SEATTLE – The Seattle Seahawks won one of their biggest home games in recent memory, taking a 38-37 overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams in a game that staked its claim as one of the best games of the 2025 NFL season.

Seattle trailed 13-7 at halftime after the Rams dominated time off possession in the first half of their Dec. 18 ‘Thursday Night Football’ tilt.

Things were looking bleak for the Seahawks in the fourth quarter. Sam Darnold had just thrown his second interception, and the Rams held a 30-14 lead. The situation changed quickly when Rashid Shaheed fielded a punt and raced down the field for a 58-yard touchdown. The Seahawks had a successful two-point try on the ensuing play to cut their deficit to 30-22. Seattle then scored on its next drive and converted a wild two-point conversion upon official review to tie the ball game at 30-30 with 6:23 remaining in the fourth period.  

Both defenses traded stops the rest of the fourth quarter, sending the game to OT.

In overtime, the Rams struck first on a 41-yard touchdown reception by Puka Nacua.

The Seahawks answered when wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught a four-yard touchdown pass from Darnold in the back of the end zone. Seattle ended the game on a successful two-point conversion to end the game on a catch by tight end Eric Saubert.

After Los Angeles topped the Seahawks at SoFi Stadium in Week 11, the Seahawks extracted a measure of revenge this week. Seattle’s win game them sole possession of first place in the NFC West.

USA TODAY Sports was at the NFC West primetime battle. Here are the winners and losers from the Week 16 contest:

Winners

Rashid Shaheed

Things were looking bad for the Seahawks. Darnold had just thrown his second interception, and the Rams had a two-score lead. The situation changed quickly when Shaheed fielded a punt.

Shaheed caught the ball and raced down the field for a 58-yard punt return touchdown. The Seahawks had a successful two-point try on the ensuing play to cut their deficit to 30-22.

Shaheed had a 31-yard run on Seattle’s next possession. Seattle scored a touchdown and tied the game on a two-point conversion on the following two plays.

Puka Nacua’s performance on field

Nacua made negative headlines off the field this week. He apologized hours before the game for an antisemitic dance performed during a video livestream. He also criticized NFL referees during the same livestream with Adin Ross and N3on, two internet streamers.

It’s probably a good idea for Nacua to not go on that livestream with those two streamers again.

But on the field, Nacua had an exceptional night.

The Rams wideout had a 58-yard catch and run over the middle of the field at the end of the third quarter that silenced the Seattle crowd.

Nacua capped off the drive when he caught a one-yard touchdown on a quick slant.

In overtime, Nacua caught a 41-yard touchdown.

Nacua finished with a career-high 225 receiving yards on 12 catches. He reached the end zone twice.

Kenneth Walker III

The Seahawks running back compiled 164 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown. Walker’s 55-yard touchdown scamper was his longest run of the season.

Rams CB Josh Wallace

Wallace record his first career interception. The Rams cornerback stepped in front of a Sam Darnold pass intended for wideout Rashid Shaheed. Wallace took the interception and returned it to Seattle’s one-yard line.

The Rams entered the end zone one play later on a run by running back Blake Corum.

Seahawks fourth-quarter defense

The Seahawks defense forced the Rams to three consecutive three-and-outs in the fourth quarter as Seattle climbed back to tie the game. It was the largest fourth-quarter comeback in franchise history.

NFC West

Best division in football? The NFC West entered the week as the only division is football with three teams (Rams, Seahawks and 49ers) with double-digit wins. The Seahawks and Rams have both clinched playoff spots.

Losers

Rams special teams, fourth-quarter defense

The Rams punt return unit gave up a 58-yard punt return touchdown to Rashid Shaheed.

The defense gave up a couple two-point conversions in the fourth quarter, although one was a bizarre backwards pass that was recovered in the end zone.

Rams defense on two-point conversions

The Rams defense gave up three total two-point conversions. The worst was when Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert caught a pass in the middle of the end zone for the game-winning score in overtime.

Rams’ travel plans

The Rams’ team flight was significantly delayed due to an equipment issue with the plane. The Rams landed in Seattle just before 9 p.m. PT on Dec. 17, a person close to the situation told USA TODAY Sports. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss the team’s travel.

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

Andrew Tate, a controversial internet personality, is scheduled for a professional boxing match on Dec. 20.
Tate is facing criminal allegations of rape and human trafficking in both Romania and the United Kingdom.
The former kickboxer gained notoriety for his misogynistic views and ties to right-wing politics.

Andrew Tate, the controversial British-American internet personality facing allegations of rape and human trafficking in multiple countries, is about to get inside the boxing ring.

Tate is scheduled to make his professional boxing debut on Saturday, Dec. 20 when he faces former college football player Chase DeMoor for the Misfits heavyweight championship. The match will headline the London-based organization’s ‘Fight Before Christmas’ card in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Dubbed the ‘King of Toxic Masculinity’ by his critics, Tate’s crossover appearance is generating a significant amount of attention due to his popularity as a right-wing celebrity, ties to President Donald Trump’s administration, lavish lifestyle and dubious background. The 39-year-old former kickboxer has been accused of rape, assault and human trafficking in Romania and the United Kingdom, while accumulating a high profile within the ‘manosphere,’ a collection of influencers, podcasters and content creators who promote masculinity, misogyny and anti-feminist viewpoints.

Here’s what to know about Andrew Tate, as well as more details about his boxing match against Chase DeMoor on Dec. 20:

Why is Andrew Tate controversial?

Tate’s rise to fame began when he won several world titles over more than a decade as a professional kickboxer beginning in 2007. Tate then appeared on the British version of ‘Big Brother’ in 2016 and was notoriously kicked off the show after video surfaced of him attacking a woman with a belt. Tate claimed the footage was edited to make him look bad.

Tate, who has dual citizenship in Great Britain and the United States, subsequently became a vocal supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump and various right-wing groups on social media, as well as an influencer for men who purported to make millions of dollars selling his flashy, hyper-masculine brand and misogynistic ideals through a self-help online course and community called ‘Hustlers University.’

Tate’s extreme views on women have resulted in him being removed from YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok at various times.

What are the criminal allegations against Andrew Tate?

Tate is reportedly the subject of criminal proceedings to varying degrees in Romania, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Tate is currently under criminal investigation in Romania, where he lived, after he and his brother were initially arrested there in 2022. He is facing charges of rape, human trafficking, forming a criminal group to sexually exploit women and having sex with a minor.

Romanian authorities allege Tate and two others used the ‘loverboy method’ to commit ‘physical violence and mental coercion’ against women when they tricked them into acts of sexual exploitation and pornography with fake promises of a relationship or marriage. Tate is accused of raping one of the victims. A Romanian court sent the case back to prosecutors in December 2024, citing flaws in the initial indictment.

Tate and his brother, Tristan, are also facing 21 criminal charges in the United Kingdom, including rape, human trafficking and assault. Andrew Tate is tied to 10 of those allegations and they involve three women, according to charges filed in May 2025. A Romanian appeals court judge ruled the Tate brothers be extradited to the United Kingdom, but not until after their Romanian criminal proceedings are complete.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said in September that the legal test to bring criminal charges had not been met in relation to the allegations made in the pending civil litigation. Tate has denied the charges and stated through his attorneys that all sexual activity was consensual.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier also announced last March that his office had opened a criminal inquiry into Tate and his brother. The pair were in Florida immediately after Romanian prosecutors lifted their travel ban, even though Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said at the time the two weren’t welcome in the state.

Tate and his brother have repeatedly denied all criminal charges against them.

Andrew Tate ties to Trump administration

Tate has been a vocal supporter of Trump for nearly a decade and the young male demographic drawn to Tate’s rhetoric is credited with helping during Trump’s 2024 presidential election win. Tate tweeted on Feb. 12, 2025: ‘The Tates will be free, Trump is the president. The good old days are back. And they will be better than ever. Hold on.’

About two weeks later, when Tate and his brother were permitted to fly to Florida, those connections led to speculation the Trump administration pressured Romanian government officials into easing travel restrictions.

The Tates’ case in Romania was brought up by U.S. officials in a phone call with the Romanian government in February 2025, according to the Financial Times, and then followed up by Trump’s special envoy, Richard Grenell, when he met Romanian Foreign Minister Emil Hurezeanu at the Munich Security Conference. The Financial Times, citing a source, also reported a request was made to return the brothers’ passports and allow them to travel while they wait for court proceedings to conclude in Romania.

‘I did not perceive this statement as pressure, just a repeat of a known stance,’ Hurezeanu said.

Paul Ingrassia, an attorney who previously represented the Tate brothers, reportedly delivered a written request in which he chided authorities for taking the items. But Ingrassia’s attorney said in a statement to ProPublica he ‘never ordered that the Tate Brothers’ devices be returned to them, nor did he say – and nor would he have ever said – that such a directive came from the White House.’

Who’s Andrew Tate fighting?

Tate is set to make his professional boxing debut against Chase DeMoor, a 29-year-old former college football player and reality television star. He was a defensive lineman for Central Washington University of the Football Championship Subdivision who has compiled a 5-2-1 record since his professional boxing debut in 2022.

Andrew Tate vs. Chase DeMoor fight date, time

Tate and DeMoor are set to face one another in a professional boxing match with the Misfits heavyweight championship on the line on Saturday, Dec. 20 as part of Misfits Boxing’s ‘The Fight Before Christmas’ in Dubai. Event coverage is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. ET and will be streamed on Rumble Premium.

Date: Saturday, Dec. 20
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)
TV: None
Stream: Rumble Premium

James Madison and Tulane represent the two Group of Five teams to make the College Football Playoff.
Both teams have unusual preparation with Bob Chesney and Jon Sumrall also preparing for different jobs next season.

A year ago, Bob Chesney knew it was possible. The 2025 college football season was still months away, but the James Madison coach and players envisioned history for a program going into its fourth Bowl Subdivision season.

“Every single player on this team said we should be the one from the Group of Five to be playing in this 12-team playoff,” Chesney said. “That was the goal that we set out in the winter.”

Flash forward to Dec. 7, Chesney and the Dukes were able to deliver on that goal – they just couldn’t predict how they got there.

The second year of the 12-team College Football Playoff features a field not many imagined when it expanded: two Group of Five teams in Tulane and James Madison. Even crazier, both coaches already accepted new jobs; Chesney is headed to UCLA and Jon Sumrall to Florida.

Instead of taking the Lane Kiffin route, both coaches are being allowed to stick with their squads and finish these magical runs together – and fairy tale might be the best way to describe the national perception of the two teams.

There already was hesitancy with one designated spot for a non-power conference team, but two – due to five-loss Duke winning the ACC – has pushed the college football world to the brink of insanity. There’s belief they stole spots from more deserving teams and don’t stand a chance in their first-round matchups. 

Yet, even in the midst of an unusual period, neither team is backing down, eager to prove they belong.

“If you are who you say you are, you can’t shut down when the lights are bright,” said James Madison quarterback Alonza Barnett III.

Preparing for College Football Playoff with coaching changes

While Chesney interviewed for the UCLA job, Bruins athletic director Martin Jarmond made one thing clear: you will coach your team to the very end.

“To have someone that will leave in that kind of situation that you’re doing something special – when you sat in those young men’s homes and said we’re going to compete and win a championship – I didn’t feel that was right. I want a guy that will want to stay with his team and we were going to support that,” Jarmond said during Chesney’s introductory press conference. “It’s the right thing to do, and it’s always time to do the right thing. That was an easy conversation we had.’

While nice, there hasn’t been much sleep since then. As Chesney has prepared James Madison to face Oregon during the day, he’s UCLA coach at night. He said the three hour time zone difference from Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Los Angeles helps divvy up his attention.

It appears to be a little more chaotic for Sumrall. He didn’t come back to New Orleans until game week, and new Florida coordinators, Buster Faulker and Brad White, as well as general manager Dave Caldwell are still in Gainesville.

While trying to prepare Tulane for Mississippi, Sumrall said he’s been working the phones to speak with players and families to try to retain a roster and “cast a vision for what 2026 for the University of Florida is going to look like.” Those calls have been happening before and after the Green Wave practice, and it’s not over since Sumrall said he has “plenty more” people to connect with.

It makes for a whirlwind of a time trying to prepare for arguably the biggest games in program history, but both coaches have praised their teams for not letting the distractions get in the way.

“They’ve taken ownership of the team, and through all of this transitional stuff that may be going on in regards to what 2026 is going to look like – either for myself or for Tulane – our players have been amazing,” Sumrall said. “Man, just very, very impressed with their maturity, their focus and their processing of all this and their approach.”

The coaches give credit to the players, but the feelings are mutual; James Madison running back Wayne Knight said the coaching staff has done a great job of “being able to keep all the players and everyone locked in.”

Why James Madison, Tulane deserve CFP spot

Despite the impressive resumes, there’s little belief James Madison and Tulane have a chance to make their games competitive, and further the discourse the Group of Five don’t deserve to be in the playoff. The Dukes are three-touchdown underdogs and Green Wave are playing a team they lost to by 35-points in Week 4. 

It’s a big reason why the narrative is the playoff doesn’t include the 12 best teams. One Group of Five spot was guaranteed, but an incredible series of events had to occur for James Madison to steal the ACC auto-bid. 

Notre Dame, Brigham Young, Vanderbilt and even Texas had cases to get in, and there’s belief they would make close, intriguing games. Not much respect is being given to James Madison or Tulane, and if they both get blown out, plenty of people will use it as reasoning to exclude others like them from the chance at playing for a national championship.

That doesn’t sit right with either team.

“I don’t think it should be just looked over as far as the type of football that is played here,” Chesney said. “We’re excited for the opportunity. You’ll be surprised by the football that we can play.”

Chesney and Sumrall both gave arguments of why they belong. James Madison’s one loss came to Louisville, a team that also beat Miami. The argument of Tulane playing a team it already lost to? The same thing can be applied to Alabama getting another shot at Oklahoma, which Sumrall said “don’t hear anybody whining about that.” The Green Wave also beat Duke to justify getting in ahead of the ACC champion.

Ultimately, neither team didn’t game the system. They were rewarded for doing what they needed to do. 

“There’s only so much a team could do. What else can they do?” Chesney said. ”We can only play the football based on the schedule that we have.”

“I respect maybe wanting the top 12 teams – regardless of conference champion – whatever. I get that. I would like to see one G5 team in. I understand the gripe, I do maybe understand the gripe about two, to some degree,” Sumrall said. “But the way they set the rules up right now, it’s the highest five ranked conference champions.”

They have the opportunity, now it’s time to seize it. Tulane will try to prove it’s the team that ended the season with a strong five-game win streak and not the same one that got blown out against Ole Miss. 

James Madison is going against an Oregon team that is top 10 in the country in scoring offense and defense, but so are the Dukes.

“People who are saying (we don’t belong) don’t watch JMU football, and they don’t understand the brand that we have here and the kind of talent that we have here,” Knight said. “We put it on display every single time we go out on the field.”

The two teams will have extra fans cheering them on for it. UCLA freshman linebacker Scott Taylor said the Bruins plan to watch the first-round matchup and root for their new coach. The same is expected at Florida.

With the spotlight now focused on them, Tulane and James Madison aren’t running away from it. The Green Wave and Dukes are embracing it, eager to show the little guys will always deserve a seat at the table.

“I’m sure the outside world is saying, why? Or how? “ Chesney said. “We’re just saying, of course.”

SEATTLE — Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua addressed his deleted tweet after the Rams’ 38-37 overtime loss.

‘Just a moment of frustration,’ Nacua said. ‘Just the opportunities that we didn’t take advantage of. Some of the moments that we put in the officials’ hands just felt like we could have executed to not put ourselves in those situations.’

Nacua took to social media moments after the Rams’ defeat.

‘Appreciate you stripes for your contribution. Lol,’ Nacua posted in a since deleted tweet.

The Seahawks converted a critical game-tying two-point conversion in the fourth quarter. Rams edge rusher Jared Verse tipped a Sam Darnold pass attempt that fell to the turf. The pass play was originally called incomplete, and the conversion failed.

Replay review, however, reserved the call and concluded Darnold had attempted a backward pass, and that Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet recovered the loose ball in the end zone for a successful conversion.

The Seahawks converted three two-point conversions in the game. Nacua said some of the ‘two-points plays’ were in the officials’ hands.

Nacua produced 12 catches for a career-best 225 yards and two touchdowns in the loss. However, part of Nacua’s performance was overshadowed by some of his off-field antics.

Nacua used an antisemitic trope during a Dec. 16 livestream appearance. He issued an apology Dec. 18 for the incident.

‘He was very apologetic. I don’t think he understood the totality of some of the things,’ Rams coach Sean McVay said. ‘I know this guy’s heart and for anybody that was offended, terribly sorry about that. I know he feels that same exact way. He’s a young guy, that’s a great kid that’s continuing to learn about just the platform that he has. I love him; we’re going to continue to put our arm around him and help him learn and grow. We never want to do things that ever offend anybody and I know he feels that same way.’

Nacua also criticized NFL officials during the same livestream. The wide receiver called his criticism of the officials a ‘lack of awareness’ and ‘some frustration.’

‘I know there are moments where you watch other games and you think the calls that some guys get, you wish you could get some of those,’ Nacua explained postgame. ‘But that’s just how football is played and I do my job in order to work my technique to make sure there’s not an issue with the call.’

McVay and multiple Rams players said the situation involving Nacua wasn’t a distraction leading up to their Week 16 contest.

‘To be honest with you, no. I didn’t even have time to think about it,’ Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford said. ‘I haven’t listened to it or seen it or whatever it is. I just know that I focused as much as I could to get ready to play this game as fast as I possibly could. I feel like a lot of guys on our team were in that boat to try and do that.’

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

FOXBOROUGH, MA –  Kayshon Boutte spoke for everybody as the New England Patriots rolled to a 33-15 victory over the New York Giants during a Dec. 1 “Monday Night Football” game. 

“(Does) anybody know what they mean when they be like Drake ‘Drake Maye’ Maye?” Boutte said while wearing a microphone in a behind-the-scenes video published by the team. “What the hell does that mean? They giving him a middle name, I guess.”

Much like the uber-viral “6-7” theme, the nickname of the Patriots’ second-year quarterback – and more importantly its origin and proliferation – comes from the realm of the unexplainable. 

On multiple occasions in December, USA TODAY Sports canvassed the Patriots’ locker room to see if anybody understood the nickname. Not a soul could point to any good reason for it. 

Not even Patriots teammates get Drake ‘Drake Maye’ Maye

“I have no clue,” quarterback Tommy DeVito told USA TODAY Sports. “I think it’s just something that caught fire on TikTok or whatever.

“I mean, all the younger dudes now on Twitter, they come up with the whole, like the ‘6-7’ or this thing. I don’t keep track of that stuff anymore, but that’s what it is.” 

The internet, social media specifically, dominates modern culture. Maye’s eponymous nickname is another example of something breaking through the clutter.

“Um, I don’t get the nickname, no,” kicker Andy Borregales told USA TODAY Sports. 

Sometimes Borregales will call the North Carolina product his newfound name, “Drake Drake Maye Maye” – but it is a mouthful. 

“It is a nice touch, makes it funny,” Borregales said. “but, you know, I don’t know what it means. 

“I don’t know how it became a thing, why it became a thing, but we love it.” 

Head coach Mike Vrabel was asked about the nickname during an appearance on local radio station WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show.” The 50-year-old said it’s simply something for a different generation to enjoy. 

“I’m not really sure,” Vrabel said about the nickname. “I just heard about it 10 seconds ago. I couldn’t even figure out ‘6-7,’ and now it’s Drake ‘Drake Maye’ Maye-Maye, I don’t know.”

“I don’t know what it is, but guys always say it … I don’t know what that really means. So yeah, I’m not sure really. Is that a thing?” said wide receiver Mack Hollins, a TikTok star in his own right.

Rookie left tackle Will Campbell, one of Maye’s closest friends on the team (evidenced by him arriving to the Bills game in a t-shirt that read “I (heart emoji) Drake Maye”), said it was already viral by the time he interrupted Maye’s postgame news conference following a 27-14 win over the New York Jets on Nov. 13. He just wanted to hop in on the fun. 

Even Tom Brady, the former New England Patriots quarterback and seven-time Super Bowl champion, endorsed the nickname by using it during a power-rankings video he made for Fox Sports.

And like Brady, Maye places a premium on the sport’s top prize: the Lombardi Trophy. Maye’s name will remain in the MVP conversation, with a prime-time matchup against two-time winner of the award Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens on “Sunday Night Football” on Dec. 21. 

“The MVP is obviously one of the big accolades for this league, and it’s something that is an honor as a player to earn that award, and I respect all the past MVPs, but I think at the end of the day, winning the Super Bowl is the biggest thing,” Maye said. “I think it’s what kind of makes this league go – is winning the big one.” 

Personal accolades are the offspring of winning. Maye understands that. 

“I hope people in that locker room,” he began before clarifying himself. “I know a lot of them feel the same way.” 

Why Drake Maye’s ‘Drake Maye’ nickname works 

If the nickname works – Maye has the Patriots in first place and on the cusp of securing a playoff berth – then what’s the harm? 

“The nickname inside the name?” Hollins, 32, said of the younger Patriots rallying around the bit. “More power to them if it’s helping them, you know?”

According to DeVito, Maye is “rolling with it” as a nickname.

“He’s just a humble guy,” said Borregales, who entered the league the same year as Maye. He added that the quarterback treats everything that comes at him with an air of “that’s cool.” 

“He’s trying to do him, be a blessing,” Borregales said.  

The latest example of that was during the Patriots’ 35-31 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Dec. 14, which snapped a 10-game winning streak, came during TreVeyon Henderson’s 65-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. 

After Henderson ran into a wall at the line of scrimmage and reversed course up the left side of the field, it was Maye who sprinted ahead of him for a bit and did his best to impede the path of a would-be tackler. According to Next Gen Stats, Maye ran the fastest he ever had in his career (20.58 miles per hour). 

“It’s an embodiment of who this locker room is,” center Garrett Bradbury told USA TODAY Sports.

And all Drake Maye had to do was …  be Drake Maye. Maybe it does kind of make sense.

KANSAS CITY, MO ― The 2025 NCAA volleyball tournament Final Four semifinal matches were intense, with long back-and-forth rallies.

No. 3 seed Texas A&M kept the volleyball world on notice with a dominating sweep of No. 1 Pitt. The Panthers were eliminated in the semifinal of the Final Four for a fifth straight year and have to begin the national championship climb again in 2026. ‘It always hurts the same,’ Pitt’s Olivia Babcock said tearfully afterward.

Texas A&M will play No. 1 seed Kentucky in the first all-SEC national championship title match on Sunday (3:30 p.m., ABC).

The Wildcats beat No. 3 Wisconsin in a five-set heavyweight match that featured numerous rallies and blocks. Kentucky was behind in nearly every major statistical category until a late offensive burst pushed it past Wisconsin.

‘Our team has done an incredible job this year of not letting the score dictate their effort, their willingness and just giving it to the other team,’ Kentucky head coach Craig Skinner said.

As the two remaining teams continue their push for a national championship, here are the winners and losers from the semifinal round of the Final Four.

Winners

Texas A&M sweeps Pitt to reach first national championship

Texas A&M is officially the most dangerous team in volleyball, if they weren’t already during the NCAA tournament. After upsetting Nebraska in the Elite Eight, the Aggies swept No. 1 seed Pittsburgh. They had a field day against the Panthers with five players recording five kills or more, including outside hitter Kyndal Stowers (16 kills on .433 hitting) and opposite Logan Lednicky (14 kills on .323).

Setter Maddie Waak also deserves a ton of credit for her 48 assists that set up her teammates to attack the weak points in the Panthers’ defense. Texas A&M came in with a game plan and didn’t let up. They withstood multiple runs from Pitt, and by the time they took 14 of the last 20 points in the second set, it was evident the Aggies had nothing but winning on their mind. They used every bit of ‘grit’ (their theme all year) they had.

‘It’s a testament to the work we put in in the practice gym and just generally in allof our careers. It’s been a long time coming for us, a lot of work put into this moment,’ Lednicky said. ‘We know we have the right group of girls to go out and win this thing now. So obviously a great match today. I think we got pushed in all the right places. We were down alittle. They’d go on a run; we’d go on a run. We just know how to dig in in the right times.’

AVCA Coach of the Year Jamie Morrison of Texas A&M

On Thursday, ahead of a matchup with No. 1 Pittsburgh, Texas A&M Aggies coach Jamie Morrison won the Division 1 AVCA Coach of the Year award. In just his third season with the program, he led the Aggies to a 27-4 regular-season record and a second-place finish in the SEC. Under his leadership this season, four Texas A&M players (Ifenna Cos-Okpalla, Lednicky, Waak, Stowers) earned AVCA All-American honors. Morrison and the Aggies then swept No. 1 Pitt (29-27, 25-21, 25-20) to punch their ticket to their first national championship appearance. What a coaching masterclass by Morrison. He spread the Panthers out with service pressure, attacked their liberos, and withstood a massive day from Babcock.’I’m proud of our team just because we talk a lot about staying present and enjoying moments,’ Morrison said after the win. ‘I thought in all of those moments we enjoyed every single second of it. Every single time we were pushed ― we talk a lot about responses, and we had a response. That’s all you can ask for in these moments.’

Pitt’s Olivia Babcock against Texas A&M

Olivia Babcock was a wrecking crew against the Texas A&M Aggies. Not only did she lead the Panthers in hitting percentage (.379) after two sets, but she had 14 kills and five blocks. She finished her day with 22 kills on 41 swings with a .463 hitting percentage, plus six blocks and three digs. She did everything (and then some) that Pitt coach Dan Fisher asked.

Eva Hudson’s stellar night against Wisconsin

Kentucky outside hitter Eva Hudson refused to give up, even after the Wildcats dropped the first set and had their backs against the wall in the fourth set. Hudson was spectacular, seemingly scoring at will as she continued stacking one kill after another. She ended her night with 29 kills on .455 hitting, seven digs and two blocks. It was only fitting that the outside hitter scored the final point to send the Wildcats to the national championship. ‘[Eva] Hudson stepped out of the phone booth with her cape on. We knew where it was going, and it didn’t matter,’ Wisconsin head coach Kelly Sheffield said.

Losers

Pitt continues to be the ‘bridesmaid’

After five straight Final Four appearances, the Pittsburgh Panthers came up short again. Pitt couldn’t string together enough sustained runs to stop Texas A&M. What’s more, at some point during the deciding third set, they stopped being as vocal. (The Aggies were seemingly talking to each other on every point.) Multiple chances by Pitt to fight back and take a set slipped away, and late in the match, it all seemed to come tumbling down.

‘I guess the main story from a coaching standpoint is we hit from a high enough percentage. That’s for sure, ‘ Fisher said. ‘We were nowhere near as good as we needed to be defensively … I thought we were ready. It’s on me and us as coaches.

Dan Fisher’s mood after Pitt was eliminated

Understandably, a coach would be disappointed after losing one of the biggest games of their career for a fifth straight season. Still, Fisher was pretty dry and a bit sour in Thursday’s post-match press conference. He didn’t give particularly long answers to questions, and one question about how proud he was of his teams for making multiple Final Four appearances didn’t sit very well with him. “I don’t have great perspective on that right now,’ Fisher said. ‘I’m proud of being consistently good, consistently in the hunt, but I’m pretty pissed off right now.”

Wisconsin’s 13-game win streak stopped

Badgers middle blocker Carter Booth and outside hitter Mimi Colyer were fantastic against Kentucky. Before the second set even ended, they both had double-digit kills. As the match continued, they both hit the gas. Booth finished with a career-high 21 kills on .633 hitting and six blocks. Colyer, unsurprisingly, hit a match high 32 kills on .348 hitting. She also had 12 digs. Even with great performances from Booth and Colyer, as well as several other players, the Badgers’ 13-game win streak came to an end in Kansas City. ‘Just heartbreaking for everyone who worked so hard this year. I don’t regret it at all,’ Charlie Fuerbringer said. ‘Carter [Booth] gave her all.’

The 2026 NHL Draft class is entering a pivotal point in the scouting calendar.

The World Junior Championship marks a huge moment every season for the draft-eligible players who earn the opportunity to showcase their skills on junior hockey’s biggest stage.

Not all of the projected lottery selections at the upcoming draft will end up appearing in the event, with top rosters like Team USA, Team Canada and Team Sweden bringing older and more established prospects.

However, undrafted stars like Gavin McKenna, Ivar Stenberg and Viggo Bjorck are all primed to play prominent roles at this year’s tournament, giving hockey fans a chance to see what the next wave of young stars has to offer.

Considering the current NHL standings, the organizational needs of the teams positioned to select in the lottery, and how the world juniors could impact their stock, let’s look at one of many ways the top 16 picks in the draft could fall next summer.

(Draft order determined by standings, sorted by points percentage, before games on Dec. 18, 2025)

NHL mock draft: Top 16 picks

1. Vancouver Canucks: Frolunda (Sweden) left wing Ivar Stenberg

After the blockbuster trade that sent star defenseman Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild, the future is the focus for the Vancouver Canucks. Stenberg is entering the world juniors as Sweden’s hottest offensive player, leading Frolunda with 24 points in 25 games in the Swedish League. He elevates those around him with his vision and hockey IQ and will be an integral part of a Swedish forward group that’s already filled with drafted players.

2. Calgary Flames: Penn State (NCAA) left wing Gavin McKenna

For Calgary Flames fans, all eyes should be on Team Canada for this tournament. Expectations have been high for Gavin McKenna, and he’s struggled to meet them in his first season in the NCAA, but this best-on-best competition allows him to silence his doubters. This is the strongest group of players he’s ever been surrounded by, and he’s projected to play in a top-line role where his dynamic playmaking will be on full display. 

3. Nashville Predators: Muskegon (USHL) center Tynan Lawrence

Next year will be the opportunity for Tynan Lawrence to shine at the world juniors, but he’s been one of the most valuable players in the United States Hockey League since returning to the lineup with the Muskegon Lumberjacks. He put up 11 points in his first five games back while dominating in transition with his elite skating. There’s a chance he leads a lot of teams’ draft boards by the end of the season.

4. St. Louis Blues: North Dakota (NCAA) defenseman Keaton Verhoeff

Keaton Verhoeff will likely rotate in as an extra defensive option for Canada at the world juniors, considering the team’s depth at the position. But the fact that he’s still on the team after the first cuts reinforces his status as the top defender in this class. He’s consistently been the most effective player for North Dakota, and his ice time is reflecting it, putting up 11 points in 16 games while playing upward of 20 minutes a night.

5. Seattle Kraken: Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL) defenseman Xavier Villeneuve

It was going to be difficult for Xavier Villeneuve to crack Canada’s world junior roster with Calgary Flames prospect Zayne Parekh carrying the offensive load from the blueline, but his stock is still rising as this draft’s top offensive defenseman. Villeneuve has 33 points in 29 games and is extremely shifty while walking the line in the offensive zone, possessing all the tools to quarterback a power play at the NHL level someday.

6. Winnipeg Jets: Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) defenseman Chase Reid

Chase Reid has been one of the class’ most incredible stories, going from an overlooked prospect in the North American Hockey League last season to becoming one of the Ontario Hockey League’s top scoring defenders with hopes of cracking Team USA’s world junior roster. He’s a high-end athlete who defends with purpose, along with great offensive instincts and a blistering shot that combine to make him one of the most intriguing prospects to watch this season.

7. Chicago Blackhawks: Windsor (OHL) left wing Ethan Belchetz

Ethan Belchetz projects to be the perfect long-term fit to play alongside Connor Bedard. A 6-foot-5, 228-pound power forward with the hands of an elite playmaker, Belchetz is a physical presence who’s great along the walls and in front of the net. Few players have a ceiling as high as Belchetz. It would be a home-run selection for the Blackhawks if they were to land him next summer as a complementary piece for their future.

8. Buffalo Sabres: Peterborough (OHL) left wing Adam Novotny

Adam Novotny is one of the few returning draft-eligible players at this year’s world juniors. Team Czechia will rely on him as a key offensive player with high-end shooting and the details that make him reliable in all on-ice situations. His time in Czechia’s top pro league as an underager prepared him for a relatively seamless transition to the OHL with the Peterborough Petes, where he has put up 35 points in his first 29 games.

9. Utah Mammoth: Jukurit (Finland) defenseman Alberts Smits

Alberts Smits headlines a young Latvian roster at this year’s world juniors with players eligible to be selected in the 2026 and 2027 drafts. He’s playing a top-pairing role in Finland’s top professional league, has tightened up his defensive game and has huge offensive upside in his willingness to activate in the rush. It will be tough for Latvia to find scoring, but Smits will have free rein to generate rush offense and should be fun to watch.

10. New York Rangers: Prince George (WHL) defenseman Carson Carels

While Verhoeff’s inclusion was expected, Carels was a surprising addition as a draft-eligible defenseman on Canada’s preliminary world junior roster. However, scoring 29 points in his first 28 games made him a worthy candidate for a tryout. If he sticks around, he won’t be logging huge minutes as he has been with Prince George, but his vision, competitive motor and hockey sense have him projected as a top-four defenseman with a polished two-way game.

11. Columbus Blue Jackets: Vancouver (WHL) defenseman Ryan Lin

Lin is one of the most intelligent and dependable defenders in this class. There’s not one elite tool that has emerged just yet, but he’s putting up great point totals with the Vancouver Giants once again after being the second blueliner in the last 35 years to put up 50 points as a 16-year-old in the Western Hockey League. Getting him at the 11th pick would be a huge win for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

12. Ottawa Senators: Forfeited draft pick

In 2023, the NHL ruled the Ottawa Senators would have to forfeit one first-round pick in either 2024, 2025 or 2026. The Senators failed to disclose Evgenii Dadonov’s limited no-trade clause when they moved him to Vegas in 2021, leading to an invalidated trade between the Golden Knights and Anaheim Ducks in 2022. Since Ottawa chose Carter Yakemchuk seventh overall in 2024 and Logan Hensler 23rd overall in 2025, it forfeits this year’s pick.

13. San Jose Sharks: Tappara (Finland) center Oliver Suvanto

Suvanto has quickly emerged as the top Finnish prospect in the 2026 class and enters the world juniors as the youngest player on Finland’s roster. He’s an extremely detailed center with impressive defensive habits and a competitive edge that has earned him a middle-six role with Tappara, the best team in Finland’s pro circuit. He’ll frustrate opposing players throughout this tournament and could cement his status as a lottery pick with a good performance.

14. Boston Bruins (via Toronto): Prince Albert (WHL) defenseman Daxon Rudolph

Rudolph is a steady shutdown defender who’s elevated his offensive game, recording seven goals and 12 points in his last seven games with Prince Albert. He’s found ways to use his size and mobility to unlock a layer of activation on the rush that he hasn’t always had. If he’s able to continue to produce and show the same poise offensively as he does as a defenseman, he could be selected much higher.

15. San Jose Sharks (via Edmonton): Spokane (WHL) right wing Mathis Preston

Preston has followed up his impressive performance at the U-18 Hlinka Gretzky Cup with a decent start on a middling Spokane Chiefs team, putting up 29 points in his first 31 games. His offense hasn’t taken off as anticipated, but his speed, deception and willingness to step up in clutch moments of games still make him one of the top forward prospects in this draft. He could become a household name at next year’s world juniors with Canada.

16. Los Angeles Kings: Djurgarden (Sweden) right wing Viggo Bjorck

Viggo Bjorck will likely suit up for Sweden on a line with his brother Wilson, a Vancouver Canucks prospect. They were the top two scorers in Sweden’s junior league in 2024-25. Bjorck has developed into a workhorse in the Swedish League, with high-end handling and creative playmaking. Despite being undersized at 5-foot-9, he plays a fearless game that sets him up to play a huge role at this year’s world juniors.

The Seattle Seahawks defeated the Los Angeles Rams 38-37 in an overtime thriller.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford threw for 457 yards and three touchdowns.
The Seahawks scored a touchdown and a two-point conversion in overtime to win the game.

Game of the year. 

That’s how we’ll remember the Seattle Seahawks’ 38-37 overtime victory Thursday, Dec. 18, over the Los Angeles Rams that tilted the power balance of the NFC West in favor of the ‘Hawks. 

Here are 10 moments that will always stand out from the “Thursday Night Football” thriller. 

Kenneth Walker’s 55-yard TD run 

After a somewhat pedestrian first half, the Rams led 13-7 entering the third quarter. Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker found daylight for a 55-yard touchdown that gave Seattle a 14-13 lead on its first possession of the second half.  

Puka Nacua, Pt. 1 

One of many times the much-in-the-news Puka Nacua inserted himself in the game, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford found Nacua over the middle for 58 yards on the final play of the third quarter to set the Rams up for another touchdown. 

Matthew Stafford’s no-look TD pass 

By this point in the game, Stafford – who finished with 457 passing yards and three touchdowns – was dealing. The Rams achieved their largest lead of the game thanks to a no-look, 1-yard touchdown from Stafford to Nacua, and the point-after made it 30-14. 

Rams INTs 

A Darnold interception felt inevitable. The dam broke with 6:44 remaining in the third quarter when Rams cornerback Josh Wallace picked off Darnold, who threw blindly into the crowded passing lane; Wallace returned the ball all the way down to the Seattle 1-yard line. 

The second Darnold pick was even more brutal, as the Seahawks were on the verge of pulling the game back within reach when Darnold’s pass over the middle found the clutch of Rams defensive lineman Kobie Turner. 

Rashid Shaheed punt return for TD

That’s why you trade for the big-time playmaker at the deadline. Shaheed started the Seahawks’ comeback with a 58-yard punt return for a touchdown, his second special teams score since being traded to Seattle from the New Orleans Saints in November. 

The Craziest Two-Point Conversion Ever 

Harrison Mevis missed FG 

Playing in his seventh career game, the Missouri kicker finished 3-for-4 and made four of his extra points. But he missed a pivotal 48-yarder just before the two-minute warning in the fourth quarter that would have given the Rams a 33-30 lead.  

Puka Pt. 2

Nacua finished with 225 yards and two touchdowns. As Rams head coach Sean McVay said, “he went off.” His 41-yard touchdown score in overtime was an exclamation point. 

Darnold to Kupp

Perhaps Darnold’s finest career moment to this point. The No. 3 pick of the 2018 draft pinpointed a pass to ex-Ram Cooper Kupp for a 21-yard gain that had the Seahawks in business before the game-winning score. 

Seahawks walk-off 

Mike Macdonald went for two and it worked. Seattle walked off the Rams.

First, Darnold completed a pass in the back of the end zone to Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a touchdown.

After, Seattle offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak dialed up the team’s best two-point option and it resulted in Darnold finding a wide-open Eric Saubert, the No. 2 tight end, for the game-winning conversion that left the Seahawks in control of the NFC West. 

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 Sunday afternoon 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 16 underway:

AFC playoff picture

x − 1. Denver Broncos (12-2), AFC West leaders: The first team in the league to 12 wins and first AFC squad to clinch a playoff berth, New England’s loss Sunday also boosted the Broncos’ odds of winding up with the No. 1 seed. They can claim it in Week 16 if enough things break their way. Remaining schedule: vs. Jaguars, at Chiefs, vs. Chargers

2. New England Patriots (11-3), AFC East leaders: Their 10-game heater snapped, they failed to clinch the division Sunday and lost valuable ground in their bid for the No. 1 seed. But the Pats are still in driver’s seat to win AFC East and can wrap up a playoff spot with a win at Baltimore. Remaining schedule: at Ravens, at Jets, vs. Dolphins.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4), AFC South leaders: Win their sixth straight Sunday, and they’ll get at least a wild-card spot. But they could fall out of first place with a loss. Remaining schedule: at Broncos, vs. Colts, at Titans

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6), AFC North leaders: They throttled Miami on Monday night, eliminating the Dolphins from postseason contention. No matter what else happens over the next three games, sweep the Ravens, and Pittsburgh secures the division. Remaining schedule: at Lions, at Browns, vs. Ravens

5. Los Angeles Chargers (10-4), wild card No. 1: They completed a season sweep of the Chiefs, officially eliminating the three-time-defending AFC champions from playoff consideration. The Bolts have now won six of seven but need another (and help) to wrap up a berth Sunday. A one-win advantage in AFC games (8-2) keeps them ahead of Buffalo. Remaining schedule: at Cowboys, vs. Texans, at Broncos

6. Buffalo Bills (10-4), wild card No. 1: Still alive to win their sixth straight AFC East crown after salvaging a split with the Pats, the Bills can lock into the field this weekend. Remaining schedule: at Browns, vs. Eagles, vs. Jets

7. Houston Texans (9-5), wild card No. 3: They’ve won seven of eight, including six in a row. Another victory plus a Jacksonville loss jumps Houston into first place in the AFC South. Remaining schedule: vs. Raiders, at Chargers, vs. Colts

8. Indianapolis Colts (8-6), in the hunt: Now in the hands of 44-year-old QB Philip Rivers, they face a steep climb back to relevance − their 7-1 start already feeling like ancient history. Rivers gave a valiant effort at Seattle last weekend, his first NFL action in nearly five years, but came up short. And the Colts’ schedule doesn’t let up henceforth, including Monday night’s date with San Francisco. Remaining schedule: vs. 49ers, vs. Jaguars, at Texans

9. Baltimore Ravens (7-7), in the hunt: Simply win out, and they retain the division title for the third straight year. Remaining schedule: vs. Patriots, at Packers, at Steelers

NFC playoff picture

x − 1. Seattle Seahawks (12-3), NFC West leaders: Splitting their season series with the Rams in Thursday night’s classic means they’ll wind up with the No. 1 seed if they simply win their final two games. Remaining schedule: at Panthers, at 49ers

2. Chicago Bears (10-4), NFC North leaders: How tightly packed is the NFC? One narrow Week 14 loss dropped the Bears from first place in the conference to seventh. Sunday’s win, in conjunction with Green Bay’s loss, put Da Bears back up to second overall. Now they’re a win from locking up a spot. Remaining schedule: vs. Packers, at 49ers, vs. Lions

3. Philadelphia Eagles (9-5), NFC East leaders: Get-right win vs. Raiders, along with Dallas’ loss last Sunday night, gave them some needed breathing room. Win Saturday at Washington, and the division title remains in Philly another year. Remaining schedule: at Commanders, at Bills, vs. Commanders

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7), NFC South leaders: Hopefully coach Todd Bowles’ charges care (expletive) enough this week. A fifth loss in their past six games dropped them to .500 in Week 15, but Carolina’s loss put the Bucs back in first place. Their one-game advantage in the common-games tiebreaker is currently the difference with the Panthers. Beat Carolina twice, and the Bucs will still win the NFC South. Remaining schedule: at Panthers, at Dolphins, vs. Panthers

x − 5. Los Angeles Rams (11-4), wild card No. 1: They became the first team to clinch a playoff spot but lost the inside track for home-field advantage and a first-round bye after failing to sweep Seattle. Remaining schedule: at Falcons, vs. Cardinals

6. San Francisco 49ers (10-4), wild card No. 2: A win Monday locks them into the field and a tie for second place in the NFC West. Win out, which would entail completing a season sweep of Seattle, and the Niners would get the No. 1 seed. Remaining schedule: at Colts, vs. Bears, vs. Seahawks

7. Green Bay Packers (9-4-1), wild card No. 3: DE Micah Parsons got hurt Sunday, and so did the Pack’s positioning − down from the No. 2 seed to seventh due to their loss at Denver. But Green Bay is headed to postseason with a sweep of Chicago on Saturday night. Remaining schedule: at Bears, vs. Ravens, at Vikings

8. Detroit Lions (8-6), in the hunt: Tough loss to the Rams drops them 1½ games behind the projected playoff field. Yet Detroit remains within striking range of a wild-card berth and maybe still the NFC North crown. Remaining schedule: vs. Steelers, at Vikings, at Bears

9. Carolina Panthers (7-7), in the hunt: Had they beaten the Saints on Sunday, they simply would have needed one win over Tampa Bay to win the NFC South. But the Panthers came up light in New Orleans. Carolina and the Buccaneers will decide this on the field with two meetings between Weeks 16 and 18. Remaining schedule: vs. Buccaneers, vs. Seahawks, at Buccaneers

10. Dallas Cowboys (6-7-1), in the hunt: Sunday night’s crushing loss to the Vikings all but eliminated them − Dallas needing to win all its games and hoping the Eagles lose all of theirs if ‘America’s Team’ is to win the NFC East. Remaining schedule: vs. Chargers, at Commanders, at Giants

NFL playoff-clinching scenarios for Week 16

Denver Broncos clinch AFC West and the AFC’s No. 1 seed with:

Win + Chargers loss or tie + Patriots loss + Bills loss or tie

Denver clinches AFC West with:

Win + Chargers loss or tie OR
Broncos tie + Chargers loss

Buffalo clinches playoff berth with:

Win + Colts loss or tie OR
Win + Texans loss or tie OR
Tie + Colts loss OR
Tie + Texans loss

New England clinches playoff berth with:

Win or tie OR
Colts loss or tie OR
Texans loss or tie

Jacksonville clinches playoff berth with:

Win + Colts loss or tie OR
Win + Texans loss or tie OR
Tie + Colts loss OR
Tie + Colts tie + Texans loss

Los Angeles Chargers clinch playoff berth with:

Win + Colts loss or tie OR
Win + Texans loss or tie OR
Tie + Colts loss OR
Tie + Colts tie + Texans loss

Philadelphia clinches NFC East division title with:

Win OR
Cowboys loss OR
Tie + Cowboys tie

Chicago clinches playoff berth with:

Win + Lions loss or tie OR
Tie + Lions loss

Green Bay clinches playoff berth with:

Win + Lions loss or tie OR
Tie + Lions loss

San Francisco clinches playoff berth with:

Win OR
Lions loss OR
Tie + Lions tie

NFL teams eliminated from playoff contention in 2025

x – clinched playoff berth

y – clinched division

z – clinched home-field advantage, first-round bye