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Philly Crushes DC for SB LIX Berth

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PHILADELPHIA – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley rushed for three touchdowns apiece, and the Philadelphia Eagles pulled away for a 55-23 win over the visiting Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship Game Sunday afternoon.

Barkley rushed for 118 yards and Hurts threw for 246 yards and a TD for Philadelphia, which advanced to play in Super Bowl LIX on Feb. 9 in New Orleans. The Eagles scored eight touchdowns and reached the Super Bowl for the fifth time in team history and the second time in three seasons.

The Commanders pulled within 14-12 midway through the second quarter. Zane Gonzalez made a 46-yard kick for his second field goal of the afternoon, and McLaurin broke a tackle on his way to a 36-yard touchdown catch with 7:05 remaining in the half.

The Eagles pulled ahead 27-12 after scoring two touchdowns in 65 seconds. Hurts lurched forward for a 1-yard score with 1:44 left in the half, and after the Commanders fumbled on the kickoff return, Philadelphia took advantage as Hurts found A.J. Brown for a 4-yard touchdown.

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Gonzalez cut the deficit to 27-15 with a 42-yard field goal just before halftime.

Hurts put Philadelphia on top 34-15 with 8:58 left in the third quarter. He took the snap out of the shotgun and weaved through traffic for a 9-yard score.

Daniels brought Washington within 34-23 on the next possession. He scored on a 10-yard run, then passed to Olamide Zaccheaus for a two-point conversion.

Hurts’ third rushing touchdown made it 41-23 with 12:24 to play. Washington drew multiple penalties for encroachment trying to stop the “Brotherly Shove,” and ultimately Hurts and the Eagles got their way as teammates pushed the quarterback across the goal line yet again.

Barkley scored his third touchdown on a 4-yard run with 7:58 remaining.

Rookie Will Shipley finished the scoring with a 2-yard rushing touchdown with 3:03 to go, two plays after ripping off a 57-yard run. The Eagles finished with 229 yards on the ground.

–Field Level Media

TL’s Sunday Sports Notes | Jan 26

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By TERRY LYONS, Editor of Digital Sports Desk

BOSTON – Take your Super Bowl Sunday and toss it in a Crock Pot of chili. Let it simmer. Take your World Cup final and toss it in a vat of the best guacamole you’ve ever had in your life. Take Sunday at The Masters and go dine at the Augusta House of Pancakes. The Kentucky Derby is a great day but it stands alone. I’ll take the AFC/NFC Championship Sunday over all of those great sporting events every day of the year.

Get the Smorgasbord of All-Time ready. Sunday (January 26, 2025) is our day!

Yes, there are a bunch of great days in sports, but the doubleheader on tap today is certainly one, if not, “the” best days on the annual calendar of sports specialties. This year, it’s the upstart Washington (DC) Commanders against the venerable Philadelphia Eagles at The Linc in the first game (3pm ET) on FOX while the nightcap of the Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead (6:30pm ET) on CBS, might prove to be the best game of the year.

In the NFL season, the conference championships are the best because of the fact it’s a twin bill. The Super Bowl is great, don’t get me wrong, but Championship Sunday brings memories on top of memories. Maybe another great day for NFL football, opening week Sunday can compare, especially for us Fantasy Football geeks who are wondering how our teams will fare, inevitably benching two great wide receivers while starting a pair of duds.

While it’s been touched on here before, humor this WWYI columnist as some of the other great days in sports are listed in the paragraphs to come. It can be an endless list, to be sure.

Let’s put aside Game 7s, as they take on a life of their own during the World Series, NBA Finals or the NHL’s Stanley Cup Final. A Game 7 overtime to decide the Stanley Cup Champion is the most intense experience in sports, no doubt. But we’re here to focus on some of the most amazing days sports has to offer.

Looking back, the U.S. Open tennis tournament had an all-time day when the men’s semifinals sandwiched the women’s final on a Saturday to remember, especially when John McEnroe played Jimmy Connors in the nightcap. The USTA, so rightfully, changed the schedule to give the women’s final a night of its own.

Here in Boston, we have some pretty good twin bills. Patriots’ Day, with the Boston Marathon blending with an 11:00am first pitch at Fenway Park, is one of the best day of the year and certainly the most inspiring as you witness the everyday runners competing on the same course as the champions. And take an afternoon NBA or NHL Playoff game and pair it with an April or May or June night game at Fenway, and you’re looking at a day in paradise.

But there’s plenty of other sporting events to contemplate. Here are just a few:

  • NCAA Opening Round Thursday and Friday
  • NCAA Final Four Saturday
  • BIG EAST Thursday and Friday
  • The ACC Basketball Semis
  • Breeders’ Cup Championship (seven World Series games on one afternoon)
  • The Beanpot (BC, BU, Northeastern & Harvard playing ice hockey)
  • NCAA Lacrosse Final Four Semis
  • The Frozen Four Semis
  • Olympic Gold Medal and Bronze Medal games in Men’s Basketball
  • The new CFP (College Football Playoffs) – First Round Tripleheader
  • Thanksgiving Day NFL Football (Detroit and Dallas hosting)

The only thing Better in sports or entertainment?

How about the Allman Brothers Band at Red Rocks (near Denver, Colorado) playing Jessica, Les Brers In A Minor, Dreams and In Memory of Elizabeth Reed at the same show?

Oh, we’re talking rock shows?

Don’t get me started.

HERE NOW, THE NOTES: Picks for NFC/AFC Championship today? Tough calls, as the Commanders keep winning and the Bills and QB Josh Allen are due. After all, you’re either hot or you’re due.

The Philadelphia Eagles (-6) is the play in the National Football Conference with the fact that Saquon Barkley and the vaunted Eagles’ fans at The Linc will help bring it home.

The American Football Conference championship is a much tougher call, especially since two of my dearest friends in the whole wide world support the teams that will play and – undoubtedly – beat each others brains to bits.

The Chiefs are healthy but the Bills are a bit banged up, especially in the secondary.

While I think the Buffalo Bills and Josh Allen are due, I just can’t recommend anyone betting against KC QB Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. That said, if you’re thinking of playing KC, I’d go with the money line, and if you’re thinking of playing the Bills, take the measly (+2) and picture an overtime when KC scores and kicks an extra point, only to leave the Bills a chance to score and go for two points to win it.

It’s only 18 days until Red Sox Pitchers & Catchers report.

  • Truck Day: Monday, Feb. 3
  • Pitchers and catchers report Wednesday, Feb. 12
  • Full Squad Workout: Wednesday, Feb. 17

It’s only 49 days until NCAA Selection Sunday.

Minnesota Wild team owner Craig Leipold broke the news during a podcast interview when asked about the current state of the NHL. Although the esteemed NHL Commissioner Gary B. Bettman has made no formal announcement of his future plans, Leipold indicated the NHL governors are beginning to make plans for a hockey league without Bettman at the top. Bettman, 72, has been the NHL’s commissioner since February 1993. His tenure has been the longest in league history, surpassing Clarence Campbell, who was the NHL President for 31 years from 1946–1977. “The fact that Gary is going to be retiring, you know, that’s a concerning factor,” Leipoid said on “The Sick Podcast” with Pierre McGuire and Jimmy Murphy. “There’s a lot of us who know how well Gary has been as a commissioner in this league, and what he’s done for all the teams and the players. It’s going to be a sad day when he’s not part of it. … But you know, that’s a couple years down the road and we’re doing the planning now. We have to make sure we get it right when he leaves. Right now, that’s kind of the only thing that’s on the horizon.”

Who’s Got Next? That’s the toughest question on the ice.

The logical answer would be to promote Bill Daly, the current NHL deputy commissioner and chief legal officer, but the NHL is known to act in strange ways and an outsider might be the choice of the Canadian power brokers of the NHL (Toronto and Montreal).

NHL aficionados might suggest a famous former player to take on the job, but a multi-millionaire legend, usually yucking-it-up at celebrity golf outings or being paid nicely to adorn the set of an NHL broadcast, is not likely to seek a job where they work 12 to 15 hour days dealing with the vast problems and financial difficulties, or league/player collective bargaining negotiations, difficult decisions on Olympic participation or enforcing player safety rules with fines and suspensions.

TIDBITS: One thing the NBA didn’t anticipate for the first of two NBA Paris Games? How about a 30-point blow-out, with the San Antonio Spurs crushing the Indiana Pacers, 140-110. A line score for San Antonio’s incredible Wemby? 30, 11, 6 and 5 blocks, including a 2:25 span to end the third quarter with four points, three rebounds, three blocked shots and two assists. The crowd of 15,935 at the Chia Pet of arenas certainly went home happy this past Thursday. … The Pacers returned the favor and blew out the Spurs on Saturday, 136-98.

The NCAA – with the exception of member schools like UNLV and Nevada Reno – was dead set against the ‘evils’ of Las Vegas until Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Conference Championship tournaments filled the coffers of schools and televison partners. In 2027, it’ll be even bigger, as the College Football Playoffs will culminate at Allegiant Stadium in Vegas to crown the national champion.

“Las Vegas has shown the world they have amazing venues and boundless energy to host an event like the College Football Playoff national championship in spectacular fashion,” said Rich Clark, executive director of the College Football Playoff. “I can’t think of a better stage to crown the best team in college football in 2027. I want to thank Steve Hill and the entire Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority for the hard work and dedication they put in to making this day a reality for their city.”

Hill reeled in another huge event for sin city. “Pairing the energy of Las Vegas with the College Football Playoff National Championship will make for a truly extraordinary event, both on and off the field,” said Hill, president and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. “We appreciate the opportunity the CFP has provided us to welcome college football’s great athletes and biggest fans for an unmatched national championship experience in the city built for celebration.”

Las Vegas will become the third city in the Pacific time zone to host the CFP title game, joining the Bay Area (2019) and Los Angeles (2023). Here is the whole list:

Looking Ahead:

  • 2027 Las Vegas
  • 2026 South Florida

Looking Back:

  • 2025 Atlanta
  • 2024 Houston
  • 2023 Los Angeles
  • 2022 Indianapolis
  • 2021 South Florida
  • 2020 New Orleans
  • 2019 Bay Area (California)
  • 2018 Atlanta
  • 2017 Tampa Bay
  • 2016 Arizona
  • 2015 North Texas

THIS JEST IN: Our friends at Sportico reported on Fanatics, noting: ‘“Fanatics Commerce, which includes its core apparel and merchandise sales, represented about $6.2 billion of sales, or 77% of total revenue. Fanatics Collectibles, the trading card unit, brought in about $1.6 billion. Revenue at Fanatics Betting & Gaming was about $300 million.” Add it up and you’ve got an $8.1b company.

YOU CAN’T MAKE IT UP: There’s a Long Islander who played a game of “Free Parking” at the local pro hockey rink that even hockey Hall of Famer Brad Park would’ve sniffed out in a two minute call for “charging.” It’s a crime that might land the crook a jail sentence and serious fine, never mind the loss of a good job at the UBS Arena – home of the New York Islanders. A parking attendant working the lots around Belmont Park pocketed nearly $5,000 since last spring, offering concert goers and Islanders’ fans a discounted parking rate at the arena lots by sending the fees directly to his personal Venmo account instead of being processed to the UBS coffers, according to Nassau County prosecutors. … Tremayne Brown, 26, of Queens, was charged with falsifying business records and grand larceny after authorities said they discovered Brown promised a discount to drivers attending events at the Elmont, Long Island (New York) venue. … Prosecutors say the alleged scheme unraveled after his supervisor overheard him tell a woman heading to the January 12 “Disney on Ice” performance to “pay using Venmo to save on fees.” … Easy surveillance and follow-up caught the digital thief red-handed as records showed Venmo deposits dating back to last spring, all coinciding with events and Islanders games at The UBS. … The parallel parking pilferer pleaded ‘not guilt’ at a preliminary hearing and was released with the case pending.

While We’re Young (Ideas) is a weekly (every weekend) collection of Sports Notes and News written by Terry Lyons. The posting of each notebook harkens back to the days when you’d walk over to the city newsstand on Saturday night around 10pm to pick-up a copy of the Sunday papers. Inside, just waiting, was a sports-filled compilation of interesting notes, quotes and quips in a column that always sold a few newspapers.

TL’s Sunday Sports Notes is brought to you by Digital Sports Desk.

-TL-

NFC/AFC Championship Previews

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KANSAS CITY – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Four teams are left in the race for the Lombardi.

Two-time defending champion Kansas City, the top seed in the AFC, welcomes an opponent the Chiefs know all too well — and not just because of a 30-21 loss at Buffalo on Nov. 17.

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This is the fourth postseason meeting in five years between the Bills and Chiefs, with marquee quarterbacks front and center.

A new name in lights, rookie Jayden Daniels, orchestrated a landslide upset of the NFC favorite and No. 1-seeded Detroit Lions last week to set up the Washington Commanders for a third game in three months against East division rival Philadelphia.

The Eagles are crossing their fingers quarterback Jalen Hurts can be ready after a knee injury slowed him down in a 28-22 home win over the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional playoffs. Philadelphia’s plan still centers around the man lined up behind Hurts — running back Saquon Barkley — who delivered the goods in both games with Washington in the regular season.

More details and all the dirt on Sunday’s AFC Championship and NFC Championship in the capsules below:

NFC Championship Game
No. 6 Washington Commanders (14-5) at No. 2 Philadelphia Eagles (16-3)
Sunday, 3 p.m. ET, FOX/FOX Deportes

The NFC title game in Philadelphia completes a trilogy between rivals and the fifth time teams from the same division square off in the conference championship. This is Washington’s first championship game appearance since 1991, when the franchise won its last Super Bowl.

Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni has 52 wins in his first four seasons. Only George Seifert, who inherited a gunpowder-infused roster in San Francisco, has more victories (57). Joe Gibbs and Mike Tomlin are the only head coaches with two Super Bowl appearances in their first four seasons. Sirianni would join them with a win over Washington today.

Previously this season, the Eagles defeated the Commanders, 26-18, on Nov. 14 as Barkley rushed for 146 yards, including two rushing touchdowns in the final five minutes of the fourth quarter to seal the win. In Week 16, Washington overcame a 13-point fourth quarter deficit to defeat Philadelphia, 36-33, as Daniels set a career high with five TD passes. He threw the game-winning TD with six seconds left after Eagles backup Kenny Pickett’s pass to likely seal the win was dropped by Barkley.

Philadelphia ranked No. 1 in total defense in 2024 and intercepted Daniels three times in two games. At the heart of the defense, second-year defensive tackle Jalen Carter took over late in last week’s win over the Rams with a key sack and forced fumble. Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury threw a few bouquets at Carter this week, calling him “maybe the best I’ve ever seen” at the position. The Eagles have more firepower behind Carter with Defensive Player of the Year candidate Zack Baun and all-rookie defensive backs Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. Mitchell’s shoulder injury forced him out of last week’s game.

Barkley has the third-most rushing yards (2,329) and is fourth in total yards (2,638) in the NFL’s single-season record books. Broncos running back Terrell Davis set the record in 1998.

The game is a second homecoming for Commanders tight end Zach Ertz, who is second in Eagles franchise history to Hall of Famer Harold Carmichael with 639 receptions. Ertz caught a TD pass for visiting Washington when the teams played in November.

AFC Championship Game
No. 2 Buffalo Bills (15-4) at No. 1 Kansas City Chiefs (16-2)
Sunday, 6:30 p.m. ET, CBS/Paramount+

Buffalo beat the Chiefs after Kansas City’s 9-0 start to the regular season, taking a 30-21 victory to push the Bills’ regular-season winning streak over the Chiefs to four games. But Kansas City rattled off six consecutive wins to earn the No. 1 seed and first-round bye in the AFC. The Chiefs have three consecutive victories over the Bills in the playoffs — the 2020 AFC Championship Game and 2021 and 2023 AFC divisional wins.

Quarterback Josh Allen is tightening the margins for opponents by taking care of the ball. Buffalo sports a plus-27 turnover margin and is the first team in NFL history with zero turnovers in four consecutive playoff games. Including the postseason, the Bills lead the NFL with 35 takeaways and a league-low eight turnovers in 19 total games. No team has ever reached the Super Bowl with 10 or fewer turnovers.

Counterpart Patrick Mahomes knows a thing or two about coming out on top in close games. Turnovers? It’s been eight games — since Week 12 of the regular season — without losing the ball for Kansas City, as the Chiefs peak on schedule. The Chiefs have won eight playoff games in a row, the third-longest such streak all-time (2001-2005 New England Patriots – 10 consecutive wins; 1961-67 Green Bay Packers – nine) and since Week 12.

Stopping the run will be a vital element to winning Sunday, Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo noted this week. He pointed to James Cook’s 16 rushing touchdowns and Allen’s game-sealing rumble that beat Kansas City earlier this season.

Buffalo allowed 176 yards rushing to the Ravens, who gained 416 total yards but had three critical turnovers.

Bills safety Taylor Rapp was ruled out with a hip injury on Friday. It’s likely rookie Cole Bishop will be in the starting 11 against Mahomes on Sunday night.

Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is two TD receptions shy of tying the all-time playoff record held by Jerry Rice (22). Kelce hauled in a pair of Mahomes TD passes in the Chiefs’ playoff win at Buffalo last year. He added a touchdown reception as part of a seven-catch, 117-yard game last week to beat the Houston Texans.

Mahomes and Andy Reid have the Chiefs in the AFC Championship for the eighth consecutive season. Mahomes’ 16 playoff wins are second among all starting quarterbacks, he owns the second-highest postseason passer rating (105.6, minimum 150 attempts), fifth-most postseason touchdown passes (42) and eighth-most postseason passing yards (5,312) in NFL playoff history.

Only three teams have reached the Super Bowl three consecutive seasons: the 1990-93 Bills (four consecutive), 1971-73 Miami Dolphins (three) and 2016-18 Patriots (three).

–Field Level Media

Del Rio Heads to Paris

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PARIS – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Former NFL head coach Jack Del Rio was named the head coach of the Paris Musketeers in the European League of Football on Friday.

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Del Rio, 61, posted a 93-94 record in 12 seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2003-11) and then-Oakland Raiders (2015-17), leading his teams to the playoffs three times.

“We are incredibly excited to welcome Coach Del Rio to Paris,” Musketeers CEO John McKeon said. “His commitment to excellence and his passion for teaching the game will build upon the tone and culture that was set by our first coach, Marc Mattioli. We couldn’t be more excited to welcome him to the Musketeers family and continue building our winning tradition.”

Del Rio was the defensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders from 2020-23 before serving as a senior adviser to Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell in 2024. He resigned from that position in November following a car accident in which he was cited for operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

“I’m looking forward to working with this group of men,” he said. “We will teach, develop and compete.”

Founded in 2022, the Musketeers finished 10-2 in the regular season and reached the semifinals in 2024.

The franchise’s first head coach was former Vanderbilt assistant Mattioli, who compiled a 16-8 record before departing to become the defensive coordinator at Kennesaw State.

Paris kicks off the 2025 season against the defending champion Rhein Fire on May 17.

–Field Level Media

Henry, Jackson Lead Ravens

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BALTIMORE – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Baltimore RB Derrick Henry rushed for 186 yards and two scores and teammate Lamar Jackson passed for two touchdowns to lead the host Ravens to a 28-14 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in an AFC wild-card game on Saturday night.

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Jackson completed 16 of 21 passes for 175 yards and rushed for 82 yards on 15 carries while winning for the third time in seven attempts as a postseason starter. Rashod Bateman and Justice Hill had touchdown receptions for third-seeded Baltimore, which has won five straight games and will learn its next opponent on Sunday.

Henry, who carried 26 times, rushed for more than 150 yards for the fourth time in eight career playoff appearances. His postseason high of 195 came against the Ravens in the 2019 season divisional round when he was a member of the Tennessee Titans.

Russell Wilson was 20 of 29 for 270 yards and two touchdowns for sixth-seeded Pittsburgh, which trailed by 21 points twice while losing its fifth consecutive game. George Pickens had five catches for 87 yards and a touchdown and Van Jefferson also had a scoring reception for the Steelers.

The Ravens totaled 299 rushing yards and outgained Pittsburgh 464-280. Baltimore also had a 29-11 advantage in first downs.

The Steelers had just 29 yards on the ground with a long gain of five.

Baltimore receiver Zay Flowers (knee) missed the game.

The Ravens led 21-0 at halftime after dominating the first 30 minutes and putting together touchdown drives of 95, 85 and 90 yards.

Baltimore outgained the Steelers 308-59 and had a 19-2 edge in first downs in the half.

The Ravens took the lead on Jackson’s 15-yard touchdown pass to Bateman with 4:45 left in the first quarter. Henry’s 8-yard scoring run made it 14-0 with 4:09 left in the first half.

Jackson later scrambled out of trouble and hit Hill on a 5-yard scoring pass with two seconds remaining.

Pittsburgh suddenly displayed life in the third quarter as Wilson connected with Jefferson on a 30-yard scoring pass to cap a 98-yard drive with 8:05 left in the period. But Henry broke loose on the fourth play of Baltimore’s next drive and galloped 44 yards for a touchdown to make it 28-7 with 5:49 left.

The Steelers scored again five plays later as Wilson tossed a 36-yard touchdown pass to Pickens with 3:24 left in the third, but that would be the end of the scoring for the night.

–Field Level Media

Texans Too Much for Chargers

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HOUSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Houston’s QB C.J. Stroud passed for 282 yards and a touchdown, Joe Mixon rushed for 106 yards and a score and Eric Murray returned an interception for a touchdown as the host Texans routed the Los Angeles Chargers 32-12 in an AFC wild-card game on Saturday.

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Houston (11-7) advanced to the divisional round for the second straight season.

After throwing just three interceptions in 504 passing attempts during the regular season, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was picked off four times on Saturday. Herbert was 14-for-32 for 242 yards and a touchdown.

The Chargers scored the first six points, on field goals of 35 and 39 yards by Cameron Dicker. His second came after a Texans fumble gave Los Angeles a short field.

Ka’imi Fairbairn connected on field goals of 41, 37 and 30 yards for Houston.

Houston ran just four offensive plays during the first quarter and had two punts bookending a Stroud interception to start the second.

Fortunes changed just before halftime. Houston drove 99 yards in 13 plays, punctuating the possession with a 13-yard scoring pass from Stroud to Nico Collins with 58 seconds left in the second quarter.

Stroud extended the drive with a highlight-reel play entering the two-minute warning. He scooped up a fumbled snap, then scrambled to connect with Xavier Hutchinson for a 34-yard gain to the Los Angeles 49-yard line on third-and-16.

Herbert threw three straight incompletions on the ensuing Chargers possession, and Houston responded with Fairbairn’s 41-yard field goal to take a 10-6 halftime lead.

The Texans scored the first 13 points after intermission. Murray delivered the lone touchdown over that span with a 38-yard pick six with 13 seconds left in the third quarter.

Derek Stingley Jr. snagged two interceptions for Houston and Kamari Lassiter had another.

Herbert recovered from his third pick with an 86-yard pass-and run touchdown to Ladd McConkey. The burst followed two straight Texans sacks. Houston blocked the extra-point attempt, and D’Angelo Ross returned it to the end zone for two points.

Mixon, who had 25 carries, capped the scoring with a 17-yard run with 3:42 left.

McConkey caught nine passes for 197 yards and a touchdown.

Collins had seven receptions for 122 yards and a score.

Houston outgained Los Angeles 429-261.

–Field Level Media

FOLD the MAYO

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FOXBOROUGH – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – The New England Patriots fired coach Jerod Mayo on Sunday shortly after the team completed a 4-13 season. Mayo, 38, was in his first season on the job after replacing legendary coach Bill Belichick after last season.

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The move was made after the Patriots defeated the Buffalo Bills 23-16 to halt a six-game losing streak.

“After the game today, I informed Jerod Mayo that he will not be returning as the head coach of the New England Patriots in 2025,” Patriots owner Robert Kraft said in a statement. “For me, personally, this was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made.

“I have known Jerod for 17 years. He earned my respect and admiration as a rookie in 2008 and throughout his career for his play on the field, his leadership in the locker room and the way he conducted himself in our community. When he joined our coaching staff, his leadership was even more evident, as I saw how the players responded to him.

“Unfortunately, the trajectory of our team’s performances throughout the season did not ascend as I had hoped.”

The Patriots defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in Mayo’s debut and then dropped their next six games. New England won two of its next three games before the second six-game skid that ended with a 40-7 beatdown by the visiting Los Angeles Chargers.

New England, which won six Super Bowl titles under Belichick, missed the playoffs for the third straight season. The Patriots haven’t won a playoff game since winning the Super Bowl following the 2018 season.

“We have tremendous fans who expect and deserve a better product than we have delivered in recent years,” Kraft said. “I apologize for that. I have given much thought and consideration as to what actions I can take to expedite our return to championship contention and determined this move was the best option at this time.”

Mayo was a linebackers coach with the Patriots from 2019-23 before being promoted to the head coaching gig. He also was a two-time Pro Bowl linebacker for New England and racked up 802 tackles, 11 sacks and three interceptions in 103 regular-season games from 2008-15.

One available coach who should interest the Patriots is Mike Vrabel, who recorded a 54-45 record in six seasons with the Tennessee Titans from 2018-23. He guided the Titans to three playoff appearances, including a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2019 season’s AFC title game.

Vrabel, 49, also played for the Patriots from 2001-08 and earned three Super Bowl rings.

–Field Level Media

TL’s Sunday Sports Notes | Jan 5

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BOSTON – Let’s start the Year 2025 with some bold predictions for the sports world in the year to come.

  • Ohio State will win the College Football National Championship.
  • Free agent pitcher Roki Sasaki will sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
  • Canada will win the 4 Nations Face-Off.
  • The Detroit Lions will win the Super Bowl. Jared Goff will be MVP.
  • Kansas will win the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship with Tennessee, Duke and Florida falling short in the 2025 Final Four.
  • Citizen Bull will win the Kentucky Derby but not the Triple Crown.
  • The Vegas Golden Knights will win the Stanley Cup, defeating the Washington Capitals.
  • The Oklahoma City Thunder will win the NBA title, defeating the Boston Celtics with OKC’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander winning a double MVP for the regular season and NBA Finals.
  • Scottie Scheffler will repeat as the winner of the TOUR Championship, the FedEx Cup and the PGA Tour’s Player of the Year. He will not get arrested this season.
  • The Los Angeles Dodgers will be World Series champions once again.

Admittedly, there are no wild and crazy predictions included in the bunch. Every team, player and horse has a legitimate chance if you were to poll the oddsmakers of Las Vegas.

It’ll be evident in the results of MLB that the rich will continue to get richer (Dodgers, Yankees, Mets), largely because the rules of baseball allow for it without much regard to league-wide parity.

For instance, the Dodgers agreed to a deal with star Korean infielder Hyeseong Kim, the team announced this weekend. The deal is for three years and a guaranteed $12.5 million with an option for 2028-29 that could increase the value of the deal to $22 million. … Kim batted .304 and logged a .364 on-base percentage over eight seasons with the Kiwoom Heroes. He also stole at least 20 bases in each of the past seven seasons, reaching as high as 46 in 2021. A left-handed hitter, Kim slashed .326/.383/.458 with 11 home runs and 30 steals for Kiwoom in ’24.

In the NBA and NHL, where teams play from the same proverbial deck of cards with various salary cap restrictions, repeating as champion is a difficult task.

closeup photo of lighted tealight candles on rackPhoto by Thomas Bormans on Unsplash

HERE NOW, THE NOTES: Many of us fell asleep after midnight as December 31st turned to January 1st and the year 2025 began in the quiet peace of the night. In New Orleans, it wasn’t quiet nor peaceful in the French Quarter and by 3:15am, horror brought 2025 in with death and destruction. If you’ve been paying attention to the news, they (terrorists) ruined the celebratory atmosphere of fun and revelry in one of America’s great cities. In doing so, they put a damper over the Sugar Bowl (quarterfinal of the CFP) and the Bowl season, in general. More importantly, 15 souls were lost in a random, senseless attack which injured 36 others and left the entire city of New Orleans on edge, fearful of what might be next.

We’ve seen it before, right here in Boston, when two morons decided to place deadly homemade bombs in two backpacks and dropped the bags along the sidewalks of the finish line route of the Boston Marathon in 2013. The initial bombing caused the deaths of three and injured more than 260 others, not counting the emotional scars of friends and families of the victims and casualties. In addition, in the ensuing police action, a police officer was shot and killed.

The terrorism didn’t start in Boston, as there’s been countless strikes, including the 9/11 attacks, an open shooter at a Las Vegas outdoor concert, bombings at clubs in cities dotting the USA, Europe and throughout the world.

The unbelievable thing is the fact film producers turn the acts of terrorism into motion pictures and documentaries. Director and screenwriter Peter Berg, along with co-writers Matt Cook, and Joshua Zetumer, made a the film based on the book – “Boston Strong” – by Casey Sherman and Dave Wedge. Boston-based actor Mark Wahlberg became the face of the film, “Patriots’” Day, all with good intention but still glorifying the act.

In theaters now is director Tim Fehlbaum‘s Golden Globe-nominated film “September 5.” The film is set almost entirely in the ABC Sports control room and focuses on the real-time challenges faced by the broadcasters in covering the terrorist plot at the 1972 Munich Olympics. September 5 wasn’t the first to chronicle that horrendous attack, as “Munich” and “One Day in September” predate the current film.

ABC Sports anchor Jim McCay summed it up that bleak September day, stating: “Our worst fears have been realized tonight. They have now said that there were 11 hostages. Two were killed in their rooms, yesterday morning. Nine were killed at the airport, tonight. They’re all gone.”

Yes, the victims of the ‘72 Olympics are all gone, but the terrorists – and the motion pictures – keep coming back.

TIDBITS: The things I think about include the fact that 8 o’clock coffee is just as good at 6:30 or 7 o’clock. … When I ordered my coffee, the counterperson seemed quite confused when I asked for No Sugar but Half and 1/4 … Wind breakers don’t really break the wind, and, in fact, the wind breaks the jacket more often than not. … Aside from their size, there’s not much difference between softballs and hardballs in baseball. If you get hit with either one, they’re both pretty hard. … You’ve heard of Manute Bol’s son Bol Bol, right? Pretty good player. Maybe he should sponsor a bowl game and it could be the Bol Bol Bowl.

Random Notes: In case anyone hasn’t noticed, UConn has reeled off seven straight “Ws” since the shakedown start in Maui. … the Big Ten basketball matchup of the week was UCLA at Nebraska. … Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama thinks the object of the game of golf is to shoot 65 or better … BC’s Zay Flowers, now known as Lamar Jackson’s favorite Baltimore Ravens wide receivers left Saturday’s game against the Cleveland Browns with an injured right knee. He walked off the field under his own power but further examination(s) will be necessary. Some might criticize Ravens head coach John Harbaugh for playing his starters, but Baltimore needed the win to earn the AFC North title, a game ahead of Pittsburgh. … TGL Golf will tee-off Tuesday, January 7 at 9:00pm ET on ESPN. The inaugural match will pit the New York Golf Club taking on The Bay Golf Club. Three players from each team will go head-to-head in a 15-hole match featuring two different formats – nine holes of Triples and six holes of Singles.

The column is happy to note a new indoor record for “Open Rate,” the key indicator of growth and acceptance for this publication each weekend. The new high mark is 78%. By comparison, a good open rate ranges from 17-28% and 21.33% is the industry average. With subscription offerings, the rate gets higher, of course.

“Hello Old Friend” – Need a new Spotify classic rock playlist? How about 4 hours and 57 minutes of serious rock, all compiled in one place for WWYI readers – right HERE. Eric Clapton and Yvonne Elliman are a reason to tune in right away.

LEGENDS OF SPORT: Here’s one of Andrew D. Bernstein’s tremendous podcasts, recorded at the Basketball Hall of Fame.

KEY DATES IN 2025: Everyone needs to circle these dates on their sports calendar:

January 2025:

9 – Orange Bowl (CFP Semis)

10 – Cotton Bowl (CFP Semis)

11-12 – NFL Wild Card Weekend

18-19 – NFL Divisional Playoffs

20 – College Football Championship (Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta)

NBA – King Holiday Full NBA Schedule

26 – AFC/NFC Championship Sunday

February 2025:

2 – NFL Pro Bowl (Orlando)

6 – NBA Trade Deadline

9 – Super Bowl (New Orleans)

12 – MLB Pitchers & Catchers Report to Spring Training

12-15 – 4 Nations Face-Off (NHL) (Montreal)

14-16 – NBA All-Star Weekend (San Fran)

17 – 4 Nations Face-Off – Semis (Boston)

20 – 4 Nations Face-Off – Championship (Boston)

March 2025

8 – Final Regular Season Games in College Basketball

12-15 – BIG EAST Championship (The Garden, NYC)

16 – NCAA Men’s Selection Sunday

18-19 – MLB Tokyo Series (Cubs v. Dodgers) – Tokyo, Japan

18-19 – NCAA Men’s First Four (Dayton)

20-23 – NCAA First and Second Rounds

27 – MLB Opening Day

27-30 – Sweet 16/Elite 8 – NCAA Basketball – (ATL, NJ, INDY, SF)

April 2025:

4 – Boston Red Sox home opener (vs St. Louis)

5-7 – NCAA Men’s Final Four (San Antonio)

21 – Patriots’ Day/Boston Marathon

DIGITAL SPORTS DESK’S ALL NFL FANTASY TEAM: Here are the best players in NFL Fantasy Football for the 2024-25 season:

  • QB – Josh Allen
  • QB – Lamar Jackson
  • QB – Joe Burrow
  • RB – Saquon Barkley
  • RB – Derrick Henry
  • WR – Ja’Marr Chase
  • WR – Justin Jefferson
  • WR – Amon-Ra St. Brown
  • TE – Brock Bowers
  • TE – George Kittle
  • PK – Chris Boswell
  • PK – Brandon Aubrey
  • DT – Broncos
  • DT – Vikings

NFL: Bengals Stay Alive

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PITTSBURGH – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Cincinnati QB Joe Burrow passed for 277 yards and one touchdown and the Cincinnati Bengals remained alive in the AFC playoff race by notching a 19-17 victory over the host Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night.

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Ja’Marr Chase had 10 receptions for 96 yards and one touchdown and Cade York kicked four field goals as Cincinnati (9-8) won its fifth consecutive contest. The Bengals need the Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins to lose their respective games on Sunday to nab a playoff berth.

Russell Wilson was 17-of-31 passing for 148 yards and one touchdown for Pittsburgh (10-7), which had just 193 total yards while losing its fourth straight game. The Steelers were eliminated from the AFC North race earlier Saturday when Baltimore defeated Cleveland.

Najee Harris rushed for a touchdown and Pat Freiermuth had eight receptions for 85 yards and a touchdown for Pittsburgh, which will either be the No. 5 or No. 6 seed in the playoffs.

Chase is on his way to becoming the fifth player since 1970 to win the receiving Triple Crown. He finishes the regular season with 127 receptions, 1,708 yards and 17 touchdown catches.

Trey Hendrickson had 3.5 sacks for the Bengals to raise his season output to an NFL-high 17.5.

The Steelers had just 91 offensive yards through three quarters but came alive in the fourth with a nine-play, 65-yard drive. Wilson capped it with a 19-yard touchdown pass to Freiermuth to bring Pittsburgh within 19-14 with 8:07 left.

The hosts later received a break when a punt hit the foot of Cincinnati’s DJ Ivey and was recovered by Connor Heyward at the Bengals’ 38-yard line. But Pittsburgh settled for Chris Boswell’s 54-yard field goal to move within two with 2:39 remaining.

The Steelers got the ball back with 1:51 left, but Wilson’s pass on fourth down from the Pittsburgh 40-yard line went off the hands of Freiermuth.

Burrow was 37-of-46 passing with an interception. He completed his first 12 throws, including all six on Cincinnati’s first drive, ending it with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Chase.

York booted a 48-yard field goal to make it 10-0 with 1:24 left in the first quarter. The Steelers got on the board when Harris scored from the 1-yard line with 9:54 left in the second.

York kicked a 27-yarder with 16 seconds left as Cincinnati held a 13-7 halftime lead. He hit from 35 yards with 6:56 remaining in the third quarter and made a 23-yarder with 11:02 left in the game to make it 19-7.

–Field Level Media

NFL: Pats Lose, Bengals Alive

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Chargers 40, Patriots 7

FOXBOROUGH – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – LA QB Justin Herbert passed for 281 yards and a season-high three touchdowns and the Los Angeles Chargers clinched an AFC playoff berth with a dominating victory over New England in foggy Massachusetts.

Ladd McConkey caught eight passes for 94 yards and two touchdowns and Derwin James had two sacks and a fumble recovery for the Chargers (10-6), who are playoff-bound in Jim Harbaugh’s first season as coach. Derius Davis also had a scoring catch, J.K. Dobbins rushed for 76 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries and Cameron Dicker booted four field goals.Herbert completed 26 of 38 passes as the Chargers improved to 3-12 all-time in Foxborough, including playoffs.

Drake Maye completed 12 of 22 passes for 117 yards and one touchdown for New England (3-13), which lost its sixth consecutive game. DeMario Douglas caught a scoring pass for the Patriots.

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Bengals 30, Broncos 24

CINCINNATI – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Cincinnati QB Joe Burrow threw three touchdown passes to Tee Higgins, including a game-winning scoring strike with 1:07 left in overtime, to give the host Bengals an electrifying 30-24 win over the Denver Broncos on Saturday.

Cade York could have given Cincinnati (8-8) the win with 2:43 to go in the extra session, but his 33-yard field-goal attempt hit the left upright. The Bengals’ defense buckled down, though, forcing Denver to go three-and-out to get Burrow, Higgins and the rest of the offense back out on the field.

Cincinnati proceeded to go 63 yards in five plays, with Higgins’ 3-yard TD catch giving the Bengals their fourth straight victory. Higgins finished with 11 catches for 131 yards.

Marvin Mims Jr. forced overtime by hauling in a 25-yard score on fourth-and-1 to draw the Broncos (9-7) even at 24 with eight seconds left in regulation. Burrow had put Cincinnati in front by plunging into the end zone from 1 yard out just 1:21 earlier.

Burrow completed 39 of 49 passes for 412 yards and the three touchdowns while Ja’Marr Chase had nine catches for 102 yards and set a single-season franchise record for receptions. He now has 117. Tight end Mike Gesicki played a key role in the Cincinnati passing game, grabbing a season-high 10 catches for 86 yards.

Rams 13, Cardinals 9

Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon intercepted a pass in the end zone with 37 seconds left to preserve Los Angeles’ win over Arizona in Inglewood, Calif.

Witherspoon made a diving catch after the ball bounced high off the helmet of Arizona tight end Trey McBride on the pass attempt by Kyler Murray. The Rams (10-6), who lead the NFC West by one game, have won five straight, while the Cardinals (7-9) have lost five of their last six. Los Angeles could clinch a playoff berth on Sunday depending on the outcome of other games.

Matthew Stafford threw for 189 yards while completing 17 of 32 pass attempts without a touchdown or interception. Puka Nacua finished with 10 receptions for 129 yards. Murray was 33 of 48 for 321 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. McBride made 12 catches for 123 yards to surpass 1,000 yards for the first time in his three NFL seasons.

-Field Level Media