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IPL begins March 21 weekend; WPL to start from February 7
The 2025 IPL is set to start on March 21, with Eden Gardens hosting both the tournament opener as well as the final on May 25. It is also understood that the 2025 WPL will be held between February 7 and March 2.
Ahead of the mega auction in November, the IPL, in an unprecedented move, had shared with the franchises the windows for the next three seasons (2025-27). For 2025, the window was earmarked between March 15 and May 25. However, with the 2025 Champions Trophy final scheduled for March 9, the IPL has decided to keep close to a two-week gap between the tournaments. in March 21 as the start date. The full IPL schedule is expected to be out later this month.
As has generally been the case, the home venue of the defending champions will host the opener and final, which this time will be Eden Gardens, home base of Kolkata Knight Riders who won the 2024 IPL. While Eden Gardens will also host Qualfier 2, the first two matches in the playoffs - Qualifier 1 and Eliminator - will be played in Hyderabad.
Four venues shortlisted for WPL
The BCCI has also decided to add two new venues for the WPL. Along with Mumbai and Bangalore, the WPL will also be played in Baroda and Lucknow this year. The exact number of matches at each venue is not known as the WPL schedule is not yet out.
Fit-again Ibrahim Zadran, AM Ghazanfar in Afghanistan squad for Champions Trophy
"Mujeeb Ur Rahman was not available for the selection as he has been advised by his doctor to focus on T20s for a while to ensure his full recovery before returning to ODIs," Ahmad Suliman Khil explained. That was also the reason he missed on the recently concluded ODI series against Zimbabwe."
"Conditions in Pakistan are similar to those in Afghanistan and the UAE, where we usually play. We will conduct a preparation camp in multiple phases before embarking on our journey for the big event. The expectations are high, and I hope the team will prepare well and deliver some excellent performances, just as they did in the last two World Cups."
"The appointment of mentors has proven to be quite beneficial for us in both of the last two events," ACB chairman Mirwais Ashraf said. "Given this success, we have appointed Mr. Younis Khan, who has extensive international and local experience, and we look forward to making full use of his expertise during the event."
Ace spinner Rashid Khan will lead the spin attack along with Noor Ahmad. Fazalhaq Farooqi and Azmatullah Omarzai, meanwhile, can operate with the new ball. Abdul Malik, Darwish Rasooli, Nangyal Kharoti and Bilal Sami, who were all named in the squad for Afghanistan's most recent ODI assignment in Zimbabwe, have been excluded from the main squad for the Champions Trophy.
Rasooli, Kharoti, and Sami, however, will travel with the squad as reserve players.
Afghanistan will open their Champions Trophy campaign with a clash against South Africa in Karachi on February 21 before they will head to Lahore for their last two league matches against England and Australia.
Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), Rahmat Shah (vice-capt), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Naveed Zadran and Farid Ahmad Malik
Litton Das and Tanzid Hasan slam tons to take Dhaka Capitals to record total
Rajshahi had elected to bowl in the game and it seemed like a sound decision when Dhaka got to 22 for 0 after four overs. But then Tanzid took 21 off a Sunzamul Islam over, and Dhaka never looked back. By the end of this over, the fifth, Litton was 10 off 9, but he got going in the next, the last of the Powerplay, hitting SM Meherob for 4, 6, 4 off consecutive deliveries.
Litton brought up his fifty in the ninth over, with a six off a no-ball. By the end of ten overs Dhaka were 115 for 0 and they just kept going. Tanzid also brought up his fifty with a six, off Ryan Burl to end the 11th. Litton continued the pair's pattern of bringing up their landmarks with a boundary, getting to his hundred in the 16th with a four off Shafiul Islam.Tanzid completed the set in the final over, taking four first ball to bring up his hundred, before hitting Shafiul for six more and then holing out for 108 off 64 balls (six fours, eight sixes, strike rate 168.75).
By then Dhaka already had the record for highest total in the BPL, and the wicket hardly slowed them down with Sabbir Rahman and Litton hitting one more six apiece to close out the innings on a dazzling 254 for 1.
In response, Rajshahi quickly wilted, falling to 34 for 5 before an unbeaten 47 from Ryan Burl held off the inevitable. Eventually, they were bowled out for 105 in the 16th over, falling short of their target by 150 runs.
Rodrigues: 'Like the way I showed patience and switched gears'
"Feels great, it was a long-awaited one, and glad I could do it for the team today," Rodrigues said. "I just tried to keep small targets and just kept achieving it. And I like the way that I shifted gears today. Initially I showed a lot of patience, which was again a big positive for me because it was important for me to spend time there to get those runs. And you know, I was getting the runs. But I was not spending enough time to make it bigger. So I was happy I could do that today."
"I got angry with myself [the way I got out in the first ODI]," she said. "I needed to be positive towards myself because that works for me. If I keep being too harsh on myself, I go very low. But it was important for me to keep being positive rather than thinking, 'okay, I got out but next match what could I do better'. I tried to get back to Under-19 where I've scored a lot of 100s, I've scored a 200 too. I tried to get back to what I used to do then and today I try to apply it, and it came off well."
Regular captain Harmanpreet Kaur's absence meant it was "an added responsibility" for her to contribute, more so because she's been pushed up the order to play at No. 4. While Rodrigues took time to settle in, bringing up her half-century off 62 deliveries, she shifted gears in the last ten overs taking just 28 balls to her ton. On her way, she also raised a 183-run stand with Harleen Deol, who scored an 89. Before their partnership, openers Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal had put together a total of 156 runs.
"If your openers give you that kind of a start, you know it's always much more easier for us to handle the middle overs and take it well," Rodrigues said. "[There were] two back-to-back wickets, so Harleen and I had to just give ourselves some time because I think Ireland bowlers are also on top at that time. So I think one thing about 50-over matches, you know we can take a little bit of time and that's what we did. We calculated well. We settled the 40s, just play risk-free cricket and we know we can always make up for it."
Rodrigues mimicked playing a song on her guitar with her bat after reaching her milestone, a celebration she'd been waiting to do "for the last seven years". While she was relieved to have finally been able to do that, she hoped it was the first of many hundreds for her. Her next goal is also to help India get to the 400-run mark.
"It feels good. But there are lot of places we can still improve as a team because we always look to keep improving. We've spoken that when we do well try and be a little more critical about how we can get better than that. So yeah, next game hopefully 400."
Shreyas Iyer appointed Punjab Kings captain for IPL 2025
"I am honoured that the team has reposed its faith in me. I am looking forward to working again with coach [Ricky] Ponting," Iyer was quoted as saying in a release. "The team looks strong, with a great mix of potential and proven performers. I hope to repay the faith shown by the management to deliver our maiden title."
"Shreyas has a great mind for the game. His proven capabilities as captain will enable the team to deliver," PBKS head coach Ricky Ponting said. "Shreyas has a great mind for the game. His proven capabilities as captain will enable the team to deliver. I have enjoyed my time with Iyer in the past in IPL, and I look forward to working with him again. With his leadership and the talent in the squad, I am excited about the seasons ahead."
Ponting also dropped strong hints about appointing Iyer as captain after the mega auction. "I wanted to work with Shreyas," Ponting told Star Sports after the auction. "I've worked with him before and he is a great guy and a great player. He'll be a great leader for our team if we decide to go that way, which I'm pretty sure we probably will. And obviously, he was the championship-winning captain last year. So there are lots of great things about bringing him to Punjab."
Smith digs at ex-Raven Queen: 'He'll be in Cabo'
Roquan Smith insists he is still friends with Patrick Queen, even after the former Baltimore Ravens linebacker joined the rival Pittsburgh Steelers last year.
Smith did not miss an opportunity, however, to trash talk his former teammate Saturday night after the Ravens eliminated the Steelers from the playoffs, saying Queen will "be in Cabo, or somewhere."
Smith was referring to a comment Queen made ahead of the previous time these AFC North rivals squared off in Week 16, when the Steelers could have clinched the division title with a win. Queen had called the Dec. 21 contest a "chance to get T-shirts and hats."
The Steelers fell well short of T-shirts and hats that night and were overmatched again Saturday night in their return to Baltimore, as the Ravens rolled to a 28-14 victory and a spot in next weekend's AFC divisional round. Smith clearly relished ending Pittsburgh's season and sending Queen and the rest of the Steelers home.
"I think I remember my guy PQ saying the last time we played them was [for] a hat and T-shirt," Smith said. "But I guess he [got] the T-shirt he got on and he'll be in Cabo or somewhere."
Queen was not asked about Smith's postgame comments. The five-year veteran recorded 10 tackles Saturday night as the Steelers yielded 464 yards of total offense -- including 299 on the ground -- en route to a fifth consecutive loss to end the season.
Queen became a focal point of the Ravens-Steelers rivalry last summer when, after spending the first four seasons of his NFL career with Baltimore, he signed a three-year deal with Pittsburgh. The 2020 first-round draft pick said in November that he "wasn't wanted back" with the Ravens, who declined his fifth-year option.
Smith was Queen's teammate on the Ravens for parts of two seasons and said in November that he was "happy for [Queen] as a brother" when asked about being on opposite teams. The three-time All-Pro linebacker added Saturday that Queen "is still my guy, much love."
Smith and the Ravens will either play the Bills in Buffalo or host the Texans next weekend, depending on the outcome of Sunday's AFC wild-card matchup between the Bills and Broncos.
Queen and the Steelers, on the other hand, saw a once-promising season end in disappointing fashion. Pittsburgh was 10-3 entering Week 15 and owned a two-game division lead over Baltimore at the time before faltering down the stretch.
"I think we just got too comfortable," Queen said when asked about the Steelers' defensive struggles. "We started chasing too many things. I think we just let off the pedal."
Notre Dame LT Knapp ruled out for CFP title tilt
Notre Dame starting left tackle Anthonie Knapp will miss the Jan. 20 College Football Playoff National Championship game against Ohio State with a high ankle sprain, coach Marcus Freeman said Sunday.
Knapp suffered the injury in Notre Dame's 27-24 Capital One Orange Bowl win against Penn State. Graduate senior Tosh Baker replaced Knapp in the second quarter.
Freeman also said starting right guard Rocco Spindler, who suffered an apparent ankle injury against Penn State, will try to practice this week. Charles Jagusah replaced Spindler against Penn State.
"We'll see how he progresses the week of practice," Freeman said. "I know he'll give everything he has to make sure he's prepared. As far as the starting lineup, we'll do what's best for our program. We've got to figure that out. We have a week of preparation to make sure we get the right guys to start this game, and we'll see what that is here in the next couple of days."
Freeman said running back Jeremiyah Love, who has been dealing with a right knee injury, is expected to be "full go" against Ohio State, but wide receiver Beaux Collins is still dealing with a calf strain that sidelined him for much of the Penn State game. Collins is second on the team in receptions with 37 for 458 yards, three touchdowns and 30.5 yards per game.
"J-Love is good to go," Freeman said of his leading rusher. "Beaux's still healing. ... He'll work back into practice here the next couple of days, but I hope that as long as he progresses, he'll be good to go for the game. But we've got to make sure that he progresses as we go through this week."
Homecoming: Vrabel returns to Pats as new HC
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Mike Vrabel has returned to the New England Patriots, who hired the former longtime player to become their new head coach.
The Patriots did not disclose terms, but sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter that Vrabel and New England agreed to a multiyear contract. The team confirmed the hiring Sunday morning, announcing Vrabel as the 16th head coach in franchise history.
Vrabel played linebacker for the Patriots from 2001 to 2008 and was an integral member of three Super Bowl championship teams. He served as Tennessee Titans coach from 2018 to 2023, posting a 54-45 regular-season record and 2-3 mark in the playoffs, which included a trip to the AFC Championship Game in 2019.
Vrabel, the Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year in 2021, replaces Jerod Mayo, who was fired Jan. 5 after posting a 4-13 record in his one season as Patriots coach. The Patriots will formally introduce Vrabel during a noon ET news conference Monday at Gillette Stadium.
The Patriots also interviewed Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich and former Houston Texans offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton for the opening.
While Vrabel is identified most as a Patriot from his playing career that also included time with the Pittsburgh Steelers (1997-2000) and Kansas City Chiefs (2009-10), he has never served in New England as a coach. His coaching career began in 2011 working with linebackers at Ohio State, his alma mater.
Vrabel spent three seasons at Ohio State then four with the Texans before his six-year stint as Titans head coach that ended when he was fired after consecutive losing seasons. In 2024, he was a coaching and personnel consultant for the Cleveland Browns.
Vrabel, 49, was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame in 2023 and shared his affinity for the franchise and owner Robert Kraft that day, saying, "This is a special place with great leadership, great fans, great direction and great coaching. ... It's not like this everywhere."
He noted that day that it was only the fifth time he had returned to New England since being traded to Kansas City in 2009 and shared fond memories of his life there, including he and his wife, Jen, raising two sons, Tyler and Carter, in their early years.
As a player in New England, Vrabel was credited by coach Bill Belichick for his fundamentals, commitment to team success, toughness, leadership, situational awareness and intelligence, among other things. Vrabel's Titans teams mostly reflected that, with his command of game management -- which include many things learned from Belichick -- among the areas that impressed Kraft, according to a team source.
One example came in the Titans' 20-13 road playoff win over the Patriots on Jan. 4, 2020, when Vrabel took advantage of a loophole in the rulebook that allowed him to burn 1:49 off the clock in the fourth quarter without running a play -- helping keep quarterback Tom Brady off the field.
In his Patriots Hall of Fame speech in 2023, Vrabel said what he experienced in the locker room as a player in New England remains the standard of what he hopes to achieve as a coach.
"We held each other accountable, because there was trust, there was an understanding, a respect that you could say things that needed to be said to each other," he said. "Every day that's what I'm trying to recreate wherever I coach. I don't know if we'll get it, but every day I'm going to try because nothing was more important than the team."
Everything you need to know for the rest of NFL wild-card weekend
The wild-card playoff round for the 2024 NFL season has several great matchups, and we have you covered with what you need to know.
Our NFL Nation reporters bring us the biggest keys to all six games, and analytics writer Seth Walder makes a bold prediction for each matchup. NFL analyst Matt Bowen identifies a key matchup X factor to watch, and staff writer Kevin Seifert tells us what to know about the officiating. The ESPN Research team also provides a big stat to know and a betting nugget for each contest, while our Football Power Index (FPI) goes inside the numbers with a game projection. Finally, three analysts -- Kalyn Kahler, Eric Moody and Walder -- give us final score picks for every game.
Everything you want to know is here in one spot to help you get ready for a loaded weekend of NFL playoff football. Let's get into the wild-card slate:
Jump to a matchup:
DEN-BUF | GB-PHI
WSH-TB | MIN-LAR
(7) Broncos at (2) Bills
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET | CBS/Paramount+ | ESPN BET: BUF -8 (47.5 O/U)
Broncos storyline to watch: The Broncos, who ended an eight-year playoff drought, get another crack at one of the AFC's top quarterbacks. The Broncos didn't beat Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes (he didn't start last week's game), Joe Burrow or Justin Herbert this season. Now, they get Josh Allen, who has as many rushing touchdowns himself (12) as the Broncos do as a team. The Broncos have to limit Allen from what they call "the second act" plays -- the completions and runs after his initial reads are taken away. -- Jeff Legwold
Bills storyline to watch: The Bills have thrived in the wild-card round, going 4-1 with Allen starting. The big question for this team going into the playoffs, however, is whether the defense can get off the field. The Bills' defense is the fourth worst in third-down conversion percentage allowed (43.8%), and taking down the quarterback has been an issue (39 sacks, tied for 18th). On the other side, rookie quarterback Bo Nix has avoided sacks (24, tied for third fewest). "[Nix] seems extremely poised for a young quarterback, and I've been very impressed with his mobility, his ability to extend plays," Bills coach Sean McDermott said. -- Alaina Getzenberg
Stat to know: The Bills have turned over the ball only eight times in the regular season, which is tied with the 2019 Saints for the fewest since turnovers were first tracked in 1933. -- ESPN Research
Bold prediction: Allen will convert at least five first downs or score a touchdown with his legs. Cornerback Pat Surtain II might be able to shut down a receiver on most plays, but Allen has plenty of other ways to hurt a defense. I expect him to scramble a lot Sunday despite the Broncos allowing the third-least rushing yards per game (96.4). -- Walder
Matchup X factor: Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton. The Broncos can create open voids for Sutton to run the deep in-breaking concepts against a Bills defense that played zone coverage on more than 68% of opponent dropbacks. Sutton had 32 receptions of 15 or more yards this season, and the Broncos will need those types of plays to upset the Bills. -- Bowen
Betting nugget: Over the past 10 seasons, rookie quarterbacks are 0-5 outright and 1-4 against the spread (ATS) in road playoff games. Read more. -- ESPN Research
Officiating nugget: Referee Bill Vinovich's regular-season crews are historically one of the stingiest in the NFL, and 2024 was no exception. His crew averaged a league-low 12.9 flags per game. That's good news for both teams. The Bills (18th) and Broncos (21st) ranked in the upper half of the NFL in total flags this season. -- Seifert
Kahler's pick: Bills 28, Broncos 21
Moody's pick: Broncos 27, Bills 24
Walder's pick: Bills 28, Broncos 17
FPI prediction: BUF, 68.1% (by an average of 7.1 points)
(7) Packers at (2) Eagles
Sunday, 4:30 p.m. ET | Fox | ESPN BET: PHI -4.5 (45.5 O/U)
Packers storyline to watch: The Packers finished with their highest defensive ranking (fifth) since their Super Bowl-winning season of 2010, but they've had trouble with Eagles running back Saquon Barkley before. Including the 2024 season opener, Barkley has three straight games against the Packers with at least 100 scrimmage yards and a touchdown -- tied for the longest streak by any player against Green Bay. -- Rob Demovsky
Eagles storyline to watch: Quarterback Jalen Hurts continues to progress through concussion protocol and is expected to play barring a setback. The question then becomes whether the passing offense can get into a rhythm early with Hurts playing in his first game since Dec. 22. Slow starts were a theme for the Eagles this season, particularly early on, as they failed to score in the first quarter 10 times. Early production has improved of late, but their progress will be tested against a team that has allowed just 19.9 points per game, the sixth-best mark in the NFL. -- Tim McManus
Stat to know: The Packers scored 30-plus points in five of their seven final games, including five straight contests in Weeks 12 through 16. That's the second-longest streak in franchise history after a seven-game streak in 1963. -- ESPN Research
Bold prediction: Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter will bat a pass, and it will be intercepted. Carter recorded six batted passes this season, second most in the NFL, and he'll be facing only an average pass-blocking guard in Sean Rhyan. Expect him to get a hand on one of Jordan Love's throws Sunday. -- Walder
Matchup X factor: Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper. Cooper has the second-level range to track the ball carrier on the edges, and he can patrol the intermediate windows in coverage. If the Packers want to get a win in Philly this weekend, he will need to play an impact role to limit Barkley and clog the middle of the field in the pass game. -- Bowen
Betting nugget: The Eagles are 9-3 ATS in their past 12 games. They have covered in three straight home games. Read more. -- ESPN Research
Officiating nugget: Referee Brad Allen's regular-season crew threw the third-fewest flags per game (13.4). But Allen called 10 penalties for roughing the passer, the second most in the league. That's good news for the protection of Hurts and Love, who were the beneficiaries of a combined three penalties for roughing the passer in the regular season. -- Seifert
Kahler's pick: Eagles 34, Packers 28
Moody's pick: Eagles 31, Packers 21
Walder's pick: Eagles 24, Packers 21
FPI prediction: PHI, 51.2% (by an average of 0.4 points)
(6) Commanders at (3) Buccaneers
Sunday, 8 p.m. ET | NBC/Peacock | ESPN BET: TB -3 (50.5 O/U)
Commanders storyline to watch: Washington's defense has improved since facing Tampa Bay in the season opener. After three games, the Commanders ranked 29th in points allowed per game (29.3). But from Weeks 4 through 18, Washington ranked 12th in scoring (21.6 points per game) and fourth in total yards (316.1). The Bucs will present a challenge because of their improved run game with rookie Bucky Irving; they rank second in the NFL over the past seven weeks in rushing yards per game (183.3). Washington's defense ranks 30th against the run, allowing 137.5 rushing yards per game. -- John Keim
Buccaneers storyline to watch: The Bucs have seen quarterback Jayden Daniels take off since their Week 1 victory, when he rushed for two touchdowns. Still, they feel they're more equipped to stop Daniels this go-around. "Early in the season, we were falling short a little bit on containment and not being able to plaster as quarterbacks scramble," cornerback Zyon McCollum said. "From the D-line down to the DBs, we've done a really good job at focusing in and homing in on that type of quarterback movement." In Weeks 1 through 9, they were giving up 5.0 yards per rush to opposing QBs (22nd in the league). That number has dropped to 3.2 (third best). -- Jenna Laine
Stat to know: Since the wild card was introduced in 1978, this matchup will mark the fourth instance of two teams meeting in the wild-card round after averaging 28-plus points per game in the regular season. -- ESPN Research
Bold prediction: Daniels will rush for 70 or more yards. Coach Todd Bowles and the Buccaneers love to blitz, bringing extra heat 36% of the time. That gives them obvious advantages, but no quarterback scrambles at a higher rate against the blitz than Daniels. His average yardage on scrambles increases from 7.2 on regular plays to 10.7 against the blitz. -- Walder
Matchup X factor: Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan. He has seen a bump in target volume and more touchdown production down the stretch. McMillan has at least one touchdown reception in each of his past five games, and he brings a vertical stretch element to this offense. Working opposite Mike Evans, McMillan can win his matchups against Washington's other options in the secondary. -- Bowen
Injuries: Commanders | Buccaneers
Betting nugget: Four straight Buccaneers games have gone over the total. Overs are 12-5 in Buccaneers games this season, including 11-3 in their past 14. Read more. -- ESPN Research
Officiating nugget: Referee Craig Wrolstad's regular-season crew threw the second-most flags per game in the NFL (18). But he called only four for roughing the passer, which is good news for both teams in this game. They each committed six roughing the passer fouls, tied for third most in the NFL. -- Seifert
Kahler's pick: Commanders 33, Buccaneers 30
Moody's pick: Commanders 34, Buccaneers 29
Walder's pick: Commanders 31, Buccaneers 26
FPI prediction: TB, 58.3% (by an average of 3.3 points)
(5) Vikings at (4) Rams
Monday, 8 p.m. ET | ESPN/ABC/ESPN+ | ESPN BET: MIN -2.5 (47.5 O/U)
Location change: The NFL has moved this game to Arizona, it announced Thursday night, saying the decision was made in the "interest of public safety" as wildfires continue to ravage Southern California. The game was originally scheduled to take place at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. It now will be played at Glendale's State Farm Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals, at the same time Monday.
Vikings storyline to watch: The teams' Week 8 matchup turned in part on the Rams' unexpected activation of receiver Puka Nacua from injured reserve. Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores admitted recently that the Vikings were surprised by Nacua's participation, which caused "a little bit of scrambling." The Rams targeted Nacua three times on their opening drive, and he finished with seven catches for 106 yards as the Rams scored what at the time was a season-high 30 points. "They are a very different team with Puka out there," Flores said. "We know he's going to be out there this time, and I'll do a better job of making sure our guys are prepared." -- Kevin Seifert
Rams storyline to watch: Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford had a 87.7 Total QBR against the Vikings in Week 8, which was the highest of any starting quarterback against Minnesota this season, according to ESPN Research. He was pressured on 8.8% of dropbacks in that game, the lowest mark for the Vikings' defense all season. Now, he enters the playoffs averaging the most passing yards per game all time in the postseason (307.9). -- Sarah Barshop
Stat to know: The Vikings' Sam Darnold is seeking to become the sixth starting quarterback since 1966 to win his first career postseason start while playing for his fourth team or later. Of the previous five, three went on to reach the Super Bowl that season. -- ESPN Research
Bold prediction: Coach Sean McVay will attempt a field goal when he clearly should not, at least according to the ESPN Analytics model. This is expected to be one of the closest games on the wild-card slate, and the decision to kick will cost the Rams dearly in a game they lose by three or fewer points. -- Walder
Matchup X factor: Rams defensive tackle Braden Fiske. The rookie has the pass-rush juice to impact the pocket against Minnesota. He had 8.5 sacks and 32 pressures in the regular season. And he has the physical traits to match up well with a Vikings offensive line that struggled against power on the interior. -- Bowen
Betting nugget: The Vikings are 6-2 ATS in their past eight games. They are 5-1 ATS in their past six games as favorites. Read more. -- ESPN Research
Officiating nugget: The Rams were flagged the fewest times this season of any playoff team, and their average of 6.2 per game ranked fifth in the NFL. So they'll welcome referee John Hussey's crew, which averaged the NFL's second-fewest flags per game (13.4), especially because the Vikings drew the most flags (8.3 per game) in the league. -- Seifert
Kahler's pick: Rams 28, Vikings 26
Moody's pick: Rams 30, Vikings 26
Walder's pick: Vikings 24, Rams 23
FPI prediction: MIN, 53.9% (by an average of 1.2 points)
Saturday's games
(5) Chargers at (4) Texans
The Texans won 32-12.
Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET | CBS/Paramount+ | ESPN BET: LAC -3 (42.5 O/U)
Chargers storyline to watch: Quarterback Justin Herbert has three interceptions this season, the fewest in the NFL, while the Texans' defense has the second-most interceptions (19). It will be the third playoff game since 2000 between an offense with the fewest interceptions and a defense with the most or second-most interceptions. Can Houston force Herbert into mistakes and turnovers? -- Kris Rhim
Texans storyline to watch: Both defenses are among the best in the league at creating havoc for quarterbacks. The Texans allow the league's lowest completion percentage (58.8%), and the Chargers sit at 65% (11th lowest). On the flip side, C.J. Stroud and Herbert are susceptible to being taken down due to their protection, as both quarterbacks rank top four in unblocked pressures. The winner of this game will be whichever team's defense can consistently generate pressure with occasional free rushers. -- DJ Bien-Aime
Stat to know: With a win Saturday, the Chargers' Jim Harbaugh would become the second head coach in NFL history to win a playoff game in his first season with two different teams. Pete Carroll did it with the 2010 Seahawks and 1997 Patriots. -- ESPN Research
Bold prediction: The Texans will fail to score a touchdown. Since Week 9 (their first game after losing wide receiver Stefon Diggs to a torn ACL), the Texans ranked 27th in offensive EPA per play. They lost receiver Tank Dell late in the season to a knee injury, too. Now, against the No. 1 scoring defense, I think they'll struggle. -- Walder
Matchup X factor: Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. He led all defensive backs with 5.5 sacks, and he added 15 pressures. He's a natural disruptor with the physical tools to win versus running backs in protection. Plus, the Chargers can blitz him on early downs to impact the Texans' zone run game with Joe Mixon. -- Bowen
Betting nugget: Eleven of the Texans' 17 games this season went under the total, which is tied with the Giants for the highest under rate in the NFL. Unders were 7-1 in Houston home contests in 2024. Read more. -- ESPN Research
Officiating nugget: Referee Land Clark's regular-season crew threw the fifth-fewest flags in the NFL (13.8 per game) and was particularly stingy when it came to defensive holding (five, fewest in the league). The Chargers will be happy to hear that after getting flagged more times for defensive holding (10) than all but one team in the league. -- Seifert
Kahler's pick: Chargers 28, Texans 20
Moody's pick: Chargers 27, Texans 23
Walder's pick: Chargers 20, Texans 9
FPI prediction: LAC, 52.8% (by an average of 0.9 points)
(6) Steelers at (3) Ravens
The Ravens won 28-14.
Saturday, 8 p.m. ET | Prime Video | ESPN BET: BAL -9.5 (43.5 O/U)
Steelers storyline to watch: With his offense averaging 14 points and 258.8 yards per game in a four-game losing streak, Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith said this is a leave-no-stone-unturned type of game. That could mean mixing things up and using more of quarterback Justin Fields, who hasn't taken a snap since an abdominal injury in Week 15 against Philadelphia. Fields said he's healthy and ready to do whatever is asked of him. The Steelers' offense needs the most help on first down, where it ranks at or near the bottom of the league in yards (4.5, last), success rate (37%, 31st) and QBR (40, 29th). -- Brooke Pryor
Ravens storyline to watch: Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is looking to overcome his playoff struggles against a Steelers defense that has been faltering. Jackson is 2-4 in the postseason, recording six interceptions and three lost fumbles. He has had a history of turning the ball over versus Pittsburgh specifically, but the Steelers' defense has faded through its current four-game losing streak, allowing 258.5 passing yards (tied for the fourth most in the league during that span). -- Jamison Hensley
Stat to know: Steelers running back Najee Harris has averaged 4.0 yards per rush this season, which is 35th out of 44 qualified players. His minus-0.01 yards per rush gained over expectation ranks 31st in the NFL, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. -- ESPN Research
Bold prediction: Ravens tight end Mark Andrews will catch six or more passes, matching or surpassing a season high. After his slow usage to start the season, Andrews has run a route on a higher percentage of Ravens pass plays. His advanced metrics are also still strong. Andrews has an 80 open score this season, narrowly beating out George Kittle for the highest among tight ends (via ESPN's receiver scores). -- Walder
Matchup X factor: Ravens outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy. The Ravens will scheme matchups for Van Noy off twists and stunts to create pocket disruption. He had 12.5 sacks and 45 pressures on the season, and he's an easy fit for the Ravens' multiple fronts due to his ability to influence and set up protection. -- Bowen
Betting nugget: Six of the past seven Steelers road games have gone over the total. Five of the Ravens' past six home games have gone over the total. Read more. -- ESPN Research
Officiating nugget: Referee Alex Kemp's regular-season crew threw 59 flags for offensive holding, tied for the most in the NFL. That's an especially notable number for the Ravens, who were flagged for the third-most offensive holding penalties in the regular season (29). The Steelers received 18 such penalties, tied for 18th in the NFL. -- Seifert
Kahler's pick: Ravens 30, Steelers 24
Moody's pick: Ravens 28, Steelers, 19
Walder's pick: Ravens 27, Steelers 20
FPI prediction: BAL, 72.2% (by an average of 9.0 points)
The Baltimore Orioles have agreed to a one-year, $10 million contract with reliever Andrew Kittredge, according to a person with knowledge of the deal.
The person spoke to the The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Friday because the agreement has not been announced. The deal includes a $9 million salary this year and a $9 million team option for 2026 with a $1 million buyout.
The 34-year-old right-hander went 5-5 with a 2.80 ERA and one save last season with the St. Louis Cardinals, striking out 67 and walking 20 in 70 innings. He spent the previous seven seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays and has a 23-12 career record with a 3.44 ERA in 240 relief appearances and 15 starts.
Baltimore's bullpen could get a big boost this season from the return of closer Félix Bautista, who missed last season following Tommy John surgery. The Orioles signed Craig Kimbrel to replace him, but he struggled to the point that he was released before the end of the season.
Now Kittredge gives Baltimore another reliever who can be deployed in the late innings. He's become a bit less of a ground ball pitcher in recent years, but that could fit well at Camden Yards depending on how the new wall in left field plays after being moved in a bit for 2025.
The Orioles lost ace starter Corbin Burnes to free agency. They've been active themselves, but they haven't been too aggressive, signing Charlie Morton, Gary Sánchez, Tomoyuki Sugano and now Kittredge to one-year deals. Baltimore did make a three-year commitment to outfielder Tyler O'Neill, although that deal includes a player opt-out after 2025.
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