“THE SCOREBOARD”
INDIANA BOYS BASKETBALL
INDIANA USA TODAY BOYS BASKETBALL POLL
CLASS 4A
1. FISHERS (9-0) – (12)
2. LAWRENCE NORTH (6-1)
3. CROWN POINT (6-0)
4. GREENFIELD-CENTRAL (7-2)
5. NORTHRIDGE (10-0)
6. WESTFIELD (6-1)
7. ANDERSON (7-1)
8. WARSAW (6-2)
9. JEFFERSONVILLE (5-4)
10. EVANSVILLE REITZ (7-0)
CLASS 3A
1. INDIANAPOLIS CATHEDRAL (8-2)
2. SOUTH BEND ST. JOSEPH (9-1)
3. INDIANAPOLIS ATTUCKS (8-4) – (1)
4. GUERIN CATHOLIC (10-2)
5. SILVER CREEK (11-1)
6. NORTHWOOD (7-0)
7. NEW PALESTINE (8-2)
8. BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL (9-0)
9. SOUTHRIDGE (7-1)
10. EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL (6-0)
CLASS 2A
1. WAPAHANI (9-0)
2. FORT WAYNE LUERS (4-0)
3. PARKE HERITAGE (9-1)
4. LINTON (8-1)
5. FOREST PARK (7-1)
6. SOUTH RIPLEY (10-0)
7. GARY 21ST CENTURY (7-2)
8. MANCHESTER (8-1)
9. PROVIDENCE (6-1)
10. TAYLOR (7-0)
CLASS 1A
1. CLAY CITY (7-1)
2. ORLEANS (5-2)
3. BLOOMFIELD (8-2)
4. CARROLL (FLORA) (6-0)
5. KOUTS (5-1)
6. INDIANAPOLIS METROPOLITAN (10-3)
6. CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (7-3)
8. LIBERTY CHRISTIAN (5-4)
9. HAUSER (7-1)
10. TRITON (6-1)
INDIANA BOYS BASKETBALL SCORES
HOMESTEAD.COM
| ANDERSON | 81 | YORKTOWN | 53 | |
| ANGOLA | 51 | FORT WAYNE DWENGER | 37 | |
| DETROIT CASS (MICH.) | 81 | MICHIGAN CITY | 73 | |
| EAST NOBLE | 67 | CHURUBUSCO | 66 | |
| GARY 21ST CENTURY | 86 | DETROIT RENAISSANCE (MICH.) | 77 | |
| SOUTH BEND WASHINGTON | 77 | MERRILLVILLE | 54 | |
| CLINTON CENTRAL TOURNAMENT | ||||
| TIPTON | 79 | KOKOMO HOMESCHOOL | 50 | |
| CARROLL (FLORA) | 58 | CLINTON CENTRAL | 45 | |
| DELPHI TOURNAMENT | ||||
| FRANKFORT | 55 | NORTH NEWTON | 48 | |
| PIONEER | 54 | NORTH MONTGOMERY | 47 | |
| NORTH MONTGOMERY | 66 | NORTH NEWTON | 41 | |
| PIONEER | 61 | FRANKFORT | 54 | |
| ROSSVILLE | 60 | WINAMAC | 50 | |
| TAYLOR | 39 | DELPHI | 33 | |
| FISHERS TOURNAMENT | ||||
| FISHERS | 79 | SOUTH DEARBORN | 37 | |
| CHESTERTON | 79 | EVANSVILLE BOSSE | 54 | |
| PORTAGE | 76 | LAWRENCE CENTRAL | 66 | |
| FORT WAYNE WAYNE | 73 | BLOOMINGTON NORTH | 61 | |
| EVANSVILLE BOSSE | 79 | SOUTH DEARBORN | 74 | |
| LAWRENCE CENTRAL | 75 | BLOOMINGTON NORTH | 58 | |
| HUNTINGTON NORTH TOURNAMENT | ||||
| HUNTINGTON NORTH | 55 | GARY LIGHTHOUSE | 46 | |
| FORT WAYNE SNIDER | 60 | MISHAWAKA MARIAN | 55 | |
| SOUTH BEND ADAMS | 71 | GARY LIGHTHOUSE | 33 | |
| AVON | 76 | FORT WAYNE SNIDER | 44 | |
| SOUTH BEND ADAMS | 63 | HUNTINGTON NORTH | 42 | |
| AVON | 74 | MISHAWAKA MARIAN | 58 | |
| KOUTS TOURNAMENT | ||||
| BREMEN | 60 | FRONTIER | 54 | |
| KOUTS | 79 | WEST CENTRAL | 42 | |
| FRONTIER | 79 | WEST CENTRAL | 67 | |
| KOUTS | 69 | BREMEN | 56 | |
| RICHMOND TOURNAMENT | ||||
| FORT WAYNE LUERS | 67 | WARSAW | 53 | |
| FORT WAYNE NORTH | 64 | PURDUE POLY ENGLEWOOD | 61 | OT |
| BEN DAVIS | 61 | CENTERVILLE | 43 | |
| NORTHWOOD | 64 | INDIANAPOLIS WASHINGTON | 48 | |
| SHELBYVILLE | 74 | NORTH DECATUR | 36 | |
| INDIANAPOLIS SHORTRIDGE | 54 | PHALEN ACADEMY | 49 | |
| RICHMOND | 58 | INDIANAPOLIS HOMESCHOOL | 57 | OT |
| HERITAGE CHRISTIAN | 49 | SETON CATHOLIC | 36 | |
| FORT WAYNE LUERS | 64 | FORT WAYNE NORTH | 56 | |
| WARSAW | 54 | PURDUE POLY ENGLEWOOD | 46 | |
| BEN DAVIS | 52 | NORTHWOOD | 40 | |
| INDIANAPOLIS WASHINGTON | 40 | CENTERVILLE | 37 | |
| SHELBYVILLE | 63 | INDIANAPOLIS SHORTRIDGE | 54 | |
| NORTH DECATUR | 77 | PHALEN ACADEMY | 64 | |
| RICHMOND | 44 | HERITAGE CHRISTIAN | 38 | |
| SETON CATHOLIC | 73 | INDIANAPOLIS HOMESCHOOL | 66 | |
INDIANA GIRLS BASKETBALL SCORES
| CRAWFORD COUNTY | 45 | HENRYVILLE | 41 | |
| EVANSVILLE CENTRAL | 49 | BEDFORD NORTH LAWRENCE | 42 | |
| FLOYD CENTRAL | 58 | NORTH HARRISON | 35 | |
| FREMONT | 46 | FORT WAYNE LUERS | 38 | |
| HOMESTEAD | 60 | LAKE CENTRAL | 44 | |
| LAKEWOOD PARK | 72 | HAMILTON | 12 | |
| LAPEL | 61 | WINCHESTER | 43 | |
| MILAN | 39 | CAMBRIDGE CITY LINCOLN | 15 | |
| NEW PALESTINE | 53 | FRANKLIN COUNTY | 46 | |
| OLDENBURG ACADEMY | 60 | WALDRON | 26 | |
| PENDLETON HEIGHTS | 77 | JAY COUNTY | 29 | |
| UNIVERSITY | 53 | GUERIN CATHOLIC | 50 | |
| WHITNEY YOUNG (ILL.) | 81 | HAMMOND MORTON | 38 | |
| CENTER GROVE TOURNAMENT | ||||
| CENTER GROVE | 52 | NORTH KNOX | 42 | |
| BROWNSBURG | 82 | JEFFERSONVILLE | 56 | |
| NORTH KNOX | 67 | JEFFERSONVILLE | 54 | |
| BROWNSBURG | 66 | CENTER GROVE | 48 | |
| EDINBURGH TOURNAMENT | ||||
| SOUTH DEARBORN | 38 | HAGERSTOWN | 37 | |
| SHAWE MEMORIAL | 62 | COLUMBUS HOMESCHOOL | 25 | |
| AUSTIN | 75 | SOUTHWESTERN (SHELBYVILLE) | 23 | |
| INDIANAPOLIS TINDLEY | 36 | HAGERSTOWN | 33 | |
| COLUMBUS HOMESCHOOL | 59 | SOUTHWESTERN (SHELBYVILLE) | 49 | |
| SOUTH DEARBORN | 60 | EDINBURGH | 41 | |
| AUSTIN | 49 | SHAWE MEMORIAL | 39 | |
| HANOVER CENTRAL CLASSIC | ||||
| HANOVER CENTRAL | 47 | GRIFFITH | 45 | |
| HIGHLAND | 54 | GRIFFITH | 39 | |
| HIGHLAND | 53 | HANOVER CENTRAL | 52 | |
| NORTHVIEW TOURNAMENT | ||||
| CLOVERDALE | 54 | SOUTH VERMILLION | 6 | |
| TERRE HAUTE SOUTH | 54 | GREENCASTLE | 36 | |
| TERRE HAUTE NORTH | 52 | WEST VIGO | 36 | |
| NORTHVIEW | 46 | PARKE HERITAGE | 27 | |
INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
BOYS DUAL RESULTS: https://indianamat.com/index.php?/dualresults.html/
GIRLS DUAL RESULTS: https://indianamat.com/index.php?/dualresults.html/211_girls-dual-results/
BOYS TOURNAMENT RESULTS: https://indianamat.com/index.php?/curtournamentresults.html/boys-tournament-results/
GIRLS TOURNAMENT RESULTS: https://indianamat.com/index.php?/curtournamentresults.html/212_tournament-results-for-girls-events/
MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
TOP 25
#21 MEMPHIS 90 FLORIDA ATLANTIC 62
#20 PURDUE 81 MINNESOTA 61
#19 GONZAGA 81 PORTLAND 50
#22 ILLINOIS 109 #9 OREGON 77
ELSEWHERE:
PENN STATE 84 NORTHWESTERN 80
INDIANA 84 RUTGERS 74
TENNESSEE TECH 68 SOUTHERN INDIANA 64
WASHINGTON 75 MARYLAND 69
WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
TOP 25
#16 KENTUCKY 91 MISSISSIPPI STATE 69
#13 GEORGIA TECH 85 SYRACUSE 68
#2 SOUTH CAROLINA 83 MISSOURI 52
#8 MARYLAND AND 78 RUTGERS 61
#14 DUKE 86 BOSTON COLLEGE 59
CLEMSON 69 #20 CALIFORNIA 58
#25 OLE MISS 85 AUBURN 58
#19 ALABAMA 79 FLORIDA 69
#15 TENNESSEE 91 TEXAS A&M 78
#6 LSU 98 ARKANSAS 64
#5 TEXAS 80 #9 OKLAHOMA 73
ELSEWHERE:
TENNESSEE TECH 83 SOUTHERN INDIANA 79
BRADLEY 45 EVANSVILLE 42
NORTHERN IOWA 93 VALPARAISO 70
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
THURSDAY, JAN. 2
NOTRE DAME 23 GEORGIA 10
MISSISSIPPI 52 DUKE 20
FRIDAY, JAN. 3
NORTH TEXAS VS. TEXAS STATE (FIRST RESPONDER BOWL) | 4 P.M. | ESPN
MINNESOTA VS. VIRGINIA TECH (DUKE’S MAYO BOWL) | 7:30 P.M. | ESPN
SATURDAY, JAN. 4
LIBERTY VS. BUFFALO (BAHAMAS BOWL) | 11 A.M. | ESPN2
SUNDAY, JAN. 5
NORTH CENTRAL (IL) VS. MOUNT UNION (STAGG BOWL FOR THE DIII CHAMPIONSHIP GAME IN HOUSTON) | TBA | ESPN
MONDAY, JAN. 6
MONTANA STATE VS. NORTH DAKOTA STATE (FCS CHAMPIONSHIP GAME IN FRISCO, TEXAS) | 7 P.M. | ESPN
THURSDAY, JAN. 9
PENN STATE VS. NOTRE DAME (COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF SEMIFINAL GAME — ORANGE BOWL) | 7:30 P.M. | ESPN
FRIDAY, JAN. 10
TEXAS VS. OHIO STATE (COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF SEMIFINAL GAME — COTTON BOWL) | 7:30 P.M. | ESPN
MONDAY, JAN. 20
TBD VS. TBD (COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME — IN ATLANTA) | 7:30 P.M. | ESPN
NFL
THE FINAL WEEK 18 SCHEDULE (ALL TIMES ET):
SATURDAY, JAN. 4, 2025
CLEVELAND BROWNS AT BALTIMORE RAVENS, 4:30P — ESPN/ABC
CINCINNATI BENGALS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS, 8:00P — ESPN/ABC
SUNDAY, JAN. 5, 2025
CAROLINA PANTHERS AT ATLANTA FALCONS, 1:00P — CBS
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS AT DALLAS COWBOYS, 1:00P — FOX
CHICAGO BEARS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS, 1:00P — FOX
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS, 1:00P — FOX
BUFFALO BILLS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS, 1:00P — CBS
NEW YORK GIANTS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES, 1:00P — CBS
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS, 1:00P — FOX
HOUSTON TEXANS AT TENNESSEE TITANS, 1:00P — CBS
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT ARIZONA CARDINALS, 4:25P — FOX
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AT DENVER BRONCOS, 4:25P — CBS
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS, 4:25P — CBS
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT LOS ANGELES RAMS, 4:25P — FOX
MIAMI DOLPHINS AT NEW YORK JETS, 4:25P — FOX
MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT DETROIT LIONS, 8:20P — NBC
NBA SCORES
INDIANA 128 MIAMI 115
BOSTON 118 MINNESOTA 115
OKLAHOMA CITY 116 LA CLIPPERS 98
BROOKLYN 113 MILWAUKEE 110
GOLDEN STATE 139 PHILADELPHIA 105
LA LAKERS 114 PORTLAND 106
NHL SCORES
MINNESOTA 4 WASHINGTON 3
CAROLINA 3 FLORIDA 1
NY RANGERS 2 BOSTON 1
DETROIT 5 COLUMBUS 4
TORONTO 2 NY ISLANDERS 1
DALLAS 4 OTTAWA 2
ANAHEIM 4 WINNIPEG 3
UTAH 5 CALGARY 3
COLORADO 6 BUFFALO 5
VANCOUVER 4 SEATTLE 3
VEGAS 5 PHILADELPHIA 2
SAN JOSE 2 TAMPA BAY 1
TOP NATIONAL RELEASES/HEADLINES
COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS
NOTRE DAME STYMIES GEORGIA AT SUGAR BOWL, MOVES ON TO CFP SEMIS
NEW ORLEANS — Jayden Harrison had a record kickoff return for a touchdown, Notre Dame’s defense dominated and the No. 7 seed Fighting Irish defeated No. 2 seed Georgia 23-10 in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal game at the Allstate Sugar Bowl on Thursday.
The Irish’s Riley Leonard passed for just 90 yards but threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Beaux Collins and rushed for a game-high 80 yards in a game that was postponed from Wednesday night because of the terrorist attack that took place in the French Quarter earlier that day.
Notre Dame, 13-1 after winning its 12th consecutive game, will face No. 6 seed Penn State in a semifinal at the Orange Bowl on Jan. 9 in Miami.
Sophomore Gunner Stockton made his first start at quarterback for the Bulldogs (11-3) in place of Carson Beck, who suffered a season-ending elbow injury in the SEC championship game. Stockton completed 20 of 32 for 234 yards with one touchdown.
Notre Dame scored the game’s first touchdown with 27 seconds left in the first half and extended its lead to 20-3 when Harrison returned the second-half kickoff a CFP-record 98 yards for a touchdown.
Stockton threw a 32-yard touchdown pass to Cash Jones to trim the lead to 10 points at the end of the third quarter.
On the third play of the fourth quarter Mitch Jeter kicked a 47-yard field goal to push the lead to 23-10. The Bulldogs had a chance to make it a one-score game, but Stockton threw an incompletion on fourth-and-5 from the Irish 9.
The game was scoreless through one quarter. Peyton Woodring kicked a 41-yard field goal for Georgia and Jeter kicked a 44-yarder to tie the score.
Jeter added a 48-yarder to give Notre Dame a 6-3 lead with 39 seconds left in the half. On the next play, RJ Oben forced Stockton to fumble while being sacked, Junior Tuihalamaka recovered for the Irish and Leonard and Collins teamed on their touchdown to give them a 13-3 halftime lead.
OHIO STATE, NOTRE DAME OPEN AS FAVORITES IN CFP SEMIFINALS
If the semifinals unfold the way Las Vegas sees it happening, Ohio State and Notre Dame will play for the College Football Playoff national title.
No. 7 seed Notre Dame was installed as a 1.5-point favorite over No. 6 seed Penn State at various major sportsbooks on Thursday night, shortly after the Fighting Irish took down No. 2 seed Georgia 23-10 in their quarterfinal game at the Sugar Bowl.
No. 8 seed Ohio State, which trounced top-seeded Oregon 41-21 on New Year’s Day, is a slightly bigger favorite against No. 5 Texas in the other semifinal. The Buckeyes were 4.5-point favorites at DraftKings on Wednesday night and that grew to a six-point spread by Thursday, while it stood at 5.5 points at Fanduel Sportsbook and elsewhere.
This is the first season of the 12-team playoff, and the top four seeds all lost their quarterfinal games at neutral sites after receiving first-round byes. Penn State defeated Boise State, the top Group of Five champion, 31-14. Texas outlasted Big 12 champion Arizona State 39-31 in double overtime.
Fanduel also lists Ohio State as the +110 favorite to win the national championship, a significant edge over Notre Dame at +340.
The Buckeyes (12-2) had lost to Oregon by one point in the regular season and turned the tables in the Rose Bowl on Wednesday, storming out to a 34-0 lead shortly before halftime. Will Howard finished the game with 319 passing yards and three touchdowns, with Jeremiah Smith going for seven catches, 187 yards and two TDs.
NO. 14 OLE MISS MAKES STATEMENT IN ROUTING DUKE IN GATOR BOWL
Jaxson Dart threw four touchdown passes and Ulysses Bentley IV ran for a pair of scores as No. 14 Mississippi overwhelmed Duke in a 52-20 Gator Bowl romp Thursday night in Jacksonville, Fla.
Coach Lane Kiffin, who expressed his displeasure regarding the College Football Playoff selections, had his team out to prove a point. The Rebels were clicking for much of the game, and they held Duke’s revamped offense in check.
Dart, who’s expected to declare for the NFL draft, made a good final impression as a college player by completing 27 of 35 passes for 404 yards, including a 69-yarder to Jordan Watkins for a touchdown with 1:27 left.
Watkins caught two touchdown passes and Dae’Quan Wright and Antwane Wells Jr. each had one for Ole Miss (10-3), which won five of its last six games. Jordan Watkins was the team’s top receiver with seven receptions for 180 yards.
Duke (9-4), playing under first-year coach Manny Diaz and appearing in the Gator Bowl for the first time, turned to quarterback Henry Belin IV as the starter. Maalik Murphy had departed via the transfer portal and Grayson Loftis, who was the quarterback for Duke’s 2023 bowl victory, also exited for the transfer portal.
Belin was 25 of 44 for 236 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Sahmir Hagans posted the game’s last points on a 99-yard kickoff return.
The Blue Devils were also without running back Star Thomas, who rushed for 871 yards during the regular season before entering the transfer portal.
Duke’s Terry Moore snatched his fourth interception of the season, making a 59-yard return after picking off kicker Caden Davis’ pass on a failed fake to end the game’s opening possession.
But Ole Miss stopped Duke on fourth down on the other side of the field. The Rebels needed just four plays to go 68 yards for the game’s first points on Dart’s 32-yard pass play to Wells.
Duke had a total of 36 yards on 11 first-quarter plays. But trailing 17-0, the Blue Devils marched 75 yards on eight plays to score on Belin’s 16-yard pass to Javon Harvey.
The Rebels scored with 1:52 left in the half on Dart’s 21-yard pass to Wright for a 24-7 halftime lead.
The second-half scoring began on Isaiah Hamilton’s 50-yard interception return for a touchdown as Ole Miss led 31-7.
ALABAMA’S MILROE DECLARES FOR 2025 NFL DRAFT
Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe has declared for the 2025 NFL Draft, he announced Thursday on Instagram.
The junior is coming off a 2024 campaign where he passed for 2,844 yards with 16 touchdowns to 11 interceptions. He also added 726 yards and 20 scores with his legs.
Milroe has been Alabama’s starter for the past two seasons, combining for 39 passing touchdowns and 32 rushing touchdowns. His best season came in 2023 when he threw for 23 touchdowns to only six interceptions.
The signal-caller was awarded the William V. Campbell Trophy in 2024, which goes to the player who shows the best mix of academics, community service, and on-field performance.
NFL NEWS
WHAT TO LOOK FOR – WEEK 18
Jan. 2, 2025 — Below are players that can set historic marks or reach career milestones in Week 18 of the 2024 NFL season, including:
- QB Joe Burrow
- QB Lamar Jackson
- QB Baker Mayfield
- QB Sam Darnold
- QB Jared Goff
- QB Jayden Daniels
- QB Bo Nix
- WR Ja’Marr Chase
- TE Brock Bowers
- TE Trey McBride
- WR Mike Evans
- RB Jahmyr Gibbs
- RB Derrick Henry
- WR Tyreek Hill
- WR Justin Jefferson
- RB Bijan Robinson
- WR Brian Thomas Jr.
PROLIFIC PASSERS
The quarterbacks with the most touchdown passes in a single season in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON | PASS TDs |
| Peyton Manning HOF | Denver | 2013 | 55 |
| Tom Brady | New England | 2007 | 50 |
| Patrick Mahomes | Kansas City | 2018 | 50 |
| Peyton Manning HOF | Indianapolis | 2004 | 49 |
| Dan Marino HOF | Miami | 1984 | 48 |
| Aaron Rodgers | Green Bay | 2020 | 48 |
| Drew Brees | New Orleans | 2011 | 46 |
| Aaron Rodgers | Green Bay | 2011 | 45 |
| Joe Burrow | Cincinnati | 2024 | 42* |
| *entering Week 18 | |||
- With Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow (42 touchdown passes), Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson (39) and Tampa Bay’s Baker Mayfield (39), 2024 can become the third season all-time with three players each recording 40 touchdown passes, joining 2020 (Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson) and 2011 (Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford).
- Burrow has 4,641 passing yards and 42 touchdown passes in 2024 and can become the fifth quarterback in NFL history with 5,000 passing yards and 45 touchdown passes in a season, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers Peyton Manning (5,477 passing yards and 55 touchdown passes in 2013 with Denver) and Dan Marino (5,084 and 48 in 1984 with Miami) as well as Drew Brees (5,476 and 46 in 2011 with New Orleans) and Patrick Mahomes (5,097 and 50 in 2018 with Kansas City).Burrow can become the second player all-time with at least three touchdown passes in nine consecutive games, joining Tom Brady (10 consecutive games in 2007).
Burrow has 10 games with at least three touchdown passes this season and can become the fifth player in NFL history with 11 such games in a season, joining Tom Brady (12 games in 2007 with New England), Aaron Rodgers (12 in 2020 with Green Bay), Drew Brees (11 in 2012 with New Orleans) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning (11 in 2013 with Denver).
- Lamar Jackson has 39 touchdown passes and four interceptions entering Week 18 and can join Aaron Rodgers (2020) as the only players with at least 40 touchdown passes and five-or-fewer interceptions in a season in NFL history.
- New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers has 499 regular-season touchdown passes in 247 career games and can become the fifth player in NFL history with 500 regular-season touchdown passes, joining Tom Brady (649 touchdown passes), Drew Brees (571) and Pro Football Hall of Famers Peyton Manning (539) and Brett Favre (508). He can also join Manning (244 games) as the only players to reach 500 regular-season touchdown passes in fewer than 250 career games.
The qualified passers with the highest passer ratings in a single season in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON | RATING |
| Aaron Rodgers | Green Bay | 2011 | 122.5 |
| Lamar Jackson | Baltimore | 2024 | 121.6* |
| Aaron Rodgers | Green Bay | 2020 | 121.5 |
| Peyton Manning HOF | Indianapolis | 2004 | 121.1 |
| Nick Foles | Philadelphia | 2013 | 119.2 |
| *entering Week 18 | |||
- Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson and Minnesota’s Sam Darnold each have 13 games with a passer rating of 100-or-higher this season and can join Aaron Rodgers (2020) as the only players with 14 such games in a season in NFL history.
- Darnold can become the third player in NFL history with 13 games with multiple touchdown passes and a passer rating of 100-or-higher in a season, joining Aaron Rodgers (14 games in 2020 and 13 in 2011) and Patrick Mahomes (13 in 2018).
The qualified passers with the highest completion percentages in a single season in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON | COMP. PCT |
| Drew Brees | New Orleans | 2018 | 74.4 |
| Drew Brees | New Orleans | 2019 | 74.3 |
| Tua Tagovailoa | Miami | 2024 | 72.9* |
| Drew Brees | New Orleans | 2017 | 72.0 |
| Baker Mayfield | Tampa Bay | 2024 | 71.7* |
| Jared Goff | Detroit | 2024 | 71.7* |
| *entering Week 18 | |||
- Detroit’s Jared Goff has eight games with a completion percentage of 75-or-higher this season and can surpass Tom Brady (eight games in 2007 with New England) and Kirk Cousins (eight in 2019 with Minnesota) for the most such games in a season in NFL history.
ROOKIE QUARTERBACKS
The rookie quarterbacks with the most combined passing and rushing yards in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON | PASS & RUSH YARDS COMBINED |
| Cam Newton | Carolina | 2011 | 4,757 |
| Andrew Luck | Indianapolis | 2012 | 4,629 |
| Justin Herbert | L.A. Chargers | 2020 | 4,570 |
| Jayden Daniels | Washington | 2024 | 4,394* |
| *entering Week 18 | |||
The rookies with the most touchdown passes in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON | PASS TDs |
| Justin Herbert | L.A. Chargers | 2020 | 31 |
| Baker Mayfield | Cleveland | 2018 | 27 |
| Peyton Manning HOF | Indianapolis | 1998 | 26 |
| Russell Wilson | Seattle | 2012 | 26 |
| Jayden Daniels | Washington | 2024 | 25* |
| Bo Nix | Denver | 2024 | 25* |
| *entering Week 18 | |||
- Washington’s Jayden Daniels can become the third rookie starting quarterback in NFL history to win 12 games, joining Dak Prescott (13 wins in 2016 with Dallas) and Ben Roethlisberger (13 in 2004 with Pittsburgh).
- Denver’s Bo Nix has nine games with at least two touchdown passes this season and can join Justin Herbert (2020 with the Los Angeles Chargers) as the only rookies with 10 such games all-time.Nix has 350 completions this season and can surpass Trevor Lawrence (359 completions in 2021 with Jacksonville) for the third-most completions by a rookie quarterback in NFL history, trailing only Justin Herbert (396 in 2020 with the Los Angeles Chargers) and Carson Wentz (379 in 2016 with Philadelphia).
FROM SCRIMMAGE
The players to lead the NFL in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown receptions in the same season since 1970:
| PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON | RECEPTIONS | REC. YARDS | REC. TDs |
| Ja’Marr Chase | Cincinnati | 2024 | 117* | 1,612* | 16* |
| Cooper Kupp | L.A. Rams | 2021 | 145 | 1,947 | 16 |
| Steve Smith Sr. | Carolina | 2005 | 103 | 1,563 | 12 |
| Sterling Sharpe | Green Bay | 1992 | 108 | 1,461 | 13 |
| Jerry Rice HOF | San Francisco | 1990 | 100 | 1,502 | 13 |
| *leads NFL entering Week 18 | |||||
The tight ends with the most receptions in a season in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON | RECEPTIONS |
| Zach Ertz | Philadelphia | 2018 | 116 |
| Evan Engram | Jacksonville | 2023 | 114 |
| Travis Kelce | Kansas City | 2022 | 110 |
| Jason Witten | Dallas | 2012 | 110 |
| Brock Bowers | Las Vegas | 2024 | 108* |
| Trey McBride | Arizona | 2024 | 104* |
| *entering Week 18 | |||
- Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase has 5,329 career receiving yards and can surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer Randy Moss (5,396 receiving yards) for the third-most receiving yards by a player in his first four seasons in NFL history, trailing only Justin Jefferson (5,899) and Michael Thomas (5,512).
- Tampa Bay’s Mike Evans has 65 receptions for 915 yards and 11 touchdowns this season. In Week 18, Evans can tie Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerry Rice (11 consecutive seasons from 1986-96) for the most consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons in NFL history and become the fifth player ever with at least 12 touchdown receptions in six-or-more career seasons, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers Jerry Rice (eight seasons), Terrell Owens (seven), Marvin Harrison (six) and Randy Moss (six).
- Detroit’s Jahmyr Gibbs can become the sixth player with 21 games with a touchdown in his first two career seasons in NFL history, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers Barry Sanders (22 games) and Gale Sayers (21) as well as Maurice Jones-Drew (21), Billy Sims (21) and Jonathan Taylor (21).
- Baltimore’s Derrick Henry has 1,953 scrimmage yards and 14 rushing touchdowns this season and can become the fifth player in NFL history with at least 2,000 scrimmage yards and 15 rushing touchdowns in multiple career seasons, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers Terrell Davis and Emmitt Smith as well as Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson.
- Miami’s Tyreek Hill has six touchdown receptions this season and with one scrimmage touchdown in Week 18, can become the first wide receiver and fifth player ever with at least seven scrimmage touchdowns in each of his first nine seasons, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers Jim Brown, Marshall Faulk and LaDainian Tomlinson as well as Ricky Watters.
- Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson has 100 receptions for 1,479 yards and 10 touchdowns this season and can become the fifth player in NFL history with at least 100 receptions and 1,500 receiving yards in three career seasons, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers Andre Johnson and Marvin Harrison as well as Antonio Brown and Julio Jones.
- Atlanta’s Bijan Robinson can tie Pro Football Hall of Famers Edgerrin James (32 games) and LaDainian Tomlinson (32) for the most games with at least 50 scrimmage yards by a player in his first two seasons in NFL history.
- Jacksonville’s Brian Thomas Jr. can become the fifth rookie in NFL history with at least 90 receiving yards and a touchdown reception in four consecutive games, joining Odell Beckham Jr. (2014 with the New York Giants), Pro Football Hall of Famer Randy Moss (1998 with Minnesota), Jimmy Orr (1958 with Pittsburgh) and Amon-Ra St. Brown (2021 with Detroit).
NFL WEEK 18 GAME CAPSULES
CLEVELAND BROWNS (3-13) AT BALTIMORE RAVENS (11-5)
Saturday, January 4, 2025 | 4:30 PM ET | M&T Bank Stadium | Referee: Scott Novak
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: BAL leads series, 36-15 (CLE won 3 of past 4)
Postseason: —
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 10/27/24: BAL 24 at CLE 29
Postseason: —
BROWNS NOTES:
QB DORIAN THOMPSON-ROBINSON passed for season-high 170 yards last week in 2nd start of season. • RB JEROME FORD has 100+ scrimmage yards & rush TD in 2 of past 3. Rushed for 107 yards in last road meeting. • RB D’ONTA FOREMAN led team with season-high 49 rush yards last week. • RB PIERRE STRONG had 48 scrimmage yards (33 rush, 15 rec.) in Week 17. • WR JERRY JEUDY had career-high 12 catches for 94 yards last week. Has 11+ catches & 90+ rec. yards in 2 of past 3. Has 461 rec. yards (115.3 per game) in his past 4 on road, with rec. TD in 3 of 4. Had 5 catches for 79 yards in Week 8 meeting & aims for his 3rd in row vs. Bal. with 65+ rec. yards. Has set career highs in catches (84) & rec. yards (1,166) in 2024. • WR ELIJAH MOORE needs 2 catches for new career high (59 in 2023). • TE DAVID NJOKU aims for his 4th in row with 7+ catches. Has rec. TD in 2 of his past 3. Had 5 catches for 61 yards & TD in Week 8 meeting. • TE JORDAN AKINS set season highs in catches (6) & rec. yards (49) last week. • DE MYLES GARRETT had 3 TFL & 2 sacks in Week 17, 21st-career game with 2+ sacks. Aims for 7th in row with TFL & 3rd in row with 2+ TFL & sack. Has sack in 6 of his past 7 vs. Bal. Tied for NFL lead with 14 sacks in 2024 & is 1st player since 1982 with 14+ sacks in 4 straight seasons. • DE ISAIAH MCGUIRE aims for 5th in row with TFL & 3rd in row with sack. • DE CAMERON THOMAS had 2 TFL & 1st sack of season last week. • LB JORDAN HICKS aims for his 9th in row with 5+ tackles. • CB DENZEL WARD had PD in Week 8 meeting. Has 5+ tackles in 3 of past 4. Leads NFL with career-high 19 PD in 2024. • S GRANT DELPIT led team with 9 tackles & had TFL last week.
RAVENS NOTES:
RAVENS can clinch consecutive division titles for 3rd time in franchise history (2011-12, 2018-19). Lead NFL in total offense (424.2 yards per game) in 2024. • QB LAMAR JACKSON totaled 255 yards (168 pass, 87 rush) with 3 TDs (2 pass, 1 rush) vs. 0 INTs & 143.9 rating last week, 8th game this season with 125+ rating, 2nd-most in single-season all-time (Aaron Rodgers – 9 in 2020). Aims for 6th in row with 2+ TD passes & 100+ rating. Had 335 yards (289 pass, 46 rush) with 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs in Week 8 meeting. Has 3,955 pass yards, 39 TD passes & 4 INTs in 2024 & can become 1st player ever with 4,000+ pass yards, 40+ TD passes & fewer than 5 INTs in a season. Has 6,110 career rush yards, surpassing Michael Vick (6,109) for most-ever by QB. • RB DERRICK HENRY had 165 scrimmage yards (147 rush, 18 rec.) & rush TD last week, 5th game this season (2nd-straight) with 150+ scrimmage yards, 2nd-most in NFL. Has 110+ scrimmage yards in 4 of past 5. Had rush TD in Week 8 meeting. Needs rush TD to become 1st player in NFL history with 1,500+ rush yards & 15+ rush TDs in 3 career seasons (2019-20). • WR ZAY FLOWERS has 50+ rec. yards in 4 of past 5. Had 7 catches for 115 yards in Week 8 meeting & aims for 4th in row vs. Cle. with 55+ rec. yards. • TE MARK ANDREWS can become 6th TE ever with rec. TD in 6 straight games. Leads TEs with 10 rec. TDs in 2024, 2nd-career season with 10 TDs (2019). • TE ISAIAH LIKELY has TD catch in 3 of past 4, incl. in each of past 2. • LB ROQUAN SMITH had 8 tackles & 1st full sack of season in Week 17. Aims for his 7th in row with 5+ tackles. Has 60 tackles (12 per game) in 5 career games vs. Cle. • LB KYLE VAN NOY aims for his 5th in row with sack. Had PD in Week 8 meeting. Ranks tied-4th in NFL with career-best 11.5 sacks in 2024. • CB MARLON HUMPHREY had 7 tackles, TFL, FF & PD in Week 17. • S KYLE HAMILTON had 1st INT of season last week. Aims for 3rd in row with PD. Had 10 tackles, 2 PD, sack & FF in Week 8 meeting.
CINCINNATI BENGALS (8-8) AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS (10-6)
Saturday, January 4, 2025 | 8:00 PM ET | Acrisure Stadium | Referee: John Hussey
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: PIT leads series, 69-39 (won 4 of past 5)
Postseason: PIT leads series, 2-0
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 12/1/24: PIT 44 at CIN 38
Postseason: AFC-WC 1/9/16: PIT 18 at CIN 16
BENGALS NOTES:
QB JOE BURROW completed 39 of 49 atts. (season-high 79.6 pct.) for 412 yards with 4 TDs (3 pass, 1 rush) vs. 0 INTs & 122.1 rating last week, 8th-straight game with 250+ pass yards & 3+ TD passes, longest streak in NFL history. Has 7 games with 400+ pass yards, tied-most ever by QB in 1st 5 seasons. Has 2+ TD passes & 95+ rating in 7 of 8 road games this season. Aims for his 4th in row vs. Pit. with 300+ pass yards & 2+ TD passes. Leads NFL with franchise record 4,641 pass yards & 42 TD passes with 8 INTs in 2024 & can become 1st player ever with 5,000+ pass yards & fewer than 10 INTs in a season. • RB CHASE BROWN has 90+ scrimmage yards in 8 straight games, longest active streak in NFL. Aims for 4th in row on road with 110+ scrimmage yards. Has TD in 3 of past 4 on road. Had 100 scrimmage yards (70 rush, 30 rec.) & rush TD in Week 13 meeting. Needs 10 rush yards for 1st-career season with 1,000+ rush yards. • WR JA’MARR CHASE had 9 catches for 102 yards last week, 12th-straight game with 5+ catches & 7th-straight game with 75+ rec. yards, both longest active streaks in NFL. Aims for 5th in row with 90+ rec. yards. Has 8 rec. TDs in his past 5 on road. Had 86 rec. yards & TD catch in Week 13 meeting. Leads NFL in catches (franchise-record 117), rec. yards (franchise-record 1,612) & rec. TDs (16) in 2024. • WR TEE HIGGINS led team with season-high 11 catches for 131 yards & career best 3 TDs in Week 17, 3rd-straight game with 50+ rec. yards & rec. TD. Had TD catch in Week 13 meeting & has 115+ rec. yards in each of 3 career games at Pit. • TE MIKE GESICKI tied career high with 10 catches for 86 yards last week. • DE TREY HENDRICKSON aims for 5th in row with TFL & 3rd in row with 0.5+ sacks. Has sack in each of his 3 career games at Pit. Tied for NFL lead with 14 sacks this season. • DE JOSEPH OSSAI aims for 3rd in row with FF & 0.5+ sacks. Had sack in Week 13 meeting. • LB GERMAINE PRATT had 7 tackles & 2nd INT of season in Week 17. Aims for 8th in row with 5+ tackles. Aims for 3rd in row on road with TFL. • S GENO STONE has INT in 3 of past 4 & in each of past 2 on road.
STEELERS NOTES:
STEELERS secured 21st-consecutive season without losing record, tied with 1965-85 Dallas Cowboys for longest streak in NFL history. • QB RUSSELL WILSON totaled 260 yards (205 pass, season-high 55 rush) with rush TD last week, 33rd-career game with 50+ rush yards, 5th-most ever by QB. Has 90+ rating in 5 of past 6. Is 4-1 in 5 home starts this season. Set season highs in pass yards (414) & rating (126.4) with 3 TD passes in Week 13 meeting. Needs TD pass to become 4th player ever with 350+ TD passes in 1st 13 seasons. • RB NAJEE HARRIS rushed for 74 yards last week. Had 129 scrimmage yards (75 rush, 54 rec.) in Week 13 meeting & aims for 5th in row vs. Cin. with 75+ rush yards & rush TD. Is 4th player since 2000 & 1st since Adrian Peterson in 2007 with 1,000+ rush yards & 5+ rush TDs in each of 1st 4 seasons. • RB JAYLEN WARREN had season-high 112 scrimmage yards (71 rush, 41 rec.) in Week 17. Aims for 3rd in row with 90+ scrimmage yards. Had 55 rec. yards in Week 13 meeting & aims for his 4th in row vs. Cin. with 50+ scrimmage yards. • WR GEORGE PICKENS has 50+ rec. yards in 7 of his past 8. Had 74 rec. yards & TD catch in Week 13 meeting & aims for his 5th in row vs. Cin. with 55+ rec. yards. Needs 100 rec. yards for 2nd-straight 1,000-yard season. • TE PAT FREIERMUTH led team with 7 catches for 60 yards last week. Had 6 catches for 68 yards & TD in Week 13 meeting. • LB T.J. WATT had TFL & PD last week. Has TFL in 6 of past 7. Had 3 TFL, 2 sacks & FF in Week 13 meeting & aims for his 4th in row vs. Cin. with sack & FF. Leads NFL with 6 FFs & ranks tied-4th with 11.5 sacks in 2024. • LB ALEX HIGHSMITH had PD last week. Has sack in 3 of past 4. • LB PATRICK QUEEN aims for 10th in row with 7+ tackles. • S MINKAH FITZPATRICK had 7 tackles in Week 17 & aims for 6th in row with 5+ tackles. Has PD in 3 of his past 4 vs. Cin.
CAROLINA PANTHERS (4-12) AT ATLANTA FALCONS (8-8)
Sunday, January 5, 2025 | 1:00 PM ET | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Referee: Land Clark
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: ATL leads series, 37-22 (Home team won 4 of past 5)
Postseason:
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 10/13/24: ATL 38 at CAR 20
Postseason: —
PANTHERS NOTES:
QB BRYCE YOUNG passed for 203 yards & 2 TDs with 100.7 rating last week, his 3rd career game with 100+ rating & 2+ pass TDs. Had TD pass in last game at Atl. in his NFL debut (9/10/23). Aims for his 4th in row on road with TD pass. • RB RAHEEM BLACKSHEAR led team with season-high 20 rush yards last week. • WR ADAM THIELEN led team with season-high 110 rec. yards & 2 rec. TDs last week, his 5th career game with 100+ rec. yards & 2+ rec. TDs. Has 571 rec. yards in 2024, his 5th season in row with 500+ rec. yards. Needs 7 catches for 8th career season with 50+ catches. Has 3 rec. TDs in his past 3 on road & aims for his 3rd in row on road with 5+ catches & 100+ rec. yards. Has 5+ catches & 50+ rec. yards in 4 of his past 5 overall. • WR JALEN COKER (rookie) needs 84 rec. yards for 500 rec. yards this season. • WR XAVIER LEGETTE (rookie) needs 4 catches & 33 rec. yards for 1st career season with 50+ catches & 500+ rec. yards. • LB JACOBY WINDMON (rookie) had career-high 10 tackles, PD & 0.5 sack in Week 17 & aims for his 3rd in row with 8+ tackles, PD & half sack. • LB D.J. WONNUM has sack in 4 of his past 5 on road. Aims for his 5th in row on road with 5+ tackles. • LB JOSEY JEWELL had 6 tackles & PD in Week 16. Has 97 tackles in 2024 & needs 3 tackles for his 4th-career season with 100+ tackles. Aims for his 3rd in row on road with 10+ tackles & TFL. Had 10 tackles & TFL in his only game vs. Atl. (11/8/20 w/ Den.). • LB JADEVEON CLOWNEY had sack last week. Had sack & FF in his last game vs. Atl. (10/27/19 w/ Sea.). • LB CHANDLER WOOTEN led team with career-high 14 tackles last week. • CB JAYCEE HORN had 2 PD in Week 6 meeting. Has career-high 68 tackles, 13 PD, 5 TFL & 2 sacks in 2024. • S XAVIER WOODS had career-high 12 tackles last week, his 13th game in row with 5+ tackles. Has career-high 114 tackles in 2024. Had 9 tackles & PD in Week 6 meeting. Has PD in 4 of his past 5 vs. Atl. & aims for his 3rd in row vs. Atl. with PD. Needs PD for 4th season in row with 6+ PD.
FALCONS NOTES:
QB MICHAEL PENIX JR. (rookie) passed for career-high 223 yards vs. INT & had 1st-career TD pass last week. • RB BIJAN ROBINSON had 90 rush yards & 2 rush TDs last week, his 5th game in row with 90+ rush yards, longest active streak in NFL. Has 1,714 scrimmage yards in 2024, 4th-most in NFL. Aims for his 3rd in row with 95+ scrimmage yards & 2 TDs & 5th in row at home with 100+ scrimmage yards. Has TD in 3 of his past 4 at home. Had 105 scrimmage yards (95 rush, 10 rec.) & 2 rush TDs in Week 6 meeting. Had 83 scrimmage yards (56 rush, 27 rec.) & rec. TD in last home meeting. • WR DRAKE LONDON led team with 7 catches for 106 rec. yards last week & has 1,084 rec. yards in 2024, his 1st-career season with 1,000+ rec. yards. Needs 10 catches for 1st-career 100-catch season. Aims for his 8th in row with 50+ rec. yards. Had 6 catches for 74 rec. yards & TD in Week 6 meeting. • WR DARNELL MOONEY has 5+ catches & 80+ rec. yards in 2 of his past 3 at home. Needs 8 rec. yards for 2nd-career season with 1,000+ rec. yards. • S JESSIE BATES had 12 tackles & 2nd sack of season last week. Has 97 tackles in 2024 & needs 3 tackles for 5th career season with 100+ tackles. Is 1 of 3 DBs (Budda Baker & Kevin Byard) with 700+ career tackles since 2018 (706). • S JUSTIN SIMMONS had 6 tackles last week & aims for his 4th in row vs. Car. with 5+ tackles. Needs 4 tackles for 8th season in row with 60+ tackles. • LB KADEN ELLISS had 9 tackles & 1st-career INT last week. Had PD in Week 6 meeting. Needs 11 tackles for 1st-career season with 150+ tackles. Aims for this 5th in row with 7+ tackles. • LB MATTHEW JUDON had sack last week & has sack in 3 of his past 4. Aims for his 3rd in row with sack. Has TFL in 2 of his past 3 vs. Car.
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (11-5) AT DALLAS COWBOYS (7-9)
Sunday, January 5, 2025 | 1:00 PM ET | AT&T Stadium | Referee: Clete Blakeman
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: DAL leads series, 79-46-2 (won 6 of past 7)
Postseason: WAS leads series, 2-0
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 11/24/24: DAL 34 at WAS 26
Postseason: NFC-C 1/22/83: DAL 17 at WAS 31
COMMANDERS NOTES:
COMMANDERS made postseason for 1st time since 2020 & won 11 games for 1st time since 1991 (14-2). • QB JAYDEN DANIELS (rookie) had 354 yards (227 pass, career-high 127 rush) & 3 TD passes vs. INT for 100.1 rating in Week 17. Has 864 rush yards, most ever by rookie QB. Has 25 TD passes in 2024, tied 5th-most by rookie QB all-time. Aims for his 4th in row with 95+ rating & 6th in row with 2+ TD passes. Had 349 yards (275 pass, 74 rush) & 3 TDs (2 pass, 1 rush) in Week 12 meeting. • RB BRIAN ROBINSON rushed for 60 yards last week. Has 942 scrimmage yards (789 rush, 153 rec.) in 2024. Can reach 1,000-yards for 2nd-straight season & surpass 797 rush yards from 2022. • WR TERRY MCLAURIN is only player with 70+ catches & 1,000+ rec. yards in each of past 5 seasons. Tied-2nd in NFL with career-high 12 rec. TDs in 2024. Has 8 rec. TDs in his past 6 on road, incl. 2 rec. TDs in 3 of his past 4 road games. Had 5 catches for 102 yards & rec. TD in Week 12 meeting. • TE ZACH ERTZ had 6 catches for 72 yards & 2 TDs last week, his 8th-career game with 2 rec. TDs. Became 9th TE ever with 8,000 career reg. season rec. yards (8,044). Had TD catch in Week 12 meeting. • WR OLAMIDE ZACCHEAUS tied his career high with 8 catches & had 85 rec. yards & 3rd rec. TD of season last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with TD catch. • LB BOBBY WAGNER has 124 tackles in 2024 & is 1 of 4 with 5+ tackles in 16 games this season. Had FR in Week 12 meeting. • LB FRANKIE LUVU had career-high 3 PD in Week 12 meeting. • LB DANTE FOWLER has 10.5 sacks & 14 TFL in 2024. Aims for his 3rd game in row with sack & 5th in row with TFL. • DT DORANCE ARMSTRONG had 5th sack of season & 4th-career FF last week. Had 23.5 sacks & 22 TFL in 6 seasons (2018-22) with Dal. • DT DARON PAYNE has TFL in 4 of his past 5, incl. sack in Week 12 meeting. Aims for his 4th in row at Dal. with TFL. • DT JONATHAN ALLEN has 11 TFL & 5 sacks in 9 career games vs. Dal. • DB QUAN MARTIN had 2 PD & 1st INT of season last week. • S JEREMY CHINN had 2 PD last week & has 5+ PD in 4 of his 5 career seasons. Needs 5 tackles for 3rd-career 100+ tackle season.
COWBOYS NOTES:
QB COOPER RUSH had 20th-career TD pass last week. Aims for his 8th in row with TD pass. Passed for 247 yards & 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 117.6 rating in Week 12 meeting. Had 2 TD passes vs. 0 INTs for 107.5 rating in his only career home start vs. Was. (10/2/22). • RB RICO DOWDLE had 108 scrimmage yards (104 rush, 4 rec.) in Week 17 & has 100+ scrimmage yards in 4 of his past 5. Has career highs in scrimmage yards (1,244), rush yards (1,007) & rec. yards (237), his 1st-career season with 1,000+ rush yards. Rushed for 86 yards in Week 12 meeting. Had TD catch in last home meeting. • WR BRANDIN COOKS had season-high 52 rec. yards last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with 45+ rec. yards. Has 4 rec. TDs in 4 career games vs. Was. & aims for his 3rd in row vs. Was. with TD catch. • WR JALEN TOLBERT had career-high 7th rec. TD of season last week & aims for his 4th in row with TD catch. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Was. with TD catch. Has career highs in receptions (45) & rec. yards (512) in 2024. • TE JAKE FERGUSON needs 18 rec. yards for 2nd-straight 500-yard season. • LB MICAH PARSONS needs half sack to become 4th player since 1982 with 10+ sacks in each of his 1st 4 seasons. Has 50 career sacks, 6th-most by player in 1st 4 seasons since 1982. Has 62 TFL in 62 career games & aims for his 4th in row with TFL. Has 8 sacks in 7 career games vs. Was., incl. 2 sacks in Week 12 meeting. • LB ERIC KENDRICKS had 10 tackles & FR in Week 12 meeting. Has 133 tackles in 2024, his 9th-straight 100+ tackle season. • CB DARON BLAND aims for his 6th in row with PD. Has INT in 3 of his 5 career games vs. Was. & aims for his 3rd in row at home vs. Was. with INT.
CHICAGO BEARS (4-12) AT GREEN BAY PACKERS (11-5)
Sunday, January 5, 2025 | 1:00 PM ET | Lambeau Field | Referee: Clay Martin
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: GB leads series, 107-94-6 (won 16 of past 17)
Postseason: Series tied, 1-1
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 11/17/24: GB 20 at CHI 19
Postseason: NFC-C 1/23/11: GB 21 at CHI 14
BEARS NOTES:
QB CALEB WILLIAMS had 353 straight pass atts. without INT, longest streak ever by rookie & 4th-longest streak within single season all-time. Has 6 TD passes vs. 0 INTs for 98.9 rating in his past 3 road starts. Passed for 231 yards & had career-high 70 rush yards in Week 11 meeting. Ranks 3rd among rookies in pass yards (3,393) & pass TDs (19). • RB D’ANDRE SWIFT had 81 scrimmage yards (53 rush, 28 rec.) in Week 17 & has career-high 1,280 scrimmage yards in 2024. Has 50+ scrimmage yards in 12 of his past 13, incl. 84 scrimmage yards & rush TD in Week 11 meeting. Aims for his 4th in row at GB with 70+ scrimmage yards. • WR DJ MOORE had 6 catches for 54 yards last week & aims for his 8th in row with 6+ catches. Needs catch for 3rd-career season with 90+ catches. Has 315 rec. yards (105 per game) in 3 career games at GB. • WR KEENAN ALLEN aims for his 4th in row with 5+ catches. Has 5 rec. TDs in his past 6. Is 1 of 3 (Mike Evans & Travis Kelce) with 65+ catches in 11 of past 12 seasons. Has 10+ catches & 115+ rec. yards in both of his career games at GB. • WR ROME ODUNZE (rookie) had 6 catches in Week 11 meeting. • S KEVIN BYARD has 116 tackles in 2024 & can set new career high (122 tackles in 2023). Aims for his 4th in row on road with PD. • LB T.J. EDWARDS had career-high 11th TFL of season last week. Is 1 of 2 (Roquan Smith) with 125+ tackles in each of past 4 seasons. Aims for his 3rd in row on road with sack & 2+ TFL. • LB TREMAINE EDMUNDS is 1 of 6 with 100+ tackles in each of past 7 seasons. • DL MONTEZ SWEAT had sack & 2nd FF of season last week & has 2+ FFs in 5 of his 6 career seasons. Aims for his 3rd in row at GB with TFL. • DL DARRELL TAYLOR had 3rd sack of season & 8th-career FF last week. • DB KYLER GORDON had 2nd-career FF & 4th-career FR last week & ranks tied-1st with 3 FR in 2024.
PACKERS NOTES:
PACKERS clinched playoff berth for 5th time in 6 seasons under HC Matt LaFleur. LaFleur has 67 wins, 2nd-most by HC in 1st 6 seasons (George Seifert – 75). • QB JORDAN LOVE had TD pass vs. 0 INTs for 91.7 rating last week. Has 2ndstraight season with 3,000+ pass yards (3,320) & 25+ pass TDs (25). Aims for his 7th in row with TD pass & 0 INTs. Has 31 TDs (29 pass, 2 rush) in 15 career home starts. Has 822 pass yards (274 per game) & 7 TDs (6 pass, 1 rush) vs. INT for 128.3 rating in 3 career starts vs. Chi. & aims for his 4th in row vs. Chi. with 110+ rating. • RB JOSH JACOBS ranks tied-2nd in NFL with career-high 14 rush TDs & has rush TD in 7 straight games, longest active streak in NFL. Ranks 5th in rush yards (1,285) & 6th in scrimmage yards (1,625) in 2024. Has 75+ scrimmage yards in each of his 8 home games in 2024. Aims for his 4th in row at home with rush TD & 5th in row at home with 100+ scrimmage yards. Has 4 rush TDs in 4 career games vs. Chi. • WR JAYDEN REED had rec. TD in last meeting & 112 rec. yards in last home meeting. Has career-high 809 rec. yards in 2024. • WR ROMEO DOUBS led team with 7 catches & 58 rec. yards last week. • WR CHRISTIAN WATSON had 150 rec. yards in Week 11 meeting. • WR DONTAYVION WICKS had 6 catches for 61 yards & 2 TDs in last home meeting. • TE TUCKER KRAFT aims for his 3rd in row with 50+ rec. yards. • DL RASHAN GARY had 2 TFL last week & has career-high tying 8 TFL this season. Had sack in last meeting. • DL KARL BROOKS had sack & career-high 3rd FR of season last week. • LB EDGERRIN COOPER in Week 17 became 1st rookie since 2021 (Micah Parsons) with 10 tackles & 4 TFL in single game. Leads all rookies with 12 TFL & aims for his 4th in row with TFL. • CB KEISEAN NIXON had career-high 7th PD of season last week. • CB CARRINGTON VALENTINE has INT in 2 of his past 3. • S XAVIER MCKINNEY has PD in 2 of his past 3 at home. Ranks 2nd in NFL with career-high 7 INTs in 2024. • S JAVON BULLARD (rookie) led team with 11 tackles in Week 17.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (4-12) AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (7-9)
Sunday, January 5, 2025 | 1:00 PM ET | Lucas Oil Stadium | Referee: Alex Kemp
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: IND leads series, 27-20 (JAX won 5 of past 6)
Postseason: —
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 10/6/24: IND 34 at JAX 37
Postseason: —
JAGS NOTES:
QB MAC JONES completed 15 of 22 atts. (68.2 pct.) for 174 yards & 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs with season-high 122.2 rating last week. Aims for 3rd in row with 0 INTs. Has 2 TD passes in 2 of past 3. Passed for 299 yards & 2 TDs in only career game at Ind. (12/18/21 w/ NE). • RB TRAVIS ETIENNE had 75 scrimmage yards (49 rush, 26 rec.) last week. Has 70+ scrimmage yards in 3 of past 4. Had 104 scrimmage yards (77 rush, 27 rec.) & rush TD in last road meeting & has 100+ scrimmage yards in each of 2 career games at Ind. Has 750+ scrimmage yards (752) for 3rd-straight season. • RB TANK BIGSBY aims for 3rd in row on road with 50+ rush yards & rush TD. Had career-high 129 scrimmage yards (101 rush, 28 rec.) & 2 rush TDs in Week 5 meeting. Had rush TD in last road meeting. • WR BRIAN THOMAS JR. had 7 catches for 91 yards & TD last week, 6th-straight game with 75+ rec. yards, 2nd-longest streak by rookie in NFL history. Aims for 4th in row with 90+ rec. yards & rec. TD. Had 5 catches for 122 yards & TD in Week 5 meeting. Is 4th rookie in SB era with 1,100+ rec. yards (1,179) & 10+ rec. TDs (10). • WR PARKER WASHINGTON had 2nd TD catch of season last week. Has 50+ rec. yards in 2 of past 3. Has rec. TD in 2 of past 3 vs. division. • DE JOSH HINES-ALLEN had season-high 6 tackles, 2 TFL & 8th sack of season in Week 17. Has TFL in 3 of past 4 on road. Had sack & FR in Week 5 meeting & has 9 sacks in his past 6 vs. Ind. • DE TRAVON WALKER had sack & FF in Week 17. Has TFL in 2 of past 3. Had career high 3 sacks, FF & PD in Week 5 meeting. Aims for 4th in row vs. Ind. with 0.5+ sacks. • DT MAASON SMITH (rookie) aims for 3rd in row with sack. • LB DEVIN LLOYD had 6 tackles & 1st INT of season in Week 17. • LB FOYESADE OLUOKUN led team with 11 tackles & had PD last week. Aims for 3rd in row with PD. Needs 2 tackles for 5th-straight season with 100+ tackles. • S ANDRE CISCO had season-best 8 tackles & TFL in Week 17.
COLTS NOTES:
QB ANTHONY RICHARDSON aims for his 4th in row with rush TD. Has 5 rush TDs in past 5. Has 0 INTs in 3 of his past 4 home starts. Had 263 yards (223 pass, 40 rush) & 2 TDs (1 pass, 1 rush) in only career start vs. Jax. (9/10/23). Is 3rd QB in NFL history with 10+ TD passes (11) & 10+ rush TDs (10) in 1st 15 career games. • QB JOE FLACCO passed for 330 yards & 2 TDs with 90.9 rating last week. Has 2+ TD passes in 4 of his 5 starts this season. Has 300+ pass yards & 3 TD passes in each of his past 3 starts vs. Jax. • RB JONATHAN TAYLOR rushed for 125 yards & 2 TDs last week, 9th-career game with 100+ rush yards & 2+ rush TDs, 2nd-most in NFL since 2020. Aims for 5th in row with 100+ scrimmage yards & 3rd in row with 2+ rush TDs. Has 380 scrimmage yards (190 per game) & 3 rush TDs in 2 career home games vs. Jax. Has 3rd-career season with 1,350+ scrimmage yards (1,387) & 10+ rush TDs (10). • WR MICHAEL PITTMAN had season-high 9 catches for 109 yards & TD last week, 2nd game this season with 100+ rec. yards. Has 5+ catches in 5 of past 6. Had TD catch in Week 5 meeting. Has 95+ rec. yards in 3 of his past 4 vs. Jax. Is 4th player in franchise history with 500+ rec. yards in each of 1st 5 seasons. • WR ALEC PIERCE had 6 catches for 122 yards & TD last week. Has rec. TD in 2 of his past 3. Had career-high 134 rec. yards & TD catch in Week 5 meeting. • LB ZAIRE FRANKLIN had 14 tackles, career-high 4 TFL & FF in Week 17, 5th game this season with 12+ tackles, tied-most in NFL. Has TFL in 4 of past 5. Had 10 tackles & PD in Week 5 meeting & has 10+ tackles in 4 of his past 5 vs. Jax. Leads NFL with 165 tackles in 2024 & is 6th player since 2000 with 150+ tackles in 3 straight seasons • LB E.J. SPEED has 5+ tackles in each of his 14 games this season. Aims for his 6th in row vs. Jax. with TFL. Has career-high 134 tackles in 2024. • DT DEFOREST BUCKNER has TFL in 5 of past 6. Aims for his 4th in row vs. Jax. with sack. • DE KWITY PAYE aims for 3rd in row with TFL. Has sack in 2 of past 3 at home. • S NICK CROSS had 7 tackles last week. Ranks 2nd among DBs with 137 tackles in 2024.
BUFFALO BILLS (13-3) AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (3-13)
Sunday, January 5, 2025 | 1:00 PM ET | Gillette Stadium | Referee: Alan Eck
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: NE leads series, 77-50-1 (BUF won 5 of past 6)
Postseason: Series tied, 1-1
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 12/22/24: NE 21 at BUF 24
Postseason: AFC-WC 1/15/22: NE 17 at BUF 47
BILLS NOTES:
BILLS clinched AFC East division title for 5th-straight year. Can win 14 reg. season games for 1st time in franchise history. Can join 2013 Broncos as only teams ever with 30+ points in 13 reg. season games. • QB JOSH ALLEN totaled 3 TDs (2 pass, 1 rush) vs. 0 INTs with 104.2 rating last week, 6th game this season with 2+ TD passes & rush TD, most in a season in NFL history. Has 2+ TD passes, 0 INTs & 100+ rating in 4 of past 5. Has 40 combined pass & rush TDs in 2024 (28 pass, 12 rush), joining Aaron Rodgers as only players ever with 40+ combined TDs in 5+ seasons. Has 65 career rush TDs, tied with HOFer Thurman Thomas for most in franchise history. • RB JAMES COOK rushed for 53 yards & TD last week. Has rush TD in 6 of past 7, incl. each of past 3. Had 126 scrimmage yards (100 rush, 26 rec.) & 2 TDs (1 rush, 1 rec.) in Week 16 meeting. Has 100+ scrimmage yards in each of 2 career games at NE. Leads NFL with 15 rush TDs in 2024, 2nd-most in single season ever by Buf. RB. • WR KHALIL SHAKIR aims for 3rd in row on road with TD catch. Has set career highs in catches (76), rec. yards (821) & rec. TDs (4) this season. • WR AMARI COOPER had 4th TD catch of season last week. Needs rec. TD to become 3rd player in NFL history with 5+ rec. TDs in each of 1st 10 seasons. • WRs KEON COLEMAN (rookie) & TYRELL SHAVERS each had TD catch last week. • LB TERREL BERNARD aims for his 11th in row with 6+ tackles. Had season-high 12 tackles in Week 16 meeting. Has 2nd-straight season with 100+ tackles. • LB A.J. EPENESA had 2 TFL & sack last week. Aims for 3rd in row with TFL. • LB MATT MILANO aims for his 3rd in row with FR. • DE GREG ROUSSEAU had half sack & PD last week & has 0.5+ sacks in 2 of past 3. Has TFL in 4 of past 5 on road. Had FF in Week 16 meeting. • DT ED OLIVER had 3 TFL, sack & FF in Week 17. Has sack & FF in 2 of past 3. • DT JORDAN PHILLIPS had 2nd-career INT last week. • CB CHRISTIAN BENFORD had 2nd INT of season last week. Has PD in 5 of past 6.
PATS NOTES:
QB DRAKE MAYE (rookie) had TD pass & 0 INTs last week, 8th-straight game with TD pass. Has 95+ rating in 2 of past 3 at home. Totaled 291 yards (261 pass, 30 rush) & 2 TD passes in Week 16 meeting. Needs 219 pass yards to surpass Drew Bledsoe (2,494 in 1993) for 2nd-most ever by NE rookie. • RB RHAMONDRE STEVENSON has 70+ scrimmage yards in 3 of past 4. Had 73 scrimmage yards (60 rush, 13 rec.) & rush TD in Week 16 meeting & has 70+ scrimmage yards in each of 5 career games vs. Buf. Has rush TD in 3 of his past 4 vs. division. Needs 31 scrimmage yards for 2nd-career 1,000-yard season. • RB ANTONIO GIBSON led team with 63 rush yards last week & has 60+ scrimmage yards in 3 of past 4. • WR DEMARIO DOUGLAS led team with 46 rec. yards & had 3rd TD catch of season in Week 17. Has rec. TD in 2 of past 3. Had 54 rec. yards in last home meeting. • WR KAYSHON BOUTTE aims for 3rd in row with 4+ catches. Set career highs in catches (5) & rec. yards (95) with TD catch in Week 16 meeting. • TE HUNTER HENRY has 4+ catches in 5 of past 6. Had rec. TD in Week 16 meeting. • TE AUSTIN HOOPER had 55 rec. yards in Week 16 meeting. • LB JAHLANI TAVAI led team with 10 tackles last week. Aims for 4th in row with 6+ tackles. Needs 5 tackles for 2nd-straight season with 100+ tackles. • DT DEVON GODCHAUX tied season high with 8 tackles in Week 17. • DT JEREMIAH PHARMS had 6 tackles last week. Had sack in Week 16 meeting. • CB JONATHAN JONES had 6 tackles in Week 17. Had FF & PD in Week 16 meeting. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Buf. with PD. • S KYLE DUGGER had 9 tackles last week, 4th-straight game with 8+ tackles. Has TFL in 4 of past 5. Had 8 tackles & TFL in Week 16 meeting. • S MARTE MAPU had season-high 7 tackles last week. Has 2 PD & FF in 2 of past 3.
NEW YORK GIANTS (3-13) AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (13-3)
Sunday, January 5, 2025 | 1:00 PM ET | Lincoln Financial Field | Referee: Ron Torbert
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: PHI leads series, 91-86-2 (won 5 of past 6)
Postseason: PHI leads series, 3-2 (won past 3)
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 10/20/24: PHI 28 at NYG 3
Postseason: NFC-D 1/21/23: NYG 7 at PHI 38
GIANTS NOTES:
QB DREW LOCK in Week 17 became 5th player ever with 300+ pass yards (309), 4+ TD passes (career-high tying 4), rush TD & 155+ rating (career-high 155.3) in single game, his 4th-career game with 300+ pass yards. Had TD pass vs. 0 INTs & 94 rating in his last start vs. Phi. (12/18/23 w/ Sea.). • RB TYRONE TRACY (rookie) had 73 scrimmage yards (59 rush, 14 rec.) last week. Ranks 3rd among rookies in rush yards (780) & 5th in scrimmage yards (1,057). Aims for his 5th in row on road with TD & 6th in row on road with 60+ scrimmage yards. • WR MALIK NABERS had 7 catches for 171 yards & 2 rec. TDs in Week 17 & became 1st rookie ever with 5+ catches in 13 games. Has 104 receptions in 2024, tied 3rd-most ever by rookie. Ranks 3rd among rookies with 1,140 rec. yards. Nabers (1,142 scrimmage yards) & Tracy are 3rd pair of rookie teammates all-time each with 1,000+ scrimmage yards. • WR WAN’DALE ROBINSON had 5 catches for 71 yards & 3rd rec. TD of season last week, his 5th-career TD catch. Has career highs in catches (83) & rec. yards (656) in 2024, incl. 11 games with 5+ catches. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Phi. with 5+ receptions. • WR DARIUS SLAYTON had 2nd rec. TD of season last week, his 21st-career TD catch. Has TD catch in 2 of his past 3 vs. Phi. • LB BRIAN BURNS tied his career high with 3 TFL last week & has career-high tying 17 TFL in 2024. Is 1 of 3 (Maxx Crosby & Myles Garrett) with 15+ TFL in each of past 3 seasons. Had sack in last meeting. Aims for his 5th in row with TFL. • LB KAYVON THIBODEAUX had 4th sack of season & 6th-career FF last week. • LB DARIUS MUASAU (rookie) aims for his 5th in row with 6+ tackles. • LB TY SUMMERS led team with career-high 11 tackles last week. • CB DEONTE BANKS aims for his 4th in row with PD. • CB DRU PHILLIPS (rookie) had 1st-career INT last week. • S JASON PINNOCK had 10 tackles in Week 17, his 2nd-career game with 10+ tackles. Aims for his 10th in row with 5+ tackles. • S DANE BELTON had 2 PD & 1st INT of season last week, his 5th-career INT.
EAGLES NOTES:
EAGLES clinched NFC East for 2nd time in past 3 seasons (2022). • QB JALEN HURTS needs 97 pass yards for 4th-straight 3,000-yard season. has 2+ TD passes vs. 0 INTs & 110+ rating in 4 of his past 5 home starts. Can become 2nd QB ever (Josh Allen, 11 in 2023) with 10 games with both pass TD & rush TD in single season. Has 14 rush TDs in 2024 & needs rush TD to tie single-season record by QB (15 rush TDs by Hurts & Allen in 2023). • QB KENNY PICKETT had 1st-career game with pass TD & rush TD last week. • QB TANNER MCKEE had 1st 2 career TD passes in Week 17. • RB SAQUON BARKLEY rushed for 167 yards in Week 17 & became 9th player ever with 2,000 rush yards (2,005) in single season. Can surpass HOFer Eric Dickerson (2,105 in 1984 with LAR) for most rush yards in single season alltime. Leads NFL with 2,283 scrimmage yards & can become 3rd player ever with 2400+ scrimmage yards in single season. Rushed for 176 yards & rush TD in Week 7 meeting. • WR A.J. BROWN had 49th-career TD catch last week & aims for his 4th in row with rec. TD. Had rec. TD in Week 7 meeting & has 70+ rec. yards in 4 of his 5 career games vs. NYG. • WR DEVONTA SMITH had 6 catches for 120 yards & 2 TDs last week & has career-high 8 rec. TDs in 2024. Has TD catch in 6 of his past 7 at home. Has TD catch in 2 of his 3 career home games vs. NYG. • LB ZACK BAUN ranks 2nd in NFL with career-high 5 FFs & 3rd with career high 150 tackles in 2024. Has 5+ tackles in 15 of 16 games this season. • LB NAKOBE DEAN has career highs in tackles (128) & TFL (9) in 2024, incl. 10+ tackles in each of his past 4. Had 11 tackles & 2 sacks in last meeting. • LB NOLAN SMITH had 1st-career FF last week. Has career highs in sacks (6.5) & TFL (8) in 2024, incl. sack & 2 TFL in Week 7 meeting. • DT JALEN CARTER had 6th PD of season last week, tied 2nd-most among DL in 2024. Had 2 sacks in last meeting. • DT JORDAN DAVIS had 1st-career FR last week. • CB DARIUS SLAY aims for his 4th in row vs. NYG with PD. • S C.J. GARDNER-JOHNSON had 2 INTs, incl. 1st-career INT, last week & has career=high tying 6 INTs in 2024. Aims for his 3rd in row with INT.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (5-11) AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (9-7)
Sunday, January 5, 2025 | 1:00 PM ET | Raymond James Stadium | Referee: Adrian Hill
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: NO leads series, 40-25 (TB won 4 of past 5)
Postseason: TB leads series, 1-0
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 10/13/24: TB 51 at NO 27
Postseason: NFC-D 1/17/21: TB 30 at NO 20
SAINTS NOTES:
QB SPENCER RATTLER (rookie) had 264 yards (218 pass, career-high 46 rush) & 3rd-career TD pass last week. • RB CLYDE EDWARDS-HELAIRE has 2,640 scrimmage yards (1,865 rush, 775 rec.) in 49 career reg. season games. Rushed for 92 yards & had 2 TDs (1 rush, 1 rec.) in his last game at TB (10/2/22 w/ KC). • RB JAMAAL WILLIAMS had 71 scrimmage yards (58 rush, 13 rec.) in last road meeting. • WR MARQUEZ VALDES-SCANTLING has 50+ rec. yards in 4 of his past 6. • TE FOSTER MOREAU had 5th rec. TD of season last week. Had 54 rec. yards in Week 6 meeting. • TE JUWAN JOHNSON had season highs in catches (6) & rec. yards (66) last week. Needs 32 rec. yards for 2nd-career season with 500+ rec. yards (508 in 2022). Set career highs with 8 catches for 90 yards & rec. TD in last road meeting. • LB DEMARIO DAVIS had 13 tackles & TFL last week & aims for his 4th in row with 10+ tackles & TFL. Is 1 of 2 (Lavonte David) with 100+ tackles & 5+ TFL in 10 of past 12 seasons. Has 93 tackles, 14 PD, 9 TFL, 2 INTs & 2 FR in 15 career games vs. TB, incl. 5+ tackles in 14 of 15 games. • LB PETE WERNER tied his career high with 13 tackles last week, his 8thcareer game with 10+ tackles. Aims for his 4th in row vs. TB with 8+ tackles. Aims for his 13th in row with 5+ tackles. Needs 8 tackles for 1st-career 100+ tackle season. • DE CAMERON JORDAN has 3 sacks & 5 TFL in his past 3 & aims for his 4th in row with TFL. Had INT in Week 6 meeting. Ranks 2nd among active players with 121.5 career sacks. Has 10.5 sacks & 10 TFL in 13 career games at TB. • CB ALONTAE TAYLOR had 2 PD last week & has career-high 16 PD in 2024, 3rd-most PD in NFL this season. Aims for his 5th in row on road with PD. Had INT in last road meeting. • S TYRANN MATHIEU is only player with 60+ tackles & 5+ PD in each of past 8 seasons.
BUCS NOTES:
BUCCANEERS can clinch NFC South with win or ATL loss. • QB BAKER MAYFIELD in Week 17 became 5th player ever with 80+ comp. pct (84.4 pct), 350+ pass yards (359), 5 TD passes & 150+ rating (season-high 153) in single game. Leads NFC in TD passes (career-high 39) & ranks 3rd in pass yards (career-high 4,279) & rating (107.6). Aims for his 5th in row with 275+ pass yards, 2+ TD passes & 95+ rating. Passed for 325 yards & 4 TDs vs. 3 INTs in Week 6 meeting. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. NO with 300+ pass yards & 4th in row vs. NO with 2+ TD passes. • RB BUCKY IRVING had 190 scrimmage yards (113 rush, career-high 77 rec.) in Week 17. Leads all rookies in scrimmage yards (1,430), rush yards (1,033) & rush TDs (7). Had 105 scrimmage yards (81 rush, 24 rec.) & rush TD in Week 6 meeting. • RB RACHAAD WHITE had 1,006 scrimmage yards (613 rush, 393 rec.) in 2024, his 2nd-straight 1,000-yard season. Is 1 of 2 (Alvin Kamara) with 50+ receptions in each of past 3 seasons. • WR MIKE EVANS had 8 catches for 97 yards & 2 rec. TDs last week. Has 11 rec. TDs in 2024 & became 5th player ever with 6+ seasons (6) with 11+ TD catches. Has 65 receptions in 2024 & became 1st WR & 3rd player ever with 65+ catches in 11 straight seasons. Needs 85 rec. yards for 11th-straight 1,000-yard season. • WR JALEN MCMILLAN (rookie) had 2nd-career game with 2 rec. TDs last week & aims for his 5th in row with TD catch. • LB LAVONTE DAVID has 113 tackles in 2024, his 11th-career 100-tackle season. Has 21 TFL in 25 career games vs. NO. Had sack in last meeting. • LB YAYA DIABY had 11th-career sack last week. • NT VITA VEA has career-high 9 TFL in 2024. Has sack in 2 of his past 3 vs. NO. • DL CALIJAH KANCEY had sack last week & has career highs in sacks (7.5) & TFL (11) in 2024. Had sack & 2 TFL in last meeting. • CB ZYON MCCOLLUM has career-high 13 PD in 2024 & aims for his 3rd in row with PD. Had 2 PD & INT in last meeting. • S TYKEE SMITH (rookie) had INT & FF in last meeting. Aims for his 3rd in row with TFL.
HOUSTON TEXANS (9-7) AT TENNESSEE TITANS (3-13)
Sunday, January 5, 2025 | 1:00 PM ET | Nissan Stadium | Referee: Brad Allen
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: TEN leads series, 24-21 (HOU won 3 of past 4)
Postseason: —
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 11/24/24: TEN 32 at HOU 27
Postseason: —
TEXANS NOTES:
TEXANS clinched AFC South division title for 2nd-straight season. • QB C.J. STROUD has 2 TD passes in 2 of past 3. Aims for 4th in row on road with 240+ pass yards. Passed for 247 yards & 2 TDs in Week 12 meeting. Has 0 INTs in 9 of 10 career starts vs. division. Needs 323 pass yards to become 3rd player in NFL history (Justin Herbert & Jameis Winston) with 4,000+ pass yards in each of 1st 2 seasons. • RB JOE MIXON has 55+ scrimmage yards in 3 of past 4. Has 883 scrimmage yards (126.1 per game) & 10 TDs (9 rush, 1 rec.) in his 7 road games this season, with 100+ rush yards & rush TD in 6 of his 7 games. Needs 7 rush yards for 5th-career season with 1,000+ rush yards. • WR NICO COLLINS has 50+ rec. yards in 10 of his 11 games this season, incl. in each of his 5 road games. Had 5 catches for 92 yards & TD in Week 12 meeting. Needs 32 rec. yards for 2nd-straight 1,000-yard season. Ranks 4th in NFL with 88 rec. yards per game in 2024. • WR JOHN METCHIE had 5 catches for 48 yards last week. • TE DALTON SCHULTZ aims for 3rd in row on road with rec. TD. Is 1 of 2 TEs (Travis Kelce) with 50+ catches & 500+ rec. yards in each of past 5 seasons. • DE DANIELLE HUNTER had career-high 5 TFL with 3 sacks in Week 12 meeting. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Ten. with sack. Ranks 3rd in NFL with 12 sacks in 2024, 5th-career season with 12+ sacks, tied 2nd-most among active players. • DE WILL ANDERSON had 2 TFL, half sack & PD last week. Has 2 sacks in each of 2 career games vs. Ten. Anderson (11) & Hunter are 1 of 2 pair of teammates each with 10+ sacks in 2024. • LB HENRY TO’OTO’O aims for 8th in row with 5+ tackles. • CB DEREK STINGLEY aims for 7th in row on road with PD. Has INT in 2 of past 3 on road. Ranks 2nd in NFL with career-high 18 PD in 2024. • CB KAMARI LASSITER (rookie) had 6 tackles & TFL in Week 17.
TITANS NOTES:
QB MASON RUDOLPH completed 19 of 31 atts. (61.3 pct.) for 193 yards & TD last week. Has 2 TD passes in 3 of his past 4 & in each of his 2 home games this season. • QB WILL LEVIS has 0 INTs in 2 of his past 3. Completed 18 of 24 atts. (75 pct.) for 278 yards & 2 TDs with 123.3 rating in Week 12 meeting. • RB TONY POLLARD had 129 scrimmage yards (119 rush, 10 rec.) & rush TD in Week 12 meeting & has rush TD in each of 2 career games vs. Hou. Has 100+ rush yards in 2 of his past 3 vs. division. Is 1 of 3 in NFL (Najee Harris & Derrick Henry) with 1,000+ rush yards & 5+ rush TDs in each of past 3 seasons. • RB TYJAE SPEARS led team with season-high 103 scrimmage yards (career high 95 rush, 8 rec.) last week, 2nd-career 100-yard game. Aims for 4th in row with 65+ scrimmage yards & has 2 TDs in 2 of past 3. • WR CALVIN RIDLEY had 5 catches for 84 yards in Week 17. Aims for 3rd in row with 75+ rec. yards. Has 85+ rec. yards in 3 of 4 career games vs. Hou., incl. 93 rec. yards in Week 12 meeting. Needs 59 rec. yards for 3rd-career 1,000-yard season. • WR NICK WESTBROOK-IKHINE had TD catch in Week 12 meeting. • TE CHIG OKONKWO aims for 4th in row with 5+ catches. Had 70-yard TD catch in Week 12 meeting. Needs 3 catches & 50 rec. yards for new career highs in each category. • WR NICK VANNETT had 3rd TD catch of season last week. • DT JEFFERY SIMMONS aims for 6th in row with 5+ tackles. Has TFL in 3 of past 4. Had sack & PD in Week 12 meeting & has sack in 3 of his past 4 vs. Hou. • LB HAROLD LANDRY aims for 3rd in row at home with sack & for 3rd in row vs. Hou. with sack. Needs 2 TFL for 1st-career season with 15 TFL. • LB LUKE GIFFORD led team with 8 tackles & had PD last week. Aims for his 4th in row with 8+ tackles & his 3rd in row with PD. • LB JEROME BAKER had 6 tackles, sack & PD in Week 17. • CB JARVIS BROWNLEE (rookie) had 3 PD, INT & TFL in Week 12 meeting. • CB CHIDOBE AWUZIE has PD in 3 of past 4.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (6-10) AT ARIZONA CARDINALS (7-9)
Sunday, January 5, 2025 | 4:25 PM ET | State Farm Stadium | Referee: Shawn Smith
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: SF leads series, 36-30 (won 4 of past 5)
Postseason: —
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 10/6/24: ARI 24 at SF 23
Postseason: —
49ERS NOTES:
QB BROCK PURDY passed for career-high 377 yards & had 4 TDs (3 pass, 1 rush) vs. 2 INTs for 116 rating in Week 17. Has 15 career games with 2+ TD passes & 115+ rating, most by QB in 1st 3 seasons in NFL history. • QB JOSH DOBBS had rush TD in season debut last week. Passed for 1,569 yards & 8 TDs & rushed for 258 yards & 3 TDs in 8 starts with Ari. in 2023. • QB BRANDON ALLEN passed for 199 yards & TD in his only start of season (Week 12 at GB). • RB ISAAC GUERENDO (rookie) had 99 scrimmage yards (career-high 65 rec., 34 rush) last week & aims for his 4th in row with 75+ scrimmage yards. • FB KYLE JUSZCZYK had 1st rec. TD of season last week, his 17th-career TD catch. • TE GEORGE KITTLE had 8 catches for 112 yards last week, his 21st-career game with 100+ rec. yards, 4th-most by TE in 1st 8 seasons all-time. Ranks 2nd among TEs in rec. TDs (8), 3rd in rec. yards (1,079) & 5th in catches (76) in 2024 & became 5th TE all-time with 4+ career seasons (4) with 1,000+ rec. yards. Aims for his 3rd in row with 100+ rec. yards. Had 8 catches for 64 yards & TD in Week 5 meeting & has 6 rec. TDs in his past 6 vs. Ari. • WR DEEBO SAMUEL had 3rd rec. TD of season last week & aims for his 3rd in row with TD catch. Had 2 rec. TDs in last road meeting & aims for his 4th in row at Ari. with TD catch. • WR JAUAN JENNINGS had 7 catches for 67 yards last week. Needs 77 rec. yards for 1st-career 1,000-yard season. • WR RICKY PEARSALL set career highs with 8 catches & 141 rec. yards & had his 2nd-career rec. TD in Week 17, 3rd-most rec. yards by SF rookie all-time. • LB FRED WARNER is 1 of 2 (Bobby Wagner) with 115+ tackles in each of past 7 seasons. Had 12 tackles in Week 5 meeting. • DL NICK BOSA tied his career highs in tackles (8) & TFL (4) & had 2 sacks last week. Has 9+ sacks in 5 of his 6 career seasons & is 1 of 2 (Myles Garrett) with 15+ TFL in each of past 4 seasons. • CB DEOMMODORE LENOIR led team with season-high 9 tackles last week. • CB RENARDO GREEN (rookie) had 10th PD of season last week & has PD in 7 of his past 8 games. Aims for his 6th in row on road with 5+ tackles & PD.
CARDS NOTES:
QB KYLER MURRAY passed for 321 yards last week, his 15th-career 300-yard game. Has 3,609 pass yards in 2024, his 4th-career season with 3,500+ pass yards (2019-21). Has 12 TDs (9 pass, 3 rush) & 99 rating in 8 home starts this season. Had 278 yards (195 pass, 83 rush) & 2 TDs (1 pass, 1 rush) in Week 5 meeting. • RB JAMES CONNER has career highs in scrimmage yards (1,508) & rush yards (1,094) in 2024. Aims for his 4th in row at home with TD & 7th in row at home with 100+ scrimmage yards. Had 100 scrimmage yards (86 rush, 14 rec.) in Week 5 meeting. Has 6 TDs (5 rush, 1 rec.) in his psat 6 vs SF. • RB MICHAEL CARTER had career-high 70 rush yards last week. • TE TREY MCBRIDE had 12 catches for 123 yards & 1st rec. TD of season last week, his 5th-career TD catch. Is 1st TE ever with 3 games of 12+ catches in single season. Ranks 2nd among TEs with career-high 104 receptions, 9thmost ever by TE in single season. Had 10 catches for 102 yards in last home meeting. • WR MARVIN HARRISON JR. (rookie) had 6 catches for 96 yards last week. Ranks tied-2nd among rookies with 7 rec. TDs. • S BUDDA BAKER had 7 tackles & 2 PD last week. Ranks 2nd in NFL with career-high 155 tackles in 2024, most tackles by DB in season since 2000. Aims for his 12th in row vs. SF with 5+ tackles. • LB KYZIR WHITE led team with 8 tackles last week & has 127 tackles in 2024, his 3rd-career 100-tackle season. Had INT in Week 5 meeting. • LB MACK WILSON has 5+ tackles in 3 of his past 4. Had FR & INT in Week 5 meeting. • S JALEN THOMPSON aims for his 5th in row with 6+ tackles. Had 2 PD in Week 5 meeting.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (15-1) AT DENVER BRONCOS (9-7)
Sunday, January 5, 2025 | 4:25 PM ET | Empower Field at Mile High | Referee: Shawn Hochuli
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: KC leads series, 73-55 (won 17 of past 18)
Postseason: DEN leads series, 1-0
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 11/10/24: DEN 14 at KC 16
Postseason: AFC-D 1/4/98: DEN 14 at KC 10
CHIEFS NOTES:
CHIEFS clinched AFC West division title for 9th-straight season & AFC’s No. 1 seed. Have franchise-record 15 reg. season wins & can join 2007 Patriots as only teams ever to win 16 reg. season games. • QB PATRICK MAHOMES completed 29 of 38 atts. (76.3 pct.) for 320 yards & 3 TDs vs. 0 INTs with 127.1 rating last week, 27th-career game with 300+ pass yards & 3+ TD passes, surpassing HOFer Dan Marino (26) for most-ever by QB in 1st 8 seasons. • QB CARSON WENTZ can make 1st start of season. Passed for 4 TDs vs. 0 INTs with 118.7 rating in only career start vs. Den. (11/5/17 w/ Phi.). • RB KAREEM HUNT aims for 3rd in row with rush TD. Had 100 scrimmage yards (season-high 65 rec., 35 rush) in Week 10 meeting & has 85+ scrimmage yards in 3 of his past 4 vs. Den. • TE TRAVIS KELCE had 8 catches for 84 yards & TD last week, 10th game this season with 5+ catches, 3rd-most among TEs. Had rec. TD in Week 10 meeting. Ranks 3rd among TEs with 97 catches in 2024 & is 1st player ever with 90+ catches in 7 straight seasons. • WR XAVIER WORTHY (rookie) had career-high 79 rec. yards & had TD catch in Week 17. Aims for 4th in row with TD. Ranks 2nd among rookies with 9 TDs in 2024 & is only WR with 5+ rec. TDs (6) & 3+ rush TDs (3) in 2024. • WR JUSTIN WATSON had season-high 60 rec. yards & TD catch last week. • DT CHRIS JONES is 1 of 4 in NFL with 5+ sacks in each of past 8 seasons. • DE GEORGE KARLAFTIS had sack & PD last week. Aims for 3rd in row with PD & has sack in 2 of past 3. Has 0.5+ sacks in 4 of 5 career games vs. Den. • DE MIKE DANNA had season-high 2 sacks & 2nd FF of season in Week 17. • LB NICK BOLTON had 8 tackles, 2 PD & 2nd FR of season last week. Aims for 3rd in row on road with PD. Had sack in Week 10 meeting. • CB TRENT MCDUFFIE had FF & PD last week, 4th-straight game with PD.
BRONCOS NOTES:
BRONCOS can clinch playoffs for 1st time since 2015 with win. • QB BO NIX completed 24 of 31 atts. (77.4 pct.) for 219 yards & 3 TDs vs. INT with 114.9 rating last week, 9th game with 2+ TD passes, tied with Baker Mayfield (2018) for 2nd-most ever by rookie QB. Has 2+ TD passes in 6 of past 7, incl. each of past 3 & in each of 5 starts vs. division. Had 2 TD passes vs. 0 INTs with 115.3 rating in Week 10 meeting. Needs 2 TD passes to tie Mayfield (27) for 2nd-most TD passes ever by rookie (Justin Herbert – 31 in 2020). • RB JALEEL MCLAUGHLIN had 76 scrimmage yards (69 rush, 7 rec.) & has 75+ scrimmage yards in 2 of past 3. • RB JAVONTE WILLIAMS has rush TD in 2 of past 3 at home. • RB AUDRIC ESTIME (rookie) rushed for career-high 53 yards in Week 10 meeting. • WR COURTLAND SUTTON had TD catch last week. Has 5+ catches & 50+ rec. yards in 8 of past 9. Aims for his 4th in row vs. KC with rec. TD. Needs 17 rec. yards for 2nd-career 1,000-yard season (1,112 in 2019). • WR MARVIN MIMS led team with career-high 8 catches for 103 yards & career-best 2 TDs in Week 17. Has 60+ rec. yards in 3 of past 4. • DE ZACH ALLEN had career-high 3.5 sacks last week, most by Den. player in single game since 2009. Aims for his 4th in row vs. KC with 0.5+ sacks. • LB NIK BONITTO had PD last week. Aims for 7th in row at home with 0.5+ sacks. Had sack in Week 10 meeting & has TFL in 2 of past 3 vs. KC. Ranks tied-4th in NFL with 11.5 sacks in 2024, most by Den. player in single-season since 2018. • LB JONATHON COOPER had 1.5 sacks in Week 17. Has TFL in 3 of past 4. Aims for 4th in row vs. KC with 0.5+ sacks. Needs half sack for 1st-career 10-sack season. • LB DONDREA TILLMAN (rookie) aims for 4th in row with sack. • CB PAT SURTAIN II had 6 tackles, FF & FR last week. Aims for 7th in row at home with PD. Is 1 of 2 in NFL (Denzel Ward) with 10+ PD in each of past 4 seasons. • CB RILEY MOSS led team with career-high 14 tackles in Week 17.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (9-7) AT LOS ANGELES RAMS (10-6)
Sunday, January 5, 2025 | 4:25 PM ET | SoFi Stadium | Referee: Bill Vinovich
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: SEA leads series, 27-25 (LAR won past 3)
Postseason: LAR leads series, 2-0
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 11/3/24: LAR 26 at SEA 20 (OT)
Postseason: NFC-WC 1/9/21: LAR 30 at SEA 20
SEAHAWKS NOTES:
QB GENO SMITH ranks 5th in NFL with 4,097 pass yards this season & can surpass his career-high set in 2022 (4,282). Ranks 4th among qualified passers with 70.2 comp. pct. in 2024. Passed for 363 yards & 3 TDs vs. 3 INTs in Week 9 meeting. Aims for his 7th in row vs. LAR with TD pass. • RB ZACH CHARBONNET had 76 scrimmage yards (57 rush, 19 rec.) last week & has 65+ scrimmage yards in 3 of his past 4. Has rush TD in 2 of his past 3 on road. Had 6 catches & 69 scrimmage yards (47 rush, 22 rec.) in last road meeting. • WR JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA has career highs in receptions (96), rec. yards (1,121) & rec. TDs (6) in 2024. Has 75+ scrimmage yards in 7 of his past 8, incl. 7 catches for career-high 180 yards & career-best 2 rec. TDs in Week 9 meeting. • WR DK METCALF is 1 of 4 (Davante Adams, Mike Evans & Terry McLaurin) with 50+ catches & 900+ rec. yards in each of past 6 seasons. Needs 61 rec. yards for 4thcareer season with 1,000+ rec. yards. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. LAR with TD catch. • DE LEONARD WILLIAMS had 2 sacks & 3 TFL last week & is 1 of 2 (Myles Garrett) with 2+ sacks & 3+ TFL in 3 games in 2024. Has career-high 15 TFL this season, incl. 11 TFL in his past 6. Needs sack for 2nd-career 10-sack season (11.5 sacks in 2020 with NYG). • NT JARRAN REED aims for his 3rd in row with sack. • LB ERNEST JONES has 129 tackles in 2024, his 3rd-straight 100+ tackle season. Had 9 tackles, TFL & PD in Week 9 meeting. Had 316 tackles, 19 TFL, 12 PD, 5.5 sacks & 3 INTs in 47 games (2021-23) with LAR. • LB UCHENNA NWOSU had 1st sack of season last week. • LB DERICK HALL has career-high 8 sacks in 2024 & aims for his 3rd in row with sack. • CB RIQ WOOLEN had 11th-career INT last week. Aims for his 7th in row with PD. Has 8 PD & 3 INTs in 5 career games vs. LAR & aims for his 3rd in row vs. LAR with 2+ PD & INT. • CB DEVON WITHERSPOON had career-high 3 TFL & 1st sack of season last week, his 4th-career sack. Had 2 PD, TFL & FF in Week 9 meeting. Had sack & PD in last road meeting. • S JULIAN LOVE has 100 tackles in 2024 & is 1 of 2 DBs (Kevin Byard) with 100+ tackles in each of past 3 seasons.
RAMS NOTES:
QB MATTHEW STAFFORD has 59,809 career reg. season pass yards & can become 10th QB ever with 60,000 reg. season pass yards. Ranks 10th in NFL history with 377 reg. season pass TDs. Needs 238 pass yards to become 7th player ever with 10 career 4,000-yard seasons. Has 2,499 pass yards (277.7 per game) in 9 career games vs. Sea., incl. 298 yards & 2 TDs in Week 9 meeting. • RB KYREN WILLIAMS had 72 scrimmage yards (56 rush, 16 rec.) & career high 14th rush TD of season last week, his career-best 16th scrimmage TD of season. Has 6 rush TDs in his past 6. Is 1 of 4 with 50+ scrimmage yards in 16 games this season. • WR PUKA NACUA had 10 catches for 129 yards last week, his 12th career game with 100+ rec. yards, 3rd-most by player in 1st 2 seasons in SB era. Has 184 career catches & can become 5th player ever with 190+ catches in 1st 2 career seasons. Has 2,476 career rec. yards & can become 5th player in SB era with 2,500+ rec. yards in 1st 2 career seasons. Aims for his 9th in row with 5+ catches & 50+ rec. yards. • WR COOPER KUPP had 11 receptions for 104 yards in Week 9 meeting. Has TD catch in 2 of his past 3 at home. • DE BRADEN FISKE had 2 sacks last week & leads all rookies with 8 sacks & ranks 3rd among rookies with 10 TFL. Had 2 sacks in last meeting. • DE KOBIE TURNER had 8th sack of season last week & has career-high 10 TFL in 2024. Had sack in last meeting. • LB JARED VERSE ranks 2nd among rookies with 11 TFL in 2024. Had sack, 2 TFL & PD in last meeting. • LB BYRON YOUNG had 7th sack of season last week & has career-high 12 TFL in 2024. Had sack in last meeting. • LB CHRISTIAN ROZEBOOM has career-high 133 tackles & aims for his 8th in row with 5+ tackles. Had 11 tackles & 2 TFL in last meeting. • LB OMAR SPEIGHTS (rookie) had 10 tackles last week & has 5+ tackles in 7 of his past 8. • S KAM CURL had 10 tackles last week & is 1 of 4 DBs with 75+ tackles in each of past 5 seasons. Has career-high 9 PD in 2024 & aims for his 4th in row with PD. • S KAMREN KINCHENS had 4th INT of season last week, tied 2nd-most among rookies.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (10-6) AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (4-12)
Sunday, January 5, 2025 | 4:25 PM ET | Allegiant Stadium | Referee: Carl Cheffers
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: LV leads series, 68-59-2 (Home team won past 7)
Postseason: LV leads series, 1-0
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 9/8/24: LV 10 at LAC 22
Postseason: AFC-C 1/11/81: OAK 34 at SD 27
CHARGERS NOTES:
CHARGERS clinched postseason for 2nd time in past 3 seasons. • QB JUSTIN HERBERT completed 26 of 38 atts. (68.4 pct.) for 281 yards & 3 TDs vs. 0 INTs with 116.2 rating last week, 20th-career game with 3+ TD passes, tied with Josh Allen for 5th-most ever by QB in 1st 5 seasons. Aims for 4th in row with 2+ TD passes. Aims for 8th in row on road with 0 INTs. Has 300+ pass yards in each of 3 career starts at LV. Has 20,747 career pass yards, surpassing HOFer Peyton Manning (20,618) for most-ever in 1st 5 seasons. • RB J.K. DOBBINS rushed for 76 yards & TD last week. Has 50+ scrimmage yards in each of his 12 games this season, with rush TD in 2 of past 3. Had season-high 135 rush yards & rush TD in Week 1 meeting. Needs 17 scrimmage yards for 1st-career 1,000-yard season & TD for 1st-career 10-TD season. • WR LADD MCCONKEY (rookie) had 8 catches for 94 yards & 2 TDs in Week 17, his 9th-straight game with 50+ rec. yards & his 6th-straight game with 5+ catches. Has rec. TD in 2 of past 3. Had TD catch in Week 1 meeting. Ranks 4th among rookies with 1,054 rec. yards, most-ever by Chargers rookie. • WR QUENTIN JOHNSTON has 5 catches in 3 of past 4. Had rec. TD in last road meeting. • WR DERIUS DAVIS aims for 3rd in row with TD catch. • LB JOEY BOSA aims for his 5th in row vs. LV with sack & FF. • LB DAIYAN HENLEY has 8+ tackles in 9 of past 10. • LB KHALIL MACK had 6th sack of season last week & is only player in NFL with 6+ sacks in each of past 10 seasons. Has PD in 4 of past 5. Had 1.5 sacks & FR in Week 1 meeting & has 10.5 sacks in his past 5 vs. LV. • LB TULI TUIPULOTU had 2 TFL & sack in Week 17. • S DERWIN JAMES had career-high 2 sacks & 1st FR of season last week. Has TFL in 4 of past 5. Aims for 3rd in row on road with sack.
RAIDERS NOTES:
RAIDERS seeking 1st 3-game win streak since Weeks 11-13, 2022. • QB AIDAN O’CONNELL passed for 242 yards & 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs with 97.6 rating last week. Has 0 INTs in 4 of his past 5. Has won 3 of his past 4 home starts. Passed for 248 yards & career-high 4 TDs with 120.7 rating in last home meeting. • RB AMEER ABDULLAH led team with career-high 147 scrimmage yards (career-high 115 rush, 32 rec.) last week, 3rd-career 100-yard game & 1st since 2017. Aims for 4th in row with 65+ scrimmage yards. Has TD in 2 of past 3. • RB ALEXANDER MATTISON had 62 scrimmage yards (43 rec. 19 rush) & TD catch in Week 1 meeting. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. LAC with 60+ scrimmage yards. • TE BROCK BOWERS (rookie) aims for 3rd in row with 7+ catches & 75+ rec. yards. Had 6 catches for 58 yards in Week 1 meeting. Ranks 3rd in NFL with 108 catches in 2024, surpassing Puka Nacua (105 in 2023) for most by rookie in NFL history. Needs 9 catches to surpass Zach Ertz (116 in 2018) for most-ever by TE in single season. Leads TEs with 1,114 rec. yards, surpassing HOFer Mike Ditka (1,076 in 1961) for most-ever by rookie TE. • WR JAKOBI MEYERS had 5 catches for 61 yards & TD last week. Has 55+ rec. yards in 5 of past 6. Had TD catch in last home meeting. • WR TRE TUCKER had 3rd rec. TD of season in Week 17. • DT ADAM BUTLER had half sack & 1st FF of season last week. Has 0.5+ sacks in 4 of past 5. Has TFL in 3 of his past 4 vs. LAC. • DE K’LAVON CHAISSON had sack & 1st-career FF in Week 17. Aims for 6th in row with TFL & 3rd in row with sack. • LB ROBERT SPILLANE had 8 tackles, 2 TFL, 2 PD & sack last week. Aims for 6th in row with 7+ tackles & 3rd in row with TFL. Had 10 tackles & TFL in Week 1 meeting. Ranks 6th in NFL with 142 tackles in 2024. • CB JACK JONES had career-high 3 PD & INT last week. Has PD in 5 of past 6.
MIAMI DOLPHINS (8-8) AT NEW YORK JETS (4-12)
Sunday, January 5, 2025 | 4:25 PM ET | MetLife Stadium | Referee: Tra Blake
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: MIA leads series, 60-56-1 (won 8 of past 9)
Postseason: MIA leads series, 1-0
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 12/8/24: NYJ 26 at MIA 32 (OT)
Postseason: AFC-C 1/23/83: NYJ 0 at MIA 14
DOLPHINS NOTES:
QB TUA TAGOVAILOA has 0 INTs & 90+ rating in 5 of past 6. Passed for 331 yards & 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs with 104.1 rating in Week 14 meeting & is 5-0 in 5 career starts vs. NYJ . Leads NFL with 72.9 comp. pct. this season. • QB TYLER HUNTLEY completed 22 of 26 atts. (84.6 – career-high as starter) for 225 yards & TD vs. 0 INTs with 115.5 rating last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with 100+ rating. Is 2-1 in 3 road starts this season. • RB DE’VON ACHANE has 50+ scrimmage yards in 10 of past 11. Had 69 scrimmage yards (45 rec., 24 rush) & rush TD in Week 14 meeting. Aims for 4th in row vs. division with TD. Leads RBs with 78 catches & 592 rec. yards this season & ties for lead with 6 rec. TDs, most catches ever in single season by Mia. RB. • RB RAHEEM MOSTERT has 6 rush TDs in 5 career games vs. NYJ, with 2 rush TDs in each of his past 2. • WR TYREEK HILL led team with 9 catches for 105 yards last week, 3rd 100- yard game this season. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. NYJ with 100+ rec. yards & TD catch. Needs 61 rec. yards for 7th-career 1,000-yard season & 5th-straight. • WR JAYLEN WADDLE aims for 4th in row vs. NYJ with 95+ rec. yards. • TE JONNU SMITH had 7th TD catch of season last week, tied most-ever by Mia. TE. Has most-ever catches (79) & rec. yards (828) in season by Mia. TE. • DE CALAIS CAMPBELL has TFL in 2 of past 3 overall & in 3 of his past 4 vs. NYJ. • DT ZACH SIELER has TFL in 7 of past 8 & sack in 3 of past 4. Had 2 sacks in Week 14 meeting & aims for 4th in row vs. NYJ with sack. • LB JORDYN BROOKS aims for 15th in row with 7+ tackles & 9th in row with TFL. Had sack & PD in Week 14 meeting. Ranks tied-8th in NFL with 137 tackles. • LB EMMANUEL OGBAH had sack & 1st FF of season in Week 17. Has 0.5+ sacks in 2 of his past 3 vs. NYJ. • LB CHOP ROBINSON (rookie) has sack in 2 of past 3. Had PD in Week 14 meeting. • LB TYREL DODSON had career-high 15 tackles & 2nd-career INT last week.
JETS NOTES:
QB AARON RODGERS has 0 INTs in 3 of past 4. Has 12 TD passes vs. 2 INTs in 7 home games this season, with 2+ TD passes in 4 of past 5 at home. Had season-high 339 pass yards & TD pass vs. 0 INTs with 104.5 rating in Week 14 meeting. Needs TD pass to become 5th QB ever with 500 TD passes. • RB BREECE HALL has 50+ scrimmage yards in 13 of his 15 games this season. Has 85+ scrimmage yards in 4 of past 5 at home. Is 1st player in franchise history with 1,250+ scrimmage yards in 2 of 1st 3 seasons. • RB ISAIAH DAVIS (rookie) had career-high 67 scrimmage yards (40 rush 27 rec.) & rush TD in Week 14 meeting. • WR GARRETT WILSON had 7 catches for 66 yards & TD last week. Aims for 5th in row with 50+ rec. yards. Has rec. TD in 2 of past 3. Had 7 catches for 114 yards in Week 14 meeting. Had TD catch in last home meeting. Is 5th player ever with 80+ catches & 1,000+ rec. yards in each of 1st 3 seasons. Needs 3 catches to become 2nd NYJ player ever with 100-catch season (Brandon Marshall – 109 in 2015). • WR DAVANTE ADAMS aims for 9th in row with 5+ catches. Has rec. TD in 4 of past 5 overall & in 3 of 4 home games with NYJ. Had 9 catches for 109 yards & TD in Week 14 meeting & aims for his 4th in row vs. Mia. with rec. TD. • TE TYLER CONKLIN tied career high with 8 catches for 57 yards & TD last week. Aims for 3rd in row with 5+ catches & 55+ rec. yards. • DL QUINNEN WILLIAMS has sack in 3 of his past 4 at home. • DE SOLOMON THOMAS had TFL & PD last week. Has TFL in 3 of past 4. • LB JAMIEN SHERWOOD had 10 tackles, TFL & PD last week, 4th-straight game with 8+ tackles. Had career-high 18 tackles with 2 TFL & PD in Week 14 meeting. Ranks 4th in NFL with 148 tackles & can become 3rd NYJ player with 150-tackle season. • LB QUINCY WILLIAMS had 10 tackles, TFL & PD in Week 17. Has PD in 2 of past 3. • CB SAUCE GARDNER has PD in 3 of his past 4. Had PD in last home meeting. • S CHUCK CLARK had season-best 8 tackles last week, 4th-straight with 7+ tackles.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (14-2) AT DETROIT LIONS (14-2)
Sunday, January 5, 2025 | 8:20 PM ET | Ford Field | Referee: Brad Rogers
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: MIN leads series, 80-44-2 (DET won 5 of past 6)
Postseason: —
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 10/20/24: DET 31 at MIN 29
Postseason: —
VIKINGS NOTES:
VIKINGS can clinch NFC North & No. 1 seed with win & can win 15 games for 2nd time in franchise history (15-1 in 1998). • QB SAM DARNOLD became 1st starting QB ever to win 14 games in 1st season with team. Ranks 4th in NFL in pass yards (career-high 4,153), 5th in TD passes (career-high 35) & 5th in rating (106.4) in 2024 & is 1 of 4 QBs all-time with 35+ TD passes in 1st season with team. Became 4th player ever with 12 games of 2+ TD passes & 100+ rating in single season. Has 2+TD passes & 100+ rating in 6 of his 7 road starts in 2024. • RB AARON JONES has 1,471 scrimmage yards (1,093 rush, 378 rec.) in 2024, his 4th-career season with 1,400 scrimmage yards. Aims for his 5th in row with 75+ scrimmage yards. Had 116 scrimmage yards (93 rush, 23 rec.) & rush TD in Week 7 meeting. • WR JUSTIN JEFFERSON ranks 2nd in NFL in rec. yards (1,479), tied-5th in rec. TDs (10) & 7th in receptions (100) in 2024 & can become 5th player ever with 3 career seasons of 100+ catches & 1,500+ rec. yards. Has most rec. yards (7,378) & 3rd-most receptions (492) by player in 1st 5 seasons ever & can join Michael Thomas (510) as only players all-time with 500 catches in 1st 5 seasons. Has 69 catches (7.7 per game) for 1,154 yards (128.2 per game) & 4 TDs in 9 career games vs. Det. Aims for his 4th in row at Det. with 11+ catches & 180+ rec. yards & 5th in row at Det. with 125+ rec. yards. • WR JORDAN ADDISON had 9th rec. TD of season last week & has 19 career rec. TDs, tied 4th-most by player under age 23 in NFL history. Can become 5th WR in SB era with 10+ rec. TDs in each of his 1st 2 career seasons. • TE T.J. HOCKENSON needs 54 rec. yards for 5th-straight 500-yard season. • LB BLAKE CASHMAN led team with 11 tackles & had career-high 1.5 sacks last week. Needs 2 tackles for new career high (104 in 2023). • LB ANDREW VAN GINKEL has career highs in sacks (11.5) & TFL (17) in 2024. Had 2 sacks, 3 TFL & FF in Week 7 meeting. Aims for his 5th in row on road with sack & 6th in row on road with TFL. • LB JONATHAN GREENARD has career-high 16 TFL in 2024 & aims for his 6th in row on road with TFL. Had sack & FF in Week 7 meeting. • CB BYRON MURPHY has career-high 14 PD in 2024.
LIONS NOTES:
LIONS have won franchise-record 14 games in 2024 & can win consec. div. titles for 1st time since 1970. Lead NFL with 33.3 points per game & have 6 games with 40+ points, tied-most in single season all-time. Became 4th team ever with 3 players each with 12+ TDs in same season • QB JARED GOFF passed for 303 yards & 3 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 132.4 rating last week & has 42 career games with 300+ pass yards, 2nd-most by player in 1st 9 seasons all-time. Has 4th-most pass yards (34,827) & completions (3,020) by player in 1st 9 seasons in NFL history. Ranks 2nd in rating (113.6) & pass yards (4,398) & 4th in TD passes (36) in 2024. Aims for his 4th in row with 300+ pass yards, 5th in row with 3+ TD passes & 6th in row with 100+ rating. Has 2,653 pass yards (294.8 per game) & 17 TDs vs. 3 INTs for 107.3 rating in 9 career starts vs. Min., incl. 280 pass yards, 2 TDs & 140 rating in Week 7 meeting. • RB JAHMYR GIBBS had 163 scrimmage yards (117 rush, 46 rec.) & 13th rush TD of season last week & became 5th player under age 23 with 20 career games with TD. Ranks tied-2nd in scrimmage TDs (16), 3rd in scrimmage yards (1,756) & 6th in rush yards (1,273) in 2024. Can become 1st player ever with 70+ scrimmage yards in 17 games within single season. Aims for his 4th in row with 100+ scrimmage yards & 5th in row with TD. • WR AMON-RA ST. BROWN ranks 2nd in catches (109), tied-2nd in rec. TDs (12) & 4th in rec. yards (1,186) in 2024 & has 424 career receptions, 2nd-most by player in 1st 4 seasons all-time. Aims for his 4th in row vs. Min with 7+ catches, 100+ rec. yards & TD catch. • WR JAMESON WILLIAMS had 7th rec. TD & 1st rush TD of season last week. Needs 33 rec. yards for 1st-career 1,000-yard season. • TE SAM LAPORTA had 17th-career rec. TD last week, tied with HOFer Mike Ditka for 2nd-most by TE in 1st 2 seasons in NFL history. • DB BRIAN BRANCH had 2nd-career sack last week. Is 1st DB with 100+ tackles (103), 15+ PD (15) & 5+ TFL (8) in single season since 2000. • DB KERBY JOSEPH had 3rd-career game with 2 INTs last week & leads NFL with career-high 9 INTs in 2024. • LB JACK CAMPBELL led team with 9 tackles last week & has career-high 119 tackles in 2024.
NFL REVEALS DATES ON FRANCHISE TAGS, NEW LEAGUE YEAR
The NFL on Thursday announced several important dates that affect the league’s qualifying teams for the upcoming playoffs and the 2025 season at large.
Case in point is Monday for free-agent signings and renegotiating or extending rookie contracts of a drafted rookie who was selected in any round of the 2022 NFL Draft or any undrafted rookie who signed in 2023.
On Wednesday beginning at 4 p.m. ET, rosters will be frozen for clubs participating in the playoffs with limited exceptions. The first round is Jan. 11-13.
From Feb. 18-March 4, NFL clubs may designate franchise or transition players.
The NFL Scouting Combine will be held from Feb. 24-March 3 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
On March 12, the new league year begins in earnest at 4 p.m. ET, while the annual league meeting will be conducted from March 30-April 2 in Palm Beach, Fla.
The NFL Draft will be held on April 24-26 on Green Bay, Wis., while May 1 will serve as the deadline for clubs to exercise fifth-year options for players selected in the first round of the 2022 draft.
Below is a list of additional important deadlines:
July 15 at 4 p.m. ET — This serves as the deadline for any club that designated a franchise player to sign said player to a multiyear contract or extension.
July 21 at 4 p.m. ET — This serves as the end of the signing period for transition players without outstanding tenders.
DOLPHINS FACE RODGERS AND JETS NEEDING A WIN AND SOME HELP TO COMPLETE A PLAYOFF-BOUND TURNAROUND
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The Miami Dolphins were struggling midway through the season, playing nothing like a potential playoff contender.
“We started off 2-6,” wide receiver Jaylen Waddle said, “and look at us now.”
The Dolphins are 8-8 heading into the regular-season finale Sunday against Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets (4-12) needing a win — and some help elsewhere — to reach the postseason for the third straight year.
It seemed a highly unlikely scenario for Miami just a few weeks ago.
“It’s a long season,” Waddle said. “We came a long way. The team grew in different ways with people being in and out of the lineup, being banged up. It allowed the team to grow. Playing meaningful football in January, it means a lot. This team really stepped up to the plate, stepped up to the challenge all year.
“I’m proud of it.”
The Dolphins kept their playoff hopes alive last week by beating the Cleveland Browns 20-3 with Tyler “Snoop” Huntley filling in at quarterback with Tua Tagovailoa dealing with a hip injury. Huntley could again be under center Sunday with the season on the line.
Miami also needs a loss by Denver to Kansas City, which will rest quarterback Patrick Mahomes and start Carson Wentz instead. So, the Dolphins will also be Chiefs fans this week.
“My wife is from Missouri, actually, so I think I have to be a little bit, right?” defensive tackle Zach Sieler said, drawing laughs.
Meanwhile, Rodgers and the Jets could play the role of spoiler against their AFC East rivals.
New York was in the same spot as Miami, sitting at 2-6 and already having fired coach Robert Saleh. The Jets won against Houston to improve to 3-6. But unlike Miami, New York failed to turn its season around by going 1-6 since — including a 32-26 overtime loss to the Dolphins on Dec. 8.
Rodgers and the Jets face an offseason of uncertainty. The 41-year-old quarterback will take some time after Sunday to decide if he wants to continue playing, and New York — which will hire a new coach and general manager — will determine whether it wants to move forward with Rodgers.
“You know at some point this group will never get together (again),” Rodgers said. “So, just enjoying the last few moments with the guys and we obviously want to put a good product on the field.
“And Miami is playing for something, so we can kind of send them to vacation as well.”
No peeking
The Dolphins know part of their fate is in the hands of the Chiefs, who will kick off during the same 4:25 p.m. Eastern window as Miami’s matchup with the Jets.
But several Dolphins insisted they have no plans to keep tabs on that game.
“I think you know my answer is going to be I’m going to be worried about who I’ve got to block,” fullback Alec Ingold said. “What the assignment is, what my alignment is. … I mean, I can’t imagine the amount of regret that would go on the field if you miss an assignment, you miss a block because you’re up there peeking at a scoreboard. That’s not professional, and I don’t think that’s what we should be doing.”
Mr. 500
Rodgers failed to throw a touchdown pass in the Jets’ 40-14 blowout loss at Buffalo last week, so he enters the finale with 499 for his career in the regular season.
He needs one to join Tom Brady (649), Drew Brees (571), Peyton Manning (539) and Brett Favre (508) as the only players to throw 500 regular-season TD passes. And with retirement a possibility, it could be Rodgers’ last chance at the milestone.
“I would be fine sleeping in my bed 20 years from now with 499,” Rodgers said with a smile. “But 500 definitely looks better on paper.”
Milestone watches
Dolphins running back De’Von Achane needs one TD catch to join Kansas City’s Kareem Hunt as the only players in NFL history with 10 TD runs and 10 TD receptions over their first two seasons.
Miami WR Tyreek Hill needs one touchdown to become the first wide receiver and fifth player in NFL history to have seven or more TDs from scrimmage in each of his first nine seasons. Hill is also four catches from becoming the fourth player in NFL history to have 800 receptions and 11,000 yards receiving over their first nine seasons.
Rodgers and Davante Adams have connected 82 times for touchdowns, including the playoffs, and need one to pass Miami’s Dan Marino and Mark Clayton for third on the NFL’s list of QB-WR duos.
Adams also needs 25 yards receiving to reach 1,000 for the fifth straight season, and sixth overall.
Dodson’s Dream
Many players would be pleased with being recognized for their impactful play during a season in which they were cut by another team.
Not Tyrel Dodson.
The Dolphins linebacker was waived by Seattle in November, claimed by Miami a day later and thrust into the starting lineup in place of injured linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. against Cleveland. Dodson led Miami with 15 tackles, an interception, quarterback hit and a pass breakup.
“It’s not satisfying at all,” Dodson said. “I’m not satisfied until I go down as the best ever to do this and that’s the goal I have in my mind. I don’t know how I’m going to get there, but I’m going to keep working to get there.”
BAILEY ZAPPE TO START AT QUARTERBACK FOR BROWNS’ SEASON FINALE IN BALTIMORE, AP SOURCE SAYS
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Bailey Zappe will start at quarterback for the Cleveland Browns on Saturday in their season finale at Baltimore, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Thursday.
Zappe, who was signed off Kansas City’s practice squad in October after Deshaun Watson ruptured his Achilles tendon, will be the Browns’ fourth starting quarterback this season and No. 40 since 1999.
Coach Kevin Stefanski s aid earlier this week he would likely play both Zappe and Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who struggled while starting Cleveland’s past two games, against the Ravens (11-5).
Stefanski waited until after Thursday’s practice before informing the QBs of his decision to start Zappe, said the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the team has not announced the move.
Zappe’s start will continue an odd tradition of new QBs starting the season finale for Cleveland. In the past, Connor Shaw, Thaddeus Lewis and Bruce Gradkowski were among a group of QBs who made their only starts for the Browns (3-13) in the final week.
Zappe went 4-4 in eight career starts for New England. The 25-year-old has thrown for 2,053 yards with 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
BILLS’ ALLEN LIKELY TO EXTEND CONSECUTIVE GAMES STARTING STREAK IN FINALE AT PATS
Buffalo (13-3) at New England (3-13)
Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, CBS
BetMGM NFL odds: Bills by 3.
Series record: Patriots lead 78-51-1.
Against the spread: Bills 10-6, Patriots 6-9-1.
Last meeting: Bills beat Patriots 24-21 on Dec. 22, at Orchard Park, New York.
Last week: Bills beat Jets 40-14; Patriots lost to Chargers 40-7.
Bills offense: overall (9), rush (9), pass (9), scoring (2).
Bills defense: overall (20), rush (13), pass (22), scoring (11).
Patriots offense: overall (30), rush (13), pass (32), scoring (30).
Patriots defense: overall (23), rush (25), pass (15), scoring (26).
Turnover differential: Bills plus-23; Patriots minus-10.
Bills player to watch
QB Mitchell Trubisky. Coach Sean McDermott has already said he plans to rest numerous starters, with Josh Allen scheduled to take the first offensive snap — and not many more — for the purpose of extending his consecutive games starting streak to 115 (including playoffs). That means Trubisky will get his most extensive opportunity to run the offense this season. With several reserves expected to be promoted from the practice squad, one of Trubisky’s objectives will be completing a TD pass to a player who has not yet scored this season. Buffalo has matched the NFL single-season record with 13 players scoring at least one touchdown receiving.
Patriots player to watch
QB Drake Maye. He has thrown a touchdown pass in eight consecutive games, the longest streak by a rookie in franchise history. He also has a 66.8% completion rate so far. The highest completion rate by an NFL rookie quarterback is 67.8 in 2016 by Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott. The highest rate ever by a Patriots quarterback was Tom Brady in 2007, at 68.9.
Key injuries
Bills starting LB Terrel Bernard has already been ruled out because of a quadriceps injury. S Damar Hamlin will play only if he’s fully cleared after missing three games with a rib injury, with the same applying to WR Curtis Samuel (rib), who’s missed two games. S Taylor Rapp will likely sit out to rest a nagging neck injury. McDermott ruled out promoting veteran S Micah Hyde from the practice squad. … Patriots QB Drake Maye is dealing with a hand issue. CB Christian Gonzalez remained in the concussion protocol to begin the week. WRs Ja’Lynn Polk (shoulder) and Kayshon Boutte (illness) also missed the first practice of the week. S Kyle Dugger is still bothered by ankle and quadriceps ailments.
Series notes
Buffalo overcame a 14-0 second-quarter deficit by scoring 24 consecutive points — capped by cornerback Taron Johnson recovering Drake Maye’s errant backward pass in the end zone — in beating the Patriots two weeks ago. … The Bills are 8-2 in their past 10 meetings, including the playoffs, in a stretch that coincides with Tom Brady leaving New England for Tampa Bay following the 2019 season. The Patriots, under Brady, dominated Buffalo in going 34-4 during his 19-year tenure as starter.
Stats and stuff
Buffalo’s 13 wins match a single-season team record previously set four times, including twice before (2020 and ’22) during coach Sean McDermott’s eight-year tenure. … The Bills are 24-5 against division opponents since 2020, tied with Kansas City over that span. … The Bills have already set single-season records for most points (509), touchdowns scored (63) and 40-point outings (four). … Since 2018, Buffalo has scored 40 or more points 13 times with Allen starting — and 14 including a 2018 start by backup Matt Barkley. In the post-Jim Kelly/pre-Allen era from 1997 to 2017, Buffalo scored 40 or more 13 times. … Buffalo is the ninth NFL team to have 13 players score at least one TD receiving, and first since the Bills had that many in 2020. Tampa Bay was the first team to have that many in 2003, while Buffalo is the first team to have that happened twice. … RB James Cook’s NFL-leading 15 TDs rushing are tied with Allen (2023) on Buffalo’s single-season list. O.J. Simpson set the record with 16 in a 14-game season in 1975. … Buffalo’s defense has forced a turnover in all but one game this season, and enters Week 18 tied for the NFL lead with 31 takeaways. …The Patriots rank 30th in the NFL in the red zone, scoring a touchdown on 47.7% (21 of 44) of their chances inside the 20-yard line. … The Patriots are 2-6 in one-score games this season. … Maye has at least one turnover in eight consecutive games. … TE Hunter Henry enters the week fifth on New England’s list among tight ends with 19 TD catches. With one more he will be the fifth Patriots tight end to reach 20. … S/ST Brendan Schooler was the lone player selected to the initial Pro Bowl Games roster. He has a team-leading nine special teams tackles this season. With one more he will reach 10 in each of his first three NFL seasons. … With 63 tackles this season, Davon Godchaux is the only defensive lineman in the NFL with at least 55 tackles in each of his first four seasons. He had 65 in 2021, 62 in 2022 and 56 in 2023.
Fantasy tip
Patriots rookie QB Joe Milton is expected to see significant playing time in the finale. Though Maye will likely start the game, Milton will probably get the majority of reps Sunday.
WASHINGTON PREPS FOR PLAYOFFS AS COWBOYS FINISH SEASON THAT ENDED 3-YEAR POSTSEASON RUN
Washington (11-5) at Dallas (7-9)
Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, Fox
BetMGM NFL Odds: Commanders by 4 1/2.
Against the spread: Commanders 10-5-1; Cowboys 6-10.
Series record: Cowboys lead 79-48-2.
Last meeting: Cowboys beat Commanders 34-26 on Nov. 24, at Landover, Maryland.
Last week: Commanders beat Falcons 30-24; Cowboys lost to Eagles 41-7.
Commanders offense: overall (4), rush (3), pass (16), scoring (5).
Commanders defense: overall (9), rush (28), pass (3), scoring (19).
Cowboys offense: overall (19), rush (27), pass (11), scoring (21).
Cowboys defense: overall (28), rush (29), pass (20), scoring (31).
Turnover differential: Commanders plus-2; Cowboys minus-7.
Commanders player to watch
WR Terry McLaurin had just one catch for 5 yards last week against Atlanta, when he was shadowed by Falcons CB A.J. Terrell all game. Rookie QB Jayden Daniels targeted McLaurin seven times, and he will almost certainly look his top receiver’s way a lot again, even if Dallas CB Daron Bland follows him all over the field. Daniels and McLaurin were each selected to the Pro Bowl on Thursday.
Cowboys players to watch
QBs Cooper Rush and Trey Lance. Coach Mike McCarthy has been coy this week about whether Lance might finally get a look for the first time since he played extensively in the preseason. Rush has validated the belief in the club’s front office that he’s a solid backup to Dak Prescott, going 4-4 since the star quarterback’s season-ending hamstring injury. It’s highly unlikely one regular-season start would move the needle much on Dallas’ sense of wanting to bring back Lance, who came in a trade before last season after Lance lost the battle for the backup job in San Francisco. The 49ers moved up to get him with the No. 3 pick in the 2021 draft. The return of Lance seems like a long shot. Either way, the Cowboys will be in the market for a backup in the offseason. Rush and Lance are on expiring contracts.
Key matchup
Commanders run game vs. Dallas defense. Washington had to lean heavily on the pass to beat the Falcons, but RB Austin Ekeler is on track to return after missing the past four games with a concussion. The Cowboys were woeful against the run early in the season, improved some and then simply broke down as the blowout loss to the Eagles wore on. NFL rushing leader Saquon Barkley had 127 of his 167 yards rushing in the second half last week.
Key injuries
Commanders CB Marshon Lattimore could miss a second consecutive game after aggravating the hamstring injury that knocked him out for several weeks earlier this season. … Washington’s offensive line is banged up with injuries to C Tyler Biadasz (ankle) and OT Cornelius Lucas (groin). Starting RT Andrew Wylie is progressing and could return from his groin injury.
Series notes
Washington’s most recent road victory over the Cowboys was in 2020. That’s also the previous time the Commanders made the playoffs. The 41-16 Thanksgiving victory helped Washington win the NFC East at 7-9 before a wild-card loss to Tampa Bay and Tom Brady. The Cowboys can sweep the series for the third time in four seasons since then.
Stats and stuff
The Commanders are in the playoffs under first-year coach Dan Quinn, who made the postseason each of the past three years as the defensive coordinator for 12-5 teams with the Cowboys. … Washington is on a four-game winning streak since losing to Dallas as a double-digit favorite at home. … The Commanders last reached 11 wins in 1991, the most recent of the franchise’s three Super Bowl-winning seasons. … Daniels threw three touchdown passes against Atlanta, including the game-winner to TE Zach Ertz in overtime. Daniels is the first player in NFL history with eight-plus TD passes and 200-plus rushing yards over a two-game span. … RBs Brian Robinson, Chris Rodriguez and Jeremy McNichols have combined for just 124 yards on 58 carries over the past three games, an average of 2.14 yards an attempt. … McLaurin is the only player with 70-plus catches and 1,000-plus yards receiving in each of the past five seasons. … WR Olamide Zaccheaus tied his career high with eight catches last week and had 85 yards receiving. … Ertz earned $750,000 in contract incentives for getting to six TDs, 60 catches and 600 yards receiving. … Six-time All-Pro LB Bobby Wagner leads the team with 124 tackles. … LB Dante Fowler, who played the previous two seasons with Dallas, has 10 1/2 sacks and 14 tackles for loss this season. … S Quan Martin made his first interception of the season last week, picking off Falcons rookie QB Michael Penix Jr. … The first four 100-yard games of Cowboys RB Rico Dowdle’s career have come in the past five weeks. Those are the most triple-digit showings for a Dallas back since Ezekiel Elliott had seven in 2019. The Cowboys brought back their former two-time rushing champ on a one-year contract this season, but released Elliott this week. … WR Jalen Tolbert has a touchdown catch in each of the past three games. … Edge rusher Micah Parsons needs half a sack to reach 10 for a fourth consecutive season to start his career. The other three players to do that are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. … K Brandon Aubrey needs one field goal to break the club record of 36 he set as a 28-year-old rookie last season.
RODGERS AND JETS ARE IN THE SPOILER ROLE AS DOLPHINS NEED A WIN TO KEEP THEIR PLAYOFF HOPES ALIVE
Miami (8-8) at New York Jets (4-12)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. EST, Fox.
BetMGM NFL odds: Dolphins by 1 1/2.
Against the spread: Dolphins 7-9; Jets 5-11.
Series record: Dolphins lead 61-56-1.
Last meeting: Dolphins beat Jets beat 32-26 in overtime on Dec. 8, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Last week: Dolphins beat Browns 20-3; Jets lost to Bills 40-14.
Dolphins offense: overall (18), rush (24), pass (15), scoring (22).
Dolphins defense: overall (3), rush (9), pass (9), scoring (8).
Jets offense: overall (24), rush (31), pass (17), scoring (24).
Jets defense: overall (5), rush (15), pass (5), scoring (21).
Turnover differential: Dolphins minus-3; Jets minus-5.
Dolphins player to watch
QB Tyler “Snoop” Huntley. The backup quarterback is in line to make his fifth start for Miami if Tua Tagovailoa’s hip injury sidelines him for a second straight game. Huntley said he felt comfortable against Cleveland last week, when he started and completed more than 80% of his passes for 225 yards with one TD toss and a TD run. Huntley, a threat to extend plays with his legs, led the Dolphins in rushing with 52 yards on seven attempts.
Jets player to watch
QB Aaron Rodgers. The 41-year-old Rodgers could be playing in his last game for the Jets, and possibly his career. The four-time NFL MVP is undecided about his playing future and it’s uncertain if New York will want to move forward with the quarterback, who has one year left on his contract. Rodgers still has a milestone in his sights: He has 499 regular-season touchdown passes and can become the fifth player in NFL history to have 500.
Key matchup
Dolphins TE Jonnu Smith vs. Jets’ pass coverage. Smith burned New York in the teams’ most recent meeting, when he had all three of his receptions in overtime, including the winning 10-yard TD catch. Smith has a career-high 79 receptions this season, tied with Tyreek Hill for the team lead.
Key injuries
Tagovailoa was limited in practice Wednesday, with the Dolphins waiting to see how his hip injury progresses before they made a decision on his status. … WR Jaylen Waddle (knee) will likely return after missing the past two games. … OT Kendall Lamm (back) was placed on injured reserve Wednesday. … Terron Armstead, Miami’s other starting tackle, is nursing the same knee injury that has plagued him all season. … Jets CB Sauce Gardner (hamstring), DL Quinnen Williams (hamstring), TE Tyler Conklin (calf), right tackle Morgan Moses (knee) and RG Alijah Vera-Tucker (ankle) were dealing with injuries that made their availability for the game uncertain. … S Chuck Clark was placed on IR with a torn pectoral. … K Greg Zuerlein was also placed on IR after his back tightened at Buffalo. Greg Joseph will replace him Sunday.
Series notes
This is the 118th regular-season meeting between the AFC East rivals, but the series has been lopsided recently with the Dolphins winning eight of the past nine matchups. The Dolphins swept the Jets in 2023, including a 30-0 win in December 2023, which was the first time Miami shut out a team since 2020, when it also blanked the Jets 24-0.. … Mike McDaniel is 4-1 against the Jets as Miami’s head coach. … The teams have played once in the postseason: January 1983, when A.J. Duhe returned one of his three interceptions of Richard Todd for a touchdown in Miami’s 14-0 win over New York to win the AFC championship game — known as the “Mud Bowl” for the sloppy field conditions at the Orange Bowl.
Stats and stuff
The Dolphins need to win Sunday and have Denver lose to Kansas City to earn the last AFC wild-card spot. … Miami has made the playoffs in each of McDaniel’s first two seasons. … The most recent time the Dolphins made the playoffs in three straight seasons was 1999-2001. … A win would make McDaniel the first Miami head coach to sweep both the Jets and Patriots in consecutive seasons since Don Shula in 1972-73. … RB De’Von Achane needs one TD catch to become the second player in NFL history to have 10 rushing TDs and 10 receiving TDs in his first two seasons. … Smith needs one TD reception to reach eight and set a single-season franchise record for most touchdown catches by a tight end. … WR Tyreek Hill caught all nine of his targets for 105 yards with Huntley at QB last week. It was just Hill’s third 100-yard receiving game of the season, and his first since Week 14 against the Jets. Hill has 41 catches, 596 yards and six TDs in seven games against the Jets. … DT Zach Sieler was voted the Dolphins’ most valuable player by local media. He needs 1 1/2 sacks to become the first Dolphins player to have 10-plus sacks in back-to-back seasons since Cameron Wake in 2016 and 2017. … The Jets play in their final game before what will be a busy offseason. Aside from Rodgers’ future, New York will also be looking for a new general manager and coach. … Jeff Ulbrich is 2-9 since replacing the fired Robert Saleh as coach on Oct. 8. … Rodgers is looking to join Tom Brady (649), Drew Brees (571), Peyton Manning (539) and Brett Favre (508) as the only players to throw 500 regular-season TD passes. … Rodgers has 24 TD passes this season. One more will make it the 14th time in his 20-year career he reached the mark, tying him with Brees (14) for the third-most seasons with at least that many. Only Brady (17) and Manning (16) have more. … Rodgers and Davante Adams have connected for TDs 82 times, including the playoffs, tying Miami’s Dan Marino and Mark Clayton for the third most by a QB-WR duo in NFL history. … The Jets have gone 14 offensive possessions without a touchdown with Rodgers at quarterback, going back to their opening-drive score against the Los Angeles Rams on Dec. 22. … Tyrod Taylor replaced Rodgers last week in the fourth quarter and led two touchdown drives. … The Jets had 16 accepted penalties against the Bills, their most since 2018, and lead the NFL with 131. … WR Garrett Wilson became the 10th player in NFL history to start his career with 1,000 yards receiving in each of his first three seasons. He also joined George Sauer as the only players in franchise history to get 1,000 yards receiving in three straight seasons at any point in their careers. … Wilson needs 13 receptions in the finale to top Brandon Marshall’s franchise record of 109, set in 2015, for the most in a season. … Adams needs 25 yards receiving to reach 1,000 for the fifth straight season, and sixth overall. … LB Quincy Williams joined Marvin Jones (2001-04) and David Harris (2009-15) as the only Jets with four straight seasons of 100 or more tackles since 1991. … Joseph will be the franchise-record fifth kicker the Jets will use in a game this season, including Zuerlein, Riley Patterson, Spencer Shrader and Anders Carlson. New York will be the first team to use that many kickers in one season since Jacksonville used six in 2020.
Fantasy tip
If you’ve got a league still playing or are in a daily fantasy league, Adams is likely a good play since he’s on the brink of a few personal milestones.
BARKLEY WILL NOT PURSUE SEASON RUSHING RECORD FOR NFC EAST CHAMPION EAGLES AGAINST GIANTS
New York at (3-13) at Philadelphia (13-3)
Sunday, 1 p.m., EST, CBS
BetMGM NFL Odds: Eagles by 3 1/2
Against the spread: New York 4-11-1; Philadelphia 10-6
Series record: Eagles lead 91-86-2
Last meeting: Saquon Barkley rushed for 176 yards to lead Philadelphia to a 28-3 victory in New York on Oct. 20.
Last week: Giants defeated the Colts 45-33. Eagles routed the Cowboys 41-7.
Giants offense: overall (29), rush (22), pass (27), scoring (31).
Giants defense: overall (24), rush (31), pass (10), scoring (23).
Eagles offense: overall (6), rush (1), pass (30), scoring (7).
Eagles defense: overall (1), rush (10), pass (1), scoring (T-6).
Turnover differential: Giants: minus-7; Eagles: plus-10.
Giants player to watch
Wide receiver Malik Nabers. The No. 6 overall pick has 104 catches for 1,140 yards and 6 touchdowns and is four receptions shy of topping Steve Smith’s franchise mark of 107 catches in a season, set in 2009.
Eagles player to watch
QB Tanner McKee. The third-string quarterback could start with Jalen Hurts and backup Kenny Pickett sidelined by injuries. McKee threw two touchdown passes and put the finishing touches on a rout against Dallas.
Key matchup
If Barkley played, it would have been New York’s rushing defense vs. Barkley. The Giants are second from the bottom in the NFL by allowing an average of 141.6 rushing yards per game. In Barkley’s place, the Giants rushing defense will be contending with Kenneth Gainwell.
Key injuries
Giants: Defensive lineman Armon Watts (knee) was injured in the first half against the Colts last week and didn’t return. He underwent surgery and won’t play on Sunday, coach Brian Daboll said on Wednesday. C John Michael Schmitz (ankle) and LB Micah McFadden (neck) did not play against Indianapolis. Neither practiced on Wednesday. RT Evan Neal (rib/hip) also didn’t practice on Wednesday.
Eagles: QB Jalen Hurts (concussion) did not play last week and missed the final three quarters against Washington the week before after getting injured early against the Commanders. The Eagles held a walkthrough on Wednesday rather than a full practice, but Hurts would not have participated had it been a full practice. Either way, he likely will not play this week to heal up for the playoffs. TE Dallas Goedert (knee), out since Dec. 1 and LB Nakobe Dean (abdominal), who missed last week’s game against Dallas, would have been full participants on Wednesday if the Eagles held a full practice rather than a walkthrough. Many starters either didn’t participate on Wednesday because of rest and several others were limited participants.
Series notes
The Eagles are NFC East champions for the second time in three seasons. The Giants finished last in the division for the second time in the past four. New York lost the inside track for the top pick in the draft by beating the Colts last week.
Stats and stuff
Giants QB Drew Lock passed for 309 yards and four touchdowns without an interception and ran for a 5-yard score in the win over the Colts that snapped a 10-game losing streak. … The victory over Indianapolis kept the Giants from becoming the first team to go 0-9 at home, but also knocked them out of control of the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft. … New York had six plays of 30 or more yards against Indianapolis. … Ihmir Smith-Marsette returned a kickoff 100 yards for a score last Sunday. … WR Malik Nabers has 104 catches for 1,140 yards and 6 touchdowns and is four receptions shy of topping Steve Smith’s franchise mark of 107 catches in a season, set in 2009. … Philadelphia is locked into the No. 2 seed in the NFC and will host either Washington or Green Bay on January 11, 12 or 13 in a wild-card game. If Washington loses Sunday to Dallas and Green Bay beats Chicago, the Commanders are headed to Philadelphia. If the Commanders win, the Packers are the No. 7 seed and play the Eagles. … Philadelphia needs 35 points to eclipse the club record of 477, set in 2022. … Brown joined Mike Quick (1983–85) as Eagles receivers to reach 1,000-plus receiving yards in three straight seasons last week. Brown stands at 1,079 yards and has surpassed 1,000 in each of the past three seasons. … Zack Baun has a career-high 150 tackles, which ranks third in the NFL. … C.J. Gardner-Johnson has four interceptions in the past four games.
Fantasy tip
For those still playing in fantasy leagues, Nabers could have another big game to close out his stellar rookie season.
PRO BOWL ROSTERS INCLUDE 9 RAVENS, 7 LIONS, 6 VIKINGS AND EAGLES AND NO PATRICK MAHOMES
Nine Baltimore Ravens, including two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, were selected for the Pro Bowl Games.
The Detroit Lions are next with seven players and the Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles each have six players on the NFC roster.
Patrick Mahomes wasn’t selected to the AFC roster for the first time since becoming Kansas City’s starting quarterback in his second season. Mahomes, a three-time Super Bowl MVP and six-time Pro Bowl pick, wasn’t among five Chiefs chosen. Teammate Travis Kelce made it for the 10th time.
Washington’s Jayden Daniels is just the fourth rookie quarterback since 1970 selected to the initial Pro Bowl roster. Raiders tight end Brock Bowers and Rams outside linebacker Jared Verse are the other rookies among 24 players chosen for the first time.
Detroit’s Jared Goff is the NFC’s starting quarterback and Minnesota’s Sam Darnold also made the team. The AFC’s starting quarterback is Buffalo’s Josh Allen. Jackson and Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow are the backups.
Philadelphia’s Saquon Barkley, who became the ninth player to rush for 2,000 yards, is the NFC’s starting running back.
San Francisco’s Kyle Juszczyk was selected to his ninth Pro Bowl, the most ever by a fullback. Indianapolis’ Quenton Nelson is the third offensive lineman since 1970 to be selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first seven career seasons.
Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase is the fourth wide receiver to be selected in each of his first four seasons. Dallas’ Micah Parsons is the first defensive player chosen in each of his first four seasons since Aaron Donald went to 10 straight.
Wide receiver Zay Flowers, safety Kyle Hamilton, cornerback Marlon Humphrey, center Tyler Linderbaum, defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike, fullback Patrick Ricard and inside linebacker Roquan Smith are the other Ravens.
Safety Brian Branch, running back Jahmyr Gibbs, center Frank Ragnow, right tackle Penei Sewell, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and punter Jack Fox join Goff from the Lions.
Wide receiver Justin Jefferson, outside linebackers Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard, cornerback Byron Murphy and long snapper Andrew DePaola are the other Vikings.
Right tackle Lane Johnson, center Cam Jurgens and left guard Landon Dickerson, defensive tackle Jalen Carter and inside linebacker Zack Baun are going from Philadelphia.
The Dolphins, Jets, Titans and Saints are the only teams not represented.
This is the third year of the Pro Bowl Games after the NFL eliminated its full-contact all-star game and replaced it with weeklong skills competitions and a flag football game.
The games will take place at Central Florida and finish with a seven-on-seven flag football game between the AFC and NFC at Camping World Stadium on Feb. 2.
Peyton and Eli Manning again will be head coaches for the two conferences.
BENGALS RB CHASE BROWN, WR TEE HIGGINS QUESTIONABLE VS. STEELERS
Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown and wide receiver Tee Higgins are listed as questionable to play on Saturday night in the season finale against the host Pittsburgh Steelers.
Brown has failed to participate in practice both days this week while nursing an ankle injury. Higgins is dealing with ankle and knee ailments.
The Bengals (8-8) need to beat the Steelers (10-6) and have the Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins lose their respective games in order to qualify the playoffs.
Brown sustained a right ankle injury late in the fourth quarter in Cincinnati’s 30-24 overtime victory over the visiting Broncos last Saturday. He ran 5 yards but hurt himself when he intentionally slid at the 1-yard line in an attempt to keep the clock moving. After his injury stopped the clock, Joe Burrow ran it in for a score on the next play with 1:29 left in the game.
The Broncos then scored the tying touchdown with eight seconds to play, and Khalil Herbert took Brown’s place in the backfield.
Brown, 24, has rushed for 990 yards and seven touchdowns. He also has 54 receptions for 360 yards and four scores.
On Thursday, the Bengals signed running back Kendall Milton off the practice squad. He will join Herbert and Trayveon Williams on the roster behind Brown.
Higgins, 25, is coming off his best performance of the season. He reeled in 11 catches for 131 yards and three touchdowns against the Broncos, including the winning 3-yard scoring strike in overtime.
Higgins has 69 catches for 858 yards and 10 touchdowns this season.
Cincinnati defensive end Sam Hubbard has been ruled out with a knee injury, while tight end Drew Sample (groin), wide receiver Charlie Jones (groin), cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (ankle) and offensive tackle Amarius Mims (ankle, hand) are deemed questionable for Saturday’s game.
NBA NEWS
PISTONS GUARD JADEN IVEY HAS SURGERY ON LEG HE BROKE IN COLLISION VS. MAGIC
DETROIT (AP) — Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey had surgery on his left leg, a day after breaking his fibula in a collision during a win over the Orlando Magic.
The Pistons said Thursday that Ivey will be reevaluated in four weeks.
“I promise to come back even better,” Ivey wrote in a social media post. “The recovery starts now #DetroitBasketball.”
Detroit drafted Ivey with the No. 5 overall pick in 2022 and the former Purdue star was having a breakout year. Ivey averaged 17.6 points and 4.1 rebounds — both career highs — along with four assists in 30 games this season.
He was injured when Orlando’s Cole Anthony slipped and fell as he and Ivey went for the ball. Anthony’s momentum carried him into Ivey’s planted leg, knocking Ivey to the floor. The 22-year-old Ivey was in obvious distress as he grabbed for his shin, and the team’s medical staff quickly attended to him.
Members of the training staff held up towels to block the crowd’s view of the injury and players from both teams formed a circle around him. After a lengthy delay, he was loaded onto a stretcher and wheeled out of the arena with a towel covering the injury.
“It is tough for all of us,” Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said after Detroit’s 105-96 victory. “There’s no better person or teammate than J.I. and no one cares more about this than he does.”
NBA ROUNDUP: STEPHEN CURRY (8-FOR-8 ON TREYS) CARRIES WARRIORS
Stephen Curry added to his 3-point-shooting lore Thursday night, making all eight of his attempts for the first time in his career as the Golden State Warriors routed the Philadelphia 76ers 139-105 in San Francisco.
Curry finished with 30 points and 10 assists on a night when he became the first in NBA history to go at least 8-for-8 on 3-pointers and compile double-digit assists on the same night. The NBA record of 9-for-9 is shared by Latrell Sprewell, Ben Gordon (twice) and Jalen Brunson.
Jonathan Kuminga chipped in with 20 points off the bench, while Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins and Dennis Schroder had 15 apiece for the Warriors, who took advantage of a Philadelphia team playing the second night of a road back-to-back to get an early jump en route to a runaway win.
Joel Embiid, who sat out Philadelphia’s 113-107 loss at Sacramento on Wednesday that ended the 76ers’ four-game winning streak, returned to pace the team with 28 points and 14 rebounds.
Thunder 116, Clippers 98
Oklahoma City earned its 13th consecutive victory — and longest winning streak since the franchise moved from Seattle — by beating visiting Los Angeles.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 29 points and Jalen Williams added 18 to help the Thunder move within one win of the franchise’s all-time longest winning streak. The 1995-96 Seattle SuperSonics notched 14 straight wins.
The Clippers’ leading scorer this season, Norman Powell, missed his first 10 shots and didn’t connect until four minutes into the fourth. The shooting guard finished with a season-low six points on 1-of-11 shooting. Amir Coffey led Los Angeles with a season-high 26 points.
Lakers 114, Trail Blazers 106
LeBron James scored 38 points and dished eight assists and Max Christie added a career-high 28 points as Los Angeles overcame the absence of Anthony Davis to beat visiting Portland.
Austin Reaves registered 15 points and 11 assists as the Lakers won for the sixth time in their past eight games. Davis was a late scratch due to a left ankle sprain.
Anfernee Simons scored 23 points, while Shaedon Sharpe and Deni Avdija each added 19 as the Trail Blazers lost for the 10th time in their past 13 games. Portland dropped its eighth consecutive road game.
Pacers 128, Heat 115
Tyrese Haliburton combined 33 points with a season-high 15 assists without a turnover to steer Indiana to a convincing win over host Miami.
Haliburton set the tone with a 16-point, five-assist first quarter. In three meetings with Miami this season, Haliburton has 36 assists and one turnover. Myles Turner scored 21 points for the Pacers, and Pascal Siakam posted 18 points and 11 rebounds.
Rookie Kel’el Ware contributed a career-best 25 points on 9-of-11 shooting and added three blocks in 21 minutes off the bench for the Heat. Bam Adebayo finished with 20 points and eight rebounds.
Celtics 118, Timberwolves 115
Jayson Tatum scored 33 points, grabbed eight rebounds and dished nine assists, and Boston held on to defeat Minnesota in Minneapolis.
Derrick White added 26 points for the Celtics, who won their second game in a row. Boston was without starters Jaylen Brown (right shoulder strain) and Kristaps Porzingis (sprained left ankle).
Julius Randle had 27 points, eight rebounds and seven assists to lead Minnesota. Naz Reid finished with 20 points off the bench, and Jaden McDaniels scored 19.
Nets 113, Bucks 110
Cameron Johnson scored 26 points and Cam Thomas added 24 as Brooklyn withstood a furious fourth-quarter rally to beat host Milwaukee.
The Nets led 111-90 with 6:55 remaining before missing their next 12 shots. Damian Lillard scored five straight points to cap a 20-0 run with 37.4 seconds remaining. The Nets’ Ziaire Williams sank two foul shots to make it a three-point game. Lillard missed a 3-point attempt on the Bucks’ next possession. Milwaukee had one final chance with 0.6 seconds left, but Lillard’s 35-foot shot fell short.
Nic Claxton had 16 points and 11 rebounds for Brooklyn, which won the season series against the Bucks 3-1. Giannis Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee with 27 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists. Lillard contributed 23 points and seven assists.
MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
TOP 25 ROUNDUP: NO. 22 ILLINOIS CRUSHES NO. 9 OREGON
Ben Humrichous scored 14 of his 18 points in the second half Thursday night and No. 22 Illinois opened its first West Coast swing in the Big Ten Conference with a 109-77 beatdown of No. 9 Oregon in Eugene, Ore.
Humrichous, an Evansville transfer, sank four of the Fighting Illini’s 16 3-pointers. Teammate Tre White put up 20 points, 11 rebounds and four assists, while freshman Kasparas Jakucionis hit for 16 points and Arizona transfer Kylan Boswell added 15.
Illinois (10-3, 2-1 Big Ten) also got help from reserves Jake Davis (12 points) and Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn (11). The Illini sank 57.5 percent of their field-goal attempts and earned a 43-31 advantage on the boards.
Four players scored in double figures for the Ducks (12-2, 1-2), led by 20 points off the bench from Supreme Cook. Nate Bittle added 13, while Kwame Evans scored 11 points in a reserve role and TJ Bamba hit for 10.
No. 19 Gonzaga 81, Portland 50
Nolan Hickman scored 13 points and Michael Ajayi collected a season-high 15 rebounds as the Bulldogs cruised past the Pilots in Spokane, Wash.
Dusty Stromer scored a season-best 12 points as Gonzaga (11-4, 2-0 West Coast Conference) defeated Portland for the 19th straight time and 39th in the last 40 meetings.
Vincent Delano scored 12 points for the Pilots (5-11, 0-3), who lost their third consecutive game. Portland made just 33.3 percent of its shots and was 4 of 25 from behind the arc.
No. 20 Purdue 81, Minnesota 61
Fletcher Loyer scored 24 points on 8-for-10 shooting, including 4-for-6 from beyond the 3-point arc, to lead the Boilermakers past the Golden Gophers in Minneapolis.
Braden Smith registered 20 points, 10 assists and six rebounds for Purdue (10-4, 2-1), which won its second straight game after losing the previous two. Trey Kaufman-Renn had 17 points.
Dawson Garcia amassed 20 points and five rebounds for Minnesota (8-6, 0-3), and Lu’Cye Patterson contributed 14 points and eight rebounds.
No. 21 Memphis 90, Florida Atlantic 62
Tyrese Hunter scored a game-high 20 points, PJ Haggerty added 19 and the Tigers raced past the Owls in Boca Raton, Fla., in the American Athletic Conference opener for both teams.
Memphis (11-3, 1-0 AAC) kept Florida Atlantic at arm’s length in the first half before Dain Dainja took over after the break. He scored all 16 of his points in the second half and all after picking up his fourth foul with under 15 minutes remaining.
Kaleb Glenn paced the Owls (7-7, 0-1) with 12 points to go with seven rebounds. Florida Atlantic, playing for the first time in 12 days, shot just 5-for-31 (16.1 percent) from 3-point range, compared to the 10-of-18 clip (55.6 percent) by Memphis.
WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
WOMEN’S TOP 25 ROUNDUP: CLEMSON UPSETS NO. 20 CAL
Loyal McQueen scored 18 points and Mia Moore tallied nine of her 14 in a dominant third quarter as host Clemson knocked off No. 20 Cal 69-58 in an Atlantic Coast Conference matchup on Thursday night.
Cal led by two on Ugonne Onyiah’s jumper with 7:46 to play in the third, but the Tigers (9-5, 2-1 ACC) responded with a 7-0 run. Minutes later, Clemson began a quarter-closing 12-0 burst to lead 61-46 going into the fourth. Moore scored the first seven points of the latter spree.
Ioanna Krimili paced the Golden Bears (13-2, 1-1) with 18 points. Ugonne added 13 points and 10 rebounds, and Marta Suarez chipped in 12 points as Cal’s seven-game winning streak ended.
Tessa Miller scored 11 points and Raven Thompson notched 10 for Clemson, which turned 15 turnovers by Cal into 23 points.
No. 2 South Carolina 83, Missouri 52
The Gamecocks dominated the second half while putting away the Tigers as the teams opened Southeastern Conference play in Columbia, Mo.
MiLaysia Fulwiley scored 14 of her team-high 17 points after intermission as South Carolina broke away from a lead that was only 10 at halftime. Ashlyn Watkins finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds, Te-Hina Paopao also scored 11 points and Tessa Johnson chipped in 10 for South Carolina (13-1, 1-0 SEC).
Ashton Judd had 15 points and six rebounds for Missouri (11-5, 0-1). Grace Slaughter added 13 points.
No. 19 Alabama 79, Florida 69
Zaay Green scored 27 points and the Crimson Tide jumped on the Gators early and led by double digits most of the way in the Southeastern Conference opener for each team in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Green went 12 of 22 from the floor and added six assists and four rebounds. Diana Collins chipped in 12 points, Aaliyah Nye had 10 and Essence Cody supplied nine points, 11 rebounds and three blocks for Alabama (14-1, 1-0 SEC).
Liv McGill led Florida (9-6, 0-1) with 18 points. Alexia Gassett and Jeriah Warren netted 12 apiece and Ra Shaya Kyle added 11 points and 13 boards. Kyle’s three-point play pulled the Gators within 76-68 with 2:30 to play, but they missed their last two shots and got no closer.
No. 25 Ole Miss 85, Auburn 58
KK Deans and Kennedy Todd-Williams set season highs with 20 and 19 points, respectively, as the Rebels clobbered the host Tigers in the Southeastern Conference opener for both squads.
Ole Miss (10-3, 1-0 SEC) shot 64.3 percent in the first quarter and took a 26-10 lead into the second. The Rebels padded their lead to 45-20 by halftime. Sira Thienou finished with 12 points and Tameiya Sadler 10 for the visitors.
DeYona Gaston, who began the night seventh in Division I in scoring at 22.7 points per game, netted 30 points on 8-of-15 shooting for Auburn (9-5, 0-1). The Tigers committed 29 turnovers, which the Rebels converted into 37 points.
NHL NEWS
NHL ROUNDUP: AVS LOSE GOALIE BUT EDGE SABRES IN OT
Devon Toews scored 48 seconds into overtime, and the Colorado Avalanche rallied to beat the Buffalo Sabres 6-5 in Denver on Thursday night and extend their winning streak to six games.
Jonathan Drouin sent the game into overtime when he scored with 7.7 seconds left. Toews also had two assists, Cale Makar scored two goals, Mikko Rantanen and Drouin each had a goal and an assist, Ross Colton provided a goal and Nathan MacKinnon had three assists for Colorado.
The Avalanche prevailed despite losing goaltender Scott Wedgewood to injury. Wedgewood was hurt 1:27 into the third period when Zach Benson was battling with Colorado’s Parker Kelly near the net and fell into Wedgewood’s right leg. The goalie went down inside his net, play continued and Benson scored moments later to give Buffalo a 4-2 lead.
Wedgewood was helped off the ice after making 14 on 18 shots. He was replaced by Mackenzie Blackwood, who turned away two of the three shots he faced. Jason Zucker recorded his third career hat trick and also added an assist, Benson and Bowen Byram also scored, Tage Thompson had three assists and Luukkonen made 23 saves for Buffalo.
Canucks 4, Kraken 3 (SO)
J.T. Miller scored the lone shootout goal as Vancouver defeated host Seattle for just its second win in its past seven games (2-2-3).
Max Sasson, Conor Garland and Tyler Myers scored in regulation for the Canucks, and Thatcher Demko stopped 11 of 12 shots before leaving in the second period after sustaining an apparent lower-body injury in a collision with teammate Noah Juulsen. Kevin Lankinen came on and made 13 saves on 15 shots.
Matty Beniers and Vince Dunn had a goal and an assist apiece and Chandler Stephenson also scored for Seattle, which had a two-game winning streak snapped. Philipp Grubauer, making his third straight start for the injured Joey Daccord (upper body), stopped 19 of 22 attempts.
Hurricanes 3, Panthers 1
Jaccob Slavin scored with 7:30 remaining to break a tie and lift Carolina over Florida in Sunrise, Fla., avenging two disturbing losses from last month.
Brent Burns had the first Carolina goal and Martin Necas added an empty-netter with 28 seconds to play. The Hurricanes won for only the second time in their past 10 road games (2-6-2). Pyotr Kochetkov stopped 25 shots.
Anton Lundell scored for the Panthers and Sergei Bobrovsky had a splendid effort in Florida’s goal with 37 saves. The Panthers’ back-to-back victories against the Hurricanes in mid-December came by a combined score of 12-3, including a 6-0 blanking.
Wild 4, Capitals 3 (SO)
Matt Boldy scored in the second round of a shootout to lift visiting Minnesota past Washington.
Boldy rebounded after hitting the post late in overtime by wristing a shot past Charlie Lindgren in the shootout. Marc-Andre Fleury preserved the win by flashing his glove to thwart Alex Ovechkin to end the game.
Tom Wilson and Martin Fehervary also scored a goal and Lindgren made 30 saves for the Capitals. Minnesota’s Ryan Hartman collected a goal and an assist, Marco Rossi and Yakov Trenin also tallied, and Fleury turned aside 28 shots.
Rangers 2, Bruins 1
Jonathan Quick made 32 saves and recorded his 399th career regular-season victory as host New York snapped a four-game losing streak by edging Boston.
Elevated to New York’s No. 1 goalie for at least three games until Igor Shesterkin returns from an upper-body injury, Quick earned his first win since Nov. 30. He is one away from joining Minnesota’s Marc-Andre Fleury and Florida’s Sergei Bobrovsky as the third active goalie to reach 400 career wins.
Mika Zibanejad and rookie Brett Berard scored 3:05 apart in the first period after the Rangers began slowly. Quick was beaten only by Elias Lindholm 7:57 into the second. Boston goalie Jeremy Swayman made 25 saves.
Ducks 4, Jets 3 (OT)
Troy Terry scored his second goal of the game with 1:26 left in overtime to lift visiting Anaheim over Winnipeg.
Terry also had an assist, Radko Gudas had a goal and an assist, Leo Carlsson also scored and John Gibson made 27 saves and picked up an assist on the game-winner for the Ducks, who matched a season high with their third straight win.
Alex Iafallo had a goal and an assist, Mark Scheifele and Adam Lowry also scored, Josh Morrissey had two assists and Connor Hellebuyck made 20 saves for the Jets, who have lost two in a row (0-1-1).
Maple Leafs 2, Islanders 1
Bobby McMann scored twice, including the game-winner on the power play with 2:59 left in regulation, as Toronto defeated New York in Elmont, N.Y.
McMann’s third two-goal game of the season was all the support Joseph Woll (32 saves) needed as the Maple Leafs won for the third time in four games.
Scott Mayfield recorded his second goal of the season for the Islanders, who have lost three straight. Ilya Sorokin stopped 29 shots.
Red Wings 5, Blue Jackets 4
Jonatan Berggren’s breakaway goal with 36 seconds left broke a tie and gave visiting Detroit a win over Columbus.
Alex DeBrincat had a goal and two assists, Dylan Larkin and Patrick Kane each collected a goal and an assist, and Erik Gustafsson also scored for Detroit, which improved to 3-1-0 under new coach Todd McLellan. Cam Talbot stopped 21 shots.
James van Riemsdyk had two goals and an assist, Zach Werenski tallied one goal and two assists and Sean Monahan got the other marker for Columbus. Elvis Merzlikins made 21 saves.
Stars 4, Senators 2
Roope Hintz scored twice, including the tiebreaking goal midway through the second period, and stingy Dallas won its third straight game by doubling up on visiting Ottawa.
With Dallas trailing 2-1, Jamie Benn and Hintz scored in a 1:08 span of the second. Matt Duchene added some third-period insurance with a goal to complement an earlier assist, while Jason Robertson and Wyatt Johnston had two helpers apiece for Dallas, which improved to 4-0-1 in its last five games. Jake Oettinger made 11 saves.
Brady Tkachuk scored and assisted on Ridly Greig’s goal for the Senators, who were held to their second-fewest shots on goal this season. Leevi Merilainen made 21 saves for Ottawa, which went 0-for-4 on the power play and opened 2025 on a sour note after going 9-3-1 in December.
Utah 5, Flames 3
Lawson Crouse scored twice, including the game-winning tally, and Clayton Keller collected one goal and one assist to lead the Utah Hockey Club to a victory at Calgary.
Logan Cooley and Kevin Stenlund also scored goals while Olli Maatta notched a pair of assists for Utah, which snapped a five-game losing streak (0-4-1). Karel Vejmelka made 23 saves.
Blake Coleman replied with one goal and one assist, while Connor Zary and Brayden Pachal also scored for the Flames. Dan Vladar stopped 21 shots, including an Alexander Kerfoot penalty shot in the third period.
Golden Knights 5, Flyers 2
Ilya Samsonov made 23 saves to win his fifth straight start and Pavel Dorofeyev scored what proved to be the game-winner in a three-goal second period as Vegas rallied to defeat Philadelphia in Las Vegas.
Mark Stone had a goal and an assist, Nicolas Hague, Alexander Holtz and Tanner Pearson also scored and Jack Eichel and Noah Hanifin each had two assists for Vegas, which improved to 5-0-1 in its past six meetings with the Flyers.
Tyson Foerster and Travis Konecny scored goals for Philadelphia. Aleksei Kolosov finished with 22 saves.
Sharks 2, Lightning 1
Mario Ferraro produced a fight and the game-winning goal, Marc-Edouard Vlasic notched a point in his season debut and San Jose broke an eight-game losing streak (0-7-1) by edging visiting Tampa Bay.
Ferraro put the home side up 2-0 in the second period after fighting with Mitchell Chaffee earlier in the frame. Tyler Toffoli also scored for San Jose. Vlasic returned after missing the first 40 games of the season due to an upper-back injury.
In a matchup of Russian goaltenders, San Jose’s Yaroslav Askarov made 24 saves to outduel Tampa Bay’s Andrei Vasilevskiy (23 saves). Anthony Cirelli collected the Lightning’s lone goal.
TOP INDIANA RELEASES/HEADLINES
COLTS FOOTBALL
An anonymous Indianapolis Colts player is frustrated with the state of the organization.
“There’s no vision,” the veteran player said, according to Zak Keefer and James Boyd of The Athletic.
“From the top down – from the front office, to the coaches, to the players – no one is ever on the same page, and every year at the end, we’re sitting here losing.”
Indianapolis fell to 7-9 Sunday after losing 45-33 to the New York Giants, who had the league’s worst record entering the game. The defeat eliminated the Colts from playoff contention.
This will be the fourth consecutive season the Colts missed the playoffs. Head coach Shane Steichen was hired in 2023 after owner Jim Irsay dismissed Frank Reich. Steichen, 39, is 16-17 heading into the 2024 season finale.
“If you look at the best teams in the league, they all have a vision, and they commit to it,” the anonymous player added. “The Chiefs keep winning because they have a vision. The Lions turned things around because they have a vision.”
Steichen benched quarterback Anthony Richardson in late October, saying Joe Flacco gave the team the best chance to win. Richardson was 3-3 in six starts before the benching, totaling 1,200 yards with five touchdowns and seven interceptions.
The demotion lasted just two games after Flacco went 0-2 with two touchdowns and four interceptions. Richardson bounced back and went 3-2 when thrust back into the starting role but was unable to play Sunday against the Giants because of multiple ailments.
Indianapolis’ offense has taken a step back this season after ranking 11th in points per game last year. The Colts sit 23rd in EPA/play and 26th in offensive success rate through 16 games.
Steichen retained defensive coordinator Gus Bradley when he was hired in 2023. The unit has been mediocre at best over the past two seasons, ranking 21st in EPA/play since 2023 and 27th in points allowed per game this year.
The Colts will face the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.
AFC SOUTH RIVALS COLTS, JAGUARS PLAYING OUT STRING
The Indianapolis Colts have nothing to play for this week and the players know where to point — at themselves.
The Colts complete their fourth consecutive non-playoff season on Sunday when they host the Jacksonville Jaguars in a battle of AFC South squads.
The Jaguars (4-12) have long been eliminated from playoff contention in a truly disappointing campaign. Indianapolis (7-9) was in the mix until sustaining an embarrassing 45-33 road loss to the New York Giants last week.
Colts star linebacker Zaire Franklin, the NFL’s leading tackler with 165, made it clear that a team doesn’t lose a game like that if it is truly a playoff squad. The Giants, who were averaging a league-worst 14.3 points per game, more than tripled their average.
“It’s embarrassing. It’s disappointing. We got flat-out beat,” Franklin said. “The performance we put out defensively, just beyond unacceptable. You can’t play like that when you’re planning on being a playoff team. So we ain’t a playoff team.”
The Colts hope to have quarterback Anthony Richardson back on the field after he missed the game against New York due to severe back pain. Indianapolis didn’t rule Richardson out until Saturday but Richardson told reporters Wednesday that he could barely stand up or walk and had to crawl around the house on Dec. 24.
“I’ve been dealing with stuff like this since about eighth grade, but it’s never been this severe,” Richardson said. “It was definitely a little scary last week, not being able to move. But, like I said, I’m standing up now and I’m looking forward to playing this week if I can.”
Richardson was the only Indianapolis player listed as a non-participant in Wednesday’s walkthrough.
The fourth overall choice in the 2023 NFL Draft has struggled with his accuracy and completed just 47.7 percent of his passes with 12 interceptions. He also has thrown eight touchdowns, ran for six more and has a 6-5 record as a starter this season.
Richardson sat out with an oblique injury when the Colts lost 37-34 to the host Jaguars in Week 5. Joe Flacco started and passed for 359 yards and three touchdowns.
Star running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) also missed the game. Taylor ranks seventh in the NFL with 1,254 rushing yards while playing in 13 games.
As for the Jaguars, they are looking for back-to-back wins for the first time this season. Jacksonville posted a 20-13 home victory over the Tennessee Titans last week.
Quarterback Mac Jones, who is 2-4 as a starter this season, again starts in place of Trevor Lawrence (left shoulder surgery). Jones said he plans to leave the field with a victory.
“You definitely want to put your best foot forward and control what you can control,” Jones said. “For me, just keep it simple this week. A lot of distractions, a lot of this and that. But the challenge for everybody and for me is to focus on doing my part and then from there, it should take care of itself.”
The contest could be the final game for Jaguars coach Doug Pederson. He is 22-28 with the team and went 9-8 in each of his first two seasons before the club fell on hard times this season with 10 losses in its first 12 games.
Jacksonville defensive end Josh Hines-Allen, who had three sacks against Tennessee, said the atmosphere is good around the team despite the underachieving season.
“We’re looking to finish this on a positive note,” Hines-Allen said. “We’re not playing for a playoff game, so there’s frustration there. But we want to make it 2-0 (to end the season). If we can do that going into next season, it’s a good starting point.”
Left tackle Walker Little (ankle) was the lone Jacksonville player to miss practice on Wednesday.
The Jaguars have won three straight and five of the past six meetings.
COLTS DT DEFOREST BUCKNER, C RYAN KELLY NAMED 2025 PRO BOWL ALTERNATES
The NFL on Thursday announced Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and center Ryan Kelly were named 2025 Pro Bowl alternates.
Buckner, who earned Pro Bowl nods in 2018, 2021 and 2023, enters Week 18 with 6 1/2 sacks, eight tackles for a loss and 13 quarterback hits in 11 games. Buckner’s 84.0 Pro Football Focus overall defense grade ranks sixth among defensive tackles.
Kelly, a four-time Pro Bowler (2019-2021, 2023), enters the Colts’ regular season finale with a 72.4 Pro Football Focus pass blocking grade, fourth-highest among centers with at least 500 snaps. Only two centers – Kansas City’s Creed Humphrey and Denver’s Luke Wattenberg – have allowed fewer pressures than Kelly’s nine over his 523 snaps this season.
Buckner and Kelly will hope to join three teammates in Orlando for the 2025 Pro Bowl Games on Feb. 1: Linebacker Zaire Franklin, left guard Quenton Nelson and running back Jonathan Taylor.
PRACTICE NOTEBOOK: ANTHONY RICHARDSON LISTED AS NON-PARTICIPANT FOR SECOND PRACTICE OF WEEK 18
Quarterback Anthony Richardson (back) did not participate in the Colts’ practice on Thursday ahead of their season finale against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.
Richardson was ruled out for the Colts’ Week 17 game against the New York Giants due to a back injury and has not participated in practice since Week 16. The quarterback has started a total of 11 games this season.
On Wednesday, Richardson said he was feeling better than last week and was going to do everything he could to get on the field for the Colts’ final game of the 2024 season. Head coach Shane Steichen also said Wednesday he was hopeful Richardson would be able to return, and that they would “see how the week progresses.”
If Richardson is unable to play on Sunday, backup quarterback Joe Flacco is prepared to take over under center. The 17-year veteran said he is taking things day-by-day and preparing like he always would, whether he’s starting or not.
“I think that’s what you always do,” Flacco said Wednesday. “I think even when you’re not (starting) and you know you’re not, you still try to put yourself in that mindset and do those things anyway.”
Flacco has appeared in seven games (five starts) this season, most recently starting in the Colts’ Week 17 loss to the Giants in which Flacco completed 26 of 38 passes for 330 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Across all games played this season, Flacco has completed 66.8 percent of his passes for 1,497 yards with 11 touchdowns, seven interceptions and a passer rating of 91.4.
INDIANA PACERS
GAME REWIND: PACERS 128, HEAT 115
The Indiana Pacers are off to a white-hot start to 2025.
Behind six double-digit scorers and a masterful performance by All-NBA point guard Tyrese Haliburton, the Pacers (17-18) beat the Miami Heat (17-15), 128-115, on Thursday at Kaseya Center.
There was only one tie and one lead change in the game, as the Pacers led by 16 points at halftime and 24 points after three quarters before holding on for their first victory of the new year.
Haliburton orchestrated the win from start to finish, registering 33 points on six made 3-pointers, a season-high 15 assists and zero turnovers, while Pascal Siakam had 18 points and 11 rebounds and Myles Turner scored 21 points. Bennedict Mathurin, Obi Toppin, and Jarace Walker each scored 12 points for the Blue & Gold.
Indiana shot 53.1 percent as a team, making 17 total 3-pointers, while dishing out 35 assists on 51 made baskets. The Pacers tied a season-low for turnovers in a game with six.
Miami, playing on the second leg of a back-to-back, shot a strong 57.3 percent overall but made 11 threes while turning the ball over 14 times.
Former Indiana University standout Kel’el Ware led the Heat with 25 points off the bench, center Bam Adebayo recorded 20 points and eight rebounds and Tyler Herro had 17 points. Six-time NBA All-Star Jimmy Butler recorded nine points and four assists in 27 minutes.
After losing eight straight road games earlier in the season, the Pacers are 7-1 over their last eight away from Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The Pacers played fast and free in the first half, making 58 percent of their shots while dishing out 21 assists on 27 made baskets to lead 66-50. Miami shot 51.4 percent in the first half but had seven turnovers.
Haliburton commanded the floor from the jump, registering 16 points, nine assists and two steals across 18 minutes in the first half. Herro and Adebayo each had 12 points for the Heat at intermission.
Indiana used two big runs to lead 38-25 by the end of the first quarter, with Haliburton scoring 16 points on 6-for-9 shooting (4-for-7 from 3-point range) and recording six assists in the opening frame.
After Butler opened the game’s scoring, the Pacers strung together a 12-0 run – where Siakam made two straight baskets and Haliburton drained back-to-back 3-pointers – to lead 12-2.
While the Heat was able to get some offense going midway through the period, a 15-4 run by the Blue & Gold, where Haliburton scored seven points and Ben Sheppard and Toppin each made threes, extended the Pacers’ lead to 36-19 with 1:24 on the clock.
Miami outscored Indiana 6-2 in the final 1:01 for the opening frame, but T.J. McConnell made a floater from 10 feet at the buzzer to keep the Pacers’ momentum.
The teams largely traded baskets over the course of the first six minutes of the second quarter, with the Blue & Gold bench holding the lead steady.
An 8-2 Pacers run, capped by an alley-oop from Haliburton to Siakam, forced a Miami timeout with 4:12 left in the half before the Pacers held onto a 16-point lead going into the break.
The Pacers shot 66.7 percent in the third quarter, including 7-for-12 from 3-point range, to outscore the Heat 41-33 in the frame.
Haliburton scored 12 points and added six assists to his total in the third quarter and Turner was a perfect 4-for-4 shooting for 11 points.
After a back-and-forth start to the third quarter, a 13-5 scoring spree by the Pacers, where Turner scored nine points with two 3-pointers and an and-one, extended the visitors’ advantage to 88-67 just past the period’s midway point.
The Pacers continued to pour it on from there. A 14-6 run from 4:04 to 1:23, where Haliburton scored five points and McConnell added four, put the visitors in front 100-77.
Heading into the fourth quarter, the Pacers led 107-83.
While Miami mustered a 22-7 scoring stretch in the fourth quarter, thanks to 12 points by Ware during the spree, the Heat never got the deficit down to single digits.
Walker made a pair of 3-pointers early in the fourth quarter before the Heat went on a 11-1 run, thanks to a pair of threes by Ware, to make it 114-99 with 7:54 left in the game.
Indiana’s starting unit came back in the game with 7:14 to play, and buckets by Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard and Siakam gave the Pacers a little more breathing room at 121-105 with 4:24 on the clock.
The Pacers held on from there, using a 9-2 surge over the next two minutes to put the game away.
Indiana returns home Saturday to host the Phoenix Suns before playing the Brooklyn Nets on Monday in New York.
Inside the Numbers
Tyrese Haliburton has recorded at least 30 points and 10 assists four times this season.
Pacers forward Jarace Walker has scored in double figures in five straight games off the bench.
Both teams finished with 39 rebounds, but the Pacers won the offensive boards, 13-5.
The 41 points in the third quarter are a season-high for the Pacers in that period.
At the free throw line, the Heat went 18-for-21 and the Pacers finished 9-for-16.
The Pacers took 96 shots and the Heat put up 75 in the game.
Pascal Siakam has six double-doubles this season and Haliburton is up to 13.
You Can Quote Me on That
“(Tyrese Haliburton) was great. … He’s such a unique player. He came to us really as a point guard, and he’s become one of the elite scoring point guards. But I still think, and he and I have talked about this, there’s a real place for the balance, too. He’s got weapons. Not only did he score tonight, but he made sure other guys were touching it, which was awesome.” – Pacers head coach in Rick Carlisle on Haliburton’s performance
“We can’t pat ourselves on the back too much about anything right now. We’ve got to really work at our consistency. We had Miami in a tough spot tonight. They played last night, and they played some of their main guys into the high 30s minutes-wise. We still let them score 115 points. I thought, if we really had stayed with it and concentrated, we could have kept them at a lower number. And that’s going to be part of the growth of this team – developing that edge.” – Carlisle on the win
“(Jarace Walker is) doing some good things offensively, for sure, and his shot-making tonight was timely. … He’s got really a unique gift with his long arms and his hands. When he works to stay in position, he can still make plays on the ball. That’s special. He’s developing a way to do that within the system, without taking gambles that are all-or-nothing … he’s making progress.” – Carlisle on Walker
“Just being aggressive, getting downhill. It’s been an up and down season for me scoring the ball, but I know if I get consistent paint touches good things happen for us offensively. … Played free today and had a good game. I thought I controlled the game well tonight.” — Haliburton on his hot shooting early on
“We were just moving the ball well. Guys were making shots. … I thought offensively our concepts were really good. I thought we did a good job of staying to our principles” — Haliburton on the team’s 35 assists
“You can’t get complacent, you can’t get comfortable.” — Myles Turner on the win and looking ahead to Phoenix
Stat of the Night
After Thursday’s performance, Tyrese Haliburton became the first player in the NBA with at least 30 points, 15 assists and zero turnovers in multiple games since 1977-78. Haliburton also recorded 33 points, 15 assists and zero turnovers on Nov. 14, 2023, against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Noteworthy
Indiana leads their season series with Miami 2-1. The teams will meet one last time at Kaseya Center on Feb. 28.
The Heat were playing on the second leg of a back-to-back on Thursday. They are 4-3 in games without rest this season.
The Pacers acquired Thomas Bryant from the Heat on Dec. 15 for future draft picks.
Miami rookie Kel’el Ware played at Indiana University during the 2023-2024 season. The Heat drafted Ware in June with the 15th overall pick.
Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton and Miami’s Bam Adebayo won gold medals together on Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
INDY FUEL
INDIANAPOLIS- The Fuel will host the Kalamazoo Wings on Friday night in the first matchup of 2025. Indy will wear specialty Glow Night jerseys that glow in the dark.
LAST TIME OUT
The last time these two teams met was on New Year’s Eve when the Fuel visited Kalamazoo. After being tied for two periods, the Fuel took a late-game win with a third period goal by Kevin Lombardi, who now leads the team in game-winning goals. Both teams only collected four penalty minutes each in what was a very clean game, somewhat unusual for these rivals.
LET’S GO LOMBARDI
Kevin Lombardi is one of three players to suit up for every Fuel game so far this season. He is second on the team in goals, points, and shots. He also leads the team in game winners and insurance goals while being tied for most multi-point games for the Fuel this season. Coming off of a two-point night against Kalamazoo, Lombardi will look to have another strong performance on Friday.
INDIANA MEN’S BASKETBALL
HOOSIERS CATCH FIRE FROM DEEP TO TAKE DOWN RUTGERS
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Sports myth suggests that everything — good and bad — balances out. If you miss enough shots, you’ll make enough to matter.
On Thursday night at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, myth turned real, and it absolutely mattered. IU (11-3 overall, 2-1 in the Big Ten) set a season high with 12 3-pointers and beat Rutgers 84-74 for its third-straight victory.
“Our goal was to play together, play as a team, play team defense, be in the right spots at the right time and knock down open shots,” swingman Mackenzie Mgbako said. “Stick to our cues and make the right plays.”
Mission accomplished.
IU, so bad from 3-point range in recent games and shooting just 30.6% for the season, found beyond-the-arc magic against Rutgers (8-6, 1-2), highlighted by guard Anthony Leal’s near-half-court, turnaround 3-point buzzer-beating bank shot that gave the Hoosiers a 41-34 halftime lead.
Luke Goode, Mgbako and Trey Galloway each had three 3-pointers. Leal, Myles Rice and Kanaan Carlyle each had one.
“Guys stepped up,” coach Mike Woodson said. “They made them. It was nice to see. I hope it continues.”
IU was 12-for-27 against Rutgers after going 1-for-20 a few days earlier against Winthrop.
“(Against Winthrop), we had good looks and didn’t make them,” Woodson said. “Tonight, guys knocked them down. We need that moving forward.”
Woodson said he didn’t do anything different in practice to generate the improved shooting.
“As a coach, every time they shoot it, I think it’s going in. They had same looks and put it in the hole.”
Leal’s 3-pointer put a charge into halftime.
“I chased it down. I knew the clock was winding down. I turned around and shot it. Weird things seem to happen to me. I’ll take it, but it was a lucky shot.
“I never focus on my own stats. It’s cool that it went in, it was cool to celebrate, but we had to make sure we got the win.”
IU did. Rice led the way with 21 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals.
The Hoosiers thrived on second-chance points with a 34-8 advantage.
“Early on, we noticed they weren’t boxing out,” Leal said, “and we saw the opportunity to get some offensive rebounds. They got tired and we’re going after rebounds.”
For the second straight game, Goode started in place of center Oumar Ballo, who came in 30 seconds into the game after a Malik Reneau knee injury. Ballo finished with 17 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks.
“Ballo played great,” Woodson said. “He was a big part of us winning. He plugged the hole for us like he’s supposed to.”
As for Reneau, who spent the rest of the game with an ice pack on his knee, Woodson said, “We have to evaluate and see where he’s at. He couldn’t come back in. He’s a big piece to the puzzle. If he can’t play, it’s next man up.”
Rutgers was without Big Ten leading scorer Dylan Harper and his 22.8 average. Fellow freshman Ace Bailey did his part to make up for it with a game-high 39 points.
“He’s special,” Woodson said. “He’s a good player. He’s young. We threw a few things at him and he made some tough shots. That’s what great players do.”
Leal was among the Hoosiers who guarded Bailey.
“He’s super skilled,” Leal said. “He’s obviously a tough matchup. We knew he liked to favor his right hand. We wanted to force him to his left and make it tough on him.”
As for the game, four points each from Rice and Mgbako boosted IU to a 10-7 lead. A Galloway 3-pointer off a Goode rebound, and then a Goode 3-pointer, pushed the Hoosiers ahead 16-10. The Scarlet Knights scored 13 straight points and built a 26-19 lead. Three-pointers from Galloway and Mgbako, and then a Rice rebound basket, got IU within 28-24. The Hoosiers regained the lead at 30-29 on a Carlyle 3-pointer with six minutes left.
Baskets from Mgbako and Ballo pushed the Hoosier lead to 34-29 with four minutes left. Leal’s half-court buzzer beater gave IU a 41-34 halftime lead.
Mgbako led with nine points. Rice had eight.
IU pushed ahead 47-36 four minutes into the second half. Four minutes later, it was 54-38. At that point, the Hoosiers had a 27-3 edge in second chance points, plus 11 assists against three turnovers.
Rutgers got the lead under 10 with nine minutes left. A Bailey 3-pointer made it 58-52. A Rice 3-pointer restored the Hoosiers’ double-digit lead. Goode’s second 3-pointer put IU ahead 65-53 with seven minutes left.
The Hoosiers stayed in control the rest of the game. They travel to Penn State on Sunday.
INDIANA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
HOOSIERS LIKE IT FAST AS THEY PREPARE FOR NO. 1 UCLA
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Let other teams play it slow. Indiana punishes with pace. It attacks the paint (by drive and pass), thrives on the perimeter, cuts and passes, and more and more, defends to its coach’s liking.
What will that mean Saturday at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, when the Hoosiers (10-3 overall, 2-0 in the Big Ten) host top ranked UCLA (14-0, 3-0) with an opportunity to make a conference and national statement?
We’re about to find out.
Consider the way IU, which began the season ranked No. 25, has bounced back from three early losses to win six straight. It has figured out how to play without All-American post player Mackenzie Holmes and All-Big Ten guard Sara Scalia. It has 21, 27, 27 and 25 assists in its last four games. Sharing has become contagious.
“It’s reps,” coach Teri Moren says. “You can see how much better it is when play in space and with space and get the ball out of our hands. We talk about movement and getting ball out of our hands. We emphasize that every day in practice. Our kids like playing fast. We’ll continue to rep it. We have to continue to do it.”
In last Saturday’s 83-52 win over Wisconsin, the Hoosiers had 25 assists against eight turnovers. Moren calls that, “pretty terrific.”
“We try to take advantage of what the defense gives us,” she says. “We want to get teams in defensive rotations so maybe their close-outs are not as controlled.”
As far as players, veteran forward Sydney Parrish is back after suffering a knee injury that cost her five games. Against the Badgers, she had 13 points, three assists, two rebounds and two steals. For the season, she averages 10.0 points and 5.9 rebounds.
“It’s great to have her back,” Moren said. “She has a super-high basketball IQ. She’s really mature. She understands how valuable she is. Her leadership is incredible. She’s a great teammate. She pours everything into her teammates. They all have different buttons to push and she has a good feel for what they need from her.”
Against Wisconsin, guard Yarden Garzon was a plus-29 with 13 points, seven rebounds, five assists and four blocks. She averages a 14.1 points and 4.8 rebounds with 48 assists. She’s made a team-leading 36 three-pointers while shooting 40 percent beyond the arc.
“She’s always been a person we count on the most in terms of making a shot,” Moren says. “She came in super mature. What we got was special. She’s fun to coach.”
IU brought in two key transfers in guard Shay Ciezki from Penn State and 6-3 forward Karoline Striplin from Tennessee, and they continue to make difference-making impact.
Ciezki averages 11.9 points and has made 18 three-pointers. She has started every game and averages a team-leading 34 minutes. Striplin comes off the bench and in 14 minutes per game averages 9.0 points and 3.6 rebounds. In a three-game stretch against Penn State, Bellarmine and Oakland, she had 27, 18 and 16 points.
“She had a couple of back-to-back games where she was lights out offensively,” Moren says. “A lot of what she does don’t show up on the stat sheet.
“She’s physical. She understands the game plan. She’s experienced and reliable. We needed her to be a great defensively against (All-Big Ten Wisconsin forward Serah Williams), and she was. She’s so important defensively for us.”
The Hoosiers will face their biggest challenge of the season with UCLA, a juggernaut with 13 straight double-digit victories after a season-opening 66-59 win over Louisville. That includes a 77-62 win over second ranked and defending national champion South Carolina. The Bruins’ average score is 84-51.
Four players average double figures in scoring with four others averaging at least 7.5 points. Eight players average at least 15.1 minutes per game.
Center Lauren Betts averages 19.9 points and 9.8 rebounds with 22 blocks. Guard Kiki Rice averages 13.0 points. UCLA has five players 6-4 or taller, with Betts at 6-7.
In their first run through the Big Ten, the Bruins have controlled Washington, Nebraska and Michigan, winning by at least 11 points, with a pair of road victories.
This was not unexpected given they have won 27 games and reached the NCAA tourney Sweet Sixteen in each of the two previous seasons.
As Moren said, “They are really good. They have a lot of weapons and depth.”
INDIANA FOOTBALL
PORTAL UPDATE
IU football transfers in (11)
| Name | Position | Previous school |
| Lee Beebe Jr. | RB | UAB |
| Brendan Franke | K | Texas State |
| Roman Hemby | RB | Maryland |
| Makai Jackson | WR | Appalachian State |
| Amariyun Knighten | CB | Northern Illinois |
| Mitch McCarthy | P | UCF |
| Fernando Mendoza | QB | Cal |
| Louis Moore | S | Ole Miss |
| Riley Nowakowski | TE | Wisconsin |
| Dominique Ratcliff | DT | Texas State |
| Hosea Wheeler | DT | Western Kentucky |
IU football transfers out (11)
| Name | Position | New School |
| Noah Bolticoff | OL | |
| Elijah Green | RB | |
| Tayven Jackson | QB | |
| JoJo Johnson | CB | |
| Brody Kosin | TE | |
| Nahji Logan | LB | Nevada |
| Donaven McCulley | WR | Michigan |
| Tyrik McDaniel | S | |
| Joshua Rudolph | LB | |
| Venson Sneed | Edge | |
| D.J. Warnell | S |
INDIANA SWIMMING
NO. 2/6 INDIANA FACES NO. 4/4 FLORIDA IN SPRING OPENER
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – As the 2024-25 season resumes, No. 2/6 Indiana swimming and diving opens its 2025 with a marquee matchup against No. 4/4 Florida Friday inside the Stephen O’Connell Center.
The meet will begin at 1 p.m. ET. Fans can track the meet via the Meet Mobile app or via @IndianaSwimDive social media platforms.
MEET INFO
Friday, January 3 • 1 p.m. ET
Stephen O’Connell Center • Gainesville, Fla.
Opponent: #2/6 Florida
Live Results (Swimming): Meet Mobile (App)
Live Results (Diving): divemeets.com
Live Stream: N/A
OF NOTE…
SWIMMING SUCCESS AT SHORT COURSE WORLDS
Ten athletes and coaches with ties to the Indiana swimming and diving program – nine members of the active roster – participated in the 2024 World Aquatics Championships (25m) in Budapest, Hungary. Together, the athletes combined for two world championships, five medals and 13 national records during the early-December meet.
In a meet that saw 30 world records go down, it was perhaps Zalán Sárkány that received the greatest roar from his hometown Budapest crowd. Sárkány sent the Duna Arena into a frenzy Saturday night when he touched first in the men’s 800-meter freestyle, Hungary’s first of two world titles this week. The reigning NCAA Champion in the 1,650-yard freestyle, Sárkány’s performance marked his first world championship as well as a national record with a time of 7:30.56.
PURDUE MEN’S BASKETBALL
#20 PURDUE SECURES FIRST BIG TEN ROAD WIN OVER MINNESOTA
[20] Purdue 81, Minnesota 61 (Postgame Notes)
Purdue improved to 10-4 overall and 2-1 in the Big Ten Conference with an 81-61 win over Minnesota in Minneapolis, The win was Purdue’s first road win in three tries this season.
Purdue has won three straight road games against Minnesota, all coming by at least 15 points. The Boilermakers have won five straight against the Golden Gophers and Matt Painter is now 22-10 all-time against Minnesota.
Purdue is now 35-4 all-time against Minnesota when scoring at least 80 points.
The win was Matt Painter’s 228th in Big Ten play, tied with Ward “Piggy” Lambert for fourth on the Big Ten wins list in conference play.
Purdue is now 15-7 on the road in Big Ten play since the start of the 2022-23 season (Braden Smith era). Northwestern and Illinois entered the night next in the Big Ten with a 9-12 record (Northwestern is now 9-13; Illinois was playing Oregon).
Since the start of the 2022-23 season, Purdue is now 17-2 in the month of January.
Since the start of the 2020-21 season, Purdue is now 120-33 overall, the third program nationally to win 120 games in that span (Houston – 133, Gonzaga – 126).
Purdue went 11-of-25 (.440) from 3-point range, including 9-of-17 in the second half. Purdue has won 12 straight games when making double-digit 3-pointers.
Purdue tied a school record for fewest turnovers in a game with three. It marks the second time this season that Purdue had three turnovers (3 vs. Alabama). The Boilermakers had no turnovers in the second half. Purdue has won 18 straight games when committing fewer turnovers than its opponent.
Purdue has won 25 straight games when scoring at least 80 points, and is now 100-3 since the start of the 2017-18 season when scoring at least 80 points.
Purdue has won 63 straight games when shooting at least 50 percent from the field, 40 percent from 3-point range and 70 percent from the free throw line, last losing on March 3, 2004, when that happens.
Braden Smith surpassed the 1,000-point mark for his career with a 20-point, 10-assist, six-rebound effort, also committing no turnovers. He is the first player since Villanova’s Ryan Arcidiacono in 2014 to have 20 points, 10 assists and no turnovers in a road conference win.
There have been five games in Purdue history of 20 points and 10 assists. Braden Smith has three of them, all coming in the last five games (24 & 10 vs. Maryland; 34 & 12 vs. Toledo; 20 & 10 vs. Minnesota).
Smith becomes the first player in Big Ten history with 1,000 points, 500 assists and 400 rebounds in their first three seasons (1,017 points, 567 assists, 439 rebounds).
Smith’s 14 career 20-point, 10-assist games are tied for the most by a Big Ten player in the last 20 years (Cassius Winston). Smith’s 14 games of 20 & 10 have come in his last 52 games.
Fletcher Loyer scored a season-high 24 points with three assists. He was 8-of-10 from the field and surpassed 150 career 3-pointers (now with 151), going 4-of-6 from deep.
In games that Loyer and Smith combine for 25 points during their careers, the Boilermakers are 27-2. When it goes for 30 points, Purdue is 16-0.
Trey Kaufman-Renn scored 17 points and has scored at least 11 points in all 14 games this season.
Caleb Furst scored 11 points with six rebounds, in his first start since his sophomore season. When he scores in double-figures, Purdue is 13-0 in his career.
MINNEAPOLIS — Fletcher Loyer scored 24 points on 8-for-10 shooting and Braden Smith had 20 points, 10 assists and six rebounds as No. 20 Purdue pulled away from Minnesota for an 81-61 victory Thursday night.
Trey Kaufman-Renn added 17 points for the Boilermakers (10-4, 2-1 Big Ten), who notched their first road win of the season after losing at Marquette and Penn State. Purdue, the two-time defending regular-season Big Ten champion, has the best cumulative road record in conference play over the last three seasons at 15-7.
Dawson Garcia scored 20 points for the Gophers (8-6, 0-3), who had a one-point lead early in the second half before the Boilermakers got hot. Loyer and Smith each hit four 3-pointers after halftime.
Minnesota, last in the Big Ten in 3-point shooting, went 4 for 17 from deep.
Takeaways
Purdue: Coach Matt Painter gave freshman guard C.J. Cox and senior center Caleb Furst their first starts of the season and brought Myles Colvin and Camden Heide off the bench. Furst had 11 points and six rebounds in 30 minutes.
Minnesota: Coach Ben Johnson has not beaten a ranked team in four seasons, falling to 0-16 against AP Top 25 opponents. The Gophers have lost 18 games in a row to ranked foes since beating No. 24 Purdue 71-68 at home on Feb. 11, 2021, under coach Richard Pitino.
Key moment
Heide, who helped lead Wayzata to a Minnesota Class 4A state championship in 2021, hit a 3-pointer with 14:49 left for a 40-35 lead after a Gophers turnover.
Key stat
Smith became the first Big Ten player with at least 1,000 points, 500 assists and 400 rebounds in a career before the end of his junior season.
NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL
IRISH DEFENSE STIFLES GEORGIA FOR A SWEET SUGAR BOWL WIN
The University of Notre Dame football team (13-1) stifled Georgia’s offense (11-3) to earn a 23-10 victory in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans’ SuperDome. Notre Dame will move on to face Penn State in the CFP Semifinals which will be held in the Orange Bowl next week.
The Irish utilized timely offensive plays, big special team moments and a physical attacking defense to hold Georgia to just 62 rush yards in the game. When it mattered most Notre Dame’s defensive 11 held the Bulldogs to 0-3 on fourth down in the game.
Riley Leonard passed for 90 yards and a touchdown while rushing for another 80 yards to be named the Sugar Bowl offensive player of the game.
The game shifted late in the first half when Notre Dame kicked a field goal, forced a fumble on the next play, then scored on the first snap after the turnover to take a 13-3 lead into halftime.
Notre Dame’s defensive effort was highlighted by herculean efforts from Adon Shuler (eight tackles), Xavier Watts (named the defensive player of the game with seven stops), Jack Kiser (six tackles, one sack) and Junior Tuihalamaka (four tackles, one sack).
The win evens out Notre Dame’s all-time CFP record at 2-2 and knocks off the No. 2 Associated Press ranked team for the first time since 1990.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Irish defense stopped Georgia in three plays to start the game with each play taking place behind the line of scrimmage. Jaylen Sneed started the game with a tackle for loss, followed by another play behind the line by Joshua Burnham. Jack Kiser, playing in his Notre Dame record 68th career game, sacked the quarterback and forced Georgia to punt on third down.
Notre Dame could not move the ball on their first possession and punted back to the Bulldogs. Georgia marched deep into Notre Dame territory by converting on two third-down plays. On third and one at the Notre Dame 16-yard line, Trevor Etienne looked like he earned another first down but Adon Shuler performed a perfect tackle to jar the ball loose. It was the first fumble of Etienne’s career, recovered by Jaiden Ausberry at the 10-yard line and the Irish denied a Bulldog red zone opportunity.
A Riley Leonard to Jordan Faison pass for 14 yards provided the initial first down of the game for the Notre Dame offense, but a short run, pass and a false start penalty brought up a third-and-long on the first play of the second quarter. Leonard found Jayden Harrison for a pass short of the line to gain and the Irish were forced to punt again.
Georgia looked long on its first play and completed a 66-yard pass down to the 11-yard line. A sideline interference call on Georgia pushed the ball back to the 26-yard line and the Irish defense stopped the Bulldogs cold at that spot. A Jaylen Sneed pressure on third down forced an incompletion and Georgia had to settle for a 41-yard field goal and a 3-0 lead.
Notre Dame moved the ball down the field led by Riley Leonard’s running ability. He earned a first down on a quarterback draw then broke through for a 32-yard run to the Georgia 29-yard line. A short run and an incompletion brought up third-and-seven. The Irish tried to hit Jaden Greathouse on a quick screen pass but the Bulldogs sniffed it out for no gain. Mitch Jeter came in and calmly connected on a 44-yard field goal to tie the game a 3-3 with 8:20 left in the first half.
Junior Tuihalamaka helped keep Georgia off the scoreboard on the next drive. First, the Irish defensive end sacked the quarterback on the first play of the drive. The Bulldogs were able to get the yardage back on a pass over the middle for 21 yards. UGA earned a second-and-short on a run, but on the next play Tuihalamaka stuffed the ball carrier for a loss to bring up third and three. Jordan Clark ended the possession with a great pass break up on third down and Georgia punted.
Notre Dame earned one first down on its next drive but had to punt again. The Irish defense rose up to quickly push Georgia off the field in three plays and get the ball back with just over three minutes left in the half on their own 38-yard line.
A connection from Lenoard to Greathouse gave the Irish a third-and-one at the 47 at the two-minute timeout. Leonard dove through the line for a first down to keep the drive alive. A completion to Mitchell Evans for a first down put the Irish closer to pay dirt, but on the next play Georgia sacked Leonard for a huge loss back to the 40-yard line.
Leonard got 10 yards back on a keeper. A follow up incompletion brought out Jeter for another long field goal and the senior kicker stepped up to connect on a 48-yard attempt and put the Irish ahead 6-3 with 39 seconds remaining in the half.
That would not end the first half scoring, however.
Georgia dropped back to pass on their first play and RJ Oben beat the left tackle around the edge and sacked Bulldog quarterback Gunner Stockton. Oben also dislodged the ball, which was recovered by Tuihalamaka at the 13-yard line.
On the next play, Leonard executed a great play-action fake, Beaux Collins beat his man over the middle and the touchdown pass put the Irish up 13-3 at the break. Notre Dame had scored 10 points in 11 seconds.
It did not take long for the Irish to score again the next time they touched the ball after halftime.
Jayden Harrison received the kickoff at the two, made one player miss cut to the outside and out-raced the Georgia kickoff team for a scintillating 98-yard kick return touchdown.
The teams traded three-and-outs before Georgia was able to score their first touchdown of the game via the big play. Passes of 19 yards, nine and then 32, the last for a score, cut the Notre Dame lead to 20-10 with 9:36 left in the third quarter. The Bulldogs had momentum at the time but would not score again.
Evans earned the Irish a first down out to their own 41-yard line on the next series of plays. Jadarian Price at first looked like he gained 25 yards around the right side, but the Irish were whistled for holding and the call buried the Irish back at the 36-yard line.
A short pass brought up third down and 13. Leonard found Faison over the middle who fought for the first down but was held just short at midfield. Notre Dame went for the fourth down but Leonard was stopped just inches short on the keeper.
Notre Dame’s defense stepped up to the forefront and earned a dramatic four-and-out. Bryce Young stuffed the runner short on third down to bring up fourth and two. Georgia lined up to go for it and committed a false start to bring out the punt team.
With the punt team on the field, Notre Dame was then called for a delay of game penalty, which was another way of saying they induced Georgia to go commit another false start. The Bulldogs sent back out their offense for a fourth-down attempt with two yards to go. The Irish called a perfectly timed blitz to pressure the quarterback and while a pass was completed, it was well short of the first down and the Irish got the ball back.
Leonard scramble for a first down across midfield, then Price for eight yards on the bounce out and on the next play bounced left this time for another first down to the Georgia 33-yard line. Faison then picked up six around the right side on a hand off to end the third quarter. The drive stalled there, however. Jeter came on and connected on his third field goal of the game to put the Irish up 23-10 with 13:47 remaining.
Georgia gained some momentum with a 28-yard run, then 11 more on a check down pass when they got the ball back. Leonard Moore broke up a pass and Drayk Bowen had a tackle-for-loss to bring up a fourth-and-13. Georgia threw deep and were bailed out by a questionable pass interference call on Jack Kiser to gift the Bulldogs a first down at the 14-yard line.
The Notre Dame defense would not be denied their stop. Tuihalamaka pressured the quarterback on third down to bring up fourth down at the nine-yard line. Georgia threw to the end zone but Rod Heard II was there in great coverage and the Irish got the ball back.
The Irish needed a few first downs and got two clutch plays from Leonard and Aneyas Williams. On third and four, Williams caught a pass out of the backfield and seemed to get a first down, but another questionable review by the officiating crew put the Irish short of the line to gain.
Notre Dame sent out the punt team, but then traded out for the offense when the play clock started. Georgia ran their defense back and in the confusion jumped offsides to give the Irish a first down.
A Leonard keeper earned Notre Dame another first down and the Irish started to focus on running out the clock. A punt put Georgia deep in their own territory and a Donovan Hinish sack on fourth down sealed the victory for Notre Dame who ended the game in victory formation.
NOTRE DAME MEN’S BASKETBALL
IRISH WEAR GREEN – SOLD OUT AGAINST UNC
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Notre Dame men’s basketball team (7-6, 1-1) will look to unlock the green jersey magic once again when they host the North Carolina Tar Heels (8-6, 1-1) on Saturday, Jan. 4. The game will be broadcasted by CBS at Noon ET. The game is officially sold out – Notre Dame’s first of the season.
ND vs UNC
Saturday will mark the 40th meeting between the Irish and Tar Heels. ND trails the overall series 9-30 but has a better mark at home at 4-6. In fact, the Irish have won two of the last three against UNC inside Purcell Pavilion.
Saturday will also mark the second of what will be four Irish Wear Green games this conference season. Notre Dame was successful in its first Green Game, defeating Syracuse on December 7.
Lastly, there is an interesting Irish connection in this series. North Carolina’s athletic director Bubba Cunningham earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration from Notre Dame in 1984 and 1988, respectively. He’s a former member of the Irish golf team (1982-83) and served as Notre Dame’s associate athletics director for finance and facilities from 1995-2000 and was the associate director of athletics for external affairs from 2000-02. Notre Dame’s athletic director is a former Fighting Irish student-athlete as well. Pete Bevacqua graduated magna cum laude, with a B.A. in English in 1993. He was a walk-on punter for head football coach Lou Holtz.
THE TAE-KOVER
Tae Davis has stepped up and balled out in Markus Burton’s absence, emerging as one of the top talents in the league. Scoring-wise, Davis had the fourth-best December in the ACC, averaging 20.0 ppg last month.
He’s produced three straight games with 20+ points, averaging 23.7 ppg in that span on 61.5 percent shooting. He’s also averaging 7.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists over those three games. If Tae can go big for two more games, it’ll mark the first time an Irish player has recorded five straight of 20+ since Ben Hansbrough in February of 2011.
Lastly, he’s riding a career-best eight straight games in double figures.
PROTECT PURCELL
For the most part, the Irish have done just that, going 6-1 inside Purcell Pavilion during non-conference play. If it weren’t for the letdown vs. Elon, the Irish could have been looking at 7-0.
This is their best start at home since the 2021-22 season in which they were a dominant 14-1 inside Purcell and qualified for the NCAA Tournament.
The Irish are averaging 80.6 ppg at home on 49.6 percent shooting. They boast a scoring margin at home of +13.4.
The best individual player at home this year? Braeden Shrewsberry is averaging 18.0 ppg on an impressive 51.8 percent shooting. He’s 41.5 percent from deep. The sophomore has recorded 20+ points in three of his last four home games.
MAKING UP POINTS
Before Vegas, Burton was the only player in the country averaging 20+ points, 5+ assists, and 5+ rebounds. Now the Irish continue to work together to make up the 20+ points per game lost along with Burton’s ability to create shots for his teammates.
Three players in particular have stepped up to fill the void. Both Tae Davis and Braeden Shrewsberry are posting career highs in both points per game and shooting percentage. Then there’s Matt Allocco who is on pace to have the highest assist-to-turnover ratio in program history.
Davis is averaging 16.6 ppg, which ranks 10th in the ACC. For comparison, Tae averaged 9.2 ppg in his first year with the Irish. He boasts the third-best shooting percentage in the ACC at 53.7 percent. Diving deeper, he’s 51-of-75 (.680) at the rim.
Tae has this explosiveness and innate ability to attack the rim like no other on the team. He’s been using that to his advantage and getting to the foul line. He’s averaging 6.9 FD/40 which ranks 27th nationally. The Indy native ranks third in the league in FT attempts and sixth in makes. He’s shooting a career-best 76.5 percent from the stripe.
Next is Braeden Shrewsberry, who is averaging 16.2 ppg (11th in the ACC) on 43.7 percent shooting. His 2.9 threes per game rank second in the league, while his .373 clip from three ranks fifth.
In particular, Shrewsberry is hot from corner threes this year, knocking down 52.2 percent (12-for-23), which is 17.2 percent above the D1 average.
Last season, he drained 55 three-pointers in conference play which set a new program record for ACC threes. He ultimately hit 78 treys which were second most by a DI freshman.
However, it’s important to point out that he’s added to his overall arsenal. He’s developed a dangerous floater that keeps defenders guessing. Oh you think he’s shooting a three, well he’s gonna pump fake and drive now. He’s shooting 48.4% from the paint and he’s 12-15 around the rim. He’s 52.8 percent overall from two.
Last but not least is grad transfer Matt Allocco. The 6-4 guard is averaging 10.2 ppg on 45.4 percent shooting from the floor and 46.9 percent from beyond the arc. His 3.8 assists per game rank 10th in the ACC.
Allocco owns a 4.1 assist-to-turnover ratio which ranks fifth in the nation and leads all ACC players. It’s obviously way too early for comparisons, BUT, the highest A/TO ratio in program history for a season was 3.16 by Martin Inglesby back in 2000-01.
NOTRE NOTABLES
Notre Dame is shooting 47.2 percent from the field which ranks fourth in the ACC.
A defensive statistic that sticks out is the team’s three-point percentage allowed vs. the average opponent – .296 which ranks 25th. That’s the best ranking the Irish have had in that category since Haslam Metrics started tracking in 2014.
Last time out, it was the tale of the good and the bad. The bad was the first half. The Irish shot a season low 28.1 percent and faced a 19-point halftime deficit at 24-43. The good was the second half. They scored a season best 51 points in a half on 60.0 percent shooting. Tae Davis scored 22 of his 27 points in the second half. Now, the Irish have to rebound from a tough 75-86 loss at Georgia Tech with UNC on Saturday.
Freshman guard Sir Mohammed made his return from injury in the Georgia Tech game on Dec. 31. He had been out since the second game of the season back on Nov. 11.
J.R. Konieczny is averaging 10.5 ppg in the two ACC games this year, which is third-best on the team. J.R. is shooting 8-18 (.444) from the floor and 3-7 from three (.429).
BALL STATE MEN’S VOLLEYBALL
NO. 5 MEN’S VOLLEYBALL OPENS 2025 SEASON WITH TWO HOME MATCHES THIS WEEKEND
No. 5 Ball State vs. Wabash College
Last Meeting: Ball State 3, Wabash 0 (1/2/24)
Series History: Ball State leads the series 2-0
No. 5 Ball State vs. Trine University
Last Meeting: Ball State 3, Trine 0 (1/16/24)
Series History: Ball State leads the series 1-0
Setting the Scene:
Coach Cruz: Ball State head coach Donan Cruz enters his fourth season at the helm of the Cardinals and owns an overall record at BSU of 64-23 (.736) along with a Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) Tournament Championship, three MIVA regular season titles and an NCAA Tournament appearance.
Last Season: The Cardinals closed the 2024 season 21-10. After winning the MIVA regular season title, the team fell 2-3 to #4 Lindenwood in the MIVA Semifinals. Multiple Cardinals earned postseason honors, including Cruz earning his third MIVA Coach of the Year title, Tinaishe Ndavazocheva and Patrick Rogers were named All-MIVA First Team and Lucas Machado was named All-MIVA Second Team. In the conference tournament, Ndavazocheva was named to the All-MIVA Tournament team. He also earned Second Team AVCA All-American honors along with Machado and Rogers who earned AVCA Honorable Mentions on the All-American team.
Match History – Wabash: The 2024 season marked these two teams’ first time ever meeting on the court. Ball State went 2-0 against Wabash with impressive performances all around. In game one, Nathan Goh was a top offensive player for the Cardinals, recording eight kills. The Cardinals hit an impressive .618 on the floor while holding Wabash to .029. In game two, Ryan Bartz dominated at the net recording 14 kills and a block.
Match History – Trine: These teams met for the first time in program history in 2024. The Cardinals swept the Thunder (25-16, 25-20, 25-19), holding them at a .077 hitting percentage. Ryan Batz led the Cardinals’ efforts with 16 kills, three aces, three blocks and nine digs.
Scouting Wabash and Trine: Wabash finished the 2024 season 15-11, a new program best. The Little Giants season ended in a 1-3 loss against Adrian College. Their offense was led by Bawibawi Thang who averaged 3.56 kills per set with a .282 hitting average. Trine finished the 2024 season 19-7, winning the MCVL Championship. They went to the NCAA DIII Tournament, losing 2-3 in the first round to #5 Loras.
Preseason All-MIVA: The 2025 roster welcomes back many well-known faces and also offers several exciting new additions. Two impactful returners include senior outside hitter Tinaishe Ndavazocheva and junior outside hitter Patrick Rogers. Ndavazocheva and Rogers were named to the Preseason All-MIVA team, along with Cardinal newcomer Rajé Alleyne. Alleyne, the opposite senior transfer from Quincy, brings a wealth of experience at the net. Last season, Alleyene led the MIVA in kills per set (4.41) and in points scored (421.5), averaging 5.08 points per set. He also earned First Team All-MIVA honors and AVCA All-American Honorable Mention.
AVCA Preseason Poll: The Cardinals enter the season ranked #5 in the AVCA National Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Preseason Poll with a total of 332 points. They will face nine other ranked opponents in the season, including #4 Hawai’i, #6 BYU, #7 Southern California, #8 Penn State, #11 Ohio State, #12 Loyola Chicago, #13 Stanford, #14 Lewis and #20 McKendree.
Looking Ahead: Next up, the Cardinals will head out to Stanford on Jan. 10-11 for their first road series.
INDIANA STATE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
REDBIRDS DOWN SYCAMORES BEHIND STRONG SECOND QUARTER
NORMAL, Ill. – Indiana State matched its season high of eight 3-pointers Thursday night, but Illinois State rode the momentum of a second-quarter surge to defeat the Sycamores 96-69 inside CEFCU Arena.
Bella Finnegan led the Trees with 16 points and added a pair of blocks, while Keslyn Secrist tacked on 13 points. Mia Simpson scored a career-high 11, with seven different Sycamores scoring five-plus points.
Finnegan and Secrist combined to hit five threes in the first quarter as Indiana State led by a point through 10 minutes. That strong start was short-lived, though, as Illinois State outscored the Sycamores 28-9 in the second quarter and never looked back. Despite a 27-point third quarter, the highest-scoring quarter for Indiana State this season, the Sycamores never got closer than 14 in the second half. A late 3-point barrage in the fourth for the Redbirds put the game out of reach.
First Half
Indiana State opened the scoring with a basket down low from Chloe Williams, with Finnegan and Secrist connecting on back-to-back threes to give the Sycamores an early 8-5 lead. The Sycamores extended their lead to five midway through the first on two more treys from Secrist before Illinois State went on a 9-0 run to go in front. Finnegan put the Sycamores ahead 19-18 after the opening quarter by beating the buzzer on a three-ball from the wing.
Finnegan added a pair of midrange jumpers early in the second quarter to hit double-figures for the game, but a 13-0 run for the home side saw Indiana State facing a double-digit deficit. Deja Jones ended the scoring run with a jumper and Simpson added a pair of late free throws, but Indiana State was outscored 28-9 in the second quarter and faced a 46-28 deficit at the half.
Second Half
Early baskets in the third from Finnegan and Saige Stahl helped the Trees match Illinois State’s scoring in the first two minutes, and Davina Smith added a putback layup to get the deficit back under 20. Indiana State struggled in the middle stages of the quarter before Simpson took control late with four baskets inside the final four minutes. Williams added a late 3-pointer for the Sycamores, who closed on a 7-0 run to pull within 69-55 entering the fourth.
Queen Ruffin and Williams got the Sycamore scoring started in the fourth with baskets in the paint, but the Trees were unable to contain Illinois State on the other end. Secrist and Savannah White added baskets for the Blue and White in the middle stages of the fourth, but Illinois State closed the game on a 9-0 run as the Sycamores fell 96-69 on the road.
News and Notes
Mia Simpson’s 11 points were her most in a Sycamore uniform, while her four field goals tied her season high.
Indiana State matched its season high of eight 3-pointers while shooting 44.4 percent from behind the arc. The Trees were 5-for-8 from 3-point range in the first quarter.
Indiana State held a lead at the end of the first quarter for the second straight game to begin conference play. The Sycamores are plus-five in the first quarter against MVC foes (36-31).
Indiana State matched its season-high of six blocks, marking the second straight game with six blocks for the Sycamores. Four different players had a rejection in the contest.
Indiana State’s 27-point third quarter was the Sycamores’ highest-scoring quarter this season. The Sycamores were 11-for-20 from the field, including a pair of 3-pointers, in the third.
Up Next
Indiana State closes its brief two-game road trip Sunday afternoon at Bradley, with tipoff slated for 3 p.m.
EVANSVILLE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
ACES WOMEN’S BASKETBALL BATTLES TO THE END IN LOSS AT BRADLEY
PEORIA, Ill. – To begin the new year the University of Evansville women’s basketball team was 30 seconds shy of its first road win against the Bradley Braves.
The Purple Aces dropped a heartbreaker to begin 2025 with a 45-42 loss at Bradley. UE took the lead five minutes into the game but couldn’t hang on in the final three minutes in the first game of the new year. Sophomore forward Maggie Hartwig (Sauk City, Wis. / Sauk Prairie HS) continues to lead Evansville on the floor with a 16 point and eight rebound performance against the Braves.
It was a slow start on Thursday night for both teams as it took over two minutes for the first points. The Aces didn’t score until three and a half minutes into the game, but once the offense got rolling it overtook Bradley’s defense. Following the first basket the Braves hit a three, but UE quickly responded with a 9-0 run. Evansville held Bradley scoreless for the final six minutes of the first to lead by six.
It was another low scoring quarter in the second as the Aces only had nine points through 10 minutes. UE scored seven of its nine points in the first five minutes of the quarter between two jumpers and a three for freshman forward Elle Snyder (Latrobe, Penn. / Greater Latrobe HS). In the final five minutes of the first half Evansville made a layup with 2:03 on the clock for a six-point lead. But the Braves made two three pointers to close out the half tied 20-20.
It was all Aces to begin the second half as UE had a 9-0 run to take the largest lead of the game. Hartwig scored seven of the nine points in the third quarter with two jumpers and a triple. Again, Evansville was able to hold Bradley scoreless for over six minutes in the quarter while Runner added four free throws in the final three minutes to lead by five.
The final quarter started with back and forth made shots. But a made three pointer followed by a jump shot from the Braves had the game tied at 35 with just under six minutes to go. The Aces answered with a 5-0 run of their own, including a three from freshman guard Kaiden Kreinhagen (Indianapolis / North Central HS) to go back up by five. But UE’s offense grew cold after the run, not scoring for almost three minutes.
Bradley took a one-point lead with 2:32 left on the clock at the free throw line. Evansville was able to make a layup with 54 seconds left to retake the lead. But the Braves responded less than 20 seconds later with a layup of their own. The Aces had two opportunities in the final 16 seconds to retake the lead. But both shots went wide as UE dropped a 45-42 heart breaker in Peoria.
Hartwig led Evansville on both sides of the ball while Runner was the team’s only other double-digit scorer with 10 points. For the second game in a row senior guard Júlia Palomo (La Seu d’Urgell) grabbed a career-high seven boards along with a steal to help on defense. The Aces continue their road trip on Saturday afternoon at Illinois State. Tip-off from CEFCU Arena is set for 4 p.m.
SOUTHERN INDIANA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
USI DROPS ROAD CONTEST AT TENNESSEE TECH
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball dropped its first Ohio Valley Conference game of the season Thursday evening, 83-79, on the road against Tennessee Tech University.
Thursday’s setback moved Southern Indiana to 11-4 overall and 3-1 within the OVC. The loss snapped a 13-game winning streak against OVC competition and 11 straight regular-season OVC wins dating back to last season. Tennessee Tech improved to 8-4 this season and 2-1 in conference play.
The Screaming Eagles tipped off the game in front 8-3 two minutes into the game after a pair of three-pointers from sophomore guard Triniti Ralston. Later in the first quarter, Tennessee Tech went on an 11-0 run that pushed the Golden Eagles ahead 17-10. Sophomore guard Sophia Loden ended the drought before another couple of conversions by Ralston with under three left in the opening frame. Tennessee Tech went on to lead 23-19 heading to the second period. Ralston tallied 11 first-quarter points.
After a defensive start to the second quarter, Tennessee Tech went on another big run with three consecutive triples to extend the Golden Eagles’ lead to 11, 34-23. Senior guard Vanessa Shafford strung together three jump shots with another three by Ralston to help pull USI back to even at 34 with just over two minutes remaining in the first half. The game remained tied at 38 going into halftime.
The two sides exchanged baskets in the early minutes of the second half with Shafford continuing to knock down shots to keep USI right with the Golden Eagles. Inside the final four minutes of the third quarter, Tennessee Tech drained three treys on three occasions to go up by seven. Graduate forward Meredith Raley scored four of USI’s final six points of the third quarter to help trim the Golden Eagles’ advantage down to three, 57-54, entering the fourth quarter.
Raley delivered another key make early in the fourth stanza to knot the game up at 58. The Golden Eagles answered with a small run to climb to a 66-60 lead with a little over six minutes remaining. With Tennessee Tech up by eight with four and a half minutes on the clock, Shafford drilled another big three followed by a fast-break layup by junior guard Ali Saunders that made it a one-possession contest once again, 72-69, in favor of the Golden Eagles. Southern Indiana stayed competitive driving to the basket and forcing contact. Saunders later tied the game at 74 from the foul line with just under two minutes left. However, Tennessee Tech responded with a few key plays down the stretch to finish off its home win despite a couple of late-effort makes from Ralston and Shafford.
Despite some offensive frustrations during the game, Southern Indiana was efficient from the floor by shooting over 51 percent (30-58). USI shot the ball for over 47 percent (9-19) from three but only connected at a 52.6 clip (10-19) at the free-throw line. Ralston matched her career best with a game-high 25 points on 9-16 shooting overall and 4-4 from outside. Shafford posted her second double-double of the season with 23 points and 12 rebounds. Raley added 11 points.
With five makes from three-point range on Thursday, Shafford inched closer to USI’s all-time record for three-point field goals made. Shafford finished the outing with 190 made threes in her career, only four shy of the program record set by Stephanie Carpenter (2010-14).
For Tennessee Tech, the Golden Eagles were 29-65 for a little over 44 percent shooting, including a rate of over 44 percent (12-27) from distance. Tennessee Tech was 13-21 for nearly 62 percent at the charity stripe. Tennessee Tech was plus-three on the boards, 36-33. Graduate guard Keeley Carter and junior guard Reghan Grimes led Tennessee Tech with 23 points a piece. Grimes also notched a double-double by grabbing 10 rebounds.
The Screaming Eagles will get a week away from game action before continuing its three-game road swing next Thursday at Southeast Missouri State University. Tipoff from Cape Girardeau, Missouri, is slated for 5:15 p.m. The game can be seen with a subscription to ESPN+ and heard on The Spin 95.7 FM.
SOUTHERN INDIANA MEN’S BASKETBALL
USI FALLS SHORT AT TTU, 68-64
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball fought until the final seconds before falling short at Tennessee Tech University, 68-64, Thursday evening in Cookeville, Tennessee. The Screaming Eagles are 6-8 overall and 1-3 in OVC action, while the Golden Eagles are 7-7, 2-1 OVC.
For the first time in three games, USI started fast on the offensive end and jumped out to an 8-3 lead. TTU responded with a 7-0 run of its own and grabbed a 12-8 advantage. The Golden Eagles would extend their run and built a first-half best 13-point margin, 27-14.
The Screaming Eagles’ offense kicked back into gear and used a 13-3 run to close the gap to two, 30-28 with 2:59 left in the first half. USI sophomore forward Stephen Olowoniyi, who had 18 points in the first 20 minutes, led the closing run with eight of the 13 points during the run.
TTU would close the half by outscoring USI, 7-5, and lead at the intermission, 37-33.
In the second half, TTU got some separation early with a quick 7-0 run to lead 44-33 before three minutes were gone. USI, trailing 46-36, used a 9-2 run with 11:16 to play to slice the deficit to 48-45 after junior guard Jared Washington hit a pair of free throws.
The USI offense would go cold just after the midway point of the second half as TTU regained command with a 10-2 surge to get back to an 11-point advantage, 58-47. The Screaming Eagles stayed close and began to claw their way back into the game with a late 12-7 rally to shrink the gap to 65-62 with 23 seconds after junior guard Jack Campion deposited a pair of free throws. Junior guard Damoni Harrison led the 12-point swell with nine of the points.
USI would get one more chance to send the game to overtime trailing 67-64, but Harrison’s three-pointer from the right side would rim out with three seconds on the clock. TTU would get one more free throw with 0.4 seconds before closing out the 68-64 final.
Individually for the game, Olowoniyi would add eight points in the final half and finish with a game-high 26 points. The sophomore forward, who also posted his second double-double of the year with a season-high 13 rebounds, was 11-of-17 from the field and four-of-four from the stripe.
Harrison followed in the scoring column with 20 points and tied a season-high with eight rebounds. He was eight-of-20 from the field, including three three-pointers, and one-of-one from the line.
Next Up For USI:
Following tonight’s game, USI is idle this weekend before continuing the road swing at Southeast Missouri State University January 9 and concluding the trip at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock January 11.
VALPO MEN’S BASKETBALL
VALPO RETURNS HOME TO HOST UNI ON SATURDAY
UNI (9-5, 3-0 MVC)
at Valparaiso (8-6, 1-2 MVC)
Game No. 15 – Saturday, Jan. 4, 3 p.m. CT
Athletics-Recreation Center (5,000) – Valparaiso, Ind.
Next Up in Valpo Basketball: The Valparaiso University men’s basketball team will return home for the first time since prior to the Christmas holiday on Saturday afternoon as the Beacons host UNI at the Athletics-Recreation Center after playing back-to-back Missouri Valley Conference road games. The Beacons will play two straight at home, starting with Saturday’s game, which is presented by game sponsor Compass Counseling. Valpo and UNI will face off for the only time in the regular season as Cedar Falls is the one Missouri Valley Conference destination that Valpo will not visit in 2024-25. Saturday is also Carnival Day at the ARC, featuring free cotton candy for kids, a pregame stilt walker and balloon artist and a halftime magician. A win on Saturday would give Valpo its best record through 15 games since also starting 9-6 in 2018-19.
Last Time Out: The Beacons breathed a collective sigh of relief as Missouri State missed two out of three free throws with 0.9 seconds on the clock to allow Valpo to escape Springfield with a 73-72 New Year’s Day victory over Missouri State on Wednesday. The Beacons snapped a nine-game head-to-head losing streak, beating the Bears for the first time since the 2020 Missouri Valley Conference semifinal. Cooper Schwieger led Valpo with 22 points on 8-of-14 shooting, while All Wright totaled 14 on 6-of-8 shooting in his return to the state of Missouri, where he spent the bulk of his youth. Schwieger, Wright, Devon Ellis (seven points and six rebounds in 16 minutes) and Carson Schwieger (played six minutes) were all playing just 45 miles away from their former school – Link Year Prep in Branson, Mo.
Following the Beacons: Streaming – Valley on ESPN+ Exclusive – Telly Hughes (play-by-play) and Kevin Lehman (analyst)
Radio – WVUR 95.1 FM Valparaiso, TuneIn Radio App, ValpoAthletics.com – Todd Ickow (play-by-play) and The Victory Bell’s Paul Oren (analyst)
X updates – @ValpoBasketball
Links for video, audio and live stats will be available at ValpoAthletics.com.
Head Coach Roger Powell Jr.: Roger Powell Jr. (15-31) is in his second season as the head coach of the Valpo men’s basketball program. After helping guide Gonzaga to a 121-13 record during his four seasons as an assistant coach, Powell returned to Valpo, where he was part of head coach Bryce Drew’s staff from 2011-2016 and led the team to 124 wins in five seasons, including a program-record 30 victories and a National Invitation Tournament (NIT) title game appearance in 2015-16. He was part of head coach Mark Few’s Gonzaga staff as the Bulldogs reached the 2021 national championship game after winning their first 31 games of the season. During Powell’s first season on staff in 2019-20, Gonzaga was 31-2 at the time the NCAA college basketball season was halted due to COVID-19. The Bulldogs reached the Sweet Sixteen in each of his final three seasons on staff, including two Elite Eight appearances and the aforementioned trip to the 2021 national title game. Prior to his arrival at Gonzaga, Powell served as the associate head coach at Vanderbilt University under Bryce Drew from 2016-2019. During his stint as an assistant at Valpo, he was part of four Horizon League regular-season championships in a five-year period while also leading the 2012-13 and 2014-15 squads to Horizon League tournament titles and NCAA Tournament appearances. A product of Joliet West High School and a native of Joliet, Ill., Powell capped a prolific collegiate playing career at Illinois with a national title game appearance in 2005 before going on to a successful professional playing career.
Series Notes: UNI holds a 33-5 advantage in a one-sided all-time series and the Panthers have won four straight, six of seven and nine of the last 11 matchups. Valpo’s most recent win was 83-80 in overtime on Jan. 19, 2022 at the ARC. The Panthers swept last season’s series, winning 86-67 at the ARC and 68-54 in Cedar Falls. Saturday will mark the lone regular-season matchup between these two teams this season.
New Year’s Day Sharpshooting
On Jan. 1 at Missouri State, both teams shot at a high clip.
Valpo shot 52.8 percent from the field, while Missouri State shot 58 percent. This marked Valpo’s season-high in terms of field-goal percentage against a Division-I opponent, but on the flip side the Bears’ 58 percent shooting was a Valpo season-worst in terms of field-goal percentage defense.
The Beacons shot at their highest clip against a Division-I opponent since shooting 57.4 percent on Jan. 21, 2023 at Illinois State.
This marked the first Valpo game where both teams shot 52.8 percent or better since Dec. 8, 2018 at George Washington.
This also marked the first time Valpo won despite an opponent shooting 58 percent or better since the aforementioned 2018 game against George Washington, an 82-79 victory.
The Bears had their highest single-game field goal percentage since Nov. 25, 2023 vs. South Carolina State. Missouri State had won seven straight when shooting at least 58 percent, suffering their first loss under those circumstances since Jan. 18, 2014 at UNI and falling to 27-3 since 2004-05 when shooting at least 58 percent. The Bears were 20-0 when shooting 58 percent or better at home prior to the Jan. 1 loss to the Beacons.
Missouri State also shot 44.4 percent from 3, the second highest percentage against Valpo this season behind only Northern Illinois at 45.5 percent on Nov. 27.
With the Win at Missouri State, Valpo…
Snapped a nine-game head-to-head losing streak, capturing its first win over the Bears since the 2020 Missouri Valley Conference Tournament game semifinal.
Picked up its eighth win of the season, surpassing last season’s win total with 17 regular-season games remaining.
Earned its second road win of the season, surpassing last season’s road victory total.
Won on New Year’s Day for the first time since 1945, a 56-53 win over Hamline in Buffalo, N.Y. Valpo had played on New Year’s Day just twice since then – a 76-59 loss at Butler in 2011 and a 68-50 setback vs. Indiana State to open 2023.
Snapped a four-game losing streak in Springfield, picking up its first road win over the Bears since an 82-66 victory on Jan. 5, 2019.
Improved to 2-0 on Wednesdays this season after going 0-10 on Wednesdays last season. Valpo entered this season with a 15-game Wednesday losing streak. The Jan. 1 win at Missouri State snapped an 18-game Missouri Valley Conference Wednesday losing streak that dated back to Jan. 19, 2022, an 83-80 overtime victory over UNI.
Improved to 3-0 this season in games decided by five points or fewer (Northern Illinois, Western Michigan, Missouri State).
The Slimmest of Margins
Valpo snapped a five-game losing streak in one-point games by winning 73-72 at Missouri State on Jan. 1, garnering its first win in a game decided by the slimmest of margins since beating Southern Illinois 66-65 on Feb. 21, 2021.
This was Valpo’s first one-point game since Feb. 3, 2024 vs. Evansville. The Beacons also had one-point defeats to Chicago State, Murray State, UIC and Charlotte since their previous one-point win.
Missouri State and Valpo previously played a one-point game on Jan. 29, 2019, a game the visiting Bears won 55-54 in overtime at the ARC.
Valpo’s last three games against Division-I opponents have all come down to the final second or overtime – at Western Michigan, at Bradley and at Missouri State.
All three of Valpo’s Missouri Valley Conference games this season have been decided by six points or fewer.
DeAveiro Enters All-Time Top 10
Senior point guard Darius DeAveiro entered the program’s all-time top 10 in career assists on Jan. 1, lifting his career total to 331 with two assists against Missouri State. He moved over Matt Kenney on the program’s all-time list, climbing into 10th in program history.
DeAveiro is up to 331 assists for his career. The next threshold is 359 to tie Jamie Sykes (1993-98) for ninth in program lore.
The Canada native finished last season second in the MVC and 30th nationally with 170 assists and ranked second in the MVC and 36th nationally in assists per game at 5.3.
In addition, the point guard scored in double figures 12 times after not having done so at all over his first two collegiate campaigns. His scoring numbers took a significant junior jump, as outlined below.
DeAveiro is coming off a junior season where he dished out 170 assists, the third-most in a single season in program history behind only John McIlvain (197, 1982-83) and Ali Berdiel (185, 2003-04).
Valpo Career Assists – No. 9-13
Rank Player Years Assists
9 Jamie Sykes 1993-98 359
10 Darius DeAveiro 2021-pres. 331
11 Matt Kenney 2009-13 330
12 Rob Cavanaugh 1990-94 329
13 Tracy Gipson 1989-93 316
Brandon McPherson 2005-10 316
DeAveiro’s Junior Jump
2022-23 2023-24 Increase
Overall PPG 1.8 7.9 6.1
MVC PPG 1.4 9.3 7.9
Schwieger Surging
Cooper Schwieger finished with 22 points on Jan. 1 at Missouri State, matching his season high that was previously established on Nov. 21 vs. Lindenwood. In the game against the Bears, he was limited to just 20 minutes due to foul trouble.
That marked Schwieger’s third straight game with at least 20 points, and his fourth such performance overall this season. It also marked his fourth straight game with at least 19 points and his fifth straight with at least 16.
He scored 21 points on Dec. 29 at Bradley despite being limited to four first-half points in just seven minutes due to foul trouble.
Through nine games this season, Schwieger was averaging 11.1 points per game. He is averaging 19.8 points per game over the last four.
Schwieger also has at least six rebounds in four of his last five games. He ranks tied for ninth in the league in scoring average (14.2) and sixth in rebounding average (7.0), one of two Missouri Valley Conference players (joining Illinois State’s Chase Walker) in the top 10 in both categories. Schwieger also ranks third in the league in blocked shots per game (1.29), making him the only MVC player in the top 10 in all three categories.
Schwieger is one of 25 players nationally averaging 14 points, seven rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game.
Notes Wrapping Up Jan. 1 – Valpo 73, Missouri State 72
Cooper Schwieger paced the team with 22 points. All Wright, who was playing near the town of Joplin, Mo. where he spent most of his youth, had 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting. That marked his fifth time in double figures in the last six games.
Tyler Schmidt scored 14 points, his eighth double-figure game of the season and his highest scoring output in the last six contests.
Jefferson De La Cruz Monegro turned in 10 points on 4-of-7 shooting, his sixth straight game in double figures, his 12th double-figure scoring output of the year and his 14th time in as many games scoring at least nine points this year.
Devon Ellis finished with seven points and a team-high six rebounds.
Missed free throws by Missouri State aided the Beacon cause, as the hosts shot just 37.5 percent at the line, missing 10 of their 16 attempts. Valpo shot better than 70 percent at the charity stripe for the 11th time in 14 games this season, finishing the night at 73.3 percent (11-of-15). Valpo posted a better free-throw percentage than its opponent for the 12th time in 14 games this season.
The free-throw percentage of 37.5 was Missouri State’s fourth-worst in a single game in the last 20 years. It was the worst by a Valpo opponent since Judson went 3-of-11 (.273) on Dec. 6, 2020, the worst by a Valpo Division-I opponent since Northern Kentucky went 2-of-8 (.250) on Jan. 29, 2017 and the worst by a Valpo opponent on the opponent’s home court since Loyola Chicago went 3-of-8 (.375) on Jan. 19, 2012.
Valpo held a 14-8 edge in the turnover battle, committing single-digit turnovers for the sixth time this season. Valpo has won or tied the turnover battle in 11 out of 14 games this season.
Dez White, who entered the night as the Missouri Valley Conference’s leading scorer, was held below his average with 13 points, but Vincent Brady II went off for 19 points on 8-of-9 shooting to lead the Bears. Makhai Valentine made a surprise contribution off the bench with eight points on 3-of-3 shooting.
Making the Free Ones
Entering Jan. 4 vs. UNI, Valpo is shooting a conference-best 79.6 percent at the free-throw line this season, 13th nationally. The Beacons make an average of 18.1 free throws per game, first in the league and 26th nationally.
Valpo has posted a better free-throw percentage than its opponent in 12 out of 14 games this season.
On Dec. 17 at Ohio State, both teams were stellar at the free-throw line, as Valpo went 20-of-23 (87 percent) and Ohio State went 23-of-27 (85.2 percent).
This was only the seventh game nationally in the NCAA this season where each team shot better than 85 percent from the free-throw line with a minimum of 20 attempts. This was the first such Valpo game since Nov. 29, 2013.
Valpo put together yet another stellar showing at the stripe on Dec. 14 vs. Central Michigan, going 28-of-31 (90.3 percent). That marked the first time Valpo shot 90 percent at the charity stripe with a minimum of 30 attempts since Nov. 29, 2013 vs. Mercer (29-32, 90.6 percent).
Valpo went 23-of-25 at the free-throw line on Nov. 24 vs. Eastern Illinois for a season-best 92 percent at the stripe, then made a season-high 35 free throws on 44 attempts on Nov. 27 vs. Northern Illinois, hitting at a 79.5 percent clip.
There is a lot of season left to be played, but for reference, the modern program record for team single-season free-throw percentage is 77.5 percent in 2016-17 followed by 77.4 percent in 1992-93.
Tyler Schmidt made his first 20 free throws of the season before finally missing with 19 seconds left in the first half on Nov. 27 vs. Northern Illinois.
Valpo’s 35 made free throws on Nov. 27 vs. Northern Illinois were the team’s most in a game since going 36-of-44 on Jan. 15, 2014 at Detroit Mercy. The 44 free-throw attempts were the team’s most since Jan. 10, 2017 vs. North Park (46).
The Beacons and Huskies combined for 57 made free throws and 74 free-throw attempts. This was the first Valpo game where both teams had at least 30 free-throw attempts since Jan. 3, 2018 at Bradley.
Scouting the Panthers
UNI extended its undefeated start to conference play by moving to 3-0 in league action with a 76-70 win over Belmont on Wednesday. That came after victories over Southern Illinois (78-67) and UIC (83-56).
Tytan Anderson (First Team), Jacob Hutson (Second Team) and Trey Campbell (Second Team) all earned preseason all-conference honors.
Picked second of 12 in the MVC preseason poll.
Ranked 78th in the NET and 96th by KenPom.
Led in scoring by Tytan Anderson at 13.8 points per game.
VALPARAISO WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
BEACONS FALL ON ROAD AT UNI THURSDAY NIGHT
The Valpo women’s basketball team opened up a stretch of four challenging road games in 11 days Thursday evening in Cedar Falls, Iowa, dropping a 93-70 decision to host UNI.
How It Happened
It was a hot start for the Beacon offense, as Mor Shabtai (Tel Aviv, Israel/Tichonet), Neveah Jackson (Fort Wayne, Ind./Northrop) and Leah Earnest (Stevens Point, Wis./SPASH) all connected on 3-pointers within Valpo’s first four possessions to give it a quick 9-4 lead just over two minutes into the game.
UNI scored the next eight points before baskets from Layla Gold (Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral) and Jackson returned the lead to the Beacons, 13-12, with 3:24 to play in the quarter.
The latter basket proved to be Valpo’s last of the period, however, as the Panthers ended the quarter on an 11-0 run to lead 23-13 at the end of the first.
A triple by Earnest and a fast-break layup by Jackson following a Fiona Connolly (South Burlington, Vt./Brewster Academy [La Salle]) steal gave the Beacons the first five points of the second quarter, forcing a UNI timeout with the deficit cut to 23-18 and 8:33 to play in the half.
After the teams traded baskets out of the stoppage, the Panthers went on a 14-2 run over the next four minutes to pull out to a 39-22 lead. UNI’s lead reached as many as 21 late in the half and was 50-30 at intermission.
Valpo cut UNI’s lead to 16 multiple times in the third quarter, but was unable to get any closer, and the Panthers went on a late run to close the quarter with a 75-51 lead.
UNI’s advantage remained in the 20-point range throughout the fourth quarter.
Inside the Game
Thursday’s game was against a UNI squad which entered the night 75th in the NCAA NET rankings, making it Valpo’s first Quadrant 1 game of the season.
Earnest led all players with 21 points, finishing the game 8-of-13 from the field. The fifth 20-plus point effort of her season and the 15th of her career, it leaves Earnest just 21 points shy of fifth place on the program career scoring chart.
Earnest also paced the Beacons with six rebounds.
Jackson backed up Earnest with a 16-point night, connecting on 7-of-12 from the floor. The sophomore has been in double figures in 10 of Valpo’s 13 games this season.
The aforementioned duo was the only Valpo players to reach double figures, though, as the Beacons’ next leading scorer was Lexi Castator (Fort Wayne, Ind./Northrop), who hit 3-of-4 from the field for eight points — just one off her season high.
Maci Rhoades (Beavercreek, Ohio/Beavercreek [Radford]) set a career best with four assists to lead Valpo.
The Beacons posted a 48.2% field goal percentage Thursday, hitting 27-of-56 for their second-best effort against a D-I opponent this year. But UNI bettered that with a 56.4% clip from the floor and took advantage of 21 more free throw attempts, hitting 25-of-35 from the stripe to Valpo’s 9-of-14.
Valpo also lost the turnover battle by its highest margin of the year, committing 23 turnovers which the Panthers scored 28 points off. Meanwhile, the Beacons forced just 14 turnovers — their second-lowest total of the season — and scored just 12 points off turnovers.
Next Up
Valpo (5-8, 1-1 MVC) continues Valley play with another tough test on Saturday, as the Beacons close out the Iowa road swing in Des Moines Saturday afternoon versus Drake.
INDIANA SMALL COLLEGE WEB SITES
INDIANA WESLEYAN ATHLETICS: https://iwuwildcats.com/
EARLHAM ATHLETICS: https://goearlham.com/
WABASH ATHLETICS: https://sports.wabash.edu/
FRANKLIN ATHLETICS: https://franklingrizzlies.com/
ROSE-HULMAN ATHLETICS: https://athletics.rose-hulman.edu/
ANDERSON ATHLETICS: https://athletics.anderson.edu/landing/index
TRINE ATHLETICS: https://trinethunder.com/landing/index
BETHEL ATHLETICS: https://bupilots.com/
DEPAUW ATHLETICS: https://depauwtigers.com/
HANOVER ATHLETICS: https://athletics.hanover.edu/
MANCHESTER ATHLETICS: https://muspartans.com/
HUNTINGTON ATHLETICS: https://www.huathletics.com/
OAKLAND CITY ATHLETICS: https://gomightyoaks.com/index.aspx
ST. FRANCIS ATHLETICS: https://www.saintfranciscougars.com/landing/index
IU KOKOMO ATHLETICS: https://iukcougars.com/
IU EAST ATHLETICS: https://www.iueredwolves.com/
IU SOUTH BEND ATHLETICS: https://iusbtitans.com/
PURDUE NORTHWEST ATHLETICS: https://pnwathletics.com/
INDIANA TECH ATHLETICS: https://indianatechwarriors.com/index.aspx
GRACE COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://gclancers.com/
ST. MARY OF THE WOODS ATHLETICS: https://smwcathletics.com/
GOSHEN COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://goleafs.net/
HOLY CROSS ATHLETICS: https://www.hcsaints.com/index.php
TAYLOR ATHLETICS: https://www.taylortrojans.com/
VINCENNES ATHLETICS: https://govutrailblazers.com/landing/index
“SPORTS EXTRA”
FOOTBALL HISTORY
January 3, 1971 – Baltimore’s Memorial Stadium – The first ever played AFC Championship game took place. Before we dive into this game let’s talk a little bit about the 1970 NFL realignment. This the first season when the AFL and the NFL truly merged into one league rather than having separate regular seasons and then having their champions square off against each other. This merging and reigning was not an easy process as the AFL bright 10 teams into the fray while the NFL had 16 franchises. In essence three NFL teams had to join the AFL clubs in order to create balance in the new NFL. Finally a decision was made to transfer the Steelers, Colts and Browns and mix them with the AFL clubs to form the American Football Conference of the NFL. One of these old NFL squads the Baltimore Colts survived the rigors of the new conference to battle the old guard of the AFL the Oakland Raiders for the right to play in Super Bowl V. The Pro-Football-Reference shares via the box score that the favored Colts jumped out early and hung on to defeat Oakland 27-17. Colts runner Norm Bulaich scored twice and a Unitas to Ray Perkins TD pass sealed the deal in the fourth to place the Colts in the Big Game!
January 3, 1971 – The first NFC Championship game took place at San Francisco’s Kezar Stadium. As we just discussed a second ago the 13 teams of the National Football Conference of the NFL had all been in the NFL in the years prior to the merger. The folks at Pro-Football-Reference.com tell us that the Niners were entertaining the Cowboys in the contest to see who would face Baltimore in the Super Bowl. At the half the game was knotted at 3 but coming out of the locker room it appears that Dallas had made the better adjustments as they scored two 3rd quarter TDs and then held on to win as they beat San Francisco 17-10 to advance.
January 3, 1983 – Generally when the offense runs a play with only ten players on the field from their own one yard line it will end up in a disaster. That was not the case when the Cowboys played the Vikings on a cold January day in 1983 according to ESPN.com. When Dallas had a Heisman winning running back named Tony Dorsett they had no worries. The Pitt product used his talents to set an NFL record with a 99-yard scamper in the Cowboys’ 31-27 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
January 3, 1987 – Fiesta Bowl – This Penn State/Miami game changed the way Bowl games were scheduled. A bidding war started as at the time both Penn State and Miami were both independents and had no affiliation with a conference. The LA Time archived story from the day tells the tale well. The Bowls were waging war against each other trying to get the rights to have these two top teams meet at their venue. The Fiesta Bowl won out and then became a high-profile bowl. The 1987 Fiesta Bowl became the highest rated championship game in history, recording a 24.9 Nielsen rating as more than 70 million viewers had the game on their home sets. No college football game has gotten that kind of rating, before or since. The game was pretty good too but the difference was the Nittany Lions defense thwarted much of the fire power of the Hurricane offense as Penn State’s defense intercepted Heisman Trophy winner Vinny Testaverde five times including one with 18 seconds left near the end zone. Penn State hangs on tight with the 14-10 victory.
January 3, 1993 – I can remember watching the first half of this match up as the Houston Oilers dominated the first half of their wild card weekend game with the Buffalo Bills. I man it was an utter drubbing and unless you were an avid Oilers fane it was extremely uninteresting watch the blood bath. The score was 28-3 at the half and it felt even worse than that. The Oiler scored on a pick six coming out of the break to make the score 35-3. The whole complexion of the game changed though at that point in the third quarter as the Bills led by backup QB Frank Reich scored four TDs in the quarter to get back into the game. Reich led the Buffalo Bills all the way back from a 32-point deficit, to defeat the Houston Oilers 41-38 in overtime in a wild card playoff game, the greatest comeback ever in NFL history per Pro-Football-Reference.com.
January 3, 1994 – Candlestick Park, San Francisco – The Philadelphia Eagles and the San Francisco 49ers finished the season by going into Overtime. The Eagles Quarterback Bubby Brister completed 26 of 43 of his passes for 350 yards and three touchdowns. Steve Young, the southpaw signal caller of the San Francisco 49ers was used sparingly as the team prepared for the playoff in this meaningless game. Per the Pro-Football-Refence website, Young did throw 15 of 19 for 165 and 2 TDs to become the first quarterback to win 3 straight NFL passing titles and the first to put up 3 consecutive seasons with a passer rating of 100 or more. The Niners, with Steve Bono in relief, suffered the OT loss to the Philadelphia Eagles 37-34.
January 3, 2001 – Pro Player Stadium, Miami Gardens – College Football ‘s 3rd BCS National Championship pitted the #1 ranked Oklahoma Sooners against the #2 Florida State Seminoles per the American Football Database. This was a defensive lovers game! The Sooners kicked a field goal early in the game and held onto that 3-0 lead for most of the game until the third quarter when they booted through another 3 pointer. Finally in the fourth Quentin Griffin scored on a 10 yard run to give Oklahoma a bit of a cushion to pad the lead. The Noles only scoring came on a final stanza safety. The Sooners won the BCS Trophy with great defense 13-2, at the Orange Bowl.
January 3, 2002 – Rose Bowl, Pasadena -At the fourth BCS National Championship the #1 Miami Hurricanes led by back Clinton Portis and quarterback Ken Dorsey faced a stiff challenge from the second ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers and their outstanding signal caller Eric Crouch. The ‘Canes used a combination of offensive and defensive flurry of scoring in the first half of 34 unanswered points to cruise to a 37-14 National Championship victory at the 88th Rose Bowl per ESPN.com.
January 3, 2003 – Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona – The University of Miami made another appearance a year later at the 5th BCS National Championship. The Hurricanes were still atop the college football world and this year they faced a stiff challenge for the title from the number 2 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes at the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. The FiestaBowl.org website gives us the details of what many claim may be one of the top games in NCAA football history. Miami came into the game with a 34 game unbeaten streak in hand as they defended their title. The Canes roster included stars like QB Ken Dorsey. Willis McGahee, Kellen Winslow Jr., Sean Taylor, Antrel Rolle and Jonathan Vilma. The Buckeyes countered with sensational back Maurice Clarett, Craig Krenzel, Chris Gamble, Will Allen, AJ Hawk and Michael Doss. These rosters were stacked with stars! The difference of the game was a critical goal line stand in the second quarter when the Buckeyes defense held after Miami had the ball first and goal at the OSU two! Clarett and Krenzel each ran in a couple of touchdowns and Ohio State’s defense held the powerful Miami offense in check just enough for the Buckeyes to unseat Miami, 31-24 in a thriller.
January 3, 2004 – Charlotte, North Carolina – The setting was the NFC Wild Card weekend as the home crowd was out to support their Carolina Panthers against the visiting Dallas Cowboys per the Pro-Football-Reference. The Panthers jumped out to a 13-0 lead early and never looked back. Panthers kicker John Kasay tied an NFL-playoff record with 5 field goals to lead Carolina to a 29-10 win over Dallas Cowboys to advance in the playoff tournament.
January 3, 2007 – We all know that Nick Saban is the face of modern University of Alabama football as he churns out a top notch team to compete for national titles on an almost yearly basis. Do we remember though that he left another great College program in LSU to go into the NFL as a head man? Well he did, a year after winning the BCS Title in 2003 with the Tigers Saban was hired by the Miami Dolphins to guide their team according to an APNews.com story. The Saban led Miami teams finished with a 9-7 record in 2005 and then the Fins registered a 6-10 record in 2006. Many experts speculate that Saban was upset not only about the losing season he had just suffered through but also the fact that in early 2006 he could not win a recruiting war for the signing of Quarterback Drew Brees with the New Orleans Saints. He was used to signing top prospects at the college level but when it came to the NFL game of landing players it might not have been his cup of tea. It was on this January 3 day in 2007 when the high profile head coach Nick Saban resigned his position with the franchise to return to college football and take the head coaching job at Alabama.
January 3, 2021 – The Jacksonville Jaguars earned the dubious distinction of becoming the first NFL team since the 2001 Carolina Panthers to win their first game of the season and then drop 15 straight to go 1-15.
January 3, 2021 – Josh Allen became the first player in NFL history with at least 4,500 passing yards, 35 touchdown passes and five rushing touchdowns in a single season as he led the Buffalo Bills to a 13-3 record.
Hall of Fame Birthday for January 3
January 3, 1924 – Chicago, Illinois – Hank Stram, the former head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, was born. Hank got his feet wet in coaching as an assistant at the University of Miami. Lamar Hunt, the owner of an AFL start-up team, and the Dallas Texans hired Stram to lead the new franchise. The Texans played only one year in Dallas and then moved to Kansas City, where they changed their nickname to the Chiefs. Stram was an offensive innovator, and a Super Bowl winning Head Coach.
TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY
Jan. 3
1920 — Boston Red Sox owner Harry Frazee sells pitcher-outfielder Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees for $125,000 plus a $350,000 loan.
1931 — Nels Stewart of the Montreal Maroons scores two goals four seconds apart in the third period of a 5-3 victory over the Boston Bruins.
1946 — George Woolf falls off head first from his mount, Please Me, as he rounds the clubhouse turn in the fourth race at Santa Anita Park. Suffering from a concussion, the 35-year-old jockey, is taken to the hospital where he dies the following day. Woolf, known as “The Iceman” for his coolness in the saddle, has 3,784 mounts, 721 wins, 589 seconds and 468 thirds, with earnings of $2,856,125 in his 18-year career.
1973 — A 12-member group headed by George Steinbrenner buys the New York Yankees from the Columbia Broadcasting System for $10 million.
1991 — Wayne Gretzky scores three goals, including his 700th, as the Los Angeles Kings beat the New York Islanders 6-3.
1993 — The Buffalo Bills stage pro football’s biggest comeback to beat the Houston Oilers 41-38 in overtime in the first round of the NFL playoffs. The Oilers held a 35-3 lead 1:41 into the third quarter. Frank Reich throws four touchdown passes to give Buffalo its first lead of the game 38-35. Al Del Grecco’s 26-yard field goal ties the game. Steve Christie kicks the game-winning 32-yard field goal in overtime.
1995 — Nebraska, the fourth team to finish 13-0 in Division I-A football history, wins its first national football title since 1971 as the Cornhuskers are the overwhelming choice in The Associated Press poll.
1998 — Michigan wins its first national championship since 1948 as the Wolverines are officially declared No. 1 in the final Associated Press poll. The coaches poll jumps Nebraska to the No. 1 spot, creating a split national championship for the third time in the 1990s.
1999 — Brian Bellows of the Washington Capitals, has a goal and an assist, including the 1,000th point of his NHL career, to lead Washington past Toronto 5-2.
2003 — Ohio State completes an unlikely, unbeaten run to their first national title in 34 years with a 31-24 double-overtime win over Miami at the Fiesta Bowl.
2007 — High profile Miami Dolphins NFL head coach Nick Saban resigns after agreeing to return to college football and take head coaching job at Alabama.
2010 — Chris Johnson rushes for 134 yards and two touchdowns in Tennessee’s 17-13 win over Seattle and finishes the year with 2,006 yards.
2011 — Connecticut’s nearly three-year hold on the top ranking ends when they were overtaken by Baylor and drop to No. 2 in The Associated Press women’s basketball poll. Connecticut, which had it’s 90-game win streak snapped by Stanford on Dec. 30, had been the top team for a record 51 straight weeks, beginning Feb. 18, 2008.
2015 — A month shy of 43, Jaromir Jagr scores three times to pass Gordie Howe and becomes the oldest NHL player to record a hat trick, leading New Jersey to a 5-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers.
2016 – Jimmy Butler breaks Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls record for points in an NBA half, scoring 40 of his 42 points in the second half to lead the Bulls in a 115-113 victory over the Toronto Raptors.
2023 — Cristiano Ronaldo joins Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr for the “biggest salary ever in football”, leaving Manchester United after criticizing it publicly.
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Jan. 4
1970 — The Minnesota Vikings become the first expansion team to win the NFL title by beating the Cleveland Browns 27-7 in 8-degree temperatures in Bloomington, Minn.
1970 — Kansas City’s defense, highlighted by four interceptions, three in the final quarter, carries the Chiefs to a 17-7 victory over Oakland Raiders in the last AFL title game.
1976 — The Dallas Cowboys become the first wild-card team to make it to the Super Bowl with a 37-7 rout of the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC title game.
1986 — Eric Dickerson shatters the NFL playoff record with a 248-yard rushing performance and two touchdowns to lead the Los Angeles Rams to a 20-0 win over the Dallas Cowboys.
1991 — Fu Mingxia, a 12-year-old from China, becomes the youngest world titlist in the history of any aquatic event by winning the women’s platform gold medal at the World Swimming Championships in Perth, Australia.
1992 — Mike Gartner of the New York Rangers scores his 1,000th NHL point with a power-play goal in the third period of a 6-4 loss to the New Jersey Devils.
1997 — The Jacksonville Jaguars, in their second year, beat the Broncos in Denver to advance to the AFC Championship game.
2000 — A day after accepting the head coaching position at the New York Jets, Bill Belichick resigns and moves to the New England Patriots.
2000 — Top-ranked Florida State, the preseason No. 1, holds off Virginia Tech 46-29 in the Sugar Bowl to finish 12-0 and win the national championship. Florida State is the first team to go wire-to-wire in The Associated Press’ poll since preseason rankings began in 1950.
2001 — Washington Wizards forward Michael Jordan becomes 4th player in NBA history to score 30,000 career points; hits a free throw in 2nd quarter of an 89-83 win against his old team, the Chicago Bulls.
2003 — Bode Miller wins his second straight World Cup giant slalom in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia to move into first place in the World Cup overall standings. It’s the first time an American man has held the overall lead since Phil Mahre in 1983.
2005 — Matt Leinart throws five touchdown passes and Southern California overwhelms Oklahoma 55-19 in the Orange Bowl. USC (13-0) is the first team to repeat as AP national champions since Nebraska in 1994-95 and joins Florida State in 1999 as the only teams to go wire-to-wire — from preseason to post bowls — as No. 1.
2006 — Second-ranked Texas ends Southern California’s 34-game winning streak, beating the two-time defending national champion 41-38 in the Rose Bowl. The Longhorns also snap USC’s record string of 33 consecutive weeks as the No. 1 team in The Associated Press Top 25. The Longhorns, a unanimous choice, wins a national championship for the first time since 1969.
2012 — Geno Smith ties a record for any bowl game with six touchdown passes, including four to Tavon Austin, and West Virginia sets a bowl scoring record by beating Clemson 70-33 in the Orange Bowl.
2013 — Mikaela Shiffrin becomes the first American woman to win two World Cup races before turning 18. The 17-year-old captures a slalom in Zagreb, Croatia by a massive 1.19-second margin. Her first victory came last month in Sweden.
2014 — Andrew Luck throws four second-half touchdown passes and scores on a fumble recovery, leading the Indianapolis Colts from a four-TD deficit to an historic 45-44 comeback victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in a wild-card game.
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Jan. 5
1964 — Keith Lincoln of the San Diego Chargers, rushes for 206 yards in 13 carries, catches seven passes for 123 yards, completes one pass for 20 and scores two touchdowns in a 51-10 rout of the Boston Patriots for the AFL title.
1983 — In his 42nd game, Edmonton’s Wayne Gretzky scores his 100th point of the season with an assist in the Oilers’ 8-3 triumph over the Winnipeg Jets.
1991 — Kevin Bradshaw of U.S. International scores 72 points to break Pete Maravich’s NCAA Division I single-game scoring record of 69, but Loyola Marymount sets an NCAA team scoring record in defeating the Gulls 186-140.
1993 — Reggie Jackson, who hit 563 homers and played on five championship teams in 21 seasons, is the only player elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
1996 — Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula announces his retirement as winningest NFL Head Coach of all-time.
1997 — The second-year Carolina Panthers, behind John Kasay’s four field goals, beat the Dallas Cowboys 26-17 to advance to the NFC Championship game.
1999 — Nolan Ryan, George Brett and Robin Yount are voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, the biggest class of first-time candidates since Babe Ruth and four others were chosen in the original election of 1936.
2003 — Jeff Garcia hits Tai Streets with a 13-yard touchdown pass with 1 minute left, and the New York Giants botch the snap on a 41-yard field goal attempt as time expires in San Francisco’s 39-38 victory — the second-biggest comeback in NFL playoff history.
2009 — Pittsburgh makes it to the top of The Associated Press’ men’s college basketball poll for the first time. The Panthers are one of a record nine Big East teams in the poll. The 16-team league had a record eight schools ranked for three weeks earlier in the season.
2013 — Aaron Rodgers connects with an NFL playoff-record 10 receivers as he throws for 274 yards in his first playoff victory at home, leading Green Bay to a 24-10 victory over Minnesota.
2013 — Arian Foster rushes for 140 yards and a touchdown in Houston’s 19-13 win over Cincinnati, and becomes the first NFL player to have 100-yard games in each of his first three playoff games.
2017 — The Columbus Blue Jackets lose 5-0 to the Washington Capitals ending their winning streak at 16 games, one shy of the NHL record. Columbus lose for the first time since Nov. 26, ending a captivating run that fell short of the 1992-93 Pittsburgh Penguins’ record of 17 consecutive wins.
2021 – 86th Heisman Trophy Award: DeVonta Smith, Alabama (WR).
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Jan. 6
1951 — The Indianapolis Olympians beat the Rochester Royals 75-73 in six overtimes, the longest game in NBA history.
1976 — Ted Turner, a millionaire communications executive and internationally known yachtsman, buys the Atlanta Braves for a reported $10-to-12 million.
1980 — The Los Angeles Rams, behind three field goals by Frank Corral, beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9-0 to win the NFC Championship. This is the first conference championship game in NFL history without a touchdown being scored.
1980 — The Pittsburgh Steelers advance to their fourth Super Bowl appearance since 1974 by eliminating the Houston Oilers for the second consecutive year with a 27-13 triumph in the AFC title game.
1981 — John Tonelli ties a New York Islanders record with five goals in a 6-3 victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Nassau Coliseum. Mike Bossy gets an assist on all six goals to set an Islanders record. Tonelli scores once in the first period, once in the second and three times in the third.
1985 — Dan Marino passes for a record 421 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Miami Dolphins to a 45-28 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC championship game.
1985 — The San Francisco 49ers holds the Chicago Bears to 186 yards and sacks quarterback Steve Fuller nine times to win the NFC Championship 23-0.
1994 — Nancy Kerrigan is attacked after practice at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Detroit. Shane Stant clubs Kerrigan on the knee and flees the scene. Later that evening, Scott Davis wins the men’s U.S. Figure Skating title.
1995 — Lenny Wilkens becomes the winningest coach in NBA history as the Atlanta Hawks post a 112-90 victory over the Washington Bullets. Wilkens, with his 939th win, surpasses Red Auerbach’s record. Wilkens reaches the record in his 22nd year as an NBA coach, including four as a player-coach.
2005 — For the first time in NBA history, a player leads his team in scoring without making a field goal. Detroit’s Richard Hamilton scores 14 points despite missing all 10 of his field goal attempts in a 101-79 loss to Memphis.
2011 — Miami of Ohio caps a historic season with a 35-21 win over Middle Tennessee in the GoDaddy.com Bowl. The RedHawks (10-4) are the first team in Football Bowl Subdivision history to win 10 games one season after losing 10. Miami finished a dismal 1-11 in 2009.
2014 — Patrick Maher of Division III Grinnell College breaks the NCAA record with 37 assists in a 164-144 victory over College of Faith.
2014 — Jameis Winston throws a 13-yard touchdown pass to Kelvin Benjamin with 13 seconds left and No. 1 Florida State beat No. 2 Auburn 34-31 to win the last BCS national championship game.
2015 — Patrik Elias has a goal and two assists to reach 1,000, NHL points, and the New Jersey Devils beat the struggling Buffalo Sabres 4-1. The goal is the 399th for Elias.
2016 — Ken Griffey Jr. is elected to the baseball Hall of Fame with the highest voting percentage ever, and Mike Piazza makes it in his fourth year on the ballot. Griffey is on 437 of 440 votes in his first appearance on the Baseball Writers’ Association of America ballot. His 99.3 percentage tops Tom Seaver’s 98.84 in 1992.
2018 — Jon Gruden returns to the NFL as Oakland Raiders head coach after nearly a decade of broadcasting (ESPN Monday Night Football 2009-17).
Jan. 7
1920 — Joe Malone of Quebec scores two goals to become the NHL’s career leader with 59 and leads the Bulldogs to a 4-3 victory over the Toronto Arenas.
1925 — Harry Broadbent of the Montreal Maroons scores five goals in a 6-2 triumph over Hamilton.
1972 — The Los Angeles Lakers defeat the Atlanta Hawks 134-90 for their 33rd straight victory, an NBA record.
1979 — The Pittsburgh Steelers win their third AFC championship by beating the Houston Oilers 34-5 in a cold, steady rain at Three Rivers Stadium.
1981 — Marcel Dionne of the Los Angeles Kings scores his 1,000th point with a goal in a 5-3 triumph over the Hartford Whalers.
1987 — Gary Bossert of Niagara sets an NCAA record by hitting 12 of 14 three-point shots, including 11 straight, against Siena.
1992 — Pitchers Tom Seaver and Rollie Fingers are elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Seaver receives the highest percentage of votes in baseball history.
1997 — Rutgers-Camden ends its NCAA-record 117-game losing streak with a 77-72 victory over Bloomfield College. The Division III Pioneers were winless since beating Ramapo 74-73 on Jan. 18, 1992.
2003 — Kobe Bryant makes an NBA-record 12 shots from 3-point range, including nine straight, and scores 45 points in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 119-98 victory over the Seattle SuperSonics.
2004 — Brian Boucher becomes the first NHL goalie in almost 55 years to record four consecutive shutouts. His 27 saves carry the Phoenix Coyotes past Washington 3-0.
2006 — The New England Patriots set an NFL mark with 10 straight postseason victories by beating the Jacksonville Jaguars 28-3. New England’s milestone surpasses the nine straight playoff victories by Green Bay in the 1960s.
2007 — Coach Phil Jackson gets his 900th NBA victory as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated Dallas 101-98. Jackson is the fastest to reach 900, doing so in 1,264 games.
2008 — Second-ranked LSU turns the BCS national championship game into a horrible replay for No. 1 Ohio State. Matt Flynn throws four touchdown passes in a 38-24 win. LSU (12-2) becomes the first two-loss team to play for the title and wins its second BCS crown in five seasons.
2010 — Alabama knocks Texas quarterback Colt McCoy out of the BCS title game early and goes on to a 37-21 victory for the Crimson Tide’s first national title since 1992.
2011 — Rookie Luke Harangody has career highs with 17 points and 11 rebounds for his first NBA double-double, and the Boston Celtics earn the 3,000th victory in franchise history, beating the Toronto Raptors 122-102.
2012 — Old Dominion routs hapless Towson 75-38 giving the Tigers the NCAA Division I record for consecutive losses at 35. Towson had been tied at 34 with Sacramento State.
2012 — Jarome Iginla scores his 500th career goal, leading the Calgary Flames to a 3-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild. Iginla is the 42nd player in NHL history to reach the milestone and the 15th to do it with one team.
2013 — Alabama rolls to its second consecutive BCS championship, and third in four seasons, beating No. 1 Notre Dame 42-14 in a BCS championship game. AJ McCarron throws four touchdown passes and Eddie Lacy runs for 140 yards and scores twice for the second-ranked Crimson Tide.
2019 — College Football, National Championship, Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara: #2 Clemson beats #1 Alabama, 44-16.
_____
Jan. 8
1972 — The NCAA announces freshmen will be eligible to play on varsity football and basketball teams starting in the fall.
1973 — David Vaughn of Oral Roberts grabs 34 rebounds in a 123-95 win over Brandeis.
1984 — The Executive Committee of the NCAA votes to expand the championship basketball field to 64 teams starting in 1985.
1984 — Bengt Gustafsson of the Washington Capitals scores five goals in a 7-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers.
1993 — Michael Jordan becomes the 18th NBA player to reach the 20,000-point plateau when he scores 35 points in the Chicago Bulls’ game against the Milwaukee Bucks. Jordan reaches 20,000-points in 620 games, faster than anyone except Wilt Chamberlain, who did it in 499 games.
1994 — Dino Ciccarelli becomes the 19th NHL player to score 500 career goals in the Detroit Red Wings’ 6-3 victory over the Los Angeles Kings.
2000 — Eddie House scores 61 points to tie Lew Alcindor’s Pac-10 record and lead the Sun Devils to 111-108 double-overtime victory over California.
2003 — Utah guard Mark Jackson becomes the third NBA player to reach 10,000 career assists in the Jazz’s 99-93 win over the Phoenix Suns. Jackson joins career assists leader and teammate John Stockton (15,425) and Magic Johnson (10,141).
2007 — Second-ranked Florida dominates Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith and No. 1 Ohio State for a 41-14 in the BCS National Championship Bowl. The Gators become the first Division I school to hold football and basketball titles at the same time.
2008 — Goose Gossage becomes the fifth relief pitcher elected to the Hall of Fame.
2009 — Tim Tebow wins the matchup of Heisman winners as No. 1 Florida beats No. 2 Oklahoma and this year’s Heisman winner Sam Bradford, 24-14, in the BCS National Championship Bowl.
2011 — The Seattle Seahawks stun the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints 41-36 to open the NFL playoffs. Seattle, the first division winner with a losing record at 7-9, advances behind four touchdown passes by Matt Hasselbeck and a brilliant 67-yard run by Marshawn Lynch.
2012 — Denver’s Tim Tebow connects with Demaryius Thomas on an electrifying 80-yard touchdown pass on the first play of overtime and the Broncos stun the Pittsburgh Steelers 29-23 in a AFC wild-card game. The play, the longest to end a playoff game in overtime, takes 11 seconds and is the quickest ending to an overtime in NFL history.
2014 — Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and Frank Thomas are elected to baseball’s Hall of Fame, while Craig Biggio fell two votes short.
2016 — Oakland’s Khalil Mack makes history earning a selection at two positions on the 2015 Associated Press All-Pro Team, an NFL first. The second-year Raiders defensive end and outside linebacker draws enough support from a panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the league to make the squad both spots.
2018 — College Football National Championship, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta: #4 Alabama beats #3 Georgia, 26-23.
_____
Jan. 9
1942 — Joe Louis knocks out Buddy Baer with four seconds left in the first round at Madison Square Garden in New York to retain the world heavyweight title.
1977 — Oakland wins their first NFL Championship and the Minnesota Vikings drop their fourth Super Bowl as the Raiders post a 32-14 triumph.
1988 — Anthony Carter catches 10 passes for an NFL postseason-record 227 yards to lead the Minnesota Vikings to a 36-24 victory over the San Francisco 49ers and advanced to the NFC title game.
1991 — Dean Smith collects his 700th career coaching victory as North Carolina routs Maryland 105-73. Smith is the sixth Division I basketball coach to reach the 700-win plateau and does so in the shortest time.
1996 — The Toronto Raptors set an NBA record by not making a single free throw in a 92-91 loss to the Charlotte Hornets. The expansion Raptors shoots 0-for-3 from the foul line.
2004 — Brian Boucher of Phoenix posts his fifth consecutive shutout in a 2-0 win over Minnesota. He stops 21 shots and passes Bill Durnan’s NHL mark of 309:21, early in the third period.
2006 — Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers scores 45 points against Indiana, making him the first player since Wilt Chamberlain — in November of 1964 — to score at least that many in four straight games.
2007 — Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn are elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Mark McGwire, whose 583 home runs ranked seventh on the career list, does not make it on his first ballot.
2008 — Golf Channel suspends anchor Kelly Tilghman for two weeks for saying a week earlier that young players who wanted to challenge Tiger Woods should “lynch him in a back alley.”
2010 — Peyton Manning becomes the first player to win The Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player honors four times.
2010 — Detroit’s Ben Gordon scores 20 points, including the 10 millionth point in NBA history, in a 104-04 loss to Philadelphia.
2012 — Jeremy Shelley kicks five field goals and Trent Richardson breaks a 34-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter as No. 2 Alabama beats No. 1 LSU 21-0 — the first shutout in BCS title game history.
2013 — No one is elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. For the second time in four decades, baseball writers fail to give any player the 75 percent required for induction to Cooperstown. Craig Biggio, 20th on the career list with 3,060 hits, appears on 68.2 percent of the 569 ballots, the highest total but 39 votes shy.
2016 — Quarterback Carson Wentz, out since mid-October with a broke wrist, returns to lead North Dakota State to an unprecedented fifth straight FCS championship with a 37-10 victory over top seed Jacksonville State.
2016 — Chris Boswell kicks a 35-yard field goal with 14 seconds remaining as the Steelers somehow pull out an 18-16 victory over Cincinnati in the AFC wild-card game. Pittsburgh moves into field goal position after a pair of 15-yard penalties on the Bengals, one on linebacker Vontaze Burfict and another on Adam Jones after Burfict hits defenseless Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown.
2017 — College Football National Championship, Raymond James Stadium, Tampa: #2 Clemson beats #1 Alabama, 35-31.
TV SPORTS FRIDAY
| NFL REGULAR SEASON | TIME ET | TV |
| Cleveland at Baltimore | 4:30pm | ABC ESPN ESPN+ |
| Cincinnati at Pittsburgh | 8:00pm | ABC ESPN ESPN+ |
| NBA REGULAR SEASON | TIME ET | TV |
| Cleveland Cavaliers vs Charlotte Hornets | 1:00pm | FanDuel Sports Ohio FanDuel Sports South |
| Denver Nuggets vs Washington Wizards | 7:00pm | ALT2 MNMT |
| Oklahoma City Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans | 7:00pm | FanDuel Sports Oklahoma GCSN |
| Detroit Pistons vs New York Knicks | 7:30pm | FanDuel Sports Detroit MSG |
| Dallas Mavericks vs Toronto Raptors | 7:30pm | KMPX Sportsnet |
| Memphis Grizzlies vs Boston Celtics | 8:00pm | FanDuel Sports Southeast NBCS-BOS |
| Phoenix Suns vs Miami Heat | 8:00pm | AFSportsnet FanDuel Sports Sun |
| NHL REGULAR SEASON | TIME ET | TV |
| New York Rangers vs Washington Capitals | 12:00pm | ABC ESPN+ Sporstnet |
| New Jersey Devils vs San Jose Sharks | 4:00pm | ESPN+ MSGSN NBCS-CA |
| Montreal Canadiens vs Colorado Avalanche | 7:00pm | ESPN+ ALT Sportsnet |
| St. Louis Blues vs Columbus Blue Jackets | 7:00pm | ESPN+ FanDuel Midwest FanDuel Sports Ohio |
| Minnesota Wild vs Carolina Hurricanes | 7:00pm | ESPN+ FanDuel Sports North FanDuel Sports South |
| Boston Bruins vs Toronto Maple Leafs | 7:00pm | ESPN+ NESN Sporstnet |
| Detroit Red Wings vs Winnipeg Jets | 7:00pm | ESPN+ FanDuel Sports Ddetroit Sporstnet |
| Utah Hockey Club vs Dallas Stars | 8:00pm | ESPN+ Utah16 Victory+ |
| Tampa Bay Lightning vs Los Angeles Kings | 9:00pm | ESPN+ FanDuel Sports Sun FanDuel West |
| Nashville Predators vs Calgary Flames | 10:00pm | ESPN+ FanDuel South Sporstnet |
| Edmonton Oilers vs Seattle Kraken | 10:00pm | ESPN+ KONG Sporstnet |
| Buffalo Sabres vs Vegas Golden Knights | 10:00pm | ESPN+ MSG-BUF Scripps |
| COLLEGE FOOTBALL | TIME ET | TV |
| Bahamas Bowl: Buffalo vs. Liberty | 11:00am | ESPN2 |
| MEN’S NCAA BASKETBALL | TIME ET | TV |
| Florida at Kentucky | 11:00am | ESPN |
| Kean at Princeton | 11:30am | ESPN+ |
| North Carolina at Notre Dame | 12:00pm | CBS |
| Dayton at George Washington | 12:00pm | USA |
| DePaul at Villanova | 12:00pm | FS1 |
| NC State at Wake Forest | 12:00pm | CW |
| Boston College at Georgia Tech | 12:00pm | ESPNU |
| Georgia at Ole Miss | 12:00pm | SECN |
| Oklahoma State at West Virginia | 12:00pm | CBSSN |
| Richmond at UMass | 12:00pm | NESN |
| Hofstra at Northeastern | 12:00pm | NESN+ |
| William & Mary at Stony Brook | 12:00pm | SNY |
| Toledo at Western Michigan | 12:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Arkansas at Tennessee | 1:00pm | ESPN |
| Chattanooga at The Citadel | 1:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Texas State at App State | 1:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Ball State at Kent State | 1:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Buffalo at Miami (OH) | 1:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Green Bay at Northern Kentucky | 1:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Milwaukee at Detroit Mercy | 1:00pm | ESPN+ |
| FGCU at Queens | 1:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Vermont at New Hampshire | 1:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Baylor at Iowa State | 2:00pm | CBS |
| UCLA at Nebraska | 2:00pm | FOX |
| George Mason at Rhode Island | 2:00pm | USA |
| Butler at St. John’s | 2:00pm | FS1 |
| Tulsa at UAB | 2:00pm | ESPNU |
| South Carolina at Mississippi State | 2:00pm | SECN |
| Miami (FL) at Virginia Tech | 2:00pm | ACCN |
| VCU at Loyola Chicago | 2:00pm | CBSSN |
| Duquesne at Davidson | 2:00pm | FanDuel Sports South |
| UMBC at Binghamton | 2:00pm | SNY |
| St. Thomas at North Dakota | 2:00pm | MidCo Sports |
| Omaha at North Dakota State | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Drexel at North Carolina A&T | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| High Point at UNC Asheville | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Presbyterian at Gardner-Webb | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Charlotte at Rice | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Bellarmine at Central Arkansas | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Maine at Bryant | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Stetson at West Georgia | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Lipscomb at North Florida | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| St. Bonaventure at Fordham | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| BYU at Houston | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| ULM at Coastal Carolina | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| WKU at FIU | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Northern Illinois at Eastern Michigan | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Indiana State at Evansville | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Medgar Evers at NJIT | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Towson at Charleston | 2:00pm | FloSports |
| Duke at SMU | 2:15pm | CW |
| Arizona at Cincinnati | 2:30pm | ESPN2 |
| Austin Peay at Jacksonville | 3:00pm | ESPN+ |
| IU Indianapolis at Cleveland State | 3:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Robert Morris at Oakland | 3:00pm | ESPN+ |
| South Alabama at Georgia Southern | 3:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Samford at Western Carolina | 3:00pm | ESPN+ |
| McNeese at East Texas A&M | 3:15pm | ESPN+ |
| Jackson State at Alcorn State | 3:30pm | HBCU Go |
| San Diego State at Boise State | 4:00pm | CBS |
| Missouri at Auburn | 4:00pm | SECN |
| Louisville at Virginia | 4:00pm | ACCN |
| Kansas State at TCU | 4:00pm | CBSSN |
| UMass Lowell at UAlbany | 4:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Louisiana Tech at NM State | 4:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Portland State at Sacramento State | 4:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Weber State at Northern Arizona | 4:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Idaho State at Northern Colorado | 4:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Furman at UNCG | 4:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Wofford at ETSU | 4:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Arkansas State at James Madison | 4:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Abilene Christian at Utah Valley | 4:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Southern Miss at Old Dominion | 4:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Troy at Marshall | 4:00pm | ESPN+ |
| UNI at Valparaiso | 4:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Morehead State at Tennessee Tech | 4:00pm | ESPN+ |
| South Carolina State at Morgan State | 4:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Monmouth at Delaware | 4:00pm | FloSports |
| Vanderbilt at LSU | 4:30pm | ESPN2 |
| Mercer at VMI | 4:30pm | ESPN+ |
| A&M-Corpus Christi at Southeastern Louisiana | 4:30pm | ESPN+ |
| Nicholls at Northwestern State | 4:30pm | ESPN+ |
| North Carolina Central at Coppin State | 4:30pm | ESPN+ |
| Little Rock at Tennessee State | 4:30pm | ESPN+ |
| Southeast Missouri at UT Martin | 4:30pm | ESPN+ |
| Western Illinois at Eastern Illinois | 4:30pm | ESPN+ |
| Lindenwood at SIUE | 4:30pm | ESPN+ |
| Winthrop at Radford | 4:30pm | ESPN+ |
| Wyoming at Air Force | 5:00pm | ALT |
| Montana State at Eastern Washington | 5:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Montana at Idaho | 5:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Jacksonville State at Kennesaw State | 5:00pm | ESPN+ |
| UIC at Belmont | 5:00pm | ESPN+ |
| San Diego at Oregon State | 5:00pm | ESPN+ |
| UAPB at Alabama A&M | 5:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Grambling State at Prairie View A&M | 5:30pm | YouTube |
| Eastern Kentucky at North Alabama | 5:30pm | ESPN+ |
| UTSA at Tulane | 6:00pm | ESPNU |
| Oklahoma at Alabama | 6:00pm | SECN |
| Middle Tennessee at Liberty | 6:00pm | CBSSN |
| Syracuse at Florida State | 6:00pm | ACCN |
| San Jose State at UNLV | 6:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Southern at Texas Southern | 6:00pm | YouTube |
| UIW at Stephen F. Austin | 6:00pm | ESPN+ |
| UTRGV at New Orleans | 6:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Colorado at Arizona State | 6:00pm | ESPN+ |
| UC Davis at CSUN | 6:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Stanford at Pitt | 6:30pm | ESPN2 |
| Texas Tech at Utah | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Charleston Southern at Longwood | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Houston Christian at Lamar | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Louisiana at Georgia State | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Ohio at Central Michigan | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Youngstown State at Purdue Fort Wayne | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Pepperdine at Pacific | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| San Francisco at Washington State | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Campbell at UNCW | 7:00pm | FloSports |
| Hampton at Elon | 7:00pm | FloSports |
| Michigan at USC | 8:00pm | FOX |
| Delaware State at Howard | 8:00pm | ESPNU |
| Texas at Texas A&M | 8:00pm | SECN |
| Missouri State at Bradley | 8:00pm | CBSSN |
| Denver at South Dakota | 8:00pm | MidCo Sports 2 |
| Southern Utah at Grand Canyon | 8:00pm | KUTP |
| Oral Roberts at Kansas City | 8:00pm | KMCI |
| UTA at Tarleton | 8:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Seattle U at California Baptist | 8:00pm | ESPN+ |
| California at Clemson | 8:30pm | ESPN2 |
| Gonzaga at Loyola Marymount | 9:00pm | KZJO |
| Fresno State at Utah State | 9:00pm | KMYU |
| Sam Houston at UTEP | 9:00pm | ESPN+ |
| UC San Diego at Cal State Fullerton | 9:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Long Beach State at CSU Bakersfield | 9:30pm | ESPN+ |
| UC Riverside at UC Irvine | 10:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Saint Mary’s at Portland | 10:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Cal Poly at Hawai’i | 11:59pm | Spectrum |
| WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL | TIME ET | TV |
| UCLA at Indiana | 12:00pm | FOX |
| Liberty at Middle Tenn. | 4:00pm | ESPNU |
| GOLF | TIME ET | TV |
| PGA Tour: The Sentry | 4:00pm | NBC |
| PGA Tour: The Sentry | 6:00pm | GOLF |
| SOCCER | TIME ET | TV |
| EPL: Tottenham Hotspur vs Newcastle United | 7:30am | USA Peacock Fubo |
| Serie A: Venezia vs Empoli | 9:00am | CBSSN Paramount+ Fubo |
| Copa del Rey: Huesca vs Real Betis | 9:30am | ESPN+ |
| EPL: AFC Bournemouth vs Everton | 10:00am | USA Peacock Fubo |
| EPL: Manchester City vs West Ham United | 10:00am | Peacock Fubo |
| EPL: Aston Villa vs Leicester City | 10:00am | Peacock |
| EPL: Crystal Palace vs Chelsea | 10:00am | Peacock |
| EPL: Southampton vs Brentford | 10:00am | Peacock |
| Copa del Rey: Tenerife vs Osasuna | 10:30am | ESPN+ |
| Ligue 1: Saint-Étienne vs Reims | 11:00am | Fanatiz beIN Sports |
| Copa del Rey: Almería vs Sevilla | 11:30am | ESPN+ |
| Serie A: Fiorentina vs Napoli | 12:00pm | Paramount+ Fubo |
| EPL: Brighton & Hove Albion vs Arsenal | 12:30pm | NBC Peacock Fubo |
| Copa del Rey: Barbastro vs Barcelona | 1:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Ligue 1: Lille vs Nantes | 1:00pm | Fanatiz beIN Sports |
| Serie A: Hellas Verona vs Udinese | 2:45pm | Paramount+ Fubo |
| Ligue 1: Olympique Lyonnais vs Montpellier | 3:00pm | Fanatiz beIN Sports |
| Copa del Rey: Marbella vs Atlético Madrid | 3:30pm | ESPN+ |
| Copa del Rey: UD Logroñés vs Athletic Club | 3:30pm | ESPN+ |
| TENNIS | TIME ET | TV |
| United Cup | 6:00am | TENNIS |
| United Cup | 7:00pm | TENNIS |
TV SPORTS SUNDAY
| NFL REGULAR SEASON | TIME ET | TV |
| Carolina at Atlanta | 1:00pm | CBS |
| Washington at Dallas | 1:00pm | FOX |
| Chicago at Green Bay | 1:00pm | FOX |
| Jacksonville at Indianapolis | 1:00pm | FOX |
| Buffalo at New England | 1:00pm | CBS |
| NY Giants at Philadelphia | 1:00pm | CBS |
| New Orleans at Tampa Bay | 1:00pm | FOX |
| Houston at Tennessee | 1:00pm | CBS |
| Miami at NY Jets | 4:25pm | FOX |
| Seattle at LA Rams | 4:25pm | FOX |
| Kansas City at Denver | 4:25pm | CBS |
| LA Chargers at Las Vegas | 4:25pm | CBS |
| San Francisco at Arizona | 4:25pm | FOX |
| Minnesota at Detroit | 8:20pm | NBC Peacock |
| NBA REGULAR SEASON | TIME ET | TV |
| Boston Celtics vs Oklahoma City Thunder | 3:30pm | NBCS-BOS FanDuel Sports Oklahoma City |
| Charlotte Hornets vs Cleveland Cavaliers | 6:00pm | FanDuel Sports Southeast FanDuel Sports Ohio |
| New Orleans Pelicans vs Washington Wizards | 6:00pm | MNMT FanDuel Sports South |
| Utah Jazz vs Orlando Magic | 6:30pm | KJZZ FanDuel Sports Florida |
| Los Angeles Lakers vs Houston Rockets | 7:00pm | Spectrum SCHN |
| Sacramento Kings vs Golden State Warriors | 8:30pm | NBCS-CA NBCS-BAY |
| NHL REGULAR SEASON | TIME ET | TV |
| New York Rangers vs Chicago Blackhawks | 3:00pm | ABC ESPN+ Sporstnet |
| New York Islanders vs Boston Bruins | 6:00pm | ESPN+ MSGSN NESN Sporstnet |
| Pittsburgh Penguins vs Carolina Hurricanes | 6:00pm | ESPN+ ATTSN-PIT FanDuel South |
| Philadelphia Flyers vs Toronto Maple Leafs | 7:00pm | ESPN+ NBCS-PHI Sporstnet |
| Tampa Bay Lightning vs Anaheim Ducks | 8:00pm | ESPN+ FanDuel Sports Sun Victory+ |
| MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL | TIME ET | TV |
| Indiana at Penn State | 12:00pm | BTN |
| Florida Atlantic at East Carolina | 1:00pm | ESPN2 |
| Central Connecticut at Mercyhurst | 1:00pm | NEC Front Row |
| Fairleigh Dickinson at Wagner | 1:00pm | NEC Front Row |
| Lehigh at Loyola Maryland | 1:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Army West Point at Boston University | 1:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Providence at UConn | 2:00pm | NBC |
| Northwestern at Purdue | 2:00pm | BTN |
| Stonehill at Saint Francis U | 2:00pm | NEC Front Row |
| Quinnipiac at Marist | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Niagara at Mount St. Mary’s | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Canisius at Sacred Heart | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Manhattan at Rider | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Iona at Siena | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Lafayette at Navy | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Colgate at Bucknell | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Bowdoin at Harvard | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Johnson & Wales (RI) at Brown | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Penn State-Schuylkill at Cornell | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Murray State at Drake | 3:00pm | ESPN2 |
| Illinois at Washington | 4:00pm | BTN |
| Maryland at Oregon | 4:00pm | Peacock |
| Kansas at UCF | 4:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Southern Illinois at Illinois State | 4:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Holy Cross at American | 4:00pm | ESPN+ |
| North Texas at Memphis | 5:00pm | ESPN |
| Chicago State at LIU | 7:00pm | NEC Front Row |
| WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL | TIME ET | TV |
| Davidson at Saint Louis | 12:00pm | CBSSN |
| Pittsburgh at Duke | 12:00pm | ACCN |
| Notre Dame at North Carolina | 1:00pm | ESPN |
| Buffalo at Kent State | 2:00pm | CBSSN |
| Syracuse at Florida St. | 2:00pm | ACCN |
| Louisville at Wake Forest | 4:00pm | ACCN |
| California at SMU | 6:00pm | ACCN |
| Maryland at Iowa | 6:00pm | BTN |
| USC at Rutgers | 8:00pm | BTN |
| GOLF | TIME ET | TV |
| PGA Tour: The Sentry | 4:00pm | NBC |
| PGA Tour: The Sentry | 6:00pm | GOLF |
| SOCCER | TIME ET | TV |
| Copa del Rey: Elche vs Las Palmas | 6:00am | ESPN+ |
| Copa del Rey: Ourense CF vs Real Valladolid | 6:00am | ESPN+ |
| Serie A: Monza vs Cagliari | 6:30am | Paramount+ |
| Scottish Premiership: Hibernian vs Rangers | 7:00am | Paramount+ |
| La Liga: Leganés vs Real Sociedad | 8:00am | ESPN+ |
| EPL: Leicester City vs Brighton & Hove Albion | 9:00am | USA Peacock |
| EPL: Fulham vs Arsenal | 9:00am | USA Peacock |
| EPL: Ipswich Town vs AFC Bournemouth | 9:00am | Peacock |
| Ligue 1: Lens vs Montpellier | 9:00am | Fanatiz beIN Sports |
| Serie A: Lecce vs Genoa | 9:00am | Paramount+ |
| Ligue 1: Strasbourg vs Auxerre | 9:00am | Fanatiz beIN Sports |
| Ligue 1: Lens vs Toulouse | 9:00am | Fanatiz beIN Sports |
| Ligue 1: Angers SCO vs Brest | 9:00am | Fanatiz beIN Sports |
| Copa del Rey: Cartagena vs Leganés | 9:30am | ESPN+ |
| Copa del Rey: Ponferradina vs Real Sociedad | 9:30am | ESPN+ |
| Copa del Rey: Racing Santander vs Celta de Vigo | 9:30am | ESPN+ |
| Scottish Premiership: Motherwell vs Aberdeen | 9:30am | Paramount+ |
| EPL: Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea | 11:30am | USA Peacock |
| Super Cup: PSG vs Monaco | 11:30am | Fanatiz beIN Sports |
| Serie A: Torino vs Parma | 12:00pm | CBSSN Paramount+ |
| Serie A: Roma vs Lazio | 2:45pm | Paramount+ |
| Ligue 1: Olympique Marseille vs Le Havre | 2:45pm | Fanatiz beIN Sports |
| TENNIS | TIME ET | TV |
| United Cup | 6:00am | TENNIS |
| United Cup | 5:30pm | TENNIS |