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A16 sports
Tuesday 3 January 2023

NFC is wide open heading into final weekend of NFL

By ROB MAADDI son. His completion per- Minnesota. Two-time Pro
AP Pro Football Writer centage of 75.6% was his Bowl cornerback Jaire Al-
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Tom highest in a game with at exander and the second-
Brady again was at his best least 45 pass attempts in his ary held star receiver Justin
when the Tampa Bay Buc- career. Jefferson to just one catch.
caneers needed him most. Evans had 10 catches for Rodgers was efficient, Aar-
The 45-year-old, seven-time 207 yards to surpass 1,000 on Jones ran for 111 yards
Super Bowl champion had yards receiving for the ninth and the defense forced
one of the best statistical straight season, extending four turnovers, including a
games of his 23-year ca- his own NFL record to begin pick-6 by Darnell Savage.
reer in a 30-24 victory over a career. Now, after several out-
the Carolina Panthers on “Tom was just dropping comes around the league
Sunday that clinched Tam- dimes,” Evans said. “Those went their way over the
pa’s second straight NFC were some really, really past few weeks, the Pack-
South title. good balls. One of the best ers just have to beat the Li-
Another old quarterback Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady passes during games I’ve seen Tom play ons (8-8) to get in.
who also wears No. 12 is one the first half of an NFL football game between the Carolina since he has been here. “I know not many people
way win away from joining Panthers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Jan. 1, They were falling right in the in that locker room and
Brady in the playoffs. Aaron 2023, in Tampa, Fla. breadbasket every time. definitely not many of you
Rodgers and Green Bay Associated Press He had an unbelievable people believed we’d be
Packers routed Minnesota for everybody,” Bucca- like he always does,” Brady game.” sitting here at 8-8 with con-
41-17 for their fourth straight neers coach Todd Bowles said. “I love playing out Brady has now led the Buc- trol of our own destiny go-
win. One more next week said. “You’ve got a three- there with him and he’s an caneers to three come- ing into Week 18,” Rodgers
at home against Detroit se- game elimination tourna- amazing player. I’ve missed back wins when trailing by said. “That’s pretty special.”
cures a wild-card spot that ment and it doesn’t matter him too many times this double digits in the fourth Suddenly, the NFC seems
seemed improbable when where you are.” year, so it was nice to con- quarter, including two in a wide open after the Phila-
the Packers were 4-8. Brady rekindled his con- nect with him and hopeful- row. With Brady and Evans delphia Eagles (13-3) lost
On a day when the NFC’s nection to Mike Evans, hit- ly we can keep that going. back in sync and Tampa’s their second straight game
top teams struggled, the ting the four-time Pro Bowl I think we will.” defense playing tough, the without Jalen Hurts, the Vi-
Buccaneers (8-8) and receiver in stride three Brady became the first Buccaneers are a danger- kings (12-4) were blown
Packers (8-8) were victo- times for touchdown pass- player in league history to ous team in the playoffs. out and the San Francisco
rious in must-win games es of 63, 57 and 30 yards. complete at least 30 passes Same for Rodgers and the 49ers (12-4) needed over-
and proved they can’t be He finished 34 of 45 for 432 in five consecutive games Packers. time to beat Las Vegas af-
counted out despite me- yards, tying the fifth-highest and the first player with at A ball-hawking defense ter surrendering 500 yards
diocre records. output in his career. least 30 completions in 10 helped Green Bay disman- to Jarrett Stidham and the
“Playoffs start a clean slate “Mike played awesome, games within a single sea- tle NFC North champion Raiders’ offense.q

Martina Navratilova diagnosed with

throat, breast cancer

al Tennis Hall of Fame said was undergoing tests on 331 weeks at No. 1 in the
her prognosis is good and her throat, she said, the un- WTA rankings. She returned
she will start treatment this related breast cancer was to the tour to play doubles
month. discovered. in 2000 and occasionally
“This double whammy is Navratilova was diagnosed competed in singles, too.
serious but still fixable, and with a noninvasive form of Navratilova was inducted
I’m hoping for a favorable breast cancer in 2010 and into the International Ten-
outcome,” the 66-year-old had a lumpectomy. nis Hall of Fame in 2000. She
Navratilova said. “It’s go- She won 59 Grand Slam has worked as a TV analyst
ing to stink for a while but titles overall, including 31 in recent years.
Tennis great Martina Navratilova is shown in the royal box on I’ll fight with all have I got.” in women’s doubles and The statement issued Mon-
Centre Court at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships in
Wimbledon, London, Saturday July 4, 2015. She said she noticed an 10 in mixed doubles. The day said Navratilova would
Associated Press enlarged lymph node in last was a mixed doubles not be a regular part of
her neck while attending championship with Bob Bry- Tennis Channel’s cover-
NEW YORK (AP) — Tennis cancer. In a statement the season-ending WTA Fi- an at the 2006 U.S. Open, a age of the Australian Open
great Martina Navratilo- released by her represen- nals in Fort Worth, Texas, in month shy of her 50th birth- later this month “but hopes
va said Monday that she tative, the 18-time Grand November, and a biopsy day. Navratilova originally to be able to join in from
has been diagnosed with Slam singles champion and showed early stage throat retired in 1994, after a re- time to time” via video
throat cancer and breast member of the Internation- cancer. While Navratilova cord 167 singles titles and conference.q