Here are the AP’s top sports stories that have moved or are planned to move today. All times U.S. Eastern. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit AP Newsroom’s Coverage Plan. Sports content can be found at http://newsroom.ap.org/page/APSports.

For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, including agate, contact AP Customer Support at apcustomersupport@ap.org or 877-836-9477.

The New York sports desk can be reached at 800-845-8450, ext. 1630. Sports photos, ext. 1918.

——————————

UPCOMING

——————————

FBN--BILLS-WRAPUP

DESCRIPTION: After the uncontrollable tears, and pointed questions and criticisms over what stands as a catch in the NFL, the Buffalo Bills were confronted with the familiar frustrations of yet another season ending far too soon. Try as they might explain what went wrong and right in a year that ended with a thud, there was no reconciling how a Josh Allen-led team fell short of its Super Bowl aspirations for a seventh straight season. By John Wawrow. 750 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 01/19/2026 2:00 p.m. EST, Text

___

BKN--NBA-ALL-STAR STARTERS

DESCRIPTION: The NBA announces the 10 players designated as All-Star Game starters, even though more will actually be “starting” in the new U.S. vs. The World format for the midseason showcase. By Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds. 500 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 01/19/2026 2:30 p.m. EST, Photo, Text

___

SOC--ENGLISH ROUNDUP

DESCRIPTION: Brighton hosts Bournemouth in the Premier League. UPCOMING: 200 words, photos. Match starts at 3 p.m. EST.

UPCOMING: By 01/19/2026 5:00 p.m. EST, Photo, Text

___

FBN--PATRIOTS ANALYSIS

DESCRIPTION: In just one year on the job, first-year Patriots coach Mike Vrabel has the team on the cusp of returning to the Super Bowl for the first time since the 2018 season. The only thing standing in their way is a trip to Denver, where they will face the AFC’s top seed. But the Broncos won’t have starting quarterback Bo Nix, who was lost to a broken ankle in their divisional round win. By Jimmy Golen. 700 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 01/19/2026 5:00 p.m. EST, Text

___

BBO--HALL OF FAME

DESCRIPTION: Carlos Beltrán and Andruw Jones appear headed to election to the Hall of Fame on Tuesday when voting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America is announced. By Baseball Writer Ronald Blum. 500 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 01/19/2026 5:00 p.m. EST, Text

___

FBC--COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF

FORMATS: Photo, LiveVideo, DigitalPlans, Text, Video

1. WITH: FBC--CFP-PORTAL PLOTTING

2. DESCRIPTION: A year ago, Notre Dame and Ohio State made the title game by bringing in QBs who had started multiple years at other schools. Indiana and Miami fit the mold. Is this the model going forward for national championship contenders?

3. UPCOMING: By 01/19/2026 6:00 p.m. EST

4. WITH: FBC--CFP CHAMPIONSHIP

5. DESCRIPTION: Coverage of the College Football Playoff national championship game between Indiana and Miami.

6. UPCOMING: By 01/19/2026 7:30 p.m. EST

___

FBN--49ERS-WRAPUP

DESCRIPTION: The main emotion for the San Francisco 49ers after their blowout playoff loss to Seattle was pride about how much the team overcame in an injury-plagued season. Now the question is whether the foundation is in place to end a 31-season title drought with better health next season. By Pro Football Writer Josh Dubow. 750 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 01/19/2026 7:00 p.m. EST, Text

___

HKN--JETS-TOEWS

DESCRIPTION: CHICAGO — Winnipeg center Jonathan Toews plays his first game in Chicago since signing with the Jets in the offseason. Toews won three Stanley Cup championships while spending his first 15 seasons with the Blackhawks. By Jay Cohen. 500 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 01/19/2026 7:00 p.m. EST, Text

___

HKN--JETS-BLACKHAWKS

DESCRIPTION: CHICAGO — Winnipeg center Jonathan Toews returns to Chicago when the Jets face Connor Bedard and the Blackhawks. Toews spent his first 15 seasons with the Blackhawks, winning three Stanley Cup titles. By Jay Cohen. 300 words, photos. Game starts at 8:30 p.m.

UPCOMING: By 01/19/2026 11:15 p.m. EST, Photo, Text

___

——————————

NEW AND DEVELOPING

——————————

BKC--T25-MEN’S POLL

Arizona a unanimous No. 1 for first time, Saint Louis and Miami of Ohio join AP Top 25

SUMMARY: Arizona is the unanimous No. 1 in The Associated Press Top 25 men’s college basketball poll for the first time. The Wildcats received all 61 votes from a media panel in Monday’s poll. Arizona (18-0) won both of its games last week to remain among the three undefeated Division I teams. Iowa State dropped seven spots to No. 9 after their undefeated season ended. Nebraska moved up a spot to No. 7, its highest ranking ever. Saint Louis and Miami (Ohio) joined the poll, while Tennessee and Utah State dropped out. Kansas returned, giving the Big 12 Conference six ranked teams.

WORDS: 542 - MOVED: 01/19/2026 12:52 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:215ad8f1cfb9bbe7a66bad2dada9af06&mediaType=text

___

FBN--PLAYOFFS-BACKUP QB HISTORY

Stidham set to join Staubach, Reich and 4 other QBs to make first start of season in playoffs

SUMMARY: Bo Nix’s broken ankle has placed Jarrett Stidham into most unusual territory. After throwing no passes and taking four offensive snaps all season, Stidham will now take over as starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos in the AFC title game against New England on Sunday. According to Sportradar, Stidham will be the seventh quarterback since starts began being tracked in 1950 to start a playoff game in a season when he didn’t start in the regular season.

WORDS: 884 - MOVED: 01/19/2026 12:44 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3e2a130a41ba5a1bcbe441780019933f&mediaType=text

___

BKW--T25-WOMEN’S POLL

Iowa cracks top 10 in AP women’s basketball poll for first time in 2 years; UConn-South Carolina 1-2

SUMMARY: Iowa moved into the top 10 for the first time in two years and UConn remained the unanimous No. 1 choice in The Associated Press women’s basketball poll. The Hawkeyes last were ranked this high in the final poll of Caitlin Clark’s senior year. They had been as high as 11th a few times this season and finally were able to crack the first 10. UConn received all 30 first-place ballots from a national media panel as the top six teams in the poll were unchanged from a week earlier. The Huskies have won 34 consecutive games dating back to last season. South Carolina and UCLA were next. Texas remained fourth despite falling at South Carolina 68-65 on Thursday. Vanderbilt and LSU followed the Longhorns.

WORDS: 474 - MOVED: 01/19/2026 11:57 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:fdcf45911bc81086c27089270290452f&mediaType=text

___

FBN--BILLS-MCDERMOTT FIRED

Bills fire coach Sean McDermott after 9 seasons of falling short of reaching the Super Bowl

SUMMARY: The Buffalo Bills have fired coach Sean McDermott after the team again failed to reach the Super Bowl in his nine seasons. The move came two days after the Bills were eliminated in a heart-wrenching 33-30 overtime loss at Denver in the divisional round of the playoffs. The Bills went 12-5 in the regular season and saw their five-year run atop the AFC East end. McDermott transformed the franchise into a perennial winner but was knocked for failing to make a Super Bowl appearance. Buffalo became the NFL’s first team to win a playoff round in six consecutive years but not reach the Super Bowl.

WORDS: 970 - MOVED: 01/19/2026 11:01 a.m. EST. A new approach is upcoming.

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:17cfca2546dfd971c40d4a2da0b96484&mediaType=text

___

TEN--AUSTRALIAN OPEN-DJOKOVIC’S 100

Djokovic equals two all-time records and wins his 100th match at Australian Open

SUMMARY: Novak Djokovic has equaled two all-time tennis records by starting his 21st Australian Open. He added another milestone Monday night with his 100th win at Melbourne Park. The 38-year-old Djokovic is now 100-10 at the Australian Open, where he’s won 10 titles. He also has won 102 matches at Wimbledon and 101 at Roland Garros. By starting his 21st Australian Open campaign, he equaled the tournament record held by Roger Federer. By starting his 81st Grand Slam tournament, he equaled another record that Federer shared with Feliciano Lopez. Djokovic showed signs of vintage form, with a running crosscourt forehand winner in the first set taking the adoring crowd at Rod Laver Arena back to his prime.

WORDS: 641 - MOVED: 01/19/2026 10:55 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:001c4abc19707d3b00df65d29bed6388&mediaType=text

___

SOC--CHAMPIONS LEAGUE-PREVIEW

Real Madrid, Chelsea return to Champions League with rookie coaches in season of firings

SUMMARY: Real Madrid and Chelsea resume in the Champions League this week after the winter break with new coaches working in the competition for the first time. Job losses are a strong theme in a season where patience has run thin in the board room and 11 of the 36 Champions League clubs changed coach. Nine of the 11 were fired. Madrid hosts Monaco and Chelsea is at home to Pafos, with all four clubs having changed coach this season. There is more stability at Arsenal and Inter Milan which meet in a first versus sixth clash at San Siro.

WORDS: 755 - MOVED: 01/19/2026 10:26 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c14fe29c8c4aca1f220d0089ece73ec2&mediaType=text

___

TEN--AUSTRALIAN OPEN

Świątek overcomes rust to advance in Australian Open. Djokovic racks up more records

SUMMARY: Iga Świątek acknowledges she has room for improvement in her quest for an Australian Open title to complete a career Grand Slam. She needed more than two hours to beat Chinese qualifier Yuan Yue on Monday night. Novak Djokovic had no such trouble in the following match on Rod Laver Arena, closing Day 2 with his 100th win at Melbourne Park. He beat Pedro Martinez in straight sets in a match that marked the start of a record 21st Australian Open and 81st Grand Slam. A combined crowd of 101,696 fans flocked to Melbourne Park on Monday, surpassing the tournament record of 100,763 set a day earlier.

WORDS: 823 - MOVED: 01/19/2026 8:51 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:cec6ffd3e3b84fb9bee6a0fc30dbaec6&mediaType=text

___

BKW--T25-CORETTA SCOTT KING CLASSIC

Chance Gray’s family legacy adds special meaning to Coretta Scott King Classic for Ohio State guard

SUMMARY: Getting a chance to play in the Coretta Scott King Classic has special meaning for Ohio State senior Chance Gray. Her great grandfather Benjamin Hooks worked with Rev. Martin Luther King Jr and was onetime executive director of the NAACP. Gray remembered when she was young hearing stories from Hooks, who died in 2010. Gray’s team — the No. 14 Buckeyes — faces 10th-ranked TCU on Monday in the opener of the women’s basketball doubleheader. Fifth-ranked Vanderbilt plays No. 8 Michigan in the second game. It’s the second year of the tournament.

WORDS: 667 - MOVED: 01/19/2026 6:01 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:733ada9f327ccab9e5239ae4fe26d0a2&mediaType=text

___

FBC--CFP CHAMPIONSHIP

Miami and Indiana turned college football final into one of the toughest tickets in memory

SUMMARY: Take a long downtrodden team that happens to have the world’s largest alumni base and another playing a home game while in search of its first national title in 25 years and the math is simple. This is the toughest ticket in town. And, in fact, Monday night’s title game between Indiana and Miami will be among the most expensive tickets in college football history, with a get-in price topping $3,600. Indiana is trying to wrap up an undefeated season with the program’s first national title. Miami, playing in its home stadium, is looking to bring the first title back to “The U” since 2001.

WORDS: 517 - MOVED: 01/19/2026 6:00 a.m. EST. Will be updated from game that starts at 7:30 p.m. EST.

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8b4fb15e43e10c890e16b57551b48523&mediaType=text

___

FBC--CFP-PORTAL PLOTTING

Transfer QBs Mendoza, Beck headline college football’s biggest game and signify broader trend

SUMMARY: The biggest game in college football is set to be decided by transfer quarterbacks for the second year in a row. Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza and Miami’s Carson Beck both joined their teams after successful stints elsewhere. This trend of transfer quarterbacks leading teams to championships is growing. Indiana coach Curt Cignetti emphasizes the need for immediate success, saying there’s no time to wait for development. Transfer quarterbacks like Joe Burrow and Stetson Bennett have previously found success. Cignetti has already lined up another transfer, Josh Hoover, to compete for the starting role next season.

WORDS: 932 - MOVED: 01/19/2026 6:00 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2688d0dac892fe87bab4e1b9e31a9052&mediaType=text

___

TEN--AUSTRALIAN OPEN-RETIREMENTS

Canada’s Stakusic leaves court in a wheelchair as Australian Open warms up

SUMMARY: Priscilla Hon has helped her Canadian opponent Marina Stakusic leave the court in a wheelchair during the Australian Open. Hon was leading 1-6, 6-4, 5-3 when Stakusic needed treatment for severe leg cramps on Day 2 of the season-opening major. Stakusic was one of two Canadian players to struggle with cramping on Monday. Men’s No. 7 Felix Auger-Aliassime also retired from his match with Nuno Borges, saying he’d never had cramps so early in a tournament before. Conditions have been consistently warm without being extreme at Melbourne Park in recent days.

WORDS: 455 - MOVED: 01/19/2026 2:11 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:447c257a81baecb7910f0d8f59fed750&mediaType=text

___

——————————

MOVING TOMORROW

——————————

FBC--T25-COLLEGE FOOTBALL POLL

The Associated Press releases its final Top 25 college football poll of the season at noon Eastern.

___

BBO--HALL OF FAME

Carlos Beltrán and Andruw Jones were the leading candidates to gain election to the Hall of Fame in voting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Results announced starting at 6 p.m. Eastern.

___

OLY--SMO-GIBSON’S NEW TRAIL

Anna Gibson transitioned from trail running to a new Olympic sport in just seven months. The elite runner and her longtime friend Cameron Smith will compete in mixed relay as ski mountaineering makes its debut next month in Italy.