Mariota salvages miserable day, Titans’ playoff hopes

Marcus Mariota had never played in weather colder than 75 degrees during high school, and never in temperatures bellows 40 degrees during his college days at Oregon. So when he took the field at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday, and it was 1 degree with a wind chill of minus-9, perhaps it made sense the Tennessee Titans quarterback would get off to a chilly start.

Mariota salvages miserable day, Titans’ playoff hopes

Marcus Mariota had never played in weather colder than 75 degrees during high school, and never in temperatures bellows 40 degrees during his college days at Oregon. So when he took the field at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday, and it was 1 degree with a wind chill of minus-9, perhaps it made sense the Tennessee Titans quarterback would get off to a chilly start.

Packers, Giants, Titans improve playoff hopes

The Packers are right back in the mix for an NFC North title thanks to a last-second win over the Bears and help from the Giants , who beat the Lions and put pressure on the Cowboys in the NFC East. The Chiefs temporarily lost control of their division championship hopes, and all three teams vying for first place in the AFC South got big wins.

Packers, Giants, Titans improve playoff hopes

The Packers are right back in the mix for an NFC North title thanks to a last-second win over the Bears and help from the Giants , who beat the Lions and put pressure on the Cowboys in the NFC East. The Chiefs temporarily lost control of their division championship hopes, and all three teams vying for first place in the AFC South got big wins.

Succop’s winning FG gives Titans 19-17 win over former team

Ryan Succop wasn’t offended when Titans coach Mike Mularkey elected to go for a 2-point conversion and the win Sunday rather than let him attempt the tying extra point against the Chiefs. The kicker who lost his job in Kansas City to an undrafted rookie in training camp a few years ago spoiled what was nearly a banner day for the Chiefs.

Succop’s winning FG gives Titans 19-17 win over former team

Ryan Succop wasn’t offended when Titans coach Mike Mularkey elected to go for a 2-point conversion and the win Sunday rather than let him attempt the tying extra point against the Chiefs. The kicker who lost his job in Kansas City to an undrafted rookie in training camp a few years ago spoiled what was nearly a banner day for the Chiefs.

Vikings defense shredded in backbreaking loss to Colts

The Minnesota Vikings have leaned on their ferocious, fiery defense all season long to hang around the playoff field in the NFC. Andrew Luck threw for 250 yards and two touchdowns, shredding the league’s second-ranked defense in the Indianapolis Colts’ 34-6 victory over the Vikings on Sunday.

Vikings defense shredded in backbreaking loss to Colts

The Minnesota Vikings have leaned on their ferocious, fiery defense all season long to hang around the playoff field in the NFC. Andrew Luck threw for 250 yards and two touchdowns, shredding the league’s second-ranked defense in the Indianapolis Colts’ 34-6 victory over the Vikings on Sunday.

Lions still control playoff fate despite loss to Giants

Coach Jim Caldwell and his players refuse to look that far ahead. After losing 17-6 to the Giants on Sunday, Detroit ‘s focus is solely on the Cowboys and their meeting in Dallas on Dec. 26. “I view it like I’ve viewed it all season long, like I’ve viewed it since I’ve been here,” Caldwell said.

Lions still control playoff fate despite loss to Giants

Coach Jim Caldwell and his players refuse to look that far ahead. After losing 17-6 to the Giants on Sunday, Detroit ‘s focus is solely on the Cowboys and their meeting in Dallas on Dec. 26. “I view it like I’ve viewed it all season long, like I’ve viewed it since I’ve been here,” Caldwell said.

Alistair Brownlee comes second in Sports Personality of the Year

Alistair and Jonny Brownlee with their Gold and Silver medals for the Men’s Triathlon at Fort Copacabana on the thirteenth day of the Rio Olympic Games, Brazil – Mike Egerton/PA Wire The gold medal triathlete, who runs for Bingley Harriers and is a former pupil of Bradford Grammar School, was beaten by Andy Murray, who claimed the title for the third time. This summer at the Rio Olympics Alistair became the first person to retain his Olympic triathlon title when he took gold in 1hr 45min 01sec at Copacabana Beach.

Alistair Brownlee comes second in Sports Personality of the Year

Alistair and Jonny Brownlee with their Gold and Silver medals for the Men’s Triathlon at Fort Copacabana on the thirteenth day of the Rio Olympic Games, Brazil – Mike Egerton/PA Wire The gold medal triathlete, who runs for Bingley Harriers and is a former pupil of Bradford Grammar School, was beaten by Andy Murray, who claimed the title for the third time. This summer at the Rio Olympics Alistair became the first person to retain his Olympic triathlon title when he took gold in 1hr 45min 01sec at Copacabana Beach.

Olympiakos comes from behind to beat Panetolikos 3-1

ATHENS, Greece – Defending champion Olympiakos needed an equalizer and two late goals to beat Panetolikos 3-1 in the Greek league on Sunday. Panetolikos had two good chances to open the scoring in the first half before finally succeeding in the 52nd with a header by Giorgos Kousas.

Olympiakos comes from behind to beat Panetolikos 3-1

ATHENS, Greece – Defending champion Olympiakos needed an equalizer and two late goals to beat Panetolikos 3-1 in the Greek league on Sunday. Panetolikos had two good chances to open the scoring in the first half before finally succeeding in the 52nd with a header by Giorgos Kousas.

John Tortorella picks up 500th NHL win as Blue Jackets down Canucks

Seth Jones scored 46 seconds into overtime, and John Tortorella picked up his 500th victory as an NHL head coach on Sunday as the Columbus Blue Jackets defeated the Vancouver Canucks 4-3. Brandon Saad, with two, and Cam Atkinson, with a goal and an assist, scored in regulation for red-hot Columbus , which has won nine in a row and has points in 11 straight games .

John Tortorella picks up 500th NHL win as Blue Jackets down Canucks

Seth Jones scored 46 seconds into overtime, and John Tortorella picked up his 500th victory as an NHL head coach on Sunday as the Columbus Blue Jackets defeated the Vancouver Canucks 4-3. Brandon Saad, with two, and Cam Atkinson, with a goal and an assist, scored in regulation for red-hot Columbus , which has won nine in a row and has points in 11 straight games .

49ers drop 13th straight

A 21-0, first-quarter deficit proved insurmountable as the 49ers lost their 13th consecutive game Sunday, extending that franchise record with a 41-13 defeat to the Atlanta Falcons. The 49ers have lost 17 of 18 road games dating back to December 2014, and all but three defeats were by at least 10 points.

49ers drop 13th straight

A 21-0, first-quarter deficit proved insurmountable as the 49ers lost their 13th consecutive game Sunday, extending that franchise record with a 41-13 defeat to the Atlanta Falcons. The 49ers have lost 17 of 18 road games dating back to December 2014, and all but three defeats were by at least 10 points.

Osweiler benched, Bradley fired, Texans beat Jags 21-20

Houston Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler stands on the sideline after being benched during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, in Houston. Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles is sacked by Houston Texans defensive end Jadeveon Clowney during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, in Houston.

Osweiler benched, Bradley fired, Texans beat Jags 21-20

Houston Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler stands on the sideline after being benched during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, in Houston. Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles is sacked by Houston Texans defensive end Jadeveon Clowney during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, in Houston.

Barca cut deficit to Real thanks to magical Messi

Lionel Messi produced a vintage second-half performance to help Barcelona to a 4-1 win over local rivals Espanyol on Sunday which saw the champions cut the gap on La Liga leaders Real Madrid to three points. BARCELONA: Lionel Messi produced a vintage second-half performance to help Barcelona to a 4-1 win over local rivals Espanyol on Sunday which saw the champions cut the gap on La Liga leaders Real Madrid to three points.

Barca cut deficit to Real thanks to magical Messi

Lionel Messi produced a vintage second-half performance to help Barcelona to a 4-1 win over local rivals Espanyol on Sunday which saw the champions cut the gap on La Liga leaders Real Madrid to three points. BARCELONA: Lionel Messi produced a vintage second-half performance to help Barcelona to a 4-1 win over local rivals Espanyol on Sunday which saw the champions cut the gap on La Liga leaders Real Madrid to three points.

Notes: Players Support Going For Two

Sunday’s game was another hard-fought battle for the Eagles, but for the fifth-straight contest, Philadelphia came up short. The Eagles ended their 2016 road schedule with a 1-7 record away from Lincoln Financial Field, though they had their chance to come away with a win with under five seconds to play.

Mertens matches 22-season feat with consecutive hat-tricks

The 29-year-old has been in sensational scoring form of late for Napoli and demonstrated his prowess in front of goal against Torino Dries Mertens’ hat-trick for Napoli against Torino establishes him as the first player since the 1994-95 Serie A season to net consecutive trebles. The Belgian was in stunning form against the Granata, beating Joe Hart three times inside the first 22 minutes of the tie at San Paolo.

‘When did Gundogan die?’ – World pokes fun at Man City’s backwards shirts vs Arsenal

The entire first team were subject to comedy scrutiny on social media when they walked out for the Premier League fixture with an over-the-top tribute to their team-mate Manchester City’s attempt to pay tribute to injured midfielder Ilkay Gundogan backfired spectacularly on Sunday ahead of their clash with Arsenal. The entire first team wore shirts with Gundogan’s name printed on the front in solidarity with the German, who faces another long spell on the sidelines with a knee ligament injury.

Gabigol will get his chance at Inter – Pioli

The Brazilian has been linked with a loan move away from San Siro when the window reopens but his coach says he will get more opportunities to impress Stefano Pioli has assured Gabriel Barbosa he will get his chance at Inter following his second appearance of the Serie A season. Olympic gold medallist Gabriel has struggled to make his mark in the Nerazzurri first team since signing from Santos in August, with reports linking him with a move away from the club on loan in January.