NFL-SCHEDULE
Three division champs
UNDATED (AP) β The New England Patriots, Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts are division champions once again after earning victories on Sunday.
The Pats claimed their sixth straight AFC East title as Tom Brady threw two touchdown passes in a 41-13 pounding of Miami. Brady was 21 of 35 for 287 yards and one interception, and he also had a 17-yard run that set up a TD. The 11-3 Patriots scored 24 points on their first four series of the second half after the Dolphins went into the locker room trailing just 14-13.
The AFC West crown belongs to Denver after newcomer Connor Barth drilled five field goals in the Broncos’ 22-10 triumph over San Diego. Barth secured the victory with field goals of 49 and 44 yards 57 seconds apart over the final five minutes. Peyton Manning came out of the game in the first half with a thigh injury before throwing a third-quarter TD pass to Demaryius (deh-MAR’-ee-uhs) Thomas. Manning had 233 passing yards and Thomas caught six passes for 123 yards to help the Broncos improve to 11-3.
The Colts wrapped up the AFC South crown with their 12th straight win over a division rival, beating Houston 17-10. Andrew Luck had 187 passing yards and threw both of his scoring passes in the second quarter. Reggie Wayne broke two of Peyton Manning’s team records with his 209th game played and 142nd win. Luck and Wayne helped the 10-4 Colts improve to 13-0 all-time against the Texans at Indianapolis.
The NFC East lead belongs to Dallas after DeMarco Murray ran for two TDs and Tony Romo threw for three others in a 38-27 win over the Eagles in Philadelphia. The Cowboys raced out to a 21-0 lead while outgaining the Eagles 167-0, but Philadelphia scored 24 straight points and went ahead on Darren Sproles’ one-yard run in the third quarter before folding.
Romo passed for 265 yards without an interception, and Murray had 81 yards on 31 carries as the 10-4 Cowboys avenged their Thanksgiving night loss to the Eagles.
Eagles quarterback Mark Sanchez threw for 252 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions.
“Johnny Football” was “Johnny Rotten” in his first NFL start as Johnny Manziel (man-ZEHL’) was bottled up in Cleveland’s 30-0 loss to Cincinnati. Manziel was just 10 of 18 for 80 yards and two interceptions, while gaining only 13 yards on five carries.
The Bengals held the Browns to 107 total yards and got a big day from Jeremy Hill, who carried 25 times for 148 yards and two touchdowns.
The outcome keeps the 9-4-1 Bengals atop the AFC North, a half-game ahead of Pittsburgh and Baltimore.
The 9-5 Ravens kept Jacksonville out of the end zone in a 20-12 win over the Jaguars. Kamar Aiken scored the Ravens’ first TD by returning a blocked punt 11 yards. Joe Flacco threw for 220 yards, including a go-ahead, three-yard touchdown pass to Owen Daniels. The Ravens sacked rookie quarterback Blake Bortles eight times and dropped the Jaguars to 2-12.
The Steelers kept pace with a 27-20 win over Atlanta, which also lost its share of the NFC South lead. Ben Roethlisberger (RAWTH’-lihs-bur-gur) threw for 360 yards and William Gay returned an interception for a touchdown. Le’Veon (LEH’-vee-ahn) Bell ran for two scores and Antonio Brown had 10 receptions for 123 yards for the 9-5 Steelers.
The day’s biggest surprise occurred in Orchard Park, where the Buffalo Bills knocked off the Green Bay Packers 21-13. The Bills’ offense produced only four field goals by Dan Carpenter, but Marcus Thigpen’s 75-yard punt return provided Buffalo’s lone touchdown. Mario Williams helped seal the victory when he forced Aaron Rodgers to fumble with 1:51 left, causing a safety.
Rodgers had a miserable game, completing just 17 of his 42 passes for 185 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions as the Packers fell to 10-4. It was Rodgers’ first game with at least two interceptions and no touchdowns.
Detroit has moved into a virtual tie with Green Bay for the NFC North lead at 10-4 by rallying from a 14-0 deficit to beat Minnesota 16-14. Matt Prater gave the Lions their first lead of the game, a 33-yard field goal with 3:38 left. Matthew Stafford was 17 of 28 for 153 and a second-quarter TD that sparked the Lions’ comeback. The Vikings fell to 6-8 despite limiting Detroit to 233 total yards.
Seattle stayed a game behind the NFC West-leading Arizona Cardinals while ending San Francisco’s postseason hopes. Marshawn Lynch ran 21 times for 91 yards and the go-ahead touchdown as the Seahawks downed the 49ers 17-7, leaving Seattle 10-4 and dropping San Francisco to 7-7. The Niners led 7-3 until Lynch scored on a four-yard run late in the third period. Seattle’s defense was brilliant in the second half, holding the 49ers to 67 total yards.
Carolina will own the NFC South lead at just 5-8-1 if New Orleans loses in Chicago on Monday. The Panthers bolstered their playoff hopes as Derek Anderson threw for 277 yards and a touchdown in Carolina’s 19-17 win over Tampa Bay. Anderson completed 25 of 40 passes and improved to 2-0 as a starter in place of Cam Newton, who missed the game while recovering from a car accident that left him with two fractures in his lower back. Kelvin Benjamin and Greg Olsen each had over 100 receiving yards.
Kansas City ended a three-game losing streak and bolstered its AFC playoff hopes with a 21-13 win over Oakland. Alex Smith threw for 297 yards and two scores, while the Chiefs’ defense shut down Derek Carr. Knile (nyl) Davis added touchdowns running and receiving, and De’Anthony Thomas returned a punt 81 yards for another touchdown.
Also in the NFL:
β Odell Beckham Jr. had 12 receptions for 143 yards and three touchdowns as the 5-9 Giants beat Washington 24-13, giving New York back-to-back wins since a seven-game skid. The Giants also benefited by Robert Griffin III’s fumble as the quarterback was trying to stretch into the end zone on the final play of the first half.
β The New York Jets beat Tennessee 16-11 on Chris Ivory’s one-yard scoring run with 3:09 left. Geno Smith threw for 179 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions for the 3-11 Jets. The 2-12 Titans never got into the end zone, settling for three field goals and scoring on a safety.
NFL-OBIT
Green Bay great dies
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) β A big part of the Green Bay Packers’ great teams in the 60’s has passed away. The team has confirmed that Fuzzy Thurston has died at the age of 80. He played on five Green Bay teams that won the NFL championship in the 60’s and was best known for his blocking on the Packers’ famed power sweep. He was also on the 1958 Baltimore Colts’ squad that beat the Giants in the NFL title game.
NBA-SCHEDULE
Sweet 16 for Warriors…Kobe passes MJ
UNDATED (AP) β The Golden State Warriors needed five extra minutes to extend their team-record winning streak to 16 games.
Stephen (STEH’-fehn) Curry scored eight of his 34 points in overtime to lead the Warriors past the Pelicans 128-122 in New Orleans. Klay Thompson contributed 29 points for the Warriors, whose franchise-long winning streak includes a club-record, 10 straight road victories. Andre Iguodala (ihg-ah-DAH’-lah) added a season-high 20 points to help Golden State improve to a league-best 21-2.
Checking out the rest of the NBA schedule:
β Kobe Bryant passed Michael Jordan for third place on the NBA scoring list before finishing with 26 points in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 100-94 win at Minnesota. Bryant scored 10 points in the final five minutes to help the Lakers clinch the win.
β John Wall had 16 points, eight assists, six rebounds and five steals to lead Washington’s 93-84 triumph over Utah. Bradley Beal dropped in 22 points and Paul Pierce had 15 in the Wizards’ fourth straight win.
β Toronto still leads the East by a half-game over Washington after Kyle Lowry had 21 points and 11 assists in the Raptors’ 95-90 overtime win at New York. Terrence Ross added a season-high 22 points to help the Raptors overcome Carmelo Anthony’s 34 points and nine rebounds.
β Kawhi (kah-WY’) Leonard scored 18 points and San Antonio rebounded from Friday’s loss to the Los Angeles Lakers by downing Denver 99-91. Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili (MAN’-oo jih-NOH’-blee) added 15 points apiece as the Spurs won without Tony Parker, who was out with an injured hamstring.
β Chicago beat Miami 93-75 behind Mike Dunleavy’s 22 points. Dunleavy was shut out in the first half before scoring 19 points in the third quarter.
β Oklahoma City has a six-game winning streak after Russell Westbrook had 28 points, eight assists and eight rebounds in a 112-88 rout of Phoenix. Kevin Durant added 23 points and eight rebounds for the Thunder, who are back in playoff contention following a 3-12 start.
NBA-KINGS-MALONE FIRED
AP source: Sacramento Kings fire coach Michael Malone
UNDATED (AP) β The Sacramento Kings have fired coach Michael Malone just 24 games into his second season with the team.
A person with knowledge of the move confirmed the firing Sunday night on condition of anonymity because the team has not announced it yet. The firing was first reported by Yahoo Sports.
Malone went 39-67 after being hired in June 2013 by new owner Vivek Ranadive. Sacramento is 11-13 this season and has lost seven of nine games since star center DeMarcus Cousins was sidelined with viral meningitis.
Assistant coach Tyrone Corbin will take over as interim coach. Corbin went 112-146 in three-plus seasons as coach of the Utah Jazz and was not offered a contract after last season.
NHL-PENGUINS
Pens’ star has the mumps
PITTSBURGH (AP) β You can add Sidney Crosby of the Penguins to the list of NHL players that have come down with the mumps. The league is dealing with a widespread outbreak of the virus, with players from Anaheim, Minnesota, the Rangers and Devils also among those affected.
The Penguins announced the diagnosis after holding the two-time MVP out of games Friday and Saturday as a precaution when swelling developed on the right side of Crosby’s face. The club says Crosby should be through the infectious stage by Monday but will not play that night when Pittsburgh hosts the Tampa Bay Lightning.
NHL-SCHEDULE
Five straight for Leafs
UNDATED (AP) β The Toronto Maple Leafs blew a 2-0 lead to the defending Stanley Cup champions before running their winning streak to five in a row.
Joffrey Lupul (JAHF’-ree LOO’-pul) scored the lone shootout goal while James Reimer (RY’-mur) stopped the Kings’ three shootout attempts in the Leafs’ 4-3 triumph over Los Angeles. James van Riemsdyk (van REEMZ’-dyk) tied the game with a power-play goal in the third period before Lupul put Toronto within two points of the Atlantic Division lead.
Reimer finished with 33 saves, and Mike Santorelli and Cody Franson each had a goal and an assist in the Maple Leafs’ seventh victory in eight games.
Also on ice:
β Chicago made it nine wins in its last 10 games by beating Calgary 2-1 on Brandon Saad’s (sahdz) goal with 7:03 remaining. Patrick Sharp provided a power-play goal and Jonathan Toews (tayvz) had two assists as the Blackhawks bounced back from Saturday’s loss to the Islanders.
β Henrik Lundqvist posted his fifth shutout of the season and 55th of his career by making just 16 saves in the New York Rangers’ 2-0 win at Edmonton. Dan Girardi notched a first-period goal and Carl Hagelin (HAG’-lihn) added an empty-netter in the Rangers’ third straight victory.
T25-MEN’S BASKETBALL-SCHEDULE
Cardinals still unbeaten…Butler didn’t do it
UNDATED (AP) β Fourth-ranked Louisville is 9-0 after surviving a tougher-than-expected game against UNC Wilmington.
The Cardinals blew most of an 18-point lead in the second half before holding off the Seahawks 68-57. UNCW trailed just 52-50 until Terry Rozier scored six of Louisville’s 10 points. Rozier and Montrezl Harrell each finished with 19 points, with Harrell also grabbing 17 rebounds.
In other top-25 men’s basketball action:
β Josh Hart and Darrun Hilliard each scored 20 points to lead No. 7 Villanova to an 85-62 win over Temple. The Wildcats are 10-0 for the second straight year and have won all three games against their Philadelphia rivals this season.
β Georges Niang (NEE’-ang) and Bryce Dejean-Jones each scored 18 points to lead No. 14 Iowa State to its fifth straight win, 88-76 over Southern. Monte Morris had 15 points and five assists for the 8-1 Cyclones.
βJosh Richardson scored 18 of his 20 points after halftime and Tennessee rallied from a 12-point second-half deficit to beat No. 15 Butler 67-55. The Bulldogs led 37-25 early in the second half, but the Volunteers took charge and grabbed the lead for good with 6:15 left.
β Nigel Williams-Goss and Darin Johnson hit 3-pointers in the final 1:16 to cap a big comeback in 17th-ranked Washington’s 81-77 win over Eastern Washington. Robert Upshaw led Washington with a career-high 21 points and added nine rebounds and six blocks.
β Juwan Staten scored 15 points, including two free throws with seven seconds left in 22nd-ranked West Virginia’s 69-66 victory over Marshall. Jonathan Holton and Jevon Carter add 14 points apiece for the 9-1 Mountaineers, who are off to their best start in five years.
β No. 24 St. John’s hammered Fordham 74-53 as Rysheed Jordan came off the bench and tied a career high with 24 points. D’Angelo Harrison added 22 for the Red Storm, who are 8-1 following their fourth straight win.
MLB-LESTER
Record payoff for pitcher
NEW YORK (AP) β Jon Lester set Major League Baseball records for largest signing bonus and biggest upfront payment with his $155 million, seven-year deal with the Chicago Cubs.
A person familiar with the agreement told The Associated Press that the pitcher’s contract calls for a $30 million signing bonus, of which $15 million is due by April 1. The previous high for a signing bonus had been Vernon Wells’ $25.5 million under a $126 million, seven-year deal with Toronto that covered 2008-14 and was announced in December 2006. Wells’ bonus was payable in three equal installments on March 1 each year from 2008-10.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Police arrest suspect in shooting death of Auburn player
AUBURN, Ala. (AP) β Police say they’ve arrested a 22-year-old man in the fatal shooting of Auburn football player Jakell Lenard Mitchell at an off-campus apartment early Sunday morning. Auburn Police Capt. Will Matthews issued an agency statement saying that Markale Deandra Hart of Camp Hill, Alabama, has been arrested on a felony warrant charging him with murder.
Police also disclosed in the statement that Mitchell received multiple gunshot wounds to the chest.
