PITTSBURGH (AP) — Sheldon Rankins is well-versed in the Houston Texans' nondescript playoff histo...

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Sheldon Rankins is well-versed in the Houston Texans' nondescript playoff history. The veteran defensive tackle is hell-bent on writing a different ending this time.And he's hardly alone. The NFL's best defense is eager to prove it's a unit capable of winning a championship.So far, so dominant and so, so good.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Rankins returned a fumble by Aaron Rodgers 33 yards for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter to break open a tight game, and the Texans beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-6 on Monday night for the first road playoff win in franchise history.“We're here for it all,” Rankins said after Houston (13-5) won its 10th straight game. “I won't sugarcoat it, won't dance around that topic. We're here for the whole thing.”The next step comes Sunday at New England (15-3), where the Texans will try to reach the AFC Championship game for the first time.If Houston can replicate what it did at chilly Acrisure Stadium, it might get there. The Texans limited Pittsburgh (10-8) to 175 total yards, including 81 in the second half. Coach DeMeco Ryans called it the best defensive performance in the franchise's 24-year history.“Every time we go out there, we show (we're the best),” said Houston cornerback Calen Bullock, who picked off what might be the final pass of Rodgers' Hall of Fame career and raced 50 yards for the final score. “We went out there and showed it today. I don't think they even scored a touchdown.”No, they didn't. The Steelers managed just a pair of first-half field goals by Chris Boswell to lose at home on a Monday night for the first time since 1991. Pittsburgh and coach Mike Tomlin have now dropped seven straight playoff games, with Tomlin tying former Bengals coach Marvin Lewis for the longest postseason losing skid in NFL history.“I don't necessarily compare it to any other moment,” Tomlin said. “It's the here and now, and certainly it's difficult. But that's what we sign up for. That's the life we live.”C.J. Stroud turned it over three times but also threw a first-half touchdown pass to Christian Kirk, who had eight catches for 144 yards. Woody Marks had 112 yards rushing for Houston, which had been 0-6 on the road in the postseason.“It's all about moving forward and trying your best to flush it and keep going,” Stroud said. “Every time we had to bounce back, we made more plays.”Marks' 13-yard touchdown run with 3:43 to go sealed it, and Bullock got his pick-6 less than a minute later.Rodgers passed for just 146 yards in the final game of his 21st season. Whether there's a 22nd is anyone's guess. The four-time MVP will take some time before deciding whether to return next fall.While Rodgers' play down the stretch was one of the reasons the Steelers won the AFC North, he struggled in much the same way as his predecessors, Russell Wilson and Mason Rudolph, did.“I'm not going to make any emotional decisions,” Rodgers said. “I'm disappointed. Obviously, it was such a fun year. A lot of adversity but a lot of fun.”More adversity than fun in the end. Rodgers' final pass of the night was a forced downfield throw that Bullock stepped in front of, and Rodgers tried and failed to tackle Bullock on the way to the end zone.The Steelers’ defense, long the biggest problem during a playoff victory drought that is nearing a decade, forced Stroud into numerous mistakes and kept Pittsburgh in the game until late.The result, however, was the same as it has been for the Steelers and Tomlin since they fell to New England in the 2016 AFC championship game, with a long walk to the locker room and a longer-than-hoped-for offseason to figure out what went wrong.Houston’s victory was hardly a thing of beauty, as a thrilling opening weekend of the playoffs ended with a rock fight between clubs trying to shed some ignominious playoff history.The Texans survived the way they have much of the season, by letting the league's best defense smother their opponent.The Steelers failed to capitalize on the miscues from a jittery Stroud, who fumbled twice and threw a pick. Pittsburgh scored just three points off those turnovers.Not even the return of wide receiver DK Metcalf from a two-game suspension for making contact with a fan in Detroit helped. Metcalf finished with two catches for 42 yards and had a critical drop that cost the Steelers a chance to extend a 3-0 lead.The Texans gathered themselves after an iffy start and took a 7-6 lead when Stroud finished off a 16-play, 92-yard drive by flipping a pass to Kirk for a 4-yard touchdown.Unlike a heart-stopping fourth-quarter rally against Baltimore that earned them their first AFC North title since 2020, this time there was no late-game magic from Rodgers or his teammates.While Tomlin, the NFL’s longest-tenured coach, is all but assured of returning for a 20th season if he wants — even if there were chants for his firing in the final moments — Pittsburgh heads into yet another offseason in search of a quarterback and answers to a playoff drought whose weight seems to grow by the year.Houston, meanwhile, heads to New England as the hottest team in the NFL with a quarterback who will be eager for a chance at a reprieve and a defense that can keep a game close against any opponent.InjuriesTexans: WRs Nico Collins and Justin Watson both went into the concussion protocol in the second half. S Jaylen Reed (forearm), who was activated off injured reserve early Monday, left briefly in the first quarter with a knee injury.Up nextTexans: Face the Patriots for the first time this season.Steelers: The NFL draft, which Pittsburgh is hosting in late April.___AP NFL: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nfl">https://apnews.com/hub/nfl</a>

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 12: Will Anderson Jr. #51 of the Houston Texans reacts after a play against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half of an AFC Wild Card Playoff game at Acrisure Stadium on January 12, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/34099998/related

Texans shut down Rodgers, Steelers to set up meeting with Patriots

LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Sixth-tier Macclesfield’s reward for beating Crystal Palace in one of t...

LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Sixth-tier Macclesfield’s reward for beating Crystal Palace in one of the biggest ever FA Cup shocks was another home match against a Premier League opponent — this time Brentford in the fourth round.“We said before we’d have liked Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal,” said Macclesfield coach John Rooney, the younger brother of England great Wayne Rooney. “But another Premier League team — incredible.”Palace, the titleholder, was humbled by a team 117 places lower in English soccer’s league pyramid and was one of six top-flight teams to be knocked out so far in the third round. The others were Manchester United, Tottenham, Everton, Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Newly hired Chelsea coach Liam Rosenior will take his team to second-tier Hull, one of his former clubs, while Manchester City was drawn to play Salford City or Swindon — lower-league teams who meet on Tuesday. Arsenal will host third-tier Wigan.Aston Villa will host Newcastle in the only guaranteed all-Premier League matchup. Another could see Liverpool — provided it beats third-tier Barnsley on Monday — host Brighton.Wrexham, the second-tier team owned by Hollywood celebrities Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, was drawn at home to fellow Championship club Ipswich Town after knocking out Forest.The matches will be played around the weekend of Feb. 14-15.<h3>FA Cup 4th round draw:</h3><ul>
<li>Liverpool or Barnsley vs. Brighton</li>
<li>Stoke City vs. Fulham</li>
<li>Oxford United vs. Sunderland</li>
<li>Southampton vs. Leicester City</li>
<li>Wrexham vs. Ipswich Town</li>
<li>Arsenal vs. Wigan Athletic</li>
<li>Hull City vs. Chelsea</li>
<li>Burton Albion vs. West Ham</li>
<li>Burnley vs. Mansfield Town</li>
<li>Norwich City vs. West Bromwich Albion</li>
<li>Port Vale vs. Bristol City</li>
<li>Grimsby Town vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers</li>
<li>Aston Villa vs. Newcastle</li>
<li>Manchester City vs. Salford City or Swindon</li>
<li>Macclesfield vs. Brentford</li>
<li>Birmingham City vs. Leeds United</li>
</ul>___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

MACCLESFIELD, ENGLAND - JANUARY 10: Isaac Buckley-Ricketts of Macclesfield FC celebrates scoring a goal to make the score 2-1 with his team-mates during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Macclesfield and Crystal Palace on January 10, 2026 in Macclesfield, England.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/34093451/related

FA Cup 4th-round draw: 6th-tier Macclesfield drawn against Brentford

Muhammad Ali once joked that he should be a postage stamp because "that's the only way I'll ever ...

Muhammad Ali once joked that he should be a postage stamp because "that's the only way I'll ever get licked."Now, the three-time heavyweight champion's quip is becoming reality.Widely regarded as the most famous and influential boxer of all time, and a cultural force who fused athletic brilliance with political conviction and showmanship, Ali is being honored for the first time with a commemorative U.S. postage stamp.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"As sort of the guardian of his legacy, I'm thrilled. I'm excited. I'm ecstatic," Lonnie Ali, the champ's wife of nearly 30 years, told The Associated Press. "Because people, every time they look at that stamp, they will remember him. And he will be in the forefront of their consciousness. And, for me, that's a thrill."A fighter in the ring and compassionate in lifeMuhammad Ali died in 2016 at the age of 74 after living with Parkinson's disease for more than three decades. During his lifetime and posthumously, the man known as The Greatest has received numerous awards, including an Olympic gold medal in 1960, the United Nations Messenger of Peace award in 1998 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005.Having his face on a stamp, Lonnie Ali said, has a particular significance because it's a chance to highlight his mission of spreading compassion and his ability to connect with people."He did it one person at a time," she said. "And that's such a lovely way to connect with people, to send them a letter and to use this stamp to reinforce the messaging in that life of connection."Stamp to be publicly unveiledA first-day-of-issue ceremony for the Muhammad Ali Forever Stamp is planned for Thursday in Louisville, Kentucky, the birthplace of the famed boxer and home to the Muhammad Ali Center, which showcases his life and legacy. That's when people can buy Muhammad Ali Forever Stamps featuring a black-and-white Associated Press photo from 1974 of Ali in his famous boxing pose.Each sheet of 20 stamps also features a photo of Ali posing in a pinstripe suit, a recognition of his work as an activist and humanitarian. Twenty-two million stamps have been printed. Once they sell out, they won't be reprinted, U.S. Postal Service officials said. The stamps are expected to generate a lot of interest from collectors and noncollectors.Because they're Forever Stamps, the First-Class Mail postage will always remain valid, which Lonnie Ali calls an "ultimate" tribute."This is going to be a Forever Stamp from the post office," she said. "It's just one of those things that will be part of his legacy, and it will be one of the shining stars of his legacy, getting this stamp."Creating a historic stampLisa Bobb-Semple, the USPS director of stamp services, said the idea for a Muhammad Ali stamp first came about shortly after his death almost a decade ago. But the process of developing a stamp is a long one. The USPS requires people who appear on stamps to be dead for at least three years, with the exception of presidents.As the USPS was working behind the scenes on a stamp, a friend of Ali helped to launch the #GetTheChampAStamp campaign, which sparked public interest in the idea."We are really excited that the stars were able to align that allowed us to bring the stamp to fruition," said Bobb-Semple, who initially had to keep the planned Ali stamp secret until it was official. "It's one that we've always wanted to bring to the market."Members of the Citizen Stamps Advisory Committee, appointed by the postmaster general, are responsible for selecting who and what appears on stamps. Each quarter, they meet with Bobb-Semple and her team to review suggestions submitted by the public. There are usually about 20 to 25 commemorative stamp issues each year.Once a stamp idea is selected, Bobb-Semple and her team work with one of several art directors to design the postage. It then goes through a lengthy final approval process, including a rigorous review by the USPS legal staff, before it can be issued to the public.Antonio Alcalá, art director and designer of the Muhammad Ali stamp, said hundreds of images were reviewed before the final choices were narrowed to a few. Finally, the AP image, taken by an unnamed photographer, was chosen. It shows Ali in his prime, posing with boxing gloves and looking straight into the camera.Alcalá said there's a story behind every USPS stamp."Postage stamps are miniature works of art designed to reflect the American experience, highlight heroes, history, milestones, achievements and natural wonders of America," he said. "The Muhammad Ali stamps are a great example of that."A candid figure on war, civil rights and religionBeyond the boxing ring, Ali was outspoken about his beliefs when many Black Americans were still fighting to be heard. Born Cassius Clay Jr., Ali changed his name after converting to Islam in the 1960s and spoke openly about race, religion and war. In 1967, he refused to be inducted into the U.S. Army, citing his religious beliefs and opposition to the Vietnam War.That stance cost Ali his heavyweight championship title and barred him from boxing for more than three years. Convicted of draft evasion, he was sentenced to five years in prison but remained free while appealing the case. The conviction was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1971, further cementing his prominence as a worldwide figure.Later in life, Ali emerged as a global humanitarian and used his fame to promote peace, religious understanding and charitable causes, even as Parkinson's disease limited his speech and movement.Ali's message during a time of strifeThe commemorative postage stamp comes at a time of political division in the U.S. and the world. Lonnie Ali said if her husband were alive today, he'd probably "block a lot of this out" and continue to be a compassionate person who connects with people every day.That approach, she said, is especially important now."We have to mobilize Muhammad's life and sort of engage in the same kinds of acts of kindness and compassion that he did every day," she said.

USA - Files pictures of Muhammad Ali, American boxer and three-time World Heavyweight Champion, 1978.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/34092671/related

Ali to be honored with commemorative U.S. postage stamp

LONDON (AP) — Newly installed Chelsea coach Liam Rosenior rejected the notion that Arsenal was “t...

LONDON (AP) — Newly installed Chelsea coach Liam Rosenior rejected the notion that Arsenal was “taking the game back in time” by focusing heavily on set plays under Mikel Arteta.“I don’t know who’s calling them ‘Set Piece FC’ - I’m definitely not,” Rosenior said Monday, two days out from the teams’ first-leg meeting in the English League Cup semifinals at Stamford Bridge.Arsenal leads the Premier League by six points, also tops the Champions League after six victories from six in the league phase, and is showing few weaknesses in its bid for a first trophy since winning the FA Cup in 2020 at the end of Arteta’s first season in charge.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Set pieces is an area Arteta has worked hard on mastering and Arsenal is among the most dangerous teams in England in this facet of the game, especially now Brazil center back Gabriel Magalhaes is back fit.“Arsenal are good at everything,” Rosenior said. “They’re a good team. It’s not about taking the game back in time. You manage your 1% to be as good a team to win as many different ways as possible.”“They’re a team who are very good without the ball,” added Rosenior, who was hired last week as a replacement for the departed Enzo Maresca. “They have a really, really clear idea in the way they want to play with the ball. And on top of that, they’re very, very well organized with good delivery on set plays. That’s what you want to be if you want to be successful.”Rosenior’s first match in charge was a 5-1 win over second-tier Charlton Athletic in the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday.He left out England internationals Cole Palmer and Reece James because their fitness is “being managed,” Rosenior said, and they could return against Arsenal.The second leg will be at Arsenal on Feb. 3.Newcastle vs. Manchester City is the other semifinal matchup. The first leg is at Newcastle on Tuesday.___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 10: Liam Rosenior, Manager of Chelsea, reacts during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Charlton Athletic and Chelsea at The Valley on January 10, 2026 in London, England.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/34091682/related

Rosenior: Unfair to describe Arsenal as 'Set Piece FC' 

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Drake Maye threw a touchdown pass to Hunter Henry in the fourth quarter,...

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Drake Maye threw a touchdown pass to Hunter Henry in the fourth quarter, and New England's defense roughed up Justin Herbert as the Patriots beat the Los Angeles Chargers 16-3 in an AFC wild-card playoff game on Sunday night.Andy Borregales kicked three field goals for the Patriots (15-3), who won a playoff game for the first time since their Super Bowl victory to cap the 2018 season. They’ll host the winner of Monday night’s game between Pittsburgh and Houston in the divisional round.In his first career playoff game, Maye completed 17 of 29 passes for 268 yards and ran for a team-high 66 yards. He also threw an interception and lost a fumble, but the Chargers (11-7) couldn't capitalize on those turnovers.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>New England held the Chargers to 207 yards of offense and sacked Herbert six times, with one of those resulting in a lost fumble that set up the Patriots' TD.“How about our defense, man? Congrats to the defense,” Maye said. “What a night. It was so fun to watch.”This is the second straight season in which the Chargers have lost in the wild-card round. Herbert finished 19 of 31 for 159 yards and was his team's leading rusher with 57 yards as he fell to 0-3 in the playoffs.The Chargers last failed to score a TD in a playoff game in their 21-12 AFC championship game loss to the Patriots during the 2007 season.The Patriots drove into the red zone on their first possession of the third quarter, but the drive ended when Maye was strip-sacked by Odafe Oweh and De'Shawn Hand recovered for the Chargers.After Los Angeles punted, Maye connected on a pass to Kayshon Boutte that went for 42 yards to set the Patriots up on the Chargers 27. But New England settled for a 39-yard field goal that stretched their lead to 9-3.Early in the fourth quarter, Maye used a 16-yard pass to Boutte and a 13-yard burst by Rhamondre Stevenson to set up his precise 28-yard TD toss to Henry that put the Patriots in front 16-3.The Chargers picked up back-to-back first downs to open their ensuing drive. But when Herbert dropped back to pass on the next play, linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson strip-sacked him and fell on loose ball.Los Angeles had one final possession, but it ended with Herbert getting sacked by Milton Williams on fourth down.Patriots get 3 the hard wayThe opening quarter had lots of action, but it took until early in the second quarter for the Patriots to end a scoreless stalemate.With New England pinned inside its own 10 after a Chargers punt, Maye had a pass intended for Austin Hooper tipped by Teair Tart and intercepted by Daiyan Henley.Los Angeles started with the ball on the Patriots 10 but was stopped on fourth-and-2 when Herbert misfired a pass to Keenan Allen.The Patriots took over and got some breathing room via a 48-yard catch-and-run by Stevenson.Thirteen plays and a fourth-down conversion later, the drive ended with Borregales' 23-yard field goal.InjuriesPatriots: CB Carlton Davis left in the first half with a toe injury but returned. ... CB Christian Gonzalez left in the second half with a head injury.Up nextChargers: End of season.Patriots: Host either Houston or Pittsburgh next Sunday.___AP NFL: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nfl">https://apnews.com/hub/nfl</a>

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 11: Drake Maye #10 of the New England Patriots avoids a tackle Khalil Mack #52 of the Los Angeles Chargers during the second quarter of the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 11, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/34087808/related

Patriots quiet Chargers for 1st playoff win in post-Brady era

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Brock Purdy threw a go-ahead 6-yard touchdown pass to Christian McCaffrey lat...

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Brock Purdy threw a go-ahead 6-yard touchdown pass to Christian McCaffrey late in the fourth quarter, San Francisco used a trick play on a TD toss from wide receiver Jauan Jennings, and the 49ers eliminated the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles with a 23-19 wild-card victory Sunday.The 49ers head to top-seeded Seattle next weekend for an NFC divisional playoff game. The NFC West rivals split the season series.“We just focused on one play at a time," McCaffrey said. "We knew it was going to be a 12-round fight. That’s what we kept saying. We just had to stick to it. No matter what happened during the game, good or bad, we just keep trusting each other and ended up winning.”<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Purdy threw for 262 yards and got the road win in Philadelphia he failed to get three seasons ago when he was injured in a dismal outing in Philadelphia in a loss in the NFC title game.Purdy had two passes intercepted in this one by All-Pro cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, but the Eagles scored just three points off the turnovers.The 49ers could head to Seattle without star tight end George Kittle, who was carted off the field with a right Achilles tendon injury late in the first half.The Eagles — who won a Super Bowl on a trick play — were foiled by one when Jennings was pitched the ball and rolled right and <a href="https://x.com/NFL/status/2010502066381443541">hit McCaffrey on a 29-yard touchdown</a>. The score on the first play of the fourth quarter gave the 49ers a 17-16 lead.Jennings had 66 yards receiving and 48 rushing in addition to his TD pass.The Eagles would only get Jake Elliott's 33-yard field goal in the quarter for a brief 19-17 lead.Philadelphia was again doomed by a lethargic offensive effort under embattled offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo that cost it a shot at a repeat championship. Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts threw for only 168 yards and a touchdown and the Eagles failed to build off a 13-10 halftime lead by totaling only 36 total yards in the third quarter on 16 plays.Hurts was incomplete on a <a href="https://x.com/NFL/status/2010513075892576693">last-gasp fourth-and-11 attempt</a> with 43 seconds left that ended their final drive.“Our team fights,” McCaffrey said. "I love this group so much. I don’t have enough good things to say about it. I’m proud to be a part of this team.”The game never reached its offensive slugfest potential after the teams traded touchdowns on their opening drives.Purdy, rendered ineffective by a torn ligament in his right elbow on the opening drive against the Eagles in a disastrous NFC title game loss three seasons ago, completed all three passes for 74 yards and capped the drive with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Demarcus Robinson. Robinson had 111 yards receiving.The Eagles tied it on a 1-yard sweep by Dallas Goedert, their red zone go-to ace with 11 TD receptions who became the first tight end to rush for a score in NFL postseason history.The Eagles turned again to Goedert on fourth down when Hurts hit him for a 9-yard TD that made it 13-7.Eddy Pineiro kicked a 36-yarder for the 49ers that cut it to 13-10 at halftime.Heat of the momentEagles wide receiver A.J. Brown had to be separated from coach Nick Sirianni by chief security officer Dom DiSandro during a <a href="https://x.com/NFLonFOX/status/2010486114667446476?s=20">sideline blowup</a> late in the first half. Brown ripped off his helmet in frustration and yelled more in Sirianni’s direction after the Eagles punted to end a drive.Another postseason pick for MitchellA day after he was named to the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-all-pro-2025-76fbd57c87e524c320e1194d860b61b3">2025 NFL All-Pro</a> Team, Mitchell had his first two interceptions of the season. Mitchell has four career postseason picks, but none in two full regular seasons.InjuriesKittle was pushed out of bounds on a 6-yard reception and grabbed the back of his lower right leg. He was ruled out for the rest of the game.Kittle is a key part of both the run and pass game for the 49ers, but played in just 11 games this season because of injuries. He missed five games early this season with a hamstring injury.Despite some encouragement this week he could return from a foot injury, two-time All-Pro offensive lineman Lane Johnson again sat out. Johnson had limited participation in three practices headed into the game that raised hope he could play for the first time since he was hurt in Week 10.Saquon Barkley ran for 106 yards but was slow to get up on a run in the fourth quarter. He used the stationary bike on the sideline to stay loose.Up next49ers: Will try to win another postseason game on the road. The 49ers won 17-13 in Seattle in the season opener only for the Seahawks to return the favor with a 13-3 win in the season finale.Eagles: Could make yet another change at offensive coordinator as they try not to waste more prime years from Hurts, Barkley and the receivers.___AP NFL: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nfl">https://apnews.com/hub/nfl</a>

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 11: Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after his team's 23-19 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 11, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/34084999/related

McCaffrey, 49ers end Eagles' title defense

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Josh Allen took a pounding and doled out punishment — looking every bit...

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Josh Allen took a pounding and doled out punishment — looking every bit like the reigning MVP.He carried Buffalo to its first road playoff win in more than three decades, 27-24 over Jacksonville in the AFC’s wild-card opener Sunday. Tough and tenacious, Allen did what he does best.With linebacker Devin Lloyd bearing down on him, Allen found Brandin Cooks for 36 yards just before the two-minute warning and then capped the go-ahead drive with a 1-yard touchdown run in which Jacksonville let him score.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
JOSH ALLEN:bangbang: :tv:: CBS <a href="https://t.co/B8JcEa7GXl">pic.twitter.com/B8JcEa7GXl</a>— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) <a href="https://twitter.com/BuffaloBills/status/2010457537020043714?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>On the fourth down play before his score, Allen gained 10 yards on a sneak, refusing to go down while being pushed and pulled to the goal line.“When your quarterback’s that type of warrior, that type of competitor, it just goes through the whole team,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said.Buffalo (13-5) will play at Denver, Pittsburgh or Houston next week, a chance to build a road winning streak after a decades-long skid.“Now we have a chance to do it again,” said Allen, who came up short on final drives in playoff games the past two years.“Feels good. Feels good. At the same time, it just means we get another game.”Focused on getting rid of the ball quickly and negating Jacksonville’s pass rush, Allen completed 28 of 35 passes for 273 yards and a touchdown. He ran for two scores, was sacked just once and played turnover-free football. Khalil Shakir caught 12 passes for 82 yards for the Bills.“Such a competitor,” Jaguars coach Liam Coen. “He was spitting it out pretty good, obviously. ... He definitely carried them.”It was somewhat necessary considering NFL rushing leader James Cook was mostly bottled up, finishing with 46 yards on 15 carries.“We’re going to play for each other, we’re gonna fight to the very last second, and you saw that here today,” Allen said.Jacksonville got the ball back with a chance to drive for the win, but Trevor Lawrence’s first pass was tipped and intercepted. Tre’Davious White got a hand on the ball, and fellow safety Cole Bishop corralled to end any chance of a comeback.“It was awesome,” Allen said. “A guy that’s been under a lot of scrutiny throughout the last couple years. To get him back and get him back in a Bills uniform and making plays for us when we need it the most, that’s Tre.”The Bills had been 0-5 on the road in the playoffs under McDermott, starting with a 10-3 loss at Jacksonville in the 2017 wild-card round. The Bills had dropped eight consecutive postseason games on the road since winning at Miami in the 1992 AFC championship game. It had been the NFL’s second-longest, active road playoff skid.“We were aware of what the talk was, but at the end of the day, the game is decided between the white lines, and our guys knew that,” McDermott said.Lawrence completed 18 of 30 passes for 207 yards, with TD throws to Brian Thomas Jr., Parker Washington and Travis Etienne. Washington finished with seven catches for 107 yards.“You’ve got to live with it,” said Lawrence, who threw two interceptions. “It’s life. You don’t get do-overs. That’s a bummer, but I know that we left everything out there. I know I put everything into this this year, and it sucks that we don’t get to keep playing because it’s a special group.”Coen surely will get questioned for not running the ball more against one of the league’s most porous run defenses. Etienne and rookie Bhayshul Tuten combined for 118 yards on just 14 carries.Allen, meanwhile, showed his toughness. He twice ended up in the medical tent in the first half but didn’t miss a snap. He got hammered in the head twice during one play, with Josh Hines-Allen landing on the side of his helmet right after teammate Travon Walker tackled him to the ground. His left ear appeared to be bleeding, but he got checked out and returned.Allen later slammed his right hand into the helmet of right guard O’Cyrus Torrence after releasing the ball. And he completed the injury trifecta when his left leg got bent awkwardly on his 2-yard TD run.Allen stayed on the ground following that last hit from Hines-Allen and gingerly walked to the sideline and back into the tent. But, as usual, the 6-foot-5, 237-pounder powered through and was back on the field making plays.Key injuriesBills S Jordan Poyer (hamstring) was ruled out to start the third quarter, a huge loss for an already banged-up secondary. It left the Bills to play with rookie Jordan Hancock and second-year Cole Bishop. WR Gabe Davis, who played for Jacksonville last season, injured his left knee in the fourth and was carted to the locker room and ruled out.Jaguars RG Patrick Mekari (back) left in the third. LG Ezra Cleveland also was banged up and alternating plays with rookie Wyatt Milum.Up nextThe Bills will play at Denver, a rematch from last year’s wild-card weekend that Buffalo won 31-7.The Jaguars will turn their attention toward improving a roster that lacked enough difference-makers on both sides of the ball.___AP NFL: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nfl">https://apnews.com/hub/nfl</a>

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 11: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills rushes for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at EverBank Stadium on January 11, 2026 in Jacksonville, Florida.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/34081811/related

Bills eliminate Jaguars on Allen's QB sneak

EINDHOVEN, Netherlands (AP) — United States international Ricardo Pepi was to be operated on afte...

EINDHOVEN, Netherlands (AP) — United States international Ricardo Pepi was to be operated on after breaking his right arm during a game with PSV Eindhoven and is expected to be out for two months.The recovery timeline should give Pepi enough time to regain his form and secure a place on the U.S. team for a home World Cup.The 23-year-old Pepi was injured when he tumbled after scoring during the first half of a 5-1 win over Excelsior in the Dutch league on Saturday.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>“It didn’t look good right away and at such a moment you would prefer to look the other way,” PSV coach Peter Bosz said. “Last January Ricardo was already out due to his knee injury. It won’t last that long now, but unfortunately we lost him again. Pepi was on a good run, had a strong training camp and was all the way back. … All signs were green for a strong second half of the season, so this is incredibly disappointing.”Pepi has scored 13 goals and provided three assists in 34 matches for the U.S.The U.S. faces Paraguay, Australia and another team still to be determined through qualifying playoffs in the group stage of the June 11-July 19 World Cup, which will also be co-hosted by Canada and Mexico.Pepi was surprisingly left off the U.S. squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

PSV Eindhoven forward Ricardo Pepi gets injured during the match between PSV Eindhoven and Excelsior Rotterdam at the Philips Stadium for the Dutch Vriendenloterij Eredivisie season 2025-2026 in Eindhoven, Netherlands, on January 10, 2026.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/34078658/related

USMNT's Pepi suffers broken arm, should recover in time for World Cup

SYDNEY (AP) — Belinda Bencic rallied from a set down to stun No. 2-ranked Iga Swiatek 3-6, 6-0, 6...

SYDNEY (AP) — Belinda Bencic rallied from a set down to stun No. 2-ranked Iga Swiatek 3-6, 6-0, 6-3 to give Switzerland a surprise lead over Poland in the final of the United Cup on Sunday.Swiss veteran Stan Wawrinka, who will retire at the end of this season, played Hubert Hurkacz later Sunday, with the Polish player needing to win to keep his country in the tie.Bencic, who had won all four of her singles and four mixed doubles matches this week, came into her match against Swiatek having lost her last five matches against the former No. 1-ranked player.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>It looked as if that trend was going to continue as Swiatek started strongly and claimed the opening set 6-3 at Ken Rosewall Arena.But the No.11-ranked Bencic shifted the momentum by winning nine consecutive points to open the second, evening the match in a swift 33-minute set.The decisive third set hinged on a crucial break at 2-1, where Bencic capitalized on a powerful forehand to seize control. While Swiatek fought to save two match points with consecutive aces, her effort was hampered by an uncharacteristic 36 unforced errors, compared to just 10 from Bencic.Bencic sealed the win with a sublime backhand winner into the open court on her third match point."To be honest, I felt I was in the match from the very first point," Bencic said. "I thought I was going great and I was 0-3 down. I was 'OK, what do I have to do.' I think I just tried to keep the level and just wait for some chances.""I think the difference today was I played very freely, I was really enjoying myself out on the court and I was just really going for it."___AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 11: Belinda Bencic of Team Switzerland celebrates victory in the Women's Final Match against Iga Swiatek of Team Poland during the United Cup at Ken Rosewall Arena on January 11, 2026 in Sydney, Australia.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/34078575/related

Bencic rallies past Swiatek to give Switzerland lead in United Cup final

MILAN (AP) — The International Olympic Committee says it’s impressed with the new hockey arena fo...

MILAN (AP) — The International Olympic Committee says it’s impressed with the new hockey arena for the Milan Cortina Games, even if parts of it still look like a building site.The Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena will be one of the focal points of the games next month with <a href="https://apnews.com/article/milan-cortina-olympics-hockey-nhl-8e648668a61c52f1a6407f536246607b">NHL players returning to the Olympics</a> for the first time in more than a decade.However, the venue has also been the focal point of the buildup with <a href="https://apnews.com/article/milan-cortina-olympics-hockey-arena-bb158ccdaadf24daea1c3ae73250264f">construction delays</a> and <a href="https://apnews.com/article/milan-cortina-olympics-hockey-ice-2e90170eccd6886f75109aa31167379a">other matters</a> causing concern.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>It is finally ready - or at least almost.The ice rink is in place and most of the seating, but there is still an abundance of plastic sheeting, while some areas such as the locker rooms are far from finished."What I see personally is an extraordinary seating bowl and this venue … looks fantastic," IOC Olympic Games Executive Director Christophe Dubi said Sunday. "The last time I came was before Christmas, and this is radically different. So, so much progress. Anyone involved here, hat off."There’s only one way to go, and that is the view of the experts … and what they tell us, first class."The NHL has previously <a href="https://apnews.com/article/milan-cortina-olympics-hockey-ice-4553777bdccd488ff51b022343a2dcd0">expressed concern</a> about ice quality due to construction delays with deputy commissioner Bill Daly saying the league would not send its players if there were any safety concerns.The IOC shared some of those worries."Although we were facing a lot of difficulties, we always had a very strong plan," Dubi said. "Now having a plan does not mean that you’re going to get there, but there was so much oversight and so much expertise thrown at this venue with probably the best engineers, the best Ice Meister, everything that could be thrown at that venue was thrown."So, did I ever have doubts? No. Was I concerned? Certainly. Because if you were here six months ago it didn’t look this way I can tell you. It’s incredible what they’ve done, really incredible."Dubi was speaking on the final day of a long-awaited, three-day test event at the arena.The original test event scheduled in December didn’t happen because of the construction delays. The one scheduled this weekend - the final league and cup games of the domestic season - is less than a month out from the women’s competition.The NHL is expected to release a statement at the end of its visit to the new arena, with a delegation having spent time here over the past three days.The International Ice Hockey Federation can see no barrier to the NHL returning to the Olympics for the first time since 2014, especially after having simulated Olympic conditions at the test event with three matches a day on Saturday and Sunday."We know how it’s difficult to have a high level of quality of ice for the third game of the third period. Yesterday that was a good test because that was fantastic, the puck was sliding, it was not bumping," IIHF President Luc Tardif said. "So we’ll go back in Zurich happy and confident."We’re going to make a report, but yesterday that was a test, so there is no reason that NHL will not come … We want to make sure about the quality of ice, the security for the players, doesn’t matter where they come from. So now I can say we’re ready for the competition."The players themselves said they were happy with the quality of the ice.Canadian James Livingston, who plays for the Wipptal Broncos, said he was sure his compatriots in the NHL would be fine."I mean we all grew up playing on ponds back in Canada, so I’m sure that whatever gets thrown at them, they’re gonna adapt and they’re gonna enjoy it," he told The Associated Press. "And they are playing for their country. So, I think it will be a great competition."The men’s Olympic hockey tournament is scheduled from Feb. 11-22, the women’s from Feb. 5-19.___AP Olympics: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/winter-olympics">https://apnews.com/hub/winter-olympics</a>

MILAN, ITALY - JANUARY 10: General view inside the stadium prior to the ice hockey Coppa Italia 2025/26 second semifinal match between Alleghe Hockey and HC Eppan Appiano Anet at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on January 10, 2026 in Milan, Italy. The game is a key test event for upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/34078557/related

IOC happy as new Olympic arena almost ready to welcome NHL players

CHICAGO (AP) — Caleb Williams dropped back, pump-faked and found DJ Moore wide open down the side...

CHICAGO (AP) — Caleb Williams dropped back, pump-faked and found DJ Moore wide open down the sideline for the go-ahead touchdown.His latest clutch throw propelled the Chicago Bears to yet another improbable comeback win and kept their breakout season going for at least another round of the postseason.Williams came through in his playoff debut, throwing a 25-yard touchdown pass to Moore with 1:43 remaining, and the Chicago Bears rallied from an 18-point deficit to beat the rival Green Bay Packers 31-27 in a wild-card game on Saturday night.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
DJ FREAKING MOORE 💫 📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/NFLonPrime?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NFLonPrime</a> <a href="https://t.co/igTC04pKXw">pic.twitter.com/igTC04pKXw</a>— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChicagoBears/status/2010206114416058659?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>The NFC North champion Bears (12-6) extended their resurgent first season under coach Ben Johnson with their seventh fourth-quarter comeback victory. They split two down-to-the-wire games with Green Bay in the regular season, and this one turned out to be a thriller when it looked like it would be a breeze for the Packers (9-8-1).Chicago trailed 21-3 at halftime and 21-6 through three quarters, only to outscore Green Bay 25-6 in the fourth on the way to its first playoff win in 15 years."True belief," Williams said. "Belief. That's all you need. You got belief in the coaches that they're gonna call the right play at the right time. You got belief in the players on the field that you're gonna make the right play at the right time."After Williams connected with Moore to give the Bears their first lead since it was 3-0, Jordan Love led Green Bay into Chicago territory. But on third down at the 28, he dropped the snap, scrambled and <a href="https://x.com/NFL/status/2010208992241549589">heaved a pass to the end zone</a> with no time left. Jaquan Brisker deflected the ball, setting off a wild celebration — and a curt handshake between Johnson and Packers coach Matt LaFleur.The Bears will host a divisional-round game next weekend."We just keep plugging along," Johnson said. "We keep fighting. We've been proving that this year. That's who we are, that's what we do."Chicago pulled within 21-16 on D’Andre Swift’s 5-yard run early in the fourth quarter. The Packers responded, with rookie Matthew Golden breaking three tackles and leapfrogging a fourth defender on a 23-yard catch-and-run for his first career touchdown, making it 27-16. Brandon McManus missed the extra point wide left.The Bears went 76 yards, with Williams throwing an 8-yard touchdown pass to Olamide Zaccheaus and hitting rookie Colston Loveland for the 2-point conversion to make it 27-24 with 4:18 remaining.The Packers then drove to the Chicago 21, only to come away with nothing when McManus missed wide right on a 44-yard field goal attempt. The Bears responded with the go-ahead touchdown drive and hung on for their first playoff win since the 2010 team beat Seattle in the divisional round at Soldier Field. They had lost three straight in the postseason, starting with a loss to Aaron Rodgers and the Packers in the NFC championship game that season.Green Bay dominated Chicago for years. But the momentum in the NFL's longest-running rivalry seems to be turning, with the Bears beating the Packers for the third time in the past five games."We’re here and I’m going to be here for a while, is my plan," Williams said. "Be in a bunch of games, be in these moments and come out victorious. That’s the mindset for right now this year. That’s also the mindset for the future."The Bears envisioned nights like this when they drafted Williams No. 1 overall last year, and when they hired Johnson in the offseason. Williams delivered after a shaky start, throwing for 361 yards and the two late touchdowns. He completed 24 of 48 passes and was intercepted twice.Loveland caught eight passes for a career-high 137 yards for the Bears, who had closed the regular season with tight losses to San Francisco and Detroit.The Packers dropped their final five games. That certainly was not what they envisioned when they acquired star pass rusher Micah Parsons from Dallas in late August and sent expectations soaring. The two-time All-Pro suffered a season-ending knee injury in a Week 15 loss at Denver, and the defense struggled without him."I know we fought through a lot of adversity this year," coach Matt LaFleur said. "Unfortunately we didn’t do enough to overcome that adversity. That’s all of us collectively. We’ve got to do more."Love threw for 323 yards and four touchdowns after missing the final two regular-season games. He hadn’t played since a helmet-to-helmet hit from Chicago’s Austin Booker in the second quarter of a Week 16 loss at Soldier Field.Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson and Jayden Reed each had TD catches in the first half. Ty’Ron Hopper stopped a threat in the third quarter when he intercepted a backpedaling Williams near the goal line."I don’t think it’s we don’t have the composure, I think it’s just the situation we put ourselves in," Love said. "Jumping out to a lead and doing what we wanted in the first half and then the second half kind of a completely different story. I think for any team that’s going to be frustrating, and you’ve got to find ways to be able to overcome that and get back to it. I think we did, but it was just a little too late."InjuriesPackers: RT Zach Tom (knee) was inactive after missing the Packers’ final three regular-season games. ... Backup OL Jacob Monk (biceps) left the game in the first half.Bears: Johnson said LB T.J. Edwards (broken left fibula) is out for the remainder of the season, and LT Ozzy Trapilo (knee) likely is, too. Edwards was carted off the field in the second quarter after his left foot got caught up with the leg of Watson and bent awkwardly. He was fitted with an air cast before he was taken away. Trapilo was hurt blocking on a pass play on the go-ahead drive. ... CB Kyler Gordon (groin) was activated from injured reserve after being sidelined since Week 13.Up nextPackers: Start the offseason.Bears: Host a divisional-round game against either the Los Angeles Rams or Philadelphia. The Eagles play San Francisco on Sunday, and the Rams knocked out Carolina on Saturday.___AP NFL: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nfl">https://apnews.com/hub/nfl</a>

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 10: (L-R) Jordan Love #10 of the Green Bay Packers embraces Caleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears after the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Soldier Field on January 10, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/34075288/related

Bears erase 18-point deficit to knock out Packers

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Puka Nacua stepped into the huddle with the Los Angeles Rams trailing by f...

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Puka Nacua stepped into the huddle with the Los Angeles Rams trailing by four with 2:38 left, the home crowd roaring and his team's season on the line.He never thought twice about losing.“Never a doubt — No. 9 is with us,” Nacau said with a wide smile in reference to the team’s 37-year-old All-Pro quarterback Matthew Stafford.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Stafford calmly led the Rams 71 yards by completing 6 of 7 passes — the only incompletion coming on a drop by Davante Adams — before capping it with a perfectly-placed 19-yard touchdown pass to Colby Parkinson with 38 seconds, lifting the Rams to a dramatic come-from-behind 34-31 wild-card round win over the Carolina Panthers in the opening game of the NFL playoffs on Saturday.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
STAFFORD TO PARKINSON FOR THE GO-AHEAD TOUCHDOWN! 🦀 📺 <a href="https://twitter.com/NFLonFOX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NFLonFOX</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RamsHouse?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RamsHouse</a> <a href="https://t.co/68pX3eH7uY">pic.twitter.com/68pX3eH7uY</a>— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/RamsNFL/status/2010150362381234337?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Stafford finished 24 of 42 for 304 yards with three touchdown passes and an interception, while Nacua had 10 receptions for 111 yards and two total touchdowns as the Rams (13-5), who were 10 1/2-point favorites, advanced to the divisional playoffs.“You see him out there, he just has the best composure of anyone I have ever seen,” Parkinson said. “He knows that we are going to go make it happen and we completely trust him. ... I knew he was going to have to throw a throw back-shoulder ball — and that was a perfect ball. Like perfect. It couldn’t have been placed any better.”Stafford credited his calmness to his 17 years of NFL experience.″I have been in that spot a lot in my life — and I love that spot," Stafford said. “I would rather be me having to go out there with our offense and do it then watch from the sideline. You can make it stressful or you can make it calm and collected, and think the latter is what we were today.”Bryce Young threw for 264 yards and a touchdown and ran for another score for Carolina (8-10), which finished its second season under coach Dave Canales losing four of its final five games.Jalen Coker had career highs with nine receptions for 134 yards with a touchdown and Chuba Hubbard ran for 46 yards and two touchdowns as the Panthers lost in their first playoff appearance since the 2017 season.“There is such a mix of emotions right now in the locker room, from guys being proud of what we accomplished and where we got, to being sick about the opportunity that was right there in front of us," Canales said. “And that is going to sting."The Panthers, who came in as double-digit underdogs despite beating the Rams 31-28 on this same field six weeks ago, fell behind 14-0 early but stormed back to take a 24-20 lead on Hubbard’s second touchdown of the run game early in the fourth quarter.Stafford, who was selected as an All-Pro earlier in the day, led the Rams back down on the field and found Kyren Williams for a 13-yard touchdown strike to regain the lead.Los Angeles appeared to be in charge after getting a stop on defense giving Stafford the ball back.But a holding penalty put the Rams behind the sticks and forced a punt, which Isaiah Simmons blocked to set the Panthers up the Rams 30.Four plays later, Young found Coker in the left corner of the end zone for a 7-yard scoring strike to give Carolina a 31-27 lead 2:39 left, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
BANK OF AMERICA STADIUM IS GOING CRAZY RN 📺: FOX <a href="https://t.co/X6zj8gaSad">pic.twitter.com/X6zj8gaSad</a>— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Panthers/status/2010148270564110612?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>But the celebrations quickly turned to silence after Stafford gave the Rams the lead again.Carolina’s last attempt to move into field-goal range ended when Jimmy Horn dropped a fourth down pass from Young.“Yeah, total team effort,” said Stafford, a leading candidate for league MVP after leading the league in yards passing and touchdowns. “Obviously had some mistakes along the way. I turned it over, we had a punt blocked, didn’t score before the half when we probably should have. So, a lot to clean up, but found a way to win it late."Carolina was hoping the return of former quarterback Cam Newton to Bank of America Stadium to hit the “Keep Pounding” drum before the game would give the Panthers a little extra mojo early, but things didn’t start well.After the Rams defense came up with a stop on fourth down at midfield on Carolina’s opening drive, Stafford quickly moved the offense downfield and found Nacua for a 14-yard touchdown pass over the middle for a 7-0 lead.Nacua made it 14-0 on a 5-yard run following Young’s interception.Carolina cut the lead 17-14 at halftime after a 1-yard touchdown run by Hubbard and a 16-yard scramble by Young, the second-longest TD run of his career.The Rams had a chance to build on the lead, but Nacau dropped a potential third TD on a pass down the right sideline from Stafford just before halftime.Rams coach Sean McVay admitted it wasn’t his team’s best effort and there is plenty to clean up this week.“We are going to need to be able to play better if we expected to advance,” McVay said.But Rams defensive lineman Kobie Turner said rectifying those mistakes is something that can be addressed on Sunday.“There are no style points in the playoffs,” Turner said. “It's all about survive and advance.”Stafford sets Rams markStafford surpassed Kurt Warner for the most postseason passing yards and completions in Rams history.Up nextRams: advance to the divisional round.Panthers: season over.___AP NFL: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nfl">https://apnews.com/hub/nfl</a>

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 10: Colby Parkinson #84 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates after scoring a 19 yard touchdown pass against the Carolina Panthers during the fourth quarter in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Bank of America Stadium on January 10, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/34071514/related

Parkinson's late TD sends Rams past Panthers in wild-card thriller

RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Mohamed Salah scored and Egypt eliminated defending champion Ivory Coast to...

RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Mohamed Salah scored and Egypt eliminated defending champion Ivory Coast to move into the Africa Cup of Nations semifinals after a 3-2 victory on Saturday.Salah nabbed his fourth goal of the tournament — Egypt’s third of the game — in the 52nd minute and the Pharaohs needed it as Ivory Coast threatened to come back twice from two goals down.But Egypt held on in Agadir despite relentless Ivorian pressure and booked a semifinal date with 2021 champion Senegal in Tangier on Wednesday.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>“We just fight for our country and hopefully we go through the next game as well,” Salah said. “It’s (a) tough opponent, of course, and we give our best.”Ivory Coast had a woeful start as Franck Kessie lost the ball in midfield after a poor touch and Odilon Kossounou fell over instead of cutting out Emam Ashour’s ball for Omar Marmoush, who scored in the fourth minute.Ramy Rabia produced a brilliant block to preserve the lead then scored himself with a header from a corner in the 32nd.Ivory Coast finally pulled one back in the 40th when Egypt defender Ahmed Fotouh bundled in a dangerous Yan Diomande free kick that Kossounou headed on.Salah restored Egypt’s two-goal cushion early in the second half when Rabia caught the Ivorian defense out with a long ball for Ashour, who set up Salah with the outside of his boot.Guéla Doué pulled one back again with his heel in a goalmouth scramble after goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy clawed the ball away in the 73rd, but the Elephants’ equalizer never came.Egypt is bidding for a record-extending eighth title.<h3>Super Eagles fly again</h3>Victor Osimhen scored one goal and set up another for Nigeria to down Algeria 2-0 for its place in the semifinals.“We shouldn’t focus on my personal performance. We should focus on the team effort,” Osimhen said after a week in which he dominated headlines for his on-field argument with teammate Ademola Lookman in their previous game.The Super Eagles, who had a far from ideal preparation with reports of bonuses not being paid, will face host Morocco in the second semifinal in Rabat on Wednesday.They needed patience in Marrakech against the team with the best defense in the tournament after failing to take their chances in the first half — Akor Adams fired over when he had only Luca Zidane in the Algeria goal to beat, and Calvin Bassey had another effort cleared off the line.Osimhen finally scored after the break when he headed the ball back across Zidane’s direction of movement from Bruno Onyemaechi’s cross.It was the first goal at the tournament conceded by Zidane, whose parents were in the stands again.But it was quickly followed by the second.Patient buildup play preceded Alex Iwobi’s pass to Osimhen, who unselfishly played across for Adams, who eluded the out-rushing Zidane and poked the ball into the empty net in the 57th.Algeria coach Vladimir Petković reacted with three changes including the withdrawals of captain Riyad Mahrez and star forward Ibrahim Maza but there was nothing the Fennec Foxes could do to get back in the game against the confident and assured Nigerians, who remained in control throughout.Scuffles broke out after the game involving players and team officials, while referee Issa Sy was shielded from irate Algeria staff and escorted off the field.Three-time champion Nigeria, which lost the final to Ivory Coast in the last edition, is bidding to win the title for the first time since 2013. It would help make up for the disappointment of failing to qualify for the World Cup — in contrast to Algeria.Morocco and Senegal booked their semifinal places on Friday with wins over Cameroon and Mali, respectively.___AP at the Africa Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-cup-of-nations

Mohamed Salah Mahrous Ghaly of Egypt celebrate during the AFCON Group B match between Ivory Coast and Egypt at Agadir stadium, Agadir, Morocco on January 10, 2026.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/34062033/related

Salah scores as Egypt beats Ivory Coast, joins Nigeria in AFCON semis

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — John Blackwell had 26 points, Nick Boyd scored 22 and Aleksas Bieliauskas...

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — John Blackwell had 26 points, Nick Boyd scored 22 and Aleksas Bieliauskas set a career high with 17 points to lead Wisconsin to a 91-88 win over previously unbeaten, <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll">second-ranked</a> Michigan on Saturday.The Badgers (11-5, 3-2 Big Ten) beat their highest-ranked regular-season opponent since a win over No. 2 Michigan in 2019. They beat the AP poll’s No. 2 team on the opponent’s court for the second time since winning at Maryland on Feb. 13, 2016.The Wolverines (14-1, 4-1) led by as much as 14 in the first half and lost because they gave up 54 points in the second half.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Michigan had a game-tying basket waved off by basket interference on Aday Mara, who followed up Roddy Gayle Jr.'s missed layup with 35.2 second left. The call stood after video review.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
UNDEFEATED MICHIGAN GOES DOWN!!!!! 🤯 <a href="https://t.co/DGy2tPdPM5">pic.twitter.com/DGy2tPdPM5</a>— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSportsCBB/status/2010084916986266067?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 10, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Braeden Carrington made two free throws on the ensuing possession after being fouled on a long inbounds pass.Carrington split a pair of free throws with 9.6 seconds left for a three-point lead that gave Michigan a shot to tie the game, but Gayle missed a 3.Michigan’s Elliot Cadeau scored all 19 of his points in the first half and Morez Johnson Jr. scored 13 of 18 points in the first half. Yaxel Lendeborg finished with 14 points and Nimari Burnett added 10 points for the Wolverines.Wisconsin trailed 38-37 at halftime but outscored Michigan 20-7 to start the second.Bieliauskas entered the game averaging 4.0 points per game. The freshman forward from Lithuania showed why Greg Gard recruited him early in the second half, making 4 of 4 3-pointers in less than three minutes.Up nextWisconsin: Visits Minnesota on Tuesday.Michigan: Visits Washington on Wednesday.___Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up <a href="https://www.apnews.com/newsletters">here</a>. AP college basketball: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll">https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll</a> and <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball">https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball</a>

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 10: John Blackwell #25 of the Wisconsin Badgers drives to the basket against Yaxel Lendeborg #23 of the Michigan Wolverines during the second half at Crisler Arena on January 10, 2026 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/34064391/related

Blackwell leads Wisconsin to shocking win over No. 2 Michigan

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — Top-seeded Elina Svitolina will play in the final of the WTA Tour ev...

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — Top-seeded Elina Svitolina will play in the final of the WTA Tour event in Auckland for the second time after beating American teenager Iva Jovic 7-6 (5), 6-2 in a semifinal Saturday.The 13th-ranked Svitolina also reached the final in 2024 when she lost to American Coco Gauff.Svitolina's opponent in Sunday's final will be seventh-seeded Wang Xinju of China, who beat fourth-seeded Alexandra Eala of the Philippines 5-7, 7-5, 6-4 in the other semifinal.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Svitolina looked a little weary at first Saturday after an almost three-hour quarterfinal against Sonay Katal on Friday night, which she won 6-4, 6-7 (2), 7-6 (5).She dropped serve twice in the first three games Saturday to trail 3-0 against the 35th-ranked Jovic, the eight-ranked American on the WTA Tour. Svitolina broke back twice to level at 4-4, then dropped serve again allowing Jovic to serve for the first set at 5-4.But Jovic lost her serve to love and Svitolina took the set to a tiebreak in which she led 6-1 before taking the set on her third opportunity.She made short work of the second set, breaking Jovic in the third and fifth games and sealing the match with two aces in her final service game.Svitolina has been supported all week by her husband Gael Monfils, who will play in the men's tour event in Auckland starting Monday.“It's nice to get a straight-sets win,” Svitolina said. "Yesterday was a big battle and today as well in the first set. Iva was playing really well and I had to really fight back, dig deep and try to find my level and I'm very happy to be able to finish this match in two sets to save some energy for the finals.”___AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - JANUARY 10: Elina Svitolina of the Ukraine celebrates a point during her semifinal match against Iva Jovic of the USA during day 6 of the 2025 ASB Classic at ASB Tennis Centre on January 10, 2026 in Auckland, New Zealand.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/34060363/related

Svitolina, Wang to meet in WTA Tour event final in Auckland

ALTENMARKT-ZAUCHENSEE, Austria (AP) — Lindsey Vonn showed again Saturday she is the standout down...

ALTENMARKT-ZAUCHENSEE, Austria (AP) — Lindsey Vonn showed again Saturday she is the standout downhill racer in this <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics">Olympic season</a>.Vonn won her second World Cup downhill <a href="https://apnews.com/article/skiing-world-cup-downhill-vonn-a79f4093d72941f8c60096d13777ad1b">in four races</a> this season, raising expectations in this <a href="https://apnews.com/article/lindsey-vonn-st-moritz-2d79ba5f4347637f4fcc86c7be122def">remarkable comeback racing at age 41</a> with her right knee rebuilt using titanium implants.The United States star was 0.37 seconds faster than Kajsa Vickhoff Lie in tricky, overcast conditions. Vonn was jumping up cheering in the leader’s box when her teammate Jacqueline Wiles raced into third place, 0.48 back.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>On a shortened course that took her fewer than 67 seconds to complete, Vonn still clocked 130 kph (81 mph) for one of the fastest speeds any women racer will hit this season.“It feels amazing. I try to enjoy every single second I am out here because it is just so fun to go fast,” she said.Vonn crossed the finish line with a look of determined satisfaction, punching the air with her right fist and nodding with short, sharp movements of her head.“I knew what it was going to take to win today,” she said. “It was a sprint and I had to give it everything I had, definitely had to risk a little bit.”<h3>Vonn extends World Cup records</h3>With each victory, Vonn extends her record as the oldest race winner in the 60-season history of the World Cup circuit. Her 84th career win on the circuit was her record-extending 45th in downhill.The United States star later made a family video phone call alongside her coach Aksel Lund Svindal, the men’s downhill champion at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics where Vonn took bronze in the women’s race.Vonn was Olympic downhill champion at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games and shapes as a strong contender for the next gold medal race scheduled Feb. 8 on the first Sunday at the <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics">Milan Cortina Olympics</a>.It is at the storied Cortina d’Ampezzo slope where Vonn has excelled in her career, including a World Cup downhill win eight years ago where Wiles also was third.“Being on the podium again with her is super special,” Wiles said.Sofia Goggia, the <a href="https://apnews.com/goggia-captures-olympic-downhill-title-beats-pal-vonn-196599333f944156b8b5ac49f284461e">2018 Olympic champion</a>, was only 17th Saturday trailing Vonn by 0.97.The defending Olympic champion, Corinne Suter, made her season debut Saturday <a href="https://apnews.com/article/winter-olympics-skiing-downhill-suter-vonn-224c0a75e181c5797017e1eea30d7877">after injuries</a> and was more than a second slower than Vonn.<h3>Banner day for US team</h3>The U.S. team had five racers in the top 20 with world champion Breezy Johnson seventh, 21-year-old Allison Mollin a career-best 14th and Keely Cashman tied for 18th, less than a second behind Vonn.The race was delayed for 25 minutes while Austrian prospect Magdalena Egger was airlifted from the course after a season-ending fall and crash into the safety nets. She stood up with a bloodied nose, and later tests showed extensive damage to her right knee including a torn ACL, the Austrian ski federation said.Egger was runner-up in Vonn’s season-opening downhill win last month at St. Moritz, Switzerland.Vonn extended her lead in the season-long World Cup downhill standings, after finishing second and third in the other races. Saturday’s race was the fourth of nine scheduled downhills in the World Cup this season.She earned 100 race points and now leads by 129 from Emma Aicher of Germany, who placed sixth Saturday. Vonn is chasing a ninth World Cup downhill season title a full 10 years after her eighth, when she also won in Zauchensee.“I felt like I was skiing better in super-G this summer,” she said, “but when I got to the races in St Moritz everything was working really well right from the start.”On Sunday, Vonn will start in a super-G that should be on a longer course than the downhill.___AP skiing: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/alpine-skiing">https://apnews.com/hub/alpine-skiing</a>

ZAUCHENSEE, AUSTRIA - JANUARY 10: Lindsey Vonn of Team United States takes 1st place during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Women's Downhill on January 10, 2026 in Zauchensee Austria.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/34059994/related

Resurgent Vonn wins 2nd World Cup downhill of Olympic season

MUNICH (AP) — Bayern Munich's 17-year-old breakout star Lennart Karl has been teased by his teamm...

MUNICH (AP) — Bayern Munich's 17-year-old breakout star Lennart Karl has been teased by his teammates for his comments about wanting to join Real Madrid some day, coach Vincent Kompany revealed as he praised the young attacking midfielder.Karl called Madrid his "dream club" at a Bayern fan event last week, prompting laughs from the audience and criticism from some Bayern supporters online questioning his loyalty to the club."He's made, maybe, a little communication mistake," Kompany said Saturday. "For him at 17, he still focuses on the right things, in my opinion. He's had a very, very good week in training and I've been really observing that side of it more. He's done so much to achieve his playing minutes."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Playing for the first time since the comments, Karl scored twice in a 5-0 friendly win over Salzburg on Tuesday.Kompany said he chose not to discuss the issue with Karl because the midfielder had already apologized to Bayern's management and "everyone has an opinion" about the youngster."His teammates teased him a little bit, I heard it, it was fun," Kompany said. "If he trains badly, problem with me. If he doesn't play well or if he doesn't play 100%, problem with me. But he did the opposite. He trained really well, played really well, worked really hard, apologized. It's still OK for me."Karl became Bayern's youngest Champions League scorer in October and has a total six goals in 22 games in all competitions.Bayern plays its first Bundesliga game of the new year at home against Wolfsburg on Sunday.___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

MUNICH, GERMANY - OCTOBER 22: Coach Vincent Kompany of Bayern Muenchen hugged Lennart Karl of Bayern Muenchen after his substition during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between FC Bayern München and Club Brugge KV at Football Arena Munich on October 22, 2025 in Munich, Germany.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/34059410/related

Kompany: Bayern teammates 'teased' Karl for Real Madrid comment

RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Morocco coach Walid Regragui has angrily rejected suggestions his team is b...

RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Morocco coach Walid Regragui has angrily rejected suggestions his team is benefiting from favorable refereeing decisions as the Africa Cup of Nations host."We're the team to beat. As the team to beat, people will try to find all sorts of reasons to say Morocco has an advantage," Regragui said after his team's 2-0 win over Cameroon in the quarterfinals Friday. "The only advantage that Morocco has at this Africa Cup is playing in front of 65,000 spectators. The rest is on the field, we speak on the field."On the field, however, Cameroon might have had two penalties if experienced referee Dahane Beida hadn't decided in favor of the home team.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Morocco defender Adam Masina was involved in both, appearing to catch Bryan Mbuemo’s right boot after missing the ball when Cameroon was trying to level the match, then in the final minutes appearing to strike Etta Eyong’s head with his elbow in the penalty area.Beida, who refereed the final at the last edition, also decided not to show Bilal El Khannouss a second yellow card for stopping Danny Namaso on a counterattack shortly before Ismael Saibari wrapped up the win."Many people want to believe or make others believe that we have advantages from the referees. Personally, I saw penalties that could have been awarded to us. As for the referees, I never talk about the referee," Regragui said.The Morocco coach then spoke about a penalty his team was not awarded against South Africa in the previous tournament in Ivory Coast, and wrongly said he was "suspended for no reason" at that tournament.Regragui was suspended for two games at the previous edition for his role in a dispute with Congo captain Chancel Mbemba at the end of their game that led to a melee between players and team officials."The statistics always show us as better than the others," Regragui said, getting back to this edition. "We create far more opportunities than our opponents. Not a single goal was disallowed for Cameroon, or for any other team. When you want to get rid of something, you find a pretext."Mali and Tanzania also had penalty claims against Morocco rejected in previous games, while Morocco also had a penalty awarded after a VAR check in the draw against Mali.Thousands of whistling Moroccan fans tried to help referee Abdou Abdel Mefire make up his mind while he consulted replays before he eventually decided to penalize Mali's Nathan Gassama for handball. He initially ignored Jawad El Yamiq's penalty-area foul on Mali's Lassine Sinayoko before awarding it some minutes later after a VAR check.There did not appear to be any VAR checks against Cameroon on Friday.Morocco has played all its matches at the near 70,000-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, where the vast majority of supporters are shouting for the home team, creating an intimidating atmosphere for opponents and referees."Today, Cameroon played the match they needed to play. I think they lost against a better team. I don't think any player, coach, or anyone else is going to talk about the refereeing because there were a lot of physical battles today. This is Africa. But today I think we deserved our victory," said Regragui, who added his team also deserved to win all its previous games."That's it. We're trying to play on that field. I don't think it's fair play from those who want to see us fall. The best team will win this tournament, inshallah," he said.Morocco will play either Nigeria or Algeria in the semifinals on Wednesday. The final will also take place at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Jan. 18.___AP at the Africa Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-cup-of-nations

Morocco's head coach Walid Regragui gestures during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) quarter-final football match between Cameroon and Morocco at the Prince Moulay Abdallah stadium in Rabat on January 9, 2026.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/34059357/related

Morocco boss: Rivals 'who want to see us fall' complain about ref bias

Matthew Stafford beat out Drake Maye, while Myles Garrett, Puka Nacua and Jaxon Smith-Njigba were...

Matthew Stafford beat out Drake Maye, while Myles Garrett, Puka Nacua and Jaxon Smith-Njigba were unanimous choices for the 2025 Associated Press NFL All-Pro Team.Bijan Robinson is the running back while Christian McCaffrey earned the All-Purpose spot. Ja’Marr Chase is the third wide receiver and tight end Trey McBride got 49 of 50 first-place votes.Will Anderson Jr. and Micah Parsons joined Garrett at edge rusher. Jeffery Simmons and Zach Allen were selected as interior defensive linemen.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>“That’s great. Needed that for real,” said Parsons, who had surgery to repair a torn ACL and won’t be playing in the playoffs for the Packers. “Look forward to trying to get back to that same status this offseason.”The 37-year-old Stafford received 31 first-place votes to Maye’s 18 to earn All-Pro honors for the first time in his 17-year career. Josh Allen got the other vote. Stafford was first in the NFL with 4,707 yards and 46 touchdowns. His passer rating of 109.2 was second only to Maye, who finished at 113.5. Maye had 4,394 yards passing and 31 TDs.<h3>First-team offense</h3><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>POS</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Team</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>QB</td>
<td>Matthew Stafford</td>
<td>Rams</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RB</td>
<td>Bijan Robinson</td>
<td>Falcons</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>FB</td>
<td>Kyle Juszczyk</td>
<td>49ers</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WR</td>
<td>Puka Nacua</td>
<td>Rams</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WR</td>
<td>Jaxon Smith-Njigba</td>
<td>Seahawks</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WR</td>
<td>Ja'Marr Chase</td>
<td>Bengals</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TE</td>
<td>Trey McBride</td>
<td>Cardinals</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AP*</td>
<td>Christian McCaffrey</td>
<td>49ers</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LT</td>
<td>Garett Bolles</td>
<td>Broncos</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LG</td>
<td>Joe Thuney</td>
<td>Bears</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>C</td>
<td>Creed Humphrey</td>
<td>Chiefs</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RG</td>
<td>Quinn Meinerz</td>
<td>Broncos</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RT</td>
<td>Penei Sewell</td>
<td>Lions</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure>* denotes all-purpose selection<h3>First-team defense</h3><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>POS</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>TEAM</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>EDGE</td>
<td>Myles Garrett</td>
<td>Browns</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>EDGE</td>
<td>Will Anderson</td>
<td>Texans</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>EDGE</td>
<td>Micah Parsons</td>
<td>Packers</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>IDL</td>
<td>Jeffery Simmons</td>
<td>Titans</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>IDL</td>
<td>Zach Allen</td>
<td>Broncos</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LB</td>
<td>Jack Campbell</td>
<td>Lions</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LB</td>
<td>Jordyn Brooks</td>
<td>Dolphins</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CB</td>
<td>Derek Stingley Jr.</td>
<td>Texans</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CB</td>
<td>Quinyon Mitchell</td>
<td>Eagles</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SCB</td>
<td>Cooper DeJean</td>
<td>Eagles</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S</td>
<td>Kyle Hamilton</td>
<td>Ravens</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S</td>
<td>Kevin Byard</td>
<td>Bears</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><h3>First-team special teams</h3><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>POS</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Team</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>K</td>
<td>Will Reichard</td>
<td>Vikings</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>P</td>
<td>Jordan Stout</td>
<td>Ravens</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>KR</td>
<td>Ray Davis</td>
<td>Bills</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PR</td>
<td>Chimere Dike</td>
<td>Titans</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ST</td>
<td>Devon Key</td>
<td>Broncos</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LS</td>
<td>Ross Matiscik</td>
<td>Jaguars</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><h3>Second-team offense</h3><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>POS</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Team</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>QB</td>
<td>Drake Maye</td>
<td>Patriots</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RB</td>
<td>James Cook</td>
<td>Bills</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>FB</td>
<td>Patrick Ricard</td>
<td>Ravens</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WR</td>
<td>George Pickens</td>
<td>Cowboys</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WR</td>
<td>Amon-Ra St.Brown</td>
<td>Lions</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WR</td>
<td>Chris Olave</td>
<td>Saints</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TE</td>
<td>Kyle Pitts</td>
<td>Falcons</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LT</td>
<td>Trent Williams</td>
<td>49ers</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LG</td>
<td>Quenton Nelson</td>
<td>Colts</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>C</td>
<td>Aaron Brewer</td>
<td>Dolphins</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RG</td>
<td>Chris Lindstrom</td>
<td>Falcons</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RT</td>
<td>Darnell Wright</td>
<td>Bears</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><h3>Second-team defense</h3><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>POS</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>TEAM</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>EDGE</td>
<td>Brian Burns</td>
<td>Giants</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>EDGE</td>
<td>Danielle Hunter</td>
<td>Texans</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>EDGE</td>
<td>Aidan Hutchinson</td>
<td>Lions</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>IDL</td>
<td>Leonard Williams</td>
<td>Seahawks</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>IDL</td>
<td>Cameron Heyward</td>
<td>Steelers</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LB</td>
<td>Devin Lloyd</td>
<td>Jaguars</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LB</td>
<td>Ernest Jones</td>
<td>Seahawks</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CB</td>
<td>Pat Surtain</td>
<td>Broncos</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CB</td>
<td>Devon Witherspoon</td>
<td>Seahawks</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SCB</td>
<td>Derwin James</td>
<td>Chargers</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S</td>
<td>Jessie Bates</td>
<td>Falcons</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S</td>
<td>Talanoa Hufanga^</td>
<td>Broncos</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S</td>
<td>Xavier McKinney^</td>
<td>Packers</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure>^ denotes tie for second-team spot<h3>Second-team special teams</h3><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>POS</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Team</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>K</td>
<td>Brandon Aubrey</td>
<td>Cowboys</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>P</td>
<td>Michael Dickson</td>
<td>Seahawks</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>KR</td>
<td>Kavontae Turpin</td>
<td>Cowboys</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PR</td>
<td>Marcus Jones</td>
<td>Patriots</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ST</td>
<td>Del'Shawn Phillips</td>
<td>Chargers</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LS</td>
<td>Andrew DePaola</td>
<td>Vikings</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure>Last year, Lamar Jackson was the first-team All-Pro quarterback and Allen was the AP NFL MVP.“That’s amazing,” Stafford said when he heard the news. “I did not see that coming. Played a lot of years. A lot of respect for this game. A lot of respect for the other guys who do what I do. It’s not an easy thing to do. It means a lot.”Stafford is the second player ever to be named a first-team All-Pro for the first time in his 17th season or later, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Kicker Gary Anderson also made it for the first time in his 17th season, in 1998. Before Stafford, the longest wait for a quarterback was Fran Tarkenton, who was an All-Pro for the first time in his 15th season, in 1975.The Denver Broncos, the AFC’s No. 1 seed, had four first-team players and two second. Allen, left tackle Garrett Boles, left guard Quinn Meinerz and special teamer Devon Key made the first team. Cornerback Patrick Surtain II, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and safety Talanoa Hufanga made the second team.Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell and slot cornerback Cooper DeJean made the roster in their second seasons. Houston’s Derek Stingley Jr. got 41 first-place votes to lead the voting at cornerback.Chiefs center Creed Humphrey, Bears left guard Joe Thuney and Lions right tackle Penei Sewell along with Meinerz are repeat selections.Garrett, who broke the NFL’s single-season sack record with 23, is a five-time All-Pro. Parsons is a three-time first-teamer and once made the second team.“That’s crazy,” Anderson said about joining Garrett and Parsons. “It means a lot. It’s such a blessing. I have to give credit to my guys. I wouldn’t be here without them.”Baltimore’s Kyle Hamilton and Chicago’s Kevin Byard are the safeties. Detroit’s Jack Campbell and Miami’s Jordyn Brooks are the linebackers.San Francisco fullback Kyle Juszczyk rounds out the offense.Eighteen players are first-timers, including five on special teams.Key, Vikings kicker Will Reichard, Ravens punter Jordan Stout, Bills kick returner Ray Davis and Titans rookie punt returner Chimera Dike are the first-timers. Jaguars long snapper Ross Matiscik made it for the second time.Dike is the fourth rookie since 2020 to make the team.“That’s awesome,” Dike said. “Everyone wants to be All-Pro one day and that’s one of the goals I set at the beginning of the season for my career and to be able to do that in my first year, I’m just thankful (special teams) coach (John Fassel) and my teammates had belief in me.”This was the fourth year for the AP’s new voting system. Voters chose a first team and a second team. First-team votes are worth 3 points, second-team votes are worth 1.Votes were tabulated by the accounting firm of Lutz and Carr.___AP Pro Football Writer Josh Dubow contributed to this report.___AP NFL: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nfl">https://apnews.com/hub/NFL</a>

Inglewood, CA - January 04: Quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams reacts after defeating the Arizona Cardinals 37-20 to win a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 4, 2026.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/34058712/related

All-Pro teams: Stafford over Maye, 3 unanimous picks

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) — Mark Scheifele scored two goals, Vladislav Namestnikov and Jonathan Toe...

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) — Mark Scheifele scored two goals, Vladislav Namestnikov and Jonathan Toews both ended lengthy goal-scoring droughts, and the Winnipeg Jets ended their 11-game losing streak with a 5-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Friday night.The Jets were winless (0-7-4) since a 5-1 victory over the Washington Capitals on Dec. 13. It was their longest skid since the team moved to Winnipeg from Atlanta in 2011.Namestnikov ended a 29-game goal drought, while Toews halted a 26-game scoring slump. Cole Koepke also scored for the Jets and Gabriel Vilardi had two assists. Eric Comrie made 23 saves.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Quinton Byfield scored for the Kings. Darcy Kuemper stopped 11 of the 16 shots he faced before he was replaced by Anton Forsberg to start the third period. Forsberg made three saves.Namestnikov, who was a healthy scratch Thursday against Edmonton, tipped in a shot at 1:31 of the first period.Koepke’s one-timer with 1:55 left in the period made it 2-0, then Toews tapped in his fourth goal of the season 2:07 into the second frame to make it 3-0.Byfield’s goal seven minutes later was unsuccessfully challenged by Jets coach Scott Arniel for interference.Scheifele scored on the power play at 12:35 when his pass from behind the net bounced off Byfield’s skate and past Kuemper, giving Winnipeg a 4-1 lead. He followed up with his team-leading 22nd goal of the season with 43 seconds remaining in the game.Winnipeg’s Nino Niederreiter picked up an assist for his first point in 18 games. Kyle Connor extended his point streak to five games with an assist. Kings forward Anze Kopitar (lower body) missed his second straight game.Up nextKings: Take on the Oilers in Edmonton on Saturday night.Jets: Host the New Jersey Devils on Sunday.__AP NHL: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nhl">https://www.apnews.com/NHL</a>

WINNIPEG, CANADA - JANUARY 9: Jonathan Toews #19 and Mark Scheifele #55 of the Winnipeg Jets celebrate a second period goal against the Los Angeles Kings at the Canada Life Centre on January 9, 2026 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/34056332/related

Jets hammer Kings to snap 11-game losing skid

https://rich-content.thescore.com/authors/the-associated-press/content_cards

The Associated Press