SPORTS HEADLINES

Jayden Daniels and the Commanders stun the top-seeded Lions 45-31 to reach NFC title game

DETROIT (AP) — Jayden Daniels threw for two touchdowns in a flawless performance by Washington’s dazzling rookie, and the Commanders stunned the Detroit Lions 45-31 to reach the NFC championship game for the first time since winning the Super Bowl 33 years ago. The sixth-seeded Commanders were nearly double-digit underdogs against the Super Bowl favorite Lions and overcame doubts as they did all season with a rookie quarterback, new coach and general manager. Detroit, the NFC’s No. 1 seed for the first time, doomed its chances by turning it over five times. Washington rookie Mike Sainristil had two interceptions.

Mahomes and Kelce help Chiefs to a 23-14 win over Texans and another AFC title game trip

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes threw for 177 yards and a touchdown, Travis Kelce caught seven passes for 117 yards and the score and the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Houston Texans 23-14 to advance to the AFC championship game for the seventh straight season. The Chiefs will face Buffalo or Baltimore next weekend at Arrowhead Stadium as they try to become the first team to win three consecutive Super Bowl titles. Mahomes improved to 7-0 in the divisional round while Andy Reid became the fourth NFL coach with 300 career wins. The Texans still have never won in six trips to the divisional round.

Texans’ Kris Boyd flings helmet, gets penalized and then shoves his coach on first play vs. Chiefs

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Texans cornerback Kris Boyd nearly shoved Houston special teams coach Frank Ross to the ground after the opening kickoff of their divisional playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Boyd had caused a fumble on the kickoff and ripped off his helmet and sent it sailing into the bench to celebrate. But the ball was recovered by Kansas City, which wound up kicking a field goal on the drive. Boyd was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct for taking off his helmet.

Taylor Swift joined by Caitlin Clark as she watches Travis Kelce and the Chiefs’ playoff win

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Pop superstar Taylor Swift returned to Arrowhead Stadium to cheer on her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, and the rest of the Kansas City Chiefs as they beat the Houston Texans 23-14 in the divisional round of the playoffs. Swift was dressed nearly head to toe in Chanel, including a black-and-white tweed jacket, a quarter-zip romper, a pearl strand belt and pendant earrings. She spent some of the game sitting in a suite alongside Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark, who is likewise a big Chiefs fan. Kelce had a huge game with seven receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown.

Stephen Curry scores 26 before leaving with ankle injury as Warriors beat Wizards 122-114

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Stephen Curry scored 26 points before leaving the game with an ankle injury in the final minute as the Golden State Warriors beat the Washington Wizards 122-114. Curry got tangled with Washington’s Jordan Poole under the basket and was down on the court for a few seconds before heading to the Warriors’ bench. There was no immediate word on the extent of his injury. Andrew Wiggins had 31 points and 11 rebounds to lead Golden State. Poole had 38 points for Washington.

Coco Gauff drops a set but beats Belinda Bencic to reach the Australian Open quarterfinals

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Coco Gauff dropped a set but came back to beat Belinda Bencic and reach the Australian Open quarterfinals. Gauff struggled with her shots in the opening set before dominating down the stretch for a 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 victory on a hot Sunday afternoon in Rod Laver Arena. Gauff will face Paula Badosa for a berth in the semifinals. Aryna Sabalenka extended her winning streak at Melbourne Park to 18 matches and will meet Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova next. Sabalenka is trying to become the first woman since Martina Hingis in 1997 to 1999 with three titles in a row at the year’s first Grand Slam tournament.

Million-dollar questions abound in changing college game as Irish and Buckeyes prepare

ATLANTA (AP) — One of the wackiest seasons in college football history will end with two schools whose traditions are as old as the game itself — Ohio State and Notre Dame — playing for a national championship. Monday night’s final in Atlanta will mark the latest finish to a season in college football’s 155-year history. It’s a product of the new 12-team playoff that itself is worth billions. The big question is if it’s ready for what comes next — with name, image and likeness deals; the transfer portal; the playoff; Title IX and other issues still to be resolved.

Lions CB Amik Robertson hurt and QB Jared Goff misses a series in playoff game vs. Commanders

DETROIT (AP) — Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson suffered an elbow injury on the Washington Commanders’ second snap and walked off the field in tears in Saturday night’s divisional playoff game. Robertson was ruled out for the game. He was hurt tackling receiver Terry McLaurin. Lions quarterback Jared Goff was evaluated for a concussion and missed one possession after taking a hit while defending a pick-6. Backup Teddy Bridgewater filled in and led a touchdown drive. Commanders guard Sam Cosmi suffered a knee injury in the second quarter and was later ruled out.

Sepp Straka surges to 4-shot lead over Hoffman, Day, Lower through 3 rounds at The American Express

LA QUINTA, Calif. (AP) — Sepp Straka shot an 8-under 64 on while his top competitors failed to match his sizzling pace at The American Express. The Austrian jumped to a four-shot lead over Charley Hoffman, Jason Day and Justin Lower after three rounds. Straka made six birdies on his front nine at the La Quinta Country Club course before finishing his third straight bogey-free round. Every player atop the leaderboard is chasing a significant victory. Day has one win on the tour since 2018, while the 48-year-old Hoffman is seeking another victory at the tournament where he won back in 2007. Lower is seeking his first tour victory.

US opens 2025 with 3-1 win over Venezuela in friendly missing regular starters

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Patrick Agyemang and Matko Miljevic scored in their international debuts, Jack McGlynn got his first national team goal and the United States beat Venezuela 3-1 in a friendly between teams missing their regular starters. McGlynn and Agyemang scored about two minutes apart late in the first half and Miljevic, whose third-minute penalty kick was saved, struck in the 64th minute. McGlynn connected on a left-footed strike from about 30 yards in the 37th minute, Agyemang deflected a shot off goalkeeper Wuilker Faríñez not long afterward and the Americans were off and running. Milijevic scored on a counter.