Sports
Bears try to bounce back from Hail Mary disaster in Arizona
Oct 13, 2024; London, United Kingdom; Chicago Bears coach Matt Eberflus watches from the sidelines against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second half during an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images How imbalanced is the NFC eight weeks into the season?
The Chicago Bears own a better record than the Arizona Cardinals, but the Bears are last in their division and the Cardinals share first in theirs.
What’s more, despite the fact the Bears (4-3) are superior in win-loss record, point differential, DVOA rating and every other useful metric, most sportsbooks list Kyler Murray and the Cardinals (4-4) as a slight favorite Sunday afternoon in Glendale, Ariz.
Perhaps the Hail Mary that cost the Bears a victory last Sunday at Washington — and cost head coach Matt Eberflus some credibility with the fan base — also has put Chicago in a different light with the masses.
Eberflus caught flak after the game and all week — including from Bears players — for letting the Commanders complete an undefended 13-yard pass directly before Jayden Daniels’ game-winning 52-yard touchdown pass with no time left.
He also got second-guessed for claiming that 13-yard completion was harmless, for failing to call a timeout to get the Bears better-prepared for the Hail Mary, and for not disclosing whether cornerback Tyrique Stevenson — who was facing the wrong way and taunting Commanders fans while the final play was in progress — was handed any punishment for his negligence.
“I’ve talked with Tyrique,” Eberflus said. “We had a good conversation. I’ll keep it there with him and I. It’s all about accountability and execution and that starts with me. The game didn’t finish the way we wanted it to. We hold each other accountable.”
“We voiced our opinions and he voiced his thoughts,” Bears quarterback Caleb Williams said of the weekly meeting between Eberflus and the Bears’ eight captains. “We had a grown-man talk. No raising voices or things like that — just a real talk.”
In contrast, everything seems peachy in the desert. The Cardinals have won three of their last four games for the first time since Weeks 9-13 of the 2021 season. In each win — over San Francisco, the Los Angeles Chargers and Miami by a combined four points — Chad Ryland has booted a game-winning field goal in the final two minutes (including two with no time left).
Another key for the Cardinals? In their four losses, they’ve amassed just four sacks. But in their four wins, they’ve stacked up 11. Veteran outside linebacker Dennis Gardeck and second-year tackle Dante Stills lead the way with three sacks apiece.
“We’ve got to continue to find ways to affect the passer,” said Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon. “There’s been some glimpses in some games when we’ve done it pretty consistently — and there’s been some games where we haven’t been so consistent. This (week) is a big-time challenge for us because (Caleb Williams) forces you to play differently on defense with his skill set.”
Arizona might gain rookie defensive tackle Darius Robinson’s services Sunday. The first-round pick has yet to appear in a game due to a calf injury suffered in preseason, but he was added to the roster this week with hopes the projected starter will round into shape sooner than later.
Meanwhile, the Bears might be without two key pieces in their secondary. Starting safety Jaquan Brisker (concussion) and nickel back Kyler Gordon (hamstring) missed last week’s loss and didn’t participate in Wednesday’s walkthrough. Defensive end Montez Sweat (shin) was one of three other Bears to miss practice.
For the Cardinals, offensive lineman Kelvin Beachum (groin) and Robinson (calf) were the only two players to miss practice. Cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting (neck) practiced in full.
Prior to kickoff Sunday, fans gazing down at the field will see one of the most genuinely warm pregame conversations between head coaches in NFL history. Gannon, who’s in his second year as Arizona’s boss, spent 2018-20 serving as the Indianapolis Colts’ defensive backs coach when Eberflus was the team’s defensive coordinator.
“My guy,” Gannon said. “It’ll be good to see him. People ask me about him all the time. The first thing that comes to my mind is elite leadership skills. I learned so much from him. I took a lot of what I learned from him to Philly (as defensive coordinator) and then to here. He’s been a really cool resource for me. I love his family. His family did a lot for my family in Indy.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Crew earn draw vs. Sporting KC on late goal
Feb 28, 2026; Kansas City, Kansas, USA; Sporting Kansas City forward Shapi Suleymanov (93) controls the ball during the first half against the Columbus Crew at Children’s Mercy Park. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images Diego Rossi scored in the 82nd minute Saturday night, allowing the visiting Columbus Crew to salvage a 2-2 draw with Sporting Kansas City.
Rossi took advantage of a failed clearance by defender Wyatt Meyer, who tried to head a crossing pass out of danger but instead deflected the ball right to Rossi. Given time to settle the ball and fire, Rossi wired a dart by goalie John Pulskamp and into the left corner for his second goal in as many matches.
Wassou Abou Ali also tallied for the second straight game for the Crew (0-1-1, 1 point). Dejan Joveljic registered a brace for Kansas City (0-1-1, 1 point), giving it a 2-1 lead in the 72nd minute when he gathered in a loose ball in the box and threaded a shot through a defender’s legs that rolled into the left corner.
Joveljic brought his team level in the 48th minute, finishing a beautiful counterattack. Jacob Davis fed him directly in front of the net and Joveljic toed a shot that goalie Patrick Schulte (two saves) had no chance to stop.
After a slow start, Columbus finished the match with slight advantages of 10-8 in shots and 5-4 in shots on frame. The Crew possessed the ball 52.5% of the time and attempted 16 crosses, 11 more than Kansas City.
Both teams opened the season last weekend with road losses. Columbus gave up a late goal to fall 3-2 against Portland and Kansas City experienced a lapse just before halftime, giving up two quick goals in a 3-0 defeat against San Jose.
Kansas City had the run of play for most of the first half-hour before Pulskamp made a shocking mistake in the 33rd minute. He tried to play the ball off the ground and offered up a nonchalant pass that Abou Ali was able to intercept, giving him an easy right-footed kick into an open net.
That play aside, Pulskamp (three saves) might have been the difference in enabling Kansas City to at least earn a draw. Columbus generated enough quality chances to log 3 1/2 expected goals, according to the league’s statistical service.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Henri Veesaar, No. 18 North Carolina hold off Virginia Tech
Feb 28, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels center Henri Veesaar (13) and Virginia Tech Hokies forward Amani Hansberry (13) fight for the ball in the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images Henri Veesaar matched his career high with 26 points as No. 18 North Carolina pulled away from Virginia Tech in the second half for an 89-82 victory on Saturday night in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Seth Trimble put up 20 points as the Tar Heels (23-6, 11-5 Atlantic Coast Conference) won for the fourth time in their last five games without top scorer and rebounder Caleb Wilson, a star freshman who is out with a broken left hand.
Reserves Jonathan Powell and Zayden High added 15 and 12 points, respectively, as the North Carolina bench outscored its counterparts from Virginia Tech 32-13.
The Tar Heels shot 55.8% from the floor (29 of 52) as they remained perfect at home, marking the first season they’ve won their first 17 home games since the Dean E. Smith Center opened 40 years ago.
Veesaar also pulled down seven rebounds to help North Carolina to a 34-22 edge on the boards and an 11-2 margin on second-chance points.
Neo Avdalas supplied 19 points and five assists for Virginia Tech (18-11, 7-9), which came up short of gaining its third Quad 1 victory in its pursuit of a berth in the NCAA Tournament.
Tobi Lawal and Ben Hammond scored 16 points apiece and Amani Hansberry provided 11 points in 19 minutes before fouling out for the Hokies, who have not won at North Carolina since 2007.
After a 3-pointer by Virginia Tech’s Jaden Schutt tied it 57-57 with 13:51 left, North Carolina took the lead for good with a seven-point run.
Veesaar triggered it with a two-handed slam off an alley-oop feed from Powell, who followed with a 3-pointer. Trimble finished off the burst, spinning free off his dribble for a driving layup that made it 64-57.
A 3-pointer by Veesaar with 6:22 left gave North Carolina a 76-65 lead, which matched its largest of the game.
In the first half, the teams traded nine-point runs and finished a fast-paced period tied 44-44.
The Tar Heels’ run came midway through the half and was fueled by reserves including Kyan Evans, who drilled a 3-pointer to cap the burst and give North Carolina a 21-16 lead.
Powell later made a triple to give the Tar Heels the biggest lead of the half at 30-22.
But the Hokies answered with a 9-0 spurt triggered by a 3-pointer from Schutt.
–Field Level Media
Sports
76ers C Joel Embiid (oblique) out at least 3 games
Feb 26, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) reacts while clutching his body after a play against the Miami Heat during the second quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images Philadelphia star center Joel Embiid underwent an MRI on Saturday that revealed a strained right oblique and he will miss at least three games before being re-evaluated, the 76ers announced.
Embiid, 31, was injured during Philadelphia’s 124-117 home win over the Miami Heat on Thursday, when he still played 31 minutes and totaled 26 points and 11 rebounds.
A seven-time All-Star with a history of injuries, Embiid will be sidelined for Sunday’s game against the host Boston Celtics as well as back-to-back home games against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday and the Utah Jazz on Wednesday.
The 76ers are 33-26, and Embiid has played in 33 games (all starts) this season, averaging 26.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.1 blocks and 31.2 minutes. Philadelphia is 21-12 with him and 12-14 without him.
Embiid was limited to 19 games last season because of an ailing left knee and had surgery in April. He began this season on a minutes restriction because of the knee, and he was out for five games in February because of knee and shin issues.
For his career, Embiid is averaging 27.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.6 blocks and 31.8 minutes in 485 regular-season games (all starts).
He also has averaged 24.9 points, 10.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.7 blocks and 35.3 minutes in 59 playoff games (all starts).
Embiid was the league’s Most Valuable Player for the 2022-23 season and was voted All-NBA first team in 2022-23 and second team four other times. He’s a three-time All-Defensive team second-team pick. Philadelphia made him the third overall pick of the 2014 NBA Draft out of Kansas.
–Field Level Media
Crew earn draw vs. Sporting KC on late goal
Henri Veesaar, No. 18 North Carolina hold off Virginia Tech
