Thanksgiving Day will feature three NFL matchups, including the Chiefs versus the Cowboys.
The New England Patriots currently hold the NFL’s best record with a nine-game winning streak.
Shedeur Sanders is expected to start at quarterback again for the Cleveland Browns against the 49ers.
The Denver Broncos will look to extend their eight-game winning streak against the Washington Commanders.

The Thanksgiving holiday coincides with NFL Week 13, so let’s eat.

The New England Patriots are riding a nine-game winning streak and have the NFL’s best record. In the NFC, the Los Angeles Rams are feasting on the NFL and playing like the best squad in the league.

Thanksgiving Day features three juicy matchups. The Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys are both coming off comeback wins. Thursday night concludes with Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens hosting Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals.

Shedeur Sanders is slated to start again for the Cleveland Browns this week versus the San Francisco 49ers. On Sunday night, the Denver Broncos will put their eight-game winning streak on the line against the Washington Commanders.

Gobble up on all the action this week. USA TODAY Sports provides the early predictions for Week 13:

Odds courtesy of BetMGM.

NFL Week 13 predictions, picks

Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions

Date: Thursday, Nov. 27
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Ford Field, Detroit
TV: FOX
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: Lions (-2.5)

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Lions 28, Packers 24

Detroit’s offensive line and defense are an issue right now. The Packers already beat the Lions and have the defense that can cause them problems. However, I believe Jahmyr Gibbs will feast on the Packers and be the difference.

Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Lions 27, Packers 24

The Packers defeated the Lions in Week 1 in Green Bay, 27-13, but this game is at Ford Field in Detroit, where the Lions are 4-1 this season. The Lions’ running game will shine and Detroit will make the NFC North race even more interesting with a close win.

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Dallas Cowboys

Date: Thursday, Nov. 27
Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
Location: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
TV: CBS
Streaming: Paramount+
Spread: Chiefs (-3.5)

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Chiefs 28, Cowboys 24

This might be the most-watched game in the NFL this regular season. The Cowboys are feeling good after two straight emotional wins. The Chiefs are coming off a win they absolutely had to have. Cue up the Chiefs playoff push.

Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Cowboys 30, Chiefs 27

These teams are both coming off huge wins in Week 12, perhaps even signature wins. We can’t ignore the home and away records in this one, with Dallas 3-1 at home and Kansas City 1-4 on the road. Dak Prescott will outduel Patrick Mahomes as the Cowboys upset the Chiefs.

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens

Date: Thursday, Nov. 27
Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
Location: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore
TV: NBC
Streaming: Peacock
Spread: Ravens (-7)

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Ravens 30, Bengals 26

Well, well, well, look who is first in the AFC North after a terrible 1-5 start. The Bengals always play the Ravens tough, and Joe Burrow is expected to return. But it’s time for the Ravens to stake claim of the division.

Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Ravens 28, Bengals 20

Five straight wins have put Lamar Jackson and the Ravens atop the AFC North standings. A sixth straight win could have Baltimore sitting pretty in the division race. The Bengals will drop a fifth straight game.

Chicago Bears vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Date: Friday, Nov. 28
Time: 3 p.m. ET
Location: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
TV: None
Streaming: Prime Video
Spread: Eagles (-7)

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Eagles 30, Bears 21

Ben Johnson continues to make a strong case for coach of the year. The Bears have won four in a row and lead the NFC North. The Eagles must fix their offensive lulls in a hurry. The Eagles have the talent but every player on the offensive side of the football is underperforming.

Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Eagles 24, Bears 21

This Black Friday game has the potential to be very interesting. The Bears have won four straight to move to 8-3, but the 8-3 Eagles got a huge wake-up call in their loss to the Cowboys. Philadelphia will be amped for this game and force Caleb Williams into some mistakes.

San Francisco 49ers vs. Cleveland Browns

Date: Sunday, Nov. 30
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Huntington Bank Field, Cleveland
TV: CBS
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: 49ers (-6.5)

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: 49ers 21, Browns 18

Expect the dog pound to be excited for this one. Shedeur Sanders earned the opportunity to start again. Myles Garrett and the Browns defense will keep this game close, but the 49ers find a way to win a close one.

Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: 49ers 27, Browns 13

Shedeur Sanders won his first NFL start in Week 12, but that was against the lowly Las Vegas Raiders. The 49ers have a better defense, even with all of their injuries this season, and they certainly have a much better offense. This one could get ugly.

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans

Date: Sunday, Nov. 30
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Nissan Stadium, Nashville
TV: CBS
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: Jaguars (-6.5)

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Jaguars 28, Titans 20

The Jaguars have won two in a row and are firmly in the playoff mix. The Titans might not win another game this season.

Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Jaguars 28, Titans 17

The 1-10 Titans haven’t won a game at Nissan Stadium this season. That will continue in Week 13 as Trevor Lawrence feasts on the Tennessee secondary.

Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans

Date: Sunday, Nov. 30
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
TV: CBS
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: Colts (-4.5)

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Colts 24, Texans 21

C. J. Stroud is set to return. Will Anderson Jr. and the Texans have the top defense in the NFL. The unit is going to give the Colts fits. The Colts have lost two of their last three games. But Jonathan Taylor and company get back on track at home this week.

Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Colts 27, Texans 19

The Texans’ defense gives them a fighting chance in every game, but the Colts are a perfect 6-0 at home this season. Jonathan Taylor will find a way to break some big runs for Indianapolis.

New Orleans Saints vs. Miami Dolphins

Date: Sunday, Nov. 30
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
TV: FOX
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: Dolphins (-6)

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Dolphins 26, Saints 21

The Dolphins have quietly won two straight games. They should beat a bad Saints club. Mike McDaniel is making a case to keep his job.

Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Dolphins 30, Saints 13

The Dolphins are on a two-game win streak and are coming off a bye week. If it is not a three-game win streak after this game, Miami fans will be irate. Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins will roll.

Atlanta Falcons vs. New York Jets

Date: Sunday, Nov. 30
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
TV: FOX
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: Falcons (-2.5)

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Falcons 24, Jets 20

Kirk Cousins deserves credit for helping the Falcons end their five-game losing streak. Bijan Robinson is third in the NFL in yards from scrimmage. Atlanta wins its second game in a row.

Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Falcons 24, Jets 21                    

The Falcons ended a five-game losing streak in Week 12. They’ll start a win streak in Week 13 with Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier running all over New York on the road.

Arizona Cardinals vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Date: Sunday, Nov. 30
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa
TV: FOX
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: Bucs (-2.5)

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Bucs 24, Cardinals 20

The Bucs have lost three straight games against three of the best teams in the NFL. The Cardinals aren’t a good football team. Tampa Bay should win even without Baker Mayfield.

Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Cardinals 27, Buccaneers 23

Baker Mayfield’s status looms large in this game. Can Teddy Bridgewater lead the Buccaneers over the Cardinals if Mayfield can’t go? This game could be very intriguing. Jacoby Brissett will lead Arizona to an upset win on the road.

Los Angeles Rams vs. Carolina Panthers

Date: Sunday, Nov. 30
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
TV: FOX
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: Rams (-10)

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Rams 28, Panthers 20

The Panthers are surprisingly a playoff contender. The Rams are a Super Bowl contender, and Matthew Stafford is playing like an MVP. The Rams are the best team in football right now.

Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Rams 31, Panthers 17

The Panthers have been a pleasant surprise, but the Rams are rolling right now, with five straight wins, perhaps the MVP favorite in Matthew Stafford, and a dominating defense. That will prove to be too much for Carolina, even at home.

Minnesota Vikings vs. Seattle Seahawks

Date: Sunday, Nov. 30
Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
Location: Lumen Field, Seattle
TV: FOX
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: Seahawks (-10)

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Seahawks 28, Vikings 17

Minnesota has a quarterback problem. J.J. McCarthy doesn’t look like the answer for the Vikings. Sam Darnold is going to make the Vikings regret letting him walk.

Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Seahawks 31, Vikings 15

J.J. McCarthy has struggled for the Vikings during the team’s 3-game skid. Those struggles will continue against the Seahawks and the 12th Man.

Buffalo Bills vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Date: Sunday, Nov. 30
Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
Location: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh
TV: CBS
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: Bills (-3.5)

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Bills 28, Steelers 22

Aaron Rodgers should be back, but it won’t matter against Buffalo. The Steelers have lost their lead in the AFC North.

Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Bills 24, Steelers 23

This is a must-win game for both teams after they suffered rough losses in Week 12. Josh Allen’s running ability will help the Bills bounce back with a close win on the road.

Las Vegas Raiders vs. Los Angeles Chargers

Date: Sunday, Nov. 30
Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
Location: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
TV: CBS
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: Chargers (-9.5)

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Chargers 23, Raiders 17

The Raiders might be playing the worst football in the NFL right now. The Chargers are coming off a bye. That should bode well for Los Angeles as they attempt to make a playoff push.

Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Chargers 24, Raiders 16

The Raiders fired offensive coordinator Chip Kelly after their fifth straight loss, but Las Vegas’ issues run a lot deeper. Jim Harbaugh will top Pete Carroll in this matchup of former Pac-12 coaching rivals.

Denver Broncos vs. Washington Commanders

Date: Sunday, Nov. 30
Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
Location: Northwest Stadium, Landover, MD
TV: NBC
Streaming: Peacock
Spread: Broncos (-6.5)

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Broncos 25, Commanders 17

This game should’ve been flexed. The Broncos are fresh coming off a bye. The Commanders have lost six games in a row. It’s going to be seven straight losses for Washington this week.

Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Broncos 27, Commanders 17

The Broncos have won eight straight. The Commanders have lost six straight. Those streaks will continue. Denver’s defense will shine vs. Marcus Mariota.

New York Giants vs. New England Patriots

Date: Monday, Dec. 1
Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
TV: ESPN
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: Broncos (-7.5)

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Patriots 30, Giants 20

The Patriots enter Week 13 as the NFL’s lone 10-win team. The Giants fired their defensive coordinator a few weeks after firing their head coach. That’s how things are going in New York right about now.

Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Patriots 24, Giants 21

Can the Patriots extend their win streak to 10 games? Yes, they can. Drake Maye will shine as New England continues its surprise season with a win over the Giants.

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

Every week for the duration of the 2025 regular season, USA TODAY Sports will provide timely updates to the NFL’s ever-evolving playoff picture − typically starting after Sunday afternoon’s late games and then moving forward for the remainder of the week (through Monday’s and Thursday’s games or Saturday’s, if applicable. And, when the holidays roll around, we’ll be watching then, too).

What just happened? What does it mean? What are the pertinent factors (and, perhaps, tiebreakers) prominently in play as each conference’s seven-team bracket begins to crystallize? All will be explained and analyzed up to the point when the postseason field is finalized on Sunday, Jan. 4.

Here’s where things stand with Week 12 complete:

AFC playoff picture

1. New England Patriots (10-2), AFC East leaders: Sunday’s narrow defeat of the Bengals gave the Pats the league’s best record, moving them past Denver and into the conference’s top spot. Good chance they hold onto it when they hit their off week. Remaining schedule: vs. Giants, BYE, vs. Bills, at Ravens, at Jets, vs. Dolphins

2. Denver Broncos (9-2), AFC West leaders: Being idle Sunday cost them first place in the conference, but you can bet the break was welcome − especially for a team that will need to be close to fully charged for a brutal four-game stretch at the end of its regular season. Remaining schedule: at Commanders, at Raiders, vs. Packers, vs. Jaguars, at Chiefs, vs. Chargers

3. Indianapolis Colts (8-3), AFC South leaders: They’ve dropped two of three to fall off the conference pace … and are now only one game ahead of Jacksonville and two better than Houston in the division. The next two weeks could be crucial. Remaining schedule: vs. Texans, at Jaguars, at Seahawks, vs. 49ers, vs. Jaguars, at Texans

4. Baltimore Ravens (6-5), AFC North leaders: They sleepwalked past the Jets on Sunday … but past Pittsburgh and into first place by virtue of a better record in divisional games − and the Ravens will play in three more over the next three weeks. Remaining schedule: vs. Bengals, vs. Steelers, at Bengals, vs. Patriots, at Packers, at Steelers

5. Los Angeles Chargers (7-4), wild card No. 1: They needed the week off … and Buffalo’s loss allowed the battered Bolts to gain ground. Remaining schedule: vs. Raiders, vs. Eagles, at Chiefs, at Cowboys, vs. Texans, at Broncos

6. Jacksonville Jaguars (7-4), wild card No. 2: Wins over the Chiefs and Chargers could serve them well when it’s time to sort out tiebreakers. Winning at Arizona? Not so much. But despite beating the Bolts, the Jags check in behind them because LA’s 6-2 record in AFC games gives it precedence in the current three-way wild-card tiebreaker. Remaining schedule: at Titans, vs. Colts, vs. Jets, at Broncos, vs. Colts, at Titans

7. Buffalo Bills (7-4), wild card No. 3: QB Josh Allen took a beating − as did the Bills’ hopes of catching the Patriots in the AFC East race. Now 4-3 in conference games, Buffalo fell behind the Chargers and Jags in the wild-card seeding, too. Remaining schedule: at Steelers, vs. Bengals, at Patriots, at Browns, vs. Eagles, vs. Jets

8. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5), in the hunt: Sunday’s loss at Chicago dropped them from first place in the AFC North all the way out of the field. Remaining schedule: vs. Bills, at Ravens, vs. Dolphins, at Lions, at Browns, vs. Ravens

9. Houston Texans (6-5), in the hunt: They’ve won four of five, including three in a row without injured QB C.J. Stroud. If they want to win the AFC South for a third straight year, the Texans likely need to sweep the Colts while continuing their surge … but the pieces are falling into place for a late charge to the top. Remaining schedule: at Colts, at Chiefs, vs. Cardinals, vs. Raiders, at Chargers, vs. Colts

10. Kansas City Chiefs (6-5), in the hunt: Their nine-year run atop the AFC West appears practically over. Still plenty of time to recover otherwise − and maybe that began Sunday vs. Indy − for a team that’s never missed the AFC championship game since Patrick Mahomes became the QB1 in 2018. Remaining schedule: at Cowboys, vs. Texans, vs. Chargers, at Titans, vs. Broncos, at Raiders

NFC playoff picture

1. Los Angeles Rams (9-2), NFC West leaders: While Philly owns the head-to-head tiebreaker, it doesn’t matter now that the Rams have the better record in the aftermath of the Eagles’ demise Sunday. Still, LA has scant breathing room between itself and the Seahawks plus 49ers in the division. Remaining schedule: at Panthers, at Cardinals, vs. Lions, at Seahawks, at Falcons, vs. Cardinals

2. Philadelphia Eagles (8-3), NFC East leaders: Sunday’s collapse likely won’t cost them the division. But it did drop them behind the Rams and served as another worrisome potential harbinger for the defending champs. Remaining schedule: vs. Bears, at Chargers, vs. Raiders, at Commanders, at Bills, vs. Commanders

3. Chicago Bears (8-3), NFC North leaders: They’ve won eight of nine since an 0-2 start to stunningly take over first place in the division. An inferior record (5-2) in NFC games keeps Chicago behind the Eagles. Remaining schedule: at Eagles, at Packers, vs. Browns, vs. Packers, at 49ers, vs. Lions

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-5), NFC South leaders: Their divisional lead over Carolina was restored Monday night, but it might not be worth much if injured QB Baker Mayfield is severely limited. Remaining schedule: vs. Cardinals, vs. Saints, vs. Falcons, at Panthers, at Dolphins, vs. Panthers

5. Seattle Seahawks (8-3), wild card No. 1: All three of the ‘Hawks’ losses are against NFC opponents, including two in the division − defeats that won’t serve them well in the tiebreaker department. Remaining schedule: vs. Vikings, at Falcons, vs. Colts, vs. Rams, at Panthers, at 49ers

6. Green Bay Packers (7-3-1), wild card No. 2: Sunday’s win over Minnesota was their most convincing in weeks. But there’s little time to celebrate with a Thanksgiving date at Detroit next. Remaining schedule: at Lions, vs. Bears, at Broncos, at Bears, vs. Ravens, at Vikings

7. San Francisco 49ers (8-4), wild card No. 3: Not a pretty win Monday night, but the Niners will take it as they solidify their hold on the conference’s final playoff spot. Remaining schedule: at Browns, BYE, vs. Titans, at Colts, vs. Bears, vs. Seahawks

8. Detroit Lions (7-4), in the hunt: Thanksgiving will be a huge game and won the Lions’ can ill afford to lose after getting whacked by the Pack in Week 1. Remaining schedule: vs. Packers, vs. Cowboys, at Rams, vs. Steelers, at Vikings, at Bears

9. Carolina Panthers (6-6), in the hunt: The Panthers (still) only have one win against a team (Green Bay) currently above .500 after losing in Silicon Valley on Monday night. But Carolina has beaten the .500 Cowboys, who they’re otherwise virtually tied with. Remaining schedule: vs. Rams, BYE, at Saints, vs. Buccaneers, vs. Seahawks, at Buccaneers

10. Dallas Cowboys (5-5-1), in the hunt: Two wins in a row continues to fuel fresh postseason hope in Big D. Remaining schedule: vs. Chiefs, at Lions, vs. Vikings, vs. Chargers, at Commanders, at Giants

NFL teams eliminated from playoff contention in 2025

Society has no problem naming, shaming and blaming women who are victims of sexual and physical abuse. For the men who are predators, or whose disregard allowed the abuse to happen, the standards are far more forgiving.

Infuriatingly so.

On Monday morning, news broke that the New Orleans Saints were giving Justin Tucker a tryout, less than two weeks after the end of his 10-game suspension for being sexually inappropriate toward more than a dozen women.

‘Obviously, there’s been some stuff that’s been unfortunate,’ Saints coach Kellen Moore said.

That’s one way to describe 16 female massage therapists saying Tucker intentionally exposed himself during appointments and, in some cases, brushed his erect penis against them.

“An excellent coach,” athletic director Kevin Fite gushed.

Sure, so long as you ignore Briles turning a blind eye to his players committing gang rape and other sexual violence, and then minimizing the lifelong harm that caused.

Documented cases of abuse be damned. Let’s win some football games

If our society valued women — actually valued rather than patronizing or objectifying them — neither of these two would ever get a second chance. Tucker and Briles would be pariahs, automatically disqualified for their shameful treatment of women and refusal to take accountability for it.

Their actions were not misunderstandings or minor wrongdoings, mind you. The NFL will never be mistaken for a league that values women, yet it saw fit to suspend Tucker for more than half a season after 16 women told The Baltimore Banner of his inappropriate behavior during massages he booked outside his team.

Nineteen of Briles’ Baylor players were accused of sexual assault by 17 different women between 2011 and 2016. That included two players Briles signed even though they’d been dismissed from their previous schools for off-the-field incidents.

Even worse, Baylor acknowledged that Briles knew a female athlete had accused five of his players of gang rape and did nothing. Said nothing. Reported nothing.

But here we are, Briles back as a head coach as if nothing happened with Tucker’s return to the NFL possibly not far behind.

The Saints and Eastern New Mexico are so desperate to reverse their struggles they’re willing to pretend they didn’t find Tucker and Briles in a cesspool. They have no problem abandoning whatever principles they had if it gives them a chance at a few more wins.

Because what matters more: treating women with basic decency and respect, or winning football games?

The answer, sadly, is obvious. Women are expendable, their safety and well-being secondary to athletic success.

Tucker, Briles get their do-overs. But not the women they harmed.

Had Tucker or Briles showed any sincere contrition or recognition what they did was wrong, this would be a much different discussion. But neither have. Far from it.

Tucker has steadfastly denied he did anything wrong despite the women, many of whom did not know each other or work together, telling almost identical stories. Several of the therapists provided corroborating information, and two spas told The Banner that they had banned Tucker.  

Briles, meanwhile, said he had never done anything “illegal, immoral or unethical,” and suggested the trauma inflicted on his watch could be fixed with “a good cry session, a good talk session and then, hopefully, a hug session.”

And now both have a chance for a do-over.

The Saints and Eastern New Mexico aren’t simply offering Tucker and Briles a chance at employment. They’re giving them the opportunity to rehabilitate their images and change their narratives.

If Briles leads the Greyhounds to their first winning season in six years, he becomes a reclamation artist rather than the cold and calculating coach who left young women in harm’s way. If the Saints sign Tucker and he makes a last-second field goal, he becomes a savior rather than the predator who stole so many women’s sense of security and self.

The women who were abused by Tucker and Briles have to live with the scars from their abuse for the rest of their lives. It’s not too much to ask that Tucker and Briles should, too.

Follow USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armour on social media @nrarmour.

Utah will host the 2034 Winter Olympics, leveraging venues and infrastructure from the 2002 Games.
Organizers plan to create a ‘family village’ to provide housing and support for athletes’ loved ones.
All but one venue from the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics are still in use and will be utilized again for the 2034 Games.
A local youth sports program, started after 2002, has become somewhat of a feeder system for Team USA.

SALT LAKE CITY — For most Olympic hosts, it’s a mad scramble from the day the Games are awarded until the Opening Ceremony.

There are venues to construct. Or overhaul. Public transport to expand. An athlete’s village to build. Sponsors to woo. Tickets to sell. Volunteers to find.

Utah 2034 has almost none of those problems. It awarded the Winter Games nearly 10 years ahead of time, rather than the six or seven years most host cities get, and most of the prep work is already done, a legacy of the 2002 Winter Olympics.

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So what do you do when you’re ready to throw the world’s biggest party and it is exactly 3,000 days away, as of Monday, Nov. 24? You announce your official name — Utah 2034 — and a merchandising partnership with Los Angeles 2028.

“There’s this interesting combination of pacing ourselves, because there’s certain things that if we start doing them early, we have to redo them. So we’re not doing them yet. But there’s also a lot of things we can do to perfect our Games delivery,” said Brad Wilson, CEO of the organizing committee for the 2034 Olympics and Paralympics.

“It is an award that’s about two to three years earlier than normal,” Wilson added. “So our big challenge is, how do we take advantage of that?”

By leaning into the same things that made Utah so appealing to the International Olympic Committee in the first place: Athletes and legacy.

Utah 2034 Olympics aim to build family village for athletes

As successful as the 2002 Games were, Utah 2034 organizers don’t want to simply cut and paste, especially with all but one venue are already in operation. So organizers are looking for ways to expand what worked nearly 25 years ago. Their signature idea is a family village. It will be located near the athlete village and offer housing, transportation, assistance with tickets and even translators for athletes’ loved ones.

“They asked me what I would like to change with the Olympic experience and the first thing I said was make it more accessible for the families,” said Lindsey Vonn, an Olympic champion in Alpine skiing and member of Utah 2034’s organizing committee.

Most athletes, Summer and Winter, do not secure a spot on the Olympic team until a month or so before the Games. That means their families are either booking flights and hotels in advance and hoping they don’t need to cancel, or they’re scrambling last minute to make travel arrangements and find tickets.

Either way, it’s an added stress athletes don’t need before the biggest event of their careers.

“My family is not small, and it’s always a challenge to get tickets and find accommodation and find transportation. It’s always been a problem,” Vonn said.

“Without the families, the athletes don’t exist,” she added. “I think one of our biggest selling points was the family village. It is special, and it should be that way in every single Olympics.”

It’s easy to see the family village be Utah 2034’s legacy, something that becomes a staple of the Olympic movement, much like the 2002 venues have become part of the fabric of Salt Lake City and the surrounding communities.

Salt Lake City 2002 Olympic venues are still in use

The IOC loves to talk about the legacy the Olympics leave in host cities, imagining the Games making a lasting impact on infrastructure, housing and sporting culture. Too often, however, it means white elephants and massive bills.

The sliding track in Turin closed within a few years of the 2006 Games. The Jeongseon Alpine Center was shuttered after the Pyeongchang Games in 2018. The speed skating arena in Sochi is now a convention center. Let’s not even start with Rio de Janeiro.

But Salt Lake City took that part of its duties as an Olympic host seriously. Every venue from 2002 is still in use today and, even with the growth of the Games, will be used again for Utah 2034. The only venue that will need to be constructed is for Big Air, and that will be temporary. (The curling venue also will be temporary, but will be located in the existing Salt Palace.)

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Some venues, like the Delta Center and Deer Valley ski resort, were and remain private and/or commercial properties. But the venues built specifically for the 2002 Games, like the Olympic Oval and Utah Olympic Park, have continued to operate, hosting elite-level competitions, school kids and community events.

“We have just viewed it as we should use these facilities for sport uses, public uses and community good,” said Colin Hilton, president and CEO of the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation.

The foundation oversees the Olympic Oval, where speed skating was held; the Soldier Hollow Nordic Center, which hosted biathlon, cross country skiing and Nordic combined; and the Utah Olympic Park, which had the sliding sports and ski jumping.

“Today, we’re four times busier in the use of these legacy venues than right after 2002. That’s very rare in the world,” Hilton said. “We’ve been wearing down our venues, but we’ve also been repairing and maintaining them as we go and not waiting until they get into total disrepair.

“(It’s) what we call a living legacy of the ’02 Games.”

The other piece of that is who is using the venues.

How to make Winter Olympics sports more accessible for kids

The Youth Sports Alliance was created after 2002 to increase youth participation in winter sports, using the Olympic venues. Through Get Out & Play and ACTiV8, kids from elementary school through high school in Park City can try the various Olympic sports.

More than 3,200 kids participate each year, up from the 800 when it began. YSA offers scholarships and gear to lower-income families to make sure every child can participate in the after-school programs.

“In the winter, the school bell rings, they put their snow clothes on at school, private transportation comes, picks them up, takes them to the mountain where they get a lift ticket and a lesson, and then takes them back,” said Emily Fisher, executive director of YSA.

“You can try luge after school. That’s a program,” Fisher said. “It seems very normal in our community and I know it’s not, but it’s really fun to see all the different things kids try.”

YSA’s primary goal is to get kids outside and being active; Fisher pointed to a study by the National Recreation and Park Association that found kids spend just four to seven minutes a day outside in unstructured play.

But the program is also becoming something of a feeder system for Team USA. Three athletes on the U.S. team at the Beijing Olympics were “graduates” of Youth Sports Alliance programs: speed skater Casey Dawson, a bronze medalist in team pursuit; luger Ashley Farquharson; and Jared Shumate, who competed in Nordic combined.

That number could double at the Milan Cortina Games.

“Probably not, honestly,” Dawson said when asked if he’d have tried speed skating without YSA.

“I did cross country skiing. I did ski jumping — I crashed and never did it again,” Dawson said. “Speed skating just called me, and I’ve stuck with it ever since.”

With Utah 2034’s help and encouragement, the Youth Sports Alliance is expanding to Salt Lake City this year.  Ultimately, Fisher hopes there will be programs throughout the state.

“What I love about the 2034 vision is it’s how can this be a lasting legacy? It’s not just 17 days of the Games, it’s not just about putting a Utah kid on the podium, but how can we change the whole state?” Fisher said. “That’s where they’re aiming, to get as many kids involved in Olympic sports as possible.”

Utah 2034 could have coasted for a year or two before getting to work in earnest, and the Games would not have suffered. But the work done now will make the Olympics and Paralympics better, and expand the legacy that makes Utahans so eager to host the Games — now and years in the future.

‘We’re going to be ready at the conclusion of the closing ceremonies of the Paralympics to start our process to try to get the Games in 2050,’ Wilson said. ‘Given the unique requirements that these venues have to have, and that culture of sport, that culture of developing youth and engaging youth, we think this is going to be one of our really unique superpowers.’

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow may return for the team’s Thanksgiving game despite recovering from a turf toe injury.
The Bengals have a 3-8 record and less than a 1% chance of making the playoffs this season.
Several of the team’s other key players, including Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, are also injured or unavailable.

If you’re a proud member of Generation X, then maybe you used to catch the old “G.I. Joe” cartoon series after school. If so, then naturally you remember each episode ending with some concisely packaged life lesson with the tagline, ‘Knowing is half the battle.”

Joe Burrow isn’t old enough to have gleaned such wisdom from his faux military namesake. And, unfortunately, the injured Cincinnati Bengals superstar is employed by an organization known for its disproportionate focus on said battle – quite often at the expense of managing the war at large. But any hopes that a team on a downward spiral would prioritize its quarterback’s long-term health and embrace the need for a full-scale retreat in order to consolidate for a well-planned counterattack − in 2026 − were put on hold Monday.

‘I anticipate him playing, but we’ll continue to work through the week. I’m not going to declare that definitively,’ head coach Zac Taylor said of Burrow’s outlook for the team’s Week 13 game at Baltimore on Thanksgiving night. ‘He’s done everything he could, he put himself in position to do his best to play yesterday.

‘He looks like he’s in good shape right now to be ready to go.’

But should Joe Burrow suit up for the Bengals in 2025?

A quick refresher.

Burrow, the best player the Bengals have had since Hall of Fame left tackle Anthony Munoz retired nearly a quarter-century ago, suffered a turf toe injury in Week 2 that required surgery and was expected to keep him out until at least December. However he practiced fully last Wednesday and Thursday, fueling hope he might return over the weekend. But the Bengals chose not to activate Burrow and wound up losing a valiant, 26-20 fight Sunday to the New England Patriots, owners of the NFL’s best record at 10-2.

The Bengals should take the moral victory when it presents itself – I know, there are no moral victories in the NFL – and have the moral backbone to fully shut Burrow down rather than let him back on the field at what Taylor admits is less than 100%.

Cincinnati is now a 3-8 football team. It’s two games up on the Tennessee Titans for the league’s worst record but what feels like a more distant three behind the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers, co-leaders of the AFC North … and four back of the Los Angeles Chargers, Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills, who are all 7-4 and currently occupy the AFC’s three wild-card positions.

‘Everything is still there in front of us,’ said Burrow. ‘Very rare that our division looks like this, but it does this year. And so, I think we’ll be at least in it until the end.’

(Incidentally, that’s how he felt two weeks ago, when Cincinnati was 3-6.)

By the end of Sunday’s game with New England, the Bengals were without, arguably, their four best players – but certainly their four best-paid players. Burrow, whose five-year contract pays him an average of $55 million annually was in street clothes along with pass rusher Trey Hendrickson ($29 million in 2025), who’s played 23 snaps in one appearance since Oct. 12 while he deals with a hip injury. No. 1 wideout Ja’Marr Chase, whose new extension averages $40.3 million annually, was suspended Sunday for spitting on Steelers defensive back Jalen Ramsey a week earlier. No. 2 wideout Tee Higgins ($28.8 million average annual salary) left the field on a cart after suffering a scary-looking concussion.

If playing is half the battle … well, no more than half those guys will dress Thursday against the Ravens. Taylor ruled Hendrickson and Higgins out Monday.

‘Are they gonna play Joe Burrow?’ NBC “Sunday Night Football” analyst and former Bengals wideout Cris Collinsworth wondered after Week 12’s Rams-Bucs game.

‘I mean he’s back practicing, and he kinda makes a lot of the decisions there. You know? And you know Ja’Marr Chase is not gonna be too happy after having to sit out one. I mean, if they can beat the Ravens twice, right? It’s a really interesting decision. I’ll just say that. It would be hard for me to take the franchise quarterback and risk him.

“But they might.’

The Bengals apparently will roll those dice.

Cincy is still a deeply flawed team, even when Burrow and Chase cook

Yet what are the realistic expectations of this team even when deploying Burrow and Chase, perhaps the league’s best receiver, against the surging Ravens when they won’t have Higgins available to penalize double-team brackets against Chase? Can an offense led by an 80% Burrow (maybe?) sufficiently post the requisitely ridiculous numbers Cincy would likely need to keep pace given its league-worst defense’s propensity to disintegrate … if it even shows up at all?

It was little more than a year ago, when he was close to full health, that Burrow roasted the Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium for 428 yards and four touchdowns through the air – 264 of those yards and three of the scores going to Chase. Baltimore still won 35-34.

The best-case scenario for the Bengals’ upcoming date in Charm City? Burrow is able to operate heavily from the shotgun, limiting the amount of stress he has to put on the surgically repaired toe while dropping back or pivoting on handoffs. He gets exceptional protection from an offensive line that historically never protects him exceptionally. He’s somehow able to execute a balanced attack with help from running back Chase Brown, who’s averaged nearly 85 rushing yards over the past five games, while not forced into a deep deficit by his D – a circumstance that would allow the Ravens to tee off on him while testing what’s sure to be limited mobility.

‘It’s the NFL. You can’t go out there with kid gloves on,’ said Taylor, putting much of Burrow’s preservation … on Burrow.

‘Some things are gonna happen naturally, and it’ll be in his hands to take care of it if he’s out there.’

Let’s say Burrow navigates an inherently fraught situation, and the Bengals snap their four-game skid – and that matters further improve with a loss by the Steelers to the Buffalo Bills next Sunday. What then? Cincy would still be two games behind Pittsburgh and Baltimore for the divisional lead, and that gap wouldn’t shrink after Week 14, when the Ravens host the Steelers.

Burrow would risk health for long-shot playoff odds, not much more

According to the NFL’s Next Gen Stats, the Bengals, who currently rank 12th overall in the 16-team AFC, presently have less than a 1% chance to make the playoffs – a season after what was essentially a healthier, hotter version of this outfit finished 9-8 and a game out of the postseason field. NGS hasn’t provided any odds as to whether Burrow will suffer another major injury if he returns, but we do know that he’s missed 23 of 94 potential regular-season games to this point in his six-year career – meaning, in a purely historical context, he’s available to play about 75% of the time. What’s the point of further exposing the already compromised face of the franchise on a cratering squad? Are fans really going to show up only to wince at every hit he absorbs?

We know Burrow, to his credit, has campaigned to play in what’s likely an ill-fated attempt to buck his odds and the team’s. The man who triggered LSU to the 2019 championship − those (Bayou) Bengals might have been the best college football team ever, with their Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback at the helm − and then led the Ohio River Bengals to Super Bowl 56 two years later has never lacked accountability or been short on confidence.

Or hubris.

Asked about Cincinnati’s championship window after the Bengals lost the 2022 AFC championship game, Burrow said, “The window is my whole career.’

That’s precisely the type of guy you protect from himself, especially since the Stripes haven’t neared that window since that statement was made − even as the team has heavily invested its resources in Burrow, Chase and Higgins − largely at the QB’s direction.

‘It’s exciting to have him back,’ Taylor said of Burrow while stating the team has maintained a good energy during his absence. ‘But obviously when you have one of the greatest players in the world coming back, that’s another boost on top of that.

‘It’ll be exciting to watch him go out there and play, and I’m sure it’s energy for everybody involved.’

Let’s just hope it doesn’t instantly devolve into negative energy that will need to be bled off when the correct tack is almost certainly shielding Burrow from full-speed game action until next summer.

In this case, “G.I. Joe” should stand for “Guaranteed IR, Joe” – knowing half the battle is putting you in the best spot − the shelf − to ultimately capitalize on that championship window.

Hopefully your employers reach that inevitable conclusion sooner than later … even if it takes until Black Friday.

The College Football Playoff and ESPN will take more time to determine whether the field expands or stays put for 2026.

The two sides announced on Monday, Nov. 24 they have agreed to extend the deadline to determine the future format from Dec. 1 to Jan. 23, 2026. The move allows both parties to continue discussions on ‘future playoff models, scheduling details, media considerations, and long-term strategy.’

‘While no change to the current format is definite, this extension will allow the (CFP) Management Committee additional time to evaluate the second year of the expanded playoff and ensure any potential modifications are carefully considered, fully vetted, and in the best interests of student-athletes, schools, and fans,’ CFP executive director Rich Clark said in a statement.

The playoff field expanded to 12 teams for 2024 and will be in place this season, but the current debate is whether to expand it for the next season, and by how much.

There has been speculation that the CFP would increase 16 teams in the 2026 season. However, there wasn’t universal support on how the at-large teams would be selected. The Big 12, ACC and SEC favored the top five conference champions getting automatic bids, with the 11 remaining spots filled via at-large selection.

The Big Ten favored a model where 13 of the 16 spots would be determined by automatic bids − with its conference and the SEC getting four spots each. In August, the Big Ten reportedly floated the idea of a 24-team playoff that is still being pushed.

As a result, not every conference has been aligned on whether to expand.

“The move to 16 should be a priority for all of us in conference leadership,” SEC commissioner Greg Sankey told reporters on Nov. 15.

With the new deadline to determine expansion, it gives those in power nearly two months to determine it. The Jan. 23 deadline also comes after the national championship game on Jan. 19.

If the size of expansion and how its determined can’t be agreed upon, the playoff would likely stay at 12 teams. The current format has playoff spots determined by the five highest ranked conference champions and the next seven highest-ranked teams.

MIAMI — A return for Anthony Davis appears imminent.

Though the Dallas Mavericks forward-center was downgraded to doubtful and then ruled out ahead of the team’s game on Monday, Nov. 24 against the Miami Heat, Mavericks coach Jason Kidd provided an update that points to his eventual return.

Davis has been dealing with a lower left leg injury and has missed the last 13 Mavericks games headed into Monday night. He had been dealing with an injury described as bilateral Achilles tendinopathy before he aggravated it on Wednesday, Oct. 29, during a game against the Indiana Pacers. Prior to exiting the game, Davis grabbed at his lower left leg, near his Achilles.

He did not return and has missed nearly a month with the ailment.

Here’s everything you need to know about Anthony Davis’ injury:

Anthony Davis injury update

Although the Mavericks had listed it as the Achilles injury, the team later changed the diagnosis to a calf strain, which is a tricky injury to manage.

The Mavericks, though, are planning to work Davis back to practice this week.

“He continues to get better,” Kidd told reporters prior to tipoff. “He’s working to get back. We’re anticipating him at practice this week, so any time you have a calf strain, you have to be cautious, but he has worked extremely hard. The next step is practice Wednesday, and we’ll see what happens after that.”

ESPN also reported that there was a disagreement between Davis’ personal medical staff and Mavericks director of health and performance Johann Bilsborough prior to the team’s Saturday, Nov. 8 game against the Wizards. According to the report, Bilsborough expressed concern about risking a more serious injury if Davis was rushed back too soon. Dumont, then, sided with Bilsborough.

Dallas Mavericks upcoming schedule

The Mavericks opened a four-game road trip on Monday night against Miami.

Dallas then will travel out west to Los Angeles to face the Lakers on Friday, Nov. 28. Davis is with the team during this roadtrip, and took his place on the bench Monday night, in street clothes.

The Mavericks then play the Clippers (Saturday, Nov. 29) and Nuggets (Monday, Dec. 1), before heading back home to host the Heat (Wednesday, Dec. 3).

Boxer Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis is accused of assaulting a former girlfriend in a Miami-area strip club, according to a civil lawsuit.
Surveillance video and a club manager’s incident report support the woman’s allegations of battery, false imprisonment, and kidnapping.
Davis’s scheduled exhibition fight against Jake Paul was canceled following the lawsuit and an active police investigation.
A judge granted a temporary restraining order against Davis, but legal proceedings are stalled as authorities have been unable to serve him with a summons.

Surveillance video and an incident report compiled by a manager of a Miami-area strip club detail allegations that boxing star Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis assaulted and forcibly removed a former girlfriend from the club in late October.

An exhibition fight between Davis and Jake Paul scheduled for Nov. 14 was canceled on Nov. 3, four days after the woman filed a civil lawsuit with the 11th Judicial Circuit Court in Miami-Dade County claiming Davis committed battery, aggravated battery, false imprisonment, kidnapping and intentional infliction of emotional distress against her.

USA TODAY obtained a copy of the manager’s incident report and, during a FaceTime call, viewed surveillance video that Richard Wolfe, one of the woman’s attorneys, said he obtained from the parent company of the Miami Gardens club through a subpoena.

Artagus Lane, a manager at Tootsie’s Cabaret, said he was working at the club during the alleged attack and later reviewed video from the club’s camera system. He said he documented what he saw for an incident report he filed with Tootsie’s Cabaret.

A copy of the club incident report obtained by USA TODAY Sports lists Lane as the person filing it and in part states, ‘Mr. Davis could be seen making gestures that gave the impression (the woman) was being forced to leave with him … Mr. Davis continued being physical by grabbing her by the neck and hair.’

Lane also said he interviewed the woman, who works as a VIP waitress at Tootsie’s Cabaret. Her name is being withheld because USA TODAY does not generally publish the identities of victims of domestic violence.

The woman said she and Davis, 31, had an intimate relationship for five months before the alleged attack took place Oct. 27. The woman also is 31, according to the club incident report Lane said he completed.

“I know she was shooken up and I just want to ensure her that her safety and everything,’’ Lane said.

Ravone Littlejohn, a representative of Davis, declined to comment to USA TODAY Sports. Davis has not commented on the allegations publicly and efforts to reach him directly were unsuccessful.

A spokesperson for Davis on Nov. 24 said the boxer will address the matter in a documentary that will be released after Thanksgiving. The spokesperson, who identified herself only as Sade, said the boxer is in Baltimore, his hometown, hosting a Thanksgiving drive at Davis’ gym, the Uptown Boxing Center.

The matter involving Davis and the alleged incident in Florida is an ‘active case,” according to the Miami Gardens Police Department. No associated criminal charges had been filed as of Nov. 24.

Strip club incident report details allegations against ‘Tank’ Davis

At 3:51 a.m. on Oct. 27, a manager at Tootsie’s Cabaret heard that one of the staff members “may have been assaulted,’ according to a copy of the incident report. A review of video footage revealed an incident did occur, according to the report.

Video footage showed a light-skinned Black man wearing a white shirt and joggers, later identified as Davis, among club patrons, according to the report. Upon seeing the woman, the man approached her and grabbed her behind her head by the hair. The woman was working her shift as a VIP waitress and Davis forced her to walk toward the stairway that leads to the kitchen, the report states.

During a Facetime call, Wolfe, the attorney, allowed USA TODAY Sports to view a copy of the video he said he obtained by subpoena from RCI Hospitality Holdings Inc., the parent company of Tootsie’s Cabaret. Gary Fishman, a spokesman for RCI Hospitality Holdings, Inc., said the company would not comment on the matter.

Lane’s report provided a detailed account of the video.

“(The woman) could be seen via camera footage begging for Mr. Davis to stop …,’ Lane wrote. “… Once by the stairway you can see Mr. Davis grabbing (the woman) and pushing her by the head, and grabbing her hair in an aggressive manner (shaking it and pulling it back and forth), down the first flight of stairs.’

According to the report, another woman witnessed the incident and was trying to alert a club employee to what was happening. The struggle continued as Davis forced the woman to walk down the stairs and through the kitchen.

“(The woman) begged Mr. Davis not to put his hands on her in front of the staff while walking through the kitchen,’ Lane wrote. “After they passed through the kitchen Mr. Davis continued being physical with (her) as she was trying to figure a way to get away from him.’

Eventually, Davis and the woman entered the club’s garage, according to the report, which states the woman told Davis to get the keys to his vehicle from the valet.

 “… and once he walked ahead, (the woman) took the chance to run back into the club,’ according to the report.

Later, in the manager’s office, the woman explained the details of the incident, also listed in Lane’s report.

‘(The woman) was a bit shaking (sic) up and crying from the incident while explaining,’ Lane wrote. ‘(The woman) stated that she and Mr. Davis are acquaintances who has had issues similar to this at another club recently.”

There were no visible injuries after the alleged attack at Tootsie’s Cabaret and the woman declined medical treatment. She declined to press charges and said she needed to think about it, according to the report.

Lane’s report filed with Tootsie’s Cabaret states, ‘(The woman) said she was a bit scared for what he might do to her outside of work cause he saw her out one night at a night club and choked her out prior to her employment.”

Wolfe, one of the woman’s attorneys, said the woman pressed charges with the Miami Gardens Police Department the same day the civil lawsuit was filed.

Civil matter against Davis stalled by summons delays

When the woman filed her lawsuit, according to court records, she also filed a petition for an injunction, also known as a restraining order.

A judge granted the woman a temporary injunction against Davis and a hearing for the permanent injunction was set for Nov. 12. However, the hearing was rescheduled for Dec. 9 because Davis was not served a summons for the injunction, said Eugenio Carral, director of the Family Courts Department in Miami-Dade County.

Davis must be served a summons before a judge can rule on the petition for injunction, Carral said. He said the temporary injunction typically stays in place for only 120 days before the judge dismisses it if there has been no service on the respondent.

A judge has extended the temporary restraining order in the woman’s lawsuit, according to Carral. He said copies of the new temporary injunction have been sent to both law enforcement offices in Broward County, Florida, and Clark County, Nevada, to attempt service on Davis again.

The docket in the civil case does not show Davis has been served, according to Carral, who said Davis must be served by law enforcement because the allegations constitute a domestic violence case.

Wolfe, one of the woman’s attorneys, said his law firm has tried to serve Davis, too. He said a process server representing his firm had tried unsuccessfully three times. Wolfe shared emails exchanged between his firm and On Demand Process Service in Miami, indicating the call box at Davis’ home does not list Davis’ name.

Davis resides at a home in Southwest Ranches, Florida, according to the woman’s lawsuit. The listed owner of the home is SWR Prime LLC, according to property records.

Davis is on probation from a 2023 hit-and-run case in Baltimore, Maryland, in which he pleaded guilty to multiple traffic offenses. In March, Davis admitted he left the state without permission and his probation was extended by 18 months, according to The Baltimore Banner.