The 2025 NWSL regular season is winding down and the playoff picture is shaping up.

Less than two weeks remain in the regular season, which concludes on Nov. 2, and the remaining matchups have major playoff implications as teams jockey for the postseason, seeding and home field advantage.

Three teams — the Kansas City Current, Washington Spirit and Orlando Pride — have punched their tickets to the playoffs, while eight teams are fighting for the last five spots. The opening round of the 2025 NWSL playoffs kicks off Nov. 7-9, followed by the semifinals (Nov. 14-16) and 2025 NWSL championship game (Nov. 22).

Who won the 2025 NWSL Shield? Who is the frontrunner in the Golden Boot race? USA TODAY Sports got you covered. Here’s what you need to know ahead of the playoffs as the NWSL regular season comes to a close:

Who clinched NWSL playoff bids?

The top eight teams atop the standings at the end of the regular season advance to the playoffs, with each team’s seeding determined by their record. The Kansas City Current (20-2-2) was the first team to to clinch a postseason bid (Week 18) and became the fastest club in league history to clinch the NWSL Shield (Week 21), which is awarded to the team with the best regular season record.

The Washington Spirt (12-4-8) and defending champion Orlando Pride (10-8-6) also clinched playoff berths. The Chicago Stars FC, Bay FC and Utah Royals have been eliminated from the postseason.

Here’s the current NWSL standings, as of Tuesday, Oct. 14:

Bold teams have clinched playoff berths, while (E) notes teams that have been eliminated from the playoff contention.

NWSL playoff format

The 2025 NWSL playoffs consists of three rounds of single-elimination matches.

The postseason will kick off with four quarterfinal matchups with the No. 1 seed Kansas City Current hosting the eighth seed and the fourth seed hosting the fifth seed on one side of the playoff bracket. On the other side of the bracket, the No. 2 seed Washington Spirit hosts the seventh seed and the third seed will host the sixth seed.

The winners of each quarterfinal match will face off against each other in the semifinals. (Seeding does not reset after each round). The two semifinal winners will face off in the 2025 NWSL championship game on Saturday, Nov. 22 at 8 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+) at PayPal Park in San Jose, California, home of NWSL’s Bay FC and MLS’ San Jose Earthquakes.

Can anyone catch the Kansas City Current?

We have to circle back to the Current, who have turned in one of the most dominant seasons in NWSL history. Not only did the club secure its first NWSL Shield faster than any other team in league history, the Current set a record for the most wins (20) and points scored in a single season (62) with two regular-season games left.

The Current show no sign of slowing down. Kansas City tied its longest undefeated streak in franchise history with 17 consecutive undefeated matches, dating back to May. Goalkeeper Lorena also set a record for single-season shutouts (14) following the Current’s 2-0 win over Gotham FC on Oct. 11.

The eighth seed will have the tall task of defeating the Current at home at CPKC Stadium. Kansas City is the only team in the league that’s undefeated at home this season (10-0-2).

A NWSL Shield doesn’t equate to a NWSL Championship by any means. Since the league began play in 2013, only three teams have won the shield and championship in the same season, most recently the Pride in 2024. Will the Current become the fourth team to claim both the Shield and title?

Who leads the Golden Boot race?

Can Temwa Chawinga repeat as the Golden Boot winner? The Kansas City Current forward is the frontrunner of the 2025 Golden Boot Race with 15 goals in 22 matches. Chawinga holds a two-goal advantage over Gotham FC forward Esther González, who is up to 13 goals in 23 matches.

Chawinga previously won the 2024 NWSL Golden Boot and MVP after becoming the first player in league history to score 20 goals in a season. If Chawinga repeats, she’ll be the first player to win multiple Golden Boots since Sam Kerr won three consecutive (2017-2019).

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The 2025-26 NBA season starts tomorrow. The Oklahoma City Thunder will kick off the season looking to defend their title with a matchup against the bolstered Houston Rockets, fresh off adding and extending superstar forward Kevin Durant.

That contest could certainly end up as one of the best games of the season, but it’s not the only awesome matchup we have to look forward to in the first week of the year. Between showdowns featuring Eastern Conference powerhouses, rematches from last year’s playoffs and interstate clashes between two squads expected to leap forward, the first week of the season offers a salivating appetizer to the remainder of the regular season.

Here are the five best matchups of the NBA’s opening week:

Best games to start 2025-26 NBA season

5) Denver Nuggets at Golden State Warriors, Thursday, Oct. 23 at 10 p.m. ET

Last year, the Golden State Warriors and Denver Nuggets both lost in the Western Conference semifinals, meaning in some alternate universe, this was the matchup we got to see who represented the West in the Finals.

Unfortunately, a few bad bounces kept the Nuggets out of the Finals, losing Game 7 to the eventual champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder. On the other side, the Warriors were without Steph Curry for their series against Minnesota, which could’ve absolutely turned the tide in that series. Given how well the Warriors played last year after acquiring Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat, there’s a reasonable chance that that this could be a preview of this year’s Western Conference Finals matchup.

4) San Antonio Spurs at Dallas Mavericks, Wednesday, Oct. 22 at 9:30 p.m. ET

The San Antonio Spurs weren’t expected to make waves in the league last year, but any chance they might have had to do so was dashed when Victor Wembanyama was forced to miss a chunk of the season while suffering from deep vein thrombosis. Now, the most dominant defensive force in the league has returned and looks to lead the Spurs to a playoff appearance, accompanied by a myriad of young talent.

However, their first game of the year won’t be easy. After Nico Harrison and the Dallas Mavericks shocked the world by trading Luka Doncic away to the Los Angeles Lakers, the team has completed the quickest rebuild in league history after earning the first overall pick and landing Cooper Flagg.

This new era of Mavericks basketball will kick off with a riveting matchup between interstate rivals, and perhaps the outcome of this game will dictate how the season will go for both of these squads.

3) Houston Rockets at Oklahoma City Thunder, Tuesday, Oct. 21 at 7:30 p.m. ET

This will be the game that kicks off the regular season, and boy what a game it is. Not only were these the two highest seeds in the Western Conference last season, but the Rockets have overhauled their team to push for a championship.

This offseason the team went all-in, trading for superstar forward Kevin Durant. Will that be enough to overcome the defending champions and odds-on favorites heading into the season though? Emotions will be high as Oklahoma City will hang their championship banner. Perhaps Houston can take advantage.

2) Oklahoma City Thunder at Indiana Pacers, Thursday, Oct. 23 at 7:30 p.m. ET

What’s better than a showdown between the two top seeds in a conference last year? How about a showdown between the two teams that competed for a championship? The Pacers took the Thunder to seven games last year, and although they lost Tyrese Haliburton for the season, the Pacers will certainly have vengeance on their minds.

1) Cleveland Cavaliers at New York Knicks, Wednesday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. ET

With Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum out for the season, the Cavaliers and Knicks head into the season as two of the heavy favorites in the Eastern Conference (along with the Milwaukee Bucks). These two teams were two of the top-three seeds in the East last year and could very well end up being in the same boat this season, barring big steps forward from teams like the Orlando Magic or Detroit Pistons.

INGLEWOOD, CA — The Los Angeles Chargers honored their alumni players on Sunday. They really needed LaDainian Tomlinson, Antonio Gates and company on the field against the Indianapolis Colts.

The Colts routed the Chargers 38-24 to improve their record to an AFC-best 6-1. It’s Indy’s best start since 2009. The Colts began the contest with three straight touchdown drives as they galloped to a 20-3 first-half lead. Indianapolis added a field goal after a Justin Herbert interception to build a 23-3 halftime advantage.

Los Angeles made the contest respectable in the second half, but Jonathan Taylor and the Colts maintained a comfortable lead.

“(Jonathan Taylor) with a couple really big runs down there. That makes it easy for us when he does that,” Colts QB Daniel Jones said. “I think it’s just being prepared, knowing what to expect (and) executing. Today we got a couple of looks that were a little bit different. I thought we did a good job with that. I think the gameplan and the preparation has been really big.”

The NFL’s top scoring offense scored on six of their first seven possessions, including five touchdown drives against a defenseless Chargers defense. Jones passed for 288 yards and two touchdowns.

Taylor showed his versatility on the ground and through the air. The Colts star compiled 132 yards from scrimmage (94 rushing yards and 38 receiving yards) and three touchdowns. It was his third touchdown hat trick of the regular season. The Colts running back is the third player in the past 20 seasons with three games of three-or-more rushing touchdowns in a season. Futhermore, he’s the only AFC player with at least 85 scrimmage yards in each of the first seven weeks.

“I mean the things JT is doing is kind of crazy,” Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. said. “He’s a threat to score anywhere, like on the field. Like we’d be backed up, we could be in the red zone, like JT is going to get the ball and he’s going to go. So, it just keeps us going.”

The running back is an Offensive Player of the Year frontrunner as the NFL approaches its midway point of the regular season. A running back has won the award in three of the past five seasons, including the last two years.

While Jones is having a career renaissance, Taylor is the engine to Indy’s offense.

“It’s just a testament, of course, to the hard work that I’ve put in individually, but then also collectively as a team,” Taylor said postgame. “What we’ve put in throughout training camp to be able to execute at a high level.”

Taylor entered Week 7 with a league-leading 603 rushing yards and eight touchdowns from scrimmage. He’s now increased his total to 697 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns from scrimmage.

“I think we’re just hitting on all cylinders right now,” Taylor said.

The Colts are “hitting on all cylinders right now” and Taylor is leading the charge.

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

The 2025-26 NBA season is about to begin, but several teams are already being forced to press forward without key players on their respective rosters.

The season will officially begin on Tuesday, Oct. 21, with the Houston Rockets taking on the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Golden State Warriors taking on the Los Angeles Lakers.

Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics, forward

Tatum has not officially been ruled out for the 2025-26 season. However, his Achilles injury will still likely force him to miss a significant amount of the season. He posted a video on social media of himself back on the court at the end of September, just four months after suffering the injury and having surgery.

Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers, guard

Garland participated in a scrimmage last week, according to Cleveland.com. Garland played with a turf toe injury during the final part of the season and forced him to be a limited participant during the postseason. He did have surgery during the offseason. Garland is expected to be back at the start of November, according to ESPN.

Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks, guard

Irving is not expected to make a return to the court until the start of 2026. Irving is recovering from a torn ACL that he suffered in March. Mavericks coach Jason Kidd shut down the thought of Irving being “ahead of schedule” when speaking to reporters at the team’s media day session.

Fred VanVleet, Houston Rockets, guard

Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers, guard

Haliburton will miss the entire 2025-26 season after suffering an Achilles injury during Game 7 of the NBA Finals. The guard did have surgery on his right Achilles tendon during the offseason.

T.J. McConnell, Indiana Pacers, guard

McConnell is suffering from a hamstring injury that will keep him out of action for a month, according to WTHR Channel 13 in Indianapolis. He is expected to return in mid-November.

LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, forward

James is not expected to play in the Lakers’ season opener against the Golden State Warriors on Oct. 21. He is dealing with sciatica, which is a pain caused by some level of irritation, pinching or compression of the sciatic nerve. He’s not expected to make his season debut until mid-November, according to ESPN reporter Shams Charania.

Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies, center

Edey has been cleared to begin ramping up his basketball activity as he recovers from a left ankle injury. He isn’t expected to be available until early November, according to ESPN. The big man had surgery in early June.

Tyler Herro, Miami Heat, guard

Herro will not play in the season opener against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday, Oct. 22, after he underwent surgery for a left foot/ankle injury in mid-September. After speaking at media day, the guard expects to be available to return in mid-November, according to The Sporting News.

Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder, forward

Williams underwent surgery in July for a torn scapholunate ligament in his right wrist. His status is uncertain for the Thunder’s season opener against the Houston Rockets on Tuesday, Oct. 21.

Jared McCain, Philadelphia 76ers, guard

McCain underwent surgery during the offseason to repair a torn UCL. He is expected to be re-evaluated in early November, according to NBC Sports Philadelphia. The guard has participated in 5-on-5 workouts as he continues to work his way back.

Jalen Green, Phoenix Suns, guard

Green aggravated his hamstring injury during the Suns’ trip to China during the preseason. He’s expected to be evaluated later this week, according to ArizonaSports.com. He’s likely to miss the Suns’ season opener against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, Oct. 22.

Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers, guard

Lillard is expected to miss the entire season after suffering a torn Achilles tendon during the 2025 playoffs as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks. He underwent surgery in May. After the Bucks bought him out, the guard returned to Portland to continue his rehab.

Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings, center

Sabonis is expected to miss the start of the season with a hamstring injury. He has a grade 1 strain and is expected to be re-evaluated next week.

Keegan Murray, Sacramento Kings, forward 

De’Aaron Fox, San Antonio Spurs, guard

Fox is doubtful for the season opener against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, Oct. 22, according to the Athletic. He is dealing with a hamstring injury.

Jalen Hurts achieved a perfect passer rating in the Eagles’ 28-22 victory over the Vikings.
Hurts threw for 326 yards and three touchdowns, with A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith combining for over 300 receiving yards.
The quarterback completed all five of his deep pass attempts for a career-high 215 yards against Minnesota’s defense.

For all of the criticisms of the Philadelphia Eagles’ offense and Jalen Hurts, the Super Bowl 59 MVP’s ability to throw the deep ball has never been at issue.

And when Hurts delivers the pigskin the way he did Sunday in a 28-22 win over the Minnesota Vikings? 

Well, that’s why – and it’s another reason Philadelphia is suited to weather whatever tempest comes its way (be it in the form of an opposing defense or wide receiver A.J. Brown tweet). 

Hurts had one fewer touchdown (three) than incompletions (four) in Sunday’s win. He became the first quarterback in 2025 to finish with a perfect passer rating (158.3) and turned in his first 300-yard passing game – finishing with 326 yards on 19-for-23 passing – since Week 3 of last season. 

“You don’t have a game like that without the guys around you,” Hurts told reporters after the game.

Brown had touchdown catches of 37 and 26 yards, and finished with four catches for 121 yards. DeVonta Smith went off for 183 yards and nine catches (11 targets). 

And when it came time to ice the game in the fourth-quarter following a Vikings’ late charge, the Eagles didn’t keep the ball on the ground. They went with what had worked all day. Hurts found Brown – who burned ex-Eagles cornerback Isaiah Rodgers – on third-and-nine for a deep ball that went into the books as a 45-yard completion.

Hurts averaged 14.2 yards per attempt – his previous career high for a full game he played was 11.8 – despite entering below the league-average in that category (6.8). Hurts completed all five deep passes (20 or more yards) for a career-high 215 yards and 3 touchdowns against the Vikings, according to Next Gen Stats. The Vikings defense had allowed only three deep completions all season entering Week 7.

“Jalen has a knack for throwing those deep balls,” head coach Nick Sirianni told reporters after the game. “And our guys can run and get under them.” 

Hurts posts career numbers against Brian Flores’ stingy defense

The advanced stats further illuminated Hurts’ performance. Based on EPA per pass play, it was the second-best game of Hurts’ career. And by the same metric, it was the second-best game by any quarterback against a defense led by Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores in the last three years, according to The Athletic. 

“The thing was to come in and establish the run, and the game just flowed the way it did,” Hurts said. “We were able to be efficient in the pass game.” 

Ten days after his deep-shot error to Smith became a lowlight, Hurts did not miss the 2020 Heisman Trophy winner this time and the two connected for a 79-yard score in the third quarter to increase Philadelphia’s lead to 21-9. That came on an under-center play-action fake, a good sign from Eagles offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo after right tackle Lane Johnson revealed the Eagles were too predictable following two straight losses to the Denver Broncos and New York Giants. 

“We had a lot of confidence in that look,” Hurts said. “He was tripping about it and it ended up being called.” 

Identity is important, Hurts said, but so is the ability to win games in a variety of ways. 

The Eagles still can’t run the ball, as running back Saquon Barkley finished with 44 yards on 18 carries (2.4 yards per carry). Hurts said the Eagles are still “ironing things out” when it comes to being a well-rounded offense. Center Cam Jurgens exited Sunday’s game with a knee injury, and left guard Landon Dickerson continues to play hurt. 

“It’s good to be critical when we’re winning,” Hurts said.

Lane Kiffin is considered an ideal candidate to coach the Florida Gators due to his entertaining personality and offensive coaching style.
Despite past interest, Kiffin may no longer desire the Florida job as he has found success and stability at Ole Miss.
Kiffin has transformed Ole Miss into a College Football Playoff contender, a status Florida currently lacks.

There once was a time when Lane Kiffin would have crawl-stroked through a canal full of alligators to become Florida’s football coach. He’s suited to the job.

Southern California once ranked as Kiffin’s “dream job,” but coaching the Gators would be the dream fit of program and personality.

Florida fans don’t just want to win. They want to be entertained. Steve Spurrier, with his Fun ‘N’ Gun offense and his epic zingers, spoiled them that way.

Kiffin idolized Spurrier, and, shoot, they both look good in a visor.

Since Spurrier left the Gators sideline, Florida’s been in this never-ending quest to replace him. Urban Meyer answered the bell for a spell, but the Head Ball Coach remains the gold standard in Gainesville.

With Spurrier retired, who’s more entertaining in this era of college football than Kiffin? He’s one part troll, one part “Portal King,” and another part offensive genius.

Kiffin’s the ideal candidate for Florida, after the Gators fired Billy Napier. He could breathe an instant turnaround into a languishing program.

Kiffin’s career is soaring at Mississippi. His Rebels are College Football Playoff contenders, even after a loss at Georgia. That playoff pursuit would complicate Kiffin’s exit, and it further incentivizes him to stay put. But, you’d be kidding yourself if you think he’s never cast a wistful eye at floundering Florida and fancied how he could do that job so much better than it’s been done these past several seasons.

Nowadays, Kiffin wouldn’t need to swim through gator-infested waters to coach Florida. He might only need to answer his phone.

The question I’m wondering: Does Kiffin still want this job? I’m not so sure he does. I’m not so sure he should.

The salty truth of the matter is, Florida needs Kiffin a whole lot more than he needs the Gators.

Lane Kiffin makes Ole Miss into what Florida should be

Kiffin’s winning at a rate and with a consistency level he’s never before experienced. He’s toned down his hijinks, and he’s found peace and stability in Oxford. He’s built Ole Miss into what Florida should be. He’s pumping out good quarterbacks.

Before he arrived at Ole Miss, Kiffin’s career had been anything but a smooth ride.

He became persona non-grata with Al Davis and the Raiders. He became a traitor to Tennessee. He got fired from Southern California in an office off the LAX tarmac. He subjected himself to Nick Saban’s butt-chewings.

The turbulence leveled out at Ole Miss.

Maybe, it’s the wisdom of age. Maybe, it’s all that hot yoga he does. Maybe, it was his decision to get sober. Maybe, it’s those rocking chairs Kiffin placed on his front porch to signify his acceptance and embrace of Mississippi’s slower pace of life. Maybe, it’s how he’s reunited with his family. Maybe, it was the death of his dad, Monte, and hearing from people far and wide about Monte’s impact on their life, which forced Kiffin to ponder his desire for his own legacy.

Whatever the case, Kiffin appears to be living his best life. He calls this his quest to be the higher version of himself, and it’s coinciding with the highest version of Kiffin’s coaching career.

Lane Kiffin: ‘I look at life completely different.’

Before the season, Kiffin and I talked at length about what he wants out of life, and how his desires have changed.

“The earlier version of me was like, ‘I want a statue’” Kiffin told me in April. “I wouldn’t have said that publicly, but it was like, ‘I want to win enough where they build a statue of you.’ Like, at Alabama, there are statues of the coaches. That means you made it in life.”

“I don’t even think that way anymore,” he continued. “Now, I just want to be a really good neighbor, dad, brother, coworker, boss. I look at life completely different, and a lot of that had to do with growth and my personal growth — losing my dad, seeing his legacy. He’s someone who had both those, championships and treated people (well), and just realizing which one is a lot more important.”

I’m wondering whether a guy who says all that would swim through an alligator-filled canal to get to Florida. I wonder whether this visor-wearing coach still wants to coach Florida at all, when he’s found so much rhythm and success and adoration at Ole Miss.

Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network’s senior national college football columnist. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on X @btoppmeyer.

Doug Martin, a two-time Pro Bowl running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who played seven seasons in the NFL, died Saturday, according to his family. He was 36.

“It is with great sadness to inform you all that Doug Martin passed away Saturday morning,’ Martin’s family said in a statement, per Fox Sports and The Tampa Bay Times. ‘Cause of death is currently unconfirmed. Please respect our privacy at this time.’

A first-round pick out of Boise State in 2012, Martin stormed onto the NFL scene as a rookie by recording 1,926 yards from scrimmage, a total that at the time trailed only Hall of Famers Eric Dickerson and Edgerrin James for the most in league history by a first-year player.

After two down seasons, he enjoyed a resurgence with the Buccaneers in 2015, when he finished second in the NFL in rushing with 1,402 yards. That performance would earn him an All-Pro nod and his second Pro Bowl nod.

Martin signed a five-year, $35.75 million contract the following offseason to remain with Tampa Bay. But the team released him in 2018 after he failed to reach 450 yards in either of his two seasons with the franchise following the deal.

He joined the Oakland Raiders in 2019 and took over as the lead option when Marshawn Lynch was injured, starting nine games and recording 723 rushing yards. After re-signing with the team in 2019, however, he was later released from injured reserve with a settlement and would not play in the NFL again.

‘We are deeply saddened to learn of the sudden and unexpected passing of Doug Martin,’ the Buccaneers said in a statement Sunday. ‘From his record-setting rookie season in 2012 to his multiple Pro Bowl selections during his six seasons as a Buccaneer, Doug made a lasting impact on our franchise. He was a fan favorite during his time in Tampa Bay and was honored as one of the Top 50 Buccaneers of all time for his numerous achievements. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and everyone whom Doug touched throughout his life.’

Listed at 5-9 and 223 pounds, he earned the nickname ‘Muscle Hamster’ for his compact frame and powerful running style. But Martin actively pushed back against the nickname, making it clear he preferred ‘Dougernaut’ instead.

‘The name ‘Muscle Hamster’ is the worst nickname possibly ever given to somebody,’ Martin told USA TODAY Sports in 2015. ‘I hope it changes, and I hope that I play to a level where my nickname changes. That’s what my goals are.’

Chase Briscoe will race for his first NASCAR Cup Series championship after winning the NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday, Oct. 19.

Briscoe shot to the lead in his No. 19 Toyota in the final lap of overtime in the YellaWood 500 and held off Front Row Motorsports’ Todd Gilliland and Ty Gibbs – who were both seeking their first career Cup Series victories – at the checkered flag.

Briscoe’s win in the second race of the Round of 8 assured him of a spot in the Championship Race in just his first season at Joe Gibbs Racing. He joins JGR teammate Denny Hamlin in the final four, leaving the remaining two title hopefuls to be decided at Martinsville Speedway next weekend.

‘I don’t know what’s more unbelievable – the fact that we’re going to the Championship 4 or that I won a superspeedway race,’ Briscoe said. ‘What an amazing day.

‘I can’t thank Ty Gibbs enough. He was an incredible teammate there at the end. Honestly, it was just so selfless. He could’ve easily tried to make a move to try and win the race and he pushed me to the win.’

When the green flag flew for the two-lap overtime shootout, it appeared a Hendrick Motorsports car would capture the win at NASCAR’s largest track. Playoff drivers William Byron and Kyle Larson led the field and battled side-by-side before Larson pulled in front of his teammate. But then Larson’s No. 5 Chevrolet ran out of gas, forcing Byron to check up. As Bryon tried to regather his No. 24 Chevy to battle for the win, he was hit from behind in the tri-oval by Carson Hocevar, sending Byron spinning all the way out of the top 20.

“Certainly, a finish would have helped us be a little bit closer on the points side of things,” said Byron, who ultimately finished 25th. “We just lost control of the race. We just couldn’t get the pushes going the way we needed to on the bottom lane.”

Larson finished 26th, one spot behind Byron.

Briscoe took advantage of the Hendrick drivers’ misfortune for his third win of the season and the fifth of his Cup career. His teammate Christopher Bell also finished in the top 10, putting JGR in position to possibly send three drivers to the Championship 4 in two weeks at Phoenix Raceway.

Meanwhile, another championship hopeful from Hendrick Motorsports was knocked out of the race before Stage 1 ended. Chase Elliott was caught up in a multicar crash with a handful of laps remaining in the opening stage, with his No. 9 Chevy suffering major damage that could not be repaired. He now faces a must-win situation at Martinsville to make the Championship 4.

Team Penske’s Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney looked strong for much of the race, but the playoff drivers were forced to pit for fuel before overtime began, taking them out of contention. Logano finished 16th and Blaney 23rd.

Updated NASCAR playoff standings

With just one race remaining before the NASCAR Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway on Nov. 2, here are the updated playoff standings following the YellaWood 500:

Chase Briscoe, Joe Gibbs Racing … Clinched berth in Championship 4
Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing … Clinched berth in Championship 4
Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing … +37 points
Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports … +36
William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports … -36 points
Joey Logano, Team Penske … -38
Ryan Blaney, Team Penske … -47
Chase, Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports … -62

NASCAR Talladadega extended highlights

Chase Briscoe wins at Talladega to make NASCAR Championship 4

Chase Briscoe drove his No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota to the front of the pack in overtime and outdueled Todd Gilliland and Ty Gibbs to win the YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. With the win, Briscoe clinched a spot in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series championship race, joining his JGR teammate Denny Hamlin, who won last weekend at Las Vegas.

Chris Buescher brings out caution, sends race to overtime

Chris Buescher got hit from behind while leading and swerved in front of the field and into the inside wall to bring out the caution in the YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. Buescher was leading William Byron, who got shoved from behind by Carson Hocevar and into Buescher to send the No. 17 RFK Racing Ford across the track.

Team Penske playoff drivers Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney were forced to come down pit road because neither had enough fuel to complete overtime.

Talladega playoff race: Lap 150 update

Reigning series champion Joey Logano leads the field with 38 laps to go in the YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. Logano is getting a strong push from Team Penske teammate Ryan Blaney, a fellow playoff driver. Ross Chastain, Michael McDowell and Brad Keselowski also race in the top five.

Chase Briscoe wins Stage 2 of Talladega playoff race

Playoff drivers took four of the top five spots in Stage 2, with Joe Gibbs Racing’s Chase Briscoe winning the second segment over Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Larson. Carson Hocevar finished third, the only non-playoff driver in the top three. Hendrick Motorsports’ William Byron finished fourth, followed by JGR’s Christopher Bell. Ty Gibbs, Ryan Blaney, Todd Gilliland, John Hunter Nemechek and Alex Bowman rounded out the top 10.

Talladega playoff race: Lap 90 update

Hendrick Motorsports drivers have not made much of an impact through 90 laps of the Yellawood 500, whether by strategy to ride in the back for the first half of the race or because their Chevrolets are not as fast as other cars in the field.

Meanwhile, the Team Penske Fords of Joey Logano and Ryan Penske have been able to drive through the field and are back near the front of the pack – the only playoff drivers currently in the Top 10.

Ty Gibbs wins Stage 1 of Talladega playoff race

Ty Gibbs edged fellow Toyota driver Tyler Reddick by a nose to win the opening stage of the YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. John Hunter Nemechek finished third, followed by playoff driver Ryan Blaney in fourth and Bubba Wallace in fifth. Joey Logano, seeking his second consecutive series championshp, finished sixth, with Zane Smith, Michael McDowell, Carson Hocevar and playoff driver Christopher Bell rounding out the Top 10.

Chase Elliott knocked out of Talladega race

Chase Elliott’s day at Talladega ended before Stage 1 after his No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet suffered catastrophic damage during a multicar crash on Lap 53. Elliott now heads to next week’s playoff race at Martinsville Speeday at a huge points disadvantage and could be facing a must-win situation to make the championship race in two weeks.

Big crash takes out a number of cars, including Elliott

Erik Jones pushed leader Noah Gragson, trying to propel him forward on the outside in Turn 3, but the contact turned Gragson into inside lane leader AJ Allmendinger, triggering a multicar wreck on Lap 53. A number of cars suffered massive damage, with Allmendinger having to be helped out of the car and into the safety crew vehicle transporting him to the infield care center.

Playoff driver Chase Elliott was among the drivers involved, with his No. 9 car suffering big damage. Austin Cindric, Austin Dillon, Justin Haley and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. also got collected in the incident.

Cars make green flag pit stops in Stage 1

Drivers began green-flag pit stops during Stage 1 of the YellaWood 500, coming in for fuel starting with about 20 laps to go. Three drivers were penalized for speeding: Kyle Busch, Ross Chastain and playoff driver Chase Briscoe. All three had to come back down pit road to serve pass-thru penalties.

NASCAR Talladega race: Lap 20 update

Drivers had immediately made the race three-wide when the green flag flew, but after 20 laps, the race has settled down to two packs driving two-wide. Kyle Busch leads with Shane van Gisbergen, Justin Haley, Bubba Wallace, Christopher Bell, Josh Berry and Chase Briscoe rounding out the top 7.

Green flag waves for NASCAR playoff race at Talladega

Michael McDowell and Chase Briscoe lead the field as the green flag waves for the YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. The opening stage is 60 laps.

When is the green flag for NASCAR playoff race at Talladega?

The green flag for the YellaWood 500 is expected to drop at 2:28 p.m. ET (1:28 p.m. local), per Fox Sports’ Bob Pockrass after some track drying earlier today.

What time does the NASCAR playoff race at Talladega start?

The YellaWood 500 is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. ET on Sunday, Oct. 19 at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Alabama.

What TV channel is the NASCAR playoff race at Talladega?

The YellaWood 500 will be broadcast on NBC, the home of the Cup Series’ final three races of the season. Pre-race coverage will start at 1:30 p.m. ET.

Will there be a live stream of the NASCAR playoff race at Talladega?

Yes, the YellaWood 500 will be streamed on Peacock, Sling TV and Fubo, which is offering a free trial to new subscribers.

Stream the NASCAR race at Talladega on Fubo

Who is on the pole for NASCAR playoff race at Talladega?

Michael McDowell won the pole for today’s YellaWood 500 at Talladega. Playoff driver Chase Briscoe will start alongside on the front row.

How many laps is the NASCAR playoff race at Talladega?

The YellaWood 500 is 188 laps around the 2.66-mile track for a total of 500.08 miles. The race will have three segments (laps per stage) — Stage 1: 60 laps; Stage 2: 60 laps; Stage 3: 68 laps.

NASCAR Cup Series playoff standings

Here’s how things look as the playoff field hits the second race in the Round of 8. The bottom four drivers will be eliminated after Martinsville.

Denny Hamlin
Kyle Larson (+4)
Christopher Bell (+19)
Chase Briscoe (+24)
William Byron (+39)
Chase Elliott (+47)
Joey Logano (+48)
Ryan Blaney (+55)

Who won the NASCAR playoff race at Talladega last year?

Last year’s YellaWood 500 featured one of the closest finishes of the year. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. earned his lone win of the season by 0.006 seconds over Brad Keselowski. The No. 47 Chevrolet driver ended his win drought on a superspeedway after previously winning the 2023 Daytona 500. William Byron’s push on the final lap got Stenhouse Jr. ahead of Keselowski to cause a bit of chaos in the Round of 12. Stenhouse Jr. led a total of 19 laps in a race affected by a massive wreck with five laps remaining. With 28 cars involved, it was the biggest Cup Series wreck since 2002. Keselowski, Byron, Kyle Larson and Erik Jones rounded out the top five runners.

What is the lineup for the YellaWood 500 at Talladega?

Michael McDowell, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
Chase Briscoe, No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
Austin Cindric, No. 2 Team Penske Ford
Ryan Preece, No. 60 Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford
Josh Berry, No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford
Christopher Bell, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Team Penske Ford
Riley Herbst, No. 35 23XI Racing Toyota
Bubba Wallace, No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota
Alex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Cole Custer, No. 41 Haas Factory Team Ford
William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Chris Buescher, No. 17 Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford
Tyler Reddick, No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota
Joey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske Ford
Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Ty Gibbs, No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Brad Keselowski, No. 6 Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford
Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
Justin Haley, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
Zane Smith, No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford 
Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Todd Gilliland, No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford 
John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42 Legacy Motor Club Toyota
Ty Dillon, No. 10 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
Erik Jones, No. 43 Legacy Motor Club Toyota
Shane van Gisbergen, No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
Austin Hill, No. 33 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
Cody Ware, No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Ford
Noah Gragson, No. 4 Front Row Motorsports Ford
Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 HYAK Motorsports Chevrolet
Anthony Alfredo, No. 62 Beard Motorsports Chevrolet
BJ McLeod, No. 78 Live Fast Motorsports Chevrolet
Casey Mears, No. 66 Garage 66 Ford

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