Sports
NFL roundup: Commanders head to playoffs for first time since 2020
Dec 29, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders wide receiver Brycen Tremayne (89) celebrates after defeating the Atlanta Falcons at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images Jayden Daniels hit Zach Ertz for a 2-yard touchdown with 2:42 left in overtime as the Washington Commanders beat the Atlanta Falcons 30-24 on Sunday night in Landover, Md., to secure their first playoff berth since the 2020 season.
The Commanders (11-5) clinched a wild-card berth with their fourth straight win and could finish as high as the sixth seed in the NFC. In the NFC South, Atlanta (8-8) sits behind the first-place Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who can clinch the division by defeating the New Orleans Saints in Week 18.
Washington took the opening kickoff of the extra session, and Daniels later ran for 16 yards on third-and-2 at midfield, then passed to Chris Rodriguez Jr. two plays later for a 12-yard gain and another first down. Daniels eventually added a pair of 6-yard runs that got him in position to find Ertz for the game-winning points.
Daniels completed 24 of 36 passes for 227 yards, three touchdowns and one interception and ran for 127 yards on 16 attempts. Ertz caught two touchdown passes, and Olamide Zaccheaus had eight catches for 85 yards and a score.
Bijan Robinson ran for two touchdowns and finished with 90 yards on the ground for Atlanta. Michael Penix Jr. was 19-of-35 passing for 223 yards, one touchdown and one interception, and Drake London had seven catches for 106 yards. Riley Patterson came up short on a 56-yard field-goal attempt as time expired in regulation.
Eagles 41, Cowboys 7
Saquon Barkley rushed for 167 yards to join the 2,000-yard club and Philadelphia clinched the NFC East title with a lopsided victory against visiting Dallas.
The Eagles (13-3) swept the season series with the rival Cowboys (7-9) for the first time since 2011 and locked up at least the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs. With his 11th 100-yard game of the campaign, Barkley became the ninth player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in a season. Starting under center for Philadelphia with Jalen Hurts in the concussion protocol, Kenny Pickett tallied a touchdown pass and a touchdown run before exiting early in the third quarter with a rib injury.
The Cowboys turned the ball over four times. Cooper Rush threw two interceptions and one touchdown pass and Rico Dowdle rushed for 104 yards to record his first 1,000-yard season (1,007).
Bills 40, Jets 14
Josh Allen passed for two touchdowns and rushed for one more as Buffalo clinched the No. 2 seed in the AFC by clobbering New York in Orchard Park, N.Y.
Allen was showered with “M-V-P” chants after putting the game away with a pair of third-quarter touchdown passes — a 30-yard connection with Amari Cooper and a 14-yard strike to a leaping Keon Coleman with 12 seconds left in the frame. Those scores sandwiched a 1-yard touchdown run by James Cook for Buffalo (13-3).
The Bills’ defense forced three turnovers and racked up four sacks. Aaron Rodgers struggled under center for New York (4-12), completing 12 of 18 passes for 112 yards. He was picked off twice. Second-string signal-caller Tyrod Taylor broke the shutout with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Garrett Wilson with 6:59 left in the game.
Jaguars 20, Titans 13
Mac Jones threw two touchdown passes and Jacksonville earned a season-series sweep of visiting Tennessee.
Jones connected on 15 of 22 passes for 174 yards, finding Parker Washington and rookie Brian Thomas Jr. for scores, as Jacksonville (4-12) left Tennessee (3-13) behind in the AFC South cellar. Cam Little booted field goals of 48 and 44 yards.
Mason Rudolph hit on 19 of 31 pass attempts for 193 yards with a touchdown and an interception for the Titans, who dropped their fifth consecutive game. Tyjae Spears rushed for 95 yards on 20 carries, taking on lead running back duties in place of Tony Pollard (flu/ankle).
Raiders 25, Saints 10
Brock Bowers set a pair of rookie receiving records and Ameer Abdullah notched the first 100-yard rushing game of his 10-year career in Las Vegas’ win over host New Orleans.
Bowers caught seven passes for 77 yards, giving him 1,144 yards on the season to surpass Mike Ditka’s 63-year-old rookie tight end record. He also eclipsed the rookie reception record with his 106th catch, besting Puka Nacua’s mark from last season. Abdullah finished with 115 yards on 20 carries as the Raiders (4-12) won their second straight game.
Aidan O’Connell threw two touchdown passes for Las Vegas, while Spencer Rattler passed for 218 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions and fell to 0-5 as the starter for the Saints (5-11).
Giants 45, Colts 33
Drew Lock matched his career high of four touchdown passes and also rushed for a score and New York snapped its franchise-record 10-game losing streak by outlasting Indianapolis in East Rutherford, N.J.
Malik Nabers had seven receptions for a career-best 171 yards and two touchdowns to exceed 100 receptions and 1,000 receiving yards during his strong rookie campaign. Lock completed 17 of 23 passes for 309 yards, and Ihmir Smith-Marsette returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown for the Giants (3-13).
The Colts (7-9) were eliminated from the AFC playoff race. Joe Flacco started at quarterback with Anthony Richardson (back/foot) sidelined and completed 26 of 38 passes for 330 yards and two touchdowns. But he was also intercepted twice and lost a fumble. Jonathan Taylor rushed for 125 yards and two touchdowns on 32 carries.
Buccaneers 48, Panthers 14
Baker Mayfield threw for five touchdowns and Tampa Bay stayed atop the NFC South title race by pounding visiting Carolina.
Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan each caught two TD passes and Bucky Irving rushed for 113 yards as Tampa Bay’s second victory of the month against Carolina came much easier than the road version in overtime. Mayfield completed 27 of 32 passes for 359 yards. The Buccaneers (9-7) collected 551 yards of total offense.
The Panthers (4-12) have lost five of their past six games despite Bryce Young throwing two touchdown passes to Adam Thielen (five catches, 110 receiving yards). Young finished 15-for-28 passing for 203 yards, but Carolina managed only 39 rushing yards as it played without injured running back Chuba Hubbard.
Dolphins 20, Browns 3
Tyler Huntley completed 22 of 26 passes for 225 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions and ran for another score to lead Miami past host Cleveland.
The Dolphins (8-8) kept their playoff hopes alive and must beat the Jets next week and hope the Denver Broncos lose to the Kansas City Chiefs to secure the AFC’s final wild-card playoff berth. Huntley started in place of injured starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (hip).
Dorian Thompson-Robinson started at quarterback for the Browns (3-13) but completed only 24 of 47 passes for 170 yards, no touchdowns and an interception. Jerry Jeudy made a career-high 12 catches for 94 yards. Cleveland lost its fifth game in a row.
Vikings 27, Packers 25
Sam Darnold completed 33 of 43 passes for a career-best 377 yards to go with three touchdowns and one interception and Minnesota escaped with a win over Green Bay in Minneapolis.
Justin Jefferson had eight catches for 92 yards for Minnesota (14-2), which won its ninth game in a row. Jalen Nailor, Jordan Addison and Cam Akers had one touchdown reception apiece for the Vikings.
Jordan Love completed 19 of 30 passes for 185 yards and one touchdown for Green Bay (11-5). Josh Jacobs and Emanuel Wilson each rushed for a touchdown and Malik Heath had a touchdown catch for the Packers, who lost to the Vikings for the second time this season.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Orlando City want attack to catch up to defense vs. Charlotte
Mar 14, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando City midfielder Martin Ojeda (10) shoots on goal during the second half against the CF Montreal at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images Orlando City will be hoping for a much-needed attacking breakthrough on Wednesday night when they host a Charlotte FC side in search of a second consecutive away victory.
Orlando (1-6-1, 4 points) has been one of Major League Soccer’s most disappointing teams this season, costing former manager Oscar Pareja his job last month.
But there is some evidence that maybe the Lions have at least righted the ship defensively. After conceding 23 times in their first six games, interim manager Martin Perelman’s group has allowed only two goals in the last three fixtures across all competitions.
“I think we organize the team. It never is enough, always (important) to improve things,” Perelman said. “We are in that part. Last details. But yes, the structure is there. In the offensive side as well, we are working. Hopefully we can get the shape we want, that we are used to. Because in this club we have been scoring a lot for the last two years.”
So far, though, the attacking end remains pretty dire. After Martin Ojeda and Marco Pasalic combined for 28 MLS goals a season ago, they only have two apiece for a team with six goals total.
Pasalic also missed last week’s 1-0 home loss to Houston on Saturday night with a leg injury.
Charlotte (4-2-2, 14 points) makes the journey south following a 2-1 victory at New York City FC on Saturday, one that came despite holding a season-low 36% possession.
Defender Tim Ream exited that match at halftime and will miss roughly a week with an adductor strain, Charlotte manager Dean Smith said.
Idan Toklomati scored early in the second half and Kerwin Vargas added a goal late before NYCFC pulled one back in second-half stoppage time. And Charlotte created a similar number of chances to NYCFC despite having less of the ball.
Smith hopes the performance sets the tone for upcoming travels, with Charlotte to play its next three league games away after five of its first eight came at home.
“There’s not plenty of away games we’ve played so far, such is the fixture list,” Smith said. “We didn’t start on the road well, but we showed loads of characteristics that I liked on Saturday. And we need to continue to do that in the next three away games as well.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Union bring challenged offense north to face streaking Toronto FC
Apr 18, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto FC midfielder Malik Henry (78) attempts to control the ball against Austin FC during the second half at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images Toronto FC will aim to extend their unbeaten streak to seven matches when the Philadelphia Union visit on Wednesday.
Toronto (3-2-3, 12 points) is 3-0-3 in its last six outings. Wednesday marks the sixth date of Toronto FC’s nine-match homestand, and the club is unbeaten (4-0-8) in its last 12 home matches dating back to last season.
Despite the good results, midfielder Malik Henry felt his team left victories on the table.
“Some of the draws we’ve had, we feel like we definitely could have won those games, which makes it a bit more disappointing,” Henry told TFC Republic. “We just have to take the points and then continue to move forward with it.”
Walker Zimmerman is expected to be available Wednesday, in a boost to an injury-depleted back line. Zimmerman missed Toronto’s last two matches with a calf injury.
Toronto FC’s offense has been both varied and efficient. Eight Toronto players have at least one goal this season, and the team’s 51.5% accurate shooting percentage is the best in MLS.
The Union are at the other end of the attacking spectrum, with a 27.1% AS percentage that ranks second-last in the league.
Philadelphia (1-6-1, 4 points) has recorded only six goals in eight regular-season matches, ahead of only four-goal D.C. United in MLS.
The lack of offense contributed to the Union’s season-opening six-game losing streak, and goals remain at a premium even as Philadelphia has gone 1-0-1 in its last two matches. The Union outshot D.C. United 17-6 on Saturday and held D.C. without a shot on target, yet still had to settle for a 0-0 draw.
Philadelphia coach Bradley Carnell felt that returning to the striker pairing of Bruno Damiani and Ezekiel Alladoh can help unlock the Union’s offense.
“We have tried a lot of different combinations (at forward) and now we go back-to-back with the same,” Carnell said. “Every day we get together with Eze and Bruno working together, it’s … one day more advanced and developed.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Richardson Hitchins relinquishing IBF title after signing with Zuffa
May 21, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Richardson Hitchins (gold trunks) and Angel Rodriguez (black trunks) box during a Premier Boxing Champions card at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images Just two weeks after revealing that he was signing with Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing, IBF super lightweight champion Richardson Hitchins is relinquishing his title to pursue welterweight competition instead, Hitchins announced on social media this week.
“I’ve outgrown 140 and my days at the weight is done,” he wrote on X. “Let’s go!!!”
147 It’s time! i will be 2 division world champ Real Soon , I’ve outgrown 140 and My days at the weight is done Let’s go !!!! ????
— Richardson Hitchins (@HeIsRichardson) April 21, 2026
The IBF confirmed the move via an issued statement on Tuesday.
“On the evening of April 20, 2026, the IBF received notification from Richardson Hitchins that he was relinquishing his IBF Jr. Welterweight World title,” the IBF wrote. “Hitchins expressed his pride in fighting for, winning and holding the title. Likewise, the IBF was proud to have Hitchins as a world champion.
“We recognized his talent, included him in the rankings and he took that path to the championship. The IBF extends its best wishes to Richardson Hitchins for his continued success.”
Hitchins, 28, originally won his title in 2024 after a unanimous decision against Liam Paro in Puerto Rico. The Brooklyn native is 20-0 with eight wins by knockout.
The move now ends the possibility of a reworked bout between Hitchins and Lindolfo Delgado, originally scheduled in replacement of Hitchins’ canceled February fight with Oscar Duarte due to Hitchins’ illness.
Delgado is in line to challenge for the vacated super lightweight title in his next fight. As the highest remaining fighters in the division, Delgado and Duarte would now seem likely opponents for one another, though both are trained by the same individual, Robert Garcia, which could complicate a potential pairing.
Hitchins followed Jai Opetaia in joining Zuffa, with the latter actually being stripped of his IBF cruiserweight title following his victory at the Zuffa World Cruiserweight Championship in March. For Hitchins, reclassifying could be a preemptive move to avoid having his own title stripped.
Hitchins is scheduled to make his Zuffa debut this summer.
–Field Level Media
Orlando City want attack to catch up to defense vs. Charlotte
Union bring challenged offense north to face streaking Toronto FC
