Final week of the NFL’s regular season arrives with No. 1 seeds still undecided in AFC and NFC
The NFL’s regular season has reached its final weekend with plenty undecided in terms of the playoff picture, including the No. 1 seed in both the AFC and NFC. The Denver Broncos, New England Patriots and Jacksonville Jaguars all have a shot at the No. 1 seed in the AFC, which includes a first-round bye and home-field advantage through the playoffs. The Broncos have the clearest path — if they beat the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, they’ll earn the top seed. The Seattle Seahawks face the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday night with the NFC’s No. 1 seed, first-round bye and home-field advantage on the line.
Hockey was already a big deal in Florida. Outdoor games might spark even more growth of the game
MIAMI (AP) — Florida’s hockey scene is booming, with the Panthers and Lightning dominating the NHL in recent years. Brad Marchand, a Panthers forward, notes the shift from fans supporting visiting teams to strong local support. The Panthers have become a hot ticket, moving past relocation rumors. Outdoor games in Miami and Tampa are fueling excitement. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman praises the Panthers’ fan base and the success of recent events. The league’s impact is growing, with local schools receiving synthetic rinks and equipment. The NHL hopes these efforts will inspire the next generation of Florida hockey players.
Steelers LB TJ Watt calls dry needling mishap a ‘fluke’ and hopes to play against Baltimore
PITTSBURGH (AP) — T.J. Watt is eager to return to the field after a dry needling mishap led to surgery for a partially collapsed lung. The Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker hopes to play Sunday night against the Baltimore Ravens, with the AFC North title at stake. Watt, who missed three games because of the incident, called it a “fluke” and said he won’t use the treatment in the short term. He felt good after practice on Friday and is focused on helping Pittsburgh reach the playoffs. The Steelers went 2-1 in his absence and can win the division with a victory.
Doncic and James score 30+ each for 1st time this season in Lakers’ 128-121 win over Grizzlies
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Luka Doncic and LeBron James topped 30 points each in the same game for the first time this season as the Los Angeles Lakers rallied for a 128-121 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. Doncic scored 34 points, hitting 17 of 20 free throws, while James added 31 points on 12-of-18 shooting. The superstars previously achieved this feat twice in March, a month after Doncic joined the Lakers in a blockbuster trade from Dallas. Doncic’s made free throws were one off his career high, while his 20 attempts were a season high. Doncic hit James with a 70-foot outlet pass and the NBA’s oldest active player scored.
Villa climbs to second place in Premier League and Wolves finally earns first win
Aston Villa has rebounded from its first loss in two months by beating Nottingham Forest 3-1 to climb into second place in the Premier League. John McGinn scored twice in the second half for Villa, building on Ollie Watkins’ opener in first-half stoppage time. Morgan Gibbs-White reduced the deficit to 2-1 in the 61st minute. Villa’s 11-game winning run was ended on Tuesday by a 4-1 thumping from Arsenal. Unai Emery’s team moves above Manchester City, which hosts Chelsea on Sunday, and three points behind Arsenal. Wolverhampton has gained its first win by beating West Ham 3-0. Brighton has beaten next-to-last Burnley 2-0.
Swiss skier Rast dedicates her 1st World Cup GS win to victims of Crans-Montana bar fire
KRANJSKA GORA, Slovenia (AP) — Swiss skier Camille Rast earned her first career win in a World Cup giant slalom and dedicated her victory to the victims of the fire at a Crans-Montana bar. Rast tapped the black mourning band on her left upper arm twice after she finished her final run to beat second-placed Julia Scheib of Austria by two-tenths. Rast said “there was a tragical accident and I think about those families. We race for them this weekend.” The fire left 40 people dead and more than 100 injured during a New Year’s celebration. Paula Moltzan behind third and Mikaela Shiffrin was fifth.
Anthony Joshua returns to Britain after car crash that killed two friends in Nigeria
LONDON (AP) — British boxer Anthony Joshua has reportedly returned to the UK after a deadly crash in Nigeria. Two of his friends, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, died when their vehicle hit a stationary truck near Lagos on Monday. Joshua sustained minor injuries in the crash and was released from the hospital on Wednesday. British media reported on Saturday that he returned to Britain ahead of his friends’ funerals. Ghami was his strength coach, and Ayodele was a trainer. The car’s driver, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, was charged with dangerous driving, with the trial set for January 20. Joshua has family roots in Nigeria.
Jennings throws for 278 yards to lead SMU to 24-19 Holiday Bowl win over No. 21 Arizona
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Kevin Jennings threw for 278 yards, highlighted by an 80-yard completion on a razzle-dazzle play on the second play from scrimmage, and SMU beat No. 21 Arizona 24-19 in the Holiday Bowl on Friday night. Jennings completed 21 of 32 passes, and set up two touchdown runs by T.J. Harden and one by Stone Eby for the Mustangs (9-4). They snapped a five-game postseason losing streak that included a 38-10 defeat to Penn State in the opening round of last season’s College Football Playoff. Arizona also finished 9-4. SMU was up 24-0 at halftime, a big enough lead to overcome three interceptions by Jennings in the second half and three touchdown passes by Arizona’s Noah Fifita.
Robby Ashford leads Wake Forest past Mississippi State 43-29 in Duke’s Mayo Bowl
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Robby Ashford threw for 303 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 50 yards and two scores, Koredell Bartley scored on a 100-yard kickoff return and Wake Forest beat Mississippi State 43-29 in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl on Friday night, earning coach Jake Dickert a mayonnaise bath. Ashford threw TD passes of 14 yards to Kamrean Johnson, 64 yards to Jack Foley and 62 yards to Ty Clark III and had scoring runs of 2 and 1 yards for the Demon Deacons (9-4). Freshman quarterback Kamario Taylor, making his second college start, had a big second half for Mississippi State (5-8) before suffering what appeared to be a significant leg injury with 1:46 left.
Ole Miss and breakthrough QB Chambliss advance to CFP Fiesta Bowl against Miami and blue chip Beck
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Mississippi quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and his Rebels teammates have been saying for weeks that they have the chemistry, talent and confidence to carry on in the College Football Playoff without former coach Lane Kiffin. There’s been no evidence to the contrary since Kiffin left for LSU on November 30th. The Rebels have a January 8th date with Miami in the CFP semifinals at the Fiesta Bowl. The matchup features quarterbacks with contrasting backgrounds. Miami’s Carson Beck is a high-profile transfer from Georgia who was a blue-chip recruit. Chambliss played previously at Division II Ferris State and began this season as a backup.
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