Seahawks defeat Rams and go to Superbowl

Sam Darnold was cast aside by the New York Jets, who drafted him No. 3 overall in 2018. The Minnesota Vikings didn't bring him back after he led them to a 14-3 season but flopped in the playoffs.

Now, in his first season with the Seattle Seahawks, he's Super Bowl-bound.

Darnold threw for three touchdowns, the Seahawks' "Dark Side" defense came up with a critical fourth-down stop, and Seattle advanced to the Super Bowl, beating the Los Angeles Rams 31-27 in an electrifying NFC championship game on Sunday.

Nylander flips the bird to camera

Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander apologized for making an obscene gesture during Sunday's home loss to the Colorado Avalanche.

Nylander, currently sidelined with a groin injury, appeared on the broadcast in the press box and was seen pointing his middle finger at a camera.

"Only love for Leafs nation," Nylander posted on Instagram following the 4-1 loss. "Sorry about the moment of frustration today! Didn't mean to upset anyone. Looking forward to being back on the ice and not in the stands. Love Willy."

Patriots defeat Broncos and return to Super Bowl

Drake Maye ran for 68 yards and threw for 86 in sloppy, snowy conditions and scored New England's only touchdown on a 6-yard keeper, propelling the Patriots to their 12th Super Bowl with a 10-7 win over the Denver Broncos on Sunday.

Christian Gonzalez intercepted Jarrett Stidham, starting in place of an injured Bo Nix, at New England's 36 with 2:11 remaining and the Patriots (17-3) iced their first playoff win in Denver when Maye ran for 7 yards on third-and-5 from his 41.

In Mike Vrabel's first season as coach, New England became the third team in the Super Bowl era to win a conference championship with 10 points or less. Buffalo beat Denver 10-7 in the 1991 AFC title game, and the Los Angeles beat Tampa Bay 9-0 in the 1979 NFC championship game.

Ottawa Senators smash Golden Knights

Stephen Halliday had two goals and an assist, Dylan Cozens also scored twice and the Ottawa Senators routed the road-weary Vegas Golden Knights 7-1 on Sunday night.

Senators goalie Linus Ullmark returned to to the active roster from a personal leave, backing up Mads Sogaard. Ullmark was the 2022-23 Vezina Trophy winner.

Halliday scored his second and third career goals, and added the assist for a three-point game in his first season in the NHL.

Devin Booker out with ankle sprain

Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker will be out at least one week due to a right ankle sprain, the team announced Sunday, according to Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic.

He'll miss a minimum of four games under the timeline provided.

Booker sustained the injury during the third quarter of Friday's loss to the Atlanta Hawks. The four-time All-Star was making his way upcourt when he inadvertently stepped on the foot of Hawks center Onyeka Okongwu.

Andrew McCutchen is upset with Pirates

Pittsburgh Pirates icon Andrew McCutchen doesn't seem pleased with how the team is treating him before what could be the final year of his career.

McCutchen, who's currently a free agent, had harsh words for his longtime team Saturday, hours after Pirates general manager Ben Cherington was noncommittal about re-signing him.

Alex Lyon ties Sabres record

Jason Tucker scored twice and Alex Lyon stopped 26 shots and tied a Buffalo record with his ninth straight victory as the Sabres beat the New York Islanders 5-0 Saturday.

Tage Thompson, Rasmus Dahlin and Alex Tuch also scored as the Sabres won their third straight and for the fifth time in seven games. Ryan McLeod and Mattias Samuelsson each had two assists.

Lyon, who signed with the Sabres in July after two seasons with Detroit, recorded the sixth shutout of his career and tied the Buffalo record of Gerry Desjardins (1976-77) with nine consecutive wins.

Steelers hire Mike McCarthy as Head Coach

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Mike McCarthy have reached a verbal agreement to make him their next head coach, the team announced Saturday.

McCarthy was out of the NFL last season after a five-year run as the Dallas Cowboys' head coach from 2020-24. He previously served as the Green Bay Packers' head coach from 2006-18, during which he secured a victory in Super Bowl XLV over the Steelers.

The 62-year-old would become just the franchise's fourth head coach since 1969. Mike Tomlin, who had led the Steelers for the last 19 years, stepped down following their loss to the Houston Texans in the wild-card round.

Mike McDaniel head coaching options

Mike McDaniel canceled an interview with the Buffalo Bills for their vacant head coaching job that was scheduled for Friday, a source told The Athletic's Dianna Russini.

McDaniel was set to meet with Buffalo brass in Florida, where the club also scheduled interviews with Philip Rivers, Anthony Lynn, Anthony Weaver, and Grant Udinski.

The 42-year-old McDaniel also reportedly canceled a second interview with the Cleveland Browns for their head coaching job. He has spoken with the Las Vegas Raiders about their position, as it's still one of the five vacant head coaching jobs available.

NBA postpones game due to fatal shooting

The NBA has postponed Saturday's game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors in Minneapolis.

The NBA said the decision was made to "prioritize the safety and security of the Minneapolis community." The decision comes in the wake of a fatal shooting in the city involving federal agents Saturday.

The matchup has been rescheduled to Sunday at 4:30 p.m. CT.