Sports

NFL playoff weekend sets a record with 12 fourth-quarter lead changes

The NFL has experienced an unprecedented playoff weekend with the first four games featuring a combined 12 lead changes in the fourth quarter. This surpasses the previous postseason record of 10 set in 2007. The weekend began with a thrilling game between Carolina and the Los Angeles Rams, ending with Matthew Stafford’s decisive touchdown pass. Buffalo and Jacksonville also traded leads before the Bills secured a win. Chicago pulled off a historic comeback against Green Bay, marking the Bears’ seventh win this season when trailing in the final minutes. Meanwhile, New England and Houston delivered strong defensive performances, advancing to the next round.

Mike Tomlin steps down after 19 seasons as coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Mike Tomlin era with the Pittsburgh Steelers is over. The longest-tenured head coach in major American professional sports stepped down Tuesday after yet another quick playoff exit. The announcement came a day after the end of Tomlin’s 19th season in Pittsburgh. Tomlin won one Super Bowl and went to another during his first four seasons with the Steelers before the club settled into a familiar and frustrating pattern of solid if not always spectacular play followed by a playoff cameo that ended with the Steelers on the wrong side of a blowout. Tomlin went 193-112-2 in Pittsburgh but lost each of his last seven playoff games.

After three Tommy John surgeries, pitcher Daulton Jefferies is trying for another MLB comeback

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. (AP) — Plagued by injuries and arm issues, Daulton Jefferies had all but moved on from baseball and was working full-time in commercial real estate and taking college classes toward his sociology degree at the University of California at Berkeley. Only recently did he realize he was ready to go all in again. Now, he’s attempting a fourth baseball comeback following a third Tommy John surgery. He began throwing twice a week in a public park, and on Saturday in Arizona, he will hold a pro day so the experts can evaluate his progress. He’s hoping for one last shot.

Tiger’s lost tooth in Cortina. Bode’s 1-ski show in Bormio. Olympic Alpine slopes filled with tales

The Milan Cortina Winter Games will feature Alpine ski racing on iconic courses steeped in history, a change after three straight Olympics were held on new tracks. The men’s events take place on the demanding Stelvio in Bormio, where Bode Miller’s one-ski run in 2005 remains legendary. The women will race on the Olympia delle Tofane track in Cortina. It’s a hill known for its rhythmic nature but has plenty of teeth to it. Lindsey Vonn’s record-breaking win in Cortina in 2015 was overshadowed by Tiger Woods’ missing tooth incident. Mikaela Shiffrin’s 2021 success in Cortina contrasts with her 2024 crash.

Don’t celebrate too soon. Ofner loses in Australian Open qualifying after thinking he won tiebreaker

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — A tennis player has learned not to celebrate victory before the match is really won. Before Sebastian Ofner lost in Australian Open qualifying, the 29-year-old Austrian had raised his arms and walked toward the net after taking a 7-1 lead in the decisive tiebreaker against Nishesh Basavareddy on Wednesday. The chair umpire sent Ofner back to continue playing the super tiebreaker until he got at least 10 points — not seven — and was two points ahead. Basavareddy went on to complete a 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (11) win after Ofner had two match-point chances. The 20-year-old American winner did an apparent choking gesture at the net with both hands on his neck.

Diamondbacks acquire 8-time All-Star 3B Nolan Arenado in a deal with the Cardinals

PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks have acquired eight-time All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado from St. Louis for minor league pitcher Jack Martinez. The Cardinals are also including $31 million in the trade. A 10-time Gold Glove winner, Arenado has played for the Cardinals the past five seasons and was shopped extensively after the 2024 season by a rebuilding team. The 34-year-old isn’t the offensive force he used to be but will still provide a veteran presence at the position after the D-backs traded slugger Eugenio Suárez at last season’s trade deadline. Arenado batted. .237 with 12 homers and 52 RBIs last season.

Anthony Davis expected to miss 6 weeks in latest absence for Mavs but won’t need hand surgery

DALLAS (AP) — Dallas Mavericks big man Anthony Davis will be sidelined about six weeks in his latest injury absence, although the 10-time All-Star won’t need surgery to repair ligament damage in his left hand. The teams says the determination to skip surgery came after a medical evaluation Tuesday. Davis was injured late in the Mavericks’ 116-114 loss to the Utah Jazz last week. It will be the second absence of at least a month this season for Davis. The 32-year-old missed 15 of the 16 games in November with a calf strain.

Gilgeous-Alexander scores 34 as Thunder top Spurs for first time in four meetings this season

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 34 points as the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder beat San Antonio 119-98 on Tuesday night. This marked their first win in four tries against the Spurs this season. Jalen Williams added 20 points, while Chet Holmgren contributed eight points, 10 rebounds and three blocks. The Thunder improved to a league-best 34-7 at the season’s midway point. Stephon Castle leads San Antonio with 20 points. Victor Wembanyama added 17 points and seven rebounds. Oklahoma City has now won four straight games. The teams will meet again on Feb. 4 in San Antonio.

Son of Zlatan: Ajax fans could see another Ibrahimović play for their team

AMSTERDAM (AP) — Maximilian Ibrahimović, son of soccer great Zlatan Ibrahimović, has joined Ajax on loan from AC Milan. The 19-year-old winger is excited to play for another club his father once represented. Italian media reports said Ajax paid $4 million for the loan with an option to make the move permanent at the end of the season. Ajax’s director of football, Marijn Beuker, praised Maximilian’s skills and mentality. He will initially play with Ajax U23 and gradually integrate into the first team. Zlatan played for Ajax from 2001 to 2005, scoring 48 goals. Maximilian says he aims to create his own legacy, separate from his father’s. Zlatan Ibrahimović currently serves as senior adviser to Milan’s American owners.

American international Sam Coffey signs for Man City

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — United States midfielder Sam Coffey has joined Manchester City from the Portland Thorns. She signed a 3 1/2-year contract. The fee was worth a reported $800,000. Coffey won Olympic gold and the SheBelieves Cup with the USWNT. She was described by City as one of the best players in the world. City hopes the 27-year-old Coffey will help lead the club to the Women’s Super League title this season with Andree Jeglertz’s team currently top of the standings. Coffey won the NWSL championship with Portland.