ALEX MAG

In all, 41 drivers will take the green flag on Sunday, Feb. 15 — out of 45 entrants — including former seven-time series champion Jimmie Johnson, who is being granted an Open Exemption Provisional, meaning the two-time Daytona 500 winner is locked into the field, but cannot earn championship points or prize money.

William Byron is looking to become the only driver ever to win three straight Daytona 500s after joining select company with his second straight win in the 2025 edition. That list includes Richard Petty (1973-74), Cale Yarborough (1983-84), Sterling Marlin (1994-95) and Denny Hamlin (2019-20).

This year's Daytona 500 will feature eight previous winners, with Hamlin entering with the most Harley J. Earl trophies at three.

Daytona 500 TV/streaming schedule

All times Eastern

Wednesday, Feb. 118 p.m.:Front-row qualifying (FS1)

Thursday, Feb. 127 p.m.:Qualifying duel 1 (FS1)8:45 p.m.:Qualifying duel 2 (FS2)

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Sunday, Feb. 152:30 p.m.:Daytona 500 (Fox)

Daytona 500 race details

Track:Daytona International Speedway (2.5-mile high-banked tri-oval) in Daytona Beach, FloridaBanking:Turns - 31 degrees | Tri-oval - 18 degrees | Backstretch - 3 degreesRace length:200 laps for 500 milesStage lengths:Stage 1 - 65 laps | Stage 2 - 65 laps | Stage 3 - 70 laps

Daytona 500 qualifying format

The biggest race on the NASCAR calendar also features a unique qualifying format not used on any other race weekend. On Wednesday night all entered cars will turn one lap at top speed, the order of which is determined by a Tuesday night draw of numbers. The top 10 drivers then go into a shootout with the top two times from that session setting the front row for Sunday's race.

The remaining cars are dropped — as evenly as possible, along with the top two qualifiers — into two 60-lap qualifying "duels" to be run Thursday night that set the field from spots three through 41. The finishing order for the first duel determines the inside row slots and the finishing order from the second duel sets the outside row.

The four open (non-chartered or provisional) entries will not make the field.

Top drivers and best bets for the Daytona 500

Owing to the unpredictable nature of the Daytona 500, two-time defending champion William Byron enters with the third-best odds at +1200. Ryan Blaney enters the week with the best odds at 10-to-1 while his Penske teammates aren't far behind as Joey Logano is +1100 and Austin Cindric is at +1400.All odds courtesy of BetMGM.

Best odds to win the Daytona 500

• Ryan Blaney +1000

• Joey Logano +1100

• William Byron +1200

• Austin Cindric +1400

Yahoo Sports' Nick Bromberg recommendsspreading smaller bets around a handful of drivers rather than big wagers on one or two top names. He suggests good mid-tier value can be found in 23XI Racing's Bubba Wallace (+2200) as Wallace has the highest average Daytona finish of anyone in the field at 14.4, including two second-place runs. If you're looking for a longshot, Bromberg points out that Josh Berry's (+3500) Wood Brothers team has an alliance with the aforementioned favored Penskes while Erik Jones (+4000) has five straight top-20 finishes at Daytona and won this event back in 2018.

Daytona 500 entry list

Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing ChevroletAustin Cindric, No. 2 Team Penske FordAustin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing ChevroletNoah Gragson, No. 4 Front Row Motorsports FordKyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletBrad Keselowski, No. 6 RFK Racing FordDaniel Suárez, No. 7 JR Motorsports ChevroletKyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing ChevroletChase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletTy Dillon, No. 10 Kaulig Racing ChevroletDenny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing ToyotaRyan Blaney, No. 12 Team Penske FordA.J. Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing ChevroletChris Buescher, No. 17 RFK Racing FordChase Briscoe, No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing ToyotaChristopher Bell, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing ToyotaJosh Berry, No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing FordJoey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske FordBubba Wallace, No. 23 23XI Racing ToyotaWilliam Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletTodd Gilliland, No. 34 Front Row Motorsports FordRiley Herbst, No. 35 23XI Racing ToyotaChandler Smith, No. 36 Front Row Motorsports Ford*Zane Smith, No. 38 Front Row Motorsports FordJustin Allgaier, No. 40 JR Motorsports Chevrolet*Cole Custer, No. 41 Haas Factory Team FordJohn Hunter Nemechek, No. 42 Legacy Motor Club ToyotaErik Jones, No. 43 Legacy Motor Club ToyotaJ.J. Yeley, No. 44 NY Racing Team Chevrolet*Tyler Reddick, No. 45 23XI Racing ToyotaRicky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Hyak Motorsports ChevroletAlex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletCody Ware, No. 51 Rick Ware Racing FordTy Gibbs, No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing ToyotaRyan Preece, No. 60 RFK Racing FordAnthony Alfredo, No. 62 Beard Motorsports Chevrolet*Casey Mears, No. 66 Garage 66 Ford*Corey Heim, No. 67 23XI Racing Toyota*Michael McDowell, No. 71 Spire Motorsports ChevroletCarson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports ChevroletB.J. McLeod, No. 78 Live Fast Motorsports Chevrolet*Jimmie Johnson, No. 84 Legacy Motor Club ToyotaConnor Zilisch, No. 88 Trackhouse Racing ChevroletShane van Gisbergen, No. 97 Trackhouse Racing ChevroletCorey LaJoie, No. 99 RFK Racing Ford*

*-Open entry, not guaranteed to make the 41-car field.

Daytona 500 race week weather

According to Yahoo Weather, the forecast is ideal all week with daytime highs ranging from 67-76 degrees. There is only a single-digit percentage chance of rain all week … except for race day. That chance climbs to a 25% chance of rain right around the scheduled green flag (2:30 p.m. ET) on Sunday.

Check out ourteam-by-team offseason previews right here,which detail positional needs, cap space, draft capital, and much more for all 32 clubs.

And here's your guide to the NFL's offseason calendar. Bookmark these dates.

2026 NFL scouting combine

Feb. 23-March 2, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis

Prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft are invited to work out, get measurements and do interviews as part of the draft process.

Franchise tag and transition tag deadline

March 3, 4 p.m. ET

Teams can place either a franchise tag or transition tag on players under contract in an attempt to work out a long-term deal, or have them play the following season under the tag.

Here are the projected franchise tag positional values, viaOver The Cap:

Quarterback:$47.321 millionRunning back:$14.536 millionWide receiver:$28.824 millionTight end:$16.319 millionOffensive line:$27.924 millionDefensive end:$27.322 millionDefensive tackle:$26.311 millionLinebacker:$28.197 millionCornerback:$21.414 millionSafety:$20.876 millionPunter/kicker:$6.9 million

2026 NFL free agency

Legal tampering period:March 9 at noon ET through March 11 at 4 p.m. ET

Free agency begins on March 11 at 4 p.m. ET

For those first two days, March 9-11, teams are permitted to contact and enter into contract negotiations with certified agents of players set to be unrestricted free agents. Players not represented by certified agents are permitted to communicate directly with a team's front office butnotthe head coach or members of the coaching staff.

Free agents are officially eligible to sign their contracts starting with the new league year on March 11 at 4 p.m. ET.

Annual league meeting

March 29-April 1, Phoenix

NFL team owners will gather and vote on various rules and regulations — including (likely)another proposed tush push ban.

2026 NFL Draft

April 23-25 in Pittsburgh

The NFL's marquee offseason event takes place near Acrisure Field, home of the Steelers, in downtown Pittsburgh. The first round will take place the evening of Thursday, April 23, with Rounds 2 and 3 on Friday, April 24 in the evening and Rounds 4-7 on Saturday starting in the morning.Indiana QB and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza is widely expectedto be theNo. 1 overall pick of the Las Vegas Raiders.

NFL rookie minicamps

May 1-4 OR May 8-11

Teams can choose which set of dates they want to hold rookie minicamps, which serve as extended orientations to life as an NFL player and with their particular franchise.

2026 NFL schedule release

Mid-May

The NFL has turned its schedule release into a marquee offseason event unto itself. Certain games and matchups leak in the days and even months leading up to the release (like Rams-49ers in the first-ever Australia game), and opponents home and away are predetermined by division, divisional rotations and previous season finish. But we get the full, final regular season schedule in May.

Spring league meeting

May 19-20, Orlando

NFL team owners convene again for more proposals and potential votes.

Organized team activities (voluntary and mandatory)

Late May through mid-June

Teams usually hold OTAs in two separate sessions, one voluntary and one not. This helps them with the very beginning of personnel evaluation in practice settings as well as playbook installation.

June 1

The famous date of demarcation between pre- and post-June 1 cuts. Teams frequently designate players they're releasing as post-June 1 cuts to spread the cap hit out over two seasons.

Further explanation,via Over The Cap:

For example let's say a player has four years remaining on his contract and $5 million in prorated charges in each of those seasons. If he was cut prior to June 1 that would lead to $20 million in dead money this year. If cut after June 1 the player would instead have just $5 million in dead money in 2023 and now $15 million in 2024. While still the same number over two seasons, the team has an out rather than being stuck due to the salary cap.

Franchise tag signing deadline

July 15, 4 p.m. ET

Any player designated with a franchise tag must sign a multiyear contract or extension by this time, or else they may only sign a one-year contract which cannot be extended until after the last regular season game.

2026 NFL training camps

Teams begin training camp in mid- to late July, with Hall of Fame Game participants usually starting earlier and rookies reporting to some franchise's camps earlier than full squad. Dates and schedules will be released later this offseason.

And with the NBA All-Star break coming up at the end of the week, it will offer teams a bit of a respite and chance to recharge before the grind continues.

The most fascinating teams to watch are the ones who bought before the deadline — the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics and Charlotte Hornets, for example — to see whether their moves can lead to tangible gains in the future.

Here areUSA TODAY Sports' NBA power rankings after Week 15 of the 2025-26 regular season:

Oct. 26: The Brooklyn Nets' Michael Porter Jr. dunks in front of the San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama at Frost Bank Center.

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Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents

USA TODAY Sports NBA power rankings

Note:Records and stats through Feb. 8. Parentheses show movement fromlast week's rankings.

NBA Week 16 power rankings: Top 10

1.Detroit Pistons, 38-13 (—)

2.Oklahoma City Thunder, 40-13 (—)

3.San Antonio Spurs, 36-16 (+1)

4.New York Knicks, 34-19 (+5)

5.Boston Celtics, 34-19 (—)

6.Denver Nuggets, 34-19 (-3)

7.Houston Rockets, 32-19 (—)

8.Los Angeles Lakers, 32-19 (—)

9.Cleveland Cavaliers, 32-21 (+1)

10.Toronto Raptors, 32-22 (-4)

The Thunder continue to show vulnerabilities, especially now that reigning Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is set to miss time. Oklahoma City has lost five of its last eight games, including the last two without Gilgeous-Alexander. The Knicks have posted massive victories against the Raptors, Lakers, Nuggets and Celtics over the last week, so they move up, but a loss against Detroit shows why the Pistons remain at the top.

And the Cavaliers, with their fascinating trade for James Harden, now have to back up their decision to go all-in on this build; the Cavs have won eight of their last nine, though the competition hasn't necessarily been that impressive.

NBA Week 16 power rankings: Nos. 11-20

11.Minnesota Timberwolves, 32-22 (+1)

12.Phoenix Suns, 31-22 (+1)

13.Philadelphia 76ers, 30-22 (+1)

14.Golden State Warriors, 28-25 (-3)

15.Orlando Magic, 27-24 (+4)

16.Los Angeles Clippers, 25-27 (+2)

17.Miami Heat, 28-26 (-2)

18.Charlotte Hornets, 25-28 (+4)

19.Atlanta Hawks, 26-28 (+1)

20.Portland Trail Blazers, 25-28 (-3)

The Timberwolves have lost three of their last four, but they move up a spot mostly because the teams below them haven't necessarily capitalized. Still, defense is a massive concern, as Minnesota ranks 29thin defensive rating (125.5) over its last four games.

The middle of the Eastern Conference is seemingly a group of teams — the Magic, Heat and Hawks — rotating in and out. But it's the hottest team in the NBA, the Charlotte Hornets, who have won nine consecutive games, who are big risers. Charlotte ranks first in offensive rating (120.8) and second in net rating (13.2) over the last nine games.

NBA Week 16 power rankings: Nos. 21-30

21.Chicago Bulls, 24-29 (-5)

22.Milwaukee Bucks, 21-29 (+2)

23.Memphis Grizzlies, 20-31 (—)

24.Dallas Mavericks, 19-33 (-3)

25.Utah Jazz, 16-37 (—)

26.New Orleans Pelicans, 14-40 (—)

27.Brooklyn Nets, 14-37 (—)

28.Washington Wizards, 14-38 (+2)

29.Indiana Pacers, 13-40 (-1)

30.Sacramento Kings, 12-42 (-1)

The Mavericks have gotten excellent performances from Cooper Flagg, but the trade of Anthony Davis signals that rebuild is fully in action. The Bucks got a big win by staying patient in the trading deadline, and the addition of Cam Thomas should bolster scoring. But can the Bucks make a tangible push for the playoffs once Giannis Antetokounmpo returns?

And the poor Kings are in absolute free fall, losers of 12 consecutive games. They struggle to defend, made a head-scratching move before the deadline and simply don't have a tangible direction for their future.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:NBA power rankings: Pistons remain in top spot as Knicks make jump

TheSeahawks' "Dark Side" defensehad just turned the lights out on the Patriots ina 29-13 Super Bowl 60 victory.

"We struggled. Some plays we probably want back. We didn't play our best. We lost. Got to take it on the chin," Diggs said. "They played a better game. That was a good (expletive) team we played."

Super Bowl 60's final score wasn't even indicative of what transpired on the field. The Patriots were held scoreless through the first three quarters.New England's offense was neutralizeduntil it scored 13 points and gained 253 yards in what essentially was a futile fourth quarter with the game already decided. The Patriots offense never got within Seattle's 40-yard line prior to the final quarter.

"They have a hell of a defense. One of the top defenses in the league," Diggs said. "They are fast in the back end, they have fast backers and they got a good interior."

Check out the biggest defensive moments from Patriots vs. Seahawks

The irony of Seattle's Super Bowl 60 win is that Drake Maye was the one seeing ghosts.

Sam Darnold, notoriously known for his "seeing ghosts" comment, was the quarterback who managed the game, took what the defense gave him and avoided costly turnovers.

Maye was the quarterback that had multiple errant throws, an ill-advised interception toSeahawkssafety Julian Love and a pick-six to linebacker Uchenna Nwosu.

"I'd like to go back to the beginning and redo it," Maye said. "There are so many plays that can decide and change the game. I had an (interception) returned for a touchdown. There were plays in the first half where I feel like I could've made a better throw or make a better decision. It really just comes down to who makes the plays and who doesn't. They made plays tonight."

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Maye completed 27-of-43 passes for 295 yards (235 yards coming in the fourth quarter) to go with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Maye was sacked six times and fumbled once.According to Next Gen Stats, the Seahawks generated a 52.8% pressure rate, the highest in a Super Bowl since at least 2018.

"It definitely hurts," Maye said. "It's been a long ride. They played better than us (Sunday). They deserved to win that game."

The Seattle Seahawks celebrated its Super Bowl victory with confetti, Gatorade and the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the New England Patriots, 29-13, on Feb. 8, 2026.

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Seahawks celebrate Super Bowl victory. See the jubilation.

TheSeattle Seahawkscelebrated its Super Bowl victory with confetti, Gatorade and the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the New England Patriots, 29-13, on Feb. 8, 2026.

What might hurt New England even more is the fact its defense played well enough to win ... until things went off the rails in the fourth quarter.Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker IIIwas the sole provider of consistent offense and kicker Jason Myers' four field goals were the only points given up through three quarters. But when Darnold tossed a 16-yard touchdown to tight end AJ Barner to put the Patriots in a 19-0 hole, the deficit was insurmountable.

"It's tough," Patriots defensive tackle Milton Williams told USA TODAY Sports. "We just didn't make enough plays to win the game. We didn't make enough plays when we needed to."

The Super Bowl loss won't quiet critics who were up in arms about the Patriots' strength of schedule this season. New England had the NFL's easiest schedule (in terms of opponent combined win percentage). Then the Pats defeated a Los Angeles Chargers team with a patchwork offensive line, a turnover-happy C.J. Stroud and theHouston Texanswithout Nico Collins, and a Bo Nix-lessDenver Broncosclub in a blizzard en route to Super Bowl 60.

There's no guarantee that they'll make it back to the NFL's ultimate game. The AFC figures to be better in 2026 and the conference's postseason featured no Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow. But the Patriots spent over $200 million in guaranteed money on free agents in 2025. Most of their impact players will return next season and they have invaluable Super Bowl experience to go along with the agony of defeat.

"It's definitely gonna sting. It's gonna sting all the way up to the start of next year. But I'm proud of the guys. I'm proud of this team," Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez said. "All year nobody believed in us. … To make it to where we were, is a testament to our work. We came up short. Every year a team loses the Super Bowl."

Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X@TheTylerDragon.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Patriots have no answers for Seahawks' Dark Side defense in Super Bowl

Those were the first words uttered bySam Darnold, who looked as if he'd barely broken a sweat, as he approached his postgame riser Sunday evening,the Seattle Seahawks quarterback a Super Bowl championfor the first time in his singular eight-year career afterhis team's 29-13 beatdownof theNew England Patriots.

Couldn't have been much fun for the New York Jets. Or Carolina Panthers. Or Minnesota Vikings. Those NFL franchises have all had Darnold on their roster at some point during his peripatetic career but don't now. Those clubs have also combined for zero Lombardi Trophies since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger … and will carry that collective doughnut for another year while Darnold, now a two-time Pro Bowler, is fitted for his first ring.

Sunday also couldn't have been all that much fun for Baker Mayfield. Or Josh Allen. Or Lamar Jackson. Like Darnold, they were all first-round drafts picks in 2018. Unlike Darnold, who was also a member of the San Francisco 49ers when they were NFC champions in 2023, that trio has combined to win three league MVP awards … while making zero Super Sunday appearances.

Super Bowl 60: Check out best photos from Seahawks vs Patriots

"I didn't not believe that I would be (the first 2018 QB champion)," Darnold smiled. "It's special, man. And it's not about that – to me, it's never been about that. I'm just doing the best that I can. Because, every single day, I want to be the best quarterback for theSeattle Seahawks– that's really what it comes down to."

Mission basically accomplished.

Darnold didn't exactly deliver a signature performance Sunday, completing half of his 38 throws for 202 yards, including a 16-yard touchdown strike to tight end AJ Barner that broke the game open in the fourth quarter.

Yet Darnold also bucked his early career reputation for carelessness with the ball that carried over from his time at USC – instead protecting the pigskin, not committing a turnover (he didn't have one in the playoffs after leading the NFL with 20 in the regular season) and only taking one sack. Meanwhile, his New England counterpart, Drake Maye – an MVP finalist in 2025 – had three giveaways while getting bagged six times by Seattle's swarming defense, not that Maye could be blamed for the constant jailbreaks he faced.

"I didn't have my best stuff today, but the team had my back – our defense and special teams," said Darnold, whose unspectacular performance was perfectly sufficient for a Seattle juggernaut that didn't need anything more from him.

"We just played how we always play, we were resilient and we came out on top. So, it was pretty special."

Yet his success was also special for Seahawks players who have universally come to adore their quarterback even though he hasn't been on the roster for even 11 months.

"Unbelievable story. I don't think there's a quarterback in NFL history that's done what he's done – to go through the things that he's had to go through," saidwide receiver Cooper Kupp. "To believe in himself, to overcome everyone that told him that he wasn't that guy anymore, that he couldn't be a starter.

"I'm so thankful I got to know who Sam Darnold is as a person, because it explains everything that's happened in his career."

Added kicker Jason Myers, a teammate of Darnold during his rookie year with the Jets: "He's just one of the guys, he's just great in the locker room. I knew he'd fit in right away when we signed him here."

And with two years left on his contract and a loaded team at his back, perhaps this only the beginning of Darnold's dominant era.

"I don't think it's really hit me yet, to be honest with you," Darnold said of his career-defining moment to date.

"But it's special – this group is why it's special, the connection all of us have as players, the love that we have for each other."

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Seahawks' Sam Darnold: From Jets castoff to Super Bowl 60 champion