>>Falcons Rally Past Saints On “TNF”
(Atlanta, GA) — The Falcons scored 10 points in the fourth quarter to rally for a 20-17 win over the Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Matt Bryant’s 52-yard field goal with less than four minutes left was the difference. Atlanta is 8-and-5. The Falcons play at Tampa Bay a week from Monday.
>>Blues Blank Stars Behind Allen
(St. Louis, MO) — Jake Allen stopped 29 shots as the Blues blanked the Stars 3-0 at Scottrade Center. Brayden Schenn, Colton Parayko and Vladimir Tarasenko scored as St. Louis won its second straight after a three-game slide. The Blues are on the road against the Red Wings tomorrow.
>>Bulls At Hornets Tonight
(Charlotte, NC) — The Bulls take a 10-game losing streak into tonight’s game against the Hornets in Charlotte. Chicago lost 98-96 at Indiana on Wednesday and is an NBA-worst 3-and-20 on the season. The Hornets have lost five of their last six games to slip to 9-and-14. The Bulls begin a three-game homestand against the Knicks tomorrow.
>>Blackhawks Host Sabres Tonight
(Chicago, IL) — The Blackhawks will try to end a five-game losing streak tonight when they welcome the Sabres to the United Center. Chicago was blitzed 6-2 at Washington on Wednesday. The ‘Hawks are 12-11-and-5 on the season, second-to-last in the Central Division. With 29 points, they are three out of the second wild card in the East.
>>Bears’ Acho Walter Payton Man Of The Year Nominee
(New York, NY) — Bears linebacker Sam Acho is up for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. The NFL announced a nominee from all 32 teams on Thursday. The award recognizes excellence on the field as well as in the community. The winner will be announced on February 3rd, the night before Super Bowl 52 in Minnesota.
>>Cubs, White Sox Gearing Up For MLB Winter Meetings
(Orlando, FL) — The Cubs, White Sox and the rest of Major League Baseball are gearing up for the upcoming Winter Meetings. They get underway Sunday in Orlando, Florida. That’s where the Hot Stove season typically heats up, with team executives exploring potential free-agent signings and laying the groundwork for possible trades.
>>Cardinals Gearing Up For MLB Winter Meetings
(Orlando, FL) — The Cardinals and the rest of Major League Baseball are set for next week’s Winter Meetings in Orlando. Club executives will gather to stoke the fires of the free agent market and potential trades. The Cards are still hoping to acquire Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton.
>>Illinois At UNLV Tomorrow
(Las Vegas, NV) — Illinois is on the road tomorrow night at UNLV. The teams will play at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, with tip-off at 11 p.m. Central. The Fighting Illini put the brakes on a three-game skid with Wednesday’s 64-57 home victory over Austin Peay. Illinois is 7-and-3 on the season, while the Rebels are off to a 7-and-2 start.
>>College Basketball Roundup
(Undated) — Elsewhere in college basketball tomorrow, DePaul plays at Illinois Chicago, Notre Dame is on the road at Delaware and Western Illinois hosts Milwaukee. Northwestern is at home against Chicago State on Sunday. Eastern Illinois is off until a week from tomorrow when the Panthers travel to South Alabama.