MITCH STACY

AP Sports Writer
Columbus Blue Jackets' Kirill Marchenko, left, shoots the puck as Carolina Hurricanes' Jaccob Slavin defends during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Fantilli scores in the 4th round of a shootout as Blue Jackets beat Hurricanes 4-3
Adam Fantilli scored in the fourth round of a shootout to lift the Columbus Blue Jackets to a 4-3 win over the Carolina Hurricanes.
 
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) celebrates after an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos in Cincinnati, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Bengals keep confidence and playoff hopes high as they head for a showdown with Pittsburgh
Saturday’s wild overtime win over the Denver Broncos was a big one for the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals won their fourth straight for the first time this season and keep their slim playoff hopes alive.
 
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) tries to get past Denver Broncos safety P.J. Locke (6) during the second half of an NFL football game in Cincinnati, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Burrow throws 3-yard TD pass to Higgins in OT as the Bengals beat the Broncos 30-24
Joe Burrow threw his third touchdown pass to Tee Higgins with 1:07 left in overtime, and the Cincinnati Bengals kept their slim playoff hopes alive with a wild 30-24 win over the Denver Broncos.
 
Cincinnati Bengals safety Geno Stone (22) celebrates with teammates after an interception during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Broncos can end postseason drought by beating the Bengals
The Denver Broncos have another chance to clinch a playoff spot when the 9-6 team faces the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday. The Bengals at 7-8 have a chance to make the playoffs, too, although they’ll need a lot more help from other teams.
 
Cincinnati Bengals safety Geno Stone (22) celebrates with teammates after an interception during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Riding a 3-game win streak, the Bengals cling to playoff hopes with the Broncos next
The Cincinnati Bengals have won three straight games for the first time this season. Cincinnati is playing its best football, but it might be too late to sneak into the playoffs, with five teams battling for the two remaining AFC postseason spots.
 
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard looks for an open receiver against Michigan during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
After beating Tennessee, Ohio State will finally get its rematch with Oregon
Ohio State players had been thinking about a rematch with Oregon long before the Buckeyes crushed Tennessee in a first-round playoff game.
 
Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith, top, celebrates after his touchdown against Tennessee during the second half in the first round of the College Football Playoff, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Howard throws 2 TD passes to Smith to help Ohio State rout Tennessee 42-17 in CFP
Will Howard threw two touchdown passes to freshman Jeremiah Smith and Ohio State routed Tennessee 42-17 on Saturday night in a first-round College Football Playoff game, setting up a New Year’s Day rematch with No. 1 Oregon at the Rose Bowl.
 
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) and wide receiver Andrei Iosivas (80) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Monday, Dec. 9, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. The Cincinnati Bengals won 27-20. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Bengals still clinging to playoff hopes as they host the struggling Browns
The Cincinnati Bengals still have something to play for in this mostly disappointing season. They have a slight chance of making the playoffs. First, the Bengals will have to beat the Cleveland Browns in the second leg of the Battle Ohio on Sunday.
 
Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith, right, catches a pass against Indiana during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Ohio State wants redemption, Tennessee seeks respect in first-round CFP matchup
Tennessee coach Josh Heupel doesn’t want to hear that the No. 7 Volunteers are just happy to have made the expanded College Football Playoff.
 
Cincinnati Bengals safety Geno Stone (22) points as he runs towards the endzone to score a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Burrow keeps Bengals offense going in sloppy win over Titans
Joe Burrow keeps throwing passes and Ja’Marr Chase keeps catching them. And now the Cincinnati Bengals have won two in a row for just the second time this season.
 
Dayton forward Nate Santos (2), guard Hamad Mousa (10), forward Amael L'Etang (29) and guard Malachi Smith (11) celebrate after an NCAA college basketball game win over Marquette in Dayton, Ohio, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)
Dayton rallies from 13 points down to beat No. 6 Marquette 71-63
Javon Bennett and Zed Key each scored 15 points as Dayton erased a 13-point deficit in the second half and beat No. 6 Marquette 71-63.
 
Washington Capitals center Aliaksei Protas (21) celebrates with teammates after scoring the game winning goal in overtime of an NHL hockey game against the Columbus Blue Jackets Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Aliaksei Protas scores in OT to lift Capitals over Blue Jackets 2-1
Aliaksei Protas scored his second goal of the night 2:23 into overtime to lift the Washington Capitals to a 2-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets.
 
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day walks across Wrigley Field as his team arrives for an NCAA college football game against Northwestern, at the historic home of the Chicago Cubs on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Ohio St AD Ross Bjork is ‘absolutely’ confident that coach Ryan Day will return next year
Ohio State athletic director Ross Bjork said he’s “absolutely” confident that Ryan Day will be back as football coach in 2025.
 
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Monday, Dec. 9, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. The Cincinnati Bengals won 27-20. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase stay hot as the Bengals finally break through to end a 3-game skid
The Cincinnati Bengals finally managed to win a close game. Seven of Cincinnati’s eight losses this season have been by one score. That’s why Monday night’s 27-20 win over the Dallas Cowboys was so satisfying.
 
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day, center, looks on during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Ryan Day admits mistakes in Ohio State’s loss to Michigan and looks to playoffs to redeem himself
Ohio State coach Ryan Day says he’s still the man for the job, despite the Buckeyes losing to rival Michigan for the fourth straight year.
 
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) walks off the field after his team's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Joe Burrow is no longer talking about the playoffs after another loss by the high-scoring Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals have found all manner of ways to lose close games this season. Sunday’s 44-38 loss to AFC North rival Pittsburgh can be blamed on a defense that missed tackles and allowed 520 yards of offense, and three turnovers by Joe Burrow.
 
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) prepares to pass to tight end Pat Freiermuth (not shown) for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)
Russell Wilson throws for a season-high 414 yards and 3 TDs as the Steelers top the Bengals 44-38
Russell Wilson threw for a season-high 414 yards and three touchdowns, and the Pittsburgh Steelers outlasted Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals 44-38. Wilson logged the second-most passing yards and the third 400-yard game of his career.
 
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day, left, and Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore shake hands after an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Michigan, Ohio State players brawl after Wolverines beat No. 2 Buckeyes. Police use pepper spray
A fight broke out at midfield after Michigan stunned No. 2 Ohio State 13-10 on Saturday when Wolverines players attempted to plant their flag on the OSU logo and were confronted by the Buckeyes.
 
Michigan players celebrate their touchdown against Ohio State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Michigan upsets No. 2 Ohio State 13-10 for Wolverines’ 4th straight win over bitter rival
Dominic Zvada kicked a 21-yard field goal with 45 seconds left and Michigan stunned No. 2 Ohio State 13-10, ending the Buckeyes’ hopes of returning to the Big Ten title game.
 
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson throws a Hail Mary pass on the final play of the game in the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, in Cleveland. The Browns won 24-19. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Steelers will try to stay on top of the AFC North when they face the Bengals in Cincy
The Pittsburgh Steelers let their most recent game slip away as the Browns outlasted them on a snowy night in Cleveland. The AFC North-leading Steelers have a chance to get back on track when they face the Bengals on Sunday.
 
Ohio State defensive lineman Jack Sawyer, left, celebrates his fumble recovery and touchdown against Purdue during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
After 3 straight losses to Michigan, No. 2 Ohio State yearns for revenge in The Game
No. 2 Ohio State will be seeking revenge when Michigan visits Saturday for this year’s edition of The Game.
 
Ohio State receiver Emeka Egbuka, right, catches a touchdown pass thrown over Indiana defensive lineman Lanell Carr during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
No. 2 Ohio State takes control in the 2nd half and runs over No. 5 Indiana 38-15
Will Howard passed for two touchdowns and rushed for another, TreVeyon Henderson ran for a score and No. 2 Ohio State beat previously undefeated No. 5 Indiana 38-15.
 
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow answers questions after an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
Frustrated Bengals are 4-7 at their bye week and still looking for ways to win the close games
The Cincinnati Bengals are using the bye week to figure out how they can win close games and get out of the 4-7 funk in which they find themselves.
 
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Purdue, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Dominated by No.2 Ohio State for years, surprising No. 5 Indiana has a chance for the big payback
Before the season, an Ohio State-Indiana game on the penultimate Saturday seemed like a dud. Conventional wisdom was that the Buckeyes would push around Indiana on the way to a revenge match with Michigan in the final regular season game.
 
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow answers questions after an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
Burrow and the Bengals head into their bye week with playoff hopes on life support
The Cincinnati Bengals let another close game slip away. Their playoff hopes are slipping away, too. Despite the second-half heroics of quarterback Joe Burrow, the Bengals lost in the final minute to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night, 34-27.
 
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski, left, shoots the puck in front of Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Jack St. Ivany during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Columbus, Ohio, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)
Blue Jackets rout the Penguins 6-2 to snap a 6-game skid
Zac Werenski and Dmitri Voronkov each had a goal and an assist, Elvis Merzlikins made 23 saves and the Columbus Blue Jackets snapped a six-game skid with a 6-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday night.
 
Ohio State's Micah Parrish, right, posts up against Youngstown State's Ty Harper, left, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Bradshaw and Mobley each score 16 as newly ranked No. 21 Ohio State routs Youngstown State 81-47
Aaron Bradshaw and John Mobley Jr. each scored 16 points to lead five players in double figures as No. 21 Ohio State crushed Youngstown State 81-47.
 
Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith, left, runs past Purdue defensive back Nyland Green to score a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Jeremiah Smith breaks school record with 9th TD catch as No. 3 Ohio State rolls over Purdue 45-0
Will Howard threw three touchdown passes and rushed for another score as the No. 3 Buckeyes rolled over Purdue 45-0. Jeremiah Smith broke the Ohio State freshman receiving record with his ninth touchdown of the season.
 
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow pauses on the field after an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in Baltimore. The Ravens won 35-34. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Despite the heroics of Burrow and Chase, 4-6 Bengals let another one slip away with Chargers next
The Cincinnati Bengals once again couldn’t put away Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens. Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, the duo that led Cincinnati to the Super Bowl after the 2021 season, were at their dazzling best.
 
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day reacts during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against Penn State, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Coach Day challenges No. 3 Ohio State to keep the intensity high when Purdue visits the Horseshoe
After gutting out three close games in row, No. 3 Ohio State will try to keep the intensity level high when Purdue visits Ohio Stadium on Saturday.
 
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