With a Week 14 bye, the Chicago Bears had extra time to prepare for a matchup against the NFL's top team. It wouldn't be an easy task to take on the...
Like the rival New England Patriots, the New York Jets managed to squander a great opportunity at making up ground in the AFC wild-card race. While the...
As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers continue to struggle of late, they remain in the same place in the NFC South: first place. And they're still there after another...
The Pittsburgh Steelers haven't had their best season in 2022. However, they've been playing much better of late. And on Sunday afternoon, they went on the...
The Philadelphia Eagles got a bit of a scare from the Chicago Bears in Week 15, but they managed to outlast Chicago and improve to 13-1. Philadelphia is now a...
The AFC West continues to be dominated by the Kansas City Chiefs. And once again, they'll be heading to the NFL playoffs as one of the front-runners to win a...
Venus Williams to Compete in 2023 Australian Open After Being Awarded Wild-Card Entry
Dec 19, 2022
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 10: Venus Williams of The United States of America plays a forehand in her Women's Singles second round match against Sara Errani of Italy during day three of the 2021 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on February 10, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Venus Williams isn't done pursuing an Australian Open title.
The WTA announced Sunday that the legend will participate in 2023's first Grand Slam tournament as a main-draw wild card. It will be her 22nd appearance in the tournament since she made her debut in 1998.
"I am very excited to be returning to Melbourne to compete at the Australian Open in January," Williams said.
"I've been competing in the country for over 20 years now, and the Australian community has always supported me wholeheartedly. It will be an honor to play for the fans again, and I'm looking forward to making more memories at the tournament this year."
There was a time when the world's former No. 1 player was a threat to win any event she entered, but she played just four tournaments in 2022. That lack of playing time means she is currently ranked 1,007th.
Yet there is no doubting Williams' stature as one of the sport's most notable legends.
The American is a seven-time Grand Slam champion with five of the titles coming at Wimbledon and two coming at the U.S. Open. While she is yet to win the Australian Open, she reached the final in 2003 and again 14 years later in 2017.
She has also been to the quarterfinals or better nine different times.
Venus lost to her sister in each of the two finals she made, although she won't have to worry about such a result this time around since Serena is now retired.
Next year's tournament is set to start on Jan. 16 at Melbourne Park.
Updated 2023 NFL Draft Order Following Week 15 Results
Dec 19, 2022
HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 18: Kansas City Chiefs safety Justin Reid (20) dives underneath Houston Texans running back Royce Freeman (26) in the fourth quarter during the NFL game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans on December 18, 2022 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Houston Texans and Chicago Bears were competitive in Week 15, but neither team affected their 2023 NFL Draft stock.
Houston took the Kansas City Chiefs to overtime, but lost after a Davis Mills fumble set up the game-winning touchdown from Jerick McKinnon.
Chicago played well at home against the Philadelphia Eagles, but it failed to keep up with Jalen Hurts and Co. in the second half.
The Texans and Bears are the only two NFL teams with fewer than four wins heading into Week 16.
The Denver Broncos' win over the Arizona Cardinals moved their pick that transfers to the Seattle Seahawks to No. 3.
Updated 2023 NFL Draft Order
1. Houston (1-12-1)
2. Chicago (3-11)
3. Seattle (from Denver - 4-10)
4. Arizona (4-10)
5. Detroit (from L.A. Rams - 4-9)
6. Indianapolis (4-9-1)
7. Atlanta (5-9)
8. Carolina (5-9)
9. Philadelphia (from New Orleans - 5-9)
10. Green Bay (5-8)
11. Las Vegas (6-8)
12. Jacksonville (6-8)
13. Houston (from Cleveland - 6-8)
14. Pittsburgh (6-8)
15. Seattle (7-7)
16. New England (7-7)
17. New York Jets (7-7)
18. Detroit (7-7)
19. Tampa Bay (6-8)
20. Tennessee (7-7)
21. Washington (7-6-1)
22. Los Angeles Chargers (8-6)
23. Miami (8-6)* forfeited pick
24. New York Giants (8-5-1)
25. Baltimore (9-5)
26. Denver (from San Francisco - 10-4)
27. Cincinnati (10-4)
28. Dallas (10-4)
29. Kansas City (11-3)
30. Minnesota (11-3)
31. Buffalo (11-3)
32. Philadelphia (13-1)
Houston is in terrific shape to land the No. 1 overall pick.
The Texans are 1.5 games behind the Chicago Bears in the overall record column.
Houston finishes the season with games against each of its three AFC South rivals. The Texans are 1-1-1 against the division so far this season.
Chicago ends the regular season against the Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings, all of whom will be playing for something in their respective playoff races.
The Bears need to lose out to ensure they pick second.
The Denver Broncos' win over the Arizona Cardinals allowed that scenario to come into play. Denver, Arizona, Indianapolis and the Los Angeles Rams all have four wins.
Fans of the Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions will watch the results of the Broncos and Rams closely over the next few weeks.
Seattle gets Denver's selection and the Lions will receive the Rams' first-rounder.
The Broncos and Rams play each other on Christmas Day, so either the Seattle or Detroit fan base will come away from that game with a better chance to land in the top five.
The Philadelphia Eagles will also have their eyes on the draft order despite being in the playoff mix.
Philadelphia owns the first-round pick that belongs to the New Orleans Saints.
New Orleans, Atlanta and Carolina are all still alive in the NFC South title race and in the top 10 of the draft order.
The Saints' battle with Cleveland next week will also have the interest of the Texans, who have the Browns' top pick.
Houston's rooting interest should shift directly to the Browns' opponents, especially if the top pick is locked up in short order.
NFL Standings 2022: Results, Playoff Picture and Scenarios After Week 15
Dec 19, 2022
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 18: Keelan Cole #84 of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrates after catching a touchdown pass against the New England Patriots during the fourth quarter of the game at Allegiant Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
The AFC wild-card race has suddenly become a crowded mess.
The teams sitting between sixth and 13th are separated by two games. Four teams are within one game of each other.
The Los Angeles Chargers vaulted up to the No. 6 seed with their win over the Tennessee Titans.
The New England Patriots' stunning last-second loss to the Las Vegas Raiders dropped them out of the playoff spots.
New England and the New York Jets were the biggest losers of Sunday's action, and now some unexpected teams have a sliver of playoff belief going into Week 16.
The NFC playoff race did not change despite losses by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Dallas Cowboys.
The only real drama in the NFC occurred on Sunday night, when the New York Giants beat the Washington Commanders.
New York's win gave it the edge in the wild-card race. Washington is still in a playoff spot thanks to the tie it had with the Giants two weeks ago.
AFC Standings
Division Leaders
1. Buffalo - 11-3
2. Kansas City - 11-3
3. Cincinnati - 10-4
4. Tennessee 7-7
Wild-Card Race
5. Baltimore - 9-5
6. Los Angeles Chargers - 8-6
7. Miami - 8-6
8. New England - 7-7
9. New York Jets - 7-7
10. Jacksonville - 6-8
11. Las Vegas - 6-8
12. Cleveland - 6-8
13. Pittsburgh - 6-8
The wild-card race in the AFC still has nine teams vying for spots.
The Los Angeles Chargers are now in a safe spot after they beat the Titans and the Patriots lost to the Raiders.
Los Angeles' win over Miami last week now comes into play because it is in sixth place on the head-to-head tiebreaker.
Miami holds a one-game edge on both the Patriots and Jets. The Dolphins have a loss to the Jets and a win over Patriots already on their resume.
The Dolphins and Patriots play in Week 17, and then the Dolphins face the Jets in Week 18.
New England is likely in the toughest spot to make the playoffs, as it finishes with Cincinnati, Miami and Buffalo.
The Jets face an easier finish against Jacksonville, Seattle and Miami.
Jacksonville and three other teams are still alive at 6-8. The Jaguars play the Jets on Thursday night.
Las Vegas and Pittsburgh will play an elimination game on Saturday night, while Cleveland can maintain a glimmer of hope with a win over New Orleans in Week 16.
The upper echelon of the AFC standings did not change in Week 15.
The Buffalo Bills survived a home scare against the Miami Dolphins, and the Kansas City Chiefs won on the road in overtime against the Houston Texans.
Buffalo remains in first place on the head-to-head tiebreaker gained in Week 6.
The biggest game left on the schedule for either team is Buffalo's Week 17 trip to face the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Bengals will be the most impactful team to the AFC playoff picture in the next three weeks. They visit the New England Patriots next week, host Buffalo in Week 17 and welcome the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18.
NFC Standings
Division Leaders
1. Philadelphia - 13-1
2. Minnesota - 11-3
3. San Francisco - 10-4
4. Tampa Bay - 6-8
Wild-Card Race
5. Dallas - 10-4
6. New York Giants - 8-5-1
7. Washington - 7-6-1
8. Seattle - 7-7
9. Detroit - 7-7
Philadelphia moved one step closer to the No. 1 overall seed with its win over the Chicago Bears and the Dallas Cowboys' loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Eagles moved their lead to three games over Dallas in the NFC East. A win over Dallas on Saturday secures the division title for Jalen Hurts and Co.
Philadelphia also lands the top seed with a win next week, because it essentially has a three-game lead on the Minnesota Vikings.
The Eagles beat the Vikings back in Week 2. That head-to-head tiebreaker will allow the Eagles to clinch home-field advantage with a win over Dallas.
Minnesota and the San Francisco 49ers are in a fight for the No. 2 seed. The Vikings used the biggest comeback in NFL history on Saturday to stay one game ahead of the 49ers.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are still fourth in the NFC by default, as the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers each lost on Sunday. The Falcons, Panthers and New Orleans Saints are all tied for second in the NFC South at 5-9.
Atlanta, Carolina and New Orleans all need miracles to even have a shot at the wild-card race. They are all two games back of the Seattle Seahawks.
Seattle has a fight in its hands with the Detroit Lions, who leveled the two sides at 7-7 with a win over the New York Jets.
Seattle owns the head-to-head tiebreaker over Detroit thanks to a 48-45 win in Week 4.
The Giants moved up to the sixth spot with their win over the Commanders.
New York needed the buffer over Washington because it plays Minnesota next week and Philadelphia in Week 18.
Washington goes to San Francisco next week, but then it plays Cleveland and Dallas at home.
Seattle and Detroit must hope for the Vikings and 49ers to win next week to drop the Giants and Commanders in the loss column.
Detroit has the easier matchup against the Panthers, while the Seahawks visit the Chiefs.
PNC Championship 2022: Vijay Singh's Group Rallies to Win over Tiger Woods, John Daly
Dec 18, 2022
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 17: Vijay Singh of Fiji and son Qass Singh talk on the first tee during the first round of the PNC Championship at Ritz-Carlton Golf Club on December 17, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Vijay and Qass Singh of Fiji won the 2022 PNC Championship at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando, Florida, on Sunday after finishing 13-under 59 in Round 2 to hold off the teams of John Daly and Justin Thomas.
Team Singh got off to a hot start in Sunday's second round, making a birdie on each of the first seven holes before adding two more on Nos. 12 and 13. They added an eagle on the 14th to grab a share of the lead before breaking away from the pack with a birdie on No. 16 to move to 25 under.
The Singhs capped off their win with a birdie on the 18th hole to secure a two-shot victory.
Team Singh shot identical 59s in both rounds to become the first team to shoot under 60 twice in PNC history. They came close to winning in the past, finishing runner-up in 2006, 2013 and 2020.
Team Daly, consisting of John Daly and John Daly II, finished 24 under, including 13 under on Sunday.
The defending champions secured three straight birdies to open Sunday's action before adding another three birdies on Nos. 5 through 7. Another five birdies came on Nos. 9 through 13, and they capped off the day with an eagle on the 18th hole.
Much of the attention throughout the tournament was placed on Team Woods. The duo of Tiger Woods and his 13-year-old son, Charlie, finished 20 under, including seven under Sunday.
Team Woods began with birdies on the first and third holes before recording an eagle on the fifth hole. They carded a bogey on No. 7 before bouncing back with five birdies and a bogey on the back nine to finish out the tournament.
With the PNC Championship wrapped, the PGA Tour will next move to Ka'upulehu-Kona, Hawaii, for the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai Golf Club from Jan. 20-22.
