Author: rb809rb

  • Super Bowl 60 picks, best bets: Las Vegas oddsmakers give Seahawks-Patriots prediction

    We’re closing in on the Super Bowl LX matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots, the most unlikely Super Bowl matchups we’ve ever seen from a preseason odds perspective.

    The Seahawks are currently 4.5-point favorites at most sportsbooks (with a few 5s out there) and a total of 45.5 at BetMGM.

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    There are many large wagers out there, including a $2 million bet from Mattress Mack on the Patriots at +200 (to win $4 million) and a $50,000 wager on the Seahawks to win Super Bowl 60 at 60-1 odds from a BetMGM bettor from August that would win $3 million. We’re keeping track of all of them in this file.

    But it is the Super Bowl after all, which means the people want picks. And who better to give that than the oddsmakers booking all the action themselves.

    Yahoo Sports reached out to oddsmakers from Las Vegas and around the country and asked which team they believe will win Super Bowl LX, and why.

    Avert your eyes Patriots fans, oddsmakers believe it’s going to be Sam Darnold and the Seahawks’ year.

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    Super Bowl LX picks from oddsmakers

    Seahawks win (12)

    Christian Cipollini, BetMGM NFL trader

    “I personally like the Seahawks to win in a very boring game. I think the Seahawks’ defense is real and will give Drake Maye trouble. I don’t think the Patriots will have many opportunities to score. Game to come comes down to Darnold being able to limit turnovers, which I think he can do.”

    Score: Seahawks 23, Patriots 13

    Halvor Egeland, BetMGM trading strategy manager

    “I do think Seattle is the more complete team and has proven itself in the superior conference.”

    Score: Seahawks 24, Patriots 20

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    John Murray, vice president of race and sports at Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook

    “I think New England is better than people realize and they’re very well-coached, but to me Seattle is a little better than the Patriots are at every position.”

    Score: Seahawks 27, Patriots 17

    Ed Salmons, VP of risk at Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook

    “Seahawks are simply better at every position.”

    Score: Seahawks 24, Patriots 17

    Jeff Sherman, VP of risk at Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook

    “Patriots are a team on the rise with the second-year QB in Drake Maye, but it’s their time to wait Seattle dominates in all facets of the game to cruise to a convincing victory.”

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    Score: Seahawks 27, Patriots 13

    [Check out all of Yahoo’s sports betting content here in our new betting hub]

    Jamey Pileggi, Circa Sports head NFL oddsmaker

    “Seattle is a more complete team and will put pressure on Maye all game. Darnold is playing with confidence, if he protects the ball I think Seattle wins rather easily.”

    Score: Seahawks 20, Patriots 13

    Craig Mucklow, VP of trading at Caesars Sportsbook

    “I feel 4 is the correct spread and I am expecting a low-scoring defensive battle.”

    Score: Seahawks 17, Patriots 13

    Chris Andrews, South Point sportsbook director

    “If the Seahawks play up to their potential, they should win a close game.”

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    Score: Seahawks 27, Patriots 20

    Joey Feazel, head NFL oddsmaker at Caesars

    “I’m predicting Seattle 20-17 with a last-minute field goal to win it for Seattle. I am anticipating a back-and-forth defensive game that will align with the lack of elite quarterback play and solid defensive scheme on both sides of the ball.”

    Score: Seahawks 20, Patriots 17

    Thomas Gable, Borgata sportsbook director

    “I lean toward this game going under the total, and I’m not sure the New England offensive line is able to hold up under pressure.”

    Score: Seahawks 21, Patriots 17

    Nick Bogdanovich, head of trading at Boomer’s Sportsbook

    “Patriots come up short after a hell of a battle.”

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    Score: Seahawks 23, Patriots 21

    Ethan Useloff, NFL trader at Fanatics Sportsbook

    “I expect the Seahawks to emerge victorious on Sunday, with Sam Darnold seeing Disney instead of ghosts. Seattle’s defensive line will give New England fits, especially on the blind side with rookies Will Campbell and Jared Wilson struggling. Their reincarnated Legion of Boom secondary should stick with New England’s skill-position players, forcing Maye to scramble. I believe Rashid Shaheed, Hunter Henry, and AJ Barner with his “Barnyard” tush-push rendition will each have impact performances as Seattle avenges its 2014 heartbreak.”

    Score: Seahawks 24, Patriots 13

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    Patriots win (2)

    Chuck Esposito, Station Casinos sportsbook director

    “I think both teams get off to a slow start in this game. This clearly could be a game where the kicker decides it. I have the Pats winning on a last-second field goal. New England defense is also a top-10 unit and is extremely underrated.”

    Score: Patriots 23, Seahawks 21

    Lamarr Mitchell, director of trading at MGM Resorts

    “After facing some of the staunchest defenses during their playoff run, Maye and the Patriots prove they’re up to the task once again.”

    Score: Patriots 21, Seahawks 17

  • Aaron Rodgers reportedly seriously considering reuniting with Mike McCarthy, Steelers

    Aaron Rodgers appears open to returning to the Pittsburgh Steelers as their quarterback. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that while Rodgers has not officially decided whether he will return for a 22nd NFL season, the odds have improved he could be back in a Steelers uniform next season.

    Rodgers has reportedly had multiple conversations with new head coach Mike McCarthy and wide receiver DK Metcalf.

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    McCarthy coached Rodgers with the Green Bay Packers from 2006-18. The pair went 108-62-1 together and won a Super Bowl over the Steelers in 2011. Rodgers also won two MVPs under McCarthy’s leadership.

    Despite the Steelers saying they did not hire McCarthy as a recruiting tool to bring back Rodgers, their new head coach expressed interest in the pair’s reunion during the opening press conference.

    “Definitely,” McCarthy said on Rodgers’ return. “I don’t see why you wouldn’t. I think just like anything, knowing Aaron long enough. … When guys are up at that stage of their career, they need to step away and decompress. I think that’s very important.”

    [Get more Steelers news: Pittsburgh team feed]

    Rodgers was rejuvenated this past season with the Steelers. After a three-year postseason drought, Rodgers threw for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns and 7 interceptions while battling a wrist injury late in the season. He led the Steelers to their first AFC North title since the 2020 season.

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    Rodgers took months to decide his future last offseason before signing a one-year, $13.65 million contract with the Steelers last June. One of the reasons for Rodgers’ return was his interest in playing for former Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. After a wild-card defeat to the Houston Texans, Tomlin decided to part ways with the franchise after 19 seasons.

    If Rodgers decided to retire or leave the Steelers for another team, Mason Rudolph and Will Howard are the only Pittsburgh quarterbacks under contract. Rudolph threw for 310 yards, 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions last season, with most of his yards coming in a start for an injured Rodgers in Week 12.

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    Rudolph is 8-5-1 as a starter in his five seasons with the Steelers and 1-4 in his one season with the Titans. Howard was a 2025 sixth-round pick and spent the majority of his rookie season on injured reserve.

  • Rockets’ Alperen Şengün replaces Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in next weekend’s All-Star Game

    The NBA announced that Houston Rockets center Alperen Şengün will replace Oklahoma City guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the World team in the All-Star Game on February 15.

    Gilgeous-Alexander will be sidelined through the All-Star Game with an abdominal injury he suffered on February 3 in a win over the Orlando Magic. He is expected to be reevaluated after the All-Star break.

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    Last year’s MVP has averaged 31.8 points, 6.4 assists and 4.4 rebounds. The Thunder lead the NBA standings at 40-13.

    [Get more Rockets news: Houston team feed]

    This is the second straight All-Star appearance for Şengün. The 23-year-old has averaged 20.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and 6.3 assists this season. Şengün is one of three players averaging at least 20.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists this season, joining the Hawks’ Jalen Johnson and Nuggets’ Nikola Jokić. Both players were also selected for the All-Star Game.

    Şengün will represent Turkey in the new All-Star format that will be played, featuring two US teams and one World team in a robin-round mini-tournament with four 12-minute games.

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    Şengün will join players such as Jokić, the Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama and Lakers’ Luka Dončić on the World team. The team will be coached by Raptors head coach Darko Rajaković.

    Şengün will also join Rockets forward Kevin Durant in the game. The Rockets join the Pistons, Lakers, Knicks and Nuggets as teams that have multiple All-Stars.

    Durant will play for the USA Stripes team. Durant has averaged 25.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.4 assists in his first season with the Rockets. The Rockets are 32-19.

  • Lindsey Vonn airlifted off mountain after crashing out hard in women’s Olympic downhill

    MILAN — Lindsey Vonn’s magnificent comeback is over, in the most devastating way possible.

    Starting 13th in a field of 36 for the women’s downhill, facing the dramatic 2,572-meter Olympia Delle Tofane course, pushing out of the gate at high noon, Vonn almost immediately clipped one of the course’s gates with her right shoulder. That was enough to send her spinning over a jump, twisting helplessly over her skis.

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    Far below, the crowd watched in stunned silence.

    CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, ITALY - FEBRUARY 08: (EDITOR’S NOTE: This Handout image/clip was provided by a third-party organization and may not adhere to Getty Images’ editorial policy.) Lindsey Vonn of Team United States crashes during the Women's Downhill on day two of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre on February 08, 2026 in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. (Screengrab by IOC via Getty Images)

    (Screengrab by IOC via Getty Images)

    (Handout via Getty Images)

    CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, ITALY - FEBRUARY 08: (EDITOR’S NOTE: This Handout image/clip was provided by a third-party organization and may not adhere to Getty Images’ editorial policy.) Lindsey Vonn of Team United States crashes during the Women's Downhill on day two of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre on February 08, 2026 in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. (Screengrab by IOC via Getty Images)

    Screengrab by IOC via Getty Images)

    (Handout via Getty Images)

    CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, ITALY - FEBRUARY 08: (EDITOR’S NOTE: This Handout image/clip was provided by a third-party organization and may not adhere to Getty Images’ editorial policy.) Lindsey Vonn of Team United States crashes during the Women's Downhill on day two of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre on February 08, 2026 in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. (Screengrab by IOC via Getty Images)

    (Screengrab by IOC via Getty Images)

    (Handout via Getty Images)

    Vonn remained sprawled on the snow, her screams audible on camera in the immediate moments after the crash. Medical staff worked on her as the event was halted. Loaded onto a stretcher, a medical helicopter hovered above to carry her from the mountain — just as it did a little more than a week ago in Switzerland when she tore her ACL. Fifteen minutes after the crash, Vonn was lifted from the mountain and into the yellow helicopter high above.

    Vonn’s mandatory air bag worn under her race suit did inflate, according to the Associated Press.

    Vonn was airlifted to Ca’ Foncello Hospital in Treviso. “In the afternoon, she underwent orthopedic surgery to stabilize the fracture sustained in her left leg,” the hospital said in a statement. She was initially taken to Cortina’s Codivilla Putti Hospital for immediate treatment, and later moved to Treviso.

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    U.S. Ski & Snowboard said Vonn “sustained an injury, but is in stable condition.”

    “It was scary, because when you start to see the stretcher pulled out it’s not a good sign,” Vonn’s sister Karin Kildow told NBC. “We were just saying like the man in the arena, she just dared greatly. She put it all out there. It’s really hard to see, we just hope she’s OK.”

    CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, ITALY - FEBRUARY 08: A mountain rescue helicopter is seen rescuing Lindsey Vonn of Team United States after she crashed during the Women's Downhill on day two of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre on February 08, 2026 in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

    (Getty Images)

    (Ezra Shaw via Getty Images)

    US' Lindsey Vonn is transported by helicopter after crashing in the women's downhill event during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre in Cortina d'Ampezzo on February 8, 2026. (Photo by François-Xavier MARIT / AFP via Getty Images)

    (Photo by François-Xavier MARIT / AFP via Getty Images)

    (FRANCOIS-XAVIER MARIT via Getty Images)

    At the bottom of the slope, Vonn’s fellow American Breezy Johnson sat quietly after having posted the fastest time on the course, concern evident on her face. Johnson would go on to win gold, the first medal for Team USA at these Olympic Games.

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    Sunday marked the final act of Vonn’s remarkable journey, one whose sharp twists and frenetic turns matched any downhill course. Vonn, who won three Olympic medals over the course of the first phase of her career, retired in 2019, her body broken even though her spirit remained strong. Over the course of her career, she’d won more World Cup victories than any woman in history, but by the time of her retirement, those podiums were just a memory. Unable to even hike short distances without pain, Vonn reconciled herself to a life off the mountain, pursuing everything from reality TV stardom to philanthropy.

    In 2024, she elected to undergo a partial knee replacement in the hopes of living the rest of her life without debilitating pain. But something amazing happened: Vonn realized that the pain, all the pain, was gone from her beleaguered knee. And an idea formed in her mind: Why not get back out there on the slopes and give it one more run?

    “I really thought when I retired in 2019, that was it,” Vonn said recently. “I had built an amazing life, I was really  happy. But then after the replacement, I knew things were really different. My body felt so good, and I just kind of kept pushing myself further and further to see what I was capable of, and racing seemed like the logical next step.”

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    She’d spent the entire 2022 Beijing Olympics in a state of mild frustration, hearing from friends and fellow skiers about how the mountain there was made for her talents. So the fact that the 2026 Games would be held at Cortina d’Ampezzo — site of her first World Cup podium, and 11 more after that, including six wins — clinched it for Vonn. She would attempt a comeback unlike any other in skiing history.

    “I don’t think I would have tried this comeback if the Olympics weren’t in Cortina,” Vonn said. “If it had been anywhere else, I would probably say it’s not worth it. But for me, there’s something special about Cortina that always pulls me back, and it’s pulled me back one last time.”

    A Team USA supporter looks on after US' Lindsey Vonn crashed and was evacuated by helicopter in the women's downhill event during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre in Cortina d'Ampezzo on February 8, 2026. (Photo by Stefano RELLANDINI / AFP via Getty Images)

    A Team USA supporter looks on after US’ Lindsey Vonn crashed and was evacuated by helicopter in the women’s downhill event during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre in Cortina d’Ampezzo on February 8, 2026. (Photo by Stefano RELLANDINI / AFP via Getty Images)

    (STEFANO RELLANDINI via Getty Images)

    Right out of the gate, Vonn faced criticism of her motivations, her perceived selfishness, even her mental state. Olympic gold medalist Franz Klammer declared that “She’s gone completely mad,” and that was one of the kinder critiques.

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    But Vonn simply kept skiing, and soon enough, she began climbing the standings of World Cup events. She blew right past U.S. Ski and Snowboarding’s metrics for judging potential Olympic team members, first climbing onto podiums, and then claiming two more World Cup victories.

    Along the way, she metamorphosed from a cute story and the centerpiece of NBC’s Olympic coverage into a legitimate medal threat. Ranked sixth in the World Cup standings just a week before the Games began, Vonn seemed like she was on the verge of a story that defied even fairytales.

    And then: disaster. Just one week before the Opening Ceremony, on a Swiss slope that had already seen several wrecks, Vonn pinwheeled off the course and into a barrier. She limped to her feet, the agony on her face evident, and required airlifting from the course. Soon afterward, doctors told her that she’d completely torn her left ACL. Vonn’s Olympic comeback, it seemed, would be a nice story, but an ultimately unfinished one.

    But Lindsey Vonn is, as the saying goes, built different. On Tuesday, four days after her crash and two days before her first scheduled downhill practice, Vonn announced that yes, her ACL was completely torn, and no, she would not be withdrawing from the Olympics.

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    “This is not, obviously, what I had hoped for,” Vonn said. “I’ve been working really hard to come into these Games in a much different position. I know what my chances were before the crash, and I know my chances aren’t the same as it stands today, but I know there’s still a chance, and as long as there’s a chance, I will try.”

    She later posted video of herself lifting weights and leaping on the ACL-less knee, and jabbed back at social media analysis of both her knee and her motivations.

    So when Sunday morning dawned in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Vonn had the opportunity to create magic. With the entire world watching, she went for it. And though the ending was devastating, the journey was something special to see.

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    “It sucks for her,” fellow American Jackie Wiles, who finished fourth, said after. “We’re such a tight group. Lindsey has really been a huge mentor for all of us, and seeing her go down like that, it really sucks.

    “It doesn’t change anything about her legacy. She’s a fighter, and that’s the way that she’s going to go out and ski every time.”

  • Olympics 2026: How to watch Team USA compete in Skeleton at the Winter Games

    The U.S. is sending just four athletes sliding to Milan to compete in the fast-paced sport of Skeleton at the 2026 Winter Games. You can catch all of Team USA’s Skeleton Heats live on Peacock. Below is the complete schedule of all Team USA’s Skeleton events at this year’s games, along with a rundown of who is competing. While every race will stream on Peacock, some will also be broadcast on NBC and USA Network. (To see specific air times, check out the official NBC Olympics broadcast schedule, and toggle your search to “TV Only.”) Here’s a rundown of how to watch every Skeleton event at the 2026 Winter Games.

    And if you want to learn even more about every event at this year’s Winter Games, here’s a guide to everything you need to know about Milan-Cortina 2026.

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    How to watch Skeleton at the 2026 Winter Olympics

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    Competition dates: Feb. 12 – 15

    TV channels: NBC, USA

    Streaming: Peacock, DirecTV, and more

    Where can I stream Skeleton at the 2026 Winter Olympics?

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    Parks and Recreation and The Office, every Bravo show and much more.

    For $17 monthly you can upgrade to an ad-free subscription which includes live access to your local NBC affiliate (not just during designated sports and events) and the ability to download select titles to watch offline.

    Where to watch Skeleton on TV:

    Team USA men’s and women’s Skeleton coverage will be split between NBC and USA, which you can stream on DirecTV, Hulu + Live TV, and more. NBC will only be airing select coverage live. For specific times on NBC, make sure to check out the official NBC Olympics broadcast schedule, and toggle your search to “TV Only.”

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    How to watch Olympic Skeleton without cable:

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    Who is on the Team USA Skeleton team?

    These are the athletes on Team USA’s Skeleton team:

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    • Dan Barefoot, 35, Johnstown, PA

    • Kelly Curtis, 37, Princeton, NJ

    • Austin Florian, 31, Southington, CT

    • Mystique Ro, 31, Nokesville, VA

    2026 Team USA Skeleton TV schedule:

    All times Eastern

    All events will stream on Peacock and NBCOlympics.com. NBC will only be airing select coverage live. For specific times on NBC, make sure to check out the official NBC Olympics broadcast schedule, and toggle your search to “TV Only.”

    Monday, Feb 9

    Official Training

    • 2:00 a.m. — Women’s Training, Heat 1

    • 3:02 a.m. — Women’s Training, Heat 2

    • 4:30 a.m. — Men’s Training, Heat 1

    • 5:32 a.m. — Men’s Training, Heat 2

    Tuesday, Feb 10

    Official Training

    • 5:00 a.m. — Women’s Training, Heat 3

    • 6:02 a.m. — Women’s Training, Heat 4

    • 7:30 a.m. — Men’s Training, Heat 3

    • 8:32 a.m. — Men’s Training, Heat 4

    Wednesday, Feb 11

    Official Training

    • 4:00 a.m. — Women’s Training, Heat 5

    • 5:02 a.m. — Women’s Training, Heat 6

    • 6:30 a.m. — Men’s Training, Heat 5

    • 7:32 a.m. — Men’s Training, Heat 6

    Thursday, Feb 12

    Men’s Competition

    • 3:30 a.m. — Men’s Heat 1

    • 5:08 a.m. — Men’s Heat 2

    Friday, Feb 13

    Competition / Medal Day

    • 10:00 a.m. — Women’s Heat 1

    • 11:48 a.m. — Women’s Heat 2

    • 1:30 p.m. — Men’s Heat 3 (Medal Heat)

    • 3:05 p.m. — Men’s Heat 4 (Medal Heat)

    Saturday, Feb 14

    Competition / Medal Day

    • 12:00 p.m. — Women’s Heat 3 (Medal Heat)

    • 1:44 p.m. — Women’s Heat 4 (Medal Heat)

    Sunday, Feb 15

    • 12:00 p.m. — Skeleton Mixed Team Event (Medal Event)

    More ways to watch the 2026 Winter Olympics

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  • New England Patriots vs. Seattle Seahawks: How to watch the 2026 Super Bowl today

    The New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks are headed to the 2026 Super Bowl today at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. You can catch the Big Game on NBC and Peacock. And Bad Bunny will headline the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show, with Charlie Puth performing the National Anthem, Brandi Carlile singing “America the Beautiful” and Coco Jones performing “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Here’s how to watch the 2026 Super Bowl.

    How to watch the 2026 Super Bowl:

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    Date: Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026

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    Time: 6:30 p.m. ET

    Location: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA

    TV channel: NBC

    Streaming: Peacock, DirecTV

    How to watch the 2026 Super Bowl without cable

    If you don’t have access to NBC already, you’ll be able to stream the 2026 Super Bowl live on Peacock.

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    bundle Apple TV and ad-supported Peacock for $15/month or go ad-free for $20.

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    2026 Super Bowl teams:

    The New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks will play in the 2026 Super Bowl.

    When is the 2026 Super Bowl?

    Super Bowl LX will be held on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026.

    Where is the 2026 Super Bowl?

    The upcoming Super Bowl will be held at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

    2026 Super Bowl kickoff time:

    The 2026 Super Bowl will kick off at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT.

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    How to watch the 2026 Super Bowl for free

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    Who is performing at the 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show?

    Bad Bunny, who holds the title as the most-streamed artist in the world, will headline the 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show. You can expect that show to begin after the second quarter, likely between 8-8:30 p.m. ET. Singer Charlie Puth will also be at the game to perform the National Anthem, Brandi Carlile is scheduled to sing “America the Beautiful,” and Coco Jones will perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

    More ways to watch Super Bowl LX:

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  • Winter Olympics 2026: Breezy Johnson breaks gold medal after winning Alpine downhill

    Alpine skier Breezy Johnson earned the USA’s second gold medal in women’s downhill on Sunday. With a time of 1:36.10, she beat out Germany’s Emma Aicher by just four hundredths of a second.

    Johnson’s medal was also the first won by the U.S. in the 2026 Winter Olympics. Unfortunately, her coveted prize was damaged by the time she left the medal stand. While celebrating, the ribbon attached to the medal broke away. Johnson’s medal fell and was broken into three pieces.

    Gold medallist USA's Breezy Johnson shows her broken medal to the media following the Women's Alpine Downhill Skiing at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre, Cortina d'Ampezzo, on day two of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Picture date: Sunday February 8, 2026. (Photo by Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty Images)

    USA Alpine skier Breezy Johnson shows her broken gold medal to the media during the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. (Photo by Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty Images)

    (Andrew Milligan – PA Images via Getty Images)

    “Well, I was jumping up and down in excitement, and it fell off,” Johnson explained to reporters. “I think that’s maybe why it broke.”

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    “I don’t know that the Italians are known for their engineering,” she added, joking that none of the assembled media offered to fix the medal. “I assume someone will fix it.”

    During her news conference, Johnson held up the detached ribbon and three pieces of the broken medal for reporters to see, calling it a “show-and-tell moment.”

    “It is heavy, it’s broken. It’s a look,” she said.

    In addition to the joy of winning gold, Johnson also felt the emotions of watching teammate Lindsey Vonn crash and get airlifted from the Tofane slope at Cortina d’Ampezzo due to her injuries. While waiting through a 30-minute delay and for the rest of the competition to finish, she could be seen tearing up several times.

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    Perhaps Johnson was also recalling her own memories of getting hurt at the same venue. In 2022, she crashed and injured her right knee on training run in Cortina, which kept her from competing in the Beijing Games.

    Johnson could have another opportunity for a gold medal in the women’s combined team competition, possibly paired with Mikaela Shiffrin. If she wins that event, she may hold onto that medal more tightly.

  • Winter Olympics 2026: President Trump, ‘Miracle on Ice’ captain Mike Eruzione rebuke skier Hunter Hess for comments on representing U.S.

    Remarks made by American freestyle skier Hunter Hess regarding “mixed emotions” about representing the United States in the 2026 Winter Olympics have drawn criticism from some fans and observers — including President Trump.

    During a news conference with the U.S. freeski team in Milan on Friday, Hess, 27, said he felt conflicted because “a lot going on that I’m not the biggest fan of, and I think a lot of people aren’t.”

    “It brings up mixed emotions to represent the U.S. right now, I think,” Hess said, via Portland, Oregon’s KGW8. “It’s a little hard. There’s obviously a lot going on that I’m not the biggest fan of, and I think a lot of people aren’t.”

    “For me, it’s more I’m representing my friends and family back home, the people that represented before me, all the things that I believe are good about the U.S.,” he added. “I think if it aligns with my moral values, I feel like I’m representing it. Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S.”

    Trump responded on social media on Sunday, saying Hess “shouldn’t have tried out for the Team, and it’s too bad he’s on it.”

    Hess’ comments earlier raised the ire of Mike Eruzione, a captain on the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” gold medal team who scored the game-winning goal versus the Soviet Union in the medal round. He has previously shown support for Donald Trump, but in responding to Hess on Saturday, he didn’t mention the president. He stated that the skier shouldn’t wear a uniform representing the U.S. if he’d prefer to represent friends and family instead.

    “Hunter Hess US snowboarder saying he doesn’t represent his country but his family and friends,” Eruzione posted. “Then don’t put on the USA uniform maybe just put for family and friend some athletes just don’t get it.”

    Eruzione was criticized for appearing at a Trump rally in 2020 with his U.S. hockey teammates and wearing a hat that said “Keep America Great.”

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    In response to the backlash received for his appearance, Eruzione expressed regret for wearing the hat.

    “If we knew we were going to piss off this many people, we probably would not have put the hats on,” Eruzione, 65, told the Washington Post. “That’s the big question here. A lot of the stuff I got was, ‘You guys said it’s not political, but when you put the hats on, you made it political.’ ”

    Presumably, Hess’ remarks “made it political” in Eruzione’s view. Yet he’s not the only U.S. athlete who has voiced ambivalent sentiments toward what’s currently happening. Freestyle aerialist Chris Lillis said he wouldn’t want to represent any other country, but is “heartbroken” over current events.

    “I feel heartbroken about what’s happened in the United States,” Lillis said, via the Washington Post. “I think that, as a country, we need to focus on respecting everybody’s rights and making sure that we’re treating our citizens as well as anybody with love and respect. I hope that when people look at athletes competing in the Olympics, they realize that’s the America that we’re trying to represent.”

  • Lindsey Vonn is in ‘stable condition’ after surgery to repair fracture from crash in women’s downhill

    MILAN — After a devastating crash just 13 seconds into her downhill run, Lindsey Vonn “sustained an injury” but is in stable condition, according to U.S. Ski & Snowboard.

    Sunday’s women’s downhill emerged as the most anticipated event in these Olympics, mainly because of Vonn — first for her comeback from her 2019 retirement, then from the torn ACL she suffered a little over a week ago. But her Olympic dreams vanished almost immediately into her run on Sunday morning. Her pole and shoulder caught a gate near the top of the mountain, spinning her sideways and sending her tumbling off the course. Her skis dug into the snow, twisting both knees and leaving her prone and bent on the hillside. According to the Associated Press, Vonn’s mandatory air bag worn under her race suit did inflate. A helicopter arrived within 10 minutes to evacuate her from the course, and after about 20 minutes, the event continued.

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    Vonn was airlifted to Ca’ Foncello Hospital in Treviso. “In the afternoon, she underwent orthopedic surgery to stabilize the fracture sustained in her left leg,” the hospital said in a statement. She was initially taken to Cortina’s Codivilla Putti Hospital for immediate treatment, and later moved to Treviso.

    Vonn’s teammate Breezy Johnson won gold, but the mood in Cortina in the wake of Vonn’s crash was somber.

    Lindsey Vonn sufre una caída en el descenso femenino del esquí alpino de los Juegos Olímpicos de Invierno, el domingo 8 de febrero de 2026, en Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italia. (AP Foto/Jacquelyn Martin)

    (AP Foto/Jacquelyn Martin)

    (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

    CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, ITALY - FEBRUARY 08: (EDITOR’S NOTE: This Handout image/clip was provided by a third-party organization and may not adhere to Getty Images’ editorial policy.) Lindsey Vonn of Team United States crashes during the Women's Downhill on day two of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre on February 08, 2026 in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. (Screengrab by IOC via Getty Images)

    (Screengrab by IOC via Getty Images)

    (Handout via Getty Images)

    CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, ITALY - FEBRUARY 08: (EDITOR’S NOTE: This Handout image/clip was provided by a third-party organization and may not adhere to Getty Images’ editorial policy.) Lindsey Vonn of Team United States crashes during the Women's Downhill on day two of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre on February 08, 2026 in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. (Screengrab by IOC via Getty Images)

    Screengrab by IOC via Getty Images)

    (Handout via Getty Images)

    CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, ITALY - FEBRUARY 08: (EDITOR’S NOTE: This Handout image/clip was provided by a third-party organization and may not adhere to Getty Images’ editorial policy.) Lindsey Vonn of Team United States crashes during the Women's Downhill on day two of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre on February 08, 2026 in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. (Screengrab by IOC via Getty Images)

    (Screengrab by IOC via Getty Images)

    (Handout via Getty Images)

    CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, ITALY - FEBRUARY 08: A mountain rescue helicopter is seen rescuing Lindsey Vonn of Team United States after she crashed during the Women's Downhill on day two of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre on February 08, 2026 in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

    Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

    (Al Bello via Getty Images)

    Vonn, 41, came into the Olympics as one of Team USA’s biggest stars, thanks both to her longevity and her determination. She retired after the 2018 Olympics, betrayed by her body and unable to compete at a world-class level. But a 2024 partial knee replacement changed her entire future, allowing her to return to the slopes and work herself into Olympic shape.

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    She earned her way onto the U.S. team with an array of podium finishes and two World Cup victories. But just a week before the start of the Winter Olympics, Vonn ruptured her left ACL in Switzerland. She spoke at a press conference on Tuesday affirming her intention to compete, and posted respectable times in her two training runs.

    The horrifying crash elicited reactions from peers and fans alike.

    “It doesn’t change anything about her legacy,” said fellow American Jackie Wiles, who finished fourth. “She’s a fighter, and that’s the way that she’s going to go out and ski every time.”

  • Damian Lillard, who hasn’t played this season, joining Devin Booker, Donovan Mitchell, Jamal Murray in NBA All-Star 3-point contest

    Damian Lillard isn’t expected to play this season while recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon.

    But he’ll return to a familiar spot at next week’s NBA All-Star festivities. The Portland Trail Blazers guard has been invited to participate in the 3-point contest. He’ll do so alongside Devin Booker (Suns), Kon Knueppel (Hornets), Tyrese Maxey (76ers), Donovan Mitchell (Cavaliers), Jamal Murray (Nuggets), Bobby Portis Jr. (Bucks) and Norman Powell (Heat).

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    The NBA announced the competitors on Sunday. The 3-point contest will take place next Saturday at the Intuit Dome, home of the Los Angeles Clippers.

    Lillard, a nine-time All-Star, has won the 3-point contest twice. He’ll seek to tie the record of three 3-point contests wins held by Larry Bird and Craig Hodges, who combined to win six of the first seven 3-point contests.

    Damian Lillard will compete in the 3-point contest at the NBA's All-Star weekend.

    Damian Lillard will compete in the 3-point contest at the NBA’s All-Star weekend.

    (Amanda Loman via Getty Images)

    Lillard ruptured his left Achilles tendon last postseason while playing for the Milwaukee Bucks. During the offseason, he signed a three-year contract to return to the Trail Blazers with whom he played his first 11 NBA seasons, making seven All-Star teams.

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    Lillard, 35, is planning to sit the entire 2025-26 season to recover from his injury and return to the Portland lineup next season. He’s feeling well enough to compete next week and provided an update on his recovery to the “Road Trippin’ Show” last week.

    “It’s going great,” Lillard said, per NBC Sports. “I think it’s just one of those injuries where you’ve got to take your time — you know, it takes what it takes. The first couple of weeks to maybe two or three months is kind of frustrating because you’re so limited.

    “But with patience, giving yourself grace, and doing the things necessary to continue progressing, you get to a point where you start to see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

    Lillard previously won the 3-point contest in 2018 and is the only competitor other than Booker with a win.