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 Images for NASCARAt this point in the Sprint Cup season, it's tough to figure out what we're looking at. Does examination of points, passes, data and standings produce reality or illusion? Three races – one of which was a plate race – is hardly enough to yield evidence that will stand up in a court of law.
But this is no courtroom. So here is a short list of things that are real and illusory in Cup as the series heads into March.
Reality: Richard Childress Racing has returned to the top shelf. All three RCR drives will make the Chase, and Clint Bowyer will make a strong challenge for the championship.
Illusion: Peace has broken out between Brad Keselowski and Denny Hamlin. I really think these two guys do not like each other, and another clash could be just a lap away.
Reality: Martin Truex Jr.'s decision to bolt Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing was ill timed. EGR is cranking out horsepower and is on the mend.
Illusion: Complaining about Goodyear tires is a thing of the past. Never going to happen. Tires are an easy target when things get messy.
Reality: Jimmie Johnson is heading for his best season yet in terms of victories. He has won two of three at a time of year he normally is merely good.
Illusion: Johnson is a slam dunk to get his fifth straight victory. Winning a lot of races can be erased by one punctured tire and one Sam Hornish Jr. ill-timed spin move in the Chase.
Reality: Joey Logano has arrived as a Sprint Cup driver. It was just a matter of time, patience and guidance.
Illusion: Juan Pablo Montoya was a one-year wonder. The guy is the ultimate big-picture seer. He will begin whittling his way back to the top 10 and soon.
Reality: Furniture Row has it more together than Front Row.
Illusion: Mark Martin shot his final bolt last year and will sink back to mediocrity this year.
Reality: Stewart-Haas Racing is settling in to a more realistic mode of success. Stewart will make Chase, Newman will not.
Illusion: Have At It Boys racing is having a noticeable effect on racing. The crazies are still crazy and the responsible drivers are still responsible.
Reality: Four tires are better than two if you want to win the race.
Illusion: David Ragan is better than Regan Smith.
Reality: Dale Earnhardt Jr. is pulling things together and will make the Chase this season.
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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.
After leading by 18 points in the first half, the Los Angeles Lakers were staring at a four-point deficit with less than two minutes to play.
