ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The Denver Broncos fired first-year head coach Nathaniel Hackett on Monday.

The move comes after a 4-11 start and Sunday's 51-14 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

Hackett's dismissal puts an abrupt end to the shortest tenure of any noninterim head coach in franchise history. The Broncos' new ownership -- the Walton-Penner Group, led by Walmart heir Rob Walton, his daughter Carrie Walton Penner and son-in-law Greg Penner -- quickly ran out of patience for a team with one of the league's best defenses with an offense that simply could not score.

"Following extensive conversations with [general manager] George [Paton] and our ownership group, we determined a new direction would ultimately be in the best interest of the Broncos," Greg Penner said in a statement. "This change was made now out of respect for everyone involved and allows us to immediately begin the search for a new head coach.

"Moving forward, we will carefully evaluate every aspect of our football operations and make whatever changes are necessary to restore this franchise's winning tradition," Penner said, adding that Paton will assist in the coaching search. No interim coach has been named.

The team has scheduled a news conference for Tuesday at noon ET.

At one point this season, the Broncos featured the No. 1 scoring defense and the No. 32 scoring offense. The Broncos also missed the playoffs for the seventh consecutive year, the longest playoff drought since the franchise's earliest years when it missed the playoffs between 1960 and 1976.

It's a far cry from Hall of Famer Pat Bowlen's three-decade run as owner, when the Broncos went to more Super Bowls (seven) than they had losing seasons. This season is also the fifth time the Broncos have averaged fewer than 20 points per game over the past seven years. Until Hackett's firing, Wade Phillips had the shortest tenure as the team's noninterim head coach in the post-AFL-NFL merger era -- two seasons (1993-1994) -- before he was fired by Bowlen and Mike Shanahan was hired.

Hackett, 42, was hired in January as the franchise's 18th head coach after serving three seasons as the Green Bay Packers' offensive coordinator under Matt LaFleur. At the time, Paton called Hackett a "dynamic leader and coach whose intelligence, innovation and charisma impressed us from the very start of the process.''

Then-Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O'Connell and Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn were also finalists for the role. O'Connell was later hired by the Minnesota Vikings, whose resurgent offense has led them to a 12-3 start. Shortly after Hackett's hire, the Broncos traded five draft picks, including two first-rounders and two second-rounders, as well as three players to the Seattle Seahawks to acquire quarterback Russell Wilson. Wilson was signed to a five-year, $245 million contract extension just before the start of the season.

But the excitement of the Broncos' offseason quickly fizzled out as Hackett's in-game decision-making was questioned right from the start of the season.

In Week 1, his call to have kicker Brandon McManus attempt a 64-yard field goal instead of having Wilson attempt to convert a fourth-and-5 in the closing minute of a 17-16 loss to Seattle proved controversial.

"Looking back at it, definitely should have gone for it," Hackett said the day after the loss. "One of those things, you look back at it and say, 'Of course we should go for it; we missed the field goal.' But in that situation we had a plan, we knew 46 was the mark."

Game management issues continued in the weeks that followed -- fans even counted down the play clock during some home games -- and former Baltimore Ravens assistant coach Jerry Rosburg was hired in September to aid in-game management decisions. The disconnect between Hackett, Wilson and the offense persisted, however. Hackett routinely stressed he wanted "to build this thing around [Wilson]'' and do what Wilson was "comfortable with'' in the offense even as Wilson repeatedly said he was comfortable "doing a lot of things.''

At 15.5 points per game, the Broncos are at their lowest point total at this point in a season since 1966.

Injuries to front-line players such as left tackle Garett Bolles, running back Javonte Williams, wide receiver Tim Patrick and outside linebacker Randy Gregory certainly didn't help matters. But as the season wore on, there was far less conversation in the public domain about Hackett's willingness to think outside the box in his teaching methods and more about why the Broncos' offense was so historically bad. Five of the Broncos' first six losses and eight total have been one-score games.

That was not the case Sunday, as the Denver defense saw the Rams score on eight of their nine possessions. Additionally, backup quarterback Brett Rypien and guard Dalton Risner exchanged words on the sideline after a sequence in the third quarter when Wilson was sacked on back-to-back plays.

Gregory was pulled from the game twice by Hackett, once in the first half when he was flagged after he threw his helmet after a Rams touchdown, and later when he was flagged for a late hit on Los Angeles quarterback Baker Mayfield. "After that second one, we took him out -- that's unacceptable," Hackett said.

As the teams crowded the middle of the field on their way to their locker rooms after the game, Gregory and Rams guard Oday Aboushi exchanged words -- with helmets on -- and Gregory punched Aboushi in the helmet. Aboushi responded with a punch of his own before they were separated.

With the wealthiest ownership group in the NFL as well as a fan base passionate enough, even now, to have given the Broncos a home sellout streak that dates back to 1970, the Broncos' head-coaching role will be an attractive job.

The Philadelphia Eagles are hopeful that four-time Pro Bowl right tackle Lane Johnson will return for the postseason, but he has a torn tendon in the abdominal area and is not expected to play again this regular season, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Johnson underwent an MRI, which confirmed the nature of the injury, which he suffered late in the fourth quarter of Saturday's loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

Jack Driscoll replaced Johnson at right tackle for the remainder of Saturday's game.

The Eagles also are dealing with an injury to starting quarterback and MVP candidate Jalen Hurts, who missed Saturday's game with a sprained shoulder.

Johnson, 32, was selected to his fourth Pro Bowl this year and had started all 15 games for the Eagles this season. His status also is uncertain to play against the New Orleans Saints in Week 17, league sources have told Schefter.

The Eagles boast the NFL's best record at 13-2 and would clinch the NFC East, the conference's top seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with another victory.

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has told clubs they can play matches with 12 players in a bid to fulfil fixtures for the rest of the season.

Now the WRU has written to the clubs informing them they can play with 12 players as long as both sides agree.

The governing body say they want "all clubs to continue beyond this season".

Reduced numbers games are common at mini and junior levels in Wales and the WRU's move replicates initiatives attempted in some other rugby countries, including England.

The WRU had claimed this year they have the most players registered since digital records began, but that has not stopped a significant number of games being called off.

The WRU Competitions Committee (CMC) and Community Game Board (CGB) met to "discuss the matter of the number of outstanding fixtures that are due to be rearranged and played before the end of the season".

They decided on two steps to ensure all clubs are given the opportunity to complete their fixture programmes.

The first was the reduced numbers for fixtures which outlined that teams can begin a league game with teams as few as 12 players per side as long as both teams agree.

Teams were "strongly encouraged to adopt this approach as it ensures the fixture begins in a fair and equitable manner".

Numbers to be agreed beforehand could be 12, 13 or 14 with uncontested scrums.

If one team had 20 players in their squad, all eight replacements could be used.

Reduced-numbers games will not need to be abandoned should a team lose a player, unless there is a difference of four players between the clubs.

The second step covered the awarding and claiming of league points from "the high number of unfulfilled fixtures due to teams being unable to raise a side on scheduled weekends".

The committee decided that from Saturday, 7 January that teams can be awarded or have to forfeit points retrospectively.

The WRU says this decision has been taken to ensure all leagues are completed at the conclusion of the 2022-23 season to ensure the 2023-24 season structure can be implemented and that all clubs are in a position to continue beyond this season.

"I won this golf tournament without a putter," Jordan Spieth said after capturing the 2022 RBC Heritage, where he ranked 60th in strokes gained: putting. 

While it's certainly possible to win while struggling with the flatstick, it's unlikely, as Spieth's 2.5 strokes lost on the greens that week was the fifth-most by a victorious player since 2004. Usually, if one can work some magic with their putter, their odds of winning drastically increases. 

There were many memorable putts this year in professional golf that led to victories. Here are some of them — we'll crown them, the putts of the year in the men's game. 

Scottie Scheffler, WM Phoenix Open

Once upon a time, before he was a four-time PGA Tour winner, a Masters champion and a world No. 1, Scheffler was winless. 

In pursuit of his maiden victory, he found himself in a playoff with Patrick Cantlay on Super Bowl Sunday at TPC Scottsdale. On the third bonus hole, Scheffler sank an uphill, 25-foot birdie putt to secure his first win. 

Scheffler, of course, then went on one of golf's most torrid stretches ever. But it all started with that playoff putt. 

Harold Varner III, Saudi International

Bubba Watson and Varner seemed destined for a playoff after Watson's birdie-eagle finish. Then Varner said, hold my beer. 

After a birdie on No. 17, Varner's second shot into the par-5 18th landed 92 feet from the hole – according to Varner's caddie, Chris Rice. Varner then miraculously holed his putt from off the green for a walk-off eagle to avoid a playoff and notch his second professional win and first since 2016. 

Sam Burns, Valspar Championship and Charles Schwab Challenge playoffs 

No Tour player, except Burns, can say they holed tournament-winning putts — emphasis on the plural — in a playoff this year. 

The first came in his first-ever Tour title defense. In a playoff against Davis Riley at Innisbrook, Burns sank a 32-foot birdie for the win. 

A few months later, Burns topped that. In a playoff at Colonial against one of his best friends, Scheffler, Burns completed a seven-shot comeback by canning a 38-footer for his fourth Tour victory.

Thorbjorn Olesen, Betfred British Masters

After years of being engulfed in controversy, the 2018 Ryder Cupper thrillingly got back into the winner's circle. 

At the Belfry, Olesen, who was arrested in 2019 and later suspended by the DP World Tour, sank a 30-foot eagle putt on No. 17 to tie the clubhouse lead. He followed that by hooping a 36-footer for birdie to win by one — his first victory in four years. 

Billy Horschel, The Memorial 

Jack Nicklaus eagled No. 15 at Augusta en route to improbably winning the 1986 Masters. At Jack’s Place, Horschel took a page from the Golden Bear’s book, rolling in a 55-foot eagle putt on Muirfield Village's par-5 15th, igniting a disbelieving celebration, to pull away from the field and win. 

Justin Thomas, PGA Championship

To become a major champion, one usually needs a little wizardry with the flatstick. 

In the final round at Southern Hills, Thomas was six shots behind leader Mito Pereira on the par-3 11th. However, the 29-year-old made a long birdie putt off the top of the green, sparking a historic seven-shot comeback to notch his second major. 

Matt Fitzpatrick, U.S. Open

Just like JT a few weeks earlier, a long birdie putt helped mold Fitzpatrick into a major champion. 

On The Country Club's par-4 13th, the Englishman was one stroke behind leader Will Zalatoris in the final round. When his approach landed 48 feet from the cup, Fitzpatrick was likely hoping to two-putt and stay in the hunt. However, he holed his birdie attempt from downtown to get into a share of the lead. 

It was the first highlight of a marvelous back nine that made the 28-year-old the second Englishman to win a U.S. Open since 1970. 

Haotong Li, BMW International Open

In late 2021, Li was considering retirement after making only two European Tour cuts all year. 

However, in June, the China native held the lead after each of the first three rounds of the BMW International Open. Yet, he found himself in a playoff with Thomas Pieters after 72 holes. 

On the first bonus hole, Li holed a 40-foot birdie putt to claim his first win in four years. 

And what followed was arguably the celebration of the year. 

Cam Smith, The 150th Open Championship

Almost every major winner has a signature moment en route to their monumental victory. 

And though Smith put on a putting clinic during his Open win, his defining moment was a putt he didn't make. 

With a one-shot lead on the par-4 17th in the final round at St. Andrews, the Road Hole bunker stood in the Aussie's way.  Twenty-one yards from the hole, Smith opted for the roundabout and putted the ball to 10 feet. He'd end up making par. 

"I think it's just another example of why he's one of the very best," Cam Young, Smith's final-round playing competitor, said. "He made a really good decision and executed it perfectly."

Rory McIlroy, Tour Championship

Off the course in 2022, McIlroy was the Tour's chief defender against LIV Golf. On the course, though, he claimed the Tour's season-long FedExCup title. 

Sunday at East Lake, McIlroy flared a little magic en route to notching that achievement. He started the final round six shots back of Scheffler, but caught the then-world No. 1 by the back nine. 

The Northern Irishman bogeyed No. 14, but canned a 31-foot birdie putt on the following hole to tie the lead. McIlroy wouldn't drop on the leaderboard again, capping a crazy season by winning his third FedExCup. 

Tom Kim, Presidents Cup

Kim grew up idolizing Tiger Woods. And on a stage in which the Big Cat had dazzled many times before, the 20-year-old Kim got to mimic his hero. 

During Saturday's fourball session at Quail Hollow, Kim, paired with Si Woo Kim, drained a 10-foot birdie on No. 18 to clinch a victory over U.S. powerhouse duo Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay, walking off the putt before it dropped and throwing his hat to the ground in a Tiger-esque celebration.

The South Korean's heroics also kept the underdog International team within reach of Team USA's lead. Prior to making that putt, Kim felt the weight of the world on his shoulders. 

"I was just looking down and thinking to myself that 'Man, I want this putt to go in more than anything in the world,'" he said two weeks later, "because I'm just not playing for myself, I'm playing for everyone on [the International] team."

Harry Kane shook off any World Cup hangover to spark a Tottenham Hotspur revival in an entertaining 2-2 draw away at Brentford as the Premier League roared back to life on Monday.

An early goal by Vitaly Janelt and Ivan Toney's close-range goal shortly after the interval put Brentford 2-0 up as Tottenham struggled to deal with their hosts.

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But Antonio Conte's side have made a habit of playing their best football when trailing and so it proved again.

Kane, whose missed penalty just over a fortnight ago condemned England to a quarterfinal defeat by France, headed home in the 65th minute to throw his side a lifeline.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, one of five Tottenham starters who featured at the World Cup, then levelled with a calm finish and Kane almost won it with a header against the crossbar.

Tottenham are in fourth place with 30 points while Brentford are ninth ahead of the rest of the day's fixtures.

Brazil legend Pele's family members gathered at the Albert Einstein hospital in Sao Paulo on Saturday, where the 82-year-old, widely considered one of the greatest footballers of all time, has been since late November.

Doctors said this week that Pele's cancer had advanced and that he requires care related to renal and cardiac dysfunction. His family said he would remain in the Sao Paulo hospital over the festive period.

Pele has received regular medical treatment since a tumour was removed from his colon in September last year.

"Almost all of them. Merry Christmas. Gratitude, love, togetherness, family," his daughter Kely Nascimento wrote on Instagram with a picture of their family in the hospital.

"The essence of Christmas. We thank you all for all the love and light you send."

Pele's son Edinho, who played in goal for Santos in the 1990s, posted a picture of himself holding his father's hand to Instagram on Saturday, with the caption, "Father... my strength is yours."

The hospital has not mentioned any signs of Pele's recent respiratory infection, which was aggravated by COVID-19.

Newspaper Folha de S.Paulo reported last weekend that Pele's chemotherapy was not working and that doctors had decided to put him on palliative care. Pele's family denied that report.

Information from Associated Press was included in this report.

Brazil legend Pele's family members gathered at the Albert Einstein hospital in Sao Paulo on Saturday, where the 82-year-old, widely considered one of the greatest footballers of all time, has been since late November.

Doctors said this week that Pele's cancer had advanced and that he requires care related to renal and cardiac dysfunction. His family said he would remain in the Sao Paulo hospital over the festive period.

Pele has received regular medical treatment since a tumour was removed from his colon in September last year.

"Almost all of them. Merry Christmas. Gratitude, love, togetherness, family," his daughter Kely Nascimento wrote on Instagram with a picture of their family in the hospital.

"The essence of Christmas. We thank you all for all the love and light you send."

Pele's son Edinho, who played in goal for Santos in the 1990s, posted a picture of himself holding his father's hand to Instagram on Saturday, with the caption, "Father... my strength is yours."

The hospital has not mentioned any signs of Pele's recent respiratory infection, which was aggravated by COVID-19.

Newspaper Folha de S.Paulo reported last weekend that Pele's chemotherapy was not working and that doctors had decided to put him on palliative care. Pele's family denied that report.

Information from Associated Press was included in this report.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick spared running back Rhamondre Stevenson for his late fumble that cost the team a chance to score a potential go-ahead touchdown in Saturday's 22-18 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

"I'm not going to second-guess Rhamondre on what he did," Belichick said Monday morning in his first public remarks since reviewing the game.

"Rhamondre's ball security has been pretty good all year. He had two hands on the ball, they were running him back, and they knocked it out at the end."

Later during his weekly interview on sports radio WEEI, Belichick was asked whether there might be concern that the miscue affects Stevenson in the coming weeks. He said: "Rhamondre is a really good competitor. He's one of our best players. I'm sure he'll be ready to go."

Belichick, who has benched running backs in the past for ball security struggles, might have believed Stevenson's forward progress was stopped on the key play, although he didn't say so directly.

Referee Craig Wrolstad said in a pool report after the game: "In order to have forward progress, the runner has to be controlled by the defense. He has to be held and controlled, and basically have his feet taken away. We felt that he still had his feet."

The fumble ultimately extinguished the Patriots' comeback hopes after they dug themselves into a 22-0 halftime deficit.

Trailing 22-18 with 1:05 remaining, they had the ball at the Bengals' 5-yard line, and Cincinnati was out of timeouts. Belichick explained that the strategy was a balance between "trying to score and trying to control the clock" when the Patriots handed off to Stevenson on first-and-goal.

The 6-foot, 225-pound Stevenson was stood up by defensive tackle DJ Reader, driven back 3 yards, and had the ball stripped by safety Vonn Bell. Defensive tackle Josh Tupou recovered.

Stevenson, who leads the team with 944 yards on 196 carries and five touchdowns, hadn't lost a fumble since the first game of his rookie season in 2021.

"I was trying to make something happen, probably doing more than I was supposed to do. Probably should have just went down," he said after the game.

The Patriots (7-8) host the Miami Dolphins (8-7) on Sunday.

They would qualify for the playoffs by beating Miami and then recording a victory over the Buffalo Bills on the road in the final week of the season. The Patriots have other scenarios in which they would qualify for the postseason, but winning the final two games is their most direct path.