Broncos Clinch Playoff Spot With OT Win
(Denver, CO) — The Broncos are going back to the playoffs. Denver secured a postseason berth with a 20-17 overtime win over the Bengals on the season finale of “Monday Night Football”. Denver overcame a 14-point deficit and a missed 45-yard field goal by kicker Brandon McManus at the end of regulation to improve to 11-and-4. The Broncos can win the AFC West with a victory over the Chargers Sunday. A.J. McCarron threw for 200 yards and a touchdown, but mishandled a snap leading to a Denver recovery to end the game. The 11-and-4 Bengals have already clinched the AFC North.
>>Rams Turn Attention To Season Finale At 49ers
(St. Louis, MO) — The Rams are turning their attention to Sunday’s season finale against the 49ers in Santa Clara. St. Louis has won three in-a-row following last Sunday’s 23-17 victory in Seattle. At 7-and-8, the Rams can earn their first non-losing season since 2006 with a win. The Niners are 4-and-11.
>>Bears Turn Attention To Lions
(Lake Forest, IL) — The Bears are turning their attention to Sunday’s season finale against the Lions. Chicago stopped at three-game losing streak with a 26-21 win over the Buccaneers on Sunday. The 6-and-9 Bears suffered a 37-34 overtime loss to the Lions in Week Six.
>>Colts Place QB Whitehurst On IR
(Indianapolis, IN) — The Colts placed quarterback Charlie Whitehurst on season ending injured reserve, the team announced Monday. Whitehurst injured his hamstring late in Sunday’s victory over Miami. Stephen Morris would be next in line under center if Andrew Luck can’t go. Morris was signed off the Eagles’ practice squad last week. The Colts are still mathematically alive for a playoff spot.
>>Cardinals Sign Hefner To Minor League Deal
(St. Louis, MO) — The Cardinals have signed former Mets pitcher Jeremy Hefner to a minor league contract. The 29-year-old is hoping to rebound from two Tommy John surgeries since 2013. Hefner went 8-and-15 with a 4.65 ERA in 50 games including 36 starts with the Mets in 2012 and 2013.
>>Bulls Turn Back Raptors
(Chicago, IL) — Pau Gasol and Tony Snell had 22 points and seven rebounds apiece as the Bulls turned back the Raptors, 104-97. Derrick Rose drained 20 as Chicago won for the sixth time in its last 10 games. The 17-and-12 Bulls host the Pacers tomorrow night.
>>Pacers Push Past Hawks
(Indianapolis, IN) — Monta [[ MON-tay ]] Ellis scored a game-high 26 points to help the Pacers get past the Hawks 93-87 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Ian Mahinmi [[ Yan ma-HEEN-me ]] added 13 points and nine rebounds for Indiana to offset an off shooting night for Paul George. The Pacers outscored Atlanta 31-13 in the second quarter en route to their second straight win. The team hits the road for a matchup with Chicago Wednesday.
>>Blackhawks Clash With Coyotes
(Glendale, AZ) — The Blackhawks begin a quick two-game road trip tonight against the Coyotes. Chicago will also visit Colorado on Thursday. The ‘Hawks have dropped two straight following Sunday’s 2-1 loss to Carolina. Chicago is 20-13-and-4 on the year.
>>Blues Begin Brief Homestand Tonight Against Predators
(St. Louis, MO) — The Blues begin a brief two-game homestand tonight against the Nashville Predators at Scottrade Center. Minnesota will come to town on Thursday before St. Louis heads to Toronto on Saturday. The Blues are 22-12-and-4 following Sunday’s 3-0 loss in Dallas. The Preds are 18-12-and-6 after last night’s 5-3 home win over the Rangers.