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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2014 SPORTS NFL season: Smiles for some, frowns for others

NEW YORK: Smiling or frowning. “Woe is the way that we’re playing, anything is Seattle is hitting top speed at just the drought is now at 15 seasons, but they at Just as dysfunctional are the Saints (6- us” or “Wow for us.” Heading into the final possible.” Folks in the Valley of the Sun right time, its defense looking just as least sniffed the playoffs this year. They 9), who lost five straight at home, can’t week of the NFL regular season, hardly also should be thrilled by what their overpowering as last year, its quarter- also put together a defense that nearly stop anyone defensively and have lost anyone has a neutral feeling about the Cardinals (11-4) have provided. Until back, Russell Wilson, making magic on anyone east of Seattle would envy. their mojo with the ball. They’ve rarely 32 teams. There are success stories and injuries tore apart the roster - they’ve the ground and through the air. looked the same since the bounty scan- there are flops.Here’s a look at both sides. used four quarterbacks and have seen New England has been invincible at FROWNING dal and Sean Payton’s year-long suspen- offensive and defensive playmakers go home, which could be enough to get it We could lump together the teams sion in 2012. SMILING down nearly every week - the Cardinals to yet another Super Bowl. Tom Brady is that brought in new coaches and totally At least folks aren’t wearing paper The biggest and widest grins should were the feel-good story of 2014. having a vintage season despite a non- floundered: Washington, Tennessee, bags at the Superdome as in the old be worn in Dallas, of course; everything Even as they reel a bit, their faithful stellar surrounding cast other than tight Tampa Bay. Not many people seeing the days. Instead of resorting to the paper is huge in Big D, right? No one outside of should, well, keep the faith heading into end Rob Gronkowski and receiver Julian bright side there. bags, Jets fans hire airplanes to fly ban- Jerry’s Palace could have predicted the the postseason. “You have to wipe it Edelman. The defense has found some Instead, though, let’s concentrate on ners asking to fire the general manager. Cowboys (11-4) would be NFC East away, get the 12th win. Use that momen- new stars (Jamie Collins, Chandler Jones) the horror shows in Chicago, New They could get their wish as owner champs and in line for a first-round play- tum, hopefully, to go into the playoffs,” to go with vets Rob Ninkovich and Orleans, New Jersey and San Francisco. Woody Johnson may show John Idzik the off bye. Not with a defense that lost its running back Stepfan Taylor said. “We still Darrelle Revis. It’s a sign of how much turmoil the Bears door, along with coach Rex Ryan. The best player, linebacker Sean Lee, to pre- have football left. That’s the best thing Two more teams few counted on to (5-10) have experienced in 2014 that one Jets (3-12) still play hard, particularly on season injury. Now with quarterback about this. We’re not out of anything.” make an impact: Detroit and Buffalo.The week after benching Jay Cutler for Jimmy defense, but the overall talent level Tony Romo coming off back surgery. Not Then there are the two favorites for the Lions (11-4) not only can waltz off with Clausen - yes, Jimmy Clausen - the team would make any observer frown. Not so with a coach, Jason Garrett, who seemed Super Bowl, the defending champion the NFC North by winning at Lambeau has to go back to the failed veteran. in the Bay Area, where there is plenty of lost in big spots. Seahawks (11-4) and the AFC East win- Field on Sunday - a tall task, for sure - but Clausen was concussed in his start on skill. When Jim Harbaugh leaves the “This team is so special because we ners, the Patriots (11-3). have a shot at the top seed in the confer- Sunday, and coach Marc Trestman has to 49ers (7-8), he will be praised for taking built this thing from the ground up,” A little more than a month into the ence. Regardless, under new coach Jim go back to Cutler against Minnesota. them to three straight NFC champi- defensive end Jeremy Mincey said. “Guys season, their fans were shaking their Caldwell they have exorcised many of Regardless, things have gotten so onship games, and one tight Super Bowl came to work, from (training camp) all heads, wondering what was wrong. Now, the disciplinary demons that plagued ugly in the Windy City that the only thing loss. His departure will be blamed on dis- the way to now, and the results are defi- those same fans are nodding pleasurably them under the previous regime. capable of bringing smiles might be a cord in the front office. No one will be nitely paying out. And if we keep playing at what they see. As for the Bills, well, their NFL-high total housecleaning. smiling.—AP

India up against MCG record

MELBOURNE: India must reverse a demoral- Burns his Test debut as a replacement for ising losing streak at the Melbourne Cricket hamstring-victim Mitchell Marsh, while senior Ground to prevent Australia from regaining paceman Ryan Harris is bidding for a recall the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Friday’s Boxing after missing the Gabba Test with a quadri- Day third Test. ceps problem. Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s tourists trail 2-0 The home side has a pool of five pace in the four-match series after defeats in bowlers to choose from, but ideally would go Adelaide and Brisbane, and have lost their in to the Boxing Day showpiece with Mitchell last five encounters at the MCG stretching Johnson, Harris and Josh Hazlewood, who back 23 years. took seven match wickets on his debut in While India have competed well in the Brisbane. series, they unravelled both times in their sec- “The Gabba Test was played at a fast pace, ond innings. The Indians lost their last seven it was four-and-a-half runs an over for the wickets for 73 to go down by 48 runs in whole Test match,” Australia coach Darren Adelaide and nine for 148 to leave the Lehmann said. Australians chasing 128 runs for a four-wicket “It was exciting again and it’s been an victory in Brisbane. amazing nine days of Test cricket.” Lehmann Dhoni said India had not been getting the said he expects opener David Warner, who 50-50 umpire calls and were not far off win- was struck a painful blow on his left thumb ning away from home where they have a dis- while facing Aaron in Brisbane, to play in the mal record of just one victory from their last third Test. 21 away Tests. Australia have had match-winning per- “There’s plenty of areas we’re showing formances from new skipper Steve Smith improvement, but we’re still not crossing the (375 runs with two centuries), Warner (twin line,” Dhoni said. “We need to give it a bit tons in Adelaide), spinner Nathan Lyon (17 more time. Once they start crossing that line, wickets) and Johnson (a fiery 11-ball spell of once they harness that aggression in the right three for 10 in Brisbane). channel you’ll see plenty of good results from But a crucial part of the series so far has this side.” While India routinely master been Australia’s ability to get far more runs Australia on their home pitches, winning the out of their tail than India. In Brisbane, the last seven Tests straight, it’s the reverse situa- Australians added 258 runs for the last four CINCINNATI: Bengals wide receiver Dane Sanzenbacher is tackled by Denver Broncos free safety Rahim Moore (26) during the first half of an tion Down Under. But the tourists now have wickets in the first innings in Brisbane. “To get NFL football game. —AP pace weapons with Varun Aaron, Umesh a lead of 90-odd, the way the tail played was Yadav and Ishant Sharma. amazing,” Smith said of that performance. “To get us into that position was crucial.” WAGGING TAIL Smith will play under the threat of a one- Bengals punish sloppy Broncos “It was quite good to see our fast bowlers match suspension if his team transgress again still running in, giving 100 percent,” said with slow over rates over the next 12 months DENVER: The Cincinnati Bengals intercepted utes as Kirkpatrick intercepted Manning and yards on the night, and fellow back Giovani Dhoni, who is lining up for his 90th Test after Australia was fined 30 percent of their Peyton Manning four times to clinch a playoff returned it 30 yards to help push the Bengals Bernard caught a 22-yard TD in the third to give match as a player and 60th as captain in the match fees from the Gabba Test. Smith, as berth with a big-play filled 37-28 victory over nine points ahead of a demoralised Denver the home side a 27-14 advantage. Melbourne Test. “We have seen the execution skipper, was fined double that amount, and the Denver Broncos on Monday. team. The win was a big relief for the Bengals, who power of our fast bowlers has increased.” now must be mindful of keeping the game Playing in pouring rain, the Bengals staged a Early on, it was the Cincinnati running game have a reputation for failing in big games and Australia are likely to give batsman Joe moving if he is to avoid a ban. —AFP fourth-quarter recovery after blowing a 13-point that led the way on a night where the Bengals have not won in the playoffs since 1990. lead to earn a fourth straight trip to the post- lost standout wide receiver A.J. Green to an arm “We understand that it was the elephant in season. injury in the first quarter. the room; we heard it all week,” Hill said. “We “This one was big. We knew what we were up Jeremy Hill broke free for an 85-yard touch- knew tonight with the country watching that we against... at home, playing on Monday Night in down run in the first quarter, finishing with 147 had to show people we’re serious.” —Reuters prime time,” Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton told reporters. “Our defense played great, espe- cially when it counted.” NFL results/standings Dre Kirkpatrick caught two interceptions for Cincinnati, who also enjoyed a big day on kick Toronto 118, NY Knicks 108; Cleveland 105, Memphis 91; Sacramento 108, LA Lakers 101; Brooklyn 110, returns. The Bengals (10-4-1) can now seal the Detroit 105; Miami 100, Boston 84; Philadelphia 96, Orlando 88; Phoenix 104, Washington 92; Indiana 100, AFC North Division with a season-finale win Minnesota 96; New Orleans 101, Oklahoma City 99. against Pittsburgh next week. American Football Conference National Football Conference Denver (11-4), who had already cinched the AFC East AFC West, was hoping to maintain their push to NFC East W L T OTL PF PA PCT enter the playoffs as the conference top seed Dallas 11 4 0 1 423 335 .733 New England 12 3 0 0 459 296 .800 but the loss conceded the number one spot to Philadelphia 9 6 0 0 440 374 .600 Miami 8 7 0 0 364 336 .533 the New England Patriots. Manning threw for NY Giants 6 9 0 0 354 366 .400 Buffalo 8 7 0 0 326 280 .533 311 yards but was unable to connect with his Washington 4 11 0 0 284 394 .267 NY Jets 3 12 0 1 246 377 .200 wide receivers when it mattered most. NFC North AFC North “I had four interceptions, you’re not going to Detroit 11 4 0 0 301 252 .733 Cincinnati 10 4 1 0 348 317 .700 beat very many good football teams (that way),” Green Bay 11 4 0 0 456 328 .733 Pittsburgh 10 5 0 0 409 351 .667 Manning said. “We have to find a way to learn Minnesota 6 9 0 0 312 334 .400 Baltimore 9 6 0 0 389 292 .600 from this and play better next week.” Chicago 5 10 0 1 310 429 .333 Cleveland 7 8 0 0 289 317 .467 NFC South AFC South EARLY BLOW Indianapolis 10 5 0 0 431 359 .667 Carolina 6 8 1 0 305 371 .433 In a wild affair, the Broncos woke up in the Houston 8 7 0 1 349 290 .533 Atlanta 6 9 0 0 378 383 .400 BRISBANE: Australian players celebrate in this file photo during their play on day second half, with Manning tossing two third- Jacksonville 3 12 0 0 232 389 .200 New Orleans 6 9 0 2 378 404 .400 four of the second cricket Test against India. —AP quarter touchdowns to give the visitors a 28-27 Tennessee 2 13 0 0 244 411 .133 Tampa Bay 2 13 0 2 257 387 .133 edge. AFC West NFC West Brandon Tate lifted the Bengals midway Denver 11 4 0 1 435 340 .733 Seattle 11 4 0 0 374 248 .733 through the fourth with a 49-yard punt return CBK honors KBC San Diego 9 6 0 0 341 329 .600 Arizona 11 4 0 0 293 279 .733 that helped them move back in front on Mike Kansas City 8 7 0 0 334 274 .533 San Francisco 7 8 0 1 286 323 .467 Nugent’s 23-yard field goal. The Cincinnati Oakland 3 12 0 0 239 405 .200 St. Louis 6 9 0 0 318 334 .400 Shooting winners defense struck the decisive blow in the final min-

KUWAIT: CBK’s chairman of board, Ali ed her victory to CBK. On his part, the first Mousa Al-Mousa recently received CBK winner in the men competitions, Sulaiman employees, Asrar Ali Fadhel and Sulaiman AL-Qassar was also happy about his Sri Lanka begin World Cup Jamal Al-Qassar; the winners of the first achievement and stressed that the compe- place and the cup of the Kuwaiti Banks tition had been a serious one. Club (KBC)’s 7th Shooting Championship On her part, CBK’s assistant general recently held at the shooting complex, to manager, for PR and media affairs, Amani tune-up in New Zealand honor them for their achievement. In this Al-Wer’ said that CBK was keen on sponsor- regard, CBK’s staff member and shooter ing the championship out of its keenness WELLINGTON: Sri Lanka will open hostilities swansong. “We’re playing without Mahela for the Asrar Ali Fadhel said she was over the on supporting and encouraging its against the Black Caps in their first tour of New first time in about 18 years and that’s going to be a moon for winning the first place in the employees to practice various sports and Zealand for eight years on Friday, looking to accli- challenge for us,” Mathews said. women shooting competition and dedicat- social activities. matise to local conditions for the upcoming World “But there’s pressure on all of us anyway, this is Cup. The tour features two Test matches, the first going to be a challenging series. Playing against beginning in Christchurch on Boxing Day, but the New Zealand in New Zealand is going to be tough. emphasis is squarely on the 50-over game, with They’ve been playing really good cricket in the seven one-dayers as a warm-up to the February- recent past.” Sri Lanka will be without left-arm spin- March tournament co-hosted by Australia and New ner Rangana Herath for the opening Test after he Zealand. “We have to be mentally and physically fit strained a hamstring against England. for the most-important game on February 14,” Only two of Mathews’ Test team, Kumar coach Marvan Atapattu told Sri Lankan media, Sangakkara and Prasanna Jayawardene, have expe- referring to his team’s clash against New Zealand in rienced New Zealand’s seam-friendly wickets the opening match of the World Cup. before, so Mathews said it was important to adjust. COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s cricketer Mahela Sri Lanka are buoyant after humiliating England “Getting used to the conditions will be key for Jayawardene waves at the crowd in this file 5-2 in a one-day series, a result that contributed to us,” he said. “We’ve been playing a lot of cricket in photo. —AFP Alastair Cook’s sacking as limited overs captain, the sub-continent over the last six months or so, so New Zealand, who recently drew a Test series and and notching Test and one-day series wins over we really need to make the most of our practice their ODI series with Pakistan in the United Arab Pakistan in August. sessions and try and adapt to these conditions as Emirates, will be out to make a statement in front of But skipper Angelo Mathews said he expected a best we can.” their home fans ahead of the World Cup. The Blacks tough match against the New Zealanders, particu- Sri Lanka, who won the 1996 World Cup and Caps under Brendon McCullum’s aggressive leader- larly since Mahela Jayawardene will be missing were runners up in 2007 and 2011, are fourth in the ship have shown they can compete with the best from the Test line-up after retiring from the long ODI rankings and fifth in the Test standings, with and they are desperate to build some momentum form of the game to concentrate on a World Cup New Zealand placed sixth and seventh respectively. leading into the World Cup.—AFP