The NFL doesn’t believe in cliffhangers for the season finale.

While most scripts call for that kind of tactic to keep viewers coming back, the NFL’s reality show certainly tries to provide answers. A season that began in early September featured 272 games over 18 weeks. In total, it took over 16,320 minutes to play the entire regular season.

Of course, it came down to the final minute of Game 272.

The Pittsburgh Steelers prevailed in the winner-take-all AFC North clash, defeating the Baltimore Ravens, 26-24. It was mostly a quiet contest until the final 15 minutes, when both sides began landing haymakers.

There were 27 points scored between the two teams, but it was the four that weren’t that promised to tell the story in the end.

It started with a missed extra point from Chris Boswell, his first of the season. That miss ensured that the Steelers would only hold a two-point edge with 55 seconds left. Lamar Jackson and the Ravens quickly responded, working the ball into field goal range.

In the end, it was rookie kicker Tyler Loop who missed the 44-yard kick wide right, ending Baltimore’s season in crushing.

There was speculation that this could have been Aaron Rodgers’ final game in the NFL, as retirement looms.

Turns out, he’ll have at least one more game in the black-and-gold when the Steelers host the Houston Texans in the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs.

It was a finale filled with chaos, a fitting conclusion to the mayhem that reigned supreme all season long.

Here’s how the action unfolded on “Sunday Night Football” in Week 18.

Steelers vs. Ravens SNF takeaways: Week 18

The NFL is king: Only the NFL. In a world where sequels and remakes dominate television and movies, the NFL provides some of the best content that anyone could ever ask for. No other league can produce this level of drama every season, especially in the finale. There are so many games, so many twists and turns, yet it always comes down to the last one. With everything on the line, it came down to the final seconds of the final regular-season game. Take a bow.
Aaron Rodgers isn’t done yet: We knew it was win-and-in for both teams, but we’ll never know if it was lose-and-retire for Rodgers. The four-time NFL MVP now gets a chance to play in the playoffs again. After a couple of rough seasons with the New York Jets, this one with the Steelers is bound to end in much better fashion. Time will tell if there’s another season, but the veteran still has more to say before closing this chapter.
Pittsburgh keeps finding a way: The Steelers offense isn’t pretty. The Steelers’ defense looked like it forgot how to play at times in Week 18. Rodgers had to use the Steelers’ final timeouts to deal with some bad helmet communication. Boswell missed his first extra point of the season. None of that mattered. They still found a way to win. Now they’ll have a chance to win their first playoff game since 2017.
Ravens enter offseason with more questions than answers: What does the future hold for John Harbaugh? Lamar Jackson? Questions were swirling before this game. Who knows what they’ll be like when the dust finally settles? Jackson’s contract remains a key talking point and Harbaugh’s inability to get Baltimore over the top will take on a new life this offseason. There appears to be one thing guaranteed for the Ravens – change is coming.
The Ravens invent new ways to lose: It’s the type of thing you often say about some of the league’s worst teams, but the Ravens are unique. There was Mark Andrews’ famous drop that ended last season. There was the 15-point fourth-quarter blown lead in Week 1. There was the Thanksgiving disaster against the Bengals. Then there was the Loop missed field goal to end the season. Baltimore is no stranger to losing games excruciatingly. Add Week 18 of the 2025 NFL season to the increasingly long list.

NFL playoff schedule: Wild-card games

Jan. 10

Los Angeles Rams at Carolina Panthers, 4:30 p.m. ET, FOX
Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears, 8 p.m. ET, Prime Video

Jan. 11

Buffalo Bills at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
San Francisco 49ers at Philadelphia Eagles, 4:30 p.m. ET, FOX
Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots, 8 p.m. ET, NBC

Jan. 12

Houston Texans at Pittsburgh Steelers, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC

Who will the Steelers play in playoffs?

Pittsburgh will host the Houston Texans in the wild-card round. The Steelers earned the No. 4 seed and will play the highest-seeded wild-card team – the Texans. The matchup will be on Monday, Jan. 12, at 8:15 p.m. on ESPN.

Are the Ravens eliminated from playoff contention?

Baltimore has been eliminated from playoff contention with its loss to the Steelers on Sunday night in Week 18.

Steelers vs. Ravens Week 18 highlights

Steelers vs. Ravens final score: Pittsburgh 26, Baltimore 24

Steelers defeat Ravens on Tyler Loop missed field goal

The Ravens charged down the field to get into field goal range, but the Ravens’ rookie kicker, Tyler Loop, pushed his 44-yard field goal attempt wide right. Pittsburgh wins the game and the AFC North title.

Aaron Rodgers stats vs. Ravens

31-of-47 (65.9% completion rate)
294 passing yards
1 passing touchdown
0 interceptions
90.2 passer rating

Lamar Jackson stats vs. Steelers

11-of-18 (61.1% completion rate)
238 passing yards
3 passing touchdowns
1 interception
121.5 passer rating
4 rushing attempts, 8 rushing yards

Steelers vs. Ravens score update: Steelers back in front with 55 seconds left

Aaron Rodgers isn’t done yet. A vintage throw from the quarterback to a wide-open Calvin Austin III gives the Steelers the lead right back with 55 seconds to go. However, Boswell missed his first extra point all season and now the Ravens can win it with a field goal. They have all three timeouts and a big return from Keaton Mitchell set Baltimore up at around midfield.

Steelers 26, Ravens 24

Steelers vs. Ravens score update: Baltimore retakes lead with Zay Flowers’ second TD of the game

Football fans are certainly familiar with Zay Flowers. The Steelers, however, must be just finding out who this guy is. For the second time in as many drives, the Ravens take the lead on a Flowers’ touchdown. He got behind the defense and Baltimore marched 73 yards in just 1:29.

Now the Steelers will look to respond with 2:20 to go. Again, they are out of timeouts.

Ravens 24, Steelers 20

Steelers vs. Ravens score update: Kenneth Gainwell scores go-ahead TD with 3:49 to go

The Steelers had to answer and they did. Despite some helmet communication woes, Gainwell punched it into the end zone for the lead. Notably, Pittsburgh is out of timeouts now, adding another layer of intrigue to the final minutes of regulation.

Steelers 20, Ravens 17

Aaron Rodgers contract details, incentives

Rodgers signed a one-year deal with the Steelers, which has a base value of $13.65 million, according to Spotrac. He received a $10 million signing bonus and will have a cap hit of $14.15 million in 2025.

Rodgers’ contract can be worth up to $19.5 million in total value thanks to a $5.85 million incentive package tied to the deal. His incentives for the 2025 NFL season are as follows:

Playoff berth: $500,000
Wild card win: $600,000
Divisional win: $750,000
Conference championship: $1 million
Super Bowl win: $1.5 million
League MVP: $1.5 million

Steelers vs. Ravens score update: Zay Flowers TD puts Baltimore back in front

Pittsburgh had two free runners coming for Lamar Jackson. It didn’t matter. The two-time MVP did two-time MVP things and escaped pressure to direct Flowers toward the end zone, where he beat Patrick Queen for the 50-yard touchdown. Baltimore leads by four with 8:42 to go in the regular season.

Ravens 17, Steelers 13

Steelers vs. Ravens score update: Chris Boswell gives Pittsburgh the lead

Just like that, the home team snags the lead for the first time tonight. Boswell’s kick is good from 25 yards and now it’s Baltimore’s turn to come from behind.

Steelers 13, Ravens 10

Who are the Heyward brothers on Pittsburgh Steelers?

Steelers football is a family affair. Cameron and Connor Heyward are the latest brother duo to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Cameron has been a mainstay on the defensive line for years, while Connor is part of a deep tight end room.

The Steelers have been no strangers to fielding rosters with brothers over the years. In the past, they had Nate and Nick Herbig, T.J. and Derek Watt, as well as Terrell and Trey Edmunds.

Lamar Jackson deflected pass intercepted by T.J. Watt

If you’re a believer in momentum shifts, then this game is about to change dramatically. Just a few plays after the Steelers tied the game, Jackson attempted a pass that was deflected by Cameron Heyward and eventually intercepted by Watt. It puts Pittsburgh in excellent field position and gives them a chance to take the lead.

Steelers vs. Ravens score update: Connor Heyward ‘tush push’ TD ties the game

After failing to convert on fourth down earlier, the Steelers went right back to Heyward in a big spot in the third quarter. He gets the job done this time and scores the game-tying touchdown after back-to-back pushes from his brother, Cameron.

The Steelers couldn’t convert from the same distance to end the first half, but it’s a brand-new ball game halfway through the third after Boswell knocks through the extra point. The game is tied with 8:22 left in the third quarter.

Steelers 10, Ravens 10

Did Aaron Rodgers get married? Who is his wife? 

Rodgers was married during the 2025 offseason. Rodgers’ wife has not publicly appeared with him yet.

Before acknowledging his marriage, Rodgers last mentioned having a significant other during a December 2024 appearance on ’The Pat McAfee Show.’  During the appearance, Rodgers said her name was ‘Brittani,’ clarifying that she spelled it with an ‘I.’ 

Rodgers has not clarified whether she is the woman he married in 2025.

Kyle Hamilton injury update

Hamilton was on the receiving end of a helmet-to-helmet hit early in the third quarter from teammate Alohi Gilman. The safety remained down after the play and replays showed his head also hit the field as Hamilton fell to the ground.

He walked off the field under his own power.

Steelers vs. Ravens score at halftime: Baltimore 10, Pittsburgh 3

Steelers’ last playoff win

The Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since Jan. 15, 2017 when they defeated the Kansas City Chiefs on the road in the division round. They have lost six playoff games in a row since that game and two of those losses came at home.

Steelers denied at the goal line before halftime

Baltimore’s Kyle Hamilton was flagged for pass interference with just two seconds left in the opening half. That gave Pittsburgh the ball at the one-yard line. The Steelers went for the game-tying touchdown and instead go into halftime down seven after Kenneth Gainwell was stuffed behind the line on a toss play. It was a curious play design for the Steelers, since it seemed dead from the start. They’ll get the second half kickoff, but have plenty of work to do in the final 30 minutes. 

Steelers vs. Ravens score update: Chris Boswell gets Pittsburgh on the board

Pittsburgh’s drive stalled after an off-target throw from Rodgers, but Boswell was able to convert from 57 yards to cut into the Baltimore lead.

Ravens 10, Steelers 3

Steelers vs. Ravens score update: Tyler Loop extends Baltimore’s lead

The rookie kicker knocks it through from 40 yards to give his team a two-score lead early in the second quarter. This drive was set up by the Steelers’ inability to convert on fourth down around midfield. It’s an important upcoming drive for Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers’ offense. Already down 10-0 and struggling on offense, this game can get away from them quickly.

Ravens 10, Steelers 0

Steelers vs. Ravens score at end of first quarter: Baltimore leads, looking to add

Just like that, 15 minutes have come and gone in Game 272. The Ravens have been the better team by far. They also have the edge on the scoreboard, taking a 7-0 lead into the second. A fourth-down stop by the Ravens’ defense set them up with great field position and they’ll continue the drive at the edge of the red zone when play resumes.

Ravens 7, Steelers 0

Where did Aaron Rodgers go to college?

Rodgers attended Butte Community College for a year in 2002 before playing two seasons at California from 2003-04.

Steelers punt on opening drive

Pittsburgh is still trying to find its footing without Metcalf on offense and that remained the case on the opening drive. It was a quick possession for the home team and Baltimore takes back over inside its own 15.

Why is DK Metcalf suspended?

In this winner-take-all showdown, there is a notable absence for the Steelers – DK Metcalf. The receiver is serving the second and final game of his suspension. The NFL issued the penalty to Metcalf for his involvement in an altercation with a Detroit Lions fan in Week 16. He reached into the stands to strike the fan on the sideline and the league promptly suspended Metcalf for the remainder of the regular season.

Oldest NFL players in 2025

Philip Rivers turned 44 on Dec. 8 and is now the oldest active NFL player. Aaron Rodgers turned 42 on Dec. 6. There are 12 players aged 39 or older playing in the NFL in 2025:

Philip Rivers, QB, Indianapolis Colts: 44 years old
Aaron Rodgers, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers: 42 years old
Nick Folk, K, New York Jets: 41 years old
Matt Prater, K, Buffalo Bills: 41 years old
Marcedes Lewis, TE, Denver Broncos: 41 years old
Joe Flacco, QB, Cincinnati Bengals: 40 years old
JJ Jansen, LS, Carolina Panthers: 39 years old
Jon Weeks, LS, San Francisco 49ers: 39 years old
Morgan Cox, LS, Tennessee Titans: 39 years old
Thomas Morstead, P, San Francisco 49ers: 39 years old
Josh Johnson, QB, Washington Commanders: 39 years old
Calais Campbell, DL, Arizona Cardinals: 39 years old

Steelers vs. Ravens score update: Baltimore strikes first with Devontez Walker TD

It was an eventful opening drive for the visitors. They were called for a holding penalty on the opening kickoff, negating a nice return. They were called for an illegal blindside block on a 47-yard run by Derrick Henry – which was a bad call, according to NBC’s rules analyst, Terry McAulay.

None of that mattered. The Ravens still managed to find the end zone with a 38-yard passing touchdown from Lamar Jackson to Walker on fourth down.

Ravens 7, Steelers 0

What is the temperature in Pittsburgh?

The temperature at tonight’s kickoff was 28 degrees in Pittsburgh.

What TV channel is the Steelers vs. Ravens game?

TV channel: NBC

Week 18’s ‘Sunday Night Football’ game – the final regular season game of the year – between the Steelers and Ravens will be broadcast by NBC on Jan. 4. Mike Tirico (play-by-play), Cris Collinsworth (game analyst) and Melissa Stark (sideline reporter) will be on the call for the battle for the AFC North.

What time is the Ravens at Steelers game?

Start time: 8:20 p.m. ET

The Steelers vs. Ravens game will kick off at 8:20 p.m. ET on Sunday, Jan. 4.

Steelers vs. Ravens live stream

Live stream: Peacock

As with every iteration of ‘Sunday Night Football,’, NBC will simulcast its prime-time offering on Peacock, its proprietary streaming service. Cord-cutters can also watch the game on NFL+, the NFL’s own streaming service.

Catch ‘SNF’ with a Peacock subscription

Steelers vs. Ravems prediction, picks

Mike Middlehurst-Schwartz: Ravens, 24-17
Jarrett Bell: Steelers, 23-20
Nick Brinkerhoff: Steelers, 23-20
Chris Bumbaca: Ravens, 21-20
Nate Davis: Ravens, 23-20
Tyler Dragon: Ravens, 25-20

Steelers vs. Ravens odds, moneyline, O/U

Moneyline (ML): Ravens -190 (Bet $190 to win $100) | Steelers +160 (Bet $100 to win $160)
Against the spread (ATS): Ravens -3.5 (-105) | Steelers +3.5 (-115)
Over/Under (O/U): 41.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Is Lamar Jackson playing tonight vs. Steelers?

Lamar Jackson has had a full week of practice for the first time since November and will play in Sunday night’s AFC North title game in Pittsburgh. He missed Week 17 with a back contusion but is expected to be a full go tonight.

Is T.J. Watt playing tonight vs. Ravens?

The Steelers’ four-time All-Pro linebacker will be back on the field for Pittsburgh tonight against Baltimore. Watt has missed the last two weeks following surgery stemming from a partially collapsed lung on Dec. 10. That lung injury happened during a routine dry needling treatment at a team facility. He was subsequently hospitalized but has made a full recovery.

‘It’ll be great to have him back,’ Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said via the team. ‘What capacity we’ll find out really, not till Sunday. But it’ll be great to have him back… I would think that he’ll only strengthen our group and how we play and all those things.’

Steelers vs. Ravens weather report

The temperature is expected to be 28 degrees around kickoff in Pittsburgh. There is no snow in the forecast and wind gusts will max out at just 5 MPH.

Steelers inactives today vs. Ravens

WR Roman Wilson
RB Kaleb Johnson
CB Tre Flowers
OLB Jeremiah Moon
OL Jack Driscoll
QB Will Howard (emergency third QB)

Ravens inactives today vs. Steelers

WR Rashod Bateman (illness)
CB Keyon Martin
T Joseph Noteboom
DL Aeneas Peebles
WR Keith Kirkwood
CB Amani Oruwariye
QB Cooper Rush (emergency third QB)

Steelers schedule 2025

Ravens schedule 2025

AFC North standings

Week 18’s ‘Sunday Night Football’ game will determine the AFC North champion. The Steelers are entering the matchup with a one-game lead in the standings:

Pittsburgh Steelers: 9-7 (3-2 AFC North)
Baltimore Ravens: 8-8 (3-2)
Cincinnati Bengals: 6-11 (3-3)
Cleveland Browns: 5-12 (2-4)

NFL playoff picture: AFC bracket

Denver Broncos (14-3, AFC West winners)*
New England Patriots (14-3, AFC East winners)*
Jacksonville Jaguars (13-4, AFC South winners)*
Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7, AFC North leaders)
Houston Texans (12-5, wild card No. 1)*
Buffalo Bills (12-5, wild card No. 2)*
Los Angeles Chargers (11-6, wild card No. 3)*

In the hunt: Baltimore Ravens (8-8)

NFL playoff picture: NFC bracket

Seattle Seahawks (14-3, NFC West winners)*
Chicago Bears (11-6, NFC North winners)*
Philadelphia Eagles (11-6, NFC East winners)*
Carolina Panthers (8-9, NFC South winners)*
Los Angeles Rams (12-5, wild card No. 1)*
San Francisco 49ers (12-5, wild card No. 2)*
Green Bay Packers (9-7-1, wild card No. 3)*

2026 NFL Draft order

Here’s a look at the latest draft order for the first round with strength of schedule information via Tankathon:

Las Vegas Raiders: 3-14 record; .538 strength of schedule
New York Jets: 3-14, .552 SOS
Arizona Cardinals: 3-14; .571 SOS
Tennessee Titans: 3-14, .574 SOS
New York Giants: 4-13; .524 SOS
Cleveland Browns: 5-12, .486 SOS
Washington Commanders: 5-12; .507 SOS
New Orleans Saints: 6-11; .495 SOS
Kansas City Chiefs: 6-11; .516 SOS
Cincinnati Bengals: 6-11; .521 SOS
Miami Dolphins: 7-10; .488 SOS
Dallas Cowboys: 7-9-1; .438 SOS
Atlanta Falcons (pick belongs to Los Angeles Rams): 8-9; .495 SOS
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 8-9, .529 SOS
Indianapolis Colts (pick belongs to Jets): 8-9; .538 SOS
Baltimore Ravens: 8-8; .503 SOS
Detroit Lions: 9-8; .490 SOS
Minnesota Vikings: 9-8; .514 SOS
Carolina Panthers: 8-9, .522 SOS
Green Bay Packers (pick belongs to Cowboys): 9-7-1; .483 SOS
Pittsburgh Steelers: 9-7; .507 SOS
Los Angeles Chargers: 11-6; .467 SOS
Philadelphia Eagles: 11-6; .476 SOS
Buffalo Bills: 12-5, .470 SOS
Chicago Bears: 11-6; .458 SOS
San Francisco 49ers: 12-5, .498 SOS
Houston Texans: 12-5; .524 SOS
Jacksonville Jaguars (pick belongs to Browns): 13-4; .478 SOS
Los Angeles Rams: 12-5, .528 SOS
New England Patriots: 14-3; .390 SOS
Denver Broncos: 14-3; .422 SOS
Seattle Seahawks: 14-3; .497 SOS

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The playoff field for the 2025 NFL season is set, the wild and crazy 272nd and final game of the regular season between the Ravens and Steelers determining the field’s final entry − Pittsburgh, newly crowned champs of the AFC North, as it turns out.

One other division was determined Sunday − a day after the NFC South-winning Panthers lost in Tampa … before the Falcons backed them onto the throne. Seeding in both conferences was also finalized Sunday, including the Broncos wrapping up the top spot in the AFC.

Here’s where things stand with the regular season now complete:

AFC playoff picture

yz − 1. Denver Broncos (14-3), AFC West champions: Sunday’s win over the Chargers, who rested a lot of key players, gave the Broncos home-field advantage and a first-round bye in a season which brought Denver’s first division title in a decade − which was also the last time they won the Super Bowl. The common-games tiebreaker gives the Broncos the No. 1 seed instead of New England. Remaining schedule: Bye, TBD

y − 2. New England Patriots (14-3), AFC East champions: They have their first division title since 2019 even if they couldn’t quite get up to the conference’s top spot, as Tom Brady and Co. so frequently did. Their Week 1 loss to the Raiders cost them in the tiebreaker department. Remaining schedule: vs. Chargers, Jan. 11 (8 p.m. ET)

y − 3. Jacksonville Jaguars (13-4), AFC South champions: They won their ninth straight game with ease, capturing the division crown for the first time since 2022. Remaining schedule: vs. Bills, Jan. 11 (1 p.m. ET)

y − 4. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7), AFC North champions: In a wild finale, their kicker’s late-game letdown wasn’t nearly as bad as Baltimore’s. Aaron Rodgers and Co. forge ahead. Remaining schedule: vs. Texans, Jan. 12 (8 p.m. ET)

x − 5. Houston Texans (12-5), wild card No. 1: They’ve won 10 of 11, including nine in a row after Sunday’s narrow defeat of Indianapolis. But the Texans weren’t able to overtake similarly surging Jacksonville for the top spot in the AFC South. However Houston, which beat both the Chargers and Bills this season, locks into the fifth seed and a guaranteed wild-card matchup on the road against Pittsburgh. Remaining schedule: at Steelers, Jan. 12 (8 p.m. ET)

x − 6. Buffalo Bills (12-5), wild card No. 2: Their subs whacked the Jets and moved the Bills up to the sixth seed and a trip to Duval County. Remaining schedule: at Jaguars, Jan. 11 (1 p.m. ET)

x − 7. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6), wild card No. 3: They’ll be on the road as long as they’re postseason relevant. Remaining schedule: at Patriots, Jan. 11 (8 p.m. ET)

NFC playoff picture

yz − 1. Seattle Seahawks (14-3), NFC West champions: Huge win at Silicon Valley on Saturday night assured them of staying home in the Pacific Northwest − with a week off − unless they get back to Santa Clara for Super Bowl 60. Remaining schedule: Bye, TBD

y − 2. Chicago Bears (11-6), NFC North champions: They hung on to the second seed and the two home playoff games it could bring despite losing to Detroit. Next? A 2025 season trilogy matchup with Green Bay. Remaining schedule: vs. Packers, Jan. 10 (8 p.m. ET)

y − 3. Philadelphia Eagles (11-6), NFC East champions: They’re the first team to win this division in successive years since they last did it 21 years ago. Successive Super Bowl wins feels like a much longer shot. Remaining schedule: vs. 49ers, Jan. 11 (4:30 p.m. ET)

y − 4. Carolina Panthers (8-9), NFC South champions: Turns out Saturday’s loss at Tampa didn’t finish the Panthers. Atlanta saved them Sunday by beating New Orleans and creating a three-way tie atop the division. The Panthers’ 3-1 record against the Falcons and Bucs proved to be the determining tiebreaker. Remaining schedule: vs. Rams, Jan. 10 (4:30 p.m. ET)

x − 5. Los Angeles Rams (12-5), wild card No. 1: They became the first team this season to clinch a playoff spot but lost the pathway to home-field advantage and a first-round bye after consecutive losses. But they got back on track against Arizona on Sunday, claiming the fifth seed − and a matchup with the NFC South champion Panthers − to wrap the regular season. Remaining schedule: at Panthers, Jan. 10 (4:30 p.m. ET)

x − 6. San Francisco 49ers (12-5), wild card No. 2: They could have stayed home for the next month as long as they kept winning. Alas, they lost Saturday and plummeted to the sixth seed Sunday − which means a trip to the City of Brotherly Love. Remaining schedule: at Eagles, Jan. 11 (4:30 p.m. ET)

x − 7. Green Bay Packers (9-6-1), wild card No. 3: Locked into the seventh seed a week ago, they won’t play another game at Lambeau Field this season. Remaining schedule: at Bears, Jan. 10 (8 p.m. ET)

NFL playoff schedule: Wild-card games

Jan. 10

Los Angeles Rams at Carolina Panthers, 4:30 p.m. ET, FOX

Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears, 8 p.m. ET, Prime Video

Jan. 11

Buffalo Bills at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

San Francisco 49ers at Philadelphia Eagles, 4:30 p.m. ET, FOX

Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots, 8 p.m. ET, NBC

Jan. 12

NFL playoff schedule: Divisional-round games

Jan. 17

TBD vs. TBD

TBD vs. TBD

Jan. 18

TBD vs. TBD

TBD vs. TBD

NFL playoff schedule: Conference championship games

Jan. 25

AFC championship game, TBD

NFC championship game, TBD

NFL playoff schedule: Super Bowl 60

Feb. 8

AFC champion vs. NFC champion, NBC

NFL teams eliminated from playoff contention in 2025

x – clinched playoff berth

y – clinched division

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

The 2026 Unrivaled season kicks off on Monday, Jan. 5, with more teams, competition and prize money.The Miami-based 3-on-3 league debuted in 2025 with 3 million viewers its opening weekend. Unrivaled highlighted some of the best players in the WNBA with game-winning shots, historic dunks and an intense 1-on-1 tournament.

The league’s co-founders, WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, came up with the idea as a way to keep players stateside during the offseason while improving skills and staying in shape. Unrivaled did more than get players ready for another WNBA season. It helped grow women’s basketball.

“With [Napheesa Collier] and [Breanna Stewart] being the founders, you just want to support the women who came before you, and they continue to pave the way,’ Unrivaled rookie and Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers said. ‘The WNBA season isn’t quite as long, so the fans, the spectators — the people that are supporting us — don’t get to see us in the offseason, so to have that visibility, for people to continue to watch and support us in a different lens, in a different landscape, is really important.”

Here’s a preview for the 2026 Unrivaled season including a look back at 2025, a sneak peek at what lies ahead and team rosters:

Can you give me a refresh on Unrivaled’s debut season?

Here are some of the top storylines of 2025:

The Lunar Owls’ dominance: No team had a better regular season than the Lunar Owls. The club was loaded with talent including Napheesa Collier (25.7 points per game), Allisha Gray (19.2 ppg) and Skylar Diggins (17.9 ppg). Each finished in the top 10 in scoring, helping the Lunar Owls to the No. 1 playoff seed and a 13-1 record. DJ Sackmann also received Coach of the Year honors, and Collier won MVP. The Owls fell 73-70 to Vinyl in the semifinals, on a game-winning layup by Dearica Hamby.
Napheesa Collier winning the 1-on-1 tournament: Collier is one of the best 1-on-1 players in the WNBA. So, it wasn’t shocking to see her elite two-way skills transfer to Unrivaled. With a $200,000 individual cash prize (plus $10,000 for each of her Unrivaled teammates), Collier won the single-elimination competition while making light work of Katie Lou Samuelson, Rickea Jackson, Azurá Stevens, plus breakout tournament star Aaliyah Edwards, en route to the league’s first title.
Rose BC winning its first title: Rose had a rough start, opening the season with a 1-4 record. However, in month two, the club found its stride, thanks to heavy lifting from its top three players: Angel Reese, Chelsea Gray, and Brittney Sykes. Rose won all five of its February games, led by a surge from Gray, who averaged 24.2 points on 51% shooting, and Reese, who had four double-doubles (including the league’s first 20-20 game), during the stretch. Reese also led the team in blocked shots (0.6 per game) while anchoring the defense. Rose finished with an 8-6 overall record, second in the league standings, before winning its first title in March over Vinyl BC.

What about the 2025 Unrivaled end of season awards?

Here’s a look at the players who stood out in the first season of the 3-on-3 league:

MVP: Lunar Owls forward Napheesa Collier
Defensive Player of the Year: Rose forward Angel Reese
Coach of the Year: Lunar Owls head coach DJ Sackmann

First-team All-Unrivaled:

Lunar Owls forward Napheesa Collier (averaged a league-leading 25.7 points per game, 10.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists on 61.3% shooting with seven double-doubles)
Rose guard Chelsea Gray (averaged a league-leading 5.4 assists per game, 21.4 points with league-best six winning shots)
Laces guard Kayla McBride (third in total scoring, averaged 22.2 points, second in made 3-pointers with 41)

Second-team All-Unrivaled:

Lunar Owls guard Skylar Diggins-Smith (averaged 17.9 points per game, second in assists per game with 4.8)
Vinyl guard Rhyne Howard (league-leading 46 3-pointers, fourth in points per game, averaged 20.5 points)
Rose forward Angel Reese (league-leading 12.2 rebounds per game, averaged 13.1 points, second in double-doubles with eight)

Can Rose BC win back-to-back Unrivaled titles?

Winning another championship could prove to be an uphill battle for Rose. The club is returning all but two starters this season. However, operating without one of them, Angel Reese, could prove challenging. Part of what made Rose’s championship run so impressive was the electric chemistry between Reese and Chelsea Gray. Their synergy and near-symmetrical rise in offensive production helped elevate Rose to one of the premier teams in the league.

Reese’s defensive presence became a catalyst for constant disruption, even against opponents that seemingly had more offensive weapons. Rose will have to lean on forwards Azurá Stevens and Shakira Austin to replace Reese’s production and defensive dominance. They’ll also need help from newcomer Sug Sutton to replace the 11.6 points per game from guard Brittney Sykes, who is now on the Laces.

“’We’re really excited about the two new faces we have with Rose [BC], and they bring really great things that we need,’ guard Lexie Hull said. ‘Moving forward, we’ll bring that energy and those relationships we made from last year, but this is a new year. Starting fresh, building together, getting to know each other off and on the court, I think that’s what we’re really going to focus on in the first few weeks … It’s exciting.”

What are the changes for Unrivaled Season 2?

After the league’s first season, Collier shared with USA TODAY’s For The Win that she and Stewart surpassed many of the goals they set for the league. They raised more money than projected to pay players, helped players hone skills, became culturally relevant and elevated personal brands. How does the league improve in 2026?

“We’re adding two new clubs. We’re adding more players. We’re adding [a] player development pool,’ Stewart said about the Unrivaled’s changes from Year 1 to Year 2. ‘We care about this game, and we care about really growing it and valuing our players. You see that with what we’re doing.’

Here’s a list of key changes Unrivaled made for Season Two:

Unrivaled expanded from six to eight teams, adding Hive BC and Breeze BC and a player development pool. The total number of player spots now stands at 54.
There will be a tour stop in Philadelphia, where Breeze, Phantom, Rose and Lunar Owls clubs will play two games each.
Players will compete in a $50,000 free throw challenge.
Back-to-back games have been eliminated by adding a fourth night of games. Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday will be game days.
More than 75% of Unrivaled athletes are signed to multiyear deals or extensions. Many players are signed through 2028.

Which players could be primed for breakout seasons?

More than 20 new players have joined Unrivaled. Breeze forward Cameron Brink missed 2025 while recovering from an injury suffered during her WNBA rookie season. Phantom guard Kelsey Plum chose to forego the 2025 season to prioritize her health.Both should thrive in Unrivaled and need to be on the early list of breakout candidates. Brink won gold in the 2023 FIBA 3×3 World Cup, and Plum won an Olympic gold medal in 3×3 basketball during the 2020 Tokyo Games.

‘I have a special love for 3-on-3, especially, so it means a lot that I get to be back here,’ Brink said about playing in Unrivaled.

Brink also believes rookie Paige Bueckers could be poised for a huge season.’Her midrange game is really gonna tear people up, but also she’s actually a really great defender, which I think she doesn’t get enough credit for,’ Brink said of Bueckers. ‘She’s actually really solid on the defensive end.’

Here’s a list of other players who could have huge seasons:

Mist guard Veronica Burton: Three-time FIBA 3×3 Medalist
Hive guard Kelsey Mitchell: First in WNBA in made 3-pointers (111)
Lunar Owls guard Rachel Banham: Seventh in WNBA in made 3-pointers (86)

2026 Unrivaled club rosters

*Players making their Unrivaled debut

Breeze BC

Head coach: Noelle Quinn

*Paige Bueckers
Rickea Jackson
*Dominique Malonga
*Aari McDonald
Kate Martin
*Cameron Brink

(Cameron Brink was a member of the Lunar Owls last season, but did not play while recovering from an ACL injury. She is set to make her debut in 2026.)

Hive BC

Head coach: Rena Wakama

*Kelsey Mitchell
*Sonia Citron
*Ezi Magbegor
*Natisha Hiedeman
*Saniya Rivers
*Monique Billings

(Natisha Hiedeman was a member of Unrivaled last season as a relief player, but did not spend the entire season with one club.)

Laces BC

Head coach: Andrew Wade

Jackie Young
Brittney Sykes
Alyssa Thomas
Jordin Canada
*Maddy Siegrist
*Naz Hillmon

(Naz Hillmon was a member of Unrivaled last season as a relief player, but did not spend the entire season with one club.)

Lunar Owls BC

Head coach: DJ Sackmann

Skylar Diggins
Marina Mabrey
*Temi Fagbenle
*Rachel Banham
*Rebecca Allen
Aaliyah Edwards

(Temi Fagbenle replaces Napheesa Collier, who will miss the 2026 season following ankle surgery)

Mist BC

Head coach:  Zach O’Brien

Allisha Gray
Breanna Stewart
*Alanna Smith
*Veronica Burton
Arike Ogunbowale
*Li Yueru

Phantom BC

Head coach: Roneeka Hodges

*Kelsey Plum
Satou Sabally
Aliyah Boston
*Dana Evans
Natasha Cloud
*Kiki Iriafen

(Kelsey Plum was invited to play in Unrivaled last season, but later declined her invite, opting to return for her first full year in 2026.)

Rose BC

Head coach: Nola Henry

Chelsea Gray
Kahleah Copper
*Sug Sutton
Azurá Stevens
Lexie Hull
Shakira Austin

Vinyl BC

Head coach: Teresa Weatherspoon

Courtney Williams
Rhyne Howard
Dearica Hamby
*Erica Wheeler
Rae Burrell
Brittney Griner

Developmental Pool

Makayla Timpson
 Hailey Van Lith
Aziaha James
Haley Jones
Emily Engstler
Laeticia Amihere

Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers and Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks lead their respective conferences after the first fan voting returns for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game were announced.

Fans will carry significant weight throughout the voting process, counting for 50% of the overall voting results.  NBA players (25%) and a media panel (25%) will make up the other half of the voting.

Dončić led all players with 1,249,518 votes as of Dec. 29. 

Dončić is followed by Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokić (1,128,962), Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors (1,031,455), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder (878,621) and Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs (769,362) in the Western Conference, respectively.

Dončić’s teammates LeBron James (536,555) and Austin Reaves (405,379) are ninth and 10th, respectively, among Western Conference players. James Harden of the Los Angeles Clippers is 12th with 215,301 votes. Clippers star Kawhi Leonard rounds out the top 20 with 85,325 votes.

Antetokounmpo leads the Eastern Conference with 1,192,296.  Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers (1,072,449), Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks (1,040,601), No. 4 Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons (1,000,171) and No. 5 Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers (851,155).

The next round of fan voting results will be released on Tuesday, Jan. 6.

What will NBA All-Star Game voting format be?

The league will introduce a new All-Star Game format this year with two teams consisting of American players and a third team made up of international players known as ‘the World Team.’

The teams play in a round-robin tournament that will feature four 12-minute games.

How to watch 2026 NBA All-Star Game?

When: Sunday, Feb. 15 at 2 p.m. PT (5 p.m. ET)

Where: Inuit Dome (Inglewood, California)

TV: NBC

Stream: Peacock

The NBA All-Star Game will be played on Sunday, Feb. 15 at 2 p.m. PT (5 p.m. ET) from the Inuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

Just like the postseason field itself, the NFL playoff schedule is now set.

With a little more than a month remaining until Super Bowl 60 in Santa Clara, California, 14 teams are about to embark on a journey that they hope will lead to a Lombardi Trophy. But the first steps will be taken next weekend in the wild-card round.

The Los Angeles Rams and Carolina Panthers will kick things off on Saturday afternoon, with the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears to follow. Three more contests will be held Sunday, and the Houston Texans will wrap things up at the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Here’s a full look at the schedule:

NFL playoff schedule: Wild-card games

Jan. 10

Los Angeles Rams at Carolina Panthers, 4:30 p.m. ET, FOX

Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears, 8 p.m. ET, Prime Video

Jan. 11

Buffalo Bills at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

San Francisco 49ers at Philadelphia Eagles, 4:30 p.m. ET, FOX

Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots, 8 p.m. ET, NBC

Jan. 12

Houston Texans at Pittsburgh Steelers, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC

NFL playoff schedule: Divisional-round games

Jan. 17

TBD vs. TBD

TBD vs. TBD

Jan. 18

TBD vs. TBD

TBD vs. TBD

NFL playoff schedule: Conference championship games

Jan. 25

AFC championship game, TBD

NFC championship game, TBD

NFL playoff schedule: Super Bowl 60

Feb. 8

AFC champion vs. NFC champion, NBC

The Atlanta Falcons are resetting once again.

Just hours after the regular-season finale on Sunday, the team fired coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot. Both of Morris’ seasons at the helm concluded with 8-9 records.

Fontenot had been the general manager for the past five years and oversaw several controversial moves, including the selection of quarterback Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8 overall a little more than a month after the Falcons signed veteran Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract.

Despite closing the campaign out with four consecutive wins, the Falcons opted to make a change at the top.

‘I have great personal affinity for both Raheem and Terry and appreciate their hard work and dedication to the Falcons, but I believe we need new leadership in these roles moving forward,’ Falcons owner Arthur Blank said in a statement. ‘The decision to move away from people who represent the organization so well and have a shared commitment to the values that are important to the organization is not an easy one, but the results on the field have not met our expectations or those of our fans and leadership. I wish Raheem and Terry the absolute best in their future pursuits.’

Expectations were high for Atlanta entering the season as the organization sought to break an active playoff drought only surpassed by the New York Jets. With Penix taking over as the full-time starter after a promising three-game stint to close out 2024, the Falcons sought to unleash an explosive offense keyed by running back Bijan Robinson and wide receiver Drake London.

But Penix struggled with his ball placement, and the Falcons offense floundered in both scoring and third-down conversions in the early going. After a 3-2 start, the team went on a five-game losing streak that would torpedo its playoff hopes and extend its run of consecutive losing seasons to eight.

In mid-November, Penix suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament, ending his season. The former Washington and Indiana passer suffered two torn ACLs in college.

Still, Robinson finished the year with an NFL-best 2,298 yards from scrimmage.

‘We’ve got enough people in place right now to have done what we needed to, and that’s what’s so frustrating for us,’ Morris said Sunday after the season finale against the New Orleans Saints.

Last April, Atlanta gave up its 2026 first-round pick in order to secure edge rusher James Pearce Jr. with the No. 26 overall selection. Along with fellow first-rounder Jalon Walker, Pearce was brought aboard to invigorate a pass rush that had netted by far the fewest sacks of any organization from 2019-24. Pearce set the franchise single-season rookie sack record with 10 ½, and the unit overall ranked second in the NFL with 57 thanks to defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich’s blitz-happy approach.

But the Falcons ended up surrendering a pick in the top half of the first round of the 2026 NFL draft to the Rams, leaving the team with few resources to address holes in the receiving corps and elsewhere.

Morris is the third coach to be fired this season after the Tennessee Titans dismissed Brian Callahan and the New York Giants parted ways with Brian Daboll.

(This story has been updated with new information.)

Holy cow.

Those who tuned into the ‘Sunday Night Football’ matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers probably had something akin to that reaction, with the two AFC North rivals going blow-for-blow, resulting in the Steelers escaping with a 26-24 win – and the AFC North crown.

How they got there, though, might have been an act of divine intervention.

Ravens kicker Tyler Loop slicing a kick wide right of the uprights as time expired, gifting the Steelers the win, and answering the prayers of plenty of Steelers faithful. Was it literal, though?

Prior to the game, a priest was seen blessing an end zone with holy water – the same end zone where the upright stood that was the target of Loop’s missed field goal try.

It was a blessing for the Steelers and a curse for the Ravens, who lined up to steal the win from the Steelers in Week 18. With the victory, Pittsburgh punched the last remaining ticket to the 2025 NFL playoffs.

Pittsburgh will defend home turf against the Houston Texans on Jan. 13 in the wild-card round. They’ll continue to look for miracles as their playoff run gets underway.

The march toward solidifying the NFL playoff picture tends to define Week 18 annually. But for most fan bases, the turning of the calendar means flipping attention to mock draft season rather than the postseason.

Sunday mark an important step in the pre-draft process, as the top 18 spots in the first-round order – occupied by all the franchises that failed to make the playoffs – are now set. And with a flurry of coaching staff and front-office shake-ups looming this week as the College Football Playoff continues, more clarity could be ahead in the coming weeks.

With Week 18’s games now complete and more than half of the first-round order in place, here’s our latest NFL mock draft projection:

2026 NFL mock draft

1. Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

The Heisman Trophy winner isn’t the elite improvisor or creator that recent No. 1 picks have been, but he’s composed and clean in almost any scenario you could throw at him. Mendoza also does seem capable of enacting a significant cultural shift, which is more than needed for a Raiders organization that has severely whiffed in a series of resets.

2. New York Jets – Dante Moore, QB, Oregon

Moore is no mere consolation prize, and he’s proven himself to be a highly composed and accurate distributor despite a limited body of work. Returning to school and vying for the No. 1 pick in 2027 remains an option, but Moore should be highly in demand if he does declare.

3. Arizona Cardinals – Arvell Reese, LB/DE, Ohio State

Reese would pair with Josh Sweat to give the kind of fearsome pairing off the edge that Arizona could build its defense around for the foreseeable future.

4. Tennessee Titans – Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn

An absolute force at 6-foot-6 and 285 pounds, Faulk is a work in progress as a pass rusher, but he’s the kind of project any defensive line coach would gladly take on.

5. New York Giants – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

Could a receiver who’s never been WR1 on his own team end up the first pass catcher selected in an entire draft class? Tate will likely face plenty of scrutiny for the role he operated in with the Buckeyes, but his route-running and body control are that of a target who can make a massive difference to ease the burden on his future quarterback.

6. Cleveland Browns – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

A fairly extensive injury history will surely loom over Tyson’s stock, and he could slide if teams have concerns. When healthy, however, he’s a smooth target who can threaten defenses all over the field.

7. Washington Commanders – Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (Fla.)

As questions about his arm length and fit at the next level have amplified, Bain has continued to bulldoze all comers, leading the charge for the Hurricanes’ defense in the unit’s College Football Playoff run.

8. New Orleans Saints – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

For all the legitimate concerns of the positional value and limitations of running backs, the all-purpose RB shapes up as the kind of consistent big-play threat for whom teams will pay a significant premium. He’d be a fitting successor to Alvin Kamara and someone who could help Tyler Shough continue to ascend in Year 2.

9. Kansas City Chiefs – David Bailey, DE/OLB, Texas Tech

No one made life more difficult for quarterbacks this season than Bailey, the Stanford transfer who tied for the Football Bowl Subdivision lead in sacks (14½). His skill set is enough to make teams that prefer more prototypically built edge rushers reconsider.

10. Cincinnati Bengals – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

A two-time unanimous All-American and Thorpe Award winner, Downs accomplished nearly everything imaginable for a collegiate defensive back. While some franchises might be reticent to take a safety in the top 10, the do-everything defender shouldn’t be reduced to his positional label.

11. Miami Dolphins – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

Essentially a lockdown presence in his final season after transferring from Virginia Tech, Delane gave teams plenty of reasons to look past his pedestrian physical tools to his overall coverage prowess.

12. Dallas Cowboys – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

Long known for his rare athleticism, Styles has come into his own as a linebacker by developing an advanced feel for the position, particularly in his work against the run. At 6-foot-4 and 243 pounds with outstanding speed, he also has all the physical traits to match up with tight ends and transcend a typical role at the second level.

13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) – Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

The unanimous All-American’s fleet feet set him apart from his peers in this class, making him the clear front-runner to be the first offensive tackle off the board.

14. Baltimore Ravens – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

McCoy missed all of the 2025 season after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in January, but a clean bill of health at the combine could enable him to compete to be the first cornerback taken. Along with 2024 first-rounder Nate Wiggins, he could give Baltimore a formidable cornerback tandem as the team reflects on whether there’s a reasonable way to bring back Marlon Humphrey at a lower price.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

Woods never flourished into the top-five talent it seemed he was on track to become entering this season, but his high-end flashes as a disruptor still seem likely to entice a team in the early first round.

16. Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) – Makai Lemon, WR, USC

The Biletnikoff Award winner is uniquely positioned to thrive in this era of football, as he consistently frees himself up from coverage in the short-to-intermediate area and piles up yards after the catch with ease.

17. Detroit Lions – Francis Mauigoa, OT/G, Miami (Fla.)

Solid to the core in pass protection and a true punisher in the run game, Mauigoa will up the physicality of whatever front he joins. That’s something that Dan Campbell would covet as he tries to re-establish Detroit’s ability to set the tone up front with a stronger interior.

18. Minnesota Vikings – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

Aggressive yet composed, Terrell would enable the Vikings to sort out a secondary that needs to turn the page on a challenging 2025 season.

19. Carolina Panthers – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

His main selling point will be how he can expand a passing attack as a seam threat and mismatch creator, but Sadiq will also elevate the run game of whatever team he joins thanks to his relentless approach.

20. Cowboys (from Green Bay Packers) – Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

It’s difficult to find cornerbacks who can match Cisse in smothering receivers at the line of scrimmage or catch point while staying composed in between. Any team looking for a dose of physicality in the secondary will be drawn to him.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

Simpson’s hardly enjoyed the late-season trajectory of a surefire first-rounder, and he lacks the high-end tools to help teams overlook his flagging production. Still, Simpson could stand to benefit from a shallow quarterback class if he chooses to declare, as coaching staffs might see a passer worth developing thanks to his quick processing and pocket awareness.

22. Los Angeles Chargers – Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State

Ioane demonstrated outstanding resilience in the face of a disastrous season for the Nittany Lions, which helped push him to the front of the pack to be the first interior lineman taken.

23. Philadelphia Eagles – Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon

A two-time transfer from Wyoming and USC, Pregnon has elevated his game at every stop and should be a stout presence at the next level.

24. Buffalo Bills – Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

Boston sizes up as exactly the kind of jump-ball winner and red-zone threat you’d expect of a 6-foot-4, 210-pound target, but he’s also more fluid than one might expect given his build.

25. Chicago Bears – Caleb Banks, DT, Florida

A foot injury that robbed him of most of his final season at Florida is the biggest knock on Banks’ draft stock, as the 6-foot-6, 330-pounder combines rare quickness and athleticism to disrupt along the interior.

26. San Francisco 49ers – KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

As the Paul Hornung Award winner for the most versatile player in college football, the receiver and return specialist can ignite explosive plays in a variety of different forms for his next team.

27. Houston Texans – Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

The 6-foot-3, 330-pounder figures to be a force multiplier at the next level, commanding double teams and collapsing the pocket while also making his mark as a run stuffer.

28. Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) – Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

Proctor’s singular size (6-foot-7, 366 pounds) and uneven play could make him a polarizing prospect, but there’s no denying his ability to erase defenders when he properly locks in.

29. Rams – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

Los Angeles could clearly stand to add a little more bulk and reliability in the secondary, and Hood could help significantly on both fronts.

30. New England Patriots – Cashius Howell, OLB, Texas A&M

While Howell might get dinged for his arm length, he’s demonstrated a number of different ways to compensate for the shortcoming to become a highly efficient pass rusher.

31. Denver Broncos – CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

Allen’s hardly the biggest linebacker at 6-foot-1 and 235 pounds, but his well-rounded athleticism should allow him to make plays in a variety of different ways at the next level.

32. Seattle Seahawks – Kelley Jones, CB, Mississippi State

If he declares, the 6-foot-4, 195-pound Jones has the make-up of a player who could rise significantly throughout the pre-draft process. He’d be a fitting potential replacement for Tariq Woolen in a Seahawks cornerback group that could undergo a major shift in 2026.

Myles Garrett set the new single-season sack record with 23 sacks in the 2025 season.
Garrett achieved the record in a 17-game season, which has sparked debate about its legitimacy compared to previous records.
The article notes other records, like Reggie White’s 21 sacks in 12 games, that require context when discussing all-time bests.
Sacks only became an official NFL statistic in 1982, further complicating historical comparisons.

The Cleveland Browns defensive end set the record for most sacks in a single season with his 23rd of the 2025 campaign, a takedown of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow on one of the most impressive speed rushes you’ll ever see in your life, on Sunday, Jan. 4.

But as with all records, this distinction – long as it is noted and referenced as we talk about the NFL – must come with the proper context. 

Garrett had the benefit of a 17th game. Without it, his quest for the record ends with him chasing Aaron Rodgers around. As we saw in Week 17, Rodgers released the ball quicker than anybody could utter “hot potato!” Regardless, that’s how the Pittsburgh Steelers have designed their offense.

We don’t tell the whole truth enough in our world today. But doing is important. It doesn’t take away from Garrett’s greatness – did you see that sack? How many people have you watched who are capable of moving like that? The moment deserves warranted recognition. But let’s not take the easy way out by failing to complete a proper accounting.

NFL’s single-season sack king? The context behind the numbers

The sack-king dispute was already messy and required some clean-up, even before Garrett upended the rubble. Garrett surpassed Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt, each of whom had 22.5 sacks. 

Reggie White had 21 sacks in 12 games with the Philadelphia Eagles during the strike-shortened and partially scab-played 1987 season. That’s certainly something worth further examination that feels lost to the past because, well, it was nearly four decades ago now.

Jerry Rice, who also played 12 games that season, had 22 touchdown receptions. Randy Moss’ 23 TD catches came in a 16-game season. O.J. Simpson’s 1973 season – the first 2,000-yard rushing performance – came in the era of 14-game regular seasons.

Dan Marino’s 1984 campaign has lost luster over the years. The Philadelphia Eagles’ Saquon Barkley surpassed the 2,000-yard rushing threshold in 16 games (and was the ninth to do it) and stood down in Week 18 to preserve Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson’s single-season record of 2,105 rushing yards that’s stood since 1984.

Dickerson is unabashedly transparent about not wanting his record broken, which is something he has in common with Mark Gastineau, a sack king in his own right. Strahan famously set his record via a Brett Favre dive, which broke the heart of Gastineau – the previous record-holder (22 sacks in 1984). Sacks weren’t even an official stat until 1982. Pro Football reference lists the unofficial leader as Al Baker, who had 23 sacks (unofficially) with the Detroit Lions in 1978.

Another more-recent example and more pertinent to Garrett’s record is Watt, who accomplished his single-season, record-tying feat in 15 games during the 2021 season (the first that had 17 games).

Records don’t change. But the games do, and we can recognize that

And pretty soon, we’ll be at 18 games. And we’ll be having the same discussion about why context is important when we’re talking about records. Which makes talking about it way less fun. But that’s the cost of business when you’re a sports fan. It’s a fine tradeoff. The discourse can be whacky in exchange for the spectacle Garrett provides. (Garrett is handsomely compensated for his labor. He signed a four-year, $160 million extension with the Browns that included $123.5 million in guarantees in March 2025.) 

Garrett will go down as one of the best to ever do it and have his claim to GOAT status. Garrett has now racked up 125.5 career sacks since the Browns drafted him first overall in 2017 (83 of those have come in the last five seasons). He turned 30 last week. Bruce Smith’s 200 sacks certainly could be within reach. 

Sam Fortier of the Washington Post talked about how Garrett’s chase felt “small.” I don’t agree with that at face value; I’m a sucker for narrative and excitement. But he asked the right question – does it count to break a record in 17 games that was set in 16 games? One of his theses: a lot of records feel cheapened. My colleague Nate Davis compiled a list of NFL records that could be affected by the existence of a 17-game schedule. 

Myles Garrett is the single-season sack leader. Let the record books reflect it. The same as Barry Bonds is MLB’s home-run leader. The record books should reflect such. But let’s make sure we’re saying all of the truth.

We don’t do that enough these days.