Rachel Doerrie, ESPNDec 6, 2024, 07:00 AM ET CloseRachel Doerrie is a professional data consultant specializing in data communication and modelling. She’s worked in the NHL and consulted for professional teams across North American and Europe. She hosts the Staff & Graph Podcast and discusses sports from a data-driven perspective. The Pittsburgh Penguins are in a precarious position. The franchise …

Von Miller of the Bills celebrates a sack of Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford in 2022. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) It’s going to be a yardstick Sunday for Los Angeles NFL teams. The Rams play host to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday afternoon, followed by the Chargers at Kansas City that night. Those are litmus tests, a chance for …

From Feb. 12-20, best-on-best international hockey featuring NHL players is back. The 4 Nations Face-Off event will pit the best NHLers from the United States, Canada, Finland and Sweden against one another in a round-robin tournament followed by a championship game. Which teams are most well-represented at the event? You’ll find that intel below, along with an updated set of …

Jul 15, 2015; Birmingham, AL, USA; Paul Finebaum broadcasts on ESPN during SEC media day at the Wynfrey Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports The No. 2 Texas Longhorns (11-1) are favorites to win the SEC over the No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs (10-2). Texas has looked like the SEC’s team to beat since Georgia’s loss to Ole Miss. However, …

Rams defensive lineman Kobie Turner celebrates a sack. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) Kobie Turner’s musical talent is not a mystery. The defensive lineman’s post-sack celebration includes choral- and orchestral-inspired movements that in college earned him the nickname “The Conductor.” Turner also can sing. During the offseason, he belted the national anthem before Lakers and Kings games. And this …

The 2024 Big 12 Championship Game will take place on Saturday and the winner is expected to be on its way to the College Football Playoff as one of the top-five conference winners in the final rankings. No. 15 Arizona State will take on No. 16 Iowa State and both teams went 10-2 during the regular season and went 7-2 in …

Usually a member of the scout team, injuries last week put Tony Jefferson into the Chargers lineup and he made eight tackles, including this one on the Falcons’ Drake London. (Mike Stewart / Associated Press) Tony Jefferson’s game-day uniform was a faded scout team jersey. Instead of wearing the pristine powder blue and gold jersey under the translucent roof at …

BOYNTON BEACH — When the conversation among family members of Travis Hunter Jr. turned to who is going to New York for the Heisman Trophy ceremony, the Colorado star’s grandmother, Shirley Hunter, was not sure about making the trip. “I want to go,” she said. “But I don’t know yet.” But Travis Hunter Sr., the father of the overwhelming favorite …

The Chiefs have had significant performance issues at offensive tackle this season but they now also have a potential injury concern. Kansas City downgraded right tackle Jawaan Taylor (knee) to a limited participant in Thursday’s practice. Taylor was listed as full on Wednesday. Kansas City may be looking to start recent free-agent signee D.J. Humphries at left tackle this week. …

After going 11-1 in the regular season, Texas football has made the Southeastern Conference Championship in its first season out of the Big 12. To win the title, the Longhorns have to overcome the Bulldogs, who handed them their only regular season loss in Week 8, 30-15. Georgia’s defense put on a dominant performance in Darrell K Royal Memorial Stadium, …

Lions head coach Dan Campbell told his players they’re a team of destiny in the locker room after Thursday night’s win over the Packers. The always fired-up Campbell seemed particularly enthusiastic that his injury-plagued team managed to pull out a close win over a divisional opponent and told them just how excited he was. “I’m so freaking proud of you …

The ACC teams in the mix for the 80th TaxSlayer Gator Bowl have been narrowed to five possibilities – four if Southern Methodist beats Clemson on Saturday in the ACC Championship game in Charlotte, N.C. The Gator Bowl is Jan. 2, 2025 (7:30 p.m., ESPN) and matches an SEC team versus an ACC team. SMU (11-1) is ranked third in …

Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb is expected to play Monday night, but he missed the first practice of the work week. Lamb aggravated his shoulder in the Thanksgiving Day win over the Giants, and he rehabbed the injury during Thursday’s practice. The Cowboys also were missing left tackle Tyler Guyton (ankle/knee), right guard Zack Martin (ankle/shoulder), safety Juanyeh Thomas (knee) …

Fair Grove and Lamar will meet in a rare all-southwest Missouri clash in the Missouri high school football Class 2 state championship. The Class 2 MSHSAA Show-Me Bowl is 3 p.m. Friday at Memorial Stadium on the University of Missouri campus in Columbia. Fair Grove (14-0) is making its first state championship appearance in program history. The Eagles are coming off a …

The Bills have clinched the AFC East, the Lions and Chiefs have clinched playoff berth, and 11 more playoff spots are up for grabs. Here’s how the NFL playoff picture looks after Thursday of Week 14: NFC Playoff Picture DIVISION LEADERS 1. Detroit Lions (12-1): Big Thursday night win against the Packers. 2. Philadelphia Eagles (10-2): A 2.5-game lead in …