The article describes a promotional offer from DraftKings for the NFL Wild Card games. By betting a small amount on certain football games, participants can earn bonus betting credits. The promotion involves placing a $5 bet on specific game markets with certain odds to qualify for a $300 bonus.
Key Facts
DraftKings offers a promo where a $5 bet on the NFL can lead to $300 in bonus bets.
The promo requires betting on events with odds of -500 or longer and the bet must win.
Participants can bet on the Packers-Bears game or other Wild Card games like Bills-Jaguars, 49ers-Eagles, and Chargers-Patriots.
The article suggests specific betting options, such as Caleb Williams or Justin Herbert reaching certain passing yards.
Additional promotions include chances for profit boosts and a free-to-play game with a $25K bonus.
To use the offer, participants must sign up, verify their information, and deposit money using secure payment methods.
The bonus must be used within one week before it expires.
Newsweek might earn a commission if readers sign up through their links.
The Houston Astros are planning for the upcoming baseball season by potentially changing their roster. They may lose pitcher Framber Valdez and are considering bringing back veteran pitcher Justin Verlander to strengthen their team.
Key Facts
The Astros might lose Framber Valdez to free agency.
They recently added a new pitcher, Tatsuya Imai, to their roster.
The team is considering signing Justin Verlander, who previously played for the Astros, in the free agency market this winter.
The Astros' pitching rotation wasn't strong last season, and they want to improve it.
Verlander, though not as dominant as before, could provide experience and stability.
Signing Verlander might be affordable because there is less competition for him compared to other pitchers.
The team plans to build their pitching rotation around younger pitchers like Hunter Brown and Cristian Javier.
In a surprising FA Cup match, sixth-tier football team Macclesfield beat top-tier team Crystal Palace 2-1. This result is considered one of the biggest upsets in the competition's history because of the large gap in their league rankings. The match was emotional for Macclesfield, as they recently mourned the death of a player, Ethan McLeod.
Key Facts
Macclesfield plays in the National League North, which is the sixth level of English football.
They defeated Crystal Palace 2-1 in the FA Cup, a team from the Premier League.
The victory marks the largest difference in league position between winning and losing teams in FA Cup history.
Macclesfield's football club began only in the 2021-22 season, following the liquidation of Macclesfield Town.
Crystal Palace had an injury-hit squad and had not won in their previous eight games.
Emotional aspects played a role, as the team recently lost a player, Ethan McLeod, in a car accident.
Macclesfield's win comes less than eight months after Crystal Palace won the FA Cup against Manchester City.
Manchester City advanced to the fourth round of the FA Cup by defeating Exeter City with a score of 10-1. Antoine Semenyo, a new player for Manchester City, scored a goal in his first game with the team.
Key Facts
Manchester City won the game against Exeter City with a score of 10-1.
This victory allows Manchester City to move to the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Antoine Semenyo, a new player on Manchester City, scored a goal during his debut match.
The match took place at the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City has won the FA Cup seven times before.
The Boston Red Sox are adjusting their pitching lineup as they consider trading pitcher Brayan Bello. Meanwhile, they have signed right-handed pitcher Seth Martinez, known for his pitching style called a "deadly sweeper." Martinez previously played for the Houston Astros and will attend the Red Sox spring training.
Key Facts
The Boston Red Sox need a new No. 2 starting pitcher and a left-handed reliever.
The team might trade Brayan Bello, their current No. 3 pitcher.
Seth Martinez, a right-handed pitcher, has joined the Red Sox.
Martinez has a career ERA of 4.00 and was previously with the Houston Astros.
He showed significant improvement in 2022 with a 2.09 ERA over 29 games.
Martinez is noted for his "deadly sweeper" pitch and will attend the Red Sox spring training as a non-roster invitee.
This trade activity is part of the team's preparations for the 2026 season.
The Toronto Blue Jays made significant contract moves after their World Series loss, including a $210 million deal with Dylan Cease. This could lead to some veteran players leaving, like pitcher Max Scherzer, who is predicted to sign with the Texas Rangers. The Rangers are interested in Scherzer to strengthen their pitching lineup.
Key Facts
The Toronto Blue Jays lost in the World Series last year.
They signed Dylan Cease for $210 million shortly after the loss.
The Blue Jays' new contract moves might cause some veterans to leave.
Max Scherzer is expected to leave the Blue Jays for the Texas Rangers.
Scherzer could join the Rangers to help improve their pitching team.
The Rangers are looking to make a playoff return with the support of experienced players like Scherzer.
The Toronto Blue Jays are expected to sign outfielder Kyle Tucker from the Chicago Cubs, according to predictions. The team aims to boost their strength for upcoming seasons by potentially pairing Tucker with star player Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Key Facts
The Toronto Blue Jays have had a busy offseason with notable signings, such as Dylan Cease.
There are predictions that the Blue Jays will sign Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker.
Kyle Tucker is reportedly linked to both the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Alex Bregman is out of the picture for the Blue Jays due to position overlap with another player.
Bo Bichette is currently a popular player with the Blue Jays’ fan base.
The Blue Jays could spend a significant amount, possibly $400 million, to sign Tucker.
Toronto’s outfield needs strengthening, and Tucker could be an important addition.
The potential deal aims to position the Blue Jays as strong contenders for the World Series in future seasons.
The Baltimore Orioles and Atlanta Braves have been busy changing their team rosters in Major League Baseball's offseason. The Orioles let go of pitcher George Soriano, and the Braves picked him up afterward.
Key Facts
The Orioles designated 12 players for assignment this offseason, while the Braves designated 10.
The Orioles released pitcher George Soriano to make room for outfielder Jhonkensy Noel.
Two days later, Noel was also released to make room for Marco Luciano.
The Braves claimed George Soriano off waivers to add him to their roster.
To add Soriano, the Braves designated infielder Brett Wisely for assignment.
Soriano previously played 72 games in the major leagues with the Miami Marlins.
Soriano's average fastball speed is 95.7 mph, but he has a 5.95 ERA, which measures the average number of earned runs he gives up per nine innings.
Both teams, Baltimore and Atlanta, are actively looking to improve their bullpens for the next baseball season.
Nick Madrigal, a baseball player once picked fourth overall in the 2018 draft, signed with the New York Mets but did not play due to a shoulder injury. Instead, he has now signed with the Los Angeles Angels, aiming for a spot on their team in the upcoming season.
Key Facts
Nick Madrigal was the fourth overall pick in the 2018 MLB draft.
He signed with the New York Mets but had a shoulder injury during spring training.
Madrigal did not play any games for the Mets in the regular season.
After becoming a free agent, Madrigal signed a minor-league contract with the Los Angeles Angels.
The contract with the Angels includes an invitation to spring training.
Madrigal has a major league batting average of .274 but is known for having low power, with only four home runs in his MLB career.
The Mets signed Madrigal to a $1.35 million split contract, while another player, Jose Iglesias, signed for $3 million with a different team.
Two players from the Philadelphia Eagles received fines from the NFL for violating game rules. Defensive back Sydney Brown was fined for unnecessary roughness, and wide receiver Darius Cooper was fined for taunting. The Eagles are set to play against the San Francisco 49ers in an upcoming playoff game.
Key Facts
The Philadelphia Eagles are hosting the San Francisco 49ers in a playoff game.
Sydney Brown, an Eagles defensive back, was fined $46,371 for unnecessary roughness.
The fine was due to Brown using his helmet in a dangerous way.
Darius Cooper, an Eagles wide receiver, was fined $4,694 for taunting.
The Eagles initially opened as a 3-point favorite against the 49ers, which increased to 5.5 points.
ESPN's analytics give the Eagles a 56.7% chance of winning the game.
Chris Bassitt, a baseball pitcher who played for the Toronto Blue Jays, is in talks with the Detroit Tigers about a potential deal. The Tigers are exploring their options for new pitchers, including Bassitt and another free agent, Lucas Giolito.
Key Facts
Chris Bassitt is a veteran pitcher and has been reliable for three years with the Toronto Blue Jays.
He led the American League with 16 wins in 2023.
Bassitt's contract with the Blue Jays is unlikely to continue as Toronto signed two new pitchers, Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce.
The Detroit Tigers are in discussions with Bassitt for the upcoming season.
The Tigers are also talking to another free agent pitcher, Lucas Giolito.
The Tigers' decision may be influenced by the outcome of an arbitration case with another player, Tarik Skubal.
Tarik Skubal's arbitration case could affect the Tigers' budget and their ability to sign new players.
The NFL fined Bengals player Cedric Johnson $5,525 for a rough hit on Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders during a game. This marked the first meeting between Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and Sanders, who is a rookie. The game ended with a 20-18 win for the Browns.
Key Facts
The Cleveland Browns won 20-18 against the Cincinnati Bengals with a last-second field goal.
Shedeur Sanders played quarterback for the Browns in this game.
Bengals player Cedric Johnson was fined $5,525 for a hit on Sanders.
This game was the first between Joe Burrow and Shedeur Sanders as opposing quarterbacks.
Sanders finished the game with 111 passing yards, 26 rushing yards, and one lost fumble.
The NFL bases fines on a player's contract value and the nature of the infraction.
Sanders completed his rookie season with 1,400 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
Macclesfield, a non-league football team, defeated Crystal Palace, the FA Cup holders, in a historic upset in the FA Cup. The win came weeks after the death of their player Ethan McLeod, with his memory honored during the game.
Key Facts
Macclesfield beat Crystal Palace 2-1 in the FA Cup.
Macclesfield is five divisions below Crystal Palace, making this the biggest gap upset in FA Cup history.
Ethan McLeod, a Macclesfield player, died in a car accident in December, and his parents attended the game.
Macclesfield became the first non-league team to eliminate the FA Cup holders since 1908-09.
This victory marks the first time a non-league team scored twice against a Premier League team in the FA Cup since 2009.
Macclesfield's club ceased trading in 2020 but was reformed and has climbed three divisions in four seasons.
Arsenal's manager, Renee Slegers, expressed concern about goalkeepers delaying the game in the Women's Super League (WSL), which can make the matches less appealing to viewers. This issue was highlighted during a match between Arsenal and Manchester United, where the goalkeeper's actions were seen as time-wasting. Some suggestions to address the issue include restricting players who can approach coaches during breaks.
Key Facts
Arsenal and Manchester United played a 0-0 match in the WSL.
Arsenal manager Renee Slegers criticized time-wasting by goalkeepers.
Manchester United's goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce was seen taking extra time for a medical issue.
Arsenal fans reacted when the goalkeeper was booked for time-wasting.
Manchester United manager Marc Skinner acknowledged understanding the issue.
There is a suggestion to limit players who can approach coaches during breaks.
The aim is to keep the games appealing to spectators and viewers both in-stadium and on TV.
The NFL fined J.J. McCarthy of the Minnesota Vikings $11,593 for unsportsmanlike conduct and taunting during a game against the Green Bay Packers. McCarthy was the only Vikings player disciplined for Week 18, and he can choose to appeal the decision.
Key Facts
J.J. McCarthy plays for the Minnesota Vikings in the NFL.
The Vikings won their final game of the 2025-26 season 16-3 against the Green Bay Packers but did not make it to the playoffs.
McCarthy received a fine of $11,593 for unsportsmanlike conduct and taunting during a play in the game.
The incident occurred during the first quarter when McCarthy collided with a Packers player and was flagged for taunting.
The money from fines like McCarthy's goes to support various NFL-related charitable foundations.
Sydney Brown of the Philadelphia Eagles received a larger fine of $46,371 in the same week for a different violation.
Players have the option to appeal fines through a process involving former NFL players who act as appeals officers.
Newsweek is offering a special promotion for the Underdog sports betting platform. New users who make a $5 play during the NFL Wild Card games get $75 in bonus entries. Popular games this weekend include Rams vs. Panthers and Packers vs. Bears.
Key Facts
Newsweek offers a promo code for new users on the Underdog sports betting platform.
If you bet $5, as a new user, you get $75 in bonus entries for NFL Wild Card games.
Key games mentioned are Rams vs. Panthers and Packers vs. Bears.
Additional games include Bills vs. Jaguars, 49ers vs. Eagles, and Chargers vs. Patriots.
On Monday, the Texans will face the Steelers.
The promo involves setting up a new account and using the code NEWSWEEK.
After making picks for 2-8 players, users can risk $5 and receive the bonus.
Newsweek may earn a commission if users sign up through its links.
Morocco's national soccer coach, Walid Regragui, has dismissed claims that Morocco is receiving favorable calls from referees in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament. He emphasized that Morocco's only advantage is playing in front of their home fans, not receiving biased refereeing decisions.
Key Facts
Morocco is hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Coach Walid Regragui denied any bias in refereeing favoring his team.
Morocco won against Cameroon 2-0 in the quarterfinals.
Moroccan player Adam Masina was involved in two controversial plays that could have been penalties for Cameroon.
The match referee chose not to issue a second yellow card to a Moroccan player for a foul during a counterattack.
Morocco has played all its matches at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, creating a home advantage atmosphere.
Regragui mentioned past events where Morocco did not benefit from refereeing in previous tournaments.
Morocco will face either Nigeria or Algeria in the semifinals.
The Los Angeles Rams will play against the Carolina Panthers in a Wild Card game of the NFL Playoffs. The game is scheduled for Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 4:30 PM ET at Bank of America Stadium and will be broadcast on FOX.
Key Facts
The game features the Los Angeles Rams against the Carolina Panthers.
It is a Wild Card round game in the NFL Playoffs.
The game will take place on Saturday, January 10, 2026.
Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 PM Eastern Time (ET).
The game will be broadcast on the FOX TV channel.
The Los Angeles Rams finished the regular season with a 12–5 record.
The Carolina Panthers secured a playoff spot with an 8-9 record as NFC South champions.
The Rams are led by quarterback Matthew Stafford, who led the NFL with 46 touchdown passes.
This article discusses a promotional offer from Sleeper for NFL Wild Card Weekend. By using the promo code NEWSWEEKXL, new users can receive a $100 deposit match or a $20 bonus for making fantasy football picks for the Wild Card games.
Key Facts
Sleeper offers a promo code NEWSWEEKXL for Wild Card Weekend.
New users can choose between a $100 deposit match or a $20 instant bonus.
The promotion applies to NFL Wild Card games starting with Rams-Panthers and Packers-Bears.
Other weekend games include Bills-Jaguars, 49ers-Eagles, Chargers-Patriots, and Texans-Steelers.
Players like Puka Nacua, Josh Allen, and Saquon Barkley are highlighted for picks.
Promo emphasizes making entries with two or more teams and choosing payout options.
Additional player promo examples include C.J. Stroud and Josh Jacobs picks.
In a surprising FA Cup match, sixth-tier team Macclesfield Town defeated Premier League team Crystal Palace 2-1. Macclesfield took the lead with goals from their captain Paul Dawson and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts, overcoming a late goal from Crystal Palace's Yeremy Pino.
Key Facts
Macclesfield Town is a team from the sixth level of English football.
They beat Crystal Palace, a Premier League team, 2-1 in the FA Cup.
Macclesfield's Paul Dawson scored first in the 43rd minute.
Isaac Buckley-Ricketts made it 2-0 in the 60th minute.
Yeremy Pino scored a late goal for Crystal Palace, but Macclesfield held the lead.
The match took place at Macclesfield's Moss Rose stadium, which holds 5,900 people.
Macclesfield is currently 14th in the National League North, two leagues below professional play in England.
The match ended with Macclesfield fans celebrating on the field.
