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?
LIVE VIDEO: NBCSports.com shows Washington-New York, with alternate camera angles, HD views and more.
PBT: Jeremy Lin wasn't his hot self on Saturday, but he still led the Knicks to victory.
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.
CFT: Jordan Jefferson makes it clear he wasn't happy with LSU's game plan in the Tigers' BCS Championship Game loss to Alabama.
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.
BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) -England defender Joleon Lescott preserved Manchester City's two-point lead in the Premier League by scoring a second-half winner in a 1-0 victory at Aston Villa on Sunday.
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 ImagesGriffey’s stellar debut was a big boost for Vazquez (8-9), who’s been struggling.
The right-hander was 0-4 with a 6.23 ERA his last six starts, and had allowed three or more runs in his last nine starts. He also was coming off a miserable outing against Detroit, allowing six runs and 11 hits in seven innings.
Vazquez was sharp against the Royals, allowing three singles over the first five innings before departing after giving up two runs in the sixth. He allowed two runs and five hits, winning for the first time since June 17 against Pittsburgh. It also was his first road win since beating Seattle on May 10, a span of six starts.
“It was great for him to get that win and great mentally for his next start,” Guillen said. “It’s great for us, too, to give him the ball with confidence.”
Bobby Jenks pitched the ninth for his 22nd save.
Hochevar had a little more trouble.
He was hit hard early and tied a franchise record with three wild pitches. The right-hander has had trouble giving up hits with two outs most of the season — .326 average, 36 RBIs and Friday night was no different.
Hochevar matched a career high by allowing 10 hits in six innings, giving up all four runs with two outs.
“Overall it was an OK performance,” Royals manager Trey Hillman said. “I’m still disappointed with the two-out runs, especially with the three-spot (in the sixth). He’s got to do a better job of controlling the damage. Those crooked numbers hurt you and they hurt us tonight.”
Notes: Griffey wore No. 17 even after Swisher agreed to give up No. 30, Griffey’s number in Cincinnati. “I don’t want to be a disruption to the team and I’ve heard Nick is a little out there, so I’m going to stick with 17 and be happy with it,” Griffey said. ... Royals RF Jose Guillen was a last-minute scratch due to a sore hip flexor. ... Royals 2B Mark Grudzielanek had to leave the game in the ninth inning after colliding with first baseman Ross Gload on a popup down the line. X-rays on his right ankle were negative and Hillman said he’d be evaluated on Saturday.
SportsTalk: Albert Pujols signs with the Angels and Prince Fielder joins the Tigers. Which team is better now?
DeMarco: Plug in a well-heeled ownership group and negotiate one of those mega-bucks TV deals that are going around, and the Dodgers could become the west coast version of the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox.
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Jeremy Lin hit a free throw with 4.9 seconds left to overcome a dreadful second half and lift the New York Knicks to their fifth straight victory, 100-98, over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night.
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.
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