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Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert runs with the ball against the Dallas Cowboys on Dec. 21.

(Julio Cortez / Associated Press)

Saturday, 1:30 p.m. TV: CBS, NFL Network.

Line: Chargers by 1½. O/U: 39½.

Houston has been a hard matchup for the Chargers, and can turn up the heat on Justin Herbert. But Jim Harbaugh’s team has found new ways to win, and is capable of outscoring the Texans, who are really struggling in the red zone. Low-scoring and physical.

Pick: Chargers 20, Texans 17

Australia has swept to an 82-run win in the third Ashes Test at Adelaide Oval to retain the urn with two matches to spare and leave England facing recriminations over another failed campaign.

Chasing a world record 435 runs to win on Sunday, England battled doggedly on day five but folded for 352 with left-armed quick Mitchell Starc taking three wickets and Scott Boland the last dismissal of Josh Tongue before tea.

“Three-nil is hugely satisfying for many reasons but particularly with how the chat before the series was how equally poised it was going to be,” Australia captain Pat Cummins, who took ⁠six wickets on his return from a back injury, told reporters

“This group’s amazing at just cracking on.”

Much of the talk in the build-up to the Ashes had been the age ​profile of the Australia squad, but Starc said the veterans had proved their worth.

“We do laugh at some of the comments that get back to us about how old we are,” the 35-year-old said.

“I’m sure experience plays a part going through your highs and lows. … That plays a big part in all of this.”

After eight-wicket defeats in Perth and Brisbane, England have now lost the Ashes in three matches for the fourth consecutive tour while losing 16 of their last 18 Tests in the country.

Although two Tests remain, the latest surrender may top the previous tours for sheer disappointment.

There were expectations of a genuine contest, fighting words from England captain Ben Stokes and hope that “Bazball” might win the urn in Australia for the first time since 2010-2011.

All that was swept aside in Adelaide, where England ditched their trademark aggression, reverted to more traditional Test batting and were still beaten convincingly.

“We obviously came here with a goal in mind, and we haven’t been able to achieve it. It hurts, and it sucks,” England skipper Stokes said.

“They’ve been able to outdo us on a much higher level. … I thought we did incredibly well to take us where we did in this fourth innings.

“We couldn’t do what we came here to do, but there was some good stuff to come out of this game.”

The king of Adelaide

On day five while still needing 228 runs to win, England’s hopes were pinned on all-rounder Will Jacks and wicketkeeper Jamie Smith after they resumed on 207 for six.

Jacks turned his ankle when pushing off his crease for a run but battled on for 40 minutes until rain halted play.

England fans cheered, but it was just a passing squall, the ground soon bathed in sunshine.

The Surrey duo brought up a fifty-run partnership with the old ball and were soon spared spinner Nathan Lyon, who came off with a hamstring injury after cutting off a four in the field.

When the second new ball came, Smith attacked with gusto, smashing both Cummins and Starc for back-to-back fours.

But with the deficit trimmed to 150 runs, he threw the bat at a Starc delivery for a third time in succession and was caught for 60 by a ‌back-pedalling Cummins at mid-on.

Jacks played a steadier hand with tailender Carse, who finished 39 not out and hung ⁠tough with the all-rounder for 52 runs.

Home fans shifted uncomfortably in their seats as the pair reduced the deficit to under 100 runs, but Starc returned and Marnus Labuschagne flew in the slips to snuff out the danger.

Jacks, on 47, drove at a Starc ball that moved away off the seam, and Labuschagne dived to his left for another terrific one-handed catch, having removed Ollie Pope with a screamer in the slips on day ‌four.

Jofra Archer then tried to slog Starc but sent the ball down the throat of Jake Weatherald at deep point to leave England one wicket from defeat before Boland had Tongue sending another slips catch to Labuschagne.

Australia wicketkeeper Alex Carey was named Man of the Match for a first-innings 106 and 72 in the second while Travis Head set up ‍the victory with 170 in the third innings, his fourth consecutive Test ton at Adelaide Oval.

“If he wasn’t before, he’s the king of Adelaide,” Starc said of Head, who also scored a match-winning 123 in Perth.

“He’s not going to have to pay for another beer [here]. I don’t know how he does it, but jeez, it’s bloody good to ‌watch.”

Harlequins: Kildunne; Torley, Pena, Parry, Wilcock; Cromack, Packer; Spurrier, Phillips, Hanlon, McIntosh, Konkel, Wythe, Mikaele-Tu’u, Wafer.

Replacements: Powell, Delgado, Winstanley, Fleming, Svoboda, Burgess, Powell, Aucken.

Bristol Bears: Hesketh; Bonner, Varley, Picton-Powell, David; Demant, Bevan; Pam, Dale, Bern, Cunningham, Ward (capt), Balogun, Buisa, Hopkins.

Replacements: Sprague, Botterman, Clarke, Herring, Short, Ryall, Skuse, Joyce.

SALT LAKE CITY — When Brice Sensabaugh drilled a wide-open three pointer in the third quarter, Lakers coach JJ Redick quickly called a timeout and began to gesture with both hands toward his players, clearly showing his displeasure with their defense.

The Lakers responded.

They especially picked up their defensive intensity for an important spurt in the fourth quarter, slowing down the Utah Jazz and in the process the Lakers’ offense took off, the two converging at the right time to push them to a 143-135 win Thursday night at the Delta Center.

The Lakers gave up 41 points in the first quarter and a season-high 78 at the half. They allowed 57 points in the second half and put the Jazz away by scoring 41 points in the fourth quarter.

“Obviously we know this Utah team can score points at a very high rate, but it was very imperative that we got stops,” said LeBron James, who had another productive night with 28 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds. “We had to get stops to start that fourth and then it allowed our offense to click.”

But even with the Lakers building a 12-point lead in the fourth, the Jazz continued to put stress on L.A.’s defense, getting within four points late in the game.

The Lakers’ Lebron James dunks over the Jazz’s Kyle Filipowski at Delta Center Thursday night in Salt Lake City, Utah.

(Alex Goodlett / Getty Images)

The Lakers had answers every time, keeping the game in their hands behind Luka Doncic’s triple-double — 45 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds.

His 45-point triple-double and five steals made Doncic just the second player in NBA history to accomplish that feat since steals became official in 1973-74. Detroit Cade Cunningham (46 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists, five steals) is the other player to do so, producing that against the Wizards on Nov. 2025 in overtime.

Doncic was 14-for-28 from the field, four-for-12 from three-point range and had just one turnover in 39 minutes and 33 seconds of play.

Doncic also was the first Laker to have a 40-point triple-double since Magic Johnson in 1981.

“I think, honestly, I could do so much more,” Doncic said. “But I think that one turnover is the best stat-wise on this stat sheet. So, we had seven turnovers, which is impressive for us and we won the game. And again, that’s what matters. But I think we locked in a lot in the second half. We did a great job.”

The Lakers got a scare when James went down holding his left knee after a collision with Utah’s Walter Clayton Jr.

James was dribbling the basketball near the three-point arc when Clayton went for a steal, but instead his knee hit the inside of James’ knee, knocking the Laker to the floor with 7:52 left in the second quarter.

James eventually got up and continued to play, taking a rest with 4:53 left in the half.

James described what happened on the play.

“Just a little bolt to the knee, like a sharp pain to the knee,” James said. “Got kneed on the the inside, like the medial side of the knee. And just kind of wanted to take my time a little bit as it calmed down or whatever the case may be. Or hoping it calmed down. Told Mike (Mancias) my trainer, I said, ‘We dodged a bullet there.’ ”

The Lakers were already without starters Austin Reaves (left calf strain) and Deandre Ayton (left elbow soreness), but then they added key role player Gabe Vincent (lower back tightness) to the injury list, leaving them without three main players entering the game at Utah. Vincent will be reevaluated in a week.

Lakers guard Luka Doncic celebrates after making a play during the second half of a win over the Jazz Thursday night at Delta Center in Salt Lake City.

(Alex Goodlett / Getty Images)

Jaxson Hayes started at center in place of Ayton and Smart started at guard for Reaves.

Injuries also hit the Jazz, as star forward Lauri Markkanen, the ninth-highest scorer (27.8) in the NBA this season, was out because of a right groin injury.

Smart had 17 points, which included him going three-for-four from three-point range in the fourth quarter.

Hayes had 16 points, making all seven of his field goals.

Redick talked to his team at halftime about their poor defensive effort and he did again in the third quarter during that timeout.

His message was simple.

“The players gotta go out and do it,”: Redick said. “So it’s not, I don’t know if it sparked ‘em or not, and I just know that after that they were better.”

A Spirograph of starlings in Cambridgeshire

Arrive at Fowlmere RSPB reserve, 10 miles south-west of Cambridge, an hour before nightfall to allow yourself time to find a good vantage point to enjoy the spectacle of the murmuration. Starlings gather and swirl in fluid Spirograph shapes, framed by shadowy trees against sunset reds until the sky darkens and the birds take their last dip into the reed beds. It really is a spectacular display, available most winter evenings here.
Helena

Rowing the canals of Bristol in all weathers

Our Bristol Channel Social Rowers club goes out in all weather. Frosty and clear, intense blue skies add pleasure to our early morning session. We soon warm up, for as it says on the side of our gig, Rowing Keeps You Going. It’s quiet except for the rhythm of the long oars and the ripple of water under us. We skim past Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s SS Great Britain. Then round St Mary Redcliffe church with its 84-metre spire. Hearing the bells during a Sunday row is magical.
David Innes-Wilkin

Marvellous Malvern Hills, Worcestershire

You can’t beat a wintry walk on the Malvern Hills on a crisp, bright day. One of my favourite routes is up the Herefordshire Beacon, on top of which is British Camp, an iron age hill fort. I always pass the tiny Giant’s cave (also called Clutters cave) and loop back above the reservoir. My inner child recommends taking cardboard for dry-sledging down the ditches (or a normal sledge, if we’re lucky enough for snow), but a post-ramble hot chocolate from either the Sally’s Place cafe or Malvern Hills hotel, both across the road from the car park, is a must.
Jemma Saunders

Untamed route in north Cornwall

Few corners of the UK feel wilder than Cornwall’s north coast during low season. Here, the untamed Atlantic meets the spectacular sheer cliffs between Tintagel and Port Isaac, with the South West Coast Path snaking its way precariously along the top. After a walk with the elements, settle down for some wave-watching at the Port William inn perched above Trebarwith Strand. Spectacular sunsets and family-run surf clubs are on offer, all in the imposing shadow of legendary Gull Rock. The best part? There is no phone signal in this former smuggling inlet, affording undivided attention to this dramatic land/ocean double act.
Adam McCormack

Rockpooling and dinosaurs in Somerset

Donning woolly hats, jumpers and waterproofs, I set off with my young children to the fossil-strewn beach at Kilve, Somerset. On the way we play Poohsticks, get stuck in mud and paddle in a stream. Once at the beach, every new trip brings fresh delights; devil’s toenails, ammonites, fossilised wood and crabs. We paint pebbles, fall on on our bums on wet rocks and play dinosaurs in rock pools.
Chantelle

Cycling and dark skies in Northumberland

Kielder Water in Northumberland, one of the largest artificial lakes in Europe, offers walking, wildlife, cycling and water sports. We hired bikes and did the wonderful 26-mile route round the reservoir. There are also a multitude of routes available in the forest for mountain bikers. If clear skies are forecast book an evening at the Kielder Observatory where we were entranced by the dark skies and the amazing telescopes. Hot chocolate was also on offer to warm us up as we gazed into the depths of our universe.
Matthew

Spot heroes of the underworld in UK woods

I love mushroom-spotting in the colder months. Apps such as Seek can help you identify the ones you find (but don’t rely on apps to establish whether a mushroom is edible or not). I also have my little pocket-size mushroom book. It keeps me on the lookout and interested in my surroundings, helping me stay mindful. I especially like the common name of the mushrooms. I am on the lookout for witch’s butter, wood ear and velvet shank. I am combining this with my love of photography and learning how to take pictures of mushrooms to highlight their beauty. They really are the unsung heroes of the underworld.
Ese

Hiking has taught me to embrace the rain

I’m usually the hibernating type in winter, but since joining a local hiking group, I’ve changed my ways. There has been nothing more satisfying than feeling the crisp, fresh wind against my face and forcing myself to be present in the moment. It’s taken me 37 years to acknowledge the beautiful, natural landscapes right on my doorstep. Where once I was afraid of the cold and rain, I now wrap up warm, take it in my stride and beat those winter blues one step at a time. Not to mention the sense of achievement I feel afterwards.
Shema

Boxing Day charity walk in Derry

The Goal Mile is a charity walk (and run) that takes place in many locations across the island of Ireland every Boxing Day to support the charity Goal’s work in the developing world. In Derry the walk follows the River Foyle and crosses the iconic Peace Bridge. It’s a much-needed release valve for those of us suffering cabin fever at this time of the year and a great way of raising money.
Ciaran

Winning tip: a clear day on Cader Idris, Eryri national park

First, pick a dry, clear, cold day and ensure you wear good boots and warm clothes, have told people where you’ll be, and know what the weather forecast holds. Now you’re ready for a rewarding day: a circular, five-hour walk to the summit of Wales’s finest mountain, Cader Idris starting from the Eryri national park’s Dôl Idris car park. Up steep steps through woods to Llyn Cau, a wonderful corrie; next, a tough ascent of Craig Cau and Cader Idris’s summit Penygader (fall asleep there, and wake up mad or a poet, according to legend); then back along Mynydd Moel, where Richard Wilson made one of the first (18th century) and finest mountain portraits in British art. Unforgettable!
Andrew Green

European champions Paris Saint-Germain pushed all the way in Intercontinental Cup final in Qatar by South Americans.

Back-up goalkeeper Matvei Safonov saved four penalties as Paris Saint-Germain edged out Brazilians Flamengo 2-1 in a shootout to win the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final in Qatar.

PSG led through Khvicha Kvaratskhelia before Jorginho’s spot-kick levelled for Flamengo as the game finished 1-1 after extra time on Wednesday.

Copa Libertadores winners Flamengo defeated Mexicans Cruz Azul and African champions Pyramids last week to earn the right to face PSG and pushed the European champions all the way with a dogged display.

But Luis Enrique’s men, who received a bye to the final, were indebted to Safonov and followed in the footsteps of Real Madrid, who lifted the inaugural title last year.

PSG thought they had taken the lead in the ninth minute when Fabian Ruiz cleverly hooked the ball into an empty net after Flamengo goalkeeper Agustin Rossi miskicked a clearance while trying to prevent a corner.

But the goal was ruled out by VAR because Rossi had narrowly failed to stop the ball from going out of play.

But PSG did break the deadlock eight minutes before half-time courtesy of another Rossi error.

The Argentinian turned Desire Doue’s low cross, which looked to be too strong for Kvaratskhelia, straight into the Georgian’s pass for the simplest of tap-ins.

Flamengo managed to stay in the game, though, and were awarded a penalty on the hour mark for a foul by Marquinhos on Uruguay midfielder Giorgian de Arrascaeta after a VAR review.

Former Chelsea and Arsenal player Jorginho stepped up to send Safonov the wrong way in trademark fashion.

PSG pressed for a winner, sending on Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembele, who set up a last-gasp chance for Marquinhos.

But the centre-back could not react quickly enough to get his effort on target as the ball flashed across goal and the game headed into extra time.

Both teams saw half-chances come and go in the added half-hour, with Dembele flashing a shot narrowly off target in the 116th minute.

That set the stage for Safonov – playing in place of regular first-choice Lucas Chevalier, who is still regaining full fitness after an ankle injury – to steal the headlines and spare the blushes of Dembele and Barcola, who both missed for PSG.

Charlie Smyth kicked a 47-yard field goal with six seconds left on the clock to give the New Orleans Saints a 20-17 win over division rivals the Carolina Panthers.

The former Gaelic footballer from Mayobridge in County Down was making his third career start at the Superdome and also kicked a 42-yarder as well two extra points in the win.

The Saints had trailed 17-7 in the third quarter but Smyth’s first field goal of the game brought them back within a score.

Chris Olave’s touchdown grab then gave Smyth the opportunity to tie the game with the 24-year-old duly adding the extra point to make it 17-17 with two minutes and eight seconds remaining.

The Panthers could only manage one first down on their next drive to give the Saints the ball back and the chance for a second straight win.

Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough led New Orleans into position with the Saints’ cause aided by a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty called on the Panthers’ Lathan Ransom.

Smyth’s kick then gave the side their fourth win of the season and second in succession after last week’s victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The NBA Cup is the competition’s annual in-season tournament, with all matches except the final also counting towards the regular season standings.

The Thunder were beaten in last year’s final by the Milwaukee Bucks and had a 16-game winning run ended by the Spurs as they exited this season’s competition.

Oklahoma City had equalled the best 25-game start to a season when they went 24-1 by beating the Phoenix Suns in the quarter-finals, but they have now made the second best start to a campaign after 26 games as the Golden State Warriors were 25-1 at the same stage in 2015-16.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the NBA’s reigning Most Valuable Player, top scored for the Thunder against the Spurs with a game-high 29 points.

San Antonio will play the New York Knicks in the final after they beat the Orlando Magic 132-120.

Jalen Brunson scored a season-high 40 points to inspire the Knicks to victory, while team-mate Karl-Anthony Towns added 29 points.

“We came out here and did exactly what we said we wanted to do, which was play Knicks basketball,” said Towns.

Mohamed Salah came off the bench to assist the second of Hugo Ekitike’s double as Liverpool returned to winning ways.

Mohamed Salah set up a goal in Liverpool’s 2-0 win against Brighton as he returned to action after an explosive outburst cast doubt over his future at the Premier League champions.

The Egypt forward, the subject of intense scrutiny in the build-up to the game at Anfield, came off the substitutes’ bench to huge cheers in the 26th minute on Saturday, replacing injured defender Joe Gomez.

The home team, whose title defence has collapsed after a shocking run of results, were leading 1-0 at the time, with France forward Hugo Ekitike on the scoresheet after just 46 seconds.

Brighton squandered a number of opportunities to level, and Ekitike scored again with half an hour to go to give Liverpool breathing space.

Salah accused Liverpool of throwing him “under the bus” after he was left on the bench for last week’s 3-3 draw at Leeds – the third match in a row that he had been named among the replacements.

He also said that he had no relationship with manager Arne Slot.

Salah was omitted from the midweek Champions League trip to Inter Milan, which Liverpool won 1-0, posting a picture on social media of himself alone in the gym.

Slot said at Friday’s pre-match news conference that he would speak to the forward later in the day, adding, “I have no reasons [in] not wanting him to stay.”

Salah not made to wait long for substitute role to delight of Liverpool faithful

There was feverish speculation in the build-up to Saturday’s match about what role Salah would play, with the winger named on the bench.

Liverpool, who had won just two of 10 Premier League matches before the Brighton game, made a lightning start, taking the lead in the first minute when Joe Gomez set up Ekitike, who thumped the ball past Bart Verbruggen.

Salah entered the fray about 20 minutes before half-time when Gomez was withdrawn.

Brighton’s Diego Gomez squandered a good chance to level early in the second half, striking the ball against the outside of a post, and Brajan Gruda also went close as the home crowd chanted Salah’s name.

Liverpool doubled their lead in the 60th minute when Ekitike scored his second, nodding home Salah’s corner.

Salah himself went close in stoppage time after he was set up by Federico Chiesa, but he blazed over.

The win lifts Slot’s men to sixth in the table ahead of the later kickoffs on Saturday, easing the pressure on the beleaguered manager.

Salah departure from Liverpool for AFCON or for good?

Salah, who signed a new two-year contract at Liverpool in April, is about to depart for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The length of his absence depends on how far Egypt go in the competition in Morocco, with the final taking place on January 18.

The forward, who has been linked with a move to the lucrative Saudi Pro League, had invited his family to the Brighton game as speculation swirled over his future.

“I will be in Anfield to say goodbye to the fans and go to the Africa Cup,” he told reporters last week. “I don’t know what is going to happen when I am there.”

Salah, third in Liverpool’s all-time scoring charts with 250 goals, has won two Premier League titles and one Champions League crown during his spell on Merseyside.

He scored 29 Premier League goals last season as Liverpool romped to a 20th English league title, but has managed just four league goals this season.

Jamaica won the inaugural 2024 Horizon series 2-1, which enabled them to leapfrog England and go third in the world rankings.

The 2025 series was due to consist of four fixtures – two in Jamaica in early December and two in England – but the matches in Kingston were cancelled following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.

Members of the Jamaica team helped in the relief effort, handing out care packages, and have been unable to train as a whole squad.

England Netball will donate £1 from every Horizon Series ticket sold to Netball Jamaica’s chosen charity, World Central Kitchen, and has also announced fans will be able to contribute to the British Red Cross’ Disaster Fund.

But with less than a year to go until the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, the Horizon Series provides crucial game time for both nations.

They will meet again for a second match on Sunday at 14:00 GMT with the action available to watch on BBC iPlayer and on the BBC Sport website.