GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Minnesota Vikings entered Monday’s playoff matchup against the Los Angeles Rams as the first-ever 14-win wild card team in league history, but as the clock struck midnight, the Vikings’ Cinderella season came to an unceremonious end with a 27-9 loss.

“All that matters when you have a good season is what do you do in the playoffs,” quarterback Sam Darnold, 27, told reporters on Monday evening following his first playoff start. “In the NFL, you only get one season with one team with everyone all together. And today wasn’t our day. It’s as simple as that.”

Darnold felt pressure early from the Rams and it never let up during Monday’s wild card game, which moved from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona as devastating wildfires ravage the Los Angeles area. The Rams sacked Darnold a record nine times for a loss of 82 yards, tied for the most sacks in a playoff game. The Rams’ defense also forced two turnovers — an interception and a fumble returned for a touchdown. 

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said the loss wasn’t on any one player — ‘That’s a ‘we’ thing. That’s all of us… Could I have coached better? I promise you I could have” — but Darnold made it clear that he didn’t efficiently lead the team as he’s done all season. 

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“I feel like there were a lot of sacks today that I was responsible for, where I was just holding on to the football and taking sacks,” said Darnold, who finished with 245 yards and one touchdown and one interception. “It’s up to me to be able to feel that (pressure) and either step up, move, run for a first down or just simply throw it away.”

After being relegated to a backup quarterback the past two seasons, Darnold had a renaissance year this season and led the Vikings to a 14-3 record as a starter, Minnesota’s best regular season finish since 1998. The Vikings were expected to take the next step with a deep playoff run, equipped with not only Darnold, but Justin Jefferson and Aaron Jones, who each had 1,000+ yard receiving and rushing seasons, respectively.

But Minnesota’s two-game skid, including last week’s blowout loss to the Detroit Lions that could’ve claimed the NFC North title and No. 1 overall seed for the Vikings — abruptly came to an end shortly after it began.

‘It doesn’t feel real,’ said Jones, who finished with 13 carries for 48 yards. ‘I know you have to take it one week at a time, but I was definitely expecting to play next week.’

‘The sky was the limit for us’

The Vikings quickly found themselves in a 10-0 hole less than seven minutes into the game after the Rams’ first two drives resulted in a touchdown and field goal. The Vikings answered back with a field goal of their own to cut their deficit to 10-3. It appeared that Minnesota tied the game after strip-sacking Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, which resulted in a defensive touchdown. But the call was reversed and the points were wiped off the board after referees determined Stafford threw an incomplete pass.

‘I know that quarterback pretty well,’ said O’Connell, who served as the Rams’ offensive coordinator during their Super Bowl run in the 2021-22 season. ‘I know when (Stafford) is trying to throw to somebody and when he’s not, but that’s the explanation I got. We just had to keep playing.’

On the Vikings’ next possession, Darnold’s pass intended for receiver Jordan Addison was picked off by Rams’ Cobie Durant. The possession after that Rams cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon sacked Darnold and forced a fumble that was returned by Jared Verse for a 57-yard touchdown to go up 17-3. By halftime, the Vikings’ deficit was 24-3 and the winds were out of their sails. Darnold connected with tight end T.J. Hockenson for a 26-yard touchdown in the their quarter, but it was too little, too late.

‘We didn’t do enough to win. That’s what happens in this league,’ Vikings safety Josh Metellus said with tears in his eye. ‘We had a special group. This team is one of the best teams I’ve ever been on. The sky was the limit for us. It was all about going 1-0. Today, we were 0-1. That just happened to be the last one.’

Jones added that he’s ‘sad for my brothers and sad for how it went down. We played our butts off this whole year and then today, everybody came out there and everybody left it on the field even though it wasn’t the outcome we wanted,’ Jones said. ‘The team changes year after year. It’s a true brotherhood in this locker room, some guys may not be back and you feel it. This is the closet team I’ve been on. I love these guys.’

What’s next for Sam Darnold?

Darnold is set to enter free agency after playing out his one-year, $10 million contract with the Vikings. He looked poised to remain a starter, whether with the Vikings or with another team, but his stumble to the finish line the past two weeks could impact his future. Darnold, however, said that’s a conversation for another day.

“I’m not worried about that. That’s in the past,” Darnold said on Monday. “Right now, I’m thinking about what I could have done better today and just spending time with the team in the locker room.”

Jefferson noted that the question marks surrounding the team’s future quarterback felt like deja-vu.

‘It was the same type of situation last year. I didn’t know who my quarterback was going to be and I really didn’t care,’ said Jefferson, who was held to five receptions for 58 yards on Monday. ‘I’m confident in myself to go out there and still perform the same way I’ve been performing. It’s not my job to say who is going to be the quarterback or who I want to be the quarterback.’

No matter what happens, O’Connell said two bad games shouldn’t discredit Darnold’s Pro Bowl-caliber season: ‘I’m proud of (Darnold), proud of really everybody in that locker room. But Sam (Darnold), the journey him and I went on this year will always have a special place in my heart.’

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Former Baltimore Orioles pitcher Brian Matusz likely died from a drug overdose, according to a police report.

The Phoenix Police Department, in a report obtained by the Baltimore Banner, said Matusz was found dead in his Arizona home on Jan. 6 by his mother, who had come to check on him. The report says Matusz’s body was found on a couch in an upstairs loft with a white substance in his mouth and drug paraphernalia on the floor nearby.

‘A staple in our clubhouse from 2009-2016, Brian was beloved throughout Birdland, and his passion for baseball and our community was unmatched,’ the Orioles said in a statement.

The left-hander began his career in Baltimore as a starter before transitioning to a relief role during the 2012 season. He found success in the bullpen, and appeared in seven playoff games for the Orioles in the 2012 and 2014 postseasons.

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A standout collegiate pitcher at the University of San Diego, Matusz was selected fourth in the 2008 MLB draft behind Tim Beckham (Rays), Pedro Alvarez (Pirates) and Eric Hosmer (Royals).

He reached the majors the following year and made 32 starts for Baltimore in 2010, finishing fifth in the AL rookie of the year balloting.

He appeared in 279 games for the Orioles over parts of eight seasons, posting a 4.85 ERA. However, he was much more effective as a reliever, with a 3.47 ERA over 171 innings.

Matusz enjoyed particular success throughout his career against Boston Red Sox great David Ortiz. The Hall of Fame DH managed just four hits in 29 at-bats against him (.138 average) with 13 strikeouts and one walk.

Suicide Lifeline: If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health or substance use crises, help is available. Call or text the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or chat with a trained counselor at 988lifeline.org.

It’s the middle of January, which means the NFL’s coaching carousel is likely already pushing the highest RPMs it will reach this year. Monday was a prime example as the New England Patriots introduced Mike Vrabel as their next HC while, halfway across the country, the Dallas Cowboys officially put out their “now hiring” placard when they and Mike McCarthy failed to reach a new agreement to keep him in North Texas following the expiration of his contract.

It seems unlikely more jobs will be vacated, however one never knows when a surprise resignation or retirement might crop up – perhaps when a successful young coach burns out … or maybe when an older, established one decides to call it a career after a Super Bowl three-peat. Who’s to say?

So while the list could certainly grow beyond six* openings, let’s assess the current ones from most attractive to least:

1. Chicago Bears

Quarterback situation

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Caleb Williams, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2024 draft and widely regarded as a generational prospect, is supposed to be this franchise’s savior. It didn’t go that way during his highly uneven rookie season, when he too often reverted to his bad college habits by consistently trying to force the issue on lost plays while absorbing a league-worst 68 sacks. Yet Williams also flashed the brilliance that landed him in this position and, while he made plenty of mistakes in terms of game management, he also set a rookie record by throwing 353 consecutive passes without an interception. Bottom line, his presence and potential will be quite an enticement for prospective coaches – Ben Johnson? – eyeing this job.

There’s also plenty to like about 24-year-old backup Tyson Bagent, but it would probably behoove the organization to bring in a veteran to tutor Williams and perhaps serve as a trusted sounding board for both youngsters.

Roster

There are plenty of good players here, notably WRs DJ Moore and Rome Odunze, who was picked eight spots after Williams, RB D’Andre Swift and TE Cole Kmet – though their collective output was certainly depressed by the offense’s dysfunction in 2024. The O-line has room to improve, but it shouldn’t be inordinately blamed for Williams’ outlandish sack total, the rookie causing quite a bit of self-sabotage.

The defense regressed but appears set in key spots with CB Jaylon Johnson, LB Tremaine Edmunds and pass rusher Montez Sweat. All of them need to play better in 2025, and the front seven could use reinforcements.

WR Keenan Allen and G Teven Jenkins are the most notable free agents.

Salary cap

The team is projected to have more than $66 million to spend in free agency, per OverTheCap, which is presently among the seven highest bankrolls in the league. Talent acquisition hasn’t been an issue for GM Ryan Poles, though it obviously needs to coalesce better under the next coaching staff.

2025 NFL draft

Poles’ trade of the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft has one more dividend to pay as the Bears own Carolina’s second-rounder this year. That should mean Chicago picks four times among the top 72 selections, including 10th overall – and there’s definitely more work to do in order to build up the supporting cast around Williams.

Outlook

The prospect of working with Williams on a rookie contract – and with so many other quality pieces in place – should make this a highly desirable job. However a rabid fan base looking for something more than 1985 highlights and memories will expect near-instant results – which won’t be easy in the NFC North, which just sent its three other members into the postseason field. And while the roster is solid, whoever succeeds Matt Eberflus must also ensure there’s philosophical alignment with team president Kevin Warren and Poles given the good work that was done in 2024 was undermined by a lack of appropriate coaching infrastructure to properly develop a rookie quarterback.

2. Dallas Cowboys

Quarterback situation

Dak Prescott is the highest-paid passer in league history after signing a four-year, $240 million extension (with $231 million guaranteed) in September. That’s indicative both of his value to the team and fact he’s effectively tied to the organization financially for at least the next two seasons. He could also be in line for the Comeback Player of the Year Award in 13 months given his 2024 campaign was ruined at the halfway point by a hamstring injury. Still, he was the MVP runner-up a year ago and represents steadiness – and often excellent play – from a position that’s often in flux with teams searching for a head coach. It’s quite feasible that Prescott will own the Cowboys’ career records for passing yards and touchdowns by the end of the 2025 season.

On the backup front, both Cooper Rush and Trey Lance are ticketed for free agency, though Rush – he has won nine of 14 starts while filling in for Prescott since 2021 – is close to an ideal QB2, experienced and reliable but no threat to the starter.

Roster

As is befitting of “America’s Team,” it’s a star-studded group led by Prescott, WR CeeDee Lamb and LB Micah Parsons, who are all at or near the top of their respective positional groups from a league-wide perspective. However, assuming Parsons signs his own extension this year, the trio will likely eat up a huge percentage of the salary cap at a time when much of the roster is in transition.

Rush, G Zack Martin, DE DeMarcus Lawrence, WR Brandin Cooks, RB Rico Dowdle and LB Eric Kendricks are among the notable players with expiring contracts. Promising young LB DeMarvion Overshown shredded his knee last month and will be a question mark in 2025.

And there will be a need to better support Prescott and Lamb, who can’t simply carry this offense at all times. Dallas needs answers at running, secondary receivers and on an O-line likely about to lose longtime linchpin Martin. LT Tyler Guyton, the team’s first-round pick in 2024, must improve in Year 2.

Salary cap

At present, the Cowboys have basically nothing to spend in free agency – not that owner Jerry Jones showed a willingness to loosen the purse strings to bring in notable names (or re-sign his key role players) last year. That will certainly change – extending Parsons would likely reduce the $21.3 million base salary he’s owed in 2025 – but roster construction is likely going to be a serious challenge beyond the team’s highly compensated superstars. OT Terence Steele and CB Trevon Diggs could be candidates for restructures.

2025 NFL draft

Dallas owns the 12th pick of the first round but doesn’t currently have a fourth-rounder.

Outlook

There’s a lot to love about this job, namely the presence of such good players at crucial positions. The NFC East is usually a division that’s in play, and Jones typically wants to make the expenditures needed in his ongoing bid to end what’s now nearly a three-decade Super Bowl drought. However the spotlight shines on a coach here like nowhere else, and the requirement to collaborate closely with Jones on football matters is a dynamic unique to the Cowboys – meaning this post truly demands a certain kind of personality.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars

Quarterback situation

Unlike numerous teams throughout the NFL, they have their guy in Trevor Lawrence – that certainty cemented by the five-year, $275 million extension he signed in June, tied for the second-largest contract in league history behind Prescott while linking him to the club through the 2030 season.

But there’s a flip side to that stability given Lawrence has yet to live up to his billing as the top pick of the 2021 draft, when he was hyped as a prospect bound to make an impact on par with John Elway or Peyton Manning. Not only has that not happened – Lawrence has been a Pro Bowler one time and taken the Jags to the playoffs once – but injuries have undercut his performance the past two seasons.

After his rookie year was squandered by Urban Meyer, Lawrence generally played better under Pederson. But the next coach must certainly find a way to truly unlock his potential. The backup situation will need to be addressed anew with Mac Jones headed for free agency.

Roster

Regardless of how one assesses Lawrence, there’s a nice nucleus here. Rookie Brian Thomas Jr. was a breakout star on a receiver corps that already boasted Christian Kirk and TE Evan Engram. The defense is stocked with a first-rate pass rusher in Josh Hines-Allen and promising youngsters like Travon Walker, Devin Lloyd and Tyson Campbell. Work needs to be done in the trenches, and the rushing attack, in particular, never really got on track in 2024.

A talent deficit is not a major issue in Duval County even if, overall, the whole has seemingly been less than the sum of the parts here for some time.

Salary cap

Barring any significant roster adjustments – Kirk has occasionally been involved in trade rumors, for example – the Jags should have about $35 million available, which puts them in the middle of the pack league-wide.

2025 NFL draft

Not only does Jacksonville have a top-five pick – No. 5 to be exact – that can be earmarked for the best available player, it has 10 selections overall, which should allow for great flexibility to maneuver around the board if not an opportunity to simply bring in more young talent.

Outlook

This team is only two years removed from winning the AFC South and reaching the divisional round of the playoffs. It nearly won the division again in 2023 despite a rash of injuries. There’s plenty to like here, from the players to the local golf courses.

Yet one intriguing element is the ongoing employment of GM Trent Baalke, who is about to work with his fifth different head coach (interim included) since he joined the front office in 2020. Pederson’s successor will have to take that for what it’s worth, but it’s hard to ignore the power dynamic.

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4. New York Jets

Quarterback situation

So much to unpack here … or pack.

Coming off a hugely disappointing year, Aaron Rodgers has been less than forthcoming about his future plans but is under contract for 2025 (and so is backup Tyrod Taylor). Talented former Florida State star Jordan Travis effectively took a medical redshirt during his rookie year as he continues to work his way back from the grisly ankle injury that ended his Seminoles career late in the 2023 season.

Could be a lot of moving parts here … and there could just as easily be none.

Roster

Recently fired GM Joe Douglas brought plenty of talent into this building – and plenty of players favored by Rodgers – but it never got the Jets close to breaking the league’s longest playoff drought, which now stands at 14 seasons. The high point of Douglas’ tenure was a 2022 draft class that includes CB Sauce Gardner, WR Garrett Wilson – both rookies of the year on their respective sides of the ball – Pro Bowl OLB Jermaine Johnson II and RB Breece Hall. In yet another tricky obstacle course for the Jets’ next brain trust to navigate, all are eligible for extensions this year – though Wilson was the only one of the quartet to play close to his ability in 2024. Johnson missed most of the season with a torn Achilles.

Brothers Quinnen and Quincy Williams have been defensive mainstays, and pass rusher Will McDonald IV had a breakthrough in his sophomore season. The offensive line improved yet will field two new tackles in 2025 with Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses out of contract. CB D.J. Reed is the Jets’ best player poised to hit the open market.

Salary cap

As matters stand now, the Jets have roughly $21 million in cap room. But given the uncertainty around Rodgers, Adams and probably others, that figure seems bound to be fluid.

2025 NFL draft

They’ll select seventh overall in Round 1 – but in a year with an unimpressive quarterback crop. They own the Lions’ third-rounder (96th overall) … but surrendered their own – which comes 23 spots earlier – to acquire Adams in October.

Outlook

Quite obviously, a very mixed bag – one with the potential for an instant about-face given the talent quotient if not necessarily set up for the restart a new coach and general manager might prefer. From a cap standpoint, it probably makes sense to retain Rodgers – if he even wants to play – given how difficult it will be to obtain anyone worthy of promoting as the next quarterbacking savior in 2025. Yet Rodgers’ presence would doubtless be problematic for a new regime trying to lay the groundwork for sustained success, which will be inherently difficult given the impatient nature and problematic reputation that continues to dog owner Woody Johnson – though he is unfailingly willing to invest resources into his wayward football team. Buyer enjoy and buyer beware.

5. New Orleans Saints

Quarterback situation

Meh? Since coming to the Big Easy in 2023, Derek Carr has pretty much been what he was with the Raiders – solid, steady … unspectacular. He’s essentially exemplified the league average, going 14-13 in 27 starts with the Saints and posting a 98.8 QB rating that’s seven points better than his mark with the Raiders. It’s a decent body of work, especially considering the protection problems Carr has had and a steady rate of injuries affecting him (he missed seven games in 2024) and his receiver corps.

It’s also not exactly what New Orleans was hoping for after signing Carr to a four-year, $150 million contract – the franchise trying to restore itself as an NFC South power after wallowing around .500 following Drew Brees’ retirement in the aftermath of the 2020 season. Yet it’s been status quo at best with Carr, the club still mired in a rut and failing again to qualify for its first playoff game since Brees and Co. were ousted four years ago.

Youngsters Spencer Rattler, 24, and Jake Haener, 25, struggled while getting shots to play when Carr was unavailable. Rattler’s intriguing potential dates to his high school days and sometimes-promising tenures at the University of Oklahoma and University of South Carolina. The rookie was the first quarterback drafted last year outside the first round (Round 5) and didn’t exactly get to play with a full deck given the Saints’ heap of injury issues.

New Orleans is scheduled to pick ninth in the first round of this year’s draft. Cutting Carr would mean a $50 million dead cap hit but would spare the Saints from paying his base salary, which balloons from $1.2 million in 2024 to $30 million next season and $50 million in 2026. It would also stand to reason that a new coach, especially an offensively minded one, probably would prefer to chart a course that doesn’t include Carr in what would likely be a temporary role.

Roster

Several name brands here – LB Demario Davis, DE Cam Jordan and RB Alvin Kamara among them. But aside from Kamara, who recently signed a two-year extension, they’re all pretty much in concerning decline. GM Mickey Loomis admitted after Dennis Allen’s midseason firing that the former head coach had been victimized by ‘an avalanche of injuries.’

The future foundation will seemingly be comprised of relative youngsters such as DT Bryan Bresee, LT Taliese Fuaga, DE Carl Granderson, C Erik McCoy, CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, WR Chris Olave, G Cesar Ruiz, WR Rashid Shaheed, DB Alontae Taylor and LB Pete Werner. It doesn’t necessarily seem like a nascent powerhouse, yet it’s also far from an empty cupboard.

Salary cap

No team runs up the NFL version of credit card debt like this one, and it could be an important consideration for anyone who chooses to team with Loomis, who just finished his 23rd season with the small-market franchise and is currently the league’s longest-serving general manager. The Saints typically spread out contractual cap hits by adding void years to player contracts. New Orleans is presently more than $50 million overspent in 2025 – the largest figure in the league by orders of magnitude – and that’s before incurring the potential hit that would be created by parting with Carr. The team often does a series of significant restructures and/or releases every March to become cap compliant, but that can handcuff the Saints once free agency begins in earnest. DE Chase Young, who signed a one-year, $13 million pact, was the only significant addition in 2024.

2025 NFL draft

Their organic picks mean they’ll select in the top 10 in each of the first four rounds. Trading CB Marshon Lattimore at midseason also upped the arsenal nicely, the Pro Bowler netting an extra third- and fourth-rounder in a deal with the Commanders. The added capital at least provides flexibility if Loomis opts to pursue a passer.

Outlook

When you’re talking about one of 32 jobs, prospective candidates are unlikely to turn their noses up at this one. There’s enough to like and (currently) a stable enough front office and ownership situation that the next man up should get a decent runway to flourish. Few fans are as passionate as New Orleans’, and the civic bond to the organization was only strengthened by Hurricane Katrina. This job may rate lower among the vacancies, but that doesn’t mean it’s one to run from.

6. Las Vegas Raiders

Quarterback situation

If you’ve got five, as the Silver and Black did at the end of their season, the problem is self-evident. Aidan O’Connell, Desmond Ridder and rookie Carter Bradley wound up on the active roster with Gardner Minshew II on injured reserve and Jake Luton on the practice squad. Statistically, the Raiders actually had a middling passing game in 2024, if only because of a complete inability to run the ball.

But it was patently obvious why they coveted Jayden Daniels in last year’s draft. O’Connell has shown enough to be a bridge to the future and maybe a long-term backup – roles that Minshew has capably executed. But barring the pursuit of, say, Sam Darnold, difficult to discern where a 2025 solution is emanating from.

Roster

Fired GM Tom Telesco’s replacement probably has to at least consider trading Crosby, who has in many ways become the face of the franchise but has also grown tired of losing. His value is unlikely to get any higher.

Salary cap

Las Vegas will have more than $90 million for free agency – only the Patriots are expected to have more casino chips – which could make the Raiders a player for someone like Darnold if he becomes available and certainly opens up additional possibilities.

2025 NFL draft

With the Jets’ third-rounder at their disposal, the Silver and Black have four of the top 73 selections, including No. 6 overall – though there appear to be three QB-needy teams ahead of them (Titans, Browns, Giants). Regardless, the Raiders could be in striking of distance of passers like Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders … if they so choose.

Outlook

If this franchise is indeed turning around, it’s reversing course with the speed of an aircraft carrier (which isn’t quickly for you non-sailors). With Antonio Pierce out, the next coach will be Las Vegas’ fifth, interim ones included, over a five-season period, so stability has obviously been lacking. And it will be interesting to monitor the role of Tom Brady, who’s now a minority stakeholder in the organization and seems even more likely to be influential in terms of philosophical and personnel input following Telesco’s ouster. He’s already reportedly attempted to woo his former coach, Bill Belichick, away from UNC.

Pierce consistently got this team to play hard, but the horsepower hasn’t been there. And re-establishing a ‘Commitment to Excellence’ will likely only get tougher with the Raiders left by the wayside at a time when the other three AFC West teams made the postseason, the Chargers and Broncos well ahead on their reboots and pursuit of the champion Chiefs. But at least initial expectations here should be manageable … theoretically.

***

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Nate Davis on X, formerly Twitter, @ByNateDavis.

GLENDALE, Ariz. – The Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams both tried to normalize an unprecedented situation while many hearts and minds were on Southern California due to the devastating wildfires that have ravaged the Los Angeles area.

Perhaps the spirit of Los Angeles fueled the Rams as they cruised to a 27-9 victory.

Matthew Stafford passed for 209 yards and two touchdowns and the Rams defense sacked Vikings QB Sam Darnold nine times, tying an NFL playoff record. They also forced two turnovers.

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Darnold was stripped sacked by Rams CB Ahkello Witherspoon midway through the second quarter, the loose football was picked up by Rams OLB Jared Verse and he rumbled to the end zone for the scoop and score to give Los Angeles a 17-3 advantage.

The Rams’ first half onslaught continued with under two minutes in the second quarter when Minnesota turned the ball over on downs. Stafford then proceeded to guide the Rams in the end zone in five plays as he capped off the drive with a 13-yard touchdown pass to tight end Davis Allen.

The Rams went into halftime up 24-3. Los Angeles’ defense sacked Darnold six times and produced two takeaways in the first half.

Los Angeles’ defense forced the Vikings to punt on their opening drive of the second half. The Rams went on an 11-play series that ended in a successful 44-yard field goal by K Joshua Karty to extend their lead to 27-3.

The Vikings, facing an insurmountable deficit, were just trying to play catch up the rest of the way. Minnesota fans exited the stadium in the fourth quarter.

The Rams victory earns them a trip to Philadelphia for the divisional round of the playoffs where they will take on the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET.

The final game of the wild-card round was held in the Phoenix suburb of Glendale following the NFL’s decision last Thursday to relocate the playoff game from SoFi Stadium to State Farm Stadium in the interest of public safety after wildfires wreaked havoc on the Los Angeles area. Monday’s contest was only the second playoff game in NFL history to be relocated and the league’s first postseason game to move because of natural disaster.

The atmosphere inside State Farm Stadium had a Los Angeles-feel. The Rams provided free charter bus roundtrip transportation for 1,500 season ticket holders to Glendale. Rams fans tailgated in the stadium’s parking lot, Rams players, coaches and staff wore custom Los Angeles Fire Department shirts and hats with the Los Angeles Rams monogram on them, a “Thank You Firefighters and First Responders” banner hung near the south end zone and “LA Together” in royal blue wrapped around the stadium’s lower bowl.

The entire Rams organization will head back to Los Angeles with heavy hearts from the wildfires, but they were triumphant in the NFC wild-card round and are moving on to Philadelphia.

While certainly not the biggest star of his day, Bobby Abreu was one of baseball’s most accomplished players in an era known for offense and has seen his Hall of Fame support rise in his five years on the ballot.

Abreu’s greatness began in 1998 with the Phillies, posting a 6.4 WAR campaign in his first season as a full-time player – after being dealt to Philadelphia the same day he was selected by the Devil Rays (from the Astros) in that year’s expansion draft.

An on-base machine before OBP was cool, Abreu reached base at a .402 clip with an .894 OPS from 1998-2010, averaging 21 homers and 95 RBI over that span. A low-key stolen base threat, Abreu finds himself in elite company as one of only six players in history with 250 home runs and 400 steals.

Abreu barely stayed on the Hall of Fame ballot in his first year with 5.5% of the vote but has gotten that number as high as 15.4%, obviously well short of the 75% required for election halfway through his 10 years on the ballot.

Here’s a closer look at Abreu’s Hall of Fame credentials:

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The case for Bobby Abreu

Over the course of his career (1996-2014), only Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and Chipper Jones reached base more times than Abreu (3,979).

Other than Abreu, the only players with 250 career home runs and 400 steals are Rickey Henderson, Craig Biggio, Joe Morgan, Bobby Bonds and Barry Bonds. Abreu’s nine 20-20 seasons are the third most ever, behind the Bonds father-son duo who each did it 10 times.

Abreu’s seven-year stretch from 1998-2004 holds up pretty well against the first seven years of $765 million man Juan Soto’s career. While Soto’s youth makes the comparison somewhat apples-to-oranges, Abreu’s advantage in WAR and their strikingly similar slash lines – .308/.416/.525 for Abreu, .285/.421/.532 for Soto – show just how good the Venezuelan was in his prime.

The case against

Abreu’s excellence exists in the context of the Steroid Era and thus, his numbers were always overshadowed. Celebrated for his on-base acumen, Abreu never even led the league in OBP. His career-best .446 mark in 1999 was only good for fourth in baseball. Abreu also hit a career-high .335 that year, finishing seventh in the majors.

Abreu was among the best all-around hitters in the game, but his power numbers left something be desired, only hitting more than 25 home runs twice in his 18-season career.

The Phillies traded Abreu in 2006 – the year before their 14-year playoff drought ended – and he didn’t get to enjoy the spoils of the club’s success with longtime Philadelphia teammates like Pat Burrell and Jimmy Rollins, only playing 20 career postseason games.

Voting trends

2020: 5.5%
2021: 8.7%
2022: 8.6%
2023: 15.4%
2024: 14.8%

Bottom line

Halfway through his time at the ballot, it’s pretty clear that Bobby Abreu isn’t going to get into the Baseball Hall of Fame. His vote share should climb a bit more in the years to come, but last year’s stagnation crushed any hopes of a grassroots Cinderella run to 75%.

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U.S. Soccer and Bank of America are teaming up to throw a World Cup party.

As part of a long-term partnership announced Tuesday morning, Bank of America will sponsor U.S. Soccer House during the men’s World Cup in 2026. Similar to the popular Team USA House at the Olympics, it will give U.S. fans a central place to gather, watch games and relax during the five-week tournament.

Soccer House will be located in Los Angeles, where the U.S. men will kick off the World Cup on June 12, 2026. The USMNT also has its third group-stage game there June 25, 2026.

A total of eight games will be played in L.A., including two round-of-32 games and a quarterfinal. Los Angeles is also the site of the 2028 Olympic Games, where the U.S. women will be the defending gold medalists.

“We’re eager to further fuel the growth of soccer,” David Tyrie, Bank of America’s chief digital officer and chief marketing officer, said in a statement announcing the sponsorship deal.

“Our investments in the U.S. Soccer Federation and in soccer overall provide unique and ongoing opportunities to build client relationships, engage our teammates, and drive positive economic impact, locally and globally, as the most popular sport in the world takes center stage over the next two years and beyond.”

U.S. Soccer took back its commercial rights two years ago, and has made a series of deals designed to support growth across all stages of the game.

Arthur Blank, owner of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United, pledged $50 million for a national team training center currently under construction outside Atlanta. In addition to being a home for the national teams and their staffs, it will offer educational resources for lower-level coaches and referees. Washington Spirit owner Michele Kang gave $30 million that will be used to bolster talent identification in the women’s game and give more competitive opportunities for the USWNT’s youth teams.

The partnership with Bank of America is a broad one, supporting all 27 national teams, including the USMNT and USWNT, as well as the grass-roots game. As part of the deal, Bank of America will sponsor an annual Fan Appreciation Match as well as Play it Forward community clinics.

It also is launching SheInvests, designed to help women with financial planning and investment advice. SheInvests is the latest part of SheBelieves, which began as a tournament against some of the USWNT’s top competition and has grown into a program that focuses on empowering and inspiring women in and outside of sport.

‘To see Bank of America recognizing the importance of being in the female space and also supporting an underdeveloped area of business, and that is women investors or women understanding their financial wealth, real credit to them for supporting it,’ USWNT coach Emma Hayes told USA TODAY Sports.

It took just hours between the Dallas Cowboys announcing Mike McCarthy was out as head coach for a big name to enter the fold: Deion Sanders. The Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Cowboys star was named as a potential target for the Cowboys in their search for a new head coach.

Sanders is currently coach of the Colorado Buffaloes’ football team, a position he’s held since 2023. Hours after reports of the Cowboys reaching out to him about the job, Sanders responded.

“I love [Cowboys owner Jerry Jones] and believe in Jerry,’ Sanders told ESPN on Monday night during the Vikings-Rams playoff game, per Adam Schefter. ‘After you hang up, and process it, and think about it, it’s intriguing. But I love Boulder and everything there is about our team, the coaches, our student body and the community.”

Sanders just finished his second season with the Buffaloes. Colorado cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter won the 2024 Heisman Trophy as the Buffaloes improved to 9-4 following a 4-8 finish in Sanders’ first season in Boulder.

Sanders previously said he would consider coaching in the NFL if he could coach his sons, Shedeur and Shilo. Shedeur is expected to go early in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft.

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Former Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant voiced his support for Sanders to take the job on X. Former NFL quarterback and current ESPN analyst Robert Griffin III also said the Cowboys should hire Sanders prior to these reports.

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