What to Watch This Weekend: NCAA Tournament Leads a Loaded Slate

What to Watch This Weekend: NCAA Tournament Leads a Loaded Slate

March 20–22, 2026

Basketball Owns the Weekend

NCAA Tournament — Second Round, Sat.–Sun. | CBS / TBS / TNT / truTV

Sixty-eight became sixty-four became thirty-two. Now it gets real. All four channels running simultaneously from 12:10 p.m. on. The remote is yours — use it.

Timberwolves at Celtics — Sun. March 22, 8 p.m. ET | NBC / Peacock

Sunday Night Basketball. Two of the better teams in their respective conferences, one national showcase slot. Anthony Edwards vs. Boston in a potential playoff preview.

Lakers at Magic — Sat. March 21, 7 p.m. ET | NBA TV

Luka and LeBron make a stop in Orlando. The Magic are sixth in the East and playoff-bound. Not a sleeper pick — a genuine test.

Hockey Means Business This Weekend

Stars at Wild — Sat. March 21, 4 p.m. ET | ESPN+/Hulu

Both teams in the thick of the Western playoff race, in St. Paul. The kind of game that doesn’t need a storyline because the standings tell you everything.

Ducks at Mammoth — Fri. March 20, 8 p.m. MT | Utah16 / ESPN+

Cutter Gauthier and the Ducks are the surprising Western team no one’s sleeping on anymore. Utah’s in its inaugural full season with a fanbase that’s shown up. A franchise-building moment for the Mammoth, against a Ducks team that has earned respect.

Lightning at Oilers — Sat. March 22, 8 p.m. ET | ESPN+

Kucherov and Vasilevskiy on the road to Rogers Place, McDavid without Draisaitl. Vasilevskiy will be the X-factor as Tampa Bay tries to stabilize a struggling defensive stretch.

Golf

Valspar Championship — Sat.–Sun. | Golf Channel (1–3 p.m.) / NBC (3–6 p.m.)

Innisbrook’s Copperhead Course in Palm Harbor, with a field that includes Xander Schauffele, Viktor Hovland (defending), Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth, and Matt Fitzpatrick. The Florida Swing’s final stop before everything bends toward Augusta. The Copperhead is a grinder — birdies are earned, not found.

Soccer Has Two Proper Fixtures

Everton vs. Chelsea — Sat. March 21, 1:30 p.m. ET | USA Network

Matchday 31 of the Premier League. Chelsea coming to the newly-opened Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool. Two clubs trying to break recent form, in a fixture historically tighter than either would like to admit.

Real Madrid vs. Atlético Madrid — Sun. March 22, 4 p.m. ET | ESPN+

The Madrid derby at the Bernabéu. Atlético torched them 5-2 in the first derby back in September. Real has since steadied — new manager, three straight wins — but Bellingham is now hurt. This one has score-to-settle energy on both ends.

Racing

NASCAR at Darlington — Sun. March 22, 3 p.m. ET | FS1

The Lady in Black. Darlington Raceway is one of the most punishing tracks on the circuit — the egg-shaped layout means every car comes home with a Darlington stripe. Old-school stock car racing at its most character-building.

Two Prospect Filled Baseball Matchups

No. 3 Texas at No. 9 Auburn — Series, Fri.–Sun. | SEC Network+

This was one of the featured breakdowns on this week’s Three Quarter Slot podcast — and for good reason., this is the headliner college baseball series of the weekend. Two of the SEC’s top programs, early in conference play, at Plainsman Park. Friday is 6 p.m. CT. None of the three games land on national linear TV — they stream on SEC Network+ — but the rankings, the venue, and the early-season stakes make this worth hunting down.

Spring Breakout: Tigers vs. Pirates — Fri. March 20, 7:35 p.m. ET | MLB Network / Peacock / MLB.TV

The main event of MLB’s prospect showcase. Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin — No. 1 overall prospect in baseball — takes center stage in the prime time slot. The No. 2 prospect, Tigers shortstop Kevin McGonigle, won’t be suiting up; he’s staying with the big-league club. But Detroit still brings Max Clark and a loaded outfield. Consider this a trailer for the next five years of baseball.

If you want a deeper look at these players, full reports are up on Three Quarter Slot, and the weekly breakdown is available on the TQS YouTube.

THE REMOTE PLAN

Friday opens with the Texas-Auburn series and Spring Breakout prospects, which is a very good way to start a sports weekend. Saturday is genuinely stacked — tournament games from noon onward, the derby at 4, Lakers at 7, Lightning-Oilers at 8. Sunday closes it out with the Madrid derby, NASCAR, the tournament, and Sunday Night Basketball. There is no excuse for a slow weekend. There are only bad prioritization decisions.

Antonelli Wins in Shanghai as Mercedes Dominates and F1 Calendar Shifts After Bahrain, Saudi Cancellations

Antonelli Wins in Shanghai as Mercedes Dominates and F1 Calendar Shifts After Bahrain, Saudi Cancellations

The 2026 Formula 1 season continues to rewrite the record books.

At the Shanghai International Circuit, Kimi Antonelli became the second youngest Grand Prix winner in Formula 1 history, converting pole position into victory and leading a Mercedes 1–2 finish over teammate George Russell. Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton completed the podium, securing his first top-three finish since joining the Scuderia.

The Chinese Grand Prix weekend delivered everything expected from the new era of Formula 1 — speed, chaos, and a rapidly shifting competitive order. It also came with a major off-track development as Formula 1 confirmed that the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix have been cancelled, leaving the championship without any races scheduled in April.

Antonelli Converts Historic Pole Into Victory

Antonelli’s weekend began with history before the race even started.

The Mercedes driver secured pole position in qualifying, becoming the youngest pole sitter in Formula 1 Grand Prix history. The moment capped another dominant showing from Mercedes, which locked out the front row with Russell alongside him.

Qualifying wasn’t entirely straightforward. Russell stalled on track during Q3 and appeared stuck in first gear before eventually rejoining the session. The delay left him with time for only a single flying lap, but it proved good enough for second.

Once the race began, Antonelli handled the pressure of leading a Grand Prix with remarkable composure.

Ferrari again produced exceptional launches off the line. Lewis Hamilton immediately surged into the lead while teammate Charles Leclerc also gained positions. Russell slipped backward in the opening moments, falling from second to fourth as Ferrari briefly looked poised to control the race.

But the Mercedes pace soon took control of the weekend.

Antonelli reclaimed the lead during the race and steadily built a comfortable gap over the field. Even a late lock-up and off-track moment on lap 53 failed to threaten his advantage, and the Mercedes driver ultimately cruised to victory ahead of Russell.

Hamilton Claims First Ferrari Podium

Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari has been one of the biggest storylines of the 2026 season, and Shanghai delivered the first major milestone.

After jumping into the lead at the start and battling Russell during the sprint race earlier in the weekend, Hamilton secured third place in the Grand Prix, earning his first podium in Ferrari red.

Ferrari’s pace throughout the weekend appeared competitive, particularly at the start of races. Both Ferraris launched extremely well off the grid in both the sprint and the Grand Prix, repeatedly gaining positions during the opening phase.

Still, Mercedes’ overall race pace proved difficult to match over a full stint.

Sprint Race Shows Early Mercedes Advantage

The sprint race offered an early preview of the Mercedes strength.

George Russell won the sprint after an intense opening battle with Hamilton that saw the pair swap the lead multiple times during the first few laps.

The final sprint podium featured:

  1. George Russell — Mercedes
  2. Charles Leclerc — Ferrari
  3. Lewis Hamilton — Ferrari

The race also featured early drama.

Kimi Antonelli suffered a poor start and later received a 10-second penalty for causing a collision with Isack Hadjar, yet still recovered to finish fifth. Both Red Bull drivers finished outside the points in the sprint, an early sign of the team’s struggles during the weekend.

Red Bull’s Weekend Falls Apart

If Mercedes owned the front of the grid in Shanghai, Red Bull endured one of the most difficult weekends of the season.

Max Verstappen lost six positions at the start of the Grand Prix and never recovered. His race eventually ended in retirement, continuing a frustrating weekend for the reigning champions.

Hadjar also suffered problems early, spinning during the opening lap and pitting immediately afterward.

For a team accustomed to dominating recent seasons, Shanghai represented a rare weekend with little to show on the results sheet.

Bearman Delivers Big Points for Haas

One of the standout performances of the race came from Haas.

Oliver Bearman finished fifth, running as the best car outside the Ferrari and Mercedes quartet for much of the race. His performance capped an impressive weekend for the young driver and delivered valuable points for the American team.

Incidents and Attrition Shape the Race

The race was far from clean.

A Safety Car appeared on lap 10 after Lance Stroll ran off the track and required recovery. The incident came moments after several drivers — including Liam Lawson, Max Verstappen, and Carlos Sainz — had already pitted, creating a significant strategic shake-up.

Later in the race, Esteban Ocon and Franco Colapinto collided on lap 34. Ocon accepted responsibility for the contact and was handed a 10-second penalty.

Fernando Alonso also retired, contributing to a race that eventually left only 15 cars still running late in the event.

F1 Academy: Felbermayr Claims Feature Victory

The weekend also featured the opening appearance of F1 Academy in Shanghai.

Qualifying was dominated by PREMA driver Alisha Palmowski, who took pole position by more than four tenths of a second.

The sprint race used the reverse-grid format, allowing Nina Gademan to start from pole and convert the opportunity into victory.

Sprint Race Podium:

  1. Nina Gademan
  2. Natalia Granada
  3. Emma Felbermayr

In the feature race, Emma Felbermayr secured the victory after a race that saw four retirements.

Feature Race Podium:

  1. Emma Felbermayr
  2. Alisha Palmowski
  3. Payton Westcott

April Calendar Cleared After Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Cancelled

The Shanghai race weekend also brought major news for the Formula 1 calendar.

Formula 1 confirmed that the Bahrain Grand Prix and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix have been cancelled due to the escalating conflict involving Iran in the region.

The cancellations remove both April races from the calendar and create an unusual early-season gap.

After the next round in Japan, the championship will pause for nearly five weeks before returning at the Miami Grand Prix in early May.

Early Season Picture

Two races into the season, several early trends are emerging.

Mercedes appears to have the fastest car on the grid. Ferrari is competitive and capable of fighting for podiums. Red Bull suddenly looks vulnerable, and the new generation of cars continues to produce unpredictable racing.

If Shanghai proved anything, it’s that the 2026 season is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable campaigns in recent memory.

Mercedes Dominate 2026 F1 Season Opener as Russell Leads 1-2 Finish in Chaotic Debut Weekend

Mercedes Dominate 2026 F1 Season Opener as Russell Leads 1-2 Finish in Chaotic Debut Weekend

The 2026 Formula 1 season didn’t ease into the new era.

Reliability issues, operational mistakes, penalties, and attrition shaped nearly every session of the opening weekend, but once the dust settled, one thing was unmistakably clear: Mercedes has arrived with the fastest car in Formula 1.

George Russell converted pole position into victory while teammate Kimi Antonelli recovered from a disastrous start to secure second, completing a dominant Mercedes 1-2. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc rounded out the podium after briefly leading the race early.

Behind them, the first weekend of the new regulation era delivered exactly what many expected — chaos, experimentation, and a grid still learning how to handle a brand-new generation of cars.

Russell Secures Pole as Mercedes Pace Shows

Mercedes hinted at their advantage long before Sunday.

Russell stunned the field in FP3 by finishing more than six tenths faster than the rest of the grid, with only the Ferraris of Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton within a second of the benchmark. That pace carried straight into qualifying.

Russell secured pole position while Antonelli joined him on the front row, creating a Mercedes lockout that looked ominous for the rest of the field. The closest challenger, Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar, was still 0.785 seconds off Russell’s lap, an enormous gap in modern Formula 1 qualifying.

Even so, the race did not begin smoothly for Mercedes.

Leclerc jumped Russell at the start, taking the lead into Turn 1 while Antonelli suffered a brutal launch that dropped him from second to seventh within seconds.

Russell settled into the race quickly, eventually reclaiming control as Mercedes’ overall pace proved too strong. Antonelli meanwhile carved his way back through the field to finish second, salvaging what initially looked like a disastrous race start.

The result confirmed the early narrative of the weekend: Mercedes currently owns the fastest package in Formula 1.

New Era, New Problems

The first race of the 2026 season was as much about survival as speed.

Reliability issues appeared almost immediately in Friday practice. Both McLarens suffered early power problems in FP1, Cadillac lost mirrors on both cars during the session, and Alex Albon’s Williams experienced hydraulic issues. Aston Martin’s struggles proved even more severe.

The team revealed before the race that their new car was producing such intense vibration that drivers were being limited in how long they could remain in the cockpit. The team warned that prolonged running could even risk nerve damage.

Those concerns played out exactly as feared.

Fernando Alonso briefly rejoined the race after stopping early but ultimately retired the car, while Lance Stroll continued circulating only to finish 15 laps behind the field.

Other teams weren’t immune either.

Oscar Piastri’s race ended before it began when he crashed during the reconnaissance lap. Nico Hülkenberg never made it to the starting grid for Audi, and Isack Hadjar’s impressive qualifying effort resulted in no points with his smoking Red Bull pulling off the circuit early in the race. Cadillac also suffered a retirement when Valtteri Bottas was forced to stop, triggering one of several Virtual Safety Car periods.

By the time the checkered flag fell, only 16 cars were classified finishers.

Strategy and the Pit Lane Closure Twist

Strategy also played a pivotal role in the race outcome.

A Virtual Safety Car early in the race created a potential opportunity for teams to make reduced-time pit stops. However, the pit entry was closed late during the neutralization, preventing the Ferraris from diving into the pits when they otherwise might have.

That decision forced Ferrari to stay out longer than ideal and ultimately limited their strategic flexibility later in the race.

Leclerc, who had grabbed the lead at the start, held strong pace during the opening stint but eventually slipped behind the Mercedes cars as the race unfolded.

Still, the Ferrari driver salvaged a podium finish to begin the season.

No DRS? No Problem

One of the biggest questions entering the new regulation cycle was how racing would look without the long-standing Drag Reduction System.

Early signs suggest the answer might actually be encouraging.

Rather than relying on fixed overtaking zones, drivers were able to deploy battery power strategically to attack or defend. That flexibility produced passing opportunities across multiple sections of the circuit, creating more organic racing dynamics than the familiar DRS slingshot.

If the opening race is any indication, the battery deployment system could produce a more dynamic style of overtaking throughout the season.

Lindblad Scores Points on Debut

While Mercedes stole the headlines, one of the most promising performances of the weekend came from Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad.

After showing impressive pace throughout practice and qualifying, Lindblad managed to bring the car home in the points in his Formula 1 debut — a strong opening statement for one of the sport’s most highly regarded young drivers.

A Wild Weekend Across the Ladder

The Formula 2 and Formula 3 support races delivered just as much drama.

In Formula 2, Joshua Dürksen captured the sprint race victory before Nikola Tsolov claimed the feature race win after overtaking Nico Varrone following a restart. Varrone later dropped down the order after receiving a five-second penalty for speeding in the pit lane.

Formula 3 featured its own share of chaos. The sprint race ended early after a massive crash involving James Wharton and Louis Sharp, while the feature race ultimately went to Ugo Ugochukwu after pole-sitter Théophile Naël received a five-second penalty for a false start.

Early Takeaways for 2026

One weekend doesn’t define a season, but the opening round revealed several early trends.

Mercedes appears to have the fastest car. Reliability remains a major question for several teams adjusting to the new regulations. And despite the removal of DRS, the new battery deployment system may be capable of producing exciting racing.

If the rest of the season follows the same unpredictable script as the opening weekend, Formula 1’s new era is going to be anything but boring.

2026 F1 Livery Ranks

2026 F1 Livery Ranks

The F1 season is almost here, all the base liveries have been announced, so now it is time to rank them 1-11, yes 11, as we now have Sauber turned into Audi and Cadillac added to the grid, plus a fully redesigned car for every team with new rules in 2026. This list will certainly anger anyone who reads it because I am too low on your favorite F1 team and too high on your least favorite, and disrespectful to the classics I am sure. That said, this is my take and rank based on personal opinion, let the debate begin.

1) Cadillac

Maybe it was the Super Bowl commercial that did it, maybe it is the fact they are a new team, or maybe it is simply the fact the livery is awesome. I love the split design with it dark on the right and light on the left while merging seamlessly down the middle. it is clean, it is innovative, it is a damn good debut livery.

2) Haas

Haas has long been a livery that is forgettable, but that is not the case this year. The have added more white, but the swooping “lines” look awesome and the GR really stands out. For a rather basic color scheme, they have really made the most of it this year and is very much in the conversation for most improved.

3) Mercedes

I have had a love-hate relationship with Mercedes liveries over the years, but this year is a win for me. As the silver moves to the back and turns almost into a scale-like design before hitting the Mercedes stars really works. The teal lines accent the whole car well giving it a splash of color while keeping the overall design super clean.

4) Ferrari

Loving the throwback feel, the driver number looks fantastic, but the sponsor inspired blue just bothers me. I know F1 has sponsors all over, and I am not mad at the HP in the white, but the IBM making the back wing blue has never sat well with me, it just takes away from the classic Ferrari feel.

5) Red Bull

Red Bull has brightened their blue from the deep navy to a much brighter shade, and it really alllows the yellow to pop. They have long been an underwhelming livery for me, this is a clear upgrade with the red bull and the yellow ahead of it in both location really standing out in a positive way.

6) Alpine

I have long had an affinity for the blue and pink combination, likely due to the fact those were my elementary school colors so it was engrained in me at a young age, so I love the color scheme for Alpine. I have always wanted more, but this is one of my favorite liveries from them. The pink is well scattered in a way that really compliments the blue and looks good overall.

7) Williams

I still say the Duracell piece is one of the best uses of a sponsor in terms of pure design in F1, so that automatically gets a positive review from me. I like the addition of the sky blue on the side pod, although the white sections just don’t flow as well. Overall, much like the team on the track, kinda a mid-pack livery.

8) McLaren

I get it, they won the constructors and driver title a year ago, so don’t mess with a good thing. That said, I just don’t love it. Not inspired, the papaya is oviously prominent, but the black diagonal strip doesn’t do anything for me. The Google Chrome wheels are still fun, but overall just meh.

9) Aston Martin

Do I like their color scheme, yes I do. Do I like what they do with it, no. It is just boring and forgettable. Pretty much all I have to say on this one.

10) Racing Bulls

While Red Bull went from navy to a brighter blue, Racing Bulls did the opposite and it had the reverse effect. The bull doesn’t pop nearly enough and it absolutely looks like a second tier version of the parent team. Unlike minor league baseball where the affiliates have fun with their branding, Racing Bulls has never really pushed their livery like they should.

11) Audi

I had really high hopes for Audi’s livery and have ever since they announced they were taking over Sauber for the 2026 season. Maybe the multiple years of concept liveries hurt them, maybe they just truly dropped the ball, but I was incredibly dissapointed when the livery droped. The orange somehow detracts rather than adds to the livery, the plain orange section between the silver and black just looks so unfinished. The lack of creativity here is such a let down.

WHAT TO WATCH THIS WEEKEND – Football Owns the Weekend, Everything Else Fights for Space

WHAT TO WATCH THIS WEEKEND – Football Owns the Weekend, Everything Else Fights for Space

This is one of those weekends where the sports calendar stops pretending it has manners. NFL playoff football stacks Saturday and Sunday. The NBA slips in a few national windows. Soccer gives you a proper derby. And Olympic sports quietly sneak in some must-see events if you’re willing to leave the mainstream lane.

You won’t watch everything — but you should know where to look.

NFL — DIVISIONAL ROUND

Buffalo Bills vs Denver Broncos

Saturday, Jan 17 — 4:30 PM ET — CBS

This is the early Saturday game, which historically means one of two things: either a blowout nobody remembers or a weird classic that ruins the rest of your weekend expectations. Buffalo brings the firepower. Denver brings the defense and altitude energy. Someone’s season ends before dinner.

San Francisco 49ers vs Seattle Seahawks

Saturday, Jan 17 — 8:00 PM ET — FOX

This rivalry never needs help. Familiar opponents. Familiar tension. Familiar “how did that just happen?” moments. The late Saturday slot is where grudges go to thrive.

Houston Texans vs New England Patriots

Sunday, Jan 18 — 3:00 PM ET — ESPN / ABC

The Patriots aren’t supposed to be here. The Texans are supposed to be happy just being invited. That combination usually produces chaos. The early Sunday national window is deceptive — this one could turn sideways fast.

Los Angeles Rams vs Chicago Bears

Sunday, Jan 18 — 6:30 PM ET — NBC / Peacock

Prime-time playoff football in Chicago. Cold weather. Tight game. Everyone suddenly becomes a running-game expert. This is the “wrap the weekend in stress” game.

NBA — NATIONAL WINDOWS & SPOTLIGHT GAMES

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Philadelphia 76ers

Friday, Jan 16 — 7:00 PM ET — ESPN

This is the kind of Friday night NBA game that reminds you the regular season still matters when the teams actually care. Physical, emotional, and loud — especially if it’s close late.

Minnesota Timberwolves vs Houston Rockets

Friday, Jan 16 — Late Evening ET — ESPN / Regional

Young legs, fast pace, and a game that can flip from sloppy to electric in about three possessions. Perfect background basketball once your brain starts switching gears.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs Miami Heat

Sunday, Jan 18 — Evening ET — Regional / League Pass

Not a national window, but a quietly important matchup. OKC’s speed against Miami’s structure always makes for uncomfortable basketball — which is usually the good kind.

Toronto Raptors vs Los Angeles Lakers

Sunday, Jan 18 — Night ET — Regional / League Pass

Late-night NBA with stars on one side and chaos on the other. If you’re still awake after the NFL, this is where you land.

SOCCER — DERBIES AND REAL STAKES

Manchester United vs Manchester City

Sunday, Jan 18 — Late Morning ET — Peacock / USA Network

Derbies don’t care about form. They care about moments. This one sets the tone for your entire Sunday before football even kicks off.

RB Leipzig vs Bayern Munich

Saturday, Jan 17 — 12:30 PM ET — ESPN+

Fast, aggressive, and played like someone turned the difficulty setting up too high. Bundesliga at its best never apologizes.

AFCON — Senegal vs Morocco

Friday, Jan 16 — Afternoon ET — beIN SPORTS / beIN CONNECT

Tournament football hits differently. This one carries real weight, real pressure, and zero patience. If you want intensity before the weekend fully explodes, this is it.

OLYMPIC SPORTS — IF YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW

Figure Skating — European Championships

Friday–Sunday — Peacock

This isn’t background viewing. This is elite skating with Olympic implications, pressure situations, and performances that actually matter. Peacock has full session coverage — it’s the only reliable place to watch without guessing.

Speed Skating — ISU World Cup

Friday–Sunday — Peacock

Session-based coverage with Olympic qualification points on the line. Not flashy, but incredibly tense if you care about margins and moments.

THE REMOTE PLAN

(Because discipline matters.)

Friday Night
NBA on ESPN → AFCON earlier if you want the warm-up → skating on Peacock as the late-night reset.

Saturday
Early afternoon: Leipzig–Bayern
Late afternoon: Bills–Broncos
Night: 49ers–Seahawks
Second screen all day: Figure skating sessions

Sunday
Morning: Manchester derby
Afternoon: Texans–Patriots
Evening: Rams–Bears
Late: NBA or skating depending on energy level

FINAL WORD

This weekend doesn’t need hype — it needs organization. The NFL owns the calendar, but the edges are where things get interesting. If you pace it right, you’ll hit football, basketball, soccer, and Olympic sports without burning out by Sunday night.

And if you don’t?
There’s always next weekend.

What to Watch This Weekend: CFP First Round, Packers-Bears on Saturday Night, and Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua

What to Watch This Weekend: CFP First Round, Packers-Bears on Saturday Night, and Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua

December Sports, Zero Downtime Edition

This is one of those weekends where the remote never stops moving and nobody apologizes for it. Rivalries, playoffs, heavyweight matchups, and one boxing spectacle nobody asked for but everyone will watch anyway.

Here’s the full slate — with times, channels, and zero fluff.

NFL

Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears
Saturday — 8:20 PM ET
FOX

This rivalry survives quarterbacks, coaches, rebuilds, and common sense.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers
Sunday — 1:00 PM ET
Fox

Because technically somebody has to win the NFC South.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Denver Broncos
Sunday — 4:05 PM ET
Fox

6 TDs last week for Trevor Lawrence, one of the best defenses in the NFL this week.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Detroit Lions
Sunday — 4:25 PM ET
CBS

Physical football. Loud stadium. Somebody wins ugly.

New England Patriots at Baltimore Ravens
Sunday — 8:20 PM ET
NBC / Peacock

Patriots need to rebound, Drake Maye with a standalone MVP opportunity, Ravens desperate for Ws.

NBA

Friday

Philadelphia 76ers at New York Knicks
Friday — 7:30 PM ET
Prime

Two fanbases convinced the refs hate them equally.

Oklahoma City Thunder at Minnesota Timberwolves
Friday — 9:30 PM ET
Prime

Young stars, athletic lineups, and a game that might turn serious very quickly.

Saturday

Houston Rockets at Denver Nuggets
Saturday — 5:00 PM ET
NBA TV

Denver controls games quietly. Houston tries to disrupt that plan loudly.

NHL

Friday

Carolina Hurricanes at Florida Panthers
Friday — 7:00 PM ET
ESPN+

Speed, pressure, and very little space to breathe.

Dallas Stars at Anaheim Ducks
Friday — 10:00 PM ET
ESPN+

Pair of underrated Western Conference contenders.

Saturday

Detroit Red Wings at Washington Capitals
Saturday — 12:30 PM ET
NHL Network

Youth movement meets veteran resistance.

Edmonton Oilers at Minnesota Wild
Saturday — 3:00 PM ET
ESPN+

Elite skill vs structured defense. Always worth your time.

Carolina Hurricanes at Tampa Bay Lightning
Saturday — 7:00 PM ET
ESPN+

Yes, again. No complaints.

Sunday

Colorado Avalanche at Minnesota Wild
Sunday — 6:00 PM ET
ESPN+

Minnesota doesn’t get a break this weekend. Neither should you.

Soccer

Saturday

Tottenham vs Liverpool
Saturday — 12:30 PM ET
NBC / Peacock

Pace, pressure, and someone losing control of midfield early.

Stuttgart vs Hoffenheim
Saturday — 7:30 AM ET
ESPN+

Bundesliga chaos, fully endorsed.

RB Leipzig vs Bayer Leverkusen
Saturday — 10:30 AM ET
ESPN+

Fast, aggressive, and played at a volume most leagues avoid.

Juventus vs Roma
Saturday — 2:45 PM ET
Paramount+

Tactical tension. Somebody wins 1–0. Nobody is happy afterward.

Sunday

Villarreal vs Barcelona
Sunday — 10:15 AM ET
ESPN+

Barcelona road matches remain a weekly stress test.

NCAA Football

FBS Playoffs

Alabama vs Oklahoma
Friday — 6:00 PM ET
ABC/ESPN

Two brands that assume they belong here. Only one leaves satisfied.

Miami vs Texas A&M
Saturday — 12:00 PM ET
ABC/ESPN

Talent everywhere. Discipline negotiable.

Tulane vs Ole Miss
Saturday — 3:30 PM ET
TNT

How will no Lane Kiffin impact Ole Miss?

James Madison vs Oregon
Saturday — 7:30 PM ET
TNT

Belief vs depth. Speed vs confidence.

FCS Playoffs

Montana vs Montana State
Saturday — 2:00 PM ET
ABC
Brawl of the Wild rematch. If you skip this, that’s on you.

Illinois State vs Villanova
Saturday — 5:30 PM ET
ESPN2

Clean football. No gimmicks. Real stakes.

NCAA Women’s Volleyball

National Championship Match
Sunday — 3:00 PM ET
ABC

Elite execution, real pressure, and one of the best championship environments in college sports.

Boxing

Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua
Saturday — 8:00 PM ET
Netflix

Yes, it’s ridiculous.
Yes, you’ll check the result.
Yes, many of you will watch live.

What to Watch This Weekend: NBA Cup Semis, Army–Navy, NFL Chaos, UFC Fight Night, and College Football Playoffs

What to Watch This Weekend: NBA Cup Semis, Army–Navy, NFL Chaos, UFC Fight Night, and College Football Playoffs

December 12–14, 2025 — The Remote Is Doing Cardio

December is not messing around. Every sport has decided “What if we all played at once?” and now your weekend looks like a bad multiverse timeline where football, basketball, lacrosse, soccer, hockey, and fistfighting all overlap on purpose.

This is Peak Remote Stress Season.
Let’s embrace it.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Three divisions. Twelve games. Zero mercy.

FCS Quarterfinals

Friday
• Stephen F. Austin at Montana State — 7:00 PM ET (ESPN)
Bozeman in December: where football dreams freeze before they die.

Saturday
• Villanova at Tarleton State — 10:00 AM ET (ESPN)
Breakfast football should always come with playoff implications.
• South Dakota at Montana — 1:30 PM ET (ABC)
Montana’s defense hasn’t allowed a clean breath since Week 2.
• Illinois State at UC Davis — 3:00 PM ET (ESPN+)
The “quiet” quarterfinal that will probably end up the wildest because FCS refuses to act normal.

Division II Playoffs — Semifinals (Corrected)

Saturday — ESPN+

• Newberry at No. 1 Ferris State — 10:00 AM
Ferris State is a machine built to ruin someone’s season every December.

• Harding at Kutztown — 1:30 PM
This is where it belongs — DII.
Harding runs more option than a 1997 playbook. Kutztown hits like they’re trying to win two games at once.

Division III Playoffs — Quarterfinals

Saturday — All ESPN+

• John Carroll at Berry — 10:00 AM
• Susquehanna at Johns Hopkins — 10:00 AM
• Bethel (MN) at North Central — 11:00 AM
• Wheaton at Wisconsin–River Falls — 1:00 PM

DIII football is an absolute fever dream. Someone is going to fake a punt from their own 12. Someone else is going to go for two simply because “why not?”

Army–Navy

Saturday — 3:00 PM ET (CBS)
The only game where eight total passes still feels like poetry.

NFL — SUNDAY

Meaningful December football, or at least something pretending to be.

• Bills at Patriots — 1:00 PM ET (CBS)
Buffalo should win. Which obviously means they might not.
• Packers at Broncos — 4:25 PM ET (CBS)
Two teams that flip a chaos coin every week.
• Rams at Lions — 4:25 PM ET (FOX)
A shootout disguised as a football game.
• Colts (Philip Rivers!!) at Seahawks — 4:25 PM ET (CBS/FOX)
Rivers is back to scream at safeties and throw touch passes no one else would attempt.

NBA CUP — SEMIFINALS

Vegas, where every franchise suddenly pretends this trophy matters more than their regular season.

Saturday — Prime Video

• Spurs vs Thunder — 7:00 PM ET
OKC is 24–1 and acting like this is their tournament.
• Knicks vs Magic — 8:30 PM ET
Knicks fans are already planning the parade. Orlando is here to ruin someone’s weekend.

NHL

Hockey: where chaos and skill hold hands and sprint into the boards.

Friday
• Lightning at Islanders — 7:00 PM ET (ESPN+)

Saturday
• Flyers at Hurricanes — 7:00 PM ET (ESPN+)
Philly brings chaos. Carolina brings structure. Something’s gotta give.

Sunday
• Kraken at Canucks — 8:00 PM ET (ESPN+)
• Coyotes at Kings — 10:30 PM ET (ESPN+)
For the real night owls.

NLL — WEEK 2

The most fun you can have watching grown men run into each other at 20 mph.

Friday
• Calgary at Vancouver — 10:00 PM ET

Saturday
• Rochester at Georgia — 6:00 PM
• Toronto at Albany — 7:00 PM
• Buffalo at Halifax — 7:00 PM
• Panther City at San Diego — 10:00 PM

Sunday
• New York at Colorado — 5:00 PM

Every game is a banger. No notes.

SOCCER

Morning caffeine delivery system.

• Chelsea vs Everton — Sunday, 9:00 AM ET (Peacock)
Chelsea are performing a long-term science experiment. Everton are performing a cry for help.

• Bologna vs Juventus — Sunday, 2:45 PM ET (Paramount+)
Juve wins by not losing. Bologna plays like they’re tired of that narrative.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT — ROYVAL VS KAPE

Saturday — Prelims 7:00 PM, Main Card 10:00 PM (ESPN2/ESPN+)

Royval fights like he’s double-parked.
Kape fights like he’s here for the performance bonus.
This one might not last long — but neither will your nerves.

THE REMOTE PLAN

Your survival depends on discipline.

FRIDAY

7:00 — FCS: SFA at Montana State
10:00 — NLL: Calgary at Vancouver
Side screen: NHL if your heart rate drops

SATURDAY MORNING

10:00 — Villanova/Tarleton
Second screen — DIII madness
Third screen — Ferris State being Ferris State

SATURDAY AFTERNOON (UPDATED)

1:30 — South Dakota/Montana (Main)
Second — Harding at Kutztown (DII Semifinal)
Third — Any DIII game refusing to end
3:00 — Army–Navy takes over the main screen
Second — Illinois State/UC Davis

SATURDAY NIGHT CHAOS

7:00 — Spurs/Thunder (Main)
8:30 — Knicks/Magic (Main 2 if you have picture-in-picture)
Second — NLL early games
Third — UFC Prelims
10:00 — UFC Main Card (Main), NLL late game (Second)

SUNDAY

9:00 AM — Chelsea/Everton
1:00 — Bills/Patriots
4:25 — Rams–Lions OR Colts–Seahawks (flip if Rivers is cooking)
5:00 — NLL: New York at Colorado
8:00 — Kraken/Canucks
10:30 — Coyotes/Kings to finish the weekend off a cliff

What to Watch This Weekend: October Kings and Contact Sports: Dodgers, Jays, and Everyone Else Fighting for Oxygen

What to Watch This Weekend: October Kings and Contact Sports: Dodgers, Jays, and Everyone Else Fighting for Oxygen

It’s one of those weekends that looks like the remote’s about to sprain a thumb. We’ve got the World Series, the NBA back in full swing, and a football slate that runs wall-to-wall with a side of chaos. F1 rolls through Mexico City, NASCAR bangs fenders in Martinsville, and there’s just enough combat and global flair to keep you from pretending you’ll get anything productive done.

MLB — World Series (Dodgers vs Blue Jays)

  • Game 1 — Fri 8:00 PM ET (FOX)
  • Game 2 — Sat 8:00 PM ET (FOX)

Toronto’s trying to prove they belong with baseball’s heavyweights; Los Angeles is looking to repeat

NBA — Opening Weekend Highlights

  • Fri: Celtics at Knicks — 7:30 PM ET (Prime Video)
    A great NBA rivalry with one of the favorites in the East taking on the Celtics looking to compete without Tatum.
  • Fri: Warriors at Trail Blazers — 10:00 PM ET (NBA TV)
    Portland’s in post-scandal mode; Golden State’s in perpetual drama mode.
  • Sat: Suns at Nuggets — 9:00 PM ET (League Pass)
    Denver looks the part; Phoenix looks like a team still learning each other’s names.
  • Sun: Bucks at Cavaliers — 6:00 PM ET (NBA TV)
    Milwaukee’s size, Cleveland’s speed—whoever blinks first loses.

NFL — Week 8 Headliners

  • Bills at Panthers — Sun 1:00 PM ET (FOX)
    Buffalo’s firepower meets Carolina who are a surprising team over .500.
  • Cowboys at Broncos — Sun 4:25 PM ET (CBS)
    Denver’s altitude vs. Dallas’ attitude; something’s getting gassed.
  • Packers at Steelers — Sun 8:20 PM ET (NBC / Peacock)
    Classic uniforms, classic bruises—bring an ice pack.

NHL — Saturday Showcase

  • Avalanche at Bruins — Sat 3:00 PM ET (ESPN+)
    Two Cup contenders in October form, which means both already look terrifying.
  • Golden Knights at Panthers — Sat 6:00 PM ET (ESPN+)
    A pair of Stanley Cup hopefuls, including one looking to repeat.

College Football — Rivalries & Ranked Clashes

  • Ole Miss at Oklahoma — 12:00 PM ET (ABC)
    Points everywhere. Defenses optional.
  • Missouri at Vanderbilt — 3:30 PM ET (ESPN)
    Vandy looking like a genuine football school suddenly.
  • Illinois at Washington — 3:30 PM ET (BTN)
    Two teams who have had some ups and downs, need this one big.
  • Texas A&M at LSU — 7:30 PM ET (ABC)
    Baton Rouge at night—equal parts football and exorcism.
  • Michigan at Michigan State — 7:30 PM ET (NBC / Peacock)
    Hate runs deep, records don’t matter, neighbors don’t speak.
  • Houston at Arizona State — 8:00 PM ET (ESPN)
    Expect points and coaches who age a decade by halftime.

NASCAR — Martinsville Playoff Weekend

  • Truck Series (“Slim Jim 200”) — Fri 6:00 PM ET (FS1)
  • Xfinity (“IAA & Ritchie Bros 250”) — Sat 7:30 PM ET (The CW)
  • Cup (“Xfinity 500”) — Sun 2:00 PM ET (NBC / Peacock)

The paperclip where patience dies and bumpers retire early.

F1 — Mexico City Grand Prix

  • FP1 — Fri 2:30 PM (ESPNU)
  • FP2 — Fri 5:55 PM (ESPNEWS)
  • FP3 — Sat 1:25 PM (ESPNEWS)
  • Qualifying — Sat 5:00 PM (ESPN2)
  • Race — Sun 4:00 PM (ESPN)

No Perez this year to soak up the cheers, but the Foro Sol grandstand will still sound like a jet engine. Altitude kills grip and lap times—and usually someone’s strategy.

Combat Sports — Day Violence, Night Violence

UFC 321 — Abu Dhabi

  • Prelims: Sat 10:00 AM ET (ESPN+)
  • Main Card: Sat 2:00 PM ET (ESPN+ PPV)
    Aspinall vs Gane for the heavyweight title—lunch with left hooks.

Boxing — Joseph Parker vs Fabio Wardley

  • Undercard: Sat 1:30 PM ET (DAZN PPV)
  • Main Event: ~5:30 PM ET
    London heavyweights with bad intentions and worse defense.

Soccer — World and Club Action

Women’s U-17 World Cup (Morocco) — Group stage through the weekend on FOX Sports platforms and FIFA+.

Men’s Club Highlights

  • Fri: Inter Miami vs Nashville SC — 7:30 PM ET (MLS Season Pass)
  • Sat: Chelsea vs Sunderland, Napoli vs Inter Milan (Paramount+), Lens vs Marseille (beIN)
  • Sun: Real Madrid vs Barcelona — El Clásico (ESPN)

🧠 The Stain Remote Plan

Friday: World Series G1 → Celtics-Knicks → Warriors-Blazers → Martinsville Trucks if sleep is overrated.
Saturday: Ole Miss-OU brunch → F1 qualifying → UFC 321 main card → World Series G2 → Xfinity night race.
Sunday: Mexico City GP → Martinsville Cup race → NFL double (Cowboys-Broncos, Packers-Steelers) → El Clásico cool-down.

Your couch is the MVP.

What to Watch This Weekend: NFL Week 8, F1 in Austin, MLB Playoffs, and a Regatta of Pumpkins

What to Watch This Weekend: NFL Week 8, F1 in Austin, MLB Playoffs, and a Regatta of Pumpkins

If you thought last weekend was busy, this one’s an all-you-can-eat buffet of sports chaos. We’ve got international football that starts before your coffee, college rivalries that spill into the night, playoff baseball holding America hostage, and an F1 sprint weekend deep in the heart of Texas.

Oh — and if none of that moves the needle, there’s a regatta featuring people racing in hollowed-out pumpkins. Let’s dive in.

NFL — Week 8
  • Rams vs Jaguars (London, Wembley) — Sunday 9:30 AM ET, NFL Network
    The NFL international games roll on. Stafford vs. Lawrence with tea and scones.
  • Patriots at Titans — Sunday 1:00 PM ET, CBS
    Mike Vrabel faces his old team, and Tennesse plays its first game since firing his replacement. You can practically smell the awkward.
  • Eagles at Vikings — Sunday 1:00 PM ET, FOX
    Two of the best receiving duos in the NFL, if Hurts decides to use his receivers again.
  • Colts at Chargers — Sunday 4:05 PM ET, CBS
    Two teams with plenty of talent, let’s just hope nobody on the Colts has to go to the hospital pregame.
  • Falcons at 49ers — Sunday 4:25 PM ET, FOX
    Motion on motion on motion. Somewhere, an analytics intern is having a breakdown.
  • Monday Night Football Doubleheader — 7:00 PM ET (Buccaneers @ Lions, ABC) and 10:00 PM ET (Texans @ Seahawks, ESPN)
    Baker and Dan Campbell sure to bring plenty of entertainment. Texans still trying to figure out who they are while Darnold is looking legit in the Pacific Northwest.
College Football — Rivalries and Ranked Drama
  • Louisville at Miami (FL) — Friday 7:30 PM ET, ESPN
    Friday-night humidity meets ACC volatility.
  • LSU at Vanderbilt — Saturday 12:00 PM ET, ESPN
    Vandy is no longer the SEC dormat of the past, this is no cakewalk for LSU.
  • Ole Miss at Georgia — Saturday 3:30 PM ET, CBS
    Rebels air raid vs. Bulldogs brick wall.
  • Tennessee at Alabama — Saturday 7:30 PM ET, ABC
    The Third Saturday in October: cigars, grudges, and one coach crying in the tunnel.
  • USC at Notre Dame — Saturday 7:30 PM ET, NBC/Peacock
    Not Catholics vs. Convicts, but the tension’s familiar.
  • Utah at BYU (Holy War) — Saturday 10:15 PM ET, FOX
    You’ll be watching at midnight. Don’t lie.
MLB Postseason — One Ticket to Toronto, One to L.A.

Friday, Oct 17

  • Blue Jays @ Mariners — Game 5 (ALCS) — 6:08 PM ET, FS1
  • Brewers @ Dodgers — Game 4 (NLCS) — 8:38 PM ET, TBS/truTV/Max

Saturday, Oct 18 — Game 5 Brewers–Dodgers (if necessary)

Sunday, Oct 19

  • Blue Jays vs. Mariners — Game 6 (ALCS) — 6:03 PM ET, FS1

October baseball — because your blood pressure wasn’t high enough already.

NHL — Early-Season Showdown
  • Bruins vs Avalanche — Saturday 8:00 PM ET, ABC/ESPN+
    Two heavyweights skating like it’s April already. Someone’s goalie gets embarrassed.
Soccer — Cups, Classics, and Chaos
  • U-20 World Cup: Third Place — Colombia vs France — Saturday 2:00 PM ET, FS2
  • *Final — Argentina vs Morocco — Sunday 4:00 PM ET, FS2
  • Bundesliga: Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund — Saturday 12:30 PM ET, ESPN+
  • Premier League: Liverpool vs Manchester United — Sunday 11:30 AM ET, NBC/Peacock
Racing — Two Flavors of Mayhem
NASCAR Playoffs — Talladega Superspeedway

Sunday 2:00 PM ET, NBC/USA Network
Restrictor-plate roulette: half the field finishes upside down, the other half finishes furious.

Formula 1 — United States Grand Prix (COTA, Austin)

Sprint Weekend Schedule (ET):

  • Friday: Practice 1 (1:30 PM, ESPN2), Sprint Quali (5:30 PM, ESPN)
  • Saturday: Sprint Race (1:00 PM, ESPN), Grand Prix Qualifying (5:00 PM, ESPN/ABC)
  • Sunday: Grand Prix (3:00 PM, ABC)

McLaren’s dominance, Ferrari’s optimism, Mercedes’ confusion — all served with brisket.

Wildcard Window — West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta (Tualatin, Oregon)

Sunday, Oct 19 — Heats at 3:00 PM & 5:00 PM ET
Competitors climb into 1,000-pound pumpkins and paddle across the lake in costume.
Part race, part fever dream, all glory

The Stain Viewing Plan

Friday: Louisville–Miami, then Game 5 in Seattle.
Saturday: Ole Miss–Georgia, F1 Sprint, and nighttime chaos in South Bend and Tuscaloosa.
Sunday: London football breakfast → Talladega mayhem → F1 COTA → MLB ALCS → Pumpkin boats.
Your remote deserves hazard pay.

DFS Week 6 Builds: Jacobs Workload, Jeanty Versatility, and Low-Cost Stacks Define the Slate

DFS Week 6 Builds: Jacobs Workload, Jeanty Versatility, and Low-Cost Stacks Define the Slate

After some chaos last week (and no wins to show for it), Week 6 offers a reset with several paths to steady points and bounce-back value. Between high-volume running backs, mid-tier receivers, and flexible stacking options, this slate has the potential to swing back in our favor.

DraftKings Lineup

Play Breakdown:
Justin Herbert anchors the DraftKings build in what should be a fast-paced matchup with Miami. Ladd McConkey fits the stack as he finally had a good game last week and hoping he repeats that again this week. Jake Ferguson has been the top tight end in fantasy this year, and should be in line for another big week.

Josh Jacobs may have seen his touchdown streak end, but the workload hasn’t. Ashton Jeanty’s dual-threat skill set continues to flash, making him a worthy pairing. Horton and Legette round out the receiving corps as low cost flyers with real upside. Green Bay’s defense provides cap-friendly stability against Cincinnati.

FanDuel Lineup

Play Breakdown:
Matthew Stafford leads the FanDuel side in a correlation stack with Davante Adams, banking on volume and red-zone work. Jacobs again anchors the backfield, while Jeanty repeats as FLEX for both value and explosiveness.

Stefon Diggs comes in discounted but still commands a target share worth chasing. Michael Pittman Jr. and Hill provide safe mid-tier floors, while Haskins supplies lineup flexibility if his usage climbs after the Hampton injury. The Packers D remains the budget-friendly constant across both builds with a pocket passing Joe Flacco in Cincy for less than a week and behind a line that puts the offensive in offensive line.

FanDuel vs DraftKings

  • DraftKings: Herbert–McConkey stack; Jacobs–Jeanty backfield blend; Pickens for ceiling.
  • FanDuel: Stafford–Adams stack; Diggs/Pittman stability; Jeanty as repeat FLEX.
  • Overlap: Jacobs, Jeanty, Packers D — workload and matchup volume drive the correlation.

DFS Angle of the Week

  • Jacobs’ TD streak may be over, but his touch volume still locks him in as a cornerstone play.
  • Jeanty’s all-purpose role keeps paying off in both formats.
  • The Herbert–McConkey combo offers an efficient, low-cost QB stack.
  • Stafford–Adams could be one of the quieter high-volume duos of the week.
  • Value WRs (Horton, Legette, McConkey) make room for balanced builds.

Profit Tracker

Each lineup counts as 2 units per site — play at whatever dollar value fits your comfort level.

Week 5: –4 units (0 wins across both sites)
Season Total: +2 units

Week 6 Buy-in: 2 units on FanDuel + 2 units on DraftKings