The Carolina Panthers tried to dial up a flea flicker in a key moment in their Week 18 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It backfired immensely.

The play in question came on a first-and-10 from Tampa Bay’s 20-yard line. Panthers quarterback Bryce Young handed the ball to running back Rico Dowdle, who appeared poised to carry it up the middle of the Buccaneers’ defense.

Instead, Dowdle turned back toward Young and tried to lateral him the ball. However, he slipped on the slick turf at Raymond James Stadium while making the pitch. As a result, the ball bounced in front of Young, and the third-year quarterback wasn’t able to corral it before 35-year-old linebacker Lavonte David pounced on it.

Below is a full look at the play:

Carolina’s call was curious, as the Panthers had effectively moved the ball before dialing up the trick play. They had traversed 45 yards over five plays to put themselves in scoring range in a game they were trailing 16-7 with just over 11 minutes left in regulation.

Also strange was that no receiver appeared to be running a deep route on the play. Flea flickers are traditionally used to take a down-the-field shot against an unsuspecting defense, yet the deepest downfield route on the play appeared to be a 5-yard curl by Tetairoa McMillan.

Panthers coach Dave Canales will surely be asked about the play after the game. Whether it was an ill-timed gaffe or a miscommunication, it did significant damage to Carolina’s chances of winning the NFC South on Saturday.

MILWAUKEE – Erin Jackson came into the Olympic trials having already secured a spot in the speed skating 500 meters.

Now she’s got one in the 1,000 meters, too.

Jackson won the 1,000 meters — and the automatic Olympic spot that goes with that title — Saturday, blistering the second half of her race and finishing with a time of 1:14.63. That was 0.39 seconds ahead of Brittany Bowe. Mia Manganello was third, almost two seconds behind Jackson.

‘Just a really big relief,’ Jackson said in a post-race interview with NBC. ‘A few days ago, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to race it at all because of a hamstring injury. … I didn’t feel anything (today) in my hamstring.’

Though Bowe didn’t automatically qualify by finishing second, U.S. Speed Skating quickly announced that she, too, is going to Milano Cortina.

The Americans have two quota spots in the 1,000 meters. But because they can only send a total of six women to the Olympics, and Jackson and Manganello had pre-qualified with their World Cup performances, U.S. Speed Skating wanted to make sure it had enough places before awarding that second spot in the 1,000 meters.

Jackson’s win in the 1,000 meters actually helped that. Because she was already guaranteed one of those six spots, U.S. Speed Skating did not have to use one to send a skater it didn’t plan to.

‘In my mind, I’ll be going to the Olympics,’ Bowe said before U.S. Speed Skating’s announcement.

This will be the third Olympics for Jackson and fourth for Bowe. They will both be medal contenders in multiple distances. Jackson’s best race is actually the 500 meters, where she is the reigning Olympic champion. Bowe is currently ranked third in the World Cup standings in the 1,000 meters and fifth in the 1,500 meters.

MILWAUKEE — Jordan Stolz only needed to show up to make the U.S. Olympic team.

Good thing.

Stolz finished third in the 1,000 meters Saturday after falling right after the start, an almost unfathomable mistake for a guy who has dominated the sport of speed skating the last three years. But because of a similar fluke four years ago, Stolz’s spot on the Olympic team was never in doubt.

In 2022, Erin Jackson came to the Olympic trials ranked No. 1 in the 500 meters. But she finished third, and out of the Olympic spots, after stumbling early in her race. Jackson made the team when Brittany Bowe, who won the 500, gave up her spot, and Jackson went on to win gold in Beijing.

As a result, U.S. Speed Skating changed its Olympics qualifying procedures so anyone who medaled at the world championships last season could lock a spot with top-five finishes at that distance in two World Cups. Stolz medaled in all three sprint distances at worlds, and had locked his spot after the second World Cup in the 500, 1,000 and 1,500 meters.

Still, Stolz’s stumble was a shock — especially since it came on home ice. Skating at the Pettit Center, where he trains, Stolz appeared to get his toe pick stuck in the ice just after the start and fell. He hopped right back up and was able to erase almost, but not all, of the gap on Conor McDermott-Mostowy.

McDermott-Mostowy won the race in 1:07.60, with Cooper McLeod 0.24 seconds behind. Even with the fall, Stolz was just 0.36 seconds off McDermott-Mostowy’s time with 1:07.99. It’s the first 1,000-meter race this season that Stolz has not won.

‘Anything can happen,’ Stolz said.

Stunning as the result Saturday was, it will not change Stolz’s status as a gold-medal contender in four individual races. This is the kind of fluke that rarely happens to the top skaters, and Stolz is more likely to return to the form that has overwhelmed the rest of the world the last three seasons.

Stolz swept the sprint races at the world championships in 2023 and 2024, and finished as the overall champion in each of the three races last season. He has won the 1,000 and 1,500 meters at each of the first four World Cups, and five of the seven 500-meter races.

After not racing the mass start in almost three years, Stolz put it back in his program this season. And medaled in two of the four World Cups, including a win in Hamar, Norway.

NFL rookies deserve the benefit of the doubt when it comes to assessing their first impressions.

Adapting to the rigors and complexity of pro football is no easy feat, and any turbulence in navigating that process is not necessarily indicative of persistent trouble. Still, with the 2025 regular season almost complete, it’s time to look back on how last April’s top picks all fared.

This was a class short on star power, and that dynamic was largely reinforced throughout the season. While several players emerged right away as key contributors, only one rookie was selected to the Pro Bowl: the Tennessee Titans’ Chimere Dike, who made it as a returner. But while there might not have been a transcendent talent on the level of someone like Jayden Daniels or Brock Bowers last year, the Day 1 crop largely impressed with early returns.

Here are the grades for every first-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft after 17 weeks:

1. Cam Ward, QB, Tennessee Titans: B

A glimpse at the raw facts – a fired coach, tying for the league-high with 55 sacks taken and a passing offense that ranks 30th in yards per game – might lead one to conclude Ward’s debut campaign was an abject failure. But the top pick showed remarkable resiliency in the face of extremely difficult circumstances. Despite lacking any consistent help up front or from Tennessee’s skill-position crew, Ward has made magic happen with daring downfield throws and a knack for making something out of nothing by extending plays. Saints edge rusher Chase Young even re-upped the persistent Patrick Mahomes comparisons after last week. Of course, Ward has a good deal of work to do to put himself on a comparable trajectory to the three-time Super Bowl MVP, and the Titans’ subpar setup has exacerbated issues with his erratic ball placement and proclivity for going into hero mode rather than operating within structure. But Ward’s peak performance has been more than enough for the next coaching staff to be encouraged about what it will inherit.

2. Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Jacksonville Jaguars: Incomplete

With his season cut short by a noncontact knee injury that landed him on injured reserve on Halloween, Hunter and his iron man act ended up as more of a curiosity this fall rather than the full-scale spectacle many envisioned. The 2024 Heisman Trophy winner deserves a reprieve given his singular undertaking, but Jacksonville’s plan to juggle his workload at wide receiver and cornerback – with the bulk of snaps coming at the former spot – left much to be desired. With a full recovery, Hunter could still take his place as a playmaker without peer in this class. But after Jakobi Meyers’ extension following his midseason arrival via trade and Parker Washington’s emergence, there’s even more reason for the Jaguars to push him toward more action on defense.

3. Abdul Carter, OLB, New York Giants: B

Sacks didn’t come in droves for Carter, who didn’t net his first full one until December and has just four on the season. But he has 3 ½ in his last four contests, and his 66 pressures – which ranks eighth among all players – better illustrate his effectiveness as a pass rusher. Still, Carter’s campaign has been clouded by interim coach Mike Kafka benching him twice for the start of games as a disciplinary measure. He’ll have to figure out how to better parlay his initial disruptiveness into a better finishing touch, but a breakout could be ahead in Year 2 if he aligns himself well with a new coaching staff.

4. Will Campbell, OT, New England Patriots: B

Drake Maye’s ascension to potential NFL MVP entailed a variety of factors, with many of them a credit to the quarterback himself. But Campbell’s performance has unquestionably given the second-year signal-caller a boost. His stellar protection has helped Maye take his place as arguably the league’s premier deep passer. The left tackle missed the last four games with a knee injury, but he’s set to return for the franchise’s postseason appearance since 2021.

5. Mason Graham, DT, Cleveland Browns: B- 

It’s rare for a top-five selection to be perhaps the most overlooked part of a rookie draft class. Yet that might be the case with Graham, who has been outshone by Defensive Rookie of the Year front-runner Carson Schwesinger and tight end Harold Fannin Jr., among others. Graham had a rough early go but still has shown some promise as an interior disruptor in the passing game. Cleveland surely would have liked more substantial returns right away, particularly as Myles Garrett continues to command a good deal of attention as he pursues he single-season sack record. But there’s no reason for concern.

6. Ashton Jeanty, RB, Las Vegas Raiders: C

Grading Jeanty is a difficult proposition for the same reason that taking him this high carried significant risk: How can you assess a position that can only do so much to transcend its surroundings? The Heisman Trophy runner-up finisher’s arrival did little to repair an attack that remains the league’s least effective by almost any metric, as he boasts the lowest rushing success rate (32.5%) of all qualified players. But that’s largely a reflection of the Raiders’ inability to give Jeanty any room to run, with offensive coordinator Chip Kelly fired in late November as the attack continued to spin out. With 188 yards from scrimmage in Week 16, the talented all-purpose threat has still managed to serve up sporadic reminders of his immense promise. But it’s probably time for Las Vegas to merely leave this inauspicious debut behind, as the team looks poised to reconfigure both its offensive personnel and play-calling this offseason.

7. Armand Membou, OT, New York Jets: B

Known for being stout and reliable at Missouri, Membou made good on his reputation at the NFL level almost immediately. He quickly adapted to taking on pro pass rushers, and he remained a punishing presence in the ground game, earning the sixth-best run block win rate (80%) among all offensive tackles, according to ESPN. The line is perhaps the lone source of stability for Gang Green amid a personnel teardown, and Membou looks to be one of the lone few building blocks for the team moving forward.

8. Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Carolina Panthers: A-

All that pre-draft scrutiny surrounding McMillan was rendered moot rather quickly, as the towering wideout carried a still suspect passing attack that was woefully short on legitimate threats on the perimeter. The 6-5, 212-pound target answered many of the questions about his route-running with a much more polished approach than he showed at Arizona, making him an even more formidable downfield weapon than his frame and catch radius would suggest. But even while accounting for more than 30% of the team’s receiving yards, McMillan has perhaps hit the ceiling of what he can do to overcome the offense’s limitations through the air. In a class lacking any truly elite first-year players, however, he’d be a worthy Offensive Rookie of the Year selection.

9. Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, New Orleans Saints: B

The Texas product was one of the most surprising picks in the top 10, with some wondering whether he would be ticketed for a move to guard given his frame. But Banks has come on strong late in the season, helping the offense blossom after Tyler Shough took over as the starting quarterback at midseason. With Banks and Taliese Fuaga as bookend tackles, New Orleans has a stellar foundation up front for first-year coach Kellen Moore’s offense.

10. Colston Loveland, TE, Chicago Bears: B+

Plenty of parts of Ben Johnson’s offense didn’t coalesce until later in the season. Loveland, however, is just one of many promising young players on the unit to take off down the stretch. A major seam threat and red-zone weapon, he could become a focal point of the attack next season after battling to prove himself in the early going.

11. Mykel Williams, DE, San Francisco 49ers: Incomplete

Williams started nine games before suffering a season-ending torn anterior cruciate ligament. A work in progress as a pass rusher upon his selection, the former Georgia defensive end only recorded one sack and didn’t get an extensive opportunity to hone his craft. Williams, however, looked to be an emerging force against the run and generated pressure, particularly when working inside in obvious passing downs. He and Nick Bosa will both try to work their way back in 2026 to give San Francisco the formidable edge pairing that team leadership envisioned last spring.

12. Tyler Booker, G, Dallas Cowboys: B

There might not have been a more scrutinized pick in the first round, as Jerry Jones once again cut against the grain by taking the powerful yet athletically limited offensive guard at No. 12. Booker, however, largely looked at home in his initial foray against pros. The 6-4, 321-pounder was a driving force in the Cowboys’ rushing attack turnaround, and he held his own as a pass protector. While it’s still fair to question Dallas’ deployment of resources, Booker should be a staple of the front for some time.

13. Kenneth Grant, DT, Miami Dolphins: C

Grant started to put things together in Miami’s win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, generating four pressures and making his presence felt up front. Still, on the whole, the season has been a bit of a slog for the mountainous former Michigan lineman. Maybe that was to be expected for a player who was going to have to work on his conditioning and learn to become a more reliable contributor on a down-to-down basis. But Miami will be counting on him to set the tone against the run in a way he didn’t for most of his rookie year.

14. Tyler Warren, TE, Indianapolis Colts: A-

At one point this season, it looked as though Warren was a serious threat to become the first tight end to win Offensive Rookie of the Year, as he racked up 617 yards in Indianapolis’ sizzling 8-2 start. Then the offense unraveled, Daniel Jones got hurt, and Warren never reached 50 receiving yards in any of the Colts’ last six games. Still, he raises the floor of the passing attack several levels as a versatile threat who can break tackles and own the short-to-intermediate area.

15. Jalon Walker, OLB, Atlanta Falcons: B+

Moving Walker to the edge full-time paid off in a big way for both the rookie and the Falcons, who benefited greatly from his well-rounded work. His pass-rush production has waned a bit as teammate James Pearce Jr.’s has taken off, but he’s still one of the most complete and impressive rookies in the entire class.

16. Walter Nolen III, DT, Arizona Cardinals: Incomplete

Injuries colored what otherwise seemed like a promising rookie season for Nolen, who missed the first seven games of the season and then landed on injured reserve with a knee ailment. Despite only playing in six games, however, Nolen put together some impressive flashes by generating 13 pressures on 93 pass-rush plays. With Arizona dogged by injuries all season, Nolen figures to be one of several players who could come back strong in 2026.

17. Shemar Stewart, DE, Cincinnati Bengals: D+

At least the hyperathletic defensive end won’t end his rookie season without a sack. Stewart tallied the first of his career in a Week 17 win over the Cardinals, long past the point where his contributions would have made a difference for Cincinnati. Perhaps he should be extended some grace, given that he missed significant time with knee and ankle injuries. But there’s been little development for a player who needed plenty of it.

18. Grey Zabel, G, Seattle Seahawks: B

To pull off arguably the offseason’s most drastic overhaul, the Seahawks had to break with some recent tendencies. That included making a sizable investment in the interior line with Zabel in a move that ran counter to John Schneider’s established track record. Like many of Seattle’s moves, this one appears to have landed. Though Zabel couldn’t single-handedly lift up a rushing attack that didn’t find its stride until late in the year, he’s done superlative work in helping safeguard Sam Darnold.

19. Emeka Egbuka, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: A-

His heroics in the opening weeks, which included five touchdowns in the first five games, put him in a class apart from his rookie peers. Since midseason, however, his production has slowed considerably, and he’s ceded his Offensive Rookie of the Year front-runner status. The downturn should mostly be attributed to the Buccaneers’ wider offensive issues, though Egbuka hurt his cause with a rash of drops. Still, even with a dwindling role down the stretch, he shapes up as another significant draft triumph for Jason Licht.

20. Jahdae Barron, CB, Denver Broncos: B-

Seeing a heavy workload right off the bat for one of the league’s most loaded defenses was always bound to be a stretch for any rookie. Barron has played in just 29% of the Broncos’ defensive snaps while seeing action in the team’s nickel and dime packages. He’s fared well in limited work, however, taking on an array of coverage assignments. He should continue to provide flexibility on the back end for Denver as a versatile piece capable of matching up with tight ends and receivers as well as making plays against the run.

21. Derrick Harmon, DT, Pittsburgh Steelers: B-

Separate knee injuries have forced the versatile defensive lineman to miss five games this year, but Harmon’s absences have only reinforced his value. Pittsburgh has struggled to stand up to the run when he’s been off the field, with the defense surrendering 217 yards on the ground in its initial tilt against the rival Ravens. Harmon still must grow as a pass rusher, but he at least gives the Steelers some semblance of a post-Cam Heyward future.

22. Omarion Hampton, RB, Los Angeles Chargers: B

Najee Harris’ torn Achilles looked as though it would thrust Hampton into a featured role in the early season, but the North Carolina product missed seven games with a fractured ankle suffered in Week 5. He returned to a timeshare with Kimani Vidal, but the Chargers’ offense has been thrown off balance by being without Joe Alt as well as Rashawn Slater at offensive tackle. Having shown signs of his all-purpose prowess and ability to shake off would-be tacklers for explosive runs, Hampton could be a solid candidate to break out in 2026 once he and the Bolts get their bearings.

23. Matthew Golden, WR, Green Bay Packers: C-

It’s clear that everyone got a little carried away in expecting that Golden would emerge as a go-to threat in a Matt LaFleur offense that doesn’t really afford that opportunity to any wideout, let alone a rookie. Yes, much more than 28 catches for 353 yards were expected of a player who looked the part of a top-line receiver in training camp. But it was reasonable to expect that the franchise’s first Day 1 receiver in 23 years would alter the complexion of the offense. Instead, he’s had more than 25 receiving yards in just one game since Week 8.

24. Donovan Jackson, G, Minnesota Vikings: B-

It’s been an extremely trying season for the Vikings’ offense, with J.J. McCarthy largely failing to find his footing behind an injury-riddled offensive line. But don’t pin the protection problems and unstable run game on Jackson. The former Ohio State standout had a rough introduction into the NFL that included a wrist injury in September, but he settled in and became a solid presence down the stretch on an otherwise suspect interior. Minnesota has plenty to evaluate about its offensive setup heading into next year, but it shouldn’t be concerned with Jackson’s development.

25. Jaxson Dart, QB, Giants: B-

Maybe this seems like a low mark for a player who was essentially the only source of hope for the Giants in a lost season. Dart, however, hasn’t enjoyed the same kind of progress as a pocket passer that some of his other peers in the class have. Despite providing Big Blue a sizable spark with his running ability, Dart will have to be a more composed and reliable presence under center next season and beyond. And while he’s waved off calls for him to dial back his devil-may-care running style, staying on the field will be a vital step in the early stages of his growth.

26. James Pearce Jr., OLB, Falcons: B

In setting the Falcons’ single-season rookie sack record and pacing all 2025 picks with 8 ½, Pearce has been exactly as advertised for a pass rush that needed his jolt. But he also remains a liability against the run, which has inhibited his utilization. Getting stronger and rounding out his game could go a long way toward making Pearce a consistent force. But the substantial cost of acquiring him continues to loom large for Atlanta, which looks poised to surrender a top-13 pick to the Los Angeles Rams after trading into this slot last April.

27. Malaki Starks, S, Baltimore Ravens: B

He was overshadowed by Nick Emmanwori, the uniquely athletic second-round safety who became a dynamic playmaker for the Seattle Seahawks. Still, Starks made a stellar impression with his heady play. He likely won’t ever approach the scintillating highs that Emmanwori will reach at times, but Starks offers a steadiness that is vital to a unit that has been too prone to meltdowns.

28. Tyleik Williams, DT, Detroit Lions: B-

Williams has started nine games this season, but he has participated in just 41% of the Lions’ defensive snaps. Consistency never quite clicked for Williams, but the defensive tackle seldom looked out of sorts.

29. Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Washington Commanders: B-

Conerly was headed for a much worse grade before turning things around later in the season. Washington hopes to see that progress carry over to 2026, when it can get a full reset on a disappointing year and try to equip Jayden Daniels for a bounce-back year.

30. Maxwell Hairston, CB, Buffalo Bills: B-

Having missed the first six games of the season and made just two starts, Hairston doesn’t have the extensive body of work of others on this list. He’s largely fared well in coverage, however, routinely sticking with receivers while showing some glimpses of his impressive ball skills. A larger role surely awaits next season, though the 5-11, 192-pounder will have to get stronger to avoid being exploited by bigger receivers and in the run game.

31. Jihaad Campbell, LB, Philadelphia Eagles: B

From his stunning performance at the open of the season to stepping up late in the year, Campbell has been impressive when filling in for the injured Nakobe Dean. His range and playmaking have been exceptional, though he’s had some costly lapses that help explain why he didn’t retain the role when Dean has been healthy. Still, Campbell is shaping up to be yet another hit for Howie Roseman and a significant asset for Vic Fangio’s defense.

32. Josh Simmons, OT, Kansas City Chiefs: B

Having played only eight games due to a wrist injury and personal issue, Simmons was bordering on an incomplete grade. But Kansas City saw enough of him to be plenty encouraged. At his peak, Simmons looks fully capable of being the upper-echelon pass protector Patrick Mahomes has long lacked at left tackle. More consistency is required, as are better showings as a run blocker, but he’s trending in the right direction.

The NFL MVP race is typically dominated by quarterbacks.
Patriots QB Drake Maye is the current favorite to win the 2026 award.

The NFL is a quarterback league, a reality that’s reflected in its annual MVP race.

Ten of the 11 players with the best odds to be named 2026 NFL Most Valuable Player entering the final week of the regular season are quarterbacks. After 2025 MVP Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills topped Baltimore Ravens star Lamar Jackson for the award last season, another two-man QB race has dominated the MVP conversation this season.

And while an odds-on favorite has emerged out of a corner of the NFL that’s had its fair share of individual titles, Week 18 represents a final opportunity to impress voters before the winner is named in early February.

Here are the latest NFL MVP odds as of Saturday, Jan. 3, courtesy of BetMGM.

NFL MVP odds ahead of Week 18

1. Drake Maye, New England Patriots QB (-325)

The second-year quarterback has been a revelation for the resurgent Patriots, gashing opponents with big plays all season. Maye’s stat line of 4,203 passing yards, 30 touchdowns and eight interceptions represent a massive leap from his uneven rookie season. His ability to extend plays with his legs has added another 409 yards and four touchdowns, and Maye has the Patriots expecting to win with a regularity they haven’t enjoyed since Tom Brady left town.

2. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams QB (+240)

What was an extremely close two-man race entering Week 17 went a bit sideways for Stafford in the Rams’ 27-24 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Stafford’s three-interception performance was the worst of an otherwise stellar season for the Rams signal caller. Stafford has thrown for 4,448 yards and 42 touchdowns to only eight interceptions. At age 37, Stafford still has an argument as the league’s most effective QB.

3. Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers RB (+5,000)

Run CMC keeps churning out the hits for the 49ers, a fact that’s kept him as the only non-QB with a puncher’s chance at the league’s top individual honor. Heading into Week 18, McCaffrey has 1,179 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground, along with 890 yards and seven touchdowns receiving. Four more catches on Jan. 3 will give the high-usage McCaffrey more than 300 carries and 100 receptions on the season.

4. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills QB (+50,000)

So you’re saying there’s a chance? The reigning NFL MVP’s odds to repeat aren’t quite one in a million, but it would be a truly historic upset for the Bills star to win. Despite his heroics in a 2025 season that’s seen Allen pass for 25 touchdowns and run for 14 more through 17 weeks, a potentially statistically better season than Allen’s MVP campaign has been dampened by an increase in turnovers.

Seven other quarterbacks have the same long-shot MVP odds as Allen. Also at +50,000 are:

C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears
Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks

Former North Texas quarterback Drew Mestemaker has found his new home.

According to multiple reports, Mestemaker committed to follow his former coach, Eric Morris, to Oklahoma State on Saturday, Jan. 3. Mestemaker led North Texas to a 12-2 record during the 2025 college football season and to the American Conference Championship game.

The redshirt freshman completed 319-of-463 passes (68.9%) for 4,379 yards and 34 touchdowns to nine interceptions in 2025, his first full year as a starter. He concluded his Mean Green career with a 49-47 win in the New Mexico Bowl over San Diego State on Dec. 27.

Mestemaker led the country in passing during the 2025 season and will have a chance to prove himself in his junior season in the Big 12. A big season could catapult his draft stock heading into the 2027 NFL draft.

Morris signed a five-year contract with the Cowboys in late November after the university parted ways with longtime coach Mike Gundy. Morris posted a 22-16 record over three seasons at North Texas, with the third season serving as a major breakout year.

Oklahoma State is coming off a 1-11 record in 2025. The program is just 4-20 over the last two seasons, leading to Gundy’s departure.

Landing Mestemaker is a big first step for Morris, who has seen 59 total Oklahoma State players enter the transfer portal since the firing of Gundy and the announcement of his hiring.

The transfer portal opened on Jan. 2 and will remain open until Jan. 16.

Drew Mestemaker stats

Here’s a look at Mestemaker’s stats in his two collegiate seasons with North Texas:

2024: 30-of-46 passing (65.2%) for 462 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions;
2025: 319-of-463 passes (68.9%) for 4,379 yards, 34 touchdowns and nine interceptions

Drew Mestemaker recruiting rankings

Mestemaker was unranked in the 2024 recruiting class, per 247Sports’ Composite ratings, coming out of Austin Vandegrift High in Austin, Texas. He never started a varsity game at quarterback during his high school career.

Following his two successful seasons with the Mean Green, Mestemaker was the No. 3 overall player and quarterback in the 2025 portal rankings.

It’s appropriate that the NFL’s ‘Rivalries’ uniform rollout for the 2025 season will conclude with one of the league’s fiercest set of foes meeting in a high-stakes Week 18 matchup in prime time.

The San Francisco 49ers will be the eighth team to utilize their new alternates Saturday night when they don the ‘For the Faithful’ threads against the Seattle Seahawks when the squads clash at Levi’s Stadium with the NFC West title and conference’s No. 1 playoff seed on the line. It will mark the first time the Niners have worn black jerseys in eight years, though the new ones should pop in a way the simpler black-and-red ones they occasionally used between 2015 and 2017 did.

The 49ers are asking their fans − alternately known as the ‘Faithful’ − to wear black.

What’s new about the 49ers’ ‘Rivalries’ uniforms?

For the first time, the Niners will be in monochrome black as they also wear black helmets − which they’ve never had since joining the NFL in 1950. The dome is matte black, adorned with a pair of red stripes down the centerline, the familiar interlocking ‘SF’ logo and gold-coated facemasks intended to sparkle under Levi’s Stadium’s lights. ‘Faithful’ is scripted on the headgear’s back bumper.

The red jersey numbers are outlined in gold and presented in a saloon-like font derived by the franchise’s classic wordmark. A cursive ‘Faithful’ is etched above the numbers on the chest, enabling the franchise to express its ‘steadfast appreciation for the unwavering dedication of 49ers fans across the globe.’ “Faithful to the Bay,’ the club motto, is stitched inside the collar. Per Nike, the look is ‘inspired by the Gold Rush era that once defined San Francisco.’

Said All-Pro tight end George Kittle, who helped design the ‘For the Faithful’ uniforms: ‘We wanted something fun, something different that we don’t really ever do. I haven’t worn all black since my rookie season. But we never had black helmets so I’m the most excited about this bad boy. Holy cow we are going to look cool. I feel violent when we wear all black, like we’re just standing on business. All ten toes.’

What are NFL ‘Rivalries’ uniforms by Nike?

Think of them as the football version of the sports apparel company’s NBA ‘City Edition’ uniforms or Major League Baseball’s ‘City Connect’ jerseys. Signaled during the NFL draft and unveiled in August, Nike has strived to create something that further strengthens NFL teams’ bonds to their unique civic environments. And, as “rivalries” would suggest, all of them will be worn in intra-divisional matchups.

‘The 2025 Rivalries uniforms will celebrate storied local traditions and unite fan communities with designs unique to select cities and teams,” Nike announced during the rollout.

‘The designs are rooted extensively in the legacies and inspirations true to each team, serving as authentic, competitive expressions of community pride while giving athletes and fans an opportunity to connect like never before.’

Which NFL teams have ‘Rivalries’ uniforms?

Eventually all of them. But for 2025, each team in the AFC East and NFC West is scheduled to wear its “Rivalries” unis one time this season. Two additional divisions will be added to the rotation in each of the next three seasons, and the “Rivalries” option then becomes part of a team’s closet for the following three years.

When will NFL teams wear ‘Rivalries’ uniforms in 2025?

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 Sunday, Jan. 4.

Here’s where things stand with Week 18 underway:

NFC playoff picture

x − 1. Seattle Seahawks (13-3), NFC West leaders: Win at Silicon Valley in Week 18, and they secure the division and NFC’s top seed. Remaining schedule: at 49ers

y − 2. Chicago Bears (11-5), NFC North champions: Green Bay’s loss in Week 17 was doubly sweet, as it also wrapped up the division title for Da Bears. However coming up short in last Sunday’s thriller at San Francisco means Chicago can’t get home-field advantage … though the Bears could see the Pack in the wild-card round. Remaining schedule: vs. Lions

y − 3. Philadelphia Eagles (11-5), NFC East champions: They can’t get into the top spot but could still reach the second seed … which got them to the Super Bowl last season. With Week 16’s defeat of Washington, Philly became the first team this season to wrap up a division in 2025 − and the first to win this division in successive years since they last did it 21 years ago. Remaining schedule: vs. Commanders

4. Carolina Panthers (8-8), NFC South leaders: They blew an opportunity to wrap up the division in Week 17. A defeat of Tampa Bay on Saturday afternoon will still do the job. Remaining schedule: at Buccaneers

x − 5. San Francisco 49ers (12-4), wild card No. 1: Win out, which would entail completing a season sweep of Seattle, and the Niners would get the top seed. Continue winning, and they won’t leave their building again this season − which would mean playing Super Bowl 60 at Levi’s Stadium. Remaining schedule: vs. Seahawks

x − 6. Los Angeles Rams (11-5), wild card No. 2: 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. They can settle into the fifth seed − and a matchup with the NFC South champion − by beating Arizona if Seattle also wins. Remaining schedule: vs. Cardinals

x − 7. Green Bay Packers (9-6-1), wild card No. 3: The Lions’ Christmas defeat put the battered Pack into the field. But a Week 17 loss to Baltimore means Green Bay locks in as the No. 7 seed and won’t play another game at Lambeau Field this season. Remaining schedule: at Vikings

11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9), in the hunt: (Their record is actually worse than the Vikings’, Lions’ and Cowboys’ in the overall NFC standings − those three clubs all with eight losses − hence the 11th place designation for Tampa Bay.) A loss to lowly Miami would have done them in … had the Panthers not bailed the Bucs out by also losing in Week 17. Now the teams face off Saturday, the winner taking the NFC South crown − assuming Atlanta loses its final game to the Saints. If all three clubs finish 8-9, the tiebreaker would go to Carolina given the Panthers’ 3-1 record against the other two squads would confer priority. Remaining schedule: vs. Panthers

AFC playoff picture

y − 1. Denver Broncos (13-3), AFC West champions: After surviving the Chiefs on Christmas night, win in Week 18, and Denver gets the top seed. The Bolts’ Week 17 loss wrapped up the Broncos’ first division title in a decade − which was also the last time they won the Super Bowl. The Chargers also seem content to rest their top players, including QB Justin Herbert, on Sunday in Denver. Remaining schedule: vs. Chargers

y − 2. New England Patriots (13-3), AFC East champions: After blowing out the Jets last weekend, they wound up with their first division title since 2019 when Buffalo lost to Philadelphia. The Pats are just a tiebreaker (common games) of sitting atop the conference and could get the top seed in Week 18 if they win and Denver loses. Remaining schedule: vs. Dolphins.

x − 3. Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4), AFC South leaders: They won their eighth straight but need one more to lock up the division. A victory combined with defeats for Denver and New England lands the No. 1 seed in Duval County. Lose, and Houston can keep the AFC South with a win. Remaining schedule: at Titans

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7), AFC North leaders: They failed to win the division crown at Cleveland. Now they’ll have to beat Baltimore in Week 18. Remaining schedule: vs. Ravens

x − 5. Houston Texans (11-5), wild card No. 1: They’ve won nine of 10, including eight in a row after Saturday’s triumph over the Chargers, but haven’t been able to overtake similarly surging Jacksonville yet for the top spot in the AFC South. Still, Saturday’s victory over the Bolts clinched at least a wild-card berth for Houston, which has a shot to win the division for a third straight season − now needing just a Week 18 win and loss by the Jags. The Texans’ sweep of the Chargers and Bills currently has them sitting in the fifth seed. Remaining schedule: vs. Colts

x − 6. Los Angeles Chargers (11-5), wild card No. 2: Last weekend’s stumble against Houston ended their bid to rally for the AFC West title. Now the Bolts will have to chart their postseason path as a wild-card entrant, which is why Herbert won’t play in Week 18. Remaining schedule: at Broncos

x − 7. Buffalo Bills (11-5), wild card No. 3: Sunday’s oh-so-narrow loss to Philadelphia wiped out their hopes of a sixth straight AFC East title. The Bills fall to the seventh spot due to the Chargers’ two-game advantage (5-1) in the common-games tiebreaker. Remaining schedule: vs. Jets

9. Baltimore Ravens (8-8), in the hunt: (The eliminated Colts are technically in eighth place in the AFC.) Their Week 17 win at Green Bay plus Pittsburgh’s loss means the Steelers and Ravens will vie for the AFC North crown on Sunday night. Remaining schedule: at Steelers

NFL playoff-clinching scenarios for Week 18

Denver clinches the AFC’s No. 1 seed with:

Win OR
Tie + Patriots loss or tie OR
Patriots loss + Jaguars loss or tie

New England clinches the AFC’s No. 1 seed with:

Win + Broncos loss or tie OR
Tie + Broncos loss

Jacksonville clinches the AFC’s No. 1 seed with:

Win + Broncos loss + Patriots loss

Jacksonville clinches AFC South with:

Win or tie OR
Texans loss or tie

Houston clinches AFC South with:

Win + Jaguars loss

Pittsburgh clinches AFC North with:

Win or tie

Baltimore clinches AFC North with:

Win

Seattle clinches NFC West and NFC’s No. 1 seed with:

Win or tie

San Francisco clinches NFC West and NFC’s No. 1 seed with:

Win

Carolina clinches NFC South with:

Win or tie OR
Falcons win

Tampa Bay clinches NFC South with:

Win + Falcons loss or tie

NFL teams eliminated from playoff contention in 2025

x – clinched playoff berth

y – clinched division

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

The wife of Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Alex Vesia returned to social media to share an update after the couple announced the loss of their newborn daughter last year.  

On Jan. 2, Vesia’s wife Kayla posted a two-minute clip on TikTok explaining how she and her husband are coping.

“Alex and I are just trying to get through it everyday. Every day’s so different for us right now and I don’t really have the words,” she said, noting that she normally shares a lot of their lives on social media,’ she said.

“It just felt right to come on here and say ‘Thank you’. I am really grateful for the community of you guys, and just expressing your support and love towards us. It really has brought us a lot of comfort during this.”

Kayla Vesia thanked the couple’s supporters and said social media is a ‘good outlet’ to talk to them.

“I don’t know how much I’m going to share. I don’t know. I don’t know the details of it, but I do know that I want to share, and if it can help somebody who’s going through the same thing, feel like they’re not alone,” she said. “I was prepared for whatever was gonna happen but I wasn’t prepared for not taking my baby home.

Alex Vesia will return to the Dodgers next year as the team exercised his $3.55 million club option for 2026.

There’s a lot on the line in Week 18 of the NFL regular season. The final week of action for much of the league could impact playoff seeding, the future of multiple coaches and the NFL Draft order.

Week 18 finishes off in prime time with a battle for the AFC North. It’s down to the 9-7 Pittsburgh Steelers and 8-8 Baltimore Ravens to decide who will take the division crown and a spot in the AFC playoffs.

The Steelers just lost to the Cleveland Browns in Week 17. Luckily, they’ll have major reinforcements at home for their finale against Baltimore.

T.J. Watt injury update

Four-time All-Pro linebacker T.J. Watt will be back on the field for Pittsburgh in the biggest game of the season.

Watt was out of action for 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 great to have him back… I would think that he’ll only strengthen our group and how we play and all those things.’

Watt has just 7.0 sacks this season in 13 games – his fewest since recording 5.5 in 2022 in 10 games. That was the last time the Steelers failed to make the playoffs. The 2021 Defensive Player of the Year wasn’t sure if he could play a week ago against Cleveland but told reporters he’s ready for Sunday night.

‘I’m excited to play,’ he said.

AFC North standings

Here’s how things look entering Week 18:

Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7, 3-2 AFC North)
Baltimore Ravens (8-8, 3-2)
Cincinnati Bengals (6-10, 3-2)
Cleveland Browns (4-12, 1-4)

AFC playoff picture

Asterisk (*) = team has clinched a playoff spot.

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

In the hunt: Baltimore Ravens (8-8)