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Bears beat Eagles in Philly as boos rain down on Lincoln Financial

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Bears beat Eagles in Philly as boos rain down on Lincoln Financial


PHILADELPHIA — The only team that entered Week 13 with a better record in one-score games than the Chicago Bears (6-1) was the Philadelphia Eagles (7-2), who were tied with the Broncos for the most one-score wins in the NFL.

So naturally, this pivotal NFC showdown ended in relatively close fashion, with the Bears beating the Eagles 24-15 to record their fifth straight win.

After only 12 games in the Ben Johnson era, this win is the most impactful and biggest for the franchise in years. Chicago remains in first place in the NFC North and is one step closer to clinching a playoff berth.

Friday’s win went a long way in changing the conversation about whether the Bears are as good as their record. They beat the defending Super Bowl champions on the road and legitimized their place in the NFC hierarchy.

Chicago Bears (9-3)

Turning point: Four plays after Caleb Williams‘ third-quarter interception, the Bears’ defense forced a turnover on downs against the Eagles’ famed tush push. Cornerback Nahshon Wright ripped the ball from quarterback Jalen Hurts, something that has happened only one other time since the Eagles began regularly running the play in 2022. After failing to capitalize on Kevin Byard‘s interception two drives before, the Bears’ offense ran a 12-play, 92-yard touchdown drive.

Most surprising performance: The Bears had the ball for 21 minutes in the first half thanks to their dominant rushing attack. D’Andre Swift, who notched his third 100-yard rushing game this season, and Kyle Monangai, 130 rushing yards, were especially effective between the tackles, where they had 114 of their 142 first-half rushing yards. By halftime, that was the most rushing yards the Eagles’ defense gave up between the tackles since Week 17 last season. The Bears finished with 231 yards between the tackles. Friday marked the first time that the Bears have had multiple 100-yard rushers in the same game since Nov. 10, 1985, when Walter Payton (107 yards) and Matt Suhey (102) carried the Bears to a 24-3 win over the Lions.

What to make of the QB performance: Chicago ran for 282 yards (second most this season) and was dominant on the ground early. When the Bears got away from that formula with a series of incompletions by Williams during a two-minute drive to end the first half, it felt as if it led to the offense sputtering in the final four minutes of the first half and first four of the second. Williams had eight off-target passes in the first half (tied for his most in either half of his career) and finished 17-of-36 for 154 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception. Williams’ completion percentage (47%) was the second lowest in a game in his career. — Courtney Cronin

Next game: at Green Bay Packers (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox)


Philadelphia Eagles (8-4)

It feels as if the Eagles have reached the most important moment in their season. A collapse against the Dallas Cowboys was followed by a discouraging home loss to the Bears in which the offense was familiarly listless for most of the game, and their defense looked suddenly vulnerable.

The boos that consistently rained down at Lincoln Financial Field spoke to the frustrations toward a team that is not playing to its talent.

The Eagles have some time to reflect and correct before next Monday’s game at the Los Angeles Chargers. At 8-4, they’re still the favorites to win the NFC East, and they have a rather friendly closing schedule, with two games against the Washington Commanders and a matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders.

But things have felt a little shaky around this team for much of the season. Now is the time for the defending champs to show the ’25 squad has what it takes to make another run.

What to make of the QB performance: Hurts threw only his second interception of the season and lost a fumble on a third-quarter QB sneak. It marks his first multiturnover game since Week 10 of 2024. It was just Hurts’ second fumble on the tush push since the Eagles started using the play regularly in 2022. The other was in 2023 Week 8 against Washington.

Biggest hole in the game plan: The Eagles’ defense had a very difficult time against misdirection runs. Monangai and Swift routinely found cutback lanes that led to chunk gains.

Trend to watch: The Eagles have been poor at bouncing back from losses. This performance had similarities to their 38-20 loss to the New York Giants in Week 8, when Philadelphia looked flat on a short week after losing to the Denver Broncos. This organization has become accustomed to winning but still needs to rebound better from losses. — Tim McManus

Next game: at Los Angeles Chargers (Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN)



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McKendree wins inaugural NCAA women’s wrestling team title

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McKendree wins inaugural NCAA women’s wrestling team title


CORALVILLE, Iowa — Yu Sakamoto beat Riley Rayome of North Central (IL) 4-3 to win the 117-pound crown and clinch the team title for McKendree on Saturday night at the inaugural NCAA women’s wrestling championships.

After a wild scramble in the final seconds, a challenge by North Central and a review, Sakamoto’s win gave McKendree a 167-166 lead over Iowa — which finished with three individual champions and a runner-up but had no remaining competitors with two matches remaining. The Bearcats finished with 171 points and third-place North Central had 123.5.

Grand Valley State’s Katerina Lange, the No. 1 seed, beat second-seeded Claire DiCugno of North Central 4-1 to claim the 138-pound title and become the first women’s wrestling national champion.

North Central’s Bella Mir won at 145 pounds, beating No. 1 seed and former teammate Reese Larramendy of Iowa in the first round to avenge her only regular-season loss. The second-seeded Mir — an Iowa transfer and the daughter of former UFC heavyweight champion, Frank Mir — reversed a takedown attempt, immediately rolled and pinned Larramendy with 34 seconds left.

Iowa’s Valarie Solorio, the No. 2 seed, beat fourth-seeded Rayana Sahagun of Grand Valley State by technical fall in the second round to win the 103-pound title. Sahagun beat No. 1 seed Heather Crull on criteria (7-7) in the semifinals.

Lehigh’s Audrey Jimenez pinned Sage Mortimer of Grand Valley State just 1:19 into the first round to claim the crown at 110 pounds.

Quincy’s Xochitl Mota-Pettis won at 124 pounds, beating Shelby Moore of McKendree by technical fall (10-0) in the second round.

Cameron Guerin of McKendree beat Alexis Janlak of Aurora on criteria (5-5) to win the championship at 131 pounds in the final match of the night.

Iowa’s Kennedy Blades, the No. 1 seed, pinned third-seeded Tiffani Baublitz of East Stroudsburg in 1:19 to claim the 160-pound crown.

Iowa’s Kylie Welker outscored Destiny Rodriguez of McKendree 11-0 in the first round to win the 180-pound title by technical fall.

McKendree’s Tristan Kelly beat Sabrina Nauss of Grand Valley State by technical fall (11-0) in the second round to secure the national championship at 207 pounds.



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Longtime Blackhawks great and broadcaster Troy Murray dies at 63, team says

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Longtime Blackhawks great and broadcaster Troy Murray dies at 63, team says


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Former Chicago Blackhawks standout Troy Murray, who transitioned to the broadcast booth after his playing career, has died, the team announced Saturday. He was 63.

The Blackhawks said he died earlier in the day.

It’s unclear where Murray spent his final moments. Murray publicly disclosed his cancer diagnosis in August 2021. While he revealed he had been undergoing chemotherapy, details about the type of cancer he was fighting were kept private.

Murray, affectionately known as “Muzz,” continued to appear on Blackhawks broadcasts during his cancer battle, though his appearances eventually tapered off. He stepped away from the booth entirely ahead of the 2025-26 NHL season.

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Troy Murray is honored during Hockey Fights Cancer night during a game between the Chicago Blackhawks and the San Jose Sharks at United Center Nov. 28, 2021, in Chicago. (Chase Agnello-Dean/NHLI via Getty Images)

For more than a decade, Murray starred at center for the Blackhawks. CEO Danny Wirtz said the loss of one of the franchise’s most respected leaders left the team “deeply heartbroken.”

“Troy was the epitome of a Blackhawk so far beyond his incredible playing career, with his presence felt in every corner of our organization over the last 45 years,” Wirtz said.

“During his long and hard battle with cancer, it was often said that Troy didn’t have any ‘give up’ in him,” Wirtz added. “While our front office won’t be the same without him, we will carry that spirit forward every day in his honor. We’ll miss you, Troy.”

Troy Murray is honored at a Chicago Blackhawks game

Troy Murray, a former player for the Chicago Blackhawks, is honored during the “One More Shift” campaign prior to a game against the Ottawa Senators at the United Center Feb. 21, 2018, in Chicago.  (Chase Agnello-Dean/NHLI via Getty Images)

After 12 seasons with the Blackhawks, Murray finished his NHL career with the Colorado Avalanche, winning the 1996 Stanley Cup.

After spending the following season with the International Hockey League Chicago Wolves, Murray stayed in the city to begin his broadcasting career in 1998. Murray was also named the president of the Blackhawks alumni association.

“Troy Murray is remembered for not only his contributions on the ice, but for his professionalism and humility and dedication to the city of Chicago,” the team said in a release. “He leaves behind a lasting legacy within the Blackhawks family and the broader hockey world.”

Troy Murray during a Chicago Blackhawks radio broadcast

Chicago Blackhawks radio announcers John Wiedeman and Troy Murray wear lavender ties in honor of Hockey Fights Cancer night during a game against the Vancouver Canucks Oct. 20, 2010, at the United Center in Chicago.   (Bill Smith/NHLI via Getty Images)

From Calgary, Alberta, Murray topped 20 goals five times, but he also became known for his defensive play. In 1986, he became the Blackhawks’ first player to win the NHL’s Frank J. Selke Trophy, the award for the league’s top defensive forward.

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Murray finished with 197 goals in 688 games over two stints with the Blackhawks and also played for the Winnipeg Jets, Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins. Overall, he had 230 goals in 915 career games.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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D.C. United 1-2 Miami (Mar 7, 2026) Game Analysis – ESPN

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D.C. United 1-2 Miami (Mar 7, 2026) Game Analysis – ESPN


Lionel Messi scored the 899th goal of his career to help Inter Miami to a 2-1 win over D.C. United on Saturday in front of 72,026 fans at the home of the Baltimore Ravens.

With interest in Messi obviously high, the game was held in downtown Baltimore instead of at D.C. United’s smaller venue in Washington. Messi gave many fans what they came to see when he put Inter Miami (2-1-0) ahead 2-0 in the first half.

“It’s definitely nice to be able to go to away stadiums and know that you probably have more supporters than the actual home team,” Inter Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair said. “Obviously that won’t be the case in every single stadium. I think it was definitely a case tonight.”

Rodrigo De Paul also scored for the defending MLS Cup champions. Tai Baribo pulled D.C. (1-2-0) within one in the 75th minute, but the home side was unable to equalize.

Lionel Messi celebrates his goal for Inter Miami against D.C. United.

It was an eventful week for Messi and his team, which visited the White House on Thursday. Inter Miami opened the scoring in the 17th minute when De Paul collected the ball about 15 yards from goal and struck a shot into the far side of the net.

Messi then scored his fourth goal of the young season, slipping behind the D.C. defense to receive Mateo Silvetti‘s pass, then flicking the ball with one touch past goalkeeper Sean Johnson.

The 38-year-old will next look to become just the second men’s player in history, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, to reach 900 career goals when Miami visits Nashville on Wednesday for its first game in the Concacaf Champions Cup.

Miami head coach Javier Mascherano said the team will be competing to win every title this season, though at some point players’ minutes will need to be managed.

“I think it would be a big mistake to choose which competitions to focus on,” he said in his news conference. “We’re a team that has to compete equally in every competition.

“For us, the Champions League in this first half of the season is a very important competition, and we’re going to give it that value. We’ll try to go as far as possible, but that doesn’t mean we’re going to throw away the league matches.

“Last year, the team was able to compete in every competition we entered, and we did so at a high level, reaching almost the final in all of them except the Club World Cup. So, this year, we’ll try to do the same and even go further in the Champions League. 

“Clearly, at some point we’ll have to start managing the players’ minutes as well. Playing every three or four days is a big drain, especially in this first part of the season where we’ve had to play away games all the time. That’s also something to keep in mind, and it does generate even more wear and tear.”

Inter Miami has won two straight since dropping its league opener 3-0 to LAFC.

D.C. United broke through in the second half. Jackson Hopkins‘ shot forced a save, and Baribo put away the rebound.

ESPN’s Lizzy Becherano and The Associated Press contributed to this report.



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