The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering a new phase with the retirement of their longtime coach Mike Tomlin. They might also trade for wide receiver George Pickens from the Dallas Cowboys, giving up their No. 21 draft pick in exchange.
Key Facts
Mike Tomlin is retiring as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Tomlin never had a losing season during his time with the Steelers since 2007.
Aaron Rodgers is not expected to stay with the Steelers following Tomlin's departure.
The Steelers are considering improving their roster, especially in the wide receiver position.
They are linked to a potential trade for wide receiver George Pickens from the Dallas Cowboys.
In exchange for Pickens, Pittsburgh might give away their No. 21 overall draft pick.
George Pickens had a strong season with Dallas, recording 93 catches for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns after being traded from Pittsburgh.
Five-star quarterback DJ Lagway decided to leave the Florida Gators and has signed with Baylor University for the 2026 season. Lagway played two seasons in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) before entering the transfer portal and choosing Baylor, his father's alma mater. He was also pursued by other schools, including Duke, before finalizing his decision.
Key Facts
DJ Lagway is a five-star quarterback recruit.
He played two years for the Florida Gators in the SEC.
Lagway entered the transfer portal to find a new school for the 2026 season.
He decided to commit to Baylor University, where his father once played.
Duke showed interest in Lagway after their quarterback decided to transfer.
Lagway officially signed with Baylor despite interest from other programs.
During his time at Florida, Lagway threw for 4,179 yards and 28 touchdowns.
He also had 23 interceptions during his tenure with the Gators.
The Denver Broncos are facing challenges as their starting quarterback, Bo Nix, is injured. Former NFL player Richard Sherman suggested that the Broncos could consider asking retired quarterback Tom Brady to play, although Brady last played in 2022. The team is likely to proceed with backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham for their upcoming game.
Key Facts
The Broncos' starting quarterback, Bo Nix, is out with a fractured ankle.
Richard Sherman joked about the idea of the Broncos asking Tom Brady to come out of retirement.
Tom Brady retired after the 2022 NFL season, where he played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Brady's last season included 4,694 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions.
Jarrett Stidham, a backup quarterback, is expected to lead the Broncos in their upcoming game.
The Broncos have only one week to prepare for their AFC Championship game.
Tom Brady is 48 years old and last won a Super Bowl with the Buccaneers in 2020.
The Denver Broncos won an important playoff game against the Buffalo Bills in overtime with a score of 33-30. Legendary players Peyton Manning and Shannon Sharpe were seen celebrating the victory in the stadium's box seats. The Broncos will now compete in the AFC Championship Game.
Key Facts
The Denver Broncos beat the Buffalo Bills 33-30 in overtime in the AFC Divisional Round.
Peyton Manning and Shannon Sharpe, both Broncos legends, attended and celebrated the win.
Will Lutz scored the game-winning field goal for the Broncos.
The game was watched by over 77,000 fans in the stadium.
Fans noticed Manning's enthusiasm for the Broncos despite his longer time with the Colts.
The Broncos will face either the Houston Texans or the New England Patriots next.
The Broncos' usual quarterback, Bo Nix, suffered a season-ending injury during the game.
Francesca Jones, a British tennis player, is preparing for the Australian Open after experiencing the best year of her career in 2025. Born with a rare genetic condition affecting her hands and feet, Jones overcame challenges and improved her ranking significantly, achieving direct entry into a Grand Slam and winning notable matches.
Key Facts
Francesca Jones is a British tennis player ranked world number 71.
Jones was born with Ectrodactyly Ectodermal Dysplasia (EEC), affecting her fingers and toes.
In 2024, she considered retiring if her ranking did not improve.
In 2025, she won two major tennis titles, entering the top 100 in world rankings.
She qualified for the US Open main draw for the first time after passing three qualifying rounds.
Jones achieved her career's biggest win by defeating world number 15 Emma Navarro.
In addition to tennis, Jones has interests in academics and has explored fields like financial advising.
Russell Wilson, a former Seattle Seahawks quarterback, reacted positively on social media to the Seahawks' win over the San Francisco 49ers in a playoff game. The victory allows the Seahawks to advance to the NFC Championship Game.
Key Facts
Russell Wilson no longer plays for the Seattle Seahawks; he is currently a backup quarterback for the New York Giants.
Wilson played 10 seasons with the Seahawks and led them to a Super Bowl win in 2014.
The Seahawks defeated the San Francisco 49ers with a score of 41-6 in the divisional playoff game.
This win puts the Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game.
Wilson expressed his support for the Seahawks' performance on social media.
During his time with the Seahawks, Wilson completed 65% of his passes and had significant rushing yards.
Wilson has played for three different teams over the past four seasons, including the Denver Broncos and the Pittsburgh Steelers, before joining the Giants.
He was the starting quarterback for the Giants at the beginning of the season but was replaced by rookie Jaxson Dart.
The article discusses the upcoming football games between the Texans and Patriots, and the Rams and Bears. It includes betting odds and predictions for these matches, as well as insight into player performances that could affect the outcomes.
Key Facts
The Texans play against the Patriots at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN/ABC.
The Rams face the Bears at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC/Peacock.
Betting odds favor the Patriots over the Texans.
The total points for the Texans-Patriots game are set at 40.5.
Drake Maye, a player for New England, is noted for his ability to rush with the ball.
The Bears hope for key defensive stops and strong play from Caleb Williams against the Rams.
Betting odds suggest the Rams are slightly favored over the Bears.
The Houston Texans will play against the New England Patriots in the AFC Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs. The game will take place on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at Gillette Stadium and will be broadcasted on ESPN and ABC.
Key Facts
Date and Time: Sunday, January 18, 2026, at 3:00 PM ET.
TV Channels: ESPN and ABC will broadcast the game.
Streaming Option: Fubo offers a free trial to stream the game live, with regional restrictions possibly applying.
Houston Texans won their first road playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, 30-6.
Texans' defense excelled, and their run game was led by Woody Marks.
New England Patriots won against the Chargers, 16-3, with strong performances by Drake Maye and their defense.
The game will take place at Gillette Stadium, with potential cold weather and snow that could affect play.
The winner of this game will advance to the AFC Championship.
Mike McDaniel, a former coach of the Miami Dolphins, will meet with the Cleveland Browns for a possible head coaching position. McDaniel, known for his offensive strategies, is expected to help improve the Browns' offense if hired. The Browns have a strong defense but need to improve their offense to compete better in the league.
Key Facts
Mike McDaniel is interviewing with the Cleveland Browns for a head coaching role.
McDaniel previously coached the Miami Dolphins but was let go after recent struggles.
The Browns have a strong defense, but their offense needs improvement.
McDaniel is known for his focus on offense, which could benefit the Browns.
Finding the right quarterback for McDaniel's system will be a key step if he is hired.
Other candidates for the position include Todd Monken, Grant Udinski, and Jeff Hafley.
Real Sociedad will play against Barcelona in a Spanish soccer league match at the Reale Arena. The game will be available to watch on ESPN+ on Sunday, January 18, 2025, at 3:00 PM ET. Barcelona, leading the league, is the favorite to win based on recent performances and statistics.
Key Facts
The match between Real Sociedad and Barcelona is part of the Spanish soccer league, La Liga.
The game will take place on Sunday, January 18, 2025, at 3:00 PM ET.
It will be available to watch on the ESPN+ streaming service.
Barcelona is currently at the top of the league standings and has not lost in several recent matches.
Real Sociedad is in the middle of the league table and has shown mixed performance results recently.
Barcelona defeated Real Sociedad 2-1 in their previous meeting.
Real Sociedad will rely on players like Mikel Oyarzabal to create scoring chances.
The betting odds favor Barcelona with odds of -180, while Real Sociedad’s odds are +425 for a win.
Aaron Rodgers is not expected to return to the Pittsburgh Steelers next season. Instead, he might join the Minnesota Vikings, who are considering him after their current quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, faced difficulties. Rodgers, a seasoned NFL player, still attracts interest from teams despite considering retirement.
Key Facts
Aaron Rodgers is unlikely to return to the Pittsburgh Steelers next season.
Rodgers had a good relationship with former Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.
The 2026 NFL Draft has a limited number of top quarterback prospects.
The Minnesota Vikings are interested in Rodgers due to J.J. McCarthy's struggles.
Rodgers would have Justin Jefferson as a primary receiver if he joins the Vikings.
The Vikings ended their season with a 9-8 record despite not making the playoffs.
Brett Favre, another former Packers quarterback, also played for the Vikings at the end of his career.
Former Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin announced he is stepping down, and the team is now looking for a new head coach. While many believe Tomlin deserves to enter the Hall of Fame, former Steelers player James Harrison disagrees, noting Tomlin's lack of a coaching "tree" of successors. Tomlin led the Steelers to a Super Bowl win and had a strong regular-season record, but his playoff performance was less successful.
Key Facts
Mike Tomlin, the former head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, stepped down from his role.
Tomlin was with the Steelers since 2007 and had a regular-season record of 193 wins, 114 losses, and 2 ties.
The Steelers won Super Bowl XLIII under Tomlin's leadership.
James Harrison, a former Steelers player, criticized Tomlin’s Hall of Fame credentials due to a lack of mentoring successors ("coaching tree").
Harrison argues that true coaching greatness involves winning championships and nurturing new successful coaches.
Tomlin had a playoff record of 8 wins and 12 losses.
Tomlin, known for his motivational skills, might return to coaching after taking at least a year off.
The Philadelphia Eagles have fired offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo after one season due to a disappointing performance in recent games. The team is looking to hire a new offensive coordinator and plans to interview Brian Daboll, the former head coach of the New York Giants. Head coach Nick Sirianni is leading the search for a replacement.
Key Facts
The Philadelphia Eagles fired their offensive coordinator, Kevin Patullo, after one season.
The decision followed the Eagles' loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the playoffs.
Head coach Nick Sirianni is responsible for finding a new offensive coordinator.
Brian Daboll, recently fired as head coach of the New York Giants, will be interviewed for the position.
Daboll has experience and has been successful in the NFL as an offensive coordinator.
Daboll is also being considered for other coaching positions, including a head coaching role with the Tennessee Titans.
The New York Giants have hired John Harbaugh, and the Atlanta Falcons have hired Kevin Stefanski as their head coaches.
Category: sports
Bills Coach Sean McDermott may face punishment for criticizing NFL referees after a playoff game where the Buffalo Bills lost to the Denver Broncos. McDermott questioned a decision made during the game and expressed frustration over the lack of review for a controversial play. The NFL will decide if he will be fined for his comments.
Key Facts
The Buffalo Bills lost an NFL playoff game against the Denver Broncos with a score of 33-30.
A controversial referee call in overtime involved a play that was ruled an interception without a review.
Coach Sean McDermott criticized the officiating, questioning why the play was not reviewed.
Criticizing referees publicly is against NFL rules for players and coaches.
McDermott could face a fine for his remarks, which the NFL will announce on January 24.
Fines collected by the NFL are donated to the Professional Athletes Foundation and the NFL Foundation.
Sean McDermott has been with the Buffalo Bills for nine seasons and has led the team to eight playoff appearances.
Carlos Alcaraz, a 22-year-old tennis player from Spain, began his campaign to complete a career Grand Slam with a win at the Australian Open. He recharged during the off-season by spending time with loved ones and playing board games, which he says helped him prepare for the tournament. Alcaraz defeated Adam Walton in the first round and aims to improve his performance in upcoming matches.
Key Facts
Carlos Alcaraz is 22 years old and from Spain.
He won against Adam Walton in the first round of the Australian Open.
Alcaraz is aiming to complete a career Grand Slam by winning the Australian Open.
He took a nine-week break from competitive tennis after a successful 2025 season.
During the off-season, Alcaraz went on holiday and spent time with friends and family.
The Australian Open is the only Grand Slam where he hasn't reached the final yet.
Alcaraz had 38 winners and 36 unforced errors in his match against Walton.
The Denver Broncos will have backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham start in the AFC Championship game. This decision comes after Bo Nix, the previous starting quarterback, suffered a broken ankle in a recent game. Stidham hasn't thrown a professional pass in over two years and has minimal playing experience.
Key Facts
Jarrett Stidham is the backup quarterback for the Denver Broncos.
Bo Nix, the starting QB, broke his ankle, ending his season.
Stidham will start in the AFC Championship game for the Broncos.
Stidham last threw a pass in an NFL game 749 days ago.
He was drafted in 2019 by the New England Patriots in the fourth round.
Stidham has only started four NFL games in his career.
His upcoming start will be a record for time between passes in a championship game.
The article discusses a special promotion where people can use a promo code "NEWSWEEK" to receive $75 in fantasy football entries by making a $5 play. This is available for the NFL Divisional Playoffs, which include games like Texans-Patriots and Rams-Bears. The promotion highlights specific player statistics people can bet on, such as passing yards and receiving yards.
Key Facts
A promo code "NEWSWEEK" offers $75 in daily fantasy entries for a $5 play.
The promotion is available for NFL Divisional Playoff games.
Texans-Patriots and Rams-Bears are the games happening today.
Texans player Nico Collins is out due to injury.
Freezing temperatures are expected in the Rams-Bears game.
The promotion includes betting on statistics like passing and receiving yards for specific players.
A "QB Gimme Pick" allows a free pick on quarterbacks to gain over zero passing or receiving yards.
Morocco will face Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday, January 18, 2025, at 2:00 PM EDT. The match will take place in Rabat, with Morocco aiming for its first title in 50 years and Senegal seeking its third final appearance win. The game will be broadcast on beIN Sports, and it can be streamed through Fubo.
Key Facts
The Africa Cup of Nations final is scheduled for January 18, 2025, at 2:00 PM EDT.
Morocco and Senegal are the two teams competing in the final.
The match will be held in Rabat, Morocco.
Morocco is seeking its first Africa Cup of Nations title since 1976.
Senegal has reached the finals for the third time in four tournaments and has a strong defense.
The game will be available to watch on beIN Sports and streamed on Fubo.
Senegal's Sadio Mane and Morocco's Brahim Diaz are key players to watch.
Fubo offers a free trial for streaming the game but regional restrictions may apply.
The article promotes a special offer for new users of the Sleeper fantasy sports platform, which coincides with NFL playoff games involving the Texans, Patriots, Rams, and Bears. The promo code NEWSWEEKXL provides either a $20 bonus or a $100 deposit match for making fantasy sports picks. The NFL matchups will determine which teams advance in the playoffs, with expected impacts from player performances and weather conditions.
Key Facts
Sleeper is offering new users a choice between a $20 bonus or a $100 deposit match.
This promotion coincides with NFL Divisional Round playoff games: Texans vs. Patriots and Rams vs. Bears.
The Broncos and Seahawks have already secured spots in their respective championship games.
The article highlights specific player performance projections, such as yards and touchdowns.
To use the Sleeper code, users need to register and provide basic information.
Weather conditions, particularly cold temperatures, may affect playoff game outcomes.
Newsweek may earn commissions if users sign up through links provided in the article.
The article provides information on how to watch the NHL game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Dallas Stars on January 18, 2026, including TV and live stream details. Tampa Bay aims to continue their strong performance after a record streak, while Dallas is looking to improve their recent form. Key players and past performances are highlighted.
Key Facts
The Tampa Bay Lightning will play against the Dallas Stars on January 18, 2026.
The game will start at 2:00 PM ET and will be broadcast on the NHL Network.
Tampa Bay Lightning recently had their 11-game winning streak ended but has a 12-game points streak.
Dallas Stars have two wins in their last 11 games.
Nikita Kucherov of the Lightning has 24 goals and 69 points this season.
Jason Robertson leads the Stars with 27 goals.
Both teams have previously faced each other, with Tampa Bay winning in overtime on October 30.
The game can be live-streamed on Fubo, which offers a free trial.
