Monday, January 19, 2026

NFL winners, losers: Bears' magic runs out

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Mon Jan 19 2026

Winners and losers of NFL playoffs' divisional round: Bears' magic runs out

Caleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears and Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams embrace following the NFC Divisional Playoffs game at Soldier Field on January 18, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois.

From Texans QB C.J. Stroud's implosion to the Rams regrouping against the Bears in overtime, the NFL playoffs' divisional round had plenty of twists.

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Indiana wide receiver E.J. Williams (7) celebrates a first down against Ohio State during the 2025 Big Ten championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.

Indiana or Miami? Our expert predictions for the CFP title game

The college football season is down to Indiana and Miami. Who will win the CFP title game? Our experts make their picks.

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Fernando Mendoza #15 of the Indiana Hoosiers reacts after a touchdown against the Oregon Ducks during the fourth quarter of the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 09, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.

2026 NFL mock draft: CFP stars up high in latest first-round projection

Fernando Mendoza and Rueben Bain Jr. are the stars of the CFP title game, and they're sure to become fixtures of 2026 NFL mock drafts soon.

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Jan 18, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) throws a pass during warmups before an NFC Divisional Round game against the Los Angeles Rams at Soldier Field.

Caleb Williams explains OT interception aiming for DJ Moore

The Chicago Bears pushed the Los Angeles Rams to overtime in the NFC divisional round. Here's what Caleb Williams said about his crucial interception.

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Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) warms up before an AFC Divisional Round game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Jan. 18, 2026.

Troy Aikman questions C.J. Stroud after playoff disaster vs. Patriots

C.J. Stroud struggled badly during the Texans' 28-16 loss to the Patriots and Troy Aikman wondered aloud about the young QB's development.

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Texas quarterback Arch Manning (16) is tackled by Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese (8) tackles in the second quarter of their game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on Aug 30, 2025.

SEC, Big Ten dominate college football too-early top 25 for 2026 season

The book on the 2025 college football season is almost closed but it's time to forecast next year's top contenders with our too-early top 25 rankings.

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Los Angeles Rams placekicker Harrison Mevis (92) reacts with teammates after kicking the game-winning, 42-yard field goal against the Chicago Bears during overtime of an NFC Divisional Round game at Soldier Field in Chicago on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026.

Rams' experience trumps Bears' late-game magic in NFC playoffs

The Los Angeles Rams picked off Caleb Williams in OT to advance to the NFC Championship Game, their experience trumping the Bears' late-game heroics.

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Ja'Quan McMillian #29 of the Denver Broncos intercepts a pass intended for Brandin Cooks #18 of the Buffalo Bills during overtime in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Empower Field At Mile High on January 17, 2026 in Denver, Colorado.

Sorry, Bills. It's not the NFL without officiating controversy

After the NFL regular season was spiced by debate over calls made or missed by the officials, it's only natural for the playoffs to have such drama.

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Houston Texans linebacker Azeez al-Shaair (0) leaves the field following a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on Dec. 27, 2025, in Inglewood, California.

Texans LB reacts to NFL fine for eye black message

"I knew that that was a fine," Azeez Al-Shaair of the Houston Texans said of wearing the message on his eye black during a Jan. 12 playoff game.

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USA TODAY Sports has crafted a hardcover children's book previewing the Milan and Cortina Winter Games. It is called "Chasing Gold: A Kid's Guide to the 2026 Winter Olympics."

The perfect gift: USA TODAY's kid's guide to the 2026 Winter Olympics

"Chasing Gold: A Kid's Guide to the 2026 Winter Olympics" from USA TODAY will transform screen time into story time with this colorful hardcover book.

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