Sports

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer Chinese broadcaster and NBA partner Tencent has deleted all references to the Boston Celtics from its platforms, in apparent response to comments Celtics center Enes Kanter made to advocate Tibetan independence. Kanter, as part of a series of social media posts, also called Chinese President Xi Jinping a “dictator.”

By The Associated Press Oregon’s hopes of reaching the College Football Playoff and UCLA’s aspirations of reaching the Pac-12 title game are at risk when the teams meet Saturday.  Oregon hasn’t looked the same since its signature win at Ohio State because of a spate of injuries, barely escaping with a 24-17 win over struggling

By KRISTIE RIEKEN AP Sports Writer HOUSTON (AP) — Rookie Luis García will start for the Houston Astros against the Boston Red Sox in Game 6 of the AL Championship Series with a trip to the World Series on the line. García started Game 2 and gave up a grand slam in the first inning

By The Associated Press Eighth-ranked Oklahoma State goes into its game at Iowa State on Saturday with a 6-0 record. That’s its best start since 2015. The Cowboys head to Ames off three straight wins over ranked opponents and they’ve won four in a row against Iowa State. The unranked Cyclones are coming off a

By TERESA M. WALKER AP Pro Football Writer NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs are in catch-up mode sitting at the bottom of the AFC West they’ve won the past five seasons. The Tennessee Titans have an opportunity to prove they’re a team to be reckoned with in the AFC. Now the Chiefs

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer Chinese broadcaster and NBA partner Tencent has deleted all references to the Boston Celtics from its platforms, in apparent response to comments Celtics center Enes Kanter made to advocate Tibetian independence. Kanter, as part of a series of social media posts, also called Chinese President Xi Jinping a “dictator.”

By BILL HUBER Associated Press GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — The Green Bay Packers signed veteran outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus in hopes of boosting not only their pass rush but their championship hopes. A first-round pick by the Houston Texans in 2012, Mercilus had 57 sacks in nine-plus seasons. He has three sacks this season,

By STEVE MEGARGEE AP Sports Writer GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Washington’s Taylor Heinicke grew up watching Green Bay Packers games on television and idolizing Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre. Now the 28-year-old quarterback is about to match up with Favre’s successor as Washington tries to cool off reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers and snap

By The Associated Press No. 7 Penn State and Illinois are both coming off bye weeks and need to get their offenses going, possibly without their starting quarterbacks. Sean Clifford was able to practice this week, but the third-year starter’s return to the practice field doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll return to Beaver Stadium when Penn

By JOSH DUBOW AP Pro Football Writer The Las Vegas Raiders’ season was in danger of spiraling out of control following two straight losses and the resignation of coach Jon Gruden when interim coach Rich Bisaccia told his players to meet on their own. That meeting last Saturday night in Denver was followed by a

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Sports Writer MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Most NFL teams who are chosen to play in London take the following week off. It’s a perk that gives minds and bodies a needed break after enduring two intercontinental flights that come in the span of three or four days. Not the Miami

By STEVE REED AP Sports Writer CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — When the Carolina Panthers rewarded Robby Anderson with a three-year, $37.5 million contract extension in the offseason, they figured he would be a huge and productive part of the offense this season. But Year 2 in Carolina has been a struggle for the 28-year-old wide

By JOSH DUBOW AP Pro Football Writer SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The decision the San Francisco 49ers made after a Super Bowl trip in the 2019 season to trade away defensive cornerstone DeForest Buckner has backfired so far. The Niners opted to pay the less effective Arik Armstead and used the draft pick they

By The Associated Press Northwestern is coming off a much-needed win at Rutgers in which it allowed only 63 rushing yards. Wildcats coach Pat Fitzgerald says his defensive line played its best game this season. Northwestern’s defensive line and linebackers will be severely tested on Saturday at Michigan. The Wolverines’ ground game averages 246.5 yards

By SCHUYLER DIXON AP Pro Football Writer FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs is thriving at cornerback after a position switch in college at Alabama left him in tears. The former receiver leads the NFL with seven interceptions. Diggs has at least one pick in all six games with the Cowboys going

By The Associated Press No. 5 Ohio State has slowly climbed back into the playoff conversation. The Buckeyes are one of three Big Ten East teams still unbeaten in conference play. They haven’t lost to Indiana since 1988. And if Ohio State extends the nation’s longest active winning streak this weekend on the road, it

By JOHN WAWROW AP Sports Writer ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — The Buffalo Bills are making a habit of kicking off their bye weeks with a thud. It’s deja-oof all over again for the AFC East-leading team entering its annual break smarting from yet another last-second heartbreaker. Last year, it was DeAndre Hopkins making a

By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers believe they are starting to gain momentum during their 3-3 start. Pittsburgh is riding a two-game winning streak into its bye week. First-year offensive coordinator Matt Canada says the team is making progress but that plenty of work needs to be done. Pittsburgh’s

By The Associated Press No. 4 Alabama is set to host Tennessee aiming for a 15th consecutive victory in the rivalry game. But the Volunteers bring a fast-paced, prolific offense into Bryant-Denny Stadium. Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker’s status is uncertain with a right leg injury. Alabama rebounded from its lone loss with an emphatic win

By The Associated Press No. 2 Cincinnati has its highest AP ranking ever heading into this weekend’s game at Navy. The big question is what the playoff committee will do with the Bearcats if they stay undefeated. Navy is facing a top-five opponent at home for the first time since 1984. The last top-five team