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 three goals as the New York Rangers beat Philadelphia 5-2 on Saturday for their seventh straight win over the Flyers.
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.
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.
Move over, Hollywood and NFL types, golf's two real A-listers take center stage Sunday at Pebble Beach, both in need of a win.
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.
Luis Suarez's refusal to shake hands with Patrice Evra overshadowed Manchester United's 2-1 win over rival Liverpool that lifted the defending champions to first place in the Premier League on Saturday.
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.
No. 18 Pittsburgh (9-3) 
vs.
No. 24 Oregon State (8-4)
Date: Dec. 31
Time: 2 p.m. ET
Location: El Paso, Texas
Television: CBS
Payout: $1.9 million
Last result: Oregon 56, South Florida 21
2008 results: Oregon State; Pittsburgh
2008 statistics: Oregon State; Pittsburgh
Tickets: Buy them here
Coaches: Mike Riley (Oregon State); Dave Wannstedt (Pittsburgh)
Bowl history/last appearance: Oregon State 7-4 (won 21-14 over Maryland in '07 Emerald); Pittsburgh 10-14 (lost 35-7 to Utah in '05 Fiesta)
Series: Pittsburgh 1-0 (38-13 in '02 Insight)
What Oregon State must do to win: First and foremost, the Beavers will need to get over the disappointment of missing out on a trip to the Rose Bowl. Those hopes were dashed when their defense inexplicably melted down and gave up a whopping 65 points to in-state rival Oregon in the regular-season finale. They can’t afford any lapses against Pitt RB LeSean McCoy, who is tied for the national lead in scoring (10.5 points per game) and averages 116.9 yards on the ground.
With older brother James sidelined, true freshman RB Jacquizz Rodgers will have to overcome an injury of his own and lead the way in a return to his home state.
What Pittsburgh must do to win: The Panthers need to capitalize on their distinct advantage in the area of special teams. Kicker Connor Lee has connected on nearly 85 percent of his 59 career field goal attempts and Pitt has blocked 10 kicks this season.
Assuming that the Beavers are able to recapture the defensive mettle they displayed while winning eight of nine prior to the loss to Oregon, the Panthers will need to improve their protection of QB Bob Stull, who won’t find it easy to sustain drives. Oregon State allowed an average of only 17.1 points during that aforementioned stretch of nine games.
What the NFL is watching: McCoy will eventually get a chance at the next level to match the success of Panthers great Tony Dorsett, but if he’s true to his word, he’ll be back for another year. Pitt LB Scott McKillop is a tackling machine, who will get his chance to fly around on Sundays.
Opening point spread: Oregon State by 3 (53)
Prediction: Pittsburgh 34, Oregon State 31
MVP: Pittsburgh RB LeSean McCoy
Live vote: Who will win?
CFT: Jordan Jefferson makes it clear he wasn't happy with LSU's game plan in the Tigers' BCS Championship Game loss to Alabama.
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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.
Doron Lamb hit a 3-pointer with 3:18 left to put No. 1 Kentucky ahead to stay, and the Wildcats took a big step toward a Southeastern Conference regular-season title by beating Vanderbilt 69-63 Saturday night for their 17th straight win.
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.