For Diego Pavia, December should have marked the start of a carefully orchestrated four-month march to the NFL draft.

The Vanderbilt quarterback had already positioned himself as a Heisman Trophy finalist after leading his school to its first 10-win season. Along the way, he established himself as one of the most dynamic playmakers in college football, totaling more than 4,000 combined yards and 36 touchdowns on the year. Though his pro prospects lagged significantly behind those of his peers at the ceremony in New York, Pavia earlier in the week accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl, where he would try to build the case that he possesses the necessary tools to be a trustworthy passer whom a team could bring along.

Then came the massive unforced error.

After finishing second in Heisman voting to Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza on Saturday, Pavia reposted a picture of himself in front of Vanderbilt’s offensive line, writing ‘(Expletive)-ALL THE VOTERS’ with a thumbs down emoji and ‘BUT … FAMILY FOR LIFE.’ A video also circulated on social media of Pavia at a club giving the middle finger to a sign that read ‘(expletive) INDIANA.’

The blowback arrived as swiftly as an SEC defensive end barreling down on him. On Sunday, he posted a lengthy apology.

‘To be so close to my dream and come up short was painful,’ Pavia wrote. ‘I didn’t handle those emotions well at all and did not represent myself the way I wanted to. I have much love and respect for the Heisman voters and the selection process, and I apologize for being disrespectful.’

That’s the first of what is sure to be many forthcoming statements of contrition from the quarterback, who likely will be pressed throughout the pre-draft process about his reaction. And while to suggest that this action somehow tanks his stock would be insincere, the misstep serves as another impediment on what already looked like a rather arduous path to the pros.

If Pavia was at least somewhat close to Mendoza – an almost surefire top-five pick and potential front-runner for the No. 1 overall slot – in his draft standing, the incident might be easy to dismiss. But the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award winner is a long way off from that.

Pavia’s height, play style already work against pro prospects

Listed at 6-foot-0, Pavia is sure to cause a stir with his measurements in Mobile, Alabama, given that multiple reports say he might not even clear 5-10. The reckless, structure-breaking playing style that sparked his star turn for the Commodores isn’t particularly tenable at the pro level. And the developmental label given to raw, young prospects might not stick for a passer who will be 24 on draft day.

Despite his progress this season, Pavia still has the profile of a late-round pick or even an undrafted free agent.

Pavia now is on notice to present a more polished and palatable version of himself to the myriad coaches and front-office types he’s sure to meet in the coming months. But it will be difficult for him to convince evaluators that this was a mere lapse in judgment. While at New Mexico State, Pavia urinated on the logo in the middle of rival New Mexico’s practice field. And while his brash persona helped amplify his accomplishments to elevate Vanderbilt football to a much larger stage, his repeated antics might not sit well with NFL teams looking for a more humble presence to round out their depth chart.

‘Diego knows his actions were unacceptable and he has apologized,’ athletic director Candice Lee said in a statement to The Tennessean and the USA TODAY Network on Dec. 15. ‘I know he is contrite and regrets the hurt he caused. He is a passionate and authentic competitor, and while his authenticity has been nurtured and celebrated here, it does not change the responsibility that comes with representing Vanderbilt University.’

If Pavia is able to convey his competitive fire properly, he’d likely have a captive audience in many NFL coaching staffs. There’s an undeniable allure to an undersized player who worked himself up from the junior college ranks to starring in the SEC, especially while working alongside a group that often was operating at a perceived talent deficit in many of its matchups. Senior Bowl director of football operations Jack Gilmore told AL.com that despite Pavia’s frame, he ‘has everything you want in a quarterback’ and ‘one of the best competitors in the entire draft class.’

Underdog story aside, Pavia’s Heisman heel turn won’t play with NFL execs

For better or worse, the underdog ethos comes through in all of Pavia’s actions.

‘I’ve been doubted my whole life,’ Pavia said in his apology. ‘Every step of my journey I’ve had to break down doors and fight for myself, because I’ve learned that nothing would be handed to me. My family has always been in my corner, and my teammates, coaches and staff have my six. I love them – I am grateful for them. – and I wouldn’t want anything to distract from that.’

Perhaps this is the start of a course correction for someone who will need to compartmentalize his inner motivations with his public-facing actions. Any NFL decision-maker who wants Pavia to maintain his edge still might expect him to sublimate his energy into behavior that won’t necessitate an apology tour.

And as the cases of Shedeur Sanders and several others have shown, NFL teams want neither hero nor heel from young quarterbacks who begin their career on the bench.

Pavia already was under pressure to show he won’t try to skew heavily toward the former label after a college career in which he frequently went his own way. Now he’ll have to show he won’t revert to the latter category, either.

(This story was updated to add a video.)

Behind a 100-yard rushing performance from quarterback Quinn Henicle and a five-turnover performance from its defense, the Monarchs defeated South Florida 24-10 in the Cure Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, on Wednesday, Dec. 17.

In just his second career start, Henicle struggled as a passer, going 11-of-25 for 127 yards, but dominated on the ground with 24 rushes for 107 yards and two touchdowns. He picked up a 51-yard touchdown with just over two minutes remaining to ice the 10th win of the season for ODU.

Henicle earned the start after starting quarterback Colton Joseph announced his intention to transfer.

USF, without its own starting quarterback, Byrum Brown, and head coach Alex Golesh ― who is headed to Auburn ― struggled to run the ball and turned the ball over five times against the Old Dominion defense.

The Bulls finished with 35 rushes for 52 yards, averaging just 1.5 yards per carry, with a long run of 12 yards. They also turned the ball over five times, including throwing four interceptions and losing a fumble.

Gaston Moore was forced from the game in the fourth quarter after he hit his head on the turf. He did not return, which meant true freshman Locklan Hewlett was thrown into the fire. Moore finished 20-of-28 passing for 236 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, while Hewlett was 7-of-12 passing for 45 yards and an interception.

Two of the three losses for ODU this season came against teams in the College Football Playoff field ― Indiana and James Madison.

South Florida held a 10-7 halftime lead, but was outscored 17-0 in the second half.

USA TODAY Sports brought you live updates, scores and highlights from the game. Check it out.

Old Dominion vs South Florida score

Old Dominion vs South Florida highlights

Old Dominion-South Florida score: Monarchs 24, Bulls 10 (Final)

Old Dominion-South Florida final stats

Daevon Iles picks off Locklan Hewlett

Daevon Iles picks off a pass near the end zone from Locklan Hewlett and that should do it. It’s the fifth turnover of the game for the Bulls, which led to seven points for the Monarchs.

Quinn Henicle scores a 51-yard touchdown

Quinn Henicle takes a QB keeper and goes 51 yards for a touchdown to extend the Old Dominion lead to 24-10 with 2:24 left in the game.

Henicle has 107 yards and two rushing touchdowns on 24 attempts. He had a 16-yard run on third-and-5, which helped take more time off the clock one play earlier.

The scoring drive is four plays for 57 yards and takes 1:15 off the game clock.

USF fake punt pass intercepted

Trailing by seven points and time winding down, USF attempts a fake punt, but Jerome Carter picks off a pass from Chase Leon. The Monarchs take over from their own 28-yard line following an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

Nathanial Eichner misses field goal wide left

Old Dominion misses a chance at a nail in the coffin with Eichner missing a 36-yard field goal. The score remains 17-10 with 5:54 left in the game. The Bulls will take over on their own 18-yard line.

Christian Neptune muffs punt

Christian Neptune muffs a punt that goes off a teammate’s arm from Old Dominion, with USF is about to get the ball back with a chance to tie it. Old Dominion will take over on the Bulls’ 38-yard line with a chance to extend the lead.

Locklan Hewlett in for Gaston Moore

Freshman Locklan Hewlett is in with Gaston Moore out of the game. He is a true freshman and the third-string QB for USF.

Gaston Moore down following long pass to JeyQuan Smith

Gaston Moore is down on the field with the USF medical staff examining him after he completes a pass to Jeyquan Smith. Moore was hit late by an ODU defender and appeared to hit his head on the turf.

His offensive line immediately motioned for the medical team to come out. Moore walked off the field under his own power.

End of third quarter: Old Dominion 17, South Florida 10

Old Dominion holds a 17-10 lead over USF through three quarters in the Cure Bowl. The Bulls will face a fourth-and-5 from the ODU 39-yard line when the fourth quarter commences.

Nathanial Eichner field goal extends ODU lead

Eichner hits a 24-yard field goal to extend the Old Dominion lead to 17-10 with 3:27 left in the third quarter.

The scoring drive is 10 plays for 73 yards and takes 4:13 off the game clock.

De’Shawn Rucker ejected for targeting

De’Shawn Rucker is ejected for targeting on his hit on Quinn Henicle, which keeps the ball with Old Dominion at the USF 9-yard line.

Henicle remains in the game.

Quinn Henicle loses fumble, hurt on rushing attempt

Quinn Henicle loses a fumble following a 12-yard rush. He was hit on the play and is down on the field with an injury.

However, the play is under review for targeting.

Nico Gramatica misses second field goal

Nico Gramatica misses his second field goal of the game, with this coming from 39 yards out. The kick is missed wide left. Gramatica also missed a kick from 48 yards out earlier in the game. He made a 28-yard field goal in the first quarter.

Gramatica entered the game 17-of-21 on his kicks this season.

Trequan Jones gives Old Dominion lead

Facing a third-and-7, running back Trequan Jones finds a big hole after cutting and takes it 22 yards to give Old Dominion a 14-10 lead with 10:06 left in the third quarter.

The scoring drive is three plays for 25 yards and takes 38 seconds off the clock, coming off the interception from Jerome Carter.

Jerome Carter intercepts Gaston Moore

Gaston Moore throws inaccurately and safety Jerome Carter intercepts his pass. Carter returns the interception for 26 yards to the USF 25-yard line.

Old Dominion begins second half of Cure Bowl on offense

After deterring the decision to possess the ball on the coin toss, Old Dominion will begin the second half on offense. The Monarchs trail South Florida 10-7 after one half of play.

Halftime: South Florida 10, Old Dominion 7

Old Dominion-South Florida halftime stats

Old Dominion turns ball over on botched snap on field goal

Ian Brandt cannot handle the snap on a field goal attempt that would have tied the game at 10-10 at the end of the first half. Instead, Old Dominion does not score and the game will be 10-7 at halftime.

That stalls a drive that went 14 plays for 56 yards and gave the Monarchs the chance to take the lead or tie the game going into halftime.

Earlier in the drive, Quinn Henicle missed a wide-open tight end in the end zone that would have given Old Dominion the lead.

Brandon Crutchfield picks off Gaston Moore

With USF driving, Gaston Moore sails a pass, and it is picked off by Old Dominion’s Brandon Crutchfield with 3:23 left in the first half. The Monarchs begin the drive from their own 20 following an 11-yard return.

Jeremiah Koger TD catch gives USF lead

Gaston Moore hits freshman receiver Jeremiah Koger for a 31-yard touchdown to give USF a 10-7 lead with 7:24 left in the first half. Moore connected with Koger for a 25-yard play on the play before the touchdown.

The scoring drive is three plays for 55 yards and takes 1:03 off the game clock.

Koger has three receptions for 62 yards and the score, while Moore is 10-of-12 passing for 136 yards.

Nico Gramatica misses 48-yard field goal

Nico Gramatica’s field goal from 48 yards is no good, as it misses wide right. USF’s seven-play, 48-yard drive does not produce any points.

End of first quarter: Old Dominion 7, USF 3

Old Dominion holds a 7-3 lead after the first quarter. Quinn Henicle scores the only touchdown of the opening quarter on a keeper.

The Monarchs outgained USF 116-29 in the quarter, including 65-18 in the air.

Quinn Henicle gives Old Dominion lead in Cure Bowl

Quinn Henicle scores on a QB keeper from 6 yards out to give Old Dominion a 7-3 lead with 42 seconds left in the first quarter. The first-and-goal situation comes after a roughing the passer call on Jahari Grant.

The scoring drive is 10 plays for 75 yards and takes 4:36 off the game clock.

Nico Gramatica field goal gives USF lead

Nico Gramatica hits a 28-yard field goal to give USF a 3-0 lead with 5:18 left in the first quarter. Following the turnover, the Bulls drove the ball to the 10-yard line, but saw the drive stall out.

The scoring drive is eight plays for 31 yards and takes 2:03 off the game clock.

Fred Gaskin returns fumble for USF

Fred Gaskin returns a fumble from Old Dominion QB Quinn Henicle for 22 yards to the Monarchs’ 41-yard line. Jarvis Lee sacked Henicle for a loss of 19 and forced the fumble after ODU drove to the USF 18-yard line and looked poised to take the lead.

Old Dominion turns ball over on downs

Old Dominion goes for it on fourth-and-four from the 26-yard line, but the pass falls incomplete, giving USF the ball back. The Bulls’ defense comes up with a big stop with the Monarchs having a short field.

Kris Trinidad, DeAndre Lynch sack ends USF’s first drive

Kris Trinidad and DeAndre Lynch combine for a sack to force a three-and-out on USF’s opening drive. Following the three-and-out, Devin Roche returns a punt for 48 yards to give the Monarchs the ball at the USF 32-yard line for their first offensive possession.

USF opens Cure Bowl on offense

Old Dominion wins the toss and defers to the second half. USF will receive and ODU will defend the north goal.

Pregame

Quinn Henicle stats

With Colton Joseph opting out of the bowl game and entering the transfer portal, redshirt freshman Quinn Henicle earns the start for Old Dominion. Henicle has attempted 15 passes this season and 40 for his career.

Like Joseph, Henicle provides a dual-threat option for the Monarchs. He averaged 8.2 yards per carry and three touchdowns last season and has averaged 5.1 yards per carry this season.

• 2024: 14-of-25 (56%) passing for 181 yards, two touchdowns and one interception; 34 rushes for 278 yards and three touchdowns
• 2025: 6-of-15 passing (40%) for 57 yards; 20 rushes for 102 yards

Gaston Moore stats

With Byrum Brown opting out of the bowl game, senior signal-caller Gaston Moore will earn the start for South Florida. Moore is 14-of-20 passing for 54 yards and a touchdown this season.

For his career, Moore is 40-of-64 passing for 327 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions in five seasons with Tennessee and USF.

• 2021 (Tennessee): 2-for-2 (100%) passing for six yards
• 2022 (Tennessee): 4-for-5 (80%) passing for 30 yards and an interception
• 2023 (Tennessee): 4-for-10 (40%) passing for 36 yards; Three rushes for four yards
• 2024 (Tennessee): 16-of-27 (59.3%) passing for 201 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions; Three rushes for 18 yards
• 2025 (South Florida): 14-of-20 (70%) for 54 yards and a touchdown; Seven rushes for 12 yards

What channel is Old Dominion vs South Florida on today?

• TV Channel: ESPN
• Livestream:Fubo (free trial)

Old Dominion vs South Florida will broadcast nationally on ESPN for the Cure Bowl. Dave Neal and Fozzy Whittaker will call the game from the booth at Camping World Stadium, with Morgan Uber reporting from the sidelines. Streaming options for the game include Watch ESPN and Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.

Old Dominion vs South Florida time today

• Date: Wednesday, Dec. 17
• Start time: 5 p.m. ET

The Old Dominion vs South Florida game starts at 5 p.m. ET from Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

Old Dominion vs South Florida predictions, picks, odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Wednesday, Dec. 17

• Spread: South Florida (-4)
• Over/under: 53.2 points
• Moneyline: South Florida -190 ∣ Old Dominion +155

Prediction: South Florida 27, Old Dominion 23

This one may end up being lower scoring than anticipated with both teams’ starting quarterbacks having opted out. The Bulls still have more than enough pieces from the nation’s No. 2 scoring offense to get past what’s been a red-hot Monarchs squad.

Michigan interim president Domenico Grasso issued an update regarding former football coach Sherrone Moore’s firing in a video posted to YouTube on Wednesday, Dec. 17.

Grasso, who was named interim president on May 9, said the school is continuing its investigation to uncover any other potential misconduct, not only in the football program but throughout the entire athletic department.

Moore was fired last week for having an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. He was later arrested and charged with felony home invasion of the apartment of the staff member a few hours after his firing. Moore was also charged with misdemeanor stalking and breaking and entering.

“We are continuing the investigation of Coach Moore’s actions to uncover any additional germane and material information and to assess whether there may be related misconduct by others,” Grasso said in the video. “And we will not stop there. We have expanded the Jenner & Block assignment to include an independent evaluation of culture, conduct and procedures throughout our athletics department. In parallel, we are committed to strengthening the functional capacity of our university-wide Ethics, Integrity, and Compliance Office within the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.”

Grasso also mentioned the qualities the school is looking for in its next football coach.

‘We intend to hire an individual who can and will instill that spirit and will represent the highest values that our university holds dear,’ Grasso said. ‘We will hire an individual who is of the highest moral character, and who will serve as a role model and respected leader for the entire football program, and who will, with dignity and integrity, be a fierce competitor.’

The interim president also said the university won’t be distracted by speculation and rumors. Grasso said the university will ‘leave no stone unturned’ in the investigation.

‘Any further action we take will be based on credible evidence and findings developed through a rigorous investigation,’ he said. ‘If the University learns of information through this investigation or otherwise that warrants the termination of any employee, we will act swiftly, just as we did in the case of Coach Moore. I ask that you keep an open mind, allow investigators to do their work, and not make assumptions. I commit to doing the same.”

Michigan’s athletic department has faced a few scandals in recent years, including the firing of Moore. The university was struck with huge fines from the NCAA following an investigation of an advanced sign-stealing operation, which spanned multiple seasons and was led by former staffer Connor Stalions.

Then-head coach Jim Harbaugh, who’s now the head coach of the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers, received 14 years in show-cause penalties, which essentially bars him from ever coaching at the collegiate level again.

‘This is no doubt a challenging time for our community,’ Grasso said. ‘I understand the anger and disillusionment that many in our community may be experiencing, but our core values and principles will be embodied in how we respond to these challenges and will reflect our character.’

• The existing 12-team playoff format works neatly for the Big Ten.
• The Big Ten shot for the moon with some CFP bracket ideas that failed to gain traction. Maybe, that’s the point: Stall, and prolong 12 team format.
• SEC, ACC and Big 12 aligned behind a 16-team plan. Tony Petitti’s conference stood alone in objection.

Short of any evidence proving Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti masterminded this whole thing, let’s call it accidental genius or unintentional brilliance.

Petitti persistently gumming up the works of College Football Playoff expansion has him falling buttocks backward into the perfect playoff format for the Big Ten: the status quo.

The existing 12-team playoff format works neatly for Petitti’s conference.

If the past two seasons prove a reliable guide, the Big Ten would not substantially benefit from the addition of four more at-large playoff bids that increase the bracket to 16 teams.

The first four teams out last year were Alabama, Miami, Mississippi and South Carolina. This year’s sore four were Notre Dame, Brigham Young, Texas and Vanderbilt.

Notice what’s missing from those quartets? Big Ten teams.

No evidence a 16-team playoff would help Big Ten

The SEC, ACC and Big 12 each got on board with a 5+11 playoff model this past offseason that, if approved, would expand the bracket for the 2026 season. The Big Ten stood alone in opposition to the 5+11 plan, with Petitti refusing to add four extra at-large bids or award the CFP selection committee more clout in determining the field.

Petitti countered with other ideas that failed to gain widespread traction, such as play-in games or pre-assigning multiple automatic bids for each of the Power Four conferences. When the Big Ten’s preferred 4+4+2+2+1+3AL format — say that three times quickly — failed to garner necessary support, the conference moved on to blue-sky ideas involving 24 or more teams, bloated with automatic bids.

As Petitti mused aloud at Big Ten media days whether an 8-4 Big Ten making the playoff might be just what this sport needs — a belief to which he alone subscribes — I thought to myself: This man is not serious about CFP expansion. He’s just wasting time.

Perhaps that’s the point. Cook up some never-going-to-happen expansion ideas to create a smokescreen, while the 12-team playoff that works well for the Big Ten marches on in perpetuity.

The Big Ten qualified the most teams, four, in the inaugural 12-team playoff, and Ohio State won the national championship. In this year’s encore, it qualified its top three teams: Indiana, Ohio State and Oregon. The Hoosiers and Buckeyes earned first-round byes, while the Ducks are seeded No. 5.

Yes, this format works for the Big Ten.

Is Big Ten ideating or simply stalling CFP expansion?

The playoff cannot expand or evolve its format without the Big Ten’s agreement, because Petitti’s conference and the SEC remain the two power brokers with the strongest grip on the wheel.

As CFP executive director Rich Clark put it before the season, the Big Ten and SEC failing to align behind a playoff expansion plan would push forward the status quo of 12 teams.

If Petitti’s next proposal involves a 200-team bracket with 19 automatic bids for the Big Ten and nine rounds of play-in games, then we’ll know for certain he’s just running interference to realistic expansion to prolong the current format.

A 5+11 playoff could help the ACC and Big 12 qualify multiple teams with more frequency.

BYU President C. Shane Reese told me in October, “I think the best setup is 16 teams.”

His mood is shared by many.

“The move to 16 should be a priority,” SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said last month.

Along with creating more avenues for the ACC and Big 12, extra at-large bids would help hatch more access for the SEC’s secondary and tertiary tiers.

What would it do for the Big Ten? Zilch, the past two seasons, anyway.

The Big Ten’s crème de la crème is as good or better as that of any conference, including Sankey’s SEC. Move beyond the Big Ten’s top tier, though, and into the messy middle, and the conference lacks the depth of playoff contenders housed in the SEC.

So, Petitti shot for the moon with his auto-bid-focused plan that would pre-assign the same number of automatic bids for the Big Ten as the SEC.

When SEC coaches balked at that idea, the Big Ten pivoted to other far-fetched plans, while refusing to take up the 5+11 proposal.

Perhaps, Petitti’s plans started as a way to try to gain playoff access for 8-4 Iowa or to simply create more TV inventory. But, by now, you can see how maybe the Big Ten’s strategy circuitously morphed into keeping 9-3 Texas out, stalling expansion and preserving the field at 12 teams, a size and shape that works best for the Big Ten.

Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network’s senior national college football columnist. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on X @btoppmeyer.

(This story was updated to add a video.)

Congratulations to the fantasy football managers who survived an injury-riddled first round of the fantasy playoffs in 2025. The hard work will now continue into Week 16, especially for those with Patrick Mahomes on their roster.

It won’t be easy to navigate injuries to Mahomes and other key contributors. Fantasy managers are all in do-or-die mode at this point in the season, so every start ’em, sit ’em decision is of the utmost importance.

And some bold calls – like benching some high-volume running backs in tough matchups for streamers in good ones – might be necessary to earn a coveted spot in the fantasy championship game.

Who can you start and sit in fantasy football for Week 16 of the NFL season? USA TODAY Sports outlines eight players to start and eight to sit.

Fantasy football players to start in Week 16

Quarterbacks

• Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (at Dallas Cowboys)

Herbert has averaged just one passing touchdown per game over his last five starts, but he gets a great matchup in Week 16 against a Cowboys team that has allowed the most fantasy points per game (FPPG) to quarterbacks this season. Dallas just let J.J. McCarthy throw for 250 yards with three total touchdowns and Herbert could post similar numbers.

• C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans (vs. Las Vegas Raiders)

Stroud has averaged 246.3 passing yards per game in three starts since returning from a concussion he suffered against the Broncos. He also just had his second, three-touchdown game of the season against the Cardinals and could be poised for similar output against a Raiders team that has allowed 28.6 points per game over its last five outings.

Running backs

• Michael Carter, Arizona Cardinals (vs. Atlanta Falcons)

The Cardinals lost starting running back Bam Knight to an ankle injury against the Texans. Carter was able to log 14 carries for 56 yards and add four catches for 38 yards against a tough Houston defense. The veteran could be asked to handle a similar workload if Knight can’t play against the Falcons, which would immediately make the 26-year-old a volume-based fantasy flex.

• Devin Neal, New Orleans Saints (vs. New York Jets)

Neal suffered a hamstring injury in the Saints’ Week 15 win over the Panthers, but if he can play in Week 16, he could end up being a matchup-winner. The Jets have allowed the second-most FPPG to running backs this season and have allowed a league-high eight receiving touchdowns to the position. Neal is a good receiver – he has 17 catches on 19 targets across 268 snaps this season – and has logged a touchdown in back-to-back games.

Wide receivers

• Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers (at Chicago Bears)

Reed just had his best game of the season, racking up five catches for 55 yards on six targets against a tough Broncos defense. Now, he faces a Bears unit that has allowed 18 receiving touchdowns to wide-outs this season, good for third-most in the NFL. Reed should be a high-floor WR3 and could have WR2 upside if Christian Watson (shoulder) isn’t able to play in Week 16.

• Jalen Coker, Carolina Panthers (vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

The Buccaneers have allowed at least 263 passing yards and two passing touchdowns in five of their last six games. Their secondary has been leaky, and that could allow Coker to have solid game. The second-year receiver has averaged four catches for 67 yards over his last two games and scored a touchdown in each. He has good chemistry with Bryce Young and should be a fine flex play for fantasy managers to grab off the waiver wire.

Tight end

• Darren Waller, Miami Dolphins (vs. Cincinnati Bengals)

Waller has played in seven games this season but has managed to score six touchdowns. That included two against the Steelers in Week 15, a game during which he recorded a season-high seven receptions and logged 66 receiving yards. The Bengals have allowed the most catches (99), receiving yards (1,276) and receiving touchdowns (15) to tight ends this season, so Waller could have another big-time outing in Week 16.

Defense/special teams

• New Orleans Saints (vs. New York Jets)

The Saints have only once allowed more than 21 points in their last five games. They have averaged two sacks per game over that span and have generated six turnovers. New Orleans is a getting an easy matchup against a Brady Cook-led Jets offense in Week 16 and will be playing at the Superdome. Feel free to back them in a favorable streaming spot.

Fantasy football players to sit in Week 16

Quarterbacks

• Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys (vs. Los Angeles Chargers)

If you were lucky enough to survive Prescott’s zero-TD performance against the Vikings, you may want to sit him against the Chargers. Los Angeles has allowed a league-low 12 passing touchdowns to quarterbacks this season, so Prescott has a lower ceiling than usual in what could be more of a run-heavy game plan for Dallas.

• Jaxson Dart, New York Giants (vs. Minnesota Vikings)

Dart put together a strong performance against the Commanders in Week 15 but will face a much stiffer test against the Vikings in Week 16. Minnesota ranks No. 1 in the league in pressure rate, per the NFL’s Next Gen Stats, and Dart has a passer rating of 69 when pressured this season, per Pro Football Focus. That will gives Dart a low passing floor, which could drop him out of the starter-worthy quarterbacks in fantasy for this week.

Running backs

• RJ Harvey, Denver Broncos (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars)

Harvey has averaged 18 touches per game since J.K. Dobbins went down with what is expected to be a season-ending foot injury. However, Harvey has only averaged 3.4 yards per carry over that span and is facing a Jaguars team in Week 16 that has allowed the fewest rushing yards to running backs this season (933). Harvey is also battling a rib injury, so it’s probably best to steer clear of him.

• Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers (at Detroit Lions)

Warren has a solid floor thanks to his volume, but Kenneth Gainwell has been more effective than him of late. Gainwell had 80 yards on 13 carries against the Dolphins in Week 15 while Warren had just 33 yards on 12 carries. If the Steelers lean more heavily on Gainwell, that could leave Warren with a tough path to posting production against a Lions team that has allowed the fifth-fewest FPPG to running backs this season.

Wide receivers

• Deebo Samuel, Washington Commanders (vs. Philadelphia Eagles)

Samuel is averaging just 38 receiving yards per game since Week 6 and has scored just twice over that eight-game span. The Eagles have allowed just six receiving touchdowns to receivers this season, tied for the second-fewest in the league, which could limit Samuel. So too could the absence of Jayden Daniels and the presence of Terry McLaurin, who has seen 24 targets to Samuel’s 18 in three games since returning to Washington’s lineup.

• Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts (vs. San Francisco 49ers)

Philip Rivers performed better than expected for the Colts against the Seahawks, but there are still clear limitations to the 44-year-old’s game. Notably, he averaged just 4.4 yards per attempt against Seattle and had an average depth of target (ADOT) of just 5.46 yards, per Sumer Sports. Rivers’ inability to consistently go deep will limit Pierce, who leads the NFL with an average of 20.1 yards per reception, and drop him out of flex consideration for most fantasy managers.

Tight end

• Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys (vs. Los Angeles Chargers)

Ferguson hasn’t scored a touchdown in any of his last four games, which has made him more of a fringe TE1 than a clear-cut starter. As mentioned earlier, the Chargers are weaker against the run than the pass, so Dallas may not have as much passing volume as usual in this game. That could hurt Ferguson’s bottom-line.

Defense/special teams

• Green Bay Packers (at Chicago Bears)

The Packers just lost Micah Parsons for the season to a reported torn ACL. It isn’t clear how well Green Bay will play without him, and there will at least be an adjustment period as the Packers look to replace their top defensive player. The Bears could take advantage of that, just like the Broncos did in their 34-point Week 15 outburst.

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Boxer Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford, who has won world championships in five different weight classes, announced his retirement from the sport on Dec. 16.

Crawford posted the announcement on social media with a caption saying ‘Walking away as a great with nothing else left to prove.’

‘I’ve been blessed to live out a dream that started long before the lights, the fans, or the world titles. From Omaha to the biggest stages in boxing, every step of this journey was earned through sacrifice, discipline, and faith,’ Crawford wrote in the caption of a five-minute YouTube video.

‘I gave this sport everything I had. I faced the best, moved through weight classes, and made history on my own terms. 42-0. 3x Undisputed. 5 Division World Champion. No shortcuts. No excuses.

‘This isn’t goodbye to boxing … it’s a thank you. Thank you to my family, my team, my city, and the fans who rode with me through every chapter. Thank you to the sport for shaping the man I am today. The gloves may have come off, but legacy is forever.’

The 38-year-old Crawford finishes his career with a 42-0 record (31 KOs), including his last fight in September, an unanimous decision victory over Canelo Alvarez, taking the World Boxing Council super-middleweight title.

Just two weeks ago, the WBC stripped Crawford of that belt for failing to pay their sanctioning fees.

“Very unfortunately, the WBC did not receive an acknowledgment of receipt nor any response to any of those communications,” the WBC said at the time. “The WBC had no choice but to act.”

Crawford, an Omaha, Nebraska, native, had been boxing since he was 8, and turned professional in 2008 after a prolific amateur career. He started racking up world titles in 2013, winning the NABO lightweight title with a TKO victory over Alejandro Sanabria.

Crawford then won world titles at light welterweight, welterweight, light middleweight, and super middleweight, becoming the first boxer ever to be crowned undisputed champion in three weight classes.