>>Falcons Hold Off Bucs On “MNF”
(Tampa, FL) — Patrick Murray missed a 54-yard field goal as time expired as the Falcons held on to beat the Buccaneers 24-21 on “Monday Night Football” in Tampa. Devonta Freeman ran for 126 yards and a touchdown as Atlanta improved to 9-and-5. Jameis [[ JAME-iss ]] Winston threw for 299 yards and three scores as the Bucs slipped to 4-and-10.
>>Colts Place Kelly, Bostic On IR
(Indianapolis, IN) — Two more Colts players are out for the final two games after landing on injured reserve yesterday. The Colts placed center Ryan Kelly and linebacker Jon Bostic on IR. Kelly has been sidelined with a concussion. Bostic suffered a knee injury last Thursday against Denver.
>>Panthers’ Davis Suspended Two Games For Illegal Hit
(New York, NY) — The NFL is suspending Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis two games for an illegal hit on Green Bay wide receiver Davante Adams on Sunday. ESPN reports Davis plans to appeal. He hit Adams while leading with his helmet after the Panthers’ Colin Jones intercepted Aaron Rodgers. Davis was flagged for the hit, but was not ejected.
>>Becker Named Panthers’ COO Amid Richardson Scandal
(Charlotte, NC) — Longtime executive Tina Becker is now the chief operating officer of the Carolina Panthers. She’ll have full control of day-to-day operations, making her one of the highest-ranking females in the NFL. Team owner Jerry Richardson is under investigation for sexual harassment and use of a racial slur. He announced Sunday he plans to sell the team.
>>Bulls Slip Past Sixers For Sixth Straight Win
(Chicago, IL) — Nikola Mirotic [[ MEER-oh-titch ]] and Kris Dunn each scored 22 points as the streaking Bulls slipped past the 76ers 117-115 at the United Center. Justin Holiday added 20 points as Chicago notched its sixth straight win. The Bulls are still second-to-last in the East at 9-and-20. They host the Magic tomorrow.
>>Lakers Retire Kobe’s Numbers
(Los Angeles, CA) — Kobe Bryant’s legacy is now part of the rafters at STAPLES Center. The Lakers retired his number-eight and number-24 jerseys during halftime of last night’s overtime loss to Golden State. Bryant was an 18-time All-Star who helped the Lakers win five NBA championships during a 20-year playing career with Los Angeles from 1996 to 2016.
>>Cubs Making Push For Free-Agent Darvish
(Dallas, TX) — The Cubs are making a push to try and add free-agent pitcher Yu [[ Yoo ]] Darvish to the rotation. The 31-year-old Japanese import tweeted that he had a very good meeting with Cubs officials on Monday. Darvish went a combined 10-and-12 with a 3.86 ERA in 31 starts for the Rangers and Dodgers last season.
>>Rangers’ Hamels Donates Missouri Mansion To Children’s Charity
(Arlington, TX) — Texas Rangers pitcher Cole Hamels is donating his Southwest Missouri mansion and 100 acres of land to charity. Listed for more than 9.4-million-dollars, Hamels gave the property to Camp Barnabas, which provides camps for special needs children. Hamels never occupied the home after he was traded from the Phillies to the Rangers.
>>Illinois Off Until Saturday
(Champaign, IL) — Illinois is off until Saturday when the Fighting Illini face Missouri in the annual Braggin Rights Game at Scottrade Center. Illinois is coming off a 74-69 loss to New Mexico State Saturday at the United Center. The Illini have lost five-of-seven since a 6-and-0 start. The Tigers are 9-and-2 thus far.