FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) - The New York Jets beat the New England
Patriots 28-21 to earn a spot in the AFC championship game at
Pittsburgh next Sunday. Mark Sanchez threw for three touchdowns and
no interceptions to help the Jets reach the conference title game
for the second straight year. The Jets recorded five sacks of Tom
Brady, who also threw his first interception since Week 6 when
David Harris picked him off in the first quarter.
CHICAGO (AP) - It will be the Bears hosting the Green Bay
Packers in the NFC championship game next Sunday after Chicago
earned a convincing 35-24 win over the Seattle Seahawks. Jay Cutler
threw for two touchdowns and ran for two others while the Bears
were building a 35-10 lead. Tight end Greg Olsen had three
receptions for 113 yards, including a 58-yard TD grab on the Bears'
first series.
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) - On the first day of the Australia
Open, Andy Roddick defeated Jan Hajek 6-1, 6-2, 6-2. Roger Federer
beat Lukas Lacko 6-1, 6-1, 6-3. And in women's play, Venus Williams
has advanced to the second round, beating Sara Errani of Italy 6-3
6-2. Caroline Wozniacki (wohz-nee-AK'-ee) was a winner in her
first-round match, carding a 6-3, 6-4 win over Gisela Dulko
(jih-ZEHL'-uh DUHL'-koh).
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - A person with knowledge of the deal says
the Oakland Athletics and free-agent lefty reliever Brian Fuentes
have agreed to terms on a two-year contract, pending a physical.
The 35-year-old Fuentes was 4-1 with 24 saves and a 2.81 ERA in 48
appearances and 48 innings with the Los Angeles Angels and
Minnesota Twins last season.
CINCINNATI (AP) - Joey Votto is being rewarded for winning the
National League MVP and leading the Cincinnati Reds to their first
playoff berth in 15 years. A person familiar with negotiations
tells The Associated Press that the Reds and Votto have hammered
out a three-year, $38 million deal. Votto hit .324 with 37 homers
and 113 RBIs for the NL Central champs last season.
