The New England Patriots released defensive end Darrell Taylor before their AFC championship game against the Denver Broncos. Taylor was added to the Patriots' practice squad just days before but was released because he did not fit well with the team's system. The Patriots will face the Broncos, who will use their backup quarterback, Jarrett Stidham, due to Bo Nix's injury.
Key Facts
The New England Patriots are preparing to play the Denver Broncos in the AFC championship game.
The Broncos will start backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham after Bo Nix's injury.
The Patriots released defensive end Darrell Taylor, whom they had signed to their practice squad on January 14.
Head coach Mike Vrabel stated that Taylor did not adapt well to the Patriots' system.
Darrell Taylor was initially released by the Houston Texans before joining the Patriots.
Taylor has career stats of 126 tackles, 24.5 sacks, and seven forced fumbles in the NFL.
Taylor was a second-round draft pick by the Seattle Seahawks in 2020.
NBA legend Chris Bosh endorsed Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. Brown has been leading the Celtics with impressive performances after Jayson Tatum's injury. The Celtics are currently second in the Eastern Conference.
Key Facts
Jaylen Brown is a key player for the Boston Celtics, especially after Jayson Tatum's injury.
The Celtics hold a 27-16 record and are second in the Eastern Conference.
Brown is averaging 29.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.8 assists over 40 games.
Chris Bosh publicly supported Brown for the MVP award on NBA Showtime.
Brown started for the Eastern Conference in the 2026 NBA All-Star Game.
Brown is currently ranked fifth on the Kia MVP Ladder.
There is no confirmed date for Jayson Tatum's return from injury.
The Celtics are close to securing the top spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Dallas Mavericks plan to host the Los Angeles Lakers for a game on Saturday at 7:30 PM CT, despite severe weather conditions expected over the weekend. Measures are in place to ensure safety, and some entrances to the venue will be closed. The Mavericks will update fans if conditions change.
Key Facts
The game between the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers will occur as scheduled on Saturday evening.
A winter storm warning is in effect from Friday evening to Sunday noon.
Closed entrances at the American Airlines Center for the game include the North and North Platinum Entrances.
The game will be nationally televised on ABC.
The Lakers lead the season series against the Mavericks 1-0 so far.
The Lakers have a current record of 26-17, while the Mavericks hold a 19-26 record.
The Lakers are favorites to win with a 56.9% chance, according to ESPN Analytics.
The Denver Broncos face challenges ahead of their playoff game against the New England Patriots. Their starting quarterback, Bo Nix, is out for the season due to a broken ankle, and backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham has not played competitively in over two years. Additionally, star running back J.K. Dobbins is also ruled out due to a lingering injury.
Key Facts
The Broncos are the No. 1 seed in the AFC Conference.
Starting quarterback Bo Nix is out for the season with a broken ankle.
Backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham hasn't thrown a pass in over two years.
J.K. Dobbins, the Broncos' star running back, is ruled out of Sunday's game due to a toe injury.
Rookie running back RJ Harvey will step up in Dobbins’ absence; he struggled last week with only 20 rushing yards.
Despite injuries, the Broncos have a strong defense and the Patriots have never won a playoff game on the road in Denver.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton has confidence in Jarrett Stidham against the Patriots.
The Oklahoma State Cowboys will compete against the Missouri Tigers in a college wrestling match on Friday, January 23, 2026. This event will be held at the Hearnes Center, and fans can watch it live on ESPN+. Both teams are ranked nationally, with Oklahoma State ranked fifth and Missouri ranked eighteenth.
Key Facts
The wrestling match between Oklahoma State and Missouri takes place on January 23, 2026.
The event will be held at the Hearnes Center.
Oklahoma State is ranked fifth, and Missouri is ranked eighteenth in college wrestling.
Both teams are part of the Big 12 Conference.
The match will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
Oklahoma State has a strong track record against Missouri in past matches.
Oklahoma State's team includes standout wrestler Jax Forrest, a freshman with impressive performances.
Missouri aims to capitalize on recent wins to challenge Oklahoma State effectively.
England's head rugby coach, Steve Borthwick, encourages the team and their fans to aim for victory in the upcoming Six Nations tournament, which they last won seven years ago. England, having won their last 11 matches, starts the tournament facing Wales on February 7 and ends with a key game against France on March 14. Borthwick prepared a 36-member squad, including some new and returning players, for the tournament challenge.
Key Facts
Steve Borthwick, England's rugby head coach, is aiming for his team to win the Six Nations tournament for the first time in seven years.
England will play their first Six Nations game against Wales on February 7.
The tournament's final and deciding match for England is against France on March 14.
Borthwick mentioned that recent Six Nations tournaments have often been decided in the last round of matches.
Wales' new coach, Steve Tandy, brings a defensive style learned in Scotland, focusing on high tackling and a kicking game.
Borthwick has named a 36-player squad for the tournament, including three new players.
The squad also includes players recovering from injuries, showing Borthwick's approach to maintaining team cohesion.
The Rugby World Cup in Australia starts in a little over 20 months.
Dak Prescott, quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, was initially considered for the MVP award in the NFL but did not make the final list of candidates. Despite his strong performance, the Cowboys' failure to reach the playoffs is thought to have affected his MVP chances. Prescott might still win the Comeback Player of the Year award.
Key Facts
Dak Prescott is a quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys.
He was considered a potential MVP candidate but did not make the final list.
The final MVP candidates include four quarterbacks and one running back.
Prescott had strong individual stats, with 404 completions and over 4,500 passing yards.
The Dallas Cowboys did not make the playoffs, finishing with a 7-9 record.
Dak Prescott is a contender for the Comeback Player of the Year award.
Team performance seems to have influenced Prescott's exclusion from the MVP list.
The Indiana Hoosiers will face the Penn State Nittany Lions in a college wrestling match on Friday, January 23, 2026, at Rec Hall. Indiana is ranked No. 25 and Penn State is ranked No. 1. The match will be available to watch on Big Ten Plus and can be streamed live on B1G+.
Key Facts
The match between Indiana and Penn State is a college wrestling event.
It will take place on Friday, January 23, 2026, at 7:00 PM ET.
The venue for the match is Rec Hall in University Park.
Indiana is currently ranked No. 25, while Penn State is ranked No. 1.
Penn State has ten wrestlers ranked nationally and is undefeated this season.
Indiana recently won their first Big Ten match against Maryland.
The match will be shown on the Big Ten Plus channel and can be streamed on B1G+.
Viewers need a subscription to B1G+ for live streaming, with potential regional restrictions.
DraftKings offers new users a chance to gain a $300 bonus by betting $5 on selected sports games, like the NBA game between the Houston Rockets and Detroit Pistons. The betting promotion applies to NBA, UFC, NCAAB, and NFL games, but users' initial bets must be successful, and certain conditions must be met.
Key Facts
New DraftKings users can get a $300 bonus by betting $5 on specific sports games.
The $5 bet must win for users to qualify for the $300 bonus.
The bonus comes as twelve $25 vouchers, which expire seven days after credit.
The initial $5 bet must have odds of -500 or longer.
The promotion is for new users aged 21 and older in participating states.
The NBA game between the Houston Rockets and Detroit Pistons happens on January 23, 2026.
Detroit Pistons is currently leading the Eastern Conference.
The Houston Rockets enter the match as underdogs due to recent losses.
bet365 is offering new users a bonus deal for NBA and NFL games during the conference championships. By using the code WEEK365, users can bet $5 and receive $200 in bonus bets, regardless of the outcome of their initial bet, as long as certain conditions are met. Additionally, users in Pennsylvania and New Jersey receive extra casino game spins as part of the welcome package.
Key Facts
bet365 is offering a special bonus code, WEEK365, for new users.
Users who bet $5 can receive $200 in bonus bets.
The initial bet must settle within 30 days and meet minimum odds requirements.
Bonus bets expire 7 days after being credited.
In Pennsylvania, new users get 50 online casino spins; in New Jersey, they get 10 Golden Chips.
This promotion applies to NBA and NFL games, including the Detroit Pistons vs. Houston Rockets matchup.
The Detroit Pistons are favored to win their game against the Houston Rockets.
The promotional period includes the NFL conference championship games.
The article discusses a promotion for new users of Underdog Fantasy sports that can be used for the NBA game between the Milwaukee Bucks and Denver Nuggets on January 23, 2026. New users who sign up and deposit $5 can receive $75 in bonus entries to use for NBA fantasy games. The article also provides player analysis for the NBA matchup.
Key Facts
New users can receive $75 in bonus entries when they sign up for Underdog Fantasy with a $5 deposit.
The bonus is split into ten entries worth $7.50 each.
The promotion can be used for the Milwaukee Bucks vs. Denver Nuggets game or any other NBA game that week.
The Milwaukee Bucks will play the Denver Nuggets on January 23, 2026.
Key Bucks player Giannis Antetokounmpo is averaging 28.17 points per game.
Denver Nuggets are focusing on Jamal Murray due to Nikola Jokić’s injury.
To use the bonus, new users need to sign up and follow simple steps for activation.
England footballer Jess Carter received online racist abuse during the Euro 2025 tournament, which affected her deeply. Nigel Dewale, who sent the abusive messages, pleaded guilty in court. Carter highlights the growing problem of online abuse in women's football and the need for better measures to combat it.
Key Facts
Jess Carter is an England footballer who plays for Gotham FC in the US.
During Euro 2025, she received racist messages on social media.
Nigel Dewale admitted to sending these abusive messages to Carter.
The abuse made Carter fearful and affected her confidence and desire to leave her hotel during the tournament.
Carter said online abuse toward female players is increasing and affects their willingness to express their identities.
She has noticed that fans in America are more positive compared to those in England.
Carter has 52 caps for England and was part of the squad that won Euro 2022.
Authorities and social media platforms are urged to work together to stop online abuse.
Stanford and Virginia Tech are competing in a college wrestling match at Cassell Coliseum. The match, scheduled for Friday, January 23, 2026, will be streamed on ESPN and broadcast on ACCNX. Both teams have strong lineups and the match could affect standings and future competitions.
Key Facts
The wrestling match is on Friday, January 23, 2026, at 7:00 PM ET.
It will take place at Cassell Coliseum.
The match will be broadcast on ACCNX and streamed on ESPN.
Stanford is ranked No. 22 and includes several top wrestlers like Nico Provo and Tyler Knox.
Virginia Tech, ranked No. 12, has a strong team with standout athletes like Caleb Henson.
The outcome could impact ACC dual standings and postseason placements.
Both teams are capable of earning bonus points, which can influence the match's outcome.
Bryce Montes de Oca, a pitcher who played briefly for the New York Mets in 2022, has signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals. He will join their major league spring training camp. Montes de Oca missed the 2025 season due to Tommy John surgery.
Key Facts
Bryce Montes de Oca previously played for the New York Mets in 2022.
He has now signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals.
The Nationals invited him to their major league spring training camp.
Montes de Oca had Tommy John surgery in August 2024, his second time undergoing the procedure.
He did not play in the 2025 season because of the surgery.
He stands 6 feet 7 inches tall and is a right-handed pitcher.
In 2022, he had a 10.80 ERA in 3.1 innings pitched for the Mets, allowing four earned runs.
Tom Brady, now an NFL game analyst and part owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, discussed his observations on Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Brady praised Mendoza's performance in his championship-winning season and mentioned areas for future improvement as Mendoza approaches the NFL Draft. While Brady did not confirm the Raiders' choice for their top draft pick, he noted Mendoza's impressive qualities as a player.
Key Facts
Tom Brady works as a game analyst for Fox Sports and has a minority ownership in the Las Vegas Raiders.
Fernando Mendoza, an Indiana quarterback, won the Heisman Trophy and led his team to a 16-0 season, winning the National Championship.
Tom Brady attended the championship game to observe Mendoza.
Brady praised Mendoza's maturity and potential but noted development is still needed for professional play.
Brady stressed the importance of player dedication and passion for the sport.
The Raiders are considering Mendoza for their top NFL Draft pick, but no decision has been made public yet.
North Carolina Tar Heels will face off against NC State Wolfpack in a college wrestling match at Reynolds Coliseum. The event is scheduled for Friday, January 23, 2026, and will be broadcast on the ACCNX channel with streaming available on ESPN. Both teams are nationally ranked, and fans can expect competitive matches.
Key Facts
The wrestling match is between North Carolina Tar Heels and NC State Wolfpack.
The event takes place on Friday, January 23, 2026, at 7:00 PM ET.
It will occur at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, North Carolina.
The match is part of the NCAA college wrestling season.
North Carolina is currently ranked No. 11, while NC State is ranked No. 8.
The match will be shown on the TV channel ACCNX and live-streamed on ESPN platforms.
North Carolina aims for its first victory over NC State since 2013.
NC State seeks its 13th consecutive win against North Carolina in this series.
The Indiana Hoosiers will face the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in an NCAA men's college basketball game. The game will take place on January 23, 2026, at 6:00 PM ET and will be broadcast on FOX Sports 1. The Hoosiers have been struggling recently, while Rutgers needs a win to improve their season record.
Key Facts
Indiana Hoosiers have a season record of 12 wins and 7 losses.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights have a season record of 9 wins and 10 losses.
The game will be played at the Rutgers Athletic Center.
The match will be broadcast on FOX Sports 1.
Lamar Wilkerson, Tucker DeVries, and Tayton Conerway are key players for Indiana.
Rutgers has scored an average of 70.3 points per game this season.
Rutgers' shooting percentage is 40.9%, ranking 341st out of 365 teams in the NCAA.
Fans can live stream the game through Fubo, and a free trial is available.
Travis Kelce, a player for the Kansas City Chiefs, has decided not to participate in the Pro Bowl Games this Super Bowl week. This decision could indicate he might undergo surgery and raises questions about whether he will play next season.
Key Facts
Travis Kelce is a player for the Kansas City Chiefs and has been to three consecutive Super Bowls.
He was invited to play in the "Pro Bowl Games" but chose not to participate.
Dalton Kincaid from the Buffalo Bills will replace him at the Pro Bowl.
Kelce may need surgery on his PCL (a ligament in the knee) this offseason.
His decision to return next season is still uncertain.
If Kelce retires, it could help the Chiefs financially by giving them more flexibility in acquiring new players.
Kelce is planning to get married to Taylor Swift this summer in Rhode Island.
Aston Villa is close to signing Tammy Abraham from Besiktas for £18 million. Abraham is expected to finalize the move to Villa Park over the weekend. Villa aims to strengthen their team after selling a player to Roma.
Key Facts
Aston Villa is negotiating an £18 million deal to sign Tammy Abraham from Besiktas.
Tammy Abraham is 28 years old and currently plays as a striker.
He joined Besiktas on loan from Roma, with Besiktas having an option to buy him for £12 million.
Villa manager Unai Emery considers Abraham a priority to support player Ollie Watkins.
Abraham played regularly at Roma and helped them win the Conference League.
Villa's president of football operations, Roberto Olabe, traveled to Turkey to watch Abraham play.
As part of the agreement, Villa's defender Yasin Ozcan may move to Besiktas.
Abraham previously played for Villa on loan in the 2018-19 season, helping them return to the Premier League.
The New York Yankees claimed outfielder Michael Siani off waivers after he was designated for assignment by the Los Angeles Dodgers. To make room for Siani, the Yankees designated pitcher Kaleb Ort for assignment. Siani is recognized for his strong defensive skills but has struggled offensively.
Key Facts
The Yankees picked up outfielder Michael Siani from the Dodgers to bolster their roster.
Siani is known for his excellent defense, playing all three outfield positions effectively.
He has played 160 MLB games with strong defensive stats like 7 Defensive Runs Saved.
Siani's offensive performance is below average, with a batting line of .221/.277/.270 in MLB.
The Dodgers initially claimed Siani off waivers but moved on due to roster needs.
To add Siani, the Yankees made space by designating Kaleb Ort for assignment.
The Yankees also recently re-signed outfielder Cody Bellinger to a long-term deal.
