American Football

From Indiana’s rapid transformation into a national title contender to the Patriots’ first Super Bowl run and the Cubs’ long-awaited breakthrough, these are some of the most striking two-season turnarounds across football, baseball, basketball and soccer.

New England’s 28-16 divisional-round win over Houston in snowy Foxborough featured five takeaways by the Patriots’ defense and three touchdown passes from Drake Maye, setting up an AFC Championship matchup in Denver.

With Bo Nix sidelined by a season-ending ankle injury, Denver plans to start Jarrett Stidham and has added Ben DiNucci to the practice squad as additional depth heading into the postseason.

The UFL begins its 2026 season on March 27, following a new player selection process that opens with the Quarterback Draft on Jan. 9. Coaches and the league’s centralized scouting department evaluated available quarterbacks as the first step in a three-part system.

Houston’s 30-6 win in Pittsburgh showcased a defense that looked every bit like the NFL’s best, a run game that carried key stretches, and a Steelers offense that never found answers as major offseason questions loom.

New England advanced to the Divisional Round with a 16-3 win over Los Angeles, powered by a dominant defensive performance and timely contributions from quarterback Drake Maye in a low-scoring playoff game.

Super Bowl LX is set for Feb. 8, 2026 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara. As of Jan. 11, the Seahawks sit atop the oddsboard, while the Patriots and Bills have seen notable moves following wild-card wins.

The Buffalo Bills outlasted the Jacksonville Jaguars 27–24 in a Wild Card game defined by a hectic fourth quarter, multiple lead changes, and a tense finish. Buffalo now moves on to the divisional round, with its next opponent and travel destination dependent on other results.

San Francisco edged defending champions Philadelphia 23-19 on the road in the Wild Card round, overcoming injuries and a late deficit to advance. The 49ers now face NFC No 1 seeds Seattle, but will be without tight end George Kittle after a season-ending Achilles injury.

As Oregon and Indiana prepare for a College Football Playoff semifinal rematch, coaches are trying to “stick to the process” while the transfer portal and staff turnover reshape rosters in real time.