RIYADH, Saudi Arabia -- Tyson Fury, sporting a burly beard, leather jacket, jeans and shoes, weighed a career-high 281 pounds Friday evening at the Wonder Garden carnival for his unified heavyweight championship rematch with Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday.

Fury (34-1-1, 24 KOs) was cleanshaven, shirtless and in track pants when he weighed 262 pounds in May. The 36-year-old was dropped in Round 9 of that bout for the undisputed heavyweight championship, which he lost via split decision.

Ukraine's Usyk, the defending heavyweight champion, weighed 226 pounds -- a 55-pound difference to the challenger -- in a tracksuit with a T-shirt and shoes. The 2012 Olympic gold medalist was shirtless in jeans when he tipped the scales at 223.5 for the first meeting.

There is no weight limit in heavyweight boxing.

Fury's previous career-high weight was in February 2020, when he was 277.7 for his heavyweight championship rematch with Deontay Wilder. Fury won that bout via seventh-round TKO. Fury boxed at range in the December 2018 meeting with Wilder that ended in a draw. He was 256 for that bout.

Fury, too, used his jab from distance against Usyk. His increased weight suggests the Gypsy King could attempt to fight Usyk in a similar manner as the Wilder rematch, when he deployed a seek-and-destroy strategy with nonstop pressure.

"I'm pretty lean," Fury told ESPN last week. "Other than the big beard, I'm doing well. I'm in good shape and I'm fit as a fiddle. I'll be ready for Saturday night."

Fury held camp in Malta rather than England, where he resides, to minimize distractions. He said he hasn't spoken to his wife, Paris, in three months as he looks to avenge the first defeat of his illustrious career.

Fury said that he's far more prepared this time around and that he's been sparring four times a week.

He suffered a serious cut over his left eye while sparring for the first fight, which was postponed from February to May. Fury said he barely sparred in the five-week lead-up because he was worried the gash would reopen.

Fury is ESPN's No. 2-ranked heavyweight. Usyk, 37, is the No. 1 pound-for-pound boxer.

The former undisputed cruiserweight champion cleaned out the 200-pound weight class and then went on to collect the WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight titles with a pair of wins over Anthony Joshua.

Usyk (22-0, 14 KOs) will be competing at heavyweight for the seventh time.

Fury is listed at 6-foot-9 with an 85-inch reach. Usyk, a southpaw, is 6-3 with a 78-inch reach.

We're through Week 15 of the 2024 NFL regular season and into Week 16. Although the postseason is still three weeks away, we're taking an early look at the current playoff picture and the road to Super Bowl LIX. Which teams are in good shape? Which still have a lot of work to do to ultimately get into the 14-team field?

We used ESPN's Football Power Index (FPI) to project the rest of the season, looking at the playoff picture for both conferences. We included updated odds for every team to make the postseason, clinch its division and even make the Super Bowl. We also looked at the potential for teams in the playoff picture to finish in specific seeds and the potential for teams out of the playoff picture to finish with the top draft pick. Here's everything you need right now.

Last update: Dec. 20 at 8:15 a.m. ET

Jump to:
AFC | NFC | Seeds | No. 1 pick

Projecting the AFC playoff field

The Chiefs, Bills and Texans have all clinched their respective division titles. The Steelers are also officially in the playoffs, and they can clinch the AFC North with a win against the Ravens. That means all four AFC divisions could have champs by Saturday night.

The Ravens, Chargers and Broncos all look good to make the playoffs, so there might not be a ton to play for in this conference beyond Week 16.

• The Ravens can clinch with a win against Pittsburgh, or losses from Indianapolis and Miami.

• The Broncos can clinch with losses from Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Miami.

• The Chargers can clinch with losses from Indianapolis and Miami.

Six teams have been eliminated in the AFC: the Titans, Raiders, Jets, Patriots, Jaguars and Browns.

Projecting the NFC playoff field

The Lions, Eagles and Vikings have all clinched spots in the playoffs, and the Packers are on the verge of joining them. They need a win against the Saints. But they can also get in with a loss from the Falcons and then a loss from either the Seahawks or Rams. Beyond that, there is still a lot up in the air in the NFC.

The Eagles take the NFC East with a win over Washington, and the NFC South appears to be a two-team race between the Buccaneers and Falcons, though Tampa Bay is favored (85% to win the division). The NFC West is wide open. The Rams have a 54% chance at the playoffs and 53% at the division. But the Seahawks and Cardinals are both very much alive there.

The Commanders can clinch a playoff spot with a win, a Falcons loss and then an additional loss from either the Rams or Seahawks.

The Giants, Bears and Panthers have been eliminated, and the Cowboys, Saints and 49ers are headed in that direction. Seven NFC teams have elimination scenarios this weekend, and four of them -- Cincinnati, Dallas, New Orleans and San Francisco -- are out with a loss and no additional requirements.

Check out our NFL Playoff Machine

Simulate your own scenarios and check out the latest playoff picture: Try the 2024 NFL Playoff Picture.

Seeding projections

Here are the chances that teams in the playoff mix fall into each slot once the field is set. ESPN's FPI is pretty confident that Houston will end up in that No. 4 spot in the AFC, but it isn't sure on other playoff contenders. The Ravens, for instance, have a 24% chance to finish third, 46% chance to finish fifth and 20% chance to finish sixth. And as for the top spot, the Chiefs hold the advantage at 80%. They would clinch this weekend with a win and a Bills loss.

The close division races in the NFC make the Nos. 3 and 4 seeds very much up for grabs. Interestingly, the No. 5 seed is nearly guaranteed to the second-place finisher in the NFC North. And as for the No. 1 seed, the Lions hold the advantage over the Eagles and Vikings at the moment -- but the gap has narrowed.

Race for the 2025 No. 1 draft pick

The Giants (2-12) are eliminated from the playoffs and appear to be in the driver's seat for the No. 1 pick in April. After releasing Daniel Jones, New York will surely be looking at the quarterback class. But the Patriots and Raiders are in the mix for the top pick, too. See the full draft order here, which is updated on Tuesdays.

NFL playoff schedule

Jan. 11-13, 2025: Wild-card round
Jan. 18-19: Divisional round
Jan. 26: AFC and NFC championship games
Feb. 9: Super Bowl LIX (in New Orleans)

The Week 16 NFL schedule for the 2024 season is stacked with great matchups, and we've got you covered with what you need to know heading into the weekend.

Our NFL Nation reporters bring us the biggest keys to every game, and analytics writer Seth Walder makes a bold prediction for each matchup. The ESPN Research team 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 and a look at the playoff picture. Fantasy analyst Eric Moody finds fantasy football X factors, and three analysts -- Kalyn Kahler, 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 football.

Let's get into the full Week 16 slate, including quarterback Lamar Jackson and the Ravens looking for revenge against the Steelers, while the surging Eagles try to lock up the NFC East title versus the Commanders. It all culminates with a "Monday Night Football" matchup between the Saints and the Packers on ESPN. (Game times are Sunday unless otherwise noted.)

Jump to a matchup:
HOU-KC | PIT-BAL | NYG-ATL
DET-CHI | CLE-CIN | TEN-IND
LAR-NYJ | PHI-WSH | ARI-CAR
MIN-SEA | NE-BUF | JAX-LV
SF-MIA | TB-DAL | NO-GB

Thursday: LAC 34, DEN 27

Texans (9-5) at Chiefs (13-1)

Saturday, 1 p.m. ET | NBC/Peacock | ESPN BET: KC -3.5 (41.5 O/U)

Texans storyline to watch: Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes ranks 18th in completion percentage (45%) under pressure among starters, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. Meanwhile, the Texans' defensive line is third in pressure rate (38.2%) and second in sacks (45). If the Texans can force Mahomes -- who is dealing with a high ankle sprain -- into uncomfortable spots, Houston can position itself for an upset. -- DJ Bien-Aime

Chiefs storyline to watch: The Chiefs' defense showed signs of life last week against the Browns with five sacks and an improved pressure rate (46%) when it didn't blitz. The Texans have given up 46 sacks, fifth most in the league, so Kansas City has a reason to believe it can disrupt Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud. The Chiefs have had 11 of their 32 total sacks come in the past three weeks. -- Adam Teicher

Stat to know: According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the 2024 Chiefs are the second team in NFL history to play games on six different days of the week, joining the 1927 New York Yankees.

Bold prediction: Mahomes will post a Total QBR of under 50. There's a good chance his scrambling will be limited as he deals with a high ankle injury, so defending Mahomes becomes quite a bit easier. -- Walder

What's at stake: The Chiefs can lock up the No. 1 seed in the AFC with a win and a Buffalo loss, becoming the sixth team since 2002 to clinch the top spot with at least two games left in the regular season. Five of the previous six teams reached the Super Bowl, though none won. Read more.

Injuries: Texans | Chiefs

Fantasy X factor: Texans wide receiver Nico Collins. Yes, the Chiefs' defense is tough, but it is still vulnerable. Just look at the big games it has given up to Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, Drake London, Ladd McConkey and Jakobi Meyers. Collins has averaged 19.3 fantasy points this season. He has had only one game with fewer than 10 points. See Week 16 rankings. -- Moody

Betting nugget: The Texans are 12-2 against the spread (ATS) in the first half of games this season, which is the best in the NFL. Read more.

Kahler's pick: Texans 24, Chiefs 21
Moody's pick: Chiefs 21, Texans 20
Walder's pick: Texans 23, Chiefs 20
FPI prediction: KC, 57.4% (by an average of 2.8 points)

Matchup must-reads: How Texans OT Tunsil learned from draft-day nightmare ... Chiefs to activate WR Brown vs. Texans barring any setbacks ... Texans clinch AFC South for second straight year

Steelers (10-4) at Ravens (9-5)

Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET | FOX | ESPN BET: BAL -6.5 (45.5 O/U)

Steelers storyline to watch: Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith compared the Steelers' run game to an old truck earlier this week, saying that it might take some time to get it started, but it can put together some nice drives. In the two-game absence of wide receiver George Pickens, who could be out again this week, their offense became more one-dimensional and couldn't run the ball effectively. To clinch the AFC North title against the league's best rushing defense, the Steelers must establish the run early. -- Brooke Pryor

Ravens storyline to watch: The Ravens can tie the Steelers atop the AFC North with a win, but they will need quarterback Lamar Jackson to break out of his slump against them. In losing four of his five starts against Pittsburgh, he recorded career lows in QBR (39) and completion rate (57%). The Steelers have pressured the two-time NFL MVP on 31% of his dropbacks and sacked him 22 times. -- Jamison Hensley

Stat to know: For Mike Tomlin and John Harbaugh, the run of nine straight meetings decided by seven points or fewer is the longest such streak by two head coaches in NFL history (regular season or playoffs).

Bold prediction: The Ravens will have a win probability of over 90% at halftime. Despite their records, FPI views the Ravens as substantially better, and I'm inclined to believe the model. -- Walder

What's at stake: The Steelers have already made the playoffs and can clinch the AFC North title with a win, which would be their first division title since 2020. The Ravens can secure a postseason spot with a win or if the Colts and Dolphins both lose. Read more.

Injuries: Steelers | Ravens

Fantasy X factor: Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers. Since that monster 29.7-point performance against the Broncos in Week 9, Flowers has averaged just 10.3 fantasy points per game. He is still worth starting this week. The Steelers' defense has struggled against outside receivers, as Philadelphia's A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith had 25 and 28 points, respectively, last week. See Week 16 rankings. -- Moody

Betting nugget: The Steelers are 5-1 outright and ATS as underdogs this season. Last week was the first time the Steelers lost as underdogs this season. Read more.

Kahler's pick: Ravens 28, Steelers 25
Moody's pick: Ravens 27, Steelers 21
Walder's pick: Ravens 27, Steelers 13
FPI prediction: BAL, 66.8% (by an average of 6.5 points)

Matchup must-reads: Tomlin hopeful Watt will play against Ravens ... QB Jackson's five TDs vs. Giants sets another NFL mark

Giants (2-12) at Falcons (7-7)

1 p.m. ET | FOX | ESPN BET: ATL -9 (42.5 O/U)

Giants storyline to watch: As the Giants try to avoid a franchise-record 10th straight loss, wide receiver Malik Nabers has a bunch of records in sight. He's 99 yards away from being a 1,000-yard receiver and two catches from passing Saquon Barkley and Odell Beckham Jr. for most receptions by a rookie in franchise history. Nabers, with 90 catches, has a shot at Puka Nacua's NFL rookie record of 105 catches. -- Jordan Raanan

Falcons storyline to watch: Quarterback Michael Penix Jr., the eighth pick in the 2024 draft, will make his first NFL start. Coach Raheem Morris said this week that Penix has not thrown much to the team's starting wide receivers in practice because he has been the scout team quarterback behind Kirk Cousins since OTAs. But Penix trained with Ray-Ray McCloud III in the offseason, and the two have developed good chemistry. -- Marc Raimondi

Stat to know: Running back Bijan Robinson is one touchdown away from being the first Falcons player with 1,000 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns in a season since Devonta Freeman in 2016.

Bold prediction: Penix will record a 60-plus QBR. Facing the Giants, the Falcons should be able to limit the ask on him, and I think the result will be an efficient performance in a win. -- Walder

What's at stake: The Falcons are one game back of the Buccaneers for the NFC South lead. Atlanta currently has a 29% chance of making the playoffs and a 21% chance of winning the division, per ESPN Analytics. Read more.

Injuries: Giants | Falcons

Fantasy X factor: Nabers. He has four-plus receptions in every game this season, the second-longest streak in the league, and 10-plus targets in nine of those games. The Falcons' defense gives up the fourth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers, so starting the Giants' only viable threat would be the smart play. See Week 16 rankings. -- Moody

Betting nugget: The Giants are 1-8 ATS in their past nine games. The Falcons are 0-4 ATS in their past four games. Read more.

Kahler's pick: Falcons 28, Giants 14
Moody's pick: Falcons 28, Giants 17
Walder's pick: Falcons 24, Giants 16
FPI prediction: ATL, 62.9% (by an average of 5.1 points)

Matchup must-reads: Giants turn back to Lock as starting QB vs. Falcons ... Falcons' Cousins: Told Penix 'I'd be in his corner' ... Giants' Daboll and Schoen: Stay or go?

Lions (12-2) at Bears (4-10)

1 p.m. ET | FOX | ESPN BET: DET -6.5 (47.5 O/U)

Lions storyline to watch: Detroit has been bitten by the injury bug with a league-high 21 players currently on the injured reserve list, including running back David Montgomery, who sustained a torn MCL in the loss to the Bills. Without Montgomery, coach Dan Campbell is confident in Jahmyr Gibbs' ability as the Lions' "lead horse." Gibbs said his on-field mindset won't change. "I've been doing this my whole life, so I don't look at it any different," he said. -- Eric Woodyard

Bears storyline to watch: Chicago's eight straight losses are taking a toll on rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. "Losing is one of those things that really affects me," Williams said. "It's tough." The Bears have their second straight NFC North matchup, coming off a loss to Minnesota in which they converted only one third-down opportunity. Williams has the third-worst off-target percentage (21.4) this season and a 51 QBR against man coverage, which Detroit plays at the highest rate in the league (56%). -- Courtney Cronin

Stat to know: The Bears' eight straight losses are tied for the second-longest losing streak in franchise history and their longest since losing 14 consecutive games in 2022-23.

Bold prediction: The Lions' defense -- yes, even with all the injuries -- will bounce back and give up 15 or fewer points to the Bears. There's real reason for concern for the Lions' defense when it faces a good offense, as it did against the Bills last week. The Bears are not that. -- Walder

What's at stake: With a win, the Lions' chances at the No.1 seed in the NFC improve to 65%, per ESPN Analytics. With a loss, they fall to 26%. Read more.

Injuries: Lions | Bears

Fantasy X factor: Gibbs. He has averaged 16.1 touches per game, and the Lions rely heavily on their running backs, backed by an offensive line that ranks 13th in run block win rate (71.6%). Plus, the Bears' defense gives up the fifth-most fantasy points per game to running backs. See Week 16 rankings. -- Moody

Betting nugget: The Bears are 4-1 ATS in their past five as home underdogs. They have covered in three in a row. Read more.

Kahler's pick: Lions 34, Bears 24
Moody's pick: Lions 30, Bears 24
Walder's pick: Lions 34, Bears 13
FPI prediction: DET, 71.9% (by an average of 8.8 points)

Matchup must-reads: Campbell takes blame for loss vs. Bills ... Losing 'really affects me,' says Bears QB Williams ... DE Hutchinson on track for Super Bowl return ... Coach Thomas Brown defends Bears' effort during skid

Browns (3-11) at Bengals (6-8)

1 p.m. ET | CBS | ESPN BET: CIN -7.5 (46.5 O/U)

Browns storyline to watch: At quarterback, the Browns are turning to Dorian Thompson-Robinson, a 2023 fifth-round pick who will make his fourth career start Sunday. His mobility should open some things in the run game, but, like the recently benched Jameis Winston, he will have to take better care of the ball. Thompson-Robinson has thrown seven interceptions to only one touchdown already. -- Daniel Oyefusi

Bengals storyline to watch: Browns defensive end Myles Garrett has sacked quarterback Joe Burrow nine times, the most of any opponent in Burrow's career. Cincinnati is trying to blank Garrett's sack count against Burrow for the first time in five seasons. Getting Cody Ford (flu) back will be big for an offensive line still without Orlando Brown Jr. (fibula). -- Ben Baby

Stat to know: Burrow has a 72 QBR in every Bengals loss this season. That's the second-best mark since the metric was first calculated in 2006 (Ben Roethlisberger had a 76 QBR in six losses in 2018).

Bold prediction: Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson will record at least 2.5 sacks and reemerge as a defensive player of the year candidate. Thompson-Robinson hasn't taken sacks at high rate in his career, but the sample is limited and I expect the Bengals to be ahead, which leads to more sacks. -- Walder

What's at stake: Any chance for the Bengals to make the postseason rides on this game. They will be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss to the Browns, and they currently hold the ninth-best odds at 6%, per ESPN Analytics. Read more.

Injuries: Browns | Bengals

Fantasy X factor: Browns running back Jerome Ford. Without Nick Chubb (foot), Ford should lead the Browns' committee for the rest of the season. Expect him to get plenty of touches, even if the Bengals get out ahead early. He has been the primary back on passing downs all season, so he'll stay involved no matter the score. See Week 16 rankings. -- Moody

Betting nugget: The Browns are 0-3 ATS in their past three, 1-5 ATS in their past six and 3-9 ATS in their past 12. Read more.

Kahler's pick: Bengals 30, Browns 13
Moody's pick: Bengals 31, Browns 14
Walder's pick: Bengals 27, Browns 13
FPI prediction: CIN, 67.3% (by an average of 6.8 points)

Matchup must-reads: Browns bench Winston; Thompson-Robinson to start vs. Bengals ... Bengals RB Brown staking claim as featured running back ... South Florida route-running culture embedded in Cleveland

Titans (3-11) at Colts (6-8)

1 p.m. ET | CBS | ESPN BET: IND -3.5 (42.5 O/U)

Titans storyline to watch: Calvin Ridley needs 221 receiving yards to reach the 1,000-yard mark. He didn't register a reception in the first meeting with the Colts despite being targeted eight times by then-starter Will Levis. Mason Rudolph will be the quarterback this time, which is good news for Ridley as his season-high 143 receiving yards came with Rudolph throwing to him against the Lions. -- Turron Davenport

Colts storyline to watch: The Colts enter this week ranked 28th in yards allowed per game (366.1), their lowest mark since 2017 when they finished 4-12. Somehow, they've ranked better in scoring defense at 21st with 23.5 points per game. But an underrated byproduct has been Indianapolis having the NFL's lowest time of possession at 26 minutes, 41 seconds per game. -- Stephen Holder

Stat to know: Titans running back Tony Pollard needs 85 scrimmage yards to reach 1,300 for the third straight season. He would join Derrick Henry as the only players to reach that mark in each of the past three seasons.

Bold prediction: Colts wide receiver Adonai Mitchell will catch a 30-plus-air-yard pass. He has been targeted on five such throws this season and has zero receptions, but I'm convinced the connection is going to happen this weekend. ESPN's open score loves Mitchell, giving him an 83 in the category. -- Walder

What's at stake: The Colts were eliminated from playoff contention after the Chargers defeated the Broncos on Thursday night. But the Titans still have something on the line, as their current 39% chance at a top-five pick will improve with a win, per ESPN Analytics. Read more.

Injuries: Titans | Colts

Fantasy X factor: Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson. He struggled as a passer last week, completing just 44.7% of attempts, but he rushed for 46 yards and a touchdown. This week, he faces a Titans defense giving up the 11th-most fantasy points to quarterbacks and giving up the eighth-most rushing yards. Expect him to take advantage. See Week 16 rankings. -- Moody

Betting nugget: The Titans are 2-8 ATS as underdogs this season. Six straight Titans road games have gone over the total. Read more.

Kahler's pick: Colts 21, Titans 12
Moody's pick: Colts 24, Titans 13
Walder's pick: Colts 17, Titans 9
FPI prediction: IND, 49.9% (by an average of 0.1 points)

Matchup must-reads: Benched Levis: Still believe I can be Titans' franchise QB ... Butker, Bates and the life of an NFL kicker ... Colts are good on first drives, but then fall apart

Rams (8-6) at Jets (4-10)

1 p.m. ET | CBS | ESPN BET: LAR -3 (46.5 O/U)

Rams storyline to watch: This is the 18th time starting quarterbacks Matthew Stafford and Aaron Rodgers will face each other, which will be tied for the fifth most among starting quarterbacks in the Super Bowl era (including playoffs), according to ESPN Research. Rodgers has won 13 of them, but Stafford might have the upper hand this time since the Jets have won only twice in their past 11 games. -- Sarah Barshop

Jets storyline to watch: Rodgers needs two touchdown passes to become only the fifth player in NFL history to hit the 500 mark. He's playing his best ball of the year, having thrown for 628 yards, 4 touchdowns and 0 interceptions in the past two games. The offense has produced 58 points and 802 yards, which are its most in back-to-back games this season. -- Rich Cimini

Stat to know: The Rams are looking to become the first team in NFL history to make the playoffs in back-to-back seasons after being three games under .500 at some point in the year.

Bold prediction: Rams rookie Jared Verse will record at least a 25% pass rush win rate and a sack against Jets rookie Olu Fashanu. The offensive tackle's 87% pass block win rate is better than what Tyron Smith posted before his injury, but it is still below average. Verse is anything but average, and Sunday's game could bolster his chances at Defensive Rookie of the Year. -- Walder

What's at stake: The Rams currently have a 54% chance to make playoffs and a 53% chance to win NFC West, per ESPN Analytics. Those chances improve to 65% and 64%, respectively, with a win. And they fall to 43% and 42%, respectively, with a loss. Read more.

Injuries: Rams | Jets

Fantasy X factor: Rodgers. He came alive on Sunday against the Jaguars, dropping a season-high 30 fantasy points. That's not surprising since Jacksonville has given up the most points to quarterbacks this season. He's set up for another big game with Davante Adams and Garrett Wilson as his top receivers because the Rams' defense gives up the 13th-most passing yards per game (218.1). See Week 16 rankings. -- Moody

Betting nugget: The Jets are 1-5 ATS against teams with winning records this season. Read more.

Kahler's pick: Rams 28, Jets 20
Moody's pick: Rams 28, Jets 24
Walder's pick: Rams 24, Jets 19
FPI prediction: LAR, 51.1% (by an average of 0.5 points)

Matchup must-reads: McVay galvanizes Rams to three-game win stretch ... The real Rodgers saving his best for last with Jets ... Wilson tries to clear air after sideline outburst

Eagles (12-2) at Commanders (9-5)

1 p.m. ET | FOX | ESPN BET: PHI -3.5 (45.5 O/U)

Eagles storyline to watch: The Eagles' pass game awoke against the Steelers after several quiet games, with quarterback Jalen Hurts throwing for 290 yards and a pair of scores. Wide receiver A.J. Brown was targeted a season-high 11 times and finished with eight catches for 110 yards. Good things happen when Hurts goes Brown's way, as the duo tops the NFL in yards per attempt (12.1). -- Tim McManus

Commanders storyline to watch: In the first meeting in Week 11, a 26-18 Eagles win, Commanders leading receiver Terry McLaurin was targeted a season-low two times. Philadelphia often bracketed him in the red zone, and it didn't help that he ran 22 of his 25 routes from the left side. But, in the past three games, Washington has moved him around more -- 40 routes run from the left side and 22 on the right. More importantly, he has more than nine targets on both sides during this stretch. -- John Keim

Stat to know: Hurts has 14 rushing touchdowns, which is the most in the NFL and tied for the third most by a quarterback through a season in NFL history. He had 15 in 2023, which Josh Allen matched in the same year for the second-most ever.

Bold prediction: McLaurin will record under 35 receiving yards. I'm fully buying the Eagles' secondary, and he is far and away the most important Commanders target for a defense to try to stop. -- Walder

What's at stake: The Eagles can lock up the NFC East title with a win. If the Commanders win, they need the Falcons to lose, as well as losses by either the Rams or Seahawks, to make the postseason. Read more.

Injuries: Eagles | Commanders

Fantasy X factor: Eagles running back Saquon Barkley. The Commanders' defensive front ranks 24th in run stop win rate (29.1%), while the Eagles' offensive line ranks ninth in run block win rate (72.9%). Washington also gives up the sixth-most rushing yards per game to running backs and is giving up 5.0 yards per carry. See Week 16 rankings. -- Moody

Betting nugget: The Commanders are 10-3-1 ATS in the first quarter this season, which is the best in the NFL. Read more.

Kahler's pick: Eagles 28, Commanders 27
Moody's pick: Eagles 27, Commanders 24
Walder's pick: Eagles 24, Commanders 17
FPI prediction: PHI, 58.8% (by an average of 3.3 points)

Matchup must-reads: Eagles revive passing game as QB Hurts deals with broken finger ... Bill provision may aid Commanders return to D.C. ... Wives of Commanders kickers go into labor at same time

Cardinals (7-7) at Panthers (3-11)

1 p.m. ET | FOX | ESPN BET: ARI -5 (47.5 O/U)

Cardinals storyline to watch: The Panthers' struggles throwing the ball this season will give the Cardinals a prime opportunity to continue their march toward a playoff spot. Their defense is giving up 217 passing yards per game and 6.94 passing yards per play and will line up across an offense that is among the worst passing teams in the NFL, averaging 186 yards per game (29th) and 5.69 yards per play (28th). -- Josh Weinfuss

Panthers storyline to watch: Carolina probably will be without one of its best remaining defensive linemen (A'Shawn Robinson, knee) on a unit that already ranks last in the NFL against the run (giving up 173 yards per game). It also lost two more linebackers to IR (Trevin Wallace and Claudin Cherelus). That's not good news when you're facing the league's seventh-best run offense, averaging 141 yards, and an elusive quarterback in Kyler Murray. -- David Newton

Stat to know: With a loss, the Panthers would clinch five or fewer wins for the fifth time in the past six seasons. Before 2019, the franchise had only three seasons with five or fewer wins since they played their first NFL season in 1995.

Bold prediction: The Cardinals will score 35-plus points. It's being slept on as to just how good Murray has been this season. He ranks fourth in QBR (68.4) without an exceptional offensive line or wide receiver room. And this week, he gets to show off against a Carolina defense that's 31st in EPA (expected points added) allowed per play and 30th in EPA allowed per dropback. -- Walder

What's at stake: The Cardinals are a game back of the Rams and Seahawks for first place in the NFC West. Arizona enters Sunday with a 14% chance to win the division, per ESPN Analytics. Read more.

Injuries: Cardinals | Panthers

Fantasy X factor: Cardinals running back James Conner. He has averaged 18.4 touches per game and exploded for a season-high 30.8 fantasy points in Week 14. Now, he faces a Panthers defense that gives up the most fantasy points per game to running backs. Expect another big game. See Week 16 rankings. -- Moody

Betting nugget: The Panthers have covered five straight games as underdogs. They are 5-1 ATS in their past six games overall. Read more.

Kahler's pick: Cardinals 30, Panthers 21
Moody's pick: Cardinals 30, Panthers 20
Walder's pick: Cardinals 37, Panthers 17
FPI prediction: ARI, 74.6% (by an average of 9.7 points)

Matchup must-reads: Cardinals safety Baker lands 3-year extension ... Sunday's loss to Cowboys a microcosm of Panthers' issues

Vikings (12-2) at Seahawks (8-6)

4:05 p.m. ET | FOX | ESPN BET: MIN -3 (42.5 O/U)

Vikings storyline to watch: The Vikings have struggled to win in Seattle, a trend that includes generations of players, coaches, front offices and ownership groups. They've lost their past five games there and have won only twice in 11 games over the past six decades. On paper, this season's matchup favors the Vikings since their defense is tied for the NFL's fourth-most sacks (42). The Seahawks have given up the league's third-most sacks (47). -- Kevin Seifert

Seahawks storyline to watch: Under defensive coordinator Brian Flores, the Vikings are blitzing on a league-high 39% of opponents' dropbacks. Geno Smith has the ninth-best QBR (80.6) against the blitz, but will he have his usual ability to evade rushers and extend plays Sunday? Smith couldn't finish Seattle's loss to Green Bay because of a right knee injury, though he plans to play against Minnesota. -- Brady Henderson

Stat to know: The Seahawks are 3-5 at home this season. A loss would mark their most home losses in a season since 2008, when they finished 2-6.

Bold prediction: Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold will throw at least two interceptions. Though the Vikings beat the Bears easily last week, Darnold struggled at times with accuracy and posted a negative-4% completion percentage over expectation, per NFL Next Gen Stats. -- Walder

What's at stake: Though the Vikings have clinched a playoff spot, the Seahawks currently hold a 36.2% chance to make the postseason, per ESPN Analytics. Seattle's odds increase to 54.6% with a win and decrease to 23.3% with a loss. Read more.

Injuries: Vikings | Seahawks

Fantasy X factor: Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. He has been on fire since Seattle's bye week, recording 18 or more fantasy points in four of his past five games. He faces a Vikings defense that has given up the most receiving yards per game to wide receivers. Expect Smith-Njigba to stay heavily involved and deliver another strong performance. See Week 16 rankings. -- Moody

Betting nugget: The Seahawks are 0-5 ATS against teams with winning records this season. Read more.

Kahler's pick: Vikings 24, Seahawks 17
Moody's pick: Vikings 24, Seahawks 13
Walder's pick: Seahawks 26, Vikings 20
FPI prediction: MIN, 58.9% (by an average of 3.2 points)

Matchup must-reads: Jefferson, Vikings pay tribute to Randy Moss amid cancer fight ... Geno 'better,' plans to play despite knee injury

Patriots (3-11) at Bills (11-3)

4:25 p.m. ET | CBS | ESPN BET: BUF -14 (46.5 O/U)

Patriots storyline to watch: The past two times the Patriots and Bills have played in Buffalo, the opening kickoff has been returned for a touchdown, which has never happened between the same teams at the same venue in back-to-back seasons. This will also be the coldest game for Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye, with the forecast calling for temperatures in the teens. "I'm excited to wear long sleeves for the first time and embrace it," he said. -- Mike Reiss

Bills storyline to watch: The Bills' offense has a chance to become the first team to score 30-plus points in nine straight games. The Patriots have given up 24.1 points per game this season (10th worst). New England's biggest task will be slowing MVP candidate Josh Allen, who also can become the first quarterback in the past 90 years to record multiple rushing touchdowns in three consecutive games, per Elias Sports Bureau. -- Alaina Getzenberg

Stat to know: Maye has a passing touchdown in six consecutive games entering Sunday. One more would tie Jim Plunkett (1971) for the longest streak by a rookie in franchise history.

Bold prediction: Bills edge Von Miller will record at least one sack. He has only one sack since returning from suspension in Week 9, but he actually boasts a 25% pass rush win rate at edge in that span, which is third best at the position. -- Walder

What's at stake: The Bills are in a fight with the Chiefs for the No. 1 seed. Buffalo's chances increase to 25% with a win and fall to 3.6% with a loss, per ESPN Analytics. On the other end, the Patriots' odds at the No. 1 pick climb to 30% with a loss. Read more.

Injuries: Patriots | Bills

Fantasy X factor: Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir. He has been targeted often by Allen, with seven or more targets in eight games and two with 10 or more. Shakir has scored 16 or more fantasy points in consecutive games. He should do well against the Patriots' defense, especially from the slot. See Week 16 rankings. -- Moody

Betting nugget: The Patriots have been 14-point underdogs only one other time in the past 30 seasons -- 2023 against the Bills, when they lost by six. Read more.

Kahler's pick: Bills 33, Patriots 17
Moody's pick: Bills 41, Patriots 13
Walder's pick: Bills 27, Patriots 17
FPI prediction: BUF, 82.5% (by an average of 13.9 points)

Matchup must-reads: Mayo 'didn't mean anything' with playcalling remark ... Allen reaches new heights at QB, keeps Bills rolling

Jaguars (3-11) at Raiders (2-12)

4:25 p.m. ET | CBS | ESPN BET: LV -1.5 (40.5 O/U)

Jaguars storyline to watch: Jacksonville has really struggled preventing the big play. The Jaguars have given up a league-high 89 explosive plays (rushes of 15 or more yards and receptions of 30 or more yards). They've also given up 16 touchdowns on those plays, which is tied with Cleveland for the most. That's a good matchup for the Raiders, who rank 22nd in the NFL with 44 offensive plays of 20 or more yards. -- Michael DiRocco

Raiders storyline to watch: With only six catches in the Raiders' past two games, Brock Bowers has fallen to fourth in the NFL with 90 receptions (he was leading the league two weeks ago). Despite the team's quarterback issues, he needs 32 more yards to be the third rookie tight end to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards in NFL history, joining Mike Ditka (1,076) and Kyle Pitts (1,026). He will face a Jaguars team that has the worst pass defense in the league (264.3 yards per game). -- Paul Gutierrez

Stat to know: If the Raiders lose out in their final three games, they will tie their longest losing streak in franchise history (13 straight in 1962). After this week, they face the Saints and Chargers to end the season.

Bold prediction: The Jaguars' offensive line will post its strongest pass block win rate of the season (75%). Going against the Raiders without Maxx Crosby (ankle) and Christian Wilkins (foot) should set up the unit for a smooth day and give quarterback Mac Jones plenty of time to make his reads. -- Walder

What's at stake: This matchup can drastically improve or hurt both teams' chances at the No.1 pick (independent of other results). The Raiders' odds at the selection increase to 30% with a loss and decrease to 2% with a win, per ESPN Analytics. The Jaguars' chances climb to 11% with a loss and fall to less than 1% with a win. Read more.

Injuries: Jaguars | Raiders

Fantasy X factor: Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange. Evan Engram (shoulder) is out for the season, which means Strange takes over as Jacksonville's starting tight end. He looked solid earlier this year when filling in for Engram. He now faces a Raiders defense that gives up the fourth-most fantasy points to tight ends. See Week 16 rankings. -- Moody

Betting nugget: The Raiders are 0-1 outright as favorites this season (lost 36-22 to the Panthers in Week 3). They are 3-1 ATS as favorites under coach Antonio Pierce. Read more.

Kahler's pick: Jaguars 17, Raiders 15
Moody's pick: Jaguars 21, Raiders 13
Walder's pick: Jaguars 26, Raiders 19
FPI prediction: LV, 56.5% (by an average of 2.4 points)

Matchup must-reads: Lawrence, Engram have shoulder surgery ... Eerie mood looms over Raiders as Pierce's job status is questioned

49ers (6-8) at Dolphins (6-8)

4:25 p.m. ET | CBS | ESPN BET: MIA -1 (44.5 O/U)

49ers storyline to watch: Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill is averaging 12 yards per reception this season, which is on pace for the third-lowest total of his career. Improving on that mark could prove difficult against a Niners defense that has been stingy with big plays in the second part of the season. Since Week 8, San Francisco has given up only 10 pass plays of 20-plus yards (fewest in the NFL) and is giving up 9.3 yards per reception (second lowest) in that span. -- Nick Wagoner

Dolphins storyline to watch: With Isaac Guerendo (hamstring) doubtful to play Sunday, the 49ers are presented with a difficult matchup against one of the NFL's top run defenses. The Dolphins have allowed only one of their past eight opponents to crack 100 rushing yards (the Packers in Week 13). In fact, Miami has given up an NFL-best 83.3 rushing yards per game since losing to Green Bay. San Francisco might have to rely more on quarterback Brock Purdy, whose breakout game came against the Dolphins in 2022. -- Marcel Louis-Jacques

Stat to know: Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has the fourth-most passing touchdowns (13) and third-most passing yards (1,704) in the NFL since returning from a concussion in Week 10.

Bold prediction: 49ers tight end George Kittle will record 5-plus catches for 90-plus receiving yards. No team gives up a higher percentage of opponent targets to tight ends than Miami at 23%. -- Walder

What's at stake: The Dolphins will be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss after the Chargers' Thursday night win. The 49ers will miss the postseason with a loss or be eliminated by seven other scenarios involving wins by other NFC teams. Read more.

Injuries: 49ers | Dolphins

Fantasy X factor: 49ers running back Patrick Taylor Jr. If Guerendo is out, the door opens for Taylor to lead the backfield. He scored nine fantasy points in Week 14 after Guerendo went down. The Dolphins have done well against quarterbacks, at least in fantasy, so this could be a game in which San Francisco leans on its ground attack. See Week 16 rankings. -- Moody

Betting nugget: Five straight Dolphins home games have gone over the total. Read more.

Kahler's pick: 49ers 22, Dolphins 20
Moody's pick: 49ers 24, Dolphins 21
Walder's pick: 49ers 30, Dolphins 17
FPI prediction: SF, 54.4% (by an average of 1.5 points)

Matchup must-reads: Source: 49ers RB Guerendo likely out against Dolphins ... Dolphins' DuBose to return home after hospital stay ... Greenlaw's return highlighted why the 49ers need to keep him

Buccaneers (8-6) at Cowboys (6-8)

8:20 p.m. ET | NBC/Peacock | ESPN BET: TB -4.5 (48.5 O/U)

Buccaneers storyline to watch: Considering what the Bucs did as an offense in a 40-17 victory over the Chargers, the timing on this couldn't be better. The Bucs' run game has dramatically improved from last in the league last season to now fourth overall (144.4 yards per game). The Cowboys are giving up 136.1 rushing yards per game (fourth worst in the league) and have surrendered 43 total touchdowns as a defense (third most in the league). -- Jenna Laine

Cowboys storyline to watch: If the Cowboys lose, it would be their seventh loss of the season at AT&T Stadium, their most since 2015. They also have a chance to match the franchise record for most home losses in a season (0-8 in 1989). All of this has come after they won 16 straight regular-season games at home from 2022 to 2023. To avoid a loss, the defense will have to slow down the No. 4 scoring offense in the league (28.8 points per game). -- Todd Archer

Stat to know: A loss for the Cowboys would clinch their first losing season since coach Mike McCarthy went 6-10 in his first year in 2020. They haven't had multiple losing seasons under a single head coach since going 5-11 in three straight seasons from 2000 to 2002 with Dave Campo.

Bold prediction: Buccaneers cornerback Jamel Dean will give up no more than 40 receiving yards as the nearest defender, even though he'll presumably see at least some of wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. Since Week 10, Dean has given up just 0.7 yards per coverage snap, per NFL Next Gen Stats -- far better than the 1.2 average for outside corners. -- Walder

What's at stake: The Buccaneers' chances to win the NFC South increase to 93% with a win and fall to 68% with a loss. The Cowboys would be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss or a Washington win. Read more.

Injuries: Buccaneers | Cowboys

Fantasy X factor: Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan. He had 36.5 fantasy points combined in his first eight games and then 40.4 in the past two. Interestingly, he and Mike Evans ran the same number of routes in that span, with Evans barely leading in targets. The Cowboys' defense gives up the sixth-most receiving yards per game to wide receivers. See Week 16 rankings. -- Moody

Betting nugget: The Cowboys are 0-5 ATS as home underdogs this season. They are 1-6 outright and ATS overall at home. Read more.

Kahler's pick: Buccaneers 30, Cowboys 20
Moody's pick: Buccaneers 35, Cowboys 21
Walder's pick: Cowboys 20, Buccaneers 19
FPI prediction: TB, 70.0% (by an average of 7.5 points)

Matchup must-reads: Rookies stepping up at right time for surging Buccaneers ... What does the Cowboys' 2025 salary cap really look like? ... NFC South conundrum: Path to the playoffs, biggest hurdles

Saints (5-9) at Packers (10-4)

Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET | ESPN | ESPN BET: GB -14 (42.5 O/U)

Saints storyline to watch: The Saints have played only 18 games at 32 degrees or below at kickoff. They have won the past three, including a game against the Browns in 2022 when it was 6 degrees. But New Orleans doesn't have Taysom Hill (knee), the leading rusher from that last win, and might not have Alvin Kamara, who is dealing with a groin injury. The Saints also could start rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler since Derek Carr has been out because of a fractured hand. -- Katherine Terrell

Packers storyline to watch: It's a small sample size, but Packers quarterback Jordan Love has shown no issues when it comes to playing in cold-weather games. He's 2-0 as Green Bay's starter when the temperature is 32 degrees or lower, which helps as it could be snowing Monday. When it comes to late-season contests overall, coach Matt LaFleur also has the best December/January record (23-5) in the NFL since 2019. -- Rob Demovsky

Stat to know: The Packers are averaging 6.6 yards after catch per reception this season (third in the NFL). The Saints' defense is giving up 6.2 yards after catch per reception this season (third highest in the NFL).

Bold prediction: Saints linebacker Demario Davis will lead the NFL in tackles in Week 16. The Saints are heavy underdogs to the Packers, which means Green Bay probably will be out in front and running the ball plenty. Davis has recorded a tackle on 21% of run plays he's on the field for this season, which leads Saints linebackers. -- Walder

What's at stake: The Packers can secure their spot as the third NFC North team in the playoffs through multiple scenarios. The easiest path is by winning Sunday. Otherwise, Green Bay will need a Falcons loss to pair with either a loss by the Rams or the Seahawks. Read more.

Injuries: Saints | Packers

Fantasy X factor: Packers running back Josh Jacobs. Green Bay is a double-digit favorite, setting up Jacobs for a big workload. He has had 18-plus touches and 21-plus fantasy points in five straight games. The Saints' defense gives up 23.7 fantasy points per game to running backs, making him a strong play this week. See Week 16 rankings. -- Moody

Betting nugget: The Saints have been double-digit underdogs one time in the past 19 seasons (plus-11.5 at Buccaneers in 2021, when they won 9-0). They have not been at least 13-point underdogs since 2005. Read more.

Kahler's pick: Packers 30, Saints 17
Moody's pick: Packers 28, Saints 16
Walder's pick: Packers 27, Saints 10
FPI prediction: GB, 83.5% (by an average of 14.6 points)

Matchup must-reads: Edwards-Helaire joins Saints after being cut by Chiefs ... Cooper, Doubs key to Packers' win over Seattle ... Saints bench Haener, go back to Rattler in loss

Free agent infielder Gio Urshela is in agreement with the Athletics on a major league contract, sources confirmed to ESPN on Friday.

Urshela, 33, has bounced around the past few years, playing for three teams between 2023 and 2024: the Angels, Tigers and Braves. He finished last season with Atlanta, hitting .265 in 36 games. The nine-year veteran is joining his eighth team and has compiled a career .273 batting average with 73 home runs.

Urshela is a third baseman by trade but has played every infield position over the past two years. The A's need depth at the corners, where Urshela is likely to slot in.

The A's have been active this offseason, signing free agent pitcher Luis Severino while trading for Rays starter Jeffrey Springs. Bolstering their pitching staff was an offseason goal, and Urshela helps deepen their position player base.

Terms of Urshela's deal have not been disclosed.

NEW YORK -- The Baltimore Orioles left about $2.1 million unspent from their 2024 international signing bonus pool allotment and the Los Angeles Dodgers around $1.9 million in a year there was speculation that Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki would be available.

Major League Baseball's international amateur signing period runs from Jan. 15 to Dec. 15, and Sasaki was not posted until Dec. 8. The 2025 signing period starts Jan. 15 and the 45-day window to reach a deal with the touted 23-year-old runs until Jan. 23, meaning he will sign within the 2025 period.

The 2025 bonus pools range from $7,555,500 for eight teams to $5,146,200 for the Dodgers and San Francisco Giants. The Dodgers are among the many teams interested in Sasaki.

"He's someone that is obviously a major priority for us, and we're going to do whatever we can and know that there are a lot of other teams that are going to do the exact same thing," Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said during last week's winter meetings.

San Diego, which has a $6,261,600 pool next year, is viewed as a favorite for Sasaki along with the Dodgers. The pitcher's agent, Joel Wolfe, said he assumes Sasaki will "seriously consider" San Diego, where Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish is on the roster and Hideo Nomo is a special adviser.

"I feel like the organization is in a really good place with Sasaki," Padres manager Mike Shildt said at the winter meetings. "If there's an open market competition to be had, I feel like we're in a good spot for a multitude of reasons. One, we're in San Diego. We sell out our ballpark every night. We have a very competitive ballclub. It's a chance for him to come in and create a legacy for himself to help win the first World Series."

Teams usually spend their international signing bonus allotment on Latin American players.

Other teams with more than $500,000 unspent this year, according to final figures, were San Francisco ($767,500), Boston ($740,000), Colorado ($647,800) and the Chicago White Sox ($640,000).

Atlanta, the New York Yankees and Texas spent exactly their allotment. Teams are not allowed to go over.

Fourteen teams had under $100,000 unspent.

Players born from Sept. 1, 2006, through Aug. 31, 2007, were eligible to sign from Jan. 15 to Dec. 15, and signing bonuses of $10,000 and under didn't count against a team's allotment.

Left-hander Patrick Sandoval and the Boston Red Sox are in agreement on a two-year, $18.25 million contract, sources told ESPN, uniting the veteran who was non-tendered in November with a team looking to shore up its pitching depth this year and beyond.

The 28-year-old Sandoval underwent Tommy John surgery in June and is not expected to pitch until the second half of 2025. Boston nevertheless paid a well-over-market rate to get Sandoval, cognizant of the heavy price of free agent starting pitchers this winter and hopeful that Sandoval can be a solid midrotation starter upon his return.

Sandoval's estimated arbitration salary for 2025 was around $5.5 million, and rather than trade him, the Angels non-tendered him. Had Sandoval been offered a contract, his arbitration number for 2026 likely would have been a minimal raise because of the lack of volume due to the injury.

His free agency, however, led to significant interest among teams -- and a big raise in 2026. Sandoval will make $5.5 million in 2025 and $12.75 million in 2026, sources said.

Sandoval illustrated his ceiling in 2022, when he posted a 2.91 ERA over 27 starts, throwing 148 innings, striking out 151 and walking 60. He followed with 28 starts and a 4.11 ERA in 2023 but struggled last season with a 5.08 ERA in 16 starts before needing the surgery for elbow ligament replacement.

Boston, seeking starting pitching help this winter, swung a trade for ace Garrett Crochet with the Chicago White Sox. Like Sandoval, he will hit free agency again after 2026. Others in the Red Sox's rotation mix next season include right-handers Tanner Houck, Lucas Giolito, Brayan Bello and Kutter Crawford.

Also Friday, the Red Sox invited 2016 AL Rookie of the Year Michael Fulmer to spring training as a non-roster invitee.

The 31-year-old right-hander missed all of last season recovering from right elbow surgery. A 2017 All-Star, Fulmer was 3-5 with a 4.42 ERA for the Cubs in 2023.

Also invited to spring training are catcher Seby Zavala, infielder/outfielder Nate Eaton and righties Isaiah Campbell, Bryan Mata, and Wyatt Mills. Mata was Boston's top pitching prospect before missing most of 2023 with an injury.

The Houston Astros and free agent first baseman Christian Walker have agreed to a three-year, $60 million contract, sources confirmed to ESPN amid multiple reports Friday.

The deal is pending a physical exam, a source told ESPN.

The addition of Walker in all likelihood marks the end of Alex Bregman's tenure in Houston, not to mention the Astros' ill-fated attempts to pry Nolan Arenado from the St. Louis Cardinals. Walker manning first base for the next three years means Isaac Paredes, the 25-year-old corner infielder who was recently acquired from the Chicago Cubs in the Kyle Tucker trade, will probably be Bregman's replacement at third base.

Walker, who turns 34 on March 28, is widely regarded as one of the sport's best defensive first basemen and will also provide some power to the middle of the Astros' lineup. He slashed .250/.332/.481 with 95 home runs and 281 RBIs with the Arizona Diamondbacks over the past three seasons while accumulating 10.8 FanGraphs wins above replacement, sixth-most among first basemen.

First base had been a conundrum in Houston over these past three seasons, one the high-priced Jose Abreu could not solve. Astros first basemen combined for a .651 OPS last season, fifth-lowest in the majors. Walker, a three-time Gold Glove Award winner, will provide a major boost at that position -- particularly as a right-handed hitter in Daikin Park, which features a short left-field fence.

The Astros still need help in their outfield after parting with Tucker one year before he's scheduled to become a free agent. And Bregman, the heart and soul of a Houston franchise that won two championships and made seven straight appearances in the American League Championship Series dating back to his first full season in the big leagues, must choose a new destination.

The New York Yankees, who expressed interest in Walker this offseason, could be a landing spot for Bregman. So might the Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays or Detroit Tigers, the last of which is led by AJ Hinch, Bregman's former manager.

Astros general manager Dana Brown expressed optimism about bringing Bregman back throughout the offseason, but owner Jim Crane would not meet the $200 million-plus asking price of Bregman's agent, Scott Boras, prompting an initial pivot to Arenado -- before he used his no-trade clause to stay in St. Louis -- and an agreement with Walker.

Walker declined the D-backs' qualifying offer in November. By signing him, the Astros, a team that exceeded the luxury tax threshold last season, will give up their second- and fifth-round picks in the upcoming draft, as well as $1 million from their international spending pool. Houston will get back a fourth-round pick once Bregman signs with another team, a development that now feels inevitable.

In the aftermath of the Astros' loss to the Tigers in the wild-card round earlier this fall, longtime Houston second baseman Jose Altuve spoke passionately about the importance of bringing Bregman back, saying: "We're not going to be the same organization without him."

In many ways, the Walker signing signals a new chapter.

Luis Severino joined a videoconference on the Friday after Thanksgiving with an Athletics contingent that hoped to make him not only the ace of their staff, but one of the biggest, most consequential additions in franchise history. He was receptive but skeptical.

"I had a lot of questions," Severino recalled in Spanish. "Lots and lots."

A's general manager David Forst sat alongside manager Mark Kotsay and a handful of other staffers while Severino probed them about the direction of a team that lost 307 games over the past three years, the dynamics of the minor league ballpark they'll call home for the next three seasons and the intentions of a franchise that had spent decades as one of the sport's most frugal.

A few days later, Severino, a 30-year-old right-hander who was among the more affordable standouts in a deep crop of available starters, received an initial offer that proved the A's were serious. Within a week of that first meeting, he signed the largest contract in team history -- a three-year, $67 million deal that nearly doubled their previous high for a free agent.

"Neither I nor my agent were expecting them to offer a contract of that magnitude," said Severino, represented by Nelson Montes de Oca of Klutch Sports Group. "It was impressive."

The A's, dormant in free agency for most of their existence, have spent these past two months talking at contract levels they never have, even while navigating the most volatile juncture in franchise history. They have moved out of Oakland, their home for the past 56 years, and will spend the 2025, 2026 and 2027 seasons -- and perhaps the 2028 season -- playing in a Triple-A ballpark in West Sacramento while waiting for a new stadium to be erected in Las Vegas.

In his 26th offseason in the A's front office, Forst is facing arguably his most difficult task: persuading accomplished major league players to play in a minor league stadium, join a team in transition and lead a group still learning to win. Overpaying is a necessity.

Forst's pitch is built around a young core the A's believe is talented enough to build around, shown in glimpses of the team's .500 record in the second half, as well as a manager in Kotsay toward whom Forst thinks players gravitate. The team's on-field product, not to mention the playing-time opportunities within it, has been received favorably by free agents, Forst said.

Their temporary stadium -- Sutter Health Park, a 14,000-seat venue they will share with the San Francisco Giants' Triple-A affiliate, the Sacramento River Cats -- has been a bigger obstacle.

While meeting with prospective free agents -- most notably Severino and fellow starters like Sean Manaea and Walker Buehler, the latter two still unsigned -- Forst and his group have done a lot of up-front explaining to address concerns about amenities, seating capacity, weather, living arrangements and, notably, clubhouse commutes.

"I just think there's a lot of unknowns," Forst said in his Dallas hotel suite during last week's winter meetings. "This is not a city that a lot of players have been to. When we were trying to bring guys to Oakland, at least it was a place that guys had been to. They'd stayed in San Francisco, they'd taken the bus over to the ballpark, they knew what the stadium looks like."

The A's expressed interest in Severino shortly after he declined the New York Mets' qualifying offer on Nov. 19 and filled his agent's inbox with PDFs leading up to their initial meeting 10 days later.

One held information about how a tweak in usage patterns could help Severino improve off a year in which he went 11-7 with a 3.91 ERA in 182 innings for a Mets team that became one of baseball's biggest surprises this past season. The other was a slide deck with floor plans, pictures and key information about the upgrades being made to Sutter Health Park, most notably a replenished irrigation system to help natural grass withstand the rigors of two teams playing in the summer heat and a new, two-story clubhouse consisting of lockers, showers, offices, dining rooms, lounges and neighboring batting cages. That space, however, is located beyond the left-field wall, necessitating a fairly long walk outside every time players go back and forth from the field. It's no small problem.

"That's the biggest difference from a big league experience in most places, is that you sort of associate walking across the field to the clubhouse with the minor leaguers," Forst said. "We've just been up front in saying, 'Hey, there was nothing we could do about that. But the clubhouse itself is going to be big league.'"

On Dec. 6, Severino conducted his introductory news conference from the ballroom of a Kimpton hotel in downtown Sacramento, attached to the arena that houses the NBA's Sacramento Kings. He then crossed neighboring Tower Bridge and toured a ballpark still under heavy construction.

"It's a mess right now, but they say it's going to be ready for the start of the season," Severino said. "There's still a lot of work to do, but they're going to do everything they can to make their players comfortable."

Severino wasn't too concerned about playing in an area that regularly sees 100-degree temperatures in the summer -- "I'd rather it be hot than cold," he said -- but he did ask questions about Sutter Health Park's favorability to hitters. The A's told Severino they believe it will play relatively neutral, at least relative to the other ballparks that reside within Triple-A's hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League.

Severino also asked if the A's intended to keep adding players to supplement their young core -- a group of position players consisting of Jacob Wilson, Lawrence Butler, JJ Bleday, Shea Langeliers, Tyler Soderstrom, Zack Gelof and, eventually, Nick Kurtz, the No. 4 pick in this year's draft. He was told, rather definitively, that they would.

The Severino signing was followed by a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays for another starting pitcher, Jeffrey Springs, a 32-year-old left-hander who has shown upside when healthy. On Thursday, they filled their desire for an everyday third baseman by agreeing to terms with Gio Urshela. The A's could still add a left fielder and have been open to signing another starter for a rotation that could still use help. They've also been public in their desire to hold onto Mason Miller, their young star closer, and have shown interest in extending Brent Rooker, their best hitter.

In some ways, they have no choice but to spend.

The A's are scheduled to receive 100% of their revenue-sharing pool for the first time under the current collective bargaining agreement, which stipulates that teams put 1 times that amount toward their major league payroll. An industry source estimated the A's will receive approximately $70 million in revenue sharing next season, confirming a report by the Athletic, which means anything short of a $105 million payroll in 2025 would open them up to a grievance from the players' union.

It's a sizable bump for a team that opened the 2024 season with roughly $60 million committed to players and finished it without a single financial commitment beyond then, and a gap still remains. After adding Severino and Springs, the A's luxury-tax payroll -- the one used to determine how teams allocate revenue-sharing money -- is projected at $89 million, according to FanGraphs. (Terms of Urshela's deal have not been disclosed.)

"That is something that we're aware of," Forst said of the CBA provision. "I can't say that that is the reason why we're spending. We're trying to get better."

The A's finished last in payroll each of the past three seasons and have been among the industry's least willing spenders during John Fisher's 20-year ownership tenure. But their key decision-makers have promised to increase payroll in the lead-up to Las Vegas, a natural source of frustration for an Oakland fan base that spent years clamoring for them to make greater financial commitments.

The Severino deal, which gives him the ability to opt out after the second year, qualified as an opening statement. It's $1 million greater than the largest contract in team history -- a six-year, $66 million extension given to third baseman Eric Chavez in 2004 -- and blew away its previous high in free agency, a four-year, $36 million deal for outfielder Yoenis Cespedes. Before Severino, the last A's player to receive more than $15 million and sign for more than two years was reliever Ryan Madson in December 2015.

Money was probably the biggest factor in Severino's decision; the A's offered more than most projected, especially considering the penalties associated with adding a player who had declined a qualifying offer.

But when Severino met with the A's on Nov. 29, he talked about how impressed he was while watching them take two of three from his Mets in the middle of August. He told a group consisting of Forst, Kotsay, pitching coach Scott Emerson, coach and interpreter Ramón Hernández, and assistant general managers Dan Feinstein and Rob Naberhaus that it reminded him of the 2017 team headlined by Matt Olson and Matt Chapman, young stars who helped lead the A's to three straight playoff appearances before being traded away in this latest rebuild.

At one point in the conversation, one of the A's staff members laid out a goal that, to Severino's camp, spoke to the group's conviction: to create a logistical nightmare for Major League Baseball by qualifying for the playoffs in a minor league ballpark.

In lieu of comfort and security, the A's are offering hope and opportunity.

Also, in a surprising twist, money.

Richie Williams is to leave his role as Cambridge director of rugby after six years with the Championship club.

Williams will step down following the game at Bedford Blues on 28 December.

He led Cambridge to promotion to the second tier of English rugby for the first time in their history in 2023.

"I would like to thank Richie for his hard work, dedication and commitment to Cambridge Rugby during his time here, which has included some of the best moments of success within the club's history," said chairman Tim Hague.

Anthony Allen will take on the role of interim head coach following Williams' departure, assisted by forwards coach Neil Harris.

The club said it would allow them to "review and consider the coaching team options ahead of next season".

Cambridge won 10 games in a row to secure the National League One title two years ago.

The team have, however, found the step up tough, winning only two of their 20 games in finishing bottom of the Championship last season.

They are next to bottom in the current campaign, with 10 points from eight games, and lost 95-7 to leaders Ealing Trailfinders last weekend.

Williams' side are next in action on Saturday when they host Ampthill.

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has suggested that some of the criticism directed his way is "offensive" and down to his "silly accent."

The Australian manager has been routinely lambasted for his stubborn attacking approach at Tottenham since taking over as manager last summer. The criticism has been amped up this season, with Tottenham in 10th place in the league, having won just two of their last seven games in all competitions.

Spurs' perennially front-footed approach was again evident in their chaotic Carabao Cup quarterfinal win over Manchester United, where the hosts nearly succumbed to late comeback despite going 3-0 up.

Former Liverpool defender and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher questioned Postecoglou's tactics after the game, calling on Spurs players to take a stand against their manager and adopt a more pragmatic approach.

Postecoglou said he welcomes criticism of his football philosophy but said the tenor of some of it is unacceptable.

"I think with someone like Jamie, he's there to give his opinion. He's not going to stand there and say, well, I've got nothing to say. He's going to give an opinion. Some of the other stuff that I don't understand because I think it's just about getting some headlines. But again, if you react to that, then it's more about yourself than anything else," he told a news conference on Friday.

"There's some stuff out there that I find, and at the appropriate time, I'll call it out, just offensive towards me. I'll just think, you know what? I know. I'm up here. I've got a silly accent. Maybe they take things as seriously as people want me to and fairly dismissive of me. But that's all right. I love my life, and I'll keep doing what I'm doing, mate."

The 59-year-old has found a surprising source of support in Liverpool manager Arne Slot, who has praised him for re-establishing Tottenham's identity ahead of the Premier League clash between the sides on Sunday.

"I appreciate the kind words from somebody who is making his own impact in the game. I think most fellow managers whether they agree with my approach will understand where I'm coming from. That respect is mutual for me. We've all got really difficult tasks and we go about it in our way. I appreciate the sentiment," he said.

"Arne has come in and it is not easy when you are taking over from somebody with the status of Jürgen Klopp but you know they're very settled as a team, they've got quality within the starting XI. They've dealt with things, you know last week, they were a man down, they've got real belief at the moment," he added.

"They are the stand out team in the competition so far. But again, on our day when we play our football we're a pretty good opposition."