The NFC East saw a massive shakeup, with Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys easily controlling the Philadelphia Eagles to split their season series. The Eagles had looked like one of the best teams in the NFL in the first half of the season, but Dallas’ defense prevented them from scoring an offensive touchdown, and the offense torched Philly on third downs (nine-of-16).

In the AFC, the Kansas City Chiefs dropped their second game in a row, and Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid complained about officiating rather than faulting their own obvious execution and detail errors. Now, Kansas City’s lead in the AFC West is a tenuous one-game edge.

Here are the winners and losers from Sunday in Week 14.

WINNERS

There’s a new balance of power in the NFC East

And it’s the Cowboys (10-3) who are in control. While the Eagles (10-3) still control their fate in the division and will win the NFC East if both teams win out, Dallas’ 33-13 rout of Philadelphia was so dominant that the Cowboys continued to expose flaws in Philly’s game that had become apparent in previous weeks.

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The Eagles have now allowed an average of 36.3 points per game over their last three contests. Granted, they have come against the Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers and Cowboys, all of whom have potent offenses. But the Cowboys defense stonewalled the Eagles offense and limited Philadelphia to just 52 offensive plays (compared to Dallas’ 74). Prescott is outplaying Jalen Hurts of the Eagles, and it’s not particularly close.

Juggernaut Niners keep rolling along

It was close early, but the 49ers eventually defeated the Seattle Seahawks in yet another dominant performance, and San Francisco (10-3) looks like the most complete, balanced and explosive team in the entire NFL. The Niners, frankly, look like the only juggernaut in the league after they healed up following their midseason slump.

The Niners rolled up 527 yards on Seattle. While quarterback Brock Purdy draws criticism for playing with elite athletes in a prolific system, what’s undeniable is that he’s producing. He completed 19 of 27 passes for 368 yards with two scores against one interception. Three of his targets surpassed 75 yards, with receivers Deebo Samuel (149 yards and one touchdown) and Brandon Aiyuk (126 yards) starring against the Seahawks.

Everyone in the AFC North … except the Steelers

The Cincinnati Bengals took a huge step to the playoffs as quarterback Jake Browning (18-of-24 for 275 yards, two touchdowns, one interception) continued his prolific pace in a 34-14 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Indianapolis had entered the week in the final wild-card spot in the AFC, but Cincinnati’s complete performance moved them into a six-team logjam for the last two slots.

In fact, if the season ended today, two of the three wild card spots would go to AFC North teams: the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers. With their overtime victory over the Los Angeles Rams, the Baltimore Ravens (10-3) are now two games up on Cleveland (8-5), which took down the Jacksonville Jaguars 31-27 in the early slate. It’s an impressive feat for the most competitive division in football, the only one in the NFL to have every team above .500. Pittsburgh, however, is trending in a precarious situation after its Thursday night loss against the New England Patriots. That marks two defeats in a row to teams that came into their respective contests eight games below .500.

Sean Payton

We need to give Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton his flowers after a 24-7 win against the Los Angeles Chargers. Yes, his detailing in a training camp interview with USA TODAY Sports of the previous coaching regime’s failings was in poor taste, but Payton has turned Denver (7-6) into a team that’s becoming a problem down the stretch.

Behind defensive coordinator Vance Joseph’s direction, the Broncos have allowed just 16 points per game over their last eight, including two games against the Chiefs, one against the Bills and one against the resurgent Green Bay Packers. They have forced 21 turnovers over their last nine games. The offense is a little more precarious; Russell Wilson and the Broncos still haven’t posted a single game of 300 or more passing yards this season are averaging just 162.7 yards per game over their last nine. With a favorable schedule up ahead — aside from Detroit’s 9-3 mark, the remaining three opponents have a combined 13-26 record — Payton has the team in position to potentially snap a seven-year postseason drought.

LOSERS

Kadarius Toney and the Chiefs embarrass themselves in meltdown

Kadarius Toney simply cannot get out of his own way. If it’s not drops or lapses of concentration, Toney is lined up offsides, thus nullifying one of the greatest improvised touchdowns − one he actually scored − in the final minutes of the Chiefs’ eventual 20-17 loss to the Bills.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes complained about officiating after the game, saying the infraction shouldn’t have been called, even though it was clear and obvious. Mahomes and Reid said the burden should have fallen on the official to communicate that Toney was offsides before the ball was snapped. Both tried to absolve themselves – and Toney – of any blame. That’s entitlement and reductive. Frankly, it’s adopting a loser mentality. The “greatness” of the play is irrelevant. Mahomes and the Chiefs have a huge platform, and what they say carries sway in NFL circles. The “let us play” argument is far too convenient and devalues the importance of precision in well-executed football, which is exactly how the Chiefs won their Super Bowls. They should know better.

Consistency in the NFC South

It’s looking like a team with a losing record may host a playoff game – thanks, NFC South. None of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Atlanta Falcons or New Orleans Saints has shown the ability to retain first place in the division for a prolonged stretch.

Tampa Bay was first for the first six weeks of the season. Atlanta then took command the next two. After Week 9, New Orleans grabbed the lead … until Week 12, when it lost to Atlanta, which then took control. That would, of course, be short-lived, as the Falcons fell to the Bucs 29-25 on Sunday. Tampa Bay is now in first, but the Bucs, Falcons and Saints are all 6-7. Most concerning is how these teams are squandering their chances. Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder threw a costly first-quarter interception that gift-wrapped a touchdown to Tampa Bay. Atlanta took a 9-point deficit into the fourth but scored two touchdowns to seize the lead with 3:23 remaining. Needing a defensive stop to seal the win, Atlanta’s defense instead yielded a 12-play, 75-yard, game-winning touchdown drive. These are far from winning behaviors.

Lions backsliding toward pretender status

Coming out of Week 11, the Detroit Lions were 8-2. They had to muster a fourth-quarter comeback to beat the Chicago Bears, but they held a 2.5-game lead on the Minnesota Vikings in first place and a four-game edge over the then-third-place Packers. Fast forward to Sunday, when Detroit (9-4) lost its second of its last three games – both defeats coming against division opponents – and has shown signs of regression.

Over their last four contests, the Lions have committed 10 turnovers; they had 10 in the first nine games of the season. In that same stretch, they have thrown for an average of 219.8 passing yards; in their first nine games, that figure was 267.4. They’ve given up 10 sacks during this slump compared to 16 in their first nine games. The Packers have a chance Monday night to win five of their last six to move two games back of Detroit. The Vikings (7-6) already did that in their 3-0 victory against the Las Vegas Raiders.

The Texans might be tumbling backward, too

Yes, they were without star rookie receiver Tank Dell, who broke his leg last week, and leading receiver Nico Collins exited the game with a calf injury sustained on the first offensive drive of the game, but the Houston Texans have now lost two of their last three after a 30-6 setback against the New York Jets.

Star rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud’s previous career low in passing yards came in a Week 8 loss against the Carolina Panthers; against the Jets, he threw for 91 yards before he left the game late with a concussion. Houston (7-6) went one-of-12 on third downs and Stroud was pressured on 44% of dropbacks, per Next Gen Stats. The Texans have allowed 18 sacks in the last four games. Defense was just as big an issue; Houston allowed a Jets team that had scored just three offensive touchdowns since Week 8 to drop 30 points on them. Zach Wilson (27-of-36 for 301 yards and two touchdowns) easily had his best game of the season.

Former NFL tight end Frank Wycheck, who made the initial lateral in the Tennessee Titans’ famous ‘Music City Miracle’ game, died at the age of 52.

Wycheck’s family confirmed he died Saturday after a fall at his home in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Wycheck was a sixth-round draft pick by Washington in 1993 after playing collegiately at Maryland. He played for two seasons in Washington before joining the Houston Oilers in 1995 and moving with them to Tennessee two years later.

Wycheck developed into a trusted receiver for quarterback Steve McNair as the Titans made the playoffs four times in a five-year span from 1999-2003, including an appearance in Super Bowl 34.

MUSIC CITY MIRACLE: How Frank Wycheck became an unlikely hero

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Wycheck was also a valuable contributor on special teams, never more so than in the wild-card playoff round of the 1999 season.

With Tennessee trailing the Buffalo Bills 16-15 and set to receive a kickoff with 16 seconds left to play, Wycheck played a crucial role in the Titans’ improbable game-winning score − taking a handoff from fullback Lorenzo Neal and making an across-the-field lateral to speedy wideout Kevin Dyson.

Dyson then sprinted 75 yards down the sideline for a touchdown that gave Tennessee a 22-16 victory.

Given new life after being so close to elimination, the Titans went on a roll − defeating the Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars to reach the Super Bowl.

Wycheck played a total of 11 years in the NFL, being named to the Pro Bowl three times and finishing his career with 505 receptions for 5,126 yards and 28 touchdowns.

Caitlin Clark is more than the best passer in college basketball and a logo-shooting supernova: She’s about to become the best scorer in NCAA women’s basketball history, and maybe NCAA history. 

Clark, a senior All-American who led Iowa to the national championship game in April, is on pace to top Kelsey Plum’s scoring record (3,527), set in 2017. Perhaps more impressively, she could also top the men’s scoring record, set by Pete Maravich in 1970 (3,667 points), back before the 3-point line existed. 

Clark started the 2023-24 season with 2,717 career points, and through 11 games she’s averaging 29.5 points per game. Given that she’s never averaged less than 26.6 per season, she’ll likely break Plum’s record toward the end of February (provided she stays healthy). Then again, this is a player who has a history of 40-point performances, so it could happen sooner. 

Should Clark return for a fifth year – because of COVID she has one extra season of eligibility if she wants it – she would undoubtedly shatter both records.

How many points did Caitlin Clark score in Iowa’s last game?

at Wisconsin, Dec. 10: Clark notched a team-high 28 points in Iowa’s 87-65 win over the Badgers. The game came four days after the senior passed the 3,000-point mark. Her final stat line on Sunday included nine rebounds and five assists. She made four 3-point shots against Wisconsin, extending her NCAA-best streak of hitting a trey to 69 consecutive games.

How many career points does Caitlin Clark have?

Caitlin Clark has 3,041 career points (and counting!) after her 28-point performance against Wisconsin.

Points shy of breaking Plum’s record: 487

Points shy of breaking Maravich’s record: 627

Can Caitlin Clark break the scoring record?

Absolutely. The real question is, can Clark break both scoring records? Former Washington All-American Plum, now a WNBA All-Star with the Las Vegas Aces, holds the Division I women’s record with 3,527 points. Pete Maravich holds the Division I men’s record with 3,667. Depending on how deep Iowa plays into the postseason, both of those records are within reach for Clark.

What is Caitlin Clark’s shooting percentage?

In a word: impressive. Clark is currently connecting on 46.8% of her shots and 37.6% from three-point range, eye-popping when you consider the attention she demands from defenses. Her ability to score consistently from long-range is especially impressive considering that, according to ESPN, 68% of 3s she takes are from 25 feet or deeper (the college 3-point line is 22 feet, 1.75 inches).

Caitlin Clark scores 3,000 points

On Dec. 6, Clark crossed the 3,000-point milestone with 6:10 to play in the third quarter vs. Iowa State, fittingly, on a deep 3, becoming just the 15th player in the NCAA era to do so. (Former Iowa State All-American Ashley Joens was the most recent player to hit that mark, scoring 3,060 points from 2018-2023.) By hitting 3,000 points, Clark becomes the first college player, men’s or women’s, to tally 3,000 points, 750 rebounds and 750 assists.

What is Caitlin Clark’s highest-scoring game?

Clark’s highest-scoring game came early in the 2023-24 season, when she hung 44 points on Virginia Tech, another 2023 Final Four participant. Clark shot 13-for-31 that game, including 5-for-16 from 3. She also grabbed eight rebounds and handed out six assists in the 80-76 win.

Is Caitlin Clark a senior?

Caitlin Clark is indeed a senior — but she’s got another year of eligibility left if she wants it.

Clark is part of the last ‘COVID class’ in the NCAA, where athletes who played in the 2020-2021 season, Clark’s freshman year, were awarded a fifth year of eligibility because of how wonky the pandemic made college sports. Schools are inconsistent in how they notate this on their websites: Clark is listed as a senior on Iowa’s roster, whereas Angel Reese, who is the same recruiting class as Clark, is listed as a junior on LSU’s roster.

Should she decide to go pro after this season, Clark is projected as the No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft.

How many points does Caitlin Clark average per game?

Through 11 games in the 2023-24 season, Clark is averaging 29.5 points. Over her career, she’s averaged 27.4 points.

One of the most impressive parts of Clark’s game is that she’s averaged more points each season. Here’s how it breaks down:

Freshman year: 26.6 pointsSophomore year: 27.0 pointsJunior year: 27.8 pointsSenior year: 29.5 points

Caitlin Clark game-by-game points in 2023-24

Here’s a breakdown of Clark’s scoring this season for the Hawkeyes:

at Wisconsin, 12/10/2023: 28 pointsvs. Iowa State, 12/6/2023: 35 pointsvs. Bowling Green, 12/2/2023: 24 pointsvs. Kansas State, 11/26/2023: 32 pointsvs. Florida Gulf Coast, 11/25/2023: 21 pointsvs. Purdue Fort Wayne, 11/24/2023: 29 pointsvs. Drake, 11/19/2023: 35 pointsvs. Kansas State, 11/16/2023: 24 pointsat UNI, 11/12/2023: 24 pointsvs. Virginia Tech, 11/9/2023: 44 pointsvs. FDU, 11/6/2023: 28 points

When does Caitlin Clark, Iowa women’s basketball play again?

Clark will be back in action when the Hawkeyes host Cleveland State on Saturday, Dec. 16.

Follow Lindsay Schnell on social media @Lindsay_Schnell

The fantasy football playoffs are here! Week 15 is less than seven days away and whether it’s prize money on the line or just bragging rights for the next seven months, you will need every edge you can find if you want to take home a championship. You are just a pick-up away from the promised land.

You don’t want to be in a position where one injury or one bad matchup could eliminate you. Here are five players you should consider adding ahead of the fantasy football playoffs.

Fantasy football waiver-wire pickups for Week 15:

Carolina Panthers WR Jonathan Mingo (Rostered in 17% of Yahoo leagues)

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Mingo did not have a good game in Week 14, but prior to Sunday, Mingo had two straight double digit performances. While it might be easy to dismiss the disappointing rookie based on his output for the whole season, Mingo still had nine targets this week. He’s had at least six targets in five straight games.

In a way, he’s overtaken Adam Thielen as Bryce Young’s top option. Thielen had better numbers, but Mingo had more targets. It’s not a pretty pick up, but it could pay off huge.

Cincinnati Bengals QB Jake Browning (Rostered in 27% of Yahoo leagues)

Is Jake Browning actually good? That’s still up for debate. Is Jake Browning putting up incredible fantasy number? Yes, and that’s not debatable. Fact of the matter is that regardless of Browning’s skillset, he still has one of the best wide receiver corps in the NFL, a solid ground game, and a cupcake schedule moving forward. That’s the makings of a fine fantasy quarterback.

Cincinnati’s schedule the next three weeks includes both Minnesota and Pittsburgh, who’ve both been less-than-stellar against quarterbacks this year. Browning even scored 13 points in his debut against Pittsburgh. That’s not great, but it’s not bad and that was before Browning really found his footing as Cincy’s starting quarterback.

The only issue with Browning is that the Bengals face the Kansas City Chiefs in the fantasy championship. However, you can’t win the championship if you never get there. Anybody worried about Herbert’s finger injury or Mahomes only putting up 20 or more fantasy points in four games this year should consider adding Browning to their roster.

Cincinnati Bengals RB Chase Brown (Rostered in 6% of Yahoo leagues)

As hot as Jake Browning is, it’s clear that the Bengals want to hedge their bets and lean on their run game. In his last two games, Joe Mixon has 19 (third-most this season) and 21 (second-most this season) carries. Meanwhile, backup Chase Brown has 17 of his 19 carries this year in that same span.

Even more encouraging though was Brown’s usage as a pass-catcher this week. Brown had three targets and his touchdown was a designed screen for him. The fact that Zac Taylor and the Bengals’ coaching staff is drawing up plays for Brown is a testament to the trust they have in their rookie. Brown is becoming a consistent part of this Bengals’ offense and based on his efficiency (averaging over five yards a carry in the last two games), the Bengals will likely look for more ways to get him involved as they make their late-season playoff push.

Atlanta Falcons D/ST (Rostered in 32% of Yahoo leagues)

In fantasy, it doesn’t matter how good your defense is. It matters how bad the offense they’re going against is, and boy oh boy, do the Falcons have a list of bad offenses coming their way.

The Falcons’ next three games are as follows: @ Carolina, vs. Indianapolis, @ Chicago.

The Bears are the most threatening team of that bunch and they are not world-beaters. Atlanta is practically guaranteed five or more points in each of their next three games. Anybody that needs to stream defenses should seriously look at the Falcons as a set-it and forget-it option during the playoffs.

Baltimore Ravens WR Odell Beckham Jr. (Rostered in 41% of Yahoo leagues)

I know he had his bye last week, but there is zero reason this man should be unrostered in nearly 60 percent of leagues. Prior to his bye week, Beckham had double-digit fantasy points in three of his past four games. In his first game after the bye, he earns a team-high ten targets and finds the endzone for the third time in five games.

Beckham has earned seven or more targets in three of his last five as well. Without Mark Andrews in the fold, Lamar Jackson seems to be willing to spread the ball around more than he has in the past. That said, when the going gets tough, he’s likely going to look for the most experienced receiver on his team. Flowers will get his looks, Likely will get a few as well, but Beckham seems to be Jackson’s favorite target right now. He’s definitely worth a spot on your roster for the playoffs.

From D.C. United’s win in the inaugural MLS Cup in 1996, to the Columbus Crew’s win over Los Angeles FC in the 2023 title game, here’s a ranking of all 28 Major League Soccer championship games.

28. 2008: Columbus Crew over New York Red Bulls, 3-1

This is the only MLS Cup appearance ever for NYRB (previously the MetroStars), and they were no match for the Crew. League MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto assisted on all three goals in the rout.

27. 1998: Chicago Fire over D.C. United, 2-0

The Fire halted D.C. United’s quest to win the first three titles in league history with a comfortable dispatching of the league’s dominant team at the time. Chicago scored twice in the first half to cruise to the first (and still only) championship won by an MLS expansion team.

26. 1999: D.C. United over Los Angeles Galaxy, 2-0

After winning the first two MLS Cups, D.C. United fell to the expansion Chicago Fire in the championship game in 1998. The team was back in the title game in 1999, and cruised to a pedestrian win.

25. 2010: Colorado Rapids over FC Dallas, 2-1

The last of the neutral-site MLS Cups is a somewhat forgettable affair. Neither team was really expected to be there. Colorado prevailed on a game-winning own goal in extra time, set up by Rapids striker Macoumba Kandji, who injured himself on the play. 

24. 2004: D.C. United over Kansas City Wizards, 3-2

Freddy Adu was a mega-hyped 15-year-old MLS rookie and came on as a second-half sub in the last of four MLS Cup wins for D.C. United. Despite being up a man for more than 30 minutes of play, KC found the equalizing goal to be particularly elusive. 

23. 2000: Kansas City Wizards over Chicago Fire, 1-0

This was Tony Meola at his finest. The one-time U.S. national team goalkeeper had a season for the ages in 2000, earning goalkeeper of the year and MVP honors. That run of excellence carried over into MLS Cup, as he offered a clean sheet against the league’s highest-scoring team and was named game MVP.

22. 2016: Seattle Sounders over Toronto FC, 0-0 (Seattle won 5-4 on penalties)

The Sounders won the championship despite not registering a single shot on goal on a frigid evening at Toronto’s BMO Field. Stefan Frei’s save on a Jozy Altidore shot was tremendous, saved the Sounders’ title hopes and is among the greatest plays in MLS Cup history.

21. 1997: D.C. United over Colorado Rapids, 2-1

D.C. United won its second straight MLS Cup against a team that had no business even being in the championship game. But, such is often the nature of the MLS playoffs, which has featured more than its share of randomness over the years.  

20. 2015: Portland Timbers over Columbus Crew, 2-1

This was a weird one. Diego Valeri scored the fastest goal in MLS Cup history 27 seconds into the game after Crew ‘keeper Steve Clark badly botched a back pass. In the seventh minute, Rodney Wallace scored the Timbers’ second goal and that held up as Portland claimed the city’s first major men’s sports championship since the Trail Blazers’ 1977 NBA title.

19. 2007: Houston Dynamo over New England Revolution, 2-1

As the Dynamo won back-to-back titles, the Revs lost MLS Cup for the third consecutive year. Taylor Twellman put the Revs on top in the 20th minute and for a while it appeared as if maybe this would finally be their day. Then, Houston scored twice in a 13-minute span in the second half — with Dwayne De Rosario netting the game-winner.

18. 2023: Columbus Crew over Los Angeles FC, 2-1

LAFC entered the 2023 season with a chance to win six trophies (MLS Cup, Supporters’ Shield, U.S. Open Cup, CONCACAF Champions League, Leagues Cup, Campeones Cup), and came within a game of being the league’s first back-to-back champion, but it was Crew coach Wilfried Nancy who made history. Nancy became the first Black coach to win MLS Cup. His team built a 2-0 lead in the first half, with the first goal coming on a penalty kick from Cucho Hernández and then Yaw Yeboah scored four minutes lafter. LAFC’s Denis Bouanga — the 2023 season’s Golden Boot winner — trimmed the Crew’s lead in the second half, but Columbus held on to win its third league championship and second in four seasons.

17. 2011: Los Angeles Galaxy over Houston Dynamo, 1-0

Entering 2011, no team with a ‘designated player’ had won an MLS Cup. That changed in Carson, Calif., when David Beckham, Robbie Keane and Landon Donovan (L.A.’s three designated players) combined for the game’s lone goal.

16. 2005: Los Angeles Galaxy over New England Revolution, 1-0

‘Pando’ Ramirez was a disappointment all season for the Galaxy, but came through when it mattered most when he karate-kicked a shot into the back of the net in extra time for the game winner.

15. 2017: Toronto FC over Seattle Sounders, 2-0

Toronto FC completed the most impressive single season in league history with a thoroughly dominant performance in an MLS Cup rematch against the Seattle Sounders. In doing so, TFC became the first MLS team to pull off the domestic treble, winning the Canadian Championship, Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup in the same season.

14. 2020: Columbus Crew over Seattle Sounders, 3-0

Nearly three years removed from possible extinction, the Crew pulled off a dramatic rise to glory with a dominant performance against the reigning league champions. Lucas Zelarayan — the most expensive signing in team history — saved his best performance for the Crew’s most crucial moment, scoring two goals and assisting on another.

13. 2019: Seattle Sounders over Toronto FC, 3-1

In the third championship showdown between these two teams, Seattle prevailed in the so-called ‘rubber match.’ After a scoreless first half, the Sounders lit up the scoreboard in the second half, building a 3-0 lead before Jozy Altidore finally put TFC on the board with a stoppage-time goal. Attendance at Seattle’s CenturyLink Field was 69,274, making this the second-biggest crowd — behind the 2018 MLS Cup in Atlanta — in league championship history.

12. 2014: Los Angeles Galaxy over New England Revolution, 2-1

This was the ‘first to five’ for both teams. While the Galaxy won their fifth MLS Cup, the Revolution lost their fifth. The game went to extra time after a 79th minute goal by the Revs’ Chris Tierney, but league MVP Robbie Keane scored the winner in the second period of extra time.

11. 2012: Los Angeles Galaxy over Houston Dynamo, 3-1

The Galaxy made sure David Beckham ended his MLS career as a winner. L.A. scored three second-half goals after Houston had taken a 1-0 first-half lead to win back-to-back MLS Cups. 

10. 2009: Real Salt Lake over Los Angeles Galaxy, 1-1 (RSL won 5-4 on penalties)

RSL became the last MLS team to win the Cup after posting a losing record in the regular season, and did so against a Galaxy team that reached its first title game since David Beckham’s much-ballyhooed arrival. Goalkeeper Nick Rimando helped RSL prevail in the penalty shootout, which included an uncharacteristic Landon Donovan miss. The RSL title, it turned out, wasn’t an anomaly. The team emerged as one of the league’s finest, returning to MLS Cup in 2013, only to lose in a penalty shootout.

9. 2021: New York City FC over Portland Timbers, 1-1 (NYCFC won 4-2 on penalties)

NYCFC, playing in its first MLS Cup, won New York’s first major club soccer championship since the Cosmos won Soccer Bowl ‘82. NYCFC prevailed thanks to its veteran goalkeeper, Sean Johnson, who stopped two penalty kicks in the shootout to secure the win. 2021 MLS Golden Boot winner Valentin ‘Taty’ Castellanos opened the scoring late in the first half, and it took until second-half stoppage time for Portland’s Felipe Mora to equalize and send the Providence Park crowd into euphoria.

8. 2006: Houston Dynamo over New England Revolution, 1-1 (Houston won 4-3 on penalties)

For a brief (very brief) moment, it seemed New England would finally claim its long-elusive MLS Cup. Taylor Twellman scored in the 113th minute, only to have Houston’s Brian Ching answer a minute later. That set up a penalty shootout in which Ching netted the clincher. 

7. 2001: San Jose Earthquakes over Los Angeles Galaxy, 2-1

Landon Donovan was just a 19-year-old bleached-blond soccer football wunderkind when he helped lead San Jose to its first MLS Cup title (fun fact: the highlights reveal a lot of bleached-blondness going on in this one). Donovan didn’t disappoint, scoring a game-tying goal. Six minutes into sudden-death overtime, Dwayne De Rosario scored the ‘golden goal’ winner.

6. 2002: Los Angeles Galaxy over New England Revolution, 1-0

More than 60,000 fans (then an MLS Cup record) packed brand-new Gillette Stadium to witness the final league championship decided by a ‘golden goal’ (starting in 2004, MLS Cups were decided with 30-minute extra-time periods, and if necessary penalty shootouts). Carlos Ruiz scored the winner in the 113th minute, disappointing the large partisan crowd and putting the Revs on a path toward unenviable recognition as MLS’s version of the Buffalo Bills.

5. 2018: Atlanta United FC 2, Portland Timbers 0

It’s tempting to look back at this game as a possible seismic shift for MLS. A team as ambitious as any at the time in the Western Hemisphere won a title in just its second season in front of a MLS Cup-record crowd of 73,019 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. It was an absolute spectacle, and Atlanta showed the immense potential of MLS.

4. 2003: San Jose Earthquakes over Chicago Fire, 4-2

Having already won the U.S. Open Cup and Supporters’ Shield, the Fire were going for the treble against the Earthquakes. Pregame hype centered around Landon Donovan (of the Earthquakes) and DaMarcus Beasley (of the Fire), and rightfully so, because the two provided three goals (two by Donovan) in the high-scoring game.

3. 2013: Sporting Kansas City over Real Salt Lake, 1-1 (SKC won 7-6 on penalties)

A wildly entertaining championship clash played in frigid conditions ended in an epic 10-round penalty-kick shootout. Watch Sporting KC goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen, just watch him. Somehow, Nielsen managed to get the better of his goalkeeping counterpart Nick Rimando in that crazy shootout. This was just a really fun game to watch.

2. 1996: D.C. United over Los Angeles Galaxy, 3-2

A classic Nor’easter at Foxboro helped set a memorable and dramatic backdrop for the league’s inaugural championship game. While at first the team from sunny L.A. thrived, United pulled off a late-game rally from two goals down to force overtime, during which Eddie Pope’s header cemented D.C. as MLS’s first title winners. 

1. Los Angeles FC over Philadelphia Union, 3-3 (LAFC won 3-0 on penalties)

A sporting rarity pitting the regular season’s two best teams was a dramatic confrontation that produced back-and-forth action with plenty of goals, a world-class player delivering in the most crucial moment and an unsung hero giving the game a Hollywood ending befitting of the host city. Tied 2-2 at the end of regulation, extra time produced a plot twist. LAFC went down to 10 men after goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau badly injured his leg while committing a red-card foul on Cory Burke. The Union took a 3-2 lead only to have Welsh star Gareth Bale rescue the game in the 128th minute with the breathtaking equalizer, forcing a penalty kick shootout. LAFC’s backup goalkeeper John McCarthy — a Philadelphia native and former Union player — had been pressed into action after Crépeau’s injury, and stopped two shots in the shootout as LAFC won its first MLS Cup.

A bad day for the Houston Texans got much worse when rookie starting quarterback C.J. Stroud left in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 30-6 road loss to the New York Jets.

Stroud completed a pass to receiver John Metchie, but was knocked down by two Jets defenders and a Texans lineman, causing the back of his head to hit the turf at MetLife Stadium.

Stroud rolled over onto his stomach after the play, but laid on his back as he was tended to by training staff members. He was seen walking on his own off the field toward the locker room. The Texans announced Stroud was evaluated for a concussion.

“C.J. will be in concussion protocol. We’ll see how he progresses throughout the week,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said after the loss with a game on the road against the Tennessee Titans next Sunday.

Stroud was replaced in the lineup by backup Davis Mills, who finished the game.

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Stroud, the No. 2 overall pick by the Texans in the 2023 NFL draft, finished 10 of 23 for 91 yards and a 54.8 rating in arguably the worst performance of his impressive rookie season. Although it was a rough outing, Stroud is still considered a favorite for NFL Rookie of the Year with his dynamic performance this season in Houston.

Stroud entered the game as the NFL’s passing leader with 3,540 yards and tied for eighth with 20 touchdowns. But Sunday’s game was a tough outing for the Texans, who played without several players due to injury.

Leading receiver Nico Collins left early due to a calf injury, while defensive end Will Anderson Jr., the No. 3 overall pick in 2023, injured his ankle. The Texans also played without receiver Tank Dell, out for the season due to a broken leg, and tight end Dalton Schultz, who missed his second straight game with a hamstring injury.

Thankfully for the Texans, they didn’t lose any significant ground in the AFC South after the loss.

Houston is still in third place in the division.

The Indianapolis Colts are also 7-6 after their 34-14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, and remain in second place.

The division-leading Jacksonville Jaguars also lost 31-27 against the Cleveland Browns but remain in first place.

“This game strictly came down to the Jets, their players made plays and we didn’t,” Ryans said of the Texans’ loss. “If you don’t go out there and make plays, you don’t deserve to win the football game.”

The Cleveland Browns are officially Joe Flacco’s team.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters after the Browns’ 31-27 home win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday that he was giving the reins to the veteran quarterback for the rest of the season.

‘Played well, I think you expect him to get better as he gets more comfortable in our system with our players, those type of things,’ he said. ‘We just talked about him and all of our guys doing their job, giving us their best and I thought that’s what he did.’

On Sunday facing fourth-and-three in the fourth quarter, Flacco, 38, showed his expertise when he found David Bell for a 41-yard touchdown.

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‘Coming up with words about how this feels, I’m not going to do a good job of that,’ Flacco told reporters after the game. ‘There’s so many different things that are running through my head. It’s unbelievable to be out there. It’s a really unique experience. I can’t say enough to have children that are of the age where they understand what’s going on. I’m gonna remember these things forever.’

Cleveland signed Flacco off the couch when Deshaun Watson suffered a season-ending shoulder injury. He was elevated to the active roster after Dorian Thompson-Robinson went into concussion protocol after a 29-12 Week 12 loss to the Denver Broncos.

The veteran got his first start in Week 13, a 36-19 loss to the Los Angeles Rams and completed 23 of 44 passes for 254 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He was the Browns’ fourth starting quarterback this season.

This is Flacco’s 16th season in the NFL. He spent his first 11 years with the Baltimore Ravens, who took him with the No. 18 overall pick in the 2008 draft after he broke records at Delaware. The franchise’s leading passer led the Ravens to a win in Super Bowl 47 and was named the game’s MVP. He spent a season with the Denver Broncos and three with the Jets before joining the Browns this fall.

‘A player that’s been around and has had the career that he’s had, he can really lean on his experiences, lean on his games that he’s played, the different systems he’s been in,’ Stefanski said. ‘And he just told that to the football team, some of the things that he’s been through and now we as a team have been through, it is good for you in the end.’

The Indiana Fever have won the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft for the second straight year, and now have a chance to possibly add Iowa superstar Caitlin Clark to the team.

The results of the WNBA draft lottery were officially announced in a 30-minute show on ESPN on Sunday afternoon, and the final results of the lottery resulted in the Fever picking first.

It is the second time in Fever franchise history that they have the No. 1 pick, joining the 2023 draft, when they drafted Aliyah Boston, who became the Rookie of the Year. Boston was at the ESPN Studios in Bristol, Conn., as a representative for the Fever.

Heading into the lottery, the Fever had a 44.2% chance of landing the top selection. The Phoenix Mercury had the second-best odds with a 27.6% chance, and the Los Angeles Sparks and Seattle Storm had a 17.8% and 10.8% chance, respectively.

The Fever have had the top odds in the draft four times, including this season. Despite having the best odds in 2019 and 2022, the Fever did not get the top pick either time. Indiana got the third pick in 2019 and second pick in 2022.

This is the fourth time in WNBA history a team has had the No. 1 pick for multiple years. The Seattle Storm had the top picks in 2001 and 2002, picking Lauren Jackson and Sue Bird, respectively. The Storm again had the No. 1 pick in 2015 and 2016, choosing Jewell Loyd and reigning WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart.

The Las Vegas Aces franchise, the current two-time reigning WNBA champions, had the No. 1 pick for three straight years. It started in 2017 when the franchise was still in San Antonio, and it picked Kelsey Plum. The Aces also got the No. 1 pick in the two years after they moved to Las Vegas, picking A’ja Wilson in ‘18 and Jackie Young in ‘19. All three of those players are still in the starting lineup for the Aces.

Now, the Fever will have the top choice of the best player coming out of the 2024 draft. Iowa guard and reigning national player of the year Caitlin Clark is the presumed No. 1 pick — if she decides to come out to the draft. She has one more year of eligibility because of COVID-19.

Between now and the WNBA draft in April, the Fever’s objective will be convincing Clark to go pro in 2024.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — It’s gone from bad to worse for the Los Angeles Chargers.

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert suffered a right index fracture in the first half of the team’s 24-7 loss the Denver Broncos and didn’t return.

Chargers coach Brandon Staley said Herbert’s prognosis for the rest of the season is ‘to be determined.’ The quarterback is scheduled to undergo further testing to find out how long he’ll be sidelined.

The Chargers have a quick turnaround in Week 15. Los Angeles travels to Las Vegas to face the Raiders on Thursday night.

Herbert injured his right index finger in second quarter when he was knocked to the ground by Broncos defensive end Zach Allen after completing a pass to tight end Donald Parham. After the Chargers turned the ball over on downs in the same series, Herbert was checked out by the team’s medical staff before exiting to the locker room.

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Chargers backup quarterback Easton Stick replaced Herbert during the team’s next series.

Herbert left the game after completing 9 of 17 passes for 96 yards with one interception and no touchdowns. He was also sacked four times.

The Chargers initially deemed Herbert as questionable to return late in the second quarter, but downgraded the star quarterback to ‘out’ after halftime. Herbert watched the entire second half in street clothes with his right hand tucked inside the front pocket of his hoodie.

Herbert’s injury headlined a disappointing game for the quarterback and the Chargers. Herbert started the game 1 of 6 passing and tossed an interception that led to a Broncos touchdown.

The game predictably spiraled in the wrong direction for the Chargers after Herbert’s injury. Los Angeles trailed 10-0 at halftime and faced a 17-0 deficit entering the fourth quarter. The Chargers went 0-for-12 on third downs and 1-for-6 on fourth downs in the defeat.

‘It’s tough. You feel bad for hanging the team out like that,’ Herbert said. ‘You never want to be taken out of the game.’

The loss dropped the Chargers to 5-8 on the season and put a devastating blow to their already slim playoff hopes.

‘It’s tough. (Justin Herbert) is the heartbeat to our team,’ Chargers safety Derwin James said. ‘He means a lot to our team. It’s tough when he went down for sure.’

Herbert’s started every game for the Chargers since Week 2 over the 2020 season. The Chargers now face the very real possibility of being without their franchise quarterback as they limp toward the finish line of the regular season.

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.