SPORTS HEADLINES

Christmas schedule: Cavs-Knicks, Spurs-Thunder, Mavs-Warriors, Rockets-Lakers, Wolves-Nuggets

Jalen Williams and the Oklahoma City Thunder are set to play the San Antonio Spurs on Christmas Day. This marks the Thunder’s first appearance in the NBA’s Christmas Day games since feeling overlooked last year. The holiday lineup includes five games, starting with Cleveland at New York and ending with Minnesota at Denver. LeBron James is expected to play his 20th Christmas game, extending his records in various categories. Meanwhile, Kevin Durant will play for his fifth team on Christmas. Some teams, like Sacramento and Indiana, continue to wait for their chance to play on this special day.

Steelers LB TJ Watt returns to practice two weeks after surgery to repair collapsed lung

PITTSBURGH (AP) — T.J. Watt has returned to practice with the Pittsburgh Steelers two weeks after surgery for a partially collapsed lung. Watt was a partial participant on Wednesday. Coach Mike Tomlin says he hopes Watt can play this weekend against the Cleveland Browns but his availability remains uncertain. Watt’s presence on the field is a positive sign for the Steelers, who aim to have him back for the playoffs if they qualify. Watt, recently named to his eighth Pro Bowl, has seven sacks this season. Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers says Watt’s presence on the practice field is good for the team.

Commanders turn to 39-year-old Josh Johnson on Christmas with Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota hurt

ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — With Jayden Daniels shut down for the regular season because of an elbow injury and backup Marcus Mariota sidelined, the Washington Commanders will start Josh Johnson against the Dallas Cowboys on Christmas. The 39-year-old Johnson is the NFL record holder with 14 teams played for over his career. His first start since 2021 comes in Washington’s rematch against its longtime NFC East rival.

Spurs celebrate big win over Thunder, but matchup with reigning champs not a rivalry yet

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — The San Antonio Spurs are the hottest team in the NBA just a year removed from two of the worst seasons in franchise history. So players and fans can be excused for celebrating a win in December like it’s 1999 and their first NBA championship. San Antonio beat Oklahoma City 130-110 on Tuesday night, handing the Thunder their worst defeat of the season and their second loss to the Spurs in 11 days. It was the Spurs’ seventh straight victory, the league’s longest active streak. Just don’t call the matchup between the teams a rivalry yet.

Bears, Patriots, Jaguars clinch playoff berths in stunning first-year coaching turnarounds

Chicago, New England and Jacksonville have clinched playoff spots this week after disappointing 2024 seasons. New coaches Ben Johnson, Mike Vrabel and Liam Coen have led impressive turnarounds. According to Sportradar, this marks the 20th straight season with at least one first-year coach making the playoffs. Meanwhile, Kansas City has been eliminated, and Detroit needs help to make it. The NFL’s new overtime rules allowed Seattle to win with a walk-off 2-point conversion. New Orleans’ Taysom Hill has become the first player in the Super Bowl era to reach 1,000 yards in passing, rushing and receiving.

College Football Playoff ratings drop 7% as NFL competition impacts viewership

The College Football Playoff’s first round averaged 9.9 million viewers across multiple networks, marking a 7% drop from last year. A key factor was the final game between James Madison and Oregon airing on TNT, TBS, and truTV instead of ABC and ESPN. It also faced competition from an NFL game. The Chicago Bears’ victory over the Green Bay Packers drew 21.3 million viewers, overshadowing Oregon’s win, which attracted 4.4 million. Alabama’s comeback victory over Oklahoma was the most-watched CFP game, averaging 14.9 million viewers. ESPN sublicenses some CFP games to other networks, impacting viewership.

Pro Picks: Bills will edge Eagles and 49ers will beat the Bears

There are 10 teams in the playoffs. Eight more are battling for the final four spots. The playoff picture will become more clear in Week 17. The Eagles-Bills matchup is a potential Super Bowl preview. Texans-Chargers, Bears-49ers and Seahawks-Panthers could end up playing again in the playoffs. Pro Picks aims to continue a hot streak. We’re taking the Bills, Chargers, 49ers and Seahawks to win the marquee matchups.

Matt Patricia’s first season at Ohio State exceeds expectations going into College Football Playoff

Matt Patricia is getting ready for the College Football Playoff as Ohio State’s defensive coordinator. Patricia, who previously worked with the New England Patriots, acknowledges the preparation is different than the NFL. The second-seeded Buckeyes face Miami in a CFP quarterfinal at the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 31. Ohio State had a two-week break after the Big Ten championship game. Patricia’s first season has exceeded expectations, with the Buckeyes leading in several national categories. Players and coaches praise his ability to connect with the team. Patricia is a finalist for the Broyles Award, recognizing top assistant coaches.

US defender Chris Richards optimistic about quick Palace return after foot injury

LONDON (AP) — United States defender Chris Richards says it “won’t be long” until he’s back for Crystal Palace. The American was taken off on a stretcher with a nasty cut to his right foot in the second half of Palace’s match against Arsenal in the English League Cup quarterfinals. On Wednesday, Richards wrote on his Instagram account that it “won’t be long til I’m back.” Palace manager Oliver Glasner didn’t have a timetable for when Richards would return. Palace hosts Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday, then welcomes Fulham on New Year’s Day.

Florida State QB Thomas Castellanos drops NCAA appeal, enters NFL draft

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida State quarterback Thomas Castellanos has dropped his appeal for another year of college eligibility and declared for the NFL draft. In a social media post, Castellanos thanked family, friends, coaches and teammates and “everyone who has supported me along this journey.” The NCAA initially denied Castellanos’ waiver request for a fifth season. Castellanos, who transferred to Florida State last December after one year at Central Florida and two at Boston College, argued that college football’s sanctioning body should grant him another season because he played in only five games with the Knights in 2022. It’s a moot point now.

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