Category: Sport

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Real Madrid are staring down a potentially humiliating Champions League exit — can they steady the ship against Benfica in the Round of 32? The boys break down what’s gone wrong, whether Madrid’s aura still carries weight in Europe, and give their official predictions for all Round of 32 matchups.

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Then we’re joined by the legendary Glenn Crooks, who gives incredible insight into how Emma Hayes developed into the elite manager she is today. Crooks also reflects on his own journey in soccer, shares thoughts on NYCFC’s upcoming season, discusses Pascal Jansen’s evolution as a coach, and weighs in on what the club’s new stadium means for the future of football in New York City.

To close it out, we react to Carlo Ancelotti being spotted at Carnival — is that a bad look for Brazil’s head coach given the national team’s current form? Plus, we discuss Tottenham’s new manager, Raheem Sterling’s move to Feyenoord, Pellegrino Matarazzo’s first La Liga loss, and Antoine Semenyo’s absolutely unhinged pizza opinion. Another packed episode full of insight, debate, and chaos.

Timestamps:

(7:30) – Real Madrid in Champions League trouble?

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(13:00) – Every Round of 32 UCL prediction

(25:00) – Glenn Crooks joins The Cooligans

(1:02:00) – Carlo Ancelotti spotted at Carnival

(1:06:30) – Reacting to other world soccer news

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Nate Tice & Matt Harmon deep dive on the 8 most QB-needy teams in the NFL to determine who will be starting for them Week 1. The duo start with their reactions to the latest coordinator hires around the NFL, including the Seattle Seahawks finding their Klint Kubiak replacement in new OC Brian Fleury.

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Next, Nate & Matt play quarterback matchmaker for the 8 most QB-needy teams in the NFL. The two hosts start with deep dives on the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins (would Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill be interesting names in the free agent market?), Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns.

Later, Nate & Matt find quarterback matches for the Indianapolis Colts (franchise tag Daniel Jones?), Minnesota Vikings (will JJ McCarthy get another shot?), Arizona Cardinals and Atlanta Falcons.

(4:50) – Latest coordinator hire reactions

(16:40) – QB matchmaker: Jets

(29:20) – QB matchmaker: Dolphins

(40:10) – QB matchmaker: Steelers

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(46:20) – QB matchmaker: Browns

(57:30) – QB matchmaker: Colts

(1:05:40) – QB matchmaker: Vikings

(1:17:40) – QB matchmaker: Cardinals

(1:22:50) – QB matchmaker: Falcons

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Andrew Siciliano deep dives on the 2026 NFL Draft with Nate Tice & ESPN’s Matt Miller. Andrew kicks things off with Nate Tice as they parse through Nate & Charles McDonald’s latest mock draft and cover a few of the more interesting selections, including EDGE Rueben Bain Jr. going second overall to the New York Jets, RB Jeremiyah Love in the top ten, EDGE David Bailey to the Washington Commanders and more. Next, Andrew & Nate set their sites on Indianapolis for the NFL Combine as Nate gives his top prospects he’s most excited to watch test next week.

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Later, Andrew is joined by ESPN’s Matt Miller to get his thoughts on the draft (including Ty Simpson, Caleb Downs and more) before talking through his latest NFL mock draft.

(6:55) – Nate Tice breaks down latest NFL mock draft

(21:55) – Nate’s top prospects to watch at the NFL Combine

(44:00) – Matt Miller talks latest NFL mock draft

Inside Coverage would be nothing without the impact of our beloved Terez Paylor, who was a pillar of Yahoo Sports’ NFL editorial and podcast coverage. We will continue to produce this NFL podcast in his honor, and hope that you can support Terez Paylor’s legacy in one of three ways:

• Buy an “All-Juice Team” hoodie or tee from BreakingT.com/Terez. All profits directly fund the Terez A. Paylor scholarship at Howard University.

• Donate directly to the PowerMizzou Journalism Alumni Scholarship in memory of Terez Paylor

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• Donate directly at giving.howard.edu/givenow. Under “Tribute,” please note that your gift is made in memory of Terez A. Paylor. Under “Designation,” click on “Other” and write in “Terez A. Paylor Scholarship.”

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Today on the Kevin O’Connor show, KOC is joined by Tom Haberstroh to ask some big questions in the NBA world: Are the Houston Rockets done? What teams have the most to prove in the 2nd half of the season? Which young players might break out and which coaches are on the hot seat?

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Then, the pair look at two of the hottest names in college basketball: Darius Acuff and Darryn Peterson. How does Acuff’s 49-point explosion affect his draft stock? Is Peterson’s self-check-out gambit for Kansas threatening his no. 1 draft pick potential?

Later, KOC is joined by Daman Rangoola, Sam Esfandiari & Claire De Lune from All-Star Weekend to talk the latest with the Lakers and Warriors. That and more on today’s show!

(1:11) Contenders with the most to prove
(13:38) Young players to watch
(20:26) NBA coaches on the hot seat
(33:46) Kings decimated by injuries
(37:12) Darius Acuff drops 49 points vs. Alabama
(41:44) What’s going on with Darryn Peterson?
(56:32) Daman Rangoola & Sam Esfandiari join from All-Star
(1:43:10) Claire De Lune joins from All-Star

🖥️ Watch this full episode on the Yahoo Sports NBA YouTube channel

Check out all episodes of The Kevin O’Connor Show and the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at yahoosports.tv

Nate Tice & Charles McDonald join forces to answer the NFL offseason’s biggest looming questions submitted by the audience. The duo start off by diving into the New York Giants’ potential NFL Draft plans with the 5th overall pick, how the Chicago Bears can fix their defensive line and whether or not Brian Daboll is a good fit with QB Cam Ward as the new Tennessee Titans OC.

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Next, Nate & Charles discuss whether or not the Los Angeles Chargers can fix their offensive line in one offseason, if the Jacksonville Jaguars defense can take a leap next season, who the Denver Broncos should be targeting in free agency (Tyler Allgeier?) and what our expectations for the 2026 Washington Commanders should look like.

Later, the two hosts wrap up with thoughts on the New England Patriots’ upcoming offseason decisions, why Sean McVay changed to a duo run game style with the Los Angeles Rams, whether Sean McDermott was really the problem with the Buffalo Bills and more.

(2:40) – Biggest offseason questions: Giants draft plans, Bears DL, Daboll & Cam Ward

(24:30) – Biggest offseason questions: Chargers OL, Jaguars defense, Broncos, Commanders

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(44:15) – Biggest offseason questions: Patriots, Rams, Bills & more

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Check out all episodes of Football 301 with Nate Tice and the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at yahoosports.tv

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The Cooligans welcome former MLS head coach and analyst Giovanni Savarese for a deep dive into the 2026 MLS season. Gio shares his predictions, breakout teams to watch, and how the league continues to evolve ahead of a massive 2026 on home soil. The conversation also turns to the USMNT, as the guys assess expectations, pressure, and what success should realistically look like at the 2026 World Cup.

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Christian and Alexis then tackle the troubling racist incident involving Vinícius Júnior during Real Madrid’s clash with Benfica. They unpack how these situations are currently handled, question whether the responsibility to stop a match unfairly falls on the player experiencing abuse, and debate what meaningful structural changes could better protect players moving forward.

Finally, it’s a jam-packed Champions League recap. Folarin Balogun shines in a statement performance against Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus suffer a shocking defeat to Galatasaray, and Bodø/Glimt pull off a stunning win over Inter Milan. The boys react to all the drama, surprises, and what these results mean going forward.

Timestamps:

(6:30) – 2026 MLS preview and predictions

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(30:00) – Gio Savarese’s USMNT World Cup outlook

(39:00) – Vinicius Junior deals with racism again: time for a rule change?

(59:00) – Folarin Balogun shines in Champions League loss to PSG

(1:04:30) – Serie A teams suffer shocking Champions League losses

🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTube

Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at yahoosports.tv

On today’s Kevin O’Connor Show, KOC is joined by NBC broadcaster John Fanta to talk everything NBA. They start with Eastern Conference contender power rankings: who’s the number one team in the East? Could Cade Cunningham really be MVP?

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Then, they turn to Team USA hockey’s gold-medal win against Canada before John tells the story of his call-up to the NBA on NBC by Mike Tirico.

Plus, they discuss if Anthony Edwards is the face of the league, address the troubles in Phoenix & Houston, and take a look at the top prospects in this year’s fiery draft class.

That and more, today!

Eastern Conference Contenders (1:39)
USA Hockey and John’s NBC Career (43:16)
Draft Class (1:10:20)

🖥️ Watch this full episode on the Yahoo Sports NBA YouTube channel

Check out all episodes of The Kevin O’Connor Show and the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at yahoosports.tv

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LAFC sent a loud message in their 3-0 dismantling of Inter Miami, and it wasn’t just about the scoreline. Los Angeles FC looked sharp, organized, and ruthless, while Inter Miami CF looked frustrated and overwhelmed. We break down what went wrong for Miami, what this result means long-term, and whether Lionel Messi’s heated postgame interaction with referees is a sign of deeper cracks. Plus, we recap the rest of MLS opening weekend and highlight the teams that set the tone early.

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Across the pond, the Premier League title race is heating up once again. Manchester City and Arsenal continue to push each other to the limit at the top of the table. Can City pull off another late surge, or is this finally Arsenal’s year? We examine the remaining fixtures, squad depth, and pressure points that could decide the title.

Off the pitch, concerns are growing around the 2026 tournament. With New Jersey canceling its World Cup fan zone and Gillette Stadium reportedly resisting FIFA licensing without additional funding, we ask whether the 2026 World Cup is starting to show serious organizational strain. Is this just early logistical turbulence—or a warning sign for what’s ahead?

Timestamps:

(7:00) – LAFC thrash Messi and Inter Miami

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(23:00) – MLS opening weekend recap

(32:00) – Arsenal and Man City continue to battle in PL title race

(47:45) – World Cup in danger of falling apart already?

🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTube

Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at yahoosports.tv

Chris Sale won’t be a free agent after the 2026 season.

The Atlanta Braves announced they have agreed to a contract extension with the 36-year-old lefty through the 2027 season that has a club option through 2028.

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Sale is set to be paid $27 million in 2027 and would be paid $30 million in 2028 if the Braves pick up the option. He’s making $18 million in 2026.

The nine-time All-Star won the first Cy Young Award of his career in Atlanta in 2024 when he posted a 2.38 ERA and 225 strikeouts in 177.2 innings pitched while going 18-3. A season ago, Sale threw 125.2 innings and had a 2.58 ERA with 165 strikeouts. He missed over two months in the summer after fracturing ribs.

That 2024 season was his first in Atlanta after seven seasons with the Red Sox. Sale began his career with the Chicago White Sox and spent the first seven seasons of his MLB career on the South Side before he was traded in December 2016.

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The Braves acquired Sale for Vaughn Grissom in December 2023 after the pitcher had dealt with injuries for years. After not playing in the shortened 2020 season, Sale threw just 151 innings across his final three seasons in Boston, including 5.2 innings in 2022. In his final season with the Red Sox, Sale had a 4.30 ERA over 102.2 innings pitched.

He’s clearly bounced back in a big way for the Braves as they attempt to keep pace with the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East. Atlanta was second to the Phillies in 2024 and fell to fourth in 2025.

Could the Army-Navy game be on the move?

Army coach Jeff Monken isn’t against moving the game up two weeks or so to the weekend after Thanksgiving. Right now, the two service academies meet on the Saturday after conference championship game weekend between the rest of the college football regular season and bowl season.

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In 2025, the first bowl game kicked off just a couple hours after Army-Navy ended, thanks to the way Saturdays fell throughout the year on the calendar.

“I think Army-Navy is a huge part of the history of college football, and what it is today, even,” Monken told the Athletic. “Give us a four-hour block on Thanksgiving, or on Friday of Thanksgiving, or on Saturday of Thanksgiving, and give us a four-hour block, and just say nobody else plays doing this four-hour block. That’s still protecting the game.”

Army and Navy have occupied their exclusive window in December since the two teams were independent. Now, both teams are members of the American Conference. However, since the game is played so late in the season and after the American’s title game, it doesn’t have any bearing on the conference race. And it has no playoff impact, either. The playoff field is set nearly a week before the game happens.

Moving the game up to the traditional end of the regular season would mean the game could not only count toward the American title race, but even playoff inclusion. Army won 12 games in 2024 and Navy won 11 games a season ago.

A move would also mean the playoff would have room to shift around in December, too. Even if it stays at 12 teams.

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With Army-Navy played on the second weekend of December, the 12-team playoff has begun on the third weekend of the month over the past two seasons. That leaves the quarterfinals on New Year’s and then the semifinals and national championship game in January.

And in 2026, the length of the playoff is especially extreme. With New Year’s Day on a Friday, the semifinals are not Jan. 7 and Jan. 8 because at least one team would have to play on a short week. Instead, they’re on Jan. 14 and Jan. 15. The nearly two-week break between the quarterfinals and semifinals means the national championship game isn’t until Jan. 25.

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Having another weekend in December available for the CFP will be a huge benefit to shortening the season. Especially if the transfer window stays where it is. The sole transfer window opened while the CFP was still going on in January and teams like Oregon, Indiana, Miami and Ole Miss were both signing recruits while preparing to play postseason games. The earlier the college football season ends, the better chance players will have of being able to transfer after every team’s season is over.