Here’s a rewritten version of the content:
This article is the written version of the CBS Sports HQ AM newsletter, your daily sports briefing. Sign up to get it delivered to your inbox every weekday morning.
Good morning and Happy New Year! I’m Austin, bringing you the final sports update of 2025. I hope everyone enjoys a safe and joyful holiday season. This is an exciting time for sports enthusiasts with the College Football Playoff kicking off tonight alongside a host of NFL, NBA, and college basketball developments. Also, we’ve wrapped up 2025 by ranking the top 25 sports stories of the year.
Let’s get started.
5 Key Sports Updates for Wednesday
Nuggets star Nikola Jokic is expected to be out for about four weeks due to a left knee hyperextension. While this is a blow to the Nuggets, it opens doors for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to make a strong MVP contention case.
Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs faces charges of strangulation and assault. The December 2 incident involves an altercation with a personal chef over money. Diggs firmly denies these allegations and will appear in court on January 23, shortly before the AFC Championship Game.
The Cowboys have released cornerback Trevon Diggs after six seasons. Diggs, who carried a $97 million contract, was let go due to surprising conduct. If he hits free agency, there’s interest from teams prepared to take on his contract.
Duke Basketball’s 2026 recruiting class moves to the top nationally, boosted by the addition of 4-star point guard Deron Rippey Jr. Rippey chose Duke over NC State, Miami, Tennessee, and Texas, helping Duke leapfrog Purdue, Maryland, Kansas, and Michigan State.
Northwestern announces the hiring of Chip Kelly as offensive coordinator. After parting ways with the Raiders, Kelly returns to college football, joining David Brown’s staff. Kelly’s last college stint in 2024 saw him orchestrate Ohio State’s national championship-winning offense.
Top 25 Sports Stories of 2025
As we approach 2026, it’s worth reflecting on a remarkable sports year. Whether it’s NHL record-breaker Alex Ovechkin surpassing Wayne Gretzky, Rory McIlroy’s intense golf season including a ‘Rory Slam’, or Luka Doncic stirring NBA rumors that shocked fans in Texas, 2025 was full of memorable moments. Teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and Florida Panthers repeated as champions, while others such as the Philadelphia Eagles and Miami’s Inter Miami claimed first-time multiple titles. Stars like Saquon Barkley, Cooper Kupp, Aaron Rodgers, and Micah Parsons changed teams or reached new heights.
The CBS Sports team compiled, summarized, and ranked the top 25 stories of the year—check out the full list for a comprehensive look back.
College Football Playoff Quarterfinal Expert Picks
Tonight’s College Football Playoff quarterfinals kick off with No. 10 Miami facing No. 2 Ohio State at the Cotton Bowl. Before the games begin, review expert predictions both straight and against the spread. The Orange Bowl will see No. 5 Oregon go up against No. 4 Texas Tech, with a majority of experts favoring Texas Tech to cover the 2.5-point spread. Analyst Chip Patterson trusts Oregon’s quarterback Dante Moore to shine in this tight matchup.
Following the quarterfinals, the transfer portal reopens on January 2nd, promising a dynamic off-season focused on roster upgrades, highlighted by the escalating costs for recruiting certain positions.
Pete Prisco’s NFL Power Rankings: The 49ers Impress
Despite a slew of injuries, the 49ers are in strong contention to win the NFC West, capturing Pete Prisco’s attention. They currently rank No. 5 in his power rankings and could climb even higher with a win over the Seahawks. Prisco praises Kyle Shanahan’s coaching, especially considering Brock Purdy missed eight games.
The Niners’ momentum is crucial as Super Bowl LX will be hosted at their home stadium, presenting a golden opportunity to end a 30-year championship drought if they secure the top seed.
What to Watch on Wednesday
- No. 23 Iowa vs. No. 14 Vanderbilt — 12 PM on ESPN
- Hornets vs. Warriors — 1 PM on NBA TV
- Arizona State vs. Duke — 2 PM on CBS
- No. 21 Virginia Tech (M) — 2 PM on ACC Network
- No. 18 Michigan vs. No. 13 Texas — 3 PM on ABC
- Suns vs. Cavaliers — 3:30 PM on NBA TV
- Nebraska vs. No. 15 Utah State — 3:30 PM on ESPN
- Knicks vs. Spurs — 7 PM on NBA TV
- CFP Quarterfinal: No. 10 Miami vs. No. 2 Ohio State — 7:30 PM on ESPN
Fan Take: Nikola Jokic’s injury is a significant story for basketball fans, as his absence could reshape the NBA MVP race and open new opportunities for players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to emerge as frontrunners. This shift might lead to a more competitive and unpredictable season, keeping basketball enthusiasts highly engaged.
