Sports

Buccaneers fall 23-20 to Washington Commanders

Published

1 year ago

January 13, 2025

– The Buccaneers fell to the Commanders, 23-20, to end their season. The 49^th season in Buccaneers history resulted in the club extending its franchise record for consecutive postseason berths to five and extending its record for consecutive division titles to four. The Buccaneers remain one of just three teams to have made the playoffs in each of the last five seasons (2020-24).

– QB Baker Mayfield completed 15-of-18 passes (83.3%) for 185 yards and two touchdowns with zero interceptions to earn a 146.5 passer rating. The 146.5 passer rating is the highest in a postseason contest in franchise history, and the ninth-highest mark by any quarterback in a postseason contest dating back to 2000. Mayfield has recorded a passer rating of 100.0+ in three of his five career postseason contests, and his career postseason passer rating of 105.9 leads all active quarterbacks (min. two games).

HIGHEST SINGLE-GAME PASSER RATING – FRANCHISE POSTSEASON HISTORY

Rank Player Passer Rating

1. Baker Mayfield (1/12/25 vs. WAS) 146.5

2. Tom Brady (2/7/21 vs. KC) 125.8

3. Baker Mayfield (1/15/24 vs. PHI) 119.8

4. Tom Brady (1/16/22 vs. PHI) 115.2

5. Tom Brady (1/9/21 vs. WAS) 104.3

HIGHEST POSTSEASON PASSER RATING – ACTIVE PLAYERS (MIN. 2 GP)

Rank Player Passer Rating

1. Baker Mayfield (TB) 105.9

2. Patrick Mahomes (KC) 105.8

3. Josh Allen (BUF) 102.3

4. C.J. Stroud (HOU) 102.2

5. Matthew Stafford (LAR) 101.7

– Mayfield’s 83.3% completion rate marked the highest by a Buccaneers quarterback in postseason history, and is the second-highest figure in a postseason contest (min. 15 attempts) dating back to 2012.

HIGHEST SINGLE-GAME COMPLETION PCT. – FRANCHISE POSTSEASON HISTORY

Rank Player Comp. Pct.

1. Baker Mayfield (1/12/25 vs. WAS) 83.3%

2. Tom Brady (1/16/22 vs. PHI) 78.4%

3. Tom Brady (2/7/21 vs. KC) 72.4%

HIGHEST SINGLE-GAME COMPLETION PCT. – SINCE 2012

Rank Player Comp. Pct.

1. Josh Allen (BUF – 1/15/22 vs. NE) 84.0%

2. Baker Mayfield (TB – 1/12/25 vs. WAS) 83.3%

3. Jared Goff (DET – 1/14/24 vs. LAR) 81.5%

4. Matt Moore (MIA – 1/8/17 at PIT) 80.6%

5. Deshaun Watson (HOU – 1/4/20 vs. BUF) 80.0%

– WR Mike Evans brought in a team-leading seven receptions for 92 yards and one receiving touchdown. With his score, Evans tied Leonard Fournette (6) for the second-most touchdowns from scrimmage in franchise playoff history, and surpassed Fournette (32) for the second-most playoff points scored by a non-kicker in franchise history.

MOST TOUCHDOWNS FROM SCRIMMAGE – FRANCHISE POSTSEASON HISTORY

Rank Player TD’s

1. Mike Alstott 7

2t. Mike Evans 6

2t. Leonard Fournette 6

4. Rob Gronkowski 3

5t. Many Players Tied 2

MOST POINTS SCORED (NON-KICKER) – FRANCHISE POSTSEASON HISTORY

Rank Player Points

1. Mike Alstott 42

2. Mike Evans 38

3. Leonard Fournette 36

– RB Bucky Irving contributed 83 scrimmage yards and one score on the day. He logged 17 carries for 77 yards (4.5 avg.), establishing a new single-game high for rushing yards by a rookie in franchise playoff history and surpassing the previous mark of 72 set by Warrick Dunn on 12/28/97 vs. Detroit. Irving added six receiving yards, including four on a touchdown pass from Baker Mayfield to record his first career touchdown catch (regular season or postseason).

– Irving’s 77 rushing yards are the most by a rookie in a playoff game since Kansas City’s Isiah Pacheco amassed 95 yards on 1/21/23 vs. Jacksonville.

– TE Cade Otton brought in two catches for 32 yards. In doing so, Otton surpassed Cameron Brate (221) and Rob Gronkowski (226) for the most playoff receiving yards by a tight end in franchise history.

– LB Lavonte David finished with a team-high-tying eight tackles and 1.0 sack. His sack increased his career postseason total to 3.0 – the fifth-most in franchise history. David ranks second in franchise history in postseason tackles (79), trailing only Derrick Brooks (93).

– S Antoine Winfield Jr. also contributed a team-high-tying eight tackles.

– DL Calijah Kancey finished with one tackle (that went for a loss). He has recorded at least one TFL in each of his three career playoff games, tied with Derrick Brooks and Greg Spires for the third-longest streak by a Buccaneer in franchise history, trailing only Devin White (four) and Shelton Quarles (four).

– K Chase McLaughlin went 2-for-2 on field goal tries, connecting from 50 and 32 yards out. McLaughlin is 6-of-7 on postseason field goal attempts with Tampa Bay, with his six made field goals ranking third in club history. His two made field goals from 50+ yards out in playoff contests are the most in franchise history.

Sports

Miami Heat Acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis Jr. in Blockbuster Trade with Bucks

Published

3 hours ago

July 6, 2026

FNN SPORTS

MIAMI (FNN SPORTS) — The Miami Heat have acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis Jr. from the Milwaukee Bucks in a blockbuster trade that reshapes the franchise’s championship aspirations.

In exchange, Miami sent Tyler Herro, Kasparas Jakučionis, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Kel’el Ware to Milwaukee, along with first-round draft picks in 2026, 2031 and 2033, a 2030 first-round pick swap, and a 2033 second-round pick.

Pat Riley: ‘One of the Great Trades in HEAT History’

HEAT President Pat Riley called the acquisition one of the most significant moves in franchise history.

“The announcement of today’s trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis Jr. is one of the great trades in HEAT history,” Riley said. “In my opinion, Giannis is one of the top five players in the league, and Bobby is one of the best power forwards. The difficult part is trading Tyler, Kasparas, Jaime and Kel’el, who have given so much to this organization. We wish them nothing but the best. We also thank the Arison family for their continued commitment to pursuing another championship.”

Antetokounmpo Brings MVP Pedigree to Miami

Antetokounmpo arrives in Miami as one of the NBA’s most accomplished players.

His résumé includes:

2021 NBA Champion
Two-time NBA Most Valuable Player (2019, 2020)
2021 NBA Finals MVP
2020 NBA Defensive Player of the Year
10-time NBA All-Star
Seven All-NBA First Team selections
Member of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team

Last season, Antetokounmpo averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists while shooting a career-best 62.4% from the field. He became the first player in NBA history to average at least 25 points while shooting better than 60% from the field in three consecutive seasons.

He also enters Miami as the Milwaukee Bucks’ all-time franchise leader in points, rebounds, assists, blocks, field goals, free throws, triple-doubles, minutes played and games played.

Antetokounmpo will wear No. 34 with the Heat.

Portis Adds Championship Experience

Portis, an NBA champion with Milwaukee, averaged 13.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 67 games last season while shooting 48.8% from the field and 45.6% from three-point range.

The 11-year veteran has established himself as one of the league’s top reserve forwards, recording a Bucks franchise-record 61 double-doubles off the bench. He also received the NBA Cares Community Assist Award for his work in mentorship and community outreach.

Portis will wear No. 95 in Miami.

Heat Part Ways with Core Players

The trade ends the Miami careers of several key contributors.

Herro, selected 13th overall in the 2019 NBA Draft, spent seven seasons with the Heat, earning 2022 NBA Sixth Man of the Year honors and a 2024 NBA All-Star selection. He averaged 19.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 394 regular-season games.

Jaquez Jr., a 2023 first-round pick, averaged 12.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists over three seasons with Miami.

Jakučionis, selected in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft, averaged 6.2 points during his rookie season.

Ware, the 15th overall selection in the 2024 NBA Draft, averaged 10.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks over two seasons.

Championship Expectations Rise

The acquisition of Antetokounmpo gives the Heat one of the NBA’s premier superstars and significantly strengthens Miami’s pursuit of another NBA championship. The addition of Portis further bolsters the team’s frontcourt with championship experience, scoring and rebounding.

Sports

Argentina Survives Cape Verde Scare, Wins 3-2 in Extra Time to Advance at FIFA World Cup 2026

Published

4 hours ago

July 6, 2026

Willie David

Leo Messi. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News

MIAMI (FNN SPORTS) — Argentina avoided what could have been one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history, surviving a major scare from Cabo Verde with a 3-2 extra-time victory Friday in the Round of 32.

Leo Messi. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News

Argentina Survives Despite Lackluster Performance

The defending World Cup champions delivered an uneven and uninspiring performance, appearing too comfortable after taking a 1-0 first-half lead on a goal by Lionel Messi.

But Argentina’s complacency proved costly as Cabo Verde, one of the tournament’s Cinderella stories, continued to press and eventually found an equalizer through Deroy Duarte.

Messi Goal Not Enough to Settle Match

Messi gave Argentina the early advantage, but the team failed to build on the lead or control the match with authority. Argentina’s attack lacked urgency for long stretches, allowing Cabo Verde to grow in confidence and push the match into extra time.

Extra-Time Drama

Argentina regained the lead in the 93rd minute when center back Lisandro Martínez scored to make it 2-1. Cabo Verde answered 11 minutes later with a stunning equalizer from Sidny Cabral, who curled a spectacular shot past Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez from the corner of the box.

The dramatic strike may stand as one of the best goals of the tournament.

Argentina Advances to Face Egypt

Argentina finally escaped when Cristian Romero headed a corner kick that glanced off a Cabo Verde player and into the net, giving Argentina the narrow win.

With the victory, Argentina advances to face Egypt on Tuesday in Atlanta.

Sports

U.S. Men’s National Team Meets Belgium in FIFA World Cup Knockout Match in Seattle

Published

5 hours ago

July 6, 2026

FNN SPORTS

SEATTLE (FNN SPORTS) — The U.S. Men’s National Team will continue its FIFA World Cup 2026 journey Monday night when it faces Belgium in the Round of 16 at Seattle Stadium.

Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. PT (8 p.m. ET), with live coverage on FOX, Peacock and Telemundo.

USMNT Riding Momentum into Knockout Stage

The United States advanced after defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 in the Round of 32, marking the nation’s second-ever FIFA World Cup knockout-stage victory. The Americans previously earned a knockout win in 2002 with a 2-0 victory over Mexico.

After winning Group D with two victories in three matches, the U.S. has scored 10 goals in four World Cup matches and has produced at least two goals in every tournament match.

The Americans enter Monday’s match with victories over Paraguay (4-1), Australia (2-0) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (2-0). Their lone defeat came against Türkiye (3-2) during group play.

Balogun, Tillman Lead U.S. Attack

Forward Folarin Balogun has emerged as one of the tournament’s top scorers with three goals, becoming only the third American to score at least three goals in a single FIFA World Cup, joining Bert Patenaude (1930) and Landon Donovan (2010).

Midfielder Malik Tillman delivered one of the tournament’s signature moments with a spectacular free-kick goal against Bosnia and Herzegovina after the United States was reduced to 10 players. The goal secured a 2-0 victory and earned Tillman Man of the Match honors.

Roster Notes

Twenty-three of the 26 players on the U.S. roster have appeared during the tournament.

Seven players have featured in all four World Cup matches:

Sebastian Berhalter
Sergiño Dest
Alex Freeman
Weston McKennie
Ricardo Pepi
Gio Reyna
Malik Tillman

Goalkeeper Matt Freese enters the Round of 16 with three World Cup victories, the most by any U.S. goalkeeper in tournament history, while also recording two clean sheets.

Veteran captain Christian Pulisic, with 89 international appearances, is the most-capped player on the U.S. roster.

History Against Belgium

Monday’s match marks the eighth all-time meeting between the United States and Belgium.

The Americans hold a 1-6-0 all-time record against the Red Devils. Their lone victory came in the opening match of the inaugural 1930 FIFA World Cup, a 3-0 win.

Belgium has since won six consecutive meetings, including a 5-2 victory over the United States in an international friendly on March 28, 2026, and a memorable 2-1 extra-time victory in the Round of 16 at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Belgium Brings Experience

Belgium enters the match with one of the tournament’s most experienced squads.

The roster features several internationally recognized stars, including:

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois
Midfielder Kevin De Bruyne
Midfielder Youri Tielemans
Forward Romelu Lukaku
Forward Jeremy Doku
Forward Leandro Trossard

The Red Devils advanced after overcoming a two-goal deficit to defeat Senegal 3-2 in extra time during the Round of 32.

Belgium has not lost a match since March 2025, compiling an 11-1-6 record under head coach Rudi Garcia.

Seattle Has Been Friendly to the U.S.

Seattle Stadium has become a stronghold for the Americans.

The USMNT owns a perfect 7-0-0 record at the venue, including a 2-0 victory over Australia during group play earlier in the tournament.

With a trip to the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals on the line, the United States will look to capitalize on its home-field success while attempting to end Belgium’s six-match winning streak in the all-time series.