Is it almost sundown in the Sunshine State for Mike McDaniel?

Recent rumors suggest that the Miami Dolphins head coach’s seat is warming, but maybe not burning hot just yet. The 31-21 ‘Thursday Night Football’ loss to the Buffalo Bills, though, moved the hands of the Miami doomsday clock closer to midnight.

The Dolphins are now 0-3 on the 2025 season. With back-to-back losses in the AFC East, they’re slipping further from Super Bowl hopes that were pervasive earlier in McDaniel’s tenure.

Thursday night may have been a small step forward for the Dolphins, with a relatively competitive game with the AFC East leaders. Still, there are no moral victories in the NFL.

So, what’s the outlook for the Dolphins and Mike McDaniel after the ‘TNF’ loss? Here’s how some of USA TODAY Sports’ NFL experts feel.

Dolphins still have some fight left

The Bills are far and away the best team in the AFC East. They are 3-0 for the second straight year and have won two consecutive games within the division. Josh Allen, James Cook and Buffalo’s offense is tough to stop. As long as the defense continues to be above average, the Bills will be a Super Bowl contender.

The Dolphins are on the opposite end of the spectrum. At 0-3, the Dolphins find themselves in an early hole that’s going to be tough to overcome. Tua Tagovailoa was very conservative with the football and continues to make untimely mistakes. He had a bad interception late in the fourth quarter that was the game’s pivotal play.

The good news is Mike McDaniel’s team fought hard in Buffalo despite questions about the head coach’s job status. It’s easy for a team to check out when a coach is on the hot seat, but the Dolphins showed Thursday night that they still have some fight left. – Tyler Dragon, NFL insider

Mike McDaniel’s seat cooling?

The Bills didn’t look their best and it didn’t matter. They remain one of the teams to beat in the AFC, but the story is about the team in South Beach. With McDaniel’s seat seemingly on fire heading into Thursday night, the Dolphins showed plenty of fight and even had a chance to pull off the upset – despite a deeply flawed roster that’s also littered with injuries. If anything, this game likely cooled McDaniel’s seat for the time being as Miami’s real issues came to light. – Nick Brinkerhoff, NFL writer

Dolphins still heading in the wrong direction

The Dolphins displayed great effort for their head coach, demonstrating that he still has support in the locker room, especially with impressive touchdown drives at the start and end of the first half. However, Buffalo is simply too strong. Miami’s defense allowed 33 points to the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots in its first two games so tonight was a slight improvement. The Dolphins don’t stand a chance against teams with a competent offense right now. Miami played hard but these teams are headed in opposite directions. – Tom Viera, NFL writer/editor

No moral victories for Miami

Sure, Dolphins fans can look at the scoreboard and say, ‘Well, they didn’t get blown out!’ The scoreboard has a more important figure, though: 0-3. The Dolphins entered the 2025 season with boom-or-bust expectations, and through three games, Miami’s season is firmly in the ‘bust’ section. Yeah, there’s plenty of season left, but only six teams in NFL history have made the playoffs after an 0-3 start. Don’t count Miami as the next – it simply doesn’t have enough, especially with questions being asked about the job security of Mike McDaniel and Tua Tagovailoa’s standing as a franchise quarterback. – Joe Rivera, NFL editor

The Indiana Fever are advancing to the semifinals in the WNBA playoffs. 

The No. 6 seed Fever upset the No. 3 seed Atlanta Dream 87-85 on the road on Thursday in a closely contested Game 3 that featured 11 ties and six lead changes. It was the Fever’s first playoff series win since 2015. The Fever will face either the Las Vegas Aces or Seattle Storm in the best-of-five (2-2-1) semifinals beginning Sunday.

Fever center Aliyah Boston hit a go-ahead layup with 7.4 seconds remaining to give the Fever a one-point lead, Indiana’s first since the second quarter. Dream guard Rhyne Howard attempted to inbound the ball to Jordin Canada on their next possession, but Fever guard Lexie Hull intercepted the ball, prompting Atlanta to foul. The Dream had a final look at the basket with 1.2 seconds remaining, but Dream forward Brionna Jones wasn’t able to knock down a buzzer-beating 3.

‘You knew Atlanta was going to be aggressive and make stuff ugly for us,’ Kelsey Mitchell, who scored a game-high 24 points, said. ‘And down the stretch of the game, it was about getting stops and Lexi Hull got the stop. It takes all of us. We all we got, we all we need.’

The Fever closed Game 3 on a 7-0 run to steal the decider at Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia. Boston, Hull and the entire Fever squad celebrated at the buzzer with injured teammates, including Caitlin Clark (right groin), Sydney Colson (left knee) and Sophie Cunningham (right knee).

Kelsey Mitchell finished with a game-high 24 points. Boston added a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, while Odyssey Sims had 16 points and eight assists.

Dream guard Allisha Gray finished with her first career playoff double-double, recording 19 points and 12 rebounds, in addition to five personal fouls in the loss. Jordan Canada added 18 points and 10 assists.

Fever’s Caitlin Clark sets tone with black Nike Air Force 1

Caitlin Clark may not have been able to play in Game 2, but she clearly tried to influence her teammates with her shoe game. Clark, who is out with a right groin injury, wore black Nike Air Force 1 sneakers. The shoes are synonymous with bullies and tough people.

‘I fear you mean business,’ Aliyah Boston joked before Game 2. ‘Black Forces?! Them (refs) better watch out.’ 

Ever a superstitious type, after the Fever won Game 2, Clark wore same outfit and Air Force 1s for Game 3. After the Fever upset the Dream, they celebrated the shoes on the court.

‘If you got black Air Force 1s on, it means something,’ Kelsey Mitchell said postgame. ‘You focused.’

Fever vs. Dream highlights

End of Q3: Dream 73, Fever 69

The Dream have a four-point lead heading into the fourth quarter and a spot in the semifinals on the line. 

“It’s win or go home. Everybody is giving it all they got,” said Dream guard Allison Gray, who has 15 points and 10 points, marking her first career playoff double-double. “I’m crashing the boards harder than I have in my entire life.”

Jordin Canada also has 15 points for the Dream, while Rhyne Howard added 13. Atlanta is up to 48 points in the paint after setting a WNBA record with 40 first-half paint points. 

Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell has a game-high 22 points. Odyssey Sims has 13, while Natasha Howard and Aliyah Boston have 12 points each. 

Fever guard Odyssey Sims goes down hard

Allisha Gray was called for her fourth personal foul of the game after hitting Odyssey Sims with 4:09 remaining in the third quarter while attempting a chase down block from behind. Sims fell hard as a result and landed on her left shoulder. She stayed down for a while in visible pain and got up holding that shoulder. The foul was reviewed for a possible flagrant, but officials determined it was just a common foul. Sims stayed in the game and is up to 13 points.

Aliyah Boston called for technical foul for pushing Brionna Jones

Fever center Aliyah Boston and Dream forward Brionna Jones Brionna Jones have been battling under the basket all series long, but emotions appeared to boil over in Game 3.

Jones and Boston got tied up while jockeying for position with 5:44 remaining in the third quarter. A personal foul was called on Jones, but after the whistle, a frustrated Boston pushed Jones off her back and onto the ground. 

Officials reviewed the play and Boston was ultimately assessed a technical foul. Jones is up to four fouls, while Boston has two fouls.

Halftime: Dream 56, Fever 49

Dream guard Rhyne Howard knocked down a 3-pointer with 47 seconds remaining in the second quarter to extend the Dream’s lead over the Fever to eight points, the largest of the night for either team. Fever guard Lexie Hull immediately responded with a 3-pointer of her own on Indiana’s next possession, highlight the back-and-forth nature of Game 3, which has featured nine ties and six lead changes so far.

The Dream have a seven-point lead going into halftime.

Kelsey Mitchell scored 19 points in the first quarter, shooting 5-of-10 from the field and 3-of-4 from 3. The Fever are getting everyone involved, with 14 assists on 16 field goals, but Indiana needs to shore up its interior defense after allowing Atlanta to score 40 of its 56 first-half points in the paint. 

Atlanta guard Jordin Canada is one of three Dream players in double digits. She’s up to 13 points, while Allisha Gray and Brionna Jones each have 10 points. Gray, who also has eight rebounds, had to take a seat early after picking up her third foul in the second quarter. The Dream are still looking to heat up from beyond the arc as they are 3-of-10 from the 3-point line in the first half. 

End of Q1: Fever 29, Dream 27

It’s win or go home for the Fever and the Dream and each team came out with that desperation on Thursday. The Fever have a two-point lead over the Dream after a closely-contested first quarter that featured five lead changes and six ties.  

Kelsey Mitchell leads all scorers with 11 points, while Odyssey Sims added seven points. The Fever are up to six fast break points, compared to five for the Dream.

“We can play as fast as possible by getting stops,’ Mitchell said after the first quarter. ‘That puts us in a great position.’

Allisha Gray has six points for the Dream, shooting a perfect 3-of-3 from the field to start the game. The Dream is shooting much better in Game 3, going 59.1% from the field on Thursday after struggling in the first two matchups against the Fever, but Atlanta has struggled from beyond the arc (0-of-5). Atlanta is also battling foul trouble early as Gray, Naz Hillmon, and Brionna Jones each have two fouls entering the second quarter. 

Dream start hot, Fever answer back

We are underway in Atlanta. The Dream couldn’t miss to start Thursday’s decisive Game 3, opening the contest 5-of-5 from the field. Dream forward Brionna Jones has a team-high five points, while Fever guard Odyssey Sims leads all scorers with seven points with 4:01 remaining in the first quarter. The Fever lead 19-17.

Indiana Fever starting lineup

Head coach: Stephanie White

0 Kelsey Mitchell | G 5′ 8′ – Ohio State
1 Odyssey Sims | G 5′ 8′ – Baylor
6 Natasha Howard | F 6′ 3′ – Florida State
7 Aliyah Boston | C 6′ 5′ – South Carolina
10 Lexie Hull | G 6′ 1′ – Stanford

Indiana Fever injury report

The Fever will be without Chloe Bibby (left knee), Caitlin Clark (right groin), Sydney Colson (left knee), Sophie Cunningham (right knee), Damiris Dantas (concussion protocol) and Aari McDonald (right foot) for Game 3 vs. the Atlanta Dream on Thursdy.

Atlanta Dream starting lineup

Head coach: Karl Smesko

00 Naz Hillmon | F 6′ 2′ – Michigan
3 Jordin Canada | G 5′ 6′ – UCLA
10 Rhyne Howard | G 6′ 2′ – Kentucky
15 Allisha Gray | G 6′ 0′ – South Carolina
24 Brionna Jones | F 6′ 3′ – Maryland

Atlanta Dream injury report

The Dream have all players available for Game 3.

How to watch Indiana Fever at Atlanta Dream: TV, stream

Streaming: ESPN+, Disney+, Fubo (free trial to new subscribers)

Time: 7:30 p.m. ET

Location: Gateway Center Arena (College Park, Georgia)

TV channel: ESPN2

Allisha Gray stats

Allisha Gray averaged career highs in points (18.4), rebounds (5.3) and assists (3.5) in 42 games (all starts) this season. She had 20 points, six rebounds and four assists, three steals and one block in the Dream’s Game 1 win, but was held to nine points (4-of-16 FG, 1-of-4 3PT) in the Dream’s Game 2 loss.

Kelsey Mitchell stats

Kelsey Mitchell averaged 20.2 points, 3.4 assists and 1.8 rebounds in 44 games (all starts) this season. Mitchell dropped a game-high 27 points, four assists and one rebounds in the Fever’s Game 1 loss. She followed up that performance with a game-high 19 points in Game 2, shooting 6-of-13 from the field including 4-of-8 from 3.

Naz Hillmon stats

Naz Hillmon averaged career highs in points (8.6), rebounds (6.2) and assists (2.4) in 44 games (17 starts) this season. Hillmon added a 3-point shot to her repertoire this season, knocking down 53 of 165 3-pointers this season after only attempting three 3-pointers the entire 2024 season. She had 16 points and nine rebounds in Atlanta’s Game 1 win and eight points and seven rebounds in their Game 2 loss.

Aliyah Boston stats

Boston, the 2023 WNBA rookie of the year, averaged a career-high 15 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.2 steals in 44 games this season. She recorded eight points, 12 rebound and five assists in 34 minutes of work in the Fever’s Game 1 loss on Sunday.

Caitlin Clark injury timeline

May 24: Clark suffered a left quad injury during the Fever’s 90-88 loss to the New York Liberty, where she recorded a double-double with 18 points and 10 assists. Clark couldn’t pinpoint the specific play that caused her injury, but noted that it happened early in the contest. Clark said, ‘Adrenaline covers up a lot of stuff when you’re in the heat of battle. After the game, I had some pain, and then we got an MRI, and that kind of gave me the result that I didn’t want to see.’ She missed the Fever’s next five games.
June 14: Clark returned to Indiana’s lineup in the Fever’s 102-88 win over the Liberty and dropped 32 points, nine assists and eight rebounds in her first game back. 
June 24: Clark suffered a left groin injury in the Fever’s 94-86 winover the Seattle Storm, which resulted in Clark missing the team’s next four games. Fever coach Stephanie White said she learned of Clark’s groin injury the following night after Clark alerted team trainers of discomfort.
July 1: Clark was ruled out of the Fever’s 2025 Commissioner’s Cup win over the Minnesota Lynx in Minneapolis. That didn’t stop Clark from rightfully celebrating the team’s hardware.
July 9: Clark returned to the Fever’s lineup in the Fever’s 80-61 loss to the Golden State Valkyries. Clark was limited to 10 points, shooting 4 of 12 from the field and 2 of 5 from the 3-point line, and had six assists, five rebounds and four turnovers. Following the blowout loss, Clark said it was ‘going to take me a second to get my wind back. … Just trying to get my legs under me.’
July 15: Clark suffered a right groin injury in the final minute of the Fever’s 85-77 victory over the Sun at TD Garden in Boston. White later confirmed Clark ‘felt a little something in her groin.’ This marked the last game for which Clark suited up.
July 18: Clark announced that she would sit out the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis, where she was named a team captain. Clark was also set to participate in the 3-point contest. She said, ‘I am incredibly sad and disappointed to say I can’t participate … I have to rest my body.’
July 24: The Fever said Clark’s medical evaluations confirmed there’s ‘no additional injuries or damage,’ but the team said it will be cautious with Clark’s rehab and recovery.
Aug. 7: Clark reportedly suffered a mild bone bruise in her left ankle during an individual workout session in Phoenix, according to The Indianapolis Star, part of the USA TODAY Network.
Aug. 8: During an appearance on Sue Bird’s podcast, ‘Bird’s Eye View,’ Clark spoke about the frustrations of her injury-filled season: “It’s not like I have a training camp to build up to play in my first game again. It’s like no, you’re tossed into Game 30 — like, ‘Go try to play well.’ It’s hard, it really is.”
Aug. 10: Fever coach Stephanie White said Clark has progressed in her recovery and has started running full court again, but Clark hasn’t returned to practice just yet: an important step in her ramp-up. ‘She’s been able to get a little bit more in her full-court running with all of her body weight. … She’s been able to do a little more on the court in terms of how she moves, but not into practice yet,’ White said.
Aug. 20: White confirmed that Clark has not returned to practice yet.
Aug. 24: Clark participated in a team shootaround and went through some non-contact drills with the second team, marking her first time practicing with the team since suffering a right groin injury on July 15.
Sept. 4: Clark shared a post on her official X account, stating that she will miss the rest of the regular season and any potential postseason action.

Sophie Cunningham injury timeline

Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham suffered a season-ending MCL injury in her right knee in August 2025. She underwent surgery a week later and began her recovery and rehabilitation process in September 2025. Cunningham is expected to make a full recovery and be ready for the 2026 WNBA season, which begins in May.

Indiana Fever roster

2025 WNBA Finals schedule

*if necessary

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

The Las Vegas Aces are moving on to their seventh consecutive semifinal appearance.

The No. 2 seed Aces defeated the No. 7 seed Seattle Storm 74-73 on Thursday in a decisive Game 3, behind a dominant 38-point performance from A’ja Wilson, the newly minted Co-Defensive Player of the Year. The Aces’ win sets up a semifinal matchup against the No. 6 seed Indiana Fever beginning Sunday.

‘I am so proud of my team, we were resilient, that’s what we need to be in these playoffs and I love each and every last one of them,’ said Wilson, whose stat line was rounded out by five rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks. ‘The job’s not done, it’s just first round and we have to get ready for the next one.’

Storm guard Erica Wheeler hit a pull up jumper with 19.3 seconds remaining to give the Storm a 73-72 lead. The Aces responded on the next possession with a go-ahead tip shot from Jackie Young, who cleaned up a miss from Wilson to retake the lead with 12.4 remaining. The Storm had a look at a game-winner, but Wheeler missed a jumper and Gabby Williams couldn’t get another shot off before the buzzer rang and the lights in Michelob Arena went off in celebration.

Wilson, Jackie Young (14 points) and Chelsea Gray (12 points) combined for 64 of the Aces’ 74 points. Wilson’s 38-points tied her playoff career high.

Wheeler and Nneka Ogwumike finished 16 points each for the Storm. Skylar Diggins added 13 points.

Storm vs. Aces highlights

End of Q3: Las Vegas Aces 52, Seattle Storm 48

The Aces have a four-point lead over the Storm heading into the fourth quarter.

A’ja Wilson is carrying the Aces to the finish line with 27 points, five rebounds and two assists. Wilson, Chelsea Gray (10 points) and Jackie Young (nine points) have combined for 46 of the Aces 52 points, while the rest of the team has only scored six points.

Erica Wheeler has a team-high 12 point off the bench, while Skylar Diggins has 10 points and three rebounds. Nneka Ogwumike is up to seven points (1-of-7 FG, 0-of-1 3PT), but is still looking to get going. The Storm is collectively shooting 36.2% from the field and 5-of-12 from the 3-point line.

Halftime: Las Vegas Aces 33, Seattle Storm 26

The Las Vegas Aces have a seven-point advantage heading into halftime following a low-scoring first half.

Aces center A’ja Wilson is the only player to reach double-digits with 13 points, five rebounds and two assists through two quarters. Jackie Young added nine points, while Chelsea Gray has seven. Twenty of the Aces 33 points came in the paint.

The Storm were held to seven points in the second quarter. Erica Wheeler has a team-high seven points off the bench, while Skylar Diggins added five points (1-of-5 FG, 1-of-2 3PT) and two assists. Nneka Ogwumike is still looking for her first field goal, going 0-of-4 from the field and 0-of-1 from the 3-point line.

End of Q1: Seattle Storm 19, Las Vegas Aces 14

The Storm went on an 8-0 run to end the first quarter and lead by five points.

‘We are going to set the tone defensively and try to build on that in the second quarter,’ Storm guard Skylar Diggins said.

Diggins had five points in the quarter including a rainbow 3-pointer. Erica Wheeler added five points off the bench.

A’ja Wilson and Jackie Young have six points each for the Aces, who are trying to recover from their first loss in 17 games on Tuesday.

What time is Seattle Storm at Las Vegas Aces?

The Las Vegas Aces host the Seattle Storm in the decisive Game 3 on Thursday, Sept. 18 at 9:30 p.m. ET (6:30 p.m. PT) at Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2.

How to watch Seattle Storm at Las Vegas Aces: TV, stream

Time: 9:30 p.m. ET (6:30 p.m. PT)
Location: Michelob Ultra Arena (Las Vegas, Nevada)
TV channel: ESPN2
Streaming: ESPN+, Disney+, Fubo (free trial to new subscribers)

Starting lineups

Las Vegas Aces starting lineup

Head coach: Becky Hammon

0 Jackie Young | G 6′ 0′ – Notre Dame
1 Kierstan Bell | F 6′ 1′ – Florida Gulf Coast
3 NaLyssa Smith | F 6′ 4′ – Baylor
12 Chelsea Gray | G 5′ 11′ – Duke
22 A’ja Wilson | C 6′ 5′ – South Carolina

Seattle Storm starting lineup

Head coach: Noelle Quinn

3 Nneka Ogwumike | F 6′ 2′ – Stanford
4 Skylar Diggins | G 5′ 9′ – Notre Dame
5 Gabby Williams | F 5′ 11′ – UConn
13 Ezi Magbegor | F 6′ 4′ – Australia
20 Brittney Sykes | G 5′ 9′ – Syracuse

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

Los Angeles Dodgers longtime ace Clayton Kershaw announced Thursday, Sept. 18 that the 2025 season will be the last of his 18-year career.

Kershaw was selected by the Dodgers in the first round of the 2006 draft and played his whole career in L.A., where he racked up 222 wins, 3,039 strikeouts, three Cy Young Awards, two World Series titles and the 2014 National League MVP.

But where does the lefty land among the best southpaw starters of all-time? Here are the top 10 left-handed pitchers, by WAR, according to Baseball Reference:

Best left-handed pitchers of all-time, by WAR

1. Lefty Grove

WAR: 113.2
Years played: 1925–1941
Teams: Philadelphia Athletics, Boston Red Sox
Stats: 300 wins, 3.06 ERA, 2,266 strikeouts in 3,940⅔ innings
Accolades: AL MVP in 1931, won ERA title nine times

2. Randy Johnson

WAR: 103.5
Years played: 1988-2009
Teams: Montreal Expos, Seattle Mariners, Houston Astros, Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants
Stats: 303 wins, 3.29 ERA, 4,875 strikeouts in 4,135⅓ innings
Accolades: Five-time Cy Young Award winner, World Series MVP in 2001

3. Warren Spahn

WAR: 92.6
Years played: 1942-65
Teams: Braves, New York Mets, San Francisco Giants
Stats: 363 wins, 3.09 ERA, 2,583 strikeouts, 5,243⅔ innings
Accolades: 1957 Cy Young Award winner, 17-time All-Star

4. Eddie Plank

WAR: 88.0
Years played: 1901-1917
Teams: Philadelphia Athletics, St. Louis Browns
Stats: 326 wins, 2.35 ERA, 2,246 strikeouts, 4,495⅔ innings
Accolades: Three-time World Series champion.

5. Steve Carlton

WAR: 84.1
Years played:
Teams: Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Minnesota Twins, Cleveland, Chicago White Sox, San Francisco Giants
Stats: 329 wins, 3.22 ERA, 4,136 strikeouts, 5,217⅔ innings
Accolades: Four-time Cy Young Award winner, two-time World Series champion

6. Clayton Kershaw

WAR: 77.9 (as of Sept. 18, 2025)
Years played: 2008-2025
Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers
Stats: 222 wins, 2.54 ERA, 3,039 strikeouts, 2844⅔ innings
Accolades: Three-time Cy Young Award winners, 2014 NL MVP, five-time ERA title, two-time World Series champion

7. Tom Glavine

WAR: 74.0
Years played: 1987-2008
Teams: Atlanta Braves, New York Mets
Stats: 305 wins, 3.54 ERA, 2,607 strikeouts, 4,413⅓ innings
Accolades: Two-time Cy Young winner, five-time league leader in wins, 10-time All-Star, World Series MVP in 1995

8. Carl Hubbell

WAR: 68.8
Years played: 1928-1943
Teams: New York Giants
Stats: 253 wins, 2.98 ERA, 1,677 strikeouts, 3,590⅓ innings
Accolades: NL MVP in 1933 and 1936, nine-time All-Star, three-time ERA title, World Series winner

9. Tommy John

WAR: 62.1
Years played: 1963-1989
Teams: New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland, California Angels, Oakland Athletics
Stats: 288 wins, 3.34 ERA, 2,245 strikeouts, 4,710⅓ innings
Accolades: Four-time All-Star, three-time league leader in shutouts

10. CC Sabathia

WAR: 61.8
Years played: 2001-2019
Teams: Cleveland, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Yankees
Stats: 251 wins, 3.74 ERA, 3,093 strikeouts, 3,577⅓ innings
Accolades: 2007 Cy Young winner, six-time All-Star, two-time league leader in wins, four-time league leader in shutouts, 2009 ALCS MVP, World Series winner

The team announced on Thursday, Sept. 18 that the veteran pitcher will retire after 18 years in Dodger blue.

“I’m going to call it,” Kershaw said in a press conference on Thursday. “I’m going to retire. We talked about it a lot (as a family).”

Several of Kershaw’s current teammates, manager Dave Roberts and members of Kershaw’s family were among those in attendance for the press conference.

“I think I’ve known for a little having just talked to him throughout the season,” Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy told Spectrum SportsNet. “We found out officially this morning. He sent us all a text. I know he’s saying it today, but I don’t know if I officially believe it.”

Many expected Kershaw to retire after the 2024 season, but he decided to come back after the Dodgers won the World Series. He did not participate in the 2024 postseason due to a toe injury, but received a ring for being a member of the team and pitching during the regular season.

He has a 10-2 record this season in 20 starts, with 71 strikeouts in 102 innings pitched. Kershaw joined the 3,000-strikeout club in early July. He became the 20th pitcher to reach that career milestone.

The two-time World Series champion will finish his career second on the Dodgers’ all-time wins list with 222. Don Sutton has the franchise record of 233.

Kershaw is also third in team history in starts with 449, trailing Sutton (533) and Don Drysdale (465).

Kershaw said he decided to announce his decision with 10 games remaining on the regular season schedule to prevent being a distraction before the start of the postseason.

“I’m at peace with it and I think it’s the right time,” Kershaw said. “It’s been a fun year and such a blast. I can’t think of a better season to go out, but we have a lot to accomplish.”

When is Clayton Kershaw’s next game?

Kershaw will make his final regular-season start against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium on Friday, Sept. 19.

ATLANTA — Caitlin Clark is not eligible to return for the Indiana Fever for the rest of the season, even if she was fully recovered and able to play.

While Clark could have returned at any point in the regular season, each team needs to submit an active roster ahead of the WNBA playoffs. Only players on that submitted active roster are eligible to play in the postseason.

Clark, who is out for the season with a right groin injury, was left off the active roster. The 2024 Rookie of the Year and All-WNBA First Team honoree was limited to 13 games with various injuries, including those to her left quad, left groin, right groin, and left ankle.

The other four Fever players with season-ending injuries — Sydney Colson (left ACL), Aari McDonald (right foot), Sophie Cunningham (right MCL) and Chloe Bibby (right knee) — were also left off the Fever’s playoff active roster.

That left the Fever with 11 players on the active roster, four of which are signed with hardship waivers: Odyssey Sims, Aerial Powers, Shey Peddy and Bree Hall.

Indiana has had 10 available players throughout the playoffs so far, as Damiris Dantas suffered a concussion last week and has missed all three games. Should the Fever advance further in the playoffs, Dantas would be eligible to return as she was listed on the Fever’s playoff active roster.

The Miami Dolphins look like a fish out of water.

Attempting to save their season from the dreaded 0-3 start, Miami made the trek to western New York for a battle against the Buffalo Bills. While the final score was closer than expected, 31-21, Buffalo never really had to sweat.

They came close, however, before Zach Sieler’s roughing the kicker penalty changed everything. The turning point in the contest – it awarded the Bills with a new set of downs when the game was tied.

Regardless, this was a performance that likely cooled the hot seats for Mike McDaniel and Chris Grier in Miami – at least momentarily.

Now the Bills move to 3-0 on the season, despite not looking their best in the young season.

A win is a win though and the Bills will certainly enjoy adding another one in that column. Now both teams head off for the mini-bye before returning to action in Week 4.

Here’s how the action unfolded from Buffalo.

USA TODAY Sports provided live updates, highlights, and more from the Bills-Dolphins ‘Thursday Night Football’ game in Week 3 below.

Bills vs. Dolphins takeaways

Dolphins’ biggest issue may not be coaching

Everyone loves to blame the coaching staff, but the Dolphins have a roster littered with issues. They lack depth in the trenches and it appears they ignored the defense all offseason. Injuries in the secondary make it almost impossible to win in the modern NFL.

Bills’ win covers bigger issues under the hood for now

The Bills might be 3-0, but this game wasn’t supposed to be close and it still took a costly penalty to set up the game-winning score. It’s not exactly inspiring after the Jets mostly beat themselves in Week 2 and the Ravens had to blow a 15-point lead with less than five minutes to go. They might still be the favorites, but this defense needs plenty of work if Buffalo wants to be playing in February.

The Dolphins need more from Tua Tagovailoa to win games

It’s not his fault, but Tagovailoa’s health remains a primary concern whenever he steps on the field. If that weren’t a concern, you would spend the entire game waiting for the back-breaking mistake. Tagovailoa cost his team with an interception late and, to make it even worse, that wasn’t exactly the most surprising outcome.

Bills vs. Dolphins final score: Buffalo 31, Miami 21

Bills-Dolphins score update: Prater seals it

That’ll do it for this one in Buffalo. Tagovailoa’s interception comes back to haunt the Dolphins as Prater knocks through the field goal for a 10-point lead.

Bills 31, Dolphins 21

Tua Tagovailoa tosses interception with three minutes to go

Tagovailoa has been begging to throw an interception with some of these throws tonight. He finally tosses one to the wrong team as Terrel Bernard steps in front to take it away. Miami was on the edge of the red zone, but will now need a stop to get the ball back with three minutes to go.

Bills-Dolphins score update: Buffalo back in front after costly penalty

Miami had Buffalo stopped around midfield, but Zach Sieler was flagged for roughing the kicker, and the Bills got a new set of downs. Khalil Shakir ends up making the Dolphins pay with a 15-yard catch-and-run touchdown a few plays later.

Bills 28, Dolphins 21 

Bills-Dolphins score update: Tyreek Hill TD for the tie

The Dolphins won’t go quietly into the night. Instead, they might just win this thing. Miami converted a fourth down to begin the quarter and finished the drive off with a touchdown pass to Hill, who promptly celebrates with a few flips. We’re all knotted up at 21 apiece and it’s setting up for a fun finish.

Bills 21, Dolphins 21 

End of the third quarter: Bills lead with 15 minutes to go

The third quarter was fairly uneventful, especially after the Bills scored to begin the half. Both defenses have found their game, but Miami has a crucial third down as we get set to begin the fourth.

Teams trading punts in the third quarter

The scoring has slowed down as both teams have failed to gain any traction on offense after the opening drive TD. Miami has the ball back, trailing by seven.

Who is Ryan Fitzpatrick?

Fitzpatrick currently serves as an analyst for Prime Video’s “Thursday Night Football” coverage. A former NFL quarterback, Fitzpatrick was well-traveled throughout his career, making stops with the St. Louis Rams, Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans, Houston Texans, New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins and the then-Washington Football Team. In other words, he saw plenty of the NFL landscape during his 17 seasons.

Bills-Dolphins score update: James Cook puts Buffalo ahead

The Bills are back on top thanks to a Cook rushing touchdown to open the second half. However, the story is that this game is getting chippy, with a few skirmishes between both teams. That’ll be something to monitor in the second half.

Bills 21, Dolphins 14

Josh Allen stats at halftime

Completions/attempts (%): 11/13 (84.6%)
Passing yards: 97
Passing TDs: 2
INTs: 0
Rating: 137.3
Rush attempts: 1
Rushing yards: 0

Tua Tagovailoa stats at halftime

Completions/attempts (%): 12/18 (66.7%)
Passing yards: 66
Passing TDs: 1
INTs: 0
Rating: 91.4
Rush attempts: 2
Rushing yards: 10

Dalton Kincaid stats at halftime

Catches (Targets): 3 (4)
Receiving yards: 41
Touchdowns: 1

De’Von Achane stats at halftime

Rush attempts: 6
Rushing yards: 35
Catches (Targets): 5 (7)
Receiving yards: 10
Touchdowns: 0

Halftime: All tied up at the break

A silence has fallen over Highmark Stadium heading into the intermission. Miami’s drive to end the half has seemingly shocked everyone associated with the home team as the heavy favorites have work to do in the second half. If Miami’s defense can step up, we’re in for a wild finish.

Bills 14, Dolphins 14

Bills-Dolphins score update: Miami ties it with a Jaylen Waddle TD

Somehow, this game is tied. The Bills have dominated the first half, but that missed field goal from Prater gave the Dolphins some life. They marched 71 yards and cap off the 16-play drive with a touchdown from Waddle to even the score.

Bills 14, Dolphins 14

Matt Prater misses field goal attempt from 39

You thought Buffalo was scoring another touchdown, didn’t you? Yeah, color us surprised as well. Following the first negative play of the game, Prater misses a 39-yard field goal wide left. Very wide left. As in, it never stood a chance. 

Dolphins fail to respond again, punt it away

The real Miami Dolphins have joined the program. It’s another three-and-out for McDaniel’s crew and this one had even less action than the last one. The Bills take over at their own 27, looking for a 73-yard touchdown drive to add to the previous two.

Bills-Dolphins score update: Buffalo takes the lead

Aside from one incompletion, the Bills have gained at least one yard on every play. That certainly isn’t a recipe for success for Miami and Buffalo is making it look easy. The rookie, Jackson Hawes, gets in on the action, scoring his first career touchdown to cap off the 63-yard drive.

Bills 14, Dolphins 7

End of first quarter: Buffalo in control despite tied score

The game isn’t over after the first quarter like many expected, but the Bills still haven’t been given a reason to sweat after the first 15 minutes. They are driving for the lead and the Miami defense still hasn’t forced a negative play. It’ll be tough for McDaniel’s team to steal a win if they can’t turn it around soon. 

Bills 7, Dolphins 7

Dolphins can’t respond, forced to punt after three-and-out

Miami looked like a different team on their second drive, unable to get anything going. They pick up just seven yards, including two on the ground from Tagovailoa. Many fans were likely holding their breath as the quarterback dove forward to pick up a couple of yards. After the punt, the Bills take over at their own 36.

Bills-Dolphins score update: Dalton Kincaid scores TD

As expected, the Dolphins defense looked like traffic cones on the Bills’ opening drive. It takes just seven plays for Buffalo to drive 70 yards for the score as Kincaid hauls in the 20-yard touchdown to tie things up.

Bills 7, Dolphins 7

Was Tyreek Hill out of bounds?

The Dolphins might’ve scored on their opening drive, but they did appear to benefit from a missed call on third down. Tua Tagovailoa found Tyreek Hill for a first-down reception, but the receiver bobbled the ball. After checking out the replay, it appears Hill only got one foot in bounds. The Bills did not challenge and it ultimately cost them. 

Bills-Dolphins score update: Ollie Gordon II’s first career TD puts Miami on top

Well, how about that. No one gave the Dolphins a chance in this game and the Dolphins get the scoring started with a six-minute drive that goes 47 yards before Gordon plunges into the end zone. Buffalo’s defense looked like what we expected from Miami on that opening drive. Not too shabby for Mike McDaniel and company in the early going.

Dolphins 7, Bills 0

What time does Bills vs. Dolphins start?

Date: Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025
Time: 8:15 p.m. ET  

What TV channel is Bills vs. Dolphins on today?

Buffalo market: WKBW
Miami market: WFOR

National viewers will have to stream the matchup on Amazon Prime Video, the home of ‘TNF.’

Watch ‘Thursday Night Football’ with a Prime Video subscription

Bills vs. Dolphins prediction

This is a prime example of two franchises headed in opposite directions. Buffalo looks like the cream of the crop and is a legitimate Super Bowl contender, while Miami looks like a runaway train. The Dolphins’ offensive line might be bad, but their defense is putrid: The unit allowed 33 points in back-to-back weeks and Buffalo might just double that.

The Bills are running a few impressive streaks: Five straight AFC East titles, 24 games of not losing the turnover battle, and they have won their last eight home matchups vs. Miami. Those streaks will continue tonight.

Buffalo obliterates Miami.

Prediction: Bills 41, Dolphins 13

Bills vs. Dolphins odds, moneyline, over/under

Bills vs. Dolphins injury report

4th & Monday: Our NFL newsletter always brings the blitz  

Do you like football? Then you’ll enjoy getting our NFL newsletter delivered to your inbox.   

Get the latest news, expert analysis, game insights and the must-see moments from the NFL conveniently delivered to your email inbox. Sign up now! 

Bills vs. Dolphins live stream

‘Thursday Night Football’ is only available to National viewers via streaming on Amazon Prime Video, the home of ‘TNF.’

Watch ‘Thursday Night Football’ with a Prime Video subscription

Josh Allen arrives for ‘Thursday Night Football’ vs. Dolphins

The reigning NFL MVP arrives for the Bills’ Week 3 matchup and is wearing the second of nine custom hats designed by patients at Buffalo’s Oishei Children’s Hospital. After each home game, his hat will be auctioned off to support the Patricia Allen Fund.

Dolphins inactives vs. Bills

Bills inactives vs. Dolphins

AFC East standings

Buffalo Bills (2-0) 
New England Patriots (1-1) 
New York Jets (0-2) 
Miami Dolphins (0-2) 

Is Jaylen Waddle playing tonight?

Waddle is active for tonight’s game against the Bills. He had been listed as questionable with a shoulder injury he suffered in the Week 1 loss against the Colts.

He’s expected to have a full workload tonight.

Which NFL team has the most Super Bowl wins? 

The Steelers are tied with the New England Patriots for the most Super Bowl wins with six. 

Pittsburgh and Dallas have the unique distinction of playing each other more than any other team combination in Super Bowl history with three matchups. 

Super Bowl odds

1. Buffalo Bills (+500)
2. Baltimore Ravens (+550)
3. Green Bay Packers (+650)
4. Philadelphia Eagles (+700)
5. Detroit Lions (+1400)
6. Kansas City Chiefs (+1500)
7. Los Angeles Chargers (+1600)
8. Los Angeles Rams (+1800)
T9. San Francisco 49ers (+2200)
T9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+2200)

Josh Allen nose injury

The Buffalo Bills’ quarterback added a visor to his helmet ahead of the team’s practice session on Tuesday. The change comes after Allen suffered an injury to his nose in Week 2’s clash with the New York Jets, when defensive tackle Micheal Clemons’ left hand wacked him in the face as Allen took a sack.

The injury caused Allen to miss about a minute and a half of the first quarter – just two plays. He returned to the game for the start of the second quarter with cotton gauze shoved up his left nostril. – Jack McKessy

2025 NFL MVP odds

T-1. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (+325)
T-1. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (+325)
T-3. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (+800)
T-3. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers (+800)
5. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders (+1400)
T-6. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (+1800)
T-6. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles (+1800)
8. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+2000)
9. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys (+3000)
10. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (+3500)

Who are the ‘Thursday Night Football’ announcers for Amazon Prime Video? 

Al Michaels (play-by-play) and Kirk Herbstreit (analyst) will be in the broadcast booth for Prime Video, with Kaylee Hartung (sideline) and Terry McAulay (rules analyst) providing additional coverage.  

The Prime Video pregame, halftime and postgame shows feature Charissa Thompson as host, as well as former NFL players Ryan Fitzpatrick, Tony Gonzalez, Richard Sherman and Andrew Whitworth as analysts.  

Taylor Rooks is the feature reporter for Prime Video’s ‘Thursday Night Football’ coverage.

How old is Al Michaels?

Michaels, who is once again serving as the play-by-play voice of Amazon Prime’s ‘Thursday Night Football,’ is 80 years old. He will turn 81 in November and has worked on network sports television since 1971.

A mock College Football Playoff selection process revealed the debates are often driven by tribal instincts.
The human element remains a significant and unavoidable factor in the selection process.
Arguments used to support one team were often contradicted when discussing another.

LAS COLINAS, TX — We’ve been told over and over that sport mirrors society.

You have no idea how much until you sit in on a College Football Playoff mock voting process. 

“Not as easy as it looks, right?” Rich Clark, executive director of the College Football Playoff says Thursday, Sept. 18, midway through this abbreviated white knuckle ride that’s just for funsies — just an opportunity for 14 members of the media to get a glimpse into how this process unfolds on a weekly basis every November. 

The news of this day: Alabama was the last team in the field. Not SMU. 

Let the whining, bickering and swearing begin. 

College Football Playoff selections follow tribal instincts

You want sport mirroring society? Open any social media app on the magic black box that’s hermetically sealed to your hand, and welcome to the world of “you have no idea what you’re talking about.”

The human condition, everyone, is undefeated. 

Doesn’t matter how many selection committee members are used (13 for the real committee), or how many unique metrics attempt to steer those members into a logical conversation about value and worth, the discussion invariably returns to tribal instincts.

I’m right, you’re wrong, and you sure as hell aren’t pushing me off my spot.

For this exercise, we didn’t use the new CFP strength of schedule metrics for 2025 intended to push the committee to giving greater consideration to those who play difficult schedules, and those who don’t.

But after this four-hour process that typically takes 16, I’m not sure it’s going to matter.

The same arguments that worked for one team were used against others. The same metrics that strengthened one team, were pretzeled into two-way logic that couldn’t be transposed to benefit another.

Yes, I’m looking at you, Indiana. 

Indiana remains challenge in College Football Playoff debate

Apparently Indiana can only play who they can play on their schedule, and it doesn’t matter that it included all of two games against teams with winning records — one that humiliated the Hoosiers. 

Doesn’t matter that the plucky Hoosiers paid Louisville $1 million to get out of playing the Cardinals and added Western Illinois from the Championship Subdivision, further weakening their schedule. I mean, who among us wouldn’t want to get out of playing big, bad Louisville?

But that was just the beginning of the oxymoron of a day, a process that – I have no doubt – plays out in realtime with the real committee. 

Wins are everything, and losses are damning. Unless, that is, a win in the ACC championship game – for a flipping conference championship! – isn’t such a big deal if it impacts SMU’s body of work. 

Or Ohio State winning on the road at Penn State is negated by — I’m swear I’m not making this up — the Buckeyes losing to Michigan.

Those were the arguments being made over and over in this four-hour facsimile of the real thing. And I promise you, those same arguments are made by the real committee.     

And that’s the beauty of this perfectly imperfect sport. 

Human element will always be part of college football

If I wanted homogenized and antiseptic football, I’d watch the NFL. You wear these uniforms on these Sundays, and play these division teams and rotate annually through these teams based on their records from the previous season — and we’ll eventually get to a 14-team playoff where an 8-9 record can win a division and get you a home playoff game. 

I’m going to puke. 

I’d much rather deal with the authenticity of crazy, where the sport of arguing plays out on a weekly basis and nothing makes sense — other than the reality that some team, somewhere, will get screwed in the process.

Florida State and Georgia in 2023, Alabama and Ole Miss in 2024, and Texas A&M in 2020 are just at front of mind. There are more mind-numbing mistakes by the CFP committee, or the Bowl Championship Series computers or decades ago by backroom deals with powerful bowl executives.

The arguments and mental gymnastics were as intense and everlasting then as they are now. Only the process has changed. 

This time it begins with the top 30 teams, and is eventually winnowed to 25 by a painstaking process that allows for multiple bites at the apple. Because who really knows what they’re doing? 

It’s a beauty pageant of a demolition derby, and no team is safe from the carnage. Because no matter how good it looks, there’s always someone who sees the warts. 

And you better believe they’re going to dig in and push forward, and not be moved. 

Early in the process, Clark used an anecdote from his stellar career in the Air Force (he retired as a lieutenant general) to explain the unique foundation of the CFP selection committee. No matter how many drones or how much artificial intelligence and robots are used in war fighting to eliminate the unknown, at the end of the day, war is a human endeavor.

You can lead a CFP selection committee horse to water, but they won’t all drink it the same way. Or something like that. 

“Too much of what happens after the fact enters with the human element,” Clark said.

And the human condition, everyone, is undefeated. 

Matt Hayes is the senior national college football writer for USA TODAY Sports Network. Follow him on X at @MattHayesCFB.