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NFL (American Football)

Houston’s Will Anderson stresses “We can’t afford losses to teams like the Titans and Jets.”

Sam Darnold runs from Will Anderson Jr. in the 2nd half

For the second year in a row, the Houston Texans’ season ended in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. While reaching this stage is an accomplishment, their 23-14 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday was far from what they had hoped for after entering 2024 with Super Bowl aspirations.

Unexpected Playoff Run

At the start of their playoff journey, few expected the Texans to make it past the Wild Card Weekend. However, their impressive 38-10 victory over the Chargers gave fans and players alike hope that they could live up to their expectations. The Texans had a strong showing in their Divisional Round matchup with the Chiefs, even bringing the game within a single point late in the third quarter. Despite falling short, the team found motivation in the loss.

Staying Positive for 2025

Instead of feeling discouraged, the Texans are energized for the future. Edge rusher Will Anderson expressed confidence in the team’s potential, saying, “We’re right there. I don’t care what nobody says. This is a fantastic team. We’ve got our quarterback. We’ve got everything we need. We’ve got to keep stacking and keep persevering. We have a squad. We have a great team. We just gotta keep finding ways.” He emphasized that winning requires finding ways to overcome challenges, just like the top teams in the AFC do.

A Strong Defense

The Texans’ defense became a key factor in their success toward the end of the 2024 season. Their four takeaways against the Chargers were critical in securing the victory. Anderson played a major role in the defense’s success and knows the team’s focus should now be on improving in other areas to achieve their ultimate goal in 2025.

Focus on Regular-Season Wins

Anderson believes that one key to the Texans’ future success is winning regular-season games, especially those against teams like the Titans and Jets, which could cost them valuable home-field advantage.

“We can’t lose to these teams like the Titans and Jets. We’ve got to beat Detroit. We can’t suffer losses. We’ve got to get homefield advantage,” Anderson stated. For the Texans to achieve their top goal of securing a Super Bowl spot, securing home-field advantage during the regular season will be crucial.

New York Jets players in the 2nd quarter

Struggles in the Divisional Round

In the past two years, the Texans have finished the regular season with a 10-7 record, winning the AFC South and earning the right to host a Wild Card game. While they have performed well in those games, their success has not carried over into the Divisional Round. Last year, they lost to Baltimore, and this year, they were defeated by the Chiefs.

Despite the disappointing end, the Texans are focused on fixing key issues and improving in 2025. Injuries played a big role in their struggles this season, as the team dealt with significant losses on both offense and defense.

They lost key players such as Stefon Diggs to an ACL tear, Nico Collins to injury (though he returned later), and Tank Dell, who suffered a season-ending injury for the second year in a row. Joe Mixon also missed time with ankle injuries. Additionally, their offensive line was inconsistent throughout the season, which hindered quarterback C.J. Stroud’s ability to lead the team effectively.

The Importance of Health and Depth

While injuries are a part of the game, they are always challenging to overcome. The best teams, however, are those that are able to manage these setbacks by adding quality depth to their roster. This is something the Texans will focus on heading into the 2025 season. Ensuring they have sufficient depth and are able to stay healthier will be a major part of their offseason strategy.

Offensive Line Concerns

One of the most pressing areas for improvement is the offensive line. Stroud was sacked 52 times during the 2024 regular season, and he took eight sacks during the postseason loss to the Chiefs. This performance ties his career high for sacks in a single game, which occurred earlier in the season against the Jets. Improving the offensive line should be a top priority for the Texans as they look to better protect Stroud and give their offense more opportunities to succeed.

Looking Ahead to 2025

The Texans are confident that they are close to reaching their goals, but they understand that the final step can often be the hardest. As they enter the 2025 offseason, Anderson and the rest of the organization are focused on finding a way to clear the final hurdle and push further into the playoffs. With the right improvements, they believe they have the team capable of making a deeper run in the postseason and possibly reaching the Super Bowl in the near future.

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NFL (American Football)

Cooper Kupp still has plenty of football ahead of him, but whether it’s with the Rams in Los Angeles is beyond his control

Cooper Kupp warms up before the game

Cooper Kupp, a wide receiver for the Los Angeles Rams, said on Monday that he is certain he wants to play football next season. While he would love to stay in L.A., he understands that the decisions made this offseason are out of his control.

Kupp shared in the Rams’ final locker room meeting of the season, “I feel like I’ve got a lot of good football left in me. I’ll be playing football next year. That much I know.”

He addressed the trade rumors that came up during the season, noting, “Who knows what’s going to happen? That’s out of my control. And we will see what it’s going to be. … I don’t have any clarity on what that’s going to look like or anything like that. So yeah, obviously would love to be in L.A., but I don’t know what that’s going to look like.”

Kupp has two years left on the contract extension he signed in 2022, which includes $5 million guaranteed for 2025. If the Rams decide to cut him this offseason, they could save $15 million in cash and $7.52 million on their salary cap.

However, if they release him without the post-June 1 option, the team would take on $22.2 million in dead money because of the remaining prorated portion of his signing bonus and $5 million of his roster bonus.

Kupp’s best season came in 2021, when he won the receiving triple crown and was named the Super Bowl LVI MVP. This season, Kupp recorded 67 catches for 710 yards and six touchdowns in 12 regular-season games. He missed four games after injuring his ankle in Week 2 and did not play in the final game of the regular season after the Rams had already secured the NFC West title.

Cooper Kupp makes a catch in the 1st half

It was frustrating

Kupp said the season was “frustrating” for both him personally and the offense as a whole. Even though the Rams won 10 out of their final 14 games after starting with a 1-4 record, the offense still struggled to be consistent.

He explained, “There’s all these things you’re weathering through offensively, things that I feel like, man, we should be better than the product we’re putting out there in terms of the production and the points that are being scored.

And then just for me personally feeling like, man, there’s things, I’m watching film, feeling good about football and playing, but productionwise it’s not showing up. And a lot of stuff’s outside of my control. And it is frustrating.”

In the Rams’ season-ending loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Kupp had five catches for 61 yards. Before that game, in the five previous games, he had only 10 targets, five catches, 82 receiving yards, and no touchdowns. In the first nine games of the season, Kupp had five or more targets in each game, finishing with 63 catches, 657 yards, and six touchdowns.

Kupp said, “Obviously I want to be able to feel like I’m impacting games, and that’s done on a much more discreet level, I feel like, for a lot of these games. And that is what it is, but I can look back on the season and be happy with what I put on tape and things that I was being asked to do, feel like I was executing my job. And that’s all you can do.”

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NFL (American Football)

Jets to Meet with Lions DC Aaron Glenn in New York on Tuesday, Aiming to Secure Him as Head Coach

Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn watches a play

The New York Jets are focused on hiring their next head coach, and they seem to have their top candidate in mind. According to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is visiting the Jets on Tuesday, and the team aims to make sure he doesn’t leave without an offer.

Although the deal isn’t finalized and there are still some details to sort out, Glenn could be named the head coach by the end of the day if everything goes smoothly.

This will be Glenn’s second interview with the Jets, as he previously met with them virtually while the Lions were still in the playoffs. Glenn has received interview requests from six of the seven teams that had head coach openings, and he has second interviews scheduled with both the Jets and the New Orleans Saints. If Tuesday’s interview doesn’t lead to a hiring, Glenn is set to visit New Orleans next.

Glenn has a strong history with the Jets. He was drafted by the team in the first round of the NFL draft and played for them for eight of his 15 seasons, making two Pro Bowl appearances. After his playing career, Glenn began his coaching journey with the Jets in 2012 when they hired him as a scout.

New York Jets players celebrate after a touchdown in the 2nd half

Since then, he has worked with the Cleveland Browns, New Orleans Saints, and Detroit Lions, where he has been the defensive coordinator for the last four years.

Glenn had also interviewed for head coach positions during last offseason but chose to return to Detroit for the 2024 season. His coaching ability was praised as he helped lead the Lions’ defense through an injury-filled season.

Under his guidance, the defense ranked seventh in scoring, allowed the second-lowest completion percentage in the league (61.1%), and had the lowest passer rating (82.0). They also finished fifth in rushing yards allowed per game (98.4), helping the Lions achieve a 15-2 record and the NFC North title.

If Glenn does become the Jets’ next head coach, either on Tuesday or after further discussions, he will take over a team at a critical point. The Jets need to make important decisions about veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers and their younger talent as they look to return to playoff contention.

The Jets are also still in the process of hiring a new general manager, a search that has included 15 interviews so far. Once that decision is made, it will likely set the next steps for the team’s future direction.

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NBA (Basketball)

Liverpool Owners, Fenway Sports Group, Eye NBA Champion Boston Celtics for Potential Purchase

FSG chief John W. Henry is looking to expand their sporting portfolio

Fenway Sports Group (FSG), the Boston-based company that owns the Boston Red Sox in Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Pittsburgh Penguins in the National Hockey League (NHL), is reportedly eyeing the purchase of the NBA’s Boston Celtics.

Last July, following their victory in the NBA Finals, the Celtics officially announced that the Grousbeck family, the current owners, were looking to sell the team. According to reports from the Globe, FSG is one of several potential buyers, with claims that around “four or five” bidders have emerged in the process.

The first round of bidding for the Celtics is set to close on January 23rd, and the team’s governor, Wyc Grousbeck, will decide which bid to move forward with. If no final decision is made, the two highest bids may proceed to a second round. The selling price for the team is expected to exceed £5 billion ($6 billion).

Boston Celtics (NBA)

The successful bidders will take over one of the NBA’s most prestigious teams, which is also an immediate title contender. Along with the team, they would inherit one of the most expensive rosters in the league, currently sitting among the top three in terms of costs, and it is already in the luxury tax zone.

FSG, known for their diverse sports investments, made a significant move last year when they were part of a group that invested £2.4 billion ($3 billion) into the PGA Tour. Meanwhile, FSG’s football club, Liverpool, is also performing well, sitting at the top of the Premier League. They are still in contention for the League Cup, FA Cup, and Champions League. Despite this, FSG only signed one player, Federico Chiesa, during the previous summer transfer window.

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NFL (American Football)

Ron Torbert Selected as Referee for Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans

Veteran NFL official Ron Torbert

Veteran NFL official Ron Torbert has been named the referee for Super Bowl LIX, set to take place on February 9 in New Orleans, as announced by the NFL on Tuesday.

The officiating team for the big game will also include umpire Mike Morton, down judge Max Causey, line judge Mark Stewart, field judge Mearl Robinson, side judge Boris Cheek, back judge Jonah Monroe, and replay official Kevin Brown.

This will be Torbert’s second time officiating the Super Bowl, having previously served as the referee during Super Bowl LVI when the Los Angeles Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 in Inglewood, California. Torbert also officiated the NFC divisional round matchup between the Washington Commanders and the Detroit Lions, where the Commanders pulled off an upset win.

Officiating Controversies in Super Bowl XL
Officiating Controversies in Super Bowl XL

Cheek, a seasoned official, will be working his fourth Super Bowl. He was part of Torbert’s crew in 2022 and became the all-time leader in NFL games officiated on December 30, surpassing Walt Coleman with 461 games.

Morton brings a unique background to the crew, having played as a linebacker for the St. Louis Rams during their Super Bowl XXXIV win over the Tennessee Titans following the 1999 season. Morton transitioned into officiating in 2022, and in his day job, he works as a dentist in North Carolina.

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FEATURED

X Games Aspen Returns to Buttermilk Mountain with Thrilling Ski and Snowboard Action

X Games Aspen Returns to Buttermilk Mountain with Thrilling Ski and Snowboard Action

X Games Aspen, one of the biggest events in action sports, will take place at Buttermilk Mountain from January 23 to 25. Over 100 top athletes in skiing and snowboarding will compete, showcasing their skills in thrilling events such as SuperPipe, Slopestyle, Big Air, and Knuckle Huck.

Fans can look forward to exciting competitions, and there will be opportunities for exclusive access to prime seating for a better viewing experience. The event invites attendees to fully immerse themselves in the action, including exciting challenges like Ski Knuckle Huck, Ski Big Air, and Snowboard Big Air. Expect a high-energy atmosphere with incredible performances and thrilling moves from athletes.

X Games Aspen 2025 will feature a variety of events, including Snowboard SuperPipe, Snowboard Slopestyle, Ski Slopestyle, Ski Street Style, Snowboard Knuckle Huck, and Snowboard Street Style. Fans will witness athletes performing jaw-dropping stunts and displaying unmatched athleticism in these highly anticipated events.

In addition to the competitions, the event offers a vibrant atmosphere with live music, sponsor activations, athlete meet-and-greets, delicious food options, and a beer garden. General Admission tickets allow access to all concerts, creating a festival-like vibe that complements the thrilling sports events.

This year’s lineup of athletes is prepared to push their limits, with challenges ranging from mastering the Ski Knuckle Huck course to executing gravity-defying maneuvers in Big Air. Spectators will be treated to incredible performances, driven by the energy of a passionate crowd.

Monster Energy Men’s Superpipe Competition 2024

The music lineup for X Games Aspen 2025 is also exciting, with live performances from renowned artists such as deadmau5, Big Gigantic, ILLENIUM, and Daily Bread. General Admission tickets will also grant entry to these performances, athlete meet-and-greets, and more, offering fans non-stop entertainment.

Since its beginning in 1995, X Games has become a major event for action sports. Originally known as The Extreme Games in Providence, Rhode Island, it has grown into an iconic event with both summer and winter editions. The event now attracts the best athletes from around the world and has expanded to include gaming events and interactive festival villages, offering a unique mix of adventure and entertainment.

In its early years, the X Games attracted around 100,000 attendees. Today, X Games Aspen continues to draw tens of thousands of fans annually, solidifying its place as a must-attend event for sports enthusiasts and fans alike.

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Motorsport

Rolex 24 at Daytona to Mark Start of IMSA SportsCar Season in Florida

Rolex 24 at Daytona to Mark Start of IMSA SportsCar Season in Florida

Daytona International Speedway is known as “The World Center of Racing” all year, but during the last two weeks of January, it truly lives up to its name. The track’s garage is filled with a mix of diverse accents and high-tech machines as drivers from all over the world take turns behind the wheel of cars that are shared during the 24-hour race.

The prestigious Rolex 24 at Daytona, which has been a major event for 63 years, brings together renowned drivers and luxury automakers to race on the track’s 3.56-mile road course.

The Rolex 24 is celebrated for its rich history in motorsports, and the 2025 event will showcase a field of 61 cars, including some of the world’s best drivers, such as those who have won at Daytona, Indianapolis, Le Mans, and other iconic tracks. This race has earned a reputation similar to the “International Race of Champions,” with competitors from NASCAR, Formula One, IndyCar, Formula E, and the World Endurance Championship coming together to race in a challenging, round-the-clock event.

Ricky Taylor, who won the overall Rolex 24 in 2017 and 2021, commented on how exciting it is to race with legendary drivers like Jeff Gordon, Fernando Alonso, and Scott Dixon.

These drivers, who have won prestigious events like the Monaco Grand Prix, Indy 500, and Coca-Cola 600, have shown that winning the Rolex 24 is a true mark of achievement. For drivers, racing alongside these superstars is a unique experience that provides an opportunity to learn from the best.

There are several reasons the Rolex 24 continues to be such an important event in motorsports:

It’s highly coveted and tough to win: Many of the biggest names in American motorsports, including Gordon, Dan Gurney, Mario Andretti, and AJ Foyt, have won at Daytona. However, many NASCAR champions, such as Jimmie Johnson, Kurt Busch, Tony Stewart, Kyle Busch, and Dale Earnhardt Jr., have fallen short in their pursuit of the trophy. The challenge of winning comes from the difficulty of sharing a car with multiple drivers and the risk of errors in the heat of competition, especially during the early hours of the race.

Aston Martin (Aston Martin)

The race has a rich history: The Rolex 24’s history began in 1962 when NASCAR founder Bill France created the Daytona Continental. France’s vision was to bring together top drivers from various racing disciplines at his new speedway, and this continues today with the Rolex 24, which has become a must-attend event in motorsports.

This year, an example of this global mix will be seen in the Trackhouse Racing Corvette, which will have two American drivers, Ben Keating and Connor Zilisch, alongside two New Zealand drivers, Shane van Gisbergen and Scott McLaughlin. Van Gisbergen, a four-time NASCAR winner, and McLaughlin, a seven-time IndyCar winner, will race together in their sixth and third Rolex 24 starts, respectively.

The cars are also stars: The Rolex 24 has been a battleground for manufacturers since the 1960s, including the iconic “Ford vs. Ferrari” rivalry. This competition continues with new cars and hybrid engines introduced in 2023, allowing teams to vie for wins at both Daytona and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Automakers like BMW, Porsche, Lamborghini, Acura, and Cadillac are competing in the top division of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, with Aston Martin set to join in future events. In the GT classes, which feature production-based models, a variety of brands, including Ford, Chevrolet, Ferrari, Lexus, Mercedes, BMW, Lamborghini, and Aston Martin, are all represented.

With such a strong history, a star-studded lineup of drivers, and some of the best cars in the world, the Rolex 24 at Daytona is one of the most prestigious endurance races in motorsports. It serves as the perfect way to kick off the motorsports season, with all eyes on Daytona for an exciting and competitive event.

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Cricket

Abhishek and Varun Star in India’s Dominant Win Over England in Kolkata

Varun Chakravarthy's three-wicket haul dented England

India defeated England by seven wickets in the first T20I at Eden Gardens, with a dominant performance led by Abhishek Sharma. Abhishek’s explosive 79 off just 34 balls guided India to chase down England’s total of 132 with 43 balls to spare.

Abhishek’s knock was the highlight of the match, marking his third fifty-plus score in T20 internationals. India’s bowlers also played key roles in restricting England’s total.

Arshdeep Singh took 2 wickets for 17 runs in the early overs, while Varun Chakravarthy followed up with 3 wickets for 23 runs in the middle overs, dismissing England for just 132. England’s attempts to mark Brendon McCullum’s first match as coach with an attacking approach fell short.

Jos Buttler was the standout for England, scoring 68 runs from 52 balls, his 26th T20I half-century. Without Buttler’s contribution, England’s score could have been much lower. England’s innings started poorly when they lost the toss to Suryakumar Yadav. The conditions in Kolkata were moist with dew setting in early, and both captains wanted to bowl, but only India had the chance.

Arshdeep made the most of the early conditions, removing both England openers—Phil Salt and Ben Duckett—in his first 11 deliveries. This took Arshdeep’s career T20I wicket tally to 97, making him India’s top wicket-taker in the format, surpassing Yuzvendra Chahal.

Phil Salt and Jacob Bethell share a laugh during their partnership

By the time Buttler was dismissed in the 17th over, he had scored 68 of England’s 109 runs, with only Harry Brook reaching double figures before Jofra Archer added 12 runs from No. 9. Buttler and Brook formed a partnership of 48 runs to rebuild England’s innings, but Varun broke it up with his googlies.

Varun dismissed Brook and Liam Livingstone in quick succession, and his third wicket was Buttler, who was caught in the deep square leg.

When India began their chase, England briefly seemed to have a chance after Archer removed Sanju Samson and Suryakumar Yadav for ducks in the fifth over. Archer, who bowled all four of his overs in a row, was the best of England’s bowlers, taking 2 wickets for 21 runs.

However, Abhishek Sharma was not deterred. Though he was dropped on 29 by Adil Rashid, he reached his half-century just four balls later. Rashid eventually dismissed him, but India was well on their way to securing a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. The final blow came when Tilak Varma hit a top-edged four off Mark Wood’s bouncer, sealing the win for India.

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FEATURED

Florida State Athletics to Hire Josh Turner from Georgia Southern as CFO and Deputy AD in Tallahassee

Florida State Athletics to Hire Josh Turner from Georgia Southern as CFO and Deputy AD in Tallahassee

College athletics is expected to undergo significant changes this offseason due to the House-NCAA settlement. This will bring about annual revenue sharing, starting with a $20.5 million cap in the 2025-26 season, with that amount set to increase by 4% each year. The final approval for the agreement is scheduled for April.

Florida State is taking proactive steps to prepare for these changes by adding a new member to its front office. According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, the Seminoles are finalizing a deal to hire Josh Turner, the Senior Associate Athletic Director at Georgia Southern. Turner will take on the role of Deputy Athletic Director and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in Tallahassee.

This move highlights Florida State’s commitment to staying ahead in the evolving world of college sports. Athletic Director Michael Alford’s approach has already earned praise from head coach Mike Norvell, who spoke about it during a booster call earlier this month.

“He is a visionary, and trying to think a step ahead of the things that are needed, the things that we need to put ourselves in position for, and then to be able to adapt and adjust when the times do change,” Norvell said.

Turner’s experience includes serving as CFO during his time at Georgia Southern in 2024. He was also part of the Director of Athletics Executive team and supervised volleyball and baseball. Turner started his athletics administration career at Georgia Southern in 2020 as a Budget Analyst.

FSU to hire Josh Turner as deputy athletic director and CFO

He played an important role in hiring head coaches and was involved in the development and execution of the Athletics Strategic Plan and Facilities Master Plan.

Before Georgia Southern, Turner spent two years at the University of Miami from 2022 to 2024 as the Assistant Athletics Director for Business Operations. There, he managed a $164 million operating budget, the largest in Miami Athletics history. Turner also served as the primary liaison for the football budget and worked with university, executive, and ACC personnel.

Turner’s career also includes experience as a strategy analyst with the E15 Group, where he worked with the Tampa Bay Rays (MLB), and as a baseball program manager and enrollment coordinator at IMG Academy. He also interned with the Salem Red Sox and worked as a pro scout for Baseball Prospectus.

Turner earned his bachelor’s degree from Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida, where he also played college baseball. He will replace Ross Cobb, who has served as the Senior Associate Athletic Director/CFO at Florida State since 2019.

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NFL (American Football)

Eagles Secure NFC Championship Spot with Win Over Rams in Philadelphia

Saquon Barkley sits in the snow in the 2nd half

Saquon Barkley had an incredible performance in the snow, scoring two long touchdowns, one of 78 yards and another of 62 yards, finishing with a total of 205 rushing yards. Jalen Hurts also contributed with a 44-yard touchdown run.

Despite some challenges, the Philadelphia Eagles managed to hold on and defeat the Los Angeles Rams 28-22 on Sunday, advancing to the NFC Championship Game for the second time in three seasons.

Barkley’s 62-yard touchdown came in the first half, and then in the fourth quarter, he ran 78 yards for another score. As he crossed into the end zone, he celebrated by smacking his helmet and flapping his arms before sliding into the snow.

The Eagles will now face the Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship Game next Sunday after the Commanders upset the top-seeded Detroit Lions. The Eagles are currently favored by 5.5 points in the matchup.

“The elements were great, but the atmosphere was even better,” Barkley said. “Our fans were amazing. That was a close one, but that’s playoff football. And at the end of the day, we got the job done.”

The Rams put up a strong fight, thanks in part to two missed extra points by Eagles kicker Jake Elliott. Matthew Stafford threw for 324 yards, keeping the Rams in the game with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Colby Parkinson that made the score 28-22.

The Rams had a chance to tie the game with two minutes left, as Stafford completed passes of 11 and 37 yards to move into Eagles’ territory. But Stafford was sacked by Jalen Carter on third down, and his fourth-down pass was incomplete, ending their hopes of a comeback.

The Rams also committed multiple turnovers in the fourth quarter. One was a fumble by running back Kyren Williams, which led to a field goal for the Eagles, and another was a strip-sack of Stafford, leading to another Elliott field goal that gave Philadelphia a 22-15 lead.

The Eagles are set to host the NFC Championship Game for the fifth time since Lincoln Financial Field opened in 2003.

As snow continued to fall, Eagles defenders celebrated by making snow angels in the end zone after the turnovers. Some dedicated fans braved the cold, even going shirtless, while Santa Claus made an appearance without any reports of snowball throwing.

Stadium workers used snowblowers to clear the yard lines and hash marks, and the Eagles cleared the snow in the area where Elliott would kick his field goals.

Philadelphia Eagles players celebrate after a touchdown

Hurts threw for just 128 yards and struggled with mobility in the second half after being fitted with a knee brace. He didn’t miss any snaps but was easily tackled when he was sacked seven times. Hurts had previously suffered a concussion in a loss to Washington in December, causing him to miss two games. That was the only loss the Eagles had after returning from their bye with a 2-2 record.

“It comes through Philly. That means everything for this city, this team, and we’ve got everything we want in front of us,” Hurts said.

At halftime, Barkley had 118 total yards, but the Rams’ defense, which had recently recorded nine sacks against the Minnesota Vikings, sacked Hurts three times in the first half. Hurts was sacked twice on consecutive plays to end the half, knocking the Eagles out of field goal range.

The Eagles used a similar strategy to their November win over the Rams in Los Angeles, relying on big plays. Barkley had touchdown runs of 70 and 72 yards in that game, and in this one, his runs helped push the Eagles to victory.

Hurts had the longest touchdown run of his career with a 44-yarder on the fifth play of the game, getting the crowd fired up. However, Elliott missed an extra point following the touchdown.

The Rams responded with a 4-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to Tyler Higbee, who had been hospitalized earlier in the week for a chest injury. Barkley then gave the Eagles a 13-7 lead with his 62-yard touchdown run.

He slowed down near the end zone and looked back at Rams linebacker Jared Verse, mocking him for trailing behind. Barkley’s run was his fifth of the season of 50 or more yards, and he became the first player to score three touchdowns of 60-plus yards against a single team since Jamal Lewis did it against the Browns in 2003.

Verse, a rookie linebacker and Pennsylvania native, had stirred up some tension before the game by taunting Eagles fans. His actions didn’t sit well with the Philly crowd, who booed him during warm-ups and after the big screen showed him sitting on the bench.

Joshua Karty kicked two field goals in the first half for the Rams. Meanwhile, Elliott redeemed himself with a 44-yard field goal in the third quarter, giving the Eagles a 16-13 lead.

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NFL (American Football)

Travis Kelce Elevates Game in Chiefs’ Playoff Victory in Kansas City

Travis Kelce celebrates after catching a pass

Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs once again saw Travis Kelce step up as they entered the postseason, with the star tight end becoming what Mahomes called “Playoff Trav.”

“This is what he lives for, is playing in these moments, having the chance to make big-time plays,” Mahomes said after Kelce played a key role in the Chiefs’ 23-14 win over the Houston Texans in the divisional round of the playoffs. Kelce was responsible for almost half of the Chiefs’ receptions and more than half of their receiving yards in the game.

“He goes out there and does that, and it seems like he does it in every single playoff game,” Mahomes added. “He doesn’t let the moment be bigger than what it is. He just goes out there and executes at a high level just like he does in a regular-season game. He just does that with a little bit higher intensity.”

Kelce caught seven passes for 117 yards, including an 11-yard touchdown reception from Mahomes in the fourth quarter. It was his first 100-yard game of the season and marked the ninth of his playoff career, setting an NFL record.

In fact, Kelce has exceeded his regular-season average for receiving yards per game in every playoff game since 2020. Against the Texans, he more than doubled his season average of 56 receiving yards per game.

Kelce couldn’t really explain why his playoff performances have been so successful. “I wish it was some type of switch or something like that that I just turned on in the playoffs,” he said.

Kelce was one of several Chiefs players who had not played since their Christmas Day win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, which secured the AFC’s top playoff seed. At 35 years old, Kelce said the long break before the playoffs helped him feel refreshed, and Mahomes agreed.

Patrick Mahomes
Patrick Mahomes (NFL)

“It helped Travis a ton just because he’s an older guy and he plays a very, very tough position on the body,” Mahomes said. “It’s not like he’s just sitting on the couch. He’s working out and kind of just taking those reps off, so for him it’s just been getting himself ready to go.

We’ve been practicing, we’ve been working at practice and then we go out there and he plays fast and takes his game to a new level.”

One of Kelce’s biggest plays in the game was a 49-yard catch that set up the Chiefs’ first touchdown. After catching the ball, he ran for 36 yards, most of which came as he avoided a defender who had an opportunity to tackle him right after the catch.

“It just felt good to finally make a guy miss this year,” Kelce said.

Kelce was eventually brought down at the Houston 6-yard line. Wide receiver Xavier Worthy pointed out that early in Kelce’s career, he would have likely scored a touchdown on that play. Kelce agreed.

As for evading defenders, Mahomes added, “Those tacklers that tackle him in the regular season don’t tackle him in the playoffs.”

The touchdown pass from Mahomes to Kelce gave the Chiefs a 20-12 lead. It marked the 20th career playoff touchdown connection between the two, but few of them have been as spectacular as this one. Mahomes found Kelce for the score while Mahomes was falling to the ground after being hit and seemingly about to be sacked.

Defensive tackle Chris Jones, who has been with the Chiefs for all 20 touchdown passes from Mahomes to Kelce, wasn’t surprised by the play. “Just when you think you’ve got them, you don’t,” Jones said.

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NFL (American Football)

Chiefs Gear Up for AFC Championship Showdown with Bills in Kansas City

Kansas City Chiefs players celebrates after a touchdown

Tight end Travis Kelce set several records this season and broke another one after the Kansas City Chiefs’ win over the Houston Texans on Saturday.

Kelce finished the game with seven catches for 117 yards in the Chiefs’ divisional-round playoff victory. This marked his ninth career 100-yard game in the postseason.

By performing so well against the Texans, Kelce broke a record previously held by the legendary San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice, who had eight 100-yard playoff games throughout his career.

Buffalo Bills players celebrate after the win

The Chiefs’ public relations account acknowledged Kelce’s remarkable achievement with a post on Twitter:

Fans can expect Kelce to keep adding to his list of postseason accomplishments when Kansas City faces the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, January 26.

Stay tuned to see how the former Cincinnati Bearcat performs against Buffalo’s tough defense in the AFC Championship Game.