SPORTS HEADLINES

Myles Garrett breaks NFL single-season sack record with 23 and laments not getting 2 more

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Cleveland Browns’ Myles Garrett has set the NFL’s single-season sack record with his 23rd. He reached the milestone during the fourth quarter of Sunday’s win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Garrett sacked Joe Burrow for a 6-yard loss, surpassing the previous record of 22 1/2 sacks shared by Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt. The sack came with 5:09 remaining in the fourth quarter. Garrett has sacked 51 players over his nine-year NFL career. Burrow is at the top of the list at 12 in 10 meetings. The NFL began counting sacks as an official statistic in 1982.

Panthers win the NFC South thanks to help from Falcons. Jaguars secure the AFC South

The Carolina Panthers are NFC South champions for the first time in 10 years. The Panthers finished 8-9 and clinched the division title when the Falcons beat the Saints 19-17 on Sunday to eliminate the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Led by second-year coach Dave Canales and third-year quarterback Bryce Young, the Panthers are the NFC’s No. 4 seed and will host either the Rams or 49ers. It’s their first playoff appearance since 2017. The Buccaneers beat Carolina on Saturday to improve to 8-9 and stay alive for an extra day but lost a three-team tiebreaker with the Falcons also finishing 8-9.

Raiders secure No. 1 overall pick in NFL draft after Giants’ win over Cowboys

The Las Vegas Raiders will pick first in this year’s NFL draft. The New York Giants defeated the Dallas Cowboys 34-17 on Sunday, ensuring the Raiders would have the worst record. The Raiders were 2-14 entering their Sunday home game against the Kansas City Chiefs. If the Giants had lost to Dallas, Las Vegas would have needed a loss to the Chiefs to secure the top pick. This is only the second time the Raiders have had the top pick. In 2007, they selected quarterback JaMarcus Russell, who became one of the franchise’s top draft busts.

Alford’s red-zone pick saves Falcons’ 19-17 win over Saints, giving NFC South title to Panthers

ATLANTA (AP) — Dee Alford’s red-zone interception stopped a potential go-ahead drive by New Orleans, and the Atlanta Falcons beat the Saints 19-17 to give the NFC South title to the Carolina Panthers. By closing the season with four consecutive wins, the Falcons finished in a three-way tie with Carolina and Tampa Bay for first place in the NFC South. The Panthers won the tiebreaker between the three 8-9 teams with the best record within the division. The Falcons completed a season sweep of the Saints, who had their four-game winning streak end.

No. 1 Indiana starts post-Mendoza era with new former TCU quarterback, new receiver, AP source says

As No. 1 Indiana prepares for Friday night’s College Football Playoff semifinal against No. 5 Oregon, coach Curt Cignetti is already reloading. The undefeated Hoosiers acquired two key players in the transfer portal, landing former TCU quarterback Josh Hoover, according to a person with knowledge of the commitment. The person requested anonymity because official announcements have not yet been made. Former Michigan State receiver Nick Marsh also is headed to Indiana, his mother confirmed. Marsh broke the school’s freshman records for receptions and yards receiving in 2024. Hoover, another multiyear starter, could be the successor to Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza.

Streaking Jaguars clinch AFC South title with a 41-7 drubbing of Titans

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Trevor Lawrence threw three touchdown passes, breaking the franchise’s single-season record for total scores, and the Jacksonville Jaguars won the AFC South and earned a home playoff game with a 41-7 drubbing of Tennessee. It was most lopsided outcome in series history. The Jaguars (13-4) clinched their third division title in nine years, swept the Titans (3-14) for the third time in four seasons and topped a dozen wins for just the second time in the team’s 31-year history. Titans rookie Cam Ward injured his throwing shoulder early and spent most of the game on the sideline in a sling.

Vikings get Justin Jefferson past the 1,000-yard mark in the final game of a trying season

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Justin Jefferson finally passed the 1,000-yard mark in the last game of the season for the Minnesota Vikings. Jefferson hit the milestone on his fifth catch on Sunday against the rival Green Bay Packers after a simple hitch route he turned into a 17-yard gain. The four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver has reached 1,000 yards in each of his six NFL seasons. The only other players in league history to do so were Randy Moss and Mike Evans. Jefferson already has the most receiving yardage all time over a player’s first six years.

Gabriel Landeskog injured in Avalanche’s game against Florida, needs help getting off ice

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Colorado captain Gabriel Landeskog suffers an injury during the Avalanche’s game in Florida on Sunday night. He lost his footing, fell, and crashed into the goalpost, needing assistance off the ice. Landeskog, who helped the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup in 2022, missed nearly three years with a right knee injury before returning for last season’s playoffs. On Sunday, it was his left knee that appeared to buckle. He has played in all 41 games this season, contributing to the team’s historic start. There’s no immediate word on the severity of his injury.

Novak Djokovic cuts ties with the PTPA players’ association he co-founded

Novak Djokovic has cut ties with the Professional Tennis Players Association, the players’ union he co-founded, saying his values are no longer aligned with the current direction of the organization. The 24-time Grand Slam champion launched the breakaway organization with Vasek Pospisil in 2020. Djokovic said Sunday evening on social media that he had concerns about how the PTPA has represented his voice and image. The PTPA filed a class-action lawsuit against the sport’s governing bodies in March. Djokovic was not among the players named as plaintiffs.

Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun return to a Nuggets team needing healthy bodies after Jokic’s loss

NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun returned from lengthy injury absences Sunday in Brooklyn, bringing good news to a Denver team desperate for healthy bodies after the loss of Nikola Jokic. Coach David Adelman said both players showed improvements in recent days and they were cleared to play after testing themselves during warmups. Gordon came off the bench and scored 20 points in the Nuggets’ 127-115 loss. Braun started and had three points in 24 minutes.