Already committed to play for Hubert Davis and the North Carolina Tar Heels next season, Northwood’s Drake Powell is strong in scoring, ball-handing, passing and defense.
The AFC West title was ripe to get wrested from the Kansas City Chiefs this season, yet their division rivals dug themselves into big holes once again. There's still a mathematical chance the Raiders (7-8) or Broncos (7-8) could catch the Chiefs (9-6) following Las Vegas' 20-14 win at Arrowhead on Christmas Day, but a lot would have to line up for one of them to unseat K.C. The defending but teetering Super Bowl champions have owned the division since 2016, when Patrick Mahomes was still slinging it in Lubbock, Texas, and few Swifties knew who Travis Kelce was unless they also happened to be fans of the star tight end's reality dating show “Catching Kelce.”
When the Chargers recovered Buffalo's fumble on a punt return and punched it into the end zone four plays later to take a 10-0 lead early in the second quarter Saturday night, SoFi Stadium's large contingent of Buffalo snowbirds fell silent — and the often-outnumbered home fans roared. Giff Smith's career as the Chargers' interim head coach was off to an auspicious start in those heady moments. Although it ultimately didn't last against a playoff-contending Bills team, the longtime assistant was proud of his turmoil-plagued team even after Buffalo rallied for a 24-22 victory on a last-minute field goal.
CHARGERS PLAYER TO WATCH: RB Austin Ekeler was a non-factor against the Raiders, rushing for 9 yards on five carries and catching four passes for 29 yards. Averaging 2.8 yards per carry over his past four games, Ekeler needs some positive momentum headed into free agency. KEY MATCHUP: Chargers QB Easton Stick vs. the Bills defense.