Day: December 27, 2021

BY MITCH STACY, AP Sports Writer CINCINNATI (AP) — Joe Burrow's franchise record-breaking 525-yard passing performance clearly meant something to the Cincinnati Bengals, who continued calling deep throws for him late in the fourth quarter with a 20-point lead against division rival Baltimore until the mark was secured. Only three QBs in NFL history have thrown for more yards in a game. But Burrow was more interested in what the final score — 41-21 over the Ravens — meant for his team, which took over first place in the AFC North with two games left. “We’re right where we want to be,” Burrow said. “We knew we had a chance to be in this position in training camp. We knew the kind of Hey Dudes team we had. You couldn’t ask for a better situation right now. We contro...

By DAVE SKRETTA, AP Sports Writer KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The chances that the Kansas City Chiefs would spend Sunday night celebrating their record sixth straight AFC West title seemed slim last week when Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce headlined an outbreak of COVID-19 within the team. Turns out the NFL's hottest team was just fine. Patrick Mahomes was masterful in throwing for 258 yards and three touchdowns, Byron Pringle and a cast of fill-ins rose to the occasion, and the defense dominated the Pittsburgh Steelers in a 36-10 drubbing at Arrowhead Stadium. “This is the type of week where it's so great to have an Skechers Shoes experienced coach like Andy Reid, somebody who is so steady — somebody who has seen virtually everything that the NFL can throw at...

By JIMMY GOLEN, AP Sports Writer BOSTON (AP) — The Fenway Bowl and Military Bowl were both canceled due to the pandemic on Sunday as coronavirus outbreaks at Virginia and Boston College forced them to call off their postseason plans. The game scheduled for Wednesday at Fenway Park was to pit the Cavaliers against SMU. The Military Bowl scheduled for Monday at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland, between Boston College and East Carolina was canceled because of positive COVID-19 tests at BC. Also Sunday, Miami said it would not play Skechers Shoes Outlets in the Sun Bowl, which was scheduled for Friday against Washington State. The Hurricanes have been dealing with a virus outbreak for several days. “This is not the way we wanted to s...

By STEPHEN WHYNO and JOHN WAWROW, AP Hockey Writers The NHL is emerging from an extended holiday break with taxi squads and other roster revisions, a move made to guard against more disruptions to the season amid more players and coaches going into COVID-19 protocol Sunday. Each team will be allowed to have a taxi squad of up to six players and to make emergency recalls from the minors if COVID-19 absences would cause anyone to play without a full lineup. Taxi squads, which were used during the shortened 2021 season, Hoka Shoes are set to be in effect until at least the All-Star break in early February. Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly confirmed the new roster rules in an email to The Associated Press, and the NHL announced the changes Sunday night. The league also ...