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Patriots Keep it Respectable

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BUFFALO – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Buffalo Quarterback Josh Allen rushed for a pair of 1-yard touchdowns and the Bills held off a late rally by the New England Patriots to earn a 27-21 victory on Sunday afternoon in Upstate New York.

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With the win, Buffalo (10-6) has a chance to clinch a postseason berth this week, but it would need a loss or tie from both the Steelers and Bengals. Pittsburgh and Cincinnati were set to play their games later Sunday.

Allen put the Bills up 27-14 with 10:42 remaining in the third quarter when he snuck into the end zone with the help of a push from running back Latavius Murray.

Ezekiel Elliott rushed for a 6-yard score early in the fourth to pull New England (4-12) within six, and the Patriots ended up getting the ball back with 6:41 left in the game.

However, New England failed to get past its 11-yard line, and Buffalo then ran out the clock.

Allen made up for a shaky day through the air with his performance on the ground. He completed just 15 of 30 throws for 169 yards and was picked off once. Dalton Kincaid had four catches for 87 yards.

Allen was also knocked from the game in the final two minutes due to an apparent left shoulder injury.

The Patriots’ Bailey Zappe finished with 209 yards and three interceptions on 16-for-26 passing. Elliott went for 39 yards on 14 carries.

Jalen Reagor wasted little time putting New England in front, taking the game’s opening kickoff 98 yards to the end zone.

But the Bills’ defense then took over.

Zappe was picked off twice and Pharaoh Brown lost a fumble following a 5-yard reception, allowing Tyler Bass to sandwich a pair of field goals — from 35 and 24 yards out — around Allen’s 1-yard scoring plunge.

Bass’ second field goal provided Buffalo with a 13-7 edge with 2:16 left in the first quarter, and Rasul Douglas made it 20-7 with a 40-yard pick-6 early in the second.

The Patriots got back on track with a six-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a 17-yard rushing TD by Zappe.

–Field Level Media

TL’s Sunday Sports Notes | Dec 31

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By TERRY LYONS, Editor-in-Chief of Digital Sports Desk

BOSTON – There are “No Days Off” for WWYI and Digital Sports Desk. Last week, we had our January to June 2023 (Half) Year in Review. This week, we’ll feature July to December 2023, all reminders of what was covered by this Sunday Notes column during the so-so Year of 2023.

Let’s hope for better things to come in 2024.

First, a look at some NBA news generated by the one-and-only Steve Kerr. In case you missed it, take a look/listen on what he said last week after Golden State’s 120-114 Christmas Day loss to the Denver Nuggets, and I’ll comment on the other side.

First, the Golden State head coach has a decent point. It’s fair to state that the NBA – as a whole, and via the league’s Competition Committee and Officiating supervisors and staff – have always molded the NBA rules to return a slight edge to the offense. Yet, the defense always adjusts and catches up.

Look back to major reform, back when the late Commissioner David Stern and then-NBA Senior VP for Basketball Operations Rod Thorn called for a summit to discuss the fact teams had clamped down on the game to limit opponents to 84.3 to 88.9 points per game. Defenders locked down their opponents with stifling, firm hand-checks and made it damn near impossible to cut through the lane without being roughed-up. Thus, there was little movement on offense.

The first meeting resulted in a set of rule changes designed to even the playing court for the 1994-95 season. Hand-checking rules already on the books were more strictly enforced both on the perimeter and in the paint. The NBA also moved the three-point FG line in to a uniform 22 feet all around the arc. Previously, it was 22 feet in the corners but 23.9 around the top of the arc.

Although the three-point FG line was changed in order to help FIBA conform to one set of rules for all of basketball, the shortening of the distance allowed the superior NBA defenders to pack in around the lane but quickly get to the 22-foot line to defend three-point FG attempts. In other words, the move backfired on the NBA, and the rule was soon scrubbed and the line returned to 23.9.

For the entire decade, the NBA examined the game with input from some of the great basketball minds – a few that were actually the cause of the grind-it-down NBA. Pat Riley’s New York Knicks and Mike Fratello’s Cleveland Cavaliers limited possessions and played ultra-physical defense, but they joined in for the betterment of the game. Much of the trend was mirroring the success of Chuck Daly’s championship teams with the Detroit Pistons.

For every inch the league gave the offensive side of the ball, the defensive side always counted and quickly caught-up. Stern was a stickler for following the rules that were ALREADY in the NBA rule book and thus the officials were instructed (and new refs taught) to keep the offense free-flowing and enforce the very rules in the book.

Kerr was making a point of offensive players being smart and knowing how to draw contact and get to the free throw line. Back in the ‘90s, Utah’s Karl Malone was exceptional, and he led the league in free throw attempts eight seasons in a row. Interestingly, the Malones – Karl (9,787) and Moses (9,018) – are one-two in the all-time free throws made column.

Getting to the line to score is nothing new.

During the Christmas Day GS vs Denver game, reigning NBA Finals MVP Nikola Jokić scored 26 points and went 18-for-18 from the line. Kerr was insinuating Jokić was a master chef in cooking up reasons the refs should call a shooting foul, and, as noted above, Kerr has a legitimate point. But, then again, Kerr’s best defensive player – Draymond Green – is serving an indefinite suspension for clocking Phoenix center Jusuf Nurkić in the face – earning a Flagrant 2 foul and ejection, then the suspension since it was a repeated violation and a potential harm to fellow players. (We’ve yet to hear why the NBA Players Association doesn’t reprimand Green for potentially injuring fellow union members).

That leaves us with the dilemma the NBA is facing in terms of Kerr’s criticism of the league – via its Competition and Rules Committee and the enforcement of the rules via the officials. Does Kerr’s view have serious enough merit to call for additional rule changes, or are we being cajoled by a head coach witnessing his best offensive players shooting (Steph Curry – 3-for-13) and (Klay Thompson – 3-for-10) an abysmal six-for-23 from three point range while the Warriors were outshot (26-for-32 to 20-for-23) at the stripe.

Play the game: Aging jump shooters vs. the league’s best at drawing fouls with the ability to “B.S” his way to the foul line” (Kerr’s words, not mine). Who is going to get the best result?

One important thing in Kerr’s defense is that he has a track record of integrity, honesty and very direct answers to media questions. He noted the Warriors didn’t play well enough – in “bringing the ‘A’ game vs. the NBA defending champs.”

Give the man credit.

Maybe it’s time for Kerr and current league Basketball Ops guru Joe Dumars to convene yet another summit to legislate some more physical play and defense back into the league?

We can call the new legislative agenda “The Jokić Rules.”

HERE NOW, THE NOTES: During the past two weeks, WWYI took time to stop and think of the amazing things in our lives that we are truly thankful for as Christmas brings joy to many, but pain and sorrow for some of our dear friends. Let us never forget those lost, this year, last year and the years before. A very special intention for my father, Timothy Francis Lyons (December 22) and his first son, my brother Timothy Francis Lyons III (December 16) and one other, for Mr Albert Nittoly, our loyal neighbor for so many years before he was taken by COVID-19.

As a lead off, this might surprise some as my favorite Christmas song is Luciano Pavarotti singing “O Holy Night,” … I love the original Spode Christmas Tree place settings. …Memories of three Matchbox cars under the Christmas Tree, a real evergreen complete with lighted village and running HO train set, the greatest machines ever build – Big Bruiser Tow Truck, the Flexible Flyer sled, my neighbor’s Easy Bake Oven, Hula Hoops, Whiffel Balls, the Hess Truck, a 45 rpm RCA Victrola, and tickets to the annual Holiday Festival at Madison Square Garden in New York City when St. John’s, Manhattan (Billy Campion) and Fordham (Charlie Yelverton) were all tough outs.

You’ve gotta love meeting interesting people. … People that know that Springsteen’s “The Rising” just might be the saddest song you’ve ever heard but it’s also so inspirational that it ROCKS.

Puppy Fur and Puppy Barks … U2 doing “Walk On,” … Christmas tree lights glowing in a dark living room … Turntables … Artwork of Paris by Constantin Kluge (1912-2003) … Johnny Winter … a well-done cheeseburger … Dowses Beach on East Bay in Osterville … Ditch Plains Beach at Montauk … the Chatham Light established 1808 … Chuck Leavell’s piano on Jessica by the Allman Brothers Band. …. Hello Old Friend by Eric Clapton with backing vocals by Yvonne Elliman … Corner Bistro West Village … the Homewood Campus of Johns Hopkins University in the underrated City of Baltimore … the 1,000 acre Vassar College campus in the City of Poughkeepsie, another underrated joint with great restaurants stemming from the nearby Culinary Institute of America Center for Research and Innovation.

Freihofer’s Chocolate Chip Cookies … good news from a Facebook post … Tannoy Speakers … a full tank of gasoline … discovering a new great jukebox … cleaning up on Trivia Night … old Saturday Night Live skits, before it was known as SNL … Ditka and ‘Da Bears … Bears 96, Lions 3 … halftime score … Camelback Inn – Where Time Stands Still (Suite 159) … thick, green grass … seeing it’s Curly and not Shemp when a Three Stooges episode airs … Football weather. … Late afternoon winter sun in Southern California. … Refreshing thunderstorms … Seeing Louie Carnesecca at a St. John’s game. … Bass guitar … Original hot Dunkin Donuts coffee. … The smell of freshly cut grass or freshly painted walls. … Red Tulips. …a new Zildjian 20 inch S Series Medium Ride Cymbal. … the Pressbox at Fenway Park. … the Theme from The Last Waltz. … the patter of dog paws on a hard wood floor. … a good haircut. … St. Patrick’s Day. … Breyer’s Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream. … Bruce Hornsby taking a hard turn in the middle of a hit song and it’s a tangent to heaven. … new Subway cars, we call it the T… Coast-to-Cost in First Class. … Late night Baseball on SIRIUS XM.

Frampton Comes Alive. … Earle Bailey on WLIR-FM 92.5. … Plenty of kindling and dry hardwood for the Fireplace. … F Troop re-runs. … The Turntable and listening to an album start to finish. … Christmas Tree smell until January 1st. … The late Christine McVie’s voice. … Replays of the ’69 Baltimore Orioles’ third-baseman, the Human Vacuum Cleaner, Brooks Robinson. … the sound of a golf ball hitting the bottom of the Cup. … See a red door and I want it painted black. … TOMMY’s back on Broadway. … A good clock, a good watch, a good time. … Joining a werewolf drinkin’ a piña colada at Trader Vic’s. His hair was perfect. … toast. … Top 1,000 Countdowns for Rock songs. … The guitar instrumental on ELO’s Fire on High. … Putt Putt golf. … Penny & Max. … Special ❤️ to CMM, VJL and AGL.

THE OLDEST RIVALRIES: College football is coming to a close for the 2023-’24 season. Here’s a quick look at the oldest rivalries in college footy:

  1. Princeton vs. Yale (1873)
  2. Harvard vs. Yale (1875)
  3. Harvard vs. Princeton (1877)
  4. Harvard vs. Penn (1881)
  5. Dartmouth vs. Harvard (1882)
  6. Lafayette vs. Lehigh (1884)
  7. Amherst vs. Williams (1884)
  8. Michigan vs. Notre Dame (1887)
  9. North Carolina vs. Wake Forest (1888)

OLDEST BOWL GAMES: It’s Bowl Game week(s) and we must salute the Taxslayer, the Pop-Tarts and other fine sponsors. An analysis of the Pop-Tart Bowl said there was $12.1 million in coverage generated for the sponsor. Okay.

  1. The ROSE BOWL – (Established 1902) but Played Year-after-Year (1916) – (Pasadena)
  2. ORANGE BOWL – (1935) – (Miami)
  3. SUGAR BOWL – (1935) – (New Orleans)
  4. SUN BOWL – (1935) – (El Paso)
  5. COTTON BOWL – (1937) – (Dallas)
  6. GATOR BOWL – (1946) – (Jacksonville)
  7. CITRUS BOWL – (1947) – (Orlando)
  8. LIBERTY BOWL – (1959) – (Memphis)
  9. PEACH BOWL – (1968) – (Atlanta)
  10. FIESTA BOWL – (1971) – (Phoenix/Glendale)

Oh, how we miss the Astro Blue Bonnet Bowl in Houston’s AstroDome!

2023: HALF YEAR IN REVIEW – Part Two (July to December)

July

2

  • Harrison Ford Tribute
  • Media in the Arts, Religion, Sports and Investigative Journalism
  • Professional Women’s Ice Hockey Future
  • SlamBall

9

  • FTX cryptocurrency collapse and sports
  • USA Basketball Named 2023 USA World Cup team
  • Nikki McCray-Penson RIP
  • Middle East new influence on global sport
  • NBA In-Season Tournament announcement

16

  • The Open
  • AI on The Open (Oops)
  • Gambling on the Special Olympics
  • USA Under-19 Women’s team – Kiki Rice
  • SlamBall Takes Shape for ESPN

23

  • Maureen Madill at The Open
  • Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
  • The New York Times folds Sports Section
  • NHL Players Assn (Marty Walsh) on the Winter Olympics

30

  • Congress on Name, Image, Likeness
  • Messi and Mbappe
  • UMass coaching money tree
  • NBA Basketball w/o Borders

August

6

  • NFL and the Sunday Ticket
  • FIBA World Cup
  • Tubby Smith on the Transfer Portal
  • Demise of Pac-12 Conference

13

  • Pac-12 – Tournament of Posers
  • HBO HARD KNOCKS
  • NFL Team Valuations
  • PGA Tour FedEx Cup Playoffs

20

  • PGA Tour – No Boston Stop
  • Fallout on NIL and Collectives
  • USA Basketball Showcase tour
  • SlamBall Championship

27

  • Springsteen at Gillette Stadium
  • College Football ’23 Kick-off
  • Patriots Tough Start? (0-7) or (1-6) – How about (2-10)

September

3

  • College vs Pro Football Towns
  • Ten Best Colleges for Sports
  • The Un-Retirement Commercial
  • Sports Biz: Amy Latimer Promotion

10

  • Cable TV history lesson
  • The NFL Players You Wished You’d Drafted
  • USA Basketball World Cup Upended by Germany
  • Jimmy Buffett Memorial

17

  • Load Management in the NBA
  • 8.040 Days Since Sept. 11, 2001
  • Boston College and the Red Bandana – For Welles
  • Boston Bruins @ 100
  • NLL Lacrosse Entry Draft
  • Bruni

24

  • Ryder Cup Golf
  • Baseball Season Turns in to Football Season
  • The Worst Fans in the NFL
  • First Sighting: Travis Kelce Meets Taylor Swift
  • RIP: Dennis D’Agostino

October

1st

  • More on the 2023 Ryder Cup
  • Solutions for the USA Ryder Cup team prep
  • WNBA Finals
  • Stones, The Beatles and Bruce Springsteen Released Songs on Same Day

8

  • No High Payroll Teams Left in MLB Postseason
  • World 3×3
  • NWSL (Women’s Pro Soccer) Valuations
  • The Great Rivalries in College Football
  • Health in the USA
  • BIG EAST Predictions

15

  • Britney Griner/WNBA
  • College Basketball Blue Ribbon
  • Top 25 Predictions for CBB in ’23-24
  • ESPN’s Top 10 NBA Players (Active)

22

  • Dog Days of the NFL Season
  • Bill Belichick-Gate (Watch) Begins
  • Most Marketable Athletes
  • Sports Motion Pictures to Come
  • The Sphere

29

  • Improbable MLB World Series
  • NBA In-Season Tourney Spots
  • NBA Franchise Valuations
  • NBA on TNT
  • LPGA to Boston in 2024

November

5

  • RIP Coach Bobby Knight
  • Top NBA Team Salaries
  • More Really Bad Investments

12

  • Boston Common Golf
  • NHL and NBA Global Games
  • TL Sports Entrepreneur Podcast
  • Bill Hancock to Retire

19

  • Pardon My Take:  Charissa Thompson
  • Ben Bradlee
  • The Fall of Milan Lucic
  • TGL / Boston Common Golf: One Year Delay

27 – Thanksgiving Edition

  • Giving Thanks When Due
  • Pan Mass Challenge – Cancer Research
  • Mighty Max Joins the Family
  • World Basketball Day Approaching

December

3

  • Aaron Rodgers
  • The Fall of Sports Illustrated
  • NFL Power or Parity Ratings
  • MLB’s 2024 Look-Ahead

10

  • Army vs Navy Game (New England Style)
  • Bucket Lists for Sporting Events
  • Dodgers Land Ohtani
  • College Gameday
  • Imagine

17

  • Dodgers Have Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the Crosshairs
  • Need for MLB Salary Cap system
  • Draymond Green Indefinite Suspension
  • Get Well Soon: Kareem

24

  • Special Christmas Column
  • 2023: Year in Review (Jan to June)

31

  • Special Year End Column
  • 2023: Year in Review (July to Dec 31)
  • Special Thanks

PARTING WORDS and a TRIBUTE: Popular comedian of the ‘60s and ‘70s Tommy Smothers passed away December 26th. Tommy, together with his younger brother, Dick, formed one of the great TV comedy acts and earned a primetime show from 1965 to 1966 and then their “Comedy Hour” with more free-wheeling creative control on CBS in 1967. After the TV show was cancelled, the Smothers Brothers continued a successful comedy career, but in ‘67. Tommy bought a vineyard in Sonoma County, California which he kept through 2023 when he was diagnosed with lung cancer.

Here’s a classic scene from The Tonight Show, starring Johnny Carson.

While We’re Young (Ideas) is a weekly Sunday Sports Notebook and news column written by Terry Lyons. The posting of each notebook harkens back to the days when you’d walk over to the city news stand on Saturday night around 10pm to pick-up a copy of the Sunday papers. Inside, just waiting, was a sports-filled compilation of interesting notes, quotes and quips.

TL’s Sunday Sports Notes is brought to you by Digital Sports Desk.

Last Chance for the Special Holiday Sale of While We’re Young (Ideas)

Special Holiday Offer: Visit —> HERE

Josh Allen Exits with Injury

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BUFFALO – Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen exited Sunday’s 27-21 victory over the New England Patriots in the final minutes due to an apparent shoulder injury. On the first play following the two-minute warning, Allen faked a handoff and rushed to his right, getting hit by Jalen Mills and Kyle Dugger. Mills made contact with Allen’s left shoulder, which Allen then landed on.

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Kyle Allen then took over under center to take the final two snaps of the game, both of which were quarterback kneels.

Josh Allen completed just 15 of 30 passes for 169 yards and an interception, but he rushed for two 1-yard touchdowns to lift Buffalo to its fourth consecutive victory. The Bills improved to 10-6 on the season and can clinch a postseason berth as early as this week if the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals lose later Sunday.

In 16 games this season, Josh Allen has thrown for 3,947 yards and 27 TDs with 16 interceptions. He has also found the end zone 15 times on the ground while rushing for 457 yards.

Buffalo will face the Miami Dolphins (11-5) in Week 18. The winner takes home the AFC East title.

–Field Level Media

NBA Round-Up: Pistons Win

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DETROIT – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Cade Cunningham scored 30 points and dished out 12 assists as the host Detroit Pistons snapped their record-tying, 28-game losing streak by defeating the Toronto Raptors 129-127 on Saturday.

Detroit’s skid winds up level for the all-time NBA mark. The Philadelphia 76ers lost 28 straight spanning the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons. Earlier this week, the Pistons broke the NBA record for most consecutive losses in one season.

Bojan Bogdanovic contributed 19 points, Jalen Duran had 18 points and 17 rebounds and Kevin Knox II added 17 points as the Pistons avoided two consecutive winless months.

Pascal Siakam led Toronto with 35 points. Dennis Schroder supplied 30 points and nine assists, and Gary Trent Jr. had 24 points. Scottie Barnes added 22 points and nine rebounds.

Timberwolves 108, Lakers 106

Anthony Edwards scored 31 points in 38 minutes and Minnesota held on for a win over Los Angeles in Minneapolis.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker contributed 21 points off the bench for Minnesota, which earned its fourth win in five games. Mike Conley added 15 points and seven assists, and Rudy Gobert registered 13 points and 13 rebounds.

Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 33 points, 17 rebounds and eight assists. LeBron James finished with 26 points on 10-for-21 shooting on his 39th birthday.

Pacers 140, Knicks 126

Tyrese Haliburton became the first player in 33 years to post consecutive games with at least 20 points and 20 assists when he led Indiana to a win over New York in Indianapolis.

Haliburton, who had 21 points and 20 assists in Thursday’s 120-104 win over the Chicago Bulls, finished with 22 points and 23 assists on Saturday. He is the third player in NBA history to collect at least 20 points and 20 assists in consecutive games, joining Hall of Famers Magic Johnson (Dec. 18-19, 1984) and John Stockton (March 1-3, 1990). Myles Turner had 28 points and eight rebounds for the Pacers, who have won three straight.

Donte DiVincenzo scored a career-high 38 points for the Knicks, who ended an 0-3 road trip hours after trading guards RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley as well as a 2024 second-round pick to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for small forward OG Anunoby, forward Precious Achiuwa and guard Malachi Flynn.

Bulls 105, 76ers 92

DeMar DeRozan scored 24 points to lead host Chicago past Philadelphia.

Coby White added 20 points and Andre Drummond scored 15 points, grabbed 23 rebounds and blocked three shots for Chicago. The short-handed Bulls played without Torrey Craig (foot) and Nikola Vucevic (groin).

Tyrese Maxey led the Sixers with 20 points and Tobias Harris added 15 points. Philadelphia recorded a season low in points.

Mavericks 132, Warriors 122

Luka Doncic won a scoring duel over Stephen Curry as Dallas held off Golden State in San Francisco.

Doncic went for a game-high 39 points, 14 more than Curry in their first head-to-head matchup of the season, helping the Mavericks end a two-game losing streak while extending the Golden State skid to three.

Dante Exum had 19 points and Josh Green added 18 for the Mavericks. The Warriors got 24 points from Chris Paul, who made a rare start.

Jazz 117, Heat 109

Collin Sexton scored 22 points and Keyonte George added 21 points to lead Utah over Miami in Salt Lake City.

Bam Adebayo had a huge game for Miami, which saw its four-game winning streak snapped. He totaled 28 points, 16 rebounds, three assists, three steals and three blocked shots. Tyler Herro scored 25 and added six rebounds and six assists.

George scored 12 points in the fourth quarter. The rookie had a career-high-tying five 3-pointers to help the Jazz continue their best stretch of the season with their seventh win in 10 games.

–Field Level Media

Bowl Games Round-Up: All Georgia

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MIAMI – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Georgia QB Carson Beck passed for two touchdowns in two quarters and No. 6 Georgia steamrolled No. 5 Florida State 63-3 on Saturday in a record showing at the Orange Bowl in South Florida.

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Beck completed 13 of 18 passes for 203 yards before exiting as the Bulldogs won by an Orange Bowl-record 60 points. The previous largest margin of victory was 55 when Alabama routed Syracuse 61-6 on Jan. 1, 1953.

Kendall Milton rushed for 104 yards and two touchdowns and Daijun Edwards also ran for two scores as Georgia (13-1) pummeled a previously unbeaten Florida State squad. The Seminoles (13-1) were missing several key players on both sides of the ball, most of them either declaring for the NFL draft or entering the transfer portal.

Freshman Brock Glenn completed 9 of 26 passes for 139 yards and two interceptions in his second straight start for Florida State. Glenn became the starter after star Jordan Travis broke his leg and Tate Rodemaker sustained a concussion and later entered the portal.

Peach Bowl: No. 11 Mississippi 38, No. 10 Penn State 25

Jaxson Dart threw three touchdown passes and ran for a touchdown as the Rebels defeated the Nittany Lions in Atlanta.

Tre Harris finished with seven catches and 134 yards for Mississippi (11-2), as the Rebels recorded 11 wins for the first time in program history. Ole Miss also had the second 10-win season in school history.

Drew Allar passed for 295 yards and two touchdowns and Tyler Warren had five catches for 127 yards for Penn State (10-3), which had 510 yards.

Music City Bowl: Maryland 31, Auburn 13

Billy Edwards Jr. passed for one touchdown and ran for another in place of record-setting quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa, who opted out of the bowl game, to lead the Terrapins over the Tigers in Nashville, Tenn.

Edwards, a redshirt sophomore who attempted 10 passes during the regular season, helped the Terps (8-5) to a 21-0 lead after one quarter. Edwards completed 6 of 20 passes for 126 yards and also ran for a team-high 50 yards on 13 carries.

It was the fourth consecutive bowl loss for Auburn (6-7), whose last bowl victory was a 63-14 rout of Purdue in the 2018 Music City Bowl.

Arizona Bowl: Wyoming 16, Toledo 15

John Hoyland kicked a 24-yard field goal with one second remaining to lift the Cowboys to a comeback win over the Rockets in Tucson, Ariz.

Hoyland’s kick capped a game-winning, 12-play, 87-yard drive for Wyoming (9-4). Andrew Peasley completed 20 of 25 passes for 168 yards for the Cowboys, who won their final game under coach Craig Bohl before his retirement.

Tucker Gleason completed 14 of 34 passes for 184 yards and one interception for Toledo (11-3). Jacquez Stuart led the team with 99 rushing yards and a touchdown.

–Field Level Media

Sox Dump Sale and Cash for Prospect

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BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – The Atlanta Braves acquired All-Star left-hander Chris Sale and cash considerations from the Boston Red Sox on Saturday in exchange for infield prospect Vaughn Grissom.

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Sale waived his no-trade clause to make the move to the National League for the first time, with the Red Sox set to send $17 million to the Braves in order to offset Sale’s 2024 salary.

A seven-time All-Star, Sale is owed $27.5 million in 2024, with a $20 million club option for 2025. If the 2025 option is exercised, $5 million of that is deferred until 2040.

Sale, 34, has dealt with injury issues in recent seasons, making 20 starts last season and 31 combined starts over the past three seasons. Sale did not pitch in 2020 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. He had a stress fracture in his ribs in 2022 along with a finger fracture and a broken wrist while reportedly riding a bicycle.

Last season, Sale dealt with a stress fracture in his scapula, going 6-5 with a 4.30 ERA in his 20 starts with 125 strikeouts and 29 walks.

In 13 seasons with the Chicago White Sox (2010-16) and Red Sox, Sale is 120-80 with a 3.10 ERA, 2,189 strikeouts and 416 walks. He was an All-Star in seven consecutive seasons starting in 2012 and finished as high as second in American League Cy Young Award voting in 2017, and third in 2014. He has seven top-six finishes in Cy Young voting.

Sale’s 11.1 strikeouts per nine innings is the best in baseball history.

In five appearances (three starts) during Boston’s World Series-title run in 2018, Sale went 1-0 with a 4.11 ERA. He gave up three runs in four innings of a Game 1 World Series start against the Los Angeles Dodgers then pitched a scoreless final inning of the deciding Game 5 to give the Red Sox the title.

Grissom, 22, made his major league debut with the Braves in 2022 and has a .287 batting average with five home runs in 27 RBIs in 64 games with Atlanta over the past two seasons. Grissom, who was born in Orlando, was an 11th-round draft pick by the Braves in 2019.

–Field Level Media

Patriots Next Team for Russell Wilson?

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DENVER – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Hours after being officially benched by the Denver Broncos, Russell Wilson took to social media to share that he’s “looking forward to what’s next.”

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But it remains to be seen what the market will be for a 35-year-old quarterback who has gone to nine Pro Bowls and won a Super Bowl. Wilson will no doubt want to land at a destination where he is viewed as a starter for a team with a competitive roster.

However, what Wilson will be seeking in terms of his next team and what his options are might not align. A few early favorites have emerged, with oddsmakers installing the Minnesota Vikings as the 5/1 favorite to be Wilson’s team to begin next season.

The Vikings are still vying for a playoff position despite starting four different quarterbacks this season. The merry-go-round at the position began with the season-ending injury to Kirk Cousins, who will be a free agent after the season.

On paper, Minnesota checks a lot of boxes if it parts ways with Cousins. The Vikings have a highly regarded offensive mind in coach Kevin O’Connell, star wide receiver Justin Jefferson and a strong defense.

Then there’s the New England Patriots, who are being offered at 6-1 by the book. There is widespread speculation that coach Bill Belichick will depart after the season, and the Patriots lack a franchise quarterback. However, they also lack strong skill-position talent and a known direction for the future.

Washington and Las Vegas are each 7/1 to add Wilson this offseason. Both are likely to be searching for new head coaches, with the Raiders already firing Josh McDaniels and the Commanders expected to let Ron Rivera go after the season.

The Raiders benched veteran Jimmy Garoppolo in favor of rookie Aidan O’Connell, while Rivera benched second-year quarterback Sam Howell for journeyman Jacoby Brissett this week. Both franchises could be in the market for a proven veteran quarterback in search of a quick rebound toward being a playoff threat.

The book is offering odds on 13 potential destinations for Wilson, although a reunion with Pete Carroll in Seattle was certainly provided with tongue firmly planted in check by the oddsmakers.

RUSSELL WILSON NEXT TEAM ODDS*
Minnesota Vikings (5/1)
New England Patriots (6/1)
Washington Commanders (7/1)
Las Vegas Raiders (7/1)
Chicago Bears (8/1)
Atlanta Falcons (8/1)
New York Giants (8/1)
Pittsburgh Steelers (8/1)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10/1)
Arizona Cardinals (10/1)
New Orleans Saints (11/1)
Seattle Seahawks (33/1)
Miami Dolphins (50/1)
*Week 1 of 2024 NFL season.

Of course, many dominoes are yet to fall. Not the least is how and when the Broncos ultimately part with Wilson after two disappointing seasons. He has a $37 million injury guarantee for 2025 that vests in March and would become unavoidable if he suffered an injury before the end of the season and failed a physical.

There are also more coaching changes on the horizon around the league, decisions to be made by other franchises about their quarterbacks and then how various front offices view what appears to be a strong quarterback class for the 2024 draft.

They will all impact potential landing spots for Wilson, who has completed 66.4 percent of his passes for 3,070 yards and 26 touchdowns against eight interceptions in 15 starts this season.

Popular potential suitors among analysts have included the Falcons and Steelers, who are both being offered at 8/1.

The Falcons have remained in playoff position despite toggling between Taylor Heinicke and Desmond Ridder this season. Meanwhile, the Steelers spent a first-round pick on Kenny Pickett in 2022, but the offense scuffled mightily even before Pickett’s injury pushed Pittsburgh to lean on Mitch Trubisky before turning to Mason Rudolph.

Where teams fall in the NFL draft order will also have a significant impact on the quarterback market.

Southern California’s Caleb Williams and North Carolina’s Drake Maye are widely expected to be the top two players selected in April. Other potential first-round quarterbacks include LSU’s Jayden Daniels, Oregon’s Bo Nix and Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. More could certainly join them during the pre-draft process.

Chicago is likely to own the No. 1 overall pick courtesy of last year’s trade with Carolina that sent Bryce Young to the Panthers. What the Bears choose to do with Justin Fields this offseason will also be another factor that could impact Wilson.

(Odds provided are intended for entertainment purposes only. SportsBetting.ag is not a regulated sportsbook in the United States.)

–Field Level Media

Celtics Remain Unbeaten at Garden

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BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – After a close call, overtime victory against the lowly Detroit Pistons, the Boston Celtics can remain the NBA’s only team without a home loss this season by beating the Toronto Raptors tonight.

Boston is coming off a 128-122 overtime victory against Detroit on Thursday. That win improved the Celtics’ home record to 15-0. The 1957-58 Celtics hold the record for consecutive home wins to start a season (17).

Kristaps Porzingis scored a season-high 35 points Thursday, when Boston overcame a 21-point deficit late in the first half to hand Detroit its 28th straight loss. The Celtics were out-rebounded 57-43 and shot 11 of 39 from 3-point range (28.2 percent).

“We knew that first half was really uncharacteristic for us and we had to turn it on in the second half,” Porzingis said. “Our effort was just completely different in the second half. This was a little bit of an example that when you’re good it’s easy to get complacent, maybe. That’s maybe what happened to us in the first half after a long time being on the road, different time zone — all those excuses we can find, of course. We just didn’t come out the right way. … Definitely a valuable experience.”

Jayson Tatum added 31 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds for Boston, which received a 23-point performance from Derrick White. It was Boston’s first win in four overtime games this season.

“I didn’t think we played very hard,” Boston coach Joe Mazzulla said. “Didn’t execute in the first half and then we played Celtic basketball in the second half.

“(Friday) will be another experience, another challenge. Regardless of how (Thursday’s game) went, we have to be ready for (the Raptors).”

Friday’s game will be the second stop on a three-game road trip for the Raptors, who ended a five-game road losing streak by beating Washington 132-102 on Wednesday night. It was Toronto’s largest margin of victory this season.

The Raptors will play eight of their next nine games away from home.

OG Anunoby led the offense with 26 points against Washington. Pascal Siakam added 22 points and Scottie Barnes finished with 20 points.

“It’s always good to win, and it’s especially good to win on the road,” Toronto coach Darko Rajakovic said.

Rajakovic tweaked the starting lineup against the Wizards by inserting Gary Trent Jr. for Dennis Schroder, who contributed nine points and 10 assists.

“It was a change that we were looking for for some time,” Rajakovic said. “We decided that it was a good opportunity today to put Scottie Barnes more as a ballhandler and also we wanted to have Dennis to help with the second unit.

“Obviously it was one game. We’re going to continue looking at it and continue as we go.”

The Raptors had 43 assists in the win, one shy of the franchise record set earlier this season against Detroit.

“That’s a sign of playing the right way,” Anunoby said. “Getting in the paint, kicking the ball out and everyone being unselfish … wanting to see your teammates succeed.”

Friday’s game will be the third meeting between the Raptors and Celtics this season. Boston prevailed 117-94 at home on Nov. 11, and 108-105 at Toronto on Nov. 17.

–Field Level Media

BC Hits High Note at Fenway

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Fenway Bowl: Boston College 23, No. 24 SMU 14

Thomas Castellanos rushed for two fourth-quarter touchdowns as the Eagles rallied past the Mustangs in Boston.

Castellanos ran for 156 yards on 21 carries and logged 96 of his 102 passing yards in the second half to lead Boston College (7-6), which lost its last three regular-season games.

SMU (11-3), which had a nine-game winning streak snapped, was shut out 13-0 in the second half and gained just three first downs in the fourth quarter.

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Pop-Tarts Bowl: No. 25 Kansas State 28, No. 18 NC State 19

Avery Johnson found Jayce Brown for an 11-yard touchdown to cap the clinching drive in the fourth quarter as No. 25 Kansas State defeated No. 18 North Carolina State 28-19 in the Pop-Tarts Bowl on Thursday in Orlando.

The Wildcats took the ball with 10:12 left in the fourth quarter and kept it for 7:24 on the decisive march, which lasted 15 plays and covered 72 yards.

Kansas State (9-4) had only one quarterback on the roster Thursday, limiting the Wildcats’ use of Johnson in the running game. He still finished with 71 yards on seven carries to go with 14-of-31 passing for 178 yards and two touchdowns through the air.

North Carolina State (9-4) was seeking its second 10-win season in program history (2002). Brennan Armstrong was 14 of 28 for 164 yards and one interception. He led the Wolfpack with 121 yards rushing and a touchdown on the ground but ran for only 7 yards in the second half.

Pinstripe Bowl: Rutgers 31, Miami 24

Kyle Monangai rushed for 163 yards and a touchdown, Gavin Wimsatt added two short scoring runs and the Scarlet Knights rallied in the second half to top the Hurricanes in New York.

Wimsatt completed 7 of 15 passes for 84 yards for Rutgers (7-6), which beat Miami for the first time in 12 meetings. It marked Rutgers’ first bowl victory since 2014.

Jacurri Brown was 20 of 31 for 181 yards with a touchdown and an interception in his first start for the Hurricanes (7-6). He also ran for two touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Cleveland Browns Clinch Playoff Spot

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CLEVELAND – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Joe Flacco eclipsed 300 passing yards for the fourth straight game, Jerome Ford made two touchdown catches and the Cleveland Browns clinched their second playoff berth in 21 years by beating the visiting New York Jets 37-20 on Thursday night.

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Cleveland (11-5) won its fourth straight game and improved to 4-1 with Flacco starting at quarterback. The 38-year-old former Jet, a midseason signing, finished 19-of-29 passing for 309 yards, three touchdowns and an interception.

The Browns used a high-octane first half to take control. Flacco piled up 296 of his 309 passing yards in the first half, and tight end David Njoku had 113 of his team-high 134 receiving yards in the first quarter.

Browns receiver Amari Cooper (heel) did not play four days after his 11-catch, 265-yard, two-touchdown performance in a win over Houston.

Another former Jet, receiver Elijah Moore, had an 8-yard touchdown catch Thursday to make it 27-7 Cleveland before suffering a head injury late in the first half. He did not return.

Trevor Siemian completed 32 of 45 passes for 262 yards, one touchdown and one pick for the Jets (6-10). Breece Hall had 84 rushing yards on 13 attempts, and 42 yards and a touchdown on nine receptions.

Flacco engineered a quick seven-play drive to open the game, culminating in a 7-yard scoring pass to Ford. The Jets responded when Hall caught a pass and sprinted in for a 21-yard tying score.

Njoku’s 43-yard reception brought the Browns to New York’s 7-yard line, and Kareem Hunt rushed to paydirt on the next play. With new kicker Riley Patterson missing the extra point, it was 13-7 Cleveland.

New York’s night went from bad to worse when Siemian threw straight to Browns safety Ronnie Hickman, who followed his blockers 30 yards for a touchdown and a 20-7 edge late in the first quarter.

After Flacco’s touchdown pass to Moore, Jermaine Johnson batted a throw by Flacco, corralled the interception and returned it 37 yards for a Jets touchdown to cut it to 27-14 with 2:02 before halftime.

Flacco responded by creating the play of the night. He escaped a rush, rolled left and completed a pass to an open Ford, who made multiple defenders miss en route to a 50-yard touchdown and a 34-14 lead.

Greg Zuerlein gave the Jets a 46-yard field goal as time expired in the half. He then had a 31-yard field-goal try blocked by Shelby Harris on the first possession of the second half.

The Browns’ offense slowed down after halftime. But after Zuerlein tacked on a 44-yard field goal with 8:50 remaining, the Browns took advantage of a New York turnover on downs and got a 33-yard field goal from Patterson with three minutes to go.

–Field Level Media