NFL playoffs reach division round
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 13 (UPI) -- The major contenders for the Super Bowl title enter the playoffs this weekend, although much of the attention will be focused on an unexpected challenger.
New England, Baltimore, San Francisco and defending champion Green Bay all had a bye past last week's wild-card round, and each will host a game while the NFL gets down to its final four Saturday and Sunday.
The divisional round begins at 4:30 p.m. EST Saturday with San Francisco hosting New Orleans, the Super Bowl champion two seasons ago and a winner last weekend over Detroit.
With record-setting quarterback Drew Brees leading the top offense in the NFL, the Saints will try to get past a defensive unit that was ranked fourth in yardage allowed during the regular season. New Orleans piled up 626 yards against Detroit last week.
Saturday's second game will be the most intriguing of the weekend in that it features pro football's newest cult hero -- Denver quarterback Tim Tebow.
Tebow completed only 10 passes against Pittsburgh last week, but on average each of those completions moved the ball 31 yards. His 80-yard touchdown pass to Demaryius Thomas on the first play of overtime gave Denver a 29-23 win and set up Saturday's meeting with New England.
Although the Patriots are a decided favorite to advance to the AFC title game, New England's defense is ranked next-to-last in the league.
Baltimore will host Houston Sunday, beginning at 1 p.m. EST. The Texans played in and won the first post-season game in franchise history last week, easily disposing of Cincinnati.
A low-scoring game is expected since Baltimore gave up the third-fewest points in the league this season and Houston was fourth.
Green Bay will close out the division round at home against the New York Giants, who hope to duplicate their feat from four years ago. The Giants won the NFC title game in Green Bay that season and then handed New England its only loss of the season to capture the Super Bowl.
The conference championship games will be played next week and the Super Bowl will be contested Feb. 5 in Indianapolis.
Meeks sends Philadelphia rolling over Wizards
PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 13 (UPI) -- Jodie Meeks made six of Philadelphia's 12 3-pointers Friday and his 26 points sent the 76ers to a 120-89 blasting of Washington.
Philadelphia has won all of its five home games this season. The Wizards have lost two straight since winning their only game of the season. The teams meet again Saturday in Washington.
Meeks missed only once in 11 attempts from the field, making 5-of-6 from long range. Philadelphia, already owning a 14-point lead at the half, outscored the Wizards by 20 in the third period.
Lou Williams had 19 points for Philadelphia, which made 55 percent from the field overall.
Rashard Lewis came off the bench to score 16 points for Washington.
This is the first time in nine years the 76ers have won their first five home contests. They are playing a stretch in which 15 out of 18 games will be played on their home court.
Penguins end skid, Crosby practices
SUNRISE, Fla., Jan. 13 (UPI) -- Marc-Andre Fleury gave up only a third-period goal Friday and made 25 saves in carrying the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 4-1 victory over Florida.
Not only did the Penguins end a six-game losing streak, they received good news when captain Sidney Crosby took part in the morning skate. It was his first time on the ice in more than a month.
Crosby missed most of the 2010-11 season after suffering a concussion. He returned to action Nov. 21 but played in only eight games before again developing concussion-like symptoms.
He has two goals and 12 points.
Steve Sullivan and Evgeni Malkin scored first-period goals for the Penguins. After Tyler Kennedy managed the lone Florida score, Michal Repik and James Neal tallied for Pittsburgh.
Scott Clemmensen gave up four goals on 41 shots. It was Florida's third loss in four games.
Report: Fisher to coach St. Louis Rams
ST. LOUIS, Jan. 13 (UPI) -- Jeff Fisher said Friday he has decided to become the head coach of the St. Louis Rams, choosing that team over the Miami Dolphins.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Friday that Fisher was putting the final touches on a contract with the Rams.
"I'm really excited that the Rams are the best fit for me," Fisher said in an interview with the newspaper. "I'm looking forward to coming to work."
A statement from the Dolphins said there had been discussions with Fisher about their vacant head coaching position.
Fisher left the Tennessee Titans following the 2010 season. He spent 17 years with the club, posting a regular-season record of 142-120 with four division titles and six playoff appearances.
The Titans reached the Super Bowl at the end of the 1999 season, but lost to St. Louis.
