Dolphins, in a shocker, are starting rookie Skylar Thompson over veteran Teddy Bridgewater  —  Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel says rookie third string quarterback Skylar Thompson will start Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings.  (South Florida Sun Sentinel)

NLDS Game 2: Dodgers vs. Padres, starting pitchers, TV info  —  The Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw will take the mound against the Padres' Yu Darvish on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium  —  PADRES AT DODGERS  —  DODGERS LHP CLAYTON KERSHAW (12-3, 2.28 ERA)  —  Vs. Padres: 23-9, 2.03 ERA (45 games, 292 innings, 310 Ks)

Astros starters rock hair extensions for postseason 'dos  —  Astros starters Framber Valdez and Luis Garcia look like naturals on the mound, even in the hairiest of situations.  A lot of work to make it seem that easy — at the ballpark and, as it turns out, at the barber shop.

Ravens film study: LT Ronnie Stanley impresses in return; defense bottles up Bengals QB Joe Burrow  —  “As a competitor, I really want to be out there with the team, and I'm very happy that we got out there and we pulled out the win,” said Ronnie Stanley.  (Baltimore Sun)

Heisman straw poll: Dorian Thompson-Robinson joins the debate; Hooker gains on Stroud  —  Dorian Thompson-Robinson has entered the chat.  —  You remember DTR, don't you?  He was a former top-50 signee who had committed to UCLA under the Jim Mora regime 5 1/2 years ago.

Gabby Giffords named Rose Parade grand marshal  —  Gabby Giffords, the former Arizona congresswoman turned fierce gun control advocate after she suffered severe injuries in a mass shooting outside a grocery store in her home state, is the grand marshal for the 2023 Rose Parade …

Chicago Bears' Thursday night game against the Washington Commanders is on Prime Video.  Here's how to watch.  —  The Chicago Bears have a quick turnaround between their Week 5 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday and hosting the Washington Commanders in Week 6.

Carlos Correa opting out of Twins deal to become free agent  —  Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa will exercise his opt-out clause and become a free agent, he told El Nuevo Día newspaper Wednesday.  —  Correa, who hit .291 with 22 home runs, 64 RBIs and 70 runs scored in 136 games this season …

Red Sox make more roster moves, claiming Jake Reed from Orioles, DFA'ing Eduard Bazardo  —  The Red Sox made two more roster moves Thursday.  They claimed right-handed reliever Jake Reed off waivers from the Orioles and designated right-handed reliever Eduard Bazardo for assignment.

Hosting Temple, UCF football aims for 4th straight win  —  When UCF takes the field inside FBC Mortgage Stadium on Thursday night, it'll mark the 100th game at the Bounce House since the stadium opened ahead of the 2007 season.  —  The Knights have won 76% of their games in the on-campus venue and are 33-3 at home since 2017.

How Game 2 starter Nestor Cortes matches up with the Guardians  —  With one win already in the can, the Yankees look to have the upper hand on the Cleveland Guardians again in Thursday's Game 2.  —  It is long past time to retire the cult hero status for Nestor Cortes.