News Tribune | Professional Sports

Professional Sports

Packers' potent offense faces big test from Rams' defense No NFL team scored more points during the regular season than the Green Bay Packers. Nobody has played better defense than the Los Angeles Rams. That sets up an intriguing showdown of strength vs. strength when MVP favorite Aaron Rodgers and the Packers host All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald and the Rams in an NFC divisional playoff game today. by Associated Press Published Jan. 16 2021 @ 12:30am

Falcons pick Titans offensive coordinator Smith as new coach The Atlanta Falcons have chosen offense and youth as the calling cards of their new coach. Atlanta agreed to terms with Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith on Friday to become the team's head coach. Smith, only 38, has no experience as a head coach. by Associated Press Published Jan. 16 2021 @ 12:25am

Commentary: Meyer faces tough adjustment heading to NFL Jaguars Before the good folks in Jacksonville get too fired up about the arrival of Urban Meyer, let's review a few cautionary tales. Like Nick Saban. And Steve Spurrier. And perhaps the biggest flop of all when it comes to college coaches going pro, Bobby Petrino. by Paul Newberry, AP Sports Columnist Published Jan. 16 2021 @ 12:25am

Browns' Bitonio back for playoffs after COVID-19 Joel Bitonio's neighbors set off fireworks late Sunday night after the Browns stunned the Steelers in the wild-card game. The loud bangs signified something more for the Pro Bowl guard — a second chance. by Associated Press Published Jan. 16 2021 @ 12:25am

Taylor gets a break and a birdie and leads Sony Open Nick Taylor pitched in for eagle to get his round headed in the right direction, and he kept going until he finished with a good break and one last birdie for an 8-under 62 and a two-shot lead Friday in the Sony Open. It's still as crowded as the H-1 at the top, typical of this tournament. by Associated Press Published Jan. 16 2021 @ 12:20am

Harden sees title chance, says he'll sacrifice shots for it James Harden used his final interview in Houston to say his team wasn't good enough. He has a whole new message now that he's in Brooklyn. Harden sees a roster that features Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, a coaching staff that includes a coach under whom he became the NBA's leading scorer, and an opportunity to win the title he still lacks. by Associated Press Published Jan. 16 2021 @ 12:15am

More NBA games off, league continues struggles with virus Another three NBA games were postponed Friday, including one in Minnesota only a couple hours before game time, as the league's struggle with increasing coronavirus numbers continued. by Associated Press Published Jan. 16 2021 @ 12:15am

Australian Open arrivals hit by two COVID positive tests Health authorities confirmed today two positive COVID-19 cases emerged from a charter flight from Los Angeles carrying tennis players and officials to Melbourne ahead of the Australian Open. by Associated Press Published Jan. 16 2021 @ 12:10am

Athletic trainers adapt to sports in a pandemic Collegiate athletic trainers are used to being the calm amid chaos. Screaming fans, blaring music from loudspeakers, coaches and players caught up in the heat of competition — all of it gets tuned out when a trainer is tending to an injured athlete. The coronavirus pandemic has added another constantly shifting layer to what they do. by Associated Press Published Jan. 16 2021 @ 12:10am

Cardinals, Flaherty still without deal, swap arbitration figures The St. Louis Cardinals and ace Jack Flaherty have not agreed to terms on a 2021 contract and they swapped figures for salary arbitration Friday. by Associated Press Published Jan. 16 2021 @ 12:05am

Bieniemy's focus on Browns, not vacant coaching jobs Eric Bieniemy spent last week speaking to just about every NFL franchise with a vacant head coaching job. The Chiefs offensive coordinator doesn't want to waste a second on it this week. by Associated Press Published Jan. 15 2021 @ 12:35am

AFC's young QB quartet, old NFC guard create huge age gap Andy Reid has been here before, with a young franchise quarterback on a team contending for the Super Bowl year after year. The Kansas City coach is at it again with Patrick Mahomes, and thrilled to see similarly youthful leaders among the AFC playoff teams in what is the biggest QB age discrepancy between conferences in the divisional round since the merger. by Associated Press Published Jan. 15 2021 @ 12:25am

Stefanski out of his basement, return to Browns Browns coach Kevin Stefanski doesn't plan a trip downstairs to his basement any time soon. "Those walls were closing in on me," he said. Stefanski returned to the team's facility Thursday, 10 days after the first-year coach tested positive for COVID-19 and he was forced to miss Cleveland's playoff win Sunday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers. by Associated Press Published Jan. 15 2021 @ 12:20am

Bucs, Browns, Bills out to follow footsteps of Chiefs Aside from winning the final Super Bowl before the merger in 1970, the Kansas City Chiefs' biggest claim to fame for more than half a century was team founder Lamar Hunt coining the phrase Super Bowl. by Associated Press Published Jan. 15 2021 @ 12:20am

Meyer returns to sidelines with NFL's Jaguars Urban Meyer has won everywhere he's coached. Small colleges. Big-time programs. He's been a difference maker at each stop during his storied career. He's ready to try something new: the NFL. by Associated Press Published Jan. 15 2021 @ 12:15am

Jets hire Saleh as head coach The New York Jets were searching for a leader, someone who could bring a frustrated, playoff-starved franchise back to respectability. They think they found their guy in Robert Saleh. by Associated Press Published Jan. 15 2021 @ 12:15am

Blues' Blais suspended 2 games for illegal check St. Louis Blues forward Sammy Blais was suspended for two games without pay Thursday by the NHL for an illegal check to the head of Colorado Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews. by Associated Press Published Jan. 15 2021 @ 12:10am

Martinez agrees to deal with Mets José Martinez and the New York Mets agreed Thursday to a one-year contract that pays $1 million while he is in the major leagues and $225,000 while he's in the minors. by Associated Press Published Jan. 15 2021 @ 12:10am

Niemann finishes with eagle and shares the lead at Sony Open Joaquin Niemann had no regrets about the 18th hole at the Sony Open. Four days after a pair of pars on the final hole at Kapalua led to a playoff loss, Niemann holed a 50-foot chip for eagle on the 18th hole Thursday for an 8-under 62 and a share of the lead with Jason Kokrak and Peter Malnati. by Associated Press Published Jan. 15 2021 @ 12:05am

Sundqvist, Binnington help Blues open with 4-1 win against Avs Elevated to the second line on short notice, Oskar Sundqvist just wanted to do his part. He certainly did that and more — with a bruise to show for it. Sundqvist scored twice and blocked four shots, Jordan Binnington made 26 saves and the St. Louis Blues beat the Colorado Avalanche 4-1 on Wednesday night in the season opener for both teams. by Associated Press Published Jan. 14 2021 @ 2:30am

Chiefs, Browns have strong influence of their ex-GM It doesn't take Andy Reid long when he pops on film of the Cleveland Browns for the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs to see the unmistakable thumbprint of former general manager John Dorsey in their style and personnel. Probably because Reid still sees it on his own team, too. by Associated Press Published Jan. 14 2021 @ 12:35am

Edwards-Helaire rejoins Hill, others at Chiefs' practice Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire practiced Wednesday for the first time since getting hurt against New Orleans in Week 15, raising hopes the first-round pick can play Sunday in the divisional round of the playoffs against Cleveland. by Associated Press Published Jan. 14 2021 @ 12:35am

Pietrangelo set for Vegas debut, carries high expectations Alex Pietrangelo will be carrying the weight of many expectations on his shoulders when he finally takes the ice for the Vegas Golden Knights. Team president George McPhee and general manager Kelly McCrimmon believe the veteran newcomer is the missing link in Vegas' quest for a Stanley Cup just four seasons after entering the league. by Associated Press Published Jan. 14 2021 @ 12:25am