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Articles by Ryan Best
Visualizing every possible WNBA playoffs seeding scenario with one game to go
Thursday marks the final day of the 2026 WNBA regular season. The eight-team playoff field is set, and the Minnesota Lynx have clinched the No. 1 seed. But the seeds for the rest of the field will change based on the results of tonight’s and tomorrow’s games. The Atlanta Dream and Indiana Fever are fighting for the No. 4 seed and home-court advantage in the first round. The Dallas Wings and New York Liberty are hoping to avoid the No. 8 seed and a matchup with Minnesota in the first round.
Visualizing every WNBA playoffs seeding scenario with one game to go
This article originally appeared in The Athletic. Minnesota Lynx, New York Liberty, Seattle Storm, Los Angeles Sparks, Washington Mystics, Atlanta Dream, Chicago Sky, Connecticut Sun, Indiana Fever, Dallas Wings, Las Vegas Aces, Phoenix Mercury, Golden State Valkyries, Portland Fire, Toronto Tempo, WNBA, Graphics 2026 The Athletic Media Company
Visualizing every WNBA playoffs seeding scenario with one game to go
Visualizing every WNBA playoffs seeding scenario with one game to go
Visualizing every WNBA playoffs seeding scenario with two games to go
The WNBA playoff field is set, but no team had clinched a specific seed as of Monday, when all eight playoff teams had two games remaining. Our projected bracket shows the Minnesota Lynx as the likely No. 1 seed, with the Golden State Valkyries and Las Vegas Aces behind them at No. 2 and No. 3, respectively. But there’s still a chance for movement at the top, and most other playoff teams have an even wider range of possible finishes. The tables below show all the possibilities.
Visualizing every WNBA playoffs seeding scenario with two games to go
Visualizing every WNBA playoffs seeding scenario with two games to go
Visualizing every WNBA playoffs seeding scenario with two games to go
This article originally appeared in The Athletic. Minnesota Lynx, New York Liberty, Seattle Storm, Los Angeles Sparks, Washington Mystics, Atlanta Dream, Chicago Sky, Connecticut Sun, Indiana Fever, Dallas Wings, Las Vegas Aces, Phoenix Mercury, Golden State Valkyries, Portland Fire, Toronto Tempo, WNBA, Graphics 2026 The Athletic Media Company
WNBA playoff seeds 2026: A visual guide to every possible scenario, team by team
The WNBA playoff field is set, but which teams will earn which seeds remains wide open as the WNBA regular season enters its final days. Our projected bracket shows the Minnesota Lynx as the very likely No. 1 seed, with the Golden State Valkyries and Las Vegas Aces behind them at No. 2 and No. 3, respectively. But most other teams have a wide range of possible finishes. The tables below show all the possibilities. If your team wins its remaining games, what’s its best possible seed?
WNBA playoff seeds 2026: A visual guide to every possible scenario, team by team
WNBA playoff seeds 2026: A visual guide to every possible scenario, team by team
WNBA playoff seeds 2026: A visual guide to every possible scenario, team by team
This article originally appeared in The Athletic. Minnesota Lynx, New York Liberty, Seattle Storm, Los Angeles Sparks, Washington Mystics, Atlanta Dream, Chicago Sky, Connecticut Sun, Indiana Fever, Dallas Wings, Las Vegas Aces, Phoenix Mercury, Golden State Valkyries, Portland Fire, Toronto Tempo, WNBA, Graphics 2026 The Athletic Media Company
2026 WNBA Playoff projection bracket
Welcome to The Athletic’s 2026 WNBA projections, where you’ll find every team’s odds of earning each playoff seed. Follow along with our bracket forecast, which will update live as games conclude.
2026 WNBA Playoff projection bracket
This article originally appeared in The Athletic. Minnesota Lynx, New York Liberty, Seattle Storm, Los Angeles Sparks, Washington Mystics, Atlanta Dream, Chicago Sky, Connecticut Sun, Indiana Fever, Dallas Wings, Las Vegas Aces, Phoenix Mercury, Golden State Valkyries, Portland Fire, Toronto Tempo, WNBA, Graphics 2026 The Athletic Media Company
2026 WNBA Playoff projection bracket
This article originally appeared in The Athletic. Minnesota Lynx, New York Liberty, Seattle Storm, Los Angeles Sparks, Washington Mystics, Atlanta Dream, Chicago Sky, Connecticut Sun, Indiana Fever, Dallas Wings, Las Vegas Aces, Phoenix Mercury, Golden State Valkyries, Portland Fire, Toronto Tempo, WNBA, Graphics 2026 The Athletic Media Company
2026 WNBA Playoff projection bracket
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
2026 FIFA World Cup: Each team's chances of reaching the quarterfinals
Here you'll find detailed estimates for how likely all teams are to reach each round or to win the tournament. You can sort the table by any of these measures. This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 bracket
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 bracket
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
Why don’t we know where some third-place teams will play yet? A 495-row table has the answer
As soon as Ecuador stunned Germany to earn a spot in the World Cup knockout rounds, a tearful scene of celebration overtook the stadium. The team had just delivered one of the best days in its history and the country’s president declared the next day a national holiday. What comes next in the tournament? They don’t know. They’re still waiting to find out who they’ll play in the Round of 32. In the new 48-team World Cup format, the top eight of 12 third-place teams move on to the knockout rounds.
World Cup 2026: Which teams will get a third-place berth? Live tracker
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
World Cup 2026: Every possible path to the knockout rounds
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
How Scotland can reach the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
Who will the United States face in the 2026 World Cup knockouts? Minute-by-minute forecast
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
Will your team get one of the third-place berths in the World Cup? This chart has the answer
All 48 teams of the 2026 World Cup have now played one game. Some teams — Turkey, Ecuador, Iran — have not had the start they’d hoped for, while others — Cape Verde, Sweden, Australia — have surprised with a strong performance. These teams may now be asking the same question, even if they’re approaching it from opposite directions: How can we get one of those third-place berths?
Will your team get one of the third-place berths in the World Cup? This chart has the answer
All 48 teams of the 2026 World Cup have now played one game. Some teams -- Turkey, Ecuador, Iran -- have not had the start they'd hoped for, while others -- Cape Verde, Sweden, Australia -- have surprised with a strong performance. These teams may now be asking the same question, even if they're approaching it from opposite directions: How can we get one of those third-place berths?
2026 FIFA World Cup schedule, scores and results for every match
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
2026 FIFA World Cup: Each team's chances of reaching the Round of 32
Here you'll find detailed estimates for how likely all 48 teams are to make the Round of 32 -- by winning the group, getting second place or securing a third-place berth -- or to advance deeper into the tournament. You can sort the table by any of these measures, or use it as a springboard to explore your team's possible outcomes in detail. This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
2026 FIFA World Cup standings for every group
The 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup is almost here. This page -- one of dozens comprising The Athletic's World Cup Tracker project -- is your destination for current group standings and the live table of third-place teams. If you're just tuning in, here are the basics: there are 48 teams divided into 12 groups of four teams each (the United States is in Group D). Over the course of 16 days, the teams in each group will play each other once.
Who should be in England’s starting XI for the 2026 World Cup? Pick and share your own lineup
Thomas Tuchel will name his 26-man England squad for the 2026 World Cup on Friday. Some names are guaranteed and some have played their way into contention. Others have fallen away, due to injury or fading form. But who would you choose to line up for England in their opening game against Croatia on June 17? Stick with Tuchel’s regulars? Bring in some fresh blood? Adjust the formation? We’ve built a tool that allows you to pick your own starting XI from among hundreds of England-affiliated players.
England World Cup starting XI interactive selector: Pick and share your own lineup
Jordan PickfordNico O’ReillyMarc GuéhiJohn StonesReece JamesDeclan RiceElliot AndersonMarcus RashfordJude BellinghamBukayo SakaHarry Kane Trickiest decision: “Bellingham v Rogers: the latter wins on team chemistry, form and recent performances for England, but the former is...Jude Bellingham.
Who should be in England's starting XI for the 2026 World Cup? Pick and share your own lineup
Thomas Tuchel will name his 26-man England squad for the 2026 World Cup on Friday. Some names are guaranteed and some have played their way into contention. Others have fallen away, due to injury or fading form. But who would you choose? If it was up to you, would you stack the squad with attacking talent? Plan ahead for potential defensive injuries? Adjust the formation? We've built a tool that allows you to pick your own starting XI from among hundreds of England-affiliated players.
2026 NFL Draft: comparing top analysts’ rankings
With so many independent analysts ranking NFL Draft prospects, it can be hard to see the big picture. So we’ve compiled prospect rankings from ten of the industry’s top analysts and organizations, including ESPN’s Mel Kiper, NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah, Yahoo’s Nate Tice and our own Nick Baumgardner. And of course we’ve featured the most comprehensive, authoritative draft guide there is — Dane Brugler’s The Beast, which you can find right here at The Athletic.
2026 NFL Draft composite rankings: compare 10 top analysts' big boards
With so many independent analysts ranking NFL Draft prospects, it can be hard to see the big picture. So we've compiled prospect rankings from ten of the industry's top analysts and organizations, including ESPN's Mel Kiper, NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah, Yahoo's Nate Tice and our own Nick Baumgardner. And of course we've featured the most comprehensive, authoritative draft guide there is -- Dane Brugler's The Beast, which you can find right here at The Athletic.
Women's 2026 March Madness NCAA Tournament bracket forecast
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
Women’s 2026 March Madness NCAA tournament bracket forecast
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
Women’s 2026 March Madness NCAA Tournament bracket forecast
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
2026 NCAA Tournament men’s forecast bracket Original
Welcome to The Athletic’s 2026 men’s NCAA Tournament projections, where you’ll find every team’s chances of advancing through each weekend of March Madness and cutting down the nets in Indianapolis on April 8. This page will be updated throughout the tournament as games conclude.
Men's 2026 March Madness NCAA tournament forecast bracket
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
2026 Winter Olympics men’s hockey standings and forecast Original
Men’s Olympic hockey starts Wednesday, with 12 nations competing in this year’s tournament. The NHL is allowing its players to participate for the first time since 2014, making this one of the most anticipated events of the Games. Current standingsGroup rankGames PlayedGoal Diff.Pts.
2026 Winter Olympics men's hockey standings and forecast
Men's Olympic hockey starts Wednesday, with 12 nations competing in this year's tournament. The NHL is allowing its players to participate for the first time since 2014, making this one of the most anticipated events of the Games. kAm%9:D 2CE:4=6 @C:8:?2==J 2AA62C65 :? k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^HHH]?JE:>6D]4@>^2E9=6E:4^f__aacf^a_ae^_a^_h^a_ae\H:?E6C\@=J>A:4D\>6?D\9@4<6J\DE2?5:?8D\2?5\7@C642DE^Q C6=lQ?@7@==@HQm%96 pE9=6E:4k^2m]k^Am
Play The Athletic’s 2026 Super Bowl predictions party game Original
Illustration: Kelsea Petersen / The Athletic; Jane Gershovich / Getty, Michael Owens / Getty, Kara Durette / Getty, Anadolu / Getty, Icon Sportswire / Getty, Perry Knotts / Getty, Brooke Sutton / Getty, Sean Dempsey / Getty, Patrick McDermott/ Getty, Media Newsgroup / Getty, Ramon Zayas / AP How long will “The Star-Spangled Banner” be? Will the coin toss come up heads or tails? Will the Gatorade dumped on the winning coach be lemon-lime, orange or another flavor altogether?
2026 Winter Olympics women’s hockey standings and forecast Original
Women’s Olympic hockey begins Thursday, with 10 nations competing in this year’s tournament. But medal-watchers will mostly be paying attention to the two perennial powerhouses: Canada and the United States. Current standingsGroup rankGames PlayedGoal Diff.Pts.
2026 Winter Olympics women's hockey standings and forecast
Women's Olympic hockey begins Thursday, with 10 nations competing in this year's tournament. But medal-watchers will mostly be paying attention to the two perennial powerhouses: Canada and the United States. kAm%9:D 2CE:4=6 @C:8:?2==J 2AA62C65 :? k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^HHH]?JE:>6D]4@>^2E9=6E:4^f__aaf_^a_ae^_a^_c^a_ae\H:?E6C\@=J>A:4D\H@>6?D\9@4<6J\DE2?5:?8D\2?5\7@C642DE^Q C6=lQ?@7@==@HQm%96 pE9=6E:4k^2m]k^Am
Week 18 NFL playoff picture: A visual guide to every possible seed and scenario
AFC East Patriots ✓ (13-3) Bills ✓ (11-5) Dolphins (7-9) Jets (3-13) AFC North Steelers (9-7) Ravens (8-8) Bengals (6-10) Browns (4-12) AFC South Jaguars ✓ (12-4) Texans ✓ (11-5) Colts (8-8) Titans (3-13) AFC West Broncos ✓ (13-3) Chargers ✓ (11-5) Chiefs (6-10) Raiders (2-14) NFC East Eagles ✓ (11-5) Cowboys (7-8-1) Commanders (4-12) Giants (3-13) NFC North Bears ✓ (11-5) Packers ✓ (9-6-1) Lions (8-8) Vikings (8-8) NFC South Panthers (8-8) Buccaneers (7-9) Falcons (7-9) Saints (6-10) NFC...
Week 18 NFL playoff picture: A visual guide to every possible seed and scenario
The final week of the 2025 NFL season is here and the playoff picture is mostly settled. Twelve of 14 spots are already claimed. We're only waiting to see whether the Bucs or Panthers win the NFC South and whether the Steelers or Ravens win the AFC North. kAmqFE F?46CE2:?EJ 23@F?5D 7@C E96 C6DE @7 E96 A=2J@77 7:6=5] u@FC 5:G:D:@?
Week 17 NFL playoff picture: A visual guide to every possible scenario, team by team
AFC East Patriots ✓ (12-3) Bills ✓ (11-4) Dolphins (6-9) Jets (3-12) AFC North Steelers (9-6) Ravens (7-8) Bengals (5-10) Browns (3-12) AFC South Jaguars ✓ (11-4) Texans (10-5) Colts (8-7) Titans (3-12) AFC West Broncos ✓ (12-3) Chargers ✓ (11-4) Chiefs (6-9) Raiders (2-13) NFC East Eagles ✓ (10-5) Cowboys (6-8-1) Commanders (4-11) Giants (2-13) NFC North Bears ✓ (11-4) Packers (9-5-1) Lions (8-7) Vikings (7-8) NFC South Panthers (8-7) Buccaneers (7-8) Falcons (6-9) Saints (5-10) NFC West...
Week 17 NFL playoff picture: A visual guide to every possible scenario, team by team
With two weeks to go, the 2025 NFL playoff picture is already relatively clear. In the AFC, the Ravens (and, technically, the Colts) are clinging to hope. In the NFC, the Panthers and Bucs are still fighting for the NFC South title, while the Lions have an outside chance at the No. 7 seed. kAmkDA2?m%96 3:886DE A=2J@77 H92E\:7D 2C6 2E E96 E@A] t:89E E62>D 92G6 `` H:?D @C >@C6] $6G6? @7 6:89E 5:G:D:@?D C6>2:? FA 7@C 8C23D] p?5 ?@ E62> 92D 2 36EE6C E92?
Week 16 NFL playoff picture: A team-by-team look at every possible scenario
AFC East Patriots (11-3) Bills (10-4) Dolphins (6-8) Jets (3-11) AFC North Steelers (8-6) Ravens (7-7) Bengals (4-10) Browns (3-11) AFC South Jaguars (10-4) Texans (9-5) Colts (8-6) Titans (2-12) AFC West Broncos ✓ (12-2) Chargers (10-4) Chiefs (6-8) Raiders (2-12) NFC East Eagles (9-5) Cowboys (6-7-1) Commanders (4-10) Giants (2-12) NFC North Bears (10-4) Packers (9-4-1) Lions (8-6) Vikings (6-8) NFC South Buccaneers (7-7) Panthers (7-7) Falcons (5-9) Saints (4-10) NFC West Rams ✓ (11-3)...
Who has the most settled squad in the Premier League - and how much does that matter?
The festive period is typically a time for careful squad management in the Premier League. Games come even thicker and even faster than during the regular domestic churn, with managers and head coaches acutely aware of their players’ fitness levels before they kick things into the second half of the season. Notwithstanding those who suffer a spate of injuries, different teams will take different approaches to squad use within a season.
Who has the most settled squad in the Premier League - and how much does that matter?
Though I tend to think it's usually a waste of space to devote a column to President Donald Trump's personality -- what more is there to say a…
Groups, schedule and format for all countries
The 2026 World Cup draw is expected to begin at noon Eastern time on Friday, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. We will update the results live on this page throughout the draw. Draw starts in 16h, 18 min., 55 sec.
2026 World Cup Draw: Groups, schedule and format for all countries
Live Dec. 4, 2025 The 2026 World Cup draw is expected to begin at noon Eastern time on Friday, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. We will update the results live on this page throughout the draw. Draw starts in 16h, 34 min., 17 sec.
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