Sports
NFL playoff drought ends for Lions as Jets hit new low
All 32 NFL teams start off the season with a clean slate, but for some organizations, history can add a certain undeniable pressure.
Five teams entered the new season with the hopes of ending years-long playoff droughts, but only one team was successful in making that happen while another’s absence in the postseason set an unfortunate record.
Here’s a breakdown of which teams are going to carry that burden into the next season and which team was able to break through.
New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson, center, stands on the sidelines after being pulled from the game against the Buffalo Bills during the second half in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
After suffering a 30-0 loss to the division rival Miami Dolphins last month, the New York Jets were eliminated from the playoffs for the 13th consecutive season. And with that, the Jets not only took claim to the longest active playoff drought in the NFL but also the longest in all major North American sports leagues.
“We need to win,” general manager Joe Douglas told reporters during his end-of-season press conference on Monday. “My record is not good enough, and I know that, and everything we do moving forward is to win and that is it, that is all that matters.”
The last time the Jets advanced to the postseason was in the 2010 season under former head coach Rex Ryan. After finishing second in the AFC East, the Jets advanced to the Wild Card game where they narrowly defeated the Indianapolis Colts to reach the Divisional Round.
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After defeating the New England Patriots, 28-21, the Jets moved on to the AFC Championship Game where they would eventually lose to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Russell Wilson #3 and Jarrett Stidham of the Denver Broncos warm up before a game against the New England Patriots at Empower Field at Mile High on December 24, 2023, in Denver. (Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
The last time the Denver Broncos made an appearance in the postseason, they made it count.
The Broncos won their third Super Bowl title behind quarterback Peyton Manning during the 2015 season, which marked the last time Denver has advanced to the playoffs.
Despite bringing in quarterback Russell Wilson the previous season, Denver finished with an 8-9 record to become the team with the second-longest active playoff drought in the league.
“You are what your record is in our league, that’s just the truth,” head coach Sean Payton told reporters following Sunday’s loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.
“Like I said, you’re disappointed, not discouraged but disappointed, because you do have an expectation, and then we go from there. We begin this off-season, which is going to involve a lot of work.”
Bryce Young of the Carolina Panthers looks to pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the fourth quarter of the game at Raymond James Stadium on December 3, 2023, in Tampa, Florida. (Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
The Carolina Panthers finished with the league-worst record of 2-15, marking their sixth straight season missing the playoffs.
But it wasn’t always so grim.
After going 7-10 the previous year, expectations were high when owner David Tepper hired Frank Reich as the new head coach and made a massive investment into drafting rookie quarterback Bryce Young.
But after an 0-6 start, things only got worse.
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The organization moved on from general manager Scott Fitterer on Monday after three seasons, but the real pressure seems to be on Tepper. Since purchasing the team in 2018, the Panthers are 31-68 and have never made a postseason.
Atlanta head coach Arthur Smith reacts following the conclusion of the NFL game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Atlanta Falcons on December 24, 2023 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Tied with the Panthers at six straight seasons without a playoff appearance, the Atlanta Falcons rank third with the longest active postseason drought in the NFL.
Instability at the quarterback position and an inability to translate the success he had with the Titans’ offense, Arthur Smith was fired at midnight following a lopsided loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.
The Falcons finished with a 7-10 record for the third consecutive season, all under Smith’s leadership.
Atlanta, still on the hunt for their first championship, last appeared in the postseason during the 2017 season. After defeating the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card, the Falcons moved on to the Divisional Round where they would eventually lose to the eventual Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles.
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell is shown during warm-ups before the Dallas Cowboys game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023. (Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK)
The Detroit Lions clinched the No. 3 seed in the NFC, making their way back into the postseason for the first time since the 2016 season. And with that, Dan Campbell is hoping to coach his team to the franchise’s first Super Bowl appearance.
The Lions finished the season 12-5 and won their division for the first time in 30 years, and their first NFC North title ever.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Sports
Becky Lynch enters exclusive WWE club with Women’s Intercontinental Championship win at WrestleMania 42
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LAS VEGAS – Becky Lynch entered an atmosphere no other WWE women’s superstar has ever reached as she won the Women’s Intercontinental Championship over AJ Lee on Saturday night at WrestleMania 42.
Lynch became the first person to hold the Women’s Intercontinental Championship three times after she pinned Lee. She first won the title against Lyra Valkyria in June 2025 and then again against Maxxine Dupri in November.
Becky Lynch celebrates with the belt after defeating AJ Lee during their women’s Intercontinental Championship match at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 18, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
She dropped the belt to Lee at the Elimination Chamber, sparking a monthslong feud with her.
Lee gave Lynch the chance at the title in the weeks prior to WrestleMania 42. But it appeared Lee played right into Lynch’s plans. Despite arguing with referee Jessica Carr for most of the match, Lynch was able to tactfully tear down a rope buckle and use it to her advantage.
Lynch hit Lee with a Manhandle Slam and pinned her for the win.
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AJ Lee reacts after losing to Becky Lynch in their Women’s Intercontinental Championship match at WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on April 18, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
It’s the second straight year Lynch will leave Las Vegas as champion. She returned to WWE at WrestleMania 41, teaming with Valkyria, to win the women’s tag titles. She will now leave Allegiant Stadium as the women’s intercontinental champion.
Lynch is now a seven-time women’s champion, three-time women’s intercontinental champion and two-time tag team champion.
Becky Lynch withstands AJ Lee during their Women’s Intercontinental Championship match on night one of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 18, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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Lee’s reign as champion ended really before it could really begin. WrestleMania 42 was her first appearance at the event in 11 years. It’s unclear where Lee will go from here.
Sports
Letters to Sports: Clippers were oh so close, yet so far
The Clippers’ season has come to an end but better than anyone expected. No consolation but a great job by head coach Tyronn Lue for guiding the Clippers from a disastrous 6-21 start and finishing with more than 40 wins.
Coach Lue led the team, overcoming major obstacles throughout the season with a player investigation, injuries, internal strife and major roster changes at the trade deadline. As usual for Clipper fans, wait till next year.
Wayne Muramatsu
Cerritos
The Clippers are the NBA’s version of Stealers Wheel’s “Stuck in the Middle With You.” Yes, they have had 15 straight seasons of playing .500 or better, and owner Steve Ballmer has brought them respectability, but for their entire 56-year existence — which has contained many clowns and jokers — they still have never [attained] their goal of winning (or even reaching) the NBA Finals.
Ken Feldman
Tarzana
Sports
‘The Naked Gun’ actor Paul Walter Hauser bloodies opponent at Maple Leaf Pro’s first US show
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LAS VEGAS – Paul Walter Hauser is an actor who has been in “The Naked Gun,” “Blackbird,” and “Richard Jewell.” But on Friday night at Maple Leaf Pro’s first U.S. event, MLP Multiverse, there was no acting going on.
Hauser squared off against QT Marshall in a sin city street fight at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. It was the final show of Slam Fest. The two pro wrestlers pulled out all the stops and left the ring in complete disarray.
Paul Walter Hauser competed against QT Marshall at Maple Leaf Pro Multiverse on April 18, 2026 in Las Vegas. (Fox News Digital)
It was a rematch of their brawl at Ring of Honor’s Death Before Dishonor event. Marshall went on the attack first, throwing in all kinds of foreign objects into the ring, including a piece of wood wrapped with barbed wire, a table, a cane, chairs and even a door was brought into the match.
Hauser was able to regain momentum in the match. He set up the barbed-wire object in the corner. Marshall countered and was trying to whip Hauser into the barbed wire. However, Hauser stopped himself. As Marshall tried to take Hauser by surprise, the movie star avoided Marshall and tossed him into the barbed wire.
Marshall was busted open, but wasn’t done. Hauser was trying to inflict more pain. He set up a table near one corner of the ring and poured thumbtacks on top of it. Marshall was able to powerbomb Hauser through the tacked table.
Paul Walter Hauser is pictured on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. (Nathan Congleton/NBC)
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Hauser was left with thumbtacks in his back and one in his head. He managed to power through and put Marshall into a sharpshooter. Marshall tapped out. Hauser picked up the victory.
Hauser got his start in pro wrestling in 2023 at Pro Wrestling Revolver. He worked his way through appearances at All Elite Wrestling before he signed with Major League Wrestling in 2024.
He’s currently Progress Wrestling’s Progress proteus champion.
Elsewhere, Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) world heavyweight champion Hechicero defended his championship against Jonathan Gresham, Maple Leaf Pro Canadian women’s champion Gisele Shaw fended off Shotzi Blackheart, Persephone and surprise entrant Killer Kelly to keep the title.
Mistico, Mascara Dorada and Amazing Red defeated The Rascalz at Maple Leaf Pro Multiverse on April 18, 2026 in Las Vegas. (Fox News Digital)
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The show started with Subculture, the tag team duo of Mark Andrews and Flash Morgan Webster, defeated Vaughn Vertigo and Guy Cool. The Demand’s Ricochet, Bishop Kaun and Toa Liona defeated Sidney Akeem, Michael Oku and Rich Swaan, Steve Borden defeated Kiran Gray and Mistico, Mascara Dorada, Amazing Red defeated The Rascalz – Desmond Xavier, Zachary Wentz and Myron Reed.
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