The Chicago Bears, led by head coach Ben Johnson, are gearing up for a critical wild card playoff game against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field this Saturday. Johnson, who has accumulated valuable postseason experience as the former offensive coordinator for the 2024 Detroit Lions, is confident in his quarterback, Caleb Williams, despite the latter’s relative inexperience in high-pressure situations.

Williams Shows Growth Ahead of Playoff Clash

As the Bears prepare for their matchup, Johnson emphasizes the transformation he has witnessed in Williams throughout the season. “He’s a completely different quarterback than when we first took this job,” Johnson stated. The head coach noted the struggles the team faced earlier in the season but expressed optimism about their progress, particularly in the latter part of the year. “I’m encouraged for where he’s at right now,” Johnson added.

Williams finished the 2025 NFL season with impressive statistics, throwing for 3,942 yards, 27 touchdowns, and a passer rating of 90.1. Although he fell short of becoming the first Bears quarterback to surpass 4,000 yards in a season, he remains optimistic about his growth and performance. “I feel that I’ve grown tremendously this year, and it’s exciting to see,” said Williams. He highlighted that breaking the single-season passing record reflects his development and confidence.

Late-Game Heroics and a Historic Opportunity

One of Williams’ standout performances came during a December 20 game against the Packers, where he orchestrated a stunning comeback. Trailing in the final two minutes, he connected with wide receiver DJ Moore for a 46-yard game-winning touchdown, securing a 22-16 overtime victory. This win not only added to the Bears’ total of 11 victories this season but also set the stage for a historic opportunity. If the Bears defeat the Packers again, Williams will become the first Chicago quarterback since Jim Harbaugh in 1991 to achieve two wins against Green Bay in a single season, including the playoffs.

Johnson has stressed the importance of a strong offensive start in the upcoming game. Yet, he remains confident that Williams will deliver when it counts, stating, “He was built for these moments.” Williams echoed this sentiment, expressing his readiness to contribute in any way necessary. “I think I am built for these moments, mentality-wise,” he remarked. His commitment to energizing the team and providing a spark reflects his understanding of the stakes at hand.

As the Bears approach this pivotal playoff encounter, both Williams and Johnson are keenly aware of the significance of their performance. With the weight of history on their shoulders, the team aims to channel their confidence and skills into a successful outing against their long-time rivals.

Reports indicate that Leon Goretzka, the 30-year-old midfielder currently playing for Bayern Munich, may be a potential target for FC Barcelona during the upcoming summer transfer window. Goretzka’s contract with Bayern is set to expire at the end of the current season, allowing him to negotiate with other clubs starting from January 1, 2024.

Goretzka has a variety of options available to him, but his desire to reunite with Hansi Flick, now managing Barcelona, has reportedly ignited interest from the Spanish club. Goretzka played a pivotal role under Flick at Bayern, contributing significantly to the team’s historic achievement of securing a sextuple of trophies. This strong connection with Flick appears to be an important factor for Goretzka as he contemplates his next move.

According to Sky Sports Germany, Barcelona has placed Goretzka on their list of potential signings should he become a free agent this summer. However, the club is also facing competition, particularly from Napoli, which is also showing interest in the midfielder.

Despite the interest in Goretzka, Barcelona may not prioritize a midfield reinforcement at this time. The team’s current roster includes established talents such as Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Gavi, Olmo, and emerging players like Tommy Marqués. Additionally, Eric Garcia can also fill a midfield role, providing depth to the squad.

Should a high-profile departure occur or if there is a significant shift in the squad, Goretzka could become a viable option for Barcelona in the 2026-27 season. His role at Bayern has diminished this year, with only 23 appearances totaling 1,108 minutes of playtime.

Currently, Goretzka is in no rush to make a decision regarding his future, taking the time to weigh his options and consider new experiences. For Barcelona, securing an experienced player like Goretzka without a transfer fee would be largely opportunistic, potentially enhancing their midfield depth while navigating the complexities of the transfer market.

As the summer transfer window approaches, the situation surrounding Goretzka will be closely monitored, both by fans and club officials, as they assess the implications of a possible move to Barcelona.

Shares of Cencora, Inc. (NYSE:COR) have received an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from analysts covering the stock, according to Marketbeat.com. The consensus target price set by these analysts stands at $373.25. This assessment comes from a total of thirteen analysts, with four rating the stock as a hold, eight issuing buy ratings, and one giving a strong buy rating.

Analysts have been actively revising their recommendations on Cencora. On December 8, Barclays initiated coverage with an “overweight” rating and set a price objective of $400.00. Following this, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its target from $344.00 to $417.00 in a report published on November 11. Similarly, Wells Fargo & Company adjusted its price target from $354.00 to $405.00 on the same day. Evercore ISI also set a target price of $400.00 with an “outperform” rating on November 6, while UBS Group raised their target from $380.00 to $415.00 on November 7.

Recent Financial Performance

Cencora’s most recent financial results, posted on November 5, revealed an earnings per share (EPS) of $3.84 for the quarter, surpassing analysts’ expectations of $3.79 by $0.05. The company reported a return on equity of 227.15% and a net margin of 0.48%. Revenue for the quarter reached $83.73 billion, exceeding analyst estimates of $83.36 billion. This represents a 5.9% increase compared to the same quarter last year, during which the firm earned $3.34 per share.

Looking ahead, Cencora has set its guidance for fiscal year 2026 at an EPS between $17.450 and $17.75. Analysts project that Cencora will achieve an average EPS of $15.37 for the current year.

Dividend Increase and Insider Activity

On December 1, Cencora announced an increase in its quarterly dividend, now set at $0.60 per share, up from $0.55. Shareholders of record on November 14 received this dividend, which translates to an annualized total of $2.40 and a yield of 0.7%. The company’s dividend payout ratio stands at 30.19%.

In other corporate news, Silvana Battaglia, Executive Vice President, sold 1,677 shares on December 19 at an average price of $345.00, totaling $578,565.00. After this transaction, Battaglia retained 18,796 shares, valued at approximately $6,484,620, reflecting an 8.19% decrease in ownership. Additionally, Robert P. Mauch, the Chief Executive Officer, sold 5,097 shares on October 20 for $1,665,699.60. Following this sale, Mauch holds 37,940 shares worth about $12,398,792, marking an 11.84% reduction in his holdings.

Over the last three months, insiders have sold a total of 20,317 shares valued at $7,009,260, with insiders currently owning 10.80% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Holdings

Institutional investors have been active in adjusting their positions in Cencora. Vestcor Inc. increased its stake by 0.5% during the third quarter, now holding 5,196 shares valued at $1,624,000. Cornerstone Wealth Group LLC raised its holdings by 1.3% to 2,383 shares worth $745,000. Other notable investors include Security Financial Services Inc., which grew its stake by 2.6%, and Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC, which increased its holdings by 31.4%.

Approximately 97.52% of Cencora’s stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds, reflecting strong confidence in the company’s future performance.

Cencora, Inc. operates as a global healthcare services and pharmaceutical distribution company, providing comprehensive solutions across the pharmaceutical supply chain. Its core activities include drug distribution and specialty pharmacy services, alongside logistics and cold-chain management to support complex therapies. The company also offers a variety of commercial and patient-focused services for pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare providers.

The latest AP Top 25 poll for men’s college basketball has revealed significant shifts as teams enter the 2026 calendar year. Following a brief hiatus, the rankings show the Nebraska Cornhuskers climbing from No. 13 to No. 10, while the Michigan State Spartans have dropped from No. 9 to No. 12. The top 10 remains largely unchanged, with Houston and Gonzaga swapping positions, and BYU making a one-spot gain. Notably, Florida and USC have fallen out of the rankings, making way for SMU and UCF, both of which secured impressive victories over North Carolina and Kansas, respectively.

Top Teams and Notable Performances

The Arizona Wildcats remain at the top of the poll with a perfect record of 14-0. They are among six unbeaten teams in Division I basketball this season. Their current win streak ties for the third longest in program history, a remarkable feat achieved alongside their impressive historical streaks in 2013-14, 1931-32, and 2012-13. The Wildcats are set to face Kansas State on January 3 at 21:00 EST.

The Michigan Wolverines sit at No. 2, also with an unblemished record of 13-0. They have achieved a remarkable milestone by defeating three AP-ranked teams this season, all by margins exceeding 30 points. This achievement marks them as the first team in AP history to accomplish three consecutive 30-point victories against ranked opponents. Their next game is on January 2 against Penn State at 19:00 EST.

The Iowa State Cyclones hold the third position with a record of 14-0, matching their best start in program history. Their current win streak is the second longest active streak in Division I, only behind Nebraska’s 18 consecutive victories. Iowa State will face Baylor on January 3 at 20:00 EST.

Meanwhile, the UConn Huskies have moved to fourth with a record of 14-1. They are currently on a 10-game winning streak, their longest since winning 13 consecutive games to secure the national championship in 2023-24. UConn’s next matchup is against Providence on January 3 at 17:00 EST.

The fifth-ranked Purdue Boilermakers boast a record of 13-1, with player Braden Smith recently breaking the Big Ten career assists record. Purdue will play against Washington on January 3 at 20:30 EST.

Key Changes and Upcoming Matches

The Nebraska Cornhuskers have made headlines by winning their first home game against an AP-ranked team since defeating Kansas in 1991. Their 14-0 record is the longest active streak in Division I. Nebraska’s next game will be against Ohio State on January 8 at 18:30 EST.

Conversely, the Michigan State Spartans have seen a decline following their loss to Nebraska, marking their record at 12-2. Despite this, player Jaxon Kohler has established a new record for the longest double-double streak in Michigan State history. They will look to bounce back against USC on January 8 at 20:30 EST.

The Kansas Jayhawks, ranked 22nd with a record of 10-4, have also faced challenges this season. Player Darryn Peterson has made an impressive impact with 103 points in just 128 minutes of play. Kansas will take on TCU on January 3 at 20:00 EST.

As the season progresses, fans will be watching closely to see how these teams perform in their upcoming games and how the rankings will continue to shift in the competitive landscape of college basketball.