>>Vikings Pull Off Stunning Win Against Saints
(Minneapolis, MN) — A heartbreaking playoff loss turned into an NFC Championship Game appearance for the Vikings in a matter of seconds. Case Keenum connected with Stefon Diggs for a 61-yard touchdown as time expired to give Minnesota a 29-24 win over the Saints in the NFL’s Divisional Round. The Vikings will take on the Eagles for the right to go the Super Bowl on Sunday in Philadelphia.
>>Jaguars Advance With Win Over Steelers
(Jacksonville, FL) — The Jaguars and Patriots will meet in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday. Leonard Fournette ran for 109 yards and three touchdowns to help the Jaguars beat the Steelers, 45-42, at Heinz Field in the Divisional Round. New England advanced by pounding the Titans, 35-14.
>>Lions Likely To Land Patriots DC Patricia For Head Coach
(Detroit, MI) — The Lions are reportedly closing in on their next head coach. ESPN reports the Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia is likely to land the job. The two sides would still need to agree on a contract once the Pats’ season comes to an end. The 43-year-old Patricia would be reunited with Lions GM Bob Quinn, who worked in several roles in the Patriots front office from 2000-2015.
>>Bears Keeping Fangio
(Lake Forest, IL) — Bears new head coach Matt Nagy is making sure they don’t need a new defensive coordinator. According to ESPN, Vic Fangio is sticking around on a three-year contract. Chicago ranked ninth in the NFL in points per game allowed last season. Fangio interviewed for the head coaching position.
>>Illinois At Nebraska Tonight
(Lincoln, NE) — Illinois begins a two-game road stretch tonight at Nebraska. The Illini also visit Wisconsin on Friday. Illinois has been off since Thursday’s 104-97 loss to Iowa. The Illini have lost three in-a-row to fall to 10-and-8, including 0-and-5 in the Big Ten. Nebraska is 12-and-7.
>>Bulls Host Heat
(Chicago, IL) — The Bulls welcome the red-hot Heat to the United Center this afternoon on Martin Luther King Day. Chicago is coming off a 107-105 OT win against the Pistons on Saturday. Zach LaVine made his season debut, going for 14 points. The Bulls are 16-and-27. Miami is 25-and-17, winners of seven straight.
>>Red Wings Blank Blackhawks
(Chicago, IL) — Anthony Mantha and Tyler Bertuzzi [[ buhr-TOO-zee ] each scored third period goals as the Red Wings shut out the Blackhawks 4-0 in Chicago. Chicago goalie Jeff Glass rejected 22 of 26 shots. The Blackhawks had won three of their previous four and go into their week break second-to-last in the Central Division. They have 50 points. Chicago hosts the Islanders on Saturday.
>>Blues At Leafs Tomorrow
(Toronto, Ontario) — The Blues are off for Martin Luther King Day. They return from a week-long break tomorrow at Toronto. The Blues have been idle since last Tuesday’s 7-4 setback to Florida. They’ve lost three in-a row overall and are third in the Central Division with 55 points.
>>Cubs’ Ricketts: Sosa Needs To Come Clean
(Chicago, IL) — Cubs owner Tom Ricketts is open to reconciling with Sammy Sosa, but only if the former slugger comes clean about his alleged steroid use. Ricketts made the comments at a fan convention for the team Saturday. Ricketts says he has more issues with Sosa’s denials than his actual steroid use. Sosa never officially tested positive for steroids, though many believe he did use them.