AP Sports Summary for December 17th, 2024
Vikings win 7th straight to forge tie for NFC North lead with 30-12 blowout of reeling Bears
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Aaron Jones and Cam Akers had touchdown runs in the second half to complement a smothering performance by the Minnesota defense, and the Vikings moved into a tie for first place in the NFC North by beating the Chicago Bears 30-12 for their seventh consecutive victory. Justin Jefferson had seven catches for 73 yards and a touchdown from Sam Darnold in the first quarter. The Vikings are 12-2, matching Detroit atop the division. The Bears took their eighth straight loss and fell to 4-10.
Jefferson turns TD celebration into Moss tribute during Vikings win: 'We love you Randy'
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Justin Jefferson raced across the back of the end zone, leaped to catch the pass from Sam Darnold and launched into his latest touchdown celebration after an early score for the Minnesota Vikings. He finished the dance with a special tribute to one of his greatest inspirations, Randy Moss. Moss revealed last week his diagnosis of cancer in his bile duct that was removed with a six-hour surgery and kept him hospitalized for six days. Jefferson and the Vikings made sure to share their love and support for the Pro Football Hall of Fame receiver at their game against Chicago.
FIFA set to announce its top players in men's and women's soccer in 'The Best' awards
DOHA, Qatar (AP) — FIFA's "The Best" awards are about to take place when the top men's and women's soccer players of 2024 will be announced based on voting by fans, the current captains and coaches of all national teams, and media representatives. It is FIFA's version of the older and more prestigious Ballon d'Or prize. Real Madrid star VinÃcius Júnior is on an 11-player shortlist for the best men's player. He was so disappointed to lose out to Manchester City midfielder Rodri for the Ballon d'Or in October that he snubbed the ceremony. Barcelona playmaker Aitana Bonmati won the best women's player for 2023 and is seeking back-to-back FIFA prizes. The FIFA ceremony starts at 1700 GMT Tuesday in Doha.
Chelsea confirms FA has contacted Mykhailo Mudryk after 'adverse finding' in player's doping test
Chelsea forward Mykhailo Mudryk, one of the most expensive players in soccer history, had an "adverse finding" in a routine urine test, the Premier League club said. The Ukraine international, who was bought by Chelsea for $108 million in 2023, was contacted by the English Football Association following the finding. Mudryk said he had "never knowingly" taken banned substances, Chelsea said in a statement. The FA did not comment on the situation when approached by The Associated Press and Chelsea did not say if he had been suspended. Mudryk was last included in a Chelsea squad as an unused substitute on Dec. 1.
Kirk Cousins acknowledges he must play better if Atlanta Falcons are to make a playoff push
LAS VEGAS (AP) — If the Atlanta Falcons are going to make a playoff push, coach Raheem Morris and quarterback Kirk Cousins both know the 13-year veteran needs to improve his play over the last three games of the season. Cousins was a lackluster 11-of-17 passing for 112 yards with one touchdown and an interception during Monday night's 15-9 victory over the lowly Las Vegas Raiders. He entered with no touchdown passes and eight interceptions over his previous four starts.
Cousins and Falcons do just enough to beat Raiders 15-9 and keep pace with Bucs in NFC South
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Kirk Cousins threw his first touchdown pass in five weeks and the Atlanta Falcons did just enough to beat the struggling Las Vegas Raiders 15-9 and keep pace in the NFC South race. The Falcons are 7-7. They ended a four-game losing streak to remain a game behind the first-place Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Atlanta owns the head-to-head tiebreaker. Las Vegas is 2-12 after losing its 10th consecutive game. It's the NFL's longest active skid, and the Raiders are tied with the New York Giants for the league's worst record.
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes has high-ankle sprain, status for Houston remains unclear, AP source says
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has a high-ankle sprain and his status for this week's game against Houston remains in question, a person familiar with the results told The Associated Press on Monday. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the team did not announce any updates. The testing confirmed what the Chiefs had initially expected. They did not have any usual availability Monday, but are scheduled to resume practice Tuesday ahead of their Saturday matchup with the Texans. Mahomes was hurt late in the Chiefs' win over Cleveland on Sunday. Carson Wentz finished the game.
Florida county poised to vote on financing for new $1.3B ballpark for the Rays
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — After two costly delays, the Pinellas County Commission is set to vote on its share of financing for a new $1.3 billion Tampa Bay Rays ballpark. Rays officials say they're confident of approval this time. The overall plan was approved by the county commission and city of St. Petersburg officials this summer, but votes on the funding for the deal have been repeatedly postponed. The St. Petersburg City Council voted earlier this month to approve its share of the bonds necessary to build the new 30,000-seat ballpark. Now it's up to the county to decide Tuesday whether to ante up.
The Bucks-Thunder NBA Cup final will have a lot of money at stake
LAS VEGAS (AP) — When the Milwaukee Bucks clinched their spot in the NBA Cup championship game, plenty of the team's younger and lesser-paid players were exuberant in the locker room. They'll have a chance at a trophy. They'll also have a chance at their biggest payday of their careers. The NBA Cup final — the Bucks vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder — is Tuesday in Las Vegas, with $308,983 in additional prize money going to each of the players on the winning team. For the league's superstars, that money might represent a game's pay. For much of the league, it's a colossal sum.
Michael Vick talks to Sacramento State and Norfolk State about head coaching jobs
Michael Vick has talked to at least two schools about becoming a college head coach. Sacramento State president Dr. Luke Wood said Monday he has spoken with Vick about the opening at his school, and the Virginian-Pilot reported that Norfolk State has also interviewed the former NFL sensation to be its next coach. Wood says Vick expressed interest in the open job at Sacramento State, which is trying to make the move from the FCS level to the FBS if the school can get an invitation to join either the Pac-12 or Mountain West Conference.
AP-Scorecard
Here are the scores from yesterday's sports events:
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NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Final Philadelphia 121 Charlotte 108
Final OT Detroit 125 Miami 124
Final Cleveland 130 Brooklyn 101
Final Chicago 122 Toronto 121
Final Denver 130 Sacramento 129
Final L.A. Clippers 144 Utah 107
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NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Final Dallas 3 Washington 1
Final Florida 6 Edmonton 5
Final Vancouver 3 Colorado 1
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NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Final Minnesota 30 Chicago 12
Final Atlanta 15 Las Vegas 9
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TODAY'S SPORTS SCHEDULE
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NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Milwaukee at Oklahoma City 8:30 p.m.
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NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Buffalo at Montreal 7 p.m.
Columbus at Tampa Bay 7 p.m.
Los Angeles at Pittsburgh 7 p.m.
N-Y Islanders at Carolina 7:30 p.m.
N-Y Rangers at Nashville 8 p.m.
New Jersey at St. Louis 8 p.m.
Washington at Chicago 8:30 p.m.
Boston at Calgary 9 p.m.
Ottawa at Seattle 10 p.m.
Winnipeg at San Jose 10:30 p.m.
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TOP-25 COLLEGE FOOTBALL
(25)Memphis at West Virginia 9 p.m.
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TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
W. Carolina at (1)Tennessee 7 p.m.
Georgia St. at (2)Auburn 8 p.m.
George Mason at (5)Duke 7 p.m.
North Carolina at (7)Florida 7 p.m.
Southern U. at (17)Mississippi 7 p.m.
Prairie View at (18)UCLA 9:30 p.m.
Oakland at (20)Michigan St. 7 p.m.
UNLV at (22)Dayton 7 p.m.
(25)Clemson at South Carolina 7 p.m.
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