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  • NFL Panic Meter: Packers’ championship dreams might be done after Micah Parsons’ injury

    After last season ended well short of a Super Bowl, Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst spoke of the franchise operating with more urgency.

    “I think it’s time that we start competing for championships, right?” Gutekunst said, via NFL.com.

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    That’s why the Packers traded for Micah Parsons. It was a push to go from good to great. And Parsons transformed the Packers’ defense with his 12.5 sacks.

    And now, with Parsons done for the season with a torn ACL, the worry has to be that the Packers go from a potentially great season and revert to being good.

    The Packers aren’t going to go away without Parsons. There’s still a lot of talent. But Super Bowl dreams are much less realistic without their best player, and one of the best players in the entire NFL. Even beating the Chicago Bears for the NFC North championship becomes harder.

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    Parsons made that type of impact. He is third in the NFL with 79 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. His 12.5 sacks are tied for third in the NFL. No other Packer has more than 47 pressures or 7.5 sacks. No offense to Rashan Gary or anyone else on the defense, but there’s no other difference maker that’s on Parsons’ level, or anywhere close.

    Micah Parsons suffered a torn ACL in the Packers' loss to the Broncos. (Photo by John McGloughlin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

    Micah Parsons suffered a torn ACL in the Packers’ loss to the Broncos. (Photo by John McGloughlin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

    (Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

    And if the Parsons injury was the only one, it would be easier. The Packers have also lost tight end Tucker Kraft, who was their best weapon in the passing game this season, as well as defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt and offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins. Include Parsons and the Packers are going forward without four key players. That’s a lot to overcome.

    The Packers knew they had to upgrade to chase a championship. Parsons was everything they could have asked for. Without him, it seems like a Super Bowl might be out of reach.

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    Panic meter: It’s looking like a “what if” type of season for Green Bay

    Patriots have a rough loss

    The Patriots could have clinched the AFC East with a win Sunday. They led 21-0 over the Bills. And they allowed Buffalo to score a touchdown on five straight drives. The Bills’ 35-31 win left the Patriots with a 37.7% chance to win the division, according to DVOA.

    They are still clear favorites, but 37.7% isn’t insignificant. And the Bills might feel even closer after they overcame that 21-point lead with an AFC East title on the line.

    It was a bad turn of events, but the Patriots shouldn’t panic. They had won 10 in a row before Sunday. They still lead the division by a game over a Bills team that has a great quarterback but plenty of flaws around him. The Patriots’ shot at the No. 1 seed took a hit when they lost and the Broncos won, but the first priority is winning the division. And that should still happen.

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    Panic meter: Every team is allowed a loss every 11 games, even if it’s a big blown lead to a division rival

    Buccaneers’ slide continues

    When Todd Bowles went on an expletive-laden rant after Tampa Bay blew a 14-point lead to the Atlanta Falcons and lost, it was out of character. It was so out of character, it seemed like a head coach who needed something extreme to get his team going, since nothing else was working.

    The Buccaneers should be running away with the NFC South. Instead they lost back-to-back games to the Saints and Falcons, who are a combined 9-19. Tampa Bay is fortunate it plays in a bad division. The Panthers lost to the Saints on Sunday to make sure the Buccaneers didn’t feel too much pressure.

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    In terms of the division race, the Buccaneers are fine. They’re tied for first place and if they win two more games they’ll take the division title. That might not be the point. Due to the ongoing struggles of the offense and the defense’s inability to even slow down Kirk Cousins and the Falcons, the Buccaneers look like a team that will be immediately dismissed from the postseason, if they get there. It’s a team that is playing under its talent level.

    Panic meter: The Bucs’ slump has exposed major issues

    Big change for Dallas’ D?

    The Cowboys hired Matt Eberflus to be their defensive coordinator, then traded Micah Parsons right before the season started. That didn’t help Eberflus out, but the results have still been poor. Dallas ranks 31st in points allowed and 29th in yards allowed. After seeing the Cowboys get shredded by Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who had struggled mightily for much of the season, Jerry Jones was asked if he thought Eberflus was the right coach to run the defense.

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    “The adjustments that we should be making [defensively] should be with these next three games in mind,” Jones said, via The Athletic. “With three games left in the short time that we’ve got to play them in, then that will impact any adjustments that you make regarding coaching with the timeframe we’re dealing with. That’s a legit question.”

    That’s also not much confidence in Eberflus. Unless there’s a big improvement with just a few games left, Eberflus might be in trouble.

    Panic meter: It seems like Eberflus has three games left to save his job

  • Replacing Lane Kiffin: Can new Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding become the Steve Fisher of college football?

    In March 1989, two days after Selection Sunday, Michigan men’s basketball coach Bill Frieder made a major miscalculation.

    He incorrectly assumed that he could accept a job offer from another school yet still coach the Wolverines in the NCAA tournament.

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    The morning after Frieder revealed that he intended to leave for Arizona State after the season, Michigan athletic director Bo Schembechler summoned Freider’s top assistant Steve Fisher to his office for a 7 a.m. meeting. When the 43-year-old assistant coach arrived, Schembechler didn’t waste time with small talk or pleasantries.

    “Fisher, can you coach this team?” Fisher recalls Schembechler gruffly asking. “Because there’s no way Bill Frieder’s going to coach them.”

    Thirty-six years after Schembechler famously told Frieder not to bother showing up to the NCAA tournament, that banishment has gained newfound relevance. It’s by far the closest historical precedent to the messy breakup that captivated the sports world over Thanksgiving weekend, the one that resulted in Ole Miss refusing to let Lane Kiffin coach the Rebels in the College Football Playoff after he spurned them for conference rival LSU.

    As sixth-seeded Ole Miss prepares for its opening-round matchup against 11th-seeded Tulane on Saturday, the Rebels will be hoping that the parallels with Michigan basketball don’t end with the ill-timed coaching change. They’ll try to emulate how the ‘89 Wolverines rallied around their anonymous new coach, embraced the role of jilted underdogs and stormed to their program’s first — and still only — national championship.

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    Can newly promoted Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding become the Steve Fisher of college football? Can Golding enter the College Football Playoff with zero wins as a head coach and then guide the Rebels to an improbable national title? Fisher will be watching with great interest from his home in Del Mar, California.

    “Both teams were playing for national championships with a different head coach,” Fisher said. “I wish [Golding] good luck. I hope he has a great run and I’ll be following it closely.”

    ANN ARBOR, MI - CIRCA 1988: Head coach Bill Frieder of the University of Michigan looks on during an NCAA College basketball game circa 1988 at Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Frieder was the head coach at Michiagan from 1980-89. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

    Despite six straight 20-win seasons at Michigan, Bill Frieder felt his job was on the line before taking the head job at Arizona State back in 1989. (Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

    (Focus On Sport via Getty Images)

    Schembechler vs. Frieder

    The two coaches who abandoned title contenders on the eve of the postseason had drastically different reasons for leaving.

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    Kiffin viewed SEC juggernaut LSU as “the best job in football,” a program whose in-state talent, championship pedigree and unmatched resources offer a smoother path to the top of the sport than what he had at Ole Miss. Frieder saw Pac-10 lightweight Arizona State as a soft landing, a chance to leave Michigan on his own terms before his alma mater pushed him out.

    There were some at Michigan who had grown weary of Frieder despite his back-to-back Big Ten titles in 1985 and 1986 and his 188-90 overall record as head coach of the Wolverines. His talent-laden teams advanced beyond the NCAA tournament’s opening weekend only one time, fueling the perception that Frieder was a proficient recruiter but an ineffectual coach.

    The dissatisfaction intensified during the 1988-89 season when a Michigan team with four future first-round NBA draft picks in its starting lineup finished an underwhelming third in the Big Ten. Fans at Crisler Center booed the Wolverines off the court after they concluded the regular season with a one-sided 89-73 loss to Big Ten runner-up Illinois.

    It didn’t help Frieder’s job security that Schembechler took on the role of athletic director near the end of his decorated tenure as Michigan’s football coach. Schembechler and Frieder were “polar opposites,” according to Mark Hughes, a senior center on Michigan’s 1989 team. They clashed over everything, from funding for the basketball program, to player discipline, to how coaches should dress.

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    Schembechler seldom appeared in public without a crisp collared shirt and well-coiffed hair. Frieder was most comfortable in a sweatsuit and didn’t seem to own either an iron or a comb. Schembechler inspired players with his throaty growl, no-nonsense leadership and gruff but compassionate demeanor. Frieder demanded his players work hard too, but allowed far more leeway.

    “The football team was under strict rules,” Hughes told Yahoo Sports in 2014 for a story that coincided with the 25th anniversary of Michigan’s title run. “If you broke a rule or you missed a class, you would suffer the consequences. Coach Frieder was more of a player’s coach. He’d listen to your story and assess the situation. He wanted us to study and work hard in practice but he also wanted us to enjoy college and have fun.”

    When the Arizona State men’s basketball job opened in March 1989, Sun Devils athletic director Charles Harris reached out to Frieder for feedback on top target Gene Keady. Frieder raved about the Purdue coach, then gently noted he too might be interested.

    Once Keady rejected Arizona State on the Tuesday after Selection Sunday, Harris immediately pivoted to Frieder. Unsure about his future under Schembechler and eager for a new challenge in a warmer climate, Frieder discussed the opportunity with his wife and accepted the job offer within 20 minutes.

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    Later that day, Frieder pulled his assistant coaches aside after practice and broke the news that he had taken the Arizona State job. Frieder also called players individually late that night when he learned that media outlets in Phoenix were reporting he’d be joining the Sun Devils.

    “We couldn’t really understand at the time because we were young, but once we got older, we understood it was a business decision,” former Michigan forward Terry Mills said. “If you’re about to get fired at Michigan and someone is going to give you a seven-year deal, what are you going to do? You’re going to protect your family.”

    In his conversations with Michigan players and staff, Frieder said that he expected to be allowed to finish the season with them. The way Frieder explained it, he’d be introduced in Tempe the next day but would rejoin the Wolverines in Atlanta in time for their first-round NCAA tournament game against Xavier.

    The next day, Schembechler made it clear that wasn’t going to happen.

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    “I don’t want someone from Arizona State coaching the Michigan team,” Schembechler famously told reporters. “A Michigan man is going to coach Michigan.”

    College Basketball: NCAA Final Four: Michigan coach Steve Fisher during interview with CBS announcers Billy Packer and Brent Musberger (R) after winning overtime game vs Seton Hall at the Kingdome. Rumeal Robinson (C) victorious. 
Seattle, WA 4/3/1989
CREDIT: Manny Millan (Photo by Manny Millan /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
(Set Number: X38055 TK7 )

    Steve Fisher led Michigan to the 1989 national championship after taking over as head coach just before the tournament began. (Manny Millan /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)

    (Manny Millan via Getty Images)

    ‘We wanted to win for him’

    The “Michigan man” responsible for preparing the Wolverines for an improbable postseason run actually grew up in small-town Illinois and played at Illinois State. Fisher had never been a head coach at the college level, but his even-tempered, reassuring demeanor made him well-suited to provide stability to a chaotic situation.

    Since Fisher had recruited many of the Wolverines and had been given the freedom to run practices and deliver pregame speeches, he already had the respect and admiration of the locker room. In fact, the idea of winning for Fisher inspired the Michigan players because they knew a deep NCAA tournament run was the only way Schembechler would ever consider giving Frieder’s top assistant the permanent job.

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    “When Coach Fish took over, we didn’t just want to win it for us,” Hughes told Yahoo Sports in 2014. “We wanted to win it for him.”

    While Fisher maintained a calm outward demeanor, he admits that the uncertainty of serving as interim coach wore on him. He and his wife Angie didn’t know whether they’d be staying in Ann Arbor or house-hunting in Tempe or elsewhere in a few weeks.

    “I didn’t eat a lot,” Fisher admitted. “I probably worried more than I should.”

    The unyielding spotlight on Fisher also was uncomfortable for him.

    “I’ve never been one to be excited to be the center of attention,” he said. “I’ve never wanted that. But for three weeks, as we were making our run, I was the story — front page, above the fold, they were talking about me.”

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    Had Michigan lost its first-round NCAA tournament game against Xavier, Fisher might as well have started packing his bags to join Frieder in Tempe. The Wolverines instead erased a six-point deficit with 9:45 to go and escaped with a 92-87 victory. Little-used guard Demetrius Calip sparked the comeback with nine points down the stretch after Fisher inserted him out of necessity when starter Rumeal Robinson got into foul trouble.

    Michigan built momentum two days later by swatting aside 11th-seeded South Alabama. The Wolverines then outlasted second-seeded North Carolina in the Sweet 16 and pounded Virginia to advance to the Final Four. By then, Fisher believed he had done enough to secure the full-time job, not that Schembechler confirmed that to him.

    At the Final Four in Seattle, Michigan faced its Big Ten nemesis, an Illinois team led by future NBA Draft picks Nick Anderson, Kenny Battle, Marcus Liberty and Kendall Gill. The Illini swept the Wolverines in the regular season, but Michigan got revenge when it mattered most on a game-winning put-back from forward Sean Higgins.

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    “Illinois was the best team in the country,” Fisher said. “If it was 4 out of 7, they probably would have won the national championship.”

    The title game against PJ Carlesimo’s Seton Hall team also came down to the final possession. With Michigan trailing by a point in the final seconds of overtime, Robinson attacked the rim and drew a whistle that even Fisher admits was a “touch foul.”

    “If you’re on PJ’s side, you’re saying, ‘How can you possibly call that?’” Fisher said, referring to Carlesimo. “On our end, we’re saying, ‘Great call.’”

    Robinson had been in a similar situation earlier that season against Wisconsin and missed both free throws to cost the Wolverines the game. After that, he asked Fisher to stay after practice and rebound for him every day until he sank 50 free throws.

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    When Robinson stepped to the foul line again against Seton Hall, he carried himself with more confidence. The 64% free throw-shooter swished both, raising his right arm in triumph after the second one.

    “I think he was ready for that moment,” Fisher said. “What happened at Wisconsin impacted him in a positive way when he went to the line against Seton Hall.”

    Even then, nobody told Fisher that he had done enough to shed his interim label. It went without saying that the full-time gig was his.

    As Mills put it after the game, “I’ve never heard of an undefeated coach getting fired.”

    ATHENS, GA - OCTOBER 18: Defensive coordinator Pete Golding of the Ole Miss Rebels looks on prior to the college football game between the Ole Miss Rebels and the Georgia Bulldogs on October 18, 2025, at Sanford Stadium in Athens, GA. (Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

    Pete Golding has gone from Ole Miss defensive coordinator to head coach as the Rebels make their first-ever appearance in the College Football Playoff. (Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

    (Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

    Kiffin vs. Frieder: Not the same

    The new Ole Miss football coach won’t have to audition for the full-time job the way Fisher did.

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    Athletic director Keith Carter immediately threw his support behind Golding, highlighting the respected defensive coordinator’s desire to be at Ole Miss, his ability to galvanize the current players and his longterm vision for the program.

    Golding’s promotion continues his meteoric rise since his days as an undersized Delta State safety who led his team in tackles and interceptions. At 23, he landed his first defensive coordinator gig. At 34, he became Nick Saban’s top defensive lieutenant. And now at 41, he’s taking the reins at a budding SEC powerhouse.

    When asked during his first news conference as head coach if he has taken the time to reflect on that journey, Golding laughed and said there hasn’t been time for that. His first few weeks on the job have been a whirlwind of little sleep and endless responsibilities.

    As soon as Carter told him the job was his, Golding said he “got my ass up out of my seat and went straight out the door to try to recruit offensive staff not to get on that airplane” with Kiffin. Then he worked to replace the staff members who did leave while also trying to salvage as much of Ole Miss’ 2026 recruiting class as he could before signing day. In between all that, there has been the minor detail of keeping day-to-day preparation as normal as possible for the current Rebels while also readying them for one of the biggest games in program history on Saturday.

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    What has worked for Golding so far is being unapologetically himself. Cuss words, and all.

    In a thinly veiled reference to Kiffin during his first news conference as head coach, Golding explained. “I’m not changing who I am, ain’t changing what I wear. I’m [not] going to yoga. I ain’t doing any of that s***. I am who I am.”

    The only exception will be when it comes to the scheme Ole Miss runs the rest of the season. Golding views himself similarly to an interim coach in the sense that there’s no need to deviate from what has been working under Kiffin. He draws inspiration from his time at Alabama when offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian coached the Crimson Tide in the Iron Bowl after Nick Saban tested positive for COVID.

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    “Sark walked us out of the tunnel and we still beat the s*** out of Auburn,” Golding said.

    The deeper Ole Miss advances in the College Football Playoff, the more awkward the situation will likely be for Kiffin.

    That’s how it was for Frieder anyway.

    When Michigan players and coaches celebrated on the court after capturing the program’s first national title, Frieder watched on TV alone in his Seattle hotel room. Dozens of reporters swarmed Frieder at halftime of the only NCAA tournament game he attended, so he accepted watching the Wolverines play in solitude the rest of the postseason so he didn’t become a further distraction.

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    When asked in 2014 how tough it was to watch the team he built win a championship without him, Frieder responded, “If that’s the worst thing that ever happened to me, I’ve led a pretty good life.” He insisted that he is “happy with how things turned out” and that he has “never regretted” leaving Michigan.

    Frieder credited his longtime friend Fisher for going out of his way to make him feel included during the title run. Fisher sought Frieder’s advice on a daily basis. He also instructed a team manager to sneak Frieder into the team hotel through a service entrance whenever he wanted to counsel or congratulate the Michigan players.

    After the season, Fisher included Frieder among the people who were to receive championship rings. When someone scratched Frieder’s name off the list, Fisher paid for Frieder’s ring with his own money.

    “It was his team winning the ultimate prize, what everyone aspires to, and he’s not there to enjoy it,” Fisher said. “He was happy for the team. He was happy for me. But it had to be immensely difficult.”

  • Knicks, Spurs bringing winning mentality to NBA Cup championship game: ‘There’s a lot at stake’

    LAS VEGAS — The magic of the NBA Cup, for all the internal and external pushes to make this in-season tournament a success, lies in the significance of the insignificant.

    For instance, recent history indicates there isn’t a strong correlation between a deep tournament run and playoff success. The Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks, winners of the 2023 and 2024 editions of the NBA Cup, respectively, were eliminated in the first round of the postseason just five months later.

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    Still, Tuesday night’s Spurs-Knicks tilt (8:30 p.m. ET, Prime Video) offers a unique blend of markets, approaches and overall organizational goals — and it should be a celebration of the diversity in teams that the league embraces.

    LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 13: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs brings the ball up the court against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second quarter of a semifinal game of the Emirates NBA Cup at T-Mobile Arena on December 13, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Spurs defeated the Thunder 111-109. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

    Victor Wembanyama has returned from injury to lead the Spurs to the NBA Cup title game. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

    (Ethan Miller via Getty Images)

    In one corner, the Knicks, in the NBA’s largest market, were assembled with aggression, precision and arrogance. New York attracts stars and is hell-bent on winning a championship sooner rather than later. It’s a city full of passionate fans desperate for something, anything they can claim as their own.

    “I’ve been a Knick fan my whole life,” rapper and actor Ja Rule told Yahoo Sports. “I was born in ‘76 and they ain’t never won s***. So I’m here praying that at least we can get the in-season cup.”

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    In the other corner, the Spurs, in one of the league’s smallest markets, were built on patience, timing and a bit of luck. The organization built through the draft, with the hope that the pieces in place will create a sustainable model of success for years to come. San Antonio doesn’t possess the gravitational pull that New York does, but it has Victor Wembanyama, the game’s most interesting and talented player in decades.

    So while both teams will naturally want to lift the NBA Cup trophy after making it this far, even if it doesn’t count for anything in the standings, there are more important things at stake once the dust settles in Las Vegas.

    “It’s not going to be a super significant step, but still a significant one,” Wembanyama said Monday. “Because it’s a high-stakes game that both teams are going to be very invested in winning. It just shows that we are preparing and we will pass the next step for more significant games in the playoffs.

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    “As competitors, we want to win every game, and this one brings something new on the table, so we want to win it even more.”

    [Spurs vs. Knicks: 3 big questions for the NBA Cup championship game]

    What makes this matchup so intriguing, aside from the outside factors, is the stylistic clash. The Knicks are led by their 6-foot-2 point guard, Jalen Brunson. Following a brilliant 40-point performance in the semifinal win over Orlando, the star guard is averaging 34.8 points and 5.4 assists in Cup games. The bulk of San Antonio’s defensive game plan will be centered around slowing Brunson’s change-of-pace approach, a plan that likely will involve keeping Wembanyama near the rim to deter one of the NBA’s most proficient drivers. Brunson is the beginning and end of New York’s hopes, and a team that has leaned on his leadership thus far doesn’t plan on changing.

    “Having a guy like Jalen as your leader,” head coach Mike Brown said, “who embraces the work, embraces the process, more importantly embraces the details of what you need to do to go out there and win; at his size and his athleticism, he doesn’t have a lot of room or a lot of margin for error, so he embraces the little things. That feeds off to everybody else.”

    Dec 13, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) throws up a shot as Orlando Magic forward Tristan da Silva (23) defends during a game at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

    Jalen Brunson is averaging 34.8 points and 5.4 assists in Cup games. (Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)

    (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect / REUTERS)

    The Spurs, who are working Wembanyama back after missing a month with a left calf strain, must determine how to deploy their 7-4 center. The Frenchman played 22 minutes against Oklahoma City on Saturday, but the team must be intentional about his workload.

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    San Antonio has proven it can win in his absence, with head coach Mitch Johnson leading the Spurs to an impressive 9-3 record during that period. But the sheer attention Wembanyama invites — with or without the ball in his hands — forces opponents to be strategic. Knicks starting center Karl-Anthony Towns received the bulk of defensive duties during their Christmas matchup last season, when Wembanyama exploded for 42 points, 18 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks. This time around, with a much-improved Stephon Castle and the additions of De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper, New York’s scheme should see some tweaks.

    “You’re not going to be able to guard a guy like that one-on-one,” Brown said. “You try to put length, size and physicality at the point of attack when it comes to him, but it’s got to be five guys guarding the basketball at all times.

    “We have some pretty good defenders with length, and hopefully they can, at the point of attack, try to make it as difficult as possible with him, knowing that they have help behind them.”

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    Regardless of the result on Tuesday, both the Spurs and Knicks are trending in the right direction. They are both among the top-10 teams in net rating, according to Cleaning the Glass. Both are 18-7, contenders in their respective conferences with the majority of their rotational contributors healthy. There’s no concern these teams, having physically outmatched their opponents en route to Vegas, will depart from their trajectory once the Cup is concluded.

    “You treat it like you would any other game, honestly,” Brunson said. “You’re not winning or gaining anything in your record, but you’re going out there and competing. You’re playing for more than just yourself. You’re playing for your team, your organization and your city. There’s a lot at stake besides the record. You go out there and compete no matter what.”

  • NFL Week 16 betting, odds, lines: 5 biggest storylines, including Josh Allen back in the MVP race

    We might be getting to the point in the NFL season in which some of the worst teams aren’t capable of covering a big spread.

    There were five double-digit underdogs last week. Four of them failed to cover, and the list of teams that got blown out in that situation are some of the worst in the NFL: Raiders, Cardinals, Titans, Jets. The only double-digit team to cover was the Colts, who are 8-6 but were starting 44-year-old Philip Rivers on the road at the Seahawks. The double-digit underdogs who were uncompetitive looked like they’re ready for the season to end.

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    This week there are two double-digit underdogs: Browns at home vs. Bills (-10), and Raiders at Texans (-14.5). It’s worth seeing if last week’s trend continues.

    Here are the top betting storylines going into Week 16 of the NFL season, with all odds from BetMGM:

    Josh Allen getting back in MVP race

    The odds board last week indicated that NFL MVP was a two-man race between Matthew Stafford and Drake Maye. The reigning MVP had something to say about it.

    Allen had another big game, carrying the Bills back from a 21-0 deficit at the Patriots to win and stay alive for the AFC East championship. It also kept Allen alive for the MVP as well.

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    Stafford is a big favorite at -300 after Maye’s Patriots lost on Sunday. Maye is +400, and Allen went all the way to +500. Two weeks ago he was +2500 and last week he was +1400. Allen’s biggest problem is that the Patriots are still favored to win the AFC East, and a quarterback from a wild-card team hasn’t won MVP since 2008. But it’s hard to watch Allen play every week and not believe he’s deserving of another MVP.

    Josh Allen led the Bills to a big win over the Patriots, which gave his MVP odds a bump. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

    Josh Allen led the Bills to a big win over the Patriots, which gave his MVP odds a bump. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

    (Sarah Stier via Getty Images)

    Packers’ Super Bowl odds shift

    It shouldn’t be a surprise that the Packers’ Super Bowl odds got worse since last week. They lost to the Broncos as 2.5-point favorites, which makes the road to winning the NFC North tougher, and they saw defensive end Micah Parsons suffer a season-ending torn ACL.

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    The Packers were +800 to win the Super Bowl last week, but that has moved to +1400 this week. That shouldn’t be a big surprise. Losing Parsons, on top of some other key injuries like Tucker Kraft’s season-ending knee injury, is a big obstacle in the Packers’ quest for a Super Bowl. The Packers are barely favored to win the NFC North anymore.

    Packers still favored at Bears

    Saturday night’s game between the Packers and Bears should decide the NFC North title. Oddsmakers like the Packers’ chances, even on the road.

    The Packers are 1.5-point road favorites at Chicago. They’re also slight -105 favorites to win the division, with the Bears at +110. The Packers are shorthanded, but there still is enough faith in them outlasting the Bears on Saturday and winning the division.

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    Seahawks are home underdogs

    One of the NFL’s best matchups of the season has an interesting point spread.

    The 11-3 Rams play at the 11-3 Seahawks on Thursday night in what amounts to an NFC West championship game, and the Rams are road favorites. They’re -1 at Seattle. The Rams beat Seattle 21-19 on Nov. 16 when the Seahawks missed a long field goal as time expired. Sam Darnold threw four interceptions in that game. Darnold also struggled in the playoffs against the Rams last season, when he was with the Vikings. That might be a factor in Seattle being underdogs. The Rams are still Super Bowl favorites, but perhaps that changes if Seattle pulls off the (very minor) upset on Thursday.

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    Ravens favored over 11-3 Patriots

    There’s not much faith in the Patriots in the betting market.

    Last week the Patriots were home underdogs to the Bills, and they ended up blowing a big lead and losing. This week the 11-3 Patriots go on the road against a 7-7 Ravens team that has been disappointing all season, and they’re underdogs by a full field goal. That could be a reflection of the belief that the Ravens are back after a 24-0 win at Cincinnati last week. But the Patriots’ odds have rarely matched their record this season. The Patriots are still -250 to win the AFC East, though that could have a big shift if they lose to the Ravens and the Bills win as 10-point favorites against the Browns.

  • Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups, Week 16: Michael Carter, Jayden Reed among top players to target

    Every Monday during the season, Justin Boone breaks down the recommended fantasy football waiver-wire pickups.

    [Upgrade to Fantasy Plus and gain your edge in player projections and much more]

    Roster percentages are generated from Yahoo leagues. Free-Agent Budget (FAB) amounts are based on a $100 salary cap. Only players rostered in less than 50% of leagues are considered.

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    Key injuries to consider

    • Patrick Mahomes (ACL, season-ending)

    • Javonte Williams (shoulder)

    • Davante Adams (hamstring)

    • Luther Burden III (ankle)

    • Xavier Worthy (concussion)

    Pickups by position

    Week 16’s top-10 overall pickups

    1. Blake Corum, Rams
    2. Michael Carter, Cardinals
    3. Jayden Reed, Packers
    4. Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Commanders
    5. Audric Estime, Saints
    6. Colby Parkinson, Rams
    7. Jawhar Jordan, Texans
    8. Jaleel McLaughlin, Broncos
    9. Dalton Schultz, Texans
    10. Colston Loveland, Bears

    Quarterbacks

    J.J. McCarthy, Vikings

    Next Up

    Rostered

    FAB

    at NYG

    35%

    $14

    McCarthy gets the featured quarterback spot in this column yet again, but it’s well deserved.

    Despite an incredibly disappointing season overall, the sophomore passer is finally showing some signs of life down the stretch thanks to easy matchups with the Commanders and Cowboys the past two weeks.

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    McCarthy has produced six total touchdowns during those games (five passing, one rushing) and finished as a top-10 fantasy QB on both occasions.

    He’ll have another soft opponent to attack in Week 16. The Giants defense is one of the five easiest matchups for fantasy QBs on the year.

    As I said last week, McCarthy is far from a must-start, but he’s likely the best waiver wire quarterback option for desperate managers.

    C.J. Stroud is 48% rostered but would be the No. 1 QB add if available.

    Risky streaming options

    • Tyler Shough vs. NYJ (9% rostered)

    • Bryce Young vs. TB (18% rostered)

    Desperation streaming options

    • Tua Tagovailoa vs. CIN (18% rostered)

    • Kirk Cousins at ARI (8% rostered)

    • Marcus Mariota vs. PHI (10% rostered)

    • Aaron Rodgers at DET (27% rostered)

    • Gardner Minshew at TEN (0% rostered)

    • Philip Rivers vs. SF (6% rostered)

    • Cam Ward vs. KC (8% rostered)

    Desperation streaming options (if healthy)

    • Tyrod Taylor at NO (8% rostered)

    Running Backs

    Michael Carter/Emari Demercado, Cardinals

    Next Up

    Rostered

    FAB

    vs. ATL

    5%/10%

    $100/$14

    Bam Knight was carted off with an ankle injury that’s likely to keep him out of the lineup the rest of the fantasy season.

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    Unfortunately for him, the Cardinals have a very favorable schedule with the Falcons and Bengals over the next two weeks. On top of being winnable games that could feature positive game scripts, both Atlanta and Cincinnati are friendly opponents for fantasy running backs.

    Even with Demercado back in the lineup, Carter was the clear replacement for Knight, playing 80% of the snaps in Week 15 and delivering 94 scrimmage and four receptions on 18 total touches versus a tough Texans defense.

    That makes Carter a top priority for fantasy managers in need of a low-end RB2/high-end RB3 moving forward.

    Meanwhile, Demercado becomes an intriguing upside flex play.

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    Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Commanders

    Next Up

    Rostered

    FAB

    vs. PHI

    48%

    $75

    With Chris Rodriguez Jr. being a late scratch due to a groin injury, Croskey-Merritt stepped into the lead back role for the Commanders, handling 18 touches en route to 96 yards and a score.

    Rodriguez was able to get in a limited practice last week, so we’ll need to monitor his availability. However, it’s possible Washington may continue to roll with JCM down the stretch of a lost season, in order to see what they have in the rookie.

    The matchup with the Eagles will be much more difficult than what he faced on Sunday, but Croskey-Merritt has the potential to be an upside RB3 if he gets another start.

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    Audric Estime/Evan Hull, Saints

    Next Up

    Rostered

    FAB

    vs. NYJ

    0%/0%

    $50/$14

    Devin Neal left with a hamstring injury on Sunday, which could force him to the sidelines for Week 16 and possibly beyond.

    In his absence, Estime saw more work but Hull was heavily involved in what amounted to a near 55-45 split.

    Estime turned six touches into 50 scrimmage yards in the game, most of which came through the air. Hull had just 12 yards on four carries.

    What makes this more enticing is their matchup in the fantasy semifinals against a Jets defense that’s given up 13 touchdowns to running backs in their last five games.

    Estime should be added as an RB3 with RB2 upside if he can find the end zone. Meanwhile, Hull is a risky flex play.

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    Jawhar Jordan, Texans

    Next Up

    Rostered

    FAB

    vs. LV

    1%

    $14

    Woody Marks is day-to-day after suffering an ankle injury over the weekend. His normal backup Nick Chubb was held to just one limited practice last week due to a rib issue and was ultimately ruled out prior to Week 15.

    Now, fantasy managers will be hitting the refresh button as they look for updates on this backfield throughout the week.

    If Marks can play, then he’ll remain a low-end fantasy RB2, but a team with Super Bowl aspirations might not want to risk their young back.

    That would put Chubb in line to start, if he can return to practice and prove he’s ready to contribute. In that scenario, the veteran would be a TD-or-bust RB3 versus the Eagles.

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    However, if both players are inactive then Jordan would be the most valuable fantasy asset on Houston’s RB depth chart. The 26-year-old racked up 118 scrimmage yards on 17 touches in the win over the Cardinals this week and could be a sneaky RB3 with upside in Week 16.

    Blake Corum is 40% rostered but would be the No. 1 RB add if available.

    RB3/flex (if starter is out)

    • Jaleel McLaughlin vs. JAX (1% rostered)

    Risky flex options

    • Devin Singletary vs. MIN (30% rostered)

    • Tyler Allgeier at ARI (38% rostered)

    • Jaylen Wright vs. CIN (25% rostered)

    Risky flex options (if healthy)

    • Samaje Perine at MIA (4% rostered)

    • Ollie Gordon II vs. CIN (8% rostered)

    Dart-throw flex options

    • Malik Davis vs. LAC (1% rostered)

    • Sean Tucker at CAR (22% rostered)

    • Brian Robinson Jr. at IND (33% rostered)

    • Emanuel Wilson at CHI (34% rostered)

    • Tyjae Spears vs. KC (27% rostered)

    • Isaiah Davis at NO (3% rostered)

    • Keaton Mitchell vs. NE (3% rostered)

    • Ameer Abdullah vs. SF (0% rostered)

    • Jeremy McNichols vs. PHI (2% rostered)

    • Rasheen Ali vs. NE (0% rostered)

    • Ty Johnson at CLE (2% rostered)

    Dart-throw flex options (if healthy)

    • Dylan Sampson vs. BUF (11% rostered)

    Dart-throw flex options (if starter is out)

    • Tyler Badie vs. JAX (0% rostered)

    • Dare Ogunbowale vs. LV (1% rostered)

    Upside stashes to roster

    • Tank Bigsby at WAS (17% rostered)

    Wide Receivers

    Jayden Reed, Packers

    Next Up

    Rostered

    FAB

    at CHI

    41%

    $75

    As always, there are plenty of flex options that you could pick up off the waiver wire and slot into your lineup if you’re desperate. But fantasy teams with real title hopes are looking for more.

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    Reed is the top receiver pickup this week after Christian Watson suffered a chest injury that doesn’t appear to be serious, but threatens his availability for Week 16.

    The Packers tend to take a cautious approach with injuries, so Watson missing a game seems to be the most likely outcome.

    Even with Watson in the lineup for most of the past two games, Reed has been productive with 108 scrimmage yards during that span.

    The Packers insistence on a committee approach at receiver makes it hard to project massive stat lines for any of their wideouts, but Reed has shown us a quality fantasy ceiling in the past.

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    Going back to his rookie year, Reed finished as the WR23, scoring 10 total touchdowns and adding 119 yards on the ground despite only seeing the field for 56% of the Packers’ snaps.

    In 2024, he averaged WR14 fantasy stats through the first nine games while seeing an increase in playing time up to 66% of the snaps. But after the Packers’ Week 10 bye, his numbers fell off dramatically, topping 50 yards just once in the second half of the season and being the WR62 during that final eight-game sample.

    There aren’t many players on the waiver wire with his kind of upside as a WR3/flex with top-20 potential if everything goes his way.

    Troy Franklin is 51% rostered but would be the No. 2 WR add behind Jayden Reed — if available.

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    Rashid Shaheed is 53% rostered but would be the No. 3 WR add behind Jayden Reed and Troy Franklin — if available.

    WR4/flex options

    • Adonai Mitchell at NO (16% rostered)

    WR4/Flex options (if healthy)

    • Luther Burden III vs. GB (17% rostered)

    Flex options

    • Jayden Higgins vs. LV (43% rostered)

    • Jalen Coker vs. TB (5% rostered)

    Risky flex options

    • Darius Slayton vs. MIN (41% rostered)

    • Jalen Nailor at NYG (2% rostered)

    Risky flex options (if starter is out)

    • Matthew Golden at CHI (32% rostered)

    • Olamide Zaccheaus vs. GB (1% rostered)

    Dart-throw flex options

    • Cooper Kupp vs. LAR (41% rostered)

    • Josh Downs vs. SF (43% rostered)

    • Chimere Dike vs. KC (16% rostered)

    • John Metchie III at NO (7% rostered)

    • David Sills V at ARI (0% rostered)

    Dart-throw flex options (if healthy)

    • Pat Bryant vs. JAX (3% rostered)

    • Devaughn Vele vs. NYJ (14% rostered)

    Tight Ends

    Colby Parkinson, Rams

    Next Up

    Rostered

    FAB

    at SEA

    4%

    $19

    Since Week 10, Parkinson is the fourth-highest scoring fantasy tight end on a per game basis thanks in large part to six touchdowns in his last six outings.

    Parkinson reached his highest point of the season on Sunday with five receptions, 75-yards and two TDs.

    Now, he gets to face his former club the Seahawks on Thursday night. Seattle’s defense is excellent, but does have a soft spot when it comes to fantasy tight ends.

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    Don’t be surprised if Parkinson, who caught a TD against the Seahawks in Week 11, pops up for another strong fantasy outing this week.

    Dalton Schultz is 49% rostered but would be the No. 2 TE add if available.

    Colston Loveland is 40% rostered but would be the No. 3 TE add if available.

    Streaming options

    • Darren Waller vs. CIN (36% rostered)

    • Theo Johnson vs. MIN (46% rostered)

    Risky streaming options

    • Oronde Gadsden II at DAL (49% rostered)

    Dart-throw streaming options

    • Gunnar Helm vs. KC (0% rostered)

    • Dawson Knox at CLE (3% rostered)

    • Luke Musgrave at CHI (2% rostered)

    • Isaiah Likely vs. NE (19% rostered)

    • Chig Okonkwo vs. KC (16% rostered)

    • AJ Barner vs. LAR (12% rostered)

    • Mike Gesicki at MIA (5% rostered)

    • Pat Freiermuth at DET (11% rostered)

    Defenses

    Bills D/ST is 54% rostered but would be the No. 1 D/ST add if available.

    Chiefs D/ST is 57% rostered but would be the No. 2 D/ST add if available.

    Team

    Next Up

    Rostered

    Saints

    vs. NYJ

    17%

    Vikings

    at NYG

    35%

    Buccaneers

    at CAR

    48%

    Cowboys

    vs. LAC

    35%

    Week 17 stashes

    • Patriots D/ST at NYJ (47% rostered)

    • Saints D/ST at TEN (17% rostered)

    • Cowboys D/ST at WAS (35% rostered)

    • Giants D/ST at LV (5% rostered)

    Kickers

    Player

    Next Up

    Rostered

    Eddy Pineiro

    at IND

    17%

    Andy Borregales

    at BAL

    14%

    Jake Elliott

    at WAS

    42%

    Riley Patterson

    vs. CIN

    5%

    Will Reichard

    at NYG

    24%

  • Ben Roethlisberger walks back ‘clean house’ comments, says Mike Tomlin has earned right to decide his future

    Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has found himself in an unusual position this season. Despite the team being 8-6 and leading the AFC North, Steelers fans have called for Tomlin’s job.

    That fervor reached a point where one of the Steelers’ recent icons and a former player whom Tomlin coached even seemed on board with the idea. Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger seemed to be on board with Tomlin’s exit after Week 13. On his podcast, Roethlisberger said, “Maybe it’s a clean-house time.” He said he respected Tomlin, but that the move might be “best for him, too.”

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    When asked about those comments Monday ahead of his Steelers Hall of Fame induction, Roethlisberger attempted to walk them back, saying Tomlin should decide whether he wants to move on, per Brooke Pryor of ESPN.

    “Just because I said there’s a time for some new things, that’s just saying that I think Coach Tomlin — if he wants to move on, he has every right to move on, it’s not they should,” Roethlisberger said Monday night before the Steelers’ 28-15 win over the Miami Dolphins. “It’s up to him, and he’s earned that right. If he wants to do something else, he can and he should and we should honor him whenever that time comes. Maybe he wants to coach here for another 10 years, that’s fine too.”

    Roethlisberger made those comments before the Steelers picked up a 28-15 win over the Miami Dolphins on Monday night. With the victory, the Steelers (8-6) retained their lead on the AFC North and sit in the No. 4 seed in the postseason. After Week 15, the team has a 61 percent chance of making the playoffs, per NFL.com.

    Getting into the postseason hasn’t been the main issue in Pittsburgh. Tomlin has famously never posted a season below .500, and has made the playoffs 12 times in 18 seasons. But success in the postseason has been spotty in recent years. Since 2017, the Steelers are 0-5 in playoff games. While the team has typically posted strong defenses during that stretch, its offenses have generally left a lot to be desired, and that’s been exposed in the postseason.

    Longtime NFL veteran Aaron Rodgers was supposed to change that this season. Rodgers isn’t in his prime anymore, but has made a positive impact on the team’s offense. The Steelers rank 13th in points scored this season and are averaging nearly two more points per game compared to last season. That’s not a major upgrade, but it has made a difference.

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    None of that will matter if the Steelers experience yet another early exit in the playoffs. Despite Tomlin’s success, frustration seems to have hit a high point among fans — and maybe even some former players.

    There’s no indication Tomlin wants to leave, or that he would be fired if the team washes out of the playoffs early, but the fact that there’s even chatter about the possibility speaks to things being different in Pittsburgh this year … even if the team is headed for a similar result.

  • Brown University cancels men’s and women’s basketball games scheduled for Sunday following campus shooting

    The USC and Brown University men’s basketball teams have agreed to cancel their Dec. 21 game following the shooting at Brown on Saturday that killed two students and injured nine others.

    The two teams were scheduled for a non-conference matchup on Sunday at the Galen Center in Los Angeles. According to USC, the Trojans will schedule a different opponent for that night.

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    “The entire USC community sends its support to Brown University following the tragedy that has impacted its students, staff, alumni and the city of Providence,” USC said in a statement.

    Brown also announced the women’s basketball home game scheduled that day against Monmouth has been canceled.

    The next scheduled game for Brown’s men’s team in at home on Dec. 31. The women are at home in their next game as well on Dec. 29.

    On Monday, the Providence Police Department released photos and videos of a “person of interest” as it seeks help in identifying the person dressed in dark clothing while wearing a black mask and hat. Boston’s FBI field office also released new photos of a “person of interest” who “is described as a male, approximately 5’8” with a stocky build.”

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    The FBI has offered a $50,000 reward for any information that leads to the identification, arrest and conviction of the university shooter.

    Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, 18, from Uzbekistan, and Ella Cook, 19, from Alabama were the two students who were fatally shot.

  • Steelers offense wakes up in rout of Dolphins as Pittsburgh maintains edge in AFC North race

    Steelers offense wakes up in rout of Dolphins as Pittsburgh maintains edge in AFC North race

    Much has been made of a struggling Pittsburgh Steelers offense throughout a tepid 2025 season.

    There were few problems Monday night. After a slow start through the bulk of two quarters, the Steelers reeled off touchdowns on four consecutive drives in a 28-15 win over the Miami Dolphins that wasn’t as close as the final score indicates.

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    With the win, the Steelers improved to 8-6 to take a one-game lead over the 7-7 Baltimore Ravens in the race for AFC North title. That advantage is exacerbated by Pittsburgh’s win over the Ravens last week in their only meeting this season. The loss for the Dolphins officially eliminates them from the playoff race.

    The Steelers have three games remaining on their schedule, including a regular-season finale against the Ravens. And with Monday’s win they maintain their advantage to secure what projects as the division’s only playoff berth.

    They also responded to critics of a unit that entered Monday night ranked 27th in the league in total offense.

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    It looked early on like Pittsburgh’s offensive struggles would continue. The Steelers opened Monday’s game with three consecutive punts, two of which were the results of three-and-out drives.

    But they closed the first half with a 60-yard touchdown drive. And they opened the floodgates in the second. Pittsburgh started the third quarter with the ball and marched for the first of three consecutive touchdown drives to open the second half.

    The first touchdown of the half was on a 19-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers to former Packers teammate Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who was playing in his second game for Pittsburgh after signing with the Steelers in November.

    The second arrived courtesy of a 28-yard pass from Rodgers to DK Metcalf, who muscled through multiple Dolphins on his way to the end zone.

    When tight end Jonnu Smith scored on a run from 14 yards out on Pittsburgh’s next possession, the rout was on at 28-3. The Dolphins added two fourth-quarter touchdowns, but this was a blowout, and a statement from the Steelers and head coach Mike Tomlin, who have been under fire from critics.

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    During the third-quarter onslaught, the Steelers outgained the Dolphins 163 yards to -20. When the game was done, Pittsburgh had outgained Miami, 336-285 and secured a 22-16 advantage in first downs.

    Rodgers completed 23 of 27 passes for 224 yards with 2 touchdowns and no turnovers in one of his best games in a Steelers uniform. And five different Steelers runners combined for 135 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

    Of course, beating up on a Dolphins team on its way out of the playoff race is not going to quell the concerns swirling around this team. That will require making the playoffs and finding success once they’re there. The Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since the 2016 season.

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    But the win — and how they got there — is certainly enough to instill some confidence for the stretch run of the season.

    Live coverage is over31 updates
    • Ryan Young

      Ryan Young

      The Steelers have about a 60% shot at making the playoffs with three games left. They lead the AFC North at 8-6, and have a potentially critical matchup with the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18.

      Up Next
      Week 16 — at Detroit Lions
      Week 17 — at Cleveland Browns
      Week 18 — vs. Baltimore Ravens

    • Ryan Young

      Ryan Young

    • Ryan Young

      Ryan Young

      The Steelers held on late to grab the 13-point win, which keeps them out in front in the AFC North race.

      The Dolphins, on the other hand, have now officially been eliminated from the playoffs.

    • Ryan Young

      Ryan Young

      The Dolphins forced a quick three-and-out, and had to use all three of their timeouts. But this came on the heels of a nearly five minute touchdown drive. Like Troy Aikman noted on the broadcast, that strategy doesn’t make much sense.

      Regardless, the Dolphins will take back over at their own 2 yard line with 2:04 left in the game.

    • Ryan Young

      Ryan Young

      The Steelers recovered the onside kick attempt, and that should just about do it.

    • Ryan Young

      Ryan Young

      Darren Waller picked up his second straight touchdown for the Dolphins, though a lot of time came off the clock on that drive.

      The two-point conversion failed again, so the Steelers still by 13 with 2:32 left.

    • Ryan Young

      Ryan Young

      The Dolphins just forced a quick three-and-out, and now have the ball back. That was exactly what they needed here, though they’ll have to turn it into points quickly if the comeback is going to happen.

    • Ryan Young

      Ryan Young

      At long last, the Miami Dolphins have responded. After giving up 28 straight points, Darren Waller just caught a 6-yard pass from Tua Tagovailoa for their first touchdown of the night. The two-point conversion attempt, however, was no good.

      The Steelers lead 28-9 now with 9:41 left in the game.

    • Jason Owens

      Jason Owens

      That’s now three touchdowns in three second-half possessions for the Steelers.

      Tight end Jonnu Smith took a pitch from Aaron Rodgers and ran 14 yards around the right edge for a touchdown. Pittsburgh extends its lead to 28-3 in a laugher early in the fourth quarter.

    • Jason Owens

      Jason Owens

      There was no answer from the Miami offense. The Dolphins punted after a 3-and-out, and the Steelers have the ball and a 21-3 lead with 3:12 remaining in the third quarter. A sack of Tua Tagovailoa by Payton Wilson stunted this drive.

    • Jason Owens

      Jason Owens

      That looks like a dagger.

      DK Metcalf hauled in a red-zone pass in traffic over the middle from Aaron Rodgers, then muscled his way through and past multiple Dolphins defenders for a 28-yard touchdown. The score extends Pittsburgh’s lead to 21-3 and might have put this one out of reach of a stagnant Dolphins offense.

    • Jason Owens

      Jason Owens

      While Pittsburgh’s off to a hot second-half start, Miami picked up where it left off from a slow first half.

      Multiple Steelers defenders swarmed Tua Tagovailoa on a third-down dropback, and Jalen Ramsey came up with the sack for a 12-yard loss. The Dolphins have punted and are back on defense facing a 14-3 hole.

    • Ryan Young

      Ryan Young

      Well, that was quick. After five straight runs to open the third quarter — including a 38-yard burst from Kenneth Gainwell — Aaron Rodgers just found Marquez Valdes-Scantling open in the middle for an easy touchdown.

      The Steelers now lead 14-3.

    • Ryan Young

      Ryan Young

      The Steelers have received the kick, and the second half is now off and running. We’ll see if they can build on their lead out of the break.

    • Jason Owens

      Jason Owens

      For fans of offense or entertaining football, this is not your night. The Steelers hold a 7-3 lead at halftime after both teams struggled to do much of anything with the ball in the first half.

      The Steelers will start the second half with the ball and could extend their lead to two possessions, which might be enough on a cold night in Pittsburgh. The Dolphins, meanwhile, would be wise to keep giving the ball to De’Vone Achane.

      Key halftime stats:

      Dolphins
      Tua Tagovailoa: 5 of 8 for 61 yards, 0 TDs, 1 INT
      De’Vone Achane: 8 carries for 49 yards, 2 catches for 23 yards
      Julian Hill: 1 catch for 20 yards

      Steelers
      Aaron Rodgers: 13 of 14 for 105 yards; 0 TDs, 0 INTs, 2 sacks taken
      Jaylen Warren: 8 carries for 20 yards
      Connor Heyward: 4 carries for 4 yards, 1 TD
      Kenneth Gainwell: 6 catches for 41 yards

      Dolphins total offense: 113 yards on 5.6 yards per play; 5 first downs
      Steelers total offense: 116 yards on 3.7 yards per play; 10 first downs

      Dolphins turnovers: 1
      Steeelers turnovers: 0

    • Jason Owens

      Jason Owens

      It took nearly 30 minutes and three tries from inside the 2-yard line. But the Steelers are on the board, thanks to a 1-yard Connor Heyward touchdown run.

      The third-down score is the first of the night for Pittsburgh and gives the Steelers a 7-3 lead with 17 seconds remaining before halftime.

    • Jason Owens

      Jason Owens

      The Dolphins got blown up on a third-and-1 run. Patrick Queen met running back Ollie Gordon in the backfield as soon as he took the handoff on a shotgun snap.

      But at least we’ve got points. Riley Patterson converted on a career-long 54-yard field goal attempt, and the Dolphins have a 3-0 lead with 5:11 remaining in the first half.

    • Jason Owens

      Jason Owens

      Aaron Rodgers took a drive-ending sack on a second straight possesion, and the Steelers punted for a third time in three possessions.

      Both of these offenses have been inept in the cold, and we’re scoreless midway through the second quarter. This is not a prime-time worthy matchup in Week 15.

    • Jason Owens

      Jason Owens

      Tua Tagovailoa looked like he had a first down on a third-and-short scramble. But he slid just short of the line to gain, and the Dolphins punted from their own 35.

    • Jason Owens

      Jason Owens

      The Steelers drove into field-goal range, but Jordyn Brooks put an end to that. The Dolphins linebacker sacked Aaron Rodgers on third-and-11 from the Pittsburgh 33.

      The 10-yard loss pushed Pittsburgh out of field-goal range, and the Steelers punted from their own territory. Miami will start at its own 20 after a touchback.

      The first quarter is done, and we’re still looking for the first score of the game.

  • Jerry Jones says he’s ‘sad for’ Micah Parsons following star pass rusher’s season-ending knee injury

    Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones may have traded Micah Parsons after the two had a falling out, but Jones isn’t going to rub salt in the wound. Jones said he was “sad for Micah” after hearing about the star pass rusher’s season-ending knee injury, according to The Athletic.

    Jones made those comments during his weekly radio appearance on 105.3 The Fan. Jones wished Parsons the best on his recovery and directly addressed the former Cowboy, saying, “Micah, I wish you the very best.”

    Jones could have responded a number of ways about Parsons’ injury, especially after the way things ended between the two in Dallas. After an offseason of contentious back-and-forth, Parsons was eventually shipped to the Green Bay Packers for two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark. During their spat, Jones often went on the offensive, tearing down Parsons and his agent at every opportunity. Jones didn’t go down that path Tuesday.

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    Evaluating the trade 14 games into the season seems foolish. Parsons was phenomenal when he was on the field in 2025, racking up 12.5 sacks before the injury. The Cowboys briefly flirted with the playoffs before two straight losses dropped them out of contention. While they will wind up the more disappointing team following the trade, Dallas does have multiple draft picks to add future stars in the offseason. The Packers don’t have that luxury.

    Whether Jones made the right move will be determined years down the line. If the Cowboys hit on their draft picks, maybe the whole thing will have been worth it. With the way Parsons was playing prior to the injury, though, it’s going to take a lot to replace him.

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    Jones surely knew that when he boldly traded Parsons away in August. And while the injury might push things more toward the Cowboys, Parsons might not miss that much time if he can avoid setbacks during his recovery.

  • Yahoo Fantasy x Arena Club Basketball Slab Packs Week 9 drop: Russell Westbrook Downtown, Steph Curry Prizm Auto among chase cards

    We’re back hoops fans with another Yahoo Fantasy x Arena Club drop for Week 9. Yahoo Fantasy Basketball Slab Packs are a brand-new weekly drop featuring real, graded trading cards of the hottest fantasy performers in the NBA.

    If you’re new to Arena Club, here’s the lowdown. Arena Club is the premier online marketplace for sports cards, giving collectors a way to rip packs virtually, buy and sell graded cards and track their entire collection — all in one place. Whether you’re in it for the hobby, the thrill or the chase, Arena Club brings the excitement directly to your screen.

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    [Rip your exclusive Yahoo Fantasy + Arena Club slab pack here]

    Each week, Arena Club curates real, graded NBA cards and builds two types of Yahoo Fantasy Slab Packs:

    Every pack contains a graded card of an active NBA player — but the real treasure is the weekly Chase Cards, featuring some of the top fantasy basketball performers from the past week. These limited-edition hits can reach values up to 20x the cost of the pack.

    Weekly NBA Slab Packs go live every Tuesday at 1 p.m. ET and remain available through Thursday at 8 p.m. ET (or until they’re gone). It’s the ultimate mid-week boost for fantasy hoopers and collectors alike.

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    To top it off, use promo code YAHOO at checkout for 20% off your first slab pack or card purchase on ArenaClub.com or the Arena Club app.

    Rip a slab pack today for a chance to pull one of the week’s biggest fantasy basketball stars:

    Stephen Curry, Warriors

    It was a solid end to the week for Steph fantasy basketball managers. The Dubs star dropped 48 points against the Trail Blazers on some lights out shooting.

    Nikola Jokić, Nugget

    Jokic started his week off right with a 39-point triple-double to help Denver win its fifth straight game.

    Russell Westbrook, Kings

    Westbrook has been one of the surprise fantasy assets this season and he turned it back with a vintage triple-double last Monday, posting 24 points, 12 rebounds and 14 assists.

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    De’Aaron Fox, Spurs (Gold only)

    Fox has been a steady contributor for the Spurs, who are among the best teams in the West. Fox has scored at least 20 points in six of the past seven games.

    Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks (Silver only)

    KAT went big last week to help lift the Knicks to the NBA Cup Final by scoring 29 points in a win over the Magic.

    Chet Holmgren, Thunder

    The Thunder big has been a beast on the glass this season, entering this week with at least seven boards in nine straight games.

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