NFL – National Football League – Week 16
Last Night
Jacksonville Jaguars 19, New York Jets 3
Jaguars 19, Jets 3 – Lawrence, Jaguars continue playoff push, outclass Jets 19-3
Trevor Lawrence leaped for a touchdown and the Jacksonville Jaguars continued their push toward the playoffs with their third straight victory, 19-3 over an embarrassed Zach Wilson and the New York Jets on a rainy, windy night. Lawrence finished 20 of 31 for 229 yards and ran for 51 yards and the score on seven carries for the Jaguars. Wilson was booed frequently before he was replaced in the third quarter by Chris Streveler, elevated from the practice squad before the game. Jacksonville would win the AFC South title with victories in its final two games.
Saturday
Detroit Lions at Carolina Panthers, 1:00 p.m. Rock 107 WIRX 12:00
Buffalo Bills at Chicago Bears, 1:00 p.m.
New York Giants at Minnesota Vikings, 1:00 p.m.
Sunday
Green Bay Packers at Miami Dolphins, 1:00 p.m.
Monday
Los Angeles Chargers at Indianapolis Colts, 8:15 p.m.
NFL – Bills try to clinch AFC East against Bears, eye No. 1 seed
The Buffalo Bills can clinch their third straight AFC East title when they meet the Bears in frigid Chicago on Saturday. And a No. 1 seed playoff seed is in sight. The Bills clinched their fourth straight playoff berth with last week’s win over Miami and would lock up the division with a win or tie against Chicago. A loss or tie by the Dolphins against Green Bay would also do it. Buffalo has the inside track toward the top seed in the AFC. Saturday’s game won’t be easy with the National Weather Service predicting a high of 10 degrees with gusting wind.
NFL – Lions at 7-7, Panthers at 5-9 are fighting for playoff spots
Jared Goff has the surging Detroit Lions in contention for a wild card spot. Sam Darnold and the Carolina Panthers still have plenty to play for as well, despite a 5-9 record. The teams clash in Charlotte on Saturday in a game that will impact NFC playoff scenarios. The Lions have won six of their last seven games and are just a half-game behind Washington in the race for the final wild card spot. The Panthers are coming off a home loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, but still control their playoff destiny. If they win out, they’ll win the NFC South title and host a playoff game in January.
NFL – Bills try to clinch AFC East against Bears, eye No. 1 seed
The Buffalo Bills can clinch their third straight AFC East title when they meet the Bears in frigid Chicago on Saturday. And a No. 1 seed playoff seed is in sight. The Bills clinched their fourth straight playoff berth with last week’s win over Miami and would lock up the division with a win or tie against Chicago. A loss or tie by the Dolphins against Green Bay would also do it. Buffalo has the inside track toward the top seed in the AFC. Saturday’s game won’t be easy with the National Weather Service predicting a high of 10 degrees with gusting wind.
NFL – Bears CB Johnson questionable for Bills game with injury
Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson is questionable for Saturday’s game against the AFC East-leading Buffalo Bills because of a ring finger injury. Johnson was limited in practice on Thursday after being a full participant the previous day. Assuming he plays, Johnson has another tough assignment facing Stefon Diggs after going against Philadelphia’s A.J. Brown last week. Brown had nine receptions for a career-high 181 yards. Johnson made him work for it and broke up a season-best three passes.
NFL – NFL ‘Sunday Ticket’ headed to YouTube beginning next season
The NFL has announced a multiyear agreement with Google for “NFL Sunday Ticket.” The package of out-of-market Sunday afternoon games will be distributed on YouTube TV and YouTube Primetime Channels. The NFL was seeking $2.5 billion per season for the package, which has been on DirecTV since 1994. The satellite provider has paid $1.5 billion per year on an eight-year contract that expires at the end of this season. Besides Amazon, Apple and ESPN also expressed interest in “NFL Sunday Ticket.”
NCAAFB – Michigan’s Oluwatimi endured a heavy heart in standout year
Michigan center Olu Oluwatimi lost three friends and former teammates at Virginia and four days later, his father had surgery to remove a brain tumor. Oluwatimi endured the heartache and finished off a college football season that was better than his dreams. The graduate transfer wasn’t surprised the Wolverines had a successful season and that he won the Rimington Award as the college football’s best center. Oluwatimi didn’t expect to become the first Michigan player to win the Outland Trophy, which recognizes the top interior lineman on either side of the ball. Michigan plays TCU in the Fiesta Bowl for a shot a national title.
NCAA – Records: Ishbia pledged $14M to MSU on top of bigger gift
Under court order, Michigan State University has released records related to multimillion-dollar donations by two wealthy alumni. Mortgage executive Mat Ishbia pledged $14 million to MSU a year ago, on top of a $32 million gift announced earlier in 2021. The documents don’t reveal much that’s new. But Michigan State nonetheless fought their disclosure in a public records lawsuit filed by the Detroit Free Press. The newspaper won. Ishbia played on Michigan State’s 2000 national championship basketball team. He’s now in line to buy a majority stake in the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury for $4 billion.
NHL – National Hockey League
Tonight
Detroit Red Wings at Ottawa Senators, Postponed to 2/27/23
Columbus Blue Jackets at Chicago Blackhawks, 8:30 p.m.
NBA – National Basketball Association
Tonight
Detroit Pistons at Atlanta Hawks, 7:30 p.m.
Chicago Bulls at New York Knicks, 7:30 p.m.
Indiana Pacers at Miami Heat, 7:30 p.m.
MLB – White Sox acquire reliever Santos from San Francisco
The Chicago White Sox have acquired reliever Gregory Santos from the San Francisco Giants for minor league pitcher Kade McClure. Santos has made five appearances over the past two years for San Francisco. The 23-year-old right-hander has a 4.63 ERA over 35 appearances between Triple-A Sacramento and the Arizona Complex League Giants Black last season. He has a 3.56 ERA over 97 appearances, including 44 starts, in six minor league seasons with the San Francisco and Boston organizations. The 28-year-old McClure has a 4.03 ERA over 108 games and 59 starts in five minor league seasons with the White Sox.
MLB – AP source: Cubs, C Tucker Barnhart agree to $6.5M contract
The Chicago Cubs have bolstered their defense again, agreeing to a contract with Gold Glove-winning catcher Tucker Barnhart. A person familiar with the negotiations confirmed the deal to the AP on condition of anonymity because it was pending a successful physical. Barnhart’s deal includes a $3.25 million salary for 2023 and a $3.25 million player option for 2024. The agreement includes escalators and performance bonuses that could make it worth $9.5 million over two seasons. The addition of Barnhart comes one day after the Cubs finalized a $177 million, seven-year contract with All-Star shortstop Dansby Swanson.
AHL – American Hockey League
Last Night
Grand Rapids Griffins 8, Chicago Wolves 7 – OT
-Grand Rapids trailed 6-2 after the first period
Tonight
Cleveland at Grand Rapids, Postponed
ECHL – ECHL Hockey League
Last Night
Fort Wayne Komets 6, Kalamazoo Wings 1
NBAGL – NBA G-League
Last Night
NBA G-League Showcase Cup – Las Vegas, NV
Grand Rapids Gold 111, Birmingham Squadron 100
MHSAA – High School Sports
Last Night
Games were cancelled
Tonight
Games are cancelled
