Sports

Indiana, led by coach Curt Cignetti, closed the season with a decisive Peach Bowl win over Oregon that featured a touchdown catch by E.J. Williams Jr.; the team's rapid ascent, once seen as unlikely, is described as feeling inevitable.

Connor Bedard returned after 12 games, but the Blackhawks, missing several players and both goalies due to a stomach bug, lost 5-1 to the Capitals.

St. John's defeated Butler 84-70 at Hinkle Fieldhouse for its second Quad 1 win of the season; Bryce Hopkins scored 17 points, including 15 in the second half.

Cincinnati Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin spoke on the record for 63 minutes, outlining six themes including a focus on pass rush, needs for defensive leadership, and the team's struggles to finish close games.

Trae Young, traded from the Atlanta Hawks to the Washington Wizards, said he wants to elevate the team's young players and 'make an All-Star or two.' The Wizards are holding him out as they continue to evaluate a sprained right MCL and a right quadriceps contusion.

A clause in Curt Cignetti’s contract will trigger a “good faith market review” after Indiana reached the College Football Playoff semifinals, and he signed a $93 million fully guaranteed deal in October that averaged $11.6 million per year.

Pittsburgh hosts Houston in a wild-card game with the Steelers carrying a six-game playoff losing streak and the Texans arriving on a nine-game winning run.

The Minnesota Wild defeated the Seattle Kraken 3-2 in overtime to conclude a seven-game road trip, with Mats Zuccarello scoring the winner and Jesper Wallstedt making 26 saves.

No. 23 Virginia (13-2) will host Stanford (13-3) and freshman guard Ebuka Okorie on Saturday; Virginia features balanced scoring while Okorie averages about 22.6 points per game.

Malik Nabers is recovering from knee surgery and says his return date is unknown; rookie Cam Skattebo is rehabbing after a serious right leg and ankle injury and is aiming for training camp.

Carson Beck scrambled for a 3-yard touchdown with 18 seconds left to lift Miami to a 31-27 win over Mississippi, sending the Hurricanes to the College Football Playoff title game at Hard Rock Stadium on Jan. 19.

The Philadelphia Eagles (11-6) will host the San Francisco 49ers (12-5) in an NFC wild-card game; San Francisco features Brock Purdy and Christian McCaffrey, who finished the regular season with a league-leading 413 touches.

Evgeni Malkin returned from a shoulder absence and scored as the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the New Jersey Devils 4-1, extending their winning streak to six games; goalie Stuart Skinner stopped 28 of 29 shots.

The Carolina Panthers host the Los Angeles Rams in an NFC wild-card game; Carolina beat the Rams in Week 13 and enters the playoff matchup as a 10.5-point underdog.

Breanna Stewart said no further extension is expected before the Jan. 9 CBA deadline, and both sides plan to keep negotiating in good faith while the league would operate under status quo if the CBA expires.

Unrivaled announced Sabrina Ionescu is sidelined for its 2026 season after an injury during the 2025 WNBA playoffs and the league did not disclose the injury; reports say surgery is not required. She will remain involved off-court with workouts, game appearances and broadcast contributions.

After nine seasons leading the Buffalo Bills, Sean McDermott has guided the team to the playoffs eight times and has shifted toward a more collaborative, player-focused coaching style while retaining a competitive, wrestling-rooted mentality.

Eagles running back Saquon Barkley called 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey 'one of the best to ever do it,' praising his versatility, and the two are set to meet in an NFC wild-card game.

The Los Angeles Rams (12-5) visit the Carolina Panthers (8-9) in an NFC wild-card playoff game on Saturday; Matthew Stafford led the NFL with 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdowns this season and Davante Adams is set to return from a hamstring injury.

Derek Sprague, who became PGA of America CEO in January, said he will resign to return home to assist with care of his mother and mother‑in‑law; he will remain in an advisory role while the association seeks a replacement.

Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman reassigned Al Washington to coach the linebackers and hired Charlie Partridge to coach the defensive line, moves announced after Freeman restructured his contract and decided to stay with the program.

The Buffalo Bills open their 2025-26 playoff run Sunday at Jacksonville’s EverBank Stadium; coach Sean McDermott and GM Brandon Beane remain without a playoff road win. To reach the Super Bowl the Bills will likely need three straight victories away from Orchard Park, beginning with this game.

The Bengals enter free agency with roughly $69 million in projected cap space and Trey Hendrickson set to reach unrestricted free agency after offseason core muscle surgery; the team also has 15 other unrestricted free agents and one restricted free agent.

Anthony Duclair scored three goals in the Islanders' 9-0 win, prompting a 30 percent off hat sale at the team store; the article also recalls a 1979 game when a Wendy's executive attended a Rangers‑Islanders matchup.

Miami's revamped defense, directed by new coordinator Corey Hetherman and led by Reuben Bain and Akheem Mesidor, has recorded a nation-leading 46 sacks and helped the Hurricanes reach the College Football Playoff semifinal.

The Sabres have 48 points through 41 games and have won 11 of their last 12, leaving them one point outside a playoff spot at the season midpoint.

The Seahawks won a franchise-record 14 games and secured the NFC's No. 1 seed, and general manager John Schneider led a season of roster changes that included major free-agent signings and several high draft picks.

A players-only meeting on Nov. 16 helped tighten accountability, and Washington has won five of seven games since Dec. 26, including a 120-112 victory over the Orlando Magic.

One day after the Baltimore Ravens fired John Harbaugh, Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh publicly defended his brother and said he expects John to be a head coach next season.

The Dallas Cowboys have fired defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus after one season; the team finished 2025 with the NFL's worst scoring defense (30.1 points per game) and a 7-9-1 record. The club has not announced a replacement, and media outlets have identified several potential candidates.