The San Francisco 49ers are preparing for a playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles, but they might be without two important players. Left tackle Trent Williams and wide receiver Ricky Pearsall are currently injured and did not participate in the recent practice session.
Key Facts
The 49ers earned a wild-card spot after finishing the regular season with a 12–5 record.
The team has made a significant recovery from their 6–11 season in 2024, during which they missed the playoffs.
Trent Williams is experiencing a hamstring injury and missed practice, putting his availability for the game in doubt.
Ricky Pearsall has a knee issue and also did not practice, which raises concerns about his availability.
If Williams cannot play, the team may rely on backup tackles, which could affect their offensive line strength.
Williams is a key player for protecting the quarterback and supporting the offense.
If Pearsall is unavailable, other receivers will need to take on more significant roles.
Both players' injuries are not final, and they could still recover in time for the game.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are looking to sign top free agents Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette, but they face significant financial penalties due to luxury tax rules. The team would have to pay 110% of the players' salaries on top of the usual amount, which makes these potential deals very costly.
Key Facts
The Dodgers are interested in signing players Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette.
The team faces a large financial penalty under MLB's luxury tax rules.
If they sign a player with a $40 million average salary, they would pay $84 million due to the tax.
The penalty is because they have exceeded the luxury tax limit for more than three years.
The Dodgers have already experienced similar financial penalties with other player signings.
Despite the cost, the Dodgers seem willing to pay to strengthen their team.
It is uncertain if they will successfully sign Tucker, as other teams like the Toronto Blue Jays are also interested.
Negotiations for Bo Bichette also continue, but no deal has been made yet.
Lane Kiffin, the new head coach for the LSU Tigers, had been working to bring in a top quarterback through the college football transfer portal. However, quarterback Michael Van Buren, who previously played for LSU, has committed to the University of South Florida. Kiffin is now under pressure to secure another skilled quarterback for his team.
Key Facts
Lane Kiffin recently became the head coach of the LSU Tigers, leaving his position at Ole Miss.
Lane Kiffin is actively seeking to recruit players through the transfer portal, a system that allows college athletes to switch schools.
Michael Van Buren, who played for LSU and is a quarterback, has committed to the University of South Florida.
Van Buren played in 12 games for LSU, racking up 2,896 passing yards and 19 touchdowns.
The transfer portal will close on January 16, 2026, limiting the time frame for recruitment.
Another player, Demond Williams, is facing restrictions from his current team, Washington, which claims he has a contract preventing him from transferring.
Sam Leavitt, another quarterback, is also considering his transfer options, with a possible visit to Tennessee.
LSU needs to find a new quarterback before the transfer portal deadline.
Trae Young's future with the Atlanta Hawks is uncertain as the team and Young discuss potential trades before the deadline. A proposed trade could send Young to the Brooklyn Nets in a three-team deal involving the Hawks and Detroit Pistons. Both the team and Young reportedly agree that a trade is needed as the Hawks focus on their younger players.
Key Facts
Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks are exploring trade options.
A proposed three-team trade involves the Hawks, Brooklyn Nets, and Detroit Pistons.
The trade would send Trae Young to the Brooklyn Nets.
The Atlanta Hawks would receive Tobias Harris, Ron Holland II, and Jaden Ivey.
The Detroit Pistons would receive Michael Porter Jr., Cam Thomas, and a 2029 second-round pick.
Young has been with the Hawks for seven seasons and has been a key player for the team.
The Hawks are focusing on younger players, and both the team and Young agree a trade is best.
Young is 27 years old and averages 19.3 points per game this season.
Alabama's football team lost to Indiana in the College Football Playoffs. Despite the loss, former coach Nick Saban supports current coach Kalen DeBoer. Saban noted DeBoer's challenges include high expectations and a major roster change.
Key Facts
Alabama lost 38-3 to Indiana in the College Football Playoffs.
Kalen DeBoer is Alabama's new head coach, following Nick Saban.
Nick Saban coached Alabama from 2007 to 2023, winning six national championships.
After Saban retired, 26 players left Alabama through the transfer portal.
Saban expressed confidence in DeBoer’s abilities as a coach.
DeBoer has an eight-year contract with Alabama worth around $10 million per year.
90% of DeBoer’s contract is guaranteed if he is fired without cause.
A new bet365 bonus code, WEEK365, offers new users $200 in bonus bets when they create an account and place a $5 bet. This offer is available in time for NBA games, the College Football Playoff semifinals, and NFL Wild Card games.
Key Facts
Bet365's new bonus offer provides $200 in bonus bets for new users using the code WEEK365.
To receive the bonus, users must create a new account and place a minimum $5 bet.
This promotion coincides with upcoming NBA games, College Football Playoff semifinals, and NFL Wild Card games.
Previous bet365 offer was $150, but it has been increased to $200.
The bonus is available even before the initial bet is settled, regardless of the outcome.
Special "bet boosts" are available for various sports events, providing potential higher returns on certain bets.
Users need to enter personal information and make a deposit to activate the offer.
Bonus bets must be used within a week of activation.
The Actor Awards, previously called the SAG Awards, announced their nominees. The nominations provide insights into possible Oscar contenders. Some surprising selections and notable omissions add drama to the awards season.
Key Facts
The Actor Awards list of nominees was released recently.
These awards were previously known as the SAG Awards.
The nominees often predict who might get an Oscar nod because many voters overlap.
The film "One Battle After Another" received seven nominations.
Notable nominees include Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Hudson, and Timothée Chalamet.
Kate Hudson's nomination for "Song Sung Blue" was unexpected.
Actors like Wagner Moura and Cynthia Erivo were notable absentees from the list.
The Actor Awards will air on Netflix, and the Oscar nominations will follow on January 22.
Stephen A. Smith made surprising predictions for the Super Bowl matchups after the NFL playoffs started. He believes the Los Angeles Rams will make it from the NFC, and the Jacksonville Jaguars will represent the AFC.
Key Facts
The NFL playoffs feature six games during the first round, with specific schedules for Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.
The Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos, as top seeds, have a week off in this playoff round.
Stephen A. Smith, a well-known ESPN commentator, predicts the Rams will come from the NFC and the Jaguars from the AFC.
The Rams are the No. 5 seed in the NFC and are competing against the Carolina Panthers.
Jacksonville Jaguars are the No. 3 seed in the AFC and will face the Buffalo Bills.
Smith praised the Rams' coach Sean McVay, and named their player Matthew Stafford as his pick for league MVP.
Smith also mentioned the potential challenge in playing in Denver due to the altitude.
Athletic Club and Barcelona will play in the Spanish Supercopa semifinal match on January 7, 2025, in Saudi Arabia. The game can be watched on ESPN2 or streamed on Peacock. Barcelona is favored to win, having performed well recently, while Athletic Club aims to challenge them with strong defense and counterattacks.
Key Facts
Athletic Club and Barcelona are competing in the Spanish Supercopa semifinal.
The match takes place on January 7, 2025, at Alinma Bank Stadium, Saudi Arabia.
The game starts at 2:00 PM ET and will be broadcast on ESPN2 and streamed on Peacock.
Barcelona recently won eight games in a row and is doing well in La Liga.
Barcelona's key attacking players include Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, Ferrán Torres, and Pedri.
Athletic Club plans to use a strong defensive strategy, with attacking players like Iñaki Williams.
The winner will face either Real Madrid or Atlético Madrid in the Supercopa final.
Fubo offers a free trial to live stream the match without cable, though regional restrictions may apply.
The New York Mets are considering a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers to strengthen their team. The proposed trade would bring pitchers Freddy Peralta and Trevor Megill to the Mets in exchange for three prospects. This move aims to improve the Mets' pitching lineup for the upcoming season.
Key Facts
The Mets are looking to improve their starting pitchers before the next season.
Freddy Peralta is a main target for the Mets; he is a right-handed pitcher.
Trevor Megill, another pitcher, is also included in the trade proposal.
The Mets would offer three of their prospects: Jonah Tong, Jacob Reimer, and A.J. Ewing.
Freddy Peralta is one year away from free agency.
Historically, the Brewers trade top players before they reach free agency.
Trevor Megill's brother, Tylor Megill, already plays for the Mets.
Abner Uribe is set to be the Brewers' future closer, making Megill available for trade.
The Boston Red Sox signed pitcher Kutter Crawford to a one-year contract after he missed the 2025 season due to injuries. Crawford, a key player in the team's starting rotation, will compete for a spot with the Red Sox in 2026.
Key Facts
Kutter Crawford is a veteran pitcher for the Boston Red Sox.
He missed the entire 2025 season due to multiple injuries.
The Red Sox avoided arbitration by signing him to a one-year contract for $2.75 million.
Crawford previously led the team in starts and innings pitched when healthy.
Boston's starting rotation has changed, and Crawford will compete for a place among the top pitchers.
Other pitchers in the Red Sox rotation include Garrett Crochet, Sonny Gray, Brayan Bello, and Johan Oviedo.
The Toronto Blue Jays are not urgently seeking to re-sign free-agent infielder Bo Bichette. MLB insider Bob Nightengale reports that a reunion is becoming less likely as the team explores other roster options for the 2026 season. The Blue Jays are particularly interested in signing outfielder Kyle Tucker as they prepare for the upcoming season.
Key Facts
The Toronto Blue Jays have spent $337 million in free agency for the 2026 season.
Bo Bichette is a free agent and has not agreed on a contract extension with the Blue Jays.
The team might not re-sign Bichette, as they consider other players for key positions.
The Blue Jays are interested in signing top free-agent outfielder Kyle Tucker.
Kyle Tucker visited the Blue Jays' spring training facility, increasing speculation of a potential signing.
The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets are also interested in Kyle Tucker.
The Blue Jays are among the favored teams to secure big-name free agents for the 2026 season.
The Baltimore Ravens fired John Harbaugh, ending his 18-season run with the team. The Ravens are now looking for a new head coach, with Jesse Minter and Brian Flores as top candidates. Betting markets are actively predicting who will take over as head coach.
Key Facts
John Harbaugh was the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens for 18 seasons.
During Harbaugh's time, the Ravens won a Super Bowl and reached the playoffs 12 times.
The Ravens have made the playoffs in six of the last eight seasons.
Jesse Minter and Brian Flores are considered top candidates for the Ravens' head coach position.
Minter was the defensive coordinator for the Chargers and has previously worked with the Ravens.
Flores was the head coach of the Miami Dolphins and has a strong reputation for his defensive strategy.
Betting platform Kalshi shows Jesse Minter with a 41% chance and Brian Flores with a 19% chance of becoming the next Ravens head coach.
Arch Manning, the quarterback for the Texas Longhorns, decided to stay with his college team for another year instead of entering the 2026 NFL Draft. Despite not entering the draft, many experts believe he would have been the top choice. In the 2025 season, Manning showed strong performances with notable statistics and high visibility due to his family legacy.
Key Facts
Arch Manning led the Texas Longhorns to a 10-3 record and a Citrus Bowl win over Michigan in 2025.
Manning recorded 3,163 passing yards, 26 passing touchdowns, and 7 interceptions in 2025.
He also achieved 399 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns that season.
Analysts believed Manning would be the top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft if he had chosen to enter.
ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky praised Manning's skills and potential as an NFL player.
Manning decided to stay at Texas for another year to refine his skills.
Fernando Mendoza and Dante Moore are considered strong quarterback contenders for the 2026 draft.
Manning's family background and high profile contribute to significant earnings through Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals.
Arsenal will play Liverpool in a Premier League soccer match at the Emirates Stadium in London on January 8 at 8pm GMT. Arsenal leads the league standings and aims for its first title since 2003, while Liverpool, the defending champions, experiences challenges this season. Key players and team dynamics impact both teams as they prepare for this important match.
Key Facts
Arsenal will host Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in London.
The match is scheduled for January 8 at 8pm GMT.
Arsenal is leading the league and aims for its first title since 2003.
Liverpool, the defending champions, has faced difficulties this season.
Arsenal has one loss in 21 matches this season, losing only to Liverpool.
Liverpool started strong but had a challenging run with recent losses.
Mohamed Salah’s absence due to international duty has affected Liverpool.
Liverpool's defense has conceded 28 goals in 20 games this season.
Simon Yates, a professional cyclist and two-time Grand Tour winner, announced he is retiring from the sport immediately. He recently won the 2025 Giro d'Italia and a stage at the Tour de France.
Key Facts
Simon Yates is a professional cyclist who announced his retirement immediately.
He won the Giro d'Italia in 2025.
Yates claimed his third stage win at the Tour de France in 2024.
He won his first Grand Tour at the Vuelta a Espana in 2019.
Yates joined the Visma-Lease a Bike team for the 2025 season on a two-year contract.
He became a professional cyclist in 2014 with his twin brother, Adam, with the Australian team Orica-GreenEdge.
Caleb Downs, a standout college football player, decided to enter the 2026 NFL draft after two successful seasons with Ohio State. His teammate, Jeremiah Smith, announced he would return to Ohio State for the 2026 season. Downs was a key player for Ohio State, helping them win a national championship.
Key Facts
Caleb Downs started his college football career with Alabama.
He transferred to Ohio State before his sophomore season.
In 2025, Downs earned his second unanimous All-American title.
Downs announced his decision to enter the 2026 NFL draft on social media.
Jeremiah Smith, another Ohio State player, will return to the team for the 2026 season.
Downs helped Ohio State win a national championship as a defensive leader.
Smith joined Ohio State as a top recruit in the 2024 class.
Downs is considered a likely first-round pick in the draft.
Framber Valdez, a top free agent pitcher, is likely to sign with the Los Angeles Angels instead of the New York Mets. Valdez is known for being a reliable pitcher and would improve the Angels' pitching staff as they aim to compete more strongly next season.
Key Facts
Framber Valdez is a free agent pitcher from the Houston Astros.
The New York Mets are interested in signing Valdez to strengthen their pitching.
Sports experts predict Valdez will sign with the Los Angeles Angels instead.
Valdez has pitched at least 175 innings with an ERA under 3.70 in each of the last four seasons.
Valdez has three top-10 finishes for the Cy Young Award, a no-hitter, and a World Series win.
The Angels have financial room to make a big signing after recent transactions.
Adding Valdez would aim to improve the Angels' competitive standing for the next season.
The Seattle Mariners are considering a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals to get All-Star infielder Brendan Donovan. This move could fill their need for a second baseman after losing Jorge Polanco to the New York Mets. The Cardinals, who are rebuilding, may trade Donovan before spring training.
Key Facts
The Seattle Mariners want to strengthen their team for a chance at the World Series next season.
They lost in the American League Championship Series last year.
The Mariners re-signed Josh Naylor but lost Jorge Polanco, creating a need for a new second baseman.
A trade idea suggests the Mariners could get Brendan Donovan from the St. Louis Cardinals.
Brendan Donovan recently earned his first All-Star selection.
Donovan has a .282 batting average over four main league seasons and is under contract until 2027.
The St. Louis Cardinals are in a rebuilding phase, making them open to trading Donovan.
Brendan Donovan's versatility allows him to play multiple positions, offering flexibility to the Mariners.
The New York Yankees were interested in trading for pitcher Edward Cabrera from the Miami Marlins, but the Chicago Cubs completed the deal instead. The Yankees are now likely to look for other pitching options because they need more pitchers at the start of the season. Freddy Peralta and MacKenzie Gore are among the players they might consider.
Key Facts
The Yankees wanted to trade for Edward Cabrera, but the Chicago Cubs made the deal with the Miami Marlins.
The Yankees need more pitchers as Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón will not start the season.
The Yankees are trying to add a pitcher without spending too much money due to expected player returns.
The team is also interested in bringing back Cody Bellinger in free agency.
Freddy Peralta, a top pitcher from the Milwaukee Brewers, is on their radar since he's available for trade.
MacKenzie Gore, an All-Star with two years left on his contract, is another potential trade target.
Peralta's current contract is a one-year $8 million club option with the Brewers actively shopping him around.
