Paul Hayward: Bale is the player of the season so far

Gareth Bale in action for Spurs against Chelsea. Photograph: Felipe Trueba/EPA

On his best days Gareth Bale could be a Pixar movie creation. With his superhero quiff and zippy moves he induces smiles of admiration and fear in rival managers, as if a screen figure has invaded the real game of blood and bone.

Before his Chelsea team travelled to Spurs a fortnight ago, Carlo Ancelotti wore the grin of one happy to go along with the idea of Bale as unplayable attacker. For our amusement the Chelsea manager took pity on Paulo Ferreira, the latest right-back to accept the fairground challenge of stopping the young Welsh winger.

With the mention of Bale's name this winter there has been a hint of what batsmen felt facing the great West Indies bowling attack or an English back probably experienced before for an 80-minute duet with Jonah Lomu. These are hammed-up responses, obviously, but rare is the British footballer who can generate anxiety and delight together. "Roll up, roll up" is not a cry we have heard too often in a Premier League season of few star turns, but Bale draws neutrals to the screen as an entertainment all by himself.

None of the other names advanced as player-of-the-year-so-far can beat the revelatory force of Bale's presence in an improving Tottenham side. His emergence at outside-left offers proof that young, potential-rich players tend to need a buoyant working atmosphere to fulfil their own promise.

Individual talent brings success, but success in turn hastens the development of individual talent, especially when self-expression is encouraged by an adventurous manager: in this case Harry Redknapp. Wasted talent is worse than no talent at all. Bale was not squandering his gifts, exactly, but a severe downturn in his career at left-back threatened to consign him to the dump of youngsters who had failed to progress beyond precocity. The Football League is peppered with big-club discards who trained off around the age of 20.

For many there is a choice that becomes apparent only when the opportunity to take the right one has already passed. Too late they realise that only by applying their talents consistently and dedicating themselves to that single task can they hope to spend five or 10 years at a top-five club.

This is the gulf Manchester United's Anderson was slipping down until a switch clicked in his brain and he added dynamism and thrust to his cosy 10-yard passing game. Wingers confront this dilemma head on. Think of David Bentley, Jermaine Pennant and even Aaron Lennon. Decisive wide play with a good final outcome is highly visible and easy to rate. The converse is equally true. Fliers who strike the first defender with a cross or hide from the action are instantly conspicuous.

Bale has marched through this critical minefield to become the latest in a distinguished lineage of Welsh wingers, from Cliff Jones to Ryan Giggs. Jones, a touchline terror for Spurs from 1957-68, says: "He is without doubt one of the best in the world and I have no doubt he will become the first Welsh player to win 100 caps. He's only 21 and he's got so much in front of him. In fact he'll only get better and better."

The halfway prize for excitement-generation is easily bestowed on Bale by virtue of his assault on Maicon, the unofficial best right-back in the world, home and away to Internazionale, as well as his spearing at White Hart Lane of Werder Bremen's Clemens Fritz: a defender of high repute. To cause so much damage in Champions League action earns extra points, and Bale has been equally effective in domestic competition, especially with his bursts from the halfway line.

Across north London, at Arsenal, Samir Nasri's feet are dancing to a hotter rhythm. Educated in wide positions by Arsène Wenger, Nasri is graduating to a more central role. Wenger possesses plenty of artists who can decorate a match but too few who can win him one that really counts. If Nasri is advancing from the first group to the second the title race will benefit. But Bale is in another category. He can destroy teams by himself. Nasri can unlock, Bale can overwhelm.

Falling into conversation with Redknapp after Tottenham's victory over Inter at White Hart Lane, Luís Figo, one of the most creative wingers of the postwar era, said of Bale: "He's just amazing, amazing. He killed us twice." Squads of analysts will develop smothering strategies, which Bale must learn to elude, and at 21 he will encounter plenty of problems with the most experienced defenders (Everton's Phil Neville was the victor in their recent struggle) but at the midway point he has fired in more crosses than any Premier League winger and is completing his own swift moves with emphatic finishing.

A personal favourite is his trick of knocking the ball beyond a full-back and then running round him to meet it on the other side. This, and other sadistic japes, will invite retribution, often shin high, but Cristiano Ronaldo offers a template for the winger strong enough to withstand unpunished aggression in the English game. To combine scorching pace, dribbling, nastily precise crossing and shooting ability is a rare blend of attributes, which is why Europe's elite now covet Theo Walcott's fellow graduate from the Southampton academy.

Redknapp thinks he will end up where he started, and underachieved, at left-back, because a defensive starting point will offer him a longer run-up. His judgment is to be respected, but the neutral thrillseeker will not want to watch Bale spend too much time grappling with opposition wingers in his own penalty area when he could be slicing past them at the other end.

His universal appeal is to be found in the liberation of his gift, through his own confidence and audacity, which we can all relate to when we study any young person with talent, and wonder what will come of it.

O'Connell clear to start Six Nations

Paul O'Connell, right, takes a pass during Ireland's 23-20 Six Nations defeat by Scotland back in March. Photograph: Julien Behal/PA

Paul O'Connell will be available to start the Six Nations for Ireland after being given a four-week suspension for striking Jonathan Thomas in the face during Munster's Heineken Cup victory over Ospreys last Sunday.

O'Connell, who had come on as a substitute, was making only his second appearance of the season after being out of action for eight months. Ospreys had been expecting the Lions lock to receive a far stiffer ban given the 10 weeks, reduced to 51 days on appeal, handed to their then centre Gavin Henson in 2005 for committing the same offence on Alex Moreno of Leicester.

But Jeff Blackett, the judicial officer, ruled that while the action of O'Connell, who was sent off for lashing out at Thomas after having his jersey pulled, was deliberate, he did not intend to injure the Ospreys No8.

O'Connell was given five weeks with one week remitted for previous good conduct, with his offence considered mid-range in terms of seriousness, compared with Henson's which was seen as being at the top end. The Munster team manager, Shaun Payne, said they are considering lodging an appeal. O'Connell will be free to play from 10 January, but he will have only three weeks to prove his form and fitness before Ireland's opening Six Nations match, against Italy in Rome.

Mancini admits his interest in Carroll

Andy Carroll caught the eye of the Manchester City manager, Roberto Mancini, with his goalscoring efforts for Newcastle. Photograph: Ian Horrocks/Getty Images

Roberto Mancini has indicated he would like to sign Andy Carroll but Manchester City's manager does not believe Newcastle United will sell their prize asset next month. Shortly after seeing his side secure an impressive, if deceptively hard-fought, 3-1 win at St James' Park, which moves City up to second in the Premier League, Mancini was at pains to praise Newcastle's England centre-forward.

"Carroll is a good player," said the Italian, more than once. "He's young, he's strong, he's very good. But I don't think that Newcastle want to sell." On an afternoon when Carlos Tevez scored twice for City, Carroll claimed his team's consolation goal and was virtually unplayable.

Mancini, marking the first anniversary of his City career, seemed suitably relieved that his players had seized on two defensive lapses to go two up within six minutes. "We started very well," said City's manager, doubtless aware that the German newspaper Bild is reporting that Wolfsburg has softened its stance on selling Edin Dzeko and may now release the coveted striker for a lesser figure of around ¤30m (£25.5m). "But it was a difficult game against a strong Newcastle team."

Meanwhile Tevez emphasised a recent reconciliation with both his Eastlands paymasters and Mancini by making things extremely hard for Alan Pardew's defence before exchanging smiles and an embrace with his manager after being withdrawn. "Carlos played very well, he has a real focus," said Mancini, whose team boast the league's best away record. "I am happy."

Asked to describe his year at Eastlands, Mancini gave a one word answer: "Fantastic." A little qualification followed. "We must improve at home, though. Away we are very good but we've lost a lot of points at home. If we do improve I hope we can arrive on top and that we can win something."

Pardew remains circumspect about City's prospects. "They've certainly got enough quality," said Newcastle's new manager, who hailed a "strong performance" from his players. "But winning titles is not just about quality, it's about team spirit, luck with injuries and general good fortune. City have still got a lot to do, especially as they're looking to win the Premier League for the first time."

At least Mancini's defence can expect few tougher assignments than today's. "Andy Carroll was a constant menace," said Pardew. "If you put balls into the right areas not many centre-halves can deal with Andy."

India mount fight back in Durban

India's Zaheer Khan is congratulated by teamates for dismissing South African Graeme Smith Photograph: Alexander Joe/AFP/Getty Images

Zaheer Khan's two wickets, a lucky run out and a strike by Sreesanth just before lunch helped India fight back to reduce South Africa to 74 for four on day two of the second Test at Kingsmead.

It left the hosts 131 runs behind their visitors, who were dismissed for just 205 inside the first hour this morning, thanks to two wickets each for Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn, the latter ending with six for 50. Fast bowler Zaheer removed Graeme Smith for nine and Alviro Petersen for 24, while Ishant Sharma's stretch saw him divert the ball onto the stump to dismiss Jacques Kallis for 10. The wayward Sreesanth then finally managed a good ball that forced AB de Villiers into an edge for a duck. Hashim Amla, playing in his 50th Test, was left on 24 not out.

All that drama came after the Proteas had looked well on top following a fine opening in which they claimed the last four wickets for just 22 runs in 9.1 overs. Resuming on their overnight 183 for six, India were aiming to reach at least 250, but were given little chance thanks to another outstanding display from the South Africa attack.

Steyn completed his 15th career five-wicket haul in the fifth over of the day when Harbhajan Singh (21) was caught by De Villiers, who threw himself to his right at third slip. Zaheer (nought) then handed Morkel his first wicket via a routine catch for Mark Boucher as the hosts moved quickly through the tail. Mahendra Singh Dhoni tried to stem the flow of wickets with more attacking strokes and took his side past 200 by smashing Steyn for six over long-on.

But his changed approach led to his downfall for 35 as he was soon caught in the deep by Petersen again trying to hit out at Steyn. And Sreesanth (nought) was last man out when he top-edged Morkel to Boucher. In reply, India could have had a wicket in the first over, but a Petersen edge off Zaheer flew wide of Murali Vijay at third slip.

But it was clear, though, that the fast bowler's presence amongst the bowlers meant there was an added threat - he missed the first Test due to a injury. The left-armer looked lively every time he ran in and was rewarded in the fifth over when Smith edged to Dhoni.

He soon had a second wicket too, bowling Petersen around his legs after the batsman shuffled across his stumps.

But Kallis and Amla took the hosts past 50, before the former was caught short after a straight drive by the latter was diverted onto the stumps. And De Villiers edged to Dhoni after a fine ball from Sreesanth, whose 5.4 overs went for 33, as the players went in to lunch.

The Fiver Christmas Awards 2010

Watch out Robbie Earle. Photograph: Michael Mayhew/Sportsphoto

Welcome to the 11th Fiver Christmas Awards. Or is it the 12th? Oh, we don't know, but if you squint hard enough you might see us being bundled out of the VVIP area of Boujis as Frank Lampard and Christine Bleakley avert their eyes.

Attempting to bring enlightenment to the unwashed masses through an inflatable doll, some mattresses lashed to a graffiti-daubed horse box and a portable toilet, young British artist and Derby County goalkeeper Stephen Bywater's mind-expanding and provocative hand-rendered installation was, to this pretentious tea-time email's classically trained eye, full of the fun of rebellion and imbued with a very real beauty, despite its laughably aggressive absurdities of disproportion. For this he gets the gong, despite the prudish but irrelevant disapproval it engendered among his neighbours in Sutton-on-the-Hill in Derbyshire. "We are totally bewildered by his actions," said one 75-year-old philistine who wished to remain anonymous, while a statement was issued from the Pride Park press office declaring that the club wished to "completely disassociate" itself from the player's artistic endeavours. Having originally declared the work to be his "masterpiece", Bywater later backtracked. "I acknowledge that this does not reflect well on me as a professional or the club in general," he said of his impetuous creation, with a doubtlessly incantatory bellow ... before auctioning it off on eBay.

1) Graham Taylor, who took a stand against fowl play by announcing that he will be having roast beef for Christmas dinner instead of turkey after Blackeye Rovers owners and Indian poultry magnates Venky's sacked Sam Allardyce. "It will be my protest against what is happening at Black[eye] and what is happening to our football in this country," said Taylor. Only time will tell if photos of Taylor carving a succulent rump roast with all the trimmings will become as iconic as Malcolm Browne's snap of that self-immolating Buddhist monk in Vietnam.

2) Social networking's Robbie Savage, who threw a Stephen Fry-esque hissy-fit and announced he was leaving Twitter because somebody in the Daily Star had misquoted him. Approximately four hours later, he was back. Approximately 3,729 tedious and unfunny spats with Rio Ferdinand he's still there.

"Nobody can stand here and tell me Germany were a lot better than us," declared Frank Lampard with an admirably straight face, flying in the face of all available evidence to the contrary in the wake of England's hideously embarrassing World Cup exit. Until yesterday, the Chelsea midfielder would have been a shoo-in for this award, but that was before Sky Sports analyst Andy Gray announced that Barcelona ain't all that and said "Let's see Lionel Messi do it at Stoke".

Ryan Shawcross.

Lionel Messi. So what if El Diego's bizarro squad selection and tactics stopped him replicating Maradona in Mexico 86? He still banged in 58 goals in 53 games for Barcelona; the highest-ever total in a calendar year in a major European league. And no, we're not counting Scotland's EuroDisnae League.

Match of the Day's Alan Shearer, who surpassed his own lamentable standards by describing Hatem Ben Arfa as "a young lad who's come in, no one really knows a good deal of him", when asked for his thoughts on the France international who helped Marseille win the French title after arriving at the Stade Velodrome from Lyon in an €11m move. Alan Shearer hails from Tyneside, managed Newcastle United briefly and used to play for them. He is understood to be paid £500,000 per annum for his match analysis by the BBC.

World Cup 2018 bid ambassador Gary Lineker, who quit his weekly column for the Mail on Sunday after deciding their stitch-up job on Lord Triesman "undermined the bid to bring the World Cup to England in 2018". Despite working for the same corporation that broadcast the episode of Panorama practically cited as one of the reasons the England bid failed by Sepp Blatter, Lineker has yet to tender his resignation to the producers of Match of the Day.

Sepp Blatter, whose reaction to several Fifa executive committee members being accused of corruption was pretty much to stick underpants on his head and two pencils up his ginormo nostrils. "There is no systematic corruption in Fifa," insisted Solemn Sepp. "That is nonsense. We are financially clean and clear ... I'm working to make football a school of life, bringing hope, bringing emotions." There were certainly plenty of 'emotions' on display on 2 December, all right, after England's 2018 World Cup bid was humilatingly knocked out in the first round. Speaking of which ...

Andy Anson, brother of erstwhile Radio One pop platter spinner Lisa I' and head of jotting down a list of stadiums in England on the back of a napkin, couldn't believe England weren't rewarded for, hey, just being English, as Fifa decided who would host the 2018 World Cup. "No one cares about football as much as England," he blubbed, like a toddler who had just fallen off his trike, inadvertently revealing exactly why nobody else likes us much. The Fiver, of course, feels sorry for English fans, denied the chance to enjoy football's greatest show at close hand in eight years' time. We're not so sorry for the FA, though, which deserved all it got for involving Milton Keynes Dons Footpad Club in the bid. Bad FA! Naughty FA! Inept FA!

The Daily Mail. After England's World Cup bid flopped the paper wondered whether its presentation was too "multi-cultural" and drew on "a range of ethnically diverse figures". Below the line, its readers concurred - "It makes me sick when we have this 'multicultural' rubbish rubbed in our faces", "Fools! Multi cultural idiots!!!", "Well done Daily Mail for having the courage to speak up" and, inevitably, "If only Diana were here to see what this nation has become." If only.

South Africa 2010. Ball hoofed over the bar from a free-kick in 34th minute to an empty drone of vuvuzela as everyone traipses back into their rigid hustling formation and Peter Drury says "such a tight, competitive opening from both teams". Repeat until one team has eked out a soul-sapping 1-0 knockout victory.

A shame the fly-on-the-wall camera technique has now fallen out of TV fashion. For how entertaining would it have been to witness the fear spread across England's Brave and Loyal John Terry's face as he uttered the phrase "... and that's why we think you're a big bag of hot air, you wrinkled old Italian has-been", looked round to find 21 empty chairs spinning and an open door flapping gently in the breeze, then turned back to see Mr Capello's eyes narrowing slightly? Channel 4 should have paid millions for the rights.

You know you're in trouble when you get involved in a media spat with Chris Evans, and you're the one left looking like you've just thrown their toys from the pram along a mathematically perfect parabola. That's what happened to Adrian Chiles when he left The One Show in a fit of pique at Evans taking over the Friday edition of the programme to present breakfast show Daybreak, the biggest disaster transmitted on ITV1 all year, and that includes the Coronation Street tram crash. Chiles and his bulging-wallet-sized butt-cheeks were also wedged into the presenter's chair for ITV's football coverage. He started well at the World Cup, comparing watching the opening ceremony to Christmas morning as a kid, but it was all downhill from there. He finally crashed and burned when Big Ted arced from the buggy again, as Luis Suarez did what we all would have done, let's face it. Let's hope Adrian didn't have any money on Ghana, or that'd be two gambles that haven't come off for him this year.

Robbie Earle.

A no-brainer this. Literally. Guy Mowbray excelled himself during the World Cup. As England crashed out to Germany, he argued that the ludicrous decision not to award Frank Lampard a goal was somehow more wrong than the one which Geoff Hurst was awarded in the 1966 final. Absolutes are absolutes, son. During the semi-final between Germany and Spain, he had a childish tantrum. "You can say that," he snapped after Mark Lawrenson said something that didn't fit in with his narrow worldview. "Just did," replied Lawro, childishly. A minute later, Lawrenson had to ask a sulking Mowbray if anything was wrong, and was he all right? Then there was the final. And all we're going to say is, Mowbray has now commentated on the same number of World Cup finals as Barry Davies, for God's sake. The Fiver loves the licence fee, but sometimes the BBC make it very hard.

Jim Beglin, who was ill and didn't make ITV's World Cup semi-final between Uruguay and Holland, leaving Clive Tyldesley to work the room on his own. The much-maligned Tyldesley was a revelation when flying solo, informative, opinionated and genuinely entertaining. The most productive day's work of Beglin's career, and that includes the time he spent at Dirty Leeds.

Appropriately, this goes to the Queen's Celtic, for acting like effing big bairns over a penalty that never was during a game against Dundee United. Having long since created a climate where referees touch cloth at the mere thought of making any mistake that could be jumped on in post-match press conferences, the Queen's Celtic grasped their opportunity with both hands when referee Dougie McDonald overturned his initial incorrect spot-kick award only to later blame it on the linesman. Defcon one! Despite nobody else really caring, McDonald felt he was forced out of his job, the linesman having already chucked it in. In other unrelated-but-not-totally-unrelated-when-it-all-comes-down news, referees' boss Hugh Dallas was forced to resign for emailing a funny picture of Joseph Ratzinger. It takes some effort to make the Pope's O'Rangers look like the good guys for once, but the Queen's Celtic have managed it. Well done, John Reid! Another roaring success for you!

Carlo Ancelotti, who achieved the near-impossible by making Chelsea's Pensioners almost likeable as they thrilled their way to the double. What's more, he was charming with it. "There are times when I stand up in front of a full-length mirror and act like a contortionist," he wrote in his autobiography. "I twist my neck and I stare at my ass. My fat butt cheeks aren't a particularly edifying spectacle but … over time it's taught me a lesson: my ass is earthquake-proof."

Runner up: Ian Holloway. Not for anything he's said, mind, but for not walking out on anyone the day after pledging to stay.

Barcelona. Again.

Barcelona, who by beating Real Madrid 5-0 – proving that you can actually enjoy watching tiki-taka sometimes instead of just pretending in order to appear clever – inadvertently set themselves up for The Big Fall. And TBF will happen at Wembley Stadium, London, on May 28 next year, when Jose Mourinho's team will, after being reduced to eight men, beat Barca 1-0 on penalties to lift Big Cup. Mourinho will then run over to the Barca bench and re-enact the Surfin' Bird scene from Pink Flamingos.

Right, aye. You are joking, aren't you?

Aston Villa 1-2 Tottenham

Tottenham's Rafael van der Vaart, left, celebrates his and Spurs' second goal against Aston Villa with Benoît Assou-Ekotto. Photograph: Ian Kington/AFP/Getty Images

Whatever Harry Redknapp received for Christmas, nothing will come close to the "present" the Tottenham Hotspur chairman, Daniel Levy, gave him at 4pm on deadline day in August. Rafael van der Vaart was the gift and the Tottenham manager has been reaping the benefits ever since. Back from a month on the sidelines, the Dutchman scored both goals against Aston Villa, just as he did at White Hart Lane in October when Spurs triumphed by the same scoreline.

It was another outstanding contribution from Van der Vaart on a night when Tottenham were forced to play with 10 men for 63 minutes after Jermain Defoe was sent off for striking James Collins in the face during an aerial challenge.Tottenham of old might have crumbled in those circumstances but Redknapp's side demonstrated strength in the face of adversity against Internazionale earlier this season and the man at the centre of that remarkable second-half performance in Milan was at it again here.

With Villa pressing for an equaliser after the interval, Gareth Bale went on one of those mesmerising runs that almost inevitably end up with defenders sitting on their backsides and Spurs supporters up on their feet. Villa's defence braced themselves for Bale to shoot after a 60-yard dash but the Welshman instead had the presence of mind to pick out Aaron Lennon, whose own unselfish pass was expertly tucked beyond Brad Friedel by the ruthless Van der Vaart for a wonderful team goal.

It was Van der Vaart's 10th in 15 appearances and gave Spurs the breathing space they needed at a time when Villa had been cranking up the pressure. The lively Marc Albrighton, who is just about the one shining light in this increasingly bleak season for Villa, ensured that Redknapp had to endure a nervous final eight minutes when his inswinging cross drifted beyond Heurelho Gomes, but Tottenham refused to buckle and held on for a deserved three points.

The only downside for Redknapp was the dismissal of Defoe, who faces an automatic three-match suspension, with Spurs unlikely to appeal against the sending off. The England international complained bitterly when Martin Atkinson brandished a straight red card but it was difficult to argue with the referee's interpretation of the incident. Defoe led with an arm and made contact with the side of the Villa captain's head as he challenged for a high ball midway inside the Villa half.

"I haven't seen a replay. The boys [the backroom staff] all looked at it at half-time and they thought it was harsh – they said he didn't take his eye off the ball," said Redknapp, who laughed off a touchline spat with Villa's Robert Pires. "Losing Defoe made it difficult but I said to the players at half-time that we could get another one on the break because of the pace we have got with Aaron and Gareth. And it was a fantastic second goal. Really top-class."

Defoe's dismissal was not the only big decision Atkinson made on a night when both managers. Redknapp felt Tottenham had a legitimate goal chalked off in the 16th minute, when Younes Kaboul's effort was ruled out after Alan Hutton was adjudged to have retrieved the ball from beyond the byline. At the other end, Gérard Houllier claimed Villa should have had a penalty in the ninth minute, when Gomes left Emile Heskey nursing a twisted ankle after colliding with the forward.

Spurs took the lead not long after that incident, when Luka Modric delivered a sublime pass that exposed Stephen Warnock's poor positioning and invited Hutton to run clear on the right flank. The full-back skidded a low centre that eluded Collins but ran perfectly into the path of the onrushing Van der Vaart who side-footed home without breaking his stride for the first of his two goals. "He's been fantastic," Redknapp said of the £8m signing from Real Madrid. "He's a 15-to-20-goal-a-season man."

How Villa could do with one of those. These are worrying times for a club who were going head-to-head with Spurs last season but are now travelling in the opposite direction.

The sight of the midfielders Fabian Delph and Stilian Petrov returning from injury provided Houllier with "a few positives", although it is doubtful if the home supporters took any comfort from a result that leaves them facing a relegation battle. With a trip to Manchester City on Wednesday and Chelsea away on New Year's Day, there is unlikely to be much festive cheer at Villa.

Sport England warns of funding cuts

Netball is one of only four Sport England-backed sports to have seen an increase in participation. Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Fears that the 2012 Olympics will leave a negligible legacy in terms of inspiring a new generation to get off their sofas have increased with new figures showing a decline in participation in 19 leading sports despite massive investment.

Governing bodies including the Football Association and the Rugby Football Union were warned yesterday by Sport England, the body responsible for investing £480m in the grassroots, that their funding would be cut if they did not "urgently" start to deliver over the next 12 months.

Only four sports – cycling, netball, mountaineering and athletics – have shown a statistically significant increase in adults participating at least once a week since Sport England's Active People Survey began in 2007. Of those, the majority have been delivered by recreational cycling and jogging.

With the coalition government also under fire for cutting £162m in funding for school sport and looming cuts in local authority spending on facilities, the focus on whether the ambitious legacy claims that helped in 2005 to secure the Olympics for London can be met is bound to intensify.

Sport England, which allocates lottery and exchequer funding to grassroots sport, said it was particularly important that swimming and football reverse their declining numbers given their disproportionate popularity.

The definitive annual figures also showed that only glacial progress was being made towards the government's target of getting one million more people playing sport three or more times a week by 2013.

The target was a key Olympic legacy pledge for the last government after London's bid succeeded partly on the basis of its claim that it would inspire people to play more sport. But the sports minister, Hugh Robertson, has refused to say whether he will retain the target and most expect it to be ditched.

Sport England, due to merge with UK Sport in 2012, said progress had been "slow but steady" with 6.938 million people now taking part in sport three times a week. But the rate of growth is nowhere near fast enough to hit the target, with only 123,000 added since 2007.

Robertson, who succeeded in maintaining funding for grassroots sport at its current level thanks to changes in Lottery distribution, today challenged sports governing bodies to "step up to the plate and deliver". He said: "During the comprehensive spending review we fought hard to get a good settlement for sport. Now it is vital to see a return from the investment sports get from the public purse."

The People, Places, Play strategy will channel an additional £135m into a variety of schemes designed to improve facilities, save playing fields, train coaches and encourage participation.

Sport England said the continued "underperformance" of five of the seven biggest participation sports – including football, swimming and tennis – was "of real concern" and admitted the jury was out on whether the drive to channel £480m of public and lottery funding through sports governing bodies was delivering. Its chief executive, Jennie Price, challenged them to follow the lead of cycling and netball in thinking of new ways to attract and retain participants.

According to the four-year awards made in 2009, and protected under the recent comprehensive spending review, huge sums are poured into governing bodies to drive take-up. Over the four-year period football gets more than £25m, tennis more than £26m, cricket more than £38m, badminton more than £20m, rugby union more than £31m and rugby league more than £29m. In addition, the Football Foundation is guaranteed £60m to invest in facilities.

Price said: "What is concerning is that a number of major sports have yet to deliver, despite significant levels of investment. They now urgently need to demonstrate their ability to grow participation in their sport and prove they can make a significant contribution to sport at the grassroots level."

Kevin Mitchell on a calm destroyer

Jonathan Trott raises his bat aloft after bringing up his third Test century against Australia. Photograph: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

England have reason to be grateful that the two calmest characters at the MCG when it mattered most in this fourth Test were Aleem Dar and Jonathan Trott. The umpire, by consensus the game's best, did what he had to do under intemperate hectoring by Ricky Ponting and Peter Siddle on day two, not to mention being big enough after that regrettable furore to check his own misjudgment about a no-ball and hand Matt Prior a crucial reprieve when on five.

Trott? He hobbled – half-lame much of the time – to his third Test century against Australia, not only condemning them to a mountainous struggle to stay within sight of England's dust but placing him giddily on top of English all-time batting Ashes averages, with 88. Statistically, if not yet in the affection of the nation, he leads a celebrated field: Eddie Paynter and Herbert Sutcliffe from antiquity, Ken Barrington, Chris Broad, old-timer Maurice Leyland, Len Hutton, peerless Jack Hobbs, Kevin Pietersen and Wally Hammond of those who have scored more than 500 in these encounters and average above 50.

If that statistic seems incredible to some, it provides Trott with the sort of ammunition that inures him to the lingering whispers that he will forever be an outsider. Michael Vaughan encouraged that view a little while ago in his autobiography and Trott did not like it one bit. If his badge-kissing on reaching his century was from the school of rehearsed gestures, at least he cares enough to be liked.

His incomer status was embellished when the obdurate, run-hungry No3 from Edgbaston via Cape Town was at the crease with fellow cricketing traveller Pietersen – and there were the usual murmurs among the crowd. But, really, the argument ought to be laid to rest. Anyone who has taken serious heed of any international competition from various world cups to the Olympics will realise that passports have been downgraded to documents of convenience. They would not be so without the compliance – some would say desperation – of governing bodies across the sporting spectrum. There is no unravelling the mess now.

Within sight of his hundred, Trott was struck one of those eye-watering blows to the inside of his left knee and collapsed in a heap just outside his crease, but he had the presence of mind to throw his bat back across his crease and make his ground. Brian Close would have been proud of him.

Thereafter, he barely missed a beat as a mild sun warmed the vast surface and slowly sucked the remaining life from a pitch that only briefly encouraged Australia's well-whipped bowlers. The Australian aggression, in the main, was civilised – but during a brief flare-up over Pietersen's dismissal that wasn't, it got ugly. Ponting lost it. That it did not cost Australia dearly hardly mattered; he and Siddle, the schoolboy wood-chopping champion from Tralalgon who turned into his skipper's mad-as-hell axeman, led a group interrogation of Dar that went on far too long, for no result.

Some batsmen would have responded emotionally. When Pietersen departed, followed quickly by Paul Collingwood and Ian Bell, each of whom gave Mitchell Johnson rare gifts with down-the-throat hooking, Trott showed not a flicker of distraction.

Matt Prior proved the ideal ally – but it was Trott who plainly commanded the stage with an imperious innings peppered with shots to leg that have made his reputation. His seems an impenetrable mien, unsmiling with jaw jutted defiantly against all major and minor hiccups and his technique kept simple. Rarely did he strain for boundaries, preferring to let them come in between piercing the gaps for twos and threes. He deserved the plaudits on a day of simmering drama. England, at last, have a considerable rock at No3.

Trott had one adversary to keep him honest all the way to the long shadows, a personality not dissimilar in commitment but with rougher edges. Siddle, who had virtually begged to be included as part of a four-man pace attack, comes from uncomplicated country lineage, 40 minutes on the train from his place of employment this week, and it is reflected in his work ethic and fierce manner.

He had a hand in all five wickets, three for himself, as well as taking the catches at long leg that gave Johnson his two scalps; he might also have had a run-out. He needs to plead no more for a place.

Siddle's compadres suffered. Yet who is to blame for this blunted Australian attack but those who put it together? They left out a front-line spinner who has two recent centuries to his name, Nathan Hauritz, for a No6 they kidded themselves was a Test leggie, Steve Smith. As yet, he is neither. If he makes it to Sydney, it might be as a spectator at his home ground.

Wenger looks to overcome mental block

Arsène Wenger, the Arsenal manager, is hopeful of a breakthrough result despite his team's recent record against Chelsea. Photograph: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Arsène Wenger has accepted that his Arsenal team have a "mental hurdle" to clear as he prepares them for the derby showdown against Chelsea upon which he feels their Premier League title challenge could hinge.

It feels like an age ago that Arsenal were playing their last game, the 1-0 defeat at Manchester United but, ahead of another meeting with an elite rival, the questions about their fragility resonated with thumping clarity. Even the club captain, Cesc Fábregas, suggested they had bottled it at Old Trafford while Wenger said: "We played with a little bit of restriction – a little bit of a handbrake feeling in the team."

Wenger is mindful of Arsenal's dismal recent record against Chelsea and the league's other big guns, just as he has grown accustomed to playing the role of psychological cheerleader in the countdown to the meetings against them. But opportunity knocks once more at Emirates Stadium and Wenger is ever hopeful of the breakthrough result.

"I believe that my players are quite solid mentally but they have not won yet and that is a mental hurdle everyone in life has to get over," he said. "You want to win and to show that you can win and for that, you need to be tough and that makes you stronger. But you need to believe.

"I'm convinced now that we have the right age to deliver and that's what we want to show. But the competition is of a very high level. You have Man City, Man United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham – plenty of teams who can deliver."

Chelsea have been the epitome of mental strength in recent years but Wenger pointed out that players such as Frank Lampard, the midfielder, were different animals when they were in their late teens. "It is a process," Wenger said, "how solid you are mentally at a certain age. Life is maybe not so beautiful as you think it is at 18."

Wenger can be cheered by a glance at the league table. He is already on record as saying that he feels fortunate to remain in title contention after suffering three home defeats and he has been keen to point out that his team still have their home games to play against the biggest clubs. Faltering home form is easier to rectify than that on the road.

"We need a big win, of course we do and Chelsea can be an opportunity," Wenger said. "To be in a race for the championship, we know that to beat Chelsea at home, Man United at home and Man City at home will be vital. Beating Chelsea is certainly something that will speed up the maturing of the team."

It is also a source of hope and inspiration that Fábregas will start for the first time since he limped out of the Champions League tie at Braga on 23 November with the latest recurrence of his hamstring injury. The midfielder made his comeback as a 64th-minute substitute in the United defeat two weeks ago but he struggled to adapt to the rhythm of the game and, in keeping with the theme of the day, Wenger suggested that his problems were as much mental as physical.

"It is more a restriction he has in his head," Wenger said. "So we have to move the hamstring [injury] out of his head. That comes with practising every day. Physically, I think he is ready. In winter, one of the disadvantages when it is so cold is that for the guy who comes on with 25 minutes to go, it is not easy to get into the flow of the game. He had a little bit the mental problem but now, it looks to have gone.

"It is hard to overcome [mentally] if you have a recurrence of an injury because it plays a part until you get rid of it completely by reassurance. But Cesc has two more weeks of practise behind him and in the last two or three days, he has looked sharp."

Birmingham ready to move for Keane

Robbie Keane has made only two Premier League starts for Tottenham this season. Photograph: Phil Cole/Getty Images

Alex McLeish has made signing Robbie Keane his priority for the January transfer window and will urge the Birmingham City board to back him to make the move happen. Birmingham will face competition from West Ham United, who have balked at Tottenham Hotspur's demands for Keane but not ruled out resurrecting their interest later in the window when they expect negotiations to be more favourable.

Spurs are asking anyone interested in taking Keane on loan until the end of the season to cover his £65,000-a-week wages in full and pay £6m in the summer to make the move long-term. It is understood West Ham were also told that Keane and Spurs would want a further £1m each in bonuses should the club stay up. Those terms, however, will almost certainly change if Keane, who has started only two Premier League games for Spurs this season, is still at White Hart Lane when the transfer window draws to a close.

McLeish had initially suggested he would have to utilise the loan market next month but he is hopeful the Birmingham board will recognise the importance of strengthening the team as relegation rivals make plans to do likewise. Birmingham have struggled for goals and McLeish feels that weakness has to be addressed. Keane, he believes, would be the answer.

"It's a difficult market but we're working together with the board to try and bring in some enhancement in the forward area," the Birmingham manager said. "That's the priority because I think we're solid enough defensively, in midfield we've got a lot of players, so we're really looking to do something in the front area. I've got fast and speedy with Cameron [Jerome] and I've got tall [with Nikola Zigic]. I'm looking for a bit of guile and know-how."

Keane fits that description and is known to be McLeish's preferred choice. Although the 30-year-old is likely to be an expensive option, even if Spurs reduce their current demands, Birmingham made significant seven-figure bids for several players in the summer that failed to come off. McLeish will hope to have access to some of those funds to improve his squad next month.

"We spoke in the summer about bringing some players in and we missed out on one or two. We did speak about regrouping in January," the Birmingham manager said. "I'll ask the board the question if I identify one that I think would really make a difference and it can only be a 'yes' or a 'no'."

Birmingham face a tough festive period that starts with a visit to Everton on Boxing Day followed by home matches against Manchester United and Arsenal and a trip to Blackpool. "Every point's a prisoner," said McLeish. "But we proved earlier in the season that we can take points when they're least expected.

"We went to Man City and took a point, we went to Fulham and took a point, we beat Chelsea and we drew with Spurs. So we ended up taking six points out of 12 and I think many expected us to take zip. We've got two games at home, against Man United and Arsenal, and we know that they don't relish coming to St Andrew's."

Bellamy relinquishes Wales captaincy

Craig Bellamy announced his decision concerning the Wales captaincy after scoring Cardiff's second goal in their 2-0 defeat of Coventry City. Photograph: PA

Craig Bellamy has decided to give up the captaincy of Wales because he cannot guarantee playing in every game.

The Cardiff striker revealed his decision after scoring in his side's 2-0 win over Coventry City this afternoon. Bellamy has to restrict the number of games he plays due to knee problems and has already informed the new Wales coach, Gary Speed.

"I've made Gary aware of my decision," Bellamy, 31, said. "I'm not going to be able to play every game for Wales so I feel it would be best to give the armband to someone who will be there for every game. I feel, with the young squad we have, it would be best.

"Being captain for Wales was great. It's a huge honour. I will get right behind the next person who does it. I've always said I'll never retire but I have to be clever about which games I play and which games I can't."

Bellamy, who is on loan from Manchester City, said: "I was very fortunate because I watched Gary as a captain, I watched him turn up for every game and lead from the front.

"I'm not going to be able to play every game, it's not going to be possible. I said this to John Toshack, it's no secret.

"Being captain is a great honour but it isn't the reason I turn up for Wales or not. Putting on that Welsh jersey has always meant as much to me."

Ponting under fire after clashing with umpire

Ricky Ponting argues with Aleem Dar on the second day of the fourth Ashes Test at the MCG. Photograph: Hamish Blair/Getty Images

Ricky Ponting's distinguished Test career is in danger of ending ignominiously after the pressure of impending Ashes failure caused him to become embroiled in a heated confrontation with the umpire Aleem Dar.

Ponting was fiercely criticised by a gang of former Australian Test captains and was fined 40% of his match fee following his his vehement protests when Kevin Pietersen survived an appeal for a catch at the wicket.

The available technology suggested the decision was correct but Ponting jabbed his finger in Dar's direction before moving on to continue the debate with square-leg umpire Tony Hill. The ICC could have banned Ponting from the Sydney Test had they found him guilty of a Level Two breach of their code, but instead docked him 40% of his match fee after deeming him guilty of a Level One charge of dissent.

The article of the code Ponting contravened refers to "arguing or entering into a prolonged discussion with the umpire about his decision", a charge the Australia captain admitted to.

As such the match referee, Ranjan Madugalle, was able to set the penalty without the need for a full hearing.Explaining his decision, Madugalle said: "Ricky's actions as captain of his country were unacceptable. A captain is expected to set the example and not get involved in a prolonged discussion with the on-field umpires and question their decision.

"While pleading guilty to the charge, Ricky understood that the discussion went on far too long. He apologised for his action and stated that he has nothing but respect for the umpires and his on-field actions were not intended to show disrespect to Aleem Dar or Tony Hill."

Under-pressure Ponting accepted his punishment. He said: "I entered into discussion with the umpires about the detail of the decision having viewed replays being shown on the big screen. I accept the discussion went on for too long and I understand the reasons for the dissent charge handed down by the ICC this evening.

"I was simply trying to seek clarification from the umpires regarding how the decision had been made after being referred to the third umpire. However, I would be unhappy if anyone thought I was being disrespectful towards the umpires as this wasn't my intention."

Ponting's outburst against Dar caused outrage among former Australian captains. Ian Chappell, who led Australia in 30 Tests in the early 1970s, was most scathing, calling for Ponting to be suspended.

Chappell, who, ironically some credit with introducing sledging to Australian cricket, said: "If I was adjudicating I'd think a suspension would be in order as the ICC have to get tough about this sort of thing. It's not the first time he has done that but it may be the last."

Chappell called for Ponting to be sacked as Australia's captain barely a week ago, immediately after they levelled the Test series with victory in the third Test at the Waca, saying that "in an attempt to prove his critics wrong, Ponting has become impatient for success."

Ponting has been called before the ICC three times in the past four years on dissent charges and had been fined on all three occasions. Two of the charges were regarded as a Level 1 offence – "showing dissent at an umpire's decision by actions or words" – but he also escaped with a fine for a Level 2 offence – "serious dissent" – which potentially carries a one-match suspension.

Ponting's desperation was evident as he complained lengthily and vociferously to when Pietersen survived an appeal for a catch at the wicket off the Australian quick Ryan Harris. The Australians were adamant that the Umpire Decision Review System showed that Pietersen had nicked it, but the third umpire Marius Erasmus upheld Dar's "not out" decision.

Numerous replays and the use of Hotspot thermal-imaging technology, failed to show an inside edge. The not-out decision shocked the Australians, who had watched replays on the MCG's two giant video screens and were mistakenly convinced that they seen a Hotspot mark. The mark, in reality, was at the bottom of the bat, much lower than the trajectory of the ball, and was thought to have been caused by either by Pietersen's bat brushing his pad or even by him tapping the bat on the ground shortly before delivery.

About seven minutes later, Snickometer supported Erasmus' decision, but by then Ponting had finally cracked under the strain, gesticulating angrily. He is averaging 15.5 in the series, is playing in this Test with a broken little finger and is danger of becoming only the second Australian captain to lose three Ashes series' against England, as well as the first to lose an Ashes series in Australia for more than 20 years.

Ponting, as captain, had a right to intervene and politely ask the umpire for information, but his prolonged complaints appalled many former Australian captains, many of whom sit in judgment in the Channel 9 commentary box.

Bill Lawry, who led Australia in 25 Tests, railed that Ponting's dissent was "unacceptable," and Mark Taylor, the captain in an all-conquering era in the late 1990s, also observed that he should be called before the match referee.

Dar, the ICC's umpire of the year in the past two years, and outstanding in this Ashes series, remained impeccably calm, seemingly explaining that the Hotspot mark had not been caused by the ball before bringing a largely one-way conversation to a close by walking calmly to square leg for the start of the next over. Ponting then continued his argument, first with Pietersen and then with the other on-field umpire, Tony Hill.

As boos rang out from a 67,149 crowd, Barmy Army supporters chanted: "You'll be sacked in the morning." Even the ECB's official Twitter feed was critical. @ECB_Cricket said: "Ponting did not take kindly to that review going against Australia and had a lengthy argument with Aleem Dar. Disappointing to see."

Barely a year ago, the English umpire Mark Benson walked out of the Adelaide Test because he could not cope with the stress of the UDRS system, then in its infancy. Ponting had expressed his mistrust of the system and had demanded meetings with the umpires, Benson included, to express his misgivings. He described the meetings as "helpful."

Initially, only the Australian wicketkeeper, Brad Haddin, had imagined that Pietersen had edged the ball and Ponting had called for a referral on that basis. With England 259-2 at the time, a lead of 161, he could feel the Ashes slipping away. His day worsened when he imagined that he had run out Jonathan Trott, on 46, from deep midwicket, but television replays showed that the batsman had made his ground by a single frame. After tea Matt Prior, on five, was given out caught behind off Mitchell Johnson, but he was spared when Dar asked for a replay and Johnson was shown to have overstepped.

Trott finished the day on 141 not out, and Prior 75 not out as they stretched their sixth-wicket stand to 158. England, at 444-5, led by 346 with three days remaining. Ponting was bereft.

Mills targets spot on Paralympic team

Heather Mills approached the British disabled ski team to try out for the development squad. Photograph: Mark St George/Rex Features

Heather Mills could compete at the 2014 Winter Paralympic Games in Sochi after being offered a place in Great Britain's disabled ski team's development squad. The team manager has said that her "good levels of fitness and determination" could now win her a place at the Games even though she will be 46 when they take place.

Sir Paul McCartney's ex-wife, who lost part of her left leg in a road accident in 1993, announced her intention earlier this year to compete in Russia. "You know when you set in your head things you want to do? Well, I have ticked about 90% of the boxes and this is one of the major ones remaining for me," she said.

The team's manager, Dave Chugg, told the BBC: "Heather is only at the first stage of a journey that we hope will lead to her becoming a full squad member. She has made clear her ambition to represent Great Britain in adaptive ski racing and approached the British disabled ski team to try out for our development squad.

"During the trial period she will have the opportunity to develop her skills and follow a set programme both inside and outside of our squad setting. This will allow us to judge her progression from her current standard of being a very good recreational skier towards becoming a racer.

"At the end of that trial period we will make a further assessment based on how far she has improved and on her comparative performance with established racers. She is outside the usual age and ski profile for the team, however she has shown good levels of fitness and determination."

Mills also said that she had considered going into cycling. "Originally I was asked to try out for the British Paralympic cycling team," she said. "My times were good, but I got very bored being on my bike every morning. You've really got to love the sport you choose when you compete at that level. So I thought, 'I wonder if I'd be too old for the skiing team?' Having loved sport my whole life, competing in a Paralympics would be a dream come true."

Facebook error catches out pitch invader

Mario Ferri, invades the pitch during Inter Milan vs TP Mazembe Engleberta in Abu Dhabi. Photograph: EPA/Ali Haider

Following the shameful exit of its national team from the World Cup and the struggle by its top clubs to compete in Europe, Italy has found a new sporting hero in Mario Ferri, who has slipped past stewards to invade football pitches on three continents this year.

Nicknamed The Falcon by fans, the smiling 23-year-old from Pescara has won sponsorship and a celebrity agent, telling one primetime chat show he was happily unhinged after stopping play during Real Madrid's Champions League game with AC Milan in October.

But Ferri's luck, and his cunning, ran out in Abu Dhabi over Christmas following his arrest for running onto the pitch at the Club World Cup final, dressed in his customary Superman T-shirt with the added slogan "Free Sakineh", a reference to the Iranian woman who risks being put to death by stoning.

His passport in the hands of local police as he awaited trial, Ferri decided to smuggle himself out of the Emirates in the hold of a passing cruise ship, only to be promptly arrested after he made the mistake of announcing his secret plan on Facebook, telling fans: "I hope they don't catch me, otherwise I will be in a heap of trouble."

Ferri's problems will only mount if he can make it home, where he is officially under house arrest after a series of pitch invasions, starting with Sampdoria's home game to Napoli in May, where he disguised himself as a steward before leaping over the hoardings wearing the statement "Cassano in Nazionale", a call to Italian national coach Marcello Lippi to pick eccentric talent Antonio Cassano.

Ferri was escorted off the pitch by Cassano himself, who told officials: "He's a good boy, I'll vouch for him."

Ferri then popped up at the World Cup in South Africa in July after a poor, Cassano-less Italy were eliminated, bounding onto the pitch during Spain's match Germany waving a vuvuzela and wearing a T-shirt reading, "Lippi I told you so."

But a spell in the cells in Abu Dhabi this month with hands and feet tied has pushed Ferri to promise his pitch-invading days are over. Shortly before his doomed escape bid on Christmas Eve, he said he was surprised at how tough Gulf justice was proving. "I have been told that they arrest you here for driving through a red light. I didn't know that before coming out here," he said.

Gonzaga upsets ninth-ranked Baylor

DALLAS — Kelly Olynyk put Gonzaga ahead to stay with a 3-pointer right after No. 9 Baylor scored four points on one possession and the Bulldogs handed the Bears their first loss, 68-64 on Saturday.

Olynyk's made his go-ahead basket with 1:46 left, the last of 12 lead changes after halftime, and Gonzaga (6-5) made 7 of 9 free throws after that. Four of the Bulldogs' losses were to Top 25 teams.

Kelly Olynyk put Gonzaga ahead to stay with a 3-pointer right after No. 9 Baylor scored four points on one possession and the Bulldogs handed the Bears their first loss, 68-64 on Saturday.

Baylor (7-1), with its highest ranking ever, played away from home for the first time, but only about 100 miles from campus at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.

Robert Sacre led Gonzaga with 17 points, while Marquise Carter had 13 and Sam Dower had 10.

Freshman Perry Jones had 19 points for Baylor while LaceDarius Dunn had 17. It ended Dunn's streak of seven consecutive 20-pointer games, including five this season since returning from a three-game suspension.

Jones hit a jumper from near the free throw line to get the Bears within a point with 2 minutes left. When the ball was in the air, a foul was called under the basket and Quincy Acy made two free throws for a 59-58 lead.

With Gonzaga's leading scorer Steven Gray out of the game because of back spasms after a hard fall in the first half, Olynyk made his only 3-pointer of the game.

Jones then came up short on a jumper, and Baylor had two quick fouls. Demetri Goodson made two free throws after being fouled by Dunn in the backcourt for a 63-59 lead — matching the biggest point differential after halftime.

After Goodson lost the ball out of bounds on the sideline in a crowd of Bears and then fouled Dunn, Baylor's senior made only one of the two free throws. Carter made two free throws with 47 seconds left to make it 65-60, then Goodson had a steal on a turnover by Dunn.

Baylor's biggest lead was 3-0 after Dunn hit a 3-pointer on the opening shot of the game. But Dunn, who entered the game shooting 53 percent from the field and averaging five 3-pointers a game, finished 4 of 13 attempting only two 3s.

Dunn did have a nifty play with just under 8 minutes left when he drove, scooped the ball toward the rim and fell to the ground while scoring for a 47-46 lead. Carter responded with a 3-pointer for Gonzaga.

Gray sustained a sprained big toe late in the first of Thursday's game, a 103-61 win over Lewis-Clark State College and didn't return to that game. He never returned against Baylor after his fall in the first half.

Gonzaga's losses included setbacks to ranked teams San Diego State, Kansas State, Illinois and Notre Dame.

Baylor had won 21 consecutive December games since 2006.

Florida beats No. 6 Kansas State

SUNRISE, Fla. — Kenny Boynton rediscovered his shooting touch, while the Kansas State Wildcats misplaced theirs.

Boynton shook a slump with 15 points Saturday for the Florida Gators, who held No. 6 Kansas State to 27 percent shooting for a 57-44 victory in the one-day Orange Bowl Classic.

Kenny Boynton shook a slump with 15 points Saturday for the Florida Gators, who held No. 6 Kansas State to 27 percent shooting for a 57-44 victory.

Boynton had missed 18 of 21 attempts in his past two games.

"To get the shots to fall, it felt good," he said.

Meanwhile, the Wildcats went cold. They missed 19 of 20 during one stretch, and their point total was their lowest in Frank Martin's five seasons as coach.

"We were executing and getting shots and doing the things we talked about trying to do, and the ball didn't go in the basket," Martin said. "And then it broke our spirit."

After the Gators fell behind 20-8, they outscored Kansas State 42-13 to take control. Boynton went 6 for 12 from the field and was voted the game's most valuable player.

Florida (8-2) ended a streak of 14 consecutive December victories for Kansas State (9-2) dating to 2008.

"It's a great win," Gators coach Billy Donovan said. "That's a team everybody has a lot of respect for. But it's only one win."

The result meant an unhappy homecoming for Martin, who grew up in nearby Miami, and two players who have South Florida roots — Martavious Irving and Freddy Asprilla. Martin said he was nonetheless grateful for the chance to make the trip.

"It's something I'll remember the rest of my life," he said.

Kansas State made only one basket during a span of 18 minutes midway through the game, as Florida rallied to take a 36-27 lead. Three consecutive baskets by Boynton — two of them 3-pointers — boosted the margin to 50-33 with 6 minutes left.

"It was certainly good to see Kenny Boynton do what he did in the second half," Donovan said. "He opened up the game."

Erving Walker added 13 points for the Gators, who won despite tying a season-high with 18 turnovers. Vernon Macklin had 10 points and seven rebounds.

The Gators shot 60 percent in the second half, when they scored the first eight points to surge ahead.

"All season we've had problems coming out in the second half with intensity," Boynton said. "We just wanted to come out and build our lead."

"In the second half we played like the team we should be playing like the whole year," teammate Chandler Parsons said.

Jacob Pullen had 19 points to lead Kansas State in scoring for the ninth time this season, but he shot only 6 for 17. The rest of the starting lineup went 3 for 18, and the entire team went 3 for 19 from 3-point range.

The Wildcats' scoring total was their lowest since a 57-42 loss to Nebraska in January 2006.

"We did a lot of things to hurt ourselves," Pullen said. "We missed a lot of easy shots. Defensively we were getting lost. We didn't stick to our game plan. Toward the end of the game we fell apart with it."

The Gators committed six turnovers and missed four shots before they finally scored 7 minutes into the game after falling behind 9-0. Pullen's 3-pointer built the Wildcats' lead to 20-8, but they went 1 for 10 over the final 9 minutes of the half and led only 23-20 at halftime.

Then the Wildcats missed their first 10 shots of the second half.

"They actually got decent shots," Donovan said. "I can't say our defense was that stifling that they couldn't get shots off. They missed a lot of stuff around the basket."

The Wildcats had won their past five games, but Martin said they haven't been playing well lately.

"We will regroup," he said, "or guys won't be wearing our uniform."

All systems almost go for Bears-Vikings game

Minnesotans and other hardy souls planning to attend Monday's Minnesota Vikings game had better come prepared -- for cold, a long wait, traffic and parking headaches and a tussle for seats.

At least the hardest part of week-long preparations seems almost complete. Saturday reports from the Twin Cities indicated little work remained on the University of Minnesota's TCF Bank Stadium, site of the game against the Chicago Bears.

Behind Hall of Fame player and Vikings legend Carl Eller, the University of Minnesota stadium stands clear of snow for Monday's NFL game. (AP photo)

Many of the stories ahead the Vikings' first outdoor home game since 1981, now involve issues not related to the Minneapolis venue. Consider:

-- The Bears practiced at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., on Saturday to get accustomed to outdoor conditions on a FieldTurf artificial surface similar to the one in Minneapolis.

-- The Vikings prepared at their suburban Eden Prairie facility and decided to start third-string quarterback Joe Webb, with Brett Favre injured and Tavaris Jackson out. The Vikings signed veteran Patrick Ramsey and gave him a crash course as Webb's backup, with R.J. Archer possibly coming off the practice squad as the No. 3 QB.

Vikings interim coach Leslie Frazier talked up Webb on Saturday. "He really seems as if this whole thing is not too big for him, and I'm really looking forward to watching him on Monday night," Frazier said.

-- The Vikings planned to get their first feel for TCF Bank Stadium on Sunday morning for their usual day-before-the-game walkthrough. They'll figure out what extra gear they'll need to wear and what kind of cleats will work best. Because of prep work, they won't face a frozen field.

-- Workers at the University of Minnesota painted lines and logos, installed a tarp over the playing surface, pumped in warm air and made other amendments to the field. Outside, work was finishing on snow removal on walkways, continuing on in-venue facilities and beginning on TV set-up production for the Monday prime-time game.

University of Minnesota spokesman Garry Bowman says the tarp and heating system were put in place Saturday to protect the field. More than 1,500 workers with shovels and heavy equipment moved 40,000 cubic yards of snow from the stadium over four days to get it ready.

-- Work continued on seating and parking plans. One lot owner near the stadium reportedly was pondering charging $40 per car; metropolitan officials were suggesting mass-transit options. The university made plans to accommodate fans who figured to stand in line for hours for general-admission seating. Williams Arena will be open across the street for fans to keep warm before queuing up for the first-come, first-served seating. Free coffee and hand-warmers also will be distributed.

Vikings officials continued to do the math on getting ticker holders into a venue that has more than 10,000 fewer seats than TCF Bank Stadium. The simplest answer: Some fans opted for refunds rather than attend.

Watering holes near the stadium planned ways to keep liquid refreshments flowing, but fans won't be able to bring potables into the facility.

-- Snow was forecast Monday night, but not before then. Temperatures were expected to be well below freezing, but warming as the day progressed. Game-time wind chill could be in the low-teens.

-- A Vikings official on Friday cast doubts about safety of the Metrodome, where a roof collapse forced officials to scramble to get the college field ready. Critics see it as a sign the Vikings are using the issue to renew efforts to get public funding for a new stadium.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will be in the Twin Cities on Monday -- a visit scheduled some time ago to help mark the Vikings' 50th anniversary. He will take with officials about the Metrodome and stadium options.

Kluwe calls TCF Bank Stadium field 'unplayable'

MINNEAPOLIS — Vikings punter Chris Kluw is calling the field at TCF Bank Stadium "unplayable." But officials with the team and the University of Minnesota insist it will be safe for Monday night's game against the Chicago Bears.

Crews at the university have been racing to get the on-campus open-air stadium ready for the Vikings' rare outdoor home game. The Metrodome remains deflated due to a heavy snowstorm last weekend that tore holes in the roof that couldn't be fixed in time.

Vikings punter Chris Kluwe called recently-shoveled TCF Bank Stadium unplayable, characterizing the field "hard as concrete."

University athletics spokesman Garry Bowman says they're "absolutely ready to go."

There was no media access to coaches or players during their walkthrough Sunday, but Kluwe and some other Vikings sounded off on their Twitter accounts. Kluwe tweets that the field is "hard as concrete."

In quotes distributed by the team, Vikings interim coach Leslie Frazier says conditions will be safe and players don't need to worry.

Rex Grossman shines, but Redskins fall to Cowboys

ARLINGTON, Texas —The Dallas Cowboys went from nearly crushing the Washington Redskins to barely beating them.

After letting a 20-point lead dissolve into a tie game, David Buehler bailed out the Cowboys by making a 39-yard field goal with 50 seconds left and the defense managed to make it hold up for a 33-30 victory Sunday.

Rex Grossman, starting for Donovan McNabb, ties his career-high with four touchdown passes, but the game ended with him throwing an interception.

Dallas was in control from the start, leading 13-0 before Rex Grossman had even gotten Washington across midfield. Coach Mike Shanahan's move to bench Donovan McNabb looked even worse when Grossman fumbled early in third quarter and the Cowboys turned it into a touchdown that stretched their lead to 27-7.

It could've been so much more, too. Dallas got only field goals out of drives that reached the 20, 2 and 3, and failed to score on drives that reached the 1 and 18.

Then Grossman started making Shanahan look really smart. He threw touchdowns on three straight drives over the third and fourth quarters, getting 2-point conversions on the last two. Mike Sellers danced with joy after catching the second one.

But the shaky Dallas offense came through when it counted, making enough plays to drain the clock and set up Buehler for the winner — making up for his missed 35-yarder earlier in the game, and providing a bit of revenge for a loss in the opener that sent the Cowboys' season spiraling out of control.

By pulling it out, Dallas improved to 4-2 interim coach Jason Garrett, guaranteeing no worse than a break-even finish in his tenure. The Cowboys (5-8) and Redskins (5-8) are tied for third place in the NFC East.

Jon Kitna was 25 of 37 for 305 yards with two touchdowns in what could be his last start. Tony Romo could return from a broken collarbone on Christmas night in Arizona.

Jason Witten caught 10 passes for 140 yards and a touchdown, and became only the fourth tight end with 600 career catches.

McNabb watched from the sideline in a black Redskins hat, often with his arms crossed or clasped behind his back, often standing alone, as Washington lost its fourth straight and sixth in the last seven.

Grossman was 25 of 43 for 322 yards, tying his career high with four touchdowns. He threw two interceptions, including the final play, and was sacked five times.

Dallas' defense allowed at least 30 points for the fourth straight game, the worst streak since a five-in-a-row run while going 1-15 in 1989.

The Redskins lost linebacker Brian Orakpo (hamstring, groin), safety Reed Doughty (head), lineman Phillip Daniels (abdomen).

The Cowboys lost two players to concussions — safety Gerald Sensabaugh, who had an interception and a sack in the first quarter, and linebacker Sean Lee.

Jets regain playoff mojo with 'huge' victory

PITTSBURGH—Rex Ryan usually shoots from his hip. On Saturday night, he spoke from his heart.

Addressing the Jets at their team meeting following a stressful and bizarre week—New York had lost a second consecutive game, doubt in quarterback Mark Sanchez seemed to be seeping into the locker room, and its strength and conditioning coach was suspended indefinitely for tripping a Dolphins player—the often boastful Ryan made an emotional appeal to his players.

New York Jets coach Rex Ryan, right, and Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin meet after the Jets' 22-17 win. (AP photo)

"I'm not a real big rah-rah guy," said outside linebacker/end Jason Taylor, a 14-year veteran, "but seeing the emotion and expression he had, it obviously made you sit up a little bit. He spoke from his heart and wore his emotions on his sleeve (Saturday) night."

Picking up on their coach's motivational talk, the Jets came out Sunday afternoon and converted words into action. From Brad Smith's game-opening, 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, to Sanchez's 7-yard bootleg run for a touchdown, to Taylor's tackle of Mewelde Moore in the end zone for a safety late in the fourth quarter, the Jets did just about everything to beat the Steelers, 22-17, in a must-win game.

"Oh, we needed it huge," Ryan said. "There's no question. ... We knew what we were coming into. We knew it was going to take everything we had and that we had to play our very, very best. And we did."

The victory raised the Jets' record to 10-4 and erased any doubt—at least for the moment—that they're a playoff-worthy team. Their faith was tested by an embarrassing 45-3 loss to the Patriots followed up by a 10-6 defeat to the Dolphins, but the Jets apparently never lost faith in themselves.

"As players, we're just so focused," Smith said. "Media, people outside of our locker room had a lot to say about us—good, bad, mostly bad. This team is different. It's just focused on what it can control. We just work hard and play hard; that's all we know how to do."

Even after Taylor's safety gave them a five-point lead—and possession, after an ensuing punt with 2:45 left—the Jets needed a last-second defensive stand to close out the victory. The Steelers got the ball back with 2:08 remaining, and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger led them all the way to the New York 10, where he had two shots in the final nine seconds at a touchdown. But both passes went incomplete, and the Jets held on for a win in one of the league's toughest road venues.

The Jets' challenges aren't over, however. Next week, they must travel to Chicago and face the NFC North-leading Bears. They finish out the regular season at home against Buffalo.

Ryan has been pushing the Jets as a Super Bowl team since last spring. Even after they allowed a stunning 378 yards of offense to the Steelers, he envisions them going to the playoffs.

"We're going to make them, one way or another," he said. "We don't care. We're going to take care of it ourselves.

"One thing we talked about is how resilient our team is. You (reporters) get tired of (hearing) it. I don't care. This football team is resilient. We had some adversity, obviously, that we were dealing with but our team responded.

"This win may surprise a lot of people, but it never surprised us."

Now that's the Rex Ryan we've grown to know and love.

What We Learned

There’s life in the Jets yet

After losing their last two games -- scoring only nine points total -- and falling two games behind New England in the AFC East, the Jets found themselves in a must-win situation Sunday. They responded with a winning effort that was ignited on the opening kickoff, which Brad Smith returned 97 yards for a touchdown.

The Jets were coming off a week of controversy, during which their strength and conditioning coach was suspended because of a tripping incident and rumors circulated that the coaches’ confidence in quarterback Mark Sanchez. But they responded in a way that coach Rex Ryan had hoped and registered their first victory ever (after seven previous defeats) in Pittsburgh.

In addition to Smith’s kickoff, there were two other big plays by the Jets. Sanchez ran a naked bootleg for a 7-yard touchdown and defensive end Jason Taylor tackled running back Mewelde Moore in the end zone for a safety with 2:38 that proved pivotal. Because of that safety, the Steelers need a TD in their last-minute drive instead of a chip-shot field goal. The drive ended at the 10-yard line.

The Steelers wasted an opportunity

Pittsburgh would have clinched a playoff berth with a victory Sunday. Instead, they’re now tied with the Ravens for first place in the AFC North. But Steelers Nation needn’t panic.

The Steelers’ final two regular-season games are winnable—vs. Carolina at home Thursday and at Cleveland on Jan. 2. It would help if they could get star safety Troy Polamalu back in their lineup. The game-changing safety missed Sunday’s game because of a strained Achilles tendon and a calf injury—and his absence was noticeable.

Suisham is sweet

The Steelers made a savvy in-season personnel move in mid-November when they signed kicker Shaun Suisham off the street to replace the inconsistent Jeff Reed. Suisham, who played previously for the Cowboys and Redskins—he also was cut by the Browns and Rams without ever playing for either team—has found a home in Pittsburgh. And the Steelers have found a kicker they can count on.

Suisham’s 42-yard field goal near the end of the first half tied the score, 10-10. Suisham, a native of Canada who came to went to camp with the Steelers in ’05 but could not unseat Reed, is still perfect for the Steelers, converting all 10 of his field-goal attempts, including 7-for-7 from 40-49 yards. Reed, who played nine seasons with Pittsburgh, missed seven field-goal attempts this season before he was cut.

Eagles steal game and maybe the division

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.—Sporting News’ Clifton Brown analyzes the Eagles’ shocking 38-31 comeback win over the Giants:

• The Eagles may have just stolen the NFC East. In one of the greatest comebacks you will ever see, the Eagles overcame a 31-10 fourth quarter deficit to defeat the Giants, 38-31. The Eagles won it on the game’s final play, when DeSean Jackson returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown as time expired. The Eagles celebrated. The Giants were shocked. And now the Eagles (10-4) can win the NFC East by winning their final two games.

Philadelphia Eagles' DeSean Jackson celebrates a touchdown on a punt return at the end of an NFL football game against the New York Giants at New Meadowlands Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2010, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Eagles beat the Giants 38-31. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

•This loss will sting the Giants. They were left with plenty of explaining to do. It was hard to believe that Giants punter Matt Dodge kicked the ball to Jackson with 12 seconds to play. Jackson caught the ball, made a couple of moves to get to the open field, then turned on the speed and easily ran away from the Giants’ coverage unit. When the game ended, Giants coach Tom Coughlin walked onto the field and angrily screamed at Dodge.

•Vick was Mr. Clutch. Jackson delivered the final touchdown, but Michael Vick (three touchdown passes, one touchdown running) delivered in the clutch. Vick simply does things that defy description. He was sensational down the stretch, avoiding pass rushers to make big throws and electrifying runs.

The Eagles looked dead, down 31-10, with less than eight minutes to play, when Vick gave the Eagles CPR. Led by their pass rush and the innovative schemes of defensive coordinator Perry Fewell, the Giants frustrated the Eagles for three quarters. Only Vick’s unique elusiveness and playmaking ability allowed the Eagles to come back. This was the Eagles’ sixth consecutive victory over the Giants, and once again, Vick showed why he is one of the game’s premier players.

Vick makes the Eagles capable of beating anyone, anytime. And today, the Giants discovered that in stunning fashion.

Last-second return rocks, shocks Giants

EAST RUTHEFORD, N.J.—DeSean Jackson said a thought went through his mind as he went back to field a punt with 14 seconds remaining in Sunday’s game.

``They’re really not going to kick it to me,’’ Jackson said.

The Giants did kick it to Jackson. And they regretted it. Jackson’s scintillating 65-yard return as time expired capped the Eagles’ 38-31 comeback victory. While the Eagles celebrated, the Giants were stunned, as coach Tom Coughlin walked onto the field and angrily confronted punter Matt Dodge.

After the game, Coughlin tried to deflect the blame from Dodge, who was told to kick the ball out of bounds. ``It should have never come down to that,’’ Coughlin said.

Dodge was demoralized. ``Sometimes you try so hard to do something, get it out of bounds, and you just lose your head,’’ Dodge said.

The Giants (9-5), still fighting for a playoff spot, must somehow shake off this loss before traveling to Green Bay for Sunday’s game against the Packers. However, nobody said it would be easy.

``I’ve never been around anything like this in my life,’’ Coughlin said. ``It’s about as empty as you get to feel in this business.’’

``I’m in disbelief right now,’’ Giants tight end Kevin Boss said. ``I’m in shock.’’

NFL Team Reports: AFC

SN's correspondents take a look at each team in the AFC:

AFC East

Tim Tebow brings some hope to Denver despite another loss. SN's team of correspondents looks at that and other Week 15 news around the AFC.

Buffalo Bills

The Bills have been waiting for someone to give them a consistent pass rush, so the emergence of rookie OLB Arthur Moats is encouraging. Moats has 2 1/2 sacks in the last two games and three for the season. That doesn’t seem like much until you consider he spent half the season at inside linebacker. The coaches initially thought he was a better fit inside even though he was a defensive end at James Madison. Once the coaches put him where he’s more comfortable, he began to flash the pass-rush skills that earned him the Buck Buchanan Award as the top defender in Division I-AA last year. Moats (6-0, 250) has good quickness off the edge and uses his strength and low center of gravity to gain leverage vs. offensive tackles. He still is a work in progress vs. the run and shedding blockers at the point of attack. OLB Aaron Maybin is a ’09 first-round bust, so stealing Moats in the ’10 sixth round could balance that draft equation. — Allen Wilson

Miami Dolphins

For most of the season, K Dan Carpenter had been the team’s MVP. He had been the consistent force on a team that has far too often settled for field goals. So when even Carpenter couldn’t get it done Sunday, missing four long field-goal attempts, it spelled the end of any legitimate shot at the playoffs. Miami’s dismal season reached another low point, this time on a day when its always-reliable kicker couldn’t get it done, either. Miami’s offense will require a serious makeover in the coming months, particularly when it comes to figuring out a way to make this offense more electric and less reliant on the kicker. ... The defense again gave Miami a good chance to win. The unit, which has been particularly solid vs. the run, again halted another opponent. On 18 carries, the Bills rushed for just 55 yards, a credit to ILBs Karlos Dansby and Channing Crowder. If the Dolphins can return this group on defense and figure out their issues on offense, they could be good next year. — Jeff Darlington

New England Patriots

For most of a potential magical ’10 season, the Patriots avoided key mistakes and costly penalties. It was one reason they took a five-game winning streak into Sunday’s game vs. Green Bay. Yet as they showed Sunday night, the margin of error is not as large as some may have thought—even with the Patriots eclipsing 30 points in each of the previous five weeks. Mainly, it was the penalties that stung the Patriots. An offsides penalty by NT Vince Wilfork prolonged a 14-play, 82-yard drive that put the Packers up 17-7 before halftime. That drive also included an unnecessary roughness penalty on CB Devin McCourty and a pass-interference penalty on S James Sanders. On the Packers TD drive to start the third quarter, Wilfork’s facemask penalty sprung Green Bay. That can’t continue. ... S Brandon Meriweather has found himself in the dog house once again. In the first half, he knocked into McCourty on a long catch-and-run to Packers WR James Jones, creating an open field for the 61-yard TD. With too many missed tackles, Meriweather has found himself replaced often by Sanders or Jarrad Page. — Ian R. Rapoport

New York Jets

Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and QB Mark Sanchez both had been feeling the heat after the Jets’ 10-6 loss to Miami, and both redeemed themselves Sunday at Pittsburgh. Schottenheimer called an excellent game, keeping Pittsburgh off-balance with runs and rollout passes, and Sanchez snapped a streak of eight games in which he had thrown at least one interception. Schottenheimer made good use of Sanchez’s mobility by rarely making him a sitting duck for Pittsburgh’s excellent edge pass rushers and used Sanchez’s feet to his best advantage on the 7-yard TD bootleg run off a play-action fake of a line plunge by RB Shonn Greene. ... Reserve CB Drew Coleman had an unusual game. Although he was burned in coverage several times, he was credited with 10 tackles, including two sack/strips. Coleman is not good covering receivers but is a sure special-teams tackler and is excellent at blitzing the QB. — J.P. Pelzman

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens

Running the ball is a key for teams in December, and the Ravens finally had a signature game. The Ravens ran the ball 39 times compared to 20 passes vs. the Saints. RB Ray Rice, who struggled with injuries early in the season, looked like his old self gaining 153 yards on 31 carries. He also had five catches for 80 yards. The Ravens tried to mount a strong running game last week vs. Houston by moving Oniel Cousins to right tackle, Marshal Yanda to right guard and putting RG Chris Chester as a tight end on many runs. On Sunday, they went back to the old lineup with Yanda at right tackle, Chester at guard and Cousins on the bench. This game could be a turning point because the coaches took the ball out of Joe Flacco’s hands and put it in the hands of their best offensive player, Rice. ... KR David Reed sustained a concussion and did not play in the second half Sunday. This could be a big loss because the Ravens’ return game had performed well in the last month. Jalen Parmele will fill in but lacks Reed’s speed and acceleration. — Mike Preston

Cincinnati Bengals

It took nearly the entire season, but the Bengals finally found their identity. They stayed committed to the run vs. Cleveland and ended a 10-game losing streak. RB Cedric Benson’s performance (31 carries, 150 yards, TD) gave him consecutive 1,000-yard seasons for the first time in his six-year career and offered a glimmer of hope for a turnaround in ’11. Led by LT Andrew Whitworth, the line blocked more aggressively and controlled the line of scrimmage, using good leverage to get a push up front. Among Benson’s strengths are his patience and balance. He waits for blocks to unfold, then uses his speed, quickness and power to accelerate through openings and finish runs. ... WR Terrell Owens (torn cartilage in left knee) is expected to be placed on I.R. His return to the team in ’11 is doubtful because third-year WRs Andre Caldwell and Jerome Simpson deserve more playing time. — Chick Ludwig

Cleveland Browns

QB Colt McCoy’s numbers Sunday, his first start in four weeks because of a high ankle sprain, were much more impressive than the offense he directed. Continuity problems, which have had the Browns near the bottom of the league in yards and points all year, continued. McCoy started fast Sunday, hit a long lull, then had the poise to muster drives at the end to make it a game. McCoy still can be bothered into sacks, ineffective short completions and near-interceptions by the blitz, and he will see plenty of that against Baltimore and Pittsburgh the next two weeks. He does stand in the pocket fearlessly, though, and isn’t afraid to try to fit the ball through small windows. Against Cincinnati, he completed 19-of-25 passes for 243 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions for a 132.6 passer rating. Despite the flaws and the loss, he stayed on course to be the Browns’ QB in ’11. ... WR Brian Robiskie’s patience is starting to pay off. Despite terrible statistics and reviews that paint him as a draft bust, Robiskie has stayed focussed. He isn’t fast, but he is a precise route-runner who adjust well to passes. What looked like a 50-50 jump ball turned into a 46-yard TD Sunday when he outmaneuvered Bengals S Keiwan Ratliff. It would be a huge help to the Browns if Robiskie and WR Mohamed Massaquoi keep developing. Ideally, the team would add a true No. 1 receiver ahead of Robiskie and Massaquoi. — Steve Doerschuk

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers clinched a playoff spot despite their loss to the Jets, but their focus is on getting one of the two playoff byes in the AFC. They can do that by winning their last two games, but it means they might not be able to rest some key injured players. S Troy Polamalu did not play Sunday because he aggravated a lower-leg injury last week and likely won’t play Thursday night vs. Carolina. It is possible Polamalu might not play again in the regular season, especially if the season finale at Cleveland is meaningless. TE Heath Miller (concussion) missed his second game in a row, and he also might not play vs. Carolina because of the short week. Miller had been cleared twice to practice last week, only to develop headaches after each session. ... Rookie WR Emmanuel Sanders is becoming more involved in the offense. He had seven catches vs. the Jets, including a 29-yarder on third-and-24 from their own 27 that kept alive the last chance at victory. Sanders caught two passes for 40 yards on the final drive and was the intended target on four others, an indication of how Ben Roethlisberger is starting to rely on him. — Gerry Dulac

AFC South

Houston Texans

The Texans have spent most of a disappointing season playing from behind. Sunday’s 31-17 loss at Tennessee was another example. They fell behind 21-0 in the first quarter and trailed 24-3 at halftime. They’ve been behind by 14 or more points in 10 games. They’ve faced deficits of at least 21 points in five games. Said SS Bernard Pollard: “When you get down like we do, chances of coming back and winning in this league are slim and none.” With games remaining vs. Denver and Jacksonville, the Texans are in danger of having their worst record in Gary Kubiak’s five seasons. In ’06, his first season, they were 6-10. Last season, they were 9-7 and missed the playoffs. ... When MLB DeMeco Ryans sustained a season-ending ruptured Achilles tendon Oct. 17, the Texans were 4-2. They’re 1-7 without him. Ryans is their best tackler, defensive captain and team leader. — John McClain

Indianapolis Colts

The team might have lost WR Austin Collie for the season after he sustained his second concussion in seven weeks late in the second quarter Sunday when Jaguars LB Daryl Smith delivered a hard forearm to Collie’s helmet. Prior to being injured, Collie had eight receptions for 87 yards and two touchdowns. It’s hard to imagine team officials allowing him to play again this season, even if in the playoffs. He missed four of the previous five games after sustaining a concussion Nov. 7. Losing Collie would be a huge blow to an offense that has had to deal with injuries all season. QB Peyton Manning has confidence that Collie will be where he’s supposed to be, when he’s supposed to be there. Also, Collie is an excellent after-the-catch runner. He leads the team with eight touchdowns despite missing five games. ... Without Collie, rookie WR Blair White again will shoulder a stronger workload. He has been solid off the bench (30 catches, 284 yards, four touchdowns) but lacks Collie’s big-play potential. — Mike Chappell

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars blew a chance to wrap up their first AFC South title for the strangest reason: They weren’t physical enough to beat the finesse Colts. A sub-par Maurice Jones-Drew (15 carries, 46 yards), who missed two practices last week with a right knee problem, didn’t have his normal running lanes. On three different occasions, he failed to get 1 yard for either a TD or a first down. The offensive line often was confused by the Colts’ constant shifting. Jones-Drew, whose streak of six consecutive 100-yard games was snapped, had only 16 yards after the first quarter. ... It turns out the absence of SS Courtney Greene (left shoulder), who has been pretty reliable in run support, played a significant factor Sunday. The Colts ran for an uncharacteristic 155 yards, and two Donald Brown runs of 49 and 43 yards (for a TD) would have been prevented with good tackling. Since it’s not a certainty that Greene or OLB Justin Durant (groin) will play next week vs. Washington, the Jaguars (8-6) suddenly have issues vs. the run, which make it more difficult to win the last two games necessary to have any hope of making the playoffs. — Gene Frenette

Tennessee Titans

WR Kenny Britt continues to show just how much of a factor he can be. Britt had six catches for 128 yards Sunday, and his presence opened things up for the offense for the second week in a row. Britt is physical, has nice hands and can run after catch. He should be a force for years to come. ... The youth movement in under way, and on Sunday it came at the expense of veteran TE Bo Scaife, who was inactive. The coaches instead elected to play second-year TE Jared Cook, who had three catches for 42 yards but also had two holding penalties. ... The defense had an interception Sunday for the first time since Nov. 21, as rookie Alterraun Verner picked off Houston QB Matt Schaub. Verner shows good instincts, reacting well to passes. — Jim Wyatt

AFC West

Denver Broncos

The Broncos were looking for some vestige of hope with rookie QB Tim Tebow replacing an injured Kyle Orton (ribs) on Sunday. Tebow did some things well as the coaches emphasized the run to keep Tebow’s throwing to a minimum. In the end, the team again was gashed via the run—Denver allowed nearly 600 yards to Oakland in two games—and allowed at least 35 points for the fifth time in the last seven games. Tebow was expected to start next week vs. Houston’s bottom-ranked pass defense at home, but Orton’s injury pushed up the timetable. Tebow’s 40-yard run on a quarterback draw was the longest by a Denver QB in team history, but the offense managed only nine first downs as he attempted only 16 passes. Tebow completed eight, with a beautiful TD strike to WR Brandon Lloyd between two defenders and a 32-yard fingertip grab by WR Jabar Gaffney on a crossing route the highlights. Tebow did demonstrate poise if not eye-popping totals and appears to be the starter moving forward. ... RB Knowshon Moreno (ribs) left the game in the first half and didn’t return. Moreno just can’t stand good fortune, it seems. He looked good in spring practices, then hurt his hamstring the first day of camp. He worked his way back into full shape and been his most productive the last month since being a ’09 first-round pick. — Lee Rasizer

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs need WR Chris Chambers to be as involved with the offense was he was Sunday at St. Louis. The Chiefs need another viable threat to take pressure off WR Dwayne Bowe. With the Chiefs being dangerously thin at wide receiver, Chambers is the most likely option. Terrance Copper and Verran Tucker are mostly special teams players, and rookie Dexter McCluster is best suited to play out of the slot. Chambers was a healthy scratch three times this season, so the coaches had stopped counting on him. ... DE Wallace Gilberry is emerging as a viable second pass-rush option to Tamba Hali. Gilberry had three sacks vs. the Rams, giving him seven for the season. Gilberry struggles vs. the run, so he probably never will be an every-down player but deserves to be part of the nickel package. — Adam Teicher

Oakland Raiders

Darren McFadden became the first Raider since ’07 to rush for 1,000 yards by going for 119 on Sunday. He now has 1,112 yards despite missing two games with a hamstring injury. McFadden continues to impress with his ability to make defenders miss, get into the open field and run past and over would-be tacklers. In the process, he is making the passing game more effective because opponents are forced to commit extra defenders to stopping the run. ... QB Jason Campbell sustained a stinger for the third consecutive game and the fourth time since camp started. He missed only one play Sunday but is at greater risk of recurring injury to his neck. He finished the game Sunday and is expected to start next week vs. Indianapolis. The Raiders are reliant upon Campbell to stay healthy if they are to have a shot at making the playoffs. Backups Kyle Boller and J.T. O’Sullivan haven’t played much this season and likely wouldn’t be able to match Campbell’s production if called upon. — Steve Corkran

San Diego Chargers

The Chargers hope the long layoff before their next game, Dec. 26 at Cincinnati, allows a number of their key players to heal. WR Malcom Floyd (hamstring) and OLB Larry English (foot) have the best chance to return by then, but the coaches will not rule out (and would welcome) the return of TE Antonio Gates and WR Patrick Crayton. Gates is likely going to remain shut down until postseason—should the Chargers make it—because of torn plantar fascia. The coaches want to test Crayton (wrist) before the playoffs, but that might not come until Week 17. ... RBs Michael Tolbert and Ryan Mathews have had the same number of carries (16 and 17) in the past two games, and with the ramped up participation of Darren Sproles, coach Norv Turner says that gives the running game the best “rhythm” going forward. — Kevin Acee