New York Jets player Kris Boyd was shot early in the morning of Sunday, Nov. 16, according to multiple reports.

A spokeswoman for the New York Police Department would not confirm to USA TODAY Sports the identity of the victim in the shooting, per department policy, but said officers responded to a 911 call at a restaurant around 2:09 a.m. ET on West 38th Street and found a 29-year-old man with a gunshot wound to the abdomen. The victim was transported to Bellevue Hospital in critical but stable condition.

Police had no further information about a potential suspect in the shooting and are still investigating.

The Jets said they were aware of the matter and had no further comment, while players such as Jermaine Johnson began posting well wishes for Boyd on social media.

A special teams contributor, Boyd was put on injured reserve during training camp and was set to miss the entire 2025 season with a shoulder injury. The cornerback was a 2019 seventh-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings and also played for the Arizona Cardinals and Houston Texans.

The Jets are off Sunday after losing to the New England Patriots on ‘Thursday Night Football.’

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley returned to action from his hamstring injury on Nov. 16. One play into Tennessee’s Week 11 game, he suffered a season-ending injury.

Ridley was carted off of the field during the Titans’ clash with the Houston Texans on Nov. 16 and was ruled out with an ankle injury. Tennessee interim head coach Mike McCoy announced after the end of the game that Ridley broke his fibula and will miss the final seven weeks of the season.

Tennessee’s veteran receiver had missed his team’s three previous games with his hamstring injury he sustained Week 6. Ridley caught a pass on the Titans’ first play of the game, picking up a first down on a 13-yard reception but limped off of the field and eventually went back to the locker room on a cart.

Calvin Ridley injury update

Ridley suffered a season-ending injury in the Titans’ Week 11 game against the Texans.

After the Titans’ loss on Nov. 16, McCoy, the team’s interim head coach, announced that Ridley broke his fibula – the smaller bone in the lower leg that makes up the outer part of the ankle. The wideout’s season is over.

On his lone play of the day against Houston, Ridley caught a pass for 13 yards on Tennessee’s first play from scrimmage. He went down with an ankle injury and had to be carted off of the field before he was ruled out.

Ridley had missed the Titans’ three prior games with a hamstring injury and was making his return in Week 11 after his team’s Week 10 bye. The wideout had played in all 34 games over the past two seasons, but his hamstring injury in Week 6 knocked him out for his first three missed games with the Titans.

With his fibula injury, Ridley will miss seven more games and finish the 2025 season having appeared in seven games.

Titans WR depth chart

Calvin Ridley (out – ankle)
Elic Ayomanor
Chimere Dike (out – concussion)
Van Jefferson
Mason Kinsey
Bryce Oliver (IR – knee)

The Titans’ receiving corps got ravaged by injuries during Nov. 16’s game against the Texans. Both Ridley and Dike were ruled out of the game with injuries they sustained in the first half.

That has left rookie No. 1 overall pick and quarterback Cam Ward with three healthy receivers to throw to in Week 11.

Tennessee has three other receivers on its practice squad that the team might elevate in Week 12: veteran James Proche II and rookies Hal Presley III and Xavier Restrepo.

This story has been updated.

A potential NFC championship game preview comes your way in the Week 11 ‘Sunday Night Football’ matchup when the Philadelphia Eagles take on the Detroit Lions.

The Eagles are still trying to figure out the A.J. Brown dilemma. Brown has had an inconsistent season, resulting in some very vocal frustrations following Philadelphia’s ugly Week 10 win over the Green Bay Packers. The star wideout has made it clear that he’s not having a very good time right now.

Recency says that Brown’s frustrations are at least understandable: He’s coming off a two-catch, 13-yard performance vs. the Packers, his first game back after Philadelphia’s bye week and a hamstring issue that forced him out of Week 8 vs. the Giants.

Offense has been something of a pain point for the Lions, as well, albeit on a different level. While Detroit boasts one of the most explosive offensive attacks in the league, head coach Dan Campbell opted to call the plays in Week 10, leading to a 44-point explosion in a win over the Commanders.

That offense is what made the Lions a favorite in the NFC in 2024 – can they keep it rolling against a tough Eagles D on the road?

A pair of division leaders continue to jockey for playoff position in a critical Week 11 prime-time matchup. USA TODAY Sports will provide live updates, highlights and more from the matchup below. All times are Eastern.

Watch ‘Sunday Night Football’ with Fubo (free trial)

What time is the Eagles vs. Lions game on tonight?

Start time: 8:20 p.m. ET

The Eagles and Lions are scheduled for an 8:20 p.m. kickoff, the customary start time for ‘SNF.’ The Lions travel to Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for the matchup.

What channel is the Eagles vs. Lions Sunday Night Football game?

TV channel: NBC

NBC is the broadcast home of ‘SNF.’ Mike Tirico will be on the call with Cris Collinsworth, as Melissa Stark will provide reports from the sideline.

Eagles vs. Lions stream

Live stream:Fubo | Peacock

Cord-cutters looking to watch the ‘SNF’ matchup between the Eagles and Lions can tune to Fubo, which carries NBC and offers a free trial.

Peacock, NBC’s proprietary streaming service, will also carry the matchup.

Watch ‘Sunday Night Football’ with Fubo (free trial)

Eagles vs. Lions prediction

The Eagles have to figure out the A.J. Brown situation, and fast. While Philadelphia has gotten to a 7-2 record without solving that equation just yet, Brown’s apparent disdain of the offense has made somewhat unwanted headlines and back pages throughout the season. The Lions will get the big-time road win and stay atop the NFC North.

Prediction: Lions 30, Eagles 24

Eagles vs. Lions live betting odds, moneyline, O/U

Eagles inactives vs. Lions

Lions inactives vs. Eagles

Eagles schedule 2025

Lions schedule 2025

Eagles vs. Lions injury report

Is Sam LaPorta playing tonight vs. Eagles?

No, the Lions tight end was placed on Injured Reserve before Week 11 with a back injury. He will now miss at least four games, starting with tonight’s ‘Sunday Night Football’ matchup against the Eagles.

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The NBA has reached out to several teams seeking records and access to cellphones as part of its ongoing investigation into an alleged gambling ring.

The Los Angeles Lakers are among the teams the league has contacted, according to multiple media reports.

‘The NBA engaged an independent law firm to investigate the allegations in the indictment once it was made public,’ a league spokesperson said in a statement. ‘As is standard in these kinds of investigations, a number of different individuals and organizations were asked to preserve documents and records. Everyone has been fully cooperative.’

A federal indictment last month resulted in the arrests of Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and former NBA player Damon Jones, alleging that they took part in a scheme to use private information to help bettors win money.

The league has been under scrutiny from Capitol Hill after an earlier NBA investigation cleared Rozier of gambling violations. In response, the NBA told House and Senate committees that the law firm of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz has begun contacting teams asking for access to cellphones, among other items.

Jones – a close friend of LeBron James – was a former shooting coach for the Lakers. He has been accused of selling private injury information about two Lakers players (believed to have been James and Anthony Davis) he received from one of the team’s athletic trainers.

James is not named in the indictment and has not been accused of any wrongdoing.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. left Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers after taking a hard hit in the third quarter.

Penix appeared to have a limp after taking a shot on a third-and-10 incompletion with the Falcons leading 21-16. The second-year signal-caller walked off with trainers before heading into the medical tent to be evaluated.

He was replaced in the game by veteran backup Kirk Cousins.

Here’s the latest on Penix’s status and outlook:

Michael Penix Jr. injury update

Penix was listed as questionable to return with a knee injury.

Michael Penix Jr. stats

Penix completed 13 of 16 passes for 175 yards before leaving the game. At halftime, he had completed 11 of 12 passes, which marked the third-best completion percentage (91.7%) by a Falcons quarterback in the first half of a game in the last 30 years.

Fans in Madrid were treated to overtime for its first-ever NFL game, one that saw the Miami Dolphins secure the victory over the Washington Commanders.

While it wasn’t the prettiest matchup, or the highest scoring, or the most thrilling, it was overtime nonetheless, and it resulted in the Dolphins’ second-straight win and the Commanders’ sixth-straight loss.

It almost wasn’t meant to be: Miami failed to convert a fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line with 1:44 left and the game tied at 13. Mike McDaniel opted for the touchdown try rather than the short kick; the turnover on downs led to a Washington drive that resulted in a Matt Gay kick sailing wide of the uprights to head to overtime.

Both passers played well in the matchup: Tua Tagovailoa finished 14-of-20 for 171 yards, while Marcus Mariota finished 20-of-30 passing for 213 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

That Mariota interception proved costly: It was the first play from scrimmage in overtime, directly leading to Miami’s kick to win it.

Now, Washington will look to play for pride moving forward, as the playoffs are all but out of reach. Miami climbs to 4-7 and looks to get hot as the weather gets colder.

USA TODAY Sports provided live updates, highlights and more from the Dolphins-Commanders game below. All times are Eastern.

Watch the Dolphins vs. Commanders Madrid game with Fubo (free trial)

Dolphins-Commanders Madrid game takeaways

Who’s calling the plays, anyway? Dan Quinn took over defensive play-calling duties from Joe Whitt Jr., and it may have made a bit of a difference: It was Washington’s best defensive performance since Week 5, when they held the Los Angeles Chargers to just 10 points. It was also the second-fewest yards allowed to an offense all season (311). It would have been nice if it resulted in a win, however.
Swimming with sharks? A week after the Dolphins dominated the Buffalo Bills in a surprising result, they put together their second-straight win in unfamiliar territory. Miami is still a lot of wins away from even being discussed in the playoff picture, but their feisty nature in a down and tumultuous year is worthy of respect.
NFC Least: The Commanders have endured a nightmare season, a puzzling, disappointing follow-up to their NFC championship Cinderfella run in 2024. What’s next for Washington is crucial. They’re going to need Jayden Daniels to get – and stay – healthy. But eyes are starting to turn to the offseason, when the team will have to figure out its aging roster and fast if they want to return to Daniels’ rookie-year highs.

Commanders-Dolphins Madrid game highlights

Riley Patterson kicks field goal for Dolphins win

The leg of Riley Patterson sent Washington packing – and to their sixth-straight loss – with the Marcus Mariota INT proving to be particularly costly.

Miami’s interception led to a fold of the Washington defense and a short kick for Patterson, giving the Dolphins their second-straight win.

Marcus Mariota’s first pass intercepted in overtime

Marcus Mariota had a respectable game filling in for Jayden Daniels, but the passer’s first pass in overtime lands in the hands of Miami defender Jack Jones.

That means Miami can end the game with a score of any type on this drive.

NFL overtime rules 2025

Overtime rules during the regular season changed for 2025 to match what’s been used in the postseason since 2022. The overtime period will be 10 minutes long with each team getting two timeouts and all reviews initiated by the booth.

Both teams have a chance to possess the football in overtime. A coin toss is used to determine who chooses to get the ball first. The only exception for both teams getting to possess the ball is in the case of the kicking team scoring a safety on the receiving team’s first possession.

After each team possesses the ball, the team with more points wins. If it is still tied after one possession each, the team that scores next wins. If the score is still tied after those 10 minutes, the game will end in a tie.

Dolphins, Commanders head to overtime

The Dolphins had 10 seconds left to try and take the lead but it was all for naught. Madrid gets a taste of overtime in its first matchup.

Matt Gay misses 56-yard attempt

This one might be headed to overtime: With 10 seconds left in the matchup, Commanders kicker Matt Gay pushed a 56-yard kick wide of the uprights.

Dolphins-Commanders score: Dolphins stopped on fourth-and-goal

Rather than kick a go-ahead field goal with 1:44 left and the Commanders having no time outs, the Dolphins opted to go for it on fourth down. The rushing attempt was stuffed, giving the Commanders an opportunity to take the lead – and the win – with a field goal.

Mike Sainristil muffs punt, Dolphins recover

The Commanders got the exact result they’d hoped: A quick stop and a punt to give Washington good field goal position. But cornerback and returner Mike Sainristil muffed the punt, and the Dolphins recovered with 4:11 left in the game.

Dolphins get fourth down stop – with some help

The Commanders decided to go for it on fourth-and-goal from inside the Dolphins’ 5-yard line. Washington had the perfect play call, but Zach Ertz slipped and Marcus Mariota’s pass sailed past him and fell incomplete.

Miami takes over deep in its own territory with 6:03 remaining in the game.

Commanders-Dolphins score: Ollie Gordon hits pay dirt

We are all tied up at 13 after an Ollie Gordon 1-yard touchdown run and a successful extra point. The Dolphins finally find the end zone after moving the ball all morning vs. the Commanders defense.

Score: Dolphins 13, Commanders 13

Dolphins stopped on fourth-and-goal situation

A diving Bobby Wagner broke up a pass intended for Jaylen Waddle, leaving the Dolphins to come up empty on their trip to the Commanders’ red zone. Wagner’s effort ensures that the Commanders maintain their 13-6 lead with 6:06 left in the third quarter.

Marcus Mariota injury update: Commanders QB shaken up after hit

It’s unclear what Mariota injured or how, but the passer took a seat on the field after a second-down incompletion that nearly resulted in a sack. Instead, Josh Johnson took a snap, and following that, the Commanders punted.

Mariota was seen on the sideline with his helmet and then later entered the medical tent for an evaluation.

Dolphins-Commanders score: Deebo Samuel scores on catch-and-run

Madrid has its first touchdown: Marcus Mariota found Deebo Samuel on screen pass, and the wide out did the rest on a 20-yard catch and run.

The extra point puts the Commanders up by seven with 11:24 left in the quarter.

Score: Commanders 13, Dolphins 7

Commanders receive second-half kickoff

Who will be the first to get in the end zone? The Commanders are hoping its them as they take the second-half kickoff back to the Washington 41-yard line to get the third quarter underway.

Madrid halftime show: Daddy Yankee, Bizarrap take stage

It’s been 21 years since ‘Gasolina’ released, but the tank is clearly not empty for Daddy Yankee. The Puerto Rican rapper took the stage during the Madrid game alongside Argentine DJ Bizarrap on Sunday.

Commanders-Dolphins score: Matt Gay’s 30-yarder ties up game at half

Those looking for touchdowns need not apply: Matt Gay’s third field goal attempt of the day split the uprights, tying the game at 6-6 with the half expiring.

Score: Dolphins 6, Commanders 6

Matt Gay misses 51-yarder; Dolphins maintain lead

Mariota’s hot start came to an end in the second quarter. After going 7-for-7 passing, Mariota escaped pressure and misfired on his next two passes, leading to a Matt Gay 51-yard field goal attempt. It sailed wide of the uprights, keeping Miami in the lead midway through the second quarter.

Commanders-Dolphins score: Riley Patterson hits second FG for lead

The Dolphins again moved the ball against the Commanders defense, but a Jacob Martin third-down sack of Tua Tagovailoa forced the Dolphins into a second field goal of the day.

Score: Dolphins 6, Commanders 3

Tua Tagovailoa throws first incompletion of game

It came with 12:12 left in the second quarter, but Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw his first incompletion of the game after going 6-for-6 passing against the Commanders defense.

End of first quarter: Dolphins, Commanders tied

Miami moved the ball well against Washington’s defense in the first quarter, but it only resulted in 3 points after a few penalties doomed them. The Commanders tied it late with a field goal of their own. It’s all tied up entering the second quarter.

Dolphins-Commanders score: Matt Gay hits 26-yard field goal to tie

After the false start pushed the Commanders back five yards, Dan Quinn instead opted for a chip-shot field goal for the tie. It’s 3-3 with time winding down in the first.

Score: Dolphins 3, Commanders 3

Referee Shawn Smith calls false start in Spanish

Not only is the game in Madrid international, but it’s also multilingual. Referee Shawn Smith found an opportunity to call a Commanders false start in Spanish, and he did just that. We’d grade his delivery a C+, but definitely an A+ for effort.

Commanders convert fourth down early

Marcus Mariota found tight end Colson Yankoff for a short gain on fourth down to push them to midfield. An interesting gamble in the early goings for Dan Quinn and Co.

Marcus Mariota takes field for injured Jayden Daniels

Mariota, the veteran passer, is again stepping in to start for the injured Daniels. Daniels isn’t on IR, meaning he could return as soon as Week 12.

Dolphins-Commanders score: Riley Patterson hits 46-yard FG

The Dolphins were aiming to convert a fourth-and-short opportunity, but were flagged for a delay of game. Instead, they settled for a Patterson field goal to put them up 3-0 early in the first quarter.

Score: Dolphins 3, Commanders 0

Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins take the field in Madrid

The first-ever game in Spain is underway as the Dolphins receive the opening kickoff. They will start from their own 20-yard line.

NFL Madrid game starts with moment of silence for Paul Tagliabue

The former NFL commissioner died on Nov. 9 at the age of 84. Tagliabue is widely credited for his help to expand the NFL into a global enterprise.

What time is the Dolphins vs. Commanders game today?

Start time: 9:30 a.m. ET | 3:30 p.m. local

The Dolphins-Commanders game is scheduled for kickoff at 9:30 a.m. ET, the customary start time for international matchups. The game will take place in Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, Spain.

Who are the announcers for the NFL Madrid game?

Kenny Albert and Jonathan Vilma, part of Fox’s usual NFL rotation, are calling the game in Madrid.

Has the NFL ever had a game in Spain?

The NFL has never played a game in Spain prior to the 2025 season. It’s the fifth NFL game to be played in a Spanish-speaking country; the prior four were held in Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca, most recently in 2022.

How to watch the Dolphins vs. Commanders game

TV channel: NFL Network

NFL Network will carry the Dolphins-Commanders Week 11 matchup.

Where is the Dolphins-Commanders game today?

Location: Madrid, Spain
Venue: Bernabeu Stadium (home of Real Madrid F.C.)

For the NFL’s foray into Espana, the league couldn’t have picked a better venue. Bernabeu Stadium, home of iconic soccer club Real Madrid, plays host to the game.

The venue underwent significant upgrades in 2024, allowing for the game to take place here.

Dolphins vs. Commanders stream

Live stream: Fubo | NFL+

For viewers looking to live stream the event, Fubo carries NFL Network and will broadcast the game. NFL+, the league’s proprietary streaming service, will also carry the game.

Watch the Dolphins vs. Commanders Madrid game with Fubo (free trial)

Dolphins inactives vs. Commanders

No surprises on the Dolphins inactives list today vs. Washington. Those hoping for a QB change in Miami will have to wait, as Quinn Ewers is the team’s emergency third quarterback:

Commanders inactives today vs. Dolphins

The Commanders will again be without Jayden Daniels and Terry McLaurin. Here’s the rest of the list for their international tilt:

Dolphins vs. Commanders prediction

A neutral site makes this game as near a toss-up as it can be without it being a toss-up in the books. The Dolphins get the benefit of having their starting quarterback healthy, but these teams are about as evenly matched as it gets. Give the Dolphins the lean in this matchup if only for that reason.

Prediction: Dolphins 24, Commanders 20

When will Jayden Daniels return?

Daniels remains out for the Commanders’ Week 11 game against the Miami Dolphins. The two teams will face off in Madrid, and two Hawaiian quarterbacks will start against each other for the second time this season – Tua Tagovailoa for the Dolphins and Mariota for the Commanders.

Washington’s former No. 2 overall pick suffered a dislocated left (non-throwing) elbow in the final moments of the team’s Week 9 ‘Sunday Night Football’ loss to the Seattle Seahawks. According to reporting from Glazer of Fox Sports and Rapoport of NFL Network, Daniels avoided major ligament damage in his elbow and will avoid both surgery and a stint on injured reserve.

What happened to Tyreek Hill?

Hill suffered a gruesome knee injury in the Dolphins’ Week 4 win over the New York Jets. Hill caught a 10-yard pass during the second half and his leg was twisted up while being tackled going out of bounds.

Hill was later diagnosed with a dislocated left knee and multiple torn ligaments, including his ACL. He underwent successful surgery on the knee on Sept. 30.

Dolphins vs. Commanders injury report

Dolphins vs. Commanders live betting odds, moneyline, O/U

HARTFORD, Conn. — UConn forward Sarah Strong showed the nation why she is likely the best player in women’s college basketball with another double-double on Sunday at PeoplesBank Arena. Strong had 29 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists, five steals and three blocks.

‘Most kids, you can tell they’re working really hard to get their 30 points, 29 points,’ UConn coach Geno Auriemma said. ‘I don’t know that she works really, really hard. It’s not as easy as she makes it look, but it kind of is, you know, because she just … has such great body control. She has fantastic vision, she knows how the game is being played and where her advantages are.’

Even a former teammate was impressed, with Paige Bueckers weighing in.

Strong led the No. 1-ranked Huskies, who had five players in double figures and kept it’s record perfect by defeating Ohio State, 100-68. Azzi Fudd had 19 points, Blanca Quiñonez 18, Serah Williams 12 and Ashlynn Shade 10 points.

‘What makes (Strong) so hard to play is her versatility,’ Ohio State coach Kevin McGuff said. ‘She’s extremely efficient around the basket. … She’s got a terrific basketball IQ, and she makes so many good decisions, and so many reads.’

UConn’s defense continued its flow with 14 steals. The Buckeyes committed 24 turnovers, leading to 37 Huskies’ points.

Jaloni Cambridge led Ohio State with 17 points. T’yana Todd added 12 points and Kennedy Cambridge 10.

Here’s everything you need to know about Ohio State at UConn, as we follow along live:

Third quarter: UConn 79, Ohio State 51

Sarah Strong had 14 points in the third quarter for 29 in the game to stretch the UConn lead. Blanca Quiñonez has 18 points and Serah Williams and Azzi Fudd 12 apiece for the Huskies.

UConn is shooting 53% from the field including 10-for-19 from 3-point land. Ohio State has 22 turnovers that have led to 32 UConn points.

Halftime: UConn 50, Ohio State 30

The Huskies have found their offense, led by their bigs. Sarah Strong has 15 points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals. Serah Williams and Blanca Quiñonez added 10 points each.

Ohio State has 15 turnovers leading to 19 points for UConn. Kennedy Cambridge has nine points to lead the Buckeyes.

Sarah Strong touchdown pass to Serah Williams

Since it’s Sunday, the Huskies are hooking up for long assists.

Azzi Fudd gets on the board

Fudd scored a 3-pointer with 7:43 to go in the second quarter off an assist from KK Arnold.

First quarter: UConn 27, Ohio State 24

Ohio State is giving UConn all it can handle through one period. The Buckeyes are shooting 67% from behind the 3-point arc and led 14-10 half way through the quarter. Sisters Kennedy Cambridge and Jaloni Cambridge lead Ohio State with 9 points and 6 points, respectively.

We are underway at PeoplesBank Arena

Serah Williams cuts through the Buckeyes defense for a layup to get UConn on the board. The senior transfer from Wisconsin has the first four points for the Huskies.

UConn trailed by as many as four points but holds a 17-14 lead with 3:59 to go in the first quarter.

What time is Ohio State vs. UConn?

The UConn Huskies play host to the Ohio State Buckeyes on Sunday, Nov. 16 at 12 p.m. ET at PeoplesBank Arena, Hartford, Connecticut.

Ohio State vs. UConn score: TV, streaming

Date: Sunday, Nov. 16
Time: 12 p.m. ET (9 a.m. PT)
Location: PeoplesBank Arena, Hartford, Connecticut
Stream: Peacock

Ohio State starting lineup

UConn starting lineup

Jannik Sinner defeated Carlos Alcaraz to win the 2025 ATP Finals title in Turin, Italy in front of his home crowd.
The victory earned Sinner a record $5.07 million in prize money for the tournament.
Sinner’s win capped the best season of his career, though Alcaraz secured the year-end world No. 1 ranking.

TURIN, Italy (Reuters) — Italy’s Jannik Sinner retained his ATP Finals title on Sunday, Nov. 16, sending the Turin crowd wild as he battled past Spanish world number one and rival Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (7-4) 7-5 in the decider to the season-ending championships.

Sinner, backed by a raucous Italian crowd, fell to the floor after breaking his rival’s serve in the final game before racing to celebrate with his team as chants of ‘Ole, Ole, Ole, Sinner, Sinner’ rang around the Inalpi Arena.

‘Finishing in front of the Italian public was a fantastic thing, maybe even better than last year, thank you very much for the support, it was incredible,’ Sinner said.

‘Thanks to all of you, it felt like being on a football pitch.’

In a season defined and dominated by the rivalry between the two players, it seemed inevitable that they would meet in the title clash and both obliged by easing through the tournament unbeaten to set up one last dance in Turin.

Alcaraz forced the only break point in the first set but Sinner held firm and brought the crowd to its feet with a tiebreak win, and sealed the match when the Spaniard was unable to hold while serving to stay in the contest.

Sinner missed out on ending the year as world number one to Alcaraz after the Spaniard won his three round-robin matches this week but the Italian won the last act of 2025 to crown the best season of his career.

The 24-year-old reached the final of all four Grand Slams, winning the Australian Open and Wimbledon, while Alcaraz has also had a stellar year, winning Roland Garros and the U.S. Open, beating Sinner in both finals.

‘Hopefully you’re going to be ready for next year,’ Alcaraz said with a smile.

‘Because I will be ready.’

Alcaraz put Sinner to the test in Turin but despite not being at his best and struggling with his service game, which had powered him past opponents all week, the Italian held his nerve.

Sinner won his opening service game to love with Alcaraz responding in kind, and at 2-2 the Spaniard forced deuce before a medical emergency in the stands led to a 10-minute break, the duo chatting over the net, belying the tension in the arena and on court.

When play resumed, Sinner advanced to the net to slam down a winning volley and fired an ace to hold. Alcaraz required a medical time-out during the break at 5-4 up before forcing the first break point of the match at 6-5.

Sinner survived and after letting slip a mini-break in the tiebreak, the champion brought the crowd to its feet smashing down a lob after Alcaraz had chased back to return a drop shot and then catching out the Spaniard with a lob of his own to take the first set.

The Spaniard had chances to take the final the distance, breaking the Italian in the opening game of the second set where Sinner hit two double faults. Yet Sinner came back to level the set at 3-3 and came through when it counted.

Sinner arrived in the final on a remarkable indoor hardcourt winning run of 30 matches since losing to Novak Djokovic in the 2023 decider in Turin, also the last time the Italian dropped a set in the competition.

Appearing in his third successive final in the season-ender, Sinner had lost four of his previous five meetings with Alcaraz this year, which all came in finals, but he was not to be denied in Turin, where his win earned him a record $5.07 million in prize money.

The journey of Alabama’s season didn’t change much with loss to Oklahoma, but vibes were harpooned and perception polluted.
Kalen DeBoer will face daunting pressure in Iron Bowl.
Alabama retains control of path, but national title destination feels further away.

In the grand journey of Alabama’s season, this loss to Oklahoma didn’t immediately change much. The Crimson Tide remain charted for the Southeastern Conference championship game, so long as they win the Iron Bowl. They’re still pointed toward the College Football Playoff, too. Win the Iron Bowl and win in Atlanta, and Alabama would repair a lot of the short-term damage it absorbed to its playoff seeding.

And in another sense, this 23-21 turtling up at Bryant-Denny Stadium changed everything, because everything about Kalen DeBoer’s second Alabama season is baked in perception and vibes and creating the image he’s suitable to be Nick Saban’s heir.

Losses like this harpoon vibes and pollute perception, because Alabama fans will tell themselves Saban wouldn’t have lost this game, because GOATs become invincible in retirement. Never mind Saban lost two games in his second Alabama season or Saban did start occasionally losing games like this in the final few years of his career.

This loss ended the notion DeBoer cannot falter at home, or he’s become a daunting force of destruction in a menacing outfit. He’s just a guy in a black hoodie when Alabama commits four turnovers to lose a game in which it gained nearly twice as many years as its opponent.

This loss damaged the goodwill DeBoer had built throughout an eight-game win streak, because the price for coaching Alabama is knowing a single loss can offset several wins on the scales of balance.

The Iron Bowl in two weeks will become the biggest game of DeBoer’s tenure. Auburn’s record says it’s one of the SEC’s weakest teams, and still everything I know about the Iron Bowl tells me the Tigers will fight at Jordan-Hare Stadium as if life itself is on the line and not just Alabama’s postseason fate. An Alabama win would restore some order and tend to some angst. A loss would light a powder keg. Two straight seasons of missing a 12-team playoff would change the DEFCON level.

This loss also singed the idea of Ty Simpson seizing the Heisman Trophy. Simpson is the best guy going for an offense that lacks ground support, but faced with solving one of the nation’s best defenses, Alabama’s quarterback contributed two turnovers and no fourth-quarter magic.

Saban warned on “College GameDay” Alabama’s lack of balance made it vulnerable. The offensive line doesn’t exert control. Every Saturday when Saban shares sage words on a TV set, he provides a visual reminder to everyone watching he’s no longer Alabama’s coach.

On Alabama’s best day, it could beat most of the teams that’ll qualify for the playoff. On a blunder-filled day like this one, it could lose to nearly any playoff team.

“Really disappointed in the outcome,” DeBoer said. “We played a lot of great snaps out there, but, the turnover battle, obviously got killed there. That became the game.”

That, and a missed field goal that affected Alabama’s fate.

We were silly if we thought a second Alabama loss wasn’t eventually coming while it navigated a schedule that rates among the nation’s toughest.

Alabama retains control of its course, but the destination of a national championship feels further away.

In a broader sense, this is just the new way of life in the SEC. Good teams lose to other good teams every Saturday, but, at Alabama, coaches and teams are not judged only against their conference peers. They’re judged against Alabama’s past.

This became another Saturday when the present didn’t live up.

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