Rodgers and Steelers win AFC North, beating Ravens 26-24 after Loop misses kick at buzzer
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Aaron Rodgers threw a go-ahead touchdown pass to Calvin Austin III with 55 seconds left, and the Steelers beat the Ravens 26-24 on Sunday night when Baltimore’s Tyler Loop missed a 44-yard field goal as time expired, giving Pittsburgh the AFC North title. Pittsburgh will host Houston in the opening round of the playoffs on Monday, Jan. 12, following an electric fourth quarter that saw four lead changes, including three in the final four minutes. Lamar Jackson connected with Isaiah Likely for a 28-yard gain that put the Ravens within Loop’s range. But the rookie's kick never had a chance.
Falcons fire coach Raheem Morris, GM Terry Fontenot hours after finishing 8-9 season
ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons have fired coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot. The team announced the moves hours after completing its its second straight 8-9 finish under Morris and eighth consecutive losing season. Morris said after Sunday’s win over the New Orleans Saints that he expected to return for a third season. Instead, his 16-18 record was not enough for him to keep his job after the year began with optimism that the Falcons would reach the playoffs for the first time since 2017. Owner Arthur Blank said in a statement that he has “great personal affinity” for Morris and Fontenot but he believes a change is needed.
Myles Garrett breaks NFL single-season sack record with 23 and laments not getting 2 more
CINCINNATI (AP) — The Cleveland Browns' Myles Garrett has set the NFL's single-season sack record with his 23rd. He reached the milestone during the fourth quarter of Sunday's win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Garrett sacked Joe Burrow for a 6-yard loss, surpassing the previous record of 22 1/2 sacks shared by Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt. The sack came with 5:09 remaining in the fourth quarter. Garrett has sacked 51 players over his nine-year NFL career. Burrow is at the top of the list at 12 in 10 meetings. The NFL began counting sacks as an official statistic in 1982.
Steelers, Panthers, Jaguars secure division titles. Broncos clinch AFC's No. 1 seed
Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers sent Lamar Jackson and the Ravens home for the playoffs. The Panthers are NFC South champions for the first time in 10 years. The Broncos are the AFC’s No. 1 seed. Rodgers threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Austin III with 55 seconds left and Pittsburgh secured the AFC North title with a 26-24 victory when Baltimore’s Tyler Loop missed a 44-yard field goal wide right as time expired on Sunday night in the final game of the NFL’s regular season. Carolina clinched its division title when the Falcons beat the Saints 19-17 on Sunday to eliminate the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Broncos secure AFC's top playoff seed with 19-3 win over Chargers
DENVER (AP) — The Denver Broncos secured the AFC's top playoff seed with a 19-3 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Ja'Quan McMillian's 45-yard interception return for a touchdown fueled the victory. Wil Lutz was 4 for 4 field goals, helping the Broncos tie their franchise record for most wins in a season with 14. They earned their first No. 1 playoff seed since 2015. Broncos quarterback Bo Nix struggled but tied Russell Wilson's record of 24 wins in his first two NFL seasons. The Chargers rested key players including QB Justin Herbert as they prepare for the wild-card round.
No. 1 Indiana starts post-Mendoza era with new former TCU quarterback, new receiver, AP source says
As No. 1 Indiana prepares for Friday night’s College Football Playoff semifinal against No. 5 Oregon, coach Curt Cignetti is already reloading. The undefeated Hoosiers acquired two key players in the transfer portal, landing former TCU quarterback Josh Hoover, according to a person with knowledge of the commitment. The person requested anonymity because official announcements have not yet been made. Former Michigan State receiver Nick Marsh also is headed to Indiana, his mother confirmed. Marsh broke the school's freshman records for receptions and yards receiving in 2024. Hoover, another multiyear starter, could be the successor to Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza.
Raiders secure No. 1 overall pick in NFL draft after Giants' win over Cowboys
The Las Vegas Raiders will pick first in this year's NFL draft. The New York Giants defeated the Dallas Cowboys 34-17 on Sunday, ensuring the Raiders would have the worst record. The Raiders were 2-14 entering their Sunday home game against the Kansas City Chiefs. If the Giants had lost to Dallas, Las Vegas would have needed a loss to the Chiefs to secure the top pick. This is only the second time the Raiders have had the top pick. In 2007, they selected quarterback JaMarcus Russell, who became one of the franchise's top draft busts.
Streaking Jaguars clinch AFC South title with a 41-7 drubbing of Titans
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Trevor Lawrence threw three touchdown passes, breaking the franchise’s single-season record for total scores, and the Jacksonville Jaguars won the AFC South and earned a home playoff game with a 41-7 drubbing of Tennessee. It was most lopsided outcome in series history. The Jaguars (13-4) clinched their third division title in nine years, swept the Titans (3-14) for the third time in four seasons and topped a dozen wins for just the second time in the team’s 31-year history. Titans rookie Cam Ward injured his throwing shoulder early and spent most of the game on the sideline in a sling.
Gabriel Landeskog injured in Avalanche's game against Florida. He'll miss some time, the team says
SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Colorado captain Gabriel Landeskog is set to miss some time after being injured in a game against Florida on Sunday night. The Avalanche confirmed he has an upper body injury, not related to his previously troubled knee. Landeskog was hurt when he crashed into a goalpost, requiring assistance to leave the ice. The severity of the injury is still being evaluated. Landeskog, who helped the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup in 2022, missed nearly three years due to knee issues before returning last season. He has played all 41 games this season, contributing significantly to the team's success.
Czechia beats Canada 6-4 in world junior hockey to set up all-European final with Sweden
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Tomas Poletin scored on a deflection with 1:14 left and Czechia beat Canada 6-4 on Sunday night to advance to face Sweden in the first all-European final in the world junior hockey tournament since 2016. Earlier, Anton Frondell scored in the eighth round of a shootout to give Sweden a 4-3 victory over Finland. The final is Monday night. In the last all-European final, Finland beat Russia 4-3 in overtime in Helsinki in 2016. Czechia and Sweden are each trying to win their third title. Czechia won in 2000 and 2001, and Sweden in 1981 and 2012. Poletin scored 1:27 after Porter Martone tied it for 20-time champion Canada. Vojtech Cihar scored twice for Czechia, and Maxmilian Curran, Adam Titlbach and Adam Benak also scored.
