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Travis Kelce at the podium

Chris Jones makes emotional plea to Travis Kelce

December 27, 2025 by Dan Benton
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Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones issued an emotional plea to teammate Travis Kelce amid swirling retirement rumors, following the team’s 20-13 Christmas Day loss to the Denver Broncos — potentially Kelce’s final home game.

The Chiefs currently stand at 6-10, having been eliminated from playoff contention after a Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. They have one road game remaining against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 18.

Kelce, 36, has spent his entire 13-year career in Kansas City, winning three Super Bowls alongside Jones and becoming the franchise’s all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns.

This season, however, Kelce posted career lows with 73 catches for 839 yards — his second-fewest since 2015.

After the Christmas Day game, Jones passionately urged his longtime teammate to return in 2026.

Chris Jones and Travis Kelce have played together on the Chiefs for TEN YEARS – and Jones just isn’t ready for Kelce to hang up his cleats 🥲

(🎥 via @Chiefs) pic.twitter.com/oy1iK3bTYb

— DraftKings (@DraftKings) December 26, 2025

“Damn, man. We’ve been through so much together,” Jones said. “I hope he gives it one year, just one more year. Just one more, man. Just one more.”

Kelce remained non-committal, calling the home finale emotional but joking that retirement thoughts only surfaced when imagining winning the Powerball. He said he will make any decision with family, friends, and the organization when the time comes.

Many expect the future Hall of Famer to step away after a challenging year.

FootballChris JonesKansas City ChiefsTravis Kelce
Stephen Curry looks ahead

Unexpected player matches Steph Curry three-point record

December 26, 2025 by Renzo Pocholo Salao
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Steph Curry may finally have competition for the title of best aging shooter in the NBA.

Los Angeles Clippers center Brook Lopez caught fire on Saturday during his team’s 119-103 win over the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center in Portland, Ore. Lopez wasted no time in taking advantage of starting in place of the injured Ivica Zubac.

The 37-year-old center scored the Clippers’ first eight points of the contest, including a pair of three-pointers. The hot start turned out to be a sign of things to come, as Lopez connected on nine three-pointers on the night for 31 points. 14 of his 16 shot attempts were from long range.

WHAT A NIGHT FOR BROOK LOPEZ!

🚢 31 PTS
🚢 9 3PM (career-high)@LAClippers win their 3rd straight! pic.twitter.com/evO0a0ajPz

— NBA (@NBA) December 27, 2025

Fans could feel the growing excitement in Clippers announcer Brian Sieman’s voice with every shot that dropped for Lopez.

The triple tally wasn’t just a career high for Lopez. It also made him just the third player aged 37 or older to hit at least nine three-pointers in a single game. He etched his name on the list right next to Curry and LeBron James.

Brook Lopez becomes the third player in NBA history with NINE 3-PT FG in a game after turning 37, joining Stephen Curry (four times) and LeBron James (twice). pic.twitter.com/7rMSYTu4fe

— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) December 27, 2025

Lopez entered the game with just six threes in total across five December contests. But the best shooters at any level will tell you that the basket feels as wide as the ocean when you’re in the zone.

Lopez also recorded two blocks in the contest, which moved him up to 17th on the all-time blocks list with 2,083 for his career.

BasketballBrook LopezSteph CurryStephen Curry
Myles Garrett smiles

Myles Garrett wants to posterize Aaron Rodgers with record-breaking sack

December 26, 2025 by Renzo Pocholo Salao
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Myles Garrett is already dreaming about putting Aaron Rodgers on a poster in his living room.

The Cleveland Browns linebacker isn’t talking about dunking on the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback on the basketball court. With 22 sacks this season, Garrett is half a sack away from tying the all-time record for most sacks in a single campaign.

A full sack would put Garrett ahead of current record-holders Michael Strahan and Steelers linebacker TJ Watt. Garrett has a chance to achieve the feat Sunday against Rodgers and the Steelers.

“[Aaron Rodgers is] legendary himself, and it’s a legendary record I’m here chasing,” Garrett told reporters Friday, via ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi. “That’d be a great one to put a picture on the wall with.”

Garrett has only had the chance to match up against 4-time MVP twice in his career thus far, with the first time being when Rodgers was still slinging passes for the Green Bay Packers. Garrett came up sackless in their 2021 Christmas Day clash.

The second came in Week 6 of this season, coming off the heels of Garrett sending a warning that he wanted to put Rodgers “in the graveyard.” Again, Garrett failed to sack Rodgers.

Perhaps the third time’s the charm for the All-Pro pass rusher.

Watt will have to watch from the sidelines as Garrett attempts to break his record. The Steelers pass rusher is still recovering from a freak lung injury sustained earlier this month. Judging by Watt’s off-field activities, he probably wouldn’t pull a Mark Gastineau down the line if Garrett gets the record-breaking sack.

FootballAaron RodgersMyles Garrett
Ian Eagle wearing a headset

Ian Eagle drops an unfortunate line during 76ers-Bulls game

December 26, 2025 by Darryn Albert
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Ian Eagle appears to have had a “woosh” moment during Friday’s game.

The veteran play-by-play man Eagle was on the call for Amazon Prime during Friday’s matchup between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Chicago Bulls. In the fourth quarter at United Center in Chicago, Ill., Eagle was speaking over an in-game highlight package of 76ers backcourt partners Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.

During the highlight package, Eagle dropped a rather unfortunate line. “They’ve been edgemaxxing throughout the night,” said Eagle.

Here is the video.

Please, no one tell Ian Eagle about the other meaning of edgemaxxing… pic.twitter.com/UAseiTInLw

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 27, 2025

Eagle was obviously making a pun about the last names of the talented Philadelphia teammates. But the term “edgemaxxing” is also a slang phrase for a sexual act, which created a level of real awkwardness on the air there.

Maxey (27 points, four rebounds, and eight assists) and the rookie Edgecombe (10 points, seven rebounds, and three assists) each continued their strong individual play on Friday. But in the end, it was the Bulls who pulled away for the 109-102 victory over the 76ers.

The 56-year-old Eagle is known as one of the best in the business andhas had viewers singing his praises with his many classic lines in the past. But that “edgemaxxing” line from Friday’s game probably will not be going into Eagle’s greatest hits collection.

BasketballMediaIan Eagle
Bryce Harper in a headband

Bryce Harper takes a swipe at Dave Dombrowski in TikTok video

December 26, 2025 by Darryn Albert
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Bryce Harper is using anything that he can to motivate himself this offseason.

The Philadelphia Phillies star Harper turned some heads on Friday with his latest TikTok video. Harper posted a video of himself hitting in the batting cage while wearing a shirt with an interesting message.

“Not elite,” Harper’s shirt read. Take a look at a screenshot of the video.

Bryce Harper’s new shirt via his TikTok: “Not elite.” pic.twitter.com/51wbLrgdXF

— Destiny Lugardo (@destiny_lugardo) December 27, 2025

That was a thinly-veiled reference to some comments that Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski made about Harper earlier in the offseason. During his exit interview for the 2025 campaign, Dombrowski cast doubt on whether the 33-year-old Harper could still be an “elite” player.

Phillies President Dave Dombrowski said he does not know if Bryce Harper can be an elite player again Bryce turned 33 today.

“He is still a quality player. He is still an All-Star caliber player. He did not have an elite season like he has in the past. I guess we will only… pic.twitter.com/lqwEApDxpp

— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) October 16, 2025

Indeed, the former NL MVP Harper took a bit of a step back last season, hitting .261 with 27 home runs, 75 RBIs, and 12 stolen bases through 132 games. Since Harper is now a full-time first baseman who is still making around $25 million per year through 2031, the Phillies are right to have some higher expectations of him at the plate.

It is unclear the exact nature of Harper’s relationship with Dombrowski, and it should be noted that Dombrowski has been extremely complimentary of Harper in the past. But regardless of whether or not Harper legitimately took offense to Dombrowski’s comments or if he was simply poking fun at the remarks with the shirt, Harper appears to have received the message loud and clear.

BaseballBryce HarperDave Dombrowski
Pete Carroll at a press conference

Pete Carroll had honest take on Maxx Crosby storming out of Raiders’ facility

December 26, 2025 by Renzo Pocholo Salao
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Pete Carroll has addressed the ongoing drama between Maxx Crosby and the Las Vegas Raiders.

The Raiders head coach told reporters Friday that he had spoken with a frustrated Crosby as the latter left the Raiders’ facility. Crosby had just been informed that the team was shutting him down for the remainder of the season due to a lingering knee injury.

“We talked when he was getting out of here,” Carroll said, via Sean Zittel of Vegas Sports Today. “He’s been fighting it so hard for so long. He’s been fighting this thing for nine weeks, whenever Kansas City was. Each week, he has done everything you could possibly imagine a guy could do to play, and he’s been able to.

“He said, ‘I’d like to get out of here,’ so I said, ‘Yeah, get out of here,’ so he took off. “…It was exactly like you would think he would do, and he should do, and I agree with him a thousand percent on how he responded.”

Carroll explained that the team had a final evaluation of Crosby’s knee injury to start the week, which showed that the injury was too severe to play through.

With the Raiders sitting on a 2-13 record, there really isn’t much reason to risk Crosby aggravating the injury. If anything, Las Vegas would benefit from Crosby sitting out the team’s Week 17 matchup against the New York Giants, because whichever team loses gets a stranglehold on potentially getting the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Crosby made it clear earlier this week that he does not care at all about the Raiders’ draft slot. The man just wants to play.

H/T Pro Football Talk

FootballLas Vegas RaidersMaxx CrosbyPete Carroll
TJ Watt in a shirt

Steelers’ TJ Watt had the most heartwarming gesture on Christmas

December 26, 2025 by Renzo Pocholo Salao
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It does not get much classier than TJ Watt’s Christmas gesture this holiday season.

The Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker tried to bring some yuletide joy to sick children and their families, spending Christmas Day in the hospital. A photo taken from University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Children’s Hospital spread across social media on Friday.

The snapshot showed a festive invite to a Christmas dinner at the hospital’s cafeteria. The invite was open to all family members and guests to enjoy a complimentary Christmas meal, which they could choose from a selection of holiday menu items, courtesy of Watt and his wife, Dani.

T.J. Watt and his wife Dani provided Christmas dinner to all families and staff spending the night at UPMC Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh. pic.twitter.com/ZF54bQ4Ap0

— Front Office Sports (@FOS) December 26, 2025

The invite, which appeared to be attached to a Christmas tree, indicated that folks should present the card to the cashier at checkout, which may mean that the Watts sent each patient a little tree with an invite to their respective rooms.

The Watts clearly have a soft spot for the patients at UPMC Children’s Hospital. Earlier this month, they spent time with some young Steelers fans admitted to the hospital.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by UPMC (@upmcnews)

A hospital room is one of the last places a young family would want to spend the holiday season. TJ Watt and his wife did what they could to make the dim experience just a little brighter.

FootballTJ Watt
Austin Reaves smirking while wearing a Lakers shirt

Lakers get brutal injury news on Austin Reaves

December 26, 2025 by Darryn Albert
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Austin Reaves might not be back in action again until close to the All-Star break.

The Los Angeles Lakers star Reaves has been diagnosed with a grade 2 left gastrocnemius strain, Shams Charania of ESPN reported on Friday. As a result of the injury, Reaves is now set to be re-evaluated in four weeks.

Reaves, 27, had been enjoying a career year for the 19-10 Lakers. He was making an extremely strong case for an All-Star selection with averages of 26.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game this season.

But Reaves left the Lakers’ Christmas Day loss to the Houston Rockets due to left calf soreness. Now we know exactly the nature of Reaves’ calf injury and that it will keep him out of action until late January at the earliest (with the potential for even more missed time due to reconditioning).

The Lakers have now lost three games in a row to drop down to fourth in a competitive Western Conference. Head coach JJ Redick also had some harsh words for his team after the uncompetitive Christmas defeat to the Rockets.

Now the Lakers will have to make it work with Luka Doncic and an aging LeBron James as their only two reliable offensive creators. It is also very possible now that the Lakers could make a trade for another ball-handler ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline, such as for this once-rumored target of theirs.

BasketballFeatured StoriesAustin ReavesLos Angeles Lakers
Myles Garrett smiles

Myles Garrett sends a warning to Aaron Rodgers ahead of their game

December 26, 2025 by Darryn Albert
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Myles Garrett is all-in on his shot at history this weekend.

The Cleveland Browns star defensive end Garrett spoke with reporters on Friday ahead of his team’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. During the media session, Garrett issued a warning to Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers — that he is eyeing Rodgers as his final victim to claim the NFL’s all-time single-season sacks record.

“[Rodgers is] legendary himself, and it’s a legendary record I’m here chasing,” Garrett said, per Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN. “That’d be a great one to put a picture on the wall with.”

The former NFL Defensive Player of the Year Garrett enters the weekend with 22.0 sacks on the season. That means he needs just one more sack to set a new NFL record (first established by Michael Strahan with 22.5 in 2001 and then tied by TJ Watt with 22.5 in 2021).

Garrett also has a history of going at Rodgers. Upon the news of Rodgers first joining the AFC North division earlier this year, Garrett decided to lob some serious trash talk at the famous quarterback.

Granted, Garrett, even if he does not get to Rodgers on Sunday, can still secure the record with a sack in Week 18 against the Cincinnati Bengals. But it is clear that Garrett will be going for the poetry of bringing down the 42-year-old legend Rodgers for the history books.

FootballAaron RodgersMyles Garrett
Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards pointing at referees after getting ejected

Anthony Edwards had vulgar message for referees after getting ejected on Christmas

December 26, 2025 by Renzo Pocholo Salao
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Anthony Edwards got himself an ironclad spot on Santa’s naughty list on Thursday with his parting message to referees during the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Christmas Day game against the Denver Nuggets.

The Timberwolves star got ejected after getting hit with two technical fouls in quick succession in the closing seconds of their 142-138 overtime loss. Edwards made sure to get his money’s worth as he left the floor at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo.

Edwards pointed out to each referee and sent them a vulgar message.

“All three of y’all,” Edwards said. “One, two, three. One, two, three. All y’all h–s.”

Anthony Edwards to the refs after he was ejected in OT:

“All three of y’all. 1, 2, 3. All y’all ho*s”😭😭pic.twitter.com/HiRadFzS0B

— Logion Noops (@LogionNoops) December 26, 2025

Edwards stayed upset after the game. He blasted the referees for being “sensitive” to criticism and accused them of inconsistent officiating.

“F—ing terrible. … The reasons they call a foul, they don’t call a foul. That s–t was terrible,” Edwards said in the Timberwolves’ locker room. “They don’t want to talk back to my coach. They don’t want to talk back to me. I said one thing, and he gave me a tech. The motherf—-r told one of my teammates that if I would have said, ‘y’all calling a bad foul,’ he wouldn’t have given me a tech. N—-s sensitive and they terrible.”

Edwards lost his temper over a couple of controversial calls that went against the Timberwolves in the final minute of the overtime period. Edwards cut the Nuggets’ lead to 132-130 via a dunk with 25.0 seconds left, but got penalized for a delay of game technical that awarded Denver a bonus free throw.

A few seconds later, Donte DiVincenzo got hit with a questionable blocking foul just as Minnesota looked like it had stolen the ball from Nikola Jokic.

Edwards finished the game with 44 points on 14/25 shooting to go along with 6 rebounds and 3 assists. He also sank a last-second three-pointer in regulation that sent the game to overtime.

ANT-A CLAUS!!!!!!! 🎄🎄🎄🎄

ANT EDWARDS SENDS THIS TO OT WITH A CRAZY THREE – RIDICULOUS COMEBACK FROM THE WOLVES!!

Catch all the #NBA Christmas games LIVE on ESPN on Disney+ 📺 pic.twitter.com/swYCEdh3vA

— ESPN Australia & NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) December 26, 2025

Jokic, however, was simply better. The Joker had one of the most absurd stat lines of the season, finishing with 56 points, 16 rebounds, and 15 assists on 15/21 shooting and 22/23 from the free throw line.

BasketballAnthony EdwardsMinnesota Timberwolves
Luka Doncic in a Lakers uniform

Former NBA Coach of the Year rips Luka Doncic over his play style

December 26, 2025 by Darryn Albert
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Luka Doncic has already addressed his weight, but his style of play is still apparently offensive to some.

Former NBA head coach Sam Mitchell appeared Friday on SiriusXM NBA Radio. During the appearance, Mitchell went in on the Los Angeles Lakers star Doncic over his supposedly one-dimensional play on the court.

“Luka Doncic cannot play basketball without the ball,” said Mitchell. “He don’t cut, he don’t move, he don’t set screens. He’s great with the ball. He does nothing to make his teammates better when he doesn’t have the ball.”

Mitchell also contrasted Doncic’s style with that of Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry, a player who is known as an all-time great when it comes to (among other things) moving without the basketball. You can listen to Mitchell’s full remarks here.

"They don’t want to do the hard things"@SamMitchellNBA tells @GeraldBlss why he's so critical of the Lakers' big 3. pic.twitter.com/SXn21KodJA

— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) December 26, 2025

Now 62, Mitchell was the NBA Coach of the Year with the Toronto Raptors in 2007 and spent six total seasons as a head coach. But while Mitchell hasn’t coached in the league since 2016, he does raise a fair point with Doncic here.

Doncic leads all qualified players in usage rate this season at a whopping 36.7 percent (even with Austin Reaves and LeBron James on his team). When Doncic doesn’t have the ball on offense though, he indeed usually spends his time as a passive observer rather than as an active off-ball fulcrum.

Of course, the easy counterargument is that Doncic is one of the very best players on the planet with the ball in his hands and should focus his attention on doing what he does best, even if that means taking it easy and conserving his energy whenever he finds himself off the ball. But with the Lakers now having lost three straight games and getting angry rants from coach JJ Redick, perhaps something needs to change with the team’s offensive identity.

BasketballLuka DoncicSam Mitchell
Anthony Davis in a Mavericks uniform

Anthony Davis’ latest injury continues a crazy streak

December 26, 2025 by Darryn Albert
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Anthony Davis has still been unable to shake a curse of sorts ever since he arrived in Dallas.

The Dallas Mavericks star Davis was once again injured during Thursday’s Christmas Day game against the Golden State Warriors. In the second quarter at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., Davis was running up the floor when he felt something in his groin and had to leave the game. He did not return as Golden State beat Dallas 126-116.

pic.twitter.com/63vjq1kk0O

— No Context NBA (@NoContext_NBA_) December 26, 2025

On Friday, Shams Charania of ESPN reported that Davis has sustained a minor groin strain. Charania also said that 10-time All-Star is now “likely” to miss a few games.

A Reddit user by the name of “RedditFan3510” pointed out that Davis’ latest injury now continues an absurd streak. Davis still has yet to play in six consecutive games for the Mavericks ever since being acquired in the Luka Doncic trade last season.

In 2024-25, Davis notoriously got injured in his first game with Dallas and missed a month-and-a-half. He then managed to play in stints of one game, four games, and three games for the Mavericks before the season ended.

This season, Davis played in five straight games to start the year but then missed a month due to a calf injury. He then returned in late November, played in one game before sitting out again, and then played in five games before sitting out again. Davis returned on Dec. 18 against the Detroit Pistons, and Thursday’s game against the Warriors marked his fifth straight game played … only for Davis to now have to sit out again.

With Dallas now at 12-20 on the season (11th in the Western Conference), Davis has been attracting trade interest from several notable teams before the Feb. 5 deadline. But if those interested suitors want to see Davis play in six straight games first before swinging a move for him, he is quickly running out of time to do that.

BasketballAnthony Davis NBA
Kyle Whittingham looks ahead

Interesting detail emerges about Kyle Whittingham’s Michigan contract

December 26, 2025 by Grey Papke
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The Michigan Wolverines have their new head coach in Kyle Whittingham, and they appear to be making a major commitment to their new man.

Whittingham has officially agreed to a contract to become Michigan’s head coach, according to multiple reports. Notably, the Wolverines are signing Whittingham to a five-year deal.

Update: Kyle Whittingham has agreed to a five-year deal to become Michigan’s next head coach, sources tell me and @DanWetzel. The deal is expected to be announced later today. https://t.co/wFb7a8PRRU

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 26, 2025

A five-year pact means Whittingham will be 71 when it ends, assuming he sees out the entire contract. If the Wolverines are viewing him as a bridge coach meant to settle things for a couple years before he moves on, they certainly are not treating him like one.

Michigan also gave previous head coach Sherrone Moore a five-year deal when formalizing his hire in 2024.

Whittingham emerged as Michigan’s top target on Friday, and the school worked quickly to get things done. The hope is that he will be a stabilizing presence after Michigan found itself in multiple scandals in recent years, culminating in the one that led to Moore’s dismissal.

As recently as 2024, Whittingham was essentially taking the retirement talk on a year-to-year basis. If he is signing on for five years at Michigan, he clearly feels good and motivated, and expects that to last.

Whittingham went 177-88 in over two decades at Utah before stepping down earlier this month. There was some thought that he would be retiring at that point, but that is obviously not the case.

College FootballFeatured StoriesKyle WhittinghamMichigan Football
Tyler Huntley on the sidelines

Saturday’s Packers-Ravens QB matchup is getting all the memes

December 26, 2025 by Grey Papke
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Saturday night’s game between the Baltimore Ravens and Green Bay Packers will be hugely important for both teams. It also will not showcase the quarterback matchup that everyone expected it would.

The Packers on Friday ruled quarterback Jordan Love out for Saturday’s game due to the lingering effects of a concussion. The Ravens had already determined earlier this week that Lamar Jackson would not play either.

What once would have been billed as a matchup between Love and Jackson will instead be a battle between Baltimore’s Tyler Huntley and Green Bay’s Malik Willis. Needless to say, the reactions on social media ranged from bemusement to disappointment.

Got tickets to watch J Love and Micah Parsons take on Lamar Jackson and the Ravens in person now I get to see Malik Willis and Tyler Huntley sling the pill pic.twitter.com/0NjIdmgIpp

— N☀️ (@nolan_boolin) December 26, 2025

NBC executives flexing Ravens vs Packers thinking they'll get a primetime game featuring Lamar Jackson vs Jordan Love only to get Snoop Huntley vs Malik Willis pic.twitter.com/xTZ3I3h3Hv

— Siv (@siva2_) December 26, 2025

Others were more optimistic about the battle of the backups, treating it as an epic clash reminiscent of prime Manning vs. Brady.

Tyler Huntley. Malik Willis. Season on the line.

Tomorrow is gonna be a movie Fr fr. pic.twitter.com/d81BQiKcFQ

— Zach Bollinger (@zachbollinger18) December 26, 2025

Tyler Huntley vs Malik Willis tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/fL7Yv6bl6m

— TheFlockOpinion🎄 (@TheFlockOpinion) December 26, 2025

Tyler Huntley vs Malik Willis pic.twitter.com/RSG7maorVv

— Lucas (@LucasBalti) December 26, 2025

Tyler Huntley vs Malik Willis next week when both teams are in a must win position pic.twitter.com/RJChLpPseY

— john (@CEOofCulture) December 22, 2025

All jokes aside, Huntley vs. Willis could prove to be an intriguing battle, if not necessarily a nice one aesthetically. Both quarterbacks are run-oriented, so Saturday’s contest figures to include a lot of rushing yards and not that many passing yards.

The Packers have already clinched a spot in the playoffs, so the game is slightly less crucial for them. A win would keep their NFC North hopes alive, however. As for the Ravens, they must win this game to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.

FootballMalik WillisTyler Huntley
Maxx Crosby in his Raiders uniform

Report: Maxx Crosby is furious with the Raiders

December 26, 2025 by Grey Papke
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The Las Vegas Raiders may have some problems to work out with star pass rusher Maxx Crosby.

The Raiders informed Crosby that they plan to shut him down for the team’s final two games of the season. According to Jay Glazer of FOX Sports, Crosby “vehemently disagreed” with the decision and walked out of the team’s facilities in anger.

Scoopage: Raiders told Maxx Crosby they want to shut him down last two games. Crosby, who has played with injuries for much of the year, vehemently disagreed and has left the building @nflonfox has learned. This could lead to questions on his future in Vegas

— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) December 26, 2025

Crosby has been dealing with a knee injury since October, so the Raiders do have legitimate reasons to be cautious with him. Whether they would admit it or not, they also have off-field reasons to do it, as the Raiders can secure the No. 1 overall pick by losing their last two contests.

Crosby is aware of that factor and has made it extremely clear that he does not care about the draft pick. The Raiders will never say so, but that could certainly be a factor in their decision to try and shut him down.

Of course, that decision might backfire if it leads to a strain in the team’s relationship with Crosby. While his name has come up in trade rumors before, there are no indications that the Raiders have ever been tempted to move him, or that Crosby has ever wanted to be moved. This may be something the two sides can work through, but for now, it sounds like their caution has made Crosby very angry.

Crosby, 28, has been his typical self this season. Despite battling through injuries, he still collected 10 sacks through 15 games, marking the fourth time in his career that he has reached double-digit sacks.

FootballHeadlinesLas Vegas RaidersMaxx Crosby
Fred Warner making a gesture

49ers could get star player back for the playoffs

December 26, 2025 by Grey Papke
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The San Francisco 49ers could get one of their star players back for the playoffs much sooner than they had expected.

49ers general manager John Lynch divulged Friday that linebacker Fred Warner is ahead of schedule in rehabbing the dislocated ankle he suffered in Week 6. While Lynch did not commit to Warner playing in the playoffs, he certainly left the door open to the possibility.

“I wouldn’t put anything past him,” Lynch said of Warner.

John Lynch was asked if Fred Warner will be back for the playoffs:

“Fred has been attacking his rehab in every which way and he’s making really good progress. I’ve said this consistently, it would be well ahead of the original timeline we were given, but Fred has the ability to… pic.twitter.com/ngHX7PXmpb

— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) December 26, 2025

The 49ers still have the opportunity to land the No. 1 seed in the NFC if they win their two remaining games. One would figure that getting that first-round bye might be a boost to their chances of getting Warner back in action for at least one playoff game.

Warner is arguably the backbone of San Francisco’s defense. The four-time All-Pro had 51 total tackles in six games this season before going down with his injury. Getting him back for the postseason would be hugely beneficial to the 49ers, who are now 11-4 and have emerged as legitimate Super Bowl contenders.

FootballFred Warner
Quintrevion Wisner arriving at a game

Texas’ leading rusher is entering the transfer portal

December 26, 2025 by Grey Papke
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The Texas Longhorns’ offense around Arch Manning stands to look a lot different next season.

Running back Quintrevion Wisner, Texas’ leading rusher in 2025, plans to enter the transfer portal, according to Pete Nakos of On3 Sports. Wisner will be a senior next season.

Wisner was a 1,000-yard rusher in 2024, but saw his numbers slip in 2025. Despite that, he was still the Longhorns’ leading rusher with 597 yards and three touchdowns on 131 carries. He also had 146 receiving yards and a touchdown through the air.

Texas will need to restock its backfield before next season. CJ Baxter, the No. 2 running back on the roster, also plans to enter the transfer portal. Redshirt freshman Christian Clark and true freshman James Simon are poised to be the only available backs on the roster for their Dec. 31 Citrus Bowl matchup with the Michigan Wolverines. That will obviously need to be addressed for 2026.

The Longhorns will have championship ambitions in 2026. Fortunately, Manning has made a fairly unselfish move that might make it easier for Texas to bring in a quality player at the running back position.

College FootballQuintrevion WisnerTexas Longhorns Football
Nikola Jokic looks ahead

Nikola Jokic got a haircut immediately after Thursday’s win

December 26, 2025 by Grey Papke
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Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic dominated the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday, then got himself a new fade before he even made it to his postgame press conference.

Fans noticed that Jokic seemingly got a haircut between the end of Thursday’s game and his postgame media availability. Jokic definitely had a lot less hair at his press conference than he had during the game itself, a 142-138 overtime victory.

Nikola Jokić is hilarious
He got a hair cut after beating the Twolves on Christmas Day. This was Jok before the game and him during his post game interview😂🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/FImYXCthnB

— Tatiana (@Tatianaclinares) December 26, 2025

We have seen plenty of athletes get a haircut after a poor game, but that usually takes a few days. Jokic did it within minutes, and he did it after dropping 56 points, 15 assists, and 16 rebounds on a Timberwolves team that appeared powerless to stop him. Most players would not change a thing after a game like that, but Jokic is not most players.

There is nothing particularly shocking about Jokic moving to the beat of his own drum. This is someone who takes every chance he gets to return to his native Serbia to watch horse racing. If the guy wants a quick fade, who’s going to tell him no?

Jokic is having another MVP-level season for Denver. He is averaging 29.8 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 11.0 assists so far this season, and his play is a big reason why the Nuggets are 22-8.

BasketballFeatured StoriesNikola Jokic
JJ Redick at a press conference

Kendrick Perkins takes aim at JJ Redick

December 26, 2025 by Grey Papke
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Kendrick Perkins has heard enough from JJ Redick after the Los Angeles Lakers coach’s strong reaction to the team’s loss on Thursday.

Perkins accused Redick of deflecting blame after the Lakers’ 119-96 loss to the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday. The ESPN analyst conceded that Redick’s critical comments play well publicly, but to Perkins, they ring hollow.

“Everybody finds it cute and funny when he goes on these rants and publicly calls out his team, but JJ Redick gotta do better as well,” Perkins said. “It’s always everybody else’s fault, but not JJ Redick’s. That’s a problem for me. He talks about his team not being consistent, not playing hard, not doing the little things. Guess what? That’s a reflection on the coach. When your team is not responding and your team is not putting the effort needed to compete at a high level, that means that they are not listening to the coach and the respect level is not there.”

Perk:

"Everybody find it cute and funny when he goes on his rants and publicly calls out his team but JJ Redick gotta do better as well. It's always everybody else fault but not JJ Redick's. That's a problem for me" https://t.co/NwJJC30LN0 pic.twitter.com/Taaqks2ntT

— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) December 26, 2025

This is not the first time Redick has faced these accusations. When Redick was still an ESPN analyst, he famously called out Doc Rivers for demonstrating a lack of accountability. It did not take long for Redick to face the same accusations.

Redick has never been shy about calling out his team publicly, as he did after Thursday’s loss. It is very fair to question, however, if those rants are getting the desired results, or whether they are ultimately backfiring on him.

BasketballJJ RedickKendrick Perkins
Michigan Block M

Top target emerges in Michigan head coach search

December 26, 2025 by Grey Papke
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The Michigan Wolverines appear to have settled on their top target as they search for a new head coach.

Former Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham has emerged as Michigan’s primary target, according to Dan Wetzel and Pete Thamel of ESPN. A contract could come together quickly if top Michigan officials approve his candidacy on Friday.

Whittingham, 66, would not necessarily be a long-term solution for the Wolverines. He would, however, bring some much-needed stability to a program that has dealt with too many off-field scandals over the past several years. He has also been a consistent winner for the better part of two decades, having posted a 177-88 record in his career at Utah.

Whittingham had announced earlier this month that he was stepping down as head coach of the Utes. He strongly indicated, however, that he had no plans to retire. Sure enough, he was linked to the Michigan job within roughly a week of that announcement.

The Wolverines are believed to want a head coach in place before the transfer portal opens on Jan. 2. The timing of Sherrone Moore’s dismissal left the school in a tough spot, so it works out nicely for them that a well-respected coach like Whittingham hit the market just as they needed to make a stabilizing hire.

Michigan went 9-3 on the season and will face Texas in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on Dec. 31.

College FootballHeadlinesKyle WhittinghamMichigan Football

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