Indiana Hoosiers' football team, led by quarterback Fernando Mendoza, won against the Oregon Ducks in the Peach Bowl, securing a spot in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Mendoza performed well, throwing five touchdowns, but acknowledged the need to improve for the upcoming game against Miami Hurricanes. Indiana will face Miami's strong defense in the championship.
Key Facts
Indiana Hoosiers defeated the Oregon Ducks 56-22 in the Peach Bowl.
Fernando Mendoza threw five touchdown passes and completed 17 out of 20 passes for 177 yards.
Mendoza also rushed for 28 yards on six carries.
Mendoza won this year's Heisman Trophy, awarded to outstanding college football players.
Six Indiana receivers caught passes; Elijah Sarratt led with 75 yards and two touchdowns.
Indiana will play against the Miami Hurricanes in the National Championship Game.
Mendoza emphasized the importance of improving and preparing for the next game.
The Los Angeles Angels are looking to strengthen their baseball team by potentially adding Alex Bregman from the Boston Red Sox to play third base. While the team has already acquired several pitchers, they are yet to enhance their lineup with new batters. Bregman, who is from Albuquerque and familiar with the Angels' stadium, could be an ideal fit for a short-term deal.
Key Facts
The Los Angeles Angels are considering adding Boston Red Sox player Alex Bregman to their team.
The Angels recently signed several pitchers but have not yet added new batters to their lineup.
Anthony Rendon's uncertain status makes third base a position where the Angels might add new talent.
Alex Bregman is originally from Albuquerque and has experience playing at the Angels' stadium.
The Angels may sign Bregman to a short-term contract with a high average annual salary.
Bregman recently opted out of a two-year, $80 million contract with the Red Sox.
The Angels have financial capability and team strategy that could make them a suitable option for Bregman.
England's Georgia Stanway will leave Bayern Munich at the end of her contract this season. She has been with Bayern since 2022 and will potentially join another club, with Arsenal leading the conversation. Stanway has been a standout player, winning titles in Germany and Europe.
Key Facts
Georgia Stanway will leave Bayern Munich when her contract ends this season.
She joined Bayern from Manchester City in 2022.
Stanway has won three league titles with Bayern Munich.
She has won two European Championships with England's national team.
Stanway can sign a pre-contract with a new team and plans to move in the summer.
Arsenal is currently the top choice for Stanway's next club.
Stanway has played 87 times for the England national team.
Arsenal is aiming to strengthen their squad for the Women's Super League competition.
The NFL wild-card playoff games begin on January 10 and feature several matchups throughout the weekend. The Seattle Seahawks, who are the top seed in the NFC, will start their playoff games the following weekend. The playoff games will continue through January, leading up to the championship games and culminating in the Super Bowl on February 8.
Key Facts
NFL wild-card games start on Saturday, January 10, with the Los Angeles Rams playing the Carolina Panthers and the Green Bay Packers facing the Chicago Bears.
On Sunday, January 11, the Buffalo Bills play the Jacksonville Jaguars, the San Francisco 49ers face the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Los Angeles Chargers take on the New England Patriots.
"Monday Night Football" returns on January 12 with a game between the Houston Texans and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Seattle Seahawks, as the top seed in the NFC, will have their first playoff game the following weekend.
The divisional playoff round begins on January 17 and 18, followed by the AFC and NFC championship games on January 25.
Super Bowl LX will take place at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on February 8.
NFL viewership is up for the 2025-26 season, with Prime Video's games showing a 16% increase.
The NFL averaged 18.7 million viewers per game during the regular season, which is one of the highest since 1988.
The article previews the NFL Wild Card Weekend games. It includes broadcast times and channels for each of the six games. It also mentions host Ashley Haas's analysis of the matchups, particularly focusing on her thoughts about the Eagles versus the 49ers.
Key Facts
The NFL Wild Card Weekend features six games.
The first game is on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. between the Rams and Panthers.
The second game on Saturday is at 8 p.m. with the Packers playing the Bears.
Sunday hosts a game at 1 p.m. with the Bills against the Jaguars.
Another game on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. pits the 49ers against the Eagles.
Sunday's last game is at 8 p.m. with the Chargers facing the Patriots.
The final game is on Monday at 8:15 p.m. between the Texans and Steelers.
Kevin Durant has now scored more career points than Wilt Chamberlain on the NBA's all-time scoring list, reaching seventh place with 31,435 points. Despite Durant's efforts, his team, the Houston Rockets, lost to the Portland Trail Blazers. The Milwaukee Bucks also won their game against the Los Angeles Lakers, with Giannis Antetokounmpo playing a key role.
Key Facts
Kevin Durant surpassed Wilt Chamberlain on the NBA all-time scoring list and is now seventh with 31,435 career points.
Wilt Chamberlain is famous for scoring 100 points in a single NBA game and averaging 50.4 points per game in the 1962 season.
The Portland Trail Blazers won against the Houston Rockets with a score of 111-105.
LeBron James is the current leader on the NBA all-time scoring list with 42,601 points.
In another game, the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 105-101, with Giannis Antetokounmpo making significant defensive plays.
The Golden State Warriors won against the Sacramento Kings, with Stephen Curry scoring 27 points and achieving a season-high of 10 assists.
The Oklahoma City Thunder managed a 117-116 comeback win against the Memphis Grizzlies after being 21 points behind.
The Toronto Blue Jays have signed infielder Ernie Clement to a one-year, $4.6 million contract after his impressive playoff performance. Clement set a record for the most hits in a single postseason, and the team retained him to add flexibility for the upcoming season. This decision avoids arbitration for Clement and ensures he stays with the Blue Jays.
Key Facts
The Toronto Blue Jays agreed to a $4.6 million deal with Ernie Clement for the 2026 season.
Clement had a record-setting playoff performance with a .411 batting average and 30 hits.
The Blue Jays avoided arbitration by settling contracts with Clement and two other players.
Clement joined the Blue Jays in 2023 after being released by the Athletics.
He played 157 games for the Blue Jays this season, hitting nine home runs.
Clement proved versatile, playing every infield position for the Blue Jays.
Retaining Clement helps the Blue Jays as they prepare for the next postseason.
The Arizona Diamondbacks are looking to improve their starting pitcher lineup and might target Ranger Suarez from the Philadelphia Phillies. They have already brought back some pitchers and signed new ones, but adding Suarez could make their team stronger for the playoffs.
Key Facts
The Diamondbacks aim to enhance their starting pitcher lineup.
Ranger Suarez from the Philadelphia Phillies is a potential target.
Arizona has re-signed Merrill Kelly after he was traded.
They signed Michael Soroka to a one-year deal worth $7.5 million.
Other pitchers on their roster include Ryne Nelson, Eduardo Rodríguez, and Brandon Pfaadt.
Adding Suarez would balance the team's starting rotation.
The team considers getting a new batter as another option, but pitching might be prioritized.
The L.A. Rams face the Carolina Panthers in an NFL Playoffs wild card game. The Rams have strong odds to win the Super Bowl and feature key players like Davante Adams, who is expected to perform well. Bettors are focusing on player performance and game outcomes, with Adams being a popular choice for scoring.
Key Facts
The L.A. Rams have a record of 12-5, and the Carolina Panthers have a record of 8-9.
The Rams are strong favorites to win, with a betting line of -10.5 points.
Davante Adams scored 14 touchdowns in 14 regular-season games.
Adams is expected to play despite missing the last few games due to a hamstring injury.
The Panthers have struggled to defend against touchdowns in the red zone recently.
Adams had 31 red zone targets this season, the third-highest in the league.
The Rams averaged 7.4 yards per play against Carolina in the regular season.
Sports prediction markets like Kalshi are available for placing bets on this game.
The Detroit Tigers are considered a potential surprise team for signing former Houston Astros pitcher Framber Valdez. The Tigers aim to strengthen their pitching lineup, which already includes Tarik Skubal. They might offer Valdez a short-term contract to improve their chances for playoff success.
Key Facts
The Tigers' rotation currently has Tarik Skubal as the leading pitcher, followed by Jack Flaherty and Casey Mize.
The Tigers are looking to improve their pitching beyond the top three to better their playoff chances.
Framber Valdez, former Astros ace, is a potential addition to the Tigers' team.
Valdez might receive a contract with high earnings over a short period.
The Tigers could use Valdez to increase their chances of winning the World Series for the first time since 1984.
The pairing of Skubal and Valdez is seen as potentially one of the best in baseball.
The New York Mets are considering trading for Luis Robert Jr., an outfielder from the Chicago White Sox. Robert is a talented player but has struggled with injuries. The team hopes his performance will improve if surrounded by strong teammates.
Key Facts
The New York Mets are looking to strengthen their outfield after trading away key players.
Juan Soto is currently the only consistently performing outfielder on the Mets.
Luis Robert Jr. is a top outfielder but has had issues with injuries.
Robert has a $20 million club option for the next season and another for 2027.
He played more than 120 games only once in his career, achieving All-Star status in that year.
Despite struggling last season, Robert finished strong with improved batting performance in his last 31 games.
The Mets hope playing with stars like Francisco Lindor and Marcus Semien could help Robert perform better.
The Philadelphia Phillies are interested in signing Bo Bichette, a top baseball player currently with the Toronto Blue Jays. To make room for Bichette, the team might trade Alec Bohm, who is an All-Star infielder.
Key Facts
The Phillies are looking to sign Bo Bichette from the Toronto Blue Jays.
They might need to change their team lineup and budget to fit Bichette.
Alec Bohm, an All-Star infielder, could be traded to make space for Bichette.
Bohm has been considered for trade for a while, but no moves have happened yet.
The New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs are also interested in Bichette.
The Cubs have financial flexibility due to recent changes, like acquiring Edward Cabrera.
If the Phillies trade Bohm, they could gain valuable future players known as prospects.
Aryna Sabalenka won against Karolina Muchova to reach the Brisbane International final, her third consecutive time doing so. She will face Marta Kostyuk in the final. Meanwhile, Switzerland advanced to the United Cup final by defeating Belgium.
Key Facts
Aryna Sabalenka reached the Brisbane International final for the third year in a row.
She defeated Karolina Muchova with scores of 6-3, 6-4.
Sabalenka hopes to win a third Australian Open title this year.
Marta Kostyuk, who beat Jessica Pegula, will face Sabalenka in the final.
Sabalenka has not lost a set in four matches against Kostyuk.
The Brisbane International final is scheduled for Sunday.
Switzerland reached the United Cup final after beating Belgium 2-1.
In the United Cup, Belinda Bencic won a key match for Switzerland.
On January 3, 2026, India's cricket board directed the Kolkata Knight Riders team to release Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL due to unspecified political tensions between India and Bangladesh. In response, Rahman joined Pakistan's cricket league, and Bangladesh protested by banning the IPL broadcast. The situation has drawn in global cricket authorities and highlights the intersection of sports and politics in South Asia.
Key Facts
The Indian cricket board (BCCI) told the Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladeshi player Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL.
Rahman's release was linked to political tensions after Bangladesh's former Prime Minister sought asylum in India.
Mustafizur Rahman then joined the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) criticized the BCCI's decision and asked for cricket matches to be moved from India.
Bangladesh banned IPL broadcasts in the country.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) assured Bangladesh of their participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Some Indian political leaders have commented on the situation, reflecting differing viewpoints on the issue.
The Indiana Hoosiers have reached the college football national championship after a strong win against the Oregon Ducks. The Hoosiers, led by coach Curt Cignetti and star quarterback Fernando Mendoza, will face the Miami Hurricanes in Miami, making it a special game for Mendoza, a Miami native.
Key Facts
Indiana Hoosiers beat Oregon Ducks 56–22 to qualify for the national championship.
Head coach Curt Cignetti is in his second season with Indiana.
Fernando Mendoza, Indiana's quarterback, won the Heisman Trophy and threw five touchdowns in the game against Oregon.
The national championship game is against the Miami Hurricanes, coached by Mario Cristobal.
Mendoza expressed respect for Miami, where he grew up, and for the Hurricanes' strong defense.
Miami reached the championship after beating the Ole Miss Rebels.
Indiana is unbeaten this season and captured the Big Ten title.
Miami has not won a national championship since 2001, while Indiana has never won one.
The Chicago Bears are preparing to play against the Green Bay Packers in a Wild Card game at Soldier Field. The Bears are healthier and facing a Packers team that has been struggling, missing key players and coming off a losing streak. Both teams have won once against each other this season, making this game important for both.
Key Facts
The Bears are the No. 2 seed in the NFC Playoffs.
This game marks the third meeting this season between the Bears and the Packers.
The Bears have won one game and lost one game to the Packers this season.
Green Bay is missing its best defensive player, Micah Parsons.
The Packers are entering the game on a four-game losing streak.
Chris Broussard gave a warning to the Bears, pointing out their advantages like health and a strong running game.
Chicago's team needs to focus to secure a win and advance in the playoffs.
The Los Angeles Lakers learned that two potential NBA trade targets, Trey Murphy and Herb Jones from the New Orleans Pelicans, will not be available. The Pelicans decided not to trade these players, even though they are struggling this season.
Key Facts
The Los Angeles Lakers were considering trades for Trey Murphy and Herb Jones from the New Orleans Pelicans.
An NBA insider reported that the Pelicans plan to keep these players past the trade deadline.
The Pelicans are in last place in the Western Conference with a record of 8-31.
The Pelicans are currently dealing with a nine-game losing streak.
Despite injuries and a poor performance, the Pelicans are not selling off valuable players for future draft picks.
The Lakers are looking for players who are strong on both offense and defense.
The Lakers are doing well this season with a record of 23-12 and are exploring other trade options.
Dante Moore, Oregon's quarterback, played against Indiana in a college football playoff semifinal. Despite high expectations, the game did not go well for Moore, and his future plans, including a potential NFL draft entry, remain undecided. The transfer portal deadline may impact his decision soon.
Key Facts
Dante Moore is Oregon's quarterback in the college football playoffs.
Oregon played Indiana in a playoff semifinal game.
Moore did not perform as expected, struggling throughout the game.
He ended the game with 285 passing yards and two touchdowns.
Indiana's quarterback, Fernando Mendoza, had a strong performance.
Moore is a projected top-five pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Moore's future decision includes staying at Oregon or joining the NFL Draft.
The transfer portal closes on January 16, influencing his timeline for decision.
Wrexham, a football team, recently defeated Nottingham Forest, a Premier League team, in the FA Cup after a penalty shootout. This victory, which took place in front of co-owner Ryan Reynolds, marks a significant achievement for Wrexham, a club that has risen from the lower leagues. The team is also close to achieving a strong position in their league.
Key Facts
Wrexham beat Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup through a penalty shootout.
Ryan Reynolds, a co-owner of Wrexham, attended the match.
Wrexham's victory came after rising from the lower leagues since 2023.
This win is Wrexham's first over top-flight opponents since 1999.
The team aims to enter the Championship play-offs, being just one point away.
Players Lewis Brunt, Andy Cannon, and others are returning from injury.
Wrexham is considering adding new players during the January transfer window.
Wrexham defeated Nottingham Forest in an exciting FA Cup match, which ended 3-3 and went to a penalty shootout. Wrexham won the shootout, knocking the Premier League team out of the competition.
Key Facts
Wrexham played against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup third round.
The regular match time ended with both teams scoring 3 goals each, resulting in a 3-3 draw.
The game proceeded to a penalty shootout to determine the winner.
Wrexham won the penalty shootout, eliminating Nottingham Forest from the FA Cup.
Nottingham Forest is a team that plays in the Premier League, the top league in English football.
The match was described as a thrilling game with a total of six goals before penalties.
The FA Cup is a knockout football competition in England which involves teams from various leagues.
