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC). The 29-year-old will compete again in less than two weeks when he faces UFC middleweight Shara Magomedov in another grappling match under the Hype FC banner on Dec. 30.
Tsarukyan ran through Dan Hooker for a first-round submission last month at UFC Fight Night 265 in Qatar but was left out of the title picture when the promotion opted to match up Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight belt in the UFC 324 headliner on Jan. 24.
San Juan running back Jagger Nieves (2) stiff-arms South Summit free safety Owen Mair (1) as Nieves runs the ball during the 2A football state championship game held at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
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Isaac Hale, Deseret News
Note: The Deseret News all-state teams are compiled through a multi-step process. Each team is responsible for nominating its own players, providing stats and comments for the ballot. This information is organized by position group, allowing coaches to vote for the top performers at each spot to determine the final all-state selections.
Jagger Nieves, San Juan
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Beau Yeomans, San Juan
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Jett Rawlinson, Delta
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Liam Larson, Summit Academy
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Provided by Summit Academy
Tripp Palmer, San Juan
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Provided by San Juan
Beckham Meredith, Summit Academy
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Provided by Summit Academy
Kael Worthen, American Leadership
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Provided by ALA
Cooper Castle, South Sevier
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Provided by South Sevier
Trayvn Boger, South Summit
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pure light photography
Cash Palmer, San Juan
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Remy Whatcott, San Juan
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Tyce Larsen, Emery
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Jack Troester, Summit Academy
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George McNaughtan, San Juan
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Tug Wilbur, Summit Academy
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Lincoln Hansen, South Sevier
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Helaman Lautaha, Judge Memorial
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Theus Reed, South Summit
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pure light photography
Hudson Flinders, South Sevier
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Ammon Marchant, South Summit
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pure light photography
Jonas Jeppesen, San Juan
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Talin Hill, Summit Academy
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Blake Osguthorpe, South Summit
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pure light photography
Beau Stilson, Emery
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Cole Duke, San Juan
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William Neff, South Summit
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pure light photography
Noah Cruwys, Summit Academy
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Mason Ober, American Leadership
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Arsenal set for huge injury boost ahead of Everton clash
Arsenal manage midfield load ahead of defining run
Arsenal head into a decisive phase of their season with cautious optimism, buoyed by a carefully managed approach to Martin Zubimendi’s fitness. Arsenal are managing Martin Zubimendi’s workload heading into the festive period, a detail that speaks to broader planning rather than immediate concern.
Photo IMAGO
The numbers underline his importance. Of Arsenal’s outfield players, only Declan Rice has played more Premier League minutes so far this season than Zubimendi. The Spanish midfielder has started every league match and five of the six Champions League fixtures, missing the Slavia Prague match due to suspension. This level of reliance explains the vigilance.
Workload context behind training absence
Concern flickered when Zubimendi did not take part in Tuesday’s open training session, held after Mikel Arteta gave his players two days off following the win over Wolves. However, there are not believed to be any injury concerns. It is understood that Arsenal are keen to manage his workload after a busy few months, with Zubimendi doing work away from the main group.
Photo IMAGO
This is unfamiliar territory for the midfielder. This will be Zubimendi’s first season without a winter break, having only previous played in La Liga for Real Sociedad, and the Gunners are keen to protect him. In that sense, absence becomes a sign of foresight rather than fragility.
Everton trip starts relentless schedule
Starting with a trip to take on Everton on Saturday night, Arsenal face a run of seven matches in 22 days over Christmas and into the New Year. The schedule blends league pressure with cup ambition, including a Carabao Cup quarter final against Crystal Palace on December 23 and an FA Cup tie away at Portsmouth on January 11, as Arsenal look to maintain their charge on all fronts.
There were mixed notes elsewhere on the training ground. Kai Havertz has returned to the grass in his comeback from injury, but is not yet ready to take part in full training and was not with his team mates. Defensive trio Christhian Mosquera, Ben White and Gabriel were also absent. Arteta, though, will be boosted for the Everton match by the return of Riccardo Calafiori from suspension.
Photo IMAGO
In a title race shaped by margins, Arsenal’s approach to Zubimendi feels less like caution and more like intent.
Brooks has long been known as an NBA pest, trying to get into opponents' heads in order to elicit a reaction or throw them off their game. He certainly applies that approach to James.
"I guess he’s a social-media junkie," Brooks said Wednesday, Dec. 17, during his the first public comments since the ejection. "He be all over the socials, so he be seeing I guess what I’m saying. … Like I’ve (said) he thinks that people should think a way about him or not say nothing about him or play a certain way, and I’m not going to play that way. He gets in his moods or in his modes or whatever it is. I’m all for that."
Dillon Brooks spoke about getting into it with LeBron at the end of the Lakers win vs. the Suns 👀
Brooks, who is averaging a career-high 21.6 points a game this season, also said he will learn from the ejection and try to control his emotions so he can stay on the floor at the end of critical games.
"That’s my problem through my whole career, is I let those things happen and then I’m off the floor," Brooks said. "Then at the end of the day, how much people hate on me and say I’m not a good player and all that, but when I’m on the floor it changes the whole game."
In Sunday's game, Brooks had given Phoenix its final lead with his 3-pointer with 12.2 seconds left, and after falling to the ground, he got up and chest-bumped James, earning him a second technical foul and the ejection.
With a thrilling 2025 Formula 1 season concluding in Abu Dhabi, attention now turns to next season and a rule change which could shake-up the pecking order.
New engine and chassis regulations in 2026 mean the teams – including F1’s new outfit, Cadillac – will undergo three different pre-season tests, one in Barcelona and two in Bahrain.
Then, the season gets underway with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, the sport’s traditional curtain-raiser.
Lewis Hamilton will be eyeing a stronger 2026 season with Ferrari (Getty Images)
The 2026 campaign will again be a 24-race season, with a street race in Madrid in September the only new event on the schedule.
The full 2026 F1 calendar is below:
2026 F1 CALENDAR IN FULL
PRE-SEASON TEST 1 (private)
Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya - 26-30 January
PRE-SEASON TEST 2
Bahrain International Circuit - 11-13 February
PRE-SEASON TEST 3
Bahrain International Circuit -18-20 February
ROUND 1 - AUSTRALIA
Albert Park, Melbourne - 6-8 March
ROUND 2 - CHINA (sprint weekend)
Shanghai International Circuit, 13-15 March
ROUND 3 - JAPAN
Suzuka International Racing Course - 27-29 March
ROUND 4 - BAHRAIN
Bahrain International Circuit - 10-12 April
ROUND 5 - SAUDI ARABIA
Jeddah Corniche Circuit - 17-19 April
ROUND 6 - MIAMI (sprint weekend)
Miami International Autodrome, Hard Rock Stadium - 1-3 May
ROUND 7 - CANADA (sprint weekend)
Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal - 22-24 May
ROUND 8 - MONACO
Circuit de Monaco - 5-7 June
ROUND 9 - SPAIN (Barcelona)
Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya - 12-14 June
ROUND 10 - AUSTRIA
Red Bull Ring, Spielberg - 26-28 June
ROUND 11 - GREAT BRITAIN (sprint weekend)
Silverstone Circuit - 3-5 July
ROUND 12 - BELGIUM
Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps - 17-19 July
ROUND 13 - HUNGARY
Hungaroring, Budapest - 24-26 July
ROUND 14 - NETHERLANDS (sprint weekend)
Circuit Zandvoort - 21-23 August
ROUND 15 - ITALY
Monza Circuit - 4-6 September
ROUND 16 - SPAIN (Madrid)
Circuito de Madring - 11-13 September
ROUND 17 - AZERBAIJAN
Baku City Circuit - 25-27 September
ROUND 18 - SINGAPORE (sprint weekend)
Marina Bay Street Circuit - 9-11 October
ROUND 19 - UNITED STATES
Circuit of the Americas, Austin - 23-25 October
ROUND 20 - MEXICO
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City - 30 October-1 November
"Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett is reuniting with the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Lynx in a new, all-encompassing role involving business, community efforts and content development, sources told ESPN. His long-awaited No. 21 Wolves jersey retirement will also happen in Minnesota."
Charania explained that Garnett had a fallout with previous owner Glen Taylor, which had kept him away from the franchise and led to his refusal to have his jersey retired.
KG "built a rapport with new owners Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez, and the sides found common ground on a reunion," Charania added.
Garnett was the fifth overall pick in 1995 by the Timberwolves out of high school.
He spent his first 12 seasons with the Wolves, then parts of two more to end his career.
Garnett made nine All-Star teams while with the Timberwolves and won an MVP award. That MVP season was 2003-04, when Garnett averaged 24.2 points, 13.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 2.2 blocks and 1.5 steals per game.
Now, he'll get his rightful recognition in Minnesota for all he did for the Timberwolves.
Pacific Division rivals clash on Thursday night as the Golden State Warriors travel to Mortgage Matchup Center to face the Phoenix Suns.
DIllon Brooks has been productive at home this season, and my Warriors vs. Suns predictions expect him to reach the Over on his modest scoring line.
Here are my best free NBA picks for this divisional showdown on Thursday, December 18.
Warriors vs Suns prediction
Warriors vs Suns best bet: Dillon Brooks Over 18.5 points (-110)
With Kevin Durant gone and Jalen Green still on the shelf, Dillon Brooks is having a career year in his first season with the Phoenix Suns. He’s averaging a career-best 21.6 points per game as Phoenix’s No. 2 option behind Devin Booker.
Brooks has scored just 18.5 points per game on the road compared to a whopping 25.2 at home, and he’s scored 19+ in seven of nine games in Phoenix.
Brooks has failed to reach this scoring milestone in each of his last three outings, but two of those were on the road, and he was ejected in the final seconds of Sunday’s loss to the Lakers.
After hitting a go-ahead triple, Brooks was tossed for making contact with LeBron James. James missed the technical free throw but ultimately hit a pair of free throws on the following possession.
Brooks has posted strong scoring numbers at home all season, and he’ll surely be fired up after Sunday’s tough loss. I expect him to come out hot vs. the Golden State Warriors tonight, so I’ll take the Over.
Phoenix is 8-5 straight up at home, while Golden State is just 6-10 on the road. The Warriors have struggled as of late, with losses in two straight and four of their last six games.
The Suns came off a four-game road gauntlet and played the Lakers to the final seconds before losing on LeBron's free throws. I expect the home dogs to come away with a victory and avenge Sunday's tough loss.
The Suns are 4-9 to the Under at home, but Golden State is 10-6 to the Over on the road and 6-2 to the Over as road favorite. Stephen Curry has been rolling, and the Warriors are mostly healthy, so they should be able to put points on the board.
The Suns will still be without Jalen Green, but they've gotten strong production from Brooks and Booker. I'll take the Over here.
Warriors vs Suns SGP
Dillon Brooks Over 18.5 points
Suns moneyline
Over 230.5
Our "from downtown" SGP: Curry keeps cooking
Curry is shouldering a heavy load on offense this season, averaging his most points (29.6) since 2020-21. The Chef has scored 29+ in nine of 18 games overall, including two straight and five of his last six.
Warriors vs Suns SGP
Dillon Brooks Over 18.5 points
Suns moneyline
Over 230.5
Stephen Curry Over 28.5 points
Warriors vs Suns odds
Spread: Golden State -2.5 (-115) | Phoenix +2.5 (-105)
Moneyline: Golden State -140 | Phoenix +120
Over/Under: Over 230.5 (-110) | Under 230.5 (-110)
Warriors vs Suns betting trend to know
The Suns have hit the Over in 44 of their last 71 games (+14.30 Units / 18% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Warriors vs. Suns.
How to watch Warriors vs Suns
Location
Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix, AZ
Date
Thursday, December 18, 2025
Tip-off
9:00 p.m. ET
TV
NBC Sports Bay Area, KTVK
Warriors vs Suns latest injuries
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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins continues to battle an injury, this time before the Week 16 game against the Miami Dolphins.
Higgins has been in and out of the lineup over the last few weeks with concussion issues. The nature of those paints his outlook as murky for the remainder of a season that features no hope for a playoff berth.
Despite repeated concussion setbacks lately, it sounds like the Bengals and Higgins will attempt to get him back on the field this week.
Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com added this before the first practice of the week: “Same scenario for Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, although this week they hope it's a different ending after he didn't play Sunday against the Ravens.”
That sets up Higgins as the top name to watch on the Bengals injury report for the rest of the week.
Bengals WR depth chart
Ja’Marr Chase
Tee Higgins
Andre Iosvias
Charlie Jones
Mitchell Tinsley
Ke'Shawn Williams
The Bengals might’ve angered the Steelers on the waiver wire with the claim of Ke'Shawn Williams. He’s special teams insurance if the Charlie Jones injury from last week continues to be a problem. In the base offense, Iosivas and Tinsley would see the most work if Higgins is out. Jordan Moore, Xavier Johnson and Kendric Pryor are on the practice squad.
ATLANTA, Ga.- Thomas County Central cruised to their seventh state championship in program history and did so behind the spectacular play of their Wake Forest signee running back.
Christian Lawrence, a Wake Forest signee, rushed for 380 yards on 39 carries and scored five touchdowns, breaking a Georgia state championship rushing record on the night, in the Yellow Jackets 62-21 win over Gainesville for the GHSA Class 5A state championship on Wednesday night. Lawrence shattered the previous mark held by Omari Arnold of Brooks County (2021) of 320 yards for a single championship game.
The senior tailback rushed for what was then a school-record 349 yards in last week’s 49-28 victory over Roswell in the Class 5A state semifinals.
Lawrence over the last two weeks has been on an absolute tear for the Yellow Jackets in making the case that he’s the state’s Player of the Year. The running back in the last two games against Gainesville and Roswell has rushed for 729 yards and scored nine touchdowns.
The Wake Forest signee has been a terror for opposing defenses throughout the 2025 season, as Lawrence finished rushing for 2,198 yards (9.6 yards per carry) on 229 carries and scored 28 touchdowns. Lawrence has also added 401 receiving yards on 23 receptions and seven scores while adding 275 kick return yards.
The Yellow Jackets’ victory capped the GHSA’s week of state championships hosted in downtown Atlanta, giving the program its seventh title with the six others won in 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997 and 2023.
How to Follow Georgia High School Football
For Georgia high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the Peach State, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the high school football excitement across the state of Georgia.
West Ham United have parted ways with women’s team head coach Rehanne Skinner after two and a half seasons in charge of the side.
The 46-year-old leaves West Ham 11th in the Women’s Super League (WSL) at the halfway point in the season with just one win in 11 matches, two points above winless Liverpool at the bottom of the table.
West Ham’s only league victory of this campaign has been a 2-1 win over Everton on November 16. They have drawn two and lost eight of their other fixtures.
“Recent results have not matched expectations and the board of directors believe that a change is necessary to help improve the team’s position in the WSL as soon as possible,” West Ham said in a club statement.
During her two and half season tenure, West Ham have an 18 per cent win record. Skinner was appointed West Ham manager in July 2023 after she was dismissed as Tottenham Hotspur manager in March that year following nine straight league defeats.
In her first season in charge West Ham finished 11th, avoiding relegation to the WSL 2 (then known as the Women’s Championship) by nine points.
Results improved slightly in the 2024-25 campaign as West Ham increased their points tally from 15 to 23 but finished ninth.
Skinner helped found Leicester City’s women’s team in 2004 before taking charge of the first team two years later. She joined Arsenal as an assistant manager in 2010 prior to the inaugural WSL season, which culminated with the side winning the domestic treble.
While at Arsenal and Leicester, Skinner also coached various youth age groups at international level with England, before moving to the United States in 2013 to coach young players.
She returned to youth coaching with Wales in 2016, also serving as an assistant with the women’s senior team, before again working with England youth teams between 2017 and 2020.
Skinner was then appointed as an assistant under Phil Neville with the England national team before being appointed as head coach at Tottenham Hotspur in November 2020.
Skinner has candidly spoken out about women’s football managers’ mental health.
“Coaches are high-performing every week, just like players. Yet it’s not something that’s talked about.
“It’s a huge concern. Most of the time managers will talk to other managers because outwardly, where you go for that support, is really difficult.
“There’s only one place and that’s the LMA (League Managers’ Association). They are the only independent entity that recognises stresses that managers are under.”
West Ham face Manchester City in the League Cup quarter-final on Sunday.
“I come to praise Caesar, not to bury him.” — William Shakespeare
No one has been more scrutinized and embattled in Houston than Nick Caley. I am a numbers guy first and foremost. Most decisions that are made emotionally are the wrong one. The whole concept behind the value of things was to hope that we as fans could understand the science behind why things are done. When teams use evidence to make decisions they often make better decisions. When they make the wrong decision it is usually either because of simple bad luck or because they need better evidence.
We could say that the offense has been disappointing overall and I suppose that is true to a certain extent. After all, they are currently 17th in points scored. In a 32 team league that is almost exactly average. I’d imagine for a team with Super Bowl aspirations, average is disappointing, but we have to remember where they were coming from, what his mandate was, and how that all fits into the overall narrative.
We should start with the mandate. Obviously, doing better is a mandate by itself, but the Texans needed to improve in some key areas. First, we wanted them to keep Stroud cleaner in the pocket. That would happen with a combination of better blocking, a quicker passing attack, and better decision making by Stroud. We can rate all of those things through statistics. We also hoped the running game would improve. We hoped they would take care of the football and we hoped that they would commit fewer pre-snap penalties as well. We can rate all of those things.
2024
2025
Points Per Game
21.9
23.1
Total Yards per game
319.7
327.8
Rushing Yards per game
112.3
108.4
Yards per carry
4.4
4.0
Passing Yards per game
207.4
219.4
Net Yards per attempt
5.7
5.9
Turnovers
19
10
Sacks
54
31
Penalties
7.0/57.7
7.1/58.0
Quarterbacks
62.6, 20 TD, 12 INT
63.2, 20 TD, 7 INT
We have to remember the mandate. The team is going to play football the way that DeMeco Ryans wants to play football. I think that is the one thing all of us need to remember. We can watch the games and we can see opportunities where the Texans leave points out on the field, but at the end of the day we have to come back to the way Ryans wants to play football. When he talks about the kind of team he wants to be, are the Texans living up to that image?
Tough, Physical team
This is usually the first description that Ryans uses when describing the way he wants to play football. He would probably love the team to run it 40 times a game if the situation would allow. They are averaging 27.4 rushing attempts per game. That’s two more carries per game than the 2024 squad. So, if Ryans wants an offense that runs the ball more often then he got that offense. Now, are they effective at it? They are 26th in the NFL in yards per attempt.
I think this is where most fans get caught up and why I love numbers in the first place. Numbers help quantify a feeling that we have. The offense feels ineffective because they are trying to do more of something that they aren’t good at. This immediately brings up two philosophical questions. First, are they not good because of Nick Caley or is there another reason they aren’t good? Secondly, is Caley responsible for continuing to do something that is not working?
The difficulty is that the answers for both of these questions are yes and no. Kyle Shanahan demonstrates on a yearly basis that there are ways to scheme more rushing yards with formations, motion, and where you attack the defense. It’s not as simple as simply handing it off and hoping for the best. Yet, this is an offense without Joe Mixon and some of the choices on the offensive line did not work out. On the second question, Ryans clearly wants a more conservative style, but even within that construct there are multiple ways to run the football that haven’t been employed.
Take care of Stroud and the football
We don’t need a huge explanation here as the numbers speak for themselves. I suppose it is possible the Texans could turn it over nine times in the next three games, but that seems fairly unlikely. So, they will finish 2025 with fewer turnovers than 2024. Similarly, I seriously doubt they will surrender 23 sacks in the next three games. So, based on a simple mandate, Caley has been better than his predecessor. How much better? That is obviously open for debate.
Stroud becomes more efficient
We could look at just Stroud or we could look at overall quarterback numbers. In both cases, they are on pace to surpass their touchdown totals and throw fewer interceptions. They have done that. Stroud is on pace to throw only 19 touchdowns, but he also missed three games with a concussion. As a team, they are on pace to throw 24 touchdown passes versus 20 last season. That is a marked improvement. They are also on pace to throw only nine interceptions where they threw 12 last season.
Stroud and the team have also seem a slight uptick in completion percentage. That coupled with the fewer sacks explains the increase in net yards per attempt. So, it may not be a huge improvement, but it is an overall improvement in that department. Furthermore, he has been playing better recently, so these numbers might be looking better by the end of the season.
Overall Thoughts
It is hard to separate out what we think the offense could look like with whether Nick Caley is actually performing the job that was asked of him. They are taking better care of the ball, the quarterbacks have been more efficient, and they are doing a better job of protecting the quarterbacks. The running game has gotten worse, but that can be explained away by the loss of Joe Mixon. So, while the Texans offense may make us want to pull our hair out at times, that might be a function of what is asked of them. The frustration stems from the fact that the personnel clearly does not match what they are trying to do. That reflects more on Nick Caserio and DeMeco Ryans than Nick Caley. I will own up to my part in this. Earlier in the year I was calling for Caley to be fired. It still wouldn’t break my heart if he were replaced, but I have to admit he is doing the job they asked him to do. It is time to focus our attention on who is doing the asking.
A final trophy in 2025 that caps off a historic year. A year of all records!
6 trophies won
Ligue 1, Coupe de France, Trophée des Champions, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup: PSG won its sixth title of 2025 this Wednesday. It’s simply a world record!
Only the legendary FC Barcelona of 2009 managed to do as well as the capital club in a single calendar year, in the entire history of football.
50 victories in 67 matches
In 2025, Paris played 67 matches and won 50! Once again, that’s a club record!
Never before has PSG played... and won so many matches in a single calendar year in its history!
174 goals scored
In 67 matches, Luis Enrique’s players scored 174 goals, all competitions combined.
You guessed it: that’s also a record! Never before has PSG scored so much in a single calendar year. The previous record dated back to 2017, when Paris scored 172 goals.
The top spot in the NFC is on the line when the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks face off in a heavyweight Thursday Night Football matchup.
My Rams vs. Seahawks predictions and NFL picks side with the visiting Rams, who have a lot of betting trends on their side.
Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. ET from Lumen Field in beautiful Seattle, with the game airing on Prime Video on Thursday, December 18.
Rams vs Seahawks prediction
Rams vs Seahawks best bet: Rams -1 (-105)
I like backing betting trends, so it’s near impossible to overlook the Los Angeles Rams in this spot at a reasonable number.
Los Angeles has been one of the most reliable late-season bets in the NFL, compiling a 17–3 ATS record in their last 20 games played in the month of December. That trend has continued this year, with the Rams starting December 2–0 while piling up 86 total points against Arizona and Detroit, surpassing 500 yards of offense in both games. They’re peaking at the right time.
They’ve also dominated the spread in matchups against the Seattle Seahawks, covering 11 of the last 14 meetings, including five straight at Lumen Field. That level of consistency against a division opponent is hard to dismiss, particularly in a building that’s traditionally been difficult for visitors.
Road performance has also been a strength. Los Angeles has gone 11–2 ATS in its last 13 road games and owns a 17–5 ATS mark overall since December 1 of last season. Whether home or away, this team has shown an ability to travel and execute in high-leverage spots.
Even setting trends aside, there are reasons for skepticism on the Seattle side.
The Seahawks escaped with a narrow win over the Philip Rivers-led Colts last week despite being nearly two-touchdown favorites, and while they continue to accumulate wins, Sam Darnold’s play has cooled off. It’s also very fair to question his confidence in standalone, high-pressure games after he completely melted down at the end of last season with the Vikings.
That concern is amplified by the matchup itself. The Rams are 3–0 against Darnold since the start of last season and forced him into costly mistakes, including a four-interception performance just over a month ago.
Trends alone don’t decide games, but when form, matchup history, and quarterback results all point in the same direction, they deserve attention. On a short week in Seattle, the data suggests the Rams are once again positioned to continue their strong December run.
In addition to being 3-0 vs Darnold since the beginning of last season, Los Angeles has owned the Seahawks, going 11-3 ATS against them in the last 14 matchups. Look for Kyren Williams to add to his 13 total TDs vs. a Seattle defense that's allowed the most receptions in the NFL to opposing running backs.
Rams vs Seahawks SGP
Rams moneyline
Kyren Williams anytime touchdown
Kyren Williams Over 1.5 receptions
Our big-ticket SGP: JSN is the Seahawks' brightest spot
JSN has reached the 100-yard mark in an amazing eight of his last 10 games, including going for 105 vs. the Rams on November 15. Los Angeles has allowed the sixth-most receiving yards to the wide receiver position this season.
Rams vs Seahawks SGP
Rams moneyline
Kyren Williams anytime touchdown
Kyren Williams Over 1.5 receptions
Jaxon Smith-Njigba Over 95.5 receiving yards
Rams vs Seahawks game predictions
Rams vs Seahawks moneyline prediction
The Rams have hit their stride during the stretch run of the season with back-to-back wins where they’ve dropped 40+ points and 500+ yards. I’m not going to stand in front of that vs Darnold, who can’t be trusted in big spots like this.
Rams vs Seahawks spread prediction
With the Rams being 17-3 ATS in their last 20 games played in December while also being 11-3 ATS in their last 14 games vs the Seahawks, I’ll happily side with them to cover.
Rams vs Seahawks Over/Under prediction
The Under also profiles well in a matchup between two of the league’s top defenses. These teams rank second and third in points allowed and played to a 21–19 game in November that was tracking even lower before late touchdowns. Unless short fields or defensive scores swing the script, the metrics point toward a lower-scoring game.
Rams vs Seahawks odds
Spread: Los Angeles -1.5 (+100) | Seattle +1.5 (-122)
Moneyline: Los Angeles -106 | Seattle -110
Over/Under: Over 42 (-110) | Under 42.5 (-110)
Rams vs Seahawks betting trend to know
The Rams are 17-3 ATS in their last 20 games played in December. Find more NFL betting trends for Rams vs. Seahawks.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
In what was the final season of his historic career, Clayton Kershaw gave Dodgers fans one last hurrah as he ended his career as a three-time champion and one of the greatest pitchers in franchise history.
Kershaw played a minor role in helping the Dodgers maintain their supremacy in the NL West in 2024, making just seven starts before suffering a bone spur in his toe. Once again a free agent, Kershaw signed back with the Dodgers on one-year deal, but was placed on the IL to begin the season after undergoing surgeries to repair both his foot and a torn meniscus.
Kershaw missed the first month of action as he continued to rehab, but he made his 2025 debut on May 17 against the crosstown Angels. He struggled mightily in his first start, giving up five runs across just four innings before a rain delay in Queens limited his next start to just two innings of work against the New York Mets.
Kershaw managed to hit his stride in June, where he managed to toss at least five innings in four of his five starts, posting a perfect 4-0 record with a 2.28 ERA while striking out 23 and walking just seven across 27 2/3 innings of work. By the end of the month, Kershaw was sitting at 2,997 career strikeouts, with a chance to make history in his next start against the Chicago White Sox.
Kershaw’s road to history against Chicago was a hard-fought battle, having given up four runs over 5 2/3 innings with just two strikeouts. Against Vinny Capra, and with his next pitch being his 100th of the night, Kershaw placed a slider on the outside corner to get Capra looking and cemented himself as the 20th member of the 3,000 strikeout club. Kershaw joined Steve Carlton and Randy Johnson as the only left-handers with at least 3,000 strikeouts and became the only one of the three to do so with just one team.
Strikeout No. 3,000!
Clayton Kershaw becomes the 20th pitcher in Major League Baseball history to record 3,000 career strikeouts. pic.twitter.com/mD7tM1POJC
Kershaw was named to the NL All-Star team for the 11th time in his career as a “legend” pick, and he managed to get two quick outs on six pitchers, striking out Vladimir Guerrero while mic’d up with the broadcasting crew during the midsummer classic.
Kershaw once again struggled to open the second half, overall miring in a poor month of July where he posted an 0-2 record with 4.71 ERA, with his strikeouts dropping to just 10 in 21 innings over four starts. He quickly turned the page in August, as he secured a winning decision in each of his five starts and lowered his ERA to 3.06 by month’s end.
The Dodgers had just wrapped up their first series win over the Philadelphia Phillies since 2023 on Sept. 17, where Blake Snell had a statement performance by striking out 12 over seven shutout innings. The following day, Dodgers fans were shocked when it was that Clayton Kershaw would retire following the 2025 season. Kershaw never publicly hinted at retiring throughout the season, but privately, through conversations with his wife, Ellen, he knew that it was the right time to call it a career.
“Usually we wait until the offseason to make a final call, but I think almost going into the season we kind of knew that this was going to be it. I didn’t want to say anything, unless I changed my mind… Over the course of the season, how grateful I am to have been healthy, be out on the mound, and be able to pitch, I think it just made it obvious this was a good sending-off point.”
His final home start of his regular season career came on Sept. 19 against the San Francisco Giants, and although he went just 4 1/3 innings while throwing 91 pitches, he allowed just two runs and struck out six hitters, with the final strikeout of his home career coming against Rafael Devers. He made his fourth career regular season relief appearance while the team was in Arizona, and he made his final regular season start in Seattle against the Mariners, tossing 5 1/3 shutout innings while striking out seven.
Kershaw’s presence in the postseason was minimal at best, having been relegated to mop-up duties during the Dodgers’ loss to the Phillies in Game 3 of the NLDS. He wasn’t on the field for any of the Dodgers’ four games against the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLCS, but he got one opportunity in the World Series.
In an 18 inning marathon between the Dodgers and Blue Jays in Game 3, Kershaw came in with the bases loaded and two outs in the top of the 12th inning, with the goal to get Nathan Lukes out and preserve the tie. Kershaw tossed eight pitches to Lukes, with the final one being hit weakly to the right side of the infield. Tommy Edman made a shovel pass to Freddie Freeman to send the game to the bottom of the 12th, and Clayton Kershaw threw the final pitch of his 18-year career, ultimately ending with his third World Series championship.
Kershaw ends his career as the Dodgers all-time leader in strikeouts and second to Don Sutton in wins, and he is the most valuable Dodger in history per both rWAR and fWAR. His career 2.53 ERA is the second best in baseball since the beginning of the live ball era behind Hall of Fame pitcher Hoyt Wilhelm, and his career 154 ERA+ is tied with Pedro Martinez as the best in baseball history among starting pitchers with at least 2,000 innings.
Clayton Kershaw saved his best start for last, as in the final start of his 18-year career, he tossed 5 1/3 shutout innings against the Seattle Mariners, giving up just four hits and one walk while striking out seven.
Roster status
Clayton Kershaw is retired after spending his entire 18-year career with the Dodgers. He will become eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2031.
The Los Angeles Rams will be going for the season sweep over the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football. Much like the matchup in Week 11, this one is important. Whoever wins will have the upper hand in the NFC for the No. 1 seed as well as in the NFC West. The Rams have gotten the best of Sam Darnold over the last two years, but Thursday’s game could determine whether or not a third matchup between these two is played at SoFi Stadium or Lumen Field. Let’s get to this week’s keys to victory.
1. Get interior pressure on Sam Darnold
Sam Darnold consistently struggles with pressure. However, it’s not just any pressure. Darnold struggles with interior pressure. The Rams will not win this game if they can’t take away the immediate throw, force Darnold to double clutch the ball, and then make him uncomfortable with pressure inside. A big difference in this game will be Jalen Sundell returning at center instead of Olu Oluwatimi for the Seahawks. They will be without their left tackle in Charles Cross, but this also isn’t last season when the Seahawks replaced him with Stone Forsythe.
Over the last two years, Chris Shula and the Rams have put out the blueprint for beating a Darnold offense. They do this with interior stunts and simulated pressures. It’s that type of pressure that Darnold has consistently struggled against. If the Rams are going to win this game, it starts with forcing Darnold into negative plays and mistakes. To do that, they need to make him uncomfortable.
Without pressure, Darnold ranks fifth in the NFL in EPA per dropback. Under pressure, Darnold ranks 24th at -0.53 EPA per dropback. Under pressure, he has a 5.5 percent turnover-worthy play rate compared to 2.6 percent when kept clean. Jared Verse, Kobie Turner, and Byron Young need to have big games. To do this, the Rams need to set up obvious passing situations that the defense thrives on. On early downs, the Seahawks encounter a stuffed run 75 times which is the most in the league. The Rams have to stop the run early to earn the ability to rush the passer.
The Rams are catching Darnold at a fascinating time. Over the past two years, Darnold hasn’t shown that he can keep his level over the course of 17 games. Darnold’s EPA per dropback cuts in half from 0.21 in Weeks 1-9 to 0.11 in Weeks 10-18. His turnover-worthy throw percentage jumps from 3.6 percent to 5.1 percent. Since Week 11, Darnold is 2-for-20 on tight window throws. Darnold’s season shifted after the first loss to the Rams last year and it has shifted again after playing the same team this season.
2. Do better on third down
Over the past two games against the Seahawks, the Rams offense has struggled on third down. They were 2-for-11 on third down back in Week 11 and then 3-for-14 in the second game last year. The Rams won both games, but that simply isn’t going to cut it. The Rams lost the time of possession 37:49 to 22:11. Between the second and third quarters, the Rams ran 15 plays, were 0-for-3 on third down, and held the ball for 5:56. During that same span the Seahawks ran 45 plays and held the ball for 23:54. That type of ball control can’t happen if the Rams are going to win this game.
The Rams have to be able to set themselves up in third and manageable situations. Even if the Rams aren’t necessarily finishing drives in the end zone or even scoring, they can’t go three-and-out every time they have the ball. Offensively, the Rams need to find ways to not rely on explosives and be able to sustain drives.
3. Be aggressive with turnover opportunities
The Rams turned the ball over four times against the Seahawks and managed to win by just two points. It shows just how important creating turnovers is against this Seahawks team. While the Seahawks may be 11-3, they are the only team in the NFL with 20 or more turnovers to have a winning record. They are second in the NFL in turnovers behind the Minnesota Vikings. It’s also not just Darnold. The Seahawks lead the NFL in fumbles with 11.
Between Nate Landman forcing fumbles and the Rams defense having 13 interceptions, this has been an opportunistic defense this season. The Rams have one turnover over the past three weeks. It feels as if they are overdue for a multi-turnover game and this might just be the one. It’s also worth noting that wind is projected to be an issue and there is a chance of rain on Thursday Night. That could make both offenses more susceptible to turnovers. Winning that battle may end up being the difference in this game.
4. Find a way to run the ball
This goes back to the second point of doing better on third down. That starts with setting the offense up in good situations with favorable third down distances. Back in Week 11, the Rams had three 3rd-and-10+ situations in addition to three more 3rd-and-6 situations. Getting less than five yards in two plays isn’t ideal. This season, the Rams have averaged a 49.1 percent rushing success rate. Against the Seahawks, that was 31.8 percent. It’s true that Kyren Williams had 12 carries for 91 yards, but it doesn’t tell the full story. Take away the two 30-yard runs from Williams and he had 10 carries for 27 yards. If you remove his third run of 10 yards and he averaged 1.9 yards per carry which isn’t much different than Corum’s 1.3.
This Seahawks defense is one of the best in the NFL. They are first in EPA per rush. The explosive runs could create opportunities for the offense and are important. However, it’s also important for the Rams to stay ahead of the chains. Over the past three games, Corum is averaging over nine yards per carry. He’s essentially getting a first down per rushing attempt.
The Rams have found a good balance in the run game between Williams and Corum as they’ve become a two-headed monster at the position. This season, the Rams have been 50-50 when it comes to running man/duo or zone. The Seahawks are big inside and they have the speed to move laterally. They are uniquely fit to stop the Rams double teams inside and take away the cutback lanes in wide zone.
However, the Seahawks are allowing the sixth-most yards per carry on inside zone runs this season. The overall success rate is still just 44 percent, but it’s the one spot in the run game where they’ve shown to be vulnerable. It goes against what the Rams are doing as they are league average on inside zone runs. With that said, it may be worth a shot in this game.
5. Who is the second option in the offense?
It’s simple to say that the Rams can just run 13 personnel without Davante Adams. However, this Seahawks defense is uniquely built in a way that makes that difficult. The Rams do this to get teams into their base defense. With Nick Emmanwori, the Seahawks can just match it with nickel. Back in Week 11, the Rams lined up in 13 personnel 19 times and the Seahawks matched it with base three times. The offense had -0.55 EPA per play and a 21 percent success rate. Offensively, the Rams went from averaging 4.7 yards per play out of 13 personnel the three weeks prior to 2.7 yards per play.
That doesn’t mean that the Rams should abandon it. This is still a Seahawks defense that has struggled to defend tight ends at times. Gunnar Helm had six receptions for 51 yards against this Seahawks defense. TJ Hockenson had six receptions for 59 yards. Kyle Pitts had six receptions for 90 yards.
Without Davante Adams, the Rams are going to need to find a second option in the passing game outside of Puka Nacua. Given how Colby Parkinson has played over the past month, he makes sense. Parkinson had a career-high 75 yards last week. That doesn’t mention that he’s had six touchdowns in his last six games. Additionally, Terrance Ferguson has gotten more involved and this is a game in which it would be nice to see a breakout from him given his size. Ferguson can fill a similar role to Adams as far as moving across the field and winning vertically.
Still, a receiver is going to have to step up. The Rams aren’t going to be able to live in 13 personnel in this game. Back in Week 11, the Rams averaged 7.4 yards per carry out of 11 personnel. The Rams paid Tutu Atwell in the offseason and this would be a great game for him to earn that. Konata Mumpfield may see more opportunity as well. Someone else in the receiver room outside of Nacua is going to have to step up.
Opening the week, the Giants were listed as 2.5-point home underdogs, but that line has worsened slightly with Minnesota now at -3 as of this writing.
Let's take a look at who some of the experts and insiders around the league are taking in the Week 16 matchup:
Expert
Pick
Score (if applicable)
Dan Graziano (ESPN)
Vikings
N/A
Chris Fowler (ESPN)
Vikings
N/A
Lindsey Thiry (ESPN)
Vikings
N/A
Pete Prisco (CBS)
Giants
24-20
John Breech (CBS)
Vikings
24-16
Conor Orr (Sports Illustrated)
Vikings
N/A
Nate Davis (USA TODAY)
Vikings
27-20
Jarrett Bell (USA TODAY)
Vikings
21-16
Bill Bender (The Sporting News)
Vikings
24-17
Vinnie Iyer (The Sporting News)
Vikings
27-20
After the Giants fell to the Washington Commanders as favorites in Week 15, it should come as little surprise that few expect them to upset the Vikings. The one thing that did come as a shock was Pete Prisco of CBS Sports actually predicting a Giants victory, suggesting their defense will rattle J.J. McCarthy. We'll see, but he's the odd man out this week.
Even with the vast majority picking Minnesota, everyone across the board anticipates this will be another one-score game.
Other experts and analysts from around the league also trend heavily toward Minnesota, with 90 percent picking the Vikings to win on Sunday, per NFL Pickwatch.
Fans share an ever stronger view, with 92 percent predicting a Vikings victory.
Dolphins rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers will make the first start of his NFL career on Sunday, and he says it's what he's been working for his entire life.
"It's a dream come true for me," Ewers said. "I've always wanted to have the opportunity to play in the NFL, and for that to be coming is truly a blessing. I'm thankful for the opportunity."
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel decided yesterday to bench Tua Tagovailoa and make Ewers the starter. Ewers said that he knows how Tagovailoa feels because Ewers himself was benched for Arch Manning during Texas's loss to Georgia last year. Ewers appreciates Tagovailoa being a good teammate.
"In Tua's shoes, it's tough. I was benched int he middle of a game last year so I know how he feels and it's a bad feeling," Ewers said. "He's been really helpful in a tough situation, and I know a frustrating situation that he's in."
Sunday's game against the Bengals is meaningless to the playoff race, as both teams are mathematically eliminated. But it's meaningful for Ewers, who gets to accomplish his dream of being an NFL starter — and perhaps show the Dolphins that he deserves consideration to be their starter in 2026 as well.
Kanab's Hayden Gubler was voted the Deseret News 1A player of the year.
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cbreezesports
Note: The Deseret News all-state teams are compiled through a multi-step process. Each team is responsible for nominating its own players, providing stats and comments for the ballot. This information is organized by position group, allowing coaches to vote for the top performers at each spot to determine the final all-state selections.
James Madison (12-1): If you need a refresher on how the College Football Playoff teams are selected, the five highest-ranked conference champions in the CFP committee’s rankings make the field along with seven at-large teams. Since five-loss Duke was the ACC champion, James Madison was the fifth-ranked conference champion to give the Sun Belt Conference its first-ever playoff team.
The Dukes’ only loss came in Week 2. Ironically enough, that defeat came to an ACC team. JMU lost 28-14 at Louisville before winning 11 straight games. The Dukes beat Troy 31-14 in the Sun Belt title game and had just one conference win by one score.
Oregon (11-1): The Ducks’ only loss came to the No. 1 seed in the playoff. After a 5-0 start that included an overtime win over a Penn State team that was ranked No. 3 at the time, Oregon lost 30-20 at home to Indiana. That loss made the CFP committee a bit skeptical of the Ducks at the start of November, but Oregon beat Iowa, USC and Washington over the final four weeks of the season to move up to No. 5 and the top spot among teams that didn’t play in a conference title game.
How the QBs stack up
A lot of people will be seeing JMU QB Alonza Barnett III for the first time. A season ago, Barnett threw 355 passes in 12 games for 2,568 yards, 26 TDs and just four interceptions. This season, he’s 193-of-322 passing for 2,533 yards and 21 TDs but his interception total has doubled to eight.
Barnett didn’t have a great game in the Sun Belt championship. Even though the Dukes won 31-14, Barnett was just 10-of-25 passing for 93 yards with a TD and an interception. He added 12 carries for 85 yards and a TD, however, and that performance wasn’t an outlier. Barnett has 115 carries for 544 yards and 14 scores.
Oregon’s Dante Moore has completed over 72% of his passes in his first year as a starter and is positioned to be a top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft if he decides to declare. Moore is 227-of-313 passing for 2,733 yards and 24 TDs with six interceptions. Moore threw two interceptions in that loss to Indiana. Since then, he’s thrown just three picks over 145 attempts and has nine touchdown passes in that same span.
Players to watch
James Madison RB Wayne Knight: The redshirt junior has been one of the best rushers in the country in his first season as a No. 1 back. After getting 77 carries for 449 yards a year ago, Knight has 190 carries for 1,263 yards and has scored nine touchdowns this season.
As Troy led early in the second quarter of the Sun Belt title game, Knight put JMU ahead for good with a 73-yard TD run. He finished the game with 21 carries for 212 yards.
It was just the fourth 100-yard game of the season for Knight, but that’s a product of volume more than anything else. He’s only had one other game with at least 20 carries this season.
Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq: The potential first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft is a walking mismatch. How will JMU try to cover him?
Sadiq is Oregon’s leading receiver with 40 catches for 490 yards and he’s scored eight touchdowns. Five of those TDs have come over his last five games. Against USC, Sadiq had six catches for 72 yards and two scores. A week before against Minnesota, Sadiq had eight catches for 96 yards and a TD. He can be a bit boom or bust; Sadiq has five games with two or fewer catches in 2025. But we expect Moore to be looking for Sadiq down the seam consistently against JMU.
Key to the game
Autzen Stadium will be the most raucous environment any JMU player has ever played in. How much of an impact will crowd noise make? James Madison has a stingy rushing defense, but it also hasn’t faced a running attack close to that of Oregon. The Dukes have given up just 990 yards rushing all season; Marshall is the only team to average more than four yards a carry. Oregon averages 5.8 yards a carry as a team as running backs Noah Whittington, Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill Jr. each average at least six yards a carry.
If JMU can slow Oregon’s run game down, then the Dukes have a chance. If Oregon can get what it wants on the ground, the bigger question won’t be if Oregon can win, but if the Ducks can cover that three-touchdown spread.
Tulane (11-2): The American Conference champions got blown out in Week 4 when the Rebels beat the Green Wave, 45-10. The loss came after Tulane beat Northwestern and Duke over the first three weeks of the season.
After the Ole Miss loss, Tulane won three straight before getting blown out again, this time on a Thursday night at UTSA. But the Roadrunners are excellent at home in conference games. And since then, Tulane has five straight wins. The last four have been by at least two scores, including a 34-21 win over North Texas in the American title game.
Ole Miss (11-1): Do you want a recap of Ole Miss’ season on the field or a recap of how Lane Kiffin dramatically left Oxford at the end of the season to go to LSU?
We’ll try to briefly do both. Ole Miss lost to Georgia. The Rebels beat LSU and Oklahoma. Despite a guaranteed playoff berth after a 38-19 win over Florida, Kiffin decided the allure of LSU was too great and he wanted to be the Tigers’ next head coach. Ole Miss, meanwhile, told Kiffin he couldn’t coach the team while also heading to LSU. So Kiffin is gone and replaced by defensive coordinator Pete Golding while multiple offensive assistants who followed Kiffin to LSU will coach Ole Miss for the duration of the Rebels’ playoff run.
How the QBs stack up
A year ago, BYU QB Jake Retzlaff was the toast of Provo as the Cougars won 11 games and took down Colorado in the Alamo Bowl. Now he’s the toast of New Orleans following his exit from BYU in dark circumstances.
Retzlaff transferred after a woman accused him of sexual assault in November of 2023 in a civil lawsuit. Retzlaff had contended the sexual encounter was consensual and the suit was dismissed with prejudice in June. However, Retzlaff transferred because he would be facing a suspension for an honor code violation at BYU.
He ended up at Tulane, where he’s completed 62% of his passes for 2,862 yards and 14 TDs while rushing 118 times for 610 yards and 16 scores. Only three players — including Ole Miss RB Kewan Lacy — have rushed for more TDs than Retzlaff.
Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss is also a transfer. He arrived in Oxford from Division II Ferris State and took over as the team’s starter following Austin Simmons’ ankle injury in Week 2. Chambliss finished eighth in the Heisman voting as he’s completed 65% of his passes for 3,016 yards and 18 TDs while rushing for 470 yards and another six scores. Chambliss has thrown for over 300 yards in each of the Rebels’ last three games and has thrown for a TD in all but one game in 2025. That one game? His relief appearance against Kentucky in Week 2 when he didn’t throw a single pass.
Players to watch
Tulane WR Shazz Preston: The Alabama transfer leads a Tulane receiver group that features four players with at least 30 catches. Preston has 38 catches for 598 yards and four touchdowns and is the only Tulane player with more than two TD grabs this season.
He also leads the Green Wave with 15.7 yards per catch in a passing attack that doesn’t feature a standout receiver. Though Preston had just two catches for 16 yards against North Texas, he’s had four games with more than 80 yards receiving this season.
Ole Miss RB Kewan Lacy: No power conference player has as many rushing attempts as Lacy’s 258. The transfer from Mizzou has rushed for 1,279 yards as he’s gotten over 20 carries per game in seven of Ole Miss’ 12 games this season. Lacy’s rushed 58 times for 367 yards and four scores over the last two games and had 24 carries for 167 yards and a TD in a win over South Carolina. In the Week 4 win over Tulane, Lacy rushed 18 times for 68 yards and two scores.
Key to the game
As Pete Golding coaches his first game in charge at Ole Miss, Jon Sumrall could be working his last at Tulane before heading to Florida.
Sumrall has been balancing two jobs in the buildup to the postseason and he’s got to figure out how his team can be more competitive this time around. Tulane had just 282 yards on 78 plays in September as Ole Miss ran 69 plays for 548 yards.
Tulane’s key is simple. They have to be better at the line of scrimmage to have a chance. While Lacy rushed for 68 yards, Chambliss rushed 14 times for 112 yards and the Rebels had 42 carries for 241 yards. If Tulane is getting blown off the ball, it’s hard to see how this game plays out any different.
Can the Hurricanes pull the upset after sneaking into the field or will Texas A&M set up a quasi-home-game quarterfinal matchup with Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl?
Miami (10-2): Hey, did you know that Miami jumped Notre Dame for the final at-large spot in the College Football Playoff in the last set of rankings? It might have been slightly controversial.
The Hurricanes got into the playoff because of their win over Notre Dame in Week 1. But it took so long for that playoff berth to feel certain because of the way the CFP committee evaluates teams. After Miami was at No. 18 at the start of November following a loss to SMU, the Hurricanes slowly worked their way up the rankings. They finally got close enough to Notre Dame for that head-to-head win to actually matter for the committee after BYU lost to Texas Tech in the Big 12 title game. Miami in the playoff over Notre Dame is perfectly defensible. How they got to the playoff, however, isn’t.
Texas A&M (11-1): The Aggies had designs on a first-round bye entering Thanksgiving week. A&M had saved an undefeated season with an incredible second-half comeback against South Carolina on Nov. 15 and then made quick work of FCS Samford to move to 11-0.
But the hope of a first-round bye in the playoff and a trip to the SEC title game again ended at the hands of the Texas Longhorns. A year after Texas denied the Aggies a visit to Atlanta, Texas did it again in a 27-17 win. A&M had no shot at the playoff a year ago; a chance for the national title is a nice consolation. But the Aggies would sure love to beat the Longhorns sometime soon.
How the QBs stack up
Miami QB Carson Beck has two really ugly games in 2025. Both of those games resulted in Miami losses.
The Georgia transfer has completed nearly 75% of his passes for 3,072 yards and 25 TDs with 10 interceptions. Six of those picks have come in the Hurricanes' two defeats. He threw four picks in Miami’s 24-21 home loss to Louisville on Oct. 17 and then threw two more in a 26-20 overtime loss at SMU. Outside of that, he has just one other multi-interception game.
Beck has thrown at least two touchdown passes in eight of Miami’s 12 games this season and has been excellent since that SMU loss. Over his last four games, Beck is 89-of-112 passing for 1,125 yards and 11 TDs with just one interception.
A&M QB Marcel Reed was perhaps the most surprising player to miss out on the top 10 of the Heisman voting after his successful season. Reed isn’t the passer Beck is — he’s completed just 62% of his passes — but he’s rushed for 466 yards and six scores while also throwing 25 touchdowns.
A poor performance against the Longhorns made sure he wasn’t going to get invited to New York. But it’s hard to overlook how good Reed was in the comeback performance against South Carolina. After a disastrous first half, Reed finished the game 22-of-39 passing for 439 yards and three touchdowns with two interceptions.
Players to watch
Miami WR CJ Daniels: Star freshman Malachi Toney has been the go-to wide receiver for the Hurricanes. His 84 catches are more than twice as many as any other Miami player and he leads the team with 970 yards. But Daniels is a very important part of the Miami pass game. And the Hurricanes got him back at the end of the season.
Daniels has missed three games due to injury but is still tied with Toney for the team lead in receiving TDs with seven. The LSU transfer has 35 catches for 391 yards and had two grabs for 40 yards and a TD in his second game back from injury. Can he help prevent A&M from focusing its efforts solely on Toney?
Texas A&M RB Le’Veon Moss: The Aggies’ top running back hasn’t played since Oct. 11. But he could be back on the field against Miami after returning to practice this week.
Moss has missed the last six games with an ankle injury he suffered against Florida. Before the injury, Moss had 70 carries for 389 yards and six touchdowns over the Aggies’ first six games of the season.
In 2024, Moss had 121 carries for 765 yards and 10 TDs. Rueben Owens has filled in admirably with 618 yards on 112 carries with Moss out of the lineup. But having Moss and Owens back on the field together for the first time in over two months could be huge for the Aggies.
Key to the game
Both defenses are strikingly similar against the pass. Opponents have completed less than 60% of their passes for fewer than 200 yards per game against both A&M and Miami. But Miami has held opponents to fewer than five yards a carry and forces nearly two turnovers per game. A&M has forced just nine turnovers all season.
Will turnovers be the difference? And can Miami’s Mark Fletcher Jr. open up space for Beck to operate through the air? A&M has allowed opponents to rush for over six yards a carry four times in 2025. Fletcher leads Miami with 685 yards and 10 TDs on 141 carries. If Miami can make A&M worry about the run game, the Hurricanes have a real shot at pulling the upset.
No. 8 Oklahoma is the host this time as No. 9 Alabama comes to Norman. The Sooners took down the Crimson Tide in November to push their way into the playoff field. Can Oklahoma get it done again?
Alabama (10-3): As the playoff discussion largely centered around Miami’s move ahead of Notre Dame, don’t forget that Alabama didn’t drop from No. 9 in the CFP rankings after losing the SEC title game. The Tide lost 28-7 to No. 3 Georgia in a game that played out exactly like the final score would indicate. Georgia controlled the game. It wasn’t a late touchdown or two to make a close game look more like a blowout after Alabama had beaten the Bulldogs earlier in the season.
Before losing to Oklahoma on Nov. 15, the Crimson Tide had won eight games in a row after a Week 1 loss to Florida State. The Sooners forced three Alabama turnovers and capitalized on all of them. The fourth quarter was a slugfest; Tate Sandell’s fourth-quarter field goal with 13:41 to go were the only points of the final 15 minutes.
Oklahoma (10-2): The Sooners enter the CFP on a four-game win streak after losing 34-26 at home to No. 6 Ole Miss. Since then, Oklahoma has beaten three teams ranked at the time in Tennessee, Alabama and Missouri and ended the regular season with a win over LSU.
Before losing to Ole Miss, Oklahoma scored wins over Michigan and Auburn but lost to Texas in the Red River Rivalry. That was QB John Mateer’s first game back after hand surgery following his injury in the Auburn game. Since Mateer returned, the Oklahoma offense hasn’t looked nearly as dynamic as it appeared to be at the start of the season.
How the QBs stack up
Both quarterbacks enter the playoff on similar trajectories. Mateer was the betting favorite for the Heisman after the Auburn game. Alabama QB Ty Simpson was the favorite for the Heisman halfway through the season.
Neither QB came close to making it to New York as a finalist or sniffed the top 10 in the Heisman voting.
Simpson had been excellent in the six games since that FSU loss. He was exceptional against Missouri in Week 7 as he led a game-clinching drive in the fourth quarter. And he threw just one interception over Alabama’s first nine games.
Something has been off recently, however, even as Simpson has thrown for over 3,200 yards. Is it Alabama’s inability to run the ball? Something bigger than that? Simpson was 19-of-39 passing for 212 yards and a TD and an interception in the SEC title game. He’s thrown four interceptions over his last four games and previously had a six-game streak of fumbles.
Mateer has 19 total touchdowns this season. Eleven of those scores came in the first four weeks of the season. Oklahoma’s offense has been very hard to watch for much of the season. Before Mateer was 23-of-38 passing for 318 yards against LSU, he hadn’t thrown for more than 173 yards in any of his last three games. And even though he topped the 300-yard mark for the first time all season against an FBS opponent, he threw three interceptions.
In his first five games back from injury, Mateer totaled just four touchdowns. He’s thrown for four scores over Oklahoma’s last two games. Is that a sign of a potential offensive resurgence as he gets further and further away from that surgery?
Players to watch
Alabama RB Jam Miller: The Crimson Tide really, really need a healthy Miller on Friday night. Miller leads the team with 493 yards over nine games in 2025. You have to go back to Ahmaad Galloway in 2000 to find the last Alabama player to lead the team in rushing with fewer than 700 yards.
Miller missed the SEC title game due to injury as Alabama rushed 16 times for minus-3 yards (including sacks). For the season, Alabama has just 424 carries for 1,511 yards and even that line is inflated by 269 yards against FCS Eastern Illinois. The Tide have averaged more than 4 yards a carry against an FBS team just twice all season. Can Alabama run the ball against an Oklahoma defense that allows 2.5 yards a carry?
Oklahoma WR Isaiah Sategna III: The speedy Sategna has been a walking big play for the Sooners. And they’ve needed him to break long touchdowns recently. Sategna has 65 catches for 948 yards and seven scores this season as he’s topped the 100-yard mark in three of OU’s last five games.
Sategna had three catches for 109 yards and a TD in OU’s 17-6 win over Missouri. His 87-yard catch-and-run TD in the second quarter sparked OU to victory over the Tigers. Against LSU, Sategna had nine grabs for 121 yards. He scored the game-winner there too as he broke a 58-yard TD pass with 4:16 to go for the win. Alabama has the players to shut Sategna down. But he doesn’t need much space.
Key to the game
This one could be a slog. There’s a reason the over/under is just 40.5 points. That total is at least seven points lower than any of the three other first-round games.
Oklahoma won the game in Tuscaloosa with just 212 total yards. Part of that was due to the three turnovers it forced, putting the Sooners in advantageous field position. But Oklahoma ran 51 plays to get those 212 yards. Alabama, meanwhile, averaged 5.4 yards per play. Only Tennessee has more yards per play against the Sooners this year. Can Alabama replicate that even without much help from the run game? Without Miller on the field, the Tide gave the most carries to Daniel Hill (15) as he scored twice.
There’s a reason this game has the closest spread of any first-round game as well. We lean Alabama, betting that Oklahoma won’t be able to replicate its turnover luck. But it will hardly be a surprise if the Sooners advance to the Rose Bowl.
VAL GARDENA, Italy (AP) — Marco Odermatt found moments of clarity on a foggy day in the Italian Dolomites to race to victory in a World Cup downhill on Thursday.
A 50th career World Cup win for the Swiss generational talent came 50 days before the opening ceremony of the Milan Cortina Olympics where Odermatt shapes to be a star.
Odermatt rode the bumps and rolls on a shortened version of the Saslong course to finish 0.15 seconds faster than Franjo von Allmen, the reigning world champion. Italian veteran Dominik Paris was third, trailing by 0.19.
Sunshine lit the bottom half of the course where Odermatt, wearing bib No. 14, was decisively fast to win a race that started 75 minutes late because of fog shrouding the top of the course.
There was a short delay for fog minutes after No. 6 starter Von Allmen set the fastest time and touched 129 kph (80 mph), then a longer stoppage once the top-ranked racers completed their runs.
The race was interrupted again when No. 45 starter Fredrik Moeller had to be airlifted from the course after crashing hard on his back while setting a fast time that matched Odermatt.
Minutes later, using the improving light, No. 47 starter Nils Alphand threatened a shock by leading at halfway. He placed fifth, just 0.27 back.
Victory extended Odermatt’s already big lead in the overall standings chasing a fifth straight title. He also won the season-opening downhill two weeks ago at Beaver Creek, Colorado.
A 1-2 result for Switzerland’s top speed racers is routine in World Cup downhills. Odermatt twice won last season with Von Allmen as runner-up, including at Val Gardena, and Odermatt was second in each of Von Allmen’s two World Cup wins.
Odermatt reached 50 World Cup wins at age 28 and tied Alberto Tomba for fourth on the all-time men’s list.
Ingmar Stenmark, the Swedish slalom and giant slalom great from the 1970s and ’80s, leads the men with 86 wins. The wins record was extended to 105 by Mikaela Shiffrin winning a slalom on Tuesday at Courchevel, France.
Thursday’s race replaced a downhill canceled by the weather this month at Beaver Creek. Val Gardena stages a super-G on Friday then the classic Saslong race on Saturday over the full downhill distance.
Micah Parsons’ season-ending knee injury is a punch in the gut for Jeff Hafley and the Green Bay Packers, as the team must now chart a path forward without their most field-tilting player on defense.
Making up for the loss of Parsons will be difficult, maybe even impossible as it pertains to Green Bay’s hopes of winning a Super Bowl in 2025, but if Hafley and his players are to overcome this obstacle, it will be a team effort.
For starters, Rashan Gary and Lukas Van Ness, now the Packers’ top two pass rushers, will have to step up their game in Parsons’ absence.
Many had hoped Gary’s play would tick up this year due to the presence of Parsons, but that has not really transpired. He still has above average pass rush numbers compared to his positional peers across the NFL, but his 2025 campaign has been a disappointment overall.
Gary’s percentile rank league-wide in terms of hurry rate, pass rush win rate and PFF's pass rush productivity metric (PRP) have dipped in each of the last three years, which is an extremely concerning trend.
There could be an argument that Gary was playing more of a safe and assignment sure role, especially versus the run, to allow Parsons to be free to wreck shop however he saw fit, but at this point it is fair to wonder if the ‘old’ Gary is still in there, or if he is in decline already at age 28?
Former first-round pick Van Ness had actually been much more productive to start this season than in his previous two and looked to be potentially making a leap before a foot injury in week six somewhat derailed his season.
Van Ness has risen from 78th out of 119 qualifiers in pass rush win rate and 96th in PRP in 2024 to 37th and 24th respectively in 2025. His life was likely made easier by Parsons though, and Van Ness will not see the same kind of advantageous looks moving forward.
The Packers need Van Ness to come of age now and show his bright start to the season was real.
Kingsley Enagbare is a solid rotational rusher, but Green Bay could also have some help on the way in the form of Brenton Cox Jr., who has been out all year with a groin injury but flashed some real potential late last year.
Cox ranked 22nd in pass rush win rate among edge defenders with at least 112 pass rush snaps and fifth in PRP.
It is admittedly a small sample size, and it could take some time for him to ramp up, but with the former undrafted free agent possibly ready to be activated from injured reserve soon, it could be a timely boost.
Making things more difficult for Hafley and the Packers is the lack of pass rush they can now expect to get from the interior, with Kenny Clark long gone and Devonte Wyatt out for the year.
Could the answer be to start sending extra bodies at the quarterback? Possibly, but this does not seem like a tactic Hafley wants to rely on based on how he has operated historically.
He is actually already blitzing more this year than last year, despite having Parsons, with Green Bay’s blitz rate at 19.1% in 2025 compared to 17.3% a season ago. Both those numbers rank near the bottom of the league.
If Hafley did not want to be blitz-heavy last year without Parsons, it seems unlikely he will want to now. This reluctance is possibly due to not trusting the secondary to hold up consistently with fewer defenders back in coverage.
There is one lever Hafley could pull though, which is making Edgerrin Cooper a bigger part of the pass rush again.
The linebacker was electric as a blitzer as a rookie, but has been used less often in that role in his second season. While Green Bay’s other linebackers are rushing the passer at basically the same rate as 2024, Cooper is only rushing on 6.3% of his snaps compared to 10.2% last season.
The Packers do not have to blitz more per se, but if they can get Cooper to rush more as part of the simulated pressures they like to run, it could pay off.
A huge part of what made Green Bay successful on defense a year ago was their ability to take the ball away, and they have not done that anywhere near as well in 2025. That needs to change down the stretch.
It is not as simple as flicking a switch, but hanging on to the ball when given opportunities for interceptions would be a start. The Packers had 16 picks last year, but only have seven so far in 2025, have been charged with four dropped interceptions, and that number may be generous.
The truth is whatever Hafley decides to do schematically to counter the loss of Parsons will involve some element of risk.
Either he starts dialing up more blitzes and gambles that the back end won’t start giving up too many explosive plays, or plays it safe and soft, risking the rush not getting home and quarterbacks eventually finding an open target.
If the Packers defense is going to hold up well enough for the rest of the year to give Jordan Love and the offense a chance to win games for them, it is going to be on the defensive coordinator to get back in his bag and coach this defense to be more than the sum of its parts.
If you're reading this article ahead of Week 16, you're likely prepping for the fantasy football semifinals, or you advanced through the first round of your league's Toilet Bowl. Congrats, you undoubtedly earned it one way or the other.
The confidence meter, for the most part, was hitting on all cylinders in Week 15, and we're back to do it again. Here is a list of players I have high, medium, and low confidence in for your Week 16 fantasy matchups.
Jacoby Brissett proved to be virtually matchup-proof in Week 15. Facing a stout Texans defense, the Cardinals' QB1 threw for 249-3-1 while dropping back 43 times. Brissett has started nine games for the Cardinals this season and dropped back 40-plus times in eight of them. With another running back injury that forced Bam Knight (ankle) to injured reserve, the Cardinals will likely be adding another 40 dropbacks to Brissett's season total this weekend. Brissett has finished as a top-12 fantasy QB in every start this season. As far as matchups are concerned, the Falcons are giving up the second-most fantasy points to QBs this season. There's no reason to overthink this.
Quinshon Judkins (vs. BUF)
It's been tough sledding for Quinshon Judkins as of late. The Browns' RB1 has just one top-12 PPR finish since Week 8 and has finished as the RB26 or worse in five of his last seven games. While that's not exactly encouraging, Judkins' 36 percent opportunity share since Week 8 ranks fifth-highest among RBs, while his 68 percent rush share is third-highest behind only Jonathan Taylor and Ashton Jeanty. Judkins' volume makes him a must-start in plus matchups, and he draws a Bills defense that's allowed the third-most fantasy points to RBs in Week 16. In addition to allowing the third-most points to opposing RBs, the Bills are also allowing the fifth-highest explosive run (15-plus yard runs) rate at 7.0 percent, and the second-most rushing yards (772) on explosive runs this season.
Kenneth Gainwell (@DET)
In last week's article, I had Jaylen Warren as a "low-confidence" pick due to a growing split between him and Kenneth Gainwell, and an underwhelming stretch of games. In Week 15 against the Dolphins, Warren rushed 12 times for 33 scoreless yards while adding another three receptions for 15 yards. Gainwell, on the other hand, totaled 126 yards from scrimmage, which included 80 yards on the ground and a 7-46-0 through the air on seven targets. Gainwell has seen six or more targets in four of his last five games. Gainwell's pass-catching has helped propel him into a top-12 PPR finish in four of his last five games as well, and his 57 receptions on the season currently lead all players on the Steelers. Gainwell has looked like the best Steelers back for the past month and is clearly a better fantasy asset than Warren at this stage in the season.
Chris Olave (vs. NYJ)
Chris Olave's bounceback season continued in Week 15's win over the Panthers. Olave caught six passes for 85 yards and a touchdown in last week's upset win while having nine targets funneled in his direction. Olave gets another plus matchup at home against a Jets defense that has allowed the 11th-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season. Olave has finished as a top-24 PPR receiver in four of his last five games and has earned a 27 percent target share over that span. Devaughn Vele, who is second on the Saints with a 19 percent opportunity share since Week 10, has already been ruled out for Week 16 due to a shoulder injury.
Courtland Sutton (vs. JAC)
Courtland Sutton has finished as a top-24 PPR receiver in three-straight weeks and now gets a Week 16 matchup against a Jaguars team that has struggled to slow opposing receivers as of late. Since Week 11, the Jaguars have allowed three separate receiving corps to finish in the top-12 in fantasy scoring, and the 21.6 targets they've allowed to opposing receivers over that span are good for third-most in the league. Sutton has seen 10 targets in back-to-back weeks and has seen eight or more targets in seven games this season. He's been the one consistent producer for the Broncos at receiver and could take advantage of a secondary that's been susceptible to giving up points to receivers as of late.
The Raiders won't do much, if anything, to push C.J. Stroud and the Texans' offense in Week 16, but the same could be said of last week's 40-20 takedown of the Cardinals. Despite the Texans' dominant outing, Stroud still managed to throw for 260-3-0 on 32 drop-backs and finish as the fantasy QB7. Houston's backfield is also banged up. With Woody Marks (ankle) and Nick Chubb (ribs) also banged up, the Texans could opt to lean a little more on their passing game regardless of game script.
Darren Waller (vs. CIN)
Two fourth-quarter propelled Darren Waller into the TE3 position for the week in PPR leagues. Waller, who finished the day with a 7-66-2 line, was drawing dead entering the fourth quarter. He saw six of his seven catches and 58 yards come in the fourth quarter. Waller caught a combined three passes for 60 scoreless yards in his previous two games combined and was targeted three times in both games. He's been far from a slam dunk this year, but he still has the juice to pop off in the right matchup, which will come this week at home against the Bengals. The Bengals are one of the worst defenses in the league and have been a top streaming option for tight ends. On paper, Waller is a smart start. It's now on the Waller's fantasy managers and rookie QB Quinn Ewers, who is making his first career start, to exploit this plus matchup.
Travis Kelce (@TEN)
With Patrick Mahomes (knee) sidelined, Gardner Minshew will make his first start of the season for the Chiefs. In Week 15 against the Chargers, Minshew attempted only five passes, but three of those looks went to Travis Kelce, who hauled in two of those targets while the third was intercepted. Kelce has finished nine times as a top-12 fantasy tight end this season and draws a Titans team that is allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends over the last five weeks. Minshew has started 22 games over the last two seasons and led his tight ends to an average of 11.7 PPR points in this game while funneling them 7.6 targets per game. Kelce is already fifth among tight ends in targets (92) and receptions (67) this season. Even without his QB1 on the field, Kelce should have a chance to return top-12 fantasy value against a team tight ends have flourished against as of late.
Zay Flowers (BAL)
Since Week 11, Zay Flowers has boasted a 28 percent target share in the Ravens' offense. His 34 targets over that span are 12 more than Mark Andrews' 22 targets, and Flowers is averaging a respectable 12.4 PPR points per game over that span. Flowers draws a Week 16 matchup against a Patriots defense that has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing receivers this season, but they've allowed opposing receivers to score only five touchdowns in their last five games. The Ravens' recent offensive struggles as of late are cause for concern. Baltimore's passing game ranks 29th in EPA per dropback (-0.160), and 25th in dropback success rate (41.6 percent), and Lamar Jackson hasn't looked like himself since returning from injury. Jackson put together a decent passing line (150-2-1) in Week 15's win over the Bengals, but he didn't have to do much through the air, attempting only 12 passes on the day.
Omarion Hampton (@DAL)
Since returning to the Chargers in Week 14, Omarion Hampton has seen a near 50/50 touch split with Kimani Vidal. Hampton finished as the RB17 in Week 14's win over the Eagles, totaling 67 yards from scrimmage on 15 touches while also finding the end zone through the air. Hampton didn't fare quite as well in Week 15 against the Chiefs, finishing as the RB38 while rushing for 15-61-0, but the volume has been solid for back-to-back weeks. Over the last two weeks, Hampton has also seen seven red zone opportunities to Vidal's one, which paints a pretty clear picture of who the Chargers want handling the ball in the high-value areas of the field. A higher share of the touches would propel Hampton into the high-confidence range for this week, but his red zone usage gives him the better scoring upside of the two backs.
The last time Trevor Lawrence faced a top-10 defense was in Week 11 when he threw for 153-1-1 against the Chargers and finished with 16.6 fantasy points. He was the QB13 on the week and was bailed out by a one-yard touchdown run that accounted for more than a third of fantasy points. In Week 9, facing another top-10 defense in the Texans, Lawrence threw for 158-1-1 and ended the week as the QB20 with 13.4 fantasy points. Lawrence has been cruising on easy street in recent weeks and has four-straight top-12 fantasy finishes to his name. That streak likely comes to an end this weekend on the road against a fifth-ranked Broncos defense. Lawrence is enjoying one of his best seasons as a pro, but fantasy managers shouldn't look to chase last week's five-touchdown outing against the Jets. The Broncos are allowing the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing QBs this season and have allowed one top-12 fantasy QB in the last five weeks. In standard 1QB leagues, I'm comfortable fading Lawrence.
Tyler Warren (vs. SF)
On paper, this isn't such a bad matchup. Tyler Warren is quietly putting together one of the best rookie seasons in NFL history at the tight end position, and the 49ers are the 11th-easiest matchup for tight ends this week. Unfortunately, what the spreadsheets don't know is that 44-year-old Philip Rivers is making his second start after nine years away, and Warren is in the midst of a 13-101-1 streak over his last four games and is averaging just 7.3 PPR points/gm over that span. The target volume hasn't been awful (6.0 targets/gm) over Warren's last four games, but it's far from reliable. Rivers faced a stout Seahawks defense on the road and had only a week of practice to prepare. Even with all this considered, it's hard to feel overly confident starting any Colts pass-catchers in Rivers' second game back, and Warren was already struggling prior to Daniel Jones going down. While he certainly isn't a bad play, Warren doesn't exactly feel like a must-start, either.
Audric Estime (vs. NYJ)
Last week, I had Devin Neal as a medium confidence play against the Panthers. Despite seeing only eight touches before exiting with a hamstring injury, Neal still managed to rush for 7-28-1 and added another catch for four yards. His RB27 finish was, some would say, a mild success. With Neal already ruled out for Week 16's game against the Jets, Audric Estime is on the radar as a potential streaming option for the most desperate of fantasy managers. Emphasis on 'desperate.' Given the player and situation, it's hard to justify placing Estime in the medium- or high-confidence range, but he's a player worth discussing. In Week 15's game against the Panthers, Estime led all Saints running backs with 24 snaps and had six opportunities to Evan Hull's four. Estime played on every third or fourth down snap that Neal wasn't in on, and churned out a nice PPR scam for himself, catching three passes for 39 yards. Were this any other running back facing the Jets, who have given up the most fantasy points to opposing RBs this season, this would be a smash. Instead, we're forced to approach a plus matchup with caution, given the running backs who will be leading the way.
Hunter Henry (@BAL)
Welcome back to the low-confidence portion of the article, Hunter Henry. Henry found himself down here last week ahead of Week 15's game against the Bills, and proved to be a worthy mention. The Patriots' TE1 caught just one pass for 18 yards on three targets and now draws a Baltimore defense that's allowed the fewest points to opposing defenses this season. Henry has only three top-12 PPR finishes this season and seems unlikely to add a fourth this weekend.
Deebo Samuel (vs. PHI)
The Eagles have allowed the fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers this season, which could spell bad news for all Commanders pass-catchers. While I would still expect Terry McLaurin to find a way to turn out a respectable top-24 week, I'm far less confident in Deebo Samuel's ability to do the same. After posting four top-24 PPR weeks in his first five games of the season, Samuel has finished as a WR3 or worse in seven of his last eight games. The one exception was a Week 11 WR5 finish against the Dolphins. Since that game, Samuel has finished as the WR32, the WR48, and the WR53 in his last three games. Any hopes of a high ceiling still existing for Samuel have largely fallen by the wayside.
“One of the features of Kerkez’s game during his two seasons with Bournemouth was an ability to get to the byline and provide cutbacks for team-mates,” the report reads.
“Netherlands international Gakpo is known for receiving possession and cutting inside before delivering a cross or shooting.
“When Kerkez offers the Dutchman an underlap or overlap, he is frequently ignored. At other times, the pass to him lacks quality.”
Slot has previously acknowledged that Kerkez’s forward runs - either as an underlapping or overlapping left-back - have not always been used by Gakpo.
The winger much prefers to hold possession for himself before turning inside for a shot at goal or a cross. Without him in the team Kerkez has been able to get high and wide in this Liverpool team - and we have finally seen encouraging signs in the £40m signing.
“Liverpool’s narrower setup, featuring more midfielders and fewer attackers, afforded both full-backs more licence to get forward because of the shield provided for the defence by their colleagues in central areas of the pitch,” the report continues.
Knowing Slot he will take some convincing to ignore Gakpo when he’s back fit. But he must surely acknowledge that Liverpool have finally found a winning formula - and Gakpo is not part of it.
City v West Ham: Man City app is the ideal destination with no UK TV coverage
City v West Ham is a Saturday 15:00 (UK) kick-off on 20 December – meaning there’s no live TV coverage in the UK.
Under Premier League rules, Saturday kick-offs at 15:00 (UK) are subject to a blackout, meaning broadcasters can’t show it as it happens.
That points to the perfect place to follow the clash with the Hammers being on our Official Man City App.
Download it now and tune into our extensive and entertaining coverage as City return to the Etihad.
On Matchday Live, we’ll get you in the mood well before kick-off with special guests Shaun Goater, musician Alex Spencer and his dad Brad who will join hosts Cel Spellman and Braydon Bent.
The panel will offer expert insight before, during and after the game. They will assess team news, run the rule over the first half at the break and assess the result as the final whistle blows.
As well as that, you’ll also get live text updates throughout the day from our journalists at the stadium.
Alistair Mann and co-commentator Andy Morrison will guide fans through proceedings with live audio commentary as they paint the pictures with Pep Guardiola’s men looking to pick up another three points.
After the game, as well as analysis from our panel of experts, you’ll also get a detailed match report and reaction from the boss along with his players shortly after the final whistle.
We’ll have a quick-hit 2-minute highlights package available at 19:00 (UK), while you can sign-in to watch a free 8-minute edit at midnight.
On CITY+ meanwhile, there’ll be our popular full-match replay as well as our new extended highlights offering which features the best 20 minutes of action from the game. Both are also available at midnight.
Everton vs Arsenal: Preview, Predicted Lineups and Where to Watch
A depleted Everton squad will host league leaders Arsenal at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday night.
The Toffees will look to bounce back from their 2-0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. However, they’ll face an uphill battle against the Gunners following the departure of key players Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gana Gueye, while also dealing with multiple injuries.
Ndiaye and Gana have left to join the Senegal national team camp, one of the favourites to win the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, and could potentially miss the next eight games if they make it to the final.
Meanwhile, injuries to Jarrad Branthwaite, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Seamus Coleman and Merlin Röhl are bound to make things difficult for David Moyes. Before their loss to Chelsea on the road, the Toffees had won four of their last five games, beating Nottingham Forest 3-0 in their last clash on home turf.
They’re currently ninth in the table and only have two-point deficits to make up to Crystal Palace, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Sunderland, occupying positions between 5 and 8, respectively.
Everton held Arsenal to two draws last season and they have only lost one of their last seven Premier League home matches against the Gunners, although they find themselves occupying a new home this season, having bid goodbye to Goodison Park.
While Arsenal are arriving into this game on the back of a 2-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, it was actually one of their worst performances of the season. Wolves deserved to come back from Emirates Stadium with at least a point after Tolu Arokodare equalised at the 90th-minute mark; however, in a cruel twist of fate, Yerson Mosquera emulated teammate Sam Johnstone and ended up putting the ball into his own net four minutes later.
The win at home helped Mikel Arteta’s side maintain their two-point lead at the top over Manchester City but Arsenal are starting to show signs of slowing down after keeping just one clean sheet in their last six Premier League games and conceding the first goal in each of their last three top-flight away matches.
Everton vs Arsenal - Team News and Predicted Starting XI
Iliman Ndiaye, Idrissa Gana Gueye and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall will be the major names absent from David Moyes’ usual squad list this season, with the former two having left for AFCON and Dewsbury-Hall picking up a hamstring issue at Stamford Bridge.
Jack Grealish also felt something in his hamstring and was taken off five minutes before the end as a precaution, along with James Garner, who is one yellow card away from suspension.
Branthwaite, Rohl and Coleman are expected to miss out once again, having barely featured this season.
Ndiaye’s absence should pave the way for Tyler Dibling, the Toffees’ most expensive summer signing, to get a good stretch of games for the first time in a royal blue shirt after arriving from the south coast.
Meanwhile, Charly Alcaraz and Tim Iroegbunam are expected to fill in for Dewsbury-Hall and Gana, respectively.
Everton’s predicted starting XI: Jordan Pickford; Jake O'Brien, Michael Keane, James Tarkowski, Vitalii Mykolenko; James Garner, Tim Iroegbunam; Tyler Dibling, Charly Alcaraz, Jack Grealish; Thierno Barry
Everton vs Arsenal - Head-to-Head Record
Matches played: 225
Everton wins: 65
Arsenal wins: 112
Draws: 48
Everton vs Arsenal - Form Guide
Everton: W-L-W-W-L
Arsenal: W-D-W-L-W
When is Everton vs Arsenal?
Everton will host Arsenal at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday, December 20. Kickoff is scheduled at 8:00 pm UK time.
Where to Watch Everton vs Arsenal?
The Premier League contest between Everton and Arsenal will be available on Sky Sports+ for viewers in the UK.
Fans can also watch Everton face Arsenal on Sky Go and on the Sky Sports app, while it is also available via Now TV's Sports membership.
Here is the second edition of the 2025-26 boys and girls high school basketball rankings for the Appleton area. Teams are ranked "pound-for-pound" based on enrollment size. Records are through Dec. 16.
BOYS
1, Freedom (6-0): Irish new No. 1 after Appleton North loss to Kaukauna. Freedom is coming off 106-43 victory over Clintonville on Dec. 16. Freedom has three players, all juniors, in double-digit scoring: Donovan Davis (24.3), Kaden Vandenberg (12.0) and Cal Calhoon (10.5). Team plays at Oconto Falls on Dec. 18 and against Stoughton on Dec. 20 in the 60Eight Basketball Tournament in Madison.
2, Kaukauna (5-0): Ghosts move up one spot after thrilling 60-59 road victory over previous No. 1 Appleton North. Star forward Andrew Jensen had a basket as time expired to lift the Ghosts to the win. Team plays at Middleton on Dec. 20.
3, Appleton North (3-1): Lightning tumbles two spots after close loss to Kaukauna. Team needs to regroup quickly with games against Kimberly on Dec. 18 and vs. Oregon on Dec. 19 at 60Eight Basketball Tournament.
4, Seymour (4-0): Thunder gets big wins over Kimberly and New London in its last two games and is tied atop the Bay Conference (2-0) with Fox Valley Lutheran. Team plays Green Bay West on Dec. 18 and at Ashwaubenon on Dec. 23.
1, Winneconne (7-1): Wolves move up to No. 1 after 68-56 victory over Shawano and University of Wisconsin recruit Leah Nordin on Dec. 16, along with pair of Kimberly losses. Wolves play at Green Bay East on Dec. 19 before showdown at Laconia on Dec. 22.
2, Kimberly (6-2): Papermakers fall out of first in rankings after dropping games at Appleton East and Wauwatosa East before 67-34 victory at home against Fond du Lac on Dec. 16. Team has big Fox Valley Association game Dec. 19 at home against Appleton North.
3, Neenah (7-1): Rockets post back-to-back 80-point efforts with 84-27 victory over Appleton West and 81-54 victory against Oshkosh North. Rowan Klesmit having a strong season, averaging 20.1 points per game. Neenah plays at Oshkosh West on Dec. 18 before showdown against Appleton East on Dec. 23.
4, Appleton North (7-1): Lightning has won four consecutive games since 55-54 loss against Neenah on Dec. 2. Team plays at Sheboygan North (Dec. 18) and at Kimberly (Dec. 19) this week.
5, Appleton East (5-1): Patriots have won five consecutive games, including 50-43 victory over Kimberly on Dec. 12. Team hosts Oshkosh North on Dec. 19 before big FVA road game at Neenah on Dec. 23.
Others: Xavier (5-1), St. Mary Catholic (7-0), Fox Valley Lutheran (5-1), Brillion (7-3), New London (4-5), Hortonville (3-3).
The Calgary Flames welcome the Seattle Kraken to Scotiabank Saddledome tonight for a Pacific Division clash.
Rasmus Andersson is firing pucks on net left and right lately, and my Kraken vs Flames predictions expect that trend to continue this evening.
Read why in my NHL picks for Thursday, December 18.
Kraken vs Flames prediction
Kraken vs Flames best bet: Rasmus Andersson Over 2.5 shots on goal (+110)
Rasmus Andersson may find himself in non-stop trade rumors, but he’s still a key piece for the Calgary Flames. The Swede has scored seven goals and tallied 15 assists this season while averaging 2.55 shots per game.
The 29-year-old has cashed the Over in shots on target in six consecutive contests, finishing with at least four shots in each. While Andersson doesn’t have a lot of points to show for during that span, the opportunities have definitely been there.
Andersson has also been even more dangerous in front of the goal at home, averaging 2.92 shots per game. He’ll cash the Over once again tonight in Calgary.
Nazem Kadri has 22 helpers on the year and has collected one in three of his last five contests. He also has nine helpers in 14 home contests.
Jonathan Huberdeau is averaging 1.58 shots per game and has hit the Over in two of his last four appearances. Huberdeau also had six shots in four meetings with the Seattle Kraken last season.
The Calgary Flames have covered the puck line in 21 of their last 39 games at home (+2.05 Units / 3% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Kraken vs. Flames.
How to watch Kraken vs Flames
Location
Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, AB
Date
Thursday, December18, 2025
Puck drop
9:00 p.m. ET
TV
KHN/Prime, Sportsnet 1
Kraken vs Flames latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
Patrice Evra (red shirt) reacts after Luis Suarez (second left, black top) refuses to shake his hand before Liverpool's Premier League encounter with Manchester United in February 2012 [Getty Images]
On Thursday, we are giving you extracts of Simon Stone's interview with former Red Issue editor John-Paul O'Neill.
Possibly the most memorable moment in Red Issue's history came in February 2012, when Greater Manchester Police seized 1,600 copies of the fanzine being sold outside Old Trafford before Manchester United's game against Liverpool.
GMP officers were concerned a spoof Ku Klux Klan hood along with the words 'LFC' and 'Suarez is Innocent' on the cover would fuel tensions between fans given the eight-match suspension the Liverpool forward Luis Suarez had received for racially abusing United defender Patrice Evra.
GMP eventually decided to take no action and before the game, Suarez refused to shake Evra's hand, drawing fierce condemnation from Sir Alex Ferguson.
"Even though it was a joke about Suarez being involved in a racist incident and we were the ones lampooning him, we were the ones getting accused of racism," says John-Paul O'Neill.
"It was just ludicrous. They prepared a big case. They went to those lengths over a satirical joke in 2012. It's like, 'wow'."
Red Issue closed as a fanzine in 2015 and O'Neill is not sure it could exist now.
"We'd have a lot fewer readers that's for sure," he said.
"We had Mick Hulme's column. He was always raging against the criminalisation of fans for singing what are known as hate songs or tragedy chanting. I don't like them, but should it be a criminal offence?
"The game has been sanitised. They want all that rivalry and bitterness, but a nice clean version of it. Is it possible to have the two? Why would you want the two?
"Whenever there's a punch up, commentators say it is a disgrace and no-one wants to see it. Everybody wants to see that."
Lyons' departure means that USC has now lost both of its top two tight ends this offseason. Starting tight end Lake McRee is out of eligibility, graduating, and set to enter the 2026 NFL draft.
Alamo Bowl agony
That creates a very immediate roster problem for the Trojans, who have to field a team to play in the Alamo Bowl against TCU on December 30.
USC has starters or at least prominent role players from their 2025 roster set to play in the bowl game at basically every position. Tight end is now the one exception.
Who is going to play tight end for the Trojans against the Horned Frogs? Remember, McRee and Lyons saw nearly all of the action for USC at tight end this season: they made 50 of the 51 catches by Trojan tight ends this season.
Well, let's talk about it.
The rest of USC's tight end roster
Apart from McRee and Lyons, USC has 5 tight ends listed on its 2025 roster. Those players are Joey Olsen, Carson Tabaracci, Walter Matthews, Fisher Melton and Taniela Tupou.
None of those players have announced that they are entering the transfer portal, nor have they been listed by Lincoln Riley as a non-participant in the bowl due to injury.
Who among that group is highest on the depth chart?
Carson Tabaracci has essentially been USC's third string tight end this season. He has the only catch by a USC tight end not named McRee or Lyons: a 9-yard touchdown catch against Missouri State. He has also been a contributor on special teams; he appeared in 9 games for the Trojans this season.
Tabaracci actually has stepped up and made a big play for the Trojans in a bowl game before. In USC's 2023 Holiday Bowl win against Louisville, Tabaracci had a 32-yard reception, the only other catch of his college career.
Tabaracci was the only Trojan tight end to make a catch in that game.
#JoeyOlsenIsElite?
One of my favorite USC content creators, @TheTrojanBlade, has repeatedly posted on social media since USC tight end Joey Olsen enrolled at USC in 2024 that he believes Olsen is, secretly, an elite football player. Before every game, he posts that he believes this game is the game where his #JoeyOlsenIsElite agenda will come to fruition.
It's mostly an inside joke/tradition that Trojan fans can count on to bring a smile to their face before every game. But ahead of the Alamo Bowl, could Olsen actually get a chance to prove himself in a game, for real?
Background
Olsen was a very good high school player, a four star recruit ranked the No. 1 player in the state of Oregon out of high school in 2023 and one of the top 20 tight ends in the country by multiple outlets.
He also just became a potentially key part of USC's future with so many question marks in the tight end room. Will this be his proving ground?
We'll find out. I do know one thing for sure: if he has a great game, no one will be happier than @TheTrojanBlade. He's already posting about it:
The Trojans do have plenty of tight end talent coming in via the 2026 recruiting class. Mark Bowman is considered by many to be a generational talent, and Josiah Jefferson is the No. 1 junior college tight end in the country.
I do think that now that Lyons is leaving they should look to add a veteran TE in the transfer portal, just because you never know how a freshman is going to pan out. But the fact of the matter remains that the 2026 tight end room, as it stands, will have plenty of talent.
But of course, that doesn't help for the Alamo Bowl.
Proving ground for USC's wide receivers?
USC is also losing its top two wide receivers this offseason, both to the NFL draft: Makai Lemon and Ja'Kobi Lane. Neither will be available for the Alamo Bowl.
With McRee and Lyons also both now officially out, that leaves USC with one starting receiver healthy for the Alamo Bowl: wide receiver Tanook Hines.
Jayden Maiava's new connections
I expect Hines to have a big game as Jayden Maiava and USC's clear primary target, but he can't catch all the passes. In addition to this game being a big opportunity for USC's backup tight ends because of the departures of McRee and Lyons, it's also a big game for USC's backup receivers.
This is also potentially a big game for Zacharyus Williams, who is back healthy, officially re-signed to USC's 2026 roster, and set to potentially play a huge role for the Trojans in 2026.
Seniors Jay Fair, Josiah Zamora and Jaden Richardson could step up in presumably their final games as Trojans. I'm also really curious to see what freshman wideout Corey Simms can do in this game with a potentially expanded opportunity.
The new reality of modern bowl games
This is what bowl games have become, essentially a 2025 postseason game that is viewed like a 2026 preseason game. But that's what keeps it interesting: while USC will surely celebrate the accomplishments of the 2025 team throughout this game, for fans, this is mainly significant as a look at USC's future.
LOS ANGELES — Is the Arizona State men's basketball team a contender or a pretender? Or something in between.
The Sun Devils have won the games they're supposed to win, and even a few that one would consider a toss-up. They ventured into former Pac-12 territory for what looked to be a litmus test against one of the marquee brands in the game, but struggled from the start and lost to the UCLA Bruins 90-77 on Dec. 17 at Pauley Pavilion.
Coming in, ASU's two losses were to two teams with a combined record of 22-2. ASU (9-3) had won seven of its last eight games, but UCLA (8-3) led from the opening tip and took a 45-33 lead into the locker room at the half.
ASU has proven it doesn't quit, as evidenced by the 19-point comeback the last time the Sun Devils took the court. But it wasn't to be in this one. Each time the Sun Devils made a run, the Bruins countered.
"You never want to lose one game, but I was pleased with the effort," ASU coach Bobby Hurley said. "I just want us to try to string together some wins. It goes to say a lot that we are losing to a team that played Arizona until the end and played well against Gonzaga. We just have to play good teams and get exposed and get punched in the mouth. Tonight, we kind of got punched in the mouth, but we will learn from this.”
A few numbers told the story. The Bruins shot 29-for-62 (47%) for the game while ASU hit 24-for-60 (40%). The differential came from long distance as UCLA hit 14 of 26 attempts, while ASU was only 4-for-26. It was ASU's worst showing from long distance this season. Meanwhile, many of the shots made by UCLA came after ASU had gotten within striking distance.
ASU was down by five at 65-60 after a 3-point play by Anthony "Pig" Johnson, but UCLA answered with a 3-pointer by Trent Perry.
On ASU's next possession, UCLA's Brandon Williams stuffed a shot by Andrija Grbovic at the rim, triggering a fast-break the other way that ended with a 3-pointer by Skyy Clark, which ballooned the lead from 6 to 11 in less than a minute.
ASU was later within six at 72-66 with 7:39 to play after a bucket by Noah Meeusen, but again the Bruins retaliated. This 3-pointer came from Jamar Brown. It was that kind of night for the home team.
"There were a couple of occasions where we felt like we were gaining momentum in the game and the chance to cut into their lead further but we had lapses on defense today, and it was pretty consistent throughout the game and you allow a team to shoot 14 out of 26 from 3, you're not going to win a lot of games like that," Hurley said. "We failed to get to shooters and lost them in transition. They always had a response."
"It was like playing cat and mouse," Meeusen said. "We have to spend so much energy to get back in the game, and we're there, and just a couple of things slip away, and they finished us. They're a good team. They just made shots."
ASU also dealt with foul trouble and injury issues. Johnson picked up his third on a charging call with 2:10 left in the first half. Massamba Diop got called for his third with 13:50 left in the game, then picked up his fourth with 8:05 to go.
ASU was limited at the guard position. Bryce Ford missed his second straight game after being injured late in the Dec. 9 game against Northern Arizona. Sophomore Trevor Best went down with a lower leg injury in the closing seconds of the first half and did not return. Another guard, Adante Holiman, has yet to play due to an elbow injury.
Then Johnson's third foul complicated the issues at that position,
Many other statistical categories were a draw. Rebounds were even at 35 each.
One area where ASU excelled was at the line, hitting 25 of 26 attempts. The Sun Devils were on track for a record performance of 100%, which had been accomplished just once in school history, a 1978 game against Arizona. ASU was 25-for-25 from the line until Moe Odum, the team's best free-throw shooter, missed one with 30 seconds left.
Johnson had a season-high 20 points, while Diop added 15 with seven rebounds. Grbovic had 13 points with six rebounds, with Odum contributing 10 points and nine assists.
Donovan Dent led UCLA with 20, his best outing since a 21-point performance in UCLA's season opener. Clark and Tyler Bilodeau each had 18.
The Sun Devils return home for a 1 p.m. game on Dec. 21 against another former Pac-12 foe, Oregon State (6-5), which is coming off an 85-75 loss to Sam Houston State.
That will be the last nonconference game before the Sun Devils open Big 12 play against Colorado on Jan. 3 at Desert Financial Arena.
(L-R) Borussia Dortmund's Nico Schlotterbeck celebrates scoring his side's second goal with teammates Karim Adeyemi, Serhou Guirassy, Waldemar Anton, and Julian Brandt during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim at Signal Iduna Park. Bernd Thissen/dpa
Borussia Dortmund want to end 2025 on a high after two setbacks but have defensive woes ahead of Friday's Bundesliga match against Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Waldemar Anton and Aaron Anselmino are injured and Algeria's Ramy Bensebaini has left for the Africa Cup of Nations, which could open the door for a return of Niklas Süle.
Süle was sidelined for weeks with a toe problem but came on in stoppage time of Sunday's 1-1 draw at Freiburg.
"Niki took a long time. He was injured for longer than we had anticipated. He is training hard again. He makes a good impression in my opinion and is certainly an alternative," coach Niko Kovac told reporters on Thursday.
Dortmund will also be without Jobe Bellingham who was sent off against Freiburg after which Dortmund conceded the equalizer. The draw came a few days after they were also held, 2-2 by Norway's Bodö/Glimt, in the Champions League.
But Dortmund have played a good first part of the season overall, far more consistent than in the same period last year. They rank third in the Bundesliga, tied on points with second-placed RB Leipzig, and direct last 16 qualification is possible in the Champions League.
"We have had a good development as a team and are better off than last year," said Kovac, who was appointed in February.
Gladbach have recovered from a terrible start to move into midfield and Kovac will take nothing for granted.
"Gladbach have stabilised and have made good progress recently. They are a difficult team to play against and will defend well. Our clear ambition is to win the last game of 2025," Kovac said.
Germany goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger walks past the cup in disappointment after the UEFA Women's Nations League final second leg soccer match between Spain and Germany at Wanda Metropolitano. Sebastian Gollnow/dpa
Goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger has decided to continue her career in the German women's national team, the German Football Federation (DFB) said on Thursday.
Berger, 35, had left her future in the team open after Euro 2025 in summer and the recent Nations League final Germany lost against Spain, partly because of stressful travel from her American club Gotham FC to Germany matches.
The DFB said that Berger has now informed coach Christian Wück and goalkeeper coach Michael Fuchs that she will continue.
The next big event is the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.
Twice German women's Footballer of the Year Berger only became first choice in the national team last year and has 29 caps.
She helped Germany won Olympic bronze at the Paris 2024 Games, saving a late penalty against Spain in the bronze medal match.
At the Euros this year, she made a save for the ages in the quarter-final against France before more heroics in the penalty shoot-out of that match.
USC men’s basketball will be without one of its top scorers for the remainder of the season.
Rodney Rice, a starting guard who transferred in from fellow Big Ten program Maryland this past offseason, suffered an injury to his right shoulder during the Trojans’ win over Seton Hall. The injury will require surgery and Rice will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season, the program announced via an official release.
“Rodney is an instrumental part of our team,” USC head coach Eric Musselman said in the release. “He is a leader for us and has been the offensive spark that guided us through crucial games earlier this season. We will miss his energy on the court, but know his leadership will still be crucial to our team’s success. We look forward to watching him attack his rehab and come back even stronger.”
Rice had a remarkably strong start to the season, averaging 20.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 6 assists per game while shooting 38.5% from 3-point range. In his absence, freshman guard Jerry Easter II has entered the starting lineup.
Interim boss Kris Doolan is focused only on bringing short-term stability to Kilmarnock rather than his prospects of landing the job full-time.
The former Partick Thistle boss has stepped up from his head of youth development role to fill the void following Stuart Kettlewell's sacking.
Killie, second bottom of the Premiership with no wins in 10 games, host Falkirk on Saturday.
"I think a lot's gone against the club," said Doolan. "It happens at every club, injuries, suspensions, decisions. That's part and parcel of football, unfortunately, but it does lead to situations like this, I suppose, which is never nice.
"But for me, it's really about stabilising things. That's my role here just now, just to stabilise things, pick the players up, try to pick the club up, pick up the mood, because when good people move on, there is a bit of a downer so it's about picking everybody up.
"We have to try and approach that game with that mindset albeit, it's not the nicest of circumstances because good people have moved on.
"I won't look past Falkirk and I won't allow anybody else to look past Falkirk. I've been in this situation before. I don't think in football you can allow your focus to get beyond one game.
"I think when you start thinking or looking beyond that, you lose your focus and you lose that attention to the detail that you need.
"It's about one game. I was just asked to steady things. The club will do a recruitment for a new manager as they should do, and for me, it's just picking up the pieces."
Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Brighton at The Amex Stadium (15:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Reflecting on last weekend's derby win over Newcastle, Le Bris said: "That was really important. We kept consistency in the process. We were composed, showed great character, good intensity and maturity. We were ready to seize key moments and showed that we were mature. At the same time, there's still room to improve."
He is keen to use the positive energy from the win moving forward: "We had one day to relax and when the players came back to the Academy of Light, they were ready to work again. That's important - after a big win like that it helps the mood of the squad. But we're ready to go again because we know the next opponent will be strong."
On his emotions after the win: "We felt the energy of the stadium. It was really impressive. It was shared - you just have to enjoy it. It's a really short period."
Le Bris said that Habib Diarra could be in the matchday squad before travelling to Afcon: "He might be with us for Brighton. It will be the end of his rehab process and, if everything is positive, he'll be able to leave with the national team."
He added: "All the other players have already left for the Africa Cup of Nations."
The Black Cats will lose six players to the tournament, but Le Bris stressed this gives opportunities to the rest of his squad: "The team will look a bit different. For players with less game time, they knew this period would come. They're ready, they train properly and they're well-connected with the squad. Now we'll manage the game and see. They've been patient and knew it was possible to play. I'm not worried. We knew this period would come - it's not new or unexpected and with 26 points, confidence is higher. I trust the players."
On Sunderland having so many points before the tournament: "I didn't set any limit or specific objective because we were new in this league with 14 new signings. We're discovering things every day. If we set a limit beforehand, we might underestimate the squad."
Tom Watson will face Sunderland after scoring the winning goal for them in last season's play-off final on his last appearance for the club: "Looking back at the situation, we managed it properly. It wasn't easy, but as a club, as a coaching staff and with the player, we managed it in a way that worked for both sides. The outcome was fantastic - with that late goal in the final at Wembley, we showed it was the right decision."
On the threat posed by the Seagulls: "They're a good side - strong, with many individual and collective threats. Impressive in possession, strong pressing team, really intense with pace and power. It's an exciting challenge once again."
Rich Rebels Aiden Weston (10) celebrates with Rich Rebels Wilkes Weston (4) after scoring a touchdown during a 1A high school football 8-player state championship game against the Milford Tigers at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
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Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Note: The Deseret News all-state teams are compiled through a multi-step process. Each team is responsible for nominating its own players, providing stats and comments for the ballot. This information is organized, allowing coaches to vote for the top performers at each spot to determine the final all-state selections.
1,421 total offense, 12 total TDs, 87 tackles for state champs
Wilkes Weston, Rich
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Provided by Rich
Carson Cheney, Milford
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Provided by Milford
Landon Shumway, Monticello
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Kyzler Merryweather, Milford
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Provided by Milford
Breyden Jessen, Altamont
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Provided by Altamont
Keaton Speier, Utah Military Hill Field
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Provided by UMHF
Boston Jolley, Rich
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Provided by Rich
Kelan Dee, Whitehorse
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Provided by Whitehorse
Parker Phillips, Altamont
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Provided by Altamont
Adrian Tafalo, Milford
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Provided by Milford
Adam Joe, Whitehorse
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Provided by Whitehorse
Seth Taylor, Monticello
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Boston Thompson, Milford
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Provided by Milford
Tommy Morrison, Monticello
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Provided by Monticello
Karter Groll, Rich
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Boston Sullivan, Milford
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Provided by Milford
Aiden Weston, Rich
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Provided by Rich
Jett Holmes, Rich
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Kole Fullmer, Panguitch
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Provided by Panguitch
Dylan Fonnesbeck, Rich
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Provided by Rich
NCAA president Charlie Baker said the governing body “vehemently” opposes prediction markets having college sports offerings.
On Tuesday, Kalshi, the online prediction site, filed to certify a market for college athlete transfers. If offered, users across the world could bet on if a college athlete would enter the transfer portal.
It doesn’t take much thought to see how much of a disaster that could be. Baker realizes that. And that’s why he said Thursday that the NCAA was very much against the possibility.
“The NCAA vehemently opposes college sports prediction markets,” Baker wrote. “It is already bad enough that student-athletes face harassment and abuse for lost bets on game performance, and now Kalshi wants to offer bets on their transfer decisions and status — this is absolutely unacceptable and would place even greater pressure on student athletes while threatening competition integrity and recruiting process. Their decisions and future should not be gambled with, especially in an unregulated marketplace that does not follow any rules of legitimate sports betting operators.”
In a statement Wednesday night, Kalshi said that it had no “immediate” plans to offer contracts on athletes entering the transfer portal. Prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket are not subject to the same rules as licensed sportsbooks are in states across the country.
Statement from prediction market Kalshi on offering markets on the transfer portal: "We certify markets all the time that we do not end up listing; despite our competitors having these markets live, we have no immediate plans to list these contracts."
The lack of oversight in college athletics — and the number of schools willing to attempt to skirt the few rules that are currently in place — has led to myriad coaches ruing the chaos of the college football offseason so far. For example, Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz said this week that players up and down his roster are receiving calls about potential transfers — even if they have not expressed interest in entering the transfer portal.
If Kalshi offered a transfer market on any given athlete, what would stop a booster from heavily betting “yes” and then attempting to persuade that athlete to transfer with a percentage of winnings? Or what would even stop the athlete or a friend of the athlete with inside information from profiting off a potential transfer?
NCAA betting rules have already been a source of debate in 2025 after schools voted to overturn a proposal that would have allowed athletes and staff to bet on professional sports. Current guidelines prevent betting on pro sports by college athletes and staff, but a proposal would have lifted that rule.
The NCAA has consistently advocated against prop bets for college athletes as it has been busy penalizing players it found to have bet on their own games.
Just last week, the NCAA said that a former men’s basketball player at San Francisco had given a player at another school information for the other player to place prop bets on the San Francisco player’s performance. Former players at Eastern Michigan, Temple Fresno State, New Orleans and other schools have been found to have committed similar transgressions.
The Snickometer, commonly known as 'Snicko', is a decision-making technology system used to determine whether a batter has hit the ball during a video review.
The technology shows replays in frame by frame pictures with a waveform created to display if there has been contact between bat and ball.
It was invented by English computer scientist Allan Plaskett during the mid-1990s, but it is no longer used in Tests in England.
Snicko has caused controversy during this Ashes series, with Australian batter Alex Carey given not out in the third Test due to "human error" by its operators. Carey was 72 not out at the time and went on to make 106 in the first innings in Adelaide.
Why is Snicko used in Australia?
England wicketkeeper Jamie Smith was also controversially dismissed following a Snicko review on day two of the third Test [Getty Images]
Broadcasters in Australia and New Zealand both use Snicko, while their counterparts in England, India and South Africa all use the more developed UltraEdge technology invented by Hawk Eye.
UK broadcaster Sky Sports stopped using Snicko in 2016 due to the increased detail and accuracy that is made available by UltraEdge.
UltraEdge gives the third umpire access to tracking cameras which can analyse up to 340 frames per second, providing more accurate information.
Fox Sports, Australia's host broadcaster, has opted to use Snicko instead of UltraEdge for the series.
Why doesn't everyone use the same technology?
Former England bowler Alex Hartley also said "Snicko needs to be sacked" during day two [Getty Images]
Host broadcasters have the option to select either UltraEdge or Snicko as sound-based edge detection technology, which are both approved for use by the International Cricket Board (ICC).
The ICC themselves do not pay for the Decision Review System (DRS) outside of their tournaments - such as the T20 or 50-over World Cups.
In the Ashes, the choice of technology is selected by and paid for by the host broadcaster, who will make their decision based on their budgets.
Channel Seven and Foxtel reportedly paid £750m for the rights to show the sport in Australia until 2031 - a 10.5 per cent per year increase on the previous deal.
Last year, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) paid for the technology for the first time as part of their broadcast deal with Sky.
Costs between the two different technologies vary in each territory, but it is understood that UltraEdge is significantly more expensive to license than Snicko.
Why don't they use Hot Spot?
Hot Spot is an infrared technology that uses heat sensors to highlight whether the ball has made contact with the bat.
It is owned by the same company that also provides Snicko.
The technology reportedly costs £6,000 per day to use.
It also came under scrutiny during England's 3-0 Ashes victory in 2013 when several faint edges appeared to go undetected.
Its inventor said its reliability is affected by the use of tape on bats and has not been used in Test cricket for a number of years.
"We chose to use our money in other ways because of the criticisms of it," said Fox Cricket boss Steve Crawley in 2024.
Why has Snicko caused controversy?
At virtually the halfway point of this Ashes series, there have been several controversial incidents involving Snicko.
The biggest controversy came when keeper-batter Carey was adjudged not out on review during the first day of the third Test in Adelaide.
Carey later admitted he edged the delivery, but survived because the Snicko technology showed a discrepancy between the sound and pictures of the edge.
Snicko used the sound captured by the stump microphone at the non-striker's end, rather than the striker's end.
BBG, the company that provides Snicko, has admitted responsibility for the error.
On day two, Australia's fielders could be heard saying "this could be anything" and "just review everything" in relation to Snicko decisions.
Another fielder said "Snicko needs to be sacked" and was caught on the stump microphone.
England wicketkeeper Jamie Smith was controversially dismissed on day two in the second Test in Brisbane following a questionable Snicko review for being caught behind.
Smith was also controversially dismissed in the first Test in a similar incident, with Snicko showing a spike after the ball went past his bat.
In the same Test, a similar incident happened involving Australia batter Marnus Labuschagne, although he was not given out due a lack of "conclusive evidence."
What do the experts think about it?
Former England captain Michael Vaughan has been a vocal critic during the series and said he has "lost faith in the Snicko system".
"It's a shocker. It's wrong. The players have lost trust in it," he told BBC Sport's Ashes Debrief.
"The ICC need to look at themselves in the mirror because who pays for this? The host broadcaster aren't going to pay for the best technology, they pay so much for the rights. The home board aren't going to pay for it.
"The ICC should be paying for whatever the best technology is. This is an ICC event, it's the World Test Championship."
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting echoed his former adversary and said the umpires had expressed concerns about its use.
"This technology that we are using here is simply not as good as technology that is used in other countries," he told Seven Cricket.
"You talk to the umpires, they'll tell you the same thing. They can't trust it."
Will it be used for the rest of the Ashes?
It would be unprecedented for the use of Snicko to be scrapped mid-series given that it has been in use for the first three Tests.
With the frustration shown by both teams, it is not out of the question that Australia may look to alternative technology in future home series.
This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team.
The Chicago Bears defeated the Cleveland Browns, 31-3, on Sunday to improve to 10-4. From the opening kick to the final whistle, the Bears controlled the game. The Browns had virtually no chance at any point. That doesn’t mean Chicago was perfect, but they handled a team they were supposed to beat.
The Bears have been in the Browns' shoes. Some of the players on the roster have experienced it. That means that the focus must continue to be at a high level because things can fall apart quickly if they don’t stick with it.
In our Week 16 power rankings, we the Bears landed at No. 5, which is consistent from the week before. The Green Bay Packers, despite their injuries, are ahead of Chicago for at least another week. It is up to the Bears to correct their mistakes from their last matchup against the Packers to jump ahead of them.
Where do some of the top media outlets have the Bears ranked? We rounded them up:
Author’s Take: “G Joe Thuney received Offensive Player of the Year votes in 2024 with Kansas City. This year in the Windy City? He's allowed one hit on QB Caleb Williams … in nearly 900 snaps.”
Our Take: It is hard to deny that the addition of Joe Thuney and multiple other offensive linemen are a key reason for the Bears' success this season. There are, however, not nine teams in the NFL better than the Bears right now. There might not be five.
Author’s Take: ”The Bears’ new center is serving as a representative here for the remade interior of Chicago’s offensive line, which also includes guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson. The Bears lead the league in yards per carry before contact (2.09) and rushing first downs/touchdowns (123) and are second in rushing yards overall (2,126). Chicago ran the ball 33 times Sunday on the way to overpowering a very good Browns defense.”
Our Take: The Athletic's theme for the week is the team's MVP. Drew Dahlman was the name that they picked at The Athletic. That is fair, especially after reading USA Today's column on Joe Thuney. Together, along with a few others, this group has kept Caleb Williams on his feet a lot more than the disaster of a group that they had under Matt Eberflus. Again, this ranking is low for Chicago.
Author’s Take: “The Bears don't have any safeties under contract for 2026, so maintaining stability in the secondary should be a priority this offseason. In the final year of his two-year deal with Chicago, Byard has a league-leading six interceptions and seven passes defensed. Though he's on the older end for extension-eligible safeties at 32, he has never missed a game because of injury and has shown little to no regression. "He's playing at a really high level on that back end, picking up a new scheme, and he's really leading the charge, not just for the defense, but the entire team," coach Ben Johnson said.”
Our Take: ESPN's theme is a contract extension candidate on each team. Courtney Cronin named that to be Kevin Byard for the Chicago Bears, which makes sense. The Bears don't have a future in place with any of their current safeties, and Byard (despite his age) has played at an elite level this year. Without him, they might not be as good a defense as they've been.
Author’s Take: “The secret to the Bears' success has been their turnover margin, with Chicago racking up 30 takeaways against just 10 turnovers. No one has taken the ball away from opponents as frequently as the Bears (the Jaguars rank second with 26 swipes), and only the Lions (eight turnovers) have coughed it up fewer times. It was a big factor Sunday, too, with the Bears winning the turnover battle 3-0, allowing them to put the Browns away late after leading just 14-3 six minutes into the second half. There were other positive developments, with Caleb Williams playing well against a good Browns defense and DJ Moore and Luther Burden III stepping up after Rome Odunze was a late scratch following pregame warmups. That showed a level of focus and mental toughness for a team that is rounding into postseason form -- one that also finds itself back in the NFC North lead after Green Bay's loss in Denver.”
Our Take: Eric Edholm is a lot more accurate with his placement of the Bears on this power ranking. Maybe after beating the Packers on Sunday, they'd start to get this level of respect elsewhere. Of course, there would be excuses about Green Bay's lineup if that happens. Either way, the turnover margin, the run game, Ben Johnson, and Caleb Williams are all big-time reasons that they are where they are.
Author’s Take: “Caleb Williams keeps getting better.”
Our Take: You're never going to get more than a sentence of a description from Mike Florio, but his analysis for putting the Bears seventh is that Caleb Williams keeps getting better, and he's right. His completion percentage means nothing if he keeps protecting the football, moving the ball downfield with regularity, making special throws when it matters, and, of course, most importantly, winning games.
A New Orleans terror attack survivor got a stunning surprise from the Eagles as the NFL team gifted him a Super Bowl ring.
Along with the mounted ring that included Eagles wings on each side that release from the bezel, Ryan Quigley was also given a framed photo of Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts clutching the Lombardi Trophy.
He was shocked by the surprise Sunday, another kind gesture after the franchise also treated him to a trip to the Super Bowl earlier this year.
He wore a half Eagles-half Raiders No. 18 jersey to show his support of rookie Las Vegas wide receiver Jack Bech — whose brother, Martin “Tiger” Bech, was Quigley's close friend and was killed in the deadly French Quarter attack early on New Year’s Day.
The front of Quigley's jersey also had a No. 7 patch to honor Tiger, who played football at Princeton.
“I told Jack and the Bech family I was rooting for the Eagles, even though I wanted Jack to do well,” Quigley said. “I wanted Jack to have a million touchdowns and the Eagles to have a million-one, that's how I phrased it.”
Quigley added with a laugh, “Unfortunately, the Raiders didn't score at all.”
Jack Bech had two receptions for 17 yards in another rough game all around for the Raiders, who lost 31-0 to the Eagles.
Quigley now lives in New York, where he works for an investment bank — he still rallied about 500 friends and family for a pregame tailgate in the Linc parking lot — and was moved emotionally to watch Bech play in Philadelphia.
“That was Tiger's dream,” Quigley said. “His dream come true, especially to see him play at the Linc. It was definitely a tough and emotional day."
Quigley also played football at Princeton and was out with Bech in New Orleans to enjoy the new year until a driver behind the wheel of a speeding pickup killed Bech and upended Quigley's life.
The 27-year-old suburban Philadelphia native remembers only hearing second-hand accounts of the carnage around him.
Quigley suffered a list of injuries from that night: torn ACL, torn meniscus, broken nose, a gash on his forehead and facial lacerations. He needed a root canal. Rashes, bruising and a hip flexor.
Quigley talked to The Associated Press on Tuesday ahead of yet another doctor's appointment and a scheduled fourth right knee surgery set for next month. He still needs hours of rehabilitation each week.
“I'm just battling to continue to get back to 100% as soon as I can," Quigley said. “I feel OK. I'm walking a lot better than I was before. I'm not 100% there yet. Hopefully the surgery can do the trick. It's definitely taxing on a day-to-day basis not to be able to do your daily routine the way that you want to.”
Quigley would have scoffed at the thought of returning to New Orleans just five weeks following the truck-ramming attack that killed 14 people and injured dozens more along Bourbon Street had it not been for the Eagles’ run to the Super Bowl.
The Eagles heard of his story — some players filmed get-well messages for Quigley during his recovery — and invited him to a playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams. More than a week later, Quigley, along with Bech’s sister, Ginnie, and a friend, were invited to tour the Eagles’ headquarters
The Eagles gifted Quigley two tickets for the Super Bowl. He attended the Eagles' rout of Kansas City and was a guest in the following days at the Super Bowl parade. Quigley even stood side-by-side with Saquon Barkley when the star running back gave his victory speech.
“One thing I’ve learned from being here for a short period of time is that you guys are tough, you guys are resilient, and you guys know how to (expletive) fight,” Barkley said. “No one I know better epitomizes that more than my boy Ryan."
Quigley keeps in touch with the Eagles and other members of the organization and leans on them for strength and inspiration as the one-year anniversary of the attack looms.
He is grateful of more life to live, even as he's still trying to rebuild himself mentally and physically from the horrors of that night.
“I’m just trying to figure out how to move forward with life,” he said.
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On Thursday, No. 3 Texas A&M will meet No. 1 Pitt at 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN, and No. 3 Wisconsin will face No. 1 Kentucky roughly 30 minutes after. History is on the line. The Aggies are seeking their first championship in program history and so are the Panthers after making five straight Final Four appearances.
Wisconsin -- which won a title in 2021 -- and Kentucky (the 2020 champs) are both pushing for their respective programs' second volley championship in school history. So, who will win it all? That answer remains to be seen. In the meantime, there's a lot of awesome volleyball unfolding over the coming days, starting with a list of top-tier players to keep an eye on.
Here are eight players to watch in the Final Four:
1. Olivia Babcock, opposite, Pitt
Arguably one of the best players in the country by many standards, Babcock can seemingly do it all. Length, speed and power? Check. Facing off against the other team's best player? No problem. Need a 45-kill match? She can do it, too. (Sorry, North Carolina. We hate it had to be you.) Babcock is top-five in kills per set (5.11) and third in total points scored (721.5). In the four tournament matches before the Final Four, she averaged six kills and hit .348 in the final two contests.
When the Badgers need production, they just ― wait for it ― call her. (See what we did there?) Colyer's list of accomplishments for the 2025 season reads like a laundry list of things we could never do. She is third in the country in kills per set (5.39), third in points per set (5.97) and eighth in total points scored (626.5). Colyer also recently earned her 2,000th career kill and 1,000th career dig. Hello, big stepper. We weren't familiar with your game.
MIMI COLYER MAKES A STATEMENT ‼️
Colyer led @BadgerVB to a win over Stanford and a spot in the Regional Final with 27 kills (including her 2,000th career kill) and a .373 hitting percentage!#NCAAWVB x 🎥 ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/Osqw0WNUXd
Her teammate Babcock gets a lot of shine, but Kelley deserves some, too. The 2025 ACC Volleyball Defensive Player of the Year is top 15 in total blocks (161) nationwide and top 20 in blocks per set (1.44). The Pitt middle blocker has also been on a serious hitting streak during the NCAA tournament. She has four matches of .400 hitting or better, including two .800-plus hitting percentage outings.
🏐 ACC DEFENSIVE POTW — Bre Kelley (Pitt)
🛑 21 total blocks in wins over No. 7 Arizona State, Pepperdine & Jacksonville 🛑 7 blocks vs No. 7 Arizona State 🛑 Season-best 9 blocks vs Jacksonville 🛑 ACC leader in total blocks (37)@Pitt_VB | @Pitt_ATHLETICS | #H2Ppic.twitter.com/8Y5fVg97AC
Hello, efficiency. Booth is ranked second in the nation in hitting percentage (.454) and has been playing lights out in the four matches the Badgers have played in the NCAA tournament. Three of the four contests had a .500 or above hitting percentage, and two of them also had double-digit kills. Booth does super well with picking her spots, unleashing power when needed, and she's been so critical to the Badgers' winning streak.
Carter Booth and the Badgers secured a B1G top-15 sweep over No. 11 Purdue ‼️@BadgerVB has now swept their opponent in three straight matches 🔥 pic.twitter.com/klftmy349W
Hudson is full of passion and power, and her production shows it. The 2025 SEC Player of the Year is top 20 in kills per set (4.54) in the nation, and top 30 in total points scored (547.5). Furthermore, she has a blistering 2,000-plus career kills, joining Colyer as the only active players in college volleyball to achieve such a feat.
You can't mention Hudson without mentioning her partner, DeLeye. Together, they form one of the most lethal outside hitter duos in the country. DeLeye is top 15 in kills per set (4.69) and top 25 in total points (564.5). Against No. 8 UCLA during the second round of the NCAA tournament, the duo had a combined 57 kills. Deleye had 30 kills by herself on .397 hitting.
There ain't no party like a Cos-Okpalla block party, because a Cos-Okpalla block party doesn't stop. (OK, that was probably corny, but you get the picture.) The Aggies' middle blocker is third in the country in blocks per set (1.70) and first in total blocks (190). Her reflexes are next level, and she has a really good instinct for tracking where the ball is going to be. The best part? She walks away after nearly every block like it's just another casual day at the office. Send anything her way if you dare.
Want a not-so-hidden gem that more people need to be talking about? May I introduce you to Texas A&M's outside hitter? Stowers had the best game of her sophomore career against an undefeated Nebraska team during an upset win in the Elite Eight. (Sorry, Cornhusker fans. Look away at these next stats.) The outside hitter had a whopping 25 kills on a .327 hitting percentage, plus 16 digs.
A CAREER NIGHT FOR KYNDAL STOWERS 🔥
Stowers had a career-high 25 kills, hitting .327, to help @AggieVolleyball defeat Nebraska and advance to the National Semifinals for the first time in program history!#NCAAWVBpic.twitter.com/idweJWJyBg
Oliver Glasner holds firm stance on Marc Guehi’s Crystal Palace future
Glasner offers clarity on Guehi future at Palace
Oliver Glasner has moved to steady speculation surrounding Marc Guehi, offering a clear indication of Crystal Palace’s expectations as the season unfolds. Speaking ahead of Palace’s Europa Conference League clash with KuPS, the head coach addressed growing transfer noise around his club captain.
Guehi contract situation draws attention
Guehi’s contract is due to expire at the end of the campaign, a detail that has fuelled sustained interest from elsewhere. A proposed move to Liverpool collapsed late in the summer window, yet monitoring of the England international has not subsided. Palace have long been aware that Guehi’s status places them under scrutiny, particularly given his importance to the side and leadership role at Selhurst Park.
Photo IMAGO
Glasner sets out Palace stance
Glasner was direct when asked about the defender’s immediate future. “I think Marc will stay until the end of the season,” the Austrian said. That view suggests Palace are planning on continuity rather than disruption, even with the prospect of Guehi leaving when his deal expires next year.
Photo IMAGO
For Palace, the message is one of stability. Glasner appears intent on keeping his defensive core intact while the club competes on multiple fronts, trusting that Guehi’s professionalism will carry through the final months of his contract.
Friday night's main event at the Kaseya Center, Jake Paul will be the significantly smaller boxer. He faces former two-time unified heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua on Dec. 19 in Miami. This marks a massive step up in both size and caliber for Paul, who has matched up well physically with his previous opponents.
Joshua possesses imposing physical tools, standing a towering 6-foot-6 with an 82-inch reach, giving him 5-inch height and 6-inch reach advantage over the 6-foot-1 Paul. Historically, Joshua has been true heavyweight, weighing around 250 to 255-pounds.
So, how is this fight sanctioned despite the physical disparity? The key lies in the contract stipulations.
Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua height and weight difference
The most significant physical factor in this bout is the major weight disparity between Paul and Joshua, despite the fight being held at the heavyweight limit.
Jake Paul (6'1, 227 LBS) faces off vs. Anthony Joshua (6'6, 245 LBS) 😳🔥
Paul stands at 6-foot-1(185 cm) and while he has fought most of his career at the cruiserweight limit of under 200 pounds, he is competing in the heavyweight division for this bout, having weighed in at 227 pounds. He is expected to enter the ring against Joshua, who will weigh between 215 and 230 pounds.
Joshua is five inches taller than Paul and will tower over his opponent come Friday night. Joshua has historically weighed over 250 pounds, he is contractually obligated to weigh in at no more than 245 pounds for this event.
Joshua has been a heavyweight his entire boxing career.
He first gained international recognition by winning a gold medal in the Super Heavyweight division at the 2012 London Olympics. When he turned professional in 2013, he immediately campaigned as a heavyweight, with his lowest professional weight being around 229 pounds early in his career.
Throughout his rise to become a two-time unified Heavyweight Champion, Joshua consistently weighed in around 245 to 255 pounds for his title defenses and major bouts against elite fighters like Wladimir Klitschko, Joseph Parker, and Oleksandr Usyk.
Joshua is allowed to fight Paul because the bout is an officially sanctioned professional heavyweight boxing match, meeting the requirements of the Florida Athletic Commission.
The contest is taking place in the heavyweight division, which legally starts at anything over 200 pounds and has no upper weight limit. Since Paul is stepping up in weight and Joshua is a natural heavyweight, they technically fall into the same class.
Paul is expected to weigh-in somewhere between 215 and 225 pounds.
The weight limit requirement really only applies to the much larger fighter, Joshua.
To mitigate some of the size difference, the contract includes a specific stipulation that Joshua cannot weigh more than 245 pounds, forcing the fighter to come in weighing less than he usually does.
Anthony Joshua is looking lean as he slims down to 245 lbs for his fight against Jake Paul next Friday.. pic.twitter.com/yMosXxRDON
With Paul stepping up in weight and there being no upwards requirement in the heavyweight division, Paul can come into the fight at his usual weight; but, to bridge the obvious physical gap between the two fighters, a ceiling has been put on Joshua's weight.
Leeds United supporters now have the chance to bid on a match-worn Gabriel Gudmundsson Remembrance poppy shirt, from our Premier League clash against West Ham United.
The shirt has been signed by the Leeds United left-back on both the front and back, and was worn during our 2-1 win over the Hammers back in October.
All proceeds from the auction, taking place on eBay, will be donated to ‘Simon on the Streets’ which is an independent charity based in West Yorkshire that helps the homeless. The local charity deliver outreach on the streets of Leeds and beyond, supporting those that are most vulnerable. Through their emotional and practical support for the homeless, they hope to enable people who are struggling to achieve their goals and get back on their feet.
Bidding for the shirt closes on Saturday 20th December at 8:50pm.
ESPN released its annual ranking of the teams that have made the college football playoff on Monday. There were a few teams throughout with arguments for being higher or lower than their assigned ranking, but as with any sports debate, fans want to talk about who’s on top.
Many expected the top spot to be awarded to one of the most memorable teams in college football history: 2019 LSU. Instead, ESPN selected 2020 Alabama, sparking debate among general college football fans, but especially between supporters of the two teams.
It’s tough to decide between the two. In all fairness, both teams make a strong case, with each having top-tier offenses and dominant playoff runs. However, the question must be asked: Was 2019 LSU snubbed for the top spot?
As with any team under consideration for being placed at the top of a list such as this, both LSU and Alabama went undefeated. Alabama played a shorter, interconference-only regular-season schedule because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but given that they’re in the SEC, that’s not really a knock.
2020 Alabama played five teams that finished in the top 25 of the US LBM Coaches Poll: second-ranked Ohio State, fourth-ranked Texas A&M, fifth-ranked Notre Dame, seventh-ranked Georgia, and 12th-ranked Florida. They finished those games with an average point differential of +19.2.
2019 LSU played six teams that finished ranked in the top 25: 14th-ranked Auburn, eighth-ranked Alabama, fourth-ranked Georgia, sixth-ranked Oklahoma, and second-ranked Clemson. They finished those games with an average point differential of +16.8.
Looking at point differentials alone isn’t a perfect way of evaluating each team’s resume, however. One alternative is using ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI), which measures how many points a team should win or lose by when facing the average FBS team.
Historically, many believe that 2019 LSU had the greatest offense in college football history. ESPN’s FPI model disagrees. 2019 LSU’s offensive efficiency rating of 97.2 is the second-best mark since the playoff began in 2014. 2020 Alabama ranks first, with a 98.1.
Neither squad had an all-time great defensive unit, though. 2019 LSU’s defensive efficiency rating was 79.6, and 2020 Alabama’s was 77.6.
Another way to look at the question is to consider what each team did in the postseason. Both teams won the SEC Championship, with LSU playing Georgia and Alabama playing Florida. LSU won in dominant fashion, beating that Georgia team that finished the season ranked fourth 37-10. Alabama’s game was closer, beating 12th-ranked Florida 52-46.
Then there’s the playoff itself. Alabama first faced off against Notre Dame, comfortably beating them 31-14. Then, in the National Championship, they played Ohio State. Though that Buckeyes squad wasn’t of the same caliber as the ones we’ve seen over the past couple of years, it was still a strong unit. They lost to the Crimson Tide, however, scoring 24 points to Alabama’s 52.
LSU's first playoff matchup finished with a comfortable win over Oklahoma, scoring 63 points to the Sooners’ 28. Then came a tough draw, facing off against a Clemson team that had reached the National Championship in three of the last four seasons and won it twice. Clemson’s 94.5 overall efficiency rating that season ranks as the 10th-highest mark FPI has ever recorded for a team, and 5.4 points higher than the Ohio State team Alabama beat in their title game in 2020. Despite that, LSU still won by double digits, with a final score of 42-25.
Ultimately, the argument can go either way. Both teams had all-time great offenses, both dominated in the regular season and playoffs, and both sent loads of top-tier talent to the NFL. It’s hard to say whether 2019 LSU was truly “snubbed,” but what isn’t up for debate is that they belong firmly in the conversation for the top spot.
The Commanders enter Saturday’s matchup against the Eagles as underdogs; the Eagles are 9-5 and seeking their 5th-straight postseason appearance, while the Commanders are 4-10 and have no postseason ahead of them. But those things do not automatically mean the Eagles will win, nor does it mean that hope for a win is misplaced.
Divisional games tend to narrow gaps, emotions run high, and Washington has several tangible factors working in its favor. Below are four reasons for optimism heading into this Week 16 matchup.
Divisional Familiarity Levels the Playing Field
There are no surprises in NFC East matchups. Washington knows Philadelphia’s tendencies, personnel, and pressure points, and that familiarity often neutralizes talent disparities. Over the years, the Commanders have shown an ability to keep games close against the Eagles by forcing them to play uncomfortable, grind-it-out football. In a rivalry game, execution and discipline often matter more than star power.
Defensive Front Can Disrupt Philadelphia’s Rhythm
Washington’s best chance starts up front. When the Commanders’ defensive line wins early downs, it changes everything — forcing longer third downs and limiting the Eagles’ ability to control tempo. Pressure up the middle and disciplined edge play can disrupt Philadelphia’s passing concepts and slow down the run-pass balance they thrive on. If Washington can create negative plays early, the game script stays manageable. Saquon Barkley hasn't been the same running back this year as he was last year, and the Commanders can take advantage of that, even with their decimated defense.
Offensive Flexibility Allows Washington to Adapt
The Commanders have shown they can adjust offensively based on opponent and situation. They've faced significant adversity due to injuries in 2025, which has increased their ability to be flexible and adapt to new situations. Whether it’s leaning into a quicker passing game, spreading the field, or using motion to create mismatches, Washington has the tools to attack Philadelphia in multiple ways. Sustained drives — even if they end in field goals — can keep the Eagles’ offense on the sideline and shorten the game.
Let's be clear that field goals are not ideal for winning. The Commanders must score touchdowns if they want to beat the Eagles, but sustaining drives matters, too.
Nothing to Lose, Everything to Gain
Psychologically, this matchup favors Washington. The pressure rests squarely on Philadelphia, while the Commanders can play loose and aggressive. That freedom often leads to bold play-calling and sharper execution. In rivalry games, teams with nothing to lose are dangerous — especially when they can turn one or two momentum swings into belief. If the players believe it, they will execute and perform that much better.
“When I heard that the United Football League was going to have a football team in Columbus, I wanted to be a part of creating a new winning tradition in this city that is such an important part of my life," Ginn, who starred at Ohio State before joining the Dolphins, said in a statement. "I can’t wait to start building this team and I ask football fans throughout the state to join the Aviators as they take flight.”
Ginn, 40, was a three-time All-American before he was picked by the Dolphins at No. 9 overall in the 2007 NFL draft. While he made an impact as a returner in Miami, taking back one punt and two kickoffs for touchdowns, he struggled to make his mark at receiver.
He recorded 128 receptions, 1,664 yards, and five touchdowns in three seasons with the Dolphins before he was traded to the San Francisco 49ers a week before the 2010 NFL draft for a fifth-round pick.
Ginn never finished a season with more than 800 receiving yards in his 14-year career, but continued to be a dangerous returner. He finished his career with seven punt and kick return touchdowns, and 9,523 return yards -- 11th most in NFL history.
The Aviators will make their debut in March 2026 as one of eight UFL teams.
In the hour-long broadcast, Jensen spoke about the future of the Hawkeyes' program and applauded the national respect Woliczko has garnered as the No. 6 recruit in the nation on ESPN, Rivals, and 247Sports, despite her not playing since her Jan. 4, 2025, injury.
"As we're moving in the future, now we're going to add another marquee player with McKenna Woliczko, our kid out of California. How about a great recognition for her; the Sporting News named her the Preseason National Player of the Year, and that's not being able to play last season, and she hasn't even played yet, so that just kind of shows you the national respect that she has.
"I was really thrilled for her, just as a person, because sometimes when you get hurt, you can slide, or people forget about you, but she's one of the few players that didn't skip a beat as far as the national respect and what people are hoping for her. She plays on a great high school team, she's got a sensational high school coach that's won several times. I'm just really thrilled with that, so knowing when you have that coming in, you can build around her," Jensen said.
When she returns to the floor, Woliczko's talent will only take the nationally-ranked No. 1 Archbishop Mitty squad to a new level of dominance as it seeks to claim the CIF Open Division girls basketball state championship.
As Iowa's highest-ranked signee since Caitlin Clark in 2020, it's clear that Woliczko has already won over the hearts of the black and gold fan base, who helped her run away with Sporting News' preseason National Player of the Year fan vote.
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews
The Jaguars will enter this game at 10-4 on the season. They hold a one-game lead in the AFC South over the 9-5 Houston Texans and are the three seed in the conference.
There is still a chance for the Jaguars to claim the top spot in the AFC playoff race, but accomplishing that requires a win over the 12-2 Broncos.
The Jaguars' offense is rolling right now, but Denver will present that unit with a unique challenge.
To see how these two teams stack up against one another and who has the advantage in certain areas, you can find that here.
Will Jaguars vs. Broncos be on TV in your area in Week 16?
Sunday's game will be on the road for the Jaguars, with kickoff taking place at 4:05 PM ET.
On the call will be Kevin Kugler, Daryl Johnston, and Allison Williams. The game will be aired on FOX.
According to 506Sports.com, this game will be regionally televised, despite it being a matchup between two of the best teams in the AFC.
Those in the blue can watch Sunday's game.
Jaguars vs. Broncos game details
What: Jaguars vs. Broncos Week 16 matchup
When: Sunday, Dec. 21st
Time: 4:05 PM ET
Where: Empower Field at Mile High Stadium, Denver, CO
What channel is Jaguars vs. Broncos on?
The game will be broadcast on FOX on Sunday afternoon.
For the second time this month, a rematch is in store for Alabama, as the Crimson Tide are set to collide once again with the Oklahoma Sooners this upcoming Friday night in the CFP first round.
One of college football's most talented teams, Oklahoma is an opponent which Alabama has already seen once this season, as the Sooners previously defeated the Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa back in November, 23-21. In that game, Alabama was plagued by three costly turnovers, and fell even despite outgaining the Sooners in total yardage, 406-212.
Looking ahead, Alabama now finds themselves matched up with Oklahoma yet again, this time in a game which will be played in Norman. Do the Crimson Tide have what it takes to avenge that loss in a hostile environment, or are the Sooners set to defeat Alabama twice in one season?
Stadium: Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman, Oklahoma
Record: 10-2 overall (6-2 SEC)
Ranking: No. 8 in CFP Rankings, No. 8 in US LBM Coaches Poll, No. 8 in AP Poll
Oklahoma comes into Friday night's contest as the No. 8 overall seeded team in the CFP. The Sooners record also is 10-2 overall (6-2 SEC) with their lone losses having come against Texas and Ole Miss, with the latter having come at home.
Oklahoma Sooners 2025 coaching staff
Head Coach: Brent Venables
Offensive Coordinator: Ben Arbuckle
Co-Defensive Coordinator: Todd Bates/Jay Valai
The head coach at Oklahoma is Brent Venables, who owns a combined 32-19 overall record across his four seasons in Norman, while also 2-0 against Alabama during that span. Ben Arbuckle is also in his first season as Oklahoma's offensive coordinator, while former Alabama assistant Jay Valai is a prominent coach on defense.
Oklahoma Sooners 2025 offensive stats
Points Per Game: 26.4 (No. 80 in FBS)
Total Yards Per Game: 353.7
Passing Yards Per Game: 229.9
Rushing Yards Per Game: 123.8
Oklahoma's offense comes into Friday night averaging 26.4 points per game and 353.7 total yards a contest, both of which ranked among the bottom half of the SEC during the regular season. Averaging 123.8 yards per game on the ground, Oklahoma is also one of the SEC's worst at running the ball, while the Sooners passing attack ranks in the middle of the conference at 229.9 a contest.
Oklahoma Sooners 2025 defensive stats
Points Per Game Allowed: 13.9 (No. 7 in FBS)
Total Yards Per Game Allowed: 273.6
Passing Yards Per Game Allowed: 192.2
Rushing Yards Per Game Allowed: 81.4
The Sooners defense is undoubtedly Oklahoma's biggest strength coming into Friday night allowing only 13.9 total points per game to opponents, a number which ranks tops in the SEC, as well as No. 7 nationally. Oklahoma also ranks No. 1 in the SEC with only 273.6 total yards per game allowed to opponents, while also top five in passing and rushing a contest.
Oklahoma Sooners 2025 offensive players to know
Isaiah Sategna III, Wide Receiver, Redshirt Junior
Tate Sandell, Kicker, Redshirt Junior
John Mateer, Quarterback, Redshirt Junior
Deion Burks, Wide Receiver, Redshirt Senior
Jaren Kanak, Tight End, Senior
Leading the Sooners offense is quarterback John Mateer, who has three primary pass catchers in Isaiah Sategna III, Deion Burks, and Jaren Kanak, the former of which also leads the SEC with 23 punt returns this season. Oklahoma also has a key name to know on special teams in Tate Sandell, who recently won the Lou Groza Award presented to the nation's top kicker.
Oklahoma Sooners 2025 defensive players to know
Kip Lewis, Linebacker, Redshirt Junior
Taylor Wein, Defensive Line, Redshirt Sophomore
R Mason Thomas, Defensive Line, Senior
Owen Heinecke, Linebacker, Redshirt Junior
Peyton Bowen, Defensive Back, Junior
On defense, Oklahoma has a very talented front seven that features the likes of Taylor Wein and R Mason Thomas on the defensive line, along with Kip Lewis and Owen Heinecke at linebacker. Peyton Bowen and Eli Bowen are also among the names to know elsewhere, both of which have two interceptions this season.
Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
With the college basketball season now 1/3 of the way done (I know, it sounds wild to say out loud) and the Hawkeyes coming into full Ben McCollum form, it’s time to start doing a little daydreaming about what could be with this team. It’s been two years without an NCAA Tournament appearance for the Hawkeyes and new head coach Ben McCollum is looking to change that in his first season.
So far, things seem to be realistically on track. Iowa has two non-conference matchups remaining and currently sits at 9-2 on the season. Barring something completely shocking, the Hawkeyes will enter the heart of Big Ten play at 11-2 and 10-1 in the non-con.
The Resume
More important than the overall record is the quality of it. Iowa doesn’t have a signature Q1 win yet, but they have just two losses to teams ranked #4 and #9 nationally. And they do have solid wins over Xavier, Grand Canyon, Ole Miss, Robert Morris and Maryland.
The Metrics
The analytics? They love the Hawks. Entering this final stretch of non-conference play, Iowa comes in at #19 in the all-important NET rankings. They’re up to #20 in KenPom and Torvik and #21 in RPI. Those are all winning numbers in terms of making the dance.
Beyond the existing metrics, the rest of the season lines up well for a push for the tourney. Given the strength of the Big Ten, there are very few landmines to avoid and loads of opportunity for quality wins. All told, Iowa has just three more matchups with teams currently in the NCAA’s 4th quad and one in quad three. On the flip side, the Hawkeyes have nine remaining opportunities against Q1 opponents and seven against Q2 opponents.
And the analytics expect Iowa to pick up some wins with those opportunities. The predictive analytics at WarrenNolan expect the Hawkeyes to finish the year at 21-10 overall and 11-9 in Big Ten play. That includes a pair of Q1 wins (Illinois and Nebraska), four Q2 wins and most importantly, no bad losses.
BartTorvik is a bit more optimistic in the predictive analytics, calling for Iowa to go 22-9 overall and 12-8 in Big Ten play. The difference here is a late-season Q1 road win at Wisconsin.
Here’s a look at Iowa’s full remaining schedule:
Date
Opponent
Location
NET
Quad
12/20
Bucknell
Neutral
308
4
12/29
UMass-Lowell
Home
317
4
1/3
UCLA
Home
42
2
1/6
Minnesota
Away
122
2
1/11
Illinois
Home
13
1
1/14
Purdue
Away
9
1
1/17
Indiana
Away
26
1
1/20
Rutgers
Home
196
4
1/28
USC
Home
37
2
2/1
Oregon
Away
127
2
2/4
Washington
Away
61
1
2/8
Northwestern
Home
74
2
2/11
Maryland
Away
161
3
2/14
Purdue
Home
9
1
2/17
Nebraska
Home
12
1
2/22
Wisconsin
Away
69
1
2/25
Ohio State
Home
49
2
2/28
Penn State
Away
104
2
3/5
Michigan
Home
1
1
3/8
Nebraska
Away
12
1
As we get into the new year, we’ll start to dive in on rooting interests with our weekly watch guides. For now, those teams Iowa has already beaten that are right on the cusps of moving a quad are the ones we are rooting for.
In terms of rooting against, we’ll again dive into more detail on the bubble when it becomes a little more firm (say, close to the halfway point in the year), but for now Iowa is being projected as a 7 seed by Joe Lunardi at ESPN. Teams in the vicinity to root against include St. John’s, Auburn, Tennessee, Virginia, USC, Georgia and St. Mary’s.
The Hawkeyes are back in action on Saturday with a Q4 neutral site game against Bucknell from Des Moines. Tip time is set for 5pm CT with the game set to be broadcast on BTN.
I know it seems like I’ve been talking about this program forever, (probably because I have…), but for good reason! This is the first large-scale (and unbiased) awards program for the card and memorabilia industry, ever. 15 categories. 98 worthy nominees whittled down from more than 700 community suggestions. Thousands of individual voters across the country, plus the opinions of 18 respected and well-known judges.
And now a highly-produced award show airing across the entire Yahoo Sports ecosystem - YouTube, on TV, in-app and across social - with special guests, fun surprises, giveaways and more.
Trust me- this is an award show you’re going to want to watch. And when it’s over, head to Mantel and let us know what you think (and also enter to win something big).
Collectors, parent company of industry-leading PSA, is tightening its grip on card grading. After buying SGC in 2024, the company has now acquired Beckett’s grading arm, magazines, and price guides. With PSA, SGC, and BGS under one umbrella, Collectors now controls roughly 80% of grading submissions. CGC remains the lone major independent, and there are a handful of smaller start-ups vying for market share. 2025 will be closing out on the heels of this massive deal, one that has consumers asking if they’ll be better or worse off as the industry continues to see consolidation.
A Minneapolis family hit the hobby lottery after buying into a Whatnot box break and landing Shohei Ohtani’s 1/1 Topps Chrome Gold Logoman auto. The card is now with Fanatics Collect in an auction ending tonight… with bids north of $1.2M. Once the hammer drops, it will become the most expensive Ohtani card ever. A fun story to read, and one that might have you day dreaming about one day pulling a similarly massive hit.
J.R. Fickle is back with Part II of his 2026 Hobby Predictions (read Part I here): fewer “vintage-only” lectures, more fun-first collecting, a looming pitcher boom, sneaky upside in hockey, and a reminder that not everything needs to be an investment. And no surprise, Fickle included at least one unhinged Sophie Cunningham prediction for good measure.
Michael Jordan’s cultural dominance in footwear added another chapter this week when a pair of rookie-season Nike Air Ships sold for $698,500 at Sotheby’s. While not his priciest rookie shoes, these sneakers were worn during a December 2, 1984 comeback win over the Lakers, and the huge auction price for the red-and-white shoes highlights how Jordan’s game-worn items continue to command massive premiums.
Ignore the headline above… the shoes are already sold out. But we’re still entertained! Denny’s turned breakfast chaos into streetwear with Sticky Kicks, the limited-edition high-top sneakers featuring real Denny’s syrup sealed inside. The shoes went on sale yesterday, Dec. 17, also known as National Maple Syrup Day for those who don’t celebrate, and sold for $195 a pop. We’re waiting for the first pair to hit StockX, and for the first YouTuber to cut into the sneakers on camera to sweeten up some flapjacks.
Collectors went all in on the end of an era. The final U.S. pennies ever minted sold for more than $16.7M at Stack’s Bowers, led by a record $800,000 for the very last circulating set. The 2025 “Omega” pennies, which were struck after production was halted, averaged $72,000 per lot, turning a one-cent coin into a six-figure collectible overnight.
In Wednesday’s ACC Action, Wake Forest dodged an upset by Longwood 71-68. Syracuse trumped Mercyhurst 76-62, Pitt sunk Binghamton 103-63, NC State clobbered Texas Southern 108-72 and Stanford took care of UT Arlington 76-60.
All of these are exam/Holiday games and there is usually some rust to knock off. Nonetheless, there were serious issues in some of them, not least of all Wake’s.
With 1:00 to go, this game was tied 67-67. Myles Colvin hit a three with :49 to play to give Wake a small bit of breathing room.
Wake forced Elijah Kelly to heave a 27 foot shot with the clock running down and Omaha Biliew hit one of two free throws to pad the lead to 4.
Longwood took another long three, missed, and got fouled and Johan Nziemi hit his free throws to cut it back to 3.
Juke Harris missed two free throws with :07 left and Longwood got one last chance to push the game to overtime with time running out.
It was that close – against Longwood. This is a team that pushed Michigan to the absolute limit on November 11th, losing 84-83 in overtime before losing to Texas Tech 84-83 just about nine days later.
Exam games, needless to say, are dangerous.
Harris led the way for the Deacs with 19. Tre’Von Spillers, normally pretty steady, fouled out with just 9 points.
In today’s column from Barry Jacobs, he talks about Syracuse’s atrocious free throw shooting so far, but the Orange shot better here, hitting 12-16 for 75%.
Syracuse was up 55-47 with 5:00 to play and basically coasted home from there. They did convert from the line but three point shooting ws pretty bad, hitting just 4-17 there, or 24%.
William Kyle has been plying well lately and he hit 7-8 for 15 points. He also had 10 boards. JJ Starling had 15 as well, while Naithan George tossed in 12.
If you were wondering, Mercyhurst plays in the NEC and is located in Erie, PA, within walking distance of Lake Erie.
Unlike Syracuse, Pitt hit its threes, shooting 16-27 (59%) and 36-58 overall.
The Panthers had an immense 42-9 run spanning both halves. What can you do against that onslaught?
Not a whole lot.
Barry Dunning hit 5 threes, finishing with 23 while Brandin Cummings got 17.
Normally, if you win by 36 and a guy goes off for 31 – no, wait 41 – no, wait…47! most coaches would be pretty happy.
That’s exactly what State’s Paul McNeil did, and of his 12 made shots, 11 were threes. Overall, he shot 12-18, and he also had 10 boards, which is incredibly impressive for a 6-3 guard. However, the only other player to get to double figures was Jerry Deng.
And as noted in today’s Twitter Gold, Will Wade was anything but happy. In fact, he pulled all the fire alarms and basically said the season was on the line if his team didn’t shape up quickly.
Still, while Wade may have valid points about his team, you don’t see guys get close to 50 points very often. That was a spectacular game by McNeil.
Finally, Stanford rushed out to a 21-7 lead and the Mavericks never recovered.
Star freshman Ebuka Okorie missed his second straight game with a “lower extremity injury” and is listed as day-to-day. They should have won this game, obviously – but winning without your best player is a good sign.
Chisom Okpara and Benny Gealer led the way with 17 each.
Stanford is now 9-2 with two more winnable games prior to ACC play beginning, Colorado on a neutral court and Cal State Northridge.
Colorado is 10-1 and without Okorie it could be more challenging, but they’re not Michigan or Louisville. It’s winnable.
No games until Friday when Florida State gets 1-10 Mississippi Valley State and Cal gets 2-8 Morgan State, light years removed from the Human Eraser era of Marvin Webster.
Ignoring the fact the Red Sox don’t do guaranteed long-term free agents contracts anymore (they literally have not handed a deal to a free agent for more than two years guaranteed with no opt outs under Craig Breslow), I’d like to pause for a moment and pretend they’ll actually get serious.
Simple question: Who would you rather have on the 2025 Red Sox? Alex Bregman or Bo Bichette? Ignore the contract, ignore the commitment. Just a quick assessment of what version of the infield makes the 2025 Red Sox better.
The one thing I would like to take into consideration though is the flexibility of Marcelo Mayer’s glove. Given his strength on that side of the ball and Bichette’s free agent team finally admitting he’s actually a second baseman, both Bregman and Bichette would largely solve the problems in Boston’s infield.
If Bregman comes back, he plays third, Story’s at short, and Marcelo Mayer spends the majority of his time at second base. But if the Sox decide to make their biggest free agent splash of the decade and instead sign Bichette to play second, they could just as easily target Mayer at third base, where he looks to excel defensively. The more you think about it, the more Mayer becomes a large leverage piece in a world where the Sox are actually serious about using free agency to aggressively address the infield shortcomings.
This is also a key point because if the Ketal Marte rumors are true and Mayer was going to be in any such deal, then you’d still need to go out and get Bregman on top of trade for Marte to play second to fully fix the holes in the infield.
Anyway, let’s get back to the original question. Given what the infield would look like assuming Mayer would just cover the other open position, who would you rather have on the 2025 Boston Red Sox?
Since this is an open thread, we’ll toss the conversation to the community from here. Feel free to talk about this and whatever else you want, and as always, be good to one another.
We are nearing the end of the first round of the 2026 PDC Darts World Championship, but there are still some exciting players who have yet to play.
In the afternoon session, we will see 2025 WC quarterfinalist Callan Rydz begin his campaign, as he looks to replicate the incredible run he had last year.
In the third game of the afternoon, Ryan Joyce will take the stage, coming off a WC last year when he was arguably the player with the closest chance at beating Luke Littler.
Belgium's Mike De Decker will cap off the afternoon session, as he'll play David Munyua, Kenya's first-ever PDC WC qualifier.
Dark horse Jermaine Wattimena will play in the first game of the evening session.
Dave Chisnall will face Fallon Sherrock in the second game of the evening slate, as Sherrock will look to make more history at the Ally Pally.
Lastly, Michael van Gerwen will start his 2026 WC campaign in the third game of the evening, coming off a runner-up finish at last year's WC.
2025 PDC Darts World Championship schedule & scores
Here are the scores and schedule of play for the first round on Day 8.
Cornish Pirates lost by a point to Bedford last week after the Blues kicked a 77th-minute penalty [Brian Tempest]
Cornish Pirates coach Joe Walsh feels the Champ side are capable of beating any team in the league.
The Pirates are currently fourth in the table, having lost their past two games, against title-chasing Worcester and Bedford - the latter by one point on Saturday.
Having started the season with three winless games, Pirates won their next five to move up the table and have taken 10 bonus points from their 10 matches.
"We're in 10 rounds of the Champ now and we felt that nine games we either did win or should have won," Walsh told BBC Radio Cornwall.
"So to be in that sort of a position, playing the likes of Bedford and Worcester in that block, shows us that we're in a good position.
"It is unfortunate that we couldn't have taken more league points from those games.
"But to feel at this part of the season that we're capable of taking anyone in the league on and being very close to winning the majority of our games, and winning games with bonus points, is a good reflection on the players and the coaching staff."
Pirates are currently in the middle of a tough run of fixtures.
Having gone to Worcester and hosted Bedford, they travel to mid-table Chinnor before hosting runaway leaders Ealing on 27 December and then travelling to Coventry five days later on New Year's Day.
"There's no getting away from the fact that the next three games you've got, Chinnor away, which is always a tough prospect, you've got unbeaten Ealing and you've got Coventry away on a five-day turnaround," added Walsh.
"There's nothing that's going to come easy for us in the end of this block and it's just hoping that we can produce as many league points as we can from that to finish strong after the halfway point."
Mbappe asked Alonso to start against Talavera as he eyes Cristiano Ronaldo’s Real Madrid record
Kylian Mbappe’s presence in the starting XI against Talavera was not just a tactical decision.
In fact, according to a revelation made by Tomas Roncero in AS, the Real Madrid forward personally approached Xabi Alonso and asked to play the match, driven by a clear personal objective.
At the time, Mbappe was on the verge of history. Just before the Talavera clash, he was only three goals away from equalling Cristiano Ronaldo’s record for the most goals scored in a calendar year for Real Madrid, and four away from surpassing it.
The significance of that milestone was not lost on the French star, who has always spoken of Ronaldo as a major inspiration in his career.
Against Talavera, Mbappe delivered once again. He found the net twice, bringing himself within touching distance of matching Ronaldo’s tally.
That brace has now set up a final opportunity to either equal or break the record, with the upcoming La Liga home match against Sevilla standing as his last chance this year.
One more opportunity
Mbappe’s numbers in 2025 underline just how relentless his form has been. He has already scored four hat-tricks this calendar year. On top of that, he registered a four-goal haul against Olympiacos.
Sevilla, his next opponent, also represent favourable ground, as he scored twice in each of the two matches he played against them last season.
Mbappe scored two goals vs Talavera. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
What makes his start against Talavera even more striking is the context around his fitness. Mbappe had been dealing with physical discomfort in the weeks leading up to the game, which made his inclusion a surprise.
Given the opponent and the tight schedule, resting him would have been logical and widely accepted.
However, the decision came from the player himself, who was eager to stay on course for history.
There is, however, another narrative that raises concerns for Real Madrid.
As such, Alonso’s willingness to start Mbappe was not only about records. It was also about security.
Each time the forward has been absent this season, the team’s attacking output has dropped, which is a reality that is difficult to ignore.
Sure, some people may be counting down the days to Christmas. You may have kids or a spouse that this is your opportunity to quantify your love for them to make up for the other 364 days that you’ve been a terrible spouse or parent. Perhaps you’re looking forward to the roll over to the new year and with it the social gatherings that occur on the 31st with all their countdowns and kisses and getting blackout hammered and probably ending up sans pants in a stranger’s home (hopefully invited). Love that for you. For me, in this house, we will praise the oblong ball of synthetic pseudo-leather and focus more on things that actually matter… like MAC football and the college football playoffs.
When the bowls were announced a week and a half ago or so, Fearless Leader checked in with his rapid reaction and opening lines for each of the five MAC bowls. I have no option other than to assume that you immediately ran out and bet those. Good on you. Enjoy your new house. If you have diamond hands, then much like Gamestop or AMC in COVID times, hold. Hold until it is a pile of trash. For those that haven’t bet yet, you can find current odds and lines for all your bowl needs here. And here’s where we currently sit with my up-to-the- minute selections.
12/19: Myrtle Beach Bowl Kennesaw State vs. Western Michigan Current Line: WMU -3.5 Current Total: 47.5 Fearless Leader’s Pick: Line movement in this game for me has made the spread a no play. If you were following along early, you got WMU -1.5, that’s free money. Still like the over but the 3.5 is not attractive.
12/23: Bush’s Boca Raton Bowl Toledo vs. Louisville Current Line: Louisville -6.5 Current Total: 44.5 Fearless Leader’s Pick: I picked Louisville begrudgingly at a higher number, so I love it at 6.5 Give me the Cards. And the over.
12/23: Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl UNLV vs. Ohio Current Line: UNLV -6.5 Current Total: 64.5 Fearless Leader’s Pick: Liked it when it was Ohio +3.5, love it when it’s Ohio +6.5. Will marry an adjusted line to 7.5. Still think the over is the move, but I’m taking the Bobcats all the way to the bank.
12/26: Game Above Sports Bowl Central Michigan vs. Northwestern Current Line: Northwestern -10.5 Current Total: 43.5 Fearless Leader’s Pick: I’m staying away from this line currenrly. I got it at open when CMU was getting 13.5 The total has stayed the same and gun to my head I’d take the over, but this may be a pass all around with current odds.
12/27: Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl Miami vs. Fresno State Current Line: Fresno St -4.5 Current Total: 42.5 Fearless Leader’s Pick: Line has shifted from the opening 3.5. So give me Miami and the additional point all the way to the bank. I’d stay away from the total unless you got it at open when it was higher.
BONUS! Maybe you want to dabble in something a little more national than MAC games. Don’t worry you beautiful little degen… I have you covered there also with these first round CFP picks.
12/19: First Round Alabama vs. Oklahoma Current Line: Oklahoma -1.5 Current Total: 40.5 Fearless Leader’s Pick: Gut reaction says Alabama +1.5 or perhaps an adjusted line of Bama up to -2.5 and the over. Knowing my fade-tastic luck that means you should very likely take Oklahoma and the under. Coin flip game.
12/20 First Round Miami vs. Texas A&M Current Line: Texas A&M -3.5 Current Total: 48.5 Fearless Leader’s Pick: I may be wildly offbase but I think A&M is the best team in the playoffs. Give me the Aggies and I’ll also take the under.
12/20 First Round Tulane vs. Ole Miss Current Line: Ole Miss -17.5 Current Total: 56.5 Fearless Leader’s Pick: Two and a half touchdowns is stupid high for a playoff game and Tulane is a good football team. No one knows what to expect from either team, really. Ole Miss has a new head coach who was on staff all year and most of their assistants stayed amidst the Kiffin drama. Tulane’s coach is leaving but staying through the playoff. Give me Tulane but I don’t love it. I’m also on the under and don’t love that either. This may be a no bet kinda game and just hope for chaos for the personal jollies it will provide for me.
12/20 First Round James Madison vs. Oregon Current Line: Oregon -21.5 Current Total: 47.5 Fearless Leader’s Pick: Three touchdowns and a hook is an even stupider high number than the last one. On principle alone I have to take JMU and get 21.5. I also think the over may be the play, in a somewhat hedge move. If it’s a blowout that 47.5 is in play.
Per usual with Fearless Leader picks, don’t wager what you can’t afford to lose and stay within your means and limits. It’s meant to be fun not make you homeless. Having said that, let’s get rich kids.
One of the biggest additions to Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson's coaching staff has been defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, whose experience as a defensive coordinator and head coach has been invaluable for a first-time head coach, as well as a legitimate leader for their defense.
After establishing that coaching staff, the Bears front office worked with those coaches to identify the right players to fit the scheme, and that's very evident in the defense's play this year. There have been several times this year that the defense has been decimated by injuries, but Allen has done a great job, along with his assistants, in having plenty of players step up when called upon.
Earlier this week, Johnson praised Allen's ability to identify the right players that fit what he's looking to accomplish and how that's translated to success.
"I think it's a big credit to our personnel staff. It's difficult your first year to try to align everybody and be on the same page of what we're looking for," Johnson said. "And, that was the attempt that we made there in the winter and springtime, was spending time together outlining what we're looking for from our corners to our safeties to our linemen, both sides of the ball and special teams included in that."
Johnson also gave credit to defensive backs coach Al Harris, whose work with the secondary has been significant and evident in their league-leading 30 takeaways, including 21 interceptions.
"And so, their credit, they went out and they found some guys, it helped that all three of the players that you just mentioned have some familiarity with the coaching staff," Johnson said. "(Nahshon Wright) had been with Al Harris. C.J. (Gardner-Johnson) had been with both DA and myself for some time. And then D-Jack (D'Marcus Jackson) was with DA over the last few years. And so that helps because you have coaches that know the personnel intimately from the get-go, and those guys also have a little bit of a grasp of the scheme as well.
"So, it helps to hit the ground running like that. But all three of those individuals have made significant contributions to the team and to our defense over the course of the season. That's what you count on going into it. There's going to be attrition, guys are going to go down. The special teams players you're counting on early in the season, they become starters for you on offensive or defense, and practice squad players end up getting elevated and playing roles as well. So, that's always a challenge. You're trying to create as much depth as you possibly can early in the season."
There were certainly concerns as the season started with injuries to the defensive side of the field, but it's clear that Allen and the Bears personnel did their homework on identifying the right players to step in when needed.
Glentoran boss Declan Devine says his team must strive to "transform decent performances into points" as they prepare to host Coleraine at the Oval on Friday (19:45 GMT) in a game that will be live on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website.
The Glens welcome the leaders to east Belfast hoping to end a run of five league games without a win as they look to keep pace with the Bannsiders and Larne at the top of the table.
Devine has been encouraged by his team's displays in draws with Bangor and Cliftonville and last week's defeat by Larne, but has asked for more from his side to help them get back to winning ways.
"I know what's going on behind the scenes, where we're trying to go and what we're trying to improve on. If we were getting battered with the ball and other teams were cutting us open, I'd be extremely worried, but I know the fine margins," he told BBC Sport NI.
"We have to strengthen in January, but we can't fall any further behind. There are a lot of points still to play for and a lot of teams to play.
"We have to get back to basics of putting games to bed and getting clean sheets and if we can do that, we have the quality and togetherness. We need to transform decent performances into points."
Coleraine boss Ruaidhri Higgins is hoping his side can exact revenge at the Oval after the Glens picked up a 2-1 win against the Bannsiders at the Showgrounds in September.
"We have our own agenda, we have to go there and try pick up three points," he said.
"We know it will be a really difficult game, but we will give it everything to take the points home."
If you’re anything like me, you’re probably still not over the screwjob that the college football playoff committee gave Notre Dame just a few weeks ago. The fact that the first round of playoff games start tomorrow, really only invigorates our disdain and disgust.
I plan on watching every playoff game, and I really don’t understand why there are some Notre Dame fans that won’t, but I am already preparing myself for the company line by ESPN that the committee “got it right” as they then show a couple of abominations.
Whatever is said, they simply can’t say the 12 best teams in college football are in this tournament when Notre Dame is one of maybe five teams in the country that was capable of winning such a playoff.
There is, however, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that was signed in 2024 that takes effect in 2026. This MOU essentially makes sure the Irish don’t get screwed like this again. It states that the Irish are guaranteed a playoff berth in a 12 and 14 team format as long as they are ranked inside the top 12. This agreement also has a stipulation that the Power 4 conferences would have an automatic qualifier with their conference champions. If that MOU was in place this season, it would have put Duke and Notre Dame in and put James Madison and Miami out.
Next year’s CFP stands to introduce change – even if it isn’t expanded.
An MOU signed in 2024 assigns each P4 champ an AQ + a top-12 guarantee for Notre Dame.
Using those rules, Duke would be in the field this year instead of JMU and ND instead of Miami.https://t.co/CDQXJbwMuY
While this MOU came as a shock to some people, I would bet everyone in that committee room knew about it. Reports about athletic directors that were aghast with this arrangement were quite funny too. Either those AD’s are either clueless about what their conference commissioner agreed to and signed, or are just flat out talking bullshit (or both).
It also kind of highlights the story we heard about Jim Phillips giving the wink and a nod about an ACC team being in the playoff this year no matter what, because it was probably an unwritten rule for the conferences this year to follow the “spirit” of next year’s rules — for them. Definitely not for Notre Dame.
So how long do you think the fix was in for Notre Dame? Obviously over the last 4 weeks of the season there were plenty of games that could have gone the other way to NOT set up the 2025 CFP Screwjob, but everything fell in place for the committee to show just how corrupt it really is. I suppose the next step is to start bumping up conference championship losers in the rankings, but I’m sure there will be other creative ways to do it.
It’s hard to not sound like a whiner while pointing out an injustice (and yes this is sports this isn’t as deep as life and death situations around the world). In the end, I think the healthiest way to look at it is from Hymen Roth’s point of view — this is the business we’ve chosen.
The noise surrounding Unai Emery's team is growing as the possibility of Aston Villa being title contenders seems to be as real as ever.
Villa are currently on their longest winning streak in the Premier League, coming from behind at West Ham on Sunday for their ninth straight victory.
With 2025 soon coming to an end, Villa's plan to maintain their record of only losing one home game in all competitions for the whole year depends on a result against Manchester United.
After their recent run of form, many might feel that Villa are obvious favourites. However, a wave of anxiety looms over many fans.
Aston Villa's first win in 27 years at Villa Park against the Red Devils was Unai Emery's opening game in charge in November 2022.
Indeed, Villa have only ever won five games in the Premier League against United and just three on their own turf. If anyone can stop Emery's side at the moment, this bogey team seems the most likely.
This unwanted record creates added pressure if Emery's side are going to continue their winning streak and protect the 'fortress' in their final home game of 2025.
Angus Bell starts in a strong Ulster team for Friday's interprovincial derby [Getty Images]
Australia prop Angus Bell will make his first Ulster start in Friday's United Rugby Championship game against Leinster at Aviva Stadium (19:45 GMT).
Short-term signing Bell, who came off the bench in the Challenge Cup fixtures against Racing 92 and Cardiff, starts at loose-head with Ireland internationals Tom O'Toole and Tom Stewart completing the front row.
Centre Stuart McCloskey returns from the groin injury he sustained on Ireland duty last month. He is joined in midfield by Jude Postlethwaite, who missed last weekend's defeat by Cardiff because of concussion.
Ulster head coach Richie Murphy has recalled several players after rotating his squad for the Cardiff game, with Nick Timoney and Juarno Augustus returning to the back row.
Jacob Stockdale is restored at full-back, while Rob Baloucoune - who has scored five tries this season - returns to the right wing. The first-choice half-back pairing of Nathan Doak and Jack Murphy are also recalled.
Ethan McIlroy is set for his first appearance since January from the bench after recovering from a knee injury.
Ireland forward James Ryan will earn his 100th Leinster cap in Friday's interprovincial derby.
URC holders Leinster will be captained by Jack Conan, who came through graduated return to play protocols, with Caelan Doris not named in the squad.
Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has changed his front row after last weekend's Investec Champions Cup win at Leicester, with Jack Boyle, Rabah Slimani and Gus McCarthy named to start.
New Zealand international Rieko Ioane will play his first URC game after a couple of Champions Cup appearances, while Sam Prendergast is restored at fly-half after Harry Byrne was preferred for the Leicester game.
Ulster have won four out of five URC games this season while Leinster have three wins and three defeats from six. Leinster won both meetings last season, including a comprehensive 41-17 win at Aviva Stadium in April.
Following the draw for the knockout stages of the 2025/a26 UEFA Women's Champions League in Nyon, Stefano Braghin, Juventus Women's Football Director, commented on the outcome.
"Finishing among the top eight teams in Europe at the end of the League Phase is a very important achievement, confirming our position in the European top ten for several years now. It is an achievement that cannot be taken for granted, one that we should all be proud of and that is good for Italian football in terms of ranking and prestige. Only strong teams remain in the play-offs and all the best teams are in the quarter-finals, so one opponent is as good as another. It will take a lot to reach the quarter-finals, but these are the games we always want to play, hoping to involve more and more supporters in our journey."
SHELBYVILLE, Indiana — A mid-December snowstorm made for a rugged championship course at the USA Track & Field (USATF) National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships on Saturday, Dec. 13, but Portsmouth’s Cheetah Running Club proved they were built for the elements.
The local youth program capped its season at the national race on Dec. 13 with four top-25 finishes, earning four All-American honors.
“It was a true cross country race with very challenging conditions in the snow, which totaled about five inches by the end of the day,” Cheetah Running Club head coach Eric Beidleman said. “A race like that is much less about pure speed and more about grit and resilience. Our medalists really acquitted themselves well."
Everett Smith delivered the club’s top result, placing fourth in the boys 9-10 division, covering the 1.86-mile course in 11 minutes, 22.8 seconds.
Smith was joined in the All-American circle by three teammates in the 7-8 division. Benjamin Drake was 14th in the boys 2K (8:05.5), while Vivienne Siller (14th, 8:43.9) and Zoey George (25th, 8:57.5) both earned All-American honors in the girls 2K.
“That’s a tough day to race, and they handled it,” Beidleman said. “To have four kids come home with All-American finishes against the best in the country says a lot about the work they put in from August on.”
Cheetahs win three New England championship titles
Before reaching the national stage, the Cheetahs competed at the New England Championships in Attleboro, Mass., and won team titles in the 8-and-under girls, 9–10 boys, and 13–14 boys divisions.
The 8-and-under girls swept the top three spots as Siller (8:47.91), Lillian Rizzo (8:52.66) and George (8:55.03) placed first through third, respectively, and teammate Shae Seppa was 10th (9:50.08).
In the 8-and-under boys, Drake was second (8:14.71), Theodore Donohue was fifth (8:31.17), and Benno Hodges (8:38.05) was eighth.
In the 9-10 division, Smith captured the New England championship in a time of 11:27.87, while William Anderson (12:16.43) was seventh, and Noah LaFleur (12:35.48) was 10th.
In the 11-12 girls division, Morgan Sanderson was seventh (12:07.67) and Mia Proulx was ninth (12:16.73).
In the 13–14 boys, Gavin Leader was fifth (14:02.55) and Zachary Lefebvre was seventh (14:07.50), leading the Cheetahs to the New England championship in that group's last year of eligibility.
“That group has been together a long time,” coach Sam Leader said. “To end it with a New England team title is a great finish for them, and something those kids will remember.”
A look at who’s on the team
Members of the running club this season included Portsmouth’s Everett Smith, Vivienne Siller, Zoey George, Shae Seppa, William Anderson, Noah LaFleur, Gavin Leader, Hayden George, Mia Proulx and Benno Hodge; Dover’s Zachary Lefebvre: and Barrington’s Benjamin Drake.
Motherwell have only lost one of their past nine Scottish Premiership home games against Dundee (W5 D3), a 1-0 defeat in October 2024.
Both sides have scored in eight of the past nine league meetings between Motherwell and Dundee, the exception being that 1-0 Dark Blues win in October last year.
Motherwell have kept a clean sheet in five successive league games; the last side to keep a clean sheet in 6+ Premiership matches in a row was Celtic in December 2024 (six), while the last non-Old Firm club to do so was St Johnstone in November 2018.
Dundee have earned fewer away points (three) this season than any other top-flight side, winning none of their nine league games on the road (D3 L6).
The two players who have been directly involved in the highest proportion of their side's goals in the Premiership this season are Dundee's Cameron Congreve with 47% (7/15) and Motherwell's Tawanda Maswanhise with 36% (9/25). Congreve has one goal and six assists in the league, while Maswanhise has eight goals and one assist.
The Indianapolis Colts are on a four-game losing streak, and their playoff hopes are waning. However, there has been a bright spot for this team, and a bit of a surprising one at that -- the run defense.
This past Sunday, the Colts held the Seahawks to just 2.3 yards per carry on 22 rush attempts. But it's not only in that game where the Colts have found success.
Indianapolis will enter Week 16 allowing just 3.7 yards per rush on the season -- good for the lowest mark in the NFL.
Adding to the impressive nature of this production is the fact that the Colts have accomplished this without DeForest Buckner since Week 9.
And doing so has been a collective effort.
Grover Stewart continues to be a force inside against the run, and the addition of Neville Gallimore this offseason has helped. Adetomiwa Adebawore has made strides in his game this season as well, while the defensive ends continue to set strong edges.
This play against the run also extends to the second and even third-level defenders, with the Colts' linebackers and safeties contributing as well.
Not to be overlooked either is Lou Anarumo and his defensive scheme that can throw a lot of looks at opponents.
Oftentimes for a defense, overall success begins with stopping the run. Doing so puts the offense behind the sticks and in predictable passing situations, where the defense now has the upper hand.
The Detroit Lions (8-6) and Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6) will square off in a Week 16 battle with NFL playoff implications. For the majority of the year, both teams have spent the season alternating wins and losses, but the Steelers are coming off their first two-game win streak since the opening weeks of the season, as their offense has found new life.
Let’s take a closer look at the Steelers’ coaching staff, the scheme they run, and some scouting notes from previously viewed games.
Steelers head coach: Mike Tomlin
NFL coaching seasons: 25 seasons (DB coach with Bucs, 2001-2005) Defensive coordinator: 1 season with Vikings (2006) NFL head coaching seasons: 19 seasons with Steelers (2007-present) — never had a losing season Influences: Tony Dungy, Monte Kiffin, Jon Gruden, Brad Childress, Dick LeBeau Super Bowl Champion: 2008 (HC, Steelers), 2002 (Bucs, DB coach) Playcaller: No
Dan Campbell on Tomlin:
“Steelers, man. Got a lot of respect for this team, got a lot of respect for Mike Tomlin, been doing it for a long time, hell of a coach. Their brand of football, same style, always competitive. And once again, they’re in the race for this division over there. They do it the right way, they do it the hard way, and they make you try to earn it at the end of the game. So, we know this’ll be one of those physical battles. We’ve got to play smart, take care of the football and be very efficient. But he’s always run a good program, and we know we’ve got our hands full.”
“I do know him, but I wouldn’t say it’s something where I call and we talk all the time or anything like that. I’ve just got a ton of respect for him. I know what he’s about and the way he goes about his business. Anybody that I know that’s ever come across Coach Tomlin speaks so highly of him, so he’s one of one.”
Offensive coordinator: Arthur Smith
NFL coaching seasons: 17 seasons Offensive coordinator seasons: 4 seasons (Titans 2019-20, Steelers 2024-present) Head coaching seasons: 3 seasons (Falcons 2021-23) Previous coaching positions: TE coach, OL coach, Offensive/Defensive quality control Influences: Matt LaFleur, Mike Mularkey, Ken Whisenhunt, Mike Munchak, Joe Gibbs
Offensive scheme
Passing game: West Coast Running scheme: Wide Zone (Shanahan) Staples of scheme:
Smith takes a lot of his offensive principles from LaFleur (Packers HC) from their time in Tennessee
Lots of West Coast principals (pre-snap motion, bunch formations, play-action)
Prefer to be heavy up front: 11+ 6OL (9.75%, 1st in NFL), 12 (30%, 9th), and 13 (16.57, 2nd) personnel
Almost exclusively single-running back looks
Run-heavy power-based focus – deploy 2 RBs evenly
TEs and WRs are used in the blocking game at the line of scrimmage
Play-action is down this season (22.4%, 25th)
The goal is not to be explosive, but instead efficient, setting up favorable 2nd and 3rd downs
A slow grinding approach leads to a lack of possessions and a lack of yardage
Scouting notes
Rodgers not pushing the ball down the field; conservative passes (ADOT: 6.03 yards, 46th)
Skill players make up for short passes with yards after catch production (Most YAC in NFL)
Rodgers has thrown the ball beyond 10 yards on only 22.7% of his passing attempts (Last in NFL)
Averaging 5.8 air yards per attempt, and just 3.3 air yards per completion (Last in NFL)
Things have changed in the last two weeks: Most notably in Week 14 against the Ravens’ single-high looks
Leaning on veteran WRs in the passing game in recent weeks
TE Darnell Washington is a mismatch at 300+ pounds
TE Jonnu Smith (experience with Smith) has been a disappointment, especially as a blocker
No. 1 team in deploying a 6th OL (9.74%), with some recent games seeing large spikes (upwards of 30%)
Pressures (100, 1st) and pressure rate (21.9%, 1st) are terrific… but much of that is Rodgers throwing quickly — Sacks (25, 10th) and sack rate (5.6%, 11th) are more representative but still solid
On third LT (Broderick Jones on IR, Andrus Peat dealing with concussion), Dylan Cook
Cook started his first NFL game in Week 15 and did not allow a pressure (primarily faced Bradley Chubb)
LG Isaac Seumalo was injured in Week 15 and forced from the game
Rushing game is efficient (DVOA: 12), and successful (44.3%, 7th), but limited (92.5 yards per game, 28th) due to fewer offensive possessions
Lack explosive plays in run game: 30 rushes of 10+ yards (30th in NFL)
Not much push from offensive line: 0.66 yards before contact (31st)
Time of possession in 2025: 45.74% (Last in the NFL)
41.8% of the Steelers’ offensive drives have ended without achieving a first down
Dan Campbell on Steelers’ offense:
I like (Kenneth) Gainwell, he’s a good back. And he is, he’s versatile. He’s got vision, he’s pretty sneaky that way, shifty. And he is a good receiver. And then (QB Aaron) Rodgers has done a great job of finding those throws, getting the ball out. He’s got some big targets. (WR DK) Metcalf is still a load, he’s a weapon, his run after catch has really shown up this year. I mean it’s always been there, but a lot more underneath throws and letting him make something happen. They’ve got three tight ends over there that can block and run. Arthur Smith’s doing a hell of a job, he’s running his system, and it fits what they’re about. It fits what they do.”
Dan Campbell on Steelers’ QB Aaron Rodgers:
“He plays fast. He plays fast and he’s accurate. I mean, he’s always had the accuracy. He’s got such a quick release. I mean, he can process it like that. And it’s with a flick of the wrist that thing is in the receiver’s hands at a perfect location to where they can do damage once they get it into their hands. So, that has gone nowhere, his ability to get it out and play fast is still there, very much there.”
Defensive coordinator: Teryl Austin
NFL coaching seasons: 22 seasons Defensive coordinator seasons: 9 seasons (Lions 2014-17, Bengals 2018, Steelers 2022-present) Previous roles: Secondary coach (Seahawks, Cardinals, Ravens, Steelers) Influences: Jim Caldwell, Marvin Lewis, Dean Pees, Keith Butler, Chuck Pagano, Ray Rhodes Key Staff: Gerald Alexander (DB coach – Lions second round draft pick in 2007)
Defensive scheme
Base: Attacking 34 (presents like a 42 in subpackages) Coverage: Single-high structured with a mix of zone (Cover-3) and man (Cover-1) Staples of scheme:
Traditional defense that hasn’t changed much in the last two decades
Cover-3 (30%, off-zone) and Cover-1 (19%, press-man)
Cover-2 (20%) vs. specific opponents, and situationally, but not used a ton
Blitzburg defense – Blitz (31.2%, 9th)
Attack to stop the run (also why they stay in single-high)
Scouting notes
Single-high (50% of the time) opens holes in the secondary, lean on it for run defense
Cover-3 zone looks more like defenders are covering space, rather than a player
Secondary is late to adjust to crossing routes
Vulnerable over the middle due to LB coverage
Give up a lot of passing yards (242.4 yards allowed per game, 27th) and YAC (28th)
Blitz leads to volume pressures (184, 12th) and sacks (40, 5th) come quickly (2.59 seconds, 5th)
Success rate is low, on average (31.6%, 25th) because opponents pass a lot (37 pass attempts per game)
Run defense is average to slightly below-average (DVOA: 17th, Rush yards allowed per game: 120.9, 19th, Rush yards per play, 4.4, 18th, EPA per rush: 0.01, 24th)
Team split runs evenly between attacking the inside and outside of the Steelers’ defensive front
Struggling to get off the field (3rd down: 42.42% conversion rate allowed, 27th; 4th down: 75.76%, 31st)
Jack Grealish calls teammate Iliman Ndiaye “the most skillful player in the Premier League”
Jack Grealish has hyped up teammate Iliman Ndiaye, calling him “the most skillful player in the Premier League.”
Speaking on a Stan Sport podcast, Grealish argued that while Bukayo Saka and Jeremy Doku might be two of the most effective wingers in the world, in terms of pure skill, Ndiaye beats them.
"Ndiaye is the most skilful player in the Premier League. In terms of pure skill, yeah,” said Grealish.
I'm not sitting here saying, oh yeah, he could be the best, but skilful. Saka, for example, is so good, one of the best wingers in the world. But he's not skilful."
Comparing Ndiaye with his former Manchester City teammate Jeremy Doku, Grealish elaborated, "Like, Doku, for example, you wouldn't put him in, like, I don't know, a small five-a-side pitch. But Ndiaye wouldn't even need that space at all. Yeah, yeah, yeah. No matter where he is. He's just in and out, whereas Doku, like, you know, might need a bit of space for his, like, pace and stuff. Saka as well."
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, signed from Chelsea this summer, also agreed with Grealish’s assessment. Drawing comparisons with Cole Palmer, the Everton midfielder said, "Yeah, but see, Cole... Cole's like... In terms of pure skill, like, you ain't gonna see Cole doing skills like anywhere, so I'm feeling that. Cole's just more silky and moving his body."
Ndiaye, who arrived from Marseille in 2024, has been a revelation for the Toffees. He finished as the top scorer last season and so far this season, he has contributed four goals and two assists across 16 Premier League appearances despite being played out of position.
Everton will miss Ndiaye sorely in the upcoming games, with the Senegalese having left to join his national team ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Allegri to make two late changes to Milan line-up vs. Napoli
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Massimiliano Allegri will make two late changes to his Milan XI for a Supercoppa semifinal against Napoli as Ardon Jashari and Pervis Estupinan are expected to start, pushing Luka Modric and Davide Bartesaghi to the bench.
Jashari and Estupinan to start in Napoli vs. Milan
MILAN, ITALY – AUGUST 17: Ardon Jashari of AC Milan in action during the Coppa Italia match between AC Milan and SSC Bari at Stadio San Siro on August 17, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Swiss midfielder Jashari is likely to start for Milan in a Supercoppa Italiana semifinal against Napoli this evening, according to Gazzetta.
Why Modric is not expected to start in the Supercoppa semifinal
PARMA, ITALY – NOVEMBER 08: Luka Modric of AC Milan looks on during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and AC Milan at Stadio Ennio Tardini on November 08, 2025 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
The pink paper claims that Allegri is inclined towards resting Modric as the Croat has started 15 games from 15 in Serie A, but the ex-Real Madrid star is still expected to be involved in the second half.
Bartesaghi, who has become the regular Milan starter on the left flank, is also expected to rest, making room for ex-Brighton left-back Pervis Estupinan.
PARMA, ITALY – NOVEMBER 08: Massimiliano Allegri, Head Coach of AC Milan, reacts during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and AC Milan at Stadio Ennio Tardini on November 08, 2025 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
The rest of the line-up should remain the same reported in the morning, with Koni De Winer replacing the injured Matteo Gabbia in defence and Christian Pulisic and Christopher Nkunku in attack.
Fresh off a demoralizing 35-31 loss to the Buffalo Bills, the New England Patriots will get a chance to bounce back in front of a national audience. Their Week 16 matchup with the Baltimore Ravens was flexed to Sunday night, a slot fitting for the game’s high-stakes nature.
The Patriots need a win to keep their one-game advantage over the surging Bills in the AFC East, while anything but a victory would deal a major blow to the 7-7 Ravens’ postseason hopes. The circumstances alone should make this a competitive affair, and a look at our head-to-head comparison also confirms that notion.
Passing game
Patriots pass offense vs. Ravens pass defense: Even though New England’s aerial attack faltered in the second half against Baltimore, the unit has the potential to challenge the 17th-ranked pass defense in terms of EPA per dropback (0.064). Drake Maye still remains an MVP-caliber quarterback. And given that Baltimore’s pass rush has been lackluster so far this year, he should be allowed sufficient time in the pocket to go through the process without rushing through his reads. The bigger question might be the Patriots’ pass catchers, and their ability to beat man coverage on a consistent basis. Should the otherwise zone-heavy Ravens decide to switch things up, the group will need to show improvement from last week. | Edge: Patriots
Patriots pass defense vs. Ravens pass offense: New England had its issues defending Bills tight ends Dawson Knox and Dalton Kincaid last Sunday, and the Ravens present no less of a challenge: Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely are also among the better tight end duos in football. Their matchup against the Patriots’ linebackers and safeties could be key in passing situations considering that the Patriots’ cornerbacks should be competitive versus Baltimore’s wide receivers. Of course, that is based on the projection of Carlton Davis and Marcus Jones being available after they sat out practice on Wednesday due to injury. If one or both are unavailable, Baltimore might just have the edge, especially if New England’s pass rush continues to run hot and cold as well. | Edge: Patriots
Running game
Patriots rushing offense vs. Ravens run defense: The Patriots shredded the Bills on the ground, gaining 246 yards on 25 carries and scoring two long touchdowns. The Ravens defense, however, presents a different challenge: Baltimore is ranked 12th in EPA per run (-0.095) compared to Buffalo’s 31st-place ranking entering last week. That might not seem like a major difference, but could make life more challenging for a New England offense that has yet to show that it can duplicate successful performance in the run game on a week-to-week basis. A lot will hinge on the Ravens’ available personnel, particularly at linebacker, but we are still giving the home team a slight advantage for now. | Edge: Ravens
Patriots run defense vs. Ravens rushing offense: The previous three battles are all fairly even in our estimation, but this one has a clear winner: New England’s run defense has been bad over the last few weeks, and particularly since losing Milton Williams to an ankle injury. He will be out again this week, and the status of linebacker Robert Spillane is also up in the air. If Spillane is out for a second week in a row, the results this Sunday might look a lot like last week’s: the Bills finished with 171 yards on the ground and time and again took advantage of the Patriots failing to control gaps up front and secure the second level. The NFL’s leading rushing offense in yards per carry (5.2) is more than equipped to exploit those issues as well. | Edge: Ravens
Special teams
Special teams was a big reason why the Patriots lost to the Bills last week, and the unit will need a quick and decisive turnaround heading into this week’s game against Baltimore. The Ravens, after all, field an all-around sound group in the game’s third phase. Coverage, return, punting, kicking, you name it: New England will be in for a dog fight come Sunday night. That does not necessarily mean Jeremy Springer’s group is in for a repeat performance, but that similar issues particularly in kickoff coverage could again prove costly against a team averaging just over a yard less per runback than pre-Week 15 Buffalo. | Edge: Ravens
Coaching
The Patriots’ game against the Ravens will feature plenty of experience at the head coaching and offensive coordinator positions. New England’s duo of Mike Vrabel and Josh McDaniels as well as Baltimore’s John Harbaugh and Todd Monken are all multi-year veterans in their respective roles, something that cannot be said for the defensive coaches involved in the matchup: Zak Kuhr is a first-time play-caller for the Patriots, while Zachary Orr is only in his second season as DC. This matchup is fairly even, although we are giving the visitors a slight edge based on their overall success this season particularly on offense. | Edge: Patriots
Verdict
Although the owners of a superior record, the Patriots are entering Week 16 as 2.5-point underdogs against the Ravens. Their most recent performance — i.e. collapsing versus Buffalo with the division title in sight — obviously influenced the betting line, but it does not look like an accurate representation of their capabilities: New England has shown that it can play winning football on the road and get the job done against uneven opponents; 30 minutes of bad football against one of the NFL’s best teams does not change this.
That said, as the breakdown above illustrates, the Ravens are a capable team themselves. While not where they aim to be in terms of record and overall effectiveness on both sides of the ball, they have the talent to put pressure on New England in its areas of vulnerability. All in all, this looks like it has all the makings of a tight battle.
The Chicago Bears got their NFC North lead back this week. This time around, they are trying to separate themselves from the Green Bay Packers for good. The Detroit Lions are hanging by a thread, and things can get even uglier with Detroit having a tough remaining schedule. Minnesota is hoping to finish this disastrous season on a high note. The Vikings are building for 2026.
Here are my takeaways from NFL Week 15 in the NFC North for each team:
The Bears had the perfect weekend this past weekend. The Bears took care of a favorable opponent in dominating fashion. Caleb Williams showed immense growth, and he played lights out in frigid temperatures. The defense is not only getting healthier but also still getting takeaways at a high level. Both of the Bears' foes helped them out by coming up short, setting the Bears up for first place in the NFC North again. The Bears are entering the hardest stretch of the season and the toughest remaining schedule in the NFL in the best way possible. The Bears have everything falling into place for them, all they need to do is just seize the moment.
(9-4-1) Green Bay Packers
Just one week ago, the Packers looked like a Super Bowl contender and the team that sat on the throne of the NFC North. Fast forward to today, and it seems like the sky is falling in Green Bay. It feels as if the Packers have injuries at every position. The Packers have now lost their best player in Micah Parsons and the exact heartbeat of their defense. With Parsons, the Packers' defense is a nightmare for opposing offenses. Without Parsons, Bo Nix has a career performance and throws for 4 passing touchdowns and 302 yards. Christian Watson has not been a player who can be healthy, but his not being healthy hurts even more without Tucker Kraft being in the lineup for the rest of the season. Watson was really becoming important for Jordan Love. All the excitement for the Packers seems to be out the window. After a physical game versus the Broncos, the Packers now have to face the Bears again and then the Baltimore Ravens. The Packers still have a shot to make the playoffs, but instead of a deep playoff run, the Packers seem to be headed towards a first-round exit.
(8-6) Detroit Lions
Just like the Packers, one week has drained a lot of hope and excitement for the Detroit Lions. A victory over the Rams was right in the Lions' grasp, but getting outscored in the second half 24-10 provided Detroit with a devastating loss instead. The Lions needed a win against the Rams to stay the course for the playoffs, and now Detroit will need help from its foes in the North to get back in the playoffs. With a tough game against the Steelers this upcoming Sunday, the Lions will need to have as good a weekend as the Bears just had to keep their season alive. No doubt the Lions have what it takes to handle business on their own for the rest of the season, but is it time to just admit the NFC North may be passing them by?
The Minnesota Vikings, after following their big win over the Lions with a 4-game skid, have found success as of late. J.J. McCarthy has taken advantage of very favorable matchups versus some of the worst defenses in the NFL. Nonetheless, it has been impressive to see J.J. turn things around. The Vikings no longer have a chance to return to the playoffs, but they have a shot to end the season on a high note and get more clarity at the quarterback position. The Vikings made one team's playoff chances even more slim, and they have a couple more opportunities to do that with the Packers and Lions being their last two final games. That would be a huge confidence booster for McCarthy, getting two more NFC North wins under his belt to end the year.
Overview
The Bears have everything falling into place for them to win the NFC North division; the only thing standing in their way is themselves. The Packers and Lions are both one more bad week from having their seasons end. Minnesota is not where it was last season, but Kevin O'Connell is looking to see if J.J. McCarthy can be that quarterback who brings Minnesota its next winning season these last few weeks.
Have Ilia Topuria and Paddy Pimblett gone from being enemies to being friends? Nah, they’re just not ‘pieces of s–t.’
That’s according to UFC interim lightweight challenger Pimblett, who recently said he’d leave Topuria’s ugly personal life issues out of his trash talk. That resulted in Ilia calling Paddy “a super-entertaining guy who did a superb job” of becoming a star.
“He had his slips with tweets he made about Georgia,” Topuria continued. “But I think we all learn from our mistakes, and deep down I notice that he is a person that understands family problems, personal problems, respects it.”
Those are quite the comments coming from a man who has almost brawled with Paddy multiple times. Lest things get to friendly, “The Baddy” laid out his feelings towards Topuria as simply as possible.
“I still hate him, and I know he still hates me,” Pimblett told The Independent. “We still dislike each other, we still want to batter each other, but that’s in the cage.”
“Family is different. I’d never, ever talk about someone’s family, and I know he wouldn’t talk about mine. He’s just not that way inclined. We’re not pieces of s–t like Colby Covington. It’s nothing to do with our families once we get in there.”
“He can say anything he wants about me, anything personal,” Pimblett concluded. “I can say anything personal about him. He can call me a blonde b—h all he wants, and I can call him a little midget sausage. That’s not bringing families into it, is it? So it’s all good.”
Pimblett is set to fight Justin Gaethje for the interim 155 pound belt at UFC 324 as Ilia Topuria goes through an ugly divorce with accusations of extortion and domestic abuse being thrown around. It would be really easy to get classless over the whole thing — see Bryce Mitchell’s comments on the situation for proof of that — but Pimblett has decided to take the high road.
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Jets fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
The Jets made a change this week. Defensive coordinator Steve Wilks was fired after a dreadful Week 15 performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The timing was a bit of a surprise. There are only three weeks left in the season. The game in Jacksonville was apparently ugly enough that Aaron Glenn did not want to wait.
Did the Jets make the right call firing Wilks? That is what we ask this week in our SB Nation Reacts survey. Tell us what you think by voting below. Also tell us whether you are confident in the team’s overall direction. We will bring you the results later in the week.
GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) — By resigning as chairman of troubled Scottish champion Celtic citing “abuse and threats” from fans, Peter Lawwell also must leave an influential position shaping the Champions League.
The European Football Clubs group — recently rebranded from its European Club Association name — said on Thursday it is “working with Peter to organize a smooth transition of his EFC roles and responsibilities.”
Lawwell was one of four vice chairmen working with EFC leader Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, and also sat on the board of UC3, the joint venture between the clubs and UEFA that decides the multi-billion dollar commercial strategy for the Champions League and other competitions.
Lawwell said on Wednesday he will leave Celtic, where he previously was CEO for 18 years, at the end of the month. Hours later Celtic’s turmoil deepened with a fourth straight loss for new coach Wilfried Nancy, who was hired from Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer.
Celtic fans have blamed Lawwell’s board for not spending more of its cash reserves on players in the offseason, then failing to qualify for the Champions League in August by losing a playoff to Kairat Almaty of Kazakhstan.
The team which won 13 of the past 14 Scottish league titles has slipped behind surprise leader Hearts and risks not qualifying for the knockout phase in the second-tier Europa League.
Lawwell said on Wednesday he and his family were targets of “intolerable” levels of “abuse and threats.”
“We wish Peter and his family all the very best for what comes next,” the EFC group said from Nyon, Switzerland.
As the countdown continues and excitement builds, we’re gaining a little more insight from Texas A&M HC Mike Elko on how his team is preparing for the program’s first CFP appearance.
A major part of the preparation this week was managing the long gap between their game against Texas and the upcoming matchup this weekend. One of the issues that surfaced was how it felt like they were pressing in the game against the Longhorns, and Coach Elko addressed this afterward. In a game with even more at stake, it’s crucial that the team understands the importance of not letting the moment overwhelm them.
The Aggies will face one of the most complete teams they’ve encountered, and the three weeks off have given them time to reset and study film to identify tendencies. This will be a close contest, and any edge they can find must be exploited at a high level.
Below is everything Coach Mike Elko shared during Wednesday’s press conference.
Texas A&M HC Mike Elko on third down success defensively
"I think we've found a rhythm at times to play and get people behind the chains. We've done a better job at creating havoc."
Coach Elko on his message to the team
"I don't know if you have conversations about 'don't make it bigger than it is.' Our kids understand the volume and the magnitude of it."
"It's what we've worked for, prepared for and trained for. Our job is to go out there on Saturday and put our brand on display."
Coach Elko on Cashius Howell
"He was in a rotational role, but as you recognized, we play three defensive ends pretty regularly. We play three defensive tackles pretty regularly... We view it as we have six starters."
"He impacted games last year, and I think he was caught a little bit behind three NFL Draft picks from a stature standpoint... He put in a ton of work this offseason to take his game to another level."
Coach Elko on recruiting Cashius Howell
"You're certainly not looking at production a ton when you're watching guys, but what you're trying to do is see a skill set in the film... What we saw with him was a high level of athleticism, a high level of twitch."
"That gave us the confidence that he could transition into this league and still do the same things from a production standpoint."
Coach Elko on navigating the last few weeks of practice
"We had a really good week last week. Last week for us was very similar to what we would have done in fall camp from a preparation standpoint with good-on-good."
"We've been able to get into this week and have a really good practice as if we were coming off a bye, which is how we've treated this week. ... We feel good with where our team is and where our kids are right now."
Coach Elko on speaking with colleagues about CFP prep
"More so from a planning standpoint than a what the game is like standpoint. Last year was the first year of the 12-team playoff, so a lot of guys had to go through this type of schedule. How they managed players, how they managed practices."
Coach Elko on how the WR coaching duties will be managed
"I think that you'll see John Perry take on a greater role with the wide receivers. That will be something that helps (Holmon) Wiggins take some off his plate... Wiggins will still be involved, for sure, but you want to allow him to focus on the overall unit and the playcalling duties."
Coach Elko on the Miami defense
"They do a really good job of mixing blitz and base. There are times when they allow their four-down kids to go to work."
"The two edge kids are as talented a pair as I've seen in college football in a really long time."
Coach Elko on whether Randy Bond will be the kicker for the game
"We'll make that decision on Saturday."
Coach Elko on the status of Le'Von Moss
"We'll keep it as wait-and-see and see how it goes."
Coach Elko on the progress of Noah Mikhail
"Noah (Mikhail) is going to be a really, really talented player. He has really grown this year with his confidence and ability... He brings a lot to the table when he's out there."
"We're really, really excited about his growth for now and what that's going to look like for the future."
Coach Elko on trying to stay true to their routine
"It's hard to stay consistent because it's the first time we've had three weeks between games... Obviously, you're not going to practice every day for three weeks."
"Our kids are at a really good place. I think we look really sharp and crisp at practice, so I'm excited with where we're at."
Coach Elko on managing all the changes while preparing for the CFP
"We've got a really good culture. We've got a really good organization. We've got a really good group of people. We've got an opportunity to go play in the playoffs, and Texas A&M has never done that."
Coach Elko on his team's mentality while getting ready for the game
"Every time you get into an opportunity like this, you get a chance to grow. Every time we get to play a meaningful game here at Texas A&M, it's an opportunity for us to grow."
Coach Elko on everyone locked in for the CFP
"This is a really big deal. It's a big deal for these kids. It's a big deal for our coaches. It's a big deal for our program."
"We haven't had anybody think about not playing in the College Football Playoff. Our kids are focused. Our coaches are focused."
No. 7-seed Texas A&M hosts the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes (10-2) in a CFP first-round game at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20, at Kyle Field. The game will be broadcast on ABC/ESPN.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on X: @whosnextsports1.
The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) announced its All-American Teams on Wednesday. For Nebraska, four Huskers were named. Andi Jackson, Harper Murray and Bergen Reilly made the first team and Rebekah Allick made the second team.
This brings Nebraska's nation-leading total to 111 all-time. This is Murray's and Reilly's third time named to the AVCA All-Americans, but their first time on the first team. Jackson made the first team for the second straight year, and Allick earned All-American accolades for the first time.
Murray made the first team following a career year. She led the Huskers by averaging 3.54 kills per set and a .295 attack percentage. Murray also averaged 2.16 digs and 0.60 blocks per set and hit a team-high 34 aces.
Jackson grabbed her second straight first team selection, along with AVCA Player of the Year Semifinalist, after averaging 2.74 kills per set, 1.12 blocks per set and a .467 hitting percentage. Jackson’s .467 hitting percentage currently leads the nation and is No. 3 in school history for a single season.
Reilly achieved her first-team accolade for the first time backed by a record-breaking year, helping the team set a school-record with a .351 hitting percentage on the year, exceeding the previous record by .020. This also led the nation and is the best hitting percentage by a Big Ten team since 2009.
Reilly also guided Nebraska to a school-record nine matches with a .400 or better hitting percentage this season in the rally-scoring era. She averaged 10.47 assists per set and 2.70 digs per set and totaled 73 kills, 67 blocks and 19 aces. Reilly also won Big Ten Player of the Year, AVCA Region Player of the Year, Big Ten Setter of the Year and First Team All-Big Ten.
Allick finished the year with her first AVCA All-American honor after being named All-Region three times. She also made first team All-Big Ten First Team. Allick received both after a massive season, earning 2.56 kills per set on .450 hitting with a team-high 1.27 blocks per set.
Her .450 ranks No. 4 for Nebraska's single-season mark and is also No. 4 in the country this season. Allick also finished her Husker career fifth in school history in career blocks in the rally-scoring era, racking up 543.
Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes and opinions.
UWCL DRAW: WSL trio learn of knockout fixtures in the Champions League
Barclays Women’s Super League trio Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United have learned of their opponents in the knockout stage of this season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League.
The draw for the remainder of this season’s competition took place at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland just a short time ago. The draw was streamed live via UEFA’s official media channels.
Arsenal and Manchester United went into the play-off draw while Chelsea will resume the competition in the quarter-finals.
The draw determined that Manchester United will play-off against Atlético Madrid over two legs while Arsenal have been handed a rematch with Belgian club OH Leuven. Both English clubs will be away from home in the first leg.
In the quarter-finals, Chelsea will face the winner of the OH Leuven and Arsenal tie. If Manchester United qualify, they would face German club FC Bayern Munich.
The play-off first legs will take place on 11/12 February 2026 with the second legs due to be staged on 18/19 February 2026 while the quarter-final first legs will take place on 24/25 March 2026 with the second legs due to be staged on 1/2 April 2026.
The semi-final first legs will take place on 25/26 April 2026 with the second legs being scheduled for 2/3 May 2026 while this season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League final will take place at the Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo, Norway on 23 May 2026.
2025/2026 UEFA Women’s Champions League Knockouts Draw
Play-Off 1 – Atlético Madrid v Manchester United
Play-Off 2 – Paris FC v Real Madrid
Play-Off 3 – OH Leuven v Arsenal
Play-Off 4 – VfL Wolfsburg v Juventus
Quarter-Final 1 – Winners of Play-Off 1 v FC Bayern Munich
Quarter-Final 2 – Winners of Play-Off 2 v FC Barcelona
Quarter-Final 3 – Winners of Play-Off 3 v Chelsea
Quarter-Final 4 – Winners of Play-Off 4 v OL Lyonnes
Semi-Final 1 – Winner of Quarter-Final 1 v Winner of Quarter-Final 2
Semi-Final 2 – Winner of Quarter-Final 3 v Winner of Quarter-Final 4
Final – Winner of Semi-Final 1 v Winner of Semi-Final 2
The writing may be on the wall for Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, and he may be giving hints as to what the future holds.
In the new episode of the New Heights podcast with his brother, Jason, Kelce’s wording surrounding the impact of quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ injury made fans pause after hearing it.
“He's gonna make sure he comes back stronger than ever ... hopefully the Chiefs can get him back as soon as possible,” Kelce said.
The part of the quote that caught fans' attention was how, instead of Kelce saying “we”, he chose to instead say “the Chiefs.” After retirement rumors following the 36-year-old all season, he may have just accidentally given fans the answer on whether this season will be his last.
It wouldn’t necessarily be a surprise at this point, as Mahomes’ ACL tear greatly changes the outlook of next season for the Chiefs. Kelce has been Mahomes’ most reliable pass catcher in Kansas City since the two first shared the field. If Mahomes misses at least a significant chunk of 2026, it’d be understandable if Kelce doesn’t want that to be his last season, instead choosing to hang up his cleats at this season’s end.
Although this season hasn’t gone to plan by any means in Kansas City, Kelce wouldn’t be leaving the game with his head down. He was selected in the third round of the 2013 draft by the Chiefs and played a significant role in bringing Kansas City three Super Bowl victories.
He’s made 10 consecutive Pro Bowls and has made seven All-Pro teams in his 13 years in the NFL. From 2016 to 2022, Kelce tallied over 1,000 receiving yards per season. Although the last couple of seasons have seen some regression, Kelce has maintained his status as one of football’s best tight ends.
Though a retirement for Kelce is undoubtedly deserved after playing over 200 games for the Chiefs, it doesn’t mean it won’t bring lots of hurt with it. With how disappointing 2025 has been for the Chiefs, it would be unfortunate to see Kelce’s last season ending in such a fashion. Still, Kelce’s legacy wouldn’t be remembered for this last season, but rather for his dominance at the tight end position for nearly a decade and his contribution to Kansas City as a whole.
Minnesota Wild - 20-9-5 - 45 Points - 7-2-1 in the last 10 - 3rd in the Central
Columbus Blue Jackets - 14-13-6 - 34 Points - 3-4-3 in the last 10 - 8th in the Metro
Blue Jackets Stats
Power Play - 18.5% - 18th in the NHL
Penalty Kill - 72.8% - 30th in the NHL
Goals For - 96 - 21st in the NHL
Goals Against - 114 - 29th in the NHL
Wild Stats
Power Play - 23.1% - 9th in the NHL
Penalty Kill - 79.0% - 28th in the NHL
Goals For - 101 - 16th in the NHL
Goals Against - 86 - 4th in the NHL
Series History vs. TheWild
Columbus is 33-28-1-7 all-time, and 19-11-1-2 at home vs. Minnesota.
The Jackets are 2-2-2 in the last 6 games vs. the Wild.
The CBJ beat the Wild 7-4 back on October 11th.
Who To Watch For TheWild
Kirill Kaprizov leads the Wild with 21 goals and 38 points.
Matt Boldy leads the team with 19 assists.
Newly acquired Quinn Hughes has 2 points in 2 games with the Wild.
Filip Gustavsson is 11-8-3 with a .912 SV%.
Goalie Jesper Wallstedt 9-1-2 with a .937 SV%.
CBJ Player Notes vs.Wild
Zach Werenski has 9 points in 14 games against the Wild.
Boone Jenner has 6 points in 16 games.
Sean Monahan has 15 points in 32 games vs. Minnesota.
Injuries
Erik Gudbranson - Upper Body - Missed 25 Games - IR - No timeline for a return
Mathieu Olivier - Upper Body - Missed 10 Games - IR- No timeline for a return
TOTAL MAN GAMES LOST: 65
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Bayern Munich is looking forward to a new year and a transfer window that promises additions to the squad — even without any signings.
That’s because Alphonso Davies, Jamal Musiala, and Hiroki Itō are all slated to make their returns. Davies has already begun coming off the bench in December and Itō made his first start of the year on Sunday vs. Mainz 05.
“We are very happy with our squad,” sporting director Christoph Freund stated in an early December press conference (as captured by @iMiaSanMia). “With Davies, Musiala, and Hiroki Itō, we essentially have three new signings who will greatly improve our squad depth.
“We had to be very cautious with the players in autumn. We are very satisfied with our squad and are looking forward to the three returning players; then we will be very well-equipped.”
Indeed, Bayern can be delighted with the strong first half of the campaign, given how thin the squad was at certain positions, as well as the fact that it came with no significant further injuries. The return of key players should set up an even stronger finish.
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…
The Titans signed Erick Hallett from the Detroit Lions practice squad and Sanoussi Kane from the Baltimore Ravens practice squad to replace them. If Dennard Wilson can help it, Hallett and Sanoussi won’t play defensive snaps versus the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 16. With that in mind, we’ve analyzed how the Titans can line up following all this shifting.
The @Titans have signed safeties Erick Hallett and Sanoussi Kane off practice squads of the @Lions and @Ravens, respectively.
Safeties Kevin Winston Jr., Xavier Woods and Mike Brown have all been placed on season-ending Injured Reserve.
Darrell Baker Jr. will continue serving as the Titans’ No. 1 cornerback. That’s been the case since Jalyn Armour-Davis suffered an Achilles injury. There’s no indication that Armour-Davis is ready to return, even though he hasn’t been placed on IR. Baker Jr. will definitely continue starting outside.
Outside CB: Kaiir Elam
Cornerback Kaiir Elam stepped into the lineup opposite Baker Jr. following the injury to Woods. Elam, a 2022 first-round bust of the Buffalo Bills, played 24 snaps outside. He figures to earn the start outside unless Armour-Davis returns.
Nickel: Marcus Harris
Rookie Marcus Harris had initially been playing nickel when he entered the lineup following the Roger McCreary trade. The Titans then shifted him to outside due to injuries, with Winston Jr. playing the nickel. Well, Harris figures to be a permanent fixture inside again given that the Titans have healthier options at boundary corner.
Safety: Amani Hooker
The Titans’ best defensive backfield player is Amani Hooker. He’s been a long-term fixture at safety, though he momentarily took over the nickel position last weekend following the injury to Winston. Hooker quickly moved back to safety after Woods left injured, and he figures to stay at his most familiar position versus the Chiefs.
Safety: Kendell Brooks
Kendell Brooks played a hefty 56 snaps at safety against the 49ers. With three injuries at safety, and Kane/Hallett being new additions, Brooks figures to stay at safety opposite Hooker. He’s been an on-again, off-again member of the practice squad since 2024.
Barcelona in no rush to renew veteran star’s contract despite transfer noise
According to a report from MARCA, despite growing noise around Robert Lewandowski’s future, Barcelona remain remarkably calm about the forward’s contract renewal.
At present, Barcelona have not taken any concrete steps towards renewing Lewandowski’s deal.
This is not due to a lack of respect or confidence in the forward, but rather an approach based on several key factors.
The club is noting that he will turn 38 next season, and age is playing a significant role in their thinking.
Alongside that, his physical condition is being closely monitored, especially after he has already suffered two injuries during the current campaign.
Barcelona in no rush
Barcelona are in no rush to decide Lewandowski’s future. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
As such, Barcelona want to see how the rest of the season unfolds before making any final call.
Performance levels, physical response, and availability will all weigh heavily in the final decision. For now, there is no urgency from the club, as no formal talks have been initiated.
One key element that is working in Barcelona’s favour is the internal competition within the squad. The ongoing battle between Lewandowski and Ferran Torres for attacking minutes has raised the overall level of both players.
With a renewal still undecided, motivation remains high, and that competitive tension is seen as healthy for the team.
From a financial point of view, the situation is also favourable. La Liga’s updated regulations would allow Barcelona to renew Lewandowski without his salary counting towards Financial Fair Play limits.
Even so, the club is not allowing financial flexibility alone to dictate sporting decisions. The sporting director wants a full picture before committing.
WASHINGTON — Ani Kilambi is joining the Nationals as their new general manager, a person with knowledge of the move told The Associated Press on Wednesday, making the 31-year-old who had been with the Philadelphia Phillies the latest young face to join president of baseball operations Paul Toboni in Washington.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because Kilambi’s hiring had not been announced yet.
The news was first reported by ESPN.
Kilambi has been an assistant general manager for the Phillies, working with that club since 2021.
Before that, he was with the Tampa Bay Rays for more than five years.
Kilambi takes over a job that was held for more than a decade and a half by Mike Rizzo, who became the GM in Washington in 2009 and added the title of president of baseball operations in 2013. Rizzo was fired in July during the Nationals’ sixth consecutive losing season. Manager Dave Martinez also was fired then.
Rizzo and Martinez were in charge in 2019 when the Nationals won the World Series, but the team hasn’t had a winning year since. Washington went 66-96 in 2025, putting it 14th out of 15 clubs in the National League.
Mike DeBartolo took over as interim GM after Rizzo was let go and oversaw the selection of 17-year-old high school shortstop Eli Willits with the No. 1 pick in Major League Baseball’s amateur draft in July.
Toboni, 35, then was hired in late September to run the Nationals; he had been an assistant GM with the Boston Red Sox. He brought in manager Blake Butera, who at 33 became the youngest skipper in the majors since the 1970s.
There is plenty of work to be done to turn around the Nationals, who are in need of plenty of talent and depth as they try to replenish their major league roster and minor league supply of prospects.
Toboni’s first move in free agency came Monday, when Washington agreed to terms with left-handed pitcher Foster Griffin on a $5.5 million, one-year contract, pending the successful completion of a physical exam. Griffin played in Japan the past three seasons.
Supercoppa Italiana Taboo – Cristian Chivu Must Defy Two Negative Trends To Clinch First Managerial Title
Inter Milan manager Cristian Chivu has set his sights on winning his first Supercoppa Italiana title as coach.
According to Tuttosport via FCInterNews, the 45-year-old must buck two negative trends to achieve that goal.
The Nerazzurri will face Bologna in a handsomely-looking semi-final tie tomorrow night.
Despite Inter’s pre-match favoritism, they cannot take the Rossoblu lightly, especially after a 1-0 defeat in their last meeting in April.
Ominously, that result forms part of Inter’s underwhelming run of only one win from their last six clashes against Vincenzo Italiano’s side.
Inter Milan Boss Cristian Chivu Faces Tough Task Winning Supercoppa Italiana Trophy
MILAN, ITALY – AUGUST 25: Cristian Chivu, Head Coach of Internazionale, gestures during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Torino FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on August 25, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Beating Bologna is only the first step.
Indeed, the Nerazzurri would face either AC Milan or Napoli in the title-deciding fixture.
However, Chivu’s charges have underperformed in almost every high-stakes match this season.
Except for a 1-0 win at Roma, they’ve lost all five remaining games against elite clubs.
Furthermore, Milan and Napoli have already beaten Inter this season in Serie A, highlighting the size of the task awaiting Chivu’s team.
While the 2025 F1 season has just concluded, all sights are now set on the next campaign and the biggest shake-up in Formula One’s rules in at least a decade.
New engine and chassis regulations threaten to alter the pecking order in the sport, after McLaren won both world championships in 2025 ahead of Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari.
Aston Martin and Williams have long had 2026 in their targets for a potential ascension to the top of the sport, while new teams in Audi and Cadillac will be eyeing strong starts when the cars hit the racetrack for the first time in Australia on 8 March.
The prototype 2026 F1 car, which will include a host of new mechanisms (Formula 1)
Yet within a whole raft of complex regulation changes, F1 has moved to simplify the terminology used by pundits, commentators and reporters alike to clarify the new systems at play next year.
The Independent now takes you through the new mechanisms for the drivers at the wheel:
Overtake mode
This will replace DRS (Drag Reduction System), the rear-wing flap mechanism which is being ditched after 15 years.
Yet the premise will be the same: overtake mode will deploy extra power to aid an overtaking manoeuvre for any car within one second of the car in front. However, there will be only one detection point on the circuit.
The power can be used all in one go – or spread over the course of an entire lap.
Boost mode
This can be used by any driver in any situation and is an energy deployment tool from the ERS (Energy Recovery System), giving the driver maximum power from the engine and battery at the push of a button.
It can be used anywhere on track, in offence to aid an overtake or in defence to thwart a manoeuvre from behind.
Formula 1 and the @fia have today revealed the 2026 Technical Regulations.
2026 will see both the chassis and power units updated, in the biggest overhaul of regulations in the sport’s history. These changes will shake up the order and create new excitement, while delivering… pic.twitter.com/zRxRl0sI4f
For the first time, F1 has introduced dynamically adjustable angles for the front and rear wings, changing automatically depending on whether the driver is on a straight or in a corner.
The wings will open (reducing drag) on the straights and close (increasing downforce) in the corners, with the cars operating in X (straight) mode or Z (corner) mode respectively. It is hoped this will maximise the full usage of the car’s power through greater on-track grip.
Overall, downforce has been reduced by 15-30% for 2026, as a result of the cars losing the ground-effect floor tunnels used in the 2022-2025 regulation cycle.
Recharge
Drivers can recharge their battery, mainly in three different ways:
Recovered energy from braking
Throttle lift at the end of straights (lift and coast)
When applying partial power in corners
Front wings and rear wings will adjust automatically depending on if the car is on a straight or in a corner (F1)
What are all the regulation changes?
F1, or F1’s governing body the FIA, refreshing their regulations is nothing new, with the last major rule-change taking place in 2022. Yet the scale of these latest modifications are significant – and perhaps the biggest shift in the sport’s history.
Summary of technical changes
Chassis and aerodynamics:
Smaller and lighter: Wheelbase reduced by 200mm (to 3400mm), width by 100mm (to 1900mm),floor width cut by 150mm and minimum weight down 30kg (to 770kg), all designed to make thecars more agile and responsive.
Reduced Downforce: Overall downforce reduced by ~15-30% from removed ground-effect floortunnels.
Reduced drag: Overall drag reduced by 40%.
Active aerodynamics: Movable front and rear wings replace Drag Reduction System (DRS) for highand low downforce configurations, enabling extra grip and speed where the drivers need it most.
Tyres: 18-inch wheels remain, but front tyres are 25mm narrower with rears 30mm narrower,cutting drag and minimising weight.
Power unit:
50/50 Split: Shift to a balanced 50% internal combustion (ICE) and 50% electric power.
Simplified Hybrid: MGU-H removed; MGU-K power increased significantly (120kW to 350kW) forenhanced overtaking and straight-line speed.
Sustainable Fuel: Cars will run on advanced sustainable fuel without impacting the performance.
The most significant aspect is the engine/power unit: the MGU-H, which recovered energy from the exhaust and turbo, has been removed and now there will be a near 50/50 split between internal combustion power and electric power.
The actual engine is still a 1.6-litre V6 turbo hybrid, yet the proportion of power produced by the hybrid aspect of the engine has been doubled to approximately 50%. The increase in electrical power overall is nearly 300%.
In addition, every team will run alternative sustainable fuel – as F1 works towards their net-zero target by 2030 – on their cars, which will be 30kg lighter to 768kg, 20cm smaller in length and 10cm narrower. Naturally, this should help the racing on tight circuits.
Yet these changes also have an impact on the aerodynamics, which is where we say farewell to the DRS (drag reduction system) rear-wing we’ve had in the sport since 2011.
Instead, it will be replaced by ‘overtake mode which gives a temporary boost in hybrid power. The ground-effect cars of the last four years, much criticised by the drivers for how difficult it was to follow, have been binned, but the front and rear wings will now be movable automatically.
Cars will have two modes at all times: X (straight) mode and Z (corner) mode.
X mode means the drivers can open the front and rear wing flaps at certain points on the racetrack, mostly straights, to increase speed by reducing drag. Z mode means those flaps will be closed, generating more downforce through the corners.
There are concerns, though, that drivers will be forced to ‘lift and coast’ – not having the foot hard down on the accelerator on the straights – in order to recover energy. Hardly ideal in a sport which is meant to showcase the quickest single-seater cars in the world.
MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Mohamed Salah has gone for up to a month, costing Liverpool its all-time leading goal-scorer in the Premier League.
Manchester United has lost its most potent attacking force in Bryan Mbeumo, along with two more key figures.
They're nothing compared to Sunderland, a promoted team punching above its weight in England's top flight. It has been decimated by the loss of six players.
The Africa Cup of Nations is taking a toll on the Premier League, with some of its biggest stars heading off to the tournament situated right in the middle of the season.
It is unfortunate that AFCON can be cast as a nuisance for many clubs in Europe — though international soccer in general can be viewed like that when pitted against club ambitions of winning titles. But at least the World Cup, European Championship or Copa America are staged during the offseason of Europe's top leagues.
AFCON is traditionally held in January-February but has been brought forward this year — from Sunday to Jan. 18 — meaning less disruption for leagues in Spain, Germany and France, which have winter breaks of varying periods in December-January.
The Premier League, however, plays through the Christmas and New Year holidays, with the added strain of the FA Cup thrown into one of the busiest periods of the campaign.
The likes of Liverpool and United should have deep enough squads to cope with the loss of key players such as Salah and Mbeumo. But it could have a major impact on Sunderland, which is just two points off the top four after an outstanding start to the season.
Arthur Masuaku, Noah Sadiki, Bertrand Traore, Habib Diarra, Chemsdine Talbi and Reinildo Mandava are all taking part in the Africa Cup in Morocco.
Sunderland is an outlier with so many going to the tournament but for Crystal Palace the loss of just one player — Ismaila Sarr — is potentially significant, given his importance to the team. Likewise, Brighton is losing key midfielder Carlos Baleba.
Burnley, second to bottom in the standings, is losing three players and so is Fulham.
Notably, at the top of the table, Arsenal has no players in the AFCON, likewise title-challenging Aston Villa and Chelsea, which could be telling over the next month.
Premier League players going to AFCON
Brentford: Dango Ouattara (Burkina Faso), Frank Onyeka (Nigeria)
Brighton: Carlos Baleba (Cameroon)
Burnley: Axel Tuanzebe (DR Congo), Hannibal Mejbri (Tunisia), Lyle Foster (South Africa)
Crystal Palace: Ismaila Sarr (Senegal)
Everton: Idrissa Gana Gueye (Senegal), Iliman Ndiaye (Senegal)
Fulham: Calvin Bassey (Nigeria), Samuel Chukwueze (Nigeria), Alex Iwobi (Nigeria)
Liverpool: Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
Manchester City: Rayan Ait-Nouri (Algeria), Omar Marmoush (Egypt)
On Saturday, first-place Arsenal travels to Everton, while City in second is at home against West Ham. Liverpool will look to win back-to-back league games for the first time since September when the defending champion heads to Tottenham.
Aston Villa and United meet on Sunday.
Players to watch
Hugo Ekitike has scored four goals in his last two league games. With Salah off to the AFCON, Liverpool's other forwards can establish themselves without the noise that has surrounded the Anfield icon in recent weeks when his future has been placed in doubt.
Out of action
United States international Tyler Adams suffered suspected left knee MCL damage in Bournemouth's 4-4 draw with United on Monday. Chelsea forward Estevao has a small muscle issue, coach Enzo Maresca said. Everton was monitoring a potential hamstring complaint for Jack Grealish.
Off the field
Expect more protests at last-place Wolves.
Bottom of the standings and looking certain to be relegated, Wolves will equal Sheffield United's 2020-21 record of 17 games without a win from the start of a Premier League season if they fail to beat Brentford at home on Saturday.
There were protests at Wolves' last home match against Manchester United this month and, despite a spirited performance at Arsenal last week, Rob Edwards' team is 14 points adrift of safety.
Tickets for the match between Girona B and RCD Espanyol B, which will take place on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at 12:00 pm at the Montilivi stadium, will be available starting Monday.
The match comes at a key moment in the season, with Girona B fighting for the top positions in the group, and against a highly demanding opponent, in a very special Catalan derby that promises a great morning of football.
Members, free at the ticket office
Entry for Girona FC members is free by collecting it at the Club's ticket office. The ticket office will be open from Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 2 pm and from 3 pm to 6 pm, as well as on the day of the match, from 10 am until halftime. Additionally, each member can purchase up to 5 additional tickets for family or friends.
If downloading the ticket online, through the usual link (http://www.gironafc.cat/entrades), a fee of €2.50 will be charged for management expenses.
Open areas and prices
For this match, the Gol and Tribuna areas of Montilivi will be open, with the following prices:
Gol: €10
Tribuna: €20
The Club calls on all Girona members and fans to come to Montilivi and support Girona B in a match marked by the Christmas atmosphere and the competitive importance of the duel.
Julia Casadevall, protagonist of the seventh episode of the second season
The skater from Olot has visited the red-and-white locker room to star in a new episode of the Girona podcast. Júlia, world champion in skating with CPA Olot on numerous occasions, participated in the initial advertising campaign of Orgull Gironí.
In this episode, the skater reviews her career, the world of artistic skating, and her connection with the province of Girona.
“We have a very respectful rivalry with Girona, when we compete abroad, the unity between Catalan teams is noticeable”
She explains that despite being rivals, when competing abroad, Catalan teams come together to cheer each other on.
“Even if we fall during a performance, we are very used to getting up and finishing as if nothing had happened”
She emphasizes the importance of not giving up on a performance in any of the competitions in which she and her team participate.
The episode, available on YouTube and SpotifyThe seventh episode of the second season of the podcast Orgull Gironí, was released this Tuesday, December 16, on YouTube Podcast and Spotify Podcast. The program airs on the first and third week of each month, always on Tuesdays.
Having a clear idea of which teams are most likely to keep a clean sheet in each round of Premier League fixtures is crucial when making transfers or setting your lineup.
Below is a breakdown of the clean sheet probabilities for all 20 Premier League clubs in gameweek 17, along with their next fixture:
FPL GW17 Clean Sheet Odds
Man City – 48% clean sheet odds vs West Ham (H)
Arsenal – 47% clean sheet odds vs Everton (A)
Bournemouth – 43% clean sheet odds vs Burnley (H)
Brighton – 41% clean sheet odds vs Sunderland (H)
Brentford – 35% clean sheet odds vs Wolves (A)
Fulham – 34% clean sheet odds vs Notts Forest (H)
Crystal Palace – 31% clean sheet odds vs Leeds (A)
Leeds – 31% clean sheet odds vs Crystal Palace (H)
Kentucky football is expected to be a player in the recruitment of Florida State transfer cornerback Ja’Brill Rawls, according to Jacob Polacheck of KSR, as the Wildcats continue to reshape their roster through the transfer portal. Rawls, a former three-star recruit out of Pensacola, Florida, spent three seasons in Tallahassee and enters the portal with two years of eligibility remaining.
Rawls played in seven games during the 2025 season for Florida State, emerging as one of the Seminoles’ more productive defenders despite a challenging year for the program. He finished the season with 40 total tackles, two tackles for loss, one interception, and one forced fumble. Florida State struggled to a 5–7 record, but Rawls consistently flashed playmaking ability in the secondary before an injury sidelined him for the final four games of the season.
Coming out of high school, Rawls was viewed as a versatile defensive back with physical tools and upside, traits that translated into steady development during his time with the Seminoles. His experience in a Power Four program and proven production make him an intriguing option for programs looking to add immediate help in the defensive backfield.
For Kentucky, Rawls would fit a growing emphasis on athleticism and experience on the defensive side of the ball as the Wildcats look to reload for the upcoming season. With two years left to play, Rawls offers both short-term impact potential and longer-term stability in the secondary.
As the portal process continues, Kentucky is expected to remain firmly in the mix as Rawls weighs his next move.
Report: Chelsea eyeing January move to sign Man United midfielder
Chelsea midfield strain exposes long term planning challenge
Chelsea’s immediate calm in the transfer market masks a longer, more structural concern at the heart of the team. As reported by The Telegraph, “Chelsea’s recruitment for 2026 will centre heavily around boosting the club’s midfield options and easing the load placed on Moisés Caicedo and Enzo Fernández.” It is a statement that reflects a season of reliance rather than rotation, with necessity driving selection rather than preference.
Photo IMAGO
The club “do not expect to be able to use the January transfer window to improve their squad,” barring injuries or opportunity. Instead, attention has shifted decisively towards next summer, with groundwork already being laid behind the scenes.
Minutes tell their own story at Stamford Bridge
The numbers are hard to ignore. “Of Chelsea’s outfield players, only Marc Cucurella has played more Premier League minutes than Fernández,” while Caicedo has logged “almost 1,000 league minutes despite missing the last three games through suspension.” This burden has forced tactical improvisation, with head coach Enzo Maresca “playing right backs Reece James and Malo Gusto in midfield to help cover for injuries to Roméo Lavia and Dário Essugo.”
Photo IMAGO
It is not a sustainable solution. Caicedo’s workload continues to rise, highlighted by the fact that “Caicedo played the full 90 minutes of Chelsea’s Carabao Cup quarter final against Cardiff City on Tuesday night” and is expected, alongside Fernández, to start again against Newcastle United.
Transfer market lessons and lingering interest
Chelsea’s midfield thinking is shaped by recent near misses. The club “have previously shown an interest in Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo and looked at signing Adam Wharton from Blackburn Rovers before he joined Crystal Palace.” The Telegraph also note competition, with United tracking Wharton, Brighton’s Carlos Baleba and Nottingham Forest’s “£100m rated England star Elliot Anderson.”
Photo IMAGO
Having spent heavily already, “having spent more than £100m each on Fernández and Caicedo,” Chelsea now face a strategic fork. Do they spend big again or identify a midfielder “whose value could quickly increase.” That question will define their 2026 approach.
Defensive options and attacking focus remain fluid
Midfield is not the only consideration. Chelsea “could also make a move for a central defender,” depending on how Levi Colwill returns from injury and whether departures materialise. Loaned defenders Mamadou Sarr and Aarón Anselmino will also be reviewed.
Our View – EPL Index Analysis
If you’re a Chelsea fan, there is comfort in knowing the club recognise the strain placed on Caicedo and Fernández. Both have been immense, but watching them accumulate minutes week after week has felt like tempting fate. Injuries elsewhere have exposed a lack of midfield depth that does not align with Chelsea’s long term ambitions.
Fans will welcome the clarity that a midfielder is coming in 2026, but there will be concern about waiting too long. January restraint may be pragmatic, yet supporters have seen seasons drift when overuse leads to fatigue. The use of James and Gusto in midfield has been inventive, but it underlines a deeper issue rather than solving it.
There is also scepticism about another huge fee. After spending more than £100m twice, many fans would prefer smarter recruitment, someone ready to contribute but still developing. The Mainoo and Wharton references sting, reminders of opportunities missed. Ultimately, Chelsea supporters want balance. Protect the stars already here, reduce the dependency, and ensure next season is built on rotation and resilience rather than survival.
Agent Of Dinamo Zagreb Winger Confirms Inter Milan Interest: “They Are Following Him, But They’re Not Alone”
Dinamo Zagreb winger Moris Valincic has emerged as one of several potential candidates to replace Denzel Dumfries at Inter Milan.
Speaking to Sportske Novosti via FCInterNews, Valincic’s agent, Adrian Aliaj, confirmed Inter’s interest in his client.
Denzel Dumfries underwent ankle surgery on Tuesday and could remain on the sidelines until the beginning of March.
With Luis Henrique unable to rediscover his Marseille form, Cristian Chivu is desperate to add to his wingback options.
Therefore, Inter Milan are frantically searching for a new reliable right-winger to replace the Dutch talisman.
Several names have popped up, including Moris Valincic.
Indeed, the 23-year-old, who swapped Istra 1961 for Dinamo Zagreb in the summer, has drawn Beppe Marotta’s attention.
However, the San Siro heavyweights are assessing other options, including Brooke Norton-Cuffy and Marco Palestra.
Furthermore, Inter are not the only Italian side interested in Valincic, who’s currently on the sidelines with an ankle sprain.
Agent of Moris Valincic Confirms Inter Milan Interest
LUGANO, SWITZERLAND – JULY 12: FC Internazionale Sport CEO Giuseppe Marotta during Pre-season Friendly between FC Lugano v FC Internazionale at Cornaredo Stadium on July 12, 2022 in Lugano, Switzerland. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“Inter, Milan, Lazio, and especially Napoli are interested in Moris, but none of them has made an offer yet,” Valincic’s agent said.
“Two clubs said about a month and a half ago that they wanted to close the deal in the winter and leave him at Dinamo until the summer.
“The same happened with Petar Sucic last year.
“However, the injury slowed things down, and they stopped halfway.
“At the moment, I think a winter transfer is not an option. He needs to come back, and objectively, it’s right for that to happen in the summer.
“It’s not realistic for Valinčić to replace Denzel Dumfries in January if he were to be sidelined for a longer period due to injury, because Moris also needs more time.
“I wouldn’t want to force things. If Inter really want someone this winter, Moris included, it will cost them a lot.
“The player is ready to stay at Dinamo until the summer and then move to Italy.
“I’ve been in contact with several Serie A clubs.”
Agent Names Valincic Price Tag Amid Inter Milan Interest
VERONA, ITALY – NOVEMBER 23: Giuseppe Marotta of FC Internazionale during the Serie A match between Verona and FC Internazionale at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on November 23, 2024 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
“As for Dumfries, the Dutchman will most likely not renew his contract with Inter,” he added.
“In all this, it’s very important that Petar Sučić left a great impression; with his performances at that club, he opened the door for Dinamo players.
“That’s why they’ve been tracking Valinčić for a long time. So yes, there is interest, the player is liked, but the decision is still a long way off.
“It’s too early to say which of the clubs mentioned above will finalize the transfer in the end.
“Serie A is definitely our goal, both for me and for Valinčić.”
Then, he also discussed the Croatian star’s price tag.
“The transfer fee will be whatever someone is willing to offer, and if you ask me, in principle, Moris’ price is around €16–18 million.
“I believe we can reach those figures. He could become the most expensive right-back ever to leave Croatia.
“However, many factors determine the price. It’s constantly evolving and can change easily.
“It depends on how Moris returns after the injury, how Dinamo perform, and in the end, there’s always something to negotiate.”
The television network that televised the least-watched college football bowl game last season is still so bullish on bowl games that it might want to buy the rights to televise more of them.
The CW Network has broadcasted only two bowl games in its history – the Arizona Bowl in 2023 and 2024. Last year’s game attracted 567,000 viewers on average, which ranked last among all bowl games but is still such a good audience that the network confirmed to USA TODAY Sports this month that yes, it is interested in adding more bowl games to its programming.
“The bowl system has always been a market-driven system,” said Nick Carparelli, executive director of Bowl Season, which promotes bowl games. “No one's telling anybody they have to host a bowl game. No one's telling schools they have to play in bowl games. The number of bowl games that exist today are a function of the marketplace.”
This year, that marketplace features 41 major college football bowl games, including six that are part of the College Football Playoff. That’s up from 18 bowl games in the 1995-96 season and 28 in the 2005-06 schedule. All but three of those 41 bowl games will be televised by ESPN or ABC, both owned by The Walt Disney Company.
But there are reasons for concern - or not, depending on the viewpoint and the business model of the game. For example, the Holiday Bowl in San Diego this year looked into moving its game to Saudi Arabia for more money. The LA Bowl opened the major college bowl season on Dec. 13 but told USA TODAY Sports this week it hasn’t decided yet if it will continue.
“With college football postseason in flux, we are continuing to evaluate our options,” the game said in a statement.
More bowl game disruptions on the way
The bowl system endured some jolting disturbances this year, with more likely to come as college football evolves to a more professional model with changing rules. Notre Dame decided not to play in a bowl game after getting left out of the 12-team playoff with a 10-2 record. The Big 12 Conference issued a $500,000 fine to Iowa State and Kansas State after they also decided not to play in bowl games.
Star players have been opting not to play in them for years to reduce their injury risk before the NFL draft or entering the transfer portal. Now the playoff might expand beyond 12 teams, further reducing the stature of bowl games that aren’t included in the format that decides a national champion.
All of which raises the question that some have been asking for the last 30 years.
Are there finally too many bowl games?
The answer to that is generally no if the television audience for even the least-watched game is big enough for ESPN or another network to want to pay for them.
The supply of teams remains steady, too, even though some bowls had to scramble to fill spots more than usual. For every team declining an invitation, there were others willing to replace them. Mississippi State, Appalachian State and Rice all had 5-7 records but accepted bowl invitations to make up for the teams that opted out.
Mississippi State coach Jeff Lebby called it a “no-brainer” to accept a surprise bowl bid for his team.
“There’s a ton of positives,” he said, citing more practice time for his team and a trip to the Duke’s Mayo Bowl to play Wake Forest on Jan. 2.
ESPN will televise that game in prime time on a Friday night – illustrating another reason why Disney will keep bowl games in bountiful supply even if 11 of the 82 bowl teams this year have 6-6 records and three are 5-7.
Disney loves bowl games
ESPN and ABC have made postseason bowl games a signature part of their holiday programming during the final two weeks of the year and beyond. The only three bowl games not televised by Disney channels this year will be on Fox (Holiday Bowl), The CW (Arizona Bowl) and CBS (Sun Bowl).
ESPN Events, a division of ESPN, also owns 16 major college bowl games, including the Myrtle Beach Bowl, New Mexico Bowl and Hawaii Bowl. All ESPN-owned bowls are lower-tier games that might not sell many tickets but still get big audiences on television or streaming to help bring in advertising revenue and subscriber fees for the company during the holiday season
ESPN started buying bowl games in 2001 when it purchased the Las Vegas Bowl. By 2006, it increased its portfolio to five bowl games.
The company kept buying them for a reason: It’s good business for them.
‘Better than endless college basketball’
For example, ESPN Events owned the Bahamas Bowl in the Bahamas, which drew only 4,610 fans in person for its last game on Jan. 4, 2025, when Buffalo beat Liberty 26-7.
That was the lowest attendance in Bahamas Bowl history, but it still got an average audience on ESPN of 1.14 million, according to Nielsen.
By contrast, a college basketball game that night between Michigan and Southern California on Fox got an average audience of 540,000.
“It’s probably not the business it used to be, but still, for a network like ESPN it is better than endless college basketball,” former Fox Sports Networks president Bob Thompson told USA TODAY Sports. “Given ESPN owns the bulk of these games, as long as they want a bridge to the playoff games, bowls will exist.”
Playoff expansion last year from four to 12 teams also didn’t hurt this part of their business. Bowl game viewership on Disney channels actually got bigger last year. Their 33 non-playoff bowl games averaged 2.7 million viewers, marking a 14% increase from the year before and their largest audience since 2019-20, according to ESPN, which declined an interview for this story.
In addition to the bowl games, ESPN also will televise two of the four first-round playoff games on Dec. 19 and 20, plus the national championship Jan. 19.
That doesn’t mean every bowl game will survive, however
College football bowl games have come and gone throughout history. The San Francisco Bowl and Poinsettia Bowl in San Diego have ceased operations in the last decade. ESPN recently replaced the Bahamas Bowl with another another bowl game in Frisco, Texas, where there are now two bowl games in a stadium that seats only 12,000, both owned by ESPN Events – the Xbox Bowl on Dec. 18 and the Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl on Dec. 23.
But the bowl games that aren’t owned by ESPN have a different business model and do rely on revenue from ticket sales, sponsorships and television rights fees, which usually come from Disney. They don’t have the financial backing of a massive media company like Disney and don’t generate revenue from television advertising or subscriber fees like Disney.
There are 25 bowl games not owned by ESPN
Of those, 22 are owned by local nonprofit organizations, including the Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, Holiday Bowl, Independence Bowl and Arizona Bowl. The other three are owned by pro sports teams or their ownership groups: the GameAbove Sports Bowl in Detroit (owned by the Detroit Lions), the Pinstripe Bowl in New York (New York Yankees) and LA Bowl.
Those games might not be in business very long if they only drew 5,000 in the Bahamas or 12,000 in Frisco like those ESPN-owned games have.
“The combination of an expanded playoff, top players opting out, and now teams opting out, have seriously diminished the bowl industry,” said Gary Cavalli, former executive director of the now-defunct bowl game in San Francisco. “If the playoff expands further, say to 16 teams with no first-round byes, it'll get even worse. Bowl crowds have been falling in recent years because of those factors, resulting in a situation where bowl games are now primarily television inventory.”
It's one reason the LA Bowl is considering its future after drawing another sparse crowd at SoFi Stadium Dec. 13, when Washington beat Boise State, 38-10. The announced attendance was 23,269, but some estimated it to be much lower in a stadium that seats about 70,000.
The Holiday Bowl example
In another example, the Holiday Bowl is owned by a local nonprofit. It reported a budget deficit of $34,000 in the fiscal year ending in 2024, down from the $663,000 budget deficit it had in 2023, according to tax records.
This year, the Holiday Bowl even explored moving the game to Saudi Arabia to get more funding. It didn’t work out, but the game had to wait a few hours to fill one of its slots after Notre Dame bowed out of consideration. It also didn’t land title sponsor Trust & Will until Dec. 7, the same day bowl selections were made..
The Holiday Bowl is set for Jan. 2, when SMU faces Arizona in a stadium that seats 35,000. The game’s executive director, Mark Neville, wasn’t available for comment this week.
“The system's not perfect,” Carparelli said. “But there's still a lot of value and a lot of interest.”
The Sugar Bowl example
That’s especially true for the bigger bowl games that are part of the playoff, whose broadcast rights are owned by ESPN at a price of $7.8 billion from 2026 through 2021-2032.
Take the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, which will be played as a playoff quarterfinal Jan. 1 and also is owned by a local nonprofit. It had a budget surplus of $6.4 million in fiscal 2024, when Washington beat Texas in a playoff semifinal, according to tax records. The game’s executive director, Jeff Hundley, earned $983,000 in compensation that year, the most recent year available.
“The top games that can get great matchups … will probably be OK,” Cavalli said. “It’s the middle guys that make the high payouts to the conferences (for teams) and don't get the elite teams that will probably be in trouble.”
Even then, there are certain TV companies out there that might be interested in bailing them out or buying them as long as viewership numbers make it worthwhile.
Eddie Howe's Newcastle reached the League Cup semifinals in midweek by beating Fulham 2-1, but they lost 1-0 at bitter rivals Sunderland last weekend and are in the bottom half of the table. But such is the congested nature of the table, a few wins over the festive period will see Newcastle surge up towards the European spots. They certainly have the quality to do that but a ruthless edge has just been missing this season.
Chelsea also reached the League Cup semifinals in midweek by beating third-tier Cardiff City, but the scrutiny around their manager Enzo Maresca is the talking point right now. After their routine home win against Everton last weekend Maresca, totally unprompted, described the previous few days as the “worst 48 hours” of his time in charge of Chelsea. He said that was because he and his players weren't supported. But given multiple opportunities in the press he has not clarified who he is referring to but has said he is happy with the fans. That has opened up a can of worms off the pitch and on it Chelsea are eight points off the top of the table after a bad run of results to kick off December. They need a positive festive period to push themselves back into the title conversation.
For live updates and highlights throughout Newcastle vs Chelsea, check out PST's live blog coverage below.
How to watch Newcastle vs Chelsea live, stream link and start time
Kick off time:7:30am ET Saturday (December 20) Venue:St James' Park — Newcastle TV Channel: USA Streaming: Watch live on NBC.com
Newcastle team news, focus
Yoane Wissa has made his long-awaited return from injury and scored in the midweek win against Fulham, which is a big boost for the Magpies. Goalkeeper Nick Pope remains out, while Newcastle are light on defenders with Dan Burn joining Sven Botman, Kieran Trippier and Emil Krafth on the injury list. We can expect Tonali, Woltemade, Gordon and Elanga to start after they were on the bench for the League Cup win against Fulham.
Chelsea team news, focus
The Blues are without Romeo Lavia, Estevao, Liam Delap and Dario Essugo through injury, while Maresca rotated heavily for the midweek League Cup win. Cole Palmer scored in the win against Everton last weekend and he will start as Chelsea's entire attacking unit clicks better when he's in the team.
Newcastle vs Chelsea prediction
This always seems like a tough match-up for Chelsea, but I'm going for them to get a big win. Newcastle 1-3 Chelsea.
The Lions' two-headed monster in the backfield has been a key ingredient to Detroit's rise to prominence over the past three seasons.
But, it's been almost exclusively the Jahmyr Gibbs show over the past five games for Detroit (8-6). Veteran Lions running back David Montgomery hasn't registered double-figure carries in a game since logging 15 rushes for 71 yards in Detroit's 44-22 win at Washington on Nov. 9.
On Wednesday, Lions head coach Dan Campbell commented on Montgomery's dwindling usage, acknowledging that it must be hard on the 28-year-old. Campbell said finding ways to get Montgomery touches remains a priority.
"Every good player wants their chance to help the team win and get some production, so I know it can't be easy. I know it's not easy, but he's a pro. He handles his business and goes about it, and whenever you call his number, he's ready to go.
"It is something I think about a lot, is how do we get them all involved? He's one of those, when they're all involved, we're just better. We're a better offense. Where do we get him touches? Where do we find them? So, I do. I think about him a lot," Campbell said.
In the Lions' past five games, Montgomery recorded six carries for 27 yards at Philadelphia, five carries for 18 yards against the New York Giants, eight carries for 32 yards and a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers, six carries for 60 yards and a score versus Dallas and seven carries for 32 yards and a touchdown at the Rams.
Of course, Detroit is also 2-3 in its past five games with a 34-27 overtime win versus the Giants mixed in.
Detroit hosts Pittsburgh (8-6) on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET in Week 16 from Ford Field. The matchup against the Steelers could provide a good opportunity for the Lions to use a healthy does of both Gibbs and Montgomery.
Though the Steelers enter after surrendering just 63 rushing yards to the Miami Dolphins last week, Pittsburgh still ranks in the bottom half of the NFL in rushing defense. The Steelers rank 19th in the NFL in rushing defense, allowing 120.9 rushing yards per game.
During a bit of a rest this week, the Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball team is enjoying some time to get fully healthy, get back in the gym, and get on the same page after a week that saw them drop one to Iowa State, but rebound with a dominant win over Lindenwood.
While those opportunities loom, ESPN has not punished Iowa in its power rankings this week. Iowa only slid two spots to No. 11 in this week's version of the rankings.
Next seven days: vs. UConn at Barclays Center in Brooklyn (Dec. 20)
The Hawkeyes suffered their first loss of the season last Wednesday, 74-69 at rival Iowa State. Starting post players Hannah Stuelke and Ava Heiden combined for 18 points, which wasn't enough vs. the Cyclones. Then Saturday in a 102-68 win over Lindenwood, Stuelke (31 points) and Heiden (14) shot a combined 20-of-25 from the field. Iowa's toughest opponent is next: UConn.
Iowa's next chance, and biggest of the season so far, is a road trip to take on the No. 1 UConn Huskies from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The game is Iowa's toughest remaining game on paper this season, but it is also the best opportunity for the Hawkeyes to make a national statement.
Tipoff for Iowa versus UConn is set for 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 20, in a game that is going to be aired nationally on FOX.
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions.Follow Riley on X: @rileydonald7
Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers are approaching a critical deadline regarding their chips.
The first Free Hit chip of the season must be played before the Gameweek 19 deadline; otherwise, it will expire and cannot be carried over into the second half of the campaign.
For managers who have retained the chip until now, activating it in Gameweek 17 could prove to be a shrewd move.
This specific gameweek offers favorable matchups for top sides and features a plethora of players currently in peak form.
To assist managers looking for inspiration, we have curated a full Free Hit team, from goalkeeper to forward.
Teams to Target for a GW17 Free Hit
Selecting assets from teams that possess both strong form and advantageous fixtures is vital when assembling a Free Hit squad.
Based on recent results and performance levels, the following clubs are currently among the most in-form teams in the division:
Aston Villa
Manchester City
Fulham
Nottingham Forest
Arsenal
Newcastle United
Selecting top players from these sides remains an effective strategy.
However, analyzing the upcoming schedule for Gameweek 17 provides further insight. When reviewing the FDR metrics, the following teams stand out as having the most favorable matchups:
Bournemouth
Manchester City
Brentford
Fulham
Brighton
FPL GW17 Free Hit Team
By combining team form with fixture difficulty metrics, we have selected the following lineup for Gameweek 17.
The Blaugrana are understood to be looking at the 28-year-old star as a reliable backup for Jules Kounde in the right-back position and have held initial talks over a possible transfer.
Ryerson transfer unlikely
However, according to BILD (h/t Mundo Deportivo), reports that Ryerson’s transfer to Barcelona in the summer is ‘unlikely’ despite there being interest in the Borussia Dortmund defender.
As per the German outlet, at this point, the Black and Yellows are not considering the sale of their defensive mainstay as they see him as a key part of the plans.
After all, Ryerson is one of the most-utilised players this season, with only seven players logging more minutes than him so far.
Barcelona like Dortmund’s Julian Ryerson. (Photo by Pau Barrena/Getty Images)
The fact that he is a versatile player and can fulfil multiple roles makes him even more valuable for the Bundesliga giants.
Therefore, Dortmund are not considering a sale, having renewed Ryerson’s contract until 2024 last year.
Barcelona, for their part, are not hard-pressed to sign a new right-back with Kounde recovering his form and Eric Garcia being available as an alternative.
Beyond that, they also have some exciting young talents coming through. Xavi Espart, for one, is rated highly and has been in the first-team squad on a few occasions this season.
Meanwhile, Hector Fort is doing well on his loan spell at Elche and can be an option when he returns at the end of the season.
Cardiff City head coach Brian Barry-Murphy is confident there will be no hangover from Tuesday's EFL Cup quarter-final against Chelsea when his team return to League One action at Lincoln City on Saturday (15:00 GMT).
Now the Welsh club turn their attention back to League One, where they are four points clear at the top of the table and six points ahead of Lincoln in third.
"It's very easy [to focus on the league] if you look at who we're going to play on Saturday, how good they are and how good we're going to need to be," said Barry-Murphy.
"Once Tuesday subsides and you wake up on Wednesday – I would say for me, the cut-off point was Wednesday lunchtime – then you start to quickly refocus when you start to see who we're going to play on Saturday.
"It was an amazing evening for us all, and I'm sure we'll look back on it with fond memories, if not quite as fond as we would have liked it to have been. But it's in the past and we're looking to look to the future now."
Cardiff have no new injury concerns for the trip to Lincoln but striker Kion Etete, who is on loan at Rotherham United, is nearing a return after injuring his thigh in October.
The 24-year-old joined Rotherham on loan for the 2025-26 season in August, but has managed only five starts – plus four substitute appearances – for the Millers and is yet to score for the Yorkshire club.
"I think his rehab's going really well," said Barry-Murphy.
"I'm in constant dialogue with James Rowland [Cardiff's head of medical services] and he said he's making really good progress and they anticipate that he'll be back in action pretty soon."
Boycott – Inter Milan Famous Fan Group Protest Against Saudi-Held Supercoppa Italiana: “We Won’t Be In Saudi Arabia”
Not all Inter Milan fans are enthusiastic about the upcoming Supercoppa Italiana mini-tournament in Saudi Arabia.
According to FCInterNews, the Second Green Ring supporter groups will not attend tomorrow’s semi-final clash against Bologna.
Cristian Chivu is potentially 180 minutes away from winning his first trophy in senior management.
Indeed, the 45-year-old is ready to make his touchline debut in the Supercoppa as Inter seek revenge for last year’s heartbreak.
Simone Inzaghi’s charges slumped to a morale-crushing 3-2 defeat to AC Milan in the grand final last January.
However, Chivu has mentally recovered his side, guiding the Nerazzurri back to the top of Serie A on the eve of this trip.
Therefore, Inter traveled to Saudi Arabia in high spirits, setting their sights firmly on a record-equaling ninth Supercoppa Italiana title.
Beating Bologna will be the first step toward that achievement, as the two teams meet at King Saud University Stadium tomorrow.
Inter Milan Fan Group Protest Against Supercoppa Italiana in Saudi Arabia
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – JANUARY 22: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale poses for a photo with the Italian EA Sports FC Supercup Final trophy at full-time following victory in the Italian EA Sports FC Supercup Final match between SSC Napoli and FC Internazionale at Al-Awwal Stadium on January 22, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)
Lega Calcio has signed a multi-year agreement with the Saudis, allowing them to stage the Supercoppa for years.
However, that decision has sparked widespread backlash among supporters, who feel the competition has been stripped of its traditional identity.
“The Second Green Ring supporter groups confirm that they will not attend the Supercoppa Italiana in Saudi Arabia,” the statement announced on Instagram.
“It is unacceptable that, once again, mere profit-driven logic is placed ahead of the passion of thousands of supporters.
“The Football League continues in its stubborn indifference, systematically ignoring the dissent expressed year after year by Italian fanbases.
“It is time to put an end to the commercialization carried out at the expense of supporters.
“No to the Supercoppa in Arabia. No to the drift of modern football.”
Inter cannot afford to underestimate Bologna after failing to defeat this opposition in their last two meetings.
Auxerre in talks to loan Bournemouth’s Romain Faivre
Romain Faivre’s (27) loan spell from Bournemouth to Saudi Pro League side Al-Taawoun is not going to plan. The Frenchman has played just five games for the club and has not featured since 23rd October.
His loan spell in the Gulf State could, therefore, come to a premature end. L’Équipe now reveals that AJ Auxerre are looking to sign the former FC Lorient and Stade Brestois forward. In the market for a forward in order to edge away from relegation trouble, Auxerre have also considered a move to bring Gaetan Perrin, who joined Russian side Krasnodar in the summer, back to the club.
However, Faivre has emerged as the key target for L’AJA. Negotiations between Bournemouth and Auxerre are now ongoing, L’Equipe understands. Those talks are around the percentage of Faivre’s salary that the Ligue 1 side would pay. The relationship between the two clubs is strong following Hamed Junior Traoré’s loan spell at the club last season.
Leverkusen facing numerous absences and doubts ahead of Leipzig trip
Bayer Leverkusen head into Saturday’s Bundesliga clash against RB Leipzig with significant personnel concerns.
Edmond Tapsoba, Ibrahim Maza and Eliesse Ben Seghir will all be absent due to their involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off on Sunday.
Christian Kofane, however, will be available, with the Cameroonian football association agreeing that the 19-year-old striker will join their squad only after the Leipzig match.
His availability is a big boost for Leverkusen, especially with Patrik Schick still a doubt following the ankle injury that kept him out of last week’s 2-0 derby win over 1. FC Köln.
Defensively, Jarell Quansah is suspended, meaning Jeanuel Belocian is likely to start on the left alongside Loic Badé and Robert Andrich.
Andrich’s role in defence rules him out of midfield, where Exequiel Palacios and Ibrahim Maza are both unavailable. Aleix Garcia is a doubt due to muscular problems, while it is highly doubtful that Ezequiel Fernandez will be ready to start after only just returning to the squad following a lengthy injury spell.
Leverkusen will hope Alex Grimaldo is fit enough to start at left wing-back, having missed out against Köln, while Lucas Vazquez remains unavailable on the right, leaving Arthur in line to start.
In attack, Ernest Poku was substituted against Köln with a thigh issue, meaning Jonas Hofmann and Nathan Tella are expected to operate in attacking midfield behind the striker.
Jashari on injury recovery, ‘crucial’ Allegri, Rabiot and Modric
Ardon Jashari insists that ‘everyone’ at Milan made him feel important during his time on the sidelines, praises the ‘crucial’ Massimiliano Allegri and his teammates Luka Modric and Adrien Rabiot.
Jashari joined Milan from Club Brugge last summer, but suffered a fibula injury in training shortly after his move to San Siro, spending over two months on the sidelines.
The 23-year-old has only collected 121 minutes of football on the pitch this season.
Jashari opens up about early injury at Milan
DUBLIN, IRELAND – AUGUST 09: Ardon Jashari of AC Milan runs with the ball under pressure from Anton Stach of Leeds United during the pre-season friendly match between Leeds United and AC Milan at Aviva Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
“Honestly, after a summer in which negotiations for my arrival at Milan had been lengthy, having a problem like this wasn’t ideal,” Jashari told Gazzetta, as quoted by SempreMilan.
“I’d been working with the team for three weeks, I was growing, and I don’t think anyone in my place would have been happy.
“Everyone at Milan wrote to me and made me feel important: my team-mates, the staff, the coach, the directors,” he continued.
“The first three days were difficult from a mental point of view, but after that, I had the chance to go and spend a few weeks with my family in Zug.”
“With a broken bone I couldn’t train, and spending some time with my parents and friends, without forgetting to do physiotherapy, helped me: I didn’t think too much about the injury and I felt calmer.
“Since mid-September, I’ve continued therapy with physiotherapist David, and then I’ve started exercising, first in the gym and then on the sand and pitch. Returning to the group was the final step.”
Jashari joined the Rossoneri after weeks of negotiations last summer and rejected offers from other clubs to move to San Siro.
“I dreamed of being where I am, at a big club,” he said.
“Everyone knows how much I wanted to join Milan. Club Brugge had a lot of contact with other clubs, but I had clear ideas and only saw myself in the Rossoneri shirt.”
Jashari on Allegri, Modric and Rabiot
MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 14: Massimiliano Allegri, Head Coach of AC Milan, reacts during the Serie A match between AC Milan and US Sassuolo Calcio at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri used to be a central midfielder during his playing career, the same role as Jashari.
“I know, he was a number 10, and that’s why I say he can help me a lot,” said the Milan talent.
“The coach is important, he’s always close to us. Having someone like him gives confidence to the individuals and the locker room. He’s crucial to our success: he has experience and has worked with incredible players. I can learn a lot from someone like him.”
Last summer, Milan made several purchases in central midfield. Aside from Jashari, they also signed Samuele Ricci, Adrien Rabiot and Luka Modric.
“Playing with him [Modric] is incredible for everyone, not just me,” Jashari said.
“I play in the same position as him and can learn a lot: he has exceptional technical skills, but also a fantastic personality, which shows in the way he approaches the players.
MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 28: Luka Modric of AC Milan during the Serie A match between AC Milan and SSC Napoli at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“At his age, those who play in his position are usually already retired, while he works every day with commitment, ambition, motivation and discipline. He has an incredible winning mentality.
“Rabiot has had a huge impact on the team since day one and is important for Milan. He’s got the way he reads the game and the way he plays football,” Jashari concluded.
“You can’t imitate him because everyone has their own qualities and physical characteristics, but you can still learn something from champions like him and Modric and become more complete.”
Bologna Vs Inter Milan – France & Argentina Megastars To Lead The Line: Brazilian Winger Replaces Denzel Dumfries
Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram will reportedly lead the line in tomorrow’s Supercoppa Italiana clash between Bologna and Inter Milan.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport via FCInterNews, Cristian Chivu will field his best strikers in Friday’s must-win semi-final showdown.
Indeed, El Toro has scored in three consecutive Serie A games, including a match-winning performance against Genoa on Sunday.
Therefore, Chivu will put his side’s fate into the Argentine’s hands tomorrow.
Lautaro & Thuram to Lead Inter Milan Attack vs Genoa
LECCE, ITALY – JANUARY 26: Lautaro Martinez of Inter celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between Lecce and FC Internazionale at Stadio Via del Mare on January 26, 2025 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
Marcus Thuram started Sunday’s fixture on the bench but nearly scored a towering header after coming on.
However, the Frenchman will return to the starting lineup in Riyadh, as Chivu seeks his first trophy in charge of the Nerazzurri.
Meanwhile, Luis Henrique will fill Denzel Dumfries’ boots on the right flank.
Despite his underwhelming form, the Brazilian remains the only natural right-winger at Chivu’s disposal.
Elsewhere, Josep Martinez is likely to start in goal for only the second time since the tragic car accident in October.
Anthony Joshua has clarified comments he made that proved controversial this week, having said ahead of his fight with Jake Paul: “If I can kill you, I will kill you.”
Joshua, a former two-time world heavyweight champion, fights YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul on Friday, and Tyson Fury was among those to criticise “AJ” for his pre-fight words.
“No one’s done more for the sport of boxing in the last decade than myself,” Paul said of Friday’s match-up. “I think if people really cared about boxing, they’d want me to win.”
Anthony Joshua says boxers have a 'licence to kill' as he prepares to go head-to-head with Jake Paul in Miami on Friday (AP)
Joshua’s record stands at 28-4 (25 KO wins), and the Briton has beaten the likes of Wladimir Klitschko, Dillian Whyte, Joseph Parker, Alexander Povetkin and Kubrat Pulev, while also facing Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois at the elite level.
Joshua has not fought since September 2024, when he was knocked out by Dubois at Wembley Stadium, suffering four knockdowns en route to defeat – the fourth loss of his career and second by stoppage.
Paul, meanwhile, is 12-1 (7 KO wins) as a professional and has defeated – among others – former boxing world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, former UFC champions Tyron Woodley and Anderson Silva, and heavyweight boxing icon Mike Tyson, who was 58 at the time they fought.
Jeff Rotsky, the longtime high school football coach who helped shape Travis Kelce’s early career, recently reunited with the NFL star. The reunion offered a rare glimpse into Kelce’s roots, bringing together family members, former teammates, and the mentor who first recognized his leadership potential. While the moment celebrated football and growth, it also drew attention for another reason—Taylor Swift’s subtle presence in the background, while Travis Kelce interacted with his former coach.
Travis Kelce meets his high school coach
VASJ Vikings Football took to X (formerly Twitter) to share a glimpse of Kelce with his high school coach, Rotsky, along with a brief note.
It read, “WHAT A BLESSING THIS WEEKEND IN KC. WATCHING & GETTING TO SPEND TIME WITH TRAVIS KELCE, HIS FAMILY, & 6 FORMER PLAYERS WAS AMAZING!” Expressing the pride in the former students, it further read, “THEY’RE ALL DOING GREAT IN LIFE! ANYONE WHO DOUBTED TRAV HAS BEEN PROVEN WRONG. SO PROUD OF HIM & HIS FUTURE!”
In one of the photos shared, the “Reputation” singer was also spotted in the background, who seemed to have worn a maroon outfit with her signature lipstick and open blonde hair.
VIKING NATION WHAT A BLESSING THIS WEEKEND IN KC. WATCHING & GETTING TO SPEND TIME WITH TRAVIS KELCE, HIS FAMILY, & 6 FORMER PLAYERS WAS AMAZING! THEY’RE ALL DOING GREAT IN LIFE! ANYONE WHO DOUBTED TRAV HAS BEEN PROVEN WRONG. SO PROUD OF HIM & HIS FUTURE!@tkelce@VASJHighSchoolpic.twitter.com/Xe7fdhwTRP
Previously, in conversation with The Times, Rotsky has publicly appreciated Kelce’s sports talent, calling him a natural leader. He said, “I’m proud of what he’s done athletically. But eventually that runs out, and the question is, who is the man behind that? Travis has grown up to be a leader, to have a kind heart, to have fun. As a coach or father, what more can you ask for from your son or player?”
Moreover, Rotsky has also showered praises on Swift, who he believes is very down-to-earth. He said, “She treated us like gold. The first time we met, her opening line was, ‘I’ve been looking forward to meeting you, I want to hear all the dirt about Travis.’”
Not Mainoo or Zirkzee: Man Utd will ‘listen to offers’ for first-teamer who’s made six starts this season
Manchester United are willing to ‘listen to offers’ for Altay Bayindir in January amid interest from his home nation.
Indeed, the shot-stopper has reportedly become a primary target for Besiktas, who are preparing a ‘major squad overhaul’ next month in hopes of turning their fortunes around in the second half of 2025/2026, according to Turkish Football.
Besiktas plotting January swoop for out-of-favour Bayindir
(Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
Bayindir is expected to be at the heart of such changes, with the Turkey international ‘eager’ to secure regular minutes elsewhere in order to boost his chances of being his country’s No.1 at the World Cup in the summer of 2026.
The 27-year-old has already earned 11 caps for the national team, and most recently featured in a 2-2 draw with Spain on November 18. Prior to that match, however, he hadn’t played since November 2023, when he came off the bench to play just under an hour of action against Wales in a Euros qualifier.
In regards to his action at club level, Bayindir had been promoted to Ruben Amorim’s first-choice when 2025/2026 got underway.
Presumably, Bayindir will be restored to the side when United kick off their FA Cup campaign at home to Brighton and Hove Albion on January 11, but if they lose, it could well mark his final appearance of the season.
Alas, you couldn’t really blame the former Fenerbahce star for pursuing a move elsewhere, especially in such a familiar environment and in a league he knows like the back of his hand.
United signed Bayindir for only £4.3 million back in 2023, so it remains to be seen what kind of fee they might demand to facilitate an exit.
Anthony Buchanan made his senior Wales debut against Tonga in 1987 [Huw Evans Picture Agency]
Former Wales and Llanelli prop Anthony Buchanan says he has no confidence in the Welsh Rugby Union's executive board after resigning from the governing body's council.
His departure comes amid the current uncertainty regarding the future structure of Welsh rugby.
The WRU announced in October it planned to reduce the number of professional men's sides in Wales from four to three.
The Wales men's senior side has lost 21 out of its past 23 matches and suffered a record 73-0 home defeat against South Africa at the end of November.
When asked whether he had confidence in the WRU board, Buchanan replied: "No".
In response to Buchanan's criticism the WRU said they are "making positive changes" to the structure of the professional game in Wales.
A union statement added: "We know this process will present challenges, but the board has confidence in the decisions it has made and in our plans for the future.
"Our role is to implement a change for the good of the whole system in Wales for the long term and we remain dedicated to this aim."
The WRU council sits below the executive board and is responsible for setting the strategy for community rugby in Wales.
It compromises five national council members along with 14 district council members, elected by member clubs.
Buchanan say he has not taken the decision lightly.
"It has been a pleasure to serve the WRU over the last 11 years," Buchanan told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.
"I was hoping to use my experiences and my knowledge of the game to perhaps influence the direction of travel.
"I feel very uncomfortable now. Rugby has been in the heart of Wales for many years but I also know we're on the brink of losing our culture and our identity.
"I can't trade that off for what basically happens next. I no longer could support the direction of travel. What I had to do was look at myself and what I believed in."
Welsh rugby's governing body has said it proposes to grant three licences for men's professional clubs.
There will be one in Cardiff, one in the east and one in the west, which is expected to result in a straight survival fight between Swansea-based Ospreys and Scarlets in Llanelli.
Buchanan does not agree with the reduction in the number of sides after he pointed to the initial previous change in 2003 from clubs to regions.
"We came from our clubs to our regions and those were big steps," said Buchanan.
"We had success on the field with Triple Crown, Grand Slams and Six Nations Championships in that era.
"The Scarlets, Cardiff, Ospreys, were all successful stories. So what brings me to this is what's happened and how have we arrived here?"
The 70-year-old went on:
"What are we going to do to bring ourselves back into being a top tier one country?
"The next step made will be crucial. And I cannot support that next step in taking one of our top regions out."
Buchanan believes losing Ospreys or Scarlets will be detrimental to the Welsh game.
"Whichever one goes, it's going to be devastating," he said.
"The Ospreys stretch from Bridgend, or Cardiff, down to Swansea and the Scarlets are down to the west with a new stadium and everything.
"I don't see the decision being a step forward. It could be we could lose a lot of support on and off the field."
The former Wales forward said he had also been against the WRU's previous plan of two professional sides that was shelved following a public consultation.
"I was horrified with that thought," he added.
"We are tribal in Wales. We like our local derbies and we like rugby in our areas. Those are important things to me."
Buchanan also raised the prospect of the professional sides losing some control of the playing side of the organisation to the WRU.
"We have people that have been supportive of Welsh rugby, benefactors that have given their money," said Buchanan.
"I can't go into the detail of what is being offered to them, but it isn't something they're keen on signing.
"So we're at loggerheads. It's crucial we mend those fences and understand it's a partnership. That's what is missing at the moment, an agreement with a partnership.
"People have put their hands in their own pockets to put into the professional game and we need to respect that."
Will more players leave after Dewi Lake and Jac Morgan?
Buchanan also cited Wales captains Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake leaving the Ospreys for Gloucester as another blow for the game in Wales.
"Losing the captains this week is heartbreaking and I find it extraordinary," said Buchanan.
"I'm not blaming Jack or Dewi for leaving. They were obviously in uncertain times in the Ospreys.
"How can you expect people, especially with families and everything involved in this environment, to hang around?
"They've got to look and see where the best opportunities are for them."
Buchanan says he finds it extraordinary Welsh rugby finds itself in this position.
"I spent many years at Scarlets as a team manager," he said.
"Then I went into development and we developed the likes of Liam Williams, Aaron Shingler, Gareth Davies and Jonathan Davies and so on.
"They all came through a system that we put in place, all the idea was to produce players for Wales.
"I don't think these two will be the last two to leave Wales and I find that is because we've taken so long to make the decision. Whether it's the right decision, time will tell."
Why does Anthony Buchanan's resignation matter?
Buchanan is one of the most respected figures within the Welsh game and has represented the WRU with World Rugby.
The 70-year-old had returned to the WRU board in March 2022 having previously served between 2014 and 2019, when he was replaced by former Wales captain Liza Burgess.
He resigned from the board in 2023 after it was revamped but remained on the council.
Ystradgynlais-born Buchanan spent 10 seasons as a player with Llanelli RFC and later served as the club's director of rugby as well as Scarlets team manager.
He won five senior caps for Wales and was part of the squad at the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987.
Buchanan says he is not calling for an extraordinary general meeting (EGM), which under the WRU's articles would require the agreement of 10% of member clubs.
There was an annual general meeting (AGM) at the end of November a day after Wales were hammered by South Africa.
The clubs had the opportunity to quiz the WRU board but there was only one question from the floor about the professional game in Wales.
WRU chair Richard Collier-Keywood said he considered the apathy from the clubs as representing a mandate for change.
The WRU have confirmed they have accepted Buchanan's resignation as a council member.
The governing body say they will now run a new election process to replace him as nationally elected council member and will write to clubs to appeal for nominations shortly.
A WRU statement added: "We thank Anthony for his many years of service to Welsh rugby, formerly as a member of our board, more recently as an active member of our council, but also for his dedication to the Scarlets."
There was no better offensive coordinator/quarterback in the NFC in 2024 than Kliff Kingsbury and Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders. Kingsbury designed the perfect offense around his star quarterback, and Daniels made virtually everything work.
Things haven't gone as smoothly this season. Multiple injuries to Daniels and to some of his top offensive weapons took Washington's offense from one of the NFL's best to one that struggles to score at times. The Commanders shut down Daniels on Monday, ruling him out for the rest of the season after he reaggravated his left elbow injury in Week 14.
On Thursday, Kingsbury weighed in on Daniels being ruled out for the remainder of the season.
"Disappointed for him," Kingsbury said. "Like I've said before, he loves to practice, loves to play, loves all parts of the game, but, you know, [General Manager] AP [Adam Peters] and [Head Coach] DQ [Dan Quinn] came to a decision on it, and so that's kind of part of the game."
The Commanders made a decision in the best long-term interests of Daniels and the franchise. It's important to note that Daniels still wasn't cleared for contact this week, so this isn't a case where Washington was afraid of playing Daniels.
Kingsbury acknowledged it's difficult to evaluate Daniels' 2025 season due to being in and out of the lineup.
"Yeah, no doubt. I think with how it went, it's just hard to get an assessment, but he did all the things you can ask him as preparation and practice habits, things of that nature. Just was one of those years with inconsistency as far as availability, unfortunately."
When Daniels was on the field, he wasn't as sharp as he was in 2024. Some of that can be explained by being in and out of the lineup. It also looked like Daniels wasn't playing with the same confidence from one year ago. Kingsbury doesn't believe that's the case.
"No, I don't," Kingsbury answered. "I think these are things you have to go through as a young player, you know, it's part of the deal, developing thicker skin, and you know, mental toughness through some of this adversity. But he's super competitive, you know, he loves to play the game, and he'll be better for this and having to go through this and really manage it throughout the season."
If Daniels did lack any confidence at any point, it would be understandable. Not only due to his injuries, but all of the uncertainty around him. Washington was without star wide receiver Terry McLaurin for much of the season.
The Commanders have three games remaining. And while this season can't end soon enough for the fans, the players and coaches still view each game as an opportunity.
When the Atlanta Falcons signed Kirk Cousins to a four-year deal last offseason, the move appeared to make sense for both parties. That was until the Falcons selected Michael Penix Jr. in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft just a month later.
Cousins started the first 14 games of the 2024 season but lost his job late in the year. Penix played well enough to keep the starting gig in 2025 and Cousins served as the backup. However, the Falcons' plan hit another snag when Penix suffered a partially torn ACL in Week 11.
With Penix facing an 8-9 month recovery timeline, Cousins has the job for the rest of the season. Would the Falcons consider keeping the veteran QB around in 2026 if Penix isn't fully healed by Week 1?
"Everything is on the table," Morris tole reporters when asked about Cousins returning. "Obviously, we all sit down at the end of the season and we'll have all those discussions. We'll talk about all those things. That certainly will be a part of it. When we went down the journey of Kirk Cousins, we planned on the amount of years that we put in his contract."
Morris said he expects to have Penix back next season but wasn't willing to rule anything out.
"So, we'll see where that goes and all those types of things," explained Morris. "But that's definitely up for discussion once we get to the end of the season. We know we'll get Mike back next year but that'll definitely be up for discussion."
The Falcons head coach was also asked about wide receiver Drake London's status ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. Morris said London was still day-to-day with a knee injury but that he would return to practice.
"Looking forward to seeing how much he'll be able to give us this week," Morris said of London's status for Week 16.
London was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice. Check out the Falcons' first injury report of the week HERE, and watch Morris' full press conference below.
The internet, as it does, latched on to Burrow remaining open-minded and honest about a wide range of topics, including, but not limited to whether he could see himself playing with a different team in 2026 ("I can't see that, no.").
But tucked into many of Burrow’s comments were read-between-the-lines messages to Bengals ownership.
Don’t believe it?
Try this: "I think we have great coaches. I think we’re consistently put in good positions to make plays and do our best."
Burrow isn’t going to publicly bash anyone. That includes the coaches. And the players, himself included? Not doing their best.
But here’s the real kicker:
"What we’ve been doing hasn’t worked the last couple of years. We have to think outside the box and get creative about where we go from here."
Outside the box and get creative about where we go from here being the key phrases to look at.
Burrow isn’t advocating for anyone to get fired (publicly, anyway). But one of the big problems with the recent report that made it pretty clear Taylor, Duke Tobin and Al Golden are safe for 2026 is the family-based nature of how the Bengals organization operates.
In theory, if Tobin isn’t going to be shown the door (he’s been in town since 1999), an outside voice joining the fray (at general manager, perhaps), might provide the outside perspective needed to keep modernizing and improve the approach.
It’s the same idea for the coaching staff. Golden was a former coach under Taylor. He got brought back and his primary forte, linebackers, has been a disaster. Bringing on coaches from outside Taylor’s tree might be the best move.
When Burrow famously said the Bengals needed to stop letting good players get out the door, it stopped. So when he says let’s get creative and out of comfort zones, maybe that’s what comes next.
And if not? Burrow is calculated with everything he says. The Bengals might not like what he says in the wake of another losing season if the organization doesn't continue to modernize and evolve.
Josko Gvardiol admits jokes will ramp up at Manchester City as FIFA World Cup nears
With Croatia set to face England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Josko Gvardiol expects the jokes to ramp up with his Manchester City teammates as the season progresses.
The 23-year-old has played 46 times for his country and will likely be present in Canada, Mexico and the United States next year when Croatia compete on the biggest stage in international football.
The Group L clash between Croatia and England could see Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic – should he be fit and be included in the squad – come up against a host of their Manchester City teammates, including John Stones, Phil Foden and Nico O’Reilly.
Recent history between the two nations catches the eye of many supporters and last time out, England edged past Croatia at the 2021 UEFA European Championship, with former Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling scoring the only goal of the game.
Ahead of their 2026 meeting, Gvardiol has said he expects the mind games to ramp up despite no one starting the friendly jesting just yet, as another exciting battle awaits indefinitely.
“Not yet, maybe a month before it starts,” Gvardiol said in an interview with ESPN. “I’m happy that I’m going to see them. Hopefully all of them will be in the team.
“I spoke to Kalvin (Phillips). I remember my first Euros, his first Euros, we played against each other in the first game. Kalvin was there, John, Phil, Kyle (Walker). I was playing as a full-back so I was on Kyle’s side.”
Croatia beat Gareth Southgate’s England in the semi-finals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia before the Three Lions got a measure of revenge by flipping the successes in the aforementioned European Championship tie.
Gvardiol added: “It’s a big thing to be at the World Cup. When it all starts, all we try to do is go game-by-game and try to win as many points as possible and qualify for the next round.
“We need to stay on the ground. We’re a small nation and we go game by game. That’s it. Even with the results in Russia and Qatar, we weren’t expecting it. With a bit of luck and the energy we put into the games, anything is possible.”
Though Croatia have a population of less than four million, their success over recent major international tournaments has seen them climb the world ranking impressively, reaching the semi-finals of the last two World Cups.
They were beaten by France in the 2018 final and lost in the semi-finals to eventual winners Argentina four years later on that glorious day in Qatar for Lionel Messi and co.
Report – Atalanta Owned Wingback Remains The Only Target For Inter Milan
Serie A pacesetters Inter Milan have reportedly earmarked Marco Palestra as the only viable long-term replacement for Denzel Dumfries.
According to Corriere dello Sport via FCInterNews, the San Siro giants have identified the 20-year-old as the Dutchman’s potential heir.
In addition to facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines, Denzel Dumfries could wave goodbye to Inter at the end of the season.
Indeed, the 29-year-old has recently changed his representatives, hinting at a potential summer exit amid an affordable €25m release clause.
Meanwhile, Inter have already begun their pursuit of a new wingback.
Inter Milan Set Sights on Marco Palestra as Only Viable Candidate to Replace Denzel Dumfries
CAGLIARI, ITALY – NOVEMBER 22: Marco Palestra of Cagliari and Vitinha of Genoa compete during the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and Genoa CFC at Stadio Sant’Elia on November 22, 2025 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)
Despite keeping close tabs on several players, including Genoa star Brooke Norton-Cuffy, Inter are keen to sign Marco Palestra.
At 20, the Italian youngster has already demonstrated his burgeoning talent in the early stages of his loan stint at Cagliari.
However, Palestra’s scintillating form at the Unipol Domus has attracted the attention of several top clubs, including Napoli.
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 08: Quarterback Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns reacts at the line of scrimmage in the first half during the NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on August 08, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
QB Sanders believes Browns can only get better (ESPN) “Quarterback Shedeur Sanders says Cleveland’s season is “the worst it’s going to be,” and is confident there is nowhere to go but up for the 3-11 Browns.”
Bologna Vs Inter Milan – Final Chance For Brazilian Winger To Salvage His San Siro Career: Nerazzurri In The Market For New Wingback
Luis Henrique could be facing one last chance to salvage his Inter Milan career when the Nerazzurri take on Bologna on Friday.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport via FCInterNews, it could be his final opportunity to convince Cristian Chivu and the Inter chiefs.
Henrique’s career at San Siro is at a crossroads.
Indeed, the 23-year-old has underperformed in the first half of the season, falling short of his €23 million price tag.
However, with Denzel Dumfries injured, Chivu is ready to give the former Marseille star one last chance to prove his worth.
Luis Henrique Under Pressure Ahead of Bologna vs Inter Milan Clash
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – JUNE 30: Luis Henrique #11 of FC Internazionale Milano reacts during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 round of 16 match between FC Internazionale Milano and Fluminense FC at Bank of America Stadium on June 30, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Dumfries’ absence may have thrown Luis Henrique a lifeline in Lombardy.
A lack of reliable options on the right wing will force Chivu to rely on the ex-Botafogo winger on Friday.
Furthermore, tomorrow’s fixture in Riyadh could determine Henrique’s fate in Serie A.
Meanwhile, Inter are already scouring the market for reinforcements.
They’ve already identified several potential targets, including Genoa’s Brooke Norton-Cuffy and Atalanta loanee Marco Palestra.
AILSA CRAIG, Scotland (AP) — If you’re looking to strike gold — silver or bronze, too — look to Ailsa Craig.
This uninhabited isle 10 miles (16 kilometers) off the coast of southwest Scotland is the source of the super-dense granite used to make curling stones for the Winter Olympics.
Jim English, co-owner of Kays Curling, took a few seconds to evaluate a boulder during a recent visit. He assessed it for big cracks and large specks on the surface.
“It’s not just a case of landing a boat and then looking for granite. There’s a particular type of granite we’re looking for,” he said in the shadow of a 19th century lighthouse that is no longer manned. “We look for ones that have got really tight surface pattern.”
The common green granite comprising the body of the stone is found on one end, and the blue hone granite that forms the running surface is on the other side of the “ craggy ocean pyramid ” as poet John Keats described the island more than a century before the first Winter Games.
Kays, which has made all the curling stones for the Milan Cortina Winter Games, has a history with the Olympics dating back to the first winter edition — 1924 in Chamonix, France. The curling competition at those games was long thought to have been an exhibition event but eventually was confirmed as official. The company has continued to make stones for the games since curling returned as a medal sport in Nagano 1998.
Founded in 1851, Kays produces the stones from its shop in the town of Mauchline near Ayr.
"We can argue that it’s probably won every gold, silver and bronze medal since the sport became a medal sport back in 1998," said English.
Also called Kays Scotland, the company holds the only license to harvest granite from Ailsa Craig, which is owned by Lord David Thomas Kennedy, 9th Marquess of Ailsa.
Granite with elasticity
Ailsa Craig, at about 1,110 feet (340 meters) high and 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) in circumference, is believed to have been formed from volcanic activity millions of years ago.
The Scottish Geology Trust wrote that the island is composed “ almost entirely of microgranite,” whose “essentially unflawed nature” make it ideal for curling stones.
Key elements of the sport are cold and collisions — teams push stones on ice toward a scoring zone and use brooms to influence the path. So, granite that cracks easily is of no use.
“The granite itself has got elasticity properties in it,” said Ricky English, operations manager at Kays and Jim's son. In a collision, energy is both absorbed and released, "so the stone doesn’t split,” he said.
The blue hone granite is essentially waterproof, making it perfect for the running surface.
“You can’t get this granite anywhere else in the world but Ailsa Craig,” Ricky English said of the blue hone.
The curling stones for the 2006 Turin Olympics were the first complete Ailsa Craig stones. Previously, Kays had also used some common green from a quarry in Wales.
How does the process work?
Kays can go years between harvests. The common green “falls off naturally, so we just pick from the site," Ricky English said. Those selections weigh between 6 and 10 tons.
The blue hone requires dislodging from the cliff face. Engineers drill and insert a gas charge to break the rock along its natural cracks. Those boulders are under 2 tons, so higher quantities can mean fewer harvests.
Boulders are lifted into containers and ferried back to Girvan Harbour. Galloway Granite slices the boulders and cuts round “cheeses” from them, and sends them back to Kays.
The common green granite forms most of the stone, including the “striking band” around the middle. A hole is drilled through the center of the stone, which weighs on average 42 lbs (19 kg). The blue hone insert is glued in place, and the handle is attached. On a “double insert” — blue hone is attached to both sides, and the handle can screw in to either side.
A double insert costs 750 pounds ($990) — or 12,000 pounds ($15,860) for a set of 16. The single-insert stone is 704 pounds ($930).
Steps are taken on the island to protect a large colony of Gannets as well as some gray seals. Rat traps are set to be sure that boats from the mainland — the trip takes just over an hour — don't reintroduce the rodents to the island.
Curling's popularity
Scottish Curling traces the sport’s local roots back to 1540 in Paisley Abbey. Centuries later, curling is about to launch its first professional league, after the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. The Rock League will feature events in the United States, Canada and Europe.
Kays produces 1,800 to 2,000 stones per year. Canada is its biggest market, while China, Japan and South Korea are increasing their orders.
“The market in Asia seems to be growing quite a bit,” Ricky English said. “The 2022 Olympics (in Beijing) has maybe just gave it that wee push over there.”
Kays has also sent stones to less-obvious curling spots like Qatar and Antarctica, where a travel company was using curling as part of a “luxury experience.”
NORTH KINGSTOWN - In last winter’s biggest games, the Barrington girls basketball team’s offense was a major problem.
Three games into the 2025-26 season the Eagles aren’t torching scoreboards to the ground, but they are showing the type of play where that may be a thing come February. Wednesday’s 50-41 win over North Kingstown was the latest example.
“We worked really hard for this,” Barrington’s Faith Van Ness said. "We’ve been working on our defense, but this year I feel like we have more of an offensive opportunity so we’ve definitely been using that to our advantage.”
Everything worked just fine Wednesday night, giving the Eagles two statement wins in the first week of the season. Here’s what stood out in a matchup that we could see a lot of in 2026.
An offensive change
Offense was a problem for Barrington when it needed it most last season. In three of the Eagles’ final four games – two in the Division I Tournament and its season-ending loss in the state tourney – they averaged under 30 points per game.
Whether or not Barrington could score was a big question heading into the season, but one its seemed to answered one week in.
The Eagles opened the year with a 65-52 against Chariho and followed with a 49-46 win over Westerly, one of the favorites to win the D-I and state title. Wednesday Barrington had 30 on the board and halftime against NK and while the second half turned into a defensive slugfest, the improvement on the offensive end is evident.
“We’re definitely proud of where we are,” Barrington’s Genesis Castro said. “We definitely put in the hard work at practice. We’re just ready to show everyone what we’re made of.”
Adding Castro has helped. The sophomore was Bay View’s top offensive threat before coming back to play for her hometown school this season. Pairing her with Ella Martin – a third-team All-Division I player as a freshman – and freshman Keira Martin – no relation to Ella – and the Eagles suddenly have a three-headed monster on the offensive end.
Wednesday, Keira Martin got thing rolling with eight points in the first quarter and in the second, Castro scored 12 points. Up 39-33 heading to the fourth, Ella Martin – who was marked by NK when she wasn’t in foul trouble – came up clutch at the line to help ice the game away.
“Last year we definitely needed set plays and execution,” said Van Ness, who scored eight on Wednesday. “But this year we have more of a variety of talent offensively so we can play loose to trick our defenders.
“[Last season] was definitely frustrating because it affected us defensively because we put our heads down, but this year our offense is bringing up our defense.”
Guarding the game
The size disparity was obvious, but for what Barrington lacked in inches it made up for in effort.
Guard play is clearly the Eagles strength with their Little Three – Castro and the Martins – and While Van Ness and Maggie Ornsted might be considered “bigs” they’re just guards in disguise.
That said, Van Ness and Ornsted were unafraid to get in the mix against North Kingstown’s tall and physical front court. The Skippers won some battles, but Van Ness and Ornsted were crucial in Barrington winning the war.
“We have a lot of guards on our team,” Castro said. “But we’re really scrappy and aggressive.”
“We definitely are a small team, so when Maggie comes out I have to step up and play the five,” Van Ness said. “It’s definitely intimidating, but I just have to have confidence in my ability to play defense.”
Tempo was key for Barrington. The Eagles were at their best in transition and when they did get stuck in the half-court, found success by – and here’s a novel concept – moving the basketball vs. trying to play isolation games.
With the speed and guard skills at all five positions on the floor, they can do things other teams can’t and it showed.
“The pregame strategy was to attack and be aggressive,” Castro said. “It turned out that really worked for us and we stuck to it.”
North playing the long game
The Skippers season-opening win over La Salle wasn’t pretty – NK won 36-21 – and while Wednesday’s result wasn’t what they were looking for, there were strides in a positive direction.
North took a hit graduating All-Stater Jaelyn Holmes, who was a steady stream of offense when the team needed it. The Skippers have the talent to fill that void, but its clear players are still figuring out their roles.
Brooke Faunce seems like the answer, but she’s going to be marked by every defense. Shea Kalin could step into that role, especially with some of the big shots she hit. The sneaky talent might be Mya Macchioni, who showed fearlessness going to the basket in a way you need on nights when shots aren’t dropping.
But NK’s sneaky strength might be its physical presence. Courtney Brochu looked confident wreaking havoc under the basket, scoring most of her team-high 11 points thanks to second-chance points. Maya Bigelli wasn’t backing down either and Finola Gately might be one of the toughest players in D-I.
In short, the pieces of the puzzle are there for the Skippers. Getting them to fit just might take some time, so while NK took an L on Wednesday, it should help lead to victories down the road.
What’s next for NK, Barrington
North Kingstown will get a day to practice before hitting the road Friday to take on rival South Kingstown, a young team with something to prove. The Skippers’ experience should be enough to take care of the Rebels, but they would be wise to avoid thinking showing up is going to be all they need to do to get the dub.
After that, North will hit the road Monday to take on Scituate in a non-league (read: exhibition) game at Scituate before closing out the 2025 portion of the season at East Providence on December 27.
Barrington will be equally busy. After facing two of the state’s best teams, the Eagles will travel to take on defending state champion Ponaganset on Friday before closing out the 2025 half of the season on Tuesday, December 23, at home against Classical.
It’s been a good start to the season so far and Barrington just hopes it can continue moving in the right direction.
“Just keep it where we’re at, keep building the chemistry, keep building the foundation,” Castro said. “It’s only the third game of the season, so I’m excited where this will go.”
“These two wins definitely show where we are as a team,” Van Ness said. “We’re definitely still new as a team, but I think we have a high ceiling and a lot of potential.”
Strasbourg predicted XI v Breidablik: Félix Lemarechal out
RC Strasbourg Alsace will be without Félix Lemarechal when they face Breidablik in the UEFA Europa Conference League on Thursday night.
Lemarechal suffered an injury in training and will therefore miss the encounter, whilst Abakar Sylla, who regardless, was not included in Strasbourg’s Europa Conference League squad, is injured. He was on the comeback trail but has suffered a setback and so he won’t be fit to face Dunkerque in the Coupe de France on Sunday either.
Les Alsaciens are also without Maxi Oyedele and Emanuel Emegha, both of whom are injured. Liam Rosenior must also contend with the absences of Guéla Doué and Mamadou Sarr, both of whom have now departed to represent their countries at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Strasbourg likely line-up v Breidablik
Mike Penders; Ben Chilwell, Andrew Omobamidele, Lucas Hogsberg; Diego Moreira, Samir El Mourabet, Mathis Amougou, Abdoul Ouattara; Sébastien Nanasi, Joaquín Panichelli, Samuel Amo-Ameyaw. (L’Éq)
The mood seemed a little bleak for the Western Kentucky basketball program heading into Monday night’s game against Campbellsvile in E.A. Diddle Arena.
After all, the Hilltoppers were coming off their worst performance of the season, a disjointed 77-61 Wednesday loss at Marshall — a performance that kept second-year coach Hank Plona in the locker room with his team in Huntington, West Virginia long after the final buzzer had sounded.
In the same game, WKU’s Bryant Selebangue — a 6-8, 225-pound graduate forward and the squad’s leading rebounder (6.9 rpg) — suffered a torn Achilles and will be lost for the season.
Already out for the Hilltoppers is 6-1 graduate point guard Terrion Murdix, who suffered a knee injury in the team’s 97-91 overtime loss to South Florida on Nov. 27 at the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas. His return isn’t expected until January.
On top of all that, the combination of school being out for Christmas break and freezing temperatures was sure to dampen attendance, and it did, with just over 2,500 showing up in the historic venue.
In the end, however, none of this mattered.
As expected, Western defeated Campbellsville by a wide margin, 102-59, but how they did it offered promise to a Hilltopper program needing an injection of confidence and hope.
Louie Semona, a 6-8, 205-pound junior wing, had not made a field goal all season, but he stepped up the make five in six attempts versus the Tigers, including 4 of 5 accuracy from 3-point land, on the way to 16 points, four steals and three assists.
“Louie’s a good player, and Louie deserved to play — he’s 6-8 and he can jump,” Plona said. “I think it’s taken some time to get comfortable and play physical, but he’s been moving in the right direction.
“He’s got some strength and you can play him at the (small forward) or (power forward) positions — you could go small and play Teagan (Moore), Louie, and Grant (Newell) up front if you could figure out some things on defense.
“Louie has worked his tail off since he’s been here, and I’m happy he had a game where he can build some confidence.”
An equally surprising performance for WKU was turned in by 7-foot, 245-pound senior forward-center Noah Boyde, who once played at LSU.
Used sparingly along the front line for most of the season, Boyde scored 13 points on 5 of 6 shooting, hauled down seven rebounds, and blocked a shot in 19 minutes of eye-opening work against the Tigers.
“Noah has been moving the right direction for the past two or three weeks,” Plona said. “He came here to be an important part of this team.
“It’s been a while since Noah’s played consistent minutes, and it’s taken him some time to get in shape, but, man, we’ve seen the signs from him the past few weeks. We’re ready to go with a bigger role for Noah.”
At 6:30 p.m. on Friday night, the Hilltoppers (7-3) host Tulsa, a burgeoning power out of the American Athletic Conference that is 10-1 with an NCAA Net Ranking in the top 40. The Golden Hurricane roll into Diddle on a seven-game winning streak.
“It’s a heck of an opportunity for us at home — it could put an exclamation point on the first half of the season and kick-start the second half of the season,” Plona said. “They’re an elite level team that plays a unique defensive style, they shoot the ball great, and they’re off to a tremendous start.
“Our win over Wichita State (Battle 4 Atlantis) is one of the best wins a Conference USA team has had this year, and this would certainly be another one if we can get it.
“It’s an important game — one in which we can make a statement. You don’t want opportunities like this to slip away.”
Owensboro High School had a planned celebration of its Class 5-A state football championship already rolling at the OHS gym. The Owensboro football team had been on the traditional fire engine ride through the Owensboro Public Schools and around the town.
OHS won its first state football championship in 39 years on Dec. 6 with a 35-7 win over Pulaski County at the University of Kentucky’s Kroger Field.
The Celebrating Champions at 1800 was in full swing Wednesday evening, when a stupendous surprise announcement added even more Red Devil energy to the party.
OHS running back Evan Hampton was named Kentucky Mr. Football for 2025 and received the award at the gym at 1800 Frederica Street.
Hampton had been considered a favorite by many for the award honoring the top senior high school football player in Kentucky after he put up sensational numbers during the stretch run to the state title.
But, the overall tenor of the Celebrating Champions was the work that went on all season long for the Red Devil football program.
OHS finished this historic season 13-2, winning 13 straight games after an 0-2 start.
“We knew what type of talent we had and where we wanted to be toward the end of the season; we just didn’t know what the road was going to look like,” OHS head coach DaMarcus Ganaway said to the crowd that filled half of Owensboro’s gym. “The expectation was strong and the boys held together.”
Ganaway was asked during that speech when he knew in the season that OHS had the look of a state championship team.
“When we beat the Green Team on Parrish,” Ganaway said, talking about the 34-21 win over Owensboro Catholic back on Sept. 12. That memory set off a huge round of applause. “That was one thing we knew we had to try to achieve, and that was more mental, it wasn’t physical, it wasn’t talent, it wasn’t anything but mental. Once our boys achieved that, it struck confidence in us that we were who we believed we were.
“Madisonville got hit, the boys came out there and did what they were supposed to do. One thing I can say about this team is, when there was a big moment, they relished it, they wanted to be on the main stage and show what they were capable of. That Madisonville game was just kind of confirmation to them, us as a coaching staff, and I think everybody in the state (knew) that this team was real and could compete for a state championship. Once we made it after the Woodford game, I felt like we were going to win it.”
OHS drilled Madisonville-North Hopkins 61-7 on Oct. 24. The Red Devils won big nearly every game from October to the end of their football season, which was Dec. 6.
“It’s been many years chasing the goal,” said Drew Hall, a longtime OHS assistant coach and former star player. “It feels great. I’m proud of the guys. I’m proud of the coaching staff. I don’t think people realize how hard this is to do. We did it.”
Eli Hampton got the extra thrill of seeing his brother Evan be picked for Mr. Football. Seeing a lot of OHS folks celebrating the team was tremendous.
Fans were coming up to OHS football players hugging them at a Red Devil basketball game at Daviess County last week.
“It’s great to see the support we had. We’re a big army fighting a battle,” Eli said. “It’s been kind of crazy. I didn’t think winning a state title would have us being recognized at an opposing rival school (Daviess County basketball) but it happened. It’s a big deal.”
Barcelona Ready to Strike in Transfer Battle with Tottenham, PSG
PSG appear set to strengthen their attack as the winter transfer window approaches. Luis Enrique’s squad has struggled with injuries following the 2024-25 season and the FIFA Club World Cup over the summer.
With a packed schedule and campaigns across three competitions heading into 2026, adding depth in key areas has become a priority for the Parisians.
On top of that, PSG are reportedly preparing a move for 1. FC Köln winger Said El Mala next summer, according to Sport Bild. The Ligue 1 club are considering an offer in the €50 million to €60 million range, amid growing interest from Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and Chelsea, all keeping tabs on the 19-year-old.
Top European Clubs Want Said El Mala
(Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Fichajes reports that El Mala has captured the attention of several top clubs, including FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City.
At FC Barcelona, the German forward’s style aligns seamlessly with the team’s attacking, direct approach. Despite recent reinforcements in the front line, uncertainty over the future of some key players has pushed El Mala to the top of the club’s priority list.
MORE PSG NEWS: PSG, Real Madrid Target Makes €65M Demand to Bayern Munich
Manchester City, under Pep Guardiola, are keeping a close eye on the player as well. The Citizens’ system demands wingers who can disrupt defenses, and El Mala’s pace and ability to change the game make him a perfect fit for the Premier League side.
Sport Bild recently reported that Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have also shown interest, reaching out to 1. FC Köln for details on what a potential deal could entail.
Bayern Munich had previously been seen as the frontrunner for El Mala, but the financial muscle of Premier League clubs could pose a significant challenge for the German giants.
The BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards ceremony is set to take place later today.
2025 Formula 1 champion Lando Norris has been shortlisted for the main award, alongside footballers Hannah Hampton and Chloe Kelly, rugby union player Ellie Kildunne, darts player Luke Littler and golfer Rory McIlroy.
Here is everything you need to know to watch the awards and vote.
When is the 2025 BBC Sports Personality of the Year?
The 2025 BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards are set to take place on Thursday 18 December at 7pm GMT. The event will be hosted by Gabby Logan, Alex Scott and Clare Balding.
How to watch the 2025 BBC Sports Personality of the Year
The 2025 BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards will be broadcast live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. For those watching in UK, it will also be available via the BBC Sport app and website.
Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren
How can fans vote?
Voting will open during the live broadcast of the show. Fans will be able to vote online and the full details will be confirmed during the show.
What are the categories at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards?
Sports Personality of the YearWorld Sport Star of the Year: Footballers Mariona Caldentey and Mohamed Salah are nominated alongside boxer Terence Crawford, baseball player Shohei Ohtani and athletes Armand Duplantis and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone.
Helen Rollason Award: Recognises an outstanding achievement in the face of adversity.
Young Sports Personality of the Year: Footballer Michelle Agyemang, darts player Luke Littler and cricketer Davina Perrin are nominated.
Coach of the Year. First won by Sir Alex Ferguson in 1999, the Coach of the Year award is given to a coach who is considered to have made the most significant contribution to British sport in that year.
Team of the Year: The England women's football team, the England women's rugby union team and the European Ryder Cup team have all been nominated in this category.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Former footballer Thierry Henry will receive the Lifetime Achievement award this year.
LONDON — Bukayo Saka is a superstar for Arsenal and England and at the age of 24 he is clearly leading the Gunners' push for trophies this season.
In recent weeks Saka has been the go-to guy when Arsenal needed someone to step up, as his incredible quality on the ball and unbelievable consistency crucial to the Gunners for some time.
Editor's note: Bukayo Saka was speaking to NBC Sports about a host of topics at a New Balance event in north London as he launched his own boot, the Furon 7egacy, which he designed himself and wears.
Saka evolving into a leader at Arsenal
Quiet, humble and always striving to improve, Saka is the perfect example for the rest of Arsenal's squad to follow.
The winger admitted that goals and assists remain "crucial" and "very important" to his game but he's also enjoying being thrust into that leadership role this season as Arsenal's vice-captain has often worn the armband.
"It is a responsibility that obviously I am growing in to and that I embrace. I'm enjoying it," Saka explained. "Obviously where I've come from, from the the academy, it has been a nice evolution and I'm enjoying it and taking it game by game and trying to help my team in any possible way." Asked if this form he's currently in is the best of his career, Saka wasn't having any of it. "No. I wouldn't say so. I am my biggest critic, so I'd say no," Saka smiled. But where does he want to improve?
"Adding to every part of my game," Saka said. "I don't really have anything too specific. It is just in general progression every year and that way I will become a better player."
What has been key to his evolution over the years?
"Nothing key. Just been a natural evolution in my game. On and off the pitch," Saka said. "I think my faith is what helps me the most. My faith in God. The trust in the plan. I give my best every day and leave the rest in his hands. That is how I live."
Saka on Arsenal’s title hopes, how they’ve improved this season
And life has been pretty good for Saka and Arsenal this season.
When asked about the Gunners being top of the table in both the Premier League and UEFA Champions League he admitted they're in a good place but, like Saka, they certainly aren't getting carried away.
"Yeah, we are in a good spot right now," Saka said. "But it's still only December so we will take it game by game. I know it sounds boring but it's the only way I think." Most people have said that Arsenal have improved and been better this season, that something is different. Would Saka agree with that?
"That wasn't my opinion that was the people's opinion," Saka smiled. "I see us as a bigger squad, we've added more quality, we are playing well so far. But we are going to take it game by game. We are still only in December and will tackle each challenge as it comes."
Asked if an increased intensity is perhaps the biggest difference for Arsenal this season, Saka admitted that could be the case and he knows the most intense period of the season is coming up over the festive period.
"It always is in December with the fixtures and Christmas as well with the amount of games we have. It is similar most years. We are trying to finish the period with good results," Saka said.
Inspiring the next generation
Saka admitted he's always wanted to design his own boots and these particular boots are very personal. With his name, famous number 7, logo and several symbols which are important to him printed on the boots, they tell the story of his life.
"I've been working on this boot for a while now," Saka said. "It's in my favorite colors and for me it is a perfect match. There are few different details in there that tells the story of my life and obviously New Balance let me be creative and put whatever I wanted to. I'm happy with the turn out and I think they look good."
He also loved seeing younger players wearing and enjoying his boots as he aims to inspire the next generation to follow in his footsteps.
"For me it's amazing. I was once in their shoes. I know how they feel. It makes me happy that they want to wear the boots and they are enjoying them," Saka smiled.
On and off the pitch Saka has become a leader. He's only 24, but his actions are inspiring both his team and young talents to reach his heights.
The Pittsburgh Pirates have made it clear that they want to spend big during the offseason to improve their offense that finished dead last in runs scored in 2025. Pittsburgh along with several other ball clubs are looking to sign Munteaka Murakami, the top free-agent from the Nippon Professional Baseball league in Japan.
Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported that Pittsburgh along with Philadelphia, Boston, Seattle, Toronto and Detroit have all showed interest in signing Murakami. MLB clubs have until Dec.22 to sign Murakami. If he is not signed by 5 p.m. he will return to the NPB to rejoin the Tokyo Yakult Swallows for the 2026 season.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported that there is no clear frontrunner for Murakami.
“No one seems to know who is on him, and no one seems to know where this might end up, what the money would be, what teams truly are interested,” Rosenthal said. “But, he is someone that I do expect will be with a major-league club next season.”
I find Munetaka Murakami’s market to be quite fascinating and I’m very curious to see how he’s valued by major league teams. pic.twitter.com/1utjm7qmLo
In recent history Pittsburgh is certainly the smallest and most conservative team in the Murakami sweepstakes. The last time the team signed a free-agent to a multi-year contract was in 2016 when the Pirates signed pitcher Ivan Nova to a three-year contract. The team has made claims that this offseason they would be looking to land a big time free-agent or trade acquisition but so far have come up with nothing.
The Pirates were reportedly all in on Kyle Schwarber, offering him a four-year, $125 million contract. Schwarber ultimately resigned with Philadelphia for less money per season. Pittsburgh was also tied to Pete Alonso and Jorge Polanco, but they wound up joining the Baltimore Orioles and New York Mets respectively. To this point, it has been all talk from the club that is desperate to add a power hitter to their lineup.
With Murakami in a team’s lineup, they instantly add more power and more runs. The Japanese slugger has never hit less than 18 homers in a season since beginning his professional career as an 18-year-old, and has only hit less than 30 home runs in two out of his eight seasons in NPB. Oneil Cruz led the Pirates in home runs last season with just 20.
Murakami has plenty of individual success to go along with plenty of team success as well. He was named Central League Rookie of the Year in 2019 and was awarded his first MVP in 2021, the same season he helped lead the Swallows to the Japan Series title.
In 2022, he broke the NPB record for most home runs hit in a single season by a Japanese born player with 56, breaking Sadaharu Oh’s record of 55 home runs in 1964. That same season he won the MVP unanimously and also the Triple Crown.
Clearly there is a reason MLB teams are clamoring for Murakami’s talents. At just 25-years-old he can join any team and be a part of their core for the future. For the Pirates he adds an instant level of offense that the team has not had in several years. Murakami could join the Pirates tomorrow and instantly be a candidate to start at either third base, first base, or be the team’s designated hitter.
With less than a week left before his posting expires, the Murakami sweepstakes should be heating up as MLB teams look to land the raw power prospect from Japan.
England should not make wholesale changes to their playing group even if their expected Ashes defeat is confirmed, according to former captain Michael Vaughan.
Ben Stokes' side look set to once again lose a series in Australia at the earliest opportunity after slipping to 213-8 on the second day of the third Test, 158 runs behind.
Defeat in Adelaide would seal a fourth successive series defeat in Australia and extend a winless run in this country to 18 Tests.
Heavy defeats in Ashes series overseas often signal sweeping change in English cricket.
The 51-year-old said that experience helped him build a team with which to win the legendary return contest in 2005.
"English cricket often works in four-year cycles, home and away Ashes series," Vaughan told the Ashes Debrief on BBC iPlayer.
"One or two players need to go because they aren't good enough at this level, but a number of them have enough talent.
"If they are coached and managed correctly, and given the right kind of preparation, they are going to be fine in four years.
"It's the only way I can see that English cricket can possibly be competitive in Australia, if they stick with some of the players that have the experience. Bad experience is better than no experience."
Of England's squad currently in Australia, 34-year-old captain Stokes would seem highly unlikely to make the next tour in 2029-30. Batter Joe Root, who will be almost 39 in four years, would perhaps be another doubt.
Among the other 14 players, opener Ben Duckett is the next oldest. The left-hander will be 35 at the time of the next Ashes tour.
"There are a lot of players in this England side that should still be coming in four years' time," said Vaughan, who played 82 Tests for England between 1999 and 2008.
"There will be one or two that will fall by the wayside and a couple of the senior pros might disappear.
"What I don't want English cricket to do is think 'all these players have failed, we'll put them in the bin and start again'. You want more players to be hardened by playing in these conditions."
England dismissed Australia for 371 on the second morning of the third Test at the Adelaide Oval, only to slump to 42-3 and 71-4 in blameless batting conditions.
It took Stokes' defiant 45 not out, from 151 balls, to ensure England were not bowling again by the close.
Defeat in Adelaide would mean a fourth consecutive away Ashes series in which England have gone 3-0 down after three matches.
After Adelaide, the series moves on to Melbourne for the fourth Test on Boxing Day, before concluding in Sydney in the new year.
"I look back to 2002-03, we were 4-0 down and won in Sydney. I learnt a lot about the next few years from winning that one game," said Vaughan.
"England can't think there is nothing to gain from the next two games. If this goes wrong, and it looks like it may do, Melbourne and Sydney are still opportunities to learn for the next time they come or the next time they play Australia."
Is Perth day one your poison of choice? 160 for five to 172 all out. Or maybe Perth day two, where England went from 65 for one to 104 for seven. Brisbane day one was good. Starting the day by falling immediately to five for two. But Brisbane day three was better. 90 for one, to 128 for six.
Or was it today? Day two at Adelaide. Where, on England’s fifth opportunity with the bat, they failed for a fifth time.
If it wasn’t the worst, it was the saddest. Fortune has favoured England throughout this tour, a fact that makes the scale of the implosion all the more unbearable. In the first two Tests, they won the toss, and even on this occasion when they didn’t, an under par batting display from Australia presented the perfect route to victory.
The pitch was flat. The square boundaries were short. And the weather was scorching, settling in at more than 40 degrees throughout the afternoon.
This was England’s opportunity. A day of calm, where they bat the day, put overs into a melting Australian bowling attack, and the match would be in their hands. Instead, they fell to 168 for eight.
“The first couple of wickets [this series] were a bit more challenging than what this is,” said a resigned Marcus Trescothick after play. “Then Australia made it tough for us today.”
Where morale sapped the fastest was that this wasn’t your typical England collapse, where batters fall in a blaze of infuriating glory. They had heeded their captain’s message to “fight” but they were instead outclassed.
Ollie Pope only made three runs before being dismissed by Nathan Lyon (Getty)
All of Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Joe Root and Harry Brook got good balls. But this was the tightrope England had created for themselves, as a result of their past failings. One afternoon of quality Aussie bowling was all it took for their hopes of a miraculous turnaround to disappear.
The exception was Ollie Pope, whose latest failure was to see a career close in live time. His three off 10 balls was tortured. Scoring three runs from his first two deliveries, he then found himself facing a Scott Boland over where he just about made it through intact. Pope has often made the point that when he’s playing well, people describe him as busy. When he’s not, the same people call him frantic. Today, he was frantic.
The first ball he faced from Lyon, he drove to mid-off; the second, he advanced and chipped tamely to mid-wicket, where he was caught. Aghast at what he had done, he left the field a broken man. His average against Australia now reads 17.66 from 15 innings, with not even a single half-century to his name in that time.
“I don’t think it has got to that point where he is void of confidence,” Trescothick said of England’s No 3. A sentence that is only said when the question itself is required.
Pope started this tour well with a promising 46 in Perth. He has not looked the same since. On England’s last Ashes tour, he was dropped after the Adelaide Test. Only a historic contribution in the second innings will save him from the same fate here.
Australia captain Pat Cummins celebrates the wicket of Joe Root (PA)
Even where England won, they lost. Ben Stokes battled throughout the afternoon to finish on 45 not out off 151 balls. Towards the end of the day, he was cramping and barely able to run. After play, it emerged that he had failed to take on the necessary carbohydrates because any attempt to do so made him want to vomit. Tomorrow he will have to finish batting, and then bowl.
“He’s pretty broken in there,” Trescothick said of the England captain. “But the medical team will work on him overnight and get him back in the frame of mind for tomorrow.”
Stokes’ innings will go down as heroic, but it also showed why it was the style of innings that England had railed against for so long. Of innings lasting 50 balls or more in the Stokes-McCullum era, it is the fourth slowest of all time. Pressure was absorbed, but it was not returned. The scoreboard didn’t move.
If England fans are to take any solace, it is that this tour is no longer becoming one of the great what-ifs, and instead becoming a certainty. Australia are better than England. And we were wrong to even hope in the first place.
Scott Boland of Australia celebrates with teammates after dismissing Will Jacks during day two of the third Test (Getty)
Before, there was a sense of a moment robbed. England, on the biggest stage, had buckled but the damage had been self-inflicted. But if they rose to their normal levels, all would be right. That is no longer the case. The evidence is too overwhelming.
As Root and Brook went out to bat after the lunch break, Brook lay down on his back on the boundary’s edge. He did so again at the drinks break, draping his face with a white towel as the heat overwhelmed him. This is why England struggle here so often and for so long. It’s suffocating, it’s relentless, and the opposition are good.
England have batted five times this series, and they have five innings remaining. The Ashes are all but gone, and yet somehow, it feels like it can still get worse.
When president of baseball operations Scott Harris explained the reason why the Detroit Tigers collapsed over the final month of the 2025 season, he didn't point to the starting rotation falling apart beyond ace Tarik Skubal or the bullpen struggling to miss bats aside from Will Vest.
"The majority of our growth as an offense is going to come from within," Harris said. "It's going to come from that first group continuing to get better and step into their prime. It's going to come from that second group making the leaps that the first group just made. It's going to come from this next wave of some of the best prospects in all of baseball really starting to make that leap into the big leagues."
"We’re going to try to find a way to improve our offense without blocking those guys because they’re too important to both our present and our future," Harris said. "I used to talk about them as solely our future. Now they're about to be our present and our future."
Here's a look at the projected 13 position players for the Tigers on the 2026 Opening Day roster, with 98 days remaining until the regular season begins March 26 against the San Diego Padres:
By the end of 2026, the Tigers are expected to promote top-100 prospects McGonigle and Clark – along with Lee and Anderson – for their MLB debuts. When they arrive, all three waves of the Tigers' position-player pipeline will be in the big leagues together.
[ MUST LISTEN: Make "Days of Roar" your go-to Tigers podcast, available anywhere you listen to podcasts (Apple, Spotify) ]
Refusing to block young players may not be the clearest path to winning a World Series in 2026, and some players – such as Jace Jung and Justyn-Henry Malloy previously – will fail to meet expectations, but it aligns with the Tigers' vision of sustainable success, the ultimate goal that has been preached by owner Christopher Ilitch for many years.
The philosophy has produced back-to-back postseason appearances, even if both ended in Game 5 losses in the ALDS.
"I think a lot of the gains that we’ve seen in our offense over the past couple of years has been actually from trusting them [young players] and saving opportunity for them and watching them blossom into the players that they are now," Harris said.
In 2025, the Tigers' offense ranked 11th among the 30 MLB teams in scoring, averaging 4.63 runs per game. (Before the September collapse, they ranked eighth at 4.79.)
That production came from nine above-average hitters among players with at least 150 plate appearances, listed in order of wRC+: Jahmai Jones, Greene, Torkelson, Carpenter, Zach McKinstry, Gleyber Torres, Dingler, Keith and Pérez. Only two – Carpenter and Greene – were above average for the Tigers in 2024, highlighting how much internal growth the Tigers saw from their youngsters in 2025.
All nine are returning in 2026.
That's why the Tigers continue to play the long game.
The Tigers are willing to explore offensive upgrades via free agency and trade, but signing free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman to a long-term contract appears unlikely unless his market collapses. The real priority is internal development: Greene into a superstar, Keith into an All-Star and McGonigle into an everyday player.
Leaning on young players to fill holes in the lineup has guided the Tigers to the postseason in the each of the past two seasons, and if those waves continue to thrive without any regression, a third straight playoff appearance is all but guaranteed.
There's one red flag.
The strategy didn't result in winning the World Series in 2024 or 2025, so if the Tigers fall short in 2026, then Harris might be left pointing his finger at the offense once again.
"I think there's going to be some positive regression, like some gains, coming from the existing group, both getting better and then also some of the injured guys coming back," Harris said, referring to Pérez, Meadows and Matt Vierling, all of whom missed most of spring training with injuries. "Those guys were making up for lost time throughout the entire season. I think there's an opportunity for those guys to reset this year and our offense to benefit from it."
Listen to our weekly Tigers show "Days of Roar" every Monday afternoon during the season and Tuesday afternoon during the offseason on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.
When president of baseball operations Scott Harris explained the reason why the Detroit Tigers collapsed over the final month of the 2025 season, he didn't point to the starting rotation falling apart beyond ace Tarik Skubal or the bullpen struggling to miss bats aside from Will Vest.
"The majority of our growth as an offense is going to come from within," Harris said. "It's going to come from that first group continuing to get better and step into their prime. It's going to come from that second group making the leaps that the first group just made. It's going to come from this next wave of some of the best prospects in all of baseball really starting to make that leap into the big leagues."
"We’re going to try to find a way to improve our offense without blocking those guys because they’re too important to both our present and our future," Harris said. "I used to talk about them as solely our future. Now they're about to be our present and our future."
Here's a look at the projected 13 position players for the Tigers on the 2026 Opening Day roster, with 98 days remaining until the regular season begins March 26 against the San Diego Padres:
By the end of 2026, the Tigers are expected to promote top-100 prospects McGonigle and Clark – along with Lee and Anderson – for their MLB debuts. When they arrive, all three waves of the Tigers' position-player pipeline will be in the big leagues together.
[ MUST LISTEN: Make "Days of Roar" your go-to Tigers podcast, available anywhere you listen to podcasts (Apple, Spotify) ]
Refusing to block young players may not be the clearest path to winning a World Series in 2026, and some players – such as Jace Jung and Justyn-Henry Malloy previously – will fail to meet expectations, but it aligns with the Tigers' vision of sustainable success, the ultimate goal that has been preached by owner Christopher Ilitch for many years.
The philosophy has produced back-to-back postseason appearances, even if both ended in Game 5 losses in the ALDS.
"I think a lot of the gains that we’ve seen in our offense over the past couple of years has been actually from trusting them [young players] and saving opportunity for them and watching them blossom into the players that they are now," Harris said.
In 2025, the Tigers' offense ranked 11th among the 30 MLB teams in scoring, averaging 4.63 runs per game. (Before the September collapse, they ranked eighth at 4.79.)
That production came from nine above-average hitters among players with at least 150 plate appearances, listed in order of wRC+: Jahmai Jones, Greene, Torkelson, Carpenter, Zach McKinstry, Gleyber Torres, Dingler, Keith and Pérez. Only two – Carpenter and Greene – were above average for the Tigers in 2024, highlighting how much internal growth the Tigers saw from their youngsters in 2025.
All nine are returning in 2026.
That's why the Tigers continue to play the long game.
The Tigers are willing to explore offensive upgrades via free agency and trade, but signing free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman to a long-term contract appears unlikely unless his market collapses. The real priority is internal development: Greene into a superstar, Keith into an All-Star and McGonigle into an everyday player.
Leaning on young players to fill holes in the lineup has guided the Tigers to the postseason in the each of the past two seasons, and if those waves continue to thrive without any regression, a third straight playoff appearance is all but guaranteed.
There's one red flag.
The strategy didn't result in winning the World Series in 2024 or 2025, so if the Tigers fall short in 2026, then Harris might be left pointing his finger at the offense once again.
"I think there's going to be some positive regression, like some gains, coming from the existing group, both getting better and then also some of the injured guys coming back," Harris said, referring to Pérez, Meadows and Matt Vierling, all of whom missed most of spring training with injuries. "Those guys were making up for lost time throughout the entire season. I think there's an opportunity for those guys to reset this year and our offense to benefit from it."
Listen to our weekly Tigers show "Days of Roar" every Monday afternoon during the season and Tuesday afternoon during the offseason on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Mark Pope picked up many of his coaching traits while playing for Rick Pitino on the best squad he ever assembled at Kentucky. Pope will show on Saturday in Atlanta if resiliency was one of those traits.
UK might be the most disappointing team in college basketball through the nonconference portion of the season, tumbling from preseason No. 9 to unranked by Week 6 of the polls. The lowest point came during the Wildcats' 35-point loss to Gonzaga in Nashville, as they were booed by their own fans.
St. John’s has also failed to measure up to expectations so far, although dropping from preseason No. 6 to currently being ranked No. 20 hasn’t been as precipitous as the Cats’ fall.
Both programs are pretty desperate for a win in this game. And it took that desperation for Pope to delve into his bag of what he learned from Pitino.
After losing to the first four Quad I opponents the Cats faced, Pope resorted to using the bench for motivation in a way he hadn’t previously done. His instructions became more like commands than guidelines as he’s had a sharper edge on the sidelines.
The result produced UK’s win over Indiana and could be the breakthrough it needed.
The Cats sorely need to build on the positives from that victory where their perimeter shooting still came up lacking, but heart and hustle powered them through.
Kentucky’s defense also took a big step forward against the Hoosiers, holding them to season-lows with 60 points and 16% shooting from 3-point range.
That win will mean little if the Cats don’t follow it up with a strong performance against the Red Storm.
Here’s where Pope will have a chance to show Pitino what kind of coach he is. UK’s shooting was supposed to be its strength on a team that was assembled specifically to have a multitude of shooters.
In their five games against major conference opponents, the Cats rank 105th in adjusted offense, according to BartTorvik.com. Pitino’s defense has been worse.
In the Red Storm’s three games against Quad I opponents (Alabama, Iowa State, Auburn), they ranked 133rd in adjusted defense and allowed opponents to shoot 36% from 3-point range.
The opportunity seems there for UK.
Pitino doesn’t lose much to the former assistant coaches and players that make up his coaching tree. He’s been particularly harsh to the players.
Billy Donovan is the most accomplished former player turned coach under Pitino’s umbrella. He coached Florida to back-to-back national titles in 2006 and ’07 and made two additional Final Four trips in 2000 and 2014.
Before Donovan left college to start coaching in the NBA in 2015, the one thing he left without doing is beating his former coach.
Pitino owned a 7-0 record against Donovan, including when he led Louisville past the Gators in the 2012 Elite Eight in their final meeting.
Travis Ford and Steve Masiello are the only two former players who have beaten Pitino on a list that includes Scott Padgett and John Pelphrey. Pitino's 18-4 against his former pupils and three of those losses came while he coached at Iona in 2021 and 2022.
Ford — in leading Massachusetts over Louisville 72-68 on Dec. 13, 2006 — is the only former player to beat Pitino when he was at UK, UofL and now St. John’s.
The lone time Pope faced Pitino, Utah Valley lost to Louisville 98-68 on Dec. 23, 2015, was his first season as a head coach. He's learned a lot about coaching over the past decade, but the best way to prove it is to beat Pitino and show he can still get UK a seat at the head of the class this season.
Manchester City join Monaco in race to sign ESTAC Troyes forward
AS Monaco will have to contend with stiff competition if they are to land ESTAC Troyes forward Mathys Detourbet (18), according to a report from Foot Mercato.
Detourbet has come through the ranks at Troyes, a team that is part of the City Group. A France youth international, he has played 16 games in Ligue 2 this season, registering two assists in that time. RMC Sport first revealed the Principality club’s interest earlier this week, but they must now contend with competition from Manchester City, as per Foot Mercato.
Manchester City have already sent a detailed career plan to the France forward, who has also visited the club’s installations. Monaco, in response, are looking to advance rapidly to secure Detourbet, whilst there is also competition from other English and German clubs. AS Roma have also been cited as a suitor. Within the City Group, he is considered the best 2007-born player already in their ranks.
We asked for your thoughts after Dundee United halted their winless run by beating Celtic for the first time in 11 years.
Here's a taste of what you had to say:
Kieran: This was the proverbial game of two halves. Did we ride our luck? Yes, but who cares. That second-half performance was something else. I don't think I've ever seen United dominate Celtic as we did, absolutely relentless. We've set the standard now we have to maintain it and use this as a catalyst to really kickstart our season heading into the new year.
Jamie: In isolation a fantastic result but we can't get carried away. Everyone is beating this Celtic side, and if Jonny Kenny was any decent striker we would have been at least three down at half-time. Now we need to see Jim Goodwin ditch the three at the back and admit it doesn't work. Will he? I have my doubts.
Brian: Need to play a back four! This three at the back hasn't worked! Bring in some full-backs please.
Clare: A game of two halves is the story of United's season. Utterly woeful in the first half only to press high and take control of a brilliant second half with two great strikes. Why can't we play a full 90 minutes of cracking football? Still, a famous victory over the the Hoops.
Sean: Firstly, delighted with the victory but it is papering over the cracks. How can it take the manager 45 minutes to rectify the defensive problems on the right? It was blatantly obvious after less than 10 minutes that this area was problematic. It was only Celtic's gross ineptitude, which saved United and made a result possible. It could have, and should have, been two, three, four or five nil to Celtic at half-time.
Ewen: Great night for United! Hopefully it can act as a springboard for better performances and results moving forward. The football on show from United this season has been turgid with players seemingly lacking in confidence. Onwards and upwards should be the rallying call.
Stephen: A game of two halves, simple as that. Celtic could easily have put United away in the first 45 but after the break they seemed to think it would just happen, and when the equaliser went in they visibly looked as if they would crumble. Just a few minutes later and that's what happened. Now we need to start winning games against the teams around us though! Mon Jim, three points against Hibs on Saturday please!
Alabama football heads to Norman for its first College Football Playoff game under coach Kalen DeBoer and a matchup against the Oklahoma Sooners in the CFP's first round Friday.
Alabama (10-3) is the No. 9 seed in the CFP and ranked No. 11 in the US LBM Coaches Poll; Oklahoma (10-2) is the No. 8 seed and ranked No. 8 in the top 25 polls. The winner will advance to the CFP semifinals at the Rose Bowl to face No. 1 Indiana (13-0) on New Year's Day.
The Crimson Tide reached the playoff after finishing the regular season as the SEC's top seed, then fell in an ugly 28-7 loss to the Georgia Bulldogs in the conference title game on Dec. 6. Ty Simpson was held to 212 yards while completing 19 of his 39 passes. He was sacked three times and threw an interception. Germie Bernard scored Alabama's only points off a 23-yard touchdown catch early in the fourth quarter.
Oklahoma closed the regular season with a 17-13 come-from-behind victory over the LSU Tigers. Sooners quarterback John Mateer threw for 318 yards and two touchdowns, including the eventual game-winner to Isaiah Sategna III with just over four minutes to play.
Alabama fell to Oklahoma, 23-21, in the regular season on Nov. 15 at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa.
Will Alabama win a rematch against Oklahoma and avoid a first-round playoff exit?
"As we’ve done throughout the regular season, our panel of staff experts weigh in once again on who might emerge victorious in all the bowls, as well as the first-round playoff games."
The six-man panel of Timanus, Paul Myerberg, Matt Hayes, Blake Toppmeyer, Erick Smith and Jordan Mendoza are split down the middle.
Myerberg, Smith and Timanus see Alabama winning Friday's game. Hayes, Toppmeyer and Mendoza are taking the Sooners to beat the Tide for the third time in 13 months.
What is Alabama football's history vs Oklahoma Sooners?
Oklahoma leads the all-time series against Alabama, 5-2-1. The Sooners have won the last two games against the Crimson Tide and are 5-1 against Alabama in the series' last six meetings dating to 2002. Alabama's lone win in that span was a 45-34 victory in the CFP semifinals at the Orange Bowl on Dec. 29, 2018.
The Sooners defeated the Tide, 24-3, in the last matchup between the two in Norman on Nov. 23, 2024. It was the first time Alabama had failed to score a touchdown in a game since the 2011 "Game of the Century" against LSU at Bryant-Denny Stadium, a 9-6 overtime loss to the Tigers.
In the regular season matchup in Tuscaloosa back in Week 12, the Crimson Tide turned the ball over three times, which led to 17 Oklahoma points in the 23-21 loss. Conor Talty also had a 36-yard field goal partially blocked to end the first half.
Here are game-by-game results for Alabama vs. Oklahoma through the years.
Kickoff for Alabama-Oklahoma is 7 p.m. CT Friday at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman. The game will be televised on ABC and ESPN. Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit will have the call of the game for ABC, with Holly Rowe and Laura Rutledge reporting from the sidelines.
Additionally, the Alabama radio feed of the game featuring Chris Stewart and Tyler Watts can be heard on SEC Network, which will feature a "Skycast" presentation of the game.
How to listen to Alabama football vs Oklahoma
The Crimson Tide Sports Network radio broadcast can also be heard on SiriusXM channel 81. Here is an unofficial list of Crimson Tide Sports Network radio affiliates across Alabama and the southeast.
Location
Station
Frequency
Anniston
WDNG
95.1 FM, 1450 AM
Arab
WAFN
92.7
Ashland
WCKF
100.7
Atlanta, Ga.
WMLB
1690
Birmingham
WBPT
106.9
Brewton
WKNU
106.3
Chattanooga, Tenn.
WUUQ
97.3 FM, 99.3 FM
Columbus, Ga.
WIOL
101.7
Decatur
WAFN
1310
Dothan
WBBK
93.1
Florence
WYTK
93.9
Ft. Walton Beach, Fla.
WTKE
103.7 FM, 100.3 FM
Gadsden
WAAX
101.9 FM, 570 AM
Georgiana/Greenville
WFXX
107.7
Haleyville
WSHF
92.7
Hattiesburg, Miss.
WFOR
92.7 FM, 1400 AM
Huntsville
WZZN
97.7
Jackson, Miss.
WJQS
106.3 FM, 1400 AM
Jackson, Ala.
WHOD
94.5
Jasper
WJLX
1240 AM
Lynchburg, Tenn.
WDUC
93.9
Meridian, Miss.
WALT
102.1
Mobile
WZEW
92.1
Monroeville
WMFC
99.3
Montgomery
WXFX
95.1
Nashville, Tenn.
WENO
760
Opelika/Auburn
WZMG
910
Priceville
WAFN
104.9
Scottsboro
WKEA
98.3
Spartanburg, S.C.
WASC
1530
Sylacauga
WFEB
1340
Tallassee
WTLS
94.7 FM, 101.1 FM, 1300 AM
Tuscaloosa
WFFN
95.3
Tuscaloosa
WTBC
100.9
Tuscaloosa
WTBC
1230
West Point, Ga.
WCJM
100.9
West Point, Ga.
WPCH
1310
Alabama football schedule 2025
Here's a game-by-game look at Alabama football's 2025 schedule.
It's going to be nearly six months since Jake Paul stepped in the boxing ring when he goes up against Anthony Joshua.
The eight-round bout will be set in Miami and the main card will start at 8 p.m. Last time Paul was in the ring was against Julio César Chávez Jr. - Paul won by unanimous decision. The 6-foot-1 Paul has a professional record of 12-1.
This fight is a bit different from Paul's last two. Joshua, a 6-6 two-time heavyweight champion, is still in prime fighting shape. The British boxer has also faced criticism in his career as of late. Joshua has a 28-4 record and has been knocked down multiple times in his career.
Paul, who was once more known for his Youtube channel that's now at 20 million subscribers, began fighting professionally in 2020.
How to watch Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua
The fight will be streamed live exclusively on Netflix. To watch the fight, folks will have to get a subscription, with a standard streaming plan with ads starting at $9.99 a month.
When does Jake Paul fight Anthony Joshua?
On Friday night, Dec. 19. and the main card is expected to start at 8 p.m.
Where is the Jake Paul-Anthony Joshua fight being held?
The fight will take place in Kaseya Center, the same place that's home to the NBA's Miami Heat. The arena has a capacity of about 20,000 for boxing events.
How old is Jake Paul?
Jake Paul is 28 years old.
How old is Anthony Joshua?
Anthony Joshua is 36 years old.
Who is favored to win the fight between Paul and Joshua?
Anthony Joshua is the overwhelming favorite to win. The odds for Joshua are around -1200 to -1300 (meaning you risk $1200-$1300 to win $100). Analysts say a TKO/KO is favorable to happen for Joshua. For Paul, is odds are around +700 (meaning you risk $100 to win $700).
What are the rules for the Jake Paul-Anthony Joshua fight
The eight-round bout will have three-minute rounds. Both fighters will use 10-ounce gloves, which is standard for pro fights. Joshua will have to weigh in a day before the fight no heavier than 245 pounds, Paul does not have a weight requirement and is expected to weigh around 220 pounds.
Full card on Netflix
Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua: Heavyweight
Anderson Silva vs. Tyron Woodley: 6-Round Cruiserweight at 195 lbs
Alycia Baumgardner vs. Leila Beaudoin: Unified Super Featherweight World Champion bout
These are five takeaways from a win that closed Delaware’s inaugural FBS season with a 7-6 record and led quarterback Nick Minicucci to proclaim “We’re legit.”
Running attack comes through
Joe Silver ran 61 yards for a touchdown on Delaware’s second possession, giving the Hens a lead they never relinquished.
“That really set the tone for us on offense,” Carty said.
Delaware’s 158 ground yards were its third highest single-game total this year. Silver’s 116 rushing yards were his second best this year.
“We’re gonna do whatever gets us down the field,” said Carty. “There’s times when that’s a lot of throwing. There’s also times when it’s from running.
“Today I thought we were very balanced and it made us have the ability to kinda hold onto the ball when we needed to.”
Drive of the game
Delaware led 10-3 at halftime, then came out and moved 70 yards on six pass plays to go up 17-3 after Minicucci’s 35-yard TD pass to Sean Wilson to start the second half.
The Hens had passed for just 50 yards in the first half.
“Trust in the guys out wide, trust in the o-line.” Minicucci said. “That’s really where it all starts, with the o-line. They blocked their butts off today.
“The ball was in the air, Kyre [Duplessis], Sean, [Ja’Carree] Kelly, everyone was catching the ball and played amazing.”
Key stat
Delaware had zero turnovers to Louisiana’s three.
The Hens are 23-0 under Carty when having fewer turnovers than the opposition and 12-0 when they have none.
Defensive play of the game
It was delivered by cornerback Nate Evans, who intercepted a pass in the end zone four plays after his pass-interference penalty put the Cajuns at the UD 13 on their second possession.
The pick came on fourth-and-1 from the UD 4. Louisiana threw off play action instead of employing its trusted running attack.
“We felt like we could get the play action off and the guy made a really good play,” Cajuns coach Mike Desormeaux said.
“Whenever you turn one over in the end zone like that, those are plays that, as a play caller, it just crushes you.”
Third time’s the charm
Carty won NCAA titles as Delaware’s back-up quarterback in 2003 and Sam Houston’s offensive coordinator in the spring 2021 season.
Coaching Delaware to a bowl win in its first FBS season was equally satisfying and, certainly, Delaware celebrated the bowl win the way it might a championship.
“This one is pretty sweet,” he said. “I don't like to compare the greatest moments of my life, because they're all unbelievable, and I cherish them all.
“But I'll say this is really special, and for all the reasons I said before -- because I get to share it with awesome people . . . To bring this trophy back, to bring a seventh win back, and to really prove that we belong where we are right now is special.”
Jo Butterfield will attempt to become the first British athlete to win gold at both the summer and winter Paralympics after being confirmed as part of the wheelchair curling team for March's 2026 Games.
The 46-year-old won club throw gold at Rio 2016 before switching from Para-athletics to curling in 2023.
She won world bronze in the mixed team event in Canada that year and, following a short spell away from the ice for cancer treatment, she will compete in the new mixed doubles event next year with Jason Kean.
"Since I first became a Paralympian, I've carried the dream of pushing boundaries and seeing what's possible," Butterfield, who was raised in Yorkshire but now represents Scotland, said.
"To now have the opportunity to go for gold at both a summer and winter Paralympics is something I'm incredibly proud of.
"It's a goal I set myself when I first transferred to wheelchair curling in 2023 and it's a challenge I'm fully committed to embracing."
Butterfield and Kean are among four England-born athletes in the seven-strong team and will be the first British representatives from outside Scotland to take to the ice at a Paralympics in curling.
Karen Aspey and Stewart Pimblett - who join Scots Hugh Nibloe, Austin McKenzie, and Graeme Stewart in the team event - represented England at the World Wheelchair Curling Championships this year along with Kean.
Nibloe is the only member of the squad to have competed at a Winter Paralympics before, with Milano Cortina being his third Games.
The 43-year-old from Stranraer has won world silver and bronze before and is determined to secure a first Paralympic podium.
"To be selected is a huge honour and a career highlight, but I am hoping this will be third-time lucky for me as I want to return as a medallist this time," he said.
📸 The fascinating evolution of the Africa Cup of Nations ball
It’s all in the leather.
Adidas Teamgeist is one of the most iconic balls in World Cup history. In 2006, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) even adopted the design of this World Cup ball, due to the lack of a model specifically created for the competition.
It was only from 2008 onwards that Adidas began to customize balls dedicated to CAF and its AFCON tournament.
A wise, albeit belated, decision that gave rise to balls that better reflected the soul of the African continent: predominance of yellow and green, abstract patterns evoking pagnes, boubous, kaftans, and other traditional garments—symbols of “Mama Africa.”
With three days to go before the 2025 edition in Morocco, let’s focus on the evolution of the AFCON ball.
AFCON 2008 (Ghana)
This ball, called “Wawa Aba,” was the first leather customized by Adidas for AFCON. The vibrant design is reminiscent of textile products sold in the flea markets of Accra, the Ghanaian capital.
AFCON 2010 (Angola)
To commemorate the first World Cup held on African soil in 2010 (South Africa), Adidas remixed the famous Jabulani ball, giving it an Angolan (host country) touch: “The Jabulani-Angola.”
AFCON 2012 (Equatorial Guinea/Gabon)
A little geography lesson: Equatorial Guinea is the only Spanish-speaking country in Africa. To pay tribute to this uniqueness, the 2012 AFCON ball was given a Spanish-sounding name: “Comoequa.” Quite a tongue-twister.
AFCON 2013 (South Africa)
AFCON in the Rainbow Nation was brightened up by “Katlego,” the twin sister of Comoequa. So, which one is the most charming?
AFCON 2015 (Equatorial Guinea)
After two consecutive AFCON tournaments with a yellow ball, Adidas decided to return to basics with the “Marhaba” model. This Arabic word means “welcome” in Arabic, but this ball would become synonymous with farewell for Adidas. Indeed, it was the last ball designed by the German brand for AFCON.
AFCON 2017 (Gabon)
Mitre succeeded Adidas two years after the “Marhaba” model, by designing the “Delta Hype.” But this “hype” didn’t last long: Mitre was, in turn, replaced by Umbro after the 2017 AFCON.
AFCON 2019 (Egypt)
The beginning of the Umbro era. The British brand launched its reign with a rather… insipid design! This ball, called “Neo Pro,” is not a favorite among collectors. Far from it.
AFCON 2021 (Cameroon)
In 2021, Umbro corrected course with a ball that exudes football and Africa. And the name of the ball follows suit: “Toghu,” in tribute to one of the most prized traditional outfits in the host country. Authenticity is priceless.
AFCON 2023 (Ivory Coast)
Puma is the new supplier of balls for CAF. Last October, the German brand unveiled the ball that will brighten up the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. The “Pokou” model pays tribute to Ivorian legend Laurent Pokou (14 goals in AFCON).
AFCON 2025 (Morocco)
For this edition in Morocco, Puma has unveiled the "Itri" ball, inspired by Moroccan art and featuring a shimmering mosaic. A design already popular with collectors.
Keely Hodgkinson marked the end of a busy stretch with a reflective Instagram update on Tuesday, December 16, sharing a mix of polished and behind-the-scenes moments from her latest training block.
The Olympic middle-distance runner and World Athletics Championship medalist, 23, posted a small photo set that balanced glam, grit and gratitude as she wrapped up the first camp of her 2026 season before heading home for Christmas.
In one snap, the Olympian posed for a gym mirror selfie in a rust-colored cropped workout top and dark high-waisted leggings. Wearing lifting gloves and wireless earbuds, she held her phone up with a focused expression, offering a candid look at the work behind the scenes. Her toned midsection and arms were on full display as the restroom-style gym setting emphasized the no-frills nature of the moment.
Keely Hodgkinson/Instagram
Another photo showed Hodgkinson dressed up for the evening, posing indoors in a sleek black, one-shoulder top that highlighted her shoulders and neckline. Her blonde hair was worn long and straight, parted neatly down the middle, while her makeup featured a warm glow and soft pink tones as she smiled directly at the camera.
Keely Hodgkinson/Instagram
Later in the carousel, she posed outdoors at a track facility, leaning against a concrete wall in a peach-toned Nike Pro sports bra and matching shorts. Her hair was pulled back, her skin appeared flushed from training, and the grass field behind her hinted at a long session already completed.
Alongside the photos, Hodgkinson reflected on the year, thanking her team and giving a heartfelt shoutout to her training group. She noted the long days, emotional moments and shared laughs, making it clear the post was as much about appreciation as it was about the visuals.
Whoever reaches the final can lift a trophy; whoever is eliminated returns to Italy earlier. This latter scenario doesn’t seem so bad when viewed from Conte’s perspective, whose history suggests that events like the Super Cup and Coppa Italia have represented more of a nuisance than real opportunities.
🔴⚫️ Why Milan Will Win
The Rossoneri—aside from the draw with Sassuolo—are experiencing a stronger period compared to Napoli. The new Allegri era is working, and so far, they haven’t lost any big matches;
Absences weigh heavily—indeed—on Napoli’s side. While Milan will also have to do without some key players like Gabbia and Leão (though the Portuguese could come on during the match), in addition to Gimenez, Conte does not have De Bruyne, Anguissa, Lukaku, and probably Juan Jesus and Olivera available;
Allegri’s desire to lift the first trophy of his second tenure could make the difference. Not that Conte doesn’t want to win—on the contrary. But at this point in the season, the Napoli coach would probably have preferred to stay at Castel Volturno to prepare for the league match.
🔵⚪️ Why Napoli Will Win
The head-to-head record between the two coaches favors Conte: five wins and two draws in nine previous meetings with Allegri, although the last one—in September—went to Max;
Two consecutive defeats against Udinese and Benfica mean that Napoli cannot afford a third loss in just a few days across three different competitions. They need to bounce back immediately, otherwise someone might even start talking about a crisis...
Napoli rarely messes up these kinds of matches. Except for the defeat against Milan at San Siro, this year the Italian champions have collected 12 points in the league from clashes with Atalanta, Roma, Juve, and Inter. When the stakes are high, so is the team’s level.
BOTTOM LINE: The St. Louis Blues and the New York Rangers take the ice in an out-of-conference matchup.
St. Louis is 7-8-4 at home and 13-15-7 overall. The Blues have conceded 121 goals while scoring 87 for a -34 scoring differential.
New York has a 16-15-4 record overall and a 12-5-1 record on the road. The Rangers have a -7 scoring differential, with 88 total goals scored and 95 conceded.
Thursday's game is the second time these teams square off this season. The Rangers won 3-2 in the previous meeting.
TOP PERFORMERS: Justin Faulk has eight goals and 10 assists for the Blues. Robert Thomas has three goals and six assists over the last 10 games.
Jonathan Tanner Miller has nine goals and 11 assists for the Rangers. Artemi Panarin has four goals and eight assists over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Blues: 5-5-0, averaging two goals, 3.6 assists, four penalties and 10.7 penalty minutes while giving up 2.9 goals per game.
Rangers: 4-4-2, averaging 2.4 goals, 4.4 assists, 2.7 penalties and 5.7 penalty minutes while giving up 2.7 goals per game.
INJURIES: Blues: None listed.
Rangers: None listed.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Winnipeg Jets (15-16-2, in the Central Division) vs. Colorado Avalanche (24-2-7, in the Central Division)
Denver; Friday, 9 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: The Colorado Avalanche are looking to extend a three-game win streak with a victory against the Winnipeg Jets.
Colorado has gone 24-2-7 overall with a 4-0-4 record against the Central Division. The Avalanche have a 22-1-5 record in games they score at least three goals.
Winnipeg has a 4-5-0 record in Central Division play and a 15-16-2 record overall. The Jets have a 3-7-1 record in games decided by a goal.
Friday's game is the first time these teams square off this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Cale Makar has 10 goals and 30 assists for the Avalanche. Nathan MacKinnon has 10 goals and nine assists over the last 10 games.
Kyle Connor has 15 goals and 26 assists for the Jets. Gabriel Vilardi has scored six goals with five assists over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Avalanche: 7-1-2, averaging 3.9 goals, 7.4 assists, 2.8 penalties and 5.6 penalty minutes while giving up 2.4 goals per game.
Jets: 3-5-2, averaging 2.7 goals, 4.9 assists, 3.9 penalties and 11.1 penalty minutes while giving up three goals per game.
INJURIES: Avalanche: None listed.
Jets: None listed.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
BOTTOM LINE: The Los Angeles Kings, on a four-game losing streak, take on the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Tampa Bay has an 18-12-3 record overall and an 8-8-0 record on its home ice. The Lightning have a 7-2-2 record when scoring a power-play goal.
Los Angeles has a 14-10-9 record overall and a 10-4-5 record on the road. The Kings have a +one scoring differential, with 85 total goals scored and 84 allowed.
The matchup Thursday is the first meeting this season between the two teams.
TOP PERFORMERS: Nikita Kucherov has scored 13 goals with 29 assists for the Lightning. Brandon Hagel has six goals and one assist over the last 10 games.
Quinton Byfield has four goals and 15 assists for the Kings. Adrian Kempe has four goals and four assists over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Lightning: 4-5-1, averaging 3.2 goals, 5.2 assists, 4.1 penalties and 11 penalty minutes while giving up 2.4 goals per game.
Kings: 3-4-3, averaging 2.4 goals, 3.5 assists, 3.8 penalties and 8.2 penalty minutes while giving up 2.2 goals per game.
INJURIES: Lightning: None listed.
Kings: None listed.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Editor's note: This story is a second in a series related to Purdue's 2000 football season.
Perhaps it was youthful naivety at the time, but when Joe Tiller accepted the Purdue football coaching job in December 1996, Scott Downing assumed a smooth transition and continued winning ways that Tiller had established at Wyoming.
"We believed in all the coaches, believed in the program that Joe Tiller set up while we were at Wyoming," Downing, who spent 16 years working alongside Tiller at Wyoming and Purdue, said. "All the coaches believed in what we were doing. Then, the key was for our program to be bought in to by the players.
"Our players at Purdue bought in."
Turns out it wasn't so naive of Downing to think Purdue, a program without a winning record since 1984, could immediately succeed with Tiller's system in 1997.
But if the Boilermakers were going to be in contention for Big Ten titles, Tiller would have to surround himself with the right staff.
Joe Tiller puts together all-star cast of coaches at Purdue
If a jump from the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) to the Big Ten was going to be a smooth transition, Tiller knew he needed a staff he could count on.
Wyoming offensive coordinator Larry Korpitz, co-defensive coordinators Brock Spack — a former Purdue linebacker and assistant coach — and Tim Lappano, and assistants Danny Hope, Randy Melvin, Tim Burke, Jim Chaney and Downing all agreed to pack their bags for West Lafayette, Indiana.
"A lot of those guys, they connected more with the players," Rocco Foggio, a redshirt freshman defensive lineman in 1997, recalled. "When I came in under (former Purdue coach Jim) Colletto, everybody was older. You had guys in their 50s and 60s. So when you had guys come in, like coach (Greg) Olson and coach Hope and coach Chaney, you know, these guys were in their their early 30s, so there was more of a connection with some 20-year-olds, and we communicated well."
Korpitz, one of the masterminds behind Wyoming's offensive attack that averaged nearly 40 points a game in 1996, had been diagnosed with a brain tumor before his final season with the Cowboys. Korpitz resigned from Purdue in July 1997 to return to Laramie, Wyoming. Less than a week later, at 46 years old, Korpitz died.
Chaney was elevated to offensive coordinator for a team that averaged 33 points per game. Greg Olson became a late staff addition, coming from Idaho. Olson and Tiller previously crossed paths, coaching on the same Washington State staff during the 1989 season.
"Jim Chaney was the best play caller I’ve been around," All-American receiver Vinny Sutherland said. "Greg Olson was a phenomenal hire. What he did with quarterbacks was nothing short of miraculous. (Offensive line coach) Danny Hope, a major identity of our team was the Danny Hope product. He was fierce."
Before a long NFL coaching career, Olson padded his resume mentoring Boilermaker quarterbacks, including Big Ten record breaker Drew Brees.
"I can't say enough about Joe Tiller and what he did for me in my career, and really for all of us that were there, very fortunate, but just had a presence about him," Olson said. "He was tough, and I think Purdue needed that at that time he came in there."
Olson's hire finalized the 1997 Purdue coaching staff and, as Downing suspected, the success translated quite well. After losing its season opener at Toledo, the Boilermakers wouldn't drop another game until November and finished 9-3, including an Alamo Bowl victory over Oklahoma State, the first postseason win for Purdue since the 1980 Liberty Bowl.
Coach retention and additions
Tiller was able to keep all but one member of Purdue's coaching staff after the 1997 season. Co-defensive coordinator Lappano joined the Seattle Seahawks staff. Seeing an opening, a former Purdue football standout who was coaching elsewhere in the Big Ten made a phone call.
"I'd been at Minnesota with Jim Wacker, who is a great guy," Kevin Sumlin said. "First year with Mace (Glen Mason, who was hired as Gophers coach in 1997), I was coaching quarterbacks with a guy named Elliot Uzelac and I was miserable."
Sumlin was a teammate of Spack's at Purdue while Tiller was then Boilermaker defensive coordinator. Tiller and Sumlin had worked together at Washington State and Wyoming before he joined Minnesota's staff in 1993.
"I said, 'Hey Joe, you've got to let me come back. I've got to get out of here,'" Sumlin, who'd later become the coach at Houston, Texas A&M and Arizona, said. "He hired me back."
Sumlin was tasked with coaching receivers in Purdue's spread offense. His first season was Brees' first as Purdue's starting quarterback. In three seasons, Sumlin coached Chris Daniels and Vinny Sutherland to first-team All-Big Ten honors.
"I think the reason you saw so much talent come out of that room, the wide receiver room, was definitely because of the relationship that coach Sumlin had, the knowledge that he had," former receiver AT Simpson said. "He made sure that we were always prepared."
With Sumlin on board, the same staff remained intact for the 1998 and '99 seasons in which Purdue went 16-9.
Finalizing a championship coaching staff
Defensive backs coach Tim Burke left Purdue to join the Kansas Jayhawks after the 1999 season. Defensive ends coach Randy Melvin was hired by the New England Patriots. For the first time at Purdue, Tiller would have to make multiple coaching staff hires in the offseason.
Purdue hired one young rising coach and one with plenty of knowledge from his NFL playing days.
Gary Emanuel shifted from coaching interior defensive linemen to coaching ends. That opened the door for Mark Hagen, a former player for Purdue's biggest rival Indiana, who was four years into his first full-time college coaching job at Northern Illinois.
"Early on, coach Tiller wanted to hire an older coach. I believe I was 30 at the time, and so, we went through the process and didn't look like it was going to work out," Hagen, who coached two stints at Purdue and coaches at Louisville, said . "In late March, they brought me in and he hired me about a week before spring ball started. I didn't know I would be there 11 years."
That solidified the defensive front, but Purdue's biggest question mark entering the 2000 season was its secondary. Enter Ken Greene, the 19th pick in the 1978 NFL Draft. Under Greene, one of Purdue's perceived weaknesses became one of its strengths.
"Coach Green made an immediate impact. He took pride in what we were doing," safety Brady Doe said. "He was a guy you wanted to work hard for. The DBs, our nickname was ATC, air traffic control. We had a pride in what we were doing. He brought in some new defensive concepts we hadn’t run before."
'Nobody had egos' on Purdue football coaching staff
It was a collective four-year effort to bring Purdue its first Big Ten title in 33 years.
Joe Tiller was the orchestrator, but players also took note that Tiller didn't micromanage people he hired to coach.
"It’s one of the better staffs I’ve been on with the relationships the coaches had with each other," Emanuel, who coached at nine colleges and four NFL teams during a career that lasted more than four decades, said. "We had some very good coaching on that staff. Nobody had egos. Everybody was helping each other. Everybody pitched in with recruiting and dealing with players."
In one of his final conversations with Tiller, former All-American safety Stuart Schweigert, the Big Ten Freshman of the Year during Purdue's 2000 championship season, heard the truth straight from the horse's mouth.
Tiller told Schweigert he wasn't the smartest coach in the room while leading the Boilermakers.
"When I went on to play in the NFL, I was amazed how bad some of the coaching is," Schweigert said. "These guys hire guys who know less than them so they can control them. Joe didn’t have any ego. He said I hire guys that know way more about football, but I know how to manage those guys. That’s what made him great and that’s why he had great coaching staffs."
That said, no one ever questioned who ran the program.
"The way (Tiller) would motivate guys, he wasn’t a player’s coach. He wasn’t your buddy." defensive lineman Craig Terrill said. "But you respected him and he demanded the best of you. At the time, it can rub guys the wrong way because you want your coach to see it your way a little more. As I’ve grown, it kind of exposes the genius of that coaching staff. As good as the players were on that team, the coaching staff was equally as good."
What percentage of us can be described in such a way? We are typically too concerned about our space, our comfort, our security, our happiness; consequently, we look out for what helps us, what advantages us.
Yet, this is how second-year Washington Commanders tight end Ben Sinnott recently described veteran teammate Zach Ertz. Young players, drafted high in the draft are often a source of discomfort for NFL veterans. Not a few veterans have refused to be a resource for young players at their position. They have also then gone the next step, justifying their self-centeredness, commenting that their job description is not to help younger players.
Zach Ertz going over Ben Sinnott’s practice tape with him. Giving him pointers. Love that from the vet after a season-ending injury. pic.twitter.com/evwmgFvAH2
Apparently, Ertz sees his role with the Commanders very differently. "My whole two years here, I've been able to just pick his brain and ask him anything," Sinnott said, via Zach Selby of commanders.com. So why would Ertz be so different during his two years here in Washington? His career was clearly trending downward. After excellent seasons with the Eagles, the Eagles determined it was time to move on and sent Ertz to the Cardinals. The Cardinals then released Ertz, as did the Lions.
Signing with Washington at age 33, after being released by the Cardinals and then the Lions, Ertz had been around the NFL block more than a few times. He certainly knew this was his last NFL opportunity. Yet, there he was, according to Sinnott, "He taught me so much about the routine, the consistency with the work every day. He's a guy who's in the same spot at every time … He has such a consistency about him."
Even more, did you see the clip in episode 3 of "Hard Knocks" featuring Ertz? There was Ertz, cast on his leg, in need of crutches to get around from one location to another. He could have been sitting at home grumbling about his career probably ending with the ACL tear. But no, Ertz was using his time, teaching Sinnott, through a film session, how to improve at noticing how defenders react and defend on the field.
It's one thing to say, "Anyway, I can help you, let me know." But though Zach Ertz can't help on the field anymore, he is still looking for ways to use his time and knowledge to help his team.
The dates and rules for the college football transfer portal have changed slightly ahead of the upcoming offseason. The window for player entry has been significantly shortened, and the opening date has been pushed back to the New Year.
But that isn’t stopping the action. So far, six Missouri football players have signaled an intention to enter the portal. Most of those players were freshmen or reserves, or both, in the 2025 season, but there are notable exceptions, like starting wideout Joshua Manning. Across the country, big names, including some high-profile quarterbacks, are planning to test the portal waters.
But, because of the approved rule changes, there likely will be more than two weeks before you begin to see Mizzou and others land commitments.
Here is everything you need to know about the upcoming portal window, including all the noteworthy rule changes, when it will open and how active Mizzou is expected to be when it does:
Here are transfer portal changes Missouri football fans should know
Two major changes are coming to the transfer portal this year.
First: The winter transfer portal window has been moved back and shortened. It will now be open for new entries from Jan. 2-16 in 2026.
Second: There is no more spring transfer portal window.
That means the total period for players to enter the portal is a full month shorter than the portal windows from two years ago. Last season, the combination of the winter and spring windows meant the portal was open for 30 total days. One year earlier, the combined window time was 45 days.
Now, it’s down to 15 total days, all in January.
There are two more notable rule changes that will apply this year.
For schools that have had a head-coaching change, players may officially enter the portal five days after a new coach is hired. They have 15 days to enter the portal once that period begins, but only if the coaching change occurs after Jan. 2. Previously, a 30-day portal window opened immediately after a coach left or was fired.
Also, graduate students are now required to use the same portal window as everyone else, instead of being able to transfer at any time through the spring.
Altogether, this likely means you won’t see any commitments to Mizzou until January.
If it’s not open yet, why am I seeing players enter the portal?
You might see some reports and announcements — like the six Mizzou players who are expected to transfer — from players, indicating they’re going into the portal. There’s an important distinction to be made here in a majority of cases, including all of the Missouri players currently who are expected to transfer.
These players are not officially in the portal yet. And they won’t officially be in the portal database until Jan. 2.
The players, like Mizzou wide receiver Joshua Manning and defensive end Javion Hilson, can only currently announce that they intend to enter the transfer portal.
There’s no rule against declaring what you’re going to do in the future, but their paperwork won’t officially process until the opening date on Jan. 2. Schools aren’t technically allowed to contact them until that date either, but you can bet your bottom dollar that rule isn’t uniformly being followed.
Missouri football transfer portal needs
This could be a busy portal window. For starters, the SEC is moving to 105 scholarships, up 20 spots from 85 this year. That means Missouri has some breathing room to take additional players.
But the Tigers also have several significant needs.
“A couple of players at this position, maybe a couple of players at this position that we already know is going to have, you know, people graduating and whatnot,” Drinkwitz said Dec. 3. ‘And then the rest of that would be based off of the attrition, right? Our ability or inability to sign or re-sign players. We have quite a few guys on multi-year contracts already, so we've been ahead of that game, … and we have guys that aren't on two-year contracts that have made decisions on what their future looks like here. And if that means that they go to the portal, then we'll have to replace them in the portal.”
Cornerback, linebacker and defensive tackle stand out on defense as positions that the Tigers possibly will be looking for multiple additions.
Wide receiver, both offensive tackle spots and, now, potentially a backup running back are the most glaring positions to target on offense.
It will be interesting to see if the Tigers test the quarterback market, which is already moving at a furious pace. Cincinnati's Brendan Sorsby, Nebraska's Dylan Raiola and Florida's DJ Lagway are among the high-profile names who have already indicated they intend to transfer. There will be more.
Mizzou doesn't necessarily need a quarterback if it feels confident moving forward with either Beau Pribula or Matt Zollers. But that doesn't mean the Tigers won't chase one.
How college football transfer portal works
The transfer portal is almost exactly what is advertised on the box: An online database (portal) that players looking to change schools (transfer) can enter. Players notify their respective institutions of their decisions to transfer, and within 48 hours, their name goes in the database.
Once that happens, other schools can contact that player.
If a player is in the portal, they do not have to commit to a new team by the Jan. 16 entry deadline. That date is only for entering the portal; players can sign up for a new school at any time afterward.
Is there a limit on players Missouri can get from the transfer portal?
No, there is no limit on the number of players Missouri can add from the transfer portal.
The size of the Tigers’ portal haul will depend on who returns, in addition to the 19-player recruiting class that signed earlier in December. The Tigers are waiting on significant NFL Draft decisions from third-year players like defensive end Damon Wilson II, middle linebacker Josiah Trotter and left tackle Cayden Green.
The SEC will again operate under a 105-player scholarship limit in 2026, up from 85 last season. That is back to being on par with the rest of the Power-conferences.
One of the more intriguing challenges will be how coaches handle their portal shopping in one swoop. With no more spring portal, the roster that shows up for spring camp is the same roster that will show up for games in the fall.
“I think the biggest challenge with the January-only portal is that you're going to have one crack at the egg,” Drinkwitz said Dec. 16. “And once you get your roster set, it's set. There's no way to fix it. So, it'll be interesting to see how everybody approaches spring football now, moving forward. When you’ve got 105 guys, and somebody gets injured, there's no going in the portal to find somebody. So, we'll see how that all plays out. Again, what we're being asked to do every day is a brand new day.”
Former Everton midfielder Leon Osman says Pep Guardiola's introduction of Phil Foden and moving young forward Divine Mukasa out wide was key in Wednesday's Carabao Cup win over Brentford.
Foden was came on in the 16th minute for Oscar Bobb, who was forced off through injury and Osman was impressed by Guardiola's solution.
"It showed what a shrewd operator Pep Guardiola is and his vision to see things unfolding on the pitch," Osman told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.
"Brentford had obviously worked on a way of trying to hurt Manchester City, getting in between spaces and getting Kevin Schade in behind. You could see their patterns of play.
"They had [Mikkel] Damsgaard and [Mathias] Jensen starting wide and coming centrally to rotate City about a bit. But, from the moment Guardiola bought Foden on and moved Mukasa into a wide area City played with near enough three false nines.
"None of them went up against any of the three centre backs for Brentford and they didn't manage to organise themselves until half-time. It's incredibly hard when you've worked on a way of playing and the opposition change something quite dramatically after 15 minutes.
"City and Pep made a wonderful change, utilising the injury to the unfortunate Oscar Bobb in a positive way with Foden's introduction, and they grabbed the game by the horns in that moment."
Preparing for the Week 16 matchup against the Detroit Lions, Rodgers shared some insight on the status of his left wrist fracture, revealing that he isn't quite fully recovered from the setback despite beginning to practice without a brace.
"It's still not 100%," Rodgers said via ESPN's Brooke Pryor. "I've been having battles with the training staff — happy battles, not knock-down drag-out battles — trying to feel more normal. To go through practice today without anything on my wrist, I'm still not without some pain with certain movements. But I'm trying to get the strength back in all those little muscles that have been unused for a number of weeks. It's a work in progress."
Over the past two weeks, Rodgers has thrown for 508 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions, while completing at least 65% of his passes.
It remains to be seen if Rodgers can suit up against the Lions in Week 16 without a brace on his wrist, but the future Hall of Famer has looked phenomenal as ever even if he's not at 100%.
For up-to-date Steelers coverage, including Pittsburgh's Week 16 matchup against the Detroit Lions, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
Chelsea, Manchester City and Newcastle all earned their place in the semi-finals of the EFL Cup with wins over Cardiff City, Brentford and Fulham, respectively.
The final semi-finalist will be decided next week when Arsenal host Crystal Palace.
Test how much you remember from this week’s EFL Cup action by answering the questions below and sign up to see how you got on compared to others!
The fight on Netflix came to be after Paul vs. Gervonta Davis got nixed following domestic allegations against Davis.
Paul (12-1) brought in record viewing numbers against Mike Tyson last November. He hopes to do the same in Miami. He beat another former champion, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., in June, and the disruptor now prepares for the biggest fight of his career.
Joshua (28-4) is a former two-time unified heavyweight champion. The Brit had a four-fight win streak snapped after getting knocked out last September against Daniel Dubois. “AJ” has beaten the likes of Wladimir Klitschko, Dillian Whyte, Joseph Parker, and Francis Ngannou.
Many believe Paul will get knocked out by Joshua. Doubters are wary of his health following the fight. However, Paul is ready to shock the world.
“I see a lot of paths to victory in his style, and styles make fights. We all know that. He has lost to guys who are shorter mostly, and lighter, mostly, and faster than him. I see holes in his game, I see punches I can land that can hurt him,” Paul told Pat McAfee via Sports Illustrated.
"Now, we can definitely land punches on me, knock me out. He's more experienced, an Olympic gold medalist, two-time heavyweight champion of the world. This is definitely insane. I have to fight a perfect fight to be able to beat this guy. But I think I'm capable of that.”
Multiple title fights featuring some of the best female fighters in the world are on the Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua undercard, along with an MMA legend and several prospects.
Here’s a breakdown of all the action on the Paul vs. Joshua card.
Alycia Baumgardner vs. Leila Beaudoin
Division/Weight: Super Featherweight
Baumgardner record: 16-1
Beaudoin record: 13-1
Belts at stake: IBF, WBA, WBO, and Ring super featherweight titles
The co-feature will see Alycia Baumgardner defend the IBF, WBA, WBO, and Ring super featherweight titles against Leila Beaudoin.
Baumgardner (16-1) became undisputed in 2023. She tested positive for a banned substance, and though she was later deemed not guilty, it slowed her career down. “The Bomb” signed with Most Valuable Promotions and beat Jennifer Miranda in July.
Baumgardner relinquished the WBC title so she could compete in 12 three-minute rounds.
Beaudoin (13-1) is on a four-fight win streak. Her last fight was a TKO win in June against Elhem Mekhaled.
Cherneka Johnson vs. Amanda Galle
Division/Weight: Bantamweight
Johnson record: 18-2
Galle record: 12-0-1
Belts at stake: IBF, WBA, WBC, WBO, and Ring bantamweight titles
Cherneka Johnson defends her status as the undisputed bantamweight champion against Amanda Galle.
Johnson (18-2) is a former IBF super bantamweight champion and a multi-time national champion. The Melbourne-based New Zealander beat Shurretta Metcalf in July to become undisputed.
A three-time National Amateur Champion, Galle (12-0-1) competes in the U.S. for the first time since 2021. The Canadian looks to win gold and go 2-0 in 2025.
Yokasta Valle vs. Yadira Bustillos
Division/Weight: Minimumweight
Valle record: 32-3
Bustillos record: 11-1
Belts at stake: WBC minimumweight title
Yokasta Valle defends the WBC minimumweight title against Yadira Bustillos.
Valle (32-3) won atomweight gold in 2016, minimumweight gold in 2019, and light flyweight gold in 2022. After losing against Seniesa Estrada for undisputed gold, she has since won three straight, beating Elizabeth Corzo for the WBC minimumweight title.
Bustillos (11-1) failed to capture minimumweight gold in 2023 and has won four straight since. “La Reina” has won two of those four fights via knockout.
Caroline Dubois vs. Camila Panatta
Division/Weight: Lightweight
Dubois record: 11-0
Panatta record: 8-2-1
Belts at stake: WBC lightweight title
Caroline Dubois defends the WBC lightweight title against Camila Panatta.
Dubois (11-0) just signed with Most Valuable Promotions. A 2018 Youth Olympics gold medalist and the sister of Daniel Dubois, “Sweet Caroline” beat Maira Moneo in August for the interim WBC title and was elevated to full-time champion after Katie Taylor vacated.
Panatta (8-2-1) is 2-1 in her last three fights. The Italian attempts to hold gold for the first time in her career.
Anderson Silva vs. Tyron Woodley
Division/Weight: Light Heavyweight
Silva record: 34-11, 1 NC MMA | 3-2 boxing
Woodley record: 19-7-1 MMA | 0-2 boxing
Belts at stake: N/A
Further down the card, Anderson Silva faces Tyron Woodley. Both are former Jake Paul opponents. Woodley replaces Chris Weidman.
One of the greatest MMA fighters of all time, Silva (34-11, 1 NC MMA | 3-2 boxing) stopped competing in MMA in 2020 and has gone 2-1 since returning to boxing. The Hall of Famer’s last boxing fight was a loss against Jake in 2022.
A former UFC welterweight champion, Woodley (19-7-1 MMA | 0-2 boxing) last competed in the cage in 2021. He lost two fights against Jake, getting knocked out in 2021.
Avious Griffin vs. Justin Cardona
Division/Weight: Welterweight
Griffin record: 17-1
Cardona record: 10-1
Belts at stake: N/A
Avious Griffin faces Justin Cardona.
Griffin (17-1) lost his last fight in June, ending his unbeaten record. The 32-year-old has won all but one of his fights via knockout.
Cardona (10-1) has won half of his fights via knockout. The California native has won two straight fights.
Jahmal Harvey vs. Kevin Cervantes
Division/Weight: Super Featherweight
Harvey record: 1-0
Cervantes record: 5-0
Belts at stake: N/A
Jahmal Harvey takes on Kevin Cervantes.
A ten-time U.S. Amateur National Champion, Harvey (1-0) won his first fight via a vicious knockout. A quarter-finalist at the Olympics, the 23-year-old takes on Cervantes (5-0), who has won all of his fights via knockout.
Keno Marley vs. Diarra Davis Jr.
Division/Weight: Cruiserweight
Marley record: N/A
Davis record: 2-1
Belts at stake: N/A
Finally, Keno Marley faces Diarra Davis Jr.
Marley turns pro after an amateur career where he won multiple medals. The 2022 Brazilian National Amateur Champion takes on Davis (2-1), who has won his last fight via knockout.
Sam Darnold gets a chance at redemption in prime-time, and a win could rocket the Seattle Seahawks to the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
After throwing four interceptions in a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in November but still nearly winning the game, Darnold has a chance to knock the Rams out of the NFC West lead and out of the conference's top seed on Thursday night.
It won't be easy. Even with Davante Adams battling a hamstring injury, the Rams have one of the NFL's most balanced teams and appear to have found a new gear with Blake Corum emerging as a valuable complement to Kyren Williams out of the backfield.
While the focus is so often on quarterback matchups in the NFL, the most important question on Thursday is likely whether a stellar Seahawks defense can rise up and slow down Matthew Stafford's MVP campaign. Between Stafford, a glut of weapons and perhaps the NFL's most respected play-caller in Sean McVay, the Rams look every bit like Super Bowl contenders but may have to start the playoffs on the road if they can't bury the Seahawks in the NFC West standings on "Thursday Night Football."
Here’s everything you need to know about Seahawks vs. Rams on Thursday Night Football, including TV and streaming options.
"Thursday Night Football" will not air on traditional broadcast television. Instead, viewers can stream the game live with Amazon Prime Video.
Al Michaels (play-by-play), Kirk Herbstreit (analyst), and Kaylee Hartung (sideline reporter) will be on the call from Seattle as the Seahawks try to take over first place in the NFC West.
What time is Seahawks vs. Rams today?
Date: Thursday, Dec. 18
Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
"Thursday Night Football" is set to kick off at 8:15 p.m. ET on Thursday, Dec. 16 from Lumen Field in Seattle.
Seahawks vs. Rams radio station
Radio channel: SiriusXM channel 225 (Seahawks broadcast) and 226 (Rams broadcast)
Fans can listen to Seahawks vs. Rams on "Thursday Night Football" live with SiriusXM. For team-specific calls, head to channel 225 (Seahawks broadcast) and 226 (Rams broadcast).
New subscribers get their first month of SiriusXM for free. Listen to every NFL game live, plus college football, MLB, NBA, NHL, NASCAR and more. Stay updated with all the news and analysis from SiriusXM NFL Radio and other sport-specific channels.
One of the primary positions that Ruben Amorim needed to upgrade in the summer was that of the goalkeeper.
Andre Onana had proven to be a major liability ever since former manager Erik ten Hag signed him for Manchester United as David de Gea’s replacement.
As a result, the head coach opted to start the new season with backup goalkeeper Altay Bayindir in goal. Safe to say, the move did not work out.
The 27-year-old started in each of the first six Premier League games of the campaign, conceding 11 goals in the process while failing to keep a single clean sheet.
Altay Bayindir has lost his place
Not only that, but the Turk was at fault for the goal that cost the Red Devils an opening day victory against Arsenal.
Since the Belgian’s arrival, the Turkiye international has had to be content with only a watching brief from the bench, while the Cameroonian was loaned out to Trabzonspor.
With Lammens impressing in every outing, there does not seem to be much scope for Altay Bayindir to impress the Portuguese tactician.
With the World Cup coming up next year, the Turkiye international is desperate to reclaim his country’s No.1 jersey.
As a result, he is open to leaving in January in search of regular minutes, with Turkish side Besiktas chasing his signature as per Turkish Football.
He is eager to leave
Interestingly, the report also suggests that United remain open to letting the former Fenerbahce man go mid-season.
“Determined to arrest a disappointing run of form, Beşiktaş is preparing a major squad overhaul for the upcoming winter transfer window.
“Club management has reportedly received a detailed recruitment list, with Manchester United goalkeeper Altay Bayındır emerging as the primary target to take over the No. 1 spot, sources have told Turkish-Football.
“Altay Bayındır has skyrocketed to the top of that list. The Turkish international has endured a frustrating spell in England, struggling to secure playing time at Manchester United.
Besiktas eyeing January swoop
“Sources suggest Bayındır is eager to depart Old Trafford in search of regular first-team football to protect his status with the national team.
“Reports from Manchester indicate that the “Red Devils” are prepared to listen to offers for the 27-year-old shot-stopper.”
Altay Bayindir has a current market value of €7 million. INEOS will do well to earn more than that. They also need to find adequate cover before sanctioning a sale.
Manchester City monitoring Chelsea target as Hugo Viana plans for John Stones and Nathan Ake exits
Manchester City are keeping close tabs on Atalanta and Nigeria defender Honest Ahanor as the club outline plans for the summer of 2026, as per a new report.
The Blues are in the middle of a finely-poised Premier League title race with league leaders Arsenal, who are vying for their first league crown in 21 years and hold a two-point lead over Pep Guardiola’s side ahead of this weekend’s fixtures.
City have recovered from a sluggish start to the season and clawed their way back into the conversation for the title, having also taken a giant step towards the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 last week after coming from behind to beat Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Guardiola and co have gone from strength to strength since September and entered the Carabao Cup semi-final on Wednesday evening as goals from Rayan Cherki and Savinho helped them claim a 2-0 quarter-final win over Keith Andrews and Brentford at the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City are expected to be somewhat active in the 2026 January transfer window as director of football Hugo Viana analyses loopholes in the existing first-team squad that can be plugged next month to offer Guardiola greater ammunition for the second half of the current season.
Viana introduced seven new names to the Manchester City senior squad upon him placing long-serving executive Txiki Begiristain in the summer, having signed off on the departures of Kevin De Bruyne, Scott Carson, Kyle Walker, James McAtee, Ederson and Ilkay Gundogan and season-long loans for Manuel Akanji and Jack Grealish.
City hold a strong interest in Bournemouth attacker Antoine Semenyo, who will be available for £65 million next month and could add a much-needed attacking threat to a Blues frontline overly reliant on Erling Haaland to provide the goods week-in, week-out.
Guardiola has historically refrained from altering his group mid-season but City are in a strong position as the New Year approaches to go on and compete for silverware on multiple fronts – and the Catalan will not mind a signing or two to give a new-look dressing room a greater lift as the season progresses.
TeamTalk are reporting that Manchester City are closely monitoring Atalanta defender Honest Ahanor, who is also attracting interest from Real Madrid, Manchester United, Tottenham, RB Leipzig and other elite clubs in Europe.
The 17-year-old’s stock has risen in recent months following a stunning start to the season in Bergamo and Manchester City’s interest likely to stem from the Nigerian’s ability to operate in a string of defensive and wide positions.
John Stones and Nathan Ake face uncertain futures at the Etihad Stadium and with the former out of contract at Manchester City next summer, Viana will be shortlisting capable replacements for one of Guardiola’s most loyal and long-serving confidantes. Ahanor can move to England next summer as he turns 18 in February.
Ake could leave City in January for regular playing time to stake a strong claim for Netherlands ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol forging a resolute partnership in central defence for a Manchester City side still considering far too many goals for a side competing for silverware.
In news that will shock no one, more parties have entered the race for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi.
The Times reports that Manchester City are aiming to overhaul their defence, with the English international eyed to be the centrepiece of a new-look City backline next season.
Fabrizio Romano, speaking on Men in Blazers, also reports that while Liverpool FC are still in the hunt for the defender, a January transfer is unlikely, as the player is likely looking to maximise his earnings at this point through a free transfer. Liverpool will likely have to offer the player better terms. He also reports that the defender’s camp has met with Bayern Munich twice.
“The truth is Liverpool are still there. The deal was almost done and it did not go through in the final minutes because of what happened with Palace.”
“Liverpool is still a solution for Marc Guehi, eventually on a free in the January transfer window. I can guarantee there have already been two meetings with Bayern. Bayern could look for a centre-back in the summer transfer window and English players are very comfortable there, as we can see with Harry Kane.”
“Let’s see what happens with Upamecano because Upamecano is a crucial piece of this puzzle. If he decides to extend his contract, maybe Guehi could be a different solution. If he leaves on a free then Guehi could be a serious target.”
Liverpool should rightfully feel they still have a lead, considering they already agreed terms previously this summer, but with the player entering free agency, more clubs are naturally joining the chase.
A FIRST STEP FOR AC MILAN IN SAUDI ARABIA: THE JEDDAH ACADEMY IS BORN
AC Milan and SportPlex announce the opening of a new AC Milan Academy in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, marking the Club's first step in this strategic market. Launching in January, this long-term initiative will introduce a development model aligned with the AC Milan Method, focused on creating sporting, educational, and social values.
This project supports Saudi Vision 2030, led by the Ministry of Sport and the Ministry of Investment, to advance the country's sports sector and promote health and well-being. AC Milan is partnering with SportPlex, Jeddah's largest indoor multi-sport facility, to focus on excellence, social impact, and sustainability. Club coaches and local experts will apply the AC Milan Method to help young players develop technical skills, tactical discipline, and personal growth on and off the field.
Maikel Oettle, Chief Revenue Officer of AC Milan, stated: “The opening of the AC Milan Academy in Jeddah marks the Club's first concrete step toward a long-term vision in a region that is key to our international growth. Saudi Arabia is experiencing significant transformation, with clear goals to develop sport, empower youth, and foster a more active society, in line with Saudi Vision 2030. Through our partnership with SportPlex, we introduce the AC Milan Method to Jeddah, focusing on excellence, education, and values, to help create sporting, educational, and social value for future generations.”
Muhammed Abudawood, Cofounder and CEO of SportPlex, commented: “Partnering with AC Milan was a natural fit for SportPlex. Our principles and long-term goals are closely aligned. This partnership reflects our commitment to bringing world-class football development to our community, combining international expertise with local ambition to inspire the next generation of players and develop future champions on and off the field. On a personal level, it is also a privilege to work with a team I have followed and admired for many years.”
The Academy's launch in Jeddah demonstrates AC Milan's commitment to expanding its presence in the region through its Academy network. This commitment is also shown by the First Team's current presence in Saudi Arabia as they prepare for the 2025 Supercoppa Italiana, following previous editions in Jeddah and Riyadh. The Middle East is becoming increasingly important for AC Milan, and this initiative will help strengthen relationships with regional stakeholders, including institutions and partners.
Xabi Alonso still walking a tightrope despite Real Madrid Copa del Rey progress
Real Madrid’s narrow victory over Talavera in the Copa del Rey may have secured progression, but it has done little to calm the growing uncertainty surrounding Xabi Alonso’s future.
According to a recent report from MARCA, the club’s hierarchy remains unconvinced, with serious doubts persisting about the direction of the project despite the positive result.
While results often act as the first line of defence for any Real Madrid coach, this time they are not telling the full story.
Inside the club, there is a clear concern that even when wins arrive, the football itself is not evolving.
The feeling is that the team is failing to show signs of long-term growth, structure, or identity.
Alonso is still under pressure
The pressure on Alonso intensified after back-to-back defeats against Celta Vigo and Manchester City, results that placed him firmly under scrutiny.
Those losses marked a turning point, pushing the coach into a situation where every match became a test of survival.
Xabi Alonso’s job is still not secured at Real Madrid. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
Wins against Alaves and Talavera have helped steady the ship on the surface, but internally, they have not provided the reassurance the board was hoping for.
Now, the upcoming clash against Sevilla looms large. It is viewed as another decisive checkpoint.
Even if Real Madrid manage to go past Sevilla, the Spanish Super Cup appears to be the real line in the sand.
Within the club, there is a sense that only a trophy, not just improved performances, can provide the definitive lift needed to stabilise the season.
Although there has been a noticeable change in the players’ performances, Alonso’s tactical plan is struggling to take root.
The team lacks clarity in its ideas, plays without conviction, and repeatedly looks vulnerable, even in matches they eventually win.
Eintracht fans cheer with scarves in the stands during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Eintracht Frankfurt and FC Augsburg at Deutsche Bank Park. Marc Schüler/dpa
Eintracht Frankfurt aim to take so far unspecified measures after being punished again by UEFA over misconduct by their fans.
Europe's governing body ruled that Frankfurt can not have any of their fans present at the next two away games in its competitions over the lighting of fireworks and damage in the stadium at their December 9 Champions League match at Barcelona.
UEFA enforced a suspended sentence handed out earlier in the year over incidents at a Europa League match at Roma by banning their fans for one away game, and banned them for an additional match.
Frankfurt were also prohibited to sell tickets for two away games back in 2019 over incidents caused by their fans.
In 2023 and 2025, the club was not allowed by Italian authorities to have their fans with them at matches at Napoli.
Frankfurt board member Philipp Reschke said in a club statement late Wednesday they may appeal the ban for the second game but also said things must change.
"What is clear now, however, is that things cannot go on in this way, as this is the third penalty of this kind since 2019. We will make clear and targeted adjustments, which we will set out in detail very soon," he said.
Frankfurt will have no travelling fans at their Champions League match in Qarabag in January and at their following European match. The club was also fined €38,000 ($44,600) by UEFA.
UEFA also sanctioned Bayern Bayern, who were ordered to close a section of their stadium for the next UEFA match in January against Union Saint-Gilloise for lighting of fireworks in the December 9 match against Sporting.
Like in the Frankfurt case, UEFA enforced a previous suspended measure.
A closure of the entire south stand at another match was suspended, with a two-year probation period.
UEFA also fined Bayern a total of €116,000 for various offences in the Sporting match and at the previous match at Arsenal in November.
Mario Pineida, a 33-year-old Barcelona de Guayaquil defender, was shot dead in an apparent attack, Ecuadorian police said on Wednesday, as violence escalates in the Andean nation.
Another person who police did not identify was also killed in the incident, while a third person was wounded.
Ecuador's Interior Ministry confirmed Pineida's death, but did not provide further details. Barcelona de Guayaquil said in a statement its fans are saddened by Pineida's death.
Pineida started his professional career at Independiente del Valle, where he played for five years from 2010 to 2015. He then moved to the club of the coastal city of Guayaquil in 2016 and won two league titles there. The defender also had a brief spell at Brazil’s Fluminense in 2022.
Pineida also earned nine international caps for Ecuador. He made his debut in a friendly against USA in 2014, while his final international appearance came in the 2021 Copa America against Brazil. Pineida was an unused substitite when Ecuador were knocked out by eventual champions Argentina in the quarter-finals.
Ecuador's Mario Pineida, center, and Colombia's Abel Aguilar battle for the ball during their 2018 World Cup qualifying soccer match at the Atahualpa Olympic Stadium in Quito, Ecuador, March 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa, File) (Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
Ecuadorian media reported the incident took place in the region of Samanes in the north end of Guayaquil, which lies 265 kilometers (165 miles) southwest of the capital Quito.
Ecuador is expected to have its most violent year on record with more than 9,000 homicides, according to the Ecuadorian Observatory of Organized Crime. That figure was at 7,063 violent deaths last year and a then-record 8,248 in 2023.
President Daniel Noboa has pledged to fight criminal organizations that have expanded their operations in Ecuadorian territory in connection with international drug cartels.
In November, a 16-year-old footballer of Independiente del Valle died from a stray bullet, also in Guayaquil. Two months earlier, Maicol Valencia and Leandro Yépez, both players of Exapromo Costa, and Jonathan González, of 22 de Junio died from gunshot wounds.
Ex-Leeds manager Simon Grayson believes no other manager candidate understands the city and the club as much as current boss Daniel Farke.
Pressure on the Leeds manager has lessened since victory over Chelsea and a spirited draw with Liverpool and Grayson agrees that a change of tactics have helped strengthen Farke's position.
"It's amazing how stumbling on a system and bowing to fans pressure by playing two up front can get you some results," Grayson told a special live episode of BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast.
"Sometimes you stumble on a system and full credit to Daniel [Farke] that at 2-0 down at the Etihad, he decided to change it. I look at our group of players and the system he is playing now suits this group of players.
"He knows the players, he understands the supporters, he understands the city and that all plays a part in the relationship that you have as a manager. Sometimes as a manager, all you need to be given is a little bit extra time when you are going through a tough time and you can come through that."
While he praised Leeds for not sacking Farke before Christmas, Grayson was reluctant to assume the manager will definitely be in post at the end of this campaign.
"I think it's difficult to say to stick with him for the rest of the season," he said. "When somebody gets promoted, they should be given the opportunity until January or February to get players used to it.
"The difference between the Championship and the Premier League is huge. The level of quality is huge. I'm an advocate for managers getting as long as you want, you should get a four year contract and nobody gets sacked!
"It would have been a big call if other managers were available, like Sean Dyche or Nuno Espirito Santo. That would have maybe asked a question. But because they weren't there, I don't think there is anybody better out there in terms of knowing the club.
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Luton Town were relegated from the Championship last season after finishing 22nd in the league. They finished on the same number of points as Hull City, however their significantly worse goal difference sent them down on the final day.
It’s been a whirlwind few years for the Hatters, having secured back-to-back promotions to reach the Premier League in 2023, before suffering back-to-back relegations down to the third tier. They are currently fighting at the right end of the table, sitting seventh in the league after eight wins, five draws and seven losses.
Their recent form has been mixed, having seen one win, three draws and one loss in their last five games, but they are unbeaten in their last four league games. Their last game saw the Hatters draw 2-2 at home to Port Vale last weekend.
The two sides last faced each other in the 2022/23 Championship season, when both games ended in a draw: 0-0 at Kenilworth Road and 1-1 at the SCL Stadium.
The boss
Jack Wilshere: Wilshere was appointed Luton manager in October this year, taking over from Matt Bloomfield, who was sacked after only nine months in charge of the Hatters.
Wilshere’s playing career started at Arsenal at the age of nine, joining their youth system from Luton. He was a star in their youth setup and made his breakthrough into the senior squad in 2008 at only 16 years old. Wilshere signed his first pro deal in 2009 and went on to spend time on loan at Bolton Wanderers.
He became a regular part of the Arsenal squad upon his return and went on to make 197 appearances for the Gunners, scoring 14 goals. At the back end of his career, Wilshere turned out for West Ham United, Bournemouth and AGF, before retiring in 2022.
His first coaching role saw him return to Arsenal to manage their under-18s, where he stayed until joining Norwich as a first-team coach last October. He had a spell as interim manager of the Canaries earlier this year before securing his first proper managerial role at Luton in October.
Since joining the Hatters, Wilshere has won six of his first 13 games in charge, giving him a win percentage of 46%. The 33-year-old likes his sides to play a patient passing game, playing the ball out from the back.
Squad
Luton prepared for life back in League One with the signing of 14 players over the summer. They paid transfer fees for goalkeeper Josh Keeley, who signed from Tottenham Hotspur; and forwards Jerry Yates and Joseph Gbode, who signed from Swansea City and Gillingham respectively.
Other key signings included defenders Kal Naismith and Cohen Bramall, midfielders George Saville and Hakeem Odoffin and veteran striker Nakhi Wells. Loan signings also arrived in the shape of Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Nigel Lonwijk and forwards Ali Al-Hamadi and Gideon Kodua, who joined from Ipswich Town and West Ham.
Midfielder Shandon Baptiste and forwards Al-Hamadi, Elijah Adebayo and Isaiah Jones are all expected to miss out through injury, while midfielder Marvelous Nakamba will also be missing as he represents Zimbabwe at the Africa Cup of Nations.
23. George Saville: Midfielder Saville joined Luton in June on a free transfer, following the end of his contract at Millwall.
He had a brief spell in the youth setup at Reading before joining the Chelsea academy. Saville signed his first pro deal at the club in 2010 but never made a first-team appearance for the Blues, instead spending time on loan at Millwall and Brentford.
Saville moved to Wolves on a permanent deal in 2014, where he spent three years, while also spending time on loan at Bristol City and Millwall. He moved to Millwall on a permanent deal in 2017 before joining Middlesbrough a year later, originally on loan, but the deal was made permanent for a reported £8m.
He returned to Millwall for a fourth spell in 2021, where he stayed until this summer, ensuring he racked up 241 total appearances for the Lions. The 32-year-old Northern Ireland international has started all but one league game for the Hatters so far this season.
Saville is a combative box-to-box midfielder who has high energy.
One to watch
17. Nigel Lonwijk: Defender Lonwijk joined Luton on a season-long loan from Premier League Wolves this summer.
He started his career in the youth system at PSV Eindhoven before joining the youth setup at Wolves in 2020. He has played for the Wolves under-18 and under-21 sides but is yet to make a first-team appearance for the club.
Lonwijk has had a number of loan spells to gain first-team experience, representing the likes of Fortuna Sittard, Plymouth Argyle, Wycombe Wanderers and Huddersfield Town, where he spent last season.
The 23-year-old has made 17 appearances for Luton so far this season. Lonwijk is a centre-back who, standing at 6 foot 5, is a physical presence, yet he is also comfortable on the ball.
James Pearce confirms major boost ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Spurs
Positive update on Szoboszlai boosts Liverpool ahead of Spurs test
Liverpool’s preparations for their upcoming Premier League meeting with Tottenham Hotspur have been lifted by encouraging injury news, with fresh reporting offering renewed optimism over Dominik Szoboszlai’s availability. After concerns emerged at the Amex Stadium last weekend, there is now a growing sense inside the club that the situation may not be as disruptive as first feared.
Szoboszlai was forced off during the closing stages of the win over Brighton after landing awkwardly while attempting to avoid a sliding challenge. The midfielder’s visible discomfort immediately raised alarms, particularly given his importance to Arne Slot’s tactical structure and Liverpool’s already demanding winter schedule.
However, developments over the past few days suggest that supporters may not need to brace themselves for an extended absence.
Initial assessments conducted shortly after the Brighton match pointed towards an ankle issue rather than something more serious. Subsequent checks, including scans carried out earlier this week, did not reveal any significant structural damage.
That information has now been reinforced by updated injury news, with James Pearce reporting that Szoboszlai is hopeful of being passed fit to feature against Spurs. The midfielder has reportedly responded well to treatment and has shown positive signs during early rehabilitation work, placing him firmly in contention for the trip to north London.
Liverpool’s medical team are continuing to monitor his condition on a daily basis, with a final decision expected closer to Friday. While caution remains, there is a sense that the worst-case scenario has been avoided, which in itself represents a boost at a critical point in the campaign.
James Pearce outlines wider injury picture
Alongside the update on Szoboszlai, James Pearce also provided clarity on Liverpool’s broader injury situation. Joe Gomez is set to miss the Spurs clash after sustaining a hamstring problem, though the issue is understood to be relatively minor rather than one that will keep him sidelined for an extended period.
There was also more encouraging news concerning Jeremie Frimpong. The defender is edging closer to a return after a lengthy absence and is expected to rejoin full team training imminently. While Saturday’s match is likely to come too soon, his reintegration would offer Arne Slot additional options during a congested festive period.
Taken together, the updates paint a picture of injuries being managed rather than escalating, which will come as a relief given the intensity of Liverpool’s fixture list over the coming weeks.
Why Szoboszlai availability matters
Szoboszlai’s potential return could be particularly significant given Liverpool’s current squad demands. His versatility, athleticism and tactical intelligence have made him one of Slot’s most trusted performers, capable of influencing games both centrally and in wider roles when required.
With other absentees limiting selection options, his presence could prove decisive in maintaining balance against a Spurs side known for their attacking intent under Thomas Frank. Even if he is not deemed ready to start, the option of introducing him from the bench would materially strengthen Liverpool’s hand.
There is also a disciplinary subplot to consider. Szoboszlai sits one booking away from a suspension threshold, meaning careful management will be required across the next few league fixtures. If navigated successfully, Liverpool could avoid losing him for more testing matches early in the new year.
Focus shifts to north London
For now, attention centres on whether Szoboszlai receives medical clearance in time to face Spurs. The indications are positive, but Liverpool are unlikely to take unnecessary risks given the volume of football still to come.
Should he be declared fit, it would cap a week of encouraging injury news and provide a timely lift heading into a notoriously difficult away fixture. If not, confidence remains that his absence would be short-lived, with a return expected early in the festive programme.
Either way, the latest update has eased concerns and reinforced the sense that Liverpool’s squad is beginning to stabilise at a pivotal stage of the season.
Roma to meet with Pisilli’s agent to discuss future options
Daniele De Rossi can’t stop thinking about Niccolò Pisilli, the Roma midfielder whom the Genoa coach would like to bring back.
DDR has always had a strong appreciation for the young talent since his time in Rome and now wants to work with him again.
However, the Giallorossi club doesn’t seem inclined to let him go this transfer window.
Gian Piero Gasperini also praised Pisilli’s performance, noting that he’d like to see him get more playing time in the Giallorossi colors, especially now that El Aynaoui will be playing for Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations.
The final decision, writes Il Corriere dello Sport, will be made in the coming weeks, following discussions between the player and Roma.
Pisilli is also being pursued by other Serie A clubs, including Cagliari, Verona, Torino, and Parma, who are lobbying to remove him from Trigoria.
The outcome of the meeting between the player’s agent and the Giallorossi management will therefore be crucial. So far, the Italy Under-21 midfielder has had very little playing time.
The only match in which he started this season was the 3-0 victory in Glasgow against Celtic.
The final edition of Red Issue went on sale at Manchester United's game against Southampton in January 2015 [Getty Images]
It is fair to say the Red Issue fanzine split opinion among Manchester United fans.
Many loved the acerbic way it zeroed in on matters affecting United fans for over 20 years. No-one was spared, both inside the club and out.
Others felt it was needlessly critical and, at times, went too far in its attacks.
John-Paul O'Neill was a long-time contributor and eventually editor of Red Issue. He was also a key figure in the founding of rebel club FC United.
I sat down with O'Neill recently to discuss his recently released book 'Those Were The Days' which charts United and their fans through the first half of the 1990s.
"It was brutal," he said of Red Issue's approach. "The idea was you'd never abuse the team in the ground. If you wanted to spout off, you do it in the magazine.
"Fergie [Sir Alex Ferguson] didn't like it. There were various interviews at the time when he said he didn't like fanzines. But Red Issue was sold in the United souvenir shop for a very short time until they looked at it and saw what was in it.
"Of course, it was a different time but I think people have just gone soft generally since then.
"In certain aspects, you could argue that is a good thing, but without that comedy and that sort of brutality at times, you're losing a big portion of everyday life, aren't you?"
Come back throughout Thursday to read the full interview.
Former Red Issue editor JP O'Neill has charted the rise of Manchester United in the 1990s in a new book [BBC]
The Kennesaw State Owls will play in their first-ever bowl game Friday as they take on the Western Michigan Broncos in the Myrtle Beach Bowl.
It’s an incredible accomplishment given where the program was a year ago. In the first season under head coach Jerry Mack, the Owls went from a team that won only two games last year to Conference USA champions this year.
Channel 2’s Alison Mastrangelo sat down 1-on-1 with Mack. The two talked about the team’s turnaround, his future contract and the playmakers who have gotten them to where they are now.
Mastrangelo: I know it’s been like a busy whirlwind for you, but can you kind of describe for me just what the past couple days have been like for you after winning the conference championship?
Mack: They’ve been great. You know, it’s been great to see the excitement on the kids’ face. It’s been great to see the excitement in and the energy in the building more than anything else. You know, but we have one more game ahead of us.
Mastrangelo: At what point in the season did you realize you had something special boiling?
Mack: The first game where we came up short by one point against Wake Forest, I knew we had a pretty good football team. You know, we played a couple of weeks later. We didn’t play up the standard against one of our other opponents. And so we understood how important the process was every single day ... And every week we just tried to get better and better. And that’s what you consistently saw from this team.
Mastrangelo: There’ll be other teams and schools and things like that watching, like, how’d you do it? How’d you go from a program that only had two wins last year to now having 10 and making it to a bowl? What do you think was the secret sauce or the recipe to do that?
Mack: A lot of hard work, a lot of great evaluations, obviously. Some luck goes into that as well. But I do think we had a blueprint. We had a process that we went through. We understood exactly what we were looking for through the transfer portal. We played about three or four high school guys that all had a lot of success as well. And then just continued to build those relationships within the building. There was a connection with this team. And that doesn’t always happen.
Mastrangelo: Talk to me about some of the special players that you have that were able to make this possible for you guys, especially a quarterback Amari.
Mack: Amari did a great job, obviously. He had some ups and downs throughout the season, some health issues throughout the season as well, but he was able to overcome those adversities. There are a host of players, you know.
Coleman Bennett, our running back, is consistently putting in work. He had over 1,000 all-purpose yards this past year. You saw Gabe Benyard, who was a guy that was basically an unknown the previous year, and then he came in and led the entire league in receiving. Baron Hopson, who’s the co-defensive player of the year in the entire league ... Elijah Hill, who’s a true freshman that we identified. And he leads the league in sacks. So the stories go on and on.
Mastrangelo:How important is this a bowl game for just your football program to be on a national stage?
Mack: It is a great opportunity to get exposure. A lot of people in the country, with Kennesaw State being a brand-new Division I program, don’t exactly know where it’s at. So an opportunity to get our name out there. And I think over the next few years, I think we got a chance to continue to push our name out there. We have a great product to sell.
Mastrangelo: Do you guys look at like maybe like what did Tulane did? Like, hey, maybe we can eventually get into the playoff if they keep expanding?
Mack: No question. The sky’s the limit. You know, with the administration having the alignment that we have, with some consistency and stability within any program, you never know how big something can potentially be. We’re in a great area, a great location.
Mastrangelo: What’s the key for you guys to beat Western Michigan and get that eleventh win?
Mack: It’s gonna be a physical game. It’s a physical opponent. They do a great job of controlling the line of scrimmage. They don’t like to make a lot of mistakes ... They do a great job of running the ball. So we have to do a great job of being fundamentally sound, especially at this time of the year, and especially an opponent like that, you cannot make a ton of mistakes because they will hold you accountable for those mistakes that you make.
Mastrangelo: I know you reportedly signed a new contract, a long-term deal. Can you overall just talk about just the importance of knowing that that you’ll be here for a while?
Mack: I wanted to make sure that people understood, not only just recruiting it, but also to the administration, the people in the community, they understand that this program could be as good as we want to be, as fast as we want to be, if we do a great job all pulling together and making sure that we’re all on the same page ...
I’m in it to try to build something special.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Former Everton midfielder Leon Osman says Brentford deserve credit for "putting themselves in the right positions" to try and end their wait for a major trophy.
The Bees reached the Carabao Cup quarter-finals for the third season in the last five but were beaten 2-0 at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday evening.
"It's never easy coming to Manchester City and trying to get the victory when you know City are in it to win it themselves," Osman told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.
"Credit to Brentford as a club because if you keep putting yourself in these situations, taking the competition seriously, and getting to quarter-finals - at some point the draw will be favourable.
"At some point, things will go your way and you will get that bit of fortune, but you have to be in the competition at that stage to benefit from the fortune.
"Yes, the Premier League is very important and it's important to take that seriously but they are putting themselves in the right positions where something might fall their way."
The Bees travel to bottom club Wolves in the Premier League on Saturday and Osman sees this as the perfect opportunity for Keith Andrews' side to return to winning way after no victories in their past four in all competitions.
"The last two wins they've had were at home so it would be good for them to go away and get three points," he added. "If any team play Wolves and don't win, it will feel like points dropped so Brentford don't want to fall into that situation.
"It's an opportunity for them to go there, be positive, take the positives from this season into it and get three points."
Former Premier League striker Clinton Morrison says Newcastle showed an "outstanding" response to derby defeat at Sunderland by beating Fulham to reach the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
"It's a massive result for Eddie Howe after the disappointment of the weekend," Morrison told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.
"Newcastle want to win another cup this season, being the Carabao Cup holders.
"It was a big result for them and a big performance, especially in that second half.
"In the first half they were a bit nervy but after the break they were outstanding and thoroughly deserved the win.
"You want a response after a disappointing performance so credit to the players and staff for their reaction."
Yoane Wissa's first goal for the club opened the scoring but Fulham equalised quickly through Sasa Lukic.
The game looked destined for penalties before 19-year-old midfielder Lewis Miley - starting at right-back - popped up to head home a late corner.
"He is a special player," Morrison added. "He can adapt and play right-back as well as midfield and he's got a big presence about him. You don't realise how big he is until you watch him live.
"It's a fantastic header. I think he's trying to flick it back into a dangerous area but he managed to get it into that far corner.
"I thought he was comfortable in possession. Good players can play anywhere and he is certainly a good player."
🗣️ Have your say: which goalkeeper should start for PSG?
What if Lucas Chevalier was demoted in the goalkeeper hierarchy at Paris Saint-Germain?
This is the big question fueling the newspapers, following the impressive performance of his backup, Matvey Safonov, in the Intercontinental Cup final.
With four decisive saves during the penalty shootout, the Russian goalkeeper was the key player in PSG's historic victory against Flamengo (1-1, 2-1 after penalties).
This masterclass comes after a more mixed first half of the season for Lucas Chevalier as the starter. When asked in a press conference, Luis Enrique refused to fuel the debate.
So we ask you the question: who should be the number 1 goalkeeper for Paris Saint-Germain? Give your answer in the comments. ⬇️
We asked for your thoughts after Wednesday's Carabao Cup game between Manchester City and Brentford, as Pep Guardiola's side reached the last four of the competition for the first time since 2021.
Here are some of your comments:
Man City fans
Kevin: A comfortable win in the end, but at times it was complacent and training-ground stuff that verged on showboating. Luckily, Brentford were lethargic and unimaginative, eventually transitioning to surrender. This performance won't cut the cake in the other three priority competitions.
Harry: A brilliant performance with a well-rotated team, unlike the Bayer Leverkusen fiasco. What more can I say about Rayan Cherki? if he keeps himself grounded, he will go on to be a legend here. I hope Savinho knows that real fans of this club love him. He has so much talent and I desperately want him to become a core of this team. Well done to our academy lads too for an all-round professional performance. Credit to the Brentford fans who made the trip and to their players who were class.
David: While Abdudokir Khusanov grew into the game and showed some talent, Rico Lewis showed himself exactly for what he is: a jobbing lower division player. I'm sure he is on a nice package though!
Andy: Khusanov is an exciting player but is always a liability. He could've easily been sent off. He needs to not react as impulsively because this isn't the first time he could've cost City.
Brentford fans
John: It looked like we were lacking in any ambition, albeit against a very good side. Kevin Schade is not a centre-forward and such late offensive substitutions would not please the travelling supporters. It's a shame.
Kevin: It was fairly clear from team selection that the Bees had no intention of winning this tie. I feel sorry for the supporters who made the trip. After resting Yehor Yarmoliuk and Mikkel Damsgaard at the weekend, I thought we might give it a go following the poor performance against Leeds, but not to be. Five at the back does not work.
George: We had our eye on Wolves this weekend and could only offer promising spells at the start of each half without any end product. Our forward-thinking runs were too often at odds with our new 'pass it back a lot and then hoof it forward' mentality, which is yet to produce a result.
Joe: A bit underwhelming to be honest. Felt like we made some decent chances for ourselves but really lacked any form of execution. Igor Thiago and Jordan Henderson's absence was very notable. Wolves on Saturday now becomes a very important match to win
Match Report: Man United beat Juventus 1-0 to secure seeded spot in draw for CL knockout play-offs
Manchester United beat Juventus 1-0 to secure a Champions League knock-out play-off tie with OH Leuven or Atletico Madrid, thanks to Jess Park’s first-half strike.
First-half
United started the much better of the two sides as they showed attacking intent from the start. Fridolina Rolfo was presented with an early chance but she could not beat Pauline Peyraud-Magnin with her effort.
It was then Juventus’ turn to test United’s defence and they nearly broke the deadlock when Amalie Vangsgaard almost capitalised on an error. However, goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce interevened to keep the ball out of the back of the net.
United needed just 18 minutes to take the lead and they did so in stunning fashion. Park, who has seamlessly slotted into life at the club since joining from Manchester City in the summer, got on the end of a ball from Rolfo before she curled it into the top corner, well past the reach of Peyraud-Magnin.
Melvine Malard almost doubled United’s advantage with a long-range attempt but she couldn’t quite hit the target.
Elisabeth Terland also had a sight of goal but dragged her effort just wide.
Park, who was enjoying a sensational game, embarked on a surging run deep into Juventus territory before she made the decision to shoot. Her strike was blocked for a United corner.
Though a single-goal advantage is a precarious position, the bigger takeaway for United would have been the quality of their performance in Turin.
Second-half
Unsurprisingly, United’s levels came down a level or two in the second half, with Marc Skinner’s side seemingly eager to protect the 1-0 scoreline.
However, the visitors still created the occasional opportunity to put the game beyond doubt. Park remained United’s most threatening player, once again forcing the Juventus goalkeeper into a save.
But it was skipper Maya Le Tissier at the back who stole the show during the second 45 minutes.
The England international swung into action to deny Juventus what looked like a certain goal after United had recklessly given the ball away. Moments later, Le Tissier was at it again, this time producing a brilliant tackle to thwart a promising attacking opportunity for Juventus.
Juventus’ foothold on the game increased as they stepped up their search for an equaliser but United had an answer for everything that was thrown at them.
There was a controversial moment when Terland was brought down inside the box by Juventus captain Cecilia Salvai. It looked like a stonewall penalty but the referee didn’t give it. VAR agreed with the decision.
Luckily for United, it didn’t matter too much as they held on for all three points. United have missed out on automatic quarter-final qualification, which is reserved for the top four teams. Instead, they will progress to the two-legged play-off round.
The draw will take place on Thursday at 12:00 GMT.
This is the last FPL week before fixture mayhem takes over, with gameweeks starting on December 26, December 30, January 3 and January 6.
It's a lot of football to be played in a short amount of time so expect rotation, random benchings and a bit of injury chaos.
If you didn't spend all your five free Afcon transfers last week then well done - you'll need them over the next three weeks!
The team of the week is selected based on current FPL prices to fit within a £100m budget, as if you were playing a Free Hit.
Don't miss our FPL special Q&A with expert Gianni Butice, live on the BBC Sport website on Friday at 15:30 GMT.
How did last week's team do?
Strong performances from captain Bukayo Saka (22 points), Bruno Fernandes (13), Hugo Ekitike (13) and Robin Roefs (nine) speaheaded another high-scoring week.
Not much budget for a keeper this week so taking a punt on Leeds keeping a clean sheet against a Palace side that has lost key creative assets Daniel Munoz and Ismaila Sarr.
Palace top scorer Jean-Phillipe Mateta only has one goal in six games, too.
Marcos Senesi, Bournemouth, £4.9m - Burnley (h)
Despite conceding four goals at Manchester United, Senesi got defensive contribution points (defcon) for the 12th time in 15 matches.
He gives you a high floor for a game in which a clean sheet is also a distinct possibility.
Jan Paul van Hecke, Brighton, £4.5m - Sunderland (h)
Van Hecke has returned at least four points in seven of his past 10 games (three goals, three clean sheets, one assist and a defcon performance).
Sunderland visit the Amex having scored just four times on the road.
Nathan Collins, Brentford, £4.9m - Wolves (a)
Over the past 10 games, Brentford have a top-five defence for expected goals conceded (xGC) - level with Liverpool and better than the likes of Chelsea and Aston Villa.
Couple that with a game against a poor attacking side and Collins looks a great pick, especially with his goal threat.
Midfield
Bruno Fernandes has created 50 chances this season, more than any other player in Europe's top leagues [Getty Images]
Phil Foden, Manchester City, £8.8m - West Ham (h)
Foden is averaging 13.75 points per game over his past four matches and has made himself a must-have player.
West Ham at home is almost as good as it gets - they are winless in their past five games.
The only downside to picking Foden is the risk of a random Pep Roulette benching but you just have to take that on the chin if it happens.
Antoine Semenyo, Bournemouth, £7.5m - Burnley (h)
Burnley have conceded at least twice in every away game this season - a total of 23 goals in eight games.
Semenyo is back in the goals after two and half months following his strike at Manchester United and is clearly his team's talisman.
He might still be a sell, long-term, if you still own him but this week is a great match-up for him.
Marcus Tavernier, Bournemouth, £5.5m - Burnley (h)
Tavernier was Bournemouth's star man in their eight-goal thriller against Manchester United on Monday, but his potential has been shown by his underlying data for a while.
Semenyo is Bournemouth's star performer but Tavernier is not far behind.
He has created more chances (22) than any other Bournemouth midfielder and has the second-most shots, xG, goals and big chances.
At £5.5m, he's a great budget option to rival the likes of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Granit Xhaka.
Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United, £9.3m - Aston Villa (a)
Fernandes tops nearly every creative stat for midfielders and is essential until further notice, even in a tricky fixture like Villa away.
Simple as that!
Strikers
Igor Thiago, Brentford, £7.2m - Wolves (a)
Don't lose faith in Thiago, despite an underwhelming past three weeks in which he has scored just five points.
Equally, don't be fooled into thinking Wolves are suddenly able to defend after nearly taking a point at Arsenal.
They've conceded 21 goals in eight home games and you'd expect Brentford to win at Molineux.
Erling Haaland (captain), Manchester City, £15m - West Ham (h)
Captaincy is back on Haaland and it might stay there for a while.
If you went against him with Bukayo Saka or Bruno Fernandes last week then it didn't really cost you but this gameweek that is too much of a risk.
Hugo Ekitike, Liverpool, £8.6m - Tottenham (a)
You can't ignore Ekitike's form and all of a sudden, given Tottenham's recent performances, this looks like a great fixture for him.
The Frenchman has four goals in his past two games and Liverpool are improving bit by bit.
With Wolves and Leeds at home in his next two, it is not too late to jump on the bandwagon.
Rangers reportedly want former Scotland striker Lee McCulloch to join their recruitment team, while Saint-Etienne are linked with under-pressure Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy.
Rangers want former player Lee McCulloch, who is currently talent acquistion manager with Premier League club Brighton and Hove Albion, to join their recruitment set-up at Ibrox. (Alan Nixon on Patreon)
Gauthier Ganaye does not have the CV required to replace Patrick Stewart as Rangers' new chief executive despite his experience with Barnsley and Nice, according to former Aberdeen and Everton and Aston Villa chief executive Keith Wyness. (Football Insider)
Under-fire Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy would land on his feet should he lose his job, as he is the preferred coaching target for Ligue 2 promotion chasing Saint-Etienne. (Foot Sur)
Former Kilmarnock striker Steven Naismith is in the running for the manager's job at Rugby Park after Stuart Kettlewell was sacked on Monday. (Football Insider)
Aberdeen first-team coach Peter Leven is the bookmakers' favourite to be Kilmarnock's new manager, ahead of Livingston's David Martindale and interim boss Kris Doolan. (The Scotsman)
Former Aberdeen manager Barry Robson, recently sacked by Raith Rovers, was pictured alongside Heart of Midlothian head coach Derek McInnes at a first-team training session at the Oriam on Wednesday. (Edinburgh Evening News)
Ross County owner Roy McGregor has revealed that more than 80 applications have been received for the Scottish Championship club's manager vacancy. (The Courier)
Dundee have a January budget to bring in several signings even before players leave the Scottish Premiership club. (The Courier)
Former Rangers loanee Aaron Ramsey has had his contract terminated by Pumas three months into his one-year deal after the 34-year-old midfielder's injury hit start in Mexico. (The Scotsman)
Scottish Professional Football League chief executive Neil Doncaster believes Scottish football needs to adopt a "robust line" towards fans who cross the line after threats and abuse prompted Peter Lawwell to step down from his role as Celtic chairman. (The National)
The Scottish FA is guaranteed to bank a bumper £8.8m just for being at the World Cup for the first time in 28 years and can make it £9.35m if they can make it out of the group stage for the first time. (Scottish Sun)
Rangers have launched a supporter survey to gauge opinions over potential expansions at Ibrox Stadium. (The Herald)
Florida, ranked 23rd nationally, secured a dominant 102-61 victory over Saint Francis on Wednesday night, offering a welcome respite from one of the country's most challenging non-conference schedules.
Xaivian Lee led the Gators with 18 points, while Alex Condon contributed 14 in a game where Florida never trailed.
The Gators, now 7-4, showcased their superiority from the outset in their first home fixture in nearly a month. They converted 15 of their initial 20 shots, quickly establishing a 20-point lead.
This comfortable margin allowed coach Todd Golden to extend minutes for his bench players, much to the delight of the home crowd.
Students began chanting for 7-foot-9 centre Olivier Rioux with over six minutes remaining, and the world’s tallest teenager eventually entered the game, scoring his first collegiate field goal with a dunk.
Olivier Rioux entered the action after chants from the crowd (Getty Images)
Further contributions for Florida came from Rueben Chinyelu, who added 12 points and 11 rebounds, alongside Boogie Fland and Urban Klavzar, each chipping in 11 points.
The defending national champions’ four losses this season have come against formidable opponents, including three teams currently ranked in the top five: Arizona, Duke, and UConn.
Conversely, Saint Francis (2-10) endured their seventh defeat by at least 25 points this season.
The Red Flash entered the contest ranked 361st out of 365 Division I teams in KenPom ratings, marking them as the lowest-ranked opponent to visit the O’Connell Centre in the KenPom era, which dates back to the 1996-97 season.
They were 45 ½-point underdogs according to BetMGM Sportsbook and trailed by as many as 25 points in the first half, with Florida extending their lead to 61-31 shortly after the break.
Skylar Wicks, a senior, was Saint Francis’s top scorer with 22 points, taking 22 of his team’s 63 shots.
Saint Francis is set to host Robert Morris on Saturday, while Florida will welcome Colgate on Sunday.
☕️🥐 Luis Enrique makes history, plus 5️⃣ stories to start your Thursday
Today is Thursday, December 18, 2025, and these are the five news stories that could shape the football conversation of the day.
🤒 Little Relief for Xabi Alonso
Victories against Alavés and Talavera add points and classification to Real Madrid's backpack but offer little peace.
Xabi Alonso remains under scrutiny, and just looking at Thursday's headlines is enough to gauge the moment. "The future doesn't look good for Xabi" in Marca sums it up best.
🇺🇸 Is Lewandowski Heading to MLS?
According to Mundo Deportivo, the Barça forward personally heard the proposal from Gregg Berhalter, sporting director of Chicago Fire, who approached him for the summer.
📸 David Ramos - 2025 Getty Images
The idea appeals to him, but he is in no rush to decide his future.
🚀 Luis Enrique, A Coach of the Era
With his victory in the Intercontinental against Flamengo, PSG becomes the second European team to win six titles in a single calendar year (Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France, UEFA Super Cup, Trophée des Champions, and FIFA Intercontinental Cup), after Barcelona in 2009.
The common denominator is Luis Enrique, of course.
⚫️ Murder of International Player Mario Pineida
So far this year, there have been four armed attacks against footballers in Ecuador, and the latest has claimed the life of Barcelona SC's fullback, Mario Pineida, and his partner.
📸 Franklin Jacome - 2023 Getty Images
🔥 Cherki Took Up His Rifle
We knew he was one of the most special footballers in the world, but watching Cherki showcase his skills in the super elite is a delight for the senses.
Bundesliga club name their asking price for 19-year-old Barcelona target – report
Barcelona’s recruitment plans for the future have once again placed the club at the centre of a competitive European transfer battle.
Over the past few weeks, it has become clear that the Catalan giants have developed a strong interest in 19-year-old winger Said El Mala, a player widely viewed as one of the most exciting young attacking talents.
However, what initially appeared to be a promising opportunity has quickly turned into a complex and crowded race.
Manchester City have already made their admiration known, and the situation has become even more delicate with the emergence of a new rival.
Furthermore, Real Madrid have also taken notice of El Mala’s rapid rise and his eye-catching performances.
Not a cheap player
This growing list of suitors has naturally strengthened FC Koln’s position. According to a report from Fichajes, the German club are fully convinced they are nurturing a future star and have no intention of selling cheaply.
Said El Mala is wanted by several top teams. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Internally, Koln see El Mala as a rare talent, someone whose potential goes far beyond short-term form. That belief has already been reflected in their recent decisions.
The Bundesliga side reportedly rejected a formal €20 million offer from Brighton and Hove Albion, making it clear that such figures fall well short of their expectations.
This is because the club has placed a valuation of around €60 million on the winger, a number designed to both protect their asset and test the seriousness of Europe’s biggest clubs.
From Barcelona’s perspective, the interest is rooted in sporting logic because El Mala’s profile aligns perfectly with the attacking direction the coaching staff wants to reinforce.
Although Barça have recently added depth to their attack, there remains uncertainty surrounding the futures of several key players.
That uncertainty has elevated the German teenager into a priority target rather than a speculative option.
Real Madrid’s possible opponents in the Copa del Rey Round of 16
Real Madrid remain alive in the Copa del Rey, but their narrow 3-2 victory over Talavera in the round of 32 served as a sharp reminder that this competition rarely offers comfortable nights.
The result was enough to secure qualification, yet it also highlighted how unforgiving knockout football can be, especially when playing away from home against a motivated opponent.
With Talavera now behind them, Real Madrid’s attention has firmly shifted to the next stage of the tournament.
Notably, the draw for the round of 16 will take place on January 7, 2026.
Possible opponents
As reported by Defensa Central, the pool of possible opponents presents a wide spectrum of challenges.
Real Madrid could be drawn against established La Liga sides such as Valencia, Real Sociedad, Elche, Osasuna, Alaves, or Atlético Madrid.
Each of those teams brings a different tactical problem, with some offering physical intensity and others focusing on possession and structure.
Real Madrid beat Talavera last night. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
Alternatively, Los Blancos could face a Segunda Division team, with Deportivo La Coruna, Cultural Leonesa, Racing Santander, and Albacete all still dreaming of a giant-killing moment.
There are also clear limitations built into the draw. Real Madrid cannot face Barcelona or Atletico Madrid in the round of 16.
Athletic Club are also excluded for now due to their involvement with Real Madrid in the upcoming Spanish Super Cup, which will be held in Saudi Arabia during the second week of January 2026.
While these restrictions reduce the number of potential high-profile clashes in the short term, they do not eliminate them altogether.
Another important factor lies in the location of the next match. The Copa del Rey rule that favours the lower-ranked team’s stadium will continue to apply in the round of 16.
This means Real Madrid could once again find themselves playing in a hostile atmosphere, regardless of the opponent’s league status.
When I climbed into my car Monday morning and the temperature read 14 degrees, I knew immediately that I needed a little mental warmth to start the week. Something sunny. Something tropical. Something far, far away from icy windshields and frozen fingers.
So for this week’s Throwback Thursday, I took a trip back to paradise — specifically, to Aloha Stadium, where Notre Dame traveled across the Pacific for what looked, on paper, like a tune-up game before the Sugar Bowl. What followed instead was anything but relaxing.
This week’s throwback revisits a November night in Hawaii when the Irish escaped with a 48–42 win over the Rainbow Warriors — a game filled with explosive offense, defensive questions, special teams heroics, and just enough late drama to ensure no one truly slept easy, no matter the time zone.
Grab a warm drink, imagine the palm trees, and let this one thaw you out.
In their last test before the Sugar Bowl, the Irish narrowly defeat an upstart Hawaii team 48-42
By Chris Fillio
For many of the thousands of Irish fans who travelled across the Pacific Ocean to witness Notre Dame escape Aloha Stadium with a narrow 48-42 victory, there are probably many fond memories of the tropical island paradise.
For Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz, however, “Happiness is a poor memory!”
So went his initial recollections of a game which saw the Irish sprint out to a halftime lead of 28-10 only to subsequently surrender 32 second-half points in barely averting a 20-minute collapse eerily reminiscent of the 35-34 loss to Tennessee just a month prior.
Despite the pre-game spread, which favored Notre Dame over the Rainbows by as much as 24 points on some lines, closer analysis of the situation might warrant a reevaluation of the two teams.
At game time, the Irish were lacking six starters, including defensive stopper Demetrius DuBose and the kicking game’s total package, placekicker and punter Craig Hentrich. In addition, the Rainbows hail from the Western Athletic Conference the wacky WAC — a conference known for its 90-point games decided by a last-second field goal, where pass plays and options are many and defensive battles are few and far between.
The Rainbows were averaging just under 27 points per game while surrendering almost 31, including allowing 100 points combined in earlier losses to Iowa and San Diego State. Perhaps less noteworthy, the series history between the two schools was deadlocked at 0-0.
But the visitors from South Bend were the proverbial wounded tigers. Still smarting from not one but two losses, in succession against Tennessee and Penn State, the Irish coaching staff was intent on not letting the squad feel this game would be just another day at the beach.
With so many questions on defense throughout the season having gone unanswered, Holtz had concentrated much of his energies from previous weeks working with the defensive unit in hopes of instilling within them a “defensive attitude.” He felt it had paid off — to an extent.
“For twenty minutes we were sharp, we were alert, doing what we needed,” said Holtz. “But then we started falling soft on the fullback and that’s where we faltered — down and inside — and that’s where things started breaking down.”
Yet, in light of the absence of defensive stalwarts Germaine Holden, Pete Bercich, Greg Davis, Eric Jones, Demetrius DuBose and Anthony Peterson, Holtz felt encouraged by the defense’s first half performance.
On the offensive side of the ball, there were indeed some bright spots for the Irish. Quarterback Rick Mirer passed comfortably all night, hitting 12-of-19 attempts for 218 yards, without any interceptions. Senior running back Rodney Culver rushed for career-high 118 yards in 13 attempts, while split end Tony Smith was on the receiving end of nine catches for 140 yards, also a career best.
On special teams, the play of the day went to Notre Dame’s Clint “Cosmic” Johnson, who answered a third-quarter Hawaii field goal by fielding the ensuing kickoff at the Notre Dame 7-yard line and sprinting with it 93 yards for the score, the first such return of his young career.
“The kicker was the only one left in my way,” said the speedy sophomore. “I was thinking, I can’t let a kicker get me. I put a move on him and got past him. I took it to the house.”
The kicking of Johnson’s special teams complement, sophomore Rob Leonard, was encouraging, as he connected solidly on his first six PAT attempts before the Rainbows’ right tackle Maa Tanuvasa managed to get a hand on the last one of the evening.
The Irish had the usual offensive fireworks, with 499 total yards. But Hawaii countered with 473 yards of their own coming in a myriad of ways: the traditional forward pass and straight up the gut run, but as well some surprises including a reverse, a botched fumblerooski play, and onside kicks.
Notre Dame sprinted out to an early 21-0 lead. Seniors Culver and Tony Brooks had first-quarter scores on the ground, and Mirer had one of his own on an 11-yard scramble.
For the host Rainbows, that 24-point Vegas spread seemed to be quickly becoming an underestimate as Irish cornerback Tom Carter victimized starting quarterback Ivin Jasper twice with interceptions.
But then Jasper’s replacement, Michael Carter, started to heat things up for Hawaii, running the option attack with ease. Carter racked up 133 yards on the ground in 23 attempts with two touchdowns while adding 70 yards and a touchdown connection through the air on 6-of-13 passing.
In the second quarter, Carter directed the Rainbows 89 yards to close to 21-7, culminating with a 4-yard pass to running back Eddie Kealoha. After Brooks scored for the second time of the night, All-American placekicker Jason Elam hit from 31 yards as time expired in the first half to make it 28-10.
In the second half, Carter once again marched the Hawaii offense down the field, this time 59 yards to bring the score to 28-17. Meanwhile, the Irish stuck to their bread-and-butter, the 281 yards on the ground being par for the course for the running game. Sophomore fullback Jerome Bettis opened the second half scoring for the Irish with a 4-yard run to make it 35-17, making him Notre Dame’s all-time single-season leader in touchdowns with his seventeenth of the year.
After Elam again connected for the Rainbows, this time from 41 yards out, it may have appeared as if the Irish defensive woes would be of little consequence for the rest of the contest. Johnson made his return, to make it 42-20 in favor of the Irish.
It was perhaps about at this time that many of the fans in more easterly time zones put a “W” in the win column and shuffled off to bed. Slumbering, much like the Irish defense, and much like the defensive unit, shocked when waking to hear of a slim 48-42 victory.
“Hey, we scored 50 points on offense,” said Mirer. “That’s all I can do.”
Six minutes into the fourth quarter, quarterback Carter did what he’d been doing all night, as Hawaii drove 46 yards to make it 42-26. The magician Carter also dashed in for the conversion. It was on the touchdown play, as Carter swung around to his left and then sprinted 11 yards ahead, that Irish free safety Willie Clark met him head-on with a thunderous hit at the 1-yard line. While Clark may have gotten the better of the tackle, the feisty Carter managed to lunge forward for the score, yet had to leave the game due to injury.
The Irish were perhaps relieved that the multi-faceted Carter then gave way to Jasper, who threw two interceptions before being pulled by Hawaii head coach Bob Wagner in the first half.
“I said ‘This is crunch time’” said Jasper. “I can’t complain about not playing and then not do the job. I went in confident.”
When Jasper vindicated himself in directing the Rainbows 69 yards, pockets of Hawaii fans taunted the Notre Dame sideline with chants of “Tennessee! Tennessee!” The memory got worse, when with 1:38 left in the game Kealoha hauled in a seven-yard pass from Jasper to make it 48-42.
“I feel we could have been … been more intense,” said a relieved Tony Brooks after the game. “We gave up some big plays … But what do they say? A win is a win.”
Running out the final minute, the Irish escaped a stunning effort by the Rainbows and flew home from paradise with few smiling faces.
In the end, the Irish boarded the plane home with a victory, but not with the sense of ease that often accompanies a win over a heavily favored opponent. What unfolded in Hawaii was a reminder that college football — much like paradise itself — can be unpredictable beneath the surface.
There were dazzling moments: big plays on offense, a game-changing kickoff return, and just enough resilience to hold off a furious rally. There were also lingering questions, the kind that follow a team preparing for a major postseason test.
Still, as Tony Brooks wisely noted afterward, a win is a win. And years later, on a frigid winter morning, it’s also a reminder that sometimes the best way to warm up is to revisit a game played under the lights, beneath the palms, where Notre Dame survived a little trouble in paradise.
Texas starting defensive back Jaylon Guilbeau will be among the Longhorn alums at this year’s NFL Draft, he announced earlier this week. Guilbeau spent four seasons in Austin.
Neil Simpson became the first Briton to win Winter Games gold in 2022 [Getty Images]
Neil Simpson is not setting any medal targets for the Paralympic Winter Games in Italy but says his history-making gold in 2022 shows he can "deliver in high-pressure environments".
In doing so, he became the first British male to win a Winter Games skiing gold medal.
"Immensely proud of that achievement given the level of British skiers that we have had over the years," the Aberdeenshire athlete told BBC Scotland.
Despite the magnitude of his success, which thrust him into the media spotlight, the modest Scot explains "day to day life hasn't really changed a huge amount".
However, his taste of glory gives Simpson belief that he can succeed again on the biggest stage.
"It does help with your confidence, of 'right, I can deliver when the pressure is on'," he said.
"Knowing we can deliver in those high-pressure environments like World Championships and the Paralympics, it definitely helps.
"Having that experience under our belts will be beneficial coming into these Games. It is not that first time, so that is pressure taken off as well."
With a title to defend, a lot of eyes will be on Simpson, Andrew and his other pilot, Rob Poth, when the Milan Cortina action gets under way in March.
"You might see it from the outside as us going in with more pressure, but for ourselves it has not changed anything," he said. "Ultimately, we are still competing against the same faces and we compete against them regularly anyway.
"It is just a larger competition and broadcast to more people.
"Our expectations are just to do with our performances. We don't try to measure ourselves against everyone else and set position-based targets, it is all about if we can perform to our best then see where we are."
Despite "mixed form" of late, Simpson insists there is plenty of cause for optimism.
"We had a World Cup win in December last year and then I had a lot of DNFs [did not finish]," he said. "Where we are just now in training, I am really confident with how we will do this upcoming season, but until the races start then you don't really know where you are going to be sitting.
"We are not setting any targets like medals or golds, silvers or bronze or anything like that. It is all just if our performances are up to the level we want them to be then that is good."
Chalobah has learnt a lot during his time at Chelsea, and has improved as a player, and in a recent interview he revealed what he learnt from Thiago Silva.
“Reading of the game, that’s what he had in abundance,” he told Stadium Astro.
“Anticipation, because what people don’t know, that’s a skill, to anticipate where the ball is going to land or where the man’s going to be. And it’s not easy.
“But to know that as a defender, it makes your life so much easier. And in terms of off the field, recovery.
“Obviously the age he is now, looking at what he was doing, just recovering, doing the right stuff, eating right, sleeping right, being in the best shape for you to go and perform in games.”
Chelsea could sign a centre back next summer
Chelsea aren’t expected to be busy in January, but they could sign a centre back in the summer, dependent on a couple of situations.
Kirk Cousins has spent nearly two decades refining his understanding of quarterback play, and this week, the Atlanta Falcons veteran pulled back the curtain on how the game has evolved — and how his mindset from as far back as 2006 still helps him thrive in 2025.
During a media session, Cousins was asked about progression reads versus coverage-based reads, and he responded with a detailed, professor-like breakdown of how quarterbacks are taught to process defenses and why the approach has changed.
“I’d love to get into it. I can get on this soapbox if you want me to,” Cousins said, via [h/t Atlanta Falcons post on X, formerly Twitter]. “Because I lived the jump.”
Cousins explained that early in his career, including his time at Michigan State, quarterbacks were often taught to identify coverage before the snap and cut the field in half.
“I came into the league, even at Michigan State, was you see coverage and you pick a side, and you basically take five eligibles down to two, down to your check down.” Cousins said, describing how offenses once relied heavily on identifying single-high or split-safety looks before the snap.
That approach, however, became increasingly difficult as NFL defenses improved their disguises, as the veteran field general explains.
“Defenses got so good at disguising it that I would be so stressed going into games, ” Cousins said. “The whole game plan is built on is it single high or split safety and I can’t see if it’s single high or split safety.”
As a result, offenses shifted toward pure progression reads — a change Cousins said took time to adjust to, especially when Kevin O’Connell introduced more of those concepts during their time together in Minnesota Vikings.
“I remember when Kevin O’Connell was bringing a lot of pure progression reads back… it was like whoa,” Cousins said. “That’s a lot.”
Still, Cousins noted the benefits, including less mental strain during the week, though he acknowledged that pass rush realities still force quarterbacks to make rapid decisions.
“With the way the pass rush is, if you truly try to go one, two, three, four, five, you’re gonna get sack fumbled a lot,” he added.
That adaptability has defined Cousins’ career, from Washington to Minnesota and to Atlanta, it showed again last week when he threw for 373 yards and three touchdowns in a 29-28 win over Tampa Bay.
With two years left on his contract and a looming quarterback competition ahead, Cousins continues to rely on the same principle that carried him from overlooked prospect to NFL mainstay.
Rory McIlroy should be a shoo-in for this year’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year award... - Getty Images/Michael Reaves
Rory McIlroy is going into this Sports Personality of the Year awards show with as positive a mindset as he can muster. “Well,” he recently told Telegraph Sport, “if I don’t win it this time, I never will.”
For McIlroy, read UK golf, because everyone on these shores with an affinity to the professional male game will be feeling the same. If the sport does not cheer on a Spoty crown on Thursday night then it may as well give up on ever turning up at this shameless BBC back-slap again.
The Northern Irishman had not won a major in 11 years and only required the Masters title to become just the sixth player in history to win the career grand slam. Look at the names he was trying to join: Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Ben Hogan, Gene Sarazen. Think of the players who came up one short: Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, Lee Trevino, Phil Mickelson, Sam Snead. Apart from Player, all those legends are American.
McIlroy endured a dramatic final round to win the 2025 Masters - Getty Images/Richard Heathcote
But McIlroy was not merely fighting for his birthplace. Augusta is the venue where he cried as a 21-year-old, where he had the Green Jacket in his grasp, only to let it go with that devastating final-round 80. In beating Justin Rose in that unforgettable play-off this year, he exorcised his own demons at the same time as smashing through the ceiling for an entire continent. He is the first European to complete the set and did so in perhaps the most pressurised environs imaginable in his chosen profession.
What exactly does Spoty expect from McIlroy? To invent the new penicillin? In truth, McIlroy should not be competing to be the “year’s best” UK sports professional, but the greatest of all time. It is actually insulting he has not won it before and the befuddlement and anger on the fairways that he is still waiting perfectly encapsulate the ancient game’s attitude to this annual jamboree.
Spoty is anti-golf and if the 2025 recipient is anyone else but the bar steward’s son from a Belfast suburb, it could be the straw poll that breaks the camel’s back. Everyone out. Spoty should be blackballed…
At the beginning, however, it seemed so promising. In 1957, Dai Rees was the fourth winner when the Welshman was recognised for his role as player-captain in inflicting just the second Ryder Cup defeat on Team USA. The Brits adored the plus-foured pastime. This was the first of many.
Well, how about one in the preceding 67 years? In this intervening period, the UK has hailed 30 major successes in the men’s and women’s game and six different players have become world No 1. There is not another global sport in which Great Britain and Ireland has punched so high and so mightily. The lack of Spoty recognition is nothing short of a national disgrace.
It has reached the stage where our major winners do not even figure on the shortlists. Catriona Matthew and Georgia Hall were both ignored after winning the Women’s Open in 2009 and 2018 respectively. In 2022, Matt Fitzpatrick was snubbed after winning the US Open.
Darren Clarke came second in 2006, but was beaten by Zara Phillips. Maybe that was not quite as ridiculous as Phillips’ mother seeing off George Best and Barry John into second and third in 1971, but it was close. Clarke finished runner-up again in 2011, that year’s Open champion being held off by Mark Cavendish. That gave golf hope.
And when McIlroy won two majors in 2014, it seemed assured. The gap to Sir Nick Faldo’s victory in 1989 – ludicrously, he did not even make the podium after winning both the Masters and Open in 1990 – was about to be breached. Alas, Lewis Hamilton showed up with his dog and that was that. McIlroy lost out to a cute pooch.
McIlroy’s best finish in Spoty was second in 2014, the year he won the US PGA and the Open and helped Europe to win the Ryder Cup - PA/David Davies
Why? Luke Donald has a theory. “They’ve turned it into such a show,” this year’s victorious Ryder Cup captain told me. “When I was nominated, they did this whole skit about me being Luke Skywalker, with my clubs depicted as lightsabres. It was a bit demeaning, to be honest.”
A decade later, Fitzpatrick declined the invite even before he was left off the shortlist. “The recent history told me I had no chance and I didn’t want to give them the pleasure,” he told me.
Ian Poulter described himself as “disgusted” by that omission. Yet he was not surprised. “Spoty is a joke,” he said. “I’m glad Matt saved himself the air fare. In 2012, the GB Olympic team won the team prize, despite it saying in Spoty’s rulebook that an Olympic team could not win it.
“They just changed the rules at the last minute, meaning the Europe Ryder Cup team from that year did not win. Pathetic. And then for Rory not to win it a few years later?”
McIlroy was nominated two years ago, but did not attend the evening. “It’s not what it was, is it?” he said. And it will stride ever deeper into those shadows of irrelevance unless the 36-year-old is the resounding victor. It is time to end this hate-hate relationship. Now or never for golf and Spoty.
This was already Manchester City's fifth game in a relentless December, with two more Premier League fixtures to come to round off the year.
Victory over Brentford in treacherous conditions maintained their flawless record this month, and Pep Guardiola's men are starting to look ominous having won six straight matches across all competitions.
This competition is likely to be fourth on the list of trophy priorities for City, as they sit two points adrift of Arsenal in the league and inside the top-eight in the Champions League group phase.
But, after finishing last season without winning major silverware for the first time in eight years, the Carabao Cup could provide the first opportunity to put that particular record right, should they progress through the next round.
Former Lyon man Rayan Cherki is starting to settle in a City shirt. He showed some silky touches on the ball, while his thumping goal was his fourth of the campaign.
With top scorer Erling Haaland left on the bench, teenager Divine Mukasa started up front and almost scored his first senior City goal by weaving in and out, but his shot was struck straight at Brentford goalkeeper Hakon Valdimarsson.
The one concern for City will be a possible addition to their list of unavailable players.
They are already without Omar Marmoush and Rayan Ait-Nouri, who are both at the Africa Cup of Nations, while Jeremy Doku, John Stones and Rodri are out injured.
Guardiola will be hoping Oscar Bobb is not added to that list after hobbling off injured in the first half.
His withdrawal brought the in-form Phil Foden off the bench, who almost scored a seventh goal in six games but saw a snapshot clawed away by Valdimarsson.
Barcelona forward holds direct talks with sporting director for MLS club
New information has been added to the growing uncertainty surrounding Robert Lewandowski’s future at Barcelona.
According to a fresh report from Mundo Deportivo, the Polish striker recently held a discreet but significant meeting that could influence the next chapter of his career.
On Sunday, Lewandowski met with senior figures from Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire at one of Barcelona’s hotels.
The encounter was not accidental nor informal. It was a carefully arranged discussion in which the American club laid out the foundations of an ambitious proposal aimed directly at the veteran forward.
Importantly, Lewandowski was not alone during the meeting, as he was accompanied by his long-time representative, Pini Zahavi.
Chicago Fire are quite serious
The proposal presented by Chicago Fire goes beyond a standard sporting offer, as it includes a strong sporting project combined with a major financial package, backed by commercial and marketing incentives.
Robert Lewandowski is wanted in the MLS. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
From Lewandowski’s perspective, the offer is seen in a positive light. However, the striker is not feeling any urgency to make an immediate decision about his future.
Lewandowski’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season. While the striker remains comfortable in the city and would be open to continuing at the club, Barcelona’s stance is far less certain.
Internally, there is a growing sense that the club does not fully share the idea of extending the partnership under the same terms, particularly given the forward’s age and salary.
Meanwhile, Chicago Fire’s interest is not new. The MLS club has been monitoring Lewandowski’s situation for some time, and this latest meeting confirms that their interest has moved into a more concrete phase.
The proposal was personally delivered by Gregg Berhalter, the sporting director of the American club, who used the meeting to sound out the striker about a possible move in the summer.
Despite the scale of the offer, Lewandowski is approaching the situation calmly. He is weighing not just the financial appeal but also his long-term sporting ambitions.
Andriy Lunin shares his thoughts after Copa del Rey win – ‘They are always difficult games’
Real Madrid pulled through to the next round of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday night after a tough fight against Talavera that ended 3-2 in their favour.
An own goal and a Kylian Mbappe brace handed Real Madrid their three goals on the night, while both of the hosts’ goals came after the 80-minute mark.
In many ways, the final scoreline is deceptive and portrays the game to be closer than it was.
Andriy Lunin captained Real Madrid in the absence of the likes of Federico Valverde, Dani Carvajal and Thibaut Courtois and put up a solid show in goal with three saves.
Lunin’s analysis
The Ukrainian spoke to the media after the game, and he opened up on how Copa del Rey fixtures have historically been difficult ones.
“It was important to qualify because the Copa is different and they’re always difficult games.”
Lunin pulled off some great saves. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
He then spoke on how he was annoyed at not keeping a clean sheet while also looking at the silver lining.
“I would like to have kept a clean sheet, but we’re into the Round of 16 and we have to keep fighting for the Cup.”
The Ukrainian international was handed the captain’s armband on the night, and he let his emotions out over how much the moment meant to him.“Given that half the squad was out, I was named captain, but being Real Madrid captain is always a source of pride.”
“There is a lot of hard work and time put in behind the scenes. I’m grateful to my teammates and the whole club, who have helped me to get here,” he added.
The St James’ Park encounter looked to be heading for penalties after Sasa Lukic cancelled out Yoane Wissa’s opening goal.
But Lewis Miley popped up with a stoppage-time winner to seal his team a place in the final four.
However, the victory was marred by an injury to Tino Livramento, who was forced to leave the pitch late in the game.
It appeared to be another knee issue, with manager Eddie Howe replacing the defender with youngster Alex Murphy in the 76th minute.
Howe could not allay the fears of Newcastle supporters in his post-match press conference, saying: “It doesn’t look good. The fact that he came off is a worrying sign. We’re so stretched in that area that it would be a huge blow.”
Livramento has already missed eight weeks of action this season due to a knee ligament injury.
He returned to the team at the beginning of November, starting the last eight matches across all competitions.
But he now faces another lengthy spell on the sidelines after sustaining a knee problem on Wednesday.
Newcastle already face plenty of injury issues, with Dan Burn, Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier, Sven Botman and William Osula all confined to the infirmary at the moment.
Livramento’s injury means Howe will have no choice but to use Murphy at left-back, with Lewis Miley playing on the right.
It is not ideal, but the two young players could step up and prove their abilities.
While waiting for the Joshua Zirkzee deal to be finalized, Roma are trying to accelerate the transfer market and give Gasperini their first offensive signing of January.
With Manchester United only willing to negotiate with the Dutchman after the African Cup of Nations, work is underway at Trigoria on a concrete and immediate alternative: Giacomo Raspadori.
According to Il Romanista, the striker is on his way out of Atletico Madrid and has already given his approval to return to Serie A.
Negotiations are at an advanced stage: the Spanish club is open to a deal also favored by Roma, namely a loan with an option to buy set at €20 million.
This is a sustainable deal that would allow the Giallorossi to immediately strengthen their defense without overly risking themselves.
Raspadori, who turns 26 in February, would represent not only a short-term solution but also a long-term investment.
Roma’s attack is set to undergo a transformation in the coming months: Dybala, Pellegrini, and El Shaarawy’s contracts expire in June, while Bailey and Ferguson’s departures appear almost certain, with both expected to return to their respective clubs at the end of their loans. For the Jamaican, an early return to Aston Villa as early as January cannot be ruled out.
England's Ashes hopes are vanishing after they were overwhelmed by Australia amid more Snicko controversy on the second day of the third Test.
In temperatures that touched 41 degrees at the Adelaide Oval, England crumbled to 213-8 in blameless batting conditions. They are 158 runs adrift of Australia.
This was not a collapse caused by Bazballing batting, rather a fold in the face of relentless Australia bowling.
Only Ollie Pope, whose Test career is now hanging by a thread, and Jamie Smith were dismissed playing attacking shots – and Smith was at the centre of the Snicko confusion.
A day after Australia's Alex Carey was reprieved by a Snicko error, Smith first survived then was given out on the evidence of the technology, with players on both sides apparently losing faith in the decision review system (DRS).
But the debate surrounding DRS cannot mask the truth that England have wilted in the Ashes cauldron and could lose this series in as few as 10 days of cricket.
After Australia pushed on to 371 all out – the outstanding Jofra Archer with 5-53 – England's reply was in tatters at 42-3 when the tourists lost three wickets for five runs in 15 balls.
Harry Brook reined in his attacking instincts with 45 from 63 balls, while captain Ben Stokes dug a trench with a painstaking 45 not out from 151 deliveries. He found some late support in a stand of 45 with Archer, who is 30 not out.
But England were powerless to withstand the Australian excellence. The returning Pat Cummins claimed 3-54, while Scott Boland and Nathan Lyon took two wickets apiece.
At some point over the weekend, Cummins looks likely to once again become an Ashes winning captain and the bloodletting of this England regime will begin.
Snicko cannot mask gulf in class
At 2-0 down after two matches, this was the defining day for England. Though they began poorly, leaking 45 runs in 8.2 overs, Australia's total was far from insurmountable.
England had the opportunity to bat themselves back into the series. Instead, it was only Stokes' defiance that prevented them from bowling twice in the day.
While the Snicko controversy is unsatisfactory for a series of this magnitude, it pales in comparison to the substandard nature of England's performance.
Smith first survived when the technology adjudged a Cummins bouncer that ended at first slip came off his helmet, rather than his glove. An Australian voice on the field was heard to say "Snicko should be sacked".
In the next Cummins over, an aggrieved Smith was given caught behind attempting a wild pull shot. BBG Sports, the operators of Snicko, confirmed to the BBC it believed both decisions to be correct.
It matters little. Barring something extraordinary, Australia will bat England out of this match on their way to yet another Ashes series win in this country.
If this really is the end of the Bazball era as we know it, it is symbolic that captain Stokes was in the middle for so much of the day, watching his team crumble around him.
Perhaps the game was up even before Stokes arrived. If Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett were each undone by superb deliveries from Cummins and Lyon respectively, Pope's flick at Lyon was foolish and fatal.
Pope has not repaid the faith shown in him as England's number three. Without a score in the second innings, his place for the fourth Test in Melbourne will be in huge doubt.
Joe Root survived a catch falling short of wicketkeeper Carey before he edged long-term nemesis Cummins for 19, leaving Brook and Stokes to battle through the afternoon heat.
Bar a drive off Boland for six, Brook played sensibly until he edged Cameron Green's second ball. Stokes took a horrible blow to the head off Mitchell Starc, yet was not shaken from his watchful vigil.
Cramping after almost four hours at the crease, he at least had a willing ally in Archer – two of few England players coming through this series with their reputations intact.
Awesome Australia show their class
After suggestions Australia had a team past its best, or the results of the first two Tests were borne of England errors, this was confirmation the home side are simply far superior.
Despite the stifling heat, the Australia bowling was collectively brilliant, never giving England any respite. Whereas Archer often carried the visitors' attack single-handedly, Australia always had another bowler ready to examine English technique, defence and spirit.
Captain Cummins had not bowled a ball since July because of a back injury, yet was magnificent. He found movement to take the edges of Crawley and Root, then bounced out the discomforted Smith.
Lyon was overlooked for the second Test in Brisbane, but this ground is his home from home. The threat he carried exposed England's lack of a frontline spinner. Pope's gift was Lyon's 564th Test wicket, taking the off-spinner past Australian great Glenn McGrath to sixth on the all-time list.
Starc continued his outstanding series by making 54 with the bat and followed up by bowling with electric pace. An average of 90.7mph is the fastest day of his Ashes career.
Boland nagged away, having Will Jacks athletically caught by Carey, once again up to the stumps. Boland then found a gap in Brydon Carse's defence to hit the stumps. Even Green, the bit-part bowler, took the crucial wicket of Brook.
“Very well coached” – Gianfranco Zola reveals Chelsea’s “big strength” as he praises Maresca
Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola believes the Blues look very “strong” and are well coached and organised under Enzo Maresca.
Maresca guided Chelsea to their third semi final in 18 months as they beat Cardiff 3-1 in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.
The Blues also sit fourth in the Premier League and are on course to qualify for at least the playoff round in the Champions League.
Gianfranco Zola on Chelsea’s biggest strength
There’s no doubt Chelsea have had a mixed start to the season, but having gone on a four game winless streak, the Blues have now won their last two games.
Chelsea face a difficult trip to St James’ Park on Saturday, where a win would breathe huge confidence into the rest of the Christmas period.
Chelsea have a mixed start to the season. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
Chelsea certainly improved last season as they finished fourth and won both the Conference League and Club World Cup.
Once again Chelsea will be aiming to improve their league form and add another trophy to the cabinet, and Zola believe the current side looks “so strong.”
“Looking at them now, they look so strong,” Zola said as cited on X.com.
“I mean, it’s a team that is very well coached without doubt, organised.
“They have a lot of talent in different areas of the pitch. And on top of that, something that is a big strength for Chelsea, they have a lot of energy.”
Chelsea not expected to be in position to win the league this season
Chelsea are currently on course to do that, whilst they are in another cup semi final, and two games away from a trip to Wembley.
In terms of the league it’s been reported Chelsea don’t expect to be in a position to win the league in May, but they’ve got to close the gap on those above compared to last season.
Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida stand for the royal anthem at the opening ceremony of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok (Lillian SUWANRUMPHA)
The queen of Thailand on Thursday won a gold medal in sailing at the Southeast Asian Games, a regional competition being held in her country this month.
Queen Suthida, the wife of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, competed in the mixed keelboat SSL47 category, on a 47-foot (14-metre) sailboat with nine other crew members.
The queen, 47, served as tactician and helmswoman to lead the Thai team to victory in the waters off Pattaya, ahead of Malaysia and Myanmar.
Her gold medal is to be presented to her Thursday by King Vajiralongkorn, 73, whom she married in 2019.
A communications graduate, Suthida worked as a flight attendant for Thai Airways before embarking on a career in the military.
A keen athlete, she ran a half marathon in 2:13:40 this month in the capital Bangkok alongside Kenyan running legend Eliud Kipchoge.
The queen led the Thai delegation at the opening ceremony of the SEA Games on December 9 in Bangkok.
Suthida is not the first member of the royal family to win gold in sailing.
King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the father of Vajiralongkorn, sailed in the fourth edition of the regional Games, held in Thailand in 1967.
Competing in the OK class on a boat he built himself, Bhumibol won a gold medal alongside his eldest daughter, Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya, according to the SEA Games website.
The Games end on Saturday, with host Thailand well ahead in the medal count, followed by Indonesia and Vietnam.
Eleven countries were initially scheduled to take part, but Cambodia withdrew for security reasons after a border conflict with the host country reignited days before the opening ceremony.
Dovbyk unlikely to recover in time for Juventus clash
Dovbyk appears set to miss the Juventus match.
Yesterday, the Ukrainian striker also underwent a personalized program at Trigoria, three days before the league match.
His chances of being included in the squad are therefore dwindling, with his presence in Turin appearing unlikely even if he were to train with the group on Friday.
His stay at Roma could end in January, but Dovbyk intends to fight to stay, trying to earn a place in the squad. Meanwhile, Gasperini will have to contend with Ndicka’s absence ahead of the match at the Allianz Stadium.
To replace him, Il Tempo writes, Celik could be moved back into the defensive line, moving Mancini to the center, or one of the young defenders, Ghilardi or Ziolkowski.
Another option would be to insert Rensch into the defensive trio, keeping Celik on the right flank and Wesley on the left.
Rio Ferdinand praises special Bruno Fernandes for ticking three boxes Sir Alex demanded
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has named Bruno Fernandes as the current player he’d have loved to play alongside, while also highlighting the three qualities demanded by Sir Alex Ferguson that the skipper meets.
Heartbeat of United
United have gotten little right since 2013, but signing Bruno Fernandes is a definitive mark in the win column.
Signed from Sporting CP in January 2020, he is undoubtedly the best acquisition made by the club since Sir Alex’s retirement from football.
Fernandes has logged an impressive 103 goals and 93 assists for United in 307 appearances.
Despite the team’s struggles last season, which culminated in a 15th-placed finish, he still registered 19 goals and as many assists, earning himself the club’s Player of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season awards.
He has been as influential this term despite largely playing in an unfamiliar deeper midfield position. His strike and assist vs. Bournemouth took his tally for the campaign to five goals and six assists.
But Fernandes’s impact transcends statistics and chance creation. He is the team’s undisputed leader, and in difficult moments, his teammates look to him for inspiration – a role in which he consistently delivers.
He has had his fair share of criticism but there is no denying United would be far worse without their skipper.
Speaking on the Inside Carrington podcast, Ferdinand named Fernandes as the current star he would have enjoyed being in the trenches with during his playing days.
Ferdinand lauds Fernandes
The six-time Premier League winner remarked, “A player I think could have played in our team would be Bruno.”
“I said when I was talking to him earlier, Giggsy [Ryan Giggs] made a really good statement, he said there’s three things you need to be a United player.”
“You need to run, take risks and have imagination.”
“That’s Bruno. If you were describing Bruno, that’s him.”
United are next in action on Sunday when they go away to Aston Villa.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been speaking to the media about goalscorer Rayan Cherki: "To shoot from close to the 18-yard box of the opponent, he is an exceptional player. It was a fantastic goal, even a blind guy or a blind woman can realise that. It is not necessary to be a journalist or a manager to realise he is a fantastic player.
"I have seen this type of goal many times with Phil ([Foden], with Kevin [De Bruyne] before, so I'm happy that it opened the game."
Manchester City youngster Divine Mukasa spoke to City Studios after making his full home debut: "I really enjoyed it. It was my home debut so I just wanted to go out there, enjoy myself and get the win - and that's what happened. It was a great night.
"I think it sums the club up really. Although we attract the best players, we can produce players as well. It was a great display out there tonight. We showed what the academy can do."
Shrewd Winter Transfer Business Could Boost Roma’s Serie A Title Hopes
Roma have been one of the most impressive teams in Serie A this season and have a genuine chance of winning the title.
Claudio Ranieri led the club to a fifth-place finish last term. New manager Gian Piero Gasperini has built on those foundations to guide Roma into the title mix.
Inter Milan, AC Milan, Roma and Napoli have all taken turns at the top, and mid-season recruitment could make all the difference in such a closely contested title race.
Gasperini has made the most of a decent squad, but he will need further reinforcements if Roma are to keep pace during the second half of the campaign.
Read on as we look at three players the Giallorossi should target in the winter transfer window to boost their Serie A title hopes.
Joshua Zirkzee – Manchester United
With Artem Dovbyk struggling with a hamstring injury, Evan Ferguson is the only out-and-out striker in Gasperini’s squad. However, he has struggled to impress.
Gasperini has publicly challenged Ferguson to step up, and he responded with a brace in the 3-0 win against Celtic in the Europa League.
Despite this, Roma must bring in a new striker to maintain their title charge. They have been strongly linked with Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee.
Although he has failed to impose himself in the Premier League, Roma’s interest makes sense. Zirkzee was a standout player for Bologna before his ill-fated £36.5m move to United.
With United open to cashing in after a year and a half, bringing Zirkzee back to Italy in a cut-price deal could go down as shrewd business for the Giallorossi.
He offers a different profile to Gasperini’s frontline options, and would take the pressure of other players in the squad.
Nabil Fekir – Al-Jazira
Plenty of eyebrows were raised when Nabil Fekir decided to leave Real Betis for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Pro League club Al-Jazira in 2024.
He was recognised as one of the finest playmakers in France during his time with Olympique Lyon and continued that form with Betis.
Fekir was drawing attention from top clubs across Europe, but decided to move to the UAE. However, a return to Europe could be on the cards, and Roma should be looking to pounce.
He notched eight goals and four assists in 20 games in his UAE Pro League debut campaign. Since Fekir joined Al-Jazira, he has attracted plenty of interest from the online betting community.
Operators such as Melbet UAE have welcomed a sizeable number of new bettors, who have developed greater interest in Al-Jazira since Fekir signed for them.
If he returns to Europe in Roma’s colours, those punters will likely pay more attention to Serie A, forcing UAE betting sites to expand their coverage.
Fekir would bring plenty of experience to Roma’s midfield and is the kind of signing that can raise their level. His presence in the team could make them a good bet to win the title.
Davide Frattesi – Inter Milan
Serie A clubs have a knack for doing business with each other despite the extremely competitive nature of the league, and Roma could exploit this factor.
Davide Frattesi was considered one of the finest talents in the Italian top flight during his time with Sassuolo. His form earned him a transfer to Inter.
The move was ambitious, but he repaid their faith with 15 goals and 11 assists across 102 appearances. He helped Inter win Serie A and the Italian Super Cup in 2023/24.
However, he has fallen out of favour under new manager Cristian Chivu and could be on his way out when the winter transfer window opens.
Frattesi progressed through Roma’s youth academy before joining Sassuolo, and the club should be looking to bring him back to the Italian capital.
The midfielder is still a high-level performer, and Roma can guarantee him playing time. He has started just one league game this term, with his other seven appearances coming off the bench. If Roma can pull off a move, Frattesi could be a defining addition to Gasperini’s squad – one who significantly increases their chances of winning the Scude
LAS VEGAS -- The Golden Knights extended their point streak to eight games after losing to the New Jersey Devils in a shootout, 2-1, on Tuesday night.
Trailing 1-0 late in the third, Vegas got the equalizer when Pavel Dorofeyev scored a power-play goal at the 15:49 mark.
But New Jersey goaltender Jake Allen put together a stalwart effort in overtime, stopping all four of Vegas' shots, including one during a power play, and then all three of the Knights' opportunities during the shootout.
Dorofeyev, Mark Stone and Mitch Marner missed their shots during the shootout. Marner's shot went into the net, but only after hitting his skate following the initial shot.
Jesper Bratt scored the game-winning goal in the shootout for New Jersey, while Connor Brown scored the Devils' regulation goal.
Carter Hart made 32 saves for Vegas, while Allen stopped 37 shot for the Devils.
New Jersey improved to 9-6-0 against the Western Conference with the win.
Vegas, meanwhile, moved into a first-place tie in the Pacific Division with the Anaheim Ducks, both with 42 points.
"At the end of the day, you get into overtime, each team had a good look, then we got the power play, couldn't quite finish it," Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said. "And shootouts, well, we just haven't scored enough in the shootout. So, we'll take the point. There was some good things. Always things to correct. Get ready for Calgary."
KEY MOMENT
Playing without star center Jack Eichel, the Knights were finally able to find the back of the net when they scored a power-play goal for the third straight game. It was Dorofeyev's second power-play in as many games, and ninth of the season.
KEY STAT
7-0-4 ... The Golden Knights still don't have a regulation loss against teams from the Metropolitan Division, grabbing 18 of a possible 22 points against them. Vegas and New Jersey ended up splitting their regular-season series after the Knights won 3-0 in New Jersey on Dec. 5.
WHAT A KNIGHT
Hart continues to play impressively, as it very easily could have been a high-scoring game if not for a goaltenders' duel. Hart came up with several big saves, among his 32 stops, and still hasn't lost in regulation. Since making his debut on Dec. 2, Hart is 3-0-2 with a 2.26 goals-against average and .917 save percentage.
"It wasn't our best game," defenseman Brayden McNabb said. " I think both goalies played outstanding today. Carter kept us in it in the first for sure. And we had our looks, we had lots of great chances there. Their goalie played well. To get a point is great. Would have liked to get two."
UP NEXT
The Golden Knights plays the first of back-to-back games in Western Canada on Saturday against Calgary.
PHOTO CAPTION: New Jersey Devils goaltender Jake Allen (34) makes a save against Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone (61) during a shootout at T-Mobile Arena.
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Chicago Bulls (11-15, 10th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (15-13, ninth in the Eastern Conference)
Cleveland; Friday, 7:30 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Josh Giddey and the Chicago Bulls take on Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday.
The Cavaliers are 12-10 in conference games. Cleveland has a 0-2 record in games decided by 3 points or fewer.
The Bulls are 8-10 in conference play. Chicago is 4-9 in games decided by 10 or more points.
The Cavaliers average 14.9 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.4 more made shots on average than the 13.5 per game the Bulls give up. The Bulls are shooting 47.1% from the field, 0.6% higher than the 46.5% the Cavaliers' opponents have shot this season.
The teams meet for the third time this season. The Bulls won 127-111 in the last meeting on Dec. 18. Coby White led the Bulls with 25 points, and Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 32 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Mitchell is averaging 30.7 points and 5.5 assists for the Cavaliers. Jaylon Tyson is averaging 21.0 points over the last 10 games.
Nikola Vucevic is scoring 15.8 points per game and averaging 9.1 rebounds for the Bulls. Giddey is averaging 5.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Cavaliers: 3-7, averaging 115.8 points, 46.4 rebounds, 26.2 assists, 8.7 steals and 4.4 blocks per game while shooting 44.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 118.6 points per game.
Bulls: 2-8, averaging 112.6 points, 42.1 rebounds, 26.9 assists, 8.4 steals and 3.1 blocks per game while shooting 47.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 120.1 points.
INJURIES: Cavaliers: Sam Merrill: day to day (hand), Max Strus: out (foot), Evan Mobley: out (calf), Larry Nance Jr.: out (calf).
Bulls: Ayo Dosunmu: day to day (thumb), Noa Essengue: out for season (shoulder).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Vegas Golden Knights left wing Brandon Saad prepares to shoot the puck while pushed by Devils defensemen Luke Hughes (43) during second period of NHL game against New Jersey Devils on Wed., Dec. 17, 2025, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
LAS VEGAS — Some nights, you need your goaltender to steal a game for you.
Wednesday was one of those nights. For both the Golden Knights and the New Jersey Devils.
The Knights were without two key performers — center Jack Eichel was under the weather while defenseman Shea Theodore had an upper-body injury. The Devils, who have been low-wattage offensively for most of December and have dropped six of eight matches in the month, were missing forward Timo Meier and are still without Jack Hughes.
So who would prevail? Carter Hart in the Vegas net? Or Jake Allen for Jersey?
For a while, it looked like Hart would be the thief. Then it seemed as though Allen would be the star. Ultimately, however, Allen would deliver as he stopped all but one of the 38 of the shots he faced as the Devils prevailed 2-1 in a shootout at T-Mobile Arena.
“I saw a slow start, but I saw that coming with us coming off a long road trip,” Knights coach Bruce Cassidy said. “I saw Carter Hart make some big saves to keep us in it and I saw Jake Allen make some big saves to balance Carter.
“At the end of the day, you go to overtime. Each team had a good look. We were around it — hit three posts. So we’ll take the point. There’s some things to correct and get ready for Calgary (Saturday).”
Credit New Jersey for playing the near-perfect road game. The Devils bottled up play in the neutral zone, won enough puck battles along the boards, kept the Knights’ high-danger chances to a handful and got a nice move by Connor Brown to beat Hart in the second period for the goal that kept them in front until 4:10 was left to play.
That’s when Pavel Dorofeyev got the Knights even with his ninth power play goal of the season, 14th overall. Neither team could settle it in overtime despite Vegas having a power play with Dawson Mercer in the box for hooking Mark Stone.
And as was the case on Long Island last week, the Knights failed to score in the shootout as Allen denied Dorofeyev, Stone and Mitch Marner.
With Eichel unavailable, it figured to be a mish-mash of line combinations for Cassidy. He had Tomas Hertl with Dorofeyev and Ivan Barbashev. He had Reilly Smith at center with Brandon Saad and Braeden Bowman only to move Marner to center in the third period.
Understandably, asking Smith, who has played his entire career on the wing to try and dominate in the middle is a big ask and with William Karlsson still out indefinitely (Cassidy called him week-to-week at the morning skate) and no Eichel, the Knights were suddenly thin at center.
“This is new to us as Jack hadn’t missed a game all year,” Cassidy said. “Karly has missed a bunch so now you’ve got two center men out. You’re trying to move pieces around and they (Smith and Marner) have been around. At the end of the day the choice is, ‘Do you want to play center or do you not want to play?’ We’re trying to give them the benefit of the doubt and I don’t think it was a big issue tonight.
“If you look at their goal, we turned the puck over on a breakout. We’re gonna keep mixing it around if Jack misses time. I don’t know how much time he’s going to miss.”
Still, the Knights generated some chances. Stone had a couple of great looks, including one late in overtime that hit the right post after having eluded Allen. Saad had a shorthanded breakaway attempt in the second period which Allen thwarted. And Hertl was denied from the slot late in the second.
As for Hart, he certainly gave his team a chance as he faced 33 shots and stopped all but Brown’s second-period goal. He made one mistake at the end as Jesper Bratt beat him in the second round of the shootout for what was ultimately the game winner.
The fact that the Knights continue to play these close games — Wednesday was their 14th time going overtime or to a shootout this year, can perhaps be attributed to the fact they need to generate more offense during regulation. Even with Eichel and Theodore in the lineup, Vegas isn’t tilting out the scoreboard.
“We can’t change our game in December all of a sudden,” Cassidy said when asked if there was a quick fix to boost the attack. “What are can change is our forecheck mentality early.
“You have to understand it’s still a work in progress. Teams still have plenty of gas left in the tank so their gaps are good. You have to try and build a good rush game and try and get behind them and hammer away at it.”
Paris Saint-Germain will look to reinforce their defence in the upcoming transfer windows, as captain Marquinhos could well be playing his last season in Paris after reaching 500 games for the Parisians.
Despite having the likes of Lucas Beraldo and William Pacho in their squad, PSG would hope to sign a proven player who is ready to replace Marquinhos immediately.
As previously reported by transfer market specialist Fabrizio Romano, PSG will try to sign French centre back Dayot Upamecano in 2026, who would also fit into their current plan to sign highly rated French players, which they have adopted in recent transfer windows.
Upamecano's current contract with Bayern Munich runs out in 2026, and the 27-year-old has yet to renew his contract with the Bavarian club as both PSG and Real Madrid closely monitoring his situation.
According to a recent report from Sky Sport (Via GOAL), Upamecano has probably dropped the biggest hint regarding his future, which would seemingly upset Paris Saint-Germain.
The Frenchman has reportedly decided to shift his current house to the upscale Munich district of Grunwald, where he will become neighbours with his Bayern teammates Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka.
A player is unlikely to make the effort of shifting his house within the same city, let alone to a better neighbourhood, unless he is ready to make a long-term commitment to his current club, which looks to be the likely scenario for Upamecano now.
The Frenchman's camp is reportedly trying to upgrade his contract with Bayern to a €16 million base salary and a €65 million release clause. Bayern's sporting director, Christoph Freund, remains optimistic: "We are positive (on Upamecano's contract extension). It is not important whether it happens a day sooner or later. For us, it is important that it happens."
If PSG are unable to sign Upamecano in the summer of 2026, they could go all out for another French defender, Ibrahim Konate, whose contract with Liverpool is also set to expire after the end of the ongoing season.
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The Arkansas State Red Wolves will battle the Missouri State Bears for the Xbox Bowl in Frisco.
The Red Wolves started the season 1-4 but have since won five of their last seven games. The Bears, on the other hand, win five in a row before losing the final two games of the season.
Missouri State running back Shomari Lawrence was just 36 yards away from reaching one thousand rushing yards. The Bears also received offensive contributions from senior quarterback Jacob Clark, who threw for over 1,000 yards against non-conference opponents.
Who will capture the first-ever Xbox Bowl and end their season on a positive note?
The Sporting News has you covered with everything that you need to know to watch Arkansas State vs. Missouri State.
Where to watch Arkansas State vs. Missouri State: TV channel, live stream
Arkansas State vs. Missouri State will air on ESPN2, with Jorge Sedano, Rodney McLeod, and Victoria Arlen. College football fans can stream the game on the ESPN app and Fubo, the latter offering a free trial.
Now you can watch ESPN without cable. Stream live NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, college sports, plus SportsCenter, First Take, and all your favorite ESPN shows—anytime, anywhere—only in the new ESPN app.
Xbox Bowl start time
Date: Thursday, Dec. 18
Time: 9 p.m. ET
The Xbox Bowl will begin at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, Dec. 18.
You can listen to Arkansas State vs. Missouri State live on SiriusXM. Coverage will be available on channel 84
New subscribers can listen to SiriusXM for free for four months. Listen to live NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL games, plus NASCAR, college sports and more. Stay updated with all the news and get all the analysis on multiple sport-specific channels.
Xbox Bowl location, stadium
City: Frisco, Texas
Stadium: Ford Center At The Star
The 2025 Xbox Bowl location will be held at Ford Center At The Star in Frisco, Texas. The 12,000-seat stadium will hosted the first-ever Xbox bowl.
Barcelona management caught off guard by veteran’s starting role against Guadalajara
Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s inclusion in Hansi Flick’s starting XI against Guadalajara was not just unexpected for fans. It came as a genuine shock within the club itself.
In the build-up to the Copa del Rey tie, everything pointed towards Wojciech Szczesny being given the nod between the posts.
Instead, when the team sheet dropped, it was the German goalkeeper’s name that stood out, not in a routine way.
Now, according to reports from Mundo Deportivo, the reaction internally was one of real surprise and confusion.
Members of Barcelona’s management and executive team were reportedly caught off guard, sensing that something had shifted from the agreed plan without prior clarity.
Ter Stegen was a surprise starter against Guadalajara. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
That internal belief was tied closely to Barcelona’s strategy. The thinking was that if Joan Garcia is viewed as Flick’s number one, and Ter Stegen is no longer part of the long-term starting picture, then clarity was essential.
By limiting Ter Stegen’s involvement, the club hoped the message would be to encourage him to consider a move during the January transfer window rather than allowing uncertainty to linger.
Flick’s decision to start Ter Stegen disrupted that stand. After the match, the Barcelona coach attempted to downplay the significance of the call, insisting that the decision applied only to that specific game.
However, within the club, the situation is being watched closely. There is a strong awareness of Ter Stegen’s character and influence. Barcelona know that once the German sets his mind on something, he can be persistent.
Having already played in the Copa del Rey, it cannot be ruled out that Ter Stegen may now push for continued involvement in the competition.
Should Flick be receptive to that idea, it would hand the goalkeeper a sporting reason to stay put, something the club is keen to avoid.
Xabi Alonso talks Mbappe, Jimenez, Cestero, Endrick, Rodrygo after Talavera 2-3 Real Madrid
Real Madrid really should have put the game against Talavera to bed far before proceedings got complicated, for they had chances to go 3-0 and even 4-0 up on the night.
Yet, they stayed put after scoring two goals and handed the hosts an impetus to push for a comeback after they scored once in the 80th minute.
The final scoreline read 3-2 in Los Blancos’ favour, but the game was not half as close as it appears.
Nonetheless, the team will take home the win and now prepare for the final league game of the year before the Christmas break.
Alonso speaks
Xabi Alonso is satisfied with the performance. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)
Speaking after the narrow win, Xabi Alonso insisted that such close encounters are famous in the Copa del Rey and that he is not alarmed by it.
“These are things that happen in the Cup, and they have also happened to other teams.
“At 1-3, which was a crucial goal, we then conceded a free-kick, and it was 2-3.
“They put the pressure on, and Talavera really got the bit between their teeth with their fans behind them,” he added.
The Real Madrid manager, however, maintained that his side was the better team in the first half and should have put it to bed right there.
“In the first half, we controlled the game well and took the lead, but failing to make it 0-3 left the game open, and that’s what we saw at the end.
“It was a hard-fought second half. We chased the third goal earlier and had chances to get it, but it wasn’t to be.
“It was an exciting knockout Cup tie. It’s a special competition. Objective complete and onto the next one,” he added.
Alonso then stressed that the goal always was just to progress to the next round and that it had thus been achieved on the night.
“The goal was to qualify, so I head home satisfied. We’ve lacked a little bit of consistency and an ability to perform with greater stability during games.
“We can’t afford to get complacent. We have to close games out. We have to be more mature,” he added.
On Mbappe’s goals
Mbappe scored two goals last night. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
As always, it was Kylian Mbappe who scored another brace for Real Madrid and guided the team to the win, and the manager was all praise for the forward.
“He was decisive with his two goals, because that’s what Kylian has – scoring comes easily to him.
“The third goal was crucial, and that’s why we left him on the pitch, and why he started the game.”
Real Madrid academy talent David Jimenez made his debut for the first team, starting as the right-back against Talavera, while Jorge Cestero came off the bench to make his debut in midfield. Speaking of the young debutants, Alonso said,
“I know them well from Castilla. They’re playing at an impressive level, just like Valdepenas, Thiago [Pitarch] and Joan [Martinez].
“David put in a very steady 90 minutes. He likes to get on the ball and he links up nicely.”
“Jorge is a player with immense potential that we have in Castilla. He’s improving well this year and he’s got some minutes under his belt. We know he’s not far off,” he added.
The manager also had words of praise for Endrick, who started and put on a solid show.
“He was really active, lively, changing the pace nicely and finding bursts in tight areas. You couldn’t tell he hasn’t been playing much recently. You have to congratulate him on a good performance.”
Alonso was then asked where he saw room for improvement in the team, to which he said,
“We have just one focus, which is Sevilla on Saturday. We need the three points, we want a positive feeling around the place and to close the year on a high.”
“We’ve got a break coming up to continue improving on what we have to – among those elements are consistency and an ability to extend our high levels of performance for longer spells within the game.”
Overall praise
Alonso praised the quality of his players. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
The media then asked Alonso the question that is on everyone’s minds this season – is Mbappe the only effective forward in the team? To that, the manager replied,
“The numbers are what they are, but Rodrygo has scored in both of the previous two games and we need more guys who have got that clinical edge. We could certainly have scored more goals.”
Towards the end of his interview, the manager praised Talavera for the fight they put up and how close they came.
“Just as I expected. It was a really special match for them and for their fans. We walked into a fantastic atmosphere and they were really competitive and playing for pride.
“I congratulate them. They were top-notch opposition.”
Finally, he opened up on his decision to play four forwards in the starting XI for a Copa del Rey game.
“We needed players who were committed defensively. From the 10th minute, we were pretty steady in that sense, and we controlled the game well. They did just as we asked of them.”
‘A player they absolutely love’: Romano says United have placed one player ‘top of their list’, Amorim is in awe
Manchester United retain their interest in Carlos Baleba after initially holding talks over the summer.
Back in August, United approached the Brighton and Hove Albion starlet to gauge the feasibility of him swapping the Amex for Old Trafford before 2025/2026 got underway.
Why Baleba stayed with the Seagulls over summer
(Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Although Baleba was fully open and keen on the move, Brighton’s reluctance to sell, combined with their hefty price tag, meant nothing materialised from the discussions.
The East Sussex outfit were ready to demand upwards of £115 million – the fee they received for Baleba’s predecessor Moises Caicedo – to facilitate a deal.
With the youngster willing to honour Brighton’s wishes to keep hold of him rather than begin forcing the transfer, United were made to put their interest on the back burner.
Now, it’s anticipated they will return for the 21-year-old at the end of the campaign, viewing him as more of a marquee signing as opposed to a mid-season acquisition.
That being said, should he be back to his best throughout the upcoming African Cup of Nations tournament, Brighton will feel they have every right to stand firm and demand whatever fee they see fit.
United remain firm admirers of Baleba
(Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Until then, United will continue to monitor his situation closely, with Fabrizio Romano re-affirming last night that the club are huge admirers of his capabilities.
“Look, if there’s a player Manchester United put on top, top, top of their list, for sure it’s Carlos Baleba. Baleba is a player they absolutely love. Anderson and Wharton are on the list… but Baleba has always been seen as the top target for Ruben Amorim,”said Romano.
Reliability, personality and talent. Gianluca Pagliuca was one of the defining figures of Inter in the 1990s, a goalkeeper who left a lasting mark on the Nerazzurri with decisive performances and commanding presence. Today he turns 59.
Signed in the summer of 1994, Pagliuca made 234 appearances for Inter and quickly became a cornerstone of the side. His contribution to the unforgettable European run that ended with UEFA Cup glory in Paris in 1998 remains etched in the memory of Inter fans.
Pagliuca’s name is also inseparable from the Milan derbies: with him between the posts, Inter went unbeaten against AC Milan in ten league meetings – a statistic that speaks volumes about his performances on the biggest occasions.
His consistency, leadership and charisma were officially recognised in 2021 with his induction into the Inter Hall of Fame, honouring players who have left a deep and lasting legacy at the Club.
Happy birthday, Gianluca, from FC Internazionale Milano and all Inter fans!
Through the 2024-25 season, the Los Angeles Lakers have had a total of 506 players suit up for them, going back to their days in Minneapolis. Some were forgettable, some were serviceable, some were good and a select few were flat-out legendary.
During the Lakers' 80th season of existence (they were founded back in 1946 as the Detroit Gems in the National Basketball League), LeBron Wire is taking a look at each player who has worn their jersey, whether it has been a purple and gold one or the ones they donned back in the Midwest during their early years.
During the 1947-48 season, the Lakers brought Jack Dwan, a 6-foot-4 wing, onto their roster out of Loyola University Chicago. He played two seasons with them and won championships during both seasons, and during the 1948-49 campaign, he averaged 4.6 points and 2.2 assists a game.
Those would be the only two seasons Dwan would play in either the National Basketball League or the NBA.
San Diego State guard CJ Latta reacts after making a 3-pointer earlier this season at Viejas Arena. Latta scored her personal SDSU-best 11 points against Fresno State on Wednesday, Dec. 17. Image courtesy of SDSU Athletics
The San Diego State women’s basketball team used and early burst to take control, then got timely scoring and stops the rest of the way in a 63-53 win over the Fresno State Bulldogs on Wednesday night at the Save Mart Center.
Naomi Panganiban had an SDSU-best 15 points on 6 of 10 shooting, while Mountain West Player of the Week Nat Martinez scored 12 points and CJ Latta came off the bench to add 11 points (her most as an Aztec) on a perfect 3 for 3 from beyond the arc.
The Aztecs (7-3, 1-0 Mountain West) had four players score in double figures — Nala Williams also had 10 points — and held the Bulldogs (6-6, 0-1) to 28.8% shooting and just four makes from downtown. Fresno State came into the game ranked second in the Mountain West with a 34.3% shooting mark from downtown.
Fresh off making a dozen 3-pointers against Chicago State, the Bulldogs opened the scoring with a triple, but that would be the first of only two the Aztecs allowed the rest of the half. Bailey Barnhard scored the first SDSU bucket on the drive, then Panganiban splashed a 3 that gave the Aztecs the lead that they wouldn’t surrender.
Williams hit another from beyond the arc to start a 7-0 spurt that helped the Scarlet and Black extend the edge. Then Maria Konstantinidou, facing her former school, got a layup and Williams scored on another drive, with the Aztecs forcing eight straight misses by Fresno State and taking a 16-8 lead after the first.
San Diego State has held opponents to a pair of single-digit scoring quarters in four non-conference games, one more than they did all of last year, with the first quarter against the Bulldogs their ninth time holding an opponent under 10 points in a frame — the Aztecs did so 15 times last season.
The second quarter was all about traded scores, as SDSU was the only team to score multiple in a row. Panganiban knocked down a jumper and Kennedy Lee converted a pair of free throws to push the lead out to 11 points.
For the remainder of the half the teams rallied back-and-forth, with Martinez nailing a 3-pointer with three seconds remaining for a 32-20 lead at the half. Fresno State did not make multiple buckets in a row without allowing an SDSU response in the opening 20 minutes.
The Bulldogs opened the second half with back-to-back scores, but SDSU responded with another 7-0 mini-run powered by the guards, with a Panganiban jumper, a Martinez layup and a Williams and-1.
Latta helped keep the hosts at bay from there, coming alive to score all 11 of her points in the second half. She tripled twice in the third, which the Aztecs had a 49-35 lead after, and then made the first bucket of the final frame from downtown.
Though the Aztecs made just 2 of 7 from the field, they put the game away by knocking down 8 of 9 free throws in the fourth quarter. Fresno State went on a 13-3 run with around five minutes to play, but Martinez made a key 3-ball in the midst to make sure the lead never dipped below 6 points.
Mountain West action continues this Saturday, as the Scarlet and Black welcome Boise State (9-3, 0-1) to Viejas Arena for a 1 p.m. tip on Saturday, December 20 at Viejas Arena. The Broncos are coming off dropping their conference opener at New Mexico, 70-63 on Wednesday.
Golden Knights center Tomas Hertl (48) prepares to attempt a pass past Devils Brett Pesce (22) during third period of NHL game against New Jersey Devils on Wed., Dec. 17, 2025, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
LAS VEGAS — Vegas Golden Knights were defeated 2-1 by the New Jersey Devils 2-1 in NHL game on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 and The Sporting Tribune’s Kalin Sipes were there to capture the following TST Images.
Golden Knights right wing Mitch Marner (93) skates the puck down the ice during third period of NHL game against New Jersey Devils on Wed., Dec. 17, 2025, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Kalin Sipes - The Sporting Tribune
Golden Knights right wing Mitch Marner (93) skates the puck down the ice during third period of NHL game against New Jersey Devils on Wed., Dec. 17, 2025, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Vegas Golden Knights defensemen Jeremy Lauzon (5) skates the puck around the goal, trying to escape Devils lcenter Xavier Parent during third period of NHL game against New Jersey Devils on Wed., Dec. 17, 2025, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Kalin Sipes - The Sporting Tribune
Vegas Golden Knights defensemen Jeremy Lauzon (5) skates the puck around the goal, trying to escape Devils lcenter Xavier Parent during third period of NHL game against New Jersey Devils on Wed., Dec. 17, 2025, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Golden Knights defensemen Ben Hutton (17) tries to block Devils right wing Stefan Noesen (11) from scoring a goal while goalie Carter Hart (79) eyes the puck during third period of NHL game against New Jersey Devils on Wed., Dec. 17, 2025, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Kalin Sipes - The Sporting Tribune
Golden Knights defensemen Ben Hutton (17) tries to block Devils right wing Stefan Noesen (11) from scoring a goal while goalie Carter Hart (79) eyes the puck during third period of NHL game against New Jersey Devils on Wed., Dec. 17, 2025, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Vegas Golden Knights left wing Brandon Saad attempts to gain control of the puck from Devils Ondrej Palat (18) during second period of NHL game against New Jersey Devils on Wed., Dec. 17, 2025, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Kalin Sipes - The Sporting Tribune
Vegas Golden Knights left wing Brandon Saad attempts to gain control of the puck from Devils Ondrej Palat (18) during second period of NHL game against New Jersey Devils on Wed., Dec. 17, 2025, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Devils center Cody Glass (12) skates the puck towards the goal during third period of NHL game against New Jersey Devils on Wed., Dec. 17, 2025, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Kalin Sipes - The Sporting Tribune
Devils center Cody Glass (12) skates the puck towards the goal during third period of NHL game against New Jersey Devils on Wed., Dec. 17, 2025, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Devils left wing Jesper Bratt (63) shoots the puck during the shootout of NHL game against New Jersey Devils on Wed., Dec. 17, 2025, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Kalin Sipes - The Sporting Tribune
Devils left wing Jesper Bratt (63) shoots the puck during the shootout of NHL game against New Jersey Devils on Wed., Dec. 17, 2025, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Devils center Cody Glass (12) and Golden Knights right wing Pavel Dorofeyev (16) race towards the puck during third period of NHL game against New Jersey Devils on Wed., Dec. 17, 2025, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Kalin Sipes - The Sporting Tribune
Devils center Cody Glass (12) and Golden Knights right wing Pavel Dorofeyev (16) race towards the puck during third period of NHL game against New Jersey Devils on Wed., Dec. 17, 2025, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Vegas Golden Knights left wing Brandon Saad prepares to shoot the puck while pushed by Devils defensemen Luke Hughes (43) during second period of NHL game against New Jersey Devils on Wed., Dec. 17, 2025, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Kalin Sipes - The Sporting Tribune
Vegas Golden Knights left wing Brandon Saad prepares to shoot the puck while pushed by Devils defensemen Luke Hughes (43) during second period of NHL game against New Jersey Devils on Wed., Dec. 17, 2025, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Golden Knights center Tomas Hertl (48) prepares to attempt a pass past Devils Brett Pesce (22) during third period of NHL game against New Jersey Devils on Wed., Dec. 17, 2025, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Kalin Sipes - The Sporting Tribune
Golden Knights center Tomas Hertl (48) prepares to attempt a pass past Devils Brett Pesce (22) during third period of NHL game against New Jersey Devils on Wed., Dec. 17, 2025, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
After 60 minutes, overtime, and a shootout, the Devils celebrated a 2-1 victory with Connor Brownscoring the team’s lone goal in regulation, while Jesper Bratt scored in the shootout. Goaltender Jake Allen made 37 saves on 38 shots.
After an excellent first period, the Devils scored the game’s opening goal four minutes into the middle frame. Brown scored his eighth goal of the season after he stole the puck and shot it past opposing goaltender Carter Hart. It was unassisted.
Brown has not only been a fantastic addition on the ice, but in the locker room as well, as he developed into one of the team’s vocal leaders, joining Brenden Dillon, Jacob Markstrom, and Allen.
“For me, it is honestly a big part of my game, kind of always has been,” he toldThe Hockey News. “It is a big way I make sure I am getting myself going, just talking and being loud. I kind of understood that it was something that I would be dependent on here. I think (we are) a team that has a lot of skill and wants to get to the next step. (I was not) not stepping into a really big veteran team, so that just kind of made sense.”
With 4:10 minutes remaining in regulation, Vegas tied the game at 1-1 while on the power play. Pavel Dorofeyev scored his first career goal against Allen.
After a five-minute overtime, where Allen stopped five shots, he was perfect in the shootout, while Bratt scored the game-winner.
Wednesday night marked Brett Pesce’s return to the lineup and first game since Oct. 26. He logged 23:58 of ice time, the most he’s played in a single game this season. The 31-year-old finished the game with three shots on goal and three blocked shots.
“It has been killing me, to be honest, not being able to be out here with the guys," Pesce told NJD.TV. "It was the perfect first game for me. Battle to the very end - four-on-threes, penalty kill, and blocked shots. It was a nice game to get back (in)."
“He was excellent," Keefe continued. "He was himself. Probably fitting that his first shift is on the penalty kill, and he made a couple plays there that the whole bench grew an inch when they see him out there making those types of plays."
The Devils will continue their road trip with a visit to Utah as they face the Utah Mammoth on Friday night.
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📸 Doppelgänger spotted: Suddenly Ramos is facing Barça again
Sergio Ramos, the Real Madrid legend, played his last Clásico on April 10, 2021, before moving to PSG the following summer.
At least that's what we all thought. Because apparently, the iron-hard, now 39-year-old central defender faced FC Barcelona once again last Tuesday evening.
In the Copa del Rey, the Catalans went up against third-division team Guadalajara, where particularly the older members of the Barça squad must have experienced a strong sense of déjà vu.
For Guadalajara, there was a player on the field who looked remarkably similar to Ramos. Only on the second, third, fourth, or fifth glance did it become clear that the veteran, despite his desire to return to Europe, had not donned the third-division team's jersey.
In fact, the Ramos lookalike is midfielder Borja Díaz. The 35-year-old must be related to the famous World and European champion through some distant connection—otherwise, this resemblance is hard to explain!
With the first one, he was given not out and for the second one he was judged to have been caught behind for 22.
Before the second verdict on Smith was given, one Australian player was heard saying: "This could be anything."
"Just review everything," added another.
Smith ultimately walked off shaking his head while his captain Ben Stokes did little to hide his dismay.
What is clear is the players on the field are not trusting the technology.
What happened?
The controversy on the second day follows Alex Carey being given not out on Wednesday, when England reviewed a caught-behind decision with the Australia wicketkeeper on 72.
He was given not out because the spike which appeared on the technology was out of sync with the pictures, but that was later revealed to have been an error by the operator.
The first incident on day two occurred in the 44th over, with England 149-5.
Australia appealed for a catch after a ball to Smith looped to Usman Khawaja at slip and the on-field umpires sent the decision to the TV umpire to check if the ball had carried.
TV umpire Chris Gaffaney then deliberated over various replays, first checking whether the ball had hit Smith's glove or helmet.
Again the technology appeared inconclusive but Gaffaney deemed the ball had hit Smith's helmet.
The hosts' fielders were visibly disgruntled and one Australian was heard saying "Snicko needs to be sacked" over the stump microphone.
In any case it appeared the ball did not carry to Khawaja.
More contentious was the second decision, which ultimately resulted in Smith's dismissal.
He attempted a pull shot to Pat Cummins but Australia appealed confidently for a thin snick.
Smith appeared certain he had not hit the ball and was ready to review the decision had it been given out on the field.
Again on-field umpire Nitin Menon suggested he was not sure if the ball had carried so sent the decision for Gaffaney to review.
As the players came together to await the decision, Nathan Lyon was heard asking non-striking batter Ben Stokes if he heard anything.
Gaffaney said "there is nothing obvious there" after viewing an initial replay but Snicko showed a rough spike within a frame of the ball passing the toe of Smith's bat - the leeway allowed in such scenarios.
Smith was given out. Both he and Stokes seemed frustrated with the decision.
Was the right process followed?
Smith's dismissal left England 159-6 in reply to Australia's 371 [Getty Images]
"This is where Snicko needs sacking, as we heard down the stump mic," said former England spinner Alex Hartley on Test Match Special.
"Clearly Australia have gone up and made a loud noise because everybody knows we don't trust Snicko right now so you just appeal for everything and review it if you have to."
As well as player distrust, there was also debate around whether the right process was followed given the TV umpire checked for an edge when the decision had been sent to him for a fair catch.
The review system falls under the International Cricket Council's playing conditions, which suggests the right procedure was followed.
It states "the third umpire shall determine whether the batter has been caught", including checking for a no-ball and "whether the batter has hit the ball".
"I think for both decisions the right decision was probably made," said former Australia bowler Glenn McGrath.
More significantly, however, the debate over the accuracy of Snicko continues and it appears player distrust is growing.
England captain Ben Stokes was visibly frustrated when Jamie Smith left the field [Getty Images]
Stuart Nixon, 54, went into hospital following a severe heart attack on 1 July [Warren Muggleton/BBC]
A non-league referee said players jokingly asked him whether he was "nuts" when he returned to refereeing less than five weeks after suffering a heart attack.
Stuart Nixon has been officiating for 12 years in the Sceptre Sunday Football League in Basildon, Essex.
The 54-year-old, who is vice-chairman of the Basildon Referees' Association, felt "pains like indigestion" over the summer, before being told in hospital that he suffered a severe heart attack.
Stuart said he wanted to keep improving his heart, and get back to the exercise and "banter" of the sport.
The local NHS trust said advances in treatment meant heart attack patients could return to activities "much sooner" than previously thought, so long as they followed the advice of medical professionals.
"I believe that getting back into refereeing has helped my heart and improved it," he said.
"Everyone was amazed, even down to some of the players, they're like 'what are you doing? Are you nuts'. Maybe!
"When you've been around for 12 years, people get to know you well. That's what keeps me in - fitness, exercise, banter."
Stuart was awake during the two-hour operation to put a stent into his main artery [Warren Muggleton/BBC]
Stuart recalled how he suffered indigestion pains and "sweats" over the summer, and that when he went into hospital on 1 July, medics "realised there was something wrong".
The normal heart ejection fraction - the amount of blood squeezed out of the main chamber with every heartbeat - is 50% or higher.
Stuart's was 25%.
"I thought 'that's bad'," he said. "Within 20 minutes, I was in the operating theatre."
He had a two-hour operation where a stent was put into his main artery and he was awake for the entire procedure.
"You just let them get on with it. Maybe I'm just a relaxed person."
'I missed it'
Surgery went well, and he was placed in a recovery ward rather than intensive care. But he said he was told he had been "an hour away from being dead".
Stuart suffered more scares later that night, when he received CPR twice because of abnormal breathing.
"I was told I was out for four minutes," he recalled.
"The first time, I'm not sure what I thought - the second time, that was the worrying moment because it had happened again.
"How many more times was it going to happen? I stayed awake all night because you think 'I'm not going to wake up'."
Stuart was discharged from Basildon Hospital 11 days after surgery, and three weeks later, he officiated a 90-minute match.
"I'd watched some preseason games, walking around the pitch, and I just missed it," Stuart added.
The 54-year-old says getting back to refereeing three weeks after recovery "strengthened and improved" his heart [Warren Muggleton/BBC]
An Essex GP told the BBC that patients could recover from heart attacks in as little as four weeks, but that at least six weeks was usually advised before high-intensity exercise.
Dr Syira Ahsan, based in Chigwell, cautioned that heart attack patients could be at higher risk of arrhythmia and angina.
"It needs medical clearance to go back that soon."
Stuart said he was told he could return to refereeing by heart specialists at Basildon Hospital.
Debbie Whitfield, lead nurse for cardiac rehab at the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Advances in treatment and care can mean that many patients who have had severe heart issues can return to activities and hobbies much sooner than perhaps had been possible in the past.
"Patients are closely monitored, and advice is given on a patient-by-patient basis tailored to their individual situation, issues and recovery rate."
Former Liverpool star claims club made huge mistake in summer transfer window
Liverpool grapples with life after Diaz as scrutiny grows around Slot
Liverpool’s uneasy 2025/26 campaign has become a story of questions rather than answers. A run of just three wins from 12 matches, their bleakest sequence since the 1953/54 relegation season, placed Arne Slot under an unforgiving spotlight. The mood around Anfield darkened quickly, with frustration spilling over into debates about leadership, recruitment and identity. Even as results have steadied with an unbeaten run of five across all competitions, the sense of something missing has not entirely lifted.
Much of the criticism has centred on Slot’s handling of personnel, particularly Federico Chiesa, yet the deeper issue appears structural rather than tactical. Liverpool look like a side still adjusting to the aftershocks of a summer that removed key components from their collective rhythm. Among those departures, the exit of Luis Diaz has become a reference point for understanding why this Liverpool team feels subtly diminished.
Diaz departure and pressing balance
Diaz’s move to Bayern Munich has proved lucrative for the German champions and uncomfortable viewing for Liverpool supporters. The Colombian has thrived in Bavaria, scoring 12 goals and providing seven assists in 21 appearances across all competitions. His numbers tell part of the story, but his influence extended beyond goals. Diaz brought an intensity without the ball that shaped Liverpool’s attacking structure and eased the burden on those around him.
Ryan Babel, speaking on the FILTHY @ FIVE podcast, articulated that absence with clarity. He said: “And sometimes if the right puzzles are not together, like I think one of the mistakes I believe is leaving Diaz, you know, letting him go.
“And even with Nunez, he was maybe not the striker Liverpool needed, but the work ethic he did, and had took a lot of work off Mo Salah’s pressing as well, right?
“And now you have different types of players and Mo Salah has to do more and the overall, yeah, it can eventually make the manager look bad.”
It is a neat summation of how Liverpool’s balance has shifted. Diaz’s relentless pressing once allowed Mohamed Salah to conserve energy for decisive moments. Without that support, Salah’s role has expanded, drawing criticism from figures such as Wayne Rooney, who has questioned the Egyptian’s defensive output during a mixed season for the 33 year old.
Salah burden and tactical strain
Salah remains Liverpool’s talisman, yet the ecosystem around him has altered. With Diaz gone and Darwin Nunez no longer sharing the workload, the demands on Salah have increased. That strain has been visible in performances that feel heavier, less fluid. It has also fed a narrative that Slot’s approach is flawed, when in reality the manager is adapting to a squad reshaped above him.
This is where context matters. Slot inherited not only expectations but decisions already set in motion. The idea that tactical shortcomings alone explain Liverpool’s struggles simplifies a more complex picture.
Hughes influence on summer decisions
Responsibility for Diaz’s departure does not sit neatly at the manager’s door. Richard Hughes, the club’s sporting director, played a decisive role in sanctioning the sale, despite Slot’s preference to retain the winger. In that sense, Liverpool’s current discomfort reflects a disconnect between vision and execution.
Report: Man United set £35m January price tag on forward
Roma Push for Zirkzee as January Calculations Intensify
Roma’s January planning is beginning to sharpen, with renewed focus on Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee. Credit must go to Corriere dello Sport for outlining how sporting director Florent Ghisolfi’s successor, Massara, continues to monitor developments closely, balancing ambition with financial reality. This is a move driven by opportunity rather than impulse, and one shaped as much by Manchester United’s uncertainty as Roma’s attacking needs.
The original report paints a vivid picture of split attention, with Roma securing a morale boosting league win while events at Old Trafford unfolded. The “pyrotechnic 4-4 draw” between United and Bournemouth mattered not for the scoreline alone, but for the symbolic late cameo of Zirkzee, “who came on when there was little left to play and even fewer balls to touch”. For Roma, those details matter, even if they appear minor on the surface.
Photo IMAGO
Gasperini System Working but Lacking Goals
Under Gian Piero Gasperini, Roma have built an attack that prioritises structure and collective movement. As Corriere dello Sport notes, “Roma’s attack today is based on a system, not on strikers”. Thirteen different scorers underline the effectiveness of that approach, yet the individual returns remain underwhelming. Matías Soulé leads with four league goals, while others lag behind alarmingly.
That imbalance explains why Massara’s brief is clear. The club want “a real centre-forward, someone who can convert his play into crucial goals”. Zirkzee fits that profile, not just stylistically, but psychologically. The report states that he “wants Roma, feels ready to start over, and believes Gasperini is the right man to relaunch the club after a difficult year and a half in the Premier League”.
Loan Strategy and United Pressure
Roma’s proposed structure reflects UEFA constraints rather than hesitation. An outright €35 million deal is unrealistic, so the plan revolves around “a high-cost loan, even above €5-6 million, with an obligation to buy in July”. This approach allows Roma to comply with settlement agreement monitoring while keeping leverage on United.
Meetings in London with the player’s entourage and United officials suggest groundwork has already been laid. Delaying agent commissions until the summer also signals intent. Roma are positioning themselves carefully, hoping United’s openness to a solution grows as January approaches.
Alternatives Waiting in Background
Time, however, is not infinite. Gasperini “doesn’t want to wait too long”, and Massara has contingency options ready. Fabio Silva, Yuri Alberto, and even a speculative Beto for Dovbyk exchange are all mentioned. What matters most is managerial conviction. As the report reminds us, “Gasperini will have the final say”. Roma may be running and winning, but to truly compete, they need a forward who can finish the story.
Our View – EPL Index Analysis
From a Manchester United supporter’s perspective, this report provokes mixed emotions. On one hand, Zirkzee’s marginal role in matches like the Bournemouth 4-4 highlights a worrying lack of clarity around his place at Old Trafford. A signing once framed as a long term attacking solution now feels like an unresolved subplot, drifting between development project and expendable asset.
Roma’s interest reads as opportunistic but intelligent. A loan with obligation protects them, while quietly placing pressure on United to acknowledge a misalignment between player profile and tactical demands. For United fans, that is uncomfortable territory. There is an underlying fear that Zirkzee could flourish under Gasperini’s defined system, becoming the kind of focal point United have struggled to develop.
At the same time, the financial structure suggested feels like a compromise rather than a statement. If United accept it, supporters will question whether the club have maximised value or simply chosen expedience. Yet there is also realism here. With squad rebuilding ongoing and Profit and Sustainability rules looming, flexibility matters.
The Telegraph reveal Chelsea’s centre back plan for next summer
Chelsea could move for a central defender next summer, but are likely to see how Levi Colwill returns from injury and if a defender leaves according to reports.
The Blues were once again busy in the summer and heavily invested in the squad, as they totally revamped the forward line.
The January window is fast approaching, but Chelsea reportedly aren’t expected to be active, but things can change very quickly in football.
Chelsea could move for a central defender
Even though the Blues are expected to be quiet next month, that hasn’t stopped them being linked with players, especially in defence.
There’s a chance Colwill could play again this season. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
However, it appears any move for a centre back is unlikely in January, and The Telegraph have reported the Blues could move for one next summer.
The report adds Chelsea are likely to see what Levi Colwill’s form is like once he returns from his ACL injury, and whether a defender leaves before plans are finalised.
The Telegraph add talented youngsters Aaron Anselmino and Mamadou Sarr, who are currently on loan will also be assessed.
Aaron Anselmino not for sale
Anselmino, who was signed from Boca Juniors, and made his debut at the Club World Cup, is impressing on loan at Borussia Dortmund.
The youngster has earned praise from Niko Kovac, and it’s believed Dortmund would be interested in signing him on a permanent basis.
However, it’s believed the Blues have made their stance clear, with Anselmino not for sale, and if his impressive form for Dortmund continues, it’s hard to imagine him not being part of the first team squad next season.
Chelsea also have Sarr on loan at Strasbourg, and like Anselmino he made his debut at the Club World Cup, and it will be interesting to see what decision the Blues make with him next summer.
UCLA guard Eric Daily Jr. (3) celebrates an And-1 during a Big 10 basketball game against ASU, Wednesday, December 17th, 2025 in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, Calif. -- UCLA defeats ASU, 90-77, at Pauley Pavilion on December 17th, 2025 and The Sporting Tribune's John Panganiban was there to capture the following TST Images:
UCLA center Xavier Booker (1) tips off to start a Big 10 basketball game against ASU, Wednesday, December 17th, 2025 in Los Angeles, California
John Panganiban-The Sporting Tribune
UCLA center Xavier Booker (1) tips off to start a Big 10 basketball game against ASU, Wednesday, December 17th, 2025 in Los Angeles, California
UCLA forward Tyler Bilodeau (34) looks for the open teammate during a Big 10 basketball game against ASU, Wednesday, December 17th, 2025 in Los Angeles, California
John Panganiban-The Sporting Tribune
UCLA forward Tyler Bilodeau (34) looks for the open teammate during a Big 10 basketball game against ASU, Wednesday, December 17th, 2025 in Los Angeles, California
UCLA guard Trent Perry (0) shoots a lay-up during a Big 10 basketball game against ASU, Wednesday, December 17th, 2025 in Los Angeles, California
John Panganiban-The Sporting Tribune
UCLA guard Trent Perry (0) shoots a lay-up during a Big 10 basketball game against ASU, Wednesday, December 17th, 2025 in Los Angeles, California
UCLA guard Jamar Brown (4) shoots the ball during a Big 10 basketball game against ASU, Wednesday, December 17th, 2025 in Los Angeles, California
John Panganiban-The Sporting Tribune
UCLA guard Jamar Brown (4) shoots the ball during a Big 10 basketball game against ASU, Wednesday, December 17th, 2025 in Los Angeles, California
UCLA guard Skyy Clark (55) shoots a three-pointer during a Big 10 basketball game against ASU, Wednesday, December 17th, 2025 in Los Angeles, California
John Panganiban-The Sporting Tribune
UCLA guard Skyy Clark (55) shoots a three-pointer during a Big 10 basketball game against ASU, Wednesday, December 17th, 2025 in Los Angeles, California
UCLA bench celebrates a made three-pointer during a Big 10 basketball game against ASU, Wednesday, December 17th, 2025 in Los Angeles, California
John Panganiban-The Sporting Tribune
UCLA bench celebrates a made three-pointer during a Big 10 basketball game against ASU, Wednesday, December 17th, 2025 in Los Angeles, California
UCLA guard Brandon Williams (5) fights for possession during a Big 10 basketball game against ASU, Wednesday, December 17th, 2025 in Los Angeles, California
John Panganiban-The Sporting Tribune
UCLA guard Brandon Williams (5) fights for possession during a Big 10 basketball game against ASU, Wednesday, December 17th, 2025 in Los Angeles, California
UCLA guard Eric Daily Jr. (3) shoots a three-pointer during a Big 10 basketball game against ASU, Wednesday, December 17th, 2025 in Los Angeles, California
John Panganiban-The Sporting Tribune
UCLA guard Eric Daily Jr. (3) shoots a three-pointer during a Big 10 basketball game against ASU, Wednesday, December 17th, 2025 in Los Angeles, California
UCLA guard Eric Daily Jr. (3) celebrates an And-1 during a Big 10 basketball game against ASU, Wednesday, December 17th, 2025 in Los Angeles, California
John Panganiban-The Sporting Tribune
UCLA guard Eric Daily Jr. (3) celebrates an And-1 during a Big 10 basketball game against ASU, Wednesday, December 17th, 2025 in Los Angeles, California
UCLA forward Tyler Bilodeau (34) shoots the ball during a Big 10 basketball game against ASU, Wednesday, December 17th, 2025 in Los Angeles, California
John Panganiban-The Sporting Tribune
UCLA forward Tyler Bilodeau (34) shoots the ball during a Big 10 basketball game against ASU, Wednesday, December 17th, 2025 in Los Angeles, California
Many who work in the boxing industry will surely tell you similar stories about the weeks since Jake Paul’s bewildering fight with Anthony Joshua was announced. It has been a frequent occurrence, getting peppered with questions like probing punches on a boxer against the ropes; you barely get through answering one – or giving your best effort at answering it – before the same voice or another interrupts with a fresh query. One of the most commonly-recurring questions in all this, of course, is the following: can Paul actually beat Joshua? Can this YouTuber-turned-boxeractually knock out a former two-time world heavyweight champion?
There is an argument for simply saying ‘no’ – for simply writing ‘no’ and hitting publish. But the reality is that the questions and debates around Paul vs Joshua may end up being the funnest part of the fight. And there are certain factors that arguably make this particular debate one worth having. So, let’s get into it.
If you have followed Paul’s 12-1 boxing venture closely, you will know this, but it was a sentiment echoed to The Independent by the 28-year-old’s business partner at Most Valuable Promotions, Nakisa Bidarian. The promoter cited the “delusional confidence” of Paul as one of the American’s greatest assets (love or loathe Paul, it is undeniable that his audacity has carried him a long way) and a deciding factor in taking this fight with “AJ”.
We then get into why Paul believes he can win. It not only relates to the former Disney Channel actor’s belief in his own power, which has seen him knock out and drop the likes of former UFC champions Tyron Woodley and Anderson Silva respectively, but also his belief in a supposed vulnerability in Joshua.
Joshua, 36, has four professional defeats to his name, two of which came via knockout, and Paul has referenced the first more than once. “This is Andy Ruiz 2.0,” he has said. In 2019, Ruiz Jr was a late replacement against Joshua and stunned him at Madison Square Garden, flooring him thrice en route to an upset title win.
Anthony Joshua's first defeat, a stoppage by Andy Ruiz Jr, was a major upset (Getty Images)
On that occasion, Joshua’s problem was overeagerness; he dropped Ruiz in the third round but was reckless in his pursuit of a finish, and it was in the exchanges immediately after his knockdown of the underdog that he was felled by a left hook. Ruiz’s speed aided him in securing that close-range knockdown, and his next came later in the round, as Joshua slithered down the ropes under a sustained barrage. Joshua recovered over the course of the next few rounds, but not enough, and he was susceptible to another left hook in the seventh frame – a punch that froze the Olympic gold medalist, setting up an overhand right and another prolonged combination that dropped him. With that, Joshua’s American dream was made a nightmare.
The first knockdown came very late in the first round, and it could be attributed to complacency; upon hearing the 10-second clapper, Joshua stepped back towards the ropes with his guard alarmingly low, allowing Dubois to land a naked overhand right – no set-up, no feint, AJ simply judged the distance and danger completely wrong.
The second knockdown came at the same time in the third round. Joshua, seemingly still dazed, was tagged by a familiar weapon: a left hook, putting him on concerningly unstable ankles. Just as with the first knockdown, it followed Joshua exiting a clinch then missing with a right hand and ducking off to his left, although this time Dubois capitalised immediately (his first-round knockdown came after the same movement from AJ, but there were admittedly a couple of dead seconds before Dubois attacked).
Joshua has not fought since his one-sided loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024 (PA Archive)
The third knockdown, occurring in round four, seemed to be more of a slip in fairness, and there was a similar incident later in the round that was ruled a slip. But the final true knockdown came in round five, as Joshua exhibited the same overeagerness that cost him against Ruiz.
After feinting to the body, Joshua caught Dubois unaware with a piston right cross, sending the younger man skipping away to the ropes in retreat. There, Joshua landed two more right hands, but Dubois took them well, even landing a counter right after the second shot. Joshua tried to mix it up with an uppercut as his third attack, but it was a rear-hand shot thrown nakedly – from too far away, and with AJ’s left hand too low to protect him. This time, Dubois’s right hand did not land after Joshua’s but rather before. Joshua collapsed to the canvas in a heap and, despite his admirable efforts to get up yet again, this particular punishment proved too much.
The only other knockdown of Joshua’s career came against the legendary Wladimir Klitschko in 2017, after the Ukrainian rocked him with the same technique that AJ used to trouble Dubois in the throes of their bout; Klitschko looked low but threw high, a clean right cross spearing through Joshua’s guard as the Briton raced, in vain, to raise it in time.
There will, of course, be readers who see the 900-odd words above as futile analysis, wasted time, pointless effort. It would be silly not to acknowledge that all of these fighters who troubled Joshua were elite heavyweights, and that Paul needs to tag AJ clean to hurt him – a plain mission, but perhaps an impossible one in its own right.
Jake Paul at an open workout for his fight with Joshua (Getty)
Paul, more of a cruiserweight than a heavyweight, believes he has the speed to emulate Ruiz against Joshua. But speed, without adequate skill, only counts for so much.
So, does Paul know something we don’t? Had he heard sparring stories of Joshua’s chin having gone, prior to trying to make this fight? That is pure speculation; given Joshua’s training this year was largely inhibited by an elbow injury, which required surgery in spring, there might have been little sparring and next-to-no stories to hear anyway. For what it’s worth, Paul’s own sparring stories include accounts of a black eye dealt by Lawrence Okolie and a broken nose made worse by Frank Sanchez.
Whatever stories and questions there have been, Friday will provide the answers – and yes, those answers could come very, very quickly after the first bell, and they may not be the ones Paul wants.
The New Jersey Devils picked up a much needed victory on the road against the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday, a narrow 2-1 shootout win on the back of a 36-save Jake Allen masterclass.
With the win, Allen moved to 10-7-0 on the season, improving his GAA to 2.49 and his save percentage to .912.
Carter Hart got his fifth start of the season in between the pipes for Vegas tonight after missing all of the 2024-25 season for his involvement in the 2018 Canada Hockey sexual assault case. The former Philadelphia Flyer fell to 3-0-2 on the season with the shootout loss.
The Golden Knights would be missing a number of key contributors, headlined by recent injuries to stars Jack Eichel and Shea Theodore, joining defenseman Alex Pietrangelo, forward William Karlsson and goaltender Adin Hill on the disabled list.
The Devils have seriously missed the Tarrytown, NY native’s impact on the blue line this season. With Pesce in the lineup, New Jersey’s penalty kill percentage was the NHL’s second highest at 93.5% and has since crumbled to the league’s worst at 66.7% ahead of puck drop on Wedensday night.
First Period
Early on, the Devils’ penalty kill would be tested as Jonas Siegenthaler picked up a hooking minor within the game’s first minute. Stepping onto the ice for his first shift in almost two months was Pesce, who helped New Jersey to a clean kill.
Connor Brown missed a golden opportunity to give New Jersey the early lead as he fired a point blank shot high and wide just five minutes into the game, the first of a couple first period looks for Brown.
On the other end, the Golden Knights looked like they would open the scoring at the ten-minute mark, but Allen would flash leather for a beautiful glove save to deny Ben Hutton on a three-on-two rush.
The Devils would get an opportunity to improve the other side of their special teams when Stefan Noesen took a Jeremy Lauzon hit up high for a minor boarding penalty with 7:39 to go. Despite drawing blood and needing attention from the collision, Noesen would start the powerplay on the ice.
However, the Devils would fail to convert yet again five-on-four, with Nico Hischier firing an early shot off the pipe and Hart denying a a wide open look for Ondrej Palat. New Jersey’s recent powerplay struggles would continue throughout the night as the Devils would go 0 for 3 with the man-advantage. Having only scored one PPG in its previous six games, their powerplay worsens to just one goal in their last 15 attempts.
The Devils would fire off eight shots to the Golden Knights’ ten through a scoreless 20 minutes. Both goalies shined in what was a tentative opening frame.
Second Period
Allen would be called into action early as Pavel Dorofeyev forced his way to the front of the net with an impressive power move in the period’s opening shift, but the Fredericton, New Brunswick native held strong.
The Golden Knights would continue the second period assault, as Mitch Marner and Mark Stone came just inches away from tucking one past Allen. The Devils goaltender would thwart away another big chance just seconds later on a deflection from Brayden McNabb.
New Jersey would withstand this pressure and break the ice through a forecheck and subsequent pretty one-on-one move from Brown just under five minutes into the period. It was Brown’s eighth of the season and second of his last three games as he and Cody Glass continue their line’s formidable partnership, even in the absence of Arseny Gritsyuk.
Hischier was flying his way through the second period with five shots through 11:21 of ice time. The Devils captain would set up New Jersey’s second powerplay of the game after drawing a trip from Marner with 4:43 to go in the middle frame.
The best look of the powerplay, however, would belong to Vegas’s Brandon Saad, who took advantage of a weak Luke Hughes pass that ended in a breakaway save from Allen.
The Golden Knights would go on the powerplay immediately after the Devils, but the best look would come shothanded yet again with Hischier pickpocketing Marner before firing another great opportunity wide.
The period would end with the Golden Knights piling on pressure in the Devils’ end, but Allen and New Jersey would get to the break with the 1-0 lead.
The Golden Knights outshot the Devils 15-12 in a much more open second frame, giving them the 27-20 shot advantage after 40 minutes.
Third Period
The Devils and Golden Knights would trade chances through the first four minutes of the third, the best of which came New Jersey’s way as Hischier nearly set up a doorstep opportunity for Dawson Mercer who couldn’t redirect the puck back on frame.
The Golden Knights would not go down quietly, forcing Allen to make big stop after big stop. The 35-year-old denied Saad on the doorstep at the seven minute mark for his best save of the period.
Allen went on to make key stops on Marner at the 11-minute mark and later on Hutton with eight minutes to go. The Eichel-less Golden Knights had no answer for the Devils netminder.
That is until Juho Lammikko took a tripping penalty with 4:58 to go and Dorofeyev would fire an open one-timer past a helpless Allen, his ninth powerplay goal of the season and 14th overall. Stone picked up the crucial assist with 4:11 to go in regulation.
New Jersey actually outshot Vegas 11-9 in the final frame. To overtime we go.
Overtime
Neither side would look all that dangerous early in the overtime period, as Vegas’s best chance came from an Ivan Barbashev power move that didn’t cause much trouble. New Jersey’s best early look fell to Hughes, who fired an open look right into the midsection of Hart.
A two-on-one chance for Tomas Hertl would be denied by Allen before Jesper Bratt could spark the Devils on an odd-man rush the other way that also did not find the net.
However, the game would see its nerviest moment for New Jersey as Mercer took a penalty for hooking on Stone with 1:57 to play in overtime. New Jersey would have to finish the overtime period down three-on-four.
Not only did the Golden Knights bombard Allen with rubber, but they would hit three posts, including on a trickling Hertl deflection with just 20 seconds to go.
The Devils survived the onslaught and the game would go into a shootout. A big bounceback from Pesce and the Devils penalty kill after letting one slip late in the third.
Final shot tally went to the Golden Knights, 37-33 after 65 minutes of hockey.
Shootout
Breakaway specialist and former Golden Knight Paul Cotter opened up the shootout for the Devils but was denied by Hart.
Dorofeyev would shoot first for Vegas but his wrister was stymied with a flash of the glove by Allen.
Bratt would shoot second for New Jersey and give the Devils the lead with a nasty backhand that beat Hart up high. 1-0 New Jersey halfway through the shootout.
Stone shot second for the Golden Knights but found the same result as his predecessor, a wrist shot into the glove of Allen.
Dougie Hamilton was denied on what would have iced the game for New Jersey, a half-hearted effort that Hart was able to turn aside.
In the bottom of the third, Marner thought he scored the shootout equalizer but was ruled to have touched the puck twice on its way in, as a well-timed pokecheck from Allen ricocheted the puck into Marner’s skate. Allen’s poke check was not only successful, but immediately recognized by the officials on the ice and the Devils picked up a huge two points on the road.
Allen was certainly New Jersey’s best performer on the night, but it’s no coincidence that the Devils put up such a great defensive effort in Pesce’s first game back. The 30-year-old clocked 23:58 TOI in his return to the ice, playing like he had missed no time next to Hughes on defense.
The Devils will stay out west for their next game, a Friday night tilt in Utah to take on the Mammoth. It will be the first matchup between the Devils and Mammoth since they officially rebranded from the Utah Hockey Club ahead of the 2025-26 season.
Bruno Guimaraes leads by example with battling display in Newcastle win over Fulham
Newcastle United claimed a pulsating 2-1 win over Fulham in the EFL Cup quarter-final as the Magpies progressed to the semi-finals, bidding to retain their title.
Summer signing Yoane Wissa bagged just minutes into his full debut to give the Toons a glimpse of what they have been missing.
The visitors equalised, but Newcastle midfielder Lewis Miley scored late to seal the victory for the Tyneside club.
Newcastle are coming off a demoralising 1-0 loss to their arch-rivals and needed to deliver a response.
It wasn’t pretty, but they ground out a significant victory that keeps them on course for another Wembley appearance.
After the weekend loss, NUFC captain Bruno Guimaraes gave a stinging post-match assessment of the performance.
Guimaraes also issued a rallying cry to his teammates ahead of the coming games.
The Brazilian led by example as Newcastle battled past the stubborn Cottagers at St James’ Park.
He won 6/13 duels, made one clearance, completed 57/67 passes, and played a key pass.
It was by no means a vintage display, but Guimaraes, who is an ‘outstanding player and leader’, toiled relentlessly for the Geordies as they earned their place in the semi-final.
Newcastle will face Manchester City, who progressed with a controlled 2–0 win over Brentford. The first leg is in Tyneside while the return leg is at the Etihad Stadium.
On the other side of the semi-final draw, Chelsea take on next week’s winner of the Arsenal versus Crystal Palace clash.
The first legs of both semi-finals will be played in the week commencing January 12, with the return fixtures scheduled for the week beginning February 2.
The final will take place on Sunday, March 22.
Unfortunately, the Magpies could be without defender Tino Livramento for those games after he picked up what appears to be another serious injury.
His absence adds to Newcastle’s woes at the back, which have left them paper-thin.
Liverpool prepared to accept €110m offer for forward
Real Madrid offered chance to sign Wirtz
Wirtz meanwhile has fared slightly better.
The 22-year-old German has flickered occasionally for Arne Slot’s side - but he remains a long way short of the form which convinced Liverpool to pay a fee that could reach £116m for his services.
Wirtz has been moved around the attack - even though Slot promised him a starting role as the central playmaker. As well as No10 he has been also tried at left wing - but Liverpool still await a goal - or a Premier League assist - from their new attacking star.
There is a degree of excitement in the Spanish press meanwhile about Real Madrid’s prospects of signing Wirtz - with claims emerging that Liverpool have already written him off.
LFC would accept €110m for Wirtz
This is clearly likely to be wishful thinking - with Wirtz agreeing a five-year deal at Anfield. But Defensa Central is nonetheless claiming that the Reds are willing to accept a fee of €110m for Wirtz - having paid around €137m overall for him last summer.
“The English club paid 150 million for Wirtz last summer, but now they are opening the door for his departure,” the report reads.
“In fact, they are reportedly willing to lower their asking price and put him up for sale for 110 million.”
The reason Madrid are so interested is that Xabi Alonso was the man who unlocked Wirtz’s best form at Bayer Leverkusen.
The duo won the 2023/24 Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double together in an extraordinary unbeaten season.
And Madrid were in fact contenders to sign Wirtz before he joined Liverpool - with Arne Slot ultimately convincing the playmaker his future lay on Merseyside.
It’s a remote possibility that the Reds will give up on Wirtz so soon after signing - but we must admit that he hasn’t yet lived up to expectation. Slot needs to get the best out of Wirtz - and fast - otherwise the questions will truly start to rise.
The reason cited for the abrupt decision was that the former centre-back wanted to spend more time with his family.
His departure was termed as amicable and the former defender will figure out what to do next after a short break.
Stephen Torpey takes over on an interim basis
The role is a crucial one, as the head decides which young stars are in need of a move away, and monitoring their progress when they are away from the club.
The Red Devils had begun the process of identifying a replacement, but with the January transfer window fast approaching, INEOS have opted for a temporary change until they find the perfect candidate.
As per Centredevils, Stephen Torpey, the new academy director, has taken up the responsibility and has been tasked with finding temporary homes for multiple academy starlets.
“CentreDevils understands that academy director Stephen Torpey is now leading as the Head of Loans and Pathways, after Jonny Evans stepped down.
United need a permanent new loans manager
“We can also reveal that the club are set to appoint a new person for this role, with talks already having taken place.
“The club are looking to loan a number of young talents this upcoming January window, with talks already being held with some clubs.”
With Ruben Amorim not exactly in the mood to hand debuts to academy stars, the 20-time English league champions are on the hunt for the perfect temporary landing spots for multiple stars.
How it feels to talk about Fiorentina for an hour | Photo by Yves Forestier/Sygma via Getty Images
To quote the Drive-by Truckers, the Viola have been falling for so long it’s like gravity is gone and they’re just floating. That won’t stop your favorite Fiorentina podcast idiots from getting on the mic and trying to figure out where it’s all gone wrong, other than everywhere. It’s just Hines and Tito this week as McMike’s got holiday duties to attend to, but we maintain a pretty good level of absurdity regardless.
This time around, we’re looking back at the past couple of weeks and handing out some awards, including one we’ve had to rename in light of recent events. Then we take a look at some simple adjustments the Viola could make to stop losing like the losers they are.
Staying in this present eventually got depressing, so we decided to look into the future and saw, well, an unremittingly grim landscape. Yep, we discuss relegation (one of us is surprisingly confident that Fiorentina’s staying up) and the January mercato before closing out with a look at the coach, the fans, and the general feeling around the squad.
Along the way, we learned about Mike’s pandering to a younger listening demographic, Tito’s Slingblade psychosis, and a new social experiment to conduct if you’re listening in a crowded, public space. Thank you as always to Sport Social Podcast Network for hosting us and to Windchime Weather (Nate’s got new music out!) for the music. And as always, we hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed making this. You could leave a rating and review if you want, but whatever.
Confirmed: Chelsea player will undergo foot surgery this weekend in London
It’s been confirmed that a Chelsea player will now undergo undergo foot surgery this weekend in London after an injury.
Chelsea have done well to ease up on their injury issues a bit this season. However, the curse still seems to follow them around with more and more injuries stacking up again as the season has gone on.
EXCLUSIVE! Chelsea legend keen on return to Stamford Bridge and will not ask for big wages!
On this occasion, the injury we are talking about will not effect Chelsea directly, but it is to a player who will be a Chelsea player this summer when he turns 18. So really, the surgery news is good news for us at least, just not such good news for the player or his current club, Sporting Lisbon.
Geovany Quenda is joining Chelsea this summer, everything has been confirmed in that deal – so he is currently on loan at Sporting.
The young winger looks like yet another top talent that Chelsea have picked up before they get too big or too expensive, as is the nature of their youth-led project.
Geovany Quenda in action against Borussia Dortmund. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)
According to Record in Portugal, Quenda is set to undergo foot surgery this weekend in London for a metatarsal fracture he suffered last month against Estrela Amadora.
A positive move
It should only be considered a good thing that Quenda is going for surgery as this will hopefully sort out any further issues he might have with the injury. However, it’s not great that a player so young is already having surgery on an injury. We will just have to hope that he isn’t another injury prone player.
According to a report from Sport, Marc-André ter Stegen might want to stay at FC Barcelona, where his prospects of playing are limited. That would seemingly put his position with the German national team at risk:
There is no doubt about Marc-André Ter Stegen’s future with FC Barcelona. At least, from the German goalkeeper’s point of view. With a contract in force until 2028 after the renewal signed in August 2023, Barça’s still first captain maintains his position after recovering from surgery this summer to solve his recurring lumbar problems and challenging the club – which he lost – with the pace of his recovery.
The German wants to continue, even though Flick was clear in pointing out Joan Garcia as his number one, something that will not change unless there is a catastrophic decline in his performance, which is difficult to imagine given his current form. His confident statements, despite sparking debate about the German’s future with the transfer market just around the corner, do not alter MATS’ plans.
Ter Stegen wants to stay at Barça and fight for minutes. Despite his need to play quality games, as requested by the German Federation in order to have a chance of being the starting goalkeeper for his national team in the World Cup, the goalkeeper believes that the situation at Can Barça is not as closed as Flick’s words suggest.
This seems like a massive gamble for Ter Stegen, who many had penciled in to be the starting goalkeeper for Germany at the 2026 World Cup. It would seem impossible for that to happen if Ter Stegen does not play for his club:
According to sources close to the player, SPORT has learned that Ter Stegen has not given up on this season in terms of regaining his place in goal. Knowing full well that everything can change overnight, and obviously not wanting that to happen, he is aware that any physical problem such as the one suffered by Joan Garcia in September—which kept him out for a month and a half—could open the door for his return to the starting lineup ahead of Szczesny, provided that the decision is based on sporting considerations.
The fact is that if there is no sporting way for him to play a leading role and the club decides to force him out, the goalkeeper will listen to offers. However, he will not be proactive. He will not ask to leave or demand that the club find him a new destination. He will only consider options if they come his way and if the sporting project convinces him, even if the prospect of representing Germany as a starter in the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico becomes complicated. In this sense, he will not accept transfers to leagues that are not in line with his status or competitive level.
If Ter Stegen does not open himself up to a move, he might kiss his World Cup chances goodbye.
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…
Jamie Smith was at the centre of the latest controversy with Snicko technology during a tense day of Test cricket at the Adelaide Oval.
Smith looked to hook a short ball from Pat Cummins and seemingly missed the ball which flew through to Alex Carey behind the stumps.
Carey, Cummins and co. all appealed believing Smith to have made contact with the ball but the England batter was ready to review the umpire’s decision.
But, the umpire decided to send for a review to see if the ball had cleanly landed in Carey’s hands before making a decision on the field. As part of that process a replay of the incident was shown with Snicko showing a spike after the ball had passed Smith’s bat. At the same time there seemed to be a gap between the bat and ball but the third umpire ruled that Smith had hit the ball and was out.
England captain Ben Stokes, who was batting at the time, dropped his head in disbelief when the decision was shown on the big screen. Smith’s dismissal left England 159-6 and over 200 runs behind Australia’s first innings total of 371.
The controversy was just one of several incidents on day two in which the technology process was questioned. Earlier examples saw Smith glove the ball to Usman Khawaja at second slip and Joe Root get an inside edge through to Carey. In both instances the ball bounced before reaching the respective fielders.
On Test Match Special, Alex Hartley labelled the controversies as ‘ridiculous’ and claimed that the Snicko technology needed ‘sacking’.
The umpires sent the decision over Jamie Smith’s wicket to the third umpire (Getty Images)
She said: “It is going to boot off here. This is ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous. This is where Snicko needs sacking.
“The third umpire said there is nothing obvious there as he could see a gap between the bat and ball. Jamie Smith is convinced he didn't hit it. Australia have gone up and made a loud noise because everybody knows you don't trust Snicko now, so you appeal for everything and review it if you have to.
“Ben Stokes has his hands on his hips. Smith has gone off shaking his head.”
Smith questions his dismissal after a disparity with Snicko (Getty Images)
Her view was echoed by former England players Greame Swann and Steven Finn on TNT Sports who both called out the inaccuracies in the technology and for it to be removed.
“Without sounding like a winging Pom, it’s one rule for one and one for another” said Swann, later adding: “It just doesn’t make sense. Cricket makes itself open to ridicule sometimes.”
DAPHNE, Ala. (WKRG) — It did not take long for Barrett Trotter to make a lasting impact at Bayside Academy. In just his third season as the Admirals head coach, Trotter led the team to program records on the field and in the standings.
Congratulations to Bayside Academy head coach Barrett Trotter — WKRG’s 2025 JBT Power Coach of the Year!
Bayside Academy set a new school record with 13 wins and a berth in the Class 3A state championship game. The team finished 6-0 in Region 1 and claimed the program’s second region title (2011).
The Admirals also lit up the scoreboard in record-setting fashion. The team notched a single-season high 586 points (39.1 points per game). But it wasn’t just the offense with a great season – the Bayside Academy defense held opponents to seven points or less eight times. Trotter believes all of their success on the field started with their work ethic long before they played under the Friday night lights.
“Their attitude every day of practice is incredible,” Trotter said. “They enjoyed the grind, they embraced it, they worked really, really hard and they had fun together doing it. We had a great season, but the great season wasn’t just wins and losses. It was every day at practice. It was morning meetings. It was all those little things that make the football environment really special.”
JBT Power was this year’s proud sponsor of the Coach of the Week segment. Gregg Wood was on hand to commemorate the special occasion of the Coach of the Year Award as an extension of their dedication to the local community.
“It’s awesome and it’s why we started doing it in the first place,” Wood said. “Whether it’s been (honoring) our mascots, or our bands and now the coaches, it’s so important for these kids to be involved in activities in the school and to recognize the people that lead them.”
The Admirals’ only two losses came to 4A power St. Michael and 3A state champion Mars Hill Bible. Although Trotter will take home the hardware, he know it is a true team award.
“I’m excited for our kids and the work they put in and our coaching staff,” Trotter said. “For me to be able to receive this award for all of them and for Bayside, I think is great.”
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
So much has happened during the past seven days, including an F1 driver taking part in a go-kart race in Milton Keynes, the start of the Darts World Championships and the Fifa Best awards.
This is our last weekly quiz of 2025 - but don't fear, for the two remaining weeks of the year we have some special one-off bumper quizzes planned.
The weekly quiz will return in 2026.
Around 8% of quizzers got full marks in last week's edition. Will you make the grade this week?
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NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — The Illinois State football team has three road playoff wins under its belt this postseason.
And players who aren’t from schools far from campus are a big reason why.
Normal Community product Tye Niekamp is the Missouri Valley Conference defensive player of the year. The linebacker is the anchor of the defense for the Redbirds (11-4), who play at Villanova in the FCS semifinals on Saturday.
Tye’s younger brother Dexter, also a linebacker, has had a big year as a redshirt freshman. Metamora’s Ben Wallace has been a solid contributor to the ISU offensive line.
And two local products shined in last Saturday’s 42-31 win at UC Davis in the national quarterfinals.
Normal Community grad Chris Taylor returned a kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter that gave ISU a 7-3 lead. The Redbirds never looked back.
“We all grew up playing football, everyone plays football around the world. But in this area, we get small recruits,” Taylor said of the central Illinois products on the redbird roster. “When ISU gave all of us a chance, they’ll never regret it. You see it. We are succeeding.”
Morton’s Seth Glatz had two rushing touchdowns in Saturday’s win. He had a 14-yard TD scamper in the third quarter and a 58-yarder with 3:35 left in the game that gave the Redbirds a 41-17 lead.
“I think football in our area is definitely under-recruited,” Glatz said. “Getting the opportunities to play in these big moments is what we are made for. Chris and I showed that this weekend.”
The Redbirds are trying to advance to the FCS title game for the first time since the 2014-15 season.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
University of Colorado officials closed their basketball arena to the public Wednesday night because of weather-related hazards, forcing its men’s basketball team to play in an empty building during an 84-73 win Dec. 17 against Portland State.
“Due to high winds, power outages around Boulder, and potentially hazardous road conditions, tonight's men's basketball game against Portland State will be played without fans,” the announcement stated. “The CU Events Center will be closed to the public.”
The Buffaloes proceeded to improve to 10-1 by generating their own energy in what felt like a closed scrimmage or throwback to the 2020-21 season, when fans weren’t allowed at games because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Freshman guard Isaiah Johnson came off the bench to score 20 points.
“Kind of a weird night tonight for the Buffaloes,” Colorado coach Tad Boyle said afterward.
Boyle jokingly added that he’d like to petition the NCAA to rule the game as a neutral-site contest instead of a home game.
“I doubt if I’ll win that, but it might help our NET ranking,” he said.
The university said fans with paid tickets to the game would be issued a single-use promo code for tickets to the next home game against Northern Colorado on Dec. 28.
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Jesper Bratt scored the winning goal in a shootout and the New Jersey Devils defeated the Vegas Golden Knights, 2-1, on Tuesday night.
Pavel Dorofeyev, Mark Stone and Mitch Marner missed opportunities in the shootout for Vegas. Marner’s attempt appeared to go in, but it was deemed a no-goal because the puck went off his skate after the initial shot.
Connor Brown scored in regulation for New Jersey. Jake Allen made 37 saves.
Dorofeyev scored for Vegas, and Carter Hart made 32 saves.
Vegas went to overtime for the 14th time in its 32 games.
BLUES 1, JETS 0
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Justin Faulk scored and Joel Hofer made 24 saves to lift the St. Louis Blues to a win over the stumbling Winnipeg Jets.
Hofer earned his third shutout of the season and the fifth in his career in the first meeting between the Blues and Jets since Winnipeg beat St. Louis in double overtime on May 4 in game seven of their first-round Stanley Cup playoff series.
Connor Hellebuyck made 25 saves for Winnipeg, which has lost five of its last six contests.
Faulk scored his eighth goal of the season on a feed from Robert Thomas with 6:43 remaining in the second period to give St. Louis the lead.
HURRICANES 4, PREDATORS 1
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Sebastian Aho scored two goals and added an assist as the Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Nashville Predators.
Jackson Blake had a goal and an assist, Seth Jarvis also scored and Pyotr Kochetkov made 25 saves for the Hurricanes, who have won five straight, equaling a season high.
Filip Forsberg scored and Juuse Saros made 33 saves for Nashville, losers of two of three.
Andrei Svechnikov had a pair of assists for the Hurricanes. Carolina completed the sweep of the two-game series against Nashville. The Hurricanes are now 6-1-1 against Central Division opponents this season.
MAMMOTH 4, RED WINGS 1
DETROIT (AP) — Clayton Keller had a goal and an assist as the Utah Mammoth pulled away from the Atlantic Division-leading Detroit Red Wings.
Dylan Guenther scored his sixth goal in the last six games, while Jack McBain and Kevin Stenlund also scored for Utah. Nick Schmaltz had his 300th career assist on Keller’s goal.
Karel Vejmelka made 27 saves as the Mammoth won for the third time in their last four games.
PANTHERS 3, KINGS 2
SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Sam Bennett scored 10 seconds into the third period, Brad Marchand had two assists and the Florida Panthers beat the Los Angeles Kings to sweep the two-game season series.
Anton Lundell and Carter Verhaeghe also scored for Florida, which has won six of its last seven games. Daniil Tarasov made 27 saves for the Panthers, including a breakaway stop against the Kings’ Trevor Moore with just under five minutes left to preserve a one-goal lead.
Joel Armia and Kevin Fiala had the goals for Los Angeles, which fell to 0-2-2 in its last four contests. The four-game winless streak matches a season-long slide for the Kings, who were 0-2-2 from Oct. 11 through Oct. 18 as well.
Matt Campbell is working to keep two Penn State alumni — Dan Connor and Deion Barnes — on staff, and it appears he’s working on bringing in another to oversee the defense as a whole. Matt Zenitz of 247Sports reports that USC’s D’Anton Lynn is *the* target for Penn State’s incumbent defensive coordinator job.
USC’s D’Anton Lynn is the target for the Penn State defensive coordinator job, sources tell @CBSSports.
The ex-Penn State DB has improved SC from 121st nationally in scoring defense two years ago to now allowing 12 fewer points per game. Before USC, led a top 15 defense at UCLA. pic.twitter.com/vkLnzqvodx
A Penn State player from 2008-2011, Lynn was an NFL assistant from 2014-2022, working his way up from being a seasonal intern with the New York Jets to the safeties coach for the Ravens. He made the move to the college game in 2023, serving as the defensive coordinator at UCLA for one season and at USC for the past two. In both cases, he took over horrendous units and improved them mightily right away. Below is where the Bruins and Trojans defenses ranked in SP+ before Lynn’s arrival and then during his tenure.
Before D’Anton Lynn: UCLA (2022) — 83rd During D’Anton Lynn: UCLA (2023 — 17th
Before D’Anton Lynn:USC (2023) — 105th During D’Anton Lynn: USC (2024) — 48th During D’Anton Lynn: USC (2025) — 35th
At Penn State, he wouldn’t be taking over a dreadful unit — the Nittany Lions, even in a down defensive season, finished 33rd in SP+. But there’s still the element of a lot of transition with NFL departures and potential transfer portal movement that bringing in someone like Lynn who gets improved results right away would be an awesome fit.
So the guy is good. Really good. And it’d be quite the hire for Matt Campbell to get him just 12 months after the last guy got turned down.
D’Anton Lynn was asked last week why he stayed on as USC’s DC after Penn State, his alma mater, pursued him.
Lynn: “I just couldn’t imagine myself coaching anybody else.”
“The people we have here, it was just too tough to leave.”
We’ll see where this goes. It’s a good sign to get a tweet like that from Zenitz, but until there’s a “are finalizing a deal” tweet, this one remains up in the air.
The 16th ranked Alabama Crimson Tide took down the visiting South Florida Bulls 104-93 on Wednesday in Coleman Coliseum. The Bulls are coached by long time Nate Oats assistant Bryan Hodgson. Alabama improved to 8-3 with the victory while USF fell to 6-5.
Oats tweaked the starting lineup again, beginning with Labaron Philon, Latrell Wrightsell, Houston Mallette, Aiden Sherrell, and for the first time, freshman London Jemison. Jemison’s classmate Amari Allen was held out of the game with an injury. Jemison was injured during the first half and did not return to the game.
Sherrell scored the first bucket of the game and was fouled, but missed the free throw. The Bulls pulled out to a 5-2 lead but Mallette hit a long three pointer to tie the game with 17:40 left in the half. Aden Holloway came off the bench and drilled a triple for a 15-10 Bama lead. Mallette connected from long distance twice more, and Philon over came a slow start to score in the lane, seemingly anytime he wanted to. Sherrell just beat the half time buzzer with a put back and the Tide took a hard faught 44-38 lead into the locker room. Bama had no answer for the Bulls Wes Enis, who made 5-9 three pointers in the half and scored 17 points.
The Tide shot 15-40 for 38% including 5-18 from deep while making 11-14 at the free throw line. Bama totaled 32 rebounds- the same amount they had in the whole game Saturday against Arizona- with 16 on the offensive end-after totaling only three in Saturday’s game. Alabama had seven assists, five blocks, four steals, and turned it over six times. Mallette had the best half of his Tide career with 13 points, seven rebounds, and one steal. Philon totaled 10 points with four assists. Taylor Bol Bowen grabbed six rebounds with four offensively in only seven minutes after being singled out by Oats after Saturday’s loss. Sherell had six points, six rebounds, and three blocked shots. USF shot 13-34 for 38% with 6-17 from three point range. The Bulls made 7-12 at the charity stripe, totaled 22 rebounds, passed for eight assists, five blocks, four steals, and committed six turnovers. Enis’s 17 points led the way, followed by Josh Omojafo with eight points and four rebounds. Izaiah Nelson had six points and five rebounds before exploding in the second half.
Jemison didn’t come out of the locker room after the half and was replaced by Taylor Bol Bowen to begin the second period. Wrightsell and Philon combined to make three shots from behind the arc early to build a 10 point lead at 59-49 with 15:10 left in the game. Holloway entered the game and heated up from long distance. Holloway’s third long range make of the game gave the Tide a 72-56 lead with 12:20 left in the game. From that point forward the game became an endless march to the free throw line as the zebras blew the whistle on almost every possession on both ends of the court. Bama mixed a few baskets in around the free throws, and was able to break the century mark for the fourth time this season.
The Tide shot 16-29 in the second half with 8-15 from three. Bama also drained 18-21 from the free throw line. After a great first half on the boards, Alabama only had 13 total rebounds in the half. Overall the Tide shot 31-69 for 45%, 13-33 from deep for 39%, had 45 rebounds, 14 assists, seven blocks, 11 steals, and 14 turnovers. Philon tied his career with his third 29 point game of the year and added three rebounds, seven assists, and a block, all while turning the ball over one time. After being shut out on Saturday, Holloway bounced back with 24 points and added four rebounds with three assists and two steals. Mallette had a solid game with 14 points, seven rebounds, one assist, and two steals. Wrightsell contributed 10 points. Bol Bowen finished with nine points, nine rebounds, and two blocks. Six of Bol Bowen’s were offensive, a point of emphasis for Oats. Sherrell scored six points, grabbed seven rebounds, and blocked three shots.
USF shot 15-38 in the second half with 4-13 from deep and 20-22 at the charity stripe. Overall the Bulls finished 28-72 for 39%, 10-30 from deep, and 27-34 at the free throw line. South Florida dominated the second half boards and totaled 46 in the game and dished out 15 assists, blocked six shots, had eight steals, and turned the ball over 15 times. Nelson was a monster down low and finished with 25 points and 12 rebounds, after a quiet first half. The Tide did a much better job on Enis, holding him to three second half points and 20 overall. Omojafo had a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Joseph Pinion finished with double digits with 11 points
A good bounce back win by the Tide after the second half meltdown against Arizona. South Florida is a tough, well coached team, but this is a game Bama should have easily won. Some of the problems were addressed, especially the rebounding in the first half. Oats said “we did a better job early, but we have to keep it up for 40 minutes” and continued, ““we did a better job on Enis in the second half, but 35 (Nelson) killed us.” Bol Bowen seemed to get the message with his work on both ends of the floor. Philon continues to look like one of the best players in the country. Oats praised Mallette’s penchant for doing whatever is asked of him saying ““Houston is a pleasure to coach.”
Next up is the final former coach on staff game when Antoine Pettway brings his Kennesaw State team back to his home state. However the game will not be played in Tuscaloosa,where Pettway played and coached for so long, but in Huntsville’s Von Braun Center in the ““Rocket City Classic.” The game is Sunday at 1 p.m CT and will be available on SEC Network Plus. The Tide will finish off their out of conference schedule on December 29th with an actual home game aginast Yale at 7 p.m. CT.
Green Bay men's basketball coach Doug Gottlieb plans to "take a break" from his radio show. Gottlieb wants to put his complete focus on his coaching duties.
The former Oklahoma State guard was hosting a national sports talk radio show before he was hired by Green Bay in May 2025.
"As of now, we're going to take a break from it," Gottlieb said in his news conference after Green Bay's 67-64 victory over UC Santa Barbara on Wednesday. "I've got to have a life. I've got to be there for these kids. I've got to really dig in because we're building something cool here."
Gottlieb expects to continue doing his podcast.
Green Bay has won two of its last three games since Gottlieb expressed his frustration after an 80-78 loss to Robert Morris on Dec. 4. Gottlieb was caught on camera throwing a chair on his way back to the locker room following that loss.
Green Bay was up by as many as 11 points with 3:54 left in the second half. But the Colonials cut Green Bay's lead down to two points with 35.7 seconds left, when the Phoenix were called for a 10-second violation after not advancing the ball past midcourt.
Robert Morris made a go-ahead 3-pointer and Green Bay made just one of two free throw attempts to leave the game tied. Nikolaos Chitikoudis provided Robert Morris with the victory after making the winning layup with 2.4 seconds left to play.
The Old Dominion Monarchs fully joined the FBS in 2014 and rapidly acclimated to the highest level of college football, producing a 10-3 record in 2016. However, through the 2024 season, that was the only winning season Old Dominion ever produced. That changed in 2025, and the program reached a new pinnacle on Wednesday night in Orlando.
Sixth-year head coach Ricky Rahne rattled off nine regular season wins to seal Old Dominion’s second winning record as an FBS program, and this breakout 2025 aptly concluded with a statement 24-10 upset over South Florida in the StaffDNA Cure Bowl. In the process, the Monarchs earned their biggest win in program history, adding a second bowl trophy to the shelf while tying their FBS record for wins in a season.
South Florida entered this matchup ranked second in the FBS in points (43.0) and yards (502) per game, lighting up opponents with seven games of 48+ points. Only twice did the Bulls score fewer than 31 all season — an 18-16 win over Florida and a 49-12 defeat to playoff-bound Miami (FL). USF faced obvious obstacles with the losses of head coach Alex Golesh (to Auburn), quarterback Byrum Brown, and Keshaun Singleton, and the Bulls could not overcome those absences nor the Old Dominion defense.
South Florida registered just 10 points, scoring one first half touchdown and facing a second half shutout to a relentless Monarch bunch. Old Dominion made its presence felt with four sacks and five takeaways, concocting a +4 in the turnover battle against one of the nation’s best turnover-producing teams. Outside linebacker Jeremy Mack totaled a game-high 11 tackles and a sack, while free safety Jerome Carter snagged two interceptions in a 3.5-hour defensive clinic by the boys from Norfolk.
Old Dominion’s offense also faced some pregame adversity, as Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year Colton Joseph opted out of the remainder of the 2025 season, thrusting Quinn Henicle into the starting quarterback spot. Henicle started and won a game in 2024 with 204 rushing yards, and the sophomore’s mobility was on full display in ODU’s massive win. He only completed 11-of-25 passes but made his presence felt on broken plays, scrambling up the middle for massive gains. Even after four sacks he rattled off 107 rushing yards and two touchdowns, delivering a 51-yard blow with 2:32 remaining to put the game out of reach. Henicle, who returned from a brief third quarter injury stemming from a targeting call, won MVP honors for his effort in Orlando.
South Florida’s backup quarterbacks did not enjoy the same level of production as Henicle. Sixth-year senior Gaston Moore earned his first and last collegiate start at quarterback to replace Byrum Brown, and Moore finished 20-of-28 with 236 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. He had one first half sequence where he connected with true freshman Jeremiah Koger for back-to-back 25 and 31-yard pickups — with the latter serving as USF’s lone touchdown. But there wasn’t much explosiveness in the passing game otherwise.
Moore’s last throw was a notable one, and unfortunately for the longtime backup, it was his final collegiate pass. In the fourth quarter, trailing 17-10, he sent a 20-yard strike to JeyQuan Smith at the Old Dominion 14-yard line, and Smith made a spectacular diving grab. However, Moore took a brutal hit while releasing the ball that caused his head to collide with the Camping World Stadium field, ultimately knocking him out of the final 12 minutes.
Protesting the hit, South Florida guard Cole Skinner and interim head coach Kevin Patrick were both assessed with 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalties. Then USF took a sack and holding on the next two plays, ultimately moving the Bulls back from the Old Dominion 14 to their own 38 — a monumental 48-yard difference. USF never even crossed the ODU 40-yard line again, as those penalties proved instrumental in the defeat.
True freshman Locklan Hewlett, whose passing experience was limited to a 45-yard fake punt touchdown in Week 1, finished the effort for the Bulls. But on a 4th and 6 from its own 47-yard line with 3:45 remaining, South Florida made the questionable decision to run a fake punt — this time, without Hewlett disguising as a punter. Punter Chase Leon was intercepted by Jerome Carter on a play that never stood a chance, ultimately putting a dagger in USF’s hopes at a 10-win season.
Special teams also played a significant role in this contest. Both teams missed two field goals in this game, including several attempts under 40 yards. But special teams ended up favoring Old Dominion overall as the Monarchs denied South Florida of a critical fourth quarter possession. An ODU punt hit a USF gunner two times on Wednesday evening, and on the second occurrence, Monarch long snapper Brendan Durkin made a mid-air recovery after the ball bounced off the gunner and return man.
South Florida (9-4, 6-2 American) missed out on a golden opportunity for its first 10-win season since 2017. The Bulls enjoyed their best season in nearly a decade but it comes to a bitter end, as they will be denied a season-ending ranking — a feat the team hasn’t accomplished in eight years. The Bulls now officially move into the Brian Hartline era, as the Ohio State offensive coordinator relocates to Tampa when the Buckeyes’ playoff run is complete.
Old Dominion (10-3, 6-2 Sun Belt) sealed its best season as an FBS member with a victory for the ages. Two of the three Monarch losses — Indiana and James Madison — are competing in the College Football Playoff, and they now unlock a new signature win by upending South Florida. Ricky Rahne celebrated his first bowl win as head coach, capping off an unforgettable moment in the program’s young history.
A long, hard-fought season comes down to just three more matches — the 2025 NCAA volleyball final four is officially here.
The Elite Eight brought a world of surprises and upsets, with the biggest being No. 3 Texas A&M stunning previously unbeaten No. 1 overall seed Nebraska in five sets. The Aggies are now in their first-ever semifinals, where they will be joined by fellow No. 3 seed Wisconsin, which upset No. 1 Texas Sunday.
The other two programs are the remaining No. 1 seeds, Kentucky and Pitt, who defeated their quarterfinal opponents in three and four sets, respectively. This marks Pitt's fifth consecutive Final Four berth, but the Panthers have still yet to win a title.
Kentucky and Wisconsin are both returning to the semifinals for the first time since their most recent national titles in 2020 and 2021.
Who will keep their season alive this week?
Here's everything you need to know about the 2025 NCAA volleyball final four, including TV channels, schedule and a full bracket for the semifinals and championship match.
NCAA volleyball tournament bracket 2025
No. 1 Pitt vs. No. 3 Texas A&M
No. 1 Kentucky vs. No. 3 Wisconsin
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With 4:56 left in the first half, Ben Gold scored on a layup to put YOUR Marquette Golden Eagles up 29-20 on Georgetown on Wednesday night at Fiserv Forum.
and yet
somehow
Georgetown led, 37-33, at the half, thanks to a Langston Love three-pointer with three seconds left before the horn.
Yes, that is a 17-4 run to end the half for the Hoyas
Marquette would get closer than four points on just two occasions in the second half. One was on a Caedin Hamilton and-1 with 19:21 left, and the other was on a pair of Chase Ross free throws with 8:41 to play. Bot times, the Golden Eagles cut the margin to just three points.
You are currently thinking: “Hey, wait, that headline says Marquette lost by nine, it was a three point game with just under nine minutes left?” Sure was, boss. Georgetown followed up those Ross free throws with a 17-5 run. Hoyas by 15, 75-60, 3:18 to play, and that’s your ball game.
Losing sucks. Losing a third straight game sucks. Falling to 5-7 overall this season sucks. Dropping under 100 in the KenPom.com rankings for the first time since they were pushed back into double digits by a 66-61 win over Creighton on February 24, 2016, sucks.
But the thing that really grinds my gears about this loss?
Marquette looked great for about 15 minutes on Wednesday night. Marquette finally looked like the version of themselves that I thought they could be this season. Marquette finally looked like a team that was really annoyed about being under .500 in the month of December for the first time since Shaka Smart was hired.
MU started off this game shooting 6-for-10 from the field, including a pair of three-pointers, one each from Adrien Stevens and Sean Jones. Ben Gold’s layup for a nine point lead moved them to 11-for-25 in the game, and a dunk from Damarius Owens made it 12-for-26. No, 46.2% isn’t great, but they did have four three-pointers in there, so that’s 53.8% on effective field goal percentage, so that’s fine.
Marquette finished the half shooting just 43.3% with an eFG of just 50%.
Marquette shot 41.2% in the second half and just 20% on 15 three-point attempts. That’s an eFG of just 45.6%.
From that Owens dunk forward, Marquette shot just 15-for-38 from the field. That’s 39%. From that Owens dunk forward, Marquette had an effective field goal percentage of just 43.4%.
I said it in the preview: Whichever teams manages to shake off their lousy shooting this season will win the game.
Turns out, Georgetown only needed to shoot 47% from the field with an eFG of 50% in order to succeed, because Marquette was awful here. Part of that is Georgetown’s existence, as they were able to not care in the slightest about MU’s outside shooting for most of the game — 27% overall, 20% in the second half! — and so they could just collapse on whatever driver was taking the ball inside with absolutely zero worry about getting burned.
Zaide Lowery did not appear in this game.
5-7 overall. 0-1 in the Big East.
20 more of these things left to go.
Highlights, such as they are, courtesy of GoMarquette.com and Fox Sports:
Up Next: Got a good news, bad news situation for you. On Saturday, Marquette heads to the western-most outpost of the Big East to face Creighton. The Bluejays are just 6-5 on the year and have been struggling mightily after the loss of preseason all-Big East forward Jackson McAndrew to a season ending injury. That’s the good news.
The bad news is that Creighton shot 49% from behind the three-point line and 73% inside it on their way to a 98-57 victory on the road at Xavier on Wednesday night. If that’s a sign that the Bluejays figured something out, Marquette’s in a lot of trouble. Tipoff on Peacock is scheduled for 7:30pm Central.
Detroit Red Wings left wing James van Riemsdyk (21) moves the puck against Utah Mammoth left wing Daniil But (19) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
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Duane Burleson
Over the last two games, the Utah Mammoth have a goal differential of zero.
They lost 4-1 to the Boston Bruins on Tuesday and beat the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday. They managed a .667 points percentage during their eastern road trip and they’re now 3-1-0 in their last four games.
But the Mammoth are still just shy of a playoff spot, as both the San Jose Sharks and the Los Angeles Kings have multiple games in hand, despite the fact that all three teams are tied in terms of points.
Here’s the story of Utah’s win in Detroit.
Quick catchup
Utah Mammoth: 4
Detroit Red Wings: 1
Karel Vejmelka maintained a shutout for the first 50 minutes of the game, but Emmitt Finnie spoiled it with a power play goal.
That goal brought the score to 2-1, turning up the pressure for Utah. But with the increased pressure came an increase in motivation, and Dylan Guenther and Kevin Stenlund added a pair of insurance goals to make sure they didn’t let this one slip.
They’d struggled to generate offense in Boston, but they got everything they needed in Detroit.
“That group has a lot of pride,” head coach André Tourigny said of his team. “There’s a lot of pride, there’s a lot of character. There’s nobody perfect in the world, but those guys care a ton, and they want to be successful together. They showed it tonight in the character situation.”
Tidbits and takeaways
Battling in the tough areas
Both Keller and Tourigny credited the Mammoth’s win to their willingness to go to the tough areas.
“I think we just had to be better in the dirty areas, around their net, those 50-50 pucks, kind of all over the ice,” Keller said. “That’s something we had an emphasis on today ... having a guy inside at all times. We do that, the rest takes care of itself in the o-zone.”
All four of Utah’s goals came from the hash marks or lower, with two of them coming off rebounds. When you have guys like 6-foot-6 Simon Edvinsson and 6-foot-3 Ben Chiarot breathing down your neck, holding your ground in front of the net and battling for the puck in the corners is much easier said than done.
“For a lot of our guys, it’s not first nature,” Tourigny said. “So we need to stay on it. I’m not saying that in a negative way I’m saying that we just need to be aware: If we fall asleep, that will go away. So we cannot. We need to stay aware of it and make the commitment of playing that way, and when we do, we have success, so we have to keep going.”
The importance of good goaltending
As mentioned, the Mammoth benefitted greatly from good goaltending on Wednesday — and while their loss on Tuesday should be chalked up as a team loss rather than an individual one, their goaltending didn’t do them any favors that day.
There’s a magic number at play here: .900.
With the exception of three games, all of Utah’s wins this season have involved a save percentage of .900 or better. And with the exception of three games, all of their losses have had a sub-.900 save percentage.
If they hit that number, they can expect to win. If they don’t hit it, they should expect to lose. And their lineup decisions should reflect that.
“A lot of guys played well tonight, everywhere,” Tourigny said. “If you look at our D corps, we were rock-solid. Our goalie was rock-solid. I like our four lines. ... 4-0 at 5-on-5 against the second team in the Eastern Conference, we’ll take that.”
Clayton Keller’s big game
Criticism surfaced on social media Tuesday morning for Keller’s relative lack of production recently. He’s still on pace for 68 points, but he’s capable of much more than that.
Having unexpectedly lost his father a few weeks ago, it’s hard to blame him — but the team relies on him for offense all the same, and you know he wants to get back to the 1.5 point-per-game pace with which he began the season.
Wednesday’s game was a step in the right direction. He broke a three-game point drought, scoring a goal in the first period and adding an assist in the third.
“Kells, he competes,” said head coach André Tourigny. “I think, tonight, he wanted to make the difference, and he scored a big goal, made a great play on Stenny’s goal, but it’s more than that. It’s the fight he had. ... I felt like that about our team, and it started with our captain.”
The bulk of NHL fans weren’t familiar with Emmitt Finnie until October of this year. He was a seventh-round pick in the 2023 draft, so expectations of him were never particularly high. But he surprised a lot of people at training camp and he ended up making the team because of it.
And it didn’t stop there.
The 20-year-old scored again on Wednesday, giving him eight goals and 16 points in 35 games this season. That’s a great start to an NHL career, and if he keeps progressing the way he is, he’ll carve out a good living for himself.
It also doesn’t hurt to have Lucas Raymond and Dylan Larkin as your line mates, and averaging more than a minute and a half of power play time helps, too.
Goal of the game
Carcone to McBain
Jack McBain gets credit for scoring the goal, but it doesn’t happen in the first place without Michael Carcone’s perfect setup.
Carcone picked up a puck off the end boards and fed McBain a no-look, spin-o-rama pass — the type of play you’d expect to see from a superstar, not someone on a league-minimum contract.
USC forward Ezra Ausar (2) dribbles during a Big Ten Conference college basketball game against the UTSA Roadrunners, Wednesday December 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif.
LOS ANGELES — Ezra Ausar and Chad Baker-Mazara each scored double figures and led the USC Trojans offensively en route to a breezy 97-70 victory over the UTSA Roadrunners. With this win, the Trojans improve to 11-1 on the young season and are the only team besides Nebraska in the Big Ten with 11 wins.
To begin this contest, UTSA and USC were pretty much responding back and forth to each other, and at one point, the Roadrunners had themselves a 31-29 lead in the final three minutes of the first half. It wasn't until the Trojans took over the game from that point on and ended the first half on a 13-0 run and retake the lead, 40-31.
"You gotta play the guys that have the right frame of mind and want to compete and play unselfish, that's why we played so well," Head Coach Eric Musselman said on the difference between the first and second half play and why he decided to go into the second half with the same starting five that ended the first half.
Despite the slow start in the first half, Baker-Mazara amped up his intensity and notched 17 second-half points on 4-10 shooting. Baker-Mazara would finish his night with 20 points (5-13 shooting), 5 rebounds, and five assists.
Ausar would lead the Trojans' scoring-wise with 22 points in 31 minutes and recorded his first double-double of the season after snagging his 10th board in the second half.
No other performance was as superb as senior guard Ryan Cornish, who has really churned the pot as of late, but shone in this win, notching 18 points on 6-10 shooting, including going 4-8 from three-point range, and 4 rebounds in 27 minutes. During the last minutes of the game, Cornish was insinuating to his coaches on the bench that he wanted to sub out due to tiredness, but the Trojans' coaches insisted he stay and finish the remainder of the game.
"I've got to get into a little better of shape," Cornish said with a smile on his face when asked to reflect on the final minutes of the game and what was going on through his head when he was trying to grant a sub. "I asked for a sub because I was tired, and usually it's a good thing to ask for a sub, because it means you're showing your all."
The Trojans are entering their final week of non-conference play, as they managed to secure a game for Sunday after previously announcing that their last home game of December against Brown University was mutually agreed upon between the schools to be cancelled. USC will now face off against UCSC, a Division III school.
San Diego State forward Pharoah Compton (5) celebrates a dunk during an NCAA Basketball game between Air Force and San Diego State, Wednesday December 17, 2025 at Viejas Arena in San Diego, Calif.
SAN DIEGO – The San Diego State Aztecs defeated the Air Force Falcons, 81-58, at Viejas Arena on December 17, 2025. The Sporting Tribune’s Brandon Pollard was there to capture the following TST Images.
San Diego State forward Pharoah Compton (5) celebrates a dunk during an NCAA Basketball game between Air Force and San Diego State, Wednesday December 17, 2025 at Viejas Arena in San Diego, Calif.
Brandon Pollard - The Sporting Tribune
San Diego State forward Pharoah Compton (5) celebrates a dunk during an NCAA Basketball game between Air Force and San Diego State, Wednesday December 17, 2025 at Viejas Arena in San Diego, Calif.
Players fight for the ball during an NCAA Basketball game between Air Force and San Diego State, Wednesday December 17, 2025 at Viejas Arena in San Diego, Calif.
Brandon Pollard - The Sporting Tribune
Players fight for the ball during an NCAA Basketball game between Air Force and San Diego State, Wednesday December 17, 2025 at Viejas Arena in San Diego, Calif.
San Diego State forward Magoon Gwath (0) high fives guard Sean Newman Jr. (4) an NCAA Basketball game between Air Force and San Diego State, Wednesday December 17, 2025 at Viejas Arena in San Diego, Calif.
Brandon Pollard - The Sporting Tribune
San Diego State forward Magoon Gwath (0) high fives guard Sean Newman Jr. (4) an NCAA Basketball game between Air Force and San Diego State, Wednesday December 17, 2025 at Viejas Arena in San Diego, Calif.
San Diego State guard BJ Davis (10) dunks during an NCAA Basketball game between Air Force and San Diego State, Wednesday December 17, 2025 at Viejas Arena in San Diego, Calif.
Brandon Pollard - The Sporting Tribune
San Diego State guard BJ Davis (10) dunks during an NCAA Basketball game between Air Force and San Diego State, Wednesday December 17, 2025 at Viejas Arena in San Diego, Calif.
San Diego State guard Taj DeGourville (24) reacts to being called for a foul during an NCAA Basketball game between Air Force and San Diego State, Wednesday December 17, 2025 at Viejas Arena in San Diego, Calif.
Brandon Pollard - The Sporting Tribune
San Diego State guard Taj DeGourville (24) reacts to being called for a foul during an NCAA Basketball game between Air Force and San Diego State, Wednesday December 17, 2025 at Viejas Arena in San Diego, Calif.
Air Force Head Coach Joe Scott yells during an NCAA Basketball game between Air Force and San Diego State, Wednesday December 17, 2025 at Viejas Arena in San Diego, Calif.
Brandon Pollard - The Sporting Tribune
Air Force Head Coach Joe Scott yells during an NCAA Basketball game between Air Force and San Diego State, Wednesday December 17, 2025 at Viejas Arena in San Diego, Calif.
San Diego State guard BJ Davis (10) looks to pass during an NCAA Basketball game between Air Force and San Diego State, Wednesday December 17, 2025 at Viejas Arena in San Diego, Calif.
Brandon Pollard - The Sporting Tribune
San Diego State guard BJ Davis (10) looks to pass during an NCAA Basketball game between Air Force and San Diego State, Wednesday December 17, 2025 at Viejas Arena in San Diego, Calif.
San Diego State plays full court defense during an NCAA Basketball game between Air Force and San Diego State, Wednesday December 17, 2025 at Viejas Arena in San Diego, Calif.
Brandon Pollard - The Sporting Tribune
San Diego State plays full court defense during an NCAA Basketball game between Air Force and San Diego State, Wednesday December 17, 2025 at Viejas Arena in San Diego, Calif.
San Diego State guard Taj DeGourville (24) waits to box out during an NCAA Basketball game between Air Force and San Diego State, Wednesday December 17, 2025 at Viejas Arena in San Diego, Calif.
Brandon Pollard - The Sporting Tribune
San Diego State guard Taj DeGourville (24) waits to box out during an NCAA Basketball game between Air Force and San Diego State, Wednesday December 17, 2025 at Viejas Arena in San Diego, Calif.
San Diego State Head Coach Brian Dutcher yells at a referee during an NCAA Basketball game between Air Force and San Diego State, Wednesday December 17, 2025 at Viejas Arena in San Diego, Calif.
Brandon Pollard - The Sporting Tribune
San Diego State Head Coach Brian Dutcher yells at a referee during an NCAA Basketball game between Air Force and San Diego State, Wednesday December 17, 2025 at Viejas Arena in San Diego, Calif.
San Diego State guard Elzie Harrington (3) tries to save the ball during an NCAA Basketball game between Air Force and San Diego State, Wednesday December 17, 2025 at Viejas Arena in San Diego, Calif.
Brandon Pollard - The Sporting Tribune
San Diego State guard Elzie Harrington (3) tries to save the ball during an NCAA Basketball game between Air Force and San Diego State, Wednesday December 17, 2025 at Viejas Arena in San Diego, Calif.
San Diego State guard BJ Davis (10) looks on during an NCAA Basketball game between Air Force and San Diego State, Wednesday December 17, 2025 at Viejas Arena in San Diego, Calif.
Brandon Pollard - The Sporting Tribune
San Diego State guard BJ Davis (10) looks on during an NCAA Basketball game between Air Force and San Diego State, Wednesday December 17, 2025 at Viejas Arena in San Diego, Calif.
San Diego State guard Reese Dixon-Waters (39) steps back for a three pointer during an NCAA Basketball game between Air Force and San Diego State, Wednesday December 17, 2025 at Viejas Arena in San Diego, Calif.
Brandon Pollard - The Sporting Tribune
San Diego State guard Reese Dixon-Waters (39) steps back for a three pointer during an NCAA Basketball game between Air Force and San Diego State, Wednesday December 17, 2025 at Viejas Arena in San Diego, Calif.
It’s Wednesday evening here at BCB After Dark: the coolest club for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. We’re so glad you decided to stop by. Come on in out of the cold. We can check your hat and coat for you. There are still a couple tables available. They’re all good. The hostess can seat you now. Bring your own beverage.
BCB After Dark is the place for you to talk baseball, music, movies, or anything else you need to get off your chest, as long as it is within the rules of the site. The late-nighters are encouraged to get the party started, but everyone else is invited to join in as you wake up the next morning and into the afternoon.
Here’s the part where we listen to music and talk movies. You are free to skip that part. Don’t know why you would, but to each his or her own. The BCB Winter Science Fiction Classic features one of my all-time favorite films tonight.
Tonight we’re featuring the young vocalist Ella Cole who is making a name for herself performing tunes from the Great American Songbook. And of course, Christmas songs pay the bills that allow one to sing other jazz songs the rest of the year. So she released a Christmas album last year.
Here she is singing “That’s What I Want For Christmas,” which is best known as from a Nancy Wilson performance. This is live in studio last year.
You voted in the BCB Winter Science Fiction Classic between two time-traveling films and you went with the comedy, as Back to the Future advances over 12 Monkeys. You people do love your incest jokes. It’s OK. No judgments.
Today we have one of the biggest blockbuster films of all time against a low-budget indie film. I expect to be disappointed again, but at least I’ll be more understanding this time.
3. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991). Directed by James Cameron. Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton and Robert Patrick.
Terminator 2: Judgment Day is the 1991 big-budget sequel to the 1984 small-budget surprise hit The Terminator. There are many who think the first film was the better one, but it was this film that became a cultural touchstone, made boatloads of money and brought the phrase “Hasta la vista, baby” to the American lexicon.
In case you are part of the two percent that are unfamiliar with the premise of the Terminator series, the world was destroyed in 1997 a nuclear holocaust by a malevolent artificial intelligence called Skynet. (We all remember that, right?) What remains of the world is ruled by Skynet and its machine creations, which includes the Terminators. In the year 2029, John Connor leads the human resistance to Skynet’s rule, so in the first film, the T-800 Terminator (Schwarzenegger) is sent back in time to kill John’s mother Sarah Connor (Hamilton) before he is born. It fails, of course, so in the sequel, Skynet sends a new and improved T-1000 Terminator (Patrick) back in time to kill a ten-year-old John Connor (Edward Furlong). Future John sends back a reprogrammed T-800 (Schwarzenegger again) back in time to save his younger self.
The paradoxes of such a set-up are not really addressed in the film because Terminator 2: Judgement Day is primarily an action/special effects film. It would, however, be unfair to say that the only point of the plot is to get into big car chases, blow stuff up and make Arnold Schwarzenegger look very cool. It’s unfair because it’s also designed to make Linda Hamilton look cool as hell.
I’m being unjustly snarky there. The heart of the film is really the relationship between the T-800 and the ten-year-old John Connor. John teaches the emotionless robot what it means to be human and why humans have value. In response to the criticisms of the violence in the first film, Cameron has the young John Connor order the T-800 not to kill anyone. Grievously wounding and maiming is just fine, apparently. You wouldn’t want a Terminator who couldn’t fight back at all, especially in a film like this one.
Meanwhile, the T-800 serves as a surrogate father figure and protector figure for John. Along with Sarah, who gets broken out of a mental hospital where she was placed after her repeated rantings about Skynet and Judgment Day, the three of them become a kind of family that draws strength from each other.
(As an aside, the one part of the film that truly bothers me is the way that Cameron fell back on the harmful “evil foster parents” trope early in the film. At least he uses the T-800 to show that you can make a family without biology.)
Schwarzenegger himself is the first to admit that he’s not the greatest actor in the world, but you have to give him credit for this, his greatest role. It helps that his character can’t show emotion, but the film manages to find ways to let T-800 become a character with real “human” traits and a story arc that we can care about. Patrick is terrific as the cold T-1000 villain.
Hamilton has to play crazy for much of the film and Cameron pulls off a neat trick by having the creator of Skynet played by Joe Morton. Sarah Connor’s obsession with Skynet leads her to try to murder the man whose creation will doom all of humanity. This is a parallel plot to the way that the T-1000 tries to kill young John. The trick is that Morton is one of the most likable actors around, so if she goes through with killing him, there’s no coming back from the crazy. But she does, and Hamilton does a good job of it. The T-1000 has no such qualms about killing the young John, making a nice contrast between the two attempts to change the future.
All of this is fine and good, but what elevates Terminator 2: Judgment Day to a classic is the special effects. The T-1000 Terminator (or just the Robert Patrick one if the numbers confuse you) is made out of liquid metal. Shoot it, tear a limb off or whatever, it just oozes back into place. He’s also a shapeshifter that can morph into different people or inanimate objects. T2 wasn’t the first film to use CGI as a special effect, but it was the first one to use it this much and to this great effect. Quite frankly, the effects still look very good by the standards of today. By the standards of 1991, it was positively mind-blowing.
The special effects were a big, but not the only, reason that the Library of Congress put Terminator 2: Judgment Day on the National Film Registry in 2023. It was also one of the biggest box office hits of all time.
Here’s the trailer for Terminator 2: Judgment Day
6. Repo Man (1984). Directed by Alex Cox. Starring Harry Dean Stanton, Emilio Estevez, Tracey Walter and Olivia Barash.
Repo Man is undoubtedly one of the most creative, out-of-the-box films ever made. Helmed by a first-time director in Cox on a shoestring budget, it throws pretty much everything it can against the wall to see what sticks. It doesn’t all hold together, but what does is pure magic.
Repo Man is a lot of things. It’s a great science fiction comedy film. It’s a good car film. It’s one of the greatest “punk” movies with a fantastic soundtrack featuring the greats of the Los Angeles hardcore scene of the early-eighties as well as an Iggy Pop theme song. It’s one of the more quotable films you’ll ever watch. On top of that, this is a truly great Los Angeles movie, featuring parts of the city that you don’t often see in other films.
Did I mention the whole thing was financed by Michael Nesmith of The Monkees?
The macguffin of Repo Man is a pair of aliens in the trunk of a ’64 Chevy Malibu. The aliens never leave the trunk, so the special effects are minimal. Also, if you’ve seen Pulp Fiction, the mysterious glow of the briefcase in that film owes a lot to Repo Man. Except in Repo Man, anyone who opens the trunk and looks at the glowing aliens spontaneously combusts and dies, leaving just their shoes.
Otto (Estevez), is an aimless punk who gets roped into helping a car repossession by Bud (Stanton). Initially disgusted by the idea of working as a repo man, he changes his mind after realizing he has no job and no money. Otto comes to love being a repo man after his first real job when he discovers that “the life of a repo man is always intense,” as Bud puts it. Otto, like Bud, likes intense.
After a $20,000 bounty comes in for that Chevy Malibu, everyone is out to collect it. Not just Otto and Bud’s Happy Hands Acceptance Company, but the rival Rodriguez brothers, who seem to be a bit more competent at repossessing cars than they are. The CIA also wants the aliens in the Malibu back, as well as a shadowy group called the United Fruitcake Outlet, whom Otto comes in contact with after he picks up the lovely Leila (Barash).
There is also a group of Otto’s former punk friends who go around “doing crimes” as they put it. They end up stealing the Chevy Malibu by accident.
The film’s sight gags are legendary. Generic products are everywhere and at one point Otto eats out of a can of food simply labeled “Food.” Pine tree-shaped air fresheners hang everywhere and not just on rear-view mirrors.
The men and women who work as repo men are also hilarious characters. Bud is best known for his “Repo Man Code” that he recites, but there is also Miller as the crazy mechanic who doesn’t drive and believes every single conspiracy theory he’s ever heard and repeats them in a deadpan manner. The rest of the Happy Hands people have their own wacky personalities as well. The Rodriguez brothers, Leila and her boss Agent Rogersz (Susan Barnes), the punk crime gang of Duke (Dick Rude), Debbi (Jennifer Balgobin) and Archie (Miguel Sandoval) are hilarious characters in their own right
Oh, and the Circle Jerks play themselves performing one of their songs as a sad lounge act.
Then there are the quotes. “The life of repo man is always intense” is one, but there are several other lines that you’ll never forget. Many of them I can’t repeat here, but there’s also:
Bud: Credit is a sacred trust, it’s what our free society is founded on. Do you think they give a damn about their bills in Russia? I said, do you think they give a damn about their bills in Russia?
Duke: The lights are growing dim Otto. I know a life of crime has led me to this sorry fate, and yet, I blame society. Society made me what I am.
Otto: That’s bull[bleep]. You’re a white suburban punk just like me.
Duke: Yeah, but it still hurts.
Debbi: Duke, let’s do some crimes.
Duke: Yeah. Let’s go get sushi and not pay!
Leila: What about our relationship?
Otto: What?
Leila: Our relationship!
Otto: [bleep] that.
Leila: You [bleep]! I’m glad I tortured you!
Agent Rogersz: It happens sometimes. People explode. Natural causes.
Kevin: There’s [bleep] room to move as a fry cook. I could manager in two years. King. God.
Again, there are several others that I just can’t repeat. The broadcast TV edit of Repo Man is legendary for its creativity as well.
Repo Man is the kind of film that the studios just didn’t get and it basically got buried until the soundtrack started to sell and the record arm at Universal started bugging the film division to start promoting the movie. It got a second release and became an underground hit. It also took off on home video and has remained a cult classic ever since.
Here’s the trailer for Repo Man. There are some more very quotable lines that I didn’t repeat in here.
Now it’s time to vote.
T2 is on Netflix and Paramount Plus. Repo Man is available for rent.
You have until Monday to vote. Up next you get another chance to vote for a Terry Gilliam film as Brazil (1985) takes on a classic piece of Japanese anime Ghost in the Shell (1995). Brazil was on TCM last month, I hope you got a chance to watch it. Otherwise, it’s available for rent. Ghost in the Shell is on Amazon Prime (through the end of the month) and the Criterion Channel.
Welcome back to everyone who skips the music and movies.
As you’ve no doubt heard, former Cubs reliever Brad Keller agreed to a two-year, $22 million deal with the Phillies earlier today. Obviously that’s good news for Keller and bad news for those of us who wanted to see Keller return to the Cubs.
So tonight’s question is should the Cubs have matched or topped that offer? Keller was a key part of the Cubs bullpen last season, going 4-2 with a 2.07 ERA and three saves. He pitched 69.2 innings and struck out 75 and walked 22. His fastball averaged over 97 miles per hour. His underlying numbers indicate that that wasn’t a total fluke season.
But of course, relievers and their performance is a volatile thing. As good as Keller was for the Cubs last year, it’s easy to forget that he came to the Cubs on a minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training. The year before he was released by the White Sox, who lost more games than any other team in modern baseball history.
That 97 mph fastball was also completely out of line with the rest of Keller’s career, where his velocity was a full four miles per hour slower. Some of that increased velocity is due to pitching out of the bullpen instead of starting, but Keller pitched out of the pen in 2024 and didn’t throw 97 that year. Yes, he made some adjustments coming into last year, but can we really be so sure he’s going to hold that velocity into his thirties?
The other issue is that from all accounts, the Cubs are still trying to sign starters Tatsuya Imai and Michael King. It’s hard to know how much money they could spend on Keller without knowing how much it will cost to sign one of those two. And neither starter has any incentive to sign anytime soon.
So you know Brad Keller. Would you take a chance on signing him to a two-year deal? It’s team president Jed Hoyer’s modus operandi to build bullpens out of spare parts and for the most part, he’s been successful doing so. He did give Phil Maton a two-year deal this winter, but for a much lower AAV than Keller got. I’m also reminded how many around here were upset when the Cubs lost out on closer Tanner Scott to the Dodgers last year. Now that was a four-year deal, but I’m sure the Dodgers would just give Scott to the Cubs for free now to get out from under that onerous contract after one terrible year for Scott.
Thank you for stopping by. A big thanks goes out to everyone who voted or commented this week. Please get home safely. We can get your coat for you now. Stay warm out there. Recycle any cans and bottles. Tip your waitstaff. And join us again next week for more BCB After Dark.
The Irishman got off to a rough start at the Golf Channel Games — the made-for-TV, silly-season, (unconventional) skills competition held at Trump National Jupiter — sending his first four shots during the driving competition everywhere but in play.
Two four-player teams captained by the top two golfers in the world — No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and No. 2 Rory McIlroy — got together for an event billed as a combination of the NFL Combine, NBA 3-point competition and MLB Home Run Derby.
But at times this was more like Steph Curry trying to make a 3-pointer with a medicine ball. Or Aaron Judge having to hit the ball on the run.
"We tried something new," said McIlroy, whose team included Lowry, Luke Donald and Haotong Li. "And sometimes when you try something new it doesn't work out.
"But I think this one really did. I think the biggest thing is all the players were into it. It was fun. It was a different format, a lot more interaction between the players as opposed to traditional golf. So, yeah, overall it was an awesome night."
Team Scottie defeats Team Rory
For those keeping score at home, Team Scottie, which included Keegan Bradley, Sam Burns and Luke Clanton, defeated Team Rory. With the score tied after the five competitions, the event came down to one chip from just inside 50 yards between the captains.
And even then it took two measurements to determine Scheffler's chip was two inches closer to the pin than McIlroy's at 5-feet, 5-inches.
And once Scheffler was determined the winner, Lowry picked up his ball and tossed it onto the lake.
"I thought I got him," McIlroy said. "It looked like from back there that he was a little further away."
McIlroy dominated Scheffler in the Captain's Challenge — the two players hit 10 shots from predetermined spots on the course starting at 200 yards to a 15-foot putt — to force the playoff. And he raised his arms after Scheffler's chip stopped rolling, thinking he was closer.
"That's what people want," McIlroy said. "They want to see the best players in the world go up against each other, whether it's playing or in a skills challenge or whatever. So for a Wednesday night in December, I think this was pretty good for golf."
The night started with laughs on the range during the driving competition — even McIlroy was doubled over and laughing after Lowrey struggled to keep his ball in play — and continued through the final measurement.
Shane Lowry's putting, team relay and other highlights
During the putting competition, which pitted Lowry against Scheffler, Lowery had a message for his opponent as he approached the first of his nine putts: "C'mon, Scottie, do your worst." It worked, as Lowry won the competition.
In the team relay, a timed event with one player hitting the tee shot, another in the fairway and two on the green, Lowry hit a poor second shot that landed short of the green. Li was on the green awaiting the ball before realizing he had to hustle to get to Lowry's shot. "Run my lovely Chinaman," Lowry said.
Bradley's drive during the team relay was headed straight for teammate Burns, except Burns, standing in the fairway ready to hit the next shot, could not see the ball looking back into the bright lights. "It's coming at you, Sam," Bradley said (players were equipped with earbuds to communicate with each other). Lowry then showed some concern for a member of the other team. "Literally, it's coming right at you," he warned Burns.
Scheffler was rushing to hit a 10-foot putt during the team relay when he stopped in his backswing. "Keegan was yelling at me," he said after the miss. "He made me stop. What are you yelling at me for?"
The 14-club challenge pitted two players from each team in a closest-to-the-pin competition from two different spots in the fairway. The catch, they had to use all 14 clubs between them, with the clubs being taken out of the bag as they were hit.
That resulted in putters and drivers being hit from 150 yards. And a lot of balls in the water. And a lot of trash talk.
"We have the core audience, which is great, and we know who they are and we know what they like," McIlroy said. "But to try to bring a few more people around or bring a few more people in under the tent, do stuff like this where you make it a little more fun.
"You look at what YouTube golf's done and you see the amount of people that watch that and enjoy that. This is sort of a hybrid of that. I certainly, I think there's a place for it."
Tom D'Angelo is a senior sports columnist and reporter for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at tdangelo@pbpost.com.
Second Man of the Match of the season for Garna, and like the first, it’s come in a League Cup match.
Two goals in 45 minutes of work, doubling his tally for the season and his Chelsea career, and helping us reach the semifinals of this competition once again. It may have been only third division opposition, but they all count … and something to build on for the big games coming up over the festive period.
2. PEDRO NETO (7.4, sub)
Neto continues to be an impactful player this season, scoring his team-leading sixth goal of the season, which proved to be the winning goal after we let Cardiff back into the game.
3. MOISÉS CAICEDO (6.8)
When in doubt, vote Caicedo.
vs. CARDIFF CITY (LC, A, W 3-1)
EXCEPTIONAL (8.5-9.5): —
EXCELLENT (7.5-8.4): Garnacho (8.0, sub)
GOOD (6.5-7.4): Neto (7.4, sub), Caicedo (6.8)
AVERAGE (5.5-6.4): Jörgensen (6.4), João Pedro (6.4, sub), Santos (6.2), Chalobah (6.1, sub), Gusto (6.1, sub), Acheampong (6.0), Hato (5.8), Buonanotte (5.7)
SUBPAR (4.5-5.4): Badiashile (5.4), Tosin (5.1), Guiu (5.0), George (4.9), Gittens (4.7)
MOBILE, Ala. (AP) — Jo Silver ran for 116 yards, including a 61-yard touchdown, and Delaware wrapped up its first year in the FBS with a 20-13 victory over Louisiana in the 68 Ventures Bowl on Wednesday night.
The Fightin' Blue Hens, who went 6-6 in their first year of FBS play, were granted a waiver to play in a bowl game after there were not enough six-win teams to fill all 42 of the FBS bowl games. In general, first-year FBS teams are not chosen for bowl games during their transition period. Wednesday's victory makes Delaware 7-6 overall.
The Blue Hens had to defend two passes into their own end zone in the final seconds to preserve the win. The Ragin' Cajuns had the ball on their own 7-yard line with 1:41 remaining. Lunch Winfield led a drive that included a 32-yard completion to Charles Robertson and a pass interference penalty on Delaware.
After Louisiana (6-7) reached the 8-yard line, Winfield ran for 1 yard on first down and threw incomplete on second down. On third down with two seconds left, Blake Matthews broke up a pass in the end zone.
Silver's long touchdown gave Delaware a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter and the Blue Hens went on to lead 10-3 at halftime. Nick Minicucci's 35-yard touchdown pass to Sean Wilson made it 17-3 early in the third quarter and a field goal made it 20-3 midway through the third quarter.
Louisiana kicked a field goal to make it 20-6 heading to the fourth and Winfield added an 8-yard touchdown pass to Shelton Sampson Jr. to make it 20-13 with eight minutes left.
Minicucci passed for 176 yards and Winfield had 231 yards.
It was about 8 minutes into his 20-minute press conference after UWGB’s 67-64 win over UC Santa Barbara on Dec. 17 that he dropped a bombshell.
He has decided to step down from his gig as host of "The Doug Gottlieb Show.”
“I am no longer going to do live radio,” said Gottlieb, who was emotional while making the announcement. “I’m still going to be doing my podcast. I’ve been doing it for 23 years. Radio is a relationship.
“There is a lawyer who helped us bridge the gap with the Oneida tribe. His name is William. I’ll never forget when I met him, he asked about my twins (daughters Harper and Grace). He said he was listening the day I called in (in 2006) because my twins were born prematurely. I’ve been doing it for a long time, but these kids (deserve) a fully dedicated coach. I know I’m fully dedicated, but you only get one shot at this thing.”
Gottlieb brought up an example from last week, when the team traveled to play at IU Indy. His radio show commitment kept him from riding the bus and instead forced him to fly to the game by himself.
That type of conflict has occurred at times since he was hired by UWGB in May 2024. He made headlines in February when he traveled to New Orleans before the Super Bowl to take part in Radio Row.
He did his show there on that Wednesday – UWGB didn’t have practice that day – and wasn’t able to watch the team practice live the following day as the team prepared for a weekend game at Purdue Fort Wayne.
The same type of situation could have occurred again this season, but not anymore.
“I’ll still be doing podcasts, and iHeart has been amazing about it,” Gottlieb said. “We will transition to a different version of it. It will still be the same stuff, but I’ll do it off office hours and at home. You can take days off, and I can have a life.
“Thanksgiving, I had all three of my kids in town. I had to work on a Friday because I wanted to bank those holiday days for when we travel or for game prep or whatever. It’s really hard. It’s going to be, obviously, a bit of a financial hit. I’ll work through it. I have been blessed beyond all measures. But 'The Doug Gottlieb Show' on radio, in the afternoon, as of now, we are going to take a break from it. I have got to have a life, I have got to be here for those kids, and I have really got to dig in, because we are building something cool here.”
Indeed, Gottlieb does appear to be building something.
After winning just four games in his debut as a Division I coach last season, the team improved to 6-7 with its win over a UC Santa Barbara team that entered having won eight of its first 11 games.
The Phoenix is even showing improvement from game to game.
After it recently blew a late lead in a loss to Robert Morris, UWGB was up by nine points with 4 minutes, 26 seconds remaining against Santa Barbara.
When the Gauchos cut the lead to just a single point with 53 seconds left, UWGB found a way to win and close out the game with a pair of free throws from senior guard Preston Ruedinger.
Gottlieb’s decision might seem curious considering how adamant he had been about doing both jobs.
Although exact figures aren’t known, it’s a good bet he makes more from his radio job than the $250,000 base salary he is making with the Phoenix this season. He does get raises at UWGB each year, including $305,000 for the fifth and final year of his contract.
Part of that five-year contract included a provision that he could be asked by UWGB to end involvement in outside activity should any of the conflicts be deemed to not be in the best interest of the school.
That did not play a part in Gottlieb’s decision to step away from radio.
Neither athletic director Josh Moon nor UWGB Chancellor Michael Alexander approached Gottlieb with any concerns or requests.
“No, this is Doug,” Moon said. “No part. We’ve talked about it since he has been hired, and we wouldn’t have hired him if it was an issue. This was in Doug’s court.”
Moon said Gottlieb did speak to him about his decision earlier this week and that it was only a matter of when he was going to announce it.
Although many questioned having a coach with multiple jobs, the exposure Gottlieb was able to give UWGB was unique.
“Those connections aren’t going to go away that Doug is going to have, that Doug has built for 20 years,” Moon said. “But, yeah, will it be good to have more time? I think Doug said that in his postgame. For his personal growth and just being able to balance and have a little bit more time to do a lot of things. But spend more time with players, etc., for sure.”
As for those players?
“I think (Tuesday) he told me, and asked me what I really thought about it,” junior forward Marcus Hall said. “I’m like, ‘It doesn’t really change anything for us.’ Some people might see it as not fully dedicated, but you could ask any player on our team, any coach, and I feel like he works just as hard if not harder than anyone else on the team.
“It’s cool that he will say that and he’s fully dedicated, but he was before that.”
As the regular season enters its final three weeks, the best race might reside in the NFC West.
The Los Angeles Rams enter Week 16 holding the No. 1 seed in the NFC, but they would be out of first place in their division with a loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night.
The Seahawks narrowly escaped the Philip Rivers-led Indianapolis Colts in Week 15, again showcasing a terrific defense but an inconsistent offense. The NFC West cannot be won on Thursday night, but the winner will be in the driver's seat with two games remaining and 12 wins in the standings.
Seattle is looking to avenge a November loss to the Rams in which Sam Darnold threw four interceptions but the Seahawks still had a legitimate chance to win the game in the final minutes. The Seahawks offense's margin for error is quite large thanks to a stellar defense, but that margin shrinks against a balanced team such as the Rams.
Here’s everything you need to know about Thursday Night Football in Week 16, including TV and live stream details to watch the game.
Who plays on 'Thursday Night Football' tonight?
Matchup: Rams vs. Seahawks
Location: Lumen Field, Seattle, WA
The Seahawks host the Rams in a pivotal NFC West battle on "Thursday Night Football."
What time is the NFL game on tonight?
Date: Thursday, Dec. 18
Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
"Thursday Night Football" is set to kick off at 8:15 p.m. ET on Thursday, Dec. 16 from Lumen Field in Seattle.
What channel is 'Thursday Night Football' on tonight?
"Thursday Night Football" will not air on traditional broadcast television. Instead, viewers can stream the game live with Amazon Prime Video.
Al Michaels (play-by-play), Kirk Herbstreit (analyst), and Kaylee Hartung (sideline reporter) will be on the call from Seattle as the Rams try to complete a season sweep of the Seahawks.
Fans can listen to Rams vs. Seahawks on "Thursday Night Football" live with SiriusXM. For team-specific calls, head to channel 225 (Seahawks broadcast) and 226 (Rams broadcast).
New subscribers get their first month of SiriusXM for free. Listen to every NFL game live, plus college football, MLB, NBA, NHL, NASCAR and more. Stay updated with all the news and analysis from SiriusXM NFL Radio and other sport-specific channels.
The Tennessee Titans hit the field for their first practice of the week as they began preparations for their Week 16 battle with the Kansas City Chiefs, and welcomed some familiar faces back to work.
The Titans opened the practice window for Femi Oladejo, Bryce Oliver, and Ali Gaye, designating all three to potentially return from injured reserve. All three were back on the field in a limited capacity and could return this week.
Offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr., who missed the Week 15 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, returned to practice and was a full participant. The bad news was that Cedric Gray (concussion), Amani Hooker (illness), Van Jefferson (back), and Kevin Zeitler (groin) all sat out practice due to their injuries.
Jalyn Armour-Davis, Gunnar Helm, Chig Okonkwo, and Jeffery Simmons all joined Oladejo, Oliver, and Gaye as limited. Wide receiver Xavier Restrepo also returned to practice, but his injury status was not updated.
Every year, each team holds a vote in the fall to determine which member of the team will be the recipient of that season's Ed Block Courage Award. The award is granted to a player who displays extraordinary courage in the face of adversity.
This year, the Washington Commanders roster determined that offensive lineman Sam Cosmi should receive the award.
Cosmi suffered a torn ACL during the Commanders' divisional round game with the Detroit Lions in 2024-25. He started the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list, but battled hard and finally made it back to the field in Week 7 of 2025.
The Courage Award was named after Ed Block, the longtime head athletic trainer of the Baltimore Colts, a pioneer in his profession and a respected humanitarian. Originally presented to a Colts player, the scope of the award expanded to all 32 NFL teams when the Colts left Baltimore in 1984.
Sam Cosmi is the consummate professional, and having him back on the offensive line gave this team a huge boost when he returned.
With another week of results to ponder, league and postseason contenders are starting to emerge. The rest of this month will provide additional clarity as a number of tournaments and showcases are on the horizon.
All stats and records are updated through Dec. 16. (Not including games of Dec. 17).
Next in line: Notre Dame, Bishop Brossart, Seton, Oak Hills, Holy Cross, East Central, Highlands, Loveland
10. Mount Notre Dame Cougars
Record: 6-0
Last week: 10
Analysis: The Cougars are getting off to fast starts, taking double-digit halftime leads in each of their last three games. Against Beavercreek, sophomore forward Ava Simpson poured in 17 points to go with four rebounds, four assists and four steals.
This week: vs. Laurel at Purcell Marian (Dec. 20), vs. Carroll at Purcell Marian (Dec. 21)
9. Purcell Marian Cavaliers
Record: 4-1
Last week: 9
Analysis: Purcell Marian will face its toughest stretch of the season over the next two weeks as the Cavaliers welcome Africentric and Laurel to Hackberry Street before traveling to Miami for the Orange Bowl tournament. Last season, the Cavaliers went 1-3 in their lone in-season tournament, the Nike Tournament of Champions in Phoenix.
This week: vs. Africentric (Dec. 20), vs. Laurel (Dec. 21)
8. Simon Kenton Lady Pioneers
Record: 6-0
Last week: 8
Analysis: Simon Kenton won the Billy Hicks Classic in convincing fashion and have an average margin of victory of 23.5 points. The Lady Pioneers could take an undefeated record into 2026.
This week: vs. Campbell County (Dec. 18), vs. Butler at Frederick Douglass (Dec. 21), vs. Madison Southern at Frederick Douglass (Dec. 22)
7. Milford Eagles
Record: 5-1
Last week: 6
Analysis: Watch out for the Chadwell sisters every time the Eagles take the court. Gabby and Mikayla are combining for 20.7 points, 8.8 assists and 7.7 steals per game. Junior transfer Kylie Perone is also contributing 13 points and seven rebounds per game.
This week: vs. Lebanon (Dec. 18), vs. Winton Woods (Dec. 22)
6. Mason Comets
Record: 4-1
Last week: 5
Analysis: Mason had four players score in double digits in a win over Colerain, its most balanced scoring effort to date. Freshman Clara Anderson has turned into a valuable rotation piece, averaging 9.2 points and 3.2 rebounds.
This week: at Oak Hills (Dec. 17), at Sycamore (Dec. 19)
5. Princeton Vikings
Record: 3-1
Last week: 7
Analysis: The Vikings' defense has stepped up significantly as they've allowed an average of 27 points in their last two wins. In both of those games, their opponent shot less than 30 percent from the field and failed to make a 3-pointer.
This week: vs. Middletown (Dec. 19)
4. Cooper Jaguars
Record: 2-1
Last week: 4
Analysis: With 10 days since their last game, the Lady Jaguars should be well-rested for an end-of-month schedule that includes a road tilt against Notre Dame and two tournaments (Queen of the Commonwealth, Joe Lay and Sons Christmas Classic).
This week: vs. Hopkins County Central at Mt. Washington (Dec. 19), vs. TBA at Queen of the Commonwealth (Dec. 20), vs. TBA at QOC (Dec. 21), vs. TBA at QOC (Dec. 22)
3. Walnut Hills Eagles
Record: 4-1
Last week: 3
Analysis: The Eagles rebounded from a close loss to Walnut Hills with a 55-32 win over Kings in which they shot 46.5 percent from the field and 62.5 percent from 3-point range. It's only the second time they've shot better than 40 percent from beyond the arc, but they've been at their best when they pass up a good shot for a great shot.
This week: vs. Anderson (Dec. 18), at West Clermont (Dec. 22)
2. West Clermont Wolves
Record: 6-0
Last week: 2
Analysis: The Wolves are looking more and more dominant with each game. Bella Swisshelm leads all players with 23.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and 4.2 steals, and is one of five players averaging more than two assists per game.
This week: at Kings (Dec. 18), vs. Walnut Hills (Dec. 22)
1. Winton Woods Warriors
Record: 7-0
Last week: 1
Analysis: The Warriors have held their opponents to less than 10 points in seven of the last eight quarters of play. They have also allowed just seven opposing players to score in double figures.
This week: vs. Turpin (Dec. 19), at Milford (Dec. 22)
Gainesville High School football fans packed Mercedes-Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta for a shot at the state championship title on Wednesday night.
But Gainesville wasn’t able to come away with the win. Thomas County Central took the state championship 62-21.
“This is a brand new day, new opportunity,” said Tosha Smith.
Her son is a Freshman on the team, and she said last month there was concern the team might not make it this far. That’s when a bench-clearing fight broke out on the field during a game against Brunswick High School.
Video shows a Brunswick player rip helmets off two Gainesville players and punch them. A lineman from Brunswick’s team ran nearly 50 yards to dive in, and players from both teams rushed the field.
“It was so disappointing,” said Smith. “But, I was so proud of how our boys handled the whole situation. They’ve handled it with a lot of grace.”
Gainesville City Schools had to go through the court system to try to stop the Georgia High School Association from suspending dozens of players before a key playoff game.
The agency ended up delaying games across the state.
After more push-back last week, the Board of Trustees agreed the suspensions were not consistent with past cases and lifted all Gainesville’s ejections permanently.
“All we wanted to do is the right thing by standing up as a community, let them play, and here we are,” said Crystal Wilmont.
Gainesville City Schools Athletic Director Adam Lindsey reflected on the case with Channel 2’s Courtney Francisco before Wednesday’s game.
“That three-week period right there was probably the hardest of my career,” said Lindsey. “At the end of the day, it was never a question. We were going to do what we felt was the right thing to do for our kids.”
Before the game Gainesville High School Head Football Coach Josh Niblett said, “It’s pretty emotional right now, but, you know, we just want to finish well.”
Looking back, parents said it is possible this season has shaped Georgia high school football forever.
“It’s about perseverance. Athletics teaches us a ton of lessons. That’s certainly one that our kids hope to take out of this one. That’s something that’s not just about this game, it’s going to follow them through in life,” said Lindsey.
With the other needs generally filled (aside from perhaps some bullpen depth), the discussion within Braves Country has focused in on starting pitcher as the clear remaining need this offseason for the Braves. Some look at their solid (although injury-riddled) rotation depth and see no need, but the frequency of pitching injuries in the modern game begs to differ. I additionally would not be surprised to see Bryce Elder traded this offseason, as a fringy major league starter like that has substantially less value without minor league options. Acquiring a starter is tricky though, especially of the impact variety, which is the stated goal for the Braves. It almost has to be via trade or substantial free agent contract, which would likely cost the Braves the 26th pick in the 2026 draft. This becomes a complicated analysis of player quality, contract value, and asset value of prospects and draft capital. Handing out the type of contracts that free agents are likely to get and giving up the draft pick was never an appealing option to me for the available options this offseason outside of Dylan Cease. The trade market is always hard to read though, with availability and prospect cost often difficult to ascertain from the outside. That said, I think this front office has generally displayed good process and good results on the trade market, so I am inclined to trust them with another one here over a hefty contract on one of the available starters.
Braves News
We continue looking at prospects that could pique the Braves’ interest with the 9th pick in the upcoming draft, this time with Tyler Bell.
GAINESVILLE — Xaivian Lee scored 18 points, Alex Condon added 14, and No. 23 Florida got a break from one of the toughest nonconference schedules in the country with a 102-61 victory against Saint Francis on Wednesday night.
The Gators (7-4) never trailed while dominating every aspect of their first home game in nearly a month.
Florida made 15 of its first 20 shots while building a 20-point lead and enjoyed enough of a cushion that coach Todd Golden was able to get his bench extended minutes.
Students started chanting for 7-foot-9 center Olivier Rioux with more than six minutes to play. The world’s tallest teenager — standing 15 inches taller than any of his opponents — entered in the final minutes and got a dunk for his first collegiate field goal.
Rueben Chinyelu added 12 points and 11 rebounds for Florida. Boogie Fland and Urban Klavzar chipped in 11 points apiece for the defending national champions, who have losses to three teams now ranked in the top five: Arizona, Duke and UConn.
Saint Francis (2-10) lost by at least 25 points for the seventh time this season. The Red Flash entered the game ranked 361st out of 365 Division I teams in KenPom ratings, making them the worst team to visit the O’Connell Center in the KenPom era (since 1996-97).
The Red Flash entered the game as 45 ½-point underdogs according to BetMGM Sportsbook and trailed by as many as 25 in the first half. The Gators stretched their lead to 61-31 shortly after the break and piled on from there.
Skylar Wicks, a senior attending his fifth school, led Saint Francis with 22 points. He took 22 of the team’s 63 shots.
Week 16 is upon us and it's time for another edition of 'The Fantasy Film Room' with Matt Harmon and Nate Tice. The dynamic duo identify matchups that have them stressed in Week 16. Tice also provides 'fantasy watch guide' for the top prospects in this year's CFP. The two then preview a massive divisional TNF matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks. Joel Smyth then joins the show to share his 5 players that you need to keep an eye on in fantasy this weekend.
(3:30) - Fantasy Fallout: Tua benched in Miami, Quinn Ewers takes over as QB1
(17:30) - Fantasy Film Room: Matchups we are STRESSED about in Week 16
(18:30) - Lions WRs vs. Steelers DBs
(29:10) - Chargers WRs vs. Cowboys defense
(35:40) - Terry McLaurin vs Quinyon Mitchell
(39:25) - Cowboys WRs vs. Chargers DBs
(46:25) - Jaguars WRs vs. Broncos DBs
(51:20) - CFP fantasy prospects to know
(1:07:40) - TNF preview: Rams @ Seahawks
(1:18:15) - Buzz is Building: 5 players to watch in Week 16
Week 16 is upon us and it's time for another edition of 'The Fantasy Film Room' with Matt Harmon and Nate Tice. The dynamic duo identify matchups that have them stressed in Week 16. Tice also provides 'fantasy watch guide' for the top prospects in this year's CFP. The two then preview a massive divisional TNF matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks. Joel Smyth then joins the show to share his 5 players that you need to keep an eye on in fantasy this weekend.
The goal of All aTwitter is to give readers a detailed or quirky look, through the unique lens of Twitter, at the Commanders, the NFL, and sports in general, along with a smattering of other things.
Tip: If a tweet isn’t fully visible on your screen, clicking on the date at the bottom of the tweet will open it up individually in either the X app or your browser.
Laremy Tunsil was out at prax for stretching, did some work on the side field then walked into the building while practice was still going on pic.twitter.com/TS5DyoRN9h
Cosmi suffered a torn ACL in Washington’s Divisional Round playoff game against the Lions last year and battled back to return to the field in Week 7 this year.
He's since started in all eight games and helped anchor an offensive line that has contributed to the Commanders'… https://t.co/Pn1jBkcKBc
Dolphins bench Tua Tagovailoa after 2025 regression — a signal they will be back in search for a new franchise QB this offseason.
The next 3 games are key for Mike McDaniel & Quinn Ewers Dolphins future, but what’s next for Tua is big offseason Q tied to his guaranteed money. pic.twitter.com/BQX6wdjsQW
After getting waived yesterday, former #Jets WR Allen Lazard has cleared waivers and is now free to sign to whatever team he can come to terms with:https://t.co/S7xOYmpsiE
The Sporting News | Matt Sullivan: The Yankees have yet to make a major splash this winter, even as more than one key member of the bullpen has left the team — more on that in a moment. We get a bit of good news on that front, with reports that New York is one of two finalists for NPB ace Tatsuya Imai, whose posting deadline comes on New Year’s Day. The Yankees are supposedly facing off with the Cubs for Imai’s talented right arm, and while it feels like the club could outbid the Cubbies on paper, Chicago’s history with Japanese starters could give them an edge. Then again, Imai has said on his own that he would prefer a team without existing former NPBers.
New York Post | Greg Joyce: One could argue that even for all the benefits Yankee Stadium presents, the Yankees are still a little too lefty-heavy. The club features five players expected to be every day regulars that hit from the left side, plus the possibility of bringing back Cody Bellinger in free agency. An attempt to re-balance the lineup may be a priority for the organization, and that raises questions about the trade value of Jazz Chisholm Jr., coming off the best season of his career and with just a single year of team control left.
MLB.com | Anthony DiComo: By now you’ve likely heard that Luke Weaver has agreed to a two-year, $22 million contract with the New York Mets, the third former Yankee closer to go across town. Weaver joins Devin Williams and now-starter Clay Holmes on the Mets’ pitching staff, looking to bounce back from a season where he seemed to battle a bum leg for much of the second half.
Bayern held two meetings with the representatives of Marc Guéhi. The Englishman is a target for Bayern, but much will depend on what will happen with Dayot Upamecano. If the latter extends his contract, then Guéhi could look for a different solution. If Upa decides to leave, the Englishman would be a serious name for the club. At the moment, there are 4 clubs realistically in the conversation for Guéhi: Bayern, Liverpool, Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Madrid Universal captured more of Romano’s report, which details all of the elite clubs angling for the Crystal Palace defender:
Real Madrid are very much in the race for the 25-year-old Crystal Palace captain, but face stiff competition from arch-rivals Barcelona, who have already made a call to the player’s camp asking for information.
Moreover, Bayern Munich are also very much in the hunt and have already held two meetings with Guehi’s entourage to explore the possibility of a summer transfer. However, any move might depend on the future of Dayot Upamecano, with the Bayern Munich defender, another target for Real Madrid, still in negotiations over a contract renewal.
Finally, Premier League champions Liverpool are also in the race to sign Guehi, having missed out on his capture late last summer. Recent reports from England have suggested that even Manchester City are considering a move for the former Chelsea prospect.
As reported, Bayern Munich’s entire focus on Guéhi could shift if Upamecano re-ups. However, there will also be a big possibility that Kim Min-jae will want to leave Bavaria next summer. If so, Bayern Munich could go deeper into its pursuit of Guéhi or begin looking more closely at Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck as well.
FC Köln youngster Said El Mala is on Bayern Munich’s radar, but Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United could be an impediment to the 19-year-old moving to Bavaria:
The Wednesday print edition of Germany’s Sport Bild tabloid reports that Manchester United and Tottenham have lodged concrete inquiries about 1. FC Köln starlet Said El Mala. The 19-year-old appears set to remain in the Bundesliga for the duration of the season, but the two Premier League outfits are prepared to start discussing a summer transfer. Both English clubs are interested in a purchase in the €30m to €40m range.
FC Barcelona could be eyeing Inter Milan center-back Alessandro Bastoni:
Barcelona have made an enquiry regarding Internazionale center back Alessandro Bastoni, according to Matteo Moretto. It is reported that Barca’s sporting director Deco recently travelled to Milan to discuss a potential move for the 26-year old, with the Blaugrana keen to sign the Italy defender due to uncertainty over the situation of Ronald Araújo, who is currently taking a mental health break. A January deal is expected to be difficult to secure, but the LaLiga side are exploring alternatives, with Aston Villa defender Pau Torres also on their shortlist, according to ESPN sources.
Bastoni had been linked to Bayern Munich in the past, but has not been mentioned to be on the club’s radar for quite a while.
On Wednesday, we saw that Inter Miami might have interest in FC Barcelona striker and former Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski, but for that to happen, Lionel Messi will have to outmaneuver the Chicago Fire, who hold Lewandowski’s discovery rights:
The Chicago Fire have held talks with Barcelona’s 39-year-old striker Robert Lewandowski over a move to MLS, says the BBC. Lewandowski is out of contract in the summer and has shown a desire to play in America before he retires.
Borussia Dortmund looks to be close to re-upping both Emre Can and Julian Brandt:
⚫️🟡 Borussia Dortmund are close to finalising the contract extensions of Emre Can and Julian Brandt. (Sport Bild)
The pair will be extend until 2028, and there will be little change in their current salary
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…
EFL Cup semi-final draw: Chelsea lock horns with Arsenal/Palace as City take on Newcastle
Chelsea have discovered their route to Wembley after the EFL Cup semi-final draw paired the Blues with either Arsenal or Crystal Palace in the last four.
Enzo Maresca’s side will host the first leg at Stamford Bridge before heading on the road for the return fixture, with a place in the March final on the line.
The Blues booked their semi-final spot with an underwhelming 3–1 away victory over League One side Cardiff City.
That win followed earlier successes over Lincoln City and Wolverhampton Wanderers, completing a testing but productive run to the final four from the third round for Chelsea.
Attention now turns to North London, where Arsenal will host FA Cup holders Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium next week to determine Chelsea’s opponent.
Palace arrive with confidence after lifting the first major trophy in their history last summer, but they remain the only semi-finalist never to have won the League Cup.
On the other side of the draw, Manchester City will face reigning champions Newcastle United in a heavyweight semi-final clash.
Yoane Wissa opened the scoring before Sasa Lukic equalised for Fulham, only for youngster Lewis Miley to strike a late winner and keep Newcastle’s hopes of retaining the trophy alive.
The Magpies will host the first leg of that tie.
The first legs of both semi-finals will be played in the week commencing January 12, with the return fixtures scheduled for the week beginning February 2.
The final will take place on Sunday, March 22.
Manchester City have lifted the EFL Cup a record eight times, and will be favourites to clinch it again.
However, the Magpies, one-time winners, are eager to make up for a domestic disappointment and will take the fight to Guardiola’s men.
Chelsea have lifted the League Cup five times, most recently in 2015. This is likely their best chance at silverware this season.
Meanwhile, Arsenal won it twice and will be eyeing the title again, but must first get past Oliver Glasner’s tricky Eagles.
Going into the matchup with Portland State, Colorado did not need a reminder of how well this season had begun. At 9–1, the Buffaloes were already off to one of the program’s strongest starts in recent years, building momentum through consistency rather than flash.
What they did not expect was the setting.
Due to high winds, power outages, and hazardous road conditions around Boulder, the CU Events Center was closed to the public, forcing Colorado to play without fans. The empty arena created an unusual backdrop, removing the familiar energy of a home crowd and leaving only the sounds of the game itself.
Colorado carried a two-point lead into halftime, and the game remained close for much of the second half. Without crowd noise, every possession felt magnified, and neither team was able to create sustained separation early. Execution, rather than emotion, dictated the pace.
The Buffaloes eventually pulled away behind balanced scoring and steady contributions from their bench. Freshman guard Isaiah Johnson led Colorado with 20 points in 27 minutes, providing a consistent scoring presence as the game tightened. Johnson finished 4 of 10 from the field, knocked down a three, and added three assists.
Freshman forward Alon Michaeli also made a significant impact off the bench, recording nine points and a team-high 10 rebounds in 24 minutes. Michaeli’s work on the glass helped Colorado extend possessions and limit Portland State’s second-chance opportunities, particularly during key stretches of the second half.
Colorado shot 48 percent from the field and finished with 35 rebounds in the 84–73 win. The Buffaloes used depth and composure to close the game, leaning on contributions throughout the rotation rather than relying on a single scoring run.
For Portland State, the empty arena removed one of the usual challenges of playing in Boulder. For Colorado, it demanded self-generated focus, something the Buffaloes handled with control and patience.
Colorado will now travel to Phoenix to take on Stanford on Saturday.
Jake Paul has been consistent about threatening to sue anyone who claims his fights are fixed, and Deontay Wilder is no exception. If Paul makes it to round four on Friday, I’ll suddenly have my suspicions …
Jake Paul said he’s sending Deontay Wilder a lawsuit for claiming the Anthony Joshua fight is scripted 😬
“Deontay Wilder’s been hit a lot by Tyson Fury so he’s clearly not the smartest guy.” pic.twitter.com/aDjrQdiuGn
I saw several posts online questioning if Ariel Helwani is “exploiting” Death Sentence by failing to inject some reality into a clearly delusional and unwell person. It’s an interesting question, but I would argue that in combat sports, exploitation is a structural pillar that can’t really be avoided.
Death Sentence pleads for a shot in the UFC:
"I'll go to Dagestan… It's not a problem for me because I'm already bald, so that's not a problem for me at all.
I just want to train with them for maybe like 6 months, and then I'm pretty sure Pantoja is a dead man after that." pic.twitter.com/AeHlg30zzk
Some reactions to PFL champ Movlid Khaybulaev’s drug test failure for EPO. A lot of people (including Conor McGregor in a deleted tweet) are coming at Team Khabib over this latest drug testing stir …
This fight literally cost me millions of dollars. Lost a split decision to a known cheater. Sport is wild. https://t.co/RntogAzlpP
Being a combat sports fan will have you paying extra attention to the international oil trade.
Turki is broke. PIF cutting budgets by 60%. Turki calling into press conferences. Zuffa Boxing sees 80% increase in boxers named Liam and Umar. https://t.co/5qYdllGEoY
Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez is now eligible for parole as early as February 2026.
Originally when he was admitted, his first eligibility was listed as March. Doesn't mean he's just getting released but that's his parole eligibility #UFCpic.twitter.com/grexuxBla8
Dragons forward Aaron Wainwright played for Wales at the 2019 and 2023 World Cups [Huw Evans Picture Agency]
Dragons will do all they can to prevent talisman Aaron Wainwright following Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake in leaving Wales.
The number eight is out of contract at the end of the season and the Rodney Parade club know he will have suitors.
The 28-year-old turned down other offers in favour of signing a new – and lucrative – Dragons deal in January 2024.
There is a concern that a fresh rugby challenge could appeal to Wainwright, who has won 62 caps, but the club will ensure that any exit would not be for financial reasons.
"Waino is really important to us and we are having chats about retaining him," said head coach Filo Tiatia.
Wainwright has made 127 appearances and consistently been Dragons' stand-out player.
He was man of the match on Sunday in the 23-21 comeback victory against Lyon that ended a near year-long winless streak, making nine tackles, 14 carries and having several key moments on the gain line.
"We want to keep him here, he is a Gwent man and his performance last weekend showed how important he is, not only for Dragons but Wales," said Tiatia.
"He is a beautiful man and inspirational in the way that he does things – he is uniquely Aaron Wainwright, he understands what he is about and what he brings. We want to keep him in the building."
Dragons are keen to establish his plans for the future in the coming weeks before pressing on with recruitment in January.
The Rodney Parade club, who signed a new Professional Rugby Agreement with the Welsh Rugby Union in May, will have an increased playing budget of approximately £6m next season.
Wainwright's main rival for the number eight jersey is currently Mackenzie Martin, who is on loan from Cardiff and is out of contract next summer.
Tongan international Solomone Funaki joined in the summer of 2024 but has not made a competitive appearance because of a serious knee injury.
With Dragons without a United Rugby Championship win since the opening weekend of last season, there is an acknowledgement that the squad needs to be strengthened in key areas.
Tiatia saddened by Ospreys exits
Head coach Filo Tiatia joined Dragons as defence coach in the summer of 2024 [Huw Evans Picture Agency]
The Wainwright situation is different to the position that Ospreys find themselves in because of uncertainty over their future due to Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) plans to cut to three clubs, with just one in the west.
Morgan and Lake will move to Gloucester next summer and fellow internationals Kieran Hardy and Dan Edwards have also been linked with English clubs.
Tiatia is an Ospreys legend after helping them to league titles in 2007 and 2010, plus the Anglo-Welsh Cup in 2008.
"With Dewi and Jac, you are really disappointed that they have taken up another opportunity but also totally understand why," said the former All Blacks forward.
"I messaged Jac to say it was sad to see him leave the Ospreys but that I understood and he replied back.
"I do feel for our clubs not able to keep our best players in Wales, it's definitely a challenge and there could be a few more doing the same thing.
"We just need to make sure we keep our best players here in Wales to help grow the game."
USC forward Jacob Cofie (6) dunks during a Big Ten Conference college basketball game against the UTSA Roadrunners, Wednesday December 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif.
LOS ANGELES, CALIF. - The USC Trojans defeated the UTSA Roadrunners, 97-70, at Galen Center on December 17, 2025 and The Sporting Tribune's Amber Rodriguez was there to capture the following images.
USC forward Ezra Ausar (2) dribbles during a Big Ten Conference college basketball game against the UTSA Roadrunners, Wednesday December 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Amber Rodriguez - The Sporting Tribune
USC forward Ezra Ausar (2) dribbles during a Big Ten Conference college basketball game against the UTSA Roadrunners, Wednesday December 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif.
USC guard Ryan Cornish (9) shoots the ball during a Big Ten Conference college basketball game against the UTSA Roadrunners, Wednesday December 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Amber Rodriguez - The Sporting Tribune
USC guard Ryan Cornish (9) shoots the ball during a Big Ten Conference college basketball game against the UTSA Roadrunners, Wednesday December 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif.
USC guard Jerry Easter II (8) defends during a Big Ten Conference college basketball game against the UTSA Roadrunners, Wednesday December 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Amber Rodriguez - The Sporting Tribune
USC guard Jerry Easter II (8) defends during a Big Ten Conference college basketball game against the UTSA Roadrunners, Wednesday December 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif.
USC guard Jordan Marsh (7) goes up for a shot during a Big Ten Conference college basketball game against the UTSA Roadrunners, Wednesday December 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Amber Rodriguez - The Sporting Tribune
USC guard Jordan Marsh (7) goes up for a shot during a Big Ten Conference college basketball game against the UTSA Roadrunners, Wednesday December 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif.
USC guard Jordan Marsh (7) shoots the ball during a Big Ten Conference college basketball game against the UTSA Roadrunners, Wednesday December 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Amber Rodriguez - The Sporting Tribune
USC guard Jordan Marsh (7) shoots the ball during a Big Ten Conference college basketball game against the UTSA Roadrunners, Wednesday December 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif.
USC guard Jordan Marsh (7) celebrates during a Big Ten Conference college basketball game against the UTSA Roadrunners, Wednesday December 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Amber Rodriguez - The Sporting Tribune
USC guard Jordan Marsh (7) celebrates during a Big Ten Conference college basketball game against the UTSA Roadrunners, Wednesday December 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif.
USC guard Chad Baker-Mazara (4) reacts during a Big Ten Conference college basketball game against the UTSA Roadrunners, Wednesday December 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Amber Rodriguez - The Sporting Tribune
USC guard Chad Baker-Mazara (4) reacts during a Big Ten Conference college basketball game against the UTSA Roadrunners, Wednesday December 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif.
USC guard Terrance Williams II (5) makes a pass during a Big Ten Conference college basketball game against the UTSA Roadrunners, Wednesday December 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Amber Rodriguez - The Sporting Tribune
USC guard Terrance Williams II (5) makes a pass during a Big Ten Conference college basketball game against the UTSA Roadrunners, Wednesday December 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif.
USC forward Jacob Cofie (6) dunks during a Big Ten Conference college basketball game against the UTSA Roadrunners, Wednesday December 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Amber Rodriguez - The Sporting Tribune
USC forward Jacob Cofie (6) dunks during a Big Ten Conference college basketball game against the UTSA Roadrunners, Wednesday December 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif.
USC guard Chad Baker-Mazara (4) celebrates during a Big Ten Conference college basketball game against the UTSA Roadrunners, Wednesday December 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Amber Rodriguez - The Sporting Tribune
USC guard Chad Baker-Mazara (4) celebrates during a Big Ten Conference college basketball game against the UTSA Roadrunners, Wednesday December 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif.
USC guard Jordan Marsh (7) defends during a Big Ten Conference college basketball game against the UTSA Roadrunners, Wednesday December 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Amber Rodriguez - The Sporting Tribune
USC guard Jordan Marsh (7) defends during a Big Ten Conference college basketball game against the UTSA Roadrunners, Wednesday December 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif.
USC guard Ryan Cornish (9) passes the ball during a Big Ten Conference college basketball game against the UTSA Roadrunners, Wednesday December 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Amber Rodriguez - The Sporting Tribune
USC guard Ryan Cornish (9) passes the ball during a Big Ten Conference college basketball game against the UTSA Roadrunners, Wednesday December 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif.
USC forward Jacob Cofie (6) dunks during a Big Ten Conference college basketball game against the UTSA Roadrunners, Wednesday December 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Amber Rodriguez - The Sporting Tribune
USC forward Jacob Cofie (6) dunks during a Big Ten Conference college basketball game against the UTSA Roadrunners, Wednesday December 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The Sioux Falls boys and girls basketball teams are gearing up for the third annual Presidents Bowl at the Sanford Pentagon.
Jefferson, Washington, Roosevelt, and Lincoln coaches and select student athletes came together on Tuesday afternoon for a luncheon event, expressing excitement to play for a good cause in a big stage environment so early in the season. The two-day event will run on December 29-30 to raise money to benefit the students of all four schools.
“Most of it is the guys have grown up against each other and they know each other really well and like competing against each other,” Jefferson head coach Tim Reck said. “They can have bragging rights, East Side, West Side whatever you want to talk about. It’s always fun to see those guys compete.”
The President’s Bowl will feature games from 11am to 5pm on the 29th and 30th.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Augustana hockey is coming off of a weekend sweep over No. 14 Minnesota State and enters the back half of the season with the youth of the team helping drive its success.
Freshman Leo Bulgakov and Jacob Jastrzebski have both been constants in the Vikings lineup this year. Bulgakov leads the team in goals with seven while Jastrzebski leads the team in points with five goals and nine assists. The underclass success has met strong upperclassmen such as Brett Meerman and Hunter Bischoff in stride.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The older brother of Los Angeles Rams star Puka Nakua was arrested this weekend for allegedly taking the car of Los Angeles Lakers rookie Adou Thiero without his consent, according to NBC 4 Los Angeles.
Two men, identified as 27-year-old Samson Nacua and 27-year-old Trey Rose, were reportedly arrested for taking the car. Deputies were reportedly called to the 1 Hotel in West Hollywood after the vehicle was tracked to the hotel.
The pair had allegedly valeted the car and entered the hotel. They were reportedly arrested after deputies reviewed the security footage and identified them.
The exact details of the alleged car theft remain unclear.
Samson Nacua played with his brother Puka at BYU. (Photo by Jack Gorman/UFL/Getty Images)
Jack Gorman/UFL via Getty Images
Like his brother, Samson Nakua is a former BYU football player who also spent time in college at Utah, totaling 1,344 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns across five seasons. While Puka went on to become one of the NFL's top receivers with the Rams, Samson hasn't made an NFL appearance.
Samson signed with the Indianapolis Colts after going unselected in the 2022 NFL Draft but didn't make the team's 53-man roster. He got another opportunity before the 2024 season with the New Orleans Saints but again didn't make the team. His professional appearances consist of stints with the USFL's Pittsburgh Maulers and the UFL's Michigan Panthers.
As for Thiero, he spent his college career at Kentucky and Arkansas before getting selected 36th overall by the Brooklyn Nets and landing with the Lakers in the trade that sent Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets. He has appeared in nine games for the Lakers, averaging 5.8 minutes with nine career points.
ATLANTA, Ga.-Thomas County Central entered the night in search of state championship No. 7 after what became a slightly delayed Class 5A state semifinal, which was played just last week.
On a short turnaround, the Yellow Jackets didn’t let any of that faze them against Gainesville on Wednesday night. Thomas County Central received an all-time performance from running back Christian Lawrence as they rolled past Gainesville, 62-21, for the GHSA’s Class 5A state championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Lawrence, a Wake Forest signee, rushed for 380 yards on 39 carries and scored five touchdowns, setting a Georgia state record on the night.
The Yellow Jackets’ victory capped the GHSA’s week of state championships hosted in downtown Atlanta, giving the program its seventh title with the six others won in 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997 and 2023.
Thomas County Central struck first on the scoreboard as Jaylen Johnson connected on a scoring pass to wide receiver Gary Pringle in the first quarter. Johnson wasn’t done scoring in the opening quarter as the signal caller barreled his way in for an 8-yard score to put the Yellow Jackets ahead 14-0.
Gainesville finally get on the scoreboard in the second quarter when Kharim Hughley (Clemson commitment) connected with Cameron James (Furman signee) on a screen pass that the wide receiver took 37 yards to cut the deficit in half.
The Yellow Jackets would regain control going into halftime, adding one more touchdown via a Lawrence run to head into intermission ahead 21-7.
Thomas County Central would open the second half with possession and capped it off with a Lawrence touchdown run to put the Yellow Jackets ahead with a commanding 28-7 lead.
It had looked like Gainesville would respond when Legend Wilmont took the ensuing kickoff back 99 yards to the endzone, but officials convened and said an inadvertent whistle was blown, forcing a re-kick and taking points off the board for the Red Elephants.
How to Follow Georgia High School Football
For Georgia high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the Peach State, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the high school football excitement across the state of Georgia.
As the Los Angeles Chargers (10-4) prepare to take on the Dallas Cowboys (6-7-1) from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Dec. 21, the Bolts have revealed an absolutely loaded injury report after the first day of practice ahead of the Week 16 matchup.
Chargers Injury Report
Per the Dec. 17 injury report, the Chargers have 12 players listed with varying participation tags attached.
Despite being on the 12-man report, quarterback Justin Herbert (Left Hand) and linebacker Troy Dye (Hip) both recorded full participation, which is a promising sight as the season winds down.
As for those with "limited participation" tags, that list includes outside linebacker Bud DuPree (Back), guard/tackle Trey Pipkin III (Ankle), defensive lineman Teair Tart (Shin), wide receivers Tre' Harris (Hip) and Quentin Johnson (Groin), and defensive back Elijah Molden (Hamstring).
Veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen and outside linebacker Khalil Mack did not participate on Wednesday, as those two were given a rest day and the indicating their statuses are not considered injury-related. Wide receiver Derius Davis (Ankle) and safety RJ Mickens (Shoulder) also did not participate on Wednesday.
Obviously, the list will get smaller as the week moves along, but the startling number of injuries to start the week is certainly less than ideal.
The Chargers and Cowboys are expected to kick off on Sunday at 10 a.m. PT and will be broadcast on FOX.
We are still on track for Notre Dame to have two unanimous All-Americans with Jeremiyah Love and Leonard Moore after the release of the Sporting News All-American teams today. An extra cherry on top was Jadarian Price’s selection as a first team kick returner.
From the ND press release:
Love, Moore, Price Named 2025 The Sporting News First-Team All-Americans
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Junior running back Jeremiyah Love, sophomore cornerback Leonard Moore and junior running back and kick returner Jadarian Price have been named 2025 The Sporting News First-Team All-Americans. Love is slated at the running back position, Moore is in the defensive back spot and Price is the first-team kick returner.
The Sporting News All-America team is one of the five All-America honors that contribute towards consensus and unanimous All-America status. This marks Love’s and Moore’s fourth such first-team All-America honor of the season. It is Price’s first All-America First Team selection, also having been selected to the Walter Camp All-America Second Team and Associated Press All-America Third Team.
All three Irish 2025 Sporting News All-Americans were finalists for national awards in 2025. Love, the winner of the Doak Walker Award for the best running back in college football and the recipient of the 2025 Disney Spirit Award for the most inspirational figure in college football, was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, the Walter Camp Player of the Year and the Maxwell Award. Moore was a finalist for the Nagurski Trophy and the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, and Price was a finalist for the Hornung Award and the Jet Award. Love and Price together are finalists for the Pony Express Award, honoring the top duo in college football.
Jeremiyah Love
This season, Love posted 199 rushes for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns, adding 27 receptions for 280 yards and three touchdowns. He averaged 6.9 yards per rush on the season. Even more impressive, he did it all while sharing a backfield with fellow running back Jadarian Price, who himself totaled 113 rushes for 674 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Six FBS players rushed for 1,300 yards during the 2025 regular season. Love is the only player on that list who shares the backfield with another running back who has also rushed for at least 600 yards this season.
He was the only player in the nation to rank in the top three in scoring, total touchdowns and yards from scrimmage to conclude the regular season.
Love was the only player in the country to both own more than 1,100 rushing yards on the season and average 6.6 or more yards per carry.
At the end of the regular season, Love continued to rank as one of the most outstanding players in college football, ranking second nationally in scoring (10.5), second in total points (126), second in total touchdowns (21) third in rushing touchdowns (18), fourth in rushing yards (1,372), fifth in rushing yards per game (114.3), fifth in yards per carry (6.89) and fifth in all-purpose yards (137.67).
Love posted eight carries for 171 yards and three touchdowns in the 70-7 win over Syracuse, averaging 21.4 yards per carry. He is just the third player since 1996 to have 170 or more rushing yards and three touchdowns on eight carries or less (Clyde Edwards-Helaire, 11/23/19 vs. Arkansas and Desmond Ridder, 10/24/20 vs. SMU).
In Notre Dame’s 49-20 win over Stanford, Love rushed for a touchdown on Notre Dame’s opening drive, making him Notre Dame’s single-season leader in total touchdowns (21), surpassing the legendary Jerome Bettis’ 20 in 1991. The rushing touchdown was also Love’s 18th of the season on the ground, tying Audric Estimé (2023) for most rushing touchdowns in a single season in Notre Dame history. He is the first player in program history to have multiple seasons with 17 or more rushing touchdowns.
This season, Love was named the Associated Press National Player of the Week and the Doak Walker National Running Back of the Week for his impressive performance against No. 20 USC. Love racked up 228 rushing yards on 24 carries to average 9.5 yards per carry in a 34-24 win over USC in the Jeweled Shillelagh rivalry contest. The 228 rushing yards Love put up against USC are the most for a Notre Dame player in a single game in Notre Dame Stadium’s 513-game history.
Love became the first player in program history to collect two 90-yard rushing touchdowns in a career with a 98-yard effort against Indiana in the College Football Playoff in 2024 and a 94-yard score at Boston College in 2025.
Leonard Moore
Moore, also a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award and the Lott IMPACT Trophy, ended the regular season with five total interceptions through 10 games played, ranking second in the country in interceptions per game (0.5). He also ranked third nationally in total interceptions (5) and eighth nationally in passes defended per game (1.2).
He was first among all starting Power 4 cornerbacks in coverage grade (92.6) and first in defensive grade (92.0) according to Pro Football Focus. Because of his lockdown abilities, Moore was only targeted by opposing quarterbacks on 12.06 percent of coverage snaps in which he was on the field. For every reception he allowed this season, he posted 15.31 coverage snaps.
At the midway point of the 2025 season, Moore had already made a statement, earning seven midseason first-team All-America honors, including by The Associated Press, The Sporting News, CBS Sports, The Athletic, Sports Illustrated, Pro Football Focus and Athlon Sports.
In just 10 games played this season, Moore has posted five interceptions, including a 46-yard pick six. He has posted 12 total passes defended, 31 tackles, seven pass breakups and a forced fumble. With Moore’s help, at the end of the regular season, Notre Dame led the nation in interceptions (tied – 21 total INTs), and ranked fourth in turnover margin (1.08), ninth in team sacks (2.92), 11th in rushing defense (99.3), 13th in scoring defense (17.6) and 13th in team passing efficiency defense (108.80).
Moore’s fourth interception of the season came on a 46-yard pick six in Notre Dame’s 70-7 win over Syracuse. Moore’s touchdown, the first of his career, put the Irish up 21-0 before the offense even had a chance to take the field.
Two of Moore’s interceptions came in the same game vs. Boise State, a career-best performance. For his performance that week, he was named the Walter Camp FBS Defensive Player of the Week and the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Defensive Back of the Week. He became the first Notre Dame player to have multiple interceptions in the same game since 2023 (Xavier Watts).
The 2024 FWAA Freshman Defensive Player of the Year, Moore entered the 2025 season with several accolades, as he was named to the Preseason All-America First Team lists by Walter Camp, The Sporting News, the Associated Press, The Athletic, ESPN, CBS Sports, Athlon Sports and Phil Steele. He was been named to watch lists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, Chuck Bednarik Award and Lott IMPACT Trophy.
Jadarian Price
Price is one of the most versatile players in college football, a force at running back and a difference-maker as a kickoff returner. Price is a finalist for the Hornung Award, recognizing the most versatile player in college football, and the Jet Award, recognizing the top returner in the country. He has rushed 113 times for 674 yards and 11 touchdowns, with six receptions for 87 yards and two touchdowns, as well as 12 kickoff returns for two touchdowns and a 37.5 kickoff return average. Both of his kickoff return touchdowns have gone for 100 yards.
At the end of the regular season, Price led all FBS players in kickoff return average (37.5) and kickoff return touchdowns (2), and ranked ninth in total touchdowns (15).
Price was the only player in the nation with two 100-yard kickoff return touchdowns this season. One came vs. Purdue, and one vs. USC.
Price is the first Notre Dame player ever with multiple kick return touchdowns of 100 yards and just the fourth Notre Dame player since at least 1996 to return multiple kickoffs for touchdowns in the same season. His most recent was just the fifth kick in program history to be returned 100 yards for a touchdown with two coming from Price this season.
Price is now tied for second all-time in kickoff returns for touchdowns in Notre Dame history with three. He joins Tim Brown, Allen Rossum and CJ Sanders for second all-time, trailing only Raghib Ismail’s five. Price is just the third player in program history to return multiple kickoffs for touchdowns against a single team during their career (Raghib Ismail – Rice, Michigan; Paul Castner – Kalamazoo), as he also returned a kickoff for a touchdown vs. USC in 2023.
VERMILLION, S.D. (USD) — South Dakota basketball picked up its sixth win in the Sanford Coyote Sports Center Wednesday night 80-71 over Dakota State.
Isaac Bruns led the Yotes in scoring with 23 points, his sixth straight game with 20+, on 5-of-10 shooting and went 12-of-16 from the free throw line. Cameron Fens notched his second straight double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
Jordan Crawford added 15 points, five rebounds and three steals, while Shey Eberwein chipped in 11 points off the bench.
Behind a 53.1 shooting percentage in the first half, the Trojans held a 39-33 lead at the intermission. Dakota State scored 32 of its 39 points in the paint and held USD to 10-of-25 (40.0%) in the opening 20 minutes. The Coyotes, who ranks top-10 in the NCAA in free throw attempts and makes, shot an uncharacteristic 12-of-24 from the charity stripe in the first half. Bruns paced the Yotes with 11 points, but the Trojans’ Nathan Ojukwu poured in 18 points in the first.
The Yotes came out of the halftime break in a flurry with a 12-2 run, capped by a Crawford triple, to regain the lead, 45-41. While South Dakota held the lead for the majority of the second half, the Trojans stayed within striking distance and briefly tied the contest at 61-61 with 7:48 remaining. South Dakota would score the next six points to take back control and start a 12-2 run to extend its lead to double-digits after a steal and slam by Crawford and a triple from Eberwein.
South Dakota shot 16-for-28 (57.1%) in the second half and was 11-for-15 from the line to secure the 80-71 win over DSU. Three Coyotes in Crawford (12), Bruns (12) and Fens (10) scored in double-figures in the second half and shot a combined 64.7%.
South Dakota will hit the road for their next contest on Saturday in Manhattan, Kansas against Kansas State at 11 a.m.
Notes
South Dakota moves to 7-6 on the season and 6-2 at home
Isaac Bruns has now scored 20+ in six straight games
Cameron Fens notched his second straight double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds
USD had 12 offensive rebounds on the night, the 11th game this season with 10+
Jordan Crawford scored in double-digits for the second straight game and seventh time this season
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107: David Lall (CWH) over Carson Cole (DBH) (Fall 1:03)114: Korbyn Powelson (DBH) over Kolby Kramlich (CWH) (Fall 1:13)121: Edmund Yudiski (CWH) over Leland Cannon (DBH) (Fall 1:13)139: Austin Miller (CWH) over Max Drumheller (DBH) (Fall 2:26)145: Alex McGarrigle (CWH) over Eli D`Achille (DBH) (Fall 1:23)152: Connor Sellars (CWH) over Cayden Gofus (DBH) (Fall 2:24)160: Justin McGarrigle (CWH) over Ryan Moyer (DBH) (Fall 0:54)215: Brody Inman (DBH) over Lincoln Harting (CWH) (Fall 1:21)285: Eugene Booth (CWH) over Barrett Meyer (DBH) (Fall 1:28)Note: All other matches were forfeits.
Berks Catholic (BC) 60, Tulpehocken (TUHS) 15
127: Tyden Shuman (BC) over Braydon Youse (TUHS) (Fall 0:37)172: Adam Schaaf (TUHS) over Landon Hartranft (BC) (Dec 8-2)215: Troy Ruffner (TUHS) over Nolan Hook (BC) (Fall 0:36)Note: All other matches were a forfeit.
Wyomissing 42, Oley Valley 32
107: Mikha Hasan (Oley Valley) over Rothermel Parker (Wyomissing Area) (Dec 15-11)127: Aiden Sierra (Wyomissing Area) over Christian Reed (Oley Valley) (Fall 1:23)139: Kade Yourkavitch (Wyomissing Area) over Jackson Buckner (Oley Valley) (Fall 2:07)145: Jacob Mackie (Oley Valley) over Silas Platt (Wyomissing Area) (Fall 1:43)152: Vincenzo Fick (Oley Valley) over Miles Crone (Wyomissing Area) (Fall 1:38)160: Noah Hudock (Wyomissing Area) over Chase Allan (Oley Valley) (Fall 1:06)172: Giavonni Gutierrez (Oley Valley) over Jesus Kiehne (Wyomissing Area) (Fall 1:11)189: Luis Lopez (Wyomissing Area) over Alex Linarez (Oley Valley) (Fall 0:26)215: Anthony Garipoli (Oley Valley) over Jayvion Flemming (Wyomissing Area) (Inj. time)285: Gabriel Narvez (Oley Valley) over Eli Esterbrook (Wyomissing Area) (Fall 1:00)Note: All other matches were forfeits.
Those in the red area will be able to watch this game.
The Cowboys lead the all-time series, with an 8-5 regular-season record. The last time these two teams met was on October 16, 2023, when the Cowboys won 20-17.
Chicago Fire hold talks with Lewandowski over summer transfer
Chicago Fire are exploring a potential deal to sign Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski on a free transfer next summer.
As reported by Mundo Deportivo, the MLS club’s sporting director, Gregg Berhalter, met with the Polish international and his agent, Pini Zahavi, last Sunday in a hotel in Barcelona to discuss a potential move.
While the 37-year-old has been moved by the offer, he is not in a hurry to make a firm decision on his future.
Lewandowski’s future has been the subject of constant speculation, with his contract at Barca expiring at the end of the season.
His form and fitness levels have experienced a notable dip this season, leading to reports that Barca want to part ways with him and recruit his long-term successor in the summer transfer window.
Barca want to take stock of his situation in the coming months before deciding whether or not to renew his contract.
As for Lewandowski, he hasn’t given up hope on his continuity at Camp Nou. He is willing to take a significant pay cut and settle for a secondary role in a bid to prolong his contract for another season.
Suitors from the Saudi Pro League, MLS, and Premier League, and even AC Milan, are monitoring the former Bayern Munich star’s situation.
But the striker feels that he can compete at an elite level.
Losing a striker of his quality could be a huge loss for Barca, but his wages remain a sticking point.
However, the Catalan giants could be presented with an alternative to keep Lewandowski without hurting their financial conditions.
La Liga are said to be planning to introduce a wild-cald contract renewal for clubs, allowing the Spanish teams to extend a player’s contract without FFP limitations.
Lewandowski’s form between now and the end of the season will be a key factor in deciding his future at Barca.
Ferran Torres has apparently eclipsed him in the pecking order, bagging 13 goals in all competitions.
Meanwhile, despite not being at his best, Lewandowski has netted eight goals in 12 La Liga games, but he has been futile in the Champions League.
Barca are also monitoring Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez as a top striker for next summer.
The Rams got off to a strong start, scoring on their first possession, but Hamilton’s defense was too much for Joaquin to overcome and the Rams were unable to score the rest of the game.
Tonight marked the second time all season where the Rams were held to seven points. However, the Rams defense held Hamilton to 21 points, the fewest the Bulldogs have scored this postseason.
Although Joaquin was unable to take home the title, their season was a success, as it was the first time the program reached the championship game.
Joaquin finished the 2025 season with an overall record of 11-5.
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The Navy All-American Bowl Selection Committee announced the finalists for the Navy All-American Bowl Offensive Player of Year Award, given annually to the top offensive player in the country.
Navy All-American Bowl
The Navy All-American Bowl Selection Committee announced the finalists for the Navy All-American Bowl Offensive Player of Year Award, given annually to the top offensive player in the country.
Navy All-American Bowl Announces Five Finalists For The 2026 Offensive Player of the Year Award
The Navy All-American Bowl’s Offensive Player of the Year will be named during the 2026 Navy All-American Bowl Awards Show on Friday, January 9th in San Antonio, Texas.
Past winners of the award include Puka Nacua, Dante Moore, and Nicholas Singleton.
This year’s finalists are:
NAME
POSITION
SCHOOL
CITY
STATE
Briggs Cherry
QB
Baylor School
Chattanooga
TN
Jordan Clay
WR
James Madison High School
San Antonio
TX
Ezavier Crowell
RB
Jackson High School
Jackson
AL
Aaron Gregory
WR
Douglas County High School
Douglasville
GA
John Hebert
RB
Strake Jesuit College Preparatory
Houston
TX
Live coverage of the 2026 Navy All-American Bowl will be presented on NBC and Peacock on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, at 1 p.m. ET from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
As an NBC Sports-owned property, the All-American Bowl is part of a marquee lineup of elite events that includes the Olympics and Paralympics, the NBA, WNBA, Notre Dame Football, the Premier League, and primetime’s #1 show for an unprecedented 14 consecutive years: Sunday Night Football. The All-American Bowl is annually the most-watched, most-talked about, and most-prestigious high school all-star event with more than four million unique television viewers and more than 25,000 fans in attendance. The history and tradition of the All-American Bowl is unparalleled, as it features: 631 draft picks; 103 Super Bowl champions; 274 Pro Bowl selections; and 18 Heisman finalists. For more information, visit nbcsports.com/college-football/navy-all-american-bowl or follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram (@AABonNBC).
The NFL issued a stat correction for Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams on Wednesday. The correction was issued for Week 6 (and for those not keeping score at home, it's now Week 16.
There was a play for which Williams was originally awarded a negative-5-yard rush. That's been changed to a fumble, a fumble recovery and a 0-yard rush.
And now an official stat correction that could impact your fantasy score from months ago:
Bears QB Caleb Williams is now officially credited with a fumble, a fumble recovery and a rush for 0 yards — not minus-5 — on the last play of the third quarter **in Week 6**. pic.twitter.com/7yEca76bqd
One guy actually replied to that post with evidence that that would've changed his fantasy score, and thus his playoff qualification:
And here it is: The guy who lost a fantasy game in Week 6 but retroactively should win (and make the playoffs) based on today’s two-months-later stat change. https://t.co/nmu1PBK0cU
Fantasy sites generally have it explained somewhere that they won't go back longer than a certain period of time to adjust points for stats corrections. This certainly is beyond that length.
It's a tough break for that guy above, who would've had five-tenths more of points without the negative-5 yards.
We have plenty of questions, to be sure.
Mainly: Why did this stat correction just happen 10 weeks later?
HALIFAX, Nova Scotia (AP) — Ann-Renée Desbiens made 35 saves and Marie-Philip Poulin scored in the shootout to help the Montreal Victoire beat the Toronto Sceptres in the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s first-ever game in Halifax on Wednesday night.
Poulin buried the lone goal in a 10-round shootout, and Desbiens stopped all five Sceptres attempts as a sold-out crowd of 10,438 inside Scotiabank Centre cheered equally for Toronto and Montreal.
Maya Labad scored in regulation for Montreal, and Anna Kjellbin scored for Toronto.
Sceptres goalie Raygan Kirk stopped 30 shots.
It marked the first of 16 neutral-site matchups — and the first of two in Halifax — this season on the PWHL’s Takeover Tour.
The league returns to the home of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League’s Halifax Mooseheads on Jan. 11 when the Ottawa Charge face the Boston Fleet.
Kjellbin opened the scoring at 3:26 in the first period to give the Sceptres an early lead. Labad tied it up at 12:16.
Toronto captain Blayre Turnbull almost scored the winner off her own rebound in the final seconds in regulation, but she was unable to put it past Desbiens.
Sceptres forward Emma Maltais appeared to win the game on a breakaway in overtime, but Toronto defender Renata Fast was called for interference on Montreal’s Jessica DiGirolamo moments before her shot crossed the goal line.
CHICAGO (AP) — Josh Giddey scored 23 points as part of his sixth triple-double this season, Coby White added 25 and the hot-shooting Chicago Bulls beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 127-111 on Wednesday night.
Giddey had 11 rebounds and 11 assists. He also matched a career high with five 3-pointers. Nikola Vucevic added 20 points and nine rebounds in the opener of the home-and-home series.
The Bulls shot 56.2% overall and made 14 of 36 3-pointers on the way to a rather convincing win after losing eight of nine. They led by 15 in the third quarter and went on a run in the fourth to break the game back open on the way to a rare win over Cleveland. They had dropped 12 of 13 against the Cavaliers.
Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 32 points, but the Cavaliers fell to 15-13 with their seventh loss in 10 games, the latest troubling performance for a team considered a favorite in the Eastern Conference. They didn’t sustain their 13th loss last season until March 19.
Jaylon Tyson scored 21. Darius Garland added 15 points and six assists
The Bulls led 106-97 midway through the fourth when Vucevic nailed a 3 to spark an 11-3 run. He also had a layup and a tip-in during that stretch. Giddey broke for a layup, and White added two free throws to make it 117-100 with 4:59 remaining.
Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu missed his third consecutive game because of a sprained right thumb. The Chicago product is fourth on the team in scoring at 15.2 points per game.
“Rest is probably going to be the best thing, but he's probably not going to have time to rest it for it to be fully healed,” coach Billy Donovan said.
The 2025 Continental Classic tournament continued on the Holiday Bash edition of "AEW Dynamite," as well as the first half of "AEW Collision" with the second half airing this Saturday at a special start time of 2:30ET. The fans in Manchester, England got to see action in both the Gold and Blue Leagues, where one competitor became the first performer to be mathematically eliminated from the tournament.
That elimination came in the Blue League where Jon Moxley and Roderick Strong kicked off the action for the night. Strong walked into the match as the only man in the tournament without a single point on the board, while Moxley was looking to bounce back after two consecutive losses to Claudio Castagnoli and Konosuke Takeshita. Much like a number of the Continental Classic bouts, it was hard-hitting and it could have gone either way, especially as the match was dangerously close to hitting the 20 minute time limit. However, there was a winner and that man was the former AEW Men's World Champion as Moxley hit Strong with two Death Riders (the move, not his stablemates) to secure the victory. With the win, Strong is officially eliminated with two matches still to go. Moxley has one match left against Orange Cassidy, and he will need to win to keep his hopes of reaching Worlds End alive.
Over in the Gold League, "The Protostar" Kyle Fletcher was also looking to bounce back from his loss to "Speedball" Mike Bailey as he took on PAC. With a homefield advantage, PAC looked to use the English fans in attendance to his advantage as he was aiming to pick up his second win of the tournament, and it worked. Fletcher went for a Brainbuster on the turnbuckle but PAC escaped, who hit "The Protostar" with an Avalanche Poisonrana. Fletcher would roll perfectly into position for PAC to hit the Black Arrow for the pinfall victory. With the win, PAC joins Fletcher on six points having wrestled one match less, and with Kazuchika Okada and "Speedball" Mike Bailey also on six points, the Gold League may have to rely on tie-breakers in order to be decided.
Rounding out the action was Orange Cassidy taking on Mascara Dorada in the Blue League. The two men have become friends over the course of the tournament, but they had to put that friendship aside as they both looked to double their tally from three points to six. In the end, it was Cassidy who managed to use Dorada's speed against him as he managed snatch a quick crucifix pin to keep the CMLL star down for the victory. Cassidy now sits in joint second with Jon Moxley, who he still has to face, on six points, while Dorada remains on three points with two matches to go.
ORLANDO, Fla. — Quinn Henicle looked like a quarterback making his second career start.
The Old Dominion redshirt freshman shook off a shaky start that included a fumble to score two touchdowns while leading the Monarchs to an impressive 24-10 win over South Florida in Wednesday’s StaffDNA Cure Bowl at Camping World Stadium.
ODU (10-3, 6-2 Sun Belt) won 10 games for the first time since the 2016 season.
“It was a great team effort. I thought our guys played really hard for each other,” said ODU coach Ricky Rahne. “It was a game where you had to manage your emotions. For the most part, the guys did a great job.”
Henicle earned the start after starting quarterback Colton Joseph announced he planned to enter the transfer portal on Jan. 2.
South Florida came up with the first turnover of the game when safety Jarvis Lee rushed Henicle, forcing him to fumble the football backward. It was scooped up by safety Fred Gaskin, who returned it 22 yards to the Monarchs’ 41.
It was the 11th fumble recovery on the season for USF (9-4, 6-2 American) and the 25th overall takeaway.
The Bulls drove to the ODU 10 but were forced to settle for a 28-yard field goal by kicker Nico Gramatica for a 3-0 lead.
Henicle made up for his miscue by leading the Monarchs on a 10-play drive that was capped by a 6-yard touchdown run by the redshirt freshman. It was his first rushing touchdown of the season and his fourth overall.
USF responded by quickly moving into Old Dominion territory thanks to a 42-yard completion from Gaston Moore to receiver Christian Nepture. But a busted run ended in a 48-yard field goal miss by Gramatica.
The Bulls didn’t allow another opportunity to go unfulfilled as quarterback Moore connected with receiver Jeremiah Koger on back-to-back throws, including a 31-yard touchdown pass that helped USF retake the lead at 10-7 with 7:24 left in the half.
USF was without starting quarterback Byrum Brown, who chose to opt out of Wednesday’s game but was on the sidelines helping out the coaching staff. His replacement was Moore, a transfer who spent time at Tennessee and UCF.
Moore continued the hot hand on USF’s next possession, but defensive back Brandon Crutchfield intercepted his pass to Koger on the ODU 20. It was the Monarchs’ 12th interception of the season.
Old Dominion drove to the USF 26, but a bobbled snap on a 38-yard field goal by kicker Nathanial Eichner led to a turnover on downs.
ODU took advantage of another turnover after defensive back Jerome Carter intercepted Moore on his first pass of the second half. The Monarchs scored three plays later as Trequan Jones ran untouched for a 22-yard touchdown and a 14-10 lead.
Carter would finish with a game-high two interceptions, his fifth and sixth of the season.
It was Jones’ sixth rushing touchdown of the season and it was the third lead change of the game.
USF had another opportunity to tack on points, but Gramatica missed a 39-yard field-goal attempt. It was the first time he had missed two field goals in a game in his college career.
Old Dominion drove to the USF 16-yard line, but Henicle fumbled after a brutal hit by Bulls cornerback De’Shawn Rucker. Defensive end Michael Williams III recovered the ball; however, Rucker was ejected after it was determined his hit was targeting and the Monarchs got the ball back at the USF 4.
ODU failed to convert but converted a 24-yard field goal by Eichner to push the lead to 17-10.
Henicle capped the scoring with a 51-yard touchdown run late in the game to seal the win for the Monarchs. He finished with 227 total yards of offense and two rushing touchdowns.
“He didn’t play anywhere near his best game and he was still able to will the team to win,” said Rahne. “To me, it was that run in the four-minute drive where he kept going, kept his legs going, kept dragging people. The competitiveness, the fight and the effort he had right there, not only did offensive players respond to it, but the defensive players on the sideline as well.”
His performance earned him Most Valuable Player honors.
The last time USF won a game in Orlando was in 2015. The Bulls have lost five straight games in Central Florida, including a neutral-site game vs. Memphis in Camping World Stadium in 2024.
“I love these guys and like I told them in the locker room, it’s painful as this is they these players have changed the trajectory of this program in the last three years, and I’m encouraged no matter where they go, where I go, I’m encouraged this program is going to keep climbing no matter who’s at the helm, because we build a good culture,” said USF interim coach Kevin Patrick.
Puka Nacua’s brother, Samson Nacua, was arrested for allegedly taking the SUV belonging to Los Angeles Lakers forward Adou Thiero without his consent, according to NBC Los Angeles. Another man, Trey Rose, was also arrested, and like Nacua, faces a charge of taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent.
The car was tracked to the One Hotel in West Hollywood where deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's department found it. Nacua and Rose valeted the car and went into the hotel, and both suspects were arrested soon after being identified on security footage.
Nacua and Rose both remain behind bars as of this writing, according to NBCLA.
Samson and Puka Nacua played together at BYU in 2021. Samson has had a couple of stints in the NFL, as well as the USFL and UFL. Most recently, he played for the Michigan Panthers in the UFL last season.
In April, he was suspended one game for slapping a fan in the stands after a Week 5 loss to the St. Louis Battlehawks. He played nine games for Michigan last season and scored two touchdowns.
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Green Bay’s Doug Gottlieb says he’s stepping away from his radio show to put his total focus on his coaching responsibilities.
Gottlieb has been coaching while also maintaining his national sports talk radio show since Green Bay hired him in May 2024. Gottlieb said Wednesday he plans to stop doing his radio show at the end of this week or next week, though he will continue to do a podcast.
“As of now, we’re going to take a break from it,” Gottlieb said in his news conference after Green Bay’s 67-64 victory over UC Santa Barbara. “I’ve got to have a life. I’ve got to be there for these kids. I’ve got to really dig in because we’re building something cool here.”
He called the decision “a hard one on one level for me, but a smart one.”
Gottlieb has worked as a broadcaster for about two decades, but he didn’t have any college coaching experience when Green Bay hired the former Oklahoma State guard. Green Bay made the hire while allowing Gottlieb to maintain his radio show.
Although Gottlieb says his players deserve a “fully dedicated coach,” he also believes he’s been fully dedicated to coaching even while doing his radio show. But he also wanted to make sure he’s as prepared as possible to do as much as he can for his team.
Gottlieb noted a recent example of how his two jobs interfered with each other. His radio responsibilities prevented him from making it on the team bus for a trip to Indianapolis, so he flew there on his own instead.
“I don’t think that’s what I want to do as a coach,” Gottlieb said.
Green Bay went 4-28 in Gottlieb’s first season and is 6-7 so far this year. The Phoenix have won five of their last seven games.
On Tuesday, Jeremiyah Love announced his decision to leave Notre Dame a year early for the NFL Draft, so it really comes as an act of mercy that one day later, Jadarian Price announced his decision to enter the NFL Draft with a year of eligibility left on the table.
Notre Dame fans didn’t have to debate long about what it would take to keep Price in the fold for 2026, and now everyone can move on to the future of the position at Notre Dame — whatever that may look like. Regardless of what Notre Dame does at running back in 2026, it won’t come close to being as talented as it was with Love and Price.
Jadarian Price would have been the starting running back for 99% of other programs in the country. He also might have been a better running back candidate for the Heisman given his ability to return kickoffs for touchdowns. It really was an embarrassment of riches at Notre Dame.
One of the ways I judge Notre Dame players is how they performed against USC. With Price, he was a true Trojan killer as 2 of his 3 career kick returns for touchdowns came against Southern Cal.
Price is ranked as either the #2 or #3 back in the draft, and he’s expected to be selected before the end of the 2nd round.
While the action kicks off Friday with Alabama and Oklahoma in an all-SEC brawl to see who faces No. 1 Indiana, the real intrigue for BBN starts Saturday.
That’s when your new head coach, Will Stein (Oregon), and defensive coordinator, Jay Bateman (Texas A&M), begin their title chases before coming to Lexington.
Do you ride with the Ducks to see Stein bring championship DNA to Lexington with him? Do you back Bateman and the Aggies because of the SEC connection? Do you hope both lose quick so they go all-in with the Cats? Or are you just rooting for pure chaos?
The future of Kentucky football is on the field this weekend. Tell us who you’re backing in the poll below.
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NCAA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Kentucky fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
This was the best the Bulls have looked since they started the season 5-0.
It started in the second quarter, when the Bulls went into a zone down 28-16 midway through the first quarter. That immediately disrupted the Cavs rhythm as the Bulls rattled off an 8-0 run to get back into the game before eventually taking a four-point lead into the second half.
The zone was effective because it kept the Cavs out of the paint, forcing them to settle for contested threes. From there, the Bulls did a nice job boxing out and preventing a top-five offensive rebounding team from getting much on the glass.
Critically, the Bulls were able to turn the Cavs over 20 times as they beat them 127-111. The Bulls’ 12 steals tied the third most of the season, and the Cavs’ 20 turnovers were their second-most in a game this season.
Tre Jones was impactful for the Bulls, especially in the first half, coming up with three steals alongside 11 points and 11 assists, and was a team-high +20.
Isaac Okoro also made his presence felt in a significant way, cutting away from the ball, fighting for offensive rebounds and providing physicality. He chipped in 12 points on 6-of-7 shooting in 30 minutes against his former team.
Josh Giddey had his sixth triple-double (23 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists) of the season, but more importantly, he made his threes when the Cavs left him open (5-of-11), and he threw a handful of full-court hit-ahead passes to keep the Bulls offense firing on all cylinders.
Up next: We’ll see if the Bulls can maintain their level of play when they face the Cleveland Cavaliers again on Friday in Cleveland.
In an attempt to improve their odds in the possession battle, the Bulls have tried to limit their own turnovers, box out on the defensive glass and prevent teams from getting to the foul line. They are solid in those areas, but those are more preventative when it comes to limiting their opponents’ ability to generate extra possessions, but not great at generating extra possessions of their own.
One way to do that is by forcing turnovers, but the Bulls are 28th in the league in turnover percentage. Without high steals defenders (except Jones), that’s going to be difficult. That leaves offensive rebounding as an area where the Bulls can improve upon their 24th-ranked offensive rebounding rate.
“We’ve defined guys that get back and guys that have to go,” Billy Donovan said. “Sometimes we could have two, three, four guys that are get-back guys in the game at one time, which is really going to inhibit the opportunity to crash more people.”
The Bulls are loaded with guards that need playing time and have been pushing up the lineup. But with the addition of the Zach Collins-Jalen Smith dual-big lineup, the Bulls should be able to generate a few extra possessions, especially against smaller opponents.
“At times, when we have three or four guys out there, it’s a little bit easier,” Donovan said. “I’m not expecting someone like Tre Jones or Coby [White] to be guys that are going to be running to the glass, because a lot of times they’re probably better suited to get back and balance the floor for us. Some of it is personnel-driven. It’s like anything else. The more people that you send [to rebound], it mirrors up pretty well. Whatever your crash rate is, generally, roughly around your offensive rebounding rate.”
The Bulls grabbed six offensive boards against the Cavs, resulting in 12 second-chance points. It’s unlikely this ever becomes a featured part of the Bulls’ identity, but a few additional chances can swing momentum over the course of a game, or chip away at their opponents’ ability to get on the break.
Hey, look, the Bulls were alive tonight! That’s neat.
Is Jones this team’s best player? He carried a statline of 5 points, 7 assists, 3 steals and zero turnovers into halftime. He was a plus-19 in a 4-point Bulls advantage. For as much as we (and Donovan) talk about the importance of the Bulls winning the possession battle, I think it’s safe to say that your backup guard having an infinity-esque assist-to-turnover ratio while also generating takeaways is the best embodiment of achieving that goal. Way to go, Jones.
I appreciated White attacking early, rather than going straight to his three-point shot. Especially considering his recent cold slump from deep. His first two possessions were 1) an aggressive drive left, finishing with a short midrange after creating contact and separation and 2) a good ol’ classic head-down “I’m quicker than you” drive right to the rim. Then he stepped back and found his range. Good stuff, White.
Donovan trimmed Vucevic’s minutes from his usual first-quarter allotment. Smith and Collins played well together in the second unit, and Donovan went back to it again and again. I think we should (and will…?) see more of this trend moving forward. No disrespect to Vucevic, but his backups are earning more time.
Would’ve liked to see more trips to the free-throw line for the Bulls. One of the things they did well in their first game against the Cavs: 33-36 from the line. They didn’t come close to that tonight. But they were efficient with their shots and shared the ball well. So it’s a nitpick.
Giddey took… double-digit threes? Wow. Don’t see that too often. But he hit a decent amount of them, so no complaints there. Solid Giddey game overall, with his sixth triple-double of the year.
As expected, a much better showing by the Bulls tonight.
The Bulls held the Cavs to ZERO offensive rebounds in the 1st half. That’s impressive.
Smith was big for the Bulls. He and Collins played well together.
Giddey is a menace. He attacks, attacks, and attacks some more. Made some really cool passes this game.
Jones was EVERYWHERE. The way he attacks on offense and defense is always fun to watch. It’s good they have someone they can lean on, especially when Ayo Dosunmu (thumb) is out.
Okoro played very well. I’m sure playing against his former team inspires him to play even better, but nonetheless, he had a good game.
The bench is back to leading the Bulls.
Patrick Lee Williams and Vucevic’s minutes were properly distributed.
Although the Toronto Blue Jays have been aggressive to begin the 2025 offseason, they've yet to come to terms with free agent Bo Bichette who spent the first seven years of his career in Toronto.
While Bichette remains unsigned, Toronto has signed Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce and Tyler Rogers. Additionally, Shane Bieber accepted his player option to return to the Blue Jays.
Although Bichette battled a knee injury throughout Toronto's playoff run, he returned in the World Series as the Blue Jays fell just short to the Los Angeles Dodgers in seven games.
In those World Series games, Bichette was one of Toronto's strongest performers, batting .348 with eight hits, one home run and six RBI's.
Due to Bichette's injury, he played second base for Toronto, swapping places with Andres Gimenez.
According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, Bichette is reportedly open to playing second base as well as shortstop, his more natural position. While Bichette is likely to be monitored by teams in need of a shortstop, adding second base as a possible position could open up his market to more teams.
The Blue Jays remain interested in bringing Bichette back, but have also been rumored to be suitors for Kyle Tucker. Additionally, Alex Bregman has been linked to Toronto, if the Blue Jays were unable to sign Bichette and Tucker.
The Boston Red Sox have been heavily linked to both Bichette and Bregman, while the Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs have been linked to Bregman since the 2024 offseason.
CINCINNATI (AP) — Baba Miller had 26 points and 14 rebounds, leading Cincinnati to an 88-51 victory over Alabama State on Wednesday night.
Miller and Shon Abaev each scored 13 points in the first half and the Bearcats roared to a 50-25 lead at the break. They had a run of 10-0 and two runs of 8-0.
Cincinnati (7-4) made 13 of 17 two-point tries in the first half and 12 of 15 in the second half. The Bearcats had 13 dunks. Their overall shooting percentage was 49% after making only 8 of 35 3-pointers.
Jizzle James scored 16 points for Cincinnati. He was reinstated to the team on Wednesday after being dismissed in July to attend to personal issues. James, the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Edgerrin James, was Cincinnati's leading scorer last season.
A jumper by James capped a 10-0 run that gave Cincinnati a 38-point lead late in the second half. He hit a 3-pointer in the final minute that gave the Bearcats a 38-point lead for the second time.
Miller's career-high 26 points came on 11-of-12 shooting. He had his sixth double-double of the season.
Abaev, who did not score in the second half, had six rebounds and five assists.
Micah Simpson led Alabama State (3-8) with 13 points.
Up next
Cincinnati: The Bearcats head to South Carolina to play Clemson in the Greenville Winter Invitational on Sunday.
Bowl season kicked off in downtown Orlando Wednesday night and Old Dominion beat USF 24-10 to capture the StaffDNA Cure Bowl at Camping World Stadium.
ODU (10-3) head coach Ricky Rahne delivered just their second bowl win in program history and their second 10-win season since joining the FBS level.
Monarchs backup QB Quinn Henicle was named the Cure Bowl MVP. He rushed for 100 yards and passed for over 100 yards and his fourth quarter 51-yard rushing touchdown put the game away.
USF finished the season 9-4 after starting with a 6-1 record.
Bowl season in Orlando continues on December 27 with the Pop-Tarts Bowl. Kickoff on WFTV is set for 3:30 at Camping World Stadium.
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Kevin Warren sent a shot across the bows of the forces the team sees as delaying and opposing the Chicago Bears stadium project proposed for Arlington Heights: the Bears can build in Northwest Indiana if they can’t get something done in Illinois.
In an open letter to fans, posted both on the Chicago Bears website and emailed to fans on the team’s mailing lists, the Bears President and CEO laid out the team’s thoughts and views on the progress… or lack thereof… in moving forward with government partnership in Cook County.
“Earlier this season, we shared that Arlington Heights is the only location in Cook County that meets the requirements for a world-class NFL stadium,” Warren writes.
“We still believe it offers the best and only path forward in Cook County given there are no other viable alternatives,” he continues. “Over the past several years, we have worked in good faith with Illinois leaders and made clear our commitment and readiness to invest more than $2 billion by the Chicago Bears, one of the largest private investments in state and NFL history.”
Central to the issue is the proposed domed stadium that the Bears have been planning to build on the 326 acre property that formerly housed the Arlington International Racecourse. The Bears purchased the property, located about 25 miles northwest of Soldier Field, in February of 2023 for $197.2 million dollars. The club demolished all buildings on the grounds.
It’s those grounds, and the surrounding roads, utilities, rail assets and other public facilities that the team is hoping that taxpayers will pitch in on paying for. So far? It hasn’t happened.
“We have not asked for state taxpayer dollars to build the stadium at Arlington Park,” Warren continues in his letter. “We asked only for a commitment to essential local infrastructure (roads, utilities, and site improvements) which is more than typical for projects of this size. Additionally, we sought reasonable property tax certainty to secure financing. We listened to state leadership and relied on their direction and guidance, yet our efforts have been met with no legislative partnership.”
Illinois politicians have pushed back on the idea of any type of public funding surrounding new professional sports stadiums and venues.
In a statement issued by Illinois governor JB Pritzger’s spokesperson, the governor’s office said “Suggesting the Bears would move to Indiana is a startling slap in the face to all the beloved and loyal fans who have been rallying around the team during this strong season. The Governor’s a Bears fan who has always wanted them to stay in Chicago. He has also said that ultimately they are a private business that makes their own decisions, but the Governor has also been clear that the bottom line for any private business development should not come at the full expense of taxpayers.”
The Bears’ plans call for a modern fixed-roof stadium and a mixed-use development district.
“The stakes for Illinois are significant: thousands of union jobs, year-round attractions and global events made possible by a fixed roof stadium that would provide long-term revenue for the State,” Warren continued. “For a project of this scale, uncertainty has significant consequences. Stable timelines are critical, as are predictable processes and elected leaders, who share a sense of urgency and appreciation for public partnership that projects with this level of impact require.”
“We have not received that sense of urgency or appreciation to date. We have been told directly by State leadership, our project will not be a priority in 2026, despite the benefits it will bring to Illinois,” he wrote.
Whether to seek a legitimate alternative for a Cook County stadium or to just put pressure on the politicos in Illinois, Warren dropped the “Northwest Indiana” bomb on the conversation.
“Consequently, in addition to Arlington Park, we need to expand our search and critically evaluate opportunities throughout the wider Chicagoland region, including Northwest Indiana,” he said.
“This is not about leverage. We spent years trying to build a new home in Cook County. We invested significant time and resources evaluating multiple sites and rationally decided on Arlington Heights. Our fans deserve a world-class stadium. Our players and coaches deserve a venue that matches the championship standard they strive for every day. With that in mind, our organization must keep every credible pathway open to deliver that future.”
Whatever happened between Sunday’s game against Queens and tonight’s game against Longwood, Wake Forest should make sure they never do it again. Tonight’s game was basically a completely 180 from the blowout win over Queens, and the Deacs were honestly lucky that they were able to come out of that game unscathed.
On Sunday, the Deacs shot 52% from beyond the arc and made 17 3-pointers to beat the Royals by 38 points. Tonight, we saw the other side of the coin and what happens when a team that is so reliant on 3-point shooting only makes 5 in the entire game on 21% shooting. The result was about as bad as we could expect—71 points against a defense that ranks 310th in KenPom and a narrow win at home over a Q4 opponent that Wake was favored to beat by 20+ points. To be honest, this one was pretty reminiscent of how games were under the previous 2 coaching regimes.
I’m not really that bothered by the regression towards the mean on 3-point shooting—the Deacs obviously weren’t going to shoot 50+% from beyond the arc in every game. That being said, I am a little confused at the gameplan of chucking a bunch of 3’s against a team that has one of the worst defenses in the nation and not a single contributor over 6-8 instead of finding a way to get the ball into the paint to generate some easy baskets. In the first half, the Deacs shot the ball 30 total times—18 of those shots came from beyond the arc. With Wake only making 4 of those 18 attempts, they finished the half with just 30 points (2nd lowest in the first half this season) and shot 33% from the floor for the half. The Deacs trailed at the half 30-34. At home. To Longwood.
The gameplan was adjusted at halftime, and the Deacs shot just 6 3-pointers in the remainder of the game, making just 1. The newfound emphasis on attacking the paint worked out well for the offense—Wake scored 41 points in the second half on 50% shooting from the field, took 24 free throws, and scored 18 points in the paint. Juke Harris scored 11 of his team high 19 points in the 2nd half, with 7 of those coming from the charity stripe. The 1 3-pointer Wake made in the second half ended up being the difference in the game, with Myles Colvin hitting a huge shot with just 49 seconds remaining to give Wake a 3-point lead. Unfortunately, the game was indeed that close.
Shot selection wasn’t the only issue for the Deacs in this one. Maybe it was a function of playing their 7th Q4 game at home this season, but the overall energy and focus from the team just was not there at all tonight. The defense seemed pretty lackluster and there was very little hustle to be found anywhere. In several crucial points of the game, the Lancers were able to get 2nd and 3rd shot attempts at the basket simply by trying harder to rebound the ball. Longwood finished the game with 11 offensive rebounds, but 10 of those came in the 2nd half. Wake also did a terrible job defending Longwood’s 1 shooter, Redd Thompson Jr., who was seemingly wide open the entire 2nd half. Thompson finished with a game high 22 points and hit 6 of his 12 3-point attempts, including back-to-back triples with 2 minutes left to tie the game. After making 4 3-pointers in the second half, Wake still somehow allowed him to get off a great look as time expired to tie the game. The Deacs were fortunate that it did not go in and force overtime.
Yes, this was an awful performance for the Deacs, but they still managed to pull out the win. Games like this is one of the reasons I am so against playing so many Q4 buy games at the beginning of the season—eventually the team is going to start coasting after a bunch of blowouts, and someone is going to sneak up on them and either beat them or push them to the brink. Thankfully, that was the last buy game of the season and hopefully the last Q4 game of the season. Wake’s resume won’t take too big of a hit since they pulled out the win, but all of the progress that they had made in the metrics-based rankings were effectively erased by this game. It might be foolish to be too concerned about the NET and KenPom before January, but after a million years of not making the tournament, the Deacs need to be worried about pretty much everything that goes into the selection process.
Maybe a scare from a Big South opponent is exactly what the Deacs needed to re-energize and refocus them before the real games start this Sunday. I assure you if they play like they did tonight against Vanderbilt, things are going to get ugly fast.
Dan Gore: Rotherham boss Matt Hamshaw makes “hard” transfer admission ahead of January
Rotherham United manager Matt Hamshaw has admitted that his side are facing a fight to keep Dan Gore ahead of the January transfer window.
Gore impressing at Rotherham
Having joined Rotherham during the summer transfer window, Gore has emerged as a key player for the side.
He has impressed at the heart of Rotherham’s midfield, expertly shielding the defence and dictating the tempo of play.
Gore has turned out 19 times in League One for Rotherham, contributing one assist in that period. He has started all 19 games.
The Carrington academy graduate recently opened his senior goal account in the 7-2 thrashing of Salford City in the Vertu Trophy second round.
Hamshaw spoke to reporters and acknowledged that Gore’s performances have undoubtedly put him on the radar of clubs in the upper reaches of League One and the Championship, who will likely contact United regarding his situation.
However, the Rotherham boss noted that United are happy with Gore’s progress and perhaps this could be enough to keep him for the rest of the season.
Rotherham boss speaks on Gore
Hamshaw said [as quoted by the Yorkshire Post], “If we get to the end of January and he’s still here it would be a great signing.”
“Sometimes it’s hard with loans. You want your loan players to come in and really do well and then when they do well you might lose them in January.”
“I think Dan is enjoying it here, I’m in regular contact with Man United and they seem happy with him here but if anyone comes in with an offer that blows us out of the water then he’s going to go.”
Hamshaw added, “Our plan is that he stays here. He wants to stay here, he’s enjoying playing games. For a young player it’s important he has a 40-plus game season, so people can see he’s been fit for a full season.”
“I think Man United want that and it’s what we want.”
“If he’s still here on February 1 I’ll be delighted.”
Ultimately, United must judge if Gore is ready for a bigger challenge, or if his ongoing development at Rotherham is more beneficial to their plans.
California is still trying to keep its tier-one status when it comes to producing high level talent in the high school football ranks.
Looking at the 2026 cycle, there are 41 blue-chippers in the Golden State, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all major recruiting media companies. Of those 41, all but one are signed with a Power Four program.
Below is a look at the top prospects in California this cycle and where they’re headed to play their college football next season:
School:Mater Dei Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 7 NATL. (No. 1 WR)
Scouting Summary: “Jumbo receiver with a rare combination of size, athleticism, and coordination as a young prospect. Continued growing and adding size throughout his high school career, checking in at around 6-foot-5 and over 200 pounds going into his senior season. Has good length, with arms around 34 inches. Tests as a strong athlete with good speed at his size in the combine setting. Flashes functional movement skills at his size, showing the ability to sink his hips and change direction with ease. Touts good ball skills and catch radius. Tracks the ball over his shoulder and can win in jump ball situations. Sustained a season-ending knee injury as a junior, missing most of the year. Heading into his senior season, his production is below average for a top wide receiver prospect. Has a strong pedigree as the son of the late NFL wide receiver Chris Henry. Will need to capitalize on more extensive reps and continue developing, but has a very high physical upside.”
Scouting Summary: “Versatile edge defender that wins with power and speed as a pass rusher that possesses advanced hand usage for his age. Verified 6-foot-4.5, 245 pounds with above average length. Impressive athlete in the combine setting as well as on the track running 11.67 in the 100m during his sophomore track and field season. Variety of pass rush moves including swims, rips, long arms and a ghost move. Stout run defender that can set the edge and displace blockers at the point of attack. Collected 16 tackles-for-loss and 9 sacks during his sophomore season. Reclassified from the 2027 cycle to the 2026 cycle so will be a year younger than most of his peers in the class. Versatile skillset allows him to project to a strong-side or weak-side end. Has the ability to play with his hand in the dirt or stand up off the edge and should excel as a three-down edge defender at the next level.”
School:Mater Dei Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 23 NATL. (No. 2 TE)
Scouting Summary: “Technical pass-catcher who is one of the best route-running tight end prospects we’ve seen in recent years. Measured in at 6-foot-4, 235 pounds with 31.75-inch arms and 9.75-inch hands before his senior season. Has elite quickness, which he uses to separate off the line of scrimmage and within his routes. Able to snap off defenders at will. Has very reliable hands and consistently finishes at the catch point. Quickness and speed allow for the ability to pick up big yardage after the catch. The type of tight end who can be a movable weapon within an offense’s passing game. Backs up the skill set he shows on Friday nights, with dominant showings on the 7-on-7 circuit and in camps. Punches well above his weight as a blocker and is a strong, physical presence in the run game. Finished the 2024 season with 32 catches for 435 yards and eight touchdowns in 15 games. Reclassified back into the 2026 cycle before his final year of high school football. Has less varsity experience and production than some of his highly-rated peers and a less robust multi-sport profile. Has the potential to develop into a high-volume target and early-round draft pick.”
School:Mater Dei Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 25 NATL. (No. 4 OT)
Scouting Summary: “Nimble offensive tackle who brings a translatable skill set with size and projectable movement skills. Measured around 6-foot-6, and north of 300 pounds before his senior season. Touts average to solid length for his height. Transferred to SoCal powerhouse Mater Dei for his junior season, primarily lining up at right tackle for the Monarchs. A high-level mover. Fluid and balanced. Works to the second level effortlessly. Dangerous as a puller. Shows good pop in his hands and plays with encouraging power. Has a solid understanding of body positioning, walling off defensive linemen. More advanced as a run blocker, but has the skill set to develop into a reliable pass protector over time. Battle-tested and fared well against top competition as a junior. Can continue to improve his hand placement and overall technique.”
School:Mount Miguel Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 29 NATL. (No. 2 CB)
Scouting Summary: “Elite athleticism at the corner position with impressive mirror ability for a taller, longer corner prospect. One of the strongest track profiles in the country. Ran a blistering 10.21 in the 100m and a 20.35 in the 200m during his junior track season. Can run with any receiver lined up across from him. Has the length and ball skills to attack the football and play through the receiver’s hands in order to separate them from the ball. Would like to see him gain some mass throughout his frame and become more confident in run support. Boundary corner projection due to his size and speed. Has the length and athleticism to line up against virtually any receiver type at the next level.”
Scouting Summary: “Interior pass rushing demon with tremendous burst off the line of scrimmage and hip fluidity that plays with his hair on fire to chase down ball carriers. Verified 6-foot-4, 255 pounds with excellent length. Carries his weight very well for his size and should add substantial mass at the next level. Charged up athlete that possesses such explosive movements off the line and in space. Does a great job shooting his hands and keeping his chest clean when engaging with blockers. Has serious shock in his hands when punching blockers at the point of attack. Totaled 11 tackles-for-loss and 4.5 sacks as a junior. Will need to maintain his athletic ability as he adds significant mass to his frame. Should develop into a knifing 3-technique with phenomenal twitch and upfield burst that can stay on the field as a dominant pass rusher on third downs and excel as a stout run defender on early downs.”
Scouting Summary: “Productive dual threat who makes outstanding high-level improvisational plays as a scramble artist. Measured at a shade under 6-foot-2 and around 220 pounds before his senior season. Hand measures at 9 inches. Added around 15 pounds during his junior year. At the helm of one of the top high school programs in Northern California. Highly productive over his high school career. Most comfortable when making improvisational plays. Lures defenders with his movements and keeps his eyes downfield to find open receivers. Never believes a play is dead. Stocky build and is tough to sack. Quality passer who can deliver with accuracy and touch. Shows the ability to step up in the pocket and deliver well-placed passes with timing when he wants to. Capable on designed runs in addition to scrambles. Shows the ability to break and avoid tackles at the second level. High usage player who will enter college football with a ton of meaningful reps in playmaking situations. Competitive temperament and plays with fire.”
School:Oaks Christian Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 63 NATL. (No. 8 CB)
Scouting Summary: “Athletically gifted defensive back with positional versatility who has the physicality to play down in the box and the movement skills to cover in the slot or on the outside. Verified 5-foot-11.5, 180 pounds with average length. Has personal bests of 10.92 in the 100m and 21.90 in the 200m. Rangy defender that covers from sideline to sideline as a safety. Fluid and loose-hipped when working in coverage as a corner. Very strong ball production and nose for the football. Picked off six passes and tallied 45 tackles as a junior. Would love more length, can be a disservice against bigger bodied pass catchers. Need to continue adding mass to his frame if he is going to be physical around the line of scrimmage at the next level. Older prospect for the 2026 recruiting cycle. Has the versatility and athletic ability to make an immediate impact at every defensive back position early on in his career and should be a three-down defender at corner or nickel throughout his career if he is able to add the necessary mass.”
About: Tofi originally committed to Cal, but backed off that pledge at the end of June. Oregon was trending in the summer and that led to him choosing the Ducks just a couple days later on July 2. “No hard feelings against Cal, it actually felt like home, but I feel like my heart was at Oregon,” Tofi told Rivals’ Adam Gorney. “Going back to Eugene made me realize Oregon was the spot for me and I wanted to be in Eugene.”
School:Valencia Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 84 NATL. (No. 6 RB)
Bonner on UW: “I really like the coaching staff,” he told Rivals’ Adam Gorney. “I like how coach Fisch runs his offense and I really like coach Scottie Graham, the running backs coach. He and I have a really good relationship and we’ve been building that for a long time. I really like coach Fisch, coach Graham and the rest of the coaching staff.”
Ricochet at ROH Final Battle 2025 - Ring of Honor/Ricky Havlik
AEW has a number of traditions when it comes to the holiday season, and one of those traditions is the Dynamite Diamond Ring Battle Royal. The 2025 battle royal took place on the Holiday Bash edition of "AEW Dynamite" in Manchester, England, and the two men advancing to the match to determine the winner of the Dynamite Diamond Ring are the AEW National Champion Ricochet, and the ROH World Champion Bandido.
Brody King and Bandido were taken out by The Demand as they were making their entrance, but Ricochet and the Gates of Agony were blindsided by Ace Austin. Max Caster and Anthony Bowens might not be getting along as well as they used to, but they were able to take Josh Alexander out with the Scissor Me Timbers. However, just as the former AEW World Tag Team Champions attempted to roll back the years with the scissoring, Ricochet snuck in and eliminated Caster. Ace Austin was the next to be eliminated, and he was followed by Anthony Bowens as both Ricochet and Mark Davis worked together as the match went to the commercial break. During the break, Bishop Kaun and Toa Liona cut Brodido's Macarena party short as the two teams went toe-to-toe. Luchasaurus and Shelton Benjamin then showed each other how strong they were at the expense of the field before exchanging strikes themselves.
Back out of the break and a quick series of eliminations at the hands of Alexander saw Luchasaurus, Benjamin, and Davis, his fellow Don Callis Family member, all get dumped out of the match. The Demand would work over King in the corner but he would quickly escape, and after Alexander tried to catch King in an Ankle Lock, Brodido worked together to eliminate Alexander.
Kaun came dangerously close to eliminating Bandido but the ROH World Champion survived on the apron. However, when Liona went to eliminate Bandido, King would charge in with a Lariat, eliminating Liona and himself as the momentum carried him out of the ring. Kaun went back for Bandido to try and make the finals an all Demand affair, but Bandido hit a Poisonrana over the ropes to eliminate Kaun, leaving himself and Ricochet as the final two men in the match. They will now face each other at the Hammerstein Ballroom on December 24, where the winner will earn a shot at the AEW Men's World Championship on the Maximum Carnage edition of "Dynamite" on January 14.
DETROIT (AP) — Clayton Keller had a goal and an assist as the Utah Mammoth pulled away from the Atlantic Division-leading Detroit Red Wings 4-1 on Wednesday night.
Dylan Guenther scored his sixth goal in the last six games, while Jack McBain and Kevin Stenlund also scored for Utah. Nick Schmaltz had his 300th career assist on Keller’s goal.
Karel Vejmelka made 27 saves as the Mammoth won for the third time in their last four games.
Emmitt Finnie scored for the Red Wings, who had won five of six games. Andrew Copp notched his 200th career assist and Cam Talbot stopped 23 shots.
Detroit forward Patrick Kane missed his second consecutive game due to an upper-body injury.
Keller opened the scoring at 1:44 of the second period by knocking in the rebound of Schmaltz's shot. It was Keller's ninth goal in 14 career games against the Red Wings.
Seconds after the Mammoth killed off a penalty, McBain made it 2-0 at 14:17 of the period, converting in front off Michael Carcone's pass from behind the goal line.
Finnie scored on a power play with 10:05 left in regulation. His slap shot from the left circle off John Leonard's pass beat Vejmelka on the stick side.
Guenther made it 3-1 with 4:08 left. Detroit defenseman Moritz Seider tried to clear the puck out of the goal crease but it bounced off Talbot's skate and onto Guenther's stick. Stenlund scored 31 seconds later from the slot.
Whenever there is an opportunity to engage Colorado Avalanche fans beyond the confines of the arena, the conversation tends to orbit a familiar set of themes: admiration for the team’s dominance, confidence born of consistent winning, and—almost inevitably—a lingering concern about the power play.
The Power Play Isn’t Good, But...
The Avalanche rank 18th in the league on the power play, converting at a 15.7 percent rate—which, frankly, isn’t very good. Their biggest rival in the Central Division, the Dallas Stars, are operating at nearly double that efficiency on the man advantage. Viewed through that lens, there is legitimate reason for concern. The playoffs are still roughly four months away, but time has a way of moving quickly.
Nearly a month ago,The Hockey News asked about the power play and whether there was any concern over its relative lack of success.
Here is what he had to say:
“The power play is one of the things we continue to work on,” he stated. “We’re understanding where we’re at; we’re understand that if our power play can start chipping in goals on a nightly basis, obviously that makes a big difference.
“It’s early on in the season; we’re working on a few things and trying a couple different looks. It’s one of the things when it’s not working, it’s easy to start overthinking it, start pointing fingers, try to re-invent the wheel, but at the end of the day, sometimes you just got to stick with it.
“Sometimes there are tweaks to be made we make them no problem, but I think the power play is kind of the same as the rest of our game as we continue to work on it; we’re going to find ways (to succeed), and I’m not worried about it.”
At the time of that conversation with Landeskog, the Avalanche’s power play conversion rate sat at 15.7 percent. As of the publication of this piece—and as noted earlier—that figure remains unchanged. In other words, the power play has neither improved nor declined; it has simply held steady. But here’s why we should hold hope for our power play units.
The Avs Are Not Being Complacent
The Avalanche own the best record in the NHL at 24-2-7 through 33 regular-season games. If Colorado truly believed a high-end power play was unnecessary, there would be little reason to devote extensive practice time to special-teams work. The focus would rest almost exclusively on five-on-five play, with success assumed to follow. That, however, is not the approach being taken.
Instead, head coach Jared Bednar continues to invest heavily in refining the power play, experimenting with line configurations, testing different personnel groupings, and exploring varied methods of zone entry and offensive penetration. The emphasis reflects a belief that improvement remains both possible and necessary, regardless of the standings.
From the outside, frustration is understandable—and in some cases, warranted. Fans crave momentum, urgency, and excitement on every shift. That expectation is part of the bargain; passion is what defines fandom.
Two Different Perspectives
Inside the organization, however, the perspective is different. Players, coaches, and those working behind the scenes are focused on process rather than spectacle. Progress is rarely linear, and identifying what works often requires patience, repetition, and a willingness to tune out external noise. In moments like these, teams lean on their leadership—figures such as Landeskog—to keep the focus where it belongs.
Brock Nelson cashes in just nine seconds into the power play to give the Avs the lead 🤑 pic.twitter.com/RRG6jaWNGn
The Avalanche are 33 games into the season, with 49 remaining before the playoffs, and there’s a strong possibility the roster looks different by the trade deadline. One area to watch is third-line center. With Ross Colton seeing time down the middle rather than on the wing, it suggests Jared Bednar may not be fully sold on Jack Drury as the long-term 3C. That uncertainty could open the door to some intriguing possibilities as the deadline approaches.
With that said, there’s no reason to panic about the power play. Giving it time to develop is both reasonable and necessary. The team’s continued success only affords more runway to get it right.
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The return of the 44-year-old grandpa to the Colts, nearly five years after he last played for the team, moved the needle in Indianapolis.
Via Zack Keefer of TheAthletic.com, the Week 15 game between the Colts and the Seahawks was the most-watched Colts game on CBS in Indianapolis in five years.
And, of course, five years ago, Rivers was the team's starting quarterback.
It's no surprise. Rivers's return sparked fascination for all NFL fans. For Colts fans, who were able to enjoy a near upset of one of the best teams in the league, there was no reason to stop watching the game until the very end.
This week, the Colts host the 49ers on Monday Night Football. The national broadcast gives all football fans a chance, two nights before an old man in red makes his worldwide rounds, to see if an old man in blue can make a Christmas wish come true.
The 7-foot-9 center threw down an incredibly easy dunk in the final minute of the blowout win at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville on Wednesday, which made him the tallest player in college basketball history to ever make a field goal. Naturally, the Gators’ bench lost it.
Olivier Rioux (7’9”) becomes the tallest player EVER to make a field goal in men’s college basketball 🤯
Rioux, who actually has a spot in the Guinness World Records book as the world’s tallest teenager, redshirted last season with the Gators. He played his first minutes last month against North Florida, which set a different record for the tallest person to ever play in a college basketball game, and then went 1-of-2 from the free throw line against Merrimack.
Finally, on Wednesday night, he hit his first field goal — which looked like it didn’t take any effort to get up to the rim at all.
Xavian Lee led the defending national champions with 18 points in the win after he shot 7-of-9 from the field. Alex Condon finished with 14 points and seven rebounds, and Reuben Chinyelu added 12 points and 11 rebounds. The Gators now sit at 7-4, and have won back-to-back games after a rough stretch where they dropped two of three games, including one to unranked TCU.
Florida will host both Colgate and Dartmouth before the end of the year, and will then open SEC play at Missouri on Jan. 3.
While Rioux has only played a handful of minutes so far in the nonconference slate, and he likely won't see much the rest of the way, he's already off to a historic start to his playing career in Gainesville.
How did those within the NFL view Philip Rivers' return with the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15?
ESPN NFL insiders Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano recently shared some of what they had heard.
"The overall feedback was that he was reasonably good, all things considered," Fowler wrote.
One NFL offensive coach told Fowler, "He played about as well as he could have."
Rivers threw for only 120 passing yards with a touchdown and a late interception. Up until the final seconds of the game, he did take care of the football, got the ball out of his hands quickly, and helped the Colts sustain drives and win the time of possession battle.
After facing unknowns at quarterback following Daniel Jones' injury, Rivers did provide some stability.
"I understand what Indianapolis is trying to do with Rivers," wrote Graziano, "and I'm hearing the same things you are about how pleased the Colts were with his ability to get them in and out of the right looks, change protections and all those things he needs to do to manage a game."
The Colts have thrived from under center this season, but were unable to line up that way against Seattle due to Rivers' limited mobility. In part, that made running the ball more difficult.
There is also almost no threat of generating explosive, downfield passes within this offense, either.
With that said, the Colts remain committed to Rivers. Shane Steichen has already announced that he will start on Monday Night against San Francisco.
At 8-6, the Colts' playoff chances are becoming less likely each week. A win is a near-must on Monday.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) — Juke Harris scored 19 points and Myles Colvin made a late 3-pointer to help Wake Forest beat Longwood 71-68 on Wednesday night.
Colvin hit a 3 with 49 seconds left to give Wake Forest a 70-67 lead. Elijah Kelly missed a 3 on the other end for Longwood and then Omaha Biliew split a pair of free throws for Wake Forest with 29 seconds to go.
Longwood's Redd Thompson Jr. missed a 3-pointer and Johan Nziemi couldn't connect on the putback in the closing seconds to help seal it for the Demon Deacons.
Harris missed all six of his 3-points attempts and was 4 of 12 from the field but made 11 of 14 free throws to go with eight rebounds. Nate Calmese added 12 points for Wake Forest (9-3), which has won three straight. Colvin finished with 11 points.
Thompson made six 3-pointers and scored 22 points to lead Longwood (6-7). Johan Nziemi and Elijah Tucker added 13 points apiece.
Thompson made three 3s and two free throws in a personal 11-0 run that tied it 65-all with 1:49 remaining.
Up next
Longwood plays at North Carolina Central on Saturday.
Wake Forest hosts No. 13 Vanderbilt on Sunday in an Atlantic Coast Conference opener.
Some may argue that the Golden State Warriors don’t deserve Stephen Curry at this stage of his career.
The 37-year-old NBA champion has orchestrated masterful performance after masterful performance with the Dubs this year. Unfortunately, though, Curry’s brilliance hasn’t been rewarded with consistent victories, as Golden State sits at 13-14 through 27 games.
Are the Warriors open to ending Curry’s misery in the Bay by sending him to an under-the-radar Eastern Conference franchise in exchange for a four-time All-Star? Golden State of Mind’s Mark Delucchi believes so.
“While (Trae) Young, (Dyson) Daniels, and (Onyeka) Okongwu combine for too much salary to be traded for Curry straight up, it actually creates an opportunity for a larger deal that would help both teams as they move to new timelines,” Delucchi wrote Tuesday.
“Both the Warriors and Hawks would seemingly benefit from a swap of Draymond Green and Zaccharie Risacher. Risacher looks like a solid rotation player, but ultimately lacks the ceiling associated with a typical top pick.”
“In a world with Curry heading to Atlanta, turning Risacher into a more advanced player in his current role would be beneficial. Meanwhile, the Dubs would get another young prospect.”
Delucchi’s complete trade concept sends Curry, Green, Quentin Post, De’Anthony Melton, and Al Horford to the Hawks for Young, Okangwu, Risacher, Daniels, and three future first-round picks.
While it’s well-documented that Young is a tier or two below Curry, the Oklahoma product’s play style would make him a solid fit with the Warriors.
Like Curry, Young is at his best when he can find advantageous matchups on the perimeter, use his change of pace, side-to-side ball handling to get opponents to lean in one direction, and have a field day from beyond the arc.
Unfortunately, Young is having a horrendous three-point shooting season (19.4%) and has missed 22 games due to a nagging knee injury.
Still, it doesn't change the fact that Young is a special offensive talent who’s already ascended to stardom in the big leagues. That said, it's nearly impossible to envision the Warriors trading Curry for any asset unless he requested it.
The Dubs appear far more focused on building a championship-contending roster around Curry than blowing up their roster and starting fresh.
Expect Mike Dunleavy Jr. and the Warriors to complete a season-saving trade that doesn't feature Curry.
The Wings (19-13-3) started the third period down two goals and with 1:16 left to kill on a penalty to Moritz Seider. They had 23 shots on Karel Vejmelka, five of them during three power plays.
It took a fourth power play for the Wings to get on the scoreboard, midway through the third period, when Emmitt Finnie turned John Leonard's pass from behind the net into a one-goal game, ripping the puck into the net. The Mammoth restored the two-goal cushion when Dylan Guenther pounced on a loose puck and flipped it over Seider's stick and into an open net with 4:08 to play.
Thirty-one seconds laters, the Wings gave up another one, when Kevin Stenlund scored on a one-timer in the slot.
Both teams had played the night before: The Wings won at home against the New York Islanders, while the Mammoth lost at the Boston Bruins. The only lineup change for the Wings was in goal, where Cam Talbot started.
He had a busy first couple minutes as the Mammoth tried to set the pace, but the Wings found their legs and got the puck moving in the offensive zone. Ben Chiarot drew a penalty on 11:06 and Moritz Seider tried to make something out of that with a couple shots from the point. Back at even strength, Andrew Copp broke through defenders and fired a shot that hit Vejmelka but slid just wide. The Wings had an 11-8 edge in shots after the first period.
The Mammoth grabbed a 1-0 lead at 1:44 of the second period. Entering the zone with speed, Nick Schmaltz carried the puck up the right boards, skating all the way to the bottom of the circle before angling a shot on net. Talbot denied that, but Clayton Keller was there to turn the juicy rebound into his 11th goal of the season.
The Wings had back-to-back power plays around the midpoint of the second period, but didn't get much going on either, not even momentum. Instead, the Mammoth built on their lead, with Jack McBain scoring back-door with 5:43 to play in the second period.
The Wings (19-13-3) started the third period down two goals and with 1:16 left to kill on a penalty to Moritz Seider. They had 23 shots on Karel Vejmelka, five of them during three power plays.
It took a fourth power play for the Wings to get on the scoreboard, midway through the third period, when Emmitt Finnie turned John Leonard's pass from behind the net into a one-goal game, ripping the puck into the net. The Mammoth restored the two-goal cushion when Dylan Guenther pounced on a loose puck and flipped it over Seider's stick and into an open net with 4:08 to play.
Thirty-one seconds laters, the Wings gave up another one, when Kevin Stenlund scored on a one-timer in the slot.
Both teams had played the night before: The Wings won at home against the New York Islanders, while the Mammoth lost at the Boston Bruins. The only lineup change for the Wings was in goal, where Cam Talbot started.
He had a busy first couple minutes as the Mammoth tried to set the pace, but the Wings found their legs and got the puck moving in the offensive zone. Ben Chiarot drew a penalty on 11:06 and Moritz Seider tried to make something out of that with a couple shots from the point. Back at even strength, Andrew Copp broke through defenders and fired a shot that hit Vejmelka but slid just wide. The Wings had an 11-8 edge in shots after the first period.
The Mammoth grabbed a 1-0 lead at 1:44 of the second period. Entering the zone with speed, Nick Schmaltz carried the puck up the right boards, skating all the way to the bottom of the circle before angling a shot on net. Talbot denied that, but Clayton Keller was there to turn the juicy rebound into his 11th goal of the season.
The Wings had back-to-back power plays around the midpoint of the second period, but didn't get much going on either, not even momentum. Instead, the Mammoth built on their lead, with Jack McBain scoring back-door with 5:43 to play in the second period.
The Wings (19-13-3) started the third period down two goals and with 1:16 left to kill on a penalty to Moritz Seider. They had 23 shots on Karel Vejmelka, five of them during three power plays.
It took a fourth power play for the Wings to get on the scoreboard, midway through the third period, when Emmitt Finnie turned John Leonard's pass from behind the net into a one-goal game, ripping the puck into the net. The Mammoth restored the two-goal cushion when Dylan Guenther pounced on a loose puck and flipped it over Seider's stick and into an open net with 4:08 to play.
Thirty-one seconds laters, the Wings gave up another one, when Kevin Stenlund scored on a one-timer in the slot.
Both teams had played the night before: The Wings won at home against the New York Islanders, while the Mammoth lost at the Boston Bruins. The only lineup change for the Wings was in goal, where Cam Talbot started.
He had a busy first couple minutes as the Mammoth tried to set the pace, but the Wings found their legs and got the puck moving in the offensive zone. Ben Chiarot drew a penalty on 11:06 and Moritz Seider tried to make something out of that with a couple shots from the point. Back at even strength, Andrew Copp broke through defenders and fired a shot that hit Vejmelka but slid just wide. The Wings had an 11-8 edge in shots after the first period.
The Mammoth grabbed a 1-0 lead at 1:44 of the second period. Entering the zone with speed, Nick Schmaltz carried the puck up the right boards, skating all the way to the bottom of the circle before angling a shot on net. Talbot denied that, but Clayton Keller was there to turn the juicy rebound into his 11th goal of the season.
The Wings had back-to-back power plays around the midpoint of the second period, but didn't get much going on either, not even momentum. Instead, the Mammoth built on their lead, with Jack McBain scoring back-door with 5:43 to play in the second period.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Duke Miles scored 22 points as No. 13 Vanderbilt weathered a second-half Memphis rally to remain undefeated with a 77-70 overtime win on Wednesday night.
After the game was tied at 66-all in the extra period, Jalen Washington scored inside and Miles converted four straight free throws. Washington hit two free throws with 57 seconds left that gave the Commodores (11-0) a 74-66 lead.
Miles and Washington, who finished with 14 points, made 9 of 10 free throws in the final 2 1/2 minutes. Tyler Tanner had 16 points.
Dug McDaniel and Sincere Parker led Memphis (4-6) with 18 points each. Hasan Abdul Hakim finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds as Memphis lost its second straight.
The game was tied at 62-62 at the end of regulation as Abdul Hakim scored inside for Memphis with 6.2 seconds left.
The Commodores, which went into the game No. 5 nationally in scoring (95.4 per game), continued their best start since the 2007-08 season when Vandy won its first 16 games. But poor shooting early led to Vanderbilt's lowest-scoring game of the season.
Memphis, which trailed by as many as 10 points in the first half, used a 17-3 run to take its first lead. Parker made a jumper that made it 42-40 with 12:19 left in the game before a steal and layup by Quante Berry capped the spurt nine seconds later. The Commodores had trouble with the Tigers scrambling press leading to 12 Vanderbilt turnovers in the second half.
Up next
Vanderbilt: The Commodores play Sunday at Wake Forest.
Memphis: The Tigers visit Mississippi State on Saturday.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Olivier Rioux lumbered through the lane, caught a bounce pass from teammate CJ Ingram and dunked, sending Florida’s bench and the home crowd into a frenzy.
Rioux barely left his feet to make it happen.
The 7-foot-9 center and the world’s tallest teenager recorded his first collegiate field goal in the 23rd-ranked Gators’ 102-61 victory against Saint Francis on Wednesday night.
“Pretty special, man,” Gators coach Todd Golden said. “The transition, his vertical. Woo. He was up there, man.”
It was the most memorable play in a forgettable game against an overmatched opponent.
Florida fans watched their team dominate every aspect of its first home game in nearly a month and then started chanting, “We want Ollie,” with a little more than six minutes to play. Golden put the big fella in at the 2-minute mark, drawing the loudest ovation of the night.
Rioux delivered, first with a hard foul on the defensive end and then an impressive cut to the basket on the other. Florida players celebrated wildly, jumping around and pushing each other in revelry.
“We were just going crazy,” said Florida guard Xaivian Lee, who led the team with 18 points.
Quipped teammate Alex Condon, who added 14 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three blocked shots: “Good pass from CJ.”
Rioux became the tallest person to ever play college basketball when he made his debut in a 104-64 victory over North Florida in early November. Rioux, a 19-year-old redshirt freshman from Canada, drew so much attention from the Ospreys that he didn’t even touch the ball in that one.
He scored three games later, making a free throw after getting fouled. He also recorded his first rebound.
But this was different. It was a clear display of just how difficult Rioux can be to defend, even though Golden says his stamina only allows him to play a couple minutes at a time.
Golden has made it clear that Rioux would only play late in blowouts, the result of having all four frontcourt players returning. But Olivier doubled down on wanting to be at Florida and welcomed the challenge of playing against Alex Condon, Thomas Haugh, Rueben Chinyelu and Micah Handlogten in practice and behind them in games.
But he’s always the bigger — literally — attraction.
Canada took their first pre-tournament match against Sweden by a score of 2-1, which had the sold-out Kitchener Memorial Auditorium rocking.
With Porter Martone scratched for the game, Nashville Predators' fifth-overall pick from 2025, Brady Martin, got a look on the top line beside projected top pick in the upcoming 2026 NHL Draft, Gavin McKenna, and Montreal Canadiens top prospect, Michael Hage.
Martin has a versatile offensive toolbox. He possesses the flashy high-end hands to deke through defenders one-on-one, has a ridiculously heavy shot, and he’s a lot like Florida Panthers’ Sam Bennett on the forecheck, wanting to put his opponent through the boards with every hit.
The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds' captain should play a big role for Canada, wherever the coaching staff utilizes him; in an energy role, or up in the top six to help produce offense.
Instead of Canada waiting until Boxing Day, as they usually do, to reveal their goal song for the World Juniors, they wanted to give the fans in Kitchener and Canadians watching across the nation an early listen to their new goal song on Wednesday night.
Gavin McKenna is known for his elite playmaking ability, and he set up Canada’s opening goal in the hockey game, sending a perfect cross-ice pass over to Brady Martin, who one-timed the puck so hard that it flew out after hitting the back of the net.
Martin’s goal revealed this year’s Team Canada goal song, which will be Courage by The Tragically Hip.
Martin cashed in on his opportunity to play with McKenna, but he was noticeably one of Canada’s most physical players. As expected, he was hungry on the forecheck, skating hard and finishing his hits.
In the second period, he was the first man on the forecheck, laid one of those big hits on the defender, causing a turnover and botching Sweden’s breakout. Martin buttoned up to the faceoff circle and received a Gr. A scoring chance off what his hard work generated, nearly scoring his second of the night.
In the third period, he crushed the Swedish player on the backcheck when they button-hooked on their zone entry. Needless to say, Martin’s opponents will need to be aware when he’s on the ice.
But, he didn’t get drafted just because of his hitting and forechecking ability. His offensive skills really are underrated, and he displayed his slick hands in tight on Canada’s go-ahead goal in the third period.
It was a pretty three-way passing play by Canada’s top line of Hage, McKenna, and Martin.
Now, Martin will also have to be careful with his physicality at times. Immediately after he put Canada up 2-1, he took a cross-checking penalty. You can argue whether the Swedish player went down easy or not, but at the end of the day, IIHF officials (OHL officials called the game, but under IIHF rules) are going to call penalties like the one he took.
Dale Hunter won’t hold Martin back, nor should he, and you know he appreciates his gritty, physical game. However, the timing of that penalty is one that Hunter probably didn’t like. Also, Porter Martone is most likely going to start the tournament as the team’s top right winger, but Martin showed the coaches tonight that they can slot him there on the top line if need be.
It was a bit of homecoming game for the young man from Elmira, Ontario, not to far from Kitchener. "Yeah, it was cool to score a couple of goals here, I had some family here (in attendance) and watching from home, so it was great," Martin said after the game.
Canada is back in action on Saturday for a rematch against Sweden. The game will take place in London at the Knights' home barn, Canada Life Place.
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MJF made his return during "AEW Dynamite" to execute his Casino Gauntlet contract, inserting himself in the World Championship match between Samoa Joe, Swerve Strickland, and "Hangman" Adam Page at Worlds End.
Joe dethroned Page at Full Gear in November to begin his second reign with the title, thanks to an assist from Hook to re-join The Opps, with Strickland returning afterwards to align with Page against the new champion and The Opps. Strickland and Page had since worked together to fend off Joe's Trios Championship partners, Katsuyori Shibata and Powerhouse Hobbs, during "AEW Dynamite: Winter is Coming" before establishing their joint pursuit of the title at the end of the month.
This week, the three competitors sought to sign the contract and confirm the match, which they did after exchanging some choice words; notably, Page and Strickland presented a united front against Joe, proclaiming that he had made a mistake before the lights had gone out.
MJF's music then played to mark his return to AEW after three months, having last loss to Mark Briscoe in a Tables n' Tacks match at All Out in Toronto. He signed his contract, the one which he had earned winning the Casino Gauntlet at All In back in July, confirming that he had been inserted into the title match. He then had words for each of his opponents, likening Strickland to Sean "P Diddy" Combs and referencing his time with WWE, and reasoned that he wanted to be in the match to embarrass Page and his two biggest rivals.
Page defeated MJF in a title defense at Forbidden Door in August, while Joe dethroned MJF for his first title at Worlds End 2023, with Joe later dropping the title to Strickland for his first reign at Dynasty 2024.
The Lightning could be without star forward Brandon Hagel when they host the Los Angeles Kings Thursday at Benchmark International Arena.
Hagel exited early in Monday’s game after taking an elbow to the face from Panthers defenseman Seth Jones in the third period. No penalty was called on the play, and Jones did not receive any supplemental discipline. While speaking to the media on Wednesday, Lightning assistant coach Rob Zettler said Hagel is considered day-to-day with an upper body injury.
Hagel has been on the receiving end of head contact in each of the last three games he has played against the Panthers, dating back to last April.
The Lightning could be getting a much-needed boost with the return of Andrei Vasilevskiy. The star goaltender has been out since Dec. 2, but was activated off injured reserve on Tuesday, signaling he may be ready to play against the Kings.
“Today was his marker to figure out if it was a go,” Zettler said.
After a long stretch off the ice, defenseman Ryan McDonagh is practicing with the team and appears to be nearing a return as well.
“He’s definitely trending in the right direction. It’s the longest skate he’s had in four weeks,” said Zettler. “I think it is more like day to day now. We will see how he responds.“
The court filing is the latest volley in bankruptcy case of Sanders, who filed a Chapter 7 petition in October 2023 seeking to get out of more than $11 million in debt.
The trustee in the case, David Wadsworth, sued Shilo Sanders in October, seeking recovery of the money and an accounting from Sanders. Sanders’ attorney then filed a motion to dismiss that complaint in November by arguing that the trustee had it all wrong.
“The Defendants are wrong,” the trustee’s attorney, Peter Cal, said in court documents.
What is at issue in Shilo Sanders' bankruptcy case this time?
The court-appointed trustee in this case is in charge of rounding up Sanders’ non-exempt assets for the bankruptcy estate to divide among his creditors. The trustee has alleged having trouble doing that and filed a complaint against Sanders related to money he traced in Sanders’ business accounts for earnings from his name, image and likeness (NIL). Those businesses are named as defendants with Sanders in the complaint – Big 21 and Headache Gang.
The big issue is who the money in question belongs to – the bankruptcy estate or Sanders. Sanders’ earnings before he filed the bankruptcy petition generally belong to the bankruptcy estate for the benefit of creditors, while earnings that came from work after the bankruptcy filing belong to Sanders.
Sanders’ attorney, Keri Riley, stated in court documents that the money in question belonged to Sanders because they were “post-petition earnings.”
The trustee disputed that in his response Dec. 17 and said such factual disputes can’t be resolved at this stage of the litigation.
Sanders “relies on the unsupported argument that all funds in the Big 21 Bank Account were post-petition earnings of the Debtor (Sanders),” the trustee’s attorney stated. “The Court should not consider the argument because it relies upon a factual assertion that is not included in the (trustee’s) Complaint.”
The trustee’s attorney then includes a footnote.
“Because there were funds in the Big 21 Bank Account on the Petition Date, the Defendants’ argument is demonstrably wrong,” the footnote states.
Timing of Shilo Sanders’ NIL earnings in dispute
The trustee’s attorney also noted that “even if the earnings are paid to the Debtor post-petition, they are considered prepetition earnings when they arose from a prepetition contractual interest.”
He argued the trustee pleaded his case well enough for the trustee’s complaint against Sanders to move forward. A bankruptcy judge will decide on that.
“It is more than plausible that at least certain of the post-petition deposits were based on the Debtor’s prepetition NIL contracts and, therefore, are subject to turnover,” the trustee’s filing states.
The trustee said he wants Sanders to “account for the distributions” after “improperly” exercising control over property of the bankruptcy estate.
How did the Shilo Sanders bankruptcy case originate?
A security guard at Sanders’ school in Dallas sued Sanders and his parents in 2016, alleging Shilo caused him permanent and severe injuries when he tried to confiscate his phone at school in 2015, when Shilo was 15. The parents were dismissed from the case before trial, but when the case finally went to trial in 2022, Shilo didn’t show up for it and got hit with a $11.89 million default judgment as a result.
The security guard, John Darjean, then moved to collect on that judgment in 2023, leading Sanders to file for bankruptcy to try to get out of it.
Darjean is fighting that with a separate complaint that alleges the debt should not be discharged in bankruptcy court because it stems from a “willful and malicious” injury. Sanders has claimed he acted in self-defense. That complaint remains pending, as does a separate complaint from Darjean that accuses Sanders of improperly omitting or concealing assets in his bankruptcy closures, which he denied.
What is Shilo Sanders doing now?
Sanders, 25, is out of football after being waived by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the season. He recently said he was moving to Miami and is pursuing other interests, such as acting and rap music.
He graduated from Jackson State before transferring to play for his dad at Colorado in 2023. Earlier this year, he also earned a master’s degree at Colorado in organizational leadership.
The Lafayette native came in for starting quarterback Lunch Winfield during the Cajuns' second offensive drive of the second quarter. Winfield appeared to be shaken up after the previous drive, visiting the injury tent. In Howard's first series in the game, he threw two incomplete passes and the drive ended in a punt.
Winfield returned to the game to close out the half.
Listed at 6-foot and 195 pounds, Howard was initially named the starting quarterback for the Cajuns to start the 2025 season before going down with an oblique injury. He underwent what was announced as season-ending surgery for his oblique on Sept. 4 before getting cleared for full practices on Oct. 13.
Since being back practicing and getting into the flow of things, Howard has made a few appearances with the most recent coming in the Cajuns regular-season finale against Louisiana-Monroe on Nov. 29. Against the Warhawks, Howard finished the game throwing for 82 yards while completing 10 of 21 passes. Winfield returned to finish that game out for a 30-27 overtime win.
Shannon Belt covers high school sports and the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow her high school and Cajuns coverage on Twitter: @ShannonBelt3. Got questions regarding HS/UL athletics? Send them to Shannon Belt at sbelt@gannett.com.
On Wednesday, the USC men's basketball program delivered an injury update on Rodney Rice, and it was a rather unfortunate one. Per USC, Rice will miss the remainder of the 2025-2026 season with a shoulder injury that requires surgery.
Rice sustained the injury during the Maui Invitational last month. There was initially hope that he would be able to return to the court in not too long, but as time passed, the odds of that happening began to look worse and worse. Now, he is officially out for the year.
Rice arrived at USC this past offseason as a highly-touted transfer from Maryland. In six games in Cardinal and Gold, he largely lived up to the hype, averaging 20.3 points and 6.0 assists per contest.
Without Rice, the Trojans will need to rely on their other players to step up more. The good news for USC is that five-star freshman Alijah Arenas is set to begin practicing this week, and will hopefully make his season debut in January. The Trojans will also be relying on Chad Baker-Mazara and Jacob Cofie to carry the load as they have been doing of late.
Dec. 17—Capsules for the 2025-26 Northeast A boys and girls basketball teams.
In alphabetical order by division. Records and standings from 2024-25 season.
Boys Northeast A
Colville (7-14, 0-6, fourth): The Crimson Hawks had a tough time in league last year, but third-year coach Josh Morgan has five letterwinners back, with a strong senior contingent led by guard Jet Bateman and forward Brock Benson. "Our team needs to play together as one team and not a group of individuals," Morgan said. "We need to be willing to sacrifice for the team."
Lakeside (13-10, 4-2, second): Lance Marquardt takes over as coach of the Eagles with six letterwinners back, inclduing first-team all-league senior point guard Blake Hanson and first-team all-league junior post Tanner Cummings. Senior shooting guard Brady Hanson and junior post Luke Howie are also key returners." We will lean on senior leadership and these experienced returners to carry us," Marquardt said.
Medical Lake (13-9, 2-4, third): Seven letterwinners and four starters return for third-year coach Brett Ward, led by first-team all-league forward sophomore Gabe Smith and second-team all-NEA sophomore guard Hudson Gilbert, along with Owen and Grant Moffatt. "We shoot the ball as well as anyone in the area," Ward said. "We need to get better defensively and become a more complete team."
Riverside (16-5, 6-0, first): The Rams won league and district, then were bounced in regional round of state last year. Two starters and seven total letterwinners return, including second-team all-NEA senior forward Justin Gaffaney and 6-foot-5 junior Ben Riggles. "We're looking to build on the success of our back-to-back state appearances the last two years," fourth-year coach Jordan Dutton said. "This group has the potential to compete at a high level."
Girls Northeast A
Colville (14-9, 5-1, first): The Crimson Hawks reached a crossover game last season but fell one game short of getting to state — but there's not a single starter back from that squad for fourth-year coach Ashley Moore. Senior guard Andee Kroiss and junior forward Georgia Beardslee will be counted on to lead. "We are a young team that is driven," Moore said. "We put a lot of work in over the offseason to be competitive."
Lakeside (14-10, 5-1, second): The Eagles won at districts and the regional round at state last season before falling in a first-round game as the No. 13 seed. Frosh PG Emmerson Cummings joins nucleus of senior Jillian Owen, juniors Bella Tobeck and Sienna Weinberger and sophomore Blakleigh White. "Our core group of returners are really athletic and fast," second-year coach Lora Cummings said. "We are hoping to speed up the game and defend."
Medical Lake (7-14, 2-4, third): Yeta Holloway returns for her third year at the helm for the Cardinals with seven letterwinners and four starters back, including NEA defensive MVP junior guard Addison Hammell and a group of four seniors. "No one from last year's team played varsity minutes the previous season and it showed in their first varsity games," Holloway said.
Riverside (1-20, 0-6, fourth): The Rams are one of the youngest teams in the area, with just one starter — junior guard Ava Montgomery — returning for second-year coach Tara Davis. Sophomores Bridget St. Amand, Ainsley Spencer and Maggie Hymas will get plenty of minutes. "We have built on our team chemistry and commitment from last year," Davis said. "The players are holding themselves to higher standards."
Dec. 17—Perhaps it's her grit. Maybe even her unwillingness to let mistakes derail her.
Or, maybe, it's the fact it's her final collegiate basketball season. Whatever it is, Ines Bettencourt, Gonzaga's lone senior, has taken on a much-needed leadership role this season.
What Gonzaga needs most isn't her production. It's more about her indomitable spirit.
"She wants to lead," Gonzaga coach Lisa Fortier said. "She wants to make the baskets, but she wants to really just win games. And she's willing to do those things. She's starting to understand her role. She's taking the ones (shots) that she should."
Bettencourt, who transferred to Gonzaga (6-5) the summer before her junior season after two years at storied UConn, is from Sao Miguel, Portugal.
The 5-foot-9 Bettencourt earned a full-time starting job this season after starting 16 times last year. She had a season-high 17 points against Wyoming and played a season-high 35 minutes against Rice. Arguably her best game came in the Zags' overtime loss at Minnesota in the WBIT quarterfinals when she had 13 points and six assists in 21 minutes off the bench.
She averaged 6.1 points, 2.7 assists and 2.1 rebounds in 22 minutes per game a year ago. This season, she's averaging 6.3 points, 3.0 assists and 3.5 rebounds in 27 minutes per game.
Bettencourt is shooting 40.7% from 3-point range (11 of 27).
Bettencourt saw limited minutes in 53 games in two seasons at UConn.
Fortier talked with Bettencourt before the season, asking her to take on a leadership role and be more of a supporting player. After a third of the season it's obvious Bettencourt has transitioned nicely.
Bettencourt isn't the lone leader. Sophomore guard Allie Turner and redshirt freshman Lauren Whittaker also contribute. It's probably no coincidence that the trio live together.
"She's just really playing with passion and doing whatever she can for our team to have success.
Bettencourt, who shares point guard duties with Turner, is not a flawless player. Her game has warts. She'd be the first to admit it. But she overcomes some deficiencies with stubborn determinedness.
"She makes mistakes, but she's playing passionately and she's playing so hard," Fortier said. "She's playing like a senior who wants it badly."
When will it end?
The struggles continue for Washington State.
WSU coach Kamie Ethridge hasn't seen the team she thought she'd have during nonconference. That largely explains why WSU is off to its second-worst start.
The Cougars hope there will be course correction when they launch into West Coast Conference play late next week.
At 1-11, WSU is off to its second-worst start in school history behind the 2002-03 team that began 0-11. That season, the Cougars lost their first 21 games.
In 2010-11, WSU began 2-13. In 2007-08, they started 3-20.
It's unlikely WSU will dig the hole any deeper. But the struggles have been real.
"This entire season has just made us re-evaluate without the personnel that we always thought we would have," Ethridge said. "We have to have a physical presence in the post. We have to find different people ... to play a little bit more than we have in the past. We clearly have to improve our defensive end and rebounding — not giving away possessions there."
Junior 6-6 post Alex Covill was expected to be a big contributor inside offensively and defensively. But in the Cougars' second game she suffered a foot injury. She started 20 of 27 games last year, but missed the final eight of the regular season with a foot injury before returning for the postseason.
In a season-ending loss to North Dakota State, Covill led WSU with 14 points on 6-of-6 shooting and four rebounds.
Ethridge said struggles aside, she's proud her team hasn't been distracted by the win-loss record.
Covill could be back to start WCC play.
Going into this week, there were seven winless teams in NCAA Division I and 20 with one victory including WSU.
Covill's absence and injuries to others has meant increased playing time for true freshman Malia Rudd, a 6-2 forward from Pasco. She has started eight games, averaging 27.4 minutes. She ranks third in scoring at 10.2 points.
"I don't think we wanted Malia to play this many minutes," Ethridge said.
This week
Gonzaga goes on the road for its final two nonconference games.
The Zags visit 7-4 Missouri State on Friday (tip at 4:30) and finish at 2-7 UC Riverside on Sunday (tip at 2 p.m.).
—WSU finishes a grueling nonconferene schedule at Pennsylvania (7-3) on Friday.
—Eastern Washington (6-4) finishes nonleague play at UC Santa Barbara (9-1) on Thursday, at Cal State Bakersfield (3-7) on Saturday and at home against Bushnell (2-8) on Monday.
—Idaho (8-4) has one nonconference game left Saturday at home against Western Oregon (7-3).
Around the WCC
WCC teams conclude nonconference action this week.
Pepperdine, in its second year with former Lake City and Montana standout Katie (Baker) Faulkner at the helm, is off to a 7-3 start. Close behind is Santa Clara at 9-3 under first-year coach Loree Payne. She was a head coach previously at Northern Arizona and Puget Sound.
The rest of the conference looks like this: Saint Mary's (8-4), San Francisco (6-4), Oregon State (6-5), Portland (5-5), Loyola Marymount (5-4), Pacific (4-5), San Diego (5-7) and newcomer Seattle (4-6). LMU (4-6) is playing just 11 nonconference games after one game was canceled.
Portland and Pacific have the toughest games left. Portland goes to Oregon and Pacific takes on 22nd-ranked Washington.
Oregon Ducks wide receiver Justius Lowe intends to enter the transfer portal, On3 Sports reports. The Lake Oswego, Ore., native caught just six passes for 56 yards in 2025 and has been used sparingly offensively.
He was expected to take a step forward after catching 21 passes for 203 yards and a touchdown in 2024, but due to injuries and other receivers such as Jeremiah McClellan and Malik Benson stepping up, Lowe saw far less action than he did a season ago.
Lowe joined the Ducks as a four-star recruit ranked as the No. 14 athlete and No. 2 player in Oregon in the 2022 class.
The news comes just hours after he was announced as "out" on Oregon's Wednesday evening injury report as the team prepares for its first-round CFP matchup with the James Madison Dukes.
Lowe joins defensive backs Dakoda Fields and Jahlil Florence, who have also announced their intentions of entering the transfer portal when it officially opens on Jan. 2, 2026.
The redshirt junior will have two years of eligibility remaining.
Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
The San Francisco 49ers face an important decision heading into their matchup with the Indianapolis Colts, and it centers on wide receiver Ricky Pearsall.
For the first time since coming back from injury, Pearsall looked like a true offensive weapon again.
Against the Tennessee Titans, he hauled in six catches for 96 yards, a total that surpassed his combined output from Weeks 11 through 13.
It was also his most productive game since Week 3, when he posted eight catches for 117 yards.
The performance was encouraging, but it came at a cost.
Pearsall suffered a couple of injuries during the win, reigniting concerns about his health just as the postseason approaches.
While the 49ers made a concerted effort to get him involved, the bigger picture now demands restraint.
Sitting Pearsall against the Colts is the most brilliant move to preserve him for the playoffs.
From a strategic standpoint, this decision isn’t difficult.
The 49ers have depth at wide receiver and enough offensive firepower to handle Indianapolis without pushing Pearsall’s body too far.
While the team shouldn’t officially rule him out, gamesmanship always matters in the NFL—the in-house choice should be to keep him inactive.
Letting him rest and recover is far more valuable than squeezing out one more regular-season appearance.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan acknowledged the situation following the Titans game. “I mean, there is a concern. I think just dealing and seeing how those have gone this year,” Shanahan said via conference call on Monday. “The ankle was a tough ankle injury, but that it checked out that it wasn't a high and he was able to get through the game is somewhat encouraging. I mean, that shouldn't rule him out for this week, but that combined with the knee, I mean, he aggravated it.”
While Shanahan and Pearsall downplayed the severity in the locker room, emphasizing pain management and monitoring how things progress, caution remains essential.
Even if Pearsall starts to feel better during the week, that doesn’t mean he should suit up.
🏥 NFL injury report 🏥
Get the latest status updates for these players:
🏈 Davante Adams 🏈 Tee Higgins 🏈 Drake London 🏈 Marvin Harrison 🏈 Ricky Pearsall 🏈 Woody Marks 🏈 Christian Watson 🏈 Patrick Mahomes
LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — All-America linebacker Jacob Rodriguez plans to watch some College Football Playoff games on television this weekend, just not the one that will determine who fourth-ranked Texas Tech will play in its CFP quarterfinal game at the Orange Bowl on New Year's Day.
The Big 12 champion Red Raiders (12-1) have a bye and wait to see if they will take on Oregon or James Madison, who meet Saturday night in the last of the four first-round games. Rodriguez will wait to watch the game film on the Ducks or Dukes.
“I don’t think that watching like a TV copy helps me very much. If anything, it gives me like a skewed view, but that’s just like a personal preference that I have, nothing against anything that commentators are saying,” Rodriguez said after practice Wednesday. “I can kind of just get away from football ... and then kind of go attack the work that needs to be done. Now, I'll watch the other games.”
The Red Raiders will go about 3 1/2 weeks between games, from their 34-7 win over No. 12 BYU on Dec 6 for their first Big 12 title until their first CFP game.
Texas Tech players will have Saturday off, then practice Sunday through a walkthrough on Dec. 23 before getting to go home for Christmas.
Fourth-year coach Joey McGuire, who before the Big 12 championship got a contract extension through 2032 and a significant raise, said the Red Raiders so far have worked on base stuff they know they will run no matter the opponent.
As for the playoff games this weekend, McGuire said he will have family at his home and plans to watch even the game played in Oregon.
“We'll watch it as a family,” he said. “We'll hang out at home and watch it.”
Healing Morton
McGuire said the great energy Tech has had in practice starts with quarterback Behren Morton running around. He missed two games because of a lower leg injury and was banged up before halftime in two others.
“I haven’t seen him run the way he’s running in a while,” McGuire said. “He's been both days full-go, and usually we move him out of some stuff. He looks really good.”
Morton, who missed their only loss at Arizona State on Oct. 18, threw for 215 yards and two touchdowns in the Big 12 title game — he has seven TDs and no interceptions his last four games. On the season, he is 201-of-300 passing (Big 12-best 67% completion) for 2,643 yards with 22 TDs and four picks.
WATERFORD – District 10 doesn’t host a girls team wrestling championship just yet.
If it did, Fort LeBoeuf and Sharpsville would rank among the top contenders in 2025-26.
They battled Dec. 17 in an action-packed dual meet. Five pins powered LeBoeuf to a 40-36 victory.
These are just two of several standout girls’ grappling rosters in D-10. In the ever-growing world of girls wrestling, below are some teams which have stood out so far this season.
LeBoeuf and Sharpsville each owned a tournament team title before their clash Dec. 17.
Sharpsville won Ohio’s Boardman Lady Spartan Invitational with 108 points Dec. 8 before LeBoeuf won at Redbank Valley with 186.5 points Dec. 13. This, however, marked each side’s first dual meet.
Lexi Przybycien opened the dual with a Bison victory by major decision at 100 pounds. After Layla Colich logged a fall for Sharpsville at 106, Kiai Miklovic returned the favor for LeBoeuf at 112, preceding three consecutive Bison pins which formed a sizable lead.
Ella McGuire (124 pounds), Maya Banta (130) and Sadie Huck (136) were responsible for the falls. After forfeits to Lily Paris (155) and Zahra Al-Zamly (235), LeBoeuf squeaked by despite dropping six of 11 wrestled matches.
“We love the big crowd,” said Miklovic, a junior. “A lot of energy from them, which encourages us to wrestle better as a team and support everybody.”
Corry logged two dual meet wins in December, beating Hickory, 42-24, before downing General McLane, 48-24. Returning PIAA qualifiers Finley Fourspring (106 pounds) and Koda Kuzma (142) headline the Beavers’ lineup, one which also features Makenna Williams (112), who went 18-5 last year before missing the postseason.
Corry is one of five D-10 teams which will attend Pine-Richland’s Ram Slam tournament Dec. 20. Hickory, with returning state qualifier Trinity Webster, is also among them.
The Hornets won a team title at Laurel on Dec. 14, led by Webster’s individual crown at 155 pounds. Their 122 points placed them distantly ahead of runner-up Northwestern (56 points).
D-10 girls duals are still scarce. Erie County won’t host another until LeBoeuf visits General McLane on Jan. 7.
McLane placed second behind LeBoeuf at Redbank Valley, earning 150.5 team points. Ella Clark (100 pounds), Ava Williams (142) and Whisper Abercrombie (155) each won individually.
The bulk of this season’s D-10 girls’ competitions won’t occur until January. Key tournaments include Mid-Winter Mayhem (Jan. 9-10), Sharpsville (Jan. 17) and North Allegheny (Jan. 31).
Green Bay Packers safety Evan Williams went down with an MCL sprain against the Denver Broncos and could miss some time.
Williams has been one of the Packers' best defensive players this season and will be a major loss if he's unable to play Saturday against the Chicago Bears.
Evan Williams said he sprained his MCL on the same play Micah Parsons tore his ACL. Saw one trainer with a water bottle over him and wondered where all the others were. Called himself day-to-day ahead of Saturday night in Chicago.
The 24-year-old safety said he is day-to-day with the MCL sprain. He went down with the injury on the same play that superstar pass rusher Micah Parsons tore his ACL.
Losing two of Green Bay's top defensive players on the same play speaks to how things went in Week 15.
If Williams is ruled out, the Packers will need to make some changes. They could move Javon Bullard back to safety, who has been playing in the slot.
Bullard was drafted as a safety for Green Bay in the second round of the 2024 draft, but Williams beat him out for the safety spot opposite Xavier McKinney.
However, Bullard has thrived in his new role in the slot. In Williams' potential absence, it would make sense to temporarily move Bullard back to the safety position and move cornerback Nate Hobbs into the slot.
Green Bay signed Hobbs to a four-year $48 million contract this offseason to play outside corner. Hobbs struggled with the adjustment and has been benched for Carrington Valentine. Hobbs did play well in the slot during his time with the Las Vegas Raiders.
By making this move, it would put their most talented players on the field, rather than starting a depth safety like Zayne Anderson or Kitan Oladapo.
The Packers will also need defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley to get more creative with his defense. In the 2024 season, Green Bay ran more exotic pressures and blitzes, as they didn't have an elite pass rusher like Parsons. Linebackers Quay Walker and Edgerrin Cooper will be key in generating pressure on blitzes.
While the Packers got bad news with the Parsons injury, they should breathe a sigh of relief that Williams' injury isn't long-term. When he gets back on the field, he will look to continue playing at a high level.
The Steelers wanted to add an outside linebacker, as evidenced by the team working out four on Wednesday. However, the team will be adding a different name, per a report from CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz, with Pittsburgh set to sign outside linebacker Jeremiah Moon from the Panthers’ practice squad.
The #Steelers are set to sign linebacker Jeremiah Moon off of the #Panthers practice squad, sources tell @CBSSports.
Before making the move to Carolina, Moon spent time with both Pittsburgh and the Ravens. Played in 13 games for the Steelers last year. pic.twitter.com/YG6MeOanFW
By poaching Moon from a practice squad, the Steelers will have to sign him to their 53-man roster.
Moon should be a familiar name for Steelers fans. He played in 13 games for Pittsburgh in 2024, even starting one, logging nine total tackles and 222 special teams snaps. He spent the summer of 2025 with the Steelers, being released on cutdown day and picked up by Carolina.
With the Panthers this season, Moon has appeared in one game, playing six snaps on special teams.
With T.J. Watt and Nick Herbig DNPs on the injury report, the Steelers are boosting their depth at outside linebacker. The team hasn’t made the Moon signing official yet, but they’ll have to announce a corresponding release when they do.
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During the 2025 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers selected three players who competed in the 2024-2025 College Football Playoffs. The 2025-2026 College Football Playoff bracket is set and it's time to go through each team and highlight prospects who could be potential targets for Brian Gutekunst in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Kicking off these team-by-team capsules will be the Alabama Crimson Tide, who will square off against the Oklahoma Sooners on Friday, Dec. 19.
Nikhai Hill-Green, LB
Although he isn't a full-time starter, the Alabama linebacker flashes every week. During his first season with the Crimson Tide, the transfer from Colorado (and Charlotte and Michigan) has recorded 51 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and 23 run stops. Hill-Green has long strides and sideline-to-sideline range. He has an impressive wingspan to lasso ballcarriers and get his hands up to knock down passes.
Nikhai Hill-Green with the peanut punch. Love his effort/pursuit on this play. pic.twitter.com/h2p8U9u2GH
A transfer from Washington, Brailsford has started 25 games at center since joining Alabama in 2024. At 6-2 and 290 pounds, he's on the 'smaller' side. However, he's an excellent athlete and an efficient mover in the run game. In pass protection, he's got quick feet and is alert. This past season, Brailsford has given up one sack and 11 pressures.
Tim Keenan III, DT
A potential top priority for Green Bay this offseason will be bolstering its interior defensive line. They don't just need a space-eater, they need an active interior presence.
Keenan is a stout run defender. He's a roadblock in the middle of the line with a strong base to eat up double teams. The Alabama defensive tackle enters the college playoff with three tackles for loss, two sacks and 11 run stops. The numbers may not jump off the page, but his power at the point of attack does.
Tim Keenan III is a roadblock. The Alabama DT is stout and powerful.
The stats won’t jump off the page, but he’ll make an impact early in his career with his ability to clog up running lanes. pic.twitter.com/VC79i0hkfz
The Alabama defensive tackle has disruptive tendencies. You can see the juice and twitch with the way he explodes out of his stance. To go along with that quickness, he flashes power in his hands. Smith enters Friday night's matchup with 6.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. He's a player whom the Packers could target in the upcoming draft as they look to add a disruptor to the interior of their line.
Alabama’s James Smith flashes some juice and has strong hands.
Horton is a big-bodied target with easy track speed. The 6-4 wide receiver is an explosive playmaker who has easy buildup speed to win vertically. He's an explosive playmaker and enters Friday night's matchup against the Sooners with eight touchdowns (35 receptions). The Miami transfer could opt to return to Alabama for a second season; however, there is no denying the physical tools. If he declares, he could wind up being a Top 100 pick.
Josh Cuevas, TE
The Alabama tight end will be back on the field for the Crimson Tide on Friday after missing the last three games due to an ankle injury. Cuevas isn't an explosive athlete, however he runs routes with urgency and is fluid in his movements. He has soft, reliable hands and is always searching for the chains. Out of his 30 receptions on the season, 22 of them have resulted in a first down.
It sounds like Josh Cuevas will return to action on Friday for Alabama. The Crimson Tide TE has 30 receptions on the season and 22 of those have resulted in a first down. pic.twitter.com/j3Yyk7GNmb
Lawson suffered a torn ACL last season and is coming on strong down the stretch. In the previous five games, Lawson has recorded 28 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and 17 run stops, with one of those games being against Eastern Illinois, where he only played four snaps. He has looked explosive and is showcasing his range against the run.
Deontae Lawson had his best game of the season on Saturday. The Alabama LB recorded. 5 TFL and six run stops.
Jefferson is rangy and looks comfortable in coverage. He is alert and does a good job of keying on the quarterback's eyes. It will be worth monitoring what he weighs in at throughout the process. At 6-0 and 218 pounds, he may be too light for Green Bay's liking, but if he weighs around 225 the Packers could fall in love with his play speed.
Other notes
Germie Bernard is a well-rounded wide receiver who does a bit of everything for Alabama's offense. He's a round-two player and after drafting two wide receivers in the Top 100 last year, the Packers may not use premium draft capital on the position again.
LT Overton (defensive end) is likely going to miss the game for the Crimson Tide. The former five-star recruit has six tackles for loss, four sacks and 23 pressures.
In its final home game of 2025, UConn women’s basketball sprinted past Marquette 89-53 at PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford on Wednesday night.
Sarah Strong hit the 20-point mark for the fifth time this season with 22 while chipping in two assists, two steals and two blocks as well. The sophomore struggled to protect the ball, though, setting a new career-high with six turnovers. Azzi Fudd finished with 14 points and led the team with three steals while Serah Williams put together a second straight strong performance with 11 points and six rebounds.
Blanca Quiñonez also reached double-figures with 12 points while Kayleigh Heckel tied a career-best with nine turnovers. All 12 Huskies who played scored.
UConn seized control from the opening jump, taking a 4-0 lead before Marquette even managed to get a shot off. The Huskies used runs of 7-0, 8-0 and 5-0 to pull ahead by 15 at the end of the opening quarter. The offense faced little resistance as Fudd put up nine points on 4-4 shooting while Strong piled on 11 points behind four straight makes after missing her first three attempts.
The second quarter wasn’t quite as smooth. UConn committed eight turnovers in the frame and missed five consecutive shots at one point, though the defense picked up the slack. The Huskies allowed just three baskets in the period and none over the final 5:02. UConn ultimately took a 25-point lead into the half.
Marquette scored the first points out of the break, though it quickly went downhill from there for the visitors. The Huskies ripped off a 23-2 run that pushed the lead past 30 and then 40, which made the fourth quarter inconsequential. At the final buzzer, UConn came away with a 36-point win.
Next, the Huskies will travel to Brooklyn to take on Iowa in the Champions Classic on Saturday. Tip-off is set for approximately 1:30 p.m. ET from Barclays Center.
Jake Paul is at a significant disadvantage against two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua [Getty Images]
Anthony Joshua doubled down on his controversial "kill" comments to Jake Paul after being challenged on the comments at a news conference in Miami on Wednesday.
The remarks were first made on Tuesday when Joshua was asked whether he would hold back against Paul, with Joshua saying "if I can kill you, I'll kill".
Saturday's fight against YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul has attracted criticism over safety concerns and the size difference between the fighters.
And former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury called Joshua a "classless loser" for the "kill" comments.
But Joshua, 36, said: "It's my job, we fight. We have a licence to kill.
"I'm sure many people don't understand it but this is what my job is. I just enjoy what I do.
"Whatever happens, happens - as long as my hand is raised, that's what's important, respectfully.
"That's just what the mentality we have to have as fighters. I don't know if other fighters think that way. Maybe they're a bit more tame.
"The way my mind works. When you're in the ring, it's a dangerous thing. Anything can happen.
"You hope your opponent leaves the ring safely, but if they don't, you still have to go to bed knowing you just did your job. It wasn't personal."
Paul, who is a huge underdog in the heavyweight contest as a natural cruiserweight, was no less incendiary in response.
"This is a modern day gladiator sport," Paul said.
"I'm ready. I want his hardest punches. I want there to be no excuses when it's all said and done. Let's kill each other."
Joshua will face Paul, 28, at Miami's Kaseya Center in a bout many regard as a significant mismatch, and one that should have been sanctioned as an exhibition bout.
The professional contest will be fought over eight three-minute rounds using standard 10oz gloves, although Joshua must not exceed 17st 7lb (111kg) at Thursday's weigh-in.
Despite the vulgar language used - with references to death widely considered beyond the bounds of boxing - Joshua said he has been "called in to save" boxing.
"They want me to put an end to the Jake Paul show and I understand it and that's why I have to carry boxing on my back in this fight," he added.
There were lighter moments however, with Joshua laughing at one point as Paul sang 'London Bridge Is Falling Down' to him, while a prediction vote from the entire undercard fighters ended in Paul's favour.
After all the talk, the face-off passed without incident with Paul striking a bizarre pose, pushing his stomach out, placing his hands on his back, raising his eyebrows and even bringing his hand to Joshua's chest.
Joshua remained composed throughout before eventually smiling and playfully grabbing Paul's necklace.
Paul & Joshua deny scripted claims
Wednesday's news conference was staged at The Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theater, a venue that hosted Frank Sinatra at his crooning peak and Miss Universe pageants during Miami Beach's mid-century boom.
The grand, old-school auditorium is a room built for spectacle, and will host a fight many still view as entertainment first and sport second.
Such is the surreal nature of this bout that some have questioned its legitimacy, with rumours circulating about contractual fine print - including suggestions Joshua may be restricted from knocking Paul out.
"There's nothing in the contract, AJ can attest to it. We're going to war," Paul said.
The Florida Athletic Commission confirmed to BBC Sport knockouts were permitted in the contest.
Joshua, wearing a silver chain reportedly worth £500,000 and gifted to him, jokingly added: "The only thing in the contract that got my attention was the money."
Paul has claimed on social media that the purse will be worth $267m (£204m).
Joshua has fought in 13 world title fights at heavyweight, Paul is yet to compete at an world championship level [Getty Images]
Biggest upset in the sport's history?
Paul first made his name as an online prankster and influencer, amassing a huge social media following - particularly on Instagram, where he boasts more than 28 million followers.
He has never fought anyone close to the calibre of the former two-weight world champion but insisted Joshua would take him seriously.
"It's smart on his part," Paul said. "This could potentially be, and will be, the biggest loss of his life."
A Paul win would be arguably the biggest upset in the sport's history.
It would undoubtedly leave a indelible mark on Joshua's legacy, but the Watford fighter said it would not spell the end.
"[I would] come back again, shake it off," he said. "I'll be headlining again in a year or two. It is what it is. I'm a player in the game."
Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon has overtaken legendary compatriot Glenn McGrath to move sixth in the all-time list of Test wicket-takers.
Lyon, 38, needed two wickets at the start of the third Ashes Test in Adelaide to overhaul seamer McGrath's tally of 563.
He moved level by having England's Ollie Pope caught at mid-wicket with his third ball of the game, before claiming his 564th Test scalp by bowling Ben Duckett three balls later.
Lyon is now the second-highest Australian Test wicket-taker behind the late legendary leg-spinner Shane Warne, who took 708.
He is also the the highest active player in the rankings and fourth-highest spinner, behind former Sri Lanka off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan (800), Warne and ex-India leg-spinner Anil Kumble (619).
Retired England greats Sir James Anderson (third on 704) and Stuart Broad (fifth on 604) are the only two pace bowlers ahead of Lyon.
"What a bowler. Nathan Lyon deserves to get that," said McGrath on BBC Test Match Special.
"You wondered what impact Nathan Lyon was going to have in this game. First over, and that was a gem of a ball [to remove Ben Duckett].
"He has been brilliant for Australia. He will go down as one of the greatest Australia spin bowlers behind Shane Warne.
"Lyon is the greatest off-spin bowler for Australia, he knows the craft so well. He has been part of that big four for Australia for such a long time."
Lyon returned to the Australia side for this game, having been left out for the day-night pink-ball Test in Brisbane.
It meant that Lyon, who said he felt "absolutely filthy" by the omission, had been left out of Australia's side in two of their past three matches, and he only bowled two overs in the series opener in Perth too.
Speaking before the game, Lyon, who used to be a groundsman at the Adelaide Oval, said: "I daresay it would be like a little fairytale, I guess, with my history here.
"My first ever Test match here was on the roller here back in 2010, funnily enough against England. So for me to potentially overtake Glenn McGrath here would be pretty incredible."
In the build-up to the game the South Australia Cricket Association unveiled a commemorative plaque of Lyon on their 'Avenue of Honour'.
Lyon has taken now 65 wickets at the venue, which is the most of any bowler.
England have opted not to play a specialist spinner in the series so far, with all-rounder Will Jacks asked to combine his off-spin and batting in the past two Tests.
"You're asking a spinner, but I think it's incredibly important," Lyon said when asked about the value of slow bowling in Test cricket.
"I think the variation in Test cricket, understanding that Test cricket goes for five days, and there's a lot of opportunity for pitches to wear and spinners to be able to produce their craft.
"I've always said as soon as the ball spins, there's more eyes on TVs. You look at when we go over to India, you look at the conditions there and the exciting cricket when the ball is spinning, how many people pay attention to it.
"Spin is incredibly important in the game of cricket, in junior cricket, in first-class cricket, in white ball, red ball - it doesn't matter what format."
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - A year ago at this time, Halston Haile was laying in a hospital bed, unsure of whether he would play football again.
Wednesday night, Haile helped his team win their first-ever state championship.
Haile, a senior running back with Hamilton, rushed for 93 yards and scored two touchdowns as the Bulldogs won their first-ever state football championship with a 21-7 against Joaquin for the University Interscholastic League 2A Division I title at AT&T Stadium.
LIVE STREAM:Victory+ (Victory Plus) will stream for free all 12 UIL state championship games (Sign up today!)
A year ago, Haile had to be hospitalized with a ruptured kidney, which he said had split into two pieces. He was still trying to process what a difference a year made in the postgame press conference following Wednesday's win.
"It's unreal, and at this time last year, I was in a hospital bed," said Haile, who was also named the Offensive Player of the Year as he gained 93 yards on 22 carries. "I mean, to be just sitting here getting interviewed after winning the state championship, it just doesn't feel real. I mean, we have a great group of guys; I'm so glad that I got to come back and play alongside all of these guys.
"It hasn't set in yet; I mean, we just played our last football game ever. We played as many as we could and we won as many as we could. It's just great to come out of this and win."
Hamilton finished its memorable year at 14-2, ending things with an 11-game winning streak.
In the postseason, they started with a 42-20 win against Tioga in the bi-district round. They have scored 29 points or less in the next five games, but have continued to find a way to win, including last week’s 28-12 semifinal win against Stinnett West Texas.
That continued as the Bulldogs scored 21 points, but it was more than enough in a game that had two teams making its first-ever appearance in a state championship game.
Joaquin took the opening kickoff and went 65 yards in 14 plays to take a 7-0 lead. But Hamilton responded by scoring on its opening series, moving 64 yards in 13 plays to tie things up at 7-all.
The eventual tying TD came on a pass from quarterback Carson Roberts to Colter Johnson, who made a juggling catch amidst several Joaquin defenders before finally securing the ball in the end zone.
Hamilton then went in front to stay on its next possession, going 54 yards in 10 plays, with Haile scoring on a 5-yard run. Haile added his second TD on the opening series of the second half, a 1-yard run.
The Bulldogs' defense then did the rest, forcing three second-half turnovers and also stopping Joaquin - which primarily runs a wing-T offense - on downs inside the red zone, which came on a sack from Johnson, a senior tight end/defensive lineman.
"Coach (defensive coordinator Zach) Wood, he's got a great plan, and he sets us up for that wing-T," Johnson said. "Previously, we lost to two wing-T's in Crawford and San Saba, and we bounced back from that and we just hit them."
Hamilton senior linebacker Bret Bauman was named the Most Outstanding Player on defense. He had 16 total tackles, nine of those solo.
The Rams actually out-gained Hamilton, 315-214, but again, were done in by turnovers after halftime. Joaquin running back Cooper Bragg rushed for 106 yards on 22 carries, while fellow tailback Amarion Wilson had 86 yards on 15 carries.
Joaquin (11-5) finished the regular season 6-4, but turned things up a notch in its run to the title game. The Rams scored at least 35 points in all five playoff wins, including 74 in a regional semifinal win against Elysian Fields. In last week’s semifinal round, the Rams upended Refugio, 37-28.
But in Hamilton, the party is now on after a long-awaited football state championship. However, they were celebrating well before the game in anticipation of the ultimate moment.
"There were fireworks (at the team send-off Wednesday morning)," said Roberts, who passed for 100 yards. "All of the businesses (were there), everybody was up front. We drove basically through the whole town and we did a few circles.
"Everybody was outside cheering us on, and it looks like everybody showed up, too. ... It's going to be like the Fourth of July (when the team returns home); we're going to have some more fireworks."
Follow The Sporting News correspondent Buck Ringgold (@Bucks_Ballpark) for all of the live updates and scoring from Arlington.
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HAMILTON 21, JOAQUIN 7 FINAL
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POSTGAME
- Hamilton senior running back Halston Haile named the Offensive Player of the Game. Haile rushed for 93 yards and two touchdowns.
- Hamilton senior linebacker Bret Bauman named the Defensive Player of the Game. He had 16 total tackles, 9 of those solo.
- Joaquin actually out-gained Hamilton, 315-214, but the Rams committed three turnovers, all in the second half.
- Hamilton claims its first-ever football state title as the Bulldogs shut down Joaquin after the Rams began the game with a lengthy drive ending with a TD.
FOURTH QUARTER
- FUMBLE RECOVERY HAMILTON. That will do it, as Joaquin fumbles and the Bulldogs' Colter Johnson comes up with the ball with 13 seconds left. Hamilton will win its first-ever football state title.
- Joaquin is near midfield but there's just 45 seconds to go.
- Joaquin has the ball at its 20-yard line with 1:47 left.
- Joaquin gets a third-down stop as the two-minute warning is here. Rams will get the ball back with two time outs remaining.
- Hamilton's Colter Johnson and Kennon Lee converge to get a sack on fourth down with 2:26 left. Bulldog faithful already starting to get giddy over the possibility of their team winning their first title.
Hamilton’s defense comes up with its third fourth-down stop of the night. Bulldogs in position to milk some clock and try to secure this win. #TribFridayNight#OnWednesday
- Joaquin faces a fourth-and-13 at the Hamilton 16 with under three minutes to go.
- Joaquin out near the 10 but is going backward due to a false start and a second-down sack. Under four minutes now.
- Conner Rios catches a pass over the middle and Joaquin has the ball near Hamilton's 20. Under six minutes now.
- Joaquin converts on third down, and the Rams are now 7-of-11 on third-down conversions. They have the ball near midfield with about seven minutes to go.
- INTERCEPTION JOAQUIN. Rams come up with a huge play on defense, as Jacob Gatlin has his second pick of the night. He gets it at his own 25 and runs it back 10 yards to the 35 with 9:16 remaining.
- FUMBLE RECOVERY HAMILTON. Oh no, a costly turnover from the Rams as they lose the ball, and the Bulldogs' Kennon Lee makes the recovery just inside midfield nearing 10 minutes to go.
- Joaquin QB Trenton Runnels takes a keeper around the right side and gets the first down. Rams have the ball near midfield.
- Joaquin is stopped short of a first down on the opening play of the fourth. Fourth down coming up for the Rams.
- Attendance for tonight's game is 7,582 spectators.
- Joaquin faces a third-and-4 from its 39 as we start the final quarter of action.
THIRD QUARTER
- Hamilton had stopped Joaquin on third down, but the Bulldogs are penalized 15 yards for a face mask penalty. Rams get a first down at their 33 entering the final minute of the period.
- Hamilton can't go anywhere after recovering the Joaquin fumble, and the Bulldogs will punt it away, and it's a great bounce before being downed at the Rams' 4 with 4:23 left in the third.
- FUMBLE RECOVERY HAMILTON. Joaquin converts on a third-and-long to move the chains, but on the very next play, the Rams fumble it away. The Bulldogs' Luke York makes the recovery at the Rams' 35 with more than five minutes left in the period.
- Joaquin mishandles the ensuing kickoff, and the Rams recover, but have to start at its own 9.
- TOUCHDOWN HAMILTON. Opening second-half drive takes exactly three minutes, as the Bulldogs go 55 yards in six plays. Halston Haile with his second TD on the night, going up and over from a yard out. (Hamilton, 21-7 | 9:00, 3rd)
When in doubt, Pierce Summers it out.
The Bulldogs fell into a 2nd-and-26 after a holding penalty and loss, but QB Roberts connected twice with WR Summers, a lanky 6-foot-6 wideout, for 60 yards.
- Hamilton WR Pierce Summers makes back-to-back leaping grabs, and the Bulldogs are already knocking at the door, with the ball inside the Joaquin 15.
- Hamilton to get the ball to start the second half, and the Bulldogs will get great field position as a short kickoff goes out of bounds. Bulldog ball at their 45.
HALFTIME
- Stats are fairly even. Hamilton has 144 total yards, 104 of that coming on the ground, while Joaquin had 138 total yards in the first half, with all but 7 of those yards via the rush. Hamilton also had 10 first downs to Joaquin's nine. Another stat that stands out is that the Rams were 1-for-3 on fourth-down conversions, while Hamilton completed its only fourth-down try in the half.
SECOND QUARTER
- INTERCEPTION JOAQUIN. Jacob Gatlin picks off a pass on the final play of the first half and gets it into Hamilton territory before being brought down to around the 35. Bulldogs go into the locker room up by seven.
- Hamilton stops Joaquin short of the sticks and the Bulldogs take over with 15 seconds left.
- Joaquin faces a fourth down inside the Hamilton 30 entering the final minute in the half.
- Joaquin running back Amarion Wilson breaks loose for a 22-yard gain on third-and-short, and the Rams are at the Hamilton 34 as we are at the two-minute warning.
- Joaquin converts a fourth-and-short to its 35-yard line and keeps the chains moving as we're under four minutes to go in the half.
- TOUCHDOWN HAMILTON. Bulldogs score on their second straight drive, moving 54 yards in 10 plays. It ends with a 5-yard run into the end zone from senior running back Halston Haile. (Hamilton, 14-7 | 6:27, 2nd)
- Hamilton's Devin Eanes appeared to make a touchdown catch, but after a lengthy replay review, it was determined that the ball had hit the ground while attempting to secure it, so the call was overturned. Bulldogs do have a first-and-goal at the Joaquin 5 with more than six minutes to go in the half.
- Hamilton inside the Joaquin 35, determined to take its first lead of the night.
- Joaquin goes for it on a fourth down just past midfield, but a pass goes incomplete. Hamilton takes over with good field position with less than 10 minutes to go in the first half.
- Joaquin has the ball near its 35 as we start the second quarter of action.
FIRST QUARTER
- TOUCHDOWN HAMILTON. Wow, what concentration from Hamilton's TE Colter Johnson, who juggles the ball three times amidst a crowd of Joaquin defenders before securing it in the end zone, as the Bulldogs answer Joaquin with a TD drive of their own to start, going 64 yards in 13 plays. We are tied. (7-7 | :39, 1st)
Touchdown Bulldogs❗️
13 yard pass by Carson Roberts to Colter Johnson who makes a nice catch
- Hamilton now with a first down inside the 15 inside the final minute of the quarter.
- Hamilton converts the fourth down as Devin Eanes catches a pass over the middle from quarterback Carson Roberts. Bulldogs' ball at the Joaquin 25.
- Hamilton faces a fourth-and-5 at the Joaquin 35 with 1:50 left in the quarter.
- Hamilton is into Joaquin territory, with a first down at the Rams' 40 with more than three minutes to go in the period.
- Hamilton calls for a fair catch at its own 36 as the Bulldogs field the ensuing kickoff following the long march from Joaquin.
- TOUCHDOWN JOAQUIN. Rams strike first with a very impressive opening drive, covering 65 yards in 14 plays, as quarterback Trenton Runnels takes in a keeper from a yard out. Drive took nearly eight minutes to complete. (Joaquin, 7-0 | 4:21, 1st)
Joaquin scores first on a 1-yard TD by QB Trenton Runnels. Capped a 14-play (all rushes), 65-yard drive that took 7 1/2 minutes off the clock.
- Another successful third-down conversion for Joaquin, which is now in the red zone.
- Joaquin converts on third-and-short, and the Rams are inside the Hamilton 30 on the opening series.
- Joaquin is in Hamilton territory, with a first down at the Bulldogs' 40.
- Short kickoff, fielded by Joaquin around the 30, and the Rams takes it a few yards to the 35, where they will set up shop.
PREGAME
- Hamilton has won the toss, and will defer to the second half. Joaquin to receive the opening kick.
- Hamilton is the visiting team, and the Bulldogs are wearing red helmets, white jerseys and white pants. Joaquin is the home team and are wearing white helmets, black jerseys and black pants.
- Live from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, a pair of teams making its state title game debut square off, as Hamilton takes on Joaquin for the UIL 2A Division I championship.
The Florida Gators men's basketball team took care of business Wednesday night with a 102-61 win over the Saint Francis Red Flash.
Xaivian Lee led all scorers with 18 points on 7-for-9 shooting (2-for-4 from 3-point range). Alex Condon (14 points) and Rueben Chinyelu (12), Boogie Fland (11) and sixth man Urban Klavzar (11) also reached double figures in a well-balanced attack from the Gators. Chinyelu stayed in just long enough to notch his fifth double-double of the year.
The only starter who laid low was Thomas Haugh. He's averaging 35 minutes per game and only played 25 in this one, posting five points, four assists and three rebounds.
Florida played 13 players, including Olivier Rioux, who entered the game with 1:46 left to go. He threw down a dunk for the Gators' final points.
Florida had things wrapped up by halftime
The Gators led 47-23 at halftime and led in every statistical category that matters. Florida shot 64% from the field and 36% from 3-point range. They dominated the glass, outrebounding the Red Flash 22-9. Five offensive rebounds is low for the Gators, but poor shooting usually leads to more opportunities. Golden probably didn't care about that figure being low.
Golden puts a heavy focus on "kills," which is when the defense makes three consecutive stops. Florida did it four times in the first half, including a five-possession stretch that started just before the 12-minute mark hit. The other two areas he wants his team to work on are defending without fouling and limiting turnovers. Florida forced five turnovers and had four blocks to just five personal fouls, including two uncharacteristic ones from Xaivian Lee. That's one box checked off.
Turning the ball over six times might not have sat well with him, but that's the only complaint anyone can have over the first 20 minutes.
The Gators dominated the frontcourt battle all night
Everyone knows Florida's frontcourt is elite. There was never a chance for Saint Francis' bigs to outplay them, but it's still fun to see these guys completely outclass their opponents. Rueben Chinyelu got any rebound he wanted, and it only took a matter of minutes for him to polish off his double-double after finishing the first half with two. He also shot 5-for-5 from the field.
Alex Condon had one of his better offensive performances of the year. His arsenal of post moves could have led to a 40-point game, but Golden and Co. chose to be respectful and limit him to 14 — 12 of which came in the first half. Don't forget about the three blocks, too. The only problem with Condon's game is that he's hoisting up bricks from deep. The 3-point shot is failing him this year — 0-for-2 tonight — and it might be time to quit trying them.
Micah Handlogten went 4-for-4 from the field and hit both his free throws, finishing one leg of a double-double over 17 minutes. He tied Chinyelu with four offensive boards, but he came up two total rebounds short of the 10 he needed for the second leg. Still, it was one of his better nights since breaking his leg in the 2024 SEC Championship game.
Florida bench gets some action
Golden mentioned after the George Washington win that he'd like the bench players to show a bit more. This felt like the right game to get them in, and there was some good and bad.
Aside from Handlogten, Urban Klavzar played 23 minutes, scoring 11 points, including a pair of 3-pointers. Four turnovers isn't great, though, even if one was an alley-oop attempt to Olivier Rioux, who wasn't looking for it.
Isaiah Brown, CJ Ingram and Alex Lloyd played 15, 12 and seven minutes, respectively. Brown was the most effective with a plus-minus of 17, one higher than Klavzar. He threw down an alley-oop dunk and hit a 3 as well. Ingram buried a corner three but ran into some foul trouble (three), albeit with some soft calls going against him. Lloyd struggled the most, going 0-for-2 with both shots coming from beyond the arc. He's still a freshman, so give him time to develop.
The reserves got some playing time too. Chants of "we want Olly" started with six minutes left in the game. He only got to play about 100 seconds of ball, though. Rioux made the most of it, throwing down his first dunk at the college level. Viktor Mikic had four points, a 3-pointer and a free throw, and Alex Kovatchev buried an NBA-range 3.
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Perkins has one of the best pedigrees of the bunch, a former third-round pick by the Patriots in 2021. He’s bounced around the league since, most recently spending time on the Atlanta Falcons’ practice squad. He’s appeared in seven career NFL games, all with the Broncos in 2023, where he recorded 13 total tackles and two tackles for loss. The 6’3, 253-pound outside linebacker scored a 4.73 RAS coming out of college.
Thomas was a seventh-round draft pick by the Cleveland Browns in 2022. He was most recently on the Bengals’ practice squad. He’s played in 12 career NFL games, with 12 total tackles and one sack. The 6’5, 272-pound defensive end recorded a 9.1 RAS the year he was drafted.
Toohill was also a seventh-round pick, in 2020 by the Eagles. He was most recently on the Houston Texans. He has the most experience of the group Pittsburgh worked out, with 71 career games played and 15 starts. In 2023 with the Washington Commanders, where he recorded eight of those starts, he had 26 combined tackles and five sacks. The 6’5, 250-pound defender logged a 9.69 RAS coming out of college.
Ximines is also a former third-round pick, selected by the New York Giants in 2019. He’s spent most of his career with New York, but spent 2024 with the Patriots. He has played in 50 career games with nine starts. After recording 4.5 sacks his rookie season, he’s logged just two more over the following five years. The 6’4, 254-pound defensive end recorded a 7.02 RAS in 2019.
With Pittsburgh exploring additions in its outside linebacker room, it’s an ominous sign for the availability of T.J. Watt and Nick Herbig in Week 16 against the Lions.
Several starters were missing at Wednesday's practice for the New England Patriots.
The timing isn't the greatest ahead of a pivotal Sunday Night Football showdown with the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. A win for the Patriots would clinch a spot in the postseason and keep them in the hunt for the No. 1 seed in the AFC conference.
They'll need to get healthier by game day to overcome a desperate Ravens team on the road. Veteran cornerback Carlton Davis III, cornerback Marcus Jones, edge rusher Harold Landry III and linebacker Robert Spillane were all listed as non-participants at practice due to an injury. Linebacker Christian Elliss was also sidelined with an illness.
However, the Patriots aren't alone in their concerns for availability for the Week 16 game. The Ravens were missing several players as well, including quarterback Lamar Jackson and linebacker Roquan Smith.
Here is the injury report for both teams on Wednesday:
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Xaivian Lee scored 18 points, Alex Condon added 14, and No. 23 Florida got a break from one of the toughest nonconference schedules in the country with a 102-61 victory against Saint Francis on Wednesday night.
The Gators (7-4) never trailed while dominating every aspect of their first home game in nearly a month.
Florida made 15 of its first 20 shots while building a 20-point lead and enjoyed enough of a cushion that coach Todd Golden was able to get his bench extended minutes.
Students started chanting for 7-foot-9 center Olivier Rioux with more than six minutes to play. The world’s tallest teenager — standing 15 inches taller than any of his opponents — entered in the final minutes and got a dunk for his first collegiate field goal.
Rueben Chinyelu added 12 points and 11 rebounds for Florida. Boogie Fland and Urban Klavzar chipped in 11 points apiece for the defending national champions, who have losses to three teams now ranked in the top five: Arizona, Duke and UConn.
Saint Francis (2-10) lost by at least 25 points for the seventh time this season. The Red Flash entered the game ranked 361st out of 365 Division I teams in KenPom ratings, making them the worst team to visit the O’Connell Center in the KenPom era (since 1996-97).
The Red Flash entered the game as 45 ½-point underdogs according to BetMGM Sportsbook and trailed by as many as 25 in the first half. The Gators stretched their lead to 61-31 shortly after the break and piled on from there.
Skylar Wicks, a senior attending his fifth school, led Saint Francis with 22 points. He took 22 of the team’s 63 shots.
The Denver Broncos are on a mission to obtain the AFC's No. 1 seed in order to gain home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The team knows that having any of its postseason opponents having to come to Denver would be a huge obstacle to overcome.
While it will take several things to bounce their way, there is a scenario in which the Broncos could clinch that No. 1 seed as early as this Sunday. It's an unlikely scenario, but there is a path that creates somewhat of a rooting guide for Broncos fans for this weekend's action.
The Broncos control their own destiny in the race for the top spot in the AFC, so as long as they keep winning, no one will catch them. But here's how they could clinch that spot in Week 16.
This goes without saying, but the Broncos need to win to keep others from stealing their spot. Much like last week, it won't come easily. The Broncos have won 11 games in a row but Jacksonville is riding a five-game win streak.
They are two of the hottest teams in the league. For Jacksonville, quarterback Trevor Lawrence is coming off what was arguably the best game of his career last week, in which he threw five touchdown passes and ran for another in a win over the New York Jets.
They won't be intimidated by the Broncos.
Chargers loss or tie vs. Dallas Cowboys
Despite being 12-2, the Broncos have not even clinched the division title yet because of how good the Los Angeles Chargers have been. The Chargers are 10-4 this season and handed the Broncos one of their two losses. If the Broncos lose and the Chargers win this weekend, tension is going to skyrocket as the Broncos and Chargers are still set to square off one more time this season.
The Cowboys are a capable team, especially at home, so fans should be rooting for them to pull this one off to create some more breathing space for the Broncos.
Patriots lose to Baltimore
The Patriots were right there with the Broncos for the fight for the No. 1 spot with just two losses, but a loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 15 knocked them down a peg. Now the Broncos need them to drop a second game in a row.
The Ravens have not played well this season, but they are still in the thick of the playoff race and this game will be played at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.
Bills loss or tie vs. Cleveland
Keep in mind, the Broncos don't just need one of these things to happen, they need them all to happen. It's much like hitting a four-leg parlay. This would be the one with the worst odds.
The Bills and Browns are on completely different ends of the spectrum at this stage in the season. It will be played in Cleveland, which is about the only thing the Browns have going for them going into it. Stranger things have happened, but this one would be really strange.
The most important thing for the Broncos is to just take care of their own business. A loss opens the door to so many possibilities, including dropping all the way down to a wild card. The AFC is quite competitive and the Broncos have several teams nipping at their heels.
As long as Justin Alumbaugh is head coach of the De La Salle Spartans (Calif.), don’t expect a couple things to ever change about the program: Pursuing transfers and going away from the veer option offense.
According to a report by The Mercury News on Wednesday, the storied California high school football program made it be known publicly that despite having lost eight consecutive CIF bowl games, including last week’s 47-13 Open Division championship to Santa Margarita Catholic, they won’t be changing how they do things.
“I’m trying to make De La Salle and our standard as best as we can possibly be without any deviance from who we’ve been in any way shape or form,” Alumbaugh said via the report. “I think what we’re seeing a lot in high school athletics is not educational athletics. I have to fight my own competitive instinct sometimes. I don’t want to lose. … I’m trying to focus on creating a legitimate, real Friday night lights atmosphere where we’re going to coach our kids, get the best out of them and hope for the best.”
“I think the pressure to win and the pressure to succeed can sometimes be very consuming. I also don’t want to diminish from educational athletics. You get a kid that transfers in and replaces Bubba Vargas. What does that say about me? So in that regard, yeah, I hope we rein this in a little bit.”
De La Salle just completed their 2025 season, finishing with a 12-1 record, the lone loss coming at the end of the season. The Spartans have been able to uphold the program’s winning pedigree behind what wouldn’t be viewed as a modern offense.
The Spartans have won eight CIF championships in the modern era and own the nation’s longest win streak at 151 games in a row, which ran from the start of the 1992 season through Sep. 4, 2004 when De La Salle lost to Bellevue (Wash.).
This past 2025 season, the Spartans had some impressive wins as they opened up the campaign with a 10-6 win over Florida Class 5A state finalist Lakeland, Cathedral Catholic, Junipero Serra and Pittsburg, respectively.
Alumbaugh’s team relied heavily on the ground game, rushing for 3,528 yards and scoring 53 touchdowns. In comparison to De La Salle’s passing attack, which generated 1,207 yards and 11 scores through the air.
Despite not lining up in shotgun spread sets every play or bringing in an abundance of transfers during the off-season, De La Salle has remained among one of the top high school football programs out of the state of California.
More about De La Salle High School
De La Salle High School, located in Concord, California, is a prestigious private Catholic institution known for its rigorous academics, competitive athletics, and commitment to spiritual development. Offering a variety of AP and honors courses, the school prepares students for higher education and future careers. De La Salle’s athletic teams are highly competitive, frequently achieving state championships. Emphasizing leadership, faith, and community service, the school ensures students are well-rounded and ready for future challenges.
How to Follow California High School Football
For California high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the Golden State, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the high school football excitement across the state of California.
Florida basketball had no problems handling the St. Francis Red Flash, who fell to the Gators inside the O'Connell Center on Wednesday night, 102-61.
It was a clear mismatch from the start, with the Orange and Blue grabbing the wheel from the get-go and going wire-to-wire in its seventh victory of the season so far. But even though the game was well out of reach by the time the final minutes arrived, the world's tallest teenager checked into the game to raise the excitement level back up to a feverish point.
Center Olivier Rioux checked in with 1:46 remaining in the second half and just over a minute later, scored his first-ever field goal at the men's college basketball level. The bucket came on a broken play that saw the towering redshirt freshman cutting through the lane for the score.
His score represents Florida's final points tallied on Wednesday night.
The last time Rioux took the court was Dec. 22, when he notched his first collegiate point (via free throw) and rebound against the Merrimack Warriors in Gainesville; his collegiate debut came on Nov. 7 against the UNF Ospreys.
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Australia's Pat Cummins (right) celebrates taking the wicket of England's Zak Crawley (William WEST)
A pumped-up Australia ripped through England's fragile batting Thursday to leave the tourists staring down the barrel of a third Test defeat with their Ashes campaign on the brink, barring a miracle.
At stumps on a sweltering day two, the visitors had ground to 213-8, trailing by 158 after Australia added 45 to their overnight 326-8 as temperatures soared to 40 Celsius.
A gutsy Ben Stokes was not out 45 after facing 151 balls with Jofra Archer on 30 in a Test England must win and on a pitch ideal for batting.
They were not helped by another suspect decision by the Snicko technology, but at least avoided the follow-on.
Australia lead the five-match series 2-0 and will retain the urn if they win or draw after back-to-back eight-wicket thumpings in Perth and Brisbane.
Opening pair Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley saw off the early overs from Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins.
But it was a mirage with England losing three wickets for five runs in a 15-ball blitz, the latest chapter in a familiar tale.
Cummins first tempted an edge from Crawley, on nine, to wicketkeeper Alex Carey in the Australian skipper's first Test since July after lower back issues.
- Lyon strikes -
Then in a stroke of genius, he brought on spin king Nathan Lyon, who was controversially left out for the pink-ball second Test at the Gabba.
Lyon grabbed two wickets in a sensational opening over with a hapless Ollie Pope (3) flicking to Josh Inglis at midwicket before he bowled Duckett for 29.
Joe Root was fortunate to survive in the next over when he edged Scott Boland to Carey, but a review showed it did not carry.
England's most experienced player failed to capitalise and was gone in the third over after lunch to Cummins, with Carey collecting another edge.
It was the 12th time Cummins has dismissed Root -- more than any other bowler.
With the Ashes on the line, Stokes needed to show what he called "a bit of dog" and he barely flinched when a Starc bouncer dangerously hit the back of his helmet.
He was given the all-clear and set about rescuing the innings before Cameron Green was introduced just before tea and Carey took another catch to remove Harry Brook.
Jamie Smith settled in but departed for 22 when Carey took what Australia claimed was a faint bottom edge off Cummins.
The Snicko showed a small spike despite a gap between bat and ball, with Stokes shaking his head as Smith trudged off.
On day one, Carey starred with an emotional century on his home ground, but it was shrouded in controversy over a Snicko error when he was on 72 and given not out.
England failed to have the decision overturned on review with replays showing a noise spike before the ball reached his bat.
Carey later conceded he likely edged the delivery from Josh Tongue that was caught behind and the technology operator admitted to an error.
"In my view it's not good enough," Cricket Australia boss Todd Greenberg said of the technology before play started on Thursday.
"We're hoping to get some answers so we can be assured it won't happen again."
Scott Boland removed Will Jacks (6) and Brydon Carse (0) before Archer dug in with Stokes.
The hosts resumed on the back of Carey's 106 and a gritty 82 from Usman Khawaja, with Starc on 33 and Lyon yet to score.
Starc plundered five quick fours before being bowled by Archer for 54.
Lyon and Boland then piled on the pain in a 23-run last-wicket stand before Lyon was trapped lbw for nine by Archer, who ended with 5-53.
Nebraska coach Matt Rhule publicly addressed Dylan Raiola’s transfer for the first time Wednesday night, carrying a supportive tone while ready to find the program’s future quarterback.
During an interview on the Huskers Radio Network, Rhule said he wished Raiola well after the former starter entered the transfer portal earlier this week following nearly two seasons in Lincoln.
“If he needs a fresh start, I’m going to pray that he finds the right place and that he has so much success,” Rhule said. “With that being said, there’s a lot of great QBs out there and a lot of guys who want to play at Nebraska.”
Matt Rhule on Dylan Raiola's transfer on the Huskers Radio Network:
"If he needs a fresh start I’m going to pray that he finds the right place and that he has so much success. With that being said, there’s a lot of great QBs out there and a lot of guys want to play at Nebraska.”
Raiola went 13-9 as Nebraska’s starting quarterback before a season-ending injury in a 21-17 loss to USC on Nov. 1 effectively closed his time with the Cornhuskers. The former No. 3-ranked quarterback in the Class of 2024 arrived with significant expectations after being heavily recruited by all the top schools.
Raiola was viewed as a key piece in Nebraska’s rebuild, but Rhule believes that roster construction has evolved in the transfer portal era and it's time to move on.
Nebraska intents to move forward quickly, confident the program remains an attractive destination as it searches for its next quarterback.
After a three-day break in their schedule, the Los Angeles Lakers will be in Salt Lake City on Thursday to take on the Utah Jazz. The Jazz may have a dismal 10-15 record, but they have won five of their last eight games, and they're capable of putting a high number of points on the board.
Right now, given their defensive problems, the Lakers cannot take any team lightly. That is especially true given their injury report for Thursday's game. Not only will Austin Reaves continue to sit due to a calf strain, but starting center Deandre Ayton will not play due to elbow soreness.
Ayton has been playing some good basketball this season for Los Angeles. He's averaging 15.3 points and nine rebounds a game, and his effort on the boards has been outstanding. He's also shooting an incredible 71% from the field, which is a result of all the easy baskets his teammates have been getting him and his ability to convert at a high rate near the rim.
After Thursday's game, L.A. will visit the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday before visiting the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday, Dec. 23.
Will Tua Tagovailoa ever start again for the Miami Dolphins? Yahoo Sports' Andrew Siciliano, Jori Epstein and Ben Fawkes discuss the benching of the QB, with rookie Quinn Ewers set to take over for the rest of the season. They move on to debate whether the Atlanta Falcons will start the 2026 season with Kirk Cousins as signal caller, before discussing the latest cryptic comments from Joe Burrow and Zac Taylor. Andrew also sits down with Amon-Ra St. Brown to discuss the 2025 NFL season, as well as his Christmas priorities ahead of the holiday. Closing things out, the crew breaks down the enormous matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks before discussing their "One More Thing".
(4:48) - Dolphins bench Tua Tagovailoa
(16:14) - Could Kirk Cousins start next season for the Falcons?
(23:58) - Amon-Ra St. Brown joins the show!
(32:56) - What changes do the Bengals have to make this offseason?
(47:28) - Puka Nacua trashes NFL referees
(1:01:41) - One More Thing
Where do the Dolphins go without Tua at QB? (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
Dec. 17—GRAND FORKS — As the offseason arrives for the UND football program, it can be a challenge to stay current with the comings and goings of a program.
On this page, Herald UND football beat reporter Tom Miller will track who's saying what when it comes to the 2026 Fighting Hawks season.
Texas A&M (11-1, 7-1 SEC) is just three days away from hosting Miami (10-2) in the first round of the College Football Playoff, which will be the first appearance in the tournament for both programs, and is considered the best game of the weekend. Set to kick off at 11:00 a.m. CT on Saturday, the first injury report was released for both teams on Wednesday night.
For the Aggies, star running back Le'Veon Moss, who missed the last six games of the regular season, returned to practice this week, going through a full workload on Tuesday afternoon, but according to head coach Mike Elko, this is a "wait-and-see" situation.
According to the injury report, Moss is listed as "questionable" with a 50% chance to play. In contrast, senior linebacker Scooby Williams and safety Bryce Anderson are listed as "probable" with a 75% chance to return to the field. This is the first time in nearly two months that Moss hasn't been listed as either "doubtful" or out, and while Elko would like to keep his return under wraps, this designation sums things up.
Williams ' potential return provides a significant boost to Texas A&M's run defense, which has struggled early in games, while his size and instincts have been missed in coverage. Anderson, who will likely redshirt to return next season, hasn't played most of the year after a heady injury against Notre Dame effectively shut him down.
For Miami, star cornerback Keionte Scott, who mas missed most of the year with turf toe, is listed as probable and is expected to make his return on Saturday, which is big news for the secondary.
The initial CFP availability report ahead of Saturday's first-round contest between #7 Texas A&M and #10 Miami: pic.twitter.com/o2oyw8H6J6
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
All the momentum Xavier had built with an 8-3 non-conference record this season seemed squandered in a lackluster performance Dec. 17.
Facing a Creighton team that was .500 (5-5) and had been blown out in its only two road games of the season, Xavier had no answer in Wednesday's Big East opener in a 98-57 loss at Cintas Center.
Xavier was trying to sweep a 5-game homestand and win its sixth straight overall. That went out the window in a hurry as Creighton dominated on both sides of the ball in the largest loss in Xavier history at Cintas Center.
Pitino had wanted Xavier to develop a "defensive confidence" heading into the 20-game Big East gauntlet.
Thriving on defense seems further away now after Creighton came to Cintas Center and did whatever it wanted to against Xavier's defense. In the first half, the Bluejays shot 58.1% from the field (18-of-31).
With 5:45 left in the first half, Creighton guard Austin Swartz's underhand alley-oop attempt was intended for big man Isaac Traudt. It was offline and instead fell harmlessly into the bucket. It was that kind of night where seemingly any Creighton shot attempt found Cintas Center nylon.
It was Swartz's breakout performance as he led Creighton's offense with a career-high 27 points. The Bluejays shot 8-of-15 from 3-point range in the first half and never cooled off, finishing 15-of-32, with Swartz hitting seven treys. It was the most 3-pointers allowed by a Xavier team at home since Evansville knocked down 17 in 2018.
Xavier offense struggles in Big East opener
Xavier's assist-to-field goals made ratio is one of the best in the country. That won't change as Xavier assisted on two-thirds of its field goals against Creighton. The problem was there weren't many made shots to celebrate.
Creighton, No. 87 in defensive efficiency, kept Xavier from establishing any type of rhythm. Xavier led, 10-6, in the first half. Creighton would score 43 of the next 55 points to take a 49-22 lead into the break.
Xavier shot just 30.8% from the field in the first half and were 2-of-11 from the perimeter, with both makes coming from Malik Messina-Moore.
Messina-Moore was one of the long bright spots for Xavier, hitting multiple 3-pointers for the first time since a loss to Iowa Nov. 14. The Montana transfer was also in double figures (14) for the first time since Xavier's second game of the season against Le Moyne.
Xavier leading scorer Tre Carroll was held in single digits (7) for the first time this season. Second-leading scorer Jovan Milicevic was scoreless, going 0-for-8. Roddie Anderson scored all 12 of his points in the second half. Pape N'Diaye was also in double figures with a season-high 10.
Xavier's offense uncharacteristically sloppy in loss to Creighton
Switching to a smaller lineup has helped Xavier's offense in many ways. Most notably, the Musketeers have five players on the court for the majority of the game who can handle the ball.
Xavier moved to No. 1 in the nation in KenPom in turnover percentage heading into Big East play. Those metrics took a beating in just one half as Xavier committed eight turnovers that led to 12 Creighton points.
Creighton entered the night 340th in the nation in turnover percentage and forced Xavier into 14 turnovers.
What's next for Xavier Musketeers basketball?
Xavier continues Big East play with its second true road game of the season on Saturday, Dec. 20 against Georgetown at Capital One Arena.
Georgetown started 5-0 but has dropped three of its last five games. The Hoyas opened Big East play against Marquette Wednesday in Milwaukee.
Xavier returns to Cintas Center after Christmas break to host No. 5 UConn on New Year's Eve.
Xavier women's basketball on 4-game winning streak
In Billi Chambers' first season as the head coach of Xavier women's basketball, the Musketeers went 1-27. Last season, they enjoyed a six-win improvement, finishing 7-24.
This fall, Xavier has already eclipsed last season's win total before the new year. Xavier wrapped up non-conference play Dec. 14 with a 63-51 win over Saint Francis.
It was the Musketeers' fourth straight victory, a run that included a Big East win over Providence and a road victory over UC in the Crosstown Shootout.
Xavier is 8-3 (1-1 Big East) heading into back-to-back conference road games against Butler (Dec. 19) and Seton Hall (Dec. 28).
All the momentum Xavier had built with an 8-3 non-conference record this season seemed squandered in a lackluster performance Dec. 17.
Facing a Creighton team that was .500 (5-5) and had been blown out in its only two road games of the season, Xavier had no answer in Wednesday's Big East opener in a 98-57 loss at Cintas Center.
Xavier was trying to sweep a 5-game homestand and win its sixth straight overall. That went out the window in a hurry as Creighton dominated on both sides of the ball in the largest loss in Xavier history at Cintas Center.
Pitino had wanted Xavier to develop a "defensive confidence" heading into the 20-game Big East gauntlet.
Thriving on defense seems further away now after Creighton came to Cintas Center and did whatever it wanted to against Xavier's defense. In the first half, the Bluejays shot 58.1% from the field (18-of-31).
With 5:45 left in the first half, Creighton guard Austin Swartz's underhand alley-oop attempt was intended for big man Isaac Traudt. It was offline and instead fell harmlessly into the bucket. It was that kind of night where seemingly any Creighton shot attempt found Cintas Center nylon.
It was Swartz's breakout performance as he led Creighton's offense with a career-high 27 points. The Bluejays shot 8-of-15 from 3-point range in the first half and never cooled off, finishing 15-of-32, with Swartz hitting seven treys. It was the most 3-pointers allowed by a Xavier team at home since Evansville knocked down 17 in 2018.
Xavier offense struggles in Big East opener
Xavier's assist-to-field goals made ratio is one of the best in the country. That won't change as Xavier assisted on two-thirds of its field goals against Creighton. The problem was there weren't many made shots to celebrate.
Creighton, No. 87 in defensive efficiency, kept Xavier from establishing any type of rhythm. Xavier led, 10-6, in the first half. Creighton would score 43 of the next 55 points to take a 49-22 lead into the break.
Xavier shot just 30.8% from the field in the first half and were 2-of-11 from the perimeter, with both makes coming from Malik Messina-Moore.
Messina-Moore was one of the long bright spots for Xavier, hitting multiple 3-pointers for the first time since a loss to Iowa Nov. 14. The Montana transfer was also in double figures (14) for the first time since Xavier's second game of the season against Le Moyne.
Xavier leading scorer Tre Carroll was held in single digits (7) for the first time this season. Second-leading scorer Jovan Milicevic was scoreless, going 0-for-8. Roddie Anderson scored all 12 of his points in the second half. Pape N'Diaye was also in double figures with a season-high 10.
Xavier's offense uncharacteristically sloppy in loss to Creighton
Switching to a smaller lineup has helped Xavier's offense in many ways. Most notably, the Musketeers have five players on the court for the majority of the game who can handle the ball.
Xavier moved to No. 1 in the nation in KenPom in turnover percentage heading into Big East play. Those metrics took a beating in just one half as Xavier committed eight turnovers that led to 12 Creighton points.
Creighton entered the night 340th in the nation in turnover percentage and forced Xavier into 14 turnovers.
What's next for Xavier Musketeers basketball?
Xavier continues Big East play with its second true road game of the season on Saturday, Dec. 20 against Georgetown at Capital One Arena.
Georgetown started 5-0 but has dropped three of its last five games. The Hoyas opened Big East play against Marquette Wednesday in Milwaukee.
Xavier returns to Cintas Center after Christmas break to host No. 5 UConn on New Year's Eve.
Xavier women's basketball on 4-game winning streak
In Billi Chambers' first season as the head coach of Xavier women's basketball, the Musketeers went 1-27. Last season, they enjoyed a six-win improvement, finishing 7-24.
This fall, Xavier has already eclipsed last season's win total before the new year. Xavier wrapped up non-conference play Dec. 14 with a 63-51 win over Saint Francis.
It was the Musketeers' fourth straight victory, a run that included a Big East win over Providence and a road victory over UC in the Crosstown Shootout.
Xavier is 8-3 (1-1 Big East) heading into back-to-back conference road games against Butler (Dec. 19) and Seton Hall (Dec. 28).
Dec. 17—GRAND FORKS — Ty Vig is a UND football commit for the second time.
Vig, the younger brother of UND starting edge Kaden Vig, committed to UND in high school at Kittson County Central but changed course to play junior college basketball this fall as a true freshman at Minnesota State-Fergus Falls.
Now, he's heading back to the gridiron. Vig plans to take his physical Jan. 9 and start workouts Jan. 12 ahead of the Fighting Hawks' spring ball practices.
"Way back when I was committed here initially I was a walk-on and coming off a successful basketball season," Vig said Wednesday. "I wanted to keep the basketball thing rolling, so I went to M-State. We're having a good season, and I was playing 35 minutes and averaging 15 (points) and 11 (rebounds)."
Then earlier this week, Vig and UND head coach Eric Schmidt connected over the phone after Kaden and Schmidt had talked about the possibility of Ty joining the team during an exit interview following UND's loss to Tarleton State in the second round of the FCS Playoffs.
When Schmidt offered Ty a football scholarship, Ty jumped at the chance.
"It caught me off-guard a bit," Ty said. "I'm not going to say no to this, though. This is what I always wanted. I still love football but I wanted a scholarship in basketball. When (Schmidt) offered a scholarship, I was in right then."
Vig told his junior college coach, who Vig said understood the opportunity for his post player.
"It's an honor to go play (at UND) with Schmidt and what he's done with the team," Ty said.
Vig said he's going to start working at tight end but also learning the edge position.
"I'm really excited," Ty said. "I'm not going in in the fall. When I originally committed, I was going in during the fall and had to cram all that stuff in. Fall camp is super hard and a lot of stuff at once. Now I'm coming seven months early. I'll get in the workouts and study and learn my position."
Like his brother, Ty is 6-foot-5. Kaden went from 225 pounds to 260 pounds in one season at UND. The Hawks are likely banking on a big jump from Ty, as well.
Ty, who was a sophomore at KCC when Kaden was a senior, started the basketball season at 200 pounds and is up to 215. He's hoping to get up to 240.
Ty isn't worried about being away from football for a year.
"If you watch me play basketball, I play it like a football player," he said. "I think it'll be fine. I'll get a lot stronger."
Kaden was recently named to the all-Missouri Valley Football Conference second team. The Hallock, Minn., native had 5.5 sacks and 36 tackles. He had a 63-yard touchdown return against Northern Iowa after stripping the quarterback and picking up the fumble.
Michigan has fired head coach Sherrone Moore for cause, per a report.
ESPN's Pete Thamel first reported the news on Wednesday afternoon. The news comes shortly after Michigan's early signing period, as Moore was just finishing up his second season with the Wolverines.
On Friday, Moore was charged with home invasion in the third degree, stalking, as well as breaking an entering. Moore was arrested by police on Wednesday evening.
According to the school, the firing comes amid allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a UM staffer.
Michigan announces that Sherrone Moore has been fired for cause & school found “credible evidence was found that Coach Moore engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.”
UM athletic director released a statement after reports came out. Manuel added that More's conduct is a clear violation of university policy, and the school has "zero tolerance" for such behavior.
Statement from University of Michigan Athletic Director Warde Manuel:
“U-M head football coach Sherrone Moore has been terminated, with cause, effective immediately. Following a University investigation, credible evidence was found that Coach Moore engaged in an inappropriate…
On Thursday night, Michigan's president, Domenico Grasco, released a statement, saying "There is absolutely no tolerance for this conduct at the University of Michigan. None."
A few days later, the University of Michigan released a YouTube video, which was Grasco updating the community. He said the next head coach will be “of the highest moral character.”
Grasso says the next Michigan football coach will be “of the highest moral character.” https://t.co/hGucvFDZ1g
Moore had just finished his second season as Michigan's head coach, finishing with an 18-8 record. The Wolverines lost 27-9 to Ohio State to finish 9-3 on the season. Moore has been married to his wife, Kelli Moore since 2015. The couple shares three daughters together.
On Dec. 13, ESPN reported additional information regarding the relationship. Pete Thamel and Dan Wetzel reported that a law firm which will investigate UM's athletic department's handling of scandals looked into the relationship earlier this season.
The school found no evidence from the anonymous tip, and both parties denied the relationship. But that changed on Monday, Dec. 8:
Both Moore and the staff member denied the relationship and not enough evidence emerged to confirm it.
That changed Wednesday when, according to prosecutors in Washtenaw County, Michigan, the staff member told investigators it did occur and presented corroborating evidence. The staff member had, on Monday, broken off the multiyear relationship, according to prosecutors, but became concerned when Moore sent a flurry of texts and calls that were unreturned.
The university promptly fired Moore on Wednesday for the relationship.
Michigan interim coach Biff Poggi spoke about fallout since Sherrone Moore's firing.
"It has been a tumultuous time," he said. "Disbelief, then anger, then really, what we're in right now is the kids, quite frankly, feel very betrayed, and we're trying to work through that." pic.twitter.com/w7Fg8n1exo
Beyond his suspension earlier in the 2025 season, Moore had faced two prior penalties: a one-game ban for the 2023 season opener stemming from recruiting violations, and an outstanding one-game suspension tied to the sign-stealing investigation that was scheduled for the first game of the 2026 season.
TMZ has released audio of a 911 tape, allegedly tied to Moore's arrest on Wednesday. On the tape, you can hear the dispatcher say that a woman on location was "being attacked," and that the man at the location has "been stalking her for months."
TMZ released an extended clip of the audio later Wednesday, where the dispatcher is heard describing a call from "S1's wife" in Ann Arbor saying that the suspect is "suicidal for losing his job today." The dispatcher added that S1 walked out with a knife, and that a U of M detective was on the way.
Latest Sherrone Moore arrest updates
Wednesday, Dec. 17, 7:38 p.m.: The woman's lawyer alleged that Moore had a "long history of domestic violence" against a female football staffer during their relationship.
Former Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore had a “long history of domestic violence” against a female football staffer during their relationship, the woman’s lawyer alleged. pic.twitter.com/qvsdVHz3T6
Per The Athletic, "the staffer told police she ended the relationship two days before Moore’s firing, and told him she had 'nothing more to say to him.” She said that over the next two days, Moore called her “approximately a dozen times and sent her text messages."
Friday, Dec. 12. 1:38 p.m: According to Nicole Auerbach, the magistrate told Sherrone Moore that he is not to use alcohol, marijuana or any other substance that's not prescribed to him while out on bond. Moore must also wear a GPS tether, continue all mental health treatment and have no contact with the woman.
Moore's next hearing is scheduled for Jan. 22, 2026, per Auerbach.
Friday, Dec. 12. 1:34 p.m. TheWashtenaw County prosecutor said Sherrone Moore is alleged to have broken into the woman's residence, grabbed butter knives and threatened to harm himself, including telling the alleged victim she would have to watch.
Per Nicole Auerbach, the prosecutor also said that Sherrone Moore and the woman had an intimate relationship for a number of years, and the victim "broke up with the defendant on Monday morning. She presented herself to (the school) and corroborated the fact they had a relationship."
Here is video from the allegations being laid out by the prosecutor.
Allegations laid out by prosecutor against Sherrone Moore
Says Moore barged into house, grabbed multiple knives and threatened to kill himself in front of alleged victim pic.twitter.com/bDzyKBqNTj
Friday, Dec. 12. 12:53 p.m.: Moore has been formally charged by Washtenaw County with home invasion in the third degree, stalking as well as breaking and entering:
Friday, Dec. 12. 12:29 p.m.: Moore is set to be arraigned in Washtenaw County court at 1 p.m. ET.
Sherrone Moore's arraignment appears set for 1 p.m., per a release: "The Court has received information a complaint will filed by the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s office. As soon as we have charging information that will be shared."
Thursday, Dec. 11 4:03 p.m.: NBC's Nicole Auerbach reported on Thursday afternoon that Michigan was aware of Moore's mental health issues, but Warde Manuel fired him without any HR reps or security guards present.
Michigan had been alerted prior to Wednesday that Sherrone Moore was dealing with mental health issues yet Warde Manuel fired him alone with no HR rep and no security present, source told @NBCSports.
Hours after his firing, Moore was arrested and is currently in protective custody.
1:34 p.m.: According to ESPN's Pete Thamel, who initially reported Moore's firing, Michigan did have an initial investigation into the head coach's alleged misconduct.
That investigation didn't yield anything, but in "very recent days," credible information emerged that was "overwhelming in nature." Per Thamel, who appeared on the Pat McAfee show on Thursday, that changed the investigation, which ultimately led to his firing:
"My understanding is that there was an initial investigation into this and nothing credible was found..
Within the past day or two credible information emerged that was overwhelming in nature..
12:26 p.m.: Per Adam Rittenberg of ESPN, Moore is expected to appear in court for his arraignment on Friday, Dec. 12:
Update from Pittsfield Township police on the Sherrone Moore situation: "This investigation is ongoing and under review by the Washtenaw County Prosecutor. The suspect remains in custody at the Washtenaw County Jail and is expected to appear in court for arraignment on 12/12/25."
11:20 a.m.: According to ESPN's Dan Wetzel, no decision on charges stemming from Moore's arrest by police is expected on Thursday. Moore remains in custody, and is still being actively investigated by police:
The Washtenaw County Prosecutors Office tells ESPN that no decision on charging Sherrone Moore is expected today. The former Michigan coach remains in custody.
"The matter involving Mr. Moore remains under active investigation by law-enforcement, and as a result, we do not…
According to Wetzel, Moore was detained by police in Saline, Mich. on Wednesday evening.
Breaking: Ex-Michigan coach Sherrone Moore was detained by police in Saline, Mich. this evening and turned over to police in Pittsfield Township for investigation into potential charges, reporting with @PeteThamelpic.twitter.com/KTuzlmNXQ7
Moore was detained by police Wednesday afternoon and was in custody in the Washtenaw County Jail as of 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, according to online court records. He was booked at 8:30 p.m., according to court records.
Saline police chief Marlene Radzik confirmed to The News earlier Wednesday that nearby Pittsfield Township's police department was handling a complaint involving Moore. After 10 p.m. Wednesday, Pittsfield Township police confirmed it handled an assault investigation, without naming Moore. Police said the investigation began around 4:10 p.m., minutes before UM announced Moore's firing.
In a statement to the media, Pittsfield police chief Patrick Gray stated that "the incident does not appear to be random in nature, and there appears to be no ongoing threat to the community."
He added that an investigation is ongoing. Saline, Mich. lies about 9.5 miles south of Ann Arbor.
Firing him for cause means the school has a legitimate reason to dismiss Moore. In this case, an inappropriate relationship with a staff member likely resulted in a breach of contract, allowing the school to terminate him without paying a buyout.
There are various clauses within a head coach's contract that subject coaches to firing for cause. Oftentimes, the coach is contractually obligated to represent the university with high standards. Michigan State fire Mel Tucker in 2023 after an investigation revealed that he sexually assaulted a Title IX advocate, Brenda Tracy, who previously spoke to the MSU football program. The Spartans had to vacate 14 wins under Tucker earlier this year.
There is a chance that firing Moore for cause means the school would not have to pay him his buyout of $13,897,916.
Who is Michigan's interim coach?
Michigan's interim head coach is former Charlotte head coach Biff Poggi. The longtime Michigan staffer had coached under Jim Harbaugh and re-joined Moore's staff midseason.
In his first media availability since Moore's firing, Poggi said that he is working to through the players feeling "very betrayed" after the shocking week in Ann Arbor.
When Moore was suspended earlier in the 2025 season, Poggi took over for two games and led the Wolverines to a 2-0 record. Combined with his tenure at Charlotte, Poggi has an 8-16 career record as a head coach.
While Poggi will man the Wolverines for now, leading the coaching search is athletic director Warde Manuel, who remains in the position after a Michigan board member call on Thursday.
Despite contrary reports, Warde Manuel remains the Michigan athletic director as the school begins a search for its next coach, per @RossDellenger.
Michigan board members and university officials held a call earlier today that was related to the situation following Sherrone… pic.twitter.com/M730wZLXRN
In two years as Michigan head coach, Moore finished with a record of 18-8. He was 16-8 in his two-year tenure as the official head coach, with two additional wins coming as acting head coach when Jim Harbaugh was suspended.
He led the Wolverines to an 8-5 record (5-4 Big Ten) in his first full season, a campaign defined by two monumental victories. Moore secured a fourth consecutive win over No. 2 Ohio State in Columbus and followed it by defeating Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl. Michigan also won all four of its rivalry trophy games that year.
In 2025, Michigan finished the regular season 9-3 and will face Texas in the Citrus Bowl on Dec. 31. The Wolverines’ three losses all came against ranked opponents — No. 18 Oklahoma, No. 16 USC and No. 1 Ohio State — and they managed just two total touchdowns across those games.
This is a breaking news story that will be updated.
The San Francisco Giants have designated outfielder Joey Wiemer for assignment, the club confirmed to reporters, including Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area. The move was necessitated by recent roster activity, as San Francisco needed to clear a spot on its 40-man roster following the signing of reliever Jason Foley. The roster squeeze is not over yet, either, as the Giants will need to open an additional 40-man spot once their reported two-year agreement with right-handed starter Adrian Houser is officially finalized.
The Giants DFA’d outfielder Joey Wiemer to open a roster spot for Jason Foley. Wiemer had been picked up earlier in offseason.
Wiemer’s stint with the Giants was always likely to be brief. San Francisco acquired the 26-year-old outfielder in a DFA trade with the Miami Marlins just last month, a low-cost move designed to add depth and explore upside during the offseason. However, with multiple signings already on the books and more expected, Wiemer appeared to be a vulnerable piece on a roster facing limited flexibility.
Over the past year and a half, Wiemer has become something of a baseball nomad. Originally drafted and developed by the Milwaukee Brewers, he has since been on the move frequently, changing organizations several times in a relatively short span. After his time with Milwaukee, he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds, then moved again to the Kansas City Royals before landing with Miami via a waiver claim in August. If another club takes a chance on him in the coming days, the Giants would mark his sixth organization during that stretch.
Despite the frequent transactions, Wiemer’s physical tools continue to draw interest. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing in at 226 pounds, he offers an enticing blend of power, speed, and defensive versatility. A right-handed hitter, Wiemer possesses legitimate raw power that can change games when he squares the ball up. He’s also a strong runner for his size and is capable of handling all three outfield spots at a competent, if not above-average, level. From a purely athletic standpoint, he checks many of the boxes teams look for in a modern outfielder.
The challenge, however, has been translating those tools into consistent production at the plate. Wiemer’s long levers and aggressive approach have resulted in significant swing-and-miss issues throughout his professional career. Strikeouts have limited his ability to reach base and fully tap into his power, making him a difficult fit for teams prioritizing contact and on-base skills.
Under the DFA process, the Giants now have five days to either trade Wiemer or place him on waivers. Notably, he has yet to clear waivers at any point in his career, suggesting that another club could claim him and add him to its own 40-man roster. If he does go unclaimed, San Francisco would have the option to outright him to the minors, keeping him in the organization as non-roster depth.
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At Cabot Citrus Farms for GOLF's Top 100 Teachers Summit, we asked some of the best minds in the game to help recreational golfers.Getty Images
What do amateur golfers get wrong? Well, depending on the level of amateurism, the answer, according to some of the game’s best teachers, is a lot.
While some might make etiquette mistakes, others could commit swing errors. Or maybe they don’t practice enough. Or practice the right way. Or play the course the right away. You get the picture.
Over the last few days, some of the greatest minds in golf converged at Cabot Citrus Farms in Florida, learning, networking, presenting and shooting content for GOLF Magazine and GOLF.com.
Our Claire Rogers was on-site and spent some time asking a handful of teachers one question and seeking a quick-hitting answer: What’s one thing amateur golfers need to stop doing?
Check out their answers (and the video) below. And to find a Top 100 Teacher near you, click here.
1 thing amateurs need to stop doing
“Thinking on the golf course about your swing.” - Maureen Farrell
“Jumping around from coach to coach. Find a PGA professional or a good coach in your area that’s got your best interest at heart that you can partner with in your own improvement.” - Jason Baile
“Stop moving around when other people are playing.” - Cathy Kim
“Watching YouTube videos at 2 o’clock in the morning.” - Kelan McDonagh
“Playing from tees that don’t match your playing ability.” - Stef Shaw
“Trying to be perfect.” - Zach Haynes
“Trying to do it themselves. I know it’s a DIY society but honestly, I’m among the best coaches in the world right now, find one of them, work closely with them and have market growth over time.” - Jake Thurm
For Kenta Maeda, it's been a long, strange trip since his days with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Now, after a rather down season with the Detroit Tigers, Maeda is going home to Japan. Earlier in the postseason, Maeda issued a statement that he was going back to Japan. Well, he's signed a two-year contract with the Rakuten Golden Eagles.
Maeda pitched nine seasons in the majors, starting with four between 2016-19 with the Dodgers. He then spent three seasons with the Minnesota Twins, and two with the Detroit Tigers.
Maeda put together a 47-35 record with the Dodgers, finishing his time there with a 3.87 ERA. Maeda started 103 games for Los Angeles and also added six saves to his record, too. He also recorded 641 strikeouts while on the mound in Dodger Blue.
But his ERA soared to 4.02 ERA during his time with Minnesota. Maeda finished with an 18-14 overall mark for the Twins. He struck out 310 batters during his time with the Twins, too.
Then, his time with Detroit simply was not good. Maeda was 3-7 with a 6.21 ERA, couldn't perform well as a starter, and got demoted to the Tigers' bullpen. Last season's numbers for Maeda? Seven appearances, eight strikeouts, and a 7.88 ERA. That's not going to keep a pitcher on a team for any length of time.
That was the case for Maeda as he is now looking to rebound in a big way.
But take a look at this. In 2016, Maeda finished third in the National League Rookie of the Year voting. In 2020, he was the runner-up for the National League Cy Young Award.
Yet Maeda just has not been able to reproduce that type of success while with the Twins and Tigers. Maeda signed a two-year, $24 million contract with the Tigers, getting $14 million for 2024 and $10 million last season.
For that type of money, the Tigers really didn't get much in return.
Maeda will return home to Japan in the hopes of resurrecting his career. Speaking of his career, Maeda's win-loss record is 68-56 with a 4.20 ERA.
Dodgers fans will remember what Maeda accomplished for the ballclub. Yet Maeda wants to keep pitching and, for him, going back to Japan just might be the spark he needs to fix his pitching woes.
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A Collection of Letters (Prelude)
“I hope one day these words find you.” — [censored]
Writer’s Prelude. This week will simply feature letters as we discuss Real Madrid. Maybe they’ll matter and maybe they won’t. It is what it is. It’s just how I felt those days.
Dear MM,
Today’s letter will be a short live reflection of our Copa game.
First Half. Alright so it’s currently HT after a quite frankly good if not great 1st half. Overall, the team has collectively put in a decent and hungry performance with several goal-scoring opportunities. Since the camera angle is a bit prohibitive for in-depth analysis, here are a few individual performances and things that I’ve found worthwhile:
Castilla Fullbacks. So far, I’ve liked what I’ve seen from David Jimenez, and I’d like to add that I also liked what I saw from Valdes against Alaves. Offensively, both fullbacks seem relatively comfortable on the ball and good at assessing when to break towards the channels or circle possession. Whatever Arbeloa has been teaching these Castilla kids, it seems to be in sync with our current styles of play. David is a bit on the small size which is a cause for concern aerially but thus far I’ve only counted one particular moment where he looked a bit stranded while covering a forward with Dean Huijsen (who at times seems to forget about his height). So far so good from the kids and I hope to see more. TBH both look 10x calmer than Fran.
CB Pairing. Under these circumstances, I’m willing to forgive Xabi Alonso. We have little to no healthy CBs, Asencio has a fever, and Tchouameni just needs rest, so it’s ok for now. However, Carreras needs to be stop being inserted as a CB. He quite frankly isn’t good at it. I think he’s fine in a pinch when surrounded by two other CBs so it’s a 3-CB system but his diminutive frame and reluctance to be aggressive on aerial passes / sometimes in general in the middle of the park, is a massive liability for our structure. I’d be happy to see this experiment end.
Ceballos / Arda. Quick sentence because the second half is starting. Well done. The former has been a maestro in the midfield dictating our buildup. The latter delivers some masterclass progressive passes.
Endrick. So Endrick imo just made the best pass of his career to which Mbappe simply waste lmao. Thank god this game is psychologically over. Now there will likely be a long debate about Endrick and how Real Madrid has handled his development. And I’m here to say that it’s been a bit poor but also understandable. Endrick arrived to our club at the same time as Kylian Mbappe…of course that’s going to raise issues. I mean additionally this year it’s been hard enough for his Brazilian compatriot Rodrygo to get off the bench so I’m not surprised by the issues here. Additionally, Endrick is truly a raw player with at times questionable decision making. Even during his goalscoring stints last year, he’d often shoot when he obviously needed to pass and yes it sometimes worked…but often his teammates looked baffled by the decisions. It’s hard enough with the team coping with Vini. Endrick on top of that could be a catastrophic mess.
I think a fair share of Madridistas are sad about him being loaned out but tbh I’m excited by this. Endrick needs to play. He needs to consistently play in an environment where he’s allowed to make mistakes. And this loan will finally give him that opportunity. Today, we often all clamor for Nico Paz. It’s Nico Paz this and Nico Paz that. I think it’s plausible to question whether Nico Paz of today would be wanted by Madrid fans if he had stayed. Nico would’ve likely been stuck on the bench (or even worse in Castilla) waiting for that one opportunity which may or may not come. We’d then base the entirety of his ability off at most 10-15 min cameos. Some of you may say that’s not true…but that’s exactly what it is. That’s what happened to Rodrygo this entire season. That’s what happens to Brahim. That’s what happens to Gonzalo Garcia. You have one absolutely random game to start with zero rhythm and at times a mix match group of players and then you get maybe a 20 min max cameo where you need to prove that you’re the second coming of R9. I’m not excusing anything or saying this is unfair…it just quite frankly is what it is. So I’m happy Endrick now has the opportunity to do exactly what Nico Paz / Odegaard / Kubo all wanted — to play.
one other thing — Mbappe. I’m happy he scored today and helped with the OG. I assume he’ll get MOTM again too (last game shouldve been Jude imo). But I really don’t understand why he’s still playing in this game at the 79 min. I’m giving Xabi the benefit of the doubt that he isn’t that dumb tbh and that this is something the club + Xabi / meds / Mbappe have agreed so that he has a good chance to break Cristiano Ronaldo’s calendar goal scoring record. Hold on one second. Talaveres just scored.
Ok — I’m back. Mbappe has score again lmao. Anyway, I’m not stressing about this game. I know a lot of you are going to be like OMG WE CONCEDED 2 GOALS. I mean yea…the team did it’s job and checked out before the 90 min. We can learn off this, I’m not particularly worried.
According to an anecdote on the SZ podcast Un num zum Sport (as reported by Bild) Real Madrid almost signed Bayern Munich wonderkid Lennart Karl back in 2018, almost four years before he moved to the Bavarian capital.
This story comes to us from Süddeutsche Zeitung correspondent Sebastian Leisgang, who has been writing for the paper since 2017. He comes from the area near Karl’s hometown of Frammersbach in Lower Franconia and knows the family personally.
How it happened
Speaking on the podcast, Leisgang revealed how the sequence of events took place (translation courtesy of @iMiaSanMia):
He had a trial with Real Madrid when he was 10 years old. There were training camps at the regional level, one of them in Großkrotzenburg in the Aschaffenburg region.
From there he progressed to the next round, which was in Memmingen. He prevailed there again and was then invited to Real Madrid and allowed to play in the Bernabéu.
As you know, the deal with Real Madrid didn’t work out back then. The father later told me that he was very glad about it because he felt it wasn’t really about his son – but rather about negotiating contracts for big player agencies.
That’s why it fell through, and looking back, the family certainly doesn’t regret it.
Did Madrid miss out?
Looking at how Lennart Karl has developed since 2018, it almost certainly feels like it. The youngster has been a revelation for Bayern Munich this season, nabbing the following records (via Squawka):
Youngest Bayern Munich player to score in the Champions League.
Youngest player to score in his first two CL starts.
Youngest player to score in three straight CL games.
Youngest player to score and assist in a Bundesliga game.
Youngest player to record five Bundesliga goal involvements.
At just seventeen years old, there are already calls for Julian Nagelsmann to call up Karl to the German national team. Spearheading these efforts is the team captain himself, Joshua Kimmich (who is also Karl’s teammate at Bayern Munich).
Kimmich argues that being able to start and play for Bayern Munich means that Karl is ready for the top level of football, regardless of his age. If that argument applies to the national team, then it certainly applies to Real Madrid as well.
However, note what Karl’s father said — he was glad the deal didn’t work out. It’s likely that if Karl moved to Madrid at such a young age (just ten years old at the time) it would have affected his development. Instead, making the move to Eintracht Frankfurt’s youth team in 2017 turned out to be the right decision, as it eventually landed him at Bayern Munich.
It took a few more years, but Karl now finds himself starting regularly for the biggest club in Germany. His contract automatically extends when he turns 18, so if Real Madrid (or any other team) want him, then they’ll have to cough up Neymar levels of money. Even then, Bayern Munich would probably still say no.
Yes, he is that talented. Besides, Madrid have more attackers than they know what to do with. With Vinicius Jr, Mbappe, Rodrygo, Bellingham and more — Xabi Alonso is well furnished with attacking options. Maybe Karl wouldn’t be having his sudden breakout season if he moved to Madrid.
Football is all about small coincidences like these — they make or break careers.
paper, the upcoming matchup between the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers presents a clear contrast in team identity. Detroit enters the game as one of the NFL’s most complete and explosive offenses, while Pittsburgh leans on defensive opportunism and situational football to offset an inconsistent attack. A deeper dive into the analytics reveals where this game could tilt, and where the Lions’ season-long strengths are being quietly tested.
Offensively, Detroit holds a decisive advantage. The Lions lead the NFL in scoring at 30.6 points per game and rank fourth in total offense with 379.9 yards per contest. Pittsburgh, by comparison, averages 24.0 points (13th) and just 288.1 total yards (27th). Detroit’s balance has been the separator. The Lions rank fifth in rushing offense at 131.1 yards per game and third in passing at 248.8, while the Steelers sit near the bottom in both categories, ranking 28th in rushing (92.5) and 23rd in passing (195.6).
Detroit’s efficiency also shows up in the details. The Lions convert 67.3 percent of their red zone trips into touchdowns, second-best in the league, and protect the football better than anyone, committing just eight giveaways all season. Pittsburgh’s red zone efficiency is comparable at 66.7 percent, but ball security is not. The Steelers have turned the ball over 14 times, tied for ninth-most in the NFL — a dangerous trait against an offense that thrives on extra possessions.
The lone offensive area where Pittsburgh holds a slim edge is third down. The Steelers convert at a 39.3 percent clip, ranking 14th, while Detroit sits 17th at 38.4 percent. That margin, however, is unlikely to offset the Lions’ ability to create chunk plays and finish drives.
Defensively, the picture becomes more complex. Neither unit has been dominant, but Pittsburgh’s defense has been more opportunistic. The Steelers allow 23.3 points per game (18th), slightly better than Detroit’s 24.6 (23rd), and have generated 24 takeaways, tied for third in the league. Detroit has forced 17 turnovers, tied for 11th.
Detroit does hold advantages against the run, allowing 106.7 yards per game (13th) compared to Pittsburgh’s 120.9 (19th). But the Lions’ pass defense remains a glaring concern. They are dead last in the NFL in explosive passes allowed, surrendering 54 completions of 20 yards or more. Alarmingly, half of those have come in the last four games. Since their Week 8 bye, Detroit ranks 32nd in explosive pass rate allowed, with opponents generating explosive gains on 20.3 percent of pass plays.
That vulnerability is compounded by inconsistency up front. The Lions have 39 sacks on the season, but 25 of them came in just five games. In their eight wins, Detroit has produced 28 sacks and a 41.1 percent pressure rate. In six losses, that number drops to 11 sacks and a 33.5 percent pressure rate. The pass rush has been the difference between control and collapse.
Interior pressure has regressed sharply from previous seasons. Alim McNeill leads Lions defensive tackles with an 11.2 percent pass rush win rate, ranking 33rd league-wide. In 2024, McNeill ranked sixth at 14.5 percent, and Detroit had multiple interior defenders above the 8.0 percent threshold. This season, no Lions defensive tackle has recreated that level of disruption.
Since Week 9, the Lions defense ranks 26th in EPA allowed per play and 28th in EPA allowed per dropback. While they remain solid against the run, ranking 10th in explosive rush rate allowed, the passing defense has been increasingly exposed.
That trend matters against a Steelers team that may not be explosive overall but has shown flashes. Veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers has thrown for 508 yards over his last two games, signaling a willingness to attack vertically if given time.
Ultimately, this matchup hinges on whether Detroit’s elite offense can stay ahead of its defensive flaws. If the Lions protect the ball and maintain pressure, the numbers suggest they control the game. If Pittsburgh capitalizes on explosive pass opportunities and turnovers, the gap narrows quickly. On Sunday, analytics point toward Detroit — but only if consistency finally matches capability.
I want to be clear that this is not a complaint. The St. Louis Cardinals lack of dialogue about the status of Nolan Arenado is both necessary and expected, but as the winter months roll along it’s becoming difficult to imagine a happy ending to the desire to move him to another team. There are a few scenarios I’ll explore about what I hope Chaim Bloom is working on with one in particular that I think remains the most compelling.
First, a quick rewind to last winter. I thought that John Mozeliak’s handling of the potential trade of Nolan Arenado during the last offseason was a disaster. We should never have learned about the five teams Nolan would approve a trade to or the fact that he shut down an agreed upon trade with the Houston Astros. I thought there was entirely too much talking to the press about what the St. Louis Cardinals were trying to achieve behind-the-scenes. That’s why I will not play the role of hypocrite and complain about the lack of information about potential activity regarding a Nolan Arenado trade now.
Let’s begin with what Chaim Bloom says will not happen. The St. Louis Cardinals will reportedly not consider releasing Nolan Arenado yet manager Oli Marmol told the MLB Network that the team and Nolan expect he’ll be moved this winter. While neither has ruled out Arenado coming back for another season, finding a landing spot for him remains a top priority. There is a consensus that the Cardinals are also willing to add substantial cash to the deal to get it done. There are only three or four teams I can foresee being willing to add Nolan to their roster knowing all that we currently know. One, in my opinion, rises above the rest.
I’ve seen it written that the Detroit Tigers are the team that needs an upgrade at third base the most. I just can’t convince myself that Nolan is the solution the Tigers are looking for even if he’s willing to go to Detroit. Comerica Park isn’t a place that will be very accommodating to Nolan’s offensive abilities at this stage of his career. Granted, he’s only played 8 games there in his career, but a .152 average with 1 HR and 3 RBIs isn’t encouraging.
The Arizona Diamondbacks need a better solution at third base. StatMuse says that Nolan Arenado has a .280 batting average with 84 hits, 13 home runs, 54 RBIs and 38 runs scored in 77 games at Chase Field. That’s acceptable, but still not a compelling reason for them to take on any significant amount of his salary. There is talk in the past couple of days that Arizona might be in the market for Alex Bregman. While I have a hard time envisioning Bregman choosing Arizona, that scenario brings up another Nolan Arenado option.
The Boston Red Sox are still the most compelling option for the St. Louis Cardinals for a Nolan Arenado trade if Alex Bregman does not return. Many have mentioned how inviting the Green Monster might be for Nolan Arenado and StatMuse backs up that idea. While it’s a smaller sample size, Nolan has a .372 average with 35 hits, 7 home runs, 20 RBIs and 15 runs scored in 23 games at Fenway Park. When you factor in that Nolan’s good friend Trevor Story is still a Red Sox after opting in for the final two years of his contract, Boston makes a lot of sense if the Cardinals are willing to cover a hefty part of his salary. The key problem is that there is still an expectation that Alex Bregman returns.
I realize that Nolan Arenado has a southern California home closest to the Los Angeles Angels stadium, but I still can’t see the highly-competitive Nolan agreeing to a trade there. I’ve also heard theories about the Los Angeles Dodgers coming out of nowhere and adding Nolan considering Max Muncy’s versatility and there’s no doubt that he would approve a trade there and they seem to have money to burn, but I haven’t heard any indications that there’s any Dodgers interest in him. I think at the end of the day that the St. Louis Cardinals best trade option for Nolan Arenado is the Boston Red Sox. That’s why paying attention to where Alex Bregman lands (just like last offseason) is the best indication of the Cardinals getting their wish and getting an acceptable Nolan Arenado trade done.
At this point, it's not just Wilfried Nancy's Celtic team that's a hard watch, it's Nancy himself.
So many explanations and justifications, so many verbal contortions as he attempts to talk through his latest defeat. It's become painful, quickly.
"I think I am in a good direction with the players," he said after his fourth defeat in a row in his new job, a 2-1 loss at struggling Dundee United.
"Today you saw we had a good performance," he stated. "We are improving," he insisted. "We were close to winning... keep the faith."
All around him now there are football atheists. There really can't be many believers left. As Nancy spoke, it was hard to avoid wincing and wincing and wincing again.
As he made his way through his post-match assessment, the temptation was to shout, 'Stop... stop talking... stop explaining because when you're explaining, you're losing, again'.
The bottom line in all of this is that between his nightmarish beginning with Celtic and his low-key ending with Columbus Crew, Nancy has won just three of his past 16 games as a manager.
The defeats by United, St Mirren, Roma and Hearts now joined the ones that went before in America - Cincinnati (twice), Chicago Fire, New York City and New England Revolution.
Nancy finished seventh in the regular season in MLS, won 14 of 34 games, ranking joint sixth in the league for goals scored and eighth for goals conceded. After being manager of the season the year before, it was all very blah.
His credentials for the Celtic job were, at best, thin, despite the excited rhetoric of some observers in America, who painted him as a special one and his capture as a coup.
There are questions here. Many of them. Is he already doomed? If not, how long has he got? Celtic host Aberdeen on Sunday. Can he survive if he loses again? How many is too many? Five? Six? Seven?
And, given his humdrum season with Columbus Crew, how did Nancy get this job in the first place? Arguably, that's the biggest question of all. He'd been a manager at Montreal and Columbus for a total of four years - then he's given the Celtic job?
"We have been aware of Wilfried and his quality of work for some time," said Michael Nicholson, Celtic's chief executive. "He was our number one candidate when we began the process of appointing a new manager…"
What, exactly, was that process? Who else did Celtic talk to? How rigorous was their search? We don't know. The number one candidate?
What we do know is that Nancy had Kwame Ampadu as his assistant in Columbus and that Ampadu and Celtic's director of football operations, Paul Tisdale, worked together at Exeter City more than a dozen years ago.
On the back of a CV that shows spells at Bath, Exeter, MK Dons, Bristol Rovers, Colchester United and Stevenage, Tisdale has become a very significant figure at Celtic, one of the most influential characters in the place.
How? Again, we're in the dark. Tisdale does not do interviews so there has been no chance to ask him anything.
If he suggested to the Celtic board that Nancy was their man, on what basis did he form that conclusion?
How thoroughly were Nancy's credentials interrogated? From this remove - four games played, four games lost, three goals scored and 10 goals conceded - not thoroughly enough.
From there to here was always going to be a mighty leap for Nancy, but nobody knew it was going to be Grand Canyonesque in a footballing sense.
It's understandable that sections of the fans have turned on him - he seems like a good man in the wrong movie, which makes this crash in slow motion all the harder to observe - but what of the people who appointed him?
What of Tisdale? He is as much to blame for the sorry mess that Celtic are in as Nancy is. More so, even.
Tisdale has powerful sway over the recruitment work that Celtic do and yet, in the main, he escapes the heat of the fans who have been fixated on principal shareholder Dermot Desmond and members of the board.
One of that board is leaving soon, of course. Peter Lawwell, a titan of the club for two decades, will depart at the end of the year, citing abuse and threats from a sinister element in the support that have impacted his family.
Lawwell is a big enough operator to take stick on the chin, as he has done for years. When his family are drawn into it then it's another matter entirely.
Celtic are in a dark place right now. Instead of more threats from zealots and incendiary statements from members of the Desmond family, it needs some healing, some understanding and some class.
It needs dignity to break out where now there's just dysfunction. On the pitch and off Wednesday was a grim day for the club.
[BBC]
'Incredible not to pick O'Neill's brain'
Nancy must be wondering what the hell he's walked into and it's not hard to have some sympathy for him. He asked for context in the aftermath of Tannadice and, in his defence, there is some. Not a lot, but a little.
It wasn't Nancy's fault that Johnny Kenny missed an easy chance or that Daizen Maeda spurned a sitter.
The blame for having the inexperienced Kenny leading the Celtic line is not on Nancy. It lies with others way above him - the ones who orchestrated the club's slapstick transfer window in the summer.
The new manager is missing key players in Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Jota, but there is no evidence that he would get the best out of them even if they weren't injured.
He hasn't got the best out of the players he's had in four games now. Nothing like it. Amid a fog of tactical and selectorial confusion most of them have gone backwards.
Once again, Celtic faded when it became a fight in that second half at Tannadice. Once again, an opponent spotted weakness and exploited it. Once again, Nancy was out-coached.
Nancy talks about performance in the manner of a man who has time. He doesn't. The one unalienable truth about his job is that winning is everything, no matter how it happens.
Martin O'Neill would have spelled that out to him had Nancy spent more than 15 minutes picking the brains of a guy who knows Celtic's past and Celtic's present better than anybody.
It sounds like Nancy passed on the opportunity to mine the interim manager for information, which is incredible given he's a man at a new club in a new league in a new continent.
For how much longer, it's hard to tell. Logic would say that Nancy is already on borrowed time, but logic doesn't seem to be pervasive at the club at the moment.
Strange things are happening on the pitch and off. And at the weekend, Aberdeen are coming, sniffing points and smelling blood. There is no fear factor now.
For the rest, against the diminished champions, opportunity knocks.
CHICAGO — The Chicago Bears are considering a move to northwest Indiana amid growing concerns that Illinois lawmakers will not approve the financial incentives needed to build a new stadium in Arlington Heights, a top team official told the Chicago Tribune.
In an exclusive interview, Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren confirmed the possibility of crossing state lines, but said the organization also would consider sites in other parts of Illinois. A letter to season ticket holders Wednesday outlined plans to look elsewhere, too, adding more fodder to the ongoing political debate over the franchise’s future and renewing an old threat to leave the state if the team doesn’t get its needs met.
“We’re looking at opportunities that may exist in the Chicagoland area including northwest Indiana,” Warren said. “We still believe that Arlington Park is the most viable location in Cook County, but now we’re putting everything back on the table and exploring all options.”
The news comes after Indiana lawmakers earlier this year created the Northwest Indiana Professional Sports Development Commission to attract a major sports organization such as the Bears.
“Northwest Indiana is in our home marketing area,” Warren said. “From a TV, media, radio rights standpoint and our fan base, it’s an extension of Chicago. It seems like it would provide a viable opportunity.”
Word that the team would begin exploring options across state lines appeared to come as a surprise to Gov. JB Pritzker’s office.
“Suggesting the Bears would move to Indiana is a startling slap in the face to all the beloved and loyal fans who have been rallying around the team during this strong season,” Pritzker spokesman Matt Hill said in a statement to the Tribune. “The governor’s a Bears fan who has always wanted them to stay in Chicago. He has also said that ultimately they are a private business that makes their own decisions, but the governor has also been clear that the bottom line for any private business development should not come at the full expense of taxpayers.”
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun welcomed the announcement.
“The Chicago Bears recognize Indiana’s pro-business climate, and I am ready to work with them to build a new stadium in Northwest Indiana. This move would deliver a major economic boost, create jobs, and bring another premier NFL franchise to the Hoosier State. Let’s get it done,” Braun said in a statement.
While the Bears did not name a specific site in Indiana, Hammond sits on Lake Michigan southeast of Chicago, and has a mayor who is vice chairman of the sports commission who is willing to play ball.
“I would bend over backwards to do anything I can to help the Bears come here,” Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. said.
The mayor said he hasn’t talked to the team, but said business and residents increasingly are fleeing high taxes in Illinois for lower costs in Indiana and proximity to Chicago. While Hammond doesn’t have a site ready to host an NFL stadium, McDermott said he would “knock down buildings” to clear a spot.
It’s unclear whether the Bears would also consider moving its headquarters from Halas Hall in suburban Lake Forest if it played in Indiana.
To be sure, this isn’t the first time the Bears have threatened such a move. In 1995, the team explored moving to a proposed entertainment complex by Gary’s airport. But some fans expressed anger at the idea, and that plan went nowhere.
Critics then suggested the proposed move was a negotiating tactic to win more concessions to stay in Illinois. But Warren says it’s no ploy now, he still wants to build in Arlington Heights, but has to consider all options.
Warren had wanted to break ground on a new stadium in 2025, and finish the three-year construction in time for the 2028 season. The plan is contingent on the General Assembly letting the team negotiate its long-term property taxes with local schools and other taxing bodies.
Pritzker has expressed openness to the state paying for infrastructure costs, but said it’s up to the Bears, valued at nearly $9 billion, to pay for their stadium. Despite the team having the oldest and smallest stadium in the NFL, Warren said, state leaders have told the Bears that their project will not be a legislative priority in 2026.
The legislation would cost the state nothing, and could apply to any “megaproject,” like a stadium, large factory or corporate headquarters. But Chicago lawmakers have resisted the measure, with Pritzker and others suggesting the team should help pay off the more than $500 million debt from the renovation of Soldier Field in 2003. The debt was supposed to be paid off by the city’s hotel tax, but that hasn’t made a dent in the amount owed. The team is under no obligation to pay the debt, other than its yearly rent of about $7 million and an $84 million penalty if it leaves in 2026, before its lease is up in 2033. The Bears’ move to open the door to a possible move to northwest Indiana comes a few weeks after top team officials, including Warren, team Chairman George McCaskey and Chief Operating Officer Karen Murphy met with Pritzker and top aides in the governor’s Chicago office.
The Nov. 6 meeting, which team officials sought for months, lasted about an hour and was “a productive and honest conversation,” according to a source briefed on the discussions.
Pritzker and his staff shared their view of the political dynamics in Springfield and the challenges the team has faced in trying to gather support for proposed megaprojects legislation that Warren and other Bears officials have said is crucial to the proposed Arlington Heights stadium, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private conversations.
The biggest obstacle in the Bears’ path to Arlington Heights has been a lack of support from Chicago legislators for a proposal that would allow the team, and other businesses developing large-scale projects, to negotiate property tax payments directly with local taxing bodies.
Democratic lawmakers who represent Chicago are loath to aid the Bears in the team’s effort to leave for the suburbs.
Lawmakers were unimpressed with an offer from the Bears, which came late in the General Assembly’s fall veto session in October, to set aside $25 million to help pay down the debt.
Separately, the team met Friday with Cook County officials to hear a presentation on a proposal to build a new stadium on the former Michael Reese Hospital site. The team has long said the property near the Bronzeville neighborhood is too small for its needs.
Warren reiterated those reasons Tuesday in a letter to Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, noting that “Arlington Park remains the only viable Cook County site for the project.”
“As we have shared privately and publicly, we are at a pivotal juncture to build a new world-class stadium for our Chicago Bears fans,” Warren wrote to Preckwinkle. “There are significant costs associated with further delays. We have great respect for you and your position as President of Cook County and your commitment to making the world a better place for the residents of the southside of Chicago. We want to maintain a strong relationship with you because we serve the same community regardless of where the new Chicago Bears stadium is built. We appreciate your time and leadership.”
In a statement Wednesday, Preckwinkle said she was “proud to have recently hosted a productive meeting between the State, City and County and the Bears. It was important for us to bring everyone to the table and have a conversation around making a serious commitment to keeping the Bears in Cook County and Illinois. We’re shocked and disappointed that the Bears would discuss moving to Indiana at this time.”
Indiana state Rep. Earl Harris Jr., the East Chicago Democrat who authored the law that created the sports commission, said he has heard rumblings about the Bears’ interest in the area.
The commission is in the process of raising funds from Lake County and local municipalities to put together a strategic plan to attract a professional sports franchise. He was aware of potential sites near the Hard Rock Casino and on the lakefront in Gary.
“I’m ecstatic to hear the news,” Harris Jr. said. “If this conversation is getting serious, we will dive deeper into this.”
The Bears have reversed direction before on their plans for a new, world-class enclosed stadium.
It’s been more than four years since the team announced plans to buy the 326-acre former Arlington International Racecourse as a stadium site. The team pledged to spend more than $2 billion to build its own world-class enclosed stadium there. Officials later pivoted to Chicago, proposing a $4.7 billion new domed stadium to replace Soldier Field on the lakefront. After state leaders said they had no money to offer, Warren said the team’s focus was back on Arlington Heights.
The team planned to present its formal proposal to the Arlington Heights village board this fall, but when state lawmakers chose not to help the team with legislation, officials put the presentation on hold.
Wherever the stadium ends up, team officials are looking for government help to build the necessary infrastructure for it, such as roads and utilities, as is common with large projects. The Arlington Heights site would need an estimated $855 million in new construction, including expressway ramps to and from adjacent Route 53.
While the Bears have been stymied in their hopes for a new stadium, public officials in Nashville, Tenn., and Buffalo, N.Y., have committed about $2 billion total for new NFL stadiums in each of those cities. Officials in Cleveland, Kansas City, Kansas and Washington, D.C., are also considering building new football stadiums.
The idea of moving to another state is not unheard of, as the New York Giants and New York Jets both play in New Jersey. Several other teams play outside their namesake towns, such as the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, and the Los Angeles Rams in Inglewood, Calif.
Research by economists generally shows that publicly financed stadiums are not a good deal for taxpayers. Polls have shown residents of both Chicago and Arlington Heights would love to have the Bears, but don’t want to pay for a new stadium.
The Bears estimate the economic impact of the stadium’s construction at about $6.6 billion statewide, with 33,000 construction job years and 9,000 permanent jobs, and generating $220 million annually from stadium operations.
Series: Hoyas trail 14-25 and are 4-14 as the road team.
Streaks: Georgetown has lost 8 straight overall to Marquette (5 straight away).
Net Rankings: Georgetown 121, Marquette 163
KenPom Rankings: Marquette 94, Georgetown 102
KenPom Odds: Georgetown has a 35% chance of winning, with a projected score of 77-73 in favor of Marquette.
DraftKings Line: Georgetown +5.5, o/u 150.5
The Golden Eagles Report: All Shaka Smart has done at Marquette is win – until this year. He’s being called the Dabo Swinney of CBB because he’s not taking in transfers all that often. That’s of course not a fair comparison as Dabo has won multiple national championships while Shaka’s best run was two schools and 15 years ago.
Anyway, Chase Ross is who everyone expected with the departure of Kam Ross.
Nigel Jones is having a nice start to his career, while Ben Gold hasn’t made the leap many were hoping for as a senior, at least offensively with his shooting numbers down a bit.
DIGITAL GAME PROGRAM | #MUBB vs Georgetown | 7:30pm CT at @FiservForum on FS1
While the Big East isn’t getting a lot of attention for the top teams outside of UConn and St. John’s it seems clear that the bottom of the league, although crowded at the moment, is better than it’s been in quite some time. Georgetown has eight straight overall to Marquette going back to the start of the 2021 BET title.
You have to go back even further for the last Hoyas win in Milwaukee, which came in March of 2019. James Akinjo and Mac McClung combined for 48 that afternoon.
But back to the present, this Georgetown team has two very winnable games to open up conference play and it starts tonight. Which Hoyas team will show up?
The team we saw vs Maryland and Clemson or the one that opened up slow in Florida and narrowly escaped Saint Peter’s?
Thursday's contest will determine who's going to be in first place in the NFC West. Currently, the Rams hold the tie-breaker over the Seahawks.
An elite offense led by quarterback Matthew Stafford may be short-handed for the game, as Davante Adams' status for the game is uncertain.
Davante Adams (hamstring) is listed as doubtful for TNF vs. Seahawks
Adams, 32, exited the Rams' 41-34 win over the Detroit Lions in the fourth quarter after re-aggravating a hamstring injury he's played through for a large part of the season.
He would never return to the contest.
With the three-day break in between games, this has played a factor in his status for the Rams' matchup against the Seahawks. Senior NFL insider Adam Schefter said that Adams is listed as doubtful for the contest.
If unable to go, the Rams will be without their top red-zone target. Adams currently leads the league in receiving touchdowns (14).
The elite-level wide receiver is averaging a touchdown per game while also 60 receptions for 789 receiving yards so far this season.
Expect head coach Sean McVay and the Rams to rely heavily on wide receivers Puka Nacua, Tutu Atwell, and Jordan Whittington, as well as tight ends Colby Parkinson and Terrance Ferguson.
Former Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel is off to a bit of a slow start in the NFL thanks in large part to the team he plays for: the Cleveland Browns.
The Browns' struggles have continued in recent weeks as they are in the midst of three-game losing skid while sitting in fourth place in the AFC North with nothing to play for in the final few weeks of the regular season at 3-11.
To make matters worse for Gabriel, the Browns have since turned to former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders as the season winds down which paints an even grimmer picture about what Gabriel's future may look like.
"Dillon Gabriel looks like he could stick in the league for a while as a game-managing backup quarterback," Merriam wrote.
It's not a great outlook, but the rest of. his ex-teammates appear to be on the upswing as Merriam ranked the Ducks his fourth-best of his 15 draft classes from around the country.
For Gabriel, though, this is as much a learning experience for him as it is a springboard into the future.
"First off, I am all about our team, you know what I mean?" Gabriel told reporters then. "And each other. I would never make that, and I've said it before, that's why it's interesting. But, for me, I've explained it. Entertainers are you all [in the media]. Competitor, that's what I am and all my teammates, and we both have jobs to do. So that's it."
Therefore, backup or not, to question his dedication to his position, or to football in general, would be a mistake.
Should Gabriel not see the field again this season, he would finish with seven touchdowns alongside two interceptions.
OXFORD — Ole Miss football is in good shape on its first availability report of the College Football Playoff.
The Rebels (11-1) will face Tulane (11-2) on Dec. 20 (2:30 p.m., TNT) in the first round of the CFP. As part of the CFP, both teams release a nightly injury report in the days leading up to the game.
It's a rematch of a game on Sept. 20 in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. The Rebels won that game 45-10 in dominating fashion.
Tight end Dae'Quan Wright is probable for the Rebels. Wright has 30 catches and four touchdowns. Defensive back Antonio Kite is questionable. He has 25 tackles in 2025.
The Atlanta Falcons may finally see their top wide receiver return in Week 16.
Atlanta's first injury report of the week listed Drake London as a limited participant in practice on Dec. 17.
London sustained a knee injury in the final moments of regulation in the Falcons' Week 11 overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers on Nov. 16. He had not returned to the field since suffering the ailment until Atlanta's first Week 16 practice on Wednesday.
Atlanta's Week 15 game was the fourth game in a row that London missed thanks to the knee injury. It was also the fifth overall game this season that the third-year receiver was absent from.
Despite missing the Falcons' last four games, London is still the team leader in receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, 20+ yard receptions and receiving first downs.
London could be in line to make his return from a PCL sprain in Week 16's game against the Arizona Cardinals. His return to practice as a limited participant on Dec. 17 was the first time he joined his team on the field since his injury on Nov. 16.
The Falcons' top wide receiver initially suffered his knee injury in the final moments of regulation in Atlanta's Week 11 loss to the Panthers. Before Dec. 17, he had missed every practice and game since sustaining the PCL sprain, even after Falcons head coach Raheem Morris told reporters on Dec. 1 that London's status had been upgraded to "day-to-day" ahead of Week 14.
The wideout missed two more games – in Weeks 14 and 15 – after Morris' update.
London's status for Week 16 is still unclear, but his Wednesday return to practice is a positive sign that a return may be on the horizon.
London recorded more than 100 yards in each of the three games he last appeared in before sustaining his knee injury in Week 11. Here's how his stats look through 14 weeks and nine games played:
Targets: 94
Receptions: 60
Receiving yards: 810
Yards/reception: 13.5
Touchdowns: 6
London's 13.5 yards per catch would be the highest mark in his career in a single season. The Falcons' leading receiver is averaging exactly 90 yards per game and, as a result, could still reach the 1,000-yard mark for a second year in a row if he returns next week. London needs three more touchdowns to match his career high of nine, which he set last year.
Falcons WR depth chart
Drake London (out – knee)
Darnell Mooney
David Sills
Dylan Drummond
Deven Thompkins
KhaDarel Hodge
Jamal Agnew
Casey Washington
Malik Heath
The Falcons have many wide receivers on their roster, but very few outside of London have been significant contributors in Atlanta's passing offense. Despite all of the missed time, London is still the only Falcons wide receiver with more than 25 catches. Tight end Kyle Pitts and running back Bijan Robinson are the only other pass-catchers to cross that mark.
Mooney, Washington, Sills, Drummond, Hodge and Thompkins have 58 receptions combined, which cumulatively still ranks fourth behind Pitts (73), London (60) and Robinson (64).
Anthony Joshua isn’t backing down from his proclamation that he’s going for the kill — literally — in his fight against Jake Paul no matter how much that might bother Tyson Fury.
During a media roundtable on Tuesday, Joshua made it clear that he’s pulling no punches when it comes to his approach against Paul saying “If I can kill you, I will kill you.” That comment didn’t sit too well with Fury, who is rumored to have a showdown against Joshua already in the works for some time in 2026.
“He’s 37 years old at the end of his career, fighting a YouTuber, a Disney Channel guy, who Tommy [Fury] beat, and now he’s talking about killing him and all that to try and sell,” Fury said about Joshua. “Please. Barking up the wrong tree, idiot. Here’s a fun fact, if I ever come across you, bum, I’m knocking you dead spark out. I ain’t a YouTuber or a man half your size. I am him. The man.”
Asked for a response to Fury’s comments during a pre-fight press conference on Wednesday, Joshua didn’t hide from using the word “kill” despite numerous boxers actually dying from injuries sustained in the ring.
“It’s my job,” Joshua said. “We fight. We have a license to kill. I’m sure many people don’t understand it but this is what my job is. I just enjoy what I do. Whatever happens, happens. As long as my hand is raised, that’s what’s important, right? Respectfully.
“That’s just the mentality we have to have as fighters. I don’t know if any other fighter thinks that way or maybe they’re a bit more tamed. But the things I watch and the way my mind works, when you’re in that ring, it’s a dangerous place to be. Anything can happen.”
Now to be perfectly clear, Joshua isn’t rooting for anybody to get hurt or potentially killed in the ring but he believes that’s the mentality he has to carry into his fights. Joshua says he wasn’t speaking directly to Paul but rather every opponent he might face.
“You hope your opponent leaves the ring safely but if they don’t, you still have to go to bed at night knowing that you’ve just done your job,” Joshua said. “It wasn’t personal.”
For his part, Paul didn’t seem all that bothered by Joshua’s comments.
In fact, “The Problem Child” seemingly embraced that same mentality with the kill or be killed philosophy for both fighters heading into the main event on Friday.
“Yeah, let’s f*cking go,” Paul said. “Let’s f*cking go, bro. Let’s put on a show for the fans. Let’s go to war. Men have done crazier things throughout human history. This is the modern day gladiator sport. This is what we’re here to do is f*ck each other up.
“I’m ready. I want his hardest punches. I want there to be no excuses when it’s all said and done. Let’s f*cking kill each other.”
The Masters win allowed McIlroy to achieve a lifelong dream by conquering his demons, made him the sixth person in history to complete the career Grand Slam and finally gave him a major championship victory with his childhood friend, Harry Diamond, on the bag.
“I’ve known Harry since I was seven years old,” McIlroy said that Sunday evening. “We’ve had so many good times together.
“To be able to share this with him after all the close calls that we’ve had, all the crap that he’s had to take from people that don’t know anything about the game, yeah, this one is just as much his as it is mine.”
In the months following his Masters win, McIlroy has talked about wanting to win the other majors with Diamond, and to do so at cathedrals like Pebble Beach and the Old Course at St. Andrews. McIlroy and Diamond have now accomplished everything together. While there’s surely more to come, McIlroy’s right-hand man gave him a fitting gift at the Australian Open to commemorate their momentous Masters victory: an Augusta National scorecard signed by all of the career Grand Slam winners.
“Harry gave this to me sort of like an early Christmas present in Australia,” McIlroy told The Shotgun Start. “He brought me this with a Sharpie and said, ‘Do you want to sign it?’ And I said, ‘No, absolutely not.’
“I said, ‘I just hope I don’t have to get Scottie [Scheffler] to sign it next year.”
After @McIlroyRory won the Masters, his caddie and best friend, Harry Diamond, got him the rarest of gifts, one that only a Grand Slam winner could truly appreciate: pic.twitter.com/mSQk4jkToj
Diamond has been much-maligned during his run on McIlroy’s bag, but he more than proved his worth on that Sunday at Augusta National.
After McIlroy missed a five-footer on the 18th hole to win, he and Diamond gathered behind the clubhouse as they prepared for a playoff with Justin Rose. That’s when Diamond delivered a message that allowed a shell-shocked McIlroy to flush a turbulent 18 holes and get right for his duel with Rose.
“He said to me, ‘Well, pal, we would have taken this on Monday morning,'” McIlroy said in his victory presser at Augusta. “I’m like, ‘Yeah, absolutely we would have.’ That was an easy reset. He basically said to me, ‘Look, you would have given your right arm to be in a playoff at the start of the week.’ So that reframed it a little bit for me.”
The rest is history.
McIlroy striped his tee shot and stuffed his approach shot in tight for a career-defining and Grand Slam-clinching birdie.
A round that started with McIlroy preparing for an 18-hole bout with Bryson DeChambeau ended with McIlroy having to conquer his own ghosts to finally don the green jacket. It was never going to happen any other way.
“If I was ever going to do it at Augusta, it was always going to be that way,” McIlroy told The Shotgun Start. “Just throwing up all over myself the last few holes.”
McIlroy and Diamond survived a roller-coaster back nine to etch their names into golf history, regardless of whether or not McIlroy decides to sign the scorecard.
Still, for CBS Sports' Garrett Podell, in his latest quarterback power rankings, Dak stays at No. 5 despite the loss to Minnesota.
“Dak Prescott leads the NFL in passing yards (3,931) and is third in passing touchdowns (26) while piloting the NFL's No. 4 scoring offense (29.1 points per game),” Podell wrote. “Prescott's offensive tackles didn't give him much of a chance in Week 15, routinely getting beat by spin moves, but the Dallas QB is having another strong individual season despite his tackles and the defense crumbling around him.”
Even before the trade of Micah Parsons, the Cowboys' defense wasn't seen as one of the better units in football. Then Jerry Jones shipped off Dallas' best pass rusher, leaving a defense that was there to be had.
And we have seen time and time again, Matt Eberflus' unit has been torched, giving up 30+ points in a game, an embarrassing seven times. There's no denying that Dak has been let down again by the front office.
Yes, Prescott has had some bad games (Chicago, Denver, Arizona), but for the most part, Dak has been superb in 2025. If only the defense could have come to the party.
Now, as Week 16 approaches and playoffs are essentially out of reach, it is another wasted Dallas season, but at least this year, Prescott held up his end of the bargain.
The Brooklyn Nets are coming off one of the best wins in franchise history after beating the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday 127-82 to tie for the largest margin of victory. While Brooklyn got to see what they could look like when they're doing what they're supposed to on both ends of the floor, they will have to bring their best against the Miami Heat on Thursday.
The Nets announced on Wednesday that rookie guards Nolan Traore and Ben Saraf will be out for Thursday's game against the Heat as both of them are on assignment in the G League. Saraf did not play in Sunday's win over the Bucks due to an illness, but Traore played nine minutes in a game that got out of hand shortly after the first quarter ended.
With Saraf and Traore in Long Island, that means that the only rookies with Brooklyn against Miami on Thursday are Egor Demin, Drake Powell, and Danny Wolf. Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez has given consistent playing time to the three rookies with Demin being a fixture in the starting lineup while Powell and Wolf come off the bench for plenty of minutes as well.
Moving on with the injury report, Brooklyn ruled out guard Cam Thomas and forward Haywood Highsmith with their respective injuries for Thursday's game against the Heat. However, Fernandez mentioned at practice on Tuesday that the team did not have an update on his recovery from offseason knee surgery following a setback, but that the team will likely provide an update on him by the end of the week.
Highsmith has not played for Brooklyn this season as he came into the season needing to recover from his surgery, but if he is able to return to the lineup sometime soon, the Nets could be even better. Thomas could be about a week away from returning from his left hamstring strain as well, but that depends on where he is at when the team reevaluates him.
For tomorrow's game against the Heat, the Nets say that Ben Saraf and Nolan Traore are OUT as they are on G League assignment.
Cam Thomas and Haywood Highsmith remain OUT, but HC Jordi Fernandez said at practice earlier this week that there may be an update on Highsmith soon.
The Dallas Cowboys (6-7-1) will face the Los Angeles Chargers (10-6) in Week 16 in a challenging matchup. Unfortunately for the Cowboys, their chances of winning aren’t great, as they’re dealing with a slew of injuries across their roster. A number of frontline star players missed Wednesday’s session, including wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams.
Williams, who suffered a concussion during the Cowboys’ 34-26 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 15, remains in concussion protocol along with fullback Hunter Luepke, who also sustained a concussion during Sunday Night Football. Williams played 31 of 54 defensive snaps in that game before exiting. In 13 games so far this season, the 28-year-old veteran has been responsible for 2.5 sacks, nine tackles for loss, one interception, three forced fumbles, and 23 total tackles.
Meanwhile, Lamd missed practice due to an illness, not an injury. The 26-year-old receiver has played 11 games this season, racking up 63 receptions for 976 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 15.5 yards per catch on 99 targets. Worth noting, Lamb played against Minnesota last week, catching six passes for 110 yards after recovering from a concussion suffered in Week 14 when he landed hard on his head attempting a one-handed end zone catch in the 44-30 loss to the Detroit Lions. He returned to practice the following week. Minor illnesses are common this time of year, so expect the 4-time Pro Bowl player to suit up against Los Angeles.
Dallas’ Wednesday injury report also included several other players. Cornerback DaRon Bland (foot), left tackle Tyler Guyton (ankle), and fullback Tyler Luepke (concussion) did not participate in practice. Trevon Diggs (knee/hip), Josh Butler (knee), Caelen Carson (shoulder/hamstring), Phil Mafah (shoulder), Shavon Revel (knee), Payton Turner (ribs), Javonte Williams (neck), and Donovan Wilson (knee/hip) all participated in a limited capacity. Tight end Jake Ferguson, defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa, and tackle Nate Thomas were full participants.
After two straight losses, the Cowboys’ postseason hopes under head coach Brian Schottenheimer are all but gone, sitting at just a 1% chance. To make the playoffs, Dallas would need to win their final three games while hoping the Philadelphia Eagles lose all three of theirs. The Cowboys need Lamb and Williams to play if they want any shot at beating the Chargers.
However, Warren said in his letter Wednesday that Illinois state leaders have directly told the Bears the project will not be a priority in 2026 and that the team will now expand its search for a stadium in the greater Chicago area. Which includes the region of Northwest Indiana.
From the letter:
Stable timelines are critical, as are predictable processes and elected leaders, who share a sense of urgency and appreciation for public partnership that projects with this level of impact require. We have not received that sense of urgency or appreciation to date. We have been told directly by State leadership, our project will not be a priority in 2026, despite the benefits it will bring to Illinois.
Consequently, in addition to Arlington Park, we need to expand our search and critically evaluate opportunities throughout the wider Chicagoland region, including Northwest Indiana. This is not about leverage. We spent years trying to build a new home in Cook County. We invested significant time and resources evaluating multiple sites and rationally decided on Arlington Heights. Our fans deserve a world-class stadium. Our players and coaches deserve a venue that matches the championship standard they strive for every day. With that in mind, our organization must keep every credible pathway open to deliver that future.
A move to Indiana would be an astonishing outcome for the Bears, even if the Indiana border is less than 15 miles from their current location of Soldier Field. A stadium in Hammond or Gary, Northwest Indiana's largest cities, would take some getting used to.
Still, the NFL has never seemed to mind the location of its stadium not matching up with the name of the team. The New York Jets and New York Giants both play in the neighboring state of New Jersey. The Washington Commanders play in Landover, Maryland, but are in the process of moving back to D.C. Plenty of teams play in external suburbs.
This wouldn't even be the most shocking move Warren has been a part of, as he was a central figure in adding USC and UCLA to the Big Ten when he was president of the conference.
The Bears are still waiting to get started on building their Arlington Park stadium. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
Chicago Tribune via Getty Images
Warren's letter notes the Bears are not asking for state taxpayer dollars to build the Arlington Park stadium, but concedes they are asking for a commitment to infrastructure upgrades such as roads and utilities.
And, of course, this is all being thrown out there three days before the Bears' biggest game of the season against the Green Bay Packers, which could decide the NFC North.
The Chicago Bears are expanding their new stadium site search from Arlington Heights to the wider Chicagoland area, including Northwest Indiana, Chicago Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren said in an open letter Wednesday.
The new expanded search in beyond the team's current plans in Arlington Heights is due to what Warren calls a lack of cooperation from Illinois lawmakers to help secure "reasonable property tax certainty to secure financing," and help fund construction for the infrastructure surrounding a new stadium.
The team has said in recent months it was moving forward with plans to build on the old Arlington Park site in the northwest suburbs, but the club had also requested state help for infrastructure needs.
"We have been told directly by State leadership, our project will not be a priority in 2026, despite the benefits it will bring to Illinois," Warren's letter read in part. "Consequently, in addition to Arlington Park, we need to expand our search and critically evaluate opportunities throughout the wider Chicagoland region, including Northwest Indiana. This is not about leverage. We spent years trying to build a new home in Cook County. We invested significant time and resources evaluating multiple sites and rationally decided on Arlington Heights."
While Warren did not specify where in the northwest part of the Hoosier state the team is looking, ABC7 did speak to some Bears fans headed to the Chicago Bulls game Wednesday night, and they weren't too pleased.
"It sounds like he's kind of trying to put all his chips on the table, and maybe pressure the city into making a decision to keep the Chicago Bears here on the lakefront," Bears fan Adrian Diaz said. "I mean, if it works, you know, good. But, I wouldn't want to see the Bears go to another city. The Gary Bears? Yeah, no."
"Arlington Heights, I think, was already a stretch. I want to see them stay here in Chicago," Bears fan John Stanford said. "We got to find the money and make it work."
In a statement on X, Indiana Governor Mike Braun said, "The Chicago Bears recognize Indiana's pro-business climate, and I am ready to work with them to build a new stadium in Northwest Indiana. This move would deliver a major economic boost, create jobs, and bring another premier NFL franchise to the Hoosier State. Let's get it done."
Governor JB Pritzker's spokesperson shared the following statement: "Suggesting the Bears would move to Indiana is a startling slap in the face to all the beloved and loyal fans who have been rallying around the team during this strong season. The Governor's a Bears fan who has always wanted them to stay in Chicago. He has also said that ultimately they are a private business that makes their own decisions, but the Governor has also been clear that the bottom line for any private business development should not come at the full expense of taxpayers."
The Village of Arlington Heights shared the following statement: "The Village was made aware earlier today that the Chicago Bears are exploring the option of building their new stadium in northwest Indiana. "Both the Village and the Chicago Bears remain confident that their Arlington Park property in Arlington Heights is the best option for their new stadium and entertainment district. However, we understand their need to explore any and all viable locations as part of their due diligence process. Due to restrictive legislation in Illinois, this exploration now includes moving to Indiana. "The Village has been outspoken that a Megaproject bill is necessary to make a development project of this scale possible. A bill of this type would serve as a key economic development tool to attract large-scale investment not only in Arlington Heights, but in communities throughout the state. "'We encourage our Illinois State legislators to move forward with the Megaproject bill,' said Arlington Heights Mayor Jim Tinaglia. 'This legislation will help to keep the Chicago Bears in Illinois, within the limits of Cook County, and ultimately - in Arlington Heights.'"
Cook County Board of Commissioners President Toni Preckwinkle shared the following statement: "We're proud to have recently hosted a productive meeting between the State, City and County and the Bears. It was important for us to bring everyone to the table and have a conversation around making a serious commitment to keeping the Bears in Cook County and Illinois. We're shocked and disappointed that the Bears would discuss moving to Indiana at this time."
The Bears said in a letter to lawmakers in October that they would set aside $25 million for Chicago and the Chicago Park District amid their stadium move to Arlington Heights.
The funds could be used for maintenance of Soldier Field, support of park district programs, paying any shortfall of Illinois Sports Facilities Authority bond payments or anything else, the letter said.
In October, State Rep. Kam Buckner called the offer not just "inadequate" but "disrespectful."
"It reflects a longer pattern of tone-deafness from this franchise when it comes to its relationship with the city that made it," he said. "We're talking about a franchise valued at nearly $10 billion offering scraps to Chicago."
Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer appears closer to full strength heading into the College Football Playoff, and head coach Brent Venables provided a positive update on his status ahead of the Sooners’ matchup with Alabama on Friday.
Mateer has played with a protective wrap on his right throwing hand since breaking it during Oklahoma’s Sept. 20 game against Auburn.
During a brief media viewing of practice Monday, Mateer was seen throwing without the wrap for the first time in more than two months. It has been roughly two and a half months since he underwent surgery.
“If you asked him, he still has some soreness, so he’s not pain-free,” Venables said Wednesday during his virtual availability. “From a stability standpoint, he’s better than he’s been and gripping the ball and things like that.”
Mateer’s production has reflected the injury. For the season, he has thrown for 2,578 yards, 12 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while completing 62.1% of his passes. Prior to the injury, he was noticeably sharper, throwing for 1,215 yards with six touchdowns and five interceptions while completing 67.3%.
Mateer said Monday that repetition has been key to rebuilding confidence and precision ahead of the CFP opener.
If Oklahoma is going to beat Alabama, it will likely need Mateer to resemble the quarterback he was early in the season. With three weeks to heal and prepare, the Sooners are hopeful he can deliver his best performance when it matters most.
Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua is only a few days away, with the YouTube star and the former two-time unified heavyweight champion facing off in the ring on Friday, Dec. 19.
The eight-round heavyweight bout, titled "Judgment Day," is set to take place at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, and will be globally streamed live on Netflix.
But, before the two strap on the gloves, expect some verbal jabs on Wednesday night at the fight press conference. The atmosphere is already thick with tension, as this is arguably the biggest step in Paul's boxing career. He enters the ring as the heavy underdog against a former Olympic gold medalist and a proven world-class heavyweight with devastating knockout power.
Expect fireworks on Wednesday night as the two sit next to one another for the first time.
The Sporting News is tracking live updates and highlights from the Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua pre-fight press conference on Wednesday evening from Miami, Florida.
Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua press conference live updates
6:51 p.m.: When asked how Friday night will go, Joshua said he's looking forward to everything.
He said he watched "The Last Dance" and now the fight is "Jordan vs. Iverson in boxing."
6:48 p.m.: Two of Paul's opponents, Tyron Woodley and Anderson Silva, are also fighting on Friday night.
When asked about whether Paul can beat Joshua, Woodley said it's a good fight. He also took a moment to say fighting Silva is a step up for him.
6:46 p.m.: Paul confirms that the fight will be in a 22-by-22 foot ring and he feels great about it. Joshua had no issues with the dimensions at all.
6:41 p.m.: Joshua said that one of the reasons he wanted to take the fight was to be on Netflix and "showcase my skills to the world."
He gave his respect to everyone on the call, saying it's an amazing chance for all fighters to showcase their skills.
6:40 p.m.: "I still want to become world champion at the end of the day," Paul says. "Most likely cruiserweight, but you never know. I couldn't imagine myself five years ago sitting here today."
6:37 p.m.: Paul says "if people really cared about boxing, they'd want me to win." He went on to say he's more important to the sport.
Jake Paul mentioned at the press conference he’s done more for the sport than anyone. For the future of the sport, people should root for him against Anthony Joshua. #JakeJoshua#boxingpic.twitter.com/ucxhFa2mGp
Wednesday night's presser can be live streamed on YouTube, both on Netflix's sports channel and Most Valuable Promotions, the main promoter of the fight card.
The press conference is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. ET from Miami, Florida.
When is the Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua fight?
Date: Friday, December 19, 2025
Main card start time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT
Main event (Paul vs. Joshua): Approx. 11 p.m. ET | 8 p.m. PT
The Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua fight is scheduled for Friday, December 19 from the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.
The main card is scheduled start at 8 p.m. ET, with the main event ring walks for Paul and Joshua expected around 11 p.m. ET. That time is estimated, though, depending on the preceding fights.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers aren't in the best of spots right now, especially after letting a 14-point lead slip in the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons that condemned them to an embarrassing loss.
It now marks just one win in the last six games for Todd Bowles' team, as they struggle to keep their heads above water with only three games left in the regular season.
At a time like this, in the middle of a horror run of form, it can be easy, especially after the events on Thursday night, for one side of the ball to get annoyed at the other for not doing their job and vice versa.
But how do the Buccaneers stop that from happening with such a critical part of the season still to come? Baker Mayfield isn't worried.
"The finger-pointing is only happening if you have bad culture in the building, so that's not a problem we have to deal with," Mayfield said. "We met on Monday with the offense, and I told them it's on me, it's on this group.
"I expect us to be able to score more than 28 in a situation like that and put the game out of reach. So, you just nip it in the bud in the beginning."
You could make a case that the NFC South could come down to Sunday's game on the road against the Carolina Panthers.
With both at 7-7 and three games left, two of which are against each other, if the Buccaneers lose, it would give the Panthers the ascendancy. Dave Canales' team could then win the next game, making it challenging for Tampa Bay to overtake them.
Conversely, if the Buccaneers get a vital road win, that would set up Bowles' team to once again be division champs. So, there is a lot riding on the outcome of this Week 16 game.
With the embarrassment from Thursday night still burning, expect the Buccaneers to come out breathing fire on Sunday as they look to make a statement that they are still the top dogs in the NFC South.
The Chargers have begun Week 16 of the NFL season with a larger-than-ideal injury report that features 12 players.
Fortunately, two of them are simple veteran rest days with edge rusher Khalil Mack and wideout Keenan Allen.
The actual players who sat out Wednesday’s practice due to injuries were safety R.J. Mickens (shoulder) and returner Derius Davis. Jim Harbaugh said Mickens could potentially miss some time with the injury.
Edge rusher Bud Dupree (back), wideouts Tre’ Harris (hip) and Quentin Johnston (groin), safety Elijah Molden (hamstring), offensive lineman Trey Pipkins (ankle), and defensive tackle Teair Tart (shin) were all limited on Wednesday.
Linebacker Troy Dye (hip) and quarterback Justin Herbert (left hand) were both full participants at practice. This is the first practice since Herbert had surgery on his hand that he has been listed as a full participant. He spent the previous six practices with a limited tag.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Shane McClanahan, a two-time All-Star who last pitched in the major leagues in August 2023, avoided arbitration when he agreed Wednesday to a $3.6 million, one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Rays.
A 28-year-old left-hander, McClanahan gets a salary matching what he earned in each of the last two seasons of a two-year deal agreed to in January 2024.
“He’s having a really good offseason,” manager Kevin Cash said last week at the winter meetings. “He’s a huge part of our team, and we need him healthy. He’s working to be healthy.”
McClanahan, who turns 28 on April 28, is coming back from his second Tommy John surgery on Aug. 21, 2023. He left his third spring training start last March 22 because of an inflamed nerve in his left triceps and returned to make three minor league appearances from July 8-18, then had surgery Aug. 11 to deal with an issue around the nerve in his left triceps.
McClanahan had Tommy John surgery for the first time in 2015 and signed with the Rays after he was the 31st overall pick in the 2018 amateur draft. He finished seventh in 2021 AL Rookie of the Year voting after going 10-6 with a 3.43 ERA in 25 starts. He was 11-2 with a 3.29 ERA in 21 starts before he got hurt in 2023.
He is eligible for free agency after the 2027 season.
Tampa Bay has 11 arbitration-eligible players remaining on track to exchange proposed salaries with the team on Jan. 8, including right-handers Bryan Baker, Shane Baz, Griffin Jax, Kevin Kelly, Ryan Pepiot, Edwin Uceta, and Steven Wilson. Also eligible are left-hander Garrett Cleavinger, catcher Nick Fortes and outfielders Josh Lowe and Richie Palacios.
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Veteran defender Thiago Silva ended his stay at Fluminense on Wednesday and reportedly wants a move back to Europe to revive his hopes of playing for Brazil at the World Cup.
Fluminense announced the termination of the 41-year-old defender's contract six months early. He had joined the Rio de Janeiro club in May of last year.
Fluminense said in a statement that the former AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea defender is leaving behind “a legacy of dedication and love to Fluminense." He had also played there between 2006 and 2008.
Earlier Tuesday, former Chelsea defender John Terry said on TikTok he would love to see the defender return to Stamford Bridge, where the Brazilian won the Champions League title in 2021. Terry said: “His two kids are in our academy. No doubt he is going to be back in London here with his family for Christmas.”
Thiago Silva helped Fluminense reach the semifinals of the Club World Cup in July and was a starter most of the season, which ends in December for Brazilian clubs.
The defender was in Brazil’s squad for the last four World Cups. He also won the 2013 Confederations Cup and the 2019 Copa América with the national team.
The most fleeting occupant of the Celtic manager's job in the club's storied history lasted eight months. Wilfried Nancy has only been in charge for 14 days.
Fourteen days, four defeats - one a cup final, another a top-of-the-table clash - several alarmingly naive comments, the ridiculed use of a tactics board, and an eye-popping social media post.
Already, some are asking if the Frenchman's time is up.
After his side threw away a lead at Tannadice - the first they'd had since Nancy replaced Martin O'Neill - the boisterous away support bellowed their fury at the board - standard practice - but also at their beleaguered new boss.
"When a full fanbase turns against a manager, that's the end. And I don't think we're too far away from that," said former Celtic striker Chris Sutton on Sky Sports.
"Where do Celtic go from here? Where does Wilfried Nancy go from here? The Celtic fans aren't going to accept this. The Celtic hierarchy have a bit of thinking to do.
"Let's not make out this is a good team. It's bang average and with key players missing, January's going to be key.
"They need to win the league but at this moment in time they are looking like a third-place team. Absolutely woeful. Sunday is going to be really interesting."
Sunday is the visit of Aberdeen. Nancy's fifth game in charge. And his fifth attempt to avoid defeat. A defeat that would be Celtic's 16th in all competitions in 2025. For context, they lost just two in 2024.
Nancy is only responsible for part of that, but what is on him is the fact he is the first Celtic manager to have lost four games in a row since Jock Stein 47 years ago.
"In the three domestic games under Nancy, Celtic have played really well in the first half," said former Scotland forward James McFadden on Sky Sports.
"However, the drop off in fluidity, energy and threat posed from the first half to the second is unbelievable.
"There is no control in games, they can't up the tempo. When the subs come on, players are all over the place. You just have a bunch of players who don't really know what they're doing."
What is Nancy saying?
Defeat means Celtic remain six points behind Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts - albeit with a game in hand - but Nancy has urged the fans to "keep faith".
His side seemed to have responded positively to Sunday's League Cup final defeat by St Mirren with a dominant first-half display, gilded with Daizen Maeda's goal.
However, Celtic missed a succession of chances and could not quell a revived United after the break, with stunning strikes from Krisztian Keresztes and Zac Sapsford turning the game in the struggling hosts' favour.
It ended eighth-placed United's seven-game winless run and their 11-year, 24-match wait for a win over Celtic.
"We lost the game in three minutes - two set-pieces that we conceded," Nancy told BBC Scotland. "Maybe the second one was offside before the corner.
"I think we did a good job - I think we had a good performance with all the opportunities we had in the first half. If we score the two or three tap ins we had, it would have been a different score."
Nancy said he recognises that the ongoing turmoil is "difficult" for the Celtic fans, but the 48-year-old is adamant that he can see improvements.
"I can understand," he said. "I am a human being and disappointed and the connection with the fans is important for me. But we had clear chances and we have to work on certain things."
Asked if he regretted changing a system that proved succesful for interim manager Martin O'Neill - who won seven of his eight games in charge - Nancy added: "Martin plays a certain way and I want to see something that can win games for the future.
"At the moment, it is not that, but I can see we are improving. We've lost four games in a row, but today we were close to winning the game.
"It's the direction we have to keep going in, and we have to be stronger to avoid conceding these kinds of goals."
[BBC]
And what about the fans?
Eric: This isn't just Wilfried Nancy's fault, although he's not helping. This is a team of players who are simply not good enough without exception, and that lies with the board, so all in all, the chickens come home to roost.
Joseph: I do think that the Celtic board made the wrong choice of new manager, but the players are losing because of tactics that are lost on them. Regretfully, the manager must go.
Ian: I'll say it again, the man is out of his depth. MLS is a Sunday league, his tactics are the issue here. Whoever appointed this guy, redeem your position, and get him out now, before he does any more damage!
Kevin: Nancy has lost the dressing room. No way back. He must go now. Bring back O'Neill for the rest of the season and talk stock. The board must accept they messed up and move on.
Hugh: How can the players be blamed when they haven't a clue what the manager is trying to do? The same players won seven out of eight and would do again with Martin O'Neill at the helm.
George: Listening to Wilfred Nancy is depressing. How is this an improvement?! Sad to see this happening to Celtic, embarrassing.
The Eagles estimated running back Saquon Barkley (stinger) as a non-participant in Tuesday's practice. He returned to full participation on Wednesday, putting him on track to play in Saturday's game against the Commanders.
Defensive tackle Jalen Carter (shoulders), offensive guard Landon Dickerson (calf/rest), offensive tackle Fred Johnson (ankle) and right tackle Lane Johnson (foot) remained non-participants on Wednesday.
Tight end Cameron Latu (stinger) returned to limited work after being estimated as a non-participant on Tuesday.
Running back Tank Bigsby (illness) was back to full participation after a limited session a day earlier.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Ani Kilambi is joining the Nationals as their new general manager, a person with knowledge of the move told The Associated Press on Wednesday, making the 31-year-old who had been with the Philadelphia Phillies the latest young face to join president of baseball operations Paul Toboni in Washington.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because Kilambi's hiring had not been announced yet.
The news was first reported by ESPN.
Kilambi has been an assistant general manager for the Phillies, working with that club since 2021.
Before that, he was with the Tampa Bay Rays for more than five years.
Kilambi takes over a job that was held for more than a decade and a half by Mike Rizzo, who became the GM in Washington in 2009 and added the title of president of baseball operations in 2013. Rizzo was fired in July during the Nationals' sixth consecutive losing season. Manager Dave Martinez also was fired then.
Rizzo and Martinez were in charge in 2019 when the Nationals won the World Series, but the team hasn't had a winning year since. Washington went 66-96 in 2025, putting it 14th out of 15 clubs in the National League.
Mike DeBartolo took over as interim GM after Rizzo was let go and oversaw the selection of 17-year-old high school shortstop Eli Willits with the No. 1 pick in Major League Baseball’s amateur draft in July.
Toboni, 35, then was hired in late September to run the Nationals; he had been an assistant GM with the Boston Red Sox. He brought in manager Blake Butera, who at 33 became the youngest skipper in the majors since the 1970s.
There is plenty of work to be done to turn around the Nationals, who are in need of plenty of talent and depth as they try to replenish their major league roster and minor league supply of prospects.
Toboni's first move in free agency came Monday, when Washington agreed to terms with left-handed pitcher Foster Griffin on a $5.5 million, one-year contract, pending the successful completion of a physical exam. Griffin played in Japan the past three seasons.
"On Wednesday afternoon, Lemon expectedly announced that he would be declaring for the 2026 NFL draft, where he is expected to be an early first-round pick after a career season with the Trojans. The former blue-chip recruit caught 79 passes for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns this past season, elevating himself to the top of the charts when it comes to pass-catchers.
"While the Trojans missed out on a spot in the College Football Playoff, Lemon had a career year and set himself up for a big pay-day in April as one of the top picks in the draft. This will continue USC's history of putting top wide receivers in the league, following in the footsteps of Amon-Ra St. Brown, Michael Pittman, Drake London, Jordan Addison, and JuJu Smith-Schuster."
One would think Makai Lemon will crack the top 10 in the first round of the NFL draft. He makes too many highlight-reel plays and contested catches for one NFL team to not fall in love with him early in the draft. The teams picking in the top 10 generally need a huge boost on offense. There will be some receiver-needy teams who will crave the instant and substantial boost Makai Lemon can give them.
Florida redshirt freshman defensive back Teddy Foster plans to enter the transfer portal when it opens Jan. 2, according to On3's Hayes Fawcett.
A former three-star recruit, Foster joined the program as a member of the 2024 class and played in five games as a true freshman, including the Gasparilla Bowl, which didn't count against his redshirt eligibility. He spent most of the 2025 season contributing on special teams, seeing action in six games. He leaves Gainesville with six total tackles (four solo).
Viewed as a developmental signee, Foster never got the chance to show his stuff at Florida. Should he stick with his transfer decision and find a new home, playing time would likely be a factor in his recruitment. Foster has three years of eligibility remaining.
Florida has lost 13 players to the transfer portal this offseason. For an up-to-date list of players in the portal, check out Gators Wire's tracker.
On offense, quarterback DJ Lagway, running back KD Daniels, wide receivers Tank Hawkins, Aidan Mizell, Mike Peterson Jr. (walk-on) and Muizz Tounkara, tight end Amir Jackson and offensive lineman Marcus Mascoll are departing.
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
The Seattle Seahawks’ win over the Indianapolis Colts fits neatly into the category of games where the final score masks a lot of underlying issues. From an All-22 perspective, snap by snap, this was a win built more on competitiveness, defensive execution, and timely plays than on a coherent or efficient offensive performance.
In classic Field Gulls fashion, the tape presents a very clear split between what worked and what absolutely did not.
The Bad
Offensive line and the run game: no answers, no push
The Seahawks’ inability to run the ball was not about play selection or running back vision — it was about the offensive line losing, repeatedly and decisively, at the line of scrimmage.
On film, the Colts consistently controlled the point of attack. Interior defenders penetrated gaps almost immediately, disrupting zone concepts before they could develop. Guards struggled to generate lateral movement, combo blocks rarely reached the second level with balance, and defensive linemen were able to shed blocks far too quickly.
This showed up most clearly on early downs. Inside zone plays were blown up by penetration, outside zone was strung out due to poor leverage, and even gap concepts failed because pullers were late or met by unblocked defenders in the hole. On multiple snaps, the running back was forced to redirect before the mesh point was even complete.
When an offensive line can’t create displacement or maintain angles, the result is predictable: minimal gains and an offense constantly stuck behind schedule. That reality left Seattle in too many obvious passing situations and removed any sense of offensive balance.
Here’s a big problem with the play call. The Seahawks call a full-slide to the left, even with four threats on the right side and only two on the left, leaving the running back with the responsibility of block the right edge. Two blitzers come to the right side and due to the bad play call, there’s a free rusher against the quarterback. Sam Darnold still manages to throw the ball even with the defender on top of him.
This was a mistake by Zach Charbonnet, but again, the call is a full slide. This type of concept will often leave the running back against the edge rusher, and that’s not a favorable matchup. I only like this type of call when the quarterback moves to the opposite side. The fact that the snap ends with Sundell and Bradford on the ground is not a good sign.
Sam Darnold’s inconsistency
Sam Darnold’s performance was a snapshot of the season as a whole: flashes of competence mixed with stretches of hesitation and poor timing.
Darnold, like the Seahawks’ offense, is inconsistent throughout the game. It seems he can take on multiple versions of QBs during the match, and often during the same drive.
On tape, there are plays where Darnold correctly diagnoses coverage, throws with anticipation, and delivers the ball on rhythm. Those snaps are immediately followed by delayed reads, unnecessary movement in the pocket, or rushed decisions when pressure is implied rather than real.
While the offensive line deserves its share of the blame, Darnold also missed opportunities against relatively simple coverage structures. The Colts mixed zone-match principles with two-high shells, and Darnold was slow at times to identify leverage pre-snap, which disrupted the timing of route concepts.
He didn’t implode, but he also didn’t elevate an offense that clearly needed help.
Why Klint Kubiak’s game plan never found rhythm
One of the most frustrating aspects of the All-22 is how poorly the offensive plan adapted to what was actually happening on the field.
Even as the run game repeatedly failed, Seattle continued to call predictable early-down plays that put the offense behind the chains. There was limited effective play-action, minimal pre-snap motion to clarify defensive intentions, and very little quick-game usage to mitigate pressure and help the quarterback.
The thinking becomes “justified” when you run to set up the play action. However, there were only eight play action attempts out of 36 passes attempted. Defenses no longer respect the Seahawks’ running game, they are using base defense less and less, and Kubiak can’t adapt to that.
Most concerning was the slow adjustment to obvious advantages on the perimeter. Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Rashid Shaheed consistently won their routes, yet the structure of the offense rarely prioritized getting the ball out quickly to those matchups. The Colts were without their two starting cornerbacks, and the team failed to consistently exploit that fact.
Watching the tape, the offense feels disjointed — I’m not saying the offense can’t make good plays. The real problem is that the offense can’t consistently make good plays and has trouble maintaining its rhythm throughout the entire match.
The Good
How the Seahawks won the fight in the trenches on defense
While the offense struggled to impose its will, the defensive front absolutely did.
Byron Murphy II and Leonard Williams were central to Seattle’s success, and their impact is unmistakable on the All-22.
Murphy was disruptive throughout the game, particularly against the run. His first-step quickness consistently stressed the interior of the Colts’ offensive line, forcing early adjustments and clogging running lanes before they could fully develop. Murphy played with excellent pad level, strong hands, and showed the kind of gap discipline that prevents cutback lanes. Even when he didn’t record a stat, he was often the reason plays were redirected.
Leonard Williams, meanwhile, was the tone-setter. He controlled blockers at the point of attack, collapsed the pocket from the interior, and forced the Colts’ quarterback to speed up his process. Williams’ ability to convert power into push showed up repeatedly on passing downs, where he compressed the pocket and limited escape lanes. His presence made life easier for everyone else up front.
Together, Murphy and Williams anchored a defensive performance that consistently forced long third downs and kept the Colts from establishing offensive rhythm.
Rashid Shaheed: speed that changes defensive rules
Rashid Shaheed continues to prove why speed matters, even when volume isn’t overwhelming. His impact doesn’t always show up in raw numbers, but it shows up in how defenses are forced to play Seattle. Shaheed alters coverage geometry in a way this offense previously lacked.
On film, Shaheed consistently won on vertical and intermediate routes, forcing the Colts’ secondary to adjust its spacing. Safeties played deeper, corners gave more cushion, and underneath defenders were less aggressive as a result.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba: the stabilizing force
If Shaheed provided the explosion, Jaxon Smith-Njigba provided the reliability. Great game with the exception of one snap where there was an unusual drop.
JSN was Darnold’s most dependable option throughout the game. His route running against zone coverage was precise, his feel for soft spots was excellent, and he consistently presented a clean target on critical downs. Against blitz looks and match coverage, JSN was often the correct answer — and he delivered.
When the offense stalled, JSN was the player who kept drives alive.
Final thoughts
This win counts, but the tape is just honest. The offensive line’s run blocking remains a major concern, Sam Darnold’s inconsistency continues to limit the ceiling of the offense, and Klint Kubiak must do a better job tailoring his plan to what this team can execute.
At the same time, the defensive front — led by Byron Murphy II and Leonard Williams — showed real dominance, and the pairing of Rashid Shaheed and Jaxon Smith-Njigba gives Seattle legitimate building blocks in the passing game.
Mitch Marner has fit like a glove in Vegas, averaging more than a point per game while generating assists at an elite rate.
My Devils vs. Golden Knights predictions expect Marner’s playmaking prowess to shine through against an injury-plagued team.
Let’s dig deeper into my NHL picks for Wednesday, December 17.
Puck-drop is set for 10:00 p.m. ET from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, with the game airing on TNT.
Devils vs Golden Knights prediction
Devils vs Golden Knights best bet:Mitch Marner Over 0.5 assists (-130)
Mitch Marner has piled up assists at an impressive rate in his debut season with the Vegas Golden Knights. He’s registered 26 through 31 games, tying him for 12th among all players.
He has produced at a very consistent rate throughout. Marner has at least one assist in 18 of his 31 appearances, good for a 58% clip.
His hate rate soars to 73% when isolating games in Vegas, where he is averaging an assist per game through 15.
While the expectation was that Marner would attach to the hip of Jack Eichel, that hasn’t been the case. That’s not a bad thing – Marner has actually produced at an excellent clip without Eichel on his line.
Marner has played nine games with Mark Stone and Brett Howden as his running mates. He has nine assists in that span and has picked one up in seven of those games, including against the New Jersey Devils.
Brett Pesce is expected to return for the Devils tonight, but they’re still dealing with an abundance of key absences. Jack Hughes, Timo Meier, Arseny Gritsyuk, Johnathan Kovacevic, and Simon Nemec are all sidelined, to name but a few.
Not to mention, Jacob Markstrom has allowed at least three goals in 13 of 16 starts. He’s unlikely to make up for the mistakes a watered-down roster makes in front of him.
Pavel Dorofeyev is playing with Tomas Hertl and Brandon Saad on the ‘3rd’ line for Vegas. He has at least three shots in nine of 12 games played with that pair of linemates. He should also see cushy matchups against a very thinned-out Devils lineup.
On the flip side, Dawson Mercer stands to benefit from all the missing bodies for the Devils. He’s playing with stars Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt on the top line and also skating on the top power play unit.
Devils vs Golden Knights SGP
Mitch Marner Over 0.5 assists
Pavel Dorofeyev Over 2.5 shots
Dawson Mercer Over 0.5 points
Devils vs Golden Knights odds
Moneyline: New Jersey +155 | Vegas -180
Puck Line: New Jersey +1.5 (-160) | Vegas -1.5 (+140)
Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-105) | Under 5.5 (-115)
Devils vs Golden Knights trend
Mitch Marner has assists in 11 of 15 home games this season. Find more NHL betting trends for Devils vs. Golden Knights.
How to watch Devils vs Golden Knights
Location
T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, NV
Date
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Puck drop
10:00 p.m. ET
TV
TNT
Devils vs Golden Knights latest injuries
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The 2025 City of Palms Classic tips off tomorrow afternoon at Suncoast Credit Union Arena on the campus of Florida Southwestern State College in Fort Myers, with once again another impressive lineup of nationally ranked high school boys basketball teams heading to the 239. City of Palms will welcome 26 teams overall to this year’s classic, featuring a star studded field of players to go along with the array of nationally ranked programs. We give you ways to watch the City of Palms Classic that starts tomorrow along with players to watch for throughout the six days of elite high school boys basketball taking place down in Fort Myers.
How to Watch 2025 City of Palms Classic
Date: Thursday-Tuesday, Dec. 18-23 Time: First game tips off tomorrow, 1:30 p.m. ET Location: Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers, Fla. Livestream/TV Channel: NBA Network, NBA’s YouTube, League Ready
Where to Watch the City of Palms Classic on livestream:
You can watch the City of Palms Classic tournament starting tomorrow on NBA Network, NBA’s YouTube and League Ready.
How to Follow National High School Boys Basketball
For high school boys basketball fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the state, ensuring you never miss a moment of the high school hops action throughout the season. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the hardwood excitement across the country.
Lewis Miley strikes late as Newcastle edge Fulham in Carabao Cup quarter final
Newcastle edge Fulham in late Carabao Cup drama
Newcastle’s relationship with the Carabao Cup continues to feel purposeful and oddly intimate. On a cold night at St James’ Park, when tension crept steadily towards penalties, it was a teenager who provided clarity. Lewis Miley, still learning the boundaries of senior football, rose at the near post in stoppage time to head Newcastle past Fulham and into the semi finals. The holders won 2-1, a scoreline that reflected persistence more than polish.
This was meant to be a night of reassurance after a bruising derby defeat at the weekend. Instead, it became something more revealing. Newcastle were uneven, occasionally vulnerable, but emotionally engaged. Fulham, organised and quietly confident, sensed the opportunity to frustrate a side still finding its footing. For long spells, they succeeded.
Early promise and familiar flaws
Newcastle began with intent. Yoane Wissa, making his first start since returning from injury and since completing his £55m move from Brentford, brought energy and sharpness. When Jacob Murphy’s first time cross was only partially dealt with by Benjamin Lecomte, Wissa reacted quickest, bundling the ball home from close range.
The lead did not settle Newcastle. Defensive uncertainty crept in, particularly down the right, where Antonee Robinson found space to deliver. His cross picked out Sasa Lukic, unmarked, and the Fulham midfielder powered a header past Aaron Ramsdale. It was a reminder that Newcastle’s structure, disrupted by injuries and rotation, remains fragile.
Fulham were comfortable for spells after the equaliser. Newcastle had the ball but little rhythm. Bruno Guimaraes tested Lecomte with a swerving effort, Harvey Barnes forced a low save, and Miley himself was denied late on. Still, the sense lingered that the night might drift towards penalties.
Lewis Miley and responsibility beyond years
Miley’s contribution extended far beyond the decisive moment. With Newcastle stripped of full backs, he filled in at right back, a role far removed from his natural instincts. He did so without fuss, covering ground, making sensible decisions, and never retreating from responsibility.
When Sandro Tonali swung in a corner deep into stoppage time, the moment seemed almost preordained. Miley attacked the space, glanced his header home, and was swallowed by noise. It felt significant, not simply because of the goal, but because of what it represented. Trust, opportunity, and a young player answering a call.
Eddie Howe needed that response. Supporters had sung his name throughout, understanding the context even if the frustration of recent days lingered. This was not redemption, but it was reassurance.
Fulham left with familiar regrets
For Fulham, the ending carried a sense of deja vu. Just weeks earlier, they had conceded a late winner at the same ground in the Premier League, again by 2-1. This time, the stakes were higher. A place in the EFL Cup semi finals had been within reach.
Marco Silva will regret missed counter attacking opportunities, particularly one first half moment when Kevin failed to find the in form Harry Wilson, leaving the Fulham manager doubled over on the touchline. Yet there was resilience here, especially given the absence of Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, and Samuel Chukwueze, all away at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Fulham depart with disappointment but not discredit. Newcastle move on, reminded once more that this competition continues to bring out something essential in them.
Nationals President of Baseball Operations Paul Toboni just made a major move in the front office, hiring Ani Kilambi to be the GM. This is a move that came out of the blue. For a high profile position like GM, there was no buzz around the Nats hiring Kilambi. However, the move has been made, and Kilambi will be leaving the Phillies to join the Nats.
The Washington Nationals are hiring Ani Kilambi as their new general manager, sources tell ESPN. Kilambi, 31, had been an assistant GM with Philadelphia overseeing its R&D department and will join new president of baseball operations Paul Toboni in rebuilding the Nationals.
At 31 years old, Kilambi fits the archetype that Paul Toboni has been looking for in the front office. In a room full of young executives, Kilambi is one of the youngest. That is not to say he lacks experience though. He has been working in baseball for nearly a decade now. Right after he got out of college, he went to work for the Tampa Bay Rays.
Even before he left school, Kilambi had an internship with the Rays organization before that turned into a full time job. Interestingly, Kilambi went to Cal Berkeley just like Toboni, but it is unclear if they had any crossover. Kilambi spent 5.5 years in the Rays organization. He worked on the R&D side of things, working his way up in one of the smartest organizations in baseball.
In 2021, Kilambi left to be an Assistant GM for the Phillies, where he has been ever since. While in Philadelphia, Kilambi ran the Phillies research and development department. When he joined the Phillies, he was only 27 years old, which shows how much of a prodigy he is.
Dave Dombrowski is seen as more of an old school guy. However, he has adapted as an executive, which is a big reason why he has been so successful for so long. Kilambi played a big role in helping Dombrowski on the analytical side. The Inquirer actually wrote an interesting profile on him about a year back.
This hire is both expected and unexpected. On the one hand, this totally fits the bill of a Paul Toboni hire. Kilambi is an up and coming executive who is very young. That is a profile that Toboni loves to target. He also fills a need in the organization as well. Toboni, as well as Devin Pearson and Justin Horowitz come from scouting backgrounds. They needed an R&D guy to fill their blind spots. Kilambi, and also Mike DeBartolo will help out with that.
However, this is also a bit unexpected. Back in November, Toboni said he was not planning on hiring a GM, but here we are just a month later and Ani Kilambi is the Nats GM. I am curious to know how we got here.
Back in November, Paul Toboni said, for the time being, he wasn't planning on hiring a GM.
But during his initial press conference back in October, he said he had the support to hire one if he felt it was best for the organization: pic.twitter.com/YpdyJPLQDf
This is just an educated guess, but Toboni really wanted Kilambi, but the only way to get him out of Philadelphia was to offer him this GM role. That is just my view, but it is something that makes logical sense.
With this title, Kilambi will be above the likes of Pearson, Horowitz and DeBartolo on the organizational depth chart. The only man he will have to answer to is Paul Toboni. This is another big and very interesting swing by Toboni. I am not sure how this new project will work out, but it is ambitious and I am fascinated to see how it goes.
While the rest of the team — the rest of the Pacific Northwest — celebrated the game-winning kick, Charles Cross was miserable.
A Colts defensive player had just leaped and landed on top of Cross while the Seahawks’ starting left tackle was standing and blocking for Jason Myers’ final field goal. The weight of the defender caused Cross to do the splits, his legs flaring unnaturally as he fell to the ground.
He immediately grabbed his left hamstring. Teammate Eric Saubert noticed Cross was injured and came to him.
That was only last Sunday. That’s why Cross is not playing Thursday night when the Seahawks (11-3) meet the Los Angeles Rams (11-3) in the biggest game of this NFL regular season so far, for first place in the NFC West and the inside track to the top seed in the conference playoffs that begin next month.
“He’s going to be out,” coach Mike Macdonald said following practice Wednesday, the long semi-full one for Seattle since the team beat Indianapolis 18-16.
“I don’t have a timeframe for you,” on how long Cross will be out. “We are working through that.”
That means Josh Jones will make his first Seahawks start Thursday night. They signed the 28-year-old veteran this past spring from Baltimore for this role, the backup, swing tackle — and for exactly this situation, being an experienced spot starter when necessary.
Pete Carroll was the Seahawks’ coach the last time Jones started an NFL regular-season game. That was 27 months ago, week three of the 2023 season for Houston at Jacksonville.
Jones played four snaps on offense last weekend when right tackle Abe Lucas left to get checked for a possible injury in the first half against the Colts. Lucas returned and finished the game, and is fine to start Thursday night.
Jones excelled in preseason games this past summer playing left tackle for Seattle. That was after Cross had surgery to repair a dislocated finger in August.
“He had most of those opportunities in preseason, and he did a great job filling in for Charles when he was going through his training-camp stuff,” Macdonald said.
“He’s got a great opportunity. He’s prepared. Go out there and play your tail off, man. Let’s go roll.”
Davante Adams doubtful
In southern California Wednesday, the Rams listed wide receiver Davante Adams doubtful to play in Seattle. The league’s leader with 14 touchdown receptions this season injured his hamstring last weekend running a deep route and trying to chase down a long pass from Matthew Stafford in L.A.’s home win over Detroit. Adams had a 1-yard touchdown catch inside Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen last month in L.A.’s 21-19 home win.
If Adams doesn’t play the Rams and coach Sean McVay are likely to go to their “13” personnel, one running back with three tight ends, even more than their league-leading 25% of the time. The league average is 5%.
Starting left defensive end Braden Fiske is questionable. He has two sacks this season. Fiske had three tackles against Seattle last month.
#Seahawks LT Charles Cross out for tomorrow night's game. Josh Jones will make his 1st start for Seattle for him, Jones' first starter since 2023 with Houston.
Rams' Davante Adams unlikely to play. So likely even more 13 peronnel. DE Braden Fiske questionable. pic.twitter.com/JqVrH4iQzY
Morant injured the ankle in the fourth quarter of a Dec. 15 win against the Los Angeles Clippers. He left the game with 3:44 left to play after stepping on the foot of a Clippers player and did not return.
Injuries have hampered Morant for much of the season. Morant has already missed 12 of the team's first 26 games due to injuries. He missed one game due to right ankle soreness and 11 games due to a left calf injury. He also missed the entire preseason due to a left ankle sprain.
Morant is averaging 17.7 points and 7.5 assists.
Memphis will also be without emerging guard Cam Spencer, who is out due to personal reasons. Vince Williams Jr. will likely draw the start at point guard. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Jaren Jackson Jr. are among the committee of players who could be put in more playmaking roles.
Los Angeles Rams star wide receiver Davante Adams is in danger of missing Week 16’s edition of Thursday Night Football, as he received a doubtful label for the meeting with the Seattle Seahawks, as reported by Adam Schefter of ESPN.
“Rams are listing WR Davante Adams as doubtful for Thursday night’s game in Seattle due to his hamstring injury,” Schefter shared via a social media post on X, formerly Twitter.
Adams had not practiced in the lead-up to the showdown between the Rams and the Seahawks at Lumen Field in Seattle.
Cross, 25, injured his hamstring late during Sunday’s 18-16 win over the Indianapolis Colts. The Seahawks’ first-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft had started the first 14 games of the season for Seattle (11-3).
“He’s not going to be out there tomorrow,” Macdonald said. “I don’t have a time frame for you.”
“He made the most of the opportunities in the preseason,” Macdonald said. “He did a great job of filling in for Charles when he was going through his training camp stuff.”
Jones has not started a game since the 2023 season with the Houston Texans.
Cross is in the midst of his fourth year with the team. Seattle picked up an option for his contract for the 2026 season, which guarantees Cross $17.56 million. Aside from Thursday’s game, Cross has missed only three games across his Seahawks tenure, which occurred in 2023 because of a toe injury.
The Chicago Bears are right on the cusp of accomplishing a feat the organization hasn't pulled off in years. Winning the NFC North.
With the lead in the division right now and a pivotal game against the 2nd-place Green Bay Packers this week, accomplishing that vision is right on the horizon.
Due to the season they've had, and the energizing of the city Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams have provided, fan excitement and support have arguably never been higher.
One 'gift', if you will, that the organization has been trying desperately to give not just to the team but to the team's fans has been a new state-of-the-art stadium. For the longest time, the plans have been for it to be a bit out of the city in Arlington Heights.
After a statement from the Bears' president/CEO, not only does Arlington Heights sound like a long shot, but they might be taking the stadium out of the state of Illinois.
Bears to expand stadium search into Northwest Indiana
It was announced on Wednesday by Kevin Warren that, although the organization has had its heart set on a location in Arlington Heights, due to issues with the state, that may no longer be the case.
#Bears president/CEO Kevin Warren says the team will expand its stadium search — including Northwest Indiana — after Illinois state leadership told the Bears their proposed Arlington Heights stadium will not be a priority in 2026. pic.twitter.com/y1w6UuePfr
A $2 billion pledge by the Chicago Bears organization (one of the largest in state and NFL history) hasn't been enough to get the state to make it a priority, despite it providing thousands of union jobs and a site that could deliver year-round attractions in a dome and all the profit that would bring.
Warren stated that this isn't a leverage move, but rather "keeping every credible pathway open" to provide a championship-level environment to the fans and team.
It's understood that the goal is to provide the city and the team with a state-of-the-art stadium worthy of their loyalty and dedication, but if it comes at the cost of the city losing their team, I doubt that's a price the fans are willing to pay.
The Eagles held a practice at Lincoln Financial Field, and Lane Johnson, Landon Dickerson, Jalen Carter, and Fred Johnson all were non-participants. Jalen Hurts was not on the injury report, while Saquon Barkley was among five players who were full participants one day after sitting out.
Carter (shoulders), Fred Johnson (ankle), and Lane Johnson (foot) could be considered game-time decisions, despite Fred Johnson proclaiming that he would be available. Dickerson has sat out Thursday practices over the past few weeks, and he'll likely start at left guard.
Backup tight end Cameron Latu was a limited participant.
All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun (hand), outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips (knee), Tank Bigsby, and offensive tackle Cameron Williams (shoulder) would have all been full participants.
Today’s injury report; Tunsil was limited. Wagner, Goldman and Yankoff were DNPs. pic.twitter.com/TtisUFSKAL
Full Washington, Drake Jackson was a full participant, while Eddie Goldman and Colson Yankoff were among the players not to practice. Laremy Tunsil was a limited participant.
Cowboys defensive tackle Quinnen Williams left Sunday's loss to the Vikings with a concussion. He played 31 of 54 snaps before his head injury.
He missed Wednesday's practice as he remains in concussion protocol.
Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (illness) also missed Wednesday's session.
Cornerback DaRon Bland (foot), left tackle Tyler Guyton (ankle) and fullback Tyler Luepke (concussion) also sat out the on-field work.
Cornerback Trevon Diggs (knee) remains a limited participant as he approaches the end of his 21-day practice window.
Cornerback Josh Butler (knee), cornerback Caelen Carson (shoulder/hamstring), running back Phil Mafah (shoulder), cornerback Shavon Revel (knee), defensive end Payton Turner (ribs), running back Javonte Williams (neck) and safety Donovan Wilson (knee/hip) also were limited.
There was a post over in The Feed yesterday about the Braves Radio Network and I figured that this would be a nice time to give a shoutout to Ben Ingram, Joe Simpson and the rest of the Radio crew for helping to give us fans some of the best radio coverage of not just baseball but any sports team out there.
Anyways, I hope everybody’s having a lovely evening and here’s a random clip:
Moore spent two nights at the Washtenaw County Jail before he got out on bond for $25,000 on Friday, Dec. 12, but only after agreeing to wear a GPS tether among other stipulations.
Coombs, a former long time Ohio State staff member, also made a name for himself at Cincinnati and before that coaching high school at Cincinnati’s Colerain High School, his alma mater, where he led the program for 16 years. Coombs went 161-34 at Colerain with 10 state playoff appearances and won a state title in 2004.
The Free Press obtained a copy of his Memorandum of Understanding through a Freedom of Information Act request, which shows Coombs will receive a base salary of $600,000 for the next two seasons, which began on Monday, Dec. 8. The deal runs through January 2028.
“Coach Kerry Coombs is a proven, exceptional football coach, and we’re thrilled to welcome him to our program,” Moore said in a statement the day it was announced. “Kerry’s leadership of our special teams will be invaluable. His expertise in teaching and mentoring has consistently shaped both outstanding athletes and remarkable young men — including some of the nation’s top special teams players and cornerbacks."
It's not clear if Coombs will remain on staff (the same goes for the rest of the assistant coaches and coordinators) when the Wolverines hire a new head coach. That's something the program hopes to get done before the transfer portal opens on Jan. 2, 2026.
The MOU is not binding, instead the "offer is contingent upon the successful completion of the University’s pre-employment requirements, as well as the execution of a full employment agreement within 90 days of signing this MOU, to be mutually agreed upon and negotiated in good faith,” read the letter, sent from deputy athletic director Doug Gnodtke.
Coombs was named the 2017 Rivals.com National Recruiter of the Year, and pegged three times as Big Ten Recruiter of the Year.
Tony Garcia is the Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.
If the New York Mets are serious about contending next year, they need to protect Juan Soto in the middle of the lineup. After bulking up their bullpen and eventually adding starting pitching, they need to add right-handed power to the lineup to make up for Pete Alonso heading to Baltimore.
The Mets have made it clear this winter that adding offense remains a priority, particularly right-handed power that can lengthen the lineup and prevent teams from pitching around Soto. Suarez may not be the flashiest remaining option, but his profile fits what the Mets still lack.
Former MLB general manager Jim Bowden recently wrote that Suarez’s best fit might be with non-contending teams such as the Pirates, Athletics, or Angels. The logic is straightforward. Suarez could sign with a rebuilding club, rebuild his value, and then be traded at the deadline to a contender with a pressing need, much like he was last season.
The Mets have an opportunity to skip that process.
Suarez, 33, is coming off an uneven 2025 season that helps explain why his market has cooled. He finished the year with 49 home runs and 118 RBIs, showcasing his power, but his production slipped after being traded as he hit .189 with 13 homers and 31 RBIs in 53 games post-trade. That inconsistency carried into the postseason, where he hit .213 with three home runs and eight RBIs in 12 games. That mix of age, a late-season slide and a modest October often pushes veterans toward shorter-term deals, which is precisely the type of contract the Mets have been comfortable pursuing when the fit makes sense.
From a lineup standpoint, Suarez checks an important box. With Soto anchoring the left side, the Mets still lack a consistent right-handed power threat behind him. Suarez brings exactly that. He comes with strikeouts and streakiness, but pitchers have to respect his power, especially in run-producing spots.
Timing could also work in the Mets’ favor. Suarez is likely waiting until Bo Bichette and Alex Bregman come off the board before his market fully develops. That waiting game could create an opening for New York to move quickly once the board clears.
Sixteen seasons into his coaching career, the Alabama football defensive coordinator will enter a postseason still in the running for a national championship. It’s something he recognizes. The CFP is different.
But don’t get it twisted.
“We’ve been playing win-or-go-home since Florida State,” Wommack said. “This is just another game for us that means everything.”
Head coach Kalen DeBoer knows exactly what that feels like as he prepares to lead the Crimson Tide into a College Football Playoff game against Oklahoma on Friday, Dec. 19.
DeBoer led Sioux Falls to three NAIA Championships in five seasons before leading Washington to a CFP National Championship berth against Michigan in 2023.
DeBoer lives for the intensity playoffs bring. It’s what teams work for. It’s another chance to lead and encourage a team to give everything it has.
“If you’re not giving everything you got now, you really don’t belong here because that’s the expectation any time, and certainly would be the expectation now during the playoff season,” DeBoer said.
Twelve active players on Alabama’s 2025 roster have experienced what it’s like to play in the CFP. And only four have experienced a CFP win, one that didn’t come with the Crimson Tide: Germie Bernard, Parker Brailsford and Josh Cuevas at Washington, and Keon Sabb at Michigan.
Bernard has seen DeBoer evolve from that CFP run in Washington to where DeBoer is now with Alabama. But as the Crimson Tide prepares for its first postseason run since 2023, Bernard doesn’t see much difference from DeBoer.
“He’s the same person. He’s going to prepare his hardest at whatever it is,” Bernard said. “Whether we’re playing the University of Louisiana Monroe or we’re playing Ohio State, you know what I’m saying? It really doesn’t matter who we’re playing, what type of game it is or if we’re in the playoffs or not. He’s going to prepare just how he always does.”
And to those inside the program, Alabama is the same Alabama.
“It’s expected, especially being at the University of Alabama,” Alabama defensive lineman Tim Keenan III said. “Postseason is expected here.”
So the expectation has never wavered. It’s always been win-or-go-home. It’s always been a one-game season.
“The margin for error is just so small when you’re at the top,” Alabama safety Bray Hubbard said.
So while Wommack may not have the CFP experience, he knows what it feels like.
He’s coaching for his life each day, he said. Players are playing for the chance to play another game.
“Now, ultimately, this is win-or-go-home,” Wommack said. “But let’s not get it twisted. It’s been like that all season long.”
Alabama kicks off against Oklahoma in the first round of the CFP at 7 p.m. CT Friday, Dec. 19 on ABC.
Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Grimsley spent two seasons in Gainesville, redshirting in 2024 before entering this fall as a redshirt freshman. As a true freshman, Grimsley played in two games and made his collegiate debut vs. Texas.
He was used sparingly in 2025 as well, logging a total of 27 snaps during three games. He made his first career start vs. Mississippi State, where he logged one tackle against the Bulldogs. It was his first career tackle.
BREAKING: Florida CB Jameer “Jamroc” Grimsley plans to enter the @TransferPortal, he tells @On3Sports
The 6’3 200 CB will have 3 years of eligibility remaining
Guardiola praises ‘exceptional’ Man City star as his side advance to semi-finals
Pep Guardiola has praised Rayan Cherki after his goal set Manchester City on their way to a 2-0 victory over Brentford, booking their place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
The draw for the semi-finals have since been made, and City will face reigning champions Newcastle.
“Close to the opponent’s 18-yard box, he’s an exceptional player,” said Guardiola. “He made a fantastic goal.
“A blind guy, a blind woman can realise, it’s not necessary to be a journalist or manager to realise that was a fantastic, fantastic goal.”
The Catalan even compared the Frenchman to some of City’s greatest ever players in his position – namely teammate Phil Foden and former captain Kevin De Bruyne.
“I saw many times with Phil this type of goal with Kevin before.
“So I’m happy that he opened the game.”
Cherki now has three assists and one goal from his last four matches. Despite this, his boss still found holes to pick in his performance.
Guardiola admitted: “I’m really pleased for the impact for the guys that came from the bench. Because in the second half, Rayan Cherki couldn’t do the job he should do defensively.
“He had no energy to do it, Savinho neither.”
The Blues will now regroup ahead of a return to Premier League action against West Ham on Saturday. With City trailing Arsenal by just two points at the top of the table, the significance of the game is not lost on their manager.
Guardiola maintained: “We need to prepare with our fans to win that important game. To finish before this little break, longer than usual, being up there.
“West Ham have a long week, have time to prepare for our game. We don’t have much time. Tomorrow is no training. And then just one day.”
On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Leah Revelle discuss:
The worst 10-15 minutes of the season?
Real Madrid’s starting XI vs Talavera
Our defense isn’t good enough to sustain the lack of goal production..
Will Xabi Alonso last the season?
Winter transfer market
And more.
Did you enjoy this podcast? Get a ton of bonus content exclusively on Patreon.com/ManagingMadrid.
The site is run by a small team that works tirelessly around the clock to make it into what it is today. Your contributions will allow us to continue to have a real and full-time presence in keeping this website, and it’s podcasts, going.
The Jacksonville Jaguars exited their Week 15 matchup against the New York Jets a bit more banged up than when they entered it.
Still, the team is relatively healthy entering Week 16 against the Denver Broncos with just a few players listed as not participating in Wednesday's practice session.
Not seen at practice on Wednesday included defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (illness), DE Danny Striggow (ankle) and running back Bhayshul Tuten (finger). Tuten will reportedly miss a few weeks after undergoing surgery to repair the injury. It is unclear when Hines-Allen will return to practice.
Jaguars rookie linebacker Jalen McLeod returned to practice this week after the team announced that they would open his 21-day practice window. McLeod was dealing with a lower-body injury and has been on injured reserve since the start of the season.
Both Jaguars defenders, Arik Armstead and Travon Walker, remain on the team's injury report despite fully participating. Armstead has a hand injury that has required a club, while Walker has been back for two games since sustaining a knee injury a few weeks ago.
Walker is also dealing with a brace on his wrist after undergoing surgery early in the season.
Here's the team's full injury report ahead of their game against the Broncos.
Jaguars Week 16 Wednesday injury report vs. Broncos
Jaguars injury report and updates as of 12/17/25:
DT Arik Armstead (hand) - Full participation
G Ezra Cleveland (shoulder) - Limited participation - Cleveland was seen wearing a non-contact jersey
DE Josh Hines-Allen (illness, shoulder) - Did not participate
T Walker Little (concussion) - Limited participation
On the Rams’ side, Davante Adams is officially doubtful due to knee and hamstring injuries. Sean McVay said on Tuesday that the Rams wouldn’t yet rule out Adams, but he seems unlikely to play now after aggravating his hamstring injury in Sunday’s win over the Detroit Lions.
Braden Fiske is questionable due to an ankle injury. He was listed as a non-participant in practice all week so his status is very much up in the air for Thursday’s game.
On the Seahawks’ side, starting left tackle Charles Cross has already been ruled out, so Seattle will go with a backup as Sam Darnold’s blindside protector. That’s a big loss for the Seahawks, as Cross has allowed just two sacks and 24 pressures this season.
The Rams held their first regular practice of the week on Wednesday after having a walkthrough on Tuesday. The Seahawks held walkthroughs all three days from Monday to Wednesday.
Kickoff in this NFC West showdown will be at 8:15 p.m. ET on Prime Video this Thursday night.
ATLANTA, Georgia, Dec. 17 — Christian "Deuce" Lawrence ran for 380 yards and five touchdowns Wednesday night to lead his No. 26 Thomas County Central [Thomasville, GA] Yellow Jackets to a 62-21 win over the Gainesville [GA] Red Elephants.
Lawrence set a new Georgia state record for a high school football championship game in the Peach State while leading his Yellow Jackets to the GHSA Class 5A state title.
Thomas County Central finished the season 15-0, ending it in style as all of Georgia's top three state championships went undefeated wire to wire. The Buford [GA] Wolves also finished 15-0 while claiming the Class 6A title on Tuesday night while the Creekside [Fairburn, GA] Seminoles matched the record of the two upper division champions while claiming the Class 4A title on Monday night.
Gainesville, meanwhile, finished its 2025 campaign at 12-3.
End of the fourth quarter — Thomas County Central 62, Gainesville 21
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THOMAS COUNTY CENTRAL 62, GAINESVILLE 21
Lawrence up to 380 rushing yards, and he adds his fifth touchdown of the night.
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THOMAS COUNTY CENTRAL 55, GAINESVILLE 21
Lawrence does it again. He's up to 367 yards rushing with four touchdowns tonight.
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The game announcers have confirmed that Lawrence has set a new Georgia high school football state championship game record with 347 rushing yards (so far). He's still adding to it, and the old record was 320.
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THOMAS COUNTY CENTRAL 48, GAINESVILLE 21
Gainesville is still playing hard, and following the touchdown, they covered the onside kick. It's all going to be too little too late, but credit the Red Elephants for continuing to play hard.
.@KharimHughley takes it in for ANOTHER Gainesville TD 🏈🔥
Christian "Deuce" Lawrence is having a game for the ages in Georgia state championship history. He's got 318 yards rushing tonight, and the Yellow Jackets are making this look easy.
A crazy play on the ensuing kickoff. Everybody stopped due to an inadvertent whistle on the kick return, but when the rest of the officials didn't stop the play, the returner started running again and ran all the way to the end zone for an apparent touchdown. After huddling, the officials acknowledged the whistle, and then the two teams set up to replay the kickoff.
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THOMAS COUNTY CENTRAL 28, GAINESVILLE 7
The third quarter is less than 90 seconds old, and already the Yellow Jackets have extended their lead on Pringle's second touchdown reception of the night. This is the last thing Gainesville needed to open this half.
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End of second quarter — Thomas County Central 21, Gainesville 7
Thomas County Central has mostly dominated in one half of football. The Red Herd will have to figure some things out at the half if they want to knock off this powerful Yellow Jackets' squad from Thomasville, Georgia.
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THOMAS COUNTY CENTRAL 21, GAINESVILLE 7
The Yellow Jackets go back up by two touchdowns again. Gainesville is going to have to score some points tonight to keep pace with the undefeated Jackets, and they're back on offense with 6:32 to play in the first half.
End of first quarter — Thomas County Central 14, Gainesville 0
So far, it's all Yellow Jackets in Atlanta.
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Just under three minutes to play in the first quarter. It's been all Thomas County Central so far.
__________
Gainesville tries to take a deep shot, but Thomas County Central's Kobe Carnage picks it off at the Yellow Jackets' 6-yard line. The Red Elephants are having trouble getting anything going on offense.
After another quick stop, Thomas County Central puts seven more on the board on a quarterback keeper by Johnson. Gainesville needs an answer on this next drive.
Gainesville with a quick three-and-out. Thomas County's offense takes the field for the first time.
__________
They're finally under way in Atlanta!
__________
Hang with us folks as we are sneaking up closer to game time. The Georgia GHSA Class 3A title game is still in process so it will be a while. We'll update you as we get closer to kick off.
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Coming soon!
__________
Gainesville vs. Thomas County Central start time
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 17
Start time: 8 p.m. EST local
The game between Benedictine and Creekside is being played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
How can I watch Gainesville vs. Thomas County Central today?
As things stand, Manchester United are joint second for goals scored in the Premier League this season, with 30, tied with table-toppers Arsenal.
But that was not the case in the previous campaign, with Rasmus Hojlund enduring a nightmare up top. With goals at a premium, Ruben Amorim had to look to the academy for a solution.
He picked then-17-year-old Chido Obi to lead the line at times. The young Dane performed admirably but could not find the back of the net.
The head coach had also called up another academy hotshot Gabriele Biancheri to first team training but the young Welshman did not make the matchday squad.
Gabriele Biancheri eyeing a loan exit
And currently, the Portuguese tactician does not seem to rate the club’s academy as highly, with no debuts handed out thus far.
Which explains why plenty of starlets are eager to leave on loan to earn senior experience, and Gabriele Biancheri is no different.
There is plenty of interest in the 19-year-old’s services, but as revealed by Centredevils, the Wales U21 international seems eager to return home.
United had signed the forward from Cardiff City, and the youngster and his agent had visited the League One club to speak to the manager regarding his chances should he agree to move back to the Cardiff City Stadium.
“CentreDevils understands that Cardiff City are pushing for a loan move for 19-year-old Manchester United attacker Gabriele Biancheri.
Set to return home
“We can reveal that Biancheri, alongside his agent, visited the Cardiff City training ground in recent weeks and has even met with the manager.
“His family also lives in Cardiff, which is a huge positive too, and he is open for a loan move to get first-team minutes.
“There are also other clubs in the race, but as it stands, the League One club are leading the race.”
This season, playing exclusively for the U21s, the centre-forward has managed five goals and three assists from nine starts across all competitions.
It is clear he could do with senior minutes to aid his development and help him realise his dream of breaking into the United first team in the future.
Arizona got caught up in the swirl of college baseball coaches leaving for professional jobs this offseason, losing pitching coach John DeRouin to a coordinator position with the New York Mets organization. But the Wildcats didn’t take long finding a replacement, one with a strong pedigree in the collegiate ranks.
Kendall Rogers of D1Baseball.com is reporting the UA will hire Iowa’s Sean Kenny as pitching coach. Kenny will techincally be Arizona’s fourth pitching coach in five seasons under Chip Hale, though DeRouin only served in that role during the offseason following Kevin Vance’s departure in June to become San Diego State’s head coach.
Kenny, 53, spent the 2025 season at Iowa where his staff ranked 16th in the country in ERA and 11th in strikeouts per nine innings. The Hawkeyes went 33-22-1 but missed the NCAA Tournament.
Prior to Iowa, Kenny spent the 2023 season at Iowa and before that was at Georgia from 2018-23. He’s also coached at Michigan, Maryland, Pepperdine and San Diego. The 2026 season will be his 30th in college baseball.
Arizona, which is coming off a trip to the College World Series, returns weekend starters Owen Kramkowski and Smith Bailey and NCBWA Stopper of the Year Tony Pluta among several other pitchers from the team that went 44-21.
The UA opens the 2026 season on Feb. 13 in Surprise against former Pac-12 foe Stanford, part of a tournament that also includes Oregon State and Michigan. The home opener is Feb. 17 vs. Omaha at Hi Corbett Field.
Vanderbilt looks to make it 11 straight wins to open the 2025-26 season as they head three hours down I-40 to Memphis tonight.
Memphis State is a disappointment early this season, with a 4-5 record and most recently losing 99-73 at Louisville on Saturday. Then again, there’s always talent there so you never know when they’ll decide to show up. Tip-off is at 6 PM CT and we’ll be playing on ESPN2. I’ll be taking a break from my late December tradition of watching all the random bowl games.
Could Kim Little, Ella Toone or Sam Kerr get their hands on the Champions League trophy this season? [Getty Images]
English clubs are having another strong season so far in the Women's Champions League - so where do they stand going into the knockout stages?
Defending champions Arsenal secured a seeded play-off spot, alongside debutants Manchester United, with a 3-0 victory over OH Leuven on Wednesday.
United recorded a 1-0 win at Juventus, while Chelsea have gone one better than their domestic rivals. They are automatically through to the quarter-finals following a 2-1 win at Wolfsburg.
The draw for the play-offs takes place at 12:00 GMT on Thursday, 18 December, while the quarter-final ties will be played on 24-25 March and 1-2 April.
Chelsea went unbeaten in the league phase with four wins and two draws [Getty Images]
Chelsea's campaign got off to an underwhelming start when they drew 1-1 with FC Twente in October, but since then they have looked impressive, scored bucketloads of goals, and remained unbeaten.
They finished third in the table with four wins from six, scoring 20 goals and conceding just three - only Barcelona matched their goal difference.
Sonia Bompastor's side have had their fair share of European heartbreak, often at the hands of three-time champions Barcelona, who beat them 8-2 on aggregate in last season's semi-finals.
Yet the Blues were the only team to take points off Barcelona in this year's league phase, securing a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge in November.
That put them in a strong position to secure a top-four automatic qualification spot and they pounced on the opportunity, with a ruthless 6-0 win over St Polten followed by Wednesday's massive win at Wolfsburg.
Chelsea will face either Manchester United or Arsenal in the quarter-finals should their English rivals both win their two-legged play-offs.
They cannot meet Barcelona or eight-time winners Lyon until at least the semi-finals.
As well as their strong results, Chelsea have been boosted by the return of injured players, most notably forwards Sam Kerr and Lauren James.
With number one goalkeeper Hannah Hampton also set to return following the winter break, Bompastor's squad are well placed to chase an elusive European title.
Title defence rolls on as Arsenal search for form
Defending champions Arsenal finished outside the automatic qualification spots [Getty Images]
Arsenal began the defence of their European title with defeat by giants Lyon in their opening match of the league phase.
They lost 3-2 at Bayern Munich in November and scraped through a tough evening at home to Real Madrid to pick up a 2-1 win, keeping their qualification hopes on track.
A nervy 1-0 win over FC Twente ensured they would make at least the play-offs, and they eased to a 3-0 win over Leuven on Wednesday to claim fifth place.
It has not been a convincing season by any means and Arsenal would have been aiming for automatic qualification to the quarter-finals, but given the dip in form and where they found themselves in November, they have done well.
They await Thursday's draw (12:00 GMT) to find out if they will play Atletico Madrid or Leuven in the play-offs.
Should they get through that, they have Chelsea or Bayern Munich waiting in the quarter-finals.
Renee Slegers' Gunners side produced the unthinkable last season when they stunned Barcelona to win the title, after managerial upheaval earlier in the campaign, and they will be seeking fresh inspiration to continue their run this time.
Debutants Man Utd exceed expectations
Forward Melvine Malard has been a key player for Manchester United this season [Getty Images]
Given this is United's debut season in the main draw of the Women's Champions League, head coach Marc Skinner can be pleased with his side's progress.
A 2-1 home win against Paris St-Germain and a 1-0 win at Juventus were the pick of the bunch as United grabbed four victories from their six matches.
Their aim was always to finish inside the top 12 and to cap it off with a seeded spot in the play-offs was a strong finish to the league phase.
However, their 3-0 defeat by Lyon in December showed the gap between United and Europe's elite, so greater challenges lie ahead.
Skinner has called for action in the January transfer window, saying he must add squad depth if United want to keep competing in Europe.
They avoided a potential meeting with Arsenal in the play-offs following Wednesday's victory in Turin and will face either Leuven or Atletico Madrid next.
Skinner will hope key England internationals Jess Park and Ella Toone remain fit, while two-time champion Fridolina Rolfo - who has played in five finals with her former clubs Barcelona and Wolfsburg - can use her experience to guide them further.
How the top half of the table looked following six league phase matches [BBC][BBC]
Ben Haines, Ellen White and Jen Beattie are back for another season of the Women's Football Weekly podcast. New episodes drop every Tuesday on BBC Sounds, plus find interviews and extra content from the Women's Super League and beyond on the Women's Football Weekly feed
On 16 minutes, he came rushing across and wiped out forward Kevin Schade when the German was clean through, but the referee only chose to brandish a yellow.
Brentford players swarmed around referee Sam Barrott and pleaded for the Uzbekistani to be sent off, but England held firm and stuck with his decision.
“It was a big moment,” said manager Keith Andrews. “I am very quick to defend officials. I have been drawn into nothing in my time in charge, but it is one I feel they didn’t get right tonight and the explanation of it being too far from goal doesn’t sit right.”
Former Man City defender Andy Hinchcliffe said on Sky Sports’ commentary: "He was in on goal, he would have got a shot away, it is a goalscoring opportunity.
"I can understand why Brentford are unhappy. He was in on goal and he was taken out. No covering defender was going to stop him."
Sam Barrott only brandished a yellow card for Abdukodir Khusanov (Getty Images)
By the laws of the game, Khusanov committed a red card offence as he “denied the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity”, as per Law 12 of Ifab’s rulebook.
Usually, such a clear and obvious error from the referee would be referred to VAR.
However, there is no VAR in the Carabao Cup until the semi-finals - the next round - due to the fact the technology is only available at Premier League venues.
League One side Cardiff City were still in the competition for the last eight and thus would not have been able to use VAR, with the stipulation ensuring a level playing field across all ties. They were knocked out by Chelsea on Tuesday.
The lack of VAR nevertheless gave City a reprieve as they avoided going a man down in a pivotal moment of the game.
The hosts later took the lead through a stunner from Rayan Cherki in the 32nd minute.
For most of the NFL, when we get to this time of the year, many are all over the playoff implications, what it takes to win the division, secure playoff football, and anything else in between, but apparently not Buffalo Bills receiver Khalil Shakir.
With most aware of what needs to happen over the next couple of weeks, it creates a greater sense of urgency to get the right results.
“I didn't even know that,” Shakir said. “It's great, obviously that's the goal, right? Get into the dance and give yourself a chance at the big one. Obviously, it means a lot to us, but for us, we want to win every single game, and whatever that comes with, it comes with. I go back to just us trying not to make it bigger than what it is. This game is the most important one because it's the next one.”
Whether or not you believe Shakir's comments doesn't really matter, but he isn't wrong.
Focus on the game that is up next, because if you get caught looking too far ahead, that is when disaster can strike, and for Buffalo, it isn't in a position where it can afford a loss if it wants to win the AFC East.
With a chance to pile the pressure on the New England Patriots, who play Sunday night, the Bills can move level with their rivals for top spot in the division by beating the Cleveland Browns.
All three games left on Buffalo's schedule are hugely important, but as Shakir says, Sunday is the most important one, because it's the next one.
Bobb, 22, has had tough luck with injuries after fracturing his leg early into the 2024/25 season, having enjoyed a breakout year at the Etihad the campaign before.
He missed 200 days and 48 games with the injury, returning in March 2025 but struggling to hit the ground running as he regained his fitness.
The Norwegian hasn’t been able to properly get going this term, making just a handful of starts in the Premier League and may have been dealt a hammer blow in his bid to return to favour after leaving the field early against the Bees with a hamstring problem.
The Man City physio was stretching out the winger’s leg before it became clear he wouldn’t be able to continue, trudging off the field dejected as Guardiola was forced into the early introduction of Phil Foden.
Bobb has managed just 457 minutes in the English top flight this term, making just one appearance in City’s last seven league games and was dragged off at half-time of their Champions League loss to Bayer Leverkusen after an underwhelming display.
Oscar Bobb in action against Brentford (REUTERS)
He actually started the season but has since fallen behind Jeremy Doku in the pecking order. He hasn’t managed a goal contribution since the opening day, bagging an assist in their 4-0 win at Wolves.
Injury has stunted his rise, having burst onto the first-team scene in 2023/24 to become pegged as one of the league’s brightest stars.
The extent of this latest setback is yet to be revealed but Guardiola will be expected to offer an update in his post-match press conference.
The Uzbekistani was saved by the fact there is no VAR in this round of the Carabao Cup, and City later capitalised on their reprieve as Rayan Cherki scored a stunner to put the hosts ahead.
The Toronto Blue Jays have shown they’re all-in this offseason after coming off a seven-game World Series loss; they’ve brought in multiple big-name pitchers, and now, it’s time to bring in a hitter.
According to Just Baseball’s Ethan Hyatt, the Jays will land THE free agent of the offseason: Kyle Tucker.
“The Blue Jays have shown that they’re going all-in this offseason, already agreeing to contracts with Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce, and Tyler Rogers, who are all pitchers – they’re still looking for a bat to add to their already potent offense, and Tucker fits the profile perfectly…Kyle Tucker is the golden goose of this offseason, and the Jays are one of the only teams that have a serious chance to bring in his services,” Hyatt wrote.
This past season, Tucker slashed .266/.377/.464/.841 with 25 doubles, 22 home runs, 73 RBI, and 25 stolen bases in 136 games played. He’s a five-tool player and would be a major defensive upgrade.
However, this move does come with a loss. According to Hyatt, the Blue Jays would lose their World Series hero, Bo Bichette, in the process to a team they’d definitely rather not: the New York Yankees.
If this were to happen, it still would be a big win for Toronto. They’d make up for Bichette’s offense, and definitely be upgrading their defense, albeit in a different position. If this is the price to get Tucker, they may as well pay it.
Tino Livramento has been dealt a crushing injury blow after the full-back limped off late in Newcastle’s Carabao Cup quarter-final with Fulham.
The England international has already spent eight weeks out this season with a knee ligament injury, returning at the beginning of November.
However, he went down in the 74th minute of the game nursing a fresh problem before the Newcastle physio entered the pitch to try and treat the issue.
It appeared to be another knee injury, with the physio bending the 23-year-old’s leg back and forth as he reacted with grimaces.
Livramento rose to his feet gingerly before hobbling off the field, looking dejected as he was replaced by youngster Alex Murphy.
Tino Livramento receiving treatment on a fresh injury (Getty Images)
Eddie Howe couldn’t allay fears of another major problem, saying: "It doesn't look good. The fact he came off is a worrying sign and we're so stretched in that area it would be a problem."
He missed 10 games this season across October and November after sustaining his initial knee injury against Arsenal at the end of September.
It meant he missed the October international break with England and depending on the severity of the injury, this latest setback could hinder his chances at ensuring his place on Thomas Tuchel’s plane for next summer’s World Cup.
Knee injuries go beyond his Newcastle career for Livramento, whose biggest spell on the sidelines came after suffering an ACL tear for Southampton in 2022 which left him out for a year. His problem against Fulham did not appear that serious.
In a change of fortunes for the Magpies, Livramento’s makeshift replacement at right-back, Lewis Miley, popped up with the winner against the Cottagers, rising from a corner to head home in stoppage time and seal a 2-1 win for the cup holders as they progressed to the semi-finals.
Speaking before attending the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Penya Barcelonista 1900 of Terrassa (via Sport), Laporta claimed that Real Madrid and Perez’s comments on Barcelona have come because they “can’t stand” to be trailing in the La Liga title race.
“What I wanted to tell you is that we have managed to reverse the situation, that the institution is strong, that joy has also returned to Barcelona. It seems that from some places they can’t stand it. Why do you laugh with this sarcasm? What did you catch who I was referring to? Here in Terrassa, you are very smart. They can’t seem to stand it. Sometimes this goes by neighbourhoods.
“Joy has returned to Barcelona and others to divert attention from their shortcomings have to talk only about Barcelona. I will have time to talk about this later. Not here and now, but with more tranquillity because I think it is already getting out of hand.
Image via FC Barcelona
“Loving Barcelona is defending the club against everything and everyone – and defend it above all else. To defend Barcelona against all the adversities that arise. Many more will be produced. But here you have to be strong and you have to be alive to defend Barcelona above all else. Having this awareness that we do it to maintain this: a strong Barcelona, a lively Barcelona. An entity, an institution that has more than 126 years of history committed to sport, democracy, freedoms, Catalonia and its Catalanness.”
Laporta pleased with Barcelona position in La Liga
Laporta finished his speech by referring to Barcelona’s strong position in La Liga, where they clear of Real Madrid at the top of the table.
“What we have to do is constantly think about Barcelona and try to keep this dynamic that they are picking up because we are first and four points ahead of second.”
Johnson’s father, Domonique Johnson (who played for Missouri as a cornerback in 2005-06), reposted the report to confirm the news.
“Passion (and) wanting to win can be perceived by (people) in different ways,” Domonique Johnson posted on social media. “As a player, coach, & very observant father, I have always spoken on the good & the bad. Much respect to Drink (head coach Eli Drinkwitz) & much love to (wide receivers coach Jacob) Peeler and (running backs coach Curtis) Luper. Sometimes a man just needs a change of scenery for HIS wellbeing.”
Passion & wanting to win can be perceived by ppl in different ways. As a player, coach, & very observant father, I have alway spoken on the good & the bad. Much respect to Drink & much love to Peeler and Luper.
The college football transfer portal officially opens Jan. 2 and will remain open for entries through Jan. 16.
Marquis Johnson joins starter Joshua Manning and redshirt freshman James Madison II as the Mizzou wide receivers expected to look for new schools.
Johnson was a junior this season and now has one year of eligibility remaining.
The speedy wide receiver broke out as a true freshman in 2023, flashing a penchant for big plays and an ability to stretch the field with 13 receptions for three touchdowns and 383 yards, which is about 29.5 yards per catch.
But, apart from a massive outing in last season’s Music City Bowl win, Johnson never fully realized his massive potential in Columbia as the Tigers’ passing game stagnated in 2024 and 2025.
Johnson never eclipsed his freshman year production, and he will finish his Mizzou career with 1,075 receiving yards and six touchdowns. He lost his starting role with the Tigers in November and did not play more than 15 snaps in any of Mizzou’s final four regular-season games.
The Tigers now have a shortage at the position for the Gator Bowl, with Mizzou set to play Virginia on Dec. 27 in Jacksonville, Florida, and an even more pressing need at the position for 2026.
Missouri is now set to lose four of the five players who took 100 or more snaps at the position this season. Manning and Johnson are off to the portal. Kevin Coleman Jr. and Xavier Loyd are out of eligibility after the bowl game.
Freshman standout Donovan Olugbode can return, as can promising rookies DaMarion Fowlkes and Shaun Terry II. But, it seems very likely that Mizzou will be highly active in the wide receiver market in the transfer portal.
The Green Bay Packers are in the midst of a push for the NFC North championship - something they haven't clinched since 2021 when they lost to the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round of the NFC playoffs. The year prior, they made it to the NFC Championship Game, and they may have won had they signed a future Hall of Famer who wanted to go to Green Bay.
Joining the Pat McAfee Show, J.J. Watt said he wanted to join the Packers in 2020 when he was a free agent, but the Packers didn't have any interest.
"I wanted to play for the Packers in free agency," Watt said. "I wanted to go to Green Bay. They were not interested... that's where I wanted to go. I told my agents, 'I don't care what the number is, I don't care how low it is, tell me what it is so I can at least consider it.' I said, 'I'm not saying it's a guarantee to take it.' But I said if it's $2 million, if it's $4 million - whatever the number is, put it in front of me so that I can at least consider it against all these options. And they said, 'We can't get a number.'"
The Packers went to the NFC Championship Game in 2020 off the strength of Aaron Rodgers throwing 48 touchdowns and winning league MVP. They fell short of the Super Bowl, losing to Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who then went on to beat the Kansas City Chiefs.
Sunday the Raiders head to Houston for a matchup with the Texans. The first injury report is out for that game and it features a couple starters who won't play this week.
Last week T Kolton Miller returned to practice, but ultimately was not activated from injured reserve where he has been for the past two months. His return opened his 21-day window for coming off IR, giving him two more weeks. He was limited on Wednesday.
Geno Smith was back at practice after missing last week and the game in Philadelphia with injuries to his right shoulder and back. He was a full participant which suggests he will resume starting duties. Kenny Pickett started against the Eagles in his place.
Not practicing Wednesday were DE Maxx Crosby and S Jeremy Chinn. The two have been missing for various practices the past few weeks and have played each time so there is little concern for their absences at this point.
The Texans were without a whopping eight players, which is excessive. So, let's see who practices on Thursday before reading too much into that.
Cherki moment of quality carries Man City past Brentford
Man City progress as Cherki lights up Carabao Cup night against Brentford
Manchester City’s relationship with the Carabao Cup has been complicated by success elsewhere, but nights like this still matter. Under slick floodlights and in awkward conditions, Man City found clarity through quality, dispatching Brentford 2-0 to reach the semi finals and extend a December run that continues to gather momentum.
The competition may sit behind larger ambitions, yet its capacity to reveal depth, confidence and rhythm remains undiminished. For City, this was another evening where solutions emerged calmly, even when the contest threatened to tilt in a different direction.
Cherki provides spark and control
Brentford began with purpose, pressing high and unsettling City’s rhythm early on. That energy was briefly punctured when Rayan Cherki announced himself with authority. Having already tested Hakon Valdimarsson with a rising effort, the French forward adjusted, assessed, and then struck.
Picking up possession on the edge of the area, Cherki shifted onto his right foot and unleashed a ferocious drive that flew high into the top corner. It was a goal of conviction and confidence, a reminder of why City were so keen to invest patience in his adaptation.
That moment shifted the balance. City did not dominate in waves, but they controlled the emotional temperature of the game. Cherki’s fourth goal of the campaign felt less like a flourish and more like confirmation that he is settling into this environment.
Brentford frustration without VAR
Before that breakthrough, Brentford believed the contest should have taken a different path. Abdukodir Khusanov escaped with a yellow card after tripping Kevin Schade close to the edge of the box, a decision that incensed the visitors who felt their forward was clean through on goal.
With no video assistant referee in operation, Sam Barrott’s call remained final. Keith Andrews could only watch as appeals fell flat. Mathias Jensen’s resulting free kick was well struck but repelled by James Trafford, another moment where promise failed to turn into substance.
Brentford continued to threaten. Kristoffer Ajer forced a superb save from Trafford, while City needed Valdimarsson to deny Nico O’Reilly at range. The margins stayed narrow until City nudged them wider.
Savinho seals semi final place
The second goal arrived on 67 minutes and carried a sense of inevitability. Savinho’s effort took a decisive deflection, looping over Valdimarsson and dropping into the net. It was not as dramatic as Cherki’s opener, but it closed the evening decisively.
Pep Guardiola rotated with intent. Erling Haaland remained on the bench, Divine Mukasa led the line with enthusiasm, and Phil Foden’s introduction almost produced another goal. The only concern came with Oscar Bobb’s first half injury, adding to an already crowded treatment room.
For Brentford, elimination at the quarter final stage again will sting, particularly given the decisions and moments that drifted away. For Man City, a two legged semi final against Newcastle now awaits, another step closer to Wembley and another sign that momentum is building quietly but relentlessly.
The San Francisco 49ers signed quarterback Adrian Martinez to the practice squad. Martinez recently cleared waivers after being cut by the New York Jets. As the 49ers find out what they have in rookie Kurtis Rourke, Martinez can play the scout team role for Caleb Williams and Sam Darnold, leading up to the final two games of the season.
The 49ers will likely face a mobile quarterback in the Wild Card round, whether it’s Jalen Hurts or Baker Mayfield — barring the bye week. So, there’s a role for Martinez during practice.
The 49ers also had a pair of tryouts, per the NFL’s transaction wire. Guards Iosua Opeta and Aiden Williams were brought in. Both players played right guard for their respective teams during the preseason.
The 49ers are likely bringing in a pair of offensive linemen in the event Spencer Burford, whose knee and ankle “checked out pretty good,” according to Kyle Shanahan, can’t practice. On Monday, Shanahan said Burford was expected to practice this week, but things can certainly change over a couple of days.
David Cariello has never seen anything quite like this.
Since Tulane advanced to the College Football Playoff, merchandise has flown off his store’s shelves at such a rate that he’s had to order thousands of additional apparel.
This time of year, his New Orleans sports shop, Campus Connection, normally receives orders in the single or double digits. Last weekend, he had nearly 1,000 new orders in a span of about 36-48 hours.
The acronym stands for “Roll Mother F****** Wave.”
“I kind of had a minor panic attack with all of the calls for orders,” Cariello said. “I didn’t know if I could handle it.”
The outpouring in New Orleans shows the power of an expanded playoff on non-power league programs — the underdogs of the Football Bowl Subdivision who often operate with limited budgets, smaller stadiums and far less historical accomplishments than their peers in the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12 and ACC. The same goes for James Madison, the playoff’s No. 12 seed, which sold its allotment of 3,500 tickets despite the cross-country journey to Oregon.
While Tulane and JMU’s inclusion brings about the feel-good stories that often make college athletics different from the pros — for instance, the Cinderellas in the NCAA tournament — this particular year has introduced an unusual situation that the creators of the playoff probably never imagined: There are two, not just one, non-power programs in a postseason field of 12.
Well, it may be the last time it happens.
In news that’s 18 months old but has gone mostly overshadowed, next year’s playoff will specifically designate that the champions of the SEC, ACC, Big 12 and Big Ten receive a berth into the postseason field, plus the highest-ranked non-power league conference champion. That’s according to the now-infamous memorandum of understanding the parties signed in Spring of 2024.
Jon Sumrall is the next head coach at Florida, but for now, he's also coaching the Tulane Green Wave. (Michael DeMocker/Getty Images)
Michael DeMocker via Getty Images
This is different from the current format, which designates the five automatic berths to the highest-ranked conference champions and not to specific leagues.
For instance, this year’s playoff bracket, if using next year’s concepts, would look very different.
For one, Duke, despite its 8-5 record, would have automatically advanced into the field as the ACC champion, bumping out JMU, the second highest-ranked non-power league champion.
But there’s something else.
As part of the memorandum signed last spring, the conferences agreed to grant Notre Dame a guarantee for the future: If the Irish are ranked inside the top 12 of a 12-team playoff, they automatically advance into the field.
That means, in this year’s playoff, Notre Dame, ranked No. 11, would be in the field in place of the last at-large bid: Miami.
These two concepts — now coming into a brighter light publicly — have caught the attention of those in college athletics. In fact, the guarantee for Notre Dame, negotiated by Irish athletic director Pete Bevacqua and agreed to by the 10 FBS conferences, caused quite the stir last week from a gathering of athletic administrators from Las Vegas.
“Why did we agree to give Notre Dame that?” said one power league athletic director, steaming over the deal.
But there’s plenty more to this story.
In fact, those in the non-power league ranks are asking why the Mountain West, American, C-USA, MAC, Pac-12 and Sun Belt agreed to alternate language that in future years prevents them from the possibility of receiving two automatic spots — just like they did this year.
The answer is quite simple. Last spring, during intense and, at times, heated negotiations over the future of the College Football Playoff, leaders of the Big Ten and SEC threatened to create their own postseason system if they were not granted a majority of CFP revenue (they now have a combined 58% of it) and full authority over the playoff format (they have that, too). The non-power conferences only had a finite amount of time to opt into the deal.
In the end, all 11 parties — the 10 FBS conferences and Notre Dame — inked three separate memorandum of understanding documents: one among the 11; one between the 11 and ESPN; and a third, separate agreement over revenue with the Pac-12’s two displaced members, Washington State and Oregon State.
However, the MOUs only covers a playoff of up to 14 teams. The fact that commissioners are exploring expansion to 16 or more begs the question: How much do these guarantees change if a new MOU is negotiated?
It depends on who you ask.
“The main tenets of the guarantees wouldn’t change,” says one college leader.
But another official suggests that Notre Dame’s guarantee would, in fact, be impacted by any renegotiation if the playoff expands beyond 14.
Either way, as the playoffs begin this week, the results of the games are certain to impact future expansion and format discussions. In the 12-team playoff era — just one year in — programs outside of the SEC and Big Ten are 0-4. The non-power leagues and the ACC and Big 12 have three more chances this weekend (Miami, JMU and Tulane) and at least one more shot in the quarterfinals (Texas Tech).
But, win or lose, the FBS underdogs are reveling in this current postseason structure. The playoff berth alone is delivering to JMU and Tulane early Christmas tidings. In fact, from mid-November to mid- December, Tulane’s donor contributions rose 373% compared to that stretch last year.
Meanwhile, Cariello is still selling those “RMFW” shirts, even to the likes of college sports leaders. American commissioner Tim Pernetti purchased one of the sweatshirts, Pernetti says, and he’ll be wearing it Saturday on the sideline in Oxford.
Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine break down the New York Knicks’ first NBA Cup championship run. Following the departure of Tom Thibodeau, has the Knickerbockers’ offensive scheme unlocked a new level? With the defense maintaining its integrity as the offense continues to explode, are the Knicks now a real championship threat? Then, the pair discusses and shares their thoughts on the Knicks' decision not to celebrate their NBA Cup championship with a banner.
Later, they respond to commissioner Adam Silver’s comments regarding the NBA injury crisis and propose solutions to end the prolonged absence of star power for the league.
(1:14) The Big Number: $530,933 - Knicks player earnings from NBA Cup
(11:20) Knicks refuse to hang NBA Cup Banner
(19:32) The Little Number: +21.5 - Knicks net rating with Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart on the floor
(22:36) The Little Number: 7.9 minutes per game - time Jalen Brunson has possession of the ball this season
(26:40) The Little Number: 11th - Knicks defensive efficiency ranking
(32:07) Injury crisis update
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson holds the MVP trophy after winning the Emirates NBA Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena. Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Even with deep changes in their squad this summer Wolfsburg remain a very strong team, especially when playing at home. Chelsea Women are well aware of such a challenge even if the squad that once beat them at home in the UEFA Women’s Champions League nearly six years ago is also long gone.
As expected it was an evenly matched contest, where Chelsea won the battle for possession but began losing the fight for goals with Alexandra Popp opening the scoreline. Not to worry though as Lucy Bronze levelled for us right before we went into the tunnels at halftime.
Proper tactical tweaks on the back of some good talking in the dressing room made Chelsea return to the pitch like a whole new team. It took less than a minute for Alyssa Thompson to almost find the comeback goal for the Blues. And it didn’t take very long for us to finally get it via Sam Kerr.
Wolfsburg’s desperation at the end of the match got things too close for comfort on our defensive end. But we held strong and locked down a top-four finish in the group stage of the continental competition.
Carefree!
Livia Peng still starts even though Hannah Hampton is in the squad.
Marvellous first half from Lucy Bronze.
A direct spot in the Champions League playoffs is ours!
Hard Knocks after an Eagles win for the first time? This is quality television on par with when Breaking Bad finally started getting good!
Here are some choice thoughts on the third episode of Hard Knocks: In-Season with the NFC East that aired on Tuesday evening on HBO and HBO Max:
1. Jalen Hurts’ beam up the seam touchdown toss against the Raiders on Sunday was the icing on the cake for the Eagles’ 31-0 blowout win. The reaction between Hurts and Nick Sirianni was gold:
Jalen Hurts and Nick Sirianni had fun with this play call 🦅 @Eagles
It’s a perfect encapsulation of the yin and yang of the quarterback-coach duo. Hurts tries to reel in Sirianni’s emotions a tad, but Sirianni counters and tries to bring out some emotion from the Birds’ stoic QB. For a team that’s been mired in losses for nearly a month and in drama for much longer than that, it was refreshing to see the two of them gel like that.
Additionally, Sirianni playfully harping on the design of that touchdown, potentially, might shed light on an increased role for Sirianni in the team’s overall offensive gameplan, as ESPN’s Tim McManus first reported ahead of the Week 14 Chargers matchup.
2. A 6’6, 325-pound offensive tackle doing 60 pull-ups in the “Bro Barn” in the middle of the night while injured and rehabbing? Lane Johnson is an out of this world player who will don a gold jacket in Canton one day. Though the Birds had a myriad of issues during their recent three-game skid, Lane Johnson’s absence loomed large amongst them. When Johnson has been healthy and on the field during his career, the Birds typically win. When he isn’t, they typically don’t. Things can be that simple with a player of that caliber.
3. How out of place did Jerry Jones look in that Dallas coaches meeting?
4. Brandon Graham should be mic’d up during every single game for the remainder of his career, however long that may be.
5. Jaelan Phillips has been awesome since coming to Philly, injecting some life into this Eagles pass-rush and defense overall, but can someone teach him the correct lyrics to “Fly Eagles Fly” in time for the next home game? He seems like he truly loves being here. A player as impactful as him needs to know!
The Seattle Seahawks prioritized rest and readiness in a short week ahead of their biggest game of the season- Thursday Night Football hosting the Los Angeles Rams.
Corbin Smith reported these comments of head coach Mike Macdonald's ahead of practice on Monday.
Macdonald says that coaching staff continues to evolve how they prepare for these Thursday night games. Being later in the season, they are planning to do all walkthrough oriented stuff this week, though Wednesday could be open for a few full speed reps for #Seahawks.
Only doing walkthrough practices allowed the Seahawks a “full” three days of recovery on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. They kept their bodies warm in individual drills and team periods while taking primarily mental reps on Monday and Tuesday, but left the decision open to ramp it up on Wednesday depending on how they felt bringing energy and focus simultaneously. Prioritizing readiness of their football minds over aggression in practice could be the key to winning tomorrow night’s game.
The biggest flaw in the Seahawks first performance versus the Rams this season was undoubtedly Sam Darnold’s 0:4 touchdown–interception ratio. If he can see the field a little bit better, and cut that number in half, at least– the Seahawks will be in a much better position to win the second time around. This can’t be fixed with more physical exertion. It can only be fixed with a better game plan, more confidence, and better execution.
While this will be a battle of epic proportions, with the NFC West on the line- the key to beating the Rams overlooking the Puget Sound isn’t a more physical game, but sound football instead. Both of these reasons made the walkthrough practices this week the right decision.
The Detroit Lions have begun the 21-day evaluation clock for offensive tackle Giovanni Manu. The second-year offensive tackle has been on injured reserve since Week 5 with a knee injury, but it appears he’s healthy enough to return to practice. He was officially listed as limited in practice on Wednesday ahead of the team’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Note: Manu’s return to practice was not on Wednesday’s transaction wire, likely because the Lions only had a walkthrough practice.
Manu, the team’s 2024 third-round pick, was considered a developmental project given he played his college days in Canada for the University of British Columbia. But with an impressive athletic profile—6-foot-7, 350 yards with impressive strength and speed—there tools are there to be, at least, a depth offensive tackle.
But his development has hit a few snags early in his career. His rookie season was spent entirely on the sidelines, making zero appearances in 2024. Hoping to continue his development this year, he did make four game appearances—including one start at left tackle—before the knee injury cost him the past nine games.
Lions coach Dan Campbell said starting his injury clock is less about getting him available for games this year. It’s more about gaining the experience he needs to continue that development and hit the ground running in 2026.
“He needs reps, practice reps. Get out there against our defense, against (Marcus) Davenport, against Hutch (Aidan Hutchinson) in real-time practice. It’s not a ton of them. It’s not like training camp, but gosh, he just needs reps, man. He cannot get enough reps.
“If we’re able to use him, or there’s something there this year, that’s a bonus. It’s really about getting him—will this set him up better for next year, training camp going into that next year. That’s really it.”
While not part of the 53-man roster yet, Manu likely sits behind Taylor Decker, Penei Sewell, and Dan Skipper on the depth chart. Rookie Miles Frazier is also capable of playing tackle in a pinch, and Detroit also has Devin Cochran on their practice squad.
Jess Park joined Manchester United from Manchester City this summer [Getty Images]
Manchester United secured a seeded spot in the draw for the Women's Champions League knockout phase play-offs with victory over Juventus.
England international Jess Park scored the game's only goal, curling the ball into the far corner early in the first half at Allianz Arena in Turin.
Marc Skinner's side, playing in the league phase for the first time, completed it with four wins from six matches.
They can be pleased with that achievement - rounded off with a hard-earned victory in Italy against an in-form Juventus side.
A strong first half put United in control and they were unfortunate not to extend their lead with efforts from Park and Melvine Malard deflected wide or saved.
Juventus tried to capitalise on United's lack of squad depth in the second half as the visitors tired - but the best opportunity came via Amalie Vangsgaard early on.
Striker Terland was also left wondering why she had not been awarded a penalty when she was brought down by Juventus captain Cecilia Salvai late on.
Both sides miss out on automatic qualification for the quarter-finals, achieved by the top four of the 18 teams competing, but will go through to the two-legged play-off round.
The draw takes place on Thursday at 12:00 GMT with United set to face either OH Leuven or Atletico Madrid. The play-offs are on 11-12 February and 18-19 February.
Man Utd analysis: Park leads strong display
Having already secured a place in the top 12, United's aim was to break into the top four or ensure they had a seeded draw for the two-legged play-offs, which would give them a home tie first.
They had disappointed against eight-time champions Lyon a week before, losing 3-0, and had to come from three goals down to draw 3-3 with Tottenham in the Women's Super League last Sunday.
It was clear United were keen to avoid similar trouble this time around and were quick out of the blocks, winning several set-pieces before Park's excellent strike bent into the top right corner.
Skinner's side played with the intensity necessary against Juventus, who had started the evening in third place in the table.
At the heart of it was England international Park – a summer signing from Manchester City with prior Champions League experience – and she was a constant threat for Juventus' backline.
She had several shots that were deflected wide and a breakaway which she couldn't take advantage of in the first half, but played her role well before coming off in the 72nd minute.
Dominique Janssen was also a solid replacement at right-back for the injured Jayde Riviere and was not afraid to push up when United were on the attack.
Overall, it was a pleasing display to end a busy period for Skinner, who has had to rotate his small squad, to which he hopes to add depth in January's transfer window.
United have achieved their ambitions of reaching the next phase in their debut season of the competition and in Skinner's words, anything else is "a bonus".
What's next for both teams?
Juventus travel to Cesena on Sunday, 21 December (13:30 GMT) for their next match in the last 16 of the Italian Women's Cup.
With the WSL already on its winter break, United also have just one more game in 2025 which is Sunday's Women's League Cup quarter-final tie against Tottenham (13:00 GMT).
Dundee United 2-1 Celtic: Hoops equal 47-year unwanted record as pressure mounts on Nancy
Celtic lost 2-1 at Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership on Wednesday evening, piling more pressure on manager Wilfried Nancy, who has now lost all four matches as the Hoops boss.
Celtic started the game as the dominant side and should have opened the scoring inside the third minute. Daizen Maeda put the ball across the face of the goal to Yang Hyun-Jun, who could not hit the target.
Johnny Kenny then saw a chance saved by Dave Richard in the United goal, after doing well to evade his marker.
Celtic were rewarded for their bright start in the 13th minute, with Maeda leaving Bert Esselink helpless, before picking out the far corner.
Kenny squandered a chance to give Celtic a two-goal cushion after the half-hour mark, failing to convert Maeda’s brilliant cross into the area.
Celtic took their foot off the pedal before the break, inviting pressure from United through poor decision-making, but the hosts could not capitalise.
United started the second half with a greater attacking intent, with Craig Sibbald and Zac Sapsford getting two chances to level the scores within three minutes after the restart.
Kasper Schmeichel was called into action early on, making a big save to keep out Sapsford’s effort.
United’s aggressiveness paid off in the 58th minute, as Vicko Sevelj picked out Krisztian Keresztes, who finished superbly into the net.
Three minutes later, Sapsford completed the turnaround for the hosts with a brilliant strike into the far corner after Celtic failed to clear their lines.
United were caught off guard as substitute Shin Yamada found an opening to level the scores, only to drag his effort wide.
Seven minutes from time, Maeda squandered another big chance for Celtic, connecting with James Forrest’s brilliant pass, but he could only crash his header off the post.
The result means Celtic have now lost four consecutive games for the first time since January 1978 and marked United’s first win over the Hoops since 2014.
Embattled Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon has a beef regarding the ability to teach his defensive players how to properly do battle during games.
Via Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com, Gannon attributed tackling woes to rules that make it hard to practice tackling.
"How the rules are set up, it's hard to get better as a tackler being in the NFL, I'll say that," Gannon told reporters on Wednesday.
Gannon said the Cardinals have tackling drills in "some way, shape or form because that's one of the top skills of any defense player," but he said there's "no drill you can do that can mimic a game."
And it all traces, in Gannon's view, to rules that make it harder to teach and practice tackling.
"It's set up how it's set up, that's fine," Gannon said. "But to get better at a skill, you have to practice the skill. You practice skill, you can scale it, you can scale the tempo, you can scale how you do it, but to practice a skill, you need to practice the skill."
The rule changes first emerged with the 2011 CBA negotiations, when the owners closed the deal by agreeing to various terms that ultimately cost the league no money — like reduced padded practices and other changes to the non-game workload.
"And so it's a conundrum I think all defensive guys face and there's risk-reward to trying to practice it with it however you set things up," Gannon said. "But you definitely have to be a good tackling defense to play good defense."
The reality is that the rules are the same for all teams, and that the rules have been restrictive for 15 seasons now. Also, plenty of teams have managed to teach their players how to tackle in games — or to find players who don't need any specific drills to know how to do it at the professional level.
From tackling to blocking to everything else that goes into winning football games, the Cardinals collectively don't have enough. After starting 2-0, they've gone 1-11. Which puts Gannon in position to get sacked when the season ends in 18 days.
For decades, Army Navy has occupied the second Saturday of December almost entirely on its own, delivering massive television audiences and significant sponsorship value. That exclusivity, however, is no longer guaranteed. If the playoff expands beyond 16 teams, first round games could be pushed into that same weekend, creating direct competition for a time slot that has long belonged solely to the academies.
The financial implications are substantial. The game averaged more than seven million viewers annually, and CBS recently extended its broadcast agreement through 2038.
At Sporting News, we have covered College Football Playoff expansion scenarios extensively, and one conclusion continues to surface. Any expansion beyond 16 teams will require either conference championship games going away or a calendar that pushes deeper into January and further back into the summer. That assumes college football still intends to end its season with the national championship game on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the third Monday in January. Moving the championship back another week while expanding the playoff does little to relieve the congestion, though it remains a possibility.
Either way, Army Navy sits directly in the path of this pressure.
The solution does not have to come at the expense of the game. It presents an opportunity.
The Black Knights and Midshipmen should kick off the college football season.
Whether it is labeled Week 00 or Week -1, or played on the Thursday or Friday night before opening weekend is a matter of branding. The concept is what matters. Instead of fighting for space at the end of a crowded season, give America’s Game its own moment at the beginning.
As we saw this season, with the Bucked Up LA Bowl presented by Gronk kicking off roughly an hour after Army and Navy concluded their 126th meeting, some of the reverence tied to being truly standalone has already eroded. It is difficult to see how the December calendar becomes more favorable unless the game is moved off Saturday entirely.
Opening the season with Army vs. Navy would restore what made the rivalry special in the first place. It would give the sport a defining opening statement, reestablish exclusivity, and allow college football to begin each year by honoring the game that has always stood apart.
"We had a zoom call with them, and we kind of spoke about what the deal would entail, that sort of thing," Fletcher said. "And I think when it got to that point, we...it just didn't feel like the right fit at the time. So we didn't get super close. It was kind of like at the point where there was options there. But AEW was just the right fit for us at the time, for sure."
As to why AEW proved to be a better fit for both Fletcher and Davis at the time, Fletcher pointed to the duo's experience working for the promotion as part of the AEW/New Japan working relationship as providing them an opportunity to get an inside look at the promotion. Both he and Davis liked what they saw.
"We were lucky enough that we worked there a couple of times," Fletcher said. "We got brought in as a part of New Japan to do a couple of things. And I think it was the vibe there...to me it was...I don't want to say freedom, but I think there's a lot of trust there to...I can produce the wrestling I want to produce, and I can wrestle the way I love to wrestle. And I think experiencing that beforehand and knowing that, I think that was what kind of drew me towards AEW."
If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit "Insight with Chris Van Vliet" and provide an h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription
Picking the right captain can make the difference between a big points boost and a disappointing Gameweek.
With so many fixtures in Gameweek 17, it’s important to choose a player who is both reliable and capable of delivering big returns.
Some popular picks have shone in recent weeks, while others have struggled to make an impact.
This week, attention turns to Bournemouth and Manchester City, both of whom have fixtures that make them tempting choices for the armband.
Whether you prefer a safe option or a bold differential, the captain’s decision could shape your Gameweek.
In this article, we highlight the top captain picks to help you make the final call before the deadline
Erling Haaland – Manchester City vs West Ham
Manchester City hosts West Ham, who have struggled defensively and have not kept a clean sheet in their last 11 games under Nuno Espirito Santo.
Haaland has been in sensational form at home this season, scoring a league-high nine goals.
For managers who have not yet used their Triple Captain chip, this could be the perfect opportunity to deploy it on him, given his home record and the fixture.
There is no doubt that each Gameweek, he remains the most popular captain choice among FPL managers.
Antoine Semenyo – Bournemouth vs Burnley
Semenyo heads into Gameweek 17 with one of the best fixtures in the league. Bournemouth host Burnley, who have struggled defensively and are the worst side in the division this season.
So far this season, Semenyo has already scored seven goals and provided four assists in 15 appearances.
His direct running, physicality, and willingness to shoot make him a constant threat, particularly against weaker opposition.
Bournemouth are one of the teams most likely to score 2.5 or more goals this week, while Semenyo himself has a strong chance to score at any time, making him an excellent captain or differential option.
Phil Foden – Manchester City vs West Ham
Foden has also been impressive since Gameweek 13, accumulating 55 points, at least 13 more than any other player in the same period.
His creativity and goal threat make him a strong alternative if you want a slightly cheaper option or prefer not to play it safe with Haaland.
Igor Thiago – Brentford vs Wolves
Thiago has not scored in his last three games, but he has already scored many goals this season and has shown he is one of the most reliable forwards outside the expensive options.
Brentford travel to play Wolves, who are at the bottom of the table and have struggled to defend all season.
Thiago is a regular starter, central to his team’s attack, and often in good positions to score. He is also Brentford’s main penalty taker for a team that scores a lot and creates many chances.
Brentford are expected to control this game, and Thiago has a very good chance to score, making him a strong captain or differential pick.
Who are you backing to deliver the most points this week, who will get the captain’s armband in your team, and which player are you hoping to reward with your captain’s choice? Share your thoughts and plans for Gameweek 17 in the comments below
After amassing a five-fight winning streak, most recently a win over Caio Borralho, Nassourdine Imavov (17-4 MMA, 9-2 UFC) has made his case for a title shot. Chimaev (15-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) dominated Du Plessis at UFC 319 in August to claim the middleweight title and is targeting a return after Ramadan.
Du Plessis (23-3 MMA, 9-1 UFC) agrees that Imavov should be No. 1 contender but doesn't give him much of a chance to beat Chimaev.
"Imavov's getting the title shot. I think that's the only thing that should really make sense," Du Plessis said on Fight Forecast. "I think it's going to be an interesting fight. I think Khamzat wins that fight for sure."
The South African fighter is looking to rebound in the first quarter of 2026, preferably towards the end of march or beginning of April.
"As for myself, I don't really know," Du Plessis said. "The whole division's been mixed up. When you had Imavov and Caio fighting, these two guys emerged as potential contenders, the winner there is the contender. Not a great fight in my opinion. Those two guys stood there and – there was moments of brilliance, make no mistake, and I rate Caio Borralho.
"I picked him to win that fight, but it's on the night they just didn't show up. Well done to Imavov for winning that fight. He did what he had to do, but right now, you don't have anybody who's consistently winning. That’s the problem. How do you pick a contender. You have guys who fight two great fights, one terrible one. The consistency isn’t there, but there's so many good fighters, it's just the consistency.
There has been plenty of NWSL news to discuss recently, with Sophia Wilson returning to the Portland Thorns and everybody eagerly awaiting an announcement on the NWSL’s proposed new “High Impact Player” rule.
Three NWSL teams recently made signings: rookie defender Kolo Suliafu from the University of Washington signed with the Kansas City Current, goalkeeper Laurel Ivory signed with the Boston Legacy expansion team, and midfielder Jordan Fusco re-signed with the San Diego Wave.
Kolo Suliafu signs with the Kansas City Current
Kolo Suliafu signed with the Kansas City Current through 2026, the club announced on Tuesday. Suliafu most recently played for the University of Washington.
“Kolo has proven herself to be an incredible defender,” said general manager Ryan Dell. “Her defensive prowess at the collegiate level did not go unnoticed and she was instrumental in leading Washington to one of their best seasons in program history this year. We are excited to have Kolo, a player with tremendous potential, in our system. We’re confident she will continue to develop and grow here in Kansas City while adding to our competitive environment.”
“I’m so excited to be joining the KC Current and to play in front of such passionate supporters,” said Suliafu. “You can feel the momentum around this club, and I’m proud to be part of something so big. I can’t wait to step into the competitive environment that will drive me to become not only a better player within my development but better person as well.”
Suliafu was the 2025 Big Ten Defender of the Year and has been called up to the Under-17 and Under-20 US Youth National teams.
Goalkeeper Laurel Ivory signs with the Boston Legacy
Goalkeeper Laurel Ivory has signed a two year contract with Boston Legacy FC after leaving the Kansas City Current in free agency, the club announced on Wednesday.
Ivory said in a press release that she was a “die hard New England fan.”
“What doesn’t excite me about joining Boston Legacy FC? I’m a die hard New England fan. Was born and raised a New England fan,” said Ivory. “The fact that I can be a part of Boston sports history in some way, shape, or form means the world to me and I’m really excited to build something in a sports town that means so much to me. To help facilitate building that and hopefully get a good foundation underneath this club culturally that it’s just going to flourish in the years to come – if I can be one piece of it, it would be an honor and a dream regardless of my role on or off the field. I just want to be part of building something here.”
“We are very happy to have Laurel Ivory join our roster at Boston Legacy FC,” said Legacy general manager Domè Guasch. “Laurel already has a fantastic track record in the NWSL and has used her very strong youth national team experience as a springboard to have a solid career here in the league. She has a real connection to the Boston area and is exactly the type of player our fans will connect with. On top of her quality as a goalkeeper, she brings great energy and personality. We’re confident she’ll play an important role in our team.”
Ivory played two matches for the Current this past season, keeping clean sheets in both. Before that, she played for the Seattle Reign.
Midfielder Jordan Fusco signs new contract with San Diego Wave
Midfielder Jordan Fusco has signed a new two year contract with the San Diego Wave, the club announced on Wednesday. Fusco will be on loan with the Tampa Bay Sun through June 2026.
“In her first professional season, Jordan has taken full advantage of her time with our staff with Wave FC and is showing the kind of professional growth we value,” said Sporting Director and General Manager Camille Ashton. “This is a fantastic opportunity for Jordan to continue her development and gain valuable experience as she takes on a new challenge.”
The Green Bay Packers made the surprising decision to activate running back MarShawn Lloyd to the 53-man roster in the corresponding roster move that came with placing defensive end Micah Parsons on the injured reserve. Lloyd’s practice window was set to expire this week, but the Packers found a temporary fix to Lloyd suffering an injury after clearing the hurdle of the injury that originally placed him on the injured reserve.
According to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, Green Bay is only activating Lloyd to the 53-man roster to place him back on the injured reserve for the opportunity to reopen his return to the team in four weeks (the minimum time that he would need to spend on the injured reserve). Basically, the Packers are attempting to reset his clock to return this year, even if that means the postseason.
Whenever Lloyd goes on the IR, Green Bay will have an open roster spot on the 53-man roster.
If you’re having a hard time keeping track of Lloyd’s injury history, here’s the breakdown:
Missed six games with an ankle sprain in Week 2 of his rookie season and was placed on IR.
After having his practice window open in 2024, he needed an emergency appendectomy, which led to a second stint on the IR, similar to this year.
Injured his hamstring in the 2025 preseason, was placed on the injured reserve and had his 21-day practice window open on December 1st.
When he returned to practice, he was given a calf, not hamstring, designation by the team.
Lloyd then suffered another second hamstring injury in 2025, leading to what will be his fourth stint on IR in two seasons.
Celtic chairman Peter Lawwell is to step down from the board at the end of the year after receiving "intolerable" levels of "abuse and threats".
Current non-executive director Brian Wilson is taking over as interim chairman until a permanent replacement is found.
The decision comes amid fan protests at Celtic's poor performances this season, as well as their disappointing transfer business in the summer.
"It is with sadness that I announce my decision to stand down as chairman," Lawwell said, who will leave his role on 31 December.
"I believe that my 18 years as chief executive and three years as chairman have shown my ability to meet and overcome challenges on many fronts, but abuse and threats from some sources have increased and are now intolerable.
"They have dismayed and alarmed my family. At this stage in my life, I don't need this. I cannot accept this and so I leave the club I have loved all my life.
"The motivations and aims of these detractors can be investigated by others. I prefer to look back on my career at Celtic with deep gratitude and satisfaction."
This included Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup final against St Mirren at Hampden, a crushing blow early into Nancy’s tenure.
"My time at the club has brought joy to someone whose memories as a Celtic fan include standing as a schoolboy on the terraces as the European Cup was paraded at Celtic Park on that magical night in 1967," Lawwell added.
"I have subsequently watched some great European nights at Paradise and am proud that the club has played group-stage football in all but two of the last 21 years while also enjoying domestic dominance.
Peter Lawwell leaves Celtic with Wilfred Nancy struggling at the helm (Getty Images)
"My life at the club has included dramatic ups and downs in football, but they have also given me the experience, drive and desire, which I will take on to my next project, whatever and wherever that may be."
Celtic chief executive Michael Nicholson later stated that three of his colleagues were "assaulted" after Sunday's Hampden defeat as he declared Lawwell's resignation a "sad day" for the club.
Nicholson told Celtic TV: "Most recently, we had a situation where three of our colleagues were assaulted at Celtic Park on Sunday night after the match.
"As I say, these behaviours and conduct are completely unacceptable. For me, they're not Celtic. They don't sit with the values of Celtic supporters and the Celtic family.
"As a board, it strengthens our resolve to do the right thing for Celtic and to take this club forward together for the future."
The Dolphins said: “No, no, no; no thank you, that’s okay!”
Everything was aligned against the Fins
You know the drill: December game, away, in the cold, in prime time, the Dolphins’ playoff hopes (no matter how small) on the line.
If there’s ever been anything more sure than a Miami loss in those circumstances, I’ve never encountered it.
This time had the addition of a little Mike on Mike violence as Mike ‘Oh no, we should fire him because we only finish over .500 every year for our entire lifetimes, boo hoo’ Tomlin went against Mike ‘I will lose this and still be your coach for the next decade, just watch how bad this can get’ McDaniel battled it out from the sidelines.
People love to play up narratives in NFL games, probably because they run out of interesting things to say after roughly their third season of trying to come up with engaging commentary (which I would know nothing about since I am always innovative and delightful and all of my observations are fresh and new and SHUT UP JERK).
That said, people play them up because they often prove true. NBC flashed the career records of Tua and Aaron Rodgers in games below 40 degrees and, while I can’t remember Rodgers’ because it had too many big numbers involved, Tua’s was 0-5.
Of course, if temperature alone is enough to ensure a loss for you as a professional athlete making more money than some small nations, I would be forced to consider that kind of pathetic.
So.
There was no way that Tua and Company would so easily be defeated by something as innocuous as collective narratives spread by media talking heads with no meaningful perspectives to offer on game day.
Right?
Miami would obviously buck the trend.
The Fins would overcome the challenges.
The Fins did not overcome the challenges
Miami didn’t buck the trend. They didn’t defeat the narrative(s). They got thumped and played exactly as poorly as every version of the team you’ve ever seen that has encountered the same situation.
What was that ending?
WHAT WAS THAT ENDING.
Why huddle? Why drag ass like it’s the National Donkey Pulling Championship?
WHO WAS THAT FOR?
MIKE.
WHO. WAS. THAT. FOR.
I’m back in Pennsylvania for the holidays and it’s always so eye opening talking to people who aren’t Dolphins fans when the Dolphins play, especially when it’s against a local team.
The response is never gloating (since it’s always during or after a loss). It’s never “Man, we destroyed you guys! We rule and you got dominated!”
Instead, it’s almost always confusion: “Oh. Yikes. Are you guys, like, okay? What happened? Is that normal? That’s a full NFL team, right?”
What an embarassing conclusion to playoff eligibility.
Why are they passing? Not just early or late, like, at all?
Dear everyone involved in game planning and play calling: How dumb do you have to be?
Apparently, this dumb.
Week 13 against the Saints, Miami rushed for 164 yards and won 21-17.
Week 14 against the Jets, Miami rushed for 239 yards and won 34-10.
Instead, they rushed for 63 yards (despite De’Von Achane averaging 5.0 YPC) and lost 15-28.
That’s dumb. You’re all being dumb.
Analysts can try to present evidence that Pittsburgh went all in to take away the run and make Tua beat them (as Troy Aikman contended during the broadcast), but at 5.0 YPC, it didn’t work. MM just freaked out and went away from what was the obvious solution in a northeast winter game and got jack slapped.
Did you know Miami scored 27 points in the 3rd quarter?
Not on Monday Night.
ALL SEASON.
That’s my last offensive fact. Read that word with whichever pronunciation you prefer.
The defense was jekyll and hyde
Early on, Miami’s defense was looking sharp. They were swarming to the ball, making solid tackles, and stifling the Steelers’ offense.
Every non-Minkah safety was suddenly bad. The line could get no pressure against a 4th string LT playing his first snaps as an adult. There was an inexplicable taunting penalty that rivals the most ridiculous things I’ve ever seen.
And worst of all: no one could tackle anymore.
I have this pet theory that Madden (the video game franchise, not the jolly announcer who was afraid of airplanes) has been making NFL players worse for years due to the introduction of the Hit Stick.
A bunch of kids grew up playing Madden, flicking the hit stick, annihiliating their opponents, and receiving positive reinforcement all along the way. Then, those kids realize that they’re some of the world’s best athletes, weasel their way onto an NFL roster, and start trying to Hit Stick (TM) people in real life.
Turns out, you still have to wrap up and tackle the way you were taught in Pop Warner.
Throwing shoulders to get a highlight on the long defunct Jacked Up segment of Sportscenter is a great way to not actually bring a guy to the ground and watch him run away from you for a score. See: DK Metcalf.
For as well as Anthony Weaver’s defense has shown it’s able to play, this display should warrant a back-to-the-basics reassessment of what it means to tackle the ball carrier instead of trying to get on an imaginary highlight reel.
And speaking of things that make my hair turn gray and knees start to feel the oncoming rains as I shake my fist at clouds:
Tush pushing is a nightmare
Sure, it has a rhyming name. That’s where its cuteness ends.
As a regular ol’ fan, I’m so bored of this.
4th and 1: here comes the butt brigade.
Woo hoo.
What joy.
What innovation.
What intrigue.
Make a rule change and get this mess out of here. It’s boring to watch, it’s repetitive, and the Dolphins don’t even use it because they’re too stupid to take advantage of the most obvious freebee on Earth.
Put Julian Hill under center and get a free 1st down.
Until the league fixes it: Be part of the problem, guys.
Then at least the boredom I feel would be overcome by the brief excitement of the Dolphins being successful.
Until the next snap, anyway.
Weekly Overreaction: Tua should be done
“For how long? For the rest of this year? For next year? For his career?”
I’ve been a Tua Middler (like Bette Midler, but not at all the same) since he’s arrived: I think at his peak, he can be elite at the things he does best (a la 2023) and at his worst, he’s a borderline joke (like this week).
But this whole season, it seems like he’s taken such a massive step back that I think it’s in the Fins’ best interest to see what they have elsewhere.
I realize that his contract saddles them with him for next year unless they take a huge salary cap penalty, but it’s pretty clear to me that he’s suffered some long term effects from his previous injuries that have limited him. He’s comically immobile in and around the pocket, his arm strength has lessened, and (unrelated to the injury angle) his ability to read the defense and fire off a quick, accurate pass has nearly disappeared.
Until garbage time, he looked completely incapable against Pittsburgh. For a guy getting a boatload of cash in a do-or-die game: that’s pitiful.
Now, he wasn’t alone. By the 3rd quarter, no one was holding up their end of the bargain. But he’s included in that ‘no one’ and he’s getting paid the most and has the highest expectations among them to not be hot garbage.
Wilson isn’t it.
Ewers probably isn’t either, but at least he’s as yet unquantified.
Tua, it pains me to say, can’t be it anymore.
It seems like the Dolphins better get drafting.
And at least they have one thing going for them: their offseason starts today.
Why do we do this to ourselves? Do we really need to watch three more of these? What if we all just agreed to meet on Sundays and do puzzles and fist fight? Sling mud in the comments below.
The Chicago Bears’ passing game could be running a bit thin when the Packers come to town on Saturday night.
Wednesday’s injury report unfortunately features two key Bears receivers who are trending toward being out this weekend: Rome Odunze (foot) and Luther Burden III (ankle). Neither player practiced on either Tuesday or Wednesday ahead of the short-week game on Saturday.
Odunze has missed Chicago’s last two games with a stress fracture in his foot. The second-year pro tried to give it a go to play this past weekend against the Cleveland Browns, but he reaggravated the injury and was held out. Though he has not been placed on injured reserve, his injury now appears more of a week-to-week situation than a day-to-day one, with the Bears reportedly weighing shutting him down for the regular season to give him time to heal for the playoffs, if he’s able to play.
Burden, meanwhile, had to leave Sunday’s win over the Cleveland Browns early with an ankle injury after leading the Bears with 84 receiving yards on six catches. Johnson has referred to Burden’s injury as more day-to-day and made it seem as if he had a chance to suit up this week.
But with Burden not having practiced for two straight days, it feels like a “limited” practice on Friday might not be enough to help Burden see the field against Green Bay. It would be a shame, too, as the second-round rookie has clearly worked himself into Caleb Williams’ confidence with multiple solid weeks in his expanded role with Odunze out.
If neither Odunze nor Burden can go this weekend, it will put even more onus on DJ Moore to build on his momentum from last week, in which he posted a multi-touchdown game with 69 receiving yards in total. Plus, you might be looking at the likes of Olamide Zaccheaus and Jahdae Walker having to step in and play extended snaps at receiver.
How the Bears will adjust to not being able to play as much 11 personnel would be interesting. Obviously, they can still rely on the likes of Moore and Colston Loveland for most of their pass-catching volume, and Cole Kmet might actually have a chance to play Saturday after practicing in a limited fashion the last few days.
But one could see the Bears simply doing what they did in the second half of the last Packers game: running down the Packers’ throats. That approach could prove especially effective with no Micah Parsons to blow things up on the edge. However, running back D’Andre Swift popped up on today’s injury report as limited with a groin issue, so we may get a heavy dose of rookie Kyle Monangai.
Here’s hoping Burden at least doesn’t have to sit out on Saturday, which would make the injury blow easier to bear. If not, though, hopefully the Bears have enough to beat Green Bay without him.
Everyone’s favorite pitching target for negativity had another “typical” season in the eyes of the fanbase. Each of his outings was viewed through fingers and hands placed in front of eyes, or they weren’t viewed at all. Many people might choose to go out on a date night the times when Walker was scheduled to toe the rubber. However, if you’re looking for negativity regarding Walker’s season, keep looking my friend because this is going to be mostly positive!
2025 stats:
34 G (21 GS), 123 2/3 IP, 16.0 K%, 7.8 BB%, 1.53 HR/9, 4.08 ERA (5.07 FIP), 0.5 fWAR
What went right:
To begin the season, Walker was put into the starting rotation as the fifth starter, seen as a placeholder until Andrew Painter was ready. For the first five starts, he had a 2.78 ERA and looked perfectly fine.
Then he went to the bullpen…..only to return when Aaron Nola was injured and needed to go on the injured list.
Then Ranger Suarez came back to the rotation and pushed Walker to the bullpen….where he stayed until he had to go back into the rotation because of a need the team had.
All the while, he was just….fine. Through nine appearances as a reliever, mostly in June, Walker had a 4.09 ERA in 11 innings, benefiting from not being in the most leveraged of situations (0.43 aLI in those appearances) and a perfectly sublime BABIP (.133) that helped things as well.
And Walker never complained. He did whatever job the team needed and performed perfectly average for that specific job….
What went wrong:
….which is kind of what the fanbase wasn’t too fond of him.
Walker was paid a large sum of money for his services, which probably raised expectations of what he would bring to the table to a place they really shouldn’t have been.
Yet high is where those expectations were and he simply never reached them.
At least he was perfectly average in 2025.
The future with the Phillies:
For many, this season will represent a success for Walker simply because he will no longer be with the team. As his four-year contract will be completed once the team is finished with the season, having Walker move on to somewhere different is a win in and of itself.
And that can be understood. If we’re talking about whether or not the contract was a success or failure, if your own personal needle moves towards it being a contract that went sideways, I can understand that.
Yet the baseball season is 162 games long. Teams are finding themselves more and more often in dire straights looking for competent starting pitching. Walker represents that for the Phillies and will do that job yet again this coming season. His ability to take the ball and give them five or six innings each start will be counted on. Zack Wheeler will probably not be ready to start the season and Painter has seen his stock dip a decent amount to the point where maybe he shouldn’t even be simply handed a spot out of spring training. Having someone like Walker able to do whatever job is asked of him has some value, value that the Phillies really could use.
What Bournemouth felt about Amorim’s system tweak revealed
Manchester United decided to adopt a brand-new system for their Premier League clash against Bournemouth on Monday.
Ruben Amorim, who had refused to tweak his 3-4-3 system up till now, chose to switch to a back-four after trialling the new idea during training in the build-up to Monday’s encounter.
And while the change meant the attack purred at times, the backline seemed confused and that resulted in a thoroughly entertaining 4-4 draw at Old Trafford.
Ideally, the tweak should have caught the visitors off-guard, but that was not the case as the news had leaked in the build-up to the game.
Amorim changed his system
United have launched an inquiry to unearth the latest mole in the squad, after seeing the Cherries score at least three times at the Theatre of Dreams for the third season running.
After the game, Bournemouth skipper Adam Smith was asked about Amorim’s latest experiment, and he initially praised the change, terming it difficult to defend against.
“The move (switching from a back three to back four) is really tough to defend. Mason Mount comes in, drops down deep, Dalot goes really high. Luke Shaw sometimes comes really high and wide. Cunha drops down.”
The 20-time English league champions mustered 24 shots, double that of the away side, and could have scored a lot more if not for some lax finishing.
What Adam Smith thought
However, the game did resemble a boxing match, especially in the second half as each side traded blow after blow without hardly any resistance.
And Smith opined that while the attack did cause them problems, the Red Devils remain a soft touch when it came to the defensive side of things.
“On the other hand on the counter you can really, really punish them. So maybe that’s why it was such a high-scoring game,” as relayed by The Daily Mail.
United have kept a mere one clean sheet all season, and have conceded the most goals among the top-12 teams in the division.
Clearly, there is a lot of work to do for Amorim to get the balance right before his side’s next game against Aston Villa.
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West Ham United have parted ways with women’s team head coach Rehanne Skinner after two and a half seasons in charge of the side.
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