Page 21 - aruba-today-24dec-2016

A21
SPORTS Saturday 24 december 2016
NFL teams seeking playoff berth, let Giants’ loss be lesson

BY TERESA M. WALKER Eliminated: NEW YORK JETS
AP PRO FOOTBALL WRITER (4-10).
The New York Giants have AFC NORTH
given teams chasing play- PITTSBURGH STEELERS (9-5)
off berths a fresh reminder Remaining schedule: vs.
to take nobody for grant- Baltimore on Sunday, vs.
ed, especially division rivals. Cleveland on Jan. 1.
As a result, the Dallas Cow- Division record: 3-1. Confer-
boys’ only challenge now ence record: 7-3.
as the NFC East champs Having already lost at Bal-
and the NFC’s top seed is timore, the Steelers get the
handling the final two regu- Christmas rematch on their
lar-season games before a own field. Victory means a
first-round bye. division title for Pittsburgh.
The Giants only had to BALTIMORE RAVENS (8-6)
beat Philadelphia on Thurs- Remaining schedule: at
day night to clinch at least Pittsburgh on Sunday, at
a wild-card berth, yet Eli Cincinnati on Jan. 1.
Manning was intercepted Division record: 4-0. Confer-
three times in a 24-19 loss . ence record: 7-3.
That started a big celebra- The Ravens probably must
tion by the Cowboys’ faith- win out to win the division.
ful, with Dallas now assured Eliminated: CINCINNATI
of staying in Texas through- grabs, and the Pittsburgh on in that division, and they Buccaneers also can clinch BENGALS (5-8-1), CLEVE-
out the postseason. Steelers can wrap up the can clinch the crown Mon- a playoff berth by beating LAND BROWNS (0-14).
Five division titles remain up AFC North title by beating day night if Green Bay los- New Orleans, combined AFC SOUTH
for grabs with two weeks Baltimore on Christmas. es to Minnesota. The Lions with losses by Green Bay, HOUSTON TEXANS (8-6)
left in the season. The Houston Texans will could have a playoff berth Detroit and Washington. Remaining schedule: vs.
Dallas can help out the Gi- know before kicking off in hand if Washington and The regular season ends Cincinnati on Saturday
ants, the only team to beat Saturday night if a victory Tampa Bay already have Jan. 1. Here’s a closer look night, at Tennessee on Jan.
the Cowboys all season, by over Cincinnati will give lost and Atlanta wins at at the teams and scenarios: 1. Division record: 5-0. Con-
defeating Detroit on Mon- them their second straight Carolina. If not, the Saints AFC EAST ference record: 6-4.
day night, which would AFC South championship. beating Tampa Bay can al- NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS Tom Savage has the start-
clinch a wild-card berth for They need Tennessee to low Detroit to clinch at least (12-2) ing job at quarterback af-
New York. The Giants also lose to Jacksonville earlier a wild-card spot with a win Remaining schedule: vs. ter keeping the Texans tied
clinch a spot if Green Bay, Saturday to avoid playing or a tie in Dallas. New York Jets on Saturday, atop the division. Houston
Tampa Bay or Atlanta loses. the Titans on Jan. 1 for the Kansas City already squan- at Miami on Jan. 1. appears headed for a di-
New England, AFC East title division title. dered one chance to Division record: 3-1. Confer- vision-title showdown on
in hand, needs a little help Atlanta heads to Caro- clinch a playoff berth. ence record: 9-1. Clinched New Year’s Day in Tennes-
this week to claim home- lina trying to clinch both a Now the Chiefs can assure division and first-round bye. see.
field advantage through- playoff berth and the NFC themselves of at least an Two wins, or one win and a TENNESSEE TITANS (8-6)
out the AFC playoffs. The South title, needing both a AFC wild card by beating loss by Raiders, or two losses Remaining schedule: at
Patriots first must beat the win and a New Orleans vic- Denver on Christmas night, by Raiders, locks up No. 1 Jacksonville on Saturday,
Jets, then wait to see if the tory over Tampa Bay to win putting the Broncos on the seed. vs. Houston on Jan. 1.
Colts can win in Oakland. the division. If they don’t verge of elimination. The MIAMI DOLPHINS (9-5) Division record: 1-3. Confer-
Seattle is trying to earn get that, the Falcons could Chiefs also can clinch a Remaining schedule: at ence record: 5-5.
the NFC’s other first-round still clinch at least a wild spot if Baltimore loses earlier Buffalo on Saturday, vs. Simple math for the Titans.
bye. The NFC West champs card this weekend. Sunday.The Miami Dolphins New England on Jan. 1. Winning out means their
must beat Arizona and also Green Bay needs a win need a win, with Denver Division record: 3-1. Confer- first division title since 2008
need Atlanta to lose or tie over Minnesota and help losing or tying. The Dolphins ence record: 6-4. and avoids tiebreakers
and then wait to see if De- to clinch a playoff berth also can leave Buffalo with Winning in Buffalo com- they would lose to Houston.
troit can win in Dallas on Saturday. But the Packers a tie and clinch if Baltimore, bined with a Denver loss or A wild-card berth remains
Monday night. only need to win their final Denver and Houston lose, tie Sunday night secures a an option with the Titans
Three division titles have two games to take the NFC or with losses by Baltimore, wild-card spot. a game back of Miami, a
been clinched, with eight North title. Denver and Tennessee. Need a miracle: BUFFALO team they beat head-to-
playoff berths still up for The Lions are trying to hang Jameis Winston and the BILLS (7-7). head for that tiebreaker.q

No. 8 Madison Keys to miss

Australian Open after surgery

The Associated Press on her left wrist three days coach Lindsay Davenport
Madison Keys says she will after the season-ending in Orlando, Florida, but
miss the Australian Open WTA Finals in October. won’t be ready to play the
after having wrist surgery. The right-hander described first grand slam of the sea-
The 21-year-old American, the procedure as minor, son, which begins Jan. 16.
who is ranked No. 8 in the saying it didn’t involve any She writes: “I don’t want
world, said Friday in a state- tendon issues and went to rush back and need to In this March 30, 2016, file photo, Madison Keys, of the United
States, returns the ball against Angelique Kerber, of Germany, at
ment on Twitter that she very well. Keys says she is take my time to perform the Miami Open tennis tournament in Key Biscayne, Fla.
had arthroscopic surgery back to work training with my best on the court.”q Associated Press