Wall Street to kick out three Chinese telecom firms

The New York Stock Exchange will delist the Chinese companies based on claimed links with the military.

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US politics in 2021: What's in store for President-elect Biden?

A new president with an agenda that's already set - and an outgoing president who's not leaving quietly.

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Brexit: 'We welcomed the trade deal like a Christmas present'

Europeans in the UK, and British people around Europe, explain what Brexit will mean for them.

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India's love affair with classic British motorbikes

BSA, Norton and Royal Enfield are all owned by Indian firms who want to kickstart the brands.

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Why 2021 could be turning point for tackling climate change

This year could be a "make or break" moment in the fight against global warming.

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Australia-China row: 'I'm Australian - why do I need to prove my loyalty?'

Many Chinese-Australians fear a "new McCarthyism" as Australia's values are tested by its China row.

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Ten African music stars to look out for in 2021

Elaine, Fik Fameica and Omah Lay are among the stars who have impressed BBC Africa's music experts.

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Moscow train carriage helps rehome stray pets

The Tails and Paws train features posters of dozens of animals in need of a new home.

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New on SI: 2021 Offseason Outlook: Las Vegas Raiders

No coach has more rope than Jon Gruden, but there's still work to be done now three non-winning seasons into his tenure.

Our perception of how an NFL team should go through its internal checklist after a bad season is at once probably far too optimistic and not optimistic enough. There are some owners who steep their organizations in complacency. Some who are more comfortable with the familiar. Some who blow it all up because some middling former quarterback on ESPN told them to. Perpetually good teams don’t normally have that problem because they are good at self-analysis. Of course, some teams get good for a little while and lose the ability to do that as well.

So that’s why we’re here. With each team that drops from playoff contention, we will answer a 10-part questionnaire on where they are, where they’re headed and how to fix the holes along the way. Some projects will be bigger than others.

Which brings us to the Raiders, who have yet to be playoff-relevant heading into the final week of the regular season in the new Jon Gruden era.

More offseason outlooks:

49ers, Bengals, Broncos, Chargers, Eagles, Falcons, Jaguars, Jets, Lions, Patriots, Panthers, Texans, Vikings

1. What went right this year?

As we pointed out earlier in the season, I think we all saw the offensive guru who was hiding out all these years, maniacally planning his assault on the NFL once he returned to the league. The problem is that these spurts of brilliance weren’t steady, weekly occurrences and the Raiders don’t have a great deal of excuses compared to other teams. In fact, given Gruden’s repeat offenses of COVID-19 protocols, which cost his team a draft pick, it would seem Las Vegas gave itself more headaches than received them from extraneous circumstances.

Also, their offensive line, while aging in key places, is very good (and very expensive).

2. What went wrong this year?

Everything about this team was just … middling. Derek Carr had a very good season, as did Josh Jacobs. Less can be said about the opportunities schemed up for first-round pick Henry Ruggs, or the performance of fellow first-round rookie Damon Arnette (though the sample size is limited there). I think this team could have won a lesser division, but Mark Davis flouted NFL protocol and sold his soul to bring in Jon Gruden in order to challenge the Chiefs. It is difficult to reconcile the team that beat Kansas City once this year with the version we see on so many other off weeks.

3. The Big Question this offseason

There is no meat remaining on Derek Carr’s contract. I think, and have heard, that he would be a fairly hot commodity elsewhere if he were allowed to hit the market. Gruden has a history of cycling through veteran quarterbacks without really addressing key philosophical problems with his scheme and roster, so that is always a possibility. This was the same guy who took a long sniff on Kyler Murray and was, at least moderately, in the Tom Brady sweepstakes at one point. Pro Football Focus made the argument that Carr was a top-10 QB this year and has been on several occasions. He would be a fascinating, wildly-affordable trade chip for Las Vegas to wield if Gruden was interested in pivoting his rebuild.

4. Coach/GM outlook

Gruden isn’t going anywhere, despite failing to post a winning record over his first three seasons. Firing defensive coordinator Paul Gunther was about as far-reaching as the scapegoating process will go and we’ll roll into Year 4 as scheduled. There is a lot of young talent on this roster, which, maybe you can credit Gruden with, or maybe he made a sound hire in Mike Mayock (which seems more likely). Still, the outlook is that, when an owner is infatuated with a head coach and signed him to a 10-year deal, there isn’t really much to discuss.

5. Key free agents

• Nelson Agholor, wide receiver
• Nicholas Morrow, linebacker
• Erik Harris, safety
• Denzelle Good, offensive lineman
• Johnathan Hankins, defensive lineman
• Takk McKinley, defensive end
• Vic Beasley, defensive end
• Jason Witten, tight end
• Nevin Lawson, cornerback

The Weak-Side Podcast now has its own feed! Subscribe to listen to Conor Orr and Jenny Vrentas every week. 

6. Top priority

Las Vegas needs to secure a top-flight defensive coordinator. And while Rod Marinelli is a fine stand-in, Gruden will be up against a handful of other coaching staffs making similar maneuvers under better circumstances. Not many people are going to willingly risk their standing with that roster knowing that they’ll have to face Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs twice a year. One of the advantages, supposedly, of having Gruden head the operation is that you have the kind of cachet to make a big hire. Can he actually pull it off?

7. Positions of need

Interior offensive line, wide receiver, cornerback, linebacker, pass rusher, interior defensive line.

8. Sensible plan to fix them

Because no one believes this is an actual, sustainable rebuild and is more about people proving people right, it wouldn’t be stunning to see the Raiders gut some of their big-ticket veterans with no guaranteed money in 2021 (Richie Incognito, Marcus Mariota, etc.) and use that money to play in the free agent market. This will be the offseason of the receiver, with Juju Smith-Schuster, Corey Davis, Sammy Watkins, T.Y. Hilton, Will Fuller, John Ross, A.J. Green and Allen Robinson all hitting the market. That is an awful lot of former first-round picks and veteran talent for Gruden to salivate over.

9. Outside-the-box idea to fix them

Trade Derek Carr, gut the veteran portion of the roster and soft-tank for a year with Marcus Mariota at quarterback. I loved watching Mariota under center again in his limited action, and while my hope for his inevitable second chance is to be paired with a better play-caller, perhaps Gruden will take a look at the division around him, opt to shift the offense momentarily and write the season off as an exploration in strategy. You can do these kinds of things when there is no risk of being fired, after all. And if it fails, Las Vegas will be sitting at the top of the draft in 2022 when another handful of promising QBs will rise.

10. Next time we'll realistically see them in the playoffs

2022? Maybe this team will get hot and stumble into a secondary wild-card spot at some point, but are you picking against the Chiefs any time soon and assuming that the Chargers and Justin Herbert are going to be down for a long time?

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New on SI: What Sports Take Should be Left in 2020?

When it comes to 2020, there's a lot we all want to leave behind. But what sports take would you most like to renounce?

When it comes to 2020, there's a lot we all want to leave behind. But what sports take would you most like to renounce? Is there anything you wish never came out of your mouth? Sports Illustrated host Robin Lundberg and SI fantasy and gambling analyst Bill Enright renounced their worst takes of 2020.

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New Zealand rings in 2021 with fireworks

The country is one of the few where New Year's Eve plans were held as usual.

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Covid: Pandemic dampens New Year celebrations around the world

As the virus continues to spread in many countries, governments are set to crack down on revellers.

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Giulio Regeni: Italy condemns Egypt for ruling out charges against police

Italian prosecutors had accused four Egyptian officers of the murder of a Cambridge student in 2016.

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Bosnia: Hundreds of migrants stuck at fire-gutted camp

About 900 migrants are stranded in the freezing cold after plans to relocate them are blocked.

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Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai ordered back to jail

The 73-year-old is the city's highest profile person charged under a controversial security law.

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Tech 2020: Our biggest stories and what happened next

The most read BBC tech story of each month of the year, and how they panned out.

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Vaccine and water unseats Mukesh Ambani as Asia's richest person

Nicknamed the lone wolf, China's Zhong Shanshan has unseated India's Mukesh Ambani.

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Samuel Little: America's 'most prolific' serial killer dies

Samuel Little is thought to have killed 93 women, with his murders going undetected for decades.

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Wang Xiangjun: China's 'Glacier Bro' presumed dead

The Chinese influencer and environmentalist Wang Xiangjun was known for his love of glaciers.

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Nashville explosion: Police probe conspiracy theory motive

Police are trying to determine if conspiracy theories motivated the suspect in the Nashville attack.

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Zhang Zhan: The 'rebellious soul' jailed for filming Wuhan

Citizen journalist Zhang Zhan spoke about why she chose to cover the outbreak before her arrest.

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Republican senator to dispute certification of Biden victory

The tactic is expected to change nothing, but will set the stage for what the Biden camp called "antics".

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Deepening divisions: Venezuela's haves and have nots

A relaxation of economic restraints has some benefits - for those with access to US dollars.

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Remembering the entertainment and arts figures we lost in 2020

Remembering some of the figures from music, film, TV, radio and literature who died in 2020.

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India's most uplifting social media moments in 2020

From a dancing doctor to a street food stall owner - people who gave hope in the pandemic year.

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Syria attack: At least 28 killed in ambush on bus

A human rights monitor blamed Islamic State for the attack, saying all those killed were soldiers.

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Penn Station: New train hall returns beauty to New York station

The newly-designed hall opens on Thursday after the original landmark was demolished in 1963.

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2020 through the lens of a photojournalist

Photojournalist Leah Millis recaps the year with her favourite images from 2020.

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Yemen war: Video shows moment Aden airport attacked

Television cameras were positioned for the arrival of the new government when the attack happened.

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Four protests that triggered change - and one that didn't

The BBC looks at a selection of history's powerful protests and why only some achieved their goals.

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Norway mudslide: Aerial footage shows devastation

At least nine people are injured and houses have been buried in the Norwegian village of Gjerdrum.

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New on SI: Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 17: Kickers - Sleepers, Busts, Matchups

Start 'em and sit 'em kickers for Week 17 from senior fantasy football expert Michael Fabiano.

Week 17 Start ‘Em: Kickers

Start of the Week

Daniel Carlson at Broncos (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): Carlson has produced at least nine fantasy points in three straight games, including a 13-point performance in last week’s loss to Miami. He’ll be a top-five kicker this weekend against the Broncos, who have allowed the most fantasy points to enemy kickers. That includes a Week 10 game against the Raiders where Carlson scored 15 points.

Week 17 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em

QUARTERBACKSRUNNING BACKSWIDE RECEIVERSTIGHT ENDS
• KICKERS
TEAM DEFENSES

Be sure to check out my Week 17 rankings before finalizing any lineup decisions or if your league has special scoring rules, sign up for

SI Fantasy+ for customized rankings.

MORE: Week 17 Rankings, Articles, Reports & Tools Hub

More Starts

• Rodrigo Blankenship vs. Jaguars (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS)
• Jason Myers at 49ers (4:25 p.m. ET, FOX)
• Wil Lutz at Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, FOX)

Week 17 Sit ‘Em: Kickers

Sit of the Week

Robbie Gould vs. Seahawks (4:25 p.m. ET, FOX): Gould is coming off one of the worst games of his career, missing two field goals and an extra point against the Cardinals. He should be left to the sidelines this weekend too, as the Niners head to Seattle. Their defense has allowed an average of 7.1 fantasy points per game, and Gould scored just three points against them earlier this year.

BETTOR'S DREAM: Up to $1,000 Sign Up Bonus at DraftKings Sportsbook

More Sits

• Matt Gay vs. Cardinals (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS)
• Ka’imi Fairbairn vs. Titans (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS)
• Cody Parkey vs. Steelers (1 p.m. ET, CBS)

Michael Fabiano is an award-winning fantasy football analyst on Sports Illustrated and a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA) Hall of Fame. You can follow Michael on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram for all of the latest breaking fantasy football news and the best analysis in the business!

It's time to join the club! Become a member of SI Fantasy+ for as low as 14 cents a day!

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New on SI: Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 17: Quarterbacks - Sleepers, Fades, Matchups, DFS Bargains

Start 'em and sit 'em quarterbacks for Week 17 from senior fantasy football expert Michael Fabiano.

Week 17 Start ‘Em: Quarterbacks

Start of the Week

Ryan Tannehill at Texans (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): Tannehill was a disappointment last week, scoring fewer than 17 fantasy points in a loss to the Packers. The Titans still have a lot on the line though, as a win over the Texans would earn them the AFC South crown. Houston allowed nearly 24 fantasy points and a solid 126.5 passer rating to Cincinnati’s Brandon Allen a week ago, so Tannehill is in a good spot to produce. He’s a locked and loaded top-10 quarterback.

Week 17 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em

• QUARTERBACKS
RUNNING BACKSWIDE RECEIVERSTIGHT ENDSKICKERSTEAM DEFENSES

Be sure to check out my Week 17 rankings before finalizing any lineup decisions or if your league has special scoring rules, sign up for

SI Fantasy+ for customized rankings.

MORE: Week 17 Rankings, Articles, Reports & Tools Hub

Start ‘Em

Kirk Cousins at Lions (1 p.m. ET, FOX): Cousins has been on fire lately, putting up 19-plus fantasy points in five of his last six games. He should continue that hot streak this week as the Vikings travel to Detroit. Last week, the Lions defense looked like a JV squad, allowing a combined 45.14 fantasy points to Tom Brady and Blaine Gabbert in a blowout loss to the Bucs. While this game holds no postseason value, Cousins should be under center for a full four quarters.

Philip Rivers vs. Jaguars (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): Rivers has seen his fantasy totals decline in each of the last four games, but he's still a legitimate starter this week. There's a lot on the line since the Colts are in a four-way tie with the Browns, Dolphins, and Ravens for a playoff berth. The matchup is also very favorable, as the Jaguars have allowed 33 touchdown passes and the third-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. Rivers should be a top-15 quarterback.

More Starts

• Justin Herbert at Chiefs (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS)
• Matt Ryan at Buccaneers (1 p.m. ET, FOX)
• Jalen Hurts vs. Washington (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC)

DFS Bargains

• Kirk Cousins at Lions (DraftKings: $6,300)
• Philip Rivers vs. Jaguars (DraftKings: $6,000)
• Derek Carr at Broncos (DraftKings: $5,700)

Week 17 Sit ‘Em: Quarterbacks

Sit of the Week

Kyler Murray at Rams (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): It’s tough to sit Murray, but you might want to temper expectations. He’s failed to score more than 18.5 fantasy points in four of his last five games, and Murray suffered an injured leg against the 49ers. Assuming he starts, a matchup against the Rams isn’t exactly favorable. In fact, just one quarterback (Russell Wilson) has scored more than 16.4 fantasy points against them since Week 7. That list includes Murray (Week 13).

Sit ‘Em

Baker Mayfield vs. Steelers (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Mayfield is coming off a stinker in New York, though he was down his top four wideouts due to COVID-19 protocols. While he will likely get those players back this week, Mayfield is still a tough sell in an important matchup against the Steelers. Their defense has allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks, and no player at the position has scored more than 18.7 fantasy points against them in a single game.

Tua Tagovailoa at Bills (1 p.m. ET, CBS): This is an important game for Miami, as a win over the Bills would clinch a berth in the postseason. Still, it’s tough to trust Tagovailoa after he failed to produce against a bad Raiders defense and was pulled in favor of Ryan Fitzpatrick. It’s that threat of being yanked, plus a tough roadie against Buffalo, that makes Tua a sit ‘em. The Bills have allowed fewer than 19 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks at Orchard Park.

BETTOR'S DREAM: Up to $1,000 Sign Up Bonus at DraftKings Sportsbook

More Sits

• Cam Newton vs. Jets (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
• Mitchell Trubisky vs. Packers (4:25 p.m. ET, FOX)
• Teddy Bridgewater vs. Saints (4:25 p.m. ET, FOX)

DFS Fades

• Patrick Mahomes vs. Chargers (DraftKings: $8,400)
• Kyler Murray at Rams (DraftKings: $7,500)
• Mitchell Trubisky vs. Packers (DraftKings: $5,600)

Michael Fabiano is an award-winning fantasy football analyst on Sports Illustrated and a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA) Hall of Fame. You can follow Michael on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram for all of the latest breaking fantasy football news and the best analysis in the business!

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New on SI: Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 17: Tight Ends - Sleepers, Fades, Matchups, DFS Bargains

Start 'em and sit 'em tight ends for Week 17 from senior fantasy football expert Michael Fabiano.

Week 17 Start ‘Em: Tight Ends

Start of the Week

Mike Gesicki at Bills (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Gesicki had a stinker last week in Las Vegas, though he has still averaged more than 17 fantasy points in his last four games. Tua Tagovailoa, who will start despite being benched last week, has a good rapport with Gesicki and the matchup against Buffalo is favorable. The Bills have allowed eight touchdowns and the seventh-most points to tight ends, and six have scored more than 13 fantasy points against them in 2020.

Week 17 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em

QUARTERBACKSRUNNING BACKSWIDE RECEIVERS
• TIGHT ENDS
KICKERSTEAM DEFENSES

Be sure to check out my Week 17 rankings before finalizing any lineup decisions or if your league has special scoring rules, sign up for

SI Fantasy+ for customized rankings.

MORE: Week 17 Rankings, Articles, Reports & Tools Hub

Start ‘Em

Evan Engram vs. Cowboys (1 p.m. ET, FOX): Engram hasn't been reliable in the stat sheets this season, but he's still a No. 1 tight end when the matchup is right. He has such a matchup this week, as Engram faces a Cowboys defense he has owned in his career. Engram has averaged 15.4 fantasy points in seven meetings and has failed to score at least 9.5 points just once. Dallas has been tough on tight ends this season, but six have beaten them for 11-plus points.

More Starts

• Robert Tonyan at Bears (4:25 p.m. ET, FOX)
• Eric Ebron at Browns (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
• Jared Cook at Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, FOX)

DFS Bargains

• Eric Ebron at Browns (DraftKings: $4,000)
• Evan Engram vs. Cowboys (DraftKings: $3,700)
• Hayden Hurst at Buccaneers (DraftKings: $3,700)

Week 17 Sit ‘Em: Tight Ends

Sit of the Week

Austin Hooper vs. Steelers (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Hooper was targeted a bananas 15 times last week, but that total is going to shrink with the expected return of the Browns' top four wide receivers (COVID-19). He also has a tough matchup next on the schedule, as the Browns will host a Steelers defense that's allowed just two touchdowns and the second-fewest fantasy points to tight ends. I'd keep Hooper sidelined as long as the Browns return to full strength.

Sit ‘Em

Jimmy Graham vs. Packers (4:25 p.m. ET, FOX): Graham went into the wayback machine last week, scoring a pair of touchdowns in a win over the Jaguars. I wouldn't chase the points though, as a much tougher matchup against the Packers awaits. Their defense has allowed a meager five touchdown catches, and the fourth-fewest points to opposing tight ends this season. What's more, Green Bay held Graham to just 6.2 fantasy points back in Week 12.

BETTOR'S DREAM: Up to $1,000 Sign Up Bonus at DraftKings Sportsbook

More Sits

• Zach Ertz vs. Football Team (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC)
• Tyler Higbee vs. Cardinals (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS)
• Dan Arnold at Rams (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS)

DFS Fades

• Travis Kelce vs. Chargers (DraftKings: $8,600)
• Noah Fant vs. Raiders (DraftKings: $4,400)
• Austin Hooper vs. Steelers (DraftKings: $3,800)

Michael Fabiano is an award-winning fantasy football analyst on Sports Illustrated and a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA) Hall of Fame. You can follow Michael on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram for all of the latest breaking fantasy football news and the best analysis in the business!

It's time to join the club! Become a member of SI Fantasy+ for as low as 14 cents a day!

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Covid: What do we know about China's coronavirus vaccines?

Sinovac and Sinopharm's jabs are yet to finish final trials, but are already being shipped overseas.

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China Covid-19: Nearly 500,000 in Wuhan may have had virus, says study

The study by Chinese officials suggests there were more positive cases in Wuhan than official figures suggest.

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Luke Letlow: Newly-elected US lawmaker, 41, dies from Covid

Luke Letlow, 41, was due to be sworn in as a Republican Representative for Louisiana on Sunday.

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China jails Hong Kong activists for between seven months and three years

The democracy activists were caught at sea as they tried to flee by speedboat to Taiwan.

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Covid: Sydney announces new restrictions ahead of New Year

The Australian city is battling a worsening outbreak after months of next to no cases.

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North Korea defectors: Why it's getting harder to escape

Hundreds of defectors make the perilous journey every year, and now it's become even more arduous.

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Tamir Rice killing: US closes investigation into 2014 shooting

The death of the 12-year-old boy, who had been holding a toy gun, led to widespread protests.

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Iraqi interpreters 'stalked by death squads' for helping the British

Ali and Ahmed helped British forces but now they live in fear of being killed by death squads.

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2020 and me: 'We need to learn life lessons from this'

Mahnaz Rehman lost her husband during lockdown in Karachi, Pakistan.

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Belarus protests: The demonstrators speaking out in new and creative ways

Faced by a government crackdown, demonstrations over the disputed August election have been forced to evolve.

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Quarantine meals: The 2020 food trend no-one predicted

Across the world, people in quarantine facilities were treated to some weird and wonderful combinations.

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Iraqi interpreters 'stalked by death squads' for helping the British

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Fashion lookahead: Eight major 2021 looks from tie-dye to pastels

The patterns, prints, materials and accessories we're likely to be wearing this year.

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What my grandfather's life taught me about China and America

Vincent Ni reflects on the long life of his grandfather and a crucial choice he made as a young man.

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Notable African deaths of 2020: From jazz legends to football heroes

A look back at some of the iconic figures on the African continent who we said farewell to this year.

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Ratatouille musical: Stars join show that was cooked up on TikTok

Adam Lambert and Tituss Burgess lead the cast for a show that was cooked up by fans on TikTok.

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New on SI: NFL Power Rankings: Packers Are Kings of the North; Chiefs Clinch Top Seed in AFC

The Packers reminded everyone why playing at Lambeau in January matters, while Kansas City officially clinched first place in the AFC.

It’s that time of year when the everyone just expects Wind to be No. 1 and the hydroelectric bandwagon is going strong. But meanwhile, everyone is sleeping on geothermal—they’re coming up around 90TWh annually!

And with that uninspired paragraph, I’ve reached the maximum number of

jokey intros one could have for Power Rankings. Which is three. Here’s the rankings…

1. Kansas City Chiefs (14–1)

Last week: Win vs. Atlanta 17–14
Next week: vs. Los Angeles Chargers

I’ve seen a lot of Harlem Globetrotters games over my lifetime, and Kansas City Chiefs games have taken on a similar vibe minus buckets of confetti—no matter what happens in the first 58 minutes, victory seems like a foregone conclusion.

2. Green Bay Packers (12–3)

Last week: Win vs. Tennessee 40–14
Next week: at Chicago

Sunday night was a reminder of why home field matters for the Packers; the Titans are theoretically built to win in winter weather, but there’s something to be said for the players who have repeatedly donned the extra-large studs on their soles and actually gone out there and moved in snow. I’d call Packers-Saints a coin flip on a neutral field, but there’s no doubt the Packers have a significant edge on every opponent coming into Lambeau this January.

3. New Orleans Saints (11–4)

Last week: Win vs. Minnesota 52–33
Next week: at Carolina

How about a little credit for this defense, which essentially played a game-and-a-half-worth of snaps against the Chiefs then five days later had to go back out against a physical Vikings offense (that also happened to end their season last January). And if you already did give them a little credit, well . . . never mind then.

4. Buffalo Bills (12–3)

Last week: Win at New England 38–9
Next week: vs. Miami

Some say they had already clinched the AFC East, but it really took that pantsing of the Patriots in Foxboro, before a national audience, to really make it official.

5. Baltimore Ravens (10–5)

Last week: Win vs. New York Giants 27–13
Next week: at Cincinnati

Their mid-season slump was the result of bad luck in the red zone and a rash of injuries; the answers were always there for the Ravens offense, even if it doesn’t return to 2019 levels. Considering the defense is, if healthy, top five, this is the wild-card team no one wants to play in January.

6. Pittsburgh Steelers (12–3)

Last week: Win vs. Indianapolis 28–24
Next week: at Cleveland

It wasn’t exactly vintage Ben Roethlisberger, but seeing the quarterback (and his play callers) show a willingness to let him throw downfield and even get knocked down by opposing players was the most encouraging thing this offense has shown in, literally, months. It was so encouraging that we’ll overlook their complete inability to run the ball. As for January, if you were creating the definitive ranking of current defenses that could pull a 2015 Broncos and single-handedly carry a team to a Super Bowl title, you should start with the Steelers. (Though, really, you should find something better to do with your free time than make such a list: read a book, interact with a loved one, make the definitive ranking of all-time Adult Swim shows, etc.)

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10–5)

Last week: Win at Detroit 47–7
Next week: vs. Atlanta

Nobody’s going to give you a trophy for hanging 47 on the Lions. Or, if they did, it would be a very sad trophy, like a statuette of Calvin Johnson with a look of disappointment on his face. So while Tampa Bay’s offense has looked much better over the past six quarters, we’ll see what happens in the postseason when it has to hang in against teams with things like pass rushers. That said, if the offense can do this against quality opponents, the Bucs are right there with the Packers and Saints as the NFC’s most complete teams.

8. Seattle Seahawks (11–4)

Last week: Win vs. Los Angeles Rams 20–9
Next week: at San Francisco 

Has the defenses raised its level from “atrocious” to “serviceable,” or was it simply the result of playing a string of bad opponents (which very much includes a porous Rams offensive line on Sunday). That will determine whether the Seahawks will win games in January now that they’ve reverted to their classic, conservative offensive game plan, and an overall approach that is, in short, keep it close until Russ can win it.

9. Indianapolis Colts (10–5)

Last week: Loss at Pittsburgh 28–24
Next week: vs. Jacksonville

The come-from-ahead nature of the loss was frustrating, but there’s no shame in a road loss to Pittsburgh on the week Roethlisberger finally started connecting on downfield throws. Theoretically, the Colts’ defense and run game should travel well in the playoffs.

10. Los Angeles Rams (9–6)

Last week: Loss at Seattle 20–9
Next week: vs. Arizona 

We probably shouldn’t have been surprised when Jared Goff’s yards per attempt dropped more than a full yard after the Andrew Whitworth injury—Goff has always been at his worst when protection is shaky, such as right now or early last season while they shuffled up front. We probably also shouldn’t be surprised if this offense fails to do much of anything with backup John Wolford under center in Week 17. Considering how well the defense travels, the best-case scenario is that they survive Week 17, get into the tournament and get both Goff and Whitworth back for the wild-card round—don’t forget that this team has road wins in Arizona and Tampa Bay, and it was within a fourth-down pass interference call of winning at Buffalo.

11. Tennessee Titans (10–5)

Last week: Loss at Green Bay 40–14
Next week: at Houston

Despite the dud at Lambeau, you love the fact that they got repeat performances from Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry this season. But you hate the fact that this defense doesn’t seem likely to hold up against anyone in January.

12. Miami Dolphins (10–5)

Last week: Win at Las Vegas 26–25
Next week: at Buffalo 

I’d start Ryan Fitzpatrick in Buffalo next week, but I’ve also yet to get called in to interview for a single head-coaching vacancy. Yet. I worry not just for the short-term outcome (Miami will need to score points in January), but that Tua Tagovailoa is developing into an excruciatingly conservative decision-maker—it’s easier to rein in an aggressive young quarterback than properly recalibrate the risk assessment of an overly cautious one. (Though I also understand why cautious quarterbacks tend to appeal to defensive head coaches.)

13. Cleveland Browns (10–5)

Last week: Loss at New York Jets 23–16
Next week: vs. Pittsburgh

Every time I believe I’m done addressing the absurdity of the Browns being forced to play on Sunday, I find that I’m not nearly done addressing it. Losing an entire position group to COVID protocols is not comparable to losing guys to a rash of injuries. Unless it’s a freak injury during a late-week practice, coaching staffs know who is injured and the probability of whether they’ll be able to suit up for the game, and can therefore prepare accordingly during the week. Suddenly losing an entire position group 48 hours before kickoff is an impossible circumstance to deal with. The league office ignoring that fact seems to, at least, show an ignorance for how its coaches and players operate.

We don’t know the specifics of the Browns’ situation—it seemed to stem from linebacker B.J. Goodson’s positive test combined with contact tracing, but the league’s stubborn reaction suggests there is fault to be placed, as if Goodson’s positive stemmed from accepting a dare to lick every doorknob across Northeast Ohio as his teammates cheered him on. The NFL is asking a lot of its players to stage a season in the midst of a raging pandemic. Park Avenue could at least abandon its usual close-minded and unnecessarily punitive default stance in a year that demands unprecedented flexibility from everyone involved.

Anyway, the Browns have rightfully earned a spot in the postseason. If they don’t get in as a direct result of the farce that was staged in East Rutherford on Sunday, their players and fanbase would be right to unleash a level of vitriol approximately 14 times as severe as whatever Patriots fans were complaining about most recently.

14. San Francisco 49ers (6–9)

Last week: Win at Arizona 20–12
Next week: vs. Seattle

What Robert Saleh did to the Cardinals’ healthy, high-pedigree offense on Saturday, with his unit of second-stringers, was a reminder that he’s not just the fortunate recipient of Nick Bosa.

15. Los Angeles Chargers (6–9)

Last week: Win vs. Denver 19–16
Next week: at Kansas City

They’ve won three straight, with their lone dud of the season being that special teams-fueled meltdown against the Patriots. You can play the what-if game with lots of teams, but a missed game-winner in New Orleans, last-play-of-the-game losses in Denver and to Vegas… Anthony Lynn might not survive the season, but he should—he’s made it work with a patchwork coaching staff and rookie quarterback.

16. Las Vegas Raiders (7–8)

Last week: Loss vs. Miami 26–25
Next week: at Denver

Jon Gruden bears some of the blame on these defensive meltdowns with the Raiders—that’s the head coach’s responsibility too—but making investment in talent, rather than character (Clelin Ferrell and Johnathan Abram are nice complementary players but simply not first-round talents), on that side of the ball could make a world of difference in 2021.

The Weak-Side Podcast now has its own feed! Subscribe to listen to Conor Orr and Jenny Vrentas every week. 

17. Chicago Bears (8–7)

Last week: Win at Jacksonville 41–17
Next week: vs. Green Bay

Huge bummer that the Seahawks' win gave the Packers something to play against Chicago on Sunday. The Bears’ three-game winning streak has come thanks in part to games against Houston and Jacksonville so let’s not go nuts, but it’s been a nice coda to Mitchell Trubisky’s Chicago tenure and—should they get into the tournament—this defense can make things interesting.

18. Arizona Cardinals (8–7)

Last week: Loss vs. San Francisco 20–12
Next week: at Los Angeles Rams

Considering the talent level, and considering the fact they’ve been relatively healthy all season, it’s tough to find a unit that underachieved more than the Cardinals offense in 2020. The Hail Murray plus an injury to their Week 17 opponent’s quarterback might ultimately be what gets them into the playoffs, but less than two years after pulling the plug on a first-year head coach this franchise once again has some soul searching to do.

19. Minnesota Vikings (6–9)

Last week: Loss at New Orleans 52–33
Next week: at Detroit

After losing all their cornerbacks it was going to be a trying year for this defense, but losing Danielle Hunter for the season, Anthony Barr for all but two games and Erick Kendricks for the past month is the kind of thing that results in opponents dropping 52 on you on Christmas night.

20. New England Patriots (6–9)

Last week: Loss vs. Buffalo 38–9
Next week: vs. New York Jets

It took until about midway through the second quarter Monday night to get my first call from an angry Patriots fan friend. But I won't tell you the contents of that conversation, because this is not going to become an off-brand Bill Simmons column.

21. Carolina Panthers (5–10)

Last week: Win at Washington 20–13
Next week: vs. New Orleans

This team has been a nightmare for tank enthusiasts and a joy for fans who like when their favorite team plays well: a 2–14 type roster that has already won five while also being competitive in Lambeau, Kansas City and New Orleans. On this day, five weeks after Thanksgiving, Panthers fans have something to be thankful for.

22. Dallas Cowboys (6–9)

Last week: Win vs. Philadelphia 37–17
Next week: at New York Giants

After all that, Mike McCarthy’s analytics calculator says all they have to do is win as field-goal favorites in East Rutherford and have the quarterback-less Football Team lose in Philly. I’m not sure I trust this defense against anyone except for maybe a hobbled Daniel Jones–led Giants team.

23. Atlanta Falcons (4–11)

Last week: Loss at Kansas City 17–14
Next week: at Tampa Bay

The Falcons’ four-game losing streak guarantees they’ll go down as one of the season’s most disappointing teams, not a late-bloomer primed for big things like last year’s pyritic finish. The question is whether or not Matt Ryan becomes part of their offseason reset.

24. New York Giants (5–10)

Last week: Loss at Baltimore 27–13
Next week: vs. Dallas

The bad news is that Daniel Jones is clearly not 100% and the overachieving defense has slid back the past couple weeks. The good news is that it’s prime time for Joe Judge special teams chicanery in Sunday’s must-win finale against the Cowboys.

25. Denver Broncos (5–10)

Last week: Loss at Los Angeles Chargers 19–16
Next week: vs. Las Vegas

I’m all for bringing Vic Fangio back for the sake of having some continuity in Denver. The problem is that the Broncos enter 2021 without a clear answer at quarterback for the sixth consecutive season.

26. Philadelphia Eagles (4-10-1)

Last week: Loss at Dallas 37–17
Next week: vs. Washington

Sunday was a reminder that while you were fixated with the quarterback position and offensive issues, the Eagles are saddled with an aging pass rush and lack of capable cornerbacks.

27. Washington Football Team (6–9)

Last week: Loss vs. Carolina 20–13
Next week: at Philadelphia

Only Dan Snyder’s organization could spend a first-round pick on a quarterback that, in two seasons, had two different coaching staffs who didn’t want him. The team that didn’t bother to give itself a name now enters Week 17 with no serviceable quarterback but a chance to win the division that no one deserves to win. There’s a metaphor in there somewhere. A metaphor for something crappy.

28. New York Jets (2–13)

Last week: Win vs. Cleveland 23–16
Next week: at New England

This is the season for spoilers, so good on the Jets for knocking potentially playoff-bound opponents into postseason limbo each of the last two weeks.

29. Cincinnati Bengals (4-10-1)

Last week: Win at Houston 37–31
Next week: vs. Baltimore

Anyone who once claimed that Joe Burrow hopping on one leg would still outperform the other Bengals quarterbacks is eating their words after Brandon Allen carved up the Texans for 371 yards, capturing the hearts of Cin City.

30. Houston Texans (4–11)

Last week: Loss vs. Cincinnati 37–31
Next week: vs. Tennessee

How can a team with Deshaun Watson on one side of the ball and J.J. Watt on the other end up this embarrassingly ba—oh, that’s how. Well, the good news is that TV keeps showing shots of the owner watching the games—or at least appearing to watch the games—so he knows what’s going on. Probably.

31. Detroit Lions (5–10)

Last week: Loss vs. Tampa Bay 47–7
Next week: vs. Minnesota

This is the “without Matthew Stafford” ranking. With Stafford, they’re about a dozen spots higher.

32. Jacksonville Jaguars (1–14)

Last week: Loss vs. Chicago 41–17
Next week: at Indianapolis

This is the “most desirable GM opening in the NFL” mostly because of Trevor Lawrence, but also in part because apparently no one cares how they operate down there. Way back in 2017, the Jaguars were within a couple blown calls away from playing in the Super Bowl; the front office responded by systemically alienating every young star on the team, leaving them with a nucleus of Myles Jack and a bunch of lottery tickets that at this point don’t look promising. Had this been done in, say, Chicago or Pittsburgh or Baltimore or, really, 31 other markets, the fan base would have stormed the team facility. Or at least sent some nasty tweets.

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New on SI: Patriots Bench Cam Newton as Offense Struggles Against Bills

Newton was replaced by Jarrett Stidham after throwing for just 34 yards on 10 attempts.

The Patriots benched quarterback Cam Newton in the second half of their matchup with the Bills on Monday night.

Newton struggled mightily before getting replaced by Jarrett Stidham in the third quarter. He threw for just 34 yards on 10 attempts, failing to find the end zone in the air as the Bills opened up a double-digit lead. 

Monday's struggles continued a trend of poor performances from Newton. He has thrown just one touchdown in his last five games, throwing for 2,381 yards in 13 starts. 

Stidham couldn't exactly get the Patriots offense back on track after Newton's benching. Buffalo entered the fourth quarter with a 31-9 lead, blowing past the Patriots as Josh Allen tallied a quartet of touchdown passes. Allen's 34 touchdowns in 2020 are the most in franchise history. 

New England entered Monday night third in the AFC East at 6–8. Bill Belichick and Co. will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2008 this season.

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New on SI: Jared Goff Undergoes Thumb Surgery, John Wolford Likely To Start Sunday

Rams QB Jared Goff underwent surgery on his broken right thumb Monday and is unlikely to play in Sunday’s regular season finale against Arizona. Backup John Wolford is expected to start in a game that could decide the Rams' postseason fate.

Rams QB Jared Goff underwent surgery on his broken right thumb Monday and is unlikely to play in Sunday’s regular season finale against Arizona. Backup John Wolford is expected to start in a game that could decide the Rams' postseason fate. The Rams either need to beat the Cardinals, or for the Bears to lose to the Packers in week 17 to make the playoffs.

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New on SI: Jared Goff Undergoes Thumb Surgery, Eyes Playoff Return

Goff is unlikely to play against the Cardinals in Week 17.

Rams quarterback Jared Goff underwent surgery on his broken thumb on Monday, according to ESPN's

Adam Schefter. The team later confirmed the development.

Goff will not play against the Cardinals on Sunday, the team announced. He could reportedly return to the field in two weeks if Los Angeles reaches the playoffs. 

John Wolford is expected to start for the Rams on Sunday. Wolford has never thrown an NFL pass, though he did toss 59 touchdowns in four seasons at Wake Forest from 2014-17. As the Rams look to clinch a playoff berth on Sunday, they'll need a major effort from Wolford in his NFL debut.

Rams head coach Sean McVay told reporters Monday evening that L.A. is planning to sign veteran quarterback Blake Bortles off the Broncos' practice squad. McVay says Bryce Perkins will back up Wolford on Sunday.

Los Angeles enters Week 17 seeking its third playoff appearance in the last four seasons. McVay's squad will reach the postseason with either a win on Sunday or a Packers win over the Bears. The Rams will face Arizona at 4:25 ET on Sunday, the same time as Green Bay's matchup with Chicago.

Goff has thrown for 3,952 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2020. He is 42–27 as the Rams' starter dating back to 2016. 

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New on SI: Fantasy Football Week 16 Reaction & Week 17 Daily Fantasy Lookahead

​Alvin Kamara played the role of Santa by delivering a ton ​fantasy ​​championships and here is a look back at the Week 16 studs & duds

Tom Brady – Destroys Detroit Defense Over Two Quarters

Tampa Bay secured a Wild Card playoff berth with a 47-7 win against Detroit on Saturday. Brady had a monster performance with 348 pass yards and four touchdowns. Despite playing just two quarters, he finished with 33.40 fantasy points. The Buccaneers are in contention for the top Wild Card spot and host Atlanta in Week 17. Brady will be a mid-range QB1 in

DFS contests at DraftKings.

Deshaun Watson – Another Strong Performance in Houston Loss

Houston lost a fourth straight game, falling 37-31 on the road in Cincinnati, but Watson continues to shine for the Texans. He completed 24-of-33 passes for 324 yards and three touchdowns to finish with 32.00 fantasy points. While a late-game injury needs to be monitored, Watson has a very favorable matchup against Tennessee in Week 17. If healthy, he will be worth his $7,700 DFS price.

Andy Dalton – Season-High Championship Week Numbers

Set up in a prime spot, against the injury-depleted Philadelphia defense, Dalton completed 22-of-33 pass attempts for 377 yards and three touchdowns. With the Monday night game still to be played, his 31.35 fantasy points are the third-highest in Week 16 and set a personal season-high. With a $5,600 Week 17 DFS price, Dalton will be a mid-range QB2 when Dallas visits New York to face the Giants.

Kyler Murray – Held Without a Touchdown by San Francisco

During a rough game for the Arizona offense, Murray was held without a TD for just the second time this season. He completed 31-of-50 passes for 247 yards and one INT. Adding 75 rushing yards somewhat salvaged his day as he finished with 18.85 fantasy points. Murray was injured on the Cardinals' last play of the game but is expected to start when Arizona visits the L.A. Rams in Week 17.

Tua Tagovailoa – Benched in Fourth Quarter Versus Las Vegas

Struggling for most of the game, Tagovailoa was benched in the fourth quarter in favor of Ryan Fitzpatrick. The rookie had a rough start against the porous Las Vegas defense as he posted 94 passing yards and one TD to finish with 9.80 fantasy points. Coach Brian Flores said Tagovailoa would start when Miami visits Buffalo in Week 17. He has a low $5,100 price but is a risky play in DFS contests.

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Alvin Kamara – Monster Championship Weekend Performance

Leading many fantasy owners to their league championship, Kamara racked up 155 yards and six touchdowns on Christmas Day. He added three catches for 17 yards and finished with 56.20 points. That's the second-highest total this season behind Tyreek Hill, who posted 57.90 points in Week 12. New Orleans can earn the lone NFC playoff bye with a Week 17 win in Carolina and a Green Bay loss.

Myles Gaskin – Gashes Raiders For Season-High Fantasy Total

After missing two games due to COVID-19 issues, Gaskin returned to the Miami lineup against the Raiders. He was a huge part of the Dolphins' offense as he posted 87 rushing yards plus caught five passes for 82 yards and two scores. The result was as season-high 33.90 fantasy points. Gaskin will be a high-end RB2 in Week 17 DFS contests at DraftKings when Miami visits Buffalo.

AJ Dillon – Green Bay Rookie Outperforms Veteran Aaron Jones

Not what most fantasy players wanted, during championship week, Dillon was the top RB in the Packers' 40-14 win over the Titans. He racked up 25.90 points after posting 129 total yards and two touchdowns. Jones had 108 total yards but did not score, and finished with 12.80 points. Green Bay has a tough Week 17 matchup in Chicago as the Bears have allowed just 10 rushing touchdowns.

David Johnson – Continues Late Season Fantasy Scoring Surge

After posting a season-high 24.30 fantasy points last week, Johnson topped that with 28.90 points in Week 16. Ignored by many fantasy players, Johnson recorded 128 rushing yards and one TD. Houston hosts Tennessee to close their season in Week 17. The Titans defense allows 394.3 yards per game, and Johnson is priced at $6,800 in the NFL $3M Fantasy Football Millionaire contest at DraftKings.

Dalvin Cook – Quick Start Ends With Disappointing Finish

Following a quick start, with 10.20 points during the Vikings' first drive against New Orleans, Cook finished with a disappointing 16.50 total points. That's his third-lowest total over 14 starts. Minnesota was eliminated from the playoffs following a 52-33 loss to the Saints. It's difficult to know how much Cook will play in Week 17, but he has a great matchup against the terrible Detroit defense.

Josh Jacobs – Late Slide Backfires on Las Vegas Raiders

Fantasy players were fuming on Saturday after Jacobs chose to slide down rather than take a walk-in TD with under a minute to play against the Dolphins. It was a costly decision as Miami was able to kick a last-second field goal and eliminated the Raiders from the playoffs with a 26-25 victory. Jacobs was a fantasy bust as he finished with 6.90 points. The Raiders visit Denver to close out their season.

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Davante Adams – Takes Over as Top Fantasy Wide Receiver

Dashing through the snow in Green Bay and the porous Tennessee pass defense, Adams delivered during championship weekend. He caught 11-of-12 targets for 142 yards and three touchdowns. Adams finishes as the leading fantasy receiver with 343.80 points over 13 games. Green Bay earns the lone NFC playoff bye with a win against Chicago, so Adams will be an excellent starter in Week 17 DFS contests.

Mike Evans – Records Career-High Touchdown Receptions

Racking up a season-high 40.10 fantasy points, Evans hauled in 10 passes for 181 yards and two touchdowns. He now has 13 TD catches this season. That surpasses the team record 12 TD receptions he had in 2014 and 2016. Evans has a favorable Week 17 matchup when Tampa Bay hosts Atlanta, who have allowed 30 TD passes this season. He caught six passes for 110 yards against the Falcons in Week 15.

Michael Gallup – Posts Season-High Fantasy Points Against Philadelphia

Rewarding patient fantasy owners, Gallop caught six passes for 121 yards and two touchdowns during the Cowboys' 37-17 win over the Eagles. After recording just 17.90 total points during the first two weeks of the fantasy playoffs - Gallop finished with a season-high 30.10 points during championship weekend. He has WR2 potential when Dallas visits New York to battle the Giants in Week 17.

Tyreek Hill – Another Disappointing Championship Week Performance

For the second year in a row, Hill left his fantasy owners wanting more during championship week. Kansas City played Chicago in Week 16 last season, and Hill posted 12.70 points. He dipped lower this year as he caught four passes for 65 yards and had just 10.50 points in a prime matchup against Atlanta. The Chiefs have locked up the top seed in the AFC, so Hill should be avoided in Week 17.

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Irv Smith Jr. – Leads All Week 16 Tight Ends With 23.30 Fantasy Points

Delivering on Christmas Day, Smith caught six passes for 53 yards and two touchdowns during the Vikings' 52-33 loss to the Saints. Kyle Rudolph inactive the last three straight games - Smith has filled the void with 153 yards and three touchdowns. He is poised to take over as the top TE in Minnesota next season. He is set up for a strong finish when the Vikings visit Detroit in Week 17.

Jimmy Graham – Helps Keep Wild Card Playoff Hopes Alive in Chicago

An unlikely Week 16 fantasy stud, Graham caught four passes for 69 yards and two scores during the Bears' 41-17 win in Jacksonville. Graham finished with 22.90 points and almost exceeded the 23.00 points he posted in his previous five games combined. Temper expectations when Chicago hosts Green Bay in Week 17. The Packers have allowed just five tight end touchdowns this season.

Travis Kelce – Record-Setting Game Helps Chiefs Clinch Top AFC Seed

Capping a record-setting season, Kelce caught seven passes for 98 yards and one TD during the Chiefs' 17-14 win over Atlanta. Kelce set career highs with 1,416 receiving yards, 105 receptions, and 11 touchdowns. He moved past George Kittle, who set the NFL single-season TE record with 1,377 yards in 2018. DFS players should avoid Kelce in Week 17 as he won't play much against the Chargers.

Darren Waller – Finishes Second Overall in Tight End Scoring

Adding to his impressive totals, Waller caught five passes for 112 yards during the Raiders' 26-25 loss to Miami. He finished second behind Kelce (314.80) with 253.90 points in season-long PPR leagues. Career-high goals are still within reach as he needs two catches to reach 100 and 67 yards to surpass the 1,145 receiving yards he posted last year. He is a solid DFS play in Week 17 against Denver.

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New on SI: 2020: The Year We Lost Kobe and Gigi, Sayers and Seaver, Maradona and On and On...

Let us celebrate those departed—and consider a bit of historic perspective—at the end of a punishing year.

Until last March, the numerical shorthand for annus horribilis was 1968. That year saw not only a bitterly contested presidential election, racial unrest in the streets and athletes being ostracized for publicly protesting injustice, but also the assassinations of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy, and an escalation of the war in Vietnam.

Through it all, sports persevered, giving weary citizens something to take their minds off the awful events unfolding around them on what seemed like a daily basis. “I always turn to the sports section first,” Chief Justice Earl Warren said that summer. “The sports page records man’s accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man’s failures.”

Consider Oct. 6, 1968—four days after Mexican forces killed 300-plus people who were protesting the Mexico City Olympics and 10 days before John Carlos and Tommie Smith raised their fists in Black Power salutes on the medal stand. That Sunday afternoon was a banner day for sports fans sitting on their couches. (The only drawback: These were pre-remote days, so changing the channel necessitated a trip across the den—or a willing and capable child.)

On NBC, the Tigers were hosting the Cardinals in Game 4 of the World Series. The pitching matchup was sublime: Detroit’s Denny McLain, winner of 31 games in the regular season, against St. Louis’s Bob Gibson, who had struck out 17 in the series opener. But visions of a classic pitchers’ duel vanished with the game’s second pitch, a McLain fastball that Cardinals leadoff hitter Lou Brock pounded through the rain into the Tiger Stadium upper deck.

St. Louis had a 4–0 lead in the third when umpires called for the tarp. McLain hit the showers. Gibson retired to the clubhouse, where he ate three or four ice cream cones during the 74-minute break. (“If the delay had been longer, I would have eaten a dozen,” he wrote in his column for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch the next day.) When the game resumed, Gibson retook the mound and reminded people what made him the most dominant power pitcher of his day, striking out 10, scattering five hits and swatting a solo homer for good measure.

Brock added a triple, a double and a stolen base, equaling the career mark for World Series steals (14) in just his 18th Fall Classic game. He would finish the seven-game series with 13 hits in 28 at bats, a .464 average.

The only Tigers hitter who touched Gibson twice that afternoon was Hall of Famer Al Kaline, who would finally win his first World Series, in his 16th season with Detroit, four days later, when the Tigers completed their comeback from a 3–1 deficit. The pair of hits Kaline got off Gibson were two of his 11 in the series, which he finished with a .379 average, two homers and eight RBIs. (“It’s been my greatest year in baseball,” Kaline wrote in his own column, in the Detroit Free Press. “I’ll never forget it.”)

Gibson against the Tigers in October 1968.

While Gibson was busy mowing down the Tigers, over on CBS’s NFL game, the 3–0 Colts were home in Baltimore trying to extend their perfect start against the Bears. Baltimore and its 38-year-old coach, Don Shula, were hungry, coming off a season in which they went 11-1-2 and still missed the playoffs on a tiebreaker.

Standing in their way was a Chicago team that relied heavily on one man for offense: Gale Sayers, who provided the first fireworks of that 1968 game in the second quarter when the slippery halfback took a handoff at his own 41 and—running with the ball in one hand, like a loaf of bread—scampered right, found himself hemmed in, stopped on a blade of grass and turned upfield, accelerating for a 59-yard touchdown as five Colts defenders overran him. “We thought we figured their game; give the ball to Sayers,” said Shula. “And he didn’t disappoint us. On the one play I thought we had him contained better than at any other time, he goes for the works.”

It was peak Sayers, one of the best big-play backs ever to suit up. His 1968 season was cut short a month later when he tore ligaments in his right knee. When he went down, he was leading the league in yards per carry (6.2) and rushing yards per game (95.1). The Bears went into a skid without him, losing to the Packers by one point in their season finale, a game they needed to win to make the playoffs.

On that October day, though, even with Sayers the Bears were no match for the Colts, who came back to win 28–7. Shula’s unbeaten run would end with a 30–20 loss to the Browns in Week 6, but it was the only blemish on Baltimore’s 14-game regular season. (Shula got his revenge on Cleveland in the NFL championship game; alas, Joe Namath’s Jets were waiting in the Super Bowl.)

To be sure, there were other games on October 6, 1968, that didn’t make headlines, let alone get broadcast on national television. In Greenville, S.C., for instance, Baltimore Bullets center Wes Unseld, the second pick of the ’68 NBA draft, fouled out of a preseason game against the Hawks after scoring just 13 points and missing 12 of 17 shots in front of a paltry crowd of 1,500. Watching him play that night, it might have been hard to predict that Unseld would become just the second—and most recent—player to win the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award as a rookie.

Gibson. Brock. Kaline. Shula. Sayers. Unseld. They were all legends in their respective sports and they all provided proverbial bright spots throughout that brutal year. And they all died within six months of each other in 2020.

Of course, not every sports luminary who passed away this year was of that same vintage. Before the global coronavirus pandemic set in (taking the lives of such performers as Tom Dempsey, who for almost 45 years held the record for the NFL’s longest field goal), the biggest story of the year was arguably the death of 41-year-old Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter, Gigi, in a helicopter crash. And throughout the year—as in every year—figures from all over the sports world left us.

Maybe the parallel between 1968 and 2020 shouldn’t be completely ignored, though. As grim as the world might have seemed that afternoon 52 Octobers ago, the people who held the attention of so many fans did go on to greater things. Shula got his perfect season five years later. Brock broke Ty Cobb’s career stolen base record. Kaline got his 3,000th hit. The following year brought one of the great feel-good stories in all of sports history when Tom Seaver (who died this August) led the Miracle Mets to the World Series championship.

Sports perseveres. Memories last. And every given day—no matter how dreary it may seem—provides us fleeting moments of brilliance, to be appreciated and savored for years.

***

The list of sporting deaths in 2020 is long; this tally is far from exhaustive. These are the stars whose lives we chronicled over the years in SPORTS ILLUSTRATED’s pages:

DON LARSEN
August 7, 1929 – Jan. 1, 2020
Two years after going 3–21 with the Orioles, he threw the only perfect game in postseason history, blanking the Brooklyn Dodgers in Game 5 of the 1956 World Series for the Yankees.

DAVID STERN
September 9,1942 – January 1, 2020
In three decades as NBA commissioner, Stern embraced the game’s stars, broadening its appeal and growing the league into a global empire.

SAM WYCHE
January 5, 1945 – January 2, 2020
One of the first coaches to embrace the no-huddle offense, the outspoken Wyche was known for leading the Bengals to Super Bowl XXIII and dissing his team’s in-state rivals, the Browns, over the P.A. during a game in 1989.

KOBE BRYANT
August 23, 1978 – January 26, 2020
Three years into his retirement, the Black Mamba was settling into his second act as a children’s content creator and doting father when he was killed in a helicopter crash.

GIGI BRYANT
May 1, 2006 – January 26, 2020
Kobe’s daughter, who died alongside him, seemed well on her way to following in her dad’s footsteps as a dominant baller, making an impact on many of the older players and coaches she touched.

MICKEY WRIGHT
February 14, 1935 – February 17, 2020
The World Golf Hall of Famer won 82 tournaments, including 13 majors, and she was described by a rival as “our Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Tiger Woods, Nancy Lopez all rolled into one.”

AL KALINE
December 19, 1934 – April 6, 2020
Mr. Tiger played in 18 All-Star Games, finishing his career with more than 3,000 hits. He played a key role in Detroit’s 1968 World Series win, knocking in the go-ahead runs late in Game 5 and finishing with a team-high eight RBIs.

DON SHULA
January 4, 1930 – May 4, 2020
The winningest coach in NFL history (347 victories, counting the playoffs, in 33 seasons) is also the only man to guide his team (the 1972 Dolphins) through a perfect season. As a player, he picked off 21 passes in 73 games.

PHYLLIS GEORGE
June 25, 1949 – May 14, 2020
The groundbreaking broadcaster spent years in the 1970s as a host of The NFL Today on CBS and also covered horse racing.

JERRY SLOAN
March 28, 1942, 1935 – May 22, 2020
A tenacious guard for the Bulls, Sloan twice lost to his former team in the NBA Finals as coach of the Jazz, the team he guided to 15 straight winning seasons, earning himself a place in the Hall. 

WES UNSELD
March 14, 1946 – June 2, 2020
Though he stood just 6' 7", Unseld was the prototypical center, a ferocious rebounder (14.0 per game over 13 NBA seasons) who set jarring picks but had the deft touch required to start countless fast breaks with perfect outlet passes.

JIM KIICK
August 9, 1946 – June 20, 2020
A power runner and adept pass catcher, Kiick teamed with Larry Csonka on Don Shula’s Dolphins. The two were so inseparable they became known as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and were the subject of a made-for-TV movie.

JOHN THOMPSON
September 2, 1941 – August 30, 2020
A two-time NBA champ as a player with the Celtics, Thompson turned around a moribund Georgetown team as a coach, stalking the sidelines with a towel on his shoulder and a scowl on his face while working tirelessly to offer opportunities to young Black athletes.

TOM SEAVER
November 17, 1944 – August 31, 2020
Tom Terrific was SI’s Sportsperson of the Year in 1969, when he led the Miracle Mets to the world championship. At the time of his Hall of Fame induction in ’92, Seaver (who died of complications from Lewy body dementia and COVID-19) received the highest percentage of votes in that institution’s history.

LOU BROCK
June 18, 1939 – September 6, 2020
Acquired by the Cardinals from the Cubs in what might be baseball’s most notorious trade, the speedy outfielder led the league in steals eight times in nine years, including a then record 118 in 1974. You can’t steal first, though: Brock retired with 3,023 hits.

GALE SAYERS
May 30, 1943 – September 23, 2020
The record holder for touchdowns in a game (six) was one of the shiftiest runners ever, but he’s just as well-known for his relationship with his teammate Brian Piccolo, which became the basis of the movie Brian’s Song.

BOB GIBSON
November 9, 1935 – October 2, 2020
The imposing righty’s 1968 ERA of 1.12 remains the lowest in the live-ball era. That came the year after the future Hall of Famer had three complete-game wins in the World Series as the Cardinals took the title in seven, over the Red Sox.

WHITEY FORD
October 21, 1929 – October 8, 2020
The Bronx Bombers were known for their bats, but the Chairman of the Board was the one constant on the hill. He won six World Series rings between 1950 and ’62 and is still the Yankees’ career leader in wins, with 236.

JOE MORGAN
September 19, 1943 – November 11, 2020
Though he stood just 5' 7", the second baseman made the Big Red Machine run, winning back-to-back MVPs in 1975 and ’76, the same years he led Cincinnati to championships.

PAUL HORNUNG
December 23, 1935 – November 13, 2020
The Golden Boy won a Heisman Trophy (he was the only player from a losing team—2–8 Notre Dame, in 1956—to do so) and an NFL MVP award, all the while earning a reputation as the life of the party.

DIEGO MARADONA
October 30, 1960 – November 25, 2020
A joint-winner of the FIFA Player of the Century award, the midfielder led Argentina to the World Cup in 1986, beating England along the way with two iconic goals: the Hand of God and a mazy run through the Three Lions’ defense that was voted the Goal of the Century.

DICK ALLEN
March 8, 1942 – December 7, 2020
The wildly underrated, fiery slugger missed out on the AL triple crown by 10 points (six hits) in 1972, one of the seven seasons in which he was an All-Star.

K.C. JONES
May 25, 1932 – December 25, 2020
Before becoming the second (and most recent) Black head coach to win multiple NBA titles—two with the Celtics—the ragged defender collected eight rings in nine seasons as a player for Boston. He also won a pair of NCAA championships at San Francisco and an Olympic gold medal.

PHIL NIEKRO
April 1, 1939 – December 26, 2020
Known for his longevity, the knuckleballer, who pitched until he was 48, was one of the most dominant pitchers in the NL in the 1970s, with six straight seasons of at least a 6.7 WAR for the Braves. He finished his career with 318 wins and 3,342 strikeouts.

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New on SI: The 2020 NFC East's 'Greatest' Hits: A Compilation to Make You Laugh, Cry and Cringe

The NFL's worst division provided us with a mix of laughs, pain and second-hand embarrassment this season.

The NFC East is like a gritty alt-country song that’s too upsetting to be entirely believable. Sunday alone was a tour de force of significant missed officiating calls, rudderless blowouts, and yes, the wayward quarterback who has bounced from mask-less adult entertainment escapade to redemptive opportunity to sitting on the bench behind a man named Taylor Heinicke. The NFL should take a page from

Jason Isbell’s book and eliminate the overkill. Subtlety is king (and so is Isbell).

With the Eagles’ loss officially eliminating them from contention, we are one merciless weekend away from crowning the most anticipated (by their opening-round opponent) divisional champion in recent memory. And Philly-Washington has been flexed into prime time anyway, so we can all see how this season's saddest story concludes together. The scenarios are as such ...

The Washington Football Team will win the division with a victory over the Eagles on Sunday in Philadelphia (Washington also has no idea who will be starting at quarterback). If the Eagles defeat Washington, the winner of the Giants-Cowboys game earlier in the day at MetLife Stadium will be crowned the division winner.

For once, something neat and tidy. But as we approach the end of the year, it feels like the ending is not befitting of the utter chaos we endured for the better part of this season. That’s why, in the spirit of every end-of-year listicle you’ll be reading from here until the end of 2020 (and likely the beginning of 2021), here are some of the NFC East’s greatest hits of the year.

• In 2020, Carson Wentz went from trendy MVP candidate to backing up Jalen Hurts at the end of the year. Nearly the entire Eagles’ roster sustained some type of injury, initially forcing Wentz into the Sisyphean task of piloting the offense with Travis Fulgham as his No. 1 wide receiver (this is not a slight on Fulgham, by the way, who had a fine year). Over time, Doug Pederson became less and less committal to Wentz before shifting to Jalen Hurts for a “spark” amid a blowout loss to the Packers. What was once a change-of-pace package became a semipermanent fixture in Philadelphia that will complicate matters for months to come. Wentz, reportedly, does not want to remain in Philadelphia as a backup. His contract is (relatively) immovable. So it goes.

• Daniel Jones began the year on a similar redemptive arc. The two distinct camps on Jones—one that believes the Giants mistakenly reached for an Eli Manning avatar and one that believes Jones has the arm talent that Dave Gettleman has gushed about for two years now—both have fair points, which is why it’s enjoyable to watch them devour one another whole. His statistical campaign was not remarkable—heading into Sunday’s loss to Baltimore: 2,462 yards, eight touchdowns, nine interceptions, 62.1% completion rate, minus-0.9 completion percentage above expectation—but he has been brilliant in several small windows, leading some to believe that with a more dependable wide receiver set, a healthy Saquon Barkley and a more creative force at offensive coordinator, he could be a valuable asset in the future. However, all of that is irrelevant in the face of one of the most profound moments of 2020. Daniel Jones, in a primetime Thursday Night Football game, reached a top speed of more than 21 miles per hour on a breakaway zone read run that ended in a spectacular stumble. That run was faster than any breakaway run from Lamar Jackson this year. Life is weird.

• The second year of the Dwayne Haskins era in Washington got off to a rocky start after Ron Rivera signed Kyle Allen and hesitated to throw any weight behind the idea that Haskins was a long-term starter. Washington’s first three weeks of the season felt more like performance theater from Rivera—see, I told you he wasn’t the guy—than anything else. And then Haskins was benched for Kyle Allen. And then Kyle Allen got hurt, giving way to the return of Alex Smith (a remarkable story in its own right). And then Alex Smith got hurt, handing the football back to Haskins. And then Haskins, last week alone, was fined $40,000 for his breach of COVID-19 protocol (being maskless in the company of a dancer), stripped of the captain’s C on his jersey and benched after Washington was beat up by a similarly middling Panthers team, forcing Washington to play its way into the postseason next week.

• Here’s a list of some people who started games at quarterback in the NFC East this year:

Kyle Allen ...

Andy Dalton ...

Ben “The Nooch” DiNucci ...

Garrett Gilbert ...

Colt McCoy ...

Jalen Hurts ...

Taylor Heinicke? ... We don't know yet. He replaced Dwayne Haskins in Week 16, and we'll have to see what Ron Rivera has planned if Alex Smith isn't ready to go next week.

The Weak-Side Podcast now has its own feed! Subscribe to listen to Conor Orr and Jenny Vrentas every week. 

• Mike McCarthy began the season by admitting he kind of lied to Jerry Jones about all the work he’d done the previous season to retool his coaching philosophy to the modern game and then proceeded to do none of the things he promised he would. Then, he turned the season around by smashing a watermelon in front of his players.

• McCarthy’s defensive coordinator, Mike Nolan, rubbed Tabasco sauce in his eyes during a live interview.

• Giants head coach Joe Judge told his players to forget about Christmas. He made his players run laps and got a bunch of thirsty analysts mad. Then he had his players tape tennis balls to their hands. (For the record, I loved all of this).

• Ron Rivera could have already gotten his team in the playoffs had he not tried to go for two to beat the Giants in regulation back in mid-October. He rationalized the move by saying Washington was a young team just learning how to win. Then, he benched Haskins the second it seemed like Washington could actually win the NFC East.

• Doug Pederson punted with seconds remaining in overtime, allowing the Bengals to run out the clock and earn themselves a tie instead of playing aggressively for a win. He defended the decision after the game but said the next day that he regretted it.

It’s wild that this doesn’t even scratch the surface. This is just a number of the greatest hits. This year’s NFC East could wind up with more compilations than the (equally insufferable) musical Eagles.

But, like so many other things that happened this year, it all makes a twisted kind of sense. Long live the NFC East. What are we going to do when one of these teams actually wins a playoff game? 

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