We must have this league pegged given there was just one change in the top 10.
The Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Chargers made significant jumps in the rankings, moving up four and seven spots, respectively.
The Chicago Bears experienced a notable drop, falling from the NFC’s top projected playoff seed to seventh after Sunday’s loss.

NFL power rankings entering Week 15 of the 2025 season (previous rank in parentheses):

1. Los Angeles Rams (1): They’re holding steady at No. 1 − Sunday’s 45-point outburst, a season high, indicative that their Week 13 stumble in Charlotte was fairly fluky. Matthew Stafford continues to play like the MVP favorite, whether or not he’s actually the league’s best quarterback. He can further burnish his case Sunday if LA is able to stave off Stafford’s former club, the formidable Lions, and thereby wrap up the NFC’s first playoff berth.

2. New England Patriots (2): They’re holding steady at No. 2 − though they lost their grip on the AFC’s No. 1 seed during their bye week. Drake Maye continues to play like the MVP runner-up, whether or not he’s actually the league’s second-best quarterback. He can further burnish his case Sunday if New England is able to complete a season sweep of the Bills and wrap up its first AFC East crown since 2019.

5. Denver Broncos (5): They’re holding steady at No. 5 − but it could be tough to stay there, and on top of the AFC, given the only opponent among their final four not projected to reach the playoffs … is Kansas City. But beat the Pack on Sunday, and the Broncos secure a postseason invite.

8. Detroit Lions (12): It’s amazing how many good players coach Dan Campbell and GM Brad Holmes have amassed here − and a shame so many of them are sidelined. But Jahmyr Gibbs, who needs to be recognized as the league’s premier running back at this point, fortunately remains in the lineup for a team still capable of offensively overwhelming its competition.

10. San Francisco 49ers (10): They’re holding steady at No. 10 − and even moved up a spot in the wild-card standings during their much-needed bye week. The Niners are also just a game off the NFC West lead but only have one more divisional game (Seattle) while the Seahawks and Rams seem to face a tougher final month.

11. Chicago Bears (8): It’s been a fantastic ride in Year 1 with Johnson. Yet it also feels like the bottom could fall out at any point following a weekend when the Bears dropped from the NFC’s first seed to its seventh. Chicago’s final three games are against Green Bay, San Francisco and Detroit.

13. Philadelphia Eagles (11): If a team goes as its quarterback goes? Jalen Hurts doubled his season turnover total from five to 10 on Monday night, becoming the first player since the league expanded to a 16-game schedule in 1978 to commit two giveaways on a single play. After going to two Super Bowls in three seasons, it’s sure starting to feel like Philly will now experience two cheesesteak meltdowns in three seasons.

14. Carolina Panthers (17): Quite the bye week. Not only did they move into a first-place tie atop the NFC South, they now control their destiny. Simply Sweep the Bucs in Weeks 16 and 18, and the Panthers win the division for the first time since they went to Super Bowl 50 … which, coincidentally, was in Santa Clara, also the site of Super Bowl 60 this season.

18. Cincinnati Bengals (20): Who would have thought DE Trey Hendrickson would be shut down before QB Joe Burrow? Whatever. Score 40 points a week, and they’ll be fine. Maybe.

22. Indianapolis Colts (13): When you’re recycling a 44-year-old quarterback who hasn’t played in five years, then the writing is pretty much on the wall.

28. Cleveland Browns (23): Rookie QB Shedeur Sanders will start the rest of the way − and is already fomenting quite a dilemma for a team that once seemed certain to spend one of its 2026 first-round picks on another passer.

30. Atlanta Falcons (27): They definitely won’t secure the No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft … because the Rams own it, and this ain’t the NBA.

31. Las Vegas Raiders (31): If the season ended today, they would own the No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft − and a team with such a glaring need at quarterback sure could use Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza.

The top nine teams in the women’s basketball coaches poll remained unchanged this week.
Iowa State moved up to No. 10 ahead of its matchup with No. 12 Iowa.
Michigan State and Ole Miss fell in the rankings after losses to unranked opponents.
North Carolina State dropped out of the poll entirely.

The top nine in the USA TODAY Sports women’s basketball coaches poll stayed the same this week. The only movement in the top 10 came with North Carolina and Iowa State swapping places.

The Cyclones are now ranked No. 10 heading into their matchup against the No. 12 ranked Iowa Hawkeyes on Wednesday, Dec. 10 at Hilton Coliseum in Ames. Iowa State center Audi Crooks leads the nation in scoring, averaging 27.6 points a game.

The biggest tumble this week was Michigan State, which fell four spots after losing to unranked Wisconsin by 14 points. Ole Miss dropped three spots to No. 16 after losing to unranked Kansas State. Ohio State made the biggest move up — moving up to No. 21.

North Carolina State, which had been ranked as high as No. 9 early in the season, dropped out of the poll.

In completing their back-to-back World Series championship run, the Los Angeles Dodgers lacked one critical element: A lockdown closer.

On Dec. 9, they took care of that, agreeing to terms with All-Star reliever Edwin Diaz, as first reported by The Athletic.

Diaz, who will be 32 on opening day, spent the past seven seasons with the Mets after beginning his career with the Seattle Mariners.

It’s the second consecutive winter the Dodgers have spent big money on a reliever, after their four-year, $72 million investment in lefty Tanner Scott went sour. While the Dodgers expect Scott to bounce back in 2026, he was not on the World Series roster. The club had to tap Yoshinobu Yamamoto to pitch the final 2 ⅔ innings of their 11-inning victory in World Series Game 7 – one night after throwing 96 pitches to win Game 6. 

A three-time Reliever of the Year (2018, 2022 and 2025) threatened to break his own record for largest free agent contract for a relief pitcher, the five-year, $102 million deal that he signed with the Mets after the 2022 season. Diaz opted out of the final two years of that deal to become a free agent for the second time in three years.

Diaz’s exit from New York was at least partially sealed when the Mets agreed to a three-year, $51 million contract with two-time All-Star Devin Williams.

Diaz missed the entirety of 2023 – the first year of his contract – after suffering a freak knee injury celebrating a win in the World Baseball Classic. He returned to action in 2024 and was inconsistent early in the year, but returned to form with a 2.73 ERA in his last 30 games and helped the Mets reach the NLCS.

The Mets acquired Diaz and Robinson Cano in a trade with the Seattle Mariners after the 2018 season, a deal that initially looked to be an all-time blunder as Diaz had a miserable first year with New York. He pitched better in the shortened 2020 season and was more reliable in 2021, but re-claimed the mantel as one of baseball’s top closers in 2022 with a 1.31 ERA, 32 saves and 118 strikeouts in 62 innings as the Mets won 101 games.

Edwin Diaz stats

Edwin Diaz has career 253 saves and a 2.82 ERA in nine MLB seasons, making his debut for the Mariners in 2016.

2025: 28 saves, 1.63 ERA
2024: 20 saves, 3.52 ERA
2023: Did not play due to injury
2022: 32 saves, 1.31 ERA
2021: 32 saves, 3.45 ERA
2020: 6 saves, 1.75 ERA (COVID season)
2019: 26 saves, 5.59 ERA
2018: 57 saves, 1.96 ERA
2017: 34 saves, 3.27 ERA
2016: 18 saves, 2.59 ERA

The New England Patriots put their 10-game win streak on the line versus the Buffalo Bills in an AFC East showdown. In Kansas City, the Chiefs aim to keep their slim playoff hopes alive versus the Los Angeles Chargers.

In the NFC, Matthew Stafford faces his former team in the Detroit Lions.

Week 15 also features a good interconference showdown between the Green Bay Packers and Denver Broncos. Denver is enjoying its own 10-game winning streak.

Who wins and who loses? USA TODAY Sports provides the early predictions for Week 15:

Odds courtesy of BetMGM.

NFL Week 15 predictions, picks

Atlanta Falcons vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Date: Thursday, Dec. 11

Time: 8:15 p.m. ET

Location: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL

TV: N/A

Streaming: Prime Video

Spread: Bucs (-5.5)

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Bucs 28, Falcons 14

The Bucs had an inexplicable loss to the lowly Saints. Tampa Bay bounces back at home on a short week.  

Cleveland Browns vs. Chicago Bears

Date: Sunday, Dec. 14

Time: 1 p.m. ET

Location: Soldier Field, Chicago

TV: FOX

Streaming: FUBO

Spread: Bears (-7.5)

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Bears 24, Browns 16

Hard to imagine the Bears losing at home to the rebuilding Browns. Myles Garrett is closing in on the NFL’s single-season sack record. The Browns win when they allow fewer than 17 points. Cleveland’s defense won’t be able to keep Chicago’s offense under 17.

Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Date: Sunday, Dec. 14

Time: 1 p.m. ET

Location: Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati

TV: CBS

Streaming: FUBO

Spread: Ravens (-2.5)

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Ravens 30, Bengals 26

Both teams are coming off a loss. The Ravens have lost two straight games, including a Thanksgiving defeat to Cincy. This is pretty much a must-win game for Baltimore if they want to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Los Angeles Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs  

Date: Sunday, Dec. 14

Time: 1 p.m. ET

Location: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO

TV: CBS

Streaming: FUBO

Spread: Chiefs (-4.5)

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Chiefs 26, Chargers 23

The Chargers beat the Chiefs Week 1 in Brazil. The Chiefs return the favor at home on American soil. Kansas City keeps its very slim playoff hopes alive.

Buffalo Bills vs. New England Patriots  

Date: Sunday, Dec. 14

Time: 1 p.m. ET

Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA

TV: CBS

Streaming: FUBO

Spread: Bills (-1.5)

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Bills 28, Patriots 24

The best two teams in the AFC East. New England’s Week 5 victory in Buffalo was Drake Maye’s coming out party. The Patriots will be rested coming off a bye, but their 10-game win streak ends at the hands of the Bills.

Washington Commanders vs. New York Giants

Date: Sunday, Dec. 14

Time: 1 p.m. ET

Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ

TV: FOX

Streaming: FUBO

Spread: Giants (-1.5)

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Commanders 20, Giants 19

The Commanders got throttled in Jayden Daniels’ return, but the QB didn’t look healthy in Week 14. Daniels shouldn’t play another down with Washington being eliminated for postseason contention. Marcus Mariota is a capable backup.  

Las Vegas Raiders vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Date: Sunday, Dec. 14

Time: 1 p.m. ET

Location: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia

TV: FOX

Streaming: FUBO

Spread: Eagles (-13.5)

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Eagles 30, Raiders 15

Two teams at opposite ends of the spectrum. The Raiders are eliminated from the playoffs and haven’t won a game since October. The Eagles are trying to be the top seed in the NFC.

New York Jets vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Date: Sunday, Dec. 14

Time: 1 p.m. ET

Location: EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville, FL

TV: CBS

Streaming: FUBO

Spread: Jaguars (-12.5)

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Jaguars 26, Jets 16

Jacksonville’s won four in a row. The Jets just extended their dubious record to 15 years without a playoff appearance, the longest active drought of all four major American sports.

Arizona Cardinals vs. Houston Texans

Date: Sunday, Dec. 14

Time: 1 p.m. ET

Location: NRG Stadium, Houston

TV: FOX

Streaming: FUBO

Spread: Texans (-7)

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Texans 27, Cardinals 13

Houston’s defense just contained Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. Will Anderson Jr., Danielle Hunter, Derek Stingley Jr. and the Texans defense are going to give Arizona fits. Plus, C.J. Stroud should have his way versus the Cardinals offense.

Green Bay Packers vs. Denver Broncos

Date: Sunday, Dec. 14

Time: 4:25 p.m. ET

Location: Empower Field at Mile High, Denver

TV: CBS

Streaming: FUBO

Spread: Packers (-2.5)

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Packers 24, Broncos 20

The Broncos have won 10 straight games. Nine of Denver’s wins have come within one score. They lose a one-score game this week against Jordan Love and the surging Packers.

Detroit Lions vs. Los Angeles Rams

Date: Sunday, Dec. 14

Time: 4:25 p.m. ET

Location: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA

TV: FOX

Streaming: FUBO

Spread: Rams (-5.5)

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Rams 27, Lions 24

Matthew Stafford gets revenge over his former team in LA. The Lions defense won’t be able to stop a potent Rams offense. The season-ending Achilles injury to defensive back Brian Branch is a huge blow to Detroit’s defense.

Carolina Panthers vs. New Orleans Saints

Date: Sunday, Dec. 14

Time: 4:25 p.m. ET

Location: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans

TV: FOX

Streaming: FUBO

Spread: Panthers (-2.5)

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Panthers 26, Saints 20

The Saints got their biggest win of the season last week against Tampa Bay. There are good vibes in Carolina right now as the Panthers are tied for first in the NFC South. This is a trap game for the Panthers as they have two games versus Tampa Bay and a contest against Seattle to close the season. However, the Panthers get the victory in the Big Easy.

Tennessee Titans vs. San Francisco 49ers

Date: Sunday, Dec. 14

Time: 4:25 p.m. ET

Location: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA

TV: FOX

Streaming: FUBO

Spread: 49ers (-12.5)

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: 49ers 25, Titans 17

The Titans scored a season-high 31 points against a stingy Cleveland defense last week. Tony Pollard rushed for 161 yards and two touchdowns. But the 49ers will contain Tennessee. San Francisco’s won three straight games and will make it four in a row.  

Indianapolis Colts vs. Seattle Seahawks

Date: Sunday, Dec. 14

Time: 4:25 p.m. ET

Location: Lumen Field, Seattle

TV: CBS

Streaming: FUBO

Spread: Seahawks (-10.5)

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Seahawks 26, Colts 16

Daniel Jones’ season-ending Achilles injury is a devastating blow to Indy. I don’t believe the Colts win another game this year.  

Minnesota Vikings vs. Dallas Cowboys

Date: Sunday, Dec. 14

Time: 8:20 p.m. ET

Location: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX

TV: NBC

Streaming: Peacock

Spread: Cowboys (-6)

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Cowboys 28, Vikings 20

J.J. McCarthy is coming off the best game of his young career. However, McCarthy and the Vikings offense won’t be able to keep pace with a high-powered Cowboys offense.

Miami Dolphins vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Date: Monday, Dec. 15

Time: 8:15 p.m. ET

Location: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh

TV: ESPN

Streaming: FUBO

Spread: Steelers (-3.5)

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Steelers 26, Dolphins 20

The demise of Mike Tomlin in Pittsburgh was unwarranted and overblown. The Steelers are fresh off a huge win against Baltimore. Pittsburgh controls its own destiny in the AFC North. The Steelers end Miami’s four-game winning streak.

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

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Kyle Schwarber, who hit a National League-best 56 home runs in 2025, is heading back to the Philadelphia Phillies, agreeing to a five-year, $150 million contract Dec. 9, according to a baseball official familiar with the agreement. The official spoke to USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity because the deal has not yet been finalized.

Schwarber, who turns 33 in March, closed out his four-year, $79 million contract with Philadelphia in epic fashion, setting a career-high in home runs and leading the major leagues with 132 RBIs to finish second in NL MVP voting. He averaged nearly 47 home runs and posted an .856 OPS in his four years with Philly.

That set him up as one of the most coveted sluggers on the free-agent market this winter, and the Phillies decided they could not live without his peerless slugging ability and clubhouse leadership.

The commitment continues a mid-career renaissance for Schwarber, a star with the Chicago Cubs and a member of their 2016 World Series champion club. But the Cubs non-tendered Schwarber after the shortened 2020 season.

Since then, it’s been increasingly difficult to keep Schwarber in the ballpark.

He’s hit 219 home runs since the start of the 2021 season, behind only Aaron Judge (249) and Shohei Ohtani (233). Schwarber’s hit 340 homers in his career, and should pass the 400-homer plateau in 2027.

Schwarber was also lauded by the Phillies for his clubhouse presence, thanks to an ability to connect with players of all ages. Though almost exclusively a designated hitter nowadays, Schwarber produced 3.5 and 4.7 WAR the past two seasons.

That created a robust market for the slugger, who’d already received a reported four-year, $120 million deal from the Pittsburgh Pirates. The New York Mets, Baltimore Orioles and others were also in the running for his services.

But a Schwarber return to Philly was viewed in the industry as about as close to a fait accompli as these transactions get. He’s been a perfect fit for the city – even garnering an endorsement deal from area minimart powerhouse Wawa – and in the Phillies’ lineup.

Schwarber joins Bryce Harper, Zack Wheeler, Trea Turner, Aaron Nola and Nick Castellanos in the Phillies’ nine-figure contract club. The team is expected to trade or release Castellanos – entering the final year of a five-year, $100 million deal – and upgrade in right field.

Move over, Aaron Rodgers. Step aside, Joe Flacco. There’s a new – or rather, old – oldest quarterback in the NFL.

The Indianapolis Colts on Tuesday are signing 17-year NFL veteran quarterback Philip Rivers to their practice squad, according to multiple reports.

Rivers, who turned 44 on Dec. 8, has not played in the NFL since his one-year stint with Indianapolis in 2020. The long-time Chargers standout signed a deal with the Los Angeles-based franchise over the summer to officially retire as a member of the team he spent 16 years with.

Momentum toward a return for Rivers started to pick up on Monday. The Colts brought Rivers in for a workout that day before both sides mulled their options, according to multiple reports.

Prior to this year’s surprise transaction, Rivers had been another team’s contingency plan. NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero pointed out that San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said his team would have attempted to sign the veteran quarterback to play in Super Bowl 57 in 2023.

The 49ers lost to the Eagles in the NFC championship game that year after Brock Purdy’s elbow injury, so Rivers did not make his return at the time.

Rivers is currently a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 2026 class. If he is elevated to the active roster, his eligibility would reset, leaving him ineligible for induction until at least 2031.

The Colts, who have lost four of their last five games and dropped out of the AFC playoff picture, face the Seattle Seahawks on the road Sunday.

Why are the Colts signing Philip Rivers?

The Colts are turning to Rivers in a moment of desperation. Indianapolis has no fully healthy quarterbacks on its active roster in Week 15.

Starting quarterback Daniel Jones sustained a season-ending Achilles injury in Week 14. Backup quarterback Anthony Richardson is on injured reserve with a fractured orbital bone that he sustained during pregame warmups in Week 6. Third-string quarterback Riley Leonard suffered a strained knee ligament after entering Week 14’s game for the injured Jones.

Leonard is the healthiest as Week 15 approaches, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the rookie is week-to-week with his knee injury.

Along with Rivers, the Colts also have Brett Rypien on their practice squad. Otherwise, rookie tight end Tyler Warren is Indianapolis’ emergency quarterback, according to FOX59/CBS4 Sports’ Mike Chappell.

How old is Philip Rivers?

Rivers is 44 years old. He celebrated his most recent birthday on Monday, Dec. 8.

Philip Rivers career stats

Rivers played 17 years in the NFL prior to his signing with the Colts’ practice squad Tuesday.

Here are his career stats from 16 seasons with the Chargers and one (2020) with the Colts:

Record: 134-106
Completion rate: 5,277-of-8,134 (64.9%)
Passing yards: 63,440
Passing touchdowns: 421
Interceptions: 209
Passer rating: 95.2

Rivers has never won a Super Bowl. He came closest in 2007, when he led the Chargers to the AFC championship game before losing to Tom Brady and the then-undefeated New England Patriots.

Rivers earned eight Pro Bowl nods in 17 seasons and won the 2013 Comeback Player of the Year Award.

The American squad at the 2026 World Baseball Classic just got a little bit stronger.

Team USA manager Mark DeRosa unveiled several new additions to the roster on Tuesday, Dec. 9, with DH Kyle Schwarber, infielders Brice Turang and Gunnar Henderson, and catcher Will Smith committing to play in the tournament next March.

(It turned out to be a pretty big day for Schwarber as the free agent slugger also committed to another team, agreeing to return to the Philadelphia Phillies on a reported five-year, $150 million deal.)

The new additions join a U.S. squad that already includes captain Aaron Judge, catcher Cal Raleigh, shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. and ace pitcher Paul Skenes.

Team USA, which won its only title in 2017, was the runner-up to Japan in the last WBC played in 2023.

The final produced what’s almost certainly the most memorable moment in the tournament’s history, when Shohei Ohtani struck out Mike Trout − at the time, his teammate on the Los Angeles Angels − for the last out in Japan’s championship-clinching 3-2 victory.

Ohtani has already announced he will play for Team Japan again in this year’s tournament.

Welcome to the fortunate few fantasy managers who’ve survived the season and are set to participate in the playoffs.

Roster management becomes slightly different in the postseason, with the primary focus centered on surviving and advancing. But at the same time, you want to make sure your flanks are covered so that a major injury doesn’t completely derail your title chances.

For example, we recommended Blake Corum last week as our top pick. Although Kyren Williams is still the Rams’ starting running back, Corum has been seeing more work lately. In Week 14, he rushed for 128 yards and two touchdowns on just 12 carries. Even so, Corum is still only rostered in one-third of Yahoo leagues.

Which players can help you on the road to a fantasy league championship? Let’s take a look.

Fantasy football players to add for Week 15

Due to the wide variance in types of leagues and individual team needs, the players listed here include their availability rates in Yahoo leagues, which may or may not match rates on other platforms. Since the fantasy playoffs begin this week in most leagues, the bar for picking up players is considerably higher with fewer teams in the mix. Spend whatever you must to get the players you need.

RB Jaylen Wright and Ollie Gordon, Miami Dolphins (3%, 8% rostered)

The biggest health concern for fantasy managers last week came when the Dolphins’ De’Von Achane exited early with a rib injury and didn’t return. Taking over as the lead back, Wright logged 24 carries for 107 yards. He also scored a short-yardage touchdown, which came before Achane’s injury. Gordon, a reliable backup all season, also got into the end zone − but he only saw five carries for 17 yards. Wright would be the top priority if Achane is limited going forward since he outsnapped Gordon 32-16 vs. the Jets. (Recommended FAAB bids: Wright 80%, Gordon 40%)

TE Harold Fannin Jr., Cleveland Browns (40% rostered)

If you need a tight end this week, Fannin is your guy. QB Shedeur Sanders seems to look his way constantly, and he responded on Sunday with a career-high eight catches for 144 yards. He also reached the end zone for the second week in a row. Veteran tight end David Njoku also scored, but he left the game with a knee injury on the play and didn’t return. (FAAB bid: 65%)

RB Bam Knight and Michael Carter, Arizona Cardinals (38%, 6% rostered)

The ‘… Trey Benson is coming back’ trope is wearing thin. If Benson is not activated off IR this week, he’ll be ineligible to play the rest of the season. Knight has been the most productive back in Benson’s absence, but the difference between him and Carter hasn’t been that great lately − mostly because of the success QB Jacoby Brissett has enjoyed throwing the ball. This week’s matchup against the Houston Texans is horrible, but Atlanta and Cincinnati await if you advance. (FAAB bids: Knight 30%, Carter 25%)

WR Ryan Flournoy, Dallas Cowboys (1% rostered)

With CeeDee Lamb exiting in the third quarter with concussion symptoms, Flournoy stepped forward on Thursday as Dak Prescott’s top target against the Lions. He hauled in nine of his 13 targets for 115 yards and also scored a touchdown. Lamb will have an extra few days to recover and should be back against the Vikings, but Flournoy is still a great insurance policy with the Cowboys so reliant on their passing game. (FAAB bid: 25%)

WR Isaac TeSlaa, Detroit Lions (12% rostered)

Not going to say his performance has been electric, but the Lions have been quite innovative in getting the ball to their opportunistic rookie. TeSlaa hauled in yet another touchdown on Thursday night vs. Dallas, giving him a total of four on the season − on only eight receptions. He didn’t see as much action as expected with star WR Amon-Ra St. Brown shaking off an ankle injury to play almost a full game. Even so, you could say TeSlaa is definitely a plug-and-play receiver should anything happen to St. Brown or Jameson Williams in this high-powered Lions offense. (FAAB bid: 25%)

WR Luther Burden III, Chicago Bears (17% rostered)

It can take time for some rookie wide receivers to find their niche. That could very well be the case for Burden, who led the Bears with six targets and 67 yards on Sunday. His production, however, has been steady, if unspectacular. If you feel comfortable betting on upside, he’s shown more lately than either Rome Odunze or D.J. Moore. (FAAB bid: 20%)

WR Rashid Shaheed, Seattle Seahawks (52% rostered)

Shaheed is little above the standard 50% threshold we use for waiver wire eligibility, but we’ll include him for shallow-league purposes. On Sunday, he scored his first touchdown since being acquired by the Seahawks, but it came on a kickoff return, not a pass from QB San Darnold. There’s always a possibility he can take another return to the house, but what was even more encouraging was his involvement in the offense. Shaheed caught four of five targets for 67 yards at Atlanta, by far his best effort with his new club. (FAAB bid: 20%)

WR Marvin Mims, Denver Broncos (13% rostered)

Mims also performs double duty as a kick returner and he took a punt back for a score on Sunday against the Raiders. However, he seems to be a bit further down the Broncos’ pecking order as a wideout than Shaheed is in Seattle. He hasn’t seen more than two targets since Week 7, having been passed on the depth chart by rookie Pat Bryant (3% rostered). (FAAB bid: 10%)

TE Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans (47% rostered)

A secondary tight end addition for the playoff run, Schultz didn’t do much on the stat sheet Sunday night. But a three-catch, 22-yard performance could have been much better if his red-zone touchdown reception wasn’t nullified by a penalty. Before that, Schultz had surpassed 50 receiving yards in six of his previous eight games. A matchup vs. the Cardinals this week should be more to his liking. (FAAB bid: 10%)

Quarterbacks to stream in Week 15

Let’s face it, you’re in pretty big trouble if you’re getting your starting quarterback in a playoff game off the waiver wire. But injuries do happen and we saw Daniel Jones, Jayden Daniels and Geno Smith exit early this past Sunday.

QB Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints (8% rostered)

He only had 144 passing yards on Sunday vs. Tampa Bay, but he did score a pair of rushing touchdowns. He faces the Panthers and Jets at home, then is at Tennessee in Week 17.

QB J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings (30% rostered)

Finally, McCarthy put up a decent game with three TD passes, albeit against a terrible opponent. However, that will be the case for each of the next three weeks as he goes up against the Cowboys, Giants and Colts − all ranked in the bottom-7 in fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks.

QB C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans (42% rostered)

Stroud had a nice first half and a dismal second half in Kansas City. But like McCarthy with Justin Jefferson, he has a top-tier wideout in Nico Collins, who can make plays all over the field. He has decent home matchups vs. the Cardinals and Raiders before a dangerous road date at the Chargers on championship week.

Egypt’s Football Association said on Tuesday it had sent a letter to FIFA urging the governing body to prevent any LGBTQ+ Pride-related activities during the national team’s World Cup match against Iran in Seattle next June.

The EFA argues in the letter that such events would clash with the cultural and religious values of the nations participating in the match.

The fixture on June 26 has been designated by local organisers as a ‘Pride Match’ to coincide with Seattle’s Pride weekend.

The two nations involved in the match – Egypt and Iran – impose severe penalties on LGBTQ+ people.

Reports said the plans, which include LGBTQ+ celebrations and artwork displays around the stadium and across Seattle, were drawn up before the tournament draw confirmed the Group G fixture.

In its letter to FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom, the EFA said it ‘categorically rejects any activities promoting LGBTQ during the match,’ warning that such events could ‘provoke cultural and religious sensitivities among fans.’

‘These activities directly conflict with the cultural, religious and social values of the region, particularly in Arab and Islamic societies,’ the EFA wrote.

‘While FIFA is committed to ensuring a respectful environment that welcomes all fans, it is essential to avoid activities that could spark tension or misunderstanding between supporters from Egypt and Iran.’

‘We call on FIFA to guarantee that the match takes place in an atmosphere focused solely on sport and free from displays that contradict the beliefs of the participating nations.’

The EFA said its position was based on FIFA’s statutes, ‘specifically Article 4, which emphasizes neutrality in political and social matters during FIFA competitions,’ and on disciplinary regulations that require tournaments to remain free of ‘manifestations that could cause tension or conflict among fans.’

In Iran, same-sex relations can carry the death penalty, while in Egypt morality laws are often used to prosecute LGBTQ+ people.

The event is organised by the local committee and is not affiliated with FIFA. FIFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent by email.

At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, FIFA threatened yellow cards for players wearing the ‘OneLove’ armband in support of LGBTQ+ rights, prompting teams including England and Wales to abandon plans to use it.

Tottenham Hotspur moved their Progress Pride Flag from its usual spot at their stadium ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League match against Slavia Prague, citing security concerns raised by the visiting team.

The flag is an updated version of the classic rainbow flag and is usually displayed in the north-east corner of the stadium.

‘The flag has been relocated at the visiting team’s request to UEFA on security grounds,’ the club told Reuters.

The decision has sparked disappointment among Tottenham’s LGBTQ+ fans.

‘We are, of course, frustrated. You don’t get to come to our stadium and dictate what’s acceptable, let alone complain about a flag representing our community,’ the Proud Lilywhites Committee, which represents LGBTQ+ supporters, said in a statement.

In September 2022, following Spurs’ 2-0 victory in a Champions League clash with Olympique de Marseille, five fans were arrested for violence after rioting and tearing down the Pride Flag.

Tottenham will be looking to boost their chances of finishing in the top eight of the Champions League table. They are currently 16th in the standings, following their 5–3 loss to Paris Saint-Germain last month.