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No NFC South champ until Sunday after Bucs beat Panthers

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No NFC South champ until Sunday after Bucs beat Panthers


TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers held off the Carolina Panthers 16-14 to snap a four-game losing streak, setting up a thrilling Sunday, when the NFC South winner will be decided by what happens between the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons.

Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield has said he was not a Saints fan, but he told ESPN after Saturday’s game that “I am tomorrow!”

If the Saints defeat the Falcons on Sunday, the Bucs would secure the division at 8-9. It would mark the first time a team has won five straight division championships since conference realignment in 2002, and would tie the Bucs for third-most titles in league history for any division.

A Falcons victory would give Carolina (8-9) its first playoff berth since 2017 and first NFC South title since 2015.

Biggest surprise: With wide receivers Mike Evans, Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin Jr. and Jalen McMillan occupying so much attention from the Panthers’ defense (zero targes in three quarters for Godwin) — plus the Panthers’ zone coverage and rainy conditions — Mayfield relied heavily on tight end Cade Otton, who hauled in seven of nine targets for 94 yards and an 18-yard touchdown. Otton’s 20-yard grab with 2:12 to go also helped seal the win. Otton hadn’t been targeted to that degree since Week 10 against the Patriots (12).

What to make of the quarterback performance: Otton’s score was Mayfield’s first touchdown pass on a ball thrown 15-plus yards downfield since the Bucs’ Week 6 win over the 49ers, illustrating just how much Tampa Bay has missed an aerial attack this season. Mayfield completed 12 of 17 passes for 146 passing yards and an interception, which occurred when he failed to account for Christian Rozeboom, who swooped in front of Egbuka on a post route at the Tampa Bay 39. That turnover set up a Tommy Tremble touchdown to cut Tampa’s lead to 10-7. Mayfield used his legs too, rushing for 31 yards, including an 11-yard scramble on a third-and-3. But far too many times, the Bucs had to settle for Chase McLaughlin field goals.

Turning point: With coach Todd Bowles calling a safety blitz, sending Antoine Winfield Jr. on fourth-and-8 with 3:10 to go in the fourth quarter, rookie cornerback Jacob Parrish (starting in place of Jamel Dean) surrendered a 40-yard reception to Tetairoa McMillan, whom Parrish tackled at the Tampa Bay 16. Then, cornerback Benjamin Morrison, who took over for the injured Zyon McCollum, gave up an 8-yard touchdown on a corner route to trim the Bucs’ lead to 16-14. Up to that point, Parrish had allowed one catch to McMillan, and he intercepted a pass intended for McMillan just before halftime.

Stat to know: Heading into the game, the Bucs had surrendered 100 yards on the ground in four straight games for the first time since 2018.They were able to regain control of the line of scrimmage Saturday, surrendering only 19 rushing yards to the Panthers.

End of an era?: With 11:15 to go in the fourth quarter, 14-year veteran Lavonte David made what could be the last big play of his career. He recovered a Rico Dowdle fumble for the 21st recovery of his career, most among all active players. It was also his 35th career takeaway, joining Hall of Famers Ray Lewis and Brian Urlacher as the only players with 40-plus sacks and 35-plus takeaways since at least 1982. David’s six tackles tied him with Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks for the most in franchise history at 1,714. — Jenna Laine

Next game: TBD


Stay tuned. Now, the Panthers have become huge Falcons fans.

An Atlanta victory over New Orleans on Sunday would help the Panthers forget how they bungled away Saturday’s game against Tampa Bay. They would win the NFC South and make the playoffs by virtue of the tiebreaker — a 3-1 record over the Bucs and Falcons.

If the banged-up Saints win, Carolina will spend the offseason haunted by its sloppy play at rain-soaked Raymond James Stadium.

There is plenty of blame for this loss, from coaching to another subpar game by quarterback Bryce Young (until the fourth quarter) to an ineffective running game that netted 19 yards.

The Panthers no longer control their destiny, and they have only themselves to blame.

Turning point: The Panthers were being dominated 10-0 and had 27 yards of offense early in the second quarter when Rozeboom intercepted a Mayfield pass. Young answered with a touchdown pass to Tremble that seemed to settle Carolina on both sides of the ball.

Controversial play: Young, under pressure in the third quarter, threw the ball to his right on first-and-10 from Tampa’s 34. Officials ruled it incomplete, and the play was whistled dead with Dowdle holding the ball. On the replay, it appeared it was a backward pass, but because the whistle was blown, Dowdle couldn’t advance the ball, and Carolina took a 7-yard loss. Ryan Fitzgerald then missed a 54-yard field goal.

Most surprising performance: With the Panthers at the Bucs’ 20 and trailing 16-7, Carolina coach Dave Canales called a flea-flicker on first down, but the play resulted in a fumble, which Tampa recovered. Instead of maintaining the drive and potentially making it a one-score game, the risky call left Carolina scuffling to catch up the rest of the game. — David Newton

Next game: TBD



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Auction of two new teams of PSL-11 to be held – SUCH TV

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Auction of two new teams of PSL-11 to be held – SUCH TV



The auction of two new teams of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will be held at Jinnah Convention Center in Islamabad at 4:15 PM today. The auction will be shown on television live. As many as 10 prospective buyers will off their bids for two new teams.

The number of teams in the 11th edition of the PSL will be increased from six to eight. The auction will be followed by a special performance by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had put forward the names of Faisalabad, Hyderabad, Sialkot, Muzaffarabad, Gilgit-Baltistan and Rawalpindi.

Out of these six teams, bidders will select two.

The PCB has so far released details of 10 bidders.

The auction will be broadcast live in order to ensure transparency and global visibility to prospective investors and cricket fans worldwide.

Three weeks ago, PCB Chairman Syed Mohsin Naqvi said that the PSL’s 11th edition was scheduled to be held from March 26 to May 3, 2026, while also announcing that the auction for two proposed new franchises would take place on January 8.

The announcements were made during a PCB investor roadshow in New York.

Addressing the event, Mohsin said the PCB had taken administrative control of the Muzaffarabad Cricket Stadium and intended to begin its renovation work soon.

He added that efforts were underway to have the venue ready for the PSL in time, though he acknowledged that completion before the tournament was not guaranteed.

“We are starting Muzaffarabad’s stadium, which we have taken over, and our target is to get it ready before the PSL. If not, then work will be initiated within this year,” he said.

Mohsin also stated that the deadline for submission of bids for the new franchises had been extended to December 22, citing interest from prospective investors.



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Australia win fifth Ashes Test, wrap up series with 4-1 triumph

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Australia win fifth Ashes Test, wrap up series with 4-1 triumph


Australian players celebrate with the Waterford Crystal Ashes Trophy at the end of the fifth Ashes Test between Australia and England at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 8, 2026. — AFP
  • Australia chase down 160-run target on final day before tea.
  • England form cordon to welcome Khawaja to crease in last match.
  • Take credit for making game of it, not being ground into Sydney dirt.

SYDNEY: Australia had a few nervous moments but safely chased down their 160-run victory target before tea on the final day of the fifth Ashes Test on Thursday for a five-wicket victory and a 4-1 series triumph.

Seamer Josh Tongue led England’s battling rearguard with 3-42 but Alex Carey got Australia across the line with a four through the covers in mid afternoon in the company of Cameron Green.

England will take credit for making a game of it and not being ground into the Sydney dirt as previous tourists have in end-of-series dead rubbers at the famous old ground.

Without the bowling of injured captain Ben Stokes, however, defending 160 was always going to be an uphill challenge on a good wicket which allowed the second day-five action of the series.

Stokes exhorted his players from the slips but Australia’s openers got the target under 100 runs before Travis Head, whose third century of the series underpinned his team’s first-innings 567, ballooned a shot to midwicket off Tongue for 29.

Jake Weatherald followed for 34, again caught off Tongue’s bowling, to bring up lunch with Australia 89 runs from their goal.

It was 15 years and a day since England won the final Test of the 2010-11 series at the same ground by an innings and 83 runs — the last time they won an Ashes series Down Under.

The England players formed a cordon to welcome Khawaja to the crease but Tongue’s bowling was less friendly and the lefthander played on for six after facing seven balls. 

Australias  Cameron Green (right) and teammate Alex Carey celebrate after hitting the winning runs on day five of the fifth Ashes cricket Test match between Australia and England at the SCG in Sydney on January 8, 2026. — AFP
Australia’s  Cameron Green (right) and teammate Alex Carey celebrate after hitting the winning runs on day five of the fifth Ashes cricket Test match between Australia and England at the SCG in Sydney on January 8, 2026. — AFP

Labuschagne had been dropped on 20 off Tongue when Bethell failed to hold onto the ball despite an acrobatic leap at backward point.

He was unable to make the most of his reprieve, however, running himself out for 37 with 39 runs still required for victory.

Carey, who made 16 not out, and Green, who finished unbeaten on 22, nearly reprised Labuschagne’s exit with a classic mix-up after an overthrow but eventually made their ground to secure the victory.

Earlier, England resumed on 302-8 but Mitchell Starc struck a major blow to their hopes of setting Australia a testing target when he had Bethell caught behind for 154.

Bethell’s superb maiden Test century offered plenty of promise for the future and was essentially the difference between an innings defeat for England and Australia batting again.

Starc returned to remove Tongue for six to end the innings on 342, the left-arm quick finishing with figures of 3-72 and a total of 31 wickets over the series.





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Hawks trade 4-time All-Star Trae Young to Wizards in blockbuster deal: reports

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Hawks trade 4-time All-Star Trae Young to Wizards in blockbuster deal: reports


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The Atlanta Hawks have parted ways with four-time NBA All-Star point guard Trae Young, trading him to the Washington Wizards in a blockbuster move, according to ESPN.

The Hawks will reportedly be receiving veteran shooting guard CJ McCollum and forward Corey Kispert in the deal. 

Washington was Young’s preferred destination, and the two sides were working on a deal to get the 27-year-old point guard to the nation’s capital.

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Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks looks on during the game against the Boston Celtics during Round 1 Game 6 of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 27, 2023 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.   ( Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images)

Young’s agents were having conversations with the Hawks, who sit at 17-21 so far this season, about trading their client out of Atlanta.

There is a mutual connection in Washington, too, as executive Travis Schlenk drafted Young fifth overall in 2018 out of Oklahoma.

It marks the end of an era for the Hawks. Young has been the focal point of their offense since he was taken in that draft. He is the team’s career leader in three-pointers and assists, having led the team to the postseason in three of his eight seasons. The Hawks went the furthest in 2021, where they made the Eastern Conference Finals.

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However, the new era was brewing already in Atlanta, with forward Jalen Johnson taking the next step in his career, averaging 23.7 points per game this season. The pickup of Nickeil Alexander-Walker also helps, as he’s averaged 20.5 points per game in 36 appearances.

Meanwhile, Young has played just 10 games this season, as he’s been dealing with leg injuries, most notably a right MCL sprain.

Trae Young walks off the floor

Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks looks on after the game against the Boston Celtics during Round One Game Five of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 25, 2023 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Hawks also get some flexibility on their books, as they could make some more moves. Anthony Davis is reportedly available from the Dallas Mavericks, making him a good target for Atlanta.

Young has $95 million remaining on his deal that runs through the 2026-27 season, which includes a player option this offseason.

Atlanta will be taking on McCollum’s contract, though the veteran guard has a $30.6 million expiring deal.

Through his 10 games this season, Young is averaging 19.2 points, 8.9 assists and 1.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 41.5% from the field.

Trae Young plays against the Sixers

Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks drives down the court during the first half against the Philadelphia 76ers at State Farm Arena on April 7, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia.  (Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

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Over his career, Young has dropped 25.2 points and 9.8 assists per game, while leading the league in the latter category last season with 11.6 per contest.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.





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