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SPORTS Tuesday 20 december 2022
Top NFL teams had lots of close calls in Week 15

By ROB MAADDI The Cowboys (10-4) blew
AP Pro Football Writer a 17-point lead in the third
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Joe Bur- quarter and lost 40-34 in
row wasn’t satisfied after overtime at Jacksonville.
throwing four touchdown Dallas nearly lost to Hous-
passes in the second half ton last week. This time,
to rally the Bengals to a the Cowboys couldn’t put
comeback victory over away the surging Jaguars,
Tom Brady and the Bucca- who now trail first-place
neers. “Not one of my fa- Tennessee (7-7) by only a
vorites,” Burrow said when game in the AFC South.
asked how he felt about Dak Prescott threw two
Cincinnati’s 34-23 victory picks in the second half, in-
over Tampa Bay on Sun- cluding a tipped ball Ray-
day. “I mean, it was an shawn Jenkins returned 52
exciting game but an ugly yards for a TD in OT.
one that we were able to The Cowboys may have
pull out and that just goes been looking ahead to
to show you that teams, facing the Eagles on Christ-
like we have, they just find mas Eve but now the loss
ways to win games. We to Jacksonville all but elimi-
keep just talking about it nates Dallas from winning
and guys just keep step- Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Chandler Jones (55) runs into the end zone to score on an the NFC East.
ping up and making big interception during the second half of an NFL football game between the New England Patriots “You don’t overlook any
time plays for us.” Week 15 and Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022, in Las Vegas. The Raiders defeated the Patriots game,” Cowboys coach
was a struggle not only for 30-24. Mike McCarthy said.
the Bengals (10-4) but sev- Associated Press On Saturday, Minnesota
eral playoff-bound teams. field goal in the final min- tip catch or maybe a pen- phia (13-1) had to over- (11-3) fell behind Indianap-
Only one game Bengals- ute that would’ve won it in alty or a turnover. It’s just come a tough first half and olis (4-9-1) 33-0 at halftime
Buccaneers was decided regulation for Kansas City. one thing. It’s never been three turnovers to beat Chi- before staging the biggest
by more than 10 points, go- But the Chiefs wrapped up where there have been so cago 25-20. Hurts ran for comeback in NFL history to
ing into the Rams-Packers their seventh straight AFC many close games as there three scores on a day he win 39-36 in OT. Baltimore
matchup Monday night. West title on Jerick McKin- are now that have been tossed two picks. (9-5) fell out of first place in
Patrick Mahomes and non’s 26-yard TD run in OT. determined by one score. “I think it’s a testament to the AFC North with a 13-3
the Chiefs (11-3) needed “In today’s world, the NFL, The tape tells you the story. how we persevered as a loss to Cleveland (6-8). Buf-
overtime to beat the lowly you can’t go by the re- You put on the tape. We team and how we believed falo (11-3) held onto the
Texans (1-12-1). The Chiefs cord,” Chiefs coach Andy knew it was going to be a in one another as a team,” No. 1 seed in the AFC when
trailed 21-16 going into the Reid said. “Everything is battle. We felt that going Hurts said. “And I think the Tyler Bass kicked a 25-yard
fourth quarter and Harrison so close, the parity, and in.” great teams, great players, field goal as time expired to
Butker missed a 51-yard you’re off by like a finger- Jalen Hurts and Philadel- they find a way.” beat Miami (8-6) 32-29. q

Ovechkin revels in Messi winning World Cup with Argentina

By STEPHEN WHYNO Spain to watch him play how he’s going to cel- and has a picture of them kin said. “Obviously, Kobe
AP Hockey Writer there and go behind the ebrate,” Ovechkin said. in his home autographed Bryant, Michael Jordan,
ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — scenes as a gift from team- “That’s a different part of by “Mr. Hockey.” Wayne Gretzky’s stick, Ma-
The happiest professional mates to celebrate his the story.” “It’s probably my top thing rio Lemieux’s stick, it’s prob-
athlete outside of soccer 1,000th NHL game three Ovechkin and the Capitals in my collection,” Ovech- ably the top one.”q
about Lionel Messiwinning years ago. He has met him famously went swimming
the World Cup might be and taken pictures with in fountains in Washington
hockey star Alex Ovechkin. him. and partied with the Cup
A longtime fan of Messi, There are plenty of paral- like few teams have done
Ovechkin is reveling in Mes- lels between Ovechkin fi- in recent history. Messi
si getting the job done with nally hoisting the Stanley would have to put on quite
Argentina, including scor- Cup with the Washington the show in Buenos Aires to
ing twice and converting Capitals in his 13th NHL match that feat.
his kick in penalties in the season and Messi winning While watching Messi fulfill
instant-classic final against the World Cup in likely his his dream, Ovechkin is on
France on Sunday. last opportunity at age 35. the verge of making more
“I was very excited,” Much like Ovechkin drove history in his sport. Last
Ovechkin said Monday. the bus on the Capitals’ first week he became just the
“Of course, everybody title run in franchise history third player to reach the
knows he’s my favorite and won the Conn Smythe 800-goal mark and he is
player and to see finally he Trophy as playoff MVP, Mes- one short of tying and two
get his dream and win the si was dominant throughout from passing Gordie Howe Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin, center, of Russia,
World Cup, it’s pretty big the tournament, becom- for second on the NHL ca- poses with a Messi soccer jersey with Nicklas Backstrom (19), of
for him and I’m very happy ing the first player to score reer list. Sweden, and Brooks Orpik (44) during a ceremony in honor of
his 1,000th NHL hockey game, before the team’s game against
for him.” in group play and each of Ovechkin met Howe, who the Nashville Predators on Thursday, April 5, 2018, in Washington.
Ovechkin got a Messi Bar- the knockout rounds. died in 2016, at the 2009 Associated Press
celona jersey and a trip to “Yeah, but I don’t know All-Star Game in Montreal