Sports
Texans defense suffocates Aaron Rodgers, Steelers in playoff win
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Crunch.
That was the sound of Houston Texans players colliding with Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers early in the fourth quarter of their Wild Card Round matchup, causing him to lose the ball. Texans defensive lineman Sheldon Rankins picked the ball up and ran it to the end zone for what felt like the knockout blow even though there was still a lot of time left to play.
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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) loses possession of the ball while being tackled by Houston Texans defensive end Danielle Hunter (55) during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Justin Berl)
It was that type of game for both teams – a defensive struggle – as Houston put together a 30-6 victory. It was the franchise’s first road playoff victory.
There were big hits and little room for error. Houston had a 7-6 lead at halftime thanks to a touchdown pass from C.J. Stroud to Christian Kirk.
Even as the Texans turned the ball over three times between the first half and the third quarter, the Steelers could only muster up three points. Houston’s defensive prowess was on display on each snap as Rodgers was left with little to no time to make a decision.
When he did have time to throw, wide receivers like DK Metcalf, Jonnu Smith and Calvin Austin III either dropped the ball or were just a hair off. Rodgers also had a few of his passes deflected.

Houston Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) runs to the end zone for a touchdown while defended by Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Brandin Echols (26) during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Justin Berl)
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Steelers fans let the team hear it with plenty of boos. Pittsburgh extended its playoff losing streak to seven games.
Texans running back Woody Marks ran for 100 yards for the first time in his career and scored a touchdown to really seal the win. Texans defensive back Calen Bullock returned an interception for a touchdown late in the game.
Stroud finished 21-of-32 with 250 passing yards and the touchdown pass. The Texans’ defense sacked Rodgers four times. Rankins was good for 1.5 sacks.
The Steelers almost had no offense throughout the game. The team was held to 175 yards and outscored 23-0 in the fourth quarter.

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud throws during the first half of the NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
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Houston will take on the New England Patriots in the AFC Divisional Round.
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Sports
Transfer rumors, news: Man City, Man United in for Anderson
Local rivals Manchester City and Manchester United are set for a battle to sign Nottingham Forest‘s Elliot Anderson this summer, while Liverpool‘s Curtis Jones is a target for Serie A leader Inter Milan. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.
Transfers home page | Men’s winter grades | Women’s grades
TRENDING RUMORS
– Manchester City and Manchester United are vying to sign Elliot Anderson this summer, the Daily Mirror reports. According to the outlet, the Nottingham Forest midfielder is a top target for both clubs after establishing himself as a key player in the England national team. Anderson, 23, is valued at around the £75 million mark, although a bidding war could see that rise. Should Forest be relegated from the Premier League at the end of the season, it’s reported that the club will have “no choice” but to let Anderson leave.
– Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones could be back on Inter Milan’s radar, according to Corriere dello Sport. Both Inter and AC Milan clubs were linked with moves for the England international in January, although concrete offers didn’t materialise. Jones, 25, will enter the final year of his Liverpool contract in June, meaning he could be signed for a cut-price fee. The Italian club are also interested in taking Liverpool defender Giovanni Leoni on loan, should he become available in the summer.
– Barcelona remain optimistic that they can secure a permanent agreement for winger Marcus Rashford in the summer, according to Fabrizio Romano. The 28-year-old is on loan at from Manchester United, but a clause in the loan agreement means the Spanish club can sign him permanently for a fixed fee. While personal terms are “almost done” on the player’s side, United’s insistence that the full €30 million fee be paid could still complicate matters. Rashford has played 21 times in La Liga this season for the club, scoring four goals and grabbing seven assists.
– Aston Villa are one of several Premier League sides keen on signing Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford, so says TEAMtalk. The 23-year-old has largely played second fiddle to Gianluigi Donnarumma this season, having made only 11 appearances in all competitions to date. Newcastle United are also keeping tabs on Trafford after attempting to sign him in January.
– Tino Livramento could leave Newcastle United at the end of the season with Manchester City among his suitors, the Daily Telegraph has revealed. Livramento is currently unwilling to extend his contract at St James’ Park, with a view now emerging that he’d be willing to move if a “top club” comes in for him. The Telegraph suggests that even if Livramento signs a new contract at Newcastle, it will almost certainly include a release clause. The England international’s current deal is set to expire in July 2028.
EXPERT TAKE
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Gab Marcotti explains why there has still been no verdict for Manchester City’s 115 financial charges.
OTHER RUMORS
– Juventus will need to qualify for next season’s Champions League competition if they wish to pursue a deal for Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker. The Italian club are “keen admirers” of Alisson, but they currently face an uphill battle to be able to finance a move for him. (Football Insider)
– Norwich City defender Kellen Fisher is “firmly on the radar” of several Premier League clubs, including Everton. Arsenal, Manchester United and Newcastle United have also watched him in recent weeks. (TEAMtalk)
– Chelsea are not entertaining the idea of letting Cole Palmer leave the club in the summer in order to generate transfer revenue. (Standard)
– Bayern Munich are big admirers of Tottenham youngster Luka Vuskovic, who is on loan at Hamburg this season. (Christian Falk)
– Arsenal have been handed a boost in the race to sign Julián Alvarez, as Barcelona chief Deco has confirmed he has not held talks with the Argentine over a summer move. (Daily Mirror)
– Arsenal scouts have been to watch Cagliari right-back Marco Palestra in recent matches. (Nicolo Schira)
– Emil Krafth is ready to leave Newcastle United this summer as a free agent. (Nicolo Schira)
– Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush is keen on a move to Barcelona in the future. (Ekrem Konur)
– Jesse Lingard‘s move to Corinthians is in the “final stages”, with all paperwork now completed. (Ekrem Konur)
Sports
Ex-pitcher Serafini sentenced to life in prison for 2021 murder
AUBURN, Calif. — Former MLB pitcher Daniel Serafini was sentenced Friday to life in prison without the possibility of parole in the 2021 shooting of his wife’s parents during a burglary at their home by Lake Tahoe, authorities said.
Serafini, 51, was convicted in July 2025 of first-degree murder of his father-in-law, Gary Spohr; attempted murder of his mother-in-law, Wendy Wood; and first-degree burglary. Spohr was killed, and Wood survived, though she died a year after the shooting.
Placer County District Attorney Morgan Gire said in a statement Friday that Spohr and Wood were loving grandparents and that Serafini’s crimes greatly impacted family members and friends.
“The impact of this attack has extended far beyond the immediate victims, deeply affecting family members and the broader community, and highlighting the lasting harm caused by deliberate violence,” Gire said.
Serafini’s attorney did not return requests for comment.
During his sentencing hearing, Serafini addressed the court and maintained his innocence, according to MyNews4. He said he was out partying with his wife the night of the shooting and described himself as a “broken, imperfect man that makes mistakes.”
Serafini was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in 1992. In a career spanning 11 years, the left-hander played for the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds and Colorado Rockies.
Prosecutors said Serafini hated his wife’s wealthy parents and was heard saying he was willing to pay $20,000 to have them killed, according to the Sacramento Bee. Prosecutors showed jurors transcripts of angry emails and text messages between Serafini and his in-laws.
During the six-week trial, Serafini’s attorney, David Dratman, argued that there was no physical evidence linking his client to the crime scene. Dratman told the jury that although Serafini had a rocky relationship with his in-laws, he did not have a motive to kill them.
After his conviction, Serafini filed multiple motions for a new trial, but those were denied.
Serafini will serve his sentence at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, according to the Placer County District Attorney’s Office.
Sports
‘Not impossible’: Pakistan to take on Sri Lanka in hope of reaching T20 World Cup semis
- Pakistan to beat Sri Lanka by 64 runs in hope of reaching semis.
- If chasing, Green Shirts have to complete target within 13.1 overs.
- Men in Green yet to register win against ICC full-member in event.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign flickers with life-faint, fragile yet not extinguished, as Green Shirts are set to take on Sri Lanka in an all-important must-win match on Saturday (today).
Against all odds, the Men in Green, The News reported, still have a mathematical pathway to the semi-finals, but it demands nothing short of an extraordinary performance at the Pallekele Stadium on Saturday.
The equation is brutally simple and brutally demanding i.e., defeat Sri Lanka by 64 runs or more, or chase down the target within 13.1 overs.
Only then can Pakistan dream of marching into the last four, most likely to face South Africa in the semi-final.
It is a scenario that leaves no room for caution, no space for hesitation. Pakistan must attack from ball one, dominate in all three departments, and deliver a performance for the ages.
For a brief moment on Friday evening, it appeared that Pakistan’s fate was sealed. New Zealand, after defeating Sri Lanka, looked poised to secure a comprehensive win over England and storm into the semi-finals at the top of the table.
England were staring at a stiff requirement of 42 runs from the final three overs. But cricket, as it often does, produced high drama. Will Jacks (32 not out) and Rehan Ahmad (19 not out) turned the tide spectacularly, smashing part-time off-spinner Glenn Phillips for 23 runs in the third-last over. The momentum swung violently.
England clinched victory by four wickets with three balls to spare. That result did more than just reshape the table; it handed Pakistan a lifeline.
Pakistan’s Super Eight journey has been underwhelming. Their solitary point came from a rain-affected washout against New Zealand. Throughout the tournament, they have struggled to assert dominance against top-tier opposition.
The men in green are yet to register a win against an ICC full-member nation in this campaign. Victories over the Netherlands, Namibia, and the USA, including a miraculous rescue act by Faheem Ashraf against the Dutch, have done little to silence critics.
Defeats to arch-rivals India and England have exposed frailties in both batting stability and middle-over acceleration. Now, the task ahead is steep, perhaps the steepest Pakistan have faced in recent ICC history.
Since 2023, Pakistan have consistently fallen short at the business end of global tournaments. They failed to reach the semi-finals in the 2023 ODI World Cup, the 2024 T20 World Cup, and the Champions Trophy. Each campaign began with a promise but ended in disappointment.
Today’s match presents not just a mathematical challenge, but a psychological one. The ghosts of recent tournaments linger. The inconsistency, the collapses, the missed opportunities, all form the backdrop of what could be a defining evening. The weather forecast for Pallekele is clear and sunny.
To qualify, Pakistan must produce a complete performance, explosive batting, disciplined bowling, and razor-sharp fielding. There is no margin for mediocrity.
It is not impossible. Cricket has witnessed improbable turnarounds before. Pakistan, a team historically known for unpredictability, thrives when cornered. But this requires something beyond unpredictability, it demands precision, courage, and belief.
Only a once-in-a-generation performance, a miracle forged under pressure, can carry Pakistan into the semi-finals. On Saturday at Pallekele, destiny awaits.
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