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NFL Power Rankings Week 12: Lions, Bills rolling, plus coaching hot seat check-in

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NFL Power Rankings Week 12: Lions, Bills rolling, plus coaching hot seat check-in

The NFL coaching carousel looks like it will do good business this offseason. Two head coaches already have been fired, and one of them somehow is not Doug Pederson (yet), and 10 or 11 more might before the start of the 2025 season, including a couple you may not believe

The Week 12 Power Rankings will check in on job security at all 32 franchises. How hot exactly is everyone’s seat? Cold? Room temperature? How about blazing hot, Matt Eberflus?

We’ve also shaken things up at the top, and the bully ball Detroit Lions and coach Dan Campbell are back on top and looking like they intend to stay there.

1. Detroit Lions (9-1)

Last week: 2

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Sunday: Beat Jacksonville Jaguars 52-6

Seat temperature check: Cold

There’s no better marriage of coach and city than in Detroit where Dan Campbell has been a one-man city revitalization effort. The Lions are 23-7  (including playoffs) since the beginning of last season. They had 38 first downs and outgained the Jaguars by 475 yards Sunday. Detroit has beaten three teams by at least 38 points this season, and its point differential (plus-15.9 per game) is on pace to be second-highest in the NFL since at least 2000 behind only the 2007 Patriots, according to TruMedia. “If people got problems with what we’re doing or complaining about it, they can just come out here and play better football. That’s the only fix to this problem,” cornerback Carlton Davis said.

Up next: at Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

GO DEEPER

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‘I’m just glad I’m on this side, man’: Lions dismantle Jaguars for yet another blowout win

Last week: 4

Sunday: Beat Kansas City 30-21

Seat temperature check: Cool

Sean McDermott is not going to be fully embraced in Buffalo until he at least gets the Bills to the Super Bowl, but ending the Chiefs’ perfect season is good for morale. McDermott, who is 82-43 since taking the job in 2017, has gone to only one conference title game, and Kansas City ended the Bills’ season there. Sunday established the Bills as a real contender this season, but they’re going to have to prove it again and probably against the same old foe.

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Up next: Bye

go-deeper

GO DEEPER

Reassessing AFC contenders: Bills the best? How dangerous are the Steelers? Sando’s Pick Six

3. Kansas City Chiefs (9-1)

Last week: 1

Sunday: Lost 30-21 to Buffalo Bills

Seat temperature check: Gold

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That’s not a typo that should read cold. Andy Reid’s seat is a throne. The 66-year-old will leave Kansas City when he’s ready and not before. He’s under contract through the 2029 season, and that contract is worth $100 million, according to Sportico. Reid needs 62 more wins to pass Don Shula and become the NFL’s all-time winningest coach in the regular season. He would have to stay on a torrid pace to get there by the end of this contract, but he’s on a torrid pace now.

Up next: at Carolina Panthers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET


The T.J. Watt-led defense has the Steelers in the driver’s seat in the AFC North after Sunday’s win against the Ravens. (Barry Reeger / Imagn Images)

Last week: 6

Sunday: Beat Baltimore Ravens 18-16

Seat temperature check: Cold

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While the rest of the NFL world marvels at the fact that Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season in 18 years in Pittsburgh, Steelers fans have been wondering when he’s going to have another big-time winning one. Maybe it’s this year. Pittsburgh is winning Tomlin’s way, too. The Steelers are second in scoring defense (16.2 ppg) and doing just enough on offense (14th in scoring, 23.3 ppg). On Sunday, they won for the second time this season without scoring a touchdown.

Up next: at Cleveland Browns, Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET

go-deeper

GO DEEPER

Steelers announce themselves as contenders with vintage defensive performance vs. Ravens

Last week: 5

Thursday: Beat Washington Commanders 26-18

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Seat temperature check: Room

Nick Sirianni is the only coach who is headed toward a double-digit win season and is still not completely secure in his job. Sirianni is now 42-19 in four years in Philadelphia. That makes him the second-winningest active coach in the league (68.9 percent) behind Jim Harbaugh. Don Shula won a lower percentage of games as a head coach than Sirianni has, but, if we’re being honest, we could see Sirianni doing something goofy enough before the end of the season that Philly’s front office makes a change.

Up next: at Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, 8:20 p.m.

Last week: 7

Sunday: Beat Chicago Bears 20-19

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Seat temperature check: Cold

It’s hard to figure out what the Packers’ ceiling is this season. Jordan Love is tied for the league lead with 11 interceptions, but he had Sunday’s highest yards per attempt (15.4). What’s much easier is assessing Matt LaFleur’s value. His 67.7 winning percentage is third best among active coaches and 12th all time among qualifying coaches. Packers fans might be antsy because he hasn’t been to a conference title game since 2020, but they need to appreciate what they have.

Up next: vs. San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

Last week: 8

Sunday: Beat Tennessee Titans 23-13

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Seat temperature check: Cold

Is there one knock on Kevin O’Connell? Of the 10 head coaches hired in 2022, he’s the winningest and one of only two with a winning record. He moved to 28-16 Sunday. O’Connell survived Kirk Cousins’ season-ending injury last year. He’s thriving this year after J.J. McCarthy’s season-ending injury. He was smart enough and secure enough to hire Brian Flores as his defensive coordinator. Honestly, find a person who will say something bad about him.

Up next: at Chicago Bears, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

8. Baltimore Ravens (7-4)

Last week: 3

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Sunday: Lost 18-16 to Pittsburgh Steelers

Seat temperature check: Cool

After 17 years and a Super Bowl title, it should be cold, but then a game like Sunday happens. John Harbaugh is the second-longest tenured NFL head coach, but he just fell to 15-21 in head-to-head matchups against the longest-tenured one (Pittsburgh’s Mike Tomlin). The Ravens are the most penalized team (92 for 763 yards), a total to which they contributed 12 flags for 80 yards against the Steelers.

Up next: at Los Angeles Chargers, Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET

go-deeper

GO DEEPER

‘They’ve had our number’: Ravens again unable to overcome themselves in loss to Steelers

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9. Los Angeles Chargers (7-3)

Last week: 10

Sunday: Beat Cincinnati Bengals 34-27

Seat temperature check: Cold

If Jim Harbaugh can kill “Chargering,” what can’t he do? Sunday night’s shootout against Cincinnati was the kind this organization seems to always lose, but whatever magic Harbaugh brings to his teams carried them through. After the Bengals tied the game at 27-27 early in the fourth quarter, Cincinnati missed two field goals and had four pointless possessions. Los Angeles then marched for the game-winning touchdown. What else is it but magic? Harbaugh improved to 51-22-1 as an NFL coach, and his winning percentage (.696) puts him fifth all time and best among active coaches.

Up next: vs. Baltimore Ravens, Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET

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10. Washington Commanders (7-4)

Last week: 9

Thursday: Lost to Philadelphia Eagles 26-18

Seat temperature check: Cool

Even after a two-game losing streak, almost everyone in Washington is still smiling. Jayden Daniels is the biggest reason for that, but Dan Quinn deserves credit, too. Quinn’s upbeat, high-octane style has been perfect for a Commanders organization that needed some good vibes. If there’s a concern, it’s that Daniels is 24th in EPA per dropback (minus-.08) in the last two weeks compared with second in the first nine weeks (.35). It could be a blip, but it could be defenses figured out the rookie and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.

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Up next: vs. Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

Last week: 17

Sunday: Beat Atlanta Falcons 38-6

Seat temperature check: Cold

Sean Payton completed a four-game sweep of the NFC South on Sunday. Why is that significant? It’s the division where Payton coached for the Saints for 15 years, winning 63.1 percent of his games. He’s now .500 with the Broncos and has Denver pointed toward the playoffs and rookie quarterback Bo Nix in the rookie of the year conversation. Payton is also top 20 all-time in regular-season wins among NFL head coaches (166).

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Up next: at Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET

go-deeper

GO DEEPER

Bo Nix’s latest career day illustrates Broncos’ ceiling: ‘You’re trying to win MVP’

Last week: 13

Monday: Beat Dallas Cowboys 34-10

Seat temperature check: Cold

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DeMeco Ryans is 17-11 in Houston after trouncing the Cowboys on Monday night. Former Ryans teammate J.J. Watt appeared on the “ManningCast” broadcast and said he wasn’t surprised by Ryans’ success. “I knew he would be a great head coach. We all did when we were playing together,” Watt said. “I bought my house in Houston across the street from him because if it was a good enough spot for DeMeco to live in, it was good enough for me. DeMeco was the perfect person to take this city back to the place where they were proud of their football team.”

Up next: vs. Tennessee Titans, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

Last week: 11

Sunday: Bye

Seat temperature check: Cool

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After a 2-4 start, Arizona has won four straight games, and Jonathan Gannon has the Cardinals as the most surprising division leader of the season. Gannon took over an organization that had had one winning season in the previous seven years. These Cardinals are in the top half of the league in scoring (23.8 ppg), scoring defense (22 ppg allowed) and point differential (18).

Up next: at Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET


Quarterback Geno Smith and the Seahawks saved their season on Sunday with an upset victory against the 49ers. (David Gonzales / Imagn Images)

14. Seattle Seahawks (5-5)

Last week: 19

Sunday: Beat San Francisco 49ers 20-17

Seat temperature check: Cool

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Mike Macdonald hasn’t done much to improve Seattle’s defense yet. The Seahawks are 21st in the league in points allowed (23.8 per game), but this team still is playing hard for him. Seattle had lost five of six entering Sunday’s game and came from behind twice on the road against the 49ers. The Seahawks are tied for second in the NFC West and play division leader Arizona twice in the next three weeks.

Up next: vs. Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

go-deeper

GO DEEPER

How Geno Smith and the Seahawks saved their season: ‘He gets that look in his eyes’

Last week: 18

Sunday: Beat New England Patriots 28-22

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Seat temperature check: Cold

Can we point out that Sean McVay is 20-24 since his Super Bowl win or will people yell at us? They might have a right to yell because McVay’s influence off the field is just as impressive as his record. Maybe more. At 38, he could leave the job today and still have had an outsized impact on the game. The Falcons’ Zac Robinson, The Bucs’ Liam Coen, the Packers’ Matt LaFleur, the Vikings’ Kevin O’Connell and the Bengals’ Zac Taylor are among the current crop of play callers who worked for McVay in Los Angeles.

Up next: vs. Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET

16. San Francisco 49ers (5-5)

Last week: 12

Sunday: Lost to Seattle Seahawks 20-17

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Seat temperature check: Room

Kyle Shanahan should be completely safe. Somehow he’s not. The 49ers are in the top half of the league in scoring (25 ppg) and scoring defense (22.2 ppg allowed), but something’s not clicking. San Francisco has advanced at least to the NFC Championship Game the last three years and has been to two Super Bowls under Shanahan, but fans are starting to get restless. Hopefully, ownership is not. There’s a better chance the 49ers get worse and not better if they make a coaching change.

Up next: at Green Bay Packers, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

17. Atlanta Falcons (6-5)

Last week: 14

Sunday: Lost to Denver Broncos 38-6

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Seat temperature check: Cool

There’s no scenario in which Raheem Morris is not back for a second season in Atlanta next year, but the vibes aren’t nearly as good as they were a couple of weeks ago. Sunday’s loss was the Falcons’ third worst since 2010, and the defense, which is Morris’ side of the ball, looks helpless at the moment. Morris has Atlanta in the NFC South pole position, but his .386 winning percentage is the worst among qualifying active head coaches.

Up next: Bye

Last week: 16

Sunday: Bye

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Seat temperature check: Room

Todd Bowles has won two division titles in the last two years. He had the Buccaneers right back in the NFC South mix this season before receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans were injured. Offensive coordinator Liam Coen was a great hire. Still, Bowles has one double-digit win season in his seven seasons as a full-time head coach. His .423 career winning percentage is in Herm Edwards, Chan Gailey and Rich Kotite territory.

Up next: at New York Giants, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET


Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson led the Colts to a much-needed win Sunday after reclaiming the starting job. (Robert Deutsch / Imagn Images)

Last week: 21

Sunday: Beat New York Jets 28-27

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Seat temperature check: Room

Shane Steichen’s handling of the quarterback situation did not instill confidence. Maybe that’s because he had to translate the thoughts of ownership and the front office, or maybe he’s just a second-year head coach not completely comfortable in the role yet. After declaring Joe Flacco his starter early last week, Steichen reversed course the next day and swapped to Anthony Richardson, who led a 70-yard drive and scored the winning touchdown on a 4-yard run inside the final minute Sunday. The win evened Steichen’s record at 14-14.

Up next: vs. Detroit Lions, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

go-deeper

GO DEEPER

After redemptive win, Colts QB Anthony Richardson lets emotion flow: This was a ‘blessing’

20. Cincinnati Bengals (4-7)

Last week: 15

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Sunday: Lost to Los Angeles Chargers 34-27

Seat temperature check: Warm

It looks like the Bengals are about to miss the playoffs while having the NFL’s leader in touchdown passes (Joe Burrow, 27), leading receiver (Ja’Marr Chase, 1,056) and leader in sacks (Trey Hendrickson, 11.5). Zac Taylor is now 41-51-1, and there are signs of strain. “I play football on the field. I don’t call plays for us,” Chase said Sunday night when asked why the Bengals can’t close out wins.

Up next: Bye

Last week: 20

Sunday: Beat Las Vegas Raiders 34-19

Seat temperature check: Cool

The Dolphins already are nearly five games behind Buffalo in the division race, but they still have a 28 percent chance to make the playoffs, according to The Athletic’s projections. No one really wants to see Miami if it does make the playoffs because of its explosive ability. The Dolphins are top 10 in explosive play rate (12.1 percent) despite not having starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa for half the season. Mike McDaniel is now 24-20 in three seasons. The only reason there’s any angst in Miami is how bad this team looked without Tagovailoa.

Up next: vs. New England Patriots, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

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22. New England Patriots (3-8)

Last week: 22

Sunday: Lost to Los Angeles Rams 28-20

Seat temperature check: Cool

Rookie quarterback Drake Maye has saved rookie head coach Jerod Mayo. Maye hasn’t made the Patriots a winner, but he’s shown enough flashes that Mayo’s decision to slowly work him into the lineup seems like the right one. Maye’s EPA per dropback (.04) is 19th in the league, and he’s thrown nine touchdown passes in six starts. Mayo’s performance hasn’t been as good, but the quarterback is taking attention away from that. To Mayo’s credit, he’s not denying that.

Up next: at Miami Dolphins, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

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23. Chicago Bears (4-6)

Last week: 23

Sunday: Lost to Green Bay Packers 20-19

Seat temperature check: Actually on fire

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Changing offensive coordinators worked for a half, but beyond slight improvement from rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, there was nothing to suggest Matt Eberflus is making a positive impact on the team. Cairo Santos’ 46-yard field goal on the final play of the game was blocked. The kick was attempted on second-and-8 after the Bears turned down the chance to run another play and get closer. Then Packers players said after the game they knew they could get a block in this game. That’s a bad look for an embattled coach, which Eberflus certainly is.

Up next: vs. Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

go-deeper

GO DEEPER

Greenberg: Bears blow rare chance to beat Green Bay. How many more will Matt Eberflus get?

24. New Orleans Saints (4-7)

Last week: 28

Sunday: Beat Cleveland Browns 35-14

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Seat temperature check: Already an interim

If we only remember interim head coach Darren Rizzi for the toilet-clogging story, he will have contributed to the game, but it could be that Rizzi hangs around a little longer. He’s 2-0 since taking over for Dennis Allen, and New Orleans has such a significant rebuild coming up that maybe a caretaker coach whom the players like is a good fit. Taysom Hill had 138 rushing yards, 50 receiving yards and 18 passing yards for Rizzi on Sunday.

Up next: Bye

25. New York Jets (3-8)

Last week: 24

Sunday: Lost to Indianapolis Colts 28-27

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Seat temperature check: Already an interim

Interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich couldn’t turn around the Jets’ season, but we shouldn’t have expected any mortal to do that. Their offense has been bad all season (18.5 ppg, 26th in NFL). Their defense has been bad since Robert Saleh was fired (26.2 ppg allowed, 24th in NFL since Week 6). Now they are trying to figure out if their struggling 40-year-old quarterback is coming back and if their owner is going to take off again to be ambassador to the United Kingdom. Totally normal team.

Up next: Bye

go-deeper

GO DEEPER

After a year-long wait, the Aaron Rodgers-led New York Jets are a hard watch

26. Dallas Cowboys (3-7)

Last week: 25

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Monday: Lost to Houston Texans 34-10

Seat temperature check: Who knows?

Jerry Jones might fire Mike McCarthy tomorrow. He might keep McCarthy for another 10 years. He might leave McCarthy a part of the team in his will. Honestly, who knows with Jones? He kept Jason Garrett for 10 years even though Garrett won only two playoff games. McCarthy won 12 games in each of the last three regular seasons, but Monday night was the Cowboys’ fifth straight loss.

Up next: at Washington Commanders, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

27. Carolina Panthers (3-7)

Last week: 27

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Sunday: Bye

Seat temperature check: Cool

Nobody’s really on solid ground when David Tepper is running the show. Counting interims, the Panthers owner has employed seven head coaches since buying the team in 2018, but Dave Canales has won two straight games and gotten slight improvement from Bryce Young. The bet here is that no matter Carolina’s finish, Tepper will opt for a tiny measure of stability and give Canales a chance with a new quarterback.

Up next: vs. Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

28. New York Giants (2-8)

Last week: 29

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Sunday: Bye

Seat temperature check: Warm

Team owner John Mara said in late October that he had no plans to fire Brian Daboll during or after the season. Plans change sometimes. New York has lost five games in a row and 11 of its last 14 dating to last season. Since being named Coach of the Year after a 9-7-1 debut season, Daboll is 8-19. If he keeps his job, it’ll be by making the argument that he’s not the one who wanted to extend quarterback Daniel Jones and let running back Saquon Barkley walk out the door. Jones was sent to the bench on Monday.

Up next: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

29. Las Vegas Raiders (2-8)

Last week: 26

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Sunday: Lost to Miami Dolphins 34-19

Seat temperature check: Hot

Antonio Pierce is 7-12 in two seasons after the Raiders got blown out by Miami on Sunday. They have bounced back and forth between quarterbacks all year long and never felt like a threat in the AFC West or anywhere else. Jakobi Meyers was Las Vegas’ leading rusher Sunday with one carry for 20 yards. At least there’s Brock Bowers, who had 13 catches for 126 yards against the Dolphins. With new minority owner Tom Brady in the building, it seems unlikely majority owner Mark Davis will stand pat with Pierce as head coach.

Up next: vs. Denver Broncos, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

30. Cleveland Browns (2-8)

Last week: 30

Sunday: Lost to New Orleans Saints 35-14

Seat temperature check: Room

Sunday’s game was tied entering the fourth quarter before the wheels came off for the Browns, and wheels coming off seems to be the theme of this season. For much of the season, the blame for all of the Browns’ issues fell on Deshaun Watson, but Watson’s out and this team still has lots of issues under Kevin Stefanski, who is 39-38 in five seasons as a head coach. Stefanski is one of those guys who will have another job a week after Cleveland fires him if he wants it, and a fresh start might be good for both sides.

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Up next: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET

31. Tennessee Titans (2-8)

Last week: 31

Sunday: Lost to Minnesota Vikings 23-13

Seat temperature check: Cool

Brian Callahan is not going to be fired after his first season, but the whole “Let’s move on from Mike Vrabel” thing feels like a mistake as Thanksgiving approaches. The more likely change in Tennessee is probably at quarterback, where Will Levis is 35th among qualifying quarterbacks in EPA per dropback (minus-.16). Callahan will get another shot with a quarterback of his choosing next year.

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Up next: at Houston Texans, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

32. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9)

Last week: 32

Sunday: Lost to Detroit Lions 52-6

Seat temperature check: Pile of ashes

If Matt Eberflus’ seat is on fire, then Pederson’s has already burned up completely, leaving only embers. Whenever Pederson is finally fired — and now’s probably the best time not only because the Jaguars have a bye week but because he’s a perfectly symmetrical 62-62-1 in the regular season in his career — Jacksonville will begin looking for its fifth full-time head coach since 2016.

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Up next: Bye

(Top photo of David Montgomery: Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)

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Caitlin Clark’s return falls flat after Fever coach limits her in loss to shorthanded Sparks

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Caitlin Clark’s return falls flat after Fever coach limits her in loss to shorthanded Sparks

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All eyes were on Caitlin Clark on Wednesday night as she made her anticipated return from injury in a road matchup in Los Angeles.

But instead of a triumphant comeback, the Fever spent the entire night chasing the Sparks as Clark’s rough return fueled a 106-92 rout.

The superstar never found a groove, looking completely out of sync in her return from a back injury.

STEPHANIE WHITE GIVES CAITLIN CLARK STATUS UPDATE AHEAD OF FEVER-SPARKS, BUT HER NEXT MOVE RAISES QUESTIONS

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Caitlin Clark huddles with teammates as the Indiana Fever battle the Sparks. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) ((Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images))

Much of that disjointed performance falls squarely on head coach Stephanie White, who kept Clark on a ridiculously tight leash by limiting her to just 16 minutes. The stop-and-go approach could have sabotaged any chance for the phenom to establish a rhythm.

Clark finished with just 9 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists. Her minus-16 plus-minus told the story.

The Los Angeles Sparks were severely shorthanded, taking the floor without stars Kelsey Plum and Cameron Brink.

MERCURY’S NOW-DELETED SOCIAL MEDIA POST MOCKING CAITLIN CLARK DRAWS SCRUTINY AFTER STAR’S INJURY

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Yet while a depleted Sparks roster played to win, Indiana spent the night over-managing its biggest asset.

With Clark on a minutes restriction and Aliyah Boston out of the lineup, Kelsey Mitchell was forced to shoulder the entire offensive burden.

Mitchell did her part, pouring in 29 points while shooting 5-of-9 from beyond the arc.

Caitlin Clark orchestrates the Fever offense as Indiana battles the Los Angeles Sparks in primetime action. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) ((Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images))

But one hot hand couldn’t stop an efficient LA squad.

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The Sparks shot 45% from three-point range, going 9-of-20 from deep to cruise to the 106-92 victory.

White’s next move is to sit Clark against the Mercury on Thursday while Boston returns.

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After Wednesday’s loss to a shorthanded Sparks team, it’s fair to question whether Indiana’s cautious approach is working. The Fever dropped to 12-9.

Caitlin Clark and Dearica Hamby face off as Fever and Sparks battle at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. (Photo by Tyler Ross/NBAE via Getty Images) ((Photo by Tyler Ross/NBAE via Getty Images))

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Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela

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Mookie Betts’ eighth-inning single gives Dodgers the win over the Rockies

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Mookie Betts’ eighth-inning single gives Dodgers the win over the Rockies

Mookie Betts’ first hit this series against the Rockies couldn’t have come at a more opportune time. With the crack of the ball against his bat, Tommy Edman scored from third, giving the Dodgers the lead.

And as Betts reached first, he pointed to Freddie Freeman, whose single put Edman in scoring position. It had taken a team effort to overcome another middling start from Roki Sasaki, and Betts, who had little to show before his game-winning hit, took the chance to highlight the joint contribution in the Dodgers’ 4-3 rubber-match win over Colorado (38-56).

“It feels great,” Betts said of his nine-pitch battle. “Helping the boys win, that’s really all it is. We play the game to win, and coming through in a big moment is kind of what, when you’re a kid, playing in the backyard, getting that hit is what you always strive to do, and fortunately, I was able to do it.”

Given a three-run lead in the first inning, brought to the Dodgers by a wild pitch and Kyle Tucker’s two-run, line-drive single to left field, Sasaki seemed set up for success.

Still, he gave away the lead as quickly as it came. In the second inning, he left a fastball too far over the plate, and third baseman Kyle Karros drove the ball over the left-center wall. The slider he dealt two batters later to second baseman Edouard Julien also crossed the zone too far over the plate, and Julien rounded the bases with another homer. In the third, a sacrifice fly by Mickey Moniak evened the scored, 3-3.

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Sasaki’s troubles this season have been hard to pin down since his last win on May 23, as Sasaki tries to claw back the triple-digit velocity that’s escaped him as of late.

Against the Rockies, his fastball topped out at 99.1 miles per hour before steadily dropping to 98. He had managed five strikeouts in his six innings when manager Dave Roberts replaced him with Jack Dreyer, though the three earned runs couldn’t be ignored.

But Roberts also acknowledged the possibility that the pitcher had been tipping his pitches, possibly since he was playing in Japan, and Sasaki has tried to address it after a three-inning, six-run start last week. Even if he had fully self-corrected, his control issues remain. In the third inning, he walked the tying runner, Brett Sullivan.

“I’ve been working on a lot of things like the tipping stuff,” Sasaki said through interpreter Kensuke Okubo. “Also, I need to make quality pitches.”

Sasaki regained some of his confidence in the fourth when he worked out of a two-base jam with two strikeouts and a flyball to right, something that didn’t go unnoticed by Roberts.

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“You can see the demeanor walking off the mound, the confidence,” Roberts said. “For me, it was more of let him end on a high note, feeling good about his outing, and then go from there.”

The Dodgers’ problems were compounded by Alex Call wasting the team’s two challenges in his at-bat in the first inning when the team had already taken the lead. And maybe it would’ve been excusable if Call had driven in the runners on first and second, but instead he ended the inning on a strikeout, stranding both. Roberts called the situation an “outlier” and didn’t feel as though he needed to have a conversation with Call regarding the situation.

After the three-run first, the Dodgers (61-33) remained hitless until Max Muncy laced a double down the right-field line in the sixth, though to little avail. As the innings ticked forward, Colorado’s chances seemed to increase. The Rockies hold the best league batting average (.297) in the eighth and ninth innings (the Dodgers are fourth with .268). And the Dodgers relievers, within the same constraints, have a 3.83 ERA — not bad, but not in the top 10 either.

Third baseman Max Muncy can’t get his glove on a line-drive double by Kyle Karros in the fourth inning.

(Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)

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So when Alex Vesia struggled against the Rockies in the eighth inning and Muncy suffered a throwing error, Colorado seemed in position to score with the bases loaded and one out. Vesia struck out TJ Rumfield and Edgardo Henriquez (4-0), his replacement, retired Karros on a fly ball to right.

After Betts’ single allowed the Dodgers to take the lead, Tanner Scott (13) shut down the Rockies with back-to-back strikeouts, avoiding the team’s eighth series loss of the season.

“Didn’t feel great,” Roberts said. “Fortunately, we won a series, but that’s not the kind of way you want to do it.”

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Justin Verlander announces he will retire after this season: ‘I’ve realized that time has come’

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Justin Verlander announces he will retire after this season: ‘I’ve realized that time has come’

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One of the greatest pitchers in the history of baseball will be hanging up his cleats after this season.

Three-time Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander announced on Wednesday that the 2026 season will be his last.

Amid an injury-riddled season with the Detroit Tigers, Verlander decided it’s time to go.

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Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander watches from the dugout during a game against the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park in Detroit June 21, 2026. (David Rodriguez-Munoz/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)

“This season has challenged me in ways I haven’t experienced before, both physically and mentally. I’ve always believed that as long as I could compete at the level I expect of myself, I’d keep playing. I never wanted to retire because of a milestone, a number, or a date on the calendar. I wanted the game to tell me when it was time. Over the last several months, I’ve realized that time has come,” Verlander said in a social media post.

“While I’m fully committed to giving my team everything I have for the rest of this season, I’ve decided this will be my last. It’s fitting that I get to finish where it all started – with the Detroit Tigers, the organization that drafted me and gave me my first opportunity.”

Verlander inked a one-year deal with the Tigers, with whom he spent his first 12½ seasons before being traded to the Houston Astros, in the offseason. In Houston, he returned to dominance, winning both of his World Series titles and two of his Cy Young Awards.

“Baseball has given me more than I could have imagined. It taught me discipline, resilience, and the value of continuing to adapt and evolve. I’ve been fortunate to play with and against incredible players, for outstanding organizations, and compete in-front of fans who deeply appreciate the game,” Verlander added in his announcement.

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Justin Verlander of the Houston Astros celebrates after the Astros defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 6 of the 2022 World Series at Minute Maid Park Nov. 5, 2022, in Houston, Texas. (Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

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“To every teammate, coach, player, clubhouse attendant, and fan who has been part of this journey – thank you. It’s been a privilege to share the field with you. To my family, especially my wife Kate, thank you for standing beside me through every season, every rehab, and every high and low. I couldn’t have done this without you. It’s time for the next chapter. But first, I’m excited to finish this season the only way I know how – with everything I’ve got.”

Verlander is the active leader with 3,554 strikeouts, which is good for eighth all-time. He needs 21 to surpass Don Sutton and 87 to pass Tom Seaver.

The 43-year-old made his MLB debut in 2005 and won the American League Rookie of the Year Award the following season in what was just a small glimpse of what was to come.

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Verlander was a Cy Young Award finalist on four other occasions, consistently near the top of the leaderboard in just about every pitching stat. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred gave Verlander a legend’s exemption to this year’s Midsummer Classic, making him a 10-time All-Star.

One could argue that Verlander should have at least one more Cy Young Award on his mantle, but he is on the fast track to Cooperstown and very much in the conversation to join Mariano Rivera as the only player unanimously elected to the Hall of Fame.

Verlander’s best season came in 2022, when he pitched to a career-best 1.75 ERA along with a 0.829 WHIP. However, that came after he missed the entire 2021 season due to Tommy John surgery for an injury he suffered after pitching just one inning in the abbreviated 2020 season.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander throws against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning Aug. 22, 2023, in Houston.  (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

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He won his first Cy Young Award in 2011, when he was also awarded the MVP Award, and his second in 2019. Verlander’s 11 seasons between his first and final Cy Young Awards are the second-most behind Roger Clemens, who had 18 seasons between his first and seventh.

Verlander led the majors in innings and WHIP four times while recording the most strikeouts in three seasons.

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