Silva: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for NFC teams.
SportsTalk: Albert Pujols signs with the Angels and Prince Fielder joins the Tigers. Which team is better now?
Ryan Callahan scored for the fifth time in four days and defenseman Ryan McDonagh snapped a second-period tie to lift the New York Rangers to a 3-2 victory over the Washington Capitals on Sunday.
Kobe Bryant hit a baseline jump shot with 4.2 seconds left and the Los Angeles Lakers wrapped up a six-game road trip by holding on to beat the Raptors 94-92 on Sunday, their eighth victory in nine meetings with Toronto
Arc's five up, five down: After No. 11 Michigan State's 58-48 upset of No. 3 Ohio State, you'd be a fool to discount the Spartans' national title chances now.
Miami coach Al Golden says the worst is behind him, but his headaches figure to continue now that former booster Nevin Shapiro, now in jail, says his involvement with the Hurricanes program will result in stiff penalties.
Golf's dream pairing - Woods and Mickelson - is on the course in the final round at Pebble Beach. Jason Sobel has hole-by-hole reports.
The United States completed a 5-0 rout of Switzerland in the Davis Cup on Sunday, with 19-year-old Ryan Harrison and John Isner winning closing singles matches.
Zambia has won the African Cup of Nations, beating pre-tournament favorite Ivory Coast 8-7 on penalties in a dramatic final at Stade de l'Amitie.
Tessa Worley of France fought off gusting winds to win a second consecutive World Cup giant slalom Sunday in the Andorran Pyrenees. Overall leader Lindsey Vonn was more than a second behind and finished eighth.
Robins: It’s the Year of the Dragon on the Lunar calendar, and this Chinese influence could extend to it also being the year of the Pekingese on the green carpet at the 136th Westminster Dog Show on Tuesday.
Getty ImagesThe 2008 season is already off to a good start for Junior, as he won the preseason Bud Shootout at Daytona. Of course, being in a Hendrick car helped, since Hendrick drivers took four of the top six positions. Still, it is a positive sign for Junior, who before the race exuded plenty of confidence that renewed success for him is just around the next turn.
“I am a great race car driver,” Junior declared during a media conference earlier this month. “I have won a lot of races. I have won the Daytona 500, won The Winston (all-star race) as a rookie. I have won at Dover, Richmond, Phoenix, Talladega, several different size and shape race tracks.
“I have great equipment and I am a good driver and we are going to go at it. I am looking forward to it. I am very fortunate. I want to thank my lucky stars for the opportunity that I have gotten. … We are really prepared for this season and I am really looking forward to it.”
All of which leads to the question, what if Junior suddenly begins living up to all his hype? What if he becomes as good as advertised (and there have been plenty of advertisements)?
In short, what if the most popular driver in NASCAR also becomes the sport’s best driver?
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It is all right there in front of Junior. Fame and fortune and everything that goes with it. It’s his for the taking. He just has to mash the gas and go for it. Because at age 33, his window of opportunity is already about to start closing.
Now we get to find out if Dale Earnhardt Jr. is a driver who deserves to be so famous, or whether he is just a driver with a famous name.
It will be the most important race of his career. And the green flag is ready to wave.
 | Slideshow |
 | Earning a trip to victory lane Take a look at every NASCAR driver who has claimed a checkered flag this racing season. NBCSports.com |
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 | Revved up for racing Take a look at how some NASCAR fans express their dedication to the drivers and to the sport. NBCSports.com |
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 | INTERACTIVE |
 | NASCAR wives and girlfriends They're fixtures in pit row, but they don't drive on the track or work on the cars. Take a look at some notable NASCAR wives and girlfriends. |
Wesseling: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for AFC teams.
Ryan Callahan scored for the fifth time in four days and defenseman Ryan McDonagh snapped a second-period tie to lift the New York Rangers to a 3-2 victory over the Washington Capitals on Sunday.
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