The Indianapolis Colts' flickering playoffs hopes have all but been extinguished, as their third-quarter rally was not enough and the Pittsburgh Steelers staved them off for a 24-17 victory at Lucas Oil Stadium on Monday.
Benny Snell Jr's six-yard touchdown run followed by George Pickens' two-point conversion were the only scores in the final quarter, after the Colts charged back with two third-quarter TDs to claim a 17-16 lead at the final change.
Rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett completed 20 of 28 passes for 174 yards, along with 32 rushing yards from six carries, as the Steelers improved to 4-7. The Colts, who came into the game second in the AFC South, fall to 4-7-1.
The Colts had rallied from a 16-3 half-time deficit with touchdowns to Jonathan Taylor – sparked by Dallas Flowers' 89-yard kickoff return – and Michael Pittman Jr.
Matt Ryan passed for Pittman for his only touchdown of the game, completing 22 of 34 passes for 199 yards with one interception.
At 16-10, the Colts coughed up a costly fumble as Ryan and Taylor botched an exchange at first-and-goal from the one-yard line, which was recovered by defensive end Chris Wormley. Indianapolis gave up two turnovers for the game, with their season tally up to an NFL-high 21.
The Steelers offensive had 172 rush yards, with four players totalling at least 30 for the first time in the same game since 1999, with Snell (62 yards on 12 carries), Najee Harris (35 on 10), Anthony McFarland Jr (30 on six) and Pickett.
Harris crossed for the only first-half TD on a six-yard second-quarter run, with Matthew Wright converting three-of-three field goals.
Kevin Durant produced his best scoring performance of the season to carry the Brooklyn Nets to a 109-102 victory against the Orlando Magic on Monday.
In a remarkably efficient outing, Durant hit 19-of-24 from the field, three-of-five from deep and all four of his free throws for 45 points in 39 minutes. He added seven rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks.
One of the greatest offensive players in league history, Durant has rediscovered his ability to protect the rim defensively this season, with his 1.8 blocks per game placing him eighth in the league while tying his career-high.
Durant was supported well by Kyrie Irving with 20 points on nine-of-17 shooting, but they had to see out the second half without Ben Simmons after the Australian left the game in the second quarter due to left knee soreness.
Starting center Nic Claxton picked up the slack with 17 points (seven-of-10 shooting), 13 rebounds and three blocks, while Joe Harris chipped in 17 points off the bench.
For Orlando, heavy favourite for Rookie of the Year and top overall pick from this year's draft Paolo Banchero continued to display his All-NBA upside, scoring an equal team-high 24 points on nine-of-17 shooting with five assists, four rebounds and two steals.
With the result, the Nets have now won five of their past seven games, and have pulled their record even at 11-11.
Siakam's return ignites Raptors
Pascal Siakam returned to the Toronto Raptors starting line-up and looked right at home with 18 points, 11 rebounds and five assists in a 100-88 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Siakam had missed the past 10 games due to a strained adductor, but mustered 30 minutes in his first game back.
O.G. Anunoby top scored for the Raptors with 20 points on eight-of-13 shooting, while in an interesting coaching decision, Nick Nurse opted to start Juancho Hernangomez and bring reigning Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes off the bench.
After starting the season with Siakam as the biggest player in the Raptors' starting line-up, Nurse pivoted to a larger group in his return, with Gary Trent Jr also relegated to the bench in favour of Thaddeus Young.
'Point Zion' orchestrates Pelicans win
With C.J. McCollum and Brandon Ingram both missing through injuries, Zion Williamson assumed the role of lead initiator in the New Orleans Pelicans' 105-101 triumph against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Williamson, who largely operated as the lead ball-handler during the second half of his breakout 2020-21 campaign, dished a season-high eight assists to go with his 23 points (11-of-18 shooting) and eight rebounds.
He did it on both ends, as his three blocks nearly matched his total for the season, having only tallied a combined four from his first 14 games
Ben Simmons' recent resurgence was halted prematurely on Monday when he exited the Brooklyn Nets' 109-102 win over the Orlando Magic with left knee soreness.
The Nets confirmed the issue which Simmons exit in the second quarter, having only played 11 minutes with no points, four rebounds and three assists.
The six-foot-10 Australian has already missed six games this season with issues on the same knee, but has impressed in recent games since his return. He had also been coming back from offseason back surgery.
Simmons had been averaging 10.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.2 assists during the month of November.
The win means the Nets improve their record to 11-11, as Kevin Durant top scored with 45 points.
Minnesota Timberwolves big man Karl-Anthony Towns was initially diagnosed with a right calf strain after leaving Monday's 142-127 loss to the Washington Wizards in the third quarter.
Towns' injury appeared serious when he went down in a non-contact situation, needing to be helped back to the locker room.
Fortunately, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Timberwolves have "early optimism" that he has avoided a "substantial injury to his lower right leg".
Towns, 27, was the 2016 Rookie of the Year and has gone on to make three All-Star games in 2018, 2019 and 2022, and is the only center to ever win the Three-Point Contest during All-Star Weekend.
The self-proclaimed "best big-man shooter ever" is averaging 21.4 points per game, which is his lowest figure since the 2017-18 season, as well as a career-low 8.5 rebounds and a career-low 0.7 blocks.
After trading four first-round draft picks to the Utah Jazz for Rudy Gobert in a win-now move, the Timberwolves are just 10-11 through their first 21 games as they tick past the quarter-mark of the season.
Towns' absence will allow the Timberwolves to play a more traditional line-up with Gobert as the only center on the floor, and will place an increased offensive responsibility on fellow former Rookie of the Year Anthony Edwards.
Three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald has joined the Los Angeles Rams' long injured list with head coach Sean McVay fearing a high ankle sprain.
McVay revealed on Monday that the 31-year-old defensive tackle had an ankle sprain, although he was still undergoing examination on the severity. He said Rams' medical staff indicated they feared it was a high ankle sprain.
Donald joins quarterback Matthew Stafford (concussion protocol) and wide receiver Cooper Kupp (high ankle sprain) on the sidelines.
"We're finding that out right now," McVay told reporters about Donald's injury. "He's still meeting with the doctors and getting the necessary scans.
"On Wednesday when we re-convene I'll have a little bit more information for you."
Donald has five sacks, 10 tackles for a loss, 11 quarterback hits and a forced fumble in 11 games this season.
"Obviously we'll take the appropriate steps for Aaron in terms of how we move forward and what that means as far as his availability for this week and the weeks to come," McVay said.
McVay added there was no update on Stafford, who remains in protocol, but rejected talk of shutting down all their star players despite the reigning Super Bowl champions' 3-6 record.
"I think you've got to take each individual case," he said. "As a competitor for those players, you want to be mindful of all the things that go into that. I've always consistently said being smart. They're all factors. We're trying to compete.
"But it's been something nobody could have predicted. When it rains, it pours."
On Sunday, the Rams confirmed wide receiver Allen Robinson II will miss the remainder of the season with a foot stress fracture.
San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell will spend at least the next six weeks on the sidelines after suffering his second MCL sprain of the season in Sunday's win against the New Orleans Saints.
It is the same injury he suffered in Week 1, and in that instance he did not return until Week 10, proceeding to contribute in three consecutive wins before bad luck struck again.
A sixth-round pick in last year's NFL Draft, Mitchell burst onto the scene with 1,100 yards from scrimmage as a rookie, but following his injury to begin this season, the 49ers made the decision to invest further in the running back position.
Their trade for former Carolina Panthers superstar Christian McCaffrey insulates the 49ers from the crushing blow of this injury, as it will result in an increased workload for the two-time All-Pro.
Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan said he felt for the 24-year-old after the news of his impending stint on the sidelines.
"It wasn't the news we were looking for," he told reporters. "He's pretty disappointed.
"Everyone knows how good Elijah has been, how hard he worked to get back from his last one, how good he's been playing since he came back, and to kind of be right back there, I know he was real down on it.
"It's unfortunate for him. He's just had some real bad luck."
He added: "He knows what's ahead of him. He's just going to have about six weeks of frustration, but hopefully we can do our job here so when he comes back, we're still playing."
There are six weeks remaining in the regular season, and with a 7-4 record, the 49ers are a strong contender for a deep playoff run.
The reigning World Series champion Houston Astros have struck quickly to fill one of their few glaring needs after agreeing to a reported three-year contract with 2020 American League MVP Jose Abreu.
Abreu, who had spent his entire nine-year major league career with the Chicago White Sox, will earn $19.5 million per season, according to Houston television station KRIV.
The 35-year-old first baseman was named the AL’s top player during the coronavirus-shortened 2020 campaign after batting .317 with 19 home runs and an MLB-leading 60 RBIs in 60 games that season.
Though his home run total dipped from 30 in 2021 to 15 this past season, Abreu finished fifth in the AL in both batting average (.304) and on-base percentage (.378) after drawing a career-high 62 walks. Abreu also recorded the lowest strikeout rate of his MLB career at 16.2 per cent in 2022.
Abreu’s addition makes it unlikely the team will re-sign incumbent first baseman Yuli Gurriel, who struggled to a .242 average and a .647 OPS this past season and turned 38 in June.
It is the second notable signing the Astros have made this offseason after retaining reliever Rafael Montero to a three-year, $34.5 million contract earlier this month.
Houston still hopes to bring back its most prominent free agent in 2021 AL Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander, who is reportedly seeking a deal similar to the three-year, $130 million contract the Mets gave Max Scherzer last offseason.
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur was vague about Monday's scan results on quarterback Aaron Rodgers' rib injury, but is not considering shutting him down at this stage.
Rodgers exited Sunday's 40-33 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the third quarter with a rib injury, undergoing examination at the game, before a further MRI on Monday.
The four-time NFL MVP was bullish after the game about playing in next Sunday's game with the Chicago Bears. LaFleur was hopeful too on Monday following Rodgers' additional scan.
"Sometimes there's stuff that doesn't show up on all the scans," LaFleur told reporters. "All I can tell you is he's feeling a little bit better… we'll know more in the next couple of days."
Rodgers has been playing with a broken thumb on his throwing arm for the past six weeks, with his latest knock for a side with a 4-8 record prompting talk he could be shut down for the season.
Packers backup QB Jordan Love came on in the fourth quarter against the Eagles and threw 113 yards on six-of-nine passing including one touchdown in a bright cameo. Shutting down Rodgers would offer Green Bay a chance to give Love more experience.
However, LaFleur insisted that Rodgers would play if he is healthy and that he was not thinking beyond the next game.
"We've not even gone down that road," he said. "I don't think that's what we're arguing here.
"It's just, we've got a lot of faith, quite frankly, in both those guys. But you know, Aaron's the starting quarterback. He's battled through a lot throughout the course of his career. It's pretty well documented.
"I think he's been able to play at a pretty high level through a lot of different situations. So again, we'll take it one game at a time and make the best decision moving forward."
The Packers have the bye after the Bears game, offering the potential for a few weeks' rest for Rodgers if he does not play on Sunday.
"I think all those conversations, we'll have those conversations," LaFleur said. "If that's what we feel is best, then that's what we'll do."
Rodgers has a 64.8 per cent completion rate this season, making 254 of 392 passes for 2,682 yards with 21 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 12 starts.
The 38-year-old QB's nine interceptions are the most in his career since 2010, while he has also been sacked 24 times.
Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh acknowledged he was surprised by Lamar Jackson's social media incident following Sunday's 28-27 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The quarterback passed for 254 yards, and rushed for a further 89 from 14 carries, but was unable to prevent defeat as the Jags mounted a late comeback to win at TIAA Bank Field.
Jackson subsequently posted and then deleted a response on Twitter to a fan criticising him following his side's defeat, one which included an apparent homophobic reference.
Speaking on Monday, Harbaugh revealed he has discussed the issue with Jackson, and while he did not condone his player's actions, defended his reputation.
"[I] just beg guys to not to get into the Twitter world right after the game, especially after a loss," he said. "It's never going to be positive. It's not going be a nice place, you know?
"That's kind of reflected in Lamar's response because... that's not the way he speaks. It's not the way he talks. It's not the words he ever uses. I've never heard him say things like that before."
Harbaugh suggested Jackson may have been pulled into his online dispute, and spoke of the player's character in his defence.
"Lamar Jackson, you've been around him," he added. "He's got one of the biggest hearts of anybody I know. You all have seen him the way he treats people, the way he treats kids, the way he treats the media.
"You get trapped sometimes by someone that's baiting you just a little bit. You can't live there. I think that's not a place he wants to be and that's certainly not things that he wants to say."
Tiger Woods' return to competitive golf has been delayed after he announced on Monday that he has withdrawn from this week's Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas.
Woods, 46, is also the host of the highly anticipated event, which features a small field consisting of 20 elite players, including world number two Scottie Scheffler, as well as major champions Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth.
Arguably the greatest golfer of all time, Woods was scheduled to take part in three events in December, but the announcement of his foot injury on social media has put all three in jeopardy.
His statement says: "In my preparation and practice for this week's Hero World Challenge, I've developed plantar fasciitis in my right foot, which is making it difficult to walk.
"After consulting with my doctors and trainers, I have decided to withdraw this week and focus on my hosting duties.
"My plan is to still compete in The Match and PNC Championship."
Woods, who has not played competitively since failing to make the cut at The Masters in July, will not have long to recover.
He is scheduled to partner up with Rory McIlroy to take on the pair of Thomas and Spieth on December 10 for The Match, and just five days later he hopes to team up with his son, Charlie, in the PNC Championship.
With his withdrawal from the Hero World Challenge, Austria's Sepp Straka will take his place.
Arsenal have confirmed a new date for their Premier League game with Manchester City, with the pair now set to face off on February 15.
The two teams had been set to meet on October 19, in a crucial bout with both teams in the midst of an early campaign title battle.
But the game was forced off the schedule in order to make way for the Gunners' Europa League match with PSV Eindhoven, with the latter match having been postponed in the wake of the death of HM Queen Elizabeth II.
Now the club has confirmed a new date, with Mikel Arteta's side hoping they remain at the top of the pile heading into their encounter.
"Our home Premier League clash with Manchester City has been rearranged for Wednesday, February 15," read a club statement.
"The game was previously arranged for October 19 but was postponed to allow us to fulfil our Europa League commitments."
Arsenal and City's title fight this year has painted an intriguing portrait for the two clubs, particularly with Arteta – assistant to Pep Guardiola before his return to north London –having raided his old team for new recruits.
In Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko, the Gunners have acquired two players who have been among their key performers this term, helping them to mount challenges both at home and abroad in Europe.
Bruno Fernandes scored both goals as Portugal secured a World Cup last-16 place with a 2-0 win over Uruguay at Lusail Stadium.
The Manchester United midfielder broke the deadlock in a scrappy Group H clash when his 54th-minute cross, which was aimed at Cristiano Ronaldo, nestled in the far corner.
He then wrapped up the points with a stoppage-time penalty and almost had a hat-trick as Fernando Santos' side joined France and Brazil in sealing their passage to the knockout stages with a game to spare.
The win saw Portugal avenge their 2-1 defeat by Uruguay in the last 16 of the 2018 competition in Russia.
Chances did not fall freely during the opening half-hour, with neither side registering a shot on target. William Carvalho's sweetly struck volley was just too high, while Jose Gimenez sent a looping header narrowly over the crossbar.
The game's first attempt on target in the 32nd minute almost provided one of the goals of the tournament when Rodrigo Bentancur embarked on a jinking run through the Portugal defence.
But the Uruguay midfielder’s finish let him down, as he shot straight at Diogo Costa when clear on goal.
La Celeste were aiming to become the first nation to record six straight clean sheets in the World Cup group stages, but they were given a warning when Joao Felix hit the side netting in the 51st minute.
Fernandes then opened the scoring three minutes later when his attempted centre, which Ronaldo initially appeared to faintly connect with, evaded Sergio Rochet.
Uruguay looked to respond as Maximiliano Gomez rattled the post and Luis Suarez hit the side netting, but Portugal sealed victory when Fernandes calmly slotted home from 12 yards after VAR penalised Gimenez for handball.
Fernandes twice went close to completing his hat-trick in the dying moments, Rochet saving his volley before he rattled the woodwork from 20 yards.
Portugal and Uruguay's Group H match at the World Cup was interrupted by a pitch invader carrying a rainbow flag at the Lusail Stadium.
Just over five minutes into the second half, the individual in question forced a brief stoppage in the game after taking to the field.
The invader, who was also wearing a shirt with the Superman logo, also sported the messages "Save Ukraine" and "Respect for Iranian Women".
He was subsequently removed by security, while Iranian referee Alireza Faghani removed the flag in question.
The pitch invader's actions are the latest protest at Qatar 2022, where LGBTQ+ rights are heavily restricted in the host nation.
A planned show of solidarity with the OneLove armband from European teams was effectively forced down by FIFA, with Germany subsequently protesting ahead of their match with Japan with a covered mouth gesture.
The protest also makes reference to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and continued demonstrations in Iran over the subject of women's rights.
Portugal and Uruguay play their final Group H games against South Korea and Ghana on December 2.
Manchester City will face Chelsea in the pick of the FA Cup third-round ties, while Manchester United meet fellow Premier League side Everton.
Pep Guardiola's top-flight champions visit Graham Potter's side in the league on January 5, just a matter of days before hosting the Blues at Etihad Stadium in the prestigious cup competition.
Everton will be another side travelling to Manchester as Frank Lampard's side face Erik ten Hag's United, with current holders Liverpool drawn at home to Wolves in another all-Premier League tie.
Arsenal make the trip to League One's Oxford United, while the in-form Newcastle United visit another third-tier side in Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.
Tottenham will also face League One opposition when they host Portsmouth, with Brighton and Hove Albion going up to Middlesbrough and Bournemouth facing a home tie against Championship leaders Burnley.
Two more all-Premier League clashes see Brentford at home to London rivals West Ham and new Southampton manager Nathan Jones will have to get past an away game against top-flight rivals Crystal Palace.
Aston Villa will welcome Stevenage, who are second in League Two chasing promotion, with Fulham and Leeds United visiting Championship sides Hull City and Cardiff City respectively.
Dagenham and Redbridge will invite Leicester City to Victoria Road if the National League side can defeat Gillingham in a December 6 replay.
All ties are scheduled to be played between January 6 and January 9.
FA Cup third-round draw in full:
Preston v Huddersfield Town
Middlesbrough v Brighton and Hove Albion
Chesterfield v West Brom
Manchester City v Chelsea
Charlton or Stockport County v Walsall
Boreham Wood v Accrington Stanley
Tottenham v Portsmouth
Derby County v Barnsley
Cardiff City v Leeds United
Brentford v West Ham
Bournemouth v Burnley
Coventry City v Wrexham
Norwich City v Blackburn Rovers
Aston Villa v Stevenage
Luton Town v Wigan Athletic
Oxford United v Arsenal
Fleetwood Town v Queens Park Rangers
Liverpool v Wolves
Grimsby Town v Burton Albion
Blackpool v Nottingham Forest
Dagenham and Redbridge or Gillingham v Leicester City
Forest Green Rovers v Birmingham City
Bristol City v Swansea City
Hartlepool United v Stoke City
Hull City v Fulham
Crystal Palace v Southampton
Millwall v Sheffield United
Shrewsbury Town v Sunderland
Sheffield Wednesday v Newcastle United
Manchester United v Everton
Reading v Watford
Ipswich Town v Rotherham United
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