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.
Eleven shots separated Phil and Tiger Sunday at Pebble Beach as Lefty secured his 40th Tour win. Jason Sobel had 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 Rays knew they had a difficult test with equally terrific Phillies starter Cole Hamels in Game 1. Sure enough, Hamels was tremendous, shutting down the Rays and stealing the home-field advantage.
But from here on out, the Rays have a decided pitching edge.
If the Phillies don’t start hitting in the clutch, it won’t matter, anyway.
Through two games, the Phillies are 1-for-30 with runners in scoring position, including an 0-for-13 effort in Game 1 that set a World Series single-game record.
This is no time to tighten up. Phillies manager Charlie Manuel knows it.
“Actually, this might be the sloppiest game we’ve played all season,’’ Manuel said. “I’m concerned about us hitting with guys on base because it looks like at times we might be trying a little too hard. But we can fix that.’’
Against the Rays, though, the Phillies’ offense might be in a fix.
Game 3 will bring right-hander Matt Garza, a hard thrower who has the best stuff on Tampa Bay’s staff, and then it’s righty Andy Sonnanstine, who likes to paint the corners. Every night out, it will be a different speed, a different rhythm.
That’s not good news for a Phillies’ team that already has some offensive doubts.
“I’m sure getting back home will help us,’’ Manuel said. “We’ve had more chances to score than they had. We just didn’t execute and score enough runs.’’
Tampa Bay’s young staff probably had something to do with that.
Get used to it.
You’re going to hear more from these Rays pitchers in future seasons.
Deep into October, deep into the postseason, it looks like they feel right at home.
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.
 | Slide show |
 |
more photos |
HardballTalk headlines |
 | Interactive |
 |
| Slideshow |
 | Unbreakable records in baseball A look at the most unbreakable records in baseball including Nolan Ryan's seven no-hitters. |
| Slideshow |
 | The top tools of baseball You hear a lot about the tools of baseball, but who are the best hitters, fielders and pitchers? We break it down. more photos |
 | Slideshow |
 |
The Week in Sports Pictures The Giants on top of the football world, getting ready for the London Olympics and more. more photos |
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.
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.
NBC Sports TV and livestream listings