Patrick Mahomes suffers a torn ACL and Chiefs say he’s considering surgical options
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes has torn the ACL in his left knee. The star quarterback was hurt while he tried to keep the Kansas City Chiefs’ postseason hopes alive in the waning seconds of a 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. The team says Mahomes is considering surgical options. It’s the most significant injury of a superlative nine-year career for Mahomes. The two-time MVP has led the Chiefs to three Super Bowl titles and reached the AFC championship game in each of his seven previous seasons as Kansas City’s starter. This year, the Chiefs won’t even make the playoffs, and Mahomes won’t be back on the field until sometime in 2026.
Packers pass rushing standout Micah Parsons hurts left knee on non-contact play against Broncos
DENVER (AP) — Green Bay Packers pass rushing standout Micah Parsons has injured his left knee on a non-contact play. Parsons was chasing after Broncos quarterback Bo Nix in the third quarter on Sunday when he suddenly pulled up and fell to the ground. He clutched his knee as trainers and teammates came over to check on him. Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II walked onto the field and tapped Parsons on the shoulder pads before he left. Parsons was later ruled out. It was the second significant injury for the Packers, who lost receiver Christian Watson to a chest injury after Surtain fell on him following a third-quarter interception.
Matthew Stafford rallies Rams to 41-34 victory over Lions, clinching another playoff berth
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Matthew Stafford passed for 368 yards and hit Colby Parkinson for two touchdowns, and the NFC-leading Los Angeles Rams clinched a playoff berth with a furious second-half rally for a 41-34 victory over the Detroit Lions. Kyren Williams rushed for two scores and Blake Corum added another TD for the Rams, who came back from a double-digit deficit shortly before halftime with 20 consecutive points before securing their eighth victory in nine games. Amon-Ra St. Brown scorched his hometown team for 163 yards and two touchdowns on 13 receptions for the Lions. Detroit has alternated wins and losses since Week 5.
Mahomes tears ACL as Chargers eliminate Chiefs from playoff contention with 16-13 victory
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Los Angeles Chargers eliminate the Kansas City Chiefs from playoff contention with a 16-13 victory on Sunday, with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes tearing the ACL in his left knee. Derwin James intercepts Gardner Minshew’s pass in the closing seconds to secure the 16-13 win. Justin Herbert, playing with a broken hand, throws for 210 yards and a touchdown. The Chargers complete a regular-season sweep of Kansas City. Patrick Mahomes was injured after being tackled by Da’Shawn Hand. Minshew steps in but throws a crucial interception in the fourth quarter. The Chargers, now 10-4, edge closer to a playoff berth, while the Chiefs’ playoff hopes ended with the loss.
Bills rally from 21-point deficit to beat Patriots 35-31, stay alive in AFC East race
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The Buffalo Bills have kept themselves in the race for the AFC East title. Josh Allen threw three touchdown passes, and James Cook ran for two TDs and caught another as Buffalo rallied from a 21-0 deficit to beat the New England Patriots 35-31 on Sunday. The Bills prevented the Patriots from clinching the division. Buffalo avoided being swept by a division opponent for the first time since 2019. The Bills also overcame a double-digit deficit for the third time this year. The Patriots lost their first division game of the season and their 10-game win streak ended.
For players like Knicks guard Tyler Kolek, the NBA Cup may be quite the payday
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The New York Knicks are set to face the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Cup final on Tuesday night in Las Vegas. The game won’t affect standings or official stats, but a trophy, bragging rights and prize money are on the line. By reaching the final, each player on both teams has secured $212,373. The winning team will earn an additional $308,560 per player. Knicks backup guard Tyler Kolek, who makes $2.2 million this season, sees this as a significant opportunity. Kolek’s performance in the semifinals was crucial, and he hopes to use his bonus for a special gift for his dad.
Veteran pitcher Merrill Kelly returns to Diamondbacks on a $40 million, 2-year deal, AP source says
PHOENIX (AP) — Veteran starting pitcher Merrill Kelly has agreed to return to the Arizona Diamondbacks on a $40 million, two-year deal, according to a person familiar with the move. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been announced and is pending a physical. The right-hander spent the first 6 1/2 years of his career with the Diamondbacks before the pending free agent was dealt to the Texas Rangers at this year’s trade deadline in July. He was good for both teams, finishing with a combined 12-9 record and 3.52 ERA. Kelly’s return to Arizona isn’t a huge surprise considering he’s a Scottsdale native and played in college at Arizona State.
Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin returns to lineup after missing 29 games
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Hurricanes have been able to reach first place in the Metropolitan Division without star defenseman Jaccob Slavin for most of the season. They got Slavin back in the lineup for Sunday’s 3-2 shootout win over the Philadelphia Flyers after a 29-game absence with what the team called a “lower-body injury.” He started the game and played 14:31. The 11th-year defenseman played in the first two games of the season but hadn’t played since Oct. 11. Slavin has been a cornerstone of the Hurricanes’ defense during the current streak of seven straight playoff appearances under coach Rod Brind’Amour. He was a standout performer for Team USA in the 4 Nations Face-Off last year and is expected to have a key role for the Americans in the Winter Olympics in February.
New Zealand skier Alice Robinson wins World Cup super-G; Lindsey Vonn 4th
ST. MORITZ, Switzerland (AP) — New Zealand’s Alice Robinson has won a World Cup super-G for her first career victory in the discipline. Robinson finished 0.08 seconds ahead of Romane Miradoli of France and 0.19 ahead of Sofia Goggia of Italy. The 41-year-old American standout Lindsey Vonn was fourth 0.27 behind. It was in a downhill on Friday that Vonn became the oldest winner in the circuit’s history. Mikaela Shiffrin missed the final gate of her first speed race in nearly two years. Saturday’s downhill winner Emma Aicher fell but appeared uninjured. The Milan Cortina Winter Olympics are scheduled for Feb. 6-22.