AP Sports SummaryBrief at 3:58 p.m. EST

Defending champion Georgia vs. Cinderella TCU for CFP title

After the best semifinal day in the nine-year history of the College Football Playoff, the title game will match the defending national champion against the closest thing the sport has had in years to a Cinderella team. It will be No. 1 Georgia, looking for its second straight championship, against upstart and No. 3 TCU on Jan. 9 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The four-team playoff has been littered with lopsided semifinal games, but these were both thrillers. The Bulldogs came from 14 points down to beat No. 4 Ohio State 42-41 in the Peach Bowl. TCU upset No. 2 Michigan 51-45 in the Fiesta Bowl.

Eagles DE Sweat leaves game on stretcher after tackle

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Josh Sweat suffered a neck injury but has movement in all extremities after he was injured trying to make a tackle Sunday against New Orleans. The Eagles said Sweat was taken to the hospital “for precautionary reasons.” Sweat did pound the ground with his hands before he was removed from the field on a stretcher in the first quarter.

Colts’ Foles carted off vs. Giants after Thibodeaux sack

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Indianapolis quarterback Nick Foles was carted off the field late in the second quarter against the New York Giants after sustaining a rib injury while being sacked by Kayvon Thibodeaux. As Foles lay on the ground, Thibodeaux did snow angels right next to him as Colts medical personnel attended to Foles. He was making his second start for Indianapolis in what has become a miserable season. Foles was on the surface at MetLife Stadium for a couple of minutes before he got up and walked to the sideline holding his lower left side. He talked to trainers and eventually got on a cart and was driven off the field.

Miami QB Bridgewater leaves with finger injury vs. Patriots

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Dolphins quarterback Teddy Bridgewater left Miami’s matchup against the New England Patriots with a right finger injury. Bridgewater made the start Sunday in place of Tua Tagovailoa, who is in the concussion protocol for the second time this season. Miami led 14-10 in the third quarter and faced third-and-15 when Bridgewater threw into traffic looking for receiver Trent Sherfield. New England safety Kyle Dugger intercepted it and returned it 39 yards for a touchdown. Kicker Nick Folk’s extra point banged off the upright, leaving the score at 16-14.

Bills, Bengals AFC showdown highlighted by Allen vs. Burrow

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — The Bills showdown at the Bengals on Monday night features the first of what’s expected to be many more quarterback matchups between Buffalo’s Josh Allen and Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow. The two have established themselves as being among the NFL’s top young stars and transformed their respective teams into contenders. The matchup alone is must-watch TV for many, with the outcome playing a big role in determining who finishes first in the AFC.

Utah faces Penn State as the sun sets on a Rose Bowl era

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — The sun is setting on an era of Rose Bowl history when No. 7 Utah faces No. 9 Penn State in an intriguing matchup. The 109th edition of the Granddaddy of Them All is the last that’s guaranteed to feature the game’s time-honored pairing of Pac-12 and Big Ten teams. The game’s status as a College Football Playoff semifinal next season and the expanded playoff in 2024 has put the future in flux for the sport’s oldest active bowl game. This matchup has everything it needs to go out with a bang.

Citrus Bowl pits No. 16 LSU vs. Purdue for 1st time ever

No. 16 LSU and Purdue will meet for the first time in the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida, on Monday. Brian Kelly has turned around the Tigers’ program following a forgettable 2021 season. And Purdue will be without Jeff Brohm, who took Louisville’s head coaching job. Brohm’s brother Brian will lead the Boilermakers in their first Citrus Bowl appearance before incoming coach Ryan Walters takes over.

No. 24 Mississippi State faces Illinois with heavy hearts

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Mississippi State players and staff felt they knew what Mike Leach would want them to do following the death of the Bulldogs coach due to complications from a heart condition. That would be play in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Illinois. Zach Arnett was promoted from  defensive coordinator to head coach and says there’s no better way to honor Leach than to line up and compete against the Illini. Illinois will be without running back Chase Brown. The nation’s second-leading rusher in the regular season with 1,643 yards has decided to enter the NFL draft and will not play in the game.

Doncic scores 51 points, Mavs beat Spurs for 6th straight

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Luka Doncic scored 51 points and the Dallas Mavericks escaped with a 126-125 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday night for their sixth straight victory. Christian Wood added 25 points in Dallas’ fifth straight victory over San Antonio. Keldon Johnson had 30 points for Sam Antonio, Jeremy Sochan added 20 and Jakob Poeltl had 19 points and 15 rebounds. After leading by 17 points, the Mavericks had to scramble in the final minute. Doncic had his third 50-point outing in his past five games, including 60 points, 21 rebounds and 10 assists Tuesday night in an overtime victory over New York.

Tottenham upset by resurgent Villa; Chelsea held at Forest

LONDON (AP) — Any New Year’s resolution by Tottenham to stop conceding the first goal lasted less than one day as Aston Villa continued its revival under Unai Emery with a 2-0 away win in the Premier League. Antonio Conte’s side has now conceded first in its last 10 matches with Tottenham fifth in the standings following its latest disappointment. Emiliano Buendia took advantage of an error by Hugo Lloris in the Spurs goal to open the scoring at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Douglas Luiz doubled the advantage to secure a second consecutive away league victory for Villa. Sixth-place Liverpool can climb above Tottenham by winning at Brentford on Monday. Chelsea was held 1-1 by Nottingham Forest in Sunday’s other match.