The Carolina Panthers will play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 18 of the NFL season. This game is important as it will determine which team wins the NFC South division and secures a spot in the playoffs.
Key Facts
The game takes place on Saturday, January 3, 2025, at 4:30 PM ET.
It will be held at Raymond James Stadium and broadcasted on ABC and ESPN.
The Panthers must win to secure the NFC South division title for the first time since 2015.
A loss for the Panthers would complicate their playoff chances due to tiebreakers.
The Buccaneers need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive after a difficult season.
Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield is questionable due to shoulder and knee issues.
Carolina's running back Rico Dowdle is returning to practice, providing an offensive boost.
The game can be streamed live on Fubo, which offers a free trial.
Quarterback Kenny Minchey is leaving Notre Dame and is likely to join the Nebraska Cornhuskers through the NCAA transfer portal. Minchey, who was a high-ranking recruit, didn't play much at Notre Dame and hopes for more opportunities at Nebraska. Reports suggest Nebraska is the leading choice for Minchey's transfer.
Key Facts
Kenny Minchey, a quarterback, entered the NCAA transfer portal after leaving Notre Dame.
Minchey was a four-star recruit and ranked No. 14 among quarterbacks in his recruiting class.
He completed 79.3% of his 29 passes for 212 yards at Notre Dame.
At Notre Dame, Minchey did not score any touchdowns through passing but ran for 96 yards and two touchdowns.
Nebraska Cornhuskers are reportedly the favorites to recruit Minchey.
Nebraska is seeking a new starting quarterback after Dylan Raiola left the team.
If Minchey joins Nebraska, he will have the opportunity to compete for the starting quarterback position.
Los Angeles Lakers player LeBron James has criticized his new role on the team, indicating frustration with playing off the ball. The team, which recently added star player Luka Doncic, is experiencing growing pains and inconsistency, particularly in defense. The Lakers have faced challenges despite a strong start to the season.
Key Facts
The Lakers traded Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic before the 2025-26 season.
The team also acquired players Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris.
Los Angeles finished the season with a 50-32 record but lost early in the playoffs.
The team brought in Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart, and Jake LaRavia for additional support.
LeBron James, age 41, expressed that he is not used to his role of playing off the ball.
The Lakers started the season strong with a 15-4 record, even without James playing many games.
Austin Reaves became a key player but is now out with an injury.
James' comments about his role came after a loss to the Detroit Pistons.
The Toronto Blue Jays have reportedly reached an agreement to add Kazuma Okamoto to their team. There is a prediction of their starting lineup for the opening day, which aims to balance offensive talent. The Blue Jays are focusing on strengthening their lineup and preparing options for different game scenarios.
Key Facts
The Toronto Blue Jays are reportedly adding Kazuma Okamoto to their team.
Opening day for the Blue Jays is March 27, against the Athletics.
A predicted lineup includes players like George Springer and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Anthony Santander is set to return after missing last season due to injury.
Kazuma Okamoto may play a crucial role in the middle of the batting order.
The team's lineup is considered one of the strongest in baseball.
Adjustments to the lineup could be made based on the opposing team or pitcher.
This article discusses a promotional offer from Underdog, a sports betting platform, which provides a $75 bonus to users who make a $5 bet on NFL games. It highlights important NFL games that affect the playoff standings, specifically the Panthers-Buccaneers and Seahawks-49ers matchups.
Key Facts
Underdog is offering a $75 bonus for new users who bet at least $5.
The offer is related to NFL games during Week 18, including Panthers-Buccaneers and Seahawks-49ers.
The Panthers can secure an NFC South division spot with a win.
The Seahawks-49ers game will determine which team gets a playoff bye and home field advantage.
After betting $5, users receive a $75 bonus regardless of their bet's outcome.
The Underdog app has additional features like profit boosts and free picks.
Registration with the promo code NEWSWEEK is required to access the offer.
New players can join FanDuel Sportsbook with a promotion offering a $250 bonus for betting on NFL Week 18 games. By placing a $5 bet on specific games like Panthers-Buccaneers or Seahawks-49ers, new users can receive significant bonus rewards if they win.
Key Facts
FanDuel offers a promotion where new users can place a $5 bet and get $250 in bonuses if they win.
The offer can be used on NFL games such as Panthers-Buccaneers and Seahawks-49ers.
The promotion applies not only to NFL games but also to other sports like NBA and college basketball.
Players must create a new FanDuel Sportsbook account to use the offer.
The Seahawks-49ers and Panthers-Buccaneers games are important for NFL playoff positions.
Players can use the bonuses across various sports throughout the weekend.
There are additional offers, like a 30% profit boost, for various sports available on FanDuel.
The Baltimore Orioles made several notable player acquisitions for the upcoming season, including signing All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso. These moves are seen as steps to strengthen their team after a challenging previous season due to injuries. The Orioles are also looking for additional players to further improve their roster.
Key Facts
The Baltimore Orioles had a tough 2025 season, with 29 players getting injured, leading them to use a record 70 players.
They replaced their manager in May, hiring Tony Mansolino as the interim manager.
The Orioles signed Pete Alonso, a five-time All-Star, to a five-year, $155 million contract after he opted out from the New York Mets.
The team added other players such as Shane Baz, Ryan Helsley, and Andrew Kittredge to strengthen their squad.
Shane Baz was traded from the Tampa Bay Rays after a season with a 4.87 ERA and 176 strikeouts.
The Orioles also acquired Taylor Ward in a trade and retained pitcher Zach Eflin on a new contract.
The team is still looking for additional pitchers, particularly left-handed relievers.
The Toronto Blue Jays are reportedly interested in international infielder Kazuma Okamoto, which might change their plans for Bo Bichette. Other teams like the New York Yankees are now considered potential landing spots for Bichette, with predictions suggesting a six-year, $180 million deal with the Yankees.
Key Facts
The Toronto Blue Jays might sign Kazuma Okamoto, an international infielder.
Okamoto's potential arrival could impact the Blue Jays' interest in Bo Bichette.
The New York Yankees, along with other teams, are interested in Bichette.
There's a prediction that Bichette could sign a $180 million deal with the Yankees.
Bichette could fit into the Yankees' infield, possibly at shortstop.
The Blue Jays are still in the running for Bichette but may shift focus to other targets like Kyle Tucker.
The Yankees have both the financial means and positional need to pursue Bichette.
Duke Blue Devils will play against Florida State Seminoles in a college basketball game in Tallahassee, Florida. The game is scheduled for Saturday, January 3, 2026, at 3:45 PM ET and will be broadcast on CBS with live streaming available on Fubo.
Key Facts
Duke Blue Devils have a 12-1 record, and Florida State Seminoles have a 7-7 record.
The game is part of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) play.
Duke won their last game against Georgia Tech, led by Cameron Boozer with 26 points and 12 rebounds.
Florida State lost their last game against North Carolina, with Chauncey Wiggins scoring 16 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.
Duke leads the all-time series against Florida State 45-11.
The game will be available to watch on CBS and can be live-streamed on Fubo.
Regional restrictions may apply for streaming the game.
Cameron Boozer averages 23.5 points per game for Duke, while Robert McCray V averages 13.4 points for Florida State.
The Toronto Blue Jays have reportedly made an agreement with Kazuma Okamoto, a former player from Japan's Yomiuri Giants, to improve their lineup. Okamoto is known for his strong batting record and will play third base. The Blue Jays are also interested in adding another player, Kyle Tucker, to further strengthen their team.
Key Facts
The Toronto Blue Jays reportedly agreed to a deal with Kazuma Okamoto.
Okamoto is a former player for the Yomiuri Giants in Japan.
He has hit 277 home runs in 11 seasons in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball.
The Blue Jays have been active in seeking new players for their team this offseason.
The team almost won the World Series but fell short against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
They have already added players like Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce, and Taylor Rogers.
The Blue Jays are interested in acquiring Kyle Tucker, a former Chicago Cubs player.
Okamoto is expected to play third base for the Blue Jays.
The Philadelphia Phillies are working on finalizing their roster for the next baseball season. They have signed Kyle Schwarber and are expected to focus on re-signing J.T. Realmuto. If Realmuto signs with another team, the Phillies might consider other catchers.
Key Facts
The Philadelphia Phillies signed Kyle Schwarber to a new contract.
J.T. Realmuto is a key player whose future with the Phillies is uncertain.
Bleacher Report predicts the Phillies will re-sign Realmuto.
The Phillies lack an in-house replacement for Realmuto if he leaves.
Realmuto had a solid season but is no longer at the peak of his career.
Other catching options include Victor Caratini, Jonah Heim, and Elias Díaz.
The team has also signed Adolis García and Brad Keller to strengthen their roster.
The Miami Hurricanes football team achieved a surprising win against Ohio State in the College Football Playoff (CFP) and will now face Ole Miss in the semifinal. Michael Irvin, a former Miami player, warned that Ole Miss is a strong team with a talented quarterback named Trinidad Chambliss. The game will be challenging for Miami, and Irvin emphasized the need for a strong offensive performance.
Key Facts
Miami Hurricanes beat Ohio State in the College Football Playoff.
Miami will face Ole Miss in the CFP semifinal.
Ole Miss's quarterback, Trinidad Chambliss, is noted for his impressive playmaking skills.
Ole Miss previously defeated Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.
Michael Irvin, a former Miami player, advised that Ole Miss is a tough opponent.
Irvin compared Chambliss to NFL quarterback Patrick Mahomes, highlighting his mobility.
The game will take place at the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday.
Miami will need a strong offensive or defensive effort to win against Ole Miss.
The Las Vegas Raiders are considering trading their star player, Maxx Crosby, as they face another disappointing NFL season. Crosby, frustrated with the team's performance, might be moved during the upcoming offseason. The relationship between Crosby and the Raiders has become tense.
Key Facts
The Raiders have had a disappointing 2025 NFL season with a record of 2-14.
Maxx Crosby is frustrated with the Raiders' losing record and was unhappy about being sidelined before a recent game.
The Raiders might trade Crosby during the offseason, according to league sources.
Crosby is known for his strong performance as a defensive player in the NFL.
In 2025, Crosby had 73 tackles, 10 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 interception, and 6 defended passes in 15 games.
The Raiders are currently positioned to get the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft if the season ended now.
Rumors and discussions about Crosby's future are expected to increase as the NFL offseason begins.
Barcelona will play against Espanyol in a La Liga match on January 3, 2025, at the RCDE Stadium. Barcelona leads the league and aims to continue their winning streak, while Espanyol hopes to challenge them with a solid defense.
Key Facts
The match is scheduled for Saturday, January 3, 2025, at 3:00 PM ET.
It will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Barcelona is currently at the top of the La Liga standings.
Key players for Barcelona include Ferran Torres, Lamine Yamal, and Raphinha.
Barcelona is on an eight-game winning streak in La Liga.
Espanyol ranks in the top five of La Liga and has strong home performance.
Espanyol has historically struggled in derbies against Barcelona.
Espanyol has banned Barcelona colors inside their stadium for the match.
You can get a $210 bonus by signing up for the Betr app using a special promo code before NFL games. Betr, owned by Jake and Logan Paul, lets users make fantasy sports picks and earn rewards. The promotion requires making picks for at least two players from different teams.
Key Facts
You can get up to $210 in bonuses by using the promo code NEWSWEEK when signing up for Betr.
The bonus includes an initial $10 and up to $200 from a 50% deposit match.
Betr is a fantasy sports app co-owned by Jake and Logan Paul.
The promotion is tied to NFL games, including Panthers-Buccaneers and Seahawks-49ers.
To use the bonuses, you must make picks for at least two players from different teams.
The app offers different entry types: a max entry, which requires all picks to be correct, and a flex entry, which allows partial wins.
Registration requires personal details and a deposit via a compatible payment option.
Newsweek may earn a commission through sign-ups from links in their article.
The article explains how to use the promo code NEWSWEEKXL on Sleeper to get bonuses for making NFL Week 18 fantasy picks. It highlights some key games like Panthers-Buccaneers and Seahawks-49ers and suggests popular betting options for these matchups.
Key Facts
Sleeper offers promotional bonuses for NFL fantasy picks using the code NEWSWEEKXL.
Users can choose between a $20 bonus or a $100 deposit match when signing up.
The Panthers-Buccaneers game will determine the NFC South title.
The Seahawks-49ers game will decide the No. 1 seed, though both teams will make the playoffs.
Users must make picks involving players from at least two different teams.
Some suggested player picks include Brock Purdy, Bryce Young, and Christian McCaffrey.
Newsweek may earn a commission if users sign up through provided links.
Michigan State University is experiencing significant changes in its football team after 40 players entered the transfer portal, looking to join other schools. The school's new coach, Pat Fitzgerald, must quickly recruit new players before the transfer window closes on January 16.
Key Facts
Michigan State lost 40 football players to the NCAA transfer portal.
The transfer portal allows college athletes to transfer to different colleges and play for their teams.
Students who declare for the portal enable other colleges to recruit them.
The deadline for Michigan State to recruit new players from the portal is January 16.
Pat Fitzgerald is the new head coach for Michigan State.
Michigan State currently has no new player additions through the portal.
The recruitment during this period is crucial for Michigan State's success in future seasons.
The Toronto Blue Jays have reportedly agreed to sign Japanese baseball player Kazuma Okamoto, adding another strong hitter to their team. Okamoto has played primarily as a third baseman and has a history of hitting many home runs.
Key Facts
The Toronto Blue Jays reached an agreement with Japanese player Kazuma Okamoto.
Okamoto is known for his power hitting, with 30 or more home runs each season from 2018 to 2023.
He played for the Yomiuri Giants in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball.
In 2024, he hit 27 home runs, and in 2025, despite injuries, he hit 15 home runs in 77 games.
The Blue Jays have several infield players, including Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and possible returning player Bo Bichette.
Okamoto is expected to play as a third baseman due to the team's current lineup.
The Blue Jays have been active in signing new players this offseason, including Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce, and Taylor Rogers.
Northwestern University has hired Chip Kelly as their offensive coordinator for the football team, aiming to enhance their performance after a 7-6 season. Jerry Neuheisel will also join the team as the new quarterbacks coach. These changes are part of Northwestern's efforts to build a stronger football program.
Key Facts
Northwestern University football team had a 7-6 season finish in 2025.
Chip Kelly was hired as the new offensive coordinator for the team.
Kelly previously worked with Ohio State, Oregon Ducks, Philadelphia Eagles, UCLA Bruins, and Las Vegas Raiders.
Jerry Neuheisel, former UCLA offensive playcaller, joined as the new quarterbacks coach.
Neuheisel worked with Kelly at UCLA for eight seasons.
Northwestern aims for a stronger program, reflected in its $862 million Ryan Field upgrade, projected for 2026 completion.
Shedeur Sanders, currently the quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, received advice from former NFL quarterback Brian Hoyer on improving his game. Sanders' performance this season includes 1,289 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and ten interceptions with a 57.4% completion rate. There is uncertainty about whether he will be the Browns' starting quarterback in 2026.
Key Facts
Shedeur Sanders plays as the quarterback for the Cleveland Browns.
Sanders has thrown for 1,289 yards, with seven touchdowns and ten interceptions in seven games.
His passer rating stands at 68.5, with a completion rate of 57.4%.
Former Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer advised Sanders to focus on eliminating mistakes to be successful.
Sanders improved by showing better performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers recently.
Sanders began the season as the third-string quarterback and became a starter after Joe Flacco and Dillon Gabriel.
The Cleveland Browns, with a 4-12 record, hold two first-round picks and may consider trading up for a new quarterback in the NFL Draft.
Sanders' future as the starting quarterback may also depend on the team’s coaching decisions for the next season.
