AP Sports SummaryBrief at 1:40 p.m. EST

NFL playoffs: Packed Week 18 slate will decide playoff field

If you enjoy high stakes professional football combined with scoreboard watching and slightly convoluted tiebreakers, then the NFL’s Week 18 slate of games is a must-watch. It’s been an eventful week for NFL players and fans, who watched in horror Monday night as Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field and had to be given CPR before leaving the field in an ambulance. A few days later, those same players and fans have watched with joy as Hamlin recovers. That makes it much easier to focus on the NFL’s stacked Week 18, which will determine the playoff fate of numerous teams.

Bills’ Hamlin breathing on his own, joins team via video

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin’s agent says the player is breathing on his own and able to talk after having his breathing tube removed. It comes four days after he went into cardiac arrest and was resuscitated on the field. Hamlin also joined the team’s morning meeting by videoconference and told them “love you guys.” The 24-year-old Hamlin was listed Thursday in critical condition in the intensive care unit of the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.

Dodgers cut pitcher Trevor Bauer after suspension reduced

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers are cutting ties with pitcher Trevor Bauer, whose unprecedented 324-game suspension over sexual misconduct allegations was reduced two weeks ago, allowing him to resume his career with the start of the new season. The team says the 31-year-old right-hander will not be part of the organization. Bauer has maintained he did nothing wrong, saying that everything that happened between him and a San Diego woman he met online was consensual. A person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press that Bauer was designated for assignment, which means the Dodgers have seven days to pull off an unlikely trade or just release him. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team had not announced the roster move.

Heart screening may not have prevented Hamlin’s collapse

Quick on-the-field emergency care is widely credited with helping save Damar Hamlin’s life, but it’s unclear if his cardiac arrest could have been prevented with screening. Doctors have said they’re still evaluating what caused Hamlin’s heart to stop after a tackle during Monday night’s Bills-Bengals game. One possibility is a fluke type of chest trauma that is impossible to predict or prevent. Existing heart conditions are the most common cause of sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes. Cardiac testing including EKGs and echocardiograms can sometimes detect them. But these tests can’t detect all heart conditions. And they sometimes miss ones that can be deadly.

Pray for Damar: Public prayer blitz follows Hamlin collapse

The intersection of prayer and sports has been especially prominent in the aftermath of Damar Hamlin’s frightening collapse during an NFL game. All 32 NFL teams have included “Pray for Damar” on their Twitter avatars. ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky prayed for the Buffalo Bills’ safety on live TV. Countless fans and other concerned observers said on social media they were praying, and dozens linked arms outside his Cincinnati hospital. Experts on religion and sports say prayer is a common response to health scares. It was amplified in this case by social media and the high-profile “Monday Night Football” game.

Shiffrin still chasing Vonn’s record as her win streak ends

KRANJSKA GORA, Slovenia (AP) — Mikaela Shiffrin’s pursuit of Lindsey Vonn’s women’s World Cup wins record will go on for at least another day. Shiffrin finished tied for sixth in a giant slalom on Saturday to end her winning streak at five races. Shiffrin remained at 81 career wins — one victory away from Vonn’s mark of 82 victories. Valerie Grenier of Canada won the race. Marta Bassino was second and Petra Vlhova completed the podium. Shiffrin can still match Vonn in another giant slalom scheduled for the same course on Sunday.

Venus Williams out of Australian Open due to injury

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Venus Williams has withdrawn from the Australian Open for an undisclosed injury she sustained while playing in a tournament in Auckland, New Zealand this week. A seven-time Grand Slam singles champion, Williams received a wild-card entry into the Australian Open last month to compete in what would have been her 22nd major at Melbourne Park. But the Australian Open said the 42-year-old Williams had withdrawn from the tournament beginning Jan. 16. It did not provide specifics regarding the injury.

Backstrom, Wilson ready to make season debuts for Capitals

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — The Washington Capitals say center Nicklas Backstrom and winger Tom Wilson are ready to play. Backstrom and Wilson are expected to make their respective season debuts tomorrow when the Capitals host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Backstrom had offseason hip resurfacing procedure on a nagging injury, and Wilson underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL in his left knee. Two of the organization’s longest-tenured players have been rehabbing and ramping up to return for several months. Washington has rebounded from a slow start to move into a playoff position midway through the NHL season.

NFL owners approve playoff plan after Bills-Bengals canceled

NFL owners have approved a resolution that could lead to a neutral site for the AFC championship in response to the cancellation of Monday night’s Bills-Bengals game after Buffalo safety Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field. NFL teams held a special meeting to consider the recommendation of Commissioner Roger Goodell and the league’s competition committee. Hamlin is breathing on his own and able to talk after having his breathing tube removed, his agent said. It’s the latest step in his remarkable recovery in the four days since going into cardiac arrest during the game at Cincinnati. Hamlin even joined the Bills’ team meeting via videoconference.

Swiss ace Marco Odermatt wins World Cup giant slalom

ADELBODEN, Switzerland (AP) — Marco Odermatt has carried his remarkable streak in giant slalom to another World Cup win at Adelboden. Swiss star Odermatt’s classic home race was staged after weeks of unseasonably warm weather. The Olympic champion extended his first-run lead in fading light to beat by Henrik Kristoffersen by 0.73 seconds. Odermatt’s teammate Loïc Meillard was third. It was Odermatt’s fourth win in five World Cup giant slaloms since October and his 14th straight podium finish through the past two seasons. Warm and snow-free weather created conditions Swiss broadcaster RTS described as “almost a miracle” to stage a race.