Despite a loss, the Cincinnati Reds clinched the National League’s final playoff berth in the last game of the regular season and will face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL wild card series beginning Tuesday.

Cincinnati needed a win or a New York Mets loss Sunday to secure its first playoff trip in a full season since 2013. The Reds took a 2-0 lead early against the Brewers on Sunday, but Milwaukee came back for a 4-2 victory at American Family Field.

Fortunately for the Reds, they got some help.

The Mets lost 4-0 against the Marlins in Miami, completing New York’s slow-motion collapse that began more than three months ago. The Mets had MLB’s best record at 45-24 on June 12 but fell off a cliff, going 38-55 the rest of the way including two seven-game losing streaks and an eight-game skid.

New York had baseball’s largest opening day payroll in the first year of Juan Soto’s record 15-year, $765 million contract and faces a long winter after one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history.

A two-time World Series champion with the Boston Red Sox, manager Terry Francona got the Reds to the playoffs in his first year with Cincinnati. The Reds’ most recent postseason trip was in the COVID-shortened 2020, sneaking in with a 31-29 record.

Cincinnati’s NL wild card series at Dodger Stadium begins on Tuesday, Sept. 30 with first pitch set for 9:08 p.m. ET. The winner of the best-of-three set will face the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS beginning Saturday, Oct 4.

The Tennessee Titans are at the bottom of the AFC South, and according to Cam Ward, they are playing just like that – the bottom.

The Titans haven’t quite gotten off to a hot start in the Ward era. They fell to 0-4 on the season after a 26-0 loss to the Houston Texans in Week 4, another divisional blowout after a 41-20 loss to the Colts in Week 3.

Just about nothing has gone right for the Titans early on this season which led Ward, a rookie quarterback, to use some colorful language to describe the team’s predicament.

‘If we keep it a buck right now, we ass. We’re 0-4. At this point, we got nothing to lose. We dropped a quarter of our (expletive) games, and we’ve yet to do anything, so, we have to lock in.’

Ward said that all phases of the game have to play the age-old complementary football, starting with himself.

‘Especially myself, from the offensive line, to the defensive line, to the special teams, we have to play together, to all three phases. We have to play together. We have not played together this year yet.’

While they are waiting for all three phases to play in concert, it’s not looked pretty for the Titans and Ward. The rookie finished 10-of-26 passing for 108 yards and an interception in the loss to Houston.

Ohio State remains the top-ranked team in the US LBM Coaches Poll after a Week 5 victory.
Oregon jumped to the No. 2 spot following its double-overtime win against Penn State.
Florida State dropped 11 positions to No. 19, while Southern California fell out of the Top 25 entirely.

As one might expect, the US LBM Coaches Poll looks a lot different after all the Week 5 results. But one of the few things that didn’t change is Ohio State remains No. 1.

The Buckeyes, who handled their first road test of the season at previously unbeaten Washington, were voted No. 1 by 58 of 65 panelists submitting ballots this week. Oregon vaults to No. 2 on the heels of its double-overtime triumph at Penn State. The Ducks claimed six of the remaining seven first-place nods, with the last one going to No. 3 Miami (Fla.), which enjoyed an open date this week.

Mississippi makes a huge leap from 11th to No. 4 after taking down LSU. Texas A&M climbs four places to round out the top five after defeating Auburn.

TOP 25: Complete US LBM Coaches Poll after Week 5

Penn State took the least poll position damage, falling only to No. 6 to stay ahead of No. 7 Texas. No. 8 Oklahoma and No. 9 Indiana move up, and Georgia slides to No. 10.

Somewhat curiously, the Bulldogs remain a spot ahead of No. 11 Alabama, which handed the Bulldogs their first loss. But the Crimson Tide do move up five places and are back in the playoff picture. Iowa State gains a spot to No. 12, while LSU tumbles to No. 13.

Florida State drops 11 positions to No. 19 after Friday night’s loss at Virginia but hangs on to a ranking. Southern California wasn’t as fortunate, falling out of the Top 25 following its loss at No. 22 Illinois. TCU was the week’s other dropout, as No. 24 Arizona State and No. 25 Utah return to the poll.

(This story was updated to change a video.)

The Indiana Fever’s Cinderella season continues. 

The No. 6 seed Fever staved off elimination with a 90-83 win over the No. 2 seed Las Vegas Aces in Game 4 in Indianapolis on Sunday, tying up the best-of-five semifinal series at to set up a decisive Game 5 in Las Vegas on Tuesday (9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2). 

Fever center Aliyah Boston scored 17 of her playoff career-high 24 points in the second half, in addition to 14 rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks. Boston is the second player in Indiana playoff history to score 20-plus points, 10-plus rebounds and five or more steals in a game, joining Tamika Catchings, who was sitting courtside at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday.

‘God is good and every time he lets you come out here and play and come off the court without an injury, it’s seriously a blessing,’ Boston said. ‘I’m going to do everything I can always to give everything to my squad.’

Boston added, ‘We earned ourselves another game.’

The Fever survived a 31-point performance from Aces center A’ja Wilson. The Aces were 11-0 in the postseason when Wilson scored 25 or more points entering Sunday’s matchup, but drop to 11-1 with the loss. Wilson finished with nine rebounds, four steals, three blocks and three assists in the losing effort. 

The Fever had a five-point lead with 1:10 remaining in the contest. Kelsey Mitchell hit a pull-up floater with 1:00 remaining to put the Fever up 82-75. A’ja Wilson responded with a tough layup to cut the Aces’ deficit back to 82-77 five, but Wilson missed a and-1 free throw. Fever guard Lexie Hull got the rebound and was fouled, but missed both free throws. Hull didn’t squander another opportunity and hit both free throws to go up 84-77 with 36.6 remaining.

Hammon called a timeout with 30.1 left, but the Aces didn’t have a timeout available, resulting in a technical foul on Las Vegas and loss of possession. Kelsey Mitchell knocked down the technical free throw to put the Fever up 85-77. Aces’ Chelsea Gray hit back-to-back triples in the waning seconds to come within five points with 6.1 remaining, but it was too little too late for the Aces.

Here’s everything you need to know about Game 4:

End of 3Q: Fever 67, Aces 62

The Fever have a five-point lead over the Aces heading into the fourth quarter. Can Indiana force a Game 5?

Game 4 has proved to be a battle of the bigs with a showdown between Aliyah Boston and A’ja Wilson, both alumni of South Carolina. 

Fever center Aliyah Boston scored 13 of her 20 points in the third quarter, in addition to 11 rebounds, five assists and two steals. Boston has knocked down 10 of 13 free throws so far, with 11 of those attempts coming in the third quarter alone. Kelsey Mitchell was held to four points in the frame, bringing her total to 19 points. 

“We want to win. We want to keep playing. We want another game in (Las) Vegas. That is what we are fighting for. We don’t want our season to end,” said Lexie Hull, who has five points and four steals. 

Aces center A’ja Wilson has 22 points, seven rebounds, three steals and two assists. Jackie Young added 12 points and nine assists.

Halftime: Fever 46, Aces 38

The Indiana Fever closed the second quarter on a 11-2 run to take an eight-point halftime lead, the largest of the game by either team. 

Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell leads all scorers with 15 points, shooting 6-of-12 from the field including 2-of-2 from the 3-point line. Aliyah Boston, Odyssey Sims and Shey Peddy each added seven points. 

Mitchell said the Fever are going to “continue to be us and stay together no matter what” in the second half to stave off elimination and force a decisive Game 5 in Las Vegas.

A’ja Wilson is the only Aces player to reach double-digits so far, leading her team with 12 points (6-of-10 FG), two rebounds and two steals. Jackie Young has seven points, shooting a perfect 2-of-2 from the field and 3-of-3 from the free throw line. 

Both teams have been rather careless with the ball in the first half. The Aces had 11 turnovers and the Fever had 10, leading to 16 points for the Fever and seven for the Aces. 

The Fever have an advantage in transition (11-3), in the paint (28-18) and on the boards (16-9).

End of Q1: Fever 23, Aces 21 

The Fever don’t want their season to end. All five of Indiana’s starters scored in the first quarter, led by nine points from Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell (3-of-7 FG, 2-of-2 3PT). Aliyah Boston added five points and three rebounds. The Fever are shooting 45% from the field including 3-of-5 from the 3-point line. 

The Aces don’t want a decisive Game 5. Aces center A’ja Wilson leads all scorers with 10 of Las Vegas’ 21 points, followed by four points from NaLyssa Smith. The Aces are shooting 58.8% from the field, but 1-of-5 from 3.

A’ja Wilson surpasses 1K playoff points

Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson is making more history. After becoming the first player in league history to win four WNBA MVPs, Wilson became the seventh player to score at least 1,000 postseason points. Wilson is the third fastest to reach that milestone, with only Diana Taurasi and Breanna Stewart doing it in fewer games. 

A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Mitchell hot early

Game 4 between the Aces and Fever is underway in Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Fever have never lost back-to-back games at home in the postseason and Kelsey Mitchell is doing her best to make sure that doesn’t happen with a hot start in the elimination game. Mitchell scored six of the Fever’s first 11 points as the Fever have a 17-14 lead with 4:13 remaining in the first quarter.

Aces center A’ja Wilson also bounced back from a subpar performance in Game 3 with eight points, shooting 4-of-5 from the field to open the game, in addition to two steals.

What time is Aces vs. Fever Game 4?

Game 4 of the WNBA semifinals series between the No. 2 seed Las Vegas Aces and No. 6 seed Indiana Fever is scheduled to tip off at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 28 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

How to watch Aces vs. Fever WNBA playoffs: TV, stream for Game 4

Date: Sunday, Sept. 28
Time: 3 p.m. ET
Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indianapolis)
TV: ABC
Stream: Fubo, ESPN Unlimited

Stream Fever-Aces series on Fubo (free trial)

WNBA starting lineups

Las Vegas Aces starting lineup

Head coach: Becky Hammon

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

Indiana Fever starting lineup

Head coach: Stephanie White

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

Indiana Fever injury report

Chloe Bibby (left knee), Caitlin Clark (right groin), Sydney Colson (left knee), Sophie Cunningham (right knee), Damiris Dantas (concussion protocol) and Aari McDonald (right foot) have all been ruled out for Game 4.

WNBA officials for Game 4

Game 4 between the Las Vegas Aces and Indiana Fever will be officiated by Isaac Barnett, Randy Richardson and Jenna Reneau. It’s the same crew that officiated the Phoenix Mercury’s 84-76 Game 3 win over the Minnesota Lynx, which featured a controversial and chaotic ending. Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve was ejected from the winning seconds for arguing several non-calls and ripped the ‘awful’ officiating crew postgame.

‘The officiating crew that we had tonight, for the leadership to deem those three people semifinals playoff worth is f—ing malpractice,” Reeve said in an expletive-filled rant. ‘F—ing awful.’

WNBA MVP: A’ja Wilson wins for record fourth time

A’ja Wilson was named the WNBA’s Most Valuable Player for the 2025 season. She is the first four-time MVP, besting three-time winners Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie and Lauren Jackson. 

Wilson received 51 of 72 first-place votes and 21 second-place votes (657 points) from a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. The Las Vegas Aces center won the award over finalists Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (534),  Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (391), Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray (180) and Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell (93).

Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson stats

Wilson averaged a league-leading 23.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists (ties her career-high), a league-leading 2.3 blocks and 1.6 steals in 40 games this season. Wilson averaged 29.3 points, 8.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists in the Aces’ first-round playoff series against the Seattle Storm, including a 38-point performance in Game 3, tying her playoff career high. However, she was held to 16 points in the Aces’ Game 1 loss to the Fever, shooting a dismal 27.2% from the field. Wilson bounced back with 25 points, nine rebounds and five steals in the Aces’ Game 2 win, but scored 13 points shooting 30% from the field in an off night in Las Vegas’ Game 3 win.

Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Michell stats

Mitchell averaged a career-high 20.2 points during the regular season, the third-highest in the league. Mitchell had a game-high 34 points in the Fever’s Game 1 win over the Aces in Las Vegas, but has been held to 13 points shooing 28.6% from the field in Indiana’s Game 2 loss and finished with 21 points shooting 30.8% from the field in the Fever’s Game 3 loss.

Kelsey Mitchell has been carrying the Indiana Fever — it’s time everyone noticed

In a tumultuous season defined by injuries and resilience, Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell has remained a constant.

Mitchell has, in fact, been a constant for the Fever organization ever since she was drafted No. 2 overall out of Ohio State in 2018. She’s endured ups and downs during her eight-year career in Indiana, including six losing seasons and five different head coaches, enough turmoil to send any top pick packing.

But Mitchell never bailed and the 29-year-old is now leading the Fever’s improbable postseason charge.

‘There have been multiple times this season where (Mitchell) has put us on her back and she’s carried us,’ Indiana head coach Stephanie White said on Sunday after the Fever upset the Las Vegas Aces 89-73 to steal Game 1 of the WNBA playoff semifinals behind Mitchell’s 34-point performance. Full story here.

Sophie Cunningham says Aces are using ‘junk defense’ to stop Fever

Sophie Cunningham broke down why the Indiana Fever are struggling on offense. The Fever went close to nine minutes without scoring a field goal in Game 3 on Friday in Indianapolis. The injured Fever guard said the Las Vegas Aces adjusted after her teammate, All-Star guard Kelsey Mitchell, came out hot in Game 1.

‘First game in Vegas … we were just on our s— and like it was, it was good from the jump.’ Cunningham said on her podcast ‘Show Me Something,’ which dropped during the Fever’s Game 3 loss on Friday.

Caitlin Clark injury timeline

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

2025 WNBA Finals schedule

*if necessary

WNBA champions by year

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Bobby Petrino is once again the head coach for Arkansas football — at least, on an interim basis.

Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek named Petrino the interim head coach following the firing of Sam Pittman on Sunday, Sept. 28. Pittman’s firing came following an embarrassing 56-13 home loss to Notre Dame a day before.

Petrino is back in his second year with the Razorbacks as the team’s offensive coordinator after previously serving as the head coach for the program from 2008-11. Under Petrino’s stint as offensive coordinator, the Razorbacks were averaging 552 yards and 43.5 points per game in the second season with quarterback Taylen Green.

In 2024, Arkansas finished ranked 10th in the country in total offense, and its 30.9 points per game ranked 43rd.

Here’s what you need to know about Petrino, including if he’ll be a candidate for the permanent head coaching job:

Will Bobby Petrino be a candidate for Arkansas head coach?

Yes, Petrino will be a candidate, per Yurachek.

‘We will begin a national search for our next head coach immediately and that search will include Coach Petrino, who has expressed his desire to be a candidate for the full-time job,’ Yurachek said.

How old is Bobby Petrino?

Petrino, 64, was born on March 10, 1961, in Lewistown, Montana.

Why did Bobby Petrino leave Arkansas?

Petrino posted a 34-17 record in his time as the Razorbacks coach. Arkansas won at least 10 games in each of its final two seasons with the program, including a Cotton Bowl win over Kansas State in 2011. He was hired following a one-year stint with the Atlanta Falcons, where he resigned following a 3-10 start in 2007.

However, Petrino left Arkansas due to controversy after he was involved in a single-vehicle motorcycle crash in northwest Arkansas on April 1, 2012.

Initially, Petrino informed the university that he was alone on the motorcycle that crashed. However, news soon broke that was with then-25-year-old Jessica Dorrell at the time of the crash. Soon after it was learned he was having an inappropriate relationship with the former Arkansas volleyball player, and hired her to work in the athletics department. He gifted her $20,000 and did not disclose his relationship to the university.

By April 10, 2012, Petrino was fired with cause. Then-athletic director Jeff Long told reporters at the time that Petrino had ‘engaged in a pattern of misleading and manipulative behavior’ before and after the motorcycle accident.

Following his firing, Petrino coached Western Kentucky in 2013 before coaching Louisville from 2016-18. He was the Missouri State head coach from 2020 to 2022.

Bobby Petrino head coaching record

Here’s a look at Petrino’s career record as a head coach:

2003 (Louisville): 9-4, 5-3 Conference USA
2004 (Louisville): 11-1, 8-0 Conference USA
2005 (Louisville): 9-3, 5-2 Big East
2006 (Louisville): 12-1, 6-1 Big East
2008 (Arkansas): 5-7, 2-6 SEC
2009 (Arkansas): 8-5, 3-5 SEC
2010 (Arkansas): 10-, 6-2 SEC
2011 (Arkansas): 11-2, 6-2 SEC
2013 (Western Kentucky): 8-4, 4-3 Sun Belt Conference
2014 (Louisville): 9-4, 5-3 ACC
2015 (Louisville): 8-5, 5-3 ACC
2016 (Louisville): 9-4, 7-1 ACC
2017 (Louisville): 8-5, 4-4 ACC
2018 (Louisville): 2-8, 0-7 ACC
2020 (Missouri State): 5-5, 5-1 Missouri Valley Conference
2021 (Missouri State): 8-4, 6-2 Missouri Valley Conference
2022 (Missouri State): 5-6, 3-5 Missouri Valley Conference
Career: 137-71

Al Horford, 39, plans to sign a multi-year deal with the Golden State Warriors, according to to reports by ESPN and others. The veteran big man, who won the NBA championship with the Boston Celtics in 2024, has spent each of the last four seasons with Boston, but now heads across the country to join his fifth team.

The Warriors have long had trouble finding a consistent center. Horford not only provides a reliable starter, but could also be a tremendous fit. The five-time All-Star has tallied at least 100 three-pointers in each of his last three seasons. Horford’s ability to expand the floor and his defensive instincts could mesh perfectly with the Warriors’ current core of Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green.

The Warriors are still waiting on a decision from restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga, which should come within the next few days.

Horford contract details

Per ESPN, the details of Horford’s contract have yet to be determined. Although Horford agreed to a multi-year deal with Golden State, he remains one of many free agents awaiting Jonathan Kuminga’s decision to determine the specifics.

Horford was widely-considered the top center in free agency this offseason. He also reportedly considered retirement this offseason before signing with Golden State.

Al Horford stats

Horford averaged 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game with the Celtics last season. Horford also shot a solid 36.1% from three-point range a season ago.

Most importantly though, Horford, even at 39, remains a very durable center, having played in at least 60 games in 10 of his last 11 seasons.

Ryan Blaney moved one step closer to a potential second NASCAR Cup Series championship last week in New Hampshire.

The Team Penske driver was easily the fastest car in qualifying and race day as he led the final 50 laps to take his third victory of the year. His prize was a secured spot in the Round of 8 – and a local delicacy: a live lobster.

‘I’ve wanted a lobster ever since I was a little kid coming to watch these races. I’ve always wanted one of those things, so I’m looking forward to it,’ Blaney said after his victory.

Blaney won the championship in 2023 and finished runner-up last year to teammate Joey Logano. His win last week ensures he’ll fight on to the next round of the playoffs and he holds a two-point lead over William Byron in the playoff standings.

Sunday marks the Cup Series’ second visit to Kansas Speedway this season. Kyle Larson won the AdventHealth 400 in May in dominant fashion. The Hendrick Motorsports driver took pole position, won every stage, led the most laps and notched the fastest lap of the race.

Larson sits in third in the playoff standings behind Blaney and Byron. He’s one of eight playoff drivers looking for their first win of the postseason to punch their ticket one step further in the playoffs.

Here’s everything you need to know to get ready for the Hollywood Casino 400 presented by ESPN BET at Kansas Speedway on Sunday, Sept. 28:

Chase Elliott wins Kansas playoff race in double overtime

Chase Elliott won an eventul NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at Kansas Speedway, stealing the Hollywood Casino 400 in double overtime after edging past Denny Hamlin to take the checkered flag.

Denny Hamlin sweeps first two stages of Kansas playoff race

Denny Hamlin continued his domination of the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway through two stages. Hamlin won Stage 2 over Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Christopher Bell after winning the opening stage of the Round of 12 playoff race. Hamlin has led 93 of 165 laps, with the race scheduled for 267 laps.

Bell finished second in Stage 2, followed by Hendrick Motorsports teammates Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott, respectively, with JGR’s Chase Briscoe rounding out the top five full of playoff drivers. Nine of the top 10 finishers in Stage 2 were playoff drivers with Bubba Wallace sixth, Joey Logano seventh, Ross Chastain eighth, Ryan Blaney ninth and non-playoff driver Alex Bowman 10th.

Among the remaining playoff drivers, Tyler Reddick was 14th, Austin Cindric 17th and William Byron 23rd.

Denny Hamlin wins Stage 1 of Kansas playoff race

Denny Hamlin led 55 laps in the opening stage of the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway and held off Kyle Larson at the line to win Stage 1 of the NASCAR Cup Series playoff race. Hamlin started second, alongside pole winner and Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Chase Briscoe, who led 19 laps in the 80-lap opening stage.

Larson and Hendrick Motorsports teammate Chase Elliott finished second and third, respectively, followed by JGR’s Christopher Bell and Ross Chastain of Trackhouse Racing. Briscoe took sixth in Stage 1, with reigning series champion Joey Logano in seventh, Chris Buescher eighth, Zane Smith ninth and Carson Hocevar 10th.

Among the other playoff drivers remaining in the Round of 12, Bubba Wallace was 13th, Ryan Blaney 14th, William Byron 15th, Austin Cindric 19th and Tyler Reddick 24th.

What time does the NASCAR Cup race at Kansas start?

The Hollywood Casino 400 is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 28 at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas.

What TV channel is the NASCAR Cup race at Kansas on?

The Hollywood Casino 400 will be broadcast on USA Network, the channel for most of the Cup Series playoffs. Pre-race coverage will start at 2:30 p.m. ET.

Will there be a live stream of the NASCAR Cup race at Kansas?

Yes, the Hollywood Casino 400 will be streamed on Peacock, HBO Max, Sling TV and Fubo, which is offering a free trial to new subscribers.

Stream the NASCAR race at Kansas on Fubo

How many laps is the NASCAR Cup race at Kansas?

The Hollywood Casino 400 is 267 laps around the 1.5-mile track for a total of 400.5 miles. The race will have three segments (laps per stage) — Stage 1: 80 laps; Stage 2: 85 laps; Stage 3: 102 laps.

NASCAR playoff standings

Here’s how the field stacks up with the gap to leader in parentheses. Four drivers were eliminated after Bristol: Alex Bowman, Austin Dillon, Shane van Gisbergen and Josh Berry.

Ryan Blaney
William Byron (-2)
Kyle Larson (-8)
Christopher Bell (-20)
Denny Hamlin (-22)
Joey Logano (-25)
Chase Elliott (-35)
Chase Briscoe (-37)
Ross Chastain (-49)
Austin Cindric (-56)
Tyler Reddick (-60)
Bubba Wallace (-64)

Who won the NASCAR Cup playoff race at Kansas last year?

Ross Chastain didn’t make the playoffs but ensured he wouldn’t go winless in the 2024 Cup Series season by taking the checkered flag at Kansas Speedway last September. He overtook Martin Truex Jr. for the lead on a restart with less than 20 laps to go and kept William Byron far enough behind to get the win. Byron, Truex, Ryan Blaney and Ty Gibbs rounded out the top five.

What is the lineup for the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas?

Here is the lineup for the NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at Kansas Speedway (car number in parentheses; P=playoff driver):

Chase Briscoe, No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota (P)
Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota (P)
Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet (P)
Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet (P)
Christopher Bell, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota (P)
Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
Bubba Wallace, No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota (P)
Ty Gibbs, No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet (P)
Erik Jones, No. 43 Legacy Motor Club Toyota
William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet (P)
Tyler Reddick, No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota (P)
Josh Berry, No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford
Noah Gragson, No. 4 Front Row Motorsports Ford
Chris Buescher, No. 17 Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford
Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
Alex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 HYAK Motorsports Chevrolet
Ryan Preece, No. 60 RFK Racing Ford
AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
Michael McDowell, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
Justin Haley, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
Todd Gilliland, No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford 
Shane van Gisbergen, No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42 Legacy Motor Club Toyota
Austin Cindric, No. 2 Team Penske Ford (P)
Cole Custer, No. 41 Haas Factory Team Ford
Zane Smith, No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford
Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Brad Keselowski, No. 6 Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford
Riley Herbst, No. 35 23XI Racing Toyota
Ty Dillon, No. 10 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
Cody Ware, No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Ford
Joey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske Ford (P)
JJ Yeley, No. 44 NY Racing Team Chevrolet
Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Team Penske Ford (P)

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Shane Lowry played a key role in helping Europe retain the Ryder Cup on Sunday, Sept. 28.

Lowry made a putt on the 18th hole for birdie at Bethpage Black and immediately became emotional.

Europe had to hold off a big rally from the U.S. team on Day 3 of the event as the Americans put themselves in a position to finish out the event during the later part of singles play in a tie.

But Team USA was unable to pull off the comeback after Tyrrell Hatton (Europe) and Collin Morikawa (USA) finished their match in a tie, awarding the half point that Europe needed to secure the cup.

The Ryder Cup had only finished in a tie twice during the event’s history. Those results came in 1969 and 1989.

USA TODAY Sports had complete coverage of Day 3 of the 2025 Ryder Cup. Click here for all the highlights.

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The New York Giants might have a giant problem on their hands.

Vibes were high in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Sunday with Jaxson Dart earning his first career start. The script was quickly flipped when star receiver Malik Nabers went down with an injury late in the second quarter.

After getting the Los Angeles Chargers to jump offside, Dart fired a ball down the sideline looking for his second-year receiver. Nabers went up and promptly came down without the ball – but rather with an injury that doesn’t look so good.

Here’s the latest on Nabers.

Malik Nabers injury update

Nabers will get an MRI on Monday to determine whether his right ACL is torn, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Giants coach Brian Daboll told reporters after the game that it’s next man up.

‘Injuries happen,’ Daboll said. ‘Certainly not happy about, whether it was Malik [Nabers] or anybody else. Unfortunately this is a business of injury. I feel terrible for Malik’s injury. We’ll see where it’s at. He’s an important piece of our team, but the guys that played behind him, just like last year when Slayton went in  … everybody gets paid to do a job and next man up.’

Daboll announced before the second half of the team’s game against the Chargers that Nabers had been ruled out for the remainder of the contest because of his injury.

The coach did not provide additional information about Nabers’ injury, but NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero report the team believes the second-year wide-out suffered a torn ACL.

Nabers was carted off the field with 6:12 remaining in the second quarter.

The receiver’s knee buckled as he went up for a pass and he went down in a heap of pain. Cameras showed Nabers looking visibly upset and he exited right away.

Losing Nabers would undoubtedly be a significant hit to a Giants offense that appeared to be hitting its stride on Sunday. The insertion of Dart into the lineup appeared to energize the team.

Nabers is the best player that Brian Daboll’s team has on offense, but his injury and potential absence extends far beyond that.

New York’s season is all about Dart’s development now, which becomes more difficult without his WR1.

Giants WR depth chart

Nabers is irreplaceable for the Giants, especially with their depth chart. Here’s what they would have to work with without the star receiver:

Malik Nabers (injured)
Wan’Dale Robinson
Darius Slayton
Jalin Hyatt
Beaux Collins
Gunner Olszewski

Robinson has emerged as a reliable target in the Giants’ passing attack, while Slayton and Hyatt can stretch the field. However, no one is as dynamic a playmaker as Nabers is, meaning this would have to be a committee approach to replace him.

This story will be updated.

Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones has had a very emotional start to his Sunday ahead of a big Week 4 game.

Hours before the Chiefs’ clash with the Baltimore Ravens in Kansas City, Jones was in Mississippi attending his aunt’s funeral. According to multiple reports, the six-time Pro Bowler flew back to Kansas City on a flight scheduled to land at 2:40 p.m. CT, less than one hour before the 3:25 p.m. CT scheduled kickoff.

CBS cameras showed Jones arriving at Arrowhead Stadium at 2:57 p.m. Announcer Tracy Wolfson said just prior to the game’s kickoff that Jones missed pregame warmups and was dressed to play, though it was still unclear whether he’d make a start.

Moments later, Jones took the field for the Chiefs’ first defensive snap of the game to make his fourth consecutive start of the year.

Through three weeks, the 31-year-old Jones has played 85.3% of the Chiefs’ defensive snaps. He’s recorded five total tackles – including three for a loss – and secured his first sack of the year in Week 3.

Jones recorded one quarterback hit in the opening drive. The Ravens scored a touchdown to open the game and lead 7-3 in the first quarter.