National Football League

National Football League

The Falcons have been eliminated from the playoffs and have nothing left to play for in 2025, but the final three games are still important. Kevin Knight and Tre'Shon Diaz discuss what's worth saving from the 2025 Falcons, including Kyle Pitts, Zane Gonzalez, the young players all over the defense, and the defensive coaching staff. Fellow Falcoholics, welcome to another episode of the Dirty Birds and Brews podcast!

The Buccaneers practically gave the game away to the Falcons. After being up by 14, they allowed Atlanta to crawl back while missing every opportunity they had to close the game. Even after giving up two touchdowns, Raheem Morris's decision to go for two with 10 minutes left and avoid playing for a tie/OT meant the Bucs didn't even have to score on their final drive, but it didn't matter.

Two weeks after the early signing period for 2026, nearly all of the cycle's top prospects are signed and settled. As of Tuesday morning, all but four of the recruits ranked inside the 2026 ESPN 300 are committed or have already signed with national signing day still to come Feb. 4. That being the case, it's time to flip the conversation on the 2026 class.

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Arizona Cardinals running back room was depleted even more Tuesday when Bam Knight was put on injured reserve with an ankle injury, ending his season with three games left. Knight suffered the injury in Sunday's 40-20 loss to the Houston Texans. Knight is the third Cardinals running back on injured reserve, joining James Conner and Trey Benson.

Netflix, which will air the NFL Christmas Day showdown between the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings, announced the Grammy-nominated rapper as its halftime performer on Tuesday. While Snoop Dogg, whose real name is Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr., is known for his West Coast rap hits such as "Gin and Juice" and "Nuthin' but a 'G' Thang," he has also dabbled in Christmas music, releasing "Santa Claus Goes Straight to the Ghetto" in 1996.

"When all of the goals and all of the objectives the Denver Broncos have in this season felt like they hung in the balance Sunday against the Green Bay Packers, it was the team's most decorated player -- cornerback Pat Surtain II -- who came to the rescue with his first interception of the season. "That's why he is who he is, he always comes through in the clutch for us,'' Cooper said. "That's why he's the best player.''

On Dec. 9, Rivers, who had retired from the NFL in January 2021 and hadn't played in a game since the 2020 season, signed to the Colts' practice squad after starter Daniel Jones tore his Achilles. The 44-year-old was activated days later to become the Colts' starting quarterback against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 15 -- and proved he still has it. Rivers threw for 120 passing yards with a touchdown and an interception each on 18-of-27 passing in an 18-16 loss.

He went to Cal, where he played receiver and in 1957 was voted team captain. Immediately after graduation, White joined a Cal coaching staff that would later include Walsh. After six seasons at Cal, White went to arch rival Stanford to join a staff that included Vermeil. In 1972, White was offered the head coaching job at both schools, and returned to his alma mater.

And especially not the way he played against the New York Jets on Sunday. Lawrence threw for 330 yards and a career-high five touchdowns and ran for another in the Jaguars' 48-20 rout at EverBank Stadium. That makes him the only player in NFL history with five or more passing TDs, one or more rushing TDs, and at least 50 rushing yards in a single game, per ESPN Research.

Even in a sport where the risk of serious injury on any given play is part of the business, Sunday delivered a pair of franchise-altering, league-shifting knee injuries. As he was attempting to drive the Chiefs into range for what could have been a season-saving field goal against the Chargers, Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL, bringing an end to the most frustrating season of the two-time MVP quarterback's career.