Riley Breckenridge

Oregon Ducks' dynamic freshman quarterback Marcus Mariota believes that communication will be the key to upending the Kansas State Wildcats in the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday.

After firing general manager A.J. Smith on Monday, San Diego Chargers team president Dean Spanos is reportedly planning to interview four candidates for the position.

Heading into No. 4 Oregon's battle with No. 5 Kansas State in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, Ducks sophomore running back De'Anthony Thomas is preparing himself for a battle with a physical Wildcats squad.

The Kansas City Chiefs fired head coach Romeo Crennel (day) after the team finished with a disappointing 2-14 record.

While the AFC's six playoff teams are set, their seeding is not, and the NFC's playoff picture is a bit murkier with the fates of a handful of teams hinging on the outcome of their (and other teams') regular-season finales.

Following an eight-game slate on Friday, Saturday's KHL schedule features four games, including 2012 No. 1 draft pick Nail Yakupov's Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk versus Ak Bars Kazan.

The Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts will close out the 2012 regular season in Indianapolis on Sunday, and Gary Kubiak's squad could be without Brooks Reed and Shiloh Keo.

A pair of potent rushing teams will square off on Saturday at the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth, Texas and oddsmakers have pegged the Rice Owls as 3-point underdogs against the Air Force Falcons.

According to most prognosticators, the No. 23 Texas Longhorns have an uphill battle ahead of them as they clash with the No. 13 Oregon State Beavers on Saturday in the Valero Alamo Bowl.

Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware missed his second straight practice on Thursday with shoulder and elbow issues. Despite the injury, he intends to play in the team's regular season finale on Sunday night.

Denver Broncos kick returner Trindon Holliday and cornerback Tracy Porter did not practice with the team on Thursday and their status for the team's Week 17 game against the Kansas City Chiefs remains questionable, according to a report.

A pair of potent offenses will clash on Saturday, when the Air Force Falcons battle the Rice Owls in the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl. Experts have weighed in with their picks and the Falcons are a unanimous pick to knock off the Owls.

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson was named to his second straight Pro Bowl on Wednesday, and this time around, the second-year pro is more satisfied with the honor.

The Denver Nuggets assigned rookie forward Quincy Miller to the Iowa Energy of the NBA Developmental League on Thursday.

Arizona St. Sun Devils' sophomore Taylor Kelly went from a third-string quarterback in last year's spring camp to the team's starter in 12 games in 2012, and he did so while playing through injuries, according to a report.

San Francisco 49ers' defensive end Justin Smith has been out of action since Dec. 16, and according to a report, it's because the 12-year veteran has a partially torn triceps.

A shoulder injury suffered on Nov. 17 against UCLA will keep the senior quarterback out of the Sun Bowl next Monday.

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman has won his appeal to overturn a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing drug policy, according to multiple reports.

The Los Angeles Clippers have ridden a 14-game winning streak to the top of the Western Conference Standings, while the Miami Heat have leapfrogged the New York Knicks to take the top spot in the East.

After a last-second 99-97 loss to an injury-riddled New York Knicks team, Phoenix Suns fans react to a disappointing performance by Alvin Gentry's squad.

Chip Kelly's name has surfaced as a candidate for a few soon-to-be vacant NFL head coaching jobs, but the Oregon Ducks head coach isn't paying attention to anything other than his team's upcoming Fiesta Bowl game.

While Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman awaits a ruling on his appeal of a four-game suspension for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy, he is reportedly planning to sue the NFL if his appeal is denied.

Despite rumors swirling that LaMarcus Aldridge might be on the trading block, Portland Trail Blazers' general manager Neil Olshey has no interest in trading the All-Star power forward, according to a report.

Brian Hoyer's contract with the Arizona Cardinals expires in March, but the 27-year-old is more concerned about his start against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday than he is about his future with the organization.

After emerging as a star in 2012, one might think Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Taylor Kelly would have little competition for the starting job under center in 2013, but that's not necessarily the case.

The New York Knicks, the Eastern Conference's best team, head to Los Angeles on Tuesday for a nationally-televised showdown with the wayward Lakers and former Knicks head coach Mike D'Antoni.

After downing the New York Giants 33-14 on Sunday, the Baltimore Ravens have clinched the AFC North title.

The Denver Broncos utilized a stout defense and stellar game from quarterback Peyton Manning, as they cruised to their tenth consecutive win, a 34-12 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

After jumping out to a 14-3 lead at the half, Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos added a third touchdown to take a 21-6 lead over the Cleveland Browns the end of three quarters of play.

The Denver Broncos have had very little trouble with the Cleveland Browns thus far, jumping out to a 14-3 lead at the end of the first half on two touchdown passes from Peyton Manning.