Alpine adds Franco Colapinto as F1 reserve driver for 2025

Franco Colapinto has joined Alpine as a reserve driver for the upcoming Formula 1 season, the team confirmed on Thursday. The Argentine will be on standby behind Alpine drivers Pierre Gasly and Australian rookie Jack Doohan in case either cannot participate in a race, and he will also be available for testing responsibilities.

Colapinto's entry will heighten the pressure and attention on Doohan, a graduate of Alpine's driver academy and the son of motorcycle racing legend Mick, who made his F1 debut at last year's finale in Abu Dhabi.

Barnes wins San Vicente Stakes as Bob Baffert's horses go 1-2

Barnes triumphed over his stablemate Romanesque by 5½ lengths to secure victory in the $200,000 San Vicente Stakes for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, competing among Kentucky Derby contenders on Saturday at Santa Anita.

Ridden by Juan Hernandez, Barnes completed seven furlongs in 1:22.15 and returned payouts of $4, $2.80, and $2.10 as the narrow even-money favorite. The 3-year-old colt had $307 more in the win pool compared to Bullard.

Highlights from 'The Last Time is Now John Cena Farewell Tour'

John Cena began his retirement tour with the Netflix premiere of "Monday Night Raw" on January 6. The WWE superstar has been wrestling part-time since 2018 but announced in July that he plans to compete in 30 to 40 matches in 2025 as he wraps up his final year in the ring.

While in the ring at the Intuit Dome, he presented a notable list of potential opponents for his final match. Could Logan Paul be a contender? Would CM Punk be a suitable choice? Or might Roman Reigns be the best fit?

South Africa sports minister: Afghanistan at Champions Trophy is 'hypocritical and immoral'

South Africa's sports minister, Gayton McKenzie, has joined the increasing criticism of Afghanistan's involvement in next month's ICC Champions Trophy. He likened the Taliban regime's treatment of women to Apartheid, stating that it would be "hypocritical and immoral to turn a blind eye" to the situation.

McKenzie's remarks come as South Africa is set to play Afghanistan in their tournament opener in Karachi on February 21. This follows similar political pressure on England, another participant in Group B. Earlier this week, 160 British politicians urged the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to boycott their match against Afghanistan in Lahore on February 26.

2024 NFL playoff picture: AFC, NFC seed projections, chances

As we wrap up Week 14 of the 2024 NFL regular season, the postseason is still a month away, but we're taking an early glance at the current playoff landscape and the path to Super Bowl LIX. Which teams are positioned well? Which ones have significant work ahead to secure a spot in the 14-team playoff field?

Utilizing ESPN's Football Power Index (FPI), we projected the remainder of the season, evaluating the playoff scenarios for both conferences. We provided updated odds for each team regarding their chances to reach the postseason, win their division, and even make it to the Super Bowl. Additionally, we examined the likelihood of teams in the playoff race finishing in specific seeds and the chances for teams outside the playoff picture to secure the top draft pick. Here’s all the information you need at this moment.

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Dallas Cowboys Same Game Parlay Picks, Odds & Predictions

Week 14 betting action wraps up under the lights of “Jerry World,” where the Dallas Cowboys aim for their third consecutive victory against a Cincinnati Bengals team that desperately needs a win to revive their slim playoff chances. True to their 2024-25 trend, the Bengals scored a solid 38 points last week but still lost, as the Steelers easily defeated them on their home turf. Meanwhile, the Cowboys, with little to gain other than lowering their draft position, won and covered the NFL odds after defeating the Giants 27-20 on Thanksgiving Day.

Initially, Caesars Sportsbook set the Bengals as 6.5-point favorites with a total of 44.5 for this non-conference matchup. However, both the spread and total have been adjusted, with the spread now at 5.5 and the total rising to 41.5, as a significant portion of the betting handle anticipates a high-scoring game.

Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers Same Game Parlay

The NFC West will open the Week 15 betting with the Los Angeles Rams aiming to keep their playoff dreams alive by defeating the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers have had a tough season, having been considered the top contenders in the NFC before the season began. Despite starting with a 2-3 record after their first five games, San Francisco was still favored to win the NFC according to NFL odds until mid-October. Bettors maintained their faith in the 49ers, who were seen as strong favorites to clinch the NFC West, until their loss to Seattle in Week 11, which left them with a 5-5 record.

The underdog life of Josh Butler

He’s concerned that the sight and sound of 51,366 Michigan State fans cheering when they step onto the field might scare, confuse, or even upset them. It’s a challenging day for him, and he hopes it won’t be difficult for the dogs as well.

As soon as he brings the dogs onto the Spartan Stadium field on their leashes, they react dramatically. However, their response isn't out of fear or anxiety – they both become complete divas. Roxy and Remi revel in the experience, jumping around and playfully colliding with each other as if they’ve been anticipating this moment their entire lives. While he knew they were playful in smaller settings, Butler couldn’t stop laughing at how much they were embracing the spotlight like stars on a big stage.

Ranking 2024 NFL rosters: Best projected starting lineups

Since the last time we witnessed all 32 NFL teams in action, much has shifted. Each franchise has bolstered its ranks with fresh talent acquired through the draft, free agency, and trades—albeit to varying extents. With the offseason's flurry of transactions largely settled (barring a few summer additions in the pipeline), how do the rosters of these teams compare now?

2025 NFL draft: Ranking top five prospects at every position

Although the 2025 NFL draft is over 10 months away, it's never premature to assess the upcoming class. That's precisely what we've done here, with ESPN draft experts Matt Miller and Jordan Reid selecting their top five players at each position for next year.

2024 NFL OTAs: Players who surprised us most at minicamp

Following the conclusion of spring minicamps and activities for all NFL teams, coaching staffs have closely observed which players have shown promise and excitement for the upcoming training camps and regular season. Training camp for rookies commences as early as July 16, with full-team activities slated to begin on July 23.

2024 NFL offseason: Grading moves, changes for all 32 teams

Each NFL team's primary objective in the offseason is enhancement. Depending on the team's strategic timeline, this could entail immediate improvement, future development, or positioning for future opportunities. Regardless of their current standing, the offseason demands a series of critical team-building decisions that will shape the franchise's trajectory for years.

Three Commanders who have intrigued coaches this spring

The Washington Commanders' top draft pick this spring will attract the most scrutiny. Jayden Daniels has the potential to address their longstanding search for a franchise quarterback. However, the progress of other first-round selections on the team will play a crucial role in determining Washington's success this season—and influence their priorities in future offseason acquisitions.

Best NFL, college, high school football players by age 14-40

We embarked on a mission to identify the best active football players across a wide range of ages, covering the NFL, college, and high school. For this, we enlisted NFL analyst Matt Bowen, draft analyst Jordan Reid, and ESPN high school recruiting coordinator Billy Tucker to make their picks, focusing on each player's current dominance. The outcome is a list of 27 players, spanning ages 40 to 14.

NFL tells teams it won't hold supplemental draft this year

The NFL notified its teams on Wednesday that there will be no supplemental draft this year, according to a league memo acquired by ESPN. This marks the fourth time in the past five years that the league has chosen not to conduct a supplemental draft, a decision permitted under the collective bargaining agreement.

Colts GM says QB Anthony Richardson remains 'full go' for camp

The Indianapolis Colts have confirmed that quarterback Anthony Richardson is "full go" for training camp despite experiencing shoulder soreness earlier this month. Colts general manager Chris Ballard stated that the team is not worried about the shoulder fatigue Richardson experienced at the end of organized team activities and minicamp. Richardson, 22, had season-ending shoulder surgery in 2023 after suffering an AC joint sprain in Week 5.

Colts GM says QB Anthony Richardson remains 'full go' for camp

In the month following Puka Nacua's record-setting rookie NFL season, where he amassed the most receiving yards by a rookie in league history, the Los Angeles Rams receiver was relishing his success. Nacua was savoring the benefits of transitioning from a fifth-round pick out of BYU to shattering a 63-year-old record. He enjoyed a ride on a Zamboni at a Los Angeles Kings game, participated in his first Pro Bowl, and spent Super Bowl week in Las Vegas.

2024 NFL betting: Super Bowl, AFC/NFC Championship odds

This season, the Kansas City Chiefs will enter the field as two-time defending champions, yet they are not the top favorites to win Super Bowl 59. That honor goes to the San Francisco 49ers, who currently have +500 odds, while the Chiefs are at +650. The Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions, and Buffalo Bills complete the top five contenders, with the Houston Texans breaking into the top 10 after their early April trade for Stefon Diggs.